UNDEFEATED RISING STAR TONY HARRISON TAKES ON BATTLE-TESTED VETERAN ANTWONE SMITH ON ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS ON ESPN2, MARCH 6 AT THE MARQUEE BALLROOM AT MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS
TELEVISED ACTION ALSO INCLUDES RISING STAR ERICKSON LUBIN GOING UP AGAINST RAFAEL COBOS
PLUS UNDEFEATED PROSPECT IEVGEN KHYTROV TAKES ON AN OPPONENT TO BE DETERMINED
LAS VEGAS (Feb. 16, 2015) – An action-packed night of fights headlined by undefeated junior middleweight prospect Tony Harrison (19-0, 16 KOs) battling experienced contender Antwone Smith (23-5-1, 12 KOs) comes to the Marquee Ballroom at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Friday, March 6 for a presentation of ESPN Friday Night Fights on ESPN2.
Also featured in televised action is rising star Erickson Lubin (9-0, 6 KOs) battling Mexican warrior Rafael Cobos (15-5-5, 3 KOs) and undefeated prospect Ievgen Khytrov (7-0, 7 KOs) against an opponent to be determined.
The night of fights is promoted by Warriors Boxing in association with Goossen Promotions and will feature a full night of televised action starting at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on ESPN2.
Tickets for the live event are priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. PT. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster (800) 745-300 or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will be available Saturday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. PT at any MGM Resorts International box office or online at www.mgmgrand.com.
“It is a dream come true that I get to really display my abilities to the world,” said Harrison. “I want to let the world fall in love with a fighter that they haven’t had a chance to see and I think this is the chance I need. You have to be able to entertain and I think I bring that. Antwone has fought some great contenders and he is tough to stop but my game plan doesn’t change. I’m going to go out there, do my thing, put on a show and knock him out.”
“I’ve been out for a while and I feel like this is a great opportunity. It’s like I never left. I’m motivated and ready to go,” said Smith. “I’m coming to fight, I’m ready to go 10 rounds. He hasn’t been that deep. I know I can go the distance so all the questions are on him.”
“Warriors Boxing is proud to be able to put on such a great event in Las Vegas at MGM Grand on March 6,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing. “The main event will pit a young up-and-comer against a wily veteran who won’t give an inch. There’s no doubt it’s going to be a great fight.”
“This show captures the true essence of what Friday Night Fights represents with three fighters on the verge of stardom in Harrison, Khytrov and Lubin,” said Brian Kweder, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions. “Fight fans are going to want to tune in to see Tony Harrison. We’ve been following his progress and we are excited to get a chance to showcase him on national television in a true test against Antwone Smith.”
Without a single blemish on his record, the 24-year-old Harrison has caught the eye of many in the fight game with his impressive knockout power. Fighting out of Detroit, he has stopped 16 of his 19 opponents, including nine in the first round. In 2014, Harrison delivered a trio of early stoppages taking down more experienced fighters Grady Brewer, Bronco McKart and Tyrone Brunson. Now, he looks to make it a perfect 20 for 20 on March 6 in Las Vegas.
An experienced 28-year-old, Smith has been in the ring with some of the biggest and best names in boxing. He also excelled as an amateur, winning the Florida Golden Gloves at 17-years-old. The Miami-native has gone toe-to-toe and owns victories over Jose Luis Castillo and Ronald Cruz and losses to Jermall Charlo, Kermit Cintron and Lanardo Tyner throughout his career. Smith did not fight in 2014, but looks to return in style on March 6.
At just 19-years-old, Lubin is looking to continue his climb up the professional ranks on March 6 as he attempts to stay undefeated. Having already fought all over the U.S., Lubin will be making his Las Vegas debut when he hits the ring on ESPN2. Most recently, the Orlando, Fla. native wiped out Michael Finney in a unanimous decision victory on Feb. 6 in Biloxi, Miss.
Born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Cobos has been a professional since 2006 fighting exclusively in Mexico before his U.S. debut in Sept. 2014. While he lost a decision that night to Josesito Lopez, Cobos had won three fights in a row leading up to that and hadn’t lost since 2010. Now he looks to get back to his winning ways on March 6 in Las Vegas.
A 2012 Ukranian Olympian, Khytrov was an accomplished amateur who won a gold medal at the 2007 European Junior Championships. Born in Kryvy Rih, Ukraine but fighting out of Brooklyn, the 26-year-old has won all eight of his professional fights by knockout and looks to keep that streak going on March 6.
