New York, NY / Monaco / Johannesburg (May 7) – The bill for the “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four” final, a partnership between South Africa’s Golden Gloves and the Monte-Carlo SBM Group, was announced in Monaco this morning.

The tournament takes place at the glittering Salle des Etoiles on the Monte Carlo beachfront on July 13.

Highly-rated Edwin Rodriguez (23-0, 15 KOs) of the US and Denis Grachev (13-1-1, 8 KOs) of Russia will meet in the “Super Four” final for a US $1-million purse, to be split 60/40.

Truly coming of age, the 28-year-old Rodriguez returns after a sensational 10-round unanimous decision over world ranked contender Ezequiel Maderna on March 30 in the opening round of the “Super Four” tournament.

With recent wins in the United States over other highly regarded contenders Donovan George, Will Rosinsky and Jason Escalera, Rodriguez, a native of the Dominican Republic, now living in Worcester, Massachusetts, is looking to use the battle against Grachev towards his first world title opportunity.

Although much less experienced as a professional, the 30-year-old Grachev looked very impressive in his 10-round decision win over former world champion Zsolt Erdei in the first round of the “Super Four” tournament.

Prior to the Erdei bout, Grachev had earned a wealth of world-class experience, challenging former world champion Lucian Bute on November 3, 2012. Despite losing a very close 12-round decision, the Russian born, San Diego, California native proved that he belonged against top competition.

Co-headlining this international event will be a world championship fight between WBA and IBO light-welterweight holder Khalid Allakhverdiev (18-0, 8 KOs) and former champion Suleymane M’Baye (40-4-1, 22 KOs).

Known as “The Hawk”, the Russian born Allakhverdiev won the WBA title in his most recent bout, an eight round technical decision over former world champion Joan Guzman on November 30, 2012 in Sunrise, Florida.

Dropping Guzman in the third round, Allakhverdiev was declared the winner on the scorecards after Guzman injured his knee in the eighth round. The 30-year-old also holds wins over former world champion Nate Campbell and former world title challenger Kaizer Mabuza.

Known as “The Sensation”, M’Baye returns to the ring following his second round knockout of Laszlo Haaz on March 21, 2013 in Budapest, Hungary.

Among the notable names on the former world champion’s ledger over his 15-year career are Vivian Harris, Andriy Kotelnik (twice), Gavin Rees, Herman Ngoudjo and Antonin Decarie.

On the undercard, highly-rated European middleweight champion Max Bursak (26-1-1, 12 KOs) will defend his crown against the UK’s Prince Arron (23-4-1, 5 KOs), while big punchers Ilunga “Junior” Makabu (13-1, 13 KOs) and undefeated Dmytro Kucher (21-0, 15 KOs) will fight for Kucher’s WBC International cruiserweight belt.

“The opportunity of staging this mammoth event in Monaco is a great honour, and my deepest thanks and appreciation go to Monte-Carlo SBM and its management team for their support and encouragement,” said Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves.

“The Super Four final speaks for itself, with both fighters in the mix for world title honours. It pits two fighters with very different styles, but similar ambitions.

“I’m also excited with the championship fight between Allakhverdiev and Mbaye: the veteran against the young lion. The rest of the card features tremendous talent and I’m looking forward to the second leg of this great event, particularly after the success of the first, in March.”

Information & Booking
Tickets available from 200 euros
Sales from May 13th, 2013

Monte-Carlo S.B.M.
Tel: (377) 98 06 36 36 (10 am – 7 pm, 7/7)
Email: ticketoffice@sbm.mc

Accreditation & Information:
Monte-Carlo SBM Press Department
Guillaume Jahan de Lestang
Tel: +377 98 06 64 12
Email: g.jahandelestang@sbm.mc

Monaco (3/30/13) – Earlier tonight at the stunning Salle d’ Etoile in beautiful Monaco, WBA and IBO middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” easily defended his title against challenger Nobuhiro Ishida, knocking out the former world champion with one devastating right hand in the third round of their scheduled 12-round championship contest.

Having never been stopped before, Ishida was looking to present a tough challenge for the young champion, but Golovkin would have no part in it. Golovkin stalked the much-taller opponent Ishida from the outset. By the second round, he was landing heavy shots with both hands and Ishida’s face began to show the wear and tear of the blows landed by Golovkin.

Near the end of the third round, with Ishida backing up to the ropes, Golovkin landed a picture perfect overhand right. The blow landed flush on Ishida’s jaw, sending the Japanese fighter through the ropes and out cold, flat on his back. Official time of the stoppage was 2:20 of round number three.

It was an impressive showing for Golovkin, who improved to 26-0, 23KO’s, with the stoppage victory.

RODRIGUEZ DECISIONS MADERNA

In the co-feature bout of the evening, undefeated super middleweight Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez moved on to the finale of the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4 tournament pounding out a 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Argentine Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna.

Rodriguez was the aggressor throughout, pressing the action and landing the much bigger shots. Maderna was able to counter well though, keeping the fight relatively close.

Rodriguez was deducted a point for a low blow in the eighth round and another in the ninth for what the referee deemed a blow behind the head that dropped Maderna. It was a questionable call, as the blow seemed to land more toward the top of Maderna’s head. Rodriguez was able to get the point back later in the round though, as he dropped Maderna with a straight right hand just as the round was ending.

Rodriguez looked to end the show in the 10th, but settled for the unanimous decision, winning by scores of 96-92 twice, and 95-92. With the win, Rodriguez improves his record to 23-0, 15KO’s, while Maderna drops to 19-1, 13KO’s

.

