By J. R. Jowett at ringside:

Marshall Kauffman’s Kings Promotions presented a fine grass-roots club show at the Reverb Nightclub in Reading’s Hispanic neighborhood. Marshall did the local fighters no favors in the matchmaking, which resulted in the fans’ favor as a fine, competitive card.

The main event highlighted local favorite Keenan Collins, 155, Reading, 14-7-3 (9), still trying to turn the corner on an up-and-down career, versus difficult spoiler George Rivera, 156, Charlottesville, VA, 13-7-1 (4). Give the judges a contest with little action and their imaginations run wild, as evidenced by the erratic scoring, where extraneous factors like style points or embarrassing the hero (a/k/a “Scappoose Effect”) begin to “count”. The contest was a tedious tactical struggle that produced few clean blows and no sustained action. The lanky Collins moved forward behind the jab while Rivera exhibited next to no serious attempts at offense, but moved and dodged punches well.

Keenan had his best rounds in the third and fourth, when he set Rivera up with the jab and followed with payoff rights. But the elusive opponent managed to turn them into no more than “whisker” shots and slip away. Collins lapsed back into following George around in the fifth, and the generally inoffensive Rivera actually landed some counters and won the sixth. The final two at last produced some upswing in action, but still few conclusive shots. Round eight was a mish-mosh of mauling and wrestling, so that it appeared Keenan would get the decision, for forcing the fight if nothing else. The air tensed when John Gradowski’s score was announced at 77-75 Rivera. Jimmy “Meatball” Condon was having none of George’s smokescreen, and scored 80-72 Collins! Dave Braslow spilt it down the middle at 76-76.

Ironically, it was Rivera who bristled over the verdict while Collins seemed to concede the judge’s point. “I outboxed him, outjabbed him, and outworked him, and he missed a lot of shots,” George declared, “And they gave him a draw. They took victory from me.” Conceded Collins, “He ran a lot. I could have brought more pressure, but he ran a lot. He fought a good fight. When I tried to get off, he grabbed. Because of the way he ran, I didn’t think he won.”

Glenn Tapia, 156, Passaic, NJ, 13-0 (7), was too big and strong for once-tough but now used-up Manuel Guzman, 156, Lancaster, 7-16-2 (3), in a scheduled six. Guzman was mugged and overwhelmed, going down in the second and third by way of escape more than injury, with referee Hurley McCall counting him out at 0:27.

In a battle of lefties, Frankie de Alba, 132, Reading, 3-1-2 (1), barely escaped with a split decision over late sub Andrew Bentley, 131 ½, Bayonne, 1-1, four. Bentley circled and countered well to gain some daylight in the third of a tight contest, but Frankie reasserted himself and overpowered him in a hectic finale. Braslow had Bentley 39-37, while Gradowski scored the same for de Alba, and Condon had 40-36 for Frankie.

It was a close and tight boxing match but nonetheless a good contest between prospect Josh Bowles, 124, Harrisburg, 4-0 (1), and sleeper Derrick Bivins, 124, Phila., 1-1-1, four. The shorter Bowles stepped in sharply behind popping overhand rights to take the play away from the tall Bivins, and won by 40-36 from Condon, 39-37 from the others.

Popular Rolando Chinea, 136, Lancaster, 3-0 (2), had all he wanted from southpaw Jamell Tyson, 135, Rochester, 3-6-1 (1), but willed himself to win in a rugged and bruising four. The free-swinging and at times wild action produced head clanging and a bad cut to Rolando’s right eye that poured blood by the final bell. Manager, trainer/cutman Barry Stumpf kept it in check enough for Rolando to pressure Jamell on the ropes and gain a fair, majority decision. Gradowski scored 38-38, the others 39-37.

Debuting Jeremy Miller, 130, Balto., got a heated scrap from hard-luck Cesar Gonzalez, 132, Reading, 0-3-2, but pulled out a majority win. The compact Miller switched gears and began to outwork the bigger foe in the second, then poured it on in a big third. Cesar came back with some clean shots in a desperate fourth, but Jeremy had work rate on his side and won 39-37 twice, while Gradowski again had 38-38.

Reverb Rumble Photo Gallery: http://kingsboxing.com/gallery?album=1&gallery=31

REVERB RUMBLE PRESS CONFERENCE – THURSDAY APRIL 12th

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

King’s Promotions will hold a press conference at GoFish! Seafood & Sushi Bar in West Reading, PA at 6:30 pm on Thursday April 12th announcing the April 27th boxing event taking place at Reverb Nightclub in Reading. The press conference is open to the public. The main principles of the April 27th fight card will be on hand to address the media and public.

WHAT: Reverb Rumble press conference announcing the April 27th fight card at Reverb Nightclub in Reading, PA.

WHERE: GoFish! Seafood & Sushi Bar located at 619 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA.

WHEN: Thursday April 12 at 6:30 pm.

WHO: Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions and featured boxers Keenan Collins, Harry Yorgey, Frank DeAlba, Esteban Rodriquez, Steven Weimer, Grayson Blake, Martinus Clay and Rolando Chinea.

Fight tickets are priced at $65, $50, $35 and can be purchased at King’s Gym, Dino’s Wings & Things, and at GoFish!. Tickets also available at Kingsboxing.com or eventbrite.com.

William Miranda vs Riley Brooks

Keenan Collins vs Julio Cesar Lanzas

Read Kurt Wolfheimer’s full report at Fightnews.com:

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/miranda-defeats-brooks-109145#more-109145

Visit the GALLERY section of King’s Boxing (“HEAVYWEIGHT EXPLOSION) for photos from all the bouts:

http://kingsboxing.com/gallery?album=1&gallery=30

Highly-regarded American heavyweight hopeful Travis Kauffman of Reading, PA. is recovering from his second consecutive surgery to correct a fracture in his right hand. The surgery took place this past Thursday and will sideline the 26-year-old for the next few months, leaving him unable to compete on King’s Promotions “Heavyweight Explosion” card at the Rodeway Inn in Allentown, PA on Saturday, February 25.

Kauffman (22-1, 17 KO), will have screws in his hand for the next 4-6 weeks, followed by physical therapy. He was advised by Dr. Culp of the Philadelphia Hand Institute that he won’t be able to punch for the next 3 months, but should be able to return to the ring before the end of the June after fighting just once in 2011.

“It’s frustrating because I’ve had to turn down fights against guys that I know I can beat because of the injury,” said Kauffman. “On the bright side, I’m healthy other than my hand and get to spend time with my family without worrying about leaving to go to training camp. I’m 26 years old and have time on my side.” I will be back stronger than ever with a hunger and a good hand to show that I am the next great American Heavyweight.

“Heavyweight Explosion” will be headlined by crowd favorite William “Big Stuff” Miranda (4-4-1) of Allentown in a six-round contest against battle-tested David Williams (6-5-1, 2 KO) of Philadelphia.

In the six-round co-featured bout, junior middleweight Keenan Collins (13-7-2, 9 KO) of Reading, PA will face Julio Cesar Lanza (7-17-6, 1 KO) of Managua, Nicaragua. Collins, a native of York, PA, is looking to get back on track after a competitive decision loss to world-ranked Philadelphian Gabriel Rosado.

Also on the card, undefeated welterweight Grayson Blake (4-0, 1 KO) of State College, PA will meet Corey Preston (1-7) from North Carolina in a four-round bout. The 29-year-old Blake was a former national amateur standout and was a member of the Pennsylvania State University boxing team.

In other action, heavyweight Eric Newell (3-1,1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA will face debuting Randy Easton, plus junior lightweight Frank Santos De Alba (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Reading, PA meets Corey White (1-3, 1 KO) from Ohio in a four-round bout.

