TAMPA, FL: Left Hook Promotions, the company founded by former IBF/IBO Super Middleweight Champion and St. Pete native Jeff Lacy is proud to present “Homecoming”, The Return of Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy at the USF Sun Dome on Friday April 10, 2009. Lacy (24-2, 17 KO’s), returns to fight in the bay area for the first time in nearly three years since a capacity crowd witnessed his thrilling knockout of Robin Reid at the St. Pete Times Forum on August 6, 2005..
“I’ve always wanted to come back and fight in Tampa, but it just wasn’t possible under the circumstances,” said Lacy. “But now that I formed Left Hook Promotions, I have the freedom to fight wherever I choose, and I wanted my first fight back to be right here in Tampa”.
“Homecoming” is presented in association with One Punch Productions and Everlast, and will feature Lacy in the main event of the evening, plus a full undercard. Nine bouts in all are scheduled, including rising heavyweight star Lenroy “TNT” Thomas, undefeated St. Pete featherweight Kermit “Bazooka” Gonzalez, undefeated St. Pete middleweight Ahsandi Gibbs, rising Tampa female star Adawirky Lopez, and additional bouts to be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets are economy-friendly, priced at $18.50, $40.00, $85.00, $135.00, and a limited number of $200.00 Gold Ringside seats are also available. Pricing the event to ensure that anyone can come was extremely important to “Left Hook” Lacy. “I know people are having tough times out there, and thankfully we were able to make this event affordable for everyone” said Lacy. Tickets for this event go on sale this Saturday at 10:00am at all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com, and the USF Sun Dome Box Office.
McGee vs. Follmar Super Fight Is On For “Date With Destiny” April 25th
March 5 (Merrillville, In) – It’s been talked about for a long time, but the time has finally arrived for two of the top women fighters in the world to go toe-to-toe for two of the biggest prizes in boxing on Saturday, April 25th, 2009 @ the Hammond Civic Center 5825 Sohl Ave. in Hammond, IN during the Main Event for “Date With Destiny.” The legendary Hammond Civic Center and its illustrious boxing history will be providing the backdrop for what is lining up to be the Super Fight of the century when NABC World Lightweight champion “Merciless” Mary McGee (16-0, 10 KOs) defends her title against WBF Super Lightweight Champion Kristy “Rose” Follmar (16-1, 9 KOs) with the coveted and vacant WBC International Super Lightweight title also up for grabs.
“Boxing fans have been buzzing and waiting for this fight for a long time and now we are going to give it to them.” said One In A Million Inc./CEO Octavius James. “The stars have aligned as there will be two world championships on the line. I would like to thank our Chief Matchmaker John Winfred and (Follmar’s Advisor) Mark Lemerick for working hard assisting in putting together this Super Fight.” James said.
Although there are two world titles on the line, McGee makes it very clear that her title won’t be switching hands when that final bell rings. “I refuse to watch her celebrating and taking pictures with my belt after the fight and the only way anyone will see that is if I’m laid out on a stretcher because this is the fight that will show if all my sacrifice has been worth it,” said McGee.
“I have been waiting for this opportunity all my life and if she has the same attitude as I do going into this fight, this is going to be the best fight anyone has EVER seen,” said McGee who is coming off a knockout victory over Jessica Mohs at “SLUGFEST 2009.” “When that bell rings it’s going to be like two pit bulls going to war and full of bone-crunching action from the first big blow till the last.” said McGee.
Follmar is coming off a convincing 10-round decision victory over Former World Champion Eva Jones Young just two days ago staking claim to the vacant women’s WBF Light Super Lightweight title, following a four year layoff. “Coming back is going to be a little difficult, but it’s not like I have been sitting around, I have been training people and putting what I learned in the last 10 years to use and it has helped me as a fighter,” said Follmar.
