Los Angeles, CA (January 27, 2009) – On Friday, February 6, Goossen Tutor Promotions will kick off its 2009 Tachi Palace pro boxing series with a nationally televised show featuring undefeated Andre “SOG” Ward the Oakland, California native whose gold medal victory in the 2004 Olympics in Athens is the last since David Reid in the 1996 Atlanta Games..
Ward will be defending his NABO Super Middleweight, along with the NABF Super Middleweight Championship against Henry “Sugar Poo” Buchanan at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. The Live “ShoBox: The New Generation” coverage on Showtime will begin at 11 pm ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
The scheduled 12-rounder for Ward (17-0, 12 KOs), co-promoted by Antonio Leonard Promotions, will mark the third appearance for him in a main event on Showtime’s “ShoBox” series. Ward’s first two appearances emanated from the picturesque Caribbean. In November 2007, Ward traveled to the Island of St. Lucia, where he stopped then-undefeated prospect Roger Cantwell in the fifth round. Then, last June he made the trek to Grand Cayman and TKO’d former Dominican Olympian Jerson Ravelo in the eighth round to capture his NABO championship.
In his most recent outing last month, Ward registered his seventh consecutive knockout by blasting out former Mexican champion Esteban Camou in three rounds in Cabazon, California, cementing his world ranking by all four major boxing organizations
“I’m looking forward to keeping my title at Tachi Palace and on Showtime, the 24-year old Ward said. “I have enjoyed many successes at Tachi with three wins and, of course, I won my first pro title on a ShoBox telecast.
“Each bout has its own unique significance and everything I’ve been working towards is at stake in every fight. Henry Buchanan is the next fighter looking to stop my destiny. That’s my main motivation. He has a great record and I am undefeated. This is the kind of fight the super middleweight division needs to see who is the top dog at 168 pounds.”
In 30-year old Capitol Heights, Maryland resident Henry Buchanan (17-1, 12 KOs), Ward will face off against a hard-hitting knockout artist who, with the exception of his one loss to current undefeated and world-rated contender Jean Paul Mendy, has an identical pro record. Perhaps Buchanan’s biggest claim to fame to date is that he is the nephew of San Diego Chargers Pro-Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman. He hopes to eclipse that by handing Ward his first loss as a pro and claiming his title in the process.
“I know I am viewed as the underdog in this fight,” Buchanan, coming in off a knockout win over Brian Norman last June, observed. “But who’d have thought the Arizona Cardinals would make it to the Super Bowl? Our records are almost identical and we have the same number of knockout wins. This fight is more of an even match in my eyes and I feel my power will in the end be too much for Ward.”
Goossen Tutor’s latest addition to its impressive stable of championship-caliber boxers, John Molina, Jr., (14-0, 10 KOs), will make his debut both under the banner – as well as his first appearance on “ShoBox” — in a scheduled eight-round jr. lightweight contest.
The signing of the 26-year old pride of Covina, California, who is coming off an impressive fifth-round stoppage of veteran Fernando Lizarraga, was announced during Goossen Tutor’s final show of 2008 at Cabazon last month. Known as “John John,” Molina has already established himself as a fan favorite for the all-out offensive action and excitement he brings into each bout.
Another California-based favorite and Goossen Tutor fighter, Wasco’s Manny “El Toro” Quezada (25-4, 15 KOs), will be on the card defending his WBC CABOFE heavyweight title in a scheduled 10-rounder against Eric Boose (14-3-1, 8 KO). No stranger by any means to the Tachi property, Quezada will be making his 14th appearance as a pro there. In his last bout in November 2008, Quesada won a unanimous decision against the once beaten Teke Oruh in Ontario, California.
“2009 promises to be a big year for our boxers, our sport, our fans and for Goossen Tutor Promotions,” president Dan Goossen forecasted. “What better way for us and our partner, Antonio Leonard Promotions, to see an American Olympic hero in Andre Ward taking the next step toward a world title and headlining a “ShoBox” telecast from one of our favorite venues: the Tachi Palace in Lemoore, CA.
“In addition, when the fans and viewers on Showtime see ‘John John’ (Molina) in action, they’ll be watching the next exciting jr. lightweight in our sport. He is pure power and entertainment with tremendous star potential.”
Tickets are priced at: $30, $40, $50, $60 and $400 and can be purchased at the box office of by visiting www.tickets.com. Doors are scheduled to open at 4:30pm. The first bout will begin at 5:00pm (PT) and the televised bouts will begin at 8:00pm (PT).
The Price is right as Hayemaker snap up Olympic hero
Hayemaker Boxing are delighted to announce the acquisition of Olympic bronze medallist David Price to their growing stable of Merseyside boxers.
The 6’8 heavyweight signing was officially unveiled this afternoon at a Liverpool press conference. West Derby’s Price will now make his eagerly awaited professional debut on the HAYEMAKER 6: ‘Mersey Beatdown’ promotion at the Echo Arena on March 28.
The 25-year-old Price is a veteran of nearly 100 amateur bouts and was widely regarded as one of the best super-heavyweights in the world as an amateur.
Since winning a Junior ABA title in only his ninth bout, Price has gone on to grab a collection of major honours in the unpaid ranks. As well as winning three Senior ABA titles, Price can also lay claim to a 2006 Commonwealth gold medal, 2008 European Union gold medal and, of course, his 2008 bronze from the Beijing Olympics.
The Salisbury ABC super-heavyweight has long been considered one of Britain’s future hopes for pro glory in the heavyweight division. At 25 years of age, and with the priceless experience of competing in all the leading amateur competitions – Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games – Price has now decided to chase professional glory.
In an era of super-heavyweights, Price may well find himself at home. That’s certainly the view of David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye, who has witnessed first hand what Price is capable of.
“David Price is the best young heavyweight prospect we have in this country right now,” enthuses former cruiserweight king Haye, whose trainer Adam Booth will also train Price in the pro ranks.
“I’ve kept a close eye on David ever since we first started sparring together a few years ago. He was always a very tricky, tall and rangy heavyweight with every shot in the book. I’ve sparred with him countless times over the years and always knew he had the ability to go on and win an Olympic medal.
“Not only is he very tall and very awkward, David also possesses a lot of ability to go with it. His jab and straight right hand are tremendous punches. Once he gets his man strength and learns to fight like a pro, the world will be at his feet. He has the tools to go all the way.”
Price’s heavyweight voyage begins in his home city on March 28 when he makes his pro bow at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.
JESUS “POLLO” HERNANDEZ WINS AGAIN IN LOS ANGELES UNDEFEATED LIGHTWEIGHT TAKES SIX ROUND DECISION
LOS ANGELES , CA (January 27, 2009) Undefeated lightweight prospect Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez moved his unbeaten record to 8-0 (2KO’s) this past Friday night with a six round unanimous decision over Manuel Sarabia in the feature bout at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California. Scores were 60-54 from all three judges.
“I’m very happy with Jesus’ performance, he was in great shape and Sarabia provided an excellent test for him. This was the first time he had gone six rounds and I liked what I saw throughout the fight” said manager Frank Espinoza. “He was accurate with his punches and used his combinations very well.”
“Jesus only had two fights last year, but we’re looking for him to get at least four more starts this year.”
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.com