Rejuvenated Antonio Tarver Calls out David Haye

TEAM TARVER (L-R) -- Cuban Olympian Robert Alfonso, Milo Thornton, Antonio Tarver, Jr., Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver, world-rated light heavyweight Yunieski Gonzalez, head trainer Orland Cuellar and cut-person Angela Mitchell.  (pictures by Don Sheperd) TAMPA (Dec. 18, 2014) - All five-time world champion Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) wants for Christmas is a signed contract to fight former two-division world champion David Haye (26-2, 24 KOs), ideally, during the first-quarter of 2015. Tarver had been sending direct tweets for the past six months to Haye, who hasn't fought in more than two years, without receiving a response. Coming off last week's impressive seventh-round knockout of veteran Johnathan Banks (29-3-1, 19 KOs), Tarver has taken off the proverbial gloves and he is now publically calling out Haye, who insists, once again, that he is coming out of retirement. "In a perfect world I will be fighting Haye early next year," Tarver said. "He keeps insisting that he's the second-biggest name in the heavyweight division I need him to be my set-up guy to beat in order for me to get a world title shot against Wladimir Klitschko. Haye has one-punch knockout ability and he's aggressive. Once I beat him, though, I want Klitschko. I will come to England and knockout Haye, knock him out cold. I'm 46, and I don't want to go through 12 guys like (Chris) Arreola, (Eddie) Chambers or (Steve) Cunningham to get Klitschko. He's waiting for me to lose so he doesn't have to fight me. I'm calling out Haye to get Klitschko. He talks a lot but the boxing world will see if Haye's serious about fighting again. Tarver vs. Haye is a huge fight in London. "I'm a star and I want to get paid. None of these cats know how to really promote a fight like Antonio Tarver. I'd prefer to fight Haye in Las Vegas but I'll come to England to KO his ass! I have the most powerful adviser in boxing, Al Haymon, and I've told him I want Haye next. If Haye announces he's coming out of retirement to fight somebody else, I'll be at that press conference to embarrass him, the same way I had to get my (Roy) Jones (Jr.) fight. I'm a throw-back fighter who can make a pay-per-view bonanza fighting Klitschko and the way to get that fight is by knocking out Haye. I doubt he'll fight me because he knows he can't beat me. I want David Haye in the UK! "No heavyweight can outbox me. They will have to knock me out to beat me and nobody's ever done that. I will become the oldest world heavyweight champion in boxing history to cement my legacy. I'm coming for Klitschko after I KO Haye. I'm going to shoot a real-life Rocky movie with me chopping down Klitschko." Tarver also had some terse words for critics who complained during and after his recent fight that Banks was a weak opponent and their fight was a snoozer until the final round. "I hit him with a quick 1-2 and then he wouldn't stand in front of me because he felt my speed and power early," Tarver explained. "He didn't want to get hit with my counter-punches. I wish he had opened up and fought but he didn't exchange blows. Boxing is the art of self-defense but I don't see fighters today using their heads. Boxing is chess not checkers. I can box but, when I pick that lock like I did in the seventh round, I can knockout any heavyweight in the world. I don't think I was hit with one good punch. My reflexes and timing, even at 46, are second to none." Tarver initially suffered a now-fully-healed fractured thumb to his left hand, closer to the wrist, postponing the original September 29th fight date versus Banks. Tarver remained in the gym and put in the proper time and effort to stop Banks. "We created tough sparring sessions to prepare him for Banks," Tarver's head trainer Orlando Cuellar commented. "We knew Banks was dangerous and that he could crack. We just kept training and Antonio had to overcome a lot of physical obstacles during camp. He just kept going. He tried to do the impossible and did it. He showed a lot of movement, the ability to explode, and tremendous ring generalship. He sure didn't look 46 the way he cracked Banks. And he'll be 50-percent better in his next fight. "Antonio showed his dedication to improve in the gym. We had a good game plan but he had to do everything he worked on in the fight. His timing was good and he won every round. Banks came out planning to jump on Antonio but he tasted his power in the first 30 seconds and he then didn't want any part of it. He honestly exceeded what I expected and I didn't realize how good a finisher he is." If Santa Claus delivers a contract for him to fight Haye, he may as well give Tarver another display case, as well, to store the world heavyweight title belt Antonio plans to capture in 2015.

