ESPN’S “FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS” RETURN
New York, NY– After a month long absence, big time boxing finally returns to network television with an intriguing night of action from the Civic Auditorium in Glendale, CA when Roman Karmazin (39-3-1, 25 KOs) squares off against Dionisio Miranda (20-4-2, 18 KOs) over 12 rounds or less in an IBF middleweight (160 lbs) title elimination bout, live on ESPN 2 this Friday night at 10 PM ET.
FROM RUSSIA BY WAY OF HELL
Touting one of the more colorful nicknames in all of sport, Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin has been Hell for most of his opponents. In 43 bouts, the heavy handed Russian has fared well against solid opposition claiming decision victories over Keith Holmes (MD 12) andKassim Ouma (UD 12) and has stopped a tough to stop in Antwun Echols (TKO 7). However, while Roman has enjoyed success at the big dance, he has also tripped over his own feet while dropping decisions to Javier Castillejo (UD 12) and Cory “Mr. Excitement” Spinks (UD 12), while suffering a devastating knockout loss at the hands of Alex Bunema (KO 10).
ALWAYS RISKY WITH “HUNGRY” COLOMBIANS
Making a living by beating down fighters with losing records, unheralded Columbian scrapper Dionision Miranda has gotten pummeled whenever he has stepped up in class. Although limited in ability, Miranda packs some pop in his shots and will look to emulate the tactics of Bunema and try to turn Roman’s lights out.
AGE VERSUS YOUTH IN CO-FEATURE
Seasoned veteran Freddie Norwood (43-3-1, 23 KOs) takes on prospec tArt Hovhannesyan (10-0-1, KOs) in a schedule eight round lightweight (135) affair. Freddie was undefeated for over a decade and during that time saw his career peak (1999) by beating the great Juan Manuel Marquez in an insomniac’s dream fight. The future seemed bright for the then WBA champion, until he ran into Derrick Gainer one year later. Gainer handed Norwood his first professional defeat, a setback that prompted a six-year absence from the sport. Since returning in 2006, Norwood has gone 5-2, 1 KO & 1 KO loss. Undefeated Armenian upstart Hovhannesyan is a volume-punching craftsman who has tallied three straight knockout wins in his last four active months. Hoping to display his promising ability, Art continues to keep up his busy schedule and takes a commendable step up in class against a cagey veteran.
John Signorella