Hot on the heels of DeGale V Groves, Promoter Frank Warren will follow it up with yet another mouth-watering domestic showdown that the whole country wants to see – John Murray versus Kevin Mitchell on Saturday 9th July.
Former British, Commonwealth and European Champion Murray, 31-0-0 (18), boasts the longest unbeaten run in British Boxing and sees Mitchell as the last hurdle in his quest to challenge for a world title challenge. Essex man Mitchell, 31-1-0 (23), sees Mancunian rival as his ticket back to the big time after his disappointment at Upton Park and knows another defeat could end his own world title aspirations.
Murray said today; “I thought Mitchell had bottled it once and for all when he turned down the opportunity to fight me earlier this year, but I am glad we finally have a date as this fight has been a long time coming and, apart from the world title, this is the only meaningful challenge left for me in the UK.”
Dagenham’s Mitchell, himself a former British and Commonwealth Champion, said today; “Murray’s done well but he hasn’t faced me yet and, if he had, we wouldn’t keep hearing about his unbeaten record, I was 31-0 too with more stoppages than him, until I lost out in my 32nd fight which he will too. Personally, I am over the moon that the fight is taking place in London so I can show my legions of fans that last year was a one off an Kevin Mitchell is back.
Promoter Frank Warren added; “Like DeGale V Groves this is another fantastic fight that I am so pleased to be able to stage this summer. Finally the big fights are being made and like the winner DeGale V Groves, the winner can look forward to a world title challenge in the new season. This is a real 50/50 match and I salute both guys for signing up for it. Expect a full, action packed undercard to be announced shortly.”
VIDEO FOOTAGE OF WBA WORLD BOXING SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION ANDRE WARD
The event is co-promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, Antonio Leonard Productions and Sauerland Event and sponsored by Corona.
Tickets are available for as low as $25, with VIP floor seats priced at $200. Other tickets in the 8,000-seat outdoor stadium at The Home Depot Center are available at $50 and $100. Fans can purchase tickets at all Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.Ticketmaster.com as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets by calling 1-877-234-8425.
In a non-televised undercard bout, heavyweight world contender and popular Southern California slugger Chris Arreola will try to stay on track for another opportunity of a world championship when he takes on Nagy Aguilera.
OFFICIAL UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED FOR PUNCHIN AT THE PARADISE SHOW THURSDAY
This Thursday night, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, brings live professional boxing back to the Bronx, when it presents an exciting six bout card; the first of the 2011 “Punchin at the Paradise” fight series; at the historic Paradise Theater on Grand Concourse in the Bronx. The show is headlined by The Bronx’s Edgar Santana (24-3, 15KO’s) making his much anticipated return to the ring when he takes on Robert Jones in an eight round welterweight match-up.
Make his Star Boxing debut, and also fighting for the first time in front of his home fans since turning pro, will be the Bronx’s highly touted Puerto Rican, Emmanuel Gonzalez (7-0, 6KO’s). Gonzalez, who is a former NY Golden Gloves Champion, recently signed an exclusive promotional contract with Star Boxing after meeting with a number of other promoters looking to sign the unbeaten prospect. Gonzalez is set to square off against Jacob Thorton (2-3, 1KO) in a six round super featherweight showdown.
Another recent addition to the Star Boxing stable will make his debut under the promotional banner when super middleweight knockout artist, Jason “Monstruo” Escalera (10-0, 9KO’s) takes on Mustafah Johnson. The Puerto Rican Escalera, also a Golden Gloves Champion as an amateur, has been dismantling his opponents since entering the pro ranks in 2008. Escalera-Johnson is scheduled for six rounds.
The Bronx’s popular Albanian cruiserweight, Stivens “Superman” Bujaj (3-0, 2KO’s) will also see action on the card when he takes on Chuck Dillard over four rounds. The 20-year-old Bujaj turned pro in 2010 shortly after winning the NY Golden Gloves Championship. Like Gonzalez, it will be the first time Bujaj has the opportunity to fight in front of his hometown Bronx fans since turning pro.
Another undefeated up and coming prospect, Long Island’s, Issouf Kinda (9-0, 4KO’s) will also look to continue his winning ways when he takes on Jorge Ruiz in a six round jr. welterweight match-up.
Rounding out the card will be a neighborhood battle when the Bronx’s Stephen Owusu (6-6, 2KO’s) returns to the ring for the first time since 2000 when he takes on nearby Mount Vernon’s pro-debuting, Juan Perez. Owusu-Perez is scheduled for four rounds in the welterweight division.
Tickets are priced at $30, $50 and $100 and can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823-2000, visiting www.starboxing.com or simply by CLICKING HERE: Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Paradise Theater box office, located at 2417 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY.