Tucson, Arizona) — On Friday, January 27, 2006, all eyes will be on Tucson as ?Friday Night Fights? on ESPN2 makes its dramatic return to Desert Diamond Casino. Together, Desert Diamond Casino and Golden Boy Promotions will put on an impressive lineup featuring six bouts that will reach over 90 million people worldwide. Tickets to this guaranteed high-energy event are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations, the Desert Diamond Casino Box Office, or at www.desertdiamondcasino.com.. Prices range from $25 to $100 in advance. Doors open at 5:00 P.M.; first fight begins at the special new time of 5:30 P.M.
With more than a dozen title fights in the last three years, Desert Diamond Casino has firmly established itself as the leading boxing venue in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. This standard hit an entirely new level last October 29 when Desert Diamond Casino hosted the highly popular ?Boxing World Cup? that included an unprecedented four world title fights. After inking a new six-fight contract with Golden Boy Promotions, Desert Diamond Casino is upping the ante in 2006, promising a year of top-notch bouts and determined to make southern Arizona a staple in quality boxing worldwide. They are well on their way with the announcement of another exceptional fight card, fitted with Olympians, national heroes, and world champions.
The main event will be the widely anticipated NABO jr. middleweight world championship fight pitting the number one ranked NABO contender Kassim ?The Dream? Ouma (22-2-1 14 KOs) against Argentina?s experienced veteran, Francisco ?El Chino? Mora (50-9 34 KOs). Ouma, a childhood warrior who was kidnapped into the National Resistance Army at age seven, has been training his entire life to become a world champion. Dominating the amateur ranks, Ouma stepped up as a pro and has already fought in eight title fights, including the IBF light middleweight title, which he not only won but went on to defend.
A prodigy in his own, Mora has conquered South America, knocking down any man who steps up to face him. With a number five ranking by the NABO and the current title holder of the WBO Latino middleweight belt, Mora hopes his first appearance in the United States will result in a decisive victory over Ouma, giving him the coveted title belt.
In a 10-round Special Event, IBA Americas middleweight champion and Nogales native, David ?The Destroyer? Lopez (24-13 14 KOs), returns for the next step in his quest to become world champion. Lopez is a fan favorite at Desert Diamond Casino and regarded as one of the toughest middleweights in the world. After a disappointing loss at the Diamond Center last January, he is determined to bring glory back to his name surrounded by his loyal supporters. Chicago?s Shay Mobley (12-5-1 5 KOs) is looking to play the role of spoiler on January 27th in this ten-round middleweight contest.
The co-main event is an 8-round jr. lightweight bout between rising star and former U.S. Olympian, Vicente Escobedo (8-0 8 KOs), and Arizona?s own John Nolasco (15-4-4 6 KOs). This will be a closely watched fight as Escobedo has been dubbed by some as the next Oscar De La Hoya. Graced with the moves, the power, and the raw talent of any top contender, Escobedo is destined to be a future world champion. Nolasco, a Phoenix resident, has had successes of his own, and is out to be the man to stop Escobedo?s streak of knockout wins.
Returning to the Diamond Center is ?The Next Great Champ? winner Otis ?Triple O.G.? Griffin (10-1-2 4 KOs), U.S. Olympian Rock Allen (4-0 4 KOs), and Phoenix?s Juan Garcia (6-0 2 KOs). Also on the card is Alex Ariza (3-5 3 KOs).
Treena Parvello, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, commented, ?Desert Diamond Casino is excited to continue our partnership with Golden Boy Promotions to bring quality fights to Southern Arizona. The January 27th event not only includes a world championship title, but also the best boxers from around the world, including Kassim Ouma, Vicente Escobedo and Nogales? own David Lopez. We are also looking forward to welcoming back favorites Rock Allen and Otis Griffin.?
Desert Diamond Casino, with locations on Nogales Highway minutes from the Tucson International Airport and just off of I-19 on Pima Mine Road, and the Golden Ha:san in Why, Arizona are enterprises of the Tohono O?odham Nation. Further information can be found at http://www.desertdiamondcasino.com/ or by calling 866-DDC-WINS