Category: Press Release

Rodney Toney’s comeback begins June 3″ Expressway Jam” in Dorchester

BOSTON (May 25, 2005) - Boston-native Rodney Toney has returned to his roots for a proverbial crossroads fight June 3 against Jameel "Black Gold" Wilson, headlining "Expressway Jam," presented by NER Promotions, at Freeport Hall (IBEW) in Dorchester (MA). Former California State light heavyweight champion Toney (26-4-4, 16 KOs), cousin of the much more famous James Toney, has been idle for the past 21/2 years. His comeback fight against Wilson is the eight-round main event on "Expressway Jam." Back in 1994, Toney won a 10-round decision against Charles "Hachet" Brewer, who went on to become the IBF super middleweight champion, and a year later Rodney fought a draw against then unbeaten William Joppy (19-0) for the NABF middleweight championship. Wilson (13-9-2, 8 KOs), fighting out Read more [...]

Julio Cesar Chavez at the HP Pavilion!

(MAY 18) A quick invitation to all fight fans who are interested. The great Julio Cesar Chavez (107-5-2, 87 KO's) will be holding an open workout for the public at the HP Pavilion at San Jose on Monday, May 23rd @ 3pm. Entrance to this event is free, as is parking! Also on hand, and his sparing partner, will be his son, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Both fighters are set to appear on a pay-per-view event the following Friday, May 28th and this may be Chavez Sr.'s last fight. So take a few minutes on Monday to slip out of work for this free event and head on down to The Tank to catch a glimpse of this World Champion. Please make a note of the schedule below. Doors will open at: 2:00 pm Sparring/General workout: 3:00-4:00 pm Post workout autograph session: 4:00-4:30 pm Read more [...]

John Ruiz reinstated as WBA heavyweight champion

LAS VEGAS (May 17, 2005) - Team Ruiz was notified yesterday by the World Boxing Association that it has reinstated John "The Quietman" Ruiz as WBA heavyweight champion, effectively immediately. WBA letter: "Based on the actions of the New York State Athletic Commission and the test results on which the Commission relied, the WBA must vacate your championship ranking and reinstate John Ruiz as the champion." Ruiz' April 30 loss to James "Lights Out" Toney was changed to a "No Decision" after Toney failed the New York State Athletic Commission's illegal substance policy, testing positive for the steroid, Nandrolone. Toney was suspended 90 days and fined $10,000 by the NYSAC, in addition to being barred from fighting for the WBA title for two years. "To all of the A-holes who want me Read more [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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

  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 Read more [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

2005: Warrior’s Boxing Promotions Throws a 1-2 Combination For Tsunami Relief

 (MAY 3, 2005) HOLLYWOOD, FL – In addition to its commitment to bringing the best in world-class boxing to fight fans, Warriors Boxing Promotions is firmly vested in the community. With this in mind, on April 26, 2005, the Hollywood-based promotional company donated the purses and sanctioning fees for the IBF United States Atlantic Coast Regional Heavyweight Championship bout between Kendrick Releford and Najee Shaheed in an event to raise funds for tsunami relief, hosted by Richard Dobal Productions, Inc. . “The scope of devastation caused by the Asian tsunami last year hit home for all of us. Because boxing is truly a global sport, and Indonesia hosts many great events, several people in our boxing community had family members directly touched by this tragedy,” said Warriors Read more [...]

Boxing Action In Las Vegas! Info and Photos by Mary Ann Owen of BILV April 30, 2005

(APR 30) Last night at the Plaza Hotel, in Las Vegas, Nevada, - ESPN Television, and promoted by Lou Duva Promotions.  Randell "Tex" Cobb's son Joshua Cobb fought last night.  Randell "Tex" Cobb, a  Heavyweight who had a total of 52 pro fights and had a record of 43-7-1, 36 KOs, beat the likes of , Ernie Shavers, Leon Spinks and had losses to Larry Holmes, Buster Douglas & Michael Dokes. Tex Cobb beat and lost to the best contenders. Cobb went beyond the ring to the big screen and became a familiar tough guy face in many movies. Joshua Cobb, 19,  who came into the fight at 1-0-0,  stands at about 6'3" and 253 lb.  Cobb, lacking amateur experience, did not have the ring experience to be going into the pros so soon. Mary Ann Owen said, "He unfortunately grossly lacked ring Read more [...]