MIAMI (Nov. 9, 2011) – Unbeaten, 21-year-old middleweight Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira, according to his head trainer Orlando Cuellar, has the potential to be a Brazilian version of Oscar de la Hoya.
Oliveira (15-0, 12 KOs) makes his nationally televised debut Friday night (Nov. 11) against veteran Xavier “The X-Man” Tolliver (23-7, 15 KOs) in an eight-round on a World Championship edition of Shobox: The Next Generation, LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11:05 PM/ET (delayed on the West Coast) from Cohen Stadium in El Paso, Texas.
World Boxing Association (“WBA”) super welterweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (23-0, 13 KOs) headlines the card in a title defense versus Frank LoPorto (15-4-2, 7 KOs).
WBC No. 15-rated Oliveira, the reigning World Boxing Council (“WBC”) South American middleweight champion, was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil but moved two weeks later with his family to Miami.
His movie-star looks, fan-friendly style and unique storyline as a son from an affluent Brazilian family have allowed Oliveira to become a rising star in Brazil and compelling prospect in the U.S.
“With his face and skills, along with his ability to speak very well and light-up in front of cameras,” Cueller said, “Michael can be a Brazilian Oscar de la Hoya, without the amateur background. He loves to fight but doesn’t need to because of his family. His appeal is across the board – kids, seniors, etc. Women want to be with him, men want to be like him. He’s the total package; a potential marketing phenomenon.”
This will only be the second fight that Oliveira and Cuellar, who trains Glen Johnson in Miami among his more notable boxers, have worked together. “Orlando and I, chemistry-wise, clicked right away,” Oliveira noted. “What makes this a perfect team is our adjusting to each other. There are times he doesn’t have to say a word. I look at him and know what he wants me to do.
“I’m a completely renovated boxer. I still have my strength, but my defense, speed and conditioning are much better. Fighting on Showtime is a great opportunity for me to show boxing fans in the United States what our team has worked so hard at. People who saw me box in the past won’t recognize me.”
“When I first got Michael,” Cuellar remembered, “he was a little chubby and he needed to tighten his defense and work on movement. I explained everything to him and he’s everything into training since the first day. He’s always had a big heart and guts. We brought his weight way down, got him to execute properly through good sparring, and his lungs and pump (heart) are right where we want. His heart’s good, weight perfect, and Friday night our strategy is coming out.”
Go to www.MichaelOliveira.com for more information about this exciting, young fighter.
Mansour vs. Mendoza on December 2nd
DOVER, Del. — Dover Downs Hotel & Casino announces the next Friday Night Fights series event on Dec. 2 in the Rollins Center. Amir “Hard Core” Mansour will defend his prestigious WBO Title against Epifanio Mendoza (32-12-1) from Columbia.
A win will bolster his world ranking, bringing him one step closer to the top spot and the much coveted title of “Heavyweight Champion of the World.”
Currently ranked No. 8 in the world, Mansour returns with his amazing 15-0 record after defeating Dominick Guinn for the title in August. It was only a little more than one year ago that Mansour began his road to the championship. In a mere 12 months, Mansour went from fighting his first fight in 10 years to a series of impressive wins that moved him, at an unprecedented speed, to being a formidable contender in the world standings. “Amir’s dedication and focus are remarkable,” said Nick Tiberi, matchmaker. “I have every confidence that he will be the Heavyweight Champion of the World.”
Mansour says that he respects Mendoza, especially since his last victory over the Puerto Rican Olympian, Carlos Negron. “I feel that I can beat any heavyweight in the world but especially at Dover Downs because of the unbelievable support I have from the fans there. They would have to carry me out on a stretcher before I would disappoint them,” said Mansour.
“Amir is like no other fighter I’ve managed. Outside of the ring he is the nicest guy you’d meet, inside the ring he is a force to be reckoned with,” said Keith Stoffer, manager. “He’s proven repeatedly that he has a devastating punch and the last fight he proved he could go the distance – we’re ready to take it to the top.”
Mansour is not the only title holder on the card. “Queen” Ronica Jeffrey defeated Ela Nunez for the NABF Female Super Featherweight Title in August. Jeffrey started her pro career in 2008 and has also rocketed in the standings. Jeffrey from Brooklyn, NY and boasting an 8-0-0 proudly holds the 14th position in the world standings.
New to the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino’s ring, but not to boxing is Virginia’s own “Dangerous” Dorin Spivey 39(29)-6-0. Spivey is eager to get in the ring and prove he has was it takes to be top 10 in the world. Currently No. 13 in the WBA Spivey is ready for his opponent.
