LORENZO-MARQUEZ TO BATTLE IN IBF VOLUNTARY ELIMINATOR ON JUNE 21; Showdown to serve as co-feature bout to Abraham-Miranda rematch

TOTOWA, NJ– Undefeated IBF #4 ranked middleweight contender Giovanni Lorenzo has accepted an offer to challenge former world champion and current IBF #12 ranked contender Raul Marquez in a 12 round IBF Voluntary Eliminator on June 21, 2008, it was announced by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. The bout will serve as the co-feature to the rematch between IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham and Edison Miranda. Both bouts will be broadcast live on Showtime beginning at 9pm ET / PT.

Giovanni Lorenzo


The winner of the Lorenzo-Marquez bout will be the mandatory contender for the IBF Middleweight Title and will fight for the title in his next bout.

“I am very excited about this opportunity to showcase my skills on Showtime,” said Lorenzo. “The exposure that both Abraham and I will get from June 21 will make our upcoming championship showdown that much more appealing to fight fans worldwide. It is an honor to fight Raul Marquez. He is a skilled and durable fighter who has had a great career. However, I’ve waited a long time for this opportunity and I intend to capitalize on it.”

Contenders star, Jerson Ravelo and Giovanni Lorenzo


Lorenzo (26-0, 18 KO’s) has stopped his last eight opponents. The 27-year-old Washington Heights, NY resident by way of Jerringa San Cristobal, Dominican Republic has knocked out 15 opponents within the first three rounds. In his last bout on Dec 17, 2007, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Lorenzo blasted Ulises Duarte in one round (KO 1).

The site will be announced shortly.

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved