Mexico City, Mexico: The successful TV Series Boxeo Telemundo Ford will continue its summer season this Friday, July 1st from the Plaza Condesa Auditorium in Mexico City, Mexico.
In the main event WBO Latin Jr. Lightweight Champion and #11 contender Carlos “Fino” Ruiz (15-2-5 KO’s) of Mexico City, Mexico will face fellow countryman and current WBC FECOMBOX Champion Sebastian Diaz (12-2-10 KO’s) from Aguas Calientes, Mexico in another “Civil War” schedule for 10 Rounds with Ruiz title at stake.
Doors open 7:30 PM, First bell at 8:00 PM. 6 more bouts are schedule. Telemundo Network will televise in the US starting at 11:35 PM ET.
52MX MVS Networks televises in Mexico at 11:30 PM. Tuto Zabala, Jr., All Star Boxing, Inc is presenting the show in association with Producciones Deportivas. Plaza Condesa Auditorium is located at Juan Escutia #4, Colonia Condesa, Mexico DF, MX. Tel: 52 11 00 44. For tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.mx
Penge welterweight star Bradley Skeete will make the fourth defence of his WBO European Welterweight crown against Frenchman Alex Lepelley. Skeete faces Lepelley over ten rounds on the action-packed Ice Arena Wales show on Saturday 16th July, live and exclusive on BoxNation.
South Londoner Skeete delivered a punch-perfect performance last time out to win the British and Commonwealth titles against Sam Eggington. After impressively outclassing Eggington, Skeete is now looking forward to making his eagerly-anticipated ring return in Wales.
“It’s my first fight since winning the British and Commonwealth belts back in March and I’m looking to mark my return with a big performance,” said Skeete. “I’ve got a strong rating with the WBO so it’s important to make another successful defence of my European title and keep pressing on towards a world title shot.
“My ultimate goal is to win a world title; it’s something I’ve dreamt of since I first started out in boxing. Now I’ve got the British title my short-term goal is to win it outright. I’ll be making three defences of that and making it my own.”
Super Skeete has established his name on the British and European welterweight scene in his home city of London but is chomping at the bit for his second away day experience. The charismatic Londoner is also thrilled to be fighting on the same card as pound-for-pound superstar Guillermo Rigondeaux.
“Fighting up in Birmingham was a brilliant experience for me and I really enjoyed it. It didn’t seem like I was fighting away at all and I’m expecting a similar experience down in Wales. I’ve heard it’s a great place to fight and they really know their boxing.
“Rigondeaux is one of the modern greats of boxing and to be fighting on the same card as him is great for me. We might not get another chance to see him in the flesh in the UK so I’ll be making sure I stick around to watch him take on Jazza.”
Co-headlining a huge night of boxing in Cardiff promoted by Frank Warren in association with RocNation and Caribe Promotions is pound-for-pound superstar Guillermo Rigondeaux who defends his WBA Super-Bantamweight crown against Merseyside hero Jazza Dickens in a real life ‘Rocky’ story. British and Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Williams defends his titles against unbeaten WBO Intercontinental Champion Gary Cororan.
A talent-stacked undercard sees British and Commonwealth Champion Super Bradley Skeete make the fifth defence of his WBO European Welterweight title; Baggies banger Tommy Langford defends his WBO Inter-Continental belt; ‘The Mexican’ Jamie Conlan returns to the ring after his fight of the year contender, Southampton’s red-hot Joe Pigford looks to extend his unbeaten run to eleven fights; Welshmen Craig Evans, Alex Hughes, Gary Buckland, Jay Harris, and Dale Evans all look to impress in front of their home crowd; big-hitting cruiserweight prospect Gary Sweeney looks to go 2-0 and Belfast’s Tyrone McKenna fights over six rounds.
Neat boxing Swansea super-fly Jay Harris has finally added the firepower that he believes will see him replicate dad Peter as a British champion.
The 25 year old Jack was extended to the cards in his first three paid gigs as he acclimatized to the profession but has since wasted his last four victims ahead of schedule.....with two suffering the full ten toll.
