By Trish Kilcullen & Peter Mark Heintzelman – Photo by Peter Mark Heintzelman – Kathy Duva, principal of Main Events, brings professional boxing back to the “Brick City“, Newark, New Jersey, on April 24, 2009, featuring middleweight main eventers, Irish John Duddy and Billy Lyell. Matchmaker, J. Russell Peltz also has a card featuring Kassim Ouma and Patrick Majewski, and promises boxing fans yet another fantastic fight night jam packed with exciting bouts, from top to bottom.
Not to be ignored is a super undercard event featuring light welterweight, twenty four year old Philadelphian boxer, “Hammerin’ Hank Lundy, 12-0-1, 6 KO’s, who puts his neck and record on the line against 27 year old Jason Cintron, 10-0-0, 3 KO’s, also from The Keystone State. Cintron is rated by boxrec as number 20 of 195 while Lundy is ranked 35 of 195. This is a jewel of an undercard.
Henry Lundy agreed to answer some questions for EastSideBoxing.com about his upcoming bout with Cintron:
ESB: So, Hank, when did you find out about your bout on April 24th with Jason Cintron, and what have you been doing to prepare yourself for this opponent?
Lundy: Well, I’ve been training hard before I heard he accepted the fight. When I got the word that I was fighting Cintron April 24th it made me happy. I’m in great shape and you can expect to see great things from Hammerin’ Hank.
ESB: You’ve had a great career to date, and the Cintron fight looks like a pretty big step up for you. Are you ready for the challenge?
Lundy: I’m definitely ready, it is a big fight. He has a good name, but he has never fought anybody like me. I have been in there with better fighters then he has, and better fighters then he is. He is not as good as the hype and I’m going to expose him. He is not at my level.
ESB: What do you know about Cintron’s fight style and how does it compare with your own?
Lundy: I’ve seen him fight, he likes to switch from orthodox to southpaw, he keeps his hands down, and he has no power or speed.
ESB: Have you seen any tapes of your opponent’s prior fights, and what vulnerabilities, if any, do you see in Cintron?
Lundy: I was there when he fought Tyric Robinson. He does good when his opponent just stands in front of him. He doesn’t like to get hit in the body, and he won’t be able to handle the pressure that I’m gonna put on him.
ESB: Where are you training for this fight, and with whom have you been sparring?
Lundy: I’ve been training at Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket, RI. I’ve been getting great sparring from all over New England. One of the pros that I have been sparing with is Jesus Caro.
ESB: Who will be working your corner on fight night, who is your trainer, second, and cut man?
Lundy: Well my new head trainer is Peter Manfredo Sr. He has been getting me ready for this fight, and he will be working my corner. My cut man is Mike Plebani.
ESB: What can the fans expect to see from you come fight night at the Pru, and what is your prediction as to the outcome of this bout with Cintron?
Lundy: Well, the fans can always expect excitement every time I go in the ring. To tell you the truth he won’t last longer then three rounds with me. It’s gonna be all business when it’s fight time. I’m gonna go in there with my hands up and he better be ready for the fight of his life. One thing that for sure is, that I’m going to make a statement on April 24th!
ESB: If Jason Cintron were in front of you right now, what would you say to him about your bout on April 24th?
Lundy: I would ask him if he remembers how his brother was crying after Margarito stopped him? Then I would tell him that is how he will look after the fight. He will never be the same, after the beating that I’m gonna give him.
ESB: You’ve been signed with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports for some time now, as your promoter. How do you like fighting under the banner of CES, and what opportunities has your promoter provided to you to date?
Lundy: Jimmy is a great guy, and I am very happy with team CES. Hammerin’ Hank is on track for great things and I am happy with how CES has moved me. I have a great relationship with Jimmy and team CES, it is more then business, it is a friendship.
ESB: Finally, Hank, thank you for your time, and are there any final comments you want to share with your fans at EastSideBoxing?
Lundy: Sorry for the layoff, I needed some time to reinvent myself. Out with the old, in with the new. I look forward to fighting at the Prudential Center in front of a large crowd. I would like to thank Jimmy Burchfield and CES Boxing for this opportunity, and thank you, Trish and Peter, for this interview. Get ready cause Hammerin’ Hank is coming to a city near you!
April 24th represents the second fight night in “The Main Event Boxing Series,” hosted by the Prudential Center, in Newark. The first event this past December, featured the sensational match up between Steve USS Cunningham and Tomasz Adamek for the IBF cruiserweight title, and was a total success, with a packed house of fans getting their dollars’ worth in today’s economy. Tickets are now on sale at www.prucenter.com, or call 973-200-7050, and seats are fan friendly priced at $38, $53, $78, $103, and $253. The Prudential Center is located at 165 Mulbery Street, Newark, New Jersey. All fights and fighters are subject to change. Doors open at 8 p.m.