Robert Guerrero Challenges For IBF Jr Lightweight World Championship

HOUSTON'S HERO, JUAN DIAZ,
RETURNS ON AUGUST 22ND AGAINST
FORMER WORLD CHAMPION PAULIE MALIGNAGGI
TICKETS ON SALE JULY 10TH
HBO BOXING AFTER DARK TO TELEVISE BOUTS

LOS ANGELES, July 8 - There's nothing in the world like Texas heat in August. On Saturday, August 22nd, four of boxing's best will square off at Houston's ToyotaCenter in an event that will raise the temperature of a sweltering summer of boxing even higher.

In the main event, former Undisputed Lightweight World Champion and hometown hero Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz takes on former 140-pound world titleholder Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi of Brooklyn, New York, while the co-featured bout sees heavy-handed Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero challenge for a world title in a second weight class when he takes on IBF Junior Lightweight World Champion Malcolm Klassen.

Both bouts, which are presented by Golden Boy Promotions, with Diaz vs. Malignaggi being presented in association with DiBella Entertainment and Guerrero vs. Klassen being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions, will air on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:45 pm ET/PT (8:45 pm CT). The evening of boxing is sponsored by QuakerState, Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. Doors open at 3:30pm and the first bout begins at approximately 3:45pm CT.

Tickets, priced at $250, $125, $70, $45 and $25, go on sale on Friday, July 10th at 10am CT, and may be purchased online at www.ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX and at select Houston area Randalls locations. Tickets will be available at the Toyota Center Box Office beginning Monday, July 13th at 9am CT.

"An exciting evening of boxing like this is what the Boxing After Dark series is known for, and I can't think of any place better to have it than at ToyotaCenter in Houston," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "The fans in Houston are knowledgeable and enthusiastic and we're giving them plenty to cheer for with their hometown fighter Juan Diaz taking on Paulie Malignaggi and Robert Guerrero looking to win another world title against Malcolm Klassen. This will be a great night for Houston and for boxing."

"These matchups simply continue the momentum of the exciting, make-or-break fights we've been televising on Boxing After Dark," said Luis Barragan, director of programming HBO Sports. "You put two young, hungry and talented fighters with their backs up against the wall, like Juan Diaz and Paul Malignaggi, and there's no doubt that you're going to get a tremendous fight."

"The ToyotaCenter is thrilled to welcome back Golden Boy Promotions and HBO for another classic night of boxing in Houston," said Doug Hall, Vice President and General Manager of ToyotaCenter. "The Houston fight fans have given their overwhelming support to boxing in general, and Juan Diaz in particular, at both our previous matches. We are honored that Golden Boy has asked us to participate in yet another great night of boxing and we can't wait to see the action unfold."

Boxing's most exciting pound for pound fighter, Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz (34-2, 17 KO's) has accomplished a lot in the sport for a young man of just 25 years old. A former WBA World Lightweight Champion who defended his title five times before adding the WBO and IBF World Titles to his resume with technical knockouts of Acelino Freitas and Julio Diaz respectively, Houston's finest is coming off an epic war with Juan Manuel Marquez in February. Though he fell short against the future Hall of Famer in a Fight of the Year candidate, Diaz is eager to go from hitting the books to hitting opponents following his graduation from the University of Houston - Downtown earlier this year.

"Ever since graduation, I've just been in the gym and I can't wait to get back into the ring," said Diaz. "Malignaggi is a slick opponent and a good test, but I'm confident that with my fans in Houston behind me, I'll win the fight in exciting fashion."

A brash Brooklynite who has been to the top of the boxing world as a former Junior Welterweight World Champion, Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi (26-2, 5 KO's) is more than flash in the ring. Owner of wins over Lovemore N'Dou, Herman Ngoudjo and Edner Cherry, the 28-year-old Malignaggi has also gone to battle against boxing superstars Miguel Cotto and Ricky Hatton, but he knows that no fight is more important than the one ahead of him on August 22nd as it could lead to a another world title shot for him if he beats Diaz.

"I respect Juan Diaz as a fighter and I know this fight has the potential to be Fight of the Year," said Malignaggi. "But I know what I have to do on August 22nd, and that's to dominate every round. This is the kind of big fight I've been waiting for and the fans are definitely going to see the old Paulie Malignaggi in action."

Hailing from Hammanskraal, South Africa, Malcolm Klassen (24-4-2, 14 KO's) is the latest in the line of hard-nosed South African fighters to ascend to the peak of the boxing mountain. A ten-year veteran who rebounded from a rocky start to his career to win 11 of his last 12 bouts, Klassen came to the attention of the boxing world in 2008 with his win over former Five-Time World Champion Manuel "Mantecas" Medina and followed that with a seventh round technical knockout of South African boxing legend Cassius Baloyi in April that earned him the IBF 130-pound championship.

