Latest Boxing News

Danny McDermott to Face Unbeaten Brian Miller
March 25th Schuetzen Park, North Bergen, NJ.

Jersey City, NJ (March 11, 2010) - Lightweight prospect Danny "Little Mac" McDermott will face his toughest test to date when he squares off against unbeaten Brian Miller on Thursday, March 25 at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen, NJ. The eight-round main event will be contested for the NABC lightweight title, headlining Pound for Pound Promotions' "March Badness" card.

McDermott, 8-1-1 (3 KO), of Jersey City, NJ will be making his first ring appearance since May of 2009 when he knocked out Floriano Pagliara in two rounds. Miller, 7-0-3 (3 KO) of Schenectady, NY fought just two weeks ago, stopping former McDermott victim Jose Guzman in three rounds. Both bring aggressive, exciting styles that make for explosive action in the ring.

"I'm ready for this fight with Miller," said McDermott, a veteran of 50+ amateur fights. "He's a tough kid but he's not tougher than me. It’s gonna be a hell of a fight. This is a life and death fight and I’m training that way. I don’t look at this as a sporting event; I look at this fight as if it’s gonna be an all-out street fight."

McDermott is hard at work at the Passaic PAL in North Jersey with head trainer Michael Skowronski, a former Arturo Gatti assistant. His sparring and training regimens have been intensified for this pivotal fight, which includes working alongside unbeaten prospects Mike Perez, Jorge Diaz and Victor Valenzuela.

"This kid has never lost so trying to take someone's '0' is always tough," said Skowronski. "Danny's getting great sparring here and it's the first time he's going 8 rounds so we're excited about this.

"They do mirror each other in certain ways, they like to come and mix it up. On paper they look very similar so it should make for an exciting fight. We believe we can break this kid down, though."

The card will also feature Jersey City cruiserweight Patrick Farrell (5-0, 3 KO), as well as Passaic featherweight Victor Valenzuela (7-0, 1 KO), Union City middleweights Jason Escalera (7-0, 6 KO) and Abe Torres (1-3-2, 1 KO), Bronx junior-middleweight Steven Martinez (3-0, 3 KO), Israeli junior-featherweight Eilon Kedem (10-3-4, 7 KO) and Asbury Park lightweight Chris Green (3-1, 1 KO).

Tickets, priced $100, $50 and $35, can be purchased by calling (561) 503-9948 or at the box office 201-864-9566. Schuetzen Park is located at 3167 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen, NJ. Doors open at 5:30 PM. First bout starts at 6:30 PM.

R. Christopher | Public Relations CoordinatorBoxing Buzz Media
561.503.9948 boxingpublicity@gmail.com

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Boxer Robert Guerrero Sees Reason for Hope
as His Wife Fights for Her Life

By Mark Emmons ~ Mercury News
(March 7th) Robert Guerrero's shadowboxing punches sliced through the air. He darted around the ring with a bounce in his footwork.

"I probably look a lot better now, don't I?" he said, a wide smile creasing his face. "I feel alive again."

Two weeks earlier, Guerrero had stood outside the Stanford Hospital, explaining his decision to pull out of the biggest fight of his career to support his wife, Casey, who had undergone a bone-marrow transplant. She will get better, he said in a tired voice.

He was right. Casey is out of the hospital. And although her health remains fragile, the signs are encouraging in her long-running battle with leukemia.

That's why the Gilroy boxer known as "The Ghost" was back to dancing around the East Palo Alto Boxing Club ring as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"It's funny, but people kept coming up to me and saying, 'You gave up your title? How could you do that?' " Guerrero said. "I just told them that it means nothing to me. What I'm doing is more important. But just watch, because I'll be back."

His gloves were a blur as he threw another combination.

Guerrero arrived at the gym with Casey's grandfather, Jerry Kissee. They had just dropped Casey and her grandmother, Joan Kissee, off at Stanford for her regular monitoring. As he taped his hands, Guerrero said Casey had begun regaining her weight, and all the tests so far had been encouraging.                                           Continue reading... (click here)

Boxer Robert Guerrero's wife, Casey, has been fighting Leukemia for over two years and recently underwent a bone marrow transplant at Stanford hospital. Last month, Guererro vacated his International Boxing Federation 130-pound title and dropped out of a prospective fight in order to be near his wife. Now she's out of the hospital though still receiving outpatient treatments. Though he's more optimistic about the outcome, he's still not committed to resume training for a fight. (Pauline Lubens/San Jose Mercury News) (Pauline Lubens)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Karim "Hard Hitta" Mayfield

March 2, 2010 - San Francisco's highly respected welterweight prospect, Karim "Hard Hitta" Mayfield (11-0, 7 KO's) puts his undefeated record on the line March 19, 2010 when he faces Jason Davis (11-5, 3 KO's) in a scheduled six round bout, set to take place at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno NV on the "Let's Get It On" Promotions "Reno Xtreme Fights III" card.

Mayfield vs Davis, the co-feature to the main event featuring Brandon "Flawless" Gonzales (10-0, 9 KO's) vs. Darnell Boone (16-14, 6 KO's), will be part of a fantastic night of fights, featuring both boxing and mixed martial arts action.

Training in HoustonTX, Mayfield is excited to return to the ring as he stated, "I'm happy to be fighting for Terry and Tommy Lane from "Let's Get It On" Promotions. Their father Mills Lane was one of my favorite referee's to watch and I'm looking to grow with them. I want to stay busy and fight for a ranking title by the end of the year. My goal is to shine and give the fans their money's worth. Right now I'm training with Virgil Hunter and the Andre Ward camp. Everything is going good and I'll be ready for war come fight night"

About Grand Sierra Resort and Casino:
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR) is in the heart of Reno/Tahoe. GSR is northern Nevada's most complete resort destination with nearly 2,000 guest rooms and suites. The property offers a wide variety of accommodations for the everyday business traveler to the complete family vacation with amenities that include 200,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, branded retail shopping, headliner entertainment, a cinema, a 50-lane championship bowling center, outdoor thrill rides, aqua golf driving range, an 85,000 square foot casino with 24 hours of heart-pounding action plus so much more. GSR is a proud member of Summit Hotels and Resorts, a prestigious brand of Preferred Hotel Group. For more information, please visit www.grandsierraresort.com to make reservations call 800-648-5080.

About Lets Get It On Promotions:
Reno, Nevada based "Let's Get It On" Promotions was founded in 2000 by legendary boxing referee Mills Lane. In early 2005 he was joined by sons Terry and Tommy in the operations of the company. Along with super middleweight contender Jesse Brinkley, Let's Get It On Promotions also promotes middleweight prospect Brandon Gonzales, lightweight contender Rustam Nugaev, lightweight prospect Bayan Jargal and highly regarded brothers Tyler and Derek Hinkey. They have consistently promoted world class boxing events on a national basis.

Mario Serrano, Publicist ~ Team Mayfield, boxingpublicist@aol.com, 408-607-5756

TICKET INFORMATION
Reno Xtreme Fights is a boxing and mixed martial arts series of events between Grand Sierra Resort and Casino and Let's Get it on Promotions. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for the fight on Friday, March 19 with the first bout at 8 p.m. in the Grand Theatre. Tickets are $100, $75, $50 and $25. Tickets for a King's Row Booth for four are $1,000 which includes an exciting spot to get close to the action with light appetizers and one bottle of alcohol included. To purchase tickets please call 1.800.648.3568 or visit www.grandsierraresort.com or www.letsgetitonboxingor

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Japanese Flyweight Yamaki Dies Following Tko Loss!

(February 22nd) Japanese boxer southpaw flyweight Hirokazu Yamaki died in a Tokyo hospital Monday after sustaining a brain injury during a bout against fellow Japanese fighter 24 year old Toshimasa Ouchi in Tokyo, Japan on February 19th.

The Japan Boxing Commission has reported that the 26 year old boxer who suffered an eith round TKo with 16 seconds to go in the bout was unconscious after the fight and underwent emergency surgery. Also reported was that Yamaki died of a acute subdural hematoma Yamaki fighting pro since 2003 built a record of 7-9, 5ko’s being stopped four times himself.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Dirrell / Abraham to be Postponed!

Showtime’s Championship Boxing Super Six Tournament has suffered another set back with the March 6th battle between “The Matrix” Andre Dirrell and Germany’s “King” Arthur Abraham being postponed due to Dirrel, 18-1, 13Ko’s suffering a back injury during sparring preparing for the showdown.

