People’s Champ Boxing: Steve Forbes Headlines “Hammond Havoc” Show

ByBoxing Press

Headlining “Hammond Havoc” will be former IBF super featherweight World Champion and reality star of ESPN’s The Contender series: Steve “2pounds” Forbes in a showdown against Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela.
Forbes (34-8) is coming off a tough decision loss (majority draw) to Harrison Cuello in March 2010, after knocking out a game Jason Davis in the second round of their bout in March of 2009.

While he may be best known for his appearance on the second season of the Contender Series (aired on ESPN), where he was picked as the favorite to win the show early on, Steve has been an elite fighter for over a decade. He has fought some of the best in the business, including: John Brown, David Santos, Carlos Hernandez, Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, Oscar De La Hoya, and Andre Berto.

Steve is known as a slick boxer who has given many bigger, harder-hitting fighters a lot of problems. Oscar De La Hoya fought him in 2008 in order to prepare for the ultra-slick Mayweather, and while Oscar won the bout, Steve left the ring with nothing to be ashamed of. Most recently, Forbes was in Floyd Mayweather’s camp as his main sparring partner in preparation for Floyd’s May 2010 bout with Shane Mosley.

“We’re very excited to bring quality World Class Professional Boxing back to Hammond, Indiana. This outstanding event is an early Christmas gift to fight fans and sports fans of Hammond on Friday, December 17th. We know the fans will get more world class boxing for the same price, ” said Mike Leanardi, CEO of People’s Champ Boxing.
In other bouts, Edward Ochoa (10-1, KO 1) is looking to bounce back from his first pro loss, a KO by William Jackson in April 2010. Edward is fighting a young journeyman in Gabriel Morris from Toledo Ohio (6 RDs).

In a fight of Midwest locals, Jimmy Holmes (18-1, KO 1) from Demotte, Indiana will be featured in a super middleweight bout against fellow Indiana resident, Joseph Harden from Elletsville (6 RDs) .

Glendy Hernandez (3-0) from Cuba, currently fighting out of Canal Point, FL will be fighting current Rockford, Illinois Resident, Eric Boose (14-4) in a heavyweight matchup (4 RDs). Glendy is coming off his first win by KO, a third RD stoppage over Jayce Monroe in Miami, FL.

Middleweight local from Chicago Heights, Meegal Harper (4-0) will be fighting Eric Draper from Indianapolis, IN (4 RDs). Meegal is coming off an explosive 1st round KO over Chris Govan in a bout at the Radisson Star Plaza last November.

Heavyweight action continues with local David Martin (3-0) from Hobart, Indiana Ezekiel Grille from Champaign, IL.

Superfeatherweight Oswaldo Lopez Escobedo, from LaPorte, Indiana (2-5) will be fighting Missouri native, Mike Maley in a lightweight bout. In 11 professional bouts, not one of Maley’s fights have gone to decision!

In his pro debut for the cruiserweight division, Joey Diaz from Miami, FL will be fighting local Robert Mendoza from Frankfort, Indiana.

Last, but certainly not least, Ramon Valenzuela Jr. (3-0) of Chicago, Illinois will be testing his skills against the tough middleweight, Jeff Poole (3-1, KO2) from LaPorte, Indiana. This bout is certain to cause some serious local rivalries as both fighters are looking to establish themselves amongst the local fans.

All bouts subject to change.

Tickets are available at the Civic Center Box Office and @ www.PEOPLESCHAMPBOXING.COM, Hammond Civic Center 219-853-6378

Doors open at 6PM. First bout at 7PM. Seats from $20 (general seating). Floor Seats $40 Ringside $75 (limited seating available).