After months of back and forth trash talking, Star Boxing’s WBA#5, WBC #10, and IBF #13 world rated heavyweight contender Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson (21-0-1, 8KO) will face off against two-time world title challenger Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett (34-7, 20KO) on May 15th in the main event of ESPN2’S “Friday Night Fights” at The Concert Venue at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ..
Johnson vs. Barrett pits one of the top prospects in the industry (Johnson) against who many believe to be the ultimate gatekeeper in the heavyweight division (Barrett). What makes this ultimate crossroads battle even more intriguing is the fact that Johnson and Barrett flat out don’t like each other. For months the two have been sounding off on one another. Adding more fuel to Johnson’s fire is the fact that Barrett got the fight against David Haye back in November, a fight Johnson had been offered, and gladly accepted before Haye’s people chose to pass on Johnson and give the fight to Barrett instead.
“May 15th is going to be a tremendous night for me and my career and for all those fans in attendance and for the rest at home watching on T.V.,”stated Johnson. “I am the total package and I plan on showing that to everyone under the bright lights of ESPN2 on May 15th.”
“Trust me when I tell you Monte doesn’t have a chance. He is in for a long and painful night when he steps into that ring with me on the 15th. He has been running his mouth for a long time now, and I promise he is going to pay for what he has said. I do want to thank Monte though for stepping up and taking this fight, since no one else in the heavyweight division will.”
“This is a step up for Kevin, but it’s exactly what we have been wanting and waiting for,” stated Johnson promoter Joe DeGuardia, CEO and President of Star Boxing. “No one has been willing to give Kevin a chance to showcase his skills, but luckily for us Monte has stepped up to the plate and it should make for a very entertaining fight. There is a lot of bad blood between Kevin and Monte. There is no acting between these two guys, they honestly just don’t like each other.”
The bout has heavy implications in the all important heavyweight division as many people have been calling for Johnson, who is widely considered one of the top heavyweight prospects in the world, to step up his level of competition. Problem is no one has been willing to fight him, until now.
In Barrett, Johnson will have a chance to showcase his skills against a real heavyweight contender. Barrett has twice challenged for different versions of the heavyweight championship, and has knocked off previously undefeated fighters Dominick Guinn, and Owen Beck who were both 24-0 before facing Barrett. Last June, Barrett brutally KO’d highly regarded “Big Sky” Tye Fields (6’8″, 265 lbs.) in the very first round. Prior to the bout against Barrett, Fields sported a very impressive 41-1, 37KO record.
The card is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, in association with Harrah’s Resort. A complete list of the undercard will be announced shortly. Tickets are priced at $90 and $60 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1(800) 745-3000 or going online to ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823-2000 or by going online to www.starboxing.com.
CAYO VS MORUA HEADLINES “BOXING IN PARADISE III”
UVI SPORTS AND FITNESS CENTER IN ST. THOMAS TO HOST MAY 30TH EVENT
ST. THOMAS, USVI, April 29 – With a series of hard-hitting boxing events that are getting more and more attention with each toll of the bell, 340 Promotions is firmly establishing the Virgin Islands as boxing’s new hotbed of talent and excitement. On Saturday, May 30th, the action will get even hotter when “Boxing in Paradise III” touches down at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas with a world-class lineup of professional and amateur bouts.
In the main event, unbeaten rising star Victor “Mermelada” Cayo defends his WBA Fedecaribe junior welterweight title for the fifth time against Arturo “El Silencioso” Morua. For Santo Domingo’s Cayo (21-0, 14 KOs), who is coming off impressive wins over Noe Bolanos and Wilson Alcorro, it’s an opportunity to notch his third straight win of 2009. But to get it, he has to defeat his toughest opponent to date in Guadalajara’s Morua (25-12-1, 14 KOs), a former world title challenger who knows that beating Cayo is his ticket back into the title race.
