New York, September 17, 2019
The sold-out crowd piled in to the Resorts World Catskills Epicenter on Saturday night, with much excitement over the US debut of top rated heavyweight CARLOS TAKAM (now 37-5-1 28KO’s), and the title defenses of two top-rated New England prospects, ABO America’s Super Lightweight champion, “ACTION” ANTHONY LAUREANO (now 12-0 4KO’s), and ABO America’s Cruiserweight champion, RICHIE “POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN” RIVERA (now 13-0 10KO’s).
After signing with JOE DEGUARDIA’S STAR BOXING, just two weeks ago, heavyweight title contender, Carlos Takam made his much-anticipated United States debut at Resorts World Catskills, against the granite chinned, Detroit native, CRAIG LEWIS (now 14-4 7KO’s). The two went to battle from the opening bell. Takam wasted no time showing off his impressive agility, especially for a 255 lb. heavyweight. By round two, Takam took control, landing an overhand right that could be heard echo through the majestic mountains of the New York Catskills. However, Lewis stood tall, proving his ability to take a monster punch. Takam continued his attack for the remaining eight rounds of the scheduled ten round fight, earning the unanimous decision victory. (99-91 (x2), 96-94).
Carlos Takam had this to say about his US debut, “I’m very happy to have made my first fight in the United States last Saturday. It is a beautiful entrance. It’s a dream for me to box in the United States, in the the field of legends like Ali, Holyfield and Mike Tyson. Many thanks to my Promotor Joe [DeGuardia], my team and all my fans around the world. US fans get ready for more exciting moments coming soon.”
In the co-feature, “Action” Anthony Laureano lived up to his name once more, as he took on the extremely tough, BRIAN “SWEET” JONES (Clarskville, TX now 15-11 9KO’s). Making his first ABO title defense, Laureano and Jones put on a show that had the entire casino on their feet. After a feel out round in the first, it was all action for the remainder of the 8-round fight. Early in the seventh, Laureano pounced on Jones with his signature body attack, but Jones would not back down, pinning Laureano against the ropes, as both men traded freely to close out the round. When the final bell rang, the crowd was on their feet, roaring for the performance that Laureano and Jones put on for Resorts World Catskills. Laureano defended his ABO title earning a hard fought but clear victory for the East Hartford, Connecticut super lightweight, by unanimous decision. (80-72 (x2), 78-74).
Laureano said this about the incredible atmosphere at Resorts World Catskills, “It was Great to be back at Resort World Catskills. To win and defend the ABO title at Catskills was truly amazing. The energy in the crowd was like no other. It has become my home and I can’t wait to return.”
Richie “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera went toe to toe with another slugger in ISRAEL DUFFUS (Los Angeles, CA now 19-6 16KO’s). It was clear from the start that both men were throwing punches with bad intentions. In the middle rounds of the scheduled 8-round ABO title defense for Rivera, both fighters began to open up, to the pleasure of the Resorts World Catskills crowd. Richie landed an overhand right in the sixth round that caused “oh’s” and “ah’s” from the crowd. However, Duffus, would not go out quiet, attempting to force the action in an effort to find and opening to stop the man they call “Popeye.” While the effort was a valiant one, Rivera controlled the action, and defended his ABO America’s Title, earning the unanimous decision victory. (80-72 (x2), 78-74).
Richie had this to say about his victory, “I really enjoy the opportunity that Star Boxing has been giving me. I was able to show the crowd good boxing skills such as hit and dont get hit. I always like putting on a good show and I want to make my fans proud, but also to be a great representative to Star Boxing and Joe DeGuardia”
In the opening two bouts of the evening, decorated amateur standout, and undefeated professional welterweight BOUBACAR SYLLA (Cincinnati, OH now 11-0 7KO’s) took on the rugged JERMAINE CORLEY (Mount Vernon, NY now 3-7 1KO) in a 6-round all-out brawl. Sylla used his boxing skill and IQ to subdue the come forward attack of Corley, while Corley attempted to bring the fight to Sylla for the full 6-rounds. At the final bell, Sylla would remain undefeated, winning by split decision. (59-55 (x2) Sylla, 58-56 Corley).
Hometown hero, BRYANT “THE PUNISHER” COSTELLO (Liberty, NY now 1-1 1KO) had the crowd rocking from the opening bell of the night as he took on, ANTHONY “ANIMAL” EVERETTE (Lawrence, MA now 1-8). Costello controlled the action, landing over hand rights at will, as well as solid combinations from the body to the head. At 42 seconds of the third of the scheduled four round super welterweight bout, Costello landed a three-punch combination to the head of Everette, causing the referee to see enough, stopping the bout.
