Maurice Weber, 32, is looking to break through in the light middleweight division. The Sturm Box-Promotion fighter, who is coming off a dominating first round knockout over Aliaksandr Abramenka on July 6 in Dortmund, Germany, targets the “highest ranked fighters in my class”. “I made a promise once that I would be Felix’ first world champion and I’m still eager to fulfill said promise”, Weber said.

Weber recovered from a serious hand injury and a three-year layoff when he staged his comeback on the undercard of his close friend Felix Sturm in December 2011. Since then he has won six in a row. But now, he is looking to go toe-to-toe with better ompetition. “I want to fight highly ranked guys. I want to recommend myself for a world title bout and I’m willing to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime to prove myself. I’m 32 years old and I believe I’m ready for the world stage.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to sound arrogant or boisterous”, he clarified. “I just have a goal and I’m willing to do anything to reach it.” Weber currently stands at 18-1-1 and is the former German Light Middleweight Champion. World-class coach Magomed Schaburow trains him at the Sturm-Boxing Gym in Cologne, Germany. “The premises are perfect. We have a great team, great fighting talent and watching Felix train is incredible motivating. He comes to the gym acting like someone who hasn’t won anything. He has the urge to get back to the top. That is inspiring. I’m thankful beyond belief that he supported me throughout the hard times I had and gave me a shot to come back”, Weber praised.

“Konni Konrad just had a great fight and captured the WBA International title, Susi Kentikian became World Champion again and Felix is in position to challenge Daniel Geale or Darren Barker next, whomever wins in their bout. A rematch between Felix and Geale would be exciting. It would be a great night and I’m sure Felix would become a four-time champ. It would be amazing for me to beat a strong opponent that night”, he said.

Weber is already a hero in his homeland of Tunisia: “I was born in Germany and I live in Germany but my family hails from Tunisia. So I have two countries in my heart. And the recognition I get in Tunisia is amazing. Whenever I’m there, the fans want pictures and autographs and the media, TV or print, wants to interview me. This is great; it’s fun for me.

And more and more people start recognizing me in Germany. I’m thankful for this and for all my fans.”

But Weber knows that it takes a lot to become a world champion, especially in a talent filled class like the light middleweight division. “Like I said, I don’t want to be cocky. But I believe in myself and I’m sure I can make it. I just need a chance to prove myself and I know I will get that chance”, he said. Until then, Weber promises to train as hard as he can and live the life of a true professional. “Sure, I’ll go on a short vacation before resuming training. But I will stay in shape nevertheless.”

His plans for the foreseeable future? Weber: “If you look through the history of our sport, everyone had a coming-out-party. For example, Felix when he fought Oscar de la Hoya in Las Vegas. It made him a household name. My dream is to get and to use such an opportunity. Because one thing is for certain: it would get me in jabbing distance of a world title shot.”

ORANGE, Calif. (July 23, 2013) - As Artemio Reyes readies for his Friday fight with the veteran Sergio Perez, he will do so with a lot on his mind and even more on his plate. Reyes, a welterweight out of California's Inland Empire, is a triple-threat boxer in the non-conventional sense.

"I am a full-time boxer with Thompson Boxing Promotions, full-time business student at CSU San Bernardino and the manager at my family's Mexican restaurant El Taquito in Colton," said Reyes, who has knocked out his opponent in the second round in three out of his last four fights. "People ask all the time how I manage all three responsibilities. I don't know what to tell them, I just do. I don't really go out. I just handle my business."

On Friday, Reyes (19-2, 15 KOs) will be looking to add to his win total when he headlines Thompson Boxing Promotion's "Locked 'n Loaded" boxing series against Sergio Perez (28-14, 19 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico at the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario, CA. The bout is scheduled for 8-rounds.

To those who know Reyes, the loaded schedule is simply business as usual. "I was put to work early," Reyes said. "My parents took me to work with them when I was six or seven years old.   At an early age, I learned the value of hard work and dedication." 

Reyes' life would change considerably in 2008, when his father was involved in a car accident that left him in a coma for four years. "My mother and I were his unofficial registered nurses," Reyes said. "The doctors said he'd probably hold on for about a year, but he kept fighting for four. It wasn't until April 2012 when he passed away. Everything I do is for him. It's all in his memory. He was the hardest working person I ever knew."

Reyes, 26, knows his father would be proud of what he has accomplished in a short amount of time. He is scheduled to graduate with a degree in accounting by the fall of 2014 and is on the cusp of his twentieth professional victory.

"I definitely take after my parents," said Reyes, who first discovered his passion for accounting by taking an entry-level accounting course at Riverside Community College. "They were great role models growing up. They always stressed the importance of school and education."

"I know my boxing career will one day come to an end so I want to make sure I'm taken care of once I hang up my gloves," Reyes said. "It's strange how things work. I didn't even know I liked accounting until I enrolled in the course. I got an A in the class and then researched how much accountants make and I was sold."

