LOS ANGELES, January 14 – On Saturday, January 24th, former two-time Featherweight World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero will travel south from his hometown of Gilroy, California to make his junior lightweight debut at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles against seasoned veteran Edel Ruiz. Guerrero’s return to the ring against Ruiz is the featured undercard attraction on the first major boxing event of 2009, the World Welterweight Championship showdown between Antonio Margarito and Sugar Shane Mosley..
Guerrero, a recent signee of Golden Boy Promotions, is eager to get back into the ring after nearly a year layoff.
“It’s good to be back and I can’t wait to get back into the ring, especially in California at STAPLES Center where I won my first world title,” said Guerrero. “It’s an honor to be fighting on the same card as Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley, but I can’t lie – I’m looking to steal the show on January 24th.”
An exciting southpaw with two-fisted power, 25-year-old Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (22-1-1, 15 KOs) has enjoyed a meteoric rise that has seen him win the IBF featherweight title twice while beating the likes of Eric Aiken, Spend Abazi, Martin Honorio and Jason Litzau. Going undefeated in world title fights and more impressively winning them all by knockout, Guerrero has proven to be a dynamic puncher and now plans on conquering new territory in the 130-pound weight division.
A native of Los Mochis, Mexico, 31-year-old Edel Ruiz (31-21-4, 22 KOs) is best known for his toughness and the fact that he guns for anyone he steps into the ring with. For 14 years, Ruiz has excited fight fans with his determination and willingness to take on anyone, anywhere, any time, and following two straight knockout wins late in 2008, he’s got the momentum necessary to lead him into battle against “The Ghost” on January 24th.
Margarito vs. Mosley, which is promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate,will be televised live on HBO’sWorld Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT. Remaining tickets, priced at $300, $150, $75, $50 and $25, are available at the STAPLES Center Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 213-480-3232 and online at www.ticketmaster.com.
RILEY DOMINATES IN HOMECOMING
January 14, 2009
Star Boxing’s hot light heavyweight prospect Yathomas Riley improved to (5-0,3KO) after punishing Evjeny Stardubstev (0-1) over four rounds in front of his hometown fans at the Hardrock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Flordida.
Riley stuck to his gameplan, “pressure breaks pipes”, in going right after Stardubstev from the opening bell. Riley immediately begin landing heavy crushing blows with both hands to his opponents body and head eventually dropping Stardubstev in the second round with a barrage of punches. Stardubstev didn’t go down again but was thoroughly outworked for the remainder of the fight.
“Merciless” Mary McGee Rings In The New Year Against Mohs
January 14 (Merrillville, In) – “SLUGFEST 2009” is set and ready to bring the New Year in with a bang and the powerful hands of Gary’s own “Merciless” Mary McGee (15-0, 9 KOs) will help provide the punch as she makes her long awaited return to action against a very talented veteran Jessica Mohs on Friday, January 23rd, 2009 at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, In.
McGee’s last fight was on August 3, 2008, while Mohs last fought on September 11th, 2008, but both feel that this fight is shaping up to be a card-stealer. “If she comes in shape, it’s going to be a long night,” said McGee of Mohs.
“(Mohs) has been in the ring with some of the best and I’m expecting this to be a great fight,” McGee added. Mohs has fought the best woman in the world, including Mia St. John, Jessica Rakoczy and Terri Lynn Cruz in her last fights.
Mohs is a 5’3″ Oklahoma City, OK resident, that has a 7-19-2 (2 KOs) record, but she has made it clear that the record better not fool the 22 year-old McGee. “Well I’m a hard hitter,” said Mohs of what McGee can expect. “I feel I’m in great shape and I’m looking to go out there and have some fun.”
This fight is one of seven action-packed bouts scheduled for “SLUGFEST 2009,” but One In A Million, Inc. CEO Octavius James is ready to call this one an instant barn burner.
“This is going to be one of those fights that people will remember for a very long time,” said James. “Mary and Jessica are ready to start the New Year with an all out Slug Fest.”
McGee enters her bout with Mohs as the unblemished NABC Lightweight World Champion, but the Gary native is also carrying a heavy heart following the recent passing of another World Champion Giselle Salandy 17-0 (6 KOs). “I have the ultimate respect for her and I looked up to her,” said McGee of Salandy.
McGee will be paying tribute to Salandy in her fight against Mohs. “This fight is for her and her family, this is one fighter that I had really respected and there are not many female fighters that I do respect the way I do Jisselle.”
Jimmy “The Fighting School Teacher” Holmes will also be making his return to the ring following a minor surgery, along with some of the brightest and talented fighters in the world. Doors open at 7 p.m., while the first fight is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza I-65 & HWY US 30 in Merrillville, IN.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at $100 for VIP, $75 VIP ringside, $50 ringside, and $30 general admission. They are available from any Ticket Master location at (219) 791-1234, (312) 559-1212, (866) 438-7372 or www.TicketMaster.com.
The Radisson is located at I-65 & US 30 in Merrillville, IN.
Doors open at 7 p.m. The first bout is at 8 p.m.
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