RESULTS: World of Champions Fight Night in Charlotte, NC – October 26, 2013

Four of the seven originally scheduled bouts set for World of Champions Fight Night at CenterStage at Noda in Charlotte, NC took place on Saturday night. According to spectators in attendance, two of the bouts, including the main event, had a packed venue at CenterStage cheering loudly and on their feet.

Prior to the main event, undefeated super middleweight Pablo Velez Jr., who recently relocated from North Carolina and now fights out of Atlanta, met in the ring with former gym and sparring partner Nasser Abdul Malik of Cary, North Carolina. According to author Christian Giudice, who provided a full report for this blog, and was on hand interviewing fighters and commentating on the event, he said that both Velez Jr. and Abdul Malik—yes both!—were hurt in the first round. Velez Jr. later took an eight-count in the second round, but hung on to win a 4 round majority decision. Scores were 39-37, 38-38, and 38-37. Velez Jr. is now 3-0. Abdul Malik falls to 1-2.

On Pablo Velez Jr.’s Facebook, he commented: “It was a fight I made harder for myself than I needed to, partly because I fought against my ex-teammate, who I sparred with hundreds of times and against my ex-coach. However, I out-worked him and got the win.”

The main event may have been an even greater war. Defending his WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight title for the first time, Olanrewaju Durodola of Nigeria, but now making his home in Kansas, is now 17-1 after scoring a KO in Round 6 over Mitch “King Kamm” Williams of Michigan. Christian Giudice referred to the bout as “a vicious fight” and Coach Mike Kane of the Mid-South Boxing Academy, who was in the corner for two of his athletes competing in preliminary amateur boxing exhibitions and remained to watch the pros, stated, “The main event was exciting! Those two guys were really pounding each other hard!” Mitch Williams record falls to 8-4 with two draws as a professional.

In other bouts that evening, the Greek heavyweight fighter Thanasis Michaloudis, now residing in Florida, improves to 4-0 after achieving an easy victory with a 1st round KO over Joseph Harper, of Union, South Carolina. Also, Deandre Smith (now 3-0) of Georgia ended his fight promptly with a 20-second KO over winless Martique Holland of Virginia. Holland is now 0-3.

The following bouts: Jamikey Lamar Woods vs. Julius Stroud, Lavisas Williams vs. Rokeem Shorter, and Jazzy Kirkley vs. James Gooding were cancelled. Jazzy Kirkley, age 51, and who last fought professionally during the 1990s, was scheduled to make his comeback.

Six exhibition amateur bouts took place prior to the professionals. Athletes competing were as follows:

1) Dallas Andrada vs. Alex Evans
2) Steve Massey vs. Jabari Gregory
3) Thomas Ladden vs Alex Finger
4) Jonathan Stamey vs. Reggie Miller
5) Christian Rodriguez vs. Corey Wellons
6) Chris Gladden vs. Andre Mendez

Special thanks to Christian Giudice of Charlotte, North Carolina for his collaboration on this report. Chris is author of The Rise and Fall of Alexis Argüello and also Hands of Stone: The Life and Legend of Roberto Duran. You can visit his website at: http://christiangiudice.com/

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio & Blog
Twitter: @GAR1680

Charlotte Observer Newspaper Article on Mid-South Boxing Academy in N.C.

Here’s a great story on Mid-South Boxing Academy & Fitness, the only certified boxing gym in Concord, North Carolina, with a feature on Coach Mike Kane, Dwight Hunter, and some of the fighters training there: Jamaal Gregory, Alex Finger, Kwame Benson.

Special thanks to Charlotte Observer correspondent, Joe Habina.

CLICK HERE  to see the article

North Carolina BOXING TALK Radio Show - Monday, Sept. 23, 2013

Watch last night's North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show... 

This Show: Recap of First Responders Charity Boxing Event, Carolina's Amateur Boxing Invitational, and fight results for N.C. boxers James "Shotgun" Winchester and Lamar Russ. ** Watch/hear the Joshua "Too-Tuff" Tufte interview from Camp Wladimir Klitschko in Austria where he is sparring with the World Heavyweight Champ. ** Fight results from Greensboro and Winston-Salem this past weekend (Saturday, 9/21). ** Preview of upcoming fights for North Carolina boxers Noel "Shut-Up" Echevarria and Carlette Ewell.

Busy Weekend of Boxing in North Carolina - Winston-Salem and Greensboro - September 21, 2013

     This Saturday, September 21, Walter Johnson Promotions is hosting Ballroom Brawl VII in Greensboro and Ring of Dreams Promotions will feature Fight Night XI in Winston-Salem. In Greensboro, Eli Addison (10-3) of Winston-Salem, but now fighting out of Charlotte, makes his return to the ring. BoxRec currently shows 6 bouts scheduled for the Ring of Dreams event in Winston-Salem. Boxing in both Greensboro and Winston-Salem will be combined with bouts of MMA.

     NOTE: Though originally scheduled, Joshua Tufte and Noel Echevarria will not appear at the Greensboro boxing event. Josh Tufte is still at Camp Klitchko in Austria for sparring sessions with the world champ, and Noel Echevarria has signed for a Fox Sports 1 Monday Night Fights undercard to take place the following week, on September 30.

RESULTS: 2013 Carolina's Amateur Boxing Invitational, Charlotte, N.C. 9/14/2013

13 Bouts. All bouts ended in decision. Boxer’s city/gym is shown if known. Click "WATCH" to see video of the fight.

RESULTS

1) 115lb: Joseph Lenzo (Charlotte/Charlotte Boxing Academy) def. Mario Salinas (Asheboro)
WATCH
2) 155lb: Austin Bryant (Wilson) def. Luis Martinez (Winston-Salem) WATCH
3) 135lb: Kenneth Nixon (Lincolnton) def. Jeremy Stokes (Charlotte/Charlotte Boxing Academy) WATCH
4) 147lb: Corey Montgomery (Charlotte/Charlotte Boxing Academy) def. Jeremy Johnson (Winston-Salem) WATCH
5) 102lb: McKayla Ard (Rockingham/Dungeon Boxing Club) def. Kimberly Pittman (Wilson) WATCH
6) 165lb: Bruce McPhail (Raleigh) def. Johnathan Starney (Charlotte/University Boxing) WATCH
7) 180lb: Thomas Landon (Charlotte/Charlotte Boxing Academy) def. Freddie Mercado (Charlotte/Dyme Boxing & Fitness) - The 3rd round ended early, halted by referee due to injury and bleeding from Mercado's nose, and went to the score cards. WATCH
8) 149lb: Daniel Mendoza (Winston-Salem) def. Christopher Gladden (Charlotte/Charlotte Boxing Academy) WATCH
9) 201lb: Myles Smith (Charlotte/Dyme Boxing & Fitness) def. David Palomar (Asheboro) WATCH
10) 158lb: James Burke (Huntersville) def. Mikhail Makarova (Indian Trail/Dyme Boxing & Fitness) WATCH 
11) 125lb: DaQuan Blair (Winston-Salem) def. Vit Y (Charlotte) WATCH
12) 165lb: Vardges Vardanyan (Charlotte/Dyme Boxing & Fitness) def. Michael White (Charlotte/Charlotte Boxing Academy) WATCH
13) 145lb: Jamell Brown (Rockingham/Dungeon Boxing Club) def. Jamaal Gregory (Charlotte-Concord/Mid-South Boxing Academy) WATCH
 
