UBC Boxing News

Undefeated light heavyweight, Marcus Oliveira (23-0) extended his kayo streak and added another mark to is unblemished record Saturday night with a third round TKO against rugged veteran Antwun Echols (39-10.)
Although Echols clearly came to win and upset the crowd at the Menominee Casino and Resort, who were very vocal in support of their hometown boy, Oliveira took control of the fight early.  From the onset, Oliveira commanded the action with heavy blows and continued to pressure Echols throughout the three rounds.  Most of the exchanges were punctuated with a steady onslaught of right hands and effective body punching that left Echols without an answer for most of the fight.  After a brief knockdown at the beginning of round three, Oliveira sensed the end was near and stepped up his attack.  After a short series of successive attacks to the body and head, Echols turned away and the referee stopped the contest at the 2:01 mark of round number three.

The Underground Boxing Company hit a new milestone Wednesday night, December 14th with the launch of their inaugural promotions company.  The launch was made official at the Carriage Club in Kansas City, Missouri with an event that featured 6 amateur bouts followed by two professional contests to cap off the evening.  The event played host to Club members that totaled 450 attendees in all.  Those in the audience that night witnessed some highly-competitive matches made up from the top gyms in the area, including; Golds Gym, Haskell Boxing, Community Boxing, Davenport Boxing, the Greg-Klice Center and Authentic Boxing. The bouts produced some exciting action, two stoppages and spotlighted some tough competitors. 

Those six amateur bouts were followed by the professional debut of Jr. Middleweights, Romon Barber and Jose Brewr.  Brewr’s introduction to professional boxing was a shocker, who at 1:30 into the first round, left his rangy jab out just a little too long and Barber let a hard hook fly.  Barber's hook found its mark and sent Brewr down, struggling to get to his feet.  Brewr was able to find his legs and, although willing to fight on, the referee called the fight off. The final fight of the night pitted two rugged Super Bantamweights against each other when Ruben Calderon faced off with Brian Jones.  It was toe-to-toe action throughout, with both fighters exchanging consistently throughout the four rounds. Jones was down twice during the fight, but came back gamely each time still finding himself short on all three scorecards at the end.  All three judges scored a unanimous decision for Ruben Calderon.

It was an exceptional night of boxing and symbolic of a new beginning for the Underground Boxing Company to make their mark on this sport, one fight at a time. Respect for the game, treating fighters fairly and with a sense of decency has been our goal from day one.

We started as fighters because we had the desire.  We got into training because we saw the need for knowledge.  Then we began managing fighters because we wanted them to be able to wage their war in between the ropes and not have the fruits of their labors negotiated away across the desk.  Now, we've embarked on boxing promotions so that fighters can get what they're fighting for...respect, glory and exactly what they've earned, no less. 

On Sale Now - Details Magazine (December 2011) 

Pick up the latest issue of Details Magazine and find UBCs Brown Training Gloves highlighted amongst the editor's picks of the "30 Amazing Gifts You Should Be Wrapping (or Unwrapping) This Holiday Season."  The genuine leather gloves appear on page 107, in the Right Stuff section of the publication, alongside other highly-respected brands like Orvis, Trussardi and Iverson.  Each of the products spotlighted are constructed of luxurious leather, heavy-duty canvas, rustic wood or tout handmade precision.  This homage to throwback-quality products and old-school styling puts the UBC in prestigious company and shows, once again, that round after round, we're made to last.

For the second time, in a career that had previously been red hot, Melinda Cooper (21-2-0) dropped a majority decision to Ada Velez (20-3-3) in her hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada and in her bid to claim the IBF Super Bantamweight Title.

The fight took place Sunday afternoon as the featured main event on an action-packed card promoted by Sampson Boxing.  Although highly competitive throughout, Cooper seemed to be one step behind and one punch short of matching Velez' elusive style and effective counter punching attack.  At the conclusion of the ten round bout, Judge Richard Houck scored the fight even at 95-95, while the other two judges had Velez winning by more comfortable margins of 92-98 (Richard Ocasio) and 93-97 (Jerry Roth). 

Following a second straight loss, the once unbeaten prospect, Cooper is left to evaluate the future of her career and her place in women's boxing. With an outstanding amateur record and early success in the professional ranks behind her, including winning the WIBA Lightweight Title, it's hard to make a case for her retirement.  Still, with two back-to-back loses in 2011, some might question if her better days are behind her?  If so, props are still in order for a fantastic female fighter and even better representative of the sport...both in and out of the ring. 

  

The UBC officially welcomed two new team members in Silver Nugget properties and Genesis Today, as future sponsors for Team Cooper.  The Lucky Club Hotel & Casino, Opera House Casino and Silver Nugget Casino provides some of the hardest-hitting gaming in Las Vegas and Genesis Today provides the healthiest, most nutrient-rich superfoods from around the world.  The partnership brings together some of the best fun and entertainment Vegas has to offer, along with 100% natural juice supplements and THE future superstar in women's boxing.  Now that's a winning combination! 

