Hall of Fame boxing trainer Emanuel Steward will return to Cincinnati with one of his prize pupils, super middleweight prospect Aaron Pryor Jr., this Saturday night, January 31st at “HOMECOMING” an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing at the U.S. BANK ARENA.

“HOMECOMING” is presented by Cincinnati ’s TMAX EVENTS and Las Vegas based TKO BOXING Promotions in their inaugural event. Details of upcoming joint promotions in Cincinnati will be announced in the near future.

Born and raised in Cincinnati , Pryor Jr., 11-1-0 (8KO’s), son of legendary world champion Aaron “THE HAWK” Pryor Sr., will battle in the eight round co-main event against southpaw William Prieto, 5-3-1 (2KO’s) of Lorain, OH.

“Aaron was upset in his last bout, but I’m glad to see him getting back in the ring just five weeks later. It’s better to get back in than to let it linger after a first loss with a prospect” said Steward.

‘He’s been training hard here at Kronk, sparring with Andy Lee who’s a southpaw like Prieto. I’ve liked what I’ve see of Aaron in the gym these last few weeks and I’m looking for a great performance from him on Saturday.”

Speaking about the professional boxing scene in Cincinnati , Steward, ‘They’ve always had a great amateur boxing community there and I’m thrilled to hear about TMAX and TKO’s plans to promote there on an ongoing basis.”

“HOMECOMING” is headlined by the return of 2000 U.S. Olympian Ricardo Williams who returns to his hometown of Cincinnati for the first time in almost five years.

Williams, 13-2-0 (7KO’s), will face Puerto Rican native Doel Carrasquillo, 12-9-1 (10KO’s) in the eight round main event.

An outstanding undercard featuring some of Cincinnati’s finest young fighters including lightweight Tony Walker, junior lightweight Mel Crossty, junior welterweight Shannon Hill and super middleweight Antonio Weathers has also been added to the card.

The 30 second commercial for “HOMECOMING” can be viewed on YouTube at; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZKAzwvwbWI

Advance tickets, priced at $79.75, $40.75 and $23.75 can be purchased online through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 513-462-4949. The U.S. Bank Arena is located at 100 Broadway St. in Cincinnati , adjacent to the Great American Ball Park . Doors will open on the evening of the event at 6:00pm with the first bell at 7:30pm.

The full “HOMECOMING” bout sheet is;

Ricardo Williams. vs Doel Carrasquillo, eight rounds, welterweights

Aaron Pryor Jr. vs. Will Prieto, eight rounds, junior middleweights

Tony Walker vs. TBA, four rounds, lightweights

Mel Crossty vs. Rafael Luna, four rounds, junior lightweights

Shannon Hill vs. Chris Quarrels, four rounds, junior welterweights

Antonio Weathers vs. Antonio Knight, four rounds super middleweights

Jesse Carradine vs. Oswaldo Escobedo, four rounds, junior lightweights

Nurpais Torobekov vs. William Bonner, four rounds, heavyweights

Andre Ward Headlines On ShoBox Next Friday, Feb. 6

Outside the ring, Andre Ward is one of the most pleasant, personable, thoughtful and unselfish young men you’ll ever want to meet.

Inside, he is widely recognized as one of the most talented young fighters in the world, a “can’t miss” world champion in the eyes of many. Others take it a step further and refer to him as the “future of boxing.”

So, there is little doubt that the only boxer from the United States to capture a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, will one day become a world champion. The question is: when?

Ward is confident 2009 will be a magic number, the year he finally fights for and wins a world title. If it doesn’t transpire, however, do not look for the classy boxer-puncher to push the panic button.

“This year, I just want to continue to win and win spectacularly, regardless of who’s in front of me,’’ said the undefeated, world-ranked super middleweight who defends his North American Boxing Organization (NABO) belt against once-beaten Henry “Sugar Poo’’ Buchanan in the main event on Friday, Feb. 6, on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

“I’m not really one of those guys at this point in my career that says, ‘I have to have a (world title) belt by ’09.’ We’re just going to see what’s on the table. There’s really no telling. Boxing is the kind of sport where you really can’t plan for what’s next. You have a general idea what’s coming up, but you can’t plan.

“(Still) We are looking for a big, big year in 2009. We’re taking our time, but we’re kind of on a fast-pace at the same time.”

The 6-foot-one-inch Ward (17-0, 12 KOs), of Oakland, Calif., is ranked No. 3 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO), No. 10 in the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 14 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF). Both he and Buchanan (17-1, 12 KOs), of Chesterfield, S.C., are ShoBox alums, having twice appeared on the popular, eight-year-old SHOWTIME series.

