Jose Sulaiman Ch.: On behalf of the World Boxing Council, I wish to congratulate our great former world champion – but a world champion his entire life – Roberto Duran on the occasion of these festivities as a homage that is paid due to the greatness of his history in the ring. April 25 has been unanimously designated by the WBC Board of Governors as Roberto Duran World Day, and is being celebrated in the 164 countries affiliated with our organization..
Not only was Roberto Duran an extraordinary world champion, perhaps the greatest lightweight fighter in history, but also he is a world champion in his personal life. An example to young people, he has kept himself away from drugs and alcohol throughout his life and devoted his heart and body to boxing, having a winner´s way of thinking, which took him to conquer glory.
The WBC always had Roberto Duran as its great pride, and that is the way we will remember him as long as our organization exists.
Today, Roberto Duran World Day in the world of boxing, I am sending him a fraternal hug.
His admirer and very close friend,
Jose Sulaiman Ch.
Joey “KO Kid” Spina headlines May 22nd show at Twin River Event Center, RI
PROVIDENCE (April 24, 2009) – The beginning of a new Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES) professional boxing series kicks-off May 22nd as world rated light heavyweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina headlines “Rage At The River” at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
“Rage At The River,” presented by CES in association with Twin River, launches a New England-based series at Twin River and Memorial Hall in Plymouth. Rehearsals were held earlier this year at both venues and the series goes into full swing May 22 in Lincoln and June 12 in Plymouth.
“This series will include some fighters positioning themselves for title fights and also provide valuable exposure for some of the best young talent in New England,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield explained. “What we are providing, though, is an evening of entertainment, not just competitive pro boxing, with singing, dancing and much more.”
Spina (24-1-1, 17 KOs), fighting out of Providence, is rated No. 12 in the WBA, as well as No. 13 by the WBC and WBO. He takes on veteran Tiwon Taylor (26-14-1, 19 KOs), former Carolina Boxing Association title-holder, who has been in against world champions Adrian Diaconu, Fabrice Tiozzo and Lou Del Valle, in the 8-round main event. “Joey Spina is one of the most exciting and hardest-hitting fighters in the world,” Burchfield noted. “He’s like Rocky Marciano in the sense he can be losing after six rounds and suddenly put his opponent to sleep with a single punch.”
Young middleweight James McGirt, Jr. 19-2-1, 9 KOs), from Vero Beach (FL), makes his CES debut in the 6-round co-feature against an opponent to be determined.. McGirt is trained by his father, former 2-time world champion and Trainer of the Year, James “Buddy” McGirt.
Also on the card in separate 6-round bouts are EBA super middleweight champion “Irish” Joe McCreedy (10-2-1, 5 KOs) against Victor Paz (9-7-1, 1 KO) and world featherweight title challenger Sandy “Lil’ Tyson” Tsagouris (9-1, 4 KOs) versus TBA.
Supporting the show in 4-round matches are cruiserweight Jay Holland (1-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA, lightweight Sean Eklund (6-3, 1 KO) – trained by his uncle, “Irish” Micky Ward – vs. Jose Guzman (3-4-1), light welterweight Diego Periera (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Pablo Tejada (2-9-1, 0 KOs) and Omar Pena (1-0-1, 0 KOs), managed by former EBU lightweight champ Gary “Tiger” Balletto, vs. Ramon Santos (0-1). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
“We’re very excited about James McGirt, Jr. making his CES debut,” Burchfield commented. “Everybody involved with or part of Team CES is looking forward to watching James showcase his world-class talent and reload en route to a world title shot. McCreedy has proven he’s a straight- forward fighter that fans love to see in action. He wants to step-up his career and we’re going to give him that opportunity. Sandy is called, ‘Lil’ Tyson,’ because she looks up to and fights like Mike used to. I think she’s like a female Vinny Paz; she may get bloody but Sandy keeps punching. Sandy’s an exciting, marketable fighter who is risking a world title shot (WIBA) lined-up for her later this year in Bosnia. Sean Eklund lost his last fight but most people felt that he really won that fight. I don’t know what his uncle (Micky Ward) has been doing with him, but he showed tremendous improvement and looked the best we’ve seen in his last fight. Jay Holland has trouble finding sparring partners because he’s so tough. He also has a great following. Diego and Omar are two bright prospects from Rhode Island who both have a lot of upside.”
Tickets for “Rage At the River” are priced at limited $25.00 SRO, $35.00, $45.00 (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6::00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.
VIP BOXING UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED
On April 28th, Joe DeGuardia’s premier installment of “VIP Boxing” gets underway at the elegant Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, NY with an intriguing double header featuring Star Boxing’s Vinny Maddalone (31-5, 22KO) and Curtis “Showtime” Stevens (19-2, 14KO). Maddalone will be taking on Benji Baker (18-6, 9KO) in an eight round heavyweight bout, while Steven’s squares off against Dan Mouton (9-3-1, 8KO) in an eight round super middleweight contest.
