Press Coverage

Newark, NJ (PRWEB) July 17, 2007 -- Live Professional Boxing will return to the renowned Robert Treat Hotel and Newark, NJ, the Renaissance City, on Thursday, July 19, 2007, after a very long hiatus. Lion Heart Boxing Productions, working in association with LaManna Sports, has teamed up to promote an episode of the Thursday Night Fights boxing series.

In a special feature bout, Knockout Artist Tyrone Brunson (18-0) will seek to break the record for consecutive first round knockouts by going for his 19 consecutive first round knockout against Brad Hill (6-6).

Tyrone "Young Gun" Brunson (18-0, 18 KO's) is the holder of the American record first round knockouts. With his fifteen win, on March 09, 2007, Brunson secured the United States of America and North American record for consecutive first round knockouts by eclipsing the record set by Young Otto (119-30) more than a hundred years earlier on October 6, 1905.

After bagging the American record, Brunson set his eyes on the world record. Three months later, on June 08, 2007, Brunson quietly made boxing history again with the amazing feat of securing eighteen first round knockouts in as many outings. With 18 consecutive first round knockouts, Brunson tied the world record for consecutive knockouts set by current WBA Super Featherweight Champion Edwin Valero of Venezuela on February 25, 2006. Brunson's eighteenth win and eighteenth first-round knockout, the win that gave him a share of the world record, came at the Sky City Casino in Auckland, New Zealand, when Brunson stopping veteran Jamie Waru with four seconds remaining in the opening stanza. Should Brunson win his fight on July 7, 2007 in the first round, he will be the first and only man to ever have scored 19 consecutive first round knockouts.

Newark's boxing establishment and fight machine will be coming out in full support of the renaissance of Boxing in the Renaissance City, and the undercard is a Who's Who of Newark Boxing. On the undercard will be Newark, New Jersey's own Heavyweight contender, Faruq Saleem (36-0, 32 KO's), as well as other top local fighters such as Archak Termeliksetian (16-5) v. TBA, 150 lbs, 6 rounds; Richard Pierson (4-1) v. TBA, 160 lbs, 6 rounds; Danny McDermott (4-0-1) v. TBA, 135 lbs, 6 rounds; Nicky DeMarco (2-0) v. TBA, 130 lbs, 4 rounds; Joshua Onyango (13-13) v. TBA, 154 lbs, 6 rounds; and Akima Stocks (2-0) v. TBA, 154 lbs, 4 rounds.

As part of this historic event, Lion Heart Boxing Productions and LaManna Sports, will be honoring an icon of the city of Newark, William "Bo" James, AKA the Fighting Fireman. Mr. James was an accomplished boxer who counts among his accomplishments fighting Bernard Hopkins, for Hopkins International Boxing Federation Middleweight World Title in a very competitive fight, being an IBF World rated contender and boxing against Randy Carver for the NABF Super Middleweight title. Mr. James professional record can be accessed on the Internet by logging onto the following website: http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=006091

Thursday Night Fights will be held at the Robert Treat's elegant Ballroom that seats up to 1,500 for Boxing and has produced some of NJ best talent's including Ray Mercer, Al Cole, Charles Murray, Shannon Briggs, and Arturo Gatti. The Robert Treat Hotel is recognized as the most storied venue in the recent history of New Jersey boxing, especially in the Eighties and Nineties.

Tickets are reasonably priced at $500.00 for VIP Table of eight; $60 for Ringside Seats and $40 for General Admission. Says Edward Mendy, Lion Boxing Production CEO, "We decided to keep the prices affordable to reach out to all of Newark, not just the boxing elite. Ticket sales have been brisk and a sold out crowd is expected. We have less than 500 tickets remaining for this historic event." Tickets can be purchased at the Robert Treat Hotel, or by visiting www.LionHeartBoxingProductions.com.

About Lion Heart Boxing Productions
Lion Heart Boxing Productions, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, through its operations and affiliates, is a global and integrated Boxing Promotions and Sports Entertainment Company, started in 2001 by New Orleans Tax Attorney and Boxing enthusiast Edward Mendy. The Company has quickly developed a reputation as a producer of high quality fights and is well respected for its fair treatment of fighters and commitment to fighters' rights. Lion Heart Boxing Productions is the promoter of the "Thursday Night Fights" series as well as the heavyweight series known as "A Night of the Heavies."

About the Robert Treat Hotel
The Robert Treat Hotel, a Newark landmark, has been a Newark staple since it was opened.

The Robert Treat Hotel was completed in 1916, in time for the arrival and stay of President Woodrow Wilson and Mrs. Wilson. They came to represent the national administration for the Newark Board of Trade annual dinner, as part of the 250th anniversary of the city of Newark. The Robert Treat Hotel remains an important relic of Newark's and New Jersey's history.

