LOS ANGELES (Dec. 2, 2008) – Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs) continues to leave his sparring partners gassed and looking for the exits. On this occasion, from the Maywood Gym in Los Angeles, undefeated super featherweight Urbano Antillion (24-0, 17 KOs) got a taste of what it’s like to be in the ring with a two-division world champion. “Guzman’s hand speed and quickness is unlike anything I’ve seen before,” Antillion said. “He doesn’t let you develop any kind of rhythm. “After a while, you just get tired because of the pace he keeps. It was a good learning experience for me..”
Young boxers, trainers and those merely looking for a glimpse of the Dominican star followed every punch, step and movement that came from the slick-footed Guzman.
“That happens quite frequently when I train in gyms that I’m not familiar with,” said Guzman, who enjoyed bigger crowds at an Atlantic City, N.J. gym during fight week workouts for his bout against Humberto Soto in 2007. “Everyone kind of stops what they’re doing and looks. Afterward, I get to talk to some of the youngsters and give them some tips.”
Guzman travels 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 and will be Guzman’s first since outpointing Soto last November. The bout also serves as a WBA lightweight title eliminator.
“I’m getting into that stage in training where everything is clicking,” Guzman said. “The jab, combinations and defense are working together. Every move and reaction is built for a purpose.
“With the fight being in my native Dominican, I have to make sure to give my hometown fans a good show. I haven’t fought there in two years so I’m looking forward to it.”
Guzman is trained by the veteran Robert Garcia.
Al Bernstein Boxing Channel to offer De La Hoya – Pacquiao
Special Show Broadcast over the iBN Sports Network
Foothill Ranch, Calif. – December 2, 2008 – iBN Sports, a premier Internet-based broadcast sports television network announced that its Al Bernstein Boxing Channel (ABBC) is now showing Up For The Challenge: De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao.
This ABBC special program previews the December 6th Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao match. In the program, legendary boxing announcer Al Bernstein, talks to both fighters and their trainers and offers his own insights into the keys to victory for each boxer. The show also includes expert predictions on the outcome of the match. The program can be seen at http://www.ibnsports.com.
“This match features Boxing’s best pound for pound fighter (Pacquiao) against the sport’s most iconic (De La Hoya), so we felt it merited a special program to give boxing fans a good look at this great match,” Bernstein said. He added, “In 2009 the ABBC will be doing more of these specials on big matches to continue to provide boxing fans with the programming they deserve.”
The ABBC will also provide full up to the minute coverage of the De La Hoya-Pacquiao match including the Dec. 5th weigh-in and Dec. 6th post fight press conference, all from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The Al Bernstein Boxing Channel is the only channel anywhere covering only the sport of boxing. The ABBC includes coverage of major matches, previews of big boxing cards, interviews with Boxing’s biggest names and classic highlights from Boxing’s past.
Visit http://www.ibnsports.com for more information on the company and to view Live and On-demand sporting events for free. Please contact mconley@ibnsports.com to schedule print, Internet, radio, or television interviews for Mr. Bernstein
Danny Swift Garcia Steps Up to Eight Round Bouts
Advancing to eight round bouts is Philadelphia’s highly publicized Jr. welterweight prospect, Danny “Swift” Garcia (9-0, 7 KO’s). The Golden Boy Promotions rising star returns to the ring December 6, 2008 on the “Dream Match” extravaganza featuring Oscar De La Hoya vs Manny Pacquiao, set to take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Garcia will challenge rough and rugged Francisco Rios Gil (13-8, 9 KO’s) of Hutabampo, Sonora, Mexico. Expect an explosive slugfest as both fighters possess great knockout power.
“Moving up to eight rounders is something I’ve been looking forward to.” stated Garcia, “I set my sights on getting a knockout every time I step in the ring. Now I will have more time to break down my opponent. I’m excited and truly blessed to be fighting on another big show. I want to thank my management and promotional teams for keeping me busy. This is one more step toward my dream of becoming a world champion”
Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Inc., presented by Tequila Cazadores and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWalt Tools, Full Throttle Energy Drink and Southwest Airlines. De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao, a 12-round welterweight battle, will take place Saturday, Dec. 6 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. The fight will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.
Nagy Aguilera’s coming out party: “Holiday Hits”
Thursday at Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan
NEW YORK (December 2, 2008) – Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Nagy “Dominican Dynamite” Aguilera has scheduled a coming out party Thursday night (December 4), headlining his first show in the 8-round main event on the third annual “Holiday Hits” card, at the famed Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan.
