NEW YORK (November 10, 2008) – Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight champion Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs) will be back in the ring before the year ends. Guzman will travel to his native Dominican Republic to take on World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedelatin lightweight champion Ameth Diaz (25-7, 19 KOs) on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, from El Palacio de los Deportes in Guzman’s hometown of Santo Domingo..
The 12-round fight is promoted by Jay Boxing Promotions. The bout also serves as a WBA lightweight title eliminator.
“I’m anxious to fight again,” said Guzman, who most likely will train in Oxnard, Calif. with new trainer Robert Garcia leading the charge. “I let a lot of people down with the Campbell fight that never materialized. That won’t ever happen again and I’m here to prove that. It will take some time to earn back the trust of the boxing community, but I’m prepared for that.”
Guzman was scheduled to challenge Nate Campbell for his WBA, WBO and IBF lightweight titles in September, but Guzman was declared unfit to fight by the Mississippi State Athletic Commission doctors who diagnosed him as severely dehydrated the day of the fight.
“There will be someone present at camp who’s sole responsibility will be to supervise Guzman’s weight as we do not want the same mishap as last time,” said Jose Nunez, Guzman’s long time manager. “Also, the WBA will supervise Guzman’s weight since the fight will be for the Fedelatin title.”
Guzman, who has won titles in the super bantamweight and junior lightweight divisions, is gunning to become the Dominican Republic’s first three-division world champion.
“It’s been a goal of mine to win world titles in at least three divisions,” Guzman said. “I have to get past Diaz to get myself back on that track. I just have to take it one fight at a time.”
Woodall predicting a Sweet and Sour night for Coyle
Having fought Roy Jones Jnr. In an Olympic Semi Final and Joe Calzaghe in a World title bout not to mention winning a World title himself Richie Woodhall’s views have to be respected. The Birmingham man’s prediction that Delroy “Sweet Dee” Mitchell is going to upset Henry Coyle on this Saturday’s Hunky Dorys Fight night at the Breaffy House Resort in Castlebar is bound to be a cause for concern for Coyle’s fans ahead of this weekend’s clash.
It should be noted of course that Woodhall’s claim is not an unbiased one, after all he and his father Len train the Birmingham based Mitchell but nevertheless he believes his man can prove to be a party pooper in Castlebar by spoiling Coyle’s homecoming.
The scheduled ten rounder will be Coyle’s first pro fight on Irish soil having racked up eight KO wins from his nine pro outings Stateside since relocating there 18 months ago. The popular Geesala man will have huge support at the Breaffy House Resort on Saturday night but Woodhall doesn’t think Mitchell will be phased by it.
“I don’t think it will bother Dee at all,” said Woodhall. “He’s a very mature guy and will take it all in his stride. Anyway the pressure will be all on Coyle because he’s the local man. I’ve every confidence in Dee for this fight. He’s a good kid and although he had pretty limited amateur experience I think that has actually stood to him because he’s very fresh and I believe he’s at his peak right now.
“He can box or he can fight and he can switch between orthodox and southpaw if he needs to. Obviously we know it’s not going to be easy but we wouldn’t have taken the fight if we didn’t think we could win. He’s trained well for the fight and sparred with Matthew Macklin and that went well so I’m confident that Dee can pull it off.”
Coyle has been preparing for the fight in Chicago and he’s promised to put on a show for his loyal fan base at home in Mayo. The “Western Warrior” said, “It’s going to be a great night for myself, my family, friends and supporters. To fight at home is literally a dream come true and I can’t wait for that first bell to ring.”
Topping the bill at the Breaffy House Resort is the clash between former European Champion, Bernard Dunne and former World title challenger Cristian Faccio from Uruguay.
The card also features Stephen Haughian’s bid for revenge against Giammario Grassellini. The Italian inflicted the first defeat of Haughian’s pro career last December when he successfully defended his IBF Intercontinental title in Belfast courtesy of a split decision so Haughian will be out to settle the score this weekend.
Another highly fancied welterweight on the card is Galway born John O’Donnell. The London based stylist takes on Germany’s Suleyman Dag ahead of a planned British title eliminator against Young Muttley in Nottingham next month.
Tyrone’s Damian Taggart also features alongside Irish – Canadian lightweight prospect Logan McGuinness while Brendan Ingle’s latest protégé, Steve Barnes makes his pro debut.
Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night are on sale from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie). Tickets are also available from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
LENROY THOMAS MARCHES TO ELEVENTH VICTORY IN TAMPA HEAVYWEIGHT PROSPECT DOMINATES IN RETURN TO THE RING
Tampa, FL. (November 10, 2008) This past Friday night, heavyweight prospect Lenroy “TNT” Thomas returned to the ring with a dominating performance against veteran Andrew Greeley in front of the sold-out crowd at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa, Florida.
Fighting for the first time in almost a year, the powerful Jamaican heavyweight dominated all six rounds taking a unanimous decision by three scores of 60-54 to raise his record to 11-1 with seven knockouts.
“It felt great to get in there and put on a terrific performance in front of the fans here. I was a little rusty from the time off but by the second round everything was flowing smoothly” said the St. Petersburg , Florida resident.
“Lenroy looked great on Friday night and we’ll be announcing his next fight shortly. He’s a force amongst the heavyweight prospects and we’re looking toward a big 2009 for him” said Chet Koerner of TKO BOXING Promotions.
For more information on TKO BOXING Promotions, please visit their website at www.tkoboxingpromotions.com