Earlier today the internet was buzzing with the news that Earl-Katsidis II is possibly on the cards. The news broke after Michael Katsidis posted on his official website a statement regarding an e.mail to Michael’s manager Brendon Smith from Graham Earl, challenging Michael to a rematch of their 2007 Battle Royale. With the approach now very much out in the public domain Graham today issued the following statement. “Ever since our last fight together I was promised a rematch and the chance to get my revenge.
Obviously I understand that there were obligations from that fight and he
had the opportunities to move on.
He got the win that night. He put me down a few times then I put him down.
We were having a war in the fourth and fifth and I believe I won those two
rounds and the fight was in the balance at that stage. If the fight had
continued I believe I would have won.
Last time it was in my own back yard, this time it looks like it may be in
his. I love the challenge and will do the job properly and get the result.
A lot of people are saying that Graham Earl is finished, what they forget
is that I fought at such a high level, I was a Championship fighter. I
didn’t fight that many four rounders in my career they were mainly ten and
twelve round Championship fights.
I recently opened my own gym and started my own promotions business, but
I’ve always remained training. The last three months I’ve stepped the
training up, I’m pushing myself that bit harder and I intend to go into
full training for this fight shortly. I’ll be more than ready.
Most fights these days are not great at all, people are paying good money
and not getting the fights they deserve.
Earl-Katsidis II will give fans the kind of fight they want and deserve.
It would be a great fight and I believe the public deserve this fight to
go ahead. “
Further announcements regarding the the proposed Earl-Katsidis II are
expected from both Michael Katsidis and Graham Earl in the near future.
Sergio Martinez To Attend HOF Weekend
CANASTOTA, NY – MAY 27, 2011 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today reigning middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez will attend festivities planned for the 22nd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 9-12th.
While in Canastota, Martinez will conduct two public workout sessions – Friday, June 10th and Saturday, June 11th at 1 p.m. – on the grounds of the Hall of Fame Museum.
“Sergio Martinez is a charismatic fighter who has become a true superstar in boxing,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “We’re looking forward to welcoming him back to Canastota.”
SERGIO “MARAVILLA” MARTINEZ
The fighting pride of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Martinez turned pro in 1997 and is now based out of Oxnard, CA. In 2008 he stopped Alex Bunema to capture the WBC light middleweight championship. Following a draw with Kermit Cintron in his first title defense, he lost a closely contested 12-round war with Paul “The Punisher” Williams in one of the leading contenders for 2009 “Fight of the Year” honors. On April 17, 2010, he challenged WBC / WBO middleweight king Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik in Atlantic City and captured the titles with a unanimous 12-round decision. Last November, Martinez dramatically stopped Paul Williams in two rounds of their rematch to earn 2010 “Knockout of the Year” honors from ESPN and most recently stopped Sergiy Dzinziruk in eight rounds. His pro record stands at 47-2-2 (26 KOs). Martinez, who was named 2010’s “Fighter of the Year” by ESPN and the Boxing Writers Association of America, will be accompanied to Canastota by trainer Pablo Sarmiento and advisor Sampson Lewkowicz.
Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, Mexican Fiesta Night, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2011. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 12th are three-division champion Julio Cesar Chavez (Mexico), junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu (Russia / Australia), heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (USA), trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain (Mexico), referee Joe Cortez (USA) and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone (USA). Posthumous inductees will also be honored. An impressive list of over 40 boxing greats from the United States and abroad are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 22nd Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.
Five Quick Questions For Jose “Sniper” Pedraza
Getting into a boxing ring in front of thousands where everything can go wrong at any second is pressure. Getting into a boxing ring also being labeled a “super prospect” doesn’t make it any easier. But that’s what 2009 World Amateur Championships Lightweight Silver Medalist and former Olympian Jose “Sniper” Pedraza is handling remarkably well, thus far.
22-year-old Pedraza (2-0, 2 KOs) has already headlined a show in New York City and is one of the young fighters on the lips of boxing insiders as a certain future champion.
In the first of a series, he sat down for Five Across the Lip: Five Quick Questions for the members of Team Puerto Rico.
When did you start boxing?
I started boxing when I was little about 12 years old because it looked fun and its a great sport. I’ve always been involved in sports. When I started boxing, I was also a runner with the Puerto Rican National Team and then left it to only do boxing.
Tell me about your life in Puerto Rico.
Well my life is all my family and boxing. What I do is go to the gym everyday and stay home with my family. One of my favorite hobbies is to run. I find it liberating. I live in Cidra, Puerto Rico, with my wife and my kid and we’ve got another on the way.
Describe your boxing style.
Well, my style is basically to move laterally, avoid punches and connect punches. I think that’s what I do best in the ring is move laterally to avoid punches.
Name a few boxers you admire and tell me why.
I admire Felix “Tito” Trinidad for being so humble and giving glory to our beautiful country. And I also think he was a really great boxer. I also think Mayweather is out of this world and his ability is unparalleled.
What do you know about your next opponent?
Basically, not much. Judging by his record he seems that he can withstand punishment because his fights have all gone the distance. I saw a video of him of YouTube and he seems like a good fighter.
Team Puerto Rico’s Next Appearance:
Back-to-back, on June 10 and 11 (Friday and Saturday before the 2011 National Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday) at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment will present Boricua Invasion I and II, featuring members of Team Puerto Rico Boxing, the eight-man team of Puerto Rico’s future ring stars.
Friday’s Boricua Invasion I will feature the unstoppable welterweight on everybody’s “one to watch” list, Thomas Dulorme (11-0, 10 KOs) vs. former world champion DeMarcus Corley; Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico’s highlight-reel welterweight KO specialist Kenny “Battlestar” Galarza (14-1, 14 KOs) vs. Puerto Rican compatriot Irving Garcia and the future superstar already fighting in main events after just two bouts, Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (2-0, 2 KOs). The main bouts of Boricua Invasion I will be televised on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
Saturday’s Boricua Invasion II will feature four more members of Team Puerto Rico: featherweight Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (12-0, 10 KOs) vs. Dat Nguyen; junior middleweight Jonathan “Mantequilla” Gonzalez (12-0, 12 KOs); and light welterweight Hector “El Flaco” Sanchez (19-1, 9 KOs) vs. Vincent Arroyo. Also scheduled for action are Team Puerto Rico light welterweight Jorge “Machito” Maysonet Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs); plus a special off-TV appearance by Puerto Rico-born light welterweight Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (15-0, 1 KO) of Brooklyn. The main bouts of Boricua Invasion II will be broadcast live on Showtime: The New Generation.
Tickets for Boricua Invasion I on Friday, June 10 are priced at $175, $125, $75, $45 and are available through Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. On Friday, doors will open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 6:30.
Tickets for Boricua Invasion II on Saturday, June 11 are priced at $200, $150, $85, and $55 and are available through Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. On Saturday, doors will open at 7:00 pm and the action starts at 7:30.
For VIP Package tickets to both nights, please call DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577.
The Roseland Ballroom is located at 239 West 52nd Street in New York City.
All bouts are subject to change.