On August 15 in Biloxi, in a bout featured on the “Hook City” Jones vs. Lacy pay-per-view broadcast, undefeated and world-ranked cruiserweight “Danger Boy” BJ Flores stopped former world-title challenger Epifanio Mendoza in four rounds to successfully defend his NABO cruiserweight title. The win brings Flores ever closer to a coveted world title opportunity and the two men responsible for putting Flores (24-0-1, 15 KOs) in that position are echoing those same sentiments. “We were extremely pleased with his performance”, said John Wirt, CEO of Square Ring Promotions, promoter of Flores. “He went out there and did what was expected of him and he did it impressively. Now we put him in position for a defining fight that will get him a title shot..”
The praise continued from Roy Jones, Jr., who would eventually thrill the audience in a ten-round beat-down of Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy. Jones, President of Square Ring Promotions, watched the action from his dressing as he warmed up for the main event.
“He showed a huge improvement from his last fight (unanimous decision win over Jose Luis Herrera on March 21 in Pensacola) when he seemed to be a little cautious,” said Jones. “In Biloxi he was very aggressive and now we are looking for big things with BJ. His next fight could be on my card in Australia and it should be against a world-ranked contender.”
Flores is ranked #3 by The WBO, #6 by the WBA, #10 by The IBF and #11 by the WBC.
Shawn Porter goes Hollywood for “Boxing’s Future Champions II” PPV
Fernando Guerrero headlines Aug. 29 card in Tunica
SOUTHHAVEN, Miss. (August 25, 2009) – Ohio native and former U.S. amateur boxing star, unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Shawn Porter, headed west a month ago for Hollywood, not for the bright lights or to meet celebrities, but to prepare for his August 29th fight at the famed Wild Card Gym.
Undefeated middleweight Fernando Guerrero (14-0, 12 KOs) headlines the Aug. 29th “Boxing’s Future Champions II” pay-per-view pro card in the 8-round main event against Chris “On Target” Archer (11-7, 7 KOs), live on streaming video from Fitzgerald’s Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi.
“Boxing’s Future Champions II,” presented by Prize Fight Boxing, will air on PPV at www.PrizeFightTV.com, starting at 8 PM/ET, for only $4.99.
Porter (9-0, 7 KOs), 2007 World Golden Gloves champion and 2008 U.S. OIympic Team alternate, meets Lamar Harris (6-2, 4 KOs) in the 6-round co-feature. “I reevaluated and rededicated myself to become the boxer I can be,” Porter explained from camp. “I’ve been able to improve a lot here and prepare for my match. It’s a very, very big fight for me because it’s No. 10. I couldn’t ask for anything better than the training I’ve gotten here. I got excited the first time I walked into Wild Card. It’s big and has everything. Guys are always walking in, so if you want to catch mitts, work on the bags, or spar with a 140 to 175 pounder, it’s not a problem.”
Porter has gained invaluable experience sparring in the past with Kelly Pavlik and Chad Dawson. Now, Freddie Roach has asked him to be a sparring partner for the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Manny Pacquaio. “It’s bizarre, still surreal, not far from amazing,” Shawn said about being Pacquaio’s sparring partner for his fight against Miguel Cotto. “I’ll get in the ring confident of working hard to help make him better and learning so many things from him. They want me to play the Cotto role. It’s unbelievable. We start in mid-September.”
First, though, Porter has business to take care of in Mississippi against Harris. In his last fight on the inaugural “Boxing’s Future’s Champions” show in June, Porter stopped last-minute replacement Brandon Wood at 2:09 of the opening round. Opponents falling out have been a reoccurring problem for Shawn going back to his amateur days.
“We’ve been dealing with opponents falling out since Shawn was 15 or 16,” his father/head trainer Kenny Porter remarked. “I used to bring in four guys when I promoted shows in Ohio. We’d sell the place out and I couldn’t take a chance that Shawn wouldn’t have an opponent. He was fighting at 165 but we had to take guys 178 pounds, twice, and even a heavyweight once. Shawn knocked them all out. It’s frustrating at times but we’re used to it. We’re looking ahead very soon to fighting opponents who put it all on the line. Fighting on this show means Shawn’s going global and people all over the world will watch him fight, not just his close friends and those at the show. It’s a great opportunity other guys in his class don’t get. It’s an opportunity we have because we’re with Prize Fight Boxing; it’s a blessing.
