Yusaf "Mack Attack" Mack to face Cory Cummings this weekend!

KEA Boxing

Andre Kut’s KEA Boxing Promotions team is set to bring another night of boxing action to the famous Schuetzen Park on Saturday night in North Bergen, New Jersey with an action packed show featuring the return of Yusaf “Mack Attack” Mack (31-7-2, 17 KOs) in a six round light heavyweight battle against the hard hitting Cory “Black Ice” Cummings (17-7, 13 KOs). In the co-feature of the card titled “Boxing at the Park III,” welterweight prospect Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez, Jr (11-1, 5 KOs) looks to bounce back from his first loss as a professional, when he takes on undefeated Philadelphian Greg Jackson (3-0, 1 KO) in a six round clash. It will be a day of reckoning of sorts for former world title challenger Yusaf Mack as he faces a pivotal point in his career when he faces dangerous veteran Cory “Black Ice Cummings next Saturday night at Schuetzen Park. Recently signed with KEA Boxing, the thirty-four year old Mack knows his time is now if he is going to make a run back at a world title. In his last two fights against contenders, Thomas Williams, Jr and Cedric Agnew, Mack showed flashes, but seemed to tire as the rounds progressed, which resulted in two hard fought unanimous decision losses. “We see the potential in Mack and believe he can once again be right back fighting for a world title,” said Andre Kut. “KEA Boxing wants to give him the best opportunity to make his world title ambitions become a reality.” Standing in his way on Saturday night is Corey ‘Black Ice” Cummings, who can provide explosive power as witnessed by thirteen knockouts in his seventeen victories. A victory over Mack would put him back in line for even bigger paydays if he pulls off the upset. (Photo by: Ray Bailey)In the co-feature of the evening, formerly undefeated welterweight Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez, Jr. looks to bounce back from his first loss of his career against present USBA welterweight title holder Sammy “The who can Mexican,” Vasquez when he takes on undefeated Greg Jackson (3-0-1) in a six round contest that is sure to provide plenty of action. (Photo by Chris Toney)  KEA boxing has once again put together an interesting undercard featuring some of the most exciting fighters in the region in competitively matched fights. Undefeated heavyweight Tyrell Wright (6-0, 4KOs) of Jersey City, New Jersey puts his perfect record on the line when he faces the more experienced New Yorker, John Bolden (6-9, 5KOs) in a six round contest. Rounding out the six round contests will be a crossroads cruiserweight battle as Paterson, New Jersey’s Elvin “KoKo” Sanchez (6-3-1, 5KOs) swaps punches with Johnson City, Tennessee’s Brad Austin (10-13, 7KOs) . In a special female attraction, Connie Viruet (1-0, 1KO) of Hoboken, New Jersey and Yonkers New York’s Bertha Aricil (1-0, 1KO) put their undefeated records and perfect knockout streaks on the line in what is sure to be an explosive four round junior middleweight war. Someone’s “0” must go as undefeated welterweights duke it out when Queens, New York’s Alex Serna (1-0,1KO) takes on interstate rival Marlon Brown of Staten Island, New York Rounding out the card, will be a four round lightweight contest as Andrew “Sweat Pea” Bentley (1-2) looks to get back to the five hundred mark when he battles it out with Cincinnati, Ohio’s Micah Branch (2-10-1). Ticket prices are as follows: Stage-$100 VIP Ringside-$100 Preferred seating-$75 Reserved seating-$50 General Admission-$40 Tickets can be purchased online at www.kea-boxing.com or by calling (973) 903-2907 or (973) 222-2273. Doors open at 6:30PM. First fight 7:30PM

