News: Brinkley Wants The Best; Rodriguez-Thompson on March 19th

World ranked super middleweight Jesse Brinkley has returned to the gym, one month after his blood filled destruction of Northern Nevada rival Joey Gilbert, and is looking to taking on the very best in his division.

“I know all the big names and they know me, but it seems like they’re more than a little reluctant to share a ring. Maybe all of Gilbert’s blood scared them” said lifelong Yerington, NV native.

Describing the activity of the musical chairs being played by others in his division leaves Brinkley more than frustrated.

“Lucien Bute’s people called in January for me to fight him, but I was also signed to fight Gilbert. Bute knows a little about me as I’ve already thoroughly beat his buddy Jason Naughler” said Brinkley.

Said promoter Terry Lane of Reno based “Let’s Get It On” Promotions, “We’d be happy to fight Bute and I’m sure the fans in Montreal and the folks at Showtime want to see a better fight than Zuniga put up.”

Continued Brinkley, “Kelly Pavlik apparently is looking for another easy fight, no offense to Sergio Mora but he’s too small. I’d be happy to face Kelly at 160 or 168 and we could do it in Youngstown or anywhere else he’s comfortable.”

“Truthfully, it’s pretty disappointing that Kelly has chosen this path. Lockett, Rubio and now Mora? What do they all have in common? They’re no threat to Kelly and that’s really not acting like the middleweight champion of the world.”

Rumors on the internet have also circulated about a proposed Arthur Abraham/Vernon Forrest bout which would take place in the United States.

“Again, this is Abraham, just like Pavlik, taking on a smaller guy. Forrest is a very solid boxer, but he should fight his mandatory against Sergio Martinez. As for Abraham, I’d face him in Germany, no problem” said Brinkley.

“Same goes for the Carl Froch/Taylor winner. I’ll give these guys a little credit, they’re both super middleweights and on paper it looks like a very solid fight. Same thing here, I’d be happy to fight either guy, Taylor in Little Rock or Froch back in England .”

Said Lane, “Jesse will fly anywhere to fight anyone. All these guys want to be comfortable in their own country or their home turf. That doesn’t matter to us.”

But added Lane, “We could also do the fight in Reno. I can promise 7,000 strong anytime for a Brinkley fight, just tell us the date.”

Reno, Nevada based “Let’s Get It On” Promotions was founded in 2000 by legendary boxing referee Mills Lane . In early 2005 he was joined by sons Terry and Tommy in the operations of the company. Along with super middleweight contender Jesse Brinkley, “Let’s Get It On” Promotions also promotes lightweight prospect Bayan Jargal and highly regarded brothers Tyler and Derek Hinkey. They have consistently promoted world class boxing events on a national basis.

Further information on “Let’s Get It On” Promotions can be viewed at www.letsgetitonboxing.com

Formed in early 2008, Chet Koerner’s Las Vegas based TKO BOXING Promotions, originator of “HOMETOWN HEROES TO WORLD CHAMPIONS” stable includes; heavyweight Lenroy Thomas, super middleweight Joey Gilbert, middleweights Elvin Ayala, Albert Onolunose and James Countryman, junior middleweights Bastie Samir and Anthony Thompson, welterweights Juan Buendia, Ramon Gatica and Raul Tovar, junior welterweights Jonathan Gover, Francisco Contreras and Hastings Bwayla, lightweights Cortez Bey, Rolando Reyes and Terrance Crawford, junior lightweight Mickey Bey Jr., featherweights Matt Remillard, Carney Bowman, Delvin Plascencia, Rafael Lora and Maxwell Awaku, super bantamweights Rafael Valenzuela and Carlos Reyes and bantamweight Leo Santa Cruz.

Team De La Rosa Responds to Jones Camp

“Simply not true” say undefeated welterweight prospect James “The King” De La Rosa (18-0, 12 KOs) and his promoter, Dino Duva, in response to the people representing fellow contender Mike Jones (managers Doc Nowicki and Jim Williams, along with trainer Vaughn Jackson), who claimed that De la Rosa had refused a March 6 showdown on SHoBox.

