First pro loss only a setback for Ghislain Maduma Lightweight takes positives from tough experience

MONTREAL (July 30, 2014) - His first loss as a professional pales in comparison to the obstacles lightweight contender Ghislain "Mani" Maduma (16-1, 10 KOs) has overcome outside the ring. This past May 31 in front of 80,000 hostile fans supporting hometown favorite"Mighty" Kevin Mitchell (38-2, 28 KOs) at famed Wembley Stadium in London, Maduma led after 10 rounds on all three judges' scorecards by identical scores, 96-94, winning six rounds as he entered the 11th round, in which he was stopped after getting dropped by a left hook. "It was tough dealing with my first loss but, how I performed was more important, and I did perform well in what I call a setback," Maduma said. "Most of all I learned a lot about myself. I felt so much pressure going into the fight but I felt relaxed during it and 80,000 fans didn't make a difference. It was a very good experience for me and now I really know how good I can be. "I got a little tired at the end but, in the biggest fight of my career, I got too confident and starting fighting as if I had already won. It was just my fault because I was winning easy, felt confident, and got caught. Maybe the ref stopped the fight a little too early, but it was my fault, not the ref's, because I didn't finish well. It was a positive learning experience for me. I went into a big fight with only 16 fights (85 rounds), fighting outside of Canada for the first time, and he was fighting at home in his 40th pro fight (194 rounds). My mistake was due to lack of experience, staying focused, and finishing. I learned a lot and will come back stronger." Maduma's promoter, Camille Estephan (Eye of the Tiger Management), agrees with his gifted fighter. "I truly feel that, as Ghislain himself said, he needed this experience against Mitchell and it was a step back for him but now 10 forward. A defeat can often derail some athletes, while others are propelled to new heights in their careers. I believe Ghislain has the character and intelligence that will allow him to learn from this and become a better fighter. It is scary to think that this guy can become better. Time will tell but we will do all that's necessary, like always, for him to reach the top." Maduma was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and left his parents at the age of 12 to relocate in the Hochelgaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, switching poverty at home for what turned out to be a new life riddled with racism and hatred. "Compared to my life, "Maduma explained," my loss was just a setback. I lost a big fight but got more recognition than I had in my 16 wins, which was a big step in my career. From where I came from in the Congo, I know I'm a very lucky guy to be where I am today. I'm blessed. I've taken every positive from my last fight and I'm moving forward. The loss hurt, for sure, but I will be a better fighter because of it. I can't wait to see what's next. "It was tough living in the quarter of Montreal with a lot of skin heads, before I started boxing, when I was 13-14. Boxing saved me by helping me see people all over Canada, including other parts of Montreal and Quebec, and they were not like those where I was living. People were different than what I knew. Today is like a dream come true, what I've always thought about, and now it's real." Last month, Maduma returned home to Kinshasa (Congo) to visit family, especially his mother who he hadn't see in seven years, and old friends.   Ghislain was so moved by his homecoming experience that he has started a foundation, committing 10-percent of his purses earmarked for Congolese organizations, the first heading to an orphanage for AIDS patients. Maduma was approached by Congo officials during his recent visit about fighting this October in Kinshasa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of "The Rumble in the Jungle" in which Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in the eighth round.  (Note: Congo was formerly known as Zaire) "Boxing fans there know me and they are very interested in working to have me fight there," Maduma noted. "I'm hoping that Camille can make it happen. Congo will always be my home but I also know how lucky I am to live in Canada. When you fight for Camille, you become part of the Eye of the Tiger family....for life! So, I fight for myself and my family, but I represent Congo and Canada because these two different countries are what have made me. I know I'm lucky because I'm one of the best fighters in the world and someday I will be world champion." "The will is there on both sides to make this fight happen and I hope we will have an announcement soon," Estephan added. "To celebrate the anniversary of Ali vs. Foreman would be a tremendous honor. We will have Maduma ready for the performance of his career in his native Congo." For further information about Maduma visit www.eottm.com and follow him on Twitter @GhislainMaduma.

