Marston Impresses On Debut – Stops Roman In First Round!

Marianne Marston, the exciting protégé of legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier and two time IBF Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, made an impressive start to her long awaited professional career at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Saturday night.

Marianne, who was discovered and trained by the aforementioned Smokin’ Joe, until his landmark North Philadelphia gym closed in 2008, has had a succession of false starts to her career over the past few years, was
clearly fired up for the fight against Hungarian Gabriella Roman.

Following an entertaining ring walk, which included Marianne shadow boxing until her entry track reached a crescendo, after which she began her entry in style, dancing and banging gloves with her many admirers that lined the route.

On entering the ring Marianne once more showed her appreciation to the highly vocal and appreciative crowd, before turning to her own legion of fans, many wearing ‘Team Golden Girl’ t-shirts, which set of a cacophony
of cheers that resonated throughout the famous home of British boxing.

Her ring entry must have taken close to four minutes, well over twice as long as the actual fight itself lasted.

Right from the opening bell Marianne went hard on the attack, with a mix of solid jabs and double handed flurries, within a matter of seconds Roman was sent to the canvas for the first time.

It could only have been thirty seconds later that the Hungarian girl was back on the canvas, this time following Marianne backing her into her corner and letting rip with big looping right hands followed by wickedly vicious lefts to the head.

The instant referee Ken Curtis finished the count, Marianne went back on the attack in similar vein, this time though Roman couldn’t keep her guard up, which allowed Marianne to pick her off with a barrage of massive left
and rights, until the aforementioned Ken Curtis stepped in to save Roman further punishment, after just one minute and forty seven seconds of the first round.

Speaking earlier today Marianne spoke briefly on her sensational maiden victory.

“I’m ecstatic that I won, it wasn’t my intention to stop Gabriella, I just fought the way Joe (Smokin’ Joe Frazier), Marvis (Frazier) and Val (Colbert) drilled into me all those years ago.

I suppose really I would have liked to have put a few rounds under my belt just for the experience, but at the end of the day the win is the important thing, especially as I dedicated the victory to Joe.

If it wasn’t for Joe’s total belief in me, I am sure I would have given up on my dream after all the setbacks of the past few years.

I only wish he was still with us, he always said he would be there at my first fight, he may not have been there in person for obvious reasons, but I believe he was there in spirit.

I’m also dedicating the win to Rio (Gianluca Di Caro), he above all others encouraged and supported me through all the ups and downs of the past few years. He is my rock, he never waivered in his support or encouragement,
no matter what.

I would also like to say a huge thanks to my coach Barry Smith at the TRAD TKO Gym in Canning Town, he’s a great coach, really is one of the best around, he never tried to change my style, from that Joe had instilled, just built from it to make me a more rounded fighter.

I also have to give a massive thanks to my sponsors, Optimax, Winkball and BoxFit, they have stood by me since 2010 and I’m so pleased to finally carry their name into action.

I mustn’t forget to thank Dave Murphy and Bruce Baker, for giving me the chance to fight on their show, and finally I’d like to thank Gabriella Roman for taking the fight at such short notice.

Now it’s onwards and upwards. I can’t wait for my next fight, I hope it comes soon as I really want to be busy now I’ve finally got started.”


www.mariannemarston.com

WBF Save The Day For Marston, After Jasjukevica Pulls Out Of Saturday’s York Hall Clash

On Wednesday, just a few days ahead of her long awaited professional debut, Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston received the news that her opponent, Aleksandra Jasjukevica, has pulled out of their fight this coming Saturday.

The bout was set to feature on Dave Murphy’s ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, which is headlined by the Chris Goodwin versus Oisin ‘Gael Force’ Fagan World Boxing Federation Inter-Continental Lightweight Title Clash.

On hearing of Marston’s dilemma her long time friend and sparring partner, Angel McKenzie, and World Boxing Federation European coordinator Olaf Schroeder both burned the midnight oil in a frantic effort to save the day for Marston, the exciting protégé of legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier and two time IBF Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham.

