Guillermo Rigondeaux promises explosive Fireworks display New Year's Eve in Japan

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Undefeated, unified world super bantamweight champion  Guillermo Rigondeaux training in Japan  OSAKA, Japan (Dec. 29, 2014) -- After enduring a frustrating year in which he has fought only once, unified world super bantamweight champion Guillermo "The Jackal" Rigondeaux (14-0, 9 KOs) is prepared to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title belt this Wednesday, New Year's Eve, against WBO No. 6 rated challenger Hisashi Amagasa (28-4-2, 19 KOs) at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka, Japan. Rigondeaux, who resides in Miami, is also the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super and The Ring Magazine super bantamweight champion. The 34-year-old Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, arrived Dec. 21 in Japan and the pound-for-pound star is extremely grateful for the overwhelmingly warm reception he has received from countless Japanese boxing fans who've watched him train or approached him in Osaka. Last July in Macao, Rigondeaux successfully defended his WBO/WBA Super titles, destroying challenger Sod Kokietgym (63-2-1) in the opening round of the ultra-skilled Cuban's lone fight to date in 2014. The 5' 10 ½" Amagasa towers over the diminutive Rigondeaux, who is 6 ½ inches shorter than his Japanese opponent. Rigondeaux, however, isn't concerned in the least about their differences in height because of his past success against many taller foes. "This is my second time fighting in Asia this year," Rigondeaux said. "I am very frustrated that the other world belt holders are running scared and won't fight me. It's disgraceful that we couldn't find a world-class, 122-pound fighter to fight me, so, I would like to thank Amagasa for dropping down from featherweight (126 lbs. division) to challenge me. I will put on an explosive fireworks display on New Year's Eve in Japan." Unfortunately, Rigondeaux vs. Amagasa will not be televised in the US or Europe, however, there will be an estimated 30-million Japanese fans tuning in to watch 'Rigo' perform. Japanese press have reported that Rigondeaux is the biggest star to fight in Japan in nearly a quarter-century, since "Iron" Mike Tyson fought against James "Buster" Douglas there in February 1990, describing Rigondeaux as a "Monster Superstar." 'We have already been offered a fight against another Japanese challenger in Japan this coming May," Rigondeaux' manager Gary Hyde added. "Rigondeaux is in tremendous condition, as always, and we are very confident going into this fight on New Year's Eve that 'Rigo' will put on a another stellar performance. "In January, we will sit down and discuss the terms of a promotional contract that was initially offered to us this past summer and is now back on the table. Hopefully, we will come to an agreement with this promotional company and 'Rigo' will be back fighting on mainstream television networks in 2015." Hyde also reported that if, as reports have circulated, WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (20-0-1, 16 KOs) is seriously interested in fighting Rigondeaux, "Rigo" will return from Japan to fight Santa Cruz in a major unification bout January 17 in Las Vegas.  Santa Cruz is scheduled to fight an opponent to be determined in the 12-round co-feature on a card headlined by the WBC heavyweight title fight, airing live from MGM Grand on Showtime, between defending champion Bermane Stiverne and mandatory challenger Deontay Wilder.

