Get ready for the “Battle of the Rising Stars” as All Star Boxing offers another exciting night of live boxing at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California. Tonight’s non-stop action includes two heavyweight matchups, two pro debuts, and the return of Jose Navarro.
At Thursday’s weigh-in, promoter Ed Holmes, heading into his ninth year of putting on shows, said, “I look forward to a sold-out night with great fights.” His matchmaker Pete Hironaka has put together a total of seven bouts for this Friday night showdown, “It will be a fun night for everyone.”
Featured will be super flyweight Jose Navarro (26-4-0, 12 KOs), back in the ring after being defeated by Cristian Mijares in February. The contender’s first opponent dropped out due to injury and at press time, the southpaw looks to be facing Manuel Sarabia, scheduled for six rounds.
Flyweight Manny “Suavecito” Roman (13-0-1, 5 KOs), out of the Espinoza Boxing Club, is on tap for eight
rounds against Jose Luis Cardenas. The 20-year-old undefeated prospect weighed in at 116 1/2 and will be fighting to keep his perfect record in this rematch against Cardenas (5-9-1, 3 KOs).
Set to make their debuts are junior middleweights Elliot Seymour and Ruben Rivera. Seymour, at a ripped 153, is from nearby Pasadena and says of his first pro fight, “I’m looking forward to going in and executing the game plan we’ve been working on.” His taller opponent Rivera made weight at 154.
If it’s heavyweight action you want, check out 239-pound Joe Hanks (3-0, 2 KOs) as he fights the smaller but scrappy 214-pound Leo Bercier in a four-round slugfest. Also inked are Jamiah Williamson, tipping the scales at 226 1/2, who will go against 204 1/2 Lateef Kayode in a four-round battle. Williamson apparently inherited the boxing genes from his father and light heavyweight J.B. Williamson, who fought George Foreman, Peter McNeeley, and Henry Akinwande.
Fellow heavyweights Williamson and Bercier squared off against each two months ago in Washington, but once the bell rang the two became fast friends, as Bercier says, “You respect the man who got in there and traded blows with you.” Now each will lace up the gloves in separate fights tonight and the young heavyweight says, “We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t love to fight.” Tonight’s matchup for Bercier, who hails from Great Falls, Montana, also brought him to California for the very first time.
Luis Tapia came in at 128 3/4 and will take on Jose Roman (no relation to Manny), at 130 pounds, in four rounds of action. And rounding out the card are welterweights Max Skayzer and Nam Phan, both weighing in at 148, and the two warriors will be trading punches in a scheduled six-round contest.
“Battle of the Rising Stars”
Date: Friday, November 21, 2008
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Quiet Cannon Country Club (323) 724-4500
Address: 901 North Via San Clemente
Montebello, California
Tickets: 50.00 General Reserved and 125.00 Ringside
For tickets, call (323) 816-6200 or (323) 781-4871
ALL BOUTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Photos by Michele Chong: Trainer Pepe Correa and Manager Prentiss Byrd with heavyweights Lionel Davis, and Joe Hanks; Manny Roman with manager Frank Espinoza, Jose Navarro and All Star’s Pete Hironaka; pro debuts for Elliot Seymour and Ruben Rivera, heavyweights Joe Hanks and Leo Bercier, Whit Haydon with heavyweight Jamiah Williamson