LOS ANGELES, March 5 – What do California cities of East Los Angeles, City of Commerce and Covina have in common? They hold the distinction of being home to three of the top young fighters in the World today, Shawn Estrada, Javier Molina and John Molina, Jr. (no relation) respectively. All three cities will be well represented when each of these young men step into the ring at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Friday, March 27..
Before World heavyweight contenders Eddie Chambers and Samuel Peter take to the ring at Nokia, one local kid from Covina whose trainer has nicknamed the “Sledgehammer,” John Molina, Jr. and two standout members of the 2008 United States Olympic team, Estrada and Javier Molina, will provide their own form of fireworks, as the up-and-coming prospects look to steal the show from the big men.
John Molina (15-0, 11 KOs) brings a whole new meaning to the “entertainment business of boxing.” Old-school fighting mentality, power in both hands, witty as George Lopez, good looks that are a cross between Mario Lopez and Elvis (the one with sideburns) with the only thing missing is “The King’s” guitar. Molina wants only one thing when the bell rings: to finish his opponent off while thoroughly entertaining the fans. He’s pure excitement, with a lot of risk being exciting. This mentality has led the 26-year old jr. lightweight to a perfect pro boxing record, and after making his national television debut in February with a third round knockout of Joshua Allotey, the buzz about Molina is getting louder.
East LA’s Estrada, nicknamed “El Chamuko” (“The Monster”) goes for his third straight knockout victory against Ray Craig, in a 4-round super middleweight bout, and in a 4-round junior welterweight contest, we’ll see Javier Molina from City of Commerce making his professional boxing debut.
Goossen Tutor Promotions presents this marquee night of boxing and entertainment, which will be televised live on a special edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights beginning at 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT. The Chambers-Peter Heavyweight Bout is being promoted in association with Duva Boxing.
It will be the first ever boxing event staged from the world-class 7,100-seat Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, which is the centerpiece of L.A. LIVE, a 4-million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports, residential and entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center.
The 23-year old Estrada (2-0, 2 KOs) came out of nowhere to earn an Olympic berth for the 2008 Games. His inspiring story captivated fight fans, and once they got a chance to see him in the ring, they were hooked. After going 1-1 in the Olympics losing to the eventual Gold Medalist from England, Estrada turned pro on November 29, 2008 with a knockout of Lawrence Jones in one minute of the first round. His next opponent Shaun Spaid fared worse, lasting only 43 seconds. On March 27th, Estrada looks to make it three in a row. Standing in the Olympian’s way will be 27-year old Oakland product Ray Craig (5-4, 2 KOs), a hard-nosed veteran who will be shooting for the upset against the Olympian.
Included on this blockbuster undercard and the newest member of Goossen Tutor Promotions and a teammate of Estrada in Beijing, China is the 2008 US Olympian Javier Molina. Molina, who is often referred to as “El Intocable” (“The Untouchable”) is a talented 19 year old, already drawing rave reviews from boxing insiders who believe a world title is in his future. Molina comes from a fighting family that has seen his father, uncle, and older brother fight professionally, while his twin brother Oscar was a member of the Mexican Olympic team. On March 27th he begins his own fistic journey.
“Get used to hearing Molina, Estrada, Molina because I believe all three have the ability to become boxing’s next generation of stars and all are Los Angeles hometown heroes. They’re young, talented and best of all, they love to fight,” said promoter Dan Goossen.
Tickets priced at $100, $75, $50, and $25 are available tomorrow, Friday, March 6 online at ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000. Tickets are also available at the STAPLES Center Box Office. Monday-Saturday Event Days: 9:00 AM – ½ hour after event start. Non-Event Days: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Sunday Event Days: 10:00 AM – ½ hour after event start. Non-Event Days: Closed.
MIAMI’S JOEY HERNANDEZ LOOKING FOR FIRST TITLE
Local unbeaten 24 year-old fights for first belt in front of hometown fans as part of an eight fight card at the Double Tree Miami Mart Airport Hotel March 20th.
MIAMI, FL – Richie Boy Promotions presents an unforgettable night of boxing in sunny Miami, Florida as hometown phenom Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez looks to capture his first championship belt when he takes on Dillet Frederick, of Ft. Myers, FL. The 10 round bout takes place Friday March 20th at the Double Tree Miami Mart Airport Hotel, for the vacant WBC Latino welterweight title.
“This is a great experience for me. I’m excited for this opportunity,” Hernandez said. “It’s been a long road for me to get to this point and I’ve had a lot of doubters because I didn’t come from the streets, or from poverty like other fighters, but here I am, undefeated and fighting for a world title in front of my hometown fans.”