Ward, who can effectively switch from a conventional stance to southpaw – he’s a natural lefty — has won his last seven fights by knockout, including a dominant third-round stoppage over Esteban Camou on Dec. 13, 2008. It was Ward’s first outing since he injured his right knee during a pick-up basketball game and had arthroscopic surgery in August ‘08.

Two starts ago, Ward, who turns 25 on Feb. 23, captured the NABO crown with an eighth-round TKO over Jerson Ravelo on June 20, 2008, on ShoBox.

Don’t expect Ward to overlook Buchanan in their upcoming 12-round bout. “Anybody close to my weight class or in my weight class we always (have to) watch for,’’ Ward said. “My job is to continue to stay focused and continue to stay ready. When you’re ready, you don’t have to get ready.’’

The 5-foot-9-inch, 30-year-old Buchanan, the uncle of San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman, possesses above-average punching power and good natural athletic ability. He has won three in a row, including a ninth-round knockout over Brian Norman in his last start on June 25, 2008.

“I’ve been laying low, just trying to take it one fight at a time so I can strike it rich,’’ said Buchanan, who triumphed via 10th-round disqualification over Lucas Green-Arias in his ShoBox debut on June 25, 2008. “I know Ward won the gold medal and that he’s a good, speedy, fast boxer.

“It’s not going to be easy, but it’s not going to be as hard as everybody else thinks. This is a great opportunity. I’m going to knock Ward out.’’

In the ShoBox co-feature, unbeaten John “John” Molina (14-0, 10 KOs) of Covina, Calif., will be opposed by Ghana’s hard-hitting Joshua “The Exciting’’ Allotey (15-6, 13 KOs), who has won three of his last four fights by knockout, in an eight-round junior lightweight bout. Goossen Tutor Promotions will promote the event from The Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino at Lemoore, Calif.

The popular, promising, aggressive-minded, power-punching Molina will be making his ShoBox debut. It is the 5-foot-10 and one-half-inch, 26-year-old’s second scheduled eight-rounder. In his last start, he registered a fifth-round TKO over Omar Lizararraga on Nov. 20, 2008, in Highland, Calif.

One night after the ShoBox event, the eagerly anticipated world title fight between IBF/WBC/WBA 115-pound champion Vic Darchinyan (31-1-1, 25 KOs) and former two-time world champion Jorge Arce (51-4-1, 39 KOs) will highlight a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast that begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) from Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

In the Feb. 7 co-feature on SHOWTIME, Antonio DeMarco (19-1-1, 13 KOs) will take on Almazbek “Kid Diamond” Raiymkulov (27-1-1, 15 KOs) in a 12-rounder for the NABO lightweight title.

Nick Charles will call the ShoBox action with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com.

O’Meara gets lucky break

Breaking your leg might be a strange way to start your boxing carer but for unbeaten welterweight Steve O’Meara it was just the ‘break’ he was looking for. At 17, the West Drayton native was earning rave reviews for his displays on the football field with semi pro outfit Uxbridge until a broken leg sent his sporting career in an entirely different direction.

O’Meara takes up the story. “When I broke my leg I was looking for something I could do to keep my fitness levels up while my leg was still healing. I started doing a bit of boxing training and before I knew it I’d been bitten by the boxing bug.”

With a successful amateur career up and running O’Meara decided to hang up the boots for good and concentrate on his boxing. “I still mess around every now and then with my mates but I don’t play at a serious level anymore because it’s too risky.

“I can’t afford to pick up any injuries on the pitch because it could set your career back and I’m focused completely on my boxing these days. My mates say I have gone greedy and don’t pass the ball anymore so maybe I’m better off being in an individual sport now anyway!”

Since turning pro last April O’Meara has certainly had things all his own way racking up five straight wins with his last two outings featuring on ITV 4.

“It’s great to get TV exposure because it really lifts your profile,” said O’Meara. “When I fought J.J. Bird I went on straight after Junior Witter and it was shown live so that was a huge buzz. It was funny because if Junior’s fight had gone the distance I would have had to wait until after the main event that night to get on. I asked Junior to go out and finish his guy off early so that I could get on straight after him and he did so I owe him one now!

“I sold 300 tickets for that fight so it was a great feeling to come out in front of all those people and hear them chanting my name.”

O’Meara’s next outing will come on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s first defence of his European Lightweight title in Norwich on the 28th February and he says he wants to take his winning record to double figures by the end of 2009.

