Posts Tagged ‘professional’

JOSELITO COLLADO READY FOR BIGGEST FIGHT OF HIS CAREER

September 8 – Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

NEWARK, NJ – Jamaica, Queens junior lightweight boxer Joselito Collado, 13-1, 3 KOs, fights the biggest bout of his career when he faces undefeated TexanJerry Belmontes, 16-0, 5 KOs, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on September 8th. The 8-round contest is the key preliminary bout on a big card promoted by Main Events, with a heavyweight triple header in the spotlight.

Former two-time world champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek, 46-2, 28 KOs, meets Travis “Freight Train” Walker, 39-7-1, 31 KOs, in the 12-round main event, but it is the Collado-Belmontes bout that might just be the most competitive match of the show. Both fighters are considered hot boxing prospects with promising futures, so their anticipated clash is expected to determine which of them is ready to step up to the next level.

“I think he’s a good fighter,” Collado said. “Good amateur fighter. But honestly, I don’t think as a professional, he fought anybody as hard as me. So I think I’m going to give him a hell of a fight.”

Belmontes, the “Corpus Christi Kid“, was an amateur superstar in Texas, but this, his 17th bout, will be his first trip east for a pro fight.

“He’s coming all the way to New Jersey, and he’s fighting a good fighter like me,” Collado said of his opponent. “He might be a little intimidated. Hopefully that can be to my advantage.”

Collado looks forward to the challenge, knowing that Belmontes represents his toughest test of his six year career.

“I take my hat off to him,” Collado said. “I know that he’s more of a boxer than a fighter. So I’m looking to cut the ring and work him. I’m going to keep the jab on him, sit back, and see what he’s got. I always change my style. I can’t say I’m a better brawler, of a better boxer, because it depends who you’re fighting. Sometimes I box, sometimes I have to slug it out. I won’t know until I’m in the ring with him.”

They say that styles makes fights, and the style match between Collado and Belmontes looks like an intriguing one. Neither are considered hard punchers, but Collado brings a much more aggressive style, while Belmontes has the technical skills that could diffuse Collado’s pressure tactics as well as the home field advantage.

“I don’t want to underestimate him,” Collado said. “For this fight, I’m going in with a “Plan A” and a “Plan B”. I gotta say, that he better come in with his “A Game”, because if he doesn’t, he’s going to get put out. I’m training like an animal in the gym.”

FIGHT INFO

Prudential Center doors will open at 1:30PM, first fight is 2:00PM.

“Ironbound Throwdown” September 8th at Newark’s Prudential Center features Tomasz Adamek vs. Travis Walker. Tickets priced at $180 ringside, $105, and $55 are available through Ticketmaster: online at www.ticketmaster.com; Charge-by-phone: 1-800-745-3000; Ticketmaster Express 866-448-7849; and Ticketmaster ticket centers. Tickets are also available at Prudential Center’s Box Office and www.prucenter.com.

The fight will be available in Poland on PPV. WealthTV will begin airing undercard bouts live at 3PM ET nationally on Verizon FiOS TV channel 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and 1470 in HD, along with over 100 cable systems across the country.

The card is presented by Main Events in association with Peltz Boxing, and Ziggy Promotions.

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New York, NY (8/2/12) – Earlier tonight before a near capacity crowd at New York City’s famed Roseland Ballroom, DiBella Entertainment (DBE) presented the latest installment of its Broadway Boxing series, with an action-packed eight bout card. Headlining the card was DBE’s red-hot super middleweight contender Thomas “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen, of South Africa, as he looked to defend his IBO Super Middleweight Championship for the fifth time taking on Florida’s Rowland Bryant. The card was broadcast live on the FIGHT NOW TV network, and sponsored by Manfredi Auto Group, Newlio.com and Everlast.

On paper, the matchup between the two world-rated super middleweight contenders (Oosthuizen IBF #4, WBC #8, WBA #13 and Bryant IBF #12) was one of the strongest main event matchups in the history of Broadway Boxing.

