Mike Marrone Brings an Aura of Excitement

28.02.06 – In the biggest fight of his life, the young up-and-comer had to summon the courage from within to continue. He had been knocked down, but his heart would not let him stay there. And so, with the bravery of a champion, he bit down hard on his mouthpiece and got up. Back and forth went the two proud warriors, the crowd on its feet, delirious from the thrilling war unfolding before them. When the final bell rang, The New Italian Stallion had survived the toughest test of his life, fought back hard, even when all seemed lost…and come out victorious..

More than just making his national television debut, winning a hard-fought majority decision against Ohio’s Zack Page, going eight rounds for the first time and announcing his presence as one of the most exciting young fighters in boxing, undefeated, 20-year-old heavyweight prospect Michael Marrone, 13-0 (10 KOs), passed one of the most important tests of a young career on Friday night…When the chips were down, he did not fold and even found a way to win.

“Obviously Mike has a lot to learn still,” said relieved promoter Dino Duva of Duva Boxing, “but what an exciting fight. He had the Turning Stone fans stomping and chanting Rocky, Rocky. We would have liked to have seen him have a much easier time in there and for a while he was, but he got caught with that shot and went down. I think the way he got back up, rode out the rough period and then came back firing says a lot about his courage as a fighter.”

Fighting in one of the featured bouts of ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights, Marrone had been controlling Page with a steady attack to the head and body, dropping him twice, before getting careless in round seven while moving in for the kill. “Mike got too caught up in getting the knockout and forgot he had an opponent who was still swinging in front of him,” explained Duva. “The right hand that dropped him would have put most fighters out, but not Mike. He’s been dreaming of fighting for the world title too long to lose his television debut on a lucky punch.”

Marrone rose on still wobbly legs and somehow found a way to survive what must have been the longest two minutes of his life. “Mike’s still a baby and he’s got things to work on still, but he’s got that aura around him that gets fans on their feet. He fought back; he held on and he found a way to survive to the bell. He showed the kind of courage that will turn him into a fan favorite and a TV favorite. It’s also a testament to his conditioning that by the start of the eighth round; he was back in control of the fight. In the end, it was a great night of boxing for the fans. Mike introduced himself to the world as a heavyweight who brings excitement when he fights. That’s how it is with the big boys; one punch can turn a winner into a loser, but he came back from adversity and showed tremendous courage. He may not have gotten what he wanted, but did get something he’ll need to make it in this division.”