“I’m happy to go with the flow for the time being and I don’t worry too much about who I’m fighting. I feel I’m improving all the time and I try and spar with anyone and everyone, short, tall, boxer, fighter, southpaw or orthodox because I don’t have as much amateur experience as a lot of the other pros starting out.

“By the end of the year I’d like to think I’ll be 10 and 0 and ready to challenge for my first title. This next fight in Norwich will be my first 6 rounder and I’m looking forward to it because although I’m not a one punch knockout artist I feel I’m the type of guy who can grind people down so when I start doing the longer distances I think you’ll see me starting to wear guys down with pressure.”

Featuring on the exciting undercard: Danny McIntosh v Matthew Barney for the English Light Heavyweight Title (subject to Boards approval), also appearing New Heavyweight Sensation Tyson Fury, Matthew Thirlwall, Lee Purdy, Earl Ling and making his pro debut, ABA Senior Featherweight Champion 2008 & awarded the best boxer of the night Royston’s Bradley Evans.

Tickets for Steve O’Meara’s fight on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s first European title defence at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich on the 28th February are available from the Ticketline box office on 0871 424 4444 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.

CHUCK “THE PROFESSOR” MUSSACHIO TO MAKE LEGENDARY BLUE HORIZON DEBUT ON FRIDAY NIGHT, FEBRUARY 6

One of the most popular fighters in the region, undefeated Light heavyweight, Chuck “The Professor” Mussachio makes his long awaited debut at the Legendary Blue Horizon as he takes on Gary Lavender on a six round cruiserweight bout as the co-feature on a big night of boxing at The Legendary Blue Horizon.

The card is promoted by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Promotions Inc.

Mussachio of Wildwood, New Jersey brings a loud cheering section as he amassed a record of 12-0-2 with five knockouts and is taking the bout on eight days notice so this bout will be contested in the Cruiserweight division.

“I have been looking forward to this since I first put on my gloves” said Mussachio.

“It is just an honor to fight at The Legendary Blue Horizon and to work with Vernoca Michael & (matchmaker) Don Elbaum.”

In Mussachio’s last bout he fought to an eight round majority draw with Willis Lockett last September 19th in Delaware

Ironically it is Lavender, a native of Pine Level, North Carolina who has the experience inside the Legendary Blue Horizon ring.

Lavender has a record of 7-12 with six knockouts and is on a two bout winning streak. His most recent effort is a disqualification win over Leroy Hollis last December 12th in Jacksonville, Florida.

Lavender went the distance with main event participant, Ran Nakash on October 13th, 2006 at The Legendary Blue Horizon.

Mussachio better be on top of his game as Lavender has shocked an undefeated fighter before. On June 8th, 2007, Lavender took out heralded Chris Mclnerney (8-0-1) in two rounds.

The main event on February 6th will feature an eight round cruiserweight tilt between Ran Nakash (16-0, 12 KO’s) of Haifa, Israel and Ryan Carroll (7-1, 4 KO’s) of Delaware, Ohio

In a six round Jr. Welterweight bout, Elad Shmouel (18-2, 9 KO’s) of Tel Aviv, Israel makes his return to the ring after a thirteen month layoff when he takes on Khristian Garaci (4-5-1, 3 KO’s) of Pittsburgh.

Julius Edmonds (3-3) of Philadelphia battles Linwood Hurd (2-0-3) of Atlantic City in a six round Jr. Welterweight bout.

In a battle of 1-0 Middleweights, John Turner of Philadelphia takes on Marcus Bianconi of Houston in a scheduled four rounder.

Fresh off his pro debut win just three weeks prior, Ronald Cruz of Bethlehem, Pa. takes on debuting Adam Duncan of Philadelphia in a Welterweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

Anthony Abrams looks to improve on his 1-5 record as he battles Ardrick Butler (0-1) in a tussle of Philadelphia Middleweights.

Exciting Super Featherweight, Derrick Bivins (1-0) will also see action in a four round bout.

These fights will be streamed live all over the world on www.gofightlive.tv

Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $200 for Queen Seating, $125 for Presidential seats, $65 for VIP, $55 for Ringside, and $45 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling The Legendary Blue Horizon at 1-215-763-0500 or by logging on to comcasttix.com. Doors open at 6:30 PM / 1st bout begins at 7:30 PM

The Legendary Blue Horizon is located at 1314 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA

For more information, log on to www.legendarybluehorizon.com