(MAY 1) Marianne Marston, the
exciting protégé of legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World
Smokin’ Joe Frazier and two time IBF Cruiserweight Champion of
the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, made an impressive start to
her long awaited professional career at York Hall in Bethnal
Green, London, on Saturday night.
Marianne, who was discovered and
trained by the aforementioned Smokin’ Joe, until his landmark
North Philadelphia gym closed in 2008, has had a succession of
false starts to her career over the past few years, was clearly
fired up for the fight against Hungarian Gabriella Roman.
Following an entertaining ring walk, which included Marianne
shadow boxing until her entry track reached a crescendo, after
which she began her entry in style, dancing and banging gloves
with her many admirers that lined the route.
On entering the ring Marianne
once more showed her appreciation to the highly vocal and
appreciative crowd, before turning to her own legion of fans,
many wearing ‘Team Golden Girl’ t-shirts, which set of a
cacophony of cheers that resonated throughout the famous home of
British boxing.
Her ring entry must have taken close to four minutes, well over
twice as long as the actual fight itself lasted.
Right from the opening bell
Marianne went hard on the attack, with a mix of solid jabs and
double handed flurries, within a matter of seconds Roman was
sent to the canvas for the first time.
It could only have been thirty seconds later that the Hungarian
girl was back on the canvas, this time following Marianne
backing her into her corner and letting rip with big looping
right hands followed by wickedly vicious lefts to the head.
The instant referee Ken Curtis
finished the count, Marianne went back on the attack in similar
vein, this time though Roman couldn’t keep her guard up, which
allowed Marianne to pick her off with a barrage of massive left
and rights, until the aforementioned Ken Curtis stepped in to
save Roman further punishment, after just one minute and forty
seven seconds of the first round.
Speaking earlier today Marianne spoke briefly on her sensational
maiden victory.
“I’m ecstatic that I won, it wasn’t my intention to stop
Gabriella, I just fought the way Joe (Smokin’ Joe Frazier),
Marvis (Frazier) and Val (Colbert) drilled into me all those
years ago.
I suppose really I would have liked to have put a few rounds
under my belt just for the experience, but at the end of the day
the win is the important thing, especially as I dedicated the
victory to Joe.
If it wasn’t for Joe’s total belief in me, I am sure I would
have given up on my dream after all the setbacks of the past few
years.
I only wish he was still with us, he always said he would be
there at my first fight, he may not have been there in person
for obvious reasons, but I believe he was there in spirit.
I’m also dedicating the win to Rio (Gianluca Di Caro), he above
all others encouraged and supported me through all the ups and
downs of the past few years. He is my rock, he never waivered in
his support or encouragement, no matter what.
I would also like to say a huge thanks to my coach Barry Smith
at the TRAD TKO Gym in Canning Town, he’s a great coach, really
is one of the best around, he never tried to change my style,
from that Joe had instilled, just built from it to make me a
more rounded fighter.
I also have to give a massive thanks to my sponsors, Optimax,
Winkball and BoxFit, they have stood by me since 2010 and I’m so
pleased to finally carry their name into action.
I mustn’t forget to thank Dave Murphy and Bruce Baker, for
giving me the chance to fight on their show, and finally I’d
like to thank Gabriella Roman for taking the fight at such short
notice.
Now it’s onwards and upwards. I can’t wait for my next fight, I
hope it
comes soon as I really want to be busy now I’ve finally got
started.”
WBAN
ON TWITTER -
