James Moore, 16-1 (10 KOS), a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, who fights out of Queens, New York, has been training hard at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles for his December 13 challenge of NABF junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman, 26-0 (8 KOS), at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
He is looking forward to a much-needed respite on November 22, when he and trainer Lennox Blackmoore will watch the highly-anticipated Ricky Hatton-Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi junior welterweight fight on HBO.
Moore, who has sparred many rounds with Malignaggi at Gleason’s Gym in New York, and even traveled to Sicily to spar with the Magic Man when he trained for his last IBF title defense against Lovemore N’dou, will be cheering him on.
“Paulie and I are good friends, and we have worked well together on many occasions,” said the 30-year-old Moore. “Fighting Hatton isn’t easy for anyone because he is so relentless, but Paulie has the speed and movement to beat him. It’s pretty hard to out-finesse Paulie because he is such a good boxer. I am really looking forward to watching the fight, and will be cheering Paulie on all the way. I expect him to win a convincing decision.”
Moore’s bout against Foreman is being promoted by Top Rank, as part of a show headlined by the rubber match between WBO junior welterweight champion Kendall Holt, 24-2 (13 KOS), of Paterson, New Jersey, and former titlist Ricardo Torres, 32-2 (28 KOS), of Colombia.
A large contingent of the enormously popular Moore’s enthusiastic fans is expected to make the trek to see the fight live. Tickets can be purchased in the New York area at Bar 43, 43-06 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104, phone 718-361-3090; the Fiddlers Pub, 52-75 65th Street, Maspeth, NY 11378; or through Moore’s adviser Barney Moore (no relation), phone 917-559-8467.
Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 1-800-736-1420. They can also be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
2008 Olympian Jason estrada closing out banner 2008
PROVIDENCE (November 21, 2008) – On a mission to establish himself as America’s No. 1 heavyweight prospect, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada closes out 2008 on November 29, headlining “Holiday Havoc” in the 8-round main event against Derek “The One Man Riot” Bryant (20-4-1, 17 KOs), at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Estrada (14-1, 3 KOs) has won all four of his 2008 fights, thus far, against former world title challenger Charles Shufford (20-7-1) and multi-regional title-holder Lance “Mount” Whitaker (32-4-1) by 10-round decisions, as well as Carolina champion Moultrie Witherspoon (14-1) by seventh-round technical knockout and Texas State champ Domonic Jenkins (13-8-1) by 8-round decision.
“This has been my best year by far because of the quality of opponents and the way I beat them,” Estrada said. “I’ve also had very little injuries or physical conflicts this year and everything is right on schedule. It doesn’t upset me that lesser fighters have gotten bigger opportunities. I’m patient and my time will come. I think my biggest improvement this year has been my patience in the ring. I haven’t gotten frustrated when opponents hold me. Next year, I want to improve my pressure, finishing off opponents when I have them in trouble. For some reason, sometimes, I pull back in that situation. In my mind, I have to finish them off when they’re ready to go…..give them a ticket to leave.”
“Holiday Havoc,” presented by Estrada’s promoter (Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.), will be taped live and air Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 PM/ET on CN8, The Comcast Network in New England and the Baltimore/Washington D.C. market, as well as Friday, Nov. 12 at 7 PM/ET on Cox Sports Television.
2008 Thanksgiving Giveaway
In association with The Louminati Youth Leadership Foundation, Jason “Big Six” Estrada and fellow pro boxers Josh Beeman, Kali Reis and Josh Beeman will be giving away free Thanksgiving Gift Packages on Sunday, Nov. 22 between 3:00 PM and 5 PM at the Davey Lopes Recreation Center, 227 Dudley St. in Providence.
Estrada, who turns 28 the day after his fight against Bryant, has been in the retiring business, often sending his beaten opponents into another line of business or regulating them to club fighters. Robert Wiggins, Whitaker and Shufford haven’t fought since losing to Estrada and Najee Shaheed has only fought once since his loss by 6-round decision to “Big Six” in 2005. Jason has fought anybody and everybody put in the ring with him, never turning down an opponent, and none had a losing record (230-82-10 combined record of his opponents when they fought Estrada).
“I go into the ring thinking I’m going to beat my opponent to the point where they’ll second-guess why they’re still professional fighters,” Estrada explained. “I out-class and out-think them. I’m stronger, faster and quicker than them. I want to let them know it’s time to leave the heavyweight division to young guys like me.”
Providence-native Estrada was one of the most highly decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 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 (31-0, 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. (18-2, 9 KOs).
His vast amateur experience, Jason believes, gives him a significant advantage over fellow American heavyweights. “A lot of these U.S. heavyweights can’t fight,” Estrada added. “Their promoters protect them by giving them easy fights, padding their records, and moving them into title fights that they aren’t ready for. They aren’t ready to fight these Russians who’ve had long amateur backgrounds, technological advantages, and much better sparring on a regular basis.
“Most American heavyweights can fight one, maybe two styles, real well, but, I’ve fought them all – world-class, southpaws, bangers, switchers, fast, etc. I’ve fought so many different styles of boxers because of my International competition as an amateur and those experiences are going to help me become world champion. My time is coming.”
“holday Havoc” tickets, priced at $19.00, $40.00, $55.00 (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club), are available to purchase at Jason’s gym in Providence, Big Six Academy (401.241.3490), calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), or going on line at www.cesboxing.com
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
SNBC sanctions first title fight – Godfrey-Gutierrez Saturday night at 4 Bears Casino in N. Dakota
NEW TOWN, North Dakota (November 21, 2008) – Sovereign Nations Boxing Council (SNBC) debuts tomorrow night (Saturday, November 22) when cruiserweights Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey and Eddie “The Iron Man” Gutierrez fight for the first SNBC title headlining a special card, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., at 4 Bears Casino in New Town, North Dakota.
SNBC links federally recognized tribes throughout the United States and Canada. SNBC’s mission is to develop, promote and help regulate boxing in a fair and professional manner by federally recognized tribes that are sovereign nations.
“What makes SNBC different from other native organizations is that it’s not based on race,” SNBC president Pat Packineau explained. “SNBC has been created to draw awareness that tribal casinos host numerous boxing events every year and our new organization unites tribes in the sport by having our own championship belt. Boxers of any race may capture the SNBC championship, as long as the title fight is contested on federally recognized land or have off-tribal sites approved in advance by the SNBC board of directors.
“The SNBC’s goal is to bring notoriety to Native American casino boxing events and recognize the athletes competing on Tribal Lands for SNBC championships. We’re excited to host the first SNBC title fight at 4 Bears Casino.”
Godfrey and Gutierrez, both Native Americans, square-off in tomorrow night’s 10-round main event for the SNBC cruiserweight title. Providence-native Godfrey (17-1, 10 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBC, is the reigning NABF cruiserweight champion, while Gutierrez (15-5-1, 6 KOs), fighting out of Oakland (CA), is a former Illinois State cruiserweight title-holder.
SNBC
SNBC is committed to serving the communities and advancing the lives and economic situation off all Native people, as well as all professional boxers, in a positive and professional manner. For more information about Sovereign Nation Boxing Council call 701.6277539, go online at www.snbcmma.com, or write to SNBCMMA, P.O. Box 36, Parshall, ND 58770.