While back in his native Gary, IN last week, Octavius James visited Gary’s City Hall to discuss upcoming plans between the city and “Merciless” Mary McGee. “There are big things coming up between the partnership of Mayor Rudy Clay, the City of Gary and One In A Million Inc.; these are definitely some exciting times for all involved,” said James..
Merciless” Mary McGee, who is currently ranked #3 in the world in the lightweight division, has won golden gloves, two world championships and now the Gary native has staked claim to her first Gary Entertainment Music (GEM) Athlete of the Year award.
“I’m extremely happy they selected me and I’m so sorry that I wasn’t able to be there in person to accept the award,” said McGee, who wasn’t able to make the award show due to her having a previous commitment. “It’s definitely an honor to receive this award since I am from and love the city of Gary.”
The 22-year old is currently unbeaten (17-0, 10 KOs) and coming off the biggest fight of her young career with a 10-round majority decision over the WBF Light Welterweight World Champion Kristy “Rose” Follmar earning the vacant WBC International Super Lightweight world championship and successfully defending the NABC Lightweight title.
“I couldn’t make it back in time for the award show but Mary and myself were able last week to go and celebrate this incredible award,” said Octavius James, C.E.O. of One In A Million Inc. “I’m just pleased to see that she is getting some huge positive recognition for all her hard work and we definitely are excited for her and appreciate GEM for honoring her for her accomplishments.” James said.
The GEM awards are given to those individuals inside Gary and Northwest Indiana that have excelled inside their industry with the idea of helping motivate younger artists within music and other genres through seeing other local talent succeed in their industries on the grandest stages.
McGee will be making her highly anticipated return to the ring since defeating Follmar in a mesmerizing 10-round bout on Octavius James’ One In A Million Inc.’s upcoming fight card.
Also scheduled will be Jimmy “Fight School Teacher” Holmes (18-1-2, 9 KO’s), Ed “2 Fast 2 Furious” Ochoa (9-0, 8 KO’s), Derrick “Superman” Findley (13-3, 8 KO’s), Josh Crouch (5-0, 5 KO’s) and Marcus Thompkins (4-0, 1 KO) with the location and date to be announced soon.
CARINA “LA REINA” MORENO GIVES INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH TO LATE GRADUATING STUDENTS IN HER COMMUNITY OF WATSONVILLE CALIFORNIA
Four-time world champion, Carina “La Reina” Moreno (21-1, 6 KO’s), was asked to give a commencement speech to the late 2009 graduates of Aptos, Watsonville and Pajaro Valley High Schools. The ceremony took place at the Mello Center in Watsonville California, where Moreno gave an inspiring speech, congratulating all the students on their accomplishment, struggle and dedication to get their diploma. Students were encouraged to continue the quest for a better education.
“I feel its important that all students to get their diploma and go to college, said Carina. “To build a brighter future for tomorrow, we need to keep the next generation of students in school. It makes me feel good that I was able to give some inspiration to the students that were present. I’m hoping they will continue to better their education.”
MORENO BLOWS THE WHISTLE AT THE START OF THE ROLLER DERBY MATCH BETWEEN THE SANTA CRUZ DERBY GIRLS VS THE BAKERSFIELD REVOLUTION
Carina was the honorary guest asked to blow the whistle at the start of the game between the Santa Cruz Derby Girls versus the Derby Revolution of Bakersfield. She is pictured with announcer Timothy Jordan and Lex Van Den Berghe of “Survivor” along with Steve Wozniak of “Apple” fame. Moreno took pictures with both teams after the match and was asked to try out with the Derby Girls on July 19. Carina feels that she can be a jammer for the Derby Girls with her speed and agility.
“This was a fun event,” said Moreno. “There was a lot of action and the girls are really athletic. I’m looking forward to my invitation to try out for the team.”
BAY AREA NATIVE, TONY HIRSCH, RECEIVES NEW OPPONENT
Former Oakland Raider and familiar face to American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank: The Next Chapter, Tony Hirsch (8-2-1, 4 KO’s) has received a new opponent for tomorrow nights fight at HP Pavilion at San Jose. Hirsch’s opponent Gary Young (17-1, 8 KO’s) dropped out yesterday due to a family emergency. Replacing Young will be Southern California native, Francisco Garcia (5-2, 4 KO’s).
ABOUT THE WEIGH-IN
The weigh-in for the 2009 edition of American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank: The Next Chapter will be held on Wednesday, July 15 at the Bamboo Lounge at the Clarion Hotel in San Jose. Fighters will begin stepping on the scales at 6 p.m. All fighters including special guest Larry Merchant will be on hand and will be available for interview. Please RSVP Meaghan if you plan on attending the fights on Thursday, July 16. Media credentials will be available for pick-up at the weigh-in.
