Press Releases

News Wrap: On Lundy-Broner, Campillo-Kovalev and Studio City Cards

Published

12 years ago

July 27, 2012

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (July 26, 2012) – With his thinly-veiled threat to Adrien Broner having gone viral in less than 24 hours, No. 1-ranked lightweight “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy of Philadelphia is making sure he doesn’t lose sight of the task at hand.

“‘Hammerin’’ Hank will go out there being ‘Hammerin’’ Hank – no pressure,” Lundy said Thursday at the pre-fight weigh-in for his upcoming showdown against Mexican challenger Raymundo Beltran, scheduled for Friday, July 27th, 2012 on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights from Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.

Friday’s show, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, will air live beginning at 10 p.m. (EST) and also feature a 10-round super middleweight co-feature between Philadelphia’s Farah Ennis (19-1, 12 KOs) and Richard Pierson (11-2, 8 KOs) of Paterson, N.J. Tickets are still available at $40, $65, $75 and $125 and can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Resorts Casino Hotel Box Office.

“I’m just going to go out there and perform and use my God-given talent. I’m in [Atlantic City] – I’m not in Philly, but I’m still on the road. I’m a road warrior. I like to take that name from Glen Johnson – much respect to you, Glen Johnson – but I’m going there to do what I’ve got to do. Like I always end it, ‘‘Hammerin’’ Hank, coming to a city and town near you. It’s Hammer Time!’”

Even with a formidable challenge from the hard-hitting Beltran (25-6, 17 KOs) looming on the horizon – Lundy’s North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title will be up for grabs in the 10-round main event – most of the focus is on Broner’s jump to the 135-pound division, followed immediately by Lundy’s warning that all challengers in his weight class must go through him first.

Broner, the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) 130-pound champion, was stripped of his title last weekend for weighing in at more than three pounds over the limit. Lundy (21-1-1, 11 KOs), who was forced to sweat off an additional pound himself Thursday – “I’m a professional,” he said. “I worked to lose the weight” – called Broner “unprofessional” and questioned the legitimacy of his 24-0 record.

“I trained hard and left Philadelphia weighing 134 pounds; it happens,” Lundy said, “but you have to be a professional and lose the weight. All I can say is, ‘Hey, I had to do it.’ All it did was kill my morning run because I usually go for a run the morning of, but I can chill now because I already did it.

“I’m in great shape,” he continued. “I’m a throwback fighter. I’m doing 16, 17 rounds a day in the gym. A little run won’t affect anything. I’m ready to go.”

As for Broner, Lundy said, “I kind of like him, but the opposition that he’s fought? Nowhere near my level. [The] 135-pound division is a weight class where if you hit someone they’re going to hit you back. I’m more than welcome to having Adrien Broner move up, but there’s one thing about that – you’ve got to run through ‘‘Hammerin’’ Hank and it won’t be easy. I’m a warrior. When we meet in the ring, you’re going to walk through hell, just like I told Dannie Williams.

“It’s not a game with me.”

Broner is scheduled to fight again Oct. 6 in Atlantic City, according to his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions. In another fight of interest to Lundy’s camp, current WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco will defend his title against John Molina in September.

“If they call me [in October, I’m ready to fight, but at the end of the day I’ve already run through everyone in this division they’ve put in front of me,” Lundy said. ‘I would like to avenge one loss [to Molina]. If this guy [beats DeMarco], let’s get it, but it’s like this – [Broner] is trying to take a shortcut and go straight to the top. You have to work your way up like the old-timers did. When you fight the best, then you can be considered the best. I’ve fought better competition than Broner.

“I’m at the top right now,” he continued. “I’m No. 1 in the [World Boxing Council] and I’ve got Beltran on Friday night. First, I’m going to take care of business and do what I’ve got to do, but let this be a lesson to you, Broner. Sometimes you come in overweight, but you’ve got to bite down and make that weight.”

Friday’s undercard also features a four-round welterweight bout between Anthony Young (4-0, 2 KOs) of Atlantic City and Richie Andrews (3-1-3, 1 KO) of Stuarts Draft, Va., while Josh Mercado (5-1, 2 KOs) of Cape May, N.J., will battle Korey Sloane (2-4-1) of Philadelphia in a four-round bout.

Also, Kenneth Moody (2-3-2, 1 KO) of Virginia Beach, Va., will face Ismael Garcia (3-0) of Millville, N.J., in a four-round middleweight bout and super middleweight Isaiah Seldon of Somers Point, N.J., will face Steven Tyner (3-5-2, 2 KOs) of Akron in a four-round bout. All fights and fighters subject to change. Bantamweight Miguel Cartagena (5-0, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia will put his unbeaten record on the line against Jose Rivera in a six-round bout.

