TalkingBoxing News
Harrison's Statement Fight Nears
THU August 11 - In a crowded division, it will take a special fighter to emerge from the pack as THE heir apparent to the sport’s greatest prize – the Heavyweight Championship of the World. As part of the ‘Best Damn Night of Olympians Period’ event on Thursday, August 18, in a bout to be televised live on FSN’s “Best Damn Sports Show Period” from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, the 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Audley Harrison is determined to make a major statement when he aims to become the first man to knock out the always tough contender Robert Wiggins.
“There is no more grooming to become Heavyweight Champion, my time is now and I’m ready to take over the heavyweight division,” said London’s Harrison (18-0, 13 KOs). “The media may talk about Calvin Brock and Samuel Peter right now, but on August 18 I will be at the forefront. My offer remains open for Brock or Peter if they believe I’m just all talk, especially Brock, since he has no opponent for his next fight. Forget the money, the location, the network, to me its about pride and confidence. I’m ready,” said Harrison from his Las Vegas training camp.
Harrison, who at 33 is approaching his physical prime, is coming off a seventh round stoppage of veteran Robert Davis in June. Davis had been in with some of the top heavyweights in the world over the last few years, including former world champion Michael Moorer and top heavyweight contender Monte Barrett, losing to both by decision.
But in Wiggins (20-4-1, 12 KOs), Harrison will be facing a determined veteran with a well-tested chin who is fresh from his career best victory, a fifth round stoppage of knockout artist and once highly touted heavyweight Courage Tshabalala in July. Wiggins, whose only stoppage loss was via cut to then-unbeaten Derek Bryant, is predicting to pull off the upset, something he almost did on two occasions against current title challengers Monte Barrett (Wiggins lost a split decision where one judge had Wiggins winning the bout by four points) and DaVarryl Williamson (a decision where Robert lost by a point on one judge’s scorecard and broke Williamson’s jaw).
With an impressive victory, Harrison would shoot past the division’s other top prospects, Samuel Peter and Calvin Brock.
“I respect both Peter and Brock as fighters, but Audley was the gold medal winner in 2000. Quite frankly, I just don’t see what all the fuss is about, especially if you look at each of their individual records,” stated promoter Dan Goossen.
Peter recently earned a title elimination fight against Wladimir Klitschko. So how did Peter arrive here? By ripping through the ‘legendary’ Jeremy Williams, Gilbert Martinez and Taurus Sykes. A look at his last fight, Taurus Sykes, who entered the bout with only one loss and a paltry 26% knockout ratio in his 23 victories, and whose biggest win was against a fighter (Friday Ahunanya) coming off a knockout loss in his previous bout partially tells the story. Prior to Sykes, Peter faced Gilbert Martinez, who had not won in his four previous fights, and whose KO ratio was 38%, says more.
“This is the next great heavyweight for beating Sykes and Martinez? Better than Harrison?” continued Goossen.
And while Calvin Brock has faced quality opposition in former title challenger Jameel McCline (who did have Brock on the canvas), he declined a challenge from Harrison to fight after the ‘A-Force’ dispatched of Davis. Brock instead chose to step into the ring next with Kenny Craven, a journeyman, sporting a record, which included 15 losses, against his 26 victories, with two of those losses against ‘Butterbean.’
“Boxing fans and the media have waited for me to step up and challenge the best in the world, and now we’re ready – and I mean immediately,” said Harrison. “So once again I will let everyone know, including Calvin Brock, that I’m ready, willing, and anxious to fight him next and to let my actions speak louder than my words. Only then will the true future of the heavyweight division emerge,” said Harrison.
“After I knock out Robert Wiggins on August 18, let’s do this for the heavyweight division and more importantly, the fans. I’m certainly willing to put it all on the line.”
Co-featured on August 18 will be the sole 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist and undefeated middleweight Andre Ward (4-0, 2 KOs) in a six round bout against Christopher Holt (12-4, 8 KOs).
Also on the ‘Best Damn Night of Olympians Period’ event will be Ward’s Bronze medal winning teammate, super middleweight Andre Dirrell (4-0, 3 KOs) fighting Arturo Ortega (6-2-2, 5 KOs) in a 4 round bout and the captain of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, hard-hitting heavyweight Devin Vargas (3-0, 3 KOs) in a scheduled six rounder against Javier Diaz (2-1, 2 KOs). Rounding out the card will be 2004 Mexican Olympic welterweight, Juan de Dios Navarro Ramirez of Torreon, Mexico, making his professional debut in a four round match up against Bhakari Gates (2-2).
Individual tickets to the Best Damn 'Night of Olympians' Period priced at $200, $125, $75, $45, and $30 can be purchased at the HP Pavilion Ticket Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers located in Wherehouse Music stores, Tower Records and Ritmo Latino locations throughout the Bay Area, online at ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at (408) 998-TIXS, (415) 421-TIXS, or (510) 625-TIXS. For information about group discounts call (408) 999-5746.
NABO Bantam Fight on Boxeo De Oro
THU August 11 - One man is a boxing legend and a future hall of famer; the other is a knockout artist with his sights set on creating his own memorable legacy. On Thursday, September 1, in a bout to be televised live on HBO Latino’s “Oscar De La Hoya Presents Boxeo De Oro” from the beautiful Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Arizona, former world champion Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson and top bantamweight contender Jhonny Gonzalez will meet at boxing’s crossroads.
And only one will emerge victorious.
This 12 round NABO bantamweight championship bout, which headlines an evening of world class professional boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions, will air on HBO Latino beginning at 10pm ET / PT.
In the televised co-feature, unbeaten junior featherweight prospect Jonathan Oquendo makes his United States television debut when he battles Elvis Martinez in a six round contest.
Doors open at 5:00pm and the first bell rings at 6:00pm.
One of boxing’s hottest fighters, Mexico City’s Jhonny Gonzalez (29-4, 25 KOs) has been on a three-year tear through the 118-pound division that has seen him rack up 15 consecutive wins without a loss, including 13 KOs. The current NABO bantamweight champion, the 23-year-old Gonzalez is ranked in the top ten by three major world sanctioning bodies, and he expects that a career-best victory over Johnson will catapult him straight into a world title fight.
Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson (44-4, 28 KOs) really needs no introduction to fight fans. A former flyweight (seven title defenses) and super flyweight (three title defenses over two reigns) world champion, Johnson is a virtuoso between the ropes, and even though he is coming off the loss of his super flyweight title to Ivan Hernandez last September, his 2003 victory over current world titlist Fernando Montiel and subsequent knockout win over Luis Bolano seven months later proves that the pride of Washington, DC still has plenty of gas left in his tank.
A native of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, junior featherweight Jonathan Oquendo (5-0, 3 KOs) has followed a stellar amateur career with an impressive run in the pro game thus far. Fresh off a second round stoppage of Tim Carrizales on July 16, the 22-year-old – who is the first Puerto Rican boxer to be signed by Golden Boy Promotions – will be facing a stern test on October 1st in Dominican veteran Elvis Martinez (10-11-2, 4 KOs).
Also featured on the October 1st show will be a pair of highly regarded prospects who are impressively making their way up the boxing ladder.
Featherweight Aaron Garcia (5-0, 2 KOs) has impressed boxing observers with his wide array of skills and a veteran’s ring savvy. In his last bout, the 23-year-old from Vista, California made short work of Carlos Mota, stopping him in two rounds on July 14.
Garcia will face an opponent to be announced in a six round contest.
Light heavyweight Otis Griffin (7-1-2, 4 KOs) has already amassed quite a following due to his stint on the reality television show “The Next Great Champ”. Griffin, a former professional Arena football player who won the competition and subsequently earned the WBO eight round light heavyweight crown by stopping James Sundin in February, is now chasing after the WBO world title held by Zsolt Erdei. On October 1st, Griffin will try to get one stop closer to his dream when he squares off against tough Philadelphian Tyrone Glover (11-8-3, 2 KOs) in a six rounder.
For tickets, priced at $25 - $100 please call (520) 393 - 2799 or 1(866) DDC WINS
For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, please visit our website at www.goldenboypromotions.com
'Radisson Rumble' Next for One in a Million
THU August 11 - ONE IN A MILLION INC., the Midwest's Premier pro boxing team, today announced its lineup and a new date for the September 2005 "Radisson Rumble" card at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza, I 65 & US 30, Merrillville, IN.
The new date of September 30th, 2005 will follow other shows, including a possible televised appearance, for the team's fighters, said Octavius James, CEO of One In A Million Inc. "We want to give our fans the best possible shows and our fighters as many opportunities as possible," James said. "Moving the 'Radisson Rumble' date out a bit opens up great opportunities for our fighters while still providing the best in boxing for our fans."
The "Radisson Rumble" will feature Newly Crowd favorite Jimmy "The Fighting Schoolteacher" Holmes, as he defends the IN.B.A. Middleweight Championship he captured in July.
The card will also feature boxers with internationally televised bouts in their careers. Undefeated and highly sought after Middleweight Michael "The Midnight Stalker" Walker, will continue his march towards a world middleweight championship. Walker has grabbed the attention of fight fans and promoters across the nation, overpowering his opponents with his relentless style.
"Mike Walker" is a tremendous asset to our team and to the sport," James said. "It's amazing how he's developed into such a powerful fighter and a hot prospect."
Light Heavyweight Guy Solis returns to the ring for the "Radisson Rumble" in his first bout since appearing on a One In A Million card broadcast live from Lynwood, Ill., on ESPN2. Lightweight sensations Jaime Alvarado, of Mexico City, and Merrillville's own Light Welterweight Jermaine "Too Sweet" White, along with Female Welterweight "Merciless" Mary McGee, on a quest to the top of women's boxing, will round out the action-packed card.
Tickets for the "Radisson Rumble" are on sale now starting at $25.
For more information on the "Radisson Rumble," or Tickets call 866-438-7372, Star Plaza Box Office – 219-769-6600 or Any Ticket Master – 312-559-1212 or online at www.ticketmaster.com
Visit us at: www.oneinamillionboxing.com
Forum
