Some of the top prospects in boxing will be showcased March 12 on the hottest New England pro boxing show of the 21st century, “Diamond Elite,” live on HBO World Championship Boxing from MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut. World Boxing Council (“WBC”) Emeritus and The Ring Magazine middleweight champion, 2010 Fighter of the Year Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KOs), takes on World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) junior middleweight champion, Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk (37-0, 34 KOs), in the 12-round main event for the vacant World Boxing Council Diamond middleweight title. The chief supporting fight is “Celtic War,” pitting exciting middleweights Andy Lee of Ireland and Scotland’s Craig McEwan, in the 10-round co-feature of ethnic rivalry, potentially offering world title shot implications for the winner.
Lee (24-1, 18 KOs) will enter the ring riding a nine-fight win streak since his lone career setback to Bryan Vera in 2008. Since then, though, the Emmanuel Steward-trained Irish banger has defeated James Cook, Willie Gibbs, Michael Walker, and former world title challenger Mamadou Thiam. Lee, a 2004 Irish Olympian now living in New York City, is ranked #5 by the WBA and #14 by the WBC.
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McEwan (19-0, 10 KOs) was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, but he now lives in Hollywood, California where he trains with world renowned trainer Freddie Roach, who is a native New Englander. McEwan is coming off the most significant victory 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 Vera, the only man to defeat Lee as a professional.
An array of undefeated, promising prospects round-out a loaded top-to-bottom card against opponents to soon be determined. Leading the way is explosive Dominican featherweight Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (13-0, 10 KOs), who has the same head trainer as Martinez, Gabriel Sarmiento, in an 8-round bout. Fortuna had many people tabbing his as the next “Marvilla” after his last performance when he knocked out the previously undefeated Victor Valenzuela in a matter of minutes.
A pair of unbeaten junior middleweights with 2008 Olympian pedigrees will be in action, Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (12-0, 8 KOs), of Providence, and Puerto Rican knockout specialist Jonathan “Montequilla” Gonzalez (11-0, 11 KOs), in separate matches.
Local favorite Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczewski (8-0, 2 KOs), a lightweight from Quincy, Massachusetts, fights February 9 in New York City but he is scheduled to come right back Mar. 12 for a scheduled 6-rounder at MGM Grand at Foxwoods. The 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament runner-up has a growing legion of passionate fans in New England.
Greek heavyweight Soyna Lamonakis (3-0, 1 KO), a 4-time New York Golden Gloves champion now living in Turner Falls, Massachusetts, brings her crowd-pleasing style into the squared-circle in a 6-round match. Preparing for St. Patrick’s Day, Irish-American light heavyweight Seannie Monaghan (4-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Long Island, puts his undefeated pro record on the line in a 4-round bout. Also fighting on the undercard in a 4-rounder is California welterweight Abraham Lopez (1-1).
“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 on sale through the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office. You can also Buy Martinez vs. Dzinziruk tickets online
