Mexican middleweight David “The Destroyer” Lopez, and Marco Antonio “Poison” Rubio will square off April 19 in the Planet Hollywood (PH) Ring at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas as the featured undercard bout for the highly anticipated “Battle of Planet”: Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe..
“This will be an explosive fight between Lopez and Rubio because battles between Mexican fighters usually end up in a war,” said Eric Gomez, vice president and matchmaker of Golden Boy Promotions. “Their ring histories and experience make this an extremely competitive fight.”
Lopez (33-12, 23 KOs) is one of the most recognizable and famous athletes to hail from Nogales, Mexico. He is coming off of a decision victory with David Toribio in his last bout on November 16, 2007 and is ranked 5th in the world at middleweight by the WBC. Highlights of Lopez’s impressive resume include a seventh round knockout of former world champion Lonnie Bradley and a seventh round stoppage of former Olympian and highly touted prospect Jerson Ravelo, both of whom were undefeated prior to stepping into the ring with the Nogales native.
“I am thrilled to be a part of this fight card with a main event featuring great champions like Bernard and Joe,” said Lopez. “I am getting great training in camp and I know my dedication and time in the gym will get me a win on April 19th.”
The hard-working Lopez has and will be pulling double duty in preparation for his fight with Rubio….in addition to his usual training regimen, he is also serving as a sparring partner for Bernard Hopkins as he prepares for Calzaghe.
“David has been a very valuable part of my training in preparation for my fight with Calzaghe,” stated the current light heavyweight champion Hopkins. “If he performs in the ring on the 19th like he does in sparring, Rubio is in for the fight of his life.”
Native of Torreon, Mexico, Marco Antonio “Poison” Rubio (41-4-1, 37 KOs), ranked 4th as middleweight by the WBC, has been demolishing his opponents with his concussive punching power since he turned pro in 2000. His most recent fight ended in with a seventh round knockout of former Olympian Jose Luis Zertuche on February 9, 2007.
“I am on a mission to win a world title and if I have to beat a fellow countryman along the way, so be it,” said Rubio. “There is nothing that is going to get in the way of my quest and I am determined to win on April 19th. Lopez better be ready to fight”
Hopkins vs. Calzaghe, “Battle of the Planet”, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Frank Warren’s Sports Network and the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Tickets are priced at $1500, $1200, $750, $450, $350 and $250 are still available and can be purchased via phone at 866-USFIGHT or online at www.planethollywood com. The main event bout will be shown live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. PT.