Demetrius Hopkins scored a ten round unanimous decision over Mike Arnaoutis in a battle former Jr. Welterweight title challengers but this fight was fought and Welterweight at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

The fight went pretty much as most pundits expected it with Hopkins looking to fight at ranges using his long jab, sometimes even doubling it up then bringing the right hand behind it while Arnaoutis would try to get inside. Try he did but without much success as Hopkins pot shotted at ranged and would stuff right hands in the face of Arnaoutis.

Arnaoutis, who has been prone to cuts was opened up as early as round two as he began to bleed over his left eye brow and later in the fight his features were bruised up all all over his face. Arnaoutis did mount some offense he landed some solid left hands but he could not follow up with anything behind it. Hopkins showed solid ring generalship as he coasted down the stretch to the unanimous decision victory by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-91

Hopkins, 147 lbs of Philadelphia will now look for a world title shot at 147 pounds with a record of 30-1-1. Arnaoutis, 146 lbs of Atlantic City is now 22-6-1.

Knockout artist, Francisco Contreras scored an eight round unanimous decision over Erick Cruz in a Lightweight bout.

Contreras controlled the action in a bout that did not have a great flow of action with the exception of a right hand that got through by Cruz that briefly got the attention of Contreras.

Contreras, 135 1/2 lbs of Irvington, NJ won by scores of 80-72, 80-72 and 78-74 to remain undefeated at 15-0. Cruz, 135 lbs of Manati, PR, took the bout on short notice and is now 7-4-3.

Long and lean Joseph Elegele scored a third round stoppage over late-sub Willie Walton in a scheduled four round Welterweight bout.

Both southpaws landed shots that staggered the other in round one. In round two, Elegele dropped Walton just as the bell sounded at the end of the round from a straight left to the top of the head. In round three, Elegele scored the possible premature stoppage when he landed a flurry in the corner that had referee Wayne Hedgepath unexpectedly stop the bout at 1:37 of round three.

Elegele, 143 lbs of Melbourne, FL is now 9-0 with seven knockouts. Walton, 145 1/2 lbs of Salt Lake City, UT is now 4-2.

Charles Hayward scored a six round unanimous decision over Mazur Ali in a Light Heavyweight bout to highlight a seven bout card at Merighi’s Savoy Inn in East Vineland, New Jersey

Hayward was very workmanlike as he mixed up the jabs and landed some solid right hands as he went upstairs to the head worked the body evenly. Ali would occasionally catch Hayward walking in but it wasn’t enough as Ali was also docked a point for holding in the fight.

Hayward, 174 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 60-53, 60-53 and 57-56 to raise his record to 5-2. Ali, 178 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 6-7.

Joel De La Paz scored three explosive knockdowns, all from punishing left hooks and needed just forty-four seconds to dispose of Randy Campbell in a four round Light Heavyweight bout.

After the third knockdown, Campbell’s corner mercifully threw in the towel. De La Paz, 167 lbs of Atlantic City is now 5-0 with four knockouts. Campbell, 167 lbs of Bowerston, OH is now 3-3.

Continuing the tradition of Delaware’s first family of boxing, Joey Tiberi made a successful pro debut as he scored a first round stoppage of Javier Dennis in a scheduled four round Lightweight bout.

This was a sloppy bout as Tiberi was having a tough time getting any rhythm against the awkward Dennis. Tiberi than landed a flurry that spun Dennis Around one more big shot sent him down and out and the fight was quickly halted at 2:27 of round one.

Tiberi, 135 lbs of Bear, DE is 1-0 with one knockout. Dennis, 134 lbs of Reidsville, NC is now 1-4.

The son of former WBA Heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon, Isiah Seldon bullied and mauled his way to a four round unanimous decision over Damion Reid in a Super Middleweight bout.

Seldon was steady in his aggression as he continuously trapped Reid against the ropes and would land little flurries.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Seldon, who had his father as his chief trainer and the 166 native of Atlantic City is now 1-0. Reid, 166 lbs of Reidsville, NC is now0-3.

Carlos Perez and Hector Collado battled to a four round draw in a Welterweight bout.

Scores were 38-38 on all cards. Perez, 146 lbs of Pleasantville, NJ is 0-0-1. Collado, 146 lbs of Union City, NJ is now 0-1-1.

In a close bout, Joseliz Cepeda scored a four round split decision over Joshua Orocho in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

It was a back and forth tussle and the scores read as such as Orocho won a card by a 39-37 tally but they were over ruled as the two remaining cards favored Cepeda by scores of 40-36 and 39-37.

Cepeda, 127 lbs of Santa Domingo, DR is now 1-1. Arocho, 128 lbs of Vineland, NJ is 0-1.

The opener Raul Lopez score a systematic one sided unanimous decision over Geraldo Rosas in a Super Bantamweight bout.

In between numerous head clashes, Lopez was effective in beating the body of Rosas, who was tough in defeat.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Lopez, 122 lbs of Bronx, NY and is now 4-1-1. Robles, 122 lbs of Union City, NJ is now 0-1.

The card promoted by Mike Indri’s Dignity Promotions.

NEW YORK / YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND (July 2, 2010)—This Friday night at the Doncaster Dome in Yorkshire, England, Jamie McDonnell will make the first defense of his European Bantamweight title in front of his hometown fans when he takes on Rodrigo Bracco of Italy in a bout scheduled for twelve rounds and the bout, along with a eight bout undercard will be streamed on www.gofightlive.tv

The fights will be available on Saturday July 3rd at 12:30 am eastern time and will be available FREE of charge just by clicking: http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=730

McDonnell has a record 14-2-1 with six wins coming by knockout and he won the crown in his last bout as he stopped Frenchman Jerome Arnould (22-3-1) in ten rounds in Arnould’s homeland in France.

McDonnell has won six straight fights which also includes his exciting split decision over Ian Napa back on January 22nd for which McDonnell captured both the British and Commonwealth Bantamweight titles.

Bracco of Italy has a record of 11-2 with five knockouts.

This will be Barcco’s first fight outside his native land and has won two straight bouts which includes his last bout when he won the Italian Bantamweight title with a tenth round stoppage over previously undefeated Pio Antonio Nettuno on March 19th.

The ten round co-feature will be a Jr. Welterweight bout between Curtis Woodhouse taking on Stefy Bull.

Woodhouse has a record of 13-1 with eight knockouts and has won three in a row by knockout.

