ATLANTIC CITY–WBO Light Heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev tuned up for a November date with Bernard Hopkins with a 2nd round stoppage over previously undefeated Blake Caparello at The Revel Hotel and Casino.

Caparello had a brief moment of positiveness when dropped Kovalev with a straight left hand in round one. In round two Kovalev sent Caparello to the canvas with a body shot. Caparello got up only to eat a flurry of punches that sent Caparello to a knee. Caparello got to his feet but it was to avail as Kovalev jumped all over Caparello and landed thudding shots until the fight was stopped at 1:47 of round two.

Kovalev, 174 lbs of Russia is now 25-0-1 with 23 knockouts. Caparello, 174 lbs of Australia is now 19-1-1.

Dmitry Mikhaylenko scored an 8-round unanimous decision over former top prospect Sechew Powell in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Mikhaylenko, 153 lbs of Russia won by scores of 80-72, 79-83 and 78-74 and is now 17-0. Powell, 148 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 26-6.

Light Heavyweight contender Isaac Chilemba scored a 7th round stoppage over Corey Cummings in a scheduled 10-round bout.

Chilemba was solid throughout the fight landing hard shots as he swelled and bloodied the face of Cummings until Cummings corner stopped the bout at 2:28 of round 7.

Chilemba, 175.5 lbs of Johannesburg, SA is mow 23-2-2 with 10 knockouts. Cummings, 174 lbs of Newark, NJ is now 17-7-1.

“I feel good. It was a good fight. He was well prepared for the fight. He came out strong and took some of my best shots until he just couldn’t take anymore. I want a title shot next. I am hoping Jean Pascal is the next one; I am hoping to get a chance at him or chance at Kovalev next.”, said Chilemba

In a scheduled six round Heavyweight war, Adam Kownacki scored a 5th round stoppage over Charles Ellis.

Kownacki hurt Willis with a right hand in the 1st round. Ellis came back to rock Kownacki several times in the bout that saw many ebbs and flows. Kownacki came out guns a blazing in round five as he landed a huge combination dropped Ellis on his back with his head pounding on the canvas and the bounce off the canvas and the fight was stopped at 15 seconds of round five.

DeCarlo Perez scored a hard fought 6-round majority decision over Marcus Willis in a Middleweight bout.

Perez, 158 lbs of Atlantic City, NJ won by scores of 59-55 twice and 57-57 to raise his mark to 12-3-1. Willis, 158.5 lbs of Fort Myers, FL is now 13-4-2.

Heavyweight Joey Dawejko looked spectacular in obliterating David Williams in just 108-seconds of the 1st round of their scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Dawejko dropped Williams three times with hard, flush punches to the head in what turned into a one round massacre.

Dawejko, 236 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 11-3-2 with 4 knockouts. Williams, 233 lbs of Philadelphia is now 7-9-2.

Hakim Bryant opened up the show with a 4th round stoppage over Anthony Watson in the last round of their Middleweight bout.

Bryant dominated the action and Watson even saw the doctor during round three. In round four, Watson continued to take punishment and the fight was stopped at 38 seconds of round four.

Bryant, 155 lbs of Middletown, NJ is now 2-0 with 1 knockout. Watson, 154 lbs of Philadelphia is mow 0-2.

Sergey Kovalev 174 – Blake Caparello 174
(WBO Light heavyweight Title)
Isaac Chilemba 175.5 – Corey Cummings 174
Dmitry Mikhaylenko 153 – Sechew Powell 148
Adam Kownacki 258 – Charles Ellis 233
DeCarlo Perez 158 – Marcus Willis 158
Joey Dawejko 236 – David Williams 233
Hakim Bryant 155 – Anthony Watson 154

Gabriel Rosado continued his hot streak as he scored an impressive ninth round stoppage over Sechew Powell in a Jr. Middleweight bout at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Rosado landed some solid shots early but Powell matched him by using his experience and used an educated left hand to keep him virtually even on the scorecards.

The fight changed in round eight as Rosado came out in relentless fashion as he tried to jump all over Powell and landed some hard flurries. Rosado may have briefly punched himself and let Powell get in some offense with the left hand.

That would be Powell’s last stand as Rosado came out guns a blazing in the ninth and attacked Powell with some hard shots and was awarded a knockdown. Rosado closed the show in an action packed fashion as he continued to pummel Powell on the ropes which prompted referee Steve Smoger to stop the fight at 2:43 of the ninth frame.

Rosado, 154 lbs of Philadelphia will now look for a title opportunity with a record of 20-5 with twelve knockouts. Powell, 150 3/4 lbs is now 26-5.

Ronald Cruz remained perfect by scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over Prenice Brewer.

