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LeHoullier headlines “Friday Night Fights” May 20 at Dorchester Amory in Boston

BOSTON (May 16, 2005) – Unbeaten middleweight prospect Jason LeHoullier puts his perfect 15-0 record on the line Friday night (May 20) in the eight-round main event on “Friday Night Fights,” Knockout Boxing’s inaugural professional show, at the National Guard Armory in Dorchester (MA). LeHoullier (15-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Portland (ME), squares off against Cleveland veteran Rashaan Blackburn. Jason was the 1999 National Golden Gloves silver medalist, losing in the final to recently crowned WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo. Making their much-anticipated pro debuts in four-round bouts are Waltham heavyweight Matt Coppola and former U.S. Marines Boxing Team member, middleweight Gerry Grealish, of Quincy. Coppola faces Mike Needling, of Philadelphia, while Grealish is matched Read more [...]

Team Freedom Promotions Presents “The Battle For Pride” May 13, 2005

(MAY 13) Minneapolis, MN - Team Freedom Promotions and Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota announced yesterday that on Friday, June 24, two world-class fighters from completely different backgrounds, MATT “THE PREDATOR” VANDA and LUIS RAMON “YORY BOY” CAMPAS, will put their futures on the line in a classic 12 round match for the IBA Americas Junior Middleweight Title. The Main Event MATT VANDA (33-1, 21 KO’s) has been a star in the Twin Cities area since the beginning of his career, but now looks to challenge the world’s best in his division. When asked about the importance of this fight Vanda stated “It’s kind of a defining moment for me. I have to be able to beat this guy to move on. I gotta beat this guy to go on because if I lose, I’m going to have to hang it Read more [...]

IBF World Cruiserweight Championship Bout to be televised on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights

HOLLYWOOD, FL, May 13 – It’s just days away – the 12 round IBF championship showdown that will crown a new king in the cruiserweight division on Friday, May 20 at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Both O’Neil Bell and Dale Brown, are ready for the fight of their lives. “I’ve had a great camp and I’m just itching to get into the ring on May 20th and show the world what a true cruiserweight champion looks like,” said Bell (23-1, 22 KOs). “I’ve got a lot of respect for Dale Brown, but that will all go out the window once the bell rings.” “O’Neil Bell is a very good fighter,” said Brown (33-3-1, 21 KOs). “But my experience and determination to win, will be too much for him to handle on May 20th. I’ve waited too long to be champion Read more [...]

Duva Boxing Announces Peter vs. Sykes – July 2, 2005

(MAY 11) Duva Boxing, in association with Gary Shaw Promotions and Tres Amigos, LLC, are proud to announce that on July 2, 2005, fast-rising heavyweight contender Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter, 23-0 (20), will put his NABF and USBA championships on the line against NABA champion Taurus “The Bull” Sykes, 23-1-1 (6) at the newly constructed Reno Events Center and televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. The Peter vs. Sykes showdown will be the first-ever boxing show at the 7000-seat Events Center and comes 95 years almost to the day that Reno hosted the legendary Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries heavyweight championship fight on July 4, 1910. “Reno has always been a great fight city,” said Duva Boxing President Dino Duva. “Duva promotional organizations have Read more [...]

Ruiz-Toney declared No-Decision May 11, 2005

(MAY 11) LAS VEGAS - Team Ruiz was formally notified on May 10th, by the New York State Athletic Commission that the April 30th World Boxing Association heavyweight championship fight between defending champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz and challenger James "Lights Out" Toney has been officially declared a "No Decision" because Toney violated the illegal substance rule. Toney was suspended 90 days and fined $10,000. Team Ruiz is waiting for the WBA to enforce rule18:23 (3), disqualifying Toney and automatically reinstating Ruiz as world heavyweight champion. "We are waiting for the WBA to immediately implemented its rule," Ruiz' attorney Anthony Cardinale explained. "It's as clear as it can be. We're glad the truth has come out and Johnny hasn't lost his championship." WBA Rule 18:23 3. Read more [...]

Antonio Tarver Breaks Down Trinidad-Wright May 11, 2005

LOS ANGELES, May 11 – Light heavyweight superstar Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver returns to the ring on Saturday, June 18 to battle Glen Johnson for 175-pound supremacy in an HBO-televised bout at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. And luckily for boxing fans, there’s another superfight coming up - a middleweight showdown between Felix Trinidad and Winky Wright which will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this Saturday, May 14. Tarver took time out from his busy training schedule in Vero Beach, Florida to break down Trinidad-Wright. “I see this as a tremendous fight,” said Tarver. “Winky Wright is a guy that has really fought hard for his just due. He came up the hard way and I’m particularly in favor of a guy who had to earn it, rather than just having the yellow brick Read more [...]

2005: Antonio Tarver Breaks Down Trinidad-Wright

LOS ANGELES, May 11, 2005 – Light heavyweight superstar Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver returns to the ring on Saturday, June 18 to battle Glen Johnson for 175-pound supremacy in an HBO-televised bout at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. And luckily for boxing fans, there’s another superfight coming up - a middleweight showdown between Felix Trinidad and Winky Wright which will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this Saturday, May 14. Tarver took time out from his busy training schedule in Vero Beach, Florida to break down Trinidad-Wright. “I see this as a tremendous fight,” said Tarver. “Winky Wright is a guy that has really fought hard for his just due. He came up the hard way and I’m particularly in favor of a guy who had to earn it, rather than just having the yellow Read more [...]

