MIAMI (Jan. 15, 2010) – Unbeaten middleweight sensation, “Chairman of the Board” Michael Oliveira (11-0, 9 KOs), is an official candidate for the Brazilian International Press Award’s 2009 Athlete of the Year Award.
The 19-year-old Oliveira, living in Miami and attending Miami Dade Community College, is the heir apparent to retired Acelino “Popo” Freitas in Brazilian boxing circles. Oliveira is one of only 10 Brazilian Athlete of the Year candidates, along with the likes of Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, as well as NBA players Nene Hilario and Anderson Varejao.
“I’m honored to be a candidate for this prestigious award with nine other great athletes,” Oliveira said. “Hopefully, my fans will support me by voting. More importantly, though, my last fight was in Haiti and I met a lot of the Brazilian peace-keeping troops stationed there. I am dedicating my next fight to the Brazilian solders that lost their lives in the recent earthquake in Haiti. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.
The hard-punching teenager, who is the reigning UNBC Latin champion, won each of his eight fights last year, including his last December 18, when he stopped Eduardo Mercedes (5-2) in the second round of their bout in Haiti.
Go to www.MichaelOliveira.com to vote for Oliveira via a link located on the bottom, right-hand side of the home page. Oliveira’s valued sponsors include The Confianca Moving, The Beira – Mar and Pro 1 from Sao Paulo, Dumonde Travel (Michael’s official travel agency) and the multi-national fuel company, Shell.
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