Richard Towers & Lucas Browne (right)

TOWERS AND BROWNE CLASH DOWN UNDER
HATTON PROMOTIONS' unbeaten heavyweight prospects Richard Towers and Lucas "Big Daddy" Browne will face each other Down Under this summer.

The exciting 12 round battle will take place on a show promoted in association with Barry Michael Sports at the Melbourne Pavilion in Flemington, Australia on Thursday July 25.

The pair were due to meet in Hong Kong last December, but Towers was forced to withdraw because of a perforated ear drum sustained in sparring.

"I believe this is a fight that boxing fans are going to enjoy," said Browne's manager Matt Clark. "Two big undefeated heavyweights going at it without a hint of trash talk.

"It's the kind of fight where anything can happen at any moment and that's what the heavyweight division needs.

"It's another great fight for Lucas to learn from and propel his career to greater heights. He's hungry to reach the top and to do that he needs to beat Richard Towers. I believe he will."

Browne will be on home soil this time, but he doesn't feel that will play a huge role in the outcome of the fight.

He does, however, believe a win will move him towards a potential world title shot.

"I'm so excited for this one and I just hope it goes ahead this time," Browne said.

"I'm sure Richard will be well prepared and will be ready so I don't think being at home will be a big advantage.

"Beating James Toney last time was the step forward I needed and it also gave me a little more exposure in the US.

"Now I've got a different challenge to overcome and I think if I win a legitimate world title shot is a year or so away, provided I keep learning and keep winning.

"I've got the WBF world title at the moment, but am chasing the big belts and big dollars."

 
 

Greg Cohen Promotions Signs Arash Usmanee
Greg Cohen Promotions is proud to announce the signing of Afghani-Canadian super featherweight contender Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs) to a promotional contract.

31-year-old Usmanee, rated #14 by the IBF, has already won the NABA and WBC Continental Americas Championships as a professional. As an amateur he was a five-time National Canadian Champion.

Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Usmanee and his family moved to Alberta, Canada, when he was three years old. He now resides in Montreal.

Usmanee's only career defeat was a highly controversial 12-round decision to fellow contender Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy on January 4 of this year. Fighting in Barthelemy's adopted home of Miami, Florida, and live on ESPN Friday Night Fights, Usmanee appeared to take the fight over at the midway point and grew more dominant as the rounds wore on. However, the judges saw it another way.

Cohen will serve as promoter with Paul Keefe as manager and former world champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad as trainer.

"I'm looking forward to working with Team Usmanee," said GCP CEO, Greg Cohen. "Arash is clearly one of the world's best 130-lb fighters. He's aggressive and fearless and never stops coming, which always makes for a great fight. We'll be looking to move him into high-profile fights immediately."

"I'm excited about the future," said Usmanee. "Greg Cohen gets things done for his fighters, so I feel like I'm finally going to get my world title shot I always dreamed of. I just have to win the fights he gets for me. I have a great team in place and the next year is going to be a very exciting time."

HARD-HITTING RAY NARH RETURNS AGAINST RONALD CRUZ ON FRIDAY, JUNE 14th
Bryant Jennings vs. Andrey Fedosov
Sergey Kovalev vs. Cornelius White
Ronald Cruz vs. Ray Narh
Bethlehem, PA - Hard-hitting Ray Narh steps in against Ronald Cruz in a scheduled 10-round welterweight fight on Friday evening, June 14, at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. The match-up is part of a triple header telecast on NBC Sports Network Fight Night beginning 8PM ET.
 
The Narh-Cruz contest is part of the big NBC Sports Network Fight Night series tripleheader. On tap are a pair of-world class fights featuring heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings, of Philadelphia, PA, against Andrey Fedosov, of Shuya, Russia, in a 10-round contest and Sergey Kovalev, of Chelyabinsk, Russia, against Cornelius White, of Houston, TX, in a 12-round fight for the No. 1 slot in the IBF world light-heavyweight rankings.
 
Narh, 34, steps in for Jaime Herrera, of Franklin Park, IL. Herrera suffered a lower back injury last week while training to face Cruz. He will be on the shelf for six weeks.
 
A pro since 2001, Narh is 25-2, 21 knockouts, but has not fought since May 7, 2011, when he was stopped in three rounds by Mike Alvarado, of Denver, CO, on the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV.
 
