WINTER HAVEN, FLA.) – WBC Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto (Winter Haven, Fla.) was honored on Tuesday by the Polk County Sports Hall of Fame for his efforts in Haiti and strong resolve in the ring. Berto received the 2010 Commissioners Award for Perseverance at the Polk County All Sports Awards and Florida Sports Hall of Fame ceremony, which took place at The Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Fla..
The Commissioners Award is given annually to an individual who has overcome a personal hardship to excel in sports and in life. Prior to receiving the Commissioners award, Berto had previously received the professional athlete of the year and male amateur athlete of the year from the Polk County Sports Hall of Fame.
The 26-year-old World Champion received the award in acknowledgement of both his efforts in Haiti as well as his triumphant return to the ring on April 10th. Berto made his fourth successful title defense, winning an eighth round stoppage of Carlos Quintana despite a torn bicep.
“It is always special to receive an award from your hometown,” Berto said. “2010 has obviously been a very difficult year for me, but everything I have gone through makes me stronger and I appreciate all the support everyone has given me and the people of Haiti.”
As Berto was out of town for the award ceremony, his younger sister Revelina, an MMA fighter, accepted the award on his behalf. Berto recently launched his own charitable organization, the Berto Dynasty Foundation, to aid in the relief and rebuilding efforts in his native Haiti.
Finkel Signs on as The Empire CEO!
One of boxing’s heaviest hitters now CEO of skyrocketing new promotional firm, The Empire Sports and Entertainment
The Empire Sports and Entertainment is proud to announce that the man known worldwide as boxing’s most powerful manager will become the CEO of boxing’s hottest new promotional firm, effective July 1.
“Shelly Finkel has signed on as our CEO and will bring his sharp eye for talent and razor-sharp business acumen to our daily operations,” revealed an excited Greg Cohen, President and Founder of The Empire.
Over the past two decades, Finkel has served as manager or advisor to more world champions than anyone in the modern sport of boxing including Mark Breland, Mike McCallum, Juan Diaz, Evander Holyfield, Manny Pacquiao, Meldrick Taylor, Mike Tyson, Fernando Vargas, Pernell Whitaker, Michael Moorer, Vinny Paz, Jeff Lacy and current heavyweight champion brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. And in the process, he has deftly positioned himself as one of boxing’s elite power players.
“This is a game changer for The Empire,” Cohen continued. “Shelly has the drive, the clout and the connections to bring this company to an unprecedented level in boxing. His history proves he’s a step ahead of everyone and a true visionary in this industry and Barry Honig (The Empire, Chairman) and I are honored to have him come aboard our team.”
Cohen says he will afford his CEO a chance to settle into his new role, but gives assurance that “huge announcements” are on their way. “Adding Shelly is a huge piece of the puzzle for us and he and I have already been speaking about all the innovative and, in many cases, blockbuster deals The Empire will be coming out with in the near future.”
Finkel initially launched his career in entertainment by running a club called “The Action House,” featuring legendary bands such as Cream, The Doors, Procol Harem and some of the most recognized groups of the 1960s. In 1973, he produced and promoted The Summer Jam at Watkins Glen, a rock festival which once received the Guinness Book of World Records entry for “Largest audience at a pop festival.” An estimated 600,000 fans attended to see the Allman Brothers Band, The Band and the Grateful Dead perform. During his career he promoted concerts for some of the biggest names in the industry such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Elton John, and numerous other household names.
As newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Empire, Mr. Finkel stated, “It is a great pleasure and honor to join the team at The Empire and to assist in building the ultimate sports and entertainment Event Company. The Empire has already begun establishing itself as a premier boxing promoter. Moving forward our goal is to immediately take the existing solid core business that was built by Mr. Gregory Cohen, our President, and strategically position ourselves as a world-class Entertainment Events Company. It is our intent to become a leading media and entertainment company known for promoting the best events in concerts, music festivals, pay-per-view specials, and sporting events around the world.”
RAN NAKASH TO BATTLE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION LOU DEL VALLE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT JULY 14TH AT THE ARENA IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA.
PHILADELPHIA (June 22, 2010)—On Wednesday night, July 14th, Boxing returns to The Arena in South Philadelphia as No Limits Promotions presents a night of world class boxing that will be seen all over country as the first show of the Comcast Boxing Series.
In the main event, undefeated cruiserweight and Israeli sensation, Ran Nakash battles former Light Heavyweight champion Lou Del Valle in a Cruiserweight bout scheduled for ten rounds.
The scheduled eight round co-feature will pit former Olympic Gold Medalist Felix Diaz taking on Emanuel Taylor in a battle of undefeated Welterweights.
Nakash has a record of 24-0 with eighteen knockouts and has captures the imagination of the Philadelphia boxing fans as he has amassed a record of 10-0 of Philly’s famed Legendary Blue Horizon.
