Adams, Gatica, Kopylenko, & Monroe Jr. advance in Boxcino

HAMMOND, IND (March 3, 2014)--Middleweights Brandon Adams, Raymond Gatica and Vitalii Kopylenko scored  stoppages while while Willie Monroe Jr. scored a 6 round unanimous decision as all four advanced to the semi-finals of Boxcino 2014 that highlighted a great night of boxing at the Hammond Horseshoe Casino.   Monroe Jr. scored a 6 round unanimous decision over Donatas Bondas. Bondas pressed forward while Monroe tried to box and move.  Bondas 'oft injured nose started to bleed as early as the 1st frame.  In round three, Bondas began to up his pressure and Monroe was trying to move lateral while throwing jabs.  Monroe Jr. stayed in the pocket a little more in the 4th round and he began working the body.  His agression continued throughout the last half of the bout and Bondad had no answer for it.  Monroe was more versatile and won by scores of  59-55 twice and 58-56  twice and 58-56. Monroe, 160 lbs of Rochester, NY. is now 16-1.  Bondas, 160.2 lbs of Chicago, IL. is now 18-5-1.   Vitalii Kopylenko scored two knockdowns in just over three minutes and registered a 2nd round stopapge over Cerreeso Fort.round  Kopylenko buckled Fort with an over hand right in round one.  After the opening frame, Fort was already bleeding from his mouth. Seconds into the 2nd round, Kopylenko dropped Fort from a hard left hook.  Fort was clearly hurt and was dropped again from a series of punches.  The bout was stopped at 43 seconds of round two. "Fort was heavy handed and I was patient,"said Kopylenko. "I did not try to knock him out, it just came." Kopylenko, 160 lbs of Kiev, Ukraine is now 23-0 with 13 knockouts. Said Fort, "I got hit with a shot in the 1st round and was hurt.  I tied to bounce back but he hurt me again." Fort, 160.2 lbs of St. Paul, MN is now 17-3-1. Raymond Gatica scored a emphatic 4th round stoppage over previously undefeated knockout  artist Sena Agbeko. The two came out firing with Gatica getting the better of the exchanges.  Gatica was more efficient with his punches while Agbeko came in with wide-winging shots.  In round three,  Gatica landed several shots that snapped the head of Agebko back.  It looked like the referee  was close to stopping the bout but Agbeko did enough return punching to warrant his continuation.  He did mot last much longer as Gatica was all over Agbeko and continued to rock his head with power shots and the fight as stopped at 1:06 of round 4. "You always have to be ready," said Gatica.  "I knew in the 1st round I had the fight." Brandon Adams scored a stoppage after round four when Daniel Edouard did not come out for the 5th round. Adams found a home in the second round as he landed hard body shots with both hands. Adams continued to score and stay out of harms way.  In round four, Adams deposited  Edouard   on the canvas with a perfect left hook.  Edouard got to his feet and ate a few more punches on the ropes.  , After the 4th round, Edoaurd had enough and pulled the plug on the contest. "I had a long layoff and my timing wasn't right.  I am a professional and there was no reason to take anymore punishment,"said Edouard "Getting hit with that left hook discouraged me." Said Adams, "I hit him with a good left hook.  He was tough and I am happy with my performance.  I know I can do better." Adams, 160. Lbs of San Diego, CA is now 13-0 with 9 stoppages.  Edouard, 160 lbs of West Palm Beach, FL is 23-5-2 Gatica will face Adams while Kopylenko will take on Monroe Jr. on April 18th at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. Boxcino will continue on March 28th at the 4 Bears Casino in New Town, North Dakota with the lightweight semi-finals that will put Chris Rudd taking on Petr Petrov while Miguel Gonzalez fights Fernando Carcamo in bouts scheduled for 8 rounds. In the opening bout, Banner Promotions Donovan Dennis scored an explosive 1st round stoppage over Sam Commings in a scheduled 6 round heavyweight bout. Dennis landed a straight left that made Commings fall back and hit his head with a loud thud against the canvas and the bout was immediately stopped at 1:34 of round one. Dennis, 226 lbs of Davenport, Iowa is now 9-1 with 7 knockouts.  Commings, 264 lbs of West Palm Beach, FL.  is now 4-8. Simeon Hardy was successful in his Banner Promotions debut as he stopped Chad Greenleaf in round five of their scheduled six round middleweight bout. Hardy dominated the action and dropped Greenleaf twice in round five.  The foirst from a hard overhand right and the finisher was from a right that was followed by a booming left hook that knocked Greenleaf out for several moments and the bout was stopped at 2:50 of round five.   Hardy, 157.6 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 11-0 with 9 knockouts.  Greenleaf, 158.8 of Parkersburg, WV  is 13-20-1. Sergio Montes De Oca and Fidel Navarette battled to a spirited six round draw in a featherweight bout. Montes De Oca, 124 lbs of Chicago took a card 58-56 while two judges ruled the fight even at 57-57. De Oca is now 7-2-2.  Navarette, 127 lbs of Highland, IN is now 4-0-2. Mike Jimenez needed just 56 seconds to take care of Jimmy Campbell in their scheduled six round Light Heavyweight bout. Jimenez scored a knockdown from an uppercut and a follow up flurry ended the bout. Jimenez, 175 lbs of Chicago is now 13-0 with 10 knockouts.  Campbell, 173 lbs of Indianapolis, IN is now 11-7. Russell Fiore scored a 4 round unanimous decision over Tim Carrizales in a lightweight bout. Fiore dropped Carrizales twice in the final frame and cruised home with a victory by the scores of 40-34 on all cards. Fiore, 134.8 lbs of Chicago is 11-2-1.  Carrizales, 134.4 lbs of Waukesha, WI is now 4-9-1.