The Yorkshire resident is coming off a fourth round stoppage over Maurycy Gojko on April 25th.

Bull is a veteran of thirty-six bouts and has produced an impressive record of 29-6-1 with seven knockouts.

Bull is also a Yorkshire resident and has won four straight with his latest victory being a second round stoppage over Dean Hickman (15-6-1) on May 21st.

The rest of the card as Follows:

6 Rounds – Jr. Welterweights—Scott Haywood (20-5-1, 4 KO’s) vs. Rick Godding (11-0, 1 KO)
6 Rounds – Flyweights- Usman Ahmed (6-3-1) vs. Luke Wilton (7-2-1, 3 KO’s)
4 Rounds – Welterweights – Steven Swinburn (0-0-1) vs. Joe Smith (0-1)
4 Rounds – Heavyweights – Damian Campbell (PD) – Lee Swaby (25-25-2, 11 KO’s)
4 Rounds – Jr. Welterweights – Tommy Coyle (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Daniel Thorpe (23-103-3, 9 KO’s)
4 Rounds – Jr. Welterweights – Chad Gaynor (3-0. 2 KO’s) vs. Johnny Greaves (2-50, 1 KO)
4 Rounds – Middleweights – Liam Cameron (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Dee Mitchell (9-7, 2 KO’s)

The card is promoted by Frank Maloney Promotions and this is the second show in as many weekends that a Frank Maloney Promotions show has been streamed on www.gofightlive.tv

“We had a lot of great feedback and views on the Tyson Fury – John McDermott rematch”, said David Klarman, president of www.gofightlive.tv

“Frank Maloney has been one of the great promoters in all of Europe and puts on great fights and we hope to be able to show the fans around the world these great fights that will take place this weekend and beyond.”

Raul Lopez 122 vs Geraldo Rosas 122
Joshua Arocho 128 vs Joseliz Cepeda 127
Joey Tiberi 135 vs Javiar Dennis 134
Joel DeLaPaz 167 vs Randy Campbell 167
Carlos Perez 146 vs Hector Collado 146
Ismail Garcia 159 vs Bryan Smith (failed to show for weigh-in fight cancelled)
Isiah Seldon 166 vs Damion Reed 166
Mazur Ali 178 vs Charles Hayward 174

Venue: Merighi’s Savoy Inn
Promoter: Mike Indri’s Dignity Promotions

Undefeated welterweight Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, was given a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives proclaiming June 28, 2010 as “Mike Jones Day” at the Newtown (PA) Athletic Club, his training site for several weeks prior to his fights. The proclamation was presented to him by Adrianne Sellers, legislative assistant to Pennsylvania State Representative Steve Santarsiero. Jones, who is ranked the #2 welterweight by the WBO behind champion Manny Pacquiao, has been preparing for his July 9 fight when he defends his NABA and NABO titles against Irving Garcia at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall.

# # #

Mike Jones vs. Irving Garcia: The Fireworks Continue on July 9, 2010 at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall is promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment and Caesars Atlantic City. The 12-round main event will be for Jones’ NABA and NABO welterweight titles.

Tickets are $100, $75 and $50 and are available at Ticketmaster.com (800-736-1420) and through Peltzboxing.com (215-765-0922)

NEW YORK (July 1, 2010) – World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez (28-0, 25 KO’s) is set to defend his title against Filipino Bernabe Concepcion (30-2-1, 17 KOs) on July 10 in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Saturday’s 12-round world title fight is promoted by Top Rank Inc.

Lopez, The former WBO super-bantamweight champion, knows Concepcion will be one of the fastest fighters he’s ever faced. “I’ve seen Bernabe Concepcion fight several times and I’ve really studied his style. I know he’s working with Manny Pacquiao – they work with the same people. He’s a very strong fighter. He’s a young fighter – a hungry fighter. He really wants to be a world champion. He’s a difficult opponent.

“He’s a very intelligent fighter, so we need to be very intelligent, too. We need to fight him with a lot of pressure and a lot of speed – we need to be very fast that night.”

In what should prove to be an equally entertaining co-feature bout, Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15 KOs) will battle Hernan Marquez (25-1, 18 KOs) for the interim WBA super flyweight championship. Donaire is currently ranked in the top five on several publications’ pound-for-pound lists and is the former IBF world flyweight and IBO world flyweight champion.

Lopez, who will be making the first defense of his second world title, made the move up to featherweight in his last fight, a January TKO win over Steven Luevano at Madison Square Garden in New York, and is currently on the longest layoff of his five-year pro career. Luevano was the third world champion Lopez has fought and vanquished in his last seven fights.

Luevano is the only common opponent between Lopez and Concepcion with Concepcion losing to him by disqualification in the seventh round in August, 2009.

On June 7, 2008, Lopez defeated Daniel Ponce de León by technical knockout to win his first title – the WBO super bantamweight championship. He defended the title five times until Jan. 23, 2010, vacating it after defeating Luevano for the organization’s featherweight championship.

Against Lopez, Concepcion will face the biggest puncher he’s ever encountered. The 22-year-old began his pro career at 110 pounds before settling into the super-bantamweight division in 2005. He later moved up to 126 pounds in 2009.

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In his last fight in February of this year, he won a 10-round unanimous decision over Mario Santiago in Las Vegas. Before that, against Luevano, Concepcion blatantly belted the defending WBO featherweight champ with an after-the-bell shot at the end of the seventh round earning him the disqualification.

In preparation for his 12-round co-feature bout against Marquez, Donaire will be looking to drop close to 10 pounds to get down to the 115-pound limit. The “Filipino Flash” has been sparring with heavier fighters like Glenn Gonzales and Luevano.

Donaire, 27, won the interim WBA super flyweight title in August 2009, and has made one successful defense. He is unbeaten in world title bouts. Marquez is just 21 and goes by the nickname “Tyson” because as an amateur his father said he hit as hard as Mike Tyson.

Gus Johnson will call the action with Al Bernstein serving as expert analyst and Jim Gray as the ringside reporter. The executive producer is David Dinkins Jr., with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.

For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from its events, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television Networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank

PHILADELPHIA (JULY 1, 2010)—Yet another medalist from the most recent Olympics has been added to a special night of boxing on Wednesday night July 14th at The Arena in South Philadelphia as heavyweight bronze medalist Vyacheslav Glazkov will take on the immensely popular Mark “Oak Tree” Brown in a bout scheduled for six rounds.

