WORCESTER, Mass. (Mar. 8, 2010) – Highly-regarded, unbeaten prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez could still be “The Future of the Middleweight Division” as projected when he turned pro but, at least for the immediate future, he’ll continue campaigning as a super middleweight. The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez (13-0, 9 KOs), fighting out of Worcester (MA), is set for nationally televised debut March 19 in an 8-round super middleweight bout versus veteran George “The Rooster” Armenta on ESPN Friday Night Fights, live from Choctaw Gaming Center in Durant, Oklahoma..
Rodriguez, who was the 2005 USA Boxing National Championships and 2006 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament gold medalist, has fought as light as 162 pounds with a high of 168 in his last fight, a fifth-round technical knockout of Brian Norman last November.
“I’ve settled-in as a super middleweight and now I’m fully focused on training and improving,” the 24-year-old explained. “I feel very comfortable at 168. I’m improving with each fight and I believe we’re on the right track. I’m working on improving my skills instead of losing weight, but I can get down to 160 for a big fight.
“Boxing looks more physical than mental, but it’s really more mental. I had a big problem, mentally, trying to make the (2008 U.S.) Olympic team when my twins were (prematurely) born and they were in the hospital fighting for their lives. That’s as tough as it gets in the gym. I had it bad, mentally, when the twins were born. You need to have your head on straight in this sport, not worrying about making weight. I feel great, physically and mentally, for this fight.”
Rodriguez looks like a super middleweight, standing 6’ 1” with long arms, who’ll probably grow into a light heavyweight as he physically matures. For now, though, he’ll fight at 168 with the option of fighting as a middleweight, provided he has sufficient time to lose those extra pounds, and remain strong.
“Edwin walks around at 175 and making 168 is so much easier for him,” Rodriguez’ manager, Larry Army, added. “I believe, physically, he has the body of a super middleweight. He’ll be able to keep 6-8 more pounds and improve, instead of struggling to make weight. For the right opponent, he can drop down to 160, and remain strong. Right now, the top super middleweights are tied up in the Super Six tournament, but the middleweight division is wide open, and Edwin should be ready in another year or so to fight the top 160-pounders in the world.”
On ESPN FNF, Rodriguez fights a much more experienced Armenta (13-5, 11 KOs), who has knocked out 2000 U.S. Olympian Dante Craig and extended current WBA light middleweight champion Yuri Foreman and top contender Sechew Powell the full distance in their fights. Powell headlines the Mar. 19th show.
Rodriguez is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, managed by Elite Management (Larry Army), and trained by Peter Manfredo, Sr. Go online to www.edwinrodriguezboxing.com for more information about Edwin and his team.
Undefeated Ronson Frank being Showcased Friday night in Yonkers Madison-Wiggins NY State heavyweight title fight headlines “St. Patty’s Day Brawl”
YONKERS, N.Y. (Mar. 8, 2010) – The youngest member of the fighting Frank brothers, undefeated light heavyweight Ronson, takes on 33-veteran Raynard “Flash” Darden in Friday night’s (Mar. 12) 8-round co-feature on the “St. Patty’s Day Brawl” pro card, presented by O’Shea Brothers Boxing Promotions, at the PAL Gym in Yonkers, New York.
New York State heavyweight champion Darrel “King David” Madison (14-1, 3 KOs), coming off of an 8-round split decision win last July against Nagy Aguilera, now rated No. 12 by the IBF, defends his title belt against dangerous southpaw Robert Wiggins (20-7-1, 12 KOs) in the 8-round main event.
Rosedale’s (NY) unbeaten light heavyweight Ronson Frank (13-0, 7 KOs), by way of Guyana, recently signed a promotional contract with O’Shea Brothers Boxing Promotions.
“Ronson has rich bloodlines and a lot of potential,” promoter Brian O’Shea said. “His older brothers, Steve (1984 Olympian) and Raul, are both former world title challengers. We’re showcasing Ronson on this card and have big plans for him in the future. With Madison-Wiggins on top, Ronson fighting in the co-feature, and a solid undercard, our March 12th show is loaded from top to bottom with some of the best, most entertaining fighters in the New York area.”
Bronx featherweight Maureen “The Real Million Dollar Baby” Shea (13-2, 7 KOs) is off the card due to a minor injury, but fellow Bronx featherweight Nydia “Da Phnominal” Feliciano (2-0-1, 0 KOs) faces national kickboxing champion Jennifer Han (0-1) in a 6-round bout.
In other 6-round bouts, undefeated Bronx super middleweight Hajro Sujak (5-0, 2 KOs) fights Rondu Campbell (2-4-1), while Astoria (NY) light middleweight (by way of Cyprus) Lambros “Lionheart” Karaolides (5-0, 4 KOs) tangles with Ashantie “Volcano” Hendrickson (1-5).
On the undercard in 4-round bouts are Bronx bantamweight Raul Lopez (2-0-1, 2 KOs) against Reinaldo Cintron (1-1, 1 KO), and Yonkers featherweight favorite Chazz McDowell (1-0, 1 KO) versus Filberto Nieto (1-5, 1 KO).
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $50.00 (General Admission) and $75.00 (Ringside), are available to purchase by calling 914.216.9381. For more information go on line at www.osheabrosboxing.com or call 914.216.9381. Doors open 6:30 PM/ET, first bout 7:30 PM/ET.