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Bethlehem, PA-Tickets go on sale Friday, July 27, for the world-class boxing card set for Friday evening, Sept. 21, at the Event Center of the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

Featured in the doubleheader main events are: light-heavyweights Gabriel Campillo, of Madrid, Spain, against Sergey Kovalev, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 10 rounds; welterweights Ronald Cruz, of Bethlehem, PA, against Antwone Smith, of Miami, FL, 12 rounds.

Tickets are priced at $130 (luxury suites), $80 and $55. They go on sale Friday at the Sands Event Center, all Ticketmaster outlets and at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in Philadelphia, PA.

The Sept. 21 card marks the fifth boxing card in the series televised by NBC Sports Network Fight Night in 2012 and the second NBC Sports Network card at the Sands, which hosted the June 1 show. That night, junior middleweight Gabriel Rosado knocked out Sechew Powell and Cruz out-pointed Prenice Brewer in a front of a standing-room-only crowd in the inaugural boxing show at the 2,000-seat Sands Event Center.

Former world Light Heavyweight Champion, Campillo is ranked No. 3 in the world by the IBF. He last boxed Feb. 18 when he lost a controversial 12-round split decision to champion Tavoris Cloud in Corpus Christi, TX. Two years earlier, Campillo lost another 12-round split decision for the WBA belt against Beibut Shumenov in Las Vegas, NV.
Campillo
A pro since 2002, the 33-year-old Campillo is 21-4-1, 8 K0s. This will mark his third fight in the United States.

Kovalev, originally from Chelyabinsk, Russia, boxed on the June 1 card at the Sands, knocking out Darnell Boone, of Atlanta, GA, in two rounds. A pro since 2009, the 29-year-old Kovalev is 18-0-1, 16 K0s. He is ranked No. 13 by the WBC.
Kovalev

Cruz will be making the first defense of his WBC Continental Americas title against Smith. A pro since 2009, the 25-year-old Cruz is a big attraction in Bethlehem and this will be his third hometown appearance. In addition to his 12-round decision on June 1 against Brewer, he also K0d Doel Carrasquillo, of Lancaster, PA, in six rounds on July 1, 2011, in a temporary tent set up outside the Sands and he also drew a packed house that night of 1,300.
Cruz

Smith is an aggressive battler from Miami, FL. He has been in with some of the best at 147 and 154 pounds. His 21-4-1 record includes 12 K0s and he has scored wins over Jerome Ellis, Richard Gutierrez and Henry Crawford.
Smith

Five additional fights complete the card.

ABOUT SEPTEMBER 21

The Campillo-Kovalev and Cruz-Smith fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. First fight is 7.15 pm. Tickets priced at $130 (luxury suites), $80 and $55 can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922), all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) or at the box office at the Sands Event Center (610-297-7414). Tickets also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com and www.Ticketmaster.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Deja Brew, Inc., 101 West 4th Street (610-865-2739) and at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790). NBC Sports Network will televise the Campillo-Kovalev and Cruz-Smith fights, beginning at 9 pm. The card is being promoted by Main Events and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with Sampson Boxing and the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

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FAMILY MATTERS ON TAP IN STUDIO CITY

JESSIE VILLANUEVA AND LEON SPINKS III LOOKING TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES AMID THEIR BOXING KIN

Studio City, CA (July 26) – One boxer is trying to carry on the tradition of one of the sport's royal families; the other is trying to establish a reputation for himself and his brother to be eventually synonymous with some of the greatest sibling tandems to lace on the gloves. Both will be featured on the undercard of Goossen Tutor's “LIVE AT THE LODGE” event on Saturday night, August 11.

In the eyes of 22-year old junior featherweight Jessie Villanueva (3-0, 3 KOs), his scheduled four-round contest against Sytel Wilbarn (2-1) from Los Angeles, CA is the next step in his development towards an eventual world championship – a goal his older brother Matt, an undefeated super flyweight — shares with him.

In the main event, 2008 U.S. Olympian Shawn Estrada (14-0, 12 KOs) will square off with undefeated Felix Piedra (8-0-1, 5 KOs) in a scheduled 8-round light heavyweight contest — with both fighters taking on their toughest challenge to date. Three other bouts are slated for the card including the pro debut of Armenian heavyweight Sergo Pogosyan.

