Luis named Cornwall’s Ambassador of the Year!

Cornwall, Ontario (February 24, 2014) – Lightweight contender Tony “Lightning” Luis is Cornwall’s Ambassador of the Year.

 

Luis, who is 17-2 with 7 knockouts, received the award from the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and gained fans worldwide following his gutsy performance versus Ivan Redkach January 17 on the Showtime Network. Against Redkach, one of boxing’s best young fighters, Luis pressed the action and exposed flaws in his foe’s style. Unfortunately, the likable 26-year-old had to deal with a poor job by Referee Randy Phillips and questionable judging, dropping a competitive decision.

 

Outside of the ring, the well-spoken Ontario native is equally as accomplished. In 2010, he graduated from St. Lawrence College with a police foundation degree and currently works full-time with handicapped children and adults. He also volunteers regularly in his community, most recently participating in an anti-bullying campaign with the local Boys & Girls Club.

 

“My community has been tremendous,” Luis said of Cornwall. “I’m extremely grateful and to be named am ambassador is very humbling. I really enjoy helping others and I’m living my dream. My plan is to give back as much as I can whenever possible throughout the community. Hopefully my next fight can be close to my hometown because I’ve got great support here and Cornwall means everything to me!”

 

Luis next fight will be announced shortly.

Former Junior Middleweight Titlist Dzinziruk on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights

The January 25 edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will feature former Junior Middleweight titlist Sergiy “The Razor” Dzinziruk (36-1-1, 24 KOs) and Brian “The Warrior” Vera (21-6, 12 KOs) in the 12-round main event. Friday’s show will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, and will be available online through WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app. The card will also air live on ESPNDeportes+, the new digital extension of ESPN Deportes and ESPN3, and will air tape delayed on ESPN Deportes at 10:30 p.m. The card from Verona, N.Y., is promoted by Banner Promotions.

Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside at Turning Stone Casino describing the action for ESPN2 HD, while studio host Todd Grisham will present all the latest news and boxing highlights. Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will call the fights for ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights) with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in the studio. Bi-lingual reporter Bernardo Osuna will present live interviews and reports for both shows.

Main Event: The Ukraine’s Dzinziruk is coming off a September draw to Jonathan Gonzalez. Manager Harry Kazandjian said of Friday’s fight, “Sergiy’s got to win this fight. Brian Vera is a tough guy, but Sergiy needs to beat him and look good. He's got to win convincingly."

Vera, a native of Texas and participant in the third season of The Contender, is coming off one of his best wins, a 12-round majority decision win over former Junior Middleweight titlist Sergio Mora.

"I think Dzinziruk is good, he's technical,” Vera said. “I think my style is perfect for him. I'll put a lot of pressure on him and I don't think he likes that. I think he likes to dictate the fight and kind of control things. But somebody that's going to stay on top of him and put a lot of pressure on him, is going to throw him off his game a little bit. I'm going to be the bigger, stronger guy, and am going to impose my will on him and take it from him.”

Co-Feature: Friday’s co-feature will pit undefeated Junior Welterweight Tony “Lightning” Luis (15-0, 7 KOs) of Ontario, against Texas’ Jose “El Loco” Hernandez (13-6-1, 5 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Luis will look to build momentum after a first-round knockout win over Andres Ledesma, while Hernandez will look to rebound from a 10-round majority decision loss to Robert Osiobe.

Follow ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook. Follow ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo

Luis to face Hernandez on Friday Night Fights!

Cornwall, Ontario, Canada (January 20, 2013) – Rising junior welterweight Tony “Lighting” Luis, 15-0 (7 KO’s), will now face rugged veteran Jose “Loco” Hernandez January 25 on ESPN Friday Night Fights at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY.

 

The quick-handed Canadian’s original foe Miguel Gonzalez withdrew, citing an illness and opening the door for Hernandez.

 

With an extremely deceptive 13-6-1 record, Hernandez battled six unbeaten foes and was on the wrong end of a disputed decision more than once. TheWaco, TX native lost in controversial fashion to Matt Remillard, Michael Angelo Perez, Oscar Meza and Luis Ramos, coming in as the B-side in each of those bouts. He also owns impressive victories against Aaron Garcia, Noe Bolanos and Jairo Sanchez, while fighting to a draw against Mickey Bey.

