Boxing News

Posts Tagged ‘Professional Boxing’

LOS ANGELES (December, 2011) – In April 2011, Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto gave boxing fans one of the best fights of the year, with both men hitting the canvas twice before Ortiz rallied to victory and captured Berto’s World Boxing Council (WBC) Welterweight World Championship.

On Saturday, February 11, these rugged and determined fighters will meet once again, this time at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., in a highly anticipated 12-round welterweight rematch live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

“Ortiz vs. Berto II: Repeat or Revenge” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, DiBella Entertainment and SHOWTIME. Coming off of its groundbreaking promotion during the blockbuster SHOWTIME PPV® event featuring Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley in May 2011, SHOWTIME will again receive promotional support from the network’s parent company, CBS Corporation, whose assets include the CBS Television Network and local radio and television stations, among others. The Ortiz-Berto rematch marks the first time that SHOWTIME and CBS will join forces in support of a boxing event televised live on the premium network.

Both fighters have agreed to be subject to Olympic style drug testing which will be administered by the Volunteer Anti-Doping Association (VADA) and will include random blood and urine tests.

“For me, the first Berto-Ortiz fight was the 2011 Fight of the Year and one of the most memorable fights of the last several years,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Immediately after, like most every other boxing fan, I couldn’t help but hope for a rematch. Now that I am in the position to bring this fight to the loyal SHOWTIME subscribers, and to do so with the support of our world-class colleagues at CBS, I couldn’t be more proud to make this special announcement.”

“I’m prepared to go to war again with Berto,” said Ortiz.

Berto said, “I am looking forward to this fight. It’s a fight that I want and it’s a fight the people demanded. These are the types of fights that make boxing so great. I am so hyped and excited to get ready to make another classic, but bottom line…Ortiz has to GO!”

Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions, said, “After the April fight between Ortiz and Berto, the first words out of everyone’s mouths were, ‘When are they going to do it again?’ Well, I’m proud to say that February 11th is the date for the most anticipated rematch we’ve seen in a long time. When you put these two fighters together in the ring, there will always be fireworks. I can’t wait to see them do battle a second time.”

Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment, said, “Berto-Ortiz I was a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate and boxing fans can expect more of the same in this meaningful rematch. This fight is the perfect way to open up what is expected to be a great year of boxing in 2012.”

Tickets, priced at $300, $150, $100 and $50, are now on sale and are available at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at            (800) 745-3000       . Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Everyone anticipated an action-packed fight the first time that Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto stepped into the ring back on April 16 with the WBC Welterweight World Championship on the line. What ensued was nothing less than spectacular as the pair stormed out of the gate, setting a fast pace that would continue for the entire 12-round contest. Midway through the first round, Ortiz staggered Berto with a sneaky right hand, then backed him into a corner and followed up with a barrage of punches which forced the defending champion to take a knee in order to recover. Berto wasted little time returning the favor, sending Ortiz to the canvas with a counter right hand at the end of the second round. The exciting battle continued round after round, and in the sixth frame, Berto landed a right hand that dropped Ortiz. As soon as the action resumed, Berto was all over Ortiz, looking to close the show. With Ortiz trapped against the ropes and Berto throwing caution to the wind, Ortiz threw a left hook that caught Berto flush on the chin, dropping him for the second time in the fight just seconds before the bell. The back-and-forth action continued for the second half of the “Fight of the Year” candidate. In the end, Ortiz had captured the title with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory, winning by scores of 115-110, 114-111 and 114-112.

The star of Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KOs) has been on the rise for the last few years, but in 2011, the native of Garden City, Kansas finally put everything together for the entire world to see. The owner of wins over Mike Arnaoutis, Nate Campbell and Antonio Diaz, Ortiz stepped it up in April 2011 with a 12-round decision win over Berto that captivated the boxing world and earned him the WBC Welterweight Championship. Five months later, Ortiz lost a controversial bout to pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, but with his rematch against Berto looming, the 24-year old now has the perfect opportunity to get back to the top of the division.

A member of the 2004 Haitian Olympic team, Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KOs), like Ortiz, has been leading the charge of boxing’s next generation, thrilling fans with exciting fights and blistering knockouts. Crowned a world champion in 2008, the 28-year-old Berto successfully defended his WBC crown five times against the likes of Luis Collazo, Steve Forbes and Juan Urango before losing it to Ortiz in April. In September, Berto put gold around his waist once again by stopping Jan Zaveck in five rounds for the IBF title. He would soon vacate the title in order to take the fight he has been clamoring for since April and now he’s looking forward to evening the score with Ortiz on February 11.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

‘Boxway’ Boxing & Fitness Centre – Valley Road, B’Kara, Malta

Edwin Micallef of Micallef Promotions, owner of the Boxway gym and Malta’s first internationally recognized boxing promoter, recently called us and we spent some time discussing his reasons for taking over the fitness centre and his plans for going forward.

Edwin explained that he has been involved in the local boxing scene for a number of years. With his involvement going back to 2008 when his two younger siblings showed an interest in taking up the sport and it was not long before he found himself involved in a number of amateur boxing committees and traveling with the local amateur boxing team for competitions and training camps abroad. Already an experienced events promoter, the organization and promotion of professional boxing shows was a natural step for Edwin.

“Earlier in May this year my brother Daniel who resides in the UK and Malta  successfully registered as a professional boxer with the BBBofC and I decided to start scouting around for training facilities as I wanted to have greater control on the quality of training being offered to our young prospects” – “Then the former Dixon’s club came unexpectedly on the market and I decided to get a head start on my goals by acquiring the lease and the equipment,” said Edwin.