ROD SALKA GIVES ALEXEI COLLADO A BOXING LESSON IN FRONT OF HIS HOMETOWN CROWD ON SHOWTIME

ShoBox: The New Generation From Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pa. Don't Miss The Replay on Thursday, April 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME   Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp / SHOWTIME Iron Mike Productions president Mike Tyson MONROEVILLE, Pa. (April 19, 2014) - Rod Salka put on a boxing clinic for Alexei Collado inFriday's ShoBox: The New Generation main event. And then he stated his case for a world title shot. Salka was the more intelligent and effective fighter from the opening bell, pounding the body and utilizing his superior movement in an impressive 10-round unanimous decision victory (96-94, 96-93, 96-93) over the previously undefeated Collado at the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pa., just down the road from his hometown of Bunola, Pa. The naturally bigger fighter, Salka scored a third-round knockdown and essentially kept Collado at bay, limiting him to looping, clubbing right hands that rarely landed. "I'm heading to Carson next week to call out the winner of Figueroa-Belmontes," said Salka as he celebrated with his Pittsburgh-area fans after the fight. "I want to fight whoever wins that, doesn't matter to me. I earned a shot at the title." Salka was referencing next Saturday's SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING showdown between WBC Lightweight World Championship Omar Figueroa and Jerry Belmontes at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. "I dictated the pace of the fight. I kept him where I wanted him and forced him to keep going for that overhand right, which he couldn't land cleanly. I was throwing first and throwing last, just like I wanted to do. I mixed up my offense well and kept my hands up." It was a learning experience for the previously undefeated Collado (18-1, 16 KOs), a former Cuban standout who had over 300 amateur bouts. "He was smart and that was the difference," Collado said. "He kept moving. His movement was the problem for me." ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood agreed with Collado's assessment and was impressed with what he saw from the lightweight contender. "You have to love what Salka did and how he did it," Farhood said. "Even after scoring a left hook knockdown, he stayed with his game, didn't try to do what he couldn't do and remained poised and confident in his own abilities. His conditioning was fantastic and even though he did nothing to surprise Collado, the Cuban couldn't find the answer." In the ShoBox co-feature, undefeated Dominican prospect and Olympic gold medalist Felix Diazscored a close, eight-round split decision victory over Emmanuel Lartey, scored 77-75 (Diaz), 77-75 (Lartey), 77-75 (Diaz). Diaz was aggressive early and was most effective when he utilized combinations, but was hurt in the third by a right-left combo from Lartey (15-2-1, 7 KOs) that seemed to change the pace bout for a few rounds. Diaz (15-0, 8 KOs) came back and took control of the fight, doing his best work against the ropes and spoiling a potential birthday celebration for the now twice-beaten Ghanaian prospect. "It's disappointing to know it was scored a split decision," Diaz said. "I think I dominated most of the rounds so I don't see how the judges scored it that way. "I want to see my family - it's been three months - and then head back to Oxnard to get in the gym with Robert (Garcia)." Lartey also took issue with the judges' scorecards. . "I can't tell the judges what to do," Lartey said. "I think it should have been scored a draw. This is the only job I know. I need to go back to the gym and work on some things. In a matchup of southpaws in opening bout of the telecast, local favorite and undefeated welterweight prospect Sammy Vasquez, Jr., handed fellow unbeaten Juan Rodriguez, Jr., the first loss of his career with a dominating first round TKO. Vasquez (14-0, 10 KOs) scored a knockdown with a left shot to the face less than 20 seconds into the bout, followed by a left body shot that sent Rodriguez (11-1, 5 KOs) to the canvas less than a minute later. Rodriguez went down yet again after a barrage of punches, spit out his mouthpiece and the referee stopped the bout at 2:49 of the first. "It's not that it was easy, it was that it was well-executed," said Vasquez, a U.S. Armed Forces veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq. "We had a game plan, stuck to it and that's what happened. All the fans, the soldiers watching overseas on AFN (American Forces Network), my family watching on SHOWTIME, that was the biggest part of the night." Friday's fights will replay on Thursday, April 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME and On Demand through May 16. Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former World ChampionRaul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. UNDERCARD RESULTS (off TV fights) Eighteen-year-old welterweight sensation Erickson "Hammer" Lubin (5-0, 5 KOs), of Miami, dropped an overmatched Jovan "Negrito" Ramirez (3-2, 1 KO) three times in the opening round and finished him off in the second to keep his perfect professional record intact. Cuban junior middleweight Yudel Jhonson (15-1, 9 KOs), the 2004 Olympic gold medalist now living in Miami, decked Lenwood Dozier (9-6-1, 4 KOs) in the first round en route to a completely dominating win by unanimous eight-round decision (80-71 x 3). Super featherweight Albert "Prince" Bell (4-0, 1 KO), also fighting out of Miami, pitched a shutout against Micah Branch (2-10-1), who had defeated Bell as an amateur.  Bell won all for rounds, 40-36, on all three judges' scorecards. Local junior middleweight favorite Andreas Kamouyerou (3-0-1, 2 KOs) and Malik Jackson (0-2-3) fought to a four-round draw (39-37, 37-39, 38-38). Cleveland lightweight Ryan "Blue Chip" Martin (5-0, 3 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, won a competitive four-round decision (39-36, 38-37, 38-37) over Misael Chacon (1-2).

