Former world super middleweight champion Alejandro "Naco" Berrio (32-5, 29 KOs) isn't high on any top fighter's list of opponents, which is the primary reason for him fighting only once this year, a third-round TKO win against three-time world title challenger Antwun Echols.

                                  

Another Guyana fighter living in New York City, Lennox "2 Sharpe" Allen (15-0-1, 9 KOs), captured the WBC CABOFE super middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Kwesi Jones, to go along with his New York State title.

                                  

Undefeated middleweight DonYil Livingston (7-0-1, 4 KOs), who was an outstanding amateur who took off several years off before turning pro, was victorious in five of six fights this year with one draw. The 27-year-old boxer bounced back from his draw with a strong six-round decision against previously unbeaten (6-0) Kurtiss Colvin.

                                              

Power-punching Eudy "AK 47"Bernardo (11-0, 6 KOs), who moved to New York City, won all of his fights this year, including an eighth-round TKO of John Nolasco for the Dominican Lightweight Championship, and a six-round decision against former U.S. amateur standout Darnell Jiles (8-2-1), Jr. this past weekend in Rochester.

Visa problems prevented undefeated Kazakhstan welterweight Vitaly "Demyan" Demyanenko (19-0, 12 KOs) from fighting in 2011. The former PABA and WBO Asia Pacific champion will make his Boxing 360 debut in 2012.

Boxing 360 recently signed three more fighters from the Tri-State area: super middleweight Aleem "The Hammer" Whitfield (3-0, 3 KOs), super middleweight Travis "The Notorious" Peterkin (3-0, 3 KOs) and lightweight Bryan Acaba (2-0, 1 KO).

Go to www.Boxing360.com for more information about any of its other fighters.

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com  
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Livingston Making Up for Lost Time!

(Livingston with sharp jab)

(October 25th) - Undefeated middleweight prospect DonYil Livingston, whose cousin is world super middleweight champion Andre Ward, is making up for lost time.

The 27-year-old Livingston (6-0-1, 3 KOs), fighting out of Palmdale, California, was a highly decorated US amateur boxer who was so disillusioned with the politics of boxing that he went on a boxing sabbatical for years before eventually turning pro in 2010 . He had a solid 178-23 (89 KOs) amateur record, including gold medal performances in the National Silver Gloves (1996, 1998 and 2000), National Junior Golden Gloves (1995-2000), 2000 National & International Junior Olympic s, 2001 National Under-19 Tournament, and 2004 Ringside World Championships.

"I got a bad decision in the 2002 Olympic Trials and lost my love for amateur boxing," DonYil explained. "You can get seriously hurt boxing if you're not 100-percent into it, so I decided to take time off until I got the desire to turn pro. I stepped away from boxing for 2 ½ years. I got married and became a father. I may have stepped away from boxing but, mentally, I worked on the fundamentals. I honestly believe I have benefitted from my time away from boxing because my body didn't' take any punishment. I'm 27, physically speaking, but I don't feel like a 27-year-old boxer."

Livingston's pro career got off to a slow start. He had only two fights in 2010, but signed a promotional contact this year with Boxing 360, and he's fought five times in 2011.

"We're very high on DonYil," Boxing 360 founder/CEO Mario Yagobi noted. "He was a great amateur and has all of the tools to become a champion. Plus, he has good bloodlines with a cousin like Andre Ward."

"I'm very fortunate to be with Mario," Livingston said. "He gave me my opportunity. It was very difficult for me to get fights. I heard every excuse in the book. It was frustrating. I connected with Mario and it's been a great mix. He's moved me very well. Mario is getting me the right fights on the right cards. I'm confident that he will continue moving me in the right direction.

"I'm sharp, getting better and prepared to be in the ultimate position - to become champion of the world. All of the hard work takes place in the gym where I show my work ethic."

