WBA Super World Featherweight Champion, Chris “The Dragon” John (43-0-2) after an over 2 year hiatus in his native land of Indonesia, John returns home after public demand and will face 29 year old Argentinian, Fernando “El Vasco” Saucedo (38-4-2).
Chris John having previously fought Hiroyuki Enoki in Japan 2008 and Rocky Juarez twice in Texas and Nevada respectively in 2009 is excited at the prospect of returning home. Chris John, most recently defended his WBA Super World Featherweight title against Rocky Juarez by convincing decesion in September of 2009 as part of Mayweather vs Marquez card..
Fernando Saucedo of Argentina has a winning streak dating back nearly 6 years to 2004, losing by decision to Brazilian Acelino “Popo” Freitus in his hometown of Brazil.
The event will be on the 22nd of May in Bali, Indonesia and one of the Executives of Golden Boy promotions will be in attendance.
Melissa Hernandez Update
May 7 at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, Melissa “Huracan” Hernandez (12-1-2) will face undefeated Katy Penelope Hernandez (12-0, 8 KO) of the Dominican Republic for the WIBA super featherweight title. Hernandez last trip to the ring garnered her an unanimous decision over Ela Nunez in February and the feisty “Huracan” is ready to go, and as always, more than willing to talk about the next fight.
“All I know about her,” Hernandez said of the other Hernandez, “is that she’s undefeated. For now. But I’m not taking her lightly. Any womyn at this point that gets in the ring with me is someone to watch out for ’cause she has heart. I’m the womyn to beat,” Hernandez continued, “so it’s almost scary knowing this chick took the fight. It’s always in my head how hard it was to get to the top and how everyone is gunning to show me up.”
But Hernandez is armed and ready for whatever the opposition brings. Recent additions to her team have given her a a more positive outlook on her career and boosted her confidence. “I have changed trainers after years of being with Blimp, (Delen Parsley ) at Gleasons, she said. “I thought I needed a fresh look at the sport after the drama with Holly Holm, and my new trainer is Sherif Younan, at Coney Island Gym who is also with Paulie Malignaggi.” Hernandez is as enthusiastic about what Younan brings to her game as he is about training with her. “We blended immediately,” Younan said. ” I also train Paulie, who is very disciplined but I was taken aback at how disciplined Melissa is,” he commented. “Melissa is very hard on herself,” he continued, “obeys everything and it’s going perfect. Come May 7, we will showcase her talent and smoke this girl. We’re working on technique, everything is working beautifully. We’re looking forward to a big win May 7, and they’re gonna be in shock,” “Training with Sharif is what I’ve been looking for,” Hernandez said, “a fresh look through new eyes. He’s new to the mainstream names of boxing but I believe he’s nothing short of being one of the top trainers in boxing. I still have Belinda Laracuente on the team as one of my main advisers and of course my manager Brian Cohen, who’s been all I could ask for in a manager and a great attribute to my boxing career.”
Not looking past her May 7 bout but still aware of the future of her career and “womyn’s” boxing, Hernandez is as outspoken as ever. “For the past two years I’ve fallen into the place few other female greats have,” Hernandez said, and explained her boxing “no man’s land”. “The place is called no one wants to fight me or they ask for so much money that it’s out priced for a promoter to put on,” she said, But those issues aren’t enough to keep Hernandez from speaking her mind. “The difference with me is that I’m not staying quiet on the sidelines,” Hernandez promised. “ I’m goin’ to make noise. I’m going to keep calling out the fake champions and the padded record so called rising stars. I’ll fight anyone, I mean anyone, from 122-140, she declared. “And In their hometowns. In the few years I’ve been in, I fought in everyone’s hometowns and beat them. My only loss was a fluke and I showed that by coming back five weeks later on short notice to win,” she said, recalling the Layla McCarter fight, “ I’ll even rematch her too. And Chevelle Hallback. Chevelle and I are good friends and that’s what makes the best fights. I’ll rematch Hallback to show that I will fight the best, just like she will. The fight with Chevelle was one of the best fights in womyn’s boxing because it showcased a legend and the passing of the torch.”
Although Hernandez gained her pound for pound status by being ranked by various sanctioning bodies and other organizations, she’s not impressed with their system, knowing many fighters are guided and maneuvered to success instead of fighting their way through the ranks. “I don’t listen to what all fake rankings say,” she said. “I’m the pound for pound queen. If any female feels different about it please do me the favor and fight me. I am womyns boxing.
Main event set for Jimmy Bivins Classic
North Olmsted, Ohio – April 16, 2010 –The main event has been agreed upon for the Jimmy Bivins Charity Boxing Classic. Warner Promotions in association with the VFW Men’s Auxiliary post 7647 and the Old School Boxing Club are pleased to announce that Cleveland lightweight prodigy Yuandale “Money Shot” Evans will battle the power punching Rey “The Prosecutor” Hernandez in a six round lightweight attraction. The event, which invades North Olmsted, OH on Saturday, April 24th live from the Soccer Sportsplex, 31515 Lorain Road, in North Olmsted, has a total of seven professional bouts on the card.
Evans, (6-0, 4 KO’s) will be fighting in northeast Ohio for the first time since he turned professional last August. He is coming off a second round TKO over Juan Baltierrez on the undercard of the Bernard Hopkins/Roy Jones Jr fight just thirteen days ago.
As an amateur, Evans was one of the best in the nation. He was the 2009 Cleveland Golden Glove champion, and won a bronze medal at the 2009 USA National Championships.
Hernandez, (6-7, 6 KO’s) is coming off the best win of his professional career in Februray. In his last fight he knocked out Noah Zuhdi in the first round. Zuhdi was an undefeated prospect with a perfect record of 9-0 at the time. Hernandez has won four of his last five bouts overall.
Other fights on the card include:
Wilkins Santiago making his pro debut against Torrence King (1-6) in a middleweight clash. Lightweight Julius Leegrand (2-0) looking to stay perfect against Francisco Portillo (0-3). Michael Moore (1-0, 1 KO) battling Stephen Scott (1-0) in a matchup of undefeated middleweights. Light Heavyweight Chris Lozano, the NAAFS Middleweight champion in the world of mixed martial arts, making his pro boxing debut against Reggie Scott (1-0). Supermiddleweight Demar Singleton (1-0, 1 KO) looking to stay unbeaten against Otto Cooper. And James Hope (5-4, 4 KO’s) against an opponent to be determined.
Doors open at 6:00 PM, with the first bell set for 7:30 PM.
Tickets for the Jimmy Bivins Charity Boxing Classic are charitable donations as 100% of the proceeds are donated to the VFW Post 7647. Ticket prices start at just $20 for general admission. There are also $50 VIP Ringside tickets, and tables seating eight for $600. Tickets can be purchased at the North Olmsted Soccer Sportsplex, VFW Post 7647, or by calling 216.854.0485 or 440.258.8117.
BPA MEETS WITH SANCTIONING BODIES
In a yet another historic event for the Boxing world, members of the Boxing Promoters Association met with the four major sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO) today in Atlantic City, NJ, to discuss the current state of Boxing and to continue to develop ways to better the sport.
Significant progress for the future of the sport was made during the meeting. There will be more detailed information, including some major announcements made next week.
In attendance was BPA President and board member Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing, fellow board member Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions, Marian Muhammad (IBF), Larry Hazzard Sr. (IBF), Mauricio Sulaiman (WBC), and Francisco Valcarcel (WBO).