Bethlehem, PA—Welterweight prospects Ronald Cruz, of Bethlehem, and Alberto Morales, Miami, FL, met today for the first time at the final press conference for their 10-round match Thursday evening, Sept. 26, at the Sands Bethlehem.
The seven-bout card will be streamed worldwide by Universal Streaming.
Cruz, who knocked out Rodolfo Armenta, of Rio Rico, AZ, in two rounds Aug. 10 in the same ring, has an 18-2 record, 13 K0s.
Morales, who lost a 10-round decision to Ray Robinson, of Philadelphia, PA, on Feb. 8 in Wilmington, DE, is 11-2-1, 8 K0s.
Also in attendance was junior welterweight Jerome Rodriguez, of Allentown, PA, whose six-round fight with Juan Serrano, of Killeen, TX, is one of six undercard fights beginning at 8p.m.
MORALES: “I’ve trained hard for this fight for the last six weeks and I’m in the best shape of my life. I really love to fight and I know I won’t have to chase anybody in this match. I’m gonna love it and I look forward to Thursday.”
CRUZ: “Morales says he loves to fight and I love to fight, also. On Thursday night, we’re going to find out who loves it more.”
The Pugilist KOrner: Edwin Rodriguez, Delvin Rodriguez, Vic Darchinyan, Virgil Hunter, Rick Morones Jr, and Joel Diaz Jr.
Tonight at 9PM EST/6PM PST, the Sports Krib proudly presents Super Middleweight contender Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez, Junior Middleweight contender Delvin Rodriguez, three-division world champion Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan, elite level fight trainer Virgil Hunter, expert boxing trainer Rick Morones Jr, and expert boxing coach Joel Diaz Jr.
To listen to tonight’s two hour program, please click on the attached link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wcsteelerfan/2013/09/25/tha-pugilist-korner
The Pugilist KOrner listener line: 718-506-1506
Making his way back to the show will be Super Middleweight contender Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (24-0, 16 KOs). The hard punching, Dominican born fighter will discuss his November 16th bout with 168 pound kingpin Andre Ward, which is slated to take place in Ontario, California, and set to be broadcast on HBO.
Also returning to “The Pugilist KOrner” will be Junior Middleweight contender Delvin Rodriguez (28-6-3, 16 KOs). The Connecticut resident will discuss his upcoming October 5th bout with future Hall of Famer Miguel Angel Cotto, which is scheduled to be broadcast on HBO.
“The Pugilist KOrner” is proud to welcome to the program for the first time, three division world champion Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan (39-5-1, 28 KOs). The Armenian born puncher will discuss his November 9th bout with longtime nemesis Nonito Donaire, which is set to take place in Corpus Christi, Texas.
It’s always an honor to feature elite level trainer Virgil Hunter. The talented California based boxing coach will be discussing future bouts concerning his fighters Andre Ward, Amir Khan, Alfredo Angulo, Andre Berto, and much, much more.
Also making his Pugilist KOrner debut will be talented young fight trainer Rick Morones Jr. The San Antonio based boxing mentor will discuss his recent trip to Las Vegas, care of “The Money Team” and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Rick Jr. will also talk about how this meeting took place and why the trip meant so much Team Morones Boxing Club in San Antonio, Texas.
“The Pugilist KOrner” is proud to feature once again elite level trainer Joel Diaz Jr. The hard working fight mentor will discuss big fights featuring Diego and Jesse Magdaleno, Tim Bradley, as well as other upcoming bouts on the boxing calendar.
Tonight’s hosts will be sports writer and commentator Joe Fairbanks, and boxing writer and ring announcer Joseph Herron.
Tune in to “The Pugilist KOrner” at 9PM EST/6PM PST…tonight!!
Undefeated WBA Featherweight Champ Walters Signs Top Rank
LAS VEGAS, NEV. (September 24, 2013) — Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum announced today the signing of undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion NICHOLAS “The Axe Man” WALTERS to a promotional contract. Top Rank® will be promoting Walters in association with Warriors Boxing and Premium Boxing Promotions.
Walters (22-0, 18 KOs), of Montego Bay, Jamaica, will make his Top Rank and U.S. debut and the first defense of his world title on the November 9 championship tripleheader, featuring WBO junior lightweight championship between Rocky Martinez vs. Mikey Garcia, 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire’s long-awaited rematch against former two-division world champion Vic Darchinyan and the Vanes Martirosyan vs. Demetrius Andrade WBO junior middleweight title tilt. All three fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT from the American Bank Center. Walters title defense will be televised live on Top Rank’s international broadcast only.
The 27-year-old Walters enters this fight having won eight of his last nine bouts by way of knockout. He captured the vacant WBA title last December, knocking out Daulis Presscott (26-1, 19 KOs), in the seventh round.
“It’s a dream and a privilege come true for me to be with Top Rank, the top promotional company in the world,” said Walters. “And as they have made many great fighters with the likes of Ali, Leonard De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, just to name a few, I hope that they will help me reach my different goals in the future.”
“We are delighted Nicholas Walters, the WBA featherweight champion, has become a Top Rank fighter,” said Arum. “We really envision greatness for Walters and his future. His first fight will be a world title defense in Corpus Christi on November 9. Our boxing card there now will include four major fights, including three world championships and unquestionably this will be the greatest fight card ever in Corpus Christi.”
“I know that Nicholas is a spirited and a disciplined fighter whose boxing style will please the boxing fans of America. He will be an exciting TV fighter, one who will make both Top Rank and HBO proud,” said Jacques Deschamps, Walters’ manager.
Daley “Star” Ojuederie Signs With Goodwin
28 year old professional boxer Daley “Star” Ojuederie has returned from his stint in the Big Brother house ready to launch a serious assault on the Super-Middleweight division.
After having a meeting with trainer Don Charles and promoter/manager Steve Goodwin Daley signed a three year deal with Goodwin and is ready to launch his career starting on the 16th November Goodwin card at York Hall.
“It was a no brainer to sign with Steve” said Daley. “You only have to see what he has done with my stablemate Ian Lewison, Richard Commey (Commonwealth title shot in his next fight) and many others to see what he can do”.
“I am now fully focused on my boxing career. Going into Big Brother has helped create a fan base for me who I am sure will turn out in force for me in November and I thank every single one of them in advance for helping me on the road to what I believe will be my destiny with a British title and beyond”.
Trainer Don Charles was delighted with the team up “I know Steve Goodwin not only through boxing but as a friend and he will look after Daley and make sure we make the right ongoing decisions”.
Steve finished by saying “I would like to thank Daley for putting his faith in me. I will help him achieve everything he wants. We just <<...>> need consistency now and activity. He is extremely talented and I cannot wait to see Daley back in action on 16th November.
Daley can be contacted via twitter @iamdaleystar for tickets