Undefeated Lateef Kayode ready for championship showdown with Luis Ortiz

For Immediate Release Hollywood, CA (August 27, 2014)--World Boxing Association number-five ranked Heavyweight, undefeated Lateef "Power" Kayode (20-0, 16 KO's) has been preparing for WBA Interim Heavyweight championship bout against fellow undefeated top rated contender Luis Ortiz ((21-0, 18 KO's) on September 11 at  Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The resident of Hollywood, California and native of Lagos, Nigeria has been prepping for this major opportunity at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer, Freddie Roach. "It's going to be a great fight for both of us.  It is a great opportunity to prove myself in the Heavyweight division," said Kayode. Despite moving up from Cruiserweight, Kayode is not at all intimidated by Ortiz who will have close to a three-inch and 20-plus pound weight advantage. "He is strong and big.  I know that and it doesn't concern me at all.  I spar a lot of big guys out here and I am used to it." Kayode knows that a win over Ortiz will be the gateway for major opportunities in the Heavyweight division. "I have been doing my job as I know this is a big opportunity.  This fight will give me a Heavyweight title belt and that will only lead me into bigger fights." Kayode gives a lot of credit to the man who helped secure this opportunity.  That being his promoter Greg Cohen. Cohen has a great history in the Heavyweight division as he has worked with Hasim Rahman, Shannon Briggs, James Toney and Samuel Peter to name a few. Said Cohen, "Lateef is a bonafide Heavyweight with one punch power in either hand.  Most people don't realize that the majority of his 21 fights have taken place at heavyweight (12 out of 21).  After speaking with Freddie over the past few months, he implored me to do whatever needed to be done to secure the Ortiz fight, as Freddie believes the styles match up perfectly for Lateef to be successful. Both fighters are undefeated, extremely strong & both guys know that it's sink or swim time. At the end of the day I think Lateef's power and execution of Freddie's game plan will be the difference in the fight. It Won't be easy, but onSeptember 11th,  I expect Lateef's hand to be raised in victory and a new major player in the Heavyweight division will have arrived." "I want to thank Greg Cohen for putting this together and I know on September 11, I will come out victorious.  It is an Opportunity that I have to take.", continued Kayode. The fight will kick off a monstrous fight weekend in Las Vegas as it will be a prelude to the rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana that will take place two nights later at the MGM Grand. "I want to thank the fans that will come to and watch our fight.  It will be the start of a great boxing weekend.  They say nobody wants to fight Ortiz.  Well I am not scared and I will be there.  I am not scared of anybody." Kayode has much riding on the fight as he wants to follow in the footsteps of Peter and become the 2nd Heavyweight champion from Nigeria. "My people back home will be very happy.  For me to come home with the Heavyweight championship would be great.  I am going to prove to everybody that I am the best and I will bring that title home to Nigeria.", finished Kayode.

Iron Mike Productions Nov. 15 show Canceled at Seminole Hard Rock in Florida

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (October 18, 2013) -  The World Boxing Council (WBC) has announced its World Cup Tournament has been postponed, resulting in the cancellation of the entire Iron Mike Productions-presented show scheduled onNovember 15, 2013 at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.  The postponement is out of respect to WBC president and World Cup founder, Jose Sulaiman, who is recovering from recent heart surgery.  The event will not be rescheduled and refunds are available at point of purchase. The main event and co-feature fights, slated to be part of the World Cup's opening round, were going to air live on Fox Sports I. The WBC issue the following statement: The WBC has asked the promoters and participants of the WBC World Cup Tournament, which has been the dream of our President Jose Sulaiman, to postpone the inauguration of the tournament as a sign of respect and solidarity for his current medical condition as he recovers from his recent heart surgery. Jose Sulaiman worked tirelessly for several years to put together the formidable World Cup, which is a tournament between all WBC affiliated federations champions to determine the best of the division, with the winner to become a challenger of the reigning champion. The postponement would allow our President to be involved in all the activities which he had so passionately dedicated toward its implementation, with the support of the WBC 19s 10 Continental federations. All our efforts in the WBC will be concentrated in the successful recuperation of Jose Sulaimán, who is presently recovering at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. "I have known Mr. Jose Sulaiman since I was a teenager," Iron Mike Productions president Mike Tyson said.  "His recovery is of great importance to me and I am sending my prayers to the Sulaiman's and the WBC Family. Professionally, we look forward to being a part of the WBC Cup tournament when it is reinstated. In the interim we will continue getting our fighters exciting fights." For additional information about Iron Mike Productions please visitwww.IronMikeProductions.comor follow on Twitter @IronMikeProd. Iron Mike Productions, previously Acquinity Sports, is a boxing promotion company co-founded and led by CEO Garry Jonas. It is a partnership with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson committed to changing traditional boxing promotion by advocating for its fighters' successes inside the ring and out, throughout their professional careers and into retirement.