The Catskills came alive with boxing once more in no small part to the action and the sold-out crowd that packed Resorts World Catskills. CEO of Star Boxing JOE DEGUARDIA said this on the epic night of fights, “It was a pleasure to be back at the Catskills and have another night of truly impressive fights. To be able to not only continue the rebirth of boxing in the Catskills but do so with a top heavyweight contender in Carlos Takam, was a perfect match.” DeGuardia continued, “The crowd was electric, and truly showed that the love for our sport is still deeply engrained in Sullivan County and the Catskills, and we hope to be a part of this growth for many years to come.”
RICHIE RIVERA (L) STICKS HIS JAB ON ISRAEL DUFFUS (R)
BOUBACAR SYLLA (L) SCORES TO THE BODY ON JERMAINE CORLEY (R)
ANTHONY LAUREANO CELEBRATES HIS ABO TITLE DEFENSE
BRYANT COSTELLO (L) LANDS ON ANTHONY EVERETTE (R)
PHOTO CREDIT: STAR BOXING
CATSKILLS CLASH II – September 14: Promo
Catskills Clash II Promo
For media use: Please tag @StarBoxing
INFO:
“CATSKILLS CLASH II” is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, on a thrilling night of fights from Resorts World Catskills, featuring elite heavyweight action in the main event as heavyweight title contender CARLOS TAKAM (France, 36-5-1 28KO’s) takes on heavy-handed heavyweight, CRAIG LEWIS (Detroit, MI 14-3-1 8KO’s). Also featured is New England, top undefeated prospects, “ACTION” ANTHONY LAUREANO (E. Hartford, CT 11-0 4KO’s), defending his ABO America’s Super Lightweight title against BRIAN “SWEET” JONES (Clarksville, TX 15-10 9KO’s), who is coming off a massive upset KO over undefeated prospect Julian Sosa. Co-featured is RICHIE “POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN” RIVERA (Hartford, CT 12-0 10KO’s) who returns to the Catskill’s against ISRAEL “BUMAYE” DUFFUS (19-5 16KO’s), in a fight between two hard punching bangers. On the undercard, undefeated welterweight, BOUBACAR SYLLA (Cincinnati, OH 10-0 7KO’s) will take on the tough Mount Vernon, NY, product, JERMAINE CORLEY (3-6 1KO). Finally hometown fan favorite, BRYANT COSTELLO, will be fighting in a 4-round bout.
WATCH LIVE ON FITE.TV:
FITE, the world leader in the digital distribution of combat sports will stream the event live on the www.FITE.TV website, FITE mobile apps for iOS, Android, and the FITE channels of Amazon Fire, Android, Apple TV, and Roku on a PPV basis. The FITE PPV will stream all “Catskills Clash II,” bouts and be available for just $14.99. Check availability in your area by going to the FITE.tv website.
Pre-Order the FITE.TV Stream HERE
TICKETS:
Tickets for Star Boxing’s “Catskills Clash II” are available now via ticketmaster.com. Tickets start at just $35. Purchase your tickets, HERE.
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ABOUT RESORTS WORLD CATSKILLS
Located in the heart of New York’s Catskill region, Resorts World Catskills Casino Resortoffers guests unmatched experiences in excitement, entertainment, and luxury. The integrated casino resort includes an 18-story all-suite hotel, and a casino featuring 100,000 square feet of gaming action including 150 live Las-Vegas style table games, 1,600 state-of-the art slot machines, a poker room, private gaming salons and a 100 seat sportsbook lounge. The casino resort also offers more than 10 varied bar and restaurant experiences, which includes an Italian steakhouse created by celebrity chef Scott Conant, and year-round live entertainment at the 2,500-seat RW Epicenter, casino bars and lounges. The luxurious hotel located within Resorts World Catskills is comprised of 332 suites, the Crystal Life Spa, two indoor pools, and two fitness centers. The integrated casino resort also includes additional stay and play destinations on its campus, including The Alder, an adjacent 101-room lifestyle hotel featuring the first Topgolf Swing Suites in New York State, and Dos Gatos, a cantina-style Mexican eatery and the recently opened Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark, and will be expanded to include a Rees Jones redesigned golf course.
ABOUT STAR BOXING ®:
For a quarter century, Star Boxing keeps on swinging! Star Boxing has consistently delivered boxing events of the highest caliber and attracts loyal fans from all corners of the globe. From the Antonio Tarver – Roy Jones trilogy to the meteoric rise of Chris Algieri and Joe Smith Jr. through the Rockin’ Fights Paramount Series, Star Boxing continues to work with and develop world rated contenders and red-hot prospects into future world champions. Star Boxing is revered worldwide throughout the industry for its credibility, integrity, and exciting fights.
For more information on Star Boxing, visit official website: www.StarBoxing.com