Friday's ShoBox Results Release & Photos: Hovhannisyan, Morales Win

GARY SHAW PRODUCTIONS  UNDEFEATED ART HOVHANNISYAN WINS SPLITDECISION OVER MIGUEL ACOSTA  IN EXCITING SLUGFEST IN MAIN EVENT  ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

Press Release For Immediate Release

Roman Morales Remains Unbeaten With Impressive Decision Over Alexis Santiago Friday, July 20, 2012, Live on SHOWTIME®, Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, Calif. Replay Of Action-Packed Doubleheader Is Tuesday, July 24, At 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME              Photos: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME  SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (July 21, 2012) - In a thrilling fight in the main event of an exciting doubleheader Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME®, unbeaten Art Hovhannisyan (15-0, 8 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., turned back a determined bid by former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Miguel Acosta (29-6-2, 23 KOs), of Caracas, Venezuela, to win a hard-fought 10-round split decision. In the co-feature at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., talented, unbeaten super bantamweight Roman Morales (11-0, 6 KOs), of San Ardo, Calif., registered an impressive eight-round unanimous decision over Alexis Santiago (11-3-1 5 KOs), of Las Vegas, Nev. Hovhannisyan, making his first start in 11 months, was victorious in a hard-hitting, fast-paced scrap by the scores of 95-93 twice and 92-96. Each slugger went down one time, Acosta late in the opening round, Hovhannisyan in the fifth. "Both (blow-by-blow announcer) Barry (Tompkins) and I said that this was the kind of fight that you could make a case for for either guy,'' ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood said afterward. "It was a great, interesting fight. It could have ended early (after Hovhannisyan dropped Acosta with a sweeping overhand right hand with approximately 10 seconds to go in the first round). If the knockdown had come earlier in the round it might have since Acosta seemed like he was saved by the bell. "But, ultimately, he wasn't saved by the judges.'' Hovhannisyan, 30, was a tad surprised at the scoring. "I knew it was a little close, but I definitely thought I won,'' he said. "After I dropped him, I kept trying for the spectacular knockout. My corner was telling me between rounds to calm down, but I thought I had him for sure. He was lucky the bell rang when it did. "I'm very happy to get the win. Acosta can still fight. I think my conditioning played a great role in my performance, but at this level you need to be good in all facets. This fight was definitely a great learning experience for me.'' The more experienced Acosta, 34, who moved well throughout and decked Hovhannisyan with an overhand right hand, thought he'd done enough to get his hand raised. "I was very sure I won,'' he said. "Although he caught me in the first round I landed more punches throughout the fight. I knew my conditioning was good and it would carry me though the fight. I felt I was robbed.'' Among those rooting on Hovhannisyan was popular women's Mixed Martial Arts superstar, Ronda Rousey, who trains at the same Glendale gym as the boxer and has the same trainer, Edmond Tarverdyan. "Fighting is a lot less nerve wracking that just sitting and watching,'' said Rousey, who was interviewed between fights and will be the subject of the latest "ALL ACCESS" on SHOWTIME before her next fight. "I'd much rather be the one in there. But I'm really happy for Art.'' "ALL ACCESS: Ronda Rousey'' premieres on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. Rousey defends her STRIKEFORCE bantamweight championship against Sarah Kaufman on Saturday, Aug. 18, on SHOWTIME. Morales, 23, scored a knockdown in the third en route to winning by the scores of 80-71 twice and 79-72.  Going eight rounds for the first time in a career that began in February 2011, the switch-hitting Morales showed excellent poise and composure in his ShoBox debut, and appears to be a prospect to watch. "I thought this was a good performance,'' he said. "I'm glad I could go eight hard rounds because that is what I expected. I got a little tired but I knew I had to keep working. I'll be back in the gym soon and I'll be ready to fight whoever my team wants me to.'' The Roger Mayweather-trained Santiago, 21, offered no excuses. "I thought it was a close fight, a tough fight. I got dropped but it was just a flash knockdown. I was never hurt. I felt good the whole time." The Gary Shaw Productions doubleheader will re-air this week as follows: DAY                                                                   CHANNEL Tuesday, July 24, 10:30 p.m. ET/PT                  SHO EXTREME    Friday's fights will be available ON DEMAND beginning Sunday, July 21. Tompkinscalled the action from ringside alongside Farhood. The executive producer of ShoBox isGordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.

