Judah, Simms, O’Brien and Peralta impress at the Rock!

By Jeremy Britanak

Kath Duva and Main Events promotions held another great night of pugilism last Saturday evening at the prudential center in Newark Heading the card was former undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah attempting to do the unthinkable and make a comeback to the top of the fight game that he once reined.

At Wednesday’s pre-fight press conference, Zab Judah said he isn’t going to make any predictions and that he and new trainer Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker trained to fight all 12 rounds. With Mike Tyson sitting ringside Judah didn’t need all 12 rounds, as he viciously Ko’ed Kaizer Mabuza (23-7-3) early in round seven to claim the vacant IBF Junior Welterweight crown.

Following a competitive first six rounds, Judah, 41-6, 28 KOs), decked Mabuza with a huge straight left that sent him halfway through the ropes. Mabuza still woozy and staggering had a standing 8 count by referee Sam Viruet, Zab finished like the old Zab by punishing Mabuza before Viruet stopped the fight. “Mabuza was a tough guy “Judah said. This is Zab Judah 3rd straight victory and just put himself in place for a bigger pay day. “Timothy Bradley and Amir Khan are the top of the weight class ill fight anyone if the situation is right” Judah said.

In the televised co-feature, “Marvelous Tarvis Simms outclassed a very game John Mackey over eight rounds. Simms showed world class ring generalship and composure. He controlled the fight with his great movement and straight left hands. Simms, 27-1 (11 KO’s) had Mackie hurt in round 4 and round 7. Mackey, a tough veteran, falls to 13-6-2 while seeing his two fight win streak come to a close. Simms is working his way to a title shot with his second straight win after losing a controversial decision to Allan Green on 5 days notice.

During the early undercard fights, Main Events provided the packed AmeriHealth Pavilion (located inside the Prudential Center) with five bouts featuring local favorites.

Junior Welterweight Jose Peralta of Passaic improved his record to 5 -1 (3 KO’s) with an impressive TKO over Clifford McPherson (2-4-1, 1 KO). Peralta was dominating the fight when McPherson went down after reportedly hurting his hand and didn’t get up.

Five time New York Golden Gloves titlist Shemuel Pagan improved his record to (2-0, 1KO) with a sensational 1st rd KO over Marcos Garcia (0-3) Pagan’s vicious left and right hooks forced Garcia’s corner to throw in the towel just 1:27 after the opening bell.

Hometown favorite Vinny O’Brien of East Hanover earned a TKO in his pro debut over David Navarro (0-1) when Navarro’s corner ended his night by not letting him continue for the 4th round. O’Brien a raw, young and exciting prospect dominated the fight from the bell with his aggressive style. After the stoppage, O’Brien’s mass of fans cheered loudly.


Joseph Crosby (6-1) younger brother to Judah improved his record with an ugly UD win over Greg Hackett (2-6, 1 KO).

Main Events next card is slated for April 9 at the Prudential Center and is headlined by a heavyweight showdown between Tomasz Adamek and Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin McBride.


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Weights from Newark!

Zab “Super” Judah 138 vs. Kaizer Mabuza 139

(IBF junior welterweight championship)

Tarvis Simms 158 vs. John Mackey 158

Jose Peralta 146 vs. Clifford McPherson 147.5

Chris Crosby 150 vs. Greg Hackett 156

Vinny O'Brien 147 vs. David Navarro 150

Shemuel Pagan 137 vs. Marcos Garcia 133

Judah-Mabuza undercard announced!

The undercard of the IBF 140 pound title fight between Zab Judah and Kaizer Mabuza, held at the Prudential Center's AmeriHealth Pavilion in Newark on March 5, will feature an exciting group of local NJ/NY fighters. This will be the inaugural event for the AmeriHealth Pavilion, which traditionally serves as the NJ Devils practice facility.

Prudential Center fans have come to anticipate the promise of a truly exciting boxing experience when they come to see Brooklyn's, Sadam Ali, 11-0, 6KO's. The Jr. Olympic national Champion has scored 5 professional wins at Pru Center and has developed a loyal fan base here. In his toughest fight to date, Ali is slated to take on Juliano Ramos of Sao Paolo, Brazil, 16-4, 13 KO's, in an 8 round welterweight clash. Ramos has been in notable fights with Mike Jones, Kermit Cintron and Yudel Johnson.

An 8-round Middleweight southpaw battle will ensue when Norwalk Connecticut's, Tarvis "Marvelous" Simms, 26-1-1, 11 KO's comes up against tough, durable, John Mackey of Washington DC, 13-5-2, 6 KO's. In his last appearance at Prudential Center, Simms scored a unanimous 6 round decision over Willis Locket.

