A former North American champion, McGuinness is looking to fight his way back to a title in 2015, beginning with a win on March 28. Across the ring, the thirty-three year old Juarez will be hungry to jump start his career and make a run for the world title.
At light heavyweight, Steve “Orangeville Express” Franjic (12-1-1, 7KOs) makes his much anticipated return against hard-punching Argentinean Ricardo Marcelo Ramallo (16-6-1, 11KOs) in an eight rounder. Franjic is focused on returning to the win column after suffering an upset defeat at the hands of Mexico’s Alvaro Gaona (14-4-0, 9KOs) last November. Although he typically campaigns at light heavyweight, Franjic is the reigning, undisputed Canadian super middleweight champion.
In an exciting match up of national light middleweight contenders, undefeated Hamiltonian Kevin Higson (5-0-0) meets once-defeated Junmar Emon (6-1-0, 2KOs) of Toronto in an eight round tilt for Ontario bragging rights. Last November, Higson was tested against Mexican veteran Erick Mireles (8-7-0, 3KOs), but passed with flying colours, boxing his way to a unanimous decision victory. Emon, who has been rehabbing an injury, is looking for a successful return and a second crack at Canadian champ Brandon Cook (14-0-0, 8KOs).
In a special attraction, Canadian heavyweight legend Donovan “Razor” Ruddock (38-5-1, 29KOs) returns from retirement to take on an opponent TBA. Ruddock is famous for his hard fought battles with “Iron” Mike Tyson in the early 1990s. During his career, “Razor” won the Canadian heavyweight title twice, defeating Ken Lakusta and Egerton Marcus for the honour. He also won the IBC World Title, later held by Lennox Lewis and Michael Grant.
Undefeated Oakville middleweight Ryan Young (6-0-0, 6KOs) looks for his seventh KO in as many fights in a six rounder with Bruno Leonardo Romay (8-3-0, 8KOs). Young was named the 2014 Central Canadian Fighter of the Year by www.canadianboxiana.com. He is currently ranked #3 and #5 in Canada by the Canadian Professional Boxing Council (CPBC) and National Championships of Canada (NCC), respectively.
After two wins away from home in 2014, Hamilton super featherweight Josh O’Reilly (2-0-0) makes his Ontario debut on March 28 against Brazilian veteran Diego Vicente Perez (8-6-1, 6KOs) in a six rounder. O’Reilly scored shutout unanimous decision victories in his first two fights, defeating James Owens (5-19-0, 2KOs) of Wisconsin and Michael Gargouri (0-3-1) of Quebec to kick start his career.
Last, but certainly not least, slick boxing Tim Cronin (3-1-0) will go six rounds or less against a light heavyweight TBA.
Tickets starting at $20 are available via the Hershey Centre Box Office and www.ticketmaster.ca