Henry Crawford’s Golden Opportunity!

With his record continuing to grow but a big fight still evading him, Henry Crawford became quite frustrated. No longer interested in fighting off TV, Crawford was prepared to wait for his opportunity. Recent whispers linked Crawford to a fight with hard hitting Philadelphian Mike Jones but the fight never came together.

Much to his surprise, Crawford was offered a fight with highly touted Antwone “The Truth” Smith slated to take place on ShoBox: The Next Generation. Crawford quickly accepted the bout and was more interested in the opportunity than the payday, which is virtually unheard of these days. Garden State Fight Scene had the opportunity to catch up with Crawford, who is two days away from what is by far the most significant fight of his career.

Garden State Fight Scene: Henry, congrats on landing the fight. Smith’s original opponent was Carlos Molina, an extremely tough gate keeper that pulled off a handful of upsets. Then out of nowhere, we hear Henry Crawford signs to fight Smith. How did everything come together?

Henry Crawford: I took the fight with two weeks notice originally. I had the idea that he had another opponent but it didn’t matter to me because they said (it would air on) Showtime and I said (I’ll take it)! I wasn’t worried about the money and was ready to fight because I stay in the gym.

Editors Note: The fight was initially scheduled for September 18 but was moved back to this Friday, October 2.

GSFS: Did you go to camp for the fight or did you train in Paterson as usual?

HC: I trained here in Paterson. I am comfortable here with my family and live a disciplined life so I don’t need (a training camp). Camps are for guys that are unstable and don’t have the discipline. I worked here with Jeremy Bryan, Ossie Duran, Pawel Wolak, and Kendall Holt.

They all give me different styles too. Wolak gives me pressure, Duran can box and Kendall has speed so they all gave me good work.

GSFS: Against Smith, you will enter the ring with a record of 22-0-1. I know you were frustrated because it took so long to land a significant TV fight. Why do you think it took so long?

HC: (pauses) Everybody is out there trying to get that quality fight you know? Some (insignificant) past offers and people not wanting to fight me factored into it. This fight happened to land at the perfect time.

GSFS: The fight was originally scheduled for September 18 but was moved back to Friday. Were you happy that you had more time to prepare for Smith or dejected that you had to wait longer?

HC: I was ready for the 18th but it doesn’t matter. I am constantly in the gym preparing myself so the wait made no difference.

GSFS: Antwone Smith is going to be a significant step up for you. Smith scored four impressive wins on ESPN, coming into each fight as the opponent. Smith most recently defeated well regarded Richard Gutierrez. Have you seen any of his fights and how are you preparing for this step up?

HC: I have seen a few of his fights and he had some nice wins on ESPN. I see it like this; he is just another opponent for me. He is just another guy that I am fighting so I don’t look at him any differently.

If you look at it, when I fought Jerome Ellis I was called on 3 days notice, I didn’t know anything bout him except that he was tough and I got the win. Same thing happened when I fought Gilbert Venegas. I only knew that he was 8-1. I took that fight short notice and had no tapes. I thought I won but it was (ruled) a draw.

GSFS: I was at your last fight against Kaseem Wilson and quite honestly, it was a frustrating to watch. Even though you were the clear victor, some people were disappointed with the fight. What happened?

HC: Actually, I was pretty happy about my performance. He was a Cory Spinks type (fighter because he was) jabbing and running. He had the slick southpaw thing down pat. I hadn’t faced a southpaw in awhile but if they judge me on my last performance they are making a mistake. Styles make fights.

Smith comes to fight and is a good technical fighter. He doesn’t get wild (so he) makes all his punches count and it is (probably) going to be like a chess match but who knows. It may be a war or may be a chess match Friday but if he does come at me, I‘m no punk! I’ll exchange (punches) if I have to.

GSFS: Mike Jones was the name most mentioned as your next opponent. Why didn’t that fight come together?

HC: I called up (promoter) Main Events because that was the fight they discussed so I asked what was going on. (Shortly thereafter) I heard he had a nick injury so I was like “ok I got to move on.”

GSFS: Smith is coming into the fight as the favorite. Will that provide extra motivation?

HC: Hey, who did he fight? Richard Gutierrez and one unbeaten Mexican? I look at them as nobodies.

