JOSE PEDRAZA: "I'm ready to fight Rances Barthelemy and bring home the title"

PUERTO RICO (November 20, 2014) - After his dominating performance against Philippine contender Michael Farenas (39-5-4, 31 KOs), Puerto Rican star and IBO super-featherweight champion, Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (19-0, 12 KOs), is elated that he's become the mandatory challenger to face IBF champion Rances Barthelemy (21-0, 12 KOs).

"I'm very excited about my future and I'm very thankful to my promoters Gary Shaw, Lou DiBella and Javier Bustillo for getting me the fights I needed to become the mandatory challenger to fight for the IBF title." said Pedraza. "I've been getting a lot of support from my people here in Puerto Rico and it feels great to be loved by them.  I've already started training as I'm eager to get back in the ring.  I'm ready to fight Rances Barthelemy and bring home the IBF title."

Promoter Gary Shaw was amazed on how well Pedraza picked apart Farenas in their bout.  He feels Pedraza soared from a fighter on the rise to one of the best fighters in the 130lbs division. 

"Pedraza was absolutely outstanding in his fight with Farenas," said Gary Shaw. "He looked fantastic.  He has the rare ability to make adjustments in the ring against any style.  He proved he can hang with the big boys.  Farenas is a big puncher and Pedraza negated everything he brought to the table.  Pedraza graduated from top prospect, to world title contender in one terrific performance.  I believe he is the top 130 pounder in the world, and come early 2015 will prove it when he fights for the world title."

Pedraza is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, DiBella Entertainment and Universal Promotions.

Micky Ward's 49th birthday celebration PHOTO GALLERY

(L-R) - Promoter Lou DiBella, "Irish" Micky Ward and Foxwoods host Tom Whipple (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions) (See photo gallery below) NEW YORK (Oct. 7, 2014) - Last Saturday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino, DiBella Entertainment, Warriors Boxing and Foxwoods Resort Casino helped celebrate the 49th birthday of "Irish" Micky Ward with boxing fans attending theSHOWTIME Boxing Special Edition tripleheader at Fox Theater in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Promoter Lou DiBella, who promoted Ward (38-13, 27 KOs) during the latter part of his career, including the epic Arturo Gatti-Ward trilogy, gave Ward a beautiful watch as a birthday present during a private meet-and-greet. "We had a terrific crowd at the SHOWTIME Boxing event on Saturday night, and it was made more special by the celebration of Micky Ward's 49th birthday," said Lou DiBella. "DiBella Entertainment was and always will be Micky's promoter. It was a great pleasure to celebrate Micky's birthday with him." Fellow boxers from the past and present celebrated with Ward, a three-time participant in the "Fight of the Year," including WBA/WBC welterweight champion Marlon "Magic Man" Starling (45-6-1, 27 KOs), 1955 World welterweight champion Tony "The Pride of Fleet Street" DeMarco (58-12-1, 33 KOs), former WBA junior welterweight and welterweight champion Jose Antonio "El Gallo" Rivera (41-6-1, 24 KOs), former IBO middleweight champion and star of The Contender, Season Ireality television show, Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo Jr. (40-7, 21 KOs), 2014 "Connecticut Fighter of the Year" Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs), unbeaten former WBA Interim featherweight champion Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (25-0-1, 18 KOs), and two-time world junior welterweight title challenger "Sucra" Ray Oliviera (47-11-2, 22 KOs). Three lucky fans were selected as winners of a "Micky Ward Birthday Contest." Each winner and one guest apiece sat ringside with Ward during one of three televised fights and were able to take photos with him and get his autograph.    "Irish" Micky Ward cuts his 49th birthday cake  with a video of him vs. Arturo Gatti playing in background  (Photo by Ashley Polo / Foxwoods)   (L-R) - Ring announcer David Diamante led fans at Fox Theater with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Micky Ward, who is shown here thanking everybody. (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions) (L-R) - Micky Ward with another New England boxing favorite, Marlon Starling (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions) (L-R) - Micky Ward and Peter Manfredo, Jr., who served as Ward's chief sparring partner for his first fight (and win) against Arturo Gatti. (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions)   (L-R) - Micky Ward and 82-year-old World welterweight champion in 1955 and fellow Bay State fighter, Tony DeMarco (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions)

