Former IBF Junior Featherweight World Champion, “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor (28-1, 11 KO’s) and Mexico’s Heriberto Ruiz (41-7-2, 23 KO’s) met with the media Wednesday for the final time prior to their IBF eliminator for the number two position Friday night, in the Main Event of Rumble at Rama VIII, set for Casino Rama, in Rama, Ontario..
Molitor, who is looking to put his last fight, a fourth round TKO loss to Panamanian Celestino Caballero, behind him, stated categorically that fans should expect to see the fighter that defended the IBF world title five times, and not the man who lost it to Caballero.
“I’m coming into this fight ready to show the world that I’m back to being one of the best pure boxers in the world,” Molitor said.
“I’m slick, fast, pretty, and smart, and I’m going to dominate Ruiz like I dominated everybody before Caballero, and that’s by winning every minute of every round.”
But while Molitor sounds more than confident about his chances Friday night, Ruiz has been put to the test numerous times in his career, and has usually passed with flying colours.
The native of Los Mochis, Mexico holds unanimous decision wins over leading Junior Featherweight contender Rey Bautista, reigning IBF Featherweight champion Cristobal Cruz, and this past March secured his stool opposite Molitor with a twelve round unanimous decision over Mauricio Martinez in the main event of Rumble at Rama VII.
“I’ve had a great camp preparing for Molitor,” Ruiz told the assembled media at Toronto’s Delta Chelsea Hotel.
“Molitor is a great fighter, but I’m much better prepared now than I was for Martinez. On Friday you are going to see a new, better contender then you’ve ever seen from me before.”
Allan Tremblay, President of Orion Sports Management, Molitor’s promoter, thinks that the time his charge has spent away from the ring since losing his belt to Caballero last November has been more than well spent.
“We’re delighted to have Steve back, hungrier than ever,” Tremblay said.
“He’s got a new son, new wife, new home, and some much needed rest for the first time in years. He’s a fresh, new fighter, with fresh new inspiration to pick up where he left off before the Caballero fight.”
Jeff Craik, Vice President Marketing for Casino Rama, was equally effusive about Molitor’s ring return.
“It’s great to have Steve back where he belongs, headlining yet another great card at Casino Rama,” Craik said.
“Rumble at Rama VIII proves that once again Casino Rama is the undisputed champ when it comes to putting on world class boxing in Ontario.”
RITA FIGUEROA PREPARED FOR REMATCH THIS FRIDAY NIGHT “LA GUERA” FACES TAMMIE JOHNSON AT “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3”
CHICAGO, IL (June 24, 2009) Chicago fan favorite Rita “LA GUERA” Figueroa heads to “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” this Friday night at the UIC Pavilion for her rematch with Tammie “THE TASMANIAN DEVIL” Johnson in an eight round junior welterweight bout.
“WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” is presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
Advance tickets for “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3”, starting at $31, can be purchased through the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800 and through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the door starting at 7pm on the night of the event.
The world ranked Figueroa and Johnson battled in an excellent six round bout at the inaugural “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT” on March 27th, a bout which ended in a draw.
Figueroa enters the rematch with her undefeated record of 10-0-1 (3KO’s), while the Lynnwood , Washington native Johnson brings a record of 3-2-2 into the bout.
Said Figueroa about the first fight, “I told everyone it was going to be a fight, records are deceiving as Tammie’s certainly is. She comes to fight and throws a lot of punches. I imagine the second fight will be much like the first; we’re both going to come well prepared for an eight round battle; no holding, no running, another “fight of the night” type battle that the fans have come to expect from me and will certainly enjoy. I have much respect for Tammie as I do anyone that gets in the ring.”
Figueroa has been a fan favorite in Chicago since making her pro debut in 2004. Her support from her legion of fans has always been paramount to her.
“I appreciate all the support from my family, friends and fans and have been blessed to have the best team around. Sam and Angela do a great job always getting me well prepared.. Rocky has always looked out for me and I want to thank Nick Mitria at SubCulture for all the support and sponsorship.”
Said Pesoli, “I know how important this fight is to Rita. As soon as the first bout with Tammie Johnson was over, Rita called me for the rematch. The first fight was a terrific battle and the rematch should be more of the same.”
“WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” is headlined by a ten round WBC Latino Heavyweight World Title battle between Chicago’s Fres Oquendo and New Jersey native Mark Brown.
Two-time world title challenger Oquendo, 29-5-0 (18KO’s), is coming off a highly controversial split decision loss to former world champion James Toney on December 13th. The bout, broadcast from Cabazon , California on VERSUS, was thought to be amongst the worst decisions of 2008.
Brown, 15-1-0 (7KO’s) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Willie Perryman on April 24th. Prior to that bout, Brown knocked out previously unbeaten Tony Grano on September 27th in Bridgeport , CT for the WBF All-Americas Heavyweight Title.
Co-headlining “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” is an outstanding eight round junior welterweight showdown between undefeated Chicago fan favorite, Ivan Popoca, 10-0-1 (7KO’s) and Tulare, California’s Hector Alatorre, 15-7-0 (5KO’s).
An additional eight round bout at “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 3” is a super middleweight title fight between Chicago’s Andrzej “THE POLISH PRINCE” Fonfara, 12-2-0 (3KO’s) and Rockford, Illinois’ Skyler Thompson, 11-3-0 (9KO’s) for the WBF All-Americas Super Middleweight Title.
In a special feature attraction, Chicago fan favorite Rita “LA GUERA” Figueroa, 10-0-1 (3KO’s), and Lynnwood , Washington native Tammie “THE TASMANIAN DEVIL” Johnson, 3-2-2, will square off once again in a rematch of their draw on March 27th at the inaugural “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT”.