ART HOVHANNISYAN & MIGUEL ACOSTA, RAMON MORALES & ALEXIS SANTIAGO WEIGHTS & FINAL QUOTES

ShoBox: The New Generation Doubleheader 
Tomorrow/Friday, July 20, LIVE on SHOWTIME^® At 11 p.m. ET/PT,

 From Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, Calif.

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (July 19, 2012) – The four fighters competing on an eagerly awaited doubleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow/Friday, July 20, live on SHOWTIME^® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) made weight on their first attempts Thursday at Chumash Casino Resort. 

In the ShoBox main event at Chumash, undefeated Art Hovhannisyan (14-0-2, 8 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., makes his first start in 11 months when he faces former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Miguel Acosta (29-5-2, 23 KOs), of Caracas, Venezuela, in a 10-round bout with a contracted weight of 134 pounds.

It is Hovhannisyan’s second consecutive fight against a former world champion. In his last outing on Aug. 5, 2011, at Chumash, he fought to a fourth-round technical draw with ex-International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Cristobal Cruz.

Promising unbeaten Roman Morales (10-0, 6 KOs), of San Ardo, Calif., takes on Alexis Santiago (11-2-1 5 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of Phoenix, Ariz., in an eight-round super bantamweight bout in the co-feature. It is the ShoBox debut for both youngsters.

Tickets for an event presented by Gary Shaw Productions in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions are priced at $35, $45, $55, $70, and $85 and are on sale at Chumash Resort Casino Box office or online at www.startickets.com.

WEIGHTS: Hovhannisyan weighed 132¼ pounds, Acosta 134; Morales and Santiago each tipped the scale at 122 pounds. 
 

What the fighters said Thursday:

ART HOVHANNISYAN

“I’m really excited to be getting back into the ring. This is a great opportunity to get myself noticed. Cruz was a tough guy. Acosta is a tough guy, too, but with a big punch. I’m treating this like it is the biggest fight of my career, and the toughest fight of my career, which it is.

“In my last fight I made a mistake. I played around too much and then the fight was called because of an accidental headbutt. I had a great training camp and I’m 100 percent ready for tomorrow night.

“My best fighting weight is 130, but I couldn’t turn down an offer to fight somebody like this. It was a risk worth taking. But I’m always willing to fight anybody.

“Acosta is known for his punching power, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to move on me, especially for at least the first couple rounds.’’

MIGUEL ACOSTA

“I definitely feel I am good enough to fight for and win another world title. I’m looking at this fight as a measure for me to see exactly where I’m at.

“I’ve been in with some really good fighters. I had things going my way against (Brandon) Riosbefore I ran out of gas.

“Both of us need to win tomorrow, so it will be a great fight. Physically and mentally, I’m ready. My opponent is a good fighter, but this will be a real test for him. I came to the United States to establish myself; now I can re-establish myself with a big win on Friday.’’

RAMON MORALES

“I’m relaxed and ready to go. I like to apply pressure but I’ve been working hard on my jab in the gym. I’m in great shape and have been sparring a lot. I’ve never gone eight rounds, but I’m not concerned about the distance.

“This is really a great opportunity. I know that if I win and look good that could mean more TV fights for me. This guy has more ring experience and is a step-in class, but I’m ready. I’m trying to get to the top, one step at a time, and this is the next step.’’

ALEXIS SANTIAGO

“This is my third fight since I started working with Roger Mayweather about nine months ago. Moving to Las Vegas from Phoenix has made a huge difference in training. Before I would go to the gym for 30-45 minutes and basically train myself. Since I’ve been in Vegas, I’ve been training really hard and sometimes I stay at the gym for three or four hours. I’m totally dedicated.