Hernandez’s nickname “Twinkle Fingers” seems pretty appropriate considering his last four opponents have all seen stars. The 24 year-old southpaw Hernandez (14-0, 7 KOs) has stopped the last four men who have stepped into the ring with him and will look to do the same to Frederick (7-2-3, 3 KOs).
The 26 year-old Frederick, son of Bahamian immigrants, is a tough proven fighter whose one of his two defeats was against former world champion Juan Polo Perez. Frederick won his last fight against Laquel Fleiming by first round knockout and proves to be the toughest challenge of Hernandez’s career.
This fight will be Hernandez’s first in South Florida since July of 2008. The Cuban-American Hernandez, born and raised in Miami, and graduate of the famed Christopher Columbus High School is looking forward to hearing the chants of his family, friends and fans once again.
“It’s been too long,” Hernandez said. “It’s going to feel so good feeling the love from the fans once again. I’ve always brought a big crowd and I will once again. I need their support, and I promise I’ll put on a big show. With a win I’ll be ranked top 15 in the world, so I need the fans to come out and make as much noise as possible.”
Also on the card is 18 year-old super middleweight prospect Michael Oliveria, who will make his first appearance in his hometown of Miami. The Brazilian product will put his unbeaten 3-0 record on the line in what is one of the most anticipated bouts of the night.
Highly touted middleweight Tony Roman (8-0, 4 KOs), of the Dominican Republic, will also be in action as will Haitian sensation Eli Augustama who takes on James Denson in another middleweight bout.
Augustama (3-0, 2 KOs) will look for his second win in less than a month when he takes on Denson, of Akron, Ohio, a veteran of seven fights.
Stepping into the ring from across the Atlantic is Italian featherweight champion Giampiero “Poison” Contestable (12-0, 7 KOs) who will make his second appearance in the United States. Contestable is eager to show the fans in the U.S. the skills that have made him the top 126 pounder in Italy.
Former NFL, CFL and AFL linebacker Carl “Iron Fist” Davis (13-2, 10 KOs), of Evanston, IL, will be a part of an exciting heavyweight bout.
Mexican-American junior middleweight, Johnny “The Bulldog” Suarez (3-1-2, 2 KOs) flies in from Burbank, CA to take on Jose Angel Roman, of Puerto Rico, a veteran of 37 fights who has taken on the likes of Anthony Peterson, Mike Alvarado and Ed Paredes.
Former amateur standout Chris Rudd (6-0, 4 KOs), of Covington, TN, takes on New York’s Broderick Antoine, a winner of three straight fights.
This exciting eight-fight card brought to you by Richie Boy Promotions starts at 8:00 p.m., doors open at 6:45 p.m. Tickets start at $30 for general admission and $100 for ringside. To purchase tickets and more information contact (305) 409-8094.
Jerry Odom Named USA Boxing National Athlete of the Month for February
Keegan Grove receives the first ever USA Boxing Grassroots Athlete of the Month
(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – Light heavyweight Jerry Odom (Bowie, Md.) has been selected as USA Boxing’s National Athlete of the Month for February. Odom, who turned 16-years-old on February 27, won the light heavyweight title in the 14-15-year-old age division at the National Silver Gloves, February 5-7 in Independence, Mo. In addition, Odom was named the Outstanding Boxer for the 14-15-year-old age division.
Odom recorded two victories at the 2009 National Silver Gloves, closing the event with a strong third round stoppage. He began boxing only a year ago, following the guidance of his uncle, an AAU basketball coach. Odom has been training with Coach Bernard Roach over the past year at the No Excuses Boxing Gym in Capitol Heights, Md. A student at Flowers High School in Springdale, Md., Odom will now prepare for the 2009 USA Boxing National Championships, June 8-13, in Denver, Colo., where he will compete in the Junior Olympic division.
USA Boxing has created a grassroots athlete of the month award as well, providing an opportunity to recognize athletes who epitomize the organization’s mission at the local level. The first recipient of the grassroots award is 11-year-old Keegan Grove (Martinsburg, W. Va.). Grove currently boxes at the 95 pound weight division, and is a great kid both in and out of the boxing ring.
Despite his young age, Grove consistently remains focused on the mission at hand when at an event, and has always shown positive behavior. He is an excellent boxer and continuously gives his all at every event, including the recent Silver Gloves. After winning his Silver Gloves regional tournament, Grove went on to win a bronze medal in the 95 pound weight division at the 10-11-year-old age group.
USA Boxing’s National Athlete of the Month award continues to recognize outstanding performance at the national and international levels.
USA Boxing, as the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, is the United States’ member organization of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).