PITTSBURGH (February 26, 2009) — Former IBF Lightweight King PAUL SPADAFORA declared himself undaunted, undeterred and ready, willing and able to fight, at an afternoon press conference today at the Pittsburgh Hilton. Spadafora (41-0-1) will headline a six-bout card, Tuesday, March 31 at the Pittsburgh Hilton. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m..
“Knee surgery, a post surgical infection and a cut lip caused me to cancel two fights last year [September 26 and December 20]. I thought for sure I was snake bitten,” said Spadafora. “Since December I’ve boxed over a hundred rounds and look forward to fighting in front of my hometown fans again.”
Promoter Mike Acri stated, “The knee surgery was vital because Paul was unable to perform at his best and he was not pleased with his last two fights despite them being easy wins.” Acri added that Spadafora’s opponent would be named shortly and the undercard would feature Baltimore middleweight Jesse Nicklow (19-1-1), Pittsburgh junior welterweight Rod Salka (6-0), and additional bouts.
Tickets, priced at $100.00 (Ringside), $50.00 (Reserved) and $20.00 (General Admission), go on sale Monday March 2, and can be purchased at Mitchell’s Restaurant & Bar (304 Ross St. / 412-471-3663), Blue Eagle Sports (726 Broadway Ave.) McKees Rocks (412-331-4884). For additional ticket Information, call 412-355-0770 or 814-455-8309.
Demetrius Andrade on “Friday Night Fights” March 6
Joe DeGuardia, CEO and founder of Star Boxing, and Art Pelullo, CEO of Banner Promotions, would like to wish Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (2-0, 2KO) a happy 21st. birthday. Andrade who is co-promoted by both DeGuardia and Pelullo, will be in action on the Star Boxing promoted card on March 6th at Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, CT. Andrade will open up the ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” telecast.
On Friday March 6th, the 2007 amateur world champion and 2008 Olympian Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (2-0, 2KO) will look to showcase his talent to the boxing world when he opens up the March 6th ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” telecast at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, CT against Tom Joseph (4-1-1). The bout against Joseph will be held in the light middleweight division and is scheduled for four rounds. It will be the second time in just three fights the 21-year-old Andrade will be fighting on National T.V. (pro-debut was on the Versus network). The card, which is being promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in association with the Mohegan Sun, is being headlined by Delvin Rodriguez (23-2-2, 14KO) defending his USBA welterweight championship against highly touted contender Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez (20-1, 11KO). Also on the line will be the number two ranking in the IBF world ratings.
Andrade, who is co-promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, and Art Pelullo’s Banner Promotions, was last seen in action in his home state of Rhode Island on November 29th where he handed out a vicious four round beating of Eric Marriott before the referee finally called a halt to the contest at 50 seconds of the fourth round.
Andrade, who was chosen by ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael as one of boxing’s top prospects this past year, has been very impressive thus far in his young pro career, garnering rave reviews from some of boxing’s top experts. “The Providence, R.I., native nicknamed “Boo Boo” was the best pro prospect on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team and first squad member to turn pro in October. Besides making the Olympics, Andrade, who started boxing at age 6, was an amateur world champion, two-time U.S. national champion and two-time national Golden Gloves champion. He has everything you like to see in a rising talent: good size (he’s 6-foot-1), a deep amateur background, fast hands, power and ring smarts,” stated Rafael.
“I feel very blessed to be given an opportunity to showcase my skills on ESPN2 this early in my career,” stated Andrade. “I want to thank my promoters Star Boxing and Banner Promotions for putting this fight together and am just really looking forward to getting a chance to perform to the best of my ability on March 6th. The Mohegan Sun is just about an hour or so from my home in Providence, RI so I am looking forward to having my fans and family there supporting me and cheering me on. It is always nice to get a chance to perform in front of them, to me it’s my way of giving back to them and saying thank you for all the support you have shown me throughout my career. I plan on opening the “Friday Night Fights” show with some serious fireworks so make sure to tune in early because I promise you are not going to want to miss it. I am ready to start taking my career to the next level in 2009 and it all starts on the 6th.”
The card is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in association with Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort. A complete list of the undercard will be announced shortly. Tickets are priced at $75.00, $45.00 and $30.00 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com or purchase tickets by calling 1 (800)745-3000 or by calling any Ticketmaster Charge by Phone number; or visit any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Box Office subject to availability or by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823- 2000.
CARNEY BOWMAN “READY FOR ACTION” AT “ BATTLE OF YORK 3” ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR MARCH 7TH VALENCIA BALLROOM CARD
YORK, PA (February 25, 2009) Driving down Interstate 83 headed to Baltimore for a sparring session, undefeated featherweight prospect Carney “BEEPER” Bowman is busy preparing for his headlining slot at “ BATTLE OF YORK 3” at the Valencia Ballroom in York, Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 7th.
“Typically at this time, I’ve been training for over a month and I’m feeling just okay, not really great or anything, but once we touch gloves and the bell rings I feel great” said the 26 year old York native. “I’ll go anywhere I need to for solid sparring, it’s over an hour to Baltimore but it’s important that I get in my work before the fight.”
Bowman, 12-0-0 (5KO’s) is coming off an immensely crowd pleasing victory on November 8th, a fourth round knockout of Castulo Gonzalez at the Valencia Ballroom.
“It was a solid win and I really appreciate the crowd support. I watched the Pavlik fight in Youngstown on Saturday night and that’s exactly what I’d like to do in York , that same type of excitement. It’s great fighting at home, the fans there have always been very supportive of me and that truly helps me” said Bowman.
Advance tickets for “ BATTLE OF YORK 3”, starting at $25 can be purchased online through the Valencia Ballroom box office by calling 717-843-7672. The Valencia Ballroom is located at 142 N. George St. in downtown York . Doors on the evening of the event will open at 6:30pm, with the first bell at 7:30.
Also appearing at the “BATTLE OF YORK 3” will be York, PA native Eric Nemo, Johnstown cruiserweight prospect Andres “TAYLOR MADE” Taylor, junior middleweight contender Anthony “THE MESSENGER” Thompson, lightweight Terrance Crawford and bantamweight Leo Santa Cruz.
Further details on this event will be announced shortly.