On Tuesday Night Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, presented its first installment of “VIP Boxing” at the elegant Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, NY. The card was made up of five entertaining fights, headlined by Star Boxing’s heavyweight fan favorite Vinny Maddalone taking on Benji “Boom Boom” Baker. Maddalone, who is known for his all-action come forward style, didn’t disappoint his hometown fans, going straight at Baker from the opening bell, landing huge left hooks and thunderous overhand rights. A big overhand right as the bell sounded to end the first sent Baker down hard..
Rounds two and three saw more of the same from Maddalone, as he continuously stalked Baker, opening up on him with any chance he could. A heavy barrage of punches from Maddalone caused Baker to take a knee towards the end of round three.
In the fourth round a huge left hook to the body sent Baker down hard, Baker survived the round, but was clearly in bad shape. Upon the advice of the ringside physician the bout was stopped after the 4th, giving Maddalone the TKO victory. With the victory Maddalone improved his record to (32-5, 23KO) while Baker dropped to (18-6, 9KO). The victory sets up a huge international fight for Maddalone this summer. More details to come soon.
STEVENS, MOUTON GO TO WAR
In the co-feature bout of the evening, Star Boxing’s exciting super middleweight Curtis “Showtime” Stevens improved to 20-2, 14KO, winning an eight round war over dangerous Don Mouton (9-4-1, 8KO).
Mouton showed a granite chin throughout, but Stevens simply had too much fire power. Stevens worked off a good jab to set up his lethal left hook that seemed to connect every time he threw it. When Mouton would cover up on the ropes Stevens would open up, landing beautiful four and five punch combinations, but to Mouton’s credit he took the shots well.
Each fighter had their moments throughout, but Stevens punches seemed to have much more of an effect.
In the 8th and final round both fighters engaged in a heavy exchange bringing the packed house to a standing ovation. All in all it was a very impressive performance for Stevens as he improved to a perfect 3- 0 under the Star Boxing banner.
Other Results:
Anthony Irons W4 Rashad Bogar
Dominick DeSanto NC (cut caused by accidental head-butt) Ashanti Hendrickson
Jacques Louis W4 Vernon Jenkins
MIKE JONES vs. LARRY MOSLEY FOR NABA WELTERWEIGHT TITLE JUNE 6 AT BALLY’S ATLANTIC CITY
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ—Unbeaten welterweight Mike Jones, of North Philadelphia, makes his first appearance in Atlantic City when he makes the second defense of his North American Boxing Association (NABA) title against Larry Mosley, of Los Angeles, CA, in the scheduled 10-round main event Saturday evening, June 6, at Bally’s Atlantic City.
First of seven fights will begin at 7.30 p.m.
Jones, 26, is one of boxing’s hottest and most-avoided prospects. His 17-0 record includes 15 knockouts. He is ranked No. 10 in the world by the World Boxing Association (WBA), No. 10 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 11 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO). His fights have been televised by ESPN 2, Telefutura and CN8.
A pro since 2005, Jones won the vacant NABA title last summer when he knocked out Juliano Ramos, a Brazilian living in Boca Raton, FL, in six rounds at the New Alhambra in South Philadelphia.
Jones also has beaten Doel Carrasquillo, of Lancaster, PA; Israel “Pito” Cardona, of Hartford, CT, and Germaine Sanders, of Chicago, IL.
The Jones-Mosley title fight originally was scheduled for March 6 in Philadelphia, but Mosley withdrew six days prior when he injured his back in training. Jones knocked out late substitute Dairo Esalas, of Miami, FL, in front of a standing-room-only crowd at the Blue Horizon. More than 300 customers were turned away after the 1,346-seat building had been filled to capacity.
Prior to the Esalas fight, Jones K0d rugged Mexican Luciano Perez on Dec. 5 at the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA. Jones also has boxed in Las=2 0Vegas, NV; Spokane, WA; Niagara Falls, NY, and Salamanca, NY.
Mosley, 29, has a 15-3-2 record, 6 K0s. This will mark his second trip to Atlantic City, where he K0d Alexis Divison, of Miami, FL, on Aug. 4, 2005.
Jones and Mosley boxed on the same card March 3, 2006, at the New Alhambra. Most ringside observers thought Mosley was unlucky to be held to a 12-round draw that night by Miguel Figueroa, of Camden, NJ. Jones K0d Chris Gray, of Miami, FL, in two rounds in his second pro fight on the undercard.
Mosley followed the draw with Figueroa by boxing another 12-round draw, this time with world-rated Golden Johnson in Houston, TX, Johnson’s backyard.
In his last fight Oct. 24 in Carbazon, CA, Mosley lost a unanimous 10-round decision in a solid fight to 18-year-old Mexican phenom Saul Alvarez, who is 24-0-1, 17 K0s. Scores were 96-94, 97-93, 99-91.
