News: Estrada Ready For Povetkin; Gilbert/Brinkley Broadcast; More

The long awaited showdown between America’s leading young heavyweight prospect, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, and Alexander Povetkin, 2004 Olympic gold medalist and the IBF’s No. 1 contender, will finally happen April 4 in Dusseldorf, Germany. Estrada (15-1, 3 KOs) and Povetkin (16-0, 12 KOs) should have fought in the amateurs at the 2003 World Championships or a scheduled USA-Russia dual meet later that year. Estrada, however, as the No. 1 USA super heavyweight, had to fight in the Pan-American Games, where he captured gold in his Olympic qualifier..

Meanwhile, at the same time, Povetkin won a gold medal at The World Championships. Team Russia pulled out of the aforementioned dual meet and a foot injury hampered Estrada’s training for the 2004 Olympics. He was eliminated prior to the medal rounds as Povetkin rolled to gold.

Povetkin has a mandated title shot this fall against IBF heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko, if he gets past the lightning quick Estrada. “The fight’s on April 4 but Povetkin’s the April Fool,” Estrada said during a break from training at his Big Six Academy in Providence. “I really see this guy as just a big-name opponent. He has his gold medal but he’s been babied his entire career. They just put guys in front of him to fight. He’s making a big mistake taking this fight. I’m not dwelling on the past. The old stuff doesn’t matter to me; I’m focusing on the present. It doesn’t upset me that people are calling this a tune-up for him. If the shoe was on the other foot, I wouldn’t take him lightly, but they’re making a huge mistake if they’re taking me lightly.

“I think it will be easier fighting him today than in the amateurs because he had to box a little more back then. You don’t see him boxing now. He’s a sitting duck. This (pro boxing) is a whole different game, something I learned in my first fight and I’ve progressed from there. He’s got the same stuff. Our fight didn’t happen in the amateurs, so I’m focused on beating him as a pro. I can’t see how he took this fight. His people must be telling him I’m just fast, like (Eddie) Chambers or (Chris) Byrd, but I’m more aggressive and they weren’t. I’m not worried about going over there because, if I smash him and lose, everybody will see that. No way I’m going to lose; I’m either going to stop him, or I’ll deserve a win by decision. He can’t prepare for what I’m bringing.”

Estrada’s promoter, Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.), worked tirelessly for several months to get Povetkin for Estrada. “I’ve never worked so hard to make a fight happen,” Burchfield explained. “I know how badly Jason wanted it. I have to compliment Povetkin’s people for taking it. The Estrada Unit doesn’t back-off from any opponent. They’ve talked about this fight for a long, long time. In 2008, Jason went from a youngster to a man, doing everything asked of him. For everything he’s done since he signed with CES, especially in 2008, this fight is a reward for all of his hard work. I believe Jason Estrada is a future world champion.”

Providence-native Estrada was one of the most highly decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 261-14 record in U.S. competition. He was the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row.

Estrada’s father/head trainer, Dr. Roland Estrada, believes the risk of fighting No. 1 ranked Povetkin is worth the reward for Jason. “It’s an opportunity we couldn’t turn down,” he remarked. “If we did it would take us 1 ½-2 years to fight somebody as highly ranked as Povetkin. Back in the amateurs, Povetkin was No. 1 in the East, and Jason was No. 1 in the West. It’s a fight that almost happened three times but didn’t. We’ve had this fight in the back of our minds ever since. He’s still a straight forward, combination puncher without exceptional speed or technique. As a pro, he’s probably become better because he faced adversity, down a few rounds against Eddie Chambers with his eye swelled up, but overcoming it to win. Other than that, though, he’s pretty much the same guy he was as an amateur.”

BRINKLEY/GILBERT “CIVIL WAR” HITS THE AIRWAVES NEXT WEEK “HOMETOWN HEROES” THRILL HUGE CROWD IN RENO

RENO, NV (February 27, 2009) The long awaited showdown between Northern Nevada arch rivals Jesse Brinkley and Joey Gilbert lived up to it’s billing of “CIVIL WAR”, as a packed house of over 7,000 fight fans stood “loud and proud” for their Northern Nevada favorites on Saturday, February 14th.

With blood being drawn early, the super middleweight battle quickly turned into an outstanding war with each fighter bravely soldiering on to the final twelve round bell in a ring covered in the sweat and blood of the two warriors.