Manager Gary Hyde signs Bulgarian amateur star Blagoy 'Golden Boy' Naydenov

Blagoy Naydenov (center) collected numerous gold medals as amateur boxer. CORK, Ireland (Dec. 3, 2014) - International boxing manager Gary Hyde has announced that his company, Nowhere2Hyde, has signed 18-year-old Bulgarian amateur star Blagoy "Golden Boy" Naydenov to a long-term contract. Naydenov's long-range goal is to become the first Bulgarian-born male world champion of a major boxing organization. Last summer, Naydenov captured a gold medal at the prestigious Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, to go along with his championship winning performances at the Under-19 World Championships and Under-17 European Championships. Naydanov was considered a top contender, if not the outright favorite, in the light heavyweight division at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, but he decided to turn professional and sign a managerial deal with Hyde. He is expected to make his pro debut in January, either in the United States or Germany. "I am absolutely delighted to add one of the best amateurs in the world to our team," Hyde said. "I reached out to Team Naydenov during the past two years to sign this 'Wonder-Kid' and I am obviously very excited that he has decided to turn pro under my guidance. At the tender age of 18, Blagoy will be a major force in the light heavyweight division in a couple of years." Hyde has quickly developed into a power-broker in worldwide boxing as manager of a growing list present, past and future world champions, including WBA Super & WBO super bantamweight champion and two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Guillermo "The Jackal" Rigondeaux (14-0, 9 KOs), WBA Interim cruiserweight champion Youri "El Toro" Kalenga (21-1, 14 KOs), former WBO middleweight champion and current IBF mandatory challenger Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam (31-1, 18 KOs), former world junior middleweight title challenger Michel Soro (23-1-1, 13 KOs) and Georgian junior welterweight prospect Levan "The Wolf" Ghvamichava (13-1, 10 KOs). Born in Sofia, Naydenov was a member of the Slavia Boxing Club, also the home-base for the last boxer to defeat the great Floyd Mayweather, Jr.,Serafim Todorov, as well as Olympic champion Daniel Petrov. Todorovc defeated the 19-year-old Mayweather by way of a controversial decision in their semifinals match, 10-9, at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.   Petrov was a light flyweight who won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics and silver at the 1992 Olympics. Naydenov is a highly technical boxer who enjoys fighting on the outside, but he's equally adept at mixing it up inside, if needed. "The decision to turn pro wasn't a very tough one," Naydenov told Bulgaria Today. "The money isn't enough in Olympic boxing. The initial plan is to fight 5 or 6 times a year."

Up Close And Personal With Iain ‘The Blessed One’ Weaver

Interview by Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

For this edition of Up Close and Personal I caught up with former amateur star Iain ‘The Blessed One’ Weaver, ahead of his welcome return to York Hall, where he fights on the Dave Murphy Acourtier Events NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS mega event on Friday, October 4^th.

Before we get to the interview itself, as usual here’s a little scene setting and as I’ve already covered his amateur career previously, this will be just about Ian since making the decision to turn pro.

Iain is undoubtedly one of the most talented and exciting young boxers, to have made the transition from the Team GB amateur squad to the pro ranks this year.

After losing out on a London 2012 Olympic spot, due to the weight division he campaigned in being one of those dropped that year, Iain signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport in July, just as the games were due to begin.

At the time Eddie Hearn announced that Iain would be debuting on the undercard of Darren Barker’s comeback fight, at Alexandra Palace in September that year, however life is never that simple it seems.

If losing out on an Olympic place wasn’t bad enough, Iain then had to endure months of uncertainty, as to whether he would actually get to fight professionally – I don’t intend to go into this area as it has been well covered in the media over the past year or so.

Anyway, after months of waiting Iain did eventually make his professional debut, at York Hall back in April, and boy did he do it in some style.

For those of you that were not lucky enough to be at York Hall that night, here’s a snippet from my fight report.

“Weaver entered the arena with the largest entourage I have ever seen take part in a ring walk at York Hall, amongst the twenty strong team were Southern Area Champion Bradley Skeete as well as many of Weaver’s gym mates from Al Smith’s iGym.

Right from the opening bell Weaver determinedly stamped his authority on the fight, landing some superb sharp jabs and crisp lefts. Weaver’s amateur pedigree shined through, his movement and ring craft was nothing short of poetry in motion.

You couldn’t help but feel for Lawniczak, who responded whenever the opportunity arose - which wasn’t as often as I’m sure he would have liked. Each time the young Pole had any success, Weaver would respond in kind with double handed flurries, forcing Lawniczak to go back on the defensive.

Round two see Weaver step up the pressure, unloading a multitude of shots, to both body and head, from every conceivable angle possible. His seriously quick hands were virtually a blur as he unloaded a barrage of double handed shots.

