LOS ANGELES, November 21 – On Friday, November 25, the night before World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez defends his crown against former World Champion Kermit “The Killer” Cintron in a fight that will be televised live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark from Mexico City, AT&T U-Verse®viewers will get the opportunity to not only view two of the undefeated Mexican star’s most exciting bouts, but will also revisit the classic battle between Alvarez’ promoter and boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya and Ricardo Mayorga. The special classics show “‘Golden Boy Presents’ A Living Legend & Today’s Star…Oscar de la Hoya and Canelo Alvarez” will be broadcast exclusively on AT&T U-verse at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT, 10:00pm ET/7:00pm PT and 12:00am ET/9:00pm PT.
The Thanksgiving weekend “Classics” triple-header will be available on AT&T* across two screens to AT&T U-verse members. The U-verse broadcasts will air on AT&T U-verse® TV and U-verse Online at www.att.net/boxeo.
In the evening’s main event, fans will travel back to May 6, 2006 for one of the biggest fights of that year, the WBC Super Welterweight World Championship between revered superstar Oscar de la Hoya and trash-talking slugger Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga. The lead-in to this highly anticipated match-up was heated, but it was the “Golden Boy” who had the last word against his loquacious foe, as he dropped him three times en route to a sixth round technical knockout win.
In the “Classics” co-featured fight which took place on May 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Alvarez was introduced to fans in the fight capital of the world for a serious test against longtime contender Jose Miguel Cotto. Cotto pushed the younger Alvarez further than he had been to that point in his career, but Canelo showed his talent and poise in stopping the veteran in the ninth round. A star was born that night and American fight fans were eager to see him fight in the United States again.
Also featured will be Canelo’s next fight stateside following the Cotto fight in which he faced granite-chinned former World Champion Carlos “Tata” Baldomir and knocked him out in just six rounds on September 18, 2010 in Los Angeles. The victory marked a step in Alvarez’s career and helped to further establish him as a star in the United States.
A classic fight featuring a future Hall of Famer and two fights featuring one of boxing’s brightest stars will surely hit the spot on the day after Thanksgiving as fight fans get ready to watch a big night of boxing the next evening.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
Spokane, Washington to Host Historic U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing, February 13-19, 2012
(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – The journey that the sport’s pioneers started decades ago will culminate next summer with the Olympic debut of women’s boxing at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England. The 24 American women vying to compete in the sport’s inaugural Olympic Games will start their own run toward the history books at the first-ever U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing, February 13-19, at the Northern Quest Resort in Airway Heights, Wash., just outside of Spokane.
“We are thrilled to bring this historic event to Spokane. This tournament will feature the premier female athletes in our sport and they deserve to compete in a first-class facility,” USA Boxing Executive Director Anthony Bartkowski said. “The inaugural Olympic Trials competition is a result of years of hard work by our female athletes, coaches, and administrators as we head into the Olympic debut of the sport in London. We look forward to working with the outstanding team in Spokane to make this a top-notch event that the athletes will never forget.”
The city of Spokane has previously hosted several major boxing events, including the Women’s National Championships. “It’s an honor to be able to welcome and champion our nation’s best female boxers for this historic event,” said Eric Sawyer, President, Spokane Regional Sports Commission. “Our local organizing committee is working hand-in-hand with USA Boxing to create an experience that both fans and athletes will not forget.”
The full week of competition will take place at the Northern Quest, which has a great history of showcasing top notch sporting events. “It is our privilege to be the host for the first-ever U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing,” said Phil Haugen, General Manager, Northern Quest Resort & Casino. “We look forward to extending our hospitality to the United States’ top female boxers, and are pleased to be a major part of this momentous occasion.”
Three women’s weight classes will be contested at both the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and subsequent Olympic Games. Eight women in each of the three Olympic weight classes, which are flyweight (112 lbs.), lightweight (132 lbs.), and middleweight (165 lbs.), will compete in the Olympic Trials. The 24 women vying for gold in Spokane are the three Pan American Games representatives, the top four finishers from the 2011 USA Boxing National Championships, the 2011 National Golden Gloves Champions and top three boxers from the 2011 National PAL Championships. The tournament will be a double-elimination competition with the three victors moving on to the lone international qualifier, the 2012 Women’s World Championships.
Reigning World Championships bronze medalist Queen Underwood (Seattle, Wash.) will enjoy the opportunity to compete in her home state in the Olympic Trials for Women’s Boxing. Underwood is excited to have a major event close to her Seattle roots as she looks to add the title of United States Olympian to an already outstanding resume. “It’s wonderful to have an event so close to home. My local supporters rarely get to see me compete since the majority of my bouts are on the national and international level,” Underwood said. “This will mean a showdown near the hometown for me, and I can’t wait.”
A five-time national champion, Underwood began her career at the light welterweight division, but made the move down to the lightweight class following the announcement of the three Olympic weights. Since moving to the lightweight division, she has won two national titles as well as claiming bronze at the 2010 World Championships.
Yet Underwood isn’t the only accomplished athlete vying for an Olympic berth in Spokane. The 24 women competing in the first-time competition all traveled unique and challenging roads to what they each hope will be their own spots in the history books. The full list of U.S. Olympic Team Trials participants can be found below.
The Road to London is not a short endeavor for the United States top female boxers; the three victors of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing must qualify their spots internationally in order to secure their berths in the 2012 Olympic Games. The 2012 Women’s World Championships, May 21-June 3 in Qinhuangdao, China, will serve as the lone international qualifier with the top eight finishers in the three Olympic weight divisions, claiming spots in London. A Tripartite Commission will select the final four boxers in each weight class.
