Connect with us

Articles of 2006

World Championship Boxing Back In Nashville

Published

on

Fight Beat Entertainment is proud to present a full night of professional boxing at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium on Friday, March 31, 2006. Headlining FBE’s inaugural boxing show will be a battle for the vacant IBA World Cruiserweight Championship, between the pride of New Jersey, Bobby Gunn (15-2, 12 KOs) and “The Bonetown Brawler”, South Carolina’s Shelby Gross (16-3, 13 KOs).

The fight represents the first significant world title bout in Nashville in over five years.

Gunn currently holds the WBE Cruiserweight title, which he won in a vacant title fight last June in Nashville. Gross previously held the Intercontinental version of the title.

For Gunn, this will be his fourth consecutive trip to the Volunteer state, including two fights in Nashville last year. The well-traveled cruiserweight has boxed all around the world as an amateur and pro, but holds Music City close to his heart.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Nashville,” said Gunn, who has knocked out his last six opponents. “My two fights there last year introduced to some of the best fight fans in the country.”

Gunn has managed to develop a following in the Mid-South, but may very well be conceding home court advantage from a geographical standpoint. Gross is based out of South Carolina, and is no stranger to Tennessee, having fought in Memphis three times in the last two years (including his past two fights). Overall, this will be Gross’ eighth trip to Tennessee, though his first to Nashville since his days as a regular in the Music City Mix Factory fight series in the late 1990s.

Gross is looking to recreate his own Music City series, as he believes Gunn’s “Road to Glory” will end in Nashville.

“I’m coming to Nashville to win a title,” insists Gross, fresh off a first-round knockout in Memphis this past January. “For me, it’s not about the money, it’s about the title, because the IBA championship is a major world title. I feel that this fight represents a turning point in my career.”

It couldn’t have come at a better time for Gross, who gets a shot at redemption after previously falling short at the top level. While the record shows three losses, what was gained from each loss was learning experience. Gross believes such is the difference between he and Gunn in a fight that is otherwise dead-even on paper and guaranteed to be a scorcher from bell to bell.

“I know that I’m coming to fight, and Bobby always comes to fight,” says Gross. “But what separates us is that I’ve been at the top level, and have been able to learn from my mistakes. I know what I’ve done wrong in the past and have worked hard to get back into the title picture. No disrespect to Bobby, but I don’t think he knows what he’s walking into come March 31.”

While his official resume may not reflect it, Gunn boasts more experience than people believe. Boxing since the age of 7, Gunn is a five-time amateur champion who has shared the ring in sparring sessions with twenty former and present world champions. The list includes Mike McCallum, Michael Nunn and current WBA regular cruiserweight champion Virgil Hill.

Gunn is looking to add to that list, this time on his official ledger. The plan is to parlay a win over Gross into a series of world title bouts against the rest of the division’s best.

“I’m honored to be fighting for the IBA World Cruiserweight Championship. I’m training for twelve hard rounds. My mission is to unify all of the cruiserweight titles – the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and IBA. While I’m not taking the Shelby Gross fight for granted, I look forward to winning the IBA title and defending that title against (current WBC/WBA/IBF world cruiserweight champ) O’Neil Bell, Jean-Marc Mormeck, Virgil Hill or even giving Antonio Tarver a shot if he’s interested in moving up.”

Before either fighter travels down the cruiserweight title path, they have to travel the Road to Glory… which begins in Nashville on March 31, 2006.

The chief support for the evening will be an eight-round heavyweight contest, with the vacant USBC crown at stake. Ohio heavyweight George Linberger (29-8-1, 25 KOs), fresh off of a win over the “King of the Four-Rounders” Butterbean, takes on Louisiana behemoth, 6’7” Rafael “The Cajun Connection” Pedro (19-5-1, 13 KOs).

A full undercard features promising local talent, including rising junior welterweight Luis Galarza (9-1, 6 KOs, Antioch, TN) and unbeaten lightweight Jerome Pillow (13-0, 10 KOs, Columbia, TN) in separate bouts. Also appearing on the card will be Florida-based junior middleweight prospect Ed Paredes (5-1, 3 KOs). Rounding out the show will be a female attraction, featuring Cleveland (TN)-based newcomer Melinda Woody.

Doors will open at 6:00 PM, with the first bout scheduled for 7:00 PM. Tickets are on sale now and range from $15 for General Admission to $150 for VIP seating, which is already in high demand. They can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by contacting Fight Beat Entertainment at (615) 687-6849.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles6 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles5 days ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles6 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles1 week ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles3 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles4 hours ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles17 hours ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles3 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles5 days ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles6 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles6 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles1 week ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending