USBA Heavyweight Champion Maurice Harris On Brink Of Living His Dream

NEW YORK (April 27, 2011) – The long, strange journey taken by Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris finds the USBA heavyweight champion only two fights away from his living his dream to fight for the world title, as he prepares to go back to the future May 27 to participate in an International Boxing Federation (“IBF”) Box-Off against the same opponent he defeated a decade ago in the final of the “Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament,” former world title challenger Tony “The Tiger” Thompson,” live on ESPN Friday Night Fights from Reno Events Center in Nevada.

Harris (24-14-2, 10 KOs) and Thompson are IBF rated No. 8 and No.9, respectively, and the winner of their 12-round May 27 co-feature earns a showdown against the other IBF Box-Off winner, “Fast” Eddie Chambers (36-2, 18 KOs), who defeated Derric Rossey by way of a 12-round unanimous decision this past February to become the IBF No. 1 contender. The Harris-Thompson winner automatically becomes No. 2 and earns a place in an IBF Title Eliminator against Chambers to ultimately determine the IBF mandatory challenger for champion Wladimir Klitschko (or David Haye if he wins their July 2nd unification fight.

“It feels good to finally be here,” Harris said from his training camp in New Jersey. “It’s been a long road and now I have a special opportunity against Tony Thompson, who is a great fighter but somebody I have to overcome. I don’t think I have an edge because I beat him in the ‘Thunderbox Tournament’ because that happened a long time ago (2002) and it was only a three-round fight. We were both younger then but we have to do it all over again.

“I’m fighting for something very important. I’m more focused today than I was when I fought Thompson. Age brings wisdom. Another fight against Thompson has always been there for us to clash. His name came up a few times and now it’s happening. He’s going to bring his ‘A’ game, I’m going to bring my ‘A’ game – may the best man win. I don’t want to get caught-up in the hype (future world title fight implications). I just want to remain focused on this fight.”

The 35-year-old Harris has beaten some of the best but also lost to journeymen playing the role of a classic heavyweight underachiever for most of his up-and-down 18-year pro career. The reborn-Harris, however, is riding high on the crest of a wave that he hopes reaches its zenith with a world title belt wrapped around his waist.

After making his pro debut December 4, 1992, losing a four-round decision to Joe Kenna, Harris lost three of his first five fights and was 5-4-2 midway through 1994. Back-to-back losses via knockouts to world title challengers Vaughn Bean and Dale Brown followed, but Harris bounced back strong with a win by eight-round decision versus previously unbeaten David Izon18-0) to start 1996.

When Harris stopped Jimmy Thunder (32-7) in the seventh round of their 1997 fight, Maurice was chosen as the opponent come-backing former world champion Larry Holmes, who won a 10-round split decision that most observers felt Maurice should have been awarded.

The resilient Harris, however, reeled-off seven straight victories, including a 10-round decision against world title challenger Jeremy Williams in 1999 on only a five-day notice. Harris eventually gained the experience he lacked with no amateur background to speak of when he later sparred with world champions Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson.

Harris lost to another world title challenger, Derrick Jefferson, in one of 1999’s best and most entertaining fights, but Maurice became more inactive from that point on, winning his only two fights in 2000, and losing his 2001 showdowns to former and future world champions, Chris Byrd and Henry Akinwande.

In 2002, Harris knocked out previously unbeaten and future world title-holder Sergei Liakhovich (16-0) in the ninth round, earning him a spot in that November’s “Thunderbox” tournament, in which he captured the $100,000 winner’s purse by out-pointing Gerald Nobles, Israel Garcia and Thompson in the finale, fighting three-round bouts on the same evening.

After being stopped in the 10th round by Fres Oquendo in his first fight after upsetting Liakhovich, Harris found himself frustrated and on the shelf by his promoter Don King, fighting only four times in six years, idle for all of 2008 and 2009, until Maurice signed a promotional contract in late 2009 with Boxing 360. His first fight with his new promoter was a win by 6-round unanimous decision January 29, 2010 against Billy Zumbrun (23-10-1) in Albuquerque.

Harris went on to win six and eight round decisions, respectively, against 7-foot Julius Long and Robert Harris, setting the stage for his August 6, 2010 USBA title shot against a Nagy Aguilera, who was 10 years younger than Maurice and had defeated former world champion Oleg Maskaev only a five months earlier. Harris out-boxed Aquilera (16-3) by scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 115-113 for a unanimous 10-round decision and the USBA crown.

