Bronx, NY – On August 1st, Star Boxing’s IBF #2 rated, Delvin Rodriguez (24-2-2, 14KO) will fight for the Vacant IBF Welterweight Championship of the world when he takes on IBF #3 rated Isaac Hlatshwayo (28-1-1, 10KO) in a rematch of their highly entertaining draw that took place in November in Hlatshwayo’s home country of South Africa. Rodriguez v Hlatshwayo is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and is set to take place at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, CT..
“Of course I was not happy after the first fight. I know I won the fight, most people who watched the fight, including the South African press know I won the fight, the only people who didn’t seem to know were two of the three judges,” stated Rodriguez. “I went into his backyard and fought him and then we set the rematch to be over here in the states and he wouldn’t come. So instead of waiting around for him I took on Shamone Alvarez and beat him, earning the #2 spot in the IBF ratings. Isaac is rated number three, so the only way he can win the title is by going through me and I promise you that there is no way that is going to happen.”
“I know I am going to knock him out this time around so the scorecards won’t matter. I know that I can take his best punches and that he can not take mine. In the rematch I am going to go right at him from the opening bell until I knock him out. It is going to be great to have all my fans there supporting me and cheering me on to victory. I have a bad taste left in my mouth from November 17th. I plan on getting rid of it in spectacular fashion come this August and fulfilling my life long dream of being the welterweight champion of the world.”
“The first fight was a good fight, definitely worthy of a rematch. While I think its noteworthy that the press in South Africa thought Delvin won the fight, as did I, it is going to be a great rematch and I am looking forward to August 1st , not backward,” stated Rodriguez promoter Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing who was ringside for the bout.
In their first encounter, the two battled to a twleve round majority draw. Those watching the fight, including many of the South African press, felt that although the fight was close, Rodriguez did more than enough to pull out the victory. Rodriguez was the busier fighter, landed more punches, carried the fight pretty much for the entire twelve rounds, and even dropped Hlatshwayo hard in the 9th. Unfortunately for the Dominican native Rodriguez, who now resides in Danbury, CT, it was still not enough in the judges’ eyes to award him with the victory.
This time around promoters were required to submit a purse bid to see where the bout would take place. Luckily for Rodriguez, his promoter DeGuardia produced the winning big, something that definitely gives Rodriguez an advantage.
“Delvin promised me that if he gets a rematch against Hlatshwayo in the U.S. that he is going to knock him out. We delivered on our end by winning the purse bid, now Delvin must deliver on his, and trust me when I tell you I couldn’t be more confident that he will,” stated DeGuardia.
“Mohegan Sun is thrilled to play host to this exciting rematch between two of the world’s top welterweights. With the IBF World Welterweight Title on the line and this taking place in Rodriguez’s backyard, we are sure to have a packed house on hand to witness a great battle between these outstanding warriors,” stated Bob Yalen, Director of Sports & Entertainment at Mohegan Sun.
Rodriguez vs. Hlatshwayo II is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in association with Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort. A complete list of undercard will be announced shortly. Tickets are priced at $125, $75, $45 and $30 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com or purchase tickets by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office. Star is currently holding choice seats for prime customers. To find out more information about this terrific offer or to purchase these exclusive tickets please call Star Boxing at (718) 823-2000.
Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard heading West -Fighting Edel Ruiz Friday in Reno
MANCHESTER, Conn. (July 6, 2009) – WBC Youth and USNBC featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard is a young man heading West to fight veteran Edel “Cuate” Ruiz this Friday night in Reno, Nevada.
The 23-year-old Remillard (17-0, 9 KOs), fighting out of Manchester, Connecticut, was originally supposed to fight Ruiz (32-22-4, 23 KOs) two months ago in Maryland. Ruiz became ill and was unable to fight that date, leading to a postponement of this interesting match-up between youth and experience that eventually landed in Reno.
“I’m excited about getting my career restarted,” Remillard said. “It’s only been a few months since I’ve fought, but (trainer) Paul (Cichon) have been working very hard in the gym, and we’re both a little anxious to showcase what I’ve learned. I’ve never been to Reno. I’m going from a venue that seats 2000 to close to 5000. It’s a big card and I’m really looking forward to fighting in front of a large crowd.”
