TalkingBoxing News
Guzman Feels Good, Weight Not an Issue for Barrios Clash
FRI August 25 - With a chest and arms so chiseled he looks as though he could go 12 rounds without breaking a sweat, undefeated former world champion Joan Guzman’s sculpted body, along with his tremendous stamina and lightning-quick speed, just might ensure his title bout with Jorge Barrios for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight title doesn’t go the distance.
“It’s been hard work to get where I am,” said Guzman (25-0, 17 KOs), of the Dominican Republic, who challenges current WBO 130-pound champion Barrios Sept. 16 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. “But I feel really good. I’m in such good condition and this has been a great camp. Everybody is loose. After Sept. 16, there won’t be any question who the best 130-pounder in the world is.”
Guzman admits he had a bit of trouble with his weight in his most recent bout, against former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Javier Jauregui May 6, 2006, in Las Vegas and his first bout since voluntarily relinquishing his WBO junior featherweight title. However, Guzman is well ahead of schedule for this upcoming bout.
“The difference between then and now is that before, I let the weight control me; now I control the weight,” said Guzman, who is promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “I’m eating much better and my focus is completely on this fight in everything I do and everything I eat.”
“Sycuan Ringside Promotions is very proud to be with Guzman,” said Glenn Quiroga, President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “With his skill and determination, he’ll be a marquee fighter for years to come.”
Since joining Sycuan Ringside Promotions, Guzman has changed his nickname to the “Sycuan Warrior.”
“Sycuan has backed me up every step of the way; they have treated me right and have helped get me where I am today and where I’ll be in the future,” Guzman said. “I’m proud to be the ‘Sycuan Warrior.’ ”
Guzman captured the WBO junior featherweight title Aug. 17, 2002, by stopping Fabio Oliva in the third round and successfully defended that title twice before vacating it to move up in weight.
“Guzman is about to make it on to everybody’s pound-for-pound lists,” said Scott Woodworth, Vice President, Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “This guy is a shooting star and will be a star for a long time.”
Estrada Added to September 20th Broadway Card
FRI August 25 - A star studded undercard highlighted by the Broadway Boxing debut of David Estrada will thrill fight fans on the Dmitriy Salita (25-0-1, 15 KO's) vs. Francisco Campos (20-7-1, 12 KO's) and Edgar Santana (18-2, 12 KO's) vs. Vladimir Khodokovsky (14-9-2, 3 KO's) main event doubleheader on Wednesday, September 20 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City when DiBella Entertainment teams with StubHub for another action packed fight night.
The talented and battle-tested welterweight contender Estrada (18-3, 9 KO's) gets back in the ring following a "Fight of the Year"? candidate war in April of this year against Kermit Cintron which was named an ESPN Instant Classic, and a close, tough decision loss to former world champion Shane Mosley in the spring of 2005. Estrada's fight will be one of two co-featured bouts on this special "Double"? Broadway Boxing presented by StubHub.
Estrada will try to get back on the winning track on the Broadway Boxing show, and then his sights set on an opportunity to face WBO light welterweight champion Miguel Cotto or WBO welterweight kingpin Antonio Margarito next, hopefully in December.
"If Cotto will fight me, after he loses, he will have to move down to 140 because he will realize that welterweights are too strong for him. I would be thrilled to fight Margarito because I know it will be a war, but a war that I will win. Cotto or Margarito would be a fight I would welcome. I will show both of them what a true welterweight can do in the ring."
Local unbeaten prospects will also be showcased including Dash-DiBella Promotions" featherweight sensation, Staten Island's Gary "Kid" Stark (16-0, 8 KO's) when he steps into the ring against Carlos Diaz (9-6, 7 KO's) of Tampa, Florida in an eight round bout. Stark has triumphed six times on Broadway Boxing. His bout will be the second co-feature on the show.
Manhattan's popular Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (6-0, 5 KO's) aims to delight fans and add on to his unblemished record when the power punching prospect meets Brad Austin (7-1, 4 KO's) of Johnson City, Tennessee in a six round middleweight showdown. Unbeaten lightweight Jorge Teron (11-0, 8 KO's) of the Bronx will also be in action.
Other scheduled bouts feature the Bronx's Joel Castillo (1-0, 1 KO) in a four round light heavyweight bout, Prenice Brewer who is coming off of a thrilling draw against Roberto Acevedo on the July 20th Broadway Boxing in his pro debut and Atlantic City's Patrick Majewski in his pro debut taking on Terry Peacock (0-0-1).