Look at beginning of my career. I fought unbeaten guys and guys with 1 loss. I think I fought the tougher guys and (to me Smith) is just another opponent. He is a man like I am a man and when it comes down to it I’m going to take care of business. I hope he comes in confident!

GSFS: If you defeat Smith, where are you looking to go from there?

HC: I am looking to take anybody! There is no tomorrow for me I am 28 and have a family to feed. I want any big fight god willing everything goes ok. Shit, I want a world title fight or at least continental (title fight) to get me (rated) in the top 10.

GSFS: Thanks for your time and best of luck on September Friday. Is there anything you’d like to add in closing?

HC: I want everybody to tune in since it’s going to be on Showtime. It’s going to be a good fight!





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Team Tamara Responds to Being Bumped from Title Eliminator!

Nelson Fernandez, manager of North Bergen based title contender Carlos "El Olimpico" Tamara, was visibly upset upon hearing that Juan Landaeta is now likely to face Cesar Canchila in an IBF Junior Flyweight title eliminator. Tamara recently told GSFS that he was going to fight Landaeta for a crack at champion Brian Viloria but didn't provide a date.

Insiders claim that the long overdue fight hadn't already taken place due to Landaeta's unwillingness to make it happen, even though the bout was supposed to take place on neutral grounds.

"The bout with Landaeta was extremely hard to book because Landaeta's people were asking for Oscar De La Hoya money" said Fernandez. "When we (Universal Promotions, Tamara's promoter) reversed the dealings meaning (we told them to) hold the fight in (Landaeta's native) Venezuela and we'll take (whatever that they offer), all of the sudden the TV (networks) did not want to pay."

Landaeta's unwillingness to make fight surprisingly cost Tamara. The IBF strangely elected to drop him from their rankings, even though he was highly rated and had a stay busy fight in Columbia on August 21.

"We are trying to get back into the rankings as we speak", mentioned Fernandez. By Friday Universal Promotions did say to me that we are going to make it public when and where Tamara is going to fight and we did inform the IBF about it so stay tuned".

Tamara, 19-4 (14 KO's) was on the 2004 Colombian Olympic team and unsuccessfully challenged for a Flyweight title against Omar Narvaez last year.





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Garden State Prospects go 3-0 in Yonkers!

Prospects Carlos Zambrano, Juan "JZ" Zegarra and Denis "Mommas Boy" Douglin all came out victorious last night on an O'Shea Boxing Promotions card.

Zambrano skillfully boxed his way to a decision over the always tough Jason Rorie. Zambrano was able to stun his opponent but the game Rorie never stopped moving forward.

"It was a great fight kind of like the bull vs the bull fighter", manager Nelson Fernandez said after the victory. The win moves Zambrano to 8-0 (3 KO's).

Zegarra scored a third round stoppage in a competitive junior welterweight fight with local favorite Bernel Ayers. Zegarra broke the bout open in the third, rocking Ayers with a body shot, left uppercut, overhand right combo. Zegarra continued to rock Ayers, who was only kept up by the ropes, until The referee was forced to stop the bout. Zegarra, 3-0 (3 KO's), is also managed by Fernandez.

Douglin boxed his way to a four round shut out decision over Brooklyn's Rondu Campbell. Douglin, a former National Golden Gloves Champion, moved to 6-0 with 3 knockouts after the victory.

Fernandez also informed GSFS that Zambrano and Zegarra are returning to the ring on October 24th on a fight card in Peru.




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Arturo Gatti Tribute Open To The Public1

Atlantic City Councilman, George Tibbitt, is presenting a proclamation to the Gatti Family declaring Georgia Avenue in Atlantic City to be named “Arturo Gatti Thunder Place”. The celebration will kick off an entire day celebrating the life of Arturo “Thunder” Gatti.

The “Arturo Gatti Thunder Place” street dedication will take place at the corner of Park Place and Boardwalk in Atlantic City at 3:00pm. The dedication is open to the public.

Councilman Tibbitt, a long-time fan of Arturo Gatti said, “I invite the public to come to this street dedication to help celebrate this great man. Everyone takes something away from Atlantic City. Arturo Gatti was one of the few people who gave so much back to us.”

Continuing the celebration is, “Night of Thunder: A Tribute to Arturo Gatti”, at Bally's Atlantic City presented in association with Main Events and Pat Lynch Boxing. Tickets are still available for this boxing card packed with many local boxing favorites.

Teon Kennedy, 13-0, 5 KO’s of Philadelphia, PA, takes on Lante Addy, 6-4, 4 KO’s of Accra, Ghana, in the main event. On the undercard, Anthony Flores, Philadelphia, PA, 8-0, 5KO’s will be featured in a 6-round Super Featherweight bout against Victor Valenzuela, 6-0, 1 KO of Passaic, NJ. Atlantic City fighter, Alfred Kinsey, 6-3-1, 3 KO’s will battle Philadelphia’s Garrett Wilson, 4-2, 2 KO’s in a 6 round Light Heavyweight fight. Also on the card will be Jeremy Bryan of Paterson, NJ, a Light Welterweight 11-0, 4 KO’s in a 6 round bout, against Gary Bergeron, 10-4, 6 KO’s of New Orleans, LA. Steven Martinez from Bronx, NY, who is making his pro debut on August 27th will be in a 4 round bout, as he takes on Stanley Harvey of Norfolk, VA in his pro debut. Newcomers, Josh Mercado of Cape May, 1-0, will fight a Welterweight 4 rounder against Joel Nieves of Allentown, PA, in Nieves’ pro debut.

There will dedications, tributes and specially made videos through out the night celebrating the life and exciting fight career of Arturo Gatti. All in all, this promises to be a terrific day for all “Thunder” Gatti fans.

The fights will be at Bally’s Atlantic City. Ticket priced at $75 & $50 are available through Ticketmaster 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, and at the door. Doors 7pm, 1st bout 7:30pm.




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"Night of Thunder" Weights from AC!

Teon Kennedy 121.5 vs. Lante Addy 121.75
Victor Valenzeula 126.5 vs. Anthony Flores 130
Josh Mercado 147.5 vs. Joel Nieves 145.5
Alfred Kinsey 174.5 vs. Garrett Wilson 174.5
Jeremy Bryan 142.5 vs. Gary Bergeron 140.5
Steve Martinez 154 vs. Stanley Harvey 153.5
Venue: Bally’s Atlantic City
Promoter: Main Events

NOTE: The "Night of Thunder" card is in honor of the late Arturo Gatti. A street in Atlantic City is also being named in his honor.





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Main Events Coordinator Dennis Dueltgen Passes Away

The boxing world lost one of its truly great guys, last night, when longtime Main Events Operations Manager Dennis Dueltgen suddenly passed away while suffering an apparent heart attack at his home.

It is with profound sadness that we at Main Events offer our condolences to his wife, Jill, his children, Deanne and Darryl, his sister, Joanne Dietz, and his brother, Jeffrey Dueltgen.

Dennis was a constant and energetic presence in all of our lives and his absence leaves a void that cannot be filled. He was always the first one to offer a hand when friends, family and even acquaintances were in need, lifting their spirits with his unique brand of humor as he gladly drove them to numerous doctor appointments and hospital stays, brought them food or ran their errands and did their chores.

He was funny and smart and took great pride in his ability to organize just about anything. He rarely sat down, always smiled and never relaxed as he busied himself making sure that everyone around him had exactly what they needed.

At work Dennis was known and respected throughout the world of professional boxing as the most competent and experienced operations manager in the business. In life he was a loving spouse and father, who never forgot to say “I love you” before hanging up the phone with his family.

He often said that while he had made some mistakes in his life, he always tried to make up for them by spreading around some good deeds. It is for those many good deeds that he will be remembered by the many people who he touched throughout his life. We will miss our beloved friend.




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Little Mac to fight in the Big Apple!

Danny "Little Mac" McDermott 8-1-1 (3 KO's) of Jersey City informed Garden State Fight Scene that he will challenge unbeaten Hector Marengo October 10th on the "Latin Fury 12" card. Marengo, 5-0-3 (3 KO's) owns stoppage victories over previously undefeated Max Rivera and once beaten Juan Carlos Padilla but is coming off back to back draws with Angel Rodriguez.

"I am excited to fight at Madison Square Garden again", said McDermott. "It's been four years since I fought there and its like fighting in front of my hometown crowd".

"I saw Marengo's last fight, he's a crafty guy but boxing isn't a sport to me, it's life and death; it's kill or be killed. He may think this is a sport with rules when he enters the ring October 10th, but in my head, I am fighting for my life like its a back alley in Hells Kitchen.

