Boxing News: Yuriorkis Gamboa, Pavlik-Lockett Undercard, Mijares-Munoz

By Boxing News - 05/15/2008 - Comments

When unbeaten super featherweight phenomenon Yuriorkis Gamboa (9-0-0, 8 kos) steps into the ring against Darling Jimenez (23-2-2, 14 kos) this Saturday (May 17th) in Primm, Nevada, it will not only be the HBO debut of the Cuban Olympic gold medallist, but also his chance to win the WBC international championship. The title had been laid down by none other than Phillipinian superstar Manny Pacquiao before “Pacman” stripped the world title from Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15th.

“Of course, it is a great honour to fight for this belt”, states Gamboa. “Especially as this in only my tenth professional fight. I am glad that my performances so far have convinced the sanctioning bodies to put me very high in the ratings and I am willing to prove that I am the best boxer in the world.” At the moment Gamboa is rated on No. 3 in the WBA and on No. 4 in the WBC world rankings..

„I know that Jimenez is a tough opponent”, continues Gamboa, “but I also know that to be the best you have to beat the best. And that is what I will do. After winning the WBC international title I will try to get my hands on the belt Pacquiao’s wearing right now. Though I hope that he doesn’t put it down so I will have the chance to take it from him in the ring.”

Along with Gamboa vs. Jimenez the triple main event of “The Night of the Rising Stars” at Terrible’s Primm Valley Casino Resorts features James Kirkland (21-0-0, 18 kos) vs. Eromosele Albert (21-1-0, 10 kos) and Alfredo Angulo (12-0-0, 9 kos) vs. Richard Gutierrez (24-1-0, 14 kos). Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC and Arena Box-Promotion the show will be featured on HBO’s “Boxing After Dark”. It will also be broadcasted LIVE on German sports network DSF.

Pavlik Lockett Undercard

British star Kevin Mitchell will make his US debut on the undercard of Gary Lockett’s world middleweight title challenge against Kelly Pavlik on June 7. Mitchell, the British, Commonwealth, WBO and IBF Intercotinental Super-Featherweight Champion, will only be defending his WBO Intercontinental belt at the Boardwalk Hotel in Atlantic City. The show will be screened live and exclusive on Setanta Sports in the UK..

It will be Mitchell’s third fight in 2008, and his first since ripping the British title away from teak-tough Carl Johanneson.

Mitchell eventually won in the ninth round, having brilliantly weathered a firestorm from the Yorkshireman.

And it also extended the 23-year-old’s unbeaten run to 26 fights, and strengthened his top 10 ranking with both the IBF and WBO.

No opponent has been announced yet for Mitchell, but he has promised American fight fans an explosive performance.

“I’ve always wanted to fight in the States, and do so on such a big card is great news,” said the youngster.

“But this is just the start – I plan to go back and appear in Las Vegas and New York as well.

“I get some fan mail from the States, but those who haven’t seen me yet won’t be disappointed.

“I’ll knock out whoever they put in front of me and do it in style to show everyone out there us Brits mean business.

“2008 is turning out to be a fantastic year for me. I’ve already headlined a show at the home of British boxing, York Hall, then fought in front of 20,000 people to win the British title at the O2 Arena.

“When Frank Warren phoned me to say I’d be boxing in the States as well it was just the icing on the cake”

Mitchell, who fights out of Dagenham, Essex, is intent on fighting for a world title before the end of the year, and has his sights firmly set on promotional stablemate and current interim WBO champion at 9’4, Alex Arthur.

Mijares vs Munoz

WBA champion Alexander “El Explosivio” Munoz is fighting in WBC title-holder Cristian Mijares’ hometown Saturday night (May 17) in the first super flyweight unification title bout in nearly a decade, headlining the “Noche de Campeones” pay-per-view event live from the Auditorio Centenario in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico..

“Noche de Campeones,” promoted by KO Entertainment in association with DiBella Entertainment, will be produced and distributed by Integrated Sports for live viewing in the United States (9 PM/ET) on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and DISH Network, as well as on The Fight Network in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

The exciting 12-round co-feature pits Mexican warriors Omar Salado (19-0-2, 11 KOs) and Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda (25-3-1, 18 KOs) in a WBC flyweight elimination bout.

The 12-round Mijares-Munoz main event is a classic match-up between a pure boxing technician, rising star Mijares (34-3-2, 14 KOs), and a vaunted puncher, Venezuelan hero Munoz (32-2, 27 KOs).

Munoz is a 2-time WBA super flyweight champion who originally won his WBA title belt in 2002 via an eighth-round knockout of Celes Kobayasho. Three successful title defenses followed against Eiji Kojima twice (KO2 and TKO10), sandwiched around a 12-round decision versus Hidenobu Honda (26-2), before Alexander lost a 12-round decision and his championship belt to Martin Castillo (26-1) in 2004. Munoz bounced back to capture the WBA Fedelatin super flyweight crown in a WBA title eliminator, but Castillo won their 2006 rematch by 12-round split decision.

Munoz regained his WBA super flyweight title on May 3, 2007 with a dominating 12-round decision versus Nabuo Mashiro (9-0) in Japan. In a pair of title defenses, “El Explosivo” retained his belt with 12-round decisions against, respectively, Kuniyuki Aizawa (13-1-1) and Katsushige Kawasjima (32-6) this past January in Japan.

“People all over the world, especially in my country, are going to watch two of the best fighters in our division and, pound-for-pound, in the world today,” The Ring’s No. 2 rated super flyweight Munoz said. “I can’t think about unifying against the other world champs because the first step is beating Mjirares. I know I’ll be fighting Cristian at home in front of so many of his fans.”

The slick Mexican southpaw Mijares won a rematch with Katsushige Kawashima (30-5) by 10th round TKO the WBC outright championship on January 3, 2007. Now riding a 24-fight undefeated skein (23-0-1), Mijares made a name for himself April 14, 2007, registering an impressive victory on PPV against colorful Jorge “Travieso” Arce (46-4-1, 35 KOs) by unanimous 12-round decision (119-109, 118-110, 117-11). The Ring’s No. 3 rated Mijares has made four successful title defenses since defeating Arce, highlighted by a 12-round decision this past February against Jose Navarro (26-3) in Las Vegas.

Undefeated former WBA Fedelatin super fIyweight champion Salado (19-0-2, 11 KOs), who fought a 12-round draw with Ulises Solis (22-1-1) for the IBF light flyweight title in 2006, is rated No. 4 by the WBC, No. 6 by The Ring, and No. 8 by the WBA. The WBC No. 3 ranked Miranda (25-3-1, 18 KOs) is a dangerous foe with 18 knockouts on his boxing portfolio.

Also scheduled to fight in the chief supporting fight on the PPV are tough Mexican boxers such as super welterweight Martin “Azteca” Avila (9-2, 3 KOs) against Alberto Hernandez (14-11-2, KOs) in a 10-round bout. Slated for the live undercard are lightweights Ricardo “Camaleon” Mijares (9-0, 8 KOs) and Arturo Mijares (5-1, 4 KOs), as well as welterweight Ivan “El Ruso” Pereyra (1-0, 1 KO), are slated to fight on “Noches De Campeones.” All bouts and fighters are subject to change.



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