Dong-Chul Yun, 9-4-1, 7 KO's, is traveling from South Korea to the United States to make his US debut vs. Joselito Collado, 11-0, 3 KO's. Collado will bring a large contingent of fans from Queens, NY to cheer him on in the scheduled 8 rounder.

Five-time Golden Gloves winner, Shemuel Pagan, Brooklyn, NY, made his victorious pro debut at Prudential Center in August 2010. Pagan returns to Newark for a 4 round Lightweight fight against Philly's, Lonnie Jackson, 1-0. Early in their amateur career Jackson beat Pagan by 1 point.

Joseph Judah, Brooklyn, NY, 5-1-, 1 KO, is making his first appearance on one of his brother Zab's cards. Joseph will try to better his record when he takes on Greg Hackett of Chester, PA, 2-5.

Lightweight, Joe Peralta Alejo, of Jersey City, 4-1. 2KO's, adds more local flavor to the card in his first fight back since he upset undefeated, Christian Martinez. The 4 round opponent will be confirmed shortly.

Local Jersey amateur favorite and 2010 NJ Golden Gloves Champion, Vinny O'Brien, will make his pro debut as he takes on David Navarro of Philadelphia, PA, 0-1. O'Brien is trained by former heavyweight Lou Esa who also fought in an ice arena during Main Event's Ice World days.

The fight promoted by Main Events and Super Judah Promotions will take place on March 5th at Prudential Center's AmeriHealth Pavilion, Newark, NJ. Doors open at 7:30pm; First fight 8:00pm. Tickets priced at $253 Ringside, $103 Reserved seating on floor, $88 General Admission in Bleachers and $53 GA Standing Room on floor. Tickets available at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com

Judah vs. Mabuza will be distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay per view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States, as well as Viewer's Choice, Shaw and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
The Ali, Simms and Dong Chul Yun fights will be televised along with the Judah vs. Mabuza title fight.

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Adamek-Maddalone Card Preview!

By Dylon Silversey

Tomasz Adamek is set to make another appearance Thursday night at Newark’s Prudential Center. The Poland native, now fighting out of Jersey City, has made a second home at “The Rock”, and The Ring Magazine number four rated Heavyweight will bring his usual raucous crowd to pack the arena when he faces off against tough brawler Vinny Maddalone (33-6 24KO).

The Queens native will certainly have his hands full as he is the next target on Adamek’s path to possible future bouts with one of the Klitschko brothers. Already some murmuring around the boxing community about Vitali Klitschko’s camp talking with the Adamek camp about a potential 2011 date, Adamek is not one to take any opponent lightly and look towards the next one.

The task for Maddalone will include the 11,000 red and white clad fans, and a fast heavyweight who seems to never be in the same spot. Maddalone acknowledges this and will try to use a high pressure offense to force Adamek to do just that. Adamek’s boxing style is one where he moves in at the right time to let off combinations and then back out, the heavy handed Maddalone figures his best shot at winning this bout is to land something big and force the champion to slow down and allow him to use a high pressure style to knock him out.

Is Maddalone excited for this bout? You bet he is, agreeing with most experts that Adamek is the more skilled and heralded fighter, this is his chance to really leave his mark on the sport. And he’ll be damned if he doesn’t go out in a brawl.
Adamek (42-1 27KO) will head into this fight doing what he does best, adapt to the style of the fighter brought against him and use his abilities to get the victory. Trainer Roger Bloodworth says it best about this contest “This fight is heart vs. heart. Two guys who are going to leave everything they have in the ring. Everyone watching this fight is in for a real treat.”

And with a win come Thursday night, Adamek is almost all but assured a shot at one of the Klitschkos.

Promoter Main Events also has lined up an undercard featuring highly touted prospect Sadam “World Kid” Ali, Patrick “The Machine” Majewski and “Marvelous” Tarvis Simms.
Ali (10-0 6KO) will try to continue to impress as he squares off against iron chinned journeyman Manuel Guzman (7-9 3KO) in an eight round welterweight contest. Guzman’s record is not impressive, but in his last bout knocked out Adrick Butler in the second round. Ali is riding a three fight knockout streak, alongside his perfect record, and will aim to maintain that.

