Unbeaten Dominican featherweight contender Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero (14-0, 11 KOs) will face Argentina’s Jesus Andres Cuellar (22-1-0, 23 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim world title on August 23rd at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
This will mark the first event promoted by Iron Mike Productions, formerly Acquinity Sports, in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, and it will be broadcast live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. Acquinity Sports, under CEO Garry Jonas, partnered with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson to form Iron Mike Productions.
Marrero’s stable-mate, International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight champion Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez (21-2, 11 KOs) makes his first world title defense against IBF No. 13-rated challenger Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs) in the 12-round main event.
Marrero understood that this fight be a tough test and he has trained accordingly for the most significant fight of his young professional career. “I understand that Jesus Cuellar is an aggressive fighter who has a high percentage of knockouts,” Marrero said. “However, we believe that he is not invincible, and we will defeat him. We have two different styles. I am sure I have the skills to win, either by unanimous decision or by KO.”
Iron Mike Productions COO Henry Rivalta added, “He (Marrero) is training for the fight of his life. Argentina has great fighters like Lucas Matthysee, Sergio Martinez and Marcos Maidana, who have all proven themselves. In the Marrero-Cuellar fight, we will see the rise of a new star, Claudio Marrero”
Marrero, the WBA’s top-ranked featherweight at No. 2 (No. 1 unrated), is a stylish southpaw from the Dominican Republic, while the WBA No. 4-ranked Cuellar will be fighting out his native country for the first time as a professional.
Providing chief support are two 10-rounders showcasing Cuban KO king, featherweight lightweight Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado (16-0, 15 KOs) and world welterweight contender Ed “The Lion” Paredes (33-3-1, 22 KOs). Collado, now fighting out of Miami, takes on Mexican veteran Hugo “Guerrero” Partida (19-4-2, 15 KOs), while Paredes faces another tough Mexican, Noe “Platanito” Bolanos (24-8-1, 16 KOs). Collado is rated No. 14 by the WBA and No. 15 by the IBF. Paredes is one of only two welterweights in the world who is currently ranked among the top 15 in all four major sanctioning bodies: World Boxing Council (WBC) & WBA #3, World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 11, and IBF No. 13.
Also fighting on the undercard in six-round bouts are undefeated Bahamian light heavyweight Ryan “Big Youth” McKenzie (13-0, 11 KOs), now residing in Canastota, New York against an opponent to be determined, and unbeaten Virginian middleweight Antoine Douglas (8-0, 6 KOs) squares-off against Russell “Spiderman” Jordan (15-10, 10 KOs), of Rochester (NY).
Former Toledo-Ohio-based amateur star, Albert “Prince” Bell (1-0, 1 KO), is back in action against New York City super featherweight Angel Siguenza (0-1) in a four-round match. The 20-year-old Bell captured gold medals as an amateur at the 2011 National PAL Championships and 2012 National Golden Gloves Tournament.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Mendez, Marrero, Collado, Paredes and Bell were promoted by Acquinity Sports and are now fighting under the Iron Mike Productions banner.
Tickets priced at $150, $95, $55 and $45 are on and available to purchase at the Turning Stone box office, by calling (315) 361-7469, or visit www.Ticketmaster.com.
Doors open at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Event Center at 6:00 p.m. ET, Friday, August 23. The first undercard bout starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. The live ESPN2 telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Iron Mike Productions, previously Acquinity Sports, is a boxing promotion company co-founded and led by Acquinity Interactive CEO Garry Jonas. It is a partnership with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson committed to changing traditional boxing promotion by advocating for its fighters’ successes inside the ring and out, throughout their professional careers and into retirement.
For additional information go online at www.IronMikeProductions.com or www.TurningStone.com .
