Adamek vs. Banks, Lorenzo-Miranda This Saturday

By Boxing News - 02/26/2009 - Comments

The always-exciting Tomasz Adamek will defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) cruiserweight title against undefeated Johnathon Banks in the main event this Friday, Feb. 27, on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

The aggressive-minded Adamek (36-1, 24 KOs), of Jersey City, N.J., by way of Poland, will be making the first defense of his IBF title against Detroit’s Banks (20-0, 14 KOs), the IBF’s No. 8-ranked contender who is managed by Hall of Famer Emanuel Steward, at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

In the 12-round ShoBox co-feature, Giovanni Lorenzo (26-1, 18 KOs), of New York City via the Dominican Republic, will meet Dionisio Miranda (19-3-2, 17 KO’s) of Barranquilla, Colombia, in an IBF middleweight elimination bout. The winner could be next in line to challenge champion Arthur Abraham.

The event is promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions, in association with K2 Promotions. Tickets, priced from $38, can be purchased at the arena box office or by calling Ticketmaster (201) 507-8900. The first live fight starts at 8:30 p.m. ET.

What the fighters and camp members said Wednesday:

TOMASZ ADAMEK

“I am thankful to everyone who came out today and is supporting the fight.

“I am the world champion and the best cruiserweight right now. After the fight with Johnathon on Friday, I will still be the champ and still be the best.”

JOHNATHON BANKS

“I want to thank my staff, Main Events and especially Tomasz for giving me this opportunity to fight him.

“I don’t take a fight I don’t think I can win. I can box, I have the ability and I’m confident. He’s a dangerous fighter. We know that. I have the skills to win.”

EMANUEL STEWARD (Banks’ manager)

“Adamek is a big star. He’s created a great buzz and I enjoy watching him fight. It will be the Adamek show but come 11 p.m. (ET) it will become the Banks’ show. Banks will knock him out. I feel very confident. No matter what happens it will be a great fight. Both guys will be fighting for recognition.

“Banks is the strong puncher but Adamek has heart. It will be exciting”

GIOVANNI LORENZO

“I am very well prepared mentally. Better then I have been before. Each fight you need to step up to a higher level. On Friday you will see why they call me a ‘Chico Malo.’ ”

ALFREDO MARCHIO (Miranda’s trainer)

“Dionisio has been training in Miami before coming here. Coming from Colombia where the average person earns between $500-600 a month, this is an amazing opportunity. He will show up and give it his best for ShoBox.

“He is a contender, not just an opponent. I expect fireworks. His opponent is a top-10 contender. This is a situation where it is contender versus contender. We’ll be ready to fight (IBF middleweight champion Arthur) Abraham.”

MANAGER OF WORLD CHAMPIONS CAMERON DUNKIN ENGAGED
NUPTIALS TO TAKE PLACE IN COSTA RICA THIS FALL

Rumor has it that Cameron Dunkin, longtime manager of numerous boxing world champions, was recently engaged to 26 year old Emily Williams with the two planning to wed this Fall in Costa Rica.

The 52 year old Dunkin is celebrating this past Saturday’s return to the winner’s circle of middleweight world champion Kelly Pavlik in his victory over Marco Antonio Rubio as well as a terrific knockout win by very highly regarded middleweight prospect Matvey Korobov, both of which were viewed on the Top Rank produced Pay Per View “Two World Title Fights—One Night”.

Amongst his vast stable, Dunkin also manages featherweight world champion Steven Luevano and flyweight world champion Nonito Donaire..

Cameron Dunkin has managed numerous world champions over the last two decades and is recognized as one of the best managers in boxing.

In 2008, he was awarded the Boxing Writers Association of America’s prestigious Al Buck award for “Manager of the Year” as he guided three of his fighters to upset world title victories; middleweight Kelly Pavlik, featherweight Steven Luevano and flyweight Nonito Donaire.

Other fighters currently managed by Dunkin include highly regarded prospects James Kirkland, Mikey Garcia, Argenis Mendez, Terrence Crawford, Francisco Contreras and Bastie Samir.

Willie Limond-Godwin Mutampuka Weigh-In

THE WBU LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD

Willie Limond (Glasgow, Scotland)

v

Godwin Mutampuka (Zambia)

12 x 3 Minute Rounds

Kevin McIntyre (Paisley, Scotland)

v

Jay Morris (Newport, Isle of Wight)

8 x 3 Minute Rounds Welterweight Contest

Jason Hastie (Edinburgh, Scotland)

v

Robin Deakin (Crawley, England)

4 x 3 Minute Rounds Super-Featherweight Contest

Weighing In Tomorrow (Friday)

Kris Carslaw (Paisley, Scotland)
v
Duncan Cottier (London, England)

4 x 3 Minute Rounds Light-Middleweight Contest

Gary McMillan (Edinburgh, Scotland)
v
Alex Spitko (Mansfield, England)

4 x 3 Minute Rounds Welterweight Contest

Kris Hughes (Bellshill, Scotland)
v
Delroy Spencer (Wolverhampton, England)

4 x 3 Minute Rounds Super-Bantamweight Contest

CARNEY BOWMAN “READY FOR ACTION” AT “ BATTLE OF YORK 3”

ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR

MARCH 7TH VALENCIA BALLROOM CARD

Driving down Interstate 83 headed to Baltimore for a sparring session, undefeated featherweight prospect Carney “BEEPER” Bowman is busy preparing for his headlining slot at “ BATTLE OF YORK 3” at the Valencia Ballroom in York, Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 7th.

“Typically at this time, I’ve been training for over a month and I’m feeling just okay, not really great or anything, but once we touch gloves and the bell rings I feel great” said the 26 year old York native. “I’ll go anywhere I need to for solid sparring, it’s over an hour to Baltimore but it’s important that I get in my work before the fight.”

Bowman, 12-0-0 (5KO’s) is coming off an immensely crowd pleasing victory on November 8th, a fourth round knockout of Castulo Gonzalez at the Valencia Ballroom.

“It was a solid win and I really appreciate the crowd support. I watched the Pavlik fight in Youngstown on Saturday night and that’s exactly what I’d like to do in York , that same type of excitement. It’s great fighting at home, the fans there have always been very supportive of me and that truly helps me” said Bowman.

Advance tickets for “ BATTLE OF YORK 3”, starting at $25 can be purchased online through the Valencia Ballroom box office by calling 717-843-7672. The Valencia Ballroom is located at 142 N. George St. in downtown York . Doors on the evening of the event will open at 6:30pm, with the first bell at 7:30.

Also appearing at the “BATTLE OF YORK 3” will be York, PA native Eric Nemo, Johnstown cruiserweight prospect Andres “TAYLOR MADE” Taylor, junior middleweight contender Anthony “THE MESSENGER” Thompson, lightweight Terrance Crawford and bantamweight Leo Santa Cruz.

Further details on this event will be announced shortly.

Formed in early 2008, Chet Koerner’s Las Vegas based TKO BOXING Promotions stable includes; heavyweight Lenroy Thomas, super middleweight Joey Gilbert, middleweights Elvin Ayala, Albert Onolunose and James Countryman, junior middleweights Bastie Samir and Anthony Thompson, welterweight Juan Buendia and Raul Tovar, junior welterweights Jonathan Gover, Francisco Contreras and Hastings Bwayla, lightweights Rolando Reyes and Terrance Crawford, featherweights Matt Remillard, Carney Bowman, Delvin Plascencia, Rafael Lora and Maxwell Awaku, super bantamweights Rafael Valenzuela and Carlos Reyes.

Further information on TKO Boxing Promotions can be viewed at www.tkoboxingpromotions.com