Two-time WBA heavyweight champ John Ruiz is back re-considers Retirement

LAS VEGAS (May 10, 2005) - Former two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz announced today that, after speaking with his family and management team, he has reconsidered his decision to retire and will continue fighting. Ruiz retired April 30 immediately after losing a 12-round decision to James "Lights Out" Toney at Madison Square Garden. "My emotional decision, coming right after losing a fight I felt I won, was premature," Ruiz explained. "I was tired of all the criticism and felt everybody was against me. After reviewing the tape and talking it over with my advisors, I decided that I don't want to go out that way. If they want me out of the sport, they're going to have to knock me out. I'm back. "I want my WBA belt back. I still feel that I'm Read more [...]

Knockout Boxing promotes 1st pro show May 20 at Dorchester Amory in Boston

BOSTON (May 10, 2005) - Knockout Boxing promotes its inaugural professional show Friday night, May 20, headlined by undefeated middleweight Jason LeHoullier, (15-0, 7 KOs) at the National Guard Armory in Dorchester (MA). "We're excited to have some of New England's best amateur boxers from the past few years on our first pro card," promoter Martin Grealish said. "They already have good followings in this area. Knockout Boxing believes some of these prospect have the potential to be stars in a few years." LeHoullier, fighting out of Portland (ME), faces TBA in the eight-round main event. He was the 1999 National Golden Gloves silver medalist, losing in the final to recently crowned WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo. Making their much-anticipated pro debuts in four-round bouts are Read more [...]

2005: Two-time WBA heavyweight champ John Ruiz is back

Your Half Pictures Signs Their Own “Million Dollar Baby” Photo/Story By Doug Ward May 9, 2005

(MAY 9) Hollywood, CA.- Your Half Pictures, A California based movie production company, has signed World Champion fighter, Melinda Cooper to a lucrative multi-year sponsorship deal. We are honored to be sponsoring Melinda in her quest to being recognized as this finest female fighter in the world," says Your Half Producer, Eric Arlt. "She is without question the most exciting young fighter coming out of Las Vegas today. With the recent success of such films, Girlfight, and Million Dollar Baby, we are excited about female boxing becoming more mainstream. Melinda, in the coming years, will be at the forefront of its emergence." Your Half Pictures has recently produced the feature film "30 Miles". In 2005 they will release Steel City starring John Heard, America Ferrara, Tom Guiry, and Raymond Read more [...]

Jose Celaya At The Riot at the Hyatt! May 9, 2005

(MAY 9) ESPN2 will televise it's Friday Night May 13th boxing show from the San Jose Civic Auditorium, with every featured fighter on the card having fought in Monterey. The Main Event showcases 26-2 Jose Celaya from Salinas, who fought on five RIOT cards. The Co-feature to be televised is focused on Nonito Donaire, 11-1, who has Monterey RIOT experience. Jose Perez Jr. and Alejandro Perez on the off-television bouts also cut their boxing teeth fighting in Monterey. THE RIOT pro boxing series is moving from the Hyatt to the Conference Center in Downtown Monterey on July 2nd, and will feature many other top prospects. 7-0 Heavyweight George Garcia, a member of the Mexican Olympic Team will make his first Monterey appearance. A spectacular battle of the unbeaten matches local Read more [...]

2005: ESPN-Jose Celaya At The Riot at the Hyatt

(MAY 9, 2005) ESPN2 will televise it's Friday Night May 13th boxing show from the San Jose Civic Auditorium, with every featured fighter on the card having fought in Monterey. The Main Event showcases 26-2 Jose Celaya from Salinas, who fought on five RIOT cards. The Co-feature to be televised is focused on Nonito Donaire, 11-1, who has Monterey RIOT experience. Jose Perez Jr. and Alejandro Perez on the off-television bouts also cut their boxing teeth fighting in Monterey. THE RIOT pro boxing series is moving from the Hyatt to the Conference Center in Downtown Monterey on July 2nd, and will feature many other top prospects. 7-0 Heavyweight George Garcia, a member of the Mexican Olympic Team will make his first Monterey appearance. A spectacular battle of the unbeaten matches local favorite Read more [...]

2005: Golden Boy Promotions Officially Welcomes Jorge Rodrigo Barrios

LOS ANGELES, May 5, 2005 – He is one of boxing’s newest world champions and also one of its most exciting, and on Friday, May 6, Golden Boy Promotions will formally welcome the pride of Argentina, Jorge Rodrigo Barrios, to Los Angeles for a special presentation of his WBO world championship belt, as well as a roundtable discussion with the media. This event will begin at 10:00am, and will be held at the offices of Golden Boy Promotions. Barrios, who will be joined by Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya, will be presented with his super featherweight world championship belt by WBO representative Mark Rios, and will also meet with the California State Athletic Commission before sitting down with the media to discuss his dominating victory over Mike Anchondo on April 8, Read more [...]

2005: David Tua in June Main Event at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino

(MAY 3, 2005) Heavyweight contender David Tua headlines a night of rld class boxing at the Event Center at Turning Stone Resort and Casino on Friday, June 10. Six bouts are on the card, being held in conjunction with Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, with the action beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tua (43-3-1, 38 KOs) is scheduled for the ten-round Main Event against a yet-to-be-named opponent. Born in Western Somoa and now residing in Aukland, New Zealand, Tua’s globe-trotting fight resume includes victories over current WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz and former WBC and IBF belt-holder Hasim Rahman. Tua also went toe-to-toe with Lennox Lewis in a world heavyweight title match in November 2000, losing by decision. He is set on regaining a title bid, and is coming off an impressive tenth Read more [...]