Occasionally in boxing, the competitive fire that burns between two proud Hispanic fighters exceeds the confines of the four ring-posts and spreads throughout a community.
The war that has waged between Super Flyweight Texas Champion Luis Yanez (4-0-1) and 115 pound brawler Joseph Angel Rios (10-6-2, 4 KOs) has not only captured the imagination of the Alamo City boxing public, it has rekindled a deep rooted San Antonio tradition that is rich in pride, honor, and valor.
But, this longstanding and heated feud has not always mirrored the spirit of true sportsmanship.
Both fighters have a genuine disdain for their respective nemesis and have publicly aired their war of words on numerous occasions since fighting to a six round draw on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” last February.
“That draw in our last fight on Superbowl weekend was a blessing for him,” exclaims Luis Yanez of Dallas, TX. “But, I see that he’s letting that go to his head. He should have taken the draw and made a living off of it. When we get in the ring again, I will separate his mind from reality!!”
The tough San Antonio fighter sees their upcoming shoot-out ending a bit differently.
“Yanez knew that I was the stronger man the last time we fought,” declares Joseph Rios. “I could see it in his eyes. All of his talk and bravado is just for show. That loud mouth knows that I’ll beat him up when we meet again in the ring.”
On March 24th in a Zeferino Entertainment Special Event, Luis Yanez and Joseph Rios will settle things once and for all…deep in the heart of downtown San Antonio at the historic La Villita Maverick Plaza.
In what is being labeled “One More Time: Yanez vs. Rios III”, the two combatants will ultimately finish what they started in 2009, and conclude their epic battle with the highly anticipated trilogy grudge match.
“Like my Dad always said, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it!! I’m healthy now and there’s a good chance that I might hurt you, Joseph,” states the former 2008 Olympian, Luis Yanez. “You’re out-gunned in every way. Speed, power, footwork, heart, experience, brains, chin…you’re always mentioning the draw, but I noticed that you never talk about the first whoopin’ I gave you in 2009!”
When Joseph Rios was contacted regarding Luis Yanez’s comments, he simply chuckled and shook his head.
“The biggest difference between Yanez and me since our first meeting together is that he already thinks he is the greatest. But I am the fighter who continues to get better, and he knows that,” professes Joseph Rios. “He’s not humble or smart enough to recognize his own faults and that will be his undoing. I will smoke Yanez like a cheap cigar when we fight for the third and final time.”
The fight to end all fights, Yanez vs. Rios III, is happening live in San Antonio, TX, on March 24th, 2012, at Maverick Plaza in La Villita!!
Where will you be?
Travis Kauffman off February 25th fight card due to hand surgery
READING, PA (January 30, 2012) – Highly-regarded American heavyweight hopeful Travis Kauffman of Reading, PA is recovering from his second consecutive surgery to correct a fracture in his right hand. The surgery took place this past Thursday and will sideline the 26-year-old for the next few months, leaving him unable to compete on King’s Promotions “Heavyweight Explosion” card at the Rodeway Inn in Allentown, PA on Saturday, February 25.
Kauffman (22-1, 17 KO), will have screws in his hand for the next 4-6 weeks, followed by physical therapy. He was advised that he won’t be able to punch for the next 3-4 months, but hopes to return to the ring before the end of the year after fighting just once in 2011.
“It’s frustrating because I’ve had to turn down fights against guys that I know I can beat because of the injury,” said Kauffman. “On the bright side, I’m healthy other than my hand and get to spend time with my family without worrying about leaving to go to training camp. I’m 26 years old and have time on my side.”
“Heavyweight Explosion” will be headlined by crowd favorite William “Big Stuff” Miranda (4-4-1) of Allentown in a six-round contest against battle-tested David Williams (6-5-1, 2 KO) of Philadelphia.
In the six-round co-featured bout, junior middleweight Keenan Collins (13-7-2, 9 KO) of Reading, PA will face Julio Cesar Lanza (7-17-6, 1 KO) of Managua, Nicaragua. Collins, a native of York, PA, is looking to get back on track after a competitive decision loss to world-ranked Philadelphian Gabriel Rosado.