Paco Rivera, GAR1680
Twitter: @GAR1680

Great Story on North Carolina's Undefeated Heavyweight Joshua "Too Tuff" Tufte - Winston-Salem Journal Newspaper

See it HERE

North Carolina BOXING TALK Radio Show - Monday, Sept. 2, 2013

Watch last night's North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show...

Time: 22:03

This Show: A report on North Carolina boxer, Eli Addison, who returns to the ring for a fight on September 21 after a six year layoff. - Undefeated Kernersville heavyweight Joshua "Too-Tuff" Tufte goes to Austria to spar with the heavyweight champion OF THE WORLD. You will also hear Fayetteville's fast-rising up-and-coming boxer, Lamar Russ, who talks about sparring with another world champion. A preview of the Greensboro Boxing event this month. - There's even a discussion about the Floyd Mayweather--Canelo Alvarez fight coming up in two weeks, and a lot more about the North Carolina boxing scene!

North Carolina BOXING TALK Radio Show - Monday, August 26, 2013

Watch last night's North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show...

Time: 18:49

This Show: North Carolina super-middleweight on the rise, Lee Campbell, remains undefeated after defeating an undefeated fighter on the opponent's home turf in Mississippi. - A recap of the Champions East Promotions boxing event in Wilson, North Carolina this past Saturday, August 24 (not all results in yet). - Jared "The Quiet Storm" Robinson (14-0) who fights out of Charlotte, NC is in Germany to spar with a former champ, helping him get his title back. - Reminder about Coach Al Simpson's "First Responders" Boxing Charity event coming up in September.

North Carolina BOXING TALK Radio Show - Monday, August 19, 2013

Time: 24:25

Watch a recording of last night's North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show (Monday, August 19, 2013).

THIS SHOW: Recap of World of Champions Promotions boxing event at Centerstage at Noda in Charlotte this past Saturday (8/17/2013). Jared "The Quiet Storm Robinson and Quinton Rankin get KO wins. * Met with veteran pro boxer, Louis Monaco, at ringside. Moving his career from Denver to North Carolina. * How to get DVD of Charlotte boxing event. * John "Spidey" Williams loss in Atlantic City, but he'll come back stronger. * Kernersville, North Carolina undefeated heavyweight Joshua "Too Tuff" Tufte wins over the weekend. * Coach Al Simpson holds "First Responders" Charity Boxing Event in Charlotte next month in memory of 9/11. Police, Firefighters, Sheriffs, and Highway Patrol to box each other for charity. * Champions East promotional company to feature pro boxing event in Wilson, N.C. this coming Saturday. Undefeated Noel "Shut-Up" Echevarria of Winston-Salem on the card.

RESULTS: World of Champions Boxing Event, Centerstage at Noda, Charlotte, NC – 8/17/2013

On Saturday, Bellonora McCallum and World of Champions Promotions featured professional boxing at Centerstage at Noda in Charlotte. Seven bouts were presented in a packed venue of approximately 300 fans, nearly all of them often loudly expressing excitement throughout the evening at the highly entertaining fights.

In the first bout of the evening, Jerry Couzens (1-2) of Florida won his first professional fight after defeating Nathan Francis (4-7) of Illinois by 1st round TKO. The fight was halted by referee Bill Clancy at 1:11.

Next was Tayshawn Autry of Garland, North Carolina, who remains winless with a record of 0-6 after being defeated by a tactful, quick-handed, and hard-punching fighter out of New Jersey, Joshua Reyes, whose record improves to 5-1. The ring doctor checked Autry in the corner following the end of the third round and determined that he may have sustained a broken rib. Result: TKO at 3:00 of Round 3. Note: BoxRec.com shows incorrect stoppage of "Round 1".

Two heavyweights making their debut were Todd Miller (0-1) of North Carolina and Thanasis Michaloudis (1-0), a Greek fighter now residing in the U.S. Miller entered the ring weighing 265 pounds and was clearly overmatched by a more skillful Michaloudis. Miller appeared to be gasping for air midway through the first round and in one instant fell from apparent exhaustion and went through the ropes. He managed to get back up and into the ring to complete the round, but the bout was halted by referee Donnie Jessup at :43 of the 2nd round.

In the fourth fight of the evening, Jeremy Yelton of Forest City, North Carolina was stopped by 2nd round KO, occurring at 2:04, by Thomas Lamanna of New Jersey.

Darryl Johnson (0-4) of Columbia, South Carolina went the distance, toughed it out, and fought back well in spurts in the scheduled four-round bout, but came up short against his opponent from Ohio, Paul Parker, who remains undefeated with a record of 5-0. Parker won by unanimous decision with judges scoring it 39-37, 40-36, 40-35.

In the co-main event of the night, as expected, Jared “The Quiet Storm” Robinson of Charlotte, who is not only undefeated with a record of 14-0, but also considered one of North Carolina’s best fighters and likely a future world champion, easily defeated his opponent, Jahaad Wingfield, by TKO at 1:36 of the 1st round. Wingfield’s record drops to 1-9-1.

In the main event it was Quinton Rankin, also of Charlotte, who hadn’t fought since June 2012 after injuring his hand that year. He later aggravated the injury while sparring with world champion Andre Ward during Ward’s training in California. Yet Rankin came back to the ring in impressive fashion and looking very sharp. And without a hint of ring rust. Rankin now fights under the tutelage of his trainer, Carilius Reese, who is assuring that “Q”, as Quinton Rankin is known to all, will see nothing but wins added to his record for some time to come. Rankin fired accurate punches at a very tough opponent, Jamil Gadsden (0-3), and was able to wear him down, stopping the boxer from New Jersey by KO at 2:34 of round 3.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk
Twitter: GAR1680

Professional Boxing in Charlotte this Weekend - Saturday, August 17

Charlotte boxing promoter Bellonora McCallum and World of Champions Promotions will feature a boxing event in Charlotte on Saturday, August 17, 2013. North Carolina fighters appearing on the card will be undefeated Jared "The Quiet Storm" Robinson (13-0) of Charlotte and Quinton "Da Fighter" Rankin (5-2), also from Charlotte.

