Helenius vs. Liakhovich to air on Epix Today; Asselstine in action on 9/9; IABA update

Former World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) Heavyweight Champion Sergei “The White Wolf” Liakhovich is primed and set to challenge defending champion Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius for the WBO and World Boxing Association (“WBA”) Inter-Continental titles, today, (Saturday, Aug. 27) in a 12-round bout airing live in the United States from Efurt, Germany on the EPIX cable network.

An impressive victory for Liakhovich (25-3, 16 KOs) against Helenius (15-0, 10 KOs) — WBO #2, IBF #3, WBA #9, IBF #13 and No. 9 by The Ring – will set the stage for a major showdown with either of the current world title holders, Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko.

http://www.epixhd.com/helenius-vs-liakhovich/

Unbeaten featherweight prospect Tyler Asselstine returns Sept. 9 in Montreal

TORONTO (August 27, 2011) – Hot, unbeaten featherweight prospect Tyler Asselstine returns to the ring September 9 in a six-round bout against an opponent to be determined at The Chapiteau CCSE Maisonneuve in Montreal.

After concluding a stellar amateur career (70-10), the 24-year-old Asselstine (6-0, 4 KOs) from Kingston, Ontario, turned pro only 10 months ago and he hasn’t slowed down. His rich amateur pedigree includes being a member of the 2009 Canadian National Team, representing his country in International matches, as well as capturing the 2010 Ringside World Championships.

“I started boxing at 18,” Tyler explained. “I was a kick-boxer before that. I started boxing because I wanted more competition and once I did I couldn’t stop.”

Hennessy Sports has kept Asselstine active, winning six fights in a relatively short period, and preparing for his fifth appearance in Montreal. In his last fight, Tyler won a unanimous six-round decision from Leonos Marie Francoise (8-4) this past June in Ontario.

“I’m very happy with the way Hennessy Sports has moved me,” Asselstine said. “I fought a lot as an amateur and have had six fights in less than a year as a pro. My job is to box and I train twice a day.

“I’ve fought a lot in Montreal, first as an amateur, and now as a pro. I’m excited to be fighting there again. I like the support there from my friends and family. Montreal really is like my second home.”

Asselstine also said he has studied several fighters but the one he tries to emulate is another fellow southpaw, IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, who has become a boxing icon in Montreal.

Considered one of Ontario’s best all-time boxing prospects, naturally, his promoter is very high on his budding star and possible “Bute-light” of the future. “We’re excited about Tyler’s boxing future,”Adam Harris said. “He’s a tremendousprospect with a lot of upside as a professional. He has completely dominated his first six opponents and, at 24, his best days are obviously still a long way ahead of him. Tyler already is a complete fighter who lacks only pro experience and in that respect, we’re keeping him as busy as possible.

“Hennessy Sports is fortunate to sign Tyler because he was actively pursued by many of the leading North American promoters. Tyler’s grounded and instead of relocating, he wanted to remain based at home in Ontario. We believe that Tyler Asselstine is the real deal and a superstar in waiting. He’s also building quite a fan-base in his second home, Montreal, where he fought last April on the (David) Lemieux-(Mario Antonio) Rubio card.”

Asselstine’s fight will be streamed live on www.GoFightLive.TV. The pro action starts at 7:30 PM/ET.

Other members of the Hennessy Sports Canada stable include undefeated NABA lightweight champion WBA #11 rated Logan Cotton McGuinness and WBC Silver welterweight titlist welterweight Victor Lupo.

Go on line at www.HennessySports.comfor more information about Asselstine, events or his stable-mates.

IABA UPDATE (EUROPEAN YOUTH FINALS

Michael O’Reilly and Gary Sweeney had to settle for silver at the European Youth Championships which concluded at the Citywest Hotel Convention Centre in Dublin today.

O’Reilly dominated his welterweight final with Igor Kharitonov of Russia but was controversially adjudged to have lost 16-15.

Sweeney, meanwhile, produced a brilliant final round against Kharitonov’s compatriot, Vladimir Korsunov, but the Ballinrobe man lost out 16-13 in the light-heavyweight decider.

O’Reilly’s and Sweeney’s Irish team-mates, Stephen Broadhurst, Joe Fitzpatrick and Jack Morrissey, won a bronze medal each to take Ireland’s medal haul to five from the tournament.

Lithuania’s impressive Ricardas Kuncaitis claimed light-welterweight gold and the boxer of the tournament award at the Championships.

Russia, who won five gold medals today, won the best team award.

Russia, Azerbaijan and Ireland, in that order, finished in the top three positions at the 38-nation Championships.

Russia’s Denis Popov was presented with the best Referee & Judge award.

Visit www.iaba.ie for results.