A pair of unbeaten lightweight prospects are scheduled to clash in the 8-round co-feature on the next edition of Fight Night on NBC, on November 16th. Philadelphian Karl Dargan, 13-0-0, 7 KOs, faces Long Island, NY southpaw Michael Brooks, 10-0-1, 2 KOs, at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, in Verona, NY.
The bout will be nationally televised just before the main event, a 12-round heavyweight contest between Tomasz Adamek, 49-2, 29 KOs, and Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov, 15-0-1, 11 KOs. The fight will be broadcast as the co-feature during an afternoon presentation the popular NBC boxing series beginning 2:30 PM ET.
“Dynamite” Dargan, a member of Philly’s Concrete Jungle Boxing Team, which is lead by Dargan’s uncle and all-star trainer Brother Naazim Richardson, was an outstanding amateur, winning numerous National and International tournaments before turning professional. As a pro, Dargan has defeated everyone put in his path, and turned in perhaps his most impressive performance the last time he stepped into the ring when he scored a second round TKO of Edward Valdez at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York. Recently Dargan served as chief sparring partner for Canelo Alvarez during Canelo’s preparation for the Mayweather fight.
“Mike Brooks is an undefeated fighter, like me, which means he’s not a walk in the park,” said Dargan, “I’m sure he doesn’t want to lose that 0 so I know he’s gonna protect it with all he has.” He added, “When things get heated in the ring and I step it up to another level, we will see if Brooks can rise to that level also, if not he will come up short, VERY SHORT!”
“Lefty” Brooks had success in the amateur ranks as well. He won the 2008 National PAL tournament by beating top amateur Allen Gary Russell. Michael turned pro the following year and zipped through nine straight foes. The only mark on his record came in fight number ten, with a 4-round technical draw against undefeated Juan Villanueva in March. However, Brooks bounced right back by defeating Joseph Perez, 10-3, in his most recent start.
“I feel very blessed and excited to be given the opportunity to fight a known, skilled, undefeated fighter like Dargan,” Brooks said. “When I entered the amateur ranks for the 1st time Dargan was already #1, so he’s a veteran and has been around rich competition. I would say this shows I have proven that I have what it takes – and Dargan will see for himself November 16!”
The fight between Dargan and Brooks looks to be an interesting matchup of young talent, a classic New York vs. Philly match-up. Dargan has more knockouts, but usually depends on his boxing ability to win fights. Against Brooks, he’ll meet a fellow boxer looking to trade jabs and match wits with him.
The nationally televised bout is each fighter’s biggest platform to date. So it is a sure bet that both will come to the Turning Stone Casino to not only win, but to impress everyone watching.
