(MAR 30) American trained English
Super Bantamweight Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston, along with
various soon to be announced American championship boxers, will be
spearheading London based sporting equipment and apparel
manufacturer Pugilistic Urban Garments planned assault on the $50
Billion American sporting goods market in 2009 with their pugilistic
arts flagship brand P.U.G. Athletic.
Marianne, a protégé of former Heavyweight Champion of the World,
Smokin’ Joe Frazier and Cruiserweight World Champion Steve ‘USS’
Cunningham, was previously sponsored by P.U.G. Athletic prior to her
moving her training base, from Gleason's Gym (London) near Tower
Bridge, to Philadelphia and Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s Gym, where she was
under the personal tutelage of the legendary Heavyweight champ and
his son Marvis, in February 2008.
Marianne’s American adventure
soon became a roller coaster ride as shortly after committing
herself to being with Smokin’ Joe Frazier, to prepare for her
professional debut, the Philadelphia landmark gym closed down.
Marianne’s dream looked at an end after just 58 days.
Not one to give up so easily Marianne tried out for Percy
‘Buster’ Custus at the “home of champions”, The James Shuler
Memorial Gym, in West Philadelphia. Initially working with
former Junior Middleweight World Champion Robert ‘Bam Bam’ Hines
before switching her day to day training, due to her having
difficulties understanding Robert’s strong accent which was
causing frustrations between them, to the exceptional female
trainer Shar’ron Baker.
Around the same time P.U.G. Athletic, who were concentrating on
the European sporting goods market, decided not to renew their
sponsorship arrangement as Marianne would be initially competing
in America and as such could not see any benefit to their brand
at that time.
Just as disaster loomed again for Marianne up steps
Cruiserweight King Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham and his wife and
manager Livvy who invited Marianne to be part of Team ‘USS’
Cunningham, opening up a whole new world of opportunities for
her including sessions at training camp with Team ‘USS’
Cunningham’s world class coach Anthony Chase and advice from
team leader Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham and “Trainer of the Year”
contender Brother Nazeem Richardson in addition to day to day
coaching from Shar’ron.
Marianne, who returned to England at the beginning of March in
order to arrange the visa she requires for her professional
debut at the 9th May ‘09 Ivan Cohen promoted event in South
Philadelphia, met with P.U.G. Athletic boss John Rooney Jnr.
when she returned to Gleason’s Gym (London) for some training
sessions and a new sponsorship deal was arranged in record time.
Taking a moment out from her grueling preparations a very
pleased Marianne said “I’m so pleased to be working with John
(Rooney) and P.U.G. Athletic again. John has always been a great
supporter of boxing. He used to sponsor my hero, Joe Calzaghe,
and supports other great champions like Ian Napa and Danny
Williams.
It’s so exciting to be involved in their expansion plans, to say
I am proud to be a P.U.G. fighter is an understatement. I’m a
great believer in their products. Over the past year I have
tried out loads of gloves and couldn’t find any that came close
to my old ones. I kept having niggly hand injuries so I got a
friend of mine to send me over a new pair of P.U.G.’s late last
year and hey presto no more problems. They really do offer the
best hand protection!
Whilst I’m enjoying being back in London and training at
Gleason’s, I’m really looking forward to getting back to Philly
so I can be fully prepared for my fight.
I’m missing everyone at Shulers terribly. I missed Tyson’s
(Jamaal’s ‘Da Truth’ Davis) and Eddie’s (‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers)
fights and missed even more not being there to celebrate their
victories with them. I’m also going to miss Gee’s (Culmer) fight
this Friday (3rd April).
Whilst not one of my gym mates, I’m desperately hoping I can get
my visa through soon so I can be there to support fellow Brit
Carl Froch, when he takes on Jermain Taylor on the 25th (April).
If I do I’ll be ringside for sure, what a great way to prepare
for my fight, watching awesome fighters at close quarters, who
knows I might steal some of his moves and use them in my fight
in May.”
Marianne professional debut will be on the undercard of
Philadelphia’s Brian Cohen WBC Americas Light Heavyweight title
fight on May 9th 2009 at the South Philadelphia High School. The
co-feature will be headed by Gabrielle Rosadl. In addition to
Brian, Gabrielle and Marianne there will be seven further fights
on the night. The full card will be announced, by renowned
Philadelphia promoter Ivan Cohen, shortly.
For tickets and further details for the event contact:
Ivan Cohen
Tel: 215 755 8155
