BONSANTE TO FACE MARTINEZ AT CANTERBURY DOWNS, WEIGHS IN AT 154 LBS

August 23, 2003 SHAKOPEE, MN- International Boxing Association Super Middleweight champion Tony "The Bullet" Bonsante will take on Newport, Kentucky veteran Roni Martinez in a scheduled ten round non-title bout here tonight.

Bonsante, who won the IBA title in April with an eleventh round knockout over Tony Ayala on ESPN2, shocked everyone by weighing in at 154 pounds for tomorrow's bout.

"I wanted to prove it to everyone that I have always been a junior middleweight. I fought as heavy as light-heavyweight just to get fights, but my best weight is 154," said Bonsante.

Manager Bill Kaehn agreed. "Tony's best weight is super welterweight and we will prove it tomorrow," Kaehn said.

There has been a rivalry brewing in the Twin Cities between Bonsante and protected ticket seller Matt Vanda from St. Paul. Tempers flared on a recent WCCO Radio interview with Bonsante last week.

"I will fight Vanda winner take all, any time and anywhere," said Bonsante. "Vanda's people have whined about the weight keeping us apart, but no more. Come and get it pussies."

The Bonsante - Martinez bout is part of a three fight card presented by Canterbury Downs Racetrack in combination with a full racing program.

"The response has been incredible," said Kaehn. "This is the first time Tony has boxed in is adopted home town of Shokapee and the reception has been amazing."

Tim Carrizales of Waukesha, Wisconsin will face Juan Baltierrez of St. Paul and C.B. Bunkholt of Bloomington, Minnesota will take on Gabriel Perez of Milwaukee in a pair of six round preliminary bouts.

For more information contact Canterbury Downs Racetrack at 952-445-7223.