July Draws with Graves; Vows for better showing in next bout

 

Baltimore, MD (April 16, 2014) – Cruiserweight hopeful Venroy “Hardwork” July left the ring last Saturday evening following his eight round draw with unbeaten Quantis Graves as a frustrated fighter.

 

July, who doubled as a main event boxer and promoted the card in front of a packed house at the Patapsco Arena in Baltimore, MD, battled a highly regarded foe but didn’t get the result he was looking for. For much of the bout, there was excessive holding along with multiple headbutts, throwing both fighters off their game. Ultimately, neither July nor Graves, 9-0-2, was able to take advantage in a bout that could best be described as a power struggle.

 

Scores were 77-75 July and 76-76 twice.

 

“I allowed Graves to get into my head.” said July, who has a professional record of 16-1-3 with 6 knockouts. “He did things to frustrate me in the fight and I’m upset I let that happen. I need to be more composed next time out because I didn’t do what I trained for. Graves’ style was also different than I thought. I expected him to box me but he threw me off guard by coming at me early on. Physically, I felt fine the whole fight. After the eighth round ended, I thought I would’ve won a decision but I’m not claiming a robbery at all.”

 

July, a full time lawyer who promoted this fight under the Hardwork Promotions banner, knows he has to do better next time around.

 

“Although I’m upset with the outcome, this was a learning experience. My level of competition is strong and I’m not looking for easy fights. Most guys in my shoes are taking easier fights and I’m looking to take on another quality opponent immediately. My goal is to fight for a title by 2015 and beating good fighters is the only way to get there.”

 

Unbeaten super middleweight Demond “Dbestatit” Nicholson once again showed why he is a prospect worth keeping an eye on, knocking out unbeaten Chris Rohn in 51 seconds. In other undercard action, heavyweight Dwayne “Big Ticket” McRae stopped Jonte Willis after two rounds, Alexandru Marin outpointed Alex Hipolito, Larry Reico and Travis Reeves scored first round stoppages and Taneal Goyco upset previously unbeaten Jeremy Trussell via sixth round knockout.

 

“The undercard was excellent,” July said. Demond Nicholson impressive and so was Reeves. We had knockouts, decisions and a big upset. We had two of the top amateurs in separate bouts with (Romanian featherweight star) Alexandru Marin and my opponent Quantis Graves, who missed out on the 2008 Olympic Team by losing to (unbeaten contender) Deontay Wilder. I’m very pleased with the card from a promotional standpoint.”

 

Hardwork Promotions is targeting their next fight card for late June or early July. For more on Hardwork Promotions, visit Hardworkpromotions.com

July confident heading into bout with unbeaten Graves!

 

Suitland, MD (April 10, 2014) – As cruiserweight contender who works full time as a lawyer and promotes many of his own fights, 31-year-old Venroy “Hardwork” July is constantly on the go.

 

On the average weekday, July wakes up around 6 am to go for a run, comes back to freshen up and have breakfast, heads to his full-time job at Hogan Lovells to work from 9-7 and then goes to the boxing gym for about 2 hours. After many of his aforementioned exhausting days, July heads back to the office and finishes up work. On top of all that, Quantis Graves, the man he faces Saturday evening at the Patapsco Arena in Baltimore,MD, is his toughest foe to date.

 

Graves, an alternate on the 2008 US Olympic Team and three-time Golden Gloves champion, has a significant edge in experience on July due to his amateur pedigree. The 31-year old Texan is yet to lose as a pro, compiling an impressive 9-0-1 record with four victories by way of knockout.

 

“For me to become a championship level fighter, I have to beat quality fighters,” said July, a 2007 Graduate of Duke University’s School of Law. “Beating an unbeaten and well regarded opponent like Quantis Graves will help me get there. I’ve seen him fight before and he’s a good fighter but so am I. I’m very confident that I’ll win this one.”

 

After a brief amateur career, July’s been a surprising success in the paid ranks. The popular Suitland, MD based Jamaican has an excellent 16-1-2 ledger, scoring six knockouts along the way. On January 24, he impressively outpointed Sevdail Sherifi in Atlantic City, NJ. After that victory, July was noticed by former cruiserweight champion and heavyweight contender Steve “USS” Cunningham, whom he recently sparred with.

 

“Steve is a great guy and a great fighter. We went at in the gym and knowing that I can hang with top fighters like that only adds to my confidence. Everybody in the gym tells you how good you are, but actually going in there and trading punches with a top fighter is a whole different thing. My work with Steve Cunningham definitely helped me get ready for the Graves bout and future challenges.”

 

July meets Graves in the eight round main event.

 

On the undercard, super middleweight knockout artist Demond “Dbestatit” Nicholson, heavyweight Dwayne “Big Ticket” McRae, undefeated junior middleweight Larry “Cuban Assassin” Recio, and featherweight Alexandru Marin will all appear separate bouts.

 

The card is promoted by Hardwork Promotions and tickets are available by going to Hardworkpromotions.com or calling 410-635-4754.

July to face unbeaten Graves April 12!

Baltimore, MD (March 10, 2014) – Cruiserweight up and comer Venroy “Hardwork” July will step up in competition when he faces unbeaten Quantis Graves Saturday, April 12 over eight rounds at the Patapsco Arena in Baltimore.

 

The card is promoted by Hardwork Promotions and tickets are available by going to Hardworkpromotions.com or calling 410-635-4754.

 

Born in St. Catherine, Jamaica, July has an outstanding professional record of 16-1-2 with 6 wins by knockout. Since his lone setback last February, July’s scored three straight victories, most recently outpointing Sevdail Sherifi in Atlantic City, NJ. Outside of the ring, the 31-year-old Suitland, MD resident is also extremely accomplished.

 

After getting his undergraduate from the University of North Carolina in 2004, July went onto earn a degree from Duke’s internationally ranked Law School. While many fighters moving up the rankings box full-time, July not only promotes himself under the Hardwork Promotions banner, he works 50-plus hours perk week as a corporate lawyer for Hogan Lovells.

 

Graves, who grew up in the fighting city New Orleans, LA and resides in Beaumont, TX, is 9-0-1 with 4 KO’s. The fellow 31-year-old is a three-time Golden Gloves champion and was an alternate on the 2008 US Olympic Team. Last September, Graves scored his best win to date, topping dangerous and hard hitting Joshua Harris.

 

“The whole point of this game is to challenge yourself,” July said of his willingness to face an unbeaten opponent. “I didn't have a huge amateur background so I have to fight my way to the top. I've been fighting in every sense of the sport, fighting to get fights and fighting in the ring. That’s the whole reason I started my own promotional company, I just couldn't get the chances I needed. This just gives me an opportunity to keep fighting."

 

In addition to the July-Graves main event, fans will also see 2013 “Beltway Rookie of the Year” runner-up Demond “Dbestatit” Nicholson, heavyweight Dwayne “Big Ticket” McRae, unbeaten middleweight knockout artist Jeremy Trussell, cruiserweight Travis Reeves and Romanian import Alexandru Marin in separate bouts.