10.06.04 – They’ve conquered the New York area with a diverse mix of speed, power and personality. On June 17, junior welterweight Paul Malignaggi and junior middleweight Sechew Powell travel to Harrah’s Casino in Laughlin, Nevada to show the rest of the country what all the talk is about when they make their Showtime debuts on the hit series “ShoBox – The New Generation”.
Brooklyn’s Malignaggi (17-0, 5 KOs) will square off in a ten rounder against hard-hitting Ramiro Cano (18-1, 14 KOs), and in the eight round co-feature, Sechew Powell (12-0, 9 KOs), another Brooklynite, will face streaking Grady Brewer (17-8, 11 KOs). Doors open at 6:00 PM and the first bell rings at 6:30 PM. The ShoBox telecast begins at 11:00PM ET/PT.
Paul Malignaggi has lit up the New York boxing scene with a mix of flash, speed, and good ol’ Brooklyn attitude. A two-time Golden Gloves champion and 2001 US National Amateur champion, Malignaggi has duplicated his success in the pro game, where he is on the cusp of a world ranking. In his last bout, on April 22, “The Magic Man” scored a near shutout ten round decision over former world title challenger Rocky Martinez.
Ramiro Cano – a native of Mexico who now makes his home in Houston – is nicknamed “Rambo”, and for good reason, as he takes no prisoners between the ropes. Entering his third year as a pro, Cano, who is coming off a second round stoppage of John Frazier in February, knows that a win over Malignaggi will make him a factor in the sport’s most competitive division.
Like Malignaggi, Sechew Powell was also a decorated amateur, with the 2000 National Golden Gloves and 2001 Everlast United States Championships under his belt. As a pro, “The Iron Horse” has been steadily improving as he continues to tear through opponent after opponent. In perhaps his most impressive outing yet, Powell stopped by previously undefeated Sergio Melendez in just two rounds on April 22, dropping him four times in the process.
Grady Brewer is not looking to give Powell an easy night on June 17. In fact, the Lawton, Oklahoma native, who is on a three bout winning streak, is well aware that if he beats Powell, it will be the second high profile prospect he has beaten this year, with previously unbeaten Anthony”The Messenger” Thompson being the first. It’s all the motivation the Texas junior middleweight champion needs.
Also featured on the card is junior middleweight contender Kofi Jantuah (26-1, 16 KOs), opponent TBA and NABA female minimumweight champion “Vicious” Vaia Zaganas (16-3, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas, who will take on an opponent to be named shortly in a six rounder.
Tickets are reasonably priced at $20, $25, and $30 for ringside seats.You may purchase tickets by calling Harrahs 702-298-4600 or go to their website www.harrahs.com or at the casino.
The event is being presented by DiBella Entertainment and in association with Rock and Sock Productions.