22.03.07 – Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Dennis Hobson/Fight Academy, in association with Top Rank, Inc., will present a sensational fight card on Saturday, June 23, 2007, at the Thomas & Mack Center, located at 4505 S. Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event will be televised on HBO’s World Championship Boxing. MAIN EVENT: RICKY “Hitman” HATTON, 42-0, with 30 KOs, Manchester, England, vs. JOSE LUIS “El Temible” CASTILLO, 55-7-1 with 47 KOs, Hermosillo, Mexico..
Promoter Art Pelullo said today, “Ricky Hatton and Jose Luis Castillo are not only the top two jr. welterweights in the world, they are two of the most exciting fighters in the ring today at any weight. This fight has to potential to be one of the best of the year and one that will be remembered by fight fans for years to come.”
Boxing columnist Dan Rafael wrote, “When you make a list of the best possible action fights in boxing, Ricky Hatton vs. Castillo probably is on yours. It should be an excellent fight and a wild scene with an overflow of Hatton’s British fans and Castillo’s Mexican supporters.”
Hatton is currently The Ring’s jr. welterweight world champion, as well as a former two-time world titlist at jr. welterweight, and a former world titlist at welterweight. Castillo is currently ranked No. 1 by The Ring and a former two-time WBC lightweight world titlist.
Both fighters have proven themselves at the top level or competition over and over again. Hatton has beaten defending world champions in his last four fights – Kostya Tszyu, Carlos Maussa, Luis Collazo and Juan Urango, and had wins earlier in his career against former world champions Vince Phillips and Freddie Pendleton, as well. Castillo has impressive wins to his credit against current or former world champions Diego Corrales, Julio Diaz, Joel Casamayor, Cesar Bazan, Stevie Johnston, and Jorge Paez.
Tickets go on sale Friday, March 23.
Prices: $600, $400, $200, $100, $50.
Available at the Thomas & Mack box office, and local outlets at all Station Casino and Fiesta Casino properties, as well as the Galleria Mall; online at www.unlvtickets.com; charge by phone locally at 702-739-FANS or toll free at 866-388-3267.