This show will be the first in the brand new Comcast Boxing Series that will be televised around the country and is promoted by No Limits Promotions

The main event will feature undefeated Israeli sensation, Ran Nakash taking on former Light Heavyweight champion Lou Del Valle in a bout scheduled for ten rounds.

Glazkov of Lugasnk, Ukraine could have done better than the bronze but an elbow injury forced him out of the competition just before his third fight.

As a pro, Glazkov has been perfect as he is 5-0 with three knockouts. He has spread out his victories as he has won two fights each in Russia and Ukraine with his remaining win coming in the Dominican Republic.

In his last bout, the twenty-five year old scored a third round stoppage over Ivan Shvayko on April 24th in Kiev Ukraine.

Brown of Salem, New Jersey has a record of 15-3 with seven knockouts.

He is one of the most popular fighters in the tri-state area with his gregarious personality and antics outside the ring.

In the ring, Brown won his first seven bouts before being stopped by then undefeated knockout artist Joey Abell (6-0) on July 7, 2006.

After that first defeat, Brown won eight consecutive fights which included his incredible come from behind stoppage victory over then undefeated Tony Grano (14-0-1).

Already down multiple times, Brown came back in the eighth and final round to stop Grano and claim the vacant WBF title.

After one more victory, Brown has dropped his last two fights. He was stopped by former world title challenger Fres Oquendo (29-5-1) and his last bout, Brown almost pulled off another miracle finish in the rematch with Grano.

After losing just about all of the first nine rounds, Brown dropped Grano in the tenth and final round but was unable to stop Grano in the rematch the took place on March 12th.

That bout is just one of the seven world class bouts scheduled for July 14th.

In the main event, Nakash (24-0, 18 KO’s) will battle former light heavyweight champion, Del Valle (36-6-2, 22 KO’s) in what will be by far Nakash’s toughest foe to date.

In the eight round co-feature, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, Felix Diaz (5-0, 3 KO’s) of Santo Domingo, DR will take on Corey Rodriguez (4-1-1, 3 KO’s) of Saint Anthony, Minnesota

In an intriguing Middleweight bout, Maks Liminov (12-0, 8 KO’s) of Prokopyevsk, Russia will take on battles tested Phil Williams (11-3-1, 10 KO’s) of Minneapolis, MN in a bout scheduled for six rounds.

Former world Jr. Amateur champion, Joey Dawejko (3-0, 1 KO) will take on Keon Graham (2-2) of Akron, Ohio in a four round Heavyweight bout.

Oz Goldenburg (1-0) of Tel Aviv, Israel will battle pro debuting Kenny Brown of Philadelphia in a four round Lightweight bout.

William Miranda (1-0) of Allentown, PA will take on debut Carmello Marrero of Reading, PA in a four round Heavyweight bout.

Former Penn State Offensive Lineman, Imani Bell of Philadelphia will be making his pro debut against Levay King (0-2) in a four round Heavyweight bout.

Tickets for this memorable night of boxing are priced at $100, $75, and $50 and can be purchased at following locals:

Peltz Boxing (2501 Brown Street) 215- 765 -0922
The Arena (7 West Ritner St.) 267-687-7560
Joey Eye 267-304-9399
Don Elbaum 610-933-7510

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former three division world champion, “Sugar” Shane Mosley will take on former Contender Season one and Jr. Middleweight champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora on September 18th at The Staples Center in Los Angeles.

“With Shane, you have somebody who fights everybody and with Sergio you have a guy who has really wanted a big challenge,” Said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer. “It’s a fight he’s wanted for a long time and to do it in his backyard on Mexican independence weekend makes it an even more meaningful fight for him. For Shane, he loves fighting at Staples Center and he is looking forward to this fight as well.”

“Ten years ago, Sugar Shane Mosley fought a young man from East L.A., Oscar De La Hoya, at Staples Center,” Schaefer said. “We felt if we could bring Shane back there 10 years later against another top Hispanic fighter, Sergio Mora, who is also from East L.A. and who also has history at the Staples Center, it would be a great fight to anchor our big card on the holiday weekend. It’s the perfect fight for Los Angles and will cap a week of great activities to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence.”

“We were supposed to spar one time back around 2003 or 2004 when I was up in Big Bear [Calif.] and I was looking forward to that,” Mora told ESPN.com. “He has the fastest hands I’ve ever seen in person or on TV. I was suited up to spar with him, but they didn’t need me that day. I wanted to work with him, but they had too many sparring partners. Now we’re supposed to fight for real. I like it that way.”

“We want to make it a great, fun card,” Schaefer said. “We’re still discussing having fights on the pay-per-view from Mexico.”

“I went through three camps before the Green fight,” Mora said. “It was a good comeback fight. I got hit, I got in some rounds and I got the stoppage. It was enough for September. I am really excited and motivated for the fight.”

“I told Richard when I signed with Golden Boy that I was willing to fight at 154 pounds as long as I had 10 weeks to get ready,” he said. “This is more than 10 weeks and I have already had six weeks of camp getting ready for Candelo. So I’ll take a week or so off and then get back in camp. I’m bringing in my nutritionist, Robert Ferguson, and as long as he’s on board and I have 10 weeks, I can make the weight and feel strong.”

“Shane Mosley has been counted out too many times, so I am not going to count him out at all,” Mora said. “I am not going to go by that performance at all.”

Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank

SHERMAN OAKS, CA (June 29, 2010) – The toll road of redemption can be long and dangerous, but nevertheless a necessary one. On Friday, July 9, John Molina, Jr. (20-1,16 KOs) will look to make his opponent pay the price as he forges forward to take the WBO/NABO Lightweight Championship from undefeated “Hammerin” Hank Lundy (18-0-1, 10 KOs) as the 12-round main event on the “Let Freedom Ring” card presented live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.

NABO #9-rated Molina who is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, rebounded from his sole loss last year against former WBO/NABO lightweight champion Martin Honorio, with two solid wins just one month apart from each other earlier this year. Stated Molina, “I am excited to get back on television and I will make sure I stay there. You learn a lot more in defeat then in victory regardless of the circumstances and it is the worse feeling in the world. I will do everything needed to do in the ring so I never feel like that again.”

“Lundy talks a lot and as far as I’m concerned he can keep it up. As a matter of fact, I like it. It’s been very amusing. I’m going to do my talking in the ring and he’ll know what I mean when I walk away with the belt. I have respect for him and what he has accomplished but come fight time nothing will stop me. I am going to do what I have to do to be victorious.”

The event is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES) at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I. with the Lundy-Molina bout promoted in association with Goossen Tutor. Check your local ESPN2 listings for time.

Fabricio Wedum scored one of the biggest upsets in MMA history as he made the man who widely regarded as the number-one Pound for Pound fighter, Fedor Emelianenko tap out in the first round of their scheduled three round Heavyweight bout at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.

Emelianeko knocked Werdum down early in round one and then jumped on Wrdum. Werdum was able to get a triangle choke combined with an armbar that made the legend tap out for his first loss in over ten years.

The time of the stoppage was 1:09 for Werdum, 238 1/2 lbs of Marina Del Ray, CA and is now 13-4-1 with eight submissions. Emelianenko, 229 lbs of Stary Oskol, Russia and is 31-2-1.

“I am so very, very happy,’’ the six-foot-four Werdum said. “He is such a strong man. He is a great fighter. I would be glad to fight him again.’’

“One that doesn’t fall doesn’t stand up. I was concentrating on the strikes and made a mistake,’’ Fedor said. “I will have to go back and analyze what happened.’’

Werdum may also have earned an immediate shot at STRIKEFORCE heavyweight world champion, Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem, whom he’s already defeated once. “I am ready to fight anybody,’’ Werdum said.

Cung Le got revenge as he stopped Scott Smith in round two of their scxeduled three round Middleweight fight.

Le nailed Smith with a spinning kick to the body that sent Smith down. Le jumped on Smith and punched Smith until referee Jason herzog stopped the bout at 1:46.

Le, 184 3/4 lbs of San Jose avenges his only defeat and is 7-1 with all wins coming by stoppage. Smith, 184 3/4 lbs of Elk Green, CA is now18-7-1

“I want to thank Scott Coker and SHOWTIME. I know what happened last time and was determined not to have it happen again. I knew I was in shape. I was pushed really hard during training. I was totally focused. I didn’t eat pizza. I didn’t eat chocolate for six or seven weeks.

Cris Cyborg retained the woman’s Middleweight title with a savage two round beating over a game Jan Finney.

Cyborg bloodied and battered Finney for most of the fight as she landed countless punches and knees but Finney showed no quit until the referee stopped the bout at 2:56 of round two of the scheduled five round bout. Cybor landed a staggering 146 strikes in the almost eight minute fight.

Cyborg, 144 1/2 lbs of Curitba, Brazil is now 11-1 with eight knockouts. Finney, 143 1/2 lbs of Springfield, OH is now 8-8.

“I was really surprised the fight wasn’t stopped in the first round,’’ said Cyborg after her 10th consecutive victory. “I know she was trying hard, but I could tell I was hurting her, especially when she was down and covering up like she was. But it is my job to keep fighting until the fight is over.’’

“I think this, being a world title fight, could have gone on a little longer,’’ she said. “If I was really hurt, I would have tapped.’’, said Finney

Josh Thomson choked out Pat Healy at 4:20 of round three in their scheduled three round Lightweight bout.

Thomson attempted to choke out Healy several times from multiple positions over the first two-plus round before locking in a rear naked choke in the final minute of the bout.

Thomson of San Jose is now 17-3-1 with nine submissions. Healy of Portland, OR is now 13-16

Despite fighting through a badly swollen left eye, Pablo Cesar Cano remained undefeated by scoring a ten round split decision over former three time world title challenger Oscar Leon in Mexico City.

Cano is now 20-0-1. Leon is 28-13.

Marco Antonio Periban scored a fifth round stoppage over Jason Naugler in a scheduled eight round Light Heavyweight bout.

The bout was halted as Periban landed ten successive blows but none of the shots were of major consequence.

The bout was halted at 1:37 of round five for Periban who is now 8-0 with five knockouts. Naugler of Canada is now 18-13-1.

Ivan Cano scored a first round stoppage over Adrian Quiroz in a scheduled six round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Cano dropped Quiroz with a wicked right hand and finished him off with another flush right that forced the referee to stop the fight.

Cano is 7-3 with five knockouts. Quiroz is 5-2

With a victory over Bernabe Concepcion on July 10, WBO Featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez will showdown with Rafael Marquez on September 18th, this according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The only one who doesn’t agree to this deal is a guy named Bernabe Concepcion,” Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who promotes Lopez and Concepcion, said. “But we made our deal with Showtime and we have the MGM on hold.”

“I’m really excited about this fight because I believe Marquez wins the fight,” said Gary Shaw, who promotes Marquez. “I think ‘Juanma’ is overrated. [Showtime’s Ken] Hershman told me Top Rank’s deal with him was done and Beltran told me we were all buttoned up and done. So all we are waiting for is the July fight and for ‘Juanma’ to come out victorious and healthy.”

“That’s always a big rivalry (between Puerto Rican and Mexican fighters) and we’re doing the fight on the Mexican holiday,” Shaw said. “What could be bigger?”

Said Arum, “It’s a sensational fight and a great fight particularly for that date because it’s the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence.”

“Rafael Marquez really wanted this fight,” Shaw said. “He believes he wins the fight and that it’s a great opportunity for him. If he beats ‘Juanma’ he knows that anyone who doubted that he should be in the Hall of Fame won’t be able to doubt him anymore.”

“If Marquez beats Lopez, he’s got some more really big fights in the division,” Shaw said. “The next fight I’d try to make is with [Top Rank-promoted titlist Yuriorkis] Gamboa.”

“I look at the fight like another Barrera-Morales kind of fight because of their styles and the way they’re going to come and bomb each other, and not take a backward step,” Arum said.

PHILADELPHIA (June 22, 2010)—On Wednesday night, July 14th, Boxing returns to The Arena in South Philadelphia as No Limits Promotions presents a night of world class boxing that will be seen all over country as the first show of the Comcast Boxing Series.

In the main event, undefeated cruiserweight and Israeli sensation, Ran Nakash battles former Light Heavyweight champion Lou Del Valle in a Cruiserweight bout scheduled for ten rounds.

The scheduled eight round co-feature will pit former Olympic Gold Medalist Felix Diaz taking on Emanuel Taylor in a battle of undefeated Welterweights.

Nakash has a record of 24-0 with eighteen knockouts and has captures the imagination of the Philadelphia boxing fans as he has amassed a record of 10-0 of Philly’s famed Legendary Blue Horizon.