 

“Jose Hernandez is a very difficult opponent and there’s a reason he's never been in a rematch,” said Luis’ promoter Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions. “To be honest, I think he’s tougher than Gonzalez and Tony will definitely be tested, but I expect him to pass with flying colors. I think Tony's the real deal and this is the next step on his journey to be a world champion.”

 

Tickets are available by going to Ticketmaster.com/event/00004983ADD5CF2D?artistid=850878&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=33 and fans can interact with Tony via Facebook at Facebook.com/tony.luis.14.

GOLOVKIN KNOCKS OUT PROKSA IN FIVE TO RETAIN WBA MIDDLEWEIGHT CROWN

DZINZIRUK AND GONZALEZ BATTLE TO DRAW

VERONA, NY (September 1, 2012)—Gennady Golovkin made a statement to the American boxing fans that he is a forced to be reckoned with as he scored a scintillating fifth round stoppage over Grzegorz Proksa to retain the WBA Middleweight championship at the Turning Stone Casino Resort.

   The Bout Headlined HBO Boxing After Dark.

 

Golovkin dominated the bout from the outset as he dropped Proksa in the opening frame.

Golovkin continued to pummel Proksa by bullying him around the ring. The challenger showed tremendous courage by fighting toe to toe with the heavy handed Golovkin.

Golovkin battered Proksa along the ropes in round four before scoring his second knockdown in the fight. Golovkin ended things with a vicious flurry of punches that sent Proksa down and out, and the fight was stopped at 1:11 of round five.

Golovkin of Kazakhstan is now 24-0 with twenty-one knockouts. Proksa of Poland is now 28-2.

“It was a good first fight in America”, said Golovkin.

"I am ready for anyone and that includes the winner of Martinez and Chavez Jr. I hope to be back in December.”

Sergiy Dzinziruk and Jonathan Gonzalez battled to a twelve round draw in the Jr. Middleweight co-feature. There was drama even before the fight started as Gonzalez missed the 154 pound weight limit by a staggering nine pounds and had a ten pound weight advantage as they entered the ring, as he tipped the scales at 172 pounds while Dzinziruk was 162.

It was a close fight with Dzinziruk trying to establish his “Razor“ jab while Gonzalez was successful with counter right hands. Both fighters had good moments of sustained action.

When the scores were announced, nothing was settled as they read 117-111 for Gonzalez; 115-113 for Dzinziruk and 114-114.

Gonzalez is now 15-0-1. Dzinziuk is 37-1-1.

"I was uncomfortable, but I thought I won the fight," said a disappointed Gonzalez.

When asked about his weight difficulties, Gonzalez said, “It took a lot of strength out of me.”

Dzinziruk was also disappointed, as he said, “He was heavy when he pushed against me. It was tough to say who won, but it was close.”

"I was off for fifteen months, and it was tough to get going, as I felt rusty.”

Tony Luis remained perfect with a one punch body shot knockout in round one of a scheduled six round Jr. Welterweight bout.

The end came at the end of the opening frame, and Luis of nearby Cornwall, Ontario is now 15-0 with seven knockouts. Ledesma is now 18-21

Tureano Johnson remained perfect by stopping Cleven Ishe due to a cut around the left eye at 2:23 of round four.

Johnson of Nassau, Bahamas is now 11-0 with eight knockouts. Ishe is 3-9-1.

Bryan Clookey and Rayshawn Myers battled to a four round draw in a Cruiserweight bout.

Scores were 39-37 for each fighter and 38-38.

Clookey is 4-0-2. Myers is 4-14-1.

Jorge Maysonet Jr. dropped Bryan Abraham twice in eighty-four seconds en route to the first round stoppage in their scheduled eight-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Maysonet of Puerto Rico is now 9-0 with eight knockouts. Abraham is now 6-14-2.

Shawn Miller pitched a shutout and scored a four round unanimous decision over Richard Starnino.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards and Miler is now 9-4-1. Starnino is 9-10-2.

In the opener, Ryan McKenzie knocked out Borngod Washington with a crushing left hook at 2:30 of the sixth and final round of their Light Heavyweight bout.

