Next Wednesday, July 23, at NYC’s famed B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, DiBella Entertainment (DBE) will return with another edition of its popular and long-running Broadway Boxing series.
The already-stacked card got an even bigger boost this week when undefeated American heavyweight hopeful Charles Martin (17-0-1, 15KO’s) was added to the event. Martin, who is promoted by Michael King’s King Sports is set to see action against Kertson Manswell (24-8, 18KO’s) in a 10-round heavyweight special attraction.
The skilled 28-year-old southpaw Martin was the 2012 National PAL champion, as well as the 2012 National Golden Gloves runner-up, before turning pro later that same year in October. Martin has thus far kept up a blistering pace, fighting three times in 2012, 11 times in 2013, and has already fought four times this year. Martin holds impressive victories over previously undefeated prospects Vincent Thompson (13-0), Glendy Hernandez (10-0) and most recently Alexander Flores (14-0).
The bout against Flores, which Martin won by fourth-round knockout, was for the vacant WBO NABO heavyweight title and moved Murray into the #7 spot in the WBO world ratings. Martin is also rated in the IBF at #15. All of Martin’s 15 career knockouts have come in four rounds or less. The hard-hitting Missouri-native will be looking to score another impressive victory as he continues to move up the heavyweight ladder, when he squares off against the former fringe contender Manswell on Wednesday night.
Headlining what promises to be a thrilling night of action on July 23 will be Ireland’s Patrick “The Punisher” Hyland (27-1, 12KO’s) facing Noel Echevarria (11-3, 6KO’s) in an eight-round junior lightweight matchup.
Also featured on the card in separate bouts will be two exciting middleweights from the DBE roster. Former world title challenger Avtandil Khurtsidze (27-2-2, 16KO’s) will make his eagerly awaited return to the ring following an extended absence due to VISA and promotional issues. Ukrainian amateur standout and 2008 Olympian Sergey Derevyanchenko will make his much-anticipated debut in a six-round bout. Derevyanchenko is one of the best amateurs to ever come out of the storied Ukrainian amateur boxing program, compiling an astonishing 390-20 record in the process.
Local fighters appearing on the card will be DiBella Entertainment-promoted Long Islanders, light heavyweight Joe Smith (15-1, 12KO’s) and junior middleweight Patrick Day (7-0-1, 4KO’s). A rematch of a barnburner that occurred last February will round out the event with Danny Gonzalez (5-0-1, 3KO’s), of Queens, NY, facing Ray Velez (3-4-1, 1KO) in a six-round welterweight matchup.
