Bronx, NY – Feb 07, 2008 After his sensational show stopping U.S debut in front of a SOLD OUT crowd at the Manhattan Center in New York City on October 18, 2007, French-Moroccan welterweight sensation Ali “Hurricane” Oubaali (20-3, 17KO’s) is set to make his second appearance in his newly adopted homeland, when he goes up against Great Britain’s Ashley “Treasure” Theopane (20- 2-1, 7KO’s).. Oubaali v. Theopane is the co- feature event at the Mohegan Sun Arena Friday, February 15, live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. It took just four rounds for Oubaali to annihilate his last opponent Victorio Abadia and we can expect more of the same when Oubaali and Theopane meet up for ten scheduled rounds of action.
In the ring, Ali Oubaali might be the busiest man in boxing, a swirling blur of hooks and crosses that blows through a ring like a tornado through a trailer park, Ali is a fighter that needs a dictionary to understand the word jab. He can throw a swirl of power punches before his opponent hears the bell.
“I want to be champion,” Ali says, rushing down the list. “I want to help my family, I want to be the best. It’s crazy. I come here and I don’t know a lot of people, I don’t know the language very well, my lease is not very good, but I do what I have to do to realize my goal. I want to be a world champion. I want to be a world champion for those who have supported me and I want to be world champion for my mother.”
“He’s a very motivated, enthusiastic kid,” says Joe DeGuardia, Ali’s promoter and the head of Star Boxing. “That’s one of the reasons we were so excited to bring him over. He’s extraordinarily appreciative of what we’re doing for him, and he’s on the verge of doing big things for us.”
“Seeing,” DeGuardia says about Oubaali’s work rate, pausing “is believing. He’s just a sensational, sensational boxer in terms of excitement. He reminds me of when Manny Pacquiao first started to make an impact in terms of the fire and excitement he fought with. He just doesn’t stop, winging punches from the beginning of the round to the end.”
STAR’S NEW YOUNG GUNS FEATURED ON UNDERCARD
Flashy southpaw and Philadelphia sensation, “The New” Ray Robinson (6-0, 2KO’s), who has recently been touted as “one to watch in 2008,” will meet Norwalk, CT, Shakha Moore (10-11-3, 2KO’s) in what will be Robinson’s toughest opponent yet. Sparks are sure to file, as Robinson will fight tooth and nail to keep his UNDEFEATED record unblemished.
Former IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Glen Johnson’s protégé and newly signed Star Boxing amateur stand-out, YaThomas Riley of San Diego CA, will debut his incredible skills as part of the talent packed undercard attraction.
The lanky 6′ 1″ 25 year old will step into the ring for the first time against Queens, NY, Borngod Washington (0-1) scheduled for four rounds. Trained by Johnson himself and the man who took Johnson to the World Championship Orlando Cuellar, Riley has the cream of the crop in his corner; he is one to watch as he rises up the division to stardom.
Also added to the undercard is Jr. Olympic standout, 18 year old Philadelphian Welterweight Raymond Serrano (2-0, 1KO). Serrano faces Ashantie Hendrickson of Medford, NY scheduled for four rounds. Topping off this lock and loaded card are three local young talented prospects; Eddie Soto (8-0, 4KO’s) of Pawtucket, RI, Eric Pinaretta (2-1, 2KO’s) of New Bedford, facing off against Providence, RI’s Richard Starnino (8-3-1, 1KO) in a scheduled four round bout.
Tickets are fan friendly priced at $75, $40, and $25, at all Ticketmaster outlets; customers may log onto ticketmaster.com or call any Ticketmaster to charge by phone. Tickets are also available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, subject to availability. Tickets are also available through the Star Boxing office by calling 718-823-2000 or by going to www.starboxing.com.