Move over J Russell Peltz who was doing
boxing promotions before young 22 year old Brittany Rogers was born.
As an intern to the Hall of Fame Promoter this year Rogers will
promote her first show this Friday at the National Guard Armory in
the Greater North East in Philadelphia! Her BAM Boxing Promotions,
Inc. is having 8 bouts scheduled with some of the area’s top young
talent.
Rogers being the youngest female
promoter in boxing figured she might as well get the best name in
boxing history to headline her first show so she chose Ray Robinson.
Okay, it’s not the great “Sugar” Ray Robinson but it is
Philly’s own “The New” Ray Robinson headlining against
Lancaster’s Manuel Guzman who will play the “spoiler”.
Robinson won his first 11 fights after
leaving Northern Michigan University under Philly coach Al Mitchell.
Upon his return he signed with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing out of
NY. He was re-joined with his long time trainer Moses Robinson at
the Front Street Gym in North Philly. He would make his debut in
December of 2006 defeating another boxer making his debut in Nigel
McKnight at the Paradise Theater, in the Bronx, NY. He only weighed
138 on a tall 5:10 frame.
In Robinson’s eighth fight he finally
came back home to Philly at the same National Guard Armory and
defeated Jason Jordan in what would be Robinson’s last 4 rounder.
Don’t be fooled by Guzman’s, 7-12-2 (3), record. He has fought
10 unbeaten opponents and 2 making their debut. He defeated then
10-0 Tommy Rainone, drew with then 4-0-1, Jamar Freeman and knocked
out Philly’s Ardrick Butler, then 5-1, in 2010.
In 2009 Robinson stopped Darnell Jiles,
Jr., 8-0-1, whose draw was with another Philly boxer Hank Lundy. In
July another 6 round win over veteran Harrison Cuello, 18-10-3
followed. He would end the year up against unbeaten Brad Solomon,
8-0, the now No. 1 WBA welterweight contender. It would be the first
defeat for Robinson in losing a disputed majority decision over 8
rounds in Manhattan, NY.
Normally after a loss especially your
first the next opponent is one to get you back into the win column.
Unfortunately that was not the case for Robinson when he was matched
in July of 2010 with Shawn Porter, 15-0. He won the World GG
championship in 2007 and ended his amateur career 276-14. The bout
took place in Southaven, MS, and Robinson went from his first 8
rounder to his first 10 rounder that fast losing to Porter. Robinson
hit the canvas in the sixth round that didn’t help his cause.
Porter is now the No. 3 WBO welterweight and current NABF champion.
“We’ve moved to the Joe Hand Gym
since I train Amir Mansour there,” said Moses Robinson. That’s
the unbeaten heavyweight who could pass for “Marvelous” Marvin
Hagler and what a puncher! “Ray has been working with Bernard
Hopkins on speed for his upcoming title defense,” said Moses
Robinson.
Rogers undercard has some of the top
prospects in the country. Philly’s Julian Williams, 7-0-1 (4),
will be making his second appearance in his home city since turning
pro in May of 2010. He’s had 4 bouts in CA, and one each in OK,
MS, and MI. His lone draw was against Francisco Santana, 12-2
earlier this year. I’ve witnessed his gym wars with Mike “MJ”
Jones. He will be taking on Ecuador’s Eberto Medina, 5-6-1 (1), of
Newark, NJ, who drew with Philly’s Jamal Davis, 12-8, in his last
fight in July. His only appearance in Philly was at the Blue Horizon
losing a majority decision to the late William Boggs who ended up
3-0. He also lost a 6 rounder to Robinson. This is a scheduled 6 in
the 154 division.
Two unbeaten boxers will be in another
6 rounder in the welterweight division in Decarlo “3Mendo” Perez,
5-0 (2), of Atlantic City, who won his last fight at the Arena 3
weeks ago. His opponent will be State College’s Grayson Blake 3-0
(1), winning in Harrisburg, Reading and Bethlehem.
In the other 6 rounder Philly’s
Charles Hayward, 7-2 (3), brings his 6 bout win streak into this
light heavyweight match against George “Rooster” Armenta, 13-7
(11), of Silver Springs, MD. Early in his career he lost a majority
decision to future 154 champ Yuri Foreman. He’s also defeated
Irving Garcia, 9-1 and stopped 2000 Olympian Dante Craig 9-3.
In addition there will be 4 bouts
scheduled for 4 rounds. Philly’s Troy “Chase Checkmate”
Corbin, 5-0 (4), will be making his home debut after 4 fights in AZ
and one in Las Vegas, where he now resides. His opponent in the
welter division is Mexico’s Alexander Blanco, 1-0 (0), who won his
debut the beginning of the month in Mexico.
In a rematch will be Bristol, PA,
welter Chris Plebani, 1-2 (0), against David Navarro, 0-4. Their
bout in Bethlehem in July could have been called a draw. That’s
how competitive it was. Philly’s Todd Unthankmay, and Pottstown,
PA, light heavy Ronnie Lawrence will be pitted in their debuts.
Camden’s Korey Pritchett is to make his debut in the light welter
division against Korey Sloane 1-1 (0).
The National Guard Armory is at 2700
Southampton Road, off the Roosevelt Blvd. (Rt. 1). First bout will
be at 7:30PM and if she’s anything like Peltz it will start on
time. Rogers was nice enough to answer some questions.
KEN HISSNER: I have seen you when you
interned at the legendary Blue Horizon where promoter Vernoca Michael
and recent PA HOF inductee Don Elbaum served as matchmaker. Now you
are working for Russell Peltz. Of course we all know Maureen Sacks
runs everything but the matchmaking. At least that is what Russell
says. Don’t you agree?
BRITTANY ROGERS: Maureen is just as
much of an influence on me as Russell. If I have questions about
matchmaking I turn to Russell, but if there’s questions about
anything else I turn to Maureen. She’s great!
KH: How does a 22 year old Temple
student put on a boxing show? I was close to 40 when I did my first
and lost my voice I was so nervous. I wish that was the only thing I
lost that night.
BR: Under pressure, I guess? I have
support from the best duo in the business (Russell & Maureen) as
well as support from my family and friends. I learned in my senior
year of college, if you need help –ask. So if I feel like I have
too much going on I always have someone willing to help!
KH: I understand your father Mike
wasn’t too thrilled when you said you wanted to become a boxer. It
was his and your mother’s fault for having the lone daughter being
so beautiful. Tell us what he said.
BR: He didn’t feel like the ring was
a spot for his little girl – I am a daddy’s girl (which most
people have noticed) and I respected his decision, just as he did
mine when I found a new angle to be involved.
KH: Your father boxed amateur under 3
of the best known trainers at the time in John Mulvenna, Mickey
Grandenetti and Jack Costello. Was this a big influence on you
getting interested in boxing?
BR: Growing up I never knew my dad
boxed – I never knew much about the sport other then watching the
major PPV’s. As a young teen I began to pry at his past and
figured it out and it spun from there I guess. He set up a heavy bag
and speed bag in the basement when I was about 13 and ever since then
I think that’s where I spent most of my free time at home.
KH: I understand your father brought
you to Frank Kuback’s Front Street Gym where trainer Sonny McCord
took you under his wing. He was taught by one of the best in Wesley
Mouzon. Sonny is one of the nicest guys in the business in my
opinion. How old were you and how did McCord effect your life?
BR: 19 years old when I had my first
serious conversation with Sonny – about books. He has been such a
huge influence on me ever since I met him, even for the short amount
of time before he trained me. Everyone in the gym looked up to Sonny
and enjoyed his company – even to this day when I walk in I take a
look over at his chair and miss seeing him there. We are still in
touch though and I wouldn’t have it any other way. There are four
men in my life who have had strong influences in my life (other then
my brothers) they are, my father, my grandfather (Mr. Sam), Sonny,
and of course – Russell.
KH: Don’t you wish the Blue Horizon
around today so that you could make your debut there? I believe
Russell started there in 1969 when he was 13. No, that was his first
time there at 13. Anyway I guess I should say if you could afford
the rent there would you?
BR: In a heartbeat – it’s the most
historic place in boxing, that was always a dream of mine – I am
still lucky enough to know that’s where I got my start.
KH: What are you majoring in at Temple
University where you will be finishing up end of the year I am told?
BR: Sports and Recreation Management,
and I will be done in December – walking in January.
KH: I understand a friend named
Anthony Boyle introduced you to Peltz. He was possibly the best
interview I have ever done if not the funniest. How did that
introduction go?
BR: Honestly – it just kind of
happened. We were at the Briscoe awards in 2010 and I was there with
my father and Anthony and I was telling Anthony that I had to meet
Russell Peltz, and he made it happen.
KH: You are following in the footsteps
of probably the greatest female promoter in IBHOF inductee in 2002
Aileen Eaton. The most famous in our area is Diane Fischer of Dee
Lee Promotions. She started in 1997 and is one of the nicest people
in the business. Do you feel you are going to have to be tough in
this business and no free passes to friends?
BR: I don’t think you have to be
tough in this business – you need to be tough in any business.
KH: I want to thank you for taking the
time and wish you best of success Friday and the future. Anything
you want to shout out to the boxing fans?
BR: Come to the fights-make it a night
out, bring a date, family, or a friend. There’s no other
experience like the Philly fight scene.
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