"I'm happy to be fighting in the United States for the first time and to be challenged by a respected fighter like Robert Guerrero," said Klassen. "I expect a tough fight, but I waited too long to win this title and I'm not about to give it up on August 22nd."

A ferocious puncher whose last 16 wins have come by knockout, Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero (24-1-1, 17 KO's) has the type of power that can change the direction of a fight in a split second. A native of Gilroy, California, the popular Guerrero knows what it's like to compete at the game's highest level, having won the IBF Featherweight World Title twice. Now competing at 130 pounds, Guerrero - who is fresh off of an eighth round stoppage of veteran Efren Hinojosa in June - is ready to join the select few who can claim to be a world champion in two different weight classes.

"I miss being a world champion and knowing that I'm the best in the world, but I knew that after giving up my featherweight title I'd have to pay my dues all over again," said Guerrero. "I think I've done that and on August 22nd, I'm excited to have the opportunity to become a champion again. The fans should expect fireworks."

For more information regarding the August 22nd event, please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.

Mario Serrano
Publicist ~ Team Guerrero

STEVENS LOOKS TO MAKE STATEMENT TO SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION

On July 11th, Star Boxing's hard hitting super middleweight contender, Curtis "Showtime" Stevens (20-2, 14KO) will look to position himself amongst the elite of the super middleweight division when he takes on unbeaten Polish contender Piotr Wilczewski (22-0, 7KO) at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The card is headlined by IBF cruiserweight champion, Tomaz Adamek defending his belt against Bobby Gunn.

STEVENS (R) VS. RAY SMITH

Stevens has been boxing almost his entire life. The 24-year-old Brownsville, NY native had a stellar amateur career, amassing over three hundred wins, and is credited with recording the third most knockouts in New York State amateur boxing history.

Stevens is a devastating puncher, with tremendous power in either hand as witnessed by his impressive knockout ratio, including twelve of his fourteen knockouts coming in the first two rounds.

Stevens was on the fast track to stardom before he ran into fellow unbeaten prospect and 2004 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell on HBO in 2007. Dirrell, visibly afraid of Stevens power, chose to dance and pop shot from the outside for the entire ten rounds, eventually being awarded a very unpopular decision.


STEVENS WITH PROMOTER JOE DEGUARDIA

After the loss to Dirrell, Stevens decided to make a few changes in his career, one which included changing his promotional team. After meeting with a few different companies, Stevens signed an exclusive promotional contract with Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing in early 2008.

Since joining up with Star, Stevens has looked better than ever. He is a perfect 3-0 under his new promotional banner, with two of the three wins coming by knockout. Stevens' promoter Joe DeGuardia knows that a win against the unbeaten Wilczewski will surely open some doors for his super middleweight contender.

"A win against Wilczewski will put Curtis right back where we want him to be," stated DeGuardia. "He has looked very good since joining our roster, and if he can look equally as good in this fight he takes a major step towards a future world title opportunity. We are working on some very big things for Curtis, but right now he needs to first take care of business on the 11th and we are very confident he will do just that."

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing has been in operation since 1992 and has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry.

Star Boxing

Featherweight Rolanda Andrews: Back in the Mix & Hungry for a Title

By David Pambianchi

JULY 7) Not ready to put her gloves away, Rolanda Andrews signed on with notable women’s manager David Selwyn. She comments, “Unfortunately, I never had a promoter or manager backing me and also never had any amateur fights. I had to learn the hard way.” With two solid wins last year and a past performance that shows she can step up (with a 2nd round knock out against high profile champ Mia St. John in 2001, who was undefeated at 22-0 and stopped only one other time in 57 fights), Rolanda’s on the hunt for a title belt.

This Atlanta, Georgia based girl works and plays hard. As well as box, Rolanda currently plays soccer, and besides her employment as a Real Estate and Mortgage Consultant, she works as an Insurance Agent specializing in Mortgage Protection, Life Insurance and Annuities. As she puts it, “I really enjoy helping people to structure and protect their investment and retirement goals.”

With new fight management and a fresh flood of determination from Rolanda’s corner, keep an eye out for a change in her 8-7 record. There’s action coming this way.

Rolanda’s looking for an opponent and would like to fight Aug. 22, in her hometown Atlanta.

Contact Rolanda’s manager David Selwyn: boxing@msn.com

Or call 24/7 boxing hotline (845) 893-2829

WBC CABOFE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION MANUEL "EL TORO" QUEZADA

RIDING A 16-FIGHT WINNING STREAK
MANUEL "EL TORO" QUEZADA
LOOKS TO BECOME TOP 5 HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER

(July 7, 2009) ~ Fightnews.com
Photo by Laura De La Torre

Looking to become a top 5 world contender in the heavyweight division is the WBC #11 ranked and WBC CABOFE champion, Manuel "El Toro" Quezada (27-4, 17 KOs). Standing in Quezada's way is the WBC #17 rated and former NABF Heavyweight Champion, Travis Walker (30-2-1, 25 KOs). Riding a 16-fight winning streak, Quezada puts his title and world ranking on the line when the two warriors take center stage in a twelve round main event, Thursday, July 16 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California.

