Lion’s Den Newsletter »
The Lion’s Den Weekly
(A weekly MMA/Boxing information and Lion’s Den fitness Center newsletter)
Welcome to our very first newsletter. This is a weekly newsletter pertaining to the sports of Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, and over-all information on the Lion’s Den Training Center in Middletown, Ct. We want to spotlight our newsletter on local talent and local events, but will go into boxing and Mixed Martial Arts in depth, bringing you all the news, both local and national. If you have any questions about the Lion’s Den Training Center or would like to schedule an appointment to try a class, please call 860-613-2394. Thank you.
Lynnette Olmeda, GM.
IT’S MORE TRICK THAN TREAT FOR DEL’VALLE ON HALLOWEEN
There were shades of an older Roberto Duran, or even George Foreman while watching former two time light-heavyweight champion Lou Del’Valle take on Joey Spina Saturday night at Mohegan Sun arena. Very few expected Del’Valle to go the distance, let alone win the fight.
Like Duran and Foreman, Del’Valle didn’t have the youthful swagger and brisk footwork he once possessed. His reaction time was slower, his footwork off, and his combinations weren’t razor sharp as they once had been. Quite frankly, he looked every bit the eleven years older than his opponent. From the outside. But on the inside, Del’Valle boxed like a master teaching his pupil. From the start it was obvious to see that Del’Valle’s experience and ring generalship would keep him in the fight.
He did what he always did to fighters: made them fight his fight. Yes, it didn’t make for the most exciting fight, but he did what he had to do.
“A lot of people were booing,” said local heavyweight and sparring partner Tony “TNT” Grano. “But they were just disappointed that Lou was preventing Spina from lighting him up. Lou never ran. He stood right in front of Joey – and made him miss all night. I like Joey (Spina), he’s a real good kid, but he knew he lost tonight.”
“He hit me good twice,” said Del’valle. “Once to the head, once to the body. That was it.”
Del’Valle used a sharp right jab and quick straight left to keep the charging, frustrated Spina off. The rounds were slow, somewhat uneventful with Spina trying to find a home for his trademark bombs, but Del’Valle’s experience and ring smarts easily fended off the younger fighter’s attempts. It was easy to see that if this bout had taken place as little as 5 years ago, Del’Valle would have dismantled the younger opponent. When the final bell rung, most people in attendance (minus the Spina supporters) thought Del’Valle had won.
But the judges must have been secretly watching the Yankees battle the Phillies because when the scorecards were read, Spina walked out of the ring with a majority draw, and Del’Valle was left speechless.
“It’s the nature of this business,” Del’Valle said after the bout. “This is his promoter, his turf. It happens.”
In fact, the only judge to have actually seemed to have watched the bout was Frank Lombardi, who scored it 97-93 Del’Valle. The other two judges had it 95-95.
“On to the next one,” Lou said. “At this time, I’ll fight whoever they put in front of me. What do I have to lose?”
LOU DEL’VALLE GETS SET FOR BIG COMEBACK
If all goes well this October 31st, Halloween night, then former two time light heavyweight champion Lou Del’valle hopes to be a nightmare in the boxing career of Providence Rhode Island’s Joey Spina.
Even though the bout falls on the scariest night of the year, Del’Valle is hardly frightened over the younger, stronger challenger.
“I’ve never been knocked out, and it’s not going to start on the 31st,” Del’Valle said in between rounds while sparring at the Lion’s Den Training center in Middletown, Connecticut. “I’ve been in there with the best, won the light-heavy title twice. He’s (Spina) not going to give me what I haven’t seen.” Del’Valle then followed with a grin, adding: “If Roy Jones can’t knock me out, neither can Spina.”
But enough of the knockout talk. Del’Valle quickly shifts the conversation to winning. “This is my comeback. He’s a good opponent for the start of a comeback. The question shouldn’t be whether Spina knocks me out or not, but how I am going to beat him.”
Even at 41, Del’Valle still looks slick and hard to hit. Just ask sparring partner Tony Grano.
