HOBOKEN, N.J. (Mar. 1, 2010) – Hall of Fame-bound Erik “El Terrible” Morales returns to the ring March 27 after 2 ½ years of inactivity, headlining “The Champion Returns” pay-per-view event, on a mission to become the first Mexican boxer to capture world titles in four different weight classes. Integrated Sports Media, North America’s undisputed leader pay-per-view distribution of major boxing events, has teamed with KO Entertainment to bring American fans Morales’ comeback fight against former WBA lightweight champion Jose “Jicaras” Alfaro, as well as the WBA light heavyweight eliminator between former WBA light heavyweight champion Hugo Hernan “Pigu” Garay and WBA #4 rated Chris “Hard Hittin’” Henry, live from Monterrey, Mexico..
“The Champion Returns,” presented by KO Entertainment, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN and DISH Network, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
Seven-time world champion Morales (48-6, 34 KOs), the last opponent to defeat Manny Pacquiao, takes on Nicaraguan knockout specialist Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs) in the 12-round main event for the WBC Intercontinental welterweight crown.
Morales first captured the WBC super bantamweight title in 1997 and held it through 2000, making eight successful defences, also adding the WBO belt with his victory against another Mexican fighting legend, Marco Antonio Barrera. Morales moved-up in weight and in 2000 and he won the WBC featherweight championship, which he held for two years, later recapturing the WBC featherweight belt in 2002. He moved-up again to add the WBC super featherweight title to his growing hardware collection in 2004 and five months later, he took the IBF super featherweight title, and then the IBA super featherweight belt against Pacquiao.
Morales’ victims over the years reads like a Who’s Who list and, in addition to Pacquiao and Barrera, includes Pauli Ayala, Wayne McCullough, Junior Jones, Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Guty Espadas, Jr. (twice), Daniel Zaragoza and Kevin Kelly.
“I return with desire to succeed,” Morales said. “My plan is to win my fourth world title. We chose Alfaro as my opponent because he is so respected. It’s true, I had some personal problems, received bad advice and had many temptations. I worked hard on it and now I’m better than before. I feel much better, so we took a risk fighting of Alfaro’s quality.”
Alfaro, who has defeated world champions Prawet Singwancha and DeMarcus Corley, believes it’s his time. “Morales is finished,” he claimed. “His past was great but not now. I’m younger, stronger and faster that him and I will demonstrate that March 27th in Monterrey. Morales is definitely wrong to continue boxing. This is a business and something that gives me a better life. I will come to beat him and will win.”
Garay (32-4, 17 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA, is a popular Argentinean who defeated Yuri Barashian by decision for the WBA light heavyweight title in 2008, successfully defended against present WBO Interim champion Juergen Braehmer by decision, and then lost his belt by decision last June to Gabriel Campillo.
Henry (24-2, 19 KOs), fighting out of Houston, is coming off of an explosive victory by sixth-round technical knockout of Shaun George last July on ESPN. Henry has been the NABF, NABA, IBA Inter-Continental and USNBC light heavyweight champion during the past four years.
Two of the premier strawweights in the world throw-down in another 12-rounder, unbeaten WBA champion Roman “Chocolalito” Gonzalez (25-0, 21 KOs), representing Nicaragua, and world rated Mexican contender Juan “Churritos” Hernandez (15-1, 12 KOs).
Also slated to fight on this explosive PPV card is the best kept secret in the heavyweight division, El Paso’s undefeated NABA title-holder David “Nino” Rodriguez (32-0, 30 KOs), in a Special Attraction.
Integrated Sports Media: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Kahn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr., and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports Media distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.
STAR BOXING ALL SET FOR MARCH 6TH AT TROPICANA
A few weeks ago, on February 5th and 6th, a monster snowstorm dumped over two feet of snow on Atlantic City, bringing much of the city to a standstill. The storm forced Star Boxing’s exciting event at the Tropicana Casino and Resort, to be postponed until Saturday March 6th. Although the storm was unfortunate, the majority of the card, including both the main event and co-feature bouts of the evening as well as almost the entire undercard, which feature many of the New Jersey area’s up and coming talent, remain intact for the March 6th date.
Headlining the card is Atlantic City’s own former top rated contender, Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez (20-2, 11KO) taking on Lou Duva trained knockout artist, Alexis Camacho (17-2, 16KO) in a ten round welterweight showdown. In the co-feature bout of the evening, fan favorite, Vinny Maddalone (32-6, 23KO) will look to turn in one of his classic warrior-like performances when he squares off against Dominique Alexander (19-7-1, 9KO), in an exciting heavyweight matchup.
“It was an unfortunate circumstance that we had to postpone the show in February,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing. “Fortunately though, we were able to lock in the March 6th date at the Tropicana Casino and Resort, and the card has basically stayed the exact same as it originally was. I applaud the fighters for maintaining their focus and handling the postponement like the true professionals they are.
The card, promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and sponsored by Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club, will be broadcast live on GoFightLive.tv . Tickets are priced at $100 (ringside), $50 and $30. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at (718) 823-2000 or visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Tropicana North Tower Box Office. The Tropicana Casino and Resort is located at 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ and can be contacted by calling (609) 340-4000.
Jeremy McLaurin Ready for Rematch With Orozco
Minneapolis, MN- Rising lightweight prosepect and Minnesota native Jeremy McLaurin (7-0 5 ko’s) is set to do battle for a second time with Hector Orozco. McLaurin was awarded a TKO in their first meeting when a cut opened above the eye of Orozco. The ruling was disputed by several fans and media personnel, who questioned whether the cut was opened by an elbow, or that it was even severe enough to stop the bout for. McLaurin now feels as though it is his duty to finish what he started, and leave no doubt when he takes on Orozco on April 2nd at Grand Casino Hinckley.
“I’m excited to give the fans a fight they want to see, and an opportunity to show people a side of me they didn’t get to see on February 5.” Said McLaurin.
An interesting twist to the card will be a man who has been mentioned with McLaurin quite frequently, Gary Eyer (7-0, 5 ko’s) taking on Brad Patraw. Eyer boasts a record identical to McLaurin’s and while the two have yet to meet both compete in the same weight class and have expressed interest in a potential matchup.
McLaurin-Orozco II will be a six round affair, while the first meeting was a four round bout. McLaurin will again have trainer Tom Halstad in his corner, whom he was without during his last two fights. The card will be headlined by the rematch of Andy Kolle and Matt Vanda, and will also feature Javontae Starks, Tyler Hultin, and Jamal James.
Tickets are priced at 25$, 35$, 55$, and 100$ for table seating, and are available at http://www.grandcasinomn.com/grand-casino-hinckley.aspx and Jeremy Mclaurin merchandise can be found at http://www.currineshop.com/shop/page/9?shop_param=