Colchester’s Lee “Lights Out” Purdy says he spent Christmas licking his wounds following the first defeat of his career on in December. Having remained unbeaten in his first ten starts Purdy lost a thrilling Southern Area Light Welterweight title scrap with seasoned campaigner Peter McDonagh live on ITV 4. The fact that the high octane ten rounder was a domestic thriller did nothing to ease his disappointment..
“It was a great fight but it shouldn’t have been a great fight. All respect to Peter McDonagh but I should have dominated that fight from start to finish and made it easy. He was catching me clean in their time and time again. I’m lucky he’s not a big puncher because if he was I could have got hurt.
“I was gutted afterwards and people were coming up to me and saying that it was the best fight they’d seen in ages but that was no consolation whatsoever. It’s very hard to accept your first defeat but I’ve no complaints about the decision. McDonagh deserved it, he’s a good pro and he won the fight fair and square.
Purdy will have the opportunity to get back to winning ways on February 28th when he takes on Leonard Lothian on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s first European Lightweight title defence at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich.
“I learned a painful lesson in the McDonagh fight and it’s made me realise just how much I want to make a success of my pro career so hopefully it can be the making of me. If I’m honest with myself I hadn’t prepared right for that fight. Training had gone well and I was ready to do the 10 rounds but I didn’t do the weight properly and that cost me.
“I cut the weight too quick and my trainer Tony Sims could see it in the corner on the night. From the third round I had nothing left and I paid the price for that. The good thing is that I’m still only 21 so it’s better to learn these lessons early in your career instead of later on because I can get out of the bad habits now.
Purdy is already gunning for a rematch with McDonagh but says fight fans shouldn’t expect another thriller. “If I prepare right then I know I can make it an easy fight. I underestimated McDonagh last time but I won’t be making that mistake again. Once I get Lothian out of the way I’d love another crack at McDonagh. I’m a lot more focused now since that defeat and it’s made me realise how much I want to make a real success of my career.”
Featuring on the exciting undercard: Danny McIntosh v Matthew Barney for the English Light Heavyweight Title (subject to Boards approval), also appearing New Heavyweight Sensation Tyson Fury, Matthew Thirlwall and making his pro debut, ABA Senior Featherweight Champion 2008 & awarded the best boxer of the night Royston’s Bradley Evans.
Tickets for Purdy – Lothian which is part of the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s first European title defence at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich on the 28th February are available from the Ticketline box office on 0871 424 4444 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.
From the ring corners to the sound of the bell – Silverback Entertainment will host an evening of professional boxing in Atlanta, Georgia
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – February 5, 2009 – Right hooks, combinations, and the alphabet soup of boxing terminology heralds a new feast of professional boxing events for Atlanta. Silverback Entertainment rolls out the red carpet as they make plans to bring professional title fights with well know names to the City of Atlanta. Silverback Entertainment will present “The King of Kings Boxing Showdown” Friday February 27th, 2009 at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center located at 90 Boulevard NE in Atlanta, Georgia. Doors will open to the public at 7:00 PM and the first bout will enter the ring at 7:30pm.
The evening will exhibit entertainment, celebrity appearances and six professional bouts leading up to the main event featuring Donta Woods -vs- James “JJ” Jenkins. This match up is guaranteed to be one exciting fight as these two opponents deliver mixed techniques with punches and pound for pound action. When asked the question to, Mr. Fredrico Jones promoter, professional boxer and CEO, what to expect from Silverback Entertainment in the months to come he replied, “My goal is to coordinate and deliver professional boxing events with well know names and provide an opportunity for boxers to get their names out within the boxing industry. The city is known for several sporting events but professional boxing has always been a struggle to develop and maintain here. Taking on the challenge to build the city of Atlanta as the next boxing capitol with expectations of attracting other boxing promoters to bring there fights to Atlanta is a great aspiration of mine. The city has so many special attractions to offer boxing fans from around the world, not to mention the facilities within the communities that can be utilized to host the events while making it affordable for individuals and families to attend. Therefore, Silverback Entertainment will network with local facilities and deliver creative concepts for professional boxing events. I have a strong team behind me and with the support of boxing fans I know we can stimulate revenue into the city from this exceptional sport”.
