PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 4, 2011) – The opponents change, but the approach remains the same for super middleweight prospect Vladine Biosse. Coming off a major showcase victory on April 1st in front of 42 million homes on ESPN2, Biosse (11-0, 6 KOs) is preparing to face a much tougher test Friday, May 6th, 2011 against Denis Grachev (9-0-1, 5 KOs) in the main event of “Champion Breed,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports at Foxwoods Resort Casino’s Fox Theater in Mashantucket, Conn.
Similar to Biosse’s last opponent, Tim Connors, Grachev – a resident of San Diego, Calif., by way of Chaykovsky, Russia – has an extensive kickboxing background that includes a title in the Muay Thai light cruiserweight division of the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF). He also owns a 2-1 record in professional mixed martial arts with one knockout victory and one win via submission. The major difference between Connors and Grachev is Grachev’s boxing resume. The dangerous Russian recently defeated previously-unbeaten Haitian light heavyweight Azea Augustama – a member of the 2008 Olympic boxing team – by majority decision in January.
“As long as he doesn’t kick, throw elbows or put me in any submission holds, we’re good,” Biosse joked.
All kidding aside, the Providence, R.I., native knows Grachev represents a major test as Biosse attempts to win his third fight of the year in as many tries. The business-like mentality Biosse brings into the ring for each fight will be on full display again Friday night as “Mr. Providence” headlines his second show of 2011.
“You know how I do – when I take these fights, I never underestimate who I’m fighting, because if you’re in this business, you’re in it for a purpose,” Biosse said.
“Once we sign up for a fight – anybody, anywhere – I take it very seriously and very carefully. In training for this fight, I take it just as I would if I were training for a world title fight. I go hard in my strength and conditioning so I can go in there and be in the best shape I can. I’m dealing with someone who just beat a Haitian Olympian. He’s a very credible opponent, so he’s not just in it to say he’s in it. On Friday, he’s going to have to deal with me and I’m going to have to deal with him. I’m confident with the training I’ve put in that I’m going to come out victorious.”
Friday will be Biosse’s third bout since Feb. 4 and his second in less than five weeks, but fatigue will not be a factor. Since turning the page on 2010, Biosse has won each of his fights this year by knockout, a stretch that began Feb. 4 against former two-time world champion Santiago Samaniego.
“Staying in action is what anybody in this game would want to do,” Biosse said.
Led by trainer Orlondo Valles, Biosse remains in peak physical condition between each fight, which could be the deciding factor Friday against Grachev. The Russian challenger has dealt with long stretches of inactivity within the past two years; his victory over Augustama was his first fight in 13 months, so as of Friday night he’ll have fought just one bout in the last year and a half.
Biosse has also added new wrinkles to his workout regimen, straying from the typical practice of relying solely on his power and endurance to carry him to victory and instead implementing exercises such as yoga and stretching on a weekly basis.
“That’s now a big part of our workout,” Valles said. “When we prepare for a fight, we set aside time to get our strength and conditioning in, but flexibility is also No. 1. We try to wean ourselves off the strength training and get into the pad-work, sparring and technique.
“Vladine is a strong kid with a lot of power and I’ve wanted to boost that power because he doesn’t even know how strong he is. The strength and conditioning will help him with his power. We’re trying to take these fights more seriously now. We don’t just want decisions. We want to do the job as quickly as possible.”
So far, Biosse has made quick work of his opponents in 2011, a far cry from last year in which he won all four of his bouts by unanimous decision after returning from a broken hand. Again, Biosse maintains, “nothing has changed.” Friday night will be business as usual if “Mr. Providence” has any say in the matter.
“Everything comes down to trusting my hand,” Biosse said. “With the workouts we’ve done on a daily basis, we didn’t always pay attention to the power, but now the fans who watch my fights can see the snaps on my punches and they can see the timing. We’re getting smart as we go along, and we’re getting better.”
New Haven, Conn., super middleweight Elvin Ayala (22-5, 10 KOs) will face George Armenta (13-6, 11 KOs) of Silver Spring, Md., in Friday’s eight-round co-feature.
The undercard of “Champion Breed” stars New Haven lightweight Christian Lao (1-0, 1 KO) facing Barrington Douse of Springfield, Mass., in Douse’s professional debut; and unbeaten middleweight Thomas Falowo (2-0, 2 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I., taking on Cincinnati’s Zach Thomas (1-3). New Haven middleweight Rick Dawson (3-0, 1 KO) will take on Odias Dumezil (3-5, 1 KO) of Winter Haven, Fla., who now trains at 401 Boxing in East Providence, R.I., Providence cruiserweight Maurice Cole will make his debut against Shawn Brooks of Thomson, Ga.; and New Bedford, Mass., junior welterweight Johnathan Vazquez (3-0, 3 KOs) will return to the ring for the first time since November in separate four-round bouts.
