With Showtime and veteran boxing analyst Al Bernstein presiding, assembled media were given asmall glimpse of the action when “Finally”, the all women’s championship boxing pay per view takes the stage Friday, June 13 at the Isleta Resort Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Teh assembled fighters, some of the best and the brightest in female boxing today, were all in agreement that this event is a great step forward for their sport and that “the best fight the best..”
Eileen Olszewski was gracious in her remarks and obviously emotional over being part of the event, but promised a title wining performance. Her opponent and former amateur sparring partner, Carina Moreno, displayed the poise of a 18 fight veteran, and predicted taking home yet another title.
The rematch between Hollie Dunaway and Wendy Rodriguez was given even more fuel by Dunaway’s manager Ron Brand, who offered a $1000 bonus if his fighter KOs Rodriguez. If Dunaway doesn’t get the KO or TKO, the money goes to a local Albuquerque charity. Rodriguez vowed she and Dunaway’s bout would steal the show and thanked her for the opportunity to face her again.
In a co-main event that has been compared to a potential female Gatti/Ward, Chevelle Hallback spoke about her bout with Jeannine Garside being an exciting chance for women’s boxing. “I’ve been in this game a long, long, time,” Hallback said. “And I’ve seen women’s boxing go up and down and back up again. But this event and this fight is something that will make women’s boxing stay on top.” Garside recalled fighting on a card with Hallback when she claimed her first title, and how in the back of her mind, she always wondered about fighting her.
The main event between Holly Holm and Mary Jo Sanders or any main event wouldn’t be complete without a wager- and both managers got into the act, with Sanders manager Jimmy Mallo and Holm Manager Mike Winklejohn putting up $3000 for a victory by their respective fighter. Mary Jo Sanders described her tough training regimen for this fight, the methods they employed to deal with the New Mexico altitude and her sparring with Detroit fighter Damian Fuller. Holly Holm also mentioned her rigorous training with Mike Winklejohn and addressed the loe loss on her record as something that made her a better fighter, and never want to taste defeat again.
Press Conference Quotes
Holly Holm: “They mentioned my draw and loss, but I’m glad I tasted defeat because I know that I won’t taste it again. I’m nervous as all heck, but that’s normal, and it means I’m focused. I can’t wait for Friday to be over with.”
Mary Jo Sanders: “The women on this card defy gender. There is no skill difference between us and the men. I’ve been training…can’t even describe it. I’ve been doing crazy things —jumping over fences and running hills, using a breathing apparatus to restrict breathing . . . sparring 30, 40 rounds with southpaw Damian Fuller. I’ve been training for this fight like I’ve never trained for anything else.”
Chevelle Hallback: “This is history in the making. I’m overwhelmed to be part of this.”
Jeannie Garside: “I’m quite honored to fight Chevelle. ‘Finally’ has a lot of meaning for me. The day has come for me, finally.”
Wendy Rodriguez: “We’ll steal the show. Thank you, Hollie, for giving me a second chance to fight you.”
Hollie Dunaway: “Wendy and I will steal the show. We know each other pretty well from when we fought over a year ago.”
(Note: Dunaway’s camp will throw and extra $1,000 into the pot if there is a winner by knockout—either fighter)
Eileen Olszewski: “It took three years for me to get my pro debut. During that time, I watched these fighters and wished I could be like them. It just seems so unreal to be here now. I’ve trained really hard, but I’m ready to get the belt.”
Carino Moreno: “This is going to be history in the making, this card. This is business and tomorrow, I’m going to take care of business.”
Television
“Finally” is being produced and distributed by Integrated Sports for live viewing in the United States and Canada (10 PM/ET) on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN DEMAND, TVN, Shaw Communications, DirecTV, Bell Expressvue and StarChoice for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.
Al Bernstein and Arnie Rosenthal are the TV commentators, while former NFL placekicker Benny Ricardo serves as ring announcer. Ricardo was a teammate of main event fight Mary Jo Sanders’ father, Hall of Fame tight end Charlie Sanders, on the Detroit Lions.
Tickets
$50.00, $100.00, $150.00, $200.00, $350.00 and $500.00 on sale at the Isleta Casino and Resort box office, www.tickets.com or at Fresquez Productions, Inc. (508.884.7484).
Information
Go to www.fresquezproductions.com or www.holmvssanders.com. Doors open at 5:30 PM/MT, first bout 7:00 PM/MT, first televised bout 8:00 PM/MT.