Miller – Maddalone Recognized Among Top Fights of 2005

ESPN.com boxing columnist Dan Rafael listed the Shannon Miller-Vinny Maddalone heavyweight bout in Saratoga Springs, New York co-promoted by Pugnacious Promotions in August 2005, among his top fights of the year in his annual ranking. Rafael, the former USA Today boxing writer who is one of the sport’s most respected analysts, called the match “ESPN2’s most dramatic fight and the best heavyweight bout of the year.” The columnist, a native of the region who first covered boxing in Saratoga Springs, listed Miller-Maddalone among such high-stakes match-ups as Jose Luis Castillo-Diego Corrales and Eric Morales-Manny Pacquiao.
“They went at it at a frantic pace from the opening bell, and although Maddalone would score three knockdowns en route to his win, it wasn’t easy getting there,” he wrote. “Miller had several big moments before succumbing. Although Miller was down twice in the opening round, he rocked Maddalone in between trips to the canvas and then cut him over the left eye in the second round of the roller coaster slugfest.”
Promoters Lisa Elovich, of Pugnacious Promotions, and Joe DeGuardia, Star Boxing, have begun preliminary negotiations for the rematch of that fight sometime in 2006. Miller, who won a tune-up against veteran Harold Rodriguez in October 2005, will face increasing competition leading up to the rematch. He will return to the ring at a St. Patrick’s Day event, Friday, March 17, 2006, at the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany.
“Fan support for Shannon and the other local boxers has been phenomenal,” said Lisa Elovich. “We’re enthusiastic about another year of competitive fights featuring local boxers in the Albany-Saratoga region.”
After a successful first year promoting professional boxing in the Albany, New York region, Pugnacious Promotions has four local shows scheduled in 2006 including the March 17th St. Patrick’s Day show: May 12th at the Washington Avenue Armory, August 18th at the Saratoga Springs City Center and October 27th at the Armory.