Sergio 'Maravilla' Martinez Decides to Continue Boxing Career

After lengthy discussions with members of his team, now-former WBC Middleweight Champion Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez has decided to continue his boxing career. Determined to return and erase the terrible memory of what happened against fellow-great Miguel Cotto in June, 39-year-old Martinez will next face a top-10 contender with the goal of recapturing his world title. "Miguel De Pablos (Business Manager) and I met with Sergio at his home in Madrid and he says he is 100% healthy and ready to do what it takes to return to the very top of boxing," said Martinez advisor Sampson Lewkowicz. Lewkowicz says Martinez will first undergo a full battery of head-to-toe testing from top specialists in New York, but pending full medical clearance, the former champion will be returning to the ring on a mission. "Against Cotto, Sergio was badly hurt in the opening round from the first left hook that landed," continued Lewkowicz, "after that, he remembers only pieces and had very little control of his body and especially his legs. He fought entirely on instinct. It was the worst night of his entire career and he is coming back to prove he is a superstar fighter who just had a bad night." Martinez (51-3-2, 28 KOs) had been favored to defeat the smaller Cotto when the pair met last month at Madison Square Garden. But one monstrous Cotto left hook a minute into the fight led to three first-round knockdowns and an eventual 10-round stoppage loss. While many speculated that Martinez's previously injured knee had affected the southpaw's normally cat-like agility in the fight, Lewkowicz says it was not the case. "He got caught with an unexpected punch and it disconnected his body. It happens in boxing, especially against a puncher like Miguel Cotto. If you look at the tape of the fight, look how slow his hands were. A bad knee doesn't cause your hands to slow. It was clear it was not the real Sergio in the ring that night." Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertainment, who will continue as Martinez's promoter, says a great fighter like Martinez deserves the benefit of the doubt if he still feels he can compete at an elite level. "Obviously June 7 was a terrible night in the ring for Sergio Martinez," said the always outspoken DiBella. "But he says he can still do it and that he's totally committed to winning back his title, so I stand behind him. He's already come back to do great things after a stoppage loss to Antonio Margarito earlier in his career and he's positive he can do it again. So we're going to put him in with someone who can get him in line for a title shot and see what he can do. If he doesn't look to be the same fighter anymore, I will be the first to admit it, but he deserves the chance to prove it was just an off-night in an otherwise stellar career." No opponent or return date have yet been finalized, but an announcement will be made in the near future. ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008. Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world's most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world's best fighters and most promising young contenders. Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Fighting Arts News

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Campillo at the Top of His Game, Ready for Fonfara

Spoiler from Spain Ready for 'The Big Fight 2' at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday, August 16 and live on ESPN Friday Night Fights Former World Light Heavyweight Champion Gabriel "El Chico Guapo" Campillo (21-5-1, 8 KOs) is in fantastic shape in advance of his showdown withIBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 16 KOs). Campillo will face Fonfara in the 12-round main event of "THE BIG FIGHT 2," at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, and broadcast live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. "THE BIG FIGHT 2" is presented by "The Promoters" - Round 3 Productions, 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing and Ulrich KnockOut Promotions in association with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. Tickets start at $32 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone, 1-800-745-3000), The Chicago White Sox (www.whitesox.com) the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office and the 8 Count Productions Office, (312-226-5800.). The ring will be set up behind home plate with the grandstand serving as a backdrop.  Doors on the night of the event will open at 6 p.m. CT with the first bell at 7 p.m. CT. In prime physical and mental condition since taking a much-needed tune-up fight on June 14 (a second-round stoppage of Ionut Trandafir Ilie in Sedavi, Spain), tricky southpaw Campillo continues to train twice a day with coaches Antonio Matias and Oscar Sanchez at his own gym and at Maravillabox Sports Center in Madrid. In the morning, Campillo works on aerobic fitness and then later on does sparring and boxing training, all with the aim of one day being world champion again. He will take a huge step in that direction if he is able to secure a victory over the streaking Fonfara. Fonfara vs. Campillo is presented in association with Sampson Boxing. Also featured that night will be the "Can't Miss" heavyweight rematch of Artur 'The Pin" Szpilka of Wieliczka, Poland and Chicago's "Merciless" Mike Mollo, scheduled for ten rounds. A full undercard for this sensational event will be announced shortly. U.S. Cellular Field is located at 333 W. 35th Street, one block west of the Dan Ryan Expressway. 8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS/ROUND 3 PRODUCTIONS 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. Joining forces with Frank Mugnolo's Round 3 Productions in 2011, their partnership is currently among the premier boxing promotional firms in the United States. Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions banner include; IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Andrzej Fonfara, middleweight contender Donovan George, world class junior welterweight prospect Adrian Granados, former world title challenger Edner Cherry, super middleweight prospect Paul Littleton, middleweight prospect Viktor Polyakov and welterweight prospect Jaime Herrera. For more information on 8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions please visit their new website,www.8CountProductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8 Count and Facebook at "8 Count Productions". WARRIORS BOXING Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation. With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table. When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibraginov-Holyfield. For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com. THE ILLINOIS SPORTS FACILITIES AUTHORITY The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority is the developer, owner and operator of U.S. Cellular Field, home of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox.www.isfauthority.com.

