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The amazing story of Edison Miranda!
March 15, 2006
By Karl Freitag
http://www.*********.com/freitag221.htm
On March 24, unbeaten middleweight Edison "Pantera" Miranda will be fighting the dangerous "Battlesea Bomber" Howard Eastman (40-3, 34 KOs) in an eliminator for the IBF #1 spot in an ESPN2-televised clash from the Seminole Hard Rock LIVE Arena in Hollywood, Florida. In preparation for this fight, Miranda (25-0, 22 KOs) has relocated to Puerto Rico to be under the guidance of trainer Jose Bonilla.
"Puerto Rico has changed Edison's life," says Miranda's co-manager Steve Benbasat. "I feel more comfortable being thousands of miles away from my fighter than when I lived down the street from him. Jose Bonilla is not only one of the best trainers in all of boxing, but he also has become a father figure for Edison. He actually lives with him six nights each week and goes running with him at 5AM each morning."
That Miranda is now one fight away from challenging for the world middleweight is an amazing story of courage, determination and survival.
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Miranda was abandoned by his mother at one month old. He lived with a family friend until nine years old, but was treated very badly so he decided to try to find his mother again. He traveled across the entire country all by himself and finally found her, however, she rejected him again. So, he was all alone at nine years old living on the tough streets of Colombia until he was 16 (no brothers, cousins, friends, etc...). Edison performed odd jobs here and there in order to survive and ate whatever he could find on the side of the street. At 16, he found boxing, which saved his life. He turned pro at age 20, but still struggled as the promoters in Colombia kept all of the money from his fights.
Things changed last year when Miranda was signed at age 24 by Warriors Boxing Promoters in the United States. This allowed the him to move to Hollywood, Florida. Steve Benbasat and Greg Wantman became his new managers. In the U.S., Miranda's life started to turn for the better because he was actually guaranteed fights and making some money. Leon Margules, Director of Boxing at Warriors, took a big interest and always went out of his way for him.
Benbasat and Wantman also took a very big interest in Edison. They provided him with food and an apartment and promised Edison that there is no limit when it comes to training / sparring expense.
"The missing element was good training," says Benbasat. "For one, he was not learning enough to make him the top notch fighter he is capable of being. Additionally, here in the US, the gyms are like a circus. Everyone talks bad things to the fighter about their trainer, manager, promoter, etc… There is a lack of professionalism here, and it was affecting Edison negatively."
Margules recommended having Edison train with Bonilla in Puerto Rico. Miranda and Bonilla are currently preparing for the Eastman fight at the Roberto Clemente Sports Complex in San Juan, one of the most sophisticated training facilities in the world. He has immediate access to physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, strength and conditioning advisors, and nutritionists.
In addition, Miranda has become good friends with the other fighters that Bonilla trains. They all stick together like a team. He is around good people and there is a strong sense of respect between boxers. Everyone accepts him at the gym, in his apartment complex, and at local restaurants. In fact, the owners of "Shots," a local restaurant, has decided to feed Edison free during his training.
On March 24, Edison Miranda wants to show his appreciation for what Puerto Rico has done for him. He has decided to be announced in the ring as "...fighting out of San Juan, Puerto Rico." He has also decided to add the Puerto Rican flag to his trunks on fight night when he says he is expecting to end Eastman's career.
For even more information on Edison Miranda, visit his website: www.panteraboxing.com.
March 15, 2006
By Karl Freitag
http://www.*********.com/freitag221.htm
On March 24, unbeaten middleweight Edison "Pantera" Miranda will be fighting the dangerous "Battlesea Bomber" Howard Eastman (40-3, 34 KOs) in an eliminator for the IBF #1 spot in an ESPN2-televised clash from the Seminole Hard Rock LIVE Arena in Hollywood, Florida. In preparation for this fight, Miranda (25-0, 22 KOs) has relocated to Puerto Rico to be under the guidance of trainer Jose Bonilla.
"Puerto Rico has changed Edison's life," says Miranda's co-manager Steve Benbasat. "I feel more comfortable being thousands of miles away from my fighter than when I lived down the street from him. Jose Bonilla is not only one of the best trainers in all of boxing, but he also has become a father figure for Edison. He actually lives with him six nights each week and goes running with him at 5AM each morning."
That Miranda is now one fight away from challenging for the world middleweight is an amazing story of courage, determination and survival.
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Miranda was abandoned by his mother at one month old. He lived with a family friend until nine years old, but was treated very badly so he decided to try to find his mother again. He traveled across the entire country all by himself and finally found her, however, she rejected him again. So, he was all alone at nine years old living on the tough streets of Colombia until he was 16 (no brothers, cousins, friends, etc...). Edison performed odd jobs here and there in order to survive and ate whatever he could find on the side of the street. At 16, he found boxing, which saved his life. He turned pro at age 20, but still struggled as the promoters in Colombia kept all of the money from his fights.
Things changed last year when Miranda was signed at age 24 by Warriors Boxing Promoters in the United States. This allowed the him to move to Hollywood, Florida. Steve Benbasat and Greg Wantman became his new managers. In the U.S., Miranda's life started to turn for the better because he was actually guaranteed fights and making some money. Leon Margules, Director of Boxing at Warriors, took a big interest and always went out of his way for him.
Benbasat and Wantman also took a very big interest in Edison. They provided him with food and an apartment and promised Edison that there is no limit when it comes to training / sparring expense.
"The missing element was good training," says Benbasat. "For one, he was not learning enough to make him the top notch fighter he is capable of being. Additionally, here in the US, the gyms are like a circus. Everyone talks bad things to the fighter about their trainer, manager, promoter, etc… There is a lack of professionalism here, and it was affecting Edison negatively."
Margules recommended having Edison train with Bonilla in Puerto Rico. Miranda and Bonilla are currently preparing for the Eastman fight at the Roberto Clemente Sports Complex in San Juan, one of the most sophisticated training facilities in the world. He has immediate access to physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, strength and conditioning advisors, and nutritionists.
In addition, Miranda has become good friends with the other fighters that Bonilla trains. They all stick together like a team. He is around good people and there is a strong sense of respect between boxers. Everyone accepts him at the gym, in his apartment complex, and at local restaurants. In fact, the owners of "Shots," a local restaurant, has decided to feed Edison free during his training.
On March 24, Edison Miranda wants to show his appreciation for what Puerto Rico has done for him. He has decided to be announced in the ring as "...fighting out of San Juan, Puerto Rico." He has also decided to add the Puerto Rican flag to his trunks on fight night when he says he is expecting to end Eastman's career.
For even more information on Edison Miranda, visit his website: www.panteraboxing.com.
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