Oosthuizen came out measuring his shorter opponent and working behind a stiff jab. Bryant, who was coming off a third round TKO over iron-chinned Librado Andrade, looked to set up his big right hand from the outside.

In the second round, Oosthuizen began landing hard shots to the body, but Bryant was able to land a few big looping shots.

As the rounds progressed, Oosthuizen continued to be the much busier of the two, mixing it up and landing hard shots to both the body and head. Bryant was able to land a few hard shots of his own, but Oosthuizen showed a granite chin, taking the shots in stride.

Oosthuizen’s jab began to take over in the later rounds, as he was able to score at will. In the 12th and final round, Oosthuizen opened a nasty cut over Bryant’s right eye.

In the end, Oosthuizen defended his IBO belt for a fifth time, scoring a well-deserved 12-round unanimous decision, winning by scores of 118-110, 117-112, 117-112.

After the bout Oosthuizen commented on his victory.

“He was a tough guy, who took some really big shots,” said the 24-year-old South African. “I know there are still things that I need to improve on and I will go back to the drawing board with my team after this. I am happy that I had the opportunity to perform here in New York, and whatever my team decides is next for me, I will be ready.”

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British heavyweight boxer Michael Sprott is interviewed by By Michael J Jones

A long-time contender on the British heavyweight scene, Michael Sprott seems to have been around forever. Turning pro way back in November 1996, Sprott has now had 54 pro fights and still has title aspirations at 37 years of age. Currently 36-18 (17), Sprott has been fighting at title level both in the UK and around Europe for ten years and has fought a virtual who’s-who of big names in that time from; Corrie Sanders in South Africa, Danny Williams three times, Audley Harrison twice an Ruslan Chagaev.

Not the tallest heavyweight at 6ft 1in, Sprott is usually a cagey operator with good boxing skills and a respectful dig. A long-time sparring-partner for both Klitschko brothers, Sprott was a British and Commonwealth champion in 04’ and as recently as 2010 was winning the latest Prizefighter.

Despite a patchy-looking record, when in the mood Michael can be a formidable fighter as seen in victories over Timo Hoffman, Mark Potter, Cengiz Koc and Audley Harrison.

The victory over Harrison was particularly impressive giving that the former Olympic champion was coming off a destruction of Danny Williams. Dropped to the canvas in the first, Sprott was well on top in the third round when a spectacular left hook knocked Audley out cold.

Although Michael has lost his last three fights, all came in very good company and one feels there still could be some memorable nights still left for the Reading contender. Here’s what Michael had to say-

MJ) How old were you when you first started boxing?

MS) I was thirteen when I first started. I had about 60 fights before turning pro.

MJ) Probably the first time I saw you was against Harry Senior in a Southern Area title fight on Sky. He stopped you in six with body-shots, what do you recall about that fight ?

MS) I remember that fight very well. I was going to pull out with a rib injury beforehand. I’d been sparring Danny Watts and Julius Francis and things weren’t going right in camp. My trainer talked me into going through with it saying it’d be all ok. I remember Harry going for a big haymaker and missing but he came back with a big shot to my solar plexus. It winded me and then seconds later another punch got me in the same place. I went down and the ref’ stopped it.

MJ) You lost to the much-bigger Wayne Llewellyn soon after, getting stopped in three before being matched with the hulking Timo Hoffman at York Hall. Nobody expected much from that fight but you boxed brilliantly to beat him on points over eight rounds. Were you as surprised at how well you handled him ?

MS) What happened was, we were both on the same bill and our respective opponents both pulled out so we were matched against each other. I think I was meant to fight Michael Holden. I knew I could do ok against Timo as I’d sparred him over in Germany. His team were impressed with me when we sparred, I out-boxed him most of the time. His trainer wasn’t very happy though, at the weigh-in he asked me “who was I fighting ?” I said “I’m fighting Timo”, he wasn’t happy, he didn’t have a clue !

We fought a rematch in Germany, I thought I won but they gave him the decision. Even the German crowd booed the announcement that he’d won.

MJ) The year after, you came in at late notice to take on Danny Williams for the British and Commonwealth titles. You fought bravely but he wore you down in seven rounds. You seemed to grow in confidence after that loss and reeled off the form of your career ?

