RONALD CRUZ, MANUEL GUZMAN TAKE THEIR PENNSYLVANIA RIVALRY TO CAESARS ATLANTIC CITY APRIL 23

Atlantic City, NJ—Welterweights Ronald Cruz and Manuel Guzman, who live and train within forty miles of each other in Pennsylvania, will take their in-state rivalry to New Jersey when they meet in an eight-round contest Saturday evening, April 23, in the Palladium Ballroom at Caesars Atlantic City.

The Cruz-Guzman fight will serve as the semifinal to the scheduled 12-round main event which features Omar Sheika, of Paterson, NJ, against Garrett Wilson, of Philadelphia, PA, for the vacant United States Boxing Association (USBA) cruiserweight title. The first of seven fights begins at 7.30 p.m. in the 1,450-seat ballroom, the first time it has been used for boxing.

Cruz, 24, of Bethlehem, PA, is coming off a pair of strong performances. He knocked out Jeremy Bryan, of Paterson, NJ, last Oct. 30 at Bally’s Atlantic City, then followed with a third-round K0 over Dillet Frederick, of Fort Myers, FL, on Feb. 26 in the same ring.

A pro less than 28 months, Cruz is 11-0, 8 K0s.

Guzman, 28, of Lancaster, PA, comes into this fight having lost an eight-round decision to former U.S. Olympian Sadam Ali last Dec. 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Ali is unbeaten in 11 pro fights himself.

Prior to that, Guzman got off the floor in the first round and knocked out Ardrick Butler, of Philadelphia, PA, in two rounds July 9, 2010, at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall.

A pro since 2006, Guzman is 7-10-2, 3 K0s. He has never been stopped and was the first boxer to beat then-undefeated Tommy Rainone, of New York, in 2008.

Five additional fights complete the card.

Tickets priced at $50 and $75 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and all Ticketmaster outlets (800-736-1420). They also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com and www.Ticketmaster.com.

R.I.P. Gil Clancy

From Ring 8 - http://www.ring8ny.com/

It saddened us to learn that Hall of Fame boxing trainer and commentator, Gil Clancy, passed away this morning. Gil worked with Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Jerry Quarry as well as Gerry Cooney in his bout with Foreman. He was the first and only trainer of Emile Griffith, and led him to win both the welterweight and middleweight championships of the world. He was a class act and an asset to the great sport of boxing. He will surely be missed. May he rest in peace.

 Gil pictured here with Emile Griffith & Howie Albert

Gil Clancy was born on May 30, 1922. Clancy is a Hall of Fame boxing trainer and one of the most noted boxing commentators of the 1980s and 1990s. Clancy is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In 1983, he won the Sam Taub Award for excellence in boxing broadcasting journalism.

He is married to Nancy Clancy, and has six children and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After the famous No Más Fight between Roberto Durán and Sugar Ray Leonard was stopped in the 8th round when Duran quit with a “No más! No más!”, it was Gil Clancy who first suggested that Duran must have quit due to stomach distress and probably had to use the bathroom. Ultimately, this turned out to be just about what Durán later said himself.

Fighters Trained

Alex Miteff
Oscar Bonavena
Gregorio Peralta
Muhammad Ali (at different times during career)
Joe Frazier (at different times during career)
Mac Foster
Johnny Persol
Jerry Quarry
Gerry Cooney (during fight with Foreman)
Jorge Victor Ahumada
Tony Anthony
Tom Bethea
Ralph Jones
Juan Carlos Rivero
Emile Griffith
Rodrigo Valdez
Harold Weston Jr.
Oscar De La Hoya
Ken Buchanan
Juan La Porte
George Foreman (after the Ali fight, until first retirement)
Charlie Green
Manuel Alvarez
Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (as a manager)

Awards & Recognition

1967 & 1973 Boxing Writers Association of America Manager of the Year

1983 Sam Taub Award: Boxing Writers Association of America Excellence in Broadcasting Journalism Award

Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, “Expanded Category” (Managers & Trainers)

Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, “Non-Participant”

Miscellaneous

Took over matchmaking duties from Teddy Brenner at Madison Square Garden in late 1978. He held the position for three years.

In the early 1980s, Clancy started working as a television boxing commentator. He worked for CBS Sports, MSG Network, and HBO. In an interview with Zachary Levin, Clancy told how he got his start: “I was at a cocktail party with Angelo (Dundee). And Barry Frank was there. He was president of CBS Sports. And we always used to joke around, Angelo and I. So Barry Frank says, ‘Could you guys do that on the air?’ I say, ‘Sure.’ The next week we were on the air from Italy.”

Grano In Crossroads Fight April 9 In Hartford

“The Willie Pep Boxing Classic" at Connecticut Convention Center

HARTFORD (March 31, 2011) – Popular Connecticut heavyweight Tony “TNT” Grano will be in a crossroads fight April 9 when he headlines “The Willie Pep Boxing Classic,” presented by Hard Hittin’ Promotions (“HHP”), at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

Grano (17-2-1, 13 KOs), fighting out of nearby Hebron, faces veteran “Diamond” Dominque Alexander in the 8-round main event. Grano, the WBF All-Americas heavyweight champion and 2005 U.S. Nationals winner, is coming off his second career loss, the first by stoppage, last June to Nicolai Firtha in June. Grano hopes to get back where he was in 2009, when he knocked out previously unbeaten Travis Kauffman (18-0) on ShoBox.

