For Immediate Releasefor Information Contact

For Immediate ReleaseFor Information Contact

Wednesday, June 26, 2013Janelle Henson 317.923.3091

Top Indiana-Ohio prospects mark the return of amateur boxing to IBE Summer Celebration

INDIANAPOLIS - This year marks the return of one of the most popular features of past Indiana Black Expo, Inc. Summer Celebrations. Boxing is back! Some of the top amateurs from around the state will square off against top prospects from Ohio in a showdown between the Hoosier and Buckeye states Saturday, July 20th at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

The same promoter who staged the events when boxing was a staple of Summer Celebration will organize this year’s matches. Former junior middleweight Al Brown is calling the shots. The IBE event pitting top amateur boxers in two states is a first;, says Brown said, “Usually matches will feature teams from different countries but it’s unique for two states to fill out the fight card. This will create a rivalry that we can build on over years and enable states to battle for bragging rights.”

Eleven open division bouts, each scheduled for four rounds at two minutes per round, Brown explained. The weight range goes from 108 to 260 pounds and most fighters are in their late teens or early 20s. Many of the fighters demonstrating their talents have fought over 50 amateur bouts and are poised for their next step into professional boxing.

The warm-up bout will feature matches between 13 and 14 year old aspiring boxers.

Winners will receive belt specially designed for Summer Celebration with the hope that this will be the first of what will become an annual interstate competition. “That will depend on the turnout. We’ve set up for a thousand fight fans and want to fill the place.”

Unlike big-ticket Las Vegas boxing, the local match is free to all those who purchase a ticket for the Summer Celebration activities and exhibits at the Indiana Convention Center the day of the fights. Tickets are $8 in advance and available now at Ticket Master and the IBE box office at 3145 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis.

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