Month: July 2005

PROVIDENCE (July 30, 2005) - Only 14 months into his pro boxing career, unbeaten Providence cruiserweight Matt Godfrey (8-0, 5 KOs), rated No. 13 by the NABF, is preparing for his ninth fight August 26 against Willie Herring (13-3-3, 2 KOs) with the vacant USNBC cruiserweight championship on the line.   "CES' Prime Time Fights" is presented by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc (CES), in association with Mohegan Sun, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. Godfrey, coming off an eight-round "shutout" decision against Jermall Barnes, was an outstanding amateur boxer, registering a 194-23 record, including six national championships, highlighted by a gold-medal performance in the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships. He was a Bronze medal winner at the 2001 Pan-American Read more [...]

(JULY 29) Houston, Texas- On August 27th, World Middleweight and Light-Heavyweight Champion, Reggie “Sweet” Johnson (42-7-1) is back with a vengeance and this time he says he has a ‘William Gutherie’ frame of mind. Gutherie (30-3) was the IBF Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World who Johnson dethroned in 1998 with a vicious hook to the chin in the 5th round of their world title fight. Gutherie left the ring that night in a neck brace and on a stretcher. “I’m training hard and have kept my weight at 185 during this rest period,” says Johnson, “ and feel sharp. I’m ready for whoever my agent, Kerry Daigle, puts in front of me.” Is the layoff of over 2 years going to affect Johnson? “I don’t think so,” says Beau Williford, the matchmaker for this event at the Read more [...]

(JULY 29) PHILADELPHIA-. Former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, President of Golden Boy Promotions East, is ready to host the first official show of the east coast division and the start of a multi-event alliance between Hopkins, his partner Oscar de la Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions with the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. “I am extremely excited to introduce Golden Boy East and put on our first show,” said Hopkins. “We are committed to delivering quality fights to the Borgata and the many fight fans, showcasing established fighters as well as young and upcoming prospects. Golden Boy East will be the Gold Standard when it comes to action, excitement and entertainment in the ring!” The August 4th fight card will feature Hopkins’ nephew, Read more [...]

(JULY 23) LOS ANGELES, – With 11,992 fans in attendance at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last Saturday night to watch the middleweight championship fight between Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor, it is obvious that boxing is alive and well in the hearts of fight fans. But while an intriguing matchup between two great warriors is always an enticing prospect for followers of the sweet science, it’s not always economically feasible to be able to see these megafights live and in person. Golden Boy Promotions believes that this attitude needs to change if boxing is to regain its status as one of this country’s major professional sports, and to help accomplish that goal, the company is pleased to announce that in association with the MGM Grand, tickets for the September 17 “Parade of Read more [...]

(JULY 18) SAN DIEGO– On Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, through Sycuan Ringside Promotions, will host “Salute to America’s Heroes,” a six-bout boxing card at Camp Pendleton, Calif. The highlight of “Salute to America’s Heroes” will be a 10-round main event pitting former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz of Coachella, Calif , against Tomas Barrientes of Weslaco, Texas. The event, presented in association with Northeast Promotions, will be nationally televised on cable network ESPN from the Marine Corps Base. The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation will provide this card free of charge for Camp Pendleton authorized personnel. The card is being co-promoted by Northeast Promotions. “On behalf of the warriors Read more [...]

(JULY 15) CHICAGO--With the luck of the Irish, Bobby Hitz of Hitz Boxing Promotions found a four leaf clover when Match Maker Jim Borzell contacted him about introducing Duddy to Chicago’s strong Irish community. Jr. middleweight contender John “IRISH” Duddy (10-0, 9 KO’s), who’s good looking, soft-spoken, quick and exciting, took a chance relocating to the US when he began his professional career in 2003. Hometown of County of Derry, Northern Ireland, at 5’11, 160-pounds, Duddy is a non-stop puncher. His popularity is evident and growing with each match. “I never knew how lucky I was to be Irish till I came to America.” Said Duddy. Promoted by Irish Ropes, Managed by McLoughlin Brothers and Trained by Harry Keitt, in 2004 Duddy didn’t know if his boxing career was Read more [...]