18.02.05 – For decades, Municipal Auditorium was “THE” home to both amateur and professional boxing in San Antonio. The Alamo City’s biggest fights were fought there until a fire ravaged the building on January 6,1979. After a multi-million dollar renovation following the fire, this grand Arena has been used for everything from concerts to plays to conventions — everything but boxing, that is, due to City regulations prohibiting sporting events there after the renovation.
Now the 25 year wait for boxing to return to Municipal Auditorium is over for San Antonio fight fans. Come Thursday, March 10th, two of boxing’s biggest names,Oscar De La Hoya and Jesse James Leija, will be front and center when Miller Lite presents…NIGHT OF HONOR…AT THE GRAND MUNICIPAL.
De La Hoya, the six-time world champion, will be ringside when his Golden Boy Promotions presents a six-bout professional fight card that will also feature a special ceremony honoring the career of Leija, the two-time world champion from San Antonio. The event will be nationally televised, live, on HBO Latino’s “Boxeo de Oro.” It is one of 19 events being presented on the state-wide Miller Lite Texas Title Belt, Professional Boxing Series during the year.
Slated for the main event will be Jr. Middleweight contenders J.C. Candelo (27-7-3, Columbia) and Marco Antonio Rubio (25-2-1, Torreon, Mexico) battling for the WBC Continental America’s title. Candelo is the former North American Champion who has twice challenged for the World title. Rubio, currently rated #11 in the world by the WBC, is considered one of Mexico’s best young fighters.
The undercard will be headlined by top San Antonio prospect and former U.S. Amateur champion, Raul Martinez, 7-0. Martinez, a bantamweight, will be facing an opponent to be named in a scheduled six round bout. The remainder of the card is to be announced.
For De La Hoya and Leija, this first boxing event at Municipal Auditorium in more than a quarter of a century will be a special night. “I’m very excited for several reasons,” beamed De La Hoya. “First, the opportunity to bring boxing back to Municipal Auditorium is great for the fans in San Antonio. And then, to have the opportunity to say “thank you” to Jesse James Leija and honor his great career is going to be very special, not just for me but the boxing fans in San Antonio.
“In addition to that, we have a really exciting main event (Candelo vs Rubio) and several talented young fighters on the card.”
According to Leija, walking into the middle of the ring one last time isn’t going to be easy. “It’s going to be tough walking into that ring and saying goodbye as fighter,” said Leija. “And what a great honor for me to thank the San Antonio fight fans in a place where so many great fighters have fought, including my dad.(Jesse, Sr.). I remember seeing him fight there when I was four years old.”
In addition to Jesse Leija, Sr., many of San Antonio’s greatest fighters fought several bouts at Municipal Auditorium, including Leija, Sr.’s cousin, Louie Leija, Sr.
Two sets of brothers, the Ayala and Moreno’s provided plenty of thrills for San Antonio fight fans. Former three-time North American Champion and #1 world contender Mike Ayala fought many of his fights there as did brother Sammy Ayala.
Tony and Johnny Moreno had some of their biggest fights at Municipal, including Tony’s epic win over Johnny McClusky. But perhaps the biggest fight of all was the world title elimination bout between the great Mexican champion and #1 world contender Jesus Pimentel and # 2 world contender Mimun Ben Ali, on July 25, 1967.
Several popular fighters who had previously fought at Municipal Auditorium will be special guest at the event and honored at center ring.
Tickets for the event are priced at $20, $25, $40 and $100 (VIP). VIP Seating includes seating in the first five rows, plus admission to a special Pre-Fight Reception (complimentary food/drinks) honoring Leija and being hosted by De La Hoya. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster Outlets, beginning Saturday, February 19, at 10 am. They can also be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or ordered by phone at 210-224-9600.