TalkingBoxing News
ESPN Lands Feliciano vs. Tsurkan
THU March 27 - After his incredible ten round heart fought war against Kermit Cintron for the IBF Welterweight title on November 23, 2007, that had every fan in attendance on their feet rooting for the underdog, Jesse "El Rayo" Feliciano (15-6-3, 9KO's #15 IBF) returns to the ring for yet another no holds barred battle against one of the most formidable boxers in the Jr Middleweight division, former NABF Champion Andrey Tsurkan (25- 3, 16 KO's # 10 WBC). This sensational match up will be televised live on the very popular ESPN2 Friday Night Fights series on April 25th from the Utopia Paradise Theater in the Bronx, NY.
"I have two of my most exciting fighters going head to head on April 25. This fight has all the ingredients of fire, power and passion to be one of the best fights this year on ESPN2. This is what boxing is all about; real fighters, tough challenges, real fights," said Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia. feliciano Tsurkan recently lost his NABF title by a highly contentious split decision to the undefeated Yuri Foreman at the Paradise Theater on November 14,2007. Believing he won his last fight, as did fans in attendance, Tsurkan jumps right back into the fire as he battles the tough as nails Feliciano at the catch weight of 152 pounds.
Feliciano who also fights with passion, 'heart' and a cast iron chin, gave a visibly rattled and shocked Cintron the toughest fight of his career. Jesse came very close to scoring a huge upset but left the arena with a legion of endearing fans. A win over Tsurkan will most certainly put Feliciano right back into the title picture.
This explosive main event is brought to you by Star Boxing's immensely popular fight series "Punchin at the Paradise" in the Bronx.
STAR BOXING RESERVES THE BEST VIP TABLES FOR YOU!
Consistent with Star Boxing's commitment to providing the best seats in the house, VIP tables have been reserved at $2000 for a table of ten. To secure one of our most popular VIP packages please call: Dottie Raven- 718-823-2000. Additionally, special reserved tickets in all price categories are available through the Star Boxing office. draven@starboxing.com - www.starboxing.com
Doors open 6:30pm first bout 7:30pm Ticket prices: $100.00-$50.00-$30.00 Tickets available at Star Boxing (718) 823 -2000 www.starboxing.com All Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com
Spinks, Phillips and Alexander Discuss Upcoming Bouts
THU March 27 - A large media contingent arrived for open workouts by hometown sons Cory Spinks and Devon Alexander “The Great” who are appearing in separate championship matches as part of Don King’s “Pride of St. Louis” event at Scottrade Center and Web cast on DonKingTV.com on Thursday.
The Alexander and Spinks workouts were held in separate gyms due to Spinks’s recent split from his trainer of 13 years Kevin Cunningham, which took place three weeks ago. Cunningham, who still trains and manages Devon Alexander, explained his departure from the Spinks camp.
“It just got to the point where Cory’s ready to run his own program with his new team and I respect that and wish him well,” Cunningham said.
Spinks said he was ready for a change and wanted to work with longtime St. Louis trainer Buddy Shaw.
“Egos get in the way,” Spinks said. “It has just been building. We [Kevin and I] have accomplished a lot in my career but I guess it is time for something new. From here, I am still happy and I’ll shine come Thursday night.
“There is no difference (between Kevin and new trainer Buddy Shaw). Kevin was a great trainer. We have got to move on. You still have to be great in the end. This is my job and I plan to do my job come Thursday night.”
Spinks added: “I’m going to have two gold medalists and two heavyweight world champions in my corner on Thursday in my father Leon and my uncle Mike. They have been helping me in the gym, too.” Former three-time world champion Verno Phillips is ready to face Spinks and become a four-time world champion.
“I know I am fighting him [Spinks] in his hometown, but I plan to get my fourth world title and join the Hall of Fame. I can’t control the hometown fans. All I can do is control what I can do in the ring and show my skills.”
Undefeated 21-year-old 140-pounder Alexander is ready to fight in his hometown as well.
