KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The Key West boxing tradition, whose fans included legendary author Ernest Hemingway, is to be celebrated Friday, Jan. 14, with an eight-bout match scheduled at Mallory Square overlooking Key West Harbor.
Titled “Fight Night in the Keys,” the open-air sporting challenge offers spectators the chance to view big-name boxing in a subtropical waterfront setting. For those who can’t travel to Key West, the match is to be broadcast on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
The scheduled main event is a 10-round bout between super middleweights Peter Manfredo and Daniel Edouard. Manfredo has a record of 36 wins, 20 of them knockouts, and six losses. His competitor Edouard boasts 23 wins, three losses and two draws.
The other scheduled marquee event pits super middleweight Edwin Rodriguez, whose career includes 17 wins and no losses, against Aaron Pryor Jr. Pryor has racked up 15 wins and two losses in his career.
The evening’s action also is to include local favorite Danny Van Staden and a notable stable of other fighters.
The Fight Night tradition recalls a Key West history of boxing that harks back to the 1930s, when Hemingway lived on the island. The author often officiated local boxing matches at a makeshift arena, and befriended and sparred with a group of fighters from the Bahama Village district.
The gates at Mallory Square are to open at 6 p.m. ET and the first bout is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets are available online at www.keystix.com, priced at $35 per person for general admission, $65 for ringside seats and $150 for VIP seating and admission to three event parties.
Event information: 305-292-0486
Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
Social: www.facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest • twitter.com/thefloridakeys
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