Former “The Contender” star Eric “Dynamite” Vega doesn’t believe in taking the easy road. That’s why on October 17, when he climbs into the ring at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, for his first fight since appearing on the show, it will be against hard-punching former IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Kelvin “Konkrete” Davis (24-10-3, 17 KOs). Fighting in one of the main supporting bouts of Neworld Promotions “Phoenix Rising” event, that also features the comebacks of former world champions Vasiliy Jirov and Shannon Briggs, Vega (8-4-1, 6 KOs) will be taking on one of the toughest opponents of his career in front of his hometown Phoenix fans..
“We spoke to Eric about taking such a tough opponent for his first fight since the show and he was adamant that’s what he wanted,” explained Neworld Promotions chief Les Cohen. “I’m not complaining. Whenever you have two guys with that much power in there, it always makes for an entertaining fight as long as it lasts.”
Two of Vega’s four losses came during competition of The Contender. He avenged another of his losses by stopping JJ McAllister in May of 2008.
“We believe in Eric and his willingness to challenge himself is a big reason why,” added Cohen.
The main event that night will feature former cruiserweight champion and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Vasiliy “The Tiger” Jirov making his return against Dominique Alexander. Former WBO and Linear Heavyweight Champion Shannon “the Cannon Briggs’ opponent is still TBA.
Also on the undercard, Arizona will get its first look at former amateur world champion and now undefeated light heavyweight Ismayl Silakh of the Ukraine (9-0, 8 KOs), as well as an intriguing showdown between Phoenix super lightweight Eddie Brooks (8-2, 3 KOs) and Sweden’s undefeated Shadi Hamsho (10-0, 2 KOs).
Tickets for “Phoenix Rising” are available at the Celebrity Theatre box office, online at www.celebritytheatre.com or by calling 602.267.1600. They are priced at $25 and $50 with a limited number of Gold Circle VIP seats available for $100.
Ruiz returning home on special mission
LAS VEGAS (October 7, 2009) – Two-time world heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz returns home October 15 to replace boxing equipment recently stolen from the South Boston Boxing Club.
Ruiz, the first and only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage, was recently profiled on CNN. He is speaking this weekend at the University of Kansas (“An Evening of US Latino and Latin American Boxing History) and next week will be a special guest at the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (“AAPRP”) annual convention and awards night at Mohegan Sun.
“My brother, Eddie, helps train kids at the South Boxing Boxing Club,” John explained. “He called me last month and told me all of their boxing equipment had been stolen. I offered to donate equipment but, when I accepted an invitation to attend the AAPRP convention, I decided to visit the South Boston Boxing Club to donate the equipment, in person, and meet the kids there. I know how much the South Boston Boxing Club does to help kids and I want to bring awareness to the important things they and boxing clubs all over are doing. If I can help these kids in some small way like this, it’s the very least I can do because that’s how I got started, and I’ll never forget where I come from. I’m going to drive up for the day from Mohegun Sun with my wife, Maribel. I’ll also be able see some family members and friends. I’m really looking forward to this.”
Ruiz, who was born in Methuen (MA) and raised in Chelsea (MA), is the WBA mandatory challenger. He hopes to be fighting for the WBA title again early next year against the winner of the November 7th Nicolai Valuev-David Haye championship match.
At the South Boston Boxing Club (Oct. 15 between 2-4 PM/ET), Ruiz put on a light, open workout, formerly present the boxing equipment, and have a meet & greet where he will sign autographs and pose for pictures with club members and the public.
“HIGH STAKES” PUBLIC PRESS CONFERNCE, AUTOGRAPH SIGNING AND PUBLIC WEIGH-IN AHEAD OF WORLD CLASS HOUSTON CARD SATURDAY NIGHT
HOUSTON, TX (October 7, 2009) The town of Houston is buzzing as an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing awaits them this Saturday night at the Arena Theater as Chet Koerner’s TKO BOXING Promotions presents “HIGH STAKES”.
Amidst the overwhelming amount of local and national press attention “HIGH STAKES” has received, Houston ‘s Champs Americana will host a public press conference/meet and greet on Thursday afternoon at 4:30pm. Houston area boxing fans are encouraged to attend and meet their favorite fighters just two days ahead of their bouts.
Amongst those present at Champs Americana will be local favorites; Eugene “MEAN GENE” Hill, middleweight prospect and MMA champion Karl “KJ” Noons and undefeated welterweight newcomer Gerardo “TIN TIN” Ibarra along with Vietnamese featherweight sensation Dat “BE DAT” Nguyen.
Champs Americana is located at 1121 Uptown Park Blvd in Houston , (phone 713-627-2333).
On Friday afternoon at 12noon, Nguyen will meet the local fight fans at the main entrance to the Hong Kong City Mall with the first twenty five fans purchasing a ticket to the fight onsite receiving a signed boxing glove from the all action fighter.
The Hong Kong City Mall is located at 11210 Bellaire in Houston .
Also on Friday afternoon, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 9090 Southwest Freeway in Houston , will host the open to the public weigh-in for “HIGH STAKES” starting at 1pm. Houston fight fans are welcome to see the combatants face off against one another as they weigh-in for their bouts.
Presented by Chet Koerner’s TKO BOXING Promotions, “HIGH STAKES” features an evening of world class professional boxing including local stars Eugene “MEAN GENE” Hill, Gerardo “TIN TIN” Ibarra, Karl “KJ” Noons, as well as former world title challenger Rayonta “STINGRAY” Whitfield, and outstanding national prospects Dat “BE DAT” Nguyen, Mickey Bey Jr., Francisco “THE PHENOM” Contreras and pro debuting David Garcia.
Starting at $25, tickets for “HIGH STAKES” can be obtained through the Arena Theatre Box Office (www.arenahouston.com, phone 713-772-5900). The Arena Theatre is located at 7326 Southwest Freeway (between Bellaire and Fondren) in Houston . Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.