In a recent interview with Polish on-line boxing magazine Bokser.org, current IBF cruiserweight champion, Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek, confirmed that his next opponent is to be Johnathon Banks. This decision thwart the efforts of former cruiserweight king, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, whom he defeated by a close split decision to gain the title on December 11th 2008, and his team to secure the quick rematch they have been campaigning for..
Cunningham took a little time off from training to give his views on Adamek vs Banks. “To me that fight could go either way. You Know, Johnathon Banks can crack. He had that big fight against Eliseo Castillo and he got hit and took a big shot but came back and finished that guy. That’s a good bangers fight. Adamek’s got a pretty good European style with power, so there’ll be some fireworks in that fight. I want the winner of that fight!
You know, I’d like the winner. I still believe I am the best cruiserweight in the world. I know the audience and the fans see that in my last fight. I don’t consider that a loss. I feel like I won. I lost the decision, but feel that I won the fight. Two time in ’09 is my plan. We’ll be back, I can’t wait to see what will unfold in the future.”
Originally Johnathon Banks was due to fight Enzo Maccarinelli for the WBO cruiserweight title in March, clearly that is now not happening and with most of the other top names in the weight having fights already arranged over the coming months could this be an opportunity for ‘USS’ Cunningham to set sail across the Atlantic again?
Cunningham obviously feels it is as he said. “My first choice would be to fight Tomasz (Adamek) again. But it’s clear he is avoiding me as he is already planning another fight in June, and talking about other fighters – Not me. He’s running scared!
If the WBO would take it. Shoot, I would jump in there and fight Enzo (Maccarinelli). I’m always up for going to Europe, I’m used to fighting there.
It would be a very exciting fight. A real battle and great TV. The British fans are great fans, really enthusiastic, you know, just like the Polish. It would be an awesome atmosphere.”
Maccarinelli-Cunningham is a mouth watering prospect that could quite easily surpass the classic Cunningham-Adamek IBF title fight for action and drama as well as having genuine “Fight of the Year” potential. What’s more the possibility of the match being made appear quite good since Maccarinelli’s promoter, Frank Warren’s Sports Network, are already working with Don King Productions, Cunningham’s promoter, on this event as Amir Khan is to face another DKP charge, multi-weight champion Marco Antonio Barrera.
But what if this fight couldn’t be made for whatever reason. Who would ‘USS’ Cunningham be focusing on as possible opponents?
Cunningham, grinned and shrugged his shoulders before replying “I don’t really have any preference on who I fight. I’m taking on all comers. I’m calling out all comers. Shoot, I want to be champion again and it doesn’t matter which one. In Jesus’ name, man, let ’em all come on.
I’ll take them all it doesn’t matter. I’ll take on any top contender and any fight that can get me to Tomasz’s throne. Even a non-title fight just to get me back in there again and on target for my main goal.
My IBF title back!”
VIRGIN ISLAND OLYMPIANS MAKE PRO DEBUTS ON JANUARY 30TH
HOLLYWOOD, FL, January 19 – The Virgin Islands are making a push to become a boxing powerhouse in the coming years, and to celebrate this monumental occasion, 340 Promotions, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing, Sampson Lewkowicz, and Leslie Comissiong, is pleased to announce the “Class of 2008”, an event that will feature a series of world-class professional boxing matches starring the members of the 2008 Virgin Island Olympic team, three amateur bouts, and some of the best talent in the sport today.
This card will take place on Friday, January 30th at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas.
In the main event, rising junior welterweight star Victor “Mermelada” Cayo will put his perfect 19-0 (14 KOs) record on the line when he defends his WBA FEDECARIBE title against Mexican standout Noe “Platanito” Bolanos (20-3-1, 12 KOs).
The card, which will air live on USVI-TV2 (tape delayed around the world), will also be telecast over the internet via www.gofightlive.tv.
Also in action will be 2008 Virgin Island Olympians John and Julius Jackson, the sons of legendary three-time World Champion and future Hall of Famer Julian “The Hawk” Jackson. Jackson’s nephew Samuel Rogers will also be making his pro debut, and in addition, cruiserweight Evan Nedd of Aruba, as well as former US Amateur star Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczewsky, will step into the ring.
Kicking off this once in a lifetime event will be three amateur bouts featuring local amateurs that are part of the USVI Amateur Boxing Federation’s “Operation London 2012” whose goal is to have the USVI win their very first Olympic boxing medal.
Before the festivities take place, 340 Promotions will host a seminar for officials (referees, judges, timekeepers and commissioners) that will update Virgin Island boxing officials on changes in the sport while it was dormant on the island for the last five years. The seminar will be supervised by Anibal Miramontes, President of Fight Fax, the only record keeper recognized by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC).
Tickets for this event can be purchased at any of these locations below in advance for $25 & $40 or at the door the day of for $30 & $50
JESUS “POLLO” HERNANDEZ BACK IN ACTION THIS FRIDAY NIGHT
UNDEFEATED LIGHT PROSPECT RETURNS TO QUIET CANNON
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 19, 2009) Undefeated lightweight Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez will return to action this Friday night, January 23rd at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California.
Hernandez, born in Los Mochis, Mexico , now fighting out of East Los Angeles, will face Mexican veteran, Manuel “Diablito” Sarabia in a scheduled six round bout at BATTLE OF THE RISING STARS, promoted by Ed Holmes’ All Star Boxing.
“POLLO” is coming off a fifth round stoppage of Noe Inzunza on July 11th at the Quiet Cannon which moved his undefeated record to 7-0-0 (2KO’s).
Said manager Frank Espinoza, “Jesus took a little time off after the Inzunza fight but we’re looking to stay much more active this year, hopefully fighting five or six times.
Sarabia (16-27-9, 10KO’s) is a much more experienced fighter who has gone the distance recently in battles with Yhonny Perez, Carlos Ivan Velasquez and Mikey Garcia. Jesus fully understands this will be a very tough test for him, but I think he’s prepared well.”
The Quiet Cannon is located at 901 N. Via San Clemente in Montebello .. Advance tickets can be obtained by calling 323-816-6200 or 323-781-4871.
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza. Espinoza has earned numerous accolades for his management skills from many boxing newspaper and internet writers. In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza is praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
In 2006, Espinoza was awarded the Manager of the Year award from the World Boxing Hall of Fame and inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
Espinoza also has managed retired former world champion Martin “EL GALLITO” Castillo and currently manages world ranked Alex Valdez and Miguel “EL ANESTESISTA” Huerta in addition to undefeated prospects Luis Ramos, Manuel “SUAVECITO” Roman, Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez and Ronny Rios.
For more information on The Espinoza Boxing Club, please visit their newly remodeled website at www.espinozaboxingclub.com