HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (October 28, 2009) – Boxing’s No. 1 pound for pound fighter will be honored as a champion of peace. MANNY “PacMan” PACQUIAO has been named a 2009 Gusi Peace Prize laureate, the only athlete in the elite group of 19 awardees from 16 different nations. Established 22 years ago by Ambassador Barry Gusi and his wife, Dr. Evelyn Gusi, the Gusi Peace Prize is awarded annually to distinguished individuals or groups worldwide with exemplary contributions to peace and human rights representing fields of science, medicine, academe, politics, business, humanities, philanthropy, journalism, religion, international relations and others. This year’s sole honoree from the U.S. will be Congressman Bob Filner, who represents California’s 51st congressional district. The 2009 laureates will be formally recognized at an awards dinner in Manila on November 24..
“I am truly humbled by this incredible honor and I would like to thank the Gusi family and the foundation,” said Pacquiao. “To be included in such a group of accomplished humanitarians is beyond anything I ever dreamed of. They are inspirational. The one lesson my countrymen have taught the world during the recent typhoons is never to give up. Help each other and rebuild. Nothing is impossible when we work together whether it’s curing the sick, feeding the hungry or nourishing the souls and minds with education.”
“Hammerin’” Hank Lundy Philadelphia Dreamin’
Spina-Del Valle headlines Saturday night’s “Fright Night At The Sun” at Mohegan Sun
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Oct. 27, 2009) – One of the hottest prospects on the East Coast, Philadelphia light welterweight “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy, is continuing the great “City of Brotherly Love” boxing tradition, determined to become Philly’s premier 135- to 140-pound fighter of contemporary times.
Lundy (15-0-1, 9 KOs) faces his toughest opponent, former WBC FECARBOX and WBA Fedecentro champion Aldo “El Pato” Valtierra (25-11, 13 KOs), Saturday night in the 10-round co-feature (Halloween) on the “Fright Night At The Sun” pro boxing card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
World-rated light heavyweight Joey “K.O. Kid” Spina (25-1-1, 17 KOs) headlines “Fright Night At The Sun” against former world champion Lou “Honey Boy” Del Valle (36-6-1, 22 KOs) in the 10-round main event.
Valtierra is a typical Mexican fighter – tough and well-conditioned with a straight-forward attack. He’s fought on national television numerous times and has only been stopped once in 36 pro fights. Fighting undefeated fighters like Lundy isn’t a new experience for Aldo, whose most recent action resulted in an upset victory against previously unbeaten and rated prospect Jorge Luis Teron (22-0-1). Valtierra also has knocked off 15-0 Frankie Zepeda on ESPN2 and went the distance with former world champions Steven Luevano, Hector Acero Sanchez and Julio Pablo Chacon, along with world-title challengers Daniel Attach and Rogers Mtagwa.
“Hank is a throwback type of fighter,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “He’s a gym rat who is always working out. He’s comfortable now with a great team — manager Ivan Cohen, and head trainer Sloan Harrison – so, all he has to be concerned with now is training and fighting. There’s a 2 ½-mile run in Lincoln Woods (R.I.), where I’ve brought Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard to train. It’s all hills, but Hank flies around it and is barely breathing hard at the end. He is really coming into his own and ready to fight a ranked guy. Hank wants to fight for a title and beating Valtierra should get him there. This is without question Hank’s toughest fight as a pro.”
In his last action in September, Lundy stopped Justo Sanchez in the sixth round to capture the vacant UBC light welterweight crown. Hank’s most notable wins to date were a fifth-round TKO against previously unbeaten Jason Cintron (10-0) and 4-round decision over previously undefeated Esteban Almarez (7-0). The only blemish on Lundy’s pro record is a controversial draw with 8-0 Darnell Jiles Jr. on ESPN (Mar. 28, 2008), in which most observers felt Hank won.