Also confirmed on the card is light welterweight Edgar Santana (26-3-0), Smyrna resident, super middleweight “Mighty” Mike Tiberi (17-1-0) and light heavyweight “The Bull” Anthony “Caputo” Smith of Kennett Square, Pa. With a clean record of 11(9)-0, Smith draws a loyal following from both Pa. and Del., light welterweight, Ryan Belasco and super featherweight Omarr Douglas both of Wilmington, Del. as well as Lamont Singletary and newcomer John Bowman round out the talent packed undercard. Opponents will be announced soon.
Tickets are on sale now, ranging from $35 to $200. The first bout will begin at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Will call will be open from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Visit doverdowns.com for updates.
shops. For more information, please visit www.doverdowns.com.
Burrell Brothers Ready To Steal Show on November 17 “Winners Have Scars” Boxing Show in North Bergen, NJ
North Bergen, NJ (November 9, 2011) – The Burrell Brothers Deano and Scotty are ready for double trouble next Thursday, November 17 when the two Brooklyn-based British boxers storm Schuetzen Park in North Bergen, N.J. for “Tommy Gallagher Boxing: Winners Have Scars,” which is presented by Rich Komissar Promotions in association with Thomas Gallagher Productions.
The identical twins, both 23, will face opponents to be named in bouts that will have lasting implications on their boxing fates. Both Scotty, a 3-1 (2 KO) lightweight, and Deano, a 2-1(1 KO) junior welterweight, have had to deal with speed bumps early in their careers, but are bonded by a common dream they’ve held since childhood.
“We came here to America to become world champions,” said Deano Burrell, who made his pro debut at Schuetzen Park a year ago. “That’s why nothing that gets in our way can stop us in our journey.”
The brothers, who were born in Queens, New York but raised in the Thamesmead district of London, England, were amateur standouts in the United Kingdom, and both graduated with combined honors degrees in Business and Sports Science from The University of Roehampton.
They now train at the famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn with Hector Roca, the man who guided Arturo Gatti to his first world title.
“He’s very tough,” said Deano in the understatement of the year. “You have to give 100% with Hector, but it’s not that difficult because we were raised with that tough love. He’s being tough because he obviously cares. It feels good to be with one of the best trainers in the world.”
The main event will feature North Bergen’s favorite son Danny “Little Mac” McDermott in a junior-welterweight bout set for six rounds against an opponent to be named. McDermott, 8-3 (3 KO), has earned a reputation as one of the tri-state area’s all-action stars for his ‘never-say-die’ attitude and dramatic bouts.
Also featured that night will be the American debut of undefeated Colombian cruiserweight Santander Silgado, who brings a record of 18-0 (16 KO). Silgado, who has fought in Argentina, Colombia, Germany and the Dominican Republic, now resides in New York City.
The rest of the card will be comprised of highly-competitive bouts featuring some of the New York/New Jersey area’s finest young talents. Fighters slated for the card include: light middleweight Boyd Melson (6-0, 3 KO) of White Plains, N.Y.; middleweight Thomas Baldwin (2-0-1, 1 KO) of Newark, N.J.; plus more fights to be announced shortly.
Tickets, priced $100, $75 and $55, are on sale now and can be purchased at Global Boxing Gym in North Bergen (201-348-3149), Trinity Boxing Gym near Wall Street (212-374-9393), at Jack Demsey’s Pub in Midtown Manhattan (212-629-9899), at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn (718-797-2872), by calling RKO Boxing at 908-240-2097 or online at www.burrellboxing.com
Schuetzen Park is located at 3167 Kennedy Blvd in North Bergen, NJ
Doors open at 6:30 PM, first bout is at 7:30 PM.
HITMAN IN TROOPS TICKET GIVEAWAY
BIG hearted promoter Ricky Hatton has given away FREE tickets for his big promotion this weekend to British troops.
Hatton Promotions stage a star-studded show at Oldham Leisure Centre on Saturday (Nov 12) night when Denton Vassell risks his Commonwealth welterweight crown against Samuel Colomban.
His special guests will be soldiers from The Duke of Lancaster regiment who he met on a recent trip to their Preston barracks with his fighters, Adam Little, Martin Murray and Scott Quigg.
The army boys will be able to cheer on Hatton trained Little in Oldham when he boxes Billy Smith over four rounds.
Hatton and Murray will hand over the tickets when they present prizes at a regimental boxing tournament on Friday night.
Hatton Promotions head, Ricky said: “The day we spent with the regiment was fantastic and this is a chance to have a night watching top quality boxing.
“Most of the lads love their boxing, and it is nice to be able to do a bit for the army who make our country and life better.
“They are also helping Martin Murray when their drummers accompany him to the ring when he challenges WBA super world middleweight champion Martin Murray next month.”
Other fights on the Oldham bill: Paul Truscott v Dezzie Higginson, Matty Askin v Roman Kracic, Kieran Farrell v Youssef Al Hamidi, Jazza Dickens v TBA, Adam Little v Billy Smith and Kieran Maher v Gavin Pitman
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