New York (April 16, 2009) – The name Willie Monroe evokes memories of great success inside a boxing ring and now DiBella Entertainment has signed the man who carries on that tradition. However, Willie Monroe Jr. is creating his own legacy of fistic achievement and fame. Monroe Jr.’s next step comes on May 7 as the undefeated southpaw prospect makes his DiBella Entertainment debut in his hometown of Rochester, New York..
“Willie has already started to display his famous boxing pedigree in just four professional fights and I’m excited to help him continue to develop that talent while also giving him the opportunity to showcase his own unique flare,” said DBE president Lou DiBella.
Monroe Jr. (4-0, 1 KO) had a limited amateur career, but still managed to capture gold at the Empire Games and in regional Golden Gloves competitions. He finished off his career in the unpaid ranks by reaching the National Golden Gloves finals in May 2007. Monroe Jr. briefly put his boxing career on hold before turning professional to focus on his music, which he pursues to this day.
“After the National Golden Gloves, I suggested to Willie that he take some time off to think about the whole music thing before concentrating on boxing. He’s incredibly talented with charisma and good looks. Willie has a chance to resurrect boxing and his music will help!” exclaimed trainer Danny Akers.
The 22-year-old Monroe Jr. trains at Performance Fitness in Ithaca, New York. Team Monroe consists of Willie, Akers, strength & conditioning coach Patrick J. O’Connor and cutman Don “Doc” Hassan. “Willie’s grandfather did a great job training him early on, but by late in his amateur career, he needed better conditioning, and Patrick has really made a difference” said Akers.
Monroe Jr’s father, Willie Monroe, was an outstanding middleweight from 1985 to 2000, who rose to # 6 in the world ratings in the early ‘90s. His great uncle, Willie “The Worm” Monroe, was a fantastic middleweight contender fighting out of Philadelphia in the ‘70s.
“This kid has the tools to go all the way. His handspeed reminds me of a young Roy Jones Jr.,” said advisor Johnny Bos. Ironically, it’s Jones Jr., who Monroe Jr. patterns his style after in the ring.
Monroe Jr. will be in six-round action on Thursday, May 7, at the Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York. In his most recent bout, he unanimously outpointed Chris Aucoin over four rounds in Syracuse, NY, on November 19. To date, in fifteen rounds fought as a professional, Monroe Jr. has yet to lose a single round.
JOEY ABELL TO MAKE HIS RETURN ON FRIDAY MAY 15TH AT THE LEGENDARY BLUE HORIZON
PHILADELPHIA (APRIL 14TH, 2009)—On Friday night May 15th one of the biggest punching Heavyweights will make his return to The Legendary Blue Horizon
Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell will be back at The Blue Horizon in a scheduled eight round bout against an opponent to be named shortly.
Abell will highlight a card that is promoted by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Promotions Inc.
Abell, 23-4 with twenty-three knockouts returns to The Legendary Blue Horizon for the first time in thirteen months when he took out Maurice Wheeler in two rounds. This will be Abell’s tenth appearance at The Legendary Blue Horizon (8-1, 8 KO’s).
Abell is on a three fight streak of first round knockouts with the latest being over Galen Brown (32-10-1) on April 4th in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Vernoca L. Michael and matchmaker Don Elbaum have assembled an outstanding undercard to support the much anticipated main event.
In an eight round Jr. Middleweight bout, Kevin Carmody of Philadelphia will take on Daniel Maldonado of Henderson, Kentucky.
Carmody, 10-11-1 with one knockout is itching to get back in the win column as he is 0-4 with one no-contest since May of 2007
Carmody is coming off a six round stoppage defeat to Meacher Major (15-3-1) on February 20 in Buffalo. This fight will be Carmody’s second appearance at The Legendary Blue Horizon. Carmody had Steve Upsher Chambers in trouble as he dropped the then 17-1-1 Chambers in round one of his eight round unanimous decision defeat back on September 12, 2008.
Maldonado has a gaudy record of 21-2 with thirteen knockouts.
Maldonado has scored a couple of signature wins as he scored a ninth round stoppage over former world title challenger Whyber Garcia (13-1) to capture the NABA Featherweight title on February 28, 2004. Maldonado also has a fifth round stoppage victory over former world title challenger Julio Coronel on July 16th, 2005.
Maldonado captured the IBA Featherweight title with a twelve round split decision over Jose Alberto Gonzalez (14-2) on November 17, 2006. That win was part of a three fight winning streak with the latest being a four round unanimous decision over Terrance Roy on May 16th, 2008 in Evansville, Indiana.
In another bout scheduled for eight rounds, Legendary Blue Horizon favorite, Gee Cullmer (15-1, 3 KO’s) will take on Clarence “Sonny Bono” Taylor in a Middleweight bout.
