Boxing News: De La Hoya, BJ Flores, Brinkley vs Naugler

Acknowledging his newly acquired ownership in Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, as well as the fact that he will be fighting at the Home Depot Center’s soccer stadium Saturday night, legendary champion Oscar de la Hoya will accent his robe and trunks with the Dynamo’s “forever orange” color for his fight against Steve Forbes. The fight will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing..

“Homecoming”—On Saturday, May 3, De La Hoya will face former world champion Steve Forbes, in what will be the first-ever boxing event at The Home Depot Center’s soccer stadium. The bout will also mark De La Hoya’s return home to fight for the first time in Los Angeles since 2000 as well as his return to HBO’s World Championship Boxing for the first time since 2001. Homecoming” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Tournament of Contenders, AEG and The Home Depot Center and is sponsored by Cazadores, Tecate, Rockstar Energy Drink, Southwest Airlines and Affliction Clothing. The match up will be televised live by HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.

Tickets priced starting at $25.00 may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 213-480-3232 or by visiting ticketsmaster.com. Group tickets, VIP packages and Hospitality packages are available by calling 1-877-AEG-TICKETS (1-877-234-8425) or by visiting www.aegtickets.com.

BJ FLORES VISITS FT. HOOD TO HONOR TRAINER KENNY ADAMS

PHOENIX, AZ (April 29, 2008)—World ranked and undefeated cruiserweight BJ Flores was in Ft. Hood, Texas, this past weekend taking part in a celebration for his longtime trainer Kenny Adams. Said Flores, “It was terrific, we had a nice party for Kenny at the Officer Headquarters on the army base. Many officers from the military and a lot of his former fighters were there including former bantamweight world champion Eddie Cook as well as former amateur standouts (1988 US Gold Medalist) Andrew Maynard, Brian Lonon, Loren Ross and Ronnie Hughes..

Everyone had a turn to speak and reminisce a little about how much Kenny meant to each one of us and how important his teachings were in making us successful as fighters and as men.”

Continued Flores, “Kenny was my first coach when I was very young, my Dad competed on the Ft. Hood army team starting in 1983 and my brother Jeremy and I started going to the gym. Kenny let me ride on the team bus to other army bases for team meets.

My Dad was my amateur coach (record of 110-9), but when I turned pro Kenny became my head trainer and he’s been with me for my most recent success including my win over Darnell Wilson. Dad and he work great together, for the Wilson fight Dad came to Vegas for two weeks to work with me also. They make a fantastic team.”

On Saturday morning, prior to the celebration, BJ spoke to and gave a boxing demonstration for the teenagers in a youth boxing program at Ronnie Hughes’ gym in Killeen, Texas.

“It’s always nice to give back and they also had a lot of questions about professional boxing. Some of them had seen my fight against Wilson on ESPN and they wanted to know more about my career. My focus to them was to get a solid amateur background and be disciplined in your training. Those were the keys to my success.”

In closing, Flores currently 21-0-1 with thirteen knockouts said, “It was a terrific trip, a pleasure to honor Kenny and visit with many of the guys and also great to spend time with the kids at Ronnie’s gym. Kenny’s trained 14 world champions; I’m looking to be his 15th.”

Flores is currently world ranked #2 by the IBF, #7 by the WBO and # 9 by the WBO.

Brinkley vs Naugler on June 13

Reno, NV April 29th, 2008 - Let’s Get It On Promotions is excited to announce that championship boxing returns to Reno on June 13th. WBC USNBC Super-Middleweight titleist Jesse Brinkley (30-5 21KOs) is set to face Canadian light-heavyweight champion Jason “Notorious” Naugler (18-7-1 11Kos)..

Jesse Brinkley has composed an impressive winning streak this year. Coming off of four straight knockout wins and earning the WBC USNBC super-middleweight belt, the season-one Contender semifinalist continues to move forward with his career. In February, Brinkley scored an impressive 11th round knockout against The Next Great Champ winner Otis Griffin.

“I’m excited to fight again.” Says Brinkley. “I feel great right now. I’m at the top of my game and I feel like I am right in the mix with all of the top fighters at 168 lbs.”

Naugler is a former Canadian amateur champion and is the reigning Canadian light-heavyweight champion. He has agreed to fight Brinkley at 168 lbs for a shot at the USNBC belt. Naugler has displayed that he has one of the best chins in professional boxing. He has never been stopped in his seven losses – even against the current undefeated WBC light-heavyweight champion, Chad Dawson. Not only has he never been knocked out, he has never been knocked down in his nine-year professional career. Jason is no stranger to changing weight divisions. He began his career as a light-middleweight in 1999 and has fought in-between 154 and 176 lbs as a pro. Brinkley, similarly, began his pro career as a welterweight after an unimpressive amateur record of 3 wins and 3 losses. This march, Naugler beat fellow Canadian Abdullah Ramadan to defend his national title. He believes that this important victory gives him the momentum to come to the States and face the all-American Brinkley.

“I’m looking forward to fighting Jesse.” Says Naugler. “I know he is a powerful puncher and I have the upmost respect for him, but I come to fight and I come straight forward.”

This matchup is very interesting. Brinkley has consistently displayed that he has power in both hands on top of being a very skilled boxer. Twenty-one of his thirty wins have come by way of knockout. Naugler, too, has pop in his punches. He has stopped eleven of his opponents in his eighteen victories. Unlike Naugler, Brinkley has been knocked out in his career, twice. Also, on at least two occasions, Brinkley relied on his power to score late knockouts when he was behind on points. Again, Naugler has never been off of his feet in a professional bout - making a come-from-behind knockout difficult for Brinkley if needed. This fight looks to be action-packed as both fighters are eager to stand toe-to-toe and trade blows.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a Gatti/Ward type fight.” Says Let’s Get It On Promotions’ Terry Lane. “I have a pre-fight prediction - Both Jesse and Jason will be icing their hands afterwards.”

The Brinkley/Naugler bout is scheduled for 12 rounds and will be held at the brand new “Reno Ballroom” located at the corner of 4th and Virginia St. in downtown Reno. Ticket and undercard information will be announced soon. For more information, please visit www.letsgetitonboxing.com.