News 2007
November 23rd, 2007 Oliveira Has Final Word
From the opening bell, Light Heavyweight sensation Marcus Oliveira (12-0-9 KOs) was determined to make sure that this rematch had little resemblance to his previous ring encounter with Mike Word. The two met the first time in February of this year in a fight that ended with a split decision that Word hotly disputed and Oliveira candidly admits was not his best performance. Tonight in the same ring, in the same venue, in the same city, the results were quite different.
Returning to the site of their original encounter, the Ramada Inn in Topeka, Kansas, both fighters met center ring where it was immediately obvious that the fans were about to see something special and, unlike the last time...decisive. What Word was able to accomplish was to once again extend Oliveira the full distance. What he wasn't able to do was mount much of a counter attack.
Although both fighters worked in effective bursts of action, Oliveira's punches landed flush and with more authority throughout the fight. Powerful combinations snapped his challengers head back and several body shots stopped Word in his tracks...but never for long. The always tough Word continued to march forward throughout, even through Oliveira's onslaught. Word was able to catch up with Oliveira on occasion, especially in the last round, where Oliveira seemed to tire, but it was too little too late on all of the judges score cards...with Oliveira winning an unanimous decision over six rounds.
Next, Oliveira will return to the Voodoo Lounge at Harrah's Casino-North Kansas City in January where he will face his toughest test yet. The opponent will be announced soon, but you can guarantee that Oliveira will be ready to prove once again, why he is the most exciting fighter in the Midwest and most promising light heavyweight prospect in the country.
November 11th, 2007 Ellul Heats it Up in the Arizona Dessert
Popular Las Vegas-based Jr Welterweight prospect, Ryan Ellul packed his gloves and traveled to Kingman, Arizona where he waged an exciting 6 round battle against Colorado's Geoffery Spurill. Although Ellul dropped him twice in the opening round Spurill found a way to make it last the full six, although losing by a wide margin on all three judges scorecards.
The fight was held at the Academy Ballroom in Kingman and will be broadcast on tape delay by In-Demand PPV in January of 2008.
September 29th, 2007 KC Harrah's Crowd Loves Oliveira's Onslaught
From the opening bell, Light Heavyweight sensation Marcus Oliveira (11-0-9 KOs) unleashed a vicious body attack en route to a third round stoppage over Matt Gockel at the 2:23 minute mark of their scheduled six round fight.
The bout resembled an eight minute display of fireworks, complete with nonstop combinations of thunderous body shots, the blinding lights of photographers flash bulbs and a consistent stream of oohs and aahs from the capacity crowd as Oliveira pummeled Gockel from cornerpost to cornerpost.
Gockel, although game and tough, was never able to mount any sort of offensive attack. He went down from the onslaught of body shots once in the second round and again two more times in the third before referee, Frank Aguilar mercifully called a halt to the bout.
Harrah's Casino in North Kansas City hosted the sellout event where Oliveira added to his unblemished record and upped his rising stock in the light heavyweight division.
June 30th, 2007 Oliveira Outstanding in Victory!
Even though the was entering into the fight against a guy who has earned a reputation for being crafty and clever, Marcus Oliveira added to his winning record (10-0-0 with 8 KOs) by stopping an experienced boxing icon in Buck Smith (178-18-2 with 118 KOs...and yes, you're reading his record right) in round two of their Saturday night fight.
From the sound of the opening bell, Oliveira started right to work behind a strong jab and an viscous body attack, that forced Smith to resort to holding on and looking for a way to survive. Oliveira quickly found a home for his jab and a right hand to the body that seemed to take the heart and soul from his game opponent. After only a minute into the fight it became obvious that, this time, Smith was in over his head.
Oliveira mixed it up well to the body and head throughout the first three minutes of round one and picked up right where he left off in the second, applying constant pressure to the head and body of Smith. Although Smith tied to retaliate, Oliveira seemed to have an answer and counter for every move Smith made and the veteran, with only 18 loses in his 178 professional wins, decided that Oliveira was more than he could handle. With less than a minute remaining in the second round, Smith took a knee...from what appeared to be the accumulation of solid body shots. And there he remained as referee, Frank Aguilar counted him out to put an end to the beating.
Topeka, Kansas fans turned out to see a young prospect, Marcus Oliveira tested against a proven boxing veteran, but instead were treated to a display of youth, power, speed and boxing skill that will be tough for anyone in the light heavyweight division to contend with. Oliveira seems to be improving each time he steps between the ropes and continues to provide surprising results in fights that should be testing his endurance and skill. Instead his last two "tests" have proven to be his best performances.
Oliveira is building momentum with his undefeated winning streak and is determined to make a clear statement to those who are watching. The fans, future opponents and critics, who are now starting to take notice, are finally realizing that they may be...just may be seeing the start of something big!
June 16th, 2007 UBC Has Strong Showing at Amateur Event
Three debuting amateur fighters made their way into the spotlight this past Saturday night by winning their first bouts under the UBC banner. Patrick Thompson, Adam Rayne and Frank Moll all walked away from the Trenton, Missouri show with shiny new 1-0 records and their first taste of amateur boxing at its best. Joining them in victory were established team members, Ben Jongerius, winning what was only his second amateur fight and Spencer Ward, who put on an excellent boxing display in his victory over local Trenton fighter David Miller.
