(MIAMI, FLA.) – Undefeated Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto (Winter Haven, Fla.) (23-0, 19 Kos) is featured in the January 12 issue of ESPN the Magazine. The six-page article highlights Berto’s road from an accomplished amateur to his second title defense on January 17, 2009. Entitled “1,506 Days with Andre Berto”, the story follows the WBC Welterweight World Champion through several important dates, ranging from his professional debut to the purchase of his first house and concludes with his upcoming bout with Luis Collazo.. Providing background into several areas of his life, including his tenure at a local jewelry store and relationship with longtime trainer, Tony Morgan, the six-page spread provides insight to the bumpy road to a world title. The feature is highlighted on the cover with the headline, “1,506 Days With Boxing’s Next Great Thing.
Author Tim Struby selected Berto four years ago after receiving advice from numerous trainers, promoters and boxing executives, and his pick paid off in the form of a welterweight world title and undefeated professional record. “All we needed were two things – the right guy and a thousand lucky breaks,” Struby writes in the article. “We think of him as our storytelling lottery ticket.”
The 2004 Olympian will face his toughest test to date in his second title defense on January 17, 2009 in Biloxi, Miss. Berto will take on former World Champion Luis Collazo (Brooklyn, N.Y.) (29-3, 14 KOs) at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino with the fight headlining HBO’s first Boxing After Dark event of 2009.
Collazo held the WBA Welterweight title in 2005, recording victories over Jose Antonio Rivera and Miguel Antonio Gonzalez before losing the belt to Ricky Hatton via a close, controversial decision. The 25-year-old Berto is currently in training camp in Miami, preparing for the welterweight clash, which will kick off his fifth year as a professional.
Launched in 1998, ESPN the Magazine is read worldwide with a circulation rate base of over two million readers.
MALONEY: I’ll BE BRITAIN’S TOP DOG IN 2009
FRANK MALONEY insists he can become Britain’s number one promoter this year.
The Londoner celebrates 25 years as a promoter in 2009. The rollercoaster ride has taken him from Lewisham to Las Vegas.
Maloney believes his current talent stacked stable is the most exciting crop he has ever had.
Many top fight figures believe Maloney’s super-middleweight hope Darren Sutherland is the hottest prospect in world boxing.
His stable also boasts European champions Ian Napa (bantamweight), Rendall Munroe (super-bantamweight) and he expects to make it a Euro hat-trick in March when Salford light-middleweight Jamie Moore challenges Italian Michele Piccirillo.
Maloney admits old sparring partner Frank Warren is still the main man but does not agree with his rival’s comments about his galaxy of stars becoming household names
Maloney said: “I am a great believer that if one or two of your stable make it beyond British level it is a fantastic achievement.
“I believe I have enough fighters in my stable that can become British champions, but in today’s world that doesn’t impress sports editors.
“I believe Darren Sutherland, Jamie Moore, Rendall Munroe and Ian Napa can go that step further and make headlines in 2009.
I also expect to see Ajose Olusegun fighting for major honours this year.
“There are several other fighters in my stable also going in the right direction like Akaash Bhatia, Mark Thompson, John Lewis Dickinson, Ashley Sexton, Paul Edwards, Scott Haywood, Tom Dallas, Martin Murray and Mark Moran. I would crack open a dozen bottles of champagne if one of these claim a real World Title and a bottle for each that challenges for a real World Title. This is what the public want and demand from boxing promoters.
I believe I have a few others who are currently works in progress and I believe in Larry Olubamiwo I may have discovered another Ernie Shavers
“I still believe I need one more top fighter to complete my jigsaw and become Britain’s number one promoter.”
Maloney who staged his first show in 1984 will celebrate his quarter of a century promoting with a traditional London knees-up in April..
He added: “Boxing is going through a change and only the fittest survive.
“I don’t worry about all the Johnny Come Lately promoters. The men I respect are Frank Warren, Barry Hearn and Mick Hennessy who have consistently delivered.
