On March 16, 2012, Gary Shaw Productions and ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” bring another exciting televised boxing event to the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif. In the main-event, light welterweights Kendall Holt (27-5, 15 KOs) and Tim Coleman (19-2-1, 5 KOs) battle in a 10-round bout. Says Promoter Gary Shaw, “This is going to be a great night of boxing. Both Holt and Coleman are looking to get back in the win column and I expect them to come out swinging. A win for either fighter can get them back into title contention.”
Holt lost a split decision and the No. 1 spot in the WBC to Danny Garcia on the Chad Dawson-Bernard Hopkins Pay Per View card last November at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
Holt, who’s managed by star running back Brandon Jacobs of the Super Bowl Champions, New York Giants, went on to say, “I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity that’s been given to me, fighting on ESPN Friday Night Fights. I know Coleman is coming with his A-game, so this will be an entertaining fight for everyone watching. I feel like my back is against the wall and I need to leave everything in the ring. Come fight night I’m going for broke.”
In the eight-round co-feature, undefeated featherweight prospect Abraham Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs), of La Puente, Calif., will take on Gabriel Tolmajyan (12-1-1, 3 KOs) of Glendale, Calif. Lopez, a native of Jalisco, Mexico, is a big puncher with a crowd pleasing style. Tolmajyan will look to use his slick boxing style to get the victory.
In a six-round bout, hard-punching lightweight Alejandro Luna (8-0, 6 KOs, of Whittier, Calif., returns to action when he faces Mexico’s Jose Mendoza (7-4, 3 KOs). Having grown up as a “Charro” in a family of Mexican cowboys, Luna’s natural showmanship is evident every time he steps in the ring. Luna is always looking for the knockout.
In a rematch, Los Angeles’ Roy Tapia (2-0-0, 1 KOs) and Jose Garcia (1-5, 1 KO) of Bakersfield, CA, collide in a four-round super bantamweight bout. The rejuvenated Tapia is back in boxing after his career was derailed when his father was deported back to Mexico and had to leave his corner. Look for Tapia to come out aggressive.
Featherweights, Derrick Murray (1-0-0, 1 KO) from St. Louis, and Tucson, Arizona’s Cesar Valenzuela (2-0-1) battle to keep their undefeated records intact.
Unbeatens Julian Williams (8-0-1, 4 KOs), of Philadelphia, Los Angeles’ Ray Rivera (2-0-0, 1 KOs) and Roman Morales (8-0, 5 KOs) of San Ardo, CA, will box opponents to be announced.
Tickets priced $35 & $55 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Morongo Casino Box office or by calling the Box office hotline at (951) 755-5391. Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745- 3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.
The Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is located at 49500 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA, 92230. Doors open at 5:00 p.m , first fight starts at 5:30 p.m. ESPN “Friday Night Fights” telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.