ST. LOUIS, MO (April 5, 2011) Sensational undefeated welterweight prospect Willie Nelson will ride deep into the heart of Texas this week for his network debut against New York City’s Vincent Arroyo on Friday night, April 8th.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Nelson, 15-0-1 (6KO’s) will face Arroyo at the Energy Center Arena in Laredo, Texas in an eight round battle as part of a Showtime’s acclaimed ShoBox “The New Generation” boxing series. Start time for the broadcast is 11pm ET/PT.
The 23 year old quick handed southpaw, promoted by Steve Smith’s Rumble Time Promotions of St. Louis, turned professional in May of 2006 and has become one of the most highly regarded prospects in the sport.
Said Steve Smith, “Willie’s truly ready for the spotlight of a fight on ShoBox. We feel he’s got a very bright future and is world championship material. Arroyo’s a very solid, hard punching kid but we’re very confident that Willie’s more than ready to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Prior to hitting the paid ranks at the age of 18, Nelson was a heralded amateur with 230 bouts, in addition to being ranked # 1 in the United States.
Most recently the 6’3” Nelson blasted out Quinton Whitaker in the first round on November 20th in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The knockout took place on the undercard to the HBO televised WBC Middleweight Title bout between Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams.
Against Arroyo, 10-1-0 (7KO’s), Nelson will be facing his toughest opposition. Also 23 years old, Arroyo last outing was an eight round stoppage of previously unbeaten Jeremy Bryan on April 17th.
Along with Steve Smith, Rumble Time Promotions is comprised of chief financial officer Gail Hull, match maker Derrick Spicer, recruiting and development, former world champion Harold Petty, vice president/attorney Blake Fischer and Bob Barton, webmaster/photographer.
Rumble Time Promotions, a leader in the promotion of mixed martial arts and professional boxing, has consistently promoted world class fighters, working with numerous broadcasts networks. Among the fighters under their banner are Deandre Latimore, Dannie Williams, Willie Nelson and Prenice Brewer.
Additional announcements regarding other top prospects joining the Rumble Time Promotions team will be made shortly.
For more information on Rumble Time Promotions, please visit their website at www.rumbletimepromotions.com. Tickets to their events can be purchased by calling 312-662-2000.
Danny Aquino ready to make statement in ring
Grano headlines “The Willie Pep Boxing Classic’ Saturday night at Conn. Convention Center
HARTFORD (April 5, 2011) – Mexican-American bantamweight prospect Danny Aquino, trained by his father Julian, is looking forward to making a statement Saturday night in the six-round co-feature fighter on “The Willie Pep Boxing Classic” card, presented by Hard Hittin’ Promotions (“HHP”), at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
In a crossroads fight of significant interest, local heavyweight favorite Tony “TNT” Grano (17-2-1, 13 KOs), the 2005 U.S. Nationals amateur champion, takes on veteran “Diamond” Dominque Alexander (20-10-1, 10 KOs) in the eighth-round main event.
The 21-year-old Aquino (5-1, 1 KO), fighting out of Meriden (CT), will attempt to bounce back from his only pro loss, last December in Florida against undefeated Yoandris Salinsas by way of a four-round split decision, in the six-round co-feature versus James Owens (4-2, 2 KOs).
“I’m looking forward to fight at home this weekend,” Danny said. “I know I’ll have a lot of family and friends there supporting me. My last fight I thought that I won a unanimous decision, but we fought in my opponent’s hometown and they gave him a win by split decision. That’s ok, though, because it’s made me a different fighter. I’ve trained much harder and I’m better shape for this fight.
“My opponent has two losses but they were to undefeated guys who have real good records (Leo Santa Cruz 15-0-1, 9 KOs and Rances Barthelemy 11-0-0, 9 KOs). Ownes is going to be a good test for me. I’m a warrior who comes forward but, for this fight, people are going to be seeing a little different Danny Aquino. I’m still going to bring it, but. I’ll also be boxing more than in the past.”
The undercard showcases some of the best young fighters in New England, including Norwalk (CT) veteran Shakha Moore (10-15-3, 2 KOs) vs. TBA, and promising New Haven featherweight and former amateur standout, Luis Rosa (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. Tommy Attencio (4-6, 2 KOs), both in six-round bouts; undefeated East Hartford Joseph “Chip” Perez (5-0, 2 KOs) faces unbeaten Esteban Nicol (2-0) in a 4-rounder.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard are a pair of Middletown (CT) favorites, light heavyweight Doug Cartelli (1-0) and pro-debuting super featherweight Willie Picard, respectively, against the Williams brothers, Jaquan Williams in his pro debut and Charles (0-1), plus undefeated Philadelphia super featherweight Frank Trader (7-0, 2 KOs) versus John Willoughby (2-6, 1 KO). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
There will be a special wheelchair boxing exhibition match wheelchair boxer Ian Cannon, an 18-year-old college student who meets former New England Golden Gloves champion Luis Reynoso, of Springfield (MA), in a three-round wheelchair boxing exhibition under amateur boxing rules (headgear, large gloves, etc.). The inspirational Cannon, of Glastonbury (CT), suffers from cerebral palsy but regularly trains at Lion’s Den Connecticut in Middletown, where he has developed a wheelchair boxing program, “Roll With The Punches.”
Tickets are priced at $100.00 (ringside), $80.00 (preferred seating), $60.00 (reserved) and $40.00 (general admission) and are available to purchase by calling 860.402.4838 or The Lion’s Den at 860.613.2394.
Willie Pep: Born Gugliermo Papaleo in 1922 in Middletown, CT. He was a 2-time world champion who retired in 1966 after a 26 year professional career with an amazing 229-11-1 (65 KOs) record. In 1990, Pep was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. He died November 23, 2006 at the age of 84.
Universal, Shaw and DiBella Sign Kenny Galarza
Promoters Javier Bustillo (Universal Promotions), Gary Shaw (Gary Shaw Productions) and Lou DiBella (DiBella Entertainment) are pleased to announce the signing of 140-pound Puerto Rican super prospect Kenny Galarza (14-1, 14 KOs).
Galarza started boxing at five years old and had over 300 fights in his stellar amateur career, winning seven national and several international championships.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity provided by Javier, Gary and Lou. I will work hard not to disappoint them and provide my town of Juana Díaz and my island of Puerto Rico many victories,” said Galarza.
Galarza will make his first appearance under the new promotional banner on the undercard of the Universal Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment show scheduled for June 10 in New York.
“Kenny is a great fighter and is one of the star signings of the company. He brings a lot of depth to the Universal Promotions stable of boxers,” said Bustillo.
“We have big plans for Kenny. He is a tremendous fighter and I’m sure will bring great glory to Puerto Rico,” said DiBella.
“I’ve seen him fight before and I know Kenny is a great fighter and a great addition to Team Puerto Rico. We want to do great things on this island and Kenny is an essential part of our progress,” added Shaw.