Cruz was active and landed thudding body shots throughout the fight in an effort to slow down Brewer, who was using his legs in order to create angles. Cruz trapped Brewer several times on the ropes. In round nine,Cruz landed some hard shots and Brewer, who felt the affects of the body work was moving less. Brewer had a solid round eleven as he landed some quick combinations. Both guys fought hard down the stretch with Cruz being egged on by his raucous supporters as Cruz lives just blocks from the Sans Casino in Bethlehem.

Cruz, 147 lbs of Bethlehem won by scores of 118-110 on all cards and is now 17-0. Brewer,147 lbs of Cleveland, OH is now 16-2-1.

Bethlehem, PA-When Gabriel Rosado learned he was fighting Sechew Powell instead of Joel Julio on June 1, he and trainer Billy Briscoe booked themselves a trip to California for three weeks of training at Freddie Roach’s famed Wild Card gym in Hollywood.

“It’s just what I needed,” said Rosado (left), who meets Powell for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Junior Middleweight Title at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem over 12 rounds, or less.

“At first I wasn’t crazy about fighting a lefty, but the junior middleweight division is full of them so it all turned out for the better. I’m talking about Paul Williams, James Kirkland, Erislandy Lara. These are guys I need to get in there with so fighting Sechew Powell is another step down that road. I’m getting plenty of good work at the Wild Card and I feel good and I’m looking forward to proving myself again. I know a lot of people are skeptical, saying that the last guy I beat (Jesus Soto-Karass) was made to order for me. We’ll see if they right or wrong after June 1.”

The 26-year-old Philadelphian made a career statement Jan. 21 when he tore though Soto-Karass en route to a fifth-round knockout victory at the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia.

Rosado, who turned pro in 2006 after only 17 amateur fights, has a 19-5 record as a pro with 11 knockouts. He has won his last five fights and he is ranked No. 5 in the world by the IBF, No. 9 by the WBC.

The 32-year-old Powell (right), of Brooklyn, NY, turned pro in 2002 and is 26-4, 15 K0s. He is ranked No. 9 by the IBF, and comes into this fight off a 12-round points defeat Jan. 28 to former world champion Cory Spinks in a elimination bout in Springfield, MO, for the No. 1 slot in the IBF world rankings.

Prior that that, Powell had challenged one-time knockout victim Cornelius Bundrage, of Detroit, MI, for the IBF world title, losing that one also by 12-round decision June 25, 2010, in St. Charles, MO.

Powell has beaten Ishe Smith, of Las Vegas, NV, and Terrance Cauthen, of Trenton, NJ, and he split in two fights with Deandre Latimore, of St. Louis, MO. Latimore is the only man to have stopped Powell, but Powell avenged himself in the rematch, winning on points.

The co-feature, also scheduled for 12 rounds, features Ronald Cruz, of Bethlehem, against Prenice Brewer, of Cleveland, OH, for the vacant WBC Continental Americas welterweight title. Cruz is 16-0, 12 K0s; Brewer is 16-1-1, 6 K0s.

Five additional bouts complete the card.

JUNE 1

The Rosado-Powell and Cruz-Brewer fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. First fight is 7:00 pm. Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 as well as luxury suite seats for $125.00. Tickets can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or online at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com, and www.Ticketmaster.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790).

NBC Sports Network will televise the Rosado-Powell and Cruz-Brewer fights, beginning at 9 pm on the Fight Night show. The card is being promoted by Main Events and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and www.goDaddy.com.

Number 7 ranked Junior Middleweight Gabriel Rosado of Philadelphia will take on Number 9 contender Sechew Powell of Brooklyn, NY (26-4, 15 KO’s) on Friday, June 1st in the main event on NBC Sports Network’s Fight Night boxing series, live from the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, PA. The 12 round fight will be for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Title. The NBC Sports Network telecast beings at 9PM ET.

The sturdy southpaw will replace ailing Joel Julio, who has withdrawn from the fight.

Currently in camp with slugger Delvin Rodriguez to prepare him for his upcoming Junior Middleweight title challenge of WBA Junior Middleweight king, Austin Trout, the talented Powell, ranked #9 by the IBF, will be well prepared to present a formidable challenge to Rosado, who had not been preparing to face a southpaw.

“I’m happy to get this opportunity. My passion to become champion is stronger than ever and that will show on June 1,” Powell said. Gabriel Rosado and I are both top ten ranked contenders, after this fight one of us will be moving up the rankings and it won’t be him.”