DonYil's pro career hit a slight bump in the road this past August, when he fought a six-round draw with Roberto Yong (4-3). That setback led to his most significant fight as a pro on Oct. 15 versus previously undefeated Kurtiss Colvin (6-0) on the Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson undercard at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Livingston made a strong statement, defeating Colvin by way of a six-round decision (59-55, 58-56, 58-56).

"Coming off of a draw," Livingston concluded, "that was a very significant fight for me. I had to make a statement against an unbeaten- up-and-coming prospect. It was do or die for me, so I had to fight the way I did to win. The draw was a mental check for me. I tended to start fights slowly but I knew I had to change for my last fight."

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com
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Justification for Nick Casal!

(October 21st) - Buffalo welterweight Nick "Hands of Gold" Casal felt completely justifiedlast Saturday night after thoroughly destroyed previously undefeated prospect Michael "Slick" Anderson on the non-televised portion of the Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson pay-per-view event at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

"I said it would take me a few rounds to figure him out," Casal said, "but it only took 30 seconds. I hurt him with a right, only 30-seconds into the fight. His knees buckled and I knew that it was only a matter of time."

Casal (22-4-1, 16 KOs) was a highly-decorated amateur who captured gold medals at the 2002 U.S. National Junior Championships and the Sweden Box-Cup for Under-19 boxers. In 2003, he reached the quarterfinals of the National Golden Gloves Tournament, defeating Anthony Dirrell in the process, before losing to current world champion, Andre Berto. Casal also won a bronze medal at the 2004 U.S. Championships but he had to drop out of the competition with a hand injury.

In 2004, Casal turned pro and was unbeaten in his first 17 pro bouts, including a pair of draws. Nick extended current WBC champion Antonio "Tony" DeMarco the full 10 rounds in 2002, albeit in a losing effort (94-96, 93-93, 97-93) that, nerver-the-less, demonstrated his vast potential. The 25-year-old, however, went through a rough stretch between 2007 and 2009.

Last Saturday night, Casal became a relevant welterweight again, stopping Anderson (11-1-1, 9 KOs) in the third round to extend his win streak to four. "I dropped him twice in the third, the last with an uppercut," Nick explained the end of the fight. "I didn't want to hurt him and looked at the ref to stop it because he (Anderson) was out on his feet.

"I feel justified. I had a lot of growing up to do and I'm maturing at the right time. I'm ready to take the next step. This fight wasn't on TV but I did fight in front of the right people and that meant the world to me. I'm back working and hoping to get in the ring again in December of January. I don't have a girlfriend or kids, so I'll be training through the holidays."

Casal's promoter, Boxing 360 founder and CEO Mario Yagobi, never stopped believing in Nick, who fought under the Boxing 360 banner for the second time. "Nick stepped-up big-time and not only did he pass the test, he aced it. Now, he's off to much bigger and better things. Nick has all of the talent and heart to take him to the top. Making a commitment to train in Las Vegas, away from his home in Buffalo, was an example of his commitment to be the best he can be. He worked hard and deserves that very impressive win against and unbeaten opponent. I couldn't be happier for him."

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

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IBF Junior Lightweight Champion Amanda Serrano New Boxing Queen of New York 1st Boxing 360 World Champion 

(September 13th) – Boxing 360 has its first world champion, new International Boxing Federation (“IBF”) junior lightweight Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, who stopped WIBF Inter-Continental lightweight titlist Kimberly Connor in last Saturday night’s scheduled 10-round title fight in Brooklyn’s Aviator Sports Complex.

The undefeated 23-year-old Serrano (12-0-1, 8 KOs), a native of Puerto Rico who fights out of Brooklyn, took control early against her game Arkansas opponent, Connor (9-2-2, 4 KOs).

“It’s amazing,” Serrano spoke about winning her first world title at home in Brooklyn. “It was the best crowd ever and I had a lot of mixed-up emotions to deal with. I had so many family and friends there who’ve watched me grow in this sport. Winning a world title means the world to me. Kimberly was tough but I train for every fight like I’m fighting Mike Tyson. What’s next? I’m a fighter who just fights and trains. I’m ready to fight anybody between 122 and 130 who my team puts in front of me.”