“I’ve believed all these years that I would someday be fighting for the world heavyweight title,” Harris concluded. “It took me to meet Mario (Yagobi, CEO and Founder of Boxing 360), somebody who believed in me, to get me this opportunity. I’m not there, yet, but I’m only two fights away from my dream of fighting for the world title.”

Other members of Boxing 360’s stable include WBC #3 rated super bantamweight Leon “Hurry Up” Moore, former IBF super middleweight champion Alejandro “Naco” Berrio,

NY State super middleweight title-holders, middleweight Lennox “2 Sharpe” Allen and welterweight Danny Sostre, KO king Tyrone Brunson, Nick “Hands of Gold” Casal, Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, middleweight prospect DonYil Livingston, Joshua “The Juice” Harris, Emad Ali, Angel “Toro” Hernandez and “King” David Estrada.

Go to www.Boxing360.com for more information about Harris, Boxing 360 or any of its other fighters.

Nacho Beristain Knows The Secret To Beating Manny Pacquiao

EDGAR SANTANA RETURNS TO HEADLINE FIRST PUNCHIN AT THE PARADISE SERIES CARD OF 2011 THURSDAY MAY 5TH

On Thursday May 5th, Popular welterweight prospect, Edgar Santana (24-3, 15KO's), returns to the ring, and will do it in front of his hometown fans in the Bronx, when he fights in the main event of the first of Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing's, five scheduled shows in 2011, at the beautiful and historic Paradise Theater on Grand Concourse. Star Boxing, which began the "Punchin at the Paradise" series in 2006, has locked in five dates at the Theater for the remainder of 2011, starting with the first show on May 5th.

"So many boxing fans here in the Bronx and New York, are excited for Edgar's return to the ring on May 5th," stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and President of Star Boxing. Edgar actually made his pro-debut on one of our shows, and now he is making his much anticipated return to the ring, in some ways his second debut, on yet another Star Boxing card. So not only is it fitting for him, but also fitting for us that we are getting our Bronx series back underway and featuring it with one of the most popular fighters from the Bronx in the main event."

Santana was riding a three-fight win streak, including his most impressive as a pro, when he won a ten round decision, in a war against current NABF Light Welterweight Champ, Joselito Lopez on Showtime's Showbox: The New Generation back in April of 2008. While Lopez would go on to win seven fights in a row, including picking up the NABF title in his last fight against unbeaten Mike Dallas Jr., Santana was forced to wait on the sidelines, after running into some legal problems outside of the ring. With those problems behind him now, Santana has re-dedicated his life to the sport and looks to pick up right where he left off and continue on his quest to becoming world champion. Santana is set to square off against Robert "Wolf" Jones, a veteran of seveteen professional fights, in a scheduled eight rounder.

Tickets are priced at $30, $50 and $100 and can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823-2000, visiting www.starboxing.com or simply by CLICKING HERE: Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Paradise Theater box office, located at 2417 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY.

VICTOR VASQUEZ TO HEADLINE ROUND 3 AT HARRAH’S IN CHESTER, PA ON FRIDAY NIGHT JUNE 3RD

Also, see Philadelphia favorites Tony Ferrante; Angel Ocasio; Fred Jenkins Jr.; Rashad Brown; debuting Tyrone Crawley, Jr. and Delaware’s Joey Tiberi

CHESTER, PA (April 27, 2011)—On Friday night, June 3rd it will be ROUND 3 at Harrah’s in Chester, Pa as Joey Eye Boxing & David Feldman presents a night action packed boxing that will feature some of the most exciting fighters in the Philadelphia area.

In the main event, popular Lightweight Victor Vasquez will return to Harrah’s Chester in a six round Lightweight bout.

Vasquez of Philadelphia has built up one of the biggest fan bases in Philadelphia due to his exciting style which always has him in the fight of the night whenever he steps into the ring.

Vasquez has a record of 12-5-1 with six knockouts and has been in some memorable fights in his young career.

In his last bout, Vasquez waged a terrific back and forth war with Osnel Charles before dropping a six round majority decision as part as ROUND 1 at Harrah’s in Chester.

He holds victories over undefeated Thomas McCuiston (1-0); Tyric Robinson (9-4-1) as well as an exciting six round split decision over Bryne Green (5-3) on October 8th in Philadelphia.

In a six round co-feature, Tony Ferrante will see action in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Ferrante like Vazquez has a very loyal fan base and has a record of 9-2 with four knockouts.

Ferrante of Northeast Philadelphia won his first nine bouts which included wins over Anthony Pietrantonio (6-1) and he won the WBF United States title with a eight round majority decision over Billy Bailey.

Ferrante lost that title when he dropped a ten round unanimous decision to Chuck Mussachio (15-1-2).

