One week from Saturday, Anthony Marsella Jr. takes the next step in his highly-publicized fight career, a step many before him have taken in order to climb to the top of their respective weight class.
Coming off back-to-back first-round knockouts in 2016, the Providence, R.I., junior welterweight returns to Twin River Casino on Saturday, Feb. 4th, 2017 to face 16-fight veteran Francisco Medel in just his fourth fight as a professional.
The four-round bout between Medel and Marsella Jr. is one of 10 scheduled for next weekend’s CES Boxing 2017 season opener and will be fought at a catch weight of 138 pounds. The 28-year-old Medel, a native of Uruapan, the second largest city in the Mexican state of Michoacán, boasts a 10-6 record with six knockouts, at one point in his career winning nine consecutive fights between 2007 and 2013.
“He may have more fights than me,” Marsella Jr. said, “but I have more fight in me. February 4th, I’m going to do what I do best.”
Next Saturday is Marsella Jr.’s third fight since October and third in his home state. The first two ended quickly; a 45-second knockout against Bardraiel Smith in October, followed by a knockout at the final bell of the opening round against Virginia’s Devante Seay in December.
Now he tests his mettle against the experienced Medel, who has faced opponents with a combined record of 100-30 in his last seven fights, including a nationally-televised showdown on Fox Sports 1 against unbeaten prospect Emmanuel Medina in September and a bout against Massachusetts fan-favorite Ryan Kielczewski in December.