Ruiz is a former WBO Latino, WBC CABOFE and WBC Continental Americas champion who has been in the ring against one present champion, Juan Manuel Lopes, as well as four former title holders (Paulie Ayala, Robert Guerrero, Jhonny Gonzalez and Joan Guzman, and two world title challengers (Jason Litzau and Fernando Beltran, Jr.).
“He’s had more than 50 fights, many against top fighters, and he’s still only 31,” Remillard noted. “The experience I’ll gain fighting him is exactly what I need at this stage of my career. I need to fight and beat a veteran like him to get to the next level where I want to be. Our weight class has so much talent. Ruiz is another step up the ladder. I’m looking for bigger fights but still take ‘em one at a time. Right now, this guy is in my way.
“I’m right on weight and will make 128 easy. I’ve been working in the ring with (his assistant trainer and former world cruiserweight contender) John Scully. He’s so strong and now that he’s retired and having fun, I think his reflexes are better than ever. I told him he could still beat most of the guys out there.”
Scully, however, won’t be in Remillard’s corner this weekend because “Iceman” is the head trainer for Matt Godfrey, who is fighting Shawn Hawk on this week’s ESPN Friday Night Fights show in Philadelphia. Former 2-time world champion James “Buddy” McGirt will be working Remillard’s corner with Cichon.
“This is a good fight for Matt,” Remillard’s manager Bret Hallenbeck added, “much more than a stay-busy fight. He’s in against a seasoned opponent in Ruiz, who has fought some of the top guys in the division. He’s definitely tougher than anybody Matt has fought to date. Every fight is a step forward for Matt and he’s learned something new each time out. He’s only 23 but getting closer and closer to a really big fight.”
HERNANDEZ MAKES THOMPSON BOXING PROMOTIONS DEBUTIN MAIN EVENT AGAINST JONES
(ORANGE, CA) July 7, 2009 – One of the hottest prospects in boxing today, unbeaten lightweight Daniel “El Travieso” Hernandez, returns to Omega Products International in Corona, California on Friday, July 17, to battle San Diego’s Jovann Jones in the main event of Thompson Boxing Promotions’ ‘New Blood V’.
The six round bout – which headlines a six fight card of professional boxing that features the best young talent in the game – will be Hernandez’s first at Omega Products International since he knocked out Miguel Rivera in 57 seconds back August of 2008, as well as his first as a member of the Thompson Boxing Promotions roster. The 19-year old from South Gate, California has thus far compiled a 6-0 (4 KOs) pro record after an impressive amateur career that saw him win Golden Gloves and Desert Showdown Tournament titles, as well as the California Palace Award. He will be tested by the 28-year old veteran Jones (9-5, 4 KOs), who has faced five unbeaten prospects thus far. He knows what to expect from the young gun Hernandez.
Tickets to ‘New Blood V, are priced at $75, $45, and $30, and may be purchased by calling 714-935-0900. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the first bell is at 7:45pm.
In the co-featured fight of the evening, Riverside knockout artist Alberto “The Substitute” Herrera (2-0, 2 KOs) looks for knockout number three when he squares off against San Diego’s Steve Macomber (3-4-1) in a four round junior middleweight bout. Albert is the youngest brother of undefeated WBC USNBC junior welterweight champ Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera, who will be cheering him on and working his corner.
Also in action, scheduled for six rounds in the junior lightweight division, a war is expected to break out when Indio, California’s Tomas Barragan (7-2-1) takes on Durango, Mexico’s Alvaro “Cañas” Muro (5-17, 5 KOs).
Drawing rave reviews from the Southern California fight community is welterweight Chris Rizo (4-0, 2 KOs), and he will put his perfect pro record on the line on July 17th against fellow Los Angeles product Marlo Cortez (2-7-2, 1 KO) in a four round matchup.
Opening the show will be debuting junior lightweight Kevin Hoskins of Pomona and first-time super bantamweight pro Johnatan Arrellano, who will enter the ring against Keith Kelly (0-1) and Rufino Serrano (1-1), respectively, in four round bouts.
Bouts subject to change.