Manny Muhammad “I’m Destined For Big Things”

Former American Basketball Star Returns To York Hall in London, The Scene Of His Sensational Debut Victory Over Undefeated Opponent In March

Back in March former Pro Basketballer Manny Muhammad made the highly successful transition from hoop to ring, when he secured a points victory, over Lithuania’s Vaidas Balciauskas, on his debut at York Hall in London.

Whilst it is not unusual that a debutant wins his first fight, Manny and his team wanted to make a statement, so instead of going the normal route of a nice easy fight against a seasoned journeyman to get the ball rolling, the Floridian chose instead to take on a undefeated, in three, opponent.

A bold move indeed, one which Manny seemed more than happy to do, both prior to and post the bout, as not only did he come away with a nice maiden victory, but rocketed up the rankings to 107 (from 210) in the USA and more incredibly hit the World rankings at 509 (from 986) in the Super Middleweight division.

Now the London based American is back in the gym preparing for his second fight, which takes place on the undercard of the highly anticipated George Hillyard vs. Kirill Psonko rematch, on the Dave Murphy Acourtier Events promoted JUDGEMENT DAY show at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday May 31^st.

Following a training session at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town the amiable American took a little time to talk about his maiden victory and his upcoming bout.

“I’m feeling pretty good you know, Barry (coach Barry Smith) is getting me in shape, as always the TRAD TKO boys are ready to fight, you know I keep saying this is the best gym in the UK, it is, you see it every day how hard we work.

I’m ready now, I just can’t wait to get back into the ring and do my thing.

It was a really good show last time out, credit to Dave Murphy and Rio (Malta Boxing Commission VP Gianluca Di Caro), who are always working tirelessly to make these shows happen.

It was a very good win for me, I said this all the time, if you prepare properly and give it a hundred percent, you know good things will happen and that’s just what I did and I got a good win over a previously undefeated guy.

I listened to my coaches, kept him off with the jab and got the job done, as I said he was an undefeated guy which is the kind of guys I want to fight, I believe I am destined for big things, hopefully there is more to come.

I’m really trying to bring a big crowd with me this time around, I want a packed house and I’m the kind of fighter does well under pressure, when the stakes are high and the lights are bright I come to shine, so hopefully we can get a large crowd, as I can guarantee I’m going to be putting on one helluva performance.

To the boxing fans out there, come and see a really good show on May 31^st guys, come support the fighters, come support the Lean Team’s Manny Muhammad, TRAD TKO and the Malta Boxing Commission.

You know the Malta Boxing Commission are doing big things now, looking to sanction quality shows without all the politics and crap that usually surround events in the UK, so come and support us.”

Manny Muhammad, against a yet to be named opponent, features on the undercard of George ‘Hit Hard’ Hillyard vs Kirill Psonko, that headlines Dave Murphy’s Acourtier Events, promoted ‘JUDGEMENT DAY event, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Saturday 31^st May 2014

Tickets, priced £35 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) are available from the boxers taking part, alternatively tickets are available on-line at www.acourtier.comor www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning town – www.tkoboxinggym.com or from any of the boxers taking part in the event

Go online to www.Acourtier.com for additional information on the JUDGEMENT DAY event or the Acourtier stable of boxers. Follow Acourtier Events on Twitter @AcourtierEvents - friend us at Facebook.com/AcourtierEvents - and on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/company/acourtier-events

Hillyard-Psonko Rematch Headlines At York Hall On May 31st - Plus Exciting Undercard and Froch-Groves II Live Screening

All the talk recently has been about the sold out Carl Froch and George Groves rematch, but there will be another equally exciting and intriguing rematch in London on the very same night, Saturday May 31st, at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, when George 'Hit Hard' Hillyard seeks redemption against Kirill Psonko.

When they last met, back on March 1st, the pair enthralled the packed York Hall crowd with their all action toe-to-toe Battle Royale.

Early on George’s pedigree shone brightly, the Canning Town man easily controlling the Lithuanian, but in the second half George backed off a little, content to counter Kirill, then with just seconds to go in the final round the unbelievable happened, Kirill lands a peach of a right which sent George to the canvas, George made the count but in an instant Kirill threw a barrage of punches at the still dazed East Londoner, leaving referee Ken Curtis no option but to stop the bout.

Main support sees TRAD TKO's Marianne Marston in a six round warm up bout, ahead of her second shot at the WBU European title on July 5^th, this time in her natural Super Bantamweight division.

Back in March Marianne was mightily unlucky not to secure the WBU Featherweight title, after losing out to the Czech Republic’s #1 ranked Hana Horakova, by a very close split decision.

The fight was a cracker, a real close fought match, so no one was that surprised when it was announced that there was a split decision result, that came later as it was announced that it was Hana that had two judges score the bout in her favour and Marianne just the one.

I’m sure former England amateur captain Antonio Counihan will be relishing returning to the famous home of boxing in the Capital City, following two sensational victories on previous visits in the past year.

On his last outing at York Hall, Antonio once again showed his star quality, out classing Poland’s Marcin Filner on way to a well deserved shutout points victory.

Another former amateur star Onder Ozgul will be in action on May 31st, Onder has proved to be one of the finds of the year, having racked up two seriously impressive wins since turning pro in March, including a sensational first round stoppage victory over Iain Jackson on the 26th April.

Florida, USA's former professional Basketball player, Manny Muhammad makes his second outing under the Acourtier Events banner.

Back in March Manny took on and beat the previously unbeaten Lithanian Vaidas Balciauskas, in doing so jumped straight into the World rankings at 489 (out of 957) in the Super Middleweight division, not too shabby for just one fight.

Another March 1st debut fighter makes his second outing on May 31st, Bardney, Lincolnshire's big punching Nathan 'Nightmare' Decastro, who sensationally stopped Lithuania's Paulius Butvidas in just one minute and five seconds of the first round.

Kennington Light Welterweight David Pereira (3-1) makes his welcome return to the fray and will be making his first outing under the Acourtier banner on May 31st.

Exciting former amateur star Matar Sambou will be making his professional, Matar was apparently discovered by a certain Mr David Haye, so don’t need to say much more than this kid can box!

Finally, To ensure that the fans that attend JUDGEMENT DAY do not need to rush home to catch Froch-Groves II on TV, the esteemed Mr Murphy has arranged a special free bonus, the entire Froch-Groves bout will be shown on big screens live following the final bout of the night.

George ‘Hit Hard’ Hillyard vs Kirill Psonko headlines Dave Murphy’s Acourtier Events, promoted ‘JUDGEMENT DAY event, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Saturday 31^st May 2014

Tickets, priced £35 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) are available from the boxers taking part, alternatively tickets are available on-line at www.acourtier.comor www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning town – www.tkoboxinggym.com or from any of the boxers taking part in the event.

Go online to www.Acourtier.com for additional information on the JUDGEMENT DAY event or the Acourtier stable of boxers. Follow Acourtier Events on Twitter @AcourtierEvents - friend us at Facebook.com/AcourtierEvents - and on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/company/acourtier-events.