NORTH BERGEN, NJ (November 2, 2011) – As training camp winds down for the undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) International heavyweight champion Mariusz Wach, the true scope of his growth as a fighter becomes clearer. Wach, 25-0 (13 KO), of North Bergen, N.J., by way of Krakow, Poland, will face former world heavyweight champion Oliver McCall (56-11, 37 KO) this Saturday, November 5 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., the site of his Knockout of the Year performance against Kevin McBride in July.
The show, entitled “November Reign,” will be promoted by North Bergen-based Global Boxing Promotions.
Wach, who stands an imposing 6’7″ and weighs 250 pounds, has undergone an impressive transformation since relocating to North Bergen and linking up with highly-regarded trainer Juan De Leon and his brother Carlos, a former four-time cruiserweight world champion. Together, Wach and the De Leon brothers worked on improving the agile big man’s speed, power and – most importantly – his confidence.
“I can really see how much his confidence has grown since he knocked out McBride,” said De Leon, who is working with Wach for the second fight together. “We built a real foundation of his strength and footwork and head movement. He works real hard and his main assets are that he’s really smart and doesn’t complain when he trains.”
Though Wach at 31 is 15 years younger than his opponent McCall, Wach will be facing his most difficult assignment to date as a professional. In his younger days, the Chicago, Ill., native McCall was a sparring partner for Mike Tyson and won the heavyweight championship in 1994 with a knockout of Lennox Lewis in two rounds. McCall defended the title once with a win over another legend in Larry Holmes before dropping the belt in a decision loss to Frank Bruno.
In recent years, McCall has proven he is still a dangerous challenger, having defeated the likes of Damian Wills (then 30-2), former world title challenger Fres Oquendo and Lance Whitaker.
“Oliver McCall is a real experienced fighter, I’ve seen him fight many times, and one thing that he has is a powerful punch,” said De Leon. “One of the challenges that we face is that Oliver McCall has never been knocked down or knocked out. I told Wach that the last thing that McCall will lose is his power. McCall has that street sense, that he doesn’t care to fight and give it all. He knows that he’s 46 and has nothing to lose.”
Still Wach is unfazed, and sees this as another opportunity to expand his resume’ as a rising heavyweight force.
“Oliver McCall has made history, but this is the present and it’s my time,” said Wach. “He will look good on my record.
“I still have time to grow and improve as a fighter. I have to focus on improving every day as a fighter. I’m hoping to be in the major fights by the end of next year. I’m getting better while the top guys are getting older.”
“November Reign” is on course to be the Mohegan Sun’s first boxing sellout in nearly ten years, with full buses coming from around the Tri-state to usher in fans to see unbeaten NABF middleweight champ Patrick Majewski (17-0, 11 KO) of Atlantic City, N.J., by way of Radom, Poland against Jose Miguel Torres (22-5, 19 KO) for the vacant NABO middleweight title.
Other fighters slated for the show include heavyweight knockout artist Artur “Szpila” Szpilka (8-0, 6 KO) of Wieliczka, Poland and featherweight prospect Kamil Laszczyk (4-0, 3 KO) of North Bergen, N.J., by way of Wroclaw, Poland, plus several local New England fighters in action.
Tickets are $40.00, $65.00 and $105.00 and can be purchased by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254 or calling Ticketmaster at 1.800.745.3000. Fans can also purchase tickets online at www.cesboxing.com, www.ticketmaster.com, at Global Boxing Gym in North Bergen, N.J. or at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.
Ricky Hatton starts his new career as a trainer on November 12th
RICKY HATTON admits he will be nervous before his ring return next week.
The two-weight world champion starts his new career as a trainer at Oldham Leisure Centre on Saturday November 12.
‘Hitman’ Hatton will be giving the instructions instead of throwing the punches when Blackpool’s Adam Little boxes a four round welterweight contest against a selected opponent.
Hatton said: “I will be nervous and anxious when Adam has his first contest with me in his corner because all eyes will be on me.
“Just because I have been a good boxer doesn’t mean I am going to be a good coach. Some of the best trainers in the world weren’t great boxers.
“Just like I was when I was a fighter I will love the challenge.
“I am confident in my own ability and have a lot to offer my fighter. I will be throwing every punch with Adam because he has put his faith in me.
“I don’t want to be in the corner of any fighters where they think I am there for a pay cheque.”
Denton Vassell tops the Oldham bill that is being televised live by Sky Sports when he makes the second defence of his Commonwealth welterweight crown against Cameroon born Australian Samuel Colomban.
Other fights: Matty Askin v Roman Kracic, Kieran Farrell v Youssef Al Hamidi, Jazza Dickens v Badis Ouari, Dezzie Higginson v Sid Razak, and Kieran Maher v TBA
Boxing starts at 6.15pm and tickets priced at £35, £55 and £75 VIP ringside. You can buy by calling 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991 or online www.hattonboxing.com
ALL MEDIA AND PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE WEIGH-IN WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT OLDHAM LEISURE CENTRE, LORD STREET, OLDHAM, OL1 3HA on Friday 11th November at 3pm
WIN WEMBLEY BIG-FIGHT TICKETS FOR BURNS-KATSIDIS
The UK’s only fight dedicated channel BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456) have secured 50 pairs of tickets up for this Saturday’s mega-bill at the Wembley Arena.
All you have to do is register your interest in BoxNation through the website www.boxnation.tv and you could be lucky enough to win a pair of tickets to the big night.
Ricky Burns headlines the show when he takes on Australian KO King Michael Katsidis for the Interim WBO World Lightweight title.
Scottish hero Burns is in for the hardest night of his life against the man dubbed the Brit Basher after his destruction of Kevin Mitchell and Graham Earl on his previous visits.
Chief support on the card features a potential domestic thriller between British and Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Champion George Groves and Paul Smith.
Groves, in his first fight since his major upset of James DeGale, has a tough first defence against the tough Liverpudlian warrior who’s looking to regain his British title.
The undercard features a top quality line up including Olympian Billy Joe Saunders challenging for the Southern Area Middleweight title; an explosive heavyweight clash between Dereck Chisora and Larry Olubamiwo; plus top prospects Bradley Skeete, George Michael Carmen and the pro debuts of Frankie Buglioni, Gary Corcoran and Darren Cordona.
Remember, if you’re not lucky enough to win, you can catch all the action LIVE and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456).