RAMA, ON – Immediately after the final bell sounded marking the end of ten heated, bruising, rounds of boxing action, the ringside accolades were near unanimous in their praise; Neven “No Surrender” Pajkic’s decision over defending champion, the “Steel Pole” Greg Kielsa was the best Canadian Heavyweight title fight anybody present had ever seen.

 

On Wednesday, June 30th, in the main event of Rumble at Rama XII, Pajkic (12-0, 5 KO’s) will get a chance to prove his upset win was no fluke, when he steps in with Kielsa one more time, in easily the most anticipated Canadian Heavyweight title fight of all-time.

 

“As great as their first fight was, Pajkic-Kielsa II promises to be the most eagerly awaited Canadian Heavyweight title fight in history,” said Allan Tremblay, President of Orion Sports Management, and promoter of the Rumble at Rama series.

“Unlike most guys vying for the Canadian title, neither one is a fringe contender lingering in the rankings. These guys have real ability, and bright futures. And they already showed us they’re willing to go to war. This could be the fight that puts Canadian heavyweight boxing back on the map.”

At a press conference today in Toronto, both Kielsa and Pajkic were respectful to each other, yet extremely determined to achieve their respective goals.

“I want my belt back,” Kielsa said of the Canadian title he held from November of 2008 until losing it to Pajkic.

“I’m not making excuses, but I wasn’t myself in our first fight. I’ll be ready for the rematch.”

Pajkic feels this is his chance to pick up where he left off in the first fight, and continue to impress fans, and win over critics.

“You saw in March that I put everything I had into our first fight, but there’s plenty of room for improvement,” Pajkic said.

“Greg’s a great man, athlete, and champion, but (turning to Kielsa), if you want your belt back, you can’t have it.”

In the evening’s co-main event, Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton (6-2-1, 1 KO) returns to Casino Rama, but this time as a full-fledged member of the Orion Sports Management roster, having recently signed a worldwide promotional agreement.

Julaton will be defending her WBO world title against an opponent yet to be named.

“Anybody who saw the way Ana battled against Lisa Brown at Rumble at Rama XI knows that she’s a warrior in the truest sense. The Filipino people saw what she went through in that fight, and how she conducted herself, and they love her for it.” Tremblay said.

“After Ana gets through her defense at Rama on June 30th, we’ll take her back to the Philippines to defend her titles down there. She’s already a fan favorite in the Philippines, and the more she fights, the more popular she’ll become.”

As a result of their involvement in a series of cards in Mexico in conjunction with Yucatan Boxing, Orion Sports Management will showcase their latest signing, hard hitting 20 year-old bantamweight prospect Danny Flores (5-1, 5 KO's).

"I'm pleased to announce the signing of young Mr. Flores, who we'll promote in conjunction with Yucatan Boxing, and take him to the top of the sport. He’s been on some of the shows Orion has supported with Yucatan Boxing in Mexico, and is the first bonafide prospect to come out of those shows,” Tremblay said.

“He’s more of a puncher-boxer, rather than a boxer-puncher, with power in both hands. And once the fans in Rama see what he can do, they’ll want to see him again.

The other undercard fights showcase the continuing progression of Orion’s prospect-laden roster, with undefeated fan-favorite, welterweight Felix Mercedes (5-0, 3 KO’s), and hard-punching heavyweight “The Russian Tank” Artem Lipanov, making his professional debut, each facing opponents still to be named.

 

Rumble at Rama XII will be promoted by Orion Sports Management, in association with Casino Rama.

Tickets for Rumble at Rama XII are $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.