Frank Warren is today delighted to announce that he has signed George Groves, the reigning British and Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Champion, to a promotional agreement.
Groves, 23, has signed a three-year deal with Britain’s top promoter and joins a talent pack organization that includes world champions Nathan Cleverly (WBO Light-Heavyweight) and Ricky Burns (WBO Super-Featherweight); his big rival James DeGale, plus the best young talent in the sport.
Hall of Fame promoter Warren has handled the majority of top British super-middleweights world champions and has made some of the classic fights in the division, featuring Joe Calzaghe, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Steve Collins, plus Robin Reid and Richie Woodhall.
Warren said, “I’m very happy that George has chosen to come under my promotional banner and we will now be involved in some big fights. He’s a good fighter and the last fight against James DeGale was the first time I had worked with him. Of course, everyone is asking about a return with James, who I represent, and it is an obvious fight that will definitely happen again. The last fight was very close and a few observers felt that it could have gone either way. One things for sure the public will want to see it again. It’s a big domestic rivalry that will become ever bigger.”
Londoner Groves, unbeaten in 13 fights with ten stoppages, is ranked inside the top 15 with the WBC and IBF organizations.
Groves said, “Having sat down with Adam Booth and discussed at length what was the best move for my career and fighting to progress towards a World title, we agreed that everything that Frank put to us made perfect sense. He is the most experienced promoter in Britain by far and we feel has the experience and ability to take me to the very top. Exciting times ahead.”
Adam Booth, who will remain as Groves’ manager and trainer, said, “On the surface, this may seem a strange decision from me and Hayemaker boxing to have made, but this is all about what is best for the career of George and we believe that working with Frank is the best decision we could have made. George has the full support of both myself and David Haye as we know that if anybody can take George to the top, Frank is the man.”
Golden Boy Promotions’ Richard Shaeffer, said, “Golden Boy, as the US based promoter for George Groves, is happy to work with Frank Warren and welcomes the addition to the promotional team. Frank has the platforms and knowledge in the UK to further George’s career while Golden Boy will continue to open opportunities for George in the US. Our combined efforts will certainly lead George to world championships and make him a star for many years to come.”
Heavyweights Jennings, Mejias Clash Sept. 9 In Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA—Undefeated heavyweight Bryant “Bye Bye” Jennings, of North Philadelphia, makes his most ambitious start as a pro when he faces Alex Mejias, of Paterson, NJ, in a scheduled six-round contest Friday evening, Sept. 9, at the Asylum Arena, 7 West Ritner Street.
Topping the seven-bout card is a scheduled 10-round contest for the vacant Pennsylvania State Junior Middleweight title between Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia, and Keenan Collins, of Reading, PA. The scheduled eight-round welterweight semifinal pairs Ronald Cruz, of Bethlehem, PA, with Anges Adjaho, of Buffalo, NY.
The Rosado-Collins and Cruz-Adjaho fights will be broadcast on Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo Tecate at 11.30pm ET/PT (10.30pm CT).
Jennings is 26 years old. His 9-0 record includes four knockouts. In his last fight July 23 in Las Vegas, he scored a knockdown en route to his second six-round decision victory this year over Theron Johnson, of Chicago, IL. He also knocked out fellow-Philadelphian David Williams and outpointed Mike Miller, of Akron, OH, in other 2011 action.
Mejias, 32, is 11-7, 5 K0s, but has faced much stiffer competition. His foes include Amir Monsour, Chazz Witherspoon, Tor Hamer, Derric Rossey and Bowie Topou. Their combined record was 78-5 when Mejias fought them.
It’s a big step up for Jennings, who was 13-4 as an amateur after excelling in basketball, football and track & field at Ben Franklin High School in Philadelphia.
“I’m learning something new about boxing and about myself every day in the gym,” says Jennings, who is managed and trained by Fred Jenkins. “You’ve got to be smart out there and you can’t rush things, both inside and outside the ring. With my limited amateur background, every fight is a learning experience.”
Four additional fights complete the card, which begins at 7.30pm and is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., Don Chargin Productions and Golden Boy Promotions.
Tickets are priced at $45 and $65. They are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com.
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Fans at home can be part of the action by participating in Cinturon Tecate and voting for the fighter in the main event who displays the most character in the ring by sending a text message to 55333. Voting will be open through the end of the weekend.
Tecate, cerveza con character, is the largest beer brand to sponsor boxing matches in the U.S. Part of its commitment to make boxing accessible to customers is the title sponsorship of Solo Boxeo Tecate, which creates an opportunity for local fans to witness some of the most exhilarating fights by today’s up-and-coming prospects. Additionally, Tecate has been a primary supporter of Golden Boy Promotions’ marquee events since 2007, and has launched a variety of initiatives to ensure consumers are part of the boxing experience, including boxer autograph signing sessions, commemorative cans, PPV mail-in rebate offers, and most recently the launch of a mobile museum Tecate Museo de Boxeo, which showcases decades of the most memorable moments in the sport.
Aaron Pryor Jr to fight for World Title
Aaron Pryor Jr, Son of International Hall of Famer, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor will be following in his fathers footsteps when he fights for the IBO Super Middleweight World Title. Pryor Jr (16-3, 11 KO’s) will go against Thomas Oosthuizen (15-0, 11 KO’s) on the September 3, 2011 undercard of Berto vs Zaveck in Biloxi Mississippi and to be featured on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.
Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor is a 2 time world champion, having held both the IBF Light Welterweight World Title as well as the WBA Light Welterweight World Title.
The Pryor’s will join an elite group of Father and Son World Title Holders. They will be within the ranks of the Mancini, Chavez and Spinks Father Son World Champions to name a few.
Tahdooahnippah Chosen as 2011 “Native American 40 Under 40”
“Comanche Boy” George Tahdooahnippah, undefeated professional middleweight boxer from Lawton, OK , is among those chosen by The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) 2011 Native American 40 Under 40, as part of the 36 Annual Indian Progress in Business Awards Event (INPRO). The annual event will be held Thursday, September 8th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Tahdooahnippah is employed by the Comanche Nation Diabetes Program as a Health and Fitness Promoter. The “40 Under 40” highlights existing and emerging American Indian leaders under 40 years of age who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and dedication to achieve impressive and significant contributions in their business, communities, and to Indian country.
“I am striving to succeed as a professional boxer and to be a positive role model for all Native Americans, so to be recognized by my peers is truly an honor,” Tahdooahnippah said. Undefeated in his boxing career, Tahdooahnippah (28-0-1) won the WBC Continental America’s middleweight title July 16th by second round KO of Jimmy Holmes.
For more information about NCAIED please visit http://www.ncaied.org/.
For the latest and greatest current Comanche Boy information visit www.comancheboy.com.