Category: Press Release

Press Release: New horizons for Olympic Movement as Brasov and Lausanne bid for 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games

It will be terra nova for the Olympic Movement in 2020, as the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) head to one of two cities that have never previously hosted an edition of the Olympic Games. Brasov (Romania) and Lausanne (Switzerland)* both submitted their applications to host the 3rd edition of the Winter YOG to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by the 28 November deadline. IOC President Thomas Bach said: “We are delighted that Brasov and Lausanne are in the running for 2020 and want to bring the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games to their cities. Both candidates have signalled their strong interest in hosting the YOG, and we look forward to receiving each bid’s vision on how these Games can best reach young people and benefit their communities in a sustainable way. It promises Read more [...]

Willie Nelson a Clear & Present Danger for Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez

ST. LOUIS (November 20, 2012) - The freakish physical attributes of North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Super Welterweight champion Willie "The Great" Nelson presents a clear and present danger, as well as a totally unique challenge, for World Boxing Council (WBC) 154-pound king Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (41-0, 30 KOs). Nelson(19-1-1, 11 KOs), the top-ranked American in the WBC ratings at No. 6, stands 6' 4" and has an 81" reach. The 5' 9" Alvarez has never fought anybody even remotely close to Nelson's size. In fact, in his six world title fights, the popular Mexican fighter's opponents have averaged 5' 9" with a 70 3/4" reach. The 5' 11" Kermit Cintron with his 74" reach is the tallest and longest-reaching foe Alvarez has fought to date. Rumble Time Promotions president Steve Smith, Read more [...]

Staying active name of the game for prospect Danny O’Connor

No sooner had the dust cleared from last Sunday night's fight, light welterweight prospect Danny O'Connor (18-1, 6 KOs) was back in the gym preparing for his next action, September 29, on the non-televised segment of a HBO BAD tripleheader at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.  The 27-year-old O'Connor, a former two-time national amateur champion and 2008 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team alternate, stopped Eddie "The Puerto Rican Sensation" Soto (12-5, 4 KOs) this past Sunday evening in the fourth round of their fight, headlining the first professional boxing show in Gillette Stadium history. Boxing was preceded by a Major League Soccer match between the New England Revolution and Montreal Impact. "I walked Soto down, everything behind my jab, and listened to what Coach Read more [...]

Errol Spence Advances to Quarterfinal Action Following a United States Protest

LONDON, ENGLAND – The 2012 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team appeared to face an end to their medal run on the men’s side with apparent losses by flyweight Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) and welterweight Errol Spence (Desoto, Texas) on Friday. Yet following a protest by the United States, Spence’s decision was overturned and he will advance to the quarterfinal round. Warren, who made history before throwing a punch in London by becoming the first three-time U.S. Olympic boxer, lost a one-point decision to France’s Nordine Oubaali in his London opener. The 25-year-old Warren lost his opening first bout at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and he stepped into the ring looking for his first-ever Olympic win in London, but it wasn’t meant to be for the decorated amateur boxer. Warren Read more [...]

Errol Spence Advances to Quarterfinal Action Following a United States Protest While Rau’shee Warren’s Olympic Journey Ends

LONDON, ENGLAND – The 2012 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team appeared to face an end to their medal run on the men’s side with apparent losses by flyweight Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) and welterweight Errol Spence (Desoto, Texas) on Friday. Yet following a protest by the United States, Spence’s decision was overturned and he will advance to the quarterfinal round. Warren, who made history before throwing a punch in London by becoming the first three-time U.S. Olympic boxer, lost a one-point decision to France’s Nordine Oubaali in his London opener. The 25-year-old Warren lost his opening first bout at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and he stepped into the ring looking for his first-ever Olympic win in London, but it wasn’t meant to be for the decorated amateur boxer. Warren Read more [...]

City Boxing’s Grachev vs. Bute November 3, 2012 – By Scott Gilfoid

(AUGUST 3) Former IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (30-1, 24 KO's) is really showing some iron balls by taking on the huge puncher Denis Grachev (12-0, 8 KO's) on November 3rd at the Bell Centre, in Montreal, Canada. Grachev "The Pirate" is one of the biggest punchers in the light heavyweight division and clearly a bigger puncher than Carl Froch. If Bute can get past Grachev without getting blown out by his huge power, then I have no doubts in my mind that Bute will be able to defeat Froch in a rematch. Grachev is stronger and faster than Froch. He can do everything that Froch can do, but better because he's quicker. I mean, it's going to be pure hell for Bute to try and survive 12 rounds against Grachev because he cuts off the ring like a real pro. You can't get away from Grachev Read more [...]

The United States’ Jose Ramirez and Terrell Gausha Fall Short at the 2012 Olympic Games by Julie Goldsticker/USA Boxing

(AUG 3) (LONDON, ENGLAND) – The U.S. Olympic Boxing Team was unable to end its losing streak on Thursday following two closely contested losses in second round action at the 2012 Olympic Games. Lightweight Jose Ramirez’s (Avenal, Calif.) slow start cost him with Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Gaibnazarov while middleweight Terrell Gausha (Cleveland, Ohio) dropped a one-point heartbreaker to former Olympic medalist Vijender of India. Ramirez took the ring first, looking to add to his win total at the 2012 Olympic Games. Yet Gaibnazarov was more active in the first round and the Uzbekistani boxer took a 6-2 lead after the first round. Ramirez picked up his output in the second round, particularly late in the round but faced a 12-5 deficit with three minutes remaining in the bout. Ramirez wasted Read more [...]

The United States’ Jose Ramirez and Terrell Gausha Fall Short at the 2012 Olympic Games by Julie Goldsticker/USA Boxing

(AUG 3) (LONDON, ENGLAND) – The U.S. Olympic Boxing Team was unable to end its losing streak on Thursday following two closely contested losses in second round action at the 2012 Olympic Games. Lightweight Jose Ramirez’s (Avenal, Calif.) slow start cost him with Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Gaibnazarov while middleweight Terrell Gausha (Cleveland, Ohio) dropped a one-point heartbreaker to former Olympic medalist Vijender of India. Ramirez took the ring first, looking to add to his win total at the 2012 Olympic Games. Yet Gaibnazarov was more active in the first round and the Uzbekistani boxer took a 6-2 lead after the first round. Ramirez picked up his output in the second round, particularly late in the round but faced a 12-5 deficit with three minutes remaining in the bout. Ramirez wasted Read more [...]

Team USA Goes 0-3 on Day Five of the 2012 Olympic Games by Julie Goldsticker/USA Boxing

(AUG 1) (LONDON, ENGLAND) – Team USA endured a difficult day on Wednesday at the Olympic Games as three American boxers lost their bouts to amateur boxing powerhouses. Bantamweight Joseph Diaz, Jr. (S. El Monte, Calif.) fell to Cuban World Champion Lazaro Alvarez Estrada with heavyweight Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) and super heavyweight Dominic Breazeale (Alhambra, Calif.) both falling to Russian opponents. Diaz battled both his opponent and the Cuban mystique in his bout with Estrada, which was a rematch from the 2011 World Championships. The Cuban was extremely busy during the first round, showcasing the patented Cuban footwork but Diaz also enjoyed bright spots of his own, finding a home for his sharp left hand. Estrada held a 7-6 lead after one but Diaz came out firing in the Read more [...]

Team USA Moves to 4-0 in Olympic Action with Victories by Jose Ramirez and Errol Spence by Julie Goldsticker

(LONDON, ENGLAND) – The U.S. Olympic Boxing Team pushed its undefeated to streak to four on Sunday night with lightweight Jose Ramirez (Avenal, Calif.) and welterweight Errol Spence (Desoto, Texas) both claiming first round wins at the ExCel Centre. Ramirez pulled out a 21-20 decision over France’s Rachid Azzedine and Spence closed the night for Team USA with a 16-10 win over Brazil’s Myke Carvalho de Ribeiro. Ramirez was the first American boxer to compete in Sunday’s evening action, facing veteran and World Series of Boxing champion Azzedine. The 19-year-old looked to get started early in the bout, and enjoyed success late in the round. He trapped Azzedine on the ropes and landed some strong shots at the conclusion of the opening round and held a one-point lead after the first. Read more [...]

