Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

TONY THOMPSON KO’D BY BRONCHITIS; FRES OQUENDO READY FOR HIS OPPORTUNITY

LOS ANGELES (December 5, 2008) – Goossen Tutor Promotions was informed today by Dr. Doug Frankel that Tony “The Tiger” Thompson is suffering from acute bronchitis and was given immediate orders to stay out of the gym and subsequently his plans to enter the ring next weekend (December 13) at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa and broadcast on VERSUS to face 3-time World Champion, James “Lights Out” Toney, (70-6-3, 43 KOs) in a scheduled 12-Round NABO/IBA Heavyweight Championship Bout.

Upon receiving the news, Goossen Tutor Promotions matchmaker, Tom Brown acted quickly and replaced Thompson, with WBO Latino Heavyweight Champion and former World Title challenger, Fres “The Big O” Oquendo (29-4, 18 KOs) in the 12-round bout.

Oquendo started his career with 22 fights without a loss and in his 23rd took on the hard-punching and undefeated David Tua on April 13, 2002 in a fight Oquendo was dominating until getting caught by a Tua bomb and being stopped in the 9th round. Two wins later, he fought reigning IBF World Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd, losing a close and controversial 12-round decision. His performance in the Bryd fight earned him another World Heavyweight Championship bout against then-champion John Ruiz in his next fight, which was the first time two Puerto Ricans had ever faced each other in a heavyweight championship bout. In a back-and-forth fight with Ruiz on April 17, 2004, held at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Oquendo was stopped in the 11th round.

Oquendo came back strong in February 2006 after taking 2005 off, and got back into the win column. He followed up that victory with a May 25, 2006 win over James Toney’s stablemate, Javier Mora. On November 10, 2006 the “Big O” fought living legend, Evander Holyfield at the San Antonio Alamadome where Holyfield escaped with a very controversial decision victory. In 2007 and 2008 he’s had three bouts, all victories, two by KO.

“I was training for a fight that was recently cancelled, and when I was informed that I had the chance to fight Toney, there was zero hesitation,” said an elated Oquendo. “This was the opportunity I was looking for. It gets me right back into a position to challenge for a World Title.”

The second featured televised bout will showcase 2004 Olympic Gold medalist and #4 WBO and #5 WBC top rated Super Middleweight World contender Andre Ward (16-0, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout against Estaban “Rocky” Camou (23-4, 19 KOs) of Navojoa, MX. The Oakland, California native – who captured the NABO title by stopping former Dominican Olympian Jerson Ravelo last June in Grand Cayman — will be returning to action for the first time since that bout and undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery due to a non-boxing injury.

Also, making his television debut will be East LA 2008 Olympian, Shawn Estrada (1-0, 1 KO) in a 4-round bout. The rest of the card features IBF #7 Heavyweight World contender Eddie Chambers against Cisse Salif; Undefeated heavyweight, Malik Scott (31-0, 11 KOs) battles Raphael Butler (34-7, 24 KOs); and the Lil Warrior, Michael Franco in an 8-round Bantamweight bout.

‘Now or Never’ is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions and will air live on VERSUS.

Doors open at 4 PM PT; first non-televised bout at 4:30 PM PT. The live VERSUS telecast begins at 9PM ET/6 PM PT.

YURI FOREMAN COLLIDES WITH JAMES MOORE
IN SHOBOX CO-FEATURE ON SATURDAY, DEC. 13

Junior Middleweights Take Center Stage in Fight Right Before

Holt-Torres III on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (Dec. 5, 2008) – A pair of talented fighters with a combined record of 42-1 will collide when undefeated, world top 10-ranked Yuri Foreman (26-0, 8 KOs) faces once-beaten James Moore (16-1, 10 KOs) in an excellent co-featured attraction on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on Saturday, Dec. 13, live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

The 10-round junior middleweight skirmish will precede the eagerly awaited grudge rubber match between World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight champion Kendall “Rated R’’ Holt (24-2, 13 KOs) and Ricardo “Mochuelo’’ Torres (32-2, 28 KOs).

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The event, promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc., will take place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

Foreman, of Brooklyn, N.Y., by way of Gomel, Belarus, is ranked in the top 10 by the four major organizations. He is No. 4 in the World Boxing Association (WBA), No. 6 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 8 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO).

The current North American Boxing Federation (NABF) 154-pound champion, Foreman is a skilled, disciplined, crafty, well-conditioned boxer with excellent speed, movement and lightning-quick reflexes.

The 5-foot-11, 28-year-old pitched a shutout in his last fight, registering a 10-round decision over Vinroy Barrett on Oct. 18, 2008, in Atlantic City. Foreman won by 100-90 on the three judges’ scorecards.

Moore, of Queens, N.Y., via Arklow, County Wickow, Ireland, went 15-0 at the outset of a career that began in August 2005 before losing an eight-round decision to Gabriel Roado on June 6, 2008.

In his last start, Moore unanimously outpointed Lloyd Joseph across eight rounds on Aug. 6, 2008, which also happened to be his first wedding anniversary. “Can you believe that?” Moore said.

An aggressive-minded 5-foot-11, 30-year-old who works the body well, Moore hails from a fighting family – his father is the coach of the national Irish boxing team. The younger Moore was a top amateur, but he got a late start as a pro and will be taking a considerable step up in class in this one.

“No doubt, this is it, the biggest fight of my career,” said Moore, who trains at the world-famous Wild Card Gym in North Hollywood, Calif. “This is the fight where I get to show the fans, as well as the television executives, what I’m capable of. I’ve been eager to have such a high profile fight for a long time. The fact that it is coming in the midst of holiday season makes it even more special to me.’’

Moore and Foreman are not strangers. “I’ve known Yuri for a good while,’’ said Moore, who’ll look to pressure Foreman early and often. “I sparred a lot of rounds with him at Gleason’s Gym in New York.’’

Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey

Special Edition of ShoBox: The New Generation

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, Live on SHOWTIME, 11 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (Dec. 4, 2008) – World Boxing Council (WBC) 140-pound champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley will get an up close and personal look at his next opponent when he attends the highly anticipated rubber match between World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight champion Kendall “Rated R’’ Holt (24-2, 13 KOs) and Ricardo “Mochuelo’’ Torres (32-2, 28 KOs) in the final chapter of a thrilling trilogy on Saturday, Dec. 13, live on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Bradley (23-0, 11 KOs), who made his first successful title defense on Sept. 13 on SHOWTIME with a unanimous decision over Edner Cherry, will face the winner and WBO champion in a unification bout in 2009.

One of the division’s brightest young stars, the 25-year-old Bradley will join SHOWTIME commentator Al Bernstein during the telecast for an exclusive interview where he will discuss his upcoming fight with the winner.

“I’m hoping Holt-Torres III is as exciting and explosive as their second fight so it will bring more anticipation to our mega-fight,” Bradley said. “It doesn’t matter who wins because I can outbox Torres and I can fight Holt.

“I’ll be ready to fight either of them to unify the belts. I just hope there’s no controversy so I can fight the decisive winner.”

The Palm Springs, Calif., native has had a meteoric rise to the top of the 140-pound division in 2008. Bradley defeated Junior Witter in England on May 10, 2008, to capture the title, In what may be the “Upset of the Year.” He went on to defend it just four months later against Cherry. The unification bout against Holt or Torres would be the biggest fight of his career.

“Whoever I fight, you will see the best in the division,” Bradley said. “I think that Torres’ style against me would be pretty electric for the viewers, but Holt would be really exciting too. It’d be nice to see what I could do against a taller opponent (Holt).

“I’m pretty sure Holt wouldn’t stand there and bang with me, but we’ll see.”

Bradley doesn’t care who he faces in the upcoming unification bout, and he isn’t scared to make a prediction as to who will win.

“I’m going with Holt, but he won’t try and slug it out like they did in the second fight,” Bradley said. “He will definitely try to outbox Torres.

“I think Torres will come out aggressive, but he’ll use his jab a little more. He’ll push the pace and won’t be as reckless, but, in the end it will be Holt.”

Tickets are now on sale for the event, which is promoted by Top Rank, Inc., for Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Tickets at $200, $100 and $50 are available on www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-736-1420, or at any Ticketmaster outlet nationwide. Tickets can also be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office. The box office is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (event day hours are subject to change).

In the co-feature, undefeated prospect Yuri Foreman (26-0, 8 KOs) will face once-beaten James Moore (16-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight bout.

“Iceman” John Scully Presents: JOHNNY DUKE MEMORIAL AMATEUR BOXING SHOW:

Former NABF Super Middleweight Champion SCOTT PEMBERTON and former two-time WBA World Champion JOSE ANTONIO “El Gallo” RIVERA will attend and help in handing out trophies. Also slated to attend are 1996 U.S. Olympian LAWRENCE CLAY-BEY, former NABF lightweight champion PITO CARDONA, former IBO super bantamweight champion MIKE OLIVER and HOPEFULLY (I should know on Thursday night or early Friday for sure) two-time former welterweight champion (and 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist) MARK BRELAND.