GRACHEV HANDS ERDEI FIRST CAREER LOSS

In what was easily the fight of the night, Denis Grachev handed former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei his first career loss as a professional, taking a 10-round split decision and advancing on to the Super 4 Finale in July where he will face off against the undefeated Rodriguez.

It was a classic boxer (Erdei) vs. puncher (Grachev) matchup, as Erdei controlled the early action with beautiful boxing, working behind a piston-like jab, and leaving Grachev swinging and missing widely.

However, as the rounds progressed, Grachev was able to turn the fight into more of a slugfest, as he looked to rough up Erdei in the process. Grachev was the busier of the two, with Erdei landing the much cleaner blows.

With the fight up for grabs, both fighters came out in the 10th and final round throwing bombs. It was a close round, with both fighters having their moments.

In the end, two of the judges favored Grachev’s aggression over Erdei’s boxing ability, winning the split decision by scores of 96-94, 96-94, 94-96.

It was a close and controversial decision, with many at ringside having Erdei as the victor. Erdei’s performance was not wasted though, as he was invited back to fight on the card featuring the Super 4 Finale on July 13, back in Monaco.

The event was promoted by Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves. The Golovkin-Ishida bout was promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts were promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment. The Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4 Tournament Finale will take place on July 13.

Monte-Carlo (3/29/13) – WBA middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, challenger Nobuhiro Ishida, and all four participants of the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4 Tournament, Edwin Rodriguez, Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna, Zsolt Erdei and Denis Grachev weighed in earlier today for their mega event tomorrow night in Monaco at the Salle d’Etoile.

Golovkin tipped the scales at a ripped and ready 159¼lbs. (72.3 kg) while Ishida weighed 158½lbs. (71.9 kg). Rodriguez weighed in exactly at 168lbs. (76.2 kg) for his super middleweight contest against Maderna, who weighed in just below the super middleweight limit at 167½lbs. (76 kg). Former two-division champion Erdei weighed in well below the light heavyweight limit, tipping the scales at 171¼lbs (77.7 kg) while his opponent Grachev weighed in at 174¾lbs (79.3 kg).

The event in Monaco is headlined by red-hot WBA middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (25-0, 22KO’s) defending his title against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8-2, 9KO’s). The opening round of the Super 4 tournament matches Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO’s) against Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13KO’s) and former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18KO’s) squaring off against Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8KO’s). The card will be distributed in the United States and Canada on PPV by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View.

The “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” and Golovkin’s middleweight title defense will be distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. In addition, the event will be available via online Pay-Per-View at:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896

The event is promoted by Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves. The Golovkin-Ishida bout is promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts are promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting the SBM Reservations Department by phone at: +377 98 06 36 36 (10 am to 7 pm) or email: ticketoffice@sbm.mc.

WORCESTER, Mass. (March 24, 2013) – Undefeated super middleweight contender Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) broke his Houston training camp yesterday and he landed today in Monaco with his team for this Saturday afternoon’s “Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” at Casino de Monte-Carlo.

Rodriguez, the reigning United States Boxing Assocaition (USBA) champion, meets unbeaten 2008 Argentina Olympian Ezequiel “El Olimpico” Maderna (19-0, 13 KOs) in the opening round of four-fighter tournament, which also includes a light heavyweight fight between two-time, two division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18 KOs) and Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8 KOs). The two winners will advance to the $1,000,000 (60-40 split) “Super Four,” championship final, to be contested at a catch-weight of 171 ½ lbs., on July 13 in Monaco.

The “Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET – 12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV for a suggest retail price of only $24.95. In addition, the event will be available via on-line Pay Per View at http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896

To order the “Super Four” PPV, headlined by WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin defending against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida, go to your cable company’s PPV listings for Saturday afternoon (starting at 3 p.m. ET; event telecast starting at 3:30 p.m. ET ) and look under boxing for Golovkin vs. Ishida.

“We had a great training camp,” Rodriguez said before he departed. “I got in a lot of great work with (world-rated light heavyweight) Cornelius White, who is 6′ 3″ with a long reach. We sparred a lot of rounds. I feel that, since I’ve been working with (head trainer) Ronnie (Shields), I’ve become a more complete fighter. I’ve tightened-up my defense and my offense has been great. There’s always room for improvement, though, and the key to getting better is long training camps like this one.”

Rodriguez is the No. 3-rated super middleweight in the world in the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF), as well as ranked No. 12 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and No. 10 by The Ring Magazine.

Fighting outside of his native country for the first time, 2008 Argentina Olympian Maderna is ranked No. 5 by the WBO and No. 13 by the IBF.

“He’s a good boxer-puncher,” Rodriguez spoke about his relatively unknown opponent. “He resembles Aaron Pryor, Jr. a little. I’m confident going into this fight. I always am because I believe in my ability and skills. I’ll be ready Saturday night.”

Rodriguez must get past Maderna to fight the Erdei-Grachev winner in the most lucrative fight of his career. The 27-year-old Dominican Republic native, who was a two-time U.S. national amateur champion, won’t allow the Super Four championship fight to be a distraction, nor the birth of his third child in a few weeks.

“I’m a professional and I will not allow any distractions,” Rodriguez concluded. “I’m a laid back person and 100-percent focused on this fight. I’m fighting a 19-0 former Olympian in the toughest challenge of my life. I can’t afford to look past him or I won’t be in the championship fight. The big money in the championship motivates me. I honestly feel the same way going into every fight. Boxing is a tough sport. I need to win and do it impressively to get where I want to be – world champion. Everything starts with this fight.”

Follow Edwin Rodriguez on Twitter @labombaboxing.

HOUSTON. (March 17, 2013) – After working together for four fights and nearly two years, head trainer Ronnie Shields is confident that undefeated, United States Boxing Association (USBA) super middleweight champion Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) is now a complete fighter as he heads to Monaco for the “Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” at Casino de Monte-Carlo.

Rodriguez takes on unbeaten 2008 Argentina Olympian Ezequiel “El Olimpico” Maderna (19-0, 13 KOs) in the opening round of four-fighter tournament. Rodriguez vs. Maderna is half of a historic four-man tournament, also matching two-time, two division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18 KOs) and Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8 KOs) in a light heavyweight bout. The championship final of the “Super Four” will showcase the two winners at a catch-weight of 171 ½ lbs., worth $1,000,000 (60-40 split), on July 13 in Monaco.

The “Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET – 12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV for a suggest retail price of only $24.95. In addition, the event will be available via on-line Pay Per

View at: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing

/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896.

Rodriguez was an unbalanced, almost defenseless brawler when Shields first started training the Dominican Republic native. An all-out attack mode but Shields taught Rodriguez how to work off his jab, stay balanced, and develop his defensive skills. Those particular traits blossomed in Rodriguez’ convincing win against Donovan George by 10-round decision, but his punches weren’t as powerful as they had been when he brawled. In his last fight, however, Rodriguez’ power returned as he battered Jason Escalera en route to an eighth-round knockout.

Now, Shields contends, his prize student is the complete package. “As Edwin matures,” Shields explained from training camp in Houston, “the better he gets in the ring. He’s seen all styles of sparring and everything has come together for him. There is no style he hasn’t mastered. Without a doubt, Edwin is there as a complete fighter.”

Rodriguez is knocking on the door of a world title shot. He is the No. 3-rated super middleweight in the world in the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF), as well as ranked No. 12 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and No. 10 by The Ring Magazine. Capturing the “Super Four” tournament most certainly will earn him an opportunity to challenge one of the 168-pound world champions.

View promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0pqvjNVciE

Maderna, a 2008 Argentina Olympian, is ranked No. 5 by the WBO and No. 13 by the IBF. He will be fighting outside of his native Argentina for the first time as a professional.

“He is a tall, slender kid with a great amateur background, highlighted by him competing in the 2008 Olympics,” Shields spoke about Maderna. “When I’ve looked at him fight, I see him throwing punches as he comes forward, but he’s not nearly as effective going backwards. He’s never fought outside of Argentina and has never fought anybody like with Edwin. Maderna is a good fighter but Edwin has a little too much for this kid. He is a European-type fighter who drops his hands a little when he’s confident. He doesn’t seem like a big puncher. If Edwin establishes his jab, it’ll be a long night for Maderna, who is a different fighter than anybody Edwin’s fought since I’ve been with him.”

Shields isn’t concerned that Rodriguez will be looking past Maderna to the Erdei-Grachev winner in the “Super Four” championship final and its $600,000 champion’s purse.

“Edwin can’t get to the final unless he beats Maderna,” Shields concluded, “which is why this fight is so important for Edwin. He knows and understands this. Edwin has never been a problem looking past anybody.”

WORCESTER, Mass. (February 15, 2013) – Undefeated, United States Boxing Association (USBA) super middleweight champion Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) is following the path to Monte Carlo, set more than 40 years ago by another Massachusetts boxer, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler.

Rodriguez faces the stiffest test of his professional boxing career on March 30, against unbeaten 2008 Argentina Olympian Ezequiel “El Olimpico” Maderna (19-0, 13 KOs), in the opening round of “Monte Carlo Million Dollar Super 4” at Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco.

Rodriguez vs. Maderna is half of a historic four-man tournament, also matching two-time, two division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18 KOs) vs. Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8 KOs) in a light heavyweight bout. The championship final of the “Super Four” will feature the winners of the two aforementioned fights at a catch-weight of 171 ½ lbs., worth $1,000,000 (60-40 split) to the champion, on July 13 in Monaco.

The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez has a lot in common with Hagler than their respective journeys to Monaco. Both relocated to Massachusetts; Rodriguez in Worcester, New Jersey-born Hagler in Brockton. In 2005, Rodriguez captured the middleweight title at the 2005 USA Boxing National Championships, the first Bay State amateur boxer to accomplish that feat since Hagler in 1973.

Six long years into his professional boxing career, future Hall of Famer Hagler (45-2-1 at that time) was the most avoided middleweight in the world, forced to travel to Monte Carlo in 1979 to fight Norberto Rufino Cabrera, who failed to answer the bell for the eighth round, before finally earning his first world title fight. He fought Vito Antuofermo to a controversial draw but, four fights later, Hagler knocked out Alan Minter capture the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) titles.

Five years into his pro career, Rodriguez has been unable to get any of the contemporary world super middleweight champions in the ring, despite his lofty ratings at No. 3 in the WBC, WBA and International Boxing Federation (IBF), as well as No. 12 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and No. 10 by The Ring Magazine.

“Marvin Hagler has been in the back of my mind since I won The Nationals in 2005 and became the first Massachusetts fighter since him to do that,” Rodriguez said from his Houston training camp. “It was an honor for me to meet him a few years later in Brockton at an amateur tournament. He was such a great fighter and fought in such a great era, including one against another of my all-time favorite fighters, Roberto Duran. To be mentioned, never mind compared to a fighter like him, who accomplished so much in boxing, makes me feel good about myself.

