HOLLYWOOD, FL, December 14 – 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian Jonathan Gonzalez is the latest world-class competitor to join the Seminole Warriors team with the announcement that the company has teamed up with Universal Promotions of Puerto Rico to promote the exciting junior welterweight prospect..
“We’re excited to have Jonathan Gonzalez on the Warriors team, and I have no doubt that he has the potential to be the next in line after Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Lopez as a world champion from Caguas, Puerto Rico,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing.
A Silver medalist at the Pan American Games and a Gold Medal winner in the Jose “Cheo” Aponte Tournament (both in 2007) who finished his amateur career with a stellar 132-18 record, the 19-year old Caguas native also represented Puerto Rico in Beijing, during the Olympics this past summer. Gonzalez will make his pro debut on the “Hard Knocks at The Hard Rock” card at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Wednesday, January 14th.
For tickets, priced at $152, $102, $52, and $22, please visit the Hard Rock Live Box Office or TicketMaster.com. Headlining the card is a triple-header featuring three of boxing’s most exciting talents – super middleweight contender Edison “Pantera” Miranda, junior middleweight standout Sechew “Iron Horse” Powell, and former undisputed cruiserweight champion O’Neil Bell, who will be making his long-awaited heavyweight debut.
An opponent for Gonzalez will be announced at a later date
Darren Sutherland v James DeGale ?
BRIAN LAWRENCE believes the potential blockbuster between Irish star Darren Sutherland and Englishman James DeGale will never ever happen.
Sutherland, 26, makes his professional debut at Dublin City University on Thursday when he faces Bulgarian Georgi Iliev.
DeGale outpointed’Dazzler’ in the Olympic semi-finals, but Sutherland had beaten the Beijing gold medallist four times previously.
Sutherland’s trainer, Lawrence believes DeGale will stay away just like Riddick Bowe did from Lennox Lewis after winning the world heavyweight title.
Lawrence said: “Lennox stopped Bowe in the 1988 Olympics, and it was such a shame they never fought professionally.
“Bowe didn’t want to know when he became world champion and famously threw the WBC belt in the bin instead of facing Lennox.
“I’m not saying DeGale will throw belts in rubbish bins, but I reckon when the chips are down he will come up with excuses to avoid the fight.
“There will be other challenges and I’m sure when they both finish their careers Darren will have achieved more.”
Sutherland’s promoter Frank Maloney added: “I have been so impressed with Darren I would put the public out of their misery and make the match with DeGale tomorrow.
“Unlike Brian, I think they will meet eventually in what will be one of the biggest fights of all time.”
Rendall Munroe’s European super-bantamweight title defence against Fabrizio Trotta tops the DCU bill which will be televised live in Britain and Ireland by Sky Sports.
Manchester’s Craig Watson (13-2) defends his Commonwealth welterweight title against Adnan Amar (22-1), a protégé of Dubliner Brendan Ingle.
A third title bout on the bill sees Jason Booth (30-5) risks his Commonwealth bantamweight crown against Sean Hughes (15-7-1).
Dublin prospect Paul Hyland (12-1) faces Eugene Heagney (7-1) in a local battle where the winner could be lined up to face European bantamweight champion Ian Napa.
Kiko Martinez (19-1), who knocked out Bernard Dunne in seconds, boxes a six rounder on the undercard.
London based Irishman Martin Power (19-3); the former British bantamweight champion faces a tough test against Gary Davies (7-2-1).
Tickets for the big Dublin bill cost 100 Euros and 50 Euros and are available from www.frankmaloney.com, www.ticketmaster.ie. To order from Ireland by phone call 08 18 719300, and from UK 0871 226 1508.
STOKING THE FIRE
IAN NAPA makes the first defence of his European bantamweight title when he faces a selected opponent at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke on Friday 23rd January.
A cracking chief supporting contest sees local hero Chris Edwards (11-13-3) challenge Grimsby’s Wayne Bloy (5-3-1) for the vacant British flyweight championship.
The show will be promoted by FTM Sports in association with Scott Lawton of Impact boxing.
Lawton (25-4-1) will be the busiest man in Britain on the night, having to find time to squeeze in an English lightweight title defence against Henry Castle (19-4) in what promises to be a brilliant ten rounder.
The show will be televised live on Sky Sports and Maloney said: “Stoke is an expanding city and there is a big enough fan base there to stage major shows.
“Scott and everyone else at Impact have done a lot for boxing in the Potteries and this will hopefully be the first of many shows together.
“I was given a tour of the venue last month and it is top class and I’m sure we will get a big crowd.”
Londoner Napa (18-6) won the European title in October when he captured a unanimous points verdict against defending champion Carmelo Ballone.
Edwards, 32, will be attempting to bounce back to winning ways after losing his British super-flyweight title to Andy Bell in March
The undercard will feature the best of the local talent and several of Maloney’s prospects.
Tickets for ‘Stoking the Fire’ can be obtained from www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the box office 0871 226 1508. Prices are £70 ringside and £35.