‘Brawl Till Ya Fall’ spurs fighting words

He’s no Nostradamus.

Nor does he possess the powers of Dionne Warwick and her clairvoyant cronies from &#8220The Psychic Friends Network.”

But that doesn’t prevent Justin Verdin from making bold predictions about the outcome of a potential light-heavyweight matchup against Ricky Folse.

&#8220If we would ever fight, I’d predict a third-round knockout,” he declared. &#8220If he’d make it past the third, then I’d definitely win by decision.”

Verdin (3-0, 3 KO’s) has been working feverishly to turn his vision into a reality in time for In Ya Face Fight Production’s first ever &#8220Brawl Till Ya Fall” boxing event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Houma/Terrebonne Civic Center.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Verdin is actually scheduled to meet Michael Trailer in an undercard bout, but will gladly bump Trailer if Folse agrees to step into the ring.

&#8220I have opponents locked in for most of my fighters,” explained Verdin, who is helping to promote the event, &#8220but I still want to fight Folse as long as he doesn’t back down. It will be a hard fight – he’s really tough. People have been waiting for this (bout) for years.”

If &#8220Brawl Til Ya Fall” turns out to be as successful as Verdin expects, people will also be talking about the event for years.

The featured bout will pit Verdin’s cousin, Louisiana State light-heavyweight champion &#8220Smilin’” Martin Verdin, against Shannon Miller.

Other matchups will include UBO All-American Super Middle Weight Zane &#8220The Train” Marks (15-3, 12 KO’s), &#8220Big” John Dixon, Johnnie &#8220Lethal” White (16-0, 14 KO’s) and former IBA Women’s World Champion Jeanne &#8220Boom Boom” Martinez.

&#8220This fight card is the best there is in southern Louisiana,” Verdin said. &#8220Everybody is really a main event fighter.”

Albert Pierre, promoter and co-owner of In Ya Face Productions, believes &#8220Brawl Till Ya Fall” will do good things for the local boxing scene.

&#8220Mixed martial arts are taking over the entertainment world,” he explained. &#8220Boxing isn’t as popular as it used to be, but we’d like to keep it alive as much as we can. This will be a really good event because we have all pros on the card and local area fighters who have titles.”

Verdin wholeheartedly agrees. That’s why he’s training rigorously at Extreme Fitness, the exercise facility he co-owns with Pierre in Houma.

Even though he’s uncertain about his chances of securing a bout against Folse, Verdin wants to be prepared just in case.

&#8220We don’t like each other,” Verdin admitted. &#8220I hit hard and he hits hard. It will be a grudge match.”

Ringside, floor and riser seats for &#8220Brawl Till Ya Fall” are on sale at the Civic Center Box Office (985-850-4657) and Extreme Fitness (985-873-2582).

Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.