The address is Bamboo Lounge at the Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport:
1355 North Fourth Street
San Jose, CA 95112
AM&I Fight Night at the Tank Returns to HP Pavilion at San Jose on Thursday, July 16
San Jose, CA– American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank: The Next Chapter returns to HP Pavilion at San Jose on Thursday, July 16 featuring a special 8-round bout highlighting San Jose native Ricardo Cortes (22-3-1, 15 KO’s).
Cortes makes his return to HP Pavilion for the first time since November 2007 when he knocked out Joshua Onyango (14-17-1, 11 KO’s). Always a Fight Night at the Tank favorite, Cortes has knocked out 10 of his 13 opponents at HP Pavilion dating back to 2002. Cortes will be fighting Oakland native, James Buggs (8-9-3). This will be Buggs’ first time fighting at the Tank.
The undercard for July 16 will include Clint Coronel (0-0-1), Juan Tepoz (1-1), Maurice Slade (0-2), Claudia Gutierrez (Debut), Fernando Barajas (4-2). Each of these fighters will be competing in four-round bouts and will be included in the “You Be The Judge” competition.
SPECIAL GUEST LARRY MERCHANT TO ATTEND AMERICAN METAL & IRON FIGHT NIGHT AT THE TANK
Well known boxing analyst, Larry Merchant, will be in attendance at AM&I Fight Night at the Tank weigh-in on Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. and at the event on Thursday, July 16 at 7:30 pm. Merchant will be on-site at HP Pavilion and is available for interviews as well as fan autographs and interaction. For additional information about the weigh-in, scroll down.
Larry Merchant serves as special analyst for HBO Sports’ presentations of “World Championship of the world’s top boxing events on television.
Merchant, a former sports columnist with the Philadelphia Daily News and the New York Post, and a general columnist with the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, joined HBO Sports in 1978 as an expert analyst. Well-regarded for his no-hype style and his dramatic overviews of the fight scene, Merchant has covered a majority of the top boxing events of recent decades, including Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns, Alexis Arguello vs. Aaron Pryor, Michael Spinks vs. Larry Holmes, Marvin Hagler vs. Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks, Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad, De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather, Jermain Taylor vs. Bernard Hopkins and De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao.
In May 1985, Merchant received the prestigious Sam Taub Memorial Award for Excellence in Boxing Broadcast Journalism, presented by the Boxing Writers Association of America, for his commentary and analysis on HBO’s “World Championship Boxing” presentations. He is the author of three books—”The National Football Lottery,” “Ringside Seat at the Circus” and “…Everyday You Take Another”—and wrote the scripts for a number of HBO Sports specials, including “The Not-So-Great Moments in Sports” and “Son of the Not-So-Great Moments in Sports.” He also served as writer for the Emmy-Award-winning HBO documentary series “Legendary Nights.”
In June of 2007, the BWAA honored him with the James J. Walker Award for long Boxing” and “HBO Pay-Per-View,” and has covered many and meritorious service. In June of 2009, Merchant joins a distinguished class of new inductees into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in upstate, New York.
To set up an interview with Larry please contact Meaghan Boyle at mboyle@svse.net.
AMERICAN METAL & IRON FIGHT NIGHT AT THE TANK CONTINUES NEW FORMAT FOR JULY 16 BOUTS
All four-round fighters will be included in the ‘You Be The Judge’ contest; a way for fans to show their support of their favorite fighter of the night. The crowd will judge the bouts and choose their favorite boxer by round of applause. The winning fighter will receive the AMI Cup with an extra $1,000 bonus. The crowd will have a chance to win money of their own as $100 cash will be given away between every bout.
Members of each team will have opportunities to add to their pocketbooks with team bonuses. Both teams will be competing for bonuses of $2,100 ($300 per fighter). The teams will be scored on a point system with one point awarded per bout ending with the best of seven. If there is a knockout, “The Quickest Knockout Award” will garner that special fighter another $500.
AM&I Fight Night at the Tank will bring back a familiar face as Roy Englebrecht returns to AM&I Fight Night at the Tank as the event matchmaker. Roy Englebrecht is owner and founder of Roy Englebrecht Promotions, California’s third largest Boxing Promotions Company. In December of 2001 Oscar De La Hoya purchased Roy Englebrecht Promotions creating Golden Boy Promotions, with Roy serving as COO for the first three years. At the end of 2004 Roy Englebrecht Promotions was again reestablished, with Oscar De La Hoya as a minority partner.
TICKET INFORMATION FOR AMERICAN METAL & IRON FIGHT NIGHT AT THE TANK
Individual tickets can be purchased at the HP Pavilion ticket office, at Ticketmaster ticket centers throughout the Bay Area, online at ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. For more information about season tickets or group discounts call (408) 999-6808 or go to www.fightnightatthetank.com.