The bouts will take place at Centerstage at Noda, 2315 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC.

Get a discount on advance tickets at the World of Champions website. Go here: WOCBoxing.com.

A Visit to Mid-South Boxing Academy in Concord, NC

What I really like about this place is the really old-fashion boxing gym look, especially the building it’s located in. The gym is on the second floor. The building is about 120 years old, once a factory mill a long time ago. Going up the stairs I get the feeling of going back in time. A very nostalgic feeling! And a great place for MMA or Boxing training!

If you are in the Concord-Kannapolis area, I highly recommend you visit and see Mike Kane.

Mid-South Boxing, LLC
625 Main Street
Concord, North Carolina 28025

Tel. (704) 960-8878

Click on any image to enlarge

 

Owner: Mike Kane

John “Spidey” Williams heads to Atlantic City for HBO Televised Event and Title Bout

John “Spidey the Boxing Poet” Williams (11-2-1)

I walked into the Dyme Boxing & Fitness gym in Charlotte and immediately saw one of its fighters, who in recent years has also become a friend.  John “Spidey the Boxing Poet” Williams approached me with a smile as I greeted him by saying, “Hey, Spidey, what’s going on?” I reached out for his hand to shake it.

Spidey grasped my hand hard and very loudly replied, “Just the biggest fight of my life!”

Spidey will soon be traveling to Atlantic City for an HBO televised event and taking on a formidable opponent, Yordenis Ugas, the Cuban fighter and Olympian now residing in Miami. Aside from winning a gold medal at the 2005 World Amateur Boxing Championships when he was 19, and then winning gold at the 2007 Pan American Games, Ugas also captured the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the lightweight division.

As a professional, 27-year-old Ugas is now 14-0, with half of those wins (7) coming by way of knockout or TKO. His only loss was by the skin of his teeth, a split-decision defeat to Johnny Garcia back in March of 2012. One judge gave it to Ugas, while the other two had it 76-75 for Garcia in the eight-round bout.

If there is any reason to believe that Ugas’ boxing skills is suspect as a professional, it is that most of his opponents thus far have had poor records, with the exception of the only boxer he lost to, Garcia, who was 11-0 at the time and is currently 16-1.

Though the same may be said of Spidey’s opponent’s records, he hasn’t had much of an opportunity to fight outside of the North Carolina club fights scene. Until now.

Spidey’s first of his two losses was to Demetrius Andrade five years ago in 2009 when Andrade was 6-0. Not only does Andrade remain undefeated today with a record of 19-0, he was scheduled this month for a title shot in a match that got cancelled. He will be fighting for the WBO light-middleweight title in September. It may be said that “the wrong opponent” was matched against Spidey too early in the North Carolinian’s career.

Spidey’s only other loss was a six-round majority decision defeat to Andre Baker in 2011, a loss that was satisfied by redemption the following year when Spidey defeated Baker in the rematch, in February 2012, with a unanimous decision win.

Spidey shook his head at me and expressed how wildly the situation has progressed in his upcoming Atlantic City bout. “First it was scheduled for six rounds,” he said. “Then eight rounds. And now it’s set for ten rounds!” After a pause he continued, “And they added the [vacant] WBC Intercontinental belt to the fight! But, hey, I’m ready. And we got a game plan.”

By “we”, Spidey was obviously referring to his team at the Dyme, which includes his trainer and one of boxing’s best coaches, James Pressley. Others training at Dyme Boxing & Fitness under the tutelage of Pressley include undefeated light-welterweight Jared “The Quiet Storm” Robinson (13-0), former world champion Tavoris Cloud (24-1), heavyweight Hassan Lee (5-3), and a slew of amateur athletes that have had great success in tournaments. Nearly every one of Pressley’s boxing athletes won his bout in this year’s State Golden Gloves Championships in Charlotte.

Spidey, who is 29 years old and also a published poet, may have summed it up for his fans with a recent comment on his Facebook page:

“August 17 my first title shot…I’m bringing that belt home to Charlotte!...When I get it, good luck in getting it back!”


Paco River, GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio & Blog
Twitter: @GAR1680

Note: There are seven bouts thus far scheduled for the boxing event on August 17, 2013 in Atlantic City, New Jersey with the main event that of Daniel Geale vs. Darren Barker. It is unknown at this time if John “Spidey” Williams vs. Yordenis Ugas will be one of the undercard bouts that get televised by HBO.

Spidey Williams can be followed on Twitter @SpideyWilliams

Charity Boxing Event in Charlotte, Sept. 13/14. Police, Firefighters, Sheriffs, N.C. Highway Patrol to Fight Each Other

UPDATE, AUGUST 8, 2013: Coach Al has stated that the charity boxing event will be held on Friday, September 13th only. On Saturday, September 14th the Carolina's Boxing Invitational will take place at the Revolution Park Sports Academy, 1225 Remount Rd., Charlotte, NC, 28255 (location of the Charlotte Boxing Academy) beginning at 4:00PM. Also, Coach Al regrets that the words "Inaugural" and "Sheriff" were misspelled on the flyer. New flyers are being made with the corrections.


Received the following announcement and attachment from Coach Al Simpson of the Charlotte Boxing Academy:

Hello. I hope you have been doing well and finding time to be with family during this rainy summer! This is our next event in Sept. (see attachment). The event is in honor and memory of 9/11 and 1st responders (police, sheriff, fire and highway patrol), which this year falls on a Tuesday, but the event will be held on that Fri/Sat. This is a charity event where the prize awards will go to selected local charities. Example: 1st place $500, 2nd place $400, 3rd place $300 and 4th place team $200. Each will receive a team trophy, but the money will go to their choice of charity. So it will be 4 people from each dept. (police, sheriff, fire, and highway patrol), and they will box each other in 1min-3rds, with safety headgears and gloves on (need to avoid injuries and keep it safe as possible, but fun!). If you have any thoughts please let me know! Always trying to show the kids to do positive things in the community! Can also do a winter coat or food drive! - Coach Al Simpson.

Cost: 5-14 years $5.00 / 15 years and up $10

*

This is a very worthwhile event for our community. Please share this post with friends, your Facebook, Twitter, etc. 

