LAS VEGAS (September 17, 2009) – CNN series, “Pioneros: Latino Firsts,” will feature 2-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs) this Sunday live during its CNN Sunday Primetime program. Ruiz, who is the WBA’s current “mandatory challenger,” is the first and only world heavyweight boxing champion of Hispanic heritage.. Born in the Boston area but raised for several years in Puerto Rico, he first captured the WBA title March 3, 2001, winning a decision against defending champion and living legend, Evander Holyfield, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
“I’m very proud of my heritage and honored to be part of this important series,” Ruiz said. “I’ve always believed in following dreams and that’s how I got to be world champion. To be the first Hispanic heavyweight champion of the world will always be very, very special to me and my family.
CNN Newsroom anchor Don Lemon will conduct the interview, which will very much be a self-portrait of Ruiz, focusing on his life, discussing his accomplishments in the ring, and giving advice for other Americans about how to achieve one’s goals. Sunday’s profile interview is scheduled to start at 10:40 PM/ET, 7:40 PM/PT. Content of the broadcast is subject to change with breaking news events.
During an eight-week period the “Pioneros: Latino Firsts” series sill give CNN’s audience an insider’s pass to some of the 21st century America’s most powerful and influential Latino achievers who have attained “first in field” status in some aspect of their professional endeavors. Others selected to feature in the “Pioneros: Latino Firsts” series include Bill Richardson, Rita Moreno, Oscar Hijuelos and Nancy Lopez.
Go on line to www.johnthequietmanruiz.com for more information about John Ruiz.
Michigan Boxing Titans Kirschenbaum and Steward to Receive Honors
On November 2, a ceremony will be held at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit in West Bloomfield, Michigan, to induct former State Boxing Commissioner Dr. Stuart E Kirschenbaum into the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Also receiving an award that night will be legendary Kronk Gym Founder and HBO Analyst, Emanuel Steward, who will receive the Alvin Foon Humanitarian Award for his tremendous work as an ambassador of Michigan boxing worldwide.
Dr. Stuart Kirschenbaum was the State of Michigan’s Boxing Commissioner for 11 years (1981 to 1992), the second longest tenure in State history. As Commissioner, he was instrumental in the establishment of federal regulations for boxing and co-founded the Association of Boxing Commissions, which sets standards and regulates all state boxing commissions. He judged over a dozen world boxing championships. As an outstanding amateur boxer, Kirschenbaum won a medal in the 1967 NY Golden Gloves light heavyweight division.
In 1993, Sports Illustrated and the Detroit Institute of Arts honored Kirschenbaum as the recipient of the Joe Louis Award in recognition of his humanitarian efforts. He serves on the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation Board of Governors and is an MJSF past President, as well as a past Vice President of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and is on the boards of the International African-American Sports Hall of Fame, Advisory Board of the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, and Founder and President of the Michigan Boxing Hall of Fame.
Dr. Kirschenbaum earned his medical degree in 1970 from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He is a practicing podiatrist in Detroit.
Hailed as one of the most successful trainers and managers active in boxing today, Emanuel Steward is a shrewd businessman and an expert trainer who made the Kronk Gym in Detroit famous as a training ground for world champion boxers. During his illustrious career, Steward has trained 31 world champions, among them Thomas Hearns, Mark Breland, Milt McCrory, Lennox Lewis, and Evander Holyfield.
In addition to being one of the most sought-after trainers in the world, Steward now works as an analyst for HBO boxing, where his keen eye for the subtle nuances of fighting adds an extra dimension to the telecasts.
He has been honored for many of his talents including BWAA “Manager of the Year” in 1980 and 1989, BWAA “Trainer of the Year” in 1993 and 1997. He is also an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and a World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee.
The November 2 event will also be the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary Gala. Other non-boxing personnel receiving honors will be Steve Greenberg, Kathryn Krickstein-Pressel (of blessed memory), Richard Loewenstein, and Dr. Steve Rosen.