TYSON, THE PROMOTER, FIRES UP THE FIGHTERS DURING THURSDAY’S SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE & WEIGH-IN

Tripleheader Tomorrow/Friday, April 18, LIVE on SHOWTIME (10:45 p.m. ET/PT)

From Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pa. 

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp / SHOWTIME

MONROEVILLE, Pa. (April 17, 2014) – It turns out promoter Mike Tyson can stir the pot almost as much as heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.  Almost. 

Tyson seemed right at home in his new role as promoter Thursday as he guided his Iron Mike Productions fighters through the final press conference and weigh-in for tomorrow’s ShoBox: The New Generation event. 

Friday’s tripleheader airs live on SHOWTIME^®,  home of 16 of Tyson’s last 18 fights, at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pa., located outside of the Pittsburgh. 

Tyson egged on his fighters, enticed trash talking and did his best to create some controversy during the presser before the official weigh-in.  In other words, typical Tyson.  

“Listen, I don’t want to hear you guys talk about respect for each other,’’ Tyson said. “I want to hear what you guys are going to do to each other tomorrow night.  I want to hear that you’re going to knock him out. 

“Don’t worry about making weight.  Listen, we’re only talking about a few pounds here.  I fought as a heavyweight and it didn’t matter.  This is boxing.  We’re here to see some people beat each other up tomorrow.  Weight doesn’t matter; we’re here to watch you fight. 

“I’m excited to have such a great card and exciting event for my return to SHOWTIME.  We’re a very young organization but we’re moving pretty fast.”

Hard-hitting Cuban lightweight Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado (18-0, 16 KOs), of Miami, Fla., weighed in at 131.6 pounds for his 10-round main event showdown with Pittsburgh-area crowd favorite“Lightning” Rod Salka (18-3, 3 KOs), who tipped the scales at 132.6 pounds. 

Undefeated southpaw and Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz (14-0, 8 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., by way of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, measured 139.6 pounds while Emmanuel Lartey (15-1-1, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn by way of Ghana, weighed in at 142.7 pounds for their eight-round junior welterweight bout. 

Local favorite and war veteran Sammy Vasquez, Jr. (13-0, 9 KOs), of Monesson, Pa., weighed in at 146.8 pounds for his eight-round welterweight showdown with fellow unbeaten Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez, Jr. (11-0, 5 KOs), of Union City, N.J., who tipped the scale at 148 pounds. 

Here’s what the fighters had to say during Thursday’s events. 

ALEXEI COLLADO:

“I think he’s the toughest fighter I’ve faced, but we’re looking at this more as an opportunity than a challenge. 

“My career has changed since I moved to Miami to train.  I now have all the opportunity in the world.  Fighting on SHOWTIME opens the door even more.  Now all I have to do is win.

