By Yuri Foreman: There is nothing wrong with one man giving another man flowers. I think it’s especially appropriate when the giver is looking to start a fight with the recipient. And this weekend is a big one for florists because it is Valentine’s Day on Saturday. Now, look, I am a happily married man who is grateful to have a gorgeous and intelligent actress-model wife. Any romantic items go from me to her only. But, as a 27-0 junior middleweight contender ranked as high as Number 3 (WBA), I figure that sending out floral gifts to my competitors might help lure them into fighting me in the ring..
This is strictly commercial.
I’m 28, I’m not getting any younger, and I am ready, willing and able to fight any 154-pounder on the planet.
My floral dispatch to other fighters is good business, I think. It show’s I’ve got a Yiddishe kop, meaning a mind for doing proper business.
I do proper business in the ring as well. My last five opponents—Irish James Moore, Vinroy Barrett, Saul Roman, Andrey Tsurkan—have a collective 114 pro victories so they can’t be sloughed off as chopped liver.
But now my great manager, Murray Wilson, agree that I’m more than ready to step up and take on the big boys, the name fighters in my weight class.
Which reminds me I’m also sending a Forget Me Not to Bob Arum and his Top Rank staff so they forget me not.
Here is the FTD delivery list starting with a real hearts and flowers guy named De La Hoya.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Roses are red, violets are purple and so were you when Manny Pac quiao got done with you. I’m sending you a box of Godiva chocolates and a dozen long-stemmed roses, Oscar, to get you thinking about how sweet a fight between me and you would be in Los Angeles or New York. Your biggest fans are Americans and Mexicans. I have fans from the US, from my native Belarus and from Israel. Besides, you belong fighting at 154 pounds anyway. Hope to hear back soonest, Golden Guy.
IRISH JOHN DUDDY: How come you are fighting in the Garden Feb. 21, you Celtic hero, and I’m not? Mr. Wilson and I can move plenty of tickets around New York as well. I gave your pal, James Moore, a bit of a thrashing and I think I can do the same to you if I get the chance. Man, can you imagine MSG packed to the rafters with your rabid fans and mine. When that fight is over, you won’t see any Irish eyes smiling, that is for certain. (Hint, hint, Mr. Arum, we wouldn’t even need a title on the line.)
VERNON FORREST: Some can’t see the Forrest for the trees but I can. Those who call you the baddest man at junior middle do have solid arguments. I hear you’re seeking a Showtime opponent. Maybe my landsman, Ken Hershman, will fancy the idea of me fighting you.
SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY: You hit Margarito so hard and so often he might’ve contracted diabetes. Talk about your Sugar shock. Fighting a Hall Of Famer like yourself would be an honor and a privilege, Shane, just like it would be if I fought your promotional sidekick, Oscar.
RICARDO MAYORGA: You wouldn’t bully me, bully boy. Israelis and Russians are pretty much immune to getting bullied. You just missed a payday so have Don King call Brother Arum and let’s get busy. And no more mother ranking, Ricardo, behave yourself.
JAMES KIRKLAND: You must have horseshoes in your gloves, son, the way you are dismembering opponents. I’ve seen nuclear attacks do less damage. But I’d fight you in a heartbeat and give you a nice boxing lesson.
ALFREDO ANGULO: It wouldn’t be cat and mouse if we fought. It would be cat against Perro and I know enough tricks to hand you your first ring defeat. Yeah, you hit hard but I would begin your education with my jab. It’s so good some people think I sent it to Yale.
I don’t want to bruise anyone’s sensitive feelings. I only want to bruise you guys between the ropes.
So I hope I didn’t leave anyone out.
I hope flower power can coax some of you guys into fighting me.
With Love,
YURI FOREMAN, FUTURE WORLD JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
ANDRE WILSON NEW FOE FOR UNBEATEN TEON KENNEDY MARCH 6 IN BLUE HORIZON SEMIFINAL
Philadelphia, PA–Hard-hitting lefty Andre Wilson, of St. Joseph, MO, steps in against unbeaten super bantamweight Teon Kennedy, of North Philadelphia, in the scheduled eight-round semifinal Friday evening, March 6, at the Legendary Blue Horizon, 1314 North Broad Street. First fight i s set for 7.30 pm.
