RSSMike Oliver
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Oliver Returns to Action on May 4
USBA super bantamweight champ Mike “Machine” Oliver (18-0, 7 KO) returns to the ring Friday, May 4, when he headlines Alpha - Omega’s “Battle Zone 3” at the Mohegan Sun Arena, in Uncasville, Connecticut. The bout will be broadcast on the New England Sports Network (NESN), with Oliver’s opponent to be announced in the very near future.
It will be Oliver’s first time climbing back in the ring, since his February 16 unanimous decision victory over then unbeaten Gary Stark Jr.
The bout with Stark, which was a heavily anticipated showdown between two of the super bantamweight division’s most touted prospects, was broadcast live on ShoBox, and ended with an extremely close and controversial decision. Judges at ringside scored the bout 116-112 (twice) and 115-113, all in favor of Oliver.
The decision resulted in Stark’s promoter, Lou Dibella, voicing his disgust, while Rich Cappiello, Oliver’s promoter, boisterously defended the decision. The controversy and attention brought forth by both the fight, and the verbal aftermath, may ultimately result in the two squaring off again in the future.
Continue reading "Oliver Returns to Action on May 4"
Permalink
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Oliver, Conyers Triumph
In a hard-fought battle of undefeated junior featherweights, Mike Oliver lands a right hand en route to retaining his USBA title with a controversial 12-round decision over Gary Stark Jr. Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime
MIAMI, Okla. – Despite near-frigid conditions outside, the action was scorching, sizzling and sweltering inside as undefeated southpaw Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver (18-0, seven KOs) retained his United States Boxing Association (USBA) junior featherweight title with an unpopular, hotly disputed 12-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Gary “Kid” Stark Jr. (18-1, eight KOs) in the main event Friday on “ShoBox: The New Generation.”
In the co-feature, Allen “The Dream Shatterer” Conyers (11-2, nine KOs) registered a scintillating second-round TKO over previously undefeated Derek “Pooh” Ennis (10-1-1, seven KOs) in a scheduled eight-round junior middleweight bout.
DiBella Entertainment promoted the terrific doubleheader from the Buffalo Run Casino. It aired on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
In a match most figured would be the toughest for each boxer, Oliver exited with a controversial decision by the scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113. There were no knockdowns in a hard-fought affair in which many of the rounds were close and seemingly difficult to score.
Still, there were many who felt the wrong guy’s hand was raised, most notably Stark.
Continue reading "Oliver, Conyers Triumph"
Permalink
Friday, February 16, 2007
Oliver-Ennis-Conyers Quotes
Looking for a real fight? “ShoBox: The New Generation” will present yet another terrific showdown when Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver (17-0, seven KOs) defends his United States Boxing Association (USBA) junior featherweight title against Gary “Kid” Stark Jr. (18-0, eight KOs) in the main event Friday, Feb. 16, on Showtime (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The co-feature will pit unbeaten Derek “Pooh” Ennis (10-0-1, seven KOs) against Allen “The Dream Shatterer” Conyers (10-2, eight KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight scrap. The excellent DiBella Entertainment doubleheader will originate from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.
NOTE: (Due to the less-than-ideal weather conditions, Stark did not arrive into Miami until late Thursday night. The weigh-in has not concluded so Official Weights will be distributed Friday morning.
Continue reading "Oliver-Ennis-Conyers Quotes"
Permalink
Friday, February 09, 2007
Oliver to Defend Title Against Undefeated Stark Jr.
Looking for a real fight? ShoBox: The New Generation will present yet another showdown when Mike “Machine Gun’’ Oliver (17-0, 7 KOs) defends his United States Boxing Association (USBA) junior featherweight title against Gary “Kid” Stark Jr. (18-0, 8 KOs) in the main event Friday, Feb. 16, on Showtime (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The co-feature will pit unbeaten Derek “Pooh’’ Ennis (10-0-1, 7 KOs ) against Allen “The Dream Shatterer’’ Conyers (10-2, 8 KOs ) in an eight-round junior middleweight scrap. The excellent DiBella Entertainment doubleheader will originate from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami , Okla.
“Oliver against Stark Jr. is exactly the type of fight that has given ‘ShoBox’ its reputation.” said “ShoBox” color commentator Steve Farhood. “The fighters have a lot of similarities; unbeaten records, strong amateur backgrounds and excellent boxing skills. Also, both are junior featherweights hailing from the Northeast, which means moving them has been extremely difficult. In that sense, they’re perfect for each other. This is the right fight at the right time for both Oliver and Stark Jr.
“Stark Jr. is a boxer who doesn’t need much convincing to become a brawler. He has faced better opposition than Oliver, but Oliver’s hand speed is superior. Then again, if you haven’t seen Oliver, trust me on this one: his hand speed is superior to just about any fighter you can name.
“This should be a fast-paced 12-rounder, competitive throughout. The winner is likely to emerge as a top-15 contender.”
Continue reading "Oliver to Defend Title Against Undefeated Stark Jr."