Boxing superstars Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao will each make one of the biggest announcements of their respective careers when they officially announce their December 6 mega-fight at one of the most cherished landmarks in the United States-the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York City. The press event, the first ever to take place on Liberty Island, will kick-off a six-city press tour marking the official announcement of what is a dream match-up for sports fans and one of the biggest fights in boxing history..
While the Statue of Liberty hosts more than five million visitors each year, this will be the first press conference ever held on Liberty Island. Dedicated in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of freedom and democracy as it was the first landmark that millions of immigrants saw upon arrival in the United States. In 1924 it was named a National Monument and is one of the most recognizable statues in the world.
“We are delighted to be hosting this event on Liberty Island,” said Brad Hill, President of Evelyn Hill Inc, the Concessionaire to the National Park Service. “This event is unlike anything we have ever done. By virtue of their great successes, Mexican American Oscar de la Hoya and Filipino Manny Pacquiao embody what the Statue of Liberty represents. We are working hard to ensure that this is not only a memorable day for the fighters and their camps, but everyone who attends.”
De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Inc. and sponsored by Cazadores Tequila, Cerveza Tecate, Dewalt Tools and Southwest Airlines. The 12-round, 147-pound welterweight bout is set for Saturday, Dec. 6 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.
“Having the opportunity to announce the fight at the Statue of Liberty is like a dream come true for me,” said De La Hoya. “As the son of immigrants and a very proud Mexican-American, I believe the Statue of Liberty is the United States’ greatest symbol of freedom and opportunity. I take great pride in what I have been able to accomplish as the son of immigrants and see myself as a true testament to the notion that with opportunity, hard work and determination anyone can realize their dreams.”
“Although I am from the Philippines, the United States has given me the greatest opportunity to advance my career and financial security for my family and me,” said Pacquiao. “Many Filipinos and some of my family members live there and the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of the great opportunities offered by the United States to the rest of the world.”
In addition to the Statue of Liberty stop, the De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao press tour will stop at other monumental locations across the country that reinforces the magnitude of the event. The tour schedule is as follows:
October 1 New York City-Statue of Liberty-Open to the Public (Noon)
October 2 Chicago, IL-Sears Tower-Media Only (Noon)
October 3 Houston, TX-Space Center Houston-Media Only (11:00 am)
October 3 San Antonio, TX-The Alamo-Open to the Public (3:00 pm)
October 4 San Francisco, CA-Golden Gate Park Chrissy Field-Open to the Public (Noon)
October 7 Los Angeles, CA-Whittier Boulevard Arch-Open to the Public (Noon)
The De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Bastie Samir Signs With Cameron Dunkin and TKO Boxing Promotions
LAS VEGAS, NV (September 24, 2008) 2008 Ghanan Olympian Bastie “THE BEAST” Samir is moving to the boxing capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada, this month to pursue his dream of becoming the middleweight champion of the world, it was announced today by his manager Cameron Dunkin and promoter Chet Koerner of TKO Boxing Promotions.
The 22 year old Samir, captain of the Ghanan team, compiled a record of 96-7 as an amateur competing in numerous international tournaments including the World Championships in Chicago in 2007. He lost a heavily disputed second round bout to Brazilian Washington Silva at the Beijing Olympic Games last month by a score of 9-7.
Said Dunkin, “He fought at 178 in the amateurs but he was weighing in at 170 or 171. So he’s going to fight at middleweight as a pro. He’s a hard puncher and very strong, truly the assets that will help him more so in the pro ranks.
Chet and I are very high on him, we’ve heard people compare him to John Mugabi which is a great compliment. He’s moving to Las Vegas in the next couple of days and he’ll train at Chet’s new gym in town, TKO Boxing Gym.”
Former world champion and boxing legend Azumah “The Professor” Nelson sees greatness ahead for his young fellow countryman saying, “His amateur career has given Bastie the much needed experience to succeed at the professional level. He has nothing left to prove as an amateur.”
Details of Samir’s professional debut as well as the next TKO Boxing Promotions card will be announced shortly. Samir is trained by Ofori Asare and John Rajala.
Said Dunkin, “Chet and I are really looking forward to unleashing Bastie on the boxing fans here in the very near future.”
Cameron Dunkin has managed numerous world champions over the last two decades and is recognized as one of the best managers in boxing.
Earlier this year he was awarded the Boxing Writers Association of America’s prestigious Al Buck award for “2007 Manager of the Year” as he guided three of his fighters to upset world title victories; middleweight Kelly Pavlik, featherweight Steven Luevano and flyweight Nonito Donaire.
Other fighters currently managed by Dunkin include highly regarded prospects James Kirkland, Mikey Garcia, Argenis Mendez and the recently signed Russian amateur sensation Matvey Korobov.
Formed earlier this year, the Las Vegas based TKO Boxing Promotions stable includes; junior middleweight Anthony Thompson, middleweight James Countryman, lightweights Rolando Reyes, Raul Tovar and Terrence Crawford, the sister team of Katie and Emily Klinefelter, featherweight Carney Bowman, super bantamweight Rafael Valenzuela and junior flyweight Austreberto Juarez.
Further information on TKO Boxing Promotions can be viewed at www.tkoboxingpromotions.com
Treasure looking to smoke out Gainer
Ashley “Treasure” Theophane aka HOODSTAR is posed to fight on the undercard of the Roy Jones Jr v Joe Calzaghe clash.
He has agreed in principal to fight Former World Champion Derek “Smoke” Gainer in a 10 Round Bout.
Gainer was supposed to fight British Sensation Amir Khan before Khan got knocked out by Colombian Brendan Prescott.
HOODSTAR is leaving for training camp on Friday to help his friend, WBA NO.3 Dmitriy Salita prepare for a World Title Clash with WBA Champion Andreas Kotelnik on the same Madison Square Garden show.
HOODSTAR said “I’m gonna smoke Derek Gainer out of his hole. I’ve agreed to the fight. Its now up to the old boy to step up to the plate”