LOS ANGELES, September 1 – The time has come for Gary Russell Jr., a member of the 2008 United States Olympic team and an undefeated professional who has sent 17 opponents crashing to defeat. The 23-year-old phenom will hit HBO airwaves for the first time on Saturday, September 3 when he squares off against Mexican knockout artist Leonilo Miranda in the co-featured bout on the Andre Berto vs. Jan Zaveck Boxing After Dark card at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
The eight-round featherweight bout is a significant crossroads event for the Maryland southpaw who will be tested by the hard-hitting Miranda, who has won two of his last three bouts and will look to continue his streak upwards against the blue chip prospect.
“This is a big step for me in my career and I thank everyone involved for giving me this opportunity,” said Russell. “Miranda is a tough opponent, but I need to go out there and treat him like all the rest, by dominating him and then finishing him off.”
“Everyone is talking about Gary Russell and saying that he’s a talented young boxer,” said Miranda, “but he’s never been in with someone like me and this is my big chance on HBO too, so I’m going in there to knock him out.”
“Gary Russell’s progress has been amazing and this is the right time for him to show what he can do to in front of very knowledgeable HBO viewers,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Miranda is powerful and he’s determined to win this fight, but we have every confidence that Gary will deliver when the bell rings.”
Russell vs. Miranda is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions. Battle in Biloxi: Berto vs. Zaveck is presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with SES Boxing and sponsored by STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz live on HBO Pay Per View September 17, AZAD watches and The Underground Clown. The show will be aired live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 10:30 PM ET/PT.
Without question the most talented featherweight prospect to emerge from the United States in years, Gary Russell Jr. (17-0, 10 KO’s) may not have struck gold in the 2008 Olympics due to a medical issue that kept him from competing, but he is on the fast track to winning gold in the form of a world championship in the professional game. Since his pro debut in 2009, the Capitol Heights, Maryland product has stayed busy, ramping up his level of competition each fight. In July of 2010, Russell Jr. stopped former World Champion Mauricio Pastrana in a single round and the hits have kept on coming. In his most recent bout in July of 2011, Russell shut out Eric Estrada over eight rounds, proving that he’s ready for prime time.
A native of El Paredoncito, Sonora, Mexico, five-foot-seven inch southpaw Leonilo “Veneno” Miranda (32-3, 30 KO’s) has been “poison” to his opponents over the last nine years, mixing knockout power with a southpaw style to baffle his foes before sending them to the canvas. The winner of 17 fights in two rounds or less, the 28-year-old Miranda is a former Mexican champ who is ready to step up to the world title level. To do that, he needs to first get past Russell on September 3 to build on a streak that has seen him win two of his last three bouts, with the loss a controversial split decision defeat to 8-0 Luis Franco in February.
Tickets are priced at $150, $100 and $50, and are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, at any Ticketmaster retail outlet or in person at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office.
Gabriel Rosado Fact Sheet For Sept. 9 Fight With Keenan Collins
• 25 years old (January 14, 1986)
•Born in Philadelphia (North Philadelphia.; moved to the Roxborough section of Philadelphia when he was 15 and still lives there now.)
•17-5, 10 KOs; three-fight win streak
•Turned pro in 2006 at age 20 (first went to a gym at age 18, although he started boxing at the age of 6; Rosado: “You have to know how to fight in North Philadelphia if you want to walk around the neighborhood.” His amateur record: 14-3)
•Upcoming fight: September 9 vs. Keenan Collins (13-6-2, 1 NC; 9 KOs) at Asylum Arena, 7 West Ritner Street (South Philadelphia). Tickets are priced at $45 and $65 and can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or going online at www.peltzboxing.com. College students can purchase tickets at the door for $15 with their student ID card.
•Trainer: Billy Briscoe (no relation to former fighter Bennie Briscoe), of Philadelphia, who has been Rosado’s only trainer as an amateur and pro; Briscoe on Rosado: “He’s been working on staying relaxed in the ring, using his jab and going to the body more. He can go all the way to the top if he’s moved right. He’s probably a year away.” Briscoe on Collins: “He’s a tall banger who uses the ring and has a decent jab.”
•Advised By: Doc Nowicki, who also manages undefeated welterweight Mike Jones; Nowicki on Rosado: “Gaby is very dedicated to his training and feels he could be a world champion some day. He would fight anybody on any given day. Russell Peltz (his promoter) and I have very high hopes for him and will do anything we can to make that happen.”
