03.09.08 – Jim Amato: It is with great sadness to report that former middleweight contender Rocky Castellani passed away August 31st. Attilio “Rocky” Castellani…Born and was still residing in Luzeme, Pennsylvania. He was one of the best middleweights of the 1940’s and 50’s. He turned pro in 1944 and engaged in 83 professional contests in a career that lasted until 1957. In his lone title shot he lost a fair and square fifteen round decision to Hall Of Fame inductee Carl “Bobo” Olson in 1954..
Along his boxing journey Rocky swapped leather with the likes of Kid Gavilan, Joey Giardello, Johnny Bratton, Billy Graham, Charlie Fusari, Eugene Hairston, Walter Cartier, Gil Turner, Sonny Horne, Tony Janiro, Lenny Mancini, Pierre Langlois, Joey Giambra, Gene Fullmer and a fella named Sugar Ray Robinson. Castellani was a smooth boxer and an excellent counter puncher. Although not known as a power puncher ( 16 career KO’s ), he was very durable. He was stiopped only four times in his career. Three of those were very early on. Rocky finished with a 65-14-4 ledger.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Michael Walker Set For The Rematch On “Radisson Rumble” From ESPN 2
September 3, 2008 (Merrillville, In)- On Friday October 3rd, Michael “Midnight Stalker” Walker (18-1, 12KOs) returns to action at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza as he battles Antwun Echols (31-8, 27KOs) in a rematch from their epic main event on ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights in February. Their first meeting resulted in a draw and Walker has every intention of erasing that blemish off his record. Since their first encounter, Michael Walker suffered a hard fought unanimous decision loss at the hands of David Lopez on Solo Boxeo. The Chicago native is excited about fighting once again in front of the loyal One In A Million Boxing fans who have supported him for years.
“This is the biggest fight of Michael’s career. There’s no denying the magnitude of the rematch against Antwun Echols. He knows he has to come back and put on a dazzling performance in order to remain a top middleweight contender. Despite taking the fight on only a couple weeks notice, Michael put forth a tremendous effort against David Lopez who is an extremely talented fighter. Walker has been entrenched in one of the most intense training camps he has ever been a part of. I have no doubt that on October 3rd at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza the world will see the best Michael Walker ever. I also have no doubt we will see the best Antwun Echols ever. Together, both Walker and Echols are sure to produce a middleweight war. “Said One In A Million Inc. CEO Octavius James”.
Last August, Michael Walker picked up one of the biggest wins of his career when he defeated Dante Craig on the undercard of the Diaz/Morales PPV card. The Chicago native thrilled the nearly 10,000 hometown fans at the Allstate Arena as he knocked out the former Olympian in round 2. He is no stranger to a fight of huge implications.
Michael Walker having met Antwun Echols once before knows he must bring his best on October 3rd in their rematch. The Chicago native is preparing for more of the back and forth action he encountered in their first meeting.
Walker is working with an array of sparring partners that are pushing him to the limit, so he can be at his absolute best come October 3rd. The “Midnight Stalker” knows a win over Echols can propel him to mega fights with some of the top contenders in the middleweight division. Michael Walker senses the time is now for him to make a big splash in the middleweight division. One thing is for certain the fans in attendance are going to see one tremendous fight between two world-class middleweights.
Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza is conveniently located at I-65 & US 30 in Merrillville, IN.
Ticket prices are $100 VIP $75 VIP ringside $50 ringside $30 general admission.
Tickets for the “Radisson Rumble” can be purchased online at www.Ticketmaster.com any Ticket Master location or by calling 312-559-1212, 219-791-1234 or 866-438-7372
For more information on the “Radisson Rumble,” visit us at: www.OneInAMillionBoxing.com
UNDERCARD SHAPING UP FOR A TERRIFIC NIGHT OF BOXING ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12TH AT THE LEGENDARY BLUE HORIZON
PHILADELPHIA (September 3rd, 2008)—On Friday night September 12th, A great night of boxing is rounding into shape as three action packed eight round bouts will be supported by the future stars of tomorrow.
The show will be broadcast live all over the world on www.gofightlive.tv
The main event will pit Steve Upsher Chambers (17-1-1, 5 KO’s) taking on the upset minded Kevin Carmody (10-10-2, 1 KO) in a battle of Philadelphia based Jr. Welterweights.
Blue Horizon favorite, Gee Culmer (14-1, 3 KO’s) takes on the win-starved Jameel “Black Gold” Wilson (13-14-3, 8 KO’s) in a fight that features a pair of Super Middleweights from “The City of Brotherly Love”
In a Cruiserweight bout that should produce a lot of post Labor Day Fireworks, Ran Nakash (14-0, 10 KO’s) will trek all the way from Haifa, Israel to risk his undefeated ledger against Power-Punching Philadelphia, Larry Robinson (10-3, 7 KO’s)
Promoter, Vernoca L. Michael & matchmaker Don Elbaum have put together an undercard that will feature some of the best up & coming talent.
Amateur standout Derek Bivins of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against Darrell Martin (2-5) of Baltimore, Maryland in a four round Featherweight bout
Blue Horizon regular, Gerald Smith (3-0, 1 KO) takes on tough willed Geraldo Robles (2-7) of Topanga, California in a four round Lightweight attraction.
In a battle of debuting Welterweights, Darryl Jones of Philadelphia will take on William Porter in a welterweight tussle.
Joel De La Paz of Atlantic City, fresh off his successful pro debut at The Legendary Blue Horizon will take on an opponent to be announced in a four round Super Middleweight bout.
Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $200 for Queen Seating, $125 for Presidential seats, $65 for VIP, $55 for Ringside, and $45 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling The Legendary Blue Horizon at 1-215-763-0500 or by logging on to comcasttix.com. Doors open at 6:30 PM / 1st bout begins at 7:30 PM
The Legendary Blue Horizon is located at 1314 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA
THERE WILL BE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY September 10th AT THE LEGENDARY BLUE HORIZON AT 11 AM