Viva Don King II

HOLLYWOOD, Fla.—Don King returns to Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., with a “” boxing event on Saturday, June 23 that will feature three heavyweight fights and local Cuban favorites Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez and undefeated Angelo “La Cobra” Santana.

North American Boxing Federation No. 1-ranked heavyweight, and former U.S. amateur champion, Tony “TNT” Grano (19-2-2, 15 KOs), from Hartford, Conn., and former No. 1-ranked heavyweight and current NABF No. 11-ranked contender DaVarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson (27-6, 23 KOs) will vie for the vacant NABF crown in the main event scheduled for 12 rounds. Both are known for their punching prowess, so fireworks will be on display in this match up between big men.

Two returnees from last year’s first “Viva Don King” card are back by popular demand. Undefeated and emerging lightweight contender Angelo “La Cobra” Santana (12-0, 9 KOs), a Cuban fighting out of Miami, will face the toughest test of his career against former WBC Silver featherweight champion Justin “Le Voodoo” Savi (26-1, 18 KOs), from Cotonou, Benin. Santana, a two-time Cuban national champion as an amateur, is now ranked No. 15 by the World Boxing Association and should have his hands full against the experienced Savi.

American-born Cuban Joey Hernandez (21-1-1, 12 KOs) will defend his WBC U.S. super welterweight title against Brandon “The Business” Baue (12-6, 10 KOs), from Troy, Mo. In his last outing, Hernandez took less than a round before scoring a technical knockout over the normally durable Shakir Ashanti.

Additional heavyweight attractions include the return to Hard Rock Live of former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter (34-5, 27 KOs), who won a unanimous decision over James “Lights Out” Toney at the venue in 2007, and highly touted WBA No. 14-ranked contender Oleg Platov (29-1, 23 KOs). Both will face opponents to be named.

King, 80, is delighted to be returning to the premier casino-resort in South Florida.

A Red Carpet event will take place on Friday, June 22 at Hard Rock Live in celebration of Don King’s 80th year. Lead singer Eddie Levert, of the legendary singing group The O’Jays, will be amongst the featured celebrities performing and paying tribute to King.

“November’s card at the Seminole Hard Rock was a sold-out success,” King said of Viva Don King I. “Now my friends at the Hard Rock say they want to pay tribute to my 80th year with another card, and I can’t think of a better venue than Hard Rock Live to do it in.”

Tickets priced at $54, $79, $104, and $154 are on sale now and are available for purchase at Hard Rock Live Box Office (open daily from noon until 7 p.m. ET), all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: Miami-Dade (305) 358-5885, Broward (954) 523-3309 and Palm Beach (561) 966-3309. *Additional fees and/or service charges may apply.

Media Workout Quotes | Monday, June 18, 2012
Hard Rock Live Seminole Hard Rock
Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Fla.

Hollywood, Fla.—Hall of Fame boxing promoter Don King was joined by many of the principal fighters on Saturday’s “Viva Don King II” boxing card at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., for media workouts today inside Hard Rock Live, the same venue where the fights will be held.

Heavyweight fighters Tony “TNT” Grano (19-2-1, 15 KOs), from Hartford, Conn., and DaVarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson (27-6, 23 KOs), from Denver, both participated in today’s workouts and will fight in the main event on Saturday. Grano is the No. 1-ranked NABF contender and Williamson is a former top-ranked heavyweight, and the winner will win the vacant NABF title.

“I’ve done over 50 rounds of sparring with five different professional heavyweights,” Grano said of his training camp. “I give special thanks to WBA cruiserweight champion Guillermo Jones who came and worked with me.

“This fight with Williamson means everything to me. It’s my time to shine.”

Williamson is looking forward to the challenge from Grano.

“I felt like a champion during training camp in Denver,” Williamson said. “I saw Grano on You Tube and checked on him with people in boxing. The good news I will not have to send out a search party looking for Grano. He’ll be right there in front of me. He comes to fight.”

WBC U.S. super welterweight champion Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez (21-1-1, 12 KOs), from Miami, will take on Brandon “The Business” Baue (12-6, 10 KOs), from Troy, Mo.

“I spent eight weeks training for this fight, the last three secluded at the King Training Camp just outside Cleveland,” Hernandez said. “I wanted to spar with the bigger guys.

“I know if I win my promoter Don King is going to put me in even bigger fights, so I am determined to win convincingly.”

Undefeated WBA No. 15-ranked lightweight Angelo “La Cobra” Santana (12-0, 9 KOs), a Cuban fighting out of Miami, will face the toughest test of his young career against former WBC Silver champion Justin “Le Voodoo” Savi (26-1, 18 KOs), from Cotonou, Benin.

“I have a new physical trainer,” Santana said. “I’m stepping up in competition, so I need to perfect all of my skills.

“It’s great to be trained by former Cuban Olympic coach Jorge Rubio. He splits his time between me and Guillermo Rigondeaux. He is a great coach and I feel I am improving every day.”

Also appearing on the card is undefeated junior middleweight Omar “Oh!” Henry (11-0-1, 9 KOs), from Chicago. He’ll be facing Walter “2 Guns” Wright (14-3, 7 KOs), from Seattle, Wash.

“This is my first 10-rounder, on a big Don King-promoted card,” Henry said after training in San Jose for this fight.

“I want to show everyone my skills. I feel real strong. My motivation is to look impressive.”

Tickets priced at $154, $104, $79 & $54* are on sale now and are available for purchase at Hard Rock Live Box Office (open daily from noon until 7 p.m. ET), all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: Miami-Dade (305) 358-5885, Broward (954) 523-3309 and Palm Beach (561) 966-3309. *Additional fees and/or service charges may apply.

Raw Quotes

Tony Grano (NABF No. 1-ranked heavyweight): “I feel great. My training camp has been great. I’ve done over 50 rounds of sparring with five different professional heavyweights. I give special thanks to WBA cruiserweight champion Guillermo Jones who came and worked with me.

This fight with Williamson means everything to me. It’s my time to shine.”

DaVarryl Williamson (Former world No. 1 heavyweight): “I felt like a champion during training camp in Denver. My preparation changed as I was supposed to fight in Switzerland on July 7, but this fight came up so I took it.

“I saw Grano on You Tube and checked on him with people in boxing. The good news I will not have to send out a search party looking for Grano. He’ll be right there in front of me. He comes to fight.”

Joey Hernandez (WBC U.S. super welterweight champion, fighting on Brandon Baue): “I spent eight weeks training for this fight, the last three secluded at the King Training Camp just outside Cleveland. I wanted to spar with the bigger guys.

“I know if I win my promoter Don King is going to put me in even bigger fights, so I am determined to win convincingly.”

Angelo Santana (Undefeated WBA No. 15 lightweight contender, fighting Justin Savi): “I have a new physical trainer. I’m stepping up in competition, so I need to perfect all of my skills. I have been training in the Xtreme Boxing Gym in Hialeah, Fla.

It’s great to be trained by former Cuban Olympic coach Jorge Rubio. He splits his time between me and Guillermo Rigondeaux. He is a great coach and I feel I am improving every day.”

Omar Henry (Undefeated junior middleweight fighting Walter Wright): “I trained in San Jose for this fight. I feel real strong. My motivation is to look impressive.

“This is my first 10-rounder, on a big Don King-promoted card. I want to show everyone my skills.”



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