Rounding out the card is a four-round junior welterweight clash between Cesar Gonzalez (0-1-2) of Reading, PA against Osahon Omo-Osagie (0-1-1) in a four-round rematch of their draw last May.

Tickets are priced at $65 (VIP), $50 (Ringside) and $35 (General Admission), and can be purchased at the Rodeway Inn(610-398-1629), King’s Boxing (610-587-5950), at Lehigh Valley Isshin Ryu Karate (484-554-8804) or online at eventbrite.com. Doors open at 6PM and first fight is at 7PM. For more information, visit www.kingsboxing.com

The Rodeway Inn is located at 1151 Bulldog Drive (at Routes 22 & 309) in Allentown, PA.

]]> http://kingsboxing.com/heavyweight-explosion-feb-25th-in-allentown/feed 0 http://kingsboxing.com/exciting-fight-night-at-the-crown-plaza http://kingsboxing.com/exciting-fight-night-at-the-crown-plaza#comments Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:42:15 +0000 admin http://kingsboxing.com/?p=681 Dino Iaccarino Victorious in Main Event

Fans packed the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Reading on Friday night Nov. 18th for an exciting night of boxing benefiting the Kyle Pagerly family. In the main event, Dino Iaccarino of Reading won a unanimous decision over Daniel Shull of Virginia. It was Iaccarino’s first venture into the ring in nearly ten years. In other action, John Thompson of Newark, NJ won a decision over Anthony Abrams of Philadelphia; Frank DeAlba of Reading and Tevin Farmer of Philadelphia fought to a draw; Anthony Young of Atlantic City scored a TKO over Calvin Prichard of Toledo, OH; and Joseliz Cepeda of the Dominican Republic won a decision over Cesar Gonzalez of Reading. In special exhibition matches, Deputy Sheriff Mike Jackson fought Reading police officer John Gooch and Keenan Collins faced Mike Alvarez.

Visit the “GALLERY” section for a selection of fight photos

]]> http://kingsboxing.com/exciting-fight-night-at-the-crown-plaza/feed 0 http://kingsboxing.com/tickets-still-available-for-nov-18th http://kingsboxing.com/tickets-still-available-for-nov-18th#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:01:18 +0000 admin http://kingsboxing.com/?p=671

Tickets are still available for the Friday November 18th fight card at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Reading benefitting the family of Kyle Pagerly. Tickets are priced at $35.00 for general admission, $50.00 for ringside and $65.00 for VIP. Tickets can be purchased at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Dino’s Wings & Things,  Sheriff’s Dept., King’s Boxing Gym, and at www.eventbrite.com

Package #1
• 10 VIP Seats for you and your friends.
• Business Logo will be on the back of the Ring Cards.
• Business name will be announced throughout the evening.
• Banner with your Business name will be hung in the arena.
$1000.00

Package #2
• 10 VIP Seats for you and your friends.
• Business Logo will be on the back of the Ring Cards.
• Business name will be announced throughout the evening.
$850.00

Package #3
• 10 VIP Seats for you and your friends.
• Business name will be announced throughout the evening.
$650.00

Package #4
• Advertise your Logo on the back of the Ring Cards
• Announce your business
name throughout the night of the fight.
$250.00

Contact Marshall Kauffman for any additional information regarding the fight or advertising at (610) 587-5950 or at Kingsboxing.com

RUMBLE at the RODEWAY  RESULTS

Pros:

– William Miranda unanimous decision over Lonnie Kornegay.

– Josh Bowles unanimous decision over Tevin Farmer.

– Frank DeAlba 2nd round TKO over Osahon Omo-Osagie.

– Eric Newell split decision over Antonio Robertson.

Amateurs:

– Janel Grim victory over Katarina Lentini.

– Jonathan Williams victory over Xavier Melendez.

– Quincy Staples victory over Hector Bayanilla.

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