Muriqi-Woods, Holyfield-Valuev, More – Latest Boxing News

By Boxing News - 12/19/2008 - Comments

woods4523On February 14th, Star Boxing’s world rated light heavyweight contender Elvir “Kosovo Kid” Muriqi (35-4, 22KO), will travel across the Atlantic to take on former IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods (41-4-1, 24KO). The bout will be held in Woods native United Kingdom at the exclusive and legendary Hotel De France, Jersey, Channel Islands and will be an official IBF eliminator for the #2 ranking in the Light Heavyweight division. The card will be promoted by Dennis Hobson Promotions in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

ELVIR “THE KOSOVO KID” MURIQI WITH PROMOTER JOE DEGUARDIA

In 2007 Muriqi lost a highly disputed majority decision to former Light Heavyweight king, Antonio Tarver. Many of those watching and those in attendance felt Muriqi’s did more than enough to pull out the victory. Muriqi bounced back earlier this year, stopping Jameel Wilson in the fourth round of their ten round scheduled light heavyweight contest. Woods last fought against Antonio Tarver on April 12th losing a twelve round decision to Tarver and in the process losing his IBF belt.

“I am very excited for this fight,” stated Muriqi. “This is a huge fight for me and my career. A win over Woods, puts me right at the top of the ratings and into title contention.”

Regarding fighting Woods in his home country, Muriqi did not seem to be too worried, if at all. “I realize I am fighting in his country, but I am going to win the fight so convincingly there will be no need for judges. I know Woods is a very tough fighter and that he can take a very good shot so I am preparing to go the entire twelve rounds but don’t think I will need to put the judges to work. It is going to be a very exciting, action packed fight. Anyone who knows me knows that I always come to fight and always put on a good showing, and that’s exactly what I am going to do come February 14th.”

Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia voiced a similar opinion regarding the confidence in Muriqi winning the fight. “This is a very good fight for Elvir. It is going to be a tough fight though, we know that, but after sitting down with Elvir and his team we are all confident of the outcome. Elvir has already been training for this fight for a few weeks now and he is already in tremendous shape. It is going to be a great night for Elvir and for Star Boxing on the 14th and we are really looking forward to it.”

“We are very excited to be bringing these two world class fighters together on February 14th,” said Wood’s promoter Dennis Hobson. “This is a major event for us and also for the entire island of Jersey. I think this fight is a little bit similar to the Rico Hoye situation,” Hobson said, with regards to when Woods beat Hoye to finally become a world champion. “Elvir Muriqi is a roughhouse type of opponent who is desperate to get in position for a title fight next. With his [Muriqi’s] style of fighting, there’s no way the fight can fail to be exciting.”

Woods voiced a similar opinion as Muriqi to how big this fight is at this stage of his career. “I have one more chance now. Dennis has got me into the position where if I beat this guy I will get a world title fight,” Woods said. “I think he [Muriqi] beat Tarver, and he’s also got the chance to get back to world level again. I promise my fans who spent a lot of money to come and see me fight in Tampa, I’ll repay them with a world title next year. It will definitely be a win for me.”

BASTIE SAMIR FIGHTS IN WASHINGTON DC ON SATURDAY NIGHT

Middleweight prospect Bastie “THE BEAST” Samir, fresh off his another first round knockout last Saturday night makes a quick return to the ring this Saturday night, December 20th at the Burr Arena in Washington D.C.

“‘THE BEAST” has a little more destruction to do on the East Coast before we unleash him on the rest of the country”, said manager Cameron Dunkin.

Samir, the 2008 Ghanaian Olympic Team Captain has stunned boxing fans in his first two bouts in York, PA and Atlanta, GA, winning both by devastating first round knockouts.

Said promoter Chet Koerner, President of TKO BOXING Promotions, “The fans in York and Atlanta were amazed by what they saw. Bastie is only 22, but he’s got a piston like jab similar to his countryman Ike Quartey. Couple that with a complete offensive arsenal and the future is limitless for the kid.

