J.C. CANDELO vs JULIO GARCIA Headline July 26 Fight Card

30.06 - Press Release - Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Brian Young/Prize Fight Boxing will present a sensational championship fight card on Saturday, July 26, 2003, at Sam's Town Tunica in Robinsonville, Mississippi. This event is the latest edition of the monthly Saturday Night Fight series at Sam's Town. The fights will be held in the River Palace Entertainment Center and televised on a special Saturday night presentation on ESPN.

MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS - SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS - NABF TITLE,
IBF ELIMINATOR FOR NO. 2 RANKING
Champion J.C. CANDELO, 25-5-3, 17 KOs, Denver, Colorado, vs
Challenger JULIO GARCIA, 25-1-2, 11 KOs, Las Vegas, Nevada

In the main event, J.C. Candelo, 25-5-3, with 17 knockouts, of Denver, Colorado, will defend the North American Boxing Federation 154-pound title against Julio Garcia, 25-1-2, with 11 knockouts, of Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds, and will be an eliminator for the International Boxing Federation's No. 2 ranking, as well.

Candelo, currently rated No. 3 in the world by the IBF and No. 4 by the WBA, has given impressive performances in the ring and gotten rave reviews. His world title challenge on March 1 against IBF champion Winky Wright was televised on HBO, and ringside analyst George Foreman said after the fight, "A star is born. He came out of nowhere."

Three months earlier, J.C. won an IBF title eliminator against Angel Hernandez. The fight was televised on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights," and ringside analyst Teddy Atlas commented after the fight, "Candelo has done a magnificent job of fighting his fight." Bob Papa added, "Candelo gave a masterful performance of boxing tonight."

Garcia is rated No. 13 by the WBC and No. 12 by the IBF. A native of Havana, Cuba, he made a dangerous escape from his homeland to the United States when he was 19 years old. Julio said, "We were on a raft on the ocean for one week. No food, only one bottle of water. A lot of people circled around the same place, and then disappear and they die. We actually studied the stars and sun to see where to go, and that helped us." He turned pro with no amateur experience, and has scored a number of impressive wins and climbed in the world rankings. He has an exciting, aggressive style and always gives all-out efforts.

CO-FEATURED BOUT - 12 ROUNDS, JR. FEATHERWEIGHTS - VACANT USBA TITLE
ART SIMONYAN, 12-0-1, 7 KOs, Glendale, California, vs
TBA

In the co-featured bout scheduled for 12 rounds, 27-year old prospect Art Simonyan, 12-0-1, with 7 knockouts, of Glendale, California, will challenge for the vacant United States Boxing Association jr. featherweight title against an opponent to be annoucned.

An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will complete the card.
All bouts subject to change without notice.

Media credential requests should be made by telephone to Nate Yoder at 314-363-1196.

Tickets prices: $10, $20.

Tickets available at: Sam's Town Tunica Box Office - also purchase by phone at 1-800-456-0711; all TicketMaster outlets, and online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Tickets will go on sale Monday, June 30, at 12:00 noon.

Doors open: 5:00 P.M. (Cent. Time)
First fight: 6:00 P.M. (Cent. Time)
First televised fight: 7:00 P.M. (Cent. Time)