“I certainly understand that boxing is much different today and boxers don’t fight nearly as often, but my promoter (Lou DiBella) and manager (Larry Army) have done a good job positioning me. I’m going to Monaco to fight a great opponent and I am proud to have been selected as one of the four fighters in this tournament. I think it’s a good move for my career. I plan on going there to win the tournament, come back home with a bigger name, and fight one of the champions for the world title.”

Edwin Rodriguez (R) hammers Donovan George

(Photo by Ed Diller)

Maderna, a 2008 Argentina Olympian, is continuing the rich tradition of Argentinean boxing, starting with Luis Angel Firpo, continued by Carlos Monzon, and carried on today by world champions Sergio Martinez, Lucas Matthysse, Omar Narvaez and Juan Reveco.

Ranked No. 5 by the WBO and No. 13 by the IBF, Maderna will be fighting outside of his native Argentina for the first time as a professional. He has reunited with his first amateur coach, Alberto Zacarias, the son of legendary Argentinean trainer Santos Zacarias, who trained world champions Jua Cogi and Sergio Palma.

Army believes the potential reward associated with “La Bomba” participating in the “Super Four” far outweighs the risk of losing or waiting around for a world title shot. “The decision to have Edwin fight in this tournament was a no-brainer,” Army explained. “He’s fighting an undefeated Olympian and then, if Edwin wins he either fights a two-time world champion of an extremely tough Russian fighter who gave Lucian Bute all he could handle. We believe this tournament will give Edwin’s career the boost he needs for him to get a world championship fight. Right now, unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of options for a world title shot. This tournament is the next best thing for Edwin. We’re all looking forward to Edwin putting on a great performance in Monte Carlo.”

Follow Edwin Rodriguez on Twitter @labombaboxing.

New York, NY / Monaco / Johannesburg (February 1, 2013) – Africa’s promotional giant Golden Gloves has partnered with the Monte-Carlo SBM Group to announce the “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four”, a four-man boxing spectacular.

The elimination event features Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs), Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18 KOs), Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8 KOs) and Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13 KOs).

Co-headlining this mammoth triple-header on March 30, which will pit Rodriguez against Maderna and Zsolt versus Grachev in the opener, is one of the biggest stars in world boxing today.

Undefeated WBA middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (25-0, 22 KOs) fresh off his sensational seventh-round destruction of Gabriel Rosado at Madison Square Garden,will defend his title against dangerous Japanese contender Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8, 9 KOs). The Golovkin-Ishida bout will be promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev matchups will be promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

“I am excited about fighting in Monaco in my next fight,” said Golovkin. “It is a great location and I always want to keep contact with my European fans. Ishida has proven he is a very dangerous opponent with his KO win over James Kirkland and I am up for the challenge.”

Tom Loeffler managing director of K2 added, “Gennady wants to stay active this year and this fight will give him the opportunity to defend his world titles in one if the premiere cities in the world. GGG had two great KO performances in the US on HBO and now it is time for him to showcase his skills again in Europe. Gennady’s recognition as the most feared middleweight has grown and he is truly the type of fighter that will fight anywhere in the world without hesitation.”

The two Super Four winners will fight for a 60/40 share of one million dollars on July 13th in Monaco.

The European junior-middleweight title bout featuring champion Sergei Rabchenko (Russia) and Adriano Nicchi (Italy) also features on this March 30 historic card.

The Final of the Super Four on July 13 in Monaco will be the boxing arm of the Nelson Mandela 95th Birthday Celebrations which will also serve to raise public awareness and interaction with Mandela’s initiative to encourage public funding for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, a project to build a state-of-the-art research and care facility for children throughout Africa.

The tournament will be held at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille and several parallel events will also take place at the elegant and historic Casino de Monte-Carlo during the week of the event.

“The opportunity of staging this mammoth event in Monaco is a great honour, and my deepest thanks and appreciation go to the Monte-Carlo SBM and its management team for their support and encouragement,” said Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves.

He continued: “We look forward to two outstanding events and hosting many international celebrities and dignitaries.”

Commenting on the event, Ndaba Mandela, one of Nelson Mandela’s grandsons, said: “On behalf of my foundation, Africa Rising, it is a great honor to be a part this event. My grandfather was an avid boxing enthusiast and we felt it would only be fit to honor him with a world-class boxing event as part of the Celebration of his 95th birthday. We are very excited to be a part of the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four final to take place in Monaco in July and honored to have his Serene Highness Prince Albert II and the people of Monaco be a part of what will be an extraordinary celebration.”

The Africa Rising Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established by the Mandela grandsons, Ndaba and Kweku, in 2009 as a platform to empower the youth of not only South Africa, but also young Africans across the continent. The Foundation is endorsed by Nelson Mandela and is committed to shaping the image of Africa by means of educational programmes, entrepreneurship development projects and by celebrating African culture.

While the upcoming tournament will be the first professional boxing event held in the country in seven years, Monaco does in fact have a long history with the sport. The first world championship bout staged in Monaco took place 101 years ago, back in 1912.

“Monte-Carlo SBM is delighted to join forces with Golden Gloves in organizing one of the major boxing events in the world this year,” said Jean-Louis Masurel, Board Member of the company. He adds that “It will be a great honor to host such an event associated with the Nelson Mandela 95th birthday celebration”.

The Casino de Monte-Carlo, which has always been involved in sports and entertainment, will play a key role in this project and will make sure that these exciting Super Four tournament is optimized in order to meet the expectations of the fans among their casino clients.

With the winner of the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four confirming himself as a top contender in his respective division, and a world title opportunity on the horizon, combined with the massive prize money, each fighter is confident that they will be the last man standing.

