BRONX, NEW YORK (August 8, 2011)—Fisticuffs promotions announced the signing of Jr. Welterweight contender Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana to a promotional contract.
Santana of Bronx, New York has a record of 25-3 with sixteen knockouts and has won four straight which is over a four year span.
Santana, thirty-two years old, turned pro in 1999 and went on to win twenty-one of his first twenty three bouts which included big victories over Francisco Campos (20-5-1); Meacher Major (12-2-1); Dairo Esales (30-6); Mike Gonzalez (10-2-1) and a career best victory over Josesito Lopez (22-2) in a bout that headlined a SHO BOX card on April 11, 2008.
Santana took a three year hiatus due to legal problems and with those out of the way, Santana is right back on the track to capturing a world title.
Santana returned to the ring with an explosive second round knockout over Robert Jones on May 5, 2011.
That win was especially impressive considering Jones was never stopped in his seventeen bouts.
Santana is one of the most popular ticket sellers in the competitive New York market and he owns and operates a popular Barber Shop in his native Spanish Harlem.
“Edgar Santana has always been one of the best prospects on the East Coast and I am happy we were able to work out a deal”, said Dave Escalet of Fisticuffs Promotions.
“Despite having that layoff, we feel that he is only a couple fights away from a significant fight that will put him in position for a world title. He showed in his last fight that he is a force to be reckoned with and we plan to make those important fights happen for him”
Santana will be fighting for NABA Jr. Welterweight title on August 19th at Dover Downs in Dover, Delaware.
“The NABA title will get him in the rankings and he will be right there knocking on the door after he wins the fight”, continued Escalet.
“I am happy to make a deal with Fisticuffs”, said Santana’s manager Brian Cohen.
“We already have this big fight lined up so it’s only a matter of staying busy and Edgar will be fighting for the title”
FORMER PROFESSIONAL FIGHTER AND LONGTIME BOXING JUDGE BOBBY GRASSO PASSES AWAY AT 65
PHILADELPHIA (August 7, 2011)—Joey Eye Boxing Promotions is sad to report that passing of longtime boxing judge and former professional Welterweight Bobby Grasso who passed away on Saturday night at the age of sixty-five after a bout with cancer.
Grasso was a boxer from 1969-1973 and compiled a record of 3-3 and later became a respected boxing judge for more than two decades.
Grasso judged some of the biggest bouts on the East Coast, mainly in Philadelphia and New Jersey.
He was a captain in the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department.
There will be a viewing at The Baldi Funeral Home (1327 South Broad Street) on Wednesday between 7pm and 9pm with a mass on Thursday at the St. Monica’s Church at 17th and Ritner
“Bobby was a very nice man and a good judge”, said Joey “Eye” Intrieri.
“He always had time for everyone and we will surely miss him around ringside and I just want to send condolences out to his family”
Gunn shoots down Stewart with Round 3 KO
In the first sanctioned bareknuckle boxing match since 1889, Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn defeated boxer Rich Stewart via KO in round 3. With the win Gunn claimed the vacant bareknuckle boxing title that was last held by John L. Sullivan.
“It’s mean a great deal to me to have won the way I did,” said Gunn. “Early on I was able to go out there and establish my pace to the fight, and executed the way I planned.”
Leading up to this fight Gunn was adamant about bringing back bareknuckle boxing on a competitive level. Many critics claimed the sport was barbaric and questioned the safety of the fighters.
“A big misconception was that the fight was going to be a street fight or bar fight,” said Gunn. “That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Fighters only have a 3 ½” gap to strike, from the eyes to the nose, around the side of the temple. When you throw a shot to the jaw you have to be careful to hit the side of the jaw. The teeth can split your hands wide open, and if you hit too high above the eyebrows you can shatter your hand on the forehand. Bareknuckle boxing is not about wasting shots throwing wild punches; it’s about precise, accurate shots that are effective.”
Gunn displayed the sweet science as he carefully moved around the ring through the first and second rounds, keeping Stewart at bay and avoiding getting hit.
In the third round Gunn launched a devastating assault on Stewart’s body, followed up with a crisp left hook to the jaw, brining Stewart to the canvas. Upon getting up, Stewart was grazed with a right cross on the top of his head, dropping him again. The referee called the fight in the best interest of Stewart’s health.
“Waking up the next day my hands were a bit sore, but that was the extent of the damage,” said Gunn. “Neither of us fighters suffered any real damage, due to the safety precautions that were put into place.”
Making history with the first bareknuckle boxing match since 1889, Gunn is confident that the sport will take off.
“The public enjoys watching fights because they want to see two professionals who know what they’re doing stand there and throw hands,” said Gunn. “I believe that following this first match the sport is going to take off and become huge.”
And the numbers don’t lie. Over 800,000 tuned in to Ustream.tv to watch the bout.
“I am hoping we can line up a big name for our next fight,” said Gunn. “I will fight anybody they put in front of me, and I promise we’ll put on a show for the fans.”
“Lastly, I want to thank everybody on my team for all their support, and a very special thanks to McDuffy’s Sports Grill in Chandler, Arizona, for sponsoring the fight and being a part of bareknuckle boxing history.
Stay current with all of Gunn’s latest news by visiting www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Bobby-The-Celtic-Warrior-Gunn/229151550460878.
Spivey vs. Antoine on August 20
Virginia Beach, VA – August 3rd Press Release: Dee Lee Promotions, LLC. presents “BEACH BRAWL II” at Virginia Beach Fieldhouse, Virginia Beach, VA. Lightweight Dorin Spivey (38-6-0/29 ko’s) of Portsmouth, VA is set to take on Damon Antoine (9-31-2/4 ko’s) of Akron, OH in the 8 round main event at the Virginia Beach Fieldhouse. Antoine is one of those fighters with a poor record that fights often and always seems to fight tough young guys on their turf on short notice. His last 6 opponents had a combined record of 57 wins and 2 losses!! Spivey hasn’t fought in his hometown in a year so he’s hoping this welcome home bout will remind local fight fans that he’s still chasing a crown.
The co-main on this 9 bout card just added a very exciting blast from the past… Smokin’ Bert Cooper! Cooper (38-23-0/31 ko’s) of Sharon Hill, PA is matched up against rising young turk Travis “” Kauffman (21-1-0/16 ko’s). Kauffman wants this fight in a big way because a decisive win against a guy who has fought Foreman, Holyfield, Bowe and Mercer would go a long way in moving him up the heavyweight charts.
Virginia Beach Field fans will be pleased to hear local favorite light middleweight Frankie “The Freight Train” Filippone (7-2-0/2 ko’s) will return to action on this card. Filippone thrilled the hometown fans with his bloody 6 round victory on the last Dee Lee card on June 25th, 2011. Also, returning for this card are Delaware lightweight Joey Tiberi (5-1-0/4 ko’s) and Norfolk heavyweight Dorset Barnwell (4-0-0/3 ko’s). Both Tiberi and Barnwell made short work their last time out since neither men went the distance and both look forward to repeating the knockout performances. Also the card features a new fighter from Virginia Beach, Earl Platt making his Pro-Debut.
Ticket prices are $30 & $50, tables are available and can be purchased by calling Jeremy at 757-217-5188, Frankie at 757-537-6210, Kenny at 757-646-4145 or pick up tickets at 757 boxing gym or call Boxing Gym at 757-717-5291.