After three years of waiting for his mandatory title shot, unbeaten Selcuk Aydin (23-0, 17 KOs) will face Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KOs) on July 28th for the WBC interim world welterweight championship. Aydin had secured his position as No. 1 contender with a KO victory over “Sugar” Jackson Bonsu back in July 2009 but was forced to fight Canada based Romanian Jo Jo Dan twice for the WBC Silver Championship instead of getting a shot at the big green and gold belt..
“I am very happy that the deal has been finalized and I’m looking forward to a great fight”, states Aydin. “For all these years I have been waiting for a major fight in the USA but nobody wanted to fight me. Andre Berto ducked me over years, Victor Ortiz decided that it would be better for his career to lose to Mayweather than to me, and Mayweather himself obviously prefers doing time in jail to stepping in the ring with me. I give props to Robert Guerrero that he is man enough to actually fight me. He will eventually regret this decision when he finds himself at hospital with a broken jaw like my last opponent.”
In November 2011 hard-hitting Aydin had knocked down Jo Jo Dan twice en route to a unanimous decision win, breaking his opponent’s jaw in the third or fourth round.
“I would say against Dan I was at about 60 percent. It was enough to beat him but I know I can do much better”, says Aydin. “Against Guerrero I will be at 120 percent. I am already all fired up and I have lots of time to prepare for July 28th. You will see the best Selcuk Aydin ever. I know that this is my big chance to establish myself on the US market and there is no way that I will let it pass.”
Aydin’s promoter Ahmet Oner secured the deal negotiating the fight with Guerrero’s promoter Golden Boy and the WBC.
“I thank all parties involved – especially Richard Schaefer as well as Jose and Mauricio Sulaiman – for their effort in order to make this fight happen”, says Oner. “Selcuk has surely come a long way. On July 28th he will finally show the world what he’s got. I’m sure that it will be a terrific fight between two rising stars. Both guys need this win to make themselves a name at 147 which is without a doubt one of the strongest divisions at the moment.”
The fight against Guerrero will be Aydin’s second bout in the USA. In April 2009 “The Thunderstorm from the Black Sea” beat Said Ouali in Nevada by split decision.
“Even though my last major fights have been at home in Turkey I never had a problem fighting abroad”, says Aydin. “I will beat Guerrero anytime, anyplace. He calls himself “The Ghost”? After July 28th I will be known as “The Ghostbuster”!”
Robert Guerrero signs contract to fight Selcuk Aydin on July 28th at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA
March 15, 2012 – Five-time world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KOs), of Gilroy, California, has signed to fight undefeated WBC No. 1 ranked contender, Selcuk “Mini Tyson” Aydin (23-0, 17 KOs), of Hamburg, Germany, for the World Boxing Council (WBC) interim welterweight title. The fight is scheduled for July, 28, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
Guerrero, who’s captured multiple world titles in lighter weight classes, will take the unprecedented step of moving up two weight divisions to fight Aydin, who holds the WBC Silver belt and is a full-fledged welterweight, fighting most of his career at 147 pounds. If victorious, Guerrero will be the first fighter in history to jump straight from lightweight to welterweight and win a championship. Hall of Famer Roberto Duran and Shane Mosley are others who have made the leap from lightweight to welterweight, but both had tune up fights before challenging for a belt.
When asked about challening Aydin for the WBC interim title Guerrero stated, “First, I’d like to thank Jesus Christ, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Golden Boy Promotions, HP Pavilion and the WBC for putting this event together. I’m very delighted to be making my comeback and there’s no other place than the Bay Area to bring home my sixth world title in four different weight classes. I’m dedicating this fight to the whole Bay Area and I promise to put on a great show.
“Words can’t describe how hungry I am to get that WBC belt. This fight will be explosive without a doubt. Aydin is a very good fighter and I respect everything he has accomplished but that 0’s got to go in San Jose!
“Lastly, I’m very pleased that I’ve added Luis Decubas Jr. and Walter Kane to my team and I feel this move will be an added benefit. Soon, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero will be a household name.”
Aydin, who is of Turkish decent, is one of the most feared punchers in boxing, having never lost a fight. In his last bout, he landed a powerful punch, fracturing the jaw of his opponent, Ionut “Jo JoDan” Ion (29-2, 16 KOs). Ranked highly by all the sanctioning organizations, the crowd-pleasing Aydin brings an aggressive come-forward style to the ring. His attack is pure entertainment, and will be the most challenging test of Guerrero’s career.
