PRESS RELEASE: Incensed by seemingly endless reports of Vinny Maddalone claiming he is actively seeking a rematch, heavyweight contender Brian Minto is issuing a challenge of his own: “Vinny, since I knocked you out, I’ve heard a lot about you wanting me to knock you out again. I would love to. So why don’t you stop hiding behind your promoter? Stop talking a good fight and give Dino Duva a call. Let’s get this going for real. Put up or shut up.”

Minto, 20-1 (11), and Maddalone, 24-4 (17), waged an incredibly brutal war on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights last July that saw both men hurt and bloodied before Minto finally connected with a fight-ending right hand at 32 seconds of the tenth and final round. Maddalone is scheduled to appear on this week’s Friday Night Fights broadcast against undefeated Shannon Miller.

Duva says that he too has heard Maddalone’s calls for a return bout, but hasn’t been seriously contacted by any of his representatives about making it happen. “Joe DeGuardia, Vinny’s promoter, has my number. He’s doing the Jones-Tarver III fight in October, so if Vinny wins his next fight, why not make it a true “Night of the Return Fight” and give the fans a treat by putting Minto vs. Maddalone II on the undercard? It’s a fight boxing fans deserve to see again. If Joe really thinks the second fight will be any different, he should give me a call.”

While he is hopeful of making it happen, Duva says he isn’t holding his breath. “And,” he continued, “If Maddalone doesn't have the guts to do the rematch, we're looking to challenge any of the other so-called contenders as well."