MANCHESTER, N.H. (September 4, 2009) – Unbeaten Worcester (MA) prospect Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez continues September 24 on his mission to establish himself as a future world champion, fighting in the 8-round co-feature on the 8th annual “Fight To Educate” charity event, at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire. The 8th annual “Fight To Educate,” presented by MB Tractor & Equipment, in association with Cedric Kushner’s Gotham Boxing, will benefit the SEE Science Center, Bobby Stephen Fund for Education, and The Veterans Count Club..
In the 10-round main event, 3-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (27-9, 18 KOs) battles unbeaten Czech Republic light heavyweight sensation Adam Hubinger (13-0, 10 KOs).
The new-and-improved Rodriguez (11-0, 8 KOs), a 2-time U.S. national amateur champion, is matched against veteran super middleweight Robbie Tovar (15-4-1, 5 KOs), former NABC Latino title-holder. “I don’t know much about him other than he’s Mexican,” Rodriguez said, “so I know he’s tough and coming to fight. I’m looking forward to a good fight. I want to be tested so I can keep improving. I’ve been sparring with Peter (Manfredo, Jr.) and I’m ready to go eight hard rounds if necessary. I’m in tremendous shape, stronger than ever, and I want to continue showing everybody that I’m a world-class up-and-coming prospect.
“There’s a lot of pressure fighting so far from home, but I perform better under pressure. I’m hungrier to prove myself fighting in front of so many people who know me. I don’t want to let down my family, friends, fans or myself. That’s why I love to fight close to home and Worcester isn’t too far from Manchester.”
Granite State favorite Richard Gingras (9-2, 5 KOs), star of The Contender IV and fighting out of nearby Claremont (NH), is also fighting in an 8-round bout against Robert Davis.
2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate Danny O’Connor (8-0. 2 KOs), who made his pro debut at the “Fight To Educate,” faces an opponent to be determined in a 6-rounder. O’Connor, a Framingham (MA) native, captured gold medals at last U.S. Future Stars, in which, he was selected Outstanding Boxer of the tournament, and National Golden Gloves Championships.
“I’m excited to be fighting on the same card as my friend, Danny, for the first time, and Rich Gingras,” Rodriguez added. “I was here as a fan last year supporting Danny, who made his pro debut. I also enjoy be part of a fund-raiser like this that’s going to help so many worth causes.”
Also in the undercard, undefeated heavyweight Faruq “The Dream” Saleem (38-0, 32 KOs) faces an opponent to be determined, while Bronx (NY) super middleweight Hajro Sujak (3-0, 1 KO) squares off against Eric Clinton in six and four round bouts, respectively.
Tickets are priced at $10 (seniors, veterans and students only), $25 and $50 and available to purchase at the Verizon Wireless Arena Box Office, any TicketMaster location, on line at www.ticketmaster.com, or call 603.868.7300 to charge. For more information go to www.fight2educate.com. First bout will be at 8 PM/ET.
Quincy lightweight prospect Ryan Kielczewski added to “A Night to Remember” card in Plymouth 9/11 pro boxing show at Memorial Hall
PROVIDENCE (September 4, 2009) – Quincy prospect Ryan Kielczewski has been added to the September 11th “A Night To Remember” pro boxing card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), in historic Plymouth Memorial Hall in Massachusetts.
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 “A Night To Remember,” 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.
Kielczewski (4-0, 1 KO), a top amateur before turning pro 13 months ago, will be fighting in a 4-round bout against an opponent to be determined.
“We’re excited to have Ryan K. fighting on our Plymouth card,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “He’s one of the top, young fighters in New England and very popular in this market. We’re happy that we were able to work out a deal with his promoter, DiBella Entertainment.”
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 including Stoughton (MA) super middleweight Mical Weisberg (3-0, 2 KOs) and Marshfield’s pro-debuting welterweight Arturo Lopes will also be in action. Weisberg, a college graduate, faces Frankie Reed (0-2), while Lopes meets an opponent to be determined.
