NEW YORK, NY (April 3, 2012) – Undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion LUCIAN BUTE will make his 10th world title defense when he battles two-time World Boxing Council super middleweight champion CARL “The Cobra” FROCH, Saturday, May 26. Promoted by Matchroom Sport, Ltd. and InterBox, the Bute vs. Froch World Super Middleweight Championship will be televised live in the U.S., from Nottingham Arena, in Nottingham, England, exclusively on EPIX, the multiplatform premium entertainment service. EpixHD.com will stream the fight live as part of a special free trial offer for boxing fans.
These two gladiators boast a combined record of 59-2 (44 KOs) – a 97% winning percentage and a 75% victory by knockout ratio.
As has become the custom, EPIX will once again present the closed-captioned simulcast of this world championship rumble on the jumbotron in Times Square in New York City (Broadway between 44th and 45th).
“EPIX is very pleased with the fan reaction and audience growth of its series of exclusive live U.S. telecasts of world championship fights. The fireworks Bute vs. Froch will produce is the perfect follow up to our unprecedented heavyweight championship trilogy which featured Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin defending their world titles over three consecutive weeks,” said Travis Pomposello, EPIX CCO and executive producer of EPIX Sports.
“I am very pleased that boxing fans in the United States won’t miss this war between Carl Froch and me. I want to thank the EPIX network for broadcasting this fight. I am training very seriously to face Carl Froch and I look forward to defending my title for the 10th time. May 26th is going to be a great night of boxing!” said Bute.
“I’m thrilled that EPIX has taken on my fight with Lucian. I have a lot of fans across the pond and it is important that they get to see this fight live. It’s going to be a great atmosphere in my hometown on the night because it’s been so long since I’ve boxed there and I think people will be impressed at the noise and passion my fans show when they turn out in force – along with the class inside the ring on the night, it’s going to be a must see event,” said Froch.
“The enthusiasm and momentum building for this event is huge. We are very happy and proud that EPIX will present one of the best fights of 2012 in the world, live to boxing fans across United States. It was important for InterBox that Lucian get as much exposure throughout the World as possible,” said Jean Bedard, President of InterBox.
“We’re delighted to be teaming up with EPIX on this fight. It’s a massive night in World Championship boxing and I am sure that EPIX will do a great job presenting what is arguably the fight of the year,” said Eddie Hearn, Group Managing Director of Matchroom Sport, Ltd.
Bute (30-0, 24 KOs), a newly-minted Canadian Citizen, is a native of Galat, Romania who now fights out of Montréal, Québec, Canada. When he travels to Froch’s backyard in Nottingham it will be the first time Bute has not fought in Canada or Romania since 2004. A southpaw known for his two-fisted punching power and counterpunching prowess, Bute is in the fifth year of his world championship reign. He captured the world title in 2007, knocking out defending champion Alejandro Berrio in the 11th round of their ferocious fight. Seven of Bute’s nine consecutive title defense victories have been by stoppage, including former world champion William Joppy, and top-rated contenders Librado Andrade, Edison Miranda, Jean-Paul Mendy and Fulgencio Zuniga. His recent six-bout victory by knockout streak ended in November with his unanimous decision victory over former world champion Glenn Johnson. Bute’s performance was so dominating he won all 12 rounds on two judges’ cards and 11 or 12 rounds on the third card with scores of 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109
Froch (28-2, 20 KOs), of Nottingham, England, is a pressure fighter known for his aggressive style and exceptional skills and movement. It would be hard to find another fighter in this division who has fought the caliber of opposition Froch has faced. He captured his first world title – the vacant WBC super middleweight championship – in 2008, winning a unanimous decision over future world champion Jean Pascal in a battle of undefeated contenders. Froch successfully defended the title twice in 2009, knocking out former world champion Jermain Taylor in the 12th round and winning a split decision over undefeated No. 1 contender Andre Dirrell. After losing the title in 2010 to Mikkel Kessler via a close but unanimous decision, Froch regained the WBC title later that year with a unanimous decision victory over former world champion Arthur Abraham. After successfully defending the title against Glen Johnson in June 2011, Froch lost his crown last December to undefeated WBA super middleweight champion and 2011 Fighter of the Year Andre Ward, in a title unification fight, via a close unanimous decision.
