HOLLYWOOD, FL, July 16 – In the boxing business, what’s here today may be gone tomorrow, and long term planning usually never pans out the way it’s supposed to. Such has been the case in the talent-rich super bantamweight division, and no one’s happier about recent developments than IBF / WBA champion Celestino Caballero. “Everyone who knows me is aware that I’m a man of great faith, and I believe in destiny,” he said. “And I’ve said for a while now that my destiny is to face Juan Manuel Lopez in a fight to determine once and for all who the best 122-pound fighter in the world is. I know the answer to that question, and I’m hoping that now we’re one step closer to letting the world know it as well..”
Lopez, the unbeaten WBO super bantamweight champion from Puerto Rico, has talked about facing everyone but the man who holds two title belts in his division. Unfortunately for him, two of his targets – Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez – are in the preliminary stages of putting together a fourth bout between them, and a third, unproven Cuban prospect Yuriorkis Gamboa, was recently scrapped from a July 25th bout due to Visa issues, delaying the plans to get him more exposure in order to put together a fight between him and Lopez.
The result?
Lopez can continue to fight undersized mandatory challengers and build his record, or he can step up to the plate and face the man true fight fans want to see him in the ring with – Panama’s Caballero, unbeaten in the last five years with 13 straight wins.
“It’s just me and you now, JuanMa,” said Caballero to Lopez. “I won’t lie; I know that beating you will finally give me the recognition that I deserve, and I know you want to fight anyone but a 5 foot 11 puncher like me. But being a champion means testing yourself against the best. You know in your heart that the fighters you’re getting in the ring with aren’t as good as I am. Don’t try to fool your fans – fight me and win or lose, you will have proven yourself worthy of being called ‘champion.’”
Camacho – Cardona to Colide In Cleveland
The city of Cleveland, Ohio prepares to gear up for one of the most exciting fight cards to hit the Buckeye state this year as Hector “Macho” Camacho Jr. looks to resurrect his career in ten round junior middleweight fight to be broadcast on Live on Pay Per View on August 29th. The card, which is already taking on a spirited “Puerto Rico versus Puerto Rico” tone, features Camacho Jr. (48-3-1, 27 KO’s) as he takes on the tough Puerto Rico contender Israel “Pito” Cardona (36-9, 28 KO’s) in a ten round bout for the vacant WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) light middleweight title . Although Camacho’s weight has been an issue in the past, it appears as if the slick Puerto Rican has rededicated himself to the sport and is primed to make a run for a world title fight at junior middleweight. Most boxing insiders felt that Camacho’s best weight is at 154 or less, a theory that was given a great deal of credence when he won an impressive decision over Sammy Sparkman in his last fight (in which he weighed in at 157 pounds). With a dominant win over Cardona, Camacho would not only capture a WBC title, but could find himself in the top ten of the WBC world rankings.
“We are pretty excited about this fight,” commented promoter Zef Ramirez, “Camacho knows this is his hour, and he wants to silence his critics and put himself back on the map as one of the best fighters in the world.”
However, few are counting out the cagy veteran from Hartford, Connecticut. He has won two IBO world titles and an NABF title in his career, as well as holding the USBA lightweight title for over two years (winning the title in impressive fashion over Ivan Robinson back in 1997). Although Cardona is ten years removed from his last world title fight, he recognizes that a win over Camacho could put him in line for one more championship fight, something not lost on Camacho or Ramirez.
“I understand this is not a cakewalk for Hector,” added Ramirez, “if he brings his A-game, he should win, but Cardona has shown time and time again that he can win the big fight.”
The undercard is also shaping up to be a classic, featuring local prospect Ronald “The American Dream” Johnson (10-1, 3 KO’s) in the co-main event in a ten round fight for both the WBC USNBC light heavyweight title and the WBF world light heavyweight title as he takes on tough Billy Bailey (9-4, 3 KO’s). Although Bailey doesn’t have the flashiest record out there, his last two loses were by split and majority decision to prospects Anthony Ferrante and Roger Cantrell respectively. And few are questioning his abilities after he starched Brian Cohen back in January to win the WBC USNBC title. A win for Johnson would put him on the map in the light heavyweight division as a future contender, but many insiders recognize that this is not going to be a cakewalk.
“I recognize that Johnson has the tools to become a real force in the division,” commented Ramirez, “but his first step to becoming a contender is to get past Bailey. The thing is Bailey has shown that when the going gets tough, he comes out swinging. I am predicting an all out war.”
Rounding off the PPV broadcast is a ten round swing bout featuring one of the most talked about prospects ever to come out of Cleveland: Mickey Bey Jr. (12-0, 7 KO’s). Although an opponent has yet to be determined, the fight will be a ten rounder for the vacant NABO super featherweight title, indicating this may very well be the first major test for the young prospect.
Also on the card is junior welterweight prospect Marvin Cordova Jr. (20-1-1, 11 KO’s) as he looks to rebound from his first defeat back in May as he takes on fellow prospect Earnest Johnson (18-3-0, 7 KO’s) in an eight round fight. After his loss to Pilipino contender Dennis Laurente, Cordova has rededicated himself to the sport, and has shown flashes of brilliance in the gym. But Cordova has picked a dangerous opponent for his first fight back in Johnson. Johnson is considered by many a future contender in his own right, and his only three losses were close decisions to future hall-of-famer Zab Judah and contenders Earnest Zavala and Rogelio Castaneda Jr.