A world of elegance unfolds as you enter the gracious surroundings of the historic Robert Treat Hotel. Its majestic marble reception areas, glittering ballrooms and tastefully appointed guest rooms recall a time when luxury was the watchword and graciousness was evident in every detail. A Newark landmark for nearly 100 years, the Robert Treat Hotel has been a favorite throughout its history. It has played host to five presidents, numerous governors and many foreign dignitaries. Our staff takes pride in anticipating the needs of our guests, and meeting them with genuine willingness and hospitality. Whether it's cocktails on the Starlight Roof, or dinner and dancing in the Crystal Ballroom, the Robert Treat Hotel's understated elegance, coupled with exceptional service, will make your event successful and memorable.

While carefully restored to its early 1900s glory, the Robert Treat also sports the modern amenities and high technology expected of a contemporary hotel. With top-flight dining opportunities, superb catering facilities and gracious service, the Robert Treat is the perfect venue for weddings, social events, business meetings and corporate functions. It is also the perfect spot for dining before or after performances at NJPAC, just across the street. The Hotel features nightly live entertainment in Maize, our fine restaurant conveniently located on the lobby level.

The Robert Treat Hotel features 170 tastefully appointed guest rooms, plus three elegant luxury suites, all with individual climate control.

Area attractions include New York City and all it offers, Atlantic City, the Statue of Liberty, NJPAC, as well as many other local theaters, restaurants, museums and businesses.

The Ballroom seats over 1,500 for Boxing and is recognized as one of the most storied venue in New Jersey boxing.

June 29, 2006 Knockout king With a perfect record, Tyrone Brunson hopes to continue his streak in a televised fight July 1. By Bill Gelman Of Tyrone Brunson's 11 knockouts, his quickest has been 17 seconds. He is scheduled to appear in a bout on Showtime. There is a professional boxer from 27th and Dickinson streets who is on pace to set the record for first-round knockouts. Tyrone "Young Gun" Brunson, the Mid-American Middleweight champion with the perfect 11-0 record is the man with the golden gloves. All 11 of his victories have come via first-round knockouts. The quickest came in August, when he knocked out Terry Rork in 17 seconds. His longest fight was in November, going 2:15. Brunson said the early wins were something he expected. "I am not surprised about it because I can punch and if I hit anybody they're going to fall," the 21-year-old said. He can back that up; just look at his stats. Brunson is making such quick work of his opponents, he has trouble getting fighters to step into the ring. He is scheduled to appear on the July 1 Showtime boxing card in Michigan and, as of June 22, the search was still on for someone to go up against. "We usually find an opponent two to three days before a fight," Road Manager Paul Toole said, adding they had a boxer lined up June 22 who ended up backing out. No reason was given. June 26, Toole confirmed his prospect will be facing Chris Grays, 6-9, 2 KO's. The two will duke it out on ShoBox, which will be shown on the premium cable channel starting at 9 p.m. Brunson prepares for each opponent the same way, putting in 10 to 12 rounds a day in the gym. He works on the speed and heavy bags, along with some sparring. "In the gym, I prepare for the worst and hope for the best," Brunson, who is trained by J.R. Walker, said. When in Michigan, where eight of the 11 matches have taken place, the fighter trains in Detroit at the famous Kronk Gym. The Kronk Boxing Team has produced more than 30 world champions, including heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko, as well as Evander Holyfield and Lenox Lewis. BEING FROM PHILADELPHIA, Brunson would prefer to do his training and fighting closer to home. But, with his promoter based in Michigan, he does the majority of his work in the Midwest. "It's rough because I love Philly, but this is a business so I have to keep going with my career," he said. So far, Brunson's only Philadelphia fight took place April 22, 2005, against Kevin Carey at the Blue Horizon, where he won with a first-round technical knockout in 25 seconds. The up-and-comer said he hopes to fight in the city again by the end of this year or early next year. For now, Brunson, a former Ben Franklin High basketball player, continues to make a name for himself in Michigan. The July 1 bout will be his fourth of the year and he's rated in the top 100 of middleweights worldwide and 28th in the world by BoxRec.com. Brunson said he hopes to be in the top 20 by year's end. "I try to fight every month," he said. "The key is to stay busy." In terms of first-round knockouts, that is. Of his three fights this year, the longest was 70 seconds, as Brunson defeated Terry Johnson via a technical knockout in April. Brunson said he would like to win his first 20 fights by first-round knockouts. The pugilist said he doesn't mind the quick finishes. "It's a good thing because I get my rounds in the gym," he said. "It's not my fault if they go out in the first rounds." Brunson noted sometimes he knocks his opposition out using a flurry of punches, while other times it happens with just one. "I try to catch my opponent off guard," he said. "It doesn't really matter how I do it." Brunson noted he has a little extra motivation heading into his July 1 bout, as it is scheduled to be on television. Quick knockouts and onscreen appearances can be the foundation for a big future. "I will be champion," the confident fighter said. http://www.southphillyreview.com/