To start the celebration off city officials, fans, media and friends are invited to attend the Media/Launch Reception Wednesday February 25th, from 6:00PM – 9:00PM. Attendees will enjoy food, music and meet and greet the staff and CEO of Silverback Entertainment in addition, to The King of Kings Boxing Showdown fighters. A host of boxing icons within the industry are scheduled to attend this exceptional reception.
On Thursday February 26th, 2009 the weigh-in will be held from 3:00PM – 6:00PM both pre-events are free and open to the general public and will be held at the MLK Jr. Recreation center 90 Boulevard NE in Atlanta, Georgia. General Admission tickets $20.00 and youth tickets 12 & under $5.00 for the King of Kings Boxing Showdown Friday February 27th, 2009. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.ticketannex.com
2009 National Silver Gloves Action Begins in Independence, Missouri
(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – The 2009 National Silver Gloves championships officially opened competition on Thursday at the Hilton Garden Inn for preliminary action on Thursday night. Seventy-nine bouts were contested on the opening day of boxing with the nation’s top 10-15-year-old boxers competing for a national championship.
Semifinal round competition will be contested in two sessions of boxing on Friday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., and the event will conclude on Saturday at 3 p.m. with champions being crowned in all of the age and weight divisions.
Thursday’s Preliminary Results
Thursday, December 5
10-11-year-olds
60 lbs: Jaicob Amaya, Aloha, Ore., won on retirement over Adrian Mengel, St. Paul, Minn., RET-2
60 lbs: D’angelo Sandate, Arvada, Colo., dec. Jody Gauther, Opelouse, La., 5-0
60 lbs: Dwayne Holmes, Oxon Hills, Md., dec. Sergio Santiago, Rochester, N.Y., 5-0
65 lbs: Jordan White, Waldorf, Md., dec. Aaron Morales, Eufala, Okla., 4-1
65 lbs: Issac Cuellar, Hackensack, N.J., dec. Ryne Grossnickle, Rock Springs, Wyo., 5-0
70 lbs: Zimmie Dickinson, Waldorf, Md., dec. Michael Dutchover, Midland, Texas, 5-0
70 lbs: Caleb Chesternut, East Point, Mich., dec. Victor Morales, Camas, Wash., 5-0
75 lbs: Omero Gallegos, Caldwell, Idaho, dec. Bruce Carrington, Brooklyn, N.Y., 5-0
75 lbs: Ruben Villa, Salinas, Calif., dec. Nate Powers, Philadelphia, Pa., 5-0
80 lbs: Joseph Veazey, Baltimore, Md., dec. Jaheem Anthony, Rochester, N.Y., 4-1
80 lbs: Bryson Nuckles, Winfield, Kansas, dec. Issac Lopez, Cornelius, Ore., 5-0
85 lbs: Gabriel Rojas, Lancaster, Calif., dec. Carter Cherry, Monroeville, Pa., 5-0
85 lbs: David Colon, Coon Rapids, Minn., stopped Kody Larson, Butte, Mont., RSC-1
85 lbs: Teofino Lopez, Pompano Beach, Fla., dec. Fabian Morales, Eufala, Okla., 5-0
85 lbs: Edgar Berlanga, Rochester, N.Y., dec. Durrand Jones, St. Louis, Mo., 4-1
90 lbs: Hoshwan Sambolin, Rochester, N.Y., dec. Demetrius Alston, Charlotte, N.C., 5-0
