Recent News & Events
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Get the latest news and event updates… Sign up for the Starfight newsletter:
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Interview with Carlos “El Rayo” Rivera - By Chip Mitchell, DoghouseBoxing.com
This interview was conducted literally minutes after Carlos “El Rayo” Rivera earned a unanimous decision victory over former world title contender Alex Baba at the A La Carte Event pavilion in Tampa, Florida.
CM: Carlos, congratulations on your victory tonight.
CR: Thank you
CM: Carlos, describe your style to Internet fight fans out there reading this interview.
CR: I like to give fans a good show. I don’t like to get hit, but sometimes as a fighter you take hits to give hits. I just like to entertain.
CM: They put you in tough tonite. Is Alex the toughest opponent that you’ve faced as a professional?
CR: Yes, I can say he was tough. He was short and strong; real strong! He threw non-stop punches. It was a good performance from both of us. I’m glad that we both pleased the crowd. This is what we want for boxing, for people to be back for the next show, you know?
CM: Absolutely. What was your plan going into the fight and did you properly execute it?
Continue Reading: Interview with Carlos “El Rayo” Rivera
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 5:50 pm
LATEST RESULTS 5/8/09: Rivera Decisions Baba; Upshaw Drops Gibbs in Tampa
Tampa, FL – Behind a vocally injected hometown crowd, Port Richey, FL Featherweight Carlos “El Rayo” Rivera took one step closer toward major recognition by earning a unanimous decision over Ali Baba Friday night at the A La Carte Event Pavilion.
Rivera was effective from both the outside and inside, making it difficult for his smaller, Doraville, GA based counterpart. Rivera’s thorough offensive arsenal enabled him to control most of the contest however, he was unable to hurt the granite chinned Baba, 26-15-1 (19 KO’s). Rivera raised his ledger to 16-3-2 (5 KO’s) and is unbeaten in his last eight trips to the squared circle.
Middleweight Marcus Upshaw 10-3-1 (4 KO’s) made a major statement by scoring a fourth round knockout over previously unbeaten prospect Ahsandi Gibbs 10-1 (4 KO’s), of Sain t Petersburg, FL. With substantial local interest in this Florida State Middleweight title contest, both fighters came to the ring extremely confident. read more…
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Interview with Carlos Rivera: “El Rayo” Looking to Shine
This Friday, May the 8th, from the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa, Florida, a late-bloomer Featherweight prospect by the name of Carlos “El Rayo” Rivera, 15-3-2 (5), looks to extend his unbeaten streak and take another step forward when he battles former word title challenger, Alex “Ali” Baba.
Though his record doesn’t reach out and grab you right at first, Rivera is a solid fighter in search of opportunity and has come up in the game, as they say, the hard way. He was certainly never handed anything. He’s the definition of a Fighter, and this coming Friday, he will continue to punch his own ticket on his quest to a greener pasture, the broader boxing plains, if you will.
CONTINUE READING: Interview with Carlos Rivera: “El Rayo” Looking to Shine
Friday, May 8, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Q & A with Ashandi Gibbs - by Thomas Marriott - 15rounds.com
Recently I caught up with Middleweight prospect Ahsandi “Mr. Brixx” Gibbs, based out of Florida. Ahsandi was in his final preparations for his upcoming bout With Marcus Upshaw on May 8th. Upshaw lost a majority decision to James “Buddy” McGirt Junior two fights ago. There is no doubt this will be the toughest test for Mr. Gibbs to date.
Thomas Marriott- Hello Mr. Gibbs and welcome to 15rounds. For some fans who might be unfamiliar with you, please let them know something about your boxing career up to this point.
Ahsandi Gibbs- My record as an amateur was 16-4… I started kinda late. I was 24 years old. I’m a middleweight fighting at 160 pounds with a 10-0 (4 KO’s) record. Friday I will be fighting for my first title, it’s the Florida State Middleweight title.
Thomas Marriott- How is your preparation coming along for your May 8th against Marcus Upshaw? Have you seen any fight film on him?
Ahsandi Gibbs- My preparation is going better than I expected. I feel like I’m going to do better than I felt when I started training camp. I always knew I would win this fight . I haven’t seen film of Marcus fighting, but we fought as amateurs and I lost a close decision.
continue reading: Q & A with Ashandi Gibbs | Boxing News, Results, & Rankings - 15rounds.com
Friday, May 1, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Carlos Rivera Ready To Take Out Ali Baba on “Fight Night” at the A La Carte May 8 in Tampa!
Tampa, FL – With plans to catapult himself into title contention, Featherweight Carlos Rivera 15-3-2 (5 KO’s) has been training vigorously for his showdown next Friday with former title challenger Alex “Ali” Baba 26-14-1 (19 KO’s). Unbeaten in his last seven contests, Rivera defeated the well respected Johnnie Edwards via unanimous decision in February. Although he is riding his recent success with confidence, Rivera knows his fight with Doraville, GA’s Baba will be far from a cakewalk.
“I am in the best shape of my life”, said Rivera, who fights out of Port Richey, FL. “Baba is a tough guy with a good record and has fought for a world title. He has fought ten or twelve rounds 13 times and I’ve never gone past eight. While this is a tough task, I am confident of victory.”
The Rivera-Baba will be the main event and is scheduled for eight rounds.
The recently revamped undercard will be headed by intriguing eight round match up between unbeaten prospect Ahsandi “Mr. Brixx” Gibbs 10-0 (4 KO’s) and brawny veteran Marcus Upshaw 9-3-1 (3 KO’s). read more…
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Irving Garcia Anxious for Friday’s Showdown with Unbeaten Carlos Abregu!
Vega Baja, Puerto Rico - During his ten year pro career, Welterweight contender Irving “Chuma” Garcia 17-3-3 (8 KO’s) has dealt with plenty of adversity as a fighter but is still dissatisfied with his status. From a disappointing loss against power punching contender Said Ouali to a controversial technical draw in a WBA interim title fight with Yuriy Nuzhnenko, Garcia fell just short during his most lucrative bouts. The narrowly missed opportunities had caused a distraction for Garcia, as he become overanxious for another crack at a top fighter.
After refocusing and rededicating himself to what was directly in front of him, Garcia began to take things step by step rather than leaps and bounds. Back at his best following an October decision victory over former top prospect Chris Smith, Garcia knew he was where he wanted to be and another opportunity to take center stage was on the horizon.
“I worked my tail off in the gym and it showed during my last fight”, mentioned Garcia. “I’ve spared a ton since beating Smith and was ready for an opportunity once it came my way.”
This Friday, Garcia will have the opportunity to once again spring himself into the title picture when he will battle highly rated Argentinean Carlos Abregu on ShoBox: The Next Generation. Coming into the ring with an impressive record of 26-0 with 21 KO’s, Abregu possesses solid power and has made a name for himself in the US by scoring a dominating knockout over Thomas Davis as well as earning a gutsy decision over perennial contender David Estrada in December. read more…
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 3:04 pm
UPCOMING EVENTS:May 8th, 2009 at the A La Carte Pavillion
Rivera headlines May 8!
Featherweight prospect Carlos Rivera 15-3-2 (5 KOs) will risk his seven fight unbeaten streak against rugged Ghanaian Alex “Ali” Baba 26-14-1 (19 KOs) May 8 at the A la Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa. Rivera is coming off a career best victory in February, as he defeated Johnnie Edwards via unanimous decision. A former world title challenger, Baba is known for his impressive durability, having only been stopped twice during his solid career. The Rivera-Baba bout will serve as the main event and is scheduled for eight rounds.
Unbeaten prospect Ahsandi “Mr. Brixx” Gibbs 10-0 (4 KO’s) of St. Petersburg, FL will take a step up in competition as he will battle tough veteran Marcus Upshaw 9-3-1 (3 KO’s) of Jacksonville, FL over eight rounds for the vacant Florida State Middleweight crown. Gibbs, who scored a highlight reel KO over Mark Sanders in his last fight, will have to be at his best to defeat Upshaw.
An often overlooked fighter, Upshaw’s losses have come against solid opposition. Upshaw also battled renowned prospect Buddy McGirt Jr. to a draw last November in a fight many thought he deserved the nod in.
Tampa’s Jenna Shiver 8-4-1 (2 KO’s) will look to keep the momentum going after earning a highly entertaining victory against Christina Leadbeater in March. Shiver will battle the ever famous TBA in a four or six round Featherweight contest.
Jose “Hands of Steel” Duran 6-3-2 (3 KO’s) of Sarasota, FL will battle Ocean Springs, MS’ Laquel Fleming 1-2-2 in a four rounder at a catch weight of 144 lbs.
More local talent is expected to be added to the card shortly.
Starfight Productions is based out of Tampa, Florida and is operated by Aaron Jacobs, Shea Bailey, Pete Fernandez, Mike Asmer, and Randy Feldman.
Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at Ticketmaster.com/Starfight
The A La Carte Event Pavilion is located at 4050 Dana Shores Drive in Tampa, Florida. The card is being promoted by Starfight Productions.
For more info contact us at:
Starfight Productions
813-876-9269
info@starfightproductions.com
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 3:03 pm
World Rated Lightweight Edner Cherry Eager to Tangle with Edwin Valero
For Immediate Release
Tampa, Florida – After being notified that the highly regarded Anthony Peterson pulled out of their February 21 fight with an injury, Edner Cherry was left a disappointed and dejected fighter. Hungry to stop the unbeaten Peterson and at the peak of his training camp, Cherry was forced to go back to the drawing board.
“It was a big let down because I trained so hard for the fight”, said Cherry, who dropped a decision to unified Junior Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley in September. “These type of opportunities don’t come very often and it is unfortunate that the fight didn’t go through.”
Without an offer to reschedule the fight with Peterson and few top Lightweights willing to step into the ring with the rugged Bahamian, Cherry was temporarily left on hold. This was until Top Rank recently inquired with Starfight Productions about his availability for a potential July fight newly crowned WBC Lightweight champion Edwin Valero. Arguably the biggest puncher in the sport and a feared fighter, the dynamite fisted Valero boasts a sensational record of 25-0 with all knockouts. read more…
Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Introducing Johnny Bos!
By Matt Yanofsky
…
Having been around the game of boxing for 40+ years, Johnny Bos has seen just about everything imaginable. Wearing many hats in the boxing business, Bos helped lead Joey Gamache, John Mugabi, Tracy Paterson, Tyrone Booze, and Paulie Malignaggi among countless others to world titles. Bos has also received major respect for his in-depth matchmaking abilities, which included matching fights for Main Events (most notably the show in 1984 which featured the pro debut of six 1984 Olympians) and making fights for 1980’s Heavyweight star Gerry Cooney. The new matchmaker for Starfight Productions, Bos brings viable experience to the table. I had the opportunity to speak with Bos about his past ventures as well duties as Starfight’s matchmaker. read more…
RECORD
