On Wednesday, February 15, Donovan "Da Bomb" George (22-1-1, 19KO's) took a break from training camp and visited New York to promote his upcoming 10-round super middleweight showdown against fellow top-rated contender Edwin "La Bomba" Rodriguez (20-0, 14KO's). Rodriguez-George, being billed as "Bombs Away", will be shown live on HBO on the upcoming March 17, St. Patrick's Day card taking place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden featuring Middleweight champion Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez defending his crown against Ireland's top-rated contender Matthew "Mack the Knife" Macklin live on HBO. The card entitled, "THE REAL Middleweight Championship - Get Your Irish Up", ispromoted by DiBella Entertainment, and will be aired live on HBO's "World Championship Boxing" beginning at 10PM ET/7PM PT.George's first stop was a press conference hosted by Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, at the popular Irish pub Jack Demsey's in midtown Manhattan. In addition to George, Irish-American undercard fighters such as Seanie Monaghan (12-0, 8KO's), Thomas Hardwick (4-0, 2KO's), Kevin Rooney Jr. (3-1, 1KO) and Danny McDermott (9-3-2, 4KO's) were also in attendance.
After the initial presser, the Chicago-native George, who is half Greek and half Irish, headed to the heavily Greek-populated area of Astoria, Queens, where he participated in another press conference/meet-and-greet at the Grand Café where a large number of Greek media outlets and high profile politicians, including the Republic of Cyprus Consulate General Koula Sophianou, were in attendance encouraging the Greek community to come out and support George on March17.
LOU DIBELLA (DiBella Entertainment)
I want to thank everyone for coming out and for everyone who is involved in what is going to be a terrific event from top to bottom on March 17, St. Patrick's Day at Madison Square Garden. This is going to be a tremendous undercard highlighted by the co-feature bout of the evening, televised live on HBO, matching two very exciting super middleweight contenders Edwin Rodriguez and Donovan George.
As a promoter, my main objective is to avoid "stinkability" match-ups and put on exciting and compelling fights for the fans and that is exactly what you have in both the co-feature and main event on March 17. You have never seen Sergio Martinez, Matthew Macklin, Edwin Rodriguez or Donovan George in a bad fight, and as a true boxing fan, these are the types of cards you want to see. The atmosphere at the Garden, on St. Patrick's Day, is going to be electric, and we are just very excited to be able to bring this great event here to New York City.
Some fighters' styles just mesh, and that is exactly what you have with Edwin vs. Donovan. Knowing both of these guys, I am predicting that someone is going to get knocked out in this fight. I am expecting these guys to walk across the ring and start throwing bombs from the opening bell. This is going to be a good old-fashioned barnburner.
There is a lot of talent and lot of good fights to be made right now at 168. The winner of this fight moves right into the mix and is legitimate challenger for any of the world champions out there right now.
In addition to the great co-feature and main event on HBO, the untelevised undercard is featuring a number of exciting fighters including Seanie Monaghan, Tommy Hardwick, the "O' Danny Boy" match-up with Danny O'Connor taking on Danny McDermott and, of course, my assistant Kevin Rooney Jr., who will have his famous father Kevin Sr. working his corner.
Seanie is one of the most exciting fighters to watch in New York right now. He has an army of fans that keeps growing, and while he might not ever pop up on anyone's pound-for-pound list, neither did the late great Arturo Gatti. Seanie and all of these guys give it their all each time out, and we couldn't be happier to have them on this card.
DONOVAN GEORGE
I'm happy to be here in New York. I hear that the fight fans here are awesome so I am really looking forward to the fight. I was supposed to fight here three years ago but, unfortunately, it fell through. I am so excited, this is a huge opportunity. Blood and guts, I am going to lay it all on the line. I am here to fight. People are saying that I am a long shot in this fight and that I am not as polished. I am not going to be disrespectful or talk negatively about Edwin since he is not here. He is a great fighter, I am going to come in tiptop shape for this fight. This is my opportunity, this is my shot I have been waiting for. I am either going to come out victorious or you are going to have to carry me out on my shield. I am fighting for a reason, I have a lot to prove. I am going to be a machine on March 17 and put on a great show for everyone.
LEON MARGULES (Warriors Boxing - George's Promoter)
I have been working with Don for almost three years now, and he has been so much fun to work with. He is a hellacious puncher who gets better every fight. He is still young and coming into his own and we expect a great performance out of him on March 17.
Edwin and Don will fight anyone, they are fighters. They know each other, they respect and like each other, but neither guy likes to go to the scorecard so we are expecting a great fight. It is great to be here in New York working with Lou and great to be back on HBO.
MIKE MICHAEL (Cestus Management - George's Manager)
Donovan is a great fighter and also a great guy. I fell in love with him the first day I saw him. It has been a long road, but we have finally got to the point where we are going to do what we are supposed to do. We are going to win this fight and move on with our career. It is a dream come true for us to have this fight and join the long list of great fighters who have fought at the Garden.
For those who consider Donovan an underdog, I am telling you that he is live, he is real, and on March 17, there will only be one bomb left standing and that is Don "Da Bomb" George.
The card entitled, "THE REAL Middleweight Championship - Get Your Irish Up", ispromoted by DiBella Entertainment, and will be aired live on HBO's "World Championship Boxing beginning at 10PM ET/7PM PT.
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