Sergio Martinez-Dzinziruk Firm For March 12

Written by The Sweet Science

Tuesday, 25 January 2011 15:06

Sergio Martinez returns March 12 vs. Sergiy Dzinziruk in a battle for middleweight supremacy at the MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods, live on HBO World Championship Boxing

Lee vs. McEwan highlights the undercard; tickets on sale Wednesday

NEW YORK, NY (Jan 25, 2011) – The consensus 2010 Fighter of the Year, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez is gearing up for another banner campaign in 2011. It all starts on March 12 when Martinez, the recognized champion at middleweight squares off with reigning World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) junior middleweight champion, Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk at the MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The winner will walk away with the prestigious World Boxing Council (“WBC”) Diamond Championship at middleweight.

In the co-feature attraction, two of Western Europe’s best, and most exciting pugilists, Andy Lee of Ireland and Scotland’s Craig McEwan do battle in a ten round “Celtic War” in the middleweight division.

“Diamond Elite: Martinez vs. Dzinziruk” will be presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Banner Promotions. Lee vs. McEwan will be presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with Golden Boy Promotions. Both bouts will be broadcast live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT.

Tickets for “Diamond Elite: Martinez vs. Dzinziruk,” are priced at $450, $250, $125, $75, and $50 and will go on sale Wednesday, January 26, at 10:00am ET through the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mgmatfoxwood.com, by calling the MGM Grand at Foxwoods at 1-866-646-0609, or in person at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office.

“March 12 is what world class boxing is all about,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Sergio Martinez is proving that he has no interest in resting on his laurels by taking on an accomplished champion such as Sergiy Dzinziruk. Once again, ‘Maravilla’ will show why he is not only the 2010 FIghter of the Year, but also the people's champion.

“Those looking for a good ole fashioned knock down, drag out war to ring in St. Patrick's Day will be fulfilled when Andy Lee and Craig McEwan duke it out. Both are old school sluggers with proud roots. Get your tickets now, because with such great action assured, they will not last.”

Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KOs), 35, is coming off the biggest year of his professional life. Last April, he won the middleweight championship, in just his second bout at the weight class, with a dominating 12-round victory over Kelly Pavlik at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Seven months later on November 20, Martinez, a native of Argentina by way of Oxnard, California, returned to Boardwalk Hall to face Paul Williams in a rematch of his razor thin majority decision loss to Paul Williams, which was widely heralded as one of the best fights of 2009. If their first showdown was Fight of the Year, Martinez left no doubt in 2010 in what was certainly the Knockout of the Year. Just a minute into the second round, Martinez landed a booming overhand left that knocked Williams out cold and sent shockwaves throughout the sports world. To cap off 2010, Martinez was lauded by nearly ever publication and organization – including ESPN, the Boxing Writers Association of America, Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated, MaxBoxing.com, BoxingScene.com, AOL Fanhouse, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, El Paso Times, San Antonio Express-News, Secondsout.com, and The Ring Magazine – as Fighter of the Year.

“I believe my next fight could be my best fight of my career because my boxing is getting better, I am physically stronger, and I am stronger mentally,” said Martinez. “My rival is a great fighter and a great champion for several years now but on March 12 he will fight the best Sergio Martinez and the fans will witness a spectacular show and the best fight of my career.”

Dzinziruk (37-0, 34 KOs), 34, has held the WBO 154 lb. title since 2005 when he decisioned Daniel Santos in his adopted home of Germany. Since then, the native of Ukraine has defended his title successfully six times, including his last bout which served as both his American debut and debut under the joint promotional banner of Gary Shaw Productions and Banner Promotions. In that bout, on May 14, 2010, in Santa Ynez, California, Dzinziruk systematically broke down Daniel Dawson en route to a tenth round stoppage.

“First of all, it’s a great opportunity for everyone involved to fight such great champions” said Dzinziruk. “I really appreciate the opportunity to fight Sergio Martinez and show the world how good I am. I am looking forward to the fight and I am very excited. I have not tasted defeated yet and I want to keep it that way. My team and I know how much work was done by Banner Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions to make this fight and it is greatly appreciated. We’re looking forward to a great fight with Sergio Martinez.”

Lee (24-1, 18 KOs), 26, is riding a nine fight winning streak since his lone career setback: a loss to Bryan Vera in 2008. Since then, the Emmanuel Steward-trained Irish slugger has compiled some of the best wins of his career over the likes of experienced veterans James Cook, Willie Gibbs, Michael Walker, and former world title challenger Mamadou Thiam. Lee is ranked #5 by the WBA and #14 by the WBC.

“I'm looking forward to fighting,” said Lee. “This fight gives me the chance to prove how good I am. McEwan is a very good boxer. He will test me, but it's a test I welcome. I'd like to thank my management and Lou DiBella for making this fight and giving me the chance to showcase my skills on HBO. I plan on showing everyone how good I am on March 12.”

McEwan (19-0, 10 KOs), 28, was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, but now lives in California where he trains with the world renowned Freddie Roach. McEwan is coming off the biggest win of his career on July 23, 2010, when he took a decision from former world title challenger Danny Perez. McEwan also holds a victory over Bryan Vera, the man who handed Lee his lone defeat. McEwan is ranked #12 by the WBO.

“Andy Lee is a good fighter, but I'm at my best when I fight good fighters," said McEwan. "I'm excited to have the chance to fight on HBO and show everyone what I can do.”

A full undercard will be announced shortly.

For more information about DiBella Entertainment, including a list of all upcoming bouts, please visit www.dbe1.comor follow Lou DiBella on twitter, @loudibella.

Comment on this article

FighterforJC says: After all these years, the WBO has failed to gain prestige. An undefeated world champion with a 91% KO ratio ought to be making headlines in the boxing community. I haven't heard of this guy. He has a last name that doesn't make less sense when spelled backwards. His record should make me excited but somehow I don't think it means anything, much like Frank Bruno's record when he fought Tyson for the first time. It's like they make these guys and hide them somewhere and then pull them out to be an opponent when a guy like Sergio Martinez emerges as a potential superstar.

Radam G says: First, all of you hardcore fight fans, CBS is getting back into the boxing business. Expect to see heavy airing of da Manny free of cable television; starting off with his February courtesy call to Prez Obama at the White House, then a meeting with the U.S. Senate. [Hopefully I will be able to do a double -- get da U.S. Prez to sign a basketball and a boxing glove for my three-year-old son. Hahahhahaha! I'm luving da Manny entourage.] Now who cannot be convinced and or not accept that da Manny is the most popular and more known athlete on the planet earth nowadays? He put da slam, blam, thank-you maam on PPV head mafia don -- HBO. That's RIGHT! No more of da Manny will be on HBO. Now you'll have to tune in -- and you will -- to Showtime and CBS to get your visible on of him. Hopefully Martinez will not age over night and lose to this nobody-knows-him opponent. I'm predicting that da Manny will draw 3mil PPV payouts for his go at the ninth division title against Martinez. [There will close to 2mils PPV when he becomes the first boxer to stop Sugar Shane Mosley.] You heard it here FIRST. Where is Donputo69? Maybe in the Witness Protection Program or sumpin.' Holla!

brownsugar says: While the boxing world awaits the battle of the unbeaten Junior Welters,.. a epic confrontation looms quietly in this battle of current "Unbeatable Champions" in the personage of Martinez and Dzinziruk. The level of skill between these two gifted fighters eclipses anything seen in the ring in recent years and deserves to be celebrated by the entire Boxing Community yet nobody hardly even knows who they are.

brownsugar says: and I'm going to add this while I'm here,.. Dzinzurik is the better of the two boxers... sometimes the best doesnt' always equal "winner" because we know intangibles can sometimes come into play... but If I were a betting man,.. I'd pick Dzinziruk by unanimous decision.

the Roast says: Sug, you are picking against the main man Sergio? Speed speed speed. Sergio is unorthodox as all hell. He will throw the stiff guy off his game and pound that a**. I'll bet you a grilled crow samich from the MisterLee Cafe. I am also endorsing Devon Alexander by stunning KO over Tim Bradley. Boom. That just happened.

brownsugar says: Ha haa ... Roast Dzinziruk is called the Razor for a reason,.. so precise,.. so quick... he's liable to carve the easy bleeding Martinez to shreds if he's not careful.. D may look stiff,.. but he's as fluid as the best out there... don't bet the farm against him.. yes... Devon is capable of doing that to Bradley,..however if Bradley finds a home inside,.. he'll shut the young boxer from the Lou down like a BP oil pumping station.

brownsugar says: Roast,.. I'll bet you 2 of Mister Lee's grill cow and I raise you a side order of crow that you'll be amazed when Dzinziruk sticks to Martinez like glue,. in his face the whole 12 rounds while becoming a ghost,.. a spectre,.. when Martinez loads up.. bout time we got some competitive matches for a change.

the Roast says: Nice! Dz is gonna be dazzled by that speed! He's gonna look like Drago in the first round vs Apollo. Dont bring up the second round. When I think of Bradley I think of him crashing down vs Kendall Holt. Yes, he got up both times but he went down hard. Holt has gone off the track but if Devon hits TB with a Urango uppercut it's all over. You and me, double crow sandwich at the MisterLee Cafe. You will buy.

the Roast says: Like a BP station... HAHA!!

admin says: "He has a last name that doesn't make less sense when spelled backwards." LOL LOL Original line?

After all these years, the WBO has failed to gain prestige. An undefeated world champion with a 91% KO ratio ought to be making headlines in the boxing community. I haven't heard of this guy. He has a last name that doesn't make less sense when spelled backwards. His record should make me excited but somehow I don't think it means anything, much like Frank Bruno's record when he fought Tyson for the first time. It's like they make these guys and hide them somewhere and then pull them out to be an opponent for when a potential superstar like Sergio Martinez comes along.

admin says: Welcome back fe'roz!

Radam G says:

The fright is sitting in on da Gazoo [green] pugilist Bradley. The flu is not what he has. Dude has been mouthing too much, while his fourth-rate sparringmates have been ringing the bells in dat sucka's noggin. His optical illusions are whacked and his psy-ops have not impressed Team Alexander The Great. The cream of the crop doesn't holla out about illnesses leading up to the dance. They holla about that after da bout -- win or lose.

Whadup Fe'Roz? Wow! You been gone for a minute. I thought that you had snitched on the Mafia or sumpin' and da Feds put you in the Witness Protecting Program. The Mafia was hit world wide. Interpol and the Feds were even creepin' around Ibag Barugo, Leyte, Philippines, and even got up in the grills of the Italiano-Filipino community in that province. With your daughter's nanny being Pinay, I figured that the Feds got the hard lookout on you. Hahahahahahaha! The U.S. Homeland Security ain't no joke and is blowin' a lot of smoke. Da suckas put the interview on me about rumors of shipping oversized caskets to the U.S.A., then wiring too much moola to Egypt and Dhaba. Somebodeee oughta tell 'em that Pinoys got relatives and biz everywhere. My sister and about 30 first and second cousins reside and work in Egypt in the family world-wide funeral needs business. Not to sound gluesome, but Yanks are livin' large and have grown in size. And it is not like they are losing weight and size to die. Again, not being too morbid -- and you can check it out -- American ex-college-and-ex-pro footballers are dying at a heavy rate, and there are no coffins made on the U.S. mainland to fit these cats who after their playing day increase in size to about 6-foot-6, 400lbs to 6-foot-10, 800lbs. Holla!

MisterLee says:

Yo, so i actually see serhiy just a fundamentally sound, well rounded fighter, who has a good job, i looked up some of em's footage he posted. he's nothing special, and martinez could possible stop him mid to the late rounds. you guys are putting too much in the serhiy. fo' sho!

FighterforJC says:

I know one jr middle from the 90's who would flat KO every welter, jr middle and middleweight fighting today, and that's Julian Jackson.

brownsugar says:

I hear you Mister Lee,.. after you've seen Dzinziruk go a few rounds,.. then you'll know how highly he should be rated... to be on the safe side... save yourself a plate of that crow. @FighterforJc..Julian Jackson would be a perfect fit in EA's next fight game. pure slugger,.. but was usually beaten by the best boxers.

FighterforJC says:

Wasn't it McCallum who first beat Julian Jackson earlier in Jackson's career? I don't remember. But after that loss Julian Jackson had an amazing run including the brutal KO over Terry Norris. His struggles, if I remember correctly, happened later in his career and you can't fault anyone for being KO'd by Gerald McClellan. Jackson is the most devastating, purest puncher I have ever seen. His power was terrifying and worthy of his KO ratio.

Avila says:

FYI Sergio Martinez is already doing three-a-day sessions in Oxnard. The guy is an animal in the gym. I've only seen one other guy who trains like Martinez and that was the late Edwin Valero. You have to see it to believe it.

FighterforJC says:

If there ever was a bandwagon in boxing, Sergio Martinez is it. His overnight fame came against Paul Williams, whose credentials have come under fire since his first bout with Martinez and the Kermit Cintron fiasco. Martinez absolutely deserves the Fighter of the Year honors for beating Pavlik and Williams. But to keep things in perspective, it wasn't as though Martinez completely dominated Pavlik or any other fighter in recent memory, for that matter. Pavlik gave Martinez a serious run for his money towards the latter stages of their fight, and who knows how the rematch with Williams would've transpired if Martinez hadn't landed that once in a lifetime KO punch reminiscent of Pacquiao-Hatton and Nunn-Kalambay?

Smoke says:

Exciting matchup. I do not know Dzinziruk, but he must be pretty decent to be WBO champ. I hope Sergio does his knock out thing. And after all, it is for the very exciting, world renown, prestigious Diamond belt...

brownsugar says:

What's up Fe'Roz?? good to hear from you. good post. I can't really disagree. just think Bradley has a way of connecting his punches in more creative ways... should be a good fight. there's truly no losers here.

the Roast says:

I read Fernando Vargas is coming back. Aiming for super middle. He's gonna get killed!!

brownsugar says:

Yep in da flesh Fernando "EL FeRoz" Vargas as he likes to be known.

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