12-13-year-olds
70 lbs: Kyle Gorsuch, Dix, Neb., dec. Shawn Cusick, Pittsburgh, Pa., 5-0
70 lbs: Amery Zavala, Corona, Calif., dec. Devonte Jefferson, Washington, DC, 5-0
80 lbs: Eric Estrada, Hillsboro, Ore., dec. Isaias Perez, Kansas City, Kansas, 4-1
80 lbs: Tipton Walker, Benton Harbor, Mich., dec. Donovan Estrella, Wheatridge, Colo., 3-2
80 lbs: Christian Bermudez, Brooklyn, N.Y., dec. Francisco Martinez, Jr., Dallas, Texas, 4-1
85 lbs: Jalen Gibson, Rock Springs, Wyo., dec. Wilmer Ornelas, Fremont, Neb., 5-0
85 lbs: Arnold Alejandro, Grand Prairie, Texas, dec. Logan Ruppert, Sioux Falls, S.D., 5-0
90 lbs: Daniel Ramirez, Richardson, Texas, dec. Janquine Ortiz, N. Providence, R.I., 3-2
90 lbs: Jalonte Cole, Washington DC, dec. Skyler Whiteshield, Mclaughlin, S.D., 5-0
90 lbs: Bryant Ayala, Hillsboro, Ore., dec. Ruben Campos, La Puente, Calif., 3-2
90 lbs: James Taylor, Ysilanti, Mich., dec. Kevin Salgada, Chicago, Ill., 5-0
95 lbs: Jousce Gonzalez, Glendora, Calif., dec. Jayvon Garnett, Cincinnati, Ohio, 4-1
95 lbs: Carlton Gray, Capitol Heights, Md., Jose Quezada, Alsip, Ill., 5-0
95 lbs: Elijah Peixoto, E. Providence, R.I., dec. Juan Rodriguez, Caldwell, Idaho, 5-0
100 lbs: Geno Jones, Detroit, Mich., dec. Colby Wilkerson, Great Falls, Mont., 5-0
100 lbs: Heriberto Ramirez, Richardson, Texas decd. Leonardo Ruiz, Lynwood, Calif., 4-1
100 lbs: Destyne Butler, Chicago, Ill., dec. Logan O’Connor, Rochester, Minn., 5-0
106 lbs: Joshua Monson, Ulysses, Kansas, dec. Kenneth Davis, Reno, Nev., 5-0
106 lbs: Jelame Garcia, Lynn, Mass., dec. Alex Flores, Beaverton, Ore., 3-2
106 lbs: Michael Baladez, Austin, Texas dec. Ahmad Mahmood, Dearborn Heights, Mich., 5-0
112 lbs: Gary Salazar, Fresno, Calif., dec. Joey Bryant, Olive Branch, Miss., 3-2
112 lbs: Eric Ocampa, Yakima, Wash., dec. Mekyial Collins, Charlotte, N.C., 3-2
112 lbs: David Levy, Davenport, Iowa, dec. Travis Jerig, Zanesville, Ohio, 5-0
119 lbs: Henry Gomez, Los Angeles, Calif., dec. Tavier Martinez, Milwaukee, Wis., 3-2
119 lbs: Derrell Gibbs, Columbus, Ohio dec. Tristin Waggoner, St. Joseph, Mo., 5-0
119 lbs: Traw-kon Pettis, Atlanta, Ga., dec. Trinity Lopez, Great Falls, Mont., 4-1
125 lbs: Dylan Domizio, Dallas, Texas, dec. Demetrius Martin, Forristville, Md., 5-0
125 lbs: Jose Lopez, Hillsboro, Ore., dec. Nate Widow, Eagle Butte, S.D., 5-0
125 lbs: Darrion Lawson, Flint, Mich., dec. Michael Briggs, Jr., Oakhan, R.I., 5-0
132 lbs: Maximiano Diaz, Ontario, Calif., dec. Miller Cameron, Vadnias Heights, Minn., 3-2
139 lbs: Daniel Espinoza, Alamosa, Colo., dec. Emilio Cortez, Clarksville, Ark., 4-1
147 lbs: Demetrius Ellis, Queen Creek, Ariz., stopped Elijah Grady, McLaughlin, S.D., RSC-1
14-15-year-olds
90 lbs: Zackery Martinez, Jr., Austin, Texas, dec. Tyshon Coker, Rochester, N.Y., 5-0
90 lbs: Steven Ortiz, Philadelphia, Pa., dec. Blake Flores, Las Vegas, Nev., 5-0
