Miscellaneous Mishmash: Ward, Cali Results, Shaw Signing, Tix Deal

WBA Super Middlweight Champion Andre Ward on Andre Dirrell
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OAKLAND, CA – (October 8, 2010) – WBA Super Middleweight Champion and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward (22-0, 13 KOs) issued the following statement upon hearing the news of 2004 Olympic Bronze MedalistAndre Dirrell pulling out of SHOWTIMEs Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament because of neurological issues stemming from his last bout against Arthur Abraham.

Its very unfortunate to hear about Andre Dirrells situation. Its never a good thing for a fight not to be able to work, especially for a neurological reason. I pray for his health and that he is able to return to the ring as soon as possible, Ward said.

BRING ON THE PAIN
RESULTS
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Lemoore, CA (October 8, 2010) – In the nights main event, Bakersfields Michael Dallas Jr. improved to 16-0-1 with a second-round knockout of Lenin Arroyoof Miami (20-14-1) in a scheduled eight-round welterweight bout. The fight was halted via the three-knockdown rule at the 1:30 mark.

In the co-main event, Shawn Estrada, who calls Hanford and East Los Angeles home, was declared the winner of a scheduled four-round super middleweight fight against Nathan Bedwell of Jackson, Tenn., 28 seconds into the first round.
Bedwell (4-5), whose right knee was heavily taped, crumpled near his own corner after being hit by a left-right combination from Estrada (9-0). Officially, it goes down as a technical knockout, the first win for the 2008 Olympian not via knockout since turning pro, but clearly Estrada wanted more.

Fresno bantamweight Michael Ruiz Jr. continued his rise through the ranks in one of the nights more entertaining bouts, improving to 6-0 with a fourth-round knockout of Frank Gutierrez (2-8-1) of Fontana in a scheduled six-round fight. In a matchup of left-handers, Ruiz got the upper hand in the third round with a flurry of punches, then forced a standing eight count in the fourth.

2008 Olympian Javier Molina (4-0)made quick work of his opponent as well. The Norwalk-based junior middleweight improved to 4-0 with a first-round knockout, his fourth in as many fights, of Marco Arauzof Palmdale (3-7-1). A vicious right sent Arauz to the mad 39 seconds into the scheduled four-rounder.

Kevin Hoskins of Los Angeles (3-0) won the first all-SoCal battle of the night, staggering Rene Torres of Pomona (0-4-1) as the bell sounded in the first round, and finishing him off via knockout :59 seconds into the second round of a scheduled
four-round super featherweight bout.

Bantamweight Jonathan Arrellano of Ontario (6-0-1) took a unanimous decision from Abel Gomez of Jalisco, Mexico (3-4) in a four-round bout.

Matt Villanueva of Van Nuys improved to 3-0 when Christian Salgados corner threw in the towel 28 seconds into the second round of a scheduled four-round super flyweight bout. Salgado (1-2), from Ensenada, Mexico, took a standing eight count in the first round and was knocked down with a hard right early in the second.
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TOTOWA, NJ (October 8, 2010) – Gary Shaw announced today the signing of undefeated junior middleweight prospect and former U.S. amateur standout JULIAN WILLIAMS. Williams (2-0, 2 KOs), from The City of Brotherly Glove, Philadelphia, Pa., made his debut under the GSP banner on October 1, blasting out Dean Peters, Jr. in the first round at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

“He is the goods. He is 100% the goods and I couldn’t wait to see his debut with us last week. He had the crowd on its feet within seconds of the bell to start the first round, said Shaw. “I’ve worked with a lot of world champions throughout my career and I still enjoy promoting world championship events, but nothing compares to grooming a young professional – watching him progress and earning his stripes. I suspect Julian will stoke my enthusiasm for boxing for a very long time. He is going to make Philadelphia proud.

Added veteran matchmaker John Beninati, “Julian reminds me of a better version of Andre Berto. He has a more powerful punch. He’s got all the tools.

Williams retiredfrom the amateur ranks with a 75-10 record. His amateur honors include winning the 2005 Silver Gloves regionals, the 2006 Junior Olympics regionals, the 2007 Eastern Regionals, and the 2006 and 2009 Philadelphia Golden Gloves. In 2006, he earned the bronze at the 2006 Golden Gloves National Championship, the Silver Gloves nationals and the Golden Gloves state championships.

Im very excited to be working with Gary Shaw, said Williams. I know he will keep me very busy in the ring and thats all the incentive any good fighter needs to train hard.

Williams, 20, is scheduled to fight two more times this year, November 9 in Oklahoma City and December 3 at Chumash Casino Resort.

Williams’ corner includes mentor/head trainer Kenny Mason, who has trained Williams since he was 13, and advisor/assistant trainer Stephen “Breadman Edwards. Mason took Williams in seven years ago when Williams was homeless. They have been a team ever since. Williams trains at the James Shuler Memorial Boxing Gym in Philadelphia.

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BOB ARUM:

SPECIAL TICKET PRICES

FOR FIGHT FANS AT HONDA CENTER ON DEC 4

Bob Arum said today …these are tough, hard economic times. But peoplestill want entertainment and that is why the majority ofour tickets at the Honda Center in Anaheim are $50 and $30 on December 4.

Tickets are on sale today. Prices are$200, $100, $50 and $30 for the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Alfonso Gomez title fight on Top Ranks In Harms Way Pay Per View at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Arum said we purposely put thousands of tickets on sale in the $50 and $30 categories so fans can bring their families and enjoyan eveningof boxing. I believe this is an event which will pack the Honda Center.

Chavez Jr will defend his WBC Silver Middleweight Championship title against Gomez.The Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire takes on Wladimir Sidorenko of Ukraine; WBC Lightweight Champion Humberto Soto defends against Urbano Antillon and world ranked lightweight Brandon Bam Bam Rios takes on Noe Bolanos.

Arum said he will soon announce additional fightsfor the December 4 card.

Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and at Ticketmaster Charge By Phone at 800-745-3000. Seats will go on sale at the Honda Center Box Office on Saturday, October 9.