"The Show"

I have been touting this kid as the next great fighter to emerge as a popular figure. Finally getting his chance to shine, I will be there ringside and if anyone is in that area I hope you will attend. I have sparred and met with Verquan and have been a strong supporter of him since the end of his amateur career and the beginning of his pro career. In one of his last fights he knocked the guy out with 1 punch. Dont sleep on this guy! Pittsburgh prospects step up! July 25, 2005 By Brady Crytzer On Thursday, August 11th Greg Nixon's World Class Promotions and The Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort will present another night of stellar boxing action in Chester, WV. The headliner of the card will place rising star Verquan "The Show" Kimbrough into the toughest challenge of his young, hopeful and undefeated (12-0-1) career when he takes on the always dangerous, hungry and experienced Forrest Neal of Cleveland, Ohio for the IBC Continental Championship. Kimbrough, who is the owner of the I.B.C. America's title, will return to his home turf after scoring a 4th round knockout of Antonio Young in his Las Vegas debut. Once touted as "The Next Sugar Ray Leonard" by Boxing's legendary trainer Emmanuel Steward due to his amazing amateur success, Kimbrough opted out of the 2004 Athens Games in pursuit of his professional career. It was that amateur background that elevated him to the position of one of the hottest prospects in boxing. Forrest Neal (17-3-2), himself an amateur great, brings an experience edge that is hard to match for any fighter in the game. Facing "The Show" in front of his hometown fans will be no problem for Neal, as most of his bouts have taken place south of the Rio Grande against locally favored fighters. Both Kimbrough and Neal are in search of a higher standing, and a win in this fight will propel either men into the top ten of the Super Featherweight division. "Verquan is ready for this step up in class," said World Class Promotions' Kingpin Greg Nixon. "He has impressively stopped his last three opponents with amazing knockouts. Verquan Kimbrough is the future of boxing, there is no sign of him stopping anytime soon." In the Co-main event of the evening, fellow Pittsburgh native Monty Meza-Clay (15-0) will put his perfect record on the line when he collides head on with Marty Robbins of Nashville, TN. Clay, who has found himself in the shadow of Kimbrough, has been building a strong case for himself as of late thanks to his non-stop aggressive style and strong mix of lightning fast hands and thunderous power. The undercard will feature number 2 IBF contender Michael Clark (34-3) of Columbus, Ohio in an eight-round Lightweight contest against Jerry Cooper (17-14) of Kansas City. Local favorites will also be on the card. George Klinesmith (20-9-3) of Bloomingdale, Ohio, will attempt to rebound from a tough loss in a title bout in April. Durrell Richardson (6-0) of Youngstown will return to the ring after a nine-month layoff. Robbie Strauss (2-2) of Bridgeville will make his Mountaineer debut with trainer and former Steeler Craig Wolfley in his corner. In a female bout, Leslee "Long Play" Perella (2-1) will try to avenge her lone defeat when she takes on Shakira Witherspoon, cousin of former World Heavyweight Champion, "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon. The fight will be held at Mountaineer's Grande Ballroom with the undercard to get underway at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $120 – Platinum; $60 – Gold; $20 – Reserved and can be obtained through any Ticketmaster location or on site at Mountaineer at the Downtown Speakeasy Roarin' 20's Department. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2002-04-27/PH_2002-04-28_kimbro4-a.jpg