“Ireland’s” John Duddy – I’ve been a part of the boxing history at the Garden and I’m glad to be back. It’s a real honor and a pleasure to be a part of this Garden show. It’s kind of a homecoming for me even though I’m from Ireland. All that matters to me is what happens next. The past is the past and the next chapter in my career begins on February 21st. In all walks of life we have our ups and downs and boxing is no different. You get up before the count of ten and move on..
I feel very fortunate to be fighting here. America is full of Irish – epecially in New York. Boxing fans working class people and I fit into that mold. I am as well known here as I am in Ireland and if you go anywhere in the world and mention Madison Square Garden the first thing they think of is boxing. I am very priviledged and hope to keep myself in that historical boxing loop at MSG.
I am working very hard for this fight. Over Christmas I kept very active. Patrick is working me very hard. OVer Christmas in Ireland I kept active. My father and the rest of my family was beating me up in the amateur club I worked at as a kid. Thank God it doesn’t get as cold in Ireland as it does in NY so I was able to get plenty of work done.
I hope this time around the people come out and support me like they’ve always done. Nothing is going to change fromt he way I do things. I get hit in the head ofr a living and I hope that everybody enjoys it. At the end of the day, it is who you are going to see fight, not who you get the tiket from.
Vanda is a tough sone of a gun and he can take a great punch. And he also can give a good punch as well. He’s never been stopped so you have to take that into consideration also. The two of us are going to put on an exciting night of fireworks fro the fans.
VANDA
May the best man win and I hope it is me. I am very excited to fight John Duddy.
Duddy is a great fighter and it would be great to give him his first loss. We each know what kind of fighters we are. We trade punches, which is probably not the greatest thing to do. The last few weeks I’ve been training very hard and on the 21st I’ll be rocking with John Duddy.
I just want to go on as long as I can in this sport. I hear what people say about me, they say I’m a stiff and things like that. They can say whatever they want, but they’ve never been in the ring and they don’t know what it’s like to get hit.
Ennis, Termeliksetian added to February 25 Card!
“Fight Knight” At Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, NJ
Lyndhurst, New Jersey (February 5, 2009) The upcoming “Fight Knight” card is quickly taking shape. Dignity Promotions and Felko Promotions have added contender Derek Ennis and local favorite Archak Termeliksetian to the fight card scheduled to take place on February 25 at the Medieval Times Castle in Lyndhurst, NJ.
Philadelphia’s Derek Ennis (17-2-1, 12 KOs), a master boxer with power in both hands was once considered a “can’t miss” prospect. Ennis suffered 2 upset defeats in bouts he was clearly winning. Now re-dedicated, Ennis is finally living up to his true star potential. The 28-year-old junior middleweight has won his last 5 fights, either stopping his opponents with his heavy hands or by putting on a boxing clinic with his impressive hand speed. Ennis will be the co-main event on the card.
“I’m looking forward to this event. On February 25, I plan on putting on a very exciting performance for all the New Jersey fight fans.”
Also added to the card is super middleweight Archak Termeliksetian of Fairview, NJ, (16-7, 13 KO). The man known as “Shark” has become a favorite among fight fans for his all-action style. Archak, who is known to be up for any challenge from any opponent, has had an up and down career. Win or lose, any Archak fight almost always promises to be action packed.
“We are happy to add both Ennis and Termeliksetian to this already exciting card,” said Felko Promotions David Feldman. “Ennis is really coming together as a complete fighter, and with Archak, you know every fight is a war!”
The second half of the co-main event features cruiserweight Bobby Gunn (21-3-1, 17 KOs), defending his WBC-USNBC title against Brad Gregory (11-2, 9 KOs).
Rounding out the card will be undefeated featherweight prospect, Carlos Zambrano (4-0) and lightweight Antonio Esponosa (9-0, 1 KO). Heavyweight Tyyab Beale (1-1, 1 KO) and pro-debuting Kyle White are also scheduled to see action.
