New York Contender to Fight Saturday

11/03/2014 Raymond Rolak

DETROIT– Unbeaten cruiser-weight Steve Bujaj, (12-0-1, 9 KO’s); of Tuckahoe, New York, comes back to Detroit for an eight round co-main event. Bujaj, will be one of the headliners at the Masonic Temple-Jack White Auditorium in Detroit on Saturday, November 8. It is his first time back fighting since suffering a broken jaw. He will take on veteran Zack Page (21-44-2); of Warren, Ohio in the highlighted match.

Bujaj, who came to America as an infant from his native Albania, is hoping to have support from the large Albanian community that resides around the Motor City area. “I want the Albanian people to have an athlete they can rally around and be proud of,” said Bujaj. I feel the Detroit area can be a second home to me and I want to be an inspiration for my ethnic base.”

Anthony Barnes takes out Darryl Fields with a first round KO

08/19/201408/18/2014 Raymond Rolak

The KP Production’s 10 fight card at the Royal Oak Music Theatre, was more than expected. The last two showcase fights, ended in first round KO’s for the local winners Anthony Barnes and Michael Portillo. Barnes now stands at 6-0. His opponent, Darryl Fields from Akron, Ohio was a last minute substitution. Fields was caught off guard as Barnes landed an early heavy handed right with 21 seconds into the fight. Fields attempted to stand but it was all over.

Portillo’s opponent, Bernard Webster of Shawano, Wisconsin suffered a broken rib and the fight had to be stopped. Portillo, a Detroit native son, who had a large following, went to 3-0.

The “Polish Prince” Ryan Kielczewski goes to 20-0

06/29/201406/28/2014 Raymond Rolak

St. Charles, MO– Ryan Kielczewski, 24, the pride of Quincy, Massachusetts went to 20-0 (4 KO’s) with an eight round unanimous decision over Ramsey Luna. Luna, 22, of Corpus Christi, Texas now stands at 12-2 (5 KO’s). The Ameristar Casino crowd never got enthused with the plodding and lackluster match. The win puts Kielczewski into a great position for a super flyweight title bout. Kielczewski kept scoring with a methodical style.

With the win, Kielczewski, who has been branded as Boston’s “Polish Prince” should be in-line for a title fight. The fight was the lead in to the main event on the Friday Night Fights telecast on ESPN.

Boxing Card Thrills in Detroit: Tony Harrison defeats McKart

05/31/201405/31/2014 Raymond Rolak

DETROIT– In front of a loud and spirited crowd at Cobo Hall, middleweight Tony Harrison (15-0), made easy work of veteran Bronco McKart (56-11-1). Harrison knocked down McKart three times in the first round and veteran referee Sam Williams stopped the contest. In post fight celebrations, Harrison showed thanks for his spiritual beliefs, thanked and remembered Hall of Fame trainer Emmanuel Steward and paid homage to his grandfather, Henry Hank. Harrison then rejoiced with and thanked his coaches and support team. Hanks had fought at Cobo Arena in 1961.

Harrison, 23, used powerful lefts to disable McKart. “I didn’t expect him to come at me so fast,” said Harrison. “I thank everyone in Detroit for the support.”

Tony Harrison Gets Some Heavyweight Advice

05/07/2014 Raymond Rolak

photo by Nick Navetta — Indy 500 Winner Advises Detroit Contender

DETROIT– Memorial Day weekend usually means the Indy 500. The next weekend after that storied race is the Chevy Detroit Grand Prix. These are two giant motorsports events. Middleweight contender Tony Harrison is hyping his May 30th fight against veteran Bronco McKart as both a test and the next step toward a major title. He is also wisely cross-promoting himself all over Detroit to help ticket sales. He got a great boost from last year’s Indy 500 winner, Tony Kanaan.

The Cobo Center will showcase the McKart (56-10, 34 KO’s) and Harrison (17-0, 14 KO’s) rumble with a variety of ticket options. McKart, the former WBO light middleweight champion, now 43, has not had much action recently. “I respect Tony Harrison,” McKart said, “I think the world of him. He’s good for boxing in Detroit. But I’ve never taken a fight I thought I couldn’t win. I’ve been fighting for over 20 years and I’m not coming to lie down, that’s for sure. I’m coming with all intentions of winning the fight. I think it’s going to be a great fight.”

Title Fight Spoiled by Panicked Exit

05/05/2014 Raymond Rolak

LAS VEGAS– The battalion chief for the Clark County Fire Department, Erik Poleski, said 24 people were taken to Las Vegas area hospitals after a panicked crowd stormed out the doors of the MGM’s Grand Garden arena.

This was just after the WBC/WBA welterweight (147 pounds) unification title fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Marcos Maidana had just finished at the venue. It was reported that over 60 people were injured after a rush to leave the arena. Some exits were found to be closed and leaving spectators were funneled to certain directions of egress.

The Las Vegas police confirmed reports of a loud bang in the area that probably led to spectators stampeding out. The bang was caused by a temporary wall that fell down near the adjacent food court, Poleski added. The bulk of the medical transports were for minor injuries like cuts, and sprains, as well as leg and back injuries. “Most of the injured seemed to be from traumas associated with being stepped on,” said Clark County spokesman Erik Pappa.