Former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley of Washington, D.C. (36-13-1, 21 KOs) will fight Detroit southpaw Damian Fuller (30-7-1, 14 KOs) in the July 10th co-main event at the Patriot Center, replacing Baltimore’s Tim “The Pitbull” Coleman (17-1-1, 4 KOs) who suffered a laceration on his head during training last Thursday that forced him out of the fight..
The last-minute replacement worked out well for Corley who was lined up to face undefeated Dominican Francisco Contreras on July 2. However, that bout recently fell out providing him the opportunity to fight for the second time at the Patriot Center. Corley and Fuller were originally scheduled to fight as the co-main event on the September 26, 2009 Patriot Center card, but Fuller suffered an injury forcing him to withdraw. Corley went on to record an eight-round decision over Harrison Cuello.
A Northeast D.C. native and former World Boxing Organization (WBO) light welterweight champion, Corley remains a strong force in the light welterweight division with an impressive resume that includes battles against Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah, Junior Witter, Randal Bailey and Devon Alexandria. In his last fight, he lost to top prospect Freddy Hernandez last February.
The “No Excuses” card features nine action-packed fight headlined by popular junior middleweight contender, Jimmy Lange (31-4-2, 22 KOs) of Great Falls, VA taking on Jimmy LeBlanc (12-16-4, 4 KOs) of Weymouth, MA in the 10-round Main Event. The undercard of the Ice Promotions event (www.jimmylangeboxing.com) presented by Valcourt Building Services (www.valcourt.net) will showcase some of the region’s top fighters:
6 Rounds – Middleweight
Tony “Mo Better” Jeter (9-2, 8 KOs) of Columbia, MD vs. Lawrence Jones (3-2-1, 1 KO) of Reston, VA
6 Rounds – Middleweight
Jonathan Reid (34-12, 19 KOs) of Nashville, TN vs. Larry Brothers (7-33-3, 5 KOs) of Washington, DC
6 Rounds – Welterweight
Juan “The Savior” Rodriguez (4-0, 4 KOs) of Haymarket, VA vs. Dontre King (2-7-1, 1 KOs) of Cambridge, MD)
6 Rounds – Featherweight
“The Bolivian Queen” Jennifer Salinas (11-1, 4 KOs) of Manassas, VA vs. Nathalie Forget (2-1) of Montreal, Canada
4 Rounds – Middleweight
Zain “The Tiger” Shah (2-0, 2 KOs) of Chantilly, VA vs. Washington, DC’s Antonio Walls (2-3, 1 KO)
4 Rounds – Middleweight
Brandon Quarles (pro debut) of Alexandria, VA vs. Vince “The Beast” Batteast (1-2-1) of Annapolis, MD
4 Rounds – Welterweight
Todd “White Lightning” Wilson (7-0, 1 KO) of Falls Church, VA vs. Calvin Faggins (3-4-1, 1 KO) of Marshall, VA
Bouts are subject to change.
Doors open at 6:30 pm with the first fight set for 7:30 pm. Tickets cost $35, $50, $75, $125, $200, $300 and $500 (plus applicable service charge) and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com, calling phone charge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT or 410-547-SEAT or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including the Patriot Center box office (703-993-3000).
ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB INKS AMATEUR STANDOUT ANTONIO OROZCO
2007’s Manager of the Year Frank Espinoza recently signed the latest fighter to his growing boxing club, amateur standout Antonio Orozco of National City, CA. Orozco, who grew up in Garden City, Kansas, has been a professional since 2008 and currently holds a record of 7-0, 5KOs. In Kansas, Orozco amassed a stellar amateur career with wins over Jesse Vargas and Javier Molina along with several titles such as the Ringside Nationals and bronze and silver medals in the Jr. Olympics.
“This is the next step we were looking for. When he approached us, we didn’t have any second thoughts,” the 22-year-old Orozco said about the well respected Espinoza. “We believe he is the correct person to get us up there. We are very excited, this was the opportunity we were looking for. He knows how to get his fighters up there in a timely manner, we are not in a rush. He know how to do it.”
The admiration is mutual as Espinoza believes that he has a diamond in the rough in Orozco.
“I see a future star in Orozco. He has all the talent in the world. He has a lot of ability and power. I see good things for Orozco in the future. I like the way he fights,” Espinoza, who has guided Martin Castillo and Israel Vazquez to world titles, stated. “I had heard some good things about Antonio and I wanted to see for myself. I think he fits well in the Espinoza club along with my other prospects.”