Iron Mike Productions to Host WBC World Cup of Boxing

WBC WORLD CUP of BOXING   Featuring Joan Guzman vs. Simeon Hardy Claudio Marrero vs. Romulo Koasicha  Friday, Nov. 12, 2013 - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL

November 15 at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida Tickets on Sale Now DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (October 15, 2013) -  Iron Mike Productions (IMP) is bringing big-time boxing back to Florida, presenting opening-round action in the World Boxing Council's (WBC) World Cup of Boxing, on Friday night, November 15, 2013 at 7 p.m. at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Former two-divisional world champion Joan "Little Tyson" Guzman (33-1-1, 20 KOs) has moved up to fight as a welterweight in the WBC World Cup of Boxing.  The Dominican Republic native, who was world champion as a super featherweight and super bantamweight, takes on undefeated WBC CABOFE champion Simeon "Candyman" Hardy (10-0, 7 KOs) in the 10-round World Cup main event. In the other World Cup fight, Claudio "The Matrix" Marrero (14-1, 11 KOs) faces WBC Unites States (USNBC) featherweight champion Romulo Koasicha (20-3, 12 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.  Marrero, also from the Dominican Republic, is coming off his lone loss as a professional this past August, by way of a 12-round decision to Jesus Cuellar for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim featherweight title. The two WBC World Cup of Boxing fights will air live on Fox Sports1. In a 10-round Special Super Bantamweight Attraction, undefeated Alexei "The Mexican-Cuban" Collado (17-0, 16 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line against an opponent to be determined. Collado has stopped 16 of his 17 victims. The powerful Cuban is world rated at No. 14 by the WBA and No. 15 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).    Also fighting on the undercard are three hot prospects in separate four-round bouts. Multi-talented featherweight Albert "Prince" Bell (2-0, 1 KO), a 2011 National PAL and 2012 National Golden Gloves champion, returns to the ring on the undercard. Newly-signed IMP fighters, 18-year-old welterweight Erickson "Hammer" Lubin and 20-year-old featherweight Dennis Galarza, will make their much-anticipated pro debuts on the November 15th card.  Lubin was a 2012 National Golden Gloves champion.  "We're looking forward to being at the Seminole Hard Rock to promote our second show," IMP president and Hall of Famer "Iron" Mike Tyson said.  "The World Cup of Boxing celebrates the WBC's 50th anniversary and we're very proud to be hosting its second event on November 15th.  Our two fighters in the World Cup, Joan Guzman and Claudio Marrero, are both forces to be reckoned with throughout the tournament. Another one of our future world champions, undefeated Alexei Collado, will be in action.  We'll also be showcasing three of the top prospects in boxing, Albert Bell, and newly signed former U.S. amateur standouts Erickson Lubin and Dennis Galarza." Opponents will soon be announced, in addition to a seventh fight, for Collado, Bell, Lubin and Galarza.  All of the aforementioned boxers, in addition to Guzman and Marrero, are fighting out of Miami. Tickets cost $79, $59 and $39*; all seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets online atwww.myhrl.com, ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open 30-minutes prior to show start time. *Additional fees may apply. For additional information about the November 15th "WBC World Cup of Boxing" event please visit www.IronMikeProductions.comor follow on Twitter @IronMikeProd. Iron Mike Productions, previously Acquinity Sports, is a boxing promotion company co-founded and led by CEO Garry Jonas. It is a partnership with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson committed to changing traditional boxing promotion by advocating for its fighters' successes inside the ring and out, throughout their professional careers and into retirement.

