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Montell ‘Ice’ Griffin aims for 50th win tonight

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
59th bout for former champion

A 41 year-old Montell Griffin hopes to pick up the 50th win of his 18-year professional career tonight as he fights in what could possibly be his last match-up.

The former WBC light-heavyweight champion, who boasts victories over James Toney (Twice) and Roy Jones Jr. on his 58-fight record, steps into the ring with Youngstown’s DeAndrey Abron (15-9), who after a good start to his career is on a run of eight straight defeats, five of which have ended early.

The bout takes place as part of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights to be broadcast in the US on ESPN2 and features former world title holder David Diaz and former Contender champion Grady Brewer in headlining bouts.

Also scheduled is a six-round lightweight bout between Los Angeles via Ghana's Yakubu "Black Mamba" Amidu, (19-2-1, 17 KOs) and Toledo, Ohio's Martin Tucker, (7-9, 3 KOs); a four-round light welterweight bout between George Esho (1-1) of Chicago and Aaron Lucky of Anderson, Indiana (0-2); a featherweight four-rounder between Chicago's Paulie Settepani (1-0, 1 KO) and Indianapolis pro debuter Dwayne Wisdom; a super middleweight four-rounder between Chicago's Mike Kurzeja (4-0-1, 4 KOs) and Jeremy Wood (1-3, 1 KO) of Sydney, Ohio; a junior welterweight four rounder between Chris Singleton (2-0, 2 KOs) of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Gabriel Morris (4-11-2) of Toledo; a junior middleweight six-rounder between Rockford, Illinois' "Bazooka" Joe Linenfelser (9-1-1, 6 KOs) and hometown boy Ruben Galvan (27-17-4, 10 KOs) of Hammond, Indiana; and a six-round featherweight bout between Arapahoe, North Carolina via Igrim, Russia's Evgeny Gradovich (10-0, 6 KOs) and Robert "Don't Lose" DaLuz (13-38-3, 9 KOs) of Providence, Rhode Island.

All bouts subject to change without notice. Doors open at: 6:00 P.M. (all times Central time)

First fight at: 7:00 P.M.

Tickets are priced at $90 Ringside, $40 Orchestra (main level), $30 (mezzanine and balcony).

Tickets available at: www.fanfueled.com and www.thevenue-chicago.com.

Friday's fights will be televised live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes - ESPN's Spanish-language network - and ESPN3.com, the network's broadband platform service.

For more information, please visit: www.hitzboxing.com.

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