News: Abraham Wants Pavlik; Povetkin-Estrada; Licina-Williams

Germany’s Arthur Abraham will defend his IBF middleweight title against Kelly Pavlik anywhere in the world to prove he is the best in the division, according to his agent Kalle Sauerland. Abraham’s next fight is against Lajuan Simon on Saturday 14 March. Sauerland told the Steve Bunce Boxing Hour on Setanta Sports News that Pavlik was the only fight Abraham wanted. He said: “We’ve been after this fight for a long time and there definitely hasn’t been any offer to come to Germany. We put an offer to Top Rank [Pavlik’s promoters] and they seem to be hesitant, but I think in the past 48 hours we’re starting to make roads forward..

“This match up will show who the best middleweight in the world is.

“We understand that Kelly’s a big name in the States, but Arthur’s a big name in Germany. All we want is for this fight to happen. We’ll go to his backyard and fight him if necessary.”

Estrada & Williams fighting April 4 in Germany

2004 U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada (15-1, 3 KOs) takes on 2004 Olympic gold medalist and the IBF’s top ranked heavyweight, Alexander Povetkin, April 4, in the main event in Dusseldorf, Germany. Nine-time amateur champion Aaron Williams (19-1-1, 13 KOs) challenges IBF Intercontinental title-holder Enad Licina (16-1, 10 KOs) in the co-feature.

“Both of these fights is what boxing needs and wants – the best going against each other,” Burchfield noted. “Jason really established himself as a pro in 2008. This is a great opportunity for him. These two fighters will determine who the real top young heavyweight is in the world and the next champion. Jason has the backing of the entire Team CES and fans all over the country. When he comes back with a win it will be like he’s bringing that gold medal home to the U.S.

“Aaron is one of the top cruiserweight prospects in the world. He was supposed to fight in January but his opponent was hurt. He’s fighting a tough guy who just beat the only fighter Aaron has ever lost to as a pro (Jose Luis Herrera). Aaron, his trainer, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, and his entire team are very confident. It’s going to be a war.”

CES Notebook

Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. president Jimmy Burchfield made several key announcements today, ranging from a minimum 11-fight schedule in 2009 to major fights in Germany for two of his top fighters, Jason “Big Six” Estrada and cruiserweight “Awesome” Aaron Williams.

CES has scheduled 11 pro shows: six at Twin River in Lincoln, Rhode Island that started January 19, and four at Plymouth, kicking-off with “Mayflower Madness” on March 6 at Memorial Hall.

“The Radisson Hotel really stepped-up as our title sponsor and host hotel for four CES shows in Plymouth,” Burchfield explained. The political powers, fire and police, business people and fans are 100-percent behind us promoting first-class pro boxing shows there. We’re all very excited. We don’t want to do one fight at a time. We’ve scheduled a series there and at Twin River so fans at both beautiful venues will grow with our young boxers. We’ll be promoting other shows at different sites, too”

Professional boxing returns March 6 to historic Plymouth as Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES) promotes “Mayflower Madness” at Memorial Hall.

“Mayflower Madness” is the first in a 4-fight deal — “The Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor Fight Series” – promoted by CES and scheduled in 2009 at Plymouth Memorial Hall.

New Bedford police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires (21-3, 9 KOs), former USBA champion and 1996 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate, headlines in an 8-round welterweight bout against former IBF Intercontinental champion Louie Leija (21-9-1, 15 KOs). Former New Bedford fighter Paul “The Truth” Delgado (19-8-1, 4 KOs) returns to Massachusetts for a 6-round welterweight bout versus Troy Smith (6-9-3, 0 KOs), of Brockton.

Light heavyweights Manuel Antonio Lopes (4-0-1, 1 KO), of Marshfield (MA), Bridgewater State College graduate Mical Weisberg (1-0, 1 KO), of Stoughton (MA), and Worcester middleweight Andre Nevsky (5-0, 3 KOs) are fighting in separate 4-round matches against opponents to be determined.

Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round fights are unbeaten Lynn (MA) junior bantamweight Isander “Peachy” Beauchamp (5-0-1, 2 KOs) against Elton Dharry (2-4-1), of Brooklyn, Providence junior middleweight Kali Reiss (1-0, 1 KO) versus pro debuting

Alexsandra Magdziak Lopes. Alexsandra, a Plymouth High School graduate, is married to Manuel Lopes’ father, Wayne, who’ll be working the corners for his wife and son. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “Mayflower Madness” are priced at $35.00 (Bronze), $45.00 (Silver), $55.00 (Gold), and $75.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club). VIP tables of eight are also available. To purchase call CES (401.724.2253/2254) or go on line at www.cesboxing.com.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) for more information. Doors open at 6:15 PM/ET, first bout at 7:15 PM/ET.