Also on the undercard in 4-rounders are exciting Lynn (MA) bantamweight Isander “Peachy” Beauchamp (5-0-1, 2 KOs), who battles Elton “The Real Coolie Bully” Dharry (2-4-1); (MA) light heavyweight Paul Gonsalves (1-0, 1 KO), a 2-time Southern N.E. Golden Gloves champion, vs. TBA; Barnstable (MA) heavyweight Jesse Barboza (1-0, 1 KO), a 3-time N.E. Golden Gloves champion, versus Lewis Cotuna (0-1) and Lawrence (MA) cruiserweight Alexis Santos (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Dino Weingarten (2-4).
Tickets for “A Night To Remember” are priced at $35.00 (Bronze), $45.00 (Silver) and $55.00 (Gold). VIP tables of eight are also available. To purchase call CES (401.724.2253/2254) or go online at www.cesboxing.com. Tickets are also available on Cape Cod at Cape Cod Nutrition Corner, Hyannis, 508.775.5697; Pizza 1, Subs 2, Falmouth, 508.457.1212; David’s Professional Boxing, East Dennis, 774.212.1617; A.J. Marks Jewelers in Hyannis (508.775.6900) and East Wareham (508.775.6900).
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.
TICKET ALERT!!!!!!!!! TKO BOXING PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO HOUSTON, TX ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10TH
“HIGH STAKES” FEATURES DAT NGUYEN, RAYONTA WHITFIELD, KJ NOONS AND RAFAEL VALENZUELA
HOUSTON, TX, (September 3, 2009) Tickets are now on sale as Chet Koerner’s TKO BOXING Promotions presents “HIGH STAKES” an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing set for Saturday, October 10th at the Arena Theatre.
Starting at $25, tickets can be obtained through the Arena Theatre Box Office (www.arenahouston.com, phone 713-772-5900). The Arena Theatre is located at 7326 Southwest Freeway (between Bellaire and Fondren) in Houston . Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.
Said Koerner, “We’re thrilled to return to the Arena Theatre. The fans at our first event were very enthusiastic and we’re very proud to come back on a Saturday night. I’d encourage Houston fight fans to get their tickets early as the initial response has been incredibly strong for this event.”
Featured at “HIGH STAKES” will be the return of Vietnamese sensation, featherweight prospect Dat “BE DAT” Nguyen. The 26 year old Nguyen, 16-1-0 (6KO’s), trained by former world champion Buddy McGirt, thrilled the Arena Theatre crowd on May 28th with an action packed eight round unanimous decision win over Carlos Hernandez.
Most recently the native of Bien Hoa , Vietnam battled to an exciting unanimous decision win over Noe Lopez Jr. at the Pala, California Casino Spa and Resort on August 22nd. Nguyen will once again be led to the ring by the “Mua Lan”, a traditional Vietnamese lion dance designed to exorcise evil spirits.
Also at “HIGH STAKES”, world ranked flyweight Rayonta “STINGRAY” Whitfield will make his Houston debut. The Augusta, Georgia based flyweight, sporting a record of 22-1-0 (11KO’s), is coming off a WBO World Title bout against champion Omar Narvaez in Argentina .
After nine evenly fought rounds, the battle was stopped in the tenth and awarded to local favorite Narvaez despite Whitfield seemingly being unhurt and able to continue.
Whitfield is currently world ranked # 7 by the IBF and # 8 by the WBO.
Houston native Karl “KJ” Noons will also be returning to the Arena Theatre on the “HIGH STAKES” card. The 26 year old Noons, 11-2-0 (5KO’s), is coming off a six round decision win over Randy Pogue on August 22nd at the Pala, California Casino Spa and Resort.
At the first TKO BOXING Promotions event at the Arena Theatre on May 28th, Noons dropped Enrique Gallegos in the first round enroute to a unanimous decision victory.
Also featured at “HIGH STAKES” will be outstanding featherweight prospect Rafael Valenzuela of Phoenix, Arizona . The 23 year old former amateur standout has amassed a record of 13-1-0 (6KO’s), since turning professional at the age of 19.
Valenzuela took a hard fought unanimous decision win over Columbian veteran Jose Garcia Bernal on May 28th at the Arena Theatre.
Further details and additional bouts for “HIGH STAKES” will be announced shortly.