 

Fighting for the second time since signing with legendary fight promoter Don King, Marcus Oliveira pushed his career record to 22-0 by stopping tough competitor, Chris Eppley (10-2) at 1:16 of the fourth round Saturday night.  The bout took place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, where the sold out arena (comprised of more than 5,000 boxing fans) watched Oliveira chop his opponent down like a tall oak tree. 

Eppley came out swinging hard from the opening bell and tried repeatedly throughout the bout to land that combination he hoped would swing the round in his favor.  Oliveira remained patient though, picked off punches masterfully and mounted an attack of his own to end the round on top.  In between the bursts of action from Eppley, Oliveira landed sharp, accurate punches that slowly began to wear his opponent down.  After having him hurt in the final ten seconds of the second round and leaving Eppley with little more hope than swinging desperation shots periodically, Oliveira methodically stepped up his attack to the head and body of Eppley for the two subsequent rounds that left the opposing corner few choices than to either throw in the towel or watch their fighter wilt under the pressure.  They chose to wave the towel as referee Telis Assimenios stopped the bout and declared Marcus Oliveira "still undefeated" and ready to take on the next challenger.

 

In somewhat of an upset, Melinda Cooper (21-1-0) dropped a split decision to Ada Velez (19-3-3) in what was a close, but fairly uneventful fight.  Cooper unquestionably pressed the action and forced the few exchanges, while Valez was content to move and punch in bursts during the 10 round bout. Neither of the two fighters landed many meaningful power punches or took clear control of the fight and it remained even throughout.  From the first round to the final bell, the encounter looked more like a sparring session.  This bout marks the end of Coopers’ undefeated streak, that started with her professional debut in March of 2002 and Ada Velez returns home with the vacant IBF Super Bantamweight Title. 

In what proved to be a tougher fight than expected, Marcus Oliveira was still able to push his record to 21-0-1 with a unanimous decision victory over former WBO World Champion, Demetrius Jenkins Saturday night.

From the opening bell, the two fighters seemed intent on landing big shots and both were clearly looking for the knockout blow. This strategy slowed the pace of the fight down and resulted in only flurries of action, with sporadic back and forth exchanges throughout. Oliveira was able to successfully avoid Jenkins powerful right hand, while consistently maintaining control of his opponent and the fight. Oliveira landed the harder, cleaner and more damaging blows, which gave him the six round bout on all scorecards.

Approximately 5,000 fans came out to the SilverDome in Pontiac, Michigan to watch the night of fights. The contest between Oliveira and Jenkins took place right before the HBO telecast of the SuperFight unification bout between Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander. The SilverDome is located just outside of the city of Detroit, home of the legendary Kronk Gym, Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns and Emmanuel Steward. Both were in attendance.

 

The Native American Boxing Council recently announced that rising contender, Marcus Oliveira (20-0-1) has been crowned as the NABC Light Heavyweight Champion. Based on his activity in recent months, notable wins over highly ranked fighters and his undefeated status in the division , as well as a vacancy in the NABC's Light Heavyweight Division, Oliveira is now officially recognized as the organization's title holder. Oliveira is also currently ranked number one in the world by the NABO and fifth by the NABF, which places him in the upper echelon of the Light Heavyweight Division's reigning world champions.

Oliveira, a member of the Menominee Tribe, is still quick to add that this acknowledgment by the Native American Boxing Council still has special meaning. "I plan on getting one of these from all of the major sanctioning bodies, but the NABC is my first and will always be a significant part of my progression and persona as a fighter."

The Native American Boxing Council (NABC) was created to enhance the sport, in both the professional and amateur ranks, for all Native American Fighters across the nation. This distinctive boxing organization ranks the top ten professional Native American Fighters in each of the seventeen weight classes, with the goal of establishing one champion in each division.

 

No sooner had he dusted of his boxing gloves to end a year long layoff, than light heavyweight prospect Marcus Oliveira (20-0-1, 16 KO's) found his arms raised in victory at 2:16 of the very first round of a bout against "Jammin" James Morrow.  After stalking his opponent for nearly two minutes, Oliveira landed a perfect overhand right that dropped Morrow on the seat of his trunks.  Following a brief count, Oliveira jumped right back on top of his foe landing a blistering combination to the body and head that caused the referee to call the fight.  Oliveira, who has been out of the ring since June of 2009 with a foot injury, seems to have lost none of his hand speed, was not bothered at all by the previous injury and, most obviously, has retained all of his punching power.  Beating an opponent the caliber of James Morrow won't have any of the other top ten heavyweights shaking in their boots, but definitely lets them know that he's officially "back in the hunt."