Originally from Ghana, Narh won the vacant Pennsylvania lightweight title in 2006 when he stopped Ramazan Paliani in the loser's Philadelphia backyard. He also has wins over former WBA featherweight champion Freddie Norwood, of St. Louis, MO, and Steve Quinonez, of Palm Springs, CA.
 
Cruz, 26, of Bethlehem, has not boxed since Sept. 21, 2012, when he lost for the first time, dropping a 10-round split decision to Antwone Smith, of Miami, FL, at the Sands. His record is 17-1, 12 K0s.
 
 

Dec. 7 & Jan. 25  reserved for Postponed Bute vs. Pascal mega-fight
MONTREAL -- InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) have reserved the dates of Saturday, December 7 and Saturday, January 25 at the Montreal Bell Centre for the postponed Lucian Bute vs. Jean Pascal mega-fight.

The promoters reserved two dates in order to afford HBO options and they plan to discuss the two options with HBO executives in a few weeks before announcing the exact rescheduled date.   

Josesito Lopez On His Up-Coming Fight With Marcos Maidana:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Video By: Armando Cabrera - boxingletstalk.com/BillyCBoxing.com

 

Triple Header: Bryant Jennings vs. Andrey Fedosov - Sergey Kovalev vs. Cornelius White - Ronald Cruz vs. Jaime Herrera
The IBF has granted formal sanction approval for the IBF Light Heavyweight Voluntary Eliminator fight for the #1 position between #4, Sergey Kovalev and #5, Cornelius White. The winner will become #1 but will not be the mandatory challenger. Karo Murat is the current mandatory challenger and has been ordered to fight Champion Bernard Hopkins. Once the Hopkins - Murat fight occurs, the winner of Kovalev - White will become the next mandatory challenger for the winner.

The Kovalev - White 12-round bout is part of a blockbuster triple-header that will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network Fight Night Friday, June 14th at Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, beginning 8PM ET. The main event features a 10-round heavyweight fight between Bryant Jennings and Andrey Fedosov. The triple header rounds out with a 10 round welterweight battle between Ronald Cruz and Jamie Hererra.
 

Barthelemy vs. Sakkreerin Eliminator and Truax vs. George War Highlight World-Class Night of Boxing at Minneapolis Convention Center
On Friday, June 21, 2013, at the Minneapolis Convention Center and broadcast live on ESPN Friday Night Fights, Seconds Out Promotions and Warriors Boxing will proudly present a night of world-class professional boxing featuring Miami, Florida, via Arroyo Naranjo, Cuba's IBF #2-rated Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy (18-0, 11 KO) taking on Chiang Mai, Thailand's IBF #5-rated Fahsai "Mountain Boy" Sakkreerin (39-3-1, 21 KO) in a 12-round IBF Super Featherweight Title Eliminator.

The two super featherweights will be competing for the right to face Dominican champion Argenis Mendez in a mandatory title defense.

And in the explosive co-feature between power-punching middleweights, local hero "Golden" Caleb Truax (21-1-1, 12 KO) of Osseo, Minnesota, will face Chicago's Don "Da Bomb" George (24-3-2, 21 KO) over 10 tough rounds or less.

"This is a fantastic night of boxing with a 12-round elimination bout for a world championship in the main event between two of the world's top 130-lb fighters," said Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing. While "Mountain Boy" Sakkreerin is a lesser-known commodity over here, he's well known in Asia as a very tough fighter. Rances is coming off a closer-than-expected performance in his last fight, so he'll be looking to return to his dominant form. I expect both main event fighters to show up ready for all-out action. They both know what's on the line. The winner will fight for a world championship."

"The co-main event between one of our local heroes, Caleb Truax and Donovan George will be huge for fight fans in this area, added Tony Grygelko, Founder of Seconds Out Promotions. "Caleb is a very hard puncher and so is Donovan, so we don't expect a distance fight. It will be bombs away in there. This will be a good old-fashioned middleweight war and I'm very happy to be promoting it for Minnesota fight fans."

26-year-old Barthelemy stands an amazing 5 foot 11 inches for a 130-lb fighter, with punching power and toughness to go with it. The Cuban standout was a former highly decorated amateur. He was last seen in the ring in January, when he scored a unanimous 12-round decision over surprisingly game Canadian Arash Usmanee for the IBF #2 ranking.

