ANTHONY CROLLA will achieve a lifetime ambition when he boxes at the MGM Grand Garden, Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sept 17). Manchester’s British lightweight champion boxes a non-title eight rounder against Mexican Juan Montiel on the Victor Ortiz-Floyd Mayweather Jr undercard.
The Hatton Promotions star who had been slated to fight Mexican legend Erik Morales on the bill said: “I was devastated when that fight fell through, but these things happen.
“If someone had told me when I turned professional that one day I would box on a major card like this I would have been made up.
“I still have a chance to shine and if I put on a good show it can only increase my chances of getting a major fight.
“I even cancelled a summer holiday, but it was worth it because I have this fantastic opportunity.”
Crolla, 24, who arrived in the world’s fight capital at the weekend, believes Montiel will provide a stern test despite having a patchy 5-4-3 record.
Anthony who boasts a 21-2 record, and is due to risk his Lonsdale belt against Willie Limond later this year added: “Last time out he drew with Carlos Molina who was 14-0 until then so Montiel is no mug.
“I have been in the gym all summer and I can use this fight as part of my training for the Limond fight.”
To see Nigel Turner’s exclusive interview with Anthony in full please log onto http://www.hattonboxing.com/tv/news/crolla-will-enjoy-the-big-time-in-vegas
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS
September 12, 2011 – Mexico City.
From the office of WBC President Dr. José Sulaimán:
The following is one of the weekly “Hook to the Body” columns by WBC President Dr. José Sulaimán that are published in El Universal every Sunday. From September 11, translated from Spanish:
HOOK TO THE BODY
By José Sulaimán: The world is today mourning September 11. 10 years ago, two airplanes with the devil inside, with barbarians worse than animals, hit directly the twin towers in New York to bring them down into nothing, while also destroying thousands of innocent people as well as those who took the flights that morning in Boston. Blessed were those that died instantly at the explosion, but how can I imagine all those who were waiting desperately for minutes, that were felt like years, for unquestionable death, like it was shown by all those who desperately jumped from the windows of the towers on their flight to death.
That black morning, I was jogging on a treadmill – I could do it, then – just before leaving for the airport for a flight to New york to sanction the fight between Bernard Hopkins and Tito Trinidad for the WBC middleweight championship promoted by Don King, when I heard on TV such an unbelievable, terrible attack that would raise the world with sadness and pain. Obviously, my fight was postponed for a few days later, that just strengthened my will to go against the advice of many, as well as from my own family. It was my obligation to be with my boxing people, as well as in spirit with those that were suffering the loss of so many innocent people.
My son Pepe flew with me on September 16 – he wouldn’t let me go alone. He had a beard, which he shaved, telling me with a timid smile, “With my face and my Lebanese name, it had to go.” While boarding the American Airlines flight, we were searched by security even below our tongs. It was a 757 airplane and we were only 27 passengers, with more than 300 empty seats. We arrived at an almost empty Kennedy Airport where we found the Immigration and Customs people with extremely serious faces, with an apparent attitude of confusion. We took less than 20 minutes to be in our taxi and found the road with little traffic.
The depressing spirit that people in New York were living was clearly shown in every face that we found; empty streets instead of the customary multitude who used to bump into each other walking on the street at 5th Avenue; no running to cross the streets; empty restaurants where the waiters invited us to come back with our friends; several threats of bombs made the vehicle entrance into the island and inspection places were set up in the tunnels and bridges of entry; to the collective fear the Israeli celebrations were added of the Yom Kippur, or the day of pardon.
In a frustrated visit that we intended to Ground Zero, we could still see the dark smoke columns flying over the buildings with a rotten smell that was absolutely unbearable. However, in New York City there was not chaos but silent peace, tranquility, and solidarity with those who were on a rescue mission; wherever they went they were loudly called as the people’s heroes, which reminded us of our Mexico City with the 8.5 earthquakes where nature killed so many thousands, and which we lived ourselves. New York has resurrected, like the phoenix rose from the ashes, and has come back to the radiant most famous city in the world, with its own traditional life, sports, theaters, art and everything rendered by modern life.
Moving to the sold-out crowd at the traditional Madison Square Garden, the home of the boxing heroes, we felt at the beginning a silence like in a funeral; we saw faces of sadness, impotence and outrage; tragedy was seen and felt, but there was still a great fight coming. The silence was changed into ovations that made the old MSG tremble for Tito Trinidad and unbelievable booing for Bernard Hopkins from the mostly Puerto Rican fans. At the sound of the bell for the first round, Tito came out of his corner like a hurricane to wash out Hopkins, who welcomed him with a boxing excellence that just tremendously frustrated Tito, especially after the sixth round when he hit Hopkins with his most devastating punches, which he took like if nothing happened. After that sixth round it was only Bernard Hopkins in the ring, knocking out Tito in the 12th round leaving him just destroyed on the canvas. The mental control dominated the heart; the cold and intelligent attitude defeated courage. That night in September at the Garden, excellency in boxing defeated punching; boxing excellency defeated power. Such is boxing.