“I’m ready for anyone in this division.  I let my team make the opportunities, I just handle the fighting.  But I think I’m getting close to a title shot.

“We’re looking for the best fight of my career.  I’m looking to make a statement and knock this guy out.  A win is a win – we’ll take a decision – but we’d love a knockout.

“I’m not concerned about the judges or fighting in his hometown.  I’m coming in with confidence.  I’ve fought in Cuba, Ireland, the U.S.  I’ll fight anywhere.  If you win every round then there is no way the judges can take that away from you.

“It’s going to be a good, hard fight.  We took a tough opponent – he’s smart, fast and strong.”

ROD SALKA:

“I can’t wait to get in the ring.  This is a job; I’m here to fight.  That’s all that matters. 

“We have 10 rounds or less to finish this fight.  Why wouldn’t I want to knock him out?  It’s 10 rounds or less for a reason.  We’ll see tomorrow when we get in the ring. 

“We’ve been doing this for a long time in Pittsburgh.  You know what we’re about.  I look forward to showing it in the ring.

“I’m relying on everyone from Pittsburgh to cheer me on.  Once we get in the ring I won’t have to do any more talking.

“If I win this fight I’m going to fly to California for the (Omar) Figueroa-(Jerry) Belmontes fight.  I want the winner of that.  If they can’t make that happen then I’ll fight anyone with a big name.  That’s what I’m ready for. 

“I’m sick of being the guy that people build their fighters up against.  I’m looking for a signature win to make myself viable in this division. 

“People know I looked good against (Ricardo) Alvarez.  I need to look good in this fight and get my big shot.

“I love fighting guys that come forward.  I think Figueroa would be perfect for me.  If you put me in there with that guy it’s going to be an exciting fight. 

“I’m not looking past Collado.  This guy is tough – he comes forward and comes to fight.  But if I come out throwing 80 or 90 punches a round it’s going to tough to beat me.”

FELIX DIAZ:

“I guarantee an exciting fight and a victory.  I didn’t come here to lose. 

“I went to Oxnard, Calif., to train with Robert Garcia and he’s done a hell of a job getting me ready. 

“My outlook has always been the same and my style is the same.  But Robert has improved my conditioning.  I’m more well-rounded.  My game has always been about reflexes and being quick, but training up there has made me a better fighter. 

“He’s faced a few guys that might be tougher than me on paper.  But at the same time I’m going to show why I’m the undefeated fighter.”

EMMANUEL LARTEY:

“This opportunity is everything.  I wouldn’t mess this up for anything in the world.  I’m here to win.  I know Diaz is undefeated but I’m not anything or anybody to look past.  

“I’m ready.  I’ll fight this guy anywhere, anytime.  I’m here to fight and I’m here to win. 

“He not the toughest guy I’ve faced.  I fought Kaizer Mabuza, who got a shot at a title, and I beat him.  I think Diaz is between him and (Errol) Spence as far as talent.  He may be tough, but tomorrow will be my day.

“His record doesn’t impress me.  Olympics is Olympics, professional is professional.  I went to Commonwealth games and was the captain of the Ghana team.  I have a good amateur record as well. So I’m not afraid of him or his resume. 

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time and I just didn’t get a chance.  People always took me as an opponent but I always proved myself.  This is the right time for me to prove who I really am.”

SAMMY VASQUEZ, JR.:

“He’s coming into my town and messing with what I represent.  My record speaks for itself.  It’s not me going to sleep.  It’s time for him to lay down. 

“I’m here to handle business. I’m happy that we get to do this in Pittsburgh and we get to showcase this city and our skills to the world. 

“I’m excited for the opportunity.  To be on TV is a great experience.  I’ve been on AFN (American Forces Network) before and that was great, but this is a whole different level. 

“I have family in Texas, Florida, California, and now they can all watch my fight on SHOWTIME. 

“Bringing a nationally televised fight to my town is a big deal.  I’ve trained hard.  Everyone knows who I am here – that statement has been made – but I’m looking to show the rest of the country what I have. 

