After Wladimir Klitschko has neglected his offer to step in for injured David Haye to fight the IBF / WBO / IBO champion in Gelsenkirchen (Germany) on June 20th ARENA’s heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis (13-0) will be back in action this Friday (June 12th) at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami, Florida, against “Diamond” Dominique Alexander (18-6-1). Solis has just recovered from a hand injury which prevented him to fight “Fast” Fres Oquendo earlier this year. After defecting from the Cuban national team in December 2006 along with WBA interim featherweight champion Yuriorkis “El Ciclon” Gamboa and turning pro in April 2007 for Hamburg based promoter Ahmet Öner the three-time world amateur champion and 2004 Olympic gold medallist has been on the fast track to the top scoring impressive wins against high-quality opposition.
“La Sombra” became WBC international champion by stopping Chauncy Welliver in October 2008 and defended his title successfully at his US debut on January 9th against “Big Man” Kevin Burnett..
Just recently WBC #7 Solis has been reunited with his old amateur coach Pedro Diaz. “I am ready to show the world that I am true champion”, states Solis. “The fight this Friday is just a small step on my long road to fame and glory. I am the best heavyweight boxer in the world and I am ready to prove it.”
ISRAEL “EL MAGNIFICO” VAZQUEZ HEADS TO NEW YORK CITY THIS WEEK – BOXING WARRIOR TO BE HONORED FOR 2008 ‘FIGHT OF THE YEAR’
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 10, 2009) Three-time world champion Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez will jet to New York City this week where he will be honored on Friday night, June 12th, by the Boxing Writers Association of America for his role in the ‘2008 FIGHT OF THE YEAR’ at their annual awards dinner.
The ‘2008 FIGHT OF THE YEAR’ honor is being bestowed on Vazquez and former world champion Rafael Marquez for their epic third bout last year.
The third Vazquez/Marquez fight, which took place on March 1st, culminated an outstanding trilogy thought by many to be amongst the best in the history of boxing. Vazquez won the rubber match third bout with a breathtaking display of courage and valor in the unforgettable twelfth round, scoring a knock down of Vazquez in the closing seconds of the fight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
The knockdown of Marquez in the twelfth round proved to be the deciding factor with Vazquez winning the outstanding “back and forth” battle by split decision.
Said Vazquez, “I’m very excited to be heading to New York City for this most prestigious honor. It will be nice to see the other winners at the awards dinner and my many friends in the boxing community.” Fight fans can watch the awards ceremony LIVE on www.gofightlive.tv beginning at 6:30 pm eastern.
Last month Vazquez announced that after surgery to repair a detached retina, he now has been medically cleared to resume training and is looking towards a highly anticipated return to the ring this fall.
Vazquez, 43-4 (31KO’s) is currently ranked Pound for Pound #5 by Ring Magazine and #10 by ESPN.
More information on Israel Vazquez can be viewed at his website, www.israel-vazquez.com
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza.
Espinoza, born and bred in East Los Angeles, was a huge fan of the sport and eventually went on to establish himself as one of the top managers in the world of boxing.
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’s management style has earned him numerous accolades from several respected print and internet boxing writers. In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza was praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
Along with managing Vazquez also guides world ranked contenders Abner Mares and Alex Valdez along with a young squad of talented and promising fighters composed of Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez, Ronny Rios, Manny “Suavecito” Roman and Jesus “Pollo” Hernandez.
Among the world champions Espinoza has managed in the past are Martin “Gallito” Castillo, Enrique Sanchez, Isidro “Chino” Garcia and “Mighty” Mike Anchondo.
It is the goal of the Espinoza Boxing Club to always fight for our fighter’s best interests and to maximize their potential.