A portion of the night’s proceeds will benefitCamp KAT (Kids All Together), The Bear Hug Foundation and the MJSF Hall of Fame. Donation and advertising opportunities are available (see attachment). For more information on sponsorship and ad journal opportunities, auction donations, and/or to purchase tickets, please contact: David Blatt at 248.592.9323 (dblatt@michiganjewishsports.org.)
One year later unbeaten light welterweight Danny O’Connor returns to site of pro debut
Sheika-Echols headline Sept. 23 card at Verizon Center in Manchester
MANCHESTER, N.H. (September 17, 2009) – A lot has changed for unbeaten light welterweight prospect Danny O’Connor since he made his pro debut one year ago in the same charity event and site that the Framingham (MA) boxer fighter returns to fight next Wednesday (September 23).
The 23-year old O’Connor takes on Patrick “Raging Bull” Cape (6-7, 3 KOs) in the 8th annual “Fight To Educate” pro boxing card at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The 8th annual “Fight To Educate,” presented by MB Tractor & Equipment, in association with Cedric Kushner’s Gotham Boxing, will benefit the SEE Science Center, Bobby Stephen Fund for Education, and The Veterans Count Club.
O’Connor, 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate and National Golden Gloves Tournament winner, defeated Jose Guerrido by second-round technical knockout in the seventh annual “Fight To Educate” at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester. Since then during a busy first year as a professional the popular, talented southpaw has extended his perfect pro record to 8-0 (2 KOs).
“The ‘Fight To Educate’ and Verizon Arena are special to me because I made my pro debut there last year,” O’Connor said. “Plus, it’s great to fight so close to home and on the same show as my good friend, Edwin (Rodriguez). I’m really excited to be fighting back there. In the last year, I’ve gained a lot of valuable experience and adjusted to the pro game. I’ve settled down; more relaxed and learning how to better set-up my shots. Everything comes off of my jab, which is my most effective punch, and the punch I’ve most improved since my pro debut. I’m learning more each fight. Part of the pro process is learning and I’ll be doing that until I retire. People there next Wednesday night will see a much improved fighter than when I fought there last year.”
Light heavyweight Omar Sheika (27-9, 18 KOs) is now facing a fellow 3-time world title challenger, Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols (31-12-4 (27 KOs), in the 10-round main event.
Undefeated Worcester (MA) prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (11-0, 8 KOs), a 2-time U.S. national amateur champion, squares-off against experienced super middleweight Robbie Tovar (15-4-1, 5 KOs), former NABC Latino title-holder, in the 8-round co-feature.
New Hampshire native Richard Gingras (9-2, 5 KOs), star of The Contender IV television reality television series, as well as the former World Ringside heavyweight amateur champion, meets 26-fight veteran light heavyweight Robert Davis in an 8-round Special Light Heavyweight Attraction.
Spinks Legends
This year’s special guests are the legendary Spinks family boxers – Hall of Famer Michael “Jinx” Spinks (31-1, 21 KOs), the1976 Olympic gold medalist who became the first light heavyweight champion to win the undefeated world heavyweight championship as a professional; Michael’s brother, former world heavyweight champion and 1976 Olympic gold medalist “Neon” Leon Spinks and his son, Cory “New Generation” Spinks, the 5-time world and reigning IBF junior middleweight champion.
Also in the undercard, undefeated heavyweight Faruq “The Dream” Saleem (38-0, 32 KOs) faces upset specialist Shawn McLean (3-4, 2 KOs), while Bronx (NY) super middleweight Hajro Sujak (3-0, 1 KO) fights Joel Lopez (0-3) in six and four round bouts, respectively.
Tickets are priced at $10 (seniors, veterans and students only), $25 and $50 and available to purchase at the Verizon Wireless Arena Box Office, any TicketMaster location, on line at www.ticketmaster.com, or call 603.868.7300 to charge. For more information go to www.fight2educate.com. First bout will be at 8 PM/ET.