Gary Shaw Productions and Thomson Boxing Promotions’ Darley Perez (25-0, 19 KOs), who was slated to face Australia’s, Michael Katsidis (28-6, 23 KOs), will now face, Bahodir Mamadjonov (11-0, 7 KOs), at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, Calif. The 10-round main event in the lightweight division will air on ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” August 10, 2012.
With Michael Katsidis pulling out because of a knee injury, Perez and Mamadjonov will put their undefeated records on the line. Both fighters bring impressive styles to the ring and promise to give the fans a great show.
“One door closes and another one opens,” said Perez. “This is a great opportunity to showcase my skills on a national stage. I’ve trained for every style so this recent change will not affect me. Mamadjonov is undefeated and I know he’s going to bring it on fight night, so everyone will see a great fight. I’m coming to end his unbeaten streak.
Said Mamadjonov, “Darley Perez doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into. His days of being undefeated are over. I’m fully prepared to knock him off and end his dreams of becoming a champion. I’m the future of the division and I’m going to prove it when we step in the ring.”
In the co-feature, two exciting super bantamweight standouts will put it all on the line when, Lancaster, California’s Chris Avalos (19-2, 15 KOs) and undefeated Dominican native, Yenifel Vicente (23-0, 15 KOs) and battle each other in a 10-round bout.
Avalos, who is coming off a controversial split decision loss, is eager to get back in the ring and regain his quest for title contention.
“In my only two losses, I felt I won those fight,” said Avalos. “They were split decision losses and I’m not going to leave it in the judge’s hands in this fight with Vicente. I know he comes to fight, but I’m hungrier than ever. I’m going to end his unbeaten streak.”
Vicente will be making his US debut and looks to make a great first impression/
“I want to show the United States fans that I’m one of the best fighters in the world,” said Vicente. “This is a great opportunity and I’m not going to let it slip away. I’m coming to knock Avalos out!”
Undercard
Popular Featherweight Alejandro Luna (9-0, 7 KOs) will make his highly anticipated return to the Morongo against an opponent TBA. Jesus Hernandez (10-0, 2 KOs) of Los Mochis, MX vs. Edwin Solis (3-2, 3 KOs) of Tijuana, MX will battle it out in a 6-round super bantamweight bout. Roy Tapia (3-0-1, 2 KOs) vs. Jonathan Alcantara (6-7-2, 1 KOs) fight in a 6-round junior middleweight bout. Puerto Rican Geovanny Rodriguez (6-0, 4 KOs) and Clevan Ishe (3-7, 1 KOs) clash in an 8-round bantamweight bout and Philippine super bantamweight Glenn Porras (27-3, 17 KOs) round out the card.
This event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions in conjunction with Thompson Boxing and the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. 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.
