With one whistling right hand, the “Best Kept Secret in Boxing” got out and newly crowned WBO Interim Cruiserweight Champion Ola “Kryptonite” Afolabi (14-1-3, 6 KOs) couldn’t be happier. “I told you!” shouted the 28-year-old transplanted Californian. “I said this would be my coming out party and that’s exactly what it was!” Although he was considered an underdog going in to his fight against former champion Enzo Maccarinelli at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester on Saturday night, Afolabi tore into his Welsh opponent and had him hurt a few times before a picture-perfect overhand right sent him crashing to the deck in round nine..
Though he rose, Maccarinelli was ruled unable to continue; making Afolabi and his team’s pre-fight statements about being the “best kept secret in boxing” seem very prophetic.
“Ola is now the most exciting and best new cruiserweight on the scene,” said promoter Dino Duva. “He is ready to conquer the entire cruiserweight division, starting with the champions. This means you Giacobbe Fragomeni (WBC), Guillermo Jones (WBA), Tomasz Adamek (IBF) and Victor E. Ramirez (WBO Interim).”
Duva says he’s glad the world finally knows what he has known for a long time: that Ola Afolabi has the potential to be a dominant world champion. “I congratulate Ola for his performance. He worked hard and it showed. We want to thank Enzo Maccarinelli and his promoter, Frank Warren, for giving us the opportunity to fight for the title. It was a pleasure working with them. The next step is to continue the Era of Ola by taking on one of the other world champions.”
QUEZADA RIDING A 15-FIGHT WINNING STREAK
WBC CABOFE heavyweight champion, Manuel “El Toro” Quezada (26-4, 16 KO’s) is looking to fight any world-ranked heavyweight contender walking this planet. Quezada is prepared to travel overseas to all four corners of the earth to make a statement.
When asked about fighting in foreign territory, Quezada stated, “If any of the top heavyweights are willing to step in the ring with me, I’m game. I realize that I might have to travel overseas to make a big fight happen. With that being said, I’m ready to take my career to the next level. I’m taking on all comers.”
The Tachi Palace’s Christian Printup, who promotes Quezada, eagerly went on to say, “I believe Manuel has the talent to compete at the highest level in boxing. With many of the top heavyweights residing in Europe, we’ll be ready to travel overseas to do battle if need be. Otherwise we’ll stay in the states and challenge any of the top American heavyweights, in their own backyard.”
Ranked #17 by the WBC, Quezada will look to extend on his 15-fight winning streak when he steps back in the ring.
Jimmy Lange to Battle Ryan Davis for WBC USNBC Championship Title May 2 at the Patriot Center
Tickets Start at $20, Available for Purchase at All Ticketmaster Outlets
FAIRFAX, VA (March 17, 2009) – Junior middleweight contender Jimmy Lange (29-3-2, 20 KOs) will battle Ryan “Dangerous” Davis (20-8-2, 8 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) United States National Boxing Championship (USNBC) Super Welterweight (154-lb) title in the 12-round Main Event on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the Patriot Center, Ice Promotions officials announced today. The title fight headlined by the popular Lange will be part of an exciting lineup featuring several top local fighters on the undercard. Tickets start at only $20 and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets.
Based on an impressive victory over Grover Wiley last November, Lange of Great Falls, Virginia looked fully-recovered from a rotator cuff injury that he suffered during his WBC Continental America’s championship title bout held nearly two years ago. He showcased his trademark jab, effective body shots and constant pressure to wear down Wiley in a performance that has helped re-establishing himself as world class contender in the middleweight division.
Davis holds an outstanding professional record of 20 wins in 30 bouts and has faced high caliber competition during his career. Over the past three years, he has fought former “Contender” participants Miguel Hernandez (season three) and Jonathan Reid (season one; teammate of Lange) and veteran Mexican David Lopez. In November 2007, he lost a 12-round decision for the WBE International Boxing Council Light Middleweight title to former world champion Zab Judah.
The 30-year old fighter, who grew up outside of St. Louis, Missouri in Granite City, Illinois, started boxing at the age of nine at North St. Louis’s North County gym under the guidance of his father, Terry, and trainer Roger Bloodworth. Davis was a six-time time Golden Glove champion, was twice awarded a Bronze medal at the Police Athletic Nationals and competed at the U.S. Championships during his amateur career.
Lange, a Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Virginia) High School graduate rose to 21-1-1 over his first five years, earning an unmatched regional following in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area. In 2003, he scored high marks and won fans at the national stage with his impressive third-round TKO of former WBF light heavyweight champion Homer Gibbins live on ESPN2’s Tuesday Night Fights. His fame rose to new heights as a “Fan Favorite” on season one of the boxing TV series The Contender, with hosts Sylvester Stallone and “Sugar” Ray Leonard. Since the show, Lange has headlined all six pro cards held at the Patriot Center, drawing more than 5,000 fans to each. In 2007, he captured the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) 154-pound Continental Americas’ championship belt with an eight-round TKO rematch win over Fontaine Cabell.
Doors open at 6:30pm with the first fight set for 7:30pm. Tickets, priced at $20, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $300 and $500 (plus applicable service charges), can be purchased through Ticketmaster by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com, calling 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT or 410-547-SEAT or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including the Patriot Center box office. For group sales and sponsorship opportunities, please call (703) 536-6060.