In the intriguing co-feature, junior flyweights Sindy Amador, (10-0, 1 KO) of Riverside, Calif. and Jolene Blackshear (7-3, 3 KOs) of San Diego will battle for the vacant interim WIBA Jr. Flyweight world title in an 8-round fight. It is the first championship fight for Thompson Boxing Promotions at the DoubleTree Hotel.

Tickets priced $100, $60 and $40 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (714) 935-0900.  For more information please visit www.thompsonboxing.com .

The undercard features Colombian middleweight prospect Alex Theran (13-0, 8 KOs) putting his unbeaten record on the line in a 6-round bout against Juan Carlos Rojas (5-5, 4 KOs) of Mexico. Undefeated super bantamweight Jorge Ruiz (2-0, 1 KO) of San Diego will take on Alex Reyes (0-2) of Houston in a 4-round fight, while middleweights Ralph Lopez (6-1, 5 KOs) of Riverside, Calif. and German Valdez (2-1, 1 KO) of Mexico open the show in a 4-round fight.

Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the first bell rings at 7:45 pm. The DoubleTree Hotel is located at 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91764 and can be reached at (909) 937-0900.

"Locked 'n Loaded" is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Lucas Oil and Everlast, in association with Time Warner Cable Deportes.

Billy Morgan Cut Up Over Wembley Win

Canning Town's lightweight boxing star, Billy Morgan was badly cut from an accidental clash of heads in the second round against Oldham's Ashley Mayal at Wembley Arena on Saturday.

The 24 year old East Ender won a technical decision after being 30-27 ahead on the scorecards when the fight was stopped continuing an impressive stat of winning every professional boxing round boxed so far.

The cut required over 20 stitches from medical staff and could set the prospect back in his march towards a title shot that had been planned for later this year.

A deflated Morgan commented on the conclusion of the fight "I was shocked and very emotional when the doctor stopped the fight. Many times I’ve seen fighters stopped due to bad cuts and I have always thought I'd hate to end a fight in those circumstances. But that’s boxing and I got the win which was important.”

Trainer Mark Tibbs describes what he saw from the corner “It was a real shame for Billy as I feel he was just finding his own range with the rangy opponent, he come back to sit down after the first round, he had a small nick under his left eye, goes out for the second and Bill clipped him with a lovely left hook lead and started to back him up. As he started to apply the pressure there was a clash of heads and an awful gash appeared over Bill’s left eye.”

The doctor at ringside immediately warned Morgan and his team that there will be no action for eight weeks but cuts like this can be a terrible plight to a boxer’s career so time has to be given to allow the healing process to complete.

Trainer Mark Tibbs further commented “I'd say it will be at least three months out of action. It's very unfortunate but it is what it is and I know if Bill has the right mind-set and plays his cards right by ticking over in the gym and being around the right people then he will grow from this experience. On Saturday he looked so much stronger and confident.”

Billy at just 24 still has time on his hands and is staying positive “I’m told I’ll be out for a while which I’m gutted about but I will stay active in the gym, keep growing and learning; this will make me a better fighter for sure."

In the main event at Wembley Arena, Dereck Chisora controversially stopped American Malik Scott in six rounds as he was bizarrely counted out. The previously unbeaten 32 year old from Philadelphia did not complain about the decision like his corner did and was gracious in defeat.

TKO Gym's Billy Joe Saunders triumphed over WBO champion Gary O'Sullivan taking his title and handing the Celtic Rebel his first loss in the pro ranks.

Wise Guy Buglioni was taken past 8 rounds for the first time in his career by tough last minute opponent Kirill Psonko. The 27 year old Lithuanian was a game challenger and caught the unbeaten 24 year old from Enfield with some good shots. However, Buglioni took the points decision 79-74 and remains unbeaten with an impressive 66% KO ratio.

Chingford’s Tom Baker stopped his opponent Dean Walker midway through the second after Walker was forced to take a knee after a big shot from Baker. This was the 21 year olds first KO of his career and his fifth straight win.

In a super featherweight contest, Islington’s Joey Taylor defeated difficult Pavel Senkovs with the 25 year old prospect coming through as eventual points winner 40-37.

Bradley Super Skeete once again brought a big following along to witness yet another win taking his tally to 12 fights unbeaten. The BBBofC Southern Area Welterweight champion was busier throughout by throwing lots of shots and using his rangy jab to control the fight. After 6 solid rounds from Skeete he came out as clear winner on points 60-54.

In a 4x2 minute rounds cruiserweight contest Steve Collins Jnr, the son of legendary middleweight Steve Collins, took on Paul Morris. Starting off like a freight train and throwing lots of shots at Morris, the muscle-bound Celtic warrior came through as points winner.

Dimitry Chudinov and Patrick Mendy had to share the honours in a draw in an 8 round contest at middleweight.