“I really feel for the first time that I am coming into my own. Roger has really been working with me on setting down my punches.

“I’ve always felt that I knew how to win and now I’m facing a good young opponent like me. I feel this is going to be a breakout fight for me. I’m confident and ready. I can’t wait for this fight on SHOWTIME.’’

SIX QUESTIONS WITH UNBEATEN ART HOVHANNISYAN

  

Looking To Become Instant Contender, Armenian Prospect

Faces Former Champion Miguel Acosta in Main Event

Of Doubleheader This Friday, July 20, Live on SHOWTIME®  

Williams-El Harrak Fight Cancelled Due to Injury;

Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, Calif.

NEW YORK (July 18, 2012) - At 30, Art Hovhannisyan (14-0-2, 8 KOs) is a six-year pro who remains highly regarded even though he has fought only 75 rounds in his career - an average of about 12 a year.

This Friday, July 20, in what should be an exciting main event on ShoBox: The New Generationlive on SHOWTIME®  (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), the Glendale, Calif.-based Armenian faces always-dangerous, hard-hitting former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Miguel Acosta (29-5-2, 23 KOs) at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

In a compelling co-feature, talented unbeaten Roman Morales (10-0, 6 KOs), of San Ardo, Calif., meets Alexis Santiago (11-2-1 5 KOs), of Phoenix, Ariz., in an eight-round super bantamweight bout.

A scheduled eight-round junior middleweight fight between undefeated Julian "J-Rock" Williams, of Philadelphia, and Sid El Harrak, of Santa Clarita, Calif., was cancelled yesterday after El Harrak withdrew with a knee injury.

Morales, 23, and Santiago, 21, are making their ShoBox debuts. Morales, a top amateur who's making his sixth appearance at Chumash, hasn't come close to losing since going pro in February 2011. But he's only been matched with two fighters with winning records, and he's never fought more than six rounds.

Santiago, a pro since October '09, relocated to Las Vegas from Phoenix 10 months ago and is trained by former world champion Roger Mayweather. Santiago has fought much better and has twice gone eight rounds; one of his losses came against undefeated prospect Randy Caballero. He's won three of four.

Hovhannisyan will be making his first start in 11 months and second in a row against a former world titleholder. In his last outing, he fought a technical draw with ex-International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Cristobal Cruz in an entertaining bout on Aug. 5, 2011, that was stopped at 2:36 of the fourth round due to a nasty, accidental  head butt that opened a bad cut on Cruz' forehead.

The experienced, aggressive-minded Acosta captured the WBA lightweight crown in May 2010 but lost it in his first defense to Brandon Rios in a thrilling, fast-paced scrap with plenty of two-way action on Feb. 26, 2011. Acosta swept the first four rounds on two of the scorecards and hurt Rios on several occasions, but Rios rallied to win by 10th-round TKO.

Hovhannisyan, who scored a career-best victory with a sixth-round knockout over previously undefeated prospect Archie Ray Marquez on June 10, 2011, on ShoBox, knows this could be his toughest fight. But he desperately wants to jump-start his career, so what better time than now?

"This is the kind of fight I have to take and I have to win,'' he said. "As soon as we got the call, I took the fight. It took me about a second to decide. I know some may think twice about me fighting two former champs back-to-back, but I'm thrilled for the opportunity. I'm definitely ready to take the next step,

"I'm really eager to show my critics that I'm not a one-hit wonder, that the Marquez fight was for real. I'm determined to show the people that I have the goods to be a world champ.  It's going to be a great fight.

"I'm a hard worker and will be as motivated as I can be. I'm definitely treating this like a world title fight. I have all the respect for Acosta and know he's a great champion. I would have liked to take a fight at 130 pounds, but at some point I have to fight and defeat some good fighters."

