OPEN LETTER FROM WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION MIKKEL KESSLER: “First, I would like to wish Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my fans, indeed to all boxing fans around the globe. Here’s to a great 2009 with peace and prosperity for one and all. My purpose is to let my fans and all boxing fans around the world know my past and curre nt boxing agenda. I went from Denmark to America THREE TIMES in 2008 trying to drum up a big fight. I atten ded the Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor rematch, the Bernard Hopkins-Joe Calzaghe fight and the Roy Jones-Calzaghe bout. I enjoy both Las Vegas and New York but those were business trips. My dream is to fight big fights in the United States against the best of the best..
Bernard Hopkins. Joe Calzaghe. Chad Dawson . Winky Wright. Jermain Taylor. Kelly Pavlik.
Six great fighters, no doubt. And, starting with ring legend Hopkins, six fighters who all refused to seriously discuss fighting me this past year. I respect all of them as boxers and great competitors but, for some reason, I can’t get any of t hem to fight me.
Now I know some people say I’ve been hiding in Europe and not fighting the big names. That’s not fair and that’s not true. I reg ained my WBA title, which is important to me, against unbeaten Dimitri Sartison and then fought a=2 0required mandatory against Danillo Haussler. I didn’t make Haussler the mandatory challenger but I did cut him down in three rounds.
Naturally, I am extremely frustrated as I seek bigger game. I am hoping that 2009 will be different, that I will be able to match my skills in America against the likes of the=2 0Big Six.
I’m not here to call anyone names or issue childish insults. That’s not the Viking Warrior’s style , people know that.
But Hopkins says he doesn’t want to hear my name although I’d gladly fight him at 168 pounds for my title or at a catch weight.
Calzaghe beat me on points in an excellent fight and has been consistent in saying he will never give me a second chance. He’s a great one but I wish he’d change his mind. He said he never gives rematches yet he gave one to Mario Veit. It was Joe who suggested I fight Hopkins. I agree but Bernard doesn’t like the idea.
Unbeaten Dawson is young and unbeaten. I would fight him at super middleweight or at a catch weight but he and/or his handlers are not interested.
As for Winky, I’ve been hearing his name all year, from January to December, but it’s clear he also wants no part of me.
Taylor will never fight me according to his guy, Lou DiBella. I’ve given up on getting Jermain in the ring.
Though he lost to Hopkins, Pavlik is still an excellent, rugged champion. He calls me a real beast and I say the same about him. That’s a bout I would really get excited about but it seems unlikely.
I’m not a guy to shout from the rooftops but everything I’ve said here is factual.
I just hope I can fill up my 2009 dance card with some or any of these reluctant but great warriors as listed above.
Thanks again to all the fans, in Denmark and elsewhere, who give me such great support. Know that I appreciate it greatly!”
MIKKEL KESSLER
TerMeliksetian, Kariya added to 1/22 Darwish Brothers Boxing Card
East Rutherford, NJ- Local attractions Archak “Shark Attack” TerMeliksetian and Noriko Kariya have been added to the January 22 Darwish Brothers Knockout Promotions boxing card at the Meadowlands Sheraton Hotel in East Rutherford, NJ. Emerging prospects Elvin Sanchez and Victor Valenzuela will also be featured in separate bouts.
TerMeliksetian, a native of Yerevan, Armenia but now living in Fairview, NJ, holds a record of 16-7 (13 KO). As an amateur, TerMeliksetian went 98-8 (76 KO), while capturing four Brazilian national titles and four international championships. He carries a fearsome reputation as a big puncher, as evidenced by his high knockout percentage. Rejuvenated with a fresh perspective on the sport, TerMeliksetian looks to get the Shark Attack back on track.
“This is a big opportunity for me to move in the right direction,” says TerMeliksetian, who campaigns as a super-welterweight. “I need to take some fights to refocus and regroup. I want to come back stronger than ever and showcase my abilities as a fighter. I want to put on a great show for the local fans.”
“Archak is still the excellent fighter that people were excited about when he left the amateurs,” says Wally Darwish. “We want to give him the opportunity to show that he’s still capable of being a top fighter.”
Kariya, 9-3-1 (2 KO), comes from an athletic family: all three of her brothers Paul, Steve and Martin Kariya play professional hockey. Even amidst that star power, Noriko shines through in her own right as a rising force in the sport. Kariya grew up in Vancouver, Canada but now makes her home in Jersey City, NJ, the hometown of Arturo Gatti and cruiserweight kingpin Tomasz Adamek. Through her diligence and work ethic, Kariya has been a positive figure in the ranks of women’s boxing.
“I want to be part of what elevates boxing,” Kariya says. “To move it past the Mia St. Johns and girls slugging it out like a bar fight. I want the sport to get to the point where you can’t see a difference between men and women, stylistically.”
“Female boxing is big in Europe and there’s no reason why it can’t be the same way in the United States,” Darwish says. “An athlete is an athlete, regardless of gender.”
More bout information will be announced shortly.
Tickets, priced $100 for Ringside and $50 for Reserved, are on sale now. For ticket purchase information and other inquiries, call (973) 339-9611. The Sheraton Hotel is located at 2 Meadowlands Plaza in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
MIGUEL HUERTA FACES MIKE ALVARADO IN SOLO BOXEO FINALE THIS FRIDAY NIGHT IN DENVER
LOS ANGELES, CA (December 17, 2008) World ranked lightweight Miguel Angel Huerta moves up to junior welterweight this Friday night, December 19th, to take on undefeated prospect Mike Alvarado at the National Western Stadium Arena in Denver, Colorado.
The Huerta/Alvarado ten round main event, promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, will be featured on the last SOLO BOXEO telecast of their eight year Friday night series. The National Western Stadium Arena is located at 4655 Humboldt St. in Denver , CO. Tickets and more information can be obtained at www.nationalwestern.com
Huerta, 27-9-1 (18KO’s), will be moving up in weight for his first bout at junior welterweight against hometown native Alvarado, 23-0, (16KO’s).
Said Huerta manager Frank Espinoza, “It’s been a crazy couple of years for Miguel. First he gets the short end against Kid Diamond (L SD-12) in June of 2007, a fight he clearly won. Then he had a very strong outing against Efren Hinojosa (W UD-12) two months later, followed by the knockout of Daniel Alicea (W KO-3) in December.
Then we started off fighting Javier Jauregui in March of this year (L UD-12), it was a very close fight that I thought we won and wanted an immediate rematch. Without that, Miguel went to Corpus Christi in July and looked great beating Juan Ramon Cruz (W UD-10).”
After campaigning as a lightweight, Huerta will face Alvarado in his first junior welterweight bout on Friday night.
“Miguel’s been a pro for almost ten years and turning 30 a couple of months ago, he feels he will be stronger at 140. He’s always been a great boxer with terrific snap on his punches and this should help him. Alvarado’s a tough, unbeaten prospect and it’s in his backyard, but Miguel has no problem fighting him in Denver ” said Espinoza. Six of Alvarado’s last seven fights have ended in early stoppages for the heavy handed prospect.
Espinoza also wanted to share his thoughts on the last SOLO BOXEO telecast, “It’s truly been a terrific series for fans and young fighters. They’ve done a great job allowing fans to see the development of future stars and we wish Bernardo, Ricardo, Ahmed, Victor and the entire crew all the best.”
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 the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza is praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
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.
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 Luis Ramos, Manuel “SUAVECITO” Roman, Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez and Ronny Rios.
For more information on The Espinoza Boxing Club, please visit their newly remodeled website at www.espinozaboxingclub.co