Ghislain Maduma motivated as underdog forSaturday's IBF lightweight title eliminator vs. Kevin Mitchell

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release    MONTREAL (May 26, 2013) - Undefeated world lightweight contender Ghislain "Mani" Maduma (16-0, 10 KOs) has embraced the underdog role for this Saturday's International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator fight against hometown favorite"Mighty" Kevin Mitchell (37-2, 27 KOs) on the Matchroom Boxing-promoted Carl Froch-George Groves card at famed Wembley Stadium in London. The 29-year-old Maduma, world rated by the World Boxing Council (WBC) at No. 3 and No. 4 by the IBF, broke his successful Montreal training camp last Friday and headed to Great Britain to fight IBF No. 5-ranked Mitchell for the right to become the mandatory challenger for IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez. "We had a very, very good training camp to prepare for this big fight," Maduma said before departing for London.  "I'm excited to be fighting in this big event." The largest crowd Maduma has fought in front of has been 8,000 at Bell Centre (Montreal) earlier in his professional career.  He's ready to play the underdog role in front of up to 80,000 fans at Wembley Arena supporting his British opponent. "A lot of things will be different over there for me but I'm fully focused on doing my job," Maduma added.  "I'm bringing my 'A' game to prove I'm one of the best lightweights in the world.  "I give all my respect to Mitchell.  Everybody there will be thinking he's going to win, but I'll be motivated to win as the underdog." Maduma's promoter, Camille Estephan (Eye of the Tiger Management), will catch up with his lightweight star in the making this Wednesday in London. Estephan is on a roll as manager of newly crowned World Boxing Council heavyweight championBermane Stiverne and David Lemieux, who destroyed Fernando Guerrero last Saturday night for the vacant North American Boxing Federation middleweight title. "Ghislain Maduma is truly, right now in my belief, the most underrated fighter in the sport simply because people don't know him outside of Canada," Estephan commented.   "He's been in the shadows but on May 31st he will grab this opportunity with all the attention at Wembley Stadium. Based on his skills and character, along with the fantastic camp he had, we are very confident that Ghislain will prevail in his fight against Mitchell. "Many Quebec fighters may have failed in the UK; the likes of (Lucian) Bute and (Jean) Pascal have tried but were not successful. I believe Ghislain will bring a win back home against Mitchell. Ghislain has blazing speed and power. He was not built through fighting weak competition, always facing competition that assured us a progression that tested him from one fight to the next, and he's consistently responded by getting better and better. Ghislain is ultimately conditioned through the training that he has done. No other athlete in Canada, in any sport, can rival what he's done with his conditioning. Kevin Mitchell better be ready because this will not be a walk in park! We're going into this fight with the intention of making a major statement." For further information about Maduma visit www.eottm.com, follow him on Twitter @GhislainMaduma.

Ghislain Maduma prepared to make Major statement May 31 against Kevin Mitchell in IBF lightweight title eliminator

