Super middleweight Eric Lucas (39-8-3,15 KO’s) wanted a real test to see if his comeback had any promise, so he chose top ten ranked Librado Andrade (29-3,22 KO’s). Although Andrade had proved himself as a World Class fighter with a titanic set of whiskers the thinking in Quebec was that the defeat to IBF Super Middleweight Champ Lucian Bute had rendered Librado “Gun Shy” according to trainer Stephan Larouche. It was a notion that Larouche admitted to being wrong about and it was just as clear to the over 8,100 in attendance at Quebec’s Pepsi Coliseum that Andrade is still the same formidable foe he has been in his last 4 fights in Canada, maybe better.
With that said this fight was a real crowd pleaser and Lucas did everything he could do before being stopped by cuts after 8 hard fought rounds. From the onset Andrade was all about coming forward and landing vicious combo’s while Lucas would pick his moments in every round and get off a barrage of his own that would get the hometown crowd roaring with pleasure.
The back and forth action made for an exciting fight but with every exchange Andrade was slowly chipping away at Lucas while the shots from Lucas had little or no visible effect on Librado.
From around the fifth round on Lucas was dripping blood from his nose and small cuts over his eyes but the former champ would not relent and he still was hanging in there with Librado and was not out of the fight yet.
But in round 8 a hard right hand opened a huge gash over the Canadian’s eye that forced the ref to have the doctor take a closer look. The fight was allowed to continue and Lucas made one last attempt that fell short and the remainder of the round saw Andrade lay some serious leather on the hometown fighter.
Eric’s corner took one look at his eye in between rounds and decided it was time to put a halt to the valiant warrior’s night. The ref was notified and the fight was waved off before the bell for round 9 would ring.
In a move that shows why Andrade has endeared himself to the Quebec boxing fans, Librado lifted up Lucas in celebration of the man he just defeated and his wonderful career. The crowd applauded both Lucas and Librado for their accomplishments and it should come to no surprise to anyone to see Andrade in another major fight in Quebec before the year comes to an end.
Hat’s off to Interbox Promotions and Eric Lucas who have put together one of North Americas premier promotional companies. We look forward to seeing what you have in store for boxing in the coming years.
############
Red Corner Apparel would like to Congratulate Librado and all of Team Andrade for his exciting victory this past Friday night on ESPN's Friday Night Fights!
Red Corner Apparel's Carl "The Cobra" Froch defends his WBC Super Middleweight Championship Vs. Mikkel "The Viking Warrior" Kessler tonight on Showtime in Stage 2 of Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic Tournament.
Here are the weights from yesterday's weigh-in.
Carl Froch 167.25 vs Mikkel Kessler 167 (WBC super middleweight championship) Venue: MCH Arena, in Herning, Denmark Promoter: Sauerland Event TV: SHOWTIME (9PM ET/PT same-day coverage)
Tune in tonight for what should be an exciting fight! And don't forget it's never too late to show your support for Froch and purchase your very own Official Carl Froch Collection tee's only from Red Corner Apparel.
Saturday, November 28th at 11p ET on SC2 – SUPER CHANNEL FIGHTS: SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION LIVE Super Featherweights John Molina and Martin Honorio battle it out live from the Pechange Resort and Casino, Temecula, CA. -View the trailer on our Super Channel
The first Red Corner Apparel TV spot will begin airing on the Fightnetwork in the coming weeks! Check it out!
Red Corner Apparel presents it's first video commercial promo highlighting some of our new & old collections, and inviting fans to support their fighters. Don't miss out on all the action of the Super Six Boxing Classic only on Super Channel & Showtime, respectively, starting October 17th!
ALLAN GREEN TAKES ON UNBEATEN TARVIS SIMMS IN SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CLASH on Super Channel Fights!
ShoBox: The New Generation
This Friday, Oct. 2, LIVE in Canada on Super Channel 11 p.m. ET
From First Council Casino, Newkirk, Okla.
EDMONTON (Sept. 30, 2009) – Allan Green, coming off a dominating performance over Carlos De Leon, Jr., will face unbeaten “Marvelous” Tarvis Simms in a 10-round super middleweight affair this Friday, Oct. 2, LIVE on ShoBox: The New Generation in Canada on Super Channel at 11 p.m. ET from the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla.
The matchup is vitally important for both fighters as they are competing in one of boxing’s deepest divisions, a division that SHOWTIME is focusing on with the upcoming Super Six World Boxing Classic that begins next month. Green, who is currently the No. 6 ranked contender in the World Boxing Council (WBC), looks to stay at the top of the division while Simms hopes to prove he belongs in the top.
