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(L-R) Father/trainer Andy Bell, Albert “Prince” Bell and “Iron” Mike Tyson
(Photo by Rey Sanchez / Iron Mike Productions)
DEERFIELD, Fla. (August 16, 2013) – When amateur boxing star Albert “Prince” Bell signed a promotional contract with Acquinity Sports this past April, the 20-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, had no idea that, only four months later, he’d be promoted by Hall of Famer “Iron” Mike Tyson.
Acquinity Sports, under CEO Garry Jonas, recently partnered with Tyson to form Iron Mike Productions, which is presenting its first event on August 23, in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, “Tyson Is Back!”
“Tyson Is Back” features a World Championship doubleheader, airing on ESPN Friday Night Fights,live from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez (21-2, 11 KOs) headlines in his first world title defense against IBF No. 13-rated Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs) in the 12-round main event.
In the 12-round co-feature, undefeated Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero (14-0, 11 KOs), rated No. 2 by the WBA, takes on WBA No. 4 Jesus Cueller (22-1, 18 KOs) for the Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight championship.
Bell (1-0, 1 KO) will be showcased on “Tyson Is Back!” in a four-round bout against former World Boxing Organization (WBO bantamweight champion Mauricio “Cry Baby” Martinez (36-14-1, 24 KOs).
“We have high hopes for Albert Bell,” Tyson remarked. “He was an outstanding amateur boxer who has very good skills. We plan to help cultivate him into a world champion.”
A gold-medal winner as an amateur at the 2011 National PAL Championships and 2012 National Golden Gloves Tournament, Bell defeated several amateur boxers who, like Bell, are also solid pro prospects: Toka Kahn-Clary (6-0, 5 KOs), Kendo Castaneda (4-0, 1 KOs) and Pedro Duran (2-0, 2 KOs).
“Bell joined a talented group of young fighters and now he has the great Mike Tyson as his promoter,” Iron Mike Productions COO Henry Rivalta said. “It doesn’t get much better then that for a 20-year-old prospect. We’re developing our young warriors like Albert into sensational fighters. Garry (Jonas) and I are working tirelessly to build a stable of fighters who will be in major fights for years to come.”
Providing chief support are a pair of 10-round fights featuring Cuban knockout artist Alexei “The Mexican-Cuban” Collado (16-0, 15 KOs) against Mexican featherweight Hugo “Guerrero” Partida (19-4-2, 15 KOs), while welterweight Ed “The Lion” Paredes (33-3-1, 22 KOs) faces another tough Mexican fighter, Noe “Platanito” Bolanos (24-8-1, 16 KOs).
Collado, now fighting out of Miami, is rated No. 14 by the WBA and No. 15 by the IBF, and Paredes is one of only two welterweights in the world currently ranked among the top 15 in all four major sanctioning bodies: World Boxing Council (WBC) & WBA No. 3, World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 11, and IBF No. 13.
Also fighting on the undercard in a six-round bout is undefeated Virginian middleweight Antoine Douglas (8-0, 6 KOs), squares-off against Russell “Spiderman” Jordan (15-10, 10 KOs), of Rochester (NY).
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Mendez, Marrero, Collado, Paredes and Bell were promoted by Acquinity Sports and are now fighting under the Iron Mike Productions banner.
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