“I know we are putting Marvin in a pretty tough fight here,” commented Ramirez, “but it’s time for him to take his place among the boxing elite in the junior welterweight division, and the only way to do that is to fight the best out there and beat them. I am confident that if Marvin shows Earnest Johnson his A-game he will emerge victorious.”
Rounding off the card is cruiserweight contender Aaron Williams (19-2-1, 13 KO’s) against a TBA in an eight round fight. Popular Colorado-based Abel Perry (10-3, 3 KO’s) looks to establish himself as a legitimate prospect after his highly disputed loss to contender Donald Camarena back in January by taking on fellow border-line prospect Jay Krupp (12-2, 5 KO’s) in a classic crossroads fight. Ohio fans will probably see the winner continue his climb into contention while the loser will probably slip into journeyman status. Light middleweight prospect Dante Moore (4-0, 3 KO’s) takes on fellow prospect Julius Kennedy (6-1, 3 KO’s) in a four round fight and super middleweight prospect Julius McPherson (7-0, 4 KO’s) will take on a TBA in a four round fight to start the show off.
The venue for this event will be at the Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland Ohio. The event will be on live on Pay-Per-View. This event is promoted by. Zeferino Entertainment and AD&CO Events LLC, The fight will be sponsored by www.fmsnevada.com, FMS, LLC and “Put Down The Guns And Pick Up The Gloves” (a foundation formed by Ronald Johnson, to give kids an alternative to gang violence). Tickets for this event available at Ticket Master, or can be purchased at the Wolstein Center Arena Box Office (at 1-800-745-3000).
BRIAN “THE BIONIC BULL” COHEN TO HEADLINE ON AUGUST 14TH IN SALEM, NEW JERSEY
SALEM, NEW JERSEY (July 15, 2009)—On Friday night, August 14th, Dungeon Warrior Promotions in association with Bionic Bull Promotions to present a big night of boxing that will take place at the John B. Campbell Family & Fitness Center in Salem, New Jersey.
In the featured bout, Brian “The Bionic Bull” Cohen will see action in an eight round Light Heavyweight bout as he will defend his WBC Continental America’s title.
Cohen of Philadelphia brings in a record of 10-2 with nine knockouts and is coming off hit title winning victory as he took out Robbie Tovar in one round on May 9th in South Philadelphia.
Cohen has been a bit of a traveler as he has fought in Atlantic City; Lafayette, Indiana; Tower, Minnesota; Oklahoma City and Kokomo, Indiana.
Cohen’s formidable opponent will be announced shortly.
Also seeing action will be rising Lightweight, “Hammering” Hank Lundy.
Lundy of Philadelphia has been one of the fastest up and a comer’s in the country as he has already taken on five undefeated fighters and has a record of 13-0-1 with seven knockouts.
Lundy will be coming in off a very impressive stoppage over then 10-0 Jason Cintron on April 24th in Newark, New Jersey.
Lundy dominated the brother of former IBF Welterweight champion until the referee had to stop the fight at in round five of the scheduled eight round affair.
Lundy’s opponent will be named shortly.
All-action Victor Vasquez will be in an action on August 14th in a six round Jr. Welterweight bout.
Vasquez always pleases his throngs of fans and his come forward style usually has him in the fight of the night whenever he is in action.
Vasquez, 9-3 with five knockouts is coming off a six round unanimous decision over Linwood Hurd at The Legendary Blue Horizon in his hometown of Philadelphia.
Coy Evans, 4-0-1 of Philadelphia will battle the durable Darrell Martin in a Jr. Lightweight fight.
Evans and Martin were supposed to fight on July 10th but that fight has now been pushed back to August 14th.
Evans is coming off a four round unanimous decision over Jose Espinal (5-3-1) on February 3rd in Brooklyn, NY.
Martin of Baltimore has a record of 4-9 with one knockout. To say Martin has been matched tough is an understatement as the combined record of his fourteen opponents is 52-7-6 and Evans will be the fourth consecutive undefeated fighter that Martin will have faced.
The highlight of Martin’s career was his stunning third round stoppage over Jules Blackwell (8-1-2) on December 5th 2008.
Martin is coming off six round unanimous decision loss to Joselito Collado (7-0) on May 15th at The Legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia.
Elizabeth Sherman of Philadelphia will risk her 1-0 (1 KO) record in a ladies four round Lightweight bout against an opponent to be named
Twenty-Year old Lightweight, Lonnie Jackson Jr. (1-0) of Philadelphia will see action in a four round Lightweight tussle.
Cruiserweight, Dan Grafton will make his pro debut in a four round bout. Troy Corbin will make his debut in a four round Welterweight bout.
Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $50 for Ringside; $40 for Reserved; and $30 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling Dungeon Warrior at 856-229-1674; 302-543-3705 or Bionic Bull at 267-760-5023
1st bout is 7:30 pm with doors opening at 6:30