Boxing News: Gatti-Baldomir Undercard

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (July 17, 2006) – Undefeated middleweight contender Giovanni Lorenzo returns to the ring in a 10-round bout against Canadian Bryon Mackie in a 10 round middleweight bout on the Carlos Baldomir-Arturo Gatti July 22 undercard. Lorenzo, who is ranked in the top-15 by the WBC and the IBF at jr. middleweight, will be boxing for the first time since dismantling Archak Ter-Meliksetian in seven rounds on March 10, 2006 (TKO 7).

Lorenzo (20-0, 12 KO’s) has stopped seven of his last eight opponents. The 25-year-old from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, native captured the D.R. middleweight championship on April 2, 2005, when he destroyed Rafael de la Cruz in two rounds (TKO 2).

“I want change the face of boxing in my native Dominican Republic and around the world, so there is only one fight that I am interested in and that is a title shot against Jermain Taylor,” said Lorenzo. “Like Taylor I am young, hungry, and undefeated. I am a 2000 Olympian and my style speaks for itself. I’ve said it before and I'll say it again. Give the young guys a chance and let’s get it on.”

Main Events VP Carl Moretti has had preliminary discussions with Lou DiBella (Taylor’s promoter) about the possibility of Lorenzo fighting the undisputed middleweight champion.

Mackie (27-12, 10 KO’s) has won five of his last six bouts. The 32-year-old Orangeville, ON, Canada native defeated all five opponents by knockout. One of those whom he defeated was veteran Ian Mackillop (TKO 9). His sole loss during this string was to highly-respected rising prospect John Duddy on Nov 4, 2005 (TKO 4). In his last bout on April 13, 2006, Mackie knocked out Terrence Jones (TKO 5).