Philly Newspaper Writer Lobbies Authorities On Behalf Of Boxing Prospect Marston

British super bantamweight Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston, who was refused a visa in order to compete on the undercard of Brian Cohen’s WBC Americas Light Heavyweight title fight on May 9 at South Philadelphia High School, has learned that her plight has not gone unnoticed in the City that has been her adopted home for the best part of two years.

Journalist and boxing columnist Kerry O’Connor, who writes for Philadelphia newspaper Center City Weekly Press and Examiner.com, heard of Marianne’s plight and decided that something pro-active should be done to correct the matter.

His solution was to start a campaign of support by encouraging readers of his column to write directly to the American Embassy In London to lobby them to reconsider Marianne’s visa application.

O’Connor wrote in his Philadelphia Boxing column on Examiner.com on April 17, “Earlier in the week, boxing fans said goodbye to the Golden Boy. Today, I’m reporting that we’re being denied the chance to say hello to the Golden Girl.

“Marianne “Golden Girl” Marston, a Super Bantamweight boxer from London, England, was supposed to make her professional debut May 9th here at South Philadelphia High School.

“However, after two years of playing by the rules, and filing proper paperwork with the American Embassy so she could come back and forth between Philly and London to train, the Embassy has denied her visa application.”

O’Connor then provides his readers with further information regarding Marston and her plight before suggesting to his readers, “If you’d like to see Marianne get her visa, let the US Embassy know! Send an e.mail titled: “Let Marianne box” to Special Consular Services at SCSLondon@state.gov “

The Wednesday April 22 issue of the Weekly Press will feature a more in-depth article by O’Connor, including an interview with Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, to generate as much interest as possible in the campaign.

So what has made O’Connor leap to support Marianne and campaign on her behalf? “I found the circumstances surrounding Marianne’s denial of a visa to be very unfair,” said O’Connor.

“She’s always abided by the rules regarding her travels between the UK and the States in the past, so to say she might not return to London after the fight is ridiculous. She is just as deserving of a chance to box in the States as Ricky Hatton. Let her have her dream. Let her fight.”

On learning of Kerry O’Connor campaigning on her behalf a very grateful Marston said, “When I got a call telling me of the support coming from Kerry through his column, I was blown away, I was speechless. What a truly wonderful thing to do.

“In some ways, I’m not surprised though as everyone there is so nice. Philadelphia is a very special place filled with such wonderful people. When I made the decision to train full time in America I had two choices, Philly or Los Angeles.

“What swung me to choose Philly was the people, they made me feel at home from the very first day I visited there. I know I was right to do so as they care about others. Kerry proves that, we’ve never met or spoken yet he has done this for me. Wow, that is something else.

“I can’t thank Kerry enough as I love Philly and can’t wait to get back…and fight.”

If, like Kerry O’Connor, you would like to help Marianne fulfill her dream to professionally fight in America, please send an e.mail titled: “Let Marianne box” to Special Consular Services at SCSLondon@state.gov asking them to reconsider Marianne Marston’s visa application.

www.mariannemarston.com

For tickets and further details for the ‘Brawl on Broad Street’ event on May 9, 2009 at South Philadelphia High School, please contact: Donna Cohen, ABBCorp, Inc. & Bionic Bull Enterprise. Tel: 215 755 8155.