(July 26, 2012)—After the recent back injury suffered to former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog (20-0, 15 KOs), World Boxing Association (WBA) Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (23-0, 20 KOs) will now defend his title against highly regarded Grzegorz Proksa (28-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday night September 1, 2012 as the main event headlining HBO Boxing After Dark.
The 12-round co-feature will showcase former WBO Jr. Middleweight champion, Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk (37-1, 23 KOs) of Kiev, Ukraine versus, undefeated heavy handed Puerto Rican contender, Jonathan Gonzalez (15-0, 13 KOs), the current NABO and WBA FEDELATIN Jr. Middleweight champion. The combined record of all four fighters is an astonishing (103-2, 77 KOs).
The doubleheader promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, Arthur Pelullo/Banner Promotions, K2 Promotions, Greg Cohen Promotions, Matchroom Sport, Warrior’s Boxing and Universal Promotions, will take place at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York and will be televised live on HBO BOXING AFTER DARK® beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.
Golovkin of Kazakhstan and now residing in Stuttgart, Germany, won the silver medal in the 2004 Olympics and had amateur wins over Lucian Bute, Andre Dirrell, Matt Korobov, and Andy Lee. He’s perfect as a professional compiling an astonishing record of 23-0 with twenty coming by way of knockout. He won the WBA Interim Middleweight title with a first round destruction over Milton Nunez (24-4-1, 22 KOs) and captured the full WBA title in this following bout with a third round stoppage over Nilson Tapia (15-3-1, 11 KOs). Golovkin has made three defenses which include wins over former world champion Kassim Ouma (27-8-1, 17 KOs), highly regarded contender LaJuan Simon (23-4-2, 12 KOs), and in his last defense on May 12, 2012, he pounded Makoto Fuchigami (19-7, 10 KOs), stopping him in the third round. Golovkin will be making his highly anticipated debut in the United States.
Said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, “Gennady trains in America and is committed to fighting here where there have been so many middleweight legends; we’re grateful to HBO for this opportunity to showcase his skills. We strongly feel that he is the BEST middleweight in the world right now and we’re anxious for the world to see that.”
“I’m very excited to face Grzegorz Proksa on September 1st,” said Golovkin. Proksa has never been in the ring with a puncher like me and I’m here to show the world what I’m made of. I’ve wanted to fight in the United States for a long time and look forward to fighting the best middleweights in the world in the near future.”
Proksa of Poland and now residing in Redhill, United Kingdom, has an impressive record of 28-1 with twenty-one knockouts. Proksa exploded onto the world scene when he stopped former IBF Middleweight boss Sebastian Sylvester (34-5-1, 16 KOs) in three rounds. Unfortunately in his next bout, Proksa lost a controversial majority decision to Kerry Hope (17-4, 1 KO). Like a true warrior, Proksa emphatically avenged that defeat to Hope in his last bout, stopping him in round eight of their July 7th bout.
Said Matchroom Sport’s Barry Hearn, “Proksa has waited all his professional life for this opportunity and respects Golovkin for his achievements in the ring. He knows this will be a tough fight for both fighters and is convinced he can emerge victorious in an entertaining contest. Proksa has one loss on his record when he lost his European title in a controversial points decision in a fight where he suffered a terrible cut via an accidental clash of heads. That loss has been avenged via a knockout victory to regain his European crown and he does not intend to suffer a loss in this fight. The fight features the two biggest punchers in the middleweight division and I am convinced that fight will not go the distance. It’s an honor for Proksa to be part of an HBO show and he is excited about winning in the USA on the biggest network for boxing in the world.”
“I have no doubt in my mind that I have the ability to knockout Golovkin,” said Proksa. “My opportunity to showcase my talents to the world has arrived and I’m not going to let it slip away. This will be a difficult fight but I believe in myself to come out victorious and I’m going to bring an aggressive game plan for the fans. I’m coming to the US to impress and take home the title.”
“This is a terrific bout and I believe a new star of the Middleweight division will be born on September 1st”, said Banner Promotions CEO Artie Pelullo. “There are three big Middleweight bouts in a span of a couple of weeks and this fight involves two of the best Middleweights in the world so the stakes could be very big for the winner”
“Pirog will be anxiously awaiting the results of this fight, as he wants his opportunity to fight the winner on HBO. There are many worthy opponents at 160, including Daniel Geale, Sergio Martinez, and Chavez Jr, and he is willing to fight anyone of them, as we believe that he might be the best, and is the biggest puncher at 160.”
Sergiy Dzinziruk has never lost a bout at 154 pounds. At Jr. Middleweight, Dzinziruk defended his WBO world title seven times. Sergiy, a boxer-puncher, will look to end the hype on Gonzalez, and regain his claim as one of the best 154 pound fighters in boxing.
“It’s a fact, that I am unbeatable at Jr. Middleweight, Dzinziruk said. “Gonzalez is a big puncher, but he’s never been in the ring with a superior boxer like me. I will end his unbeaten record and move toward another world title. I will be champion once again real soon.”
Art Pellulo, Dzinziruk’s co-promoter stated, “This will be a classic boxer versus puncher matchup and as we all know, a boxer always beats a puncher. Dzinziruk will be too slick for Gonzalez. Once he wins this fight, we will work to get him another world title shot.” Dziniruk is also co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.
Hard-punching knockout artist, Puerto Rican sensation, Jonathan Gonzalez, brings a crowd-pleasing style into the ring. He was a Puerto Rican Olympian, amassing 147 wins as an amateur with only 18 defeats.
Gonzalez is jointly promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, Warriors Boxing and Universal Promotions. He is undefeated as a professional, knocking out his first 13 opponents, and had amassed and amazing amateur record of (132W-18L). Highly ranked Gonzalez will attempt to do what no other fighter has done, beat Sergiy Dzinziruk at Jr. Middleweight.