•Promoted By: Hall-of-Fame promoter J Russell Peltz, of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc.; Peltz on Rosado: “Gaby is a perfect example of on-the-job training. He only had 17 amateur fights so he gets better as he goes along. He’s got a big heart and he’ll fight anybody and he had an old-school trainer in Billy Briscoe, who learned at the knee of ex-lightweight contender Wesley Mouzon, who also trained Dwight Qawi, Tony Thornton, Anthony Boyle and Chucky T. He has good size at six feet and you have to tie him down to keep him out of the gym. What more can you ask for?”
•Biggest Win: Against former world champion Kassim Ouma (10-round decision victory, April 24, 2009), but he’s also had nice wins over James Moore, Saul Roman and Latif Mundy; other notable fights: losses to highly rated Alfredo Angulo in 2009 and then-undefeated Fernando Guerrero also in 2009.
•Favorite fighters as a teenager: Pernell Whitaker, Roy Jones, Felix Trinidad
•Favorite Current Fighter: Bernard Hopkins; “I’m impressed watching him fight at 46. I’ve been a sparring partner for him for four of his fights including his last ( a 12-round decision win over Jean Pascal in May). If he sees potential in you, he takes the time to break things down for you. He shares his boxing techniques and old-school traits with me. He’s improved my footwork and has showed me how to close the distance between myself and my opponents. He’s made a big difference in my career. He’s the coolest dude.”
•Rosado’s Large Family: Grandmother, who lives in North Philadelphia, is 101 year old and is able to walk, clean and watch Rosado’s fights when on TV.
•Mother is a pastor for the last two years at the Bethel United Church of Christ (in which Rosado is a member) in the Olney section of Philadelphia.
•Father is the head of maintenance at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia.
• Has two sisters, 21 uncles and aunts, numerous cousins
Rosado on the altercation (in which he and six friends and family members were involved) with police and security at a casino several hours after his last fight (July 15) in Atlantic City: “It was an unfortunate situation–a big misunderstanding. I apologize that I was involved in this. I can’t comment on the specific events of what happened, but I trust that everything will be favorably resolved when all of the facts are sorted out. I want to thank all of my family, friends and fans for their tremendous support.”
The Official Pacquiao-Marquez Media Tour Notebook – Day 1
Mabuhay Mr. and Mrs. Boxing Fan and all the ships at sea. Let’s go to press.
Dateline Manila — Day No. 1 of the Manny Pacquiao – Juan Manuel Marquez III 25,000-mile international media tour.
GOOD MORNING MANILA! México’s three-division world champion JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ and Hall of promoter BOB ARUM received an incredible media welcome when they arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on September 1. Despite the early hour – 5:30 a.m. – 12 TV crews plus reporters and photographers from various other international outlets and fans greeted them for 30 minutes of interviews. That was followed by a live 20-minute interview at 6:15 a.m. on the morning show on GMA, one of the top TV networks in the Philippines…
HABLA INGLÉS? Much to everyone’s pleasant surprise, Marquez has insisted on doing all his interviews in English, further endearing him to the Filipino fight fans and media alike…
MARQUEZ STAYS ON TRACK! After checking into the historic and elegant Hotel Manila, which celebrates its centennial next year, and doing more interviews there, Marquez and Hall of fame trainer NACHO BERISTAIN went across the street to the Quirino Grandstand for a 30-minute run. Highlights of his run were broadcast on all the afternoon and evening TV newscasts…
ALL KEYED UP! Marquez and Arum were invited to visit with The Honorable Alfredo S. Lim, Mayor, City of Manila. Upon the motorcade’s entrance into the outdoor plaza of the Mayor’s compound, a 100-piece band played “The People” – a national song – followed by a rousing rendition of “Tijuana Taxi,” made famous by Herb Albert’s Tijuana Brass. Before entering the Mayor’s office building, Marquez made his way through the throng of fans to personally thank the band. Marquez and Arum then had a chat in Mayor Slim’s office, followed by a public ceremony where Mayor Slim presented Marquez and Arum with the keys to the city.
“I am happy to be here. This is my second time visiting Manila,” said Marquez. “I love the Filipino fight fans and I am happy I got this opportunity, not just to fight Manny Pacquiao again but because I get to return to Manila. Everyone has made me feel at home. I will be training in the mountains for this fight. This is a very important fight to me and I know it will not be easy to win it…”
GOOD FRIDAY! More activities are on tap for Marquez and Arum on Friday, including a courtesy call to the Mexican Embassy and the first meeting of the media tour between Manny Pacquiao and Marquez at a private dinner hosted by Solar Entertainment.