LOS ANGELES, January 8 – On Friday, January 29, KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions are pleased to present an evening of world championship boxing when they present “Fight Night With De La Hoya and Hopkins: Campillo vs. Shumenov II” at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the 12-round main event, Spain’s Gabriel Campillo will defend his WBA Light Heavyweight World Title against Las Vegas resident Beibut Shumenov, who will defend his IBA Light Heavyweight World Title, in a rematch of their heated 2009 title fight. In that August bout, Campillo upset the odds in an exciting 12 rounder that saw both men hit the deck before the Spaniard took the razor-thin and highly controversial majority decision..
“Fight Night With De La Hoya and Hopkins: Campillo vs. Shumenov II” is presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions, with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.
Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing, which will be hosted by and attended by future Hall of Famers Oscar de la Hoya and Bernard Hopkins, are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets), and go on sale this Saturday morning, January 9, at 12pm PT. Tickets may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
Also in action will be undefeated Cuban star Erislandy Lara, Uzbekistani standouts Gayrat Ahmedov and Ravshan Hudaynazarov, and hot California prospect Ronny Rios.
A professional since 2002, 31-year-old Gabriel Campillo (19-2, 6 KO’s) really hit his stride 2009. Formerly the holder of the Spanish light heavyweight title, Campillo kicked off last year by decisioning Lolenga Mock for the European Union belt. Just three months later on June 20, he defeated Hugo Garay in his home country of Argentina for the WBA Light Heavyweight World Title before finishing off 2009 with his win over the previously unbeaten Shumenov. On January 29, he looks for a repeat against Shumenov in his United States debut.
One of boxing’s most amazing stories, Beibut Shumenov (8-1, 6 KO’s) represented his country of Kazakhstan in the 2004 Olympics, but didn’t make his professional debut until 2007. Shumenov quickly made up for lost time, defeating veterans Donnell Wiggins and Epifanio Mendoza, as well as former World Champions Montell Griffin and Byron Mitchell, all within his first eight professional fights, an impressive feat by any standards. Although he lost to Campillo in his first world title bout last year, the 26-year-old Shumenov plans to use the defeat as a learning experience and aims to reverse that result on January 29.
Former amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KO’s) has made a seamless transition to the professional ranks since leaving Cuba, and in nine fights has dazzled boxing insiders and fans with his speed, power and poise. Fresh off of a near-shutout win over veteran Luciano Perez in his first 10-round fight last December, Lara will face an opponent to be named in a 10-round junior middleweight bout.
Making their United States debuts on January 29 will be light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov (12-0-1, 8 KO’s) and his fellow countryman from Uzbekistan, junior middleweight Ravshan Hudaynazarov (9-0, 7 KO’s). Both fighters are known for their ring savvy and exciting styles, and with Ahmedov riding a five-fight knockout streak and Hudaynazarov winning his last three bouts by knockout, fans can expect fireworks from both of them when they compete in eight round bouts against opponents to be announced.
19-year-old featherweight phenom Ronny Rios (8-0, 4 KO’s) kicks off his 2010 campaign on January 29 and if his 2009 season was any indication, fight fans should be in for something special from the Santa Ana, California native, who went 6-0 with 3 knockouts last year. Rios will see action in a six round featherweight bout
For more information, visit www.kzeventproductions.com or www.goldenboypromotions.com or follow Golden Boy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.
Jimmy Lange to Face “White Tiger” March 6 at Patriot Center
Virginia Contender to Defend WBC USNBC Title against Chase Shields on World-Class Boxing Card
FAIRFAX, VA (January 8, 2010) — Ice Promotions officials announced that on Saturday, March 6, 2010, Junior Middleweight contender Jimmy Lange (31-3-2, 21 KOs) of Great Falls, VA will continue his climb towards a world title shot as he defends his World Boxing Council (WBC) U.S. National Boxing Championship (USNBC) 154-pound title against Chase “The White Tiger” Shields (29-3-1, 14 KOs) of Houston, TX at the Patriot Center. The 12-round title bout will headline a world-class professional boxing card showcasing top fighters from across the region and country. Tickets for the event, presented by Valcourt Building Services, start at $30 and can be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets.
“I’m excited that JD Brown (matchmaker) and our promotional team were able to put this fight together. From what we I’ve learned and by looking at his record, Chase Shields is an extremely-talented boxer with good punching power. This could very well be the toughest fight thus far in my career,” said Lange. “However, I am completely confident that my trainers, Don Turner and Jimmy Glenn, will create the best strategy for me to defeat him. I can’t wait to go ‘tiger’ hunting.”
Voted “Fan Favorite” on the first season of The Contender television series, Lange has headlined all eight pro shows at the Patriot Center in front of large, enthusiastic crowds. On May 2, 2009, he captured his WBC title in a bout against Frank Houghtaling, who retired at the start of the 6th round after absorbing a tremendous amount of punishment including a first-round knockdown. In his most recent fight held last September against former Contender teammate Jonathan Reid, Lange displayed an effective jab and retained his title when Reid failed to show for the 10th round.
“From fighters, trainers, promoters and all others in the boxing community, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without all of their tremendous support,” continued Lange, currently rated #10 by the North American Boxing Federation and #30 in the world by the WBC at 154-pounds. “As always, I tip my hat to all of them, many of whom have been by my side since the very beginning. Once again fighting in front of the greatest fans in the world is an honor and a privilege, and for this I thank them.”
