On Saturday July 23rd, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing will team up with the American Cancer Society to host a benefit at the Hunts Point Produce Market to “Knock Out Cancer”. All of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society. The show will feature a number of up and coming fighters, and exciting fights, including the headliner, which see’s American Heavyweight prospect, Joe “The Future” Hanks (16-0, 11KO’s) look to capture what some believe to be the first of many Heavyweight Titles, when he takes on former, “Contender 4” participant, Alfredo Escalera Jr. (18-3-1, 12KO’s) for the IBA Heavyweight Championship.
Hanks, who recently signed an exclusive long-term promotional deal with Star Boxing, was last in action in April, when he scored a brutal fourth round TKO over Terrell Nelson. Hanks controlled the action from the outset, dropping Nelson once in the second round and battering him for much of the fight. Nelson didn’t answer the bell to sound round five, thus giving Hanks the 4th TKO.
Still young (28-years-old), especially for a heavyweight, Hanks gained valuable experience during his amateur days, sparring with such fighters as Heavyweight Champion, Wladamir Klitschko, Chris Byrd, Jameel McCline, and Larry Donald. As an amateur Hanks was a three-time Golden Gloves Champion, and was a National Golden Gloves semi-finalist in 2007. After the Nationals, Hanks promptly turned pro, scoring a 2nd round TKO over Joseph Rabotte.
Escalera is the son of former world champion, Alfredo Escalera. After spending the majority of his career fighting at cruiserweight, the 31-years-old, Puerto Rican native, is now looking to make some noise in the heavyweight division, and he knows a win over a prospect like Hanks, put him right into the mix.
“Knock Out Cancer” will take place Saturday, July 23rd at the Hunt Point Produce Market, which is located at 772 Edgewater Road, Bronx, NY 10474. Tickets to this special event are priced at $50, $75 and $100 and can be purchased by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823-2000 or visiting www.starboxing.com.