Nobody can tame 'The Lion' Eddie Paredes primed to Attack top welterweights in world

Eddie "The Lion" Paredes in action (photo by Rey Sanchez / Acquinity Sports) DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (May 16, 2013) - World-rated welterweight Eddie "The Lion" Paredes (32-3-1, 21 KOs) is prepared to go from being considered one of the most avoided welterweights to world champion. Rated #2 in the world by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and #3 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), Parades hopes to soon face one of the top-ranked welterweights  - Robert Guerrero, Luis Carlos Abregu or even Amir Khan if he moves up in weight - in a career-defining fight to position him for his first world title shot. Paredes, fighting out of Hollywood (FL), is riding a 10-fight win streak.  He has won 11 of his last 12 fights with one draw, since suffering his last loss more than four years ago to Carlos Molina by 10-round decision.  Paredes' last fight was a solid victory by 10-round decision over veteran Hector Munoz last November in Sunrise, Florida. "Floyd Mayweather, Jr. just made Guerrero by giving him the payday of his life," the 28-year-old Paredes commented. "Floyd can do this for many fighters and he's signed to fight five more times in the near future. I'd love to be one of the guys who gets a call to be his opponent. I'm willing to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime. Mayweather has been an inspiration for me. He is the best fighter in the world and, of course, I would love to mix it up with the world's best fighter."     "Eddie is the only welterweight rated by all four of the major boxing organizations (also WBO #11 & IBF #14)," noted his promoter Henry Rivalta (Acquinity Sports), "yet he hasn't been in a really big fight.  I think he's a victim of boxing politics today.  He's talented and a risky fight for anybody, no doubt, but I wonder if he's so avoided because he's not with the two major promotional companies in boxing.  We're ready to prove he deserves a world title shot by fighting any of the top 147-pounders who'll get in the ring with him.  If none of them will voluntarily fight Eddie, we'll continue working hard to get him into a mandatory position.  One way or the other, we're determined to get Eddie the shot he deserves." During his nine-year professional career, Paredes has defeated world champion Vivian Harris (TKO10), world title challengers Oscar Leon (KO4) and Michael Lozada (KO3), Manuel Leyva (TKO7), and previously undefeated Joey Hernandez. Go online to www.AquinitySports.com for additional information about Parades or any of his Acquinity Sports stable-mates. Follow Acquinity Sports on Twitter @AcquinitySports, or friend is at Facebook.com/AcquinitySports.

ABOUT ACQUINITY SPORTS: Founded in 2011 by CEO Gary Jonas and Henry Rivalta, Vice President of Boxing Operations, Acquinity Sports is a full-service promotional company based in southern Florida.   Acquinity Sports is committed to changing traditional boxing promotion as an advocate of its fighters, supporting them to succeed in and out of the ring throughout their professional careers and into retirement. Fully dedicated to providing a structured environment, Acquinity Sports develops each individual fighter to maximize their potential, ensuring maximum exposure to audiences across a diverse range of channels, as well as encouraging team spirit and sense of family so crucial for success in the highly-competitive sport and business of boxing. Acquinity Sports continues to sign incredible talent in various weight divisions to provide fans the highest level of year-round entertainment in professional boxing. Seasons may change but Acquinity Sports' commitment remains to bring the heat.