“I haven’t been hurt or dropped yet and I don’t think Mary (McGee) is going to take that from me and I go in there with full confidence, I have worked my butt off and I have the ultimate respect for (Mary) except when that bell rings,” Follmar added. “I’m very impressed with the high level professionalism of Octavius James and One In A Million Staff. I have really been looking forward to working with and fighting on this OIAM card.” I really appreciate the opportunity.”
Tickets priced for this spectacular card at VIP $100, VIP Ringside $75, Ringside $50, & General Admission $30. Tickets can be purchased at any Ticket Master location at (219) 791-1234, (312) 559-1212, (866) 438-7372 or www.TicketMaster.com.
Hammond Civic Center, 5825 Sohl Ave. just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago
Doors will open doors at 6 p.m. with the first bout at 8 p.m.
“HOMETOWN HEROES TO WORLD CHAMPIONS” SERIES FEATURES UNDEFEATED HEAVYWEIGHT PROSPECT ANDRES TAYLOR AT “BATTLE AT YORK 3”
York, PA. (March 4, 2009) Ready to take the heavyweight division by storm, Central Pennsylvania heavyweight prospect Andres “TAYLOR MADE” Taylor is finalizing preparations for his showdown with the Motor City’s Larry Carter this Saturday night, March 7th, at the Valencia Ballroom as part of the “BATTLE AT YORK 3”, an evening of world class professional presented by Chet Koerner’s TKO BOXING Promotions, headquarters of the popular “HOMETOWN HEROES TO WORLD CHAMPIONS” national series.
Advance tickets for “ BATTLE AT YORK 3”, starting at $25, can be purchased 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.
Speaking just prior to a late night run in his native Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the highly popular and always exciting Taylor spoke about his upcoming bout, his future plans, training with Roy Jones and his last fight, a third round knockout on the massive Kelly Pavlik, Youngstown homecoming card.
“It was a thrill to fight in Youngstown on such a big card. The crowd was so passionate and enthusiastic the whole night. A lot of people came down from Johnstown and it seemed like the whole crowd was cheering my name during the fight” said the former amateur standout about the loud chants of “ TAYLOR MADE” which follow him at each fight.
Shortly after knocking out Jim Emrick in the third round on the February 21st, Youngstown card to improve his record to 6-0-1 (3KO’s), Taylor got the call to come down to Pensacola, Florida to spar for a couple of days.
“Initially I thought I’d be sparring with Roy Jones but he has a huge heavyweight named Calvin Price that they wanted me to work with. He’s about 6’7” and goes about 250” said the smallish heavyweight Taylor who tips the scales at 210 and stands six feet tall.
“The guys in the gym thought he would destroy me but we went even for about 12 rounds over two days, it was a terrific experience.”
In January, Taylor won the WBF Americas Cruiserweight Title with a first round knockout of Philip Jewel at a packed War Memorial Arena in Johnstown .
“I’ve lived in Johnstown since I was a little kid and the support here is terrific. It was a great night to win the title at home” said Taylor, who runs a construction company outside of the boxing ring.
Taylor got a late start in boxing, only taking it seriously in 2005. In 2007, he was part of the Team USA squad that competed in Romania , competed at the US Olympic Trials, won a gold medal in the West regionals and the silver in the Midwest .
“I only had about 30 amateur fights, but I feel great fighting as a pro. My goal is to be the heavyweight world champion but I’m prepared to win a world title at cruiserweight first. I’m a small heavyweight but I love the challenge of fighting the big boys.”
About Saturday night in York , Taylor said, “Carter’s the first southpaw I’ve faced and most of the guys from Detroit are very tough so I have to be careful early on. Fans should expect another great performance, however, and “ TAYLOR MADE” chants throughout the fight from my faithful.”
The “BATTLE AT YORK 3” will be headlined by popular York, PA. featherweight prospect Carney Bowman taking on former world title challenger Jesus Perez of Cordoba , Columbia , in the main event while local super bantamweight Eric Nemo will face fellow former world title challenger Jose Bernal of Barranquilla, Columbia, in the co-main.