EXCITING UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED
In a battle of unbeatens, Brooklyn’s own Anthony Irons (1-0-1, 1KO) takes on Newark, New Jersey’s Rashad Bogar (2-0, 1KO) in a four jr. middleweight contest.
Also on the card is North Carolina’s Dominick DeSanto (2-1, 2KO) who looks to make his New York debut a successful one when he battles it out against Long Island’s very own Ashanti Hendrickson (1- 2). The bout is scheduled for four rounds in the welterweight division.
In an exciting battle of pro-debuting New York based heavyweights, Jacques Louis of Brentwood, NY takes on NYC’s Vernon Jenkins in a four round heavyweight attraction.
The show will kick off at 7PM sharp with an hour long cocktail reception. Immediately following the reception a four course elegant dinner will start being served, at which time the first bout will go on. There will be cocktail service throughout, with an open bar running for the remainder of the evenings fights.
AUCTION AT FIGHTS TO BENEFIT CHARITIES
In addition, Star Boxing has teamed up with Eagel Sports Promotions and Angel’s On The Bay, to showcase some of the most incredible sports and entertainment memorabilia for auction throughout the night. A silent auction will be going on at different tables throughout the arena during the bouts, with the feature items of the evening being auctioned off inside the ring between fights. Proceeds from the auction will benefit local charities.
COME JOIN THE HUSTLER HONEY’S
After the boxing has concluded those sitting at the $3500 premier tables will be invited to join a post fight party with celebrities, boxing insiders and the beautiful ring card girls courtesy of Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club for an ultra exclusive after party held in the exquisite Florentine Room at Russo’s.
Tables of ten are still available for purchase for $2500 (Ringside), and $3500 (First row Ringside and elevated Ringside) respectively. There will be a limited amount of individual seats at select tables available, with the cost for each seat at $250, and $350. You may contact Star Boxing for tickets at 718- 823-2000 or by visiting www.starboxing.com. Russo’s On The Bay is located at 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414.
JOEY “MINNESOTA ICE” ABELL TO TAKE ON BILLY WILLIS ON MAY 15TH AT THE LEGENDARY BLUE HORIZON
PHILADELPHIA (April 24, 2009)—On Friday night, May 15th, Heavyweight knockout sensation Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell will take on streaking Billy Willis in a bout scheduled for eight rounds that will highlight a big night of boxing at The Legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia.
Abell of Coon Rapids, Minnesota brings in a record of 23-4 with twenty-two knockouts and is riding high as he has stopped his last three opponents in the first round with the latest being over Galen Brown (32-10-1) this past April 4th in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This will be Abell’s tenth appearance at The Legendary Blue Horizon (8-1, 8 KO’s) and it will be his first Philadelphia appearance since stopping Maurice Wheeler (10-11-1) on April 11th, 2008.
Willis of Houston, Texas brings in a record of 12-13-1 with nine knockouts.
The thirty-five year old has fought some very recognizable Heavyweights as he has been in with the likes of Roderick Willis, Domonic Jenkins, Matt Godfrey and Kenderick Releford. The only man to stop Willis in his twenty-six fight career was the tough as nails Adam “Swamp Donkey” Richards (17-1) two years ago.
Like Abell, Willis is riding a three fight winning streak which includes the last two being via first round stoppage.
In his last bout, Willis took care of Isaac Ruiz (3-3) in the first frame on April 18th in Laredo, Texas.
The card is promoted by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Promotions Inc.
The undercard has been stacked with crowd pleasing bouts that will feature some emerging stars.
In an eight round Lightweight bout, Kevin Carmody (10-11-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia battles Daniel Maldonado (21-2, 13 KO’s) of Henderson, KY
In a eight round Middleweight bout of immense local interest, Gee Cullmer (15-1, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia battles Clarence “Sonny Bono” Taylor (13-21-3, 6 KO’s) of Wilmington, DE
Fresh off his thrilling victory over Tyric Robinson, Julias Edmonds (5-3) of Philadelphia tussles with Jose Tiburcio (3-1, 1 KO) of Southbridge, MA
In a six round Super Middleweight bout, Ben Foust (12-0, 11 KO’s) of Jacksboro, TN will risk his gaudy undefeated record when he takes on battle tested Marcus Brooks (6-6, 3 KO’s) of Atlanta.
Joselito Collado (7-0, 2 KO’s) of Queens, New York comes back to make his third Blue Horizon appearance as he takes on an opponent to be announced in a sis round Jr. Lightweight bout.
In a rematch of an April 3rd bloodbath, Taneal Goyco (2-0, 1 KO) and Davit Davitshvili (0-2) look to thrill the crowd once more in a cruiserweight bout scheduled for four rounds.
Russian Jr. Middleweight, Ruslan Khayrtdinov (2-0, 1 KO) takes on an opponent to be announced.
Rounding out the card will be a four round Heavyweight bout between Nakidi Ku-Ntima of Philadelphia making his pro debut when he takes on Kareem Wilson (0-2) of Washington, D.C.
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