Full event schedule and ticket information will be announced over the coming weeks and months. For more information on the first-ever U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing, go to www.usaboxing.org.
U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing Qualified Athletes
Flyweight/112 lbs
1. Christina Cruz, New York, N.Y. (Pan American Games representative)
2. Marlen Esparza, Houston, Texas (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Tyrieshia Douglas, Baltimore, Md. (USA Boxing National Championships)
4. Poula Estrada, Palmdale, Calif. (USA Boxing Championships)
5. Cynthia Moreno, Phoenix, Ariz. (Golden Gloves Championships)
6. Virginia Fuchs, Kemah, Texas (National PAL Championships)
7. Alex Love, Monroe, Wash. (National PAL Championships)
8. Taversha Norwood, Marietta, Ga. (National PAL Championships)
Lightweight/132 lbs
1. Queen Underwood, Seattle, Wash. (Pan American Games representative)
2. Tiara Brown, Lehigh, Fla. (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Lisa Porter, Northridge, Calif. (USA Boxing National Championships)
4. N’yteeyah Sherman, Barberton, Ohio (USA Boxing National Championships)
5. Mikaela Mayer, Los Angeles, Calif. (Golden Gloves Championships)
6. Patricia Manuel Long Beach, Calif. (National PAL Championships)
7. Bertha Aracil, Yonkers, N.Y. (National PAL Championships)
8. Asia Stevenson, Washington DC (National PAL Championships)
Middleweight/165 lbs
1. Franchon Crews, Baltimore, Md. (Pan American Games representative
2. Alyssa DeFazio, Peoria, Ariz. (USA Boxing National Championships)
3. Tika Hemingway, Pittsburgh, Pa. (USA Boxing National Championships)
4. Tiffanie Ward, Hacienda Heights, Calif. (USA Boxing National Championships)
5. Tiffanie Hearn, Louisville, Ky. (Golden Gloves Championships)
6. Claressa Shields, Flint, Mich. (National PAL Championships)
7. Andrecia Wasson, Centerline, Mich. (National PAL Championships)
8. Raquel Miller, San Francisco, Calif. (National PAL Championships)
USA Boxing, as the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, is the United States’ member organization of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
Northern Quest Resort & Casino is located 10 minutes west of downtown Spokane and 5 minutes from Spokane International Airport. As the only tribally-owned AAA Four Diamond resort in the Inland Northwest and one of 27 lodgings in the entire state to receive this recognition, Northern Quest Resort & Casino welcomes visitors with a contemporary urban setting and 250 luxurious guest rooms and suites, an upscale spa, 14 restaurants and lounges, and true Las Vegas-style gaming and world-class entertainment. Discover more about Northern Quest Resort & Casino at www.northernquest.com.
Jaime Herrera in action on December 16th
CHICAGO, IL (November 21, 2011) Fast rising welterweight prospect Jaime Herrera will make his return to battle on Friday, December 16th at the UIC Pavilion as part of the stacked Windy City Fight Night 20 professional boxing event.
The 22 year old Herrera, sporting a record of 7-1-0 with four knockouts has looked terrific in his last two starts, a third round knockout of Eric Draper on May 20th and most recently a shutout six round decision win over Robert Jones on September 23rd both of which took place in front of his huge following of fans at the UIC Pavilion.
Speaking about his return to form following a loss to Alex Deleon on January 28th, Herrera said “I learned a lot from the loss, after watching the tapes with my trainers I realized what I did wrong and I’ve been very motivated since then.”
“The support from the fans has been overwhelming throughout the year and that’s meant a great deal to me. At each of my fights the crowds continue to grow and it’s nice to see new faces at each one also.”
About his upcoming fight and his future, Herrera said, “I’d love a rematch with DeLeon if it’s possible but the most important thing for me as a young fighter is to stay active, ideally I’d like to fight at least four times next year as I will be doing in 2011. One or two more fights and then I’d like to step up to eight rounders.”
“Jaime brings the crowd. They come early with their signs and enthusiasm and are truly passionate about their favorite fighter” said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions. “Since his first loss at the beginning of this year, Jaime has worked hard and it’s paid off in the ring as he’s looked like a world class prospect in his last two fights. Robert Jones was a much more experienced fighter and Jaime handled him perfectly, never letting Jones get into a rhythm. “
Herrera will be featured in a scheduled six round bout against an opponent to be announced shortly.
Windy City Fight Night 20 is headlined by a ten round light heavyweight clash between Chicago fan favorite Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fonfara and the heavy handed Minnesota native Phil ‘The Drill” Williams.
Also seeing action will be standout junior welterweight prospect Adrian “EL Tigre” Granados, undefeated Russian middleweight Viktor Polyakov, Puerto Rican newcomer Luis Santiago, talented super middleweight prospect Mike Gavronski, Chicago based cruiserweight prospect Dimar Ortuz, junior welterweight Daniel Sotelo and massive heavyweight Curtis Tate from Oakland, Tennessee.
Advance tickets priced at $76, $51, $36 and $31 can be purchased through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the UIC Pavilion Boxing Office (312-413-5740) or the 8 Count Productions Office (312-226-5800). Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.
8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.
Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions banner include; super middleweight contender Donovan George, light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, junior welterweight prospects Ivan Popoca and Adrian Granados along with welterweights Achour Esho and Jaime Herrera.
For more information on 8 Count Productions please visit their new website, www.8countproductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8_Count and Facebook at “8 Count Productions”.
Doors open at the UIC Pavilion at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com. The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events.