24.03.05 – Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions will present a sensational fight card on Friday, April 15, 2005, in the Pend O’reille Pavillion at Northern Quest Casino, located at North 100 Hayford Road in Airway Heights, Washington. The fights will be televised live on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
In the 12-round middleweight main event, Antwun “Kid Dyn-o-mite” Echols, 31-5-1 with 27 knockouts, of Dade City, Florida, will fight Kingsley “Sharp Knuckle” Ikeke, 22-1 with 12 knockouts, of Los Angeles, California, in an IBF elimination bout for the No. 2 ranking.
32 year-old Echols is a hard-hitting contender and currently ranked No. 8 by the WBA, No. 10 by the IBF, and No. 12 by the WBO at 160 pounds. He is also ranked No. 4 by The Ring Magazine and No. 6 by the WBC at 168 pounds.
Ikeke, who is also 32 years old, is the current NABF middleweight champion. He is ranked No. 5 by the WBC and WBA, No. 6 by the WBO, No. 8 by the The Ring Magazine, and No. 9 by the IBF at 160 pounds. The NABF title will not be at stake in this fight.
Two outstanding young prospects will be featured in super middleweight fights. 21-year old Andre Dirrell, 3-0 with 3 knockouts, and his 20-year old brother Anthony Dirrell, also 3-0 with 3 knockouts, of Flint, Michigan, will fight in separate six-rounders against opponents to be announced. Andre represented the United States in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, and won a bronze medal at 165 pounds.
Four more exciting bouts are scheduled to complete the card. All fights are subject to change without notice.
Doors open at 6:00 P.M., first fight at 7:00 P.M. (Pacific Time)
Ticket prices: $25, $50.
Tickets are available at Northern Quest Casino Box Office – 509-343-2329, and Ticketswest – 800-325-SEAT, and www.ticketswest.com.