Cayo-Bolano, Jackson & Rogers Fight On Jan 30th; Torres Passes Away – News

By Boxing News - 01/19/2009 - Comments

The Virgin Islands are making a push to become a boxing powerhouse in the coming years, and to celebrate this monumental occasion, 340 Promotions, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing, Sampson Lewkowicz, and Leslie Comissiong, is pleased to announce the “Class of 2008”, an event that will feature a series of world-class professional boxing matches starring the members of the 2008 Virgin Island Olympic team, three amateur bouts, and some of the best talent in the sport today.

This card will take place on Friday, January 30th at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas.

In the main event, rising junior welterweight star Victor “Mermelada” Cayo will put his perfect 19-0 (14 KOs) record on the line when he defends his WBA FEDECARIBE title against Mexican standout Noe “Platanito” Bolanos (20-3-1, 12 KOs).

The card, which will air live on USVI-TV2 (tape delayed around the world), will also be telecast over the internet via www.gofightlive.tv.

Also in action will be 2008 Virgin Island Olympians John and Julius Jackson, the sons of legendary three-time World Champion and future Hall of Famer Julian “The Hawk” Jackson. Jackson’s nephew Samuel Rogers will also be making his pro debut, and in addition, cruiserweight Evan Nedd of Aruba, as well as former US Amateur star Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczewsky, will step into the ring.

Kicking off this once in a lifetime event will be three amateur bouts featuring local amateurs that are part of the USVI Amateur Boxing Federation’s “Operation London 2012” whose goal is to have the USVI win their very first Olympic boxing medal.

Before the festivities take place, 340 Promotions will host a seminar for officials (referees, judges, timekeepers and commissioners) that will update Virgin Island boxing officials on changes in the sport while it was dormant on the island for the last five years. The seminar will be supervised by Anibal Miramontes, President of Fight Fax, the only record keeper recognized by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC).

Tickets for this event can be purchased at any of these locations below in advance for $25 & $40 or at the door the day of for $30 & $50

Max Mart 340-715-9966
Fashion Source 340-714-2400
Modern Music 340-774-3100

WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS

he passing away of Luis Spada and Jose “Chegui” Torres in the last three days has been extremely painful to the world of boxing as they were good, important, well-mannered, and decent men in every respect, as well as great elements of our sport for a long time.

Mr. Spada (Argentine-Panamanian), who was as intelligent as few people we have met, had a brilliant career as a promoter and manager. He managed several world champions, including Roberto Duran, Hilario Zapata, Rigoberto Riasco, Victor Cordoba, Rosendo Alvarez, all from Panama, in addition to many other fighters.

Don Luis Spada, who was a very close friend of WBC President Dr. Jose Sulaiman and his family even before Dr. Sulaiman became WBC president, passed away last Saturday.

Jose Torres of Puerto Rico, who was also a close friend of President Sulaiman’s, passed away today. He was light heavyweight world champion after having won a silver medal in the Olympic games in 1956.

After retiring from professional boxing, Mr. Torres was a member of the New York Athletic Commission as well as an outstanding journalist who wrote several books, the majority of them about boxing. He gave hundreds of conferences on boxing in different parts of the world.

We are talking about two friends, two important figures who were some of the dearest friends we have had and under such conditions, all the members of the World Boxing Council are sad. Therefore we declare three days of world mourning in our scope, and we express our deepest sympathy to both of our friends´ families.