Before Streatham’s Leon ‘Solid’ Williams enters the ring on November 15 at The O2 he’ll first pinch himself and then ponder how his hero would deal with this situation – a professional boxing debut.
In 1983, Leon’s hero, a man named ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, knocked out Hector Mercedes inside the very first round of his pro debut in New York.
Light-heavyweight Williams will look for something of the same on November 15 when he strips away the vest and head guard for the very first time.
“Watching videos of Mike Tyson was my main inspiration growing up,” explains the big-punching Williams. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when I first saw Tyson. He was such a frightening force inside the ring.
“Watching Tyson gave me an adrenaline rush and made me want to go out, join a boxing gym and knock people out.”
After watching Tyson, Williams went out, joined a boxing gym and started knocking people out. 18 at the time, Williams quickly grew a reputation within London boxing circles as a man not to be messed with. Possessing TNT in either fist and an unbreakable will, Williams found most opponents falling over inside schedule.
“I never realised I could hit hard,” admits the 24-year-old Williams. “It’s only when people tell me I hit hard that I start to believe them. It’s just normal for me. I don’t feel like it’s anything special. Punching people hard is just like walking through the front door for me.”
Tutored at the famed Fitzroy Lodge A.B.C – the same gym that produced Hayemaker team mate David Haye – Williams scored London ABA success in 2007. With only 17 amateur bouts to his name, Williams is the first to admit there are rough edges to his game. Yet the two ‘unteachables’, power and desire, stand him in good stead as he embarks on a promising pro career.
“I’ve always had natural punch power and now we’re just trying to add other areas to my arsenal,” he says. “Right now I’m just punching hard with my arms. I’m not using my whole body to follow through with my punches. Once I get the technique sorted – and also my defence – I’m going to be destroying people in there.
“I don’t look to score points. I look to hurt the guy I’m facing and get them out of there. I don’t ever plan on hanging about. If the knockout is there, I’ll take it. There’s no tap-tap-tap with me - just big bombs from the first bell.”
Williams’ big bombs will be felt for the first time on November 15 at The O2. Whereas Tyson was able to ease himself into his pro career at the Plaza Convention Centre in Albany, Williams will instantly face the attention and pressure of a big event. Nevertheless, it’s not something that worries this confident light-heavyweight banger.
“It’s been a long time coming now and I just can’t wait to get out there and put on a show,” says the man nicknamed ‘Solid’. “I’ve been given an opportunity that every other boxer in the country would love to take from me and I need to show I’m worth it.
“I still pinch myself when I think of what’s going on in my boxing career. Despite only having 17 amateur fights, I’ve been signed up by Hayemaker Boxing and will be fighting live on Setanta Sports at The O2. It’s crazy how quickly it’s all happened and I’m not about to let anyone down. This is where it all begins.”
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Robbie Tovar was forced to withdraw from his WBC USNBC Cruiserweight title fight with Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn, which was scheduled to take place at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona on November 20th. This left Gunn without an opponent less than 10 days before the opening bell. Gunn was in a tough position as he is far too hungry and motivated to completely withdraw from the title fight all together. After difficulty finding a new suitable opponent on such short notice, Gunn had only one thing on his mind, redemption.
On March 31st 2006, Bobby Gunn and Shelby Gross fought to a highly controversial no contest where Fred Boges, a referee not qualified with the Association of Boxing Commissions, gave Gross a very long count after each of the two knockdowns he suffered in the first round. Boges also watched Gross literarily sit on top of and throw punches at Gunn after dropping him in the second round. This fight was so messy, that the WBC uses it as an example of how not to referee a fight.
“To tell you the truth it was probably the craziest thing I’ve ever been involved in”, said Gunn, the current IBC International Cruiserweight champion. “Even when I watched the replay, the situation reminded me of a WWE wrestling match. (WBC President) Mauricio Suliman said that the fight was the worst officiated bout he has ever seen”, said the heavy handed Canadian.
George Kokkalenios the co-promoter of the November 20th show contacted Team Gross about the rematch, which Gunn has wanted the last 2 ½ years. After prior negation problems, Gross accepted the challenge to make it official. Gunn couldn’t be more excited about the rematch and promises it will be worth watching.
