NEW YORK (March 2, 2009) – Former WBC bantamweight champion and 1992 Olympic silver medalist, Wayne “Pocket Rocket” McCullough, wants one more world title shot at that’s why he’s fighting St. Patrick’s Day Eve (Monday, March 16) “Erin Go Brawl II” card, presented by Irish Ropes Promotions, at WaMu Theater in the famed Madison Square Garden..
Limerick’s 2004 Irish Olympian Andy Lee (16-1, 13 KOs), 14 years younger than his 38-year-old hero, McCullough, headlines in the 10-round main event against 3-time world title challenger Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols (31-9-4, 27 KOs).
McCullough (27-7, 18 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas by way of Belfast, takes on Mexican super bantamweight Alex “El Diablo” Becerra (19-7, 9 KOs), in the 10 round co-feature.
“Andy Lee was the only one on the Ireland’s 2004 Olympic Boxing Team,” McCullough spoke about his warm relationship with Lee. “I’ve always supported him and feel that he’s good for Irish boxing. We’ve kept in touch and we’re behind each other 100-percent. I believe he will be world champion. I’m looking forward to fighting again on the East Coast and in Madison Square Garden. The Irish packed the house when I fought in New York (1993), Boston (1993 & 1997) or Atlantic City (1998). There are Irish on the West Coast but not as many as on the East Coast. If we brought then all back to Ireland the island would sink.
“My goal is to become world champion within two years. It’s all about promoting and I thank Irish Ropes and Cedric Kushner for this opportunity to fight on St. Patrick’s Day Eve in Madison Square Garden. I should be a 3-time world champion because a lot of people thought I won against (Daniel) Zaragoza and the first (Oscar) Larios fight. I’m 38 but I’ve taken good care of my body. I’m an Irish guy who doesn’t drink and I have a gym in my home. I’m like Bernard Hopkins.”
Making his New York City debut in an 8-round bout is unbeaten light welterweight Dean “Irish Lightning” Byrne, who was an Irish National champion when he lived in Crumlin, and he later captured the Australian light welterweight title in his fifth pro fight. Byrne (10-0, 4 KOs), now fights out of Los Angeles, where he’s trained by Freddie Roach and has sparred at the Wild Card Gym with superstars Manny Pacquiao, Amir Kahn, Juan Marquez and even Oscar De La Hoya for a few rounds.
“He’s a tough kid who is a really good fighter but doesn’t know it yet,” Roach spoke about Byrne. “He’s learning to sit-down on his punches and has had two knockouts since he’s been with me. Dean’s learned a lot sparring with Manny, Amir and the others. He’s a lot of fun to watch, very exciting and cleaver for a young man. Early in his career he fought 10 rounds for the Australian title, so he already has that experience. He’s one of my best prospects.”
Scheduled to fight in 6-rounders on “Erin Go Brawl II” are Irish super featherweight champion Eddie “Pride of Tallaght” Hyland (11-1, 3 KOs), of Dublin; Philadelphia by way of Galway middleweight “Slick Fightin’Irish” Simon O’Donnell (8-1, 5 KOs); Limerick light heavyweight Jamie Power (4-0, 2 KOs) against Reggie “Concrete” LaCrete (4-0-2, 3 KOs), from Brooklyn; Jersey City super featherweight Danny “Little Mac” McDermott (7-1-1, 2 KOs).
Also on the card in 4-round matches are Massachusetts light welterweight Danny O’Connor (4-0, 1 KO), 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate; Brooklyn featherweight Sadam Ali (1-0, 1 KO), 2008 U.S. Olympian; former St. Xavier College star football player Tommy Brown, fighting out of Chicago and trained by Kevin Rooney, making his pro debut in the light middleweight division.
County Galway’s Sean Mannion (42-14-1, 14 KOs) will be honored at “Erin Go Brawl II” in honor of the 25th anniversary of his WBA light middleweight title fight at Madison Square Garden against the eventual champion Mike “The Bodysnatcher” McCallum.
Tickets, priced at $50.00, $75.00, $100.00, $150.00, $200.00, and $300.00, are on sale at TicketMaster.com as well as Jack Demsey’s in Manhattan, Hilltop in Elmhurst, and the Heritage in Yonkers.
Comanche Boy Is On A Roll!
Friday, March 13, undefeated NABC Super Middleweight Champion, “The Comanche Boy” George Tahdooahnippah (17-0-1, 16 KO) steps back into the ring as the Main Event at the First Council Casino, Newkirk, OK against Jerry Perez of Rosenburg, TX. “This is my third fight in ʼ09, and I am nearing my first goal of 20-0. I will not be denied come March 13th. I treat every fight the same, no matter who it is. I am preparing as if itʼs the hardest fight of my life,” exclaimed Tahdooahnippah. “2009 will be the year people say, “Have you seen this Comanche kid fight?” “I have been on point. My training and conditioning is superb. I am on a mission to put my Native American people on the map in boxing!”