“The fact is we were and still are ready and willing and able to make that fight; we simply weren’t able to get a deal done for March 6.” explains Duva, who says a De la Rosa vs. Jones match-up would be sensational and maintains his fighter is eager to settle this smoldering rivalry. “It’s a fantastic matchup of two of the best prospects in the welterweight division and we are very willing to make the fight, provided terms can be agreed to. Hopefully we can get back to work on forging a deal as soon as possible.”

Admittedly offended by the inaccurate portrayal of their intentions, Duva says perhaps Doc Nowicki should “see a real doctor because he’s going to pull a muscle stretching the truth that far.”

Rodriguez “Homecoming” Thursday night in Worcester

Undefeated middleweight/super middleweight sensation Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez has his “Homecoming,” promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Manfredo’s Gym, all set for Thursday night (March 19) veteran Patrick Thompson in the 8-round main event at historic Mechanics Hall.

“Homecoming” will be taped live as part of DiBella’s “Broadway Boxing Series,” which will be shooting in New England for the first time, from the beautiful Mechanic’s Hall venue that hasn’t hosted pro boxing since 1967.

The 23-year-old Dominican Republic-born sensation Rodriguez (9-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Worcester, was a 2-time national amateur champion, capturing gold in the 2005 USA Boxing National Championships and 2006 U.S. Golden Gloves Championships.

Thompson (15-13-1, 5 KOs), reigning Colorado/Nebraska super middleweight champion, has defeated former Canadian champion Jason Naugler and gone the distance with present IBF mandatory middleweight title challenger Giovanni Lorenzo, John Duddy, Joe Greene, Vanes Martirosyan, Sechew Powell, and Ishe Smith. Thompson has been stopped only once, 5-½ years ago, by Alfonso Gomez of The Contender I fame.

“All I wanted is coming together Thursday night,” Rodriguez said. “I’m fighting on television for my new promoter (Lou DiBella) in front of my friends, family and hometown fans. It’s a great feeling. I’m so excited to showcase my talent in my hometown for the first time as a pro and to a television audience. What more could I ask for? I’m learning more each fight and improving every time out. I’ve been working hard in the gym on different things like sitting more on my punches. This is only my 10th pro fight and I’ve been better in each one.

“I know Thompson is tough and he’s been in with a lot of good, world-class fighters. I’m more concerned with what I need to do to be the best Edwin Rodriguez than what he’s bringing. I know he’s only been knocked out once. I’m not going in looking for a knockout but, if it comes, I’ll gladly take it. I just can’t wait for Thursday night.”

The 8-round co-feature is an intriguing match-up between a promising prospect, “Buddy” McGirt-trained super bantamweight Dat “Dat Be Dat” Nguyen (14-1, 6 KOs), and proven veteran, former world title challenger Alex “Ali” Baba (26-14-1, 19 KOs), who has tested WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wontongkam, Raul Martinez and Eric Morel..

Fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Quincy (MA) lightweight Ryan Kielczewski (3-0), 2008 National Golden Gloves runner-up, vs. Aaron Chavez (2-1); Brooklyn middleweight Philip Jackson Benson (2-0), 2-time New York Golden Gloves champion vs. Dameon Mitchell (0-1); Steven Ormond (2-0), 3-time Irish national amateur champion in his U. S. debut vs. Jonathan Ocasio (0-3); Providence light heavyweight Valar Boise makes his debut vs. Brockton’s Houston Crayton (0-3); Fall River welterweight Dustin Rhinehold and Valdrin Muriqi make their pro debuts against each other.

Tickets, priced at $25.00, $50.00 (balcony), $75.00 (first row balcony), $60.00 (floor), $100.00 (floor), and $150.00 (ringside – first 2 rows inside security barriers), are on sale at the Mechanics Hall box office, www.mechanicshall.org, Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (RI), and the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.