INDIANAPOLIS, IN- Former heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster will be fighting for the first time in his hometown of Indianapolis, IN on November 29 at the Conseco Fieldhouse. The 34-4 (30 KO) Brewster will be facing another former heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon, 38-7 (34 KO), in the 12-round main event. Brewster will be making the first defense of his North American Boxing Association heavyweight title which he won in his last fight, a fifth-round knockout win over Danny Batchelder in August..
The event will be the sophomore show of Brewster’s Relentless Events organization in association with Colin Bates’ C’Believe. Their first show in Cincinnati was the city’s most successful boxing event in decades.
For Brewster, who is used to fighting in his opponent’s hometowns, the familiar faces in the crowd will be a welcome change. “I can’t believe it. It’s been so long that it doesn’t even feel real to me. It’s going to be great to have my fans and family cheering for me. I’m going to put on a great show for my hometown.”
Brewster received the key to the city after knocking out Wladimir Klitschko for the World Boxing Organization heavyweight championship in 2004. Among his victims are Andrew Golota (KO 1), Luan Krasniqi (KO 9) and Kali Meehan (Decision 12).
“I’m going to show the world that I’m the best heavyweight in the world. My fists will speak for me and they will silence all of the critics. I’m going to be heavyweight champion of the world again. I won’t be denied.”
Seldon, known as “The Atlantic City Express”, won the WBA heavyweight title by knocking out Tony Tucker in 1995. He made one successful defense before losing the title to Mike Tyson.
In the co-main event, heavyweight contender “Fast” Fres Oquendo of Chicago, Illinois by way of San Juan, Puerto Rico will appear against an opponent to be named later. Oquendo, 29-4 (18 KO), has challenged for the heavyweight championship twice and has seen action against some of the biggest names in the sport, including Evander Holyfield, Chris Byrd and David Tua.
The undercard is stacked from top to bottom with world class talent. Former light-heavyweight title challenger George “Honey Boy” Blades, 21-4 (15 KO) from Indianapolis will fight an opponent to be determined. Blades challenged for the WBO light-heavyweight title last year in Hungary and put up a very competitive effort in defeat.
Daniel Judah, 22-3-3 (10 KO), will fight an opponent to be determined. Judah is the brother of welterweight star “Super” Zab Judah.
Local favorites Franklin “Yah-Yah” Lawrence, 10-1-2 (5 KO), and Jimmy “The British Assassin” Campbell, 11-2 (8 KO), originally from London, England will see action in separate bouts.
Danny Batchelder, 25-6-1 (12 KO), will fight an opponent to be named. Undefeated super-featherweight prospect Shadi Hamsho, 9-0 (1 KO), from Sweden but now residing in Los Angeles will also be appearing on the card.
Tickets will go on sale in the coming week and will be available at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office. Local and national television coverage will be announced shortly.
For more information on this and other Relentless Events show, visit their website at http://www.relentlessevents.net
Awuku Set to Invade USA
By Stephen Jones
Smooth-boxing featherweight Maxwell Awuku is destined to become the latest Ghanaian boxing star to invade the American fight scene, according to his co-handler, Mike Altamura of MJA Boxing.
“It’s true, we’re currently en route to finalizing a lengthy US Visa and work permit for him,” he revealed to me over the weekend. “There’s always complications with those kind of things, but I’m confident American fight fans will be treated to seeing this phenomenal young talent before year-end.”
In November 2006, the then-novice Awuku shocked the boxing world by annihilating former 122lb world champion, South African Lehlo Ledwaba, in nine rounds. He has since recorded four further victories, including three inside the distance.
Altamura (who also co-manages Ghanaian Olympian Bastie “The Beast” Samir with star manager/adviser Cameron Dunkin) and charismatic boxing-lifer Danny Leigh inked the 25-year-old sensation in August upon the recommendation of their Ghanaian business associate, ex-pug Theophilus Quaye.
“Theophilus told us what an outstanding athlete this guy was, and upon reviewing his fight footage [of the Ledwaba bout], we both concurred,” said Altamura. “He’s a classy southpaw that follows a long line of brilliant Ghanaian boxers. But unlike most his countrymen, this guy boxes and moves a little more. He’s a somewhat flashy fighter with real good fundamentals.”
Asked to make a prediction of his boxer’s future prospects, Altamura offered: “Well, he’s young, he’s smart, he’s fresh, and if he’s even a fifth as good as Azumah Nelson, we’ll be in business! We can’t wait to unleash him on the US fight scene. Look out.This guy’s the real deal!”
UNBEATEN LUIS RAMOS WINS AGAIN IN ONTARIO
LIGHTWEIGHT SENSATION STORMS TO 8-0
LOS ANGELES, CA (October 26, 2008) Friday night at the sold out Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California, 19 year old lightweight sensation Luis Ramos continued to impress boxing fans in Southern California by winning a hard fought six round decision over Fort Worth’s Sadot Vazquez.
Knocking down Vazquez twice in the second and again in the third, Ramos closed the show strongly in the sixth to win the unanimous decision. With the win, Ramos improved his unblemished record to 8-0 (5KO’s), while the gutsy Vazquez moved to 3-3-1 (1KO). Scores were 60-51 twice and 59-53.
Ramos displayed his speed and power throughout the fight which combined with his solid defense and effective counterpunching for a successful outing.
“I’m very happy with my performance, he was awkward and aggressive but it was a good test for me. I had him badly hurt in the second and third but he’s a tough fighter” said the Santa Ana resident.
“It was a pleasure to fight here again, the fans at the Doubletree have always been very supportive” commented Ramos about his fourth bout at the Ontario , California venue.
Said manager Frank Espinoza. “This was a terrific experience for Luis. It was the first time he went six rounds and Vazquez was a tough, game kid. Luis looked very good throughout the fight but it was a learning experience for him. I’m glad we had him back here in Ontario , this was his fourth time fighting here and the fans were very loud and supportive from the opening bell.
He was able to counterpunch very effectively and his defense really helped him with some of Vazquez aggressiveness. Overall, I’m very happy with his performance. His power and speed were truly the difference makers tonight.”
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza. Espinoza has earned numerous accolades for his management skills from many boxing newspaper and internet writers.
In 2006, Espinoza was awarded the Manager of the Year award from the World Boxing Hall of Fame and inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza was praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
Vazquez is currently ranked on numerous Pound for Pound lists including # 4 by Yahoo Sports, # 5 by Ring Magazine and # 7 by ESPN.
Espinoza also has managed retired former world champion Martin “EL GALLITO” Castillo and currently manages world ranked Alex Valdez and Miguel “EL ANESTESISTA” Huerta in addition to undefeated prospects Manuel “SUAVECITO” Roman, Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez, Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez and Ronny Rios.
For more information on The Espinoza Boxing Club, please visit their newly remodeled website at www.espinozaboxingclub.com