In the 10-round main event at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, Delaware, on Friday, February 24, World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver super featherweight champion Juan Carlos Burgos, 28-1 with 19 knockouts, of Tijuana, B.C., Mexico, will make his first defense of the title against former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight world champion Cristobal Cruz, 39-12-3 with 23 knockouts, also of Tijuana.
Thompson Promotions president Ken Thompson said, “This should be another step in the career of Juan Carlos Burgos to get the coveted green belt. He tried once against Hasegawa but felt short, now he is on the right path to make his dream come true. Cristobal Cruz is a formidable foe and will challenge the grit of our future champion Juan Carlos Burgos, but we are confident he will have a magnificent night.”
The fight card was originally scheduled to be in southern California, but was recently moved to Dover. Juan Carlos Burgos said, “I heard we changed venues through my managers and promoters. All I really want is to show the fans on the east or west coast that I am one of the best boxers out there. I know Cruz extremely well – we have even sparred a number of times here in Tijuana – but my mission is to get him out of there and proudly defend my WBC Silver belt.”
Burgos, 25 years old, won the vacant WBC Silver title with an upset 10-round decision against previously undefeated Puerto Rican prospect Luis Cruz in his last fight on November 11. Currently ranked WBC No. 2, WBA No. 4, WBO No. 4, and IBF No. 6, he has won three fights in a row since his only loss in a WBC featherweight world title challenge against Hozumi Hasegawa in November, 2010 – Juan gave a tremendous effort in a fast-paced, exciting battle, but lost by 12-round decision on Hasegawa’s home turf in Nagoya, Japan.
The event is being promoted by Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Thompson Promotions. The main event and co-featured bouts will be televised live on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights.”
Ajose Olusegun looks for respect in 2012
(February 6, 2012) – World Boxing Council (WBC) #1 ranked super lightweight contender, Ajose Olusegun (30-0, 14 Kos) has been patiently waiting for his opportunity to fight for the title. Frustrated that he’s been ducked by everyone in the division, Olusegun feels he’s one of the most avoided fighter in boxing.
Ajose, who hails from Nigeria agitatedly stated, “I’ve done everything that was required of me to get my shot at the champion Erik Morales. For some reason I’ve been bypassed but I’m not going anywhere. All these guys can run but they can’t hide and I’m going to stay on top ranked #1 in the world. It’s been my dream to strap the WBC belt around my waist since I first got ranked and I will not be denied. Believe that!”
Advisor Damian Ramirez said, “Ajose is a great fighter and I have faith in our promoter that they’ll get him his opportunity. We should be fighting the winner of Erik Morales vs. Danny Garcia. I want to schedule him on the undercard of Sergio Martinez March 17th. In the mean time, I’m going to keep Olusegun busy in the gym and wait to see what Lou DiBella has lined up for us.”
Olusegun is a slick southpaw who’s worked his way to the #1 spot by beating everyone who’s challenged him. Having fought most of his fights in the UK, Ajose wants to make a name for himself here in the United States. He’s hoping his opportunity will come in 2012.
Jean Pascal apology
First and foremost I would like to apologize to anyone who was offended about my wager with my friend. As an athlete I am extremely passionate about sports and sometimes my emotions get the best of me. I really enjoyed the Super Bowl game; it was very intense! My friend and I made a friendly wager about the game. It did involve my car, but I neglected to mention that my friend would only keep my car for a month.
Times are still extremely hard and different for all of us and I would never make a mockery out of these hard economic times by giving away a car. The wager I made was between a close friend of mine and it was simply that; a friendly wager. I do not condone gambling of any kind. This has definitely been a lesson for me. In the future I will be more responsible with what I choose to put on social media. Again, I apologize.
Jean Pascal
Demetrius Andrade vs. Derek Ennis on 2/10
NABO JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
MAIN EVENT – 10 ROUNDS
DEMETRIUS “Boo Boo” ANDRADE DEREK “Pooh” ENNIS
2008 U.S. Olympian/2007 World Amateur Champion Former USBA Junior Middleweight Champion
WBO #9, IBF & WBC #13, WBA #15 IBF #9
Providence, RI Philadelphia, PA
15-0 (10 KOs) 23-3-1 (13 KOs)
CO-FEATURE
10 ROUNDS – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
RAYMOND “Tito” SERRANO KENNY ABRIL
WBA #15 Former NY St. Lt. Welterweight Champion
Philadelphia, PA Rochester, NY
17-0 (8 KOs) 11-1-4 (6 KOs)
6 ROUNDS – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT
“Mighty” MIKE ARNAOUTIS SHAKA MOORE
Former USBA & NABO Light Welterweight Champion Former IBC Int. Welterweight Title Challenger
Astoria, Queens, NY by way of Greece Norwalk, CT
22-7-2 (10 KOs) 11-16-3 (2 KOs)
6 ROUNDS – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
EMANUEL GONZALEZ JESUS BAYRON
Bronx, NY San Juan, Puerto Rico
9-0 (7 KOs) 5-3-1 (4 KOs)
6 ROUNDS – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
JOSEPH “Chip” PEREZ DANNY VALLE
East Hartford, CT Bronx, NY
6-1 (2 KOs) 5-0 (3 KOs)
4 ROUNDS – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
JAIR RAMOS TBA
Waterbury, CT
1-0 (0 KOs)
4 ROUNDS – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
CHARLES FOSTER BORNGOOD WASHINGTON
New Haven, CT Queens, NY
1-0 (1 KO) 3-9 (1 KO)
(ALL FIGHTS AND FIGHTERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
WHEN: Friday, February 10, 2012
WHERE: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
PROMOTER: Star Boxing
INFORMATION: www.starboxing.com or www.mohegansun.com
DOORS: 7:00 PM/ET FIRST BOUT: 8 PM/ET ESPN: 9:00-11:00 PM/ET
TICKETS: $75.00, $40.00 and $30.00 (plus $5.00 facility fee for all tickets) and are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com; call Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge By Phone number 1.800.745.3000; or visit any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets are also available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, subject to availability, or by calling Star Boxing at 1.718.823.2000 and online via www.StarBoxing.com.