Photos: Miranda Training Hard For Bute

In preparation for his April 17th IBF world title fight against Lucian Bute, Edison Pantera Miranda has been training in Van Nuys, CA with his new trainer Joe Goossen. The two have now been working together for nine months, and Miranda claims his training is going perfect. “I connected with Joe the first day we met, and I have seen myself get better and better over the months. I believe Joe has been the missing ingredient for me to get the belt. Now that he’s in my corner, I realize I can achieve whatever I want.”

With three weeks until the fight, Miranda appears ready to go. “Since I moved out to Van Nuys nearly a year ago, I have re-dedicated my life to boxing.. I’ve been training six days a week for several hours each day. I have never felt more mentally or physically prepared for a fight than I do now. Because of the continuous hard training, even my weight has been where it should be.”

The super middleweight fight, which will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing. On that same night, HBO will also be televising from Atlantic City Kelly Pavlik defending his middleweight titles against Sergio Martinez. It is anticipated to be a very special night of boxing.

“I have been to Montreal a couple times now, and I love this city because they love boxing. I know Lucian Bute is their hero, but I also know the fans want to see a show. I will give the fans of Montreal the show they deserve. I am not going there just to get paid. I am going there to beat Bute, and that is exactly what I expect to do. I respect him for his talents and accomplishments, but when I’m at my best, which is where I am now, he is no match for me.”

Miranda went on to say “The fans of Montreal will not be sad when Bute loses his title. Instead, they will recognize my talent and the huge passion I have for the sport of boxing. After my victory, they will be happy for me because I will have given them the show they are paying for. They will witness a fearless panther in that ring with strength and desire, and I will look forward to returning to Montreal to defend my belt in front of these same fans. They are among the best fans in the world, and they deserve it.”