Tonya Harding Canada Boxing Update...

[Leo]

Harding bringing dubious act to town
Bad girl of boxing must first secure a visa

_Collin Gallant

The Edmonton Journal

Wednesday, February 18, 2004


EDMONTON - She's signed, sealed, and, if she can get across the border, Tonya Harding will be delivered onto an Edmonton boxing card this summer.

The disgraced Olympic figure skater has signed with Edmonton promoter Wayne Barry to fight in late June on a card slated for the Shaw Conference Centre.

Harding's opponent has yet to be determined, but Barry's lineup could see a pair of Canadian title bouts serving as a double main event.

After a year in the ring, Harding is still known more for her drawing power than her punching power.

"I'm not in boxing for the publicity," said Harding in a phone interview from her Portland, Ore. gym.

"I'm still in it, I still love it, and I'm looking forward to the future," said Harding, whose only remaining hurdle to make the local show is securing a visa. She has a 10-year-old conspiracy conviction stemming from the Nancy Kerrigan scandal and a disorderly conduct charge from a 2000 domestic dispute.

The 33-year-old, who is 3-2 since she turned pro one year ago, has been known for bringing her brawling style to the ring as an attraction on undercards.

A recent change in management has the self-proclaimed bad-girl-of-boxing act noticeably toned down, and, she says, the sweet science turned up.

"I wanted to learn to fight and not just be thrown into the ring so someone else can make some money," said Harding, who'll appear for an undisclosed amount, certainly more than an average one-year pro would command for a four-round fight.

"If people want to cheer or boo, that's OK because they're paying my salary ... the best revenge is success," said Harding.

While Barry is still looking for Harding's opponent, it will not be hometown sensation Jelena Mrdjenovich.

"I'd love to fight her," said Mrdjenovich, ranked among the top 20 lightweights in the world, out of Harding's ballpark.

"Tonya's ****y, talks a lot. People think it would be a waste of my time, but I'd love to see what would happen ... to put her in her place," said the 22-year-old puncher, who is 4-0 as a professional, with three knockouts.

"I've been fighting to get respect for women's boxing, and there has been quite a bit of skill added to the scene," said Mrdjenovich.

"But I wouldn't consider Harding to be a part of that."

Both Mrdjenovich and trainer Milan Lubovac at the Panther Boxing Club can foresee a bout against Harding next fall.

In the meantime, Mrdjenovich will definitely meet someone on the June card, which will feature Edmonton native (Super) Mario Lechowski in a possible rematch against Billy Irwin for the Canadian lightweight belt.

The other title bout will be put together after a St. Patrick Day's title fight in Winnipeg clears up the welterweight division.
Still, the major draw appears to be Harding, in a local fight scene that some consider in danger of stagnating.

"I've yet to sell out the (5,000-seat) Shaw Conference Centre," said Barry.
"So does boxing in Edmonton die, or do we try something else?"

In the last year, three shows of local up-and-comers have enjoyed modest success, but Barry hopes that Harding's extra drawing power will help to sell out Edmonton's first title fight in three years.

"She's coming in as kind of a celebrity," said Barry.

"She's controversial, and I'm trying to get seats sold."


©_Copyright _2004_Edmonton Journal


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Note: Because This site has been down for a week there was news about Tonya Harding And Nancy Kerrigan on "The Early Show" on CBS Monday Feb 23 2004 and I've posted and Update on what Nancy Kerrigan had to say about Tonya Harding on the "Tonya Harding to skate again!!!" Thread..