Press Release: Banner Promotions president Art Pelullo has re-signed former IBF featherweight titlist Eric “Mighty Mouse” Aiken, junior middleweight Jason “The Hammer” Le Houllier and heavyweight prospect Shane “Shotgun” Andreesen to exclusive promotional contracts. Pelullo said, "We’re very happy to continue working with Eric Aiken. We’ve seen him beat two top-level opponents in fights that he took on short notice, and we’re confident that he has the ability to become a world champion again. Jason Le Houllier and Shane Andreesen are  both exciting and talented young fighters. I think they both have the potential to develop into world champions, and Banner is looking forward to working with both of them.”

The 27 year-old Aiken, 16-5-1 with 12 knockouts, of Washington, D.C., was unknown and underrated when he exploded on the boxing scene last year. In April 2006, he took a fight on short notice against former bantamweight world champion Tim Austin. A huge underdog, Eric staggered Austin in the fifth round, then scored a knockdown to stop him in the sixth.

Eric got the call for another fight on short notice six weeks later on May 13.  IBF featherweight champion Valdemir Pereira was scheduled to defend the title in the co-featured bout with the Ricky Hatton-Luis Collazo main event in Boston, but his original opponent was injured in training and withdrew from the fight. Eric took the fight on two weeks’ notice, but gave a tremendous performance to win the world title – he scored one knockdown in the fourth round and another in the fifth before Pereira was disqualified for repeated low blows in the eighth round. He lost the title to Robert Guerrero and then fought to a draw with Cruz Carvajal.

Undefeated junior middleweight Jason “The Hammer” Le Houllier, now 29 years old, is an aggressive slugger who always makes exciting fights. His manager-trainer, Bob Russo said, “His idol is Jake LaMotta. That should say it all.” A native of Dover, New Hampshire, now living in Portland, Maine, Jason is now 21-0 with 8 knockouts.

Only 24 years old, Shane “Shotgun” Andreeson, is a six-foot four-inch tall heavyweight prospect. A lifelong resident of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, he made his pro debut in October, 2006, and is now 8-0 with 4 knockouts.