Warriors Signs World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Michael Seals

Warriors Boxing proudly announces the signing of undefeated Mobile, Alabama, light heavyweight Michael Seals (18-0, 14 KOs). A latecomer, 32-year-old Seals started boxing at age 23, after a successful career as a linebacker for Alabama A&M University. But Seals has wasted no time catching up. "Boxing was something I always wanted to do as kid, but coming from the south, especially Alabama, it's all about football, so I played," explained Seals. "I never really had a chance to box. Once I got done with football, I found a gym in Decatur, Alabama, and started there. I fell in love after the first time I sparred. I said 'man, I should have been doing this my whole life.' I was wasting my time with football. I could have been world champion three or four times over by now." Seals had just five amateur fights, but went on a world tour of sorts, sparring with many of the world's top fighters. "I've sparred with lots of world champs and top contenders. Most of the people I sparred with back then were pros, ranked contenders and champs and former champs. I've even been to camp with Wladimir Klitschko and held my own. He's a super hero, but I didn't embarrass myself. Sparring with these guys was like a fight every time out. I was traveling their homes and you know how that goes. They try to make an example of you. I had to fight for my life, basically." Seals is currently rated WBC #25 and says he looks to his new promoters to help him move further and further up the ladder. "I've been knowing about Warriors since I started boxing. Since way back when Glen Johnson knocked out Roy Jones Junior. I've always had a healthy respect for their company. And I was always open to signing with them. My trainer, Sugar Burt, has had a long relationship with (Warriors Matchmaker and Coordinator) Chico Rivas since he was 12 years old. We had been talking about signing with Warriors for a long time. I just got out of my previous contract and now Warriors is back on the prowl, doing their thing again. So we revisited the situation and chose to go with Warriors. Hopefully by the end of the year I will at least be in the top 5 if not fighting for a world title. My ultimate goal is to win a super middleweight championship and then move back up and win a light heavyweight title and then win a cruiserweight belt." Warriors Boxing President, Leon Margules, says he's happy to have Seals joining his stable. "Michael didn't have a huge amateur career, but he's a natural talent and we're very excited about his prospects for the future. He has the power and the ability to become a major force at 168, 175 and even cruiserweight." Seals says he prides himself on being a throwback type of fighter. "My style is more of a James Tony/Bernard Hopkins. I use the shoulder roll and angles with subtle movements. I use the ring like you're supposed to, without using a whole lot of energy. I'm real smooth. I like to roll punches and slip punches in the pocket and counter." # # # About Warriors Boxing Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation. With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table. When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield. For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

Chicago's Dominic Pesoli Named Vice President of Warriors Boxing

Warriors Boxing is proud to formalize the announcement of Dominic Pesoli as Vice President.    Pesoli, the former President of Chicago-based 8 Count Productions, and the Windy City's top promoter, accepted the position after a long and healthy business relationship with Warriors, partnering up on some of the city's biggest boxing shows in many decades. "Dominic has been a trusted advisor and business collaborator of Luis DeCubas and I for many years and I'm thrilled to add him to Warriors' expanding team." said Leon Margules. "Together we revived Chicago boxing and have made the UIC Pavilion a Midwest hotspot for big-time boxing." "I have known Dominic for 20 years and he is a great boxing guy and I am happy he is working with us," said Warriors partner Luis DeCubas. Pesoli, who recently relocated to Los Angeles, says he's looking forward to his future with Warriors. "Warriors has so many big plans on the horizon. We have joined forces officially, but Leon and Luis have been my dear friends and closest business associates for many years. I am extremely happy to be onboard with the most upwardly mobile boxing promotions company in the country, run by my closest friends who are amongst the most integral people in boxing." With Warriors, Pesoli will continue to work on the long string of successful shows he started in Chicago in 1997, while branching out to assist Warriors with their ever-increasing international stable. The next Warriors show with Pesoli as sitting VP will be held on Friday, December 12, at the UIC Pavilion. "Holiday Boxing Bash" will be headlined by undefeated former amateur star Rau'shee Warren (12-0, 3 KOs) going 10 rounds in the bantamweight division, as well as popular Chicago up-and-comer Jose F. Quezada (4-0, 3 KOs) in a lightweight six-rounder; Warsaw, Poland's Patryk Szymanski (11-0, 6 KOs) in a junior middleweight eight-rounder; and Aurora, Illinois super lightweight Eddie Ramirez (6-0, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder. Tickets for "Holiday Boxing Bash" start at $31 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or call: 1-800-745-3000, the Warriors Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740, or visit the UIC Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). They can also be purchased the night of the event. # # # About Warriors Boxing Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation. With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table. When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield. For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

SZYMANSKI MAKES MOST OF OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE, NOW RETURNING TO CHICAGO HAILED AS 'THE NEXT GREAT POLISH BOXER IN CHICAGO'