Sechew Powell

Photo Credits:

Ed Mulholland

Powell holds a first round TKO win over current IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Cornelius Bundrage. He also holds a win over Deandre Latimore, the Floyd Mayweather, Jr. protégé who takes on Carlos Quintana on the PPV undercard of the Mayweather-Cotto fight tomorrow night. He has also defeated slick southpaw Ishe Smith, who faces Rosado victim Ayi Bruce tonight at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas. In his most recent bouts, Powell dropped two hotly contested 12-round decisions. The first was a re-match with Brundage for his IBF title and the most recent was versus current #1 Junior Middleweight contender Cory Spinks.

Rosado said, “I was looking forward to fighting Julio because I know he comes to fight. With Powell, it’s a different story. He’s a lefty and he presents other problems for me, he’s tricky, awkward and defensive. He picks his spots and gives you angles.”

Gabriel Rosado

“This is a classic crossroads fight,” said co-promoter, J Russell Peltz. “This is a tougher fight for Rosado than Julio would have been. After all, Rosado has not been sparring with southpaws. Powell is a solid junior middleweight who has far more experience against top ranked contenders in the division and Powell couldn’t find a better sparring partner than Rodriquez to prepare him for a fight with Gabe. A win here, on the other hand, will launch Rosado right to the top of the division.”

The co-feature, also scheduled for 12 rounds, features unbeaten Ronald Cruz, of Bethlehem, against unbeaten, Prenice Brewer, of Cleveland, OH, for the vacant WBC Continental Americas welterweight title. Cruz is 16-0, 12 K0s; Brewer is 16-1-1, 6 K0s.

Five additional bouts complete the card.

ABOUT JUNE 1

The Rosado-Powell and Cruz-Brewer fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. First fight is 7.15 pm. Tickets priced at $50 and $75 can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and at all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com, and www.Ticketmaster.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Deja Brew, Inc., 101 West 4th Street (610-865-2739) and at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790).

NBC Sports Network will televise the Rosado-Julio and Cruz-Brewer fights, beginning at 9 PM ET. The card is being promoted by Main Events and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and www.goDaddy.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—Five-time world champion Cory Spinks won a unanimous decision over Sechew Powell on Saturday at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Mo., in an elimination bout to determine the IBF junior middleweight No. 1 ranking, and hometown cruiserweight B.J. Flores moved closer to a world title match by stopping Colombian veteran Hugo Pineda.

Spinks (39-6, 11 KOs), a former undisputed welterweight champion and subsequent two-time IBF junior middleweight champion, had been thought by some to be near the end of his career after losing the IBF 154-pound crown to Cornelius “K9” Bundrage in 2010.

Spinks rededicated himself to the sport but was still the underdog entering the ring this past weekend to face Powell (26-3, 15 KOs), the IBF No. 5-ranked contender. Spinks swept all three judges’ scorecards 116-112 and 115-113, twice.

“I was in perfect condition and felt like I could do anything I wanted during the fight,” Spinks said. “Powell thought he was going to pressure me, that I would be old and run from him. I think he was surprised when I stood toe to toe with him and was the one bringing the pressure.

“He became more aggressive in rounds six and seven, and a local reporter wrote that I was in trouble, but Powell didn’t give me anything I couldn’t handle. I knew he was swinging for the fences in those rounds, so I let him go because I wasn’t going anywhere.”

Spinks also noted that he feels like a young fighter.

“I’m only 33 years old, I feel like new money right now,” Spinks said. “I performed well in this fight, my second match with new manager Scott Hirsch and trainer Anthony Ham. I’ve won five world titles, I have a name and I think I bring a lot to the table for a marquee name, a world championship fight or both.”

Promoter Don King attended the fight and was impressed.

“Sechew Powell is a good, dangerous fighter, and certainly no light touch for Cory,” King said. “I was proud of him on Saturday night.

“When he trains right and applies himself to the sport both mentally and physically, there is no question he poses a significant threat to anyone at or near 154 pounds.”

Trainer Anthony Ham was pleased with Spinks’ performance as well.

“Cory was in the best shape of his life,” Ham said. “He dominated the fight with his jab and right hook. This is our second fight together, and I feel like Cory has won 20 of the 22 rounds since we teamed up. I think he will be even better in his next fight.”

Manager Scott Hirsch said he had a reason for wanting to work with Spinks.

“I felt the reports a few years ago of Cory’s demise were greatly exaggerated,” Hirsch said. “I agreed to work with him because I felt he was just too good and had a lot left in his tank. He proved me right on Saturday against one of the best fighters in his division. The Spinks Jinx is back and ready to wreak further havoc in boxing.”

Highly ranked cruiserweight B.J. Flores (27-1-1, 17 KOs) availed himself well against notable veteran Hugo Pineda (39-6-1, 28 KOs). Flores’ supporters from his hometown of Springfield, Mo., filled the historic Shrine Mosque, and Flores gave them what they came to see.

