The final press conference for Iron Mike Productions’ inaugural event this Friday evening – “Tyson Is Back!” – was held today at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Acquinity Sports, under CEO Garry Jonas, recently partnered with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson to form Iron Mike Productions, which is presenting “Tyson Is Back!” in association with Greg Cohen Promotions.
“Tyson Is Back!” features a World Championship doubleheader on ESPN Friday Night Fights, headlined by International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez (21-2, 11 KOs) making his first world title defense, in the 12-round main event against IBF No. 13-rated Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs). Unbeaten Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero (14-0, 11 KOs), rated No. 2 by the WBA, meets WBA No. 4 Jesus Cueller (22-1, 18 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight championship.
Providing chief support are a pair of 10-round fights featuring Cuban knockout artist Alexei “The Mexican-Cuban” Collado (16-0, 15 KOs) against Mexican featherweight Hugo “Guerrero” Partida (19-4-2, 15 KOs), while welterweight Ed “The Lion” Paredes (33-3-1, 22 KOs) faces another tough Mexican fighter, Noe “Platanito” Bolanos (24-8-1, 16 KOs).
Also fighting on the undercard is unbeaten Virginian middleweight Antoine Douglas (8-0, 6 KOs) squares-off against Russell “Spiderman” Jordan (15-10, 10 KOs), of Rochester (NY), in a six-round bout.
Former Toledo-Ohio-based amateur star, Albert “Prince” Bell (1-0, 1 KO), is back in action former World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Mauricio “Cry Baby” Martinez (36-14-1, 24 KOs) in a four-round match. The 20-year-old Bell captured gold medals as an amateur at the 2011 National PAL Championships and 2012 National Golden Gloves Tournament.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Mike Tyson: “It is my privilege and an honor to be at Turning Stone for my first show. I’m privileged to have the champion, Argenis Mendez, who is going against Arash Usmanee. We also have ‘The Matrix,’ Claudio Marrero fighting Jesus Andres Cuellar. I’m really excited about this show.”
“I have such an affinity for this place (upstate N.Y.). I won the state championship in Syracuse. A lot of my childhood friends will be at the fights.”
“I think fans should vote for who they want to fight. Should the winner of this fight (Mendez vs. Usmanee) fight (Yuriorkis) Gamboa?”
“I never want to be back in the ring. I understand what these guys are going through. We want to be known for being worthy but most fighters are shy.”
“In most fights you know who is going to win before the fight. It’s not going to be that way with us. We want the best fighting the best.”
“I’m going to watch them (IMP fighters), as a fan, and be so happy I’m not in there.”
Argenis Mendez: “In my opinion, he (Usmanee) did win that fight (controversial loss by 12-round decision to Rances Barthelemy in their IBF title eliminator to determine Mendez’ mandatory challenger), and that’s one of the main reasons I chose him to defend my world title.
“I understand how to train properly for a fight, what it entails, and I expect a great fight from him and me. I want to thank Iron Mike Productions – Garry Jonas, Henry Rivalta and Mike Tyson – and my trainer, Lee Beard, for such an intense camp. I also want to thank Garry Jonas and my manager, Jose Nunez, for being there through the good times and bad times. Jose has been a stable person in my career.
“When I became champ, I didn’t lose my hungry. I’m aware of hunger. I’m sure Arash is hungry but I’m even hungrier than I was before. Friday night, you (Usmanee) will have to go through the storm, Argenis Mendez.”
Mike Tyson will have a Meet-And-Greet TONIGHT at Turning Stone Casino Resort for “Tyson Is Back!” Ticket holders to tomorrow night’s Iron Mike Productions’ First Event, airing Live on ESPN Friday Night Fights from Turning Stone Casino Resort.