WASHINGTON, PA (September 30, 2005) “ Michael Acri Boxing Promotions and Team Freedom announced today two additions to its exciting card — “Boxing at The Meadows” — undefeated Puerto Rican up-and-comers, HECTOR SANCHEZ and YUKENZE ANDINO, who will be fighting in four-round lightweight and jr. middleweight bouts, respectively. The promoters also announced that The Meadows Race Track will be hosting a pre fight silent auction, from 5 to 7:30 PM, to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Four-time world champion and living legend Roberto Duran, who is being honored during the boxing card, will co-host the auction. “Boxing at The Meadows” will take place Thursday, October 6, indoors at The Meadows Race Track in Washington, PA, located just 20 miles south of Pittsburgh. The first bout will begin at 7:30 P.M.
“Boxing at The Meadows” will feature two-time world title challenger Victoriano Sosa and Pittsburg’s own Sugar Ray Narh in separate 10-round lightweight bouts.
Sosa, 41-4-2 (30 KOs), from the Dominican Republic, returns looking to extend his four-bout winning streak, which includes three knockout victories. Sosa’s impressive streak has propelled him back into title contention where he is currently world-rated No. 8 by the IBF and No. 14 by the WBO. Sosa has gone the distance in both his world lightweight title challenges against IBF champion Paul Spadafora in 2000 and WBC champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in 2003. Against Spadafora, Sosa nearly pulled off the upset, knocking down the undefeated champion twice in round three. Mayweather has been quoted on numerous occasions that Sosa was his toughest opponent ever.
Narh, 15-1 (14 KOs), a native of Ghana, has been fighting out of the Pittsburgh area since 2004. In only his fourth professional bout, he captured the Ghanaian and the West African super featherweight titles, knocking out Smith Odoom in the 10th round. The vastly more experienced Odoom had four-times as many fights as Narh, who was only 3-0 at the time they fought in 2002. Narh is currently enjoying a 5-0 (5 KOs) winning streak, which includes a 2004 NABC lightweight title victory, when he knocked out Jadschi Green in the first round at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
“Boxing at The Meadows” will also feature undefeated Jose Nieves, 12-0-2, from Puerto Rico, in an eight-round bantamweight bout; and Stefan Pryor, 8-1, from Cincinnati, a son of former world champion Aaron Pryor, in a six-round super middleweight bout.
Duran, 104-16 (69 KOs), from Panama, captured world titles in the lightweight, welterweight, jr. middleweight and middleweight divisions during his glorious 34-year career, which spanned 1967-2001. Not only is Duran a legend, the roster of opponents he has defeated could fill a wing in any Hall of Fame. Duran will be at The Meadows to personally accept his award for lifetime achievement in boxing.
Tickets to “Boxing at The Meadows,” are now on sale and priced at $100 (VIP Ringside), $50 (Ringside) and $20 (General Admission), they can be purchased at The Meadows Race Track (724) 225-9300; and Mitchell’s Restaurant and Bar in downtown Pittsburgh (304 Ross St) – (412) 471-3663; or (412) 292-6164.