Dirrell who suffed his first loss a split decision at the hands of Englands Carl Froch in the opening round of the tourney is to see a specialist and a new date for the bout is to be announced soon. Abraham undefeated 31-0, 25Ko’s stopped Jermain Taylor in his opening round bout.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vivian Harris / Lucas Matthysse

By: Ethan Doutney
(February 19th) Tomorrow night former junior welterweight champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris meets undefeated Lucas Martin Matthysse, 25-0, 23Ko’s Auditorio Plaza Condesa, Mexico City as the co-feature on the undercard of Daniel Ponce de Leon / Orlando Cruz battle for the vacant WBC Latino featherweight title.

If there was ever a cross roads fight this is one. Harris who only has three loses has suffered setbacks each time he steps up in competition. Harris first lost came at the hands of Ray Oliveira February 2000 when he was out pointed by Oliveira's jab and quick combination punching. Then following with a draw against Ivan Robinson Harris went on to post nine straight victories beating Oktay Urkal in back to back meetings only to be set back his next time out when he was stopped in the seventh round by Colombia’s Carlos Maussa.

The tough Guyanese boxer who fights out Brooklyn New York then ripped off three straight wins the last a WBC Light Welterweight Title Eliminator over Juan Lazcano only to be stopped by Englands Junior Witter in the seventh round after he hurt Witter only to succumb to a perfect Witter counter.

Harris would return again taking on Nicaragua’s Octavio Narvaez, 7-9-1,4Ko’s October 2008 hitting the deck in the first and sixth rounds but going on to rebound and stop Narvaez in the sixth. August 2009 Harris met Mexico’s Noe Bolanos, 20-5-1, 12Ko’s only to have the fight stopped in the second round when he suffered a serious cut after an accidental head clash of heads.

Argentina’s Lucas Martin Matthysse perfect with only Carlos Adan Jerez, Bernardino Gonzalez and Rogelio Castaneda Jr. getting out of the ring up right, Gonzalez after being disqualified and Castaneda getting a no contest after being cut by accidental headbutt.

Harris looking to return to his “Viscious” ways should prove to be the big step for Matthysse. The question is can he be Matthysse set back?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Ronnie Shields - Hall of Fame Trainer
Now Working with Scypion Jr.

No one has a better pedigree in boxing than Texas-based Ronnie Shields.
Before becoming one of boxing's most sought-after trainers, Shields was a three-time national golden gloves champ, won the National Junior Olympics and lost to the great Sugar Ray Leonard at the Olympic trials in 1976. As a professional, he was a two-time world title challenger, ranked in the top 10 for five consecutive years, who retired with a record of 26-6-1, 19 KOs.                                             

Working out of his home base for the past 20+ years, the Savannah Boxing Club in Houston, Shields has trained a huge list of world champions and top contenders including Mike Tyson, Vernon Forrest, Juan Diaz, Kassim Ouma, Pernell Whitaker, David Tua, Evander Holyfield and Arturo Gatti.

                                                

Recently the super trainer has recently taken on promising new student -- his cousin, Wilford Scypion Jr. (7-1, 7 KOs), the hard-punching son of boxing legend Wilford Scypion Sr.

"I will call him an up-and-comer," says Shields of Scypion. "There is a lot of stuff to straighten out and redo. He's a work in progress. But in the next year or two he'll be where I want him and I expect him to be a contender in about a year and a half.

Shields says the 30-year-old Scypion's greatest strength may also be his downfall. "He's strong. Real strong. That could be an asset but also a problem because he wants to knock everybody out and get away from what he's supposed to be doing. He runs into shots he's not supposed to."

Shields, who is also currently training over 100 amateur boxers, says his first goal will be to teach Scypion to set up his shots. "I'm helping him develop the jab right now. Once he develops that, he'll be able to do whatever he wants behind it."

Contact: Andre Courtemanche, 519.253.4290, www.bigmediabuzz.com

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Joey "POLISH THUNDER" Dawejko Joins THE EMPIRE!

Every empire needs strong leaders for today, but it must also prepare its future emperors of tomorrow.

In 2010, Heavyweight Champions Shannon Briggs and Hasim Rahman, as well as soon-to-be middleweight king "Mean" Joe Greene sit atop boxing's new promotional powerhouse The Empire Sports and Entertainment as its marquee warriors.

But with an eye to future years, The Empire proudly announces the signing of undefeated heavyweight punisher Joey "Polish Thunder" Dawejko to a promotional contract.

Since enjoying a stellar amateur career that included winning the 2008 Junior World Championships at super heavyweight, the red-hot, 19-year-old Philadelphian has already notched two impressive wins as a professional (2-0, 1 KO). "Joey is a future heavyweight champion of the world and we're extremely proud to have signed him to a promotional agreement," said Empire Founder and CEO, Greg Cohen. "He's another in a long line of proud Polish-American heavyweights with an all-action style that fans will surely fall in love with."