From Hammond, Indiana to San Antonio; Busy weekend for Banner Promotions

For Immediate Release Hammond, Ind. / San Antonio, TX (February 28, 2014)--This Weekend, Banner Promotions will be front and center in the boxing spotlight as the company will promote two major shows. First, Friday night in Hammond, Indiana it will be Boxcino 2014;  the middleweight quarter-finals that will be televised around the county on ESPN 2 as part of ESPNFriday Night Fights.   The fights will originate from the Horseshoe Hammond Casino at 9 pm Eastern.   The very next night, the scene will shift to the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas where Banner's Bryan Vera meets Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a much anticipated super middleweight rematch that will be televised live on HBO Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 ET/PT. "This is a very busy weekend for us,"said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo. "But as busy as it will be, we expect terrific action in the ring.  The middleweight fightson Friday night will be great contests.  The lightweights set the bar very high last week in Laughlin to kick off the Boxcino tournament, but we know the middleweights will put on a show that will be just as if not more exciting.  We also have two of our young prospects on the undercard.  We are looking forward to see our heavyweight Donovan Dennis and one of our newest signings in undefeated jr. middleweight Simeon Hardy in action as they continue to develop." Friday's show is co-promoted by Banner Promotions, Hitz Boxing and Round 3.  24 hours later, the action will continue south to the Lone Star State. "We saw what Bryan did in the 1st fight.  The media all saw him win that fight.Saturday he will be even better.  He knows what weight the fight will be at and he is completely focused in winning decisively.  Bryan knows he can beat Chavez and on Saturday night, he will go out there and do it again." Vera - Chavez is promoted by Top Rank, Banner Promotions, Foreman Boys Boxing and Zanfer. Banner Promotions Lineup: Friday, February 28, Hammond, Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana Boxcino 2014 ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN Daniel Edouard (23-4-2, 12 KO's) vs Brandon Adams (12-0, 8 KO's) Sena Agbeko (15-0, 15 KO's) vs Raymond Gatica (13-2, 7 KO's) Vitalii Kopylenko (22-0, 12 KO's) vs Cerresso Fort (17-2-1, 11 KO's) Willie Monroe Jr. (15-1, 6 KO's) vs Donatas Bondas (18-4-1, 6 KO's) 6 Rounds-Heavyweights Donovan Dennis (8-1, 6 KO's) vs Sam Commings (4-7, 3 KO's) 6 Rounds-Jr. Middleweights--Simeon Hardy (10-0, 8 KO's) vs Chad Greenleaf (13-19-1, 6 KO's Saturday, March 1, Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas HBO 12 Rounds-Super Middleweights--Bryan Vera (23-7, 14 KO's) vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (47-1, 32 KO's)

Meet Boxcino 2014 Middleweights

For Immediate Release Hammond, Indiana (February 27, 2014)--Below are video interviews of the fighters who will be participating this Friday night as part of the Boxcino 2014 middleweight tournament at the Horseshoe Hammond Casino. Media outlets may any or all of the videos by copy/paste the embedded link on their websites. (Note-Vitalii Kopylenko interview will be sent out today) Brandon Adams    Willie Monore Jr. Cerresso Fort Raymond Gatica Sena Agbeko Donatas Bondorovas  Daniel Edouard

VERA TO TAKE ON BONDOROVAS ON MARCH 29th ON ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS

JACKSON JUNIOR TO FIGHT UMBERTO SAVIGNE IN CO-FEATURE

 

PHILADELPHIA (MARCH 5, 2013)—On Friday night March 29^th, Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions will present ESPN  Friday Night Fights featuring the NABO Middleweight champion Brian Vera.  Vera will take on upstart Lithuanian Donatas Bondorovas in the twelve round bout that will headline a night of boxing at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York that will be broadcast live as part of ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights.

