LOS ANGELES, January 13 – Former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara has made his mark in the professional ranks with the same speed and impact that his blistering combinations make on his opponents, and after just nine fights, he appears to be ready to graduate to the next level. On Friday, January 29, the undefeated rising star will be featured in a 10-round junior middleweight bout that will push Lara to the limit as he takes on 154-pound standout and the winner of the second season of “The Contender,” Grady Brewer. Lara vs. Brewer will be the opening bout of the Fox Sports Net telecast headlined by Campillo vs. Shumenov II from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada..
Former amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KO’s) has made a seamless transition to the professional ranks since defecting from Cuba in 2008, and in just nine professional fights has dazzled boxing insiders and fans alike with his speed, power and poise. Fresh off of a near-shutout win over veteran Luciano Perez in his first 10-round fight last December, Lara will up the ante once again when he takes on seasoned contender Grady Brewer in a ten round junior middleweight bout.
“This is a big opportunity for me and I’m happy to be fighting a quality opponent like Grady Brewer,” said Lara. “I know he’s going to come ready to fight, but so am I, and I want to make a statement by giving the fans my best performance yet.”
The story of Lawton, Oklahoma’s Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KO’s) is the classic tale of a fighter who came up the hard way, but in 2006, Brewer finally got his chance to shine as a competitor on the hit reality series “The Contender.” By the end of that year he scored three victories and defeated former World Champion Steve Forbes to take home the series crown. Since then, Brewer has put together four more wins, three by knockout and is eager to pin the first loss on Lara’s record on January 29.
“There’s no denying Lara’s talent, but he’s not ready for me or this fight,” said Brewer. “I’ve paid my dues the hard way and now it’s time for me to make my move. This ain’t the amateurs and I’m going to let Lara know that on January 29.”
“Fight Night With De La Hoya and Hopkins: Campillo vs. Shumenov II” features the 12-round Light Heavyweight World Championship rematch between Spain’s Gabriel Campillo defending his WBA crown against Las Vegas resident Beibut Shumenov. The evening of boxing will be presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions, with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.
Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing, which will be hosted by and attended by future Hall of Famers Oscar de la Hoya and Bernard Hopkins, are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets). Tickets may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
Lundy predicts 3rd-round KO vs. Abril in Boston battle of promising prospects
Jan. 22 at The Roxy
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Jan. 13, 2010) – Exciting Philadelphia junior welterweight “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy has predicted an impressive win by 3rd-round knockout against fellow hot prospect, Richard “El Tigre” Abril, in the 10-round “Boston Pop” headliner Jan. 22 at The Roxy in Boston’s famed Theater District.
Lundy, one of the brightest prospects in boxing, stunned Mexican veteran Aldo Valtierra (25-12), who boasts a win against world-rated Jorge Teron, with a first-round knockout in his last fight on Halloween night. The entertaining, highly-revved Philly boxer also stopped previously-unbeaten Jason Cintron (11-1) in the fifth round last year.
Abril (12-1, 6 KOs), a former Cuban amateur standout now fighting out of Miami, replaced Brad Solomon. Abril’s lone loss was by a 10-round split decision to Breidis Prescott, who in his following fight knocked out rising star Amir Khan in the opening round.
“The change of opponents doesn’t bother me because they’re almost the same height,” Lundy explained. “This guy (Abril) doesn’t get off as well as Solomon and I think this is an easier fight for me. He isn’t as active as Solomon. He’s slow and doesn’t use his jab. I’m going to take care of business. Abril is a good fighter. He’s coming to fight and I think it’ll be a great fight while it lasts. I’m going to use my jab, work the body, break him down and I should take him out by the third round. I’m excited to be fighting in Boston for the first time and I’m bringing a Philly style of fighting there.”
The 6-round co-feature matches intra-state rivals Chris Traietti (8-1, 5 KOs), an Iraq War veteran from Quincy, and dangerous Lawrence super middleweight Eddie “Thunder” Caminero (5-3, 5 KOs).
Two former New England amateur standouts, Peabody (MA) welterweight Simeon Dunwell (10-1, 3 KOs) and Josh “Bam Bam” Beeman (4-5-3, 2 KOs), of Providence, go at it in a 6-round match
CES Ring of Honor Induction
CES president Jimmy Burchfield has announced that Carlos Garcia will be inducted into the prestigious CES Ring of Honor during a special ceremony at “Boston Pop.” Inductees are honored for their contributions or achievement to New England boxing. “Carlos has helped countless kids for years as boxing coach at the Worcester Boys & Girls Club,” Burchfield remarked. “He’s started out and trained former 3-time world champion Jose Antonio Rivera, multiple national amateur champion Bobby Harris and unbeaten middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez. Carlos embodies everything we believe in at CES and we’re very happy to be inducting him into the CES Ring of Honor. We’re also presenting Dr. Edgar Ballenas with a special achievement award for all he’s done to help promoters, managers, trainers and fighters over the years in New England.”
Boston light heavyweight Maceo Crowder (1-0, 1 KO), whose brother is 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, faces New Haven’s pro-debuting Greg McCoy. Quincy junior lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczewski (6-0, 2 KOs) faces Francisco Palacios (4-9-5, 1 KO) and Hartford middleweight David Bauza (3-0, 3 KOs) meets Erix Quinteros (2-3) in separate 4-round bouts.
Ticket prices for “Boston Pop” are $40.00, $50.00 and $75.00 and available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254) or going online at www.cesboxing.com.
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) for more information. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 8 PM/ET.
ANDRADE TO OPEN 2010 WITH A BANG ON ESPN
This Friday, fast rising undefeated jr. middleweight Demetrius Andrade (8-0, 6KO) will look to open up the new year with a bang when he takes on tough Mexican native Bernardo Guereca (15-9-1, 3KO) at the Laredo Civic Center in Laredo, TX. Andrade- Guereca is scheduled for six rounds, and will be the co-feature bout of the evening on the nationally televised ESPN “Friday Night Fight” series.
For the 2007 Amateur World Champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian Andrade, who is co- promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Banner Promotions, this will be the his fourth appearance on FNF since turning pro in October of 2008.
Andrade was a perfect 6-0, 4KO in 2009, earning him rave reviews from boxing insiders, as well as being chosen as one of boxing top prospects for the second straight year by ESPN.com’s boxing analyst Dan Rafael.
“The best pro prospect from the 2008 U.S. Olympic team was a decorated amateur before turning pro in 2008. Boxing since he was 6, Andrade won a world amateur championship, two U.S. national titles and two National Golden Gloves titles. As a pro, the 6-1 Providence, R.I., native stayed busy with six bouts in 2009 and displayed the attributes that make him one of boxing’s most dynamic prospects: dazzling hand speed, power and ring intelligence,” stated Rafael.
“I am very excited to be back on Friday Night Fights, and have the opportunity to once again showcase my skills on the national level,” stated Andrade. “Joe (DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing) and Artie (Pelullo, CEO of Banner Promotions) have done a great job of giving me these type of opportunities, and as you can see by my nomination as one of boxing top prospects for the second year in a row by ESPN, it’s definitely paying off. 2010 is going to be a big year for me and my career, and that all starts this Friday night. This is my first nationally televised co-feature, so make sure to tune in, it’s going to be a performance you won’t want to want to miss.”