HOUSTON — Always considered one of the top boxing cities in the world, Houston, Texas has again delivered with its enthusiastic response to Saturday’s doubleheader at the Toyota Center, putting the card featuring hometown heroes Juan Diaz and Rocky Juarez in pivotal bouts against Michael Katsidis and Jorge Rodrigo Barrios, on track to become one of the biggest boxing events ever in Houston..
“I’m grateful for the response to this card and these fighters as it shows the loyalty of the Houston fans not only to their fighters, but also to the sport of boxing,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “We couldn’t be happier with how ticket sales have gone, and we’re looking forward to a great event on Saturday.”
Houston has been known as a fight town for years, with the legendary Muhammad Ali fighting and winning four times in Texas’ largest city over Cleveland Williams, Ernie Terrell, Jimmy Ellis and Buster Mathis. In 1981, Houston played host to separate cards featuring Hall of Famers Sugar Ray Leonard (vs. Ayub Kalule) and Salvador Sanchez (vs. Pat Cowdell), and in 1982, another Hall of Famer, former Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes, defended his crown against Randall “Tex” Cobb. In recent years, Diaz has made a name for himself at home with seven wins in Houston, including his World Lightweight Championship victory over Lakva Sim in 2004. Likewise, Juarez, a 2000 Olympic Silver medalist, has met great success at home, winning all seven of his bouts here.
As Diaz and Juarez will be tested like never before on Saturday, the fans of Houston will be out in full force to support them in the first ever boxing event to be held in the Toyota Center, the home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets.
Tickets for Diaz vs. Katsidis and Juarez vs. Barrios, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, are on sale and available for purchase, at the Toyota Center Box Office, online at www.ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX and select Houston area Randalls locations.
The doubleheader featuring Diaz vs. Katsidis, in a scheduled 12 round lightweight main attraction and Juarez vs. Barrios, in a 12 round junior lightweight co-feature bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, Amigo Energy and Dewalt Tools with Diaz vs. Katsidis being presented in association with Northeast Promotions. The bouts will air live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET / PT, 9:15 p.m. CT. Doors for the evening’s event will open at 6:00 p.m.
IBHOF Flags At Half-Staff For Joey Giardello
CANASTOTA, NY – SEPTEMBER 5, 2008 — The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced its flags will fly at half-staff in memory of middleweight champion Joey Giardello. He passed away today in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He was 78.
Born Carmine Orlando Tilelli on July 16, 1930, he turned professional in 1948. With a dodging, dancing style, he defeated Joey Giambra, Gil Turner, Walter Cartier, Chico Vejar, Holley Mims, and Hall of Famers Billy Graham, Dick Tiger, and Sugar Ray Robinson on his persistent march to the middleweight title. He captured the championship on December 7, 1963 with a 15-round decision over Tiger. Following a pair of non-title victories over Rocky Rivero and a successful defense against Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, Giardello lost the title to Tiger in a 1965 rematch. He retired in 1967 with a pro record of 101-25-8 (33 KOs).
“Joey Giardello was a fantastic boxer who fought all the top fighters of his day,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy.
“‘The Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning the loss of a great middleweight champion.”
In 1993, Giardello was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.