Tickets for the June 6 championship fight are priced at $45 and $65. They are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. (215-765-0922) or online at www.peltzboxing.com. Tickets also can be purchased through TicketMaster (800-745-3000) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
News & Notes for May 2 Championship Boxing at Patriot Center
Turner, Dundee & Glenn: Best in the Business to Corner Jimmy Lange
A trio of the sport’s elite figures — Don Turner, Angelo Dundee and Jimmy Glenn –will serve as Jimmy’s Lange’s cornermen for his World Boxing Council (WBC) United States National Boxing Championship (USNBC) 154-lb title fight against Frank Houghtaling. Lange just returned from a four-and-a-half week training camp in Arapahoe, NC under the guidance of highly-regarded trainer Don Turner. A mentor under legendary Charley Goldman who guided undefeated champion Rocky Marciano, Turner has worked with numerous champions over his career including Evander Holyfield and Larry Holmes.
Making his fourth appearance ringside at the Patriot Center is the one-and-only Angelo Dundee. The popular trainer guided 15 world champions, including Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman, and Carmen Basilio, and remains a deeply-respected and sharp strategist in the corner.
Handling cutman duties will be New York-based Jimmy Glenn whose 50-plus year career has seen him work with the best from Michael Spinks to Floyd Patterson.
WBC USNBC Championship on the Line
Jimmy Lange will look to secure his second WBC regional title when he takes on Frank Houghtaling in the Main Event. The Great Falls, VA fighter captured the WBC’s Continental America 154-lb belt in May 2007 with a dramatic rematch win over Fontaine Cabell. However, shoulder surgery sidelined him for more than a year, forcing Lange to voluntarily relinquish the belt due to inactivity. Albany, NY-based Houghtaling has won three International Boxing Council (IBC) regional titles in his career. Houghtaling has a victory over Kevin Collins who handed Lange his first professional loss in 1998.
Pair of 20+ Win Veterans to Battle in Co-Feature
Two respected veterans with more 20 wins each will square off as the co-feature when D.C. middleweight Purcell “Hard Rock” Miller (22-5-1, 18 KOs) faces Tom Wilt (21-6, 4 KOs) of Altoona, PA in an eight-round contest. Miller, a winner of his 16 of his first 17 bouts, lost a tough, eight-round decision to highly-regarded Larry Marks at the Patriot Center in October 2006. On that same night in Fairfax, local fans saw Wilt, a four-time Pennsylvania Golden Gloves champion, battle in a ten-round Main Event war which saw Lange earn a tough TKO win in the final seconds of the bout.
Hot 18-year old Prospect, Juan “Savior” Rodriguez, Looks to Make Mark
Young and hungry describe Juan Rodriquez (2-0, 2 KOs), a talented 18-year old welterweight from Haymarket, VA, fighting out of Olympic Boxing Center in Falls Church, VA. Boasting a proud El Salvadoran heritage, the Battlefield High School graduate wants to represent his parent’s homeland in the same way Latin fighters from boxing rich countries such as Puerto Rico and Mexico have done. The “Savior” has won his first two pro bouts by knockout. He scored a devastating third-round KO over Benjamin Borteye last November in his debut and dispatched of tough veteran Edward Anderson in just 1:28 of round one this past January. He will go for three in a row against Atlanta’s Dwartney Wortham (0-1) in a four-round contest.
Fighting Cancer Remains Top Priority for “Tattoo” Tom in Rematch
“Tattoo” Tom Mitchell (0-1) seeks a win and to help raise money to conquer cancer again in his rematch against Yieta Johnson (1-2). In his first match against Johnson last November, Mitchell was led to the ring by his 18-year old daughter Shayla, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Disease in July 2007. Less than three months after his hard-fought defeat, she lost her battle with the deadly disease. One-third of Mitchell’s personal sales and his purse will be donated to Growing Hope Foundation, a local non-profit helping families cope with cancer.
Jennifer Salinas to Make Area Debut at Patriot Center
Females will take center stage when Bolivian-American Jennifer Salinas (9-1, 3 KOs), a proud mother from Manassas, VA, makes her local debut, facing Philadelphia brawler Christina Leadbeater (2-2) in a highly-anticipated fight. Salinas returns from a two-year hiatus after welcoming her second child. The fight marks only the second ever female bout at the Patriot Center.
Talented Team of Announcers Returns to Action
Among the talented team working ringside at the fight will be DC Boxing Hall of Fame ring announcer extraordinaire Henry “Discombobulating” Jones. Other familiar faces sitting ringside providing commentary will be Gary “Digital” Williams, editor of the popular Boxing Along the Beltway blog, and Jerome “The Fight Doctor” Spears. The event will be taped with DVD copies available through www.ipboxing.com.
Arlington’s Alpine Restaurant to Host Weigh-In and After Party
Fight fans are invited out to the Alpine Restaurant to experience the event’s official weigh-in to be held Friday, May 1, at 11:30 am. The Alpine will also host the After Party beginning immediately after the last fight on Saturday. The popular Italian eatery is located at 4770 Lee Highway (near corner of N. Glebe Road) in Arlington, VA. All participating fighters plus legends Dundee and Glenn will be in attendance.