NEW YORK (Jan. 11, 2010) – New Jersey heavyweight Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris, winner of the 2002 ‘Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament,” fighting January 29 for the first time in more than two years, against veteran Billy “The Kid” Zumbrun in Albuquerque. The 33-year-old Harris (20-14-2, 10 KOs) is genuine, no hype, and the often mismanaged fighter plans to get back into the heavyweight title picture with his new promoter, Boxing 360. He’s beaten some of the best, lost to inferior opponents on several occasions, and overall has failed to live-up to his physical potential..
The primary reason for his record is he turned pro at 17 with only nine amateur fights behind him, losing a 4-round decision to Joe Kenna in 1992, and then Maurice was soon thrown to the wolves. “I’ve had an up-and-down career,” Harris explained. “I was hanging (at the gym) with pros like Al ‘Ice’ Cole and Ray Mercer and decided to join them as a pro when I was only 17, not realizing I didn’t have the valuable experience gained from boxing in amateur tournaments. But I was a hungry kid from the projects who wanted a way out. I was thrown-in tough early, in way over my head because I didn’t have any real experience. I didn’t even know how to tie-up or battle fatigue, leaving me tired during fights.”
Harris lost three of his first five fights and was 5-4-2 midway through 1994, including a draw against Zuri Lawrence, who was making his pro debut. Back-to-back losses by knockouts to world title challengers Vaughn Beam and Dale Brown followed, but Harris bounced back strong with a win by 8-round decision versus David Izon to start 1996.
When Harris stopped 32-7 Jimmy Thunder in the seventh round of their 1997 fight, it set the stage for Maurice to take on come-backing former world champion Larry Holmes, who won a 10-round split decision that most observers felt Maurice should have been awarded.
The resilient Harris, however, reeled-off seven straight victories, including a 10-round decision against world title challenger Jeremy Williams in 1999. “I didn’t really get the experience I needed until later, when I started sparring with Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson,” Harris noted. “That experience gave me confidence to beat the top guys, but I was still taking fights on short notice. I beat Williams on 5-days notice.”
Harris lost to Derrick Jefferson in one of 1999’s best and most entertaining fights of the year, but he then became more inactive from that point on, winning his only two fights in 2000, and losing his 2001 showdowns to former and future world champions, Chris Byrd and Henry Akinwande.
In 2002, Harris knocked out previously unbeaten and future world title-holder Sergey Lyakhovich (16-0) in the ninth round. Harris earned a spot in that November’s “Thunderbox” tournament, eventually capturing the $100,000 winner’s purse by out-pointing Gerald Nobles, Israel Garcia and Anthony Thompson, respectively, in 3-round matches in the same evening.
Harris has fought only four times in the last six years, his last more than two years ago, but now he will be much more active fighting under the Boxing 360 promotional banner. “I signed with Don King and he left me on the shelf,” Harris remarked. “I’m climbing back now. I had trouble getting fights because everybody in boxing knew I could fight but I wasn’t always in proper shape and didn’t do my homework. Now, I’m a young but an experienced 33. I haven’t been beaten up. I had a lot of gaps in my career and now I have a promoter pushing me for the first time, Boxing 360. I’m preserved and my instincts are still good. I’m going to get out there and prove it, starting January 29 against Zumbrun. I am not losing that (6-round) fight.
“The heavyweight division is wide open. Kevin Johnson talked his way into a world title fight and he got exposed. That’s what set a fire under my butt. There are a lot of fakers. Too many promoters, managers and trainers protect their fighters. Nobody wants to fight; it’s not like in the 80’s or back in the 50’s and 60’s, when everybody fought each other because they were competitors. A loss shouldn’t setback a fighter for years. Today, I’m older, wiser and my experience is my greatest advantage. I’m ready. I’m 6-4 and weigh 245; I’m going to really crack this guy January 29th.I’m going to bring something new that people haven’t seen from me. Look out heavyweights, I’m coming for you.”
Andy Kolle to Headline February 5 at First Avenue in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN- Minnesota’s middleweight champion is slated to make his return to the ring this February. Andy “Kaos” Kolle(19-2 14 ko’s) will take on Pat “The Cat” Coleman (29-15 20 ko’s) on February 5 at First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN.
Kolle is coming off of a highlight reel knockout of Anthony Bonsante in March, and an impressive stoppage of Anthony Shuler in June. Although Kolle has been inactive for six months he insists that February 5th presents an opportunity to not only get back into action, but turn some heads in the Twin Cities.
“I am really looking forward to getting back into the ring, it has been too long! It has been a few years since I have fought in the Twin Cities so I can’t wait to come and show the boxing fans there what I got. I don’t know much about my opponent but that is nothing new to me so I will be ready for whatever he brings to the table”
Kolle vs Coleman will be promoted by Midwest Sports Council in association with RDS Company and will bring boxing to the venue made famous by Prince in the mid 80’s. In addition to the anticipated return of Andy Kolle heralded prospect Javontae Starks(2-0 2 ko’s) will do battle for the first time in his native Minneapolis when he takes on Matt Ellis(2-1) in the co-feature. Starks’ MSC stablemate Jeremy McLaurin(6-0 4 ko’s) will also be in action against Brandon Quintana (2-4).
