LOS ANGELES, CA (December 14th, 2005) –Heavyweight contender Ed Mahone lost a unanimous 12 round decision for the IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title to Henry Akinwande in Leipzing, Germany at the Arena Leipzig near Berlin. The Sauerland Event promoted fight also featured the IBF Middleweight Title fight of Kingsley Ikeke versus Arthur Abraham.. “Ed Mahone put out a great effort considering the short notice and how hard Henry had been training for this fight,” said IBF Championships’ Chairman Lindsey Tucker. “We were very pleased with his performance.”
“Again, I thank the IBF and Sauerland Events for giving me the opportunity to fight for the IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title versus Henry,” said Mahone. “While I had the wind to stay with him, I didn’t have the snap to do what I needed to do for a win. After the third round I couldn’t step around his jab quick enough and didn’t have the zip on my combinations to get inside and land them,” he continued. “While Ed had been sparring with Rahman, Klitschko and the like, moving around so much wasn’t allowing him to train as he needed to for his own career,” said his Manager Jason Rem. “But now that he is settled in Los Angeles and has this purse, he can do what he needs to do to reach his goals. And the fight versus Henry was a great test for him coming off of the knockout win versus China Smith.”
Ed Mahone is a former NABO Heavyweight Champion who began his career 21-0-2 each of his victories ending in a convincing knockout. Mahone had defended his NABO Heavyweight Championship six times, all with his opponent ending up on the canvas, before fighting Vitali Klitschko for the WBO Heavyweight Title in 1999. He lost that fight and had time off from boxing, but now Ed “The Hammer” Mahone is back. He recently defeated Heavyweight Contender China Smith with a stunning 10th rd knockout for his 23rd win, all by knockout. With the decision going to Akinwande his record now stands at 23-5-2.
“I saw him in LA after he got back from Germany and couldn’t tell he had even been in a fight.” said Hasim Rahman’s trainer Thell Torrance. “He looked good and had a great attitude about his career. There is no reason Ed Mahone can’t be considered a top heavyweight contender.“ Ed Mahone plans to climb into the ring and fight again in mid February. “I am looking forward to getting back in the gym and working on my footwork, combinations and getting into a solid routine and training program,” said a positive and upbeat Mahone. “Henry was a great measuring stick. He didn’t hurt me and I could have gone more rounds. I just need to continue training, put the pieces together and stay patient and focused.”
Ed Mahone will be ranked by the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO in their next postings of rankings and is currently looking to fight again in eight to ten weeks. For more information on Ed Mahone or to schedule an interview for television, print, radio or web contact REM Entertainment.