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None other than legendary ex-heavyweight boxing champion of the world Smokin’ Joe Frazier has said of British featherweight Marianne “Golden Girl” Marston, “She’s going to be the Champ.”
Joe’s son and former heavyweight contender Marvis Frazier has said of Marston, “Marianne is the hardest working, committed fighter I have seen in a long time. She’s very hard for any fighter to deal with. She’s strong, fast and accurate, has lots of combinations and punches hard, so hard it’s like being hit by a heavyweight.”
Ex-middleweight world champion Robert ‘Bam Bam’ Hines said of Marston, “Marianne’s an exciting fighter who’s got it all. One thing for sure she’s ging to be the Champ…soon.”
Former IBF Cruiserweight Champion Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham has been so impressed with Marston that he invited her to be part of his team.
Now after various well-publicised false starts, Marston, who was originally brought to America by the legendary Smokin’ Joe Frazier in a blaze of publicity, will finally have her long awaited pro debut, virtually a year later than planned, on the undercard of Brian Cohen’s light heavyweight title fight in South Philadelphia on May 9, 2009.
last February, Marston took the huge step of traveling thousands of miles from her home in London, England to Philadelphia to train full time under the personal tutelage of Frazier and his son Marvis at their North Philadelphia landmark gym after Frazier had advised her to spend six months training with him so he could get her fully prepared for her debut.
Just two months after making the commitment, Frazier’s gym closed. Shortly afterward, Marston moved her home
base to Percy ‘Buster’ Custus’ James Shuler Memorial Gym and continued to train for her professional debut, which was to be the ill-fated Casino Battle Royale event in Atlantic City.
Smokin’ Joe is not the only world champion to be impressed by Marston’s natural talent, as not long after she moved gym, cruiserweight king Steve Cunningham and his wife and manager Livvy, who are also based at Shuler’s, invited her to be part of their team.
After promoter Ivan Cohen confirmed on Wednesday that Marston is to be on the May 9 card in South philly, a very pleased Cunningham said of his protégé, “What a great opportunity for Marianne. She has the heart, work ethic and determination of a true champion. This May she’ll be on her way, watch out for ‘Golden Girl’!”
Marston, who is currently in London, will be returning to Philadelphia shortly to go into training camp with Team Cunningham’s head coach Anthony Chase.
“I’m so honoured that Ivan is to have me on the card of this important fight,” said Marston. “I also must thank him as he has offered me sparring with two of his female fighters to help in my preparations. I can’t wait to get back to Philly to prepare with Chase, Steve and Shar’ron. They are great trainers.
“Shar’ron has been awesome, her techniques really suit my style and in the short amount of time I have had to work with Chase he took me to another level altogether.
“As for Steve, what can I say, he is a great fighter and his advice has been unbelievable. My fighting style has changed thanks to them, I feel that I am a total fighter now. I’m ready to fight now and can’t wait until May.”
Marston’s fight will be part of the Ivan Cohen promoted fight card featuring Philadelphia’s Brian Cohen on May 9, 2009 at the South Philadelphia High School.
The co-feature will headed by Gabrielle Rosado. Also on the card will be Marston’s regular sparring partner Christina Leadbeater from New Jersey.
The full card is expected to be announced shortly.
www.mariannemarston.com
For tickets and further details for the event contact:
Ivan Cohen: Tel 215 755 815
