Ready to take the heavyweight division by storm, Central Pennsylvania heavyweight prospect Andres “TAYLOR MADE” Taylor is finalizing preparations for his showdown with the Motor City’s Larry Carter this Saturday night, March 7th, at the Valencia Ballroom as part of the “BATTLE AT YORK 3”, an evening of world class professional presented by Chet Koerner’s TKO BOXING Promotions, headquarters of the popular “HOMETOWN HEROES TO WORLD CHAMPIONS” national series.
Advance tickets for “ BATTLE AT YORK 3”, starting at $25, can be purchased through the Valencia Ballroom box office by calling 717-843-7672. The Valencia Ballroom is located at 142 N. George St. in downtown York . Doors on the evening of the event will open at 6:30pm, with the first bell at 7:30.
Speaking just prior to a late night run in his native Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the highly popular and always exciting Taylor spoke about his upcoming bout, his future plans, training with Roy Jones and his last fight, a third round knockout on the massive Kelly Pavlik, Youngstown homecoming card.
“It was a thrill to fight in Youngstown on such a big card. The crowd was so passionate and enthusiastic the whole night. A lot of people came down from Johnstown and it seemed like the whole crowd was cheering my name during the fight” said the former amateur standout about the loud chants of “ TAYLOR MADE” which follow him at each fight.
Shortly after knocking out Jim Emrick in the third round on the February 21st, Youngstown card to improve his record to 6-0-1 (3KO’s), Taylor got the call to come down to Pensacola, Florida to spar for a couple of days.
“Initially I thought I’d be sparring with Roy Jones but he has a huge heavyweight named Calvin Price that they wanted me to work with. He’s about 6’7” and goes about 250” said the smallish heavyweight Taylor who tips the scales at 210 and stands six feet tall.
“The guys in the gym thought he would destroy me but we went even for about 12 rounds over two days, it was a terrific experience.”
In January, Taylor won the WBF Americas Cruiserweight Title with a first round knockout of Philip Jewel at a packed War Memorial Arena in Johnstown .
“I’ve lived in Johnstown since I was a little kid and the support here is terrific. It was a great night to win the title at home” said Taylor, who runs a construction company outside of the boxing ring.
Taylor got a late start in boxing, only taking it seriously in 2005. In 2007, he was part of the Team USA squad that competed in Romania , competed at the US Olympic Trials, won a gold medal in the West regionals and the silver in the Midwest .
“I only had about 30 amateur fights, but I feel great fighting as a pro. My goal is to be the heavyweight world champion but I’m prepared to win a world title at cruiserweight first. I’m a small heavyweight but I love the challenge of fighting the big boys.”
About Saturday night in York , Taylor said, “Carter’s the first southpaw I’ve faced and most of the guys from Detroit are very tough so I have to be careful early on. Fans should expect another great performance, however, and “ TAYLOR MADE” chants throughout the fight from my faithful.”
The “BATTLE AT YORK 3” will be headlined by popular York, PA. featherweight prospect Carney Bowman taking on former world title challenger Jesus Perez of Cordoba , Columbia , in the main event while local super bantamweight Eric Nemo will face fellow former world title challenger Jose Bernal of Barranquilla, Columbia, in the co-main.
Formed in early 2008, Chet Koerner’s Las Vegas based TKO BOXING Promotions stable includes; heavyweight Lenroy Thomas, 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, featherweights Matt Remillard, Carney Bowman, Delvin Plascencia, Rafael Lora and Maxwell Awaku, super bantamweights Rafael Valenzuela and Carlos Reyes.
Further information on TKO Boxing Promotions can be viewed at www.tkoboxingpromotions.com
McGee vs. Follmar Super Fight Is On For “Date With Destiny” April 25th
March 5 (Merrillville, In) – It’s been talked about for a long time, but the time has finally arrived for two of the top women fighters in the world to go toe-to-toe for two of the biggest prizes in boxing on Saturday, April 25th, 2009 @ the Hammond Civic Center 5825 Sohl Ave. in Hammond, IN during the Main Event for “Date With Destiny.” The legendary Hammond Civic Center and its illustrious boxing history will be providing the backdrop for what is lining up to be the Super Fight of the century when NABC World Lightweight champion “Merciless” Mary McGee (16-0, 10 KOs) defends her title against WBF Super Lightweight Champion Kristy “Rose” Follmar (16-1, 9 KOs) with the coveted and vacant WBC International Super Lightweight title also up for grabs.
“Boxing fans have been buzzing and waiting for this fight for a long time and now we are going to give it to them.” said One In A Million Inc./CEO Octavius James. “The stars have aligned as there will be two world championships on the line. I would like to thank our Chief Matchmaker John Winfred and (Follmar’s Advisor) Mark Lemerick for working hard assisting in putting together this Super Fight.” James said.
Although there are two world titles on the line, McGee makes it very clear that her title won’t be switching hands when that final bell rings. “I refuse to watch her celebrating and taking pictures with my belt after the fight and the only way anyone will see that is if I’m laid out on a stretcher because this is the fight that will show if all my sacrifice has been worth it,” said McGee.
“Merciless” Mary McGee Action Shot”I have been waiting for this opportunity all my life and if she has the same attitude as I do going into this fight, this is going to be the best fight anyone has EVER seen,” said McGee who is coming off a knockout victory over Jessica Mohs at “SLUGFEST 2009.” “When that bell rings it’s going to be like two pit bulls going to war and full of bone-crunching action from the first big blow till the last.” said McGee.