About midway through the round, weaving changed tactics and started throwing hard right hand jabs, often followed with sharp left hooks to the body.

More of the same followed in the third, although the savvy Lawniczak used holding tactics a little more, to keep the barrage of shots reigning down on him to a minimum.

In the final stanza Weaver played to the crowd, keeping his distance to prevent the Pole from holding before stepping in and picking his shots and weaving to prevent any return shots from landing.

To describe Weaver’s performance as excellent is one of the understatements of the year, it was an awesome display from the Dorset youngster, as such it came as no surprise to anyone, when world class referee Micky Vann’s scorecard was read out, it showed a shutout 40-36 points win for young Weaver.”

Almost straight after the fight Iain flew of to America, where he not only spent time training at Freddie Roach’s famous Wild Card gym in LA, but also found the time to get some competitive action - racking up a sensational first round knockout over French Polynesian prospect Karihi Tehei (3(KO2)- 1) at the County Fairgrounds in Ventura, California on the 12^th July.

Now back in the UK, Iain’s manager, Gary Hyde, wasted no time in arranging his next outing, which as previously stated will be at York Hall in London on Friday, 4^th October.

Anyway, enough scene setting, now it’s time to get Up Close and Personal with Iain ‘The Blessed One’ Weaver.

Name:Iain Weaver

Ring name:The Blessed One

Division:Featherweight/Super Featherweight

Where Born:Dorchester

Age:23

Rio: Family background:

Iain: My Dad was a boxer, Grandad run his own gym, an Amateur Gym – The Lonsdale Boxing Club, so I’m from a boxing family and bought up around it and that’s why I’m in to it.

Rio: When did you first become interested in boxing and why?

Iain: I was five when I used to follow my dad to the gym and I always used to mess around at the bottom of the bags watching the training and doing little bits.

Soon as I was old enough to fight I did, that’s it.

Rio: Why did you decide to turn pro?

Iain: I was on the Olympic squad four and half years, won nine medals out fo ten tournaments.

Then they moved the weight category from 57kg to 56kg so my weight was gone so I had to move up to 60kg, so I should have been in first position to go to the Olympic qualifiers but they gave it to Sam Maxwell, who had been on the squad three months and didn’t have half my experience.

So after that I decided the amateur game wasn’t for me, as I had done everything I needed to do and instead chose to turn pro.

Rio: Who are the main ‘Team Weaver’ members?

Iain: My manager is Gary Hyde, he also manages Guillermo Rigondeaux, the best in the World at Super Bantamweight, also manages Chris van Heerden, the IBO Welterweight Champion and Isaac Dogboe.

My trainer is Al Smith, boys in our gym, the iGym are Bradley Skeete, Lewis Pettitt, Ricky Boylan, Johnny Garton, Adam Dingsdale and Lloyd Ellett, all unbeaten kids, the gym’s going really well at the minute.

Rio: What’s your training schedule?

Iain: I train in Bromley in Kent, I’ve just come back from America, training out there for three months at the Wild Card Gym, but I’m back now and training in Bromley.

I do my long runs in the morning, get to the gym about six o’clock at night, do my pads, sparring, bags, weights and everything, then go to the track together.

We train together so when we’re not in the gym, doing our weights and conditioning, we’re at the track.

Rio: What is your favourite part of training?

Iain: Favourite bit for me is getting on the scales and weighing in, because all the hard work is done.

I like doing pads, to be honest I like doing pads, because when you’re feeling sharp and fit and you’re on the pads it’s great.

I suppose the same with sparring, when you’re sparring well and you have a good sparring session it feels good.

Rio: Who have you been sparring for your upcoming fight?

Iain: While I was training at the Wild Card in America I was sparring with Chris Avalos, number one in America at Super Bantamweight, Michael Farenas, who dropped Yurorkis Gamboa, Alexander Perez, Denis Shafikov, the European Light Welterweight Champion.