Undefeated junior middleweight Patryk Szymanski (11-0, 6 KOs) knew it was his chance to shine Last February at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago and he did not disappoint. So impressive was Szymanski, in stopping Michigan's Daniel Hicks in two brutal rounds, he's now being hailed by some pretty important people as the next great Polish boxer being showcased in Chicago. Having caught the eye of, and signed with, co-promoter Leon Margules of Florida-based Warriors Boxing, the 21-year-old has since left his native Poland and is now living and training at the Contenders Gym in Fort Lauderdale, working with reputable trainer Chico Rivas. Szymanski will appear in a featured eight-round bout on Friday, December 12, 2014, at the UIC Pavilion when Warriors Boxing Promotions presents a 14-fight "Holiday Boxing Bash" in Chicago. In the night's main event, undefeated former amateur star Rau'shee Warren (12-0, 3 KOs) will go 10 rounds in the bantamweight division. Also featured will be Chicago up-and-comer Jose F. Quezada (4-0, 3 KOs) in a lightweight six-rounder and Aurora, Illinois super lightweight Eddie Ramírez (6-0, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder. Tickets start at $31 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.comor call: 1-800-745-3000, the Warriors Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740, or visit the UIC Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). They can also be purchased the night of the event. "Since I was a young boy, I have always wanted to be a boxer," said Szymanski. "This is realizing my dream, so of course it's a great thing! It all started with my co-promoter in the States, Mariusz Kolodziej from Global Boxing. He arranged for me to fight in Chicago. Leon (Margules from Warriors Boxing) saw me in February and he liked what he saw, so he signed me." Szymanski, who had over 250 amateur fights and spent seven years on the Polish national team before turning professional, comes from a fighting family in his native Warsaw. His father, Grzegorz, was also a boxer and his first trainer. "I'm very close with my family and they support me completely. Boxing was a really important part of my upbringing," continued Szymanski. "My father was a fighter, so he introduced me to boxing. He was my trainer also until we came to the moment when my dad decided he could do no more for me." And so Szymanski is now living with and working hard for renowned trainer Chico Rivas. Rivas has some high praise for his new pupil. "This kid is something special," said Rivas. "He's a very entertaining boxer/puncher, but he's also very strong technically. He's got some power too. He can get you out of there". On a personal level, Rivas says Szymanski is fairly unique among fighters. "How many fighters are going to take their trainer out for dinner?" he asked. "Never before. They always want you to pay. This kid works hard in the gym every day and he's a nice kid. Very polite and well-mannered." Szymanski says that while he misses his parents and friends back home, the chance to actually become the new face of Polish boxing in the United States and the world is too important. An opinion shared by the members of his circle. "Their dreams are my dreams. I stay in steady contact with them because it's very important, especially for my father, to know what's going on with me. They all want this just as badly as I do."

WARRIORS BOXING RETURNS TO CHICAGO ON DECEMBER 12

'HOLIDAY BOXING BASH' TO FEATURE QUARTET OF CHICAGO AND INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTS Warriors Boxing Promotions will follow up on the smash success of its "Homecoming" event on November 1 to present "Holiday Boxing Bash", a night of world-class professional boxing on Friday, December 12, 2014, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. Headlining the 14-fight "Holiday Boxing Bash" will be a quartet of undefeated local and international prospects. In the night's main event, undefeated former amateur star Rau'shee Warren (12-0, 3 KOs) will go 10 rounds in the bantamweight division. Featured in separate showcase bouts will be wildly popular Chicago up-and-comer Jose F. Quezada (4-0, 3 KOs) in a lightweight six-rounder; Warsaw, Poland's Patryk Szymanski (11-0, 6 KOs) in a junior middleweight eight-rounder; and Aurora, Illinois super lightweight Eddie Ramírez (6-0, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder. Tickets start at $31 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.comor call: 1-800-745-3000, the Warriors Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740, or visit the UIC Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). They can also be purchased the night of the event. 27-year-old Rau'shee Warren was the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Champion in the flyweight division. He is also a 2004 and 2008 Olympian and USA Boxing's 2006 Co-Athlete of the Year. From Cincinnati, Ohio, Warren has been boxing since the age of six. Warren turned professional in 2012 and has barely lost a round in his first 12 fights. Lightweight Jose Felix Quezada, 19, is an enormous fan-favorite locally and a three-time State Silver Gloves Champion, three-time Chicago City-Wide Champion, two-time Regional Silver Gloves Champion and the 2009 National Junior Golden Gloves Champion. As a professional, the talented Quezada has stopped three of his four opponents. Welterweight Eddie Ramirez, 22, of Aurora, Ill., was a 2013 Chicago Golden Gloves Champion who was voted Best Boxer for the entire tournament. He was also a 2013 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions finalist. As a professional, Ramirez has beaten his first six opponents, including 5-0 Manny Brown (KO 3), 4-1 Alexis Del Bosque (UD 4) and 3-1-1 DeMarcus Rogers (KO 1). 21-year-old Patryk Szymanski had over250 amateur fights and spent seven years on the Polish national team before turning professional in 2012. Szymanski recently relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he lives and trains with well-regarded Chico Rivas. Despite having just 11 professional fights, the talented Szymanski has already won the WBO Youth Welterweight, World Boxing Foundation International Light Middleweight and Republic of Poland International Light Middleweight Championships. Opponents for all will be announced shortly, as will the participants of the other nine bouts scheduled. On fight night, doors open at 5:30 PM and the first fight is at 6:00 PM. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S Racine Avenue in Chicago. For more information and updates, visit www.warriorsboxing.com.