Tickets priced at $100.00 VIP, $50.00 Ringside & $30.00 (plus fees) are still available by email irma@goossentutor.com or by calling the Goossen Tutor office at (818) 817-8001. Tickets will be available the day of the event only at the Sportsmen's Lodge starting at Noon.

“Matt and I are working hard to improve with each and every fight,” the Palmdale, CA native said. “Not only do we want to win world titles, but we hope someday to be compared to some of the greatest boxing brother combinations ever – a number of them Mexican-American like us. Most notably Gaby and Orlando Canizales, Michael and Cruz Carbajal and our predecessors with the Goossens: Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas.”

“Spinks” is a household name in boxing circles, and Leon Spinks III is looking to cement his own place in the sport in which his grandfather Leon, great uncle Michael and brother Cory all achieved world champion status. Currently 2-0 with 1 KO, the 24-year old junior welterweight will take on Eduardo Melendez (0-2), Pasco, WA at the intimate and star-studded Studio City, CA venue. This will mark the first experience fighting outside of his home state of Missouri for the up-and coming self-described “entertainer” known as “The Third Generation.”

“I come from a long line of champions,” Spinks observed. “But I don't feel the pressure that comes with that. I really enjoy what I do for a living and want to not only win my bouts, but do it in a fashion that entertains the crowd because that is what I am: an entertainer. Hopefully, I will win a world title someday, but if not, my family will love me no less.”

Promoter Dan Goossen is all too familiar with what it means to be a member of a boxing family as the one-time head of Ten Goose Boxing in nearby Van Nuys, CA.

“Boxing is in our blood, and when our blood relatives share the same passion and commitment be it in the ring or on the sidelines as promoters, managers, trainers, etc., it can be mutually rewarding or devastating depending on the level of success or failure. There is definitely pressure to perform and standards upon which to live up. We feel that Jessie and Leon III need to show the qualities it takes to be successful and earn their place within their respective boxing families and in the sport. Their next tests come on August 11 at The Lodge.”

The recently-renovated Events Center at “The Lodge,” boasts room for 1,000 boxing fans.

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The Sweet Science

Argentina

Three Punch Combo: What’s in the Cards for Spence, Kell Brook, and Cotto?

Published

7 years ago

May 28, 2017

Matt Andrzejewski

THREE PUNCH COMBO: Errol Spence Jr. scored an impressive knockout victory against Kell Brook on Saturday to take Brook’s IBF welterweight title. Both fighters now face interesting possibilities as they move forward in their respective careers.

Spence, who entered the fight with a lot of questions, not only showcased his tremendous skills but proved he has a very good chin as well as the willingness to dig deep when needed. He is without a doubt a future superstar in this sport. With momentum strong right now, he would be wise to be as active as possible even if not landing one of the big names his next time out.

I sense that Spence’s advisor, Al Haymon, will in fact get him back in the ring this summer. One name I would speculate as an opponent is Adrian Granados. Coming off a debatable loss to Adrien Broner, Granados has earned another shot at a top fighter. Granados is not a big puncher, but will put forth a good effort. The translation here is that he is someone that can be sold to the public as an opponent for Spence while bigger names are lined up, and also someone against whom Spence can in all likelihood look impressive once again.

After a summer tilt, I would expect to see Spence back in action towards the end of the year in a more substantial fight. Keith Thurman will still be on the mend at this point, recovering from elbow surgery, so that fight is out until next year. But Haymon has plenty of other welterweights and one that I suspect he steers toward Spence will be Lamont Peterson. Peterson is a name and has a belt. He also has a stated desire to want one of the big names next along with the payday that it would command. With Thurman out, this would seem the likely immediate path for Spence as such a fight would draw plenty of attention and be easy to sell.

As for Brook, he is going to need an extensive rest before restarting his career. He suffered a beating as well as an eye injury in September against Gennady Golovkin and then suffered another beating as well as injuring his other eye against Spence. After a rest, expect to see a tune- up bout followed by a massive fight in the UK against Amir Khan. The Khan fight has always been big and one of the reasons it has not been made is that it could frankly be made anytime with it still being a very significant event. Considering where both fighters are presently in their respective careers, the timing seems right for it to happen sooner rather than later. They both get a big payday and the winner gets well positioned for another big payday in what is a loaded territory at welterweight and junior middleweight.

Errol Spence Jr. and Kell Brook gave us a great fight on Saturday. While their career paths will head in different directions, expect to see both involved in big events once again down the road.

