Former Houston and Texas State Golden Gloves Champion, Austin “Ammo” Williams is scheduled to fight on the Andrade vs Keeler undercard tonight, which will be streamed live on DAZN.
Williams, who lives in Houston and trains at The Main Street Boxing Gym under the tutelage of Dwight Pratchett and Bobby Benton, holds a professional boxing record of 4 wins with 0 loses with 3 of his wins coming by knockout.
Before becoming a professional, he was an amateur standout who was able to rise through the amateur ranks with incredible speed, due to his tremendous work ethic, athletic ability, desire to learn, and faith in his abilities.
He was also helped along by soaking up the experience of his head coach Dwight Pratchett, who is a former NABF Super- Featherweight Champion, that faced Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan LaPorte, Meldrick Taylor, Raphael Sims, Jimmy Paul, and Louie Espinoza during his professional career.
As a professional, Williams has added corner man Bobby Benton to “Team Ammo” giving him a high powered team with many years of experience, that will help him achieve his goal becoming a world champion.
“Ammo” will be facing Donald Sanchez (5-2) as a professional, tonight in a six round contest, that will be held at The Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami, Florida.
The card is promoted by Matchroom Boxing / Eddie Hearn, and will also feature Demetrius Andrade vs Luke Keeler, Tevin Farmer vs JoJo Diaz, and Amanda Serrano vs Simone Aparecida Da Silva.
7 division world champion and #1 pound for pound female boxing champion, Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano returns to the ring this Thursday, January 30, on the Andrade vs Keeler undercard, which will take place at The Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami, Florida.
Promoted by Matchroom Boxing, the “Miami Fight Night” card will also feature Tevin Farmer vs JoJo Diaz, and Austin “Ammo” Williams, who lives and fights out of Houston, Texas, vs Donald Sanchez.
Serrano, who holds a (37-1-1) record with 27 KO’s, is the first female and first Puerto Rican boxer to win world championship titles in seven different divisions, winning championships at 115, 118, 122, 126, 130, 135 and 140 pounds!
She will face Simone Aparecida De Silva (17-14-0) with 6 KO’s on Thursday, and while she isn’t overlooking her current opponent, she’s hoping to face Katie Taylor in the near future in a female super-fight.
Ironically, Serrano is not as heavily hyped as some of the other women’s champions possibly because she isn’t a person that is prone to drama and/or controversy. She doesn’t disrespect her peers or minimize their accomplishments, she just quietly goes about her business and builds her own legacy.
When asked recently about the example she likes to set inside and outside of the ring, Serrano replied with an answer that was as sharp and educated as her combination punches.
” I’ve come to realize that many of my fans look up to me because of my boxing skills and accomplishments, which in essence, has made me a role model. For that reason I’m one that doesn’t allow myself to get into call-outs and the trash talk that some fighters do trying to stir up fights or show people that they are tough. As a role model I keep it classy. No need to talk. I’ve always said people lie, numbers don’t. Check mine, check yours. I KO them and you struggle with them. My fans like me because I’m a lady but I fight like most men do. I’m a fighter, not a talker. I fight, others talk. “
Houston based boxer Virginia “Ginny” Fuchs continued her rampage through international competition last week at the 71st Annual Strandja International Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, and brought herself one step closer to clinching her spot on the USA Boxing Olympic Team.
Just as she did in the Olympic Team Trials, Ginny not only won every bout she participated in, but she also likely won every round of every bout she participated in.
The similarities didn’t stop there though, because Ginny also fought the same opponent in her championship bout as she did in the team trials, her friend and teammate Christina Cruz.
After Fuchs and Cruz cleared out the rest of the competition in the 51 kg (112 pounds) division, they battled for the gold again, with Fuchs coming out on top.
Team USA Boxing winners:
Virginia “Ginny” Fuchs - Gold- 51 kg (112 pounds)
Christina Cruz (far left) and Ginny Fuchs (second from left)
Joe Dumas Promotions brought the Foreman Friday Night Fight Series back to Humble, Texas, with a fight card filled with up and comers, and the return of local favorite Noe “Skinny Boi” Lopez in the main event.