“He’s tricky. He’s like a slippery snake in there. I’m putting a lot of pressure on him and he’s handling it well. There’s no doubt in my mind that Lou will pull out this victory. 10 years ago, Spina wouldn’t have had a chance.”
As for his training?
“It’s going well. I’m down in weight and getting great sparring. I get a lot of support here. I’m no psychic, but I can guarantee Spina that if he thinks he’s going to walk over me, he better think twice. I still got something left in the tank. You’ll see on Halloween.”
As for his age?
“Forget that,” said Del’Valle. “40 is the new 30.” He then smiled and added: “I guess that makes me thirty. I’m just a kid.”
LION’S DEN FIGHTERS HAVING BIG WEEK
On March 27th, 2009, the Lions Den unleashed two of its up and coming amateurs. At 185 lbs, Jason Hubbard, took little time to dispose of his opponent in the first round.
“He’s just super strong—so strong it’s unbelievable,” said Coach Randy Rowe. “It’s his second fight—second victory—all in less than a round. This guy’s got a future.”
Also on the card was 155lb Lion’s Den fighter Hank Christenson. Though winning most of the fight, Hank was caught in an arm bar late in the third round.
“Not to make excuses,” Lion’s Den fight team manager Craig Salamone said, “but he got his arm caught in the ropes which truly enabled his opponent to take advantage. But it is what it is. Hank looked great and we’re happy with his performance.”
Next up for the Den?
The Log Cabin in Holyoke Mass on April 11th. Headlining the card is MMA coach Randy Rowe who fights Brendan Weafer in the main event.
“I’m fighting at 170lbs,” said Rowe, “and I feel strong.”
Rowe, who once weighed 235lbs, is no stranger to fighting strong guys. “I’ve been in there with the likes of Tim Sylvia and Jeff Monson. I’m more comfortable at this weight and have been training hard. I feel a lot better than at my last outing.”
Rowe was referring to his first round loss two months ago in Revere, Mass.
“Not to make excuses, but I was very sick before that fight. I had a temperature of 101 degrees and must have made ten trips to the rest room before the fight. I was miserable, but still fought.”
“I can’t believe he had any strength at all,” said Lion’s Den owner Doug Cartelli. “We were going to pull him from the fight, but in true Randy fashion, he went through with it.”
“Still, I give credit to my opponent that night,” Rowe added. “He was dealing with some heavy personal issues and still showed up to fight.”
Also fighting for the Lion’s Den on April 11th are middleweight Mike Happy and undefeated lightweight Chris Foster.
“We’re very proud of these guys and the work they’re putting in. They’re both up and coming and should put on a great show,” said Cartelli.
You can find out more about these fighters or for general information on the Lion’s Den by calling 860-613-2394.
LION’S DEN JUNIOR OLYMPIANS FARE WELL AT PENNSYLVANIA BOXING SHOW
Event: Boxing
Location: Scranton, PA.
Author: John Scully
Three local amateur boxers training out of the Lions Den Training Center’s Champions Of Life program in Middletown captured victories Saturday night at the Westin Field House in Scranton, Pennsylvania Saturday night.
Undefeated (3-0) nineteen year old light heavyweight Jarin Clay-Bey of Bloomfield via The Lions Den won a decision over Matthew Friedman of Philadelphia. Clay-Bey is trained by former world light heavyweight title challenger “Iceman” John Scully. He is also the son of another former Scully protege, 1996 U.S. Olympic team captain and former heavyweight contender Lawrence Clay-Bey.
Clay-Bey joined a pair of Middletown High School students in victory as Jerrod Gaskins and Nick Walden also picked up wins. Gaskins won a decision over Joel Murray of Scranton in a 156 pound bout while Walden scored a second round stoppage over middleweight Trevor Troupe, also of Scranton.
Gaskins and Walden are both coached by Lions Den Champions Of Life Junior Olympic coach Johnny Callas.
85 pound Hunter Belzo and 152 pound Ray McNeil of Middletown also competed in Scranton, falling short in highly competitive bouts.
Each of the boxers will immediately resume training in preparation of the big June 20th show at the Lions Den that will feature boxers from Montreal, Holyoke, Providence, Vermont, and Newark, New Jersey challenging a 12 man squad from Connecticut.