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio & Blog
Twitter: GAR1680

RESULTS: Boxing In Ruffin, North Carolina for June 28, 2013

Note: Sorry about the delay with this posting.

On Friday, June 28, Lucky Punch Promotions (based in Virginia) featured a professional boxing event at the Lera's Baile Mexicano venue (Club Lera) in Ruffin, North Carolina. A total of 12 bouts took place that evening with seven fighters from North Carolina appearing on the card (two were matched against each other). Of the seven North Carolina boxers, four achieved wins and three were defeated. Following are the results of those bouts:

James "Shotgun" Winchester (now 16-8) of Reidsville, NC wins by TKO(4) over  Eric Burke (6-30-3) of Ohio.

Kareem Millner (1-1) of Eden, North Carolina wins by TKO(3) over Christopher Baynes (0-3) of Reidsville, NC.

Ernest Blackwell (1-0) of Reidsville, NC wins in his pro debut by TKO(1) over Damion Reed (2-12-1) of Virginia.

Tyson Harrison (1-0) of Greensboro, NC wins in his pro debut by UD(4) over Teron Walker (0-3) of Virginia.

Jovan Francois (6-0) of Trinidad And Tobago wins by KO(2) over Vashon Allen (0-2) of Wilson, NC.

Joel Shojgreen (7-0) of Brooklyn, New York wins by UD(4) over Franklin Edmondson (14-38-1) of Durham, North Carolina.

In other results:

Joshua Robertson (5-1, Virgina) wins by UD(6) over John Micheal Terry (4-28-3; Virgina).

Courtney Pennington (6-0; Brooklyn, N.Y.) wins by SD(6) over Marcus Brooks "Marcos Molina" (7-13; Georgia).

Bobby "The Kid Bam" Hornsby (8-0; Georgia) wins by UD(6) over John Willoughby (3-21; Alabama).

Nathan Francis (4-6-1; Illinois) wins by KO(1) over Donny Miller (2-17; West Virginia).

Blair Cobbs (1-0; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) wins by KO(1) over Martique Holland (0-2; Virginia).

Drew Correll (1-0; Virginia) wins by TKO(1) over Tyshae Ferguson (0-1; Virginia).


Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk Radio & Blog
Twitter: GAR1680

Champions East Boxing makes it's Return in 2013 in Wilson, North Carolina on 8/24/2013

The Champions East promotional company will feature a boxing event in Wilson, North Carolina on Saturday, August 24, 2013 that will take place at the Recreation Park Community Center.

Scheduled on the card from North Carolina are Noel "Shut-Up" Echevarria (11-0) of Winston-Salem, and Rodney "Fremont Vet" Green (7-7-1) of Wilson.

Champions East last held an event in Wilson on April 28, 2012 that took place at the Recreation Park Community Center. There were nine bouts on the card that included 7 fighters from North Carolina, all which lost that evening and remain winless to this day.

Samuel Tomlin (now 0-3; Wilson, N.C.),  Anthony Crawley (0-2; Wilson),  Aaron Williams (0-4; Kinston),  Shakeel Creech (0-2; Wilson),  Anthony Ashe (0-2; Wilson),  Dontterreus Rogers (0-2; Wilson),  and  Milton Rogers (0-2; Wilson).

The card had also featured identical twin brothers boxers (Scott and Deano Burrell) from Brooklyn, New York. Scott defeated Ashe and Deano defeated Dontterreus Rogers that night.




Paco Rivera, GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio & Blog
Twitter: @GAR1680

Anthony “The Tyger” Hanshaw vs. Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell on Showtime, July 27, 2013

Kernersville, North Carolina super-middleweight Anthony “The Tyger” Hanshaw (23-3-2) will face Anthony Dirrell (25-0) of Flint, Michigan on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The event will be televised by Showtime Network.

Ten months after a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Roy Jones Jr., in May 2008 Hanshaw fought Anthony’s older brother Andre Dirrell (undefeated at the time) in a Showtime main event bout that appeared to have Hanshaw winning every round until he was knocked down as the bell ending the 4th round sounded. He was then TKO’d in the 5th. That bout seemed to be marred by incorrect knockdown calls by the referee. In the first round Andre Dirrell was clearly seen being knocked down by Hanshaw punches, but it was ruled a slip (no-knockdown). At the end of the 4th round, Hanshaw’s knockdown looked more like Andre pushing him to the canvas.

While Andre has since suffered a loss to Carl Froch (in 2009), his brother Anthony remains undefeated, yet hasn’t fought any highly ranked opponents, or anyone with the experience and exceptional ring record that Hanshaw has.

Anthony Hanshaw vs. Anthony Dirrell appears to be set as the first fight of the evening of four Showtime televised bouts with the main event featuring welterweights Andre Berto of Florida vs. Jesus Soto Karass of California in a scheduled 12 round match.

Also on the card will be Omar Figueroa vs. Nihito Arakawa and Diego Chaves vs. Keith Thurman.


Paco Rivera, GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio & Blog
Twitter: @GAR1680

The Inn at Greensboro Airport Boxing Results for July 13, 2013

Going the 10-round distance for the first time in his career, undefeated NABA-USA and USBO heavyweight champ Joshua "Too Tuff" Tufte, now 13-0, defeated Jonte "Rock Steady" Willis (10-5-1) of Tacoma, Washington by split decision in a tough-fought bout. Scores were 97-93 and 96-94 for Tufte and 97-93 for Willis.

Fans reacted with boos after hearing the score one judge gave Willis and reports indicate that Willis later approached Tufte following the fight to humbly acknowledge the winner as the better fighter.

The bout between Noel "Shut-Up" Echevarria (11-0) of Winston-Salem vs. Luis Rosario for the vacant UNBC America's lightweight title was cancelled for reasons unknown.

In other results:

Meegal Harper (8-0) of Chicago wins by UD(6) over Andre Baker (10-38-2) of Lumberton, North Carolina.

Maurice Chalmers (9-11-1) of Lynchburg, Virginia wins by UD(6) over Jason Wahr (1-8-3) of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Perry Ballard (23-2-1) of Martinsburg, West Virginia wins by TKO(1) over Booker Mullins (3-12) of Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Orin George (3-0) of Guyana wins by TKO(1) over Jimmie Speight (0-1) of Wilson, North Carolina. Speight was making his professional debut.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio & Blog
Twitter: @GAR1680

Coming this Weekend: Boxing in Greensboro - Saturday, July 13 2013

Note: Noel Echevarria's name is misspelled and Jonte Willis' record is incorrect in this promotional poster.

