CESTUS MANAGEMENT PRESS RELEASE: Undefeated junior welterweight "Mighty" Mike Arnaoutis, has signed to face Michael Warrick on February 18, 2005, at the Chumash hotel and Casino in Santa Ynez, California.  Arnaoutis was Boxingtalk's prospect of the year and is rated #29 at junior welterweight by this site.  Warrick is rated #21.  The match is set to headline the evening's live broadcast of the Showtime Network's ShoBox: The New Generation series. Warrick, who holds victories over Jeffrey Resto and Emmanuel Augustus, will enter the ring with 18 wins against 2 defeats.  Arnaoutis, unbeaten in his professional campaign, will step in at 14-0-2 and will be making his fourth consecutive appearance on the popular ShoBox program.  A regional title at 140 pounds will be on the line when the two contenders meet.

Already immersed in hard sparring, Arnaoutis took a moment to let the world know his plans come the 18th of February. 

"I'm even hungrier than I was for the first title," says Arnaoutis, who already holds one regional title.  "They can bring Warrick or anyone else they want.  It doesn't matter.  I'm going to leave with that belt around my waist.  I don't mean to disrespect Warrick, because he's a good fighter and he'll be coming to fight, and because I never disrespect my opponents, but I know I'll beat him.  I'll have the USBA title, and I'll give the fans what they want to see."

Cestus Management's advisor Mike Michael offered his comments on this coming fight, as well as the future for "Mighty" Mike and the Cestus team.

"Warrick is a tough, durable guy, and he's got a lot of boxing skills.  But then again, so was Gallardo, and so did Gallardo, and look what happened to Gallardo, because that wasn't pretty.  Nobody can beat 'Mighty' Mike right now, because he hasn't even shown anywhere near what he's capable of.  Warrick is the kind of fighter that fights at one speed, one tempo.  My boy can fight any way you like.  He switches gears at the drop of a hat.  And I'll tell you something, we haven't even gotten out of second gear.  You ain't seen nothing yet!  Wait until he starts to really rev his engine! 

"This past year has been explosive for our team.  We have the momentum right now, and we'll continue to roll because we're the hardest working team in boxing, and 'Mighty' Mike is the hardest working kid in the game.  We treat every fight like a world title fight.  We know how this business works, and we know what people want to see:  A tough, talented fighter in explosive, exciting fights. Of course, we have to thank both Showtime and Gary Shaw and his team for letting our kid show what he's got on the national stage, and we'll continue to impress the boxing fans each and every single time."

Cestus CEO Gina Iacovou had some words as well.

"Mike does everything a fighter should do.  He trains hard, he studies his opponents, and he's always looking to improve.  That's why he really is the 'Pride of Greece,' and why he's got so many American fans as well.  We fully intend on moving 'Mighty' Mike up the rankings into a mandatory position during the course of this year, and by 2006 he will have earned a world title shot.  And we'll be there with him, giving our best so that he can give his."

"Mighty" Mike Arnaoutis vs. Michael Warrick, Friday, February 18, 2005, for the USBA title, on ShoBox: The New Generation. The best is yet to come.