British Super Bantam Marianne Marston Continues Fight For American Visa

Philadelphia trained, British super bantamweight Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston is still be reeling from the American authorities decision to refuse her a visa in order for her to compete on a boxing show on Amy 9 in South Philadelphia, PA.

However, her American training team, led by former IBF Cruiserweight Champion Steve Cunningham, and her sponsor, P.U.G. Athletic, are all standing by her and working together on a solution.

Mike Gregory, P.U.G. Athletic’s commercial manager, made it clear that P.U.G. would continue to support Marston as she is a strategic part of their plans to launch the brand into the American sportswear market in 2009. “We’re not going to back out of our support for Marianne,” said Gregory.

“She is an extremely talented boxer and has been an excellent ambassador for P.U.G. Athletic over the past eighteen months. We are keen to continue our involvement in her career for a long time to come.

“We are in discussions with Team ‘USS’ Cunningham, who represent and train Marianne in America, as well as the promoters of the May 9 event in Philadelphia, ABBCorp, Inc. and Bionic Bull Enterprises, on this matter.

“Marianne is contracted to them for 12 fights between now and the end of 2010, so hopefully between us we will be able to sort the visa situation out.

“If a quick solution isn’t available, one alternative option we are exploring, should a suitable opponent be found, is to have Marianne debut in the UK, or even Europe, in order to secure the ranking required to be eligible for a P1 Professional Athlete visa, rather than the B1 she had applied for on advice from the London Consulate.”

Marston, who is still hopeful of competing next month in Philadelphia, is currently training at Gleason’s Gym near Tower Bridge, London. Should the visa problem be resolved before May, Marianne’s professional debut will be on the undercard of Brian Cohen’s WBC Americas Light Heavyweight title fight on May 9 2009 at South Philadelphia High School.

Promoter Donna Cohen is a big supporter of Women’s boxing and every event she promotes includes at least one female match-up.

For tickets and further details for the event at South Philadelphia High School please contact: Donna Cohen, ABBCorp, Inc. & Bionic Bull Enterprise, Tel: 215 755 8155.

www.mariannemarston.com