Boxing News: Heavyweight Roman Greenberg Fights June 11 in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (June 2, 2005) – Heavyweight prospect Roman Greenberg (18-0, 13 KOs) is on a mission to establish himself as the first Jewish world champion in more than a quarter-century, since light heavyweight champ Mike Rossman.

The Russian-born and Israeli-raised Greenberg headlines a June 11 card at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, promoted by Guilty Boxing in association with Fight Academy, INFOX BOX Promotion, World Sport Promotions and BMI Airlines.

The 6’3” undefeated Greenberg, now fighting out of England, fights Josh “The Griz” Gutcher (17-3, 13 KOs), of Des Moines, Iowa, in the 10-round main event. This will mark Greenberg’s seventh appearance in the United States, having fought three times in Miami, twice in New York City, and once in Las Vegas in 2002, when he registered a fourth-round TKO of Jakarta Nakuru in his third pro fight.

The 23-year-old Greenberg’s most significant victory to date was against Julius Francis on December10, 2004, the same Julius Francis who once lost to Mike Tyson, and subsequently beat Tyson conqueror Danny Williams. In his 11th pro fight, Roman registered a third-round TKO of Troy Beets, who later captured the IBA Americas cruiserweight title.

Greenberg, rated No. 18 by the European Boxing Union, was born in Russia and moved to Haifa, Israel when he was ten. He started boxing at the age of 11 and fought in a match two years later. He eventually posted a 47-5 amateur record, highlighted by his silver medal performance at the 2000 World Junior Championships in Budapest. Greenberg has only been knocked out once, by an opponent 11 years his senior in the national championships, when Roman was only 15. He turned pro in 2001 after serving seven months in the Israeli Army.

Roman Greenberg is a gifted sharpshooter with incredibly quick hands. He speaks four languages – Russian, Hebrew, German and English — and now lives in Finchley, a section of London.

Ukrainian light heavyweight champion Yuri Barash’yan (16-2, 11 KOs), rated No. 15 by the European Boxing Union, battles dangerous Jesus Ruiz (18-4, 16 KOs), of Las Vegas, in a competitive ten-round co-feature.

The undercard bouts include Ukrainanian light heavyweights Viatcheslav Uzelkov (3-0, 3 KOs) versus Jonathan Embry (1-1, 1 KO), of Los Angeles, unbeaten Ukrainaian super middleweight Viktor Zinoviev (5-0, 3 KOs) against Moses Matovu, of Las Vegas, and three other bouts. All fighters and matches are subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $40 and $25. The first bout starts at 7 PM. Call 630.258.8249 for more information.

The June 11th show, featuring Greenberg-Gutcher, will be streamed on Secondsout.com (subscription basis required), as well as broadcast on Eurosport Television throughout Europe and Ukranian Television.