“I am ecstatic about this opportunity”, said the former IBA world Cruiserweight champion. “Shelby is a warrior who comes to fight and has battled three world champions. I want to end the fight fair and square this time and I am confident of it happening because the Arizona Boxing Commission will make sure there is no shady business this time around. If you want to see a great, highly anticipated fight, I advise you to come to the Celebrity Theatre November 20th” said the former amateur standout.
Tickets can be ordered by going to www.celebritytheatre.com . Broadcast details will be announced shortly.
Harvey Dock of HD Promotions wants all NJ boxing fans to know that his premier boxing show that was scheduled for 10/22/08 is confirmed to take place on Wednesday, November 19th. Tickets purchased for the October show will be honored that night.
The main event remains the same featuring popular NJ super-middleweight Jerson Ravelo going against Philadelphia's Dhafir Smith. Also appearing on the show are Willy Gill, Marlon Hayes, Rashad Bogard, John Lennox and Tyaad Beale. A special attraction welterweight bout featuring Newark prospect Alex Perez will round out the card.
Tickets are priced at $75. and $35. For ticket information please call (201) 988-0008 or (917) 482-4477.
CHICAGO, IL - Further details of the terrific undercard of “SHOWDOWN”, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing set for this Friday night at Cicero Stadium, have just been announced by 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
Advance tickets for the six bout “SHOWDOWN” card can be obtained by calling the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie in Cicero . Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.
Headlining “SHOWDOWN” is an outstanding Chicago light heavyweight showdown between Mike “THE HAMMER” Nevitt, 15-1 (6KO’s) and “MARVELOUS” Shay Mobley, 17-9-1 (17KO’s) in an eight round bout.
In the co-main event, Chicago ’s hottest prospect, Ivan Popoca will battle Memphis veteran, Marteze “TOO SWEET” Logan in a six round junior welterweight bout.
Popoca, 8-0-1 (7KO’s), has thrilled Chicago fight fans this year with his brutal power and aggressive style. His last two bouts have ended in devastating first round knockouts.
The 24 year old Logan, already a veteran of 63 professional bouts, has fought numerous world ranked fighters over his six year career. In just the last two years he has been involved in distance battles with brothers Anthony and Lamont Peterson, Lanardo Tyner, Damian Fuller and Emanuel Augustus..
Logan was featured on Showtime’s “This American Life” series in June of this year detailing his life in professional boxing.
Said promoter Dominic Pesoli, “ Logan is a very solid guy for Ivan to fight. Despite his record (26-34-2, 6KO’s), he’s fought a lot of tough battles and obviously he always comes to fight. Ivan’s been very diligent in his training but Logan will be a very good test for him.”
In a special attraction six round featherweight bout, undefeated super bantamweight prospect Eric “EL LOCO” Estrada, 5-0 (2KO’s) will battle Puerto Rican native Ivan “THE BABY FACED ASSASSIN” Rodriguez, 9-4-1 (3KO’s).
The 20 year Estrada has burst on the Chicago scene since turning pro one year ago and has quickly become a crowd favorite. Rodriguez is coming off an outstanding “blood and guts” win over Barbaro Zepeda on July 25th that had his legion of loyal fans on their feet from the opening bell.
Said Pesoli, “This is a terrific fans’ fight. Both guys have very loyal, large followings. Eric has gotten off to a very solid start in his pro career and Ivan is a real aggressive kid who always makes great fights.”
The full “SHOWDOWN” card is as follows;
Mike Nevitt vs. Shay Mobley, eight rounds, light heavyweights
Ivan Popoca vs. Marteze Logan, six rounds, junior welterweights
Eric Estrada vs. Ivan Rodriguez, six rounds, featherweights
Juan Bailon vs. Barbaro Zepeda, six rounds, featherweights
Ryan Smedick vs. Gustavo Palacios, four rounds, welterweights
Brian Cohen vs. Stevie Robinson, four rounds, light heavyweights
The public weigh-in for “SHOWDOWN” will take place at 7pm on Thursday, November 13th at Mullens Bar and Grill, 7301 N. Western on the North Side of Chicago.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be noted boxing ring announcer Thomas Treiber.
