Unbeaten Dominican featherweight contender Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero (14-0, 11 KOs) will face Argentina’s Jesus Andres Cuellar (22-1-0, 23 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim world title on August 23rd at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Marrero understood that this fight be a tough test and he has trained accordingly for the most significant fight of his young professional career. “I understand that Jesus Cuellar is an aggressive fighter who has a high percentage of knockouts,” Marrero said. “However, we believe that he is not invincible, and we will defeat him. We have two different styles. I am sure I have the skills to win, either by unanimous decision or by KO.”
Iron Mike Productions COO Henry Rivalta added, “He (Marrero) is training for the fight of his life. Argentina has great fighters like Lucas Matthysee, Sergio Martinez and Marcos Maidana, who have all proven themselves. In the Marrero-Cuellar fight, we will see the rise of a new star, Claudio Marrero”
Marrero, the WBA’s top-ranked featherweight at No. 2 (No. 1 unrated), is a stylish southpaw from the Dominican Republic, while the WBA No. 4-ranked Cuellar will be fighting out his native country for the first time as a professional.
This will mark the first event promoted by Iron Mike Productions, formerly Acquinity Sports, in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, and it will be broadcast live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. Acquinity Sports, under CEO Garry Jonas, partnered with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson to form Iron Mike Productions.
Marrero’s stable-mate, International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight champion Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez (21-2, 11 KOs) makes his first world title defense against IBF No. 13-rated challenger Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs) in the 12-round main event.
