May 18 at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan
NEW YORK CITY (May 1, 2007) – Polish power puncher Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak (14-0, 9 KOs) adds diversity and brings even more excitement to the “Tomorrow’s Champions” pro boxing show, presented by Irish Ropes Promotions and featuring unbeaten middleweight sensation “Ireland’s” John Duddy, on May 18 at the famed Beacon Theatre in Manhattan.
The Poland-native Wolak, reigning New York State middleweight champion, is now fighting out of Brooklyn (NY). The non-stop, knockout specialist battles Anthony Little (7-6, 1 KO) in the eight-round co-feature. Wolak has developed a cult-like following in the Polish and Polish-American communities like Duddy has in the Irish and Irish-American markets.
“I moved to Brooklyn (from Mt. Arlington, NJ) to stay close to the gym (Gleason’s),” the well-spoken Berkley College (Manhattan) graduate Wolak said. “It’s great having so many Polish fans and there are more and more every fight. They’re very passionate who are do-or-die types just like I am. I love their support. I love fighting in New York. It’s the perfect spot because my fans can get there easily.
“I think I’m where Duddy was a year ago (popularity and career wise) and growing fight to fight. I’ll have Irish fans rooting for me when they see me fight May 18. I’m always in an exciting fight and that’s what they’re looking for. Duddy will have Polish fans, too. The people who support us aren’t just Polish or Irish fans; they’re boxing fans who like fighters like us who have heart and are exciting.”
Duddy (19-0, 15 KOs), rated No. 8 by the WBO, as well as No. 9 by the WBA and No. 13 by the IBF, headlines “Tomorrow’s Champions” in the 10-round main event against Dupre “Total Package” Strickland (18-1-1, 7 KOs) in what will be the Irishman’s last fight in the United States before he goes to Europe for two proposed bouts there this summer. The Northern Ireland born Duddy, now living in Queens (NYC), is the IBA World and WBC Continental Americas middleweight champion.
Also scheduled to fight on the card is Brooklyn middleweight Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (10-0, 9 KOs) against TBA; 2004 Irish National Senior amateur champion Henry Coyle (1-0, 1 KO), from County Mayo in Ireland, faces Kamel Alolabi in his pro debut; multiple European and Irish amateur champ Aloysius “Alo” Kelly, the light heavyweight from Westmeath, Ireland now living in Queens, makes his pro debut against James Singleton (0-2); WBA top rated lightweight Maureen “The Real Million Dollar Baby” Shea (10-0, 5 KOs), from the Bronx; New York City against TBA; super flyweight Eileen Olszewski (2-0, 0 KOs) takes on Kimberly Tomes (0-2). All fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, ranging between $75.00 and $300.00, are now on sale by calling Irish Ropes Promotions at 212.835.1582 or TicketMaster at 212.307.7171. Tickets are limited and more than $55,000 were sold this past Wednesday when they first went on sale. All tickets include a $4.00 facility fee and TicketMaster purchases are subject to TicketMaster service fees.
For more information about the May 18th show call Irish Ropes Promotions or go on line to www.irishropes.com.