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release    MONTREAL (May 6, 2013) - Nothing has ever been handed to undefeated world lightweight contender Ghislain "Mani" Maduma (16-0, 10 KOs). Unable to get a world title shot, the Congo-born, Montreal fighter is forcing the issue, fighting "Mighty" Kevin Mitchell (37-2, 27 KOs) in his backyard on May 31 in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator, on the Matchroom Boxing-promoted Carl Froch-George Groves card at famed Wembley Stadium in London. The 29-year-old Maduma is world rated by the World Boxing Council (WBC) at No. 3 and No. 4 by the IBF.  Only IBF No. 5-ranked Mitchell, who has failed in two previous world title fights, stands between Maduma and his ultimate goal of a showdown with IBF 135-pound champion Miguel Vazquez. "This is a very, very big fight for me," Maduma said. "I want to be known in boxing circles and this fight in front of 80,000 fans in the stadium and so many others watching around the world will be a good publicity shot for me. I had a plan for this year.  The first step is winning this fight, the second is to be world champion.  That's why I've trained so hard to give an exciting performance. "I have to thank my promoter, Camille Estephan, and coach, Mike Moffa, for what they do for me on a daily basis.  In only 3 ½ years, they have me in this position and not many boxers can say the same.  I also want to thank everybody on my team, Eye of the Tiger Management, my teammates and sparring partners, and the people of Quebec for their support." The largest crowd Maduma has fought in front of has been 8,000 at Bell Centre (Montreal) earlier in his professional career.  He realizes that, as a hometown favorite, Mitchell figures to greatly benefit from fans there for Froch and Groves alike. "I know 80,000 people will be screaming for him and booing me," Maduma remarked.  "It will be just me and him in the ring, my skills against his, but I think my skills are better.  We'll find out in the ring.  He is a very good fighter with good skills and experience.  I appreciate the opportunity to fight him.  He's a proven, world-class fighter and I need to beat him to show that I'm ready for a world title shot."   "Ghislain is an amazing athlete," Maduma's promoter/manager, EOTTM president Estephan noted.  "His level of fitness is unparalleled in comparison to any other Canadian fighter.  Of all the big names who've come out of Montreal lately, Ghislain is definitely, pound-for-pound, the fastest and best conditioned. He is totally committed and his fitness level rivals any elite athlete in the world, no matter the sport, and in addition to his incredible physical shape, Ghislain is also a tremendously gifted boxer with an extremely high boxing IQ.  We believe he is ready to take on the best lightweights in the world, causing a lot of damage on his way to the top.  Ghislain Maduma is a major star in the making.  He finally has an opportunity to prove he's the best lightweight in the world by winning the May 31st title eliminator and then defeating Vazquez for the IBF world title." Maduma is the reigning WBC Continental Americas champion and he recently relinquished his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) crown. Mitchell has lost world title bids to Ricky Burns (TKO4) and Michael Katsidis(TKO3) but he has defeated, among the more notables, world title challengers John Murray and Walter Estrada, as well as Amir Khan and Richard Abril-conqueror Breidis Prescott. "Mitchell is a complete fighter," Maduma's trainer Mike Moffa commented.  "He has speed, a good chin and can hit.   This may not be the fight we wanted. It's a big risk fighting him in England in front of 60,000 to 80,000 fans, which will be a challenge for me and Ghislain, but it's the fight we needed to get on top. Mitchell is a very smart fighter; he waits and counters with an amazing jab. "Ghislain's speed has gotten him here.  He puts his power behind his speed and jab as he throws combinations.  We've been working with him to try and take away Mitchell's jab to back him up.  Ghislain is very serious, dedicated to the sport.  When controlling a fight he can make it easy with his speed but, he's also in top condition and he'll need to be to take the fight to Mitchell." For further information about Maduma visit www.eottm.com, follow him on Twitter @GhislainMaduma.

2012 BRITISH OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST ANTHONY OGOGO CLOSES OUT 2013 THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14WHEN HE FACES OFF AGAINST DANIEL BLACKWELL AT LONDON'S EXCEL ARENA

Photo Credit: Matchroom Sport LOS ANGELES (Dec. 13) - 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Anthony Ogogo will be back in action this Sat., Dec. 14 in the ExCel Arena in London, England where he won his Olympic bronze medal for Great Britain.  The young undefeated middleweight will face Trowbridge, England's Daniel Blackwell in a 6-round middleweight bout on Matchroom Sport's fight card headlined by the IBF Intercontinental Lightweight Championship fight between Kevin Mitchell and Karim El Ouazghari. "I'm really looking forward to Saturday night. I'm boxing back at the ExCel for the first time since the London Olympics so it's going to be a special night for me and I can't wait to get back in the ring". Owner of an undefeated record 3-0 (2 KO's) since turning professional in April, Lowestoft's Ogogo has impressed boxing fans and pundits with his ever-growing skill set and poise in the ring.  On Saturday, the 25-year-old will be challenged by the 20-year-old Blackwell (5-26, 1 KO), an upset-minded competitor looking to shock the British boxing world. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at@GoldenBoyBoxing & @AnthonyOgogo and become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page. Also, visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing.

Newly Crowned Champ Ormond Fights In London On July 5th, Then Wants Mitchell Or Burns

Newly crowned WBU Lightweight World Champion Stephen ‘The Rock’ Ormond makes a welcome return to York Hall in London on Friday 5th July, where he will be boxing against a yet to be named opponent, on the Dave Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence Day’ mega show.

On his last visit to York Hall, in July last year, the Dubliner convincingly beat former Irish champ Mickey Coveney in a rematch of their Battle Royale at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow back in March 2011.

Of the back of this superb win Ormond was presented the opportunity to face Hungarian Laszio Robert Balogh  for the vacant WBU crown, an opportunity he grabbed with both hands.

On just his fourteenth professional outing, on the 3rd of May 2013, at the Carlton Hotel in Tyrrelstown, Dublin, Ormond stepped into the ring to face thirty three fight veteran Balogh.

