After turning in a thrilling, gutsy and bloody performance last night vs. Robert Helenius, in Erfurt, Germany, Former Heavyweight Champion Sergei Liakhovich was taken to a local emergency room in the early morning hours where a CT scan revealed that the warrior’s nose had been broken in two places during the bout.
Gasping for breath from early in the third round when the first fracture occurred, until the fight was stopped in the ninth by veteran referee Stanley Christodoulu, Liakhovich suffered fractures of the bones located high up on the bridge of both the right and left sides of his nose.
“Sergei was unable to breathe through his nose from the moment the first break occurred in the third round,” Manager Tony Cardinale said. At the same time, Liakhovich began to swallow copious amounts of blood as he attempted to catch a breath through his mouth.
“Sergei proved last night that he is one of the toughest fighters in the heavyweight division.” Cardinale continued. “Despite a painful handicap that made it nearly impossible for him to take a proper breath, Sergei kept on coming. Even after the knockdown, he came back swinging. Had Sergei not been so severely injured, I think he would have won the fight.”
Doctors, last night, advised “The White Wolf” to remain at the hospital and have immediate surgery under general anesthesia. However, later on Sunday morning, a surgeon determined that the bruising and swelling was too severe to operate right now.
Liakhovich, whose trip back to the US has been postponed due to travel restrictions caused by Hurricane Irene, intends to have the necessary surgery later this week when he returns to his home in Arizona.
“Those who say that there are no exciting fighters in the heavyweight division haven’t been paying attention,” promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events said. “Sergei has now participated in two of the most action-packed heavyweight fights of the past 10 years and he let me know this morning that he wishes to remain as active as possible as soon as he recovers.”
The Belarusian, who has been inactive for 17 months due to a contractual dispute, a training injury and an injury suffered by Helenius earlier in the summer, fought under the Main Events banner for the first time, last night.
“A fighter needs to stay active to be sharp,” Duva continued. “While fighting through the pain and barely able to breathe, Sergei actually improved his performance during the middle rounds as his timing started to come back. When Sergei fully recovers from his injuries, Main Events intends to treat Sergei’s fans–and I know he made a lot of new ones last night–by keeping him very busy.”
Rosado Credits Hopkins As He Preps For Sept. 9 PA Title Fight
Philadelphia, PA—In what has become a common story from rising Philadelphia fighters, 25-year-old Gabriel Rosado, like undefeated 28-year-old welterweight Mike Jones, credits ageless wonder Bernard Hopkins for being a helpful influence.
Rosado, who boxes Keenan Collins, of Reading, PA, for the Pennsylvania State junior middleweight title Sept. 9 at the Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia, also has helped Hopkins, who became, at age 46, the oldest man to win a major boxing title, prepare for some of his fights.
“I’ve been a sparring partner for Bernard for four of his fights, including his last win,” (a 12-round decision over Jean Pascal in May), said Rosado, who turned pro in 2006 after just 17 amateur fights. “If Bernard sees potential in you, he takes the time to break things down for you. He shares his boxing techniques and old-school traits with you. He has improved my footwork and has shown me how to close the distance between myself and my opponents. He has made a big difference in my career and I’m impressed watching him fight at 46. He’s the coolest dude.”
Rosado (17-5, 10 KOs), is riding the most impressive streak of his career, having won his last three fights, seven of his last nine, 11 of his last 14. Included in those streaks are victories over former IBF world junior middleweight champ Kassim Ouma, of Uganda, and top contender Saul Roman, of Mexico.
The Rosado-Collins championship bout and the eight-round semifinal, which features unbeaten welterweight prospect Ronald Cruz, of Bethlehem, PA, will be broadcast on TeleFutura’s Solo Boxeo Tecate at 11.30pm ET/PT (10.30pm CT).
Five additional fights complete the card at the Asylum Arena, 7 West Ritner Street. The first fight begins at 7.30pm and the card 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.
# # #
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.
For more information on Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., visit www.peltzboxing.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/peltzboxing or become a fan on Facebook at Peltz Boxing Facebook Page. For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Promotions Facebook Page.
WARNING: Colvin’s Power Can Make You Flip Out
It was one of those moments in boxing that makes every highlight reel and blooper show in the country.
Undefeated (6-0, 5 KOs) middleweight Kurtiss (pronounced Kur-teese, not Curtis) Colvin was having a highly entertaining scrap with Long Beach, California’s Cleven Ishe at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, in Cabazon, California, and live on ESPN Friday Night Fights, last July 22 when he knocked Ishe down with a looping right hand.
What made the moment a favorite on YouTube and a staple of every sport show’s highlights that week was Ishe’s reaction to the punch: he did a Popeye-style backward somersault from the force of the blow.
To his credit, Ishe got up, but a couple punches later, he was rescued by referee Lou Moret at 1:24.
“It was my first time on TV, so I had to make a statement,” laughs 25-year-old Colvin of the unforgettable knockdown. “I train for the best possible outcome in all my fights and that’s what that was. My trainer, Frank Tate, told me in all his years, he never saw a knockdown like that. I said ‘you have now and there’s more to come.'”
Before turning pro in 2009, Colvin was 45-5 as an amateur and on the USA National Team. He won the State Golden Gloves, and was ranked number one in Texas and number three in the country.
“I ran track for a long time and one day I ran for seven miles and came across this boxing gym and I went in,” recounts Colvin of his introduction to boxing. “I was mad at the world, so I started to hit the bag and must have looked bad because some guys were laughing. (Female boxing legend) Anne Wolfe came in and asked me why I was hitting the bag like that. She told me to hit it as fast as I can and I hit it very, very fast. She said do it again and I did. She said I had talent. I stopped doing track and have been boxing ever since.”
Now training at Hanks’ Gym in Houston (where he moved from his native Austin), Colvin has already won over some impressive believers. His promoter is one of the game’s best, Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Productions. He is managed by Blanco Sports Management and trained by former world champion and Olympic Gold Medallist Frank Tate. Strength and conditioning coach Forrest Washington rounds out the team.
“Kurtiss is the nicest guy in the world, but he turns so mean in the ring,” says Shaw of his young prospect. “His style has been described as sugar and hot sauce because he can be slick, but he also has a lot of power. He’s a born entertainer with a ton of personality and I foresee big things in his future.”
Greg Kopel of Blanco says seeing Colvin fight for the first time, he knew he had tremendous potential. “We saw him as an amateur and were blown away. You could see his fierce desire. It stood out. Kurtiss has a personality and style of fighting that step off the page.”
Tate has some strong words about his fighter’s destiny. “You get Kurtiss in a championship fight I guarantee he will deliver. He wants it so bad it’s all he talks about. He pays the price. I don’t know too many boxers who will do forty rounds in one session. This kid will go in there and do forty rounds with thirty second rests.”
Tate also says Colvins unique fighting style will prove advantageous as he moves up the ladder.
“Kurtiss is the kind of fighter that does his own thing because he’s in his in own world. He can be relaxed sometimes and sometimes he goes all out. It’s hard to really describe him, which is good because it’ll be hard for people to figure him out. We’ll work on something but the day of the fight he’ll do something totally different, but it works for him, so I leave it alone.”
Colvin says he knows his animated demeanor in the ring can be mistaken for cockiness. “When I box, I have so much fun. A lot of people see it as cocky, but I’m really just having fun. I train so hard in the gym and give it my all and sometimes I hate those days of training, but when I fight, that’s the fun part of it. That’s when I have fun and showcase my talent.”