Canadian Heavyweight Champion Kielsa Faces Biggest Test Yet

Posted on | August 15, 2009 | No Comments

Heavyweight Giant Kevin Montiy to Face “Steel Pole” at Rumble at Rama IX

RAMA, ON (August 15, 2009) – With no challengers willing to step up on the domestic front yet again, Canadian Heavyweight champion Greg “The Steel Pole” Kielsa (10-0, 5 KO’s) will take on hulking American Kevin Montiy (17-6-1, 13 KO’s) on the Rumble at Rama IX undercard, September 4th, at Casino Rama, in Rama, Ontario.

The main event of Rumble at Rama IX pits defending WBO Junior Bantamweight champion Jose Lopez (39-7-2, 32 KO’s) against Philipino upstart “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona (13-0, 12 KO’s), in what promises to be an all out war between one of the sport’s toughest world champions and one of its most promising stars.

In the evening’s co-feature, former IBF Junior Featherweight world champion, “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor (29-1, 11 KO’s) continues his quest for a second world title when he faces tough Argentine Sergio Escobar (11-8-1, 2 KO’s).

“We’re pleased to add a quality fight like Kielsa-Montiy to what already should be one of the most exciting cards anywhere this year,” said Alan Tremblay, president of Orion Sports Management.

“Greg (Kielsa) is a bright heavyweight prospect, but to become something in the sport you have to get past quality fighters like Montiy.”

After going the distance in three of his four fights in 2008, Kielsa has cranked it up in 2009, going 2-0, with 2 KO’s, against his toughest opposition yet.

In March, Kielsa defended his title with a devastating 8th round TKO over leading Canadian contender Arthur Cook, and followed it up with an equally crushing fourth round TKO over American Byron Polley.

The 34 year-old Montiy, from Flat Rock, Michigan, has been in with top heavyweights like former world title challenger Michael Grant, the man who retired the legendary “Iron” Mike Tyson, Kevin McBride, and hard-hitting contender Shane Cameron, and provides Kielsa with a crucial litmus test that must be passed with flying colors.

Kielsa’s Canadian title will not be on the line against Montiy.

Held in Casino Rama’s state-of-the-art 5,200 seat Entertainment Centre, the Rumble at Rama series has firmly established the Casino as the premier venue in which to see the Big Time Excitement of a world-class fight in Ontario. Rumble at Rama IX takes place on Friday, September 4th, with the undercard bouts getting underway at 8:00 pm.

The Molitor-Escobar fight and the WBO title match between Lopez and Sonsona will be shown on TSN in Canada, and both bouts will also be seen on national carrier coverage in both the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

Tickets for Rumble at Rama IX will be $125, $75, $50 and $25 and are available in-person at the Casino Rama Box Office, and at all TicketMaster locations, by calling (416) 870-8000 and online at www.casinorama.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable taxes or service charges.

ABOUT ORION SPORTS MANAGEMENT

Orion Sports Management is an Ontario based promotional company known for staging first class boxing events. Run by former Canadian Airline executive Allan Tremblay, Orion is the force behind Ontario’s biggest match ups, from their launch event at The Air Canada Centre (“The Night Of The Hurricane”) to a series of televised events in the Niagara region featuring “Baby Joe” Mesi, Razor Ruddock, Egerton Marcus, Chad Brisson, and Steve Molitor.

ABOUT CASINO RAMA

Operating 24-hours a day, seven days a week since July 31, 1996, Casino Rama is Ontario’s only First Nations commercial casino. The Casino offers a complete entertainment experience with over 2,500 slot machines, more than 110 gaming tables, ten unique restaurants, a world-class 5,000 seat Entertainment Centre and a 300-room all-suite, full-service hotel, featuring spa and health club facilities. Casino Rama is operated by Penn National Gaming, Inc.