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Dec 2011Dyah Ali Davis!
No. 9 Rated Super Middleweight.
Super middleweight contender "Dangerous" Dyah Ali Davis (20-2-1, 9 KOs) is fighting his way out of the long shadow cast by his father, Howard Davis Jr., who captured a gold medal and was selected Outstanding Boxer of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.
Dyah had hoop dreams until realizing in high school that he wasn't heading to the NBA. Despite his pedigree, he didn't even think about boxing until he was 23, after watching the Lennox Lewis-Vitali Klitschko fight, which convinced him that he should become a prize fighter.
Seven years later, he's the No. 9 rated 168-pounder by the World Boxing Council ("WBC") and World Boxing Association ("WBA"), preparing to headline the first ESPN Friday Night Fight broadcast of 2012, January 6 in against Alfonso "The Tiger" Lopez (22-1, 17 KOs) in Key West, Florida.
Howard was one of the greatest amateur boxers of all-time. A three-time U.S. National lightweight champion, he won 125 of 130 overall matches, including the 1974 World Championships. Even more significantly, though, he was the brightest star on the fabulous USA Olympic Boxing Team, also featuring fellow gold medalists Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael and Leon Spinks, and Leo Randolph.
The only absence on his otherwise impeccable boxing resume is lack of a world title as a professional. Howard had a 36-6-1 (14 KOs) pro record in the eighties and fought three times. for the world title, losing a 1980 decision to Jim Watt in Scotland, dropping a 12-round split decision in 1984 to Edwin Rosario in Puerto Rico, and getting stopped in 1988 by James "Buddy" McGirt.
Neither father nor son, however, has ever talked about what really fuels Dyah's desire to capture a world title. In fact, learning about his son's reason brought Howard to tears. "Winning a world title is what I want for me and him," Dyah said. "When I do that we can cherish it together. I don't think either one of us will be happier or prouder than the other when that day comes.
"Ultimately, that's why I set out to do (win a world title), what my father fell short of. I do believe he really won the fight against Rosario. My father is the uncrowned champ and I want that crown for our family. I hope to have that opportunity by the end of 2012, early 2013 at the latest. Two or three more fights but we'll be better to gauge that timetable after my next fight."
Dyah understands but doesn't feel added pressure being the son of a famous boxer. "Fans expect so much from you because you are your father's son," he admitted, "but I don't even think about that anymore. My father had his career and now it's my turn. The bottom line is it's good to know I have his support and can learn from his experiences."
Howard was surprised when Dyah called years ago saying he wanted to become a boxer. Dyah, who now lives in Fort Lauderdale, moved from New York to South Florida in order to train with his father. Howard is a personal/boxing trainer at the famed MMA gym, America Top Team, in Coconut Creek, Florida.
"I would have been the first to tell Dyah that he didn't have it to box," Howard commented. "I do see a lot of me in him: heart and determination. He doesn't quit, trains hard, and never complains. Sometimes I get a little frustrated watching him because he doesn't see some things I see, but then I remember that he didn't have any amateur experience at all. Dyah is very dedicated."
Howard didn't know his son is driven to succeed, where he failed, winning a world title. "He's never mentioned that and I never wanted him to win a world title for me," Howard continued. "I want him to win it for himself. If that's motivation for him, great, and the day he accomplishes that goal will be a blessing for both of us. I'm extremely close to my son and love him a lot. I'm very emotional and to hear this.... it's making me cry. I'm touched by his words."
Howard no longer trains his son, two-time world champion John David Jackson is Dyah's chief second. He's promoted by DiBella Entertainment and managed by EDB Sports (Elvis Crespo and Bob Pergament).
One person in Davis' corner has a unique perspective about 30-year-old Dyah, Craig Gibson, who trained Howard for several of his pro fights. They grew-up together and remain best friends. Over the years, Gibson has worked with world champions Aaron Pryor, Mike McCallum, Riddick Bowe and Livingstone Bramble, to name a few of the more notables.
"Dyah's got the DNA," noted Gibson, who is Davis' assistant trainer. "He has his father's high intelligence and athleticism. Dyah is so gifted. He has the ability of a world-class athlete but ability and skills are different. When his ability and skill level are balanced, he will be an elite boxer and, I believe, world champion in a year or so. He's also a classy young man, just like his father. "
The journey continues for Dyah Ali Davis.
News Flash
Dec 2011Banner Year For Boxing 360!
Amanda Serrano 1st World Champion.
In only its third year of operations, Boxing 360 experienced a banner 2011, highlighted by Amanda "The Real Deal" Serrano capturing the New York City-based promotional company's first world title.
Boxing 360's Fighter of the Year clearly was 23-year-old Serrano (12-0-1, 8 KOs), a native of Puerto Rico who lives in Brooklyn, was 6-0 this past year with only one fight going the distance. Amanda twice defeated world title challenger Ela "Bam Bam" Nunez (DEC6) and TKO4) to complete their trilogy, in addition to knocking out Jennifer Scott in the opening round to capture the North American Boxing Federation ("NABF") featherweight title. In September, Serrano put Kimberly Connor (9-1-2) to sleep in the second round for the International Boxing Federation ("IBF") Super Featherweight Championship.
"I'm very happy with the progress and accomplishments our promotional company and its stable of fighters made this year," Boxing 360 founder and CEO Mario Yagobi said. "Amanda is our first world champion but we expect to have many more crowned in the years to come. We have a very good mix of multi-talented contenders and prospects. All of us at Boxing 360 are looking forward to a great 2012."
Veteran heavyweight Maurice "Sugar Moe" Harris (25-15-2, 11 KOs) split a pair of matches in 2001, however, his last action in a United States Boxing Association ("USBA") title defense resulted in an impressive victory by 12th round technical knockout of 25-4 Derec Rossy. Harris is rated No. 5 by the IBF and remains a world title contender.