“I feel real good and have been training hard,” Grano reported. “I’ve been getting good work in the gym, hitting the roads running, and I’ve been working with good sparring partners. I feel sharp and I’m excited about getting back into the ring. I felt that I got a bad shake in my last fight where there was an early stoppage. I was in great condition, physically, but not mentally. I wasn’t focused and didn’t have a good game plan, Not being focused killed me.

“He rocked me in the first round and I was hit when down. That through me out of what game plan I had and I went toe-to-toe with a big guy – punch-for-punch – and you can’t do that in this division. I was totally shocked when the referee stopped the fight. I was throwing back and had just hit him with a three-punch combination.”

Alexander has fought WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs and current WBO cruiserweight titlist Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, in addition to world heavyweight title challengers Kali Meehan and Fres Oquendo, and Odlanier Solis.

“I know Alexander is experienced with over 30 fights against guys like Briggs and Solis. I do know that every time he’s stepped up he’s been stopped. I don’t take anybody lightly but, personally, I don’t think he can last more than four rounds with me. Not the way I feel right now. I’m very confident and in great shape. This is a good guy for me to get back in the ring with.

“I’m ready to make a serious statement. I’m going to show everybody on April 9th that I’m ready to make the next step up. After this fight I want to stay busy and get back in the ring in May or June.”

The undercard showcases some of the best young fighters in New England, including Meriden (CT) by way of Mexico bantamweight Danny Aquino (5-1, 1 KO) vs. James Owens (4-2, 2 KOs), Puerto Rican junior welterweight prospect – training in New Haven – Javier “El Chino” Flores (5-0, 4 KOs) vs. game Norwalk (CT) veteran Shakha Moore (10-15-3, 2 KOs), and promising New Haven featherweight and former amateur standout, Luis Rosa (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. Tommy Attencio (4-6, 2 KOs), all in 6-round bouts. Undefeated East Hartford Joseph “Chip” Perez (5-0, 2 KOs) faces Charles Vanderveer (1-1, 1 KO) in a 4-rounder.

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard are a pair of Middletown (CT) favorites, light heavyweight Doug Cartelli (1-0) and pro-debuting junior middleweight Willie Picard. They’ll be facing the Williams brothers, respectively, Jaquan (pro debut) and Charles (0-1), from North Carolina. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $100.00 (ringside), $80.00 (preferred seating), $60.00 (reserved) and $40.00 (general admission) and are available to purchase by calling 860.402.4838 or The Lions Den at 860.613.2394.

Willie Pep: Born Gugloermo Papaleo in 1922 in Middletown, CT. He was a 2-time world champion who retired in 1966 after a 26 year professional career with an amazing 229-11-1 (65 KOs) record. In 1990, Pep was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. He died November 23, 2006 at the age of 84.

UNDEFEATED CANADIAN MIDDLEWEIGHT DAVID LEMIUEX READY TO MAKE A STATEMENT IN WBC TITLE ELIMINATOR BOUT AGAINST MARCO ANTONIO RUBIO APRIL 8 LIVE ON ESPN'S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS FROM THE BELL CENTRE IN MONTREAL

Montreal, Canada (March 31) - Undefeated Canadian middleweight David Lemieux (25-0, 24 KOs) is prepared to make a serious statement when he faces Marco Antonio Rubio (49-5-1, 42 KOs) in a WBC middleweight title eliminator on Friday, April 8 from the Bell Centre in Montreal. The Lemieux vs. Rubio fight, which is the final installment of Groupe Yvon Michel's highly acclaimed FAST AND THE FURIOUS fight series, will be the main event of ESPN's Friday Night Fights that evening (11:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

"Rubio is the best opponent I have fought to date," said Lemieux, whose list of conquests includes Hector Camacho Jr. whom he beat in a first round knockout. "It is going to be interesting to see what Rubio brings to the table. He is a big puncher and has a lot more experience than I do. I am ready to give it my all and I am preparing for war."

"We are excited to see David in a terrific fight that night from the Bell Centre in Montreal and we are delighted that the US boxing fans will have a chance to see him on ESPN's Friday Night Fights," said Yvon Michel, President of Groupe Yvon Michel. "He is a fantastic, very exciting fighter and I think this very competitive fight against Rubio will catapult him to another stage of his career. It is a terrific main event fight and a really great way to end our Fast and Furious Fight series too."

Lemieux, who has knocked out 24 of his 25 career opponents, is in a position that most fighters dream of - he is one step away from a world title. Rubio, who has an impressive resume and brings his veteran's experience to the ring, will be a sure test for the undefeated Lemieux. If victorious, Lemieux will be set to face the winner of WBC Middleweight Championship between Sebastian Zbik vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. taking place on June 4.

