| |
|
|
Sergio Martinez
Returns March 12 vs. Sergiy Dzinziruk
In A Battle For Middleweight Supremacy At The
MGM Grand Arena In Foxwoods, Live On HBO
Lee vs. McEwan highlights the undercard; tickets on sale
Wednesday
The consensus 2010 Fighter of the Year, Sergio “Maravilla”
Martinez is gearing up for another banner campaign in 2011.
It all starts on March 12 when Martinez, the recognized
champion at middleweight squares off with reigning World
Boxing Organization (“WBO”) junior middleweight champion,
Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk at the MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods
in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The winner will walk away with
the prestigious World Boxing Council (“WBC”) Diamond
Championship at middleweight.
In the co-feature attraction, two of Western Europe’s best,
and most exciting pugilists, Andy Lee of Ireland and
Scotland’s Craig McEwan do battle in a ten round “Celtic
War” in the middleweight division.
“Diamond Elite: Martinez vs. Dzinziruk” will be presented by
DiBella Entertainment in association with Gary Shaw
Productions and Banner Promotions. Lee vs. McEwan will be
presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with
Golden Boy Promotions. Both bouts will be broadcast live on
HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:30pm ET /
7:30pm PT.
Tickets for “Diamond Elite: Martinez vs. Dzinziruk,” are
priced at $450, $250, $125, $75, and $50 and will go on sale
Wednesday, January 26, at 10:00am ET through the MGM Grand
at Foxwoods box office. Tickets can be purchased online at
www.mgmatfoxwood.com, by calling the MGM Grand at Foxwoods
at 1-866-646-0609, or in person at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods
box office.
“March 12 is what world class boxing is all about,” said Lou
DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Sergio
Martinez is proving that he has no interest in resting on
his laurels by taking on an accomplished champion such as
Sergiy Dzinziruk. Once again, ‘Maravilla’ will show why he
is not only the 2010 FIghter of the Year, but also the
people's champion.
“Those looking for a good ole fashioned knock down, drag out
war to ring in St. Patrick's Day will be fulfilled when Andy
Lee and Craig McEwan duke it out. Both are old school
sluggers with proud roots. Get your tickets now, because
with such great action assured, they will not last.”
Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KOs), 35, is coming off the biggest
year of his professional life. Last April, he won the
middleweight championship, in just his second bout at the
weight class, with a dominating 12-round victory over Kelly
Pavlik at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Seven months
later on November 20, Martinez, a native of Argentina by way
of Oxnard, California, returned to Boardwalk Hall to face
Paul Williams in a rematch of his razor thin majority
decision loss to Paul Williams, which was widely heralded as
one of the best fights of 2009. If their first showdown was
Fight of the Year, Martinez left no doubt in 2010 in what
was certainly the Knockout of the Year. Just a minute into
the second round, Martinez landed a booming overhand left
that knocked Williams out cold and sent shockwaves
throughout the sports world. To cap off 2010, Martinez was
lauded by nearly ever publication and organization –
including ESPN, the Boxing Writers Association of America,
Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated, MaxBoxing.com,
BoxingScene.com, AOL Fanhouse, The Cleveland Plain Dealer,
El Paso Times, San Antonio Express-News, Secondsout.com, and
The Ring Magazine – as Fighter of the Year.
“I believe my next fight could be my best fight of my career
because my boxing is getting better, I am physically
stronger, and I am stronger mentally,” said Martinez. “My
rival is a great fighter and a great champion for several
years now but on March 12 he will fight the best Sergio
Martinez and the fans will witness a spectacular show and
the best fight of my career.”
Dzinziruk (37-0, 34 KOs), 34, has held the WBO 154 lb. title
since 2005 when he decisioned Daniel Santos in his adopted
home of Germany. Since then, the native of Ukraine has
defended his title successfully six times, including his
last bout which served as both his American debut and debut
under the joint promotional banner of Gary Shaw Productions
and Banner Promotions. In that bout, on May 14, 2010, in
Santa Ynez, California, Dzinziruk systematically broke down
Daniel Dawson en route to a tenth round stoppage.
“First of all, it’s a great opportunity for everyone
involved to fight such great champions” said Dzinziruk. “I
really appreciate the opportunity to fight Sergio Martinez
and show the world how good I am. I am looking forward to
the fight and I am very excited. I have not tasted defeated
yet and I want to keep it that way. My team and I know how
much work was done by Banner Promotions and Gary Shaw
Productions to make this fight and it is greatly
appreciated. We’re looking forward to a great fight with
Sergio Martinez.”
Lee (24-1, 18 KOs), 26, is riding a nine fight winning
streak since his lone career setback: a loss to Bryan Vera
in 2008. Since then, the Emmanuel Steward-trained Irish
slugger has compiled some of the best wins of his career
over the likes of experienced veterans James Cook, Willie
Gibbs, Michael Walker, and former world title challenger
Mamadou Thiam. Lee is ranked #5 by the WBA and #14 by the
WBC.
“I'm looking forward to fighting,” said Lee. “This fight
gives me the chance to prove how good I am. McEwan is a very
good boxer. He will test me, but it's a test I welcome. I'd
like to thank my management and Lou DiBella for making this
fight and giving me the chance to showcase my skills on HBO.
I plan on showing everyone how good I am on March 12.”
McEwan (19-0, 10 KOs), 28, was born and raised in Edinburgh,
Scotland, but now lives in California where he trains with
the world renowned Freddie Roach. McEwan is coming off the
biggest win of his career on July 23, 2010, when he took a
decision from former world title challenger Danny Perez.
McEwan also holds a victory over Bryan Vera, the man who
handed Lee his lone defeat. McEwan is ranked #12 by the WBO.
“Andy Lee is a good fighter, but I'm at my best when I fight
good fighters," said McEwan. "I'm excited to have the chance
to fight on HBO and show everyone what I can do.”
A full undercard will be announced shortly.
|
|
|