Find A Dream To Host Meet And Greet For Boxing Champions At Renowned Giovanni’s In Malibu

Find A Dream has recently announced that next Wednesday they will be hosting a meet and greet with their world champion boxers at the renowned Giovanni’s Ristorante Italiano in Malibu. 

Beginning at 8 p.m., fans can come and meet, take photographs and get autographs with Olympic Gold Medalist and former world heavyweight champion Ray Mercer, 3-time world champion Bobby Czyz, 4-time world champion Michael Moorer and 2-time world champion and revered trainer Buddy McGirt.  In addition to Find A Dream’s all-star boxers making an appearance, expected in attendance are a handful of celebrities and Hollywood socialites.

Find A Dream will be in Los Angeles the following night as they have partnered with Gotham City Films Foundation in hosting a charity dinner and celebrity cocktail party as a call to action to raise awareness of the organization’s mission. 

“It means the world to us that Giovanni’s is opening up their beautiful restaurant to Find A Dream,” said Rod Ricciardi, founder of Find A Dream.  “We are looking forward to our world renowned team of boxers having a chance to meet with fans, and ultimately spread Find A Dream’s message.”

Find A Dream— a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that reaches out to community children and provides them a healthy channel to find and work towards fulfilling a dream.

Most recently they opened their newest facility in their home base of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, partnering with One Punch Fitness, and going forward are looking to continue to expand on a national level and eventually open up several boxing camps through Europe.

Find A Dream’s meet and greet at Giovanni’s will take place next Wednesday, September 13, 2012 at 8 p.m.  Giovanni’s Ristorante Italiano is located at 22235 Pacific Coast Hwy #E, Malibu, California; (310) 317-6769.

For more information on Find A Dream visit www.findadream.org.

Interview with Zachary "Kid Yamaka" Wohlman

Interview Available For Distribution

By Chris Strait

Zachary Wohlman adapts to his surroundings.  I'm not just speaking of his having the rare ability to train at the wild card gym even in the beginning of his pro career; sparring against some of the best, and learning from trainers Freddie Roach and Eric Brown.  I'm speaking of the very reason he began boxing in the first place.  Most boxers describe themselves nowadays as warriors, at least on these shores.  However, Zac Wolhman said he fell in love with "boxing, not fighting", and it is that which guides and facilitates his learning curve.  It was not always that way.  Writer Chris Strait sat down with "Kid Yamaka", as he prepares for his 4th pro fight next week, against Jose Martell of Arizona, in his own backyard of Hollywood, CA. 

 

CS: Your nickname obviously makes you stand out, as there are not many Jewish boxers nowadays.  Where did that come from?

ZW: I actually didn't get bar-mitzvah-ed until a few years ago.  I came back to my faith later, and Kid Yamaka (yarmulke) was a nickname given to me in the gym.  You either pick your nickname or it picks you.  Mine definitely picked me, but the more people heard it, they were like, "hey, that's a really good nickname".

CS: How did you begin boxing?  And at what age?

ZW: I was 14, and I went to military school on the Texas/Mexican border.  I was nervous to be there, so I told them I was a boxer to gain respect.

CS: Did you know how to box?

ZW: I knew nothing! (laughs), I was so aggressive when they put me in there, to make up for the fact that I didn't know what I was doing.  Ironic, now that I am more of a pure boxer.

CS: Did your style come from necessity, sparring against guys like Amir Khan and Alfonso Gomez?

ZW: I always rise to the level of my opposition, so I learn a ton from them.  This is my last 4-rounder, and I am looking forward to going more rounds.  But I love boxing, not fighting, and that's what this sport is.

CS: Do you feel your style is better suited to longer fights?

ZW: Oh yeah, you're only getting started breaking a guy down in 4 rounds, and if you suffer a flash knockdown, you have to get up and dominate, just to win a one-point decision.  I train for longer fights.

CS: You were forced to fight fast a bit in your last fight.  Tell us about that experience... getting rocked slightly, and then having your opponent quit with a broken hand.

