TalkingBoxing News
Johansen Promises Long Night for Haye
THU March 23 - Undefeated cruiserweight Lasse Johansen will cut a menacing figure at London's historic York Hall this Friday, March 24 when the tall, hammer fisted Dane must wade through a venomous sea of rabid David Haye supporters before he can climb through the ropes to challenge for the European title currently held by "The Haymaker". Having yet to suffer the bitter sting of defeat, Johansen is brimming with confidence that his British excursion will yield impressive results and bring him to the forefront of European boxing at the expense of Haye's burgeoning career.
"I look forward to facing David Haye in front of his own crowd," said Johansen coolly. "My last three fights have been in the Czech Republic, so being away from home is nothing new for me. I feel no pressure at all in this bout because I have nothing to lose. I know that I am the underdog but Haye knows that he has to win this fight. If he loses to me, it will be a big, big catastrophe for his career."
Six years ago as amateurs in Greece, Johansen and Haye met in the ring with the Englishman winning the competitive contest on points. The Dane was floored twice by Haye's startling one punch power but refused to stay down and pressed his rival's back to the wall for the rest of the bout.
Before the dust had settled, Johansen managed to tag "The Haymaker" with a perfect uppercut, producing a mouth injury that kept Haye from participating further in the Acropolis Cup and likely winning tournament gold. The London based champion was not amused and has promised to extract his revenge upon the challenger when they meet at York Hall on Friday.
While he respects Haye's two fisted dynamite, Johansen feels that his opponent's raw power will provide the ammunition that he needs in order to topple the favored hometown fighter. "I know that Haye is very fast and hits very hard but I have trained for this and he's not going to hit me," vowed Johansen. "I saw the fight in which Carl Thompson gave Haye his only loss and I could see in David's eyes that he knew Thompson was the better, stronger fighter who he could not stop.
"Haye uses every muscle in his body every time he throws a punch and if he cannot knock me out early, then I will win this fight. I am coming to London very fit, very fast and prepared to do everything that I can to win this fight. I do not make boring fights and promise that this will be fun to watch. When Haye and I fought in the amateurs I was too thin and only had a tremendous will to fight, but not the strength. Now I am much stronger and have the tools I need; I will make Denmark by bringing home the European title."
David Haye and Lasse Johansen collide on Maloney Promotions' "The Hayemaker Hits London" bill from York Hall on Friday, March 24. Also in action are many of the top prospects in Britain today such as Gary Woolcombe, Sam Webb, Ian Wilson, Jadgar Abdulla, Tom Glover and Robert Lloyd-Taylor.
Sky Sports will televise the "The Hayemaker Hits London" in the UK starting at 10PM on SS1.
Tickets are available online at www.maloneypromotions.com or via the Box Office on 0871 226 1508
IBF Orders Rabah-Hatton Fight
THU March 23-
On September 19, 2005, Naoufel Ben Rabah defeated Arturo Morua to become the #1 mandatory challenger for Ricky Hatton's International Boxing Federation (IBF) title. In accordance with the IBF rules, Hatton would be obligated to defend against Rabah either before or on March 5, 2006.
Due to Hatton's pending court case pertaining to the WBA title, the IBF respectfully decided to hold off notifications. However, with the case still pending and Team Hatton recently considering fighting someone other than Rabah on May 13, the IBF has rightfully now taken action.
On March 21, the eminent IBF Championship Chairman Lindsey E. Tucker, Jr. ordered for negotiations to commence immediately between both parties. We appreciate and applaud Mr. Tucker and the IBF for holding to their word.
It is now time for Team Hatton to enter talks with our Las Vegas-based representative and the Picasso of boxing, Mr. Sampson Lewkowicz.
In the event a Hatton-Rabah fight is not negotiated by April 21, the IBF will order for a purse bid to be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2006.
We know Ricky Hatton is a respectable gentleman that would rather lose the title in the ring than in the office. He is a true champion and we hope his handlers allow him to be a man of honour.
