German Bundesliga top-scorer Artur Wichniarek and “Captain” Marco Huck battled out a special duel in Arminia Bielefeld´s SchucoArena on Wednesday afternoon. Ten days ahead of his European title fight against Jean Marc Monrose, the 23-year-old cruiserweight visited his hometown to challenge football hero Wichniarek in a shoot-out. The former Polish international proved his class, though, edging Huck 3-2 after his second attempt hit the left post. “That was just bad luck,” Huck commented..
Afterwards, Huck gave his famous opponent a brief boxing lesson, teaching him basic punches and moves. “Always keep up your guard, otherwise my right will flatten you,” Huck said. “But you are doing quite well. Ever thought of seeking a second career as a boxer?”
Wichniarek, who already has four goals to his name, impressed with good body movement and quick feet. “That was a lot of fun,” Wichniarek said. “Of course I am a big fan of Marco Huck. People in Bielefeld stick together. I wish him the best of luck for his fight.”
Wichniarek and his team-mates will be ringside guests at Huck´s September 20 showdown with Monrose. “Please wait until the third round before you knock him out so that the fans don´t have to go home early,” Wichniarek added.
Jimmy Lange to Face Grover Wiley November 1
Jaime Palma vs. Dean White, Fontaine Cabell vs. Chad Greenleaf Added to Patriot Center Boxing Card
Fairfax, VA — Ice Promotions announced today that Jimmy Lange will face Grove Wiley in the 10-round Main Event of the live, professional boxing card scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Patriot Center. The event marks the Great Falls, Va. junior middleweight’s first action since suffering a shoulder injury in May 2007 that has caused a 17-month layoff and led to Lange relinquishing his WBC Continental Americas 154-pound title.
Wiley, a tough, veteran fighter with a record of 30-11-1 (14 KOs), is best known for beating legendary world-champion Julio Cesar Chavez in a fifth-round TKO, sending the Mexican superstar into retirement. While the Omaha, Neb.-native has lost six of last seven fights, he has faced stiff competition, including Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (who holds Lange’s former championship belt). In fact, the combined record of Wiley’s last seven opponents is an impressive 249-13-4.
A rematch between two popular Beltway boxers has just been added to the card as junior welterweights Jaime “The Punisher” Palma (13-12-1, 6 KOs) of Alexandria, Va., and Smithburg, Md.’s Dean “Pittbull” White (14-9-1, 3 KOs) will square off in an eight-round contest. Palma, who scored a unanimous eight-round decision over White one year ago, looks to get back on the winning track having lost his last two bouts after previously reeling off six straight including winning the Virginia Light Welterweight title.
White makes his third trip to the Patriot Center, where he has enjoyed mixed results. The gritty southpaw earned an impressive win over Dorin Spivey in December 2006 followed by TKO loss to highly-regarded Damien Fuller in May 2007.
Two of Lange’s previous opponents will face one another when Fontaine Cabell (22-8-2, 17 KOs) battles Chad Greenleaf (10-10-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Cabell earned the respect of area fans for his valiant effort and rugged performances against hometown favorite Lange in their two championship bouts held at the Patriot Center in December 2006 and in May 2007. In his last fight, the Orlando, Fla.-based Cabell fell to Freddy Muriel, a participant on season two of The Contender series.
Greenleaf, a southpaw from Parkersburg, W.Va., lost to undefeated Beltway boxer Jesse “The Beast” Nicklow in his last contest. He went the distance but lost a decision to Lange back in May 2003.
A native of Arlington, Va. and a Bishop O’Connell High School graduate, Lange has headlined all five previous professional boxing events at the Patriot Center on the George Mason University campus, including the sport’s debut at the arena on September 17, 2005. The junior middleweight drew national attention as a participant on the first season (2005) of the NBC boxing reality program, The Contender, and possesses an impressive 28-3-2 (20 KOs) record.
Ticket, priced at $30, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $300 and $500 (VIP Ringside), are on sale and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling phone charge at (703) 573-SEAT (7328), logging onto www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Patriot Center Box Office. Group tickets and sponsorships are available by calling (703) 536-6060.
US Olympic Alternate Danny O’Connor Turns Pro September 17 in Manchester, NH
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (September 10, 2008) – 2008 U.S. Olympic first alternate Danny O’Connor makes his professional boxing debut September 17 against Jose Guerrido in a four-round bout on “The Maul In Manchester” — the seventh annual Fight To Educate – at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The 23-year-old O’Connor, fighting out of Framingham (MA), won this year’s US Future Stars National Championship, in which he was named Most Outstanding Boxer, as well as the National Golden Gloves Tournament, both in the 141-pound light welterweight division. Danny’s most notable victory as an amateur was a dominating victory, 23-3, against eventual 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz, of the Dominican Republic, on May 29 in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
“I’ve never been so ready in my life,” O’Connor said about his pro debut. “I feel like a caged lion. I can’t wait. It’s something I’ve dreamed about and I’m excited it’s happening so close to home. I wish I had boxed in the Olympics and medaled, but I can always say a month before the start of the Olympics I beat the gold medalist.”
O’Connor was a Massachusetts high school wrestling champion when he was a sophomore. The stylish southpaw that reminds some of a cross between a young Paul Spadafora and Winky Wright, offensively and defensively, respectively, had been training less than six months when he participated in his first national tournament in 2006.
A lifelong resident of Framingham (MA), Danny has gone from a 4-time New England Golden Gloves champion, winning the novice and open titles in his first time around the circuit, to recently being profiled in Sports Illustrated (Faces In The Crowd).
O’Connor, who trains at the 401 Gym in Rhode Island, is co-managed by Rob Valle and Dave Keefe, who also is head trainer. Danny recently signed a promotional contract with Warriors Boxing. “I made a lot of sacrifices being an Olympic alternate, being away from my family for so long,” O’Connor spoke about his signing, “but it paid off and I signed a great deal with Warriors Boxing.
Dave (Keefe) made the arrangements and I met Leon Margules (Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing). I got a real good feeling right away about Warriors because Leon runs a great, well organized company. He was very genuine. I felt signing with Warriors was in the best interest of my career. I really like him. Everybody’s happy with the deal.”
O’Connor debuts on a 5-fight pro card showcasing unbeaten prospects Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (19-0, 14 KOs) and Ronald “The Chosen One” Hearns (19-0, 15 KOs) separate bouts. Special guests will include boxing stars Tommy “Hit Man” Hearns, the 6-time world champion who’ll be supporting his son, Ronald, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran, and legendary trainer Angelo Dundee.
Tickets are priced at $25 and $50 and available to purchase by going to the 401 Boxing Gym, Elmwood Avenue in ranston (RI) or calling 508.397.5323 in the Framingham area. For more information about Danny O’Connor visit his web site at www.dannyoconnorbox ing.com and go to www.fight2educate. com for more information about “The Maul In Manchester.” First bout will be at 8 PM/ET.