‘I guess I must’ve just caught them with the right punches,’ says the humble but amiable former British amateur champion who squares off with Afghan-born Hayes banger Ramash Ahmadi over six rounds on the mammoth world championship bill at Cardiff Ice Arena on July 16th.
‘It’s mostly body shots, left hooks underneath, something my dad was also good at. We’re working hard in the gym on landing correctly and I’ve also matured a bit physically over the past 18 months. It’s finally all falling into place.
If his current rich vein of form is any indicator, it shouldn’t be too long before the 5ft 5in Gary Lockett managed minnow enters the championship mix in Britain’s buoyant 115lb weight class.
‘Even if Paul Butler moves back up to bantam, the domestic super-fly division is suddenly looking very good and I’m anxious to become part of it,’ insists Harris who moonlights as a fork lift truck driver.
‘There’s some very talented boys fighting here such as Kal Yafai, Jamie Conlan, Anthony Nelson and Zolani Tete and the division is now attracted the publicity it never got before.
‘In fact, the recent fight between Conlan and Nelson is probably the best fight of the season at any weight. I went out to spar Jamie in Marbella recently; very tough boy, excellent body puncher but I’d love to fight him for his Commonwealth belt down the line.
‘I’ll make the step up whenever my dad and Gary decide I’m ready. If I come through on the 16th, I’ll hopefully move straight up to eight round level, have another couple before Christmas and be fighting for titles within 12 months. As I tend to start a bit slow, I believe the longer fights will bring out the best in me.’
Through no fault of his own, this highly dedicated prospect has been limited to just seven starts (all wins) since entering the profession back in July 2013 and the showdown with Ahmadi represents his first outing of 2016.
‘I’ve been out nearly seven months now which is frustrating but I’ve kept myself in the gym and stayed fit just in case a job was offered a short notice. I only ever take two weeks off after a fight to celebrate,’ he explains.
‘But I’m a bit isolated over in Swansea and it’s an effort getting quality sparring. I still work nights in a warehouse so can only get over to Gary (Lockett)’s gym once a week.’
Instead, the Swansea City fan hones his craft in his home town under the critical gaze of father-coach Peter, a former British featherweight champion who faced five world champions in a meritous 33 fight pro career between 1983-96.
Jay states: ‘My dad never forced me towards the boxing but, once I started to show an interest around the age of 12, he insisted on coaching me. He did it all himself as a fighter, brings bags of experience and I’m still learning fresh stuff from him every day. He’s especially good with regard to fast combos and movement. Gary Lockett adds control and teaches me to load up properly. They blend very well.’
Post war, the Principality’s second city has produced a plethora of quality prizefighters such as the Curvis brothers (Brian and Cliff), Colin Jones, Floyd Havard and Enzo Maccarinelli.
Nevertheless, Harris’ salivating six rounder with Ahmadi serves as only his second scrap in Wales - following his debut in Newport three years back - and he can’t wait to showcase his wares before the knowledgeable Welsh fight fraternity.
‘A lot of people have been pestering about when I’d be fighting closer to home so, for once, I’ve been able to sell a few tickets. I can’t wait to show what I can do to the Welsh fans,’ he concludes.
‘I’ve seen little bits of Ramesh on You Tube. He looks a very game opponent and, cos he’s unbeaten himself, he’ll be coming to win. He possesses a very powerful right hand but seems a bit wild so I think I should be okay.
‘It’s a good step up for me but, come Sunday 17th, I definitely intend waking up 8 and 0.’
Former world middleweight champion Gary Lockett who has managed Harris from the dawn of his pro career adds: ‘Jay’s a quality counter puncher who’s getting more mature with each fight. Though he’s naturally a very nice natured boy he’s becoming more nasty on fight night. He’s got a very spiteful left hook to the body.
‘We send him out everywhere sparring and the feedback every time is that he’s a really good kid so I know he’s not too far away. But he’s got a very tough fight on July 16th against another unbeaten kid who’s rumoured to be a pretty dangerous puncher himself. It’s a genuine 50-50 scrap that’ll tell us exactly where Jay is. It’s a fight he’s got to win, simple as that.