Serrano’s promoter, Mario Yagobi (Boxing 360), believes Amanda will soon be ready to take on anybody in the world between the junior lightweight and junior featherweight divisions. “Amanda gave Boxing 360 its first world champion and we believe she’ll soon be adding more title belts to her collection,” Yagobi added. “She is the most dedicated fighter I’ve ever seen. Amanda lives boxing 24/7 and she’s worked very hard to get to this point. What’s really remarkable is that she’s only 23 with more to learn through ring experience. Right now, I’m not sure what’s next for her but the fighter we’d like to get in the ring is Maureen Shea. A fight in New York City between those two would be great for female boxing but, for whatever reason, Maureen doesn’t seem interested in fighting Amanda. Hopefully, she’ll change her mind because it’s a real natural.”

As world champion, Amanda has to relinquish herNorth American Boxing Federation Featherweight title belt.

“Once Amanda hurt her opponent, knocking her down (in the second round), she didn’t let up,” Boxing 360 Director of Boxing Bob Duffy added. “She just let her hands go until the referee (Benjii Estevez) stopped the fight (1:45). She looked good.”

Other members of Boxing 360’s stable include USBA heavyweight champion Maurice Sugar Moe” Harris, WBC #5 super bantamweight Leon “Hurry Up” Moore, former IBF super middleweight champion Alejandro “Naco”Berrio, unbeaten welterweight prospect Vitaliy “Demyan” Demyanenko, WBC Caribbean& NY State super middleweight champion Lennox “2 Sharpe” Allen, Dominican lightweight champion Eudy “AK47” Bernardo, KO King Tyrone Brunson, Mike Mollo, Nick “Hands of Gold” Casal, middleweight prospect DonYil Livingston, Joel Diaz Jr., and “King” David Estrada.

Go to www.Boxing360.com for more information about Serrano or her stable-mates.

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com  

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AND NEW!!! Amanda Serrano Wins Her First World Title!

By: Tito Jones
(September 11th) We could not be more proud of our new IBF super featherweight world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, 12-0, 8 knockouts. She came, she saw, and she conquered Kimberly Connors in just two rounds Saturday night at the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn, NY. We knew that Amanda was someone special when we signed her. There’s a reason she is our only female fighter and that’s because she is an action fighter who brings the heat every time she fights.

From the moment she walked out, I had a good feeling about the night. She just seemed so confident. Her focus was evident as she entered the ring and the announcements were made. The music was pounding and you could tell she was ready to go.

Once the fight began, Amanda was all over Connors. She went right at her and never let up, hurting Connors and dropping her in the second just past a minute in.                                    

Once Connors got up, Amanda knew it was time to finish the job and she wasted no time doing it. 1:45 in round two, the fight was all over.

Amanda Serrano, who moved up from featherweight for this fight, showed the world she would do anything it takes to be a champion and defined that word with her actions.

The future is bright for Amanda. The crowd loved her and beyond becoming a champion, that is gold for a fighter. The best part of the night is that finally Amanda’s father, Ismael, came to see his daughter fight. How perfect is it that the night he decided to see his little girl fight, she became a champion?

We here at Boxing360 want to thank Amanda for proving us right about her and congratulate her on what we know will be the first of many world titles. _________________________________________________________________________________________

Maurice Harris Back in Heavyweight Picture

(July 20th) – USBA heavyweight champion Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris’ often tumultuous boxing career is back in a good place, after he redeemed himself last Saturday in Atlantic City, when he stopped Derric “The Shaolin Fist” Rossy in the 12thround at Resorts Casino Hotel.

Harris (25-15-2, 11 KOs) was coming off of a disappointing loss by third round to Tony “The Tiger” Thompson (36-2, 24 KOs) in May, shown live on ESPN Friday Night Fights in their IBF Box-Off.

