News: Billy Lyell; Roberto Benitez; Hank Lundy

IBF#13, WBC#17 middleweight contender Billy Lyell (20-7 4kos) will defend his NABC Inter-Continental Middleweight crown on October 17th in his hometown of Niles, Ohio. A winner of four of his last five including an upset over previously unbeaten contender, John Duddy (26-1), Lyell will headline the event beginning at 8pm at the Expo Center in Niles versus an opponent to be determined in the ten rounder..

Presented by Bowers’ Productions, the six bout card will also feature local junior middle Durrell Richardson (11-3 4kos), welterweight Jake Giuriceo (4-0 2kos) and heavyweight Brandon Winner (3-6) in separate bouts. Tickets for the event are $20 (General Admission) and $60 (Ringside) and may be obtained by calling (330) 766-0875.

BACK WITH A VENGEANCE: BENITEZ RETURNS ON VIP BOXING II

On September 30th Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing will present its second installment of VIP Boxing at the beautiful Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, NY. Headlining the show will be Star Boxing’s heavyweight prospect, the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Captain, “Devastatin” Devin Vargas (17-1, 7KO) taking on Terrell “Baby Bull” Nelson (8-8, 5KO) in an eight round heavyweight attraction.

Fighting on the undercard in one of the co- feature bouts of the evening will be Star Boxing’s highly touted super bantamweight prospect Roberto Benitez (5-0, 3KO). Benitez is scheduled to face off against Angel Paneto (4-5-2, 2KO). The bout is scheduled for six rounds in the super bantamweight divison.

The 28-year-old Brooklyn native Benitez had a decorated amateur career which included winning ten National championships, two of which were National Golden Gloves Titles, and 4 National Everlast Boxing Championships (more than any amateur boxer in history). He also won two Olympic trials, (alternate to the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team and a team member with Vargas on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team).

After the Olympics Benitez signed with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and turned pro April 4th, 2005 winning a four round unanimous decision over Jenkens Alvarez.

By October of 2006 Benitez had run his record to 5-0, 3KO and was garnering rave reviews from any and all having had the privilege of seeing the young star fight. Then Benitez suffered an injury which forced him to take some time away from the sport. But now he is back and ready to make his charge towards super bantamweight supremacy.

“We are very excited to have Roberto back, healthy and ready to go,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and founder of Star Boxing. “Roberto is a tremendous fighter, as his amateur resume shows. He was really beginning to progress as a pro, but unfortunately he suffered the injury and it set him back a bit. The injury is past him now, and we are looking forward to a very bright future for him.”

The show will kick off at 7PM sharp with an hour long cocktail reception. Immediately following the reception, a four course elegant dinner will start being served, at which time the first bout will go on. There will be cocktail service throughout, with an open bar running for the remainder of the evenings fights.

All seats will include full VIP services. Tables of ten are available for purchase for $1500 (Bronze), $2500 (Silver), and $3500 (Gold) respectively. There will be a limited amount of individual seats at select tables available, with the cost for each seat at $150, $250, and $350. You may contact Star Boxing for tickets at 718-823-2000 or by visiting www.starboxing.com. Russo’s On The Bay is located at 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414.

LUNDY AND SMITH CLAIM UNBC TITLE IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA (September 28, 2009)—“Hammerin” Hank Lundy dazzled the crowd with lightning quick hands as he scored a sixth round stoppage over Justo Sanchez to win the UNBC Jr. Welterweight title that highlighted a six bout card at The Yesha Center in South Philadelphia on Saturday night.

Lundy was dominant throughout as he landed some pummeling shots that produced two knockdowns until referee Shawn Clark stopped the bout at twenty-eight seconds in round six.

In the co-feature, Dhafir Smith scored a knockdown in round two from a big left hook en route to a split decision victory over Demetrius Davis for the UNBC Super Middleweight Intercontinental Title in an eight round affair.

The night also saw the return of prized prospect Eric “Outlaw” Hunter score an entertaining unanimous decision over tough as nails Wilshaun Boxley.

The card also highlighted two excellent ladies bouts with Belinda Laracuente and Rachel Clark scoring four round victories plus the pro debut of popular cruiserweight Dan Grafton.

There was an exhibition bout between Pedro Martinez and Ron Boddie.

The card was promoted by Bionic Bull Promotions

These fights will be available on Monday night.

FULL RESULTS

10 ROUNDS—UNBC Jr. Welterweight title, Hank Lundy (15-0-1, 9 KO’s), 138 lbs of Philadelphia TKO 6 (:21) over Justo Sanchez (17-24-1), 137 ½ lbs of Howell, Utah

4 ROUNDS-Cruiserweights—Dan Grafton (1-0, 1 KO), 211 lbs of Philadelphia TKO 4 (2:25) over Patrick Johnson (0-2), 208 lbs of Kokomo, Indiana

8 ROUNDS—UNBC INTERCONTINENTAL SUPER MIDDELWEIGHT TITLE—Dhafir Smith (22-19-6), 166 ½ lbs of Upper Darby, PA SPLIT DEC over Demetrius Davis (19-16-5)…Scores were 77-74, 77-74 and 74-77

6 ROUNDS—FEATHERWEIGHTS—Eric Hunter (11-1), 125 lbs of Philadelphia UNAN DEC over Wilshaun Boxley (5-2), 125 lbs of Coon Rapids, MN… Scores were 60-54, 60-54 and 59-53

4 ROUNDS-LADIES FEATHERWEIGHTS—Belinda Laracuente (24-25-3), 130 lbs of New York, NY UNAN DEC over LaKeysha Williams (9-15-3), 125.5 lbs of Philadelphia, PA… Scores were 40-36, 40-36 and 39-37

4 ROUNDS—LADIES WELTERWEIGHTS—Rachel Clark (3-2-1), 143.5 lbs of Philadelphia, PA MAJ DEC over Natalie Brown (5-2), 144.5 lbs of Mississagua, Ontario..Scores were 39-37, 39-37 and 38-38