I’ll be definitely sparring Billy Rumble to prepare for the October 4^th fight, but not sure who else at the moment.

Rio: How would you describe your fight style?

Iain: I think I’m a slick boxer, I can stand and have a fight if I need to have a fight but usually I try to hit but not get hit, you know.

Rio: Which has been your favourite fight to date and why?

Iain: Probably my last fight, when I knocked the kid out in the first round. He was meant to be a good kid, he’d come to win, his record was three wins and a single loss.

Yeah, he was good but I did a job on him and knocked him out in the first round.

It was nice because Victor Ortiz, Brandon Rios , Michael Garcia were all there watching it and Victor Ortiz came up to me afterwards and said what a good performance it was.

Rio: Who is your all time favourite boxer and why?

Iain: At the minute it’s got to be Guillermo Rigondeaux, not just because he’s with Gary, he’s the best out there and double World Champion. He’s what Boxing is to me, he hits but doesn’t get hit.

In the past it’s got to be Pernell Whitaker.

Rio: Keeping in the same vein, all time favourite fight you have watched?

Iain: It has to be either Mickey Ward and Arturo Gatti or Morales-Barrera number 1

Rio: Which current match-up would you like to see happen this season?

Iain: Well you’ve got Alvarez-Mayweather happening already, I’m looking forward to Matthysse-Garcia, which is a fight I wanted to happen, because that’s going to be one hell of a fight.

I wouldn’t mind seeing DeGale box Groves again, I think it will be a different result if they fought again with DeGale winning.

Rio: What’s your fight day routine?

Iain: I normally weigh in the night before, so I get up in the morning, bit of breakfast, make sure my kits already in the bag and ready to go.

So then all I have to do is chill out before traveling to the venue.

When I’m at the venue I have a look at the ring and that’s about it really so listen to a bit of music and chill out until I’m called to the ring.

Rio: That takes us right into the next question, what is your entrance track?

Iain: The last one was by Christina Aguilera, but I’m not sure about the next one, I might have the same one again, or get one made.

The last one had a little cut in at the start, a little bit rocky and a little inspirational stuff.

Rio: What are your ambitions as a boxer?

Iain: To be World Champion.

Rio: Outside boxing, what is your favourite sport?

Iain: I don’t mind watching football now and again, I’m not a big football supporter, I like snooker to be honest, a lot of people think it’s boring but I don’t mind it.

Rio: How do you relax outside boxing?

Iain: I do a bit of shooting, shotguns and clay pigeons, Pheasant shooting, but mainly chill with my girlfriend, going to the movies, doing a bit of shopping and just chill out after a hard week training.

It’s nice to go home at the weekend and just chill out.

Rio: Favourite book?

Iain: To be honest I’ve only ever read one book, I was on holiday in Cyprus and I bought the Sugar Ray book, I’m halfway through that, so I’ve never really read a book.

Rio: Favourite music?

Iain: R&B, I like the old stuff, Sam Cooke you know all the old stuff, Dean Martin.

Rio: Favourite film or TV show?

Iain: I like Braveheart, Troy and them sort of films and on TV I’m into ‘The Only Way Is Essex’

Rio: So fans can follow you what are your Twitter and Facebook names?

Iain Twitter is @IainWeaver and Facebook is just Iain Weaver – but remember it is Iain.

Rio: Finally is there anything you want to say to your fans?

Iain: Just please come and watch me on October the 4^th at York Hall, it’ll be my first six rounder and if you need tickets message me on Facebook or Twitter.

It’ll be a really good night and I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring again.

Iain Weaver, against a yet to be named opponent, features on the Dave Murphy, Acourtier Events promoted ‘NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS’ event, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Friday, 4^th October 2013

Tickets, priced £35 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) are available on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com - www.mariannemarston.com - www.acourtier.com - or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning town –www.tkoboxinggym.com - and Ringtone Gym in Euston -www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - or direct from Iain or any of the boxers taking part in the event, or call – 07960 850645, 07809 499896 or 07557 641597 for further information.