Former New York City GG Champion and lightweight contender BRIAN ADAMS will also appear as will, possibly, Manchester’s unbeaten featherweight, MATT “SHARPSHOOTER” REMILLARD.

Weigh-in starts at 5 PM…tickets are just $15 for ringside and $10 for general admission. ALL proceeds will go towards the purchase of a plaque commemorating Johnny Duke and his more than forty years of training boxers at the Bellevue Square Boys Club in Hartford, Connecticut. The plaque will be permanently affixed to the brick wall that now lines the site of the former gym. Duke trained many notable Hartford area boxers, most notably future two-time welterweight champion MARLON STARLING.

Bouts will be held at the brand new LION’S DEN GYM (SPECTACULAR FACILITY!) 1385 Newfield St. in Middletown, CT

TENTATIVE BOUT LINEUP:
1… 90 JO: Luis Rosa, Hamden vs. Luis Santiago, Whitley Bros., Holyoke
2… 139 JO: Rikki Soumpholphakdy, Champions of Life, Middletown vs Carlos Perez, Silver City
3… 125 JO: Terin Swanson, Hamden vs. Lirim Lajqi, WESTCHESTER
4… 141 Novice: Donovan Whitley, Whitley Bros. vs. Ryan Paris, Manchester PAL
5… 132 JO: ADRIAN AYALA, HAMDEN VS. Emmanuel Andujar, Holyoke
6… 141 Novice: Nelson Perez, Hudson, Mass. vs Miguel Martinez, Whaling City (New London)
7… 152 Novice: Marco, WHITLEY’S vs Dante Longwa, STAMFORD
8… 141 Novice: Mike Rappa, Rhode Island vs. Carlos Hernandez, Stamford, CT
9… +201 MASTER’S: Stan Tompkins, L.A. Boxing vs. Doug Glazier, Framingham (Mass.) P.A.L.
Intermission
10… 141 OPEN: Jose Vargas, Untouchables, Holyoke vs Edwin Badillo Soto, Hamden
11… 165 OPEN: David Seallis, Bridgeport vs Charles Foster, HAMDEN
12… 185 OPEN: Ron Scott, Malone’s vs. Pedro (Tyson), Holyoke
13… 132 OPEN: Joey “Chip” Perez, Champions of Life, Middletown vs Julio Perez, Hudson, Mass.

VERSUS TO AIR FIGHT NIGHT SPECIAL PRESENTATION

ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 AT 8 P.M. ET

In Advance of December 6 Superfight, Network to Air Hard-Hitting

Classic Fights Featuring Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao

NEW YORK, N.Y. (December 2, 2008)—VERSUS, the network that celebrates real competition, will air a special Fight Night presentation on Thursday, December 4 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The two-hour special presentation, which will air in advance of the highly anticipated December 6, De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao fight, will feature two classic fights: Oscar De La Hoya vs. Fernando Vargas and Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales II.

The night will include complete bell-to-bell coverage of the Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas fight which ended in De La Hoya’s spectacular knockout of Vargas in the eleventh round and complete coverage of the exciting Pacquiao vs. Morales II slugfest which ended in the sixth round with Pacquiao’s knockout of Morales. The night will also include interviews from both De La Hoya and Pacquiao about the classic fights airing on VERSUS and about the December 6, bout in Las Vegas. VERSUS will also feature footage from the press tours and footage of the fighters training leading up to this weekend’s big fight.

Boxers to appear as part of Tecate’s Mobile Boxing Ring tour

WHAT: As a sponsor of the Dec. 6 De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao bout, Cerveza Tecate invites adult consumers in Las Vegas to be a part of the excitement of this match during a meet-and-greet session with Golden Boy Promotions champions, Juan Manuel Marquez and Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora, at Tecate’s first-ever Mobile Boxing Ring tour.

The mobile boxing ring will create excitement among Las Vegas boxing fans, bringing them the opportunity to participate in autograph and photo sessions with two of the most talented fighters. Making stops in key locations around the city, the mobile ring tour will also feature radio personality Piolin, and the popular Chicas Tecate to enhance the consumer experience.

WHEN AND Friday, December 5

WHERE: 4 – 6 p.m.