CHICAGO’S RISING STARS TO APPEAR ON ‘THE HOMECOMING’ UNDERCARD

 

SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION

SATURDAY, NOV. 1 AT UIC PAVILION IN CHICAGO

CHICAGO (Oct. 16, 2014) – Top up-and-coming Windy City boxing prospects Alex Martin, Semajay Thomas, Eddie Ramirez and Jose Felix Quezada to join light heavyweight contender Andrzej "Chicago’s Polish Prince" Fonfara’s undercard, as he makes his “Homecoming” against France via Congo’s Doudou Ngumbu in the main event of a SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition event on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the UIC Pavilion inChicago, Ill.; live on SHOWTIME^® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

In the co-feature of the SHOWTIME tripleheader, WBO World Bantamweight ChampionTomoki “El Mexicanito” Kameda (30-0, 19 KOs), of Tokyo, Japan, will make his third title defense against interim WBO Bantamweight Champion Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez(28-10-2, 15 KOs), of Mexico City, in a 12-round battle; and former interim WBA World Featherweight Champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (25-0-1, 18 KOs) of La Romana, Dominican Republic, will face Caguas, Puerto Rico’s Abner “Pin” Cotto (18-2, 8 KOs) in a super featherweight 10-rounder. “The Homecoming” is presented by Warriors Boxing.

Tickets start at $31 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or call: 1-800-745-3000, the Warriors Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740, or visit the UIC Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Tickets will also be available for purchase the night of the event.

Welterweight Semajay Thomas (4-0, 2 KOs), 21, was a top-rated amateur boxer who won the 2009 National Championships. Thomas was ranked No. 1 in the nation and considered the top seed in the 2012 Olympic Team Trials. He finished his amateur career with a record of 64-5 with 12 KOs. As a professional, Thomas has been devastating, having fought just 10 rounds in his four professional fights.

Lightweight Jose Felix Quezada (3-0, 2 KOs), 19, is an enormous fan-favorite locally and a three–time State Silver Gloves Champion, three–time Chicago City-Wide Champion, two-time Regional Silver Gloves Champion and the 2009 National Junior Golden Gloves Champion. As a professional, the talented Quezada has stopped two of his three opponents.

Welterweight Eddie "The Barber" Ramirez (5-0, 3 KOs), 22, of Aurora, Ill., was a 2013 Chicago Golden Gloves Champion who was voted Best Boxer for the entire tournament. He was also a 2013 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions finalist. As a professional, Ramirez has beaten his first five opponents, including 4-1 Alexis Del Bosque (UD 4) and 3-1-1 DeMarcus Rogers (KO 1).

Welterweight Alex Martin (6-0, 5 KOs), 25, was a 2009, 2011 and 2013 Chicago Golden Gloves Champion and a 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate. Martin finished his amateur career with a 340-10 record. As a professional, Martin stopped his first five opponents before going the distance in his last fight (UD 6 over Alfred Hall in July).

And in a special added undercard attraction, undefeated Brooklyn, N.Y. (via Lomza, Poland) heavyweight hopeful, Adam Kownacki (7-0, 7 KOs) will put his perfect KO record on the line.

All undercard opponents will be announced shortly.

On fight night, doors open at 5 p.m. and the action starts at 5:30 p.m. All bouts are subject to change. For more information, visit www.warriorsboxing.com or www.sho.com/sports.

