Simms-Frazier and Maddalone-Weida

PRESS RELEASE: Promoter Joe DeGuardia of Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing is proud to announce the “TURNING STONE DOUBLE HITTER,” on April 9; a blockbuster night of professional boxing featuring not one, but two exciting main events at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino Event Center in Verona, New York.

In separate action-packed appearances will be undefeated Tarvis Simms, 20-0 (11), versus former two-time world title challenger Robert “Push Up” Frazier, 30-6-3 (15) and crowd-pleasing heavyweight slugger Vinny Maddalone, 22-2 (15), going up against tough veteran Troy Weida, 44-17-2 (31).

This event will be the first formal show of what DeGuardia promises will be many in partnership between Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and the Turning Stone Resort and Casino. “I’m very excited to bring these fights to a beautiful venue like the Turning Stone. They’ve got a huge complex and they’ve just built another two hotels. They’re really stepping up to the plate to be a force in the boxing and gaming industries.”

For Simms, a win against the formidable Frazier might be the final step in his lifelong quest to fight for a world championship. “This is the most challenging test of Tarvis’ career,” DeGuardia explained. “Frazier’s only two losses in the past five years are to world champions Winky Wright and Felix Sturm. If Tarvis wins, he’ll be poised for a title shot.”

Since signing with Star Boxing, Simms has seen his fighting weight decrease from 168 lbs to 160 lbs and now all the way down to 154. “Tarvis is so dedicated, he really wants to win a junior middleweight title and become the other half of the first brothers to simultaneously hold major belts in the same division (Simms’ brother Travis is already the WBA Junior Middleweight champion).

Frazier will also be returning to the junior middleweight limit after challenging Sturm for the WBO Intercontinental Middleweight title (L12) in his last appearance.

For Maddalone, Weida represents another rung up the ladder in his steady climb to what he hopes will someday be heavyweight prominence. “This fight is another step in the right direction for Vinny. I have high hopes for him this year. He has a new trainer he’s been working with. He looked much improved at the Staples Center (W6 Ronnie Smith on December 18) and I’m looking forward to seeing the results of another three months of work with Al Certo. He’s leaner and quicker now. The Italian Stallion will always be there, but he’s adding new dimensions to his game.”

Tickets for the TURNING STONE DOUBLE HITTER are available at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino box office (315) 361-7469 and are priced at $25, $55, Ringside for $75 and Loge Section $65. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on fight night, April 9, 2005. 

The Turning Stone Resort and Casino is located at 5218 Patrick Road in Verona, NY 13478. For more information about the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, visit their web site www.turningstone.com, or call 1 (800) 771-7711.

For more information on Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, visit their web site www.starboxing.com, or call (718) 823-2000.