This fight will be his third in six weeks and we want to have him fight at least once a month in 2009.”

Samir, 2-0 (2KO’s) will face Columbus, Ohio native William “BAM BAM” Armstead, 2-8 (1KO) in the scheduled four rounder.

On the campus of Howard University, the Burr Arena is located at 2400 Sixth St. NW in Washington DC. The card is promoted by Cassandra White’s Babie Girl Productions, for tickets and more information; contact 202-365-5021 or www.babiegirlproductions.net

Currently living and training in the boxing capital of Las Vegas, Samir is trained by John Rajala.

Formed in early 2008, Chet Koerner’s Las Vegas based TKO Boxing Promotions stable includes; super middleweight Joey Gilbert, middleweights Bastie “THE BEAST” Samir and James Countryman, junior middleweight Anthony Thompson, lightweights Rolando Reyes, Raul Tovar and Terrence Crawford, the sister team of Katy and Emily Klinefelter, featherweight Carney Bowman, and super bantamweight Rafael Valenzuela.

Further information on TKO Boxing Promotions can be viewed at www.tkoboxingpromotions.com

JOHN MOLINA, JR. SIGNS WITH GOOSSEN TUTOR PROMOTIONS

On the heels of last month’s signing of East LA 2008 Olympian Shawn Estrada, Goossen Tutor Promotions’ President Dan Goossen has signed undefeated Covina, CA lightweight John Molina, Jr. to an exclusive promotional contract with the company.

One of the hottest young lightweight prospects in boxing, Molina, who will turn 26 three days after Christmas, is 14-0 with 10 of those wins coming by way of knockout. At 5-11, he is tall for his weight class and uses his height, speed and knockout power in both hands to his advantage. Eight of his 10 knockouts have come in the first two rounds, including five first round blowouts!

“It’s always exciting whenever we sign a hot prospect who possesses not only the skills but also the mental fortitude necessary to become a World Champion,” Goossen offered.

“My brother Joe has known John for a few years and suggested that we take a look at him. When we did, we witnessed a young man that showed tremendous punching power, the type fans love to see. And with Joe now working with John in the gym, the team is ready to move forward toward the world championship.”

Molina, who is co-managed by his father, John Molina, Sr. and Ben Lira, made his pro debut in March 2006 with a second-round knockout of Lester Balmores in Maywood, CA. He fought four more times that year, scoring three more knockouts.

In 2007 Molina knocked out three of his four opponents.

This year he has stopped three of his five opponents including, most recently, Fernando Lizarraga last month in Highland, CA.

Molina is looking forward to taking his career to the next level with Goossen Tutor.

“This is like a dream come true, something I’ve been working for my whole life,” said Molina. “Being with Goossen Tutor is a notch on my belt because I know they are very selective and passionate about their boxers, and for them to have interest in signing me is a compliment unto itself. I am very anxious to show my ability not just to Southern California but also to the World.

“The goal here was to find the vehicle that is going to take me to where I believe I can be – a World Champion. I believe we all have the same goal in mind. I’m also very happy to be part of the same team as Shawn Estrada, Paul Williams, Chris Arreola, Manny Quezada, and Andre Ward, to name just a few.

“The treatment I received from Goossen Tutor far exceeded any I got from other promoters. They made me feel at home. They’re a home-based company about family and I’m a home-based guy. I was raised in a close-knit family and so were the Goossens. It makes me feel comfortable. And I believe I made an excellent decision in my career.”

“And so did we,” Dan Goossen added.

Weights from Switzerland

WBA Heavyweight Title:
Nikolai Valuev: 141 kg
Evander Holyfield: 97.2 kg

EU Heavyweight Title:
Francesco Pianeta: 109,9 kg
Johann Duhaupas: 101,3 kg

WIBA Flyweight Title:
Eileen Olszewski: 50,3 kg
Nadia Raoui: 50,5 kg

Super-Middleweight:
Mads Larsen: 78,0 kg
Roberto Cocco: 77,6 kg