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ESPN's Friday Night Fights Brings The Big City Brawl In Duval

ESPN / Big City Brawl In Duval

It's the city’s first televised boxing match in nearly 20 years (that's since the Clinton administration, folks).

ESPN’s Friday Night Fightsis turning the national spotlight on the First Coast.

Tonight at the Veterans Memorial Arena, it’s the Big City Brawl in Duval!

190 million viewers will tune in, but local boxing fans can see the ringside action in person with tickets available at the door.

In fact, Jaguars defense end Jeremy Mincey will match each ticket sold by purchasing a second- so it's two tickets for one for fight attendees.

Former middleweight world title challenger Grzegorz Proksa is the big attraction at tonight’s main event, and featured on the undercard is Jacksonville’s own local fighter, heavyweight Curtis Harper. Other First Coast boxers entering the ring:

  • Jacksonville heavyweight Chris Vendola, who'll appear in a 4 round heavyweight scrap against Kareem Brann, a Jacksonville Corrections Officer and F.O.P. member in his professional debut
  • Jacksonville middleweight Steve Chadwick - he'll also appear in a 4 round bout.

"The excitement is palpable," says spokesman Bill Guerrant, who adds that HBO Boxing is also eyeing the First Coast. Talk about a TKO! More about the eventhere.

 

Melissa Ross joined WJCT in 2009 with 20 years of experience in broadcasting, including stints in Cincinnati, Chicago, Orlando and Jacksonville. During her career as a television and radio news anchor and reporter, Melissa has won four regional Emmys for news and feature reporting.