McDermott is training for the 8 round Lightweight bout with renowned New Jersey trainer Mike Skowronski at The Passaic Boxing Club.

Debutant Deroy Beaton enters the professional ranks in style!

Junior Welterweight Deroy Beaton of Toms River earned a hard fought unanimous decision over fellow debutant Jason Sia of Philadelphia by way of the Philippines. The long and lean Beaton did a good job of boxing from the outside while Sia was more concerned with unnecessary movements. Sia did have his moments, using quick shots from close range to tag Beaton but in the end he didn’t do enough. Scores were 40-36 twice and 39-37 for Beaton. GSFS scored the bout 39-37 Beaton




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A Ten Count For Tony Thornton

Garden State Fight Scene is sad to report the passing of “The Punching Postman” Tony Thornton. Thornton passed away Thursday at a Camden hospital following complications from a motorcycle accident he was in last week. Thornton was a tough contender, tangling with stars such as Roy Jones, James Toney, Steve Collins and Chris Eubank. A Glassboro native, Thornton fought 30 times in his home state, finishing his solid career with a 37-7-1 record (26 KO's). GSFS sends our condolences out to the family and friends of Thornton.





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Carlos Zambrano to Fight in the co-Feature Friday September 18 in Yonkers, NY!

Manager/HBO Latino Broadcaster Nelson Fernandez notified GSFS that his prized prospect Carlos "Mina" Zambrano, 7-0 (3 KO's), of North Bergen by way of Lima, Peru will take on the tough Jason Rorie, 5-3-2 (2 KO's) of Wilson, NC next Friday in Yonkers, NY. Zambrano was a decorated amateur in Peru, compiling a jaw dropping 288-8 amateur record. During his days with larger gloves and headgear, Zambrano won 12 National Titles, 8 South American Titles and a Silver Medal in the Pan-Am Qualifiers.

"Its going to be his toughest fight to date", Fernandez said. "Rorie is always ready to fight and it is a dangerous fight even though his record doesn't show it. He goes in there looking to take you out and it will definitely be a challenge".

Rorie-Zambrano is the co-feature of a nine fight card promoted by O'Shea Boxing. Also appearing on the undercard is Juan "JZ" Zegarra, 2-0 (2 KO's) of North Bergen via Peru and 2008 National Golden Gloves Champion Dennis "Mommas Boy" Douglin, 5-0 (3 KO's) of Morganville. Zegarra will battle Harlem's Bernel Ayes 0-1 while Douglin will challenge Rondu Campbell, 2-1-1 (1 KO) of the Bronx.




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Glen Tapia off Tomorrow's "Public Saftey Night" Card in Philadelphia!

Blue Horzion Boxing Publicist Marc Abrams informed Garden State Fight Scene that Junior Middleweight prospect Glen Tapia was forced to pull out on short notice from his bout with Phillip McCants. The unbeaten Tapia is regarded as one of New Jersey's best prospects and earned his stripes as one of Joshua Clottey's sparring partners during his preparation for his June bout with Miguel Cotto.

He went from 100% to 30% in two days", said Tapia's trainer Mike Skowronski. "Glen has been sick for five days to a week (and we don't know what is is. It may be a chronic fever and we are getting tests done right now."

McCants, 7-1-1 (3 KO's), of Philadelphia, will remain on Friday's card. Tapia's next fight will be announced after further evaluation.




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Henry Crawford-Antwone Smith September 18th on ShoBox

Garden State Fight Scene was notified by Main Events that unbeaten prospect Henry Crawford 22-0-1 (9 KO's) of Paterson will take on an Antwone "The Truth" Smith September 18th on ShoBox. Smith, of Miami, FL, recently signed with New York based promoter Lou Dibella and holds a 16-1-1 professional ledger with 8 knockouts. Smith is a familiar face to fight fans, making four total appearances on ESPN's Wednesday/Friday Night Fights. Smith came into all of his televised fights as the opponent and but won impressively each time, prompting the Dibella to scoop up the highly regarded 22 year old.

In addition to taking a notable step up in competition, Crawford is taking the fight on somewhat short notice, filling in for the original opponent Carlos Molina. The card is being held at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, CA. An interview with Crawford will follow.




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