Boxing fans get their second chance to see professional boxing up close at Muskegon’s LC Walker Arena on Saturday, September 11th. Muskegon-based boxing promotion company, Blue Corner Boxing (bluecornerboxing.com), is bringing high ranked fighters in hopes of putting on the best show Muskegon has ever seen. To make it more exciting for the fans, there are two main events scheduled - Muskegon’s hometown hero Rocky Smith, Jr. and the hometown hero of Grand Rapids, Troy Rowland.

Rocky Smith, Jr (10-2, 9 KO’s), is coming off two impressive knockout wins over favored opponents on ESPN2. One of those wins came at the LC Walker Arena on July 6th. He is scheduled to face Tim Bowe (14-8-1, 7 KO’s), relation to Riddick Bowe, fighting from Cincinnati, Ohio.

If you’re not already one of the thousands of fans of Troy Rowland (19-1, 5 KO’s), you likely will be after this event. Troy is a star fighter with a high velocity tempo that stuns his opponents, winning his last 15 fights. He is ranked 10th in the United States in the Middleweight division, just a few behind greats Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, and Fernando Vargas. Troy is coming off an impressive unanimous decision over veteran Kenny Ellis (33-6-2) on ESPN2 on June 11th at the Delta Plex. The details of Troy’s opponent are not yet available.

Fans will get a chance to see Muskegon’s Eddie Tice (1-0, 1 KO) fight his second professional bout. His first fight on July 6th ended in a quick, first round knockout over Alonzo Scott. But this time, his opponent, Clark Gilbert (1-3), is coming in to test Eddie’s skills. He is a professional fighter and a veteran trainer out of Grand Rapids who will be sure to stand toe-to-toe with Eddie. If you missed Eddie’s first fight, you don’t want to miss his second!

In the heavyweight bout of the night, Muskegon’s Robert Lang (1-1) will take on Australia born Kristian Magro in his pro debut. Magro is huge. With muscle mass and a tone body, he is 6’5”, 250 lbs of power against a more experienced and tough Lang, who is 5’9”.

Tough Men Turn Pro
Sandman. That is all that needs to be said to anyone who has seen St. Joseph’s Dan Sandman fight in Muskegon in the famed Toughman competition. Or anyone who has seen him fight at Boonedock’s in Twin Lake. He is an excited fighter who is making his professional boxing debut in front of the fans who know him best. He will take on an experienced and tough Traverse City fighter named Jackie “Black Jack” Beard (3-6, all wins by KO).

Chris Grays (6-6, 2 KO’s), fighting out of South Haven, isn’t new to Muskegon either. Boxing fans seen him win his first Toughman competition as “Chicken Man” in 2000. Chris will rematch Lansing fighter Percel Banks (3-6, 3 KO’s) in a 6 round bout. Their first match in April of this year led to a unanimous decision for Chris.

A Special Show For A Special Man
There will be a moment at intermission to recognize the amazing accomplishments of Muskegon’s own World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Kenny Lane. Kenny will be inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame on October 16th, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. He fought 8 world champions 15 times, 4 of them in title matches. He also made boxing history by coming out of retirement and competing in his 100th professional bout at the age of 53. Kenny’s professional record is 82 wins, 16 loses, and 2 draws.

Kenny remains active in boxing, serving Rocky Smith, Jr as his trainer and manager, plus helping other local boxers discover their boxing potential with his club, the Muskegon Boxing Club.

Ticket Pricing
If the amazing fighters are not enough to entice people to watch, maybe the ticket pricing will. The pricing for advance tickets is only $15 for general admission, $25 for the floor, and $50 for ringside VIP seats. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. You can also visit bluecornerboxing.com for more information.

Sparring at The Lakes Mall
Between the hours of 6pm and 8pm, local boxers will be practicing their punches inside the ring, located inside the Lakes Mall from Friday, September 3rd to Thursday, September 9th. The ring will be setup by the Muskegon Boxing Club to showcase local amateur and professional talent. Autograph signings will also take place during this time.

The Lakes Mall is located at the intersection of Sternberg Road and Harvey Road in the Fruitport Township of Muskegon.

About Blue Corner Boxing
Blue Corner Boxing (www.bluecornerboxing.com) was started by West Michigan business owner Paul Ferrier and boxing veteran Jack Crowell. With Budweiser as their title sponsor, these two men hope to bring a fast paced show and popularity back to professional boxing in the Muskegon area.