Enzo Maccarinelli aims to reclaim his WBO World Cruiserweight title when he challenges undefeated American Johnathon Banks for the vacant title on Saturday 6 December at the ExCeL London. Big Mac joins Nicky Cook, who makes the first defence of his WBO World Super-Featherweight, and Amir Khan’s comeback against Irishman Oisin Fagan on Frank Warren’s end-of-year extravaganza..
The Swansea banger is raring to go after nine months out of the ring since he lost his crown to David Haye and believes he will be better than ever.
“I’m delighted to get the opportunity to fight for my old title in my first fight back and I thank my promoter Frank Warren for giving me this golden opportunity,” Said Maccarinelli.
“It’s been a while since my fight with Haye and I’m not going to dwell on it, what happened happened and it’s in the past,”
“Since the fight I’ve just had my head down and been putting the hours in the gym correcting what I did wrong and I believe that I’m better than before. I’ve got to prove a lot of people wrong.”
“This is the future and my chance to win my title back and get my career back on track.
Detroit slugger Banks is unbeaten in 20 fights with 14 knockouts – nine inside the first round -and is trained by American great Emanuel Steward, but this doesn’t worry Maccarinelli.
He added, “It’s very apt that his name is Banks because I’m going to do a real job on him,”
“He’s got an good record with plenty of knockouts and I can bang als so I reckon it’s going to be a real tear up on the night,”
“I’m certainly not underestimating him and he probably thinks the same about me after the Haye fight, but after seeing his last fight against Vincenzo Rossitto I’m confident that I can beat this guy,”
“It’s great to go up against one of Emanuel Steward’s boxers and it will be mean more to beat him because Steward is a master tactician and I will have beaten him also,”
“For me, this is more about what I can do not what he can do. I’ve got to get back in there and prove to people that I am a champion and I will do that.”
Dmitriy Salita Documentary
NEW YORK, NY — For the last 60 years, the term “Jewish boxer” has been an oxymoron. But don’t tell that to Dmitriy Salita, a 24 year-old Russian immigrant, who’s currently making history as a top professional boxer — and a rigorously observant Jew. ORTHODOX STANCE, from director Jason Hutt, provides an intimate, 3-year long look at the trials and tribulations faced by Dmitriy, juxtaposed against the seemingly incompatible cultures and characters working together to support his rare and remarkable devotion to both Orthodox Judaism and professional boxing. A Critic’s Pick of both The New York Times and New York Magazine, ORTHODOX STANCE, called, “a damn good boxing documentary1” enters the home entertainment ring on DVD on November 25 for $24.95srp…only from IndiePix®.
Traveling with Dmitriy from his home in the Russian section of Brooklyn to a dilapidated Orthodox synagogue, from a Black and Hispanic amateur gym in the projects to boxing’s biggest stages in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Puerto Rico, ORTHODOX STANCE is a fascinating study in diversity. With intimate verité scenes of torah study, prayer, and keeping kosher and observing the Sabbath on the road contrasted with training, weigh-ins, business negotiations and locker room and fight footage, the film reveals a first-of-its kind insider’s view of professional boxing — and a first-of-a kind professional boxer. Along the way, audiences are also introduced to a variety of colorful characters that teach and guide Dmitriy as he negotiates the tensions between boxing and Judaism: Rabbi Zalman Liberov teaches him how to be a good Jew and sees him as a model of religious conviction in a secular world.
Promoter Bob Arum and his company, Top Rank, see a talented prospect with great marketing potential. And after 10 years of educating Dmitriy about boxing and life, and a prominent career dedicated to amateurs, his 80 year-old Black trainer Jimmy O’ Pharrow sees his last, best chance to produce a professional champion.
The film offers unusual behind-the-scenes access to Dmitriy and his crew for 3 critical years, tracing his maturation in the gym, with the press, at fights, business meetings and speaking engagements. At the same time, it explores important aspects of Dmitriy’s identity and backstory — how Jimmy’s boxing gym gave him sanctuary as a young immigrant, how Dmitriy found God through boxing, became observant after his mother died, and how she asked Jimmy to look after her son for her. Jimmy’s age will force him to delegate responsibility to other trainers and as Dmitriy matures, Jimmy teaches him to be his own boss. Along the way, the up-and-coming pro will find additional trainers to learn from, leave Bob Arum for a New York-based promoter in order to grow his fan base, and guides the negotiations for a new long-term contract.
After 4 years and 22 professional fights, ORTHODOX STANCE culminates with Dmitriy fighting for his first professional title in front of a rabid crowd of boxing fans and Orthodox Jews at Manhattan’s Hammerstein Ballroom. And, following his knock-out victory, Dmitriy exits the ring, knowing that he has solidified his credentials as not only a professional boxer, but as a modern-day Jewish sports hero. Ultimately, more than just a film about boxing and religion, ORTHODOX STANCE — an Official Selection at the prestigious 2007 Silverdocs Festival and the 2007 Sarasota and San Francisco Jewish Film Festivals — tells a universal story of a young man’s search for meaning in life.
Bobby Gunn to Battle Robbie Tovar for WBC USNBC Cruiserweight Title; Anthony Bartinelli Headlines Undercard November 20th In Phoenix!
Indiana based veteran Robbie “The Paz Mexican Devil” Tovar 15-4-1 (5 KO’s) will step up to battle IBC Cruiserweight champion Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn 19-3-1 (16 KO’s) for the vacant WBC USNBC Cruiserweight crown. The bout will be taking place at the beautiful Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. Gunn is now happy to have an opponent in place and one he knows he can’t take lightly.
“I am looking forward to this great opportunity and will not overlook Tovar he is a very tough Mexican fighter and they are always dangerous”, said the former IBA cruiserweight champion. “My good friend (former WBA and IBA Junior Welterweight champion) Vivian Harris’ recent fight is a great example of how no opponent can be taken lightly. I was happy to see Vivian pull it out but that shows that anything can happen on any given night. I respect Robbie Tovar and will train as hard as ever for him. My goal is to win this bout and go after the newly crowned WBC champion Giacobbe Fragomeni”, said the heavy handed Canadian.
Topping the undercard is popular Phoenix Middleweight Anthony “Power House” Bartinelli 19-10-2 (12 KO’s). Bartinelli will engage a 6 round contest against an opponent to be announced. Light Heavyweight Bart Yerger 6-0 (4 KO’s) will be returning to the ring after a 9 ½ year layoff to face the debuting Kevin Ridigin in a four round contest. Welterweight Martin Vierra 3-2 (1 KO) will be facing an opponent to be announced over four rounds. Pro debuting Welterweights Alex Lopez and Jesse Ortiz will battle it out in a four rounder.
Isiah McFadden 1-0 will face the debuting Cessar Barrazaa in a four round Super Middleweight contest. Rounding out the undercard and making his pro debut is Bobby Gunn’s Chief sparring partner Kyle White, who will face an opponent to be announced over four rounds at Light Heavyweight. White has also served as a sparring partner for WBO Junior Welterweight champion Kendall “Rated R” Holt.
The card is being promoted by FelKO Promotions, George Kokkalenios and Stephanie O’Brien. Tickets can be ordered by going to CelebrityTheatre.Com or calling 602-267-1600.