LOS ANGELES, March 2 – 2004 United States Olympian Vicente Escobedo’s homecoming bout against Lonnie Smith headlines this Saturday night’s edition of “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” at the Woodland Community Center in Woodland, California, but the action doesn’t start there, as unbeaten Manuel “Tino” Avila headlines a stacked undercard featuring a host of local talent.
In the 10 round main event, Escobedo (24-3, 14 KO’s) faces Smith (14-2-2, 10 KO’s) for the vacant NABO Junior Lightweight Title while Fairfield’s Avila faces Los Angeles’s David Reyes in a six round junior featherweight co-main event and rematch of their October 2011 fight.
Escobedo vs. Smith headlines a night of world-class professional boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Don Chargin Productions in association with Paco Presents and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00pm, the first bell rings at 7:20pm and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 12:00 am ET/PT.
Tickets, priced at $40, $50 and $70, are on sale now and available for purchase at Paco’s Restaurant by calling (530) 669-7946, F&F Multiprint by calling (530) 666-3102 or online at PacoPresentsBoxing.com.
A talented amateur who turned heads every time he stepped between the ropes, Manuel “Tino” Avila (6-0, 2 KO’s) continues to impress as a professional, winning all six of his fights thus far. A professional since late 2010, the 19-year-old stepped on the gas last year, fighting five times and ending 2011 with a split decision win over then-unbeaten David Reyes in October. On Friday, he makes his first start of 2012 against the 21-year-old Reyes (2-1), who is eager to even the score with his rival.
Also seeing action this Saturday is Bratsk, Russia’s Dimitry Chudinov (6-0, 3 KO’s) who risks his perfect professional record in a six round super middleweight battle against Delano, California’s Paul Mendez (7-2, 2 KO’s).
A four round lightweight fight between two Sacramento brawlers, debuting Payton Boyea and Harry Gopaul (0-2), will also be featured as will San Francisco junior welterweight Jonathan Chicas (4-0, 3 KO’s) facing Ephraim Martinez (4-1, 1 KO) of Buttonwillow, California in a four round 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.
For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/ChenteEscobedo, www.twitter.com/130lbBEAST or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.