Williams Added to Guilty/GBP Card
THU March 23- Undefeated Las Vegas Cruiserweight, Aaron Williams (6-0, 5 KO’s), has been added to the March 24th , Telefura Solo Boxeo de Miller card at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The exciting night of world-class fight action is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, in association with Guilty Boxing.
This will be Williams’ six-round debut as he takes on Alejandro Vergin (5-4-2). Vergin has never been stopped as a pro.
Williams was a highly decorated amateur whose 100+ bout amateur career was highlighted by 9-National Championships and two national amateur wins over Matt Godfrey.
“I’ve been working very hard with guys like Montell Griffin and Sam Peter, said the teenage Cruiserweight. “Sparring with Sam (Peter) has really helped my strength and stamina. Working with Montell has helped me with my accuracy and patience.”
In his last bout, January 13th, Williams stopped battled-hardened James Johnson with a body punch in the 1st round.
Team Williams is very confident about their young fighter’s future. “Aaron is working with the best fighters in the world, from light heavyweight to heavyweight,” said co-manager Albert Falcon. “He’s made a big impact on the Las Vegas boxing scene in his first year as a pro. After Friday night, you’ll know why!”
This will be William’s third appearance with Guilty Boxing. William’s co-manager Patrick Doljanin said, “we are very pleased and to be working with Guilty Boxing. I would like to thank Jimmy Montoya and Nick Ratteni for this opportunity. They have always been first class gentleman and a pleasure to work with.”
The main event for this exciting card will be a 12 round elimination bout between Manuel Medina (65-14, 31 KOs) vs. Javier Alvarez (33-4-1, 16 KOs) to determine who becomes the number one contender to IBF junior lightweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera.
The show will be aired live on Telefutura’s ‘Solo Boxeo’ de Miller beginning at 6pm PT / 9pm ET, March 24th at the Orleans Hotel and Casino. Doors open at 5pm and the first bell rings at 5:30pm.
Air Dates for Broadway
THU March 23- DiBella Entertainment along with Madison Square Garden Network (MSG), Fox Sports Net New England (FSNNE), Comcast SportsNet Chicago and HDNet have announced a total of eight broadcasts for the March 9th installment of Broadway Boxing Presented by Turning Stone Resort and Casino from the Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center.
The card is headlined by for rising Puerto Rican star Edgar El Chamaco Santana (17-2, 12 KOs), originally from Manati, Puerto Rico and now fighting out of Spanish Harlem, as he squares off against Francisco Campos (20-6-1, 12 KOs) of Costa Rica in a scheduled10 round junior welterweight bout. Santana is one of the most popular New York-based fighters and has reeled off twelve straight victories, including eight in a row on Broadway Boxing events.
MSG will air Broadway Boxing’s latest installment on Thursday, March 23rd at 8PM, Friday, March 24th at 1 AM (condensed to one hour) and Sunday, March 26th at 6PM. FSNNE will broadcast the card on Friday, March 31st at 11PM, with Comcast SportsNet Chicago airing the show on Sunday, April 2nd at 8PM CT and Wednesday, April 19th at 8PM CT.
HDNet will air the bouts in stunning High Definition on Friday, April 7th at 9:30PM and Saturday, April 8th at 12:30AM.
A bevy of New York area fighters are also included on the broadcast including Staten Island’s Gary Stark, Jr. (14-0, 7 KOs) in a scheduled eight round junior lightweight co-feature against Debind Thapa (20-5-1, 11 KOs). The unbeaten Stark is promoted by Dash-DiBella Promotions. Also featured on the broadcast will be 2000 Dominican Olympian Jerson Ravelo (15-1, 10 KOs) of Newark, NJ in a super middleweight bout and Woodside’s Washington Hago (2-2, 2 KOs) in a junior lightweight contest against Carlos Vinan (5-1, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ.
Along with Turning Stone Resort and Casino, the site and title sponsor, Broadway Boxing is also sponsored by HBO Sports, Locatestock.com and Gallaghers Steak House.
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