(Tucson, Arizona) — It’s the classic fight. World champion vs. number one ranked contender. On Friday, March 30th, current WBO Bantamweight titleholder, Jhonny Gonzalez, is risking his coveted belt against Colombia’s Irene Pacheco at Desert Diamond Casino’s Diamond Center. And as if the night needed more enticement, David “The Destroyer” Lopez will be featured in a 10-round event. Tickets to see these fights and more, range from $25 to $100 in advance and go on sale starting March 1st..
They can be purchased at any Ticketmaster location, by calling 520-321-1000, by contacting the Desert Diamond Casino Box Office, or by visiting www.desertdiamondcasino.com. Doors open at 4:00 P.M. with the first bout set to go off at 4:30 P.M. Portions of the night will be aired on TeleFutura.
Mexico City’s Jhonny Gonzalez (33-5 28 KOs) is pitted against Irene “Mambaco” Pacheco (33-1 24 KOs) out of Arbolete, Colombia. With near identical records the only thing that separates these two men is a world title. Gonzalez has one. Pacheco does not. First obtaining the belt at the Diamond Center as part of the Boxing World Cup in 2005, Gonzalez has gone on to defend it against the likes of Fernando Montiel. But his days as owner may be limited. Pacheco holds the number one ranking and is primed to cause an upset in front of a pro-Gonzalez crowd.
The co-main event features a future world champion himself, Vicente Escobedo (13-1 11 KOs). This former Olympian is graced with the moves, the power, and the raw talent of any top contender. Watched closely by fans and fighters alike, Escobedo has been dubbed by many as the next Oscar De La Hoya. His opponent has yet to be named.
Nogales’s David “The Destroyer” Lopez (30-12 20 KOs) is back for more. Already annihilating his last two opponents at the Diamond Center, Lopez is looking to strike down number three. Untouchable in the ring, Lopez has a top five ranking and a home court advantage in Southern Arizona. But his contender, Rocky Montoya (26-2 17 KOs), who fights out of Houston, Texas, may be just the man to silence the crowd.
Also on the card is Sonora’s Gabriel “Rey” Martinez (13-0 7 KOs) and Phoenix’s Arturo Brambilla (8-8 4 KOs) in a six-round welterweight bout. Adan Leal (2-0 2 KOs) out of Nogales and Martin Minjarez (2-0 1 KO) from Odessa, TX, will go head-to-head in a four-round welterweight fight. Joey Silva (5-0 2 KOs) will take on Luis Raul Galvan (3-5 2 KOs) in the super flyweight division. Nogales’s Javier Flores (1-3) is part of the four round lightweight bout against Phoenix’s Jorge Marquez (1-0).
Treena Parvello, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, commented, “World title fights are always exciting. And having Jhonny Gonzalez back to Desert Diamond Casino, the place he first obtained the belt, is a great honor. Plus, with David Lopez fighting, the fans will be going crazy. The experience is not to be missed.”
Desert Diamond Casino, with locations on Nogales Highway minutes from the Tucson International Airport and just off of I-19 on Pima Mine Road, and the Golden Ha:san in Why, Arizona are enterprises of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Further information can be found at http://www.desertdiamondcasino.com/ or by calling 866-DDC-WINS.