Former super-middleweight boxer Richie Woodhall claims he turned down the role of head boxing coach at the British Amateur Boxing Association. Woodhall would have replaced Terry Edwards, whose contract will not be renewed by BABA despite his success at the Beijing Olympics.
Woodhall told Setanta Sports News he wasn’t prepared to make the commitment. He said:
“It didn’t interest me. I know what a commitment that job is. It’s a full time post, probably more than full time. You’ve got to be there 24/7.”
Woodhall tipped the ousted Edwards for a role at Frank Warren’s Sport Network, the new home of ‘the Olympians’. He added:
“You read comments from James DeGale, you read comments from Frankie Gavin and Tony Jefferies and they really rate Terry. They say he’s an excellent coach.
“It would surprise me if the lads didn’t want him as part of the set-up at Sport Network. Especially DeGale. I’m sure Terry could with work DeGale alongside Jim McDonnell.
“It’s a totally different ball game but he’s got to look at it as new challenge.”
TKO BOXING PROMOTIONS SIGNS PHILADELPHIA’S ERIC HUNTER!
Featherweight prospect Eric “THE OUTLAW” Hunter has signed an exclusive promotional agreement with Las Vegas based TKO BOXING Promotions, it was announced today by its President, Chet Koerner.
The 22 year old Philadelphia prospect, carrying a record of 10-1-0 (4KO’s), will appear in an eight round bout at the inaugural “FIGHT NIGHT AT THE PLAZA” professional boxing series event in Las Vegas on Friday, January 23rd at the Plaza Hotel and Casino.
Said Koerner, “Eric’s got all the skills to be a world champion. He’s an all action fighter with fast hands and deceptive power. It’s a terrific signing to our stable and we look forward to his performance in Las Vegas next Friday night. Our plan is for him to fight at least six times in 2009 with the right fights and exposure for him to earn a spot in the world rankings by the end of the year.”
Hunter is coming off an impressive eight round decision over veteran Robert Daluz on August 1, 2008, an outstanding performance in which he swept all three judges scorecards towards the shutout. On August 3, 2007, he made his national broadcast debut with an eight round unanimous decision win over Tyrell Samuel on the Showtime boxing series, SHOBOX.
Hunter is guided by noted boxing manager Cameron Dunkin, whose list of fighters includes world champions Kelly Pavlik, Steven Luevano and Nonito Donaire.
Presented in association with Reno, Nevada’s “Let’s Get It On” Promotions and Rattlesnake Events, tickets for “FIGHT NIGHT AT THE PLAZA” are priced at $99.50, $59.50 and $24.50 and are available through the Plaza Hotel and Casino Box Office (800-634-6575).
The evening of boxing will take place in the Plaza Hotel and Casino Convention Hall, with doors opening at 6pm, first bell scheduled at 7pm. The Plaza Hotel and Casino is located at 1 South Main St. at the west end of The Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas
The Plaza offers an array of innovative table games and slot machines; a new restaurant called Lombardi’s Italian Kitchen; the DOME, Las Vegas’ only ultra sports lounge; the largest race and sports book downtown; the hottest show in town – the Rat Pack is Back; free live entertainment right on the casino floor in the Aqua Lounge; the Lucky 7’s Buffet; and a host of other amenities including a roof top swimming pool and tennis courts. Guests may call (702)386-2110 or (800)634-6575 or visit www.plazahotelcasino..com for more information and/or hotel reservations.
Formed in early 2008, Chet Koerner’s Las Vegas based TKO BOXING Promotions stable includes; super middleweight Joey Gilbert, middleweights Elvin Ayala, Albert Onolunose and James Countryman, junior middleweights Bastie Samir and Anthony Thompson, welterweight Juan Buendia and Raul Tovar, junior welterweights Jonathan Gover, Francisco Contreras and Hastings Bwayla, lightweights Rolando Reyes and Terrance Crawford, junior lightweight Katy Klinefelter, featherweights Eric Hunter, Carney Bowman, Delvin Placencia, Rafael Lora and Maxwell Awaku, super bantamweights Rafael Valenzuela and Carlos Reyes and bantamweight Emily Klinefelter.