Green (28-1, 20 KOs), currently training in Hollywood, Fla., was born and resides in Tulsa, Okla. He will be the definite crowd favorite fighting in his home state against Simms, of Norwalk, Conn. Simms (25-0-1, 11 KOs) is the twin brother of Travis Simms, a former world champion with a similar record of 25-1.
Simms was a late replacement for the inured Victor Oganov, who was forced out less then two weeks before the fight. In his last fight, Simms scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Marcus Upshaw in Uncasville, Conn.
Simms called Green, “one of the best super middleweights out there” but said he has what it takes to beat him. “That’s why we accepted the fight. Right now, it is my destiny and I’m in full control. With the opportunity given, I just want to take advantage of it, and I’m sure I will take advantage of this opportunity.”
In a quintessential ShoBox matchup in the co-feature, “The Truth” Antwone Smith (16-1-1, 8 KOs) takes on Henry Crawford (22-0-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight battle between two of the division’s brightest prospects. Both fighters are determined to show what they can do in the ring come Friday night.
“They told me ‘ShoBox’ – I said, ‘I’ll take it,’ ” the 28-year-old Crawford said. “They didn’t even tell me the money or anything. It’s been a long time coming. I’m 28, I’m 22-0, so I said, ‘I need to step up. I’ll take it.’ ”
Smith stepped up big-time in his last fight in May, scoring his career-best win, a 10-round unanimous decision against Richard Gutierrez (24-2-1). It was also Smith’s first scheduled 10-rounder. In July, Crawford won an eight-round unanimous decision against Kaseem Wilson (12-1-1).
In another exciting televised fight, Marcus “Too Much” Johnson takes on Victor Villereal in an eight-round super middleweight matchup.
Curt Menefee, Steve Farhood and Antonio Tarver will call the ShoBox action from ringside. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com <http://sports.sho.com/> .
About Super Channel Super Channel is Canada’s only national pay television network, consisting of two new HD channels, four new SD channels, and Super Channel On Demand.
Super Channel’s vision is to expand the Canadian premium TV experience by offering a broad range of fresh, entertaining movies, series and live events. Super Channel is owned by Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc., an Edmonton-based media company.
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley and Bernard Dunne.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
EDMONTON Sept. 29, 2009 - John Murray will get an opportunity to win back the British Lightweight title he lost on the scales when he meets Jon Thaxton in Altrincham, Greater Manchester Oct. 3. The mouth-watering UK showdown will be seen live on Super Channel Fights! at 3 p.m. ET.
Murray is quickly becoming a favorite of Canadian fight fans, having performed live on Super Channel numerous times, and never failing to impress with his grit and uncanny fighting acumen.
This will be Murray’s chance to regain the title he surrendered in June when he failed to make the 135 lb. lightweight limit by just 2 ounces ahead of a planned defense against English champ Scott Lawton.
The fight went ahead but without the Lonsdale belt on the line with Murray scoring an impressive sixth round stoppage win over Lawton. Now the two best Lightweights in Britain will square off with former British and European Champ Jon Thaxton contesting the vacant title with Murray on a Hennessy Sports event at the Altrincham Leisure Centre.
The news comes during a week in which Murray was also named as the mandatory challenger for Anthony Mezaache’s European title. Mezaache took the title from Thaxton courtesy of a controversial points win in February and a surprise defeat by Tom Glover up at Welterweight in Thaxton’s last outing has seen Murray overtake his domestic rival in the European ratings.
Promoter Mick Hennessy has now handed them the opportunity to decide once and for all who is the best Lightweight in Britain. “This is one of those fights that will have people on the edge of their seats,” said Hennessy.
“They are two of the most exciting fighters in British boxing and this really is going to be a thriller. John Murray is one of the most exciting talents to emerge in British boxing in years and he’s on the verge of very big things on the European and World stage.
“You write Jon Thaxton off at your peril though. His defeat to Tom Glover last time out was up at Welterweight, two weights out of his natural weight division and the Mezaache fight was a controversial decision. Jon’s a huge puncher and people have been writing him off for years and he keeps coming back to rip up the script and usually in spectacular style.
“Jon is only one win away from winning a Lonsdale belt for keeps and I know that’s a real driving force for him in this fight so there is so much on the line for these two guys.”
About Super Channel Super Channel is Canada’s only national pay television network, consisting of two new HD channels, four new SD channels, and Super Channel On Demand.
Super Channel’s vision is to expand the Canadian premium TV experience by offering a broad range of fresh, entertaining movies, series and live events. Super Channel is owned by Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc., an Edmonton-based media company.