The race against the clock continued well into Thursday afternoon, when Schroeder called to confirm that he had located a replacement. After some swift negotiations all was well again and Marston’s fight was back on.

Speaking shortly after her final training session, under the watchful eyes of coach Barry Smith at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in London, Marston spoke briefly on the drama.

“My first thought when I heard Aleksandra had pulled out was, ‘oh no not again, will I ever actually get to fight’

My luck hasn’t been the greatest the past few years, each time I was due to fight previously fate decided otherwise.

All that fades into insignificance on Saturday, I will finally get to fight. I’ve trained for over six years for this, overcoming far too many major disappointments along the way, but now it will happen, which pleases me more than you could ever know.

More than anything else I am so pleased it will happen is, as I said last week, I am dedicating this fight to the memory of Joe Frazier, he was the first person to really believe in me as a boxer and even after his gym closed had always kept in touch, as he wanted to be at my first fight.

I don’t know anything about my new opponent, other than she has fought seven times, which is six times more than Aleksandra had. I don’t even know her name, which isn’t a bad thing as I’d be tempted to look her up on BoxRec and YouTube.

I can’t thank promoter Dave Murphy for giving me the opportunity to fight on his show, but more so I can’t thank Angel (McKenzie) enough for her help, she has been a great friend helping me out with sparring and of course trying to find me a replacement, also I can’t thank Olaf Schroeder enough for taking the time to find a replacement opponent at such short notice.

Now it’s down to me to put in a good performance on Saturday for my sponsors Optimax, Winkball and BoxFit, as well as repay those, especially Joe, that have shown so much faith in me over the years with a good win.”

Marianne Marston against a yet to be named opponent features on the undercard of Chris Goodwin versus Oisin ‘Gael Force’ Fagan WBF inter-Continental Lightweight Championship clash which headlines Dave Murphy’s Thunderdrome Promotions ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor) and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com and www.mariannemarston.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA - www.tkoboxinggym.com - or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB - www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.

www.mariannemarston.com

Oisin Fagan: On Saturday, I’m Bringing The Title Back To Ireland

After a two year sabbatical from the sport Dublin’s Oisin ‘Gael Force’ Fagan returns to active duty this coming Saturday, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, England, where he and Chester’s Chris Goodwin will battle it out for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Inter-Continental Lightweight Title.

Fagan, who during his career has been in with some of the top stars of the sport, including Amir Khan and Paul Spadafora, has surprised many pundits with his decision to mark his return to the fray, with a championship bout against a young and highly rated prospect such as Goodwin.

Speaking from his home in Dublin a seriously determined sounding Fagan said.

“I’m just pleased that the fight is finally going ahead, even though I’ve had only four or five days to prepare.

They may think that this coming together so quickly may catch me on the hop, but it wont, I train every day, I don’t take any time off between fights, so if they’re relying on that they’ve better think again.

I’ve fought some of the top names in the sport including a couple of World Champions, so even though I’m fighting away again, fighting in England against an Englishman doesn’t bother me.

I’m coming to win you know, the WBF title is coming back to Ireland with me.”

Chris Goodwin versus Oisin Fagan, for the WBF Inter-Continental Lightweight title, headlines Dave Murphy’s Thunderdrome Promotions ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on the 27^th April 2013.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor) and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line at eitherwww.tkoboxoffice.com or www.mariannemarston.com

Tickets can also be purchased from any of the listed Boxers and are also available at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA - www.tkoboxinggym.com - or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB - www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.

Chris Goodwin Vs. Oisin Fagan Title Fight Added To April 27th York Hall Event

Back in December last year Chester’s Chris Goodwin was due to travel to Cork in Ireland to face ‘homeboy’ Oisin ‘Gael Force’ Fagan, for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Inter-Continental Lightweight crown. However fate stepped in and the fight never got to go ahead.

Some four months later the pair finally go toe to toe for the WBF title, as they have been added to the upcoming Dave Murphy promoted ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 27^th April 2013.

