Boxers get ‘In Ya Face’

He’s no Nostradamus.

Nor does he possess the powers of Dionne Warwick and her clairvoyant cronies from “The 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.

“If we would ever fight, I’d predict a third-round knockout,” he declared. “If 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 “Brawl Till Ya Fall” boxing event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

“I have opponents locked in for most of my fighters, but I still need one,” said Verdin, who is helping to promote the event. “But I’m going 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.”

And if the event turns out to be as successful as Verdin expects, people will also be talking about it for years.

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

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

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

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

“Mixed martial arts are taking over the entertainment world,” he explained. “Boxing 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.

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

Ringside, floor and riser seats for Brawl 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.