Showing posts with label Jose Angel Beranza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jose Angel Beranza. Show all posts

Thursday, December 4, 2014

ROCKY JUAREZ VS. ROBINSON CASTELLANOS TO HEADLINE GOLDEN BOY LIVE! CARD AT COWBOYS DANCEHALL IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS ON JANUARY 26, 2015




FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR TO AIR LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 1 AND FOX DEPORTES

ROCKY JUAREZ SET TO ATTEND DECEMBER 8 CHRISTMAS IN THE RING CHARITY NIGHT OF FIGHTS IN SAN ANTONIO

SAN ANTONIO (December 4, 2014) - FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes' Golden BoyLive! welcomes the new year with a return to Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio, Texas onMonday, January 26, 2015 with a main event that true boxing fans won't want to miss.  Presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija Battah Promotions, the WBC Silver Featherweight Champion Rocky Juarez (30-10-1, 21 KOs) defends his title against Robinson "Robin Hood" Castellanos (20-10, 13 KOs), in a 10-round brawl that will also serve as a WBC Featherweight World Title Eliminator. The stakes are higher than ever for two world-class featherweights coming off of spectacular wins in their recent bouts.

"It is not often that two veteran gladiators face off with one final title shot likely up for grabs," said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions. "This is the last shot for two battle-tested fighters, and fans in San Antonio will get to witness first-hand what these boxing lions will do to make it back to the top."

A silver medal winner for the United States in the 2000 Olympics, Rocky Juarez (30-10-1, 21 KOs) is one of boxing's most respected veterans. After falling just short of world title honors over the years against the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Chris John; the 34-year-old from Houston has parlayed huge wins over Antonio Escalante and Rene Alvarado into a number three ranking by the WBC. On January 26, he has the chance to defeat Castellanos and earn the world title shot he has been waiting for.

Ranked fifth in the world by the WBC, Celaya's Robinson Castellanos (20-10, 13 KOs), rebounded from a rocky start to win 12 of his last 13 fights, rejuvenating a career that began in 2002. His victories include a decision win over former world champion Celestino Caballero in 2013 and his biggest impact was in October 2014, when he knocked out 23-0 Ronny Rios in the fifth round. Now he faces off against the granite-chinned Juarez with a world title shot on the line, and the 32-year-old veteran can't wait for the first bell to ring.

# # #

"Juarez vs. Castellanos" is a 10-round bout for Juarez' WBC Silver Featherweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Mexico - Live It To Believe It!. Cowboys Dancehall doors will open at 5:00 p.m. CT, and the first bout will start at 5:30 p.m. CT. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes' broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $100 (Ringside - Rows 1-3), $65 (Ringside - Rows 4-7), $35 (Stool seating) and $20 (General admission), plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges are on sale now by phone by calling Leija*Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302, m@leijabattahpromo.com or text "Tickets" to 210-556-7390. Tables for four are also available for $260, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.leijabattahpromo.com,www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on Twitter at@GoldenBoyBoxing, @LeijaBattahPr, @Swanson_comm, @FOXSports,  @FOXSports1, @FOXDeportes and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page or www.facebook.com/LeijaBattah and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing or @LeijaBattahPr.  For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com/watch/FOXSports1 and become a follower on @FOXSports. For more information on FOX Deportes visit www.FOXDeportes.com, become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes on Facebook.

Monday, December 1, 2014

TRIO HEADLINES FREE "CHRISTMAS IN THE RING" EVENT IN SAN ANTONIO ON DEC. 8 FEATURING UNBEATEN OLYMPIAN "JO JO" DIAZ JR. AND A FULL CARD OF TEXAN TALENT





EACH FAN DONATING ONE TOY RECEIVES A TICKET TO CHARITY FIGHT NIGHT AT COWBOYS DANCEHALL

SAN ANTONIO (Dec. 1) - Christmas will come early for fight fans in San Antonio, Texas, as Golden Boy Promotions and Leija-Battah Promotions are pleased to announce that 2012 United States Olympian Joseph "JoJo" Diaz Jr., unbeaten Mexican star Ivan "Nino Maravilla" Morales and Fort Worth's Jose "Loco" Hernandez will headline a stacked card of Texan talent at Cowboys Dancehall on Monday, December 8.

"Christmas in the Ring" will arrive in San Antonio on December 8 when Golden Boy Promotions & Leija Battah Promotions present an explosive night of professional boxing. Gloves will fly as boxers take on opponents for the final time in 2014. This is going to be a cannot miss night. Even better it is FREE to Texas boxing fans and professional fighters with the donation of a toy and will benefit the Children's Shelter of San Antonio and St. PJ's Children's Home to give to the abused and neglected children from "Santa Clause." Bring a toy to the Leija Battah offices at 4310 West Ave. between 9am - 6pm Monday thru Friday and receive your free ticket. This event is sponsored by Mexico - Live It To Believe It!, O'Reilly Auto Parts Dewalt, Nike Boxing, Red M'Combs Toyota, Everlast, and Lowe's.