“It is a dream come true for me to participate in this tournament,” said Edwin Rodriguez. “I have worked my entire life for this opportunity and don’t plan on wasting it. While I am happy and honored to be in the tournament, I won’t be satisfied until I win it. Having not had the opportunity to participate in the 2008 Olympics, it’s an added bonus to be placed against an undefeated former Olympian in Maderna for my first fight. I want to thank to my manager Larry Army and my promoter Lou DiBella for putting me in this position and also a special thanks to Rodney Berman and Golden Gloves for giving me this opportunity.”

Rodriguez, the USBA champion, is ranked the WBC #2, IBF #3, and WBA #7 super-middleweight in the world. Having grown up fighting on such networks as ESPN and Showtime, Rodriguez’ last two fights were featured on the HBO network. In March last year, Rodriguez won a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over fellow super- middleweight contender Don George, and followed up that performance with a devastating eighth-round TKO stoppage over previously undefeated Jason Escalera in September.

While Rodriguez has been in the national spotlight for some time, the 2008 Argentinean Olympian Maderna, ranked as the WBO #6 and IBF #13-rated super-middleweight in the world, sees the tournament as his coming-out party.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity of proving myself at the international level against the best,” said Maderna. “This is my chance to show that I belong amongst the elite fighters in the world, and I promise that I will deliver.”

A former two-division world champion, both at light heavyweight and cruiserweight, Erdei won the WBO light heavyweight title in 2004 and defended it 11 times before moving up in weight and winning a 12-round decision over Giacobbe Fragomeni for the WBC cruiserweight title on November 21, 2009. After defeating Fragomeni, Erdei took some time away from the ring and even contemplated retirement after a remarkably successful run as a professional and amateur. Erdei boasts an incredible amateur record, having won 212 amateur bouts and a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Erdei returned to the ring in late 2010, this time under the new promotional banner of DiBella Entertainment, with hopes of becoming a star in the United States. He quickly won two fights, including a sixth-round TKO over former super-middleweight champion Byron Mitchell, positioning himself for a shot at reclaiming his light-heavyweight crown.

Erdei was scheduled to take on current undefeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud in December 2011, but the card was cancelled and the bout against Cloud was called off.

Erdei is extremely motivated to get back into the ring and show everyone that he is still one of the top fighters in the world.

“I feel healthy, energized and focused,” said Erdei. “I have the opportunity with this tournament to prove that I am still the one of the best in the world. Winning the tournament puts me right in line for a shot at reclaiming my world championship, and there is no way I will let that opportunity pass me by.”

Rated as the number six light-heavyweight in the WBC world ratings, Russian native Grachev was a two-time world kick-boxing champion before becoming a professional boxer in 2007. Grachev had his coming-out party on April 27, 2012, when he took on the undefeated and highly regarded 17-0, top 10 light-heavyweight contender Ismayl Sillakh on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Grachev was able to dominate the southpaw Sillakh, who entered the contest as an 11-1 betting favorite, stopping him in the eight round of their scheduled 10-round contest. With the victory, Grachev won the NABF title.

On November 3, 2012, Grachev faced former IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute, in Bute’s hometown of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, at the Bell Centre. Despite Grachev being the aggressor and the busier of the two, Bute was awarded a close unanimous decision. With the bad taste of the Bute decision still resonating, Grachev believes that this tournament is the perfect way to get himself back into the world title picture.

“I believe that I am fighting the best out of the four of us, but once I beat Erdei, I will then be the top guy left in the tournament,” proclaimed Grachev. “I can’t rely on the judges in these bouts. That is why I am going to take matters into my own hands and I am going into this tournament with the full intention of knocking both of my opponents out. This is a huge opportunity for me and a way for me to reach my ultimate goal as being recognized as one of the best fighters in the entire world.”

“This is a huge opportunity for these four fighters,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment and promoter of Rodriguez and Erdei. “The winner of this tournament clearly cements themselves as one of the top fighters in the entire world and I am thrilled to be a part of what promises to be a historic event.”

Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco is one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and attracts millions of visitors each year. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, owned and operated by the Monte-Carlo SBM Group, is the premiere casino destination in Europe. It continues to attract gamblers among the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities.

A country rich in sports history, Monaco is home of the world famous Formula 1 Grand Prix motor race and many major international events such as the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.

The “Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four” will be broadcast internationally, including countries across Western Europe, the US, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and 50 nations throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including adjacent islands.

TICKET PRICES FROM €200.

WORCESTER, MA (October 4, 2012) – Fresh off his thorough destruction of previously unbeaten Jason Escalera last Saturday night on HBO Boxing After Dark, undefeated Dominican dandy Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) is targeting world champions and top 10 contenders in the super middleweight division.

The only problem for Rodriguez last Saturday evening was getting glitter from Escalera’s trunks off his face.

“I’m ready to fight the best at 168-pounds,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to make a major statement in my last fight and did. I’ve feel that I’ve earned a world title shot. I trust my promoter, Lou DiBella, and manager, Larry Army, to get my world title shot as soon as possible. I’ll fight anybody they put in the ring with me, whether it’s a world champion, or a top contender. My time is now.”

Having gained invaluable experience sparring with the likes of past and present world champions such as Carl Froch, Chad Dawson, Daniel Geale, and Jean Pascal, the 27-year-old Rodriguez has developed into a complete fighter in the past year working with head coach Ronnie Shields in his last four fights.

