Boxing News: Solis-Botha, Aaron Williams, Khan-Gomez

By Boxing News - 05/15/2008 - Comments

Olympic gold medallist Odlanier Solis and former world heavyweight champion Francois Botha were meant to meet in the ring in December 2007 but the “White Buffalo” drew in his horns on very short notice. Now everything is set and the contracts are signed for the fight to take place on May 30th in Bilbao, Spain..

“Botha still has a very good name”, states Solis (9-0-0, 6 kos). “His only problem will be that I don’t care much about names. I’m looking forward to finally meeting him in the ring though.”

ARENA-CEO Ahmet Öner: “By beating Botha Odlanier can once more show that he belongs to the elite of heavyweight boxing. In addition to that fighting such an experienced opponent will definitely help him to improve his game and beating Botha will bring him closer to a title fight.”

In his 18 years in professional boxing Botha (45-4-2, 28 kos) only lost to world class athletes: Michael Moorer (November 1996), Mike Tyson (January 1999), Lennox Lewis (July 2000) and Wladimir Klitschko (March 2002).

Promoted by ARENA Box-Promotion and their local partner Stock Eventos the show in Bilbao also features the heavyweight clash between hard-hitting German prospect Konstantin Airich (9-0-1, 8 kos) and “Brixton Bomber” Danny Williams (38-6-0, 30 kos).

Aaron Williams headlines ESPN2 FNF on May 23

ESPN2 Friday Night Fights (ESPN2 FNF) returns May 23 to Rhode Island as unbeaten prospect “Awesome” Aaron Williams, the future of the cruiserweight division, headlines his first major show on “Ring Warriors,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES), live from Twin River Events Center in Lincoln..

“Ring Warriors” features some of the hottest, most exciting prospects in the world – potential world champions such as Williams, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada and Philadelphia’s exciting super lightweight “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy – along with a grudge match and some great young boxers.

Williams (17-0-1, 12 KOs), living in Las Vegas but making North Providence his second home, was last scene registering a sensational knockout of Andre Purlette (40-3) in the second round of their April 4 fight on the ESPN2 FNF show at Twin River. Williams, 22, takes on Columbian power puncher Jose Luis “Pantera” Herrera (15-4, 15 KOs), who has knocked out each of his 15 victims.

In an 8-round Special Heavyweight Attraction, Providence heavyweight Estrada (12-1, 2 KOs), coming off of an impressive 10-round decision against former NABO/NABA/WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion Lance “Mount” Whitaker (32-5-1, 27 KOs) headlining the April 4 ESPN2 FNF show, faces Philadelphia knockout specialist Derek “The One Man Riot” Bryant (20-4-1, 17 KOs).

In the chief supporting bout on the stacked undercard, Lundy (10-0-1, 6 KOs) takes on Texas State champion Steve Almaraz (7-0, 4 KOs) in the battle of unbeatens in a six-round bout.

“The action promises to be explosive,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “Fans better not leave their seats during any of these fights. Aaron Williams really is awesome. His devastating knockouts of opponents have been showcased on ESPN, not only on its Friday Night Fights shows, but over and over again on Sports Center. He is a future star; world champion in the making, and he’s made a lot of friends in his two fights at Twin River – incredible first and second knockouts of quality opponents. Aaron will fight anybody and Herrera has 15 knockouts in 15 wins. Jason has already started making noise in the heavyweight division, especially after beating a great fighter like Whitaker so convincingly, on his way to becoming world heavyweight champion someday. His opponent, Bryant, is a typically tough, heavy-handed, very dangerous Philadelphia fighter who has 17 knockouts to his credit.

“Lundy reminds me of a little Vinny Paz, who is one of Hank’s biggest fans. Hank keeps coming forward like Vinny. He’s a very exciting, charismatic young fighter. McCreedy has his Irish fans behind him for his grudge match against always-tough Mayes. Starnino is a very popular fighter in Rhode Island, Camacho can put his opponent’s lights out at any time with either hand, and Beauchamp has been electrifying in his fights. We’re thrilled to bring a great show like this to Twin River and to showcase CES talent again on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.”

Also on the undercard in a 6-rounder is light heavyweight “Irish” Joey McCreedy (7-2, 5 KOs), who’ll be seeking revenge against “Hurricane” Henry Mayes (7-5-1, 4 KOs), who beat McCreedy in a close decision on April 4.

Unbeaten, crowd-pleasing Johnston (RI) super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr. (9-0, 4 KOs), the Latino Captain of Team CES, Lynn (MA) flyweight Isander Beauchamp (5-0, 2 KOs), and Italian-American favorite, Providence middleweight Richard “Bobo The Bull” Starnino (8-3-1, 1 KO), are all scheduled to fight opponents to be determined. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “Ring Warriors” are priced at $25.00, $35.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Ring Warriors.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)

Amir Khan vs Michael Gomez

Amir Khan has welcomed Michael Gomez’s claims that he will flatten him when the pair meet at the N.I.A in Birmingham on June 21. In a recent interview, Gomez said that he would knock-out the 21-year-old British boxing sensation. Gomez also added that he would pressure Khan from the start – and after seeing out the first four rounds, would step on the gas and inflict an early defeat..

The former British and WBU super-featherweight champion insisted that he would repeat his massive 2003 upset when he stopped Alex Arthur who at the time was unbeaten and on the brink of a world title fight.

But undefeated Khan, who defends his Commonwealth lightweight title for the fourth time, is happy to hear Gomez’s comments.

“I wondered when Gomez would start opening his mouth, and it hasn’t taken long,” said Khan.

“Actually, I want him to say he is going to knock me out because it only makes me want to smash him up even more so I train harder.

“I respect Gomez because of all he’s achieved in his career, and he will be a dangerous opponent when I face him because he’ll be so fired up.

“Of course, I’ve seen his fight with Alex Arthur in 2003 a dozen times or so but that night was five years and he’s five years older and slower now. I’ve got youth, strength and aggression on my side. Gomez can’t keep living off the glory from that fight and relate it to how he is going to beat me.

“To be honest, it suits me down to the ground if Gomez does bring the fight to me because then I can pick him off at will.

“I’ll be too quick and too strong for him – and I’m going to show him that on June 21. I’m going to give him a real beating and don’t be surprised if he retires after it.

“I know that this fight won’t be going the distance, but there’s only one man who is going to win by knockout and that’s me.”

Tickets, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150, are available from:

See Tickets
0870 060 3794
www.seetickets.com



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