Boxing News Boxing News
With tensions near the boiling point, promoters have been forced to increase security at this Thursday’s (January 31) weigh-in and press conference for the Friday, February 1, boxing event at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
“Fire & Ice” will feature Motown’s undefeated lightweight sensations Lanardo “Pain Server” Tyner and Vernon “Iceman” Paris in separate main events, as part of the lead-up to their nationally televised showdown later this year.
“There has never been room in this city for both of them,” says Joseph Donofrio of Donofrio Boxing, Friday’s promoters. “But now that preparations have begun for them to settle this once and for all, it has become serious between these guys.”
Donofrio says that the usual sniping between rival fighters turned severe this week when credible threats of violence started being exchanged by the two camps and their supporters. “I’ve been around boxing a long time and I know the difference between trash talking and the very real potential for bloodshed and we’ve decided to treat this as a very volatile situation.
To keep the two fighters and their supporters separate during the weigh-in and press conference, a private security firm has been brought in, with police aware on stand-by.
“I’ve received about twenty phone calls warning me there could be trouble Thursday, so we’re not taking any chances with this,” admitted Donofrio. “It would only take one spark to set this situation on fire. Our main job will be to make sure these guys settle this in the ring, not in a hotel lobby.”
Just 20 years old, Vernon “Iceman” Paris (17-0, 12 KOs) has burst onto the boxing scene like a tornado of flying leather. A professional for under two years, the charismatic slugger has already become a television favorite and “prospect to watch” in boxing.
32-year-old powerhouse Lanardo “Pain Server” Tyner (18-0, 10 KOs) has been a professional for four years and vows he will prove himself the “real” up-and-coming superstar when the two meet.
The rivalry has led to back-and-forth bickering that has now become serious threats of bodily harm. “It is my sincere hope that everyone involved in this lead-up event to the showdown will conduct themselves in a professional manner and save whatever hostilities they’ve built up for later this year.”
Paris will face Mexico’s Roberto Valenzuela, a seasoned veteran with 35 knockouts in his 41 victories, in the eight-round main event. In the co-main event, Tyner will face New York’s Victorio Abadia (22-6-2, 8 KOs).
Also appearing that night will be undefeated middleweight knockout sensation Brian “The Lion” Mihtar (8-0, 7 KOs), Detroit veteran Bernard Harris, Brant, Michigan’s Cory Hall and professional debuters Luigi Gjokaj and Anna-Jayne McNeil in separate bouts.
Premium tickets for the Friday, February 1 “Fire & Ice” professional boxing event are on sale now at www.palacenet.com, The Palace Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. General admission is free with a complimentary voucher, which can be downloaded at www.donofrioboxing.com.
Doors will open on fight night at 6:30 pm. The action starts at 7:30 pm.