The Empire affords its future emperors the finest training and guidance. Brian McGinley serves as trainer, while former undisputed and two-time heavyweight champion Rahman serves as co-manager (along with Damian Klinger). Rahman also spars frequently with Dawejko. Briggs and Dawejko will be sparring in the near future.

"Philadelphia is known as a city that produces some of the most exciting fighters in the world and Joey fits in perfectly with that reputation," continues Cohen. "He never stops bringing 'The Thunder'."

In his most recent ring appearance, Dawejko needed just 47 seconds to destroy previously unbeaten Ricardo Johnson in front of his hometown fans at the legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia.

The Empire's online heaquarters is located at www.theempirese.com.

Contact: Greg Cohen, The Empire - Founder and CEO, 212.845.9137
Andre Courtemanche, The Empire - Public Relations, 519.253.4290, www.bigmediabuzz.com.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Carson Jones Must Wait for Margarito Hearing!

Oklahoma City, light middleweight Carson Jones who was to meet former world champion Antonio Margarito on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey WBO welterweight title fight March 13 at Cowboys Stadium will have to wait with the conditions of Margarito’s suspension bto be sorted out.

Margarito was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission when an illegal substance found to be plaster of paris was discovered in his hand wraps by Naseem Richardson prior to the former champion’s bout with “Sugar” Shane Mosley January 24th 2009.
Margarito’s suspension will be reviewed February 22nd and if the former champion is approved to fight he will meet Carson May 8th in Aguascalientes, Mexico on a card promoted by Top Rank, Margarito’s promotional company at the time of his suspension.

Jones 25-7-1, 15Ko’s made a move to the boxing public’s eye stopping Philadelphia’s “Young Gun” Tyrone Brunson, 21-0-1, 20Ko’s before being stopped by Jones third round this past December. The Oklahoma fighter followed up his stoppage of Brunson winning five round unanimous decision over Eloy Suarez.
Jones is expected to continue his training expexting to take advantage of the extra time in what would certainly be the biggest fight of his career to date.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Kim and Provodnikov Move on Friday Night Fight’s!

By: Bill Ethan
February 12th, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California: South Korean lightweight Ji-Hoon “Volcano”Kim, 20-5, 17Ko’s who turned pro without fighting as an amateur made it twelve straight since his last loss stopping Lansing, Michigan’s Tyrone “Fist of Fury” Harris, 24-6, 16Ko’s. Harris coming in off an 8th round TKO victory over Marvin “Cachorro” Quintero, 19-2, 15Ko’s last July started quickly using some quick clean combinations but started to wilt under the constant pressure of the heavy handed Korean in the third. Kim remained on the attack flooring Harris with a solid right the after the appropriate eight count added an unanswered five punche combination prompting referee Wayne Hedgepeth to stop it at 1:52 of round five. Most at ringside thought the stoppage was a little pre-mature.

                

In the semi main attraction 36 year old unbeaten Russian junior welterweight Ruslan Provodnikov advanced to 15-0, 10Ko’s stopping old former IBF lightweight champion Javier “El Chatito” Juaregui, 53-17-2, 36Ko’s ten years his elder. Provodnikov the busier fighter landing the cleaner sharper punches trapped the defenseless former champion onn the ropes pounding him with heavy shots forcing referee Jack Reiss to stop the bout at 2:10 of round eight.

On the undercard: Unbeaten light heavyweight Maxim Vlasov, 16-0, 7Ko’s remained unscathed blasting out overmatched Army sergeant Julius Fogle,        15-2, 10Ko’s at 2:42 of the opening round. Escondido, California welterweight Dashon “Fly Boy” Johnson, 9-2-2, 3Ko’s finished Pacoima, California’s Sergio Macias at 1:52 of round three dropping the journeyman to 14-20-1, 6Ko’s. Armenian southpaw featherweight Gabriel Tolmajyan finished Nicaraguan veteran Anthony “Maestrito” Martinez at 2:14 of round four dropping him to 21-34-3, 9Ko’s. Puyallup, Washington, heavyweight Garret Simon recorded his second KO in as many fights to remain perfect stopping Mexican piñata Francisco Mireles in the first round of their scheduled four rounder.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Boxing's New Promotional Powerhouse:
The Dawn of a Boxing "Empire"

Although he has previously kept a lower public profile, Greg Cohen, Founder and CEO of The Empire Sports and Entertainment Inc., has long been a major player in boxing.