Espinoza counts bantamweight Abner Mares, featherweight Ronny Rios, lightweight Luis Ramos and super lightweight Carlos Molina among his current charges and is confident that he will pave the right road for Orozco.
“The plans are to move him along, he is still young so time is on our side,” he said in closing. “We are going to keep him active and keep winning on our way to fulfill his dream, to become a world champion.”
Orozco is expected to see action under the Espinoza Boxing Club banner in the next 6-8 weeks.
AL BERNSTEIN’S BOXING PARTY AT THE GRAND SIERRA
The Grand Sierra Hotel and Casino in Reno Nevada will join the ranks of dozens of other casino properties around the United States that have presented ” Al Bernstein’s Boxing Party.” Al brings his fun, interactive stage show to the Grand Sierra’s Extreme Sports Bar on Saturday, July 3rd at 2 p.m.
The show is part of a weekend long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Jack Johnson-Jim Jeffries Fight of the Century. That historic match took place in Reno on July 4th,1910 and changed boxing and the entire sports landscape in the United States. Weekend activities also include a gala event Friday night and an exciting boxing card at the Grand Sierra on Saturday night.
Al, who is celebrating his 30th year as a national broadcaster, has been performing the boxing party for nearly 20 years. The show includes great video highlights, humor, trivia and audience participation. “I really enjoy doing the boxing party because it gives me a chance to interact with boxing fans around the country,” Al said. He added, “The show celebrates exciting boxing moments and some funny ones too. And, the fans test their boxing knowledge and mine to win prizes. It’s all about having a good time.”
The Johnson-Jeffries anniversary celebration is presented by Let’s Get It On Promotions. For more information on this great boxing weekend, go to www.jonhsonjeffries2010.com .
Bernstein, the analyst on Showtime Championship boxing, will next be seen on that network July 10th, when Showtime presents the Juan Manuel Lopez-Bernabe Concepcion match. For more on this go to www.sports.sho.com
Boxers Weigh-In Friday at Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis!
BAY ST. LOUIS, MS – Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis announced the weigh-in times and a latest card lineup for Saturday night’s boxing matches, today. Fighter weigh-ins will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 9, in the Magnolia room in the Hollywood Hotel.
The “Battle in the Bay” will include six separate power-packed fights at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2010. Female boxer April Ward (6 wins – 1 loss, 6 knockouts), from Batesville, Arkansas, will return to the Hollywood ring where she was handed her only defeat earlier in the year. She’ll face hard hitting Melisenda Perez (6 wins – 2 losses, 1 draws and 4 knockouts) from Kansas City, Missouri, for a four round bout.
In the main event Middleweights Zane “The Train,” Marks (17 wins – 5 losses, 10 knockouts) from Golden Meadow, Louisiana, will go head to head with Derrick “Superman,” Findley (16 wins – 3 losses – 10 knockouts). Findley hails from Gary, Indiana.
Marks, who at age 17 was trained by the late Frank James from Baton Rouge, LA, and is managed by Damien St. Pierre, has been in the ring with former champions Will McIntyre and Lucien Bute. Marks’ lost by a split decision in his latest bout against the World Boxing Council’s 8th ranked fighter Kingsley Ikeke in a bout that put Ikeke’s NABA title on the line.
Findley’s a hard fighter and his losses came at the hands of unbeaten fighters Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell, rated in the Top 3 in the world ratings.
The under card will feature unbeaten Marcus McDaniel (3 wins – 0 losses) from New Orleans, LA, versus Omar Ballard (7 wins – 15 losses) from Columbus, Mississippi. “McDaniel is the hottest young prospect to come out of New Orleans in many years and don’t let Ballard’s record fool you, this is going to be a slugfest,” said Bonano.
Three of the area’s best amateur fighters will be making their professional debuts including Kyle Bullock of Oceans Springs, Mississippi. He’s scheduled to fight Jamond Bourgeois (1 win – 0 losses) from New Orleans, LA. Casey Adams will start his professional career after a very celebrated amateur career winning the Jr. Olympics and the Golden Glove Championships. He will fight in the Welterweight Division against another newcomer Lekirk Pringle from Mobile, Alabama.
Confirmations are still being made for the opponent who will face off against Mark Salser with a record of 9 wins and 0 losses. Salser hailing from Mansfield, Ohio, will also appear on the under card as he travels the country to gain experience.
Don’t miss the “Battle in the Bay” at Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis. Hurry, these fighting events will sell out soon. Tickets are $20, $50 and $100 and on sale now at the Gift Shop or call 1-800-229-2683. MATCHES, FIGHTS AND FIGHTERS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Must be at least 21 to attend. Visit www.hollywoodcasinobsl.com.