I would say that destiny brought New York heavily into my life: my father, Don Elías Sulaimán, left Lebanon in 1921 headed for New York, but landed by mistake in Veracruz, Mexico. He was married in Tamaulipas where I was born; destiny changed my father’s direction and I was born, as otherwise, I would have not existed. In New York, I received perhaps the biggest honor of my life when the United Nations awarded me a recognition for the WBC’s unwavering struggle against racial discrimination, apartheid, and for human dignity. In New York I confronted the courts of law, winning a case against the reknowne promoter Teddy Brenner. From New York came Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth, two of my greatest idols, even when my greatest were Stan Musial and Bob Feller. I played baseball for 20 years and played for the Mexican National team. In New York the WBC was punished by a judge who I think was biased and discriminating, with a never-known before multimillion dollars penalty, as if money was easily planted, all in favor of a boxer whose life he spent at bars and in jail. But I thank God for the opportunity to send in my destiny the so many years that I have been in this magnificent, glorious and beautiful city of New York.
UNDEFEATED HEAVYWEIGHTS COLLIDE THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN JOHN LENNOX TAKES ON JOEY DAWEJKO IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY (September 12, 2011)—This Wednesday night’s big card at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark just got bigger as a battle of two undefeated Heavyweight was just added when John Lennox will take on former world amateur champion Joey Dawejko have agreed to square off in a four round bout.
The card is promoted by Vincent Ponte’s Gulfstream productions along with Gabe LaConte
Lennox of nearby Carteret, New Jersey has a record of 6-0 with three wins coming via knockout
Lennox has built a big following and the former college football star is looking for the biggest win of his pro career.
This will be Lennox’ fourth fight of 2011 and third career appearance at The Robert Treat Hotel.
In his last bout, Lennox scored a 2nd round stoppage over Jason Pauley on July 29th in Philadelphia.
In his last appearance at the Robert Treat, Lennox scored a first round disqualification verdict over Kareem Wilson on June 22nd.
“We know that this will be a tough fight, but we also know that a fighter needs to take a step up. Dawejko has a great reputation and we anticipate it will be a tough fight but we know that John is in tremendous shape and will fight a great fight and he will have his hand raised at the end of these four rounds.”, said Rich Massini, who is the manager of Lennox.
Dawejko of Philadelphia is 4-0 with one knockout and is a former world Jr. Amateur champion who has created a big reputation on the east coast.
“I appreciate this opportunity that John took this fight. I have been off since January but I am looking forward to coming back with an impressive win”, said Dewejko
In his last bout, Dawejko scored a four round unanimous decision over Taffo Asongwed on January 22nd in Chester, PA
That fight will be part of a huge night of boxing.
In the main event, Michael Torres (13-2,7 KO’s) of Jersey City, NJ taking on Mark Alexander (10-5, 1 KO) of London, England in a ten round Jr. Welterweight bout.
Thomas LaManna will also be fighting on the show when he takes n Josh Williams for the BAM Youth title.
Vinny O’Brien will take on debuting Carlos Velez in a four round Welterweight bout.
In a battle of Lightweights from Newark, Carlos Vinan (10-9-4, 2 KO’s) takes on Wanzell Ellison (4-0, 3 KO’s) in a six round bout.
Tyrone Luckey (4-1, 4 KO’s) of Middletown, NJ will take on an opponent to be named in a four round Lightweight bout.
Tyabb Beale (4-3, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ will fight Taffo Asongwed (2-8-7) of Montreal in a four round Heavyweight tussle.
John Bolden (2-1, 2 KO’s) of New York will see action against Eric Newell (1-1, 1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA in a four round Heavyweight bout.
Rounding out the card will be John Thompson (1-0, 1 KO) of Newark battling Lee Snow of Baltimore in a four round Super Middleweight bout.
Renee Aiken is the matchmaker for this card
Tickets priced $100 (Limited VIP), $50, & $30 (Very Limited) and are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 973-350-9993 or 1-866-263-STAR
The Grand Ballroom at the Robert Treat Hotel is located at 50 Park Place, Newark NJ. Doors open at 6:30 PM, first bout 7:30 sharp.