Miguel Cotto’s Future

Miguel Cotto announced this week that he would be returning to the ring on August 26^th to face Japanese brawler Yoshihiro Kamegai for the vacant WBO junior middleweight championship. Cotto, who split from his promoter Roc Nation last week, will work with Golden Boy Promotions for this fight which will be televised by HBO.

This is an interesting development in the career of Cotto. Reportedly HBO had not been interested in televising the proposed Kamegai fight unless it received assurances from Cotto that it would lead to a bigger fight to be televised by the network. Also, Golden Boy’s involvement in the promotion signals that they could be involved in Cotto’s future. Obviously, this would mean the opponent for a big fight for Cotto would come from under the Golden Boy banner.

The obvious choice for Cotto’s big fight opponent is David Lemieux. Lemieux has been chasing a fight with Canelo Alvarez. However, with Alvarez deciding to go after Gennady Golovkin, Lemieux gets left on the outside looking in. In need of a big fight for Lemieux, Golden Boy saw an opportunity with Cotto having been previously negotiating the Kamegai fight with Roc Nation. A fight between Cotto and Lemieux makes sense for both as Cotto wants a name who isn’t a slick boxer and Lemieux wants a big fight with the payday it commands as well as the opportunity to put a signature win on his resume to bolster his future ambitions.

But I also think Golden Boy has another potential plan for Cotto. Golden Boy’s main cash cow, Canelo Alvarez, is in a high risk, high reward fight with Golovkin in September. There is no rematch clause if Alvarez wins and, of course, a win by Alvarez cements him as a mega star in the sport. He will be eyeing a return in May 2018 during Cinco de Mayo weekend. With momentum behind him, Alvarez would be wise to seek a name opponent to further boost the event. A rematch with Cotto would not only do huge business but keep the momentum going. For Cotto, it would be a chance to avenge the loss from 2015 to Alvarez and give him one massive payday as his career nears a conclusion.

Miguel Cotto is determined to close his career out with something big and it appears likely he will get his wish.

Kudos to Golden Boy

When Golden Boy announced its new series on ESPN this winter, I was cautiously optimistic in the fights they would produce. I must say that the matchmaking thus far on this series has been superb and is getting even better with some recently announced cards. These are the types of televised shows the sport needs to generate some badly needed positive buzz.

On June 17^th, Pablo Cesar Cano takes on Fidel Maldonado in a junior welterweight contest. This fight is not only very evenly matched but can’t be anything except a slugfest given the styles of the two fighters. Cano is a high pressure fighter who is willing to exchange to get his own punches home. Maldonado has the ability to box, but often gets drawn willingly into wars. In 2015, he had a back and forth shootout with Amir Iman in a fight that got some talk in fight of the year chatter. As a matter of fact, round three was probably round of the year that year. Maldonado has a tendency to fire back when he gets hit and with Cano’s style Maldonado is going to get hit a lot. This one is guaranteed action and a perfect fight for television.

About two weeks later, Golden Boy returns with another ESPN card featuring a high stakes junior featherweight contest between Randy Caballero and Oscar Negrete. Caballero is an undefeated former bantamweight belt holder and is a very skilled boxer puncher. Negrete, also undefeated, has shown much improvement inside the ring in his last few contests. The styles of these two should mix well to provide an entertaining fight. It is also evenly matched, and with so much at stake we should see the best of both men inside the ring.

One point I harp on a lot is the importance of good matchmaking, especially in televised fights. Golden Boy is doing an excellent job so far with their new ESPN series providing high quality, well-matched fights. The boxing public is taking notice and Golden Boy deserves much praise in delivering excellent events for the fans.

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel.

IBF welterweight title

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Canada and USA

George Foreman Youth Center in Houston Hosts Amateur Event

Published

8 years ago

October 10, 2016

The Sweet Science

George Foreman Youth Center – -Starting with the ring of the bell on October 22nd, local area boxers will be fighting for a spot to represent the Gulf Coast Region at the USA Boxing National Championships & in International Travel.

Weight categories will include: Pee Wee 8-9, Bantam 10-11, Intermediate 12-13, Juniors 14-15, Youth 15-16, & Elite 18-40 in both Open and Novice divisions. Winners will represent the Gulf area at the 2016 USA Boxing Elite, Youth and Junior National Championships to be held in Kansas City Missouri December 4-10, 2016. This tournament is a sanctioned event through USA Boxing the National Governing Body of Amateur Boxing and is a feeder to National and Olympic recognition.

