Newly-crowned International Boxing Federation (IBF) Cruiserweight Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (25-1, 13 KOs) is eager to get back into the ring with two-time world champion Steve “USS” Cunningham (24-3, 12 KOs). The duo will collide for the second time in four months during Team Sauerland´s big show at the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt on February 4, with Enad Licina (21-3, 11 KOs) and Alexander Alekseev (22-2, 20 KOs) clashing for the vacant European Cruiserweight Title and European Light Heavyweight champion Eduard Gutknecht (22-1, 9 KOs) defending his title against mandatory challenger Viacheslav Uzelkov (25-1, 16 KOs). “It is going to be an exciting night of boxing,” Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer said at today´s press conference in Frankfurt. “The three title fights promise a lot of excitement, especially the rematch between Hernandez and Cunningham. Their first fight was very dramatic. I think it´s a 50-50 fight, with Hernandez being the favourite because he is the world champion.”
Hernandez knocked down Cunningham in the first round of their meeting in October, but the American veteran recovered and fought back. After six rounds, the fight was stopped on cuts, with Hernandez ahead on the scorecards. “It was a great feeling to become world champion,” Hernandez said. “However, the ending was a bit unfortunate. I am the better fighter and I am happy to prove it again to erase any doubts. I have a lot of respect for Cunningham, he is a great fighter, very skilled and very fast, but he will not get his title back.”
German coaching legend Ulli Wegner believes the 27-year-old Cuban will be the next big thing. “Yoan Pablo is very special,” Wegner stated. “Ever since he joined me in 2005, we have had a very close relationship. He has the potential to be a huge fan favourite in Germany. Whenever we have joint public appearances, I realise how popular he is with the fans and the media. He has great things ahead.”
In the co-featured main event, former world title challenger Enad Licina, who fell to Cunningham last February, will come face-to-face with former world amateur champion Alekseev. “He is a tough guy,” Licina said. “But the fact that I will be fighting in front of my home fans in Frankfurt will give me a big boost. I am sure I will beat him and become the new European cruiserweight champion.”
GIOVANNI LORENZO, “ANDY LEE, MARCH 17TH/HBO/MSG”, “RING THE BELL”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (January 9, 2012) Three-time world title challenger Giovanni “EL Chico Malo” Lorenzo has read the reports of so-called contenders turning down the opportunity to face Ireland’s middleweight contender Andy Lee at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, March 17th and is chomping at the bit to get in the ring with that country’s favorite son on St. Patrick’s Day.
Said the appalled Lorenzo, “All these so-called contenders not interested in fighting Andy Lee on St. Patrick’s Day in New York City. They should look in the mirror. Martin Murray, Darren Barker, Peter Quillin. Real fighters fight. That’s what I’ve done my entire career, I’ve gone to Europe three times to face world champions and they’re afraid to come to New York City and fight at Madison Square Garden, ‘The Mecca of Boxing.’”
“I live in the Bronx and would be happy to fight in New York City against Lee. I’m sure he’ll have a big crowd on St. Patrick’s Day but I’ll also have a tremendous amount of support from the Dominicans and boxing fans in the area. Fans here have seen me fight, they know I’ll bring it right to Lee from the opening bell.”
Continued Lorenzo, “I’m sure HBO is looking for a real fight for their viewers, that’s what they get with Andy and I. I’m very familiar with him, but he’s never been in a true contender like me. Vera and McEwan aren’t in my league. If Lee wants a real challenge, I’m more than happy to give it to him. In face I’d love to knock out an Irishman on St. Patrick’s Day.”
“Madison Square Garden and HBO a great event on December 3rd. Put Andy Lee and I in the ring together on March 17th and they’ll get more of the same. “
The 31-year old Lorenzo has compiled a record of 31-4-0 with twenty-three knockouts over his ten-year professional career. A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he has lived and trained in the New York City area since turning professional.
Known for his colorful, fan friendly, all-action fights, Lorenzo has faced the best fighters in Europe over the last few years, Germany’s Felix Sturm and Sebastian Sylvester along with France’s Hassan N’Dam N’JIkam.
Middleweight Prospect Richard Pierson Back In Action February 17
Paterson native and up-and-coming middleweight Richard Pierson will return to action Friday, February 17, 2012 as Gabe LaConte’s First Round Promotions presents a night of boxing at the Nutley High School in Nutley, New Jersey.
Following nearly a two-year layoff from the squared circle, Pierson (9-2, 6 KO) put on an impressive show in his comeback fight in June of 2010, stopping Reynaldo Rodriguez at 2:32 of the first round, handing the undefeated fighter his first loss. But the young fighter has had problems with fights falling through and getting cancelled last minute.
Having fights fall through has been somewhat of a regular thing for Pierson, through no fault of his own. Fighters and promoters have been avoiding the devastating puncher because in four fights he was supposed to be the “B” fighter, and he came in and knocked out the “A” fighter.
Along with his heavy hands, Pierson has caught the attention of boxing fans around the world because he has always stepped up to fight every time he was given the chance. To his credit, he has never faced an opponent with a losing record.
Although not having a set opponent would present an issue in training for some fighters, Pierson doesn’t allow it to affect him.
“I haven’t changed how I prepare for a fight,” said Pierson. “I train the way I always do; I focus on the win. It is unpredictable. I could have an opponent right now and a week before the fight that can change, so I just make sure that I’m in shape and able to go out there and do what I know I can do.”
Despite the problems Pierson has faced in the past with getting fights, this past year Pierson sought out the management of former heavyweight knockout artist and boxing trainer Lou Esa.
“Richard is probably one of the most devastating punchers I’ve ever worked with,” said Esa. “This kid can hit you with either hand that’ll put you on Queer Street. Just knowing a little bit about Richard has put me in a different state. He has 10 children. He takes care of them all by himself. When you look up father in the dictionary, you see a picture of Richard Pierson. He shows that kind of determination inside the boxing ring. He is determined to win a championship, and I think he will. This kid is not going away silently; in fact he isn’t going away at all. He is someone to be reckoned with, and nobody wants to fight him now.”
In his young career Pierson has fought at top level venues, including the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, and several others.
When asked if he felt he had an advantage since he has always fought tougher competition, Pierson responded, “The thing with the tougher competition, it’s the same way I look at this fight coming up. I go out there to fight, and look at each fighter as a human being, just like I am. To me it doesn’t matter who you have fought or where you have fought…it depends on what you are bringing to the table. But I don’t think it was an advantage for me to be fighting on big stages early in my career. That’s one of the reasons why it has been so hard for me to get fights now.”
Going forward in 2012 Pierson hopes to stay active and consistently fight throughout the year.
The middleweight prospect currently trains at Ike and Randy’s gym in Paterson, New Jersey.
“Lastly I want to give a shot out to Lou Esa for being one of the only guys who was willing to take time out to try to get my career back and moving, and Maureen Shea, who always gave me great advice. She is the female champion, and always gives me great advice and showed me the right way to go, and always kept me level-headed. There were times that I’ve gotten down in boxing, and she is the one who brought me back. With the two of them I believe my career is going to go on and my life is going to go how it should be. And thanks to Blockstarzzent for getting my photo up on the promo flier for the fight.”
Tickets for Richard Pierson’s return to the ring cost $40 for general admission and $100 for a VIP table (which includes a buffet dinner) can be purchased directly through Lou Esa at Final Round Boxing and Fitness in Whippany, NJ or by calling (973) 885-7962.
For more information follow Richard Pierson on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-TP-Pierson-Fan-Page/251954198152149.