Cuban rising stars Yuriorkis Gamboa, Odlanier Solis and Erislandy Lara looked focused but also relaxed at the press conference for their fights on Friday at Terrible’s Primm Valley Casino Resorts in Primm, Nevada.
“We had a great preparation, everything went according to plans”, stated “El Ciclon” Gamboa. “Of course, it is hard to work over Christmas and New Year’s but I love what I’m doing and I know that I have to make certain sacrifices to become champion of the world.”
Gamboa (12-0, 10 kos) is very close to fulfilling his great dream. If he can beat Roger Gonzalez (27-2, 18 kos) on Friday his next fight will be for the WBC interim featherweight championship.
Heavyweight sensation Solis (12-0, 8 kos) will have to wait a little longer for his first title shot. But by defending his WBC international championship against “Big Man” Kevin Burnett (13-1-1, 8 kos) “La Sombra” could take another important step towards the top of the world.
“I am happy to have the chance to show the US fans what I am made of”, said Solis. “I want to prove that I am the next big thing in the heavyweight division. I want to become champion of the world as soon as possible.”
Like Solis fellow Cuban and 2005 world amateur champion Erislandy Lara (2-0, 1 ko) will give his US debut on Friday in Primm. Lara faces Rodrigo Aguiar (5-3, 3 kos) from Las Vegas.
ESPN2 will broadcast the show as season premiere for “Friday Night Fights”. There will be seven fights in total. Doors open at 5.00pm. Some tickets are still available for US$ 35.00 and US$ 10.00 (plus fees); call 1-800-FUN-STOP or visit www.primmvalleyresorts.com.
Munroe: MARTINEZ WILL BE PUT OUT WITH THE RUBBISH
RENDALL MUNROE has landed home advantage for his European super-bantamweight title defence against old rival Kiko Martinez.
The Leicester binman, 28, will make his fourth title defence against the Spaniard (20-1) at Barnsley Metrodome on February 27.
Promoter Frank Maloney managed to lure the mandatory challenger to England with a big enough offer, but he refused to fight in Rendall’s beloved East Midlands.
Southpaw Munroe, (17-1) ripped the title from Martinez last March in one of the year’s biggest upsets and Maloney is convinced he’ll repeat that brilliant points win.
Maloney said: “I would back Rendall to beat Munroe in his favourite tapas bar back home in Spain.
“There was a good offer to go there, but my job is to do everything I can to get the fight in Rendall’s favour.
“Rendall is climbing the world rankings now and there is a lot for him to go for in 2009.
“A defence against Bernard Dunne would be good business, but his manager Brian Peters is on another planet and needs to land on earth.
“Rendall is also climbing the world rankings so I may even get one of the big named champions here.”
In the chief support, Munroe’s stable mate in the Shinfield camp, Derby’s Scott Haywood (19-2) will challenge WBC ranked number three, Ajose Olusegun (25-0) for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title.
Tickets for the show, priced £30 and £80 are available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508
Tecate welcomes 2009 sponsoring Margarito vs. Mosley encounter
Tecate, cerveza con carácter, is kicking off the new year as the lead sponsor of the first championship fight of 2009 between three-time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito (37-5, 27 KOs) and three-division world champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley (45-5, 38 KOs) with a comprehensive regional marketing campaign. On Saturday, Jan. 24, the bout will bring excitement to the streets of Los Angeles with a live broadcast on HBO “World Championship Boxing” beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT from the STAPLES Center.
Coming off of its most impactful campaign in support of the de la Hoya vs. Pacquiao “Dream Match,” Tecate’s multi-platform program includes a mail-in rebate coupon for $20 off a two-month HBO subscription with the purchase of a Tecate 18-pack or larger (available only in markets where legal), making the event even more accessible to adult boxing fans.
“As a brand with character, it is our responsibility to execute campaigns that will bring our Hispanic adult consumers closer to the excitement and passion of their favorite sport. As primary sponsors, we have the unique opportunity to connect with aficionados 21 and older in one of the most important markets for the brand; something that wouldn’t be possible without our partnership with Golden Boy Promotions,” stated Carlos Boughton, brand director of Tecate. “We are proud to have been involved in the sport in 2008 and see this grand match as an indication of what the new year will bring to boxing.”
In support of the event, the Mexican brand also created thematic POS display elements with fight details, which have been available at retail since Jan. 5. These are being complemented by a regional radio campaign featuring famed Mexican fight doctor and commentator Dr. Alfonso Morales, as well as a tailored national television campaign.
Two weeks leading up to the event, Tecate will further activate the sponsorship with 10 promotions at large independent retail stores. These will feature autograph sessions with Golden Boy fighters and live radio remotes with La Nueva station. Finally, for those attending the fight, Tecate and STAPLES Center will be conducting a text-and-win promotion offering consumers an opportunity to upgrade their seats; meanwhile, the beautiful Tecate ambassadors will be available for photos and hand out fight posters to adult consumers.