“I know he [Miguel Callist] doesn’t have a big heart like I do,” Alexander said. “I saw his last fight and I saw that he doesn’t have enough heart. The guy barely hit him and he went down. I am going to take his heart very early and test his heart.”
WBA FEDLATIN super lightweight champion Miguel Callist remained undaunted at the prospect of facing Alexander in his hometown on Thursday.
“It’s OK for me,” Callist said. “If you want to be a champion, you come through the front door always. I come to St. Louis for the victory by any means necessary.”
Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25 can be purchased at the Scottrade Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 314-241-1888 for an automated line or 314-421-4400 or 618-222-2900 for sales rep, or online at ticketmaster.com. A per-ticket facility fee will be added to all tickets purchased at all locations, including at the Scottrade Center Box Office. Additional Ticketmaster service charges and handling fees apply. For disabled seating, call 314-622-5420. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first of nine scheduled bouts beginning shortly thereafter.
The free Web cast on DonKingTV.com will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT (blocked in St. Louis area). Spinks vs. Phillips for the IBF junior middleweight championship and Alexander vs. Callist for the WBC Continental Americas and WBA FEDELATIN super lightweight titles will be preceded on the Web cast by two featured attractions.
Undefeated cruiserweight Francisco Palacios, from Bayamon , Puerto Rico, will take on Zack Page, from Warren Ohio, and undefeated super middleweight Marcus Johnson, from Killeen , Tex. , will face Jose Medina, from Miami , Fla.
With McCline Win, Ruiz heavyweight player again
THU March 27 - Fresh off of his dominating performance against four-time world title challenger Jameel “Big Time” McCline, two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs) has fought himself back into position for another world title shot.
A rejuvenated Ruiz won a lop-sided 12-round decision on March 8 in a near shutout performance (119-109, 118-110, 117-111) against McCline, who is his previous fight had three times floored Samuel Peter, the new WBC heavyweight champion after stopping Oleg Maskaev on the same card in Cancun. (Judge Julie Lederman, who scored 119-109 in favor of Ruiz, also had McCline losing 112-113 to Peter.)
The new Ruiz is similar to the vintage edition of the Puerto Rican/American who first won the world title in 2001 with a 12-round decision against legendary Evander Holyfield.
“I’m excited and looking forward to my next fight,” Ruiz said. “All of my hard training paid off. (Ruiz weighed-in against McCline at his lightest in five years, 233 lbs.) I’m much more confident fighting this time around. I’m more aggressive than I’ve been in years, throwing more punches and combinations. Everybody’s talking about Sam Peter being the best heavyweight since Lennox Lewis. McCline almost finished off Peter and look what I did to McCline. I’m back at the top of my game and I can beat anybody out there. I’m still in the game; I will be a title holder again and try to unify the titles.
“I’m encouraged by a lot of positive feedback I’ve gotten since the McCline fight. I’m motivated more today than I ever was in the past. I changed my whole crew, especially bringing in Manny Siaca, Sr. as head trainer, which has helped me achieve the position I’m in, back on the right track. I’ve been learning some new things with Manny. I feel like I’m almost starting over again. I’m so excited. Manny has trained 28 world champs and I’m going to be his 29th. What I’ve been through makes me want it more today. Working with Manny has been a great opportunity for me to learn and put it into my game. I’m mentally focused and I’ve been doing everything possible to be my best.”
Ruiz, who has fought in 10 world championship fights, has beaten three world heavyweight champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and McCline during his 15-year pro career.
Ruiz-McCline was a WBC Qualifier with the winner promised the No. 3 spot in the next ratings. Ruiz is ranked No. 2 in the WBA and cracked the WBO ratings at No. 11.
“My fight against McCline showed I’m ready for anybody in the division,” Ruiz added. “If any of the true world champions want to show what they’re worth, let them prove it by fighting me, somebody who has never ducked an opponent and with more world title fight experience than anybody. I’m ready for any of the title-holders – (Wladimir) Klitschko, Peter, or the (Ruslan) Chagaev-(Nikolay) Valuev winner. I’m back in the gym already getting prepared for my next fight. I’m back!”
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