Los Angeles, CA (August 20, 2008) — 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist and top-10 world rated Andre S.O.G. Ward has just released a statement today that on Friday, August 8 at around 6 AM (PST) he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Dr. Warren King, who has operated on many top athletes, and is also affiliated with the Oakland Raiders, San Jose Sharks and the San Francisco Giants, performed the surgery at Fremont Medical Center.
Warren says the operation was a complete success and that Ward should be able to resume training within 6 to 8 weeks. Andre has been undergoing rehab at Ather Nova Care under the supervision of Dr. Donald Chu, and is currently focusing on upper body and core training.
In order to respect the doctor’s wishes, Ward and his team plan to schedule a fight as soon as late 2008 to early 2009.
“As a Christian, I have to look at my situation from a spiritual standpoint,” stated Andre. “I know God has a plan in this. He knows better than me what’s up ahead, I trust him 100 percent with my life and career. It is not a setback but a setup for what is to come. I am hungry for not only a world title, but for the opportunity to become a reigning champion, I will come back stronger!”
Los Angeles, CA (August 19, 2008) – Impressed by the skills Michael Dallas, Jr. displayed in winning his first four professional bouts — most recently on the James Toney-Hasim Rahman undercard last month — Goossen Tutor Promotions president Dan Goossen announced that he has signed the undefeated Bakersfield, California junior welterweight to a promotional contract.
Managed by the dynamic team of Jackie Kallen and former Kronk boxing executive Prentiss Byrd, and working with Danny Jackson, Dallas turned pro in March and has pounded out unanimous decision victories in all four of his outings – all on Goossen Tutor-promoted shows in California.
Goosen Tutor Promotions Signs Mike Dallas Jr.
Dallas, 21, is the son of Mike Dallas, who had a 26-bout pro career also as a junior welterweight and provided his son a pair of gloves before he could walk. Dallas, Jr. compiled an impressive amateur record of 115-12 and won a Police Activities League national championship at 141 pounds in 2006, as well as making it all the way to the quarterfinals of the 2007 U.S. Olympic trials in the 141-pound division. In addition to his career as a boxer, Dallas is currently a junior at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
“When it came time to turn him pro, we went right to Dan Goossen, who I have known for two decades,” Kallen, known as the “First Lady of Boxing” acknowledged. “I like the way they (Goossen Tutor) run their business. They clearly know how to move a fighter and I know they will take Michael all the way to the top.
“They turned Michael pro in March and immediately recognized his world class abilities in the ring.”
Dallas is extremely excited about joining the impressive stable of fighters promoted by Goossen Tutor. As he told Kallen: “I trust the Goossens. They are good people and I feel comfortable with them. I now have the best team in boxing. It’s up to me to win my fights and live up to everyone’s faith and belief in me. I will definitely do that!”
“Michael is a dazzling boxer,” Kallen, who became one of the most prominent females to ever manage a world champion when she guided Toney to the IBF Middleweight title in 1991, observed. “He has the spark and energy of a young Sugar Ray Leonard and the style and flash of Floyd Mayweather. On top of that–he’s a pleasure to work with. He’s a true gentleman out of the ring.
“He fights next week in Lemoore (Tachi Palace) where he loves fighting because it is close to his hometown (Bakersfield) and his fans and friends can come to cheer him on,” Kallen added. Michael is a throwback to the boxers like Thomas Hearns and James Toney who never cared who they fought, and were always eager to take on all challengers.”
“We are thrilled to have Mike part of our organization and for his confidence in Goossen Tutor to help advance his career to its full potential,” Goossen said. “Working together with Jackie and Prentiss just adds to the excitement. Craig (Goossen) and Tom (Brown), our matchmaker, both told me that Mike had all the talent in the world and I saw first hand what they were saying. He has a very exciting aggressive style that the fans will enjoy watching.”
“El Toro” Is Bullish On Heavyweight Future
Los Angeles, CA (August 18, 2008) – Having lost four of his first 15 bouts, Manuel Quezada (23-4, 15 KOs) looked like a boxer destined for nothing more than journeyman status. But the fortunes of the Wasco, California native have done a complete 180 turnaround, as he will be seeking his 13th straight victory when he makes the first defense of his WBC CABOFE Heavyweight title on August 21st at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California.
Presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, “Summer Time Black & Blues” will feature the 30-year old Quezada’s title defense against Andrew Greeley (14-22-2, 8 Kos) of Monroe, LA as the main event on a scheduled card of eight professional boxing matches and a pair of Mixed Martial Arts contests – many of which showcasing local crowd favorites.
Among other highlights on the boxing portion of the bill is a pair of women’s title bouts. Local favorite Carina “La Reina” Moreno (18-1, 5 KOs) of Watsonville, CA will defend her WBC Women’s Minimumweight Championship against Yahaira Martinez (7-2, 4 KOs) in a scheduled 10-rounder in which the WIBA title will also be at stake. The other title bout pits San Francisco’s Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton (4-0-1, 1 KO) against Dominga Oliva (6-4-1) of Monticello, NY in an 8-round battle for the vacant WBC International Women’s Super Bantamweight Championship.
Another local boxer of note to appear on the show is undefeated Bakersfield junior welterweight prospect Mike Dallas, Jr. (4-0).
Two other undefeated boxers will also appear: Los Angeles super bantamweight Rico Ramos (5-0, 3 KOs) and Visalia, CA bantamweight Aaron Alafa (1-0) are both fighting in 4-round bouts.
A pair of MMA participants featured in separate 3-round PFC Featherweight bouts is Oroville, CA native Shawn Bias (12-6) and Tito Jones (4-2) of Sacramento.
Quezada, who has won a pair of non-title bouts since capturing his title via second-round knockout of Rick Dyer at the Tachi Palace last September, believes that he has what it takes to become a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division.
“Having run off a long string of wins after hooking up with Tachi Palace and Goossen Tutor, I feel I am improving with every fight they put me in,” Quezada said. “I am doing well in sparring sessions with world-class fighters like Malik Scott, which has given me tremendous confidence. The beginning of my career I was just going through the motions at times and the main reason for my losses. With my team intact, now all I’ve done is concentrate on fighting.
“A win at Tachi on August 21 and perhaps one or two more before the year is out should position me to move up the rankings,” Quezada, known as “El Toro” added. “I have a strong feeling that 2009 is going to be a big year for me as I work toward my goal of becoming heavyweight champion of the world.”
“I’ve seen the improvement and gains Manuel has made for the past few years and in 2009 we’ll get him his opportunity to take it to the next level,” Goossen observed. The relationship we enjoy with Tachi Palace and their fans has been tremendous. Seeing the development of the local fighters from prelim to main event status and then moving on to test the waters at a world-class level is what it is all about. Manuel is really eager to see where he belongs with the elite heavyweights in the world and in 2009 we plan on seeing for ourselves.”
Tickets for this exciting event are priced at: $30, $40 and $60 and can be purchased by calling the Tachi Palace box office at: 559-924-7751 or by visiting www.tickets.com.