ON JAN 27 - SAL MUSUMECI'S FINAL FORUM BOXING COMES TO THE ORLANDO AREA. On the card will be the homecoming of Hector Camacho jr who graduated from cypress creek high school in Orlando. On the undercard will be heavyweight Jason Gavern, also on the card will be CT's favorite heavyweight Tony grano.
Also on the card will be former New jersey amateur standout Chris Velez who recently won the New Jersey Diamond Gloves.Chris Velez will be trained by notable trainer Josue Aguilar, who also trains popular boxers Francisco Palacios and current CONTENDER SERIES participant Alfredo Escalera.
There will be six other bouts. The boxing card will be at The Rock Arena in Kissimmee Fl. 5515 W. Highway 192
CRISTOBAL CRUZ VS. CYRIL THOMAS HEADLINES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD ON FEB. 14 IN ST. QUENTIN, FRANCE; TELEVISED ON CANAL+
Promoters Arthur Pelullo/Banner Promotions, Rodney Berman/Golden Gloves, Bernard Roos/R2Image & Events and Pascal Cordier/Sport Evenements will present a sensational world championship fight card on February 14, 2009, at the Palais des Sports in Saint Quentin, France. The main event and co-featured bout will be televised in France on Canal+ Network (8:45 P.M. to 10:45 P.M. local time), as well as other networks around the world.
In the main event scheduled for 12 rounds, International Boxing Federation featherweight world champion Cristobal Cruz, 37-11-1 with 23 knockouts, of Tijuana, Mexico, will make his first defense of the title against Cyril Thomas, 33-2-4 with 10 knockouts, of Saint Quentin.
The 31 year-old Cruz won the vacant title with a 12-round split decision victory in a fast-paced, exciting fight against Orlando Salido on October 23, 2008. Salido, ranked No. 2 by the IBF, was the clear favorite to win and built an early lead – after six rounds, he led by scores of 58-56, 58-56, 57-57. But Cruz, determined and hard-working, rallied in the second half of the fight - he won the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth rounds on two scorecards, then swept the eleventh and twelfth rounds on all three and won by scores of 116-112, 116-112 Cruz, 115-113 Salido. After the fight, Graham Houston reported: “Tough, gritty and tenacious.... This was an outstanding performance by Cruz - his second in a row - and he certainly fought a terrific fight.”
Thomas, 32 years old and an 11-year professional veteran, is the IBF’s No. 12-ranked featherweight contender and won an IBF title eliminator in his most recent fight in November, 2008. He currently holds the IBF International featherweight title and is a former European featherweight champion, as well.
The co-featured bout, scheduled for 10 rounds for the French featherweight championship, will match defending champion Osman Aktas, 33-15-5 with 3 knockouts, of Saint Nazare, France, against undefeated Guillaume Frenois, 12-0 with 1 knockout, of Saint Quentin. Aktas, 32 years old, is a 13-year professional veteran and a former French jr. lightweight champion. 25 year-old left-handed prospect Frenois is a two-year pro.
Five more exciting fights are planned to complete the card, including:
Phillip Ndou, 31-1 with 30 knockouts, of Johannesburg, South Africa, will be featured in an eight-round jr. welterweight bout against an opponent to be announced. A member of the 1996 South African Olympic team, Ndou, now 31 years old, is a former South African featherweight champion and lightweight world title challenger as a pro. He is returning to the ring for the first time since May, 2004.
2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, 2-0 with 2 knockouts, of Providence, Rhode Island, who is promoted by Joe DeGuardia/Star Boxing and Arthur Pelullo/Banner Promotions, will be featured in a four-round jr. middleweight bout against an opponent to be announced. After Demetrius’ pro debut in October, 2008, Dan Rafael wrote on ESPN.com: “Welcome to the pros, kid. Andrade, the first 2008 U.S. Olympian to turn pro and the American team member with the most pro potential, did what he was supposed to do: look spectacular. Andrade displayed skill, speed, poise and power.... All in all, the perfect pro debut for a fighter who could someday be a star.”
Michael Sweeney, 6-0-1 with 4 knockouts, of Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland, will fight in a six-round light heavyweight bout against an opponent to be announced. A talented prospect at 26 years of age, Sweeney is a former amateur standout in Ireland – he was a four-time national champion
All bouts subject to change without notice.
(East Los Angeles, CA) - - Recently signed Goossen Tutor Promotions fighter Shawn “El Chamuko” Estrada (2-0, 2 KOs) is set to continue his knockout path in 2009 when he challenges Jeffrey Osborne Jr. of Davenport, Iowa, and a veteran of 21 professional bouts on Saturday, January 24 in Minnesota’s Grand Casino Mille Lacs Hinckley.
Estrada, the 2008 U.S. Olympian from East Los Angeles has come a long way in the past few months since his return from Beijing, China where he experienced two of three of the most difficult losses in the 23 young years of his life; the loss of his father to kidney and liver ailments; and his loss by decision to eventual Olympic Gold medallist, Great Britain’s James Degale. His third loss took place years before when his older brother succumbed to gang violence.
“So much has changed in the past few years, but it’s all inspirational to me. My life continues to flourish through my 2-year old daughter Alyssa and now my professional career. I’m looking forward to making 2009 memorable for my family, my fans and me. It’s all about moving ahead and growing from my life’s experiences.”
“I have control over my destiny. I know to be a world champion I need to dedicate myself to achieving that goal. I will do the work it takes to make it there no matter how difficult the task,” continued Estrada.
Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions understood the mission Shawn and his managers laid-out prior to sealing their professional relationship. “Having to endure what he did in China, his dad unable to travel with him and ultimately succumbing almost simultaneously as his son was eliminated from the Olympics inspires Shawn daily knowing how his dad battled every second of every day to be there for him.” “These are significant challenges that most people do not have to encounter for many, many years later in life. Shawn lived it, mourned it and now is inspired by it.”
On being informed that this born and bred Californian was scheduled to fight in hockey country on January 24th, the always affable Estrada pointed out, “I know enough about hockey that their fans always love a good fight, and I promise I won’t disappoint them.”
When told that the Los Angeles Times named him one of the “Faces To Watch in 2009” describing him as “…a tough, furious-punching prospect who offers unmistakable similarities to the probably retiring “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya,” Estrada said “I’m more Pit-Bull than a Golden Boy.”
Inside the ring opponents are finding Estrada a “Hot Prospect” looking to leave his opponents “Out Cold” as he continues his rise to world prominence.
The “Out Cold” boxing extravaganza is being presented in association with Seconds Out Promotions. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the first bout beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for “Out Cold” are $55, $35 and $20. To purchase tickets, visit the Grand Casino Mille Lacs or Grand Casino Hinckley box offices or call Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151 or contact or visit any Ticketmaster outlet. http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06004185E53EB4F5?artistid=1279497&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=33