ZW: Well, I don't think he had a broken hand.  My pride/humility won't allow me to take credit for it, but I think he came at me hard, caught me behind the head with a looping shot, and when it didn't finish me, he found a soft spot to lay down in.

CS: What did you learn from that?

ZW: Well, first that I could take a shot - I was still standing, so that's good to know.  Second, that I should take my time.  I was feeling the KO pressure (his first two fights were decision wins), and I let that get to me.  

CS: Did you know anything about him coming in?

ZW: No, I like to have tape, but that fight, I hadn't seen anything.  

CS: So, you do like to study tapes of your opponent?

ZW: Yes, some fighters don't, but I would rather know they are good... I have no problem with that.  I don't mind them being good, so I'd rather know that then know nothing.  I don't want to get to a weigh-in and have that be the first time I see that the guy is a foot taller than me. (laughs)

CS: Being trained and managed well in the beginning of your career (by Freddie Roach and Steven Bash, respectively), you haven't had to take short notice fights.  Do you do training camps, or stay in gym constantly?

 

ZW: I'm pretty much always in the gym.  The only break I took was when i went to Italy with Paulie (Malignaggi).. and even then I was sparring with him.

 

CS: Is he someone you look up to?

 

ZW: He's like a big brother to me... he was there, helping me before my first pro fight.  I hadn't been out of the country before that Italy trip.  It was crazy being there as a professional boxer, too.  Only had 3 fights, and boxing's already taking me all over the world.  

CS: Is Freddie your primary trainer, or is Eric Brown?

ZW: Freddie makes all the decisions, and he will be in my corner this fight.  He's the main guy, but I don't want to discredit all the work Eric does.  It's about 60/40.

CS: How do you see your development progressing?

ZW: It's step by step.  Let's get to 8-0, let's get on ESPN, and keep moving forward.  I might move down to 140.  My legs and movement are my strength.

CS: Where can people find out more about you?

ZW: At my website, you can get to my FB and twitter from there, too.  www.zacharywohlman.com

NWA Wrestling returns to Hollywood Fla 7/14

GOLDUST - KAHAGAS - PEARCE - SANTEE & MORE!
 

 

The 4th of July might have passed, but the fireworks will continue as NWA Ring Warriors returns to South Florida on Saturday, July 14th at the German American Clubhouse, 6401 Washington Street, Hollywood, with a 7:30 p.m. bell time for "Hollywood Heat Wave." [watch the above video]

Get you tickets at http://nwaringwarriors.com/tickets.html or call the NWA Ring Warriors Hotline at 954-828-2162.

 

Eight Big Matches are Scheduled

Self-proclaimed "King of Florida" Francisco Ciatso takes on the debuting Shooter Storm. [watch a video of Shooter Storm and Francisco Ciatso talking about this match]

In a Battling Bombshells division triangle match, former WWE development star Su Yung faces Sienna Duvall and former World Wrestling Council ladies champion La Rosa Negra.
[La Rosa Negra Talks About the Upcoming Match]
[Sienna Duvall Responds to La Rosa]

In a tag team contenders match, the Red-Devil Fight Team (Mikhail Ivanov and Aleksander Chekov) managed by Adam Barisano take on the ghoulish duo of "The Undead"
[Watch The Undead Speak About the RDFT]
[Watch the RDFT's Response]

Then in a match six years in the making, South Florida's very own Billy Fives collides with longtime rival "The Black Nature Boy" Scoot Andrews. 
[Watch Scoot Andrews' Statement About this Match]
[Watch Billy Five's Statement About this Match]

For the Coastal Championship Wrestling title, newly-crowned champ "The Great" Pablo Marquez squares off with "The Black Stallion" Frank Stone (formerly known as J.T. Flash).
[Watch Pablo Marquez and Frank Stone 'Discuss' the upcoming match]