Further information on TKO Boxing Promotions can be viewed at www.tkoboxingpromotions.com
Boxing Trainer John Bray Establishes Non-Profit Charitable Organization
In an effort to assist at-risk youth from the San Fernando Valley in obtaining both educational and athletic goals, John Bray has established the John Bray Boxing Foundation. John knows first hand how hard it is to grow up in a tough neighborhood where kids are not sure if they’re going to be successful or live long enough to see eighteen years old. John wants to reach the kids and let them know that success can be obtained through hard-work, discipline and giving grace to GOD.
The John Bray Boxing Foundation was formed in 2008 in conjunction with the John Bray Boxing Club, a boxing gym in San Fernando, California. The John Bray Boxing Club was later closed; however, the amateur boxers wanted to continue being a part of the Club and subsequently had to train at other gyms. The John Bray Boxing Club had much success by transforming at-risk youth in the neighborhood into outstanding amateur fighters as well as disciplined young adults and children.
John’s ultimate goal is to re-open the John Bray Boxing Club and provide children and teens from the Valley, a youth center equipped with a computer lab and boxing gym in order for them to achieve their goals. Bray is aware that it will not be easy, but he is however, up for the challenge and just wants to give back to the community. After suffering a near fatal stroke in 2001, John vowed that once he healed and got on his feet, he was going to ensure that kids had a place to go so they didn’t have to deal with the pressures of gangs, drugs and other influences that will ultimately lead to prison and/or death.
The Foundation will now sponsor the annual events of the John Bray Boxing Club and accomplish its mission by providing educational programs at the youth center including scholarships for well deserving students and amateur boxers. The Foundation will also sponsor the John Bray Boxing Club’s amateur boxers and associated equipment within the gym. The activities sponsored by the John Bray Boxing Foundation will be funded from various fundraisers, donations and boxing events.
If you would like to help with John’s effort and/or for more information on the John Bray Boxing Foundation please access www.johnbrayboxingfoundation.org or contact Jerry Gonzalez at 559-643-9313 or jerrygonzalez@csufresno.edu
RYAN SMEDICK FIGHTS BACK IN CICERO ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 23RD
Popular welterweight prospect Ryan Smedick returns to action against Tyson Schwieger on Friday, January 23rd at Cicero Stadium as part of NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION, an outstanding evening of world class boxing, presented by Chicago’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
Advance tickets for “NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION”, starting at $30, can be obtained in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie in Cicero . Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.
Smedick, 2-0-0 (1KO), turned professional six months ago and has impressed fans at both the Aragon Ballroom and Cicero Stadium in his first two bouts.
“Our fans are always interested in seeing talented newcomers but they’re not so easily impressed. However, Ryan has won them over. He’s from Chicago so some fans knew about him from the Chicago Golden Gloves but those that are now just watching him have been very impressed” said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions.
“He’s looked good in his first two bouts, but what I really like is that he’s such a hard worker in the gym. He’s here at JABB almost every day working with his trainer Al Ortiz Jr. and fully understands that the hard work will pay off in the ring.”
Schwieger, of Kansas City , brings a record of 2-6-2 (2KO’s) into the fight with Smedick, but as often is the case in boxing, records can be very deceiving.
Continued Pesoli, “Schwieger’s a bit of a road warrior taking fights in Las Vegas and in Los Angeles but I understand he’s a real tough guy who will pressure Smedick which should make for an entertaining fight. Schwieger just knocked out a kid in the first round last month so he’s not going to be shy about letting his hands go from the opening bell.”
The full NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION card is as follows;
Ivan Popoca vs. Daniel Garcia, six rounds, junior welterweights
Eric Estrada vs. Steve Cannell, six rounds, super bantamweights
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Terrence Wilson, six rounds, super middleweights
Ryan Smedick vs. Tyson Schwieger, four rounds, welterweights
William Hernandez vs. Quincy Johnson, four rounds, featherweights
“NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION” is presented along with Miller Lite, TCF Bank, Jack Daniels and EL Jimador Tequila.
TCF is a Wayzata, Minnesota-based national financial holding company with $16.4 billion in total assets. The company has 453 banking offices in Minnesota , Illinois , Michigan , Colorado , Wisconsin , Indiana and Arizona , providing retail and commercial banking services, and investments and insurance products. TCF also conducts leasing and equipment finance business in all 50 states.
8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxing.com