95 lbs: D’andres Hockerson, Rochester, N.Y., dec. Oscar Mares, Caldwell, Idaho, 5-0
100 lbs: Steve Cross, Covington, Tenn., dec. Romelio Garcia, Detroit, Mich., 5-0
100 lbs: Frankie Agnew, Chicago, Ill., dec. Victor Loera, Winter Haven, Fla., 5-0
106 lbs: Shawn Simpson, Chicago, Ill., dec. Nicholas Torrance, Augusta, Gal., 3-2
106 lbs: Pedro Duran, Downey, Calif., dec. Andres Reyes, Yakima, Wash., 5-0
106 lbs: Joshua Jones, Philadelphia, Pa., dec. Jose Martinez, Plainfield, N.J., 4-1
112 lbs: Joey Gonzalez, Glendora, Calif., dc. Alejandro Hernandez, Detroit, Mich., 5-0
112 lbs: Julien Rodriguez, Hackensack, N.J., stopped Nick Maher, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., RSC-2
112 lbs: Kenneth Sims, Chicago, Ill., dec. Ruben Ozuna, Wauchula, Fla., 4-1
112 lbs: Ray Ximenez, Dallas, Texas dec. Efrain Estrada, Hillsboro, Ore., 5-0
119 lbs: Timmy Mason, Helena, Mont., dec. Ryan Martin, Chattanooga, Tenn., 3-2
119 lbs: Luis Feliciano, Milwaukee, Wis., dec. Jaime Bojado, Avondale, Calif., 3-2
119 lbs: David Rios, Ft. Myers, Fla., dec. Juan Jones, Akron, Ohio, 4-1
119 lbs: Danyell Lynch, Buffalo, N.Y., stopped Antwynn Beavers, Kansas City, Kansas., RSC-2
125 lbs: Tamar Boyd, Cincinnti, Ohio dec. Tevin Alieu, Providence, R.I., 5-0
125 lbs: Ricardo Gallegos, Caldwell, Idaho, stopped Payton Lee, Rochester, Minn., RSC-3
125 lbs: Eric Hernandez, Washington, DC, dec. Juan Saucedo, Oklahoma City, Okla., 3-2
132 lbs: Dusty Harrison, Washington DC, dec. Brian Alvarez, Woodland, Calif., 4-1
132 lbs: Lize Jarrett, Paterson, N.J., dec. Jordan Deleon, Rockford, Ill., 5-0
132 lbs: Aaron Medina, Milwaukee, Wis., won on walkover over Christopher Clark, McDonald, Pa., W/O
132 lbs: Manuel Rojas, Dallas, Texas dec. Eduardo Zurita, Beaverton, Ore., 5-0
139 lbs: Rashidi Ellis, Lynn, Mass., dec. Tyler Howard, Crossville, Tenn., 3-2
139 lbs: Semajay Thomas, Chicago, Ill., stopped Joey Bringplenty, Eagle Butte, S.D., RSCH-1
139 lbs: Jonathan Ayala, Kissimmee, Fla., dec. Jeff Lake, Rock Springs, Wyo., 5-0
139 lbs: Jonathon Esquievel, Anaheim, Calif., dec. Nate Rivas, Philadelphia, Pa., 5-0
147 lbs: Angel Bojado, Los Angeles, Calif., dec. Karran Richardson, Philadelphia, Pa., 4-1
147 lbs: Mason Dylan, White Bear Lake, Minn., dec. Ronald Gibbs, Baltimore, Md., 5-0
165 lbs: Kesean Parker, Albany, N.Y., dec. Sergio Mercado, Pueblo, Colo., 4-1
178 lbs: Andrew Foster, Long Beach, Calif., dec. Rueben Delarosa, Austin, Texas, 3-2
USA Boxing, as the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, is the United States’ member organization of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). It is responsible for the selection and management of the United States Olympic Boxing Team, and for the governance and oversight of USA Boxing’s national organization of 38,000 members, 1,400 individual boxing clubs, and 1,600 sanctioned events annually.