Sinan Samil Sam has to postpone his comeback again. The two-time European heavyweight champion and former world amateur champion has been kept out of the ring for more than a year now by different illnesses and injuries. “The Bull from Bosporus” had planned to make his comeback in early October. Now Sam had to undergo surgery because of gall stones. “The doctors said Sinan cannot train for another six weeks”, says promoter Ahmet Öner. “It’s too bad because he desperately wanted to get back into the ring. But we cannot take any risks here. Sinan isn’t a young man anymore. He needs his time for preparation; especially because we are looking for a world class opponent for his comeback..”
Originally the reigning IBF intercontinental champion was meant to defend his title against Kali Meehan in October. There were also talks about a rematch of his European championship bout against Paolo Vidoz. In July 2008 Sam had beaten Vidoz by split decision.
“We will see what the IBF and the EBU will decide”, states Öner. “Sinan will be back in December and he will be ready for a big fight then but there is no chance that he will be back in action before that.”
Oliver-Gonzalez III title fight headlines “A Night to Remember” – 9/11 pro boxing show at Memorial Hall in Plymouth, MA
PROVIDENCE (Aug. 11, 2009) – A New England and Eastern Boxing Association junior featherweight title fight between former IBO World champion, “Machine” Mike Oliver, and former Guatemalan amateur star Castulo Gonzalez, headlines the September 11th “A Night To Remember” pro boxing show, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., in historic Plymouth Memorial Hall in Massachusetts.
“A Night To Remember” is the third in a 4-fight arrangement, “The Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor Fight Series,” scheduled in 2009 at Plymouth Memorial Hall and promoted by CES.
“Plymouth is such a beautiful area,” Burchfield said. “We’re encouraging people to go on a mini-vacation with their families. There are plenty of things to do – whale watching, visit the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock, play golf at any of the surrounding nine courses – as well as drop by at one of the great restaurants and shops in Plymouth. We kick off the weekend with a great pro boxing show, headlined by the Oliver-Gonzalez title fight. CES will also pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives on that infamous 9/11 day eight years ago. That’s why this show has been named, ‘A Night To Remember.’ We will never forget the many sacrifices and acts of bravery.
The 8-round main event between Oliver (21-2, 7 KOs), a former USBA title-holder fighting out of Hartford (CT), and Lynn (MA)-based Gonzalez (9-8, 3 KOs) will be their third fight. Oliver stopped Gonzalez in the ninth round of their 2006 fight and this past June, in Boston, their fight was halted in the second round and ruled a no contest when Castulo suffered a cut over his eye from an unintentional head-butt.
Local favorites will be showcased in 4-round bouts, including Stoughton (MA) super middleweight Mical Weisberg (3-0, 2 KOs) against Frankie Reed (0-2), and exciting Lynn (MA) bantamweight Isander “Peachy” Beauchamp (5-0-1, 2 KOs) versus Elton “The Real Coolie Bully” Dharry (2-4-1).
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in separate 4-round bouts are Harwich (MA) light heavyweight Paul Gonsalves (1-0, 1 KO), a 2-time Southern N.E. Golden Gloves champion; Barnstable (MA) heavyweight Jesse Barboza (1-0, 1 KO), a 3-time N.E. Golden Gloves champion; Marshfield (MA) welterweight Artie Lopes in his much-anticipated pro debut, and Lawrence (MA) native Alexis Santos (1-0, 1 KO).
“We saw the excitement Manny Lopes brought into the ring in Plymouth,” Burchfield noted. “Manny has been out of action with an injury but we expect the same type of performance from his little brother, Artie, in his pro debut.”
Tickets for “A Night To Remember” are priced at $35.00 (Bronze), $45.00 (Silver), $55.00 (Gold), and $75.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club). VIP tables of eight are also available. To purchase call CES (401.724.2253/2254) or go online at www.cesboxing.com.
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) for more information. Doors open at 6:15 PM/ET, first bout at 7:15 PM/ET.
KARL “KJ” NOONS “ARMED AND READY” FOR PALA CASINO CARD ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 22ND
SAN DIEGO BASED MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT FEATURED AT “TKO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING AT THE PALA CASINO”
SAN DIEGO, CA (August 11, 2009) San Diego based middleweight prospect Karl “KJ” Noons is finishing up his training for his feature bout on Saturday, August 22nd at “TKO World Championship Boxing at the Pala Casino”
“I’m thrilled to be fighting so close to home, my last two fights were out of town and it will be great to have such a large group of family and friends at the Pala Casino on Saturday, August 22nd” said Noons.
Sporting a record of 10-2-0 with six knockouts, with movie star looks to match, the former Mixed Martial Arts Champion is coming off an outstanding six round unanimous decision win over Enrique Gallegos on May 28th at the Arena Theatre in Houston , Texas .
In preparation for his upcoming match at the Pala Casino, Noons has been sparring at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, California.
Said Noons, “It’s hot in there and full of action. I’ve mostly sparred with (highly regarded junior middleweight prospect) Rashad Holloway; we’ve both gotten some great work in.”
Noons is trained by Rob Garcia, a longtime member of Oscar De La Hoya’s camp. Further details on his bout at the Pala Casino will be announced shortly..
“TKO World Championship Boxing at the Pala Casino” is presented by Chet Koerner’s TKO BOXING Promotions, originators of the nationally acclaimed “HOMETOWN HEROES TO WORLD CHAMPIONS” professional boxing series.
Tickets for “TKO World Championship Boxing at the Pala Casino”, starting at $25, are available through Star Tickets (www.startickets.com, phone 1-800-585-3737).
Said Koerner, We’re thrilled to have KJ on this show in his hometown. His last two fights were on TKO BOXING promoted events in Houston and Cincinnati and I know he’s ready to put on a great performance on August 22nd at the Pala Casino.”
Noons’ last Southern California appearance was a six round unanimous decision win over Alejandro Bogarjin on November 13, 2008 in El Monte, California .
“TKO World Championship Boxing at the Pala Casino” is headlined by an outstanding Junior Middleweight I.B.O. World Title bout between Philadelphia’s Anthony “THE MESSENGER” Thompson and Grady Brewer of Lawton, Oklahoma.
Other outstanding prospects previously announced for “TKO World Championship Boxing at the Pala Casino” include Mexican junior featherweight Rafael Valenzuela,
12-1-0 (6KO’s), and Los Angeles based bantamweight Leo “TEREMOTO” Santa Cruz , 9-0-1 (2KO’s).
Further details of “TKO World Championship Boxing at the Pala Casino” will be announced shortly.