News: Israel Vazquez; Jimmy Lange; More

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 26, 2009) Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez’s third epic junior featherweight battle with Rafael Marquez has been named the 2008 “FIGHT OF THE YEAR” by the Boxing Writers Association of American. The third Vazquez/Marquez fight, which took place on March 1st, culminated an outstanding trilogy thought by many to be the best in the history of boxing.. Vazquez won the rubber match third bout with a breathtaking display of courage and valor in the unforgettable twelfth round, scoring a knock down of Vazquez in the closing seconds of the fight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California..

The knockdown of Marquez in the twelfth round proved to be the deciding factor with Vazquez winning the outstanding “back and forth” battle by split decision.

Said Vazquez, “The trilogy between Rafael Marquez and I will forever stay in the hearts of those that followed it and the love and respect that the fans, and now the media has displayed, has been nothing less than wonderful and very much appreciated.”

“I always dreamed that my career would be like this and for it to actually happen means so much to me that I lack the words to express my gratitude. I’ll keep it simple. Thank you Boxing Writers Association of America for this remarkable award.”

Vazquez, 43-4 (31KO’s) is currently ranked #4 on Ring Magazine’s Pound For Pound List, #5 by ESPN and #6 by Sports Illustrated.

Said Vazquez’s manager, Frank Espinoza, “”I want to thank the Boxing Writers Association of America for choosing Vazquez vs. Marquez 3 as their Fight of the Year for 2008. It’s truly an honor for Israel to receive such high praise for his efforts from a group of highly regarded writers who are considered the best in their profession.”

“This is the fight that truly keeps on giving. It gave its fans amazing thrills, it gave boxing a much needed boost and it produced awards and accolades for Israel that he could’ve never imagined. We at Espinoza Boxing Club are humbled and honored at your recognition.”

The awards will be presented at the annual BWAA dinner June 12 in New York .

More information on Israel Vazquez can be viewed at his website, www.israel-vazquez.com

The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza.

Espinoza, born and bred in East Los Angeles, was a huge fan of the sport and eventually went on to establish himself as one of the top managers in the world of boxing.

In 2006, Espinoza was awarded the Manager of the Year award from the World Boxing Hall of Fame and inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame..

Espinoza’s management style has earned him numerous accolades from several respected print and internet boxing writers. In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza was praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.

Along with managing Vazquez also manages a young squad of talented and promising fighters composed of Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez, Ronny Rios, Manny “Suavecito” Roman and Jesus “Pollo” Hernandez.

Among the world champions Espinoza has managed in the past are Martin “Gallito” Castillo, Enrique Sanchez, Isidro “ Chino ” Garcia and “Mighty” Mike Anchondo.

It is the goal of the Espinoza Boxing Club to always fight for our fighter’s best interests and to maximize their potential.

Jimmy Lange to Face New Opponent, Frank Houghtaling, for WBC USNBC Championship Title May 2 at the Patriot Center

FAIRFAX, VA (March 26, 2009) – Junior middleweight contender Jimmy Lange (29-3-2, 20 KOs) has a new opponent for the World Boxing Council (WBC) United States National Boxing Championship (USNBC) Super Welterweight (154-lb) championship fight coming to the Patriot Center on May 2. After his previously-confirmed challenger (Ryan Davis) unexpectedly backed out, Ice Promotions officials confirmed today that Frank Houghtaling (19-15-5, 4 KOs) of Albany, NY, has accepted to fight the popular Great Falls, VA boxer in the 12-round Main Event title fight.

Houghtaling (Ho-telling) has won three regional titles and fought tough competition during his career, including a victory over former world champion Livingstone Bramble. The cagey veteran was stopped by Matthew Hutton in the seventh round of their IBF International Welterweight title bout two years ago and dropped a ten-round decision to former world champion Sharmbra Mitchell at DC’s Lincoln Theatre. He and Lange share a common opponent in Kevin Collins. Houghtaling is 2-1 against the New York fighter, while Lange suffered his first pro setback to Collins in the boxer’s third pro bout.

As a member of the legendary Cus D’Amato’s Catskill (NY) Boxing Club, Houghtaling trained alongside former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson with top trainer Kevin Rooney. He entered the Army and turned professional while stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington before returning to New York. In 2001, he joined the Air National Guard and plans to return to the Army National Guard this May. While in the military, he earned an undergraduate degree in business administration/human resources and is currently studying for his Master’s in Divinity at Mid American Baptist with the intention of becoming an Army chaplain.

Lange, a Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, VA) 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 WBC’s 154-pound Continental Americas’ championship belt with an eight-round TKO rematch win over Fontaine Cabell.

An exciting fight card featuring up to 10 bouts of top professional local and regional boxers will be showcased. 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.

XTREME PRODUCTIONS FEATURING DEREK “POOH” ENNIS AND CLARENCE “SONY BONO” TAYLOR NOW ON WWW.GOFIGHTLIVE.TV

Philadelphia/New York (March 26, 2009)—The first big boxing event that took place in Philadelphia to start off 2009 is now available FREE to viewers on www.gofightlive.tv

The event took place on January 16th at The Arena (Formally the New Alhambra) in South Philadelphia and featured five fights that was headlined by USBA Atlantic Coast Jr. Middleweight champion Derek “Pooh” Ennis taking on Clarence “Sonny Bono” Taylor in a eight round brawl that had tremendous action.

The co-feature pitted Delaware Valley tough guys Ryan Belasco and Lenny DeVictoria live up to the pre-fight billing as they waged war in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Also see the professional debut of highly touted welterweight Ronald Cruz in a four round bout.

“This is a quality event to have Ennis back on our site. We got a lot of great feedback following his fight with Troy Browning and we are in the process of obtaining his fight with Ismail Arvin coming up on April 11”, said David Klarman, vice-president of www.gofightlive.tv