Michael Franco returns to the ring on Saturday March 27th
March 8th, 2010 – Riverside, Ca.
Southern California Super Bantamweight power house Michael “Lil Warrior” Franco 16W-0L (11 K/O’s) will return to the ring on Saturday March 27th in a co-featured 8 round bout against an opponent TBA.
“THUNDER IN THE RING” will be held inside the Karma Night Club in Victorville, California and will feature both Boxing & Mixed Martial Arts. This event being promoted by Don Chargin Productions in association with Jorge Marron Promotions will be headlined by Russian Light Heavyweight Gayrat Adehmov in a 12 round WBC Asia Pacific title bout. There are 9 bouts scheduled with doors opening at 2PM and the 1st bell sounding off at 3PM
The Karma Night Life Club will host an after party immediately following the event.
Proceeds from food will be donated to the Apple Valley PAL Youth Program
Ticket prices are: $25 Standing, $40 General, $60 Ringside and $75 for VIP Table Seating.
DEREK “POOH” ENNIS TO DEFEND USBA JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE TO HEADLINE SPRING FLING ON APRIL 2ND AT THE LEGENDARY BLUE HORIZON
The Ennis Brothers, Anthony Flores and undefeated Heavyweight Maurice Byarm some of the great fighters to compete on April 2nd
PHILADELPHIA (March 8, 2010) — On Friday night, April 2nd, Derek “Pooh” Ennis will make the first defense of the USBA Jr. Middleweight title against an opponent to be named shortly in a bout that will be the main event of a terrific night of boxing dubbed “Spring Fling” that will be promoted by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Inc.
Ennis of Philadelphia has a record of 20-2-1 with thirteen knockouts and is coming off a fifth round stoppage over Edwin Vazquez on February 5th at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
Ennis won the USBA Jr. Middleweight title with a tremendous back and forth brawl as he won a hard fought twelve round unanimous decision over Eromosele Albert on October 16th and The Legendary Blue Horizon.
Ennis and Albert exchanged hard combinations in close and the near-sellout crowd at The Legendary Blue Horizon was entertained as the fight was one of the best in Philadelphia in the past few years.
Ennis won by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 in the bout for which most ringside observers thought could have gone either way.
That win catapulted Ennis into the world rankings as he is now ranked number-thirteen by the IBF.
The win over Vazquez was Ennis’ eighth straight victory and he holds win over Albert (22-3-1), John Mackey (11-3-2) and Troy Browning (20-2-1) in that streak.
This will be Ennis fifth appearance at The Legendary Blue Horizon (4-0, 3 KO’s) with his most recent bout being the impressive performance against Vazquez.
In the co-feature, Derek Ennis’ brother, undefeated Super Middleweight, Farah Ennis will make his Legendary Blue Horizon debut as he competes in an eight round bout against an opponent to be named.
Ennis of Philadelphia, like his older brother is trained by his father, Derrick “Bozy” Ennis and has built up a reputation as a top prospect in the Super Middleweight division.
He is coming off a third round stoppage over Emanuel Gonzalez (9-6) on February 27th in Allentown, PA.
Also seeing action will be Super Featherweight prospect, Anthony Flores of Philadelphia.
Flores will be looking to rebound from his first pro defeat that came in his last bout when he dropped a hotly contested unanimous decision to Victor Valenzuela (6-0) on September 19th in Atlantic City. In that bout, Flores fought very valiantly as he suffered a broken orbital bone in that fight.
Flores, 22 years old, has a record of 8-1 with five knockouts and will be making his second appearance at The Blue Horizon. In his maiden fight at The Blue, he scored a first round stoppage over twenty-two fight veteran Carlos Diaz last May 1st.
Exciting and undefeated Heavyweight, Maurice Byarm will make his Legendary Blue Horizon debut on April 2nd.
Byarm, 6-0 with four knockouts is originally from Philadelphia but now calls Washington, DC home and has been thrilling the locals with his all out, crowd pleasing style.
Byarm is coming off a first round knockout over Maurice Winslow on January 31st in Fort Washington, MD.
On a side note, Byarm’s father, Lionel Byarm was the first ever professional opponent for Evander Holyfield in 1984.
In other bouts, John Bolden (1-0, 1 KO) returns to The Legendary Blue Horizon after his devastating knockout over Nathan Perrott in a four round Heavyweight bout.
Philadelphia’s Ruben Ivey will make his pro debut in a four round Heavyweight bout.
Tim Johnson (4-1, 2 KO’s) and Taneal Goyco (3-1, 1 KO) square off in a four round cruiserweight affair featuring Philadelphia fighters.
Clemente Bethea (1-0) is back at The Blue after his pro debut win on February 5th and now he will take on fellow Philly fighter, Jason Sia (0-1) in a four round Jr. Welterweight bout.
Jose Ortiz (2-2, 1 KO) of Jersey City, NJ will see action in a four round Featherweight bout against an opponent to be named.
Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $200 for Queen Seating, $125 for Presidential Seats, $65 for VIP Seating, $55 for Ringside Seating and $45 for General Admission Seating. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-763-0500 or through PayPal by clicking www.legendarybluehorizon.com/html/tickets.html Doors open at 6:30 PM / First Bout begins at 7:30 P.M.
The Legendary Blue Horizon™
1314 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA