Undefeated, UNBC Middleweight Champion Michael “Chairman of the Board” Oliveira returns to his roots November 20, headlining “A Gala Night of Boxing” pro-am event, on a mission to firmly establish himself in his native country.
“A Gala Night of Boxing,” presented by Rumble Star Promotions, in association with Reunion Sports & Marketing, will air live on SporTV and TV Globo International live from Espaco das Americas in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The 20-year-old Oliveira (11-0, 9 KOs), named by the Brazilian International Press Award’s as its 2009 Athlete of the Year, was born in Sao Paulo but he moved two weeks after birth with his family to Miami. “I’m very excited to be fighting at home for the first time,” Oliveira said from his training camp in Sao Paulo. “This is my coming out party for boxing fans here in Brazil. Boxing needs some excitement here again and, hopefully, I can live-up to everybody’s expectations.”
Oliveira, who won the UNBC title September 11, 2009, will make his defense in the 10-round main event against Dominican power-puncher Junior Ramos (10-5, 6 KOs). “I don’t know too much about him other than he fought for a WBC Latino title,” Oliveira said. “I have respect for him as a competitor and I will be ready for a good fight. If he can hit, I’ll feel him out a bit and then pressure him for a knockout, even if I take risks. I want a knock out for my fans but will settle for an impressive win by decision, if necessary.”
Brazil, of course, is famous for its beautiful women and soccer. Oliveira hopes to follow in the footsteps of Brazilian boxing icons, Hall of Famer Eder “Golden Bantam” Jofre and recent superstar Acelino “Popo” Freitas.
“I would love to see all of the beautiful Brazilian women we can seat that night,” Michael commented, “along with any soccer fans looking for an exciting alternative in sports. The Brazilian television networks show soccer 24 X 7. We need to convert a few million of these Brazilian soccer fans into boxing. We plan to start that process November 20th.
“It’s much too premature to compare me to Jofre and Freitas as great representatives of Brazilian boxing. With the team I have, including (head trainer) Danny Hawk who has guided me to 12-0 and Miguel Oliveira, a former Brazilian World Champion recently added to the mix, I can dream of being successful like they (Jofre and Freitas) were in their time.”
In the 12-round co-feature, South American and Brazilian Heavyweight Champion George Arias (46-11, 33 KOs), of Sao Paulo, defends his South American title belt against Argentinean rival Emilio Ezequiel “Chiquito” Zarate (10-2-1, 5 KOs). Also in action is light middleweight Edvan Dos Santos Barros (10-10-1, 7 KOs), who lives in Florida but was born in Salvador, Brazil, in a 6-round fight versus local Sao Paulo favorite Eraldo Cesar Pereira (6-1, 3 KOs).
Brazil’s top amateur boxers and Sao Paulo favorites, female heavyweight Roseli Feitosa and welterweight David Lourenco, are also slated to box in separate matches. Feitisa is the 2010 World Boxing Championships gold medalist, while Lourenco reigns as the 2010 Youth Olympic Games gold-medal winner.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