The super middleweight division is still somewhat muddled. World Boxing Council (WBC)/World Boxing Association (WBA) World champion Andre Ward is clearly the contemporary King who has options to pick-and-choose his next opponent. However, if the WBC strips him for also being the WBA champion, something that governing body has threatened to do, Rodriguez could be involved in a box-off as the No. 3 contender along with relatively unknown Nikola Sjekloca ranked No. 1, one spot ahead of veteran Sakio Bika.

International Boxing Federation (IBF) title-holder Froch has his dance card full with a title defense November 17 vs. Yusaf Mack, followed by a contractually required rematch in the spring with the former champion he defeated for the crown, Lucian Bute, and later next year a mandatory against the winner of the October 12th IBF title eliminator between Adonis Stevenson and Donovan George. (Rodriguez defeated George this past March by 10-round unanimous decision for the United States Boxing Association championship.)

Therefore, the most likely title shot opportunity for Rodriguez, at least in the immediate future, is December 15 against World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Arthur Abraham in Germany.

“We’re confident in traveling to Germany to fight Abraham,” Rodriguez’ manager Larry Army remarked, “as long as it’s broadcast in America in case there’s questionable judging. We believe Edwin is ready right now to face any of the world champions. If we’re unable to secure a world title shot, we want to fight the best available top 10 contender like Jermain Taylor or Kelly Pavlik, and even Andy Lee would make for a good fight.

“Edwin has fought three B+ fighters in his last three fights – (Will) Rosinsky, George and Escalera. Edwin is always looking to challenge himself and he’s approaching his peak. He is ready to make his mark in the super middleweight division.”

Rodriguez is rapidly building a strong following, too. He’s also rated No. 4 by the IBF and No. 8 by the WBA, as well as No. 9 by The Ring Magazine, in addition to fighting seven times on national television: twice on HBO (headlining Boxing After Dark once vs. Escalera), three times on Showtime (twice in the ShoBox main event), and twice on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

His last six opponents had an accumulative record of 96-7-3 when they stepped into the ring to face Rodriguez. What’s missing from his boxing resume is a world title and/or victory against a top 10 contender.

Rodriguez represents the future of the super middleweight division. If he’s offered the Dec. 15 title fight against Abraham, the future could come sooner rather than later.

Follow Edwin Rodriguez on Twitter @labombaboxing.

Edwin Rodriguez remained perfect by administering a one-sided beat down of prebiously undefeated Edwin Escalera in round eight of a scheduled ten round Super Middleweight bout at the MGM at Foxwoods in Connecticut.

Rodriguez came out in round one pounding Escalera all over the ring. Escalera lost his mouth piece twice but it was the least of his problems as he ate about fifty power shots in the round and a case could have been made for referee Steve Smoger to intervene in the first stanza. Rodriguez continued to box and win round’s. Rodriguez went after Escalera in round four and drilled him with hard right in the fifth that buckled Escalera.

The rout continued until referee Steve Smoger stopped the drubbing twelve seconds into round eight.

Vic Darchinyan resurrected his career by scoring a ten round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Luis Del Valle in a Super Bantamweight fight.

Darchinyan proved that experience over Del Valle was a big factor as he pounded Del Valle for most of the thirty minute affair. Del Valle should get credit for determination but Darchinyan landed punches from all angles and to all parts of Del Valle. Del Valle made a brief rally in round nine when he landed a right that rocked Darchinyan.

Darchinyam of Sydney, Australia won by scores of 99-91, 99-91 and 96-94 and is now 38-5-1. Del Valle, 122 lbs of Bayamon, PR is now 16-1.

Antonin DeCarie scored a sixth round stoppage over Alex Perez in a scheduled ten round Welterweight bout.

DeCarie worked the body and head and was doing very well mixing up the punches. In round six, DeCarie landed a vicious left that wobbled Perez and a subsequent right hand put Perez down. Perez was shaken and ate about five more flush right hands that forced referee Danny Schivone to stop the bout at 2:54 of round six.

DeCarie, 147 lbs of Montreal is now 27-1 with eight knockouts. Perez, 146 lbs of Newark, NJ is now 16-1.

NEW YORK, NY (September 26 2012) This Saturday night, SEPTEMBER 29, undefeated super middleweight prospect Jason “Monstruo” Escalera will challenge world ranked and fellow undefeated Edwin
“La Bomba” Rodriguez in the HBO Boxing after Dark, “Road To Glory” televised ten round main event at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

The 27-year-old Escalera, 13-0-1 (12KO’s), fighting out of Union City, New Jersey, has become a must-see attraction in the New York area with his show-stopping knockouts.

Most recently the heavy-handed Escalera faced Nick Brinson on MAY 18 at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. In the ESPN Friday Night Fights eight round battle, Escalera aggressively pursued and battered Brinson seemingly winning an easy decision, however the three judges scored the bout a draw. In his six previous starts, Escalera had won each bout by knockout.

“Jason is exactly the type of fighter that HBO wants on their broadcasts. He’s exciting, he always comes to fight, and he has concussive power in both hands” said Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing. “Jason is prepared to take the fight right to Rodriguez from the opening bell this Saturday night. This is a great opportunity and he is very confident and prepared to take advantage of it.”

Also 27-years-old, Rodriguez, 21-0-0 (14KO’s), of Worcester, Massachusetts, is coming off his career best win, a ten round unanimous decision over world ranked contender Donovan “DA Bomb” George on MARCH 17 at Madison Square Garden which was broadcast on HBO World Championship Boxing as the co-main event to the Sergio Martinez/Matthew Macklin world middleweight title bout.