Gaskins will square off with Alex Aberca of Montreal and Clay-Bey will match up with Danile Magistrale of Vermont. Walden will be in a special featured that night when he squares off with New Haven’s Tyshaun Fair in a bout that will decide the 2009 Connecticut Junior Olympic Middleweight Championship.
Other Lions Den boxers in action on the 20th include David James (60 pounds), Ray McNeil (152), and six time Golden Gloves lightweight champion Joey “Chip” Perez. Perez will box in the main event of the night against Montreal’s four-time Quebec Golden Gloves Champion Kevin La Vallee.
“ICE”
www.icemanjohnscully.com
Date: June 5th, 2009
Event: “Wartown Beatdown”
Place: The Palladium, Worcester, Ma.
Author: Chris Lombardi
Lion’s Den Team MMA team takes two out of three at the Palladium
Like any sports team or business, it takes time to build success. Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den in Middletown Connecticut carries a big name with an even bigger rep. Right from its opening in November of 2008 the expectations were high.
“Not just from a fitness center stand-point, but with our fighters also,” said owner Doug Cartelli. “Every wanna-be fighter who passed through our doors assumed this was the ‘old school’ den with Shamrock, Mezger, Bohlander, Hurley, Burnett, and all those guys. Well, we’re the new school Lion’s Den, not only serving the public with a great fitness center, but building a strong NEW fight team as well.”
If last Friday nights showing at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts was a sign of how strong their team is, then this team is definitely making their founder Ken Shamrock proud.
The first fighter to enter the cage was amateur Mike Johnson. Only his second bout in two years, Mike came into the fight optimistic about his future at the Connecticut Lion’s Den.
“The training is awesome. Everyone works as a team and the support is second to none,” Johnson said.
If a fighter’s looks can somehow predict the outcome of a fight, then Mike Johnson was in trouble from the start. His opponent, Charlie Solomone, looked at least ten pounds heavier. Not slacking in the physically fit department himself, Johnson also looked ready to fight. After a mid-cage clinch, the stronger Solomone took Johnson to the ground and mounted him. Johnson attempted to flip Solomone over for the reversal but fell short. As solomone tried to pound out his opponent from the mount, Johnson finally got the reversal he wanted, swinging Solomone over into guard. The successful move was short lived as Solomone quickly locked in a triangle choke from the bottom. Seconds later it was over. The Lion’s Den had lost their first bout of the evening.
“It happens,” said Coach Rob Klezun. “That’s the beauty of MMA. Anything can happen at anytime. His inexperience showed, and he got caught. We need to get Mike back to the gym and work on what he did wrong. The kids a great athlete with lots of skill. It’s all mental from here.”
The next Lion’s Den fighter up was local MMA veteran Frank Latina. Fighting at 145 pounds, Latina looked forward to representing his new training center.
“They’re all about pride and looking out for the fighter. At this point in my career I really need that push. I’ve found it here.” Latina’s original opponent, Wayne Harnois, pulled out of the fight days before. His new opponent was Barrington Douse.
“I know him well. He’s a striker. He likes to throw back-fists and kicks. I’m going to have to take him to the ground to win this one,” Latina said moments before the bout.
After being led to the ring with an enthusiastic, bouncing entourage of Lion’s Den shirt wearing members and fighters, Latina scored the first big win of the night, ground and pounding out a two round unanimous decision.
“It feels great to be back on the winning track,” he said. “I really appreciate the support and training from everyone at the Lion’s Den. I really feel like I have a home here.”
In what probably was the most electrifying bout of the evening, the Lion’s Den’s Jason Bennett (135 lbs) scored a devastating first round 33 second knockout of highly regarded Brandon Lehman out of New York.
“I knew he was a Division One wrestler and would try to take me to the ground, so I had to rely on my stand-up skills and athleticism,” Bennett said right after the exciting K.O.
Lehman did what was expected of him and twice rushed for the take-down only to be easily swept aside by Bennett who looked comfortable and in charge. It was easy to see from the start that Bennett’s superior stand-up skills would dictate the bout.