Fayetteville Crown Center Coliseum Boxing Results for July 5, 2013

Just four of the 10 scheduled bouts took place at the Fayetteville Crown Center Coliseum on Friday, July 5th. Only one boxer from North Carolina appeared on the card (Christian Daniels), who was making his debut.


Jonathon Steele of Texas knocked out Christian Daniels (of Wilson, N.C) in the second round.

Aaron Pryor Jr. (Ohio) wins by 2nd Round KO over Mickey Scarborough (Missouri).

Brandon Bennett (Ohio) defeated Arturo Santiago Ramos (Puerto Rico) by unanimous decision in 6-round bout.

Rau'shee Warren (Ohio) defeated Jesus Bayron (Puerto Rico) by unanimous decision in 6-round bout.

Special thanks to B. Knox on Twitter (‏@THAREALBKNOX) for contributing results.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio & Blog
Twitter: @GAR1680

Fayetteville Observer Article about N.C. Middleweight Lamar Russ

Rising middleweight star Lamar Russ readies for Fayetteville homecoming, potential next step

Click Here to read article at FayObserver.com

North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show; Thursday, July 4, 2013

This Show: Boxing in Greensboro, July 13th, will feature two of North Carolina’s best undefeated fighters, Josh Tufte and Noel Echevarria, each in title bouts. * R&R Promotions brings 10-bout card to Fayetteville; 20 fighters, but how many from North Carolina…and who? * James “Shotgun” Winchester wins by KO in Ruffin boxing event, but what else happened in Ruffin? * Special thanks to Raleigh, North Carolina female prizefighter Yvonne Caples for her email; hear what Yvonne has to say about women’s boxing in our state. * Our only N.C. guy at the 2013 Junior Olympic National Championships in Alabama was a no-show. * Press Release just in: Adrien Broner and R&R Promotions giving complimentary tickets to all military for Friday's "Independence Explosion" fight card in Fayetteville.

Note: I misspoke near the end of the show when reading the press release. Rau'shee Warren will be fighting Jesus Bayron, not Raynell Williams, who will fight in a different bout (and different weight division). 

Listen to internet radio with GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk on BlogTalkRadio

All Fight Matchups Set for this Friday, July 5th in Fayetteville - See List

The matchups are set for the “Independence Explosion” boxing event to be held at the Crown Center in Fayetteville this Friday, July 5th.


4 rounds/145 lbs.: Jonathon Steele (0-0; Dallas, Texas; US Marine based at Camp Lejeune, N.C) vs. Christian Daniels (0-0; Wilson, N.C.) - Both Steele and Daniels are making their debut.
 
4 rounds/133 lbs. Raynell Williams (0-0; Cleveland, Ohio) vs. Dwight Ellis (0-0; Wilson, N.C.) -  Both fighters making their debut. Williams is a 2008 Olympian.

6 rounds/145 lbs.: William Jackson (10-1; Cincinnati, Ohio) vs. Trenton Titsworth (6-16-2; Omaha, Nebraska)

4 rounds/135 lbs.: Jamel Herring (4-0; Cincinnati, Ohio; US Marine based at Camp Lejeune, N.C) vs. Theodore Jones (0-0; Wilson, N.C.) – Herring is a 2012 Olympian. Jones is making his debut.

6 rounds/168 lbs.: Aaron Pryor Jr. (16-7; Cincinnati, Ohio) vs. Mickey Scarborough (6-6; Kansas City, Mo.)

6 rounds/160 lbs.: Lamar Russ (13-0; Wilmington, N.C.) vs. Julio Garcia (6-4; Boston, Mass.)

6 rounds/135 lbs.: Robert Easter Jr. (5-0; Toledo, Ohio) vs. Miguel Rodriguez (1-5; Philadelphia, Pa.) – Easter Jr. is a 2012 Olympian.

6 rounds/131 lbs.: Brandon Bennett (15-0; Cincinnati, Ohio) vs. Arturo Santiago Ramos (7-7-1; San Juan, Puerto Rico)

6 rounds/Heavyweight: Dominic Breazeale (5-0; Anaheim, California) vs. Jimmy Suarez (2-4; San Juan, Puerto Rico) – Breazeale is a 2012 Olympian.

6 rounds/118 lbs.: Rau'shee Warren (5-0; Cincinnati, Ohio) vs. Jesus Bayron (5-7; San Juan, Puerto Rico) - Warren  is a 3-time Olympian.

The public is also welcome to attend weigh-ins beginning at noon on Friday at Huske Hardware House, 405 Hay St., Fayetteville, NC, 28301.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 N.C. Boxing Talk Radio & Blog
Twitter: @GAR1680

North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Rescheduled for Thursday, July 4, for this Week

The North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show has been moved to Thursday for just this week. There will be a lot discussed about recent and upcoming events, such as Fayetteville, Greensboro, and more.

So, be sure to have your smart phones tuned in to our BlogTalkRadio Channel, and turned up loud while you’re out there enjoying 4th of July cookouts!

This Thursday, July 4th, starting at 6:30PM. - Find us here: http://tobtr.com/s/5068383

North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show; Monday, June 24, 2013

This Show: Your host Paco Rivera discusses the participation of women in boxing in our state. * Did anyone know about the upcoming boxing event in Raleigh on Friday, June 14th? * Greensboro boxing event on Saturday, June 22nd cancelled. * Ruffin event June 14 moved to June 28. * Boxing programs in colleges and trying to bring the NCBA (National Collegiate Boxing Association) tournament to North Carolina. * 2013 Junior Olympic National Championships in Alabama has just one athlete from North Carolina competing (TreQuan Whitley).

Special Mentions

Walter Johnson, Josh Tufte, Noel Echevarria, Coach Al Simpson, Dungeon Boxing Club, Shawn Stinson, McKayla Ard, Kimberly Pittman, Brittany Winburn, Holly Wantuch, Port City Boxing, Antoinette Smith, Shaniqua Marshall, Lateshia Darden, Coach Andre, Adrien Broner, Pauli Malignaggi, Richie Rivers, James Winchester, "Blake L" (Twitter: @ToyBullDog), UNC Carolina Boxing, Junior Olympic National Championships, TreQuan Whitley.

2013 Junior Olympic National Championships in Alabama - Trequan Whitley, Red Springs, N.C. to Compete

        The 2013 Junior Olympic National Championships will be taking place at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama beginning this Wednesday, June 26. The competition runs through Saturday the 29th.

Thus far, 202 male and female athletes between the ages of 15 and 16 from around the country are registered to compete. Just one is from North Carolina; flyweight (110 pounds) Trequam Whitley of Red Springs, N.C. [Note: it appears the athlete's name was misspelled in tournament registry. Other sources show his name as TreQuan Whitley of Raeford, North Carolina.]
 
