Boxing News Boxing News
HP PAVILION THURSDAY, MARCH 20 AT 7:30 P.M.
BAY AREA FAN FAVORITE, ANDRE WARD, RETURNS TO THE RING TO KICK OFF THE 2008 AMERICAN METAL & IRON FIGHT NIGHT AT THE TANK SERIES
Bay Area native and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward (14-0, 9 KO’s), will return to HP Pavilion for the fourth time in three years looking to keep his winning streak alive. Ward, a Super Middleweight, has only been boxing professionally for three years but his powerful punches and skillful moves keep the fans coming back for more.
His last fight at HP Pavilion was March of 2007, when he knocked out opponent Julio Jean in the third-round of an eight-round bout.
Since last March, Ward has fought three times knocking out all three of his opponents, including the extremely experienced Roger Cantrell, who was undefeated until stepping into the ring with Ward.
Ward will be taking on his toughest opponent yet, fighting Ruben Williams (29-3-1, 16 KO’s) from Detroit, Michigan on March 20 at American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank.
FRANCISCO SANTANA, THE WINNER OF LAST SEASONS “YOU BE THE JUDGE” NAMED TO FIGHT IN THE SEMI-MAIN EVENT AT AMERICAN METAL & IRON FIGHT NIGHT AT THE TANK ON MARCH 20
The semi-main at American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank will feature Francisco Santana (8-0, 4 KO’s), a San Jose native and crowd favorite.
Santana, who fought at HP Pavilion on November 8 and won the “You Be The Judge” contest is coming back again to wow the fans. Since his professional debut in the fall of 2005 the young gun has used his fast hands and powerful punches to defeat all who stand in his way. His talent level was so superior that it caught the eye of the former Bantamweight world champion Wayne McCullough, who now trains Santana.
THE MACHINE MAKER, ANGELO DUNDEE, TO MEET AND GREET WITH AMERICAN METAL & IRON FIGHT NIGHT AT THE TANK FANS ON MARCH 20
American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank is proud to announce that Angelo Dundee will be in attendance at the March 20 boxing event. Dundee will be onsite on March 20, the night of the fights, at HP Pavilion and will be available for interviews with the media. He will also address season ticket holders and sign autographs for fans in attendance on the night of the fight.
Dundee was known in the boxing world for being one of the toughest trainers around pushing his fighters to the limits. In 1960, Dundee was hired to train Muhammad Ali and he remained in Ali’s corner for the better part of two decades. In addition to Ali, Dundee trained some of the greatest boxers of all time such as: Carmen Basilio, Jimmy Ellis, Luis Rodriguez, Sugar Ramos, Ralph Dupas, Willie Pastrano, and George Foreman. In 1976, Dundee was asked to help shape the career of Sugar Ray Leonard, and was instrumental in building the boxing legend and Hall-of-Famer.
Along with his many accomplishments in the ring Dundee was named The Boxing Writers Association of America Manager of the Year in 1968 and 1979. He was also elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994 and awarded the organization’s Long and Meritorious Service Award in 1996.
FAMOUS BOXING ANALYST, AL BERNSTEIN, TO WRITE E-NEWSLETTERS FOR BOXING FANS FOR AMERICAN METAL & IRON FIGHT NIGHT AT THE TANK
American writer, stage performer, recording artist, radio host, and boxing analyst, Al Bernstein seems to do it all and now he can add American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank author to his long list of credentials. Bernstein has signed on to write a series of six e-newsletters spanning throughout the 2008 AM&I Fight Night at the Tank season. To receive these e-newsletters from Bernstein go to www.fightnightatthetank.com and sign up
In the early 1970s, Bernstein wrote for Ring Magazine and Boxing Illustrated, providing feature articles and coverage of major fights. In 1980, he wrote Boxing for Beginners, an instruction-historical book on boxing. That same year, Bernstein joined ESPN as a boxing analyst for the network’s Top Rank Boxing series.
In 1992 and 1996, Bernstein served as a boxing analyst for NBC’s coverage of the Summer Olympic Games.
Bernstein currently serves as a boxing analyst for Showtime, writes special essays called “Bernstein on Boxing” which air every Tuesday on ESPN Classic, and hosts The Al Bernstein Sports Party on ESPN Radio 920 in Las Vegas; the show airs Monday-Friday from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Bernstein lives in Henderson, Nevada.
For more information about the 2008 American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank season go to www.fightnightatthetank.com.
AMERICAN METAL & IRON FIGHT NIGHT AT THE TANK INCREASES CROWD INVOLVEMENT WITH “YOU BE THE JUDGE”
Boxing is back, Bay Area! 2008 American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank is bringing back big fights, lots of excitement and, of course, hard hitting professional boxing matches with a twist. For this new season of AM&I Fight Night at the Tank there has been a new aspect added to increase crowd involvement and overall excitement. It’s called “You Be The Judge”. The crowd will get to judge the first four undercard bouts and choose their favorite boxer by round of applause. The fighter with the best fight and who receives the loudest crowd encouragement will win a trophy – the AMI Cup – and an extra $500 bonus to take home.
TICKET INFORMATION FOR AMERICAN METAL & IRON FIGHT NIGHT AT THE TANK
Individual tickets can be purchased at the HP Pavilion ticket office, at Ticketmaster ticket centers throughout the Bay Area, online at ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (408) 998-TIXS, (415) 421-TIXS or (510) 625-TIXS. For more information about season tickets or group discounts call (408) 999-6808 or go to www.fightnightatthetank.com.
