This Friday (March 9th) two promising European heavyweight contenders clash when WBO#6 rated Ondrej Pala (Czech Republic) squares off against IBF #15 Konstantin Airich (Germany) at Atatürk Spor Salonu in Tekirdag, Turkey in a clash for Airich’s IBF intercontinental championship and Pala’s WBO European champion title. Airich vs. Pala will be the main event for a big show broadcasted live on Eurosport (starting at 21.00h / 9pm Central European time) and streamed live online on wbcboxing.com.
“Whoever wins this bout will make a huge step towards a world title fight“, says promoter Ahmet Oner. „We all know who the unified WBO and IBF world champion is. And I am one hundred percent sure that both, Airich and Pala, would show a lot more effort and a way better performance against Wladimir Klitschko than Jean Marc Mormeck did last week. I am not saying that these two guys could beat Klitschko right away – but at least they would try and bring the fight to him.“
Airich and Pala have met before. In March 2009, the Czech warrior managed to get away with a close mid-decision win over Airich in Cuxhaven, Germany. Now the hard-hitting German „Sandman“ wants to make up for that loss and get in position for a possible title shot.
„Of course, every fighter dreams of challenging the world champion“, says Airich. „I know Wladimir quite well and he knows me, too. I have spent lots of training camps with both Klitschkos, most recently I was with them in Austria when Vitali got in shape for the Chisora fight and Wladimir prepared for Mormeck. Right now my only focus is on beating Pala. I know that I am stronger than him. And I want to show the world that I can beat him. I am not thinking past this fight. All that counts for me is winning this Friday night.“
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In the co-feature German heavyweight prospect Erkan Teper will defend his WBC Mediterranean Championship. Teper won the belt by knocking out Jakov Gospic on July 15th, 2011. In his most recent fight the former German amateur standout managed to stop rugged ring veteran Cisse Salif.
„I just enjoy fighting and, of course, I fight to win everytime I step into the ring“, states Teper. „I am glad to have the chance to showcase my talent. I don’t only want to win my fights – I want to entertain my fans. I hope you all like what you see!“
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The undercard features unbeaten Turkish middleweight brothers Alptug and Murat Oener as well as German-Turkish super middleweight contender Ünsal Arik.
IABA UPDATE (BOY 4 AND YOUTH 1 & 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS)
IRISH AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION
Dublin’s National Stadium is gearing itself up for another marathon weekend of underage boxing with two sessions of semi-finals and three sessions of finals to be decided at the Boy 4 and Youth 1 & 2 Championships on Friday and Saturday.
Friday evening will see 26 semi-finals won and lost in the Youth 2 category.
Two Boy 4 bantamweight finals are also slated for decision on the night.
“We saw some top class boxing last Friday and Saturday in all three categories and we’re all looking forward to what should be another very competitive weekend at the National Stadium,” said IABA Director of Boxing Dominic O’Rourke.
Tiernan Bradley and Adam Curley get proceedings underway on Friday evening in the first of the Boy 4 semi-finals.
The victor meets either Gerard French or Josh Evans in Saturday’s bantamweight final.
Friday’s Boy 4 deciders will be followed by the Youth 2 semi-finals.
A brace of these last-four duels are penciled in to be disputed between the Sunnyside BC pair of Darragh Roche and Paddy McCarthy, who meet Gerard Whitehouse – a former European Schoolboy Championships bronze medalist – and Toome ABC ace Gerard McCorley.
Lee Sherlock, meanwhile, flies the flag for the Banner County versus Joe Joyce of the St Michael’s Athy club.
The Watergrasshill BC in Cork will have three athletes between the ropes over the weekend. Danny Keating, Mike Olden and 2011 European Junior Championships bronze medalist Luke Thomas represent the Leeside club.
“We will have some very evenly matched contest throughout the weekend in all three categories. Friday’s semi-finals will be eagerly contested and we could see a few surprises,” added Dominic O’Rourke.
The weigh-in for Saturday’s finals will be held between 8.30am and 9.30am at the National Stadium.
Boxing begins at 6pm Friday.
Visit www.iaba.ie for news, results, draws, comments and photographs.
