Grano out to avenge vs Mark “Oak Tree” Brown

February. 15, 2010

Popular heavyweight prospect Tony “TNT” Grano values avenging his lone pro loss more than money and fame, which is precisely why he desperately wanted a rematch against Mark “Oak Tree” Brown, headlining the March 12th “Brace For Impact” card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

Grano (16-1-1, 13 KOs), a 2005 U.S. National Championships winner and National Golden Gloves Tournament runner-up, has won two in a row since losing to Brown (15-2, 7 KOs), who overcame two knockdowns to stop Grano in the eighth round of their WBF All-Americas title bout Sept. 27, 2008.

Coming off his sensational, nationally-televised knockout of previously-undefeated prospect Travis Kaufman (18-0) last September, Grano had clearly targeted Brown, rather than a top 20 rated opponent, and CES gave him the opportunity for revenge.

“For me, personally,” Grano explained, “I wanted this rematch more than any fight. Ranking-wise, I don’t need it because I’ve already surpassed him (Brown), and my fight on ShoBox (vs. Kaufman) showed everybody it (fight vs. Brown) was a fluke. No excuses, though, I’m not like that. I had a bad night and he had a good night. Negotiations for bigger fights for me were held – (Brian) Minto, (Hasim) Rahman and (Evander) Holyfield – were mentioned. But beating Brown means a lot to me and after I do, I’ll be looking for a fight against a top 10 guy to get me in position, hopefully, for a world title shot.

“Anybody who has watched me knows I put on exciting fights and a lot of people are coming to watch me fight March 12. I’m not going to brawl; I’m going to show my boxing ability and pick him apart. I won’t be looking for a knockout, but if it comes, it comes. I just want to connect and get in some good hits. He’s tough but I don’t see him going the full 10 rounds. It’s going to be a great fight.”

Grano, who was born in Hebron (CT) and fights out of Hartford, will be fighting in his home state for the 15th time, his fourth at Foxwoods.

“It’s great fighting in Connecticut and I love fighting at Foxwoods,” Tony added from training camp in Houston. “I have a huge fan-base that we’re trying to build up even more in the Italian-American market. I expect a large crowd at Foxwoods and I’m looking forward to putting on a great display. I want to get boxing fans excited again.”

Also slated to be in action on “Brace For Impact” are Hartford super bantamweight “Machine” Mike Oliver (22-2, 7 KOs), reigning New England and EBA champion; Marshfield (MA) super middleweight Manuel Antonio Lopes (5-0-1, 1 KO), Long Island (NY) light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), 2008 New York Golden Gloves champion; Brooklyn (NY) welterweight Sadam “World Kid” Ali (5-0, 2 KOs), 2008 U.S. Olympian; Hartford middleweight David Bauza (3-0, 3 KOs). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “Brace For Impact,” priced at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254) or Foxwoods (800-200-2882), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com, or in person at Foxwood’s box office

For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Foxwoods Resort Casino (www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET