LOS ANGELES, April 25 – It’s a family affair on Friday, May 6, as brothers Librado Andrade and Enrique Ornelas headline an intriguing doubleheader at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. The theme of family continues further with the main event, as Andrade will square off against Aaron Pryor Jr., the son of the legendary Hall of Fame boxer, Aaron Pryor, in a ten-round light heavyweight bout.
In the co-featured bout, scheduled for eight rounds in the light heavyweight division, Ornelas will face an opponent to be named. Also in action, unbeaten rising star and Coachella local hero, Randy Caballero, battles an opponent to be announced in a six round junior featherweight contest.
Andrade vs. Pryor Jr. is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00pm PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 7:00pm PT. The TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:30pm ET / PT (10:30pm CT).
Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45 are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Fans at home can also be part of the action by participating in Cinturón Tecate and voting for the fighter in the main event who displayed the most character in the ring by sending a text message to 55333. Voting will be open through the end of the weekend.
Born in Jesus del Monte, Guadalajara, Mexico, currently residing in La Habra, Calif. and one of the toughest men in the 168-pound weight class, Librado Andrade (29-3, 22 KO’s) has a relentless style that has made him feared throughout the division. A three-time world title challenger (Lucian Bute twice and Mikkel Kessler) who has become a bona fide star in an unlikely place – Canada – the 32-year-old Andrade will fight for the first time back home in California since 2008. He looks to keep his momentum going forward towards another title shot following his eighth round technical knockout over former World Champion Eric Lucas last May.
The son of former Junior Welterweight World Champion Aaron Pryor, Aaron Pryor Jr. (15-3, 11 KO’s) is a Cincinnati Golden Gloves title holder now carving out his own niche in the professional game. Pryor is a daunting sight at 6’ 4”and has won three of his last four bouts, including an impressive decision victory over Dyah Davis last November. Now looking to get back in the win column after a hard-fought decision loss against unbeaten Edwin Rodriguez, Pryor believes he has the talent and style to beat Andrade on May 6.
Andrade’s younger brother by two years, Enrique Ornelas (30-7, 20 KO’s) is a crowd-pleaser as well, with the kind of punching power that can short-circuit any opponent’s night. A fearless battler who has been in the ring with future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins, current Super Middleweight World Champion Robert Stieglitz, former World Champion Bronco McKart and top contender Marco Antonio “Veneno” Rubio, Ornelas is pleased to be fighting back home in California and promises a big night for all his fans on May 6.
20-year-old Randy Caballero (9-0, 5 KO’s) has gotten off to a fast start in 2011, defeating Manuel Ortega, Hugo Ramos and Felix Perez in successive bouts. On May 6, he will make his fifth appearance at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, and he will undoubtedly have a legion of his growing fan-base in attendance that night.
2008 U.S. Olympic Bronze medalist Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (15-0, 15 KO’s) is back in action on the May 6 card and he will be looking to keep his amazing knockout streak intact against an opponent to be named in a six round heavyweight bout. After a 6-0 run in 2010, the Tuscaloosa, Alabama native began his 2011 campaign in February with a second round technical knockout over DeAndrey Abron and the 6-foot-7 warrior is looking more intimidating with each fight.
In undercard action will be a host of Coachella Valley-area natives looking to please their hometown fight fans. Palm Springs’ Hugo Ramos (3-8-2, 1 KO) will square off against San Bernardino’s Juan Sandoval (2-6-1, 2 KO’s) in a four round featherweight match and Indio’s own Alfredo Madrigal (1-0) takes on debuting Palm Springs native Mario Villareal in a four round junior featherweight bout.
Tecate, cerveza con carácter, is the largest beer brand to sponsor boxing matches in the U.S. Part of its commitment to make boxing accessible to consumers is the title sponsorship of “Sólo Boxeo Tecate,” which creates an opportunity for local fans to witness some of the most exhilarating fights by today’s up-and-coming prospects. Additionally, Tecate has been a primary supporter of Golden Boy Promotions’ marquee events since 2007, and has launched a variety of initiatives to ensure consumers are part of the boxing experience, including boxer autograph signing sessions, commemorative cans, PPV mail-in rebate offers, and most recently the launch of a mobile museum “Tecate Museo de Boxeo,” which showcases decades of the most memorable moments in the sport.
Opponents for Andrade and Ornelas will be announced at a later date, along with a full slate of undercard bouts.
Cruz TKOs Guzman
Atlantic City, New Jersey – Last Saturday, the Puerto Rican born Ronald Cruz ( 12-0,9 KO’s ) became the first boxer to defeated by TKO, the veteran Manuel Guzman ( 7-10-2,3 KO’s ), who has gone the distance with the top prospects in the United States, including former Olympic and rising prospect, Saddam Ali.
“I started to put pressure and expected to win, but I thought I had to sacrifice more to win. I did not expect him to go away. He says his shoulder was hurt but he was already falling, her legs were weakening, he was receiving many good blows. What was coming would be more ugly and he knew it, because he has fought with a broken hand, with cuts under his eyes and him not fighting because a shoulder pain? I don’t think so” said Cruz, who stunned his opponent in the third round in a bout scheduled for eight rounds, at 145 pounds.
Cruz’s trainer Lemuel ‘Indian’ Rodriguez could not hide his excitement by saying “I am right now like a child, we have several plans in all our fights, if one is not working, we use another plan and the original plan was to attack the body and throw punches to Guzman’s shoulders and everything went to perfection. ” said the coach who grew up in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
“I hope I have made my people feel proud, I am a proud Puerto Rican who comes to the ring to prove that I’m a ‘boricua’ with heart. These days because Puerto Ricans boxers have been losing and I will show that there is one here and it will take take a long, long, time to defeated me”. said Cruz who was raised in the Barrio Cortés in Manatí and now lives in Bethlehem Pennsylvania.
The Cruz vs Guzman fight was the Co Main Event of the Omar Sheika vs Garrte Wilson rematch, held at the Palladium Ballroom at Caesars, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Robert Guerrero Honored With Tribute Day in Hometown of Gilroy
April 25, 2011- The city of Gilroy, California, hometown to five-time world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, is dedicating a special day to their accomplished hero. On Sunday May 15, 2011, family, friends and fans are encouraged to make their way to downtown Gilroy as the official Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero Day will be celebrated. Streets will be blocked off on 5th St. from Eigleberry St. to Monterey Road beginning at 12:00 with festivities till 6:00 P.M. Money raised from a $5.00 dinner plate, $5.00 autographed photos and raffled items will be donated to the “Leukemia and Lymphoma Society” and “Be The Match National Marrow Donor Program.”
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the people of Gilroy.” said Guerrero. “Not only will I be honored for my accomplishments in the ring, but this event will help raise money and bring awareness to people suffering from cancer. I encourage everyone to come out and join the bone marrow registry. A simple cotton swab in the mouth is all it takes. By doing that a life can be saved.”
Mayor Al Pinheiro went on to say “Robert Guerrero is to be congratulated not only for his boxing titles, which are an amazing accomplishment, but also as a tremendous example to all for his community spirit. Robert is an exceptional role model for our youth, and definitely one who leads by example. Accomplishing what he has under ideal conditions would be extraordinary in itself, but coupled with the other challenges that Robert and his family have faced, and conquered, the true champion spirit of Robert is there for all to see. Not only is he one of the best fighters in the World, he is someone who, we as Gilroyans, can all be extremely proud of.”
In addition, State Assemblyman Luis Alejo will be giving Robert Guerrero a Proclamation on behalf of the State Assembly and State Senate.
“The Gilroy Police department would like to recognize hometown hero Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero for his amazing success and for being a positive role model to all Gilroy youth.” stated Police Chief Denise Turner. “We applaud his efforts and commitment to our community.”
A special thanks goes out to those who made this event possible, which include California Silk Screen, Garlic City Books, Gilroy Downtown Business Association, City of Gilroy, Garlic City Billiards, Gilroy Police Department, Golden Boy Promotions, Ringside Boxing, Dethrone Clothing and Prayfit. Live music provided by Mariachi Alma de Mexico, Bombshell Bully’s and J.J. Hawg will be played throughout the day during the festivities. Food provided by Station 55 and Lizarran Mexican Restaurant.
Please join the “City of Gilroy” on this special day as they honor their hometown hero, Five-Time World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero.
Scheduled Itinerary:
12:00 – Tri-Tip Sandwich Plate $5.00 served.
1:00 – Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero Intro.
2:30 – 3:30 – Autographed photos available for purchase $5.00.
3:30 – 4:00 – Robert & Father Boxing Demonstration.
4:45 – 5:00 – Presentation to “The Ghost” by Mayor and City Council