 

Vera of Austin, Texas has a record of 22-6 with 13 knockouts.

 

Vera started of 2013 with a bang as he stopped former world Jr. Middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk in ten rounds at the Turning Stone Resort Casino on January 25^th.

 

In that bout, Vera dropped Dzinziruk twice in round one and once in the tenth to retain his NABO Middleweight title.

 

Vera is currently ranked #1 by the WBO & #6 by the WBC.

 

The thirty-one year old has some great wins over the likes of Samuel Miller (17-1); Max Alexander (14-1-1); Vera put the first loss on future world title challenger Andy Lee. Vera also has wins over Sebastien DeMers (31-2) and two victories over former world champion Sergio Mora with the latter coming in his last bout on August 11^th.

 

Bondorovas of Chicago via Kaunas, Lithuania has a record of 17-3-1 with 6 knockouts.

 

The thirty-three year old has been a pro since 2002 and has some quality wins over Brian Johansen (7-0); Marlon Thomas (36-7-1) and two wins over David Thomas (10-2-2).  The latest was a 2^nd round stoppage over Thomas on February 15^th.

 

Bondorovas is riding a five fight winning streak.

 

In the exciting co-feature, Brazilian and world ranked Light Heavyweight Jackson Junior will defend his WBO Latino Light Heavyweight championship against Umberto Savigne.

 

Junior of San Paulo, Brazil is undefeated with a record of 14-0 with 12 knockouts.  The twenty-seven year old Junior has a 1^st round knockout over undefeated Marcus de Oliveira (15-0-1) as well as a 9^th round stoppage over undefeated Pedro Otas (23-0) to capture the Brazilian Light Heavyweight title.  He captured the WBO Latino title with a 6^th round stoppage over Jose Alberto Clavero (37-9-1).  In his last bout, Junior made an explosive American debut when he stopped former U.S. Olympian Dante Craig in one round on January 25^th at the Turning Stone Casino Resort.

 

Savigne of Miami, Florida via Cuba has a record of 10-1 with 7 knockouts.  He is on an eight bout winning streak which includes a 6^th round stoppage over former three-time world title challenger Richard Hall for which Hall captured the WBA Fedlatin & WBC Fecarbox Light Heavight championship.  In his last bout, Savigne scored a ten round unanimous decision over Dhafir Smith on November 30^th, 2012.

 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the first undercard bout starting at 7:30 p.m. The Friday Night Fights telecast begins at 9 p.m on ESPN , ESPN Deportes and will be available online through WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app.

Tickets prices from $25 to $70. Call the Turning Stone box office at (315) 361-7469 or visit www.Ticketmaster.com.

