Boxing In New York: Ballogou vs. Judah Added To Holiday Hits

The 12-round IBF International light heavyweight championship bout between Jaffa “African Assassin” Ballogou and Daniel Judah is a crossroads fight for both New York City southpaw in the co-feature on the third annual “Holiday Hits” pro boxing show, promoted by Bob Duffy’s Ring Promotions, December 4 at the famed Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, New York.

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Nagy “Dominican Dynamite” Aguilera, 10-0 (6), fighting out of Newburgh, NY, headlines for the first time in the eight round main event against 7-foot Marcellus “More Than A Conqueror” Brown, 25-17-1 (21), who has been a sparring partner the past two months for former world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman.

Togo born and Manhattan residing Ballogou, 46-6-1 (40), reigning IBF Continental Africa cruiserweight champion, battles Bronx’ Judah, 22-3-3 (10), in the 12 round co-feature. Ballogou, 40, also is the former WBC Latin America and WBA International super middleweight champ and ex-African light middleweight title holder.

He had one world title shot, losing a 12-round decision to Frankie Liles for the WBA super middleweight belt. The 31-year-old Judah, former New York State light heavyweight champion, has been stopped only once, by Darnell Wilson, and fought draws with Glen Johnson and the late Julian Letterlough.

“Both Ballogou and Judah have a lot riding on this fight,” promoter Bob Duffy said. “This is a great opportunity for two New York fighters with the winner getting rated in the top 15 (IBF). East Coast boxing is coming back. Fewer and fewer East Coast fights have been on television because name fighters weren’t fighting each other. They are now and I hope more East Coast shows will be in television next year.”

NABO lightweight champion Jorge “The Truth” Teron, 22-0-1 (15), fighting out of the Bronx, takes on Aldo “El Pato” Valtierra, 24-10 (13), in a 10-round, non-title Special Lightweight Attraction.

Teron, trained by former Olympic gold medalist and world champion, Mark Breland, is rated No. 4 by the WBO, as well as No. 13 by the WBA and No. 19 by the WBC. Mexican warrior Valtierra is a former WBA Fedecentro and WBC FECARBOX Central American super featherweight title-holder.

Popular middleweight George “Blaze” Walton (18-3, 12 KOs), of Harlem, meets Clarence “Sonny Bono” Taylor (13-18-3, 6 KOs) in a 6-rounder. Dublin super featherweight Eddie “Pride of Tallaght” Hyland (10-1, 3 KOs), making his much anticipated New York City debut, fights Gustavo Dailey (2-3) in another 6-round bout.

Also on the undercard in separate 4-round bouts is highly-touted Brooklyn light heavyweight Will Rosinsky (2-0, 2 KOs), three-time National Golden Gloves champion vs. Amador Acevedo (2-4, 2KOs), Queens, Lou DiBella-promoted NYC heavyweight Tor Hamer (1-0, 1 KOs) vs. Royal Bryant (1-1-1, 0 KOs).

Brooklyn welterweight Luis “El Mero Mero” Ruiz (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Ken Durham (4-26-1, 2 KOs), Queens light middleweight (by way of Cyprus) Lambrose “Lionheart” Karaolides (1-0, 1 KO) vs. James Justice (0-1), Howard Beach light welterweight Anthony Accardi (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Rafael Luna (1-6), pro debuting Bronx super flyweight Emmanuel Gonzalez vs. Jean Ramos (0-2), Brooklyn light middleweight (by way of France) Roman Oliveri vs. Eluid Torres (0-0-1). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $150.00 (Golden Ringside), $100.00 (Ringside) and $50.00 (General Admission), are on sale and available to purchase at the Roseland Ballroom, going to www.ringpromotions.com or calling 516.313.2304. Doors open at 6:00 PM, first bout at 6:30 PM.