Boxing Rematch: Arthur Abraham vs Edison Miranda II

The controversy over their 2006 bout has subsided some, but when it comes to their competitive fires, Edison Miranda and Arthur Abraham still believe they have some unfinished business to resolve. On Saturday, June 21st, in the US, these two world-class fighters will settle the score once and for all in a 166-pound special attraction that is destined to produce fistic fireworks.

Abraham vs Miranda II headlines a night of professional boxing presented by Seminole Warriors Boxing and Sauerland Event. Showtime World Championship Boxing will televise this highly-anticipated rematch beginning at 9pm ET / PT.

“This is the matchup that all boxing fans should love and the type of fight that helps keep this great game alive,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “Miranda and Abraham didn’t need to take this fight, but they did, not only for their own legacies, but to give the fans what they’ve been asking for, and I expect that they will deliver in spectacular fashion this June.”

Wilfried Sauerland, Abraham´s manager, agreed that the first meeting was one for the ages. “The first fight was certainly one of the most dramatic and exciting in recent years,” he said. “Boxing fans all over the world have been waiting for a rematch and we´re pleased that King Arthur´s US debut will be such a highlight.” And Sauerland Event managing director Chris Meyer added: “To make this fight possible, we asked the IBF to postpone King Arthur´s mandatory defence against Giovanni Lorenzo. After all, Abraham versus Miranda is the fight everyone wants to see.”

“Abraham and I have had a war in the ring with our fists and one outside of the ring with our words,” said Miranda. “I’ll say this, I respect Abraham as a fighter and as a man for taking this fight, but on June 21st, I will leave nothing in the judges’ hands like I did last time.” King Arthur holds a different view: “He could not defeat me when I had my jaw broken twice,” the undefeated champion said “When I am fully fit, there is no way he can beat me. I am looking forward to the rematch.”

When Abraham defended his IBF world middleweight title against Miranda the first time in Germany on September 23, 2006, the two fighters lived up to the standards set by previous 160-pound greats as they battled tooth and nail for 12 torrid rounds. Abraham showed the heart of a champion as he fought on despite having his jaw broken by Miranda’s hellacious haymakers, and ‘Pantera’ showed that he belonged on the elite level as he did everything in his power to take the crown. The officiating from the referee placed an unfortunate cloud of controversy over what was one of the best fights of the year though, with Abraham emerging with his title intact via a unanimous decision. “I have never fought someone as dirty as Miranda,” King Arthur said. “But his low blows and head butts could not stop me! .”

Since then, the two have not shied away from a war of words, but as Abraham defended his title four more times (all by knockout), and Miranda jumped up to the super middleweight class to put two impressive KO wins in the bank, many felt that the opportunity to see these two modern-day warriors clash again was lost. But with Miranda and Abraham agreeing to a 166 pound “catch weight” for the bout, one of today’s most heated rivalries will get a chance to resume again.

A native of Yerevan, Armenia who now makes his home in Berlin, Germany, “King” Arthur Abraham (26-0, 21 KOs) is one of boxing’s most respected world champions. Unbeaten in his pro career, Abraham won the IBF middleweight title in December of 2005 with a fifth round knockout of Kingsley Ikeke, and he has since compiled seven successful defenses, four by knockout. In his last bout, Abraham knocked out Elvin Ayala in the 12th round, and on June 21st, he looks forward to making his United States debut against his bitter nemesis, Miranda.

One of the most exciting and popular fighters in the world today, Edison ‘Pantera’ Miranda (30-2, 26 KOs) has thrilled fans with his exciting performances ever since he made his United States debut in 2005. A former world middleweight title challenger, Miranda went up to the super middleweight class in October of 2007, and after an impressive fifth round TKO over Henry Porras, and a devastating third round KO of David Banks, the Colombian banger showed he is ready for the elite once again.

Site and Ticket information for Abraham-Miranda II will be announced shortly. For more infromation regarding this and other events, log on to: www.WarriorsBoxing.com