Marianne Marston Set To Face Lana Cooper On September 11th

Finally It’s On! – Marianne Marston Set To Face Lana Cooper On September 11th

Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

The long awaited professional debut of Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston is set for the 11th September, on the undercard of Ultrachem TKO Gym mate Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander’s Lightweight title fight, against Ryan Barrett, at the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘It’s Personal’ event at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

Marston, who will be facing the highly experienced Welsh battler Lana Cooper on the 11th September, was originally due to debut in May last year, against Christina Leadbeater, on the undercard of Brian Cohen’s WBC Americas title fight in South Philadelphia.

However, instead of facing Leadbeater in Philadelphia, Marston, the protégé of legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier, had a much bigger battle on her hands, some 3500 miles away, with the American Embassy in London who had refused to issue her with the necessary visa required to fight professionally in America.

Following a training session, under the watchful eyes of her manager Johnny Eames and her coach Derek Grainger, at the famed fight factory known as the Ultrachem TKO Gym in Canning Town, Marston spoke of her upcoming fight. “I am so pleased to finally getting to fight. It’s going to be extra special for me as the fight is actually here in England.  I mean, the reason I went to America to train, in the first place, was because there didn’t seem any chance of me getting to fight here as there are so few British female pros.

OK, not just that. When you get asked by Smoke (Smokin’ Joe Frazier) to go to Philadelphia to be trained by him and Marvis (Marvis Frazier) you grab it firmly with both hands.

I was heartbroken when I was refused the visa to fight in America, especially as I had been over there training for over two years with no problem, I thought that’s it I’ll never get to fight now. How wrong could I have been?

Mind you I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if I hadn’t switched my training to the Ultrachem TKO Gym in April. Johnny and Derek have been awesome. I barely had any coaching at the other London gym I was at. Terry (former Team GB head coach Terry Edwards MBE) would come and help me when he could, as would Ben (Light Welterweight Ben ‘The Entertainer’ Day) and Karl (Welterweight Karol ‘Dr KO’ Ozimkowski).

Within a week of being here, at the Ultrachem TKO Gym, Johnny became my manager and Derek my coach. Now they’ve got me a fight right here in London!

I’ve watched Lana fight, when she fought my good friend, and sparring partner, Angel (Angel McKenzie) back last year. I seem to recall she was taller than Angel, which means she’ll be taller than me also. I would think she’ll aim to keep me on the outside, as she did with Angel. I’m quite happy to fight on the outside as Steve (IBF Cruiserweight Champion Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham) worked with me on this when I was in Philly.

I’m used to fighting heavier girls than myself, in fact everyone I sparred in Philly was bigger and heavier than me other than Christina (Leadbeater) who is the same weight as me.

I have been taught my craft by the best in the business, Smoke (Joe Frazier), Marvis (Frazier), Steve (Cunningham), Terry (Edwards) and Derek (Grainger). Now it’s down to me to prove that their time, effort and belief in me was not wasted. I have no intention of letting them, or myself, down.”

Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston versus Lana Cooper will be on Saturday 11th September 2010 as part of the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘It’s Personal’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.

Headlining Goodwin Promotions ‘It’s Personal’ event will be former English Super Featherweight Champion Ryan Barrett against Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander in a Lightweight title clash.

Co-headline will feature undefeated Light Middleweight rising star ‘Phat’ Pat McAleese  in a championship fight against a yet to be named opponent.

Supporting the title double header will be no less than five undefeated stars; Cruiserweight Tony Conquest, 4 (1KO)-0, Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert, 6(4KO)-0, Lightweight Bradley Evans 5-0-1, Light Middleweight Michael Norgrove 2-0 and Lightweight Tony Owen 7(1KO)-0 all against yet to named opposition.

Goodwin promotions ‘It’s Personal’ event also features the professional debuts of Lightweight Jamie Arlain and exciting, Ultrachem TKO Trained, Light Heavyweight Joel McIntyre.

Tickets for ‘It’s Personal’ at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 11th September 2010 are priced £35 (Unreserved) or £60 (Ringside).

For tickets call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tickets.justlisten2this.com or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.