Then it happened.
A thunderous kick off his front left foot cracked against the side of Lehman’s head, knocking the 1-0-1 fighter unconscious for over two minutes. “I just figured I’d throw it out there and see what happens,” said Bennett. “You can guess I’m very happy with the results.”
Bennett, who has been training at the Lion’s Den for about four months, once fought WBC Light-heavyweight boxing champion Chad Dawson as an amateur boxer when the two were much younger (and lighter).
“My stand-up is on point. Working with the likes of Danilo Cherman, my ground game should only get better.”
Since it’s opening the Lion’s Den Training center’s MMA fighters are 9-3 and the team is growing stronger. “It’s a learning process,” said team manager Craig Salamone. “We’re getting the fights, and that’s the important thing. The more these guys fight, the better they get.”
“Fighters will come and go,” said owner Doug Cartelli. “The most important task is keeping our gym strong for our members. Having pro MMA fighters is an extra perk. If they prove they want to fight and work hard, they will get one-hundred percent of my support. We’ll do our part to give them a great training center. It’s now up to them to do their part and train with no excuses. So far so good.”
The Lion’s Den would like to thank Coaches Randy Rowe, Rob Klezun and strength and conditioning coach Brian Anderson for their hard work and dedication to the success of our fighters.
LION’S DEN FIGHTERS PREPARE FOR TWO BACK TO BACK SHOWS
10 months ago the Lion’s Den fight team was 0-0. Now they’re 15-4 and growing stronger. On August 22nd, 2009, the team invades Platinum Premier in Worcester, Ma to showcase 8 of their fighters. Representing the Den: DAMIAN MALON 170, RANDY ROWE 185, JASON HUBBARD 185, CHRIS FOSTER 155, MIKE HAPPY 185, HANK CHRISTENSEN 155, FRANK LATINA 145, JASON BENNETT 135.
“I’m impressed with their improvement,” said BJJ coach Danilo Cherman. “It’s like night and day. I moved to Middletown from Brazil to be a part of this great training center. These guys are getting the best training around, from their ground game to their stand-up, they get the best training. They’re dedicated and it shows.”
The gym is especially excited to showcase their fighters on September 11th in Chicopee, Ma. The event is a tribute show to all the victims and family members of September 11th 2001. The show will be promoted by HARD HITTIN’ PROMOTIONS along with The Lion’s Den in Middletown, Ct.
“This is a very exciting show,” said team manager Craig Salamone. “It’s outdoor, in a cage, and we’ll have some big names there to support the cause.”
The names Salamone referred to are UFC legend Ken Shamrock, DREAM’s Vitor Shaolin, and former UFC contender Mikey Burnett.
“All those guys have worked with our team,” said Salamone. “I think they will be very proud of their performances,” said Salamone.
The Lion’s Den training center is located at 1385 Newfield st, Middletown , Ct. For more information, please call 860-613-2394.
Wartown Beatdown 3 — Platinum Premier
On August 29th, 2009, in Worcester, Mass., the Lion’s Den Training Center went 5 out of 6 as their MMA fight team grows stronger. The results are as follows:
BEAN PECK DEF. MIKE JOHNSON (LION’S DEN) DEC. 3
DAMIAN MALON (LION’S DEN) DEF. FRANK SANCHEZ DEC.3
JASON HUBBARD (LION’S DEN) DEF. DANIEL DUBIE (SUBMISSION) RD1
FRANK LATINA (LION’S DEN) DEF. WAYNE HARNOIS (ARM BAR SUBMISSION) RD1
JASON BENNETT (LION’S DEN) DEF. GLENN ALLAIRE (KO PUNCHES) RD1
(MAIN EVENT) CHRIS FOSTER (LION’S DEN) DEF. DAVID SACHS (TKO PUNCHES) RD1
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FIGHT TEAM FOR ANOTHER JOB WELL DONE!
PAVEMENT WARS: FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
Chicopee, Ma.
Date: September 9, 2009
Event: Pavement Wars: Fight for Freedom Pro/Am MMA show