MS) I don’t really count that fight as a loss as I only came in on four days notice. I was in Barbados on holiday when I got the call.

It was after that fight I started working with Johnny Greenfield and he completely changed my style of boxing. He taught me to punch more correctly and other things and I ended up winning eight fights in a row with six by knock-out. I stopped Pele Reid (KO 7), Mike Holden (KO 4) and Mark Potter (KO 3) among others.

When Johnny died it was a very hard year (2004). Denny Mancini (Sprott’s cut-man) died a short while after him so I lost two of my corner-men close together. Around the same time we also lost my sister’s boyfriend’s dad, it was a terrible time and a tough moment to get through.

MJ) Let’s talk about your second and third fights with Danny Williams. There was high anticipation for the rematch as your form was incredible at the time, but both that and the rubber match were controversial with Williams being awarded a stoppage win in the second bout and you won a close decision in the last encounter ?

MS) Yeah they were controversial. The second fight I was out-boxing him but he kept hitting me below the belt. The referee wasn’t even warning him when he should have penalised him. In the fifth I turned to tell the ref’ I’d been hit low again and (Danny) knocked me out. It was hard to take at the time but they say “protect yourself at all times” and, in that fight, I learned that.

The third fight, I know everybody said he won but I thought I boxed well and I was just really proud to be British and Commonwealth champion. That was a very proud moment for me.

MJ) You lost both titles a short time later to Matt Skelton. It seemed surprising at the time that only three months after winning the titles you were taking on an undefeated challenger in your very first defence ?

MS) It was a little bit frustrating because I only got told about the fight a month after winning the titles. I wanted it a bit later but the BBB of C pushed for it as he was my mandatory. Skelton is a hard worker in there. People don’t like his style but it works for him.

MJ) You fought mostly in Germany for the next couple of years but eventually came back to the UK to score probably your most famous victory. You fought Audley Harrison straight after he’d just wiped out Danny Williams and came off the canvas to knock him out cold with a left hook. Tell me about that fight ?

MS) When he fought the second fight with Danny Williams I was actually there ringside. I’d been offered the fight but turned it down (Matt Skelton pulled out at late notice). I watched the fight and, while Audley looked impressive, I knew for a fact Danny wasn’t fully prepared for that fight.

Big things were meant to happen for Audley but I had great training for the fight, six or seven weeks and got down to a good weight at 16st 8lbs; that’s a good fighting weight for me. I was told by my trainer to come out strong in the first but I knew that would be a mistake as Audley is a very good counter-puncher. I got dropped in the first but got through the round and took over a round later. It was a great left hook I caught him with, it was a similar shot that stopped Colin Kenna. I went to the body and came back with the hook. I was actually pretty surprised because I was aiming to wear him down and stop him later on in the fight in eight or nine rounds.

MJ) You came a cropper again against Matt Skelton in your next fight losing a close decision. Afterwards you went on your travels again boxing Lamon Brewster amongst others. You were due to return to take part in Prizefighter in October 2009 but tragedy struck and you were forced to pull out. Can you talk a little about that difficult period in your life and career ?

MS) My sister died tragically and I was devastated. It was a very tough time in my life, I thought about going through with Prizefighter but my mother told me not to. My head wasn’t in a good place, so I pulled out to support, and be there for, my family.

Audley Harrison won the tournament and immediately afterwards put his trophy up for auction. The money he raised he gave for my sister’s children. I never had the opportunity to thank him properly but it meant a lot what he did. I was hoping, win-lose-or-draw, I could speak to him at the end of our second fight but I never got the chance.

MJ) A lot of people will be surprised reading that. Why do you think he gets such a bad wrap in this country ?

MS) I don’t know, maybe he just doesn’t come across very well to certain people. I’ve known Audley a long time and know him well. When we were amateurs we used to spar and train together. He’s a good guy, I like him.

MJ) After a warm-up you fought Audley for the vacant European title. He was injured early and you seemed well ahead going into the last but he paid you back for that left hook ?