Results from The Horseshoe in Hammond, Indiana

Photo by Scott Dray Last night, promoter Bobby Hitz and Hitz Boxing held another of their popular "Fight Night at the Horseshoe" events at The Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, and the action did not disappoint. In the night's main-event rematch, Chicago middleweight Donatas Bondorovas (17-3-1, 6 KOs) removed any doubts of his superiority over "King" David Thomas (10-4-2, 8 KOs), and in turn won the UBF Middleweight title, with a TKO 2 (2:09). With a nearly helpless Thomas being battered against the ropes, Referee Curt Spivey decided he'd seen enough and waved it off.  Promising Chicago cruiserweight slugger Dimar "Strongman" Ortuz (8-0, 5 KOs) scored a harder-than-expected six-round unanimous (59-55 X 3) decision over Memphis, Tennessee, journeyman Grover "The Cobra" Young (7-9-1, 4 KOs).  Young enjoyed some success forcing Ortuz to box, while Ortuz showed surprisingly good boxing skills. Unbeaten Chicago prospect Mike "Hollywood" Jimenez (10-0, 7 KOs) put a beating on tough veteran Michael Walker (19-18-3, 12 KOs), landing uppercuts and body shots almost at will. Walker's corner had seen enough of the carnage and instructed the referee to wave it off at 1:30 of the second round. Heavyweight slugger David Martin III (7-0-1, 5 KOs, 224 lbs.) of Hammond, Indiana, scored a six-round unanimous (59-55, 59-55, 58-56) over Chicago's Felix Abner (3-3, 2 KOs). It was bombs away early for Martin, who then tired and had to fight his way out of a few sticky situations. In the end, he landed the more effective blows in an entertaining fight. Bantamweight Johnny "Wite Boi" Determan moved his record to 6-0, 5 KOs with a sensational first-round knockout over Indiana's Guadalupe Bueno (0-2). A perfect right knocked Bueno cold at 2:59 of round one. North Barrington, Illinois' "Irish" Jimmy Murphy continued his short but exciting pro career with a thrilling KO 1 over Lansing, Michigan's Adam Alvarez. Both men were down in a seesaw battle, but it was Murphy who had the last word putting Alvarez down and out with a straight left at 1:24. Chicago welterweight Nick Ramirez (1-0-1) got into the win column for the first time with an injury-tarnished TKO victory over Plainfield, Illinois' Tremaine Pride (1-0). A good-action scrap was ruined when Pride's shoulder came dislocated, forcing him to stop. Former amateur standout turned bantamweight prospect Adan Ortiz (6-0, 5 KOs) of Sterling, Illinois, scored a scary knockout over's journeyman LeShaun Blair. A volley of punches to head and body, punctuated by a left hook, ended things at 1:15 of round one. Lightweight Russell Fiore (7-2-1, 6 KOs) of Chicago scored a "closer than the scorecards" unanimous four-round decision over Rockford, Illinois' Anthony Linsenfelser (3-4, 3 KOs). Fiore managed to close the distance more often and more effectively against the always-game Linenfelser.

Hitz, Jimenez and Ortuz are 'On The Ropes' with Jenna Jay

Chicago promoter Bobby Hitz of Hitz Boxing and undefeated prospects Mike "Hollywood" Jimenez (9-0, 6 KOs) and Dimar "Strongman" Ortuz (7-0, 5 KOs) appeared on a very special edition of "On The Ropes" Boxing Radio with Jenna Jay this week. The trio appeared to discuss this Friday's Hitz Boxing "Fight Night at the Horseshoe" event at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. The night's intriguing main event features a rematch between Chicago (via Lithuania) middleweight Donatas Bondorovas (16-3-1, 5 KOs) and Evansville, Indiana's "King" David Thomas (10-3-2, 8 KOs). Cruiserweight Ortuz will go six rounds against Memphis southpaw Grover Young (7-8-1, 4 KOs), while super middleweight "Hollywood" Jimenez will take on local veteran Michael Walker (19-17-3, 12 KOs). Click HERE to listen. ### In other matches, Hammond, Indiana's own heavyweight powerhouse David Martin III (6-0-1, 5 KOs) is coming back for a six-rounder against Chicago tough guy Felix Abner (3-2, 2 KOs); and 21-year-old Rockford, Illinois, lightweight Anthony Linenfelser (3-3, 3 KOs) will bring his brand of excitement to bear against explosive Chicago native Russell "Rocky" Fiore (6-2-1, 6 KOs) in a four-rounder. Popular locals also featured in four-round fights will be junior welterweight Genaro Mendez (5-1-1, 3 KOs); pro super flyweight and former National Jr. Olympic Champion Johnny "WiteBoi" Determan (5-0, 4 KOs) from Nebraska, as well as the other heavily decorated Chicago-based amateur he is on a collision course with: 21-year-old super flyweight prospect Adan Ortiz (5-0, 4 KOs); welterweight "Irish" Jimmy Murphy (1-0, 1 KO) and the second fight of welterweight Nick Ramirez (0-0-1). The high-class atmosphere and luxurious surroundings the Horseshoe has to offer make their boxing shows a Las Vegas-style night of boxing that Chicago-area fans don't have to get on a plane to enjoy.       The Horseshoe Casino has an intimate, comfortable venue with luxurious seats, a spectacular gaming area, free parking, exquisite food and all the amenities -- and is just 20 minutes from Downtown Chicago. Tickets are priced at $90 Ringside & $40 Orchestra and available at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com. On fight night, doors open 6:30 pm and the action starts at 7:30. All bouts are subject to change.

