Oscar De La Hoya honored by Sports Illustrated

By Boxing News - 12/24/2014 - Comments

LOS ANGELES (December 24, 2014) – Sports Illustrated has named Golden Boy Promotions Founder and President Oscar De La Hoya its 2014 Boxing Promoter of the Year.

The famed magazine noted: “De La Hoya has re-established himself as a force on the promotional landscape. He has repaired Golden Boy’s relationship with HBO, restored a working relationship with rival Top Rank and continued to build junior middleweight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez into one of the biggest stars in boxing…his best days as a promoter lie ahead.

“I’m humbled and honored and thank Sports Illustrated for this incredible recognition,” Oscar De La Hoya said. “When I was inducted to the Boxing Hall of Fame in June, I made a promise that Golden Boy Promotions would focus all of its energies on a simple premise – bringing the best fights to the fans of our sport. In 2014, we started to deliver on that promise, but we have only scratched the surface of what is possible. Working with our outstanding stable of fighters, our fellow promoters and everyone else in our sport who shares our goals, 2015 is primed to be a huge year for boxing.”

The recognition from Sports Illustrated caps an outstanding year for De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions. Earlier 2014 highlights include De La Hoya’s induction to the International Boxing Hall of Fame; recognition of De La Hoya’s accomplishments and contributions in and out of the ring from the California State Legislature; and the announcement that Golden Boy Promotions would once again start working with HBO Sports in addition to the company’s ongoing relationship with SHOWTIME.

Making good on the promise to put together the best fights for the fans, De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions brought huge events to venues all over the country, including bouts between superstar Canelo Alvarez vs. Erislandy Lara; the legendary Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev; and a resurgent Amir Khan vs. Devon Alexander to end the year strong.

De La Hoya promises that 2015 will be even better.

“I’ll never forget that boxing is for the fans. I do this for the fans. I want them to get the fights they want to see, and I won’t rest until that happens.”

Lewkowicz Renews Contract with Fortuna

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing got his Christmas present a day early this year, as former interim WBA World featherweight Champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna has renewed his long-term promotional contract.

One of the sport’s most exciting knockout punchers, 25-year-old Fortuna (26-0-1, 19 KOs), from the Dominican Republic, is considered an irreplaceable member of the Sampson Boxing stable.

“This is my gift for this year, to continue working with a budding superstar like Javier,” said Lewkowicz. “He is on the verge of stardom and, like all my fighters, he is also like a son to me. I admire all of their loyalty and I wish them all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.”

Lewkowicz also says the future is looking bright once again for everyone in boxing and sends his warmest regards.

“2015 will be a great year for my fighters and for boxing and I want to wish all my co-workers and brothers and sisters in boxing my sincerest wishes for a wonderful holiday.”

GOLDEN BOY LIVE! CELEBRATES BERNARD HOPKINS WITH STELLAR FIGHT CARD ON, JAN. 20

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 24) – On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Golden Boy Promotions will celebrate Bernard Hopkins’ 50th birthday with a night of boxing fit for a legend. This special Golden Boy Live!installment is set to give fans something to celebrate along with the “The Alien’s” landmark moment. The night of fights will air on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes live from the 2300 Arena in Bernard’s hometown of Philadelphia.

In the main event, Philly’s own Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) faces highly regarded Nicaraguan junior lightweight contender Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the super lightweight co-main 10-round event, rising junior welterweight star Michael “The Artist” Perez of Newark, New Jersey looks to extend his current unbeaten streak to eight fights, he will face a to be announced opponent. Plus, Opening the televised action is Washington, D.C.’s undefeated fighter Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round junior lightweight battle against an opponent yet to be named.

“I’m so excited that Golden Boy has decided to honor my birthday in this way,” said Hopkins. “The best present that they can give me is to bring a great night of fights to my hometown and give Philly boxing fans something to celebrate.”

Hopkins, fresh from his hard-fought 12-round title fight with Sergey Kovalev on November 8, turns 50 on January 15. “The Alien” will attend the event held in his honor and will be featured on the television broadcast.

Hunter vs. Alvarado, a 10-round featherweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Joe HandPromotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Mexico – Live It To Believe It! Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event are priced at $75 for ringside, $50 for general reserved and $35 for reserved corner. Tickets are available by calling (215) 364-9000, online at www.wanatix.com or at 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19148.

Hard-nosed Philly native Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) is a popular local hero who is ready to make his name on the national and international scene. Unbeaten in four of his last five fights, the 28-year-old won the USBA title last March with a win over Yenifel Vicente and in his most recent outing, he stopped 11-1 prospect Daniel Ramirez in six rounds.

Managua, Nicaragua’s Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) has won four of his last five bouts, most recently bouncing back from an upset loss to Rocky Juarez by defeating Juan Pablo Sanchez for the WBC International title in October. Eager to get back into the title race in 2015, the 25-year-old wants to deliver the kind of performances that guarantee a shot at the 130-pound crown.

Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Michael “The Artist” Perez (21-1, 10 KOs) is excited to take the trip to Philadelphia for what is close enough to be called a home game. With a record of 6-0-1 in his last seven bouts, the 24-year-old is coming off of two successful defenses of his WBA Fedelatin Title in 2014 when he defeated Jorge Romero and Jared Robinson. Currently ranked sixth in the world by the WBA, Perez wants to make a statement in his first fight of 2015 that he’s ready for a shot at the world championship.

Undefeated newcomer, Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) is quickly becoming an exciting fighter to watch in the sport. Hailing from Washington D.C., Roach Jr., scored a knockdown and dominated a four-round decision over Puerto Rico’s Alexander Charneco in his Dec 6 bout.



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