The former majority owner of Cedric Kushner Promotions (CKP) and partner in Duva Boxing has been promotionally involved with a number of heavyweight champions and top contenders, including former WBO Champion Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs from the very first day of his pro career.

He's also had promotional ties to such boxing luminaries as Chris Byrd, Jameel McCline, David Tua, Hasim Rahman, Samuel Peter, Ike Ibeabuchi, Kirk Johnson, Larry Donald, Jesse "Boogieman" Ferguson and Oleg Maskaev, as well as future hall of famer "Sugar" Shane Mosley and former cruiserweight champion Alfred Cole.

So why did Cohen, along with his partner, well-known South Florida-based Venture Capitalist Barry Honig, decide to come out from behind the curtain and form The Empire?

"I view the boxing game right now as similar to the real estate market," he explains, "It's a great time for someone to step in and make something happen. The only major players are Golden Boy and Top Rank."

Cohen and Honig have already begun amassing an impressive roster of fighters including two of the most compelling and memorable heavyweight champions in recent history. "Shannon Briggs and Hasim Rahman are not only fighting for us, they're also business partners of mine. And they're both very noticeable and charismatic guys. In addition to being our first two marquee names as fighters, they'll also be recruiting new talent for our stable. I'm very excited about having them both aboard."

Briggs is fighting in the main event on March 16 at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida.

The Empire also has its share of young and promising talent including an undefeated (21-0, 14 KOs) 23 year old from Queens, New York, who has already proven himself a bankable television commodity. "We've signed future world champion 'Mean' Joe Greene to a promotional agreement. He'll be fighting in late march early April."

"And we're very proud to announce we've signed several fighters from the Dominican National and Olympic Team including Juan Carlos Payano, the highest decorated amateur of all time from the Dominican. He lost by one point to (current WBA Featherweight Champion) Yuriorkis Gamboa in the Pan Am Games -- his life's mission is to avenge that loss.

Plus we've signed Jennefel Vicente (16-0, 10 KOs) and several other members of the Dominican Olympic and National Team. We're doing a series of shows with Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, New York, and we're going to have Payano and all the Dominican kids featured on the show."

A world-class roster needs world class trainers to put it over the top and Cohen says he's ecstatic at the two men who have agreed to join his team. Emanuel Steward of Detroit's Kronk Gym fame has signed on as The Empire's Director of Boxing and former light heavyweight champion, and now highly coveted trainer, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad will serve as Vice-President of Boxing Operations. "I can't think of two better trainers to have on staff," admitted Cohen. "In addition to their front-office jobs, they will evaluate talent and lend their formidable training skills to our fighters."

The Empire will look to do 20 to 30 shows per year and form strategic alliances with other promotional firms. Cohen says he's excited to be taking center stage and expects his company to take a top spot in the boxing promotional world. "What we're building at The Empire is very similar to what Golden Boy Promotions are doing.... only we're going to do it better!"

For more information, visit The Empire's online headquarters at: www.theempiresportse.com.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Bam Bam” Rios Stones Teron In Three!

By: Jose Gonzalez
February 6th, Convention Center, McAllen, Texas: Oxnard, California lightweight Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios a 2004 United States Olympic alternate at 125 lbs remained undefeated winning the interim NABF lightweight title stopping Bronx New York’s highly touted Jorge “The Truth” Teron. After sizing up his opponent Rios stepped up a furious pace cutting Teron over his left eye in the opening round then continued to bang away to the body and head with both hands hurting Teron several times in the second then delivered the real truth knocking out the three time New York Golden Gloves Champion’s mouthpiece with a devastating left hook driving Teron to the ropes opening up with a vicious barrage of punches prompting referee Jose Guadalupe Garcia to call the bout at 1:113 of round three. Rios advances to advancing to 24-0-1, 18Ko’s while Teron falls to 23-2-1, 15Ko’s.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Severely Cut Valero Gives DeMarco a Boxing Lesson!

By: David Colon                                                                                              February 6th, Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico: WBC lightweight champion Edwin “Dynamita” Valero, 27-0, 27Ko’s dominated Mexico’s Antonio DeMarco, 23-2-1, 17Ko’s despite suffering a huge nasty cut on the right side of his forehead as a result of an accidental left elbow from the 24 year old DeMarco in the second round to go along with a small cut under his right eye and another cut on his right eyelid.