Winners of the tournament may go on to represent the U.S. in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 N.C. Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

click image to enlarge

UPDATE: JUNE 26, 2013

Result for Thursday, June 26, 2013 Junior Olympic National Championships, Alabama

110 pounds/male: Bruce Carrington of Brooklyn, N.Y. won on walkover over TreQuan Whitley of Red Springs, N.C.

Win by Walkover: Where the boxer presents themselves in the ring fully attired for boxing and the opponent fails to appear after the opponent’s name has been called out by the public address system, the bell sounded and a maximum period of two minutes has elapsed, the referee shall declare the first boxer to be the winner by a walkover. The referee shall first inform the judges to mark their score cards accordingly, collect them and then summon the boxer to the center of the ring. After the decision is announced, the referee raises the boxer’s hand as the winner.

On Monday’s Radio Show: Boxing Women of North Carolina – June 24 on BlogTalkRadio

On our next North Carolina Boxing Talk radio show on BlogTalkRadio, your host Paco Rivera will be discussing the participation of women in boxing in our state.

Also, did anyone know about the upcoming boxing event in Raleigh on Friday, June 14th?

Greensboro boxing event on Saturday, June 22nd cancelled.

Ruffin, NC event June 14 moved to June 28.

Boxing programs in colleges and trying to bring the NCBA (National Collegiate Boxing Association) tournament to North Carolina.

Don’t miss it! Monday, June 24. 6:30PM on Blog Talk Radio. GO HERE TO LISTEN

Will be taking calls during the show.

The GAR1680 LIVE Chat Room will open at 5:30pm (1 hour before show starts) – Find Chat Room link button on this blog site (upper right column).

*

Following is a video called: “Extraordinary People: Girls with Gloves Knock out Stereotype”.

A really wonderful piece about some North Carolina women training out of Port City Boxing in Wilmington. Learn how some young women such as Antoinette Smith, Shaniqua Marshall, and two-time Golden Gloves champion Lateshia Darden, all whom train at Port City under the tutelage of Coach Andre, have turned their life into something positive with their boxing training and skills.

*

Following is the portion of an article published by Richmond County Daily Journal. Note: this will also be mentioned during the GAR1680 Boxing Talk radio show.

Brittany Winburn           -           McKayla Ard

Boxers victorious in Wilmington

WILMINGTON — Two members of the Dungeon Boxing Club pulled out wins during the North Carolina Invitational Saturday [June 1st] in Wilmington.

McKayla Ard improved to 2-1 in her career with a victory over Kimberly Pittman from Wilson. Ard was awarded the win when the referee stopped the bout in the second round. Brittany Winburn defeated Raleigh’s Holly Wantuch by unanimous decision.

To read the full Richmond County Daily Journal article by correspondent Shawn Stinson, go HERE.

RESULTS: Boxing at The Ritz in Raleigh, N.C. – Friday, June 14, 2013

FINAL RESULTS AT THE RITZ (RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA), FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013

Promoter: Walter Johnson Promotions

Two North Carolina fighters appeared on the card. Others flew in from as far away as Latvia and Greece.

Cruiserweight Julius “K.O.B” Fogle (17-8) of Cary, North Carolina defeated Tiwon Taylor (26-24-1) of Las Vegas, Nevada by TKO in Round 3.

Making his debut in the heavyweight division, Evgenios Lazaridis (1-0) of Athens, Greece defeated Brandon Bowens (0-3) of Wilson, North Carolina by TKO in Round 1.

Heavyweight Mairis Briedis (9-0) of Riga, Latvia defeated Jonathan Felton (6-27-1) of Virginia by TKO in Round 2.

Middleweight Deandre Neal (9-0) of Columbia, South Carolina defeated Delvin Gist (0-2), also of South Carolina.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

GAR1680 Presents Video Collage of North Carolina's Top Fighters

Fox Sports to Broadcast Last May’s National Golden Gloves Event from Salt Lake City - Darnell Price Competed

Sgt. Darnell Price, Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Just one boxer from North Carolina made it to the nation's biggest amateur boxing event.

Darnell Price advanced to the National Golden Gloves Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah (in May, 2013) after successfully winning his matches in the Southern Regional Golden Gloves Tournament (in April, 2013) in Knoxville, Tennessee. And before that, the State's Golden Gloves Championship event in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Price was fighting out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, but representing the Washington D.C. team in Salt Lake City.

In the 201 lbs. quarter-finals on Thursday, May 17, Price decisioned Bryan Daniels of New England and advanced to the semi- finals.

In the other quarter-final bout that day, Earl Newman of New York Metro decisioned Demarkus Minter of Cleveland, Ohio.

In the 201 lbs. semi-finals on Friday, May 18, Darnell Price lost to Joshua Temple of St. Louis, Missouri by RSC (Referee Stops Contest).

In the championship finals the following day (Saturday, May 19), Joshua Temple then lost to Earl Newman. Newman won the National Golden Gloves Champion title in the 201 lb. division.

The Fox Sports Carolinas Network will broadcast the event that took place in Salt Lake City this Saturday, June 22 at 2:00PM and again at 9:00PM.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680 

Darnell Price vs. Esau Eatman; 2013 Golden Gloves State Finals, Charlotte, North Carolina
Recorded and edited by GAR1680 Boxing Talk

Matchmaker Seeks Opponents for Fayetteville, N.C. Boxing Event July 5, 2013

The following list of boxers are scheduled for a professional boxing event July 5, 2013 at the Crown Center Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Promoter: Andrew Williams, R&R Promotions.

The matchmaker (Denise DuBose-LaGuidice) is seeking opponents.

