News On: Stevenson-George, Demyenenko, ShoBox Undercard

MONTREAL (October 10, 2012) – The main players in the opening act of the “Fast & Furious 3.0” series for the 2012-2013 season are in town for this Friday night's (Oct. 12) event at the Bell Centre, as slugger Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (18-1, 15 KOs), of Longueuil, takes on brawler Donovan “Da Bomb” George (23-2-1, 20 KOs), of Chicago, Illinois, in the main event.

The winner will become the mandatory challenger to the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion, Englishman Carl Froch. Stevenson returned to Montreal this past Sunday from his Detroit training camp with his cornermen, Dereck Colemon and Jayvan Hill.

“It is unfortunate for George because I'm hungry and I'm getting my rage on him,” Stevenson said. “It will hurt Friday when I am victorious. I want to dedicate this fight to my trainer, Emanuel Steward, who is still hospitalized. I know what a triumph means for my career, so my mind is totally focused on my opponent.”

George, a 27-year-old American, held his training camp in Florida. He respects his opponent but he is unabashed, “Stevenson is dangerous at the start of fights but he is not invincible. When we find ourselves fighting past the eighth round, I'll be in my comfort zone. I put everything I have on the line for this fight, I will fight with all my energy and I'll win decisively. I will be the next No. 1 contender.”

George has been in Montreal since Monday, along with her father and coach, Peter George, and his promoter, Leon Margules, of Warriors Promotions, who has no doubt about the outcome of this battle: “We are very excited about this opportunity for Don. It's been a fight he wants and he is confident of victory by knockout. I want to thank Yvon Michel and everyone at GYM for their hospitality.”

The “Fast & Furious Series 3.0” at the Bell Centre is a co-presentation of Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron. In addition to Friday night's show, the other reserved series dates are December 14, February 8 and May 3.

Stevenson won his last five fights by knockout against opponents with an impressive, combined record of 107-8. In his most recent appearance in the ring, last April at the Bell Centre, he stopped Noah Gonzalez (28-1, 20 KOs) in the second round to capture the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Championship. Stevenson is world ranked No. 2 by the IBF.

George, who has never been knockout, surprised the world-class boxer Cornelius White (16-0, 15 KOs) with a stunning first-round knockout in February of 2011. On March 17 of this year, George made his debut on HBO and despite his defeat by 10-round decision, he imposed his rhythm to fight, while Edwin Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs) avoided combat to save himself with a victory by points (96-94, 97-93 and 99-91).

Powerful 23-year-old Laval boxer David Lemieux (26-2, 25 KOs) returns in the 10-round co-feature against tough Mexican fighter Alvaro “The Cobra” Gaona (15-1, 12 KOs), the WBC Fecombox champion since 2010 and professional since 2005. He is reputed to be hard hitting, aggressive and courageous as indicated by his 12 knockouts in 15 wins.

In addition, aspiring world light heavyweight title challenger Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (9-0, 5 KOs) and welterweight Kevin Bizier (17-0, 12 KOs) have very important battles on the horizon next year. First, though, NABO champion Alvarez faces Hungarian Daniel Regi (15-6, 7 KOs) in an eight-round match on the undercard, while NABA title-holder Bizier confronts Polish Litkiewicz Patrick (6-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout.

Undefeated GYM heavyweight prospects Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (11-0, 6 KOs) and Didier “Big Daddy” Bence (5-0-0, 2KO), respectively, face Joey Dawejko (7-1-1, 3 KOs),of Philadelphia, and Harold Sconiers (18-24-2, 11 KOs), of Florida, in eight and six round fights. Last but not least, London, England-based John O'Donnell (25-2, 11 KOs), a protégé of Adam Harris of Hennessy Sports Canada, will battle Dominican Thomas Mendez (16-2, 9 KOs) in an eight rounder.

The Fighting charities:

As announced at the launch of the series last month, GYM presents a fight for a charitable cause between two people uninitiated to the sport of boxing in a clash of three, two-minute rounds, under the supervision of Boxing Quebec. The challenge is for a $2,000 donation presented to a charitable organization chosen by the winner. The purpose of the exercise, in addition to serving as a good cause, is to give two people an opportunity they could never imagine a day fighting in the ring and preparing to live the same emotions as real boxers. The first charity fight matches Pullman, 3424avenue Park vs. Filet 219 rue Mont-Royal O as Gabriel Jauvin, sommelier at Pullman, crosses gloves with Denis Lessard, the butler of Filet in the light heavyweight division. The two boxers have chosen as their respective charities the foundation of Père Sablon and foundation Ali and Princes Street.