                     

Valero as usual was the aggressor from the opening bell. He could not be deterred as he pressed the action landing at will with solid left hands never allowing the young Mexican challenger to get started.

Valero surprised DeMarco and many ringside adding some cagey boxing to go along with his whirlwind punching convincing DeMarco’s corner to call it after nine.

On the undercard undefeated welterweight “El Potro” Luis Carlos Abregu, 29-0, 23Ko’s got up off the deck in the second round then reciprocated the favor in the third flooring Richard “La Lámina” Gutierrez, 24-4-1, 14Ko’s going on to out work and out score “La Lámina” 98-90, 97-91, 97-91 over ten

Mexican welterweight Michel “El Bravo” Rosales, 25-3, 22Ko’s pounded Orlando “Torito” Escobar, 10-5, 6Ko’s with heavy infighting convincing Escobar to stay seated after four.

Super featherweight Marvin “Cachorro” Quintero, 19-2, 15Ko’s finished Luis “Tribi” Gonzalez, 19-2, 12Ko’s in the second round of their eight round lightweight bout consistently beating Gonzalez to the punch dropping him twice in the second round forcing the referee to call the action at 2:59 of the second round.

After controlling the action middleweight “El Elotero” Jose Luis Zertuche, 21-5-3, 16Ko’s stopped Antonio Arras, 20-6, 14Ko’s on cuts in the final round of their scheduled six rounder.

Light middleweight Michael Medina, 23-1-2, 18Ko’s scheduled to meet Ireland’s John Duddy March 13th on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao / Joshua Clottey banged out Roberto Valenzuela, 51-50-2, 42Ko’s in the first round with a heavy right to the body.

Light welterweight Juan Pablo “CheChe” Lopez, 15-0, 14Ko’s floored Leonardo Resendiz, 22-23, 14Ko’s twice enroute to a fifth round TKO win.

Jr. flyweight Carlos Perez, 11-3-3, 7Ko’s landed the cleaner heavier shots winning a closely contested six round unanimous decision over fellow Mexican Moises Calleros, 3-2, 2Ko’s.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

“The Road Warrior” Wins #50 at Home!

By: Jordan Keller                                                                                           February 5th, NSU Arena, Don Taft University Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida: 41 year old Glen “Road Warrior” Johnson earned his fiftieth victory moving to  50-13-2, 34Ko’s stopping New York’s Yusef Mack, 28-3-2, 17 Ko’s eleven years his junior. Johnson who got his career on track in the second half has recorded wins over Montell Griffin, Clinton Woods,Antonio Tarver a nd Roy Jones Jr; used the pressure like a fighter a decade younger to wear and beat down Mack from the opening bell.

Mack hung in tough using his superior speed at times making Johnson look his age but his lack of power could not keep the “Road Warrior” at bay. Johnson who always gets stronger as the fight goes on would have things no different fighting in front of his hometown fans.

Mack stayed behind a good jab using some good movement and combinations early forcing Johnson to work his way in but the aging veteran would not be denied consistently catching Mack with solid right hands. Johnson first showed signs of turning the tide in the latter half of the third round backing Mack to the ropes banging away with both hands.

Johnson, continually moving forward over the first five rounds pumping a good jab mixing good jabs and rights to the body setting some good right hands to Mack’s head. In the sixth round Mack began switching between an orthodox and southpaw stance allowing Johnson to finally gained the proper punching space backing Mack to the corner pumping his jab and flooring Mack with a well hidden counter right hand dumping Mack for a referee Frank Gentile eight count about thirty seconds into the round. The action continued with Johnson measuring with his jab backing Mack to the ropes and scoring with a heavy right to the body again setting up a heavy looping right putting Mack on a knee with a minute to go in the round.
After his second referee gentile eight count Mack ate several jabs and Johnson rights only to be clubbed by a Johnson left hook forcing referee Gentile to stop it at 2:21 of the sixth round.

Johnson looking to grab another title has his sights on Tallahassee, Florida’s undefeated IBF light heavyweight Champion Tavoris Cloud, 20-0, 18Ko’s.

The semi main event featured a rematch between welterweights who don’t care for one another Hollywood, Florida’s Ed “The Lion” Paredes, 24-4-1, 15Ko’s and Miami’s Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez, 15-2-2, 8Ko’s. This meeting didn’t take long to bury the draw of the first meeting with Paredes the aggressor backing Hernandez up then catching Hernandez dropping and stopping him with a with a heavy left hook at 1:53 of the second round.