“I respect every fighter that steps in there with me.  My job is to get him out of there.  I’ll set him up with the shots and take care of business.  I’m the first undefeated fighter he’s faced so he’s looking to make a statement as well. 

“I think I’ve definitely faced the tougher opponents. 

“I’ve already received some messages from friends over in Afghanistan that they’re going to watch my fight on AFN.  It means a lot to have my fellow veterans and active military supporting me overseas.” 

JUAN RODRIGUEZ, JR.:

“We have two undefeated fighters both putting their records on the line early in their career.  It’s going to be a show.  We didn’t come here to lose and I know he didn’t come here to lose.  But we’re here to put him to sleep. 

“We will just beat him up really bad, abuse him.  Even though sometimes the judges don’t agree, we can abuse him and have fun with him if we don’t knock him out. 

“It’s a step up for both of us.  We’re both equal fighters. I don’t think he has an advantage over me.  He’s only fought one other fighter with an undefeated record so I’m not worried.  It’s a step up for both of us. 

“I’m looking to show the world out there what I’m really about. I’m looking to make a statement to my Puerto Rican fan base and everyone out there.  I want to show them my skills and talent. 

“It’s time for the beast to be unleashed.” 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information visit www.IronMikeProductions.com, www.sho.com/sports, follow on twitter at @IronMikeProd, @shosports, follow the conversation using #ShoBox or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/IronMikeProductions.Official and www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.

AMERICAN FORCES NETWORK TO CARRY MILITARY VETERAN SAMMY VASQUEZ JR. & ENTIRE THREE-FIGHT SHOBOX TELECAST THISFRIDAY, APRIL 18 ON SHOWTIME

Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation

To Be Available To Uniformed Personnel In More Than 175 Countries

NEW YORK (April 17, 2014) – Nearly 1 million uniformed military personnel serving abroad will be able to watch and support U.S. Armed Forces veteran Sammy Vasquez, Jr., as part of a special agreement between SHOWTIME^® and the American Forces Network. 

Vasquez, who served two tours of duty in Iraq, is featured in the opening bout of Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation telecast, which airs live at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME from Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pa. 

“I’m excited to bring the military along for the ride with me,” Vasquez said.  “I’m coming to the ring in a Humvee with the guys that I deployed with, as well as my wife and daughter and my three sisters. It’s great to have the rest of the military in my corner.” 

The service men and women of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines stationed around the globe in over 1,000 outlets in more than 175 countries and on the high seas will have free access to Friday’s ShoBox telecast. 

The airing of Friday’s ShoBox on AFN is part of a one-time special agreement to feature the armed forces veteran fighter.  All SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecasts air on AFN as part of a gratis license agreement between the networks.  

The undefeated Vasquez, who served in the National Guard from 2003 until 2012, was deployed to Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq for his first tour in ‘05-’06.  He later returned to Iraq for a second tour in ’08-’09. 

“My first tour was with the Second Brigade, which is not with the National Guard, but because of the high demand for soldiers needed over there, they started deploying the National Guard,” Vasquez said. 

“When I went the second time, I was at JSS Fallujah in Taji, Iraq. That was with the 56^th Stryker Brigade. I was with the first National Guard Stryker unit to go over there.” 

Vasquez (13-0, 9 KOs), of Monesson, Pa., will meet Juan Rodriguez, Jr. (11-0, 5 KOs), of Union City, N.J., in a battle of unbeatens in an eight-rounder to open the ShoBox telecast. 

In the main event, heavy-hitting Cuban Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado (18-0, 16 KOs), of Miami, Fla., will face off with veteran “Lightning” Rod Salka (18-3, 3 KOs), of Bunola, Pa., in a 10-round lightweight bout.  In the co-feature, Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz (14-0, 8 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., by way of the Dominican Republic, will square off with Emmanuel Lartey (15-1-1, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., in an eight-round welterweight bout.