Edited Press Release: Two separate promoters are claiming that heavyweight Cliff Couser will appear in their main event, but the shows are only eight days apart, so it is almost certain that someone’s main event will fall apart. Promoter Ed Mendy’s Lion Heart Productions has already announced that Couser will fight Chauncey Welliver in Salt Lake City on March 30, 2006. Now, Tony Dane’s World Wide Boxing says Couser will face Troy Beets to headline a seven-bout, benefit card on April 7, 2006 at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. Dane’s heart is clearly in the right place, as he announced that a portion of the proceeds from his card will go to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. But can he deliver Couser for the main event?
Beets has a mark of 12-7-1 with eight knockouts. Beets has an advantage in age (31 years old compared to 34), height (6-foot-2-inches compared to 5-foot-10-inches), reach (74 inches compared to 70) and he’s a southpaw. Beets is more of a cruiserweight than heavyweight, and he has boxed former IBF cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov. “Of course, Couser won’t be easy, but I will win,” said Beets.
Couser has a record of 25-10-3 with 13 knockouts. He can be relentless and explosive from the first bell, while Beets has been known to start slow then come on strong. “I’m well aware Beets is taller and a left-hander, but he’s not tougher than me or any more determined,” said Couser. “I’m coming here to win. I wouldn’t take the fight if I didn’t think I would.”
The undercard features James Johnson of Shreveport, La., with a record of 19-21-2 and 11 KOs, against Charles Daugherty of Mobile, Ala., with a mark of 9-36-2 and 3 KOs, in an eight- or six-round light heavyweight bout; Zane Marks of New Roads, La., with a record of 11-2 and 6 KOs, against an opponent to be determined in a six-round middleweight fight; Aaron Lyons of Gulfport, Miss., with a record of 1-0 and 0 KOs, against Chuck Mince of Marrero, La., pro debut, in a four-round heavyweight contest; Martin Verdin of Dulac, La., with a record of 10-6-1 and 6 KOs, against Paul Foret of Bay St. Louis, Miss., with a mark of 1-9, and 1 KO in a four-round light heavyweight clash; Terry Broughton of Biloxi, Miss., pro debut against Michael Walters of Gulfport, Miss., pro debut, in a four-round light heavyweight battle; and Jay Krupp of New Orleans with a record of 7-1 and 3 KOs against Laquel Fleming of Ocean Spray, Miss., with a mark of 1-0 and 0 KOs in a four-round super welterweight war.
“I’m delighted and proud to be able to not only present a top-notch professional boxing card featuring two of the most exciting heavyweights in the sport, but to be to do it at Keesler Air Force Base as a benefit for all those countless persons of the Gulf Coast region whose lives were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina,” said Dane. The card will be held in Hanger 4 on Keesler AFB. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first fight starting at 7.