Balogh may have had more experience, but it was Ormond that dominated the opening round, before going on to stop the Hungarian in just one minute and fifty four seconds of the second stanza.

With the WBU World Title belt proudly nestling in his trophy cabinet, Ormond has turned his focus on fighting more in the UK in his quest for further accolades, especially the WBO title currently in the firm grip of
Coatbridge, Scotland’s Ricky Burns.

Speaking from his Dublin training camp, Ormond made it more than clear that the aforementioned Burns, as well as Dagenham’s Kevin Mitchell, are well and truly in his sights.

“I’m really looking forward to fighting on July 5th in London. I don’t know who I’m fighting yet, but I promise I will be ready for them.

My team has big plans for me and that means I’ll be fighting more and more in the UK, starting with the July 5th fight, which suits me, I love fighting in the UK and can’t wait to get back there.

I would like to fight the top guys in the weight division, big names like Kevin Mitchell or Ricky Burns, as soon as possible.

I’m not looking past whoever I fight on the 5th July, anything but, just I believe I have what it takes to beat these guys and I want to fight them, hopefully these fights can be made soon.

By fighting in London more and putting in some really good performances, hopefully Eddie Hearn will take notice and I’ll get to fight Kevin or Ricky, sooner than later.”

Stephen ‘The Rock’ Ormond, against a yet to be named opponent, features on the undercard of the Jennifer Rezke - Mikaela Laurén, Light Middleweight World Championship fight, that headlines the Dave Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence Day’ event, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 5th July 2013.

Tickets, priced Ł30 (Gallery), Ł35 (Ground floor standard seated) and Ł65 (Ringside) are available on-line at www.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 from Stephen Ormond or any of the boxers taking part in the event, or  call – 07960 850645, 07809 499896 or 07557 641597 for further information.

www.acourtier.com

Formidable TRAD TKO Winning Streak Falters, As Mitchell And Edwards Lose

The formidable winning streak, of the fighters from the famous TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, came to a shuddering halt this past weekend, after both Kevin Mitchell and Menay Edwards lost.

Just two weeks previously English Light Middleweight Champion Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng successfully defended his crown, Ian Bailey and Danny ‘Cassius’ Connor secured Southern Area titles, as well as a brace of great wins by rising stars Wadi ‘Machoman’ Camacho, Tom Baker and Charlie Hoy.

Last week was almost as successful, with Billy Joe Saunders successfully defending his Commonwealth Middleweight crown, whilst gym mates Gary Corcoran, Billy Morgan, Frankie Buglioni, Ediz Hussein, Joel McIntyre and Tommy Watson kept their unbeaten records intact.

The only blot on the copy book coming by way of Peter McDonagh being on the wrong side of a points decision, even though he dominated most of the Southern Area Welterweight title bout, against ‘home fighter’ Bradley Skeete.

With 13-1 winning ratio, already in September, in the bag, the TRAD TKO crew were looking forward to another highly successful weekend, with Kevin Mitchell challenging Ricky Burns for his WBO World Lightweight title, as well as six of their young guns in action on Sunday.

In the build up to Mitchell-Burns everyone see it as a very, very close fight, with an the experts putting their weight equally behind Kevin and Ricky. However, come fight night things didn’t go according to plan.

After a fairly even first round Ricky began to exert his authority in earnest, by backing Kevin up at will and picking him off with big rights.

By round four Kevin’s challenge was already beginning to look decidedly rocky, then the unexpected happened, as Ricky landed a sweet short left hook to send Kevin to the canvas.

Kevin kept his head and stayed on one knee until the count of eight, before rising. When he did though, Ricky was over him like a rash, and inevitably sending the Dagenham Destroyer to the deck once more.

This time Kevin jumped up in an instant. With just ten seconds or so to until the end of the round Ricky didn’t waste a second, instantly firing a salvo of big shots to send Kevin back onto the ropes. The Scot’s onslaught continued, but as there was no reply from Kevin, it came as no surprise that, Referee Terry O’Connor stepped in to save him from more punishment, even though there was only six seconds left on the clock.

“Well the run of form at the TRAD TKO had to come to an end eventually, it’s just a shame that it had to happen with our stalwart, Kevin Mitchell.

What can I say about the fight, I thought it was an even first round and I just thought Ricky looked bigger and stronger.

I couldn’t really put my finger on what went wrong with Kevin, it seems he just kept loading up with the left hand and Ricky was finding the answer with the right hand.