The undercard features three Chicago natives; featherweight Juan Bailon, 4-1-0 (1KO), taking on Denver , Colorado ’s Tommy Atencio, 3-1-0 (2KO’s), in a six round bout.
Ryan Smedick, 2-0-1 (1KO), will face Gabriel Morris, 1-1-1, of Toledo , Ohio and Chicago ’s Achour Esho, 2-0-0 (1KO), will face Maryland ’s Dontre King, 1-4-1, both welterweight bouts scheduled for four rounds.
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine , just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com
PUNCHOUT AT THE PLAZA LIVE FRIDAY, JULY 3rd, 2009
The Plaza Hotel & Casino
Downtown, Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, NV, June 24, 2009 – “Punch-out,” returns to the Plaza Hotel & Casino in beautiful downtown Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday, July 3rd, 2009. This show is sure to produce fireworks on the eve of Independence Day and will feature explosive boxing and MMA fights all in one night of hardcore action.
In the featured bout of the evening, Guilty Boxing, in association with Rattlesnake Events, LLC presents a bout that is sure to be full of venom as Dewey “The Black Kobra” Cooper (17-3-3, 10 KO’s) goes fang to fang with “Cobra” Cory Phelps (13-5-1, 7 KO’s), in a scheduled eight round bout. The Semi main event will feature a battle of unbeaten Welterweights as Abdon Lozano (5-0, 1 KO’s) of Las Vegas goes toe to toe with Windsor, Canada’s Andre “Gorgeous” Gorges (8-0, 6 KO) in what is sure to be a scorcher over six rounds of boxing, somebody’s 0 must go!
“Punch-out,” will also spotlight the up and coming stars of tomorrow, as we present six hardcore amateur MMA bouts! In keeping with the colorful and explosive traditions of The 4th of July we are adding to the mix a finale that is definitely going to bring the noise, and light up the night! Guilty Boxing & Rattlesnake Events have pitted the Elite MMA fight team of Las Vegas, NV against the very dangerous Idaho Fight League in a fantastic MMA exhibition as a gift to all ticket holding fans in attendance and we are positive that it will end the night with a bang.
Undercard boxing action will showcase the likes of three local Las Vegas talents, Hard charging, non-stop puncher “Lightning” Lonnie Smith (7-2, 5 KO’s) fighting in a six round bout at lightweight against Detroit, Michigan’s dangerous James Lester Jr (8-2, 4 KO’s) . Also duking it out on the card will be the mauler from Morocco Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak (5-0, 2 KO’s) versus the Pride of Cincinnati, Ohio James Helmes (6-3, 1KO), and rounding out the card we have MMA Prospect turned boxer, welterweight Sean” The Rebel” Dizay of the Las Vegas Elite Training Center, fighting in a 4 round special attraction.
Tickets are available and start at just $20.00. Tickets can be purchased now at the Plaza Hotel & Casino Box office or by phone at (702) 386-2575, tickets can also be purchased online at
www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/boxing.php
BOXING PRESS CONFERENCE ON JULY 8TH AT THE FOX & HOUND IN PHILADELPHIA—OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
PHILADELPHIA (June 24, 2009)—On July 8th at the FOX & HOUND ON 1501 Spruce Street in Philadelphia, There will be a major press conference in conjunction to one of the biggest boxing shows in Philadelphia that will take place two nights later at The Arena in South Philadelphia.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The show is promoted by Blaine Garner’s Shalyte Entertainment in association with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment Sports (CES).
In the main event, which will be televised by ESPN 2, Matt Godfrey will be defending his NABF Cruiserweight title against the undefeated Shawn Hawk.
The co-feature will pit Shaun George taking on Chris Henry in an important Light Heavyweight bout. This bout is co-promoted with DiBella Entertainment.
In addition to those two bouts there will be nine undercard bouts which will include the WBF All America’s Light Heavyweight title between Tony Ferrante and Billy Bailey. There will be a Jr. Middleweight bout between Derek Ennis and John Mackey in addition to two ladies bouts featuring Olivia Fonseca and Jackie Davis plus undefeated Coy Evans and Issac Suarez in separate bouts
“The Fox & Hound is the premiere Sports Bar in Philadelphia and I want everyone in The Center City area to come in and have a nice lunch and meet, get autographs and take pictures with all of these world class athletes”, said promoter Blaine Garner of Shalyte Entertainment
FOOD AND BEVERAGE WILL BE SERVED TO THE MEDIA
WHO: Matt Godfrey (18-1, 10 KO’s)-NABF Cruiserweight champion
Shaun George (18-2-2, 9 KO’s)–#8 WBC Light Heavyweight
Tony Ferrante (7-0, 4 KO’s) –Undefeated Light heavyweight from Philadelphia
Derek Ennis (17-2-1, 12 KO’s) – Jr. Middleweight contender
Olivia Fonseca (2-2-2, 1 KO)—Exciting Ladies Welterweight
PLUS OTHER FIGHTERS ON CARD
WHAT MAJOR PRESS CONFERENCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH BIG ESPN 2 BOXING SHOW
THAT WILL TAKE PLACE OM FRIDAY JULY 10 AT THE ARENA IN PHILADELPHIA
WHERE FOX & HOUND RESTAURAUNT AND SPORTS BAR
1501 SPRUCE STREET IN CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA
WHEN: Wednesday July 8th at 12 pm noon
THE ARENA IS LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF SWANSON AND RITNER STREETS IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA
Tickets for this exciting night of boxing cost $45 for advanced; $60 for Ringside; $65 for VIP and can be purchased by Calling The Arena at 267-687-7560; Shalyte Promotions at 215-287-7949 or Le Crown Barbershop at 215-927-5027