Youngstown, Ohio ~ December 16, 2009 b- It is fight week and since arriving on Monday evening, middleweight contender Miguel Espino and his team have enjoyed their time and experience in Youngstown, Ohio, ecstatic at the opportunity of a life-time. Espino is living a life-long dream and now understands what it is like to be fighting for the middleweight championship of the world. Most fighters that fight for their first world title are overwhelmed by the fame that comes with it, however, Espino is different and stays humble. While preparing himself mentally with trainer John Bray for the fight of his life, Espino is taking this experience all in stride and thinking about what could become of his career, if he is to defeat Pavlik and become the new WBC/WBO world middleweight champion. He knows that he is the underdog and is content with that label until fight night..
Miguel had a great training camp at Fortune’s Gym in Hollywood, California and hopes to perfect his game plan when he challenges Pavlik this Saturday. When speaking to trainer John Bray about the fight plan, Bray indicated that, “I expect Miguel to just back Kelly up once the bell rings. Pavlik doesn’t respond to pressure well and we’re just looking to get him on the ropes and go at him. Once that bell rings, Miguel will have that Aztec Warrior mentality and be ready for war.”
As Espino is getting acclimated to the cold winters of the east, his body is responding well. Espino had a good public workout yesterday for the media and will attend a final press conference today at the Beeghly Center with Pavlik. After the public workout yesterday, Espino was appreciative of the support he has received from Latinos in the Youngstown area. Calls have flooded his trainer and publicist from Youngstown fans wondering how they could support Miguel in any way.
While speaking at the initial press conference leading up to the fight, Espino noted that, “I know there will not be many Mexicans rooting for me and much of Pavlik’s fans will be (Beeghly Center) there”; however, that is far from the truth as many Mexicans from Youngstown have expressed much support for Miguel and want him to beat Pavlik.
When Miguel was asked about the support he’s received from the Youngstown area Miguel stated, “Man, I didn’t even think that there would be Latinos or Mexicans for that matter out here rooting for me. It is very humbling and I’m appreciative of the fact that they’re rooting for me to beat the hometown fighter. I’m going to do the best I can come fight night and hope to share that night with my new fans in Youngstown and my fans back home in Cali.”
Espino is truly appreciative of the support he has continued to receive and looks to give his fans a great night of boxing as he expects to conquer the Youngstown fighter and take back those titles to the West Coast.
This exciting world middleweight title bout is brought to you by Top Rank Promotions and tickets are still for available for the bout. Prices for the tickets are $250, $150, $100, $50 and can be purchased at the Beeghly Center box office or online at www.tickets.com.
The bout will also be part of a live Pay-Per-View doubleheader with Humberto Soto battling Jesus Chavez in Toluca, Mexico. Contact your local cable or satellite provider to order.
For additional information access www.toprank.com.
Miguel Espino Training Camp Update
Hollywood, CA ~ December 11, 2009 – As WBC CABOFE middleweight champion and WBC No.3 world rated contender Miguel Espino (20-2-1, 9 KO’s) wraps up training camp out of Fortune’s Gym in Hollywood, California, trainer John Bray is pleased with his pupil’s progress as Espino prepares himself to challenge world middleweight champion Kelly “the Ghost” Pavlik (35-1, 31 KO’s), in Pavlik’s own backyard of Youngstown, Ohio for his WBC and WBO world middleweight titles.
For the last four weeks, Espino has been focusing on one thing and one thing only…beating Kelly Pavlik and showing the people in boxing that he is not just some handpicked opponent in order for Pavlik to retain his titles. Espino knows he is an underdog and has made it very clear that he relishes this opportunity that Top Rank has provided him. “I know I’m going into dangerous territory in Kelly’s hometown of Youngstown, but I’m a man and a man has to take care of his family. No one is going to give this to me and I know that in order to be a world champion, I have to beat the world champion”, said Espino.
Espino has continued to train diligently under the tutelage of trainer and mentor of ten years John Bray and Bray knows that his pupil is ready to make a name for himself in the middleweight division. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime and Miguel Espino will be prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually to go to war December 19th. We are grateful for the opportunity that Top Rank and Mr. Bob Arum have given us and we will make the most of it”, said Bray.
This coming Monday, December 14th, Team Espino will be headed to Youngstown, Ohio as Espino acclimates to the frigid winters of the east. He’s not only fighting for himself, but for his family and all of the people of Los Angeles who have had his back since the beginning of his career.
It has been a long road for both Miguel Espino and trainer John Bray, but they both know that hard work and determination pays off and come December 19th, Bray hopes to be wrapping both titles around Espino’s waist.
This world middleweight title bout is brought to you by Top Rank Promotions and tickets for the bout are priced at $250, $150, $100, $50 and can be purchased at the Beeghly Center box office or online at www.tickets.com.
The bout will also be part of a live Pay-Per-View doubleheader with Humberto Soto battling Jesus Chavez in Toluca, Mexico. Contact your local cable or satellite provider to order.