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Not content to rest on his laurels and take the rest of 2006 off after a spectacular (yet ultimately controversial) performance against IBF belt-holder Arthur Abraham in September, Edison “Pantera’ Miranda, the uncrowned middleweight champion will finish off the year by taking on rugged contender Willie Gibbs on Saturday, December 16th.
This bout, which is presented by Main Events in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing Promotions, All-Star Boxing, and Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, will take place at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami, Florida and will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:30pm ET. Also featured on the card will be an exciting featherweight battle between undefeated John Litzau (20-0, 18KO’s) and Jose Hernandez (21-3, 13 KO’s).
Miranda (26-1, 23 KOs), who will be making his HBO debut on December 16th, burst on the world boxing scene in 2005 and hasn’t looked back since, winning the NABA, WBO Latino, and IBF Latino middleweight championships while scoring an impressive TKO win over former world title challenger Howard Eastman, who had never been stopped before in his career.
In September, Miranda challenged for his first world title against IBF champion Arthur Abraham and seemingly won the bout twice, first by fifth round TKO and then by 12 round decision, but controversy reigned supreme in Abraham’s home country of Germany and Miranda was forced to return home without the title belt in one of the most blatant robberies in recent ring history. The IBF, noting these controversies, kept “Pantera’ in the mandatory contender’s spot, and he will get a rematch with Abraham as soon as the “champion’ recovers from the broken jaw Miranda gave him, which doesn’t appear to be anytime soon, as Abraham’s jaw – which was broken in two places by two punches – required two titanium rods and 22 screws to fix.
Said Miranda of Abraham, “As you are resting with your broken jaw, I will be fighting on HBO in front of the entire world. However, when you feel you are ready to step back into the ring and test your jaw, I will be waiting for you. I broke it in the first fight, and you should know that I will be the one to take the first crack at your jaw to see how well it has healed.”
In the meantime, Miranda will face a tough test in Philadelphia’s Willie Gibbs (20-1, 16 KOs), a hard-nosed competitor who is never in a bad fight. The cousin of former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, Gibbs is coming off a 12th round TKO of Lenord Pierre in a March bout that many are calling one of the best fights of 2006.
“Pantera’ is currently training at his camp in Puerto Rico to prepare for Gibbs and is extremely excited to be able to showcase his talent on HBO.
“This is great for Edison especially after the unfortunate events that transpired in Germany,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “We are thankful to HBO and our good friends at Main Events for this opportunity and look forward to working with them on the career of Edison Miranda. Fights fans are in for a treat!”
“I want to thank HBO for giving me the opportunity to fight on their network. This is a privilege and an honor. I believe that the world knows I truly beat Abraham, and that I am the better fighter. I promise to show HBO, along with the rest of the world, who the greatest middleweight in the world is on December 16th. I will win and win big.”
In addition to his number one IBF ranking, Miranda is ranked #1 by the WBO, #5 by the WBC, and #3 by The Ring magazine and ESPN.
For more information on Seminole Warriors Boxing, please visit our website at www.warriorsboxing.com and www.panteraboxing.com.