Nakash of Haifa, Israel has had impressive victories over the likes Larry Robinson (10-3); Dave Brunelli (8-4); Gary Gomez (18-10-1) and Richard Stewart (14-8-2).

Nakash has scored three consecutive knockouts with the latest being a third round stoppage over Dan Sheehan on April 29th in Tel Aviv, Israel

Del Valle of New York has a record of 36-6 with twenty-two knockouts

Del Valle won his first twenty-two fights before challenging and narrowly losing a unanimous decision to long reigning champ Virgil Hill. Four wins later, Del Valle put him back in position and this time captured the WBA Championship with a eighth round stoppage over Eddy Smulders (34-1.)

In Del Valle’s first defense, he scored a knock down on legendary pound for pound king Roy Jones Jr. but came up short as he dropped a unanimous decision.

It just took for fights for Del Valle to position himself for the WBA Title again and he fought to a draw against Bruno Girard in Girard’s homeland of France.

The two fought just eleven months later with Girard pulling out a close split decision victory.

Since that fight, the eighteen year veteran has gone 5-3-1 with his latest fight being a draw with Joey Spina (25-1-1) on October 31, 2009.

Diaz of the Dominican Republic won a Gold Medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Diaz has amassed a record of 5-0 with three knockouts as a professional.

Diaz has already fought in his native Dominican Republic, Russia, Germany and this fight will be his second in the United States.

In his last fight, Diaz scores a six round unanimous decision over Orlando Membreno on March 12th in the Dominican Republic.

Taylor of Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland is just nineteen years-old but has already compiled an impressive mark of 8-0 with seven big wins by way of knockout.

Taylor, who turned pro at eighteen, has scored two consecutive stoppages, which includes a third round stoppage over Ayi Bruce (6-1) on May 7th in Huntington, NY.

Also on the bill will be former world Junior Amateur champion, Joey Dawejko (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia and he will take on William Miranda (1-0) of Allentown, PA in a Heavyweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

Israeli Jr. Welterweight Oz Goldenburg (1-0) will take on Travis Thompson (3-7-1, 2 KO’s) of Pottstown, PA in a bout scheduled for four rounds.

There will be great fights to be announced shortly

The Arena is located at 7 West Ritner Street

Tickets for this memorable night of boxing are priced at $100, $75, and $50 and can be purchased at following locals:

The Joe Hand Boxing Gym (543-547 North 3rd Street) by calling 1 215 271 4263
Peltz Boxing (2501 Brown Street) 215- 765 -0922
The Arena (7 West Ritner St.) 267-687-7560
Joey Eye 267-304-9399
Don Elbaum 610-933-7510

Sources have told 15rounds.com that highly regarded Jr. Middleweight Shawn Porter will take on Ray Robinson in a fight mandated at 150 lbs in Memphis, Tennessee and will be part of a tripleheader that will feature Fernando Guerrero battling Ishe Smith as well as Lenard Lane taking on Mike Dallas Jr.

The card will take place on July 16

Porter of Akron, Ohio is 15-0 with twelve knockouts. Robinson of Philadelphia will be looking to rebound from his first professional loss on December 3rd to Brad Solomon and has a record of 11-1 with four knockouts,

The Tripleheader will be telecasted on Showtime.

Sherzod Husanov made a successful United States debut by scoring a ten round majority decision over Jhon Berrio in a Jr. Middleweight bout in Spokane, Washington.

Husanov was more effective with consistent scoring blows that got inside the hard charging but wild Berrio.

Husanov, who made a long trek from Siberia just three days before the fight showed some signs of fatigue in the middle rounds but dug deep to win some of the later rounds to solidify the victory.

Husanov, 153 1/2 lbs is now 10-0-1. Berrio, 156 lbs of Colombia is 15-7.

Maxim Vlasov scored a third round knockout over former Olympian Jerson Ravelo in round three of a scheduled ten round Super Middleweight bout.

Vlasov was effective with the right hand in the first while Ravelo tried to work the body in the second. A minute into the third, Vlasov landed a booming right that dumped Ravelo on the canvas and could not beat referee Jeff Macaluso’s ten count at 1:12 of round three.

Vlasov, 166 1/2 lbs of Samara, Russia is now 18-0 with nine knockouts. Ravelo, 167 1/2 lbs of Newark, NJ is now 20-5.

Jonte Willis scored a thirf round knockdown en route to a four round unanimous decision over Leo Bercier in a Heavyweight bout.

Willis was dominant against Bercier, who took the fight on one day notice. In round three, a series of uppercuts forced Bercier to take a knee. Willis was never threatened in the fight.

Willis, 214 1/2 lbs of Tacoma, WA won by scores of 40-35 on all cards to remain undefeated at 7-0. Bercier, 210 3/4 lbs of Lakeside, CA is 8-13-1.

Former four-time world title challenger Omar Sheika took out journeyman Jim Strohl in three rounds in a scheduled eight round Light Heavyweight bout at Ceder Gardens in Hamilton Township, New Jersey.

It was all Sheika from the outset as he blasted away at Strohl with head and body shots that could be heard several rows back. The fight became one-sided in round two as Sheika was pounding away on a game Strohl and the underdog’s left eye became red and there were several instances where referee Lindsey Page was a punch or two away from ending things. Sheika came out to end the night in round three as he trapped Strohl on the ropes several times as he would land multi punch combinations that finally opened up at least one cut around the eyes of Strohl. One last flurry of body and head shots forced Page to jump in and halt the action in round three.

Sheika, 176 lbs of Paterson, NJ has now scored three consecutive stoppages and is now 29-9 with twenty-one knockouts. Stohl of Las Vegas is now 27-9.

Terrence Cauthen boxed his way to an eight round split decision over Cleotis Pendarvis in a welterweight bout.

Cauthen consistently beat Pendarvis to the punch by landing some solid right hooks to the head and body and garbbing before Pendarvis could gesustained offense going.

Scores were 79-73 and 77-75 for Cauthen while a third card read 77-75 for Pendarvis.

Cauthen, 148 lbs of Trenton, NJ is 35-6. pendarvis, 146 lbs of Los Angeles is now 10-3-2.

In an exciting four round Super Bantamweight bout, Benjamin Morales squeaked out a unanimous decision over Francisco Ortiz.

The bout was action packed throughout with bot guys standing toe toe and at some points did some good in-fighting on the ropes.