Rossy (25-5, 14 KOs), rated No. 15 by the IBF, served as a litmus test for Harris, a 35-year-old whose major claim to fame is winning the 2002 Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament, defeating Thompson in the $100,000 finale, as well as defeating world champion Sergei Liakhovich. The New Jersey fighter found himself at the crossroads once again, facing possible retirement if he lost to Rossy, the former Boston College football standout who had previously defeated WBO champion and 1988 Olympic gold-medal winner Ray Mercer (DEC12) and world title challenger Carl David Drummond (DEC10).

“I never looked at the fight like that,” Harris said, “only as another challenge, another fight. I don’t focus on something like that (in a career-ending fight) because I always need to focus on my opponent and our fight. I did show resiliency when I needed to win. It was a good win, one of my top five, but I was only about 70-percent of what I can really be. I hadn’t been 12 rounds since last August. I was still a little rusty. You can do that (12 rounds) in the gym but it’s not the same as in a fight. I did feel good going into the fight and afterwards.”

Harris dropped Rossy in the sixth, led by two rounds going into the 12th, and finished the show in impressive style. The veteran had worn-down Rossy and eventually trapped his tiring opponent on the ropes in the 12th, decking him again with a three-punch combination, an overhand right to the chin serving as an exclamation point. Rossy got to his feet but Harris moved in to finish him, backing Derec onto the ropes again, and unloading a four-punch combination against his defenseless opponent. Referee Earl Morton halted the action at 1:35 of the final round.

“This fight proved that Maurice’s last one was a fluke.” Harris’ promoter Mario Yagobi (Boxing 360) commented. “He couldn’t respond right after getting hit with so many illegal hits behind the head. I said that before this fight and still believed in Maurice. He was the stronger, bigger guy who showed a lot more skills than his opponent. Rossy came to win. He was in great shape, at 225 pounds, and had a six-pack stomach. Maurice showed his experience, dropping him the sixth, and finishing with a 12th round knockout. Rossy was banged up; his face had a lot of bruises and welts. From the eighth or ninth round, he looked like a beaten fighter.”

“The last two rounds were my strongest,” Harris noted. “I caught my second wind. I knew one good assault would close the deal. I hadn’t had a knockout in a long time (2002 vs. Liahkovich). I thought I had him out in the sixth, but he stayed right in there until the last round. I hit him with some good combinations. He fell and got up, but I knew he was finished.

“The Thompson fight is still in the back of my head. We’ve both won once and I’d like a third fight to settle things. I won’t get over it until we do. I wish him luck in his fights but, even if it’s sparring, I want to fight him again. He didn’t fight the best Maurice Harris but, then again, neither did Rossy.”

Because Harris, rated No. 9 by the IBF, fought an optional defense against Rossy, Maurice has a mandatory coming up against a challenger to be determined. Chazz Witherspoon is the No. 1 rated IBF challenger, followed in order by Steve Collins, Cedric Boswell, Antonio Tarver and Michael Grant.

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com     
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Boxing 360 Inks 19-0 Welterweight Prospect Vitaliy Demyanenko

(June 28th) – Boxing 360 has announced today that it has signed unbeaten welterweight prospect Vitaliy “Demyan”Demyanenko (19-0, 12 KOs) to an exclusive promotional contract.

“We’re looking forward to introducing Vitaliy to a big Kazak community in New York City, in addition to Russian boxing fans living there,” Boxing 360 Founder/CEO Mario Yagobi announced. “This is a great overall signing for our company. Vitaliy was an accomplished amateur boxer whose father was a Olympic silver medalist. Vitaliy is undefeated as a pro and was rated No. 8 by the WBO in May, but he was dropped due to inactivity. We want to get him in a fight, back in the rankings, and on his way to becoming world champion.”