Tickets for an event presented by Gary Shaw Productions in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions are priced at $35, $45, $55, $70, and $85 and are on sale at Chumash Resort Casino Box office or online at www.startickets.com.

Hovhannisyan recently answered six questions:

What are your thoughts on Acosta?

"I've watched four or five of Acosta's fights, and I definitely saw his fight against Rios. I thought he was impressive until he ran out of gas. I know I won't be able to relax against him.''

Why so few fights throughout career?

"I haven't fought the last year mostly because I've had fights fall through. I've had a few offers; Rances Barthelemy, for one, but he didn't take it. I had three training camps stopped abruptly. If I had my way, I'd have been fighting a lot more. But it takes two.

"Injuries played a large part, too. I've broken my right hand right twice. I'll never be 100 percent. My doctor says I hit too hard for the weight class, and my bones are too fragile for all my power, something like that. I've also suffered a back injury and hurt my other hand. I guess I've had a series of bad fortune. When healthy, I'm OK but it's hard to stay healthy because my right hand is so suspect. I fight through it all, that's what I do. I'm a grown man with grown-man power. I know what I want to do in boxing and what I have to deal with. String a few victories together and I know I'll be on the threshold of some big fights.''

How did you feel you were performing against Cristobal Cruz before a clash of heads ended it?

"I like to pace myself and kind of see what I need to do. It was obvious I was eventually going to stop him. I didn't think the cut was that bad and I wanted the fight to continue because I'd already taken his best shots and I knew I'd finish him in the next two or three rounds. I'd fight Cruz again any time."

What was it like sparring with ex-world champions Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan?

"It was an incredible experience. I loved every second of it. If they wanted more rounds, I gave them more. To work with great fighters like that was invaluable to me and I cherished every second.''

What fighters inspire you?

"I really look up to Mike Tyson and his aggressive style. He was short but he came in to take your head off. There are no friends in the ring. If you wanted to shake hands, he would after he knocked you out.''

Are you excited about fighting a third time in a row at Chumash?

"I love Chumash and I love fighting there. The atmosphere, the ring, I'm real comfortable with all of that. Chumash is becoming like a home for me.''

Two Stars Born on the Same Night!

Fortuna and Mago Both Crush Foes in Jaw-Dropping Performances Friday Night Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to congratulate his two budding superstars after their impressive victories at Friday night's "The Moment of Truth" boxing show at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. In the night's main event, Sampson Boxing featherweight prospect Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (20-0, 15 KOs) passed the toughest test of his career with flying colors (and leather) by demolishing former IBF Featherweight Champion Cristobal Cruz (39-14, 23 KOs) with a razor sharp left hand at 2:22 of round two. Having been world champion two short years ago and with a resume that included victories over several impressive names, Cruz was supposed to test the 22-year-old southpaw. It didn't go that way. Flashing the brilliant hand speed and thudding power that are becoming his trademark, Fortuna dominated Cruz, dropping him once in the first and flat on his face in the second to seal the victory. And in the co-main event, the ominous destroyer on the horizon, Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov (15-0, 15 KOs) scored a pulverizing second-round TKO over a surprisingly outgunned Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm (now 13-2-1, 9 KOs) and in the process successfully defended his WBC United States (USNBC) Silver Heavyweight Championship. Byarm came out looking to land heavy shots and then turn the big Russian to escape, but Abdusalamov was having none of it. He cornered Byarm at the end of the first and basically ended the fight there with a skull-rattling barrage against the ropes. Byarm was saved by the bell, but coming out for round two, it took just seconds for Mago to put him on the deck, prompting referee Tony Weeks to stop it at the 36-second mark. "Both my fighters left little doubt they are on the road to world championships tonight," said an elated Lewkowicz, post-fight. "Javier Fortuna took on a man who hadn't been stopped in a decade of tough fights and made it look very easy. That was a world champ he was toying with. The problem opponents are going to have with Javier is that if he hits you, you go down. And with his speed, he's going to hit you. He is ready for anyone in the world right now." "And Mago, continued Lewkowicz. "He was scary tonight. Byarm can fight and Mago walked him down like he was hunting rabbits. No one can take many shots from him. He is the strongest fighter in boxing. It won't be long and he will be trapping a Klitschko like that. I don't know who would be crazy enough to fight him after tonight's performance. We will see. The world better take note of Mago. He's coming."

Quotes from Today's Moment of Truth Press Conference at Hard Rock in Las Vegas

A press conference was held today at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to discuss tomorrow night's (Friday, July 6) Sampson Boxing and Greg Cohen Promotions', boxing event entitled "The Moment of Truth" at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. Featherweight prospect Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (19-0, 14 KOs) and former IBF Featherweight Champion Cristobal "Lacandón" Cruz (39-13, 23 Kos), as well as co-main event fighters Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov (14-0, 14 KOs) and Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm (13-1-1, 9 KOs) were all respectful but all are determined to emerge victorious. Co-Promoter  Sampson Lewkowicz This will be a great night of boxing. The fights are all sensational. I want to commend these men for accepting to face each other. These are real fighters who want to become champions. I wish all fighters were like these guys. Co-Promoter Greg Cohen The fans are going to get their money's worth tomorrow night, that's for sure. Maurice Byarm has never been more ready for a fight and tomorrow night he's going to lay it all on the line in there. Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna I have fire inside me for this fight. It's a tough fight. I know he has a lot of experience, but this is my time. I have the best trainer in the world (Pablo Sarmiento) and I will be world champion for a long time. Cristobal Cruz It will be a great fight. I am ready for anything tomorrow night because I am hungry to be world champion again. Maurice Byarm He's good and he comes prepared. So do I. We're going to put on the show that everyone expects us to put on. It's going to be a war. Magomed Abdusalamov Tomorrow will be a great fight. I am ready. Thanks to my promoter and my manager for this opportunity. ###    Tickets for "The Moment of Truth" are priced at $29 general admission, $44 reserved, $104 ringside and $204 VIP and are available at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino box office daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and through Ticketmaster, either by calling 702-474-4000or 800-745-3000, or by going online at ticketmaster.com. PLEASE NOTE REVISED START TIME: On fight night, doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the event starts at 6:20 p.m. All bouts are subject to change. For updates, visit www.sampsonboxing.com or www.gcpboxing.com.

UFC Fan Expo® Attendees Offered Exclusive Deal for a Friday Night of Hard-Hitting Boxing Action!

Attendees of the UFC Fan Expo® this week in Las Vegas can enjoy one more very special perk, now that promoters Sampson Boxing and Greg Cohen Promotions have come up with a special ticket deal for their "Moment of Truth" boxing show at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday night (July 6). By presenting a ticket stub to any UFC Fan Expo® event or a ticket to the next night's UFC 148 event, to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino box office, fight-sport fans can buy a boxing ticket for half price or get two tickets for the price of one on any $29, $44 or $104 tickets. UFC Fan Expo® events end at 6:00 pm, so get your fill and then head over to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and catch the exciting preliminary fights until the ESPN Friday Night Fights-televised action begins at 7:00 pm. It's a chance to end a day of celebrating one combat sport with an edge-of-your-seat live experience in another for a very specially discounted price. Or, if you have tickets to Saturday's UFC, you can make a true Vegas weekend by spending both nights at the fights. And fans, if you love hard-hitting action, then you'll love "The Moment of Truth". The explosive night of professional boxing will feature red-hot featherweight prospect Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (19-0, 14 KOs) of La Romana, Dominican Republic, stepping in against the toughest opponent he's ever faced in former IBF Featherweight World Champion Cristobal "Lacandón" Cruz (39-13, 23 KOs) of Chiapas, Mexico, live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. In the televised co-feature that night, Russian heavyweight power puncher Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov (14-0, 14 KOs) will defend his WBC United States (USNBC) Silver Heavyweight Championship in a 10-round battle against fellow up-and-coming heavyweight Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm (13-1-1, 9 KOs). On the undercard, scheduled to fight in a six-round bout is undefeated Las Vegas featherweight Rocco Santomauro (8-0). Scheduled for four-rounders Jackson, Michigan, cruiserweight William "King Kamm" Williams (5-2-1, 4 KOs); Henderson, Nevada, cruiserweight Brandon Harris (5-0, 3 KOs) and Romanian import Ronald Gavril (2-0, 1 KO). "We are proud to offer this discount to the fans of the UFC," said event promoter Sampson Lewkowicz. "We are all one family in the fighting sports, so we welcome the MMA fans to join us and see how exciting live boxing can also be. It's a sensational night of boxing we have lined up, so come and enjoy it for a very special price." Tickets for "The Moment of Truth" are priced at $29 general admission, $44 reserved, $104 ringside and $204 VIP and are available at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino box office daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday from 10 am to 10 pm, and through Ticketmaster, either by calling 702-474-4000 or 800-745-3000, or by going online atticketmaster.com. On fight night, doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the event starts at 5:30 p.m. Televised boxing begins at 7:00. All bouts are subject to change. Offer subject to availability and not valid on previous purchases. For updates, visit www.sampsonboxing.com or www.gcpboxing.com.