La Bonita

2672 Las Vegas Blvd. North

Las Vegas, NV

**Appearance by Juan Manuel Marquez and Piolin

Friday, December 5

5 – 7 p.m.

Food 4 Less

2545 S. Eastern Avenue

Las Vegas, NV

**Appearance by Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora at the Tecate’s Inflatable Boxing Ring

Saturday, December 6

2 – 4 p.m.

Food 4 Less

4965 E. Sahara Avenue

Las Vegas, NV

**Appearance by Juan Manuel Marquez

WHO: Cerveza Tecate, one of the leading Mexican beer brands, reaffirms its commitment to Hispanic adults by offering a $20 mail-in rebate for the HBO Pay-Per-View event with purchase of a Tecate or Tecate Light 12-pack or higher.

Joan Guzman vs. Ameth Diaz

El Palacio de los Deportes

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 2, 2008) – Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs) continues to leave his sparring partners gassed and looking for the exits. On this occasion, from the Maywood Gym in Los Angeles, undefeated super featherweight Urbano Antillion (24-0, 17 KOs) got a taste of what it’s like to be in the ring with a two-division world champion.

“Guzman’s hand speed and quickness is unlike anything I’ve seen before,” Antillion said. “He doesn’t let you develop any kind of rhythm. “After a while, you just get tired because of the pace he keeps. It was a good learning experience for me.”

Young boxers, trainers and those merely looking for a glimpse of the Dominican star followed every punch, step and movement that came from the slick-footed Guzman.

“That happens quite frequently when I train in gyms that I’m not familiar with,” said Guzman, who enjoyed bigger crowds at an Atlantic City, N.J. gym during fight week workouts for his bout against Humberto Soto in 2007. “Everyone kind of stops what they’re doing and looks. Afterward, I get to talk to some of the youngsters and give them some tips.”

Guzman travels to his native Dominican Republic to take on World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedelatin lightweight champion Ameth Diaz (25-7, 19 KOs) on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, from El Palacio de los Deportes in Guzman’s hometown of Santo Domingo.

The 12-round fight is promoted by Jay Boxing Promotions and will be Guzman’s first since outpointing Soto last November. The bout also serves as a WBA lightweight title eliminator.

“I’m getting into that stage in training where everything is clicking,” Guzman said. “The jab, combinations and defense are working together. Every move and reaction is built for a purpose.

“With the fight being in my native Dominican, I have to make sure to give my hometown fans a good show. I haven’t fought there in two years so I’m looking forward to it.”

Guzman is trained by the veteran Robert Garcia.

NEW YORK (December 2, 2008) – Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Nagy “Dominican Dynamite” Aguilera has scheduled a coming out party Thursday night (December 4), headlining his first show in the 8-round main event on the third annual “Holiday Hits” card, at the famed Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan.

Aguilera (10-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Newburgh (NY), takes on 7-foot Marcellus “More Than A Conqueror” Brown (25-17-1, 21 KOs), who has been a sparring partner the past two months for former world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, in the featured fight on the 12-bout card “Holiday Hits” show, promoted by Bob Duffy’s Ring Promotions.

“I have enough fighters to start a Christmas choir,” promoter Duffy joked. “We’re giving boxing fans in New York City an early present with the equivalent of two shows for the price of one. This is Nagy’s show; his time to shine. He’s being showcased along with some of the most talented, young fighters in New York.”

Aguilera, born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Puerto Rico, was the top rated amateur in both countries before resettling in Newburgh, New York. He is a 2-time New York Golden Gloves champion, as well as a former U19 tournament winner.

“This fight means a lot to me because I’ll be fighting in the main event in only my 11th pro fight,” Aguilera said. “New York being my home makes it even better. I’ve never fought anybody as big as him (Brown), but size means nothing. I hope he’s coming to fight because I’m going to knock him out. It’s going to be a great show.”

Brown has been in against former world champions Lamon Brewster, Tommy Morrison and Trevor Berbick.

“To be a 10-0 fighter in the main event is a privilege,” Aguilera’s manager John Silverman commented. “We’re not taking Brown lightly. He has 25 wins with 17 knockouts, stands 7-feet and weighs around 280 pounds. We’re delighted Nagy is getting this opportunity. In the heavyweight division, we see Nagy as an up-and-comer, a young star ready to take it to the next level.”

