Alicia Ashley Wins In Brooklyn

BROOKLYN (January 19, 2011) – The gamble by Maureen Shea's Pandora Promotions and Global Boxing Promotions to host the first female main event in New York City history paid off as the Masonic Temple in Brooklyn, NY was the hottest ticket in town on Wednesday night.

In addition to the historic main event, it was also the first time a reigning female champion (Maureen Shea) had promoted her own boxing event. One of the show's referees -Sparkle Lee – was also a female, as is the New York State Athletic Commissioner Melvina Lathan.

In the main event, WBC super featherweight number one contender Alicia “Slick” Ashley of Brooklyn, NY by way of Jamaica lived up to her nickname by using awkward movement and inventive angles to stay one step ahead of Crystal “The Baby-Faced Assassin” Hoy of Las Vegas, NV.

Hoy was the aggressor throughout and found some success with left hooks and over hand rights, but Ashley's jab controlled the bout.

Ashley scored a knockdown in the eighth round on a left hook and closed the fight strong. The scores were 80-71 and 79-72 twice.

“I felt a little rusty,” said Ashley, 16-9-1 (1 KO). ” I wasn't being the typical slick fighter I am because Crystal forced me to fight her fight at times.

When asked how she felt being a part of female boxing history Ashley said: “It was nerve wracking. I was so nervous but I'm glad I came out on top and won the fight.”

“This was an amazing event, the support for both the females from all in attendance was overwhelming and it meant a lot. It showed the changing tides in accepting an athlete for an athlete, regardless of gender. I want to thank Global Boxing's Mariusz Kolodziej for believing in me and helping make this all possible.”

“I was very pleased to be a part of this milestone in boxing history,” said Global Boxing CEO Mariusz Kolodziej. “But I was sitting and watching; It was all Maureen Shea. I'm so glad to see her succeed.”

In addition to the promoter Shea, who is also the NABF female featherweight champion, many other female boxing stars were in attendance including WIBA Flyweight champion Eileen Olszewski, Belinda Laracuente and Melissa St. Vil.

In a bizarre decision, New Rochelle, NY's Jose “Chilli” Rivera (3-2) was awarded a majority decision victory over former Israeli Navy Crew Commander Eilon Kedem (10-4-5, 6 KO) of Brooklyn, NY. The scores were 59-

The fight was an all-out war with both men trading heavy blows in close quarters. Rivera, who was a former New York Golden Gloves champion, landed heavy uppercuts in the opening round to edge the stanza. Kedem came back strong the following round with a smothering assault that seemed to zap Rivera's energy as the rounds progressed.

Kedem closed the fight strong by backing Rivera into the ropes and working combinations to the head and body. The scores were announced to a chorus of boos.

“I never think about points,” said Kedem. “I just go out there and fight. I never felt I was losing, but I just gotta back harder next time. I'd love to fight him again; I'd fight anyone.”

Armin “The Bosnian Prince” Mrkanovic of Brooklyn, NY by way of Bosnia won his pro debut against a tough and determined Sharieff Hayes of Phoenix, AZ by the scores of 40-36. Mrkanovic, a former cage fighter who fought in the World Combat League, used footwork and combinations to befuddle Hayes.

Hayes had his moments however, as he briefly stunned Mrkanovic before the bell to end the third. Mrkanovic was able to rebound quickly and closed the fourth round strong to the delight of his vocal hometown crowd.

“I was really happy with the win,” said Mrkanovic, who was 6-0 as a mixed martial arts fighter. “I made some mistakes like trying to pulling back looking for distance to kick. He took some hard hits, I was surprised he didn't go down.”

In a junior middleweight fight, Kevin Walker of Cleveland, Ohio made his professional debut a successful one by outworking and outpunching fellow debut Edward Ayuso of Carolina, Puerto Rico over four rounds. One judge scored it 38-38, while the other two scored it 40-36 and 39-37.

In a light-heavyweight bout, Nicholas Lavin (2-0, 2 KO) of Yonkers, NY scored the second big knockout of his career by knocking out Bakari (0-1) at 1:06 of the fourth round. Lavin, who fought 16 amateur fights and 5 Muay Thai fights, said he “felt great. My opponent was tough but I just stuck to my game plan and got him out of there.”