BOXING PROSPECTS

Unbeaten Steven Martinez, Managed by Giants’ Brandon Jacobs, Signs Promotional Pact with DiBella Entertainment

 (August 11, 2010 – New York, NY) Junior middleweight Steven Martinez (5-0, 5 KOs), a former national amateur champion with a perfect record in the professional ranks, has signed a long-term promotional contact with DiBella Entertainment. Martinez is only 20 years old, but the young pug from the Bronx has impressed since turning pro, stopping all five opponents he has shared a ring with.

Along with having a powerful promotional force now backing his career, Martinez is aligned managerially with a pair of heavy hitters, both figuratively and literally. Martinez is co-managed by well-known Jersey powerbroker Pat Lynch, along with star running back from the New York Giants, Brandon Jacobs.

“Steven knows what hard work means. He knows it takes hard work to be a champion in boxing, just like in my business,” said Jacobs. “Even when he doesn’t have anything lined up, he is in the gym working hard.”

After winning the New York regional, Martinez won the 2008 National Golden Gloves tournament in the welterweight division. However, Martinez believes his style was never conducive to the amateur game and his impressive results at that level will be trumped by what he is capable of as a pro.

“In the amateurs, I didn’t have an amateur style,” said Martinez. “I was an amateur champion, but I fight better as a pro. I’m happy I can perform with a great promoter by my side.”

After his successful amateur run, Martinez turned professional in August, 2009 with a first round knockout over Keith Collins in North Bergen, New Jersey. Since then, with the exception of a November, 2009 outing in Las Vegas, Martinez has been plying his trade all around Jersey, just like another fighter who had his career guided by Lynch: the late, great Arturo Gatti.

“Brandon and I are extremely happy that we were able to sign Steven with DiBella Entertainment,” said Lynch. “Lou is a world class promoter, and we think we are going to get where we need to be. We are going to get Steven to a world title.”

Now signed with DiBella Entertainment, President Lou DiBella sees a future champion ready to make his mark in the northeast and beyond.

“Steven is a can’t-miss prospect, who is mature beyond his years both inside and outside the ring,” said DiBella. “He already has a solid team backing him, and with my company in his corner, his potential is great.”
 

 

UNDEFEATED LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT MARK TUCKER INKS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT

(New York, NY – April 22, 2010) DiBella Entertainment (“DBE”) made another significant addition to its stable, signing unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Mark “TNT” Tucker. Tucker, 22, fighting out of Eldersburg, Maryland has hit the ground running in his two year pro career, amassing a 13-0 record with 7 KOs.

 Tucker had an impressive 2009, stepping in with and defeating numerous respected veterans the likes of former world title challengers Rubin “Hollywood” Williams and Ross “The Boss” Thompson. With DBE in his corner, Tucker has big plans for his career in 2010.

 “I want to stay undefeated, get a bigger fan base, and appear on television more,” said Tucker, who has already made a habit of regularly selling out venues in Maryland. “I believe DBE can get me there.”

 Tucker, who legally has “TNT” in his name, had a successful amateur run, compiling a 140-22 record under the watchful eye of his father/trainer Mark “Spirit Bear” Tucker, Sr.  

Despite guiding his son to where he is now, the elder Mark, who remains on board as manager and head trainer, is comfortable handing the promotional reigns of his son’s career over to DBE.

“I’ve done all I can do for him,” said Tucker, Sr. “We’ve built him up with a fan base locally. Now it’s time for him to get national exposure and national TV fights and we believe Lou DiBella is the right man for the job.”

 The DBE stable of unbeaten prospects is an impressive one, including heavyweight Tor Hamer, light heavyweight Isiah Thomas, super middleweights Marcus Johnson and Edwin Rodriguez, middleweights Aleem Whitfield and Willie Monroe, Jr., and super featherweight Luis Del Valle. Tucker adds another exciting young prospect to that list. 