Ferrante will be looking to get back in the win column after he was stopped in three rounds to undefeated Ronson Frank (15-0) on January 28th

In a four round Lightweight bout, undefeated Lightweight Angel Ocasio will see action against an opponent to be named.

Ocasio of Philadelphia, has a record of 4-0 with one knockout is coming off an impressive four round unanimous decision over George Santiago as part of ROUND 2 that took place on March 18th at Harrah’s in Chester.

Fresh off his pro debut knockout win as part of ROUND 2, Fred Jenkins Jr. will see action in a four round Super Middleweight bout.

Undefeated Middleweight Rashad Brown of Philadelphia (3-0, 1 KO) will take part in a four round bout against an opponent to be named.

Joey Tiberi of Newark, Newark, Delaware (3-1, 1 KO) will look to make it two straights wins when fights in a four round Super Featherweight bout against an opponent to be named.

Rounding out the card will be the pro debut of Tyrone Crawley Jr. of Philadelphia in a four round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Crawley is the son of former Lightweight world championship challenger Tyrone “Butterfly” Crawley

Tickets are now on sale for $100 (VIP); $60 (Ringside) and $45 (General Admission) and can be purchased at the Harrahs Chester Gift Shop; By calling Joey Eye (267-304-9399); David Feldman (610-291-0806); 800-480-8020 or on www.webtix.net

WILSON OUTLASTS SHEIKA IN A WAR TO WIN USBA CRUISERWEIGHT CROWN – WATCH IT NOW ON DEMAND ON GFL

ALSO, SEE STOPPAGE WINS FOR UNDEFEATED RONALD CRUZ AND BRYANT JENNINGS. PLUS, A BACK AND FORTH BRAWL BETWEEN KOREY SLOANE & EDGARDO TORRES.

ATLANTIC CITY / NEW YORK (April 26, 2011)—This Past Saturday night at The Caesars Palladium Ballroom, Garrett Wilson won the USBA Cruiserweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Omar Sheika.

That result alone doesn’t tell the story as the two waged a back and forth war that had the capacity crowd at Caesars on their feet for the better part of the twelve rounds.

That fight plus six other action packed fights can now be seen on-demand on www.gfl.tv for just $9.99 by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Sheika_vs_Wilson__USBA_cruiserweight_title/1000

Wilson was terrific all night as he landed some booming rights and hard jabs from the outset.

The product of Wilson’s work showed early as Sheika was bleeding from his right eye as early as round two. Wilson controlled the early rounds but you could that if he was to win this belt he would have to earn it.

The two continued to pound each other with Wilson getting the advantage and cutting the left eye of Sheika in the middle rounds.

Every time Sheika looked to be turning the fight around, it was Wilson landing shots out of the corner that quickly turned the tide in his advantage.

The last part of the fight was fast and furious as a desperate Sheika was banking on the one shot that would turn it around. There were a few instances where it looked like that was going to happen but Wilson not only weathered the storm but continued to pile up the points on his to get the victory.

Along with winning the coveted USBA belt, Wilson will most likely receive a favorable world ranking by the IBF and big fights will be on the horizon for the fighter so correctly dubbed “The Ultimate Warrior”

For Sheika it looks to be the end of the line for Paterson, New Jersey native as he had a terrific career by competing for the Super Middleweight championship of the world four times and fighting many memorable bouts.

“This was a war and fans who saw this and will be able to view this on gfl.tv are in for a treat”, said ringside Blow by Blow commentator, Marc Abrams of www.gfl.tv

“I have broadcasted over seventy shows and this was the most entertaining fight to call and I consider it a privilege to be able announce a great fight like that”

In the co-feature, rising Jr. Welterweight Ronald Cruz became the first man to stop Manuel Guzman in twenty fight by scoring a stoppage after round three of their scheduled eight round bout.

It was a close three round with both guys getting in some good shots before an arm injury shut down Guzman for the night.

Cruz, who is one of the fastest up and coming prospects in the country, is now 12-0 with nine knockouts.

Bryant “By By” Jennings kept his record perfect by scoring three knockdowns en route to a stoppage after the second round over David Williams in a battle of Philadelphia based Heavyweights.

Much like Cruz, Jennings is starting to garner buzz as his record now reads 7-0 with four knockouts.

Fans can also enjoy a terrific back and forth battle between debuting Korey Sloane and Edgardo Torres.

The two exchanged heavy shots throughout their four round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Those are just four of the seven bouts fans can see from this “Cant-Miss” night of boxing that was promoted by Hall of Famer, J Russell Peltz and Peltz Boxing.