Ponytail Promotions: An Equal Opportunity Promoter

 

Baltimore, MD (June 25, 2014) – In today’s technology-crazed society, boxing fans and promoters have various outlets to make fighters a trending topic. From HBO’s 24/7 to Showtime’s All-Access, YouTube, fan forums and Twitter, there are more ways to get insight on boxing than ever before. Sadly, this mostly applies only to male fighters.

 

Of boxing’s major promoters, only one lists a female fighter in their stable and even the most hardcore fight fanatic would be hard-pressed to remember the last women’s boxing match on TV. The 2012 Olympics produced two American boxing medalists, both of which were women. Neither decided to leave the amateurs, with the reason most likely being lack of opportunity in the paid ranks.

 

Thankfully, James Hogan and Ponytail Promotions are working to change that.

 

On Saturday evening at the Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, Ponytail Promotions will present an excellent fight card, featuring a world title bout and one of the best female prospects on the planet. $30 general admission, $50 floor seats, $75 VIP seats and $750 VIP tables of 10 are available by calling 410-499-5361 or going to Ponytailpromotions.com.

 

Headlining the card will be a bout between superstar Tori “Sho Nuff” Nelson of Ashburn, VA and Atlanta, GA’s “Notorious” Nicole Woods. Unbeaten as a professional, Nelson’s is an elite female fighter, having won titles in two divisions. Woods is known for her willingness not only to take on tough opponents but for giving the best difficult fights.

 

The bout is scheduled for ten rounds and is for Nelson’s world welterweight championship.

 

In a featured supporting bout, fellow unbeaten Tyriesha Douglas of Baltimore risks her perfect record against iron-chinned Laredo, TX native Christina Fuentes. Douglas, who is 4-0, narrowly missed making the 2012 Olympics and is on the fast track to a world title.

 

“I believe our June 28 card will be the start of a big push for woman’s boxing in the area,” stated Hogan. “It’s unfortunate that many female fighters struggle to get on cards. I’m a firm supporter of women’s boxing and am honored to have two of America’s best female talents featured on my show.”

 

In a battle for the USBU 175 pound crown, Willie “For Real” Williams of Baltimore challenges popular Frankie “Freight Train” Filippone of Norfolk, VA. Williams-Fillippone is slated for eight rounds, with the winner looking positioning themselves for a potential big bout in the near future.

 

Popular local standouts Demond “Dbestatit” Nicholson, Jeremy Trussell, Seth Billups, Glenn Dezurn, Alexandru Marin, and Travis Reeves will all appear in separate bouts.

 

The first bout takes place at 7 pm, with doors opening an hour earlier. IN addition to world class boxing, popular radio station 92Q and DJ Squirrel Wyde will be on hand from 6-8 PM with prizes and special giveaways.

 

For more information, go to Ponytailpromotions.com.

 

Founded in 2014 by respected Baltimore-based boxing businessman James Hogan, Ponytail Promotions envisions becoming one of the top promotional firms in the United States. With a keen interest in both male and female fighters, Ponytail Promotions will run a total of 10-12 shows per year in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC and North Carolina.

Jerome Featherstone Jr; Ahead of the Learning Curve

Baltimore, MD (June 7, 2012) – When Jerome Featherstone Jr. entered the Baltimore Boxing and Fitness Gym for the first time in January 2012, promoter and gym owner Jake Smith figured he had another athlete with a brief fascination of the sweet science.

 

An elite wrestler at the prestigious Boys Latin High School in Maryland and theUniversity of Oklahoma, Smith assumed Featherstone Jr. would spend a few weeks in the gym before calling it quits; something he calls the norm.

 

“I’ve had so many athletes that starred in other sports come into my gym to give boxing a shot only to realize it wasn’t for them,” said Smith, a member of both the Maryland and D.C. Boxing Hall of Fames. “I expected Jerome would be one of those guys who thought boxing would be a breeze because he excelled in another sport, before he got a rude awakening.”

 

Smith was surprisingly wrong.

 

Featherstone Jr. proved to be a natural from the moment he laced up a pair of gloves, displaying speed, power and footwork of a ring veteran. According to Smith, Featherstone Jr’s god-given ability, all-around discipline and eagerness to learn are unlike anything he’s seen.

 

“I’ve been around all of the world champions and top contenders from this area during the last 30 years. Jerome tops all of them at this stage. There are a lot of boxers who’ve been doing this their entire life and had tons of amateur fights that never displayed the kind of potential he has. If Jerome continue to progress, I guarantee you’ll all know who he is in the near future.”

 

Tomorrow evening, Featherstone Jr. looks to improve his record to 4-0 when he challenges experienced Darius Vann for the East Coast Middleweight title in the main event of a fight card pitting Team Baltimore against a squad from Philadelphia at Du Burns Arena.

 

Tickets starting at $25 and VIP tables of 10 from $500 are available on Baltimoreboxing.com or by calling 410-375-9175.

 

In addition to the Featherstone-Vann match-up, there will be 11 Olympic Style bouts featuring each squad’s top talent. Thus far, Team Baltimore is 3-0 in competitions, defeating a team from the Naval Academy and twice besting a squad from Pittsburgh.

 

All bouts are sanctioned by USA Boxing.

 

The Du Burns Arena is located at 1301 S. Elwood Ave in Baltimore. Doors open at 6:30 and the first bout is slated for 8 pm.

Baltimore-Philadelphia match-up set for June 8!

 

Baltimore, MD (May 24, 2012) – Jake Smith of Baltimore Boxing Promotions announced that his team of rising stars will challenge Philadelphia’s brightest young boxers in an Olympic Style tournament Friday, June 8 at the Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, MD.

 

Tickets starting at $25 and VIP tables of 10 from $500 are available on Baltimoreboxing.com or by calling 410-375-9175.

 

A longtime promoter, gym owner and trainer, Smith’s created a buzz in boxing circles by matching Team Baltimore with a squad from the Annapolis Naval Academy and twice against the City of Pittsburgh. In the aforementioned match-ups, Team Baltimore is 3-0, with each fight card taking place in front of a packed house.

 

“Fans are fascinated with the local rivalry angle,” stated Smith, who was a popular prizefighter in the Old Line State and currently trains many of the June 8 participants at the Baltimore Boxing & Fitness Gym. “The professional sports leagues have promoted this for years and it’s been a longtime goal of mine to do city vs city in boxing. I’m fortunate to work with some great people in other cities who’ve helped make these events a reality. To be honest, it’s no different than in basketball, baseball or football, because the crowd shows great pride for their city and the attendance has been outstanding.”

 

Topping the card is an East Coast title bout between rising star Jerome Featherstone and Darius Vann. A former standout wrestler at the University of Oklahoma, Featherstone served in the Marines following his college graduation. Prior to his colligate days Featherstone starred on the mat at the illustrious Boys Latin High School. Inside the squared circle, the Joppa resident andBaltimore native is yet to lose.

 

“This kid is one of the most amazing athletes I’ve ever seen,” stated Smith, who promoted top pros from Maryland, DC and Virginia in years past. He’s got excellent skill and if he was boxing all of his life, I have no doubt that he’d be on everybody’s list of top young fighters.”

 

In addition to the Featherstone-Vann match-up, there will be 11 Olympic Style bouts featuring each squad’s top talent.

 

All bouts are sanctioned by USA Boxing.

 

The Du Burns Arena is located at 1301 S. Elwood Ave in Baltimore. Doors open at 6:30 and the first bout is slated for 8 pm.