Southern Area Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams gets his first outing of the new season, against Battersea’s fighting fireman Nick ‘The Ox’ Okoth, at the Miranda Carter and Bruce Baker co-promoted ‘Great Expectations’ event at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, this coming Sunday.
Williams is seems particularly pleased that Okoth is his opponent on Sunday, as not only has ‘The Ox’ fought all the main players in the division, but Williams also wanted a tough test to prepare for the upcoming English title clash with Tony ‘The Conqueror’ Conquest , which is scheduled for late October.
Following a highly explosive final sparring session, against fellow Johnny Eames managed and co-trained Dutch Cruiserweight prospect Mitchell Balker, at the TRAD TKO Gym in Canning Town, Williams spoke briefly on his preparations and his opponent Nick Okoth. “Just got back from Marbella, been out there training and that, so am good to go and preparations have been perfect.
Yeah Okoth’s been around, he’s fought everyone so it’ll be good to fight me.
He’s fought all the top people, Nathan Cleverly, Tony Bellew, Danny McIntosh, Tony Dodson and that. He’s also fought Tony (Conquest), which is good for me.
I mean, he’s fought Denis Lebedev and at one stage I want to be at the same level as that guy is now. You know, he fought Okoth, he knocked out Maccranelli so I want to fight the same opponents as him and try and beat them quicker than he did.
I didn’t want to say this but Mitchell (TKO team mate Mitchell Balker) beat him on points so I want to see if I can go one better and stop him. Take his head off, send it into the crowd. Happy days.
He comes to fight, I like that, I like a fight. Team Solid going forward, entertaining the supporters and getting another good win. Team Solid will be everywhere.”
Leon ‘Solid’ Williams versus Nick The Ox’ Okoth headlines the Miranda Carter and Bruce Baker co-promoted ‘Great Expectations’, which takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Sunday 18th September 2011.
Supporting the highly anticipated Leon ‘Solid’ Williams versus Nick ‘The Ox’ Okoth is a nine bout card featuring the cream of local talent.
Doors open at 2pm and the first bout is at 3pm.
Tickets for ‘Great Expectations’ are on sale now – priced £35 (Unreserved) or £65 (Ringside), book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at The TRAD TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA. For further information please call 07960 850645.
Conn. Boxing Hall of Fame 2011 Award Winners Announced
7th annual Gala Induction Dinner Oct. 29 at Mohegan Sun
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (September 13, 2011) – Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame “CBHOF” officials today announced its annual award winners for Professional and Amateur Fighters of the Year, respectively, Delvin Rodriguez and Tremaine Williams, as well as Official of the Year, Don Trella, and Achievement Award, Peter Timothy.
The award presentations, as well as induction ceremonies, will be held at the seventh annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner will be held Saturday night, October 29 in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
The 2011 CBHOF inductees are five-time world champion Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz; 1996 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team Captain, Lawrence Clay-Bey; world boxing judge Glenn S. Feldman; world light heavyweight title challenger Eric“Magic 2000” Harding; amateur boxing standout Kelvin Anderson; boxer, referee and coach Billy Taylor; and highly-respected ringside physician, Dr. Michael Schwartz.
Tickets, priced at $75.00 per person, are available to purchase by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (860.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (800.237.3606 (X 321). Doors open at 5:30 PM/ET, followed by cocktails at 6 PM/ET, and then dinner.
The 31-year-old Rodriguez (25-5-3, 14 KOs), who lives in Danbury, fought to a 10-round majority draw this past July against Pawel Wolak in what is arguably the Fight of the Year. In his most recent fight in Connecticut, Rodriguez easily won a 12-round decision versus Mike Arnaoutis at Mohegan Sun. Rodriguez is a two-time USBA welterweight champion. The Dominican native lost a controversial decision for the International Boxing Federation (“IBF”) World title to Rafal Jackiewicz in Poland.
Williams attends New Horizons High School in New Haven. The 5’ 4” dynamo captured top honors at the 2011 National Golden Tournament in the 123-pound bantamweight division. He is a four-time Silver Gloves National Champion and finished third in his weight class at the recent U.S. Olympic Team Box-Offs.
Timothy was assigned as boxing commission for the Mashantucket Pequot Athletic Commission when it was first formed. He mentored there under the late John Burns, who was inducted into the CBHOF in 2006. Peter has regulated more than 150 professional and amateur boxing events, as well as mixed-martial-arts fights, at Foxwoods Resort Casino, MGM Grand at Foxwoods and other Native American Casinos during the past 17 years. Today, he serves as a boxing and MMA consultant for the Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Commission.
Trella, of Noank, has judged more than 200 bouts all over the world since 2002. He has worked 15 world title fights including Wladimir Klitschko vs.Ruslan Chagaev in Germany, Ricky Burns vs. Rocky Martinez in Scotland, and Miguel Cotto vs. Pauli Malignaggi in New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden. Don has also judged fights featuring stars such as Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr., Shannon Briggs, Victor Ortiz, Chad Dawson, Andre Berto, Marco Huck, Paul Spadafora and many more.
Go on line to www.CTBoxingHOF.com for more information about the 7th annual CBHOF Gala Introduction Dinner or the history of this organization.
Heavyweight boxing tournament
FRANK MALONEY and Fighters Inc are launching a dynamic new boxing tournament for novice heavyweights.
The eight-man competition will begin later this year with the grand final being held at London’s ExCel on 2nd June 2012 at the prestigious Seni Show/BoxFair.
Maloney and Fighters Inc chief Joe Long have been working on the exciting competition for several months and believe they will discover Britain’s next great heavyweight over the coming months.
Maloney found Britain’s first world heavyweight champion for more than 100 years in Lennox Lewis and the search is on again.
The fighters will be drawn into two groups of four and compete against each rival in their division over four action packed rounds.
The first matches will take place in November, round two is being held in January and the last group encounters are next March.
The winners of each division will meet in a big money final and the victor crowned ‘HW Factor Champion 2012’.
He will also be handed a lucrative three-year promotional deal with Maloney and take the first steps towards fame and fortune.
The runners-up in each group will also meet on finals night when Maloney and Fighters Inc will stage a gala night of heavyweight boxing at the Excel.
Everybody attending the final will enter a draw to win two tickets for the finals of the 2012 Olympics.
Maloney said: “Joe and myself have been working on a concept that will freshen up boxing and give novice fighters the chance to earn some recognition.
“It will be a fan friendly tournament with a points system and cash bonuses encouraging boxers to go for knockouts and stoppages.”
Long added: “This is the sort of competition will earn boxing recognition and get fans and fighters talking.
“It will be vibrant and energetic from the first bell in November to the winners’ hand being raised at next summer.”
Maloney and Long will advertise for boxers wishing to enter the fast and furious tournament on forums and trade papers during the next few weeks.
To qualify, potential entrants must have had five or less professional contests or be someone wishing to turn professional.
The great eight will be selected by Maloney, Long and their experienced teams and then invited to sign up.
The divisional draws and order of fights will be made at a press conference two weeks before the opening night.
It is hoped London’s Mermaid Theatre will host the early stages of the competition, although this is still to be confirmed.