DUNNE, VANDA WEIGH IN GALLERY

By Kenny Perrault

 

Showtime’s ShoBox series makes its way to St. Paul Minnesota Thursday night, August 19th, featuring two undefeated fighters, Bernard Dunne (versus Adrian Valdez) and Matt Vanda (versus Armando Velardez). 
Here are some exclusive weigh-in pictures and the main participants' official weights.

 


IBA Champion Mary Jo Sanders (L) (10-0, 2 KOs) weighed in at 143 lbs.,
challenger Lisa Holewyne (22-12-1 6 KOs) at 140 lbs.

 


Undefeated local prospect Jason Liatzu (L) (10-0, 10 KOs) weighed in at 129 lbs.,
Jesus Perez (21-6-3, 11 KOs) from Miami came in at 129-1/4 lbs.

Jason Litzau, from nearby St. Paul, has stated that he wants to get in the ring with Dunne. In an exclusive interview with Mike LeTourneau/BRC, Dunne replied, "I've heard a lot of him since I've been in Minnesota... You can't get a better record than that. I'd be interested in fighting him. I'd be interested in that."



Armando 'El Gallo Negro' Velardez (L) (17-3, 8 KOs) weighed in at 152 lbs.,
Matt 'The Predator' Vanda (31-0, 21 KOs) weighed in at 152-1/2 lbs.

The telecast's opening fight features the pride of St. Paul, Minn., Matt "The Predator" Vanda.
"Boxing is my life, that is all I do," says Vanda, "I have been doing it for 11 years now and I am just trying to win a world title. That is my dream."

 

Main Event's Bernard 'Ben' Dunne (L)  (13-0, 8 KOs) weighed in at 125 lbs.,
Adrian 'Gallero' Valdez (14-2-3, 7 KOs) came in at 126-1/2 lbs.

"Ben Dunne" as he is known at Freddie Roach's world famous Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Calif., is a gifted featherweight from Ireland.  Born into boxing, Dunne's father, Brendan, was a member of the 1976 Irish Olympic boxing team and trained his son to be tenacious in the ring.
Following a standout amateur career, Dunne decided to take his skills to the United States to train with Roach.
"Dunne has great ability," Roach says. "He can punch, he has a good chin, and sees very well in the ring."


SHOWTIME will televise the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing and Team Freedom
co-promoted doubleheader Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004 from Aldrich Arena in
Maplewood, Minn., at 11 p.m. ET/PT*.
*Tape Delayed on the West Coast

 

Photos Available... Contact KENNY PERRAULT

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