31.08.06 – SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—It’s been more than ten years since former World Featherweight Champion, KEVIN “The Flushing Flash” KELLEY, fought what many called – Boxing’s “Fight of the Year” in 1995 at San Antonio’s, Freeman Coliseum. And just this past July 14th, former IBF World Super Featherweight Champion, CARLOS “Famoso” HERNANDEZ, brought down the house when he brawled in the Alamo City..
Now, come Thursday, September 28th, Kelley and Hernandez are set to battle once again just down the street from the Alamo. This time, it will be against each other. The pair of former World Champions will face off in the Main Event of a exciting Fight Night at historic Municipal Auditorium.
Appropriately billed as RETURN TO ALAMO CITY, the Kelly vs Hernandez, ten round Jr. Welterweight clash will headline the seven bout, Top Rank, Inc., promoted card, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Slated for a Special Attraction bout will be top San Antonio prospect, RAUL MARTINEZ. Martinez (15-0, 11 KO’s), considered one of the top young lower weight division fighters in the world, will be facing perhaps his toughest career challenge when he battles former Columbian Flyweight Champion, ILIDIA JULIO (33-8-1, Miami) in a ten-round Bantamweight contest.
The remainder of the bouts on the card, are to be announced.
The event is to be televised, live, nationally on the all new Versus Network, (formerly OLN, Outdoor Life Network) as part of their new “FIGHT NIGHT” program. Versus Network is also the television of of the NHL and Tour de France.
Tickets are priced at $100 (VIP, Includes VIP Pre-Fight Reception), $50, $30 and $20, plus service charges. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 6th at all Ticketmaster outlets and will be available online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Both Hernandez and Kelley will be in San Antonio, next Wednesday, September 6th to officially kick off the event with a 2:00 pm Media Conference at Municipal Auditorium. Media Guides and video B-Roll will be available for media.
According to Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum (Top Rank, Inc. Chairman), fight fans are in for what appears to be more hot action from the noted brawlers, Hernandez and Kelley.
“It doesn’t get any better than Carlos Hernandez and Kevin Kelley when it comes to action,” matter of factly stated Arum. “When either of these two are in the ring, you know something exciting is going to happen. Now, with the two of them fighting each other, it can only be one thing – a great fight”
Kelley emptied all his guns in his only San Antonio appearance when he lost his coveted World Featherweight crown to Alejandro Gonzalez on January 7, 1995. The Kelley/Gonzalez memorable war was on everyone’s list of top battles during 1995.
Kelley has fought over 10 world champions, including superstars Marco Antonio Barrera, Eric Morales, Manny Pacquiao, Derrick Gainer, and Naseem Hamed. Returning to San Antonio to fight Hernandez brings back good and bad memories for Kelley.
Hernandez fought his only bout in San Antonio just last July 14th when he won a hard fought 10 round decision over a rugged Sean Plessis. Hernandez captured his IBF World title in 2003 when he defeated Davis Santos for the crown.