Arce-Darchinyan Tickets On Sale Tuesday; Estrada, Kauffman – News
December 29th, 2008
2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, arguably one of the most decorated amateur boxers of the 21st century, is in many ways the United States’ top heavyweight hope to bring home a world title belt.
Estrada possesses the quickest hands and feet in the heavyweight division, along with solid “whiskers,” and he has also shown steady improvement in the power game. All told, though, he’s perceived by many promoters, managers and fighters as too risky to fight, largely because he can box the ears off of anybody in the world who weighs 200 pounds or more.
However, finding competitive fights for Jason, who has lost very few rounds during his 4-year pro career, has become a growing problem for his promoter, Jimmy Burchfield. Despite his constant efforts to lure “rated” heavyweights to fight Estrada, Burchfield has been turned down more often than a nerd at the Playboy mansion. A perfect example recently happened when Burchfield’s company, Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., and the Estrada Unit (Jason’s managerial company that includes his father/head trainer Dr. Roland Estrada) agreed to all terms for a WBF heavyweight title fight against Frans Botha in South Africa. While awaiting a signed contract, Burchfield surprisingly discovered that Botha would instead be defending his title against a challenger who sports a 20-15-3 record, Ron Guerrero, who has lost three of his last five, including a first-round knockout loss to Jenkins (aforementioned loser to Estrada by 8-round decision by scores of 79-73 three times) .
“Sooner or later, though, the top heavyweights will to have to fight Jason,” Burchfield commented. ”Like in the days of Vinny Paz, Jason never refuses to fight anybody. He was experienced when he turned pro four years ago because of his vast amateur experience. Heavyweights mature later than other fighters and even though Jason has matured as he’s gotten older, he isn’t anywhere near his potential peak, and will be a dominating heavyweight for years to come.
“Jason has completely dedicated himself to bringing the world title back to the United States. He even opened his own gym (“Big Six Academy”) in Providence to train and teach youngsters. Part of his problem, though, is he makes everything in the ring look so easy. He’s a pure boxer who is learning how to sit on his punches more. The skeptics should be silenced by now, especially those questioning his ability to fight tall heavyweights like the present world champions (7-0 Nicolai Valuev, 6-7 ½ Vitaly Klitschko and 6-6 ½ Wladimir Klitschko). Jason fights his best against taller opponents and everybody saw what he did against (6-8) Lance Whitaker, who came into that fight in the best shape he’s been in for years. Jason Estrada is going to be world champion.”
The 28-year-old Estrada, who is gradually moving up in ratings (WBC #32, NABF #7) has indeed fought anybody and everybody put in the ring with him and none of his opponents had a losing record (260-86-11 combined record of his opponents) when they fought Jason. His only loss was to Travis Walker, who Jason had beaten three times without a loss in the amateurs, by an 8-round majority decision a year ago when Estrada was hampered by a sore shoulder preventing him from effectively throwing his vaunted jab.
Providence-native Estrada compiled an incredible 261-14 record in U.S. competition. He was the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. Highlights of his amateur career included representing the United States in the 2004 Olympics and capturing a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-American Games.
During his extraordinary amateur career, Estrada defeated some of today’s leading professionals including former world title challenger DaVarryl “The Touch of Sleep” Williamson (25-5, 21 KOs), unbeatens Malik Scott (32-0, 11 KOs) and Donnell “The Real Touch of Sleep” Holmes (29-0-2, 25 KOs), Malcolm “The Showstopper” Tann (23-4, 12 KOs), and Felix “Bad News” Cora, Jr. (19-2-2, 9 KOs).
Fore more information about CES and Estrada call CES (401.724.2253/2254) or go on line to www.cesboxing.com.
Darchinyan-Arce Tix on sale TUESDAY!
Gary Shaw Productions and Top Rank announced today that the championship doubleheader featuring the rumble between World Super Flyweight Champion VIC “Raging Bull” DARCHINYAN and World Boxing Association interim super flyweight champion JORGE “Travieso” ARCE, and the North American Boxing Organization lightweight championship battle between top contenders ANTONIO DeMARCO and ALMAZBEK “Kid Diamond” RAIYMKULOV, will take place Saturday, February 7 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Priced at $250, $125, $90, $60, $45 and $35, tickets go on sale, This Tuesday! December 30, at 10 a.m. PT, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (all Ticketmaster outlets), by phone, 714-740-2000, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the Honda Center box office, beginning Wednesday, December 31.
Darchinyan (31-1-1, 25 KOs), of Sydney, Australia by way of Armenia, and Arce (51-4-1, 39 KOs), from Los Mochis, Mexico, will settle their bitter hostilities toward each other, once and for all, in a fight to the finish. Their battle will be televised live nationally on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast.) The broadcast will open with DeMarco (19-1-1, 13 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico, risking his three-year, 13-bout unbeaten streak and Top-10 rating in a career-defining fight against the battle-tested Raiymkulov (27-1-1, 15 KOs), from Las Vegas, Nev., by way of Kyrgyzstan, who is enjoying his own two-year winning streak. These four gladiators boast a combined record of 128-7-4 (92 KOs) – a winning percentage of 92% and a victory by knockout ratio of 72%.
Travis Kauffman to Fight 1/16 in Tulsa, OK
Heavyweight prospect Travis Kauffman will attempt to raise his record to 15 straight wins without a defeat on January 16, 2009 at the Million Dollar Elm Casino in Tulsa, OK. Kauffman’s bout is scheduled for 6 rounds on the untelevised portion of the Gary Shaw Productions/Holden Productions-promoted edition of ShoBox: The New Generation. His opponent will be named shortly.
“I’m more committed to the sport than I’ve ever been before in my life,” says Kauffman, 14-0 (11 KO) of Reading, PA. “I hope the fans in Oklahoma come out because I plan on putting on a great show. The fans will not be disappointed.”
The 23-year-old Kauffman last fought December 5th, destroying Malachy Farrell in Santa Ynez, CA. Kauffman rose to the occasion in his first televised appearance, scoring a first round knockdown en route to the knockout victory. Farrell had never previously been knocked down or stopped.
“I know that the TV dates are there and that I have to always be ready,” says Kauffman, 14-0 (11 KO) of Reading, PA. “I haven’t taken any days off from the gym since my last fight. I have to stay focused and always be at my best because people are looking at me now.”
Kauffman was a highly decorated amateur, finishing with a 52-12 record. The highlights of his amateur career include a gold medal in the 2004 PAL Nationals, as well as several international tournament wins. He was ranked number one in the country when he turned pro in 2006.
“I believe everybody is put on this Earth for a reason,” Kauffman says. “And mine is to become Heavyweight Champion of the World.”
For more information on Travis Kauffman, visit http://www.myspace.com/travis_kauffman
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