Wilson replaces another lefty, veteran Paulino Villalobos, of San Diego, CA, who withdrew due to medical reasons.
Topping the seven-bout card will be Mike Jones’ first defense of his North American Boxing Association (NABA) welterweight title against Larry Mosley, of Los Angeles, CA, in a 10-round contest.
Wilson, 26, is 11-1-1, 9 K0s. He stepped up his career in 2008 when he knocked out Francisco Rodriguez (14-2), of Mexico, in two rounds in Chicago, IL, and earned a 10-round decision over Alex Baba (26-14-1), of Ghana, in St. Joseph, MO.
Kennedy, 22, won the 2004 National Golden Gloves flyweight ttle. As a pro, he is 11-0, 5 K0s. His biggest wins came against Castulo Gonzalez, of Lowell, MA, by decision, and over Thomas Snow, of Washington, DC, by knockout.
In his last fight Nov. 14 at the New Alhambra in South Philadelphia, Kennedy pounded out a one-sided decision over Felipe Almanza, of Lorica, Colombia.
The March 6 card marks a return to the Blue Horizon after eight years for Hall-of-Fame promoter J Russell Peltz, who began his career there as a 22-year-old in 1969. He is promoting the card with Joe Hand Promotions, Inc.
Tickets are priced at $45 and $60. They are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. (215-765-0922) and also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com.
FIGHT KNIGHT…at The Castle”
February 25th at Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, NJ
Lyndhurst, New Jersey (February 8, 2009): An exciting night of boxing action returns to Medieval Times on Wednesday, February 25. Mike Indri of Dignity Promotions has teamed up with Dave Feldman’s Felko Promotions, and Urban Auto Spa, to bring you another great night of boxing from the Medieval Times “Castle” in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.
The event is aptly titled “Fight Knight at The Castle”.
The two co-main events feature Hackensack, New Jersey’s all-action cruiserweight, Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn (21-3-1, 17 KOs) taking on Brad Gregory (11-2, 9 KOs) of Wichita, Kansas, in what looks to surely be an all-out slugfest. Gunn will be defending his WBC USNBC belt in this scheduled 10-round bout…AND Philadelphia’s Derek Ennis (17-2-1, 12 KO’s), a dangerous Jr.
Middleweight with knockout power in both hands. The 28-year-old Ennis has won his last five fights in impressive style and is looking to get back into title contention.
The exciting fight card will include some of the tri-state areas finest young talents.
Returning to the Medieval Times “Castle” will be highly touted former amateur champion Carlos Zambrano (4-0), now fighting out of nearby Paterson.
Also added to the show is fan favorite Archak Termeliksetian of Fairview, NJ (16-7, 13 KO’s). The “Shark” has been in the ring with many of today’s most dangerous fighters and plans on returning to the next level.
Rounding out the card will be former NJ Golden Gloves Champion Tyyab Beale (1-1, 1 KO) fighting out of Jersey City, as well as Union City resident Nelson Roldan, a tough middleweight, and Hoboken light-heavyweight Kyle White; both of who will be making their professional debuts.
“We are pleased to bring back another great night of boxing action,” said Dave Feldman, “There will be seven or eight great bouts, along with celebrity appearances.”
“We are looking to continually build and provide quality events for all the great boxing fans of New Jersey,” added co-promoter Mike Indri. “This past October was my “Promotional Debut” at the Castle, and a very positive response was received from the fans. We are looking forward to treating our loyal supporters to another entertaining night of action-packed boxing”
Tickets are reasonably priced at $40 Reserved, and $60 for “On the Glass”…Ringside, as
well as $75 Floor Seats and VIP Tables – on the floor – all of which are now available for purchase.
For Tickets and information please visit www.Dignityboxing.com, or call (201) 741-4994.