YOUNGSTOWN (July 12, 2011) – Former World Middleweight Champion and the pride of Youngstown, Ohio, KELLY “The Ghost” PAVLIK will headline a hometown fight card for the first time nearly two years when he takes on DARRYL CUNNINGHAM in a 10-round super middleweight battle, Saturday, August 6, at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown. The fight will be televised live on SHOWTIME on a special edition of ShoBox: The Next Generation, beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast.)
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to Pavlik vs. Cunningham, priced at $150 (ringside), $100 (VIP), $50 (Gold), and $25 (Silver), plus $2 facility fee, go on sale This Friday! July 15, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at www.Ticketmaster.com, and by calling (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the Covelli Centre box office, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
Pavlik (37-2, 32 KOs), knocked out undefeated defending champion Jermain Taylor in the seventh round of their epic 2007 fight to capture the world middleweight title. Pavlik successfully defended the title three times during his reign before losing it to 2010 Fighter of the Year Sergio Martinez three years later. This marks Pavlik’s first fight in Youngstown since 2009 where he knocked out Miguel Espino in the fifth round to retain his world title. Pavlik returns to the ring fresh from a 10-round decision over Alfonso Lopez in the co-main event under the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley world welterweight title fight on May 7. Pavlik is the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) No. 1-rated super middleweight contender.
Cunningham (23-2, 10 KOs), of Detroit, enters this fight riding a three-year, 16-bout winning streak, including former world title challengers Antwun Echols and Rubin Williams, back-to-back last year, by knockout and unanimous decision, respectively.
For Pavlik vs. Cunningham fight week updates, log on to sports.SHO.com or www.toprank.com.
WBO ANNOUNCES REFEREES AND JUDGES FOR SATURDAY’S WORLD TITLE BOUTS IN GERMANY, UNITED KINGDOM AND HAWAII
World Boxing Organization (WBO), by it president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, announced today the referees and judges who will work on the three World Title fights to be held this Saturday, July 16, in Germany, United Kingdom and Hawaii.
MARCO HUCK VS HUGO HERNÁN GARAY
At the Olympia-Eissportzentrum in Munich, Germany, Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck (32-1, 23 KOs), from Serbia, will defend for the seventh time his title against Argentinian Hugo Hernán Garay (34-5, 18 KOs) in a Sauerland Events presentation. For this bout the referee will be Luis Pabón from Puerto Rico, while the judges are Donald Trella and John Stewart from the USA and British, Mickey Vann. Supervisor will be Paco Valcárcel.
RICKY BURNS VS NICKY COOK
For the fight between British, Ricky Burns 31-2, 8 KOs) and former titlist Nicky Cook (30-2, 16 KOs) for the Burns’ Junior Lightweight Championship at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, United Kingdom, referee will be Phil Edwards, with the judges Dave Parris, Terry O’Connor and Richie Davies. WBO supervisor is Dennis Gilmartin for the bout presented by promtoter Frank Warren. This is the third title defense for Burns.
JULIO CÉSAR MIRANDA VS BRIAN VILORIA
Also, in a Promociones Zanfer presentation to be held at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, Flyweight Champion Julio César “Pingo” Miranda (35-5-1, 28 KOs), from Mexico, will defend for the fourth time his crown agains former champion Brian Viloria (28-3, 16 KOs). Referee will be veteran Joe Cortez, and judges are Robert Hoyle, Rubén García and Tamotsu Tomihara. WBO Supervisor is Leon Panoncillo Jr.
Remember, the 24th World Boxing Organization (WBO) Annual Convention, to be held in Puerto Rico in 2011, is scheduled to October 24th to 29th. For reservations at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, can call 1 787 253-1700 Ext. 4161, 1 800 241-3333 or accesing http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SanJuan/Default.htm.
KEVLISHVILI TO REPLACE AILING COLLADO AGAINST RAMOS IN FRIDAY’S CO-FEATURE ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW LIVE ON SHOWTIME
NEW YORK (July 12, 2011) – Russian-born Georgi Kevlishvili (8-2, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia will face unbeaten Casey “The Wizard” Ramos (13-0, 4 KOs) of Austin, Texas., in the new co-feature this Friday, July 15, on the 10th anniversary telecast of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (11:05 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
The 30-year-old Kevlishvili (pronounced kev-LISH-vuh-lee) stepped in after Joselito Collado withdrew from the eight-round junior lightweight bout late last week with the flu.
In the main event of a Top Rank-promoted event at Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas, undefeated local favorite and world-ranked southpaw, Diego Magdaleno (19-0, 7 KOs), of Las Vegas, will defend his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) junior lightweight title against Alejandro “Alacran’’ Perez (15-2-1, 10 KOs), of Salinas, Calif.
A long-time top amateur in Russia who turned pro at 27, Kevlishvili is a well-conditioned, versatile boxer with excellent movement and durability. At his best when he can set a busy pace and outwork you, Kevlishvili will be making his third start in the United States since relocating to Philadelphia and hooking up with manager Lev Prysler in April 2010.
Kevlishvili has been involved in close fights in each of his U.S. starts this year. In his stateside debut and initial outing in 15½ months, he won a six-round split decision over Anthony Flores last March 18 at Chester, Pa. Last May 20 in Costa Mesa, Calif., Kevlishvili dropped a close eight-round decision to Southern California prospect Ronny Rios (13-0 going in) in a good fight that featured a number of shifts in momentum. Kevlishvili cut Rios over the left eye, but fell short by the scores of 77-75 twice and 78-74.
The 5-foot-7 Kevlishvili turned pro in Russia on Dec. 13, 2007, and won his first seven fights.
Tickets are $50 and $35 plus applicable taxes and fees and may be purchased at all Stations Casinos Rewards Centers, online at stationcasinos.com or by telephone (702) 547-5300.
Curt Menefee will call the blow by blow action alongside expert analyst Steve Farhood. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing the Rick Phillips directing.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http:// sho.com/sports.