Boxing In Brazil: Oliveira Teams With Ruble Star In Sao Paulo

Undefeated Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira and his promoter, Rumble Star Promotions, take the first step towards popularizing boxing in Brazil Saturday night with the presentation of “A Gala Night of Boxing” pro-am event.

“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 (12-0, 10 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. He is promoted by his father Carlo’s company, Rumble Star Promotions, and trained by Danny Hawk at Normandy Gym in North Miami.

Oliveira has a growing fan-base in the United States, particularly among Brazilian communities, but he and his promoter, Rumble Star, are committed to changing the Brazilian boxing culture. “Based on audience ratings for TV Global,” promoter Carlos Oliveira said, “interest in boxing has already started increasing. A piece on Michael aired the other night and drew 15 million viewers.”

Oliveira, who won the UNBC Latin title September 11, 2009, will fight for the first time in his native Brazil, against Dominican power-punching Junior “Dangerous” Ramos (10-5, 6 KOs) in the 10-round, non-title main event.

“Nothing is impossible,” the charismatic Oliveira explained what he and Rumble Star are attempting to do in Brazil. “It’s just going to take time and a lot of hard work. We will accomplish our goals but we need help from the public and local television. Soccer is 24/7 in Brazil but there are so many kids here with potential in other sports, not just in my sport, boxing. Brazilian volleyball, for example, is great.

“Why not also support sports like boxing, volleyball, tennis, swimming and others like elsewhere in the world? I love soccer and played it in high school, but Brazilian sports fans should expand their interests and not limit it to soccer. It will be difficult but I’m confident we’ll accomplish what we’ve set out to do here.”

Oliveira already has the support of living Brazilian boxing legend, Eder “The Golden Bantam” Jofre, the former 2-divisional world champion who visited Michael at training camp yesterday and plans to be in attendance Saturday evening. Another Brazilian boxing icon, WBC Junior Middleweight Champion (1975) Miquel de Oliveira, will work Michael’s corner along with head trainer Hawk.

“To meet the greatest Brazilian fighter of all-time (Eder) was a privilege for me,” Michael commented. “It was also very emotional because he has so much charisma and energy that he always puts a smile on everybody’s face. At his age (74) and with what he accomplished in boxing, he still had a blast here with us. I’ve been working with Miquel since I’ve been here and it’s going to be great having him work my corner with my coach, Danny.

“I really feel like I’m fighting at home because there’s a certain sense of security. It’s been different training here because of the altitude and unstable weather – hot and cold – but we were ready for that. The people here are easier to get along with because everybody respects each other. The Brazilian revolution starts Saturday night in Sao Paulo.”

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 arch-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). Barros extended former WBA Welterweight Champion Luis Colazzo the full 10-round distance in a loss.

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, a 2010 World Boxing Championships gold medalist, faces Daniela Pastieli. Lourenco, the 2010 Youth Olympic Games gold-medal winner, boxes Felipe Pereia, a Bronze medalist at the 2010 Brazilian Olympic Championships.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at 30 Reais (General Admission) and 200 Reais (Ringside), are available to purchase by calling 55-11-40031212 or going on line to www.ingressorapido.com.br.

Doors open at 7 PM/GMT (6 PM/ET), first bout at 8 PM/GMT (7 PM/ET).

The Oliveira-Ramos non-title fight will be streamed free, Saturday night starting at 7 PM/ET, by going on line to www.MichaelOliveira.com.