STAR BOXING BRINGS WORLD CLASS CARD TO TIMES UNION CENTER

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (January 3, 2012) Star Boxing, New York City’s premier boxing promoter since 1992, is partnering with The Times Union Center in Albany, New York, on Saturday, February 4th to present “KO AT THE TU”, an action packed evening of world-championship professional boxing.
 
‘The Albany, New York and Capital Region has long been a source of world-class boxers and terrific fights. Fans in that area of upstate New York have always been very supportive of the sport and we look forward to a long standing relationship with The Times Union Center to provide sensational evenings of entertainment”, said Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing.
 
Stated Bob Belber, General Manager of The Times Union Center; “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring a Heavyweight Title Fight and Championship Boxing back to the capital region.  With the fights taking place on a prime Saturday night at an affordable price, this is sure to be an event that Albany as well as our surrounding areas will be sure to embrace.  We are excited to host this event and with the support of the boxing community, we look forward to working with Star Boxing on future events.”
 
Headlining “KO AT THE TU” will be undefeated heavyweight prospect and defending IBA Heavyweight Champion Joe “The Future” Hanks. Fighting out of Newark, New Jersey, the 28 year old Hanks,
18-0-0 with twelve knockouts will face off against monstrous Cuban heavyweight Rafael “The Cajun Connection” Pedro.
 
Reminiscent of legendary knockout artist Mike Tyson, Hanks has caught the eye of fans and the media across the country with his crushing knockouts since turning professional five years ago. In his last start on December 3rd, Hanks scored a brutal second round stoppage over Franklin Edmondson in Greensboro, North Carolina. Dropping Edmonson with a left hook, right cross combination early in the stanza, Hanks finished the evening for Edmondson with a devastating right hand to the body.
 
Standing 6’7″, Pedro brings a record of 21-9-1 (15KO’s) into the world title clash with Hanks. On October 14th, Pedro, a native of Havana, Cuba, now residing in Golden Meadow, Louisiana, drilled Bobby O’Bannon to the canvas in the first round earning the stoppage in Chalmette, Louisiana.
 
With numerous early stoppage wins on his ledger, Pedro promises to come out swinging from the opening bell in search of the quick knockout of the equally aggressive Hanks.
 
Also featured at “KO AT THE TU” is a cruiserweight clash between former world title challenger David Telesco and highly regarded Puerto Rican prospect Vincent Miranda.
 
Long a favorite with East Coast boxing fans and a staple on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights, the heavy handed Telesco, 30-7-1 (25KO’s), is looking to re-start his career after a two year layoff towards making another run at a world title.
 
The 26-year-old Miranda, a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will be making his first appearance in the Tri-State area, bringing a record of 14-1-0 (8KO’s). Since suffering his only defeat in 2009, Miranda has rebuilt his career, winning all four starts in 2011 by way of knockout.
 
Also featured on the undercard will be undefeated prospect Kevin Rooney Jr. The 27-year-old Rooney, son of legendary boxing trainer Kevin Rooney Sr., brings a record of 2-1-0 (1KO), into the scheduled four rounder.
 
Rooney Sr. was responsible for the early success of Hall of Famer Mike Tyson’s career, including his first three professional bouts in Albany among his many fights in upstate New York.
 
Additional bouts and much more information on “KO AT THE TU” will be announced in the coming days.
 
Tickets, priced at $75, $50, $40 and $30, are available through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000) or at the Times Union Center Box Office, (www.timesunioncenter-albany.com) and at all local Wal-Mart Music Centers. Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at 718 823-2000 or on www.starboxing.com.
 
The Times Union Center is location at 51 South Pearl Street in Albany, New York, 12207.
 
For more information call Star Boxing 718 823-2000 or email to: pr@starboxing.com
 
ABOUT THE TIMES UNION CENTER:
 
Upstate New York’s premiere sports and entertainment facility, the Times Union Center, located in Albany, NY, is excited to welcome boxing back after a 14 year hiatus.  Hosting boxing in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1997, the Times Union Center offers the perfect atmosphere for championship events, and our fans are ready for championship boxing to make its long awaited return to the biggest stage in the Albany.  Nestled between Hall of Famer Mike Tyson’s hometown of Catskill, NY, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY, the Capital Region is a great boxing community for both fighters and fans locally and in our surrounding areas.  Albany, NY is easy to get to from anywhere!  Amtrak offers direct trains from New York City, Buffalo and all points in between, and major interstates from points east, west, north and south intersect in the capital region making it easy to drive from all parts of the state.  For more information, please visit their website at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com

ABOUT STAR BOXING:
 
Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992.  Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry.  For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com