Solid Undercard Precedes Adamek vs Walker Fight

NEWARK, NJ – On September 8th, Newark, NJ’s Prudential Center will be the site of an old-fashioned, Saturday afternoon fight card that figures to be a real afternoon delight for boxing fans.  Can It get any better than this for a boxing fan? Just like in the good old days of the sport, the show is loaded – top to bottom. And unlike some anemic modern day boxing events, this one has no shortage of stars, competitive battles, or important matchups. Even better, boxing fans can come watch the fights in the afternoon, and be home long before two scheduled West Coast fights begin on cable TV that evening.

The NJ event, which is titled the “Ironbound Throwdown”, could have easily been named the “Ironbound Throwback“, given the quality and quantity of the scheduled bouts. The show is highlighted by not one, not two, but a trio of hard-hitting heavyweight fights that include ranked contenders battling toward a title shot.

Tomasz “Goral” Adamek, 46-2, 28 KOs, defends his IBF North American Heavyweight Title against power-puncher Travis “Freight Train” Walker, 39-7-1, 31 KOs. The Polish star is a former two-time world champion, and will not settle until he wins his third crown in as many weight divisions. An impressive victory over Walker could land Adamek another shot at one of the Klitschko brothers for that elusive third belt. However, Walker, has the size and the punch to pull the upset.

Former two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, 24-4, 12 KOs, enters the dangerous waters of the heavyweight division for the very first time in the 10-round co-feature. Many fighters have lived to regret moving up with the big boys, but Cunningham can’t be bothered with those concerns and is focused on slaying the big prey of the division. He’s been on the prowl for a rematch with Adamek since their epic meeting in 2008, but his opponent on this day, Jason “The Sensation” Gavern, 21-10-4, 10 KOs, will do his best to convince Cunningham that he doesn’t belong at heavyweight. Gavern is rugged and capable of seriously testing Cunningham.

Bryant “By By” Jennings, 14-0, 6 KOs, will try to keep his undefeated streak going by rolling over yet another more experienced heavyweight foe. Chris “Special K” Koval, 25-9, 18 KOs, has more than twice the fights as Jennings, and has posted more KOs than Jennings has total bouts. However Jennings has been on a tear since January, toppling three quality opponents and bursting into the heavyweight world rankings. Many believe Bryant is the best young heavyweight out there. These two will settle things over 10 rounds.

As if these blockbuster bouts aren’t enough, this throwback boxing event also boasts a hot string of preliminary fights that could top most other cards. Rising junior lightweight prospects Joselito Collado and Jerry Belmontes clash in an 8-round battle of future champs. Junior welterweight Jose “Mangu” Peralta meets Christian Steele in a 6-rounder, and undefeated Philadelphian Karl “Dynamite” Dargan puts his perfect record on the line against Jesse Carradine.

Doors open at 1:30 PM for this very special boxing event.