Two separate editions of the September 20th Broadway Boxing will air on a later date in high definition exclusively on HDNet and in over 30 million homes on SportsNet New York in the New York Metropolitan Area, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Southeast, Comcast SportsNet West and Comcast Local - Detroit. Broadway Boxing is sponsored by StubHub, HBO Sports, and Gallagher's Steak House.
The excitement of Broadway Boxing's fights and the electricity of the crowds at the Manhattan Center have drawn the likes of celebrities and athletes such as Jay Z, Hilary Swank, Rosario Dawson, Fat Joe, Camron, Lennox Lewis, Jermain Taylor, Ricky Hatton, Tiki Barber and Tracy McGrady to name a few.
Tickets are priced at $200 for VIP Balcony Box Seats, $175 for Platinum Ringside, $125 for Gold Ringside, $75 for Ringside, $55 for Lower Balcony Seats and $35 for Upper Balcony General Admission, and are available by calling DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577. Tickets are also available through StubHub by visiting www.stubhub.com.
Broadway Boxing fans can also go to StubHub to win an exclusive Meet & Greet with featured fighters Dmitriy Salita & Edgar Santana on the night of the fight. The winning bidder will also receive an autographed boxing glove and meet & greet with promoter Lou DiBella. Visit stubhub.com/boxing to bid.
Classy Baldomir's Life a Modern Day Cinderella Story
FRI August 25 - Not too long ago, not even the most diehard boxing fan could tell you who Carlos Baldomir or Sycuan Ringside Promotions was.
That was then.
Now, as Sycuan Ringside Promotions prepares to present its seventh world title bout of 2006, the stage is set for Baldomir to defend his World Boxing Council welterweight championship against fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. Nov. 4 from Mandalay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
“It’s really incredible how far Carlos has come in such a short time,” said Glenn Quiroga, President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “And there’s an interesting parallel between his ascent to the top of the sport and ours as a promotional entity. This is an exciting time for all of us.”
Baldomir stunned the world by tossing Zab Judah around the ring Jan. 8, 2006, in a 12-round decision in New York en route to becoming the welterweight champion of the world. Baldomir’s encore performance included a spectacular ninth-round stoppage of Arturo Gatti July 22, 2006, in Atlantic City, N.J.
“In the time frame that Carlos has been with us, you could argue that there hasn’t been a better fighter in all of boxing,” said Scott Woodworth, Vice President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “That is something of which we are very proud, and we couldn’t be happier for Carlos.”
Relentless in the ring, Baldomir’s pugnacious personality pulled him through the rough patches of his early career when he was forced to sell feather dusters in the streets of his hometown of Santa Fe, Argentina, in order to make ends meet. But, upon joining forces with Sycuan Ringside Promotions, his fortunes began looking up and he enjoyed his first real payday against Gatti; he’ll make even more against Mayweather.
“When I get in the ring and fight, I am doing it for my family,” Baldomir said. “Every punch I take is for my wife and kids so that they never have to have the life that I had growing up.”
Against Mayweather Jr., boxing’s modern day Cinderella Man once again will be the underdog.
“In my career, I have boxed everyone in their hometown, with their fans, referees and judges,” Baldomir said. “Judah’s from New York. Gatti had the press conference for our fight right down the street from where he lives. Mayweather Jr. can go ahead and look past me. Nobody has ever expected me to win and that’s fine. On Nov. 4, I will show once more why I own the belt.
“And a lot of credit goes to Sycuan Ringside Promotions for guiding my career to the point it is now. They’ve always treated me first-class in every way and have done everything possible to help me succeed.”
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has not only lived up to its reputation as the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional force in boxing, it’s redefining the boxing industry.
Since making its promotional debut during 2004, Sycuan Ringside Promotions already has or has had six current or former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country on premium cable networks.
But, Sycuan Ringside Promotions has done more than just assemble world-class boxers, it has promoted or co-promoted significant, nationally televised cards in California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas.
What has set Sycuan Ringside Promotions apart from other promotional entities are two fight cards:
During 2005, it presented the inaugural “Salute to America’s Heroes,” a benefit card at United States Marine Corps Camp Pendleton near San Diego which was open only to military personnel and free of charge. “Salute to America’s Heroes 2” is planned for the fall of 2006.
During 2006, Sycuan Ringside Promotions co-promoted the inaugural “Tribal Pride,” the first card ever presented solely by two Native American promotional entities and a glimpse into the future of boxing.
“The future of boxing is changing, and we’ll be at the forefront of that,” said Sycuan Ringside Promotions Executive Vice President Willie Tucker. “Our ultimate goal is to unite the Native American tribes and form a nationwide promotional entity. And we are well on our way.”
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