Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing has announced the signing of Phoenix, Arizona’s 24-year-old light middleweight contender Jesus “El Martillo” Gonzalez (24-1, 13KO). The Mexican- American southpaw, whose nickname translates into “The Hammer” in English, was one of the most decorated amateurs to ever come out of Arizona, and was widely considered to be America’s top medal contender for the 2004 Olympic Games before Gonzalez opted to bypass the games and turn pro.. Gonzalez’s decorated amateur career includes wins over 2004 Olympic gold medalist, Andre Ward (16- 0, 11KO), the WBC #3, WBO #5, IBF #8, and WBA #9 rated light middleweight in the world Alfredo Angulo (14-0, 11KO), light middleweight contender Sechew Powell (24-2, 14KO) and an astonishing four wins over WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto (23-0, 19KO).
EL MARTILLO LOOKS TO DELIVER HAMMER ON JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION
“We are extremely excited about the signing of El Martillo,” stated Star Boxing CEO, Joe DeGuardia. “Jesus is a tremendous athlete. His amateur background alone is a testament to what kind of ability he has and what he is capable of. He has a very exciting style and fights in a very exciting weight class. The light middleweight division is one of the hottest in boxing right now and we feel Jesus can compete with any of the top guys out there.”
“I have been waiting for a long time now for an opportunity like this and with Star Boxing it has finally come,” said an overjoyed Gonzalez. “I can not wait to add another world championship to the Star Boxing trophy case and be the first fighter since Michael Carbajal to bring a championship home to Arizona.”
After an extremely busy year in 2008 Star Boxing looks to continue its success in 2009 with more signings like Gonzalez. Look to see El Martillo in action very shortly.
Darren Sutherland Dazzles In Sparring Before Dublin Debut
Irish Olympic hero Darren Sutherland held a media workout in London and produced a startling display of skills in sparring with rugged undefeated light heavyweight Carl Dilks in round after round of furious action.
Sutherland showed fine form against his quality sparring partner and is on target to produce a superb professional debut, which takes place on a big Frank Maloney Promotions bill in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday, December 18.
At Beijing, the 26 year old won the 2008 Olympic Bronze Medallist at middleweight by stopping Algeria’s Nabil Kassel and outpointing Venezuela’s Alfonso Blanco before losing to Gold Medal winner James DeGale of Britain, a fighter Sutherland had previously defeated four times.
Now campaigning as a super middleweight, Sutherland makes his maiden voyage as a pro against Bulgaria’s Georgi Iliev over six rounds at The Helix, located at the Irishman’s alma mater, Dublin City University.
Sutherland will share top of the bill with European super bantamweight champion Rendall Munroe, who defends his continental strap against Italian titlist Fabricio Trotta.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents “Out To Conquer The World” headlined by the debut of Irish Olympic Bronze Medallist Darren Sutherland and European Super Bantamweight Champion Rendall Munroe’s title defense against Italian Champion Fabricio Trotta along with full undercard support, on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at The Helix in Dublin, Ireland.
Tickets, priced at €50, €60 and €100, are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office on 0871 226 1508.
Sky Sports will televise the action live on SS1 starting at 8PM.
Junior middleweight unbowed after loss to NABF champion Yuri Foreman
Although junior middleweight James Moore, a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, who fights out of Queens, New York, lost a one-sided decision to NABF champion Yuri Foreman in Atlantic City on December 13, he is undeterred in his quest to move up the boxing ladder.
Moore, 16-2 (10 KOS), never stopped trying to catch up to the fleet-footed and quick-fisted Foreman, who saw his record to improve to 27-0 (8 KOS). The 10 round bout was televised on ShoBox: The New Generation.
“My goal was to chop him down, but I just couldn’t do it,” said Moore, who suffered an injured ear and a cut on his left eyelid that required 7 stitches. “The ear affected my balance, but that is not what cost me the fight. My trainer, Lennox Blackmoore, had given me a good game plan, but I didn’t stick to it because it was so frustrating trying to catch up to him. Yuri is a very good fighter, and I tip my hat to him.”
Making things even more daunting for Moore was a huge blood blister on his right big toe, which he says burst around the seventh round. When he took his white sock off after the fight, you could ring the blood out of the sock.
“That was painful, but it also had little to do with the outcome,” said the refreshingly candid Moore. “He fought his fight, and I didn’t fight mine. He was the better man tonight.”
Moore will recuperate over the holidays, and then map out his boxing future. Although he lost this bout, he was very thankful for the support he received from the several busloads of fans that came from New York to cheer him on.
“Having all of those fans in attendance helped me a great deal,” said Moore. “They gave me a lot of encouragement. I fought hard, and never stopped trying to win. It was great to have their support, even though I would have liked the outcome to be different.”