News Flashes: On Erdei Injury, Olusegun, Geale, CT H.O.F

New York, NY (9/5/2012) – Former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei has been forced to withdraw from his much-anticipated Septemember 29th light heavyweight matchup against Isaac Chilemba at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods after suffering two broken ribs in training. The bout was scheduled to open up the HBO “Boxing After Dark” telecast, which is being headlined by top-rated super middleweight contender Edwin Rodriguez (21-0, 14KO's) defending his USBA championship against undefeated prospect Jason Escalera (13-0-1, 12KO's).

“I can't express enough how disappointed I am,” said Erdei. “I wanted this fight so badly. To be honest I was so upset when this happened that I thought I would retire, but after speaking with my family and friends I have decided that I will be back. Fighting is my life and I am going to be coming back soon as possible.”

Erdei was in great shape preparing for Chilemba and was getting ready to travel to the U.S. to finish up his training camp when he suffered the injury during sparring. Erdei was hit with a body shot in an awkward spot causing the ribs to break. X-rays of the break can be seen below:

An announcement on the third televised fight will be made soon.

September 5, 2012 – Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment's, undefeated WBC # 1 ranked Super Lightweight contender, Olusegun Ajose (30-0, 14 KOs), is ready for his first main event, when he challenges, WBC #2 ranked clubber, Lucas Matthysse (31-2, 29 KO's). On the line will be the vacant WBC Interim Super Lightweight Championship.

The 12-round bout will be televised this Saturday, Sept. 8, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Ajose has earned his #1 ranking the old fashioned way, by winning every fight he's ever been in. His opportunity has arrived and he's determined to show the world why he's been avoided by top boxers, promoters and matchmakers.

“I've been waiting for the opportunity to win a world title my entire life,” Ajose said. “No one can understand what I've been through being that I've been bypassed my shot to fight for a world title for years, with fighters I know I can beat getting their chance before me for no reason at all. The time is now to show the world what I am made of. I'm not going to let this long awaited opportunity pass me by. Come fight night I will leave everything in the ring and come out victorious.”

Co-promoter Gary Shaw believes Ajose is the most underrated fighter in boxing. With Olusegun's unique fighting style, his reasoning is legitimate.

“I believe Ajose is the best super lightweight walking the planet.” Shaw said. “There's a reason he's be denied his opportunity to fight for a world title. All the matchmakers and promoters know if they put their fighter in with him, they'll lose. And that is exactly what is going to happen this Saturday when Ajose fights Matthysse.

“Olusegun's style is very awkward to deal with and he comes to fight every time he steps in the ring. After this weekend, the boxing community and fans around the world will know who Ajose is. A hungry fighter cannot be stopped, and Olusegun is starving.”

“I want to thank Stephen Espinoza and Showtime for giving Ajose this opportunity to fight on Showtime once again. The fans will be the winner, and AJose will never disappoint.”

September 5, 2012 – After arriving in the states from Germany this week, promoter Gary Shaw reflects on the incredible week he had with Daniel “Real Deal” Geale and his team as the days led up to their big win against Felix Sturm. Already the IBF Champion, Geale added Sturm's WBA title, becoming the first Australian born fighter to become a unified world champion.

“Sturm literally thought Daniel's name was “Meal Deal” and found out the hard way that he's the “Real Deal,'' Shaw said. “Sturm, who acted as his own promoter for this event, must have been occupied with the stresses of being a promoter to think Daniels name was 'Meal Deal.' On the other hand, Team Geale was very relaxed going into this fight. Just hours before the fight, we were all hanging out in the dressing room joking around, and laughing to the point we had tears in our eyes. I've never been in a fight where the atmosphere was so calm. There was no yelling, just very relaxed.”

“Geale ended sparring 10 days before the fight and was on weight the entire time. There was no struggle to make weight and the game plan Graham Shaw put in place was incredible. Graham is a very underrated trainer. I nominate him for “Trainer of the Year” and he needs to be recognized as one of the best trainers in boxing.

“I realized that Daniel didn't have people around him that were dead weight. His brother Joe was a pleasure to be around and he provided an uplifting spirit. When you have people that really love you, around you for the biggest fight of your life, then good things are going to happen.

“Being around Team Geale leading up to this fight was one of the best experiences I've had as a promoter. Together we are willing and ready to take on the toughest challenges out there. I plan to have Daniel sitting ringside for the Martinez vs. Chavez Jr. fight in Las Vegas and then sit down with HBO to discuss all the options in the newly electrically charged middleweight division, where Geale is the only fighter holding multiple belts. There are many great fights that can be made and we'll make the announcement on who'll we'll fight next in the near future.”

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (September 5, 2012) – The 8th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Dinner has been rescheduled for November 17, one week after the original date, in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun.

The 2012 CBHOF inductees are former World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight champion “Tremendous” Travis Simms, former World Boxing Union (WBU) middleweight titlist “Dangerous” Dana Rosenblatt, five-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach, promoter Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.), manager George Cruz and the late manager/promoter Lou Viscusi.

Tickets for the 8th annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $75.00, are on sale now by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (1.860-.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner.

Go online to www.ctboxinghof.com for additional information about the CBHOF.

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