Managers, promoters, boxers can bid here: http://phpmyadmin.makeafight.com/ - Scroll down to Crown Center, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Lamar Russ (13-0; Wilmington, North Carolina)  Middleweight/160-160 lbs.  vs. TBA Rounds 8

Jonathan Steele (0-0; Camp Lejeune, N.C.)  DEBUT  Welterweight/145-145 lbs.  vs. TBA Rounds 4

Brandon Bennett (15-0; Cincinnati, Ohio)  Lightweight/131-132 lbs.  vs. TBA Rounds 8

Raynell Williams (0-0; Cleveland, Ohio)  DEBUT  Lightweight/133-133 lbs.  vs. TBA Rounds 4

William Jackson (10-1-1; Cincinnati, Ohio)  Welterweight/145-145 lbs.  vs. TBA Rounds 6

Dominic Breazeale ( 5-0; Anaheim, California)  Heavyweight/>200 lbs.  vs. TBA Rounds 6

Robert Easter (4-0; Cincinnati, Ohio)  Junior-Welterweight/135-136 lbs.  vs. TBA Rounds 6
Note: Easter also fights June 22, 2013 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

Jamel Herring (3-0; Coram, New York)  Junior-Welterweight/135-136 lbs.  vs. TBA Rounds 6

Rau'shee Warren (4-0; Cincinnati, Ohio)  Junior-Featherweight/118-119 lbs.  vs. TBA Rounds 6

Aaron Pryor Jr. (16-7; Cincinnati, Ohio)  Light-Heavyweight/168-170 lbs.  vs. TBA Rounds 8


Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

Fayetteville, N.C. Boxing Event to Include “some of North Carolina’s top talent” on Friday, July 5, 2013

S P E C I A L   R E P O R T

          R&R Promotions, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, will feature a boxing event in the City of Fayetteville in North Carolina on Friday, July 5, 2013. The event will take place at the Crown Coliseum as part of the Independence Day festivities and has been billed as “Independence Explosion Friday Night Fights!” to start at 7:00PM.

According to a report posted on boxingnews24.com, “…fighters will be announced shortly, including some of North Carolina’s top talent.”

Also, current WBC Lightweight World Champion, Adrien Broner, and former world champion Aaron Pryor are expected to be “on hand” during the event “greeting fans and signing autographs”.

To purchase tickets, visit the Crown Coliseum site here: http://www.crowncoliseum.com/


Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

Results for N.C. Boxers at EchoStage Lounge, Washington, D.C. June 8, 2013

Two North Carolina boxers appeared on the card at the EchoStage Lounge boxing event in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 8, 2013.

The following was copied from a story by Gary Digital Williams of the Boxing along the Beltway Blog.

White Plains, MD lightweight Terron "Kid" Grant stopped Joseph Dixon of North Carolina at 1:47 [of the first round].  Grant is 6-0, four KO's while Dixon is 0-4.

DC featherweight Marcus Bates dropped Joshua Hinnant of [Wilson] North Carolina with a right hand that eventually forced Hinnant to give up the bout at 1:34 [of the first round].  Both boxers made their pro debuts.


To see the full story of the event go here: http://boxingalongthebeltway.blogspot.com/2013/06/recap-from-dc.html

Coming this Weekend: Boxing in Greensboro - June 22, 2013

UPDATE 6/21/2013: GREENSBORO EVENT CANCELLED

Rescheduled for July 13, 2103.

         click image to enlarge

For tickets CLICK HERE

Note: Noel Echevarria's name is misspelled and Jonte Willis' record is incorrect in this promotional poster.

Greensboro Live Magazine Interview with N.C. Fighter, James “Shotgun” Winchester

Below is an excellent article found on Greensboro, North Carolina light-middleweight James “Shotgun” Winchester (15-8), who will be hoping to end a 5-loss skid this Friday (6/14/2013) when he faces Eric Burke (6-29-3) of Ohio. (Update 6/15/2013): The event in Ruffin has been postponed until June 28. See details at top of blog).

“Shotgun” Winchester will appear on a card featured by Lucky Punch Promotions (based in Virginia), and is one of five North Carolina fighters scheduled that evening. The event will take place at the Lera's Baile Mexicano venue in Ruffin, North Carolina.

Following is the Greensboro Live Magazine story and a video interview of James “Shotgun” Winchester posted on YouTube where you will hear him speak of his hopes for a better life, while fighting his way “out of the hood” and release from prison, to become a better husband and father to his children. He was interviewed by Nikeema Lee. 

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 N.C. Boxing Talk 
Twitter: @GAR1680

Greensboro Live Magazine - http://gsolive.com

Cover Story: Shotgun’s Redemption

When I first met James “Shotgun” Winchester I thought to myself, this guy can’t be a boxer. He’s small and has no weight to him. Boy, was I wrong. With one word I sustained an instant TKO, not by his fist, but by the power in his heart.

Shotgun’s will to survive the streets of Reidsville, NC was like a Tyson right as he recalled his life in and around crack houses. Delivering body blow after body blow, he described the circumstances that landed him in prison at the age of 15 and facing a 10 year sentence for murder. He’d work the body, and then jab and go back to the body while telling his story of how getting out of prison the first time only landed him back for another attempted murder charge.

Man, just when I thought I was about to hit the canvass, he pinned me to the ropes with his tale of triumph. Telling me of lessons he learned from fight promoters and how he’d known he had to make a change in his life; not only for himself, but for his beautiful wife and three sons. It wasn’t until he told me he was 34 years old and still had more fight in him that I threw in the towel, pleaded for my life, and begged for mercy.

“Shotgun” Winchester is more than just a boxer out of Reidsville. He’s a product. He’s a showpiece of a small town that proves no matter what you go through, that you can make the best out of life if only you try. Here‘s his story.


Greensboro Live: James, tell us a little bit about yourself. I know you’re from the triad area.
James “Shotgun” Winchester: Yes! I’m from Reidsville, NC. I come from a childhood of living in the streets. I’m trying to do something positive for me, my kids plus people who are trying to do good things in life.

GL: How was it growing up in Reidsville?
JW: It was rough. I grow up in the hood, living near crack houses. Living a life that landed me in prison at the age of 15.

GL: Tell us about your prison experience.
JW: I went to jail at the age of 15. I was charged with first degree murder. They turned that over and I ended up getting a lesser charge of 2nd degree murder. I was in jail from 15 to 21 years old.

GL: When did you start boxing?
JW: I starting boxing while in prison. I did it to learn a trade. I knew when I got released I was going to be a felon. I knew I would have strikes against me.

GL: How was your transition from prison life back to civilian life?
JW: When I came home in 2000, I ended up going back to the streets and caught an attempted murder charge in 2005. This pushed me off the street but it also woke me up. I knew I had to change. My life was different now. I had to start thinking. I had a baby on the way. I started to think about what I needed to do and started thinking about how I was going to make my life better. I went back to prison in 2006 for that charge. This time I invested most of the money into bettering myself. I started reading self-help books.

GL: Do you think prison saved your life?
JW: YES! Most definitely! I wouldn’t take one day of my time back. It saved me. I think I would have been dead by 16 or 17 had I not went to prison.

GL: How are you going to use boxing to change your life?
JW: I already have. I’m living my dream. I’m doing something that I’ve always wanted to do. That I was determined to do. I set my mind to it and applied the energy to it. That’s the formula to succeed in life. Once again I’m living my dreams. I have fought in Vegas three times as well as Miami. I have fought on some of the biggest cards like Manny Pacquiao, Sergio Martinez, and even had an opportunity to fight on a Mayweather card. I’m in the biggest squares and living my dreams to the fullest.

