Boxing News

Posts Tagged ‘Philly’

Eddie Chambers Hopes To Add To Philly Heavyweight History

Philadelphia, PA – When Eddie Chambers, of Philadelphia, PA, boxes Sergei Liakhovich, of Scottsdale, AZ, in the 10-round main event on Saturday evening, Jan. 21, at the Asylum Arena, he will take another step on the journey he hopes will lead him to the heavyweight championship of the world.

Chambers, 29, who moved to Philadelphia from Pittsburgh as a young pro in 2002, already has boxed for the IBF version of the crown. Although he was stopped in the 12th round by Wladimir Klitschko in 2010 in Germany, he now knows what he must do to get back there and win.

In the long history of Philadelphia boxing, few have challenged for boxing’s richest prize. Despite its reputation as a great boxing town, only two men, Sonny Liston (below) and Joe Frazier, lived in Philadelphia when they won the world heavyweight title. Terrible Tim Witherspoon twice earned pieces (WBC, WBA) of the crown in the 1980s.

Liston lived here when he dispatched Floyd Patterson in one round in 1962 at Chicago’s Comiskey Park to become Philadelphia’s first world heavyweight champion.

Six years later, Frazier (below), originally from Beaufort, SC, knocked out Buster Mathis in Madison Square Garden to gain recognition as world champion. He won the undisputed belt in 1970 against Jimmy Ellis then cemented his heavyweight legacy by outpointing the comebacking Muhammad Ali over 15 rounds in 1971.

There have been other outstanding Philadelphia heavyweights, including Tommy Loughran, considered by many to be the greatest fighter ever from Philadelphia, Al Ettore, Leroy Haynes, Dan Bucceroni, Leotis Martin and Jimmy Young.

While Philadelphia world heavyweight champions are rare, the city has hosted two of the most important heavyweight championship fights of all-time on the same date and in the same ring, 26 years apart.

On Sept. 23, 1926, Jack Dempsey lost his crown to Gene Tunney via 10-round decision in a steady downpour in front of 120,757 fans at what was then known as Sesquicentennial Stadium in South Philadelphia. On the same date in 1952, in what many claim was the greatest heavyweight title fight ever, Rocky Marciano came from behind to knock out Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th round at the same venue, then known as Municipal Stadium.

It’s a long, glorious history Chambers is following and the fight with Liakhovich is the next step.

A pro since 2000, Chambers is 36-2, 19 KO’s. Liakhovich, 35, of Scottsdale, AZ, is 25-4, 16 KO’s, and he held the WBO version of the title for seven months in 2004. The winner will have something to say in the world heavyweight picture in 2012.

ABOUT THE FIGHT

The inaugural main event of the NBC Sports Network Fight Night Series, Eddie Chambers vs. Sergei Liakhovich, a 10-round heavyweight match, tops an eight-fight card on Saturday evening, Jan. 21, at the Asylum Arena, 7 West Ritner Street, in South Philadelphia. The live television broadcast also features a 10-round junior middleweight clash between Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia, PA, and Jesus Soto-Karass, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. First fight is at 7 PM. The live NBC Sports Network Fight Night telecast begins at 9 p.m. The show is being promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor. Tickets are priced at $45 and $65. They are on sale at Peltz Boxing (             215-765-0922       ) or online at www.peltzboxing.com.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich Aims to Gain New Fans in Philly

In a bout that has the makings of a match made in boxing heaven, former Heavyweight Champion Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich takes on top Heavyweight Contender “Fast” Eddie Chambers to open the new NBC Sports Network’s Fight Night on January 21, 2012, at 9pm, at Asylum Arena in Philadelphia.

Sergei is a native of Belarus and grew up in the former Soviet Union. He attributes his upbringing to the type of fighter and person he is today. “Growing up in Belarus was the best life lesson for me. It prepared me for all the challenges that life brings.” “It made me stronger and hungrier for a better life.” Someone once said ‘sports does not build character, it reveals it,’ growing up in Belarus definitely helped build my character!”

Since he was 12 years old, Liakhovich always dreamed of becoming a professional boxer. When Sergei was young he would cut out articles from newspapers and magazines which featured fighters like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. He envisaged becoming a boxing icon. “I knew that the United States was the most important place to be in order to make it big in professional boxing. When I was 23, I obtained one of my goals by coming to the US, it wasn’t easy. Becoming World Champion at 29 was the next big accomplishment, now I intend to continue the dream by becoming a world champion again” Sergei said.

Commenting about fighting in a city with a rich boxing heritage, Liakhovich said, “Philadelphia has so much boxing history and true boxing fans. I grew up in the working class city, so this feels like going home to me. One of the biggest compliments you can have as a fighter is when you can turn a crowd that comes to support the home town guy into your own fans by the end of the fight. It happened in Pittsburgh when I fought Brewster and I think it will happen again in Philly.”

Sergei is pleased to be on NBC Sports Network’s inaugural Fight Night show, “I am so excited to have the opportunity to be in the main event on NBC Sports Network’s opening show. NBC is an important part of worldwide TV and to be chosen for this show was a privilege. Anyone who knows me knows that I give my all each time I step in the ring. I promise you nothing less on January 21st. In fact, since our styles match perfectly, when Chambers and I mix it up, it will be a night boxing fans will talk about!”

Promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor, the non-televised undercard fights will begin at 7 p.m. Televised fights will begin at 9 p.m.Tickets are priced at $45 and $65 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing,             (215) 765-0922       .

NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE (All Times ET)

Saturday, January 21, 9-11 p.m. – Philadelphia

Saturday, March 24, 10 p.m.-Midnight – Site TBA

Saturday, June 16, 9-11 p.m. – Site TBA

Saturday, December 8, 9-11 p.m. – Site TBA

Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

1/21/12 Philly Undercard Fighters to Participate in Media Presser at Joe Hand’s Boxing Gym
1pm Monday, January 9th

There will be a media conference with question and answer session for the Philly undercard fighters on the NBC Sports Network Fight Night 1/21 show.

Which Philadelphia fighters will be there:

Eddie Chambers, 36-2, 18 KO’s who takes on Sergei Liakhovich, 25-4, 16 KO’s
Gabriel Rosado, 18-5, 10 KO’s takes on Jesus Soto Karass, Los Mochis, Mex 24-6-3, 16 KO’s
Ray Robinson, 12-2, 5 KO’s takes on Doel Carrasquillo, Frederica, DE, 16-18-1, 14 KO’s

Where: Joe Hand’s Gym,
543-547 North Third Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone:   215-271-4263

http://www.joehandgym.com/

When: Monday, January 9, 2012 at 1:00pm

The entire card will be announced next week.

Please RSVP: ehaley@mainevents.com

Promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor, the non-televised undercard fights will begin at 7 p.m. Televised fights will begin at 9 p.m.Tickets are priced at $45 and $65 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing,  (215) 765-0922.

NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE (All Times ET)
Saturday, January 21, 9-11 p.m. – Philadelphia
Saturday, March 24, 10 p.m.-Midnight – Site TBA
Saturday, June 16, 9-11 p.m. – Site TBA
Saturday, December 8, 9-11 p.m. – Site TBA

Media requests for fight night credentials must be emailed to ehaley@mainevents.com. You must include “January 21 Credential Request” in the subject line. Specify which affiliation you are representing and if you are requesting a written or photo credential. Credential requests received after January 10th WILL NOT be considered. An extremely limited number of media positions are available at this venue.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

Hide Sites