“This guy is no joke,” said Guerrero’s manager Bob Santos. “Aydin will be the biggest and strongest guy Robert has ever fought. The fact that he’s been the WBC No. 1 contender to fight both Victor Ortiz and Floyd Mayweather for the last two years speaks volumes on this credibility. Maybe that’s why they never wanted to step in the ring with him for obvious reasons.
“Guerrero must get credit for the jump up in weight. Not only is Guerrero jumping up two weight classes, he’s also fighting a top ten contender for a title. He’s a true warrior and he’s hungry to get back in the ring.”
POUND 4 POUND PROMOTIONS FINEST RETURN THIS SATURDAY AT BALLYS IN ATLANTIC CITY
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (March 15, 2012)—This Saturday night four members of Pound 4 Pound Promotions stable will be in action as part of a big night of action at Ballys in Atlantic City.
In the main event, Farah Ennis (18-1, 12 KO’s) will take on Dion Savage (11-2, 6 KO’s) in the ten round Super Middleweight main event.
The show can be seen LIVE all over the world on www.gfl.tv for $9.99 by clicking:
http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Boxing_at_Ballys_Ennis_vs_Savage/1418
John Lynch’s Pound 4 Pound Promotions will feature four of its own in Jr. Middleweight Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia, Welterweight Jose Peralta Alejo, Heavyweight Patrick Farrell and debuting Lightweight Andrew Bentley.
Tapia of Passaic, New Jersey is one of the top prospects in the Jr. Middleweight division and will take on Antonio Infante in a six round bout.
Tapia sports an unblemished record of 12-0 with six knockouts and is looking for a great performance in front of the New Jersey boxing fans.
“I really don’t know much about Infante. There were a few other guys rumored to take the fight but he was the one who took it”, said Tapia
“I love fighting in New Jersey. I have lots of fans and I will give them a show and it will be a good St. Patrick’s Day”
The twenty-two year old knows 2012 is a very important year to advance his career.
“This year is going to be big. I am looking to be fighting in eight and ten round fights by the end of the year”
The twenty-one year old Alejo is a great story as he literally slept in the gym when he arrived from Puerto Rico and then went on to upset highly regarded Christian Martinez in his American debut.
Alenjo, 7-1 with four knockouts will take on tough Sammy Santana in a six round bout.
Popular Cruiserweight turned Heavyweight and future Cruiserweight Patrick Farrell will return after a twenty month hiatus when he takes on Kelven Jenkins (0-0-2) in a four round bout.
“I am excited to be back in the ring”, said Farrell
“I broke my nose twice and then had six months in the Fire Fighters Academy”, continued the now Jersey City, New Jersey Firefighter.
“This has been a long time coming and I have a passion for the sport and I am ready to put on a show. I am taking this fight at Heavyweight only because I left the academy at 235 pounds and I just want to easy my way back to Cruiserweight”
“I want to thank Pound 4 Pound Promotions as they have been great to me and I look forward to fighting on Saturday and working with them in the future”
The twenty-five year old Bentley will take on Jose Rivera of Ocala, Florida is managed by currant Light Heavyweight Bobby Rooney.
“I am excited and ready. I trained hard and I know that will pay off on Saturday”, said Bentley
“I have prepared for everything and this is a great opportunity to fight Atlantic City for my pro debut”
“I have to thank Bobby Rooney and the Pound 4 Pound team as I know I will have some great fights with the right people by my side”
Vitaliy Demyaneko (19-0, 12 KO’s) takes on Ayi Bruce (21-5, 13 KO’s) in an eight round Welterweight bout
Dennis Hasson (12-0, 4 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will fight Eddie Caminero (7-6, 7 KO’s) of Lawrence, MA in a six round Light Heavyweight bout.
Hot shot prospect Mikael Zewski (12-0, 8 KO’s) of Trois Rivieres, Quebec Canada will take on Julio Vargas (3-5-1, 3 KO’s) of Kansas City, Kansas in a six round Jr. Middleweight bout
THE WEIGH IN WILL TAKE PLACE FRIDAY AT 5PM AT BALLYS
Ticket prices are $75.00 in Sections 101, 107,102 & $50.00 in Sections 104, 105, 111, 112 and can be purchased by calling 201-867-2008 and Ask for Kathy or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at ticketmaster.com.
Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino is located 1900 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, NJ, 08401. Doors open at 7:00 p.m ET, first fight starts at 7:30 p.m