Vincent Miranda Challenges Sean Monaghan!

Albany, NY (February 11, 2014) – 28-year-old light heavyweight hopeful Vincent Miranda is tired of the hype surrounding “Irish” Sean Monaghan.

 

Monaghan, a massive draw in New York City, signed with Top Rank last summer and was subsequently featured on two major fight cards. The 32-year-old Long Beachresident holds the WBC Continental Americas championship and is rated by three of the major sanctioning organizations. At 20-0 with 13 wins by knockout, he’s shown steady improvements but has elite matchmakers guiding him along the way. 

 

Miranda on the other hand isn’t afforded the same luxuries. Without the backing of a major promoter, the Albany, NY based Puerto Rican’s taken fights wherever he can. Dubbed as “The People’s Champ”, Miranda’s fought in Florida, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republicand New York State. Since his lone setback, Miranda, 16-1 (9 KO’s), won six consecutive bouts, five of which came by knockout.  In his last two bouts, he impressively defeated longtime contenders David Telesco and Brian Barbosa. Unfortunately, the popular Puerto Rican’s been inactive since outpointing Barbosa last April.

 

“It’s been frustrating to say the least,” stated Miranda. “I have a good fan base in the Albany area so it’s not like I bring nothing to the table. For whatever reason, I’m still not landing the kind of fights I was hoping for at this point.”

 

What bothers him even more are the opportunities other fighters who he believes are of lesser ability received while he’s still looking for the next opportunity. Rather than just complain over his frustrations, Miranda has a better solution; fight those who he believes are taking the spotlight away from him.

 

“Sean Monaghan is the guy I want as much as anybody right now! I’ll admit he’s improved but he’s still not that good. I’ve challenged him before and his team turned it down because they know the type of fighter I am and they don’t want to get him knocked off before he gets to a title. This is the fight game not a track meet, so stop running from me. I have no problem facing you inMadison Square Garden or anywhere else Top Rank does shows.”

Miranda also understands that challenging Monaghan doesn’t guarantee him anything major financially.

 

“This isn’t about the money this is for the opportunity. A lot of guys in boxing call out the Floyd Mayweather’s and Manny Pacquiao’s of the world just because they’re looking to get paid. The difference is I really want to fight this guy and understand what this match is worth at this point. I' know what I can do in the ring and built up fighters like Monaghan are taking away opportunities from guys like me that don’t need to be spoon-fed into the world rankings. If Sean and Team Monaghan are confident they can beat me, then send a contract and let’s get it on!

 

Fans can interact with Vincent atfacebook.com/vincent.miranda.94.

Luis geared up for return bout with former amateur foe Luna!

 

Ontario, Canada (November 8, 2013) – Promising lightweight Tony “Lighting” Luis believes he could very well become the first fighter to stop rugged New Yorker Raphael Luna when the two battle tomorrow evening at the Whitehall Athletic Club in Whitehall, NY.

 

About eight years ago as an amateur, the 17 year old Luis trekked from his native Canada to face Luna, who is six years his senior. At the time, Luis was aware of Luna’s reputation and knew he’d have to work hard for a victory.

 

“It was a dangerous fight to take at the time,” Luis said of their initial meeting. “He was known as a big puncher in the amateurs. He was a little bit of a trash talker before the fight but I outboxed him and won a decision.”

 

As professionals however, the two have gone on separate paths.

 

Although Luna’s record is an uneven 4-5-2 with 1 win by knockout, he’s had no help from the judges. The Albany native’s two draws came in the hometown of his opponent and he’s also dropped split and majority decisions. Two of the three men to defeat him unanimously, Ryan Kielczweski and Mel Crossty, are now a combined 22-0.

 

Known as one of Canada’s brightest young stars, Luis won his first 15 bouts and claimed a minor WBC title following a first round knockout in 2011. On January 25, the fast and exciting 25-year-old stepped up and battled 6’0 late replacement Jose Hernandez. The two warriors engaged in one of ESPN’s most exciting fights of the year however, Luis was stopped in the eighth round. After spending time in the gym to correct some of his mistakes, Luis returned in May to shut out iron chinned veteran Maurycy Gojko.

 

Against Luna, Luis, who has never seen his foe fight in the paid ranks, admittedly is entering the ring with plenty of confidence.

 

“I haven’t seen him since we fought as amateurs. The way I’m looking it at is he’s 31 now and I am a man not a teen. I believe I’ve made more improvements than him. The game plan is to box smart, stay away from his punches and kill him with hand speed. I’m not worried about him he should be worried about me. I don’t want this to go to the judges and I want to punish him but I won’t force a knockout.”

 

Luis is also aware that another significant fight will likely proceed if he’s victorious.

 

“I am penciled in for an ESPN fight in January at Turning Stone. With that said, I’m focused on Luna now. I have to take care of business. Come Saturday, everybody will see a smarter Tony Luis who is just as fast and aggressive. I fought stupid against Hernandez I got caught up in the moment. I did soul searching and got back to my boxing and the style that made me effective.”

 

For tickets or more information, go to Whitehallathleticclub.com or call 518-832-3662.