New York City southpaws Jaffa “African Assassin” Ballogou and Daniel Judah square-off in a crossroads fight in the 12-round co-feature for the IBF International light heavyweight title. IBF Continental Africa cruiserweight champion Ballogou (46-6-1, 40 KOs), born in Togo and living in Manhattan, battles Bronx native Judah (22-3-3, 10 KOs) for Big Apple 175-pound bragging rights., in the 12-round co-feature. Ballogou, 40, also is the former WBC Latin America and WBA

Bronx lightweight Jorge “The Truth” Teron (22-0-1, 15 KOs), reigning NABF title-holder, faces Aldo “El Pato” Valtierra (24-10, 13 KOs) in a 10-round, non-title Special Attraction. Teron, trained by former Olympic gold medalist and world champion, Mark Breland, is rated No. 4 by the WBO, as well as No. 14 by the WBA and No. 19 by the WBC, while Mexican warrior Valtierra is a former WBA Fedecentro and WBC FECARBOX Central American super featherweight title-holder.

Popular middleweight George “Blaze” Walton (18-3, 12 KOs), of Harlem, meets Clarence “Sonny Bono” Taylor (13-18-3, 6 KOs) in a 6-rounder. Dublin super featherweight Eddie “Pride of Tallaght” Hyland (10-1, 3 KOs), making his much anticipated New York City debut, fights Gustavo Dailey (2-3) in another 6-round bout.

Also on the undercard in separate 4-round bouts is highly-touted Brooklyn light heavyweight Will Rosinsky (2-0, 2 KOs), three-time National Golden Gloves champion vs. Amador Acevedo (2-4, 2KOs), Queens, Lou DiBella-promoted NYC heavyweight Tor Hamer (1-0, 1 KOs) vs. Royal Bryant (1-1-1, 0 KOs), Brooklyn welterweight Luis “El Mero Mero” Ruiz (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Ken Durham (4-26-1, 2 KOs), Queens light middleweight (by way of Cyprus) Lambrose “Lionheart” Karaolides (1-0, 1 KO) vs. James Justice (0-1), New York City light welterweight Christian Martinez makes his pro debut against Rochester’s Murray Cunningham (1-0, 0 KOs), pro debuting Bronx super flyweight Emmanuel Gonzalez vs. Jean Ramos (0-2), Brooklyn light middleweight (by way of France) Roman Oliveri vs. Eluid Torres (0-0-1). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $150.00 (Golden Ringside), $100.00 (Ringside) and $50.00 (General Admission), are on sale and available to purchase at the Roseland Ballroom, going to www.ringpromotions.com or calling 516.313.2304. Doors open at 6:00 PM, first bout at 6:30 PM.

MANCHESTER, Conn. (December 2, 2008) – What a difference a year makes, especially for 22-year-old Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard, the reigning WBC Youth and USNBC featherweight champion.

A year ago, Remillard (16-0, 8 KOs) was in the midst of a 1 1/2 -year stretch of inactivity due to wrist injury requiring surgery for torn ligaments that separated bones in his hand. Noted hand surgeon Dr. Steven Margles (LaheyClinic in Burlington, MA) operated, using artificial bone and pins to hold everything together. The artificial bone, however, never healed properly and Dr. Margles performed additional surgery, where he took bone from Matt’s hip to his wrist, and held it together with a screw.

Remillard suffered the aforementioned injury in 2006, winning a 10-round decision against Jose Hernandez (6-0) for the WBC super featherweight title, which he was forced to relinquish due to his injury sidelining him for 16 months. During his long layoff, Matt worked with his longtime trainer, Paul Cichon, at the Manchester (CT) PAL gym, just daily stretching, running, walking and calisthenics as he rehabilitated his left hand. Unable to use his left hand, he strengthened his right, and eventually learned how to fight comfortably as a southpaw.

In 2008, however, he returned to the ring with a vengeance, winning all five of his fights and capturing the WBC Youth and USNBC featherweight title belts, as well as being named the NABF and Connecticut Fighter of the Year.

“This year was huge for me after having to take off 1 ½ years to recuperate,” Remillard said. “I felt like I had to step up in order to catch up to where I was. I had time off to mature, in and out of the ring, and work on different skills. I thought that it was reality because everything had been taken away. I came back fully focused and worked with Paul in the gym to become more than a one-handed fighter.

“There are days my hand lets me know it was injured. It’s never going to be 100-percent, but these tools aren’t meant to hit people or take punishment. The most important thing is that it doesn’t hurt to fight.”