                        

On the undercard: Two time Cuban Olympic Gold Medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux remained undefeated moving to 5-0, 4Ko’s blowing out Mexico's Adolfo “El Terror” Landeros 28 seconds into the first round with an oil drilling left hand to the body.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sylvester Stops Lyell  / Helenius Remains Undefeated!

By: Alfred Zimmerman                                                                                January 30th, Neubrandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany: German middleweight Sebastian Sylvester, 33-3, 16Ko’s successfully defended the IBF middleweight title he won beating Giovanni Lorenzo this past September when fellow German Arthur Abraham moved up stopping last minute replacement Youngstown, Ohio’s Billy Lyell, 21-8, 4Ko’s stepping in for Pablo Navascues who failed a random drug test.

Lyell earned this shot riding a three fight winning streak starting with the surprising upset of John Duddy April last year. He proved to be a game opponent but returned to his journeyman ways falling back into the pattern of losing each time he steps up in competition.

Early on Lyell found some success with some good movement and keeping his hands busy but his light punches wouldn’t be enough to keep the bigger, stronger, heavier punching champion at bay.

Lyell continued to move jabbing then stopping to throw his punches in combination but they had the effect of getting hit with one of the snowflakes that were piling up outside. Lyell fought with the higher work rate but his combinations were giving a new definition to the phrase “flurries.”

As the fight wore on Sylvester turned his jabs into soilid one-two’s adding hard counter shots under and over. Inspired fighting in front of his homeland fans Sylvester brought the storm inside in the tenth round cornering Lyell landing with a blizzard of power shots convincing the challengers trainer Jack Loew to throw in the towel halting the action even as his charge fired back.

Loew saved the young Ohio fighter from anymore unnecessary punishment allowing him to fight on another day. It was clear the champion was the stronger heavier puncher fighting behind a solid defense and tonight wouldn’t be the challenger’s night.

Lyell finds himself back on the lower tier where a rematch with Duddy who just beat hand made opponents Michi Munoz and Juan Astorga could gain the victor another shot to step up. Sylvester on the other hand would do well to take on the winner of Matthew Macklin, 26-2, 18Ko’s and undefeated Russian Dmitry Pirog, 14-0, 11Ko’s April 16th Aston Events Centre, Birmingham, England.

On the undercard: Heavyweight Robert  “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius, remained undefeated moving to 11-0, 7Ko’s stopping the attempted return of “Relentless” Lamon Brewster, 35-6, 30Ko’s in the eight round of their scheduled ten rounder. Light heavyweight Karo Murat successfully defended his  WBO Inter-Continental light heavyweight title dropping Guyana’s Sean Corbin twice in the second round prompting referee Mickey Vann to call the bout at 2:41 of round two.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Arce Grags Another Belt!

By: David Colon                                                                                           January 30th, Restaurante Arroyo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico: Mexican super flyweight Jorge “Travieso” Arce, 53-6-1, 40Ko’s claimed another title winning the vacant WBO super flyweight title earning a technical decision over Angky “Time Bomb” Angkota, 18-4, 9Ko’s. It all blew up in the seventh round when Ankota suffered a cut over his right eye from an accidental headbutt and per the rule the judges went to the scorecards. Arce’s sggressiveness and superior in-fighting earned him a 58-56, 60-54, 60-54 decision and a fourth title.

The question is will we now see Arce take on friend Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire the interim WBA World super flyweight title holder who defends his belt against Mexico’s Gerson Guerrero on Top Rank’s Pay Per View “Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3″ February 13th from the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas.

In the semi main event featherweight Eduardo “Canilla” Escobedo, 27-3, 19Ko’s battled Joksan “El Torito” Hernandez, 17-2, 10Ko’s over ten dropping him in the fourth round gaining the edge recording a 97-92, 97-93, 96-93 unanimous decision.

On the undercard: Jackie “The Aztec Princess” Nava, 20-3-2, 10Ko’s picked herself up off the deck to go on and grind out a ten round unanimous decision oner Panama's Shantel Martinez, 8-4, 1Ko's grabbing the interim WBC Super Bantamweight Championship a title she lost to Marcela Eliana Acuna last April.

Featherweight Miguel Angel Garcia, “Mikey,” remained undefeated finishing Arturo Gomez, 15-14-5, 6Ko’s at 2:07 of fifth round leaving him winless in his last while moving to 19-0, 16Ko’s.