The George Foreman Youth and Community Center was founded 32 years ago in 1984 by Olympic Gold Medalist and 2-time heavy weight champion George Foreman. The GFYCC is dedicated to providing a safe and secure location for youth to participate in sports and after school activities.

“This year for the first time in Houston boxing history, we are developing an elite international youth boxing team,” said George Foreman, IV. “The team will be selected for the sole purpose of training and traveling to other countries to gain experience on an international platform and promote cultural diplomacy! Utilizing grant and donor funding this team will be representing the George Foreman Youth and Community Center and will be announced Saturday October 22, at the Gulf Region’s Boxing Championship. The team will be reviewed by my father, 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2-Time Heavyweight Champion, George Foreman Sr. The first international trip for this new Houston team is scheduled for Jan. 2017.”

Doors open for the Gulf Gloves Championships on Saturday October 22nd at 11:00 am with announcements and the presentation of the colors by the United States Army Houston Recruiting Command Baytown Beaumont Company at 12:45 pm. The national anthem will be performed by the internationally acclaimed Houston Brass Quintet! Boxing will begin at 1:00 pm. Championship finals will begin at 1:00 pm on Sunday October 23rd.

Media open workouts for Houston amateur standout boxers will be held Wednesday October 19th at the George Foreman Youth and Community Center at 2202 Lone Oak Road Houston, Texas 77093 at 4:00 pm.

Confirmed attendees for interviews will be:

George Edward Foreman IV: Son of 2 Time Heavy Weight Champion, President of Foreman Public Relations

Marlen Esparza: 2012 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist, 2014 Amateur World Champion, 2006 & 2016 Amateur World Championships Bronze Medalist, Nine-Time USA Boxing National Champion.

Rocky Juarez: 2000 Olympic Games Silver Medalist, 1999 Amateur World Champion, WBC Silver Featherweight World Champion.

Raul Marquez: 1988 Amateur World Championships Bronze Medalist, 1992 Olympic Games Quarter-finalist, IBF Light Middleweight World Champion.

Frank Tate: 1984 Olympic Games Gold Medalist, IBF Middleweight World Champion, NABF Light Heavyweight Champion.

Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz: WBA Lightweight World Champion, WBO Lightweight World Champion, WBA Super-Lightweight World Champion, IBF Lightweight World Champion.

“Sweet” Reggie Johnson: WBA Middleweight World Champion, IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion.

In addition to many Houston area professional boxers and Gulf Boxing Association alumni. Event is sanctioned by USA Boxing – Gulf LBC: 16-25-14268

George Foreman Youth Center / Check out more boxing news and videos at The Boxing Channel.

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Press Releases

Michelle Corrales-Lewis Named New CEO of NV Boxing Hall of Fame

Published

8 years ago

October 5, 2016

Miguel Iturrate

LAS VEGAS, NV (October 5, 2016) – The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) a non-profit charitable organization which donates to boxing-related causes, is happy to announce Michelle Corrales-Lewis as its new CEO/President. Respected boxing announcer, Rich Marotta, who founded the NVBHOF in 2012, steps down after devoting years of his life to get the organization off the ground.

With a number of boxing greats already inducted, which include world champion fighters, judges, coaches and promoters, the NVBHOF has rapidly established itself as prestigious group not only here in Las Vegas, but around the world. The NVBHOF has multiple fundraising events throughout the year, helping local boxing organizations fulfill their goals to keep boxing alive within the community.

“I took this organization as far as I could and I’m very comfortable where it is at today,” said Rich Marotta. “Michelle is on the scene in Las Vegas, has a myriad of contacts, both in business and with the boxing community, especially the fighters, and is more than ready to completely run the company. She is incredibly capable and has been an indefatigable agent for growth of the NVBHOF the past three years, taking on additional responsibilities each and every year. It brings me great pleasure to announce her as the new CEO of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.”

After serving as the NVBHOF Chief Operating Officer for many years, Michelle Corrales-Lewis, is thrilled at her new position within the organization.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as the new CEO of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame,” said Michelle Corrales-Lewis, widow of former multiple world champion and 2013 NVBHOF inductee, Diego Corrales. “Rich Marotta did a fantastic job building the organization from ground up. His immense work ethic is a great example of how I plan to continue the vision he set forth. My goal is to find a home for the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, one where fans from all around the world can visit on regular basis. The boxing community is filled with wonderful people that we will honor as inductees each year. I’m truly grateful for the wonderful opportunity that has been presented to me by my dear friend Rich Marotta.”

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