Joe Hanks, Kevin Rooney Jr To Fight in Albany Feb. 4

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (January 3, 2012) Star Boxing, New York City’s premier boxing promoter since 1992, is partnering with The Times Union Center in Albany, New York, on Saturday, February 4th to present “KO AT THE TU”, an action packed evening of world-championship professional boxing.

“The Albany, New York and Capital Region has long been a source of world-class boxers and terrific fights. Fans in that area of upstate New York have always been very supportive of the sport and we look forward to a long standing relationship with The Times Union Center to provide sensational evenings of entertainment”, said Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing.

Stated Bob Belber, General Manager of The Times Union Center; “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring a Heavyweight Title Fight and Championship Boxing back to the capital region.  With the fights taking place on a prime Saturday night at an affordable price, this is sure to be an event that Albany as well as our surrounding areas will be sure to embrace.  We are excited to host this event and with the support of the boxing community, we look forward to working with Star Boxing on future events.”

Headlining “KO AT THE TU” will be undefeated heavyweight prospect and defending IBA Heavyweight Champion Joe “The Future” Hanks. Fighting out of Newark, New Jersey, the 28 year old Hanks, 18-0-0 with twelve knockouts will face off against monstrous Cuban heavyweight Rafael “The Cajun Connection” Pedro.

Reminiscent of legendary knockout artist Mike Tyson, Hanks has caught the eye of fans and the media across the country with his crushing knockouts since turning professional five years ago. In his last start on December 3rd, Hanks scored a brutal second round stoppage over Franklin Edmondson in Greensboro, North Carolina. Dropping Edmonson with a left hook, right cross combination early in the stanza, Hanks finished the evening for Edmondson with a devastating right hand to the body.

Standing 6’7”, Pedro brings a record of 21-9-1 (15KO’s) into the world title clash with Hanks. On October 14th, Pedro, a native of Havana, Cuba, now residing in Golden Meadow, Louisiana, drilled Bobby O’Bannon to the canvas in the first round earning the stoppage in Chalmette, Louisiana.

With numerous early stoppage wins on his ledger, Pedro promises to come out swinging from the opening bell in search of the quick knockout of the equally aggressive Hanks.

Also featured at “KO AT THE TU” is a cruiserweight clash between former world title challenger David Telesco and highly regarded Puerto Rican prospect Vincent Miranda.

Long a favorite with East Coast boxing fans and a staple on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights, the heavy handed Telesco, 30-7-1 (25KO’s), is looking to re-start his career after a two year layoff towards making another run at a world title. 

The 26-year-old Miranda, a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will be making his first appearance in the Tri-State area, bringing a record of 14-1-0 (8KO’s). Since suffering his only defeat in 2009, Miranda has rebuilt his career, winning all four starts in 2011 by way of knockout.

Also featured on the undercard will be undefeated prospect Kevin Rooney Jr. The 27-year-old Rooney, son of legendary boxing trainer Kevin Rooney Sr., brings a record of 2-1-0 (1KO), into the scheduled four rounder.  

Rooney Sr. was responsible for the early success of Hall of Famer Mike Tyson’s career, including his first three professional bouts in Albany among his many fights in upstate New York.

Additional bouts and much more information on “KO AT THE TU” will be announced in the coming days.

Tickets, priced at $75, $50, $40 and $30, are available through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000) or at the Times Union Center Box Office, (www.timesunioncenter-albany.com), and at all local Wal-Mart Music Centers.  Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at 718-823-2000 or on www.starboxing.com.

The Times Union Center is location at 51 South Pearl Street in Albany, New York, 12207.