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ESPN Pro Boxing Coming to Veterans Arena

Kevin Meerschaert

For the first time since 1997 professional boxing is returning to Jacksonville.

The Big City Brawl in Duval at Veterans Arena will be broadcast live by ESPN on Friday June 28th.

It will feature eight bouts with a middleweight fight between Sergio Mora and Grzegorz (Zagers) Proksa as the main event.  

More was the first winner of The Contender NBC series. Proksa is from Poland and is one of the highest ranked European fighters.

Jacksonville Sport and Entertainment Director Alan Verlander says he’s looking forward to expanding the kind of sports that the city can host.

One of the heavyweight bouts will feature Chris Vendola of Fernadina Beach.

He says he’s looking forward to fighting on national TV in his hometown.

The night of boxing will be part of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights weekly series.

Tickets go on sale Friday morning at the Veterans Arena box office.  

Kevin Meerschaert has left WJCT for new pursuits. He was the producer of First Coast Connect until October of 2018.