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Guerrero-Figueroa, Monaghan-Browne top July 15 card on Fox

He’s been a pro 20 years, but isn’t resigned to finishing up as a trial horse.
Fighters Network
23
May

Premier Boxing Champions hasn’t been seen on free TV since February, but as RingTV.com reported Friday, it’s returning to Fox on July 15.

On Tuesday, we found out who’s fighting.

Welterweight brawlers Omar Figueroa Jr. and Robert Guerrero will headline the first boxing card at the newly renovated Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island since Mike Tyson headlined a show there in 1986, it was announced.

Light heavyweight contender Marcus Browne will meet Long Island ticket-seller Seanie Monaghan in the co-feature, with Polish heavyweights Artur Szpilka and Adam Kownacki in the television opener.



“I like wars, I made my career making these kind of fights, just good, entertaining wars like Boxing After Dark’s initial fights,” promoter Lou DiBella, who programmed the HBO series, told RingTV.com. “If it turns out to be a night of wars and just fun fights, that’s a good night of boxing.”

The main event certainly should be just that — a war — even if it’s not a bout with much at stake for the winner.

Figueroa hasn’t competed since a December 2015 win over Antonio DeMarco, and Guerrero is past his best days. Each man always comes forward, though, and it figures to be a bombs away contest at 147 pounds.

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring and showing fans what I’m known for — exciting fights,” said Figueroa (26-0-1, 18 KOs). “I’ve been quietly training and preparing in Indio, California, with Joel Diaz and now it’s time.”

“Both me and Omar Figueroa like to bang on the inside, which should make for great entertainment, but Omar is going to find out on July 15 that he’s facing a man who has his back against the wall and is going to leave everything in the ring,” said Guerrero, who is coming off consecutive defeats.

“I’m going to give the millions who’ll be watching on Fox and Fox Deportes a fight to remember. This is going to be a classic Mexican war and I’m coming out on top.”

Monaghan will be the draw on Long Island, though, even if he’s not in the main event. He was hoping to face Adonis Stevenson for the lineal light heavyweight title on April 29 at the same arena, but when that fight fell through, he chose another tough battle in Browne, a 2012 Olympian.

“I have fought more times at Barclays Center than anyone, so it’s exciting to get to fight in a new venue not too far from home,” said Browne (19-0, 14 KOs), who’s coming off a stoppage victory over Thomas Williams. “We might be in Seanie’s immediate backyard, but I’m just down the block, so he really isn’t any more at home than I am.

“I know he’s a hard-nosed fighter with a come-forward style. I’m preparing for a tough opponent. A win won’t come easy, but we have to take care of business. I am just ready to display my talent on national television and continue my climb toward a world title.”

“It is a dream come true to be fighting at the Coliseum, which is literally right next to the track where I run every day,” said Monaghan (19-0, 14 KOs). “It is an honor to represent Long Island in the first boxing event held at this venue in 31 years.

“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time, and I feel that this bout will bring a new chapter in my career. I have a lot of respect for Marcus Browne, but let the best man win. On July 15, I am putting everything on the line.”

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