NAKASH, CHAMBERS & SHMOUEL HIGHLIGHT BLUE HORIZON CARD ON FEB.6
PHILADELPHIA (JANUARY 5, 2008)—Fast becoming one of the most popular fighters in Philadelphia, Ran Nakash of Haifa, Israel will once again look to thrill the crowd at The Legendary Blue Horizon as he will participate in the scheduled eight round main event of big night of boxing at boxing’s number-one venue on Friday night February 6th.
The “Valentines Day Special” card is promoted by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Inc.
Nakash, 16-0 with twelve knockouts put on his most complete performance in his last bout when he systematically broke down Harvey Jolly over seven rounds on December 5th. It was during that fight that Nakash heard loud cheers from The Blue Horizon crowd and is now solidified as one of the most popular fighters in Philadelphia.
Nakash has a record of 7-0 with four knockouts at The Legendary Blue horizon and has scored seven consecutive stoppages. With a win Nakash could be on the cusp of a world ranking. Nakash’s very formidable opponent will be announced shortly.
In the co-feature, Jr. Welterweight Steve Upsher Chambers will look to extend his unbeaten streak to seventeen as he will take part in a bout scheduled for eight rounds.
Chambers is coming off a solid victory over Ben Ankrah on December 5th at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
In that bout, Chambers showed that despite his long length, he could mix it up inside as he consistently outworked Ankrah at close-quarters to pound out the unanimous decision victory.
Chambers, 19-1-1 (1NC) with five knockouts has become a staple at The Legendary Blue Horizon has fought all but one of his fights at The Legendary Blue Horizon.
Chambers will be taking on an opponent to be announced shortly.
It has been fourteen months since Elad Shmouel took part on one of the greatest toe-to-toe wars ever inside the confines of Philadelphia and on February 6th; Shmouel will make his long awaited return to the ring
Back on December 7th, 2007, Shmouel and Lenny DeVictoria put on one of the greatest shows in the history of Philadelphia boxing as Shmouel battered and dropped DeVictoria over the first four rounds. It was then where DeVictoria found something deep inside of him and the tide turned as DeVictoria shockingly came back to stop Shmouel in round seven of what Philadelphia fight fans are still calling a classic.
Shmouel, 18-2-1 of Tel Aviv, Israel with nine knockouts has been thinking about that fight for over a year and there have been rumors of a rematch taking place in 2009. In order for that to occur Shmouel must be victorious on February 6th against an opponent to be announced in a six round Jr. Welterweight bout. Shmouel will be making his seventh appearance at The Legendary Blue Horizon (5-1, 2 KO’s)
In another six round bout, Jr. Middleweight Darren Fallen, 12-4-1 with six stoppages will look to build on a two-fight winning streak when he sees action on February 6.
In a Featherweight bout set for four rounds, Jules Blackwell, 8-2-2 with three knockouts will look to rebound from a devastating knockouts loss that he suffered on December 5th at the hands of Darrell Martin will battle the highly popular Nicky DeMarco (2-2, 2 KO’s) of Staten Island, New York.
After a four year hiatus and relocating back home to Philadelphia, Jr. Welterweight John Pawlowski, 2-1-1, 2 KO’s needed just twenty-three seconds to dispose of John Goldwire on December 5th and on February 6th Pawlowski will look for his third straight first round knockout when he battles Danny Morales (0-2) in a bout scheduled for four rounds.
Also seeing action on February 6th in separate bouts scheduled for four rounds will be Jr. welterweight Julius Edmonds (3-3); super featherweight Derek Bivins (1-0) & middleweight John Turner (1-0, 1KO)
These fights will be streamed live all over the world on www.gofightlive.tv
Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $200 for Queen Seating, $125 for Presidential seats, $65 for VIP, $55 for Ringside, and $45 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling The Legendary Blue Horizon at 1-215-763-0500 or by logging on to comcasttix.com. Doors open at 6:30 PM / 1st bout begins at 7:30 PM
The Legendary Blue Horizon is located at 1314 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA
For more information, log on to www.legendarybluehorizon.com