Claiming he is not “mentally ready” to fight, Cuban light heavyweight Yordanis Despaigne has withdrawn from his scheduled rematch against charismatic light heavyweight slugger Edison “Pantera” Miranda (35-6, 30 KOs), scheduled for Friday, February 3, in the Dallas Events Center at the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas.
Instead, Miranda will now face South Africa’s World Boxing Council (WBC) #6, WBA #13, and WBO #14-rated Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba (18-1-1, 9 KOs) in the 10-round main event of an ESPN Friday Night Fights-televised night of boxing, presented by Warriors Boxing and Sampson Boxing, entitled “Super Brawls”.
Tickets for “Super Brawls” are priced at $25 and $50 and are available at the Texas Station rewards center or at Stationcasinos.com/concerts. A few VIP seats are available at a price of $100. Please call (954) 985-1155.
A controversial call brought a premature end to Despaigne and Miranda’s exciting back-and-forth fight last July 29 (also shown live on Friday Night Fights) when Referee Vic Drakulich disqualified Miranda at :45 of the fifth round due to low blows and what many said was some quality acting by Despaigne. “I have said all along he is an actress pretending to be a fighter,” said a disgusted Miranda of Despaigne’s falling out. “He knew he was going to get knocked out the first time we fought, so he flopped around on the canvas pretending to be hurt. His fear this time around just proves that.”
While the rematch promised to be an entertaining scrap, the addition of world-rated Chilemba to the card actually steps up the event’s significance on the world stage.
Tall and rangy with fast hands, 24-year-old Chilemba has held the IBO and African Boxing Union Super Middleweight and the WBC International, African Boxing Union and WBO Africa Light Heavyweight Titles. He made his Friday Night Fights debut last February at the Million Dollar Elm Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he dealt then undefeated Russian Maxim Vlasov his first loss via unanimous 10-round decision.
Miranda was last seen scoring a spectacular knockout over then highly rated Kariz Kariuki in December.
“With Despaigne pulling out we lost what could have been a good fight, but Chilemba is actually a much tougher opponent for Edison,” said promoter Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing. “Miranda was able to hit Despaigne fairly often, that’s not a guarantee with Chilemba. He’s very tricky and has a long reach. It’s going to be an intriguing fight.”
In the night’s fantastic eight-round co-main event, 21-year-old lightweight Hylon Williams Jr. (15-0, 3 KOs) of Las Vegas will face off against 25-year-old Cuban power-punching sensation Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (14-0, 11 KOs) in a rare battle of up-and-coming undefeated prospects.
Expect fireworks, as both fighters were highly decorated amateurs and both have been pegged for future big deeds. Williams is highly skilled with blazing fast hands, while Barthelemy is building a reputation for his punching power.
And, amazingly, the televised middle bout will feature yet another “someone’s 0 must go” battle of unbeaten prospects, as fast-rising heavyweight sensation Magomed Abdusalamov (12-0, 12 KOs) Moscow, Russia, will face Cuba’s Pedro Rodriguez (8-0, 6 KOs). Rodriguez will be looking to spring a minor upset of sorts, as the highly touted Abdusalamov is a former 2005 and 2006 Russian amateur champion at super heavyweight.
More exciting undercard bouts will be announced shortly.
Tickets for “Super Brawls” are priced at $25 and $50 and are available at the Texas Station rewards center or at Stationcasinos.com/concerts. A few VIP seats are available at a price of $100. Please call (954) 985-1155.
On fight night, doors open at 5:30 and the action starts at 6:00 pm.
Station Bucks may be used to purchase tickets. All ages welcome. Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or over. Show subject to change without notice. Management reserves all rights. Digital Photography and video prohibited. Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casinos Boarding Pass Rewards Center, The Fiesta’s, by logging onto stationcasinos.com/concerts or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel is located at 2101 Texas Star Ln in North Las Vegas. Telephone: (702) 631-1000 or (800)654-8888.
MEXICANS GALLO AND RIVAS, THE RIVALS FOR DAVID QUIJANO AND MCWILLIAMS ARROYO, JANUARY 21
Mexicans Javier Gallo and Felipe Rivas will face Puerto Rican prospects David Quijano and McWilliams Arroyo next Saturday, January 21, in the return of the “San Juan Boxing Nights” at the coliseo Pedrin Zorrilla in Hato Rey, San Juan, to be televised on Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo Tecate” program in a PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) presentation.
The show will be headline by the bout between Quijano (13-2-1, 9 KOs, Juanma López teammate, against Gallo (18-4-1, 10 KOs). This is a 10 round bout in the superflyweight division.
Meanwhile, 2009 amateur world champion Arroyo (9-1, 8 KOs) will fight veteran Rivas (11-10-1, 6 KOs), who lost a split decision against former two time champion Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon last October, 2011. After the Calderon’s defeat, Rivas won two fights by KO in Mexico. This bout is scheduled to six rounds in the flyweight division.
After this card, “San Juan Boxing Nights” on Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo Tecate” show, will return on March 24, May 19, August 18 and October 13.
Tickets for the event available at Ticketcenter, 1 787 792-5000 or www.tcpr.com. Prices are $15, $33 “Ring Side” and $128 for four people tables.
Algieri vs. Smith on 1/28
January 16, 2012 – Huntington, New York – Star Boxing’s light welterweight sensation, Chris Algieri (12-0, 6 KO’s) looks to remain undefeated when he returns to the ring, January 28, 2010 against Atlanta’s Curtis Smith (10-5, 5 KO’s). The fight takes place in Algieri’s hometown at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, New York.
When asked about his training camp Algieri stated, “Training camp has been fantastic. I’ve been sparring with Ajose Olusegun (30-0, 14 KO’s) who’s one of the best fighters in the world. He’s a southpaw just like Smith so I couldn’t ask for a better sparring partner. My trainer Keith Trimble has come up with a few different game plans being that we don’t know too much about Smith. Come fight night I’m going to listen to my corner and execute those game plans. We are about two weeks away from fight night and I’m feeling great.”
A sellout crowd is expected when Algieri faces Smith in his hometown of Huntington, New York. The rising star Algieri continued, “The Paramount Theater is right in my back yard and it was a great success when I fought there last time. Joe DeGuardia is a great promoter and I’m please with his decision to bring me back to Huntington. I’m looking to put on a great show for my fans who’ll be there supporting me.”
For more information on Chris Algieri please visit his website at www.chirsalgieri.com.
Advance tickets, priced at $35, $50 and $100 can be purchased by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823-2000, or by visiting the Star Boxing website, www.StarBoxing.com. Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com, Phone 1-800-745-3000) and The Paramount Theater Box Office by calling (631) 673-7300.
The Paramount Theater is located at 370 New York Avenue, Huntington, New York, 11743. For directions and more information, please visit their website at www.paramountny.com.