‘Step up, or step aside!’ Lundy challenges the champions while patiently awaiting title shot in lightweight division
Boxing’s most feared road warrior is ready to turn the lightweight division on its ear in 2012, as long as the competition is willing to accept the challenge.
Reigning North American Boxing Federation (NABF) champion “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy of Philadelphia, promoted exclusively by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., and managed by Ivan Cohen, is on the cusp of a world title shot after a highly-successful year in which he won his second title in April against Venezuelan Olympian Patrick Lopez and closed out ESPN’s latest season of “Friday Night Fights” with a thrilling knockout win over former world champion David Diaz in August.
Having won three consecutive bouts since suffering his only loss in July of 2010, Lundy (21-1-1, 11 KOs) is welcoming all challengers in 2012 with his main focus on a world championship bout against any of the title-holders in the 135-pound division.
“Contrary to what goes on in boxing on a daily basis, Hank Lundy is my fighter, and he has been part of our team at Classic Entertainment & Sports since Day 1. Make no mistake about that,” Burchield said. “Hank is one of boxing’s most exciting, underappreciated stars, and it’s time he gets the fight he deserves for all the dues he’s paid in this sport. His record speaks for itself; Hank is willing to fight anyone, anywhere at any given time.
“Throughout his career, he’s been treated as the underdog, fighting in foreign cities in other fighters’ backyards, yet regardless of the odds stacked against him, Hank has risen to the occasion each time. Since losing his only fight more than a year ago – a fight he dominated from the opening bell until the 11th round – Hank has become stronger and more focused than ever.
“Boxing needs more fighters like Hank Lundy. He’s a dream come true for network television, a thrilling, hard-hitting dynamo with the personality and punching-power to fill any arena and captivate worldwide audiences. I have worked harder for Hank than I’ve worked for any fighter, and I’m not stopping until he’s a world champion. He’s ready. Now it’s up to the champions to answer the bell.”
Lundy is ranked No. 8 among lightweights in the World Boxing Council (WBC), No. 7 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), and No. 11 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF). He’s also No. 2 in the North American Boxing Organization (NABO), whose title he held briefly before losing to John Molina Jr. in 2010.
“We’d fight Molina again tomorrow if given the opportunity,” Burchfield said. “Hank would love to fight in his hometown in Philadelphia, too, if everything was right, but the bottom line is he is willing to travel anywhere.
“The WBA (World Boxing Association) lightweight title is vacant after the former champion, Brandon Rios, failed to make weight prior to his last fight. Hank deserves to be ranked among the top fighters in the WBA and he deserves a shot at that title. He’s done everything he needs to do to get to this point. The current champions in the 135-pound weight class can’t run from Hank forever.”
Since January of 2010, Lundy is 5-1 with a 2-1 record in title bouts, and the combined record of his opponents during that stretch is a remarkable 120-9-3, proving he is one of the most active, tested fighters in the lightweight division. By comparison, current WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco, who won the vacant belt with a knockout win over Jorge Linares in October, had only fought once in the previous 15 months prior to his title bout. Likewise, IBF champion Miguel Vazquez hasn’t fought since June when he knocked out Mexican challenger Marlon Aguilar, a 27-year-old journeyman with 11 losses.
Lundy’s prolific stretch even includes a win over current WBA interim lightweight title-holder Richard Abril, whom Lundy beat by split decision in January of 2010. Abril eventually went on to beat Miguel Acosta for the interim title in October.
“Hank’s record stacks up against anybody’s in professional boxing. He has beaten title contenders and world champions. Now it’s time he gets his opportunity,” Burchfield said. “Hank’s style would match up well against Vazquez, Abril, DeMarco, or any champion in the lightweight division. We challenge them to step up to the plate the way Hank has done so his entire career.”