National Boy 4 and Youth 1 & 2 C’Ships
Youth 2 S/Finals March 9th (6pm)
Boy 4 S/Finals
54Kg: Tiernan Bradley (Sacred Heart) v Adam Curley (St Colmans)
54Kg: Gerard French (Clonard) v Josh Evans (Whitechurch)
Youth 2 S/Finals
48Kg: Martin Reilly (Enniskilllen) Michael Lawrence (Holy Family)
48Kg: Mike Olden (Watergrasshill) v Adam Courtney (St Marys Dublin)
50Kg: Conor McCrink (Carrickmacross) v Keith Flavin (Paulstown)
50Kg: Aidan Metcalfe (Crumlin) v Conor Madden (St Francis)
52Kg: Kurt Walker (Canal) v Hughie Joyce (St Michaels Athy)
52Kg: Jamie Lonegran (Clonmel) v Ryan Clarke (Glin)
54Kg: Conor Doyle (Paulstown) v John J Nevin (Cavan)
54Kg: Dylan Tang (Mulhuddart) v Robert McCarthy (Glen)
57Kg: Brendan Sheppard (Swords) v Victor Medveduic (Tramore)
57Kg: Sean Higginson (St Agnes) v Domhnall Deeney (Bishop Kelly)
60Kg: Lee Sherlock (Ennis) v Joe Joyce (St Michaels Athy)
60Kg: Stephen Webb (Holy Trinity) v Hugh Nevin (Cavan)
63Kg: Jordan O’Neill (St Saviours OBA) v Lee Reeves (St Francis)
63Kg: John G Donovan (Olympic) v John Stokes (Mulhuddart)
66Kg: Thomas McDonagh (Olympic) v Dan McInerney (Brosna)
66Kg: Darragh Roche (Sunnyside) v Gerard Whitehouse (Bracken)
70Kg: Gerard McCorley (Toome) v Paddy McDonagh (Sunnyside)
70Kg: Jason McDonagh (St Annes) v Richie McDonagh (Darndale)
75Kg: Nathan Duncan (Immaculata) v Owen Bermingham (Glasnevin)
75Kg: Shane Nevin (St Brigets) v Martin Conroy (Ballyhaunis)
80Kg: Patrick Gaffey (Clan Naofa) v Thomas Carthy (Corinthians)
80Kg: Micky Harty (Rathkeale) v Michael Ward (St Ailbhes)
86Kg: John McDonell (Crumlin) v Cathal Gallagher (Omagh Boys)
86Kg: Thomas Conroy (Olympic) v Davey Joyce (Moate)
91+Kg: Kellan Sweeney (Letterkenny) v Brian Gannon (St Michaels Newross)
91+Kg: Owen F Maughan (Charlestown)v Carl Scully (Edenmore)
Boy 4 Finals March 10th (10.30am)
33Kg: David McDonagh (Kilcullen) v Kieran Lally (Ardnaree)
36Kg: Michael Sweeney (Innisfree) v Thomas Maughan (Avona)
39Kg: Francis Cleary (Olympic) Stephen McKenna (Smithboro)
42Kg: Jamie Conroy (Ballina) v Luke O’Shea (Ballincollig)
44Kg: Bernard Ward (Ballyhaunis) v Ryan Green (Oakleaf)
46Kg Michael Nevin (Holy Family) v Martin Stokes (Mulhuddart)
48Kg: Conor Bianconi (Twin Towns) v Karl Lynch (Mulhuddart)
50Kg Shane O’Neill (Cobra U) v Kalum McConville (Dealgan)
52Kg: Conor Martin (Banbridge) v James Cleary (Olympic)
54Kg: (S/finals to be decided Friday)
57Kg: Stephen Myers (Ryston) v Michael McGrane (Crumlin)
60Kg: Michael Delaney (Olympic) v Craig Bonney (Trinity Boys)
63Kg: Martin Maughan (St Matthews) v Daniel Keating (Watergrasshill)
66Kg: Terence Harris (OLOL) v Lewis Crocker (Cairn Lodge)
70Kg: Sean Conroy (Ballyhaunis) v Paddy Joyce (Spartacus)
75kg: Jonathan F Ward (St Ailbhes) v Matthew Bourke(Ballinrobe)
80Kg: Gearoid McAllister (Borough) v Cormac Long (Rathkeale)
86Kg: Mikey Walsh (St Michaels ) v TBC
91Kg: Patryik Famulski (St Annes) v Jason McCabe (St Pats Newry)
91+Kg: Darragh Darcy (Tobar Pheadair) v Chris McCloskey (St John Bosco)
Youth 1 Finals March 10th (2.30pm)
36Kg: Patrick Stokes (St Seachnals) v Jordan Chambers (Sacred Heart)
39Kg: Robert Dolan (St Brigids) Brendan Irvine (St Pauls Antrim)
42Kg: Daryl Moran (Illies GG) v Dom Sarsfield (St Francis)
44Kg: John G Ward (Gurteen) v Padraig Mackle (Toome)
46Kg: James McCarthy (Fermoy) v Joseph McDonagh (St Marys )
48Kg: Garry Kehoe (Marble City) v Jason McKay (Canal)
50Kg: Colm Molloy (Oughterard) v Piaras Casey (St Johns)
52Kg: Gary Cully (St Davids) v Neil McClurkin (Holy Trinity)
54Kg: Aaron Radford (Westside) v Bernard McDonagh (Kilcullen)
57Kg: Darren Pollock (St Agnes) v Michael McDonagh (St Pauls)
60Kg: Caomhin Hynes (Holy Trinity) v Wayne Kelly (Ballinacargy)
63Kg: Conor Wallace (Sacred Heart) v Daryl Byrne (Grangecon)
66Kg: Barry Harkin (Cootehill) v Luke Thomas (Watergrasshill)
70Kg: Tommy Maughan (Trinity Boys) v Cole McGuinness (Canal)
75Kg: Brian Wall (Cashen Vale) v Michael Sweeney (Castlebar)
80Kg: Shane Ward (Olympic) v Michael Gallagher (Finn Valley)
86Kg: James Hughes (Ryston) v Niall Gallagher (Sean McDermott)
91Kg: L Nolan (St Francis) v James Norantonio (St John Bosco)
91+Kg: Aaron Kelly (Mount Tallant) v Callum Nally (Athlone)
CES launches exciting tripleheader
CES prepares to launch epic boxing tripleheader with three-city tour in March
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 7, 2012) – Three shows, nine days, one world-class promoter – brace yourself this month for an amazing ride through the dynamic world of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports.