Lopez (9/2/1) and coming back from a lay off of more than a year, had his hands full with Anthony Curtiss (2-4) who proved to be more of a capable and tough opponent than his record would suggest.
Their main event bout featured the more technically sound boxing and footwork of Lopez vs the relentless aggression and toughness of Curtiss.
Lopez for his part, looked to control the ring and the action mostly with his left jab and left hook along with his superior movement, while Curtiss countered with relentless aggression and a two fisted attack that wasn’t always effective, but was good enough for him to earn a draw on one of the judge’s scorecards..
In the end it was the ring generalship, movement, and better technique of Lopez that would give him the nod on the other two judge’s scorecards, and the win by majority decision.
Although Lopez was returning from a lay-off for shoulder surgery, he made no excuses and gave Curtiss full credit for giving him a tough fight. He also promised his large group of supporters that he would give an improved performance in his next bout, scheduled for March 14 in Channelview, Texas.
The El Tigre Promotions team, along with several professional boxers they promote, visited San Jacinto Harley Davidson in Pasadena, Texas yesterday to promote their upcoming, “The Tejas Knockout” professional boxing card and enjoy getting to know the local community.
2-0 pro boxer Alex Morales
“The Tejas Knockout” card will be taking place on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Herrera’s Tejano Nightclub in Channelview, Texas. Herrera’s Tejano Nightclub is located at 15934 East Freeway, Channelview, Texas 77530. Doors will be opening at 6 pm with first bout scheduled to begin at 7 pm.
ABO Regional Heavyweight Champion Juan Torres
El Tigre Promotions President and #10 world ranked, Alfonso “El Tigre” Lopez was also in attendance bringing along his NABF, ABO, NABO and NBA Light-Heavyweight Title belts along with him, for the fans to enjoy seeing and taking pictures with.
Left to right: Roger Ibarra, Alex Morales, Juan Velazquez, Alfonso Lopez, ring model Ginny, Apostle Arias, Juan Torres, and Raynard Talib Jr.
Pro boxers fighting on the March 14th card who were in attendance were Juan Velazquez, Raynard Talib, Roger Ibarra, Alex Morales, ABO Heavyweight Regional Champion Juan Torres, Adrian Pequeno, and Apostle Arias, all of whom spent time introducing themselves to and speaking to the boxing fans in attendance.
Left to right: Alex Morales, Apostle Arias, and Alfonso “El Tigre” Lopez.
I spoke to El Tigre Promotions President Alfonso Lopez about the team’s strategy in promoting and showcasing local, professional boxing talent, while still being able to put on exciting fights that the fans can enjoy watching, and he shared their simple but effective strategy.
“We are here to give local fighters an opportunity to show their talents as well as develop their professional skills at home or close to home, in a familiar setting where their friends and family can support and watch them. We are also a business though and we strive to put on exciting bouts for the local boxing fans to enjoy. The way we do that and the way we plan to continue to do that, is to evenly match up these boxers as much as possible, while they are still learning and growing. For instance, if we are promoting a young fighter with little to no professional experience, we will give him or her time to get acclimated to the pro ranks, but after say, about 7 or 8 bouts, it’s time to step it up and start fighting bouts that will give them the opportunity to move up in the national and eventually world rankings. We are also fair in how we treat both corners of a respective bout and that has shown itself to be true as we have had upsets in every show we have put on.”
Don’t miss the next El Tigre Promotions professional boxing card on March 14, 2020!
Pro boxer Adrian Pequeno (2-0) and Gina (El Tigre Promotions).
Ticket information is available on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @eltigrepromotions, and at www.eltigrepromotions.com
(Photos and videos courtesy of El Tigre Promotions)
Team USA advanced six boxers to the semifinals of the Stranjda Tournament, guaranteeing the Americans six medals following the third day of boxing in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The flyweight duo of Christina Cruz (Hell’s Kitchen, N.Y.) and Virginia Fuchs (Houston, Texas) continued their impressive tournament run. Cruz picked up her third win of the tournament, this time by way of a 3-2 decision over Zareen Nikhat of India, while Fuchs defeated Ireland’s Ceire Smith by unanimous decision.
