TalkingBoxing News
Miranda Squares off against Pavlik in "Right to Fight Taylor"
TUE April 3 - Two number one ranked middleweight contenders will clash for top challenger status in the division when Edison Miranda (IBF top rated contender) and Kelly Pavlik (ranked first in the WBC) collide in “The Right to Fight” on Saturday, May 19th at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. The thrilling middleweight contest will be the co-feature on the Jermain Taylor vs. Cory Spinks “Border Battle ” middleweight championship card.
The main event and co-feature bring the four top middleweights to Memphis for a thrilling night of boxing. The once-beaten Miranda (28-1, 24 KO’s) scored an impressive unanimous decision over Allan Green on March 3 to emerge as a leading force in the division. The undefeated powerful puncher Pavlik (30-0, 27 KO’s) is coming off a thrilling eighth round knockout victory over Jose Luis Zertuche, knocking the Mexican warrior down three times, to gain top rated status in his HBO debut. Both fighters are bona fide knockout artists with 51 KO’s between them. Miranda is a native of Columbia now fighting out of Puerto Rico, while Pavlik is a native son of Youngstown , Ohio . The Right to Fight will be presented by DiBella Entertainment, Top Rank, Inc. and Seminole Warriors Boxing.
"Kelly is Hagler-like with his pressure, power and a will to win," said Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank. "Kelly is anxious to get into the ring against Edison Miranda.”
“Kelly Pavlik is a worthy opponent and a hard puncher, so the fans should see a great fight,” said Edison Miranda. “Unfortunately for him, I hit harder than he does, and when I do land, I’ll make ‘The Ghost’ disappear.”
DiBella Entertainment’s unbeaten Ronald Hearns (13-0, 11 KO’s), yet another middleweight star on the rise, will also appear on the card. The “Motor City Cobra,” fighting out of Michigan , is the son of the legendary champion Thomas “Hitman” Hearns.
Tickets are priced at $550, $450, $250, $125, $95, $45, and $25 for students, seniors, and active military and will go on sale on Wednesday, April 4 at 10:00 AM Central time. Tickets are available at the FedExForum Box Office, All Ticketmaster Outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 901-525-1515. For more information, visit www.fedexforum.com.
Tsurkan defends his NABF Title April 11th against Sammy Sparkman
TUE April 3 - On April 11th Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing returns to the Paradise Theatre (Bronx, NY) for a special edition of “Punchin’ at the Paradise 3” to be televised on ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights.
NABF Super-Welterweight Champion Andrey Tsurkan (24-2, 15KO’s), a Ukrainian born Bronxite, defends his title against Sammy Sparkman (19-5-1, 8KO’s) of Columbia TN in a special 10-round co-feature attraction. “Tsurkan is a rugged, come-forward fighter who has an unbending will and dedication to the sport” said Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia. “Tsurkan-Sparkman will be a barn-burner”
The main event will feature former Olympian, and the two-time IBO Middleweight Champion Raymond “Hallelujah” Joval (35-4, 16KO’s) against the rugged Willie “The Gladiator” Gibbs (20-2, 16KO’s).
Andrey Tsurkan, a native of Mogansk, Russia, now living in the Bronx NY, started boxing when he was 12 years old. He fought in nearly 200 amateur bouts, was a four-time Ukraine National amateur champion, and won a silver medal in the European Junior championships.
In 2006 he upset Hector Camacho Jr., son of three- time World Champion Hector Camacho, in an electrifying fight of the year slugfest. Although Camacho Jr. stunned Tsurkan with a series of left hands in the 7th, Tsurkan rallied back in the 8th unloading a series of unanswered shots that forced referee Randy Neumann to halt bout. All three judges had Tsurkan ahead at the time of the stoppage by the scores of 68-65 (twice) and 67-66. On April 11th Tsurkan is looking to make a statement with an impressive performance over Sparkman.
Sammy Sparkman, a native of Tennessee, has faced some of today’s top talent including Jimmy Lange, Yuri Foreman, Miguel Angel Cotto, Marteze Logan, Cornelius “K-9” Bundradge, Cory Spinks, Paul “The Punisher” Williams, and that’s just to name a few. On March 31, 2006 he won a hard-fought battle against Marteze Logan in a Tennessee Turf War. Sparkman capped 2006 by besting the crafty Hercules Kyvelos via unanimous decision in Hercules' hometown.