Soliman and Taylor Make Weight for Battle in Mississippi on Wednesday Night

Both IBF Middleweight Champion Sam Soliman and challenger Jermain Taylor were respectful to each other and thankful to their teams during a press conference/weigh-in held at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi, in advance of tomorrow(Wednesday, October 8) night's championship fight. Soliman and Taylor are headlining a mammoth 14-fight card that also features Andre Dirrell and a host of up-and-coming prospects and proven contenders. ESPN Wednesday Night Fights will broadcast the two main events and a four-rounder between Ahmed Elbiale and Dakota Dawson live.  Sam Soliman 160 vs. Jermain Taylor 159.8 IBF World Middleweight Championship André Dirrell 169 vs. Nick Brinson 168.8 Ahmed Elbiale 174.6 vs. Dakota Dawson 171.6 Carlos Velásquez 131.6 vs. Jean Javier Sotelo 131.4 Steve Lovett 176 vs. Ricardo Campillo 177 Phillip Jackson Benson 172.2 vs. Michael Gbenga 173.6 Joey Hernández 162 vs. Jose Miguel Rodríguez 157.6 Mario Barrios 125.4 vs. Abraham Rubio 127 Walter Castillo 142 vs. Shad Howard NA Justin DeLoach 156.2 vs. Joshua Snyder 155 Gervonta Davis 126.8 vs. German Meraz 125 BJ Flores 203.8 vs. Kevin Engel 190.8 Regis Prograis 142.2 vs. Mario Hermosillo 142.2 Erick Bone 142.6 vs. Peter Oluoch 144 Promoters: DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, in association with Soliman Stanley Promotions Venue: Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi TV: ESPN Wednesday Night Fights (9 pm EST/8 pm CT) Tickets: priced at $89.95, $69.95, $49.95 and $29.95, plus tax and service charges, and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office, or through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 5:00 pm, with the first bout scheduled for 5:30 pm.

Flores' Career Finds New Hope Under Guidance of Haymon

NBC Commentator and Top Cruiserweight Contender Fights  This Wednesday Night in Biloxi Las Vegas-based cruiserweight contender BJ "El Peligroso" Flores (30-1-1, 19 KOs) has it all as a boxer, minus one important thing. An articulate and intelligent man with smooth on-camera delivery, Flores does excellent work in his regular role as a color commentator for NBC-televised boxing. As a fighter, he is clean-living and devoted to his craft, with a wealth of skills, an extensive list of regional championships won, and a work ethic in the gym that few can rival. The fact is BJ Flores could become an excellent ambassador for the sport of boxing if someone would just give him that one more thing... a chance at a world title. Flores will face Saint Louis, Missouri's Kevin Engel (20-10, 16 KOs) this Wednesday, October 8, at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi, on the undercard of IBF middleweight champion "King" Sam Soliman (44-11, 18 KOs) defending against former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor (32-4-1, 20 KOs). Presented by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, in association with Soliman Stanley Promotions, and broadcast live on a special presentation of ESPN Wednesday Night Fights (9 pm EST/8 pm CT), the night of boxing will also feature 2004 Olympic Bronze Medallist and WBC #9 contender Andre Dirrell (22-1, 15 KOs) taking on Albany, New York's Nick Brinson (16-2-2, 6 KOs) in the 10-round light heavyweight co-main event. Tickets are priced at $89.95, $69.95, $49.95 and $29.95, plus tax and service charges, and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office, or through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 4:45pm, with the first bout scheduled for 5:30pm. A buzz surrounded Flores when turned pro 12 years ago at age 23. Coming off a brilliant amateur career that saw him win the 1997 National Golden Gloves, as well as two (2001 and 2002) US National Amateur Championships at Heavyweight, he was universally recognized as one to watch. But 35-year-old Flores says promotional problems stalled his momentum and ground his once-promising career to a halt on more than one occasion. Since he signed with power-manager Al Haymon and advisor Luis DeCubas Jr., last April, however, Flores' bad career luck seems to be reversing and he may get that title shot someday after all. "2015 is going to be a big year for me," said an excited Flores. "This will be the year where it all takes off. I signed with Al in late spring and I've already fought May 10,June 26 and now October 8. I'm in a perfect position now and I'm ecstatic to have so much opportunity in front of me now, thanks to Al. I can't wait to show the world how well I can fight." Flores says DeCubas has also been instrumental in his career resuscitation. "Louis DeCubas Jr. has also played a big part in helping my career take off. We started working together last year, and since then, one thing after another has come my way. This kid really loves boxing and has been around it a very long time and knows and understands the business. He has been a great help." At the relatively advanced age for a fighter of 35, few would question Flores if he decided to make the transition from fighter to media figure. But according to him, that's not going to happen any time soon. "First and foremost I'm a fighter," he explained. "Commentating is something I started doing when I wasn't getting fights, but I'm still a fighter above everything else. For me, fighting for a world championship is not about the money. Boxing is my life. Since I was a kid I would stay home from school and watch boxing on tape. And now I have hope I will get the chance to see how far I can take it." The Beau Rivage Resort & Casino is located at 875 Beach Blvd in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information, call (228) 386-7111. On fight night, doors open at 5:00 and the action starts at 5:30.