This Saturday night, Bellonora McCallum’s World of Champions holds its first boxing card of the new year with eight bouts highlighted by New York product Mark “The Hebrew Hammer” Weinman as well as a number of others others hoping to keep their unblemished records intact.
Fight Night will take place at the 14,000-square-foot Amos’ Southend in Charlotte, a stone’s throw from Bank of America Stadium at 1423 South Tryon Street. It will be the first time Amos’ Southend has hosted a boxing event, a venue that is better known for concerts. McCallum, a relative newcomer to the boxing scene, has promoted four other cards in the Charlotte area, the last one on October 27 at the Music Factory.
Weinman is an interesting story. He won his last fight against Elvis Luciano Martinez by TKO at 0:39 in the second of a four round bout in Tampa, FL. While in itself that is not earth shattering news except it was his first fight since September 20 in 1991.
The now 50-year old from Whitestone, Queens had a brilliant start to his professional career winning 11 straight boxing in such places as the Felt Forum in Madison Square Garden and the main Garden itself plus Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The latter is where he suffered his first defeat against then unbeaten Warren Williams. Weinman would lose his next two and quit the Sweet Science.
“I needed a little redemption,” he said after the fight. “I didn’t like the way my career ended. I started out 11-0 as a pro with nine knockouts, but things didn’t go well after that. I wanted to try it again.”
Even after a 21 year layoff and at an age where others might be thinking about spending time with the grandkids or training other boxers, one victory has propelled Weinman to No. 116 in the United States rankings as a light middleweight.
Two unbeaten North Carolinians, Winston-Salem native Noel Echeverria (6-0) and Lee Campbell (4-0) from Laurinburg along with Puerto Rican Keith “Machine Gun” Tapia (6-0) and Bobby Hornsby (2-0) from Georgia will be looking to pad their records.
Doors open at Amos’ Southend at 6:30 p.m. with the action starting at 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $25.00 for General Admission, Ringside is $45.00 and VIP tickets are $65.00. For more information and tickets call 704-395-3499 or visit the World of Champions website at www. wocboxing.com.
Saturday’s Scheduled Bouts:
Junior Middleweights:
Mark Weinman, aka “The Hebrew Hammer” (12-3-0, 10 KO), Queens, NY
vs.
Bruce Runkle (3-2-1), West Virginia
Light Heavyweights:
Lee Campbell (4-0, 2 KO), Laurinburg, NC
vs.
Jeff Edwards (Professional Debut), Winston Salem, NC
Middleweights:
Pablo Velez (Professional Debut), Raleigh, NC
vs.
Will Williams (0-2), Gainesville, FL
Heavyweights:
Keith Tapia, aka “Machine Gun” (6-0, 5 KO), Santurce, PR
vs.
DJ Hughley (1-5, 1 KO), Augusta, GA
Light Welterweights:
Bobby Hornsby (2-0, 1 KO), Ellenwood, GA
vs.
Jose Rivera (0-4), Ocala, FL
Heavyweights:
Nat Heaven (4-0, 3 KO), Ocala, FL
vs.
Jonathen Felton, aka "The People’s Champion" (6-26-1, 5 KO), Stafford, VA
Lightweights:
Noel Echeverria (6-0, 3 KO), Winston-Salem, NC
vs.
Juantaurious Boddie (0-1), Wilson NC
Heavyweights:
Chaen Chess (Professional Debut), Ohio
vs.
Derek Walker, aka “Postman” (1-7), Dublin GA
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