TalkingBoxing News
Showtime Boxing Update
MON May 15 -
Roman Karmazin will defend his IBF junior middleweight title against former undisputed world welterweight champion Cory Spinks on a special edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 8, LIVE on SHOWTIME from the Savvis Center in the challenger's hometown of St. Louis, Mo. The fight will be promoted by Don King Productions.
Karmazin (34-1-1, 1 ND, 21 KOs), of Russia, stamped himself as one of the junior middleweight division's best in his last start when he captured the IBF 154-pound title with a convincing, upset 12-round unanimous decision over highly regarded Kassim Ouma on July 14, 2005, in Las Vegas. Karmazin has won five consecutive starts (with one no-decision) since suffering his lone loss on a decision to Javier Castillejo in a bout for the WBC Interim 154-pound crown on July 12, 2002.
Spinks (34-3, 11 KOs) hopes to accomplish what Jose Antonio Rivera did earlier this month on SHOWTIME when he stepped up in weight on his home turf and stunned Alejando “Terra†Garcia to win the WBA 154-pound title. Spinks will make his first appearance since losing his undisputed world welterweight titles to Zab Judah via a ninth-round TKO on Feb. 5, 2005, also at the Savvis Center and on SHOWTIME. That exciting bout was witnessed by 22,370, one of the largest crowds in history to witness an in-door arena boxing match.
On Saturday, July 1, a night normally reserved for the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING series, a special edition of "ShoBox: The New Generation" will air at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). Details on the card will be announced soon.
Estrada Vs Wiggins
MON May 15 - In only his sixth professional fight, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada (5-0, 1 KO) takes on veteran Robert Wiggins (20-6-1, 12 KOs) in a battle of Providence heavyweights, the 10-round co-feature on the “Let It Ride” Pro-Am show Thursday night (May 18) at the Rhode Island Convention Center in downtown Providence.
“Let It Ride,” the first Pro-Am boxing show in Rhode Island history, is promoted by Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES) and sponsored by Lincoln Park. The headliner is IWBF lightweight champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (16-3-1, 7 KOs) defending her belt against intrastate rival Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino (13-1, 6 KOs), the reigning IWBF featherweight title-holder.
Wiggins is an upset specialist who has knocked off previously unbeaten prospects (13-0) Derek Bryant (TKO4), (13-0) Erik Kirkland (KO10) and (7-0-1) Cisse Salif (DEC4). The tough southpaw has been in the ring against the likes of former world title challengers DaVarryl Williamson and Monte Barrett.
“My fight was supposed to be eight rounds,” Estrada said, “but they wanted it 10 because they think I’ll get tired. I’m not going to get tired. The longer the fight goes, the longer I’ll beat him until I take him out. He’s much too slow for me. Whether or not it’s stopped on cuts, his face will be swollen from all the shots I’m going to land on him.
“I’m willing to take on anybody. Everybody knows of Robert Wiggins. He’s been on television and fought a lot of good guys. It’s going to be a good win for me. He should have gotten a win against Monte Barrett. This is the kind of fight that I can get some name recognition. Before I start making a name nationally, I have to take care of my own neighborhood, and both of us are from providence. I’m more than ready to take this step up against Wiggins.”
“Let It Ride” will be taped live and broadcast on CN8, The Comcast Network. The event will air network wide on SATURDAY, May 20 at 7:00 PM/ET. The CES/CN8 announcing team includes blow-by-blow commentator Ed Berliner, former five-time world champion Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz serving as color analyst, and Phil Burton as ringside reporter.
WBC rated No. 18 super welterweight Ossie Duran (20-5-1, 9 KOs), of Ghana, makes his U.S. and CES debut against Marcos “The Terminator” Primera (19-13-2, 12 KOs) in a six-round Special Attraction. Duran, who lived in England, is the former Commonwealth junior middleweight and welterweight champion. Venezuelan-born Wilson, fighting out of North Carolina, knocked off previously unbeaten Carlos De Leon, Jr. (12-0-1) and former U.S. Olympian Dante Craig (8-1). He’s also been in against Jermain Taylor, Luis Collazo, Kofi Jantuah, Kinsley Ikeke, Willie Gibbs and Joshua Clottey.
Also on the undercard is Providence middleweight Richard “Bobo” Starnino (6-1-1, 1 KO), returning to the ring for the first time in nearly 2 ½ years, against Keith Sonley; Pawtucket lightweight Eddie Soto (4-0, 3 KOs) squares off against Montez Wilson, fighting out of Camden, New Jersey.
Newly crowned National Golden Gloves 152-pound champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (401 Gym), arguably the No. 1 amateur boxer in the country, boxes before his hometown fans against two-time Irish champion James Wasson (Knockout Boxing), the Belfast native now living in South Boston. Andrade, who also is the 2-time U.S. Championships winner, and Wasson are 2008 Olympic hopefuls for their respective countries.
In another outstanding amateur match, Mark DeLuca (Duxbury, MA) faces rival Nathan Busa (Newton, MA, Knockout Boxing) at 165 pounds. Diego Pereira (401 Gym) and Jesus Cairo (Manfredo’s Gym) are pitted for Rhode Island bragging rights at 141 pounds and Providence’s 13-year-old Hector “Hands of Stone” Colon (401 Gym), five-time Jr. Olympic winner, faces Alex Frechette (South Boston Boxing Club) at 105 pounds.
“Let It Ride” is dedicated to the memory of famed Rhode Island-based trainer Robert “Tiny” Ricci, who passed away two years ago.
All bouts and boxers are subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $30 (general admission), $60 (reserved), $100 (ringside) and $150 (limited Jimmy’s Platinum Club). VIP tables also are available. Call 401.724.2253 to order tickets, for additional information, or sponsorship/advertising opportunities. Or go to www.cesboxing.com.
Doors open at 5:30 PM, first bout at 6:30 PM.
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