Tickets for “Champion Breed”, priced at $40, $65 and $105, can be purchased by calling the Foxwoods box office at 800.200.2882, or online at www.foxwoods.com. For more information, visit www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7:30.
Leon ‘Solid’ Williams interview: Leon talks about his career, Jon Lewis Dickinson, Danny Couzens and more
By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro: This coming Saturday Streatham bad boy Leon ‘Solid’ Williams defends his Southern Area Cruiserweight title for the first time, at the Graham Earl promoted ‘Redemption Day’ event at York Hall in London.
Leon is one of the Cruiserweight divisions most exciting and talented young stars, not even the controversial split decision loss to Jon Lewis Dickinson on the Prizefighter – Cruiserweights show or the more recent knockout loss to Richard Turba have dulled his sheen one iota in the eyes of his huge legion of fans, or more importantly those of his promoter Frank Maloney.
Anyone that has seen ‘Solid’ in action will understand why, Leon is one of those exciting raw talents that gives one hundred and ten percent each and every fight. His style is best likened to a shark, he circles his prey before striking with ferocious precision, and his defensive tactics are simple – attack, attack and attack.
Earlier today I caught up with Leon at the TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, where he was undertaking the final preparations for this Saturday’s fight, and managed to pin him down to answer a few questions. So without further ado let’s get down to a serious Q & A session with Mr Leon ‘Solid’ Williams
Rio – Hi Leon, I know you are busy preparing for your first defense of the Southern Area title so thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. My first question is what influenced you to become a boxer?
Leon – Iron Mike, definitely Mike Tyson. I think the first fight I see him in was against Frank Bruno. It just pumped me up and gave me the drive. So that’s why I am where I am now, that’s why I’m in the Boxing game and living my dream.
Rio – Whilst your pro career is well documented I couldn’t find much on your amateur career, so could you tell us a little about that.
Leon – I joined Balham ABC originally, I was there for a little while then went to Fitzroy Lodge. I think I had about seventeen amateur bouts. It’s not a lot of amateur experience but I didn’t have an amateur style anyway, I was always more suited to the professional game.
Rio – You beat JJ Ojuederie to win the Southern Area title last year, can you tell us about the fight and how you felt to lift your first title.
Leon- I thought he was coming to fight, but he just kept running. For nine rounds he ran and then tried to have a fight in the last round.
It was a great achievement to win the Southern Area title, so yeah I’m happy about that.
Rio – I understand that a rematch with Jon Lewis Dickinson is on the cards, first give us your thoughts on this and the decision that handed him the victory over you in Prizefighter.
Leon – I wasn’t at all happy with that decision, he scored it like amateur boxing. It’s pro competition you don’t score like it’s amateur with points, you score like professional boxing on pressure, bigger shots. You learn form these and just keep it moving, that’s what I’m doing keep it moving.
The promised rematch is great. I’ll put it on him straight away, break the other end of his jaw.
Rio – Your last fight see you suffer your first knockdown, and have a stoppage loss against you. What went wrong?
Leon – That’s down to preparation, it’s what I done the night before, I wont go into detail but I did something that I don’t normally do the night before and that affected me. I think that affected me and I was too relaxed, but we’ve learned from that you know. It’s a learning curve and I’m still learning. You make mistakes and you learn from those mistakes, quite simple.
Rio – You’re now with Johnny Eames at the TKO Boxing Gym, how’s that going?
Leon – Really good, really good. I’ve got a really good relationship with Johnny, he’s gonna really help build me up. You can’t ask for more from a coach and a manager, so yeah it’s great.
Rio – You’re fighting Danny Couzens on Saturday, please give us your thoughts on the fight.
Leon – I’m gonna crush him, it’s quite simple, I’m gonna crush him like a biscuit.
Rio – What are your championship aspirations after this fight with Danny?
Leon – Climb the ladder and the next title will hopefully be the English or British. Just keep on moving up, whatever works in the boxing game. I want to conquer the domestic division and then look further afield.
A World title is the long term plan, then again that’s what every boxer wants to do. It’s about achieving that.
Rio – Of all your fights, amateur or pro, which holds the fondest memories?
Leon – When I was in the ABA London finals against Richard Needham. Bad Boy fight, proper fight, we were both going really at it. It was a really good fight, anyone that was there that night will remember that fight because it was a really good fight. The fight of the night by far. That was a great fight.
