North Carolina Regions Boxing Talk Radio Show (1/28/2013)

Hear the GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Show from this evening (Monday, January 28, 2013) from BlogTalkRadio. Visit the BlogTalkRadio site and click "Follow" to be alerted about future Charlotte & North Carolina Boxing Talk radio shows. The 30-minute show broadcasts each Monday at 6:00pm HERE.

Listen to a recording of tonight's show here
Radio show recorded: Monday, 1/28/2013

Amos’ Southend in Charlotte Officially a Boxing Venue

The official site of boxing records BoxRec.com officially listed Amos’ Southend in Charlotte as a boxing venue.

The first professional boxing event took place at Amos’ Southend on January 19, 2103. Results from BoxRec shown below.

Note:  A question mark (?) is shown for round stoppage of the Jahaad Wingfield vs. Mark Weinman bout. The fight was stopped by the referee at 2:04 of the first round. Also, The Associated Press reported the referee to be Donnie Jessup, while BoxRec shows it to be Wayne Spinola. GAR1680 has no confirmation of which one was the actual referee for this bout.

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Charlotte Observer Newspaper Article...About Me!

This article appeared in Sunday’s Charlotte Observer, Cabarrus County News section on January 27, 2013.

I would like to thank the Observer’s correspondent, Joe Habina, for his time and effort in creating this report.

P. Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

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2013 State Golden Gloves Championships (North Carolina)

2013 State Golden Gloves Open & Novice Championships, Charlotte, N.C.

Dates:            March 8, Friday – March 9, Saturday
Location:      Sugaw Creek Recreation Center

943 W. Sugar Creek Rd., Charlotte, NC 28213

Weigh-ins:   10am-12pm Friday and 9am–11am Saturday at Brookwood Inn Hotel

Physicals:    5:45pm–6:45pm Friday, 3:00pm–3:45pm Saturday

Bouts:           7:00pm Friday, 4:00pm Saturday
Cost:              5 to 14yrs $5.00 / 15yrs and over $10.00
Contact:        Coach Al Simpson 704-241-0314

Host hotel and weigh-ins is at the Brookwood Inn, 1200 W. Sugar Creek Rd., Charlotte, NC 28213. 704-597-8500. $40. Tax included.

UPDATE 2/12/2013: Talked about the Golden Gloves event on Blog Talk Radio Show 2/11/2013. Go HERE to listen.

UPDATE 3/2/2013: Golden Gloves event coordinator Coach Al Simpson RADIO SHOW interview this Monday, March 4, 2013 at 6:30PM - Providing a full preview of the 2013 North Carolina Golden Gloves event. See the report with link to radio show - CLICK HERE.

Undefeated North Carolina Heavyweight to Fight Twice in February

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk

          Heavyweight boxer Joshua “Too Tuff” Tufte (10-0) from High Point, N.C. is scheduled to fight on February 2 at The Inn (formerly Holiday Inn) at Greensboro Airport (approx. 80 miles from Charlotte) as part of six boxing matches and five MMA bouts. The event promoted by Walter Johnson & Cesar Promotions billed as “Double Impact, Ballroom Brawl 4” is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM.

Two weeks later, on February 16, Tufte takes on David Saulsberry (7-5) of Kentucky in Winston-
Salem.

In training and preparation for his upcoming fights, Tufte has had the opportunity to spar with some of the bigger names in boxing, including world-champion hopeful Seth Mitchell, who is scheduled for a rematch with Johnathon Banks in Atlantic City, also on the 16th of February.

Ticket information for the Greensboro event can be found HERE.

Ticket information for the Winston-Salem event, promoted by Ring of Dreams, can be found HERE.

P. Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

Josh Tufte, 2nd from left, is seen here with Elyun El (left) a former 3-time world champion, Seth Mithcell (3rd from left), and Jerry Forrest (far right), a professional heavyweight from Virginia with a record of 3-0 and scheduled to fight next on January 26 when he faces Dalton Dixon of Wilson, North Carolina. [photo courtesy Facebook; Joshua Tufte]

Josh Tufte can be followed on Twitter @fightchamp2010

Winston-Salem Fight Night to Include WBC Title Fight

On February 16, the Ring of Dreams promotional company will present Fight Night IX at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The event will feature a combination of eight MMA-Cage bouts and four match-ups of professional boxing. In boxing’s main event, two North Carolina fighters will clash when Anthony “The Tyger” Hanshaw (23-2) of Kernersville will face Derek “The Black Lion” Edwards (26-2), fighting on his home turf of Winston-Salem for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight intercontinental title.

