(ORANGE, CA) August 14 – One of this era’s most exciting warriors, former IBA junior welterweight champion Antonio Diaz thrilled fight fans with every swing of his fists. And after a three-year layoff, the pride of Coachella returned to the ring earlier this year and picked up right where he left off. On Friday, August 29th, Diaz continues on his road back to the top with an eight round bout against Juan Pablo Montes de Oca in the main event of Thompson Boxing Promotions’ ‘Path to Glory’, which will take place at Omega Products International in Corona, California..
Also in action in separate bouts will be hot welterweight prospects Pavel Miranda and Mauricio Herrera.
Tickets to “Path to Glory”, a five bout card of world-class professional boxing, are priced at $75, $45, and $30, and may be purchased by calling 714-935-0900. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the first bell is at 7:45pm.
Antonio ‘Toño’ Diaz (43-5-1, 29 KOs) has been fighting the best in the world for 13 years, including Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley, and Juan Lazcano, and he holds wins over the likes of Cory Spinks, Micky Ward, Ivan Robinson, Emanuel Augustus, and Omar Weis. The former IBA junior welterweight champion, with 12 title defenses to his name, took a break from the ring in 2005, but when he returned in July with a 12-round win over Felix Flores, it was like he had never left. Currently, the 32-year old is riding a four fight winning streak, one he hopes to extend when he takes on Las Vegas’ Juan Pablo Montes de Oca (9-14-2, 6 KOs), whose record doesn’t reflect his competitive spirit when the bell rings.
In what should be an exciting six round welterweight contest, Riverside’s Mauricio Herrera (5-0, 2 KOs) will put his unbeaten record on the line against experienced battler Santiago Perez (10-1-2, 2 KOs) who is the son of Cuban-Mexican legend Ultiminio Ramos.
An eight round contest at 147 pounds will see Tijuana’s Pavel Miranda (17-2, 10 KOs) looking to rebound from an upset loss to unbeaten prospect Ty Barnett when he takes on Riverside native Alex Viramontes (9-5, 3 KOs), Unbeaten junior welterweights with identical records will clash in a four rounder when Anaheim’s Danny Escobar (1-0, 1 KO) takes on Los Angeles’ Antonio Orozco (1-0, 1 KO), and in the four round opener, Huntington Park’s Daniel Hernandez (1-0, 1 KOs) squares off against Pomona’s Ricardo Sanchez (0-1).
CESTUS MANAGEMENT: LAUNCHES NEWLY INKED LATINO FIGHTERS
By: Cestus Press
Cestus Management, known for developing European and American talent, is now taking the next step and moving into the most powerful market in boxing: The Latino Market. Latino fighters and Latino fans have long been the bloodline that oils the boxing machine and keeps the “Sweet Science” thriving even in times of recession. Cestus Management, which is a worldwide boxing management company that molded and created fighters such as the likes of Koba Golgoladze, Ramaz Palyani, and Mike Arnoutis, has just completed management deals with Texas based boxers Jose “EL Matador” Cabrera (Super Flyweight), James “Quick Draw” Dubois (Jr Lightweight), Rodolfo “La Cobrita” Gomez (welterweight), Robert “Nighthawk” Luna Jr (welterweight), and Jairo “El Barbaro” Martinez (featherweight). Gomez, Luna and Martinez are all scheduled to fight in the Friday Night Rumble on the undercard of the IBA Latino Heavyweight Title fight between Hector ” Hurricane” Ferreyro and Ovaldo Martinez August 29, 2008 , in Laredo , Texas .
Mike Michael, who is Cestus Management’s chief advisor, said, the “Matador” (Cabrera), “Quick Draw” (Dubois), the Baby Cobra (Gomez), the “Nighthawk” (Luna Jr), and “the Barbarian” (Martinez) were brought into contact with our company Cestus Management over this summer. We saw them face-to-face, watched them train, and met with their families and we were impressed to the point of wanting to sign-up each one of them right then and there and that’s exactly what we did’. Michael continued, “with these young fighters, we are moving into the next dimension and the next phase of our company. The Cestus formula is proven and speaks for its self so it is only a matter of time before we have a string of Latino Champions in our stable .
I have been a long time fan and avid follower since i was a teenager of Latino fighters i got hooked when i watched an 8 mm tape of Miguel Canto and that was it. After that it was, Carlos Zarate, Afonso Zamora, Ruben Olivares, Lupe Pintor, Savador Sanchez, Julio Cesar Chavez, Ricardo “Finito”Lopez, Eric Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and of course now the magnificent Marquez Bothers Juan Manuel and Rafael, i can go on the list is endless, so i really am excited about being able to work with our new fighters” and be a part of the fighting heritage that they come from.
