NEW YORK (July 23, 2012) — With a shot at International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Carl Froch on the line, hard-hitting, world-ranked super middleweights Adonis “Superman” Stevenson, (18-1, 15 KOs) of Montreal, Canada, and Chicago’s Donovan “Da Bomb’’ George (22-2-1, 19 KOs) will clash in an IBF elimination bout titled “Shock Wave In Montreal’’ on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Aug. 11, live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
The important 12-rounder at Bell Centre in Montreal, the SHOWTIME debut for both offensive-minded sluggers, will precede what is potentially the light heavyweight division’s best matchup in years between two young fighters in their prime when undefeated Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), of Tallahassee, Fla., defends his IBF crown against former WBC belt-holder Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs) of Montreal.
The 5-foot-11, 34-year-old Stevenson, is one of the most feared and avoided super middleweights in the world and one of the most dangerous punchers in the sport. He’s won his last five rounds by knockout, including a second-round TKO over Noe Gonzalez last April 20 in Montreal.
The 6-foot-tall, 27-year-old George has won two of his last three, the loss coming in his most recent outing on a close, hard-fought 10-round decision against undefeated Edwin Rodriguez on March 17 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Stevenson, who was born in Haiti and moved to Montreal when he was five-years-old, turned pro at the age of 29 on Sept. 30, 2006, and won his first five starts by knockout. In his 14th outing and United States debut, he lost by shocking second-round TKO to Darnell Boone on April 16, 2010, in Salisbury, Md.
But since the startling setback, Stevenson has made a major impression on the division. Two outings ago, in his debut with Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward, he produced an early candidate for Knockout of the Year by registering a devastating one-punch (straight left), 99-second, first-round knockout over Jesus Gonzalez on April 8, 2011, in Montreal.
The muscular, physically strong Stevenson, who credits Steward with improving his footwork and refining his technique, is primed to continue his assault through the division.
“People know what to expect from me,’’ said Stevenson, who was nicknamed ‘Superman’ in the amateurs. “They know I’m a power puncher, and that I’m fast, I have a good defense and I have skill. I fight aggressively. Fans like that. Fans want action. They want knockouts. That’s what I give them.’’
George leaped at the opportunity to face southpaw Stevenson, the IBF’s top contender and one of Montreal’s most popular prizefighters, after several notable super middleweights, including Andre Dirrell, Mikkel Kessler, Thomas Oosthuizen, James DeGale, Kelly Pavlik and Sakio Bika either withdrew after agreeing or just flat-out declined to face a power puncher coming off a series of sensational knockouts .
“This is a monster shot I’m getting,’’ said George, who figures to come out fast. “To be able to fight on the biggest stage is great and I’m thankful to all who made it happen. I know all about fighting on the road so it doesn’t matter that we’re fighting in Montreal. There should be a great atmosphere at Bell Centre.
“I know that this has been a tough fight to make after so many passed on the fight. But I’m glad to take the challenge. Stevenson is very talented, comes to fight, and has a big punch. But I’ll be very well prepared and willing to go to war in what is the biggest fight of my career. I know it’s going to be a grueling fight and I know it’s going to come down to conditioning and basically who can take the better punch. Adonis is a big puncher, but so am I, so I think it’s going to be a very explosive fight.
“There’s no secret to how I’ll fight. I’m going to throw big punches and I’m going to try to knock him out. I’ll try to add a little boxing to my slugging — I always try to do that — but when the bell rings, I forget about it. This is a big stage, a big audience, and I want to just look great. There’s no way it can’t be a great fight.’’
For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.
Captain Melson to face Memminger August 2!
New York, NY (July 23, 2012) – West Point graduate Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will challenge veteran Khalik Memminger in a six round junior middleweight contest Thursday, August 2 at the Roseland Ballroom in the heart of New York City.
One of the Empire State’s biggest ticket sellers, Melson had to withdraw from a June 14 bout after suffering an eye injury and hasn’t entered the squared circle since his unforgettable eight round war with Delen Parsley in March. Melson, 8-1 (4 KO’s), also built a strong rapport with fans and members of the media since he’s donated all of his fight purses in addition to partaking in exciting bouts.
