Golden Boy Promotions returns to its Coachella Valley home at Fantasy Springs Resort Casinoon March 20 with another exciting Golden Boy Live! event. Headlining the night, former world title contender Alfonso Gomez(24-6-2, 12 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico takes on Japanese breakout star Yoshihiro Kamegai (25-2-1, 22 KOs) in an exciting 10-round super welterweight bout set to air live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes.
In the evening’s co-main event Santa Ana, Calif. slugger Ronny Rios (23-1, 10 KOs) is scheduled for a 10-round featherweight bout against Mexicali’s Jesus “Kalaka” Navarro (23-9-1, 16 KOs) and former Irish national championship fighter Jamie “The Nuisance” Kavanagh (17-1-1, 8 KOs) will compete in an eight-round televised lightweight match against an opponent yet to be named. In the non-televised undercard, the undefeated Abraham Lopez (17-0, 12 KOs) of La Puente, Calif. will risk his perfect record in an eight-round featherweight contest against Mexico’s Juan Carlos “El Pez” Martinez (20-15-1, 7 KOs) and Albert “Baby Dynamite” Herrera (9-10-1, 5 KOs) of Riverside, Calif. will fight in a six-round welterweight brawl against a yet to be announced opponent.
Kamegai vs. Gomez is a 10-round super welterweight bout promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 5:30 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the event, priced at $25, $35, and $45, will go on sale today, Friday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m. PT at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Mexico-native and California transplant Alfonso Gomez rose to recognition in the U.S. while competing on the hit reality TV show “The Contender” on NBC in 2004. He ranked third of the show’s 16 fighters that were competing for a one million dollar cash prize. Gomez is an intense fighter who has taken on some of the toughest fighters in the sport, Shawn Porter, Canelo Alvarez, Miguel Cotto and Jesus Soto Karass. Most recently, Gomez won via unanimous decision over Ed Paredes at the Hard Rock Hotel Casino, Las Vegas in July and hopes to add another win to his record when he meets Kamegai on March 20.
Born in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, Yoshihiro Kamegai began his professional career nearly 10 years ago and quickly became known as a fast and sly slugger, scoring knockout after knockout. He made his U.S. boxing debut in 2011, securing a victory over Hector Munoz at the MGM Grand and most recently scored a knockout victory over Oscar Godoy in December at the same venue. Kamegai, a relative newcomer in the U.S. boxing scene, first captured the American audience and critics’ attention when he fought two-division world titlist Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero in a vicious brawl last June that garnered considerable ‘Fight of the Year’ interest. Kamegai will make his sixth U.S. appearance on March 20 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in his toughest match to date against former world title contender Alfonso Gomez.
Ronny Rios made his professional debut six years ago and has quickly racked up wins and a tough reputation along the way. A familiar face at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Rios has won all but his most recent surprising loss in a vicious battle against Robinson Castellanos at the venue. He makes his return March 20 with great determination and hope to show his fans and boxing critics that he is a mainstay in the sport.
Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico’s Jesus “Kalaka” Navarro is a seasoned fighter ready to take on Rios on March 20. A professional since 2006, the Mexican brawler has had a successful career in his native country and is now making his second appearance in the U.S. after facing contenders like Julio Barraza, Jesus Lopez, and Francisco C De Vaca. In his first fight of 2015, Navarro hopes to add another win to his record and get back on track to a title match.
Irish national champion Jamie “The Nuisance” Kavanagh has a natural talent and knack for the sport, having competed since age 11 only a year after he first set foot in the ring. After racking up medals in international competitions, Kavanagh made his way to the U.S. and made his professional debut at Madison Square Garden in May 2010, with an impressive win over William Ware after just two rounds. 2014 was a good year for Kavanagh as he secured quick wins against Andres Navarro and Michael Clark and hopes to continue the winning streak when he makes his third appearance at Fantasy Spring Resort Casino on March 20.
Featherweight rising star, Abraham Lopez, of La Puente, Calif., first laced up the gloves at age six, and hasn’t put them down since. Lopez, started off his professional career in 2008 with a first round technical knockout of Albert Soto and continues to thrill fight fans with his impressive style. Most recently the undefeated fighter faced Gabriel Tomlmajyan winning via unanimous decision on March 16. On March 20, Lopez will put his undefeated record on the line once again in hopes to one day get a shot at a world title.
Born and raised in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Juan Carlos “El Pez” Martinez is a seasoned fighter still looking for his shot at a title. Having fought over 36 fights in his career and most recently facing contenders like Edner Cherry, Alejandro Perez and Jose Pedraza, “El Pez” has proven to be a feared contender in the sport. Going the distance in most of his fights, Martinez has the experience and the stamina to give anyone a tough fight and on March 20, Martinez hopes to out-box La Puente’s Abraham Lopez.
Riverside, Calif. native Albert “Baby Dynamite” Herrera is a super welterweight prospect looking to add a win to his record when he returns to the ring on March 20 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. A professional since 2009, Herrera has fought some of the division’s toughest fighters including current world champion Demetrius Andrade and tough contenders Alan Sanchez, Javier Molina, Thomas Dulorme and Aaron Martinez.
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