(Pictured left: McGee tears into the body of Eva Silva)
Follmar is coming off a convincing 10-round decision victory over Former World Champion Eva Jones Young just two days ago staking claim to the vacant women’s WBF Light Super Lightweight title, following a four year layoff. “Coming back is going to be a little difficult, but it’s not like I have been sitting around, I have been training people and putting what I learned in the last 10 years to use and it has helped me as a fighter,” said Follmar.
Kristy “Rose” Follmar Action Shot”I haven’t been hurt or dropped yet and I don’t think Mary (McGee) is going to take that from me and I go in there with full confidence, I have worked my butt off and I have the ultimate respect for (Mary) except when that bell rings,” Follmar added. “I’m very impressed with the high level professionalism of Octavius James and One In A Million Staff. I have really been looking forward to working with and fighting on this OIAM card.” I really appreciate the opportunity.”
(Pictured Above: Follmar lands a vicious uppercut to Shelby Walker)
Tickets priced for this spectacular card at VIP $100, VIP Ringside $75, Ringside $50, & General Admission $30. Tickets can be purchased at any Ticket Master location at (219) 791-1234, (312) 559-1212, (866) 438-7372 or www.TicketMaster.com.
Hammond Civic Center, 5825 Sohl Ave. just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago
Doors will open doors at 6 p.m. with the first bout at 8 p.m.
Visit us at our new knockout website and leave us some feedback: www.oneinamillionboxing.com
Ken Shamrock takes on Bobby Lashley in heavyweight showdown
Jones-Sheika headlines pro boxing/MMA PPV March 21in Pensacola
Living legend Ken “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Shamrock battles Bobby Lashley in the main event of the mixed-martial-arts portion of the March 21st pro boxing/MMA hybrid pay-per-view event at the Pensacola Civic Center.
Eight-time world boxing champion Roy Jones, Jr. (52-5, 38 KOs) headlines the show, presented by Square Ring Promotions in association with Hirsch Borao Boxing and the Pensacola Civic Center, against 4-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (27-8, 18 KOs).
Shamrock-Lashley, featuring an intriguing match-up between an MMA icon (Shamrock) and the hottest new combat fighter (Lashley), replaces the originally announced MMA main event featuring Seth “The Silverback” Petruzelli and Doug “Rhino” Marshall because Petruzelli pulled-out due to an injury suffered during training.
“I’ve done a lot of firsts,” Shamrock commented. “I was the first heavyweight champ of MMA and first foreign champ in Japan. This is the first time two champions (Jones and Shamrock) in their individual sports, at this level, will be fighting on the same card – boxing and MMA. I think it’s the way of the future and it’s happening now. Lashley got things going in wrestling and then the WWE. Now he’s in MMA. He’s very good. I think he’s 270-pounds of muscle – quick, explosive and strong. The area he lacks, gound skills, he makes up for with his strength and ability to move on the ground. He can really move on his feet. This isn’t a fat guy laying on his back.”
The unique pro boxing/MMA show is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice, Shaw Cable, Star Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
“I am excited to be part of this card alongside Roy Jones, Jr. and Square Ring Promotions,” Lashley said. “I am looking forward to fighting an experienced opponent like Ken Shamrock and showing the fans that Bobby Lashley is a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. I am going to come out from the opening bell and show Ken Shamrock and the rest of the world that Bobby Lashley is not someone you want to mess with.”
Lion’s Den founder Shamrock (27-13-2, 2 KOs, 23 Submissions), fighting out of San Diego, was the original UFC Superfight and King of the Pancrase MMA champion. Ken dominated the UFC and Pancrase for years, defeating a Who’s Who of MMA stars including Bas Rutten (twice), Masakatsu Funaki (twice), Dan Severn and Kimo Leopoldo (twice), as well as fighting Royce Gracie to a draw.
In 1997, Shamrock joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and was a star there for three years, returning to MMA with Pride Fighting Championships until 2002, when he returned to the UFC. An outstanding athlete who was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, Ken won his last bout by first-round submission (arm bar) this past February 13 against Ross Clifton.
Lashley (1-0, 1 KO) is a true physical specimen, standing 6-3 and weighing 265 pounds, which helped him become a 3-time NCAA champion (1996-98) and 4-time All-America wrestler at Missouri Valley College. After graduating from college, Bobby joined the U.S. Army and was a 2-time Armed Forces Champion and 2002 Military Games Championship silver medalist.
Two years ago, Lashley became a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar, highlighted at Wrestlemania 23 as a representative of Donald Trump in a bet against WWE president Vince McMahon. Lashley won the match and helped Trump shave McMahon’s head in the ring. Bobby made his MMA debut last December 13, stopping Joshua Franklin only 0.41 into the opening round.
The MMA co-feature pits two world-class grapplers, former IFL heavyweight champion Roy “Big Country” Nelson (13-6, 6 KOs, 4 Submissions) against former UFC title challenger Jeff “The Snowman” Monson (27-8, 2 KOs’ 15 Submissions).
Tickets, priced at $128.00, $103.00, $78.00, $53.00 & $28.00 are on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Pensacola Civic Center Box Office and ticketmaster.com.