Andrea Medina (San Diego, Calif.) has made the most of her international debut, clinching her first international medal and a place in tomorrow’s semifinals with her 5-0 win against Dina Bogdanova of Russia, while Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.) continues to look to repeat her gold medal performance from last year’s Strandja Tournament after winning today’s bout over Athenya Bylon of Panama, 3-2.
Another boxer having an impressive international debut, Anthony Herrera (Los Angeles, Calif.), put on a dominating performance over Moldova’s Dmitri Suhodolshi. Herrera took all five judges’ cards, advancing him to the semifinal bout to guarantee himself at least a bronze medal.
The sixth boxer to advance to the medal rounds, Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio), had an extra day of rest, as her opponent pulled out of the tournament, resulting in a walkover win for Jones.
Four additional Team USA boxers stepped into the ring today, but saw their tournament runs end, Darius Fulghum (Houston, Texas), Rahim Gonzalez (Las Vegas, Nev.), Amelia Moore (Alexandria, Va.) and Abraham Perez (Albuquerque, N.M.). Full results can be seen below.
All six boxers remaining in the tournament will compete in the first session tomorrow, beginning at 2:00 p.m. local time. Click here to follow all the action, as well as follow USA Boxing on social media.
Day 3 Results 51 kg: Christina Cruz, Hell’s Kitchen, N.Y./USA, vs. Zareen Nikhat/IND, 3-2 51 kg: Virginia Fuchs, Houston, Texas/USA, vs. Ceire Smith/IRL, 5-0 52 kg: Anthony Herrera, Los Angeles, Calif./USA, dec. Dmitri Suhodolschi/MDA, 5-0 52 kg: Gabriel Escobar/ESP dec. over Abraham Perez, Albuquerque, N.M./USA, 4-1 57 kg: Andrea Medina, San Diego, Calif./USA, vs. Dina Bogdanova/RUS, 5-0 60 kg: Agnes Alexiusson/SWE won by walkover over Rashida Ellis, Lynn, Mass./USA, WO 60 kg: Denica Eliseeva/BUL dec. over Amelia Moore, Alexandria, Va./USA, 5-0 69 kg: Aliaksandr Radzionau/BLR won by walkover over Delante Johnson, Cleveland, Ohio/USA, WO 69 kg: Oshae Jones, Toledo, Ohio/USA, won by walkover over Christina Desmond/IRL, WO 75 kg: Naomi Graham, Fayetteville, N.C./USA, dec. over Atheyna Bylon/PAN, SD 81 kg: Stepan Hrekul/UKR dec. over Rahim Gonzales, Las Vegas, Nev./USA, 3-2 91 kg: Radoslav Pantaleev/BUL dec. over Darius Fulghum, Houston, Texas/USA, 5-0 91+ kg: Danis Latypov/BAH won by walkover over Richard Torrez Jr., Tulare, Calif./USA, WO
*Info and results courtesy of Brian Taylor/ USA Boxing* links to the day’s bouts posted below.
After Andy Ruiz admitted to letting the “Fame” get to him and not training properly for his rematch with Anthony Joshua, Ruiz seemingly is putting the blame on his trainer and has decided to end his working relationship with Manny Robles.
Reports today have mentioned that the decision was made by Premier Boxing Champions’ head honcho Al Haymon, but the strain in the fighter/trainer relationship between the Ex-Heavyweight Champion and his trainer Robles was evident at the Ruiz vs Joshua 2 post fight press conference.
When Ruiz apologized to his father and Robles and promised to work harder next time, the look on Manny’s face said it all. Although we can’t possibly guess what Manny was thinking, he didn’t look convinced that Ruiz was genuinely sorry for his disrespect and/or that Ruiz had learned his lesson and would make good on his promise to work hard to get back what he lost.
Being that Ruiz is signed to Al Haymon’s PBC Boxing, and Haymon is mentioned as having a part in the decision for Ruiz to use another trainer, you can be sure that the decision is damage control on Haymon’s part, and a cop- out on Ruiz’s part. Haymon, of course, wants to convince the public that Ruiz just needed a change in trainers and he will be right back to the Ruiz that upset Joshua, in order to be able to better sell future Ruiz fights.