Morales got the better of the first two frames and maybe got the slight advantage in the final frame to win by a 39-37 tally on all three judges cards.

Morales, 122 lbs of Allentown, PA is 1-0. Ortiz, 122 lbs of Vega Baja, PR is now 1-1.

Rami Ibrahim scored a terrific one punch stoppage over Marcus Smith in a scheduled four round Lightweight bout.

Ibrahim was all over Smith in the first frame and landed a hard right that dropped Smith in the second. When Smith got to his feet he was unsteady and the referee stopped the bout at 1:02 of round two.

Ibrahim, 136 lbs of Philadelphia is now 3–1 with one knockout. Smith, 134 1/2 lbs of Trenton, NJ is 0-3.

Charles Heyward scored a systematic unanimous decision over Reshawn Scott in a four round Light Heavyweight bout

All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Heyward, 177 lbs of Philadelphia and is now 4-2. Scott. 180 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is 2-4.

Alando Swain got into the win column with an emphatic four round unanimous decision over alil Farah in a Super Middleweight bout.

Swain buckled Farah on several occasions and won by scores of 40-36, 30-36 and 39-37.

Swain, 162 lbs of Trenton, NJ is now 1-1. Farah, 167 lbs of Philadelphia is 6-5.

Osnel Charles scored a four round unanimous decision over Ramon Ellis in a Lightweight bout.

All three judges saw the fight 39-37 for Chales, 134 lbs of Atlantic City who is now 3-2. Ellis, 137 lbs of Philadelphia is now 0-6.

The card was promoted by Nedal Boxing and can be seen this Sunday on gofightlive.tv

Westminster, MD (June 17) – As a hero to many who regularly fights before raucous, standing room only crowds, Mark “TNT” Tucker is accustomed to performing under the bright lights.

So far so good.

The 22 year old light heavyweight sensation has impressive victories over former title contenders Rubin Williams and Ross Thompson, while decisioning grizzled veteran George Armenta.

“Fighting in Westminster has been tremendous and I’ve already accepted some tough fights to please my fans, but now it’s time to take the next step towards becoming a premier fighter,” said Tucker, who at 13-0 holds the USBO Light Heavyweight championship.

This Saturday at Oakland, CA’s Oracle Arena, Tucker faces a new challenge when he makes his promotional debut for DiBella Entertainment. Headed by globally renowned Lou DiBella, DBE has led some of the sport’s top fighters to premium cable dates, world championships and, multi-million dollar pay days.

Aside from having to impress a new promoter, Tucker has a difficult draw in opponent Billy Bailey with the NABO Youth title at stake. At 10-7-1 (4 KO’s), Bailey is far tougher than his record indicates. The rugged Californian has impressive wins over once beaten Brian Cohen and previously undefeated Kevin Hand, while dropping controversial decisions in the hometowns of well regarded fighters such as Roger Cantrell, Anthony Ferrante and Danny Santiago.

Even though Bailey, who has been stopped just once, enters Saturday night a loser in his last two bouts, Tucker is not taking the opportunity to battle for the NABO title lightly.

“Billy comes to win and has pulled off upsets in the past, so I had a terrific camp to properly prepare,” said Tucker, who spent time training at the famed Wildcard Gym under the guidance of Freddie Roach. “I am honored to be able to fight for one of boxing’s finest promoters in Lou DiBella and I am going to show him how a country boy handles business inside of the ring.”

The Tucker-Bailey match up will serve as one of the bouts leading up to the SHOWTIME Super Six: World Boxing Classic, WBA Super Middleweight fight between Andre Ward and Allan Green. Tickets are available by calling 510-569-2121.

The legacy of the late great featherweight champion Salvador Sanchez picks up with his now professionally active 24-year-old nephew of the same name, Salvador Sanchez II. Nearly identical in physical stature and looks, Sanchez hails from the same hometown as his uncle, Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico, and fights as a featherweight wearing the same trunks, robes and shoes that his uncle, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991, adorned over 30 years ago.

Sanchez turned pro in 2005 and has thus far built a record of 19-3-2 (9 KOs), losing only once in his last 22 starts. Managed by Grant Elvis Phillips, Sanchez was recently signed to a promotional contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. In his first fight for the promotional company, Sanchez thrilled a crowd of over 50,000 fans with a devastating knockout of Jaime Villa at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, on the Pacquiao-Clottey undercard.

“Salvador wanted to be a fighter since he was little,” said Phillips, of his fighter’s aspirations. “His parents wanted him to go to school, similar to the original Salvador Sanchez, whose parents didn’t want him to be a boxer, either. They wanted him to go to college.”

Sanchez is trained by the venerable Abel Sanchez, along with strength and conditioning coach Chris Tirado, and will be returning to the ring on June 26, 2010, on his biggest stage yet, live on Pay-Per-View, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, as part of the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.-John Duddy undercard. His opponent will be the tough Tomas Villa, who waged a war against hard-hitting future title challenger Rogers Mtagwa, in 2008, in one of the year’s best fights.

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Star Boxing’s Heavyweight fan-favorite, Vinny Maddalone (33-6, 24KO’s), known for his warrior-like performances inside the ring, has began parlaying his popularity into a career outside the ring. Though still active; Maddalone scored a 5th round TKO over Dominique Alexander in his last bout back in March at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ; it was announced this week that he has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors to Ring 8, the Veteran Boxers Association of New York, Inc.

In addition, while he won’t be on the card at Star Boxing’s upcoming show at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, Maddalone will play a major part in night’s events, serving as the host for what is shaping up to be an exciting night, featuring pre and post parties, at the ever popular Atlantic City Casino. Lastly, Maddalone recently opened a Restaurant and Bar (Ringside Bar and Grill) in his hometown of Queens, NY.

MADDALONE W/ PROMOTER JOE DEGUARDIA

“We are very proud of Vinny’s accomplishments both inside, and now outside of the ring,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing and long-time promoter of Maddalone. “Wherever he goes, Vinny is just so well-respected, and being elected to serve on the board is a true testament to that.”

Following Maddalone’s recent win in Atlantic City, long-time promoter Joe DeGuardia came up with the idea to have Maddalone host the next event.

“Vinny’s such a draw and has so many fans out there, I knew that if I wasn’t going to have him on the card, I still wanted him to be part of the event,” explained DeGuardia. “We are working on something big for Vinny in the early fall, so we wanted to hold off on putting him on this show, but he will be there, greeting fans, and hosting both our pre and post fight parties, for what is expected to be a huge turn out.”