Also in action will be three of the Virgin Islands’ favorite sons, as John and Julius Jackson, sons of the legendary world champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, and Samuel Rodgers, The Hawk’s nephew, all return to action against upset-minded opposition.
And that’s not all, as “Boxing in Paradise III” will also showcase Manila’s “Fighting Doctor”, JV Tuazon, and one of the hottest prospects to emerge from the Dominican Republic in years, Javier “Abejon” Fortuna.
“Boxing in Paradise III” is presented by 340 Promotions in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing. Coors Light is the title sponsor of the event, along with the USVI Department of Tourism, Yacht Haven Grande, Fat Turtle, and Core Magazine.
Tickets for the event are $25 in advance and $35 at the door for General Admission, and $40 in advance and $50 at the door for Ringside Tickets. VIP tables (which include food and beverages) are also available for $1,500. Tickets are available at Modern Music, Fat Turtle (Yacht Haven Grande), Alaska Bar, (Across from Four Winds Plaza Car Wash), Fashion Source (Tutu Park Mall), Max Mart (Nisky Center), and may also be purchased online at www.340promotions.com.
All bouts subject to change. Doors open at 5:00pm, with the amateur portion of the card beginning at 5:30pm and the professional bouts kicking off at 8:00pm
It’s ‘Da Truth’ Tyson’s Fired-Up For May 1st Showdown With Former Title Challenger.
Philadelphia’s favourite Light Middleweight contender Jamaal ‘Da Truth’ Davis (9-4-0), better known around the boxing scene as ‘Tyson’, returns to his old home town stomping ground, The Legendary Blue Horizon, this coming Friday night. His opponent at the Russell Peltz Boxing/Joe Hand Promotions 1st May event is Bahaman hard man Jerome Ellis (11-9-2).
Don’t let the stats fool you, this is going to be one cracking fight as Ellis is no walkover for Davis. His pedigree speaks for itself as Ellis is a former Bahaman Light Middleweight Champion and WBO NABO Light Middleweight title challenger. Out of his eleven victories ten have been by way of knockout and his losses have been against classy opposition such as Miguel Angel Rodriquez, Henry Crawford and Richard Gutierrez.
Does this bother Davis? Not one iota. ‘Tyson’ clearly relishes the thought of facing a former title challenger. “I want to go for a title myself one day.” Davis explained “When I do I want to be ready. There’s no better way than going in with someone that’s been there already.”
Davis’ ever present coach, Shar’ron Baker threw in her two-penneth. “Jamaal is doing well with his sparring and is nasty and evil as ever. That’s when I know he’s going to kick some ass!
This will be his second fight at the 154 pound limit of junior middleweight and he’s looking and feeling great. Friday, May 1st promises to be an explosion of an event for Jamaal”
Just as in his two previous victories, against Clarence ‘Sonny Bonno’ Taylor and Chris Hall, ‘Tyson’ will be wearing the distinctive pink Diamond Boxing/American Cancer Society T-Shirt as he enters the ring.
All sponsorship monies from DiamondBoxing.com and money raised from the sale of the Pink T-Shirts are to be donated to The American Cancer Society in the name of his young bride, Patrilla, who passed away just one week before Christmas 2007 after battling breast cancer for many years.
Last word has to go to the ever jovial Jamaal ‘Da Truth’ Davis AKA Tyson: “This will be the best Tyson that anyone has seen. You ain’t gonna wanna miss it. That’s Da Truth!”
Make a note in your diary and get down to the Blue Horizon, for what promises to be a great night of boxing, to support ‘Tyson’ and the American Cancer Society.
Date:
Friday, 1st May 2009
Location:
The Legendary Blue Horizon
North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA.
Tickets priced at $60 and $45 are on sale at Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922), Joe Hand Promotions (215-364-9000) or online at www.peltzboxing.com. (Peltz Boxing & Joe Hand Promotions).
Should you wish to make a donation to the American Cancer Society please see their website – www.cancer.org