Majewski (14-0 9KO), an undefeated Atlantic City based Pole, will also use the crowd to his favor as he faces off against knockout artist Eddie Caminero (7-3 7KO). Majewski got a late start to his pro career at the age of 26, but remains unbeaten and hopes to grab more high profile fights in the future. All of Caminero’s victories have come by way of knockout, the latest being in the fourth round, so he provides a tough challenge to Majewski, in a similar way that Maddalone will to Adamek in the main event.

Tarvis Simms (25-1 11KO) returns to action after a fourteen month layoff when he heads into the Prudential Center to fight Willis Lockett (12-10 5KO) in a six round super middleweight fight. Simms’ journey in boxing has been a rollercoaster ride thus far. The 39 year old fighter also got a late start to his pro career at 26 following an excellent amateur career which saw him win the 1993 National Golden Gloves Championship, as well as earn a victory over future world champion Jermaine Taylor along the way.

Boxing politics interfered with Simms path to a world championship, which led to a lack of fights. But Simms remained undefeated until October 2009, when he dropped his first fight to title contender Allan Green by decision. However, a determined Simms returns after signing a multi-fight deal with Main Events, and even at his age, is concentrating on obtaining the goal of becoming world champion.

Other matchups on the card include Newark’s own Angel Concepcion (3-0) against Lekan Byfield, who will be making his professional debut at Light Heavyweight. Gabriel Rosado (14-5 8KO) will square off against Jose Medina (12-8 5KO), Rosado scored an impressive victory over former world champion Kassim Ouma earlier in his career.

Jersey City’s Raymond Biggs Jr. (9-0 6KO) will have his clean record challenged by Philip McCants (8-1-1 3KO) who is on a run of six straight victories himself. Also, Philadelphia’s Bryant Jennings (4-0 2KO) will face Randy Smith, who is also making his debut, in a four round heavyweight fight.

Those that can’t make it to the area can order the bout on pay per view for $29.95.

Adamek Undercard Announced!

Local talent will dominate the undercard bouts on Thursday, December 9th when IBF International Heavyweight Champion Tomasz Adamek takes on New York's Vinny Maddalone as the "Brick City Boxing Series" returns to Newark's Prudential Center. A total of nine supporting undercard fights have been scheduled by promoters Main Events, Ziggy Promotions and Star Boxing. Fans who want to catch all of the action should arrive early, as the first bout is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Heading the lineup will be returning Prudential Center star, Sadam "World Kid" Ali of Brooklyn. The former US Olympic standout has wowed fans at "The Rock" in five previous appearances. In an eight round fight, Ali will take on tough Manuel Guzman, (7-9-2, 3 KO's) of San Juan, Puerto Rico, who has never been stopped in 18 bouts.

Polish Middleweight Patrick Majewski, (13-0, 8 KO's) will make his second Newark appearance vs. Eddie Caminero (7-3, 7 KO's), who scored a big upset in August over then unbeaten Joe Smith, Jr.

Two Brick City natives and former amateur standouts will also appear on the card. The popular Angel Concepcion, (3-0), will step into the ring at "The Rock" for the third time in a 4 round Light Heavyweight fight, and Junior Lightweight Wanzell Ellison (3-0, 2 KO's) is also scheduled for a 4 round bout.

Middleweight "Marvelous" Tarvis Simms (25-1-1, 11 KO's) will make his promotional debut with Main Events, as he looks to shake the rust off and regain his top ten world ranking after a year-long layoff when he takes on veteran Willis Locket (12-10-5, 5 KO's) in a six round fight.

Philadelphia's Gabriel Rosado (14-5, 8 KO's) will take on Jose Medina (12-8, 5 KO's) of Guadalajara, Mexico in an eight round Junior Middleweight bout that promises to be a slugfest.

Welterweight Jose "Mangu" Peralta (4-1, 2 KO's) of Santo Domingo will make his Prudential Center debut. In his last fight the Dominican scored an upset over Christian Martinez, who was unbeaten at the time.

Promising welterweight Raymond Biggs, Jr. (9-0, 6 KO's) will return to the ring for the first time in over two years in a six round bout. Heavyweight Bryant Jennings (4-0, 2 KO's) of Philadelphia will appear vs. pro debuting Randy Smith.

Tickets priced at $53, $78, $103 and $253 (ringside) can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com

The fight is being distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 8PM EST / 5PM PST on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States and Viewer's Choice and Bell TV in Canada. for a suggested retail price of only $29.95

To keep up to date visit the Main Events Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Totowa-NJ/Main-Events/76572871323?ref=ts&__a=16&ajaxpipe=1 and www.mainevents.com and www.starboxing.com

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