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Jirov
risks potential world title fight headlining “Thriller On The River”
NEW TOWN, North Dakota (June 26, 2007) – Former IBF champion Vassiliy
“The Tiger” Jirov puts his potential world title fight against WBA
title-holder Vigil “Quicksilver” Hill, or any of the other cruiserweight
kings, on the line July 14 when he headlines “Thriller On The River,”
launching the “Pinnacle FiteNite” pro boxing series, at 4 Bears Casino
and Lodge in New Town, North Dakota.
Jirov (36-3-1, 30 KOs), 1996 Olympic gold medal winner and Outstanding
Boxer, was born in Kazakhstan and now fights out of Scottsdale, Arizona.
The rugged southpaw, presently ranked No. 14 by the WBA, captured the
IBF cruiserweight title in 1999 by seventh-round stoppage of “King”
Arthur Williams. Jirov successfully defended his title belt six times
against Dale Brown (KO10), Saul Montana (TKO9), Alex Gonzales (KO1),
Terry McGroom (KO1), Julian Letterlough (TKO8) and Jorge Fernando Castro
(DEC12).
Jirov’s opponent in the 10-round main event on July 14 is veteran Kenny
“The Raven” Craven (28-18, 23 KOs). The battle-tested Craven, who has
been in with world champions such as Michael Nunn, Vaughn Bean, Oliver
McCall and Henry Akinwande, as well as leading contenders Calvin Brock,
Timor Ibragomov and Clifford Etienne, won two of four fights with fabled
Eric “Butterbean” Esch.
“This is the fight to put me back in line for a world title fight,”
Jirov said. “People will know I’m back after this fight. It’s a new
stage in my life. Past is past; now is kind of going from zero to a new
beginning. I’m excited about this fight and I will be bringing my best
to prove that I’m still one of the top cruiserweights in the world.”
“Thriller On The River,” presented by 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in
association with Sports and Entertainment Media, Inc., which launches
the “Pinnacle FiteNite” monthly series to be broadcast from a wide
variety of venues, will air worldwide on a taped delay basis for free.
Unbeaten 23-year-old Native American cruiserweight prospect Shawn “The
Sioux Warrior” Hawk (14-0-1, 12 KOs), representing the Crow Creek
Reservation in South Dakota, takes on Sam “Slam Bam” Tillman (13-10-1, 2
KOs) in the eight-round co-feature.
Providing chief support on the undercard is undefeated New Jersey light
heavyweight Chuck “The Professor” Mussachio (10, 5 KOs), the former
two-time National Collegiate Boxing Association boxing champion from
Lock Haven University and currently a teacher, in a six-round bout.
Las Vegas high-profile defense attorney Marc Saggese (1-0, 1 KO) is in
action against pro debuting Christian Bendickson in a four-round
cruiserweight match. Also on the undercard, in four rounds bouts, is
Bismarck (ND) light middleweight Nick Runningbear (1-0, 0 KOs) versus
Cheyenne Ziegler (1-0, 1 KO), North Dakota (Mandan) heavyweight Archie
Hopkins makes his pro debut against Bill “The Kid” Johnson (6-6, 3 KOs),
cruiserweight Lyle Kruger, of Grand Forks (ND), and Bismarck’s Chris
Hugh will both be making their pro debuts. All bouts and fighters are
subject to change. |
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