GYM President Yvon Michel expects a record crowd for the gala Fast & Furious weekend: “We're presenting the most significant battle in Canada of 2012, headlined by two brawlers, Stevenson and George, who are both powerful hitters, in addition to the explosive Lemieux and Gaona co-feature. We'll also have some of the best prospects in boxing in the country fighting with Alvarez, Bizier, Rivas and Bence. It all adds up to a spectacular evening, rich in emotions and all this at a price to suit any budget.”

This popular series is available everyone in the comfort of their homes via television through Canal Indigo, Bell TV, and Shaw TV, as well as on Wealth TV in the United States.

New York/St. Charles, Mo. (October 10, 2012) – This Friday, October 12, in the main event on ShoBox: The New Generation, blue-chip prospect Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (10-0, 6KO's) looks to keep his unblemished record intact when he takes on Philadelphia's Tevin Farmer (7-3-1, 1KO) in an eight-round lightweight matchup.

In the televised co-feature, undefeated up-and-coming prospects Jonathan Cepeda (12-0, 11KO's) and Lamar Russ (10-0, 6KO's) will square off in an eight-round middleweight bout. SHOWTIME® will begin live coverage at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Also featured on the ShoBox telecast will be highlights of former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (30-4-1, 18KO's) in his bout versus Raul Munoz (21-15-1, 16KO's), a 10-round middleweight matchup taking place earlier in the evening.

In his first ring appearance since winning the Prizefighter Tournament in the U.K. this past June, Tor Hamer (18-1, 11KO's) faces Dominque Alexander (23-14-1, 11KO's) in an eight-round heavyweight matchup. Hamer decisioned Marcelo Luiz Nascimento (16-3) in the first round of the tournament, before annihilating Tom Dallas (15-2), stopping him at just 29 seconds into very first round in the semi-final bout of the tournament. In his final matchup, Hamer decisioned tournament favorite and former world title challenger Kevin Johnson to win the trophy. Hamer is looking to cement himself as the elite American heavyweight in 2013, but first he must get by Alexander.

Hometown favorite Dannie Williams (21-2, 17KO's) will be looking to get back into the win column as he takes on Rynell Griffin (6-10-2, 2KO's). The bout is scheduled for eight rounds in the lightweight division. Williams is coming off a hard-fought decision loss to former NABF champion Hank Lundy on ESPN's “Friday Night Fights” back in March of this year. Williams started off well against Lundy, dropping him in the first frame, but eventually went on to lose a 10-round decision. Lundy is looking to get himself back under the bright lights of SHOWTIME® and would love a shot at “Sugar” Raymundo Beltran, who decisioned the aforementioned Lundy in his last bout.

Fellow hometown fighters Kevin Engel (19-6, 16KO's), Chris Rapa (6-0, 4KO's) Nick Reeder (3-0, 2KO's) and Jose Ponce (3-0, 3KO's) and will all see action on the undercard in separate bouts. Engel is scheduled to take on Shannon Miller (25-48-8, 18KO's) in a six-round light heavyweight matchup. Rapa, Reeder and Ponce are all scheduled to appear in four-round bouts. The heavy-handed Rapa, who has stopped all four of his knockout victims in the very first round, is scheduled to take on Zachariah Kelley (pro-debut) in a middleweight matchup. Heavyweight Reeder squares off against Keith Jackson (1-0-1, 1KO) and Ponce will face pro-debuting Quintell Thompson.

The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Rumble Time Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Universal Promotions. Tickets are priced at $100, $75 and $40, and can be purchased through the Ameristar Casino or by calling (314) 267-2204. Doors open at 5:30PM with the first bout scheduled for 6:00PM.

October 10, 2012 – Undefeated welterweight contender, Vitaliy Demyanenko (20-0, 12 KOs) returns to the ring this Thursday October 11, 2012, at the Remington Park Racing Casino in, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He'll face veteran journeyman, Roberto Valenzuela (65-63-2, 32 KOs) in a scheduled 6-round bout.

In his last fight, Demyanenko, who's promoted by Boxing 360, dominated Ayi Bruce (22-8, 14 KOs), winning all eight rounds as the judges' scorecards read 80-72 across the board. Vitaliy looks to march forward with his career and continue climbing up the welterweight rankings.

“After spending the summer in my homeland of Russia, I'm ready to get back in fighting mode,” said Demyanenko. “I've been working hard in the gym and I'll be ready to take on Valenzuela this Thursday. I know he has a lot of experience, but I'm a young hungry fighter with a goal to be a world champion. I won't be denied when we face each other.”

“Demyanenko is looking fantastic and I can see him in a big fight in the near future,” said Vitaliy's promoter Mario Yagobi of Boxing 360. “Right now I'm working on getting him to 25-0. After we reach that milestone, I'm going to put him in a meaningful fight, hopefully for a regional title on a televised m show.”