The rematch between heavyweights Tony “TNT” Grano and Mark “Oak Tree” Brown headlines the March 12 pro boxing card, “Brace For Impact,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Sports and Entertainment, Inc. (CES), in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. Brown (15-2, 7 KOs) overcame two knockdowns to stop Grano, fighting out of Hebron (CT), in the eighth round of their WBF All-Americas title bout Sept. 27, 2008..
Grano (16-1-1, 13 KOs), a 2005 U.S. National Championships winner and National Golden Gloves Tournament runner-up, has won two in a row since suffering his lone loss as a pro. The popular power-puncher is coming off of a sensational, nationally-televised knockout of previously-undefeated prospect Travis Kaufman (18-0) last September. Brown’s eight-fight win streak was snapped last June on a short-notice fight when he lost to world-title challenger Fred Oquendo.
“Grano-Brown was an exciting fight and we’re very happy to be promoting their rematch March 12,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “Both of these heavyweights are capable of putting their opponent to sleep at any moment, so we’re advising fans not to leave their seats or look around the venue during the main event. We’re also putting together an explosive card to support this great heavyweight match. CES has been promoting shows at Foxwoods since it opened and we’re all excited to be there once again for ‘Brace For Impact.’ A lot is at stake for Grano-Brown with the winner positioning himself for a major fight.”
Tickets for “Brace For Impact,” priced at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com or by calling 800-200-2882 or in person at the Foxwood box-office
For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Foxwoods Resort Casino (www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.
NEW ATTITUDE ALVAREZ WILL EMERGE SATURDAY NIGHT IN ATLANTIC CITY
On Saturday February 6th, Atlantic City’s welterweight contender Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez (20-2, 11KO) will look to get his career back underway and once again begin his ascent into the upper echelon of the welterweight division when he takes on Mexican knockout artist, Alexis Camacho (17-2, 16KO). The show, promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, will take place at the Tropicana Casino and Resort and be broadcast live on GoFightLive.tv.
The 33-year-old Alvarez began his professional career in 2002, and went onto to string together 19 consecutive victories, including picking up the WBO NABO welterweight title. In 2007 Alvarez squared off against Joshua Clottey in an official IBF title eliminator, dropping a decision to the eventual IBF welterweight champion.
After the loss Alvarez took some time off from the sport. He returned just under a year later to win a ten round decision over Terrance Cauthen in December of 2008.
The win over Cauthen put Alvarez in yet another official IBF title eliminator, this time against Delvin Rodriguez. The fight, which took place in March of last year, saw Alvarez lose a razor thin decision in a fight that many argued Alvarez could have won.
In October, Alvarez was scheduled to face undefeated Canadian contender Antonin Decarie (now 23-0), but the week of the fight, Alvarez injured his knee while running and had to pull out.
Alvarez is now back and according to the contender, more ready and hungrier than ever.
“This is my time,” stated Alvarez. “Physically and mentally I am one-hundred percent ready and focused to climb back into the world title picture. In both my losses I know what I did wrong and I have learned from them. You are going to see the old but at the same time the new and improved Shamone Alvarez when I get in that ring from now on. When I first came up I was very aggressive and took the fight right to my opponents. In my two losses my lack of aggressiveness cost me the fights, and cost me the world title opportunities. I’m on my third strike, trust me I don’t plan on striking out.”
In the fight against Camacho, Alvarez will be facing a big puncher and someone who will not be afraid to mix it up with him, something that Alvarez is well aware of, and looking forward to.
“I have watched tapes of him and I know that he can crack. You look at his record and you see that he obviously has some power but he has never been inside the ring with someone who is on my level. From what I have seen of him he is a typical Mexican style fighter, he comes forward, he throws big punches, he is durable, but he is there to be hit, and as you will see come Saturday night, he will be hit.”
While Alvarez states that he is not looking past the task at hand, he does have big expectations for himself in 2010.
“2010 is going to be a big year for me. God-willing everything goes well on Saturday, I am looking at a possible March 27th date to fight for the IBO title. Once I pick up the IBO belt, I will then hopefully have a chance to go to Canada to take on Decarie as we have unfinished business. At that point I will be ready to challenge any of the world champions in the welterweight division, it’s just a matter of who gives me that shot. There is no more playing around. You are going to see the dog come out of me this year, and for all those welterweight contenders and champions out there, look out because I’m coming for you.”
The Tropicana Casino and Resort is located at 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ and can be contacted by calling (609) 340-4000. Tickets are priced at $100 (ringside), $50 and $30 with a limited number of V.I.P. packages available at $200. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at (718) 823-2000 or visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Tropicana North Tower Box Office.
Introducing Ismayl Sillak
“He’s got a very smooth boxing style, but he can knock you out with either hand.”
Undefeated light heavyweight Ismayl Silakh (10-0, 9 KOs), who hails from the Zaporozhye, Ukraine, but lives in California, already has one important believer in his quest for a world championship – manager Ivaylo Gotzev.
Renowned for his ability to spot young talent, Gotzev says Sillakh is already a threat to any of the world light heavyweight champions. “The phenomenal thing about him is he is blessed with amazing talent,” he explains. “He’s got a very smooth boxing style, but he can knock you out with either hand. He has enormous punching power. He’s shared the gym with some champions and top contenders and when they watch him spar he sends chills down their spines. They won’t spar with him.”
Sillakh enjoyed a stellar amateur career. He won the U17 world championships in 2001, and took silver in the 2005 and 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships.
“He is a future superstar, no doubt about it,” continues Gotzev. “Pound for pound, he is one of the top prospects in boxing. It’s only a matter of time until he wins his first world championship.”
Sillakh’s next fight is scheduled for February 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, underneath Tomas Adamek vs. Jason Estrada for the IBF International Heavyweight Championship.