Rodriguez is currently ranked #3 by the WBC, #4 by the IBF and #8 by the WBA.

“Road to Glory” is the highly anticipated HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader, featuring some of the brightest young fighters in all of boxing looking to continue on their paths toward their respective world championships. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Foxwoods box office by calling 1 (800) 200-2882. Tickets are priced at $45, $75, $100 and $200.

HBO Boxing After Dark has a broadcast time this Saturday night of 9:30PM ET/PT.

CONTACTS:

Kevin Rooney, DiBella Entertainment: (212) 947-2577, kevin@dbe1.com

Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, (978) 664-4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

Kevin Flaherty, HBO: (212) 512-5052, Kevin.Flaherty@hbo.com

Dale Wolbrink, Foxwoods Resort Casino: (860) 312-1429, dwolbrink@foxwoods.com

Media Credentials:

Shannan McNair, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Public Affairs: (860) 396-6727, smcnair@mptn.org

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit their official website at www.StarBoxing.com and follow them on twitter.com/starboxing and Facebook.com/starboxing

NEW YORK (September 20, 2012) – Bay State boxers Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez and Danny O’Connor have come almost full circle since their amateur days, training together in Houston and now fighting on DiBella Entertainment’s “Road To Glory” card, September 29 on a special HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader, live from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs) defends his United States Boxing Association (USBA) title against unbeaten power-puncher Jason “Monstruo” Escalera (13-0-1, 12 KOs) in the 10-round main event, while super lightweight prospect Danny O’Connor (18-1, 6 KOs) faces Josh “Nino Assasino” Sosa (10-3, 5 KOs), providing chief support for the three HBO-televised fights, in an eight-round bout.

Unbeaten Luis Orlando “Orlandito” Del Valle (16-0, 11 KOs) takes on former three-time, two-division world champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan (37-5-1, 27 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature on HBO for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super bantamweight title.

Completing the HBO tripleheader is a World Boxing Council (WBC) International welterweight title fight between champion Antonin Decarie and the undefeated Alex Perez (16-0, 9 KOs). Decarie-Perez replaced a Special Light Heavyweight Attraction bout between world-rated Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba (19-1-1, 9 KOs) and former two-time, two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei, who was forced to withdraw due to suffering two broken ribs during training camp. Chilemba will still be fighting on the card.

The “Road To Glory” event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Gary Shaw Productions. All three bouts will be aired on HBO’s Boxing After Dark, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez moved to Worcester (MA) with his family 14 years ago when he was 13. O’Connor was born and raised in Framingham (MA), which is less than 30 miles from Worcester. O’Connor’s third amateur bout was at the old Boys & Girls Club in Worcester on a show in which hometown hero Rodriguez was in the main event. The now 27-year-olds first met then, both developed into national amateur champions, and turned pro in 2008.

Back when they were amateurs, Rodriguez, O’Connor and Providence’s Demetrius Andrade, a 2008 US Olympian, were roommates as members of USA traveling teams. “We dreamed of becoming world champions as professionals at the same time,” Rodriguez remembered. “And we’re getting close.”

Rodriguez is the closest of that trio to fighting for a world championship. He is rated No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC), as well as No. 8 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 9 by The Ring Magazine.

“I love fighting on the same cards as Edwin,” O’Connor said. “He’s headlining on HBO. We train and travel together; he’s my best friend in boxing. But it’s different for us right now. He’s fighting in front of the lights and I’m trying to get there. He has to perform well September 29 to keep fighting on HBO and I need to impress the people from HBO.”

The two took a circuitous route to Houston, joining trainer Ronnie Shields, in his new state-of-the-art boxing facility at Plex in Stafford, Texas. O’Connor quickly outgrew the Framingham PAL and started training at the Worcester Boys & Girls, rejoining Rodriguez there as young prizefighters. They traveled throughout New England, searching for sparring partners and a base, until they both landed at Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (RI) but with different trainers.

Rodriguez’ manager, Larry Army, then made a critical change sending Edwin out of New England to Shields in Houston. After losing his first professional fight, O’Connor decided it was time for a change. His new manager, Ken Casey, founder and lead singer of the popular Boston-based band Dropkick Murphys, has opened up a new world, marketing-wise, for O’Connor, who did some research and came up with a list of potential trainers. His co-promoter, Leon Margules (DiBella Entertainment promotes Rodriguez and co-promotes O’Connor), has been friends with Shields for 20 years and a connection was made. O’Connor left Framingham without money or a place to live, nothing but the clothes on his back and his gym bag. “I hooked up with Edwin in Houston, where he let me stay with him,” O’Connor noted. “But that’s the type of person Edwin is, always helping.”

“Danny came down here and I love it,” Rodriguez added. “He pushes me. There are days I don’t like running and he pushes me. We push each other.”

Rodriguez originally was supposed to fight this summer and he will be in training camp for 14 weeks by September 29, missing his wedding anniversary with his wife, Stephanie, and being away from his twins of special needs who will turn six on the night of his fight against Escalera. The only time he was away from Shields was for a week on vacation back home, but Edwin pointed out that he trained daily and wasn’t really on a vacation.

Shields has been nothing short of a boxing professor for his two protégés from Massachusetts. They love working with the former “Trainer of the Year” and two-time world title challenger, who has been where the duo wants to get. Many may feel that Shields has changed Rodriguez from a brawler to boxer, O’Connor from boxer to puncher, but Coach Ronnie is turning both into complete fighters.