“It’s a real honor to be elected to the Board,” stated Maddalone. “I have been involved with Ring 8 for sometime now, but to officially be named one of their own, and to have a voice in the organization, really is something special to me. ”

Regarding his restaurant, Maddalone is optimistic about the future. “The restaurant is coming along well, I just brought in a new chef, and his food is unbelievable. I don’t want to just be the guy behind the scenes, I enjoy being there at night and greeting the customers and sitting down and talking with them one on one. It keeps me busy when I’m not in training, and it is something I can focus on when my boxing career one day comes to an end.”

The show at the Tropicana will take place on Saturday, July 17th and will feature top-rated heavyweight contender David Tua (51-3-1, 43KO’s), (WBO #2) taking on perennial contender Monte Barrett (34-9, 20KO’s).

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at (718) 823-2000 or visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets are priced at $100 (ringside), $50 and $30. Star Boxing is currently holding exclusive $200 VIP Packages, call for more information. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by going online to Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Tropicana North Tower Box Office or by phone at (609) 340-4000. The Tropicana Casino and Resort is located at 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since 1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com.

ABOUT TROPICANA CASINO & RESORT:

The Tropicana Casino & Resort is a 24-hour gaming destination located on the beach and Boardwalk. Featuring more than 2,100 rooms and suites and home of The Quarter, a 200,000 square foot entertainment complex, Tropicana is the premier resort in Atlantic City. With more than 20 restaurants, 20 shops, 12 bars and lounges, 2 pools, an IMAX Theatre and a spa, Tropicana is consistently rated as the “Must-See Attraction” in Atlantic City. For more information, visit the new official Web Site at www.tropicana.net For more exclusive discounts, current information, pictures, and video, be sure to check out the Tropicana on the Web at www.facebook.com/TropAC or follow us on Twitter twitter.com/TropicanaAC.

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According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, World Middleweight champion Sergio Martinez will keep his Middleweight championship and vacate his WBC belt at Super Welterweight.

“Sergio didn’t like to do it, but he gave up the junior middleweight title,” Said Sampson Lewkowicz, who is Martinez advisor. “He’s fought twice at 160 pounds and he built up muscles. He thought maybe he will have to sacrifice too much to be at 154 again.”

“By keeping the middleweight title, he would also have an ability to drop down to fight a big fight at a catch weight,” Said Martinez promoter Lou DiBella. “He bulked up for Pavlik and he knows his body. He said he would have a problem going all the way down to 154 and there is no mega fight for him in that weight class. If there is an economic reason to go down as low as 155, he’d probably do it, but he’s a middleweight now.”

“What Sergio told me was that he preferred to stick at 160 because he wants to follow in the footsteps of his great idol, Monzon,” Lewkowicz said. “It means a lot to him to have the same title as Monzon and there is more prestige he believes in being middleweight champion than in the junior middleweight division.”

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

Renato “Babalu” Sobral scored a three round unanimous decision over Robbie Lawler in a 195 lb catchweight fight at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.

After a good first round by Lawler, Sobral came on strong and landed numerous strikes that broke down Lawler.

Sobral, 193 1/2 lbs of Costa Mesa, CA won by scores of 29-28 on all cards and is now 36-8. Lawler, 195 lbs of Granite City, IL is now 17-6.

Sobral said he would like a rematch with Dan Henderson who defeated him eleven years ago.

“This is something I will have to think about,’’ said Babalu, who triumphed by the scores of 29-28 three times. “Yes, of course, I want to be a champion again but I’m old school and he is my friend and friends last longer than title belts. But we’ll see.’’

“I wasn’t hurt, I just wanted to make him think I was,’’ said Lawler, who suffered damage to his body from a multitude of front kicks. “It was a ploy, a decoy, for him to fight me so I could knock him out.

“I’m disappointed with the result, but I have no complaints. The two takedowns in the first round may have been the difference. I know that I could have done much more. I should have done more.’’

Evangelista Cyborg scored a first round stoppage over Mariusz Zaromskis in a scheduled three round Welterweight bout.

Cyborg hurt Zaromiskis early in round one with some hard strikes. Zaromskis made a desperate attempt at a running high knee that was thwarted by Cyborg and Zaromskis fell to the ground where Cyborg pounced on him with three hard shots and referee Herb Dean stopped the bout at 2:38.

Cyborg, 171 lbs of Brazil is now 18-13 with eleven knockouts. Zaromskis, 169 1/2 lbs of San Jose, CA is now 13-5.

“I am very happy with my performance and this fight,’’ the male Cyborg said. “I’ve had so many first-round knockouts. I can’t say if this was the best, but it was definitely one of the best.

“I want to fight (STRIKEFORCE world welterweight champion) Nick Diaz. He’s the fighter I want more than anybody right now.’’

Tim Kennedy scored a first round submission over Trevor Prangley in a scheduled three round Middleweight bout.

Kennedy, 185 1/2 lbs of Austin, TX won via choke at 3:35 and his record is now 12-2 with half of his wins coming by submission. Prangley, 185 1/2 lbs of South Africa is now 22-6-1.

“I don’t go the distance. In fact, I’m totally against going the distance,’’ Kennedy said. “I’m happy with the end result. He hit me with a good uppercut; that stuff’s not supposed to happen. I have some of the greatest hands in the sport. I just want to start fighting the kinds of opponents I can knock out and start a highlight reel on. I’m tired of fighting wrestlers.’’

KJ Noons scored a three round split decision of Conor Heun in a 160 lb catchweight bout.

Heun almost had Noons out in the first as he had Noons in a rear naked choke. Heun was bloodied under his left eye in the first round and fought through heavy blood flow as he ate a lot of shots by Noons, who is an accomplished boxer.

Noons, 159 1/2 lbs of San Diego won by scores of 29-28 and 29-28 while Heun, 159 1/2 lbs of Hollywood, CA took a cardc at 29-28.

“He’s a very game guy who brought it the whole fight,’’ said Noons, won by the scores of 29-28 twice and 27-30. “I definitely feel I won the fight and I really wanted to please the fans, but I had to work for it. I haven’t used my legs in a while so if felt good to get in some leg kicks.’’

