HOLLYWOOD, FL, March 25 – Three opponents have tried and three opponents have failed to make it out of the first round against Moscow power hitter Magomed Abdusalamov. On Friday, March 27th, Dothan, Alabama’s Larry White will attempt to be the first fighter to test the unbeaten heavyweight prospect when they clash on the undercard of Star Fight Production’s Fight Night at the Pavilion at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa, Florida.
A two-time Russian amateur champion, the 28-year old Abdusalamov’s return comes courtesy of Seminole Warriors Boxing and the Yuri Fedorov Sports Lab, who have been pleased by the progress of the 6 foot 3, 260 pound prospect, who has blasted his first three opponents out in a combined four minutes and 48 seconds.
“Magomed has been frighteningly impressive so far as a pro, and the scary part is, he’s just going to keep getting better,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “He’s big, he’s strong, and he can knock you out with either hand. Once he gets some more experience under his belt, watch out.”
ANTILLON: “I PAID MY DUES, NOW I WANT MY SHOT.”
LOS ANGELES, March 25 – Unbeaten in 25 fights with 18 knockouts, and ranked in the top five by three of the four major world sanctioning bodies, Maywood, California’s Urbano Antillon has more than earned his right to a major fight on premium cable television or for a world championship, yet the top names at 135 pounds continue to avoid him at every opportunity.
And the soft-spoken Antillon has had enough.
“I paid my dues,” said the 26-year old. “Now I want my shot. I keep seeing fighter after fighter without my credentials getting these big opportunities, and I’m tired of it. I’m putting out the word to the public right now – I’ll fight any of these guys any place at any time, and I will knock any of them out.”
A 2000 National Golden Gloves champion who beat former world titleholder Paulie Malignaggi on the way to the crown, Antillon (25-0, 18 KOs) is now in his ninth year as a pro and has torn through his competition, winning the NABO and NABF titles at 130 pounds while scoring big knockout victories over Bobby Pacquiao and Daniel Attah. Currently on an eight fight KO streak, he has his sights firmly set on a world title in 2009.
“I’d love to fight the winner of the Edwin Valero vs Antonio Pitalua fight, and I hope he’ll step up,” said Antillon of the April 4th bout for the vacant WBC lightweight title. “I’m not holding my breath though. We offered Vicente Escobedo a fight but he turned it down, and he’s just one of many that won’t fight me. That’s okay though; I’m not going anywhere, and I’m just gonna keep doing what I do and eventually I won’t be able to be ignored any longer.”
Antillon returns to the ring on May 1st at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He will headline the venue’s first-ever boxing event against Michigan southpaw Tyrone “Fist of Fury” Harris.
Andre Berto Journeys to Haiti to Bring Charitable Aid to his Family’s Homeland
(WINTER HAVEN, FLA.) – Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto (Winter Haven, Fla.) joined several family members and the Carma Foundation, including organization founder, Melky Jean in a humanitarian visit, March 16-18 to Port Au Prince, Haiti. He was joined by his parents, brothers Cleveland and Edson as well as younger sister Revelina on the inspirational journey.
The group made several stops during their short trip to the island, distributing shoes to needy children, visiting a local orphanage as well as meeting the local mayor. Berto and Jean enjoyed the opportunity to speak with and provide inspiration to many of the local citizens, both young and old. In addition, Berto took time out to give many of the students a quick boxing lesson. The young people enjoyed the chance to meet the World Champion so deeply that they chased him through the streets, reminiscent of Muhammd Ali in Africa.
In addition to the charitable aspect of the trip, Berto enjoyed the chance to meet several family members, including his older sister, for the first time. Berto plans to make this inaugural trip, the first of many charitable visits to the Island nation which he represented in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
The 25-year-old World Champion has now returned to his home in Winter Haven, Fla., and will soon start preparing for his next fight, which is slated for May 30. Berto joined the board of the Carma Foundation in October of 2008 to support the organization in its mission of improving the health and lives of the poor women and children in Haiti.
Andre Berto is the World Boxing Council Welterweight World Champion and maintains a perfect 24-0 record as a professional. An accomplished amateur with numerous national titles, Berto represented Haiti in the 2004 Olympic Games. A Haitian-American, Berto comes from a fighting family. His father, Dieusuel competed as an Ultimate Fighter before a devastating car crash ended his career and brother Edson and sister Revelina are professional MMA fighters.