GOMEZ PALACIO, DURANGO, Mexico (May 13, 2008) – WBA champion Alexander “El Explosivio” Munoz is fighting in WBC title-holder Cristian Mijares’ hometown Saturday night (May 17) in the first super flyweight unification title bout in nearly a decade, headlining the “Noche de Campeones” pay-per-view event live from the Auditorio Centenario in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico..
“Noche de Campeones,” promoted by KO Entertainment in association with DiBella Entertainment, will be produced and distributed by Integrated Sports for live viewing in the United States (9 PM/ET) on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and DISH Network, as well as on The Fight Network in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
The exciting 12-round co-feature pits Mexican warriors Omar Salado (19-0-2, 11 KOs) and Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda (25-3-1, 18 KOs) in a WBC flyweight elimination bout.
The 12-round Mijares-Munoz main event is a classic match-up between a pure boxing technician, rising star Mijares (34-3-2, 14 KOs), and a vaunted puncher, Venezuelan hero Munoz (32-2, 27 KOs).
Munoz is a 2-time WBA super flyweight champion who originally won his WBA title belt in 2002 via an eighth-round knockout of Celes Kobayasho. Three successful title defenses followed against Eiji Kojima twice (KO2 and TKO10), sandwiched around a 12-round decision versus Hidenobu Honda (26-2), before Alexander lost a 12-round decision and his championship belt to Martin Castillo (26-1) in 2004. Munoz bounced back to capture the WBA Fedelatin super flyweight crown in a WBA title eliminator, but Castillo won their 2006 rematch by 12-round split decision.
Munoz regained his WBA super flyweight title on May 3, 2007 with a dominating 12-round decision versus Nabuo Mashiro (9-0) in Japan. In a pair of title defenses, “El Explosivo” retained his belt with 12-round decisions against, respectively, Kuniyuki Aizawa (13-1-1) and Katsushige Kawasjima (32-6) this past January in Japan.
“People all over the world, especially in my country, are going to watch two of the best fighters in our division and, pound-for-pound, in the world today,” The Ring’s No. 2 rated super flyweight Munoz said. “I can’t think about unifying against the other world champs because the first step is beating Mjirares. I know I’ll be fighting Cristian at home in front of so many of his fans.”
The slick Mexican southpaw Mijares won a rematch with Katsushige Kawashima (30-5) by 10th round TKO the WBC outright championship on January 3, 2007. Now riding a 24-fight undefeated skein (23-0-1), Mijares made a name for himself April 14, 2007, registering an impressive victory on PPV against colorful Jorge “Travieso” Arce (46-4-1, 35 KOs) by unanimous 12-round decision (119-109, 118-110, 117-11). The Ring’s No. 3 rated Mijares has made four successful title defenses since defeating Arce, highlighted by a 12-round decision this past February against Jose Navarro (26-3) in Las Vegas.
Undefeated former WBA Fedelatin super fIyweight champion Salado (19-0-2, 11 KOs), who fought a 12-round draw with Ulises Solis (22-1-1) for the IBF light flyweight title in 2006, is rated No. 4 by the WBC, No. 6 by The Ring, and No. 8 by the WBA. The WBC No. 3 ranked Miranda (25-3-1, 18 KOs) is a dangerous foe with 18 knockouts on his boxing portfolio.
Also scheduled to fight in the chief supporting fight on the PPV are tough Mexican boxers such as super welterweight Martin “Azteca” Avila (9-2, 3 KOs) against Alberto Hernandez (14-11-2, KOs) in a 10-round bout. Slated for the live undercard are lightweights Ricardo “Camaleon” Mijares (9-0, 8 KOs) and Arturo Mijares (5-1, 4 KOs), as well as welterweight Ivan “El Ruso” Pereyra (1-0, 1 KO), are slated to fight on “Noches De Campeones.” All bouts and fighters are subject to change.