Doghouse Boxing, Canada
June 22 2008
Arthur Abraham blasts his was past Edison Miranda
By Media Report on Doghouse Boxing (June 22, 2008) DoghouseBoxing
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (June 22, 2008) – With three well-timed power punches,
`King’ Arthur Abraham blasted his was to a definitive fourth-round TKO
over nemesis Edison Miranda in a thrilling rematch Saturday on
SHOWTIME. In a terrific co-feature, an IBF middleweight eliminator,
veteran Raul Marquez won a close unanimous 12-round decision over
Dominican upstart Giovanni Lorenzo. All three judges scored the bout
114-113.
The two-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast was presented by
Seminole Warriors Boxing and Sauerland Event in association with The
Seminole Tribe of Florida.
In one of the most anticipated rematches since Marquez-Vazquez II,
Abraham and Miranda had unfinished business. In their first fight, in
September 2006 in Germany, Abraham won a controversial, and some say
confusing, unanimous decision after suffering a broken jaw in the
fifth round. Miranda had five points deducted in that fight (for a
head butt and repeated low blows).
On Saturday, they met at a catchweight of 166 pounds with Abraham’s
IBF middleweight title belt sitting safely in his dressing room. But
Abraham left no doubt with a powerful display that Miranda could not
withstand.
Despite winning two of the first three rounds on the scorecards,
Miranda went down three times in the fourth round. The first came
after a straight right hand landed squarely on Miranda’s chin. Abraham
sent Miranda reeling just moments after he got up with a vicious left
hook. A final, flush left hook sent Miranda down for the third time in
the round and referee Tellis Assmenios waved it off at 1:13.
`Abraham showed us that he is a force to be reckoned with,’ said
SHOWTIME analyst AL Bernstein. `For one thing, he is very difficult to
hit and hurt. More importantly, he has serious power.’
`Boom, Boom, Boom,’ said Abraham as he watched the replay of his
knockdown punches with SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray immediately after
the fight. `In this fight, I was more cautious. The last time, I
didn’t pay as much attention to that. Tonight, I tired him out then
knocked him down.’
The undefeated middleweight champion, Abraham (27-0, 22 KOs) is an
Armenian native now living and training in Germany. After the fight,
he told the SHOWTIME audience that he enjoyed fighting in America and
for the enthusiastic crowd at Hard Rock Live. And that he wanted the
opportunity to fight Oscar De La Hoya and Kelly Pavlik next.
Miranda, of Yonkers, NY, by way of Colombia, drops to 30-3, (26 KOs)
and has said he plans to campaign at 168 regardless of the outcome of
this fight. (more)
`He came very well prepared,’ said Miranda. `I have no quarrels
tonight. He felt very strong. I don’t know what happened. I was 100
percent coming into this fight. The last fight, I was 50 percent. I
don’t know. He was too strong today. He’s a great champion.’
The Lorenzo-Marquez fight was a bruising, physical and entertaining
affair. Marquez, at 36-years-old, clearly showed that he has the
heart, will and skill to fight Abraham for the IBF title.
Despite a slow start, Marquez dominated Lorenzo in the middle
rounds. He found a rhythm in the fourth round and fought a tough and
intelligent fight. Marquez sustained two deep cuts over his right eye
in the 10th as Lorenzo pressed him in the last three rounds. But it
wasn’t enough to overcome the game and gritty veteran.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein called
the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as a roving
reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was David
Dinkins Jr., the producer was Chuck McKean with Bob Dunphy directing.
REPLAYS Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will re-air
on SHO Sports Presents on Tuesday, June 24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
(SHO2). SHO Sports Presents, a daily weekday series, replays
heart-pounding boxing and EliteXC fight telecasts from SHOWTIME
Sports’ arsenal every Monday through Friday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO2.
For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive
behind-the-scenes video, photo galleries and complete telecast
information, please visit
http://www.doghousebox ing.com/dhb/dhbpr062208.htm