North Carolina Boxer to Fight on ESPN this Friday for IBF World Title

Former Russian boxing champion Evgeny Gradovich now makes his home in Arapahoe, North Carolina. He is undefeated with a record of 15-0 after beginning his professional career in the U.S. in 2010. Two of his early fights were held in Charlotte. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) currently has Evgeny Gradovich ranked at #11 in the world.

Gradovich was called on short notice to take on IBF World Featherweight Champion from Sydney, Australia, Billy Dib (35-1) after Dib’s previously scheduled opponent pulled out of their title fight this coming Friday, March 1st at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut, a bout to be televised as the main event on ESPN Friday Night Fights. Dib will be defending his title for the third time.

The town of Arapahoe has a population of about 450 residents and covers a total area of 2.2 square miles near the state's Atlantic Ocean coastline. Arapahoe is located approximately 301 miles from Charlotte or 134 miles from Raleigh.

Here's a great bio/story on Evgeny Gradovich published in The Ring: CLICK HERE

P. Rivera
Twitter: @GAR1680

Update/Correction (Saturday, 3/2/2013): Although BoxRec.com has Evgeny Gradovich registered as residing in Arapahoe, North Carolina and multiple news sources (including ESPN.com) reporting a preview of the Billy Dib vs. Evgeny Gradovich title fight on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights last night mentioned Gradovich as residing in this state, he was introduced in the ring as “now” fighting out of Oxnard, California.

Billy Dib vs. Evgeny Gradovich Press Conference

Coach Al Simpson Radio Interview: 2013 North Carolina State Golden Gloves Preview

Coach Al Simpson

     On next Monday’s North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show, the man in charge of coordinating the 2013 State Golden Gloves Championships event, legendary Coach Al Simpson, talks about the upcoming event in Charlotte, N.C. on March 8th and 9th, and gives us a full preview.

    He also discusses what it takes for young aspiring athletes to someday compete as an amateur boxer in the Golden Gloves. Great show! Don't miss it! 

Go HERE on Monday, March 4th, 6:30PM to listen live!

And join everyone in the Chat Room (see link button for Chat Room on top right area of this site). Chat Room opens at 5:30PM.

Share this post with your Facebook/Twitter friends! 

Upcoming North Carolina Boxing Events Newsflash

FRIDAY, MARCH 8 & SATURDAY, MARCH 9 (CHARLOTTE): 2013 North Carolina State Golden Gloves Tournament. Details: CLICK HERE

FRIDAY, MARCH 15 (RALEIGH): Walter Johnson’s boxing promotional company will feature boxing in Raleigh on March 15, 2013 at The Ritz venue. Fighters expected on the cards: Noel “Shut-Up” Echevarria (Winston-Salem, N.C.), John Willoughby (Atlanta, Georgia), and Bobby "The Kid Bam" Hornsby (Ellenwood, Georgia). Further details of the event will be posted when it becomes available.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22 & SATURDAY, MARCH 23 (CHARLOTTE): Former North Carolina heavyweight champion James “Bonecrusher” Smith will be in Charlotte on a book-signing tour for his book: M.A.D. (Make A Decision).  The dates are not confirmed and the location is unknown. Further details will be posted when it becomes available.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 (GREENSBORO): Walter Johnson is also promoting an event to take place at the Holiday Inn Airport in Greensboro, N.C. on Saturday, April 13, 2013 billed as Ballroom Brawl 5 and will feature undefeated fighters Joshua "Too Tuff" Tufte of Kernersville Jovan Francois (5-0) of Trinidad And Tobago, Noel “Shut-up” Echevarria (8-0) of Winston-Salem, and Steven Matthews (3-0) of Greensboro.  Also, Christian Dominguez (4-1) of Winston-Salem is scheduled.


SATURDAY, APRIL 20 (CHARLOTTE): Tommy Hill Boxing and Red Leather Sports will feature boxing in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 20, 2013. DETAILS: CLICK HERE


SATURDAY, APRIL 27 (WINSTON-SALEM):  The Ring of Dreams boxing promotional company will feature boxing in Winston-Salem on April 27, 2013. The venue is unknown, but is likely to be the Benton Convention Center. Earl "Chocolate Drop" Ladson (14-19-1) of Winston-Salem will be making his comeback in the ring. Other North Carolina boxers scheduled are super-middleweight Derek “The Black Lion” Edwards (26-2-1) and welterweight Tony Morris, who will be making his pro debut. It is not yet known who the opponents will be. Further details of the event will be posted when it becomes available.


 NORTH CAROLINA BOXERS OUT-OF-STATE FIGHTS 

JUNE 8, 2013: Winston-Salem heavyweight, Roberto White (5-5) vs. TBA, Civic Center, Biloxi, Mississippi

APRIL 11-13, 2013:  Southern Regional / Southern Golden Gloves Tournament: April 11-13 in Knoxville, Tennessee, Ace Miller Golden Gloves Arena. GAR1680 Boxing Talk Blog will report results of North Carolina boxers that advanced to the regional and competing in this event.


P. Rivera
Twitter: @GAR1680

Paco Rivera of GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio & Blog with
John "Spidey" Williams of Charlotte, who will be fighting on April 20, 2013.

North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show (2/25/2013)

Listen to the GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Show from this evening (Monday, February 25, 2013) from BlogTalkRadio. Join this blog to be alerted about future Charlotte & North Carolina Boxing Talk radio shows. The 30-minute show broadcasts each Monday at 6:30pm HERE

This show: What it will take for major television networks (ESPN, HBO, Showtime, etc.) to broadcast a boxing event in North Carolina. * Some history: the last times big fights (televised) happened in North Carolina. * Which North Carolina fighters may have a chance to bring to our state big-time promoters and networks. * Also, former world heavyweight champ James "Bonecrusher" Smith will be in Charlotte in March for his book-signing tour.

Comment your thoughts on the show here. Also, share with your Facebook/Twitter friends!

Listen to a recording of tonight's show here
Radio show recorded: Monday, 2/25/2013
Just press the play button!

UPDATE/CORRECTION: It was incorrectly stated in show that the upcoming boxing event in Raleigh is scheduled for Saturday, March 16. The actual day of the event will take place on Friday, March 15.

James “Bonecrusher” Smith Book-Signing in Wilmington, N.C. MARCH 1, 2013

Former World Heavyweight champion from North Carolina, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, will be at Hooters in Wilmington, NC (5112 Market Street, at Red Roof Inn), to kick of his book-signing tour for “M.A.D” (Make A Decision), from 6:00PM to 8:00PM.

"Bonecrusher" Smith was born in Magnolia, North Carolina (1953) and went to schools in Warsaw and Kenansville. He also earned a degree in Business Administration from Shaw University in Raleigh.

Below is a televised interview with a Wilmington television reporter about the book signing (WWAY NewsChannel 3).

North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show (2/18/2013)

Listen to the GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Show from this evening (Monday, February 18, 2013) from BlogTalkRadio. Join this blog to be alerted about future Charlotte & North Carolina Boxing Talk radio shows. The 30-minute show broadcasts each Monday at 6:30pm HERE

This show: Full report on Ring of Dreams boxing event at Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem on Saturday, February 16, 2013. Main event: WBC Intercontinental title fight between Anthony Hanshaw and Derek Edwards. * Meeting with fast-rising up-and-coming undefeated prospect, Noel "Shut-up" Echevarria. * Thanking members that have joined the GAR1680 Boxing Talk Blog. * GAR1680 has new chat room for radio show. Find chat room link button here in blog (above on right).

Comment your thoughts on the show here. Also, share with your Facebook/Twitter friends!

Listen to a recording of tonight's show here
Radio show recorded: Monday, 2/18/2013
Just press the play button! 

 

UPDATE/CORRECTION: In the radio show it was stated that a record could not be found for John Willoughby, who lost by 6-round unanimous decision February 16, 2013 at the Ring of Dreams promoted Benton Convention Center event. A record was found for John Willoughby on BoxRec.com. His record was 3 wins and 16 losses. Record can be seen HERE.

On the Next Charlotte & North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio Show...

Next Live Radio Show: Monday, 2/18/2013, 6:30PM. Full report on Ring of Dreams boxing event at Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem on Saturday, February 16, 2013. Call in to the show if you were there to discuss your comment/opinion on the event. (Note: New time slot. GAR1680 radio show time has been changed to 6:30PM-7:00PM each Monday).

Listen to the show online (CLICK HERE)

The show's chat room will no longer be used. We have learned that listeners must subscribe to Blog Talk Radio to use the chat room and not everyone wants to go through the trouble of signing up for that account.

Therefore, the GAR1680 Chat Room will be used from now on. Find link button here in this blog site (near top of right column). No subscription required; simply enter any name or nickname and log in.

The chat room is always open. Radio show host will be there approx. ½ hour before show time and remain a while in chat room following the show.

You may need to update your computer’s java for the chat room to work. Java can be updated for free at java.com.

North Carolina Regions Boxing Talk Radio Show (2/11/2013)

Listen to the GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Show from this evening (Monday, February 11, 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.

This show: Talking amateur boxing in North Carolina and where to train. USA Boxing to begin new ranking system in the amateurs. Details for the 2013 North Carolina State Golden Gloves event coming up next month in Charlotte.

Comment your thoughts on the show here. Also, share with your Facebook/Twitter friends!

Listen to a recording of tonight's show here
Radio show recorded: Monday, 2/11/2013
Just press the play button! 

Charlotte Boxing Academy

Dyme Boxing & Fitness, Charlotte, N.C.

Contenders Boxing, Charlotte, N.C.

Boxing Radio Show for Monday Evening - N.C. Amateur Boxing (2/11/2013)

On the next Charlotte & North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio show…

Will be talking amateur boxing in North Carolina. Where to train. USA Boxing to begin new ranking system in the amateurs. Details for N.C. State Golden Gloves event coming up next month.

If you have knowledge of amateur boxing, boxers, or training gyms for our region, you are invited to call in during the show (646 564-9624). Don't miss the next show on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 6:00PM - GO HERE: BLOG TALK RADIO

If you aren’t able to hear it live, a recording of the show will be made available immediately following the broadcast. You can find it on the GAR1680 Charlotte & North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio site or here in this blog site.

Fight Night Results at The Inn in Greensboro, North Carolina, Saturday Feb. 2, 2013

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk

This past weekend, the boxing promotions company Walter Johnson & Cesar Promotions featured an event of seven professional bouts that took place at The Inn at Greensboro Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. The venue had a crowd of several hundred fans in attendance taking up nearly every seat for an affair promoted as Double Impact, Ballroom Brawl 4. The event was highlighted by two undefeated North Carolina boxers extending their unbeaten streaks with unanimous decision wins. A total of six fighters from around North Carolina participated in the event, including one bout that clashed two of them.

Noel “Shut-up” Echevarria, the Puerto Rican southpaw lightweight now fighting out of Winston-Salem went six rounds with Soumana Nandou Abdoulaye, originally from the country of Niger in Africa, but now making his home in Brooklyn, New York. The bout was scored 60-54, 59-55, and 59-55, all in Echevarria’s favor. Noel Echevarria wrote in his Facebook that the fight would not have gone the distance had he not suffered injuries to his hands. “It wouldn't have lasted that long if it wasn't for both of my hands getting injured. Hurt both of my hands in the fight. Didn't notice my right hand injury until afterwards though,” Echevarria wrote. The Winston-Salem lightweight increased his record to 8-0, as the winless Abdoulaye fell to 0-6.

In the main event, heavyweight Joshua “Too Tuff” Tufte faced Jon Bolden of Brooklyn, New York. Bolden, who often resorted to excessive holding throughout the fight, was deducted a point by the referee in the 4th round for rabbit punching. When it was over, Tufte led on all three judge’s scorecards of the six-round bout with scores of 59-54, 58-55, and 57-55. Tufte improved his perfect record to 11-0, while Bolden fell to 6-6. Josh Tufte is next scheduled for a 10-round bout on Saturday, February 16 in Winston-Salem’s Benton Convention Center when he faces what should be his toughest challenge to date by taking on David Saulsberry (7-5) of Kentucky.

In other fights in Greensboro Saturday night, the cruiserweight bout between Joel Shojgreen of New York and D'Quan Morgan of Hamlet, North Carolina was stopped at 2:19 of the first round when an accidental head-butt opened a gash on the eye of Joel Shojgreen. The fight was ruled a no-contest.

Jovan Francois (5-0) of Trinidad and Tobago maintained his unbeaten record with a TKO victory over Teron Walker (0-2) of Virginia. The TKO occurred at 2:05 of the 1st round.

In a bout of two North Carolina fighters, Welterweight Christian Dominguez of Winston-Salem won a 4-round unanimous decision by defeating Alvin Baker of Lumberton. Dominguez improved to 4-1. Baker is now 1-3.

In his professional boxing debut, Pablo Velez (0-0-1) of New Brunswick, North Carolina fought to a majority decision 4-round draw with Lekan Byfield (2-3-2) of Yonkers, New York. One judge had it 39-37 for Velez while the other two judges scored it 38-38 even.

In the first fight of the evening, light-welterweight Bobby Hornsby of Georgia also remained undefeated with a record of 5-0 after defeating Thomas Horne of South Carolina. Horne fell to 0-2.

P. Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

Photos courtesy of RS Creations

Joshua Tufte of Kernersville, North Carolina defeats Jon Bolden of New York

Noel "Shut-up" Echevarria of Winston-Salem gets a win over Soumana Nandou Abdoulaye of New York

For additional RS Creations Greensboro boxing event pictures of Noel Echevarria, go HERE

For Additional RS Creations Greensboro boxing event pictures of Joshua Tufte, go HERE

North Carolina Regions Boxing Talk Radio Show (2/4/2013)

Listen to the GAR1680 North Carolina Boxing Talk Show from this evening (Monday, February 4, 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.