Asked about the future of professional boxing in the Maltese Islands, Edwin replied; “When the Malta Boxing Commission became affiliated with the European Boxing Union in June of this year, I saw this as a great opportunity for serious local boxers and clubs to enter the international boxing scene,

the Malta Commission is an important platform for building a future for local boxing prospects in the Maltese Islands. Boxway is proud to call it self home to Malta’s first officially registered professional boxers, with internationally recognised sanctioning bodies .”

Commenting about the future of ‘Boxway’ as a boxing club and fitness centre, Edwin said; “The future looks great, membership has more than doubled since we reopened and thanks to contacts provided by our boxing commission we have now started a training and co-operation program with a number of UK professional boxing clubs. This year in August (2011) we had TRAD TKO Trainer Barry Smith, than we had Paul Graham of the Scottish based ‘BOXING PROSPECTS’, and we had one of our local pros Clayton Vella, going over to train at the TKO in London.

Early in 2012 we hope bring over Irish Boxing Coach, Joe Gallagher in co-operation with the local boxing commission and a number of sparring partners from Scotland.

Edwin explained that the gym is open six days a week (closing Sunday) and will be offering training to local male and female professional boxers, special classes for amateur boxers at fixed hours and box-fit sessions. Children will get the opportunity to learn boxing basics, by experienced and qualified coaches.

For more information on membership and classes call Edwin Micallef on 99461751

Photos:

Boxway Logo – Irish Coach, Joe Gallagher – Training at the Boxway Gym, Malta

Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

By Rio

London – Monday, 28th November 2011

Title Shot For Nathan Weise, Faces Steve O’Meara On 14th December

One of the most exciting young prospects from Johnny Eames’ always excellent TRAD TKO stable, ‘Sugar’ Nathan Weise, gets his first taste of Championship action – when he challenges West Drayton’s Steve O’Meara for the Southern Area Light Middleweight title on December 14th.

Weise-O’Meara will be chief support to the Lee Selby versus John Simpson British Featherweight title clash at Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions event at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Wednesday, 14th December and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform Channel 456 & Virgin 546).

Speaking earlier Weise made it clear that he intends to emulate TRAD TKO gym mates; Southern Area Lightweight Champion Ben Murphy, Southern Area Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders, British Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams, British Welterweight Champion Colin Lynes and WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight Champion Kevin Mitchell, who all bought back titles to the famous Canning Town gym this year.

“First of all I want to thank my manager, Johnny Eames, for getting me the opportunity to fight for the Southern Area title.

My last fight I drew against former Champ Ryan Toms, who Steve O’Meara beat to get the title.

If it wasn’t for the knockdown I would have won the fight, but that’s boxing for you. It only takes one punch.

I showed heart and got up and got myself back in the fight. As I said if it wasn’t for the knockdown I would have won.

I can see this fight being a whole different type of fight, as I don’t think O’Meara’s as big a puncher as Ryan Toms, even though he stopped him in the first round his record doesn’t say he’s a big puncher, he’s more of a stylist boxer.

I see this fight being more of a chess match, but he’s a champion so I’m going to have to put it on him, take it to him and take the fight from him.

My trainer, Mark Tibbs, has had me training so hard in the gym in preparation for this fight, training’s spot on.

I only boxed just over three weeks ago so really I’ve been training for this fight for seven or eight weeks already. I’m going to be in tip top shape, I’m ready to go

You know what they say ‘styles makes fights’ and I just can’t wait to get in there and win the Southern Area title.

I’m not going to say I am going to stop him but I’m going to outwork him out hustle him and bring the title back to the TRAD TKO gym, where it belongs, and have a good Christmas.”

Nathan Weise versus Steve O’Meara for the Southern Area Light Middleweight Championship takes place on the Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Wednesday 14th December 2011 and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform Channel 456 & Virgin 546)

Tickets, priced £40 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com. Tickets are also available in person from Nathan at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.

PHOTOS

Nathan Weise in action against Aaron Fox earlier this year

Nathan Weise ready for action

PHOTO CREDIT
Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion

London, UK, Gzira, Malta & Philadelphia, USA

Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

TOP PROSPECTS JOIN HATTON’S HOUSE OF CHAMPIONS

HATTON Promotions have showed their ambition again by signing unbeaten prospects Craig Bunn and Kallum De’ath to promotional agreements.

The Manchester pair have decided to return to the professional ranks and will be trained by Joe Pennington.

Super-bantamweight De’ath won both his professional contests, but was just 18-years-old when he returned for another spell in the amateurs in March 2008.

Pennington hopes the 22-year-old will box in December and insists: “Kallum is more mature now and is ready to make a real go of it.

“He has his own house, a missus and a baby. He has proven to me that he wants to be a success.

“Kallum was offered good money when he turned professional previously, but wasn’t ready.

“He had lost a controversial decision to Liam Walsh in the ABA semi-finals also so he took the chance to turn over.”

Bunn, 25, is unbeaten in five professional fights, winning four and being held to a draw on one occasion.

He will compete at light-heavyweight and like stablemate De’ath hopes to box before Christmas.

Bunn last boxed in December 2006, and quit the sport because of personal problems.

In preparation for his return, Bunn has been sparring with Tony Bellew.

Pennington added: “Craig was a bit of a wild kid, but has settled back into boxing and will be a real handful.

“He will stand down from no man and is very aggressive with a fan friendly style.

“With Hatton Promotions backing Craig and Kallum I am certain they will make the most of their second chance.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Pawel Wolak (29-1-1, 19 KO), who , will be fighting against Delvin Rodriguez (25-5-3, 14 KO), said; “that it is always a struggle to provide entertainment to the fans”.

The Polish boxer said that he considers it as a personal defeat if the fans are disappointed with his performance.

People can love me or dislike me. I do not care but I get upset when I am told that my fight was boring or that I did not give a 150% effort, this means that the fans have also suffered defeat with me, regardless of the official verdict”.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

Hide Sites