Michael added, “These five young Mexican-American gladiators without question have the tools, guts, desire, and the boxing ability to go all the way. Everyone in the boxing world knows that Cestus only signs fighters of quality and distinction, So this now, is the beginning of something grande and on the 29th of August, we begin our assault and rise to the top with our Latino fighters where we will keep adding and growing; So lock the doors and run for cover as we are about to launch a Latin explocion!”
Gina Iacavou, who controls the management side of Cestus, said, “We are very excited to be involved with our new fighters Cabrera, Dubois, Gomez, Luna Jr and Martinez who are getting the benefit of a true and respected professional boxing management company. The Latino market is something that Cestus Management has been looking to get into for some time and with the company’s unlimited resources, Jose Cabrera, James Dubois, Robert Luna, Rodolfo Gomez, and Jairo Martinez will be the next generation of popular Mexican/Mexican-American fighters who will thrive in boxing.” Gina added, “With the great Mexican boxing history and tradition, we at Cestus believe that our fighters will be respected and unstoppable forces that fight fans of all walks of life will enjoy for years to come.”
Gary “Tiger” Balletto to be inducted into CES Ring of Honor “August Annihilation” August 22 at Twin River Events Center, RI
PROVIDENCE (August 14, 2008) – One of boxing’s great all-time warriors, Gary “Tiger” Balletto, will be inducted into the prestigious CES Ring of Honor during a special ceremony at the August 22nd “August Annihilation” pro boxing show, featuring the return of The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr., at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Promoter Jimmy Burchfield, president of Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), established the CES Ring of Honor in 2005 in order to pay respect to inductees for their special accomplishments and contributions to New England boxing. Charter members include 5-time world champion Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz, former WBA and WBC welterweight title-holder Marlon “Magic Man” Starling, and 3-time The Ring Fighter of the Year (2001-2003) participant “Irish” Micky Ward. Other CES Ring of Honor members include former 3-time world champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera, world light heavyweight contender “Iceman” John Scully, famed Connecticut trainer Johnny Dukes, 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, “Sucra” Ray Oliveira and Israel “Pito” Cardona.
“We’re proud to honor Gary ‘Tiger’ Balletto, one of New England’s most exciting fighters ever,” Burchfield said. “Gary was a true warrior who could hit with the best of them. Few fighters in the past 20 years were as charismatic as ‘Tiger,’ who was a true throwback fighter that always left it all in the ring. And he was as tough as they come, too. Nobody stopped him in 36 pro fights.”
Providence-native Balletto (31-3-2, 26 KOs), who starred in The Contender Season Two, was the IBU lightweight champion. Today, he owns a gym and also manages a fighter on “August Annihilation,” Providence’s pro debuting junior lightweight Omar Pena, the former 9-time New England Golden Gloves champion matched Aug. 22 against Rasool Shakoor (1-3, 1 KO) in a four-round bout.
WBC rated No. 20 contender Manfredo (30-5, 15 KOs), star of The Contender Season One, fights Donny “The Savage” McCrary (24-7-2, 13 KOs), star of The Contender Season Three, in the 12-round main event for the NABF Interim super middleweight title.
“August Annihilator” is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in association with Twin River, The Tournament of Contenders, and CN8, The Comcast Network. The show will be taped live and air Saturday, August 23 at 7:30 PM/ET on CN8, The Comcast Network as well as Cox Sports Television.
In the co-feature, WBO No. 12 rated Power punching Joey “KO Kid” Spina (22-1-1, 15 KOs), former USNBC and IBF Intercontinental super middleweight champion, takes on former IBC Americas heavyweight title-holder Jim “Steel Chin” Strohl (27-6, 21 KOs), of Las Vegas, in a six-round super middleweight bout..
On the undercard in a pair of six-round super middleweight bouts, Rhode Island super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr. (10-0, 4 KOs) puts his undefeated record on the line against Brooklyn’s Ariel Espinal (6-3-2, 2 KOs), while Providence favorite Bobo “The Bull” Starnino (9-4-1, 2 KOs) faces Lowell (MA) brawler “Irish” Joey McCreedy (8-2, 5 KOs) in an old fashioned throw-down.
Also on the undercard card is undefeated middleweight prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (7-0, 5 KOs), former two-time U.S. national amateur champion out of Worcester (MA), squaring off against Marcus “Team Savior” Upshaw (8-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout. Former world title challenger, Greek featherweight Sandy “Lil’ Tyson” Tsagouris (7-1, 3 KOs), takes on Adawirky Lopez (1-0), who is a Pan-Am Games gold medal winner, in another six-round match.
Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro (1-0, 1 KO) tangles with pro debuting Clarence Smith in a four rounder. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “August Annihilation” are priced at $40.00, $50.00 (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club SOLD OUT) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Events Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), at the Players Club booth (2nd floor) at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.
Tickets are also on sale at Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (RI), 401 Gym in Cranston (RI), Rivera Brother’s in Lynn (MA), Balletto’s Gym in Providence, Big Six Academy in Providence, and Larry Army (508.407.5152).
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “August Annihilation.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)