International Boxing Federation (IBF) Cruiserweight Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (25-1, 13 KOs) and Steve Cunningham (24-3, 12 KOs) will meet again in Frankfurt on February 4. Hernandez had dethroned his American opponent on October 1, winning a technical decision in Neubrandenburg. The fight was stopped on cuts, with Hernandez ahead on the scorecards after scoring a first-round knockdown. “The rematch will be a real treat for boxing fans,” Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer said. “Hernandez against Cunningham, that´s as good as it gets in the cruiserweight division. Their first fight was a thriller and I am sure the rematch will be even more exciting.”
In the co-featured main event, Enad Licina (21-3, 11 KOs) will face former amateur world champion Alexander Alexeev (22-2, 20 KOs) for the vacant European Cruiserweight Title. European Light Heavyweight Champion Eduard Gutknecht (22-1, 9 KOs) also defends his title against Viacheslav Uzelkov (25-1, 16 KOs).
Lupo-Decarie WBC International Welterweight Title fight Saturday night in Quebec City Lionell Thompson fighting on undercard
TORONTO (December 16, 2011) – Popular Romanian boxer Victor Lupo has fully prepared for the toughest fight of his pro career, tomorrow (Saturday) night in the 12-round main event against former world title challenger Antonin Decarie for the vacant World Boxing Council (“WBC”) International Welterweight Championship, at Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City.
Lupo (19-1-2, 9 KOs), who lives in Toronto, earned his title shot having defeated former world champion Junior Witter (37-3-2) last February by a 10-round decision for the vacant WBC International Silver title. Presently rated No. 19 by the WBC, Lupo is a former Canadian welterweight and WBC Fedecentro middleweight champion, who is unbeaten the past four years ago.
WBC #26-rated Decarie, of Quebec, is a former Canadian light welterweight and NABO welterweight champion, who lost a 12-round unanimous decision in 2010 to Souleymane M’baye for the interim World Boxing Association (“WBA”) welterweight title.
Lupo’s Hennessy Sports Canada stable-mate, undefeated light heavyweight Lionnell “Lonnie B” Thompson (11-0, 7 KOs), is also fighting tomorrow night in an eight-round bout versus Christian Cruz (12-12-1, 10 KOs).
Thompson, fighting out of Buffalo, was a U.S. amateur standout who was rated as high as No. 2 in his division. He was a five-time New York Golden Glove and three-time Empire State champion.
Go on line at www.HennessySports.com for more information about Lupo, Thompson, or any their stable-mates.
Other members of the Hennessy Sports Canada stable include NABA super featherweight champion and that organization’s 2011 Fighter of the year, Logan Cotton McGuinness, and unbeaten prospects Tyler Asselstine, Samuel Vargas and Brandon “Bad Boy” Cook.
Donofrio Returns to Boxing with ‘Winter Warfare’ on January 6
Promoter Joseph Donofrio of Donofrio Entertainment (in association with Palace Sports and Jackie Kallen), who has found fame as the premier promoter of mixed martial arts in Michigan, will return to his roots and put on a boxing show entitled “Winter Warfare” at the fabulous Palace of Auburn Hills on January 6.
In the welterweight main event, hard-punching Palace favorite Lanardo “Pain Server” Tyner (25-5-2, 15 KOs) will go 10 rounds or less against an opponent that is TBA.
Even at 36 years old, Detroit’s Tyner is still a handful for any world-class opponent and is still capable of pulling off the occasional upset. He has gone the distance with world champions Lamont Peterson and Saul Alvarez, beaten former world champion Vivian Harris and stopped well-respected prospect Antwone Smith last year.
In the first co-main event, Waterford, Michigan welterweight “Pistol” Pete Cantu (16-7-1, 10 KOs) is scheduled for six rounds, in what he vows is his final fight, against long-time rival Garvin “Chico” Crout of Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Cantu and Crout fought in 2007, but their meeting was ruled a TKO 1 for Cantu when Crout injured himself early on and couldn’t continue. Crout hasn’t fought since their first meeting, but vows a different outcome this time.
The second featured bout will pit Oak Park, Michigan’s all-action Sidney Gurley (5-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round middleweight rematch against tough and undefeated Ramon Valenzuela Jr. (6-0, 1 KO).
Valenzuela scored a thrilling majority decision victory over Gurley last October in his hometown of Chicago and Gurley is hungry for revenge.
Also scheduled is the pro debut of promising Detroit heavyweight Juan Goode. The 5′ 11″ and 220-lb Goode had an amateur record of 38-8 and was ranked fourth in the country. His opponent is TBA.
Other match-ups to be announced shortly.
Tickets for the “Winter Warfare” are available at The Palace of Auburn Hills Box Office, palacenet.com, all TicketMaster outlets or via charge by phone at 248-645-6666.
Doors open at 6:30 pm and fights start at 7:30.
All bouts subject to change.