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

Steve "USS" Cunningham and family thank boxing community for contributions for Kennedy Cunningham Fundraiser

Philadelphia (October 6, 2014)--Two-time Cruiserweight world champion & Current top-10 Heavyweight contender Steve "USS" Cunningham and his family would like to thank the boxing community for the contributions to the Kennedy Cunningham Fundraiser on www.heartbyfaith.com. Kennedy Cunnungham is the 9 year-old daughter of Steve & Livvy Cunningham and is awaiting a life-saving heart transplant surgery. The fundraiser was set up this summer with the proceeds going to out of pocket expenses for the Cunninghams, which included finding a new home close to the hospital for the potential surgery in Pittsburgh. Within the two months, the goal of $25,000 was reached with most of the donations coming from members of the boxing industry. "We are humbled and grateful for what everyone has done to pitch in," said Steve Cunningham.  "These donations came from all over the world from promoters, managers, television people, fighters and everyone else." Said Livvy Cunningham, "We are truly touched by the outpouring of help from everybody.  Because of the contributions from everybody, We are as comfortable as we can be in this situation and we found a place minutes away from the hospital.  It truly shows that when people get together, they can make a huge difference in people's lives." Cunningham Family says Thank You

Steve "USS" Cunningham returns to the ring on Saturday, October 18 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia when he takes on undefeated Natu Visinia in a 10-round Heavyweight bout that will headline a card on NBC Sports Net 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. 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.

Raging Babe Soirée on Friday, September 12th at the Sugar Factory inside the Paris Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada

Proceeds will be donated to Heart By Faith: Kennedy Cunningham Heart Fundraiser

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Las Vegas, NV (August 13, 2014) - The Raging Babe Soirée presented by RAGING BABE will take place September 12, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV at the Paris Casino on the eve of the boxing event "MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2". The exclusive event will be hosted by the Sugar Factory, inside "The Chocolate Room"at the beautiful Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, at 7 PM PT. What began as the "Raging Babe Brunch" in Las Vegas, NV has morphed into a traditional event that continues to grow and build off the previous ones. "Boxing has always been classified as a niche sport. However, within that niche exists a small, but strong, network of hardworking women. The goal of this event is to allow these women to meet, network, share experiences, build a support system for each other, while inspiring a future generation of women in the industry," stated Michelle Rosado, founder of Raging Babe. "More importantly, what has become a special tradition for all past events we have been associated with and directed, we will recognize remarkable female pioneers of this great sport." The event's primary honoree is Livvy Cunningham, manager and wife of boxer Steve Cunningham, and her daughter Kennedy who was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a congenital heart defect where the left side of her heart was under-developed and unable to function. Today, Kennedy has been listed for a new heart. To read Kennedy's Heart Hopeful story, visit www.heartbyfaith.com.  "A new heart is giving Kennedy a fighting chance to live and every child deserves that." Rosado continued, "While Kennedy awaits her new heart, we are supporting the Cunningham's on this journey by raising money at the soirée to help their family cover expenses that come along with this heartfelt cause." Rosado also stated that in addition to help raising money for Kennedy through the soirée, Raging Babe will donate a percentage of all financial contributions from event sponsors to the Kennedy Cunningham's Heart Transplant Fundraiser.  Raging Babe is a full service marketing and branding company who has a growing clientele of professional boxers. Raging Babe specializes in assisting their clients with their presence outside the ring, as well as heading their marketing and digital portfolio, and generating more interaction through their social networks. Established in 2011, Raging Babe has developed, directed, and executed various boxing events, fighter marketing campaigns, and events honoring women of boxing. Be sure to visit ragingbabe.com for updated information on the September 12thRaging Babe Soirée and follow Rosado on Twitter @M_RagingBabe. To become a sponsor of the Raging Babe Soiree, or would like to simply contribute to Kennedy Cunningham, contact Michelle Rosado at: michelle@ragingbabe.com

Raging Babe online store to launch Friday; Proceeds to go to Heart By Faith: Kennedy Cunningham Heart Fundraiser

LAS VEGAS (JULY 31, 2014)--Michelle Rosado, Raging Babe founder launches her much anticipated Raging Babe web store (www.ragingbabe.com)  this Friday. The online store will offer boxing themed clothing for both women and men, as well as novelty items at affordable prices.    "This Raging Babe line has been in the works for over a year. I wanted it to be unique, affordable, relatable and yet fashionable for both women and men too. I believe our merchandise will appeal to the boxing fans around the world," said Rosado. From August 1 - September 1, 10% of total proceeds will be donated to Heart By Faith: Kennedy Cunningham's Heart Transplant Fundraiser. "Kennedy Cunningham is the true definition of a Raging Babe. She's a lover, she's a fighter, and certainly a survivor. The family is a faithful and fighting one and they need our help," finished Rosado. Kennedy Cunningham is the 9-year old daughter of two-time Cruiserweight world champion Steve "USS" Cunnungham.  She was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and  is awaiting a heart transplan that will be performed in Pittsburgh.   Your donations will help cover the out of pocket expenses that come along with this amazing opportunity.   Traveling to and from Pittsburgh as well as securing and maintaining a "home away from home" while Kennedy awaits her new heart and recovers from surgery. To make a donation, visit www.heartbyfaith.com.