It wasn’t the right hand that actually did the damage, it was a short clip left hook that seemed to take Kevin’s senses away.

They were both giving it the bravado thing, banging their chests. When that happened I thought we were in for a cracking fight.

Where does Kevin go from here, It’s entirely up to Kevin. He’s lost to a very good fighter, who rightly so people are talking about being the number one Lightweight in the world, so it’s not the end of the world as far as Kevin is concerned, now the ball’s in his court, hopefully he carries on, I’d like to see him carry on as he’s got plenty left in the tank.”

With Kevin’s loss it was down to the youngsters from the gym to get the superb winning streak back on track, at Miranda Carter’s ‘Sunday Best’ event at York Hall.

However things didn’t get off to a particularly smooth start, after young George Jupp was forced to pull out at the weigh in.

In the ring things looked a lot brighter, with Ben Doughty trained Frankie Monkhouse securing his second pro win with an excellent 39-37 points win over Danny Dontchev.

Frankie certainly impressed, boxing cleverly behind the jab, as well as sending the highly durable Dontchev to the canvas, in the first, with a cracking body shot.

Next up was former World #2 Amateur Areti Mastrodouka securing her third straight win as a pro, with a sensational first round stoppage of Gabriella Vicze.

Alec Wilkey’s newest charge, Eren Arif, received a baptism of fire on his pro debut, as his opponent was the awkward, yet highly entertaining, Johnny Greaves.

Eren kept his cool, as Greaves played to the crowd, and boxed beautifully to secure a tidy points win.

Already with two of his charges with solid wins under their belts, Alec Wilkey was in jubilant mood when young Brett O’Callaghan secured a third, with a shutout 40-36 points win over the highly experienced Duncan Cottier.

The final fight of the night featured Derek Grainger trained Menay ‘The Emperor’ Edwards in what was deemed to be a warm up for a shot at Tony Conquest’s WBO intercontinental Cruiserweight crown later this year.

With both Menay and his opponent, Neil Dawson, having very similar records, it was always known this was going to be a true 50/50 battle, but no one expected the all out war that ensued.

The pair of warriors seemed determined to stand their ground and slug it out. Menay got sent to the canvas in the first, Dawson hit the deck in the second. There could easily have been more trips to the canvas, as each got rocked on numerous occasions, but neither did.

At the end of the six hard fought rounds Rotherham’s Dawson just edged it, to take victory by a 58-56 margin.

With four out of five wins on the Sunday, Johnny was a little more positive in outlook as he spoke about the night’s action featuring the TRAD TKO fighters.

“On Sunday we started off with Frankie Monkhouse, Frankie put in a good result against Danny Dontchev, not the easiest person in the world to fight but Frankie stuck to his game plan and won the fight quite well.

We were a bit disappointed with the opponent that was brought over for Areti, but you can’t blame the agent as you can only go by the record and we thought it was the rights fight, but she was very, very poor.

Like I said to Areti it isn’t who you fight but how you beat them, and she beat her really well, stopped her very well with some great shots and the referee was right stopping the contest when he did.

Then we had young Erin Arif, who put in a good performance against Johnny Greaves, Greavsy was being his normal self, showboating and hitting him where he shouldn’t be hitting him, which is Ok as these are all the things you need to learn when your first out. He made a good fight of it, it was one of the best fights of the night to be honest with you.

We then go on to our Brett O’Callaghan against Duncan Cottier, Duncan played all his old tricks again.

Again another great learning fight for young Brett, he’s only just turned twenty years old so got a bright future in front of him and made it win number four at the weekend.

Then we’re on to Menay Edwards, who after a fantastic fight got a disappointing result. He decided to take himself to the ropes and go toe to toe with him.

I spoke to him last night and said to him that he’d gone back to the old Menay Edwards style that I didn’t like and this played into the other kid’s hands.

Value for money, what a fight, it was the best fight of the night, but you don’t want too many of them though.”

So there you have it, after three weekends of extreme action, the TRAD TKO team went from a magnificent 6-0 margin in week one, to an impressive 13-1 on week two and ending with a, still highly respectable, 17-3 winning ratio.

With the only event of this coming weekend, that was to feature the gym’s fighters, being canceled it will be October before the formidable TRAD TKO juggernaut gets rolling again.

www.tkoboxinggym.com