The CBZ Newswire

By Juan C. Ayllon

Photos courtesy of Hitz Boxing/ Tomba-Images

Bondaravas, at left, and Monroe mix it up.

HAMMOND, IN, March 1, 2014 – It could have been him facing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. tonight on HBO instead of Brian Vera – but for a translation error.

In a compelling seesaw battle televised by ESPN last March, the Lithuanian Donatas Bondaravas suffered cuts to the bridge of his nose and the inside of his right eye, prompting referee Charlie Fitch to ask him between rounds if he could still see.  His trainer, Sam Colonna, who was acting as interpreter, translated his response as “not good” and then despite protests, the bout was halted in the seventh round in favor of Vera, who ironically lost a controversial decision to Chavez last September in his biggest payday and faces him again tonight. (continue reading…)

  Willie Monroe Jr., at left, with Donatas Bondoravas (photo by Tom Barnes)

Friday, February 28, 2014

ESPN Friday Night Fights

Horseshoe Casino

Hammond, Indiana

Banner Promotions, Hitz Boxing, Round 3 Productions (continue reading…)

Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com, hitzboxing.com and The Venue Box office

CHICAGO, IL, January 20, 2014 — Bobby Hitz announced that Hitz Boxing has joined forces with Banner Promotions to bring ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” to Hammond, Indiana’s The Venue on Friday, February 28. On that evening Hitz’ wildly popular “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” will kick off its 2014 season at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com, hitzboxing.com and The Venue box office.

“The Venue is the Midwest’s most exciting place to see a boxing match and the presence of the ‘Friday Night Fights’ cameras as well as broadcast team will add to what was already an electrifying evening,” said Hitz. “It is my pleasure to work with my dear friend Art Pellulo and his team at Banner.” (continue reading…)

By Juan C. Ayllon

Golovkin camp photos by Chris Robinson/http://hustleboss.com

Derrick Findley, at right, takes it to William Johnson en route to a six round unanimous decision (photo by Juan C. Ayllon)

GARY, IN – It’s often said that bodybuilder types don’t do well in boxing.  That doesn’t apply to Derrick “Superman” Findley, whose bulging back, shoulders and biceps generate tremendous torque that have hammered-out 13 knockouts of his 20 wins.  His victims include a young Andrzej Fonfara (who won his light heavyweight IBF World Title eliminator vs. Gabriel Campillo in August), Ronald Hearns (son of all-time great Tommy Hearns), and a litany of second-tier fighters.  In September, he stopped undefeated Mike Jimenez, who was 11-0 with 8 knockouts, but was battered mercilessly until his corner threw in the towel. That win became a no-contest when Findley tested positive for banned substances.

Forged in the mean streets of Chicago’s south side, Findley is very durable. He’s never been halted – save once to the ultra-talented world challenger Anthony Dirrell in March 2009 – but he can be out-slicked and out-boxed.  This accounts for his 11 losses, which reads like a “Who’s Who” of up and comers in the sport.  Names like Andre Ward (now WBA and WBC Super Middleweight Champion), J’Leon Love, Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez, Andre Dirrell, and Curtis Stevens fill this column in his ledger.  (continue reading…)

Exciting super middleweight Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez, hard hitting Dimar “Strongman” Ortuz and hot prospect Johnny “Wite Boi” Determan will also be back in action

CHICAGO, IL, October 23, 2013 — Bobby Hitz announced that the always impressive lightweight Yakubu “Black Mamba” Amidu will return to the ring in the Main Event of “Fight Night at the Horseshoe: The Black Wednesday Battle” on Wednesday, November 27 at 7:00 PM at The Venue at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond. Amidu (20-4-2 18 KOs), of Los Angeles by way of Ghana, impressed a national television audience with a controversial draw against Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-2, 20 KOs) on July 26. His opponent will be announced shortly. Joining Amidu on the card that evening will be exciting Chicago super middleweight Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez (11-0, 8 KOs) who will take on “King” David Thomas (10-4-2 8 KOs) of Evansville, IN in six round match. Tickets are available at The Venue Box office and hitzboxing.com.

“Our Black Wednesday card is packed with exciting evenly matched bouts and Chicago fight fans are in for excellent boxing,” said Hitz. “When Yakubu took that controversial draw against Burgos he proved that he deserves to be on the national stage, so its great to showcase him next month and I am excited to see how Mike bounces back after the Findley fight.” (continue reading…)