Tampa, Florida – After being notified that the highly regarded Anthony Peterson pulled out of their February 21 fight with an injury, Edner Cherry was left a disappointed and dejected fighter. Hungry to stop the unbeaten Peterson and at the peak of his training camp, Cherry was forced to go back to the drawing board.
“It was a big let down because I trained so hard for the fight”, said Cherry, who dropped a decision to unified Junior Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley in September. “These type of opportunities don’t come very often and it is unfortunate that the fight didn’t go through.”
Without an offer to reschedule the fight with Peterson and few top Lightweights willing to step into the ring with the rugged Bahamian, Cherry was temporarily left on hold. This was until Top Rank recently inquired with Starfight Productions about his availability for a potential July fight newly crowned WBC Lightweight champion Edwin Valero. Arguably the biggest puncher in the sport and a feared fighter, the dynamite fisted Valero boasts a sensational record of 25-0 with all knockouts.
While Valero is an intimidating opponent who has proven time and time again he can end a fight with one punch, Cherry is not one to back down. Having fought nine world champions and title contenders, Cherry knows he has the experience to push Valero to the limit on fight night if he officially receives the offer that he badly craves.
“Valero would be a huge fight because he is among best in the Lightweight division”, said Cherry who is rated #8 by the WBC. “I am deserving of the opportunity and don’t think many fighters would present him with a better challenge. Our styles are perfect for each other and would make for a great fight without question.”
Known for being in peak physical condition throughout his 32 fight pro career, Cherry will undoubtedly be fully prepared for the fight of his life this July if given the opportunity.
“I spend a ton of time in the gym and haven’t stopped training since January”, said the former world title challenger. “I am hoping Valero will be my next opponent. It would be a dream come true.”
MIRANDA PROMISES TO TURN WARD’S DREAM INTO A NIGHTMARE ON MAY 16TH
No stranger to traveling to his opponent’s backyards, Edison Miranda had no problem with taking a fight with Andre Ward on May 16th that will be held at the Oracle Arena in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California. In fact, “Pantera” welcomed the opportunity.
“Knocking Ward out in front of his hometown fans will leave no questions from anyone,” said Miranda. “He can’t blame the water, can’t blame the judges, can’t blame the fans, because everything will be in his favor on May 16th. But the only thing he can’t control are my fists, and if he thinks fighting at home is a dream come true, I’m going to turn that dream into a nightmare soon after the bell rings.”
One of the most anticipated bouts of 2009, Miranda, a longtime middleweight and super middleweight contender, will be the stiffest test ever for Ward, an unbeaten 2004 Olympic Gold medalist. And despite Ward’s home advantage, Puerto Rican’s Miranda has traveled to Germany to face middleweight champion Arthur Abraham, and most recently went to London to take on Joey Vegas. So leaving home to fight is no problem for him.
“Going to fight in Oakland is no big deal. I have fought all over the world, in 7 different countries” said Miranda. “I hear people saying Andre Ward is too skillful for me to handle. Skillful against who? I give him all the credit in the world for taking home the gold. But he has been acting like he is still in the amateurs with these cherry picked opponents he has been fighting. Andre, I am no amateur. When you step in that ring I am going to initiate you into the big leagues. You gotta walk before you run, and with me you will find out you ran to quick. I’m a real fighter and I’m going to show him that on May 16th.”
The 12-rounder for Ward’s North American Boxing Organization (NABO) and North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Super Middleweight titles will be the featured bout on a Special Edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The May 16 event will originate from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., and will be promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with Antonio Leonard Productions. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, April 18. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. PT. The first non-televised fight is at 5 p.m. PT.
Tickets priced at $125, $75, $50 and $25 at the ORACLE Arena Box office: Mon-Fri 10-5:30pm, Saturday 10-2:00pm, Sunday Closed or On-Line through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or through Ticketmaster Outlets at the following outlet partners: select Macy’s stores and select Ritmo Latino stores. All information can be obtained at www.ticketmaster.com.