“I want to be the first big lightweight/junior welterweight from Philly,” the 25-year-old Lundy explained. “It’s a lot on my shoulders, but I welcome it because I want to give fans what they want to see. Most know that ‘Hammerin’’ Hank is coming to fight. I don’t do nothing else but train hard. It’s search-and-destroy for me. I love my family, but I get away from everybody when I go into training for a fight. That’s why I want to destroy my opponent; he kept me away from my family. I keep it easy. Most Philly fighters today are in the gym to train for a fight. I keep it up after a fight. When a call comes for a fight, I’m ready to go because I’ve been training hard, staying focused and there’s no pressure. I will be world champion someday.”
“Being a Philly fighter is a big key for me. I know my opponent knows he’s fighting a tough Philly fighter, probably the toughest he’s ever fought, so he trains harder than usual for me. He knows it’s going to be a war. In any gym in this city, you walk in and can see a main-event type fight in a sparring session. I’m smart enough to know what guys to spar and what gyms to go to for it.”
On the undercard in separate 4-round bouts are a pair of promising Hartford (CT) prospects from Puerto Rico, Hartford junior middleweight David Bauza (2-0, 2 KOs) against Rafael Jastrzebski, and light welterweight Edwin Soto (1-0, 1 KO) of New Havem versus pro-debuting Rasheed Francis.
In other 4-round fights on the undercard, 2008 Olympian Sadam Ali (3-0, 2 KOs) meets a welterweight opponent to be determined; lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczewski (5-0, 2 KOs), the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament runner-up from Quincy (MA), faces Israel Suarez (2-2); another undefeated Philadelphia lightweight, Frank Trader (6-0, 2 KOs), takes on Gustavo Daily; and 2008 New York Golden Glove champion light heavyweight Joe Smith, Jr., of Long Island, makes his long-awaited pro debut vs. TBA. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “Fright Night At The Sun,” priced at $27.00, $50.00 and $80.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or at the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Ticketmaster customers may log on to www.ticketmaster.com, call Ticketmaster’s national toll-free charge by phone (1.800.745.3000) or visit any Ticketmaster outlet.
For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Mohegan Sun (www.mohegansun.com). Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.
Hernandez in Heated Rematch and “The Quiet Assassin” Return For “A Fight To Remember”
October 28 (Merrillville, In) – Not many fighters get a second chance to go back and avenge their first loss of their career. For the always electric Angel Hernandez that’s not the case, as the Gary, Ind. welterweight will square off against the rugged veteran Reggie Nash on November 13 at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza at “A Fight To Remember: A Tribute To Octavius James.”
“Angel (Hernandez) has been biting at the bit to get back into the ring against Reggie (Nash) and he will now have that chance,” said C.E.O. of One In A Million Boxing, Inc. Tyree Ortiz. “Angel always is a show stealer and when he gets Nash across from him, I’m sure it will be another electric performance.”
Hernandez makes a triumph return to the ring following a six-round unanimous decision over Guadalupe Diaz back in June at the Tinley Park Convention Center, but it’s the loss to Nash from 2008 that has the 24 year-old with revenge on his mind.
“This is a fight that I wish I had back, but I’m never one to sit and pout and when I get him in the ring I want to make it quick,” said Hernandez of his fight with Nash. “Plus, to have an opportunity to overcome a loss and do it on a night honoring Octavius (James) is going to make it even more enjoyable.”
Undefeated heavyweight Michael “Quiet Assassin” Parker will climb through the ropes for the first time since Nov. of 2008 when he claimed his seventh career knockout against Ronald Garr in the first round. All of the Highland resident’s knockouts have come in the first round.
O.I.A.M.’s first V.I.P. hot seat event was a success, as Josh Alan of Hobart won the Ultimate Fight Experience which includes two V.I.P. La -Z-Boy tickets to fight night after winning the free to the public Nintendo Wii boxing tournament at Cagney’s in Hobart.
The beautiful Miller Lite girls will be joined by Jimmy “The Fighting School Teacher” Holmes at the V.I.P. Hot Seats next stop at Boundary Waters in DeMotte on Friday, Oct. 30 at 9 p.m.