Daughter of two-time world champion Steve "USS" Cunningham continues to fight and is put on Heart Transplant List

Fundraiser set up to help offset mounting medical costs and accommodations to be close to hospital in Pittsburgh

For Immediate Release   Philadelphia (July 21, 2014)-- America was introduced to Kennedy Cunningham when her father first fought on NBC back in December of 2012 when he faced Tomasz Adamek in that epic battle, we learned that she suffered from a severed heart condition called HLHS.   In April when Steve fought Amir Mansour on NBC Sports, the family had just received heart breaking news when they we told that Kennedy was not a candidate for heart transplant as they had hoped.   She had her first open heart surgery at 2 days old and the second six months later. She was hospitalized for the first year of her life and suffered many set backs along the way, including a stroke, many blood infections and also required a trach and vent for several years when she was younger. The doctors that cared for her back then all say that she is a miracle, they saw everything she went through and never thought she would live to be 8 years old! Now, almost 9 years later she continues to show us how tough she is! Most children with HLHS undergo a third repair which can allow them to live into adulthood, however it was determined that Kennedy was not a candidate due to the anatomy of her heart and the extent of its defects (small pulmonary arteries and tricuspid valve regurgitation). It was then that we were advised that she would have to have a heart transplant. She went through the entire transplant evaluation in our hometown of Philadelphia at the Children's Hospital there and in March our world was shattered when we were told by the Heart Failure team at CHOP that Kennedy was not a candidate for transplant or any other surgery. We were told, "no matter what, Kennedy is going to die far to soon". They told Steve and his wife Livvy that the best they could do was give her medicine to help her heart function but that there would come a time when her heart would give out and there would be nothing they could do.    "I was so completely heart broken the day her doctor sat me down and gave me the news," said Livvy.  "My world collapsed.  I cried for 3 days straight while I tried to wrap my head around the news and tried to figure out how to live without the hope of a beautiful future for our beautiful daughter, tried to picture our lives without her.  I just couldn't, it was impossible"    The Cunninghams are a faithful, fighting family and decided 'they were not going to give up on their daughter and just watch her fade away. They chose to seek a second opinion. The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh agreed to evaluate her and on June 25th, 2014, Kennedy was accepted into their program and listed for a heart transplant! Receiving a heart transplant is giving her a fighting chance to live the full, energy filled life that every child deserves.    "I'll never forget the day I got the call from my wife with the news, I broke down like never before, I lost it.  I was in the middle of my training camp for a must win fight.  People close to me told me I should pull out of the fight, that it was too much for me.  But I knew that I had to fight for Kennedy, she has been through so many battles in her life and has never once given up and I was not going to let her see her father quit.  I turned my sadness and fear into determination and on fight night, I had to dig deep but it was that determination that got me up off the canvas twice to win.  We will never give up on Kennedy and are so blessed and excited that The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh has agreed to take her on and list her", said Steve Cunningham  Now that Kennedy is listed in Pittsburgh, The Cunninghams' have to travel there 1-2 times per month for appointments and  have to be ready at any time to jump on the road when they get "the call" that she has her new heart waiting for her. Once that call comes in, they will have 4 hours to get her to Pittsburgh and right now, they live 4.5 hours away. Additionally, They will have to remain in the Pittsburgh area for at least 6 months post-op so housing must also be arranged. After Steve's thrilling win on April 4, fans and the boxing community reached out to Steve and Livvy asking how they could help.   The Cunningham's have set up a fund where donations will help this  family cover the out of pocket expenses that come along with this amazing opportunity. Traveling to and from Pittsburgh as well as securing and maintaining a "home away from home" while Kennedy awaits her new heart and recovers from surgery. TO DONATE TO THE KENNEDY CUNNINGHAM TRANSPLANT FUNDRAISER, PLEASE CLICK ON  http://www.heartbyfaith.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.