This show: New boxing promotions company hits Charlotte! (Join The Fight Productions). Also, a talk with Heidi Tufte, wife and number one fan of Joshua “Too Tuff” Tufte, who extended his unbeaten record Saturday in Greensboro. Hear a full recap of the event, fighters and results. Also, Josh Tufte himself speaks about his team and what’s next for him.
 
One correction: The new boxing promotions company starting up in Charlotte is called Join the Fight Productions (not Join the Fight Promotions, as incorrectly stated in show).

Comment your thoughts on the show here. Also, share with your Facebook/Twitter.

Listen to a recording of tonight's show here
Radio show recorded: Monday, 2/4/2013
Just press the play button! 

Great Boxing Radio Show Lined Up for Monday Evening

On our next Charlotte & North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio show…

New boxing promotions company hits Charlotte! Also, a talk with Heidi Tufte, wife and number one fan of heavyweight Joshua “Too Tuff” Tufte of North Carolina, who extended his unbeaten record Saturday in Greensboro. Hear a full recap of the event, fighters and results. Also, Josh himself will speak about his excellent team and what’s next for him.

Will take calls (time permitting) following the Heidi and Josh interview.

Show begins on Blog Talk Radio at 6:00PM.  Click HERE now and then “Follow” under Paco's picture to be alerted (reminded) of the broadcast.

If you aren’t able to hear it live, a recording of the show will be made available immediately following the broadcast. You can find it on the GAR1680 Charlotte & North Carolina Boxing Talk Radio site or here in this blog site.

New Boxing Promotional Company Sets its Sights on Charlotte & North Carolina

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk

          Former professional fighter Krishna Wainright has partnered with another former boxer and long-time friend Kevin Lowther to develop the Join the Fight Productions boxing promotional company. (Website HERE)

Krishna is originally from North Carolina and then relocated to Colorado where he was situated for much of his professional boxing career during the 1990’s. One of those fights was against well-known heavyweight David Tua, a fight that took place on November 11, 1993. It was an undercard bout for the Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield main event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. A night probably more memorable, in the minds of many, still to this day, for when an individual known as Fan Man shocked everyone by parachuting into the ring with a powered paraglider during the 7th round of that Holyfield-Bowe fight that evening. Krishna chuckled and admitted that fighting as a heavyweight was a mistake; that he was typically a middleweight to light-heavyweight, he said. “And it was during a time when I was not training. I would get called and stop whatever I was doing and take some time off to fight, but I loved it.” He went the 6-round distance with Tua that night, losing a decision to the bigger man. David Tua went on to retire with a 52-4 record, losing only to people like Ike Ibeabuchi, Chris Byrd, and Lennox Lewis, while defeating Hasim Rahman, John Ruiz, Michael Moorer, and other notable former champions. So it may be fair to say that Krishna Wainright had his hands full at times during his career.

And possibly now more than ever. Krishna said that with the help of their attorneys, a license to promote should be obtained from the North Carolina Boxing Commission in the coming weeks and there are plans underway to begin featuring events throughout the state of North Carolina and elsewhere, while setting up base in Charlotte. He said that most of the matchmaking for bouts will likely be handled by Jimmy Waldrop, a boxing matchmaker and manager also working with former champion, Roy Jones Jr. “We have also been working closely with Humpy Wheeler,” says Krishna.

Howard "Humpy" Wheeler is best known as one of the foremost promoters of NASCAR auto racing and former President and General Manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway in North Carolina. He is also a member of Carolina’s Boxing Hall of Fame, having been involved with the sport nearly his entire life, and works often alongside Coach Al Simpson of the Charlotte Boxing Academy to promote amateur events.

When Krishna was asked if he plans to feature local North Carolina boxers, he responded, “Absolutely! That’s how I got my start, so I know how important that is.” He also said there is a possibility of starting off the programs with amateur bouts, but that the events will be tailored to go beyond the average club-fighting scene. “Coach Al Simpson and I are close friends,” he said, indicating he knows where to go should there be a focus on amateur competition. He spoke, however, of big-budget events being well promoted and advertised, and suited for network broadcasting. There are even plans to set a commentator’s roundtable or desk that will be hosted by Humpy Wheeler and others, possibly including Paco Rivera of GAR1680 Boxing Talk for Charlotte and North Carolina.

“After hearing your radio show and seeing your blog and website, I was in awe at what you are doing for boxing here in North Carolina,” Krishna told Paco during a recent phone conversation. “You have a great voice and it would be great to have you as part of the commentator’s desk when our events go on the air."

P. Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680