Los Angeles, CA (DEC. 12, 2011) – With super middleweight supremacy on the line when WBA Super Middleweight Champion Andre Ward takes on WBC titleholder Carl Froch in the SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC FINAL on Saturday Night, December 17 in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, matchmaker Tom Brown of Goossen Tutor Promotions has put together an explosive undercard featuring several members of their talented stable against boxers with impressive records and high knockout ratios.
The night starts with the big boys of boxing, the Heavyweights.
Bowie Tupou (21-1, 16 KOs) of Los Angeles, takes on Donnell “The Real Touch of Sleep” Holmes, who hails from Ivanhoe, NC, in a scheduled ten-rounder of hard-hitting heavyweights with only one loss each and 45 knockouts on their records.
In his most recent outing back in May, Tupou known as “Bo” scored a devastating knockout win over top ten-ranked contender, Manny Quezada. Holmes (33-1-2, 29 KOs) is coming off consecutive second-round stoppages following his only loss – a controversial technical decision to Brian Minto in a WBO-NABO Heavyweight title bout.
Light heavyweights take center stage with Edison Miranda (34-6, 29 KOs) and Cornelius White (17-1-1, 15 KOs) take on separate challenges.
Once-beaten White, a Houston, TX native is in his toughest test to date since his only loss when he goes against Cuban sensation Yordanis Despaigne (9-1, 4 KOs), of Coral Gables, FL.
White, dubbed “Da Beast,” rebounded from his only setback in a nationally televised loss by earning a split-decision victory over tough veteran Dhafir Smith back in July in the same Atlantic City venue in which he will meet Despaigne. Born in Cuba, Despaigne had a distinguished amateur career which included wins in international competition over current top pros Andre Dirrell and Jean Pascal. Despaigne won by a controversial disqualification over Edison Miranda in his last outing back in July.
Miranda, the Colombia native known as “Pantera” and a former middleweight and super middleweight world title challenger, will attempt to attract the ratings organizations as he makes his third straight outing as a light heavyweight in a scheduled 8-rounder against Kariz Kariuki of Tampa, FL.
The Kenyan native, Kariuki (24-9-2, 19 KOs) is on a 3-fight win streak, having most recently scored an impressive first round knockout in May of this year.
Light middleweight Boyd Melson (6-0, 3 KOs) will look to continue making a name for himself in a scheduled 6-round outing against Daniel Lugo (9-1, 4 KOs). Currently a Captain in the Army Reserve, the “Rainmaker” Melson uses boxing for much more than himself, donating his earnings to teamfighttowalk.com and justadollarplease.org.
Hometown heavyweights John Lennox (7-1, 3 KOs) and Jeremiah Witherspoon (2-1, 1 KO) will showcase their boxing prowess in a scheduled four-round attraction.
In a special welterweight attraction Great Britan’s rising star Kell “Special K” Brook (25-0, 17 KOs) takes on Tennessee native, Luis Galarza (18-2, 14 KOs) in a 10-round bout promoted by Matchroom Sport.
Kell holds the WBO and WBA Intercontinental welterweight titles and is coming off a 6-round TKO victory over Rafal Jackiewicz this past October.
Tickets for SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC FINAL and live undercard are priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50 and can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at ticketmaster.com.
Promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, Matchroom Sport and Antonio Leonard Promotions, in association with Caesars Atlantic City and sponsored by Corona.
Brave version of Viloria stops Seguara
By Reni M. Valenzuela: Wow, the “Hawaiian Punch” couldn’t have done it better. It was another version of Brian Viloria who stopped Giovani Segura in round eight in his first defense to retain the WBO flyweight title. That was a surprisingly impressive performance from the underdog Filipino champion. Viloria looked splendid in that “Island Assault” championship bout held yesterday at the Ynares Sports Center, Philippines. He did very satisfactorily in each round not because he has become remarkably better than his usual “cautious” fighting style as a technical boxer with sting in both hands, but because he was at his best as a brave fighter, dominating a high rated knock out punching Mexican opponent who is considered to be the best in his division.
But it was a brave fight for both boxers. Viloria was obviously well-conditioned physically which made him durable to withstand the power of Segura. The pressure was on Brian at the start of the fight, but his range and distance were correct. He knew how to swing his head and cover his body to avoid much of Segura’s attacks. Viloria was precise in his offense and counter punches and too smart for Segura’s game plan.
The Hawaiian Punch confidence soared from the start as if a greater Someone had been summoned to be by his side within the ring every second of each round. He knelt down and looked up before the initial bell rang. The gesture was real. And true enough – he was heard.
Third round was the turning point.
Repeated “hidden” left hooks were effectively thrown by the Hawaiian Punch which damaged the upper right part of Segura’s head in an unusual way. The strange swelling was too much and the danger to the challenger’s health was not something to be taken lightly. So I thought the fight wouldn’t be allowed to continue beyond round five.
Viloria rampaged in the latter rounds, but the corner of Segura seemed heartless for their man. They should have thrown in the towel earlier seeing that the condition of their fighter was not getting any better. I am sure majority of those who saw the fight felt some serious concern for the welfare of Segura due to his bizarre look and weakening condition. But thank goodness, American referee Samuel Viruet couldn’t bear the pitiful sight any longer and so he decided to save Segura’s life at the start of round eight by raising his hands to signal it’s all over.
And before another ugly blot could be inflicted upon boxing as an ailing sport.
renimvalenzuela@yahoo.com
Michael Maguire’s Return Bought Forward, Faces Najah Ali On Wednesday
Sensational Super Flyweight prospect Michael Maguire’s much anticipated return to the ring has been bought forward and will now take place on the undercard of the Queensberry Promotions event, headlined by the Lee Selby versus John Simpson British and Commonwealth title clash, at York Hall this coming Wednesday.
The bout, which was originally scheduled to take place in Liverpool on Friday, sees the former amateur World under-nineteen #1 in action against another former amateur star, 2004 Olympian Najah Ali.
Maguire, who recently returned to training at the TRAD TKO Gym in Canning Town following a two year sabbatical from the sport, seemed unconcerned with the change of date and venue when he spoke earlier, “I don’t care where or when I fight, I’ve been training hard for it and can’t wait to get the first one over and done with.
I’ve had some sparring with Martin Power and Charlie Hoy, I’m happy with myself, I’ve been doing six rounds easily now and want to do more rounds as I’m getting fitter and fitter.”
The 22 year old from Peterborough then went on to talk briefly on his decision to take a break and why he felt it was now time to return to the fray, “I think I turned over a bit soon and felt I needed a little time out.
I feel I’ve come back at the right age. I’m training harder, feeling stronger and believe I can really go somewhere now.
Michael Maguire versus Najah Ali features on the Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry promotions event, headlined by the British and Commonwealth Featherweight title clash between Lee Selby and John Simpson. takes place at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform Ch. 456 and Virgin 546), on Wednesday the 14th December 2011.
Tickets, priced £60 (Ringside) and £40 (Standard Seated), are available now on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA