TalkingBoxing News
Stevie Johnston on "Collision Course"
FRI January 6 - Two-time world champion Stevie "Lil' But Bad" Johnston (37-3-1, 17 KOs) fights former NABF and WBC Fecarbox lightweight title-holder Steve "The Mongoose" Quinonez (31-9-1, 11 KOs) in "Collision Course, A Night of Champions," featuring three world championship matches and two other title fights, January 27 at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
In addition to defending his NABC light welterweight title, which he won December 3 with a unanimous 10-round decision against Vladimir Khodokovski, Johnston also faces Quinonez for the vacant IBO belt in one of five 12-round championship matches in "Collision Course, A Night of Champions."
Johnston-Quinonez plus a minimum of three other fights will be shown on the pay-per-view card promoted by Star Boxing, in association with Silverhawk Boxing and Guilty Boxing, and sponsored by Xyience. The special pay-per-view event is offered in the United States, Canada, France, Russia, Indonesia and Greece at a suggested retail price of only $24.95.
Johnston is a crafty boxer who captured the WBC lightweight championship twice between 1997 and 2000, including seven successful defenses. At the age of 33, he's reaching for the brass ring one more time. The Denver native has won two in a row, seven of his last eight, and an impressive triumph against Quinonez may set the stage for a "Lil' But Bad" showdown later this year against one of the light welterweights stars such as Floyd Mayweather, Ricky Hatton, or Miquel Cotto.
"Every fight I have is the biggest fight for me," Johnston said. "I have to get past this one to get to my next big fight. I'll fight any of the 140-pound champs - Hatton, Floyd or Cotto. Everything at training camp has been perfect - sparring, running, even jumping rope."
In 2000, Johnston lost the WBC belt to Jose Luis Castillo and three months later they fought to a draw in which Johnston originally was declared the winner by majority decision, but a scoring error was revealed resulting in the draw. Stevie's list of victims includes Jean Baptiste Mendy, Saul Duran, Cesar Bazan and Angel Manfredy.
Battle-tested veteran Quinonez' most significant victory was against Lovemore N'dou. Steve also went the distance against Jose Luis Castillo, Diego Corrales Steve Forbes and Michael Clark. Quinonez is coming off a 10-round decision against previously undefeated James Armah (14-0) last May.
Johnston was inactive for more than two years due to injuries suffered in a 2003 car accident. "I'm lucky to be alive, never mind fighting," Stevie explained. "I went through the windshield, woke up in the hospital, and ended-up with more than 100-stitches in my face."
Now fighting out of Vero Beach (FL), Johnston is part of famed trainer Buddy McGirt's stable of warriors that also includes Antonio Tarver and Arturo Gatti. "Buddy has made me box more," Stevie noted. "He's turned me into more of a boxer-puncher. I'm training hard, listening to Buddy, and doing all of the right things in training camp."
Johnston is promoted by Silverhawk Boxing and managed by Rider Boxing.
A total of three-world title and five regional championships will be on the line in "Collision Course, A Night of Champions." Also appearing on the guaranteed minimum four-fight PPV card is former three-time world champion Virgil "Quicksilver" Hill (49-5, 23 KOs) -- Silverhawk Boxing has a marketing agreement with him - versus unbeaten Russian challenger Valery Brudov (20-0, 23 KOs) for the vacant WBA cruiserweight belt in the 12-round main event; IBF minimumweight title-holder Muhammad "The Rock Breaker" Rachman (50-7-7-4, 22 KOs) defends his title against No. 1 contender Omar "Lobito" Soto (14-2-1, 10 KOs), while "Mighty" Mike Aranoutis (14-0-2, 6 KOs) fights for the NABO/USBA super lightweight crowns versus TBA.
Johnston's Silverhawk Boxing stablemate, Prince "The Boxing Prince" Badi (24-2-1, 13 KOs), WBC No. 11 rated light heavyweight, defends one of his four title belts - WBC Continental Americans light heavyweight - in the 12-round PPV "swing bout."
Tickets, priced at $200, $150, $100, $75, $50 and $35, may be purchased at the Tropicana box office (800.526.2935, 609.340.4020) or by calling Ticketmaster (800.736.1420).
For more information about Silverhawk Boxing visit its web site at www.silverhawkboxing.com.
Youngster Julio Showcased on ShoBox Tonight
FRI January 6 - Not yet 21 years old, talented, hard-hitting Joel Julio is already a budding star in the welterweight division. Julio, 25-0, (right) tipped the scales at 152 1/2 pounds while Kamya, 15-5, weighed 153 for their 10-round jr. middleweight bout tonight. PHOTO CREDIT: JAMES SMITH.
Taking it a step further, “ShoBox” expert analyst Steve Farhood says, “Julio is arguably the hottest prospect around. He is very fast and has natural knockout power. When he demolished Carlos Vilches, a solid fringe contender who had been in with some of the best, Julio sent a message that he could be dominant.”
Julio (25-0, 22 KOs) will face his toughest test when he puts his perfect record on the line against World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas champion Robert “The Doctor” Kamya (15-5, five KOs). The 10-round junior middleweight battle will headline the “ShoBox: The New Generation” telecast on Friday, Jan. 6, 2006.
In what promises to be an action-packed co-feature, Raul “The Cobra” Martinez will risk his undefeated record against streaking Andres “Andy Boy” Ledesma in an eight-round bantamweight battle. The Main Events Inc. doubleheader from Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Ill., will start at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on west coast).
The telecast represents the 70th in the popular “ShoBox” series, which debuted on SHOWTIME in July 2001, and is the first of back-to-back fight cards on SHOWTIME. In the main event on Jan. 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, undisputed welterweight champion Zab “Super” Judah will defend against WBC mandatory challenger and No. 1 contender Carlos Baldomir. In the co-feature, two reigning cruiserweight champions will collide when World Boxing Association (WBA)/WBC champion Jean-Marc Mormeck faces his International Boxing Federation (IBF) counterpart, O’Neil “Supernova’’ Bell, in a world title unification bout.
Julio, of Columbia, is a hard-hitting, offensive-minded, aggressive, two-fisted slugger who never takes a backwards step.
“Quite simply, Julio is the most intriguing and explosive prospect in boxing,” said ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael. “The Colombian is a massive puncher who oozes charisma in the ring. His power is scary. We have said it before and we will say it again: If Julio can take a shot, he will be a world champion. Expect 2006 to be a big year for him. The bandwagon will pull away soon, but there is still time to hop on board.”
In amassing an unblemished record, Julio has pulverized his opponents in an average of 3.3 rounds per fight, including six first-round knockouts. In what was supposed to be a stern challenge, Julio took apart the more experienced Vilches (43-5-2 heading in) on April 8, 2005, in Miami. The veteran Vilches quit on his stool after the third round following two rocket-like right hands to the chin from Julio.
“I got into boxing to knock people out,” Julio said. “I am not in there playing cat and mouse. I am a dog and I am going to attack. I am really excited about this fight and very happy to be fighting on SHOWTIME.”
Julio is ranked No. 8 in the WBC and World Boxing Organization WBO) and No. 11 in the WBA, He has flattened his last nine opponents, including an impressive fourth-round TKO over Hicklet Lau on Nov. 30, 2005.
Kamya, of West Palm Beach, Fla. by way of Uganda, snagged the WBC Continental Americas 154-pound title in his last outing with a 12-round majority decision over Alex Bunema (26-4-2 heading in) on Aug. 13, 2005, in Chicago. In a hard-fought match, Kamya won by the scores 115-112, 114-112 and 113 apiece.
“It seems like I am always the underdog, and that is just fine with me,” said Kamya, who has fought in eight different states. “This is a tremendous opportunity for me, fighting in a nationally televised bout on such a high-profile stage as SHOWTIME. Julio is a good, young fighter, but he has never fought anyone like me.
“If Julio thinks he can get in there, push me around and blow me out in two or three rounds or whatever he is predicting, he is in for a shock.”
Martinez (12-0, nine KOs), of San Antonio, Texas, is a part-time substitute teacher and a full-time menace in the ring. As an instructor, his calm demeanor helps him in the classroom. As a fighter, his assets are his power, hand speed and heart.
“Being a teacher has helped me be more disciplined as a fighter,” Martinez said. “It has helped me be more mature and responsible, and that shows in the ring.”
En route to compiling a 70-20-1 amateur record, Martinez was a two-time U.S. National Amateur champion, two-time junior amateur champion, four-time Texas Golden Gloves champion and a quarterfinalist in the 2004 Olympic Trials.
As a pro, Martinez has stopped six of his opponents in the first round, including his last three. After 12 victories in as many fights, Martinez is ready for his “ShoBox” debut.
“I am in great shape,” Martinez said. “If Ledesma comes in on me, I will counter punch. If he wants to brawl, I will box him.”
Ledesma (13-1-1, 8 KO’s) of Columbia, will not only make his SHOWTIME debut, but also his first start in America, one day before his 26th birthday.
“Being on a nationally televised fight is a great birthday gift,” said Ledesma, who has won eight straight. “But I will not blow out the candles until I knock out Martinez. Beating Martinez will be the icing on the cake.”
Ledesma has fought his entire career in his native homeland. On Oct. 15, 2004, he captured the Columbian super bantamweight title with a 10-round decision over Arcelio Ibarra.
Nick Charles will call the action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast is Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.
For information on “ShoBox: The New Generation” and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http://www.sho.com/boxing.
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