On May 18, undefeated NABO light welterweight champion, Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (15-0-1, 9 KOs), headlines ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” when he defends his title against Philadelphia’s Raymond Serrano (18-0, 8 KOs) at the Exhibition Hall at The Times Union Center in Albany, New York. Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in association with Prize Fight Promotions will promote the 10-round bout..
Mayfield, a San Francisco native, is no stranger to fighting on the east coast. Recently, he was in Philadelphia sparring with Danny Garcia in preparation for Garcia’s fight with Erik Morales. On October 1, 2011, Mayfield dominated Patrick Lopez (20-5, 12 KOs) winning a unanimous decision to capture the vacant WBO NABO light welterweight title.
“I’ve been in the ring with Manny Pacquiao, Antonio Margarito, Robert Guerrero and many other world class fighters,” Mayfield said. “I know I got the talent to become a world champion. I’m in great shape and I’m always ready to go in case a fight comes up. I’ve been in the gym working hard and my timing is on point.”
“Virgil Hunter, who’s one of the best trainers in the world, will be working my corner. He’s guided me to victory before and I know together, we’ll come up with a masterful game plan.”
“This is a big opportunity for Karim to show the world he’s an elite fighter,” said Prize Fight promoter Brian Young. “This will be the first time Mayfield headlines a nationally televised main event and we believe he has all the talent to become a world champion. If he’s victorious, we want to push for a title shot by the end of the year.”
This is a big opportunity for Serrano, who is seeking his first regional title. He’ll be fighting close to his hometown of Philadelphia where he’s fought most of his career.
“Serrano is a tough guy with a good record and I’ll be going into his backyard for this fight,” Mayfield said. “But I’m on a mission to get that world title shot and I’m not going to let anyone stop me. I’m just going to keep winning and let my management and promotional teams do their jobs. I’m taking on all comers but my focus right now is strictly on Serrano. I’ts an honor to be fighting as the main-event on ESPN. It’s my time to shine.”
Ju Hi Kim Set For Second Title-Defense
South Koreas World Boxing Federation Women’s World Light Flyweight Champion Ju Hi Kim is set to make her second title-defense on Friday March 30 in hometown Seoul, taking on tough challenger Ploynapa Sakrungrueng from Thailand.
26-year-old Kim, 15-1-1 (6), won the WBF World title in September 2010 when she outpointed Jujeath Nagaowa from the Philippines, and successfully defended it last July with a unanimous decision over another Thai, Fahpratan Looksaikongdin.
Ploynapa Sakrungrueng, 5-1 (0), turned professional at seventeen in 2010 after an extensive Muay Thai career, and amazingly fought for her first title in only her second bout, losing a decision to another Korean, Yeon-Hee Kim, for a regional strap. Since then she has racked up four straight victories, and at 19 years old has the advantage of youth on her side.
WBF President Howard Goldberg will be ringside for the fight, and the South African is certain it will be well worth the long flight from Cape Town, saying: “I was in South Korea for Kim’s first title defense, and it was a fantastic fight. She is a very entertaining fighter, and when you pair that with the fact that Sakrungrueng is an immensely talented up-and-coming boxer I think we are in for a treat once again”.
Besides the WBF World title, Ju Hi Kim has also captured a host of other championships since her debut in 2001 at only fifteen years of age, some of which will also be on the line against Sakrungrueng.
A sell-out crowd is expected to cheer on the national sporting hero as she attempts to continue her impressive reign as queen of the Light Flyweights.
Yorgey vs. Davis May 19 at Bally’s Atlantic City
Harry Joe Yorgey, trying to return to the national spotlight, and Jamaal Davis, hoping to get there for the first time, collide in a scheduled 10-round junior middleweight contest on Saturday evening, May 19, in the Grand Ballroom of Bally’s Atlantic City.
Yorgey (left), 34, of Bridgeport, PA, ended a one-year layoff Feb. 11 when he out-pointed Lawrence Jones, of Washington, DC, over six rounds in Fairfax, VA.
That was only Yorgey’s second fight since his knockout loss to world-rated Alfredo Angulo, of Mexico, on Nov. 7, 2009, in Hartford, CT.
In his other comeback fight, on Feb. 25, 2011, Yorgey stopped Donovan Castaneda, of Kansas City, MO, in five rounds in Tulsa, OK.
A pro since 2002, Yorgey is 24-1-1, 11 K0s. His signature win came when he knocked out Ronald Hearns, of Detroit, MI, on March 28, 2009, in Miami, OK. He also has beaten Jason LeHoullier, of Nottingham, NH
Davis, 30, has had chances to crack the world rankings but has come up short each time. He hopes to re-write that history against Yorgey.
A pro since 2003, Davis (right) is only 12-8-1, 6 K0s, but has fought better opposition than has Yorgey.
Davis (right) has lost to world-rated fighters such as Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia, PA; Joel Julio, of Colombia; Peter Quillen, of New York.
His 2011 loss to Rosado, in which he was stopped in the 12th and final round, was a see-saw affair at the time and one of the best fights at Bally’s Atlantic City in recent years.
In his last fight July 15 at Bally’s, Davis was held to a six-round draw by Eberto Medina, of Newark, NJ.
Davis has beaten Josh Onyango, of Trenton, NJ; Clarence Taylor, of Wilmington, DE; Mustafah Johnson, of Indianapolis, IN.
Six additional bouts complete the card, including an eight-round light-heavyweight contest featuring Chuck Mussachio, of Wildwood, NJ.
ABOUT MAY 19
The Yorgey-Davis fight tops a seven-bout card at Bally’s Atlantic City. First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets priced at $50 and $75 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com and www.ticketmaster.com. Gofightlive.tv will televise the card on the internet. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with Bally’s Atlantic City.
“A PUÑO LIMPIO” ON APRIL 13 IN HATILLO, PUERTO RICO, LIVE ON WAPA AMERICA
Unbeaten prospects Miguel “Mikito” Soto, Angel “Pito” Fret and hardened Osenohan “Cano” Vazquez will have the headlines bouts next April 13 in the next edition of the series “A Puño Limpio” at the Francisco “Pancho” Deida coliseum in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, in a PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) presentation, in association with Top Rank, to be televised live on WAPA America from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
“We are going to present the new edition of this successful seies A Puño Limpio for the firs time in Hatillo. This show in on April 13 because April 6th is Good Friday, a holiday in Puerto Rico. Bur on April 13 in Hatillo we will have as the headliners three fighters from the north area of Puerto Rico, surrounding Hatillo. Soto, from Arecibo, Fret, from Vega Alta ans Vazquez, from Vega Baja, as well as six more bouts”, promoter Ivan Rivera said.
The main event presents Mikito Soto (9-0, 9 KOs) against Gadiel Andaluz (4-3-1, 2 KOs) in a 130 pounds six rounds bout. Also a six rounder, Pito Fret (13-0, 9 KOs) will fight against Eduardo Melendez (4-10, 1 KOs) in the superbantamweight division, and Cano Vazquez (6-1, 2 KOs) will face versus Javier Pérez (8-5, 3 KOs) in the junior welters and six rounds.
Tickets availables at Ticketcenter, www.tcpr.com, 1 787 792-5000. Prices are $15 and $35