Others fighting will be undefeated heavyweight Joshua “Too Tuff” Tufte (10-0) of Kernersville, North Carolina vs. David Saulsberry (7-5) of Kentucky; Keandre Leatherwood (12-1) of Alabama vs. Norman Allen (6-6) of Maryland. Also, a fast rising prospect from the Washington D.C.-Maryland area, Greg Newby, will be taking on an opponent to be announced.

For ticket information, visit the Ring of Dreams website.

P. Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

North Carolina Boxers Report (January 24, 2013)

Please comment if you know of other NC fighters that should be on this list. This report will be posted each time it is updated (a change occured). Any changes from previous report is shown in red.

Regional Boxing History (Charlotte): Thomas Hearns vs. Freddie Delgado (1994)

Nineteen years ago the City of Charlotte was host to a Showtime Network boxing event headlined by Thomas “Hitman” Hearns.  On February 19, 1994 Hearns entered the Charlotte Coliseum ring as a cruiserweight, weighing 184 pounds, to face a tough club-fighting journeyman from Puerto Rico named Freddie Delgado who hadn’t fought in over 2 years. By this time Hearns was a six-time world champion in five weight divisions, and in his Charlotte fight against Delgado he was defending the NABF cruiserweight title for the first time after obtaining the vacant belt with a first-round TKO win over Dan Ward a month before in Vegas.

Even before the Ward fight, the boxing media had already appeared besieged with reporters and fans calling for Hearns to retire, not wanting him to further taint his legendary status. He was 35 years old when he fought Delgado and had already endured numerous brutal wars during his career. But Hearns disregarded the outcry, and with his long-time Kronk Gym trainer by his side, Emanuel Steward, the fight in ’94 went on.

On that night, following introductions from ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr., and with boxing promoter Don King standing by, Charlotte Coliseum spectators in attendance and Showtime television viewers around the country saw Hearns connect with a perfectly-timed right hand in the first round that dropped Delgado to the canvas. But Delgado was up quickly and the tables turned in the second with him putting Hearns down once. Throughout the remainder of the bout Hearns was often with his back against the ropes taking a pounding and then coming off the ropes momentarily to fight back in spurts. Not a great performance, but enough to give The Hitman a 12-round unanimous decision win with the three judges, all from Charlotte, scoring the bout for him.

P. Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

In this 4-minute, 45-second video is shown brief segments of the introductions, the Delgado knockdown in 1st round, Hearns knockdown in 2nd round, and final moments of the fight.

Article about Boxing Event in Charlotte Last Weekend

This past Saturday, January 19, World of Champions Boxing featured their first event of the year at Amos’ Southend on South Tryon Street in Charlotte. Unfortunately, due to illness, I was unable to attend. Following is a report from Ted Fleming of Charlotte Sports Examiner.

Click on link to see article 
Charlotte’s upstart World of Champions fifth fight card a mixed bag of good, bad

If you were at the event, please comment here to share your thoughts. How was it?

P. Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

Charlotte Observer publishes Article on Charlotte Promoter

The story on Bellonora McCallum can be seen here:

Promoter pushing pro boxing in Charlotte

Video: Amateurs from North Carolina to Compete in Myrtle Beach Feb 9

The event will be hosted by former heavyweight champ James "Bonecrusher" Smith. Amateur boxers ages 12 to 18 from North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia will compete. The event takes place February 9, 2013 at the X Sports Complex in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

P. Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

Interview: Charlotte, North Carolina Boxer Jared “The Quiet Storm” Robinson

Jared "The Quiet Storm" Robinson

          Shortly after returning from Florida where he spent the holidays with family and friends, undefeated Charlotte boxer Jared Robinson kindly agreed to this interview so that fans are aware of his current progress. Having begun his amateur career at age 15 in 2002, the light-welterweight known as “The Quiet Storm”, originally from Sumter, South Carolina, now has a professional record of 13 wins and no losses, with 5 by way of knockout. He trains at Dyme Boxing & Fitness in Charlotte and appears to be well on his way into the rankings of today's elite world-class fighters.