Fonfara Training Hard in the Chicago Heat

Fonfara Training Hard in the Chicago Heat Preparations Continue for 'The Big Fight 2' at U.S. Cellular Field on  Friday, August 16 and live on ESPN Friday Night Fights IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 16 KOs) is hard at work in the high heat and humidity, sparring with Michigan heavyweight Jordan Shimmell and Chicago cruiserweight Dimar Ortuz at Sam Colonna's Boxing Gym in Chicago, in preparation for his upcoming showdown against former world champion Gabriel "EL Chico Guapo" Campillo (21-5-1, 8 KOs) of Madrid, Spain, on Friday, August 16, 2013. The pair will meet in the 12-round main event of "THE BIG FIGHT 2," at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, and broadcast live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. "THE BIG FIGHT 2" is presented by "The Promoters" - Round 3 Productions, 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing and Ulrich KnockOut Promotions in association with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. Tickets start at $32 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone, 1-800-745-3000), The Chicago White Sox (www.whitesox.com) the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office and the 8 Count Productions Office, (312-226-5800.). The ring will be set up behind home plate with the grandstand serving as a backdrop.  Doors on the night of the event will open at 6 p.m. CT with the first bell at 7 p.m. CT. Fonfara, of Chicago, via Warsaw, Poland, was last seen in November, winning the vacant International Boxing Organization light heavyweight title by seventh-round TKO over former world title challenger Tommy Karpency at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, a fight in which he badly injured his hand. Fully healed and eager to make his return in front of his legions of adoring Chicago fans, Fonfara and head trainer Sam Colonna are working hard to make this Fonfara's best performance ever.  Tens of thousands of fans are expected to attend this historic event marks the return of boxing to the South Side of Chicago after more than 50 years. Also featured that night will be the "Can't Miss" heavyweight rematch of Artur 'The Pin" Szpilka of Wieliczka, Poland and Chicago's "Merciless" Mike Mollo, scheduled for ten rounds. A full undercard for this sensational event will be announced shortly. U.S. Cellular Field is located at 333 W. 35th Street, one block west of the Dan Ryan Expressway. Tickets start at $32 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone, 1-800-745-3000), The Chicago White Sox (www.whitesox.com) the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office and the 8 Count Productions Office, (312-226-5800.).  The ring will be set up behind home plate with the grandstand serving as a backdrop.  Doors on the night of the event will open at 6 p.m. CT with the first bell at 7 p.m. CT. 8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS/ROUND 3 PRODUCTIONS 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.  Joining forces with Frank Mugnolo's Round 3 Productions in 2011, their partnership is currently among the premier boxing promotional firms in the United States. Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions banner include; IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Andrzej Fonfara, middleweight contender Donovan George, world class junior welterweight prospect Adrian Granados, former world title challenger Edner Cherry, super middleweight prospect Paul Littleton, middleweight prospect Viktor Polyakov and welterweight prospect Jaime Herrera. For more information on 8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions please visit their new website, www.8CountProductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8 Count and Facebook at "8 Count Productions".