Boxing News: Ricardo Williams; James DeGale; George Tahdoaahnippah

CINCINNATI, OH (December 28, 2008) 2000 US Olympian Ricardo Williams will make his first local appearance in five years on Saturday, January 31st in the main event of “HOMECOMING”, an evening of world class professional boxing at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, presented by TMAX Events and TKO Boxing Promotions..

Advance tickets, priced at $79.75, $40.75 and $23.75 for “HOMECOMING” can be purchased online through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 513-462-4949. The U.S. Bank Arena is located at 100 Broadway St. in Cincinnati , adjacent to the Great American Ball Park . Doors will open on the evening of the event at 7:30pm with the first bell at 8pm.

The Cincinnati born and raised Williams, 13-2-0 (7KO’s) has won three fights in 2008 since resuming his career after a three year absence from the ring.

Most recently, the 27 year old Williams won an eight round decision over Columbia ’s Dairo Esalas at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas , NV on October 11th.

The co-main event at “HOMECOMING” features the return of native son, Rashad Holloway in an eight round junior middleweight bout. On August 30th, Holloway, 9-1-0 (5KO’s) thrilled the Cincinnati Gardens crowd with a crushing fourth round knockout of Junior Ramos of the Dominican Republic.

Holloway has spent most of 2008 training in Los Angeles with “Pound for Pound” king Manny Pacquiao and welterweight champion Antonio Margarito.

The undercard features newcomers and pro debuters from the Cincinnati , OH area including junior lightweights Tony Walker, Mel Crossty and Jesse Carridine, Russian heavyweight Nurpais Torobekov, junior welterweight Shannon Hill and super middleweight Antonio Weathers; all of whom will be appearing in separate four rounders.

DeGALE IN THE NEW YEARS HONOURS LIST

Olympic gold medallist James DeGale has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list – and says it is the perfect boost ahead of his professional debut next year.

DeGale, 22, who won gold in the middleweight division at this summer’s Beijing Games, is one of the youngest people to have been awarded the MBE.

And he will look to build on that success when he fights for the first time as a professional under promoter Frank Warren in February alongside team mates Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders.

“I was absolutely gob-smacked when I heard the news,” said DeGale. “I’m so proud to have received this honour.

‘It was a dream come true to represent my country at the Olympics and to have won a gold medal, and this just caps a perfect year for me.

“To get this kind of public recognition is amazing, and I can’t wait to go the Palace to collect it.

“I achieved everything I possibly could have as an amateur, and turning professional made perfect sense.

“But everything I did at the Olympics won’t mean anything unless I translate it into success as a professional and that means winning a world title, which no British Olympic champion has achieved yet.

“I’ve been back in the gym, training hard for my debut, and now the focus will be on learning my trade in the professional ranks.

“My dream was always to win Olympic gold and then lift a world title. I’ve done half of that – now I’ve got to start all over again, but I’m relishing the challenge.”

Comanche Boy on the War Path!

NABC Super middleweight champion George “Comanche Boy” Tahdoaahnippah (15-0) is gearing up for a busy 2009. Starting January 16 he will face veteran Brandon Wooten at the Million Dollar Elm in Tulsa, OK. “He’s a tough guy,” Tahdoooahnippah said, “but I am prepared to dominate him and be 16-0.”

The popular and colorful Native American fighter who brings van loads of enthusiastic supporters from Lawton, OK is also scheduled to fight January 24 and February 13. “I’m ready to get busy in 2009 and take my competition and my skills to the next level,” Tahdoaahnippah said. Fight fans can visit Tahdoaahnippahʼs website, www.comancheboy.com for fight details and updates.