Boxing stars/public to celebrate Micky Ward's birthday this Sat at Foxwoods show

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Boxing stars & public to celebrate Micky Ward's birthday Saturday at Foxwoods Showtime Boxing Special Edition Fans can enter special "Micky Ward Birthday Contest" NEW YORK (Sept. 29, 2014) - DiBella Entertainment, Warriors Boxing and Foxwoods Resort Casino will celebrate the 49th birthday of "Irish" Micky Ward  with boxing fans attending the SHOWTIME Boxing Special Edition tripleheader on Saturday, October 4, airing live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Promoter Lou DiBella promoted Ward (38-13, 27 KOs) during the latter part of his career, including the epic Arturo Gatti-Ward trilogy. DiBella and Ward, who fought out of Lowell, Massachusetts, developed a special relationship that continues today. "Of all the fighters that I've worked with, no one was more honest or gave more of themselves than Micky Ward," DiBella said. "It's a natural to celebrate Micky's birthday in conjunction with a fight card in New England. Micky is forever New England's fighter. Fans will get an opportunity to see a great night of boxing and to meet a fighter who may never get into the Hall of Fame, but will always be an icon." All 51 of Ward's bouts were fought as a junior welterweight, including his last fight on June 7, 2003, against Gatti. During his 18-year professional career, Ward captured the (original) WBU title with an eighth-round TKO win over heavily favored, previously undefeated (22-0) Shea Neary in London, and also participated in three consensus "Fights of the Year". Displaying a lethal left hook to the body, Ward's other more notable victims included Gatti, Steve Quinonez, Reggie Green, Emanuel Augustus and Alfonso Sanchez, in addition to popular New England fighters such as Louis Veader (twice) and John Rafuse. Ward had a 3-1 (2 KOs) lifetime record fighting at Foxwoods. Boxers expected to join Ward's celebration include former WBA/WBC welterweight champion Marlon "Magic Man" Starling (45-6-1, 27 KOs), of Hartford; reigning WBO junior middleweight titleholder Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade (21-0, 14 KOs), of Providence; 1955 World welterweight champion Tony "The Pride of Fleet Street" DeMarco (58-12-1, 33 KOs), of Boston; former WBO middleweight champion Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs), of Brooklyn; former WBA junior welterweight and welterweight champion Jose Antonio "El Gallo" Rivera (41-6-1, 24 KOs), former IBO middleweight champion and star of The Contender, Season I reality television show, Peter Manfredo Jr. (40-7, 21 KOs), of Providence; former world lightweight title challenger Tony Petronelli (42-4-1, 22 KOs), of Brockton (MA); "Connecticut Fighter of the Year" Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs), of New Haven, who is coming off a sensational win over Luis Del Valle in May; and Framingham (MA) welterweight and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, Danny "Bhoy" O'Connor (23-2, 7 KOs). All ticketholders may enter a special "Micky Ward Birthday Contest" by registering between 6:30-7:30 p.m. at a table set up near the Fox Theater box office. Prior to each of the three televised bouts, the ring announcer will select a winner and that lucky fan plus a guest will sit ringside with Micky Ward for the entire fight and be able to take photos with him and get his autograph. Undefeated Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy (20-0-0, 12 KOs), of Las Vegas, by way of Cuba, will defend his IBF junior lightweight title against former world title challenger and IBF No. 3-ranked challenger Fernando David "El Vasco" Saucedo(52-5-3, 8 KOs), of Florencio Varela, Argentina, in the Oct. 4 main event. In other 10-round fights on the threer-fight telecast:  Willie "The Great" Nelson (23-1-1, 13 KOs), of Cleveland, Ohio, will be opposing Vanes "The Nightmare" Martirosyan (34-1-1, 21 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., by way of Armenia, in a collision of once-beaten junior middleweights, former light heavyweight world champion "Bad" Chad Dawson (32-3, 18 KOs), of Las Vegas, by way of New Haven, Conn., fights for the first time in his home state in five years when he goes up against Tommy Karpency (23-4-1, 14 KOs), of Adah, Penn. Tickets, priced at $150, $90 and $45, may be purchased online at Foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods' box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the first fight starts at 6:30 p.m. The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, with the main event promoted in association with Sampson Boxing and the co-featured Nelson-Martirosyan match promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT & NEW LEGEND BOXING ANNOUNCE OFFICIAL SIGNING OF UNDEFEATED PROSPECT ALANTEZ FOX TO EXCLUSIVE CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT

SET TO MAKE DBE DEBUT IN VERY NEAR FUTURE

New York, NY (8/22/14) - DiBella Entertainment (DBE) has announced the signing of undefeated junior middleweight prospect Alantez Fox to an exclusive co-promotional agreement with New Legend Boxing. At 6'5", Fox is a tall, slick boxer who literally stands head and shoulders above most of his 154lb. contemporaries. Having already built his record to 12-0-1 (4 KOs) with exceptional physical tools that include a 79-inch reach, the 22-year-old Fox is ready to take the division by storm as he climbs up the rankings. From Forestville, MD, Fox is trained by his father, Troy Fox, out of Lloyd Irvin MMA/Boxing Gym. Fox had a successful 10-year amateur career that began at the age of eight. He won the 2010 Under-19 Championships as well as the Ringside National Tournament that same year. Holding wins over current prospects Antoine Douglas and David Grayton, Fox's amateur career culminated with a 165-35 record. Following his July 2010 pro debut, Fox quickly fought his way into contention for the vacant New York State junior middleweight title. On September 22, 2012, at Resorts World Casino, in Queens, NY, Fox challenged hometown favorite Frank Galarza, also now co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing. Both Fox and Galarza were 7-0 heading into the match, and, when the bell rang, they waged a fast-paced exhilarating war for eight rounds. Galarza had early success with his overhand right, but Fox then established a distance using his long jab to dictate the action. Landing his left hook with regularity, he evened up the fight on the scorecards, leading to a draw verdict. Since then, Fox has won five in a row, including unanimous decision victories over the highly regarded Julius Kennedy and Zain Shah. "Fox is an undefeated, super high quality junior middleweight," said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. "We feel that Galarza is one of the best 154lb. fighters in the world and Fox gave him his toughest fight. We believe that, along with Galarza, he too can be a force on the championship level in the competitive 154lb. division." "I am excited about the signing of our new prospect, Alantez Fox," said Felipe Gomez, of New Legend Boxing. "I saw him for the first time in 2012 when he fought Galarza on one of my New Legend shows. Watching him fight, I really had a lot of interest in him. With his height, reach and boxing skill, Fox is going to be a huge threat in the junior middleweight division." Despite the sensational start to his pro career, Fox has been inactive for the past year due to promotional issues. However, that has now all been resolved, having aligned himself with DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing ready to pick up where he left off. "I'm just ready to fight," said Fox. "I'm thrilled to be with my new family. I've been waiting for somebody to give me an honest opportunity. Hopefully, there is no ring rust and I can shine like a diamond. Thanks to Lou DiBella, DiBella Entertainment, Felipe Gomez and New Legend Boxing for taking a chance on me. I won't let you down." "Alantez is a talented fighter," said his father Troy. "I am glad and thankful to be working with DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing. I know that they will push my son's career in the right direction. I'm ready to see him get the attention he deserves and to watch him become a world champion one day." Look for an announcement on Fox's DBE debut to come very soon.

TOP PROMOTER LOU DIBELLA OF "DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT" CONFIRMED FOR INAUGURAL BOX FAN EXPO TO TAKE PLACE THIS SEPTEMBER IN LAS VEGAS

MEET AND GREET the world's biggest fighters, promoters and industry people at the 1st time, one of a kind BOXING EXPO event  For Immediate Release Las Vegas (APRIL 22nd, 2014 - Top promoter Lou Dibella "Dibella Entertainment" has confirmed that he will appear and have a Booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the inaugural Box Fan Expo that will take place this September. DiBella Entertainment (DBE) was born from the unique insights that owner Lou DiBella honed as a television executive and matchmaker. DiBella graduated from Tufts University and Harvard Law School and was previously head of programming for HBO Sports. He created and orchestrated the highly successful series, "Boxing After Dark."    DiBella Entertainment created a rebirth for boxing in New York City with its popular series "Broadway Boxing." Dibella Entertainment is the promoter of WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez who will have merchandise and other memorabilia to sell to his fans with pricing details to follow. "DiBella Entertainment is thrilled to be involved with Box Fan Expo. It is a great event for our sport and I'm looking forward to introducing myself and my talent to the greatest fans in the world." Every year, one of the biggest boxing weekends of the year is Mexican Independence Day. In 2014, that weekend has just got bigger, better and more fan accessible with the announcement of the FIRST-EVER BOX FAN EXPO.   Box Fan Expo will take place on Saturday, September 13th, 2014 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and will run from 10am to 6pm.  To Purchase tickets click:  http://www.BoxFanExpo.eventbrite.com/  Box Fan Expo is the ultimate fan experience that was created to promote the entire boxing industry and to allow fans to celebrate, Meet and Greet their favorite boxers and boxing celebrities. The event will feature boxing legends, today's superstars, Hall of Famers, future prospects and the stars of today all UNDER ONE ROOF.  The event will also feature major promoters, ring card girls, sanctioning organizations as well as trainers, referees, commentators and announcers. Anyone that directly or indirectly represents the sport of boxing will have a chance to showcase themselves to the boxing fans and whole industry. Also in attendance will be exhibitors, sponsors, television broadcasters and media. Box Fan Expo will also feature different activities such as autograph sessions, photo ops, weigh in, face off with your favorite fighters and buy merchandise.   Throughout the next several months, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that have already committed their appearance at the Box Fan Expo.  For anyone in the industry who would like to be involved and reserve a booth, contact   Box Fan Expo at: U.S.A Telephone Number: (702) 997-2099 or (514) 572-7222   Email  info@boxfanexpo.com     For more info go to: www.boxfanexpo.com    Follow Box Fan Expo on twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BoxFanExpo Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo   PLEASE NOTE : see link at bottom of page for our Press Media kit.      Box Fan Expo is committed to helping the Retired Boxers Foundation which is a nonprofit organization that helps improve the quality of life for retired fighters. This is a fantastic opportunity for sponsors, retailers and anybody involved in the boxing industry to get involved and be a part of this once in a lifetime event and help out this great cause.. Box Fan Expo is proud to announce that part of the proceeds from the event will help the Retired Boxers Foundation.

