Last Saturday „The Black Panther“ Juan Carlos Gomez and „The Butcher“ Robert Woge celebrated big victories in Hamburg (Germany). Gomez destroyed Ukrainian veteran Alex Mazikin with four knockdowns in three rounds. In his pro-debut Woge needed only one round to get rid of Latvian journeyman Valeris Gubins. Not even two weeks later – on April 9th – the two ARENA stars return to the ring in Schwerin (Germany).
Former WBC cruiserweight champion Gomez wants to fight his way back to another title shot in the heavyweight division one year after losing to Vitali Klitschko in Stuttgart..
“I still have the goal to become the first Cuban world heavyweight champion in the history”, states Gomez. “Lots of people said that I was finished after losing to Vitali but I feel that there’s still a lot left in me. The Black Panther is back – It’s Showtime!”
Besides Gomez and Woge the fans in Schwerin will get to see “Sandman” Konstantin Airich facing off against Russian veteran Alexey Varakin.
There will be 10 fights in total. Eurosport will broadcast the show from Schwerin live starting at 9.00pm German time.
photos: Sumio Yamada
CARLOS VELASQUEZ FACES NEW FOE IRA TERRY DUE TO INJURY SUSTAINED BY ALEJANDRO PEREZ
GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS PROSPECTS HECTOR SANCHEZ, DEONTAY WILDER AND MIKE PEREZ COMPLETE APRIL 2 SHOBOX EVENT AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS, March 31 – A hand injury sustained by Alejandro Perez has forced a change in opponent for featherweight standout Carlos Velasquez who will now face Ira Terry in the co-featured attraction on the April 2 edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Rounding out the show will be a trio of Golden Boy Promotions’ brightest young stars returning to action, with Hector Sanchez, Deontay Wilder and Mike Perez looking to keep their unbeaten records intact in pivotal bouts on the undercard.
In the main event of the evening, undefeated rising star Erislandy Lara puts his perfect record on the line against the always-dangerous Danny “Dynamite” Perez in the 10-round main event.
The doubleheader will headline an exciting night of professional boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate which will air live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Tickets, priced at $100, $60 and $30, plus a limited number of $125 VIP and $25 standing room tickets, are on sale now and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000.
Memphis, Tennessee’s Ira Terry (24-2, 14 KO’s) is currently riding a three-fight winning streak with two victories coming by knockout and, with 26 professional bouts under his belt, he is looking to give the up-and-coming Velasquez trouble on April 2. The ShoBox co-featured bout is scheduled for eight rounds in the junior lightweight division.
Unbeaten in 18 pro bouts, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico’s Hector Sanchez (18-0, 8 KO’s) gets back into the ring for the first time since his April 2009 win over former world champion DeMarcus Corley and promises that he will be taking no prisoners when he squares off with the always tough Los Angeles native Cleotis Pendarvis (10-2-1, 3 KO’s) in an eight round welterweight contest.
2008 U.S. Olympic Heavyweight Bronze Medalist Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (8-0, 8 KO’s) makes his first start of 2010 Friday night against Ty Cobb (7-1, 6 KO’s) from Wichita Falls, Texas. Though his heavyweight bout is scheduled for six rounds, with seven first round knockouts on his record already, it’s safe to assume that the 24-year-old from Tuscaloosa, Alabama will be looking to end things early. Standing in the way of another Wilder knockout win will be the equally powerful Cobb, the son of former heavyweight contender and Hollywood personality Randall “Tex” Cobb.
Fresh off of a 2009 campaign that saw him win four bouts, Newark, New Jersey’s Mike Perez (6-0-1, 3 KOs) returns to Vegas for the second time as a pro to take on Key West, Florida’s Sergi Ganjelashvili (4-4-1) in a six round lightweight fight.
Rounding out the card on April 2 is a four round junior featherweight bout between Las Vegas’ Toddy Junior (1-0) and Los Angeles’ Luis Martinez (1-2-1).
For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or follow Golden Boy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.
3RD ANNUAL JOHN BRAY FREE YOUTH BOXING CLINIC A SUCCESS!
The John Bray Boxing Foundation and LAPD Foothill Jeopardy Program teamed up to hold the 3rd Annual John Bray Free Youth Boxing Clinic this past Saturday in an effort to continue to assist at-risk youth in the area. Both non-profits arranged this free youth boxing clinic because of the issues with kids that are of crucial importance to the community. Many children and young adults face temptations everyday, whether it is drugs, gangs or peer pressure. The free youth boxing clinic was organized to provide a safe haven for the kids as well as give them a chance to listen to very interesting motivational speakers as well as learn a few boxing techniques from former and current professional boxers.
The clinic kicked off with special guests speaking to participants about life skills and attitude development. These guests consisted of both professional boxers and community leaders such as former world champion Rafael Ruelas, Foo Fighter Guitarist Chris Shiflett, former middleweight contender and president of the Retired Boxers Foundation Alex “the Bronx Bomber” Ramos, and keynote speaker Ken Greene who is a legal advisor and attorney for the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
Also in attendance was President of the California Boxing Hall of Fame Don Frasier, referee Jack Reiss, former heavyweight contender Jeremy Williams, top trainer and cut man David Martinez, and former Contender TV Series Star and current WBC CABOFE middleweight champion Miguel Espino who showed some pointers to the kids.
After the special guests spoke, the boxing clinic commenced and participants were shown different boxing techniques on heavy bags, speed bags, double end bags and foot work. The clinic wrapped up with a free raffle and kids were given various gifts from our sponsors.
The John Bray Boxing Foundation would like to thank Officer Jose Hererra and Captain Hilsner of the LAPD Foothill Jeopardy Program for all their assistance in the event.
We would also like to graciously thank the following sponsors for making this event a reality: Everlast Worldwide Inc., Powerade, Convicted Artists, Visual Impact Stunt Equipment Company, the International Stunt Association, Remetee Clothing and the Tournament of Contenders.
For video coverage of the event, please access http://vimeo.com/10576106
If you would like to donate to or for additional information on the John Bray Boxing Foundation, please visit www.johnbrayboxingfoundation.org or contact Jerry Gonzalez at (559) 643-9313.