OSUMANU AKABA REPLACES JERRY BELMONTES AGAINST EDNER CHERRY OCT. 18 IN PHILADELPHIA ON NBCSN

Akaba Philadelphia, PA- Osumanu Akaba, of Ghana, who had a nine-fight knockout streak snapped in his most recent fight, steps in against Edner Cherry in a 10-round junior lightweight contest on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia. Akaba replaces Jerry Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX, who injured his right wrist in training last Thursday. The Cherry-Akaba bout and the Steve Cunningham-Natu Visinia heavyweight 10-rounder will be televised live by NBCSN on its popular Fight Night series beginning at 9 pm (ET). While more recognizable fighters balked at fighting Cherry on short notice, the 34-year-old Akaba, now living in Tuscaloosa, AL, jumped at the opportunity. He had been ready and waiting for any opportunity when he got the call last Friday to fight Cherry. Akaba, who turned pro in 2000 as a super bantamweight (122 pounds), is now a full-fledged lightweight (135) at 5-foot-10. His record is 24-6, 19 K0s. He has won three minor championships - WBC International Featherweight Title, WBA Pan African Featherweight Title, WBO Africa Super Featherweight Title. One of Akaba's four losses was a 12-round decision defeat in a competitive fight in 2008 in London to Ricky Burns, who later won the WBO world lightweight title. Another 12-round decision setback came in 2005 in South Africa against Jeffrey Mathebula, who went on to take the IBF world super bantamweight title. In his only fight in the US, Akaba dropped an eight-round decision to Bahodir Mamadjonov, of Uzbekistan, who is 17-1, 11 K0s. Prior to that match last August, Akaba had scored nine consecutive knockouts. He has been stopped only once, early in his career. There was some good news, however, for Cherry, who moved up to No. 15 in the WBC world ratings at 130pounds. He is No. 11 in the IBF. About October 18 The Oct. 18 edition of NBCSN Fight Nightwill take place at the 2300 Arena at 2300 Swanson Street in South Philadelphia. It features a 10-round fight between Steve "USS" Cunningham, of Philadelphia, and Natu "The Truth" Visinia, of Lakewood, CA. A 10-round junior lightweight contest between Edner "Cherry Bomb" Cherry, of Wauchula, FL, and Osumanu Akaba, of Accra, Ghana, is the co-feature. Five additional fights open the show at 6PM. Tickets are $50 and $75 and are available by calling Peltz Boxing at (215) 765-0922 or at www.peltzboxing.com. They also can be purchased at Wanamakers Tickets (215-568-2400). The card is presented by Main Events and Peltz Boxing in association with Final Forum Promotions and BAMBoxing. The NBCSN Fight Night telecast will begin at 9 PM ET. Doors open at 5 PMand the first fight will start at 6. The event is sponsored by Rocco's Collision. NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets -- will live stream Fight Night at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Oct. 18. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play. FOLLOW US: Official hashtag: #FightNight www.mainevents.com Twitter: @main_events Facebook:  facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing www.nbcsports.com Twitter:  @NBCSN Facebook:  facebook.com/NBCSports www.peltzboxing.com Twitter: @PeltzBoxing Facebook:  facebook.com/PeltzBoxingPromotions

Brunson-Perez Middleweight Battle Tops Oct. 18 Prelim Card At the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