Quezada, who's under the study of world renowned trainer Joe Goossen, opened his training camp at Goossen's Van Nuys gym. With a little more than a week to go before they step in the ring, Quezada feels confident in his ability to triumph over Walker. "This is the biggest and toughest fight of my career," said Quezada. "I know to win this fight, I'll have to stick to the game plan that Joe provided, and I prepared to do just that. I've been getting great sparring with Malik Scott and Javier Mora preparing for Walker. I don't see this fight going the distance. Someone is going to get knocked out."

The winner of this bout becomes a viable challenger to the world championship.

STAR BOXING ANNOUNCES YOUTH PROGRAM PACKAGE FOR JULY 16TH SHOW AT THE HILTON RYE TOWN HOTEL

Over the past two weeks, Star Boxing has added numerous wins and yet another champion to its roster, but this time it wasn't in Boxing but rather in Baseball.

STAR'S 2007 LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM SHARES RING W/ VINNY MADDALONE

Star Boxing's sponsored baseball team recently captured the Ardsley Little League championship, winning a best out of three series to take home the crown. Following their championship victory, four members of the Star Boxing team joined other eleven and twelve year olds from the league to form the Ardsley Little League's District 20 Team. Last week the team advanced to the District 20 quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory over White Plains. In both games (little league championship and District 20 game), 12 year old Joe DeGuardia, (son of CEO and founder of Star Boxing), pitched no-hitters.

"We are very proud of these teams," stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and founder of Star Boxing "To reward the team and their effort we are giving all the kids on both teams' free tickets to our upcoming show on July 16th at the Hilton Rye Town Hotel. We are also encouraging any and all youth teams and organizations from Westchester County, players and coaches alike, to come join us at our upcoming show."

Players and coaches from any team will receive a 50% discount off the ticket price* In addition, any group that purchases 20 tickets or more will get their picture taken inside the ring with a boxer from the evening's show.

The Star Boxing promoted show features the return of former light heavyweight title challenger, Westchester County's own, David Telesco (29-6-1, 24KO) taking on Newark, New Jersey's William Gill in an eight round light heavyweight contest. There will be five additional fights on the card which will be announced shortly.

*To be eligible for this special offer, group must belong to a Youth organization. Tickets eligible for this discount are the Silver Ringside and Reserved Tickets which are $60 and $40 respectively. Thus, with a minimum purchase order of ten tickets for each group (buy ten tickets, only pay for five). To receive this special discount, tickets must be purchased by July 10th through the Star Boxing office.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Star Boxing's office at (718) 823-2000, or by going online to http://www.starboxing.com/. Or also by Clicking Here: Tickets are priced at $100 for Gold Ringside seating, $60 for Silver Ringside seating, and $40 for general admission. The Hilton Rye Town hotel is located at 699 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, New York, 10573.

Tapia locked up for parole violation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)—Former five-time world champion boxer Johnny Tapia is behind bars again.

The New Mexico Department of Corrections says Tapia was taken into custody and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque on Monday after violating the terms of his parole.

Corrections spokeswoman Tia Bland says Tapia traveled to Red River last weekend without permission from his parole officer. He also entered a bar while in Red River and was involved in some type of verbal confrontation, both violations of his parole.

The boxer was placed on a year of parole in May after a judge determined that he had violated the terms of an earlier release.

Tapia’s most recent legal woes began in 2008 after he pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a near-fatal overdose and was sentenced to probation.

Moreno retains WBA bantamweight title

POITIERS, France (AP)—Anselmo Moreno of Panama has retained his WBA bantamweight title with a split decision over Mahyar Monshipour of France.

Moreno (26-1-1) kept his composure Saturday as Monshipour pressured strongly between the eighth and 10th rounds. Two of the judges scored the bout 116-113 and 116-112 in favor of Moreno, while the third gave the fight to Monshipour 115-113.

Moreno, whose only loss was in 2002, started strongly, catching Monshipour with a left hook in the first round a several sharp jabs in the second.

The Panamanian got caught with a couple of shots, but used his speed and longer reach to keep the Monshipour at bay. The Frenchman fought back beginning in the eighth round, and the crowd at Poitier’s Parc des Expositions were on their feet in the 11th as Monshipour kept charging forward gamely.

Moreno stayed calm and picked him off, and the fighter nicknamed “Little Tyson” could not land enough clean punches to catch up on the scorecards.

The 34-year-old Monshipour (31-4-2) returned to boxing in December, nearly three years after losing his super bantamweight title to Thailand’s Somsak Sithchatchawal in a brutal fight in March 2006.

Prior to his defeat, Monshipour’s comeback had seen him win all three of his fights—against Emiliano Salvini of Italy, Britain’s Sean Hughes and Venezuela’s Felix Machado.