(East Los Angeles, CA) - 2008 East LA Olympian, Shawn Estrada held an open media workout today and spoke with the press on his preparation  for his first professional bout against Washington, D.C.'s Lawrence Jones that is set to take place this Saturday, November 29 at the new Citizens Business Bank Arena located in Ontario, California.

QUOTES

"My trainers, Rodrigo Mosqueda and Arnulfo (Bravo) had me spar against a variety of sparring partners so that I will be ready for my pro debut".

"I've been training for about a month and a half.  I'm feeling confident, because I am well trained and ready to go.... I'm going to dominate this fight."

"As soon as this fight is over, it's back to training."

"This fight is dedicated first and foremost to God, then to my Dad and my daughter, Alyssa."

COOK HIT BY FLU

WBO World Super-Featherweight champion Nicky Cook, who was due to feature alongside Enzo Maccarinelli, Amir Khan and Audley Harrison at the ExCeL London on December 6, has been ruled out due to flu.

Cook, Britain's only world champion, was due to makes the first title defence of his title against Salford's Stephen Foster Jnr but has withdrawn today following professional medical advice.

Big-punching Welshman Maccarinelli will now be the main event when he challenges American Johnathon Banks in a potentially explosive showdown for the Vacant WBO World Cruiserweight title.

The card also features the return of Bolton star Khan in crucial fight against Irish hardman Oisin Fagan for the Vacant WBA International Lightweight championship, while Harrison is in a crossroads fight against Belfast's Martin Rogan.

"I'm absolutely devastated that I won't be able to defend my title for the first time and especially as it is in my backyard," Said Londoner Cook.

"I returned to training last week but it was clear that I had missed too many training sessions to catch up and I just felt really weak because of the flu,"

"I can't let my heart rule my head and it's important that I'm 100 percent fit and ready to defend my title rather than lose it and come out with excuses,"

"Although my fight is off, the show goes on and there are some great fights on the card featuring Enzo, Amir and Audley, and I will be ringside to cheer on the lads but I would rather be in there fighting."

Promoter Frank Warren said, "Obviously this is unfortunate, but these things happen in boxing and Nicky needs to be fully fit to defend his title,"

"Enzo now headlines the show and is in a real hard fight against Banks.  We have worked hard to get him a world title opportunity on his first fight back and now it is down to him to do the business in the ring."

"There is a lot of interest in Amir's big return and to see how he comes back after his first loss, but he has gone to America and trained with one of the best in Freddie Roach and we will see how he has progressed,"

"Audley has a lot to prove and this is a fight that he must win and win in style to prove his critics wrong. Rogan is as tough as they come and will give Audley a real fight."

Reading, PA—Unbeaten junior welterweight Rock Allen, of Philadelphia, PA, will box Humberto Tapia,  of Tijuana, Mexico, in the scheduled eight-round semifinal contest Friday evening, Dec. 5, at The Reading Eagle Theatre at the Sovereign Center, 700 Penn St reet.  First fight begins at 7p.m.

Telefutura/Univision will televise the Allen-Tapia fight and well as the scheduled 10-round main event between welterweights Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, and Luciano Perez, of Chicago, IL, on its popular Solo Boxeo series beginning at 8pm EST.  

Allen, 27 was a member of the 2004 US Olympic Team, but his professional progress has been a slow.  He has boxed only 20 times (13-0, 7 K0s) after 40 months as a pro.  His only fight in the last 13 months came Sept. 12 in Grand Prarie, TX, when he earned a unanimous eight-round decision over Gilbert Vera, of Austin, TX.  He boxed only twice in 2007.

“Today, there are too many microwave fighters,” said Nazim Richardson, father/trainer of Rock Allen.  “You pop them in and out comes a glamorous record.  We’re trying to build a fighter the right way, not rush him along with a lot of meaningless fights.”

Tapia, 22, is 13-8-1, 7 K0s.  He has fought better opposition that Allen, having lost a 10-round split decision earlier this year to Jeffrey Resto, of the Bronx, NY, in Boston, MA.  He also lost on points to world-rated Jose Reyes, of Caguas, Puerto Rico, and he out-pointed Ramon Montano, of Las Vegas, NV.

Five additional bouts complete the card.

Tickets priced at $25, $35, $50 and $65 can be purchased at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. (215-765-0922) and at all Ticketmaster outlets. They also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com .