“Irish” Micky Ward, known for his trilogy of brutal fights with Arturo Gatti and his brother Dicky Eklund will join studio host Brian Kenny throughout ESPN’s Friday Night Fights telecast April 1, from 9-11 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The brothers were portrayed in the 2010 Academy Award winning film The Fighter, which centeredon the life of Ward (played by Mark Wahlberg), and his older half-brother Eklund (played by Christian Bale).The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including best picture and best director. Bale won the Oscar for best supporting actor.
Friday’s cards will originate from Mashantucket, Conn. when lightweight “Hammerin” Hank Lundy (19-1-1, 10 KO’s), and undefeated middleweight Vladine “Mr. Providence” Biosse (10-0, 5 KO’s) are featured in co-main events. Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside at Foxwoods Casino, describing the action.
Philadelphia’s Lundy, will face New Hampshire resident and Venezuelan native Patrick “El Elegante” Lopez (20-3, 12 KO’s). Lundy is coming off a 10-round decision win against Omri Lowther last August on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. After the fight, ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael wrote, “On July 9, Lundy headlined ‘Friday Night Fights’ on ESPN2. He talked a lot of smack about opponent John Molina, whom he called stupid. After dominating most of the fight, Lundy got dropped hard in the eighth round and then stopped in 11th round as Molina made a big comeback in a fight he was being outclassed in. It was perhaps a humbling experience for Lundy. Looking to rebound as quickly as possible, Lundy took the fight with Lowther on just three days’ notice, came to his turf and shut him down in fairly easy fashion as the ‘Friday Night Fights’ season closed with a special Saturday edition. Lundy was quicker than Lowther and hit him almost at will. He is a skillful boxer, has good defense and put his technical ability to good use against an opponent who just could not cope with his movement and speed.”
Providence’s Biosse, who has stepped up in class of opposition and given impressive performances in recent fights, will meet St. Louis’ “The Irish Pride” Tim Connors (10-2, 7 KO’s). Biosse is coming off a February third-round knockout win against former WBA interim super welterweight world titlist Santiago Samaniego. In July he was co-featured on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, winning an eight-round decision. Biosse said of Friday’s fight, “Nothing’s really changed since last time, except that I got better. We try to keep it the same. Like they say, if it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it. I don’t know much about the guy I’m fighting. We’re not even sure if he’s a southpaw or an orthodox fighter. All I know is that he’s a kickboxer. The way I believe – if he has two hands, then he’s do-able. The way we train is for anything and everything. We want to make sure we’re in better shape than our opponent, and better prepared than him. So whether he’s a southpaw or orthodox or whatever, it doesn’t really matter. We just want it all. I’m just going to bring my best into that ring.”
