Since losing his IBF Junior Featherweight world championship to Celestino Caballero in November of 2008, “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor (31-1, 12 KO’s) has been on a single-minded mission to regain his belt, and re-establish his dominance at 122 pounds.
On March 27th at Casino Rama, in Rama, Ontario, that mission can finally be accomplished when Molitor (ranked #2 by the IBF) faces South African Takalani Ndlovu (30-5, 18 KO’s, IBF #1) for the now vacant IBF Junior Featherweight world title, during the main event at Rumble at Rama XI..
“All I’ve been thinking about is becoming a two-time champion, and nobody is going to get in my way,” Molitor said. “Especially Ndlovu.”
Molitor and Ndlovu are more than familiar with each other.
In July of 2007, in Molitor’s first of five successful title defenses, the Sarnia, Ontario-born fighter capped off a spectacular showing by stopping Ndlovu in the ninth round in a fight many point to as Molitor’s finest performance.
“As good as I was the first time against him, Ndlovu’s crazy to think he has a chance of beating me in a rematch.” Molitor said. “I’m here to not only regain my title, but to show the world I’m even better now than I was during my first title reign. That means laying an even more convincing beating on Ndlovu this time around.”
For Ndlovu, March 27th offers the South African a chance to show the world that he’s a better fighter than the one that was dominated so thoroughly by Molitor in their first fight.
“I have earned my mandatory spot in the IBF rankings, and the fact that I’m now # 1 and Steve # 2, speaks volumes. This time around it will be far different from the last time I fought Steve,” Ndlovu said.
“I’m not overconfident, but the fact that I have agreed to go back to Canada, shows my mindset for this fight. This is most likely my last chance to win the IBF world title and I’m prepared to do what ever it takes to beat Steve. Come March 27th, people will see a different Takalani Ndlovu from the last time, and a different Steve Molitor. I may even stop Steve.”
“This fight has been the by-product of patience, resiliency, and some tough, tough negotiations,” said Allan Tremblay, President of Orion Sports Management. “Ndlovu’s promoter, Branco Milenkovic, was the IBF Promoter of the year, and deserves some credit in making this happen. He was tough but fair.”
“But the important thing is it’s a done deal. And we have a truly great fight between two hungry, determined fighters looking to be called the best in the world.”
There’s more to Rumble at Rama XI than just the mouthwatering main event.
In the evening’s co-feature, Canadian Heavyweight champion, Greg “The Steel Pole” Kielsa (11-0, 5 KO’s), of Brampton, Ontario, defends his title against Toronto’s Neven Pajkic (11-0, 5 KO’s), over 10 rounds.
And in a special added 10 round attraction, burgeoning female superstar, Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton, of the Philippines, via San Francisco, California, faces Toronto’s Lisa “Bad News” Brown for the vacant WBA Super Bantamweight world championship.
“Orion Sports Management is thrilled to be able to put on a card like this. We’ve got two world title fights, and a rare showdown between undefeated Canadian Heavyweights fighting for the national title,” Tremblay said proudly. “We just signed Ana Julaton to a two-year Canadian promotional contract, and we’re sure she’s going to turn some heads both inside and outside the ropes.”
“But we put her in tough. Lisa Brown has a track record of winning, and comes to fight every time out.”
“In addition, we are staging three scintillating undercard fights, featuring Felix Mercedes, Justin Fountain, Jason Douglas, and Stephan Boyd in top-to-bottom the best fight card we have ever put on at Casino Rama.”
Rumble at Rama XI will be promoted by Orion Sports Management, in association with Casino Rama.
Casino Rama has played host to Molitor’s past nine fights, and has welcomed his army of fans for some of his most exhilarating triumphs, and his gut-wrenching setback to Caballero.
“We’re so proud to have Steve topping off another great night of fights at the Casino, which is undoubtedly the home for world class boxing in Canada,” said Jeff Craik, VP Marketing for Casino Rama. “Every time Steve steps into the Casino Rama ring, the place just erupts. And now, with his fans by his side, he has an opportunity to become a two-time world champion at the place that really is a second home for him.”
Tickets for Rumble at Rama XI are $125, $75, $50 and $25 and are available in-person at the Casino Rama Box Office, and at all TicketMaster locations, by calling (416) 870-8000 and online at www.casinorama.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable taxes or service charges.
Spadafora Back In Action On March 12
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA (February 10, 2010) — Undefeated former IBF lightweight champion PAUL “The Pittsburgh Kid” SPADAFORA returns to the ring for the third time in nine months, in a 10-round welterweight bout at the Fort Lauderdale War Memorial (800 NE 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 33304), Friday, March 12. Spadafora (43-0-1, 17 KOs), will headline an all-action card against former IBF International lightweight champion Ivan Fiorletta (24-5-2, 7 KOs), of Avezzano, Italy.
Promoted by Michael Acri Boxing Promotions, DeCubas Presents and GD Big Promotions, tickets, priced at $100 (ringside), $50 (reserved) and $25 (general admission), will go on sale Tomorrow! Thursday, February 11. Tickets can be purchased at the War Memorial Box Office (954-828-5380), online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.
Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, the four-division world champion and Hall of Fame inductee, is once again running “The Pittsburgh Kid’s training camp in Indiana.
“Spadafora is in great shape and looking forward to fighting in Florida,” said Acri.
“I am looking forward to working with Mike and I think Spadafora will bring out boxing fans young and old in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and the rest of South Florida,” said DeCubas.
“Paul Spadafora is the perfect catalyst for a series of world class boxing in South Florida. It’s going to be an exciting night at the fights” said Willy Delgado of GD Big Promotions.
The five-bout undercard will feature two Florida heavyweights — Eric “The Viking” Leander (8-0), of Palm Beach, and Mike Marrone (18-1), of Vero Beach — Miami lightweight Richard Abril (12-2-1), and two exciting Cuban fighters fighting out of Miami — lightweight Yoelevis Gamboa (1-0), and former World Amateur Champion, light heavyweight Sullivan Barrera (1-0), whose amateur highlights also include a victory over two-time light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson.
U.S. Olympian Sadam “World Kid” Ali Keeps perfect record intact
BROOKLYN (Feb. 11, 2010) – The beat rolls on for 2008 U.S. Olympian Sadam “World Kid” Ali, who kept his perfect pro record intact last Saturday night in Newark, winning a unanimous 4-round decision against fellow Brooklyn welterweight Jason Thompson (5-5-1, 4 KOs).
Ali (5-0, 2 KOs) “pitched a shutout” against Thompson, winning by scores of 40-36 on all three judges’ scorecards. “Everything went okay,” the 21-year-old Ali reported. “I clearly won every round. I wasn’t expecting a sleeping opponent; he took punches and gave some back. It’s all part of the learning process. The plan is to learn something every fight and continue to improve. I was in the swing bout and had to wait a long time but that was alright because my fans were still there. All I wanted is for the people who support me to still be there and they were.”
Ali, the first Arab-American member of the U.S. Olympic Team, as well as the first New York City based member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team in 20 years, is next scheduled to fight March 12 against an opponent to be determined at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.