Go online to www.Acourtier.com for additional information on the NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS event or the Acourtier stable of boxers. Follow Acourtier Events on Twitter @AcourtierEvents - friend us at www.Facebook.com/AcourtierEvents - and on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/acourtier-events

Iain Weaver Wins in Style On Pro Debut - And Gains A New Manager!

European Silver and Commonwealth Boxing Championships Gold medalist Iain Weaver made the long awaited transition to the professional ranks, on Saturday night at the Dave Murphy promoted ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

Weaver put on what can only be described as a truly sensational performance, against Poland’s Damian Lawniczak.

 

Throughout the enthralling contest Weaver showcased his exceptional skills to an appreciative crowd on way to winning by a shutout 40-36 points margin.

Amongst those at ringside was Gary Hyde, manager of Super Bantamweight king Guillermo Rigondeaux, who was clearly impressed with Weaver’s performance as straight afterwards he began discussions to manage the 23 year old Dorset lad.

Earlier today a clearly happy Weaver spoke of the fight, as well as the possibility of Hyde guiding him through his professional career.

“It was nice to get back into the ring after a year waiting.

I took it easy in the first round, I wanted to feel him out a bit. Stepped it up a bit in the second and started to land some good clean shots, in the last two rounds I started to hurt him a bit so he started to hold more.

He’s very experienced, he gave me a good fight but I feel I put on a good performance, even though I had some ring rust as I haven’t fought in the past year.

It must have been a good performance, because Guillermo Rigondeaux’s manager Gary Hyde, who had flown over to watch me, said he was happy with the performance and said he can do something with me as a manager, so it must have been a good performance.”

Rigondeaux' strength coach Montanocordoba denies Donaire's claim

(L-R) D.J. Montanocordoba, Guillermo Rigondeaux and (in background) Gary Hyde   MIAMI (December 28, 2012) - The strength-and-conditioning coach of World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Bantamweight champion Guillermo "El Chacal" Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs), D.J. Montanocordoba, vehemently denies Internet reports alleged by Nonito "The Filiipino Flash" Donaire that, after the December 15 HBO show in Houston, Montanocordoba verbally accosted a female member of Donaire's entourage during a heated argument that took place at the Hyatt Hotel. Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs), the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight champion, reportedly searched for Rigondeaux' room and later called there and Montanocordoba's room to address the altercation. Ringondeaux was schedule to fight former world champion Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (48-2, 33 KOs), who failed his medical exam, in the Dec. 15 co-featured bout. Donaire beat Jorge Arce in the main event. "I just want to clear my name," Montanocordoba said. "I am part of Team Rigondeaux and wouldn't do anything like that. I didn't know anything, if it happened, because I was in my hotel room and not involved. I don't have a problem with Donaire or anybody in his camp. I didn't see them after the fight was over. I'm very mellow. I don't drink or go out clubbing. I concentrate on my job. I talked to a few people in the hotel lobby and went to my room. That's not my style; I don't disrespect people. I was surprised by what Nonito said. I spoke to him that Wednesday and told him how much I respected him for what he's done and that I thought he was good for boxing. He's a great fighter. I respect him and his wife, his trainer, Robert Garcia, and his other coaches. I was totally shocked when I read the report with Donaire accusing me. . "We'll be on opposite sides when if he fights Rigondeaux. As great a fighter Nonito is, I think Rigondeaux is better, and that nobody can beat him at 122. If Nonito doesn't fight Rigeondeaux, no problem, I can't disrespect him for that, but he can't go around saying he's cleaned-up the division without taking Rigondeaux' title. Hey, I respect every fighter. (Abner) Mares is great, so is (Wilfredo) Vasquez. If Nonito decides to move-up a division, I can respect that but, he has to defeat Rigondeaux to say he's cleaned out the 122-pound division, and I believe he is not capable of beating Rigondeaux. The only way they can prove who is better is by fighting in the ring. I'm confident in my ability but, even if I wasn't working for Rigondeaux, I'd still believe he's the better fighter. And I'm not taking anything away from Donaire by saying that but I believe it and I know Donaire belives it otherwise he would be willing to face Rigondeaux. "I don't conduct myself that way (Donaire's claim). At the last press conference, I had a direct conversation with Nonito, and I said I admire him and had nothing but respect for him. I've said nothing negative about him. He's has accused me of doing something that I wasn't even present for and I'm still not disrespecting him. Maybe somebody told him a story, he believed it and got angry. It just never happened." The animosity between Team Rigondeaux and Team Donaire has been building the past year, largely due to Donaire's failure to fight Rigondeaux, something that is rumored to happen in mid-2013. "Donaire wrongly accused DJ of being abusive to somebody in his entourage," Rigondeaux' manager Gary Hyde added. "I was at the Hyatt Hotel with D.J. and both of us retired to our respective rooms after the show at midnight. The next day, D.J. told me that Donaire had called him but he thought he was dreaming because he was woken from a deep sleep. D.J. definitely wasn't involved in any altercation with Donaire or his people. Team Rigondeaux has respect for Donaire. We don't condone this type of behavior, but we're furious at Donaire for accusing D.J. of this type conduct." Arguably the greatest amateur boxer of all-time, Rigondeaux is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time Cuban national champion who also captured a pair of World Championship titles during his incredible 243-4 amateur career. The multi-talented southpaw, now fighting out of Miami, is rated No. 1 by The Ring Magazine, and Donaire is its super bantamweight/junior lightweight champion.

