News: Rodriguez vs Boone; Simon vs Ayala; Guerrero vs Duran

Unbeaten prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez steps up in class this weekend to headline “Saturday Afternoon Special” against veteran Darnell Boone in an 8-round super middleweight bout at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I. The power-packed “Saturday Afternoon Special” card is a rare matinee show (2 PM/ET start), promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Twin River, Banner Promotions, Star Boxing and DiBella Entertainment..

The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez (11-0, 8 KOs), fighting out of Worcester (MA), is a 2-time national amateur champion. Featured in the current issue of The Ring magazine, Edwin’s most significant pro victories to date have been against Patrick Thompson and Marcus Upshaw. Boone (16-12-2, 6 KOs) is an upset specialist who has already knocked off four previously undefeated prospects and defeated solid opponents such as Rasheem Brown, Calvin Green, Louis Turner and Jesus Gonzalez. Darnell has also gone the distance with present WBC light heavyweight title-holder Jean Pascal, 2004 Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward (Boone decked him), The Contender star Brian Vera, Fernando Zuniga, Anthony Thompson, Enrique Omelas and Curtis Stevens.

“Give Team Rodriguez a lot of credit for taking this risky fight,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “Edwin’s a classy kid who has all the ingredients of a future world champion. Boone has given some world-class fighters a lot of trouble, but Rodriguez wants to fight guys like Boone in order to improve.”

2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius “The Extinguisher” Andrade (7-0, 6 KOs), a former World amateur champion, fights in the 6-round co-feature versus another undefeated prospect Chris Chatman (4-0, 2 KOs).

Providence super middleweight Vladine Biosse (3-0, 3 KOs), former University of Rhode Island football player, meets Tafari Lawton (1-0) in a 4-round bout.

Light welterweight Simeon Dunwell (9-1, 2 KOs) faces David Marquez (5-6-1, 1 KO) in a 6-round bout. Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round fights are Hartford junior middleweight David Bauza (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Khristian Geraci (4-6-1, 3 KOs), New Haven light welterweight Edwin Soto (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Darrell Jones (2-2, 1 KO) and Providence light welterweight Jesus Caro (4-0, 4 KOs) vs. Damien Butler (0-1). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Rollback ticket prices for “Saturday Afternoon Special” are $25.00, $35.00, $50.00, $100.00 ($15.00 redeemable free play at Twin River), and limited $150.00 Jimmy’s Platinum Club ($25.00 redeemable free play at Twin River), and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 1 PM/ET, first bout at 2 PM/ET.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Saturday Afternoon Special.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)

SIMON-AYALA USBA MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP HEADLINES AT THE PALMS ON OCTOBER 17TH

Las Vegas, NV, September 28, 2009 – “Punch-out,” returns to the Palms Casino Resort in beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, October 17th, 2009. Headlining this explosive night of action which begins at 7:00 P.M. will be a 12 round USBA Middleweight Championship bout. Rounding out the night Guilty Boxing seeks to raise the entertainment value as we put several boxing and MMA fights together for your viewing pleasure in what we consider the best of both worlds.

In the featured bout of the evening, Guilty Boxing presents a 12 Round USBA Middleweight Championship Bout between Lajuan Simon (21-2-2, 12 KO’s) current USBA Middleweight Champion of Philadelphia, PA against “Mandatory Challenger” Elvin Ayala (20-3-1, 9 KO’s), of New Haven, CT in what should be a sizzling all action twelve round title affair. Undercard boxing action will showcase the likes of two local Las Vegas talents, Hard charging, non-stop puncher “Lightning” Lonnie Smith (8-2, 6 KO’s) fighting in a six round bout at lightweight coming off a spectacular third round KO in his last outing. Also featured on the card will be the mauler from Morocco, Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak (7-0, 3 KO’s). As an added attraction, Las Vegas Heavyweight Clarence Tillman will round out the card.