31-year-old Sakkreerin is the WBC Asian Boxing Council Lightweight and IBF Pan Pacific Super Featherweight Champion. He stands 5 foot 7 inches and, with 43 career fights, will enjoy a huge advantage in experience over Barthelemy. Sakkreerin's last ring appearance was a "stay busy" TKO 2 over Robert Rubillar in March.

29-year-old Truax's only career loss was a decision to former world champion Jermain Talor, in which Taylor had to come off the canvas.  He stands 6 feet tall and can punch, hard, with either hand. Truax compiled a record of 24 wins and 8 losses as an amateur boxer. In 2006 he was the USA Boxing State Champion, the Region 1 Champion, and the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Champion.

28-year-old George is one of the most exciting fighters in the 160 and 168-lb divisions. He stands 6 feet tall and is known for his paralyzing right hand. George was last seen giving a beating to former world title challenger David Lopez in March (on ESPN Friday Night Fights), but somehow only receiving a draw verdict for his efforts. Despite having only 32 amateur fights (28-4), George won the Chicago Golden Gloves and Chicago Park District Tournaments and won bronze medals at the 2003 US National Junior Olympics and the 2003 US Under-19 championships.

 

Surging Lightweight Boxer Bahodir ‘Baha’ Mamadjonov Signs with Promoter Don King
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.—Emerging lightweight boxer Bahodir “Baha” Mamadjonov traveled to Don King’s office in South Florida today to sign a long-term promotional agreement with the legendary promoter.  

A heralded amateur with over 200 fights, Mamadjonov won several championships fighting out of his native Uzbekistan before moving to Houston two years ago to turn professional under the guidance of trainer Ken Richardson.  He has fought often and risen rapidly as evidenced by his record: 13-1 with nine knockouts.

“Signing with Don King brings me closer to my goal of winning a world championship,” Mamadjonov said.  “That is what drives me every day.  I want to win a world title for my family and the people of Uzbekistan who always believed in me.”

Key to Mamadjonov’s success has been a fearlessness and work ethic that has allowed the 25-year-old to take fights on short notice that less industrious fighters would have missed.  His trainer said some have gone as far as criticizing him for moving his fighter along too fast.

“My belief is that if a boxer is prepared and stays in training year-round, he can and should be ready to fight at all times,” Richardson said.  “Baha is passionate about the sport and wants to fight as often as he can.”

Mamadjonov’s rapid rise began when his first six fights took place in less than six months.  That was in 2011. He fought six more times in 2012.  

Richardson further tempted fate by accepting four key fights for Mamadjonov in the last 16 months on notice varying from two weeks down to three days.

Archie Ray Marquez was 12-1 before facing Mamadjonov on Nov. 10, 2011, and Michael Clark was 42-6 going in against the Uzbeki on March 1, 2012.  Mamadjonov won both fights by decision, serving notice he would be a force to be reckoned with.

Undefeated Darley Perez was to have met Michael Katsidis last August, but Katsidis pulled out two weeks before the fight with a knee injury.  Mamadjonov took the fight and dominated until round five when an accidental clash of heads resulted in blurred vision in his left eye.  

After suffering a flash knockdown in round eight, Mamadjonov still almost won the fight, which went to Perez by split decision after 10 rounds.

Another undefeated and touted lightweight, Angelo Santana, lost his opponent on April 12 just one week before the match. Mamadjonov willingly accepted the challenge and made the most of the opportunity.

After suffering a flash knockdown from a Santana jab in round 2, Mamadjonov took control of the fight. After six rounds, the three judges had the fight scored even at 66 apiece.  

In a pivotal round eight, Mamadjonov battered Santana unmercifully along the ropes before he crumbled to the mat.  The Cuban made it to round nine, but Mamadjonov floored him twice more before the referee halted the contest.

“I hit Santana with a body shot in the seventh round and I heard him groan so I tried to stop him,” Mamadjonov said.  “In the eighth round, I said to myself, ‘Baha, you must stop him now.’  

“Don’t forget, I took the fight on short notice and had to lose a lot of weight quickly.  There was no time for me to waste.”

Promoter Don King loves what he has seen from his newest fighter.

“I am extremely pleased and proud to have Baha with me,” King said.  “I expect great things from this young man because he’s dedicated and committed to becoming a world champion.  He took the fight with Santana on almost no notice and stopped a great lightweight.