Legendary Hall of Fame, Founder & President of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya, Texas Promoter Mike Battah and legendary former World Champion and Promoter Jesse James Leija want to give back to fans by giving them an early Christmas Present to show our appreciation for all of the support that has been given to us over the past three years.

In the main event, scheduled for 10 rounds in the junior featherweight division, rising star Diaz Jr. will face his most experienced foe to date in 69-fight veteran Jose Angel Beranza. The 22-year-old southpaw from South El Monte has had a spectacular 2014 thus far, winning all five of his bouts, three by knockout. 38-year-old Mexico City native Beranza (36-31-2, 28 KOs) has seen it all over the course of his career, and after facing a series of five opponents in his most recent bouts who had a combined 82-2-1 record, he'll look to get back on track against Diaz.

The co-main event will see Fort Worth's Hernandez (14-8-1, 6 KOs) attempt to return to the win column after a controversial split decision loss to Keandre Gibson in August when he takes on San Antonio's Justo Vallecillo (6-17, 3 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight matchup. Unbeaten in four of his last seven, including an eighth-round technical knockout of 15-0 Tony Luis, the popular Hernandez always gives the fans an exciting performance and against the dangerous Vallecillo, he expects to deliver another bout to remember.

Currently ranked seventh in the world by the WBC, the 23-year-old Morales (26-0, 15 KOs) is excited to be back in San Antonio, where he defeated Raul Hidalgo back in April of 2013. Since then, the talented southpaw has won five straight matches, most recently stopping Cesar Canchila in six rounds in August. On December 8, he will meet up with Kyrgyzstan native Timur Shailezov (17-8-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round bantamweight bout.

That's not all though, as eight more fights featuring some of Texas' rising fighters will be contested at Cowboys Dancehall. First off, the unbeaten San Antonio stars Javier Rodriguez (11-0-1, 1 KO) and Joseph Rodriguez (7-0, 2 KOs) will be challenged in separate junior featherweight 6-round bouts against opponents to be determined. Junior welterweights Jairo Castaneda (6-0, 2 KOs) and Albert Espinoza (2-4) will face off in a 4-round fight. San Antonio's Cresencio Ramos (1-0, 1 KO) will go up against Cooperas Cove's Jaime Hernandez (1-2) in a 4-round junior lightweight battle. Newcomers,Christian Santbanez (0-2) will go up against Daniel Arriaga (0-1-1) and David Ruiz (0-2) will fight Erick Loera (2-1, 1 KO), in separate 4-round lightweight matches. Light heavyweight Adam Franklin is making his professional debut against San Marcos' Kevin Conrad (0-2) in a 4-round bout, and opening up this exciting night, Brownsville's Juan Tapia (2-0, 1 KO) and Robert Ledesma (0-3) from San Antonio will go against each other in a junior featherweight 4-round fight.
   
For more information go to www.goldenboypromotions.com, Follow on Twitteratwww.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/LeijaBattahPR,orwww.twitter.com/Swanson_comm.   Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/LeijaBattah.

Monday, February 24, 2014

'KO Kings of Tomorrow' RESULTS

 IMP logo              
KO Kings of Tomorrow
Feb. 22, 2014 - Sands Casino Resort - Bethlehem, PA



LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS:
HUMBERTO SAVIGNE (12-1, 9 KOs), Miami, FL by way of Cuba
WKO2 (1:11)
MAXWELL TAYLOR (18-7-1, 8 KOs), Baltimore, MD

MIDDLEWEIGHTS:
FARID AGHAYEV (1-0-1, 1 KO), Azerbaijan
D4 (39-37, 38-38, 38-38)
LANNY DARDAR (1-0-1, 1 KO), New Orleans, LA

WELTERWEIGHTS
ERICKSON LUBIN (4-0, 4 KOs), Orlando, FL
WTKO3 (2:01)
TIROBIO BALL (4-2-1, 1 KO), Meridian, MS

SAMUEL VASQUEZ (13-0, 9 KOs), Monessen, PA
WTKO4 (0:29)
BERLIN "The Rock" ABREAU (7-1, 5 KOs), Dominican Republic

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
ALEXEI COLLADO (18-0, 16 KOs), Miami, FL by way of Cuba
WDEC8 (78-74, 78-74, 78-74)
EDGAR RIOVALLE (36-17-2, 25 KOs), Mexico

FEATHERWEIGHTS
CLAUDIO MARRERO (15-1, 11 KOs), Dominican Republic
WDEC8 (80-72, 80-72, 80-72)
JOSE ANGEL BERANZA (36-29-2, 28 KOs), Mexico

BANTAMWEIGHTS
JUAN CARLOS PAYANO (15-0, 8 KOs), Dominican Republic  
WDEC (80-72, 80-72, 79-72)
GERMAN MERAZ (46-30-1, 25 KOs), Mexico

(winners listed first)

WHERE:        Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, PA

PROMOTER:  Iron Mike Productions

MATCHMAKER:