03.04.07 – New York- On April 11th Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing returns to the Paradise Theatre (Bronx, NY) for a special edition of “Punchin’ at the Paradise 3” to be televised on ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights. NABF Super-Welterweight Champion Andrey Tsurkan (24-2, 15KO’s), a Ukrainian born Bronxite, defends his title against Sammy Sparkman (19-5-1, 8KO’s) of Columbia TN in a special 10-round co-feature attraction..
“Tsurkan is a rugged, come-forward fighter who has an unbending will and dedication to the sport” said Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia. “Tsurkan-Sparkman will be a barn-burner”
The main event will feature former Olympian, and the two-time IBO Middleweight Champion Raymond “Hallelujah” Joval (35-4, 16KO’s) against the rugged Willie “The Gladiator” Gibbs (20-2, 16KO’s).
Andrey Tsurkan, a native of Mogansk, Russia, now living in the Bronx NY, started boxing when he was 12 years old. He fought in nearly 200 amateur bouts, was a four-time Ukraine National amateur champion, and won a silver medal in the European Junior championships.
In 2006 he upset Hector Camacho Jr., son of three- time World Champion Hector Camacho, in an electrifying fight of the year slugfest. Although Camacho Jr. stunned Tsurkan with a series of left hands in the 7th, Tsurkan rallied back in the 8th unloading a series of unanswered shots that forced referee Randy Neumann to halt bout. All three judges had Tsurkan ahead at the time of the stoppage by the scores of 68-65 (twice) and 67-66. On April 11th Tsurkan is looking to make a statement with an impressive performance over Sparkman.
Sammy Sparkman, a native of Tennessee, has faced some of today’s top talent including Jimmy Lange, Yuri Foreman, Miguel Angel Cotto, Marteze Logan, Cornelius “K-9” Bundradge, Cory Spinks, Paul “The Punisher” Williams, and that’s just to name a few. On March 31, 2006 he won a hard-fought battle against Marteze Logan in a Tennessee Turf War. Sparkman capped 2006 by besting the crafty Hercules Kyvelos via unanimous decision in Hercules’ hometown.
It’s Andrey Tsurkan vs. Sammy Sparkman live Wednesday April 11th at the Bronx Paradise Theater. This event will feature eight action-packed bouts with talent from around the world.
For more information on Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, For tickets call (718) 823-2000, visit www.starboxing.com, or e-mail contact Dottie Raven at draven@starboxing.com
Ticket Information
Tickets are reasonably priced $100, $50 and $30 and can be purchased at the Paradise Theater box office 1- 800-353-8040 (tel.).
About Paradise Theater: The newly renovated Paradise Theater is conveniently located on Grand Concourse in the Bronx and is accessible via the Metro North at Grand Central Station (Fordham Stop), by Subway (take the 4, B or the D to Fordham Rd), or by taking the BxM4 Express bus from midtown Manhattan (Fordham Rd Stop).
About Star Boxing: Star Boxing has been in operation since 1992. Star Boxing President Joe DeGuardia, a former Golden Gloves Champion, is an accomplished attorney and a past Bronx Assistant District Attorney. Star Boxing’s stable features world class athletes that include former world light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, Mike Arnaoutis, Delvin Rodriguez, Terrance Cauthen, and undefeated heavyweight prospects, Kevin Johnson and Malachy Farrell.