WBC Super Middleweight Champ Carl Froch is expecting a full house at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham on October 17th when he kicks off his Super Six World Boxing Classic campaign against unbeaten American star Andre Dirrell.
Tickets for the event promoted by Hennessy Sports and Gary Shaw Productions go on sale from 1pm today and Froch says he’s delighted to be back in action in his hometown as he kicks off the Super Six tournament. Should Froch win the series outright the Dirrell bout will be the first of 5 fights that would see him eventually recognised as one of the best boxers in the World pound for pound.
It’s a case of first things first for Froch though as he looks to make a second successful defence of his World title against the brash, switch hitting Dirrell who is unbeaten in 18 professional fights following an amateur career that saw him win bronze at the 2004 Olympic Games.
“I can’t wait to get back in that ring at the Trent FM Arena,” revealed the unbeaten Froch who will be returning to the scene of his World title triumph over Jean Pascal last December. “I had to go into the lions den last time out to defend my title against Jermain Taylor in the U.S. but the tables are turned this time around and it’s Dirrell who’s coming to my home town.
“He needs to realise that he’s going to be coming into the snake pit and he’ll be getting the full force of the Cobra’s venom. I’m going to be putting it on him from all angles and hitting him with everything. I’ll have him wishing he stayed at home.”
Dirrell has other ideas and believes he is the man to ruin Froch’s unbeaten record. "Tell Carl Froch and all of his fans that on October 17th there will be a new Sheriff of Nottingham - ME!" declared Dirrell. "The Cobra is going to be eating a lot of leather when we meet. I'm going to knock his fangs down his throat. Cobra my foot, garden snakes are more dangerous than he is! He's just a little worm."
Although he travelled the World during a glorious amateur career Dirrell has yet to fight outside the U.S. as a professional and Froch believes he’s in for a shock. “It’s going be a real rude awakening for him because he’ll never have sampled anything like the atmosphere he’ll experience in front of 8,000 of my fans,” said Froch.
“He can talk all he wants about travelling the world as an amateur but this is the pro game and he’s coming to my hometown, looking to take away my World title – he’s got no chance!”
Dirrell has already boasted that Froch will be his easiest fight in the Super Six tournament but the Cobra isn’t buying the American’s bravado. “Dirrell obviously thinks he’s a lot better than he really is. He’s a big mouth and he’s loud and brash but now he’s going to have to back up all that big talk now.
“He’s been brought up the American way so mentally he believes he’s better than everybody else. That’s all well and good when you’re winning but when the pressure comes on he’ll find out the truth and it will be a very painful lesson.
“Once I start hitting him the doubts will start to creep in and before long he’ll realise that he’s out of his depth against a World champion at the peak of his powers defending his title in his own backyard."
Froch has watched Dirrell in action but says he’s seen nothing to trouble him. “He’s a decent fighter,” admitted the champion. “He does the basics well and he’s got fast hands but speed means nothing if you’re not in range.
“To be honest I’m not thinking about him too much at all. I’m concentrating on my own performance. I’ve already been working hard in the gym with my trainer, Rob McCracken. I’ll let Rob devise a strategy and I’ll follow it in the ring.
“I’m coming off two great wins against proven World Champions so Dirrell doesn’t worry me. In fact I bet when he lies in bed at night and stares at the ceiling it’s already starting to sink in that he's going to have to get in there with the Cobra. He’s probably having nightmares about it already every night but trust me it will be nothing compared to the nightmare that will face him on October 17th.
Tickets for Froch V Dirrell are go on sale from the Trent FM Arena, Nottingham Box Office at 1pm today priced £30, £45, £125 and £400. To purchase tickets call the Box Office on 08444 124 624 or visit www.trentfmarena.co.uk. Tickets are also available from Ticketline on 0844 888 4402 or via www.hennessysports.com.
Doors open at the Trent FM Arena from 7:30pm on the night with an action packed undercard getting underway at 8:30pm ahead of the main event which will start shortly after 2am.
Schmeichel: Froch belongs in Boxing’s new Champions League
Photo Captions:
A.jpg: Froch pictured in Copenhagen with Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel.
B.jpg: Froch (centre) will be looking to put European rivals Arthur Abraham (left) and Mikkel Kessler (right) in the shade.
C.jpg: The Super Six take to the stage at the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.
Former Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel met with WBC super middleweight champ Carl “The Cobra” Froch today as the Super Sixmedia tour hit Denmark.
On Monday, the details of the groundbreaking new Super Six World Boxing Classictournament were unveiled at a press conference at Madison Square Garden in New York. Just 20 hours later, thousands of fans gathered at Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens to greet the stars who will battle it out for super middleweight supremacy over the course of the next 18 months.
