Boxing In Brazil: Oliveira Signs Contract With TV Globo

The movement spearheaded by MO Productions to establish undefeated Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira as a star in his native Brazil is moving forward as TV Globo, the third-largest network in the world, committed to a two-year, six-fight commitment featuring the 20-year-old Oliveira.

After his 10-round unanimous decision victory March 25 in Sao Paulo against previously unbeaten Argentinean prospect Abel “El Principito” Nicolas Adriel (10-1-2, 3 KOs), in which Oliveira captured the Interim World Boxing Council Latino Super Middleweight Championship, Michael returned home to Miami. His father and president of MO Productions, Carlos Oliveira, remained in Sao Paulo for meetings with TV Globo and potential sponsors.

The Oliveira-Adriel headlined “International Boxing Challenge,” presented by MO Productions, aired live Mar. 25 on SporTV, TV Globo International and GloboEsporte.com.

Oliveira, the promoter, has revealed a number of interesting updates regarding his son, starting with the announcement of Michael’s third fight in Brazil, the second in the deal with TV Globo. It’s tentatively scheduled for June 4 against Eduardo “El Cheito” Flores (10-2, 7 KOs), slated as the 10-round main event for a professional show, at Mauro Pinheiro Gymnasium in Sao Paulo for the second time in a row.

Oliveira also said Michael, who has been installed at No. 20 in the latest WBC super middleweight ratings, would next fight as a middleweight and that Team Oliveria has retained the services of head trainer Clemente Medina, who handles world-class fighters such as such as WBC #1 junior middleweight contender Alfredo Angulo and WBC Diamond bantamweight champion Abner Mares, who fights Joseph Agbeko on April 23 for the IBF title.

The major news, however, is Globo TV’s plans for a 5,000-seat portable arena to be constructed in the capital city of Brasilia for another Oliveira fight in September.

“Michael’s popularity with the media and public in Brazil continues to grow with each fight,” Carlos explained. “Globo TV wants Michael to fight June 4 in Sao Paulo and then again in September in Brasilia. The designs for the portable arena for Brasilia are unbelievable. They’re investing in Michael’s image in Brazil and have also discussed the possibility of Michael being a boxing commentator for Globo TV’s coverage of the Olympics next year in London.”

Oliveira (14-0, 11 KOs) was born in Sao Paulo but he moved two weeks after birth with his family to Miami. In his Brazilian debut last November in Sao Paulo, Michael stopped tough Junior Ramos (10-5) in the third round.

Oliveira, who won the UNBC middleweight title September 11, 2009, is the two-time winner of the Brazilian International Press Award’s Athlete of the Year (2009 and 2010).

Backed by his family promotional company, as well as TV Globo, Michael returns to his roots in hopes of reestablishing boxing back to the days of Brazilian boxing icons, Hall of Famer Eder “Golden Bantam” Jofre, and more recent superstar Acelino “Popo” Freitas. Both legendary Brazilian boxers have supported Michael by attending his fights in Brazil.