Opponents will be announced soon.
Tickets are reasonably priced at $40 Reserved, and $60 for “on the glass”…ringside. VIP Tables (on the floor) are also available for purchase.
For Tickets and information please call (610) 291-0806, (201) 741-4994 or visit www.Dignityboxing.com
ZOLANI MARALI VS. FAHSAI SAKKREENIN HEADLINES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD ON MARCH 21 IN KEMPTON PARK, SOUTH AFRICA; TELEVISED ON SUPERSPORT
Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves and Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions will present a sensational world championship fight card on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at Emperors Palace, located at 64 Jones Street in Kempton Park, South Africa. Featured fights will be televised live on Supersport beginning at 8:00 P.M. local time (2000h).
In the main event scheduled for 12 rounds, Zolani “Untouchable” Marali, 19-2 with 13 knockouts, of Mdantse, South Africa, will battle Fahsai Sakkreenin, 23-1 with 9 knockouts, of Chiang Mai, Thailand, for the vacant International Boxing Organization super featherweight world title.
Marali is a five-foot, 11-inches tall lefthander who previously held the South African super bantamweight title as well as the IBO featherweight title. Now 31 years old, he challenged for the IBO super featherweight world title in his last fight on July 30, 2008, and lost a controversial 12 round decision against local favorite Billy Dib in Newcastle, Australia.
Secondsout.com reported [excerpts]: Three senior IBO officials have independently reviewed the controversial July 30 IBO super featherweight world championship bout between Billy Dib and Zolani Marali, and concluded that a rematch must take place within 90 days.
Dib, from New South Wales, Australia, where the July 30 bout took place, was awarded a unanimous decision victory and the vacant IBO 130 lbs. title on scores of 116-114, 116-112 and 114-113, however Team Marali subsequently lodged a protest with Florida-based sanctioning body. Marali scored a knockdown of Dib in round three and felt he deserved the verdict.
Upon review, the senior trio of IBO officials scored the bout in favor of the southpaw South African – hence the mandated rematch. [End Secondsout.com item]
Dib took another fight instead, and vacated the title.
Sakkreenin, who is 27 years old and stands five-foot, seven-inches tall, is a four-year professional veteran. He has won 18 fights in a row, seven by knockout, since his only loss in April, 2005. The IBF Pan Pacific featherweight champion with five successful title defenses, he will be fighting outside of his native Thailand for the first time.
2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, 2-0 with 2 knockouts, of Providence, Rhode Island, will also be featured on the card in a six-round super welterweight bout against South African Jerry Nekubve, 3-0. Andrade is co-promoted by Star Boxing and Banner Promotions,
Also: 12 ROUNDS, HEAVYWEIGHTS – WBA PAN AFRICAN TITLE
Jake Els, 8-1, 8 KOs, South Africa, vs. Thamsanqa Dube, 8-2, 4 KOs, Zimbabwe.
12 ROUNDS, JR. FLYWEIGHTS – IBO PAN AFRICAN TITLE
Hekkie Budler, 9-0, 4 KOs, South Africa, vs. Charitt Mukondeleli, 7-6, 1 KO, South Africa.
8 ROUNDS, CRUISERWEIGHTS
Jarred Lovett, 5-0, 5 KOs, South Africa, vs. Anon Donpradit, Thailand.
4 ROUNDS, JR. LIGHTWEIGHTS
Sibusiso Khumalo, 0-1, South Africa, vs. Octavius Mbiri, South Africa.
4 ROUNDS, FLYWEIGHTS
Jackson Chauke, 2-0, 2 KOs, South Africa, vs. Peter Phelane, 2-1, 1 KO, South Africa.
All bouts subject to change without notice.
Doors open at: 7:00 P.M. (1900h)
First fight at: 8:00 P.M. (2000h)
Tickets prices: R50, R100, R150 (South African rand; $5, $10, $15 – U.S. dollars).