PRESS RELEASE: Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions has signed former two-time junior middlweight titlist Verno Phillips to an exclusive promotional contract. Art said today, "We're very excited about signing Verno and looking forward to working with him. He's shown time and time again that he's one of the best junior middleweights in the world, and I think there are some big fights in his future. We're planning to have him back in the ring very soon." Boxingtalk rated Phillips #6 in the division.