Aguilera (10-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Newburgh (NY), takes on 7-foot Marcellus “More Than A Conqueror” Brown (25-17-1, 21 KOs), who has been a sparring partner the past two months for former world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, in the featured fight on the 12-bout card “Holiday Hits” show, promoted by Bob Duffy’s Ring Promotions.
“I have enough fighters to start a Christmas choir,” promoter Duffy joked. “We’re giving boxing fans in New York City an early present with the equivalent of two shows for the price of one. This is Nagy’s show; his time to shine. He’s being showcased along with some of the most talented, young fighters in New York.”
Aguilera, born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Puerto Rico, was the top rated amateur in both countries before resettling in Newburgh, New York. He is a 2-time New York Golden Gloves champion, as well as a former U19 tournament winner.
“This fight means a lot to me because I’ll be fighting in the main event in only my 11th pro fight,” Aguilera said. “New York being my home makes it even better. I’ve never fought anybody as big as him (Brown), but size means nothing. I hope he’s coming to fight because I’m going to knock him out. It’s going to be a great show.”
Brown has been in against former world champions Lamon Brewster, Tommy Morrison and Trevor Berbick.
“To be a 10-0 fighter in the main event is a privilege,” Aguilera’s manager John Silverman commented. “We’re not taking Brown lightly. He has 25 wins with 17 knockouts, stands 7-feet and weighs around 280 pounds. We’re delighted Nagy is getting this opportunity. In the heavyweight division, we see Nagy as an up-and-comer, a young star ready to take it to the next level.”
New York City southpaws Jaffa “African Assassin” Ballogou and Daniel Judah square-off in a crossroads fight in the 12-round co-feature for the IBF International light heavyweight title. IBF Continental Africa cruiserweight champion Ballogou (46-6-1, 40 KOs), born in Togo and living in Manhattan, battles Bronx native Judah (22-3-3, 10 KOs) for Big Apple 175-pound bragging rights., in the 12-round co-feature. Ballogou, 40, also is the former WBC Latin America and WBA
Bronx lightweight Jorge “The Truth” Teron (22-0-1, 15 KOs), reigning NABF title-holder, faces Aldo “El Pato” Valtierra (24-10, 13 KOs) in a 10-round, non-title Special Attraction. Teron, trained by former Olympic gold medalist and world champion, Mark Breland, is rated No. 4 by the WBO, as well as No. 14 by the WBA and No. 19 by the WBC, while Mexican warrior Valtierra is a former WBA Fedecentro and WBC FECARBOX Central American super featherweight title-holder.
Popular middleweight George “Blaze” Walton (18-3, 12 KOs), of Harlem, meets Clarence “Sonny Bono” Taylor (13-18-3, 6 KOs) in a 6-rounder. Dublin super featherweight Eddie “Pride of Tallaght” Hyland (10-1, 3 KOs), making his much anticipated New York City debut, fights Gustavo Dailey (2-3) in another 6-round bout.
Also on the undercard in separate 4-round bouts is highly-touted Brooklyn light heavyweight Will Rosinsky (2-0, 2 KOs), three-time National Golden Gloves champion vs. Amador Acevedo (2-4, 2KOs), Queens, Lou DiBella-promoted NYC heavyweight Tor Hamer (1-0, 1 KOs) vs. Royal Bryant (1-1-1, 0 KOs), Brooklyn welterweight Luis “El Mero Mero” Ruiz (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Ken Durham (4-26-1, 2 KOs), Queens light middleweight (by way of Cyprus) Lambrose “Lionheart” Karaolides (1-0, 1 KO) vs. James Justice (0-1), New York City light welterweight Christian Martinez makes his pro debut against Rochester’s Murray Cunningham (1-0, 0 KOs), pro debuting Bronx super flyweight Emmanuel Gonzalez vs. Jean Ramos (0-2), Brooklyn light middleweight (by way of France) Roman Oliveri vs. Eluid Torres (0-0-1). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $150.00 (Golden Ringside), $100.00 (Ringside) and $50.00 (General Admission), are on sale and available to purchase at the Roseland Ballroom, going to www.ringpromotions.com or calling 516.313.2304. Doors open at 6:00 PM, first bout at 6:30 PM.