“War in the South” Tonight at Carson St Live 7-28-11
By John Wagner
The “War in the South” will be taking place tonight at 8pm at Carson St live in Station Square. The main event will feature Rayco “War” Saunders (20-14-2, 8KO) facing off against Daniel Judah (23-7-3, 10KO). Rayco Saunders is coming off two consecutive losses and looking to right the ship tonight and put on an impressive performance. “I did lots of sparring for this fight and I’m gonna be on Judah like a piece of his skin”. Saunders said. “I’m a fighter, that’s my style. I go toe to toe. That’s when I am at my best and that’s what you are going to see Thursday night”. Saunders coming off a decision loss to Edison Miranda in June said in his own words “I let myself down in that fight”. Saunders explains. “I love toe to toe action and I did that in the first round. I did what I wanted to do. Then I let him get into a boxing match and I obliged him. Even when I had him hurt I didn’t attack him. That won’t happen in this fight”. Saunders likens his style to Marvin Haglar. “I said to myself after the Miranda fight, its straight Haglar style from now on”. If that’s the case we are in store for possibly the best Rayco “WAR” Saunders yet.
The co feature bout involves hot up and comer Jason “Iron Man” Bergman (15-9-2, 11KO’s). He will be matched up against Robert “Big Philly” Hawkins (23-17, 7KO’s). Bergman is coming in to this bout with a 6 fight win streak, 5 of them by knock out. Bergman was a former Tough Man champion from West Virginia. He has come a long way from his first fight which was a decision loss. “My first fight I took on a week’s notice. I didn’t really train at all and I was about 60 pounds heavier than I am now” Bergman says. “I had a rocky start to my career in the beginning. I didn’t have any guidance and really no training”. The Iron Man has obviously found his way in the sport. Hooking up with Jack Conway at the South Park Boxing Club has put his career on the upward track. “I have no doubt I am in the best shape and fighting the best I ever have in my career right now” said Jason. Asking Jason how he sees his fight going tonight with Big Philly Hawkins, “I see it going quick”, Jason said with a smile,” I’m not going to give him much time around. He’s older than me, I’m going to take that advantage and take him out quick”
War in the South II 9-19-11
By John Wagner
Live professional boxing returns to Carson St Live in Station Square with War in the South II on September 29. Coming off a highly successful War in the South I put on by Rayco War Promotions, a second event was inevitable. Headlining this event will be Jason “Iron Man” Bergman (17-9-2, 11KO). Bergman is coming off a 6 round split decision victory against “Big Philly” Hawkins. A 6th round knockdown secured the win for Bergman on two of the cards and enough to take home the victory. There were some at ringside believed the decision could have easily went against him. The Iron Man will surely be looking for a better performance this time and will want to remove all doubt by making sure this fight doesn’t go the distance. His opponent in the main event will be Joseph Rabotte (11-17-1, 3KO) fighting out of Myrtle Beach, SC. The co main event will feature the man responsible for putting on this production, Rayco “WAR” Saunders (22-14-2, 8KO). Rayco is coming off not only putting on a great promotion with War in the South I, but an 8 round unanimous decision in that main event. He out worked and out boxed Daniel Judah that night for the win. Rayco is looking to follow up that great effort this time againstDeAndrey Abron (15-10, 10KO). Abron fighting out of Youngstown, Ohio had a great amateur career which included being the National Amateur Light Heavyweight Champion in 2001 and the National Golden Gloves Champion in 2003. In 2008 he fought in Germany for the WBO Light Heavy weight title. The under card is filled with local talent. Including“ALL Lee” Mcginnis (5-0, 3KO). Mcginnis has some serious power and heavy hands. He will be going up against fellow Heavyweight Mike Miller (6-20-2, 3KO) who has only been knocked out one time in his 28 fights. The last 3 matches will include Aaron Cardenas facing off against Andrew Jones, Gino Mcclellan versus Mike Denby and Ibahiem King going up against Randy Campell.
The event will be an all ages event and as always there will be a 21 and over after party following the fights. B. Marshall Productions & STARR Status Ent. will be presenting WALE'S Maybach Music Groups FALL FEST& Mix-Tape Release Party and the beautiful “WAR Ring Girls” will be in attendance as usual.
So if you want to see some great local fighters and a terrific night of boxing, be at Carson St Live on Thursday night September 29th for all the action. With the continued success War in the South 3 has already been announced for November 17th. For more information on Rayco, The War in the South and the continuous rise of local boxing in Pittsburgh. Go to www.steelnationmagazine.com for all you can ask for. Also look for a great write up and fantastic photo shoot of Rayco and his beautiful WAR Ring Girls in the September Issue of Steel Nation Magazine.
War in the South III 11-16-11
By Steel Nation Magazine’s John Wagner
The War in the South’s third installment promoted by Rayco “WAR” Saunders and his Rayco Promotions takes place Thursday November 17th at The Club Sport & Health in Monroeville. Station Square was home to the first two successful War in the South’s, however with venue issues and the growing popularity forced its move to Monroeville. The headliner of the event will be the promoter himself, Rayco”WAR” Saunders ( 21-14-2, 8 KO). Rayco is coming into this bout off an 8 round unanimous decision victory in his last fight against Daniel Judah (23-9-3) in July. The rest of the card is littered with great local talent. “Lightning” Rod Salka comes in with a stellar 13-1 record compiling 3 knock outs along the way. Rod’s last outing was a 6 round unanimous decision against a tough Gabriel Morris at the Court Time Sports Complex in Elizabeth, PA. Jaque “Lights Out” Lutz brings a 2-0 mark into his 3rd professional bout. Lutz is looking to build off his 4 round unanimous decision back in August at Rivers Casino. Gino “Mr Inkredible” Mclellan brings an undefeated 5-0 mark into the fight with him. Gino is coming off a successful unanimous decision at the last War in the South II in September. Last but not least the heavyweight “ALL-Lee” Mcginnis. Lee’s record sits at 6-0 after his decision victory off Mike Miller in September.
War in the South III looks to build off the popularity of its first two events and going by the strength of the fight card, it should have no problem in doing so. As always the beautiful “WAR” Ring Girls will be in attendance. Go to www.steelnationmagazine.com for a view of the full photo shoot they did with Rayco and his WAR Girls! Subscribe to the FREE online edition and you can see the complete feature and read all about them!