By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
(New Jersey State representative)
The Leader Newspaper (NJ): Boxing Writer
July 26, 2003

LODI, NJ - With the help of boxing's legendary Don Elbaum, serving as matchmaker, along with his son Kipp Elbaum handling the public relations, boxing promotions newcomers Walid and Hani Darwish announced Thursday their new Knockout Promotions will be bringing boxing back to the local area. "August 22nd, right here at the beautiful Princess Chateau in Lodi we (Knockout Promotions) are bringing boxing back to North Jersey" exclaimed an excited Walid Darwish. Brother Hani added "we look forward to doing many shows here, we have local fighters on this card and we want to keep it that way. We don't want to do just this one show, we'd like to do them on a regular basis, and the Princess Chateau is a perfect place."

Walid and Hani Darwish, both Clifton High School graduates, started their company Knockout Management in the Clifton and Paterson area two years ago. Having managed former World Champion & Olympic Gold Medallist David Reid, Super Middleweight contender Omar Shieka (23-5 with 17KO's) and a stable of young promising prospects, the Darwish brothers decided to take their love of boxing to the next level and recently formed their new company, Knockout Promotions.

If the talent featured on this promotional debut card is any indication of what's in store fight fans are in for a real treat.

The "Triple Main Event" of this 8-bout fight card features the exciting David "Holy" Toledo (35-3-2, 16KO's) a former WBO Featherweight Champion from Paterson, the highly talented Antoine Barrett - also from Paterson, who sports a very deceptive 12-7-1 (6KO'S) record and Bayonne's undefeated Middleweight Dennis Sharp (14-0-1, 4KO's) who is a real crowd pleaser with his non-stop action fighting style.

On the undercard rugged Thomasz Nowak (7-2-1, 1KO) originally from Poland will take on Philadelphia southpaw Lamaine Robinson (2-2-1) in a 6 round Middleweight bout. Lamaine is the brother of former two-time Champion and current Jr. Welterweight title contender Ivan "Mighty" Robinson.

Also slated to see action are local prospects Bobby Rooney Jr. and Sameh Elashry in separate 4 round bouts and Said Ouali, quite possibly the show's most talented and promising fighter, highlighting in a 6 round contest. The unheralded Ouali, from Morocco, now resides in South Orange. With a professional record of 10-1 (5KO's) Ouali has been called one of the hottest prospects in today's talent loaded Welterweight division. His lone defeat coming at the hands of highly regarded Kermit Cintron in 2001, a fight which Said Ouali was winning before the 5th round stoppage. A much-improved Ouali now looks to avenge the Cintron loss.

Tickets ($75 VIP; $50 ringside) for this highly anticipated show can be purchased by calling (973) 340-4646.