News: Sebastian Sylvester; O’Shea Bros; Chris Rudd

Sebastian Sylvester (32-3, 15 KOs) will make a first defence of his IBF Middleweight Title on January 30 when he takes on Pablo Navascues (24-1, 16 KOs). The Hurricane returns to the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg where he edged Giovanni Lorenzo on September 19 to win King Arthur Abraham´s vacated title in front of a sell-out crowd of 5,000 enthusiastic fans. “I am looking forward to making my first defence,” Sylvester said. “I expect a tough bout. Navascues is a strong fighter but I will do my best to keep him at bay..”

Sylvester has been training in the East German city of Schwerin under the guidance of coach Karsten Roewer. “We will start sparring in Guestrow on January 3,” Roewer said. “Sebastian has done very well thus far and he can certainly enter the fight with a lot of confidence. But he needs to be on alert – Navascues punches very quickly.”

Added Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer: “That is a great start to the new boxing year. Sebastian has a tough first defence coming up. But with the support of his home fans, who have supported him against Castillejo, Nespro and Lorenzo, he will definitely defend his title.”

It will be a battle of two Hurricanes, with Sylvester and Navascues sharing the same nickname.

“New Year, New Stars” in Yonkers O’Shea Brothers Boxing Jan. 15

YONKERS, N.Y. (Dec. 28, 2009) – O’Shea Bros. Boxing Promotions kicks-off its 2010 schedule January 15, featuring many of New York’s top young fighters in action on the “New Year, New Stars” pro boxing card, at the Yonkers PAL Gym.

“Our goal is to bring old-school boxing back to the fans,” promoter Brian O’Shea explained. “We have some of the best young local fighters on this card in real fights. We don’t want protected fighters trying to build-up their records. Some guys are stepping up in terms of the level of talent they’re in the ring with and those just starting their pro careers are fighting opponents of equal talent, from rival or even the same neighborhoods in some cases, just like in the old days.”

The 8-round main event pits Bronx welterweight Jose Angel “Silver Boy” Rodriguez (14-1-1, 2 KOs) against battled-tested veteran David Toribio (16-12, 10 KOs), who has proven to be an upset specialist having beaten previously unbeaten prospects (11-0) Juan Camilio Novoa (TKO1) and (14-0-2) Ishmail Arvin (DEC8). Toribio has also been in against the likes of James Kirkland, Oscar Diaz, Daniel Edouard and Marco Antonio Rubio, among the more notables.

The 6-round co-feature showcases undefeated African welterweight Issouf Kinda (6-0, 3 KOs), now fighting out of Harlem, versus dangerous Dominican slugger Franklin Gonzalez (13-3, 10 KOs).

On the undercard in 4-round bouts are Bronx bantamweight Raul Lopez (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Alex Nonte (1-0, 0 KOs), New Rochelle super flyweight Jose “Chilli” Rivera (1-0, 0 KOs) vs. pro debuting Miguel Diaz, Bronx featherweight Nydia Feliciano (1-0-1, 0 KOs) vs. pro debuting Norma Faris, 2-time New York Golden Gloves champion Adam Kownacki (1-0, 1 KO), fighting out of the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, vs. Bronx heavyweight Abdighano Bousman in his pro debut; Manhattan super featherweights Takeshi Sato (0-1) and Jonathan Cuba (1-1, 1 KO), Yonkers hometown favorite Chazz McDowell makes his pro debut against Bronx featherweight Alex Cooper (0-2).

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00 (includes dinner), are available to purchase by calling 914.216.9381. For more information go on line at www.osheabrosboxing.com or call 914.216.9381. Doors open 6:30 PM/ET, first bout 7:30 PM/ET.

Richie Boy’s top prospects Terry & Rudd closed out 2009 in style

NORTH MIAMI BEACH (Dec. 28, 2009) – Richie Boy Promotions’ top prospects, IBF No. 15 rated junior lightweight Ira Terry and 2008 Ringside World Championships winner Chris Rudd, both closed out 2009 in style with knockout victories.

Richie Boy Promotions also promotes undefeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (20-0, 18 KOs).

The 22-year-old Terry (24-2, 14 KOs), fighting out of Memphis, stopped Terrance “T-Brick” Roy in the sixth round of their Dec. 15th fight in Kentucky. Terry also is ranked No. 5 by the USBA.

Rudd (10-0, 7 KOs) was an outstanding U.S. amateur before turning pro in 2007, rather than pursue a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. On Dec. 19 in his native Tennessee, 25-year-old Rudd put Rodney Freeman to sleep in the second round to keep his perfect professional record intact.

“We’re very high on Terry and Rudd and expect big things from both of them in 2010,” Richie Boy Promotions director of boxing operations Al Bonanni said. “We hope that both will capture their first titles as pros next year.”