SET FOR SATURDAY, SEPT. 17;
SIX-HOUR BLOCK OF NONSTOP BOXING PROGRAMMING
BUILDS ANTICIPATION FOR THE EVENING’S ELECTRIC PAY-PER-VIEW SHOWDOWN IN LAS VEGAS
For the first time, HBO transforms the HBO Zone channel into a fight-day boxing destination with an unprecedented six-hour block of Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz fight-related programming just hours before their electric pay-per-view showdown in Las Vegas. MAYWEATHER/ORTIZ HBO ZONE ROADBLOCK happens SATURDAY, SEPT. 17 (noon-6:00 p.m. ET/PT).
Jim Lampley, who will be ringside to call the blow-by-blow action on the pay-per-view presentation later that evening, serves as host of the roadblock, which includes a one-hour “Fight Day Live!” segment from the MGM Grand Garden Arena at 4:00 p.m. that will give fans all the latest news and insights as the main event approaches.
MAYWEATHER/ORTIZ HBO ZONE ROADBLOCK includes:
Noon: “24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz” episode #1
12:30 p.m.: “24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz” episode #2
1:00 p.m.: “24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz” episode #3
1:30 p.m.: “24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz” episode #4
2:00 p.m.: “24/7 Overtime Live” with Jim Lampley (replay)
2:30 p.m.: “Mayweather/Ortiz: In & Out of the Ring” (greatest hits; ring life profiles; music video)
3:00 p.m.: “24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz” episode #1
3:30 p.m.: “24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz” episode #2
4:00 p.m.: “Fight Day Live!” from the MGM Grand
5:00 p.m.: “24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz” episode #3
5:30 p.m.: “24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz” episode #4
All times are ET/PT.
Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
“Mayweather vs. Ortiz” takes place Saturday, Sept. 17 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT).
The executive producer of HBO boxing is Rick Bernstein; producers, Dave Harmon, Thomas Odelfelt and Jonathan Crystal; director, Marc Payton.
Demetrius Andrade teaching class on Fight To Educate card Sept. 21 in NH
MANCHESTER, N.H. (September 13, 2011) – World Boxing Council (“WBC”) No. 14-rated Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (14-0, 9 KOs) takes on two-time world title challenger Saul “Baby” Duran (38-18-2, 31 KOs), headlining the 10th annual Fight To Educate, at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Andrade, fighting out of Providence, is coming off of an impressive victory by unanimous 10-round decision this past August 19th against The Contender, Season 2 winner Grady Brewer, winning nine of 10 rounds on all three of the judges’ scorecards.
The 23-year-old Andrade, who was a member of the 2088 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, as well as the AIBA world champion, is ready to get back in the ring a little more than a month after his last fight. “I need to stay active,” Andrade said. “Because I’m not sure about plans to fight the rest of the year with the holidays, I felt this fight was a good opportunity for me. I’m right where I wanted to be at this stage of my career, rated by the WBC, and the road has led me back to Manchester. The Fight To Educate is a great cause and another chance for me to fight locally and build-up my fan base.”
A year ago, the gifted light middleweight fought on the Fight To Educate card, stopping Dave Sanders in the second round. The experienced Duran has fought 340 rounds as a pro during his 18-year career, compared to 56 in three years, and the tough Mexican fighter has been in the ring with some great boxers. In 1997, Saul extended Stevie Johnston the full 12-rounds in their WBC lightweight title bout, and 1 ½ years later he fought in Japan to controversial draw versus World Boxing Association (“WBA”) champion Takanori Hatakeyama. Duran holds notable wins against Hector Camacho and Wilfredo Ruiz, and also fought a draw with Ener Julio.
“At this stage of my career,” Andrade explained, “each fight should be a learning experience for me. I didn’t want to fight somebody I’d just come in the ring and knock out quickly. Duran has fought a lot of great guys and I’m going to gain a lot of valuable experience fighting him.”
Another familiar figure in action next Wednesday will be 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate Danny O’Connor (14-1, 3 KOs), who squares-off against dangerous light welterweight Jamal Del Cid (7-5, 3 KOs) in the six-round co-feature. The popular Irish-American O’Connor made his pro debut in the 2008 Fight To Educate card and the Framingham (Mass.) light welterweight has become a fixture in Manchester with this being his fourth straight year fighting in the charity fundraiser event.
Upset specialist Jose “Stinger” Medina (14-9-1, 6 KOs), from Tilton (NH), will also be in action versus an opponent to be determined in a six-round light middleweight bout. Medina, a native of Mexico, is coming off a controversial eight-round draw against former world champion Joachim Alcine, in which most observers felt Medina deserved a victory. In January, Medina scored a shocking fourth-round knockout of 17-1 Isaac Rodrigues.
Fighting on the undercard in four-round matches are Claremont (NH) lightweight Dan Powers (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Luis Rosario, and Windsor (VT) welterweight Chris Gilbert (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Noel Garcia.
Fight To Educate is a unique charity event that combines a love of sports with the vision of assisting children and seniors in need, who with fundraisers like this could be ‘down for the count.’ During the past nine years, Fight To Educate has raised more than $500,000 in donations benefitting local New Hampshire non-profit organizations.
Proceeds from the 10th annual Fight To Educate will benefit SEE Science Center (www.see-sciencecenter.org), The Bobby Stephens Fund for Education (www.stepheneducationfund.com), and St. Joseph Community Services/Meals on Wheels (www.mealsonwheelsnh.org).
Tickets, priced at $50.00 and $25.00 (general admission), are available to purchase by going online at www.ticketmaster.com, calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, or at the Verizon Wireless Arena Box Office or any Ticketmaster location.