“Shawn went right into training after his last fight, eight weeks ago now, the last three at Wild Card Gym. We’ve worked on his mental focus. When you win easy, sometimes fights are taken for granted. Right now, Shawn’s working on all cylinders. He’s in the best shape – mentally, physically and spiritually – of his life. Freddie Roach has been impressed working with Shawn the last three weeks. Bringing him into Pacquiao’s camp to play the Cotto role is exciting. I told Shawn I want him to be a consummate professional in his sport, not just a pro boxer, by studying tapes of his fights and his opponents. He’s doing that now. This has been an exceptional camp. Everything is right!”
Also fighting on this exciting card is once-beaten Philadelphia heavyweight “Gentleman” Chazz Witherspoon (25-1, 17 KOs), the 2004 National Golden Gloves champion whose only loss in 26 pro fights was last year to world title challenger Chris Arreola. Chazz, whose cousin Tim was world heavyweight champion, meets heavyweight gatekeeper Stacy “Big Foot” Frazier (14-5, 13 KOs) in an 8-round bout.
In a pair of 4-rounders, exciting middleweight Dominic Wade (3-0, 3 KOs), 4-time Junior Olympic champion, battles 23-fight veteran Tyrone Dowdy, while 2004-2005 U.S Super Heavyweight Champion Mike Wilson makes his much anticipated pro debut against experienced “Marvelous” Marvin Hunt.
“School’s In” presser quotes
Tickets: Rollback prices for “School’s In” are $30.00 SRO, $35.00, $65.00 ($10.00 redeemable free play at Twin River), $100.00 ($25.00 redeemable free play at Twin River) and limited $150.00 Jimmy’s Platinum Club, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.
Information: Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.
Demetrius Andrade: “Everything is good. I’ve been training hard. ‘School’s In’ – I’m the cool kid in school everybody wants to be. Bring pencils and paper September 4th. I’m going to teach how to box, jab, go to the body and look good doing it. I’m going to put on a show.”
Joey McCreedy: “What can I say about Eddie? First, I don’t like him. He didn’t show up for the press conference and I hope he shows four the fight. Maybe it’s better if he doesn’t. I’m going to put him in a body-bag. The name of the card is ‘School’s In’ and I’m going to be the principal. First round, I’ll give him a warning; second round, detention; third round, expel him. I’ve been in wars with ‘Bobo’ (Starnino) and every time he’s stepped up he’s been knocked out. I will knock him out…a devastating knockout. I’m taking this fight personally. I will come out with two belts instead of one (he is the EBA champ and their fight will also be for the New England championship).”
Eddie Caminero (message): “I plan to end the fight early. I guarantee a knock out. I’m 10-percent confident because I’m a stronger, better fighter than McCreedy. Prepare for a war.”
Vladine Biosse: “The fan is everything; those supporting us. I’m never out of the gym and I’m always in shape. I’m coming to bring you a great show. We’ve been working hard and I’ll show some different looks. I have a different style of fighting that I’ll show September 4th. It’s going to be a great, exciting show.”
Simeon Dunwell: “I’m coming of a split decision loss in Texas and I’m not going to lose twice in a row. I’m ready to pound-in somebody’s face.”
David Bauza: “I had a short amateur career in Puerto Rico. I’m ready to prove myself in the United States. I’m happy to be here. We are ready and we will have a large fan base coming from Hartford. I know we will be victorious in this fight.”
Diego Pereira: “I’m Mr. Excitement. I throw a lot of punches, hard punches. I apply a lot of pressure, always coming forward. I bring action and, hopefully, my opponent will come and bang with me.”
Omar Pena: “This is a really good card with a lot of good fighters. ‘School’s In,’ that’s the title and we’re going to give it a big bang. Come to the show and get into the spirit. I want to shout out to my family and Dominican people. We’re going to put on a helluva show.”