“I was calculated but aggressive in the first few rounds,” Flores said. “By the third, I knew where I was going to go. I cut him over the right eye in the second round with a left hook, and I floored him in the fourth. Every time I hit him I felt like I hurt him.

“I was going up and down with punches to the head and body, which confused him. Then I caught him with a good straight right hand for a knockdown in the fourth round. He barely made it up from that.”

Flores wobbled Pineda again in the fifth round beforePineda’s corner threw in the towel near the end of the sixth.

Promoter Don King liked what he saw in Springfield, Mo.

“I give B.J. a lot of credit,” King said. “He’s built a big following for himself in Springfield, and he gave the crowd a good show.

“I enjoyed the people in Springfield and B.J. wants big fights and a world title shot, so the Show Me State is definitely in the mix.”

SPRINGFIELD, MO (DECEMBER 26, 2011)–Tom Morris and FM promotions is glad to team up with Danger boy events/BJ Flores and Don King Productions for two important fights on January 28th. This event will take place at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield Missouri and is starting to turn into a very entertaining night of fighting. Five professional boxing matches as well as two professional MMA matches will make this a can’t miss event for the people in Springfield, Missouri. #3 WBO world rated Cruiserweight BJ Flores will headline in the main event and Cory Spinks and Sechew Powell face off in an important IBF Jr. Middleweight eliminator fight. Flores is starting to put Springfield, Missouri on the map as far as boxing goes, and he is building an increasingly large fan base in the Springfield area. Flores sold out the last event at the O’Reily Events Center and looks to do the same thing again at the Shrine Mosque on January 28th.

Five- time world champion Cory “Next Generation” Spinks will take on former title challenger and #4 IBF World rated Sechew “Iron Horse” Powell in a pivotal fight for both fighters in their respective careers. The winner will face Cornelius Bundrage for the IBF world title on the next fight and Don King has ensured that this fight will in fact take place on the BJ Flores card on January 28th. Spinks is hoping to fight for his 6th world title with a win over the very talented Powell.

WBO #3 World rated and NABO and NABA US champion as well as WBC Continental Americas champion BJ Flores, is in heavy training for his North American championship fight on January 28th. Flores will also be fighting for the recently vacated NABF title that was given up by Nigerian World Rated Lateef Kayode in place of facing the Flores. This will be Flores third North American title fight in the last 6 months and is starting to turn some heads with the large crowds that have showed up for his July and October fights. The world rated Flores has kept a very active schedule and his recent signing with iconic promoter Don King has seem to put a bounce in his step.

Flores says, “It is an honor to have two fighters like Cory and Sechew fight on my card on January 28th in Springfield, Missouri. When I got the call from Don yesterday he told me it was a done deal. I have grown up fighting with both of these guys and have followed their careers and this is sure to be a great addition to the card and a very exciting fight for the people in Springfield, Missouri. The fans in Missouri are very energetic and I couldn’t think of a better place to stage this important elimination fight!” Flores goes on to say “I will be fighting for the third time in six months and I’m just doing what I love to do. We have offered this fight to top American contenders Andres Taylor 21-1, Aaron Williams 21-3, James Cermack 17-2, Jeremiah Graziano 15-0 and Ed Perry 18-4. We hope to have an opponent nailed down by the end of the week.”

When asked if Flores was disappointed in Lateef Kayode vacating the NABF title instead of facing him Flores said, “I understand boxing is a business. My attitude has changed. I want to fight often and the best opponents possible. After my loss to Danny Green I immediately wanted to fight a big name guy in the states. I wanted Kayode and he refused to fight me. I won the NABO interim title and instead of facing me he vacated the NABO title and I became full champion. When I moved into the #1 spot by the NABF and President Joe Dwyer informed Team Kayode that he had to face me next they said “we appreciate the opportunity but we will be vacating the title. So, I’m used to it. I’m just glad Mr. King has gotten behind this big event and is helping us promote and make it big!! Don is coming back and so am I!!”

One thing for sure is that the fans of Springfield, Missouri are in for a real treat on January 28th. The fight will be held at the historic Shrine Mosque and tix can be purchased at the Box office or on Metrotix. 1-800-293- 5949 for tickets.

Catch the replay of the SUNDAY SIZZLER SEASON 3 OPENER: W/ Special Co-Host Martin Snow and surprise Boxing guest. Billy From Philly, New York Dan, and many many more. Special Guest: Boxing Legend Gerry Cooney Light middleweight Contender Sechew Powell UFC Vet Blake Bowman …WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation Heavyweight Champion Jason Gavern and a touch of MMA with Blake Bowman.