Contrary to a recent statement from trainer Freddie Roach that WBA World Light-Welterweight Champion Amir Khan will fight John Murray in December, promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that this is untrue. Dimitry Salita is the mandatory challenger for Khan’s title and Warren is currently in negotiations with his promoters, plus Manchester’s Murray is not ranked by the WBA and could not fight him next. Also, Roach says that Salita has signed for another fight, but Warren says that this is also untrue..
ANDRADE TO BE TESTED AGAINST WILLIAMS
Tonight when Demetrius Andrade (6-0, 5KO) steps into the ring in front of his hometown fans at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI, he may be stepping in against his toughest opponent to date as a professional, fellow undefeated prospect John Williams (3-0-1, 2KO). The fight is scheduled for six rounds in the jr. middleweight division.
The 2007 amateur world champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian Andrade, who is co-promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Banner Promotions, burst on to the scene back in October of last year, scoring a spectacular second round TKO over Patrick Cape on the Versus network. Through six professional fights thus far Andrade has been absolutely dominate.
The 25-year-old Williams is by no means a pushover for Andrade. Like Andrade, Williams, is a young, hungry, unbeaten prospect. While Williams may have not been an Olympian as was Andrade, his amateur credentials are quite noteworthy. As an amateur Williams was a three-time Golden Gloves Champion and won numerous other state and regional championships. While Andrade will be looking to showcase his skills and add another impressive victory to his resume, Williams feels that his fight against Andrade is his coming out party.
“I am extremely confident going into this fight against Andrade,” stated a determined Williams at yesterday’s weigh-in. “I know people may underestimate me, but I am here to win. This is my opportunity to do something spectacular with my career. A win over Andrade will open a lot of doors for me and provide me with some big money making opportunities. This is my coming out party, and I plan to show that tonight.”
While some may feel that at this stage of his career it is too risky to match the 21-year-old Andrade up against another undefeated prospect, his promoters Joe DeGuardia and Art Pelullo are very confident in their young star’s ability.
“We are extremely confident in Demetrius’ abilities. Sure, Williams may not be your typical hand picked opponent, but Demetrius isn’t your typical prospect ,” stated DeGuardia, CEO and founder of Star Boxing. “As I have said for sometime now, Demetrius is going to be the next superstar of boxing. He has all the talent and ability in the world, and with each fight so far he has showed that. We are really looking forward to seeing him perform against another young, hungry undefeated prospect. I am confident he will be as spectular as always”.
“Fights like this are great ways to develop Demetrius,” says Art Pelullo, CEO of Banner Promotions. “Like Joe said, in Demetrius we don’t think we have a future prospect or future contender, or even future champion, we believe we have a future superstar. An impressive showing against Williams, is a step in that direction.”
The Demetrius Andrade – John Williams fight is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Banner Promotions, in association with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports.
Professional Boxers and Mixed Martial Artists Get Roasted For a Good Cause!
La Habra, California – On Sunday September 6, 2009, a live comedy roast of elite mixed martial artists and professional boxers is scheduled to take place at the scintillating Jon Lovitz Comedy Club in HOLLYWOOD ‘S Universal Studio’s City Walk. Many organizations have teamed up to help raise money to rebuild the recently destroyed La Habra Boxing Foundation’s Club located in La Habra, California. The club was established from an old church in 1981 by one of Southern California’s highest recognized Vietnam Veterans and boxing trainer David Martinez. Mr. Martinez opened the La Habra Boxing Foundation to allow youngsters to constructively channel their energies into a self-confidence building sport. Over ten World Boxing Champions have been trained from Mr. Martinez’s boxing club.
The MMA Roast is presented by Convicted Artist and is the first of its kind Mixed Martial Arts event in which top MMA & Boxing stars are subject to publicly bearing comedic insults, praise, and outrageous true and untrue stories and heartwarming accomplishments by top comedians in which they all take in good faith. Elite fighters including KJ Noons, Rob McCullough, Mighty Mo, Saad Awad, Kimo Leopoldo, Richard Schiller, Dave Cryer, Georgi Karakhanyan will have shots taken at them including Boxing & MMA trainers such as John Bray of the TV Reality Show “The Contender”; cut man & trainer David Martinez, Masters Hall of Fame Inductee & former IFL Sabres Striking Coach, Joe “Striker” Hanlin; and Tony Salazar of Advanced Boxing Techniques.
The Roast will be hosted by “Big Dog” Benny Henderson Jr., Bob Carroll & Ron “The Yacman” Yacovetti. Comedy Headliners include Eliot Chang, Big Earl, The Greg Wilson, Randy Johnson, Amir K, Chris Strait, Aaron Westly, the Funny Lady, the Philly Cat, the Deacon and a special appearance by Reggie Warren Jr.
We would like to give special thanks and recognition to the following contributors and partners: John Bray Boxing Foundation, ConvictedArtist.com, OTM Fight Shop, Wilner & O’Reilly APLC, North Town Gym, Energy Party Crew, IBN Sports, Fight Engine, New Era Fighting, El Paso Custom Graphics, Sports Academy, King of the Cage, Tuff N Uff, Convicted Artist Magazine, G Pro Photo, JAGS, Griffis Realty Investments, Barbie Mafia and Painter of the Stars Paul Bryan Jr.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the program running from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Tickets are only $20 general admission and $30 VIP. All ticket sale proceeds go to La Habra Boxing Foundation. Tickets are available online at http://www.thejonlovitzcomedyclub.com/. For additional information, contact Steven Arredondo at 714-235-7522 or visit http://www.mmaroast.com/.