BOSTON  - Undefeated Polish heavyweight contender Mariusz Wach (24-0, 12 KO) and Irish strongman Kevin McBride (35-9-1, 29 KO) met face to face for the first time Thursday afternoon at The Greatest Bar in downtown Boston to announce their July 12-round WBC International Heavyweight championship match on July 29 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

 

Wach of North Bergen, NJ by way of Krakow, Poland and McBride of Dorchester, Mass., by way of Clones, Ireland were nose to nose as each stated their confidence ahead of their main event fight at "Heat Wave", which is promoted by Classic Entertainment & Sports and Global Boxing Promotions.

"He is definitely the most experienced fighter I have ever fought," said Wach, a 2004 Olympic representative for his native Poland. "It's gonna be the biggest challenge in my professional career, but I know that I'm ready for that. It's time to stop dreaming, stop playing and start fighting. On July 29th you will see what I'm all about."

McBride, who represented Ireland in the 1992 Olympic games, wasn't intimidated at all by his opponent's boldness.

"There were a lot of fireworks on the Fourth of July, but you will see the real fireworks on July 29th," said McBride, whose career best performance was a knockout of heavyweight legend "Iron" Mike Tyson in 2005. I respect Wach, but I'm coming to Mohegan Sun to win."

While focused on the opponent in front of him, Wach had a message for the heavyweight champion brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, both of whom Wach is planning to target next should he emerge victorious on July 29.

"Klitschko brothers, don't even think about retirement. After McBride, I'm coming for your belts!"

 

In the era of super heavyweight boxing, Wach's 6'8", 250 pound frame and McBride's 6'6" 280 pound body are both equipped with enough power to end the fight with a single punch.

In the 10-round co-featured bout, Elvin Ayala (23-5-1, 11 KOs) of New Haven, Conn., will battle Hartford’s Israel “Pito” Cardona (36-10, 28 KOs) for the vacant WBC U.S. National Boxing Council (USNBC) middleweight championship.

Also featured will be Global Boxing heavyweight Artur Szpilka, who is unbeaten at 6-0 (4 KO), in a four-round heavyweight.

Tickets for “Heat Wave” are $40.00, $65.00 and $105.00 and can be purchased by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254 or calling Ticketmaster at 1.800.745.3000. Fans can also purchase tickets online at www.cesboxing.com , www.ticketmaster.com , or at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.

For more information on “Heat Wave,” visit www.cesboxing.com or www.mohegansun.com . Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m.