                                              The son of Mexican undefeated Hall of Fame legend Ricardo “Finito” Lopez, 51-0-1, 38Ko’s super flyweight Alfonso “Finito” Lopez, 3-0, 2Ko’s followed in his fathers footsteps ruining Sergio Cruz pro debut stopping him in the third round of their scheduled four rounder. He appears to have all the technique, pro demeanor and a punch to boot.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Magee Stuns Larsen!

By: Ian Webb                                                                                                January 30th, NRGi Arena, Aarhus, Denmark: Belfast, Northern Ireland’s super middleweight Brian Magee, 33-3-1, 23Ko’s upset fellow southpaw Denmark’s “Golden Boy” Mads Larsen, 51-3, 38Ko’s winning the vacant EBU (European) super middleweight title stopping him in the seventh round of their scheduled twelve round fight in front of the Dane’s hometown fans.

Magee the aggressor from the start hurt Larsen with a viscious hook to the body in the fourth round then going on to repeatedly find the mark going systematically breaking down the rugged Dane flooring him four times.

In the fifth round Magee went right back to the body putting Larsen on the deck again. Following the required eight count Larsen was planted again this time with a low blow earning a referee Erkki Meronen recovery period. Magee now on a relentless attack leveled Larsen two more times in the sixth ending it in the seventh at 0.15 with another body assault forcing referee Erkki Meronen to call it.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Pavlik / Martinez in the Works?

(January 29th) Rumors out of Latin America are echoing of talks for a Pavlik / Martinez unification bout are in the works. Youngstown, Ohio’s Kelly ‘The Ghost’ Pavlik, 36-1, 32Ko’s is the WBC/WBO middleweight champion would be putting his belts on the line facing Argentina’s WBC Interim junior middleweight champion Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martinez, 44-2-2, 24Ko’s with the winner looking lihght middleweight Paul “The Punisher” out. Pavlik who was to meet Williams in December had to pull out due to an infection in his hand and Martinez who stepped in as the replacement fought Williams to a 119-110, 115-113, 114-114 controversial unanimous decision with both fighters finding the canvas. If completed the fight is looking to come off this spring.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Jesse Brinkley Upsets Curtis Steven’s in Lopsided Elimator!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Peter Manfredo Jr. Makes it Four Grabbing NABF Title!

January 29th, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conneticut: “The Pride Of Providence Rhode Island" Peter Manfredo Jr. moved to 34-6, 18Ko’s grabbing his third straight victory and the NABF Middleweight Title winning a ten round decision over St. Paul Minnesota’s “Predator” Matt Vanda.

Manfredo looked impressive systematically breaking down and controlling the rugged veteran Matt Vanda, 42-10 22Kos starting with a concentrated body attack. Manfredo controlled the infighting landing short uppercuts which Vanda could never find an answer.

AS the fight wore on Manfredo picked up his rhythm punching in combination and it was clear it was going to be a rough night for the Minnesota native. Vanda attempting to assert himself in the sixth found himself on the deck when he was caught charging in with a drilling left hook to the body. The rugged “Predator” held on at times looking ready to fall only to mount his best attack much too late in the closing round. The sores were announced 99-90 and 100-89 times two all for Manfredo earning him the NABF crown.

On the undercard featherweight Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard blasted out Irvington, New Jersey’s “Dominican Man” Rafael Lora for the second time this just one round earlier. Remilliard worked behind a stiff jab setting up body shots eventually leading to a third round beat down. Remilliards hand speed and body attack proved too much for Lora who retired grimacing on his stool. “The Sharp Shooter” advances to 21-0, 12ko’s while Lora falls to 11-2, 5Ko’s both loses to Remilliard.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris Avalos Continues to Run Hot!!

January 29th, Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico: Lancaster, California bantamweight Chris Avalos remains red hot rising to 15-0, 12Ko’s flooring Puerto Rico's Jose “Miau” Nieves, 17-2-3, 8Ko’s three times the latter which Nieves could not get upright calling it at 2:20 of round four of their scheduled ten rounder.

In other action Albuquerque, New Mexico’s 21 year old super featherweight Archie Ray Marquez jumped to 9-0, 6Ko’s out scoring Topeka, Kansas, Derrick Campos, 20-8, 11Ko’s 79-72, 80-71, 77-74 over eight.

Travis Kauffman Headlines Pro/Am Event 2/27 in Allentown
Rodeway Inn & Conference Center
Allentown, PA