ART HOVHANNISYAN VS. MIGUEL ACOSTA

 A 10-ROUND BOUT LIVE ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

June 28, 2012 - Gary Shaw Productions in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions will bring another exciting night of professional boxing to the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif., on July 20, when undefeated Armenian, Art Hovhannisyan (14-0-2, 8 KOs) and Venezuelan,Miguel Acosta (29-5-2, 23 KOs) fight in the 10-round main event. The lightweight bout will be televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation (SHOWTIME® 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Known for having power in both hands, Hovhannisyan boosts an undefeated record and a great chin as he's never hit the canvas as a professional or amateur.  In his last fight against former world champion, Cristobal Cruz (39-13-3, 23 KOs), an accidental head butt stopped their bout after a cut over Cruz's right eye was deemed too bad to continue from the referee.  Hovhannisyan will look to rebound with a victory and move up the rankings. 

"Acosta was on his way to beating Brandon Rios until he ran out of gas," Hovhannisyan said. "Everyone knows he can fight at the championship level so when I beat him, I too will be considered viable at the championship level.  A win against Acosta gets me closer to that world title shot."

"If Hovhannisyan catches Acosta on that chin it's good night," promoter Gary Shaw said. "Acosta is very skilled and has a fun style the fans will enjoy. This is another great fight that SHOWTIME is binging to the fans.  Hovhannisyan punches hard and the fans are going to see some fireworks."

Acosta is a proven warrior that comes to fight every time he steps in the ring.  Having victories against three previously undefeated fighters gives Acosta confidence in his ability to come out victorious.

"I've been in this situation before, fighting an undefeated fighter with all his fans attending,'' Acosta said.  "What they don't realize is that I'm going to spoil the party.  Hovhannisyan is a good fighter, but he's not on that championship level.  I'm motivated to end his unbeaten streak.  The fans will see great action in this fight."

Light middleweights headline the eight-round co-main event that feature's Philadelphia's unbeaten rising star, Julian "J-Rock" Williams (9-0-1, 4 KOs) against Nevada's Said El Harrak (10-2, 5 KOs).  Williams, known for his great boxing skills, wants to let the fans know he's the real deal.

"I come to fight every time I step in the ring," Williams said. "I'm going to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity fighting on ShoBox.  I want to thank Gary Shaw for believing in me and I promise to put on a great show."