Rigondeaux vs. Marroquin Title Fight Back On; Manager Gary Hyde & Top Rank reach resolution

Guillermo "El Chacal" Rigondeaux MIAMI (September 11, 2012) -- World Boxing Association Super Bantamweight Champion Guillermo "El Chacal" Rigondeaux is expected to defend his title this Saturday evening against Robert Marroquin (22-1, 15 KOs), on the Sergio Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. HBO Pay-Per-View event, live from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. A Circuit Court in Miami ruled on August 21 to enjoin Rigondeaux (10-0, 8 KOs) from engaging in any bout not approved by his manager, Gary Hyde, and also enjoined Rigondeaux from participating in this Saturday's scheduled show promoted Top Rank. Last night, however, Hyde and Top Rank reached a resolution to allow the Rigondeaux-Marroquin title fight to go forward, and the Nevada State Athletic Commission was informed this morning. "Thanks to my attorneys, Patrick English and Bill Brown, we have negotiated a far superior deal to fight Robert Marroquin on September 15th," said Hyde, who has managed Rigondeaux since the two-time Olympic gold medalist defected from Cuba in 2007. "'Rigo doesn't get involved or side tracked by legal dramas. He has promised me that he is at his all-time best and that he will KO Marroquin."

Court enjoins Guillermo Rigondeaux from Participating in Sept. 15 bout vs. Robert Marroquin

MIAMI (August 21, 2012) -- A Circuit Court hearing was held this morning in Miami and the Court enjoined World Boxing Association World Super Bantamweight Champion Guillermo "El Chacal" Rigondeaux (10-0, 8 KOs) from engaging in any bout not approved by his manager, Gary Hyde, and also enjoined Rigondeaux from participating in a September 15 fight previously announced by Top Rank. Top Rank had scheduled Rigondeaux to defend his WBA title on Sept. 15 against Robert Marroquin (22-1, 15 KOs) on the Sergio Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. HBO Pay-Per-View event, live from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, the Rigondeaux-Top Rank contract expired prior to that date and Mr. Hyde had not approved the September 15 date and had, in fact, obtained lucrative offers from other promoters. At that point Top Rank sought to schedule Mr. Rigondeaux without Mr. Hyde's permission. Hyde has been Rigondeaux's manager since the two-time Olympic gold medalist defected from Cuba in 2007.