The International Boxing Federation featherweight world championship fight in Tuxtla Gutierrez on Saturday, July 11, will be televised live on ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com in a two-hour telecast at 11:00 P.M. Eastern time, 8:00 P.M. Pacific time. Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions, Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves, and Fernando Beltran’s Promociones Zanfer will promote the card at El Palenque in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico..
In the main event scheduled for 12 rounds, IBF featherweight world champion Cristobal “Lacandon” Cruz, 38-11-1 with 23 knockouts, now based in Tijuana, Mexico, will make his second defense of the title against Jorge “Coloradito” Solis, 37-1-2 with 27 knockouts, of Guadalajara, Mexico.
Cruz was born in Jiquipilas in Mexico’s southernmost state of Chiapas. It will be his first fight in his home state since January, 2002, when he fought in Tuxtla Gutierrez, the state capitol.
This fight is the rematch – in December, 2003, Solis won a 10 round unanimous decision against Cruz in a fast-paced, exciting fight at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.
For Cruz, the loss was part of a streak in which he lost four of five fights in 2003 and 2004. His career has had a dramatic turnaround, however, in the last couple of years – he has now won four fights in a row, which include an upset 12 round decision against Thomas Mashaba in March, 2008, and another upset 12 round decision to win the vacant IBF world title against heavily favored Orlando Salido in October, 2008. Cruz made his first title defense with a 12 round decision win against hometown favorite Cyril Thomas in Saint-Quentin, France, in his most recent fight in February, 2009.
Solis is the IBF’s number-one ranked featherweight contender. He has also won four fights in a row, including an impressive fifth-round TKO against Monte Meza-Clay in January, 2009, and a 10 round decision against Miguel Roman in May, 2008. Jorge’s only loss as a pro came in April, 2007, by eighth-round knockout against Manny Pacquiao.
In the co-featured bout – an IBF flyweight eliminator scheduled for 12 rounds – Julio Cesar Miranda, 29-4-1 with 22 knockouts, of Tampico, Mexico, will fight Eric Ortiz, 31-8-3 with 20 knockouts, of Mexico City, Mexico.
HILTON RYE TOWN HOTEL UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED
On Thursday July 16th, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing brings live boxing back to Westchester County, when former light heavyweight world title challenger, Port Chester’s own David Telesco (29-6-1, 24KO) returns to the ring for the first time since 2005 when he takes on New Jersey’s William Gill in the main event bout of the evening. The bout is scheduled for eight rounds in the light heavyweight division, and will take place at the beautiful Hilton Rye Town Hotel in Rye Brook, NY.
In the co-feature bout of the evening Star Boxing’s hot jr. welterweight prospect, “The New” Ray Robinson (10-0, 4KO) returns to the ring for the first time since his nationally televised (ESPN2 Friday Night Fight) third round TKO over previously unbeaten Darnell Jiles when he takes on game veteran Harrison Cuello (18-10-3, 14KO). The bout is scheduled for six rounds.
In an eight round super featherweight special attraction, Yonkers resident, Pasqual “El Tigre” Rouse (20-13-2, 11KO) takes on Puerto Rico’s Juan Nazario (6-1-1, 4KO) in a classic Dominican vs. Puerto Rican showdown. The Dominican native Rouse will surely have the hometown crowd on his side as he looks to add yet another victory to his resume.
Hard hitting light heavyweight Yathomas Riley (5-0, 3KO) looks to stay unbeaten when he battles it out against Philadelphia’s Andre Hemphill (8-11-2, 5KO) over six rounds. For the Star Boxing promoted Riley, who hails from Miami, but now resides in the Bronx, it will be the young prospects first scheduled six rounder.
Exciting featherweight prospect, Eilon Kedem (9-2-3, 7KO) looks to get back into the win column when he takes on veteran Robert DaLuz (12-19-2, 9KO) in a six round featherweight contest. The 24-year-old Kedem, who hails from Herzelia Israel, has yet to lose when fighting on U.S. soil.
Rounding out the card is the pro-debut of Stamford, Connecticut’s Ahmad Mickens. Mickens is scheduled to take on the Bronx’s Phil Hannah (0-2). The bout is scheduled for four rounds in the light heavyweight division.
Doors open at 6:30 PM with the first bout scheduled for 7:30. Tickets can be purchased through the Star Boxing office by calling (718) 823-2000 or by visiting the Star Boxing website ( www.starboxing.com). Tickets are priced at Gold Ringside – $100, Silver Ringside – $60 and reserved seating for $40. The Hilton Rye Town hotel is located at 699 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, New York, 10573. There will be free parking for all guests attending the fights that evening.
Showtime Championship Boxing’s Al Bernstein to host Caring Place Fund Raiser
LAS VEGAS – July 8, 2009 – For the fourth year in a row, ESPN Radio 1100 will host “The Longest Radio Show Ever” to benefit The Caring Place, a non-profit facility that provides services, free of charge, for the mind, body and spirit of those touched by cancer. The 24-hour radio show, at the Key West Room in The Palms Casino Resort, will start at 10 a.m.on Friday, July 24 and conclude at 10 a.m.on Saturday, July 25.
National and local celebrities in the sports and entertainment industry are donating their time to the cause and will host each hour of the 24-hour radiothon. ESPN Radio 1100 listeners and others around the country have the chance to co-host an hour of their choice, by submitting their bid in the online auction. Bids can be placed by visiting WeAreLV.com and clicking on the ESPN Radio 1100 logo. The online auction will run from Thursday, July 9 to Friday, July 17.
Legendary boxing announcer Al Bernstein will be among the confirmed celebrities hosting on the radio. Al’s wife Connie, herself a cancer survivor, co-founded the Caring Place along with Dr. Mary Ann Allison. There will also be one of the greatest gatherings ever of UFC fighters including Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Stephan Bonnar, Amir Sadollah, Brandon Vera, Randy Couture, Rashad Evans, Matt Serra, Arianny and honoree Dana White. Additional co-hosts include UNLV Basketball Coach Lon Kruger, former UNLV Basketball Coach Charlie Spoonhour, and Head Football Coach Mike Sanford. A complete listing of the celebrities and the hour they are tied to is available at www.WeAreLV.com so fans can bid to co-host with that chosen celebrity.
On Friday, July 24, when the radio show is taking place, a cocktail reception will be held from 7-9 pm, at The Key West Room at the Palms Casino Resort honoring UFC President Dana White as ESPN Radio 1100’s Sportsman of The Year. Guests will have an opportunity to meet with Dana and other top celebrities participating in the 24-hour radio broadcast. Al Bernstein will be the host of the cocktail party. Tickets to the reception are $50 per person and can be purchased by calling The Caring Place at 702.871.7333. Previous Sportsman of The Year honorees have been Joe and Gavin Maloof, UNLV Basketball Coach Lon Kruger and Boxing Promoter Bob Arum. For additional information, go to www.WeAreLV.com.