“Edwin always came forward, throwing punches, and when you hit him, he hit you back,” Ronnie explained. “There’s nothing wrong with that attitude, but you don’t want to trade shots with an opponent who hits harder. You don’t go head-to-head with an opponent like Donovan George who was stronger. Edwin boxed in the middle of the ring and won rounds, catching everything George threw on his gloves instead of his chin. Edwin agrees that he doesn’t have to punch it out. I’m not taking the fight out of a fighter like Edwin. I’m making him more of a complete fighter like I’m doing with Danny, too. Complete fighters are smart fighters. If Edwin is losing late in a fight and needs a round or two, he can still do that if he needs to, but he has perfected his defense.

“When Danny first came here, I watched tapes of his fights and all he did was box against everybody. I asked him if he thought there was any other way to fight. He didn’t know how to fight any differently. We worked on getting him to fight inside, not just to go in there throwing punches. He needed defense to create offense. He’s done that perfectly in his last few fights and I’ve been impressed by his defense. He’s knocking people out now. He’s never going to be a power puncher, but he’s punching harder and sitting down on his punches. He’s a tough kid who sacrifices whatever I take to do it. I love working with him and Edwin.

“It’s very important that there down here together. One feeds off of the other. If Edwin is having a down day, Danny picks him up, and vice-versa.”

The journey doesn’t end for Rodriguez or O’Connor until they reach their dreams of capturing a world title. Shields has both of them headed in the right direction and not too far away from achieving their goals. They’ve almost come full circle.

“Road to Glory” is the highly anticipated HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader, featuring some of the brightest young fighters in all of boxing looking to continue on their paths toward their respective world championships. The card will take place on Saturday, September 29, at MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Foxwoods box office by calling 1 (800) 200-2882. Tickets are priced at $45, $75, $100 and $200.

New York, NY – (1/6/2012) – At the press conference last week in New York City to announce DiBella Entertainment’s HBO Championship Boxing St. Patrick’s Day card at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Andy Lee, who was slated to fight in the televised co-feature bout of the evening, stated, “I want to thank Lou (DiBella – Lee’s promoter) for letting me showcase myself on this show. There is nothing more I can wish for then to have this opportunity to fight at MSG on St Patrick’s Day.”

After seeking an opponent for the past two months and not being able to come up with anything suitable, Team Lee has announced that they will be coming off the card, and now it is rumored he could be the next opponent for WBA Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm.

“It is with great regret that I have to withdraw from the March 17, St Patrick’s Day Promotion at MSG Theater,” stated Lee. “Unfortunately due to the unavailability of a suitable world ranked opponent Team Lee have collectively decided it is in my best career interest to pass on a fight on this occasion. I would like to thank my promoter, Lou DiBella and HBO for planning to have me on the card and for their efforts to secure a suitable opponent for me from the limited boxers available.”

While it would have been a special treat for the and Irish community to see Lee showcase his skills on the 17th, Lee feels that his time for a world title opportunity is now, and while he wanted to be part of what is expected to be a spectacular event at The Garden when Sergio Martinez defends his Middleweight Championship Crown against Ireland’s top-rated middleweight contender Matthew Macklin, he now has his sights set on pursuing the fight with Sturm. Sturm has a tentative date schedule in Germany for April 13th.

New York, NY – (1/6/2012) – At the press conference last week in New York City to announce DiBella Entertainment’s HBO Championship Boxing St. Patrick’s Day card at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Andy Lee, who was slated to fight in the televised co-feature bout of the evening, stated, “I want to thank Lou (DiBella – Lee’s promoter) for letting me showcase myself on this show. There is nothing more I can wish for then to have this opportunity to fight at MSG on St Patrick’s Day.”

After seeking an opponent for the past two months and not being able to come up with anything suitable, Team Lee has announced that they will be coming off the card, and now it is rumored he could be the next opponent for WBA Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm.

“It is with great regret that I have to withdraw from the March 17, St Patrick’s Day Promotion at MSG Theater,” stated Lee. “Unfortunately due to the unavailability of a suitable world ranked opponent Team Lee have collectively decided it is in my best career interest to pass on a fight on this occasion. I would like to thank my promoter, Lou DiBella and HBO for planning to have me on the card and for their efforts to secure a suitable opponent for me from the limited boxers available.”

While it would have been a special treat for the and Irish community to see Lee showcase his skills on the 17th, Lee feels that his time for a world title opportunity is now, and while he wanted to be part of what is expected to be a spectacular event at The Garden when Sergio Martinez defends his Middleweight Championship Crown against Ireland’s top-rated middleweight contender Matthew Macklin, he now has his sights set on pursuing the fight with Sturm. Sturm has a tentative date schedule in Germany for April 13th.

Fighters discussed included Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin; former title challenger Martin Murray; and George, who would have met Lee at a catch weight of 164 pounds.

“Due to the unavailability of a suitable world-ranked opponent, Team Lee have collectively decided it is in my best career interest to pass on a fight on this occasion,” Lee said. “I would like to thank my promoter, Lou DiBella, and HBO for planning to have me on the card and for their efforts to secure a suitable opponent for me from the limited boxers available.”

DiBella told ESPN.com that another reason Lee (27-1, 19 KOs) is off the show is because there is a possibility he could challenge 160-pound titlist Felix Sturm (36-2-2, 15 KOs) in Germany on April 13, although Sturm may wind up facing mandatory challenger and interim titlist Gennady Golovkin.

“Andy wanted a bigger fight,” DiBella said. “He didn’t want to put all his high rankings in the organizations at risk for a fight that wasn’t a big fight and, simultaneously, the possibility of Sturm also arose. He wants to pursue a bigger fight instead of a low-budget risk fight.”