ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will originate from Cabazon Calif., on July 22 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN 3D and ESPN3.com when undefeated super middleweight Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (22-0,19 KOs) and Kevin “The Hitman” Engel (18-4,1 ND,15 KOs) meet in the 10-round main event.
Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside at the Morongo Casino Resort describing the action, while studio host Brian Kenny will present all the latest boxing news and highlights. The card is presented by Gary Shaw Promotions.
Friday will be boxing’s fifth telecast on ESPN 3D, with the next telecast on August 5.
Flint, Mich.’s Dirrell, (the younger brother of 2004 Olympic bronze medalist and super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell), has won his last 10 fights, including a fifth-round knockout win over 2000 U.S. Olympian Dante Craig in his last fight.
St. Louis’ Engel will look to rebound after a third-round TKO loss to Marcus Johnson in his last fight. Engel said of this Friday’s fight, “I’ve seen a little bit of Dirrell. I think he’s good, but I wouldn’t say he’s as good as his brother. He had some good amateur experience, he’s a good fighter, throws a lot of punches and comes to fight. I plan on putting some pressure on. I see he doesn’t keep his right hand up real good, and I’ll try to exploit that. I’m definitely the harder puncher, so I’ll definitely try to work that, too.”
Friday’s card will also feature undefeated junior welterweight Joseph Elegele (12-0, 10 KOs) against Aron “The Killer” Martinez (14-1-1, 3 KOs). Fla.’s Elegele is coming off a second-round knockout win over Angel Hernandez, while L.A.’s Aron is coming off an eight-round decision win over Albert Herrera.
