Geale defeats 37-year-old fringe contender Albert in first title defense; Fernandez-Cruz on 9/9

Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Productions wishes to congratulate International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight champion Daniel “The Real Deal” Geale (26-1, 15 KOs) for making his first successful title defense, a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over Miami via Nigeria’s Eromosele Albert (24-5-1, 12 KOs) on Wednesday night.

Fighting on his home turf at the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Tasmania, Australia, Geale showed tremendous ring generalship by out-boxing and out-speeding his determined challenger. The judges’ scores were 116-112, 117-111 and 119-109.

In front of more than 5,000 electrified fans, the wildly popular Geale entered the ring to a song written about him in his honour. Geale won the belt from Germany’s Sebastian Sylvester last May.

“Tonight saw the birth of a new Australian superstar,” said an elated Shaw, post-fight. “Daniel’s dominance is proof he is ready for anyone in the world. He’s worked hard to become the fighter he is and he’s been expertly brought along by Garrie Fransisco and Bill Tracy as his managers and Graham Shaw as his trainer. It’s a regional success story that is now going global and I’m proud to be his promoter.”

Shaw says that Geale suffered an injury to his right hand and will take some time off to heal before announcing his next move.

THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL CUP Sponsored by Holt’s Military Banking

BOXING is set to make a long awaited return to the world-famous Royal Albert Hall with a grudge contest between the UK Armed Forces and the US Armed Forces in association with the charity, Tickets For Troops, it was announced today.

Britain’s top boxing promoter Frank Warren, who is celebrating his 35th year in the sport, is masterminding the event, billed as ‘The Royal Albert Hall Cup Sponsored by Holt’s Military Banking’ which will take place on Friday, October 7th.

Hall of Fame promoter Warren, who is a Patron of Tickets For Troops said: “This is a great way of recognising the strength of the alliance between our two great countries and supporting a cause which is very close to the hearts and minds of most Americans and Brits.”The services have a great and proud tradition of producing first class boxers and this should be a fantastic evening of top class boxing as well establishing who is the best.”

The Transatlantic showdown will include teams of amateur boxers from both countries and over TWO THOUSAND free tickets will be made available free of charge for members of the UK Armed Forces and their families through Tickets for Troops (www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk) Warren was the last to promote at the Royal Albert Hall over a decade ago that has hosted some of the greatest names in British boxing including Sir Henry Cooper, Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis and Prince Naseem Hamed.

Nathan Pearce – the British Army Sports Control Board representative, said: “We have some excellent boxing talent across all the services and this is their big chance to show how they measure up against some tough opposition from across the water.”

Jasper Hope, Chief Operating Officer of the Royal Albert Hall, said: “The Royal Albert Hall has a long history of hosting amateur boxing competitions and is delighted to be able to support the valuable work of Tickets for Troops by doing so again for this occasion. As part of our wide public benefit remit and aid to other charities, we have supported Tickets for Troops in the past by donating tickets to a range of events for members of our armed forces and their families to enjoy and we are proud to show our continued commitment by hosting this event.”

Former two-time heavyweight champion of the World, Tim Witherspoon, said: “This is the ultimate showdown, a test for the toughest and no-one wants to be a loser on this night. Our reputation is at stake.” The US boxers will be made up from the US Military Boxing Associations.

Mrs Samantha Cameron, a Patron of Tickets For Troops, said: “This is a great way to celebrate the hard work of the Armed Forces on both sides of the Atlantic. Although I will be rooting for our boys, I hope that it is a great night out for everyone involved – they deserve it.”

The Cup’s sponsors, Holt’s is a specialist military bank – and part of RBS Group – which dedicated military banking experts providing bespoke services from its base in RBS Farnborough branch.

Rod Reading, Area Manager, Holt’s Military Banking, said: “As a provider of banking services to British troops and their families for nearly 200 years, we were delighted to play a part in bringing this event to the Royal Albert Hall.”

Chris Fernandez vs. Ronald Cruz on September 9

Philadelphia, PA—Chris Fernandez, whose scheduled fight last weekend against Shamone Alvarez in Atlantic City, NJ, was canceled due to Hurricane Irene, did not have to wait long for another assignment. He will now fight Ronald Cruz in a scheduled eight-round welterweight match on Sept. 9 at the Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia.

Fernandez, 35, of Salt Lake City, UT, flew into Atlantic City, NJ, last Thursday, only to learn 24 hours later that the entire card at the Tropicana on which he was to fight was called off due to the hurricane.

On Monday, when Anges Adjaho, of Buffalo, NY, called in with a badly sprained wrist, Fernandez jumped at the chance to fight Cruz. A pro since 1997, the 35-year-old Fernandez is 19-13-1, 11 K0s. In his last fight on May 14 in Campbell, OH, Fernandez lost a 10-round decision to Miguel Gonzalez, of Cleveland, OH.

This will mark Fernandez’ second trip to the Asylum Arena. Last year he was stopped there in seven rounds by rising star Danny Garcia, of Philadelphia, PA, in the 10-round main event.
Fernandez has boxed some of the best at 140 and 147 pounds, including Paulie Malignaggi, Devon Alexander and Gabriel Bracero.

Cruz, 24, of Bethlehem, PA, has won all 13 of his pro fights, 10 by knockout. In his last outing, July 1, at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, he K0d Doel Carrasquillo, of Reading, PA, in six rounds. He also has beaten Jeremy Bryan and Dillet Frederick.

The Cruz-Fernandez fight will serve as the semifinal to the 10-round main event for the vacant Pennsylvania State junior middleweight title between Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia, PA, and Keenan Collins, of Reading, PA.

The Rosado-Collins and Cruz-Fernandez bouts will be broadcast on TeleFutura’s Solo Boxeo Tecate at 11.30pm ET/PT (10.30pm CT).

Five additional fights complete the card at the Asylum Arena, located at 7 West Ritner Street. The first fight begins at 7.30pm and the card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., Don Chargin Productions and Golden Boy Promotions.

Tickets are priced at $45 and $65. They are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com.

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Fans at home can be part of the action by participating in Cinturon Tecate and voting for the fighter in the main event who displays the most character in the ring by sending a text message to 55333. Voting will be open through the end of the weekend.

Tecate, cerveza con character, is the largest beer brand to sponsor boxing matches in the U.S. Part of its commitment to make boxing accessible to customers is the title sponsorship of Solo Boxeo Tecate, which creates an opportunity for local fans to witness some of the most exhilarating fights by today’s up-and-coming prospects. Additionally, Tecate has been a primary supporter of Golden Boy Promotions’ marquee events since 2007, and has launched a variety of initiatives to ensure consumers are part of the boxing experience, including boxer autograph signing sessions, commemorative cans, PPV mail-in rebate offers, and most recently the launch of a mobile museum Tecate Museo de Boxeo, which showcases decades of the most memorable moments in the sport.

For more information on Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., visit www.peltzboxing.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/peltzboxing or become a fan on Facebook at Peltz Boxing Facebook Page. For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Promotions Facebook Page.