It’s Andrey Tsurkan vs. Sammy Sparkman live Wednesday April 11th at the Bronx Paradise Theater. This event will feature eight action-packed bouts with talent from around the world.
For more information on Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, For tickets call (718) 823-2000, visit www.starboxing.com, or e-mail contact Dottie Raven at draven@starboxing.com
Tickets are reasonably priced $100, $50 and $30 and can be purchased at the Paradise Theater box office 1- 800-353-8040 (tel.).
The newly renovated Paradise Theater is conveniently located on Grand Concourse in the Bronx and is accessible via the Metro North at Grand Central Station (Fordham Stop), by Subway (take the 4, B or the D to Fordham Rd), or by taking the BxM4 Express bus from midtown Manhattan (Fordham Rd Stop).
Star Boxing has been in operation since 1992. Star Boxing President Joe DeGuardia, a former Golden Gloves Champion, is an accomplished attorney and a past Bronx Assistant District Attorney. Star Boxing's stable features world class athletes that include former world light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, Mike Arnaoutis, Delvin Rodriguez, Terrance Cauthen, and undefeated heavyweight prospects, Kevin Johnson and Malachy Farrell.
Farrell, Marrone Meet April 20th on SHOBOX
TUE April 3 - Although the Euro Heavyweights have kept a firm grasp on titles lately, American contenders are battling for a chance to loosen their grip on the belts. On April 20th two undefeated prospects look to make a statement in boxing’s glamour division. Malachy Farrell (15- 0, 12 KO’s) of Chicago, IL and Mike Marrone (17-0, 13 KO’s) of Vero Beach, FL, put their spotless records on the line when they meet on the undercard of Kendal Holt v. Mike Arnaoutis.
“This is a fantastic crossroads match-up between two undefeated hard-hitting heavyweight prospects unwilling to take a step back,” stated Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia. “As the saying goes, come April 20th, someone’s “0” must go.”
“Joe and I are very excited about making this fight the opening bout on a great SHOBOX card” said Dino Duva, Marrone’s promoter “It’s a real throwback fight between a strong Irish kid vs. a tough Italian. I’m sure it’s going to be bombs away, and the fans will be on their feet from bell to bell.”
TICKET INFORMATION FOR FARRELL vs. MARRONE APRIL 20TH Tickets are $75, $50 and $35 and are on sale online at TicketMaster and by phone at 1-800-736-1420. This fight airs live on SHOWTIME live at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
The Chicago-based, Irish-American Farrell won the Golden Gloves in his native city, and had over 50 fights as an amateur. However, despite being six years Marrone’s senior, he’s had fewer pro fights. And Farrell’s fan-base is concentrated in the Chicago area because he hasn’t gotten national exposure like Marrone, who has fought several times on ESPN2.
This is to Malachy’s advantage, said the optimistic fighter. How do you study a fighter when you’ve never seen him fight? And what doubts creep into your opponent’s mind when the mystery man he’s going to face has KO’d 80% of his foes?
"He's a natural, a tough kid, and a good all-around puncher” said Farrell’s trainer, Marty McGarry. “He's got a lot of heart, and you can’t teach that."
Farrell sharpened his elbows, if not his fists, at home, where you had to be tough just to eat. He’s the eleventh of thirteen brothers and sisters! His siblings are also proud members of the Knights of Columbus, and will be flying the flag of Ireland into the ring.
The 21-year old Floridian Marrone is managed by hall of fame trainer Lou Duva. A part-time student and full- time slugger, Marrone had an excellent amateur background, capturing state and regional titles. When he was eliminated during a qualifier for the Olympic team, he quickly turned pro and never looked back.
Marrone concedes that Farrell will be his toughest test thus far, but he’s ready to put it all on the line.
“I am willing to do anything, and I know a lot of people say this,” said Marrone, “but I am willing to die in the ring. I love boxing and my dream is to become the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world one day.”
It’s Farrell v. Marrone and Holt v. Arnaoutis: on SHOWTIME, live at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
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