Universal Boxing Organization™ Inter-Continental Super Middleweight Champion, Anthony Dirrell fighting in a non title bout defeated Kevin Engel on Friday night at the Morongo Casino in Cabazon, California.
With the victory Anthony Dirrell raises his undefeated record to 23-0 (20 KOs), while Engel falls to 18-5 (15 KOs).
The fight was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.
Kevin Engel took the fight on short notice when original opponent former world super middleweight champion Alejandro Berrio pulled out.
In this fight from the outset Anthony Dirrell showed he was intent on having an early night. Dirrell took control of the fight early on landing solid shots to the body and head. His jab was effective, and his combinations were on target.
Dirrell dropped Engel twice in round two, before referee Dr. Lou Moret counted Engel out. Time of the stoppage was 1:44 of round two, and Dirrell would celebrate his devastating victory in the ring with a perfectly executed backflip.
More info on: www.uboboxing.com
The UBO is also on Twitter: www.twitter.com/UBOboxing
MIRANDA HOPES DESPAIGNE FIGHT NOT SHOWN IN 3D
While the main event on Friday, July 29, at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and live on ESPN Friday Night Fights, a 12-round International Boxing Federation (IBF) elimination bout between Victor Cayo and Lamont Peterson, may be of more worldwide significance, the opening televised bout that night just might steal the show.
Given their aggressive styles, the 10-round light heavyweight showdown between murderous punching Colombian Edison “Pantera” Miranda (34-5, 29 KOs) and hard-nosed former Cuban amateur star Yordanis Despaigne (8-1, 4 KOs) is a can’t miss all-action war.
The former multiple world-title challenger Miranda is having only his second fight at 175 lbs after campaigning as a middleweight and super middleweight, but his debut at the weight last June against the normally durable Ray Saunders became a track meet after Saunders tasted some of Miranda’s power.
Eager to get back to world-title contention and finally win his first belt, the charismatic Miranda has been in heavy training for the important showcase. Through an interpreter, he answered the following questions.
What about the Rayco Saunders fight told you, you were ready for a big fight? Did you feel good in your first fight back in a year?
It felt great getting back into the ring. I wasn’t looking for a knockout. We have been working on different things in the gym and I wanted the rounds to see how I felt. There were a few times I saw opportunities to throw a big punch, but I held back. Saunders was the perfect opponent. He is a tough guy who has a great defense. It was just what I needed to get me ready to fight someone like Despaigne.
How would you describe Yordanis Despaigne as a fighter?
I know Despaigne very well. He has a good amateur background. When we step in the ring next week, he better be ready for the big leagues. I am very strong at 175 lbs and I will not hold back from letting him feel my power. I am not looking past him, but I am very confident that this will be easy work for me. This is my world TV premier at 175 lbs on ESPN. You saw what happen to David Banks in my 168-lb world premiere. I hope this fight is not shown in 3D or Despaigne may end up in your living room. I will make a statement and people will be talking about Edison Miranda again.
What makes you know you will beat him?
My trainer and I have seen the tapes. He does not impress me. I am very ready for this fight and very hungry to get a shot at the light heavyweight title. When that bell rings I am going in for the kill.
You’ve always been sensational against second-tier opponents and then disappointed against top-level guys. What’s going to be different this time if you make it back to a title shot?
I have to be at my best to fight the best. Making weight has always been my biggest struggle. I have made mistakes in the ring and have learned from these. It is not how hard you fall. It is how you get back up and learn from your falls. At 175 lbs I will not be losing muscle to make weight. The higher weight feels natural and I am able to work hard at boxing instead of working hard at losing weight. I have let down my fans when it mattered the most. I want to make my fans proud and be a champion.
You came in heavy for your last fight. Any weight problems this time?
No problems at all. I am right on target. I was looking at the fight with Saunders as another day in the gym. It was a good sparring session for me. Weight was not on my mind. I came in a few pounds heavier than the contract weight. Not a big deal.I would never let that happen for an important TV fight like I have with Despaigne.
Are you as powerful as ever at 175?
I can’t tell you how great it feels not having to worry about my weight. I have always had so much power during training, but when it came down to losing those last 10-15 lbs it killed me. I never felt like myself in the ring when I needed to be at my best. I was able to be good enough against most fighters, but I didn’t have the strength I needed against guys like Bute and Ward. I don’t see me having this problem at 175 lbs. I am close to weight already and feel strong as ever. My hands are like TNT and they are going to explode when I land my fist on Despaigne’s big head.
Will we ever see you as a cruiserweight?
I want the big fights at 175 lbs now. That is where I need to look. I want to stay at a weight that feels right. When the day comes that 175 lbs feels like a struggle then I will move up. I have been well over 200 lbs and I feel better there than I ever did at 160 or even 168. So you may want to ask if Edison Miranda will ever be a heavyweight.
In conjunction with Warriors Boxing Promotions and Blue Wave Group, “Fight Nights at The Cosmopolitan” combines the mystique and excitement of legendary Las Vegas boxing matches with a new and socially dynamic experience. Tickets are on sale now and priced at $250 for VIP tables, $150 for ringside seats, $100 for floor seats, $50 for grandstand seating and $20 for general admission tickets and are available for purchase by calling 877-551-7778 or at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com.
The WBF Goes Mexico
The World Boxing Federation is proud to announce that former five-time world featherweight champion Manuel “Mantecas” Medina will soon start promoting WBF-sanctioned bouts in Mexico.
The 40-years old Medina will mainly focus on up and coming prospects, staging regional title fights.
For starters, he is looking to fill the vacant spot of the Latin light flyweight championship and is planning a two-fight elimination tournament.
Medina himself fought as a professional from 1985 to 2008. During his long and illustrious career, the Mexican warrior won five featherweight championships. He first captured the IBF title in 1991 and regrouped after losing it by winning the WBC belt four years later. Medina lost his first title defense and came up short in a shot at then-WBO champion Naseem Hamed in ‘96 but made another comeback two years later when he once again grabbed the IBF strap. In 2001, he became a four-time titlelist by winning the IBF belt for a third time against Frank Toledo. However, he lost the title in his first defense, but this time by a close decision against the legendary Johnny Tapia. He then went on to win his final world title in 2003 when he defeated reigning WBO champ Scott Harrison.
After a loss to Malcolm Klassen in 2008, Medina decided to hang up the gloves for good. He fought 84 times as a professional, winning 67 fights (31 by knockout) with 16 loses and one draw. During his championship career, he squared off against great fighters like Hamed, Tapia, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tom Johnson or Kevin Kelley amongst others.
Besides, the WBF will also start to work with Hector Garcia’s HG Boxing, one of Mexico’s premier promoters. Garcia is regarded as one of the world’s leading female boxing supporters and will stage his first WBF world title fight on July 23 when Irma Sanchez and Carlota Santos clash for the vacant women’s flyweight title.
Mexican legend and multiple weight-division world champion Erik “El Terrible” Morales has been working with the WBF in Mexico for quite some time already. He is the promoter of unbeaten Manuel Jimenez, the current WBF minimum weight world champion.