Presented by Reno ‘s “Let’s Get It On” Promotions and Las Vegas based TKO BOXING Promotions, “CIVIL WAR” will be broadcast starting next week as fight fans across North America can see the long awaited grudge match between these two super middleweights.

“The atmosphere in Reno was terrific, fans were chanting both fighters’ names from the time they entered the building right up through the final bell. These are the types of events were creating all over the country, huge crowds passionately cheering on the local favorites. We’ve done it in Reno , Vegas, Austin , Cincinnati , Baltimore and York , PA. ” said Chet Koerner, President of TKO BOXING Promotions.

“We’ve got plenty more of “HOMETOWN HEROES” events that we’ll be announcing soon in different markets. Fight fans all over the country are turning out in record numbers in every city and they want to see great fights featuring their local heroes and that’s what we’re going to give them.”

See the fight which finally settled the four year long animosity started when both Brinkley and Gilbert were featured on The Contender, Season One.

The action packed two hour broadcast from the Reno Events Center will also include outstanding undercard action featuring the terrific co-main event between featherweights Rafael Valenzuela and Yogli Herrera. The action was called by Ring Magazine’s Doug Fischer along with Steve Munisteri. Former world champion and winner of The Contender, Season One, Sergio Mora also assisted with the broadcast of the main event.

Detailed below are listings across the country with additional viewing information to follow. Fight fans are encouraged to check local listings for additional broadcasts in these markets.

Channel/Markets Served
Date
Time

Sun Sports/Florida
Monday, March 2, 2009
9pm

Comcast Sports Southeast
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
9pm

( Atlanta , Miami , Nashville , Knoxville ,Memphis)

Comcast Sports California
Thursday, March 5, 2009
8pm

Fresno, Sacramento

KOLO-TV– Reno
Friday, March 6, 2009
8pm

TWC Sportsnet
Sunday, March 8, 2009
12pm

Buffalo

Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area
Monday, March 9, 2009
7pm

San Francisco/Oakland

Comcast Sportsnet Chicago
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
8pm

TWC Sportsnet
Wed. March 11, 2009
5pm

Rochester, NY

MASN
Saturday, March 14, 2009
8pm

Washington DC , Baltimore , Richmond

Octavius James’/One In A Million, Inc. to Showcase Their Talents In The Legendary Hammond Civic Center; Tickets On Sale Now!

February 27 (Merrillville, In) – The Hammond Civic Center 5825 Sohl Ave, a 71 year-old 4,000 plus seat arena, has hosted some of the biggest boxing events the world has ever seen, including a notorious 10-round fight between Carlos “The Force” Tite and “Choir Boy” Mike Landini on March 22nd, 1985. Octavius James’ One In A Million Inc. will look to add to the long lineage of great fights and bring the Age of the Super Fights back when they return to this legendary venue on Saturday, April 25th, 2009 for “Date With Destiny.” The doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for an 8 p.m. bell.

“Date with Destiny” is a knockout opportunity for Hammond residents to see an amazing night of boxing,” said Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. “I love working with all types of professional sporting events, but I especially enjoy working with Octavius James & One In A Million” McDermott said.

This will mark the third time Octavius James’ One In A Million Inc. will be invading the Hammond Civic Center during McDermott Jr.’s time in office and this card is set to be more explosive than ever.

One In A Million is coming off a standing room only crowd with there 6 year series at Radisson @Star Plaza for “SLUGFEST 2009” back on January 23rd and expects to carry over this momentum into “Date With Destiny.”

“We are putting together a star-studded card that will have our fans talking for years and there are some very special fights on tap including a Super Fight that is going to steal the show,” said James. “Special Thanks to Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and the support of the wonderful Hammond people, this is lining up to be a special, special night of World Class boxing.”

“The city of Hammond has always embraced our fighters and have been doing so since the beginning, so this is going to be our chance to not only give an exceptional night of Las Vegas style boxing to the beautiful city of Hammond, but also to the region and the Chicagoland area.” Said James

Tickets for “Date With Destiny” are on sale now at VIP $100, VIP ringside $75, Ringside $50, and General Admission $30. Tickets are available at any Ticket Master location at (219) 791-1234, (312) 559-1212, (866) 438-7372 or www.TicketMaster.com.

The first fight begins at the Hammond Civic Center 5825 Sohl Ave. at 8 p.m. with the doors opening at 6 p.m.