Demetrius Andrade vs. Vanes Martirosyan this Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas

By Boxing News - 11/04/2013 - Comments

ATLANTA (November 4, 2013) – As he prepares to break his Atlanta training camp and depart for this Saturday night’s fight against 2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan (33-0-1, 21 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior middleweight title, undefeated Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (19-0, 13 KOs) is set to make a major statement in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Andrade vs. Martirosyan will be part of an HBO tripleheader, headlined by WBO junior lightweight Roman Martinez’ title defense against Mikey Garcia, plus a rematch between former world champions Nonito Donaire and Vic Darchinyan.

Martirosyan has a powerful team comprised of promoter Bob Arum (Top Rank), manager Cameron Duncan and Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach (although he is overseas training Manny Pacquiao). Andrade, a 2008 U.S. Olympian, is co-promoted by Star Boxing and Banner Promotions, managed by New Hampshire businessman Ed Farris, and trained by his father, Paul Andrade.

Andrade understands boxing’s political power may rest in his opponent’s corner, especially fighting in a high-profile event promoted by Martirosyan’s promoter, Top Rank, but the 25-year-old Rhode Islander plans to control the action from the opening bell and steal the entire show with a scintillating knockout performance.

“I saw what happened in the (Julio Cesar, Jr.) Chavez-(Brian) Vera fight,” Andrade explained. “We’ve all seen what can happen when a name boxer is fighting on a show promoted by his promoter. My job is to go in and stop him (Martirosyan). You never want to leave the fight in the hands of the judges. I learned that lesson the hard way in The Olympics.”

Favored to capture a gold medal in Beijing, China, 2007 AIBA World champion Andrade was the victim of highly questionable scoring, losing on points in the quarterfinal round to Korean boxer Kim Jung-Joo, 11-9, at the 2008 Olympic Games.

“I’ve trained hard to be fully prepared for this fight,” Andrade continued. “I’m in 15-round shape for a 12-round fight but it’s not going the distance. Once I get in the ring, I’m going to do whatever I need to win. I am going to beat him and the knockout will come. I’m coming to win every round decisively…..until it ends in a KO. I am going to beat him down for three minutes of every round. I am going to make a statement that I’m the best 154-pound fighter in the world.”

Andrade was originally slated to challenge then WBO champion Zaurbek Baysangurov this past July, but the Russian pulled out of the fight with an injury and was stripped of his title belt, leaving the world title vacant for the WBO’s two highest rated contenders, No. 1 Martirosyan and No. 2 Andrade.

Go online to www.BooBooBoxing for additional information about Demetrius Andrade and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @BooBooBoxing.

HEATHER “THE HEAT” HARDY RETURNS HOME TO BROOKLYN TO CHALLENGE FOR FIRST WORLD TITLE A YEAR

New York, NY (11/4/13) – This Saturday, fast-rising female contender Heather “The Heat” Hardy (6-0, 1KO) will be fighting for the first time at home in Brooklyn when she squares off against Laura Gomez (4-3) at the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn, NY. The bout is scheduled for eight rounds and will be for the UBF International super bantamweight title.

In the main event, fellow Brooklynites Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (22-1, 4KO’s) and Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita (35-1-1, 18KO’s) face off in an ultimate crossroads/neighborhood battle when the two meet for their much anticipated 10-round welterweight showdown.

Anytime a fighter has the opportunity to fight in their hometown, it is something special. Competing for a world title for the first time as a professional when just a year earlier Super Storm Sandy had destroyed her family’s home certainly gives Hardy extra incentive.

“It means so much for me to be fighting in Brooklyn, here at home. It’s just minutes from where I grew up and I’ll finally be able to show some of my friends and family who have never seen me fight as I step into the ring,” said Hardy. “It’s been a year since Sandy ripped through and devastated Gerritsen Beach, my hometown. The storm took out 2,500 homes, leaving countless families, mine included, homeless and rebuilding their lives. I am so proud to be able to give my town, my friends, my family, and my fans something to come out and cheer for.”

The bout next Saturday will already be Hardy’s seventh fight since turning pro just a little over a year ago. Hardy, a NY Golden Gloves champion who recently signed an exclusive long-term promotional contract with DBE, has quickly become one of the main boxing attractions in New York City. Each time she has stepped into the ring, she has thrilled her adoring and growing fan-base with her exciting and relentless come-forward style. After her signing, promoter Lou DiBella, a longtime advocate of women’s boxing, proclaimed, “Heather has the ability, the story and the intangibles to be a legitimate star in the biggest media market in the world. I believe that Heather can be New York City’s breakthrough female fighter.” While Heather realizes she is still improving and perfecting her craft, she does see big things in her future.

“I am honored to be presented with the opportunity to fight for the UBF title. As with all my fights, I’ve given 100% to my training and I’ll be bringing the heat fight night, no doubt! I plan to stay busy, keep winning, and hopefully at this time next year, we will be talking about a world title shot in front of a big crowd somewhere. I love what I do, and I won’t stop till I’m at the top.”

The event on Saturday is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Star of David Promotions and sponsored by Manfredi Auto Group and Everlast and will be broadcast taped-delayed on SNY.

Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $45, and can be purchased by calling the DiBella Entertainment office at (212) 947-2577. Only a limited number of tickets are currently left at each price point, so act fast as this event will be sold out!