Schmeichel, who now works as the Champions League anchorman for renowned Danish TV station Viasat, was on hand to meet the fighters and give his backing to the groundbreaking new concept.
“I think this tournament it great,” said Schmeichel. “It’s like the Champions League in football. The best boxers in their division are competing. That is brilliant. I believe the tournament will be a huge success and maybe it can be done in other weight classes, too. Of course, I do favour my countryman Mikkel Kessler but I think everybody can win. Froch certainly has a good chance too. It is impossible to tell who will win.”
Schmeichel knows all about the Champions League having won footballs most prestigious club competition during Manchester United’s famous treble winning season in 1999.
Froch is confident that he can win the inaugural Super Six title and prove himself as one of the World’s best pound for pound fighters. “I will be the last man standing,” declared Froch. “I look forward to clashing with the best fighters in the world. I am the world champion already so now I have set my sights on a Champions League title. I will prove my class in every single fight against world class opponents.”
The opening round matches of the series have already been set with Froch opening his campaign against unbeaten American hope and Olympic medallist Andre Dirrell.
The other opening round bouts will see IBF middleweight champ Arthur Abraham stepping up to super middleweight to take on former undisputed world middleweight champion Jermain Taylor while WBA super middleweight champ Mikkel Kessler clashes with 2004 Olympic gold medallist Andre Ward. Dates and venue for the first round bouts will be announced shortly.
***Super Six Fighters presented at Brandenburg Gate***
All six superstars, their promoters and SHOWTIME Sports Senior VP & GM Ken Hershman were present in Berlin today as the Super Six World Boxing Classic PR Tour hit Germany. After an official press conference in the Grand Ballroom of the renowned Hotel Adlon, the six fighters posed in front of the Brandenburg Gate in the Berlin sun. It certainly was an event to remember, with six top athletes and their famous promoters sharing the same podium. Undefeated Olympic gold medal winner Andre Ward came face-to-face with his rivals for the first time after missing the previous presentations due to the flu. “It is great to be here,” he said. “I really wanted to make the effort and come here after I could not attend the events in New York and Copenhagen. I am thrilled to participate and I am very confident I will win.”
All six fighters were asked to pick the finalists. While WBC Super-Middleweight Champion Carl Froch believes in a showdown with WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler, the American stars – namely Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell and Ward – voiced their confidence, stating that they will definitely be in the final and that the opponent does not really matter to them. Undefeated IBF Middleweight Champion King Arthur Abraham came up with a special answer: “They all said they will be in the final. They can say whatever they want but once they have been hit by the first punch it will be an entirely different story. I know the answer to the question but I will keep it to myself.”
New Team Sauerland superstar Mikkel Kessler spoke to the German press for the first time since joining the Berlin-based promoters. “I am happy to be here,” he said. “I have been with Team Sauerland for five days now and I am already standing here to take part in this great tournament, which pits the best fighters in our division against each other. That is fantastic. Boxing needs something like that and it will be a huge success. I am the WBA World Champion, the most experienced fighter in the tournament and I will prove my class.”
Froch also believes he got what it takes to win it all. “I have the punching power, I have superior boxing skills and I will stamp my authority on the tournament from the first bell on,” he said. “I already look forward to winning the first three points.” His opponent Andre Dirrell has a similar plan. “I will beat Froch,” he said. “First I win the WBC belt, then the WBA belt and then I win the tournament. It will be spectacular and I am thrilled to participate.”
Former undisputed champion Jermain Taylor said he was already looking forward to coming back to Germany for his first-round match-up against Arthur Abraham. “It will be a great fight,” he said. “I will outbox him. I am confident I will win this tournament.” Abraham´s promoter Wilfried Sauerland knows that the American superstar will be tough to beat when the duo clashes in Germany. “Taylor is such a big name and we don´t yet how Arthur will do in the new weight class but I am very optimistic he will continue his winning streak,” Sauerland said. “We are proud to have two fighters in this great tournament and once again want to thank Ken Hershman for putting everything together.”
Hershman revealed it was a “tough task” to get five promoters and six fighters agree to participate in such a ground-breaking tournament. “We are thrilled that we have everybody on board,” he said. “It took a lot of hard work but in the end everything was worked out. There is so much talent at super-middleweight. This tournament guarantees big fights right from the start and in the end there will be a true champion. We cannot wait to get started.”
.JPG)
.JPG "A (2).JPG")
.JPG "B (2).JPG")
.JPG "C (2).JPG")