Also on the card, undefeated welterweight Grayson Blake (4-0, 1 KO) of State College, PA will meet Corey Preston (1-7) from North Carolina in a four-round bout. The 29-year-old Blake was a former national amateur standout and was a member of the Pennsylvania State University boxing team.
In other action, heavyweight Eric Newell (3-1,1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA will face debuting Randy Easton, plus junior lightweight Frank Santos De Alba (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Reading, PA meets Corey White (1-3, 1 KO) from Ohio in a four-round bout.
Rounding out the card is a four-round junior welterweight clash between Cesar Gonzalez (0-1-2) of Reading, PA against Osahon Omo-Osagie (0-1-1) in a four-round rematch of their draw last May.
Tickets are priced at $65 (VIP), $50 (Ringside) and $35 (General Admission), and can be purchased at the Rodeway Inn(610-398-1629), King’s Boxing (610-587-5950) at Lehigh Valley Isshin Ryu Karate(484-554-8804) or online at eventbrite.com. Doors open at 6PM and first fight is at 7PM. For more information, visit www.kingsboxing.com
The Rodeway Inn is located at 1151 Bulldog Drive, Allentown, PA.
GRANO SCORES EXPLOSIVE THIRD ROUND STOPPAGE OVER MINTO
NEW YORK (January 30, 2012)—This Past Saturday night at The beautiful Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Tony “TNT” Grano (19-2-1, 15 KO’s) threw his name in the Heavyweight title mix with a thrilling third round stoppage over Brian Minto (35-5) in an NABF Elimination bout.
The bout headlined a card that was seen all over the world LIVE on www.gfl.tv
Boxing fans who missed the card can now watch the entire show for just $9.99 by clicking:
http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Pro_Boxing_Fight_Night__Grano_vs_Minto/1313
It was Minto who controlled the action over the first two rounds and he even landed a right over the top that sent Grano to the canvas but that punch was ruled a slip.
In rounds three, Grano landed a chopping right hand that sent Minto to the canvas. When Minto got to his feet he was clearly shaken up but he was clearly on rubbery legs. Minto showed tremendous heart as instead of holding he stood and fought Grano toe to toe. That proved to be his undoing as Grano landed another hard right that deposited Minto on the floor and the fight was stopped immediately.
With the win, Grano puts himself in position to take on winner of the Jonathon Banks – Nikolai Firtha bout for the NABF title and a high ranking by the WBC.
In the co-feature, once beaten cruiserweight contender Eric Fields (20-1) put on an impressive boxing display with an eight round unanimous decision over Derrick Brown (13-7-3)
Fields worked behind a good jab and mixed in lead right hands to to keep Brown off balance and cruised to his ninth consecutive victory since his only professional defeat.
With one shocking right hand, Ela Nunez (11-11-1, 3 KO’s) scored a knockout victory over Jackie Trivilino (8-4-2)in round two of their scheduled six round Woman’s bout.
Ryan McKenzie (10-0, 9 KO’s) kept his perfect streak alive as he went to 9-0 with an impressive American debut and a second round stoppage over Richard Starnino (9-7-2) in a Light Heavyweight bout.
Local favorites Brian Clookey (4-0-1) and Derrick Evans (3-0) remained undefeated with victories over Ariel Espina(8-20-3)l and Bakari (0-3) respectively.
In the Evans – Bakari bout, it was controversy from the beginning as the two fighters jawed, held and even got in some illegal punches before Bakari was disqualified in the third round.
Impressive prospect Travis Peterkin made it 4-0 with his first distance victory over the rough Steven Tyner (2-3-1) in a four round Light Heavyweight bout.
Marc Abrams, Stephanie Kula and Joe Antonacci called the action LIVE on gfl.tv
GFL now offers full access to over 5,000 fights for the low monthly price of $9.99 subscribe now at www.GFL.tv
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