01.05.07 – As the days wind down towards the “Meza-Clay Invasion” on Friday May 11th, all media and fans are invited to attend a free workout at Heinz Field’s Coca-Cola Great Hall at 1:00 P.M. featuring IBA World Super Featherweight Champion Monty Meza-Clay as he prepares for his showdown with Former World Champion Carlos Contreras. The workout session will give the opportunity for attendees to get an up-close look at Meza-Clay working with Tommy Yankello, one of the elite trainers in the sport, followed by a question and answer session for the media..
There will also be Meza-Clay highlights running on the televisions in the Great Hall and possibly some of the other participants involved with the event. Attendees should enter the Great Hall through the middle gate and may park along Art Rooney Avenue. Tickets for the May 11th event will be on sale at the workout and are also available through all Ticketmaster locations, phone, and ticketmaster.com. For V.I.P. Platinum Packages which include a ringside ticket, food and beverage, and access to the V.I.P. Pub Area please call 724.513.7457.
The Champion Meza-Clay (23W-1L, 15KO) is known for his no nonsense action packed style. He will look to place his stamp on the Steel City for the first time after entertaining casino crowds in the Tri-State area over the past several years. Mexico’s tough Contreras (21W–12L–3D, 13KO) is known for facing some of the toughest challengers in the business including Daniel Ponce de Leon, Johnny Tapia, and former IBF World Champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. The 10 round main event is expected to produce the fireworks the Pittsburgh boxing fans have been craving.
Also appearing on the card is former Amateur World Champion and professional prospect sensation “The Magic” Juan McPherson (4W–0L, 2KO). McPherson was ranked the top amateur in the nation at 152 lbs before his dream to achieve Olympic Gold at the Athens Games was suddenly and wrongfully halted in the ever controversial and publicized U.S. Olympic Trails versus Andre Berto, now ESPN’s 2006 Professional Prospect of the Year, HBO regular, and an opponent McPherson had previously defeated several times. Berto was disqualified for throwing McPherson to the canvas late in the bout, an act that caused a neck injury where USA Boxing officials took precaution, despite passed physician reports, and medically disqualified McPherson. Going in, renowned boxing experts labeled him as America’s best chance at Olympic Gold as McPherson compiled a prodigious amateur career of 263W – 6L that included national championships at every level of progression. After his first few years of his professional career being stalled with inconsistent activity due to promotional constraints, now at a mentally matured age of 22 and his whole ring life ahead of him, McPherson is ready to make his run towards a professional world championship.
Multiple other fan friendly bouts will round out the card including some of the Pittsburgh’s areas best talent in crowd favorite Leslie “Long Play” Perella, and Middleweight Chris Archer (8W-1L, 5KO). This exciting event expects to attract many of the sports celebrities around the city.