WBC #5 super bantamweight Leon "Hurry Up" Moore (28-2, 22 KOs) moved from Guyana to New York City but, due to his record and experience, fought only once this year, winning a six-round decision versus Felipe Almanza. The reigning WBC CABOFE (Caribbean) and NABA champion, Moore is in position for a world title shot in 2012.
Buffalo light welterweight Nick "Hands of Gold" Casal (22-4-1, 17 KOs) resurrected his career, winning his two 2011 fights by knockouts, including a third-round TKO win of previously undefeated Michael Anderson (11-0-1).
One of the hottest prospects in the country is unbeaten junior featherweight Joel Diaz, Jr. (6-0, 5-0), who won all four of his fights this year by first-round knockout. The exciting 19 year old had three other fights cancelled this year and he is expected to have a breakout 2012.
Former world super middleweight champion Alejandro "Naco" Berrio (32-5, 29 KOs) isn't high on any top fighter's list of opponents, which is the primary reason for him fighting only once this year, a third-round TKO win against three-time world title challenger Antwun Echols.
Another Guyana fighter living in New York City, Lennox "2 Sharpe" Allen (15-0-1, 9 KOs), captured the WBC CABOFE super middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Kwesi Jones, to go along with his New York State title.
Undefeated middleweight DonYil Livingston (7-0-1, 4 KOs), who was an outstanding amateur who took off several years off before turning pro, was victorious in five of six fights this year with one draw. The 27-year-old boxer bounced back from his draw with a strong six-round decision against previously unbeaten (6-0) Kurtiss Colvin.
Power-punching Eudy "AK 47"Bernardo (11-0, 6 KOs), who moved to New York City, won all of his fights this year, including an eighth-round TKO of John Nolasco for the Dominican Lightweight Championship, and a six-round decision against former U.S. amateur standout Darnell Jiles (8-2-1), Jr. this past weekend in Rochester.
Visa problems prevented undefeated Kazakhstan welterweight Vitaly "Demyan" Demyanenko (19-0, 12 KOs) from fighting in 2011. The former PABA and WBO Asia Pacific champion will make his Boxing 360 debut in 2012.
Boxing 360 recently signed three more fighters from the Tri-State area: super middleweight Aleem "The Hammer" Whitfield (3-0, 3 KOs), super middleweight Travis "The Notorious" Peterkin (3-0, 3 KOs) and lightweight Bryan Acaba (2-0, 1 KO).
News Flash
Dec 2011CES Locked In For 2012!
Cheers To A New Year.
With a wildly successful year officially in the books, Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports is gearing up during the holiday season in anticipation of launching its 2012 schedule.
CES will promote up to 12 world-class championship boxing events next year with shows at venues in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. CES will also be announcing a highly-anticipated deal with a major television network.
“We are incredibly thankful for all the success we had in 2011, and we’re looking forward to bringing you bigger, better events in 2012,” Burchfield said. “Our team never rests; this is the best team in professional boxing and our goal, as it is with every show, is to get better each time and leave you waiting desperately for the next event.
“During this past year, we crowned champions, celebrated long-awaited revivals, set new benchmarks for excellence in championship boxing, and honored the careers of many of boxing’s best, including our five-time world champion and captain for life, Vinny Paz, who capped a glorious year with his well-deserved induction into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.
“People always ask, ‘What can you do for an encore?’ We’ve already begun that process. That’s what keeps us a step ahead, and that’s what brings our loyal fans back to the arena each time. We’re thankful for our undying fan support, and we promise to provide them with even more memories in 2012.”
CES promoted 12 shows in 2011, including a nationally-televised event in front of 42 million homes on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., on April 1, and two shows broadcasted internationally in Poland on July 19 (TVP Sport and TVP1) and Nov. 5 (Polstat) – both at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. – with the latter show also airing live on Mexican television network Azteca, available both nationally and internationally.
CES also hosted four title bouts in boxing; undefeated Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach (26-0, 14 KOs) of North Bergen, N.J., won the World Boxing Council (WBC) International title with a knockout win over Kevin McBride at Mohegan Sun in July and subsequently defended the belt against Jason Gavern in August while Philadelphia’s “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy (21-1, 11 KOs) captured the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight title at Foxwoods in April with a win over Patrick Lopez on ESPN2 and then closed out the network’s “Friday Night Fights” season in his first title defense with a knockout win over former world champion David Diaz in August in Chicago. Providence, R.I., super middleweight Vladine Biosse (11-1-1, 6 KOs) also fought on the nationally-televised portion of the April card and scored a fifth-round knockout win over Tim Connors – his second victory in as many tries on ESPN2.
Veteran middleweight Elvin Ayala (24-5-1) of New Haven, Conn., won four fights in 2011, including a unanimous-decision victory over Derrick Findley in July for the vacant WBC U.S. National Boxing Council (WBC USNBC) title. Wach is now ranked No. 9 in the WBC while Lundy is ranked No. 8 among lightweights; Ayala is currently ranked No. 4 among middleweights in the NABF.
CES also brought professional boxing back to Rhode Island for the first time in a year on Oct. 7 at Twin River, which included the return of local fan favorites Benny “The Boss” Constantino and Richard “Bobo The Bull” Starnino. Former three-time world champion Jose Antonio Rivera (41-6-1, 24 KOs) continued his comeback in July with a unanimous-decision win over Paul Mpendo at Mohegan Sun. CES’ 2011 season also included the signing of hard-hitting middleweight prospect Thomas Falowo (5-0, 4 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I., who finished 4-0 this year with three knockouts.
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