Boxing News: Arthur vs Cook, Manuel Quezada, Amateur Boxing

Alex Arthur has been sparring with two former opponents in preparation for his first WBO World Super-Featherweight title defence against Nicky Cook. The 30-year-old says he has conducted his most intensive training camp ever ahead of the clash on September 6 at the M.E.N Arena, Manchester. Amir joint headlines the blockbuster show with a defence of his WBO Intercontinental title defence against Colombian KO king Breidis Prescott, live and exclusive on Sky Box Office..
Former world champion Wayne McCullough has been overseeing proceedings.

And he has been watching Arthur spar fellow Scots Willie Limond and Ricky Burns in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Rising prospect Jason Hastie has also been doing rounds with Arthur.

“There were a few problems ahead of the Steve Foster fight, but I couldn’t have asked for a better training camp this time round,” said Arthur.

The former British, Commonwealth and European champion had to climb off the floor against Foster amid concerns he was struggling to make weight.

But he said he will comfortably do 9’4 this time around.

“With three weeks to go I was just seven pounds over the limit, so there shouldn’t be a problem,” said Arthur.

“This is definitely the most intensive training camp I’ve ever had.

Meanwhile Nicky Cook has revealed his torment at trying to make the nine stone featherweight limit in previous fights.

“I was getting down to super-featherweight without too much problem, but trying to shift those last four pounds was absolute hell,” said Cook.

“It was eating into my muscle and leaving me weak at the weight. It affected my performance against Steve Luevano when I lost for the first time, but I’ll be much stronger at 9’4.”

Cook has been sparring former European light-welterweight champion Colin Lynes.

The night of boxing will be available to Sky digital subscribers for £14.95 on Sky Box Office channel 743 and in high definition on channel 753. It can be ordered by press the red button on the Sky remote handset – there is a £1 booking fee for any orders made by phone. For further information and to order the event, viewers can call: 08442 410 888

Tickets for 2 Hot 2 Handle, priced at £30, £40, £50, £100, £150 and £200, are available from www.frankwarren.tv

“EL TORO” IS BULLISH ON HEAVYWEIGHT FUTURE

Los Angeles, CA (August 18, 2008) – Having lost four of his first 15 bouts, Manuel Quezada (23-4, 15 KOs) looked like a boxer destined for nothing more than journeyman status. But the fortunes of the Wasco, California native have done a complete 180 turnaround, as he will be seeking his 13th straight victory when he makes the first defense of his WBC CABOFE Heavyweight title on August 21st at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California.

Presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, “Summer Time Black & Blues” will feature the 30-year old Quezada’s title defense against Andrew Greeley (14-22-2, 8 Kos) of Monroe, LA as the main event on a scheduled card of eight professional boxing matches and a pair of Mixed Martial Arts contests – many of which showcasing local crowd favorites.

Among other highlights on the boxing portion of the bill is a pair of women’s title bouts. Local favorite Carina “La Reina” Moreno (18-1, 5 KOs) of Watsonville, CA will defend her WBC Women’s Minimumweight Championship against Yahaira Martinez (7-2, 4 KOs) in a scheduled 10-rounder in which the WIBA title will also be at stake. The other title bout pits San Francisco’s Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton (4-0-1, 1 KO) against Dominga Oliva (6-4-1) of Monticello, NY in an 8-round battle for the vacant WBC International Women’s Super Bantamweight Championship.

Another local boxer of note to appear on the show is undefeated Bakersfield junior welterweight prospect Mike Dallas, Jr. (4-0).

Two other undefeated boxers will also appear: Los Angeles super bantamweight Rico Ramos (5-0, 3 KOs) and Visalia, CA bantamweight Aaron Alafa (1-0) are both fighting in 4-round bouts.

A pair of MMA participants featured in separate 3-round PFC Featherweight bouts is Oroville, CA native Shawn Bias (12-6) and Tito Jones (4-2) of Sacramento.

Quezada, who has won a pair of non-title bouts since capturing his title via second-round knockout of Rick Dyer at the Tachi Palace last September, believes that he has what it takes to become a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division.

“Having run off a long string of wins after hooking up with Tachi Palace and Goossen Tutor, I feel I am improving with every fight they put me in,” Quezada said. “I am doing well in sparring sessions with world-class fighters like Malik Scott, which has given me tremendous confidence. The beginning of my career I was just going through the motions at times and the main reason for my losses. With my team intact, now all I’ve done is concentrate on fighting.

“A win at Tachi on August 21 and perhaps one or two more before the year is out should position me to move up the rankings,” Quezada, known as “El Toro” added. “I have a strong feeling that 2009 is going to be a big year for me as I work toward my goal of becoming heavyweight champion of the world.”

“I’ve seen the improvement and gains Manuel has made for the past few years and in 2009 we’ll get him his opportunity to take it to the next level,” Goossen observed. The relationship we enjoy with Tachi Palace and their fans has been tremendous. Seeing the development of the local fighters from prelim to main event status and then moving on to test the waters at a world-class level is what it is all about. Manuel is really eager to see where he belongs with the elite heavyweights in the world and in 2009 we plan on seeing for ourselves.”

Tickets for this exciting event are priced at: $30, $40 and $60 and can be purchased by calling the Tachi Palace box office at: 559-924-7751 or by visiting www.tickets.com.

Amateur Boxing Show A Success!

August 18, 2008 -The John Bray Boxing Club and Foothill Jeopardy Program held their first amateur boxing show yesterday at the Foothill Jeopardy Boxing Gym in Pacoima. Attendance was more than what was anticipated as roughly 300 people attended the event from all over Southern California. Guests had indicated that it was the most people that they have seen at an amateur show and were very pleased with all the bouts. The allegiance between trainer John Bray, Officers Fernando Avila and Jose Herrera and volunteer Jose Jimenez of the Los Angeles Police Department proved to be just what the community needed.

The City of San Fernando was recently struck with the untimely deaths of two young kids due to gang violence. This is the exact reason why these gentlemen sacrifice so much to give back to the community and ensure that kids have a safe haven at Foothill Jeopardy and the John Bray Boxing Club. When Bray was asked about his thoughts on the event, he stated that “I couldn’t be happier with the turn-out. It reminded me of when I was younger and amateur shows were being put on all the time. It felt as if I was a kid again and I was the one receiving the trophy. I feel truly blessed that I can now give that same feeling to the kids.”

Officers Avila and Herrera couldn’t agree more. They were also very pleased with the turnout and are looking forward to working with John Bray in the future to have another successful event. They will continue to work with the youth at Foothill Jeopardy as they feel that kids shouldn’t be subjected to negativities in their community and with a little help from people who care; those kids will grow up with positive attitudes.

The John Bray Boxing Club and Foothill Jeopardy Program would again like to graciously thank guitarist Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters, Hollywood Stunt Coordinator and Director Ben Bray, Manny Figueras with Councilman Alarcon’s office, Ruben Garcia with Target in Pacoima, Hugo Escobar with Bimbo Bakeries and Enrique Gonzales Jr. with Vallarta Supermarkets for their generous sponsorships as well as the many volunteers who made this event a success.

For general information on the Foothill Jeopardy Program please contact Officer Jose Herrera at (818) 439-5071 or Jose Jimenez at (818) 447-7263. For information on the John Bray Boxing Club please contact John Bray at (818) 807-9665.