“Punch-out,” will also spotlight the up and coming stars of tomorrow, as we present hardcore MMA bouts! “MMA is quickly making its presence felt around the world, and Guilty Boxing and The Palms are striving to give the fans what they desire; the best of both worlds, boxing and MMA on one night for a very affordable price!” stated Guilty boxing’s Vice President Jeff Grmoja.

Tickets are available and start at just $30.00. Doors open at 6:30 P.M. and the first bout begins at 7:00 P.M. Tickets can be purchased now at the Palms Resort Hotel & Casino Box office or by phone at (702) 942-7777 or 1-866-942-7777.

Fernando Guerrero-Ossie Duran NABO championship bout to headline “Title Time” October 10 in Salisbury!

Salisbury, MD – Unbeaten Middleweight Fernando Guerrero will vie for his first title against ultra tough veteran Ossie Duran October 10 at Arthur W. Purdue Stadium in Salisbury, MD.

Guerrero, 15-0 (13 KO’s), who scored an impressive stoppage over Chris Archer on August 29 in Mississippi, is returning to his hometown to fight in front of his adoring fans. The beloved Guerrero is likely to fight before another sell out crowd but will have to bring his A game to remain unbeaten on October 10.

Duran 23-7-2 (9 KO’s) of Paterson, NJ by way of Accra, Ghana, has gone the distance in each of his losses and is noted for giving knockout king James Kirkland his hardest fight. The 13 year pro is a former British Commonwealth champion and holds victories over highly rated Junior Middleweight Jamie Moore as well as world title challenger Jonathan Reid.

The Guerrero-Duran NABO Middleweight title fight is scheduled for ten rounds or less.

The eight round co-feature will mark the return of Lightweight Ty Barnett 16-0-1 (11 KO’s). Barnett, a Washington, DC native, will risk his perfect record against upset minded Juan Santiago 9-2-1 (6 KO’s) of Denver, CO. The rapidly improving Barnett defeated perennial contender Johnnie Edwards during his last trip to the squared circle.

Cruiserweights Alex Guerrero 1-0 of Salisbury, MD and Jackson, TN’s Rodricka Ray 2-3-1 (1 KO) will lace up to do battle in a four round rematch. Guerrero eked out a majority decision over Ray in his pro debut and will once again fight alongside younger brother Fernando.

Former amateur champion Nick Kisner is set to make his professional debut against Winston-Salem NC’s Richard Gibson 3-1 (2 KO’s) over four rounds at Cruiserweight. A Ferndale, MD native, Kisner won a handful of tournaments during his storied amateur career.

Super Middleweight prospect Farah Ennis 11-0 (5 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will take on an opponent to be announced in a six rounder. Ennis will be making his fourth appearance in Salisbury.

More fights will be added to the undercard shortly.

Tickets to “Title Time” range between $18 and $123 and can be purchased by calling 410-219-3112 or by going to https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/Buy.asp?EventIDG293.

Arthur W. Perdue Stadium is located at 6400 Hobbs Road Salisbury, MD 28104. Doors open at 6 and the first bout is scheduled for 7 pm.

“Title Time” is being promoted by Prize Fight Boxing.

A primer promotional company during the last ten years, Prize Fight Boxing promoted Mike Tyson vs Lennox Lewis, the highest grossing pay per view in Heavyweight history, Roy Jones-Antonio Tarver, Antonio Tarver-Glen Johnson and Jermain Taylor-Winky Wright among others. Prize Fight also sold out more than 60 consecutive shows at the Tunica Casino during their successful “Fights at the Fitz” series and was named 2007 NABO Promoter of the Year.

Prize Fight Boxing’s current stable of pugilists include Fernando Guerrero, Olympic alternates Chazz Witherspoon and Shawn Porter, Dominic Wade, WBO Interim Junior Welterweight champion Lamont Peterson, Anthony Peterson, Farah Ennis, Mark Davis, Adam “Swamp Donkey” Richards, Tyrese Hendrix, Ty Barnett and Daniel Sackey.

For more information, go to www.prizefightpromoters.com.