DeCarlo Perez - Tyrone Brunson Philadelphia, PA—Hidden beneath the publicity surrounding the NBCSN-televised twin main events on Saturday, Oct 18, is an intriguing eight-round middleweight match.    It features Tyrone Brunson, of Philadelphia, and DeCarlo Perez, of Atlantic City, NJ, in what figures to be an explosive contest at the 2300 Arena at 2300 South Swanson Street. The Brunson-Perez showdown will serve as the main preliminary contest to the doubleheader main event:  Steve “USS” Cunningham, of Philadelphia, vs. Natu Visinia, Lakewood, CA, 10 rounds, heavyweights; Edner Cherry, Wauchula, FL, vs.Jerry Belmontes, Corpus Christi, TX, 10 rounds, lightweights.  NBCSN will televise Cunningham-Visinia and Cherry-Belmontes on its popular Fight Night series beginning at 9pm (EST). Brunson (right), 29, set some kind of record when he turned pro in 2005 and knocked out all of his first 19 opponents in one round.  That streak ended in 2008 when Brunson was held to a six-round draw by Mexican Antonio Soriano in Canada. Overall, Brunson is 22-2-1, 21 K0s, including a stoppage—first round, of course--in his last fight June 1over Jansel Mateo in the loser’s Dominican Republic backyard. Now managed by Mark Cipparone and trained by Sloan Harrison, Brunson appears ready to get his career jump-started again.  Though he lives in Philadelphia, the Oct. 18fight with Perez will mark Brunson’s first pro fight there since his debut in 2005.  Instead, he has boxed in Michigan, Indiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Connecticut, Texas, Canada, Dominican Republic and New Zealand. “Fighting in my hometown means more to me than ever before,” Brunson said.  “I have not fought in Philly since my pro debut at the Blue Horizon so I can’t wait to give my friends, family and fans the performance of a lifetime.  I never realized that I would have this extra boost that I am feeling right now just because I will have my people there rooting for me.  Crazy as it seems, I now have a second chance because this feels like my pro debut all over again. “I absolutely have something to prove.  One thing that no one should deny, however, is that I have K0 power.  The knockout thing is both a gift and a curse, but as far as the skeptics go, all I can do is to take this first step by defeating Perez.  I have 20 first-round knockouts and that should bring those curious boxing fans out to South Philly that night.  I am looking forward to a packed house with those who support me and those who are curious to see what I’m all about.” Perez (below left), 23, appears to be coming into his own, having won six of his last seven, dropping only an eight-round split decision to Wilky Campfort, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, earlier this year in Atlantic City. A pro since 2010, Perez is 12-3-1, 4 K0s.  In his last fight Aug. 2 in Atlantic City, he earned a six-round decision over Marcus Willis, of Ft. Myers, FL. “I’ve been working hard in the gym but there still are a few things to fix,” Perez said.  “I’ll be ready for anything Brunson brings.  He may try to come out fast, like he does in most of his fights, or he may want to start slower and save something for the later rounds.” Co-trainer Hassan Hameed-El:  “This fight will prove what we already know—DeCarlo is one of the best middleweight prospects in the country.  He should be in line for a regional title after this, certainly a spot among the Top 15 in the country.  This fight reinforces what people have seen.  DeCarlo has fought undefeated fighters, experienced fighters, tough fighters.” The Oct. 18 show includes a six-round all-Philadelphia lightweight contest betweenVictor Vasquez and Gerald Smith. Vasquez, 31, is known as The Fighting Barber since he cuts hair when he is not boxing.  A pro since 2006, Vasquez is 16-9-1, 7 K0s.  He has not boxed since March 21when he lost an unpopular eight-round decision to Osnel Charles, of Atlantic City, at Harrah’s Philadelphia. This will mark Vasquez’ 10th pro fight in this building, formerly known as the New Alhambra, Arena and Asylum Arena.  He is 7-2-1 there. Smith, 29, also has been idle lately, last boxing March 29 when he dropped a four-round decision to Wellington Romero, a member of the Dominican Republic Olympic team, in Atlantic City.  That was Smith’s first fight in six years; he is 3-1, 1 K0. Three four-round fights complete the seven-bout card. Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 they are on sale at Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or online at www.peltzboxing.com. They also can be purchased through Wanamaker’s Tickets (215-568-2400).   The event is sponsored by Rocco’s Collision.   About October 18 The Oct. 18 edition of NBCSN Fight Night will take place at the 2300 Arena at 2300 Swanson Street in South Philadelphia.  It features a 10-round heavyweight fight between Steve “USS” Cunningham, of Philadelphia, and Natu Visinia, of Lakewood, CA.   A 10-round junior lightweight contest between Edner Cherry, of Wauchula, FL, and Jerry Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX is the co-feature.  Five additional fights open the show at 6.45 PM (EST). Tickets are $50 and $75 and are available by calling Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or going online at www.peltzboxing.com.  They also can be purchased at Wanamakers Tickets (215-568-2400).  The card is presented by Main Events and Peltz Boxing in association with Final Forum Promotions and BAM Boxing. The NBCSN Fight Night telecast will begin at 9 PM ET.  Doors open at 6 PM. The event is sponsored by Rocco’s Collision.   NBC Sports Live Extra  NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets -- will live stream Fight Night at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST onOct. 18. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Steve Cunningham back in the ring Oct. 18 in South Philly

