This past week I was given the opportunity to interview via telephone Atlantic City’s rising light heavyweight prospect Lavarn Harvell as he prepares for his June 14th bout against Paul Vasquez from Martinez, California.
Lou McLaughlin
Antoine “Action” Douglas 6th fight in 2013 on ESPN June 14, 2013
This week I conducted a phone interview with rising middleweight Antoine “Action” Douglas of Washington, D.C. who is scheduled to fight his 6th fight of 2013 against seasoned veteran Ibahiem “The Almighty” King on June 14th at the Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange, N.J. as part of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Antoine has had to overcome a lot of adversity in life. Douglas grew up with two drug-addicted parents, both of them in and out of jail. He and his sister and two brothers were raised by aunts, uncles, cousins, and strangers in the foster care system.
Q & A with super bantamweight prospect Jorge Diaz fighting June 14, in West Orange, N.J.
June 14th ESPN Boxing Show will be telecasting championship boxing from Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange N.J. The Main Event will feature Jundy Maroan vs. Juan Carlos Payano in a WBC Championship fight.
The co–main event features rising super bantamweight Jorge “King” Diaz 17(10)-1-0 of New Brunswick, N.J. battling Miami based Yenifel Vicente 24 (16)-1-2 for the WBC FECARBOX title in a scheduled 8 rounds. FECARBOX refers to Federacion Centroamericana de Boxeo Profesional–a Central American sanctioning body of the World Boxing Council.
2013 New Jersey Golden Glove Finals Results
This past Saturday night for the second year in a row The New Jersey Golden Gloves Finals were held at Newark’s Prudential Center Arena. The winners in these contests move up to representing New Jersey in the National Golden Gloves Tournament. The evening’s program consisted of 14 bouts. These bouts as per amateur boxing standards are three rounds of 2 minutes per round. The enthusiasm and heart of these young athletes provided rousing entertainment. There were numerous boxing celebrities in attendance.
New Jersey’s Golden Gloves Open Class Finals at Newark’s Prudential Center Saturday April 20th
Nearly every big name elite boxing champion starts his career at a young age in the amateur competition of the Golden Gloves. Name any elite champion of the past 40 years-Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, or even New Jersey’s “The Real Rocky” Chuck Wepner started competing for the glory of trophies. New Jersey Golden Gloves is a nonprofit organization that promotes amateur boxing, runs local tournaments and sends the state’s best boxers to the Golden Gloves of America’s national tournament each year. It is headed by Mr. Dan Doyle who selflessly devotes many hours per week organizing and managing this Tournament.
Action packed ”Fight Night at the Park” Results from North Bergen, N.J.
This past Saturday night April 13, KEA Boxing Promotions and Global Boxing presented” Fight Night at the Park” at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen New Jersey .The evening consisted of six bouts. The venue was sold out to a very vocally enthusiastic audience. With ticket prices beginning at $55 it was an evening of great entertainment for local boxing fans. Among the boxing celebrities in attendance were former light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Bobby Czyz, famed promoter Don Elbaum, former junior welterweight and welterweight champion now trainer James “Buddy” McGirt.
Newark’s Alex “ The Bullet” Perez at Schuetzen Park, North Bergen, NJ on April 13th
This past week Newark’s Alex “The Bullet” Perez took time from his preparations for his April 13th comeback bout against Kenny Abril for a Q & A interview. The fight is scheduled for 8 rounds as the semi-main event at Schuetzen Park, North Bergen, NJ. Alex is a tall rangy southpaw welterweight with a 16 (9) -1 -0 record. He has sparred with world class fighters such as Miguel Cotto, Sergio Martinez, and Felix Strum. Alex made his pro debut in December 2004 with a first round knockout at the 2:53 mark. He seemed to be off to a great start and a promising career. But shortly after his first professional fight he was the victim of two gunshot wounds in a street altercation not of his making.
Interview with Newark Heavyweight Aaron “The Animal” Kinch
By Lou McLaughlin: As New Jersey recovers from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, Newark heavyweight Aaron “The Animal” Kinch was generous to give me time for an interview. Aaron is in the midst of preparing for his next bout November 10 at the River Edge in Reading, Pennsylvania. Kinch winner of 3 (KO 1) + lost 0 (KO 0) + drawn 1 will be facing Randy Easton of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. After a sterling amateur career Kinch at the age of 30 decided to go pro. Although it is a late start Kinch has been fast tracking as November 10th will be his fourth fight in 2012. I have attended two of Aaron’s fights and seen him spar at the Elite Heat Boxing Gym of Newark. His style is reminiscent of James Toney. He has cute defensive moves and is deceptively fast. He is trained by John Thompson III a.k.a. “Brother Ya Ya”. Thompson also trains his son John Thompson IV a Newark Light Middleweight