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HOLLYWOOD, FL, August 23 – After 16 years in the professional boxing game, it takes more than a little trash talk from his upcoming opponent, Shannon Briggs, to get ‘Merciless’ Ray Mercer riled up. “I’m too old for that type of stuff,” said Mercer (34-5-1, 25 KOs). “I do my talking in the ring with my fists, and I’ve got a lot to say to Shannon Briggs on Friday night.”
That’s tough talk from a tough man, one who is a former World Champion that has been in the ring with all-time greats Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield, and one who has a single goal in mind - beating Briggs in the main event of “HEAVYWEIGHT HEAT” on August 26.
“Beating Shannon Briggs is strictly business for me,” said Mercer. “He’s made it personal by saying I’m jealous of him, but I’m an Olympic Gold medalist and a former World Champion. What has he done?”
Mercer, a US Olympic Gold medalist in 1988 and a former WBO World Heavyweight Champion, is known for his relentless style, jackhammer jab, and granite chin. He holds wins over Tommy Morrison and former World Champion Tim Witherspoon, and after a brief foray into the world of K-1 kickboxing, he is back in the boxing game, where he has won four fights in a row (including a June win over Darroll Wilson) dating back to 2003.
“HEAVYWEIGHT HEAT”, an evening of world class professional boxing presented by Warriors Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with Cedric Kushner Promotions and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, takes place on Friday, August 26, at the Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood, Florida. The card will be televised live on Showtime Pay-Per-View beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.
Warriors Boxing Promotions’ other standout Heavyweight contender, Lance ‘Mount’ Whitaker, will also be in action on August 26, as he faces a Luis Monaco in a ten round bout. Whitaker (29-3-1, 24 KOs) has no intentions on going the distance, though.
“I have a burning desire to win the Heavyweight Championship of the world, and I feel that the only way I’m going to do that is by knocking everyone in my path out,” said the imposing 6-8 Whitaker. “Starting August 26, boxing fans are going to see a new and improved Lance Whitaker, and I’m taking no prisoners.”
Whitaker, a former NABA, NABO, and WBC Continental Americas champion, has battled some of the top Heavyweights in the world over the course of his career, and he has won five of his last six bouts, four by knockout.
In the “HEAVYWEIGHT HEAT” main event, long-time contenders Shannon Briggs and Ray Mercer battle it out in a Heavyweight grudge match. In addition, Heavyweight standouts Jameel McCline and Lance Whitaker will compete in separate bouts, and IBF Cruiserweight Champion O’Neil Bell will make the first defense of his title against South Africa’s Sebastiaan Rothmann. Also on the card will be unbeaten Junior Welterweight sensation Juan Urango, who tangles with Brooklyn’s Andre Eason. Not to mention up and coming fellow Colombian, Edison “Pantera” Miranda as he looks to let his heavy –hands fly when he takes on Hailrio Guzman.
For tickets, priced at $150, $100, and $50, for more information please call 954.523.3309 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
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Presser Report (Aug 24, 2005)
