22.02.07 – The heavily-anticipated rematch between super middleweight prospects Elvin Ayala (16-1, 7 KO’s) and David Banks (13-1-1, 2 KO’s), from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, will air live Friday on the Telefutura network, beginning at 8 PM E/T. The two promising super-middleweights first clashed on November 24, 2006 at The Roxy in Boston, with Banks earning a split-decision victory. The first bout between the two was also a Telefutura headlining bout..
Banks travelled cross-country on Thanksgiving day, and managed to hand Ayala his first professional defeat. Judges Leo Gerstel and Roland Milton scored the bout 97-94 & 96-95 (Banks), while Robert Kaprielian had it 96-94 for Ayala. There were no knockdowns in the fight.
Banks, much to his credit, is not only giving Ayala a rematch, but is also be doing so in Ayala’s home state of Connecticut. Ayala resides in New Haven, CT, while Banks will once again travel cross-country from his hometown of Portland, Oregon.
Guatemalan-born featherweight Castulo Gonzalez (8-2, 3 KO’s) climbs back in the ring for the second time since his February 2005 loss at the hands of now USBA super-bantamweight champ, Mike Oliver, when he takes on Chicago, Illinois’ Barbaro Zepeda (8-10, 2 KO’s). In his first fight back, also a Telefutura co-feature bout on November 24 in Boston, Gonzalez earned an action-packed unanimous decision win over seasoned veteran Priest “Tiger” Smalls (18-12-1, 6 KO’s).
Tickets, priced at $40 and $75, are available by calling 508-587-3370, 860-886-0070, at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, or at Ticketmaster.com
Grano Back In Action Friday at Mohegan Sun
Heavyweight prospect Tony Grano (6-0-1, 6 KO’s) returns to the ring Friday night at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, where he takes on Tyrone Smith (5-3-1, 2 KO’s) in a six-round undercard attraction. For Grano, the 2005 United States Amateur Heavyweight champion, it will be his fourth appearance in the Mohegan Sun Arena since turning pro back on November 23, 2005. Smith, a full-time Boston Police Officer, will be entering the ring at Mohegan Sun for the third time in his career. He is 1-1 in his first two bouts there..
In his last bout, also at Mohegan sun, back in October, Grano scored a third round technical-knockout victory over Alabama’s Larry White (3-1, 2 KO’s). Prior to the stoppage, the two heavyweights went toe-to-toe in an all out slug-fest that had the crowd at Mohegan Sun on their feet throughout the fight. Grano’s power, and more precise punching, finally got the better of White. After knocking White to the canvas, mid-way throught the third stanza, Grano pounced on his opponent and had him in serious trouble, thus forcing referee Richard Flaherty to halt the bout.
The 26-year-old Grano was born in Hartford, CT, and now resides in Hebron, CT, though he trains in Brooklyn, New York.