The current “Golden Boy” and legendary champion Oscar de la Hoya will pay tribute to the original Los Angeles “Golden Boy” Art Aragon, who died this year at the age of 88. “Art Aragon meant so much to boxing and the Los Angeles community,” said De La Hoya, who was called “Golden Boy” soon after winning his 1992 Olympic gold medal. “With his passing this March, I thought it was only fitting to dedicate my fight to him and acknowledge his great contribution to boxing and the community. I am glad his family will be able to be there for this special night..”

The Aragon family will be guests of De La Hoya Saturday night, sitting ringside and being acknowledged by a ceremonial announcement in the ring before the main event bout.

“My family is extremely grateful to Oscar for acknowledging my father by dedicating his “Homecoming” bout to him,” said Brad Aragon, son of the deceased fighter. “It meant a lot to him to have Oscar use ‘Golden Boy’ as his ring name as my father truly believed that, like him, Oscar has given so much to boxing and the community around him. I wish Oscar all the best and know that my father will be watching Saturday night too.”

Aragon, was born in Belen, New Mexico on November 13, 1927. He grew up in Los Angeles, fought during the 1930s and 1940s, and was given the name “Golden Boy” by screen actor William Holden after Holden starred in the 1939 movie of the same name. He was the second Golden Boy in boxing, the first being heavyweight Jack DeMave, who fought in the ’20s.

Aragon, who compiled a career record of 90-20-6 (61 KO’s), wore gold trunks and robes and loved to play the villain in the ring. His only title shot came on November 14, 1951 when he lost a 15-round decision to lightweight champion Jimmy Carter, whom he had previously defeated. Aragon also fought Carmen Basilio, Don Jordan, and Billy Graham. Handsome in looks and married four times, he was romantically linked to Marilyn Monroe, Mamie Van Doren, and Jayne Mansfield among others. After his retirement in 1960, Aragon became a bail bondsman and appeared in several movies and TV shows.

“Homecoming”—On Saturday, May 3, De La Hoya will face former world champion Steve Forbes, in what will be the first-ever boxing event at The Home Depot Center’s soccer stadium. The bout will also mark De La Hoya’s return home to fight for the first time in Los Angeles since 2000 as well as his return to HBO’s World Championship Boxing for the first time since 2001. Homecoming” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Tournament of Contenders, AEG and The Home Depot Center and is sponsored by Cazadores, Tecate, Rockstar Energy Drink, Southwest Airlines and Affliction Clothing. The match up will be televised live by HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.

Tickets priced starting at $25.00 may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 213-480-3232 or by visiting ticketsmaster.com. Group tickets, VIP packages and Hospitality packages are available by calling 1-877-AEG-TICKETS (1-877-234-8425) or by visiting www.aegtickets.com.

Joan Guzman Insists He Was Ready To Fight

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (April 30, 2008) – World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Lightweight Champion Joan Guzman doesn’t believe Scotland-native Alex Arthur, the interim champion, has the heart or desire to fight him for the full version of the title..

“I don’t understand what the hold up is,” said Guzman, who is promoted by San Diego-based Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “Forget everything you’ve heard or read from Arthur and his promoter about me having visa problems. It’s all a smoke screen.

“The truth is, I received my visa on April 24 and was ready to travel to Scotland the next day. I was packed and ready to go. I was excited.

“I could have easily fought him on the original date (May 3). I don’t know why the fight needed a new date other than the fact that Arthur is flat-out scared of me. He was looking for an excuse to postpone this fight because he knew he was going to get destroyed and embarrassed in front of his hometown fans.

“This only makes me angrier. I want to get my fists on him now more than ever before. This guy is in for a real beating. He’s going to get scotch-taped like you wouldn’t believe.”

Guzman was scheduled to defend his WBO 130 pound title this Saturday, May 3, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He received his visa a little later than expected, but he feels he got it in plenty of time for the fight to happen.

“The visa issue wasn’t even a big deal,” Guzman said. “All the paperwork was in order. I’m convinced Arthur is afraid of me. If he really wanted the fight he would tell his promoter to get us a new, immediate date. It has been nearly a week and we haven’t heard a thing.”

David Diaz to Serves as Co-Grand Marshal at Chicago’s Cinco de Mayo Parade

CHICAGO, IL (April 30, 2008) World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion DAVID DIAZ will be honored This Sunday! May 4, as the co-Grand Marshal in Chicago’s Cinco De Mayo Parade, the highlight of the city’s 25th Annual Cinco De Mayo Festival and Parade Celebration..

“I’m thrilled to be given this honor as part of the celebration of our Mexican culture. It’s great to participate in the Cinco De Mayo festivities with my family and all of the Mexican families,” said Diaz.

The parade route kicks off at Noon at the corner of Cermak Road and Damen Ave., west to Marshall Boulevard and then south on Marshall Blvd. ending at California Ave. Each year thousands line the parade route to watch the multitude of floats and cars in the parade.

For more information on the parade and festival please visit Chicago’s Cinco De Mayo Festival and Parade website at www.el5demayo.org.

Diaz is currently training in Chicago as he prepares to defend his world title against boxing superstar and four-division world champion Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, June 28th at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About his training, Diaz stated, “Everything is going very well and on June 28, I’ll be 100% ready to defend my title.”

Dubbed “Republica Enemy No. 1,” Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003 including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.

Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.

The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.