Team USA’s Joseph Diaz, Jr., Opens the 2012 Olympic Games with a Double Digit Win Over Ukraine by Julie Goldsticker

(LONDON, ENGLAND) – American bantamweight Joseph Diaz, Jr. (S. El Monte, Calif.) claimed the first win of the Olympic Games on Saturday afternoon with a convincing 19-9 win over Pavlo Ischenko of Ukraine in first round action. The pair faced off in the first bout of the entire tournament with Diaz enjoying the distinction of the throwing the first punch of the 2012 Olympic Games. Diaz set the perfect tone for his American teammates, winning a 19-9 decision over his Ukrainian opponent in the U.S. opener. Diaz took the ring first, decked out in his red USA uniform and American flag bandana in front of a packed house at the ExCel Centre. Both boxers looked for momentum early in the contest with Diaz staying busy early in the bout. He began to find his rhythm late in the round, landing several Read more [...]

Press Conference at the Hard Rock – Quotes

(JULY 5)  A press conference was held today at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to discuss tomorrow night's Sampson Boxing and Greg Cohen Promotions', boxing event entitled "The Moment of Truth" at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and live on ESPN Friday Night Fights.  Featherweight prospect Javier Fortuna and Cristobal Cruz  as well as co-main event fighters Magomed Abdusalamov and Maurice  Byarm were all respectful but all are determined to emerge victorious. Co-Promoter -Sampson Lewkowicz: This will be a great night of boxing. The fights are all sensational. I want to commend these men for accepting to face each other.  These are real fighters who want to become champions. I wish all fighters were like these guys. Co-Promoter Greg Cohen: The Read more [...]

Final Press Conference: Ortiz vs. Lopez

(JUNE 22)  The final press conference for one of the most oft-discussed fight cards of the year - "Ortiz vs. Lopez" taking place this Saturday, June 23 and televised live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from STAPLES Center - took place Thursday before boxing media and fans, who turned out for the free-to-the-public event.   With much at stake, Victor Ortiz of Ventura, CA,, will take on former NABF Champion Josesito Lopez, of Riverside, Calif., for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Championship in Saturday's 12-round main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.  Photo credit: Showtime/Esther Lin In another bout, former Three-Time World Champion Humberto Soto, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, will be opposed by  Lucas Matthysse of Trelew, Argentina, for the vacant Read more [...]

Randall Bailey: Show me “Money”

(JUNE 21) Newly crowned IBF Welterweight World Champion Randall Bailey is finally in position of leverage with his third world title belt and a recent "Knockout of the Year" performance against previously unbeaten Mike Jones. Now, it's time for this feared slugger to cash in, after 16 often frustrating years as a professional prizefighter. Bailey  would love to welcome Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. when he gets out of jail in a few months but, if the price is right, Randall also wants to make it perfectly clear that he'll fight any deserving 147-pounder in the world. "I've been avoided forever," Bailey said, "but now I'm coming off a world title fight win that ended with a punch people are going to be talking about for a long time. If I had a choice, I'd fight Mayweather next. I like the Read more [...]

Williams to face Challenging Chauncy Welliver on June 28 in Macau

(MAY 28, 2012) Heavyweight road warrior Sherman "Tank" Williams, a Bahamian sports legend, will travel halfway around the world to challenge WBO Asia Pacific and WBC Asian Boxing Council Champion Chauncy "Hillyard Hammer" Welliver on June 28 in Macau, China.  Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs) hasn't fought in 1 ½ years, since he was involved in a highly-controversial "no contest" with Evander Holyfield for the World Boxing Federation title, at The Greenbrier in White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia. "I'm looking for a break," Williams said about his fight with Welliver (53-5-5, 20 KOs). "I'm not discouraged. I'll be coming to fight like I always do. I've been sitting on the bench, training in the gym, and I couldn't wait to fight. This is an important fight for me. I don't know too much about Read more [...]