11.08 - DiBella Entertainment and Mohegan Sun will salute popular New England boxer "Irish" Micky Ward with a retirement gala on Friday night, August 15. The Lowell, Massachusetts native, known as one of the toughest fighters to ever lace up the gloves, will forever be remembered for his epic trilogy against Arturo Gatti, which captured the imagination of the entire boxing world.

HBO's Jim Lampley, who delivered the blow-by-blow for all three Ward-Gatti battles, will serve as the evening's master of ceremonies. Among the dignitaries and special guests who will be in attendance include: Micky's arch rival but respected opponent Arturo "Thunder" Gatti; his advisor Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment; Mohegan Sun vice president Paul Munick; actor Chuck Zito, star of the HBO original series Oz; HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant; boxing champions Hector Camacho, Jr. and Paul Spadafora, as well as family and friends. A crowd of more than 300 people will be on hand at the private dinner party and ceremonies to salute Micky on his memorable ring career. The three-time New England Golden Gloves champion amassed 38 career wins as a professional, and is one of the most popular Massachusetts-bred boxers in history.

The Boston area sports teams - the Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins - as well as Steiner Sports Marketing (www.steinersports.com), HBO Sports, Everlast and the Knicks Charlie Ward will all provide special retirement gifts.

On the following evening, August 16, DiBella Entertainment will present "Featherweight Fury -- the Unification" featuring Derrick "Smoke" Gainer vs. Juan Manuel Marquez at Mohegan Sun Arena which will be televised lived on HBO Boxing After Dark.