Nakash of Haifa, Israel has had impressive victories over the likes Larry Robinson (10-3); Dave Brunelli (8-4); Gary Gomez (18-10-1) and Richard Stewart (14-8-2).
Nakash has scored three consecutive knockouts with the latest being a third round stoppage over Dan Sheehan on April 29th in Tel Aviv, Israel
Del Valle of New York has a record of 36-6 with twenty-two knockouts
Del Valle won his first twenty-two fights before challenging and narrowly losing a unanimous decision to long reigning champ Virgil Hill. Four wins later, Del Valle put him back in position and this time captured the WBA Championship with a eighth round stoppage over Eddy Smulders (34-1.)
In Del Valle’s first defense, he scored a knock down on legendary pound for pound king Roy Jones Jr. but came up short as he dropped a unanimous decision.
It just took for fights for Del Valle to position himself for the WBA Title again and he fought to a draw against Bruno Girard in Girard’s homeland of France.
The two fought just eleven months later with Girard pulling out a close split decision victory.
Since that fight, the eighteen year veteran has gone 5-3-1 with his latest fight being a draw with Joey Spina (25-1-1) on October 31, 2009.
Diaz of the Dominican Republic won a Gold Medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Diaz has amassed a record of 5-0 with three knockouts as a professional.
Diaz has already fought in his native Dominican Republic, Russia, Germany and this fight will be his second in the United States.
In his last fight, Diaz scores a six round unanimous decision over Orlando Membreno on March 12th in the Dominican Republic.
Taylor of Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland is just nineteen years-old but has already compiled an impressive mark of 8-0 with seven big wins by way of knockout.
Taylor, who turned pro at eighteen, has scored two consecutive stoppages, which includes a third round stoppage over Ayi Bruce (6-1) on May 7th in Huntington, NY.
Also on the bill will be former world Junior Amateur champion, Joey Dawejko (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia and he will take on William Miranda (1-0) of Allentown, PA in a Heavyweight bout scheduled for four rounds.
Israeli Jr. Welterweight Oz Goldenburg (1-0) will take on Travis Thompson (3-7-1, 2 KO’s) of Pottstown, PA in a bout scheduled for four rounds.
There will be great fights to be announced shortly
Tickets for this memorable night of boxing are priced at $100, $75, and $50 and can be purchased at following locals:
The Joe Hand Boxing Gym (543-547 North 3rd Street) by calling 1 215 271 4263
JULY 3 RENO CARD SHAPES UP
JUNE 21ST, 2010, RENO – As part of the Jack Johnson vs. Jim Jeffries centenary in Reno, Top Rank Incorporated, the Grand Sierra Resort, and Let’s Get It On Promotions present an evening of professional boxing.
Main and Co-Main bouts on Fox Sports and Fox Sports Espanol
“Reno Xtreme Fights – The Legacy Continues” will feature top Mexican prospect Ulises “Archie” Solis (30-2, 21 KOs) vs. Eric Ortiz (32-10, 21 KOs) in a 10 round Jr. Flyweight bout. Solis is the IBF #1 contender and the fight against his fellow countryman Ortiz is a rematch of their 2006 world title fight in which Solis won by 9th round TKO.
In the evening’s co-main event, fans will get the chance to see a rematch of a welterweight war that took place in Las Vegas in 2009. Top Filipino welterweight “Mighty” Mark Melligan (18-2, 13 KOs) will again stand toe to toe with Mexico’s Michel Rosales (27-3, 23 KOs). Rosales was awarded the first fight by split decision. Melligan vs. Rosales is scheduled for 10 rounds.
A test for Brandon Gonzales
Undefeated middleweight prospect Brandon Gonzales 12-0, 9 KOs will be in a very tough fight against San Diego’s James Parison (12-1, 3 KOs). Gonzales, who tasted the canvas in his last fight, is looking to show that he is still at the top of the division after facing adversity in the ring. Gonzales vs. Parison is scheduled for 8 rounds.
Also added to the show:
Yerington, Nevada’s Andrew Rempp (1-2-1) vs. Mexican Olympian Francisco Vargas (1-0) in a four round Jr. Lightweight bout. Reno, Nevada’s Carlos Gaytan (1-0-1) vs. Alex Rivera (2-1) from Las Vegas in a four round light heavyweight bout.
Joey Gilbert is scheduled to fight on this card. Details of his fight will be announced shortly.
Fight card subject to change. Ticket information is below.
Reno Xtreme Fights is a boxing and mixed martial arts series of events between Grand Sierra Resort and Casino and Let’s Get it on Promotions. Doors will open at 4 pm. for the fight on Saturday, July 3rd with the first bout at 5 p.m. in the Grand Theatre. Tickets are $75, $55 and $35. Tickets for a King’s Row Booth for four are $1,000 which includes an exciting spot to get close to the action with light appetizers and one bottle of alcohol included. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 1.800.648.3568 or visit www.grandsierraresort.com.