Chris “The Pride of Huntington” Algieri returns to action on Friday, February 14 challenging world ranked Baltimore native Emanuel “The Tranzformer” Taylor in the ten round junior welterweight main event live on ESPN Friday Night Fights at The Paramount in Huntington, New York.
“This is an excellent nationally televised matchup of young, hungry junior welterweights with a lot to gain” said DeGuardia. “Chris has made The Paramount his home with his electrifying hometown performances. This will be his eighth fight in the venue, all wins and all sellouts. I strongly encourage fans to purchase tickets in advance to ensure entry on fight night.”
“Emanuel had two terrific knockout wins earlier this year; over Raymond Serrano at The Paramount and also over top contender Victor Cayo both of which were nationally telecast.”
” These are two of the very best junior welterweights in boxing with almost identical records and we’re thrilled that ESPN will broadcast the fight,” continued DeGuardia. “It’s a perfect compliment to our acclaimed “Rockin Fights” series which has sold out each of its previous eleven events.”
“This is just the kind of fight I’ve wanted, against another top prospect with national exposure,” said Algieri. “I was at Taylor’s win over Raymond Serrano last January and I’m very aware of how tough he is.”
“There’s already a great buzz about this fight and The Paramount as always will be packed and full of great boxing fans.”
Emanuel Taylor was also excited about the fight. “I’m ready to continue my path to a world title,” said the confident Taylor. “Chris Algieri is a very good fighter but I plan on showing the ESPN audience why I’m the best junior welterweight in the boxing.”
Both Algieri and Taylor are coming off their best year yet. Sporting an unblemished record of 18-0 with eight knockouts, Algieri is coming off a three-win 2013 campaign highlighted by a thrilling ten round decision over heralded New Jersey prospect Jose Peralta on FEBRUARY 23 and telecast on NBC Sports Network as well as a win over veteran world title contender Mike Arnaoutis in the fall.
Although starting his training camp on Long Island, the pre-med student will head to Las Vegas for world class sparring in preparation for the fight. He has previously trained at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard, California, and expects to continue sparring with numerous top fighters as he has done recently, including newly crowned welterweight world champion Marcos Maidana.
Baltimore’s Taylor made his name in the rough and tumble Maryland gyms while establishing himself as one of the premier regional amateur boxers in recent times with a record of 186-26 while winning numerous national and regional tournaments.
Compiling a record of 17-1-0 with 12 knockouts over his four years as a professional, Taylor will return to The Paramount, site of his dominant SHOWTIME televised performance over Raymond Serrano on JANUARY 25, which ended in a devastating sixth round stoppage victory by Taylor. Taylor followed that win with another upset TKO win (8th round) over top rated Victor Cayo in the main event on ESPN in Atlantic City.
Taylor is currently world ranked #4 by the International Boxing Federation.
The Paramount is located at 370 New York Avenue in Huntington, New York, 11743. Doors on the night of the event will open at 7:00 p.m. with the first bell at 7:30 p.m.
Sales to the general public begin Friday at 10:00 am and are priced at $200, $150, $100, $60 and $50 for “ESPN Friday Night Fights/Rockin Fights 12”. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000). Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823-2000 or on their website www.starboxing.com and through The Paramount Box Office, (631) 673-7300.