In all, the Underground Boxing Company took five fighters to the event and walked away with five victories. More importantly, the five fighters put together a solid overall performance and demonstrated the foundation of good boxing principles. They proved that they have what it takes to win and showed that working together as a team pays off for the individual.
May 11th, 2007 Stunning KOs for Oliveira and Ellul
In their debut appearance at the Clearwater Casino and resort in Lewiston, Idaho, Underground Boxing Company stable mates Marcus Oliveira and Ryan Ellul turned in dominating performances in back to back victories Friday night.
Ellul came out from the opening bell landing a series of powerful and precise left jabs. His tough opponent, John Red Tomahawk fought back aggressively and mounted a respectable counter-attack, but Ellul's punches proved to be more accurate and consistent. Although Tomahawk was able to back Ellul up a couple of times during the round, Ellul's long range punching took control of the fight and began to wear his opposition down as the round came to a close. The second round started much the same until Ellul landed a big overhand right at 25 seconds into it that rocked Tomahawk back on put him on the defensive. Ellul wasted no time closing the gap, and threw more than a thirty punches, in a barrage that sent Tomahawk to his knees. Battered and bloody, Tomahawk knelt on the canvas, shaking his head and was counted out by the referee to end an exciting two rounds of action that kicked off a spectacular night of boxing.
Taking a page from Ellul's formula for success, Marcus Oliveira met an experienced veteran in Rockin' Rodney Moore in the center of the ring with a dominating jab that found a home early on and often. Moore had trouble finding Oliveira, who demonstrated nice footwork and sharp counter-punches to control the first round.
Moore was then able to make some adjustments and began to match Oliveira's jab and the two engaged in some heated exchanges for most of the second round...that is, until Oliveira landed a smashing right hand to Moore's head. Moore hit the deck with only 10 seconds left in the round, but quickly jumped back to his feet where he received a standing eight count and the mercy of the sound of the bell ending the second round. The right hand opened a cut over the right eye of Moore that Oliveira began to go to work on as soon as the third round began. After trading a few more jabs, Oliveira once again landed a right hand and followed up with a two-fisted attack that dropped Moore just 50 seconds into the round. Moore was able to beat the count, but dabbed at a bloodied nose and wounded eye before turning his back on the referee. That signaled the end as the referee waved off the fight, giving Oliveira his most impressive win to date.
Both fighters turned in their most complete and polished performances with a demonstration of poise and professionalism that will help them define their place in the sport. With this effort they have taken another step in carving out a spot for themselves in the sport and securing a place in the hearts of boxing fans.
April 13th, 2007 Back-To-Back Wins for Two Promising UBC Fighters
In what was a busy weekend of boxing for the UBC fighters, Marcus Oliveira added another "W" in the win column with a dominating performance over opponent Leo Pla on Friday the 13th in Topeka, Kansas. Although tough and willing to engage, Pla really had no answer for Oliveira's hand speed and combination punching. In his eighth victory as a professional, Oliveira won every round on every judges score card.
On a separate card, Saturday the 14th, up-and-coming Jr. Welterweight prospect Ryan Elull put on an impressive four round display of technique and skill to produce his second win. Working behind a stiff left jab and quick combinations, Ellul had Portfirio Urbina hurt on several occasions and looked close to taking his opponent out. However, Urbina proved to be tough and determined as he hung on and tried to turn things around all the way to the closing bell. Ellul also won every round on every judges scorecard in front of packed house at the Harrah's River Bend Casino in Mayetta, Kansas.
February 3rd, 2007 Oliveira Proves He Can Go the Distance
Just as predicted, tough and durable veteran Mike Word was able to extend Marcus Oliveira the distance for the first time in his career...but Oliveira still pulled out an impressive decision victory.
After a fairly uneventful first round, Oliveira came out strong in the second and landed some huge shots on Word. And even though Word stumbled on several occasions, he was able to take Oliveira's best and even retaliated as the round came to a close. The third and fourth rounds were fought mostly on the inside with both men landing well to the body, but Oliveira was able to land the more meaningful, clean punches to the head. Ultimately that proved enough to win him all four rounds on one of the judges scorecards and guided him to his first decision win as a professional.
Although Word was able to put an end to Oliveira's six fight knockout streak, the undefeated light heavyweight held his ground, kept his unblemished record in tact and proved why he is one of the most exciting young prospects out there.
January 25th, 2007 Cooper Gives Opponent No "Hope" of Winning
In a stunning performance, it took Melinda Cooper just one round to convince Delia Hoppe that there was no need to come out for the second round. As the first round came to a close, Cooper slipped a jab from Hoppe and nailed her with a devastating counter right cross that deposited her opponent on the seat of her pants. Hoppe was able to regain her feet and finished the round, but made her way back to her corner on unsteady legs. There she remained as she quit on her stool and referee Robert Byrd waved the fight, bringing Cooper's record to 18-0 with 10KOs. Hoppe had never been stopped before.
On the same Top Rank card, welterweight Ryan Ellul won his professional debut with a hard fought, but decisive victory over previously unbeaten Martin Vierra. After a fairly close first round, Ellul began to establish a vicious body attack behind a strong jab that quickly took its toll on Vierra and swung the momentum in Ellul's favor. As the rounds progressed Ellul's dominance became more and more apparent and ended with the UBC's hot new prospect handing Vierra his first professional lose by unanimous decision. Vierra's record drops to 2-1.