"I honestly feel that Rubio is tougher than either of the fighters I would face for the title if I win," Lemieux continued. "I am not looking past Rubio and taking it one step at a time, but I am really looking forward to making a statement with this fight and doing whatever I have to do to get a shot at the middleweight title."

Long before Lemieux was ranked the #2-ranked middleweight in the world by the WBC, he was a troublemaker running in the wrong circles. A self-proclaimed "Dennis the Menace," Lemieux was kicked out of school multiple times, as his family moved from house to house, and was often found fighting in the streets. At the age of nine, a neighbor caught Lemieux smoking a cigar and offered to take him to the boxing gym in order to teach him discipline.

"Boxing saved my life," said Lemieux. "Violence and drugs were all around me when I was growing up. If I hadn't discovered boxing, I don't know what I would be doing. I never would have been good at a routine desk job. I fell in love with the boxing gym, and I never wanted to leave."

Follow David Lemieux on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/lemieuxboxing.

Become a fan of Lemieux Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Lemieux/105301672854587?ref=ts&sk=info.

Tickets: Tickets for Lemieux vs. Rubio are available now at the Bell Centre Box Office, http://www.evenko.ca or through GYM (514.383.0666) starting at $60.

Son Of Great Ricardo Lopez Added To Saturday Night’s Segura-Calderon 2 PPV Card

HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 31, 2011) – Unbeaten Mexican flyweight prospect, Alonso “Finito” Lopez, son of legendary Mexican boxer Ricardo “Finito” Lopez, has been added to Saturday night’s “La Revancha” pay-per-view event, featuring the highly-anticipated rematch between WBO and The Ring light flyweight champion Giovani “El Guerrero Azteca” Segura and former 108-pound king, Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon, live from Auditorio del Estado in Mexicali, Mexico.

The 25-year-old Lopez (8-0-1, 3 KOs) faces Jorge Guerrero (5-4, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout. Lopez’ father, four-time world champion and Hall of Fame inductuee Ricardo “Finito” Lopez (51-0-1, 38 KOs), who established the record for most consecutive title bouts without losing (26), defended his WBC Strawweight title 21 times.

“La Revancha: Segura-Calderon 2,” presented by Zanfer Promotions and PR Best Boxing, will be distributed live in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN, for a suggested retail price of only $39.95. It will also available worldwide on Internet PPV (excluding Mexico and Puerto Rico) via www.Integratedsportsnet.neulion.com.

The 12 round co-feature matches a pair of former world title challengers from Mexico, Jorge “Baby Face” Lacierva (38-7-6, 26 KOs) and Fernando “Wary” Beltran, Jr. (35-4-1, 19 KOs), in an IBF featherweight eliminator.

Veteran Ricardo “Piolo” Castillo (39-9-2, 26 KOs), a three-time world title challenger, battles Joksan “El Torito” Hernandez (21-3, 14 KOs), the former WBC Continental Americas super featherweight titlist, in a 12-round bout for the IBF Latino Featherweight Championship. Castillo is the younger brother of two-time world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo.

Time permitting, additional bouts will air, possibly undefeated Mexican super bantamweight prospect Ramon “Cobra” Maas (24-0, 15 KOs) versus dangerous Enrique “Duende” Bernache (15-2, 7 KOs) in a 10 rounder, as well as one showcasing 18-year-old Mexican-American phenom Jose Benavides (10-0, 9 KOs), the hot super lightweight prospect from Los Angeles. Benavides had an outstanding 120-5 amateur record, including a gold-medal performance at the 2009 National Golden Gloves Tournament.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Segura-Calderon I was one of the 2010 Fights of the Year. Segura (26-1-1, 22 KOs), fighting out of Bell, California by way of Mexico, captured the WBO, The Ring and WBA Super light flyweight titles last October, when he knocked-out the previously unbeaten champion Calderon (34-1-1, 6 KOs) in the eighth round in Puerto Rico. Segura was leading (69-64, 68-65, 67-66) on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage. Segura, who will turn 29 this Friday, also holds notable victories against Daniel Reyes KO1) and Carlos Tamara (DEC12).

Calderon, the pride of Puerto Rico, prior to fighting Segura had been the WBO light flyweight champion for more than three years (six successful title defences) and WBO minimum weight titlist (11 successful title defences) from 2003 until he moved up to light flyweight in 2007. Ivan, who is rated No. 1 by The Ring, as well as No. 3 by the WBO, has defeated great 108 and 105 pound world champions and challengers such as including victories against the likes of Rodel Mayol, Reyes, Higo Fidel Cazares (twice), Nelson Dieppa, Issac Bustos, Roberto Carlos Leyva, Ednar Cardenas, Alex Sanchez and Eduardo Ray Marquez.

Prior to the main event, the great Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr. will be honored by the Boxing Commission of Mexicali as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in Mexican history. Chavez will also receive an award for his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

For more information about the Segura-Calderon 2 PPV event go to www.integratedsportsnet.com. Follow Integrated Sports Media on Twitter @IntegratedPPV.