Prior to their title fights at Helsinki´s renowned Hartwall Areena, WBA & WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KOs) and WBA/WBC/WBO Female Welterweight Champion Cecilia Braekhus (18-0, 4 KOs) today held an open training session at Berlin´s Max-Schmeling-Gym. While “The Nordic Nightmare” will take on Dereck Chisora (15-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant European Heavyweight Title, the “First Lady” will defend her title collection against Kuulei Kupihea (7-1, 2 KOs). Two dozens of national and international reporters stopped by to catch up with the unbeaten duo. “They are both in great shape,” eight-time German coach of the year Ulli Wegner lauded. “I expect them to put on spectacular fights in Helsinki.”
On Sunday, Wegner and his team will travel to the Finnish capital. “The stakes have never been higher and the pressure has never been bigger, but that´s fine with me,” Helenius said. “I have knocked out three former world champions, so I am ready for the big stage. I look forward to fighting Chisora. He is a tough guy. But I will beat him!”
Meanwhile, Braekhus has set her sights on the 19th win in as many fights. “The preparation in Zinnowitz and Berlin has gone very well,” she stated. “I can´t wait to clinch the next victory.”
Also on Team Sauerland´s big heavyweight card in Helsinki will be the first defence of WBA Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin (22-0, 15 KOs), who takes on Cedric Boswell (35-1, 26 KOs).
NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS FIGHT NIGHT BOXING SERIES
NEW YORK – November 22, 2011 – NBC Sports Group announced today the formation of NBC Sports Network Fight Night, a boxing series featuring premier boxing talent. Fight Night will debut on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 on the NBC Sports Network (which will be renamed from VERSUS on Jan. 2, 2012), from Asylum Arena in Philadelphia, Pa. The Fight Night cards are being scheduled in cities that are served by a Comcast Sports Group regional network, and the regional networks will help promote the events and have the ability to re-air fights.
NBC Sports Group will work with Main Events and Hall-of-Fame matchmaker J Russell Peltz on a multi-promoter strategy for NBC Sports Network Fight Night designed to produce the best quality fights. It is a strategy in which any promoter can participate to get their boxers involved in these programs.
“This is a unique approach to have multiple promoters competing to put fights on NBC Sports Network,” said Jon Miller, President, programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “That, coupled with the legendary matchmaker J Russell Peltz serving as our quality control expert, ensures that boxing fans will enjoy exciting and competitive matches.”
“We are reaching out to all promoters to get involved in the series, and our priority is simply to make exciting fights. We don’t care who brings the fighters,” said Kathy Duva, president, Main Events. “We expect that multiple promoters will be involved in each of the Fight Night programs. All fighters who are willing to further their careers by engaging in compelling, interesting, meaningful matches are welcome.”
“Fights in this series will be solid, competitive and exciting,” said Peltz. “Borrowing the philosophy of the late Madison Square Garden matchmaker Teddy Brenner, my bouts will be made on the following criteria: Do the fighters’ styles mesh to make an exciting fight? Does this fight lead to something? And would I buy a ticket to it? These should be good fights for boxing fans.”
NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE (All Times ET)
Saturday, January 21, 9-11 p.m. – Philadelphia
Saturday, March 24, 10 p.m.-Midnight – Site TBA
Saturday, June 16, 9-11 p.m. – Site TBA
Saturday, December 8, 9-11 p.m. – Site TBA
Ganoy brings the thunderstorms!
The Melbourne suburb might be known as Sunshine, but come December 2nd, it’s thunderstorms predicted when Ranee ‘KO Kid’ hits town for Western Showcase III!
Team Ellis Promotions are proud to present Western Showcase III and have called on the ‘KO Kid’ and his world class talent to the show. Ganoy, boasting not only thunder in his fists, but a super 28 KO’s from his 31 victories returns to Sunshine again after thrilling the crowd with his super impressive KO victory back in July.
Promoter Jake Ellis, son of the legendary IBF Super-Featherweight champion Lester Ellis is right behind ensuring Western Showcase III is a tremendous success not only for the boxers, but most importantly the fans who he’s encouraging to really get behind professional boxing at the grass roots level, providing opportunities for world class talents such as Ganoy to perform in front of appreciative crowds, but importantly improve their records and rankings and position them for higher stage opportunities.
Ganoy’s manager – Mike Altamura of MJA Boxing reports that the Pinoy Powerhouse that is Ganoy has confirmed interest in him from two (2) USA based promoters for opportunities early 2012 and is on the march for a world-title opportunity. The ‘KO Kid’ boasts a KO victory over the former IBF Super-Featherweight champion and Melbourne identity Robbie ‘Bomber’ Peden and this upcoming fight is the perfect continuation of his preparation for that.
General Admission tickets are great value for a sensational nights entertainment at only $30 and ringside table seating (with light refreshments) are only $100 (Tables of 10, can do mixed numbers). Please contact Mike Altamura on 0412 514 345 to confirm tickets.
Jake Ellis (Team Ellis Promotions) –
“My Dad always strongly believed that the only way boxing will grow boxing and generate genuine interest in this country is if domestic promoters get down to the basics and put on good fights, with genuine fighters who are hungry and aiming for big things. He would always say to me that in his day, there was no fancy cameras and lights it was just two blokes in the ring that wanted to be there.”
“Dad went on to say, that this was the key and the crowds recognize the willingness of fighters who really want to be there and that’s how the following will come. I love promoting, don’t get me wrong, it’s hard work, but I want my shows and the boxers who perform on it to have a real good following and that can only lead to further success for Australian boxing.”
“I certainly hope I’ve achieved Dad’s thoughts with this show and I’m proud to have Ranee appear as both his talent and hunger is unquestioned and he always delivers an outstanding performance for the crowd.”
“Can I also please thank one of Ranee’s sponsors – Lonsdale who also furthered their support by supporting the show and all the fighters on the night will be proudly wearing the Lonsdale pro-championship gloves. I hope the gloves have the same effect for the other fighters as Ranee does when wearing them as we’ll be guaranteed to see plenty of KO’s!
Lonsdale are the brand when it comes to boxing and streetwear and we are really excited at their involvement”
Mike Altamura (MJA Boxing) –
“It’s great to have Ranee back in Melbourne after being so well received last time out. It’s an exciting time for Ranee and I know speaking to his trainer Graham Shaw that he’s been training the house down in readiness. The USA interest is strong and I’ve already told Ranee that this is the fight where I want him to prove to me that we’re good to go. I expect a sharp performance from him and from there, I don’t care what Lightweight is put in front of us over, I know we’ll be spot on ready!”
“Mark my words, this kid will get his shot and boy oh boy, with the way he’d developed under Graham’s coaching and the way he looks currently, all Lightweight title-holders in world boxing be on notice as the KO Kid is coming for them!”
“Can I please pass on a big thanks to Ranee’s sponsors – Lonsdale (lonsdalelondon.com.au), Heritage Financial Solutions (heritagefs.com.au) and Trixle Group (trixle.com.au) who have been fantastic helping us continue Ranee’s career forward. Big thanks guys!”
Ranee ‘KO Kid’ Ganoy –
“Let’s get it on boss! I want to win a world-title and I’m training so hard for it. I’m very excited about fighting next week and Mike has given me good plans for next year. Coach Graham and I work good together and I want to show him, Mike and the crowd on the night a KO win.”