Arena Box Promotions U.S., LLC in association with JAOLI Fight Promotions, Caribe Promotions, ESPN, and the newly renovated “Fabulous” Fontainebleau Resort, Miami Beach are proud to bring back world class boxing to this legendary venue for the first time in 30 years. In the Main event we have Richar Gutierrez. from Colombia 24-2-1 VS. Antwone Smith from Miami , FL 15-1 in a WBA Regional Championship Fight. This fight between two local Miami fighters will be a war! Smith is coming off of 3 straight wins on ESPN and Gutierrez has seen the “Big Time” with two fights on HBO..
In the Co-Main Event, Jr. Middleweight Erislandy Lara, two time World Amateur Champion, Gold Medal Pan American Games, was the favorite to win the Gold in Beijing . He has a professional record of 5-0. He is coming off an impressive win on the Pacquiao/Hatton undercard. His opponent will be Jessie Nicklon 19-1 from Baltimore .
Finally, two-time Olympic gold medalist and former Cuban national team captain Guillermo Rigondiaux, will be making his long anticipated professional debut.
Rigondiaux (super bantamweight) is considered by many experts the greatest amateur that has ever laced up a pair of gloves. His personal fate and story is almost as extraordinary as his talent, speed and power. In the of summer 2007 Rigondiaux defected from the Cuban national team along with team-mate Erislandy Lara. The two men were caught in Brazil and brought back to their home country where Rigondiaux was banned from boxing and carved out a miserable existence while Lara managed to leave Cuba at his second attempt in 2008. Now Rigondiaux finally managed to defect accompanied by former team-mates Yudel Johnson (jr. welterweight, 2004 Olympic silver medalist), Yordanis Despaigne (light heavyweight, Pan-American champion 2006) and Yunier Dorticos (light heavyweight, World Cup winner 2006).
JENNIFER SALINAS RETURNS WITH BIG WIN!!! ‘BOLIVIAN QUEEN’ LIGHTS UP PATRIOT’S CENTER
MANASSAS, VA. (May 7, 2009) Sensational featherweight prospect Jennifer “THE BOLIVIAN QUEEN” Salinas returned to action in a big way this past Saturday night, taking home a third round knockout of Christina Leadbetter at the Patriot’s Center in Fairfax, Virginia.
Following a two and half year absence after the birth of her now thirteen month old son, John-Pablo, the 26 year old improved her record to 10-1 with four knockouts.
Using crushing combinations and excellent defense, Salinas controlled the majority of the action throughout the first two rounds. Raising the stakes in the third stanza, Salinas stalked her previously aggressive foe and dropped her with a crushing right hand ending the fight at the 2:05 mark.
‘It felt great after the layoff to get back in the ring and utilize so many new things that my trainer, Daniel Attah and I have been working on in the gym. I’m glad I was patient, didn’t rush things and took my time until the knockout came” said Salinas. “She was very aggressive in the first two rounds which allowed me to work on my defense and counter punching.”
Salinas plans a quick return to the ring; “I’m in terrific shape and I’d like to be back in the ring quickly. This was a great start, but there’s still much work to be done. I’ll take a couple of days off and then it’s back in the gym with Daniel.”
Salinas also mentioned her co-trainer Lawrence Jones and sponsors LA BOXING and Max Muscle, all of whom helped prepare her for the fight.
Raw footage of Salinas’ most recent workouts can be viewed on the Youtube website http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjKrqPTHbNY
The Salinas/Leadbetter bout was featured on Jackie Kallen’s ICE Promotions card, headlined by a WBC USNBC junior middleweight bout between Jimmy Lange and Frank Houghtaling.
Tickets available at www.tix.com or call 800-595-4849.