ESPN’s Friday Night Fights will originate from San Ynez, Calif., May 13 at 9 p.m. on ESPN2 when former WBO junior welterweight world titlist Kendall “Rated R” Holt (26-4, 14 KO’s, WBA #8, WBO #8, IBF #15) will meet former two-time IBF lightweight world titlist Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (38-6, 27 KO’s, IBF #9) in a 10-round main event. Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside describing the action.
Friday’s show will also include current WBC welterweight titlist Victor Ortiz in studio with host Brian Kenny. Ortiz defeated Andre Berto for the WBC welterweight title last month.
New Jersey’s Holt, who is managed by friend and New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, will be profiled in a special feature during the telecast.
After being TKO’d in the sixth round during an IBF title eliminator by Kaizer Mabuza, Holt rebounded with a first-round TKO over Lenin Arroyo in his last fight.
“It’s an honor to face another former world champion,” Holt said of Friday’s fight. “Julio Diaz is a gritty veteran, so I don’t see him backing up. I don’t see him trying to take it easy on me in there. I think he’s going to come full-steam ahead. It’s going to be a great fight as long as he lasts.”
California’s Diaz is coming off a January eighth round TKO over Pavel Miranda.
After the fight ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael wrote, “Diaz has won two fights in a row with a strong performance against Miranda. Diaz looked pretty good. He was rolling along in a one-sided, albeit entertaining, fight when he finally broke through to score two knockdowns in the eighth round before the fight was stopped. Diaz threw combinations and looked in excellent condition. Another win or two and Diaz being back in a fight of note would not be surprising.”
VICTOR ORTIZ HONORED BY GOVERNOR OF KANSAS
LOS ANGELES, May 11 – “Vicious” Victor Ortiz’s stirring April victory over Andre Berto not only earned him the World Boxing Council (WBC) Welterweight World Championship, but it also showed the power of perseverance against all odds, and not just in the ring, but in life as well. As a result, Ortiz was honored yesterday with a proclamation signed by Kansas Governor Sam Brownback as well as with the declaration of May 10 being named “Victor Ortiz Day” in his home state. Ortiz also visited the Kansas House of Representatives and was honored with a standing ovation during the final legislative meeting of the term.
“I wanted to take this chance to honor a Kansas champion,” said Governor Brownback. “Victor’s story is not only a lesson in the value of positivity – it’s also a lesson in determination, patience and hard work. He exemplifies the spirit of not getting bitter over the circumstances of your life, but rather to channel your energy into making yourself better.”
“I’m honored that Kansas has love for me, because eight years ago, I was Victor who? Now I’m hanging with the Governor,” smiled the 24-year-old world champion, a native of Liberal, Kansas who grew up in Garden City. “I’m excited by all the attention this world title has brought to me in the last two weeks. It was an honor and a privilege for the government and the people of Kansas to acknowledge my hard work. Now, my gift to them will be to continue to work hard and always perform like I did on April 16.”
Added Ortiz’ longtime manager Rolando Arellano, “Victor’s win was one of the sweetest moments in my 15-year career. Getting to celebrate this momentous occasion with him in Kansas is a very humbling experience for me.”
Abandoned by his parents as a child, Ortiz and his siblings were forced to deal with unbelievable hardship, but through boxing, Victor found his light at the end of the tunnel. Through the ups and downs every fighter goes through in the ring, he persevered and eventually earned his first world title in a bout many are calling the first great fight of 2011.
“It is my hope that no child in Kansas ever has to face the circumstances that Victor had to,” said Governor Brownback said. “But now, everyone that knows Victor says that he can’t keep a smile off of his face. That positivity has served him well in his boxing career, and it’s that positivity that I would like to celebrate and honor today. Victor didn’t get bitter-he got better.”
“Victor’s story is such an inspiring one and to see him rise the way he has makes me feel fortunate that I know him and that we have him on our team,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “The best part of this is that this story isn’t finished yet, as he has a bright future ahead of him.”
Prospect Boxing: Chris “Stainless” Learning Important Lessons ahead of May 20th!
Undefeated Scottish welterweight Chris Steel revealed today that he is learning important lessons since turning pro. Since joining the paid ranks Steel has notched up two victories ,and is enjoying the adjustment to the paid ranks “Well my first two fights have gave me an idea of what the pro game is like, it is totally different from amateur boxing . I have come through my first two fights with wins and learned a great deal from them, more so from my second fight which was tough against Phil Boyle”
He adds that he is also learning lessons about dieting after his last fight “I learned how important diet is (to boxing) and properly losing weight before a fight. I went into Boyle fight drained and i tired in the last two rounds but fought through it to secure the win”
With his third fight fast approaching, Steel will be sharing the ring with the experienced Danny Dontchev. In preparation for the fight he has been putting in some sparring with a fellow undefeated pro “The sparring has been going well, I stepped it up on Monday night and done 12 x 2 minute rounds straight with 4 different sparring partners and was feeling sharp. I have been sparring other pros’s at the gym and will be doing my final couple of sparring sessions with Steven Sharoudi who is also an undefeated welterweight”
The tall southpaw also looks to use his height and reach to his advantage” I’ve just been practicing everything, making sure i use my height and reach advantages and working on my jab a lot because that punch is the key to most of my fights” he admits is in good shape ahead of may 20th ” I’ve really got myself into shape for this one by running most mornings and being in the boxing gym 4 times a week with 2 days of weight training also”
Chris Steel fights on the “Prospect Promotions” bumper card on May 20th at Ravenscraig regional sports facility,. The bumper card features 7 fights featuring the undefeated John McCallum, Paul Allison and Wishaw’s comeback king Kenny Davidson.
Tickets are priced £30 and can be purchased form 01698 338888 and 01698 274600.The Venue is fully licensed and further details can be obtained from www.prospectboxing.co.uk or our facebook group Prospect boxing (link below)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prospect-Boxing/208247569205243