21.11.05 – Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions, in association with Foxwoods Resort Casino, will present a sensational world championship fight card on January 20, 2006, in the Fox Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino, located at 39 Norwich Westerly Road in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The main event and co-featured fight, which is to be announced, will be televised live on the first telecast of the new year of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
In the 12-round main event, the vacant International Boxing Federation featherweight world title will be at stake when Valdemir Pereira, 22-0, with 15 knockouts, of Sao Caetano Do Sul, Brazil, battles Fahproakob Rakkiatgym, 52-3, with 33 knockouts, of Khonkaen, Thailand.
Pereira, now 31 years old, is ranked No. 4 by the IBF at featherweight. He is making his third appearance on ESPN2 – on January 28, 2005, he won a 12 round unanimous decision in an exciting fight against Whyber Garcia (15-2), and on August 13, 2004, he won a 10 round split decision in a hard-fought battle against Emmanuel Lucero (22-1-1). As an amateur, Pereira represented Brazil in the 2000 Olympics.
30 year-old Rakkiatgym is the IBF’s No. 3 ranked featherweight. A lefthanded 13-year professional veteran, he is making his U.S. debut. He has won 14 fights in a row, 10 by knockout, since his unsuccessful IBF jr. featherweight world title challenge in October, 2002, against defending champion Manny Pacquiao. Rakkiatgym’s current streak includes a knockout win against Manny’s younger brother, Bobby Pacquiao, in February, 2005.
An exciting lineup of six supporting bouts is planned to complete the event. All bouts are subject to change without notice.
Final press conference: Wednesday, January 18, at 1:00 P.M., in Han Garden at Foxwoods. (All times EST.)
Weigh-in: Thursday, January 19, at 5:00 P.M., in the Fox Theatre.
Doors open at 7:00 P.M., first fight at 8:00 P.M.
Ticket prices: $35, $60, $75.
Tickets are on sale now at: Foxwoods Resort Casino Box Office – 800-200-2882, and online at www.foxwoods.com.