“Baha reveres industrialist Alisher Usmanov from his native Uzbekistan and he wants to bring a world title back home for him and the people of Uzbekistan.”

Mamadjonov risked everything to come to the United States to pursue his dream of winning a world title.

“When you see me fight ferociously it’s because I want to achieve great things,” Mamadjonov said.  “I want a world title more than anything I have ever dreamed of in my life.”

Mamadjonov is proud to be represented by King.

“Don King is a superstar in my country,” Mamadjonov said.  “Just the fact I was meeting with him in his office today was news in Uzbekistan.  I can’t wait to tell everyone back home he is now my promoter.

Trainer-manager Richardson echoed the feelings of his fighter.

“Don always took my calls when I was looking for a promoter,” Richardson said, “and I never forget that.  When fate brought us together for the Santana fight, I was reminded that Don is a world promoter.  I’ve always said that if you are or want to be a world champion boxer, Don King is the guy you want to be with.”

 

CLETUS SELDIN RECOVERING FROM SHOULDER SURGERY
NEW YORK -  Popular undefeated jr. welterweight prospect Cletus "The Hebrew Hammer" Seldin is recovering well from surgery on his right shoulder to repair his rotator cuff and labrum.

Known for his spectacular knockouts and sporting a record of

11-0-0 with nine knockouts, the young 'Hebrew Hammer' is a product of the huge resurgence of professional boxing on Long Island by Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing.

"Our team at Star Boxing wishes Cletus a successful and speedy recovery" said DeGuardia. "Fans on Long Island have been very supportive of him and we're proud that he's developed through our very successful 'ROCKIN FIGHTS' series at The Paramount which rocks Huntington, New York. We expect Cletus to play a key role in the further resurgence on Long Island"

Seldin has fought six of his last seven bouts at The Paramount, each fight resulting in show stopping knockouts.  The orthoscopic operation on the labrum and rotator cuff was performed by Dr. Answorth Allen on the right shoulder on April 22. Seldin is in physical therapy, and is scheduled to be back at the Paramount this September.

 

DELVIN RODRIGUEZ VS. FREDDY HERNANDEZ HEADLINE
ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS  MAY 24TH AT MOHEGAN SUN
BRONX, NY - Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing will return to Mohegan Sun on Friday, MAY 24  with a sensational  ESPN Friday Night Fights card headlined by world ranked  contender and fan favorite Delvin Rodriguez in a ten junior middleweight  clash against former world title challenger Freddy "EL Riel" Hernandez.

"We're very proud to return to Mohegan Sun with another card headlined by Delvin Rodriguez.  Freddy Hernandez is a very tough, experienced, former world title challenger and this fight should provide fireworks from the opening bell," said DeGuardia. "Delvin is always a hot ticket at Mohegan Sun and we encourage fans to purchase tickets in advance for this terrific evening of world class boxing."
 
Fighting of out nearby Danbury, CT, and known for his sensational all-action fights, Rodriguez has been a staple at Mohegan Sun and on ESPN Friday Night Fights, this being his sixteenth appearance on the network and sixth at the venue.

On February 15, Rodriguez triumphantly returned to the world-class venue with a dominant sixth round stoppage of previously undefeated George "Comanche Boy" Tahdooahnippah which was broadcast on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

Included among Rodriguez' outstanding career performances (27-6-3 15 KO's) is the 2011 Fight of the Year against Pawel Wolak (July 15) from the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.  The fight was non-stop action in a brutal and historic epic battle.  Battling to a draw on ESPN Friday Night Fights in the first bout, Rodriguez shined when they fought the rematch at Madison Square Garden (December 3, 2011) displaying his full arsenal of boxing skills in a dominant victory over Wolak.

Fighting out of Mexico City, Mexico, Hernandez enters the ring with a record of 30-4-0 (20KO's), most recently challenging top rated contender Demetrius Andrade on January25 in front of a standing room only crowd at The Paramount in Huntington, New York as part of the acclaimed Star Boxing's "ROCKIN FIGHTS" series.  The always rough and exciting Hernandez was Andrade's toughest test in the ten-round fight the undefeated Andrade won by unanimous decision.

Included among the world champions and other top rated contenders Hernandez has faced are Andre Berto, Erislandy Lara, Luis Collazo, DeMarcus Corley, Mike Anchondo, Jesus Soto-Karass and Ben Tackie.