With a deceptive professional ledger of 6-8-3 (3 KO’s), the tough Texan was in a number of controversial bouts, dropping a split and majority decision in addition to the three draws. His biggest victory to date came back in 2007 when he upset hometown favorite Victor Montemayor. Memminger’s fighting for just the second time outside of the Lone Star State and is coming off of a decision victory against Fabian Cancino in July 2011.
“Memminger is no pushover and I know he’s coming to New York City to try to hurt me,” stated Melson, whose donating his full fight purse Justadollarplease.org in association with a Clinical Trial taking place in the United States to help cure Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries. “He’s been in tough fights and is by far the most experienced professional I have been in the ring with yet. As I do with everything I am passionate about, I have pushed myself hard in camp in preparation for a hard night’s work August 2nd.”
Melson also shared that he is extraordinarily excited because of recent news that the New York City Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association will have about 15 of its members living in wheelchairs in attendance that night to support him.
The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and fans can purchase tickets on Teamfighttowalk.com. All tickets purchased on Teamfighttowalk.com must be picked up at the Roseland Ballroom’s will call window on fight night under the credit card holder’s name.
In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., 2008 US Olympians Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.
For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.
Joel Diaz vs. Guillermo Sanchez on August 18th
ATLANTIC CITY (July 21, 2012)—On Saturday night August 18th, John Lynch’s Pound For Pound Promotions presents an outstanding night of world class boxing that will be headlined a ten round Super Featherweight bout between Joel Diaz and Guillermo Sanchez.
Diaz of Palmdale, California has a record of 10-0 with nine knockouts and has been impressive in his two year professional career.
The twenty year old already has signature wins over Guy Robb (7-0) via seventh round stoppage and in his last bout when scored a fifth round stoppage over former world title challenger Emanuel Lucero (26-10-1) on June 2nd in Tacoma, Washington.
Sanchez of Buffalo, New York has a record of 13-5-1 with six knockouts.
Sanchez won his first eleven bouts and he has victories over four undefeated fighters in Harvey Murray (2-0-2), Eddie Irizarry (5-0), Miguel Rodriguez (6-0) and Rod Salka (12-0).
The twenty-four year old has been matched extremely tough as evidenced by his fights with Dominic Salcido (17-2), Future world champion Adrien Broner (16-0), Mark Davis (15-0), former world title challenger Edner Cherry (28-7). In that bout he had Cherry on the canvas in the first round. In his last bout, Sanchez dropped an eight round unanimous decision to undefeated Ronny Rios (17-0) on April 7th.
A packed undercard is being put together that will feature some of the most popular and up and coming talent in the Tri-State Area.
In an eight round Jr. Middleweight bout, top prospect Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia will take on an opponent to be named.
Tapia (14-0, 8 KO’s) of Passaic, New Jersey has been climbing up the ranks with steady performances. He has stopped his previous three opponents which includes first round stoppage over Carlos Garcia on July 7th.
In a six round Heavyweight bout Patrick Farrell (7-1-1, 3 KO’s) of Jersey City, NJ takes on Mario Munoz (7-3, 3 KO’s)
In an intriguing six round Heavyweight bout, former world amateur champion Joey Dawejko (7-0-1, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA takes on Dorsett Barnwell (6-0, 3 KO’s) of Norfolk, VA.
Rising Light Heavyweight prospect, Lavarn “Baby Bowe” Harvell (12-0, 7 KO’s) will see action in a six round bout against an opponent to be announced.
Harvell of Atlantic City has scored four consecutive explosive knockouts for which three have come in the first round.
Three highly regarded amateur standouts will be making their pro debuts in four round bouts:
Former three-time Irish champion Tyrone McKenna will take part in a Welterweight bout. Three-time New Jersey champion Anthony Gangemi of Dover, New Jersey will fight in a Welterweight bout. Three-time open class champion Tyrell Wright will fight in a Heavyweight bout. Wright was ranked as the number-five national Heavyweight before turning pro.
Tickets for this outstanding night of boxing are priced at $75 & $50 and can be purchased at Ballys, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at ticketmaster.com or Pound for Pound Promotions by calling 201-867-2008 and Ask for Kathy
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