World-ranked female featherweight Maureen Shea (14-2, 8 KOs) will face rugged veteran Liliana Martinez (8-10, 4 KOs) in a six-round feature fight with regional title implications July 30th at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

The fight, sanctioned by the NABF for a regional 126-lb title, will be featured on Pugnacious Promotions annual "Night of Future Champions" summer fight card during the beginning of racing at the historic Saratoga thoroughbred horse track. Doors to this year’s boxing event will open earlier to showcase some of the area’s best amateur boxers in preliminary bouts supporting the pro fight card.

Shea, 29, first gained notoriety as Hillary Swank’s training partner as the Oscar-winning actress prepared for her role in Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby” with trainer Hector Roca at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn. Swank not only trained and sparred regularly with Shea, but attended the Bronx native’s amateur bouts in the New York area. A NY fight attraction since that time, Shea is now world-ranked by three championship sanctioning bodies. In her last fight at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, she defeated overmatched Norma Faris (3-2, 1 KO), Puerto Rico, by third-round TKO.

Martinez, 26, is a native of Dominican Republic and a 10-year veteran of the ring. She has faced a number of world-class women – including world champion Alesia Graf (24-1, 9 KOs), top-ranked Jenna Shiver (11-4, 2 KOs) and Dominican prospect Katy Penelope Hernandez (12-0, 8 KOs) – and challenged Magdelena Dahlen (10-2, 3 KOs) for a European title in November, 2009.

"I am so pleased to finally have Maureen on our card," said Lisa Elovich. “Her reputation precedes her as the ‘real million dollar baby.’ She’s a great addition to our card featuring young local prospects.”

Guilderland lightweight prospect Mike Faragon (11-0, 5 KOs) will face RI’s Eddie Soto (12-1, 4 KOs) in the eight-round main event. Also appearing on the card are Troy light heavyweight and former All-American Shawn Miller (2-1, 1 KO), Delmar lightweight Zach Smith (3-1) and other fighters to be announced. Amateur boxers include Saratoga Springs junior Mike Barcia and super heavyweight Josh Dulmer, plus the rematch of the region’s amateur welterweight bout of the year between Albany’s Amir Iman and Troy’s Ray Velez.

Tickets and VIP tables, including dinner by Brindisi's Restaurant and table service throughout the evening, are available from Pugnacious Promotions at 518-527-0160 or www.pugnaciouspromotions.com.