1) Jared, firstly, can you tell us how long you’ve been fighting out of Charlotte and what circumstances brought you here?
JR: I have been fighting out of Charlotte since my pro debut in August 2009. I moved to Charlotte to train with boxing trainer James Pressley. He helped me become ranked #3 in the US in the amateurs in 2008. I called him when I decided to go pro and told him I wanted him in my corner.

2) Do you know when and where you will be fighting again?
JR: I don't have a date on my next fight yet, but I am preparing myself for a fight at the end of January or beginning of February.

3) Your record shows that you fought 6 times in 2012. Do you plan to stay that busy again in 2013?
JR: Yes, 2012 was a busy year for me. I plan to continue to stay busy and to keep the winning streak going.

4) What other hopes are you looking forward to with regard to your boxing career in 2013?
JR: I have my mind set on a TV debut with ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, ShoBox, and/or HBO. I have received calls for these big stages already and I plan to capitalize on the opportunities.

5) And on a personal level, what hopes aside from boxing are you counting on this year?
JR: On a personal level, being a good husband and father first and foremost. I am also looking to grow my personal training business and I have a few trips planned to Jamaica and Bahamas this year.

6) How often do you train during the week, and can you briefly describe the routine?
JR: I train 6 days/18 hours a week approaching that 10,000th hour. I do skill work on Mondays, then improving my skill set and formulating game plans for my next opponents on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and some Saturdays are strength and conditioning days: plyometrics, suicides, interval training, swimming, and track (hell days, basically).

7) Can you describe your diet during training?
JR: Nutrition is key for me. I eat clean foods, take in the best protein on the planet (IsaLean Whey from New Zealand) and I do a nutritional cleanse in-between fights to repair my body and maintain my fight weight.

8) Who is your trainer and what are some of his best attributes?
JR: I train with James Pressley at Dyme Boxing and Fitness. His best attribute is developing a fighter. I have trained with him for about 4 years and to this day he is still able to introduce to me a new technique or make an adjustment that he feels I am ready for. His ability to break down an opponent and formulate a game plan is like nothing I have seen before.

9) What weight do you normally average at weigh-in and do you expect to continue competing in the light-welterweight/super-lightweight division in 2013?
JR: So far in my career I average 142lbs, I have fought heavier, but I can make 140lbs with no problems. I am ranked 40th in US in my division so I plan to be here for a while before I move up.

10) How long before you think you are ready to be matched against highly-ranked world-class fighters?
JR: I will be ready for a class fighter within 6 more fights. The only difference between them and me is experience.

11) Are there any prizefighters, past or present, that you tend to pattern your boxing style after in the ring?
JR: No one in particular. I am working on perfecting Jared. The original is always better than the carbon copy.

12) Do you also follow the sport closely as a fan and if so, who are some of your favorite fighters today?
JR: Yes, definitely. Andre Ward, Mayweather, Marquez, Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Sergio Martinez...

13) Are you involved in any charitable programs and can you tell us a little about that?
JR: Not at the moment, but I have spoken to a couple of elementary and high school groups here in Charlotte.

14) Do you have career goals aside from boxing? And are you currently involved in any other business ventures?
JR: My goals outside of boxing is to continue to build a successful massage therapy career. I have been a massage therapist for 10 years. I currently work at Massage Envy in South Park. I am also a nutritional cleanse coach encouraging others to live a healthier lifestyle.

15) Jared, you seem to be a very friendly guy. Most boxing enthusiasts are aware that trash-talking and stare-downs prior to fights are usually an act to promote bouts. And maybe there’s nothing wrong with drumming up excitement for a fight that way. Are you ready to put on that kind of a “show”?
JR: Yes, under the right circumstances I am prepared to hold my own in and outside the ring. Though it is probably rare that I start an argument, I understand the mental side of the sport.

16) Do you have any additional comments you would like to add?
JR: I would like to give gratitude to all of my sponsors. Dyme boxing, Dr. Charles Francis (Abundant Health), Massage Envy (South Park), Ryan Howell (King Graphics), Clarence Moore (Clarencemoore.com) and H&S wholesalers in Sumter, South Carolina.

Paco Rivera of GAR1680 Boxing Talk with Jared Robinson

 Follow Jared Robinson on Twitter @TheQuietStormJR

P. Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680