Meanwhile Shields, a former strong safety on the Texas Southern University football team, has also drawn big crowds since turning pro in 2002. Shields stepped up in competition in his last fight held on December 3, 2009, where he faced former world title contender Juan Carlos Candelo. Shields initially dominated his former sparring partner, winning the first two rounds and knocking the cagey veteran down in the third, but ultimately fell short when Candelo came back to stop Shields with a 7th round TKO. A tough, powerful puncher with the ability to switch from an orthodox stance to south paw during a fight presents a real challenge for Lange.
“I’m very excited about fighting Jimmy Lange,” said Shield who trains at Houston’s Main Boxing Gym under veteran trainer Bobby Benton. “I’ve seen some footage of him and he’s a good fighter who reminds me of Jason Papillion. It’s definitely a step up in competition and will be a good test for me.”
Both fighters hold victories against their one common opponent, veteran Joshua Smith. Lange defeated Smith via 10-round decision in 2003, while Shields earned a pair of six-round decisions against him in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
Tickets, priced at $30, $60, $85, $100, $125, $200, $300 and $500 (plus applicable service charge), can be purchased through Ticketmaster by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com, calling 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT or 410-547-SEAT or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including the Patriot Center box office (703-993-3030).
ESPN and Tecate Renew Multimedia Boxing Sponsorship Agreement
ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates Returns January 8 at 8:30 p.m. ET
ESPN and Tecate, cerveza con carácter, announced today the renewal of their boxing sponsorship agreement that aligns the company with ESPN’s Spanish and English-language boxing content on TV, online and on radio; highlighted by the title sponsorship of the Tecate Friday Night Fights Studio within weekly Friday Night Fights telecasts on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
“Since 2007, boxing has embodied Tecate’s con caracter brand experience through the sponsorship of various marquee events. The extended relationship with ESPN Deportes will give us continuity in the sport and presence in key markets,” said Felix Palau, vice president of marketing for Tecate Equity. “We are confident that Tecate Friday Night Fights Studio paired with ESPN’s media support will help anchor the brand as the leading boxing sponsor.”
“Tecate is the leading brand in boxing today and we are thrilled to once again partner with them and their agency, MV42, on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights series and our boxing programming across ESPN platforms,” said John Fitzgerald, vice president, multimedia sales, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Audio. “This deal reinforces ESPN’s unique position in reaching Hispanic sports fans in English and Spanish.”
Tecate’s sponsorship comes back as a fully integrated alliance across multiple platforms. As part of the agreement, Tecate will continue airing ads on ESPN Deportes’ original production of Viernes de Combates. In addition, Tecate will also be running 30 second ads in Spanish during all of ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights, a milestone for the company as they do not typically advertise in the general market. ESPN will tie in the Tecate concept of “Con Carácter” (With Character) by integrating the brand into both networks’ Friday Night Fights telecasts as well as on ESPN Deportes Radio’s afternoon program Zona ESPN.
As part of the agreement, Tecate will also continue as presenting sponsors of ESPN Deportes’ Golpe a Golpe, the network’s weekly boxing studio show co-hosted by boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera and Jorge Eduardo Sánchez. New elements of the deal include local activations in key U.S. Hispanic markets. As part of the deal, Golpe a Golpe presented by Tecate will embark on a road tour that will bring a full production of the program to two markets. Additional activations include experiential Golpe a Golpe show segments taped in local markets, back dropped with Tecate in Dallas, San Antonio, Brownsville, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and San Diego.
The deal also includes co-branded Out-of-Home, digital viral video campaign, e-newsletters and mobile & SMS tune-ins for consumer 21 and older. The cerveza brand will also sponsor boxing updates on ESPN Deportes’ SportsCenter. In addition, online components on ESPNdeportes.com will bring Tecate to life.
Viernes de Combate, returns to ESPN Deportes on Friday, January 8th featuring a brand new theme song titled “Ponte Ready” by the up-and-coming Puerto Rican band Da’ Zoo. The band, recently named Best MTV Tr3ìs New Artist of 2009, exclusively produced a version of the song for ESPN which features lyrics surrounding the excitement of boxing.
This year, Viernes de Combate will air throughout 2010 on select Fridays, showcasing some of the best bouts in the industry, beginning at times ranging from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET. The 2010 studio portion of the telecast will feature Jose Hernandez and Leopoldo Gonzalez as hosts. ESPN Deportes’ David Faitelson and Robert Sierra will call the action. The Jan. 8 season-opening fight, which will begin at 10 p.m. ET, will feature former junior middleweight titlist Roman Karmazin (39-3-1, 25 KOs) of Russia squaring off against Colombia’s Dionisio Miranda (20-4-2, 18 KOs) in Glendale, Calif., in a middleweight title elimination bout. The winner will receive a mandatory title shot against Sebastian Sylvester of Germany.
Other fighters featured in the opening weeks of FNF include Jesse Brinkley (34-5, 22 KOs), formerly of “The Contender,” on Jan. 29 and Guillermo Rigondeaux (3-0, 3 KOs), a two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist and top-notch prospect, on Feb. 5.