Ruiz, is essentially proving that he did not in fact learn his lesson when he was dominated by Joshua, and is not ultimately, taking responsibility for the poor decisions he made during the Joshua rematch training camp. He seems to be more concerned in convincing the boxing fans that he deserves more big paydays, than he is in actually owning up to his mistakes, and taking action to ensure that it will never happen again.
Ruiz can fight, there’s no question about that, but he seems to be lacking the character and discipline needed to prove that he is more than just a one-hit wonder. He’s also showing a lack of loyalty that contradicts the lovable, underdog, everyday working man persona he and his handlers had cultivated, and showing himself to be more of an egotistical conman.
He and his die-hard fans will convince themselves that he made a mistake and will learn from it and be back to prove the “haters” wrong. They will say people are just underestimating him because of his heavy-set frame and pudgy look. They will use Anthony Joshua as an example of how a guy can turn things around, if determined and motivated. But in the end, it will all be wishful thinking because the difference between Ruiz and Joshua has nothing to do with their physical appearance, and everything to do with the difference in their thinking, mindset, and approach to the game.
Not to say that Ruiz won’t win fights, and maybe even be maneuvered into another title shot, he will, but the championship hunger and drive isn’t there and he will disappoint himself, his family, friends, and fans again, and you can bet on that!
The American team got off to a strong start in the first session, winning five out of their six bouts.
2020 U.S. Olympic Trials for Boxing Champion Virginia Fuchs (Houston, Texas) took to the ring for her first bout of the tournament in impressive fashion, taking all five judges’ cards over Natali Rok of Poland. Fellow flyweight, Christina Cruz (Hell’s Kitchen, N.Y.), fought a tough battle until the very last bell against Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova. In the end, Cruz took the victory by way of a 3-2 decision.
Lightweight duo Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.) and Amelia Moore (Alexandria, Va.) made their tournament debuts in winning fashion. Ellis grabbed the unanimous decision against Germany’s Jacqueline Hatcheir, while Moore took four out of the five judges’ cards to defeat Russian Anastasia Esmin.
Delante Johnson (Cleveland, Ohio) and Freudis Rojas Jr. (Dallas, Texas) looked to continue putting on strong performances in the welterweight divisions after their victories yesterday. Johnson, who won the trials, took the unanimous decision win against Aidan Walsh of Ireland, while Rojas Jr. suffered an unfortunate cut by his opponent, Wahid Hambli of France, to result in a loss by abandonment.
The second session started with two tough unanimous defeats for middleweights Joseph Hicks (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Javier Martinez (Milwaukee, Wis.) to Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine and Vadzim Pankou of Belarus, respectively.
Heavyweight Darius Fulghum (Houston, Texas) closed out the session on a high note in his international debut. The 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing champion won a 4-1 decision over Cristian Razvan Filip of Romani to advance to the next round.
Andrea Medina (San Diego, Calif.) had an impressive international debut against Anastasila Kovalchuk, taking a unanimous decision to advance to the quarterfinals and kick off the third session of the day on a high note.
David Navarro (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Atif Oberlton (Philadelphia, Pa.) put up hard fights against their opponents from the home country, but fell short in split decisions, 4-1 and 3-2, respectively, to end their time at the tournament.
2020 U.S. Olympic Trials for Boxing champion Rahim Gonzales (Las Vegas, Nev.) closed out the night with another unanimous decision victory in his first international tournament representing Team USA, this time over Romania’s Paul Andrei Aradoai to move to the next round of competition.
Team USA will have another busy day tomorrow, as well as all winners from today will return to action tomorrow, along with both men’s flyweight boxers, Anthony Herrera (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Abraham Perez (Albuquerque, N.M.), as well as Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio). There will be only two sessions contested tomorrow, beginning at 2:00 p.m. local time, with the second session beginning at 7:00 p.m. local time.
Follow all of Team USA’s progress on USA Boxing’s social media channels, as well as by clicking here.
