Prescott-Jargal, Andrade-Bell on 4/22, Murray-Ouazghari on Saturday, More

On Friday, April 22nd, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing returns to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT with an intriguing double-header on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights”. Kicking off the telecast will be Providence Rhode Island’s 2008 U.S. Olympian, Demetrius Andrade as he takes on his toughest opponent to date when he squares off against once beaten Omar Bell in an eight round jr. middleweight showdown. Then all-action, Bayan Jargal looks to make the leap into the mix of top 140 pounders when he takes on the “Khanqueror” Breidis Prescott in a ten round jr. welterweight contest.

“We are excited to be returning to Mohegan Sun, with what promises to be an exciting double-header,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing, and promoter of Jargal and Andrade. “At Star Boxing we always look to make the best possible fights for the fans, and we feel April 22nd will be no different. You have one of the hottest prospects in all of boxing opening up the show, and Jargal and Prescott are both all-action fighters which is sure to produce fireworks. We are also looking to to pack the undercard with exciting local talent that will make it an entertaining and exciting show from top to bottom.”

“Friday Night Fights and Mohegan Sun go hand-in-hand when it comes to providing a memorable night of action and competition,” said Tom Cantone, Vice President of Sports and Entertainment at Mohegan Sun. “The relationship we’ve sustained throughout the years has provided boxing fans with entertainment and allows the region’s premiere fighters to showcase their talents.”

Jargal (15-1-3, 10KO’s) who represented his native Mongolia at the 2004 World Games, is coming off his lone defeat as a pro, a very close, controversial split decision to Steve Chambers (23-1-1). Prescott, (23-3, 19KO’s) who is ranked #11 by the WBA, began his career knocking out seventeen of the first eighteen opponents he faced. Prescott shocked the boxing world when he completely annihilated current WBA jr. welterweight champion, Amir Khan, knocking him out in the first round when the two met in 2008. Prescott has since all but begged Khan to step back into the ring with him, and get a shot at Khan’s world title, but Khan refuses to fight the man who knocked him out. A win over “Khanqueror” Prescott would immediately throw Jargal into the mix of the loaded jr. welterweight division.

For Andrade (12-0, 8KO’s), who along with representing the US in the 2008 Olympics, was the 2007 Amateur World Champion, it will mark the seventh time in just thirteen fights as a pro that the young star will be featured on ESPN. The 23-year-old southpaw, has continued to impress each time he steps in the ring, and is coming off a dominating eight round unanimous decision over another once beaten prospect Alberto Herrera (7-1-1) on ESPN in his last fight.

Bell (8-1, 5KO’s) bounced back nice in 2010, (after suffering his first loss as a pro in 2008,) picking up two victories, including a shut-out win in his last fight against previously undefeated Quinton Willis. Bell’s has a very exciting non-stop, high output punching style which will make for a very entertaining fight against the highly regarded Andrade.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1 (800) 745-3000 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at (718) 823-2000 or visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Tickets are priced at $80, $50 and $35. ESPN will begin live coverage of the event starting at 8PM ET.

GALLAGHER DEFENDS UNBEATEN RECORD WITH MURRAY!

Manchester star John Murray isn’t the only one putting his unbeaten record on the line this Saturday night – his trainer Joe Gallagher is under pressure too.

Murray has the longest current unbeaten run in British boxing of 30 fights, while Gallagher defends a 45-fight winning streak built up over three years when Murray faces Karim El Ouzaghari in a European lightweight title defence at York Hall, live on Sky Sports 1HD.

His success as a trainer has taken in five European title fights, seven British and one English, and has involved the likes of Matt Macklin, Tony Jeffries, Murray and his brother Joe, and Anthony Crolla.

The roll call of of triumphs could be extended in the coming months as well with Stephen and Paul Smith and Callum Johnson recently joining the stable.

“It certainly spurs everyone on in the gym,” said Gallagher.

“No one wants to be the fighter who is in the ring when the winning streak gets snapped.

“If someone had told me three years ago that I would have this record, I wouldn’t have believed them.

“It’s a tremendous accolade, but cutsman Mick Williamson and nutritionist Kerry Kays have played a crucial role as well.

“I don’t know what the secret to my success is, but I love boxing and I hope my enthusiasm rubs off on everyone who comes into the gym.

“We’ve got a great mix of fighters at the moment.

“I think of the likes of John Murray and Matt Macklin as the equivalent of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, campaigners who have been there and done it all before, and then you’ve got your young kids coming through as well.

“For someone like Mark Heffron or Callum Johnson, they can be in the gym doing bag work, and on one side they will have Macklin, and on the other Paul Smith, two great fighters who have been British champion.

“In football, everyone wants to play for Man Utd, and I want to create a gym up here in Manchester where everyone wants to come and train with me.

“I’ve always got room for more fighters, and we might have a few more fighters through the door in the next couple of weeks.

“Someone the other week said that my gym was Manchester’s equivalent to the WildCard, and I don’t think you can get better praise than that.”

Gallagher won’t be drawn on how long his unbeaten record will last.

“Nothing lasts forever,” he said. “What’s that old saying? ‘Records are for DJs’

“It won’t be the end of the world if someone loses, and I don’t want it to become an albatross around my neck.

“But to be honest, I’ll take a few more fights before one of my guys gets beaten!”

Murray headlines a top fight card called “Here’s Johnny!” announcing his arrival in London. The card also features Hatfield middleweight Billy Joe Saunders, Cromer featherweight Ryan Walsh, Canning Town super-featherweight Billy Morgan, Penge welterweight Bradley Skeete and Slough welterweight George Michael Carmen.

Remining tickets are available from the Frank Warren Promotions Box Office on 01992 550 888 or online at www.frankwarren.tv

Karl Place to fight on 4/9

SKY SPORTS tip for the top Karl Place will step up to eight round level next month.

The unbeaten Manchester light-welterweight faces a selected opponent on Frank Maloney’s card at Houghton-le-Spring’s Rainton Meadows Arena on Saturday April 9.

Place, 22, was named by Sky’s boxing experts as one of their ‘11 of 2011’ and is determined to justify their backing.

He is unbeaten in 12 fights and Maloney and manager Steve Wood believe the youngster will soon be in title contention.

Maloney said: “You can see from recent matches made that prospects are being let off the leash earlier.

“Karl has only been a professional for around two-and-a-half years and he is ready to be pitched in against some of Britain’s best.

“There is no reason why he shouldn’t be thinking of winning British and Commonwealth titles inside the next 12 months.”

After winning 25 of his 34 amateur fights the light-welterweight teamed up with trainer Steve Maylett.

Maylett said: “Karl and my other fighter Terry Flanagan are two of the hardest trainers I have ever worked with; they put 100 per cent into every session. The two lads have a lot of potential.”

Place’s fight is the chief support when Darlington’s Stuey Hall (10-0-1) risks his British bantamweight title against Liverpool’s John Donnelly (12-1)

Hall won the British crown against Ian Napa and will win a Lonsdale belt outright if he makes a successful third defence against scouser Donnelly.

Tickets priced £30 and £65 are available 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com.