The Oct. 18 edition of NBCSN Fight Night will take place at the 2300 Arena at 2300 Swanson Street in South Philadelphia. It features a 10-round fight between Steve "USS" Cunningham, of Philadelphia, and Natu "The Truth" Visinia, of Lakewood, CA. A 10-round junior lightweight contest between Edner "Cherry Bomb" Cherry, of Wauchula, FL, and Jerry "The Corpus Christi Kid" Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX is the co-feature. Five additional fights open the show at 7PM. Tickets are $50 and $75 and are available by calling Peltz Boxing at (215) 765-0922 or at www.peltzboxing.com. They also can be purchased at Wanamakers Tickets (215-568-2400). 


The card is presented by Main Events and Peltz Boxing in association with Final Forum Promotions and BAM Boxing. The NBCSN Fight Nighttelecast will begin at 9 PM ET. Doors open at 6 PM and the first fight will start at 7. The event is sponsored by Rocco's Collision.

Diaz to meet Sanchez at “Battle at the Boat 87”!

 

Tacoma, WA (May 10, 2012) – Junior lightweight prospect Joel Diaz will look to take another step in the right direction when he battles Guillermo Sanchez Saturday, June 2 in the main event of “Battle at the Boat 87.”

 

The card is promoted by Halquist Productions and takes place at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA. Tickets start at $25 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets or by visiting the EQC box office.

 

The hard-hitting Diaz is a perfect 9-0 with 8 KO’s as a professional and is one of the top young talents on the west coast. On January 20, 2012, Diaz stopped previously unbeaten Guy Robb in seven rounds on ShoBox: The New Generation. In his most recent bout, the 20-year-old Palmdale, CA native battered veteran Yogli Herrera, forcing him to quit on his stool after four rounds.

 

Rough, tough and battle tested, Sanchez’ resume speaks for itself. The Puerto Rican shared the squared circle with world champion Adrien Broner, contender Edner Cherry and undefeated prospects Mark Davis and Ronny Rios. Dubbed as “The Vampire,” Sanchez, 13-6-1 (5 KO’s), twice won bouts in the backyard of previously unbeaten opponents, outpointing Rod Salka and Eddie Irizarry.

 

Diaz-Sanchez is scheduled for ten rounds.

 

Retired Marine and crowd favorite Nate Serrano, 4-1 (1 KO), of Yakima, WA will look to win his second straight bout when he challenges Portland, OR’s Osvaldo Rojas in a six round welterweight contest. Serrano’s fresh off a dramatic second round stoppage of Nicholas Balestra while Rojas, 6-2-1 (2 KO’s), makes his first start since 2010.

 

Also appearing on the undercard is Canadian sensation Sarah Pucek against an opponent to be named. Other undercard bouts will be announced shortly.

 

Doors open at 6 pm and the opening bell is scheduled for 7.

 

During the last 23 years, Halquist Productions built a reputation in the boxing world for their loyalty, honesty and integrity. In 1997, Halquist Productions ran their inaugural “Battle at the Boat” series, which remains successful to this day. Halquist Productions promoted many world title bouts and their fight cards have been seen on ESPN, HBO and Showtime.