09.05.05 – He ascended to boxing’s elite world champion status by dismantling all of his opponents with thundering power, one by one, but Alejandro “Terra” Garcia forgot the first rule in boxing and inexplicably dropped his hands against “Tremendous” Travis Simms on Dec. 13, 2003. Simms knocked him out with a sweeping left hook and walked off with Garcia’s World Boxing Association super welterweight title..
Garcia will step into the ring for the first time after his first and only loss against WBA No. 2 contender Roshii “The Mongoose” Wells on May 21 at the United Center. World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion “Relentless” Lamon Brewster defends his title against Andrew “Powerful Pole” Golota in the main event.
Garcia, (28-1, 28 KOs) from Tijuana, Mexico, will make his return to the upper echelon of the sport as he faces Wells, (18-1-2, 11 KOs) from Las Vegas, in a WBA elimination bout. These two fighters have met in September 2003, with Garcia scoring a technical knockout in round 10. It was Garcia’s first title defense and Wells’ only loss to date.
Another elimination match will take place when Miguel Angel Gonzalez, (49-4-1, 39 KOs) from Mexico City, Mexico, meets Miguel Rodriguez, (24-1, 21 KOs) from Naucalpan, Mexico. The winner of this match will become the World Boxing Council mandatory welterweight challenger.
Gonzalez has had an illustrious career. He battled Mexican boxing king Julio Cesar Chavez to a draw, and he suffered defeats only against the toughest opponents including “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya, Kostya Tszyu, and Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks. He has never been one to duck a challenge, and he is now pursuing another world welterweight title shot.
Miguel Rodriguez, from Naucalpan, Mexico, has earned his shot at this elimination bout after winning the WBC Welterweight Continental Americas title and the Mexican national championship. He possesses powerful punching power and has knocked out 10 out of 11 of his last opponents. His only defeat came against journeyman Luis “Tyson” Vasquez in November 1999.
Also added to “Border War” is the special attraction bout of the evening between bantamweights Genaro “Poblanito” Garcia (32-4, 20 KOs), from Puebla, Mexico, against Geraldo “El Locomotora” Espinoza (28-7, 26 KOs), from Tijuana, Mexico.
Another world title match will also be featured when Australian Paul “Hurricane” Briggs takes on Poland’s undefeated Tomasz Adamek for the vacant World Boxing Council light heavyweight crown.
“We’re bringing big-time boxing back to the Windy City and I’m very excited about it,” promoter Don King said. “It’s great to be doing this with my old friend Bill Wirtz at the United Center. Together, we’re bringing boxing back to the people in one of America’s greatest cities.”
Tickets priced at $35, $75, $100, $200, $300 and $500 are on sale now and can be purchased at the United Center Box Office, www.ticketmaster.com, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling (312) 559-1212. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with the United Center.