Table tickets for a night of professional boxing and Black Tie dinner, as well as an auction and meet-and-greet with special boxing legends such as former world heavyweight title challenger “Gentleman” Gerry Cooney, as well as world champions and three of New England’s all-time greatest boxers – Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz,“Irish” Micky Ward and John “The Quietman” Ruiz – are available by calling Stephen Singer at 603.669.4100.
The dinner starts at 5:30 PM/ET, doors for boxing open at 7:30 PM/RT with the first bout scheduled for 8 PM/ET.
Go online to www.fight2educate.com or www.verizonwirelessarena.com for additional information.
BAM on Boxing: Rosado defeats Collins
The Fight
Last Friday (Sept. 9) at the Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia there was a boxing card promoted by Peltz Boxing, Don Chargin and Golden Boy. A quick look at the results were as follows:
King Gabriel Rosado defeated Keenan Collins, of Reading, PA, over 10 rounds to win the PA State Junior Middleweight Championship. Rosado, who always puts on an exciting and suspense-filled evening, trains at the Rivera Recreation center at 5th & Allegheny. He is a local hero and a source of inspiration to many kids growing up in his area. Keep an eye on him!
Bethlehem (PA) welterweight Ronald Cruz added another “W” to his record, taking it up a notch to 14-0, 11 K0s, a 75% knockout rating. He dismantled Chris Fernandez, of Salt Lake City, over six rounds of their scheduled eight-round bout. Cruz is getting better with every fight. Keep an eye on him as well! If he continues on his current track he will be headed for bigger things.
Friday’s card was exciting! The matches were competitive and the fighters did not disappoint! It is easy to hop on the undefeated bandwagon, or even the Championship bandwagon. In my opinion, the undercard also was good.
I enjoyed the four-round heavyweight match between William Miranda, of Allentown and Lonnie Kornegay, of Baltimore.
decarloperez
Miranda lost a decision in a very tough fight, but I give him credit. He is what I call every man. He strikes you as a regular guy who comes to work and works hard. His physique is not chiseled but his heart is bigger than the State of Pennsylvania. He earns every penny he makes in the ring–so my respect to Miranda. Keep swinging and people will enjoy your fights.
Welterweight DeCarlo Perez (left), of Atlantic City, scored a stunning first-round knockout over Tolan Tascoe, of Newark, NJ. I am excited to have Perez on my first card: Bam Boxing Promotions, Sept 30, at the National Guard Armory, 2700 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA..
I read one of the best analysis of the card by John DiSanto, of www.phillyboxinghistory.com. John, you deserve recognition! You gave a clear, concise, detailed view of the Sept. 9 fight card. I started to put my twist on the night’s fights, but figured you already have done that. There is not much more I can say than you already wrote. I urge the readers to check it out on his site. John is to the boxing keyboard what Floyd Mayweather is to the boxing ring.
Phillyboxinghistory.com contains the most in-depth information you can get anywhere. It resembles an online library of stories and stats about Philadelphia boxing. John also does a lot of work for fighters who may or may not know him. I am sure you will agree that his sources of information and his input are diversified!
What Makes a Promoter?
The definition of a promoter: a person that promotes something. So here I go!
We–and when I say we–I am talking about all the boxing junkies and enthusiasts, even the casual fan, must breathe life into this sport! These guys are fighting their hearts out, the promoters are taking risks and attendance for the Peltz card at the Asylum Arena Friday was around 730-740 people. If each person would have brought just one friend to the show it would have sold out.
If the fighters, managers and trainers sold a few more tickets there would have been a line at the door. Why would I want to do this? Because it grows the support that your fighter needs and deserves! Because it creates atmosphere, it cements friendships and supports everyone involved. It employs people–printers, reporters, fighters, concessionaires, beverage servers, DJs, film crews, TV cameramen, parking attendants, building managers, rental agents, boxing commissioners, referees, ring renters, and so much more! You have to have heart to be a fighter and you have to have heart to be a promoter.
We often hear people say we need jobs. If so, attend a boxing card and you will get you money’s worth. You will be stimulating the economy. There is nothing like a live event. You can drive to the Asylum Arena in South Philadelphia. The parking is easy, the security is good and the crowds are great. People are missing a night out with their sons, wives, girlfriends or business associates.
bam_postcard_02 Spread the word, invite someone to a fight! I have never heard anyone say: when I was a kid my dad made me go to the fights and I hated it! What I have heard is this: My dad would take me to the fights or I remember this fighter or that fighter.
A night at the fights establishes a basis for conversation and good memories that last a lifetime. When someone is describing a fight or a fighter they have seen their fists close and their arms go up. They describe the action and they re-live it! So spread the word, tell a friend, a boss, a co-worker. Get them to go with you to the fights!
I look forward to seeing you at my first show: Bam Boxing Promotions presents “The Beginning” on Friday, Sept. 30, at The National Guard Armory, 2700 Southampton Road. The souvenir program will have detailed stories about the fighters on the card. We will make all the arrangements for food, beverage, chair rentals and more.
We are donating our portion of the profits from food concessions to the Fox Chase Cancer Center. We will have “The Wall of Fame” and hang company or corporate banners for $200.00 and Bam will donate $100.00 from each banner to the Fox Chase Cancer Center as well.
I am working hard to get your business. We have an option to donate a ticket where people who cannot attend have purchased tickets and donated them. We have distributed a pair of tickets to Kensington High School. We will be getting tickets out to gyms and recreation centers throughout the city.
To professional fighters not on the card: If the only time you go to a boxing match is when you are fighting, then you are missing the opportunity to take a young child and spend some time mentoring him or her. We are working hard for your business and I look forward to seeing everyone on Sept. 30.
The author is a senior in sport and recreation management at Temple University. She recently joined Peltz Boxing. Please follow us on twitter @PeltzBoxing or Brittany @bamonboxing.