Cruiserweight Patrick Farrell has dominated thus far as a pro, but knows there is plenty of room for improvement.
His first four opponents were a combined 2-5, giving the Jersey City native an opportunity to develop his skills. However, Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, Farrell is taking a notable step up when he meets Contender Season 4 alum Jon Schneider. Schneider, 7-4-1 (5 KO’s), is far from a world beater, but is expected to give Farrell a solid test in their four round bout on the Tomasz Adamek-Jason Estrada undercard.
“He’s a lefty and I have a couple of fights on tape”, said Farrell, who remembers watching Schneider on The Contender. “He is definitely a tough kid.”
Farrell’s last two bouts took place at North Bergen’s Schuetzen Park, a small venue that holds less than 1,000 people. While many young boxers get butterflies fighting in big arenas, especially one as loud as the Prudential Center, Farrell considers it an advantage.
“The arena is five minutes from my house and I have a lot of fans coming out.” “Boxing is an emotional sport so if anything, (the fan support) just adds motivation”.
Farrell, who has sparred with Adamek to ensure he is in top shape, trains for his fights at the Passaic Boxing Club alongside his Pound for Pound Promotions stablemates.
Duran-Davis, Tapia-Miles February 27 in AC!
Ossie Duran is one of the toughest gatekeepers in boxing, but is amongst New Jersey’s least known fighters from a local standpoint. The Ghana native never fought in the Garden State and is well traveled, spending time in England and Rhode Island before relocating to Paterson.
Duran doesn’t have a promoter or the luxury of fighting in his hometown, thus has been used as an opponent for a number of good boxers. Duran’s last four bouts came against contenders James Kirkland, David Lopez, former top ten rated Eromosele Albert and hot prospect Fernando Guerrero, who were a combined 91-14. While he was competitive in all four fights, Duran’s record in those bouts was 0-3-1, with all three defeats coming by razor thin decision.
Duran, who now trains under watchful eye of fellow Paterson native Aroz “Terrific” Gist, surprisingly received an offer to take on Philadelphian Jamal Davis February 27 at Bally’s in Atlantic City. While far from a pushover at 11-5 (6 KO’s), Davis is the least experienced opponent Duran has faced in five years. Even though Davis is not on the same level as his recent opponents, Duran isn’t taking him lightly.
“I train for every fight like it’s a world title fight”, said Duran, a former British Commonwealth Champion”. “I am looking forward to this fight and taking him out because (even with the losses) I am still knocking, so hopefully (a victory will) open doors”.
Duran and Davis meet over six rounds at Junior Middleweight.
Passaic’s Glen Tapia will also appear on the card. Tapia, 3-0 (2 KO’s), had a terrific amateur background and served as one of Joshua Clottey’s main sparring partners leading up to his fight with Miguel Cotto last summer. The junior middleweight was featured on the Cotto-Clottey card at Madison Square Garden, scoring a four round UD over David Lopez (who is unrelated to the David Lopez Duran fought)
Camden’s Tyrone Miles is scheduled to be Tapia’s opponent. Miles is 1-2 as a professional, most recently dropping a close decision to former New Jersey Golden Gloves champion Tyre Roberts. The Tapia-Miles fight is scheduled for four rounds and is also part of the Kendall Holt-Kaizer Mabuza undercard.
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