Ilir Kastrati and Marcus Thorne will fight for the vacant national middleweight title at the Riverton Arena in seven weeks, promoters confirmed on Wednesday. It is a rematch of the bout that many fans called the fight of the year, when Thorne won a split decision after ten bruising rounds.
The belt became vacant last month when the previous champion moved up a weight class. Both fighters were ranked among the top three contenders, and the national boxing federation approved the matchup within days.
Unfinished business
Their first meeting, last winter, swung back and forth. Kastrati, a heavy-handed southpaw from Northvale, dropped Thorne in the fourth round. Thorne, a quick counter-puncher from Port Alden, recovered to dominate the later rounds and took the decision on two of the three judges’ cards.
I watched that fight more times than I can count. I know exactly where I lost it, and it won’t happen again. This time there will be no need for the judges.
Ilir Kastrati, 28, record 19 wins and 2 losses
Thorne, 30, was more measured at the press conference. “Ilir hits harder than anyone I’ve faced,” he said. “But I won the first one, and I’ve improved since then. I’m bringing the belt home to Port Alden.”
Different camps
Kastrati has left his longtime trainer and moved his camp to a gym in Riverton, working with former national champion Goran Ilic. Thorne will stay in Port Alden with the coach who has been in his corner since his amateur days.
Promoter Elena Sandoval said the undercard would include two regional title fights and the professional debut of a young heavyweight from Elmbridge.
Tickets and broadcast
Tickets go on sale on Friday morning, and Sandoval expects the 9,000-seat arena to sell out quickly. The full card will also be shown live by a national sports channel.
“These two belong together,” Sandoval said. “Fans have been asking for this rematch since the final bell of the first fight.”
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