Carlos Takam vs. Craig Lewis - September 14, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Star Boxing’s newest star, heavyweight world title challenger, CARLOS TAKAM (36-5-1, 28 KO) has been added to the September 14 “Catskills Clash II” at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, New York. Takam will headline an already fantastic card, with featured bouts by New England’s top undefeated prospects, “ACTION” ANTHONY LAUREANO (E. Hartford, CT 11-0 4KO’s) and light heavyweight, RICHIE “POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN” RIVERA (Hartford, CT 12-0 10KO’s).

Takam’s global fan base last saw the strong heavyweight in December of 2018, when he defeated respected German prospect, SENAD GASHI (then 17-1 17KO’s) at the 02 Arena in the UK. Takam was scheduled to fight undisputed cruiserweight champion, OLEKSANDR USYK (16-0 12KO’s) this past May but Usyk pulled out of that fight with an injury. The Usyk fight was not rescheduled so Takam will forge his own path back to heavyweight supremacy, starting at Resorts World Catskills on September 14.

Takam ready to make run at world title

Now under a new trainer, DWIGHT YARDE, and promoter, JOE DEGUARDIA, Takam is poised to make a run at a heavyweight world title. With a team by his side that is dedicated to giving him the right opportunities to be successful, the Cameroon born, French citizen has his sights set on being a fully prepared and dangerous version of himself, that the world has yet to see fully.

In the “Catskills Clash II” main event, Carlos Takam will take on, 6’5″ Detroit native, CRAIG LEWIS (14-3-1 8KO’s). A sparring partner of WBC Heavyweight World champion, DEONTAY WILDER, Lewis is no stranger to working with the elite of the heavyweight division. Lewis is highly regarded veteran coming off a majority decision and close fights with two top prospects with combined record of 37-0 with 23 KO’s. Lewis has never been stopped in his career.

Takam had this to say about the opportunity to fight in the United States for the first time, “For my return on September 14 at Resorts World Catskills, … I’m really excited. USA is new for me. I have to create my fan base there. Only good job and humility can do this. And I can tell you, I’m ready to satisfy USA boxing fans as I did in Africa, in Europe and elsewhere before. No doubt, I am ready to do the Job.”

Trainer, DWIGHT YARDE, had this to say about the next step in Carlos’ career, “The fans can expect a new and rejuvenated Carlos Takam, in the best shape of his life and more determined and focused on his boxing. With regards to coming to America, this will enable Carlos to fight on an even playing field on his quest to become a heavyweight champion, while showcasing his skills to the American audience.”

Star Boxing Promoter, JOE DEGUARDIA, said this about Carlos’ return on September 14, “Carlos is ready to fight, anywhere, anytime. With the team we have assembled around him, and the opportunity to bring him to the United States for the first time, I know the American fans will be thrilled to see elite level heavyweight action at Resorts World Catskills.” DeGuardia continued, “we are excited and plan on bringing Carlos the biggest and best opportunities on the path to a world heavyweight championship opportunity.”

[morm]

pihhh awfull oponent ....

[joshj909]

Lewis is highly regarded veteran

By who?

[diddy]

Awful fight. Lewis lost to Junior Fa and Jermaine Franklin so you know he sucks.

[cormack]

Simply a contest designed to give Takam a win which he wouldnt have got against Usyk or any of the top level fighters.

[Lennox]

Run at a world title. It is this sort of journalism that makes me puke. Takam has not defeated an opponent ranked in the top 100 for 33 months, Craig Lewis will not alter that.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fighters, media and fans alike gathered for the official press-conference ahead of Star Boxing’s “Catskills Clash II” at Resorts World Catskills, in Monticello, NY, taking place Saturday night, September 14.

CARLOS TAKAM
“I want to thank Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing for the opportunity Saturday. I am ready for the fight Saturday, I came here to win, so let’s go, lets box. I hope you come Saturday to watch this heavyweight fight.”

CRAIG LEWIS
“I took this fight on short notice, and the thing is, I have to stay ready. You never know when you get the opportunity to fight a top fighter. I am here to showcase my skills. I appreciate the promotion, I appreciate everyone here, and I am ready to show you my skills Saturday night.”

“ACTION” ANTHONY LAUREANO
“I used to work in a factory job, and it sucked. God put me there to see how it was and to respect those people. Right now, I am blessed. I am loving this environment; I am loving this casino and I am blessed to have my team. I am ready to bring the action.”

RICHIE “POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN” RIVERA
“I enjoy the whole boxing experience, training, fighting, staying discipline. There is a glow in me that people see, and I hope we can bring it further than boxing. I hope people can admire the hard work. I am ready to display my craft on Saturday. ”

ISRAEL DUFFUS
“Thank you for the opportunity. I am very happy to be here. I hope you have a good night, a good show. See you Saturday.”

BOUBACAR SYLLA
“I want to thank Joe DeGuardia and Split-T-Management, for this opportunity. I am ready for this fight, keeping the mission the same. I feel good, I belong here and you all will get to see more of me in the near future.”

BRYANT COSTELLO
“I am blessed to be here; I am from the neighborhood. It was a funny story on how I made it here, I met Joe DeGuardia here in June, and I told him I was ready to fight and put on for my hometown fans, and now here I am.”

[Winter king]

Asking someone from the crowd to fight Takam wouldnt be much different.

[DrDuke]

Will Takam have a good payday for this? He was bitching about Usyk's injury, about getting more money for Usyk fight, when it was being planned to be made after Usyk's recovery. Is Lewis bout is a better option?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Will Takam have a good payday for this? He was bitching about Usyk's injury, about getting more money for Usyk fight, when it was being planned to be made after Usyk's recovery. Is Lewis bout is a better option?

Must have been a decent contract. Don't know how many fights he's signed for, but he's probably guaranteed main event the next few Star Boxing events.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight went 10 rounds..

Takam.. Won via unanimous decision.

96-94 | 99-91 | 99-91

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Result from Star Boxing

The sold-out crowd piled in to the Resorts World Catskills Epicenter on Saturday night, with much excitement over the US debut of top rated heavyweight CARLOS TAKAM (now 37-5-1 28KO’s), and the title defenses of two top-rated New England prospects, ABO America’s Super Lightweight champion, “ACTION” ANTHONY LAUREANO (now 12-0 4KO’s), and ABO America’s Cruiserweight champion, RICHIE “POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN” RIVERA (now 13-0 10KO’s).

After signing with JOE DEGUARDIA’S STAR BOXING, just two weeks ago, heavyweight title contender, Carlos Takam made his much-anticipated United States debut at Resorts World Catskills, against the granite chinned, Detroit native, CRAIG LEWIS (now 14-4 7KO’s). The two went to battle from the opening bell. Takam wasted no time showing off his impressive agility, especially for a 255 lb. heavyweight. By round two, Takam took control, landing an overhand right that could be heard echo through the majestic mountains of the New York Catskills. However, Lewis stood tall, proving his ability to take a monster punch. Takam continued his attack for the remaining eight rounds of the scheduled ten round fight, earning the unanimous decision victory. (99-91 (x2), 96-94).

Carlos Takam had this to say about his US debut, “I’m very happy to have made my first fight in the United States last Saturday. It is a beautiful entrance. It’s a dream for me to box in the United States, in the the field of legends like Ali, Holyfield and Mike Tyson. Many thanks to my Promotor Joe [DeGuardia], my team and all my fans around the world. US fans get ready for more exciting moments coming soon.”

In the co-feature, “Action” Anthony Laureano lived up to his name once more, as he took on the extremely tough, BRIAN “SWEET” JONES (Clarskville, TX now 15-11 9KO’s). Making his first ABO title defense, Laureano and Jones put on a show that had the entire casino on their feet. After a feel out round in the first, it was all action for the remainder of the 8-round fight. Early in the seventh, Laureano pounced on Jones with his signature body attack, but Jones would not back down, pinning Laureano against the ropes, as both men traded freely to close out the round. When the final bell rang, the crowd was on their feet, roaring for the performance that Laureano and Jones put on for Resorts World Catskills. Laureano defended his ABO title earning a hard fought but clear victory for the East Hartford, Connecticut super lightweight, by unanimous decision. (80-72 (x2), 78-74).

Laureano said this about the incredible atmosphere at Resorts World Catskills, “It was Great to be back at Resort World Catskills. To win and defend the ABO title at Catskills was truly amazing. The energy in the crowd was like no other. It has become my home and I can’t wait to return.”

Richie “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera went toe to toe with another slugger in ISRAEL DUFFUS (Los Angeles, CA now 19-6 16KO’s). It was clear from the start that both men were throwing punches with bad intentions. In the middle rounds of the scheduled 8-round ABO title defense for Rivera, both fighters began to open up, to the pleasure of the Resorts World Catskills crowd. Richie landed an overhand right in the sixth round that caused “oh’s” and “ah’s” from the crowd. However, Duffus, would not go out quiet, attempting to force the action in an effort to find and opening to stop the man they call “Popeye.” While the effort was a valiant one, Rivera controlled the action, and defended his ABO America’s Title, earning the unanimous decision victory. (80-72 (x2), 78-74).

Richie had this to say about his victory, “I really enjoy the opportunity that Star Boxing has been giving me. I was able to show the crowd good boxing skills such as hit and dont get hit. I always like putting on a good show and I want to make my fans proud, but also to be a great representative to Star Boxing and Joe DeGuardia”

In the opening two bouts of the evening, decorated amateur standout, and undefeated professional welterweight BOUBACAR SYLLA (Cincinnati, OH now 11-0 7KO’s) took on the rugged JERMAINE CORLEY (Mount Vernon, NY now 3-7 1KO) in a 6-round all-out brawl. Sylla used his boxing skill and IQ to subdue the come forward attack of Corley, while Corley attempted to bring the fight to Sylla for the full 6-rounds. At the final bell, Sylla would remain undefeated, winning by split decision. (59-55 (x2) Sylla, 58-56 Corley).

Hometown hero, BRYANT “THE PUNISHER” COSTELLO (Liberty, NY now 1-1 1KO) had the crowd rocking from the opening bell of the night as he took on, ANTHONY “ANIMAL” EVERETTE (Lawrence, MA now 1-8). Costello controlled the action, landing over hand rights at will, as well as solid combinations from the body to the head. At 42 seconds of the third of the scheduled four round super welterweight bout, Costello landed a three-punch combination to the head of Everette, causing the referee to see enough, stopping the bout.

The Catskills came alive with boxing once more in no small part to the action and the sold-out crowd that packed Resorts World Catskills. CEO of Star Boxing JOE DEGUARDIA said this on the epic night of fights, “It was a pleasure to be back at the Catskills and have another night of truly impressive fights. To be able to not only continue the rebirth of boxing in the Catskills but do so with a top heavyweight contender in Carlos Takam, was a perfect match.” DeGuardia continued, “The crowd was electric, and truly showed that the love for our sport is still deeply engrained in Sullivan County and the Catskills, and we hope to be a part of this growth for many years to come.”

Star Boxing