GL: Now how has that translated into locally? What do you have going on?
JW: I am putting on my own matches. Doing my part to help other local fighters

GL: How has this impacted your family?
JW: Majorly! I’m a better father and a better husband. I’ve settle down now. I don’t have time for the streets.

I [GL] believe that Shotgun is the future of North Carolina boxing. You can find the rest of this interview exclusively at www.GsoLive.com. Be sure to catch Shotgun in the ring June 14, 2013 in Ruffin, NC. The Rumble in Ruffin, right outside of Reidsville.

North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show: Interview with Undefeated Boxer Noel "Shut-Up" Echevarria

Listen to the GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Show from this evening (Monday, June 10, 2013). Join this blog site to be alerted about future Charlotte & North Carolina Boxing Talk radio shows. The 30-minute show broadcasts each Monday at 6:30pm.

This show:  Hear a GAR1680 exclusive interview with one of our state’s up-and-coming fighters NOEL “SHUT-UP” ECHEVARRIA, who is undefeated with a record of 11-0 and quickly rising as a top prospect in the world of boxing. Listen to Noel talk about how the Philly fighter, Tevin Farmer, chickened out of fighting him! - And says he will be ready to take on world champ Adrien Broner in a year or two.

Also, a recap of the Anthony “The Tyger” Hanshaw vs. Farah Ennis fight on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Hanshaw also fights out of North Carolina.

Listen to a recording of tonight's show here.
Radio show recorded: Monday, 5/3/2013.
Just press the play button!

Listen to internet radio with GAR1680 Charlotte Boxing Talk on BlogTalkRadio

Club Hush (Charlotte, NC) Boxing Results from May 18, 2013

Note: I apologize for posting this late. 


On May 18, 2013, Tommy Hill Boxing featured an event at Club Hush in Charlotte, N.C. that included 6 professional bouts. Four of the 12 boxers were from North Carolina and were matched against opponents from other regions. Only one of the four, Noel Echevarria, got a win that evening.

In a scheduled 5-round bout, “Shut-Up” Echevarria (11-0) of Winston-Salem won a unanimous decision over John Willoughby (3-19) of Atlanta. He won every round with all three judges scoring it 50-45.

Desi Williams (0-6) of Wilson, North Carolina was KO’d in the 1st round by the Guyanese fighter Elton Dharry (15-5-1) who now resides in California.

Tevin Parker (0-4) of North Carolina (city unknown) was TKO’d in the 1st round by Mikkel Lespiere (3-0) of New York City.

Making his debut, Chris Sawtelle (0-0-1) of Charlotte, North Carolina fought to a majority decision draw in a 4-round heavyweight bout with Rex Harris (0-0-1) of Pennsylvania, who was also making his debut. The scores were: 39-36 (for Sawtelle) and the other two judges both had it 37-37.

In other bouts:

Thomas Brown (14-4-1; York, South Carolina) won 6-round UD over Jess Noriega (1-4-0; Lynchburg, Virginia).

James Hope (7-11-1; Rock Hill, South Carolina got a SD win over Scott “Bang Bang” Burrell (7-2; Brooklyn, N.Y.) in 6 rounds.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

Echevarria vs. Willoughby pre-fight introductions at Club Hush, Charlotte, NC - 5/18/2013

Another News Article about GAR1680 Boxing Talk

I’d like to thank correspondent Kim Smith of the Charlotte Observer newspaper for contacting me and for the article he wrote about Blog Talk Radio that included a feature on my North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

Note: The image below was edited for this post. A section was removed. To read the entire story, go here:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/07/4085270/web-putting-charlotte-back-on.html

Click on image to enlarge

Noel "Shut-Up" Echevarria Boxing Talk Radio Interview on Monday, 6/10/2013

Winston-Salem lightweight, Noel "Shut-Up" Echevarria

     On next Monday’s North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show: Hear a GAR1680 exclusive interview with one of our state’s up-and-coming fighters...

NOEL “SHUT-UP” ECHEVARRIA

     Noel is undefeated with a record of 11-0 and quickly rising as a top prospect in the world of boxing.

     Listen to Noel talk about how the Philly fighter, Tevin Farmer, chickened out of fighting him!

Also, a recap of the Anthony “The Tyger” Hanshaw vs. Farah Ennis fight on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Hanshaw also fights out of North Carolina.

Great show! Don’t miss it! Monday, June 10. 6:30PM on Blog Talk Radio.

The GAR1680 LIVE Chat Room will open at 5:30pm (1 hour before show starts) – Find Chat Room link button on this blog site (upper right column). 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Follow Noel on Twitter  @ShutUp1nonly

Anthony “The Tyger” Hanshaw Showed lot of Heart in Loss on ESPN Friday Night Fights

On a broadcast of ESPN Friday Night Fights this past Friday, Anthony “Tony the Tyger” Hanshaw (now 23-3-2) of Kernersville, North Carolina faced Farah Ennis (21-1) of Philadelphia in a scheduled 10-round bout. The fight took place at the Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Washington.

Hanshaw started out well in the first round, appearing more the aggressor and connecting well toward the end of the round. Ennis may have gotten the better of Hanshaw in rounds 2 and 3, but Hanshaw had a very good 4th round, coming out strong and catching Ennis with a lot of good shots.

The 5th round may have been the best for Hanshaw. His better moments came with less than a minute to go in the round when he got Ennis against the ropes and connected with a series of punches.

In the 6th round, commentator Teddy Atlas’ scorecard showed Hanshaw winning 48-47, with Hanshaw winning rounds 1, 4, and 5. Viewers voting their scores on Friday Night Fights' Facebook page showed fans giving Hanshaw the same rounds (1, 4 and 5); Hanshaw up 3 rounds to 2. Near the end of the sixth round, Ennis connected with a great uppercut to Hanshaw’s jaw.

With about a minute remaining in the 7th round, Hanshaw once again gets Ennis against the ropes and attacks.  

The 8th was somewhat slow paced, but about midway into the 9th, Ennis connects with a right hand that seemed to almost drop Hanshaw.

Round 10 was all Ennis. He floors Hanshaw at 2:23 remaining with a punch to the head that appeared to look more like a push with the hand and glove. Not connecting solidly. Hanshaw got up and didn’t appear any different than before the knockdown. Ennis did connect several more times with hard shots, but Hanshaw survived the round.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: GAR1680

This video was edited to show some of Hanshaw's better rounds in the fight, but

also includes the entire 10th and final round when Hanshaw was knocked down.