MS) Yeah he sure did (laughs). It’s funny how things work out but it just goes to show; it’s not over until it’s over. That’s why heavyweight boxing is so exciting; anything can change at any given moment. One minute I’m in control and waiting to be crowned European champion and the next it’s all over !

MJ) You came back to win the next Prizefighter tournament six months later, beating old foe Matt Skelton in the final. What was more satisfying; winning the tournament or finally beating Skelton ?

MS) I was very happy to do both. Obviously winning the tournament was great but also beating Matt after he’d beaten me twice was a good achievement too.

MJ) You had less success the following year in International Prizefighter losing to Tye Fields in the opening bout. It was very close did you think you’d won ?

MS) Yeah I did. I thought I landed the cleaner shots and combination punches while he hit gloves a lot. I thought I nicked it but also, with it being over here, I’d have a better chance again but they gave it him. It’s like that over in Germany; you’re never guaranteed the decision but I thought it’d be different over here.

MJ) You’ve lost your last three bouts to Fields, Alexander Dimitrenko and Kubrat Pulev. That’s great company but what do you hope to achieve in the last few years of your boxing career ?

MS) I’d really like to go for a world title…and win it. I was very close to getting a world title shot with the second Audley Harrison bout (Harrison getting destroyed by David Haye next time out), so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t get a chance with a couple of good wins. I’m 37 now but I feel good for my age, there’s no reason why I can’t carry on for a few more years.

Those last two fights I didn’t feel completely recovered from a bout of pneumonia I had last year. I sparred Alexander Povetkin for a month before falling ill with it. I didn’t feel great in either of those fights but I am much better now and can’t wait for my next fight. I wanted to continue against Pulev but my trainer Jim Evans said “you’re behind on points and taking unnecessary punches. You could go the distance but what’s the point ?” He was right I guess.

MJ) Who are you fighting next Mike ?

MS) I’m fighting (20-0 German) Edmund Gerber in Germany on August 26th. It was meant to be on the Povetkin-Rahman card on July 14th, so now it’s on the re-scheduled bill on the later date. It’s been a bit frustrating this year, I’ve not fought since January as I’ve had a few dates cancelled so I just hope this one doesn’t get scrapped like the others.

MJ) You’ve fought Matt Skelton three times, Danny Williams three times and Audley Harrison twice. If you could fight any of those former rivals again who would you pick and why?

MS) Hmmm…I don’t think I want to fight any of them again ! No seriously, I think I’ve kind of had revenge on all of them as I’ve beaten each one. Maybe I’d say Audley as it’s one win a piece.

MJ) What do you make of the younger heavyweight contenders coming through like Tyson Fury and Dave Price?

MS) We’ve got a good young generation of heavyweights coming through I think. David Price is the best for me, he’s tall, athletic and can bang. Tyson Fury is coming along well, I was impressed with his last fight. Fighting Martin Rogan as a southpaw was amazing. Richard Towers too looks a good fighter. They all look good but it’s time to see what they bring (in a higher class).

MJ) Is there any fight over the years that you wanted but never got ?

MS) Maybe Mike Tyson. I beat Danny Williams but he got the fight against Tyson. I have to give credit though; Danny beating him was a great achievement. Tyson wasn’t what he was but he still had the speed and power and was a dangerous man.

MJ) Many thanks for your time Mike and best of luck for your next fight.

MS) Thank you !