NYSBHOF Stars & public came out in force for Inaugural New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Dinner
NEW YORK (April 3, 2012) – Boxing stars joined a sold-out crowd of 500 at this past Sunday’s inaugural New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (“NYSBHOF”) induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
“Boxing in New York will not be forgotten,” NYSBHOF founder Tony Mazzarella said. “Boxers, cornermen, judges, promoters, announcers and others in boxing are being honored.”
Inducted into the first NYSBHOF class were “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Jake LaMotta, Mike Tyson, Carmen Basilio, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, Mike McCallum and posthumously Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard and Tony Canzoneri.
Non-participant inductees are judge/HBO analyst Harold Lederman, coach/instructor Steve Acunto, trainer/cutman Jimmy Glenn and, posthumously, trainers Gil Clancy and Ray Arcel, The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer, New York Daily News boxing reporter/cartoonist Bill Gallo, and referee Arthur Mercante, Sr.
“We’re all proud of those sitting on the dais for their achievements,” NYSBHOF & Ring 8 president Bob Duffy commented. “The biggest joy, for me, is for what Mrs. Arcel, Mrs. Gallo and the members of the Canzoneri, Tunney, Mercante, and Clancy families said to me. They left a track record, like those sitting up here, but they’re so happy that their inductees were not forgotten. Ring 8 specifically had these one-of-a-kind belts (all inductees received) designed for the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.”
Inductees attending the gala festivities were LaMotta, McCallum, Griffith, Ortiz, Antuofermo, Acunto, Glenn and Lederman. (See acceptance speech quotes below.) The families of Robinson, Canzoneri, Tunney, Arcel, Gallo and Mercante were also represented.
The inductees were selected by a six-member NYSBHOF nominating committee comprised of Jack Hirsch, Steve Farhood, Henry Hascup, Bobby Cassidy Jr., Ron McNair and Neil Terens. All but Cassidy (family vacation) were award presenters during this festive boxing affair.
Boxing dignitaries in attendance included world champions Iran Barkley, Juan La Porte, Junior Jones, Mark Breland and Mia St. John; boxers such as Vinnie Maddalone, Renaldo Snipes, Brian Adams, Michael De La Rue and Gasper Ortega; promoters Kathy Duva (Main Events) and Cedric Kushner (Gotham Boxing); boxing judges Julie Lederman, Steve Weisfeld and Glenn Feldman; referees Steve Smoger and Mike Ortega, New York State Athletic Commission chairperson Melvina Latham, International Boxing Hall of Fame matchmaker Bob Goodman, World Boxing Council Cares Jill Diamond, Gleason’s Gym owner Bruce Silverglade and trainer Tommy Gallagher.
Popular ring announcer, David Diamante, rushed back from Jamaica to serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. The traditional 10-count was given in honor of the late Bert Sugar. A special presentation – autographed portrait of Lederman – was made on behalf of HBO’s boxing group and Harold’s friend and HBO partner, Jim Lampley, sent a congratulatory message that was read.
Commemorative plagues listing the names of the inductees and NYSBHOF board members and nominating committee will be on display at the Waterfront Crabhouse, New York State Athletic Commission, and NYSBHOF board member Dr. Jerry Lynn.
All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years, in order to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees had to have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers.
Go on line at www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.
Acceptance Speech Quotes
Jake LaMotta (90 years old): “I’m very happy to be here with my very good friends. I fought ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson so many times it’s a wonder I don’t have diabetes. He broke my jaw but you can see he never broke my nose. The greatest pound-for-pound fighter who ever lived is ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson. It’s unbelievable I fought him so many times. Right now, I finally made it when they made the movie, Raging Bull. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and Robert DeNiro was so great in the movie. If you asked me, DeNiro is the greatest fighter who ever lived. How’d he play me? He sparred and shadow-boxed 1000 rounds and when I was finished with him he could have turned pro.”
Mike McCallum: “It’s an honor to be here today and be part of this great ceremony. New York City is big! I came to American and the greatest place there is. I’m in the International Boxing Hall of Fame but, why not the New York State? Now I’m here. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
Vito Antuofermo: “I’m very honored to be here today and to be in the first induction in the first New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. As a young boy, I struggled in a new country. Boxing is much more than a sport to me. I learned about the world and myself. The only limit a person has is one on himself. I thank boxing. I am very happy to be part of New York boxing and to have some success here. I know the Hall of Fame will grow and be successful. I congratulate my fellow inductees.”
Carlos Ortiz: “I’m proud to be here and to be inducted onto the New York Hall of Fame. I love it! I want people to remember me and that’s beautiful. It’s nice to be here. I love New York.”