CLICK HERE FOR MEDIA KIT

Ivan 'The Terrible' Redkach Real TV fighter & new USBA lightweight champion

WORCESTER, Mass. (January 23, 2014) - Newly crowned United States Boxing Association (USBA) lightweight champion Ivan "The Terrible" Redkach (16-0, 13 KOs, 1 NC) picked up more than hardware last week headlining ShoBox: The New Generation. The ferocious southpaw firmly established himself in Memphis as an exciting "television fighter" for the future with tremendous upside. Redkach may not have made the quantum leap from prospect to legitimate world title contender, yet, but he gained invaluable experience going 10 rounds for the first time against a game and somewhat awkward Tony "The Lightning" Luis (17-2-1, 7 KOs), who is rated No. 9 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and has been chief sparring partner for world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux. Redkach won a unanimous decision (99-90, 97-93, 97-93), dropping a game Luis once in an action-packed fight from start to finish. "I was pleased with my performance and I'm very happy and proud to be the USBA champion," Redkach said from his home in Los Angeles. "We both showed a lot of heart and I think we gave TV fans a show. I want to thank Showtime, my promoter Lou DiBella and manager Larry Army for that great opportunity. I went 10 hard rounds against my toughest opponent and learned a lot that will help make me an even better fighter. I know I could have made it a lot easier on myself if I had fought in the middle of the ring and stayed away from the ropes. But boxing is all about learning and improving and fans will see that in my next fight. I'll take a week or so off and go right back into the gym to get ready for my next fight." Redkach, rated No. 13 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), fell short of achieving his goal of making the quantum leap from top prospect to legitimate world title contender in only his 17th professional fight. "A world champion in the making like Ivan needs to be taken into deep waters under stressful conditions," Redkach's manager Larry Army explained. "Fighting in his first ShoBox main event certainly was stressful but he went the full distance and won a real war. We had never seen Ivan go deep, so in that respect, it was a perfect fight for us. We learned that he's three or four more fights away from a world title shot, but we believe in him even more than ever as a future world champion. He now realizes that he can't knockout every opponent but he can still win fights. Ivan needs some fine tuning and more big-fight experience as he continues to chase his dream of winning a world title."  The 27-year-old Redkach is going through a normal maturation process in the ring, developing as he tests himself against more talented opponents, in order to eventually reach his full potential. His Ukrainian star is still rising. It just may not reach its zenith as quickly as initially anticipated. Someday he will get to where he ultimately wants to be, standing in the middle of the ring with his arms raised, and a coveted world title belt wrapped around his waist. ABOUT ELITE MANAGEMENT: Founded in 2008 by Atty. Larry Army in Massachusetts, Elite Management is a full-service boxing management firm focused on branding professional boxers. Elite Management is a proven expert in responsibly reviewing contracts, developing talent through effective matchmaking, gaining positive press, and attracting sponsorship and endorsement opportunities for athletes. Mr. Army is highly respected for successfully building a fighter's team: researching, interviewing and securing the right trainer, strength-and-nutrition coach, nutritionist and cut-man.   He is also known for organizing training camps for high-profile fights, as well as obtaining paid sparring partners.

Team Abdusalamov Establishing Trust for Their Injured Fighter and Family

Sampson Lewkowicz, promoter of hospitalized Russian heavyweight Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov, along with promoters Leon Margules and Lou DiBella, and with help and support of others in the industry, are establishing a fund and to donate and raise funds to help alleviate the financial burden the unfortunate brain injury Abdusalamov suffered Saturday night has placed on him and his family.

32-year-old Abdusalamov had to have emergency surgery to remove a blood clot, and part of his skull had to be removed to reduce swelling, following his brutal 10-round war against Mike Perez at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, on Saturday, November 2. The fight was also broadcast worldwide on HBO.

Mago is currently still in ICU at Roosevelt Hospital in New York.

Abdusalamov's family, including his wife and father, brothers, and three young children, along with his manager Boris Grinberg are keeping constant vigil at the hospital. He has also been visited by his entire promotional team.

"We are going to do what we need to do for Magomed. He and his family are going to need our help," said Lewkowicz. "He is going to need financial assistance for the medical bills for his treatment, and for his family who are faced with an urgent financial crunch from this terrible accident."

Deeply saddened by the unfortunate twist of fate that has befallen his fighter, Lewkowicz says he is happy to have already received so many offers of help, including one from middleweight world champion, Sergio Martinez.

"We cannot, as a boxing family, turn our backs on the brave men and women who compete in our sport when they need us most. We are going to do everything possible to help him get back on his feet. Magomed will never fight again, but he is a good man and a brave man with a nice family. We are going to make sure they all pull through this intact. That is the right thing to do. Every dollar will help."

The Magomed Abdusalamov Trust is currently being set up. In the meantime, donations can be made two ways:

Via PayPal: 100bbb@mail.ru

Or via check, mailed to: 
 

Bakanay Abdusalamova

PO BOX 90174

Brooklyn, NY 11209

Contact Info: 

Bakanay Abdusalamova
Phone: 203-368-8510

Email: 100bbb@mail.ru

Please make checks payable to: Magomed Abdusalamov

Melson seeks new opponent after Gilbert Snafu

 

New York, NY (October 27, 2013) – For the last two months, Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson was contacted by a representative of Vermont’s Chris Gilbert about a fight in the Big Apple.

 

Melson was aware that Gilbert, an unbeaten power puncher, would be a tough opponent, but had no doubt that he’d emerge victorious. After a number of back and forth conversations with Team Gilbert, both sides agreed to make the match for December 4 in the main event of a DiBella Entertainment card at BB King Blues Club.

 

Unfortunately for Melson, 12-1-1 (4 KO’s), a bout with Gilbert is on hold after a different member of his team revealed the shocking truth.

 

“I reached out to a gentleman named Mel who turns out to be Gilbert's real manager, and he notified me that Chris never agreed to the fight and his team never spoke about it,” stated the frustrated Melson. “I was also made aware that the Bill O’Brien, who contacted me many times and agreed to the bout on behalf of Gilbert, was not authorized to do so. Mel said they’re not interested in facing me and are looking at other options.

 

While the charitable and humble Melson holds absolutely no ills against Gilbert, he’s understandably upset over the situation.

 

“This is extremely frustrating because I was highly anticipating this fight with Gilbert. In fairness, he never agreed to the fight and neither did his actual manager, so I’m not going to accuse them of ducking me. Hopefully we can make this fight in the future. It’s a shame that somebody like O’Brien overstepped his boundaries and caused problems for multiple parties. I do not know why O'Brien would stay on me weekly over Facebook about fighting Chris when he is not affiliated with Gilbert's manager, but initially stated he was Gilbert's manager. As of right now, Gilbert as an opponent is off. I am still hoping his team changes their mind and puts their fighter against me in the near future.”

 

Melson’s opponent for the eight round main event will be announced shortly.

 

Tickets starting at $55 are available on Teamfighttowalk.com, and they are selling extremely fast. Following the bout, Melson will once again donate his entire fight purse to Justadollarplease.org in support of bringing trials to the United States that could help cure chronic Spinal Cord Injuries.  It was recently released in the nation-wide media that this clinical trial we are raising funds for to bring here to the U.S. has resulted in 15 out of 20 patients walking enrolled in the study in China who were paralyzed an average of 7 years. Unfortunately, there still is not enough money to carry the trial out in the US.

 

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, WBA junior middleweight titlist Austin “No Doubt” Trout, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Sonya Lamonakis, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., 2008 US Olympians Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

 

For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.