Spectacular action at Pure Pride

Pure Pride/Puro Orgullo was a spectacular show in Houston, Texas that featured the successful debuts of Regis Prograis and Pablo Cruz. Three of the scheduled six bouts ended in first round devastating knockouts that excited the sold-out crowd.

Regis Prograis, the 2010 Southeast Texas Champion made easy work of his opponent Carl Almirol in the opening round. Progrias was originally scheduled to fight Rovert Lujon for his debut until it was discovered that Lujon was over the Junior Welterweight limit and not allowed by the commission. Almirol a late substitution came prepared and landed two effective hand rights before Prograis was able to quickly adjust and Knockout Almirol by a counter over hand right.

Cruz before opening bell

Pablo Cruz also making his pro debut made very easy work of Daniel Sanchez by opening the first round with a strong left hook to the temple of Sanchez that stunned him. Cruz followed up with a strong right and left hook and was able to dismantle Sanchez with in the opening round.

The co-main event Kimo Rigmaiden of Katy, Texas was upset by Houston local Tyrone Shelders when he was dropped twice in the opening round by two hook-upper cut combinations that left Rigmaiden dazed and unable to continue in the first round. Shelders improved to 9-2 with 6 KOs.

Hernandez and Cruz

In the main event of the evening, Steve Collins (25-2, 18) of Katy Texas when he fought Californian Eric Hernandez (8-5-1) to a controversial draw. Hernandez 6’6 was able to keep Collins at bay with excellent jabs and counter rights. Collins who was able to land hooks to the body, was frustrated by the taller Hernandez who had a substantial reach and picked from the outside. Many in the attendance felt that Hernandez was a victim of robbery and deserved the victory.

In attendance as special guest were Heavyweight boxer Dominick Guinn, Rocky Juarez and 2-time champion Frank Tate.

Puro Orgullo/Pure Pride was promoted by I-Entertainment in Association with O.Z.Productions and ATR Boxing.

Pure Pride Official Weights and presser

Collins-Martinez pose

Venue: The Royal Palace

Promoter: I-Entertainment in association with O.Z. Productions and ATR Boxing.

Sponsors: Tecate Cervesa, JCs Auto Tech and West Houston Boxing.

" I feel very confident going into my first fight of my professional career. I'm not nervous or anything. I prepared for the training and preparation.-Pablo Cruz

"I'm ready for this fight. I train and I keep my self prepared. I look forward to the fight tomorrow night"-Steve Collins.

Martin Gonzalez 141 lbs

Vs.

Deanthony Bonner 139.25 lbs

Daniel Garcia 142.5

Vs.

Gino Hernandez 145.75 lbs

Daniel Sanchez 128 lbs

Vs.

Pablo Cruz 126.5 lbs

CO-MAIN EVENT

Camani Rigmaiden 162 lbs

Vs.

Tyrone Selders 162.5 lbs

MAIN EVENT

Steve Collins 248.75

Vs.

Hector Martinez 226.5

Steve Collins on the Scale

Cruz and Garcia stare down

Pure Pride Presser-Open to the Public

 HOUSTON, TX (April 24, 2012) On Friday, April 27^th, 2012  boxing fans and local media are invited to attend the press conference for the upcoming boxing event “Pure Pride/Puro Orgullo”.

The fighter weigh-ins and press conference will take place at Houston Fun Plex located at 13700 Beechnut Street  Houston, TX 77083 and will begin at 1pm.

Pure Pride will feature the professional debuts for the 2011 Salvadorian National Amateur Champion and native Houstonian Pablo Cruz and the 2010 Southeast Texas Champion and 2011 Olympic Trials Participant Regis Prograis.

Fighting on the card will also be Southeast Texas Jr. Golden Glove Winner Edgar Alarcon, undefeated boxer and accomplished MMA athlete Kimo “The Show” Rigmaiden and rising Heavyweight contender Steve Collins.

The media may report at 12:30 with the event beginning at 1pm.

Pure Pride is presented by I-Entertainment in association with ATR Boxing, West Houston Boxing Gym, JC’s Automotive Tech Service and Tecate Beer.

Pure Pride/Puro Orgullo will be April 28^th at the Royal Palace, 11939 Bissonnet Street 77099. Doors open at 6pm with the first fight starting at 7pm. Ticket prices are $25 for general admission and $65 for VIP.

 

Contact:

For Tickets: 713-885-7319 or 713-505-0900(Se Habla Espanol)

For media consideration or information: Brandon Countee, Brandoncountee@majesticraven.com

281-796-0517

Local Houston Rapper draws inspiration for classical art

 At the Museum of Fine Art in Houston, Texas on a Saturday afternoon many Houstonians come to visit not only the attractions but also the calm atmosphere. Jamal HD is here today to view the limited showing of the treasures of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen and other Pharaohs.He admires not only the historical craftsmanship of the pieces but the relevance that it still holds centuries later in today's technological world.

“I feel art and music go hand in hand. You have to create something if you an artist. 700 years from now whatever I create today may be important and one song could leave my legacy to the whole world. Do you think when Leonardo (Da Vinci) painted the Mona Lisa, he knew that it would hold the significance that it has now.  None of us have seen him, but we know he was a creative genius. How many times did he have to repaint and edit his works before he had a perfect final?

Jamal HD has been putting the finishing touches on his third mixtpae HDMI and goes to various museums to draw not only his motivation but a strong determination to leave creations that he feels will last through the ages.

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  “Whether art is given through a song, statute or painting, each form brings out serious emotions to different individuals. Just like if your ever attended a exhibit and there's a group of people describing a piece down to science, and you over there like what are they talking about, That's how it is with  music lovers and a genre some will get it some will not. One artist that is growing on me a lot is Gerhard Richter. This guy early in his career couldn't sell one piece now his work is being auction off for $200 million. That's crazy. Some critics are pushing him to icon level similar to Picasso. Of course I'm a fan of others like Andy Warhol, Monet, Giacometti and Rothko. I know the first day I buy a nice big house it will be packed with so much art. You have to have a strong appreciation for the creativity that they had.”

Fighter credits his wife and mother for his success

When someone mentions the word “boxing” to you, what comes to your mind first? If you ask any one who has ever climbed into the ring, they may tell you: Boxing gloves, a squared ring,black eyes  or  maybe even the mental highlights of the movie series “Rocky”. Some remember the past greats such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield.

For Houston, Texas native Pablo Cruz who is training to make his pro debut April 28^th, when you mention boxing to him his first thought is his wife.

 “I was interested in boxing at first for only the cardio and conditioning. When I was younger I liked boxing, but I didn’t love it.” Cruz excludes while he takes a break from hitting the target mitts at the Savannah Boxing Gym on a unusually hot March Saturday.  “I had always wanted to box since I saw Oscar versus Chavez, but didn’t have the dedication it took to be good. One day my brother told me a gym was nearby where we played soccer and I enrolled just to get extra conditioning.” He cracks a somewhat malevolent smile as he finishes the statement.

“It (Boxing) was easy for me. It seemed as if I could just do it without the effort that I saw others force out. I would eat some papusa then literally five minutes later be tagging guys in the ring when we sparred. I shouldn’t have been eating before training but I just wasn’t dedicated like I should have been.”

Cruz a 2011 Salvador National amateur Champion and a participant for Olympic trials says that it took the encouragement and support from two women. “my Mother and my wife actually are the reason I’m going professional and dedicated myself to boxing the last few years.

“They just believed I was good enough to compete and make it. A lot of people believe in you when they see dollar signs or just to say something positive, but they truly believed in me.  I almost quit when my son was born, but Vanessa (His wife) didn’t let me. I was a amateur and she didn’t want me to quit. My mother felt the same way. There had been so many ups and so many downs but they have been there.

He cracks the malevolent smile again when the gym speakers begin to play “Triumph” by the Wu-Tang Clan. He is a fan and begins to move his head to the beat. “Whenever I slacked off my wife would say “without focus you won’t go far, stay on what your eyes is aiming at.”

You  can follow Pablo Cruz on Twitter: @realpablocruz