TalkingBoxing News
Julio Diaz Returns, June 25th at Playboy Mansion
TUE May20 - Former lightweight champion Julio “Kidd” Diaz (34-4, 25 KOs) makes his highly anticipated return to the ring on Wednesday, June 25, from the world famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif. (ESPN2 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT).
Sycuan Ringside Promotions (SRP) of San Diego, Calif. will promote the evening of boxing aptly titled, “Tribal Pride at the Playboy Mansion.”
An opponent for Diaz will be announced shortly.
Diaz, coming off a tough ninth round TKO loss against former lightweight kingpin Juan Diaz, is looking to get back into championship contention with a strong performance.
“When I lost my title (IBF lightweight) to Juan Diaz last November the only thing I could think of was how to get it back,” said Diaz, who lives and trains in Palm Springs, Calif. “It’s going to take a lot of hard work and determination. It’s a challenge that I’ve accepted and looking forward to overcome.
“It doesn’t matter who I am fighting,” continued Diaz, who is trained by his older brother, Joel. “I’m a seasoned veteran and seasoned veterans know how to figure out a fighter within one or two rounds My opponent will understand how tremendous of a predicament he’s in once the bell rings.
“I’m pumped for this fight. It’s going to be a great show. It’s at the Playboy Mansion and it’s televised on ESPN2. You can’t go wrong with those two combinations.”
The night of boxing showcases additional Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ fighters who are anxious to shine on national television.
Newly signed to SRP, Henry “Sugar Poo” Buchanan (16-1, 11 KOs) will display his super middleweight skills against a fighter to be named later.
Buchanan, who is an uncle to San Diego Chargers All-Pro linebacker Shawn Merriman, has been vigorously training in Las Vegas, Nev. for the last few months.
“I’m excited to be fighting on national television,” said Buchanan, who will move his training camp to the thin air of Big Bear, Calif. next week. “I’m not sure the super middleweight division is ready for me.
“I’m going to start making some noise and people are going to start recognizing me as an elite fighter.”
Buchanan will have plenty of supporters at the Playboy Mansion as Merriman plans to make the trip to Beverly Hills, as are many other celebrities. A full celebrity list will be confirmed shortly.
Buchanan’s most recent victory came on the undercard of the Vazquez-Marquez III bout on March 1, 2008 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Buchanan out-boxed and out-worked Ross Thompson (26-12-2, 16 KOs) en route to an eight round unanimous decision victory. All three judges scored the fight 77-75 for Buchanan. At the time of the weigh in, Thompson (177) even enjoyed a seven pound weight advantage over Buchanan (170).
“This is only the beginning for me,” said Buchanan after the fight. “I am working toward that world title shot. That’s all I want right now.”
Estrada Returns to ESPN Friday Night Fights This Week!
TUE May20 - 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada fights this week on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights for the second time in seven weeks when he faces Carolina heavyweight champion Moultrie “Jack Hammer” Witherspoon (14-1, 8 KOs) in an 8-round Special Heavyweight Attraction co-feature on “Ring Warriors,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), live from Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Providence native Estrada (12-1, 2 KOs), rated No. 9 by the NABO, is coming off of arguably his most impressive victory as a pro, taking a one-sided 10-round decision from former NABO/NABA/WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion Lance “Mount” Whitaker (32-5-1, 27 KOs) in their April 4 ESPN2 FNF show headliner.
On his personal mission to become heavyweight champion of the world, Estrada has fought anybody his promoter, Jimmy Burchfield, has put in the ring with him and none of them has had a losing record (203-73-9 combined record of his opponents when they fought Estrada).
“I’m not looking past Witherspoon,” Estrada said. “He’s coming to beat me, but it’s not happening in my house. I will be world heavyweight champion someday and he’s in my way. I’m real excited to be fighting on ESPN2 Friday Night fights for the second time in seven weeks. Fans all over can see what skills I take into the ring. I’m challenging anybody who believes they can stop me to step up to the plate. Arreola is fighting Witherspoon (June 21). Give me the winner and I’ll show the world who is the best heavyweight prospect, Jason Estrada.
“I dominated the United States amateur scene for years and I’m going to do the same as a pro on the way to becoming heavyweight champ. I’m willing to fight anybody to prove it – prospect, contender, veteran, comebacker, champion or title-holder moving up from cruiserweight. Anybody!”
The 27-year-old Estrada was one of the most highly decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 261-14 record in U.S. competition, becoming the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. Highlights of his amateur career included representing the United States in the 2004 Olympics and capturing a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-American Games.
During his tremendous amateur career, Estrada defeated some of today’s leading professionals including former world title challenger DaVarryl “The Touch of Sleep” Williamson (24-5, 20 KOs), unbeatens Malik Scott (30-0, 10 KOs) and Donnell “The Real Touch of Sleep” Holmes (28-0-2, 24 KOs), Malcolm “The Showstopper” Tann (23-4, 12 KOs), and Felix “Bad News” Cora, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs).
Tickets for “Ring Warriors” are priced at $25.00, $35.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
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