Unfortunately I lost but it was a really great fight, three knockdowns I think, they gave me a count, it was a really good fight, we really went at it.
Rio – Finally is there anything you would like to say to the fans, especially that noisy ‘Team Solid’ mob
Leon – Yeah, Team Solid’s good to go, Team Solid’s the future.
Rio – Thank you so much for talking with me today and the best of luck for Saturday.
Leon – Thank you.
Leon ‘Solid’ Williams defends his Southern Area Cruiserweight title, against Danny Couzens, at the Graham Earl promoted ‘Redemption Day’ event at York Hall this coming Saturday, 7th May.
For tickets, priced £35 (Standard) and £60 (Ringside) call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or call in person at The TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.
THIS WEEK ON GFL COMBAT SPORTS NETWORK – 3 LIVE EVENTS
Thursday, May 5, 2011 8:00pm ET featuring Punchin at the Paradise 11 – Cinco De Mayo at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, NY. On Thursday night, May 5th, Edgar Santana, who once was considered one of the top Jr. welterweight prospects in the world makes his long awaited return to the ring after a three year absence when he takes on Robert Jones in an eight round main event. Santana built his reputation on the strength of a 21-2 record with wins over Francisco Campos (20-5-1); Mecaher Major (12-2) and Dairo Esales (30-6) before being shocked by Harrison Cuello.
Before his hiatus, Santana won three straight against good competition which included a majority decision over world ranked Josesito Lopez. Jones has a record of 8-8-1 with three knockouts and has fought top competition. He has some solid wins such as a decision over undefeated Alfred Hall (2-0-2) and his last bout when he stopped Pete Cantu (16-6-1). Also on the card will be some of the best prospects in the New York area. Five undefeated prospects will headline the undercard such as: Super Featherweight Emanuel Gonzalez (7-0, 6 KO’s); Light Heavyweight Jason Escalera (10-0, 9 KO’s); Super Featherweight Danny Valle (4-0, 3 KO’s); Welterweight Issouf Kinda (9-0, 4 KO’s) as well as Cruiserweight Stivins Bujac (3-0, 2 KO’s) will see action against opponents to be named. Rounding out the card will be once-beaten Hajro Sujak (6-1, 2 KO’s)
– Saturday, May 7, 2011 7:00pm ET featuring Absolute Action MMA XIII at the Midwest Sports Complex in Florence, KY. This is a super-sized card featuring 23 bouts scheduled for the night. Fans will get to see both professional and amateur MMA from Kentucky’s leading MMA promotion. The event is headlined by 3 title fights in a tri-main event. Jessamyn “The Gun” Duke (2-1) battles Crystal Bentley (0-0) for the women’s 145 lb amateur title. In the men’s 145 lb division, James Ballinger (10-8) tangles with Jeremy Philpot (20-20) for the belt while in the final tri-main event Jerry “Shane” McClain (6-2) fights Shaun “Sugar” Asher (5-2) for the 185 lb championship. There are also several pro fights showcased on this packed card highlighted by The Ultimate Fighter cast member and undefeated fighter Tom Hayden (5-0) VS Harry Johnson (5-5). Christopher Bennett (3-2) battles Anthony Jones (3-3) and Marcus Finch (2-2) challenges Jamey Scruggs (2-0) in other scheduled pro bouts.
– Saturday, May 7, 2011 8:00pm ET featuring Fight Force International presents Blood and Sand IX at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in beautiful Biloxi, Mississippi. The 18-fight mega-event is headlined by some of the region’s top prospects. In the main event, Strikeforce vet and Mississippi-bred fighter, Wesley Little (3-5) battles Alabama’s Walt Harris (1-1) a chiseled juggernaut of a man, in a heavyweight throwdown. Little is looking to return to the national scene while Harris hopes to leapfrog the veteran Little and show why he is the top, young, heavyweight talent in the South. In the co-main event, Drew Wallace (4-1) combats Corey Holder (6-11) in another barnburner. Wallace is known for grinding out decisions while Holder has only had 2 of his 17 contests go the distance. Holder will be looking to execute his high risk/high reward fighting style on the more conservative Wallace. In other action Harris “The Sandman” Stephenson (1-0) challenges Brandon Sheffield (0-1) in a fight where both men are just beginning their MMA careers. With only one fight each, both Stephenson and Sheffield hope to impress the crowd with their performance on May 7 and create a grass roots name for themselves with the MMA community in Mississippi and the greater Gulf Coast area.
GFL now offers full access to over 5,000 fights for the low monthly price of $9.99 at www.GFL.tv