Goodwin, the reigning World Boxing Foundation Lightweight World Champion, switches allegiance to the more meaningful World Boxing Federation in his quest to add further silverware to his trophy cabinet, where he aims to not only include the WBF Inter-Continental but ultimately the WBF World Championship belt to his collection, that already includes the aforementioned World Boxing Foundation World Lightweight and both the International Masters Lightweight and Welterweight belts.

He is mightily unlucky not to also include the Lonsdale Belt to his collection, after losing, by a really close split points decision, to Carl Johanneson in their sensational BBBofC Lightweight Title eliminator back in March last year.

As stated previously Goodwin is keen to add the World Boxing Federation crown to his collection, but before he gets the chance he must first deal with the highly experienced championship campaigner Oisin Fagan.

Back in December Goodwin stated, “I know I am in for a tough night.

Fagan has been in with the likes of Paul Spadafora and Amir Khan, and he is an Irish hero.

He has a lot of experience. This is a real fight and I am getting excited about it already.”

You can be sure Goodwin’s thoughts haven’t changed over the past few months, especially since Fagan is an experienced championship campaigner himself, during his career the Dubliner has been crowned USA Oklahoma State Lightweight, Oklahoma State Lightweight and Irish Light Welterweight King.

In addition Fagan had also fought Verquan Kimbrough for the USBA Lightweight title, which he lost by a close split points decision.

Amir ‘King’ Khan then stopped the tough Irishman in the second round to lift the WBA International Lightweight crown in December 2008.

Then in 2009 Dublin’s Eddie Hyland had his hands full when they battled for the IBF Super Featherweight belt, Hyland winning by unanimous points decision after twelve sensational all action rounds of boxing.

Fagan’s last Championship outing was in 2010, when he unsuccessfully challenged Irish Lightweight Champion Andy Murray for his crown.

Main support sees Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne takes on Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris, for the International Masters Welterweight title

Byrne’s sensational performance against former USBA Welterweight Champion Carson Jones back in December surely makes the plucky Irishman favourite to lift his first domestic crown.

However you just can’t write off Morris though, as the former British Masters Light Welterweight Champion is about as tough as they come.

Making his professional debut on the show is 2010 Commonwealth Boxing Championships Gold Medalist and European Silver Medalist Iain Weaver.

2009 ABA Champion Weaver was a pivotal member of Team GB Podium squad for almost four and half years, including the build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games, where he was pipped at the post for selection by eventual Gold Medalist Luke Campbell.

Peckham’s Diego Burton makes a welcome return to York Hall, where he has previously won twice, as well as scored a credible draw on his debut.

Woolwich’s Marianne Marston, the protégé of legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier and two time Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, makes her well overdue debut, against Latvia’s Aleksandra Jasjukevica.

Marston, who is now trained by Barry Smith at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, is a big punching Southpaw that originally learned her craft in the fighting City of Philadelphia, USA, under the highly experienced eyes of the aforementioned greats Frazier and Cunningham.

Bermondsey based Nigerian battler Ideh Ockuko will be looking to put his last fight, against unbeaten prospect Adam Dingsdale, behind him.

It was a fantastic Battle Royale that could have gone either way, most present thought the match a draw, however the man that matters, the referee, gave the decision to Dingsdale by a very close 38-39 points margin.

21 year old Chris Rackley from Slough in Berkshire will be keen to impress when he returns to York Hall, the scene of his hard fought draw against the highly experienced Liam Griffiths back in February.

West Drayton’s unbeaten Welterweight Scrappa Smith makes his first visit to York Hall and will also be looking to build on his two great wins to date.

Last but not least Wokingham’s Mark Douglas makes his long awaited return to the ring, following a long, forced, sabbatical after he dislocated his shoulder whilst battling with Lee Purdy for the Southern Area strap back in 2009.

Oisin Fagan versus Chris Goodwin, for the WBF Inter-Continental Lightweight title, headlines Dave Murphy’s Thunderdrome Promotions ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on the 27^th April 2013.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor) and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line at eitherwww.tkoboxoffice.com or www.mariannemarston.com

Tickets can also be purchased from any of the listed Boxers and are also available at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA - www.tkoboxinggym.com - or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB - www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.