Former Heavyweight Champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman Headlines; “Big” Michael Grant in main supporting bout. Local Favorites Kenny Abril, Russell Jordan and Darnell Jiles Jr. also make appearances.
The promoter leading a revival of Western New York boxing, Nick Garone of X-Cel Worldwide, is announcing yet another eye-catching world-class event. On December 3 at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York, Garone will present “Night of the Heavy Hitters” (in association with Bob Arum’s Top “Rank) featuring former undisputed and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman (45-7-2, 36 KOs) in the main event, with former #1 heavyweight contender and world title challenger “Big” Michael Grant (45-3, 33 KOs) in the chief supporting bout..
“It’s going to be a great night for boxing fans in the Rochester area,” said an excited Garone. “We’re doing this in conjunction with another elite organization in Bob Arum’s Top Rank, so you know it’s going to be a top-quality show. Besides the two big heavyweight battles, we’ve also got local kids Kenny Abril and Darnell Jiles Jr. in separate bouts.”
Grant, who fights under the X-Cel promotional banner, says he’s excited about the opportunity this fight will present. “I’m looking to hit the ground running for a big fight in 2010,” he explained. Grant is riding a seven-fight winning streak. He won the NABA-US Heavyweight Championship with a hard-fought win over Paul Marinaccio in his last bout.
“Michael is looking sharp and ready to get back into title contention,” said Grant’s promoter Garone. “He’s been feeling so good in the gym he told me he’d like it if he was the one facing Rahman that night. This is a great area for boxing, so who knows? Maybe when people see the size of these two guys and how strong they are, they’ll demand we set up a showdown between them in the future.”
Longtime top contender Rahman (45-7-2, 36 KOs) will be making his first appearance since losing a world title challenge to Wladimir Klitschko last December.
Rochester-based fighters are also well represented on this show, as super lightweights Kenny Abril and Darnell Jiles Jr., as well as super welterweight Russell Jordan are all slated for action. Undefeated Albany, New York, heavyweight Kimdo Bethel is also scheduled to appear.
Tickets are available at the Blue Cross Arena, Ticketmaster, the Mt. Hope Family Diner and all Chester Check Cashing locations. They are priced at $25, $35, $50 and $100 ringside.