News: Perez vs Mabuza; Minto Targets Arreola; Al Bernstein

February 3, 2009 (Orange County, CA) – – International Boxing Federation has confirmed that promoters of rising bantamweight stars Yonnhy Perez and Silence Mabuza have reached an agreement for the fighters to battle it out for the IBF #1 mandatory position on April 18, 2009 in South Africa..

Co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions, Colombian born Yonnhy Perez (18-0, 13 KO’s) who is based out of Santa Fe Springs, shared his thoughts on his upcoming battle for the #1 spot as an IBF mandatory: “I was just waiting for my promoters to come to a decision as to where my next fight will be so I can do what I am trained to do. I stay in shape between fights, so that I just need to adjust my style to overcome my opponent. Because I now know that this fight is for the #1 mandatory position for the IBF title, it makes it all the more motivating for me to get in the ring and make sure that walk out the victorious.”

A native South African, Silence Mabuza (22-2, 18KOs), who is known as “African Spice” became the IBO Bantamweight title holder in his last brawl against Argentina’s David Damien Marchiano, a fighter who has a history of squaring off against tough opponents like Mexican Olympians Abner Mares and Daniel Ponce De Leon. The courageous Mabuza is eager to take on the NABF Bantamweight champion. “I want fight fans to witness my determination to win.” said Mabuza.

Stated promoter Gary Shaw, “This will be the toughest test for Yonnhy in his young career. I know Silence Mabuza very well, and he is a warrior with great skills. However, I believe that Perez will have no problem fighting on foreign soil, and will come back to the US victorious.”

Perez, who recently returned from his homeland Colombia after a long awaited vacation with his family, will begin preparations for his toughest challenge to date in the following week. “Yonnhy is always in spectacular shape and is extremely focused in getting ready for this once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Alex Camponovo, General Manager of Thompson Boxing. “He is traveling far to get this chance and he will not comeback empty handed.”

The Perez vs. Mabuza IBF Bantamweight elimination bout is promoted by Branco Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and it will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Minto: “Arreola hasn’t earned it”

WBO#10 heavyweight contender Brian ‘The Beast’ Minto (32-2) is looking for a big fight and is targeting WBO#3 Chris Arreola (26-0) for a heavyweight showdown on April 11th on HBO. Minto believes that Arreola is no more worthy than he is for a title shot with WBO champ Wladimir Klitschko. “In my opinion, Arreola has not earned a title shot. He has neither fought a former champion nor even a title challenger. I have fought several. Chris has won on HBO, but I have won on HBO PPV,” Minto stated. A fight between Arreola and Minto could prove to be a fun and exciting heavyweight fight for boxing fans, and could possibly bring newcomers to the sport’s shrinking fan base. Both heavyweights have a very aggressive style, and the potential for fireworks clearly exists. Minto states, ” A fight between two top ten heavies would help clarify the status of the heavyweight division. In addition, I believe that the winner of a fight between Arreola and myself should fight WBO#1 challenger Alexander Dimitrenko (29-0) in a final WBO heavyweight eliminator to determine who gets a shot at Wlad. I’m willing to earn my shot. Is Arreola willing to earn his?”

“Mr. Goosen, if you are interested in pursuing a great fight for boxing, please contact my manager Pat Nelson at (330) 727-0932. Pat will be in your hometown of L.A. for the next two weeks.”

AL BERNSTEIN ENTERS 5TH YEAR AT SHOWTIME

Al Bernstein enters his 5th year as a sportscaster at Showtime Networks when he appears as ringside analyst on the Saturday, Feb. 7th telecast of the Showtime Championship Boxing series. He will be at ringside with Gus Johnson calling the action when Vic Darchinyan defends his IBF, WBA and WBC super flyweight titles against former champion Jorge Arce. Karyn Bryant and Jim Gray will be reporting on the show, which can be seen on Showtime at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time.

Al began his duties for Showtime in 2004 after 24 years as a sportscaster at ESPN. At Showtime Al has served as the ringside analyst for all the Showtime Championship Boxing series, and has also filled the role of host on the Shobox: The Next Generation series and the SHOXC mixed martial arts series.

“My time at Showtime has been by far the most rewarding period in my broadcasting career. The events we televise are world class and Showtime’s production is as good as it gets,” Al said. He added, “As a sportscaster you are given your best chance to succeed when you are surrounded by talented people who have one goal in mind—make a good television show. That’s what exists at Showtime. This has been a total labor of love for me.”

In addition Al will be providing weigh-in and post fight coverage of the Darchinyan-Arce match for the Al Bernstein Boxing Channel (ABBC) at www.ibnsports.com. The ABBC is the only all-boxing video channel on television or the internet.

IN OTHER NEWS

Al now writes a weekly blog for USsportspages,com, www.ussportspages.com. He reports on the boxing scene and offers other sports insights as well on this entertaining sports website. This great site provides direct links to the sports sections for the major newspapers in the U.S. as well as columnists, team coverage pages, broadcast sites and other sports websites. David Brody, so-owner of USsportspages.com said, “We are so honored to have Al Bernstein, the dean of all boxing announcers, writing for our website. Al provides unique, informed and entertaining insights to sports fans, and his blogs add immeasurably to USsportspages.com.”