Boxing Quotes: John Duddy – Anthony Bonsante – Maureen Shea

John Duddy: “It’s going to be a great night the 16th of March in Madison Square Garden, the arena of all arenas. I thank Anthony (they shook hands). I respect him in and out of the ring. He has a hard lifestyle (working nights and single father of two children). We’re hungry fighters. (Yory Boy) Campas asked me a lot of questions (in Duddy’s last fight) and I answered some questions. Anthony will be asking me questions about what I can do in the ring. It’s going to be a tremendous fight. We both have tremendous heart and hunger. God willing, you’ll see me put it all on the line like I did in my last fight. It’s going to be the night before St. Patrick’s Day and a lot of Irish will be at the fight or watching on pay per view. It’s (fan support) been tremendous since I arrived in New York from Irish fans in places like New York and Boston. I’m going to Florida for six weeks of training so Harry (Keitt) can beat me up some more. I’m looking forward to this fight. I’m hungry and eager to put on a tremendous show. It’s going to be a night to remember for the Irish, boxing fans and Irish Ropes. There’s going to be an explosion March 16th.”

Harry Keitt (Duddy’s trainer): “I was at Anthony’s fight in Minnesota (Jan. 20th victory against Matt Vanda). I know he’s coming to bring it. We’re training hard to be at our best. We have two good guys going against each other. We’ll work hard to get a “W.’ We’ve come too far to go backwards. Michael Jackson’s the only one doing the moonwalk.”

Anthony Bonsante: “I’m happy to be in New York. I’ve dreamed of fighting in Madison Square Garden. I’m ready. I know there will be a huge Irish crowd but I’m coming to enjoy this opportunity. He’s the IBA World and WBC Continental Americas champion, I’m the IBA Americas champion. He hits like a mule. It’s going to be a great fight. I flew in today for this and I have to be back (Minnesota) for work tonight at 10 PM (Anthony is a production supervisor at a KMart warehouse).”

Lisa Broch (Bonsante’s trainer): “I’m privileged and honored to be here. Few females are in this position. I’ve been with Anthony Bonsante for seven years. He works hard and we’re looking forward to this fight.”

Maureen Shea: “I’m taking care of business. I’m truly blessed and honored to be fighting on an Irish Ropes show for the second year in a row at The Garden and on a John Duddy undercard. It’s my dad’s 66th birthday and, God willing, I’ll give him another win (as a present). I’m looking forward to putting on a great performance.”

Event: “Erin Go Brawl”

Date & Venue: March 16 @ The Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York,
NY

Promoter: Irish Ropes Promotions

Television: Broadcast live in North America on cable and satellite pay-per-view starting at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT. The event is being produced and distributed for pay-per-view by Integrated Sports and will be available in more than 50-million homes in North America via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the USA, as well as Viewer’s Choice in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

Main Event: “Ireland’s” John Duddy (18-0, 15 KOs), Queens, NY via Derry, N. Ireland vs. Anthony “Bullet” Bonsante (29-8-3, 17 KOs), Shakopee, MN, 12 rounds, IBA World & WBC Continenal Americas Middleweight Championships. Co-Feature: TBA, 10 rounds.

Undercard Fighters: super featherweight Maureen “The Real Million Dollar Baby” Shea (8-0, 4 KOs, Bronx, NY; middleweight Andy Lee (6-0, 3 KOs), Detroit, MI via Limerick, Ireland; heavyweight James Clancy (9-0, 1 KO), Boston, MA via Clare, Ireland; cruiserweight Mark Clancy (6-0-1, 1 KO), Boston, MA via Clare, Ireland; welterweight Henry Coyle (pro debut), Chicago via Mayo, Ireland.

Tickets: $400.00, $300.00, $200.00, $150.00, $100.00, $75.00 and $50.00 at the Garden Box Office, thegarden.com, or by calling TicketMaster at 212.307.7171. All tickets include a $4.50 facility fee and TicketMaster orders are subject to TicketMaster service charge.

Information: Irish Ropes Promotions at 212.835.1582 or go on line to www.irishropes.com.