Born and raised in Kazakhstan, Demyanenko had more than 150 amateur fights, capturing the Kazakhstan National Championship in 1999, as well as a gold medal in the Junior Olympics.

Vitali was born to box. Representing the USSR, his father Viktor Demyanenko was the 1980 Olympic Silver Medalist, as well as the 1979 European lightweight champion. His son, Vitali, however, didn’t start boxing until he was 13, after competing three years in Judo.

Demyanenko is a college graduate who speaks Russian, English, Kajak and is learning Spanish. “I heard a lot of good things about Boxing 360,” he said yesterday on his 28th birthday. “They’ve been good to me and will get me a world title fight. I’m ready to fight anybody in the welterweight division. I want to join my fellow countrymen, (light heavyweight) Beibut Shumenov and (middleweight) Gennady Golovkin, as world champion.

“I have so many tapes of different fighters that I watch to learn from. I’m a boxer who can brawl. I have a good punch but, against good fighters, I need to move around and break them down before mixing it up.”

Now living and fighting out of Los Angeles, Demyanenko is the reigning WBO Asia Pacific and PABA welterweight champion. His most notable victories have been against world title challenger Paul Delgado (DEC12), Anderson Clayton (DEC12), Jorge Daniel Miranda (DEC12) and Walter Sergio Gomez (TKO2).”

“The signing of Vitaliy Demyanenko strengthens the Boxing 360 stable even more,” noted Bob Duffy, Director of Boxing for Boxing 360. “We also have one of the top super bantamweights in the world, Leon Moore, former world champion Alejandro Berrio, new NABA featherweight champ Amanda Serrano, undefeated super middleweight prospect Lennox Allen, and so many other talented boxers.”

A southpaw, Vitaliy sparred two weeks with Lucas Matthysse, who was getting ready for his HBO main event last Saturdaynight against Devon Alexander.

“Boxing 360 is on the rise as one of the hottest, new promoters in boxing,” Demayanenko’s manager Adolfo Perez added.“We’re hoping to get some big fights and win a world title under Boxing 360.”

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

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Amanda Serrano Captures NABF Super Featherweight Title! 

(June 14, 2011) – Unbeaten, 22-year-old Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano captured the vacant NABF super featherweight title, stopping Jennifer Scott at 1:46 of the opening round, last Saturday night at historic Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

Serrano (10-0-1, 6 KOs), a native of Puerto Rico who lives in Brooklyn, was fighting at home in New York City for the first time as a professional. “It was awesome,” the stylish southpaw spoke about fighting at home and winning her first title belt. “I felt it when my music started playing as I walked to the ring. I heard everybody yelling my name and I could feel the blood go from my toes to my head. It was extra special because I won my first title, in New York City, in front of my father (Ismael) who was watching me fight for the first time as a pro.

“From the first punch I knew I had my opponent, so I kept putting pressure on her. I dropped her and when she got up, I knew she hadn’t recovered, and I jumped on her. I’m not sure what’s next for me. I’ll fight anybody my promoter, Boxing 360, and manager put in front of me. I always train hard and will be ready for my next fight.”

Amanda is presently rated No. 4 by independent source WBAN, as well as No. 6 by the WIBA.

Boxing 360 Founder/CEO Mario Yagobi doesn’t want to rush his budding star. “She’s a young fighter who hasn’t fought eight rounds, yet,” he explained. “She needs ring experience. She’s a great prospect. She was very exciting for the minute or two this fight lasted, but the fans really loved her. I believe she’s going to be a big ticket seller in New York City. Within a year, she will be ready to fight anybody in the world but, for now, she has a belt she can defend and gain valuable experience. Boxing is Amanda’s world. All she does is box and her time is coming.”

“Amanda looked good,” Boxing 360 Director of Boxing Bob Duffy commented. “She was very impressive. Both women came into the fight in great shape. Amanda’s young and talented. She was fired-up for this fight, fighting for national pride on a Puerto Rican celebration card.”