The rest of the undercard: Talented undefeated prospect, Roman Morales (10-0, 6 KOs), of San Ardo, Calif.,  faces Alexis Santiago (11-2-1 5 KOs), of Phoenix, Ariz., in an eight-round super bantamweight bout; local fan favorite Ruffino Serrano (12-4), of nearby Santa Maria, Calif., will fight for the first-ever Central Coast Title against Seattle's Rob Diezel (8-4, 3 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight contest; Chumash Resort Casino hometown hero, lightweight Francisco Santana (12-3-1, 6 KOs), of Santa Barbara, Calif., will face an opponent to be announced and undefeated lightweight Jonathan Maicelo (16-0, 9 KOs) and featherweight Roy Tapia (3-0-1, 2 KOs) are also slated to meet opponents to be announced.

Tickets priced $35, $45, $55, $70, and $85 are on sale and can be purchased at the Chumash Resort Casino Box office or online at www.startickets.com.

Fortuna Ready for the World

"A victory (over Cristobal Cruz) would mean that I'm ready for big things and big fights against the world champions." Featherweight magician Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (19-0, 14 KOs) is in heavy preparation for his upcoming showdown with former IBF Featherweight Champion Cristobal Cruz (39-13, 23 KOs) on Friday, July 6, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. The 22-year-old southpaw from La Romana, Dominican Republic, is one of the hottest young fighters in the world, coming off his spectacular Friday Night Fights-televised first-round annihilation of Yuandale Evans last April. Fortuna and Cruz will meet in the main event of the Sampson Boxing and Greg Cohen Promotions show entitled "The Moment of Truth", which will also feature Russian heavyweight power puncher Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov (14-0, 14 KOs) defending his WBC United States (USNBC) Silver Heavyweight Championship in a 10-round battle against fellow up-and-coming heavyweight Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm (13-1-1, 9 KOs). The opportunity to fight Cruz came earlier this month when the event's original main event fell apart due to injury. During a break in training Fortuna sat down to answer the following questions, via translator. Isn't this a tough fight to take on somewhat short notice? How do you feel about it? All the fights are difficult and all opponents go into the ring to beat you. I feel good because since my last fight I have continued to train hard. What do you think of Cristobal as a fighter? Like all Mexican fighters, he's strong and comes forward, but we are prepared for everything. What did your last fight do for your confidence? The only confidence I have is that I train really hard. I beat an undefeated fighter and that just made me keep working hard and want it even more. What would a victory over Cristobal Cruz mean for your career? A victory would mean that I'm ready for big things and big fights against the world champions. You are a young man. Are you ready for the added pressure that comes with stepping up to a main event televised fighter? Yes I'm ready for all the pressure. I know this is a fight against a great boxer like Cristobal Cruz, but we are ready. How will this fight end? I'm going to try to do my boxing and beat him by KO. Tell me about fighting for Sampson Boxing. It's going very well and I'm proud to be fighting for him. I'm very happy he's in charge of my career. What was the reaction from fans in the Dominican to your last fight? They are very loyal and follow all my fights. They were very happy because I beat Evans. Headlining the undercard, popular heavyweight and current interim PABA Heavyweight Champion "Bronco" Billy Wright (37-4, 28 KOs) will continue his successful comeback in a 10-round bout. Also scheduled to fight six-round bouts are Las Vegas, via Puerto Rico, super middleweight Carlos De Leon Jr (21-3-2, 14 KOs); and undefeated Las Vegas featherweight Rocco Santomauro (8-0). Scheduled for four-rounders are Jackson, Michigan, cruiserweight William "Lil' Tyson" Williams (5-2-1, 4 KOs); Henderson, Nevada, cruiserweight Brandon Harris (5-0, 3 KOs) and Romanian import Ronald Gavril (2-0, 1 KO). Tickets for "The Moment of Truth" are priced at $29 general admission, $44 reserved, $104 ringside and $204 VIP and are available at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino box office daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and through Ticketmaster, either by calling 702-474-4000 or 800-745-3000, or by going online atticketmaster.com. On fight night, doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the event starts at 5:30 p.m. All bouts are subject to change. For updates, visit www.sampsonboxing.com or www.gcpboxing.com.