“Mark is only 22 years old; the sky is the limit in terms of what he can accomplish in a boxing ring,” said DiBella. “Mark, Jr. and his father have already gone through so much that a little adversity in the boxing ring won’t faze him at all. They have a remarkable story and I believe it will help guide them to a successful boxing career.”

 DBE

 

The “Irish Bomber” Joe Smith Jr. Looks to Keep it Perfect

Friday Night at O”Shea Brothers “Brooklyn Brawl!”

 By: Coach “K”

Fighting Friday night April 2^nd on the undercard of O’Shea Brothers “Brooklyn Brawl” Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. 3-0, 3Ko’s looks to keep it perfect adding another W and KO to his record.

 The 20 year old light heavyweight from Shirley, New York is the boxing reincarnation combo of Philadelphia’s Jack O'Brien and “Irish” Bob Murphy. He moves and punches with both hands behind a solid defense like O’Brien but loves to fight and packs dynamite in both hands targeting both the head and body with a relentless unforgiving assault reminiscent of “Irish” Bob. 

With all that said, Smith comes from a solid amateur background winning NYC Metro and Gold Glove Championships where he was proclaimed the second coming of Kelly Pavlik. Under the guidance of manager Phil Capobianco and the tutelage of trainers Gerry Capobianco and Chris Canzone it’s only a matter of time until the “Irish Bomber” explodes at the top of the light heavyweight division.

 Smith joins the full O’Shea Brothers Promotion “Brooklyn Brawl” fight card showcasing super bantamweight Alicia Ashley vs Liliana Martinez 10rds, light heavyweight Ronson Frank vs Alexander Mancera 8rds,  super featherweight Maureen Shea vs Norma Faris 6rds,  light welterweight Issouf Kinda vs Marco Antonio Arauz 4rds, heavyweight Adam Kownacki vs Daron Johnson 4rds, middleweight Thomas Baldwin Pro Debut vs TBA 4rds,  light heavyweight Owen Rodway vs Angel Gonzalez 4rds.  

 “Brooklyn Brawl” takes place at the Masonic Temple, 317 Clermont Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11205. Doors open at 6:30pm and the first bout starts 7:30pm. 

For tickets and information: call 914-216-9381 or 914- 618-1584 or go to http://www.strictlybusinessboxing.com/64.html.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undefeated middleweight Michael Oliveira On 2010 Top Prospect Watch

 

MIAMI (Dec. 29, 2009) – Undefeated Brazilian middleweight “Chairman of the Board” Michael Oliveira (11-0, 9 KOs), 8-0 (6 KOs) in 2009, established himself as one of the top prospects to watch in 2010.

 

The 19-year-old Oliveira, living in Miami and attending Miami Dade Community College, went into 2009 with three first-round knockout wins in his first three pro fights. The hard-punching teenager fought all over this past year, starting with another first-round knockout of Michael Bradley in Indianapolis, followed by a win by 4-round decision versus Vladmir Laguna in Miami, and then a second-round technical knockout of Guy Packer in Grand Rapids (MI).

 

Back in Indianapolis, Oliveira knocked out Joe Howard in the opening round and then Michael stepped-up in class to win the vacant UNBC Latin middleweight title on 9/11, taking an 8-round decision against Robert Kliewer (10-8-2) in Pompano Beach (FL).

 

In perhaps his most significant win to date on November 7, fighting on the Chad Dawson-Glen Johnson HBO card in Hartford (CT), Oliveira pounded Francisco Ruben Osorio (12-6) until he was unable to answer the bell for the eighth round.

 

Oliveira registered another first-round TKO win December 7 against Gustavo De La Cruz and only 11 days later in Haiti, Michael closed his perfect 2009 campaign by stopping Eduardo Mercedes (5-2) in the second round.

 

Oliveira feels that the area of most improvement was in his maturation process. “I matured a lot this year,” Michael explained, “training wise and making weight. I keep learning in every fight and every sparring session. There’s always something new to learn. I think my best fight was September 11^th (vs. Kliewer). I was in great shape and fought my best fight.”

 

Michael’s father/promoter, Carlos, agreed with his son. “In terms of experience,” he said, “Michael grew a lot and developed better skills. His fights, training and sparring in 2009 made him wiser and more mature.”

 

In and out of the ring, Oliveira is refreshing, engaging and rapidly growing on fans in his native Brazil as well as the United States and elsewhere.  At his last fight in Haiti, Michael took the opportunity to meet Brazilian peace keeping troops there and present Christmas presents to children at an orphanage, resulting in him becoming a hometown favorite in a foreign country.

 

“There were a lot of people there cheering for me,” he noted. “Even the Haitian people liked me. I learned how the Brazilians operate there with the United Nations. They got to know me a little and I got to know them.”

 

“It was unbelievable,” Carlos added. “We all had a tremendous experience in Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world.”
 

Because Oliveira is being positioned as the heir apparent to Brazil’s retired great boxer Acelino “Popo” Freitas, his tentative 2010 schedule includes a return home to fight in his birthplace, Sao Paulo (Brazil).

 

“I hope that I’m just as busy in 2010 as I was this year with eight fights,” Michael concluded. “My goal is to win, at the very least, a Youth title. But I’m really looking forward to fighting in Brazil. All of my people will be there supporting me but, once the fight starts, it will be like fighting anywhere – Miami, Connecticut, etc. Before and after the fight it’ll be very exciting, but I’ll be 100-percent focused in the fight.”

 

“We’d like to have Michael fight in Brazil,” Carlos remarked. “The Governor of the State of Sao Paulo declared that, in 2010, Sao Paulo will be the capital of sports in the world. They’re planning a lot of major sporting events, including the first Indy 500-type race March 14 and, hopefully, Michael fighting there April 24.”

 

Go to www.MichaelOliveria.com for more information. Oliveira’s valued sponsors include The Confianca Moving, The Beira – Mar and Pro 1 from Sao Paulo, Dumonde Travel (Michael’s official travel agency) and the multi-national fuel company, Shell.

 

-MO-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richie Boy’s top prospects

Terry & Rudd closed out 2009 in style

 

NORTH MIAMI BEACH (Dec. 28, 2009) – Richie Boy Promotions’ top prospects,IBF No. 15 rated junior lightweight Ira Terrand 2008 Ringside World Championships winner Chris Rudd, both closed out 2009 in style with knockout victories.

 

Richie Boy Promotions also promotes undefeaed IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (20-0, 18 KOs).

 

The 22-year-old Terry (24-2, 14 KOs), fighting out of Memphis, stopped Terrance “T-Brick” Roy in the sixth round of their Dec. 15^th fight in Kentucky. Terry also is ranked No. 5 by the USBA.

 

Rudd (10-0, 7 KOs) was an outstanding U.S. amateur before turning pro in 2007, rather than pursue a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. On Dec. 19 in his native Tennessee, 25-year-old Rudd put Rodney Freeman to sleep in the second round to keep his perfect professional record intact.

 

“We’re very high on Terry and Rudd and expect big things from both of them in 2010,” Richie Boy Promotions director of boxing operations Al Bonanni said. “We hope that both will capture their first titles as pros next year.”

 

-RBP-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT SIGNS LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT PROSPECT ISIAH THOMAS

(June 9, 2009) DiBella Entertainment has announced the signing of undefeated light heavyweight prospect Isiah Thomas. Thomas (3-0, 3 KOs) has no relation to the former basketball player, but much like his namesake, Thomas has built a reputation in his home city of Detroit, and is ready to show off his skills as one of boxing’s rising stars.

Having won each of his professional bouts by first round knockout, Thomas believes he has the ability to do great things in the sport. He has just been waiting to get the promotional muscle behind him.

 “DBE is established,” said Thomas. “They are one of the biggest promoters in America. It’s very positive for my career.”

An accomplished amateur, Thomas has been turning heads for some time. After winning the 2005 World Championships, Hall of Fame trainer Emmanuel Steward heaped praise upon the now 20 year old prospect.

Steward, who helped guide the careers of Lennox Lewis, Tommy Hearns, and Jermain Taylor, sees much of the same potential in Thomas with whom he worked during Thomas’s amateur days.

“I have a kid who will be the next big thing, Isiah Thomas," said Steward. "I don't have to teach him much. He’s a gifted athlete.”

Promoter Lou DiBella believes that in Thomas he has found a budding star, and is excited about what this new signing brings to his stable of fighters.

“I think he’s a terrific prospect,” said DiBella. “He has a blend of speed and power that is extremely rare in boxing. That ability, coupled with his amateur experience, makes us believe he is one of the real sleepers in the professional ranks.”

The enthusiasm shared by both Thomas and DiBella has the young fighter confident he has found the right hands in which to entrust his career and vast skill set.

“I’m a boxer-puncher. I’m an entertainer. I have the skills the older fighters had,” said Thomas. “With my skill and their promotional ability, I can be a world champion.”

For more information please visit www.dbe1.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex “The Brick City Bullet” Perez Plans to Stay Very Busy…

 

The "Brick City Bullet", moments before winning the belt in Puerto Rico  . . .

Alex “The Brick City Bullet” Perez, 10-0, 6 KO’s captured the WBC’s CABOFE (Caribbean Boxing Federation) Welterweight title on March 14th In Puerto Rico. He came off of a 15 month layoff before that fight, not by any fault of his own, but because every time he was scheduled to fight there were problems with opponents falling out and promoters not making sure there was an opponent for him ready to go come fight night. Perez was in the gym training for fights that weren’t to be the entire 15 months, and the time has made him more and more eager to fight as often as possible.

 He will be returning to the ring on May 9th in Atlantic City, on the undercard of Hector "Macho" Camacho vs. Luis Ramon "Yori Boy" Campas, just two months after picking up the WBC’s Carribean belt. Manager, Jose Rosario and his team plan to keep him busy the rest of the way in 09, because Perez is a hungry fighter. Alex has been at it 100% for a long time. He was 53-3 as an amateur where he was a 3-time Golden Gloves Champion and a 3-time Diamond Gloves Champ. He also captured the State Championship once before turning pro in late 2004.

Perez was born and raised in The Brick City, Newark New Jersey where he has lived his whole life in the Baxter Terrace projects. He is active in the community, always making himself available to lend a helping hand to kids who need a positive role model, guidance and good advice. Boxing has saved Perez and he makes sure he is always there for the kids and his friends in need in the gym. Keep an eye on the Brick City Bullet now, because he is a shooting star who is on the verge of big things in the near future!
 

-BCB-
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

O’Connor fighting on ESPN’s FNF

Friday night in Hollywood, Florida

 

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (February 23, 2009) – In only his fourth professional fight, 2008 U.S. Olympic first alternate Danny O’Connor makes his national television debut Friday night in the opening bout on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights against light welterweight Jamar Saunders (2-1-1, 1 KO) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

 

The 23-year-old O’Connor (3-0, 1 KO) is coming off of his best performance as a pro, winning a unanimous 4-round decision (40-46, 40-36, 40-34) January 30 against Greg Jimenez.

 

“I’m very excited to be fighting February 27^th on national television,” O’Connor said between workouts. “All of my family and friends at home will be able to watch me fight on ESPN. For so many years some of my fans haven’t been able to watch my fights. This is a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent to so many people who’ve never seen me fight. I’m in my best shape, at the top of my game. I’ve trained hard and I’m coming to fight. I love fighting at the Hard Rock and it’s starting to feel like home.”

O’Connor, fighting out of Framingham (MA), won last year’s US Future Stars National Championship, in which he was named Most Outstanding Boxer, as well as the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament. Danny, who is promoted by Seminole Warriors Boxing, defeated 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz, of the Dominican Republic, as an amateur last May in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet.

“We’re all very excited and can’t wait,” O’Connor’s co-manager and head trainer David Keefe remarked. “Showcasing Danny on national television has been in our plans since Day 1 and now it’s happening in only his fourth pro fight.”

O’Connor’s Hometown Fight Party

Many of O’Connor’s family members, friends and hometown fans will be watching his fight at Pepperoncini’s, 486 Concord Street in Framingham. The public is invited, starting at 7 PM/ET, and all of Pepperoncini’s televisions will be showing Danny’s fight live on ESPN2

 

 

 

VELASQUEZ TWINS LOOKING TO MAKE NOISE IN 2008 Highly touted twin prospects Carlos Juan Velasquez and Juan Carlos Velasquez will make their Chicago debuts on January 25th at Cicero Stadium as Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions and Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions present THE MONTH OF THE KINGS, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing.   The 23 year old Puerto Rican brothers, handled by noted manager Shelly Finkel, will be featured in six round junior lightweight bouts. Carlos Juan, recently touted by Dan Rafael of ESPN.com on his 2008 year end list of prospects as a future star, has quickly run his record to 5-0 with five knockouts since turning professional in early 2007. Juan Carlos's record also is 5-0 with three knockouts. More information on both of their bouts will be announced soon.

JUAN CARLOS VELASQUEZ Usually when someone mentions having double vision, it's because of a brutal punch that impairs the vision. But when followers of the featherweight division get a glimpse of identical twins Juan Carlos and Carlos Juan Velasquez, the double vision they have won't be from a punch. The pair has a combined total of 290 amateur wins in the ring. "We do everything together," said Juan Carlos. "Often we dress the same. We like to confuse people." Read more...               BOXINGTALK

 

 

FROM AMATEUR STANDOUT TO  PROFESSIONAL

"SWIFT"

DANNY GARCIA

   Serrano

Martirosyan Eyes Title Someday

By Rick Assad

A sign needs to be posted outside every boxing ring, and it should read: “enter at your own risk.’’

That’s because the sweet science is savage, sadistic, brutal, cold-blooded, unforgiving, and truly tests a man’s will.

No sport – not hockey, football, or rugby – can compare to boxing in terms of dishing out and receiving punishment.

Imagine being jabbed on the chin, hooked in the face, smashed against the head, and then for good measure getting rocked with an uppercut to the stomach? There must be a better way to earn a living?

For middleweight Vanes Martirosyan, there is nothing better and more satisfying than stepping inside the squared circle, and proving with fists, legs, feet, intellect, and wits, who’s the tougher man.

“I just love boxing,’’ Martirosyan said at the Beverly Hills, California, office of his co-representative Nick Khan. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m good at. You can’t quit and you have to work hard.’’

In 15 professional bouts, the 21-year-old Martirosyan is undefeated and ranked No. 61.

Packing power with either hand, Martirosyan, nicknamed “The Nightmare,” has knocked out 11 opponents.

In August 2007, Martirosyan, who resides in Glendale, California, stopped Alexis Division in the third round, and two months earlier registered a seventh-round technical knockout of Alberto Mercedes.

Nelson Estupinan was next, with Martirosyan administering a third-round TKO in April. Before that, Martirosyan added Taronze Washington to the list – earning a second-round TKO in January.

The victims mounted for Martirosyan, who in November 2006, halted Edgar Reyes in the fourth round at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, and then added Marcus Brooks three months earlier when he claimed a unanimous decision. In June, Oscar Gonzalez was the victim of a first-round TKO.

Being a clever and versatile ringmaster has aided Martirosyan during his brief, but budding career.

“I can box and I can bang,’’ he said. “I can adjust my style, but I like to box.’’

As an amateur, Martirosyan was driven, eventually earning a berth on the United States Olympic Team. After compiling a 120-10 record, Martirosyan decided to turn professional in 2005, and hasn’t looked back.

Born in Abovyan, Armenia, Martirosyan has fond memories of his amateur days, however doesn’t care for the judging.

“I enjoyed my time on the Olympic Team, and was proud to represent the United States at the Athens Games,’’ he said. “It was the greatest experience of my life. I had goose bumps during the Opening Ceremony. But the judges weren’t fair, and there’s too much politics.’’

Martirosyan was one victory from the medal round, but lost to a more-experienced Cuban fighter.

“He was much older,’’ Martirosyan explained. “He had a lot more fights than me, but I think I still won the fight. Many people told me the same thing.’’

Trained by the venerable Freddie Roach, Martirosyan said his father, Norik, who boxed in Armenia five years, inspires him.

“My dad also loved boxing, and regrets that he had to give it up,’’ he said. “I guess I’m continuing where he left off.’’

What was it like the first time Martirosyan, who is also represented by Shelly Finkel, entered the ring at age 10 in Pasadena?

“I was really excited,’’ he recalled. “My opponent was about eight pounds heavier than me, and about a year-and-a-half older. I thought every time I’d hit the guy, he’d go down, but that didn’t happen. I had to calm down, throw more combinations, and try not to load up with one punch.’’

So far this approach has worked for the 6-foot, 160-pound Martirosyan, who began his pro career as a super welterweight.

In his professional debut, Martirosyan claimed a unanimous decision over Jesse Orta in Fountain Hills, Arizona, and followed that seven weeks later with a first-round TKO against Giovanni Rubio at the Staples Center.

In August, Martirosyan faced Fernando Vela in Houston, Texas, and won a unanimous decision. Two weeks later, Martirosyan captured a unanimous verdict over Gerardo Cesar Prieto at the Staples Center.

About a month later, Martirosyan finished with a first-round TKO over Tony Morales in Las Vegas, and four weeks later walked away with a fifth-round TKO against Abdias Castillo at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas.

In February, Martirosyan disposed of Juan Pablo Montes de Oca at the Aladdin Casino, earning a third-round TKO. Less than two months later, Martirosyan knocked out Tefo Seetso in the third round at the Thomas & Mack.

Family is important to Martirosyan, who beams about older brother Vahe and younger brother Vatche.

Martirosyan said his fan base is located primarily in Glendale, the home to thousands of Armenians.

“I was walking through a park one day and a kid was boxing and said, ‘I’m Vanes, I’m Vanes’ and that made me feel real good,’’ he said.

While a title shot is still a distance away, Martirosyan believes his time will come.

“I think I’m ready right now, but I know I’m not,’’ he said. “I’ll get my chance someday.’’

If Martirosyan continues to win, he’ll get that opportunity. That’s the only thing a boxer can ask for.

-RA-

TRUFANBOXING WELCOMES -

Rick Assad has been a sportswriter in Southern California for more than two decades. He currently writes a column for The Tolucan Times (circulation 175,000) and contributes to The Burbank Leader. He has a political science degree from UCLA and a journalism degree from Cal State Northridge.

"DAT BE DAT" CONTINUES AT DEL SOL

Undefeated featherweight prospect Dat "Dat Be Dat" Nguyen (11-0, 6 KO's) returns to action Friday, August 31 at the Casino Del Sol in Tuscon, Arizona, where he takes on Rio Rico, Arizona journeyman Baladan Trevizo (5-13-6, 1 KO).
In his most recent outing, a toe-to-toe slugfest with fellow prospect and stablemate Castulo Gonzalez (9-3, 3 KOs), Nguyen threw an amazing 886 punches in route to a hard fought 8-round unanimous decision victory. The bout, which aired live on the July 18 installment of ESPN2's Wednesday Night Fight's, will likely find itself as a candidate for fight of the year honors. 
Nguyen, who is trained by the heralded James "Buddy" McGirt, spent the majority of his time preparing for this bout with Victor Ramos at Ramos' Palm Bay, Florida gym, as McGirt was away working as a trainer for the third season of The Contender reality TV show.
The Nguyen - Trevizo bout will be a featured undercard attraction on promoter Don Chargin's card, which will be televised live on the Telefutura network. The headlining bout will feature Yuri Boy Campas (89-10, 72 KOs) and Norberto Bravo (24-13-3, 13 KOs) in a ten-round light middleweight affair. The bout will represent the 100th fight in the career of Campas.