McKenzie of nearby Syracuse, NY is now 10-0 with 10 KO’s. Washington is now 3-12.

GOLOVKIN- PROKSA; DZINZIRUK – GONZALEZ FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

VERONA, NEW YORK (August 30, 2012)-This Afternoon the final press conference was held at the Showroom at The Turning Stone Casino Resort for Saturday Night’s HBO Boxing After Dark card that will take place in the Events Center.

In the main event, WBA Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin will defend his title against European champion Grzegorz Proksa. In the co-feature, former WBO Jr. Middleweight champion will battle undefeated Puerto Rican Jonathan Gonzalez.

The action starts on HBO at 9:45 pm EST / PAC.

Below are quotes from the fighters and Promoters involved in the card.

Artie Pelullo (Promoter Banner Promotions)—this is a show with two compelling fights.  The co-feature is a turning point for both fighters.  One has been there and the other is trying to get there”

Gennady Golovkin (WBA Middleweight Champion)—“Proksa is a good boxer and very strong”  “This is my dream to fight in America.

Abel Sanchez (Trainer of Golovkin)—“We anticipate a very difficult fight”

Tom Loeffler (K2 Promotions-Promoter of Golovkin)—“This coming Saturday is a realization of a dream for Gennady to defend his title in America.  We Give Grzegorz credit for wanting this fight.  Both guys are big punchers”

Grzgorz Proksa (European Middleweight champion)—“15 years ago when I started to box, this was my dream to fight for the championship. I know he is a top level boxer and I am excited for this fight”

Charles Giles (British Boxing Board of Control)—“Grzegorz has a great opportunity and I am sure he will make the best of it

Sergiy Dizinziruk (FormerWBO Middleweight champion)—“I will show what I can do on Saturday and this will be a wonderful show”

Jonathan Gonzalez (Undefeated Puerto Rican Jr. Middleweight)—“Saturday will be another hurdle that I will get over

Leon Margules (Warriors Boxing—Promoter of Gonzalez)—“We believe that Jonathan is the next Puerto Rican Superstar”

Greg Cohen (Greg Cohen Promotions)—“It doesn’t get much bigger then a world titlefight on HBO.  The main event has Fight of the Year written all over it.  The co-feature should be non-stop action deserving of a world title shot.  In the next eighteen month, Tony Luis should be fighting for a world title”

Tony Luis to make US Debut September 1 on HBO Undercard!

Cornwall, ON (August 22, 2012) – Rising junior welterweight star Tony “Lighting” Luis of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada will make his highly-anticipated United States debut Saturday, September 1 when he faces hardcore veteran Andres Ledesma at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY.

 

The Luis-Ledesma match-up is slated for six rounds and takes place prior to the HBO doubleheader topped by the Gennady Golovkin-Grzegorz Proska middleweight title match.

 

A huge ticket seller who’s recognized as one of Canada’s prized prospects, Luis, 14-0 (6 KO’s), is expected to bring a nice crowd with him when he travels north of his nation’s border. The 24-year-old stopped his last three opponents, most recently dispatching of Ferenc Szabo April 7. Shortly after the victory, he signed with US-based Greg Cohen Promotions and plans to captivate the American boxing public.

 

A true ring veteran, the hard-hitting Ledesma’s faced a number of top fighters. The Miami based Colombian’s shared the squared circle with former world champion Jesus Chavez, Ronny Rios, Mikey Faragon, Juan Carlos Burgos, Raul Martinez, Jose Miguel Aguiniga and Mario Santiago amongst others. On May, 2 2007, Ledesma scored a vicious fifth round KO over hot prospect Gary Stark Jr in New York City, which further validated his power.

 

“I don’t take anybody lightly,” said Luis, a former WBC Continental Americas champion. “He’s been matched against a number of world class guys and I am expecting him to be at his best because I’m going to be on my A-game."

 

Luis also sees this bout opening the door to a bright future in the Land ofOpportunity.

 

“I want to make a big impression in my US debut so I can move onto bigger and better things. It all starts with this fight and I know that I’ve got to win impressively before I can move onto the next level.”

 

Tickets are available by going to http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/000048FF03E5DED6?artistid=923310&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=33 or calling the Turning Stone Casino at 1-877-833-7469.