A bloodied Heun felt he’d done enough to get the nod. “I wanted to fight one of the top guys to prove to everybody that I could compete with the top ones, and I think I did that tonight,” he said. “But I’m very disappointed with the decision. Only one judge scored the fight.

“I feel I did more than enough to win although the cuts were definitely a factor. By the third round, I was aiming my punches at the guy in the middle.’’

Noons is now 8-1. Heun is now 8-4.

It will be a battle of former world champions according to Dan Rafael of espn.com when Joel Casamayor battles Robert Guerrero on July 31st as part of the Juan Manuel Marquez – Juan Diaz rematch undercard.

Casamayor-Guerrero, a scheduled 10-rounder at a maximum contract weight of 139 pounds, rounds out the four-fight telecast that will include Marquez-Diaz II, 2009 ESPN.com prospect of the year Daniel Jacobs facing Russia’s Dmitry Pirog for a vacant middleweight title and a lightweight bout between former two-division titlist Jorge Linares and perennial contender Rocky Juarez.

“I made a promise to the ‘Fight Freaks’ that this would be a freak card and I think I’ve delivered that,” Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com. “I love Casamayor against Guerrero. It’s a big step up for Guerrero and a big opportunity for Casamayor. It’s one of those true crossroads fights. We have Linares-Juarez done and we have Jacobs fighting an undefeated fighter for a world title. I think the rematch of the fight of the year has become more than just that. I think it’s going to be the night of the year.”

“We are finalizing the contract, but we have an agreement by e-mail and have agreed on all the deal points,” Schaefer said.

“Joel is a veteran and he wanted a bigger fight. He wanted Khan,” manager Luis DeCubas Jr. told ESPN.com. “But if it’s not Khan, he’ll fight Guerrero. I think we’re in a different league than Guerrero. Robert is a great young fighter, but he’s never been in there with anyone like Joel. He’s real green. We’ll go through Guerrero first and then we’ll go get Khan or (junior welterweight titleholder Timothy) Bradley, or anyone else.”

“I think to have Linares back [fighting in the U.S.] and fighting a credible opponent like Rocky, I think it’s a big test for Linares, and it’s high noon for Rocky,” Schaefer said. “It’s a very interesting matchup.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBO Cruiserweight champion Marco Huck will make the fourth defense of his title against Matt Godfrey in Erfurt, Germany.

“Godfrey is a tough fighter, but he will not get my title,” Huck, 25, said. “I want to keep impressing the fans all over the world and I am determined to put on a spectacular performance against Godfrey.”

“I hope we (Huck and IBF Cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham) will meet again at some point down the road,” Huck said. “There is still something that needs to be settled between the two of us.”

PROVIDENCE (June 15, 2010) – Red-hot lightweight prospect “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy, rated No. 13 by the World Boxing Association, makes his first title defense against challenger John John “The Hammer” Molina (20-1, 16 KOs) in the 12-round main event July 9 on “Let Freedom Ring,” presented live on ESPN Friday Night Fights by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I.

The always entertaining, fan-favorite Lundy (18-0-1, 10 KOs), fighting out of Philadelphia, has made the Providence area his second home with this being his fifth fight in that market. The 26-year-old has defeated Tyrese Hendrix (18-0-1), Richard Abril (12-1-1), Jason Cintron (10-0), Esteban Alveraz (7-0) and fought Darnell Giles, Jr. (8-0) to a controversial draw.

“I’m ready to go and I think my first ESPN main event is overdue,” Lundy commented. “It feels real good. I’ve fought on ESPN three or four times. They liked what they saw and that’s why I’m back fighting on national television, but this time I’m in the main event. I put on a show for fans every time I’m in the ring.”

The NABO No. 9 rated Molina will be fighting east of the Mississippi River for the first time when he steps into the ring. He has beaten Efren Hinojosa (30-6-1), Frankie Achuleta (25-6-1) and Fernando Omar Lizarraga (16-1-1).

“He doesn’t impress me, not one bit,” the often outspoken Lundy said about his opponent. “He hasn’t fought the quality of opponent like me. Molina’s credentials are fraudulent. He has a beefed-up record. I can box but, most of the time, I just go in and blast away. Fans are going to see better boxing skills from me in this fight. John Molina is done. He may be 5-10 but he gives-up his height. He’s dumb.

“This nationally televised fight is going to prove I’m the top lightweight prospect in boxing. I’m going to be looking to get him out of there and, if it goes the distance, he’s going to get a real butt whooping. I’m ‘Hammerin’ Hank, he calls himself ‘The Hammer.’ I’m the real ‘Hammer’ and when I hit him with my hammer, he’s going to sleep.”

New England and EBA super middleweight champion “Irish” Joey McCreedy (11-4-2, 6 KOs), trained by “Irish” Micky Ward and fighting out of Lowell (MA), makes his middleweight debut in the 8-round co-feature against an opponent to be determined.

In a rare battle of college graduates, undefeated Cape Verdean boxer Vladine Biosse (6-0, 4 KOs), a former University of Rhode Island football player living in Providence, steps-up in class Quincy (MA) light heavyweight Chris Traietti (8-2, 5 KOs), an Iraq War veteran, in the 6-round ESPN swing bout.

Quincy (MA) welterweight Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes (2-1, 1 KO) plans to avenge her only loss against Providence’s Kali Reis (2-0 1 KO), who won a hotly-contested 4-round decision in their first meeting, in a 6-round rematch.

Providence firefighter Eric Estrada makes his long-awaited pro debut as a cruiserweight in a 4-round match against Antonio Robertson (0-1). Estrada, whose brother is 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, was perfect as an amateur with a 6-0 record, including victories in the New England Golden Gloves Tournament and Rocky Marciano Tournament.

Roxbury (MA) super middleweight Maceo Crowder (2-0, 1 KO), whose brother is 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, takes on Worcester (MA) mixed martial arts fighter Ralph Johnson in his pro boxing debut.

Also slated to fight in 4-round bouts against opponents soon to be announced are Warwick (RI) super middleweight Keith Kozlin (5-1, 3 KOs), Woonsocket (RI) super middleweight Joe Gardner (4-1-1, 1 KO), Lincoln light welterweight Diego Pereira (4-0, 2 KOs), and Fall River (MA) middleweight Dustin Reinhold (1-1, 1 KO). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “Let Freedom Ring,” priced at $35.00, $50.00, $75.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 5:30 PM/ET, first bout at 6:30 PM/ET.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Let Freedom Ring.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)

Photo by Emily Harney