Las Cruces, New Mexico – 5/12/2011 – Miguel Cotto has a reputation for not dodging other fighters; however, he isn’t exactly jumping to fight the best either. When hearing that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. could be next in line to fight Miguel Cotto (if Chavez Jr. wins his fight in June), current World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Welterweight Champion Austin Trout was livid. He is Miguel Cotto’s mandatory and has been very vocal on the desire to make the fight happen. Upon hearing about Bob Arum’s plan, Austin responded by saying:
“This Chavez fight is ridiculous because Chavez doesn’t deserve to fight Cotto and it’s a prime example of Bab Arum keeping it in the family, forget what the fans want. I’m not saying that the fans want to see me fight Cotto over Chavez Jr. but there are 50 fights the fans would rather see our “super” champion take. For the record I will whoop them both, hands down, with my hands down!”
While the fight may simply be for money, a fight against Chavez Jr. is clearly an easier fight for Miguel Cotto than a fight against Austin Trout. If anything, a Trout vs. Chavez Jr. fight with the winner going up against Miguel Cotto should take place. Austin Trout will be fighting David Lopez on June 11. He is more than willing to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to get a fight against Miguel Cotto.
GCP Signs Undefeated Heavyweight Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm!
Just yesterday, Greg Cohen, Founder and CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions, announced the formation of his new company.
Today, he is proud to announce his first new signing, Washington DC-based undefeated heavyweight Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm (11-0, 8 KOs) to a promotional contract.
Crowd-pleasing Byarm is a Philadelphia native who prides himself on his work ethic and sledgehammer fists. Able to crack to both the head and body, Byarm has been generating buzz among East Coast boxing insiders almost since the day he turned pro in 2009.
The son of Lionel Byarm, who once fought Evander Holyfield, Byarm says he came to boxing after watching Vitali Klitschko fight Chris Byrd and proclaiming he could beat both of them.
“Maurice has the tools and the personality to become a major force in the heavyweight division. His style is reminiscent of a young Mike Tyson and with a little more seasoning, I expect Maurice to be a future Heavyweight Champion!” said Cohen. “Even though he has limited experience, it’s plain to see how much he is improving with every fight and how badly he wants it.”
Cohen says that while Byarm has a lot of work left to do, what impressed him most is the fighter’s dedication. “He is a tireless worker and he makes adjustments in the ring like a seasoned fighter. That’s because he’s a machine in the gym, soaking up knowledge and pushing himself to go further every day.”
While thus far in his career, the competition hasn’t been as strong as it will someday be, Cohen says he can see something developing.
“It’s not the fact that he’s beaten these eleven opponents. He’s supposed to do that. It’s the way he beats them that has everyone who’s seen him excited. He doubles them over with body shots. He dominates them and bends their will with his work rate and oftentimes, he knocks them out cold. The way he’s steadily getting better, in the near future, it’s going to become hard to picture many heavyweights in the world being able to stand up to that kind of controlled aggression, round after round.”
Bogere vs. Beltran & Mitchell vs. Quinn weights and quotes
NOTE: WEIGHTS (May 12, 2011) – Up-and-coming and unbeaten lightweight prospect Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (19-0, 12 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nev., weighed in at 134 pounds and his opponent “Sugar” Raymundo Beltran (24-4, 16 KOs) of North Hollywood, Calif., at 135 pounds during Thursday’s weigh in from Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, Nev., just a day before they battle in a 10-round lightweight matchup Friday, May 13, LIVE on ShoBox: the New Generation on SHOWTIME (11:05 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West coast).
In the co-feature, American heavyweight Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (21-0-1, 15 KOs) of Bradywine, Md., and Nicaraguan Evans “The Sandman” Quinn (20-5-1, 18 KOs) of Bluefields, Nicaragua, had to be separated when the two squared off because Quinn shoved his fist near Mitchell’s face. The former Michigan State University linebacker Mitchell, who weighed in at 245 pounds, will take on Quinn, who tipped the scales at 217 pounds, in a 10-round heavyweight affair.
The card is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and is sponsored by Corona and DeWalt Tools. Doors open at 5:30 p.m PT, the first bell rings at 6:30 p.m PT and the ShoBox broadcast begins at 11:05pm ET / PT.
Tickets, priced at $50 (Floor) and $20 (General Admission) are on sale and available for purchase at the Star of the Desert Arena Box Office or online at www.primmvalleyresorts.com. Tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
What the fighters had to say on Thursday:
SHARIF BOGERE
“I know Beltran’s tough. I know he trains with Manny (Pacquiao). But I don’t care. I’m going to take it tomorrow.”
RAY BELTRAN
“Coming in as the opponent feeds my motivation. This is a challenge and it’s time to prove what I can do. They take me lightly. Manny people have.
“I’ve been knocking on doors. A lot of us fighters have been. So I’ll show the world that we’ve been disrespected. I’ll show them they are wrong. This is my shot on SHOWTIME, on national TV.”
SETH “MAYHEM” MITCHELL
“I’m focused on business, on taking care of my opponent. But I understand that I need to look good on SHOWTIME.
“(Quinn’s) head games will not affect my game plan. It gets me going.
“I am honored to for the title (of best American heavyweight prospect). But I take it in stride. My success thus far hasn’t surprised me.”
EVANS “THE SANDMAN” QUINN
“Nicaraguans are fighters. We are warriors. That’s why I am the way I am.
“I always keep my game plan. I don’t take away that (Mitchell) could be an American hero. He could be whatever he wants to be. I just plan to take away the fight. I will win.”s
Curt Menefee will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analysts. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.