“Fighting on HBO is a big opportunity for me and my team,” stated Gonzalez. “Gary Shaw has come through on his promise to get me on a worldwide stage to showcase my talent. I always bring excitement to the ring and it won’t be any different when I face Dzinziruk. My goal is to become champion.”
Said Gary Shaw, “Jonathan is highly ranked in all sanctioning organizations, and I’m sure after this fight, he will be considered by all, for a shot at a world title.”
“Gonzalez is another great talent from Puerto Rico that we can all be excited about,” mentioned Warriors Boxing Promotion’s Leon Margules. “Dzinziruk better be ready for a war.”
“Jonathan Gonzalez has something to prove in this fight,” said Javier Bustillo of Universal Promotions. “This is his big opportunity to show the world what he is all about. I expect him to leave everything in the ring on fight night.”
“I want to give a very special thank you to HBO and Ken Hershman for giving us the opportunity to present this great night of boxing in two very important weight divisions,” continued promoter Gary Shaw. “ I believe the real winner of this show will be the fans in attendance and the millions watching on HBO.”
“GCP is thrilled to be a part of this world class event. Bringing a World Championship Boxing event televised by HBO to a World Class venue like Turning Stone is going to be a terrific experience for everyone involved.”
Ticket information to be announced shortly.
FORMER WORLD CHAMPION DEMARCUS CORLEY OFFERS UP SERVICES TO KARIM MAYFIELD
New York, NY (7/27/12) – Upon hearing that unbeaten junior welterweight contender Karim Mayfield is looking for an opponent for his upcoming fight on August 17th televised by ESPN “Friday Night Fights”, former world champion-and now resurgent contender-DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley wants Mayfield and the boxing world to know that he is ready and willing to step in.
As reported by Fightnews, Nate Yoder, Vice President of Prize Fight Promotions (Mayfield’s promoter), says that Mayfield is “the top 140-pounder in the world,” “is willing to take on all comers,” and they “have offered this fight o anyone that will take it.” Corley is coming off back-to-back impressive victories over previously unbeaten Gabriel Braceo (18-0) on January 21, 2012, and most recently, he traveled to the backyard of once-beaten Paul McCloskey and stopping the former European champion in the 10th round of their scheduled 12-round junior welterweight contest on May 5. Now, Corley has his sights set on the WBO NABO light welterweight champion, Mayfield.
“I am hearing and reading that this guy Mayfield is looking for an opponent,” said Corley. “Well I am available, so let’s make it happen. If he wants to fight then let’s make it happen. It is that simple. Just contact my promoter DiBella Entertainment and we are good to go.”
Over a career that has spanned 16-plus years, in which he won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light welterweight championship of the world, Corley has fought everyone from lightweight to welterweight, including former or current world champions, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah, Randall Bailey, Junior Witter, Devon Alexander and Marcos Maidana. Corley has also been in the ring with current world-rated contenders Thomas Dulorme, Lucas Matthyse and Ruslan Provodnikov, just to name a few.
STAR BOXING CELEBRATES 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
NEW YORK (July 27, 2012) This Saturday night, July 28th, will mark the 20 Year Anniversary of Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing as they host “ROCKIN FIGHTS 4” at The Paramount in Huntington, New York.
“ROCKIN FIGHTS 4″is headlined by ‘The Fighting Pride of Huntington, New York”, Chris Algieri and tough Texas fighter Raul Tovar in an eight round junior welterweight bout.
‘It’s been an honor to promote in the Tri-State area for the last twenty years. Boxing fans have come to expect terrific evenings of great fights at our events and we’ve been proud to honor our commitment to them” said DeGuardia who has seen his company rise to one of the most well regarded and longest running and consistent promotional firms in the world.
In the first event promoted by Star Boxing on June 30, 1992, perennial contender Larry Barnes won a unanimous decision over Willie Taylor. Barnes would later go on to face boxing legend Felix Trinidad at Madison Square Garden three years later.
In an ironic turn of events in the boxing world, DeGuardia had beat Barnes in the 1988 New York State Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden in the 147 lb. open division.
“Another friend of Star Boxing that everyone in boxing knows, HBO Boxing’s Harold Lederman, was one of the judges in that first main event in 1992. He still comes to each of our events when he’s in town.”
Star Boxing has also been very successful over the years in the development of boxers and providing opportunities for their careers. Additionally, included among the major world-class events they have promoted are the Antonio Tarver/Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver/Bernard Hopkins world title fights.
About the future DeGuardia said, “We’ve got a great team of fighters under the Star Boxing banner, from Algieri and Cletus Seldin along with Manny Gonzalez who’s fighting for the New York State Title on Saturday night to Delvin Rodriguez who was in the 2011 Fight of the Year which we promoted at the Roseland Ballroom. We also have Jason Escalera facing Edwin Rodriguez on HBO at Foxwoods Casino on September 29th. “
“Additionally we promote world ranked junior middleweight Demetrius Andrade, and heavyweight prospect Joe Hanks along with many other future champions and contenders, so the future looks very bright and we’re looking forward to many more years of promoting world class events.”
Advance tickets for “ROCKIN FIGHTS 4”, priced at $50 and $100, are available through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000) or through The Paramount Box Office, (631) 673-7300.
Special VIP/Red Carpet Seating along with advance tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823-2000 or on their website www.StarBoxing.com.Doors will open at 7pm with the first bell at 7:30pm.
The Paramount is located at 370 New York Avenue, Huntington, New York, 11743. For directions and more information, please visit their website atwww.paramountny.com