The NWA National Heavyweight Title will also be on the line as the Tokyo Monster Kahagas takes on the challenge of NWA Wildkat's Luke Hawx.
[Luke Hawx Has Some Choice Words for Kahagas]
[The Hardcore Giant Ron Niemi Joins The Tokyo Monster with a Message to Hawx and Other Challengers]

In a Special Challenge match, "The Legend Killer" Vordell Walker takes on former WWE Inter-Continental Champion Goldust.
[Watch Vordell Walker's message to Goldust]
[Watch Goldust's Reaction]

And in the Main Event, NWA Ring Warriors Grand Champion "The Marquee" Bruce Santee faces the Four-Time former NWA World Heavyweight Champion "Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce!
[Adam Pearce Talks About the Upcoming Match]

A portion of all proceeds from this event will go to benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation.

This NWA Ring Warriors event is sponsored in part by American Top Team -- The #1 Source for Mixed martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Self-Defense, Fitness and Martial Arts in the State of Florida.

Hollywood Fight Night At The Historic Florentine Gardens Debuts July 12th

OLD SCHOOL BOXING RETURNS TO HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA WITH 10 BOUTS

June, 25, 2012 - Hollywood, CA - From the end of World War II through the early 1950s, the Golden Era of West Coast Boxing was alive and well in Hollywood, California with regular shows at the legendary Hollywood Legion Stadium on Gower and El Centro. In the early 1960s, "The Brown Bomber" himself, Joe Louis, promoted weekly shows at The Moulin Rouge Night Club on Sunset Blvd.

Right up the street on Hollywood Blvd., Florentine Gardens, which originally opened in 1938, served as one of the hottest Supper Clubs in Hollywood.  A Who's Who of Tinseltown's elite would frequent the Florentine Gardens, including Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Rudolph Valentino, and Errol Flynn.  A young starlet named Norma Jean Baker celebrated her first wedding at Florentine Gardens...and would later become Marilyn Monroe.

On Thursday, July 12, 2012, Art of Boxing Promotions, in association with Bash Boxing, will evoke memories from the Golden Era of West Coast Boxing with the launch of a new professional boxing series at the Legendary Florentine Gardens in Hollywood.  "Hollywood Fight Night" will include 10 professional boxing bouts featuring fighters from Hollywood and its surrounding areas. 

Some of the most promising undefeated prospects out of the biggest boxing gyms and clubs in Southern California are scheduled to appear on the card, including former Golden Gloves Champion and Freddie Roach trained prospect from Hollywood Zachary "Kid Yamaka" Wohlman (3-0, 1KO), towering Los Angeles welterweight Terrell "Tyger" Williams (4-0, 3KOs), rising undefeated bantamweight from the famed Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard Erik Ruiz (4-0, 2KOs),Espinoza Boxing Club lightweight Luis Bello (2-0, 1KO), and undefeated Burbank welterweight Mike "Smooth" Caracella (1-0). 

Also scheduled to appear on Hollywood Fight Night is British import and current Hollywood resident, Light Middleweight Liam "Punch" Vaughan (4-1), North Hollywood Welterweight Javier Albonica(2-1), Los Angeles Bantamweight Raymond "Bad Boy" Chacon (4-2), Pasadena Lightweight Carlos "The Solution" Morales (0-1), Hollywood Female Welterweight Holly Lawson (3-2), and the professional debuts of Canoga Park's Jason McGrue and Amateur standout, Paul Parker.

Tickets to HOLLYWOOD FIGHT NIGHT can be purchased online by going towww.bashboxing.com  or by calling (626) 388-8888. HOLLYWOOD FIGHT NIGHT takes place onThursday, July 12, 2012 at the Florentine Gardens, located at 5955 Hollywood Blvd. inHollywood, California.   

Doors Open at 7:00 p.m., First Bout at 7:15pm sharp.  Tickets to HOLLYWOOD FIGHT NIGHT start at $35.  All bouts are subject to change.