Spanning nine days between March 22nd and 30th, CES will promote three live boxing events in three cities, starting with the official launch of its 2012 Thursday Night Fight Series at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I., on Thursday, March 22nd, continuing Saturday, March 24th with a spectacular heavyweight event at the Resorts Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., and culminating with the return of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” on Friday, March 30th at the Foxwoods Resort Casino’s MGM Grand Theater in Ledyard, Conn., featuring two nationally-televised title bouts.
“Anyone who thinks boxing is dead should take a look at what we’re doing this month,” Burchfield said. “This sport is alive and well thanks to the loyal fans who pack arenas on a weekly basis, and our tripleheader this month will be no exception.
“We’ve got three dynamic shows in a nine-day span, not simply for the sake of promoting shows, but to provide boxing’s most loyal fans with the best and brightest this sport has to offer. Anyone can run a handful of shows in a short amount of time, but only a world-class promotion can bring you three standout cards featuring an eclectic mix of established veterans and up-and-coming talent.
“There’s truly something for everyone on this tripleheader, and we’re thrilled to not only reestablish our presence at familiar venues such as Foxwoods Resort Casino and Twin River, but to be breaking new ground at the breathtaking Resorts Hotel & Casino as well. This is a landmark stretch for Classic Entertainment & Sports and there’s no one we’d rather share it with than you, our loyal fans.”
These next three events feature an array of television-friendly showstoppers, world-ranked contenders, up-and-coming prospects and household names, starting with Providence, R.I., super middleweight Vladine Biosse (11-1-1, 6 KOs), a former two-time winner on “Friday Night Fights,” and New Bedford, Mass., welterweight Jason “School Boy” Pires (22-4-1, 9 KOs), both of whom will be in action March 22nd at Twin River.
On March 24th, undefeated Mariusz Wach (26-0, 14 KOs) of North Bergen, N.J., the World Boxing Council (WBC) International heavyweight champion who’s now ranked No. 6 in the world among heavyweights, will defend his title against hard-hitting veteran Tye Fields (49-4, 44 KOs) of Alberta, Canada (by way of Missoula, Mont.); and former world-rated light heavyweight Joey “K.O. Kid” Spina (26-1-2, 18 KOs) will return to the ring for the first time in a year in a half to face Jerson Ravelo (20-5, 12 KOs) of Newark, N.J., a former participant on “The Contender” reality television series.
Not to be outdone, the March 30th Foxwoods show will feature two dynamic bouts, including Philadelphia native “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy (21-1-1, 11 KOs) – ranked No. 4 in the WBC – defending his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight title against No. 11-ranked “Dangerous” Dannie Williams (21-1, 17 KOs) in the 10-round main event. New Haven, Conn., native Elvin Ayala (24-5-1, 11 KOs), ranked No. 16 in the WBC, will defend his WBC U.S. National Boxing Council (USNBC) middleweight title against Hector Camacho Jr. (53-4-1, 28 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. Both fights will air live on ESPN2 beginning at 10 p.m. ET.
The March 24th heavyweight spectacular in Atlantic City will also be distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
“To have these shows available for nationwide and worldwide viewing is a major plus,” Burchfield said. “Our fan base continues to expand with each event as we attract viewers from multiple countries. The CES brand has grown tremendously in the past few years, and it’ll continue to develop during this unparalleled stretch. The possibilities are endless, and we’re only getting started.”
For more information on CES’ schedule in March, in addition to the remainder of its upcoming combat sports shows, be sure to visit www.cesboxing.com.