THE EVENT SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:
– Friday, October 30, 2009, 9:00pm – Boundary Waters – 514 N Halleck St., Demotte
– Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 7:00pm – Langel’s Pizza – 2833 Highway Ave., Highland
– Thursday, November 5, 2009, 7:00pm – BW3’s – 2515 Southlake Mall, Merrillville
– Friday, November 6, 2009, 8:00pm – BW3’s – 212 E. Lincoln Way, Valparaiso
Also on tap will be activities with the proceeds from those going towards the newly created One In A Million Boxing Inc. Foundation in honor of Octavius James.
A special discounted hotel room rate has will be extended to O.I.A.M.B. guests by the Radisson Hotel for the official after party which will be hosted by T.J. Maloney’s.
Just call the Radisson Hotel @ (219)769-6311 ext.1234 with the
code: (Night of Champions)
and get your special rate today. Discount rooms are limited, so reserve yours now!
Tickets for “A Fight To Remember: A Tribute To Octavius James” are on sale now and can be purchased at VIP $100 and general admission $30. All VIP seating will consist of a 10 person table with an exclusive and extravagant champagne toast for James.
The Radisson is located at I-65 & US 30 in Merrillville, IN. Doors open at 7 p.m. The first bout is scheduled at 8 p.m. and for more ticket information or fight night events please visit us at our new knockout website and leave us some feedback:www.oneinamillionboxing.com. Or by calling (866) 438-7372. Tickets for this special night of boxing are limited, so make sure to get yours now.
“ I am sending Sande to retirement” – Gicharu
In what will probably be the most exciting local match up of the year, former WBC International Super bantamweight Champion Sande Otieno (16 wins – 2 losses) will step into the ring against National Featherweight champion John Gicharu (12 wins – 4 losses) on December 5th at the KICC. The fight will be promoted by new promoter, Top Event Promotions
Though both boxers are not knock out artistes, their styles have always provided entertaining full distance bouts that often bring fans to their feet. Sande Otieno has won everything that there is to win on the continental level at Super bantamweight, while Gicharu has held firmly to the featherweight title. Though Otieno could be said to be in his twilight years, at 34 years, his skills were well honed over an impressive amateur career where he represented Kenya several times and he is still regarded as the best punch for punch boxer in the country today. Twenty nine-year-old Gicharu on the other hand makes good use of his six foot height to ward off his opponents with an effective jab and good defense. At 5ft, 5in it will be interesting to see how Otieno will turn this height disadvantage to his benefit
Sande Otieno’s conquests against Issa Sewe (TZ), for the ECAPBF title, Sande Kizito (Uganda) for the ABU title and Lanquaye Wilson(Ghana) for the WBC International title were very exciting showcases of Otieno’s punch and duck style. The Kizito fight in the December 2006 undercard of the USA vs Africa undercard is still regarded as one of the best fights ever seen in Kenya. The two slugged it out toe to toe for 12 action packed rounds before Otieno lifted the ABU super bantamweight title.
Gicharu’s exploits have included holding on to the competitive featherweight title, his fight against Morris Chule which was judged a draw was a classic, so was his demolition of the always stubborn Musa Njue in a 10 rounder last year. When he got a chance to fight in the UK against Derry Mathews, Gicharu impressed the locals so much, though he lost that fight on points, he got three more opportunities in the same country because of his enduring style. All his four losses have come while he was fighting England.
“I am saying it right now that I am sending Otieno to retirement’ a confident Gicharu said at a media workout yesterday. May be I am wrong, but Sande should not even think that he can dominate at featherweight, the buck stops with me, just wait and see”
Sande in his usual cool self laughed off the threat saying that old is gold “ I have been in this game for a long time and am still going to be around for a long time. I will do my talking on December 5, for now am dying to get back in the ring and the opportunity to face off against John just excites me”
In a year where the professional boxing scene has lacked colour, because of a marked reduction of promoter activity, the clash will be a fitting gift to boxing fans that had over the past years been treated to action every three weeks or so.
The full fight card
Ashraf Sulemani vs Raymond Ochieng
Nick Otieno vs Friday Mugaya
Sande Otieno vs John Gicharu
Joshua Onyango vs Francis Cheka
Frank Ochieng vs Obadiah Mwangi
David Kiilu vs TBA