First Council Casino, catBOX Entertainment and C3 Fights have joined forces to present an unbeatable night of PROFESSIONAL BOXING on Friday, March, 13, 2009, under the all new EvenTTent situated next to First Council Casino in Newkirk, Oklahoma. Known as the eighth wonder of the entertainment world, the EvenTTent is a 30,000 square foot traveling venue, both heated and air conditioned. The fights start at 8:00. Doors open at 6:30.
Tickets are $25.00. To purchase tickets call the casino box office at (580) 448-3015 or visit www.comancheboy.com for more info.
PROFESSIONAL BOXING AT FIRST COUNCIL CASINO
First Council Casino, catBOX Entertainment and C3 Fights have joined forces to present an unbeatable night of PROFESSIONAL BOXING on Friday, March, 13, 2009, under the all new EvenTTent situated next to First Council Casino in Newkirk, Oklahoma. Known as the eighth wonder of the entertainment world, the EvenTTent is a 30,000 square foot traveling venue, both heated and air conditioned. The fights start at 8:00. Doors open at 6:30.
Undefeated knockout artist Oklahoma Lightweight Champion Noah Zuhdi (6-0, 6 KOs) of Oklahoma City, who was recently named by The Daily Oklahoman as Oklahoma’s boxing prospect of the year, will be fighting tough veteran Jason Varnell, of New Blaine, Arkansas, in a scheduled six round bout. Zuhdi, who played basketball for Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, has made a name for himself as the incredibly powerful boxer who has knocked out all his opponents in the first round.
The MAIN EVENT features undefeated Native American Boxing Council Super Middleweight Champion George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnipah (17-0, 16 KOs), who will be fighting a six rounder against Jerry Perez of Rosenberg, Texas. Not only does Comanche Boy deliver an exciting performance inside the ring, but his entrance is equally spectacular, as he travels with his Comanche War Dancers, Comanche drum group, and Comanche rap artist, “Red Elk.” Boxing experts agree that both Tahdooahnipah and Zuhdi will likely be World Champions in the near future.
NABA U.S. Light Middleweight Champion Carson Jones (18-7-1), seen last month on national television when he fought but lost a unanimous decision in an exciting and close fight with WBC #1 contender Jesus Karass, will be facing Brandon Wooten of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Also on the card is Wooten’s brother, Bradley Wooten (4-1, 3 KOs), facing rugged John Huskey in what is certain to be thrilling matchup. Rounding out the card will be Light Heavyweight Terrance Jones in a four round bout against Sam Norwood.
Also scheduled on the card is former NHL Hockey player heavyweight Ron Aubrey who will fight a four rounder with June Brown from Arkansas. Aubrey has developed a following from those who remember his days as former Oklahoma City Blazer’s “The Enforcer.” Inside the hockey rink, Aubrey instigated and fought more fights than any other hockey player nationwide. Since Aubrey’s debut in the boxing ring in 2006, he has fought six exciting fights and has four wins, three by knock out.
Before the Main Event, Oklahoma’s own Darla Z will sing the National Anthem, accompanied by her violinist, following the presentation of colors by The University of Central Oklahoma. Darla Z performed in 2008 to sold out crowds at Sam’s Town Casino in Las Vegas, has opened in concert for country legend Willie Nelson and has appeared in concert with Wayne Newton as his special guest.
On Saturday, March 14, come back to First Council Casino to experience a concert under the EventTTent with country legend Merle Haggard and special guest John Anderson. The concert will start at 8:00.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!CHARGE BY PHONE AT TICKETS.COM: (800) 551-1552
TECATE TO SPONSOR TRIPLE-HEADER BOXING NIGHT IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Ortiz vs. Arnaoutis, Kirkland vs. Julio and Guerrero vs. Yordan to Star in HBO’s Boxing After Dark
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (March 2, 2009) – Tecate, cerveza con carácter, celebrates boxing’s newest stars as the title sponsor of HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” program broadcasting live from San Jose’s HP Pavilion on March 7. The triple-header encounter features Ortiz vs. Arnaoutis, Kirkland vs. Julio and Guerrero vs. Yordan. As the main sponsor, Tecate will launch a local activation plan to generate excitement and awareness of the event.
“Tecate has a long-standing commitment to the sport and it is important for us to stand behind these fighters taking the spotlight,” said Carlos Boughton, brand director for the Tecate brand equity. “Our brand is anchored on several attributes that are shared by these boxers and our adult consumers, including character, boldness and masculinity. We are honored to support them as they launch their professional careers.”
To help create buzz in the weeks leading up to the fight, Tecate’s Mobile Boxing Ring will be touring the city and making stops in key locations to engage adult consumers in the boxing experience. The brand will also display thematic case cards and commemorative posters with details of the bout at select retail stores.
Adults 21 and older attending the event will be greeted by the Chicas Tecate and have the opportunity to take photos with them before the fights begin.
For more information on Tecate’s boxing platform, please contact Paola Ruiz or Alejandra Calva at (212) 219-0321.