Boxing: Boxing: Gatti Ward 3 Announced, Micheal Grant on ESPN2

- BLOOMFIELD, NJ (April 7, 2003) - Representatives for Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward have agreed to terms for a third bout between the two jr. welterweights, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. The bout will take place on June 7 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Bally�s Atlantic City, the host for Ward-Gatti II, will host the third bout as well.

�The first two bouts between these two courageous warriors were legendary,� said Duva. �I expect nothing less when they meet for third time in June.�

�I have a tremendous amount of respect for Micky,� said Gatti. �Our first two fights were memorable for boxing fans, and I don�t think our third fight will be any different.�

The first Gatti-Ward bout-May 18, 2002-easily captured 2002 �Fight of the Year� honors, and is recognized by many as one of the greatest fights ever.

Ward-Gatti II-November 22, 2002-was the highest grossing non-heavyweight fight in Atlantic City history ($1.6 million-plus).

The Gatti-Ward III bout will be broadcast live on HBO�s �World Championship Boxing� series. There will also be a live televised co-feature bout.

- CKP'S MICHAEL GRANT FACES MARTINEZ APRIL 18 ON ESPN2

Heavyweight contender Michael Grant, who's promoted by Cedric Kushner Promotions, meets Gilberto Martinez in the 10-round main event on a nationally televised card April 18 in Lemoore, Calif.

The 6-foot-7-inch Grant, originally from Chicago and now living in Norristown, Pa., has a record of 37-2 with 28 knockouts.

The 30-year-old Grant, who met Lennox Lewis for the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation heavyweight championships during 2000, has won six straight by knockout: Carlton Johnson in the fifth round Jan. 24 in Philadelphia; James Walton in the fourth Nov. 7 in Washington, D.C.; Robert Davis in the third Aug. 3 in Ledyard, Conn.; Anthony Willis in the second June 1 in Las Vegas, Nev.; Joe Lenhart in the fifth April 13 in Chester, W. Va.; and Reynaldo Minus in the fourth March 9 in Pittsburgh.

"We've worked hard and have six straight wins by knockout, and now we're ready for bigger fights the rest of this year," said Grant.

The 36-year-old Martinez, from Roseville, Calif., has a record of 15-7-1 with four knockouts, including a mark of 7-1-1 with five knockouts for his past nine fights.

Martinez, a southpaw, is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision over former World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Tony Tubbs Jan. 17 in Lemoore.

The card, presented by George Chung's American Champion Sports and held at the Palace Indian Gaming Center, is televised by ESPN2.

Cedric Kushner Promotions, one of the world's premiere boxing promotional firms, presents numerous nationally and internationally televised cards each year. During the past 20 years Cedric Kushner Promotions has presented more than 300 world championship bouts on six continents.

Cedric Kushner Promotions promotes a number of world-class boxers including, heavyweights David Tua and Jameel McCline; undefeated and highly regarded welterweight prospect Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson; and super featherweights Joel Casamayor, ranked No. 1 by both the WBA and the World Boxing Organization, and Stevie Forbes, rated No. 1 by the IBF.

I dont know if you guys saw their first two fights but they were awesome. I am really looking forward to it.