Cullmer has been on a roll as he is undefeated in his last eleven contests (10-0, 1 NC)
This will be Cullmer’s eleventh consecutive start at The Legendary Blue Horizon and is coming off a eight round Majority decision over Jameel Wilson back on September 12th in what some in Philadelphia are calling the 2008 Philly Fight of the Year.
Taylor has a deceiving record of 13-21-3 with six knockouts. The Wilmington, Delaware native has fought a “whose-who” of top fighters in the Jr. Middleweight & Middleweight divisions.
This will be Taylor’s third appearance at The Legendary Blue Horizon (1-1) which includes his last outing which was a six round unanimous decision loss to Jamal Davis on March 6th.
Steve Upsher Chambers (19-1-1, 1 NC, 5 KO’s) will be back in action after a recent foot injury to compete in an eight round Jr. Welterweight bout.
Chambers of Philadelphia is coming off an eight round unanimous decision over Ben Ankrah (11-8) on December 5th at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
This will be Chambers 21st consecutive fight at The Legendary Blue Horizon and twenty-second overall appearances (19-1, 1 NC)
Julias Edmonds (5-3) will be back in action as the Philadelphia native will look to carry on the momentum of his big win back on April 3rd when he dominated Tyric Robinson (9-3-1) by scoring a unanimous decision at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
Edmonds will be fighting in a scheduled six round bout against an opponent to be named.
Edmonds of Philadelphia is on a three fight winning streak and will be making his will be making his seventh appearance at “The Blue” where he has compiled a 5-1 record.
In a rematch of a bloodbath that took place on April 3rd, Taneal Goyco will battle Davit Davitshvili will wage once again wage war in a four round rematch of Cruiserweights.
Goyco (2-0, 1 KO) and Davitshvili (0-2) bloodied and battered each other over four rounds with Goyco gaining the crowd pleasing unanimous decision.
Philadelphia based Heavyweight; Nakidi Ku-Ntima will make his pro debut against Kareem Wilson (0-2) of Washington, D.C.
In a four round Jr. Middleweight bout, Ruslan Khayrtdinov (2-0, 1 KO) of Russia will take on an opponent to be named.
These fights will be streamed live all over the world on www.gofightlive.tv
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. 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
For more information, log on to www.legendarybluehorizon.com
There will be a press conference with details to be announced shortly
Full Stable Of Fighters Ready Themselves For “Date With Destiny”
April 16 (Merrillville, In) – On Saturday, April 18th, Octavius James’ One In A Million, Inc. will be hosting an open workout that is open to the public for the sensational upcoming “Date With Destiny” card; including the NABC Lightweight champion of the world “Merciless” Mary McGee (16-0, 10 KOs) and WBF Light Welterweight champion of the world Kristy “Rose” Follmar (16-1, 9 KOs).
Octavius James’ One In A Million Inc.’s state-of-the-art facilities are located at 8789 Louisiana St. Suite B, Merrillville, In., and will be open and available to the media and public. “We have an extremely talented, young and hungry stable of fighters here at One In A Million,” said C.E.O. of O.I.A.M. Octavius James.
“This is an opportunity for the media and our fan base to get a glimpse of what makes our fighters the great warriors and champions they are,” added James. “‘Date With Destiny’ is going to bring world championship boxing to the Hammond Civic Center and from top to bottom an exceptional card.”
Along with McGee and Follmar at the workout will be the talented pair that makes up the Co-Main Event Michael “Midnight Stalker” Walker (19-1-2, 12 KOs) and Orphius Waite (4-0, 3 KOs). Some of the others young and talented fighters scheduled to be at the workout are brother and sister Jimmy (4-1, 1 KOs) and Tiffany Perez (amateur), Derrick “Superman” Findley (13-2, 8 KOs), Ed “2 Fast 2 Furious” Ochoa (7-0 7 KOs), Angel Hernandez (11-3, 9 KOs), Josh Crouch (3-0, 3 KOs) and “Big” Ty Ortiz (debut).
All fighters will be available for pictures, autographs and interviews. For any questions about this meet and greet or future O.I.A.M. events, please contact us at (866) 438-7372 or visit www.oneinamillionboxing.com.
Tickets “Date with Destiny” are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at VIP $100, VIP ringside $75, ringside $50, and general admission $30 and they are available from any Ticket Master location at (219) 791-1234, (312) 559-1212, (866) 438-7372 or www.TicketMaster.com and at the Hammond Civic Center box office (219) 853-6378.
The Hammond Civic Center, 5825 Sohl Ave. just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago will open doors at 6 p.m. with the first bout at 8 p.m.