Philadelphia, PA—An IBF welterweight elimination contest and the return of popular junior welterweight Mike “No Joke” Stewart tops the Friday evening, March 2 boxing card at the New Alhambra, Swanson & Ritner Streets, next to Forman Mills, in South Philadelphia. First of seven fights at 7.30 p.m. David Estrada, of Miami, FL, and Walter Matthysse, of Argentina, collide in the scheduled 12-round elimination contest, while Stewart, of New Castle, DE, takes on hard-hitting Enrique Colin, of Mexico in the 10-round co-feature..
Telefutura/Univision will televise the both fights nationally as part of its Solo Boxeo series. The TV portion of the card runs 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Estrada, 28, has a 19-3 record, 10 knockouts. He has lost only to Ishe Smith, Shane Mosley and current IBF world champion Kermit Cintron.
In his last fight Sept 20 in New York City, Estrada knocked out Clarence “Sony Bono” Taylor, of Wilmington, DE, in six rounds. He turned pro in 1997 and is handled by the legendary Angelo Dundee.
Matthysse, 28, has 25 knockouts on his 26-1 record, losing only to tall southpaw Paul Williams. In his last fight Oct. 20 in Argentina, Matthysse knocked out Jorge Diaz in two rounds.
Stewart, 29, made a big hit on last season’s reality show, The Contender. He knocked out Ebo Elder in the opening round of competition before losing to the much-bigger Grady Brewer, the eventual champion.
A pro since 1996, Stewart has a 41-5-2 record, 23 knockouts. In two fights since the end of The Contender series, Stewart earned a pair of eight-round decisions over Roberto Valenzuela last Nov. 16 at Dover (DE) Downs Slots and over Sebastien Hamel on Jan. 19 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Colin, 24, has a 21-3-3 record, 19 K0s, and recently signed a promotional contract with Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. An all-action slugger, Colin has a “bombs away” attitude where it’s either him or you. All three of his losses were by knockout.
Seven additional fights, including another appearance by North Philadelphia’s knockout puncher, welterweight Mike Jones (6-0, 6 K0s), complete the program. The March 2 card is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Peltz Boxing Promotions, and Joe Hand Promotions.
Tickets priced at $40 and $55 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. (215-765-0922) or at www.peltzboxing.com.