Published by kind permission of: Worldwide Weekly Boxing Predictions League

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• According to Fan Base Promotions, former IBF/NABF Super Middleweight Champion  Jesus “EL Martillo” Gonzales (27-2-0) will not fight in Arizona on August 3 as previously announced. Instead, the 27 yer old Arizona Native  will take on Elvin Ayala (25-5-1) July 21  at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Ayala resides in nearby New Haven, Connecticut. The middleweight headliner  contest is scheduled for 10 rounds;but, it isn’t televised. The change of time, date, venue and opponent  came as a result of Gonzales’  difficulty in finding  a  trainer. Fan Base asked that the name of the new trainer be withheld until the former champ reports for training in Las Vegas, Nevada. If Gonzales fails to report, presumably the bout is off and Fan Base will start a new search to find a suitable  foe.   It can be told that the “presumptive”  trainer is a veteran with a sound resume and a recognizable name in the world boxing community. Gonzales has been clamoring for a name trainer for years and now he apparently has one. The onetime Top Rank Protege  dumped his last trainer almost a  year ago
• This is a crossroads fight for Gonzales whose last fight resulted in a 1st round knockout loss  at the hands of Haitian “Bad Boy” Adonis “Superman” Stevenson. Gonzales hopes his return as a middleweight will increase his ring  speed and add power to his punch; something that was missing in most of his super middleweight fights.

Gonzales should be able to beat the 31 year old Ayala  if his head is screwed on straight and his body is fit…..a defeat could spell the end of a  career for a very popular and once promising boxer.

• The always candid  Mayweather took a  casual poke at Top Rank Boxing by suggesting that the only way a Top  Rank fighter could lose was to another Top Rank fighter, a sly reference to the Manny Pacquia/Timothy Bradley  fight result…more from roger! After Azriel Paez (one of Jorge’s sons) was awarded a unanamious but controversial  verdict in 140 lb contest over Michael Salcido , Mayweather walked by Azriel Paez  in the dressing room area and quipped  “did you win”? To which Paez replied …what did you say…Mayweather repeated the question and got the same reply. By now, Paez was mad and said  of course I won..why do you ask? Mayweather rfesponded with that’s all I wanted to know did you win? That’s Roger being Roger.  Before he departed Phoenix, Mayweather was told that  Canadian Light Welterweight Steve “The Dragon Claggett (14-1-1) is challenging Arizona’s budding star  Jose Benavidez Jr. (15-0) to fight him anywhere, anytime. Mayweather paused and said if you see him..tell him to keep dreaming. Mayweather is very familiar with both fighters. Claggett fight just outside of Calgary, Alberta  Canada on a card that includes the return of Janks Trotter and the debut of huge heavyweight Ed Jackson. The show is produced by Fan Base Promotions .

• Marcos Mendias (147) upped his record to 5-4 as he outpointed Phoenix favorite Arturo Brambila . All 3 scorers  it in favor of the 24 year old Mendias who  has certainly turned his career around since he joined forces with trainer Andy Soto. It marked a return to the ring after a three year self imposed retirement for Brambila.  At the press conference, he told fans that he tried to do other things but nothing seemed right;so he returned to boxing. It was a solid performance for the 33 year old and fans showed their appreciation…it just wasn’t his night. In other bouts, 142 lb Abel Ramos contines to impress with a convincing UD over veteran Jeremiah Torres from New Mexico. All three officials came to the same conclusion: 42-36…Ramos remains undefeated at 4-0 and  still waiting to be signed by a major boxing promoter.  134 lb Thomas Valdez convinced Cory Muldrew that he was the best man with a impressive UD win and Valdez remains a prospect to watch. 128  lb Chris Lopez was aggressive and confident  in his UD decision over New Mexico’s
• Jazzman Hogue. 148 lb saul Benitez outworked Antonio Moreno in gaining a split decision. As mentioned …Azriel Paez was awarded a UD over Michael Salcido in an odd contest  where Paez seemed to searching for a boxing identify..word of advice: just be yourself and not your father. He has skills. In the first amateur bout: Alexis Urbino, Knockout Boxing, defeated

• Alfonso Marquez, San Luis PAL. In the second amateur tiff, Wilbert Lopez, AZ Boxing decisioned Alain Moreno from Eclipse Boxing in Tucson.

• Parting Shots: Support amateur boxing in Arizona by going to the website of Arizona Golden Gloves Boxingor contact any of Arizona’s gyms (Knockout Boxing, etc.) and ask about community Smokers. They are a lot of fun for the entire family. Special congratulations to to Fan Base Boxing CEO Robert Schmick and his lovely wife on the birth of their daughter Madelyn Gail Schmick. She went through some serious complications before her release from a Calgary Hospital. She is now home with her proud parents.

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