Decorated amateur Tony Lee(1-0) is slated to fight Javier Segura, while fellow prospect Jose Hilario takes on Hector Orozco. Rounding out the card will be Donny Tierney (1-1) taking on Andrew Kato, and Zach Schumach(1-2-1) taking on Lenny McQuen in his professional debut.
The Event will be 18+ and Tickets are available at www.first-avenue.com
ENNIS – VAZQUEZ TURF WARS UNDERCARD FINALIZED FOR THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 15TH AT THE ARENA IN PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA (JANUARY 11th, 2010)—THIS Friday night, the first big boxing of the new decade in Philadelphia will take place as USBA Jr. Middleweight champion, Derek “Pooh” Ennis will take on Edwin Vazquez in an eight round non-title bout that will highlight an eight bout card at The Arena in South Philadelphia.
The card is promoted by Greg Robinson’s Power Productions in association with River Edge Beverage Company.
Ennis of Philadelphia will be looking to improve upon his record that currently stands at 19-2-1 with twelve knockouts and will be looking to carry the momentum of a seven fight win streak. In that streak, Ennis has scored three knockouts and is coming off a career best win when he scored an exciting twelve round unanimous decision over Eromosele Albert on October 16th at The Legendary Blue Horizon to capture the USBA Jr. Middleweight title.
A win over Vazquez will pave the way for Ennis’ first title defense that is tentatively penciled in for April 9th.
Vazquez of Santurce, Puerto Rico has a record of 22-14-2 with eight knockouts and is looking for a win in the worst way as he has dropped five straight contests.
Those losses have come to some of the top Welterweights and Jr. Middleweights as Vazquez has lost to Matthew Hatton (30-3-1); Zab Judah (34-5); Eric Mitchell (20-4-1); Euri Gonzalez (16-0-1) and his most recent outing, Vazquez was stopped in four rounds to Cuban super prospect Erislandy Lara (5-0) on May 22nd in Miami.
Ironically Ennis and Vazquez were scheduled to meet on February 15th, 2008 but Ennis failed to make weight and Mitchell stepped in on less then twenty-four hours notice to score a very close unanimous decision.
An exciting undercard has been put together that will feature of the area’s most popular and top prospects.
In a six round co-feature, popular Victor Vasquez (10-3, 5 KO’s) takes on Gustavo Dailey (4-7, 1 KO) in a battle of Philadelphia lightweight’s.
Vasquez is riding a two fight win streak and the always crowd pleasing fighter, who is a licensed barber will look to cut down Dailey.
Vasquez is coming off a six round unanimous decision over Tyric Robinson (9-4-1) on October 16th at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
Dailey has been matched very tough throughout his career and he has been very active as this will be his thirteenth fight in just under two years of pro experience.
Dailey is coming off the third fight of his trilogy with Maryland prospect, Tyrell Samuel.
Dailey scored a major upset when scored a six round split decision over Samuel last July in Samuel’s backyard in Maryland. The two engaged in a return bout two months later that saw Samuel win by an eight round unanimous decision. The two fought a rubber match in November and once again Samuel scored a five round technical decision after a cut opened up over Samuel’s right eye.
In a second six round co-feature, Northeast Philadelphian, Tony “Boom Boom” Ferrante battles Andre Hemphill in a Light Heavyweight bout.
Ferrante, 8-0 with four knockouts an eight round majority decision over Billy Bailey at The Arena on July 10th.
Ferrante recently came off a six week stint as the main sparring partner for the legendary Bernard Hopkins as Hopkins prepared for his December 2nd win over Enrique Ornelas
Hemphill, also of Philadelphia has a record of 8-13-2 with five wins coming by knockout has been in with top competition and this will be the THIRTEENTH undefeated opponent that he has stepped into the ring with which includes his last fight where he took a fight with Jeremiah Graziano on less then twenty-four hours notice and Hemphill was stopped in the first round of the October 2nd bout at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
Good looking Super Featherweight prospect, Coy Evans of Philadelphia risks his undefeated mark that stands at 5-0-1 when he takes on Vinesh Rungea of the United Kingdom.
Evans is coming off an impressive victory over thirty-five fight veteran Carlos Diaz on October 16th at The Legendary Blue Horizon
Rungea is much like Hemphill as his record, 2-14-3, looks deceiving due to his high level opposition. He has faced seven undefeated fighters which includes his most recent outing which was a first round knockout defeat to highly regarded Rances Barthelemy on August 28th in Hollywood, Florida.
In a four round Light Heavyweight bout, Tommie “Big Poppa” Speller, 4-3 with three knockouts of Philadelphia takes on Dave Cook, 3-3 with two knockouts in a four round bout.
6’4” Middleweight, Derrick Webster, 3-0 with two knockouts of Glassboro, New Jersey will battle Antonio Walls, 2-2 with one knockout of Washington, DC
Wahid Raheem, who is the brother of Lightweight contender and former U.S. Olympian Zahir Raheem, 3-0 with one stoppage of Philadelphia will square off with Eilud Torres (2-1-2, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA in a four round Lightweight bout.
Rounding out the bill will be Cruiserweight, Charles Heyward (2-2,1 KO) of Philadelphia seeing action in a four round Cruiserweight tussle.
Tickets for this outstanding night of boxing are priced at $75, $65 and $40 and can be purchased by calling Power Productions at 215-240-9987; Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000 or The Arena at 267-687-7560