UNCASVILLE, Conn. (February 10, 2012) – Star Boxing’s Demetrius “The Matador” Andrade turned in an electrifying performance, destroying former world title challenger Angel “Toro” Hernandez in two rounds, in tonight’s ESPN Friday Night Fights main event on an entertaining card, presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Andrade improved his record to a perfect 16-0 (11 KOs) and captured his first title belt, the IBA Americas junior middleweight title. The 2008 U.S. Olympian is presently rated among the top 15 in all four governing bodies: WBO #9, IBF #12, WBC #14 and WBA #15.
The 23-year-old from Providence went to Hernandez’ (30-11, 17 KOs) body in the opening round and then opened-up in the second, dropping Angel once and then again for good at 1:39 as referee Steve Smoger waved off the count and declared the outcome a knockout.
“I felt good,” Andrade commented after the fight. “I was in great shape. I saw he was breathing heavy after the first round and decided to take the fight to him in the second. I knew I had him, especially after the straight left. This is my first belt and I’m going to collect a lot more. A few more fights, little more experience, and I’ll be ready for anybody in the world.”
Andrade is co-promoted by DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Banner Promotions.
In the co-feature, unbeaten Philadelphia junior welterweight Raymond “Tito” Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs), rated No. 15 by the WBA, bounced back from a third-round knockdown to take a unanimous 10-round decision from Kenny Abril (11-2-4, 6 KOs).
“It was a good fight,” Serrano said. “I felt like I was winning the (third) round, but I slipped as he hit me with a jab (knockdown). I wasn’t hurt. He’s a strong fighter. We went a good 10 rounds. It was a good experience and I’m 18-0.”
Serrano wins again
Bronx super featherweight Emanuel Gonzalez (10-0, 7 KOs) kept his perfect record intact by way of a fourth-round unanimous decision versus Jesus Bayron.
Former USBA & NABO champion “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (23-7-2, 10 KOs) registered a workmanlike victory by six-round decision against veteran junior welterweight Shaka Moore.
East Hartford’s popular super featherweight Joseph “Chip” Perez (7-1, 2 KOs) out-gunned a game Jamell Tyson for a hard-fought six-round decision. Local favorite Jair Ramos (2-0, 2 KOs) stopped junior welterweight Miguel Rodriguez (0-2) in the second round. Super middleweight Charles Foster (2-0, 1 KO) a knockdown to defeat Borngood Washington in a spirited bout.
Full results:
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Demetrius Andrade (16-0, 11 KOs), Providence, RI WKO2 (1:39) Angel Hernandez (30-11, 17 KOs), Chicago, IL
(Andrade won the IBA Americas Junior Middleweight title)
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Charles Foster (2-0, 1 KO), New Haven, CT WDEC4 (38-37, 38-37, 38-37) Borngood Washington (3-10, 1 KO), Queens, NY
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Raymond Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs), Philadelphia, PA WDEC10 (97-92, 97-92, 95-94) Kenny Abril (11-2-4, 6 KOs), Rochester, NY
Mike Arnaoutis (23-7-2, 10 KOs), Astoria, NY WDEC6 (60-54, 60-54, 59-55) Shaka Moore (11-16-3, 2 KOs), Norwalk, CT
Jair Ramos (2-0, 1 KO), Waterbury, CT WTKO2 (0:53) Miguel Rodriguez (0-2), Philadelphia, PA
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Emanuel Gonzalez (10-0, 7 KOs), Bronx, NY WDEC4 (40-46, 39-37, 39-37) Jesus Bayron (5-4-1, 4 KOs), San Jua, PR
Joseph Perez (7-1, 2 KOs), East Hartford, CT WDEC6 (59-55, 58-56, 58-56) Jamell Tyson (2-5-1, 1 KO), Rochester, NY
SUGAR RAY LEONARD TO ATTEND HALL OF FAME BANQUET OF CHAMPIONS
Hall of Famer To Help Honor New Inductee Thomas “Hitman” Hearns
CANASTOTA, NY – FEBRUARY 13, 2012 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today five-division world champion Sugar Ray Leonard will attend the Banquet of Champions on Saturday, June 9th. The banquet is part of festivities planned for the 23rd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 7-10th.
Leonard is excited to help pay tribute and welcome to the Hall of Fame former ring rival and 2012 Inductee Thomas “Hitman” Hearns.
Sugar Ray Leonard
“Tommy was such an imposing and incredibly exciting fighter. People were in awe of his power and speed. He would out-speed the boxers. He would annihilate the punchers. He was one of my toughest fights without question. He brought the best out of me and he told me I brought the best out of him. I’m so excited for my friend to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame,” said Leonard.
Leonard captured gold at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and turned pro the next year. During his legendary career, he captured world titles in five weight divisions (welterweight, junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight) and engaged in historic battles with Hall of Famers Hearns, Wilfred Benitez, Roberto Duran and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. His pro record reads 36-3-1 (25 KOs). In 1997 Leonard was elected into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
“Sugar Ray Leonard was a great champion in an incredible era in boxing history,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “The Hall is so excited to welcome him back to ‘Boxing’s Hometown.’”
The banquet, which will be held at the Syracuse OnCenter, is a one-of-a-kind event with over 40 boxing celebrities under one roof. Boxing stars already confirmed to attend will be Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Johnny Tapia, “Irish” Micky Ward, Ken Norton and many others.
The event will consist of cocktails, dinner, celebrity comments, video highlights, a commemorative program and much more. Tickets are priced at $135 and corporate tables of 10 are available at $1350.
In addition to the banquet, events planned for the weekend include a heavyweight bash, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2012. Joining Hearns as living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 10th are two-division champion Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble” ring announcer Michael Buffer, trainer Freddie Roach, broadcaster Al Bernstein and journalist Michael Katz. Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 23rd Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.
HANKS SCORES EXPLOSIVE KNOCKOUT IN 2ND ROUND—FULL STAR BOXING CARD NOW AVAILABLE ON GFL
NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 13, 2012)—Last Saturday night at Times Union Center in Albany, New York undefeated Heavyweight Joe Hanks scored an explosive second round stoppage over Rafael Pedro to retain his IBA Americas Title.
That bout plus a full five fight undercard which featured two highly regarded undefeated prospects can now be seen on demand on www.gfl.tv for just $9.99
The show can be ordered by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/KO_at_the_TU/1362
Hanks (19-0, 13 KO’s) threw his name in the hat to become America’s hope to bring back the Heavyweight crown as hanks dominate the action from the opening bell and then floored Pedro. Pedro then signaled to the referee that he was unable to continue and the bout was stopped just forty-eight seconds into round two.
Sahabib Usarov made an impressive American debut by scoring a ten round unanimous decision over former Cuban Olympic Gold Medal winner Yan Barthelemy in a Bantamweight bout.
With the win Usarov is now 18-0.
Kevin Rooney Jr. scored a four round unanimous decision over Stanley Harvey in a Jr, Middleweight bout.
Good looking knockout artist Jason Escalera remained perfect (13-0, 12 KO’s) by taking out Marcus Brooks in round four of a scheduled eight round Super Middleweight contest.
In a shocking upset, Bryan Abraham (6-10, 6 KO’s) took out local favorite Darnell Jiles (8-3-1)
Mike Seitz of Albany thrilled the home folks be scoring a first round stoppage over Karim Richardson.
GFL now offers full access to over 5,000 fights for the low monthly price of $9.99 subscribe now at www.GFL.tv
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