Harold Lederman: “Today I’m an immortal…April’s fool. Floyd Mayweather claims he’s be the greatest fighter who ever lived. He’s not for two reasons: No. 1, he has to fight 158 more times to catch Sugar Ray Robinson; No. 2, he’s never fought in New York. The greatest fighters all fought in New York. Boxing has been a huge part of my life and home. I owe a lot to some of the boxing commissioners here.”
Steve Acunto (95 years old): “I’m profoundly honored to accept this recognition today. I’m almost overwhelmed to see all these boxing people today. Every kid should have an idol to occupy his time. When I was a kid a bought a book written by Gene Tunney and I got the bug.”
Jimmy Glenn: “I thank everyone for coming out for me. And they really came out for me.”
First BoxAcademy Event Moved Due to Injuries Two New BoxAcademy Dates Announced
Due to Tony Conquest and Michael Walsh both being unfit to box, the first installment of Queensberry Promotions’ new concept of show, BoxAcademy, will be moved from its original date of April 12th. The withdrawal of these two fighters, both involved in the co-features of the event, has meant that Queensberry Promotions have been given no option but to move the first BoxAcademy event in London to a later date. The first event will instead take place on Thursday May 3rd at the Troxy, in East London.
With both Conquest and Walsh unable to box until later in the year, the bill for the first BoxAcademy show will instead feature Light Middleweight prospect and reigning Southern Area champion Steve O’Meara, in a 10 round contest with former Commonwealth champion Bradley Pryce, a fight sure to test O’Meara’s development and his credentials as a potential future British title challenger. Replacing Michael Walsh on the bill will be Super-Flyweight prospect Ashley Sexton in an 8 round contest. In addition, the show will feature the rest of the prospects who were due to box on the original date of April 12th (Charlie Hoy, John Dignum, Mitchell Smith, Tom Baker, Gary Corcoran and Darryl Williams).
George Warren of Queensberry Promotions said “ We’re hugely disappointed that we’ve had to change the debut BoxAcademy event. I found out in the last 48 hours about both Tony and Michael not being fit to box, it’s a real shame especially as the Conquest v Simmons is a fight that has seemed to have captured the trades imagination. We tried to match Simmons with former ABA champion Chris Keane but due to the short notice felt it would be better to arrange this fight for a later BoxAcademy show in the summer. Tony is going to have an operation on his hand and isn’t back until September, where we hope to match him with the winner of Simmons and Keane.”
“This fight for O’Meara is what BoxAcademy is all about, Steve is a fantastic prospect, and taking on Bradley Pryce is a massive step up for him and a great development fight. Bradley comes with a wealth of experience and should show whether Steve can live up to his potential and go on to challenge for British honours. We’re also pleased to announced that Ashley Sexton will box in an 8 rounder and that we have managed to keep together the rest of lads from the original date that will all feature in competitive match-ups.”
In addition to the BoxAcademy London show, Queensberry Promotions are delighted to announce the second BoxAcademy will take place at the Oldham Leisure Centre on May 18th. The show, co-promoted by Steve Wood, will feature an eliminator for the British Welterweight Championship between two of the country’s best unbeaten welterweight prospects, ABA champion and amateur starlet Ronnie Heffron against former ABA champion Liam Smith, one of Liverpool’s most famous boxing brothers. In addition to this, former Commonwealth Games Champion, Callum Johnson, steps up to fight over 8 rounds for the first time as part of a bill that will feature some of the best prospects from the North-West, including unbeaten trio Jack Arnfield, Shane Singleton and Anthony Smith.
Warren added, “ It’s fantastic to announce our second BoxAcademy show, which features for me, a potential domestic fight of the year. Liam and Ronnie deserve the utmost respect for taking this fight and it will be very tough to pick a winner between the pair, who, in my opinion, can both go on and win championship honours. With Callum Johnson also featuring, fans will get the opportunity to see some of the best talent from the North West. It’s great to be working with Steve Wood on this event and seeing some of his young charges fight live on TV”
Both BoxAcademy events will be broadcast live on BoxNation, the UK’s home of televised boxing, available on Sky channel 456 and Virgin channel 546.
Tickets for BoxAcademy on 3rd May at The Troxy are priced at £35 and £50 and are available from the Queensberry Promotions Box Office on 01992 550 888 or www.frankwarren.tv