It was just like old times Wednesday night at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, as super middleweight contender Edison “Pantera” Miranda showed off his fearsome power once again as he knocked out Manuel Esparza in the third round on the “Hard Knocks at the Hard Rock” event. “Since my loss to Abraham, my economy has suffered like the US economy. I plan to fix my economy and the US economy starting with this knockout”. said Miranda, during the press conference..
“This is just the beginning for me,” said Miranda, who was fighting for the first time since his rematch with Arthur Abraham last June. “I’ve learned how to take care of my body properly between fights, and now I feel sorry for anyone who steps into the ring with me in 2009 and in the coming years.”
Miranda dropped Esparza twice in the bout, with the end coming at 0:52 of the third stanza. It was the Colombian power puncher’s 31st win, and 27th knockout, in his 34 fight career. He has won three of his last four bouts, all by knockout, and he is eying the top contenders and champions.
“I’m ready for anyone of the contenders or champions out there,” said Miranda. “Are they ready for me though? I’m faster, stronger, and more powerful than ever before, and I promise my fans that I won’t let any of the pretenders stay in the ring with me past the fifth round. That’s my New Year’s resolution, and I plan on keeping it.”
Also victorious in impressive fashion on Wednesday was junior middleweight contender Sechew Powell, who improved to 25-2 (15 KOs) with a third round TKO of Christian Lloyd Joseph. It was the second straight win for the “Iron Horse”, who hopes to fight for a world title later this year.
Even though he’s not ready for a world title yet, 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian Jonathan Gonzalez excited the crowd and impressed boxing insiders in his professional debut Wednesday, as he blasted out fellow debutant Alejandro Artola in just three rounds. The 19-year old is now 1-0.