Bondorovas Ready for (Another) War With Thomas

Chicago Middleweight Donatas "Donda" Bondorovas (16-3-1, 5 KOs) says he has had a perfect training camp in preparation for his rematch with Indiana's "King" David Thomas (10-3-2, 8 KOs). He's going to need it. The pair will meet for the second time in the main event of promoter Bobby Hitz's "Fight Night at the Horseshoe" event, this Friday, February 15, at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. In their first sensational encounter, Bondorovas survived a cut, multiple injuries and got off the floor from a hard knockdown before storming back to win via a come-from-behind (and some would say early) stoppage in the second round. Born in Kaunas City, Lithuania, Bondorovas came to the United States three years ago and settled in Chicago, where he is trained by well-known Windy City boxing figure Sam Colonna at the Sam Colonna Boxing Gym. You had a tough fight with Thomas last time. What's going to be different this time? I had an unsuccessful first round because I quickly suffered a shoulder injury and a hand injury, and then got cut over my nose... and then I got knocked down! Wow. It was like everything was against me. But I am a warrior and way too competitive. I can't quit. So I took all my fighting spirit and went into the second round like a raging bull and finished the guy with the other hand. That was drama! When Bobby Hitz told me he wanted to fight on February 15, I was informed that Thomas wanted a rematch. I was surprised, because I won that fight by TKO. But later, I came to find out they want it because they think the fight was stopped too early. The truth is that the job of a ring referee is to take responsibility of athletes' health. This is a sport, not gladiator combat! My opponent was out on his feet. I saw his eyes were rolled back and maybe another blow could have been tragic. So, I think the referee acted adequately. You can risk your own life, but not somebody else's! When I heard this, I said 'ok, they want a rematch? Alright let's do it again and nothing will be different this time, except I hope I will not be injured.' Tell me about your amateur career. How many fights did you have? Did you win many titles? What were they? As an amateur, my record was about 190-30. I was a long-time member of the Lithuanian National Amateur Boxing Team and a five-time national amateur boxing champion. I was also the European Union Amateur Boxing Championships bronze medal winner, the World Military Boxing Championships bronze medal winner and the two-time Military Olympics bronze medal winner. I also won several international amateurs boxing tournaments. Are you a full-time boxer or do you work a job? What do you do if you do? I do some personal training and a sometimes drive a limo, because to live only from boxing at this level it is impossible. I don't have any sponsors yet, so I have to do something else for a living and it is really hard. Describe your style of fighting. I have power and determination. I think in the ring and have excellent timing because of my many years of experience. Actually I think my style is universal. It depends what kind of style my opponent has and then I am able to choose the best strategy to fight him. Are you married? Have children? I am still single and not ready yet for a family, because it is not play. Family is a holy affair. It is a very responsible thing and you need to be prepared financially and morally, spiritually and take it very seriously. You have to feel it from inside when it is time! ### Several Chicagoland favorites are scheduled to appear in supporting bouts including Chicago's red-hot undefeated Dimar "Strongman" Ortuz (7-0, 5 KOs), who will go six rounds in the cruiserweight division against Memphis southpaw Grover Young (7-8-1, 4 KOs). Also returning for a six-rounder is wildly popular Chicago super middleweight prospect Mike "Hollywood" Jimenez (8-0, 5 KOs), who is fresh off his very impressive stoppage of former world title challenger Antwun Echols last November at the Horseshoe. Jimenez will fight local veteran Michael Walker (19-17-3, 12 KOs). In other matches, Hammond, Indiana's own heavyweight powerhouse David Martin III (6-0-1, 5 KOs) is coming back for a six-rounder against Chicago tough guy Felix Abner (3-2, 2 KOs); and 21-year-old Rockford, Illinois, lightweight Anthony Linenfelser (3-3, 3 KOs) will bring his brand of excitement to bear against explosive Chicago native Russell "Rocky" Fiore (6-2-1, 6 KOs) in a four-rounder. Popular locals also featured in four-round fights will be junior welterweight Genaro Mendez (5-1-1, 3 KOs); pro super flyweight and former National Jr. Olympic Champion Johnny "WiteBoi" Determan (5-0, 4 KOs) from Nebraska, as well as the other heavily decorated Chicago-based amateur he is on a collision course with: 21-year-old super flyweight prospect Adan Ortiz (5-0, 4 KOs); welterweight "Irish" Jimmy Murphy (1-0, 1 KO) and the second fight of welterweight Nick Ramirez (0-0-1).     All opponents not specified will be announced shortly. The high-class atmosphere and luxurious surroundings the Horseshoe has to offer make their boxing shows a Las Vegas-style night of boxing that Chicago-area fans don't have to get on a plane to enjoy.    The Horseshoe Casino has an intimate, comfortable venue with luxurious seats, a spectacular gaming area, free parking, exquisite food and all the amenities -- and is just 20 minutes from Downtown Chicago. Tickets are priced at $90 Ringside & $40 Orchestra and available at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com. On fight night, doors open 6:30 pm and the action starts at 7:30. All bouts are subject to change.