Listen Now:
By: William Holmes
The following is the Boxing Insider notebook for the week of June 17th to June 24th, covering the comings and goings in the sport of boxing that you might have missed.
Fortune Reports on Mayweather’s Latest Investment
Floyd Mayweather has recently invested a million dollars into a “selfie” app. It’s the first time he’s invested in a tech venture. The app was created by John Shahidi, and his selfie app is called Shots:. Justin Beiber is a co-investor in Shots, but Mayweather has invested more than Beiber.
More information can be found at http://fortune.com/2014/06/17/floyd-mayweather-tech/
Mike Jones Ends Two-Year Layoff
Former world-title challenger Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, ends his twenty six month long layoff on August 26th when he boxes Jaime Herrera of Franklin Park, Illinois in a ten round welterweight main event in the Grand Ballroom at Bally’s Atlantic City.
Mike Jones has not boxed since June 9, 2012 when he was stopped by Randall Bailey in their contest for the vacant IBF Welterweight Title. Jones was ahead on the scorecards at the time of the knockout.
Jones has since been training and living in Las Vegas and has worked with different trainers, including Floyd Mayweather Sr., Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, and Miguel Diaz.
“Two years late for work but it’s better late than never,” Jones said. “I’m excited to be back in action at Bally’s in Atlantic City, New Jersey on August 23rd. I can’t wait to show the fans something special.” He continued, “I’ve always stayed in shape. I’ve been ready to fight for some time, but I didn’t like the terms. I cannot wait forever. If I can get one solid win under my belt, I’ll be back in the mix and ready for the best at 147 pounds.”
Danny Garcia, Lamont Peterson, and Daniel Jacobs to Headline August 9th Card
Golden Boy Promotions returns to the Barclays Center on Saturday, August 9th with a tripleheader featuring three world title bouts.
Danny “Swift” Garcia will meet “Lightning” Rod Salka for his unified Junior Welterweight World Titles in the main event of the night. IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Lamont Peterson will face off against Edgar Santana in the co-main event, and Brooklyn’s own Daniel Jacobs will challenge Jarrod Fletcher for the vacant WBA World Middleweight Championship.
“This is my third fight at Barclays Center, and it feels like a second home to me,” said Garcia. “I’ll be ready for Rod Salka, and I’m going to give my Brooklyn fans another great show.”
“I’m really excited about this fight and about making a statement to the boxing world that I’m the true junior welterweight world champion,” said Peterson. “I know Danny will be watching me, and I’ll be watching him. After August 9, there will be only one fight to make at 140 pounds.”
“This whole comeback has been a dream so far, and what better way to keep it going than with a world title fight in my borough?” said Jacobs, who battled back from a bout with cancer to earn a shot at the WBA championship. “This is the fight I’ve been waiting for and no one will keep me from that belt.”
Uprising Promotions Adds Three Fighters to Its Stable
New York based Uprising Promotions has added three highly skillful fighters to its talented roster. Undefeated Brooklyn lightweight Wesley Ferrer (4-0), unbeaten Dominican Super featherweight Angel Luna (9-0) and Irish junior welterweight Darren Mangan.
“I am very excited. I believe in these guys, and I am a great judge of boxing talent,” said Ronson Frank, President of Uprising Promotions. “I think all three of these guys have the ability to take not only themselves, but also us as a promotion, to the next level where we can compete with all of the big name promoters out there.”
Uprising Promotions next fight card is on September 13th, and more information on this company can be found at www.uprisingpromotions.com
Kronk Boxing Confirmed for Inaugural Box Fan Expo
Knock Boxing & Sylvia Steward-Williams (Emanuel Steward’s daughter) has confirmed that they will appear and have a Booth at the inaugural Box Fan Expo this September at the Las Vegas Convention Center. They will have merchandise and apparel to sell to boxing fans.
When the late Emanuel Steward first heard about the Box Fan Expo, he stated: “If you want to have a Boxing Expo, you got to do it big; and to do it big you need to go to Vegas. This is a boxing fan’s dream.”
The Box Fan Expo will take place on Saturday, September 13th, 2014 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and tickets are available at http://www.BoxFanExpo.eventbrite.com/
The Knockout Network Prepares for a 2015 Launch
The Knockout Network (TKONET) (www.tkonetwork.com) will be a 24 hour, internet based, international boxing television network who’s ultimate goal is to make the sport of boxing more available to the tens of millions of fans around the world who aren’t currently aware of, don’t have access or simply can’t afford high caliber, top-nothc fights.
The Knockout Network will feature original programming, international focus, and a free business model. Those interested in working with the knockout network should send an email to [email protected].
Luis DeCubas Inducted into Florida Boxing Hall of Fame
Luis DeCubas of Warrios Boxing has been inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame over this weekend.
DeCubas is best known for having promoted and co-managed a long list of boxing greats, including Roberto Duran, Joel Casamayor, and many other top Cuban fighters.
“Luis has given his life to changing the lives of so many Cuban boxers and he deserves this great honor,” said Leon Margules. “The list of great fighters and fights he has worked with or on is endless. I am proud to call him a dear friend and business partner.”
DeCubas arrived in the United States in 1966 in Minneapolis when he was nine years old and has become one of boxing’s best-known advisors.
“It is very important to Luis that Cuban fighters who defect receive the opportunities he did in the US,” continued Margules. “I’m truly happy he has been recognized for his amazing contributions.”
Other living inductees for the Class of 2014 included former world champion Mike McCallum and top contenders Francisco Arreola and Jose Ribalta, trainer James “Buddy” McGirt, manager Fred Levin, promoters Walter Alvarez, and Felix “Tutico” Zabala, historian Don Cogswell, boxing writer Santos Perez, boxing official Paul Herman, participants Ed Levine, and Leo Thalassites.
Gulyakevich Looks for Upset Over Redkach
On June 27th DiBella Entertainment, Rumble Time Promotions, and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing will present that week’s edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights from the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, MO. The main event will be between lightweight conteder Ivan “El Terribel” Redkach (16-0) and Sergey “The Surgeon” Gulyakevich (41-2) in the 10 round main event of the evening.
Redkach is the favorite, but Gulyakevich is looking for the upset.
“I have had an absolutely great training camp for this fight. I was scheduled to fight in Hungary on the 15th, so I was already in heavy training when I got the call. When the fight with Ivan was offered, I didn’t hesitate for a minute to accept. I know that he’s got tremendous power in both hands and he can also box well, which he demonstrated in his last fight against Tony Luis. I respect him and do not underestimate him at all,” said Gulyakevich.
Chazz Witherspoon to Take on Tyabb Beale at Riverwinds Community Center
Heavyweight contender Chazz Witherspoon returns to the ring on July 12th at the Riverwinds Community Center in West Deptford, New Jersey against Tyabb Beale. Local favorites Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will be in the co-feature and a bout between undefeated Ismael Garcia and Louis Cream will take place on the undercard.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Riverwinds Community Center at 856-251-0990.
Golden Boy Live! Debuts in San Francisco with Gesta vs. Arceo
Lightweight contender Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta returns to the Bay Area when he headlines the Friday, July 18th edition of Fox Sports 1 Golden Boy Live! In a ten round bout against Luis “El Vampiro” Arceo at Long Shoreman’s Hall in San Francisco. Jonathan Chicas will also be fighting on the card against Emanuel Robles, and Chinese heavyweight prospect Taishan will debut against Ronny Hale in a four round bout.
Tickets are currently available at www.pacopresentsboxing.com