The multi-tattooed Remillard realizes he’s in a very competitive division, one dominated by Latinos. “I’m in one of the toughest decisions,” Remillard commented. “There are a lot of tough Mexicans and Olympians. My last fight was against the toughest guy I’ve fought (3-time world champion, 34-9-2 Maurico Pastrana). He’s a world-class veteran who came to fight and was in good shape. I used my boxing skills more and I think that win (6-round decision) has to help move me up the ladder.

“Next year, I hope to have five or six more fight for a regional title like the NABF or USBA, and move up in the rankings. If I can beat a couple of big names in 2009 to use as a stepping stone, I feel that I’ll be able to make some noise in 2010 and possibly fight for a world title. I’m 16-0 now and hopefully I’ll have somewhere in the mid-twenties for wins next year, which will position me to knock on the door for a world title shot in 2010. I leave all of that up to my team – promoter Jimmy Burchfield, manager Bret Hallenbeck and trainer Paul Cichon. I’ll be ready. I’ve never turned down a fight.”

Remillard, rated No. 23 by the WBC, also is ranked No. 5 by the USBA and NABF.

Two years ago, Remillard was wearing a cast and training with one hand; today, he’s one of the brightest American prospects among smaller weight fighters. Oh, what a difference a year has made for “Sharp Shooter.”

TWO TITLE FIGHTS HIGHLIGHT DECEMBER 6

“THE DREAM MATCH”

PAY-PER-VIEW UNDERCARD

VICTOR ORTIZ vs. JEFFREY RESTO and

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ vs. SERGIO MEDINA

LOS ANGELES, CA (November 21, 2008) – Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank announced the addition of two 12-round title fights to the December 6 pay-per-view undercard of “The Dream Match,” headlined by the 12-round welterweight collision between two of boxing’s biggest attractions OSCAR DE LA HOYA and MANNY PACQUIAO.

NABO junior welterweight champion and Top-Five contender “Vicious” VICTOR ORTIZ defends his title against JEFFREY RESTO and WBO junior featherweight champion JUAN MANUEL “Juanma” LOPEZ defends his crown against Top-10 contender and Argentinian National super bantamweight champion SERGIO “Rocky” MEDINA. Combined, these four warriors have a sterling record of 100-4-1 (69 KOs) – a winning percentage of 95% and a victory by knockout ratio of 69%.

Ortiz (22-1-1, 17 KOs), from Oxnard, Calif., a former amateur standout, is currently riding a two-year, 16-bout unbeaten streak, including 12 knockout victories. He captured the vacant NABO title in his last fight, a fifth-round stoppage of Roberto Arrieta in September. Recent knockout victories of former world champion Carlos Maussa and contender Emmanuel Clottey have raised his world rating to a career-high, No, 5 in both the WBO and the WBA. Resto (22-2, 13 KOs) is enjoying a four-year winning streak. This year, the Bronx native of both Mexican and Puerto Rican descent scored decision wins over Humberto Tapia and Hector Altorre, who had a combined record of 27-8-1 when he fought them. Resto is currently rated No. 7 by the NABO.

Lopez (23-0, 21 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, will be making his second world title defense on December 6. The 2004 Puerto Rican Olympian has not had an opponent go the distance with him in over two years. He captured the world title in June, knocking out defending champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in the first round. He retained the title in his first defense in October against Cesar Figueroa, again by first-round knockout. Medina (33-1, 18 KOs), from Salta, Argentina, enters the fight riding a five-bout winning streak, while collecting the WBO-Inter-Continental, the Argentina National and the WBA Latin American junior featherweight titles en route to a top-10 world rating.

Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Inc., presented by Tequila Cazadores and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWalt Tools, Full Throttle Energy Drink and Southwest Airlines. De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao, a 12-round welterweight battle, will take place Saturday, Dec. 6 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. The fight will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

MGM Grand will host closed circuit viewing in conjunction with the upcoming “Dream Match” between the ‘Golden Boy’ Oscar De La Hoya and Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao. Tickets for the closed circuit telecast are priced at $100 (preferred viewing) and $60, not including handling fees. All seats are general admission and are now on sale at the MGM Grand ticket office outlets at the Concierge desk and the KÀ Theatre box office. Tickets also will be available by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 702-474-4000. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Additional MGM MIRAGE properties will host closed circuit viewing and tickets will go on sale at a later date

HBO’s all-access reality series “De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7” presents the series finale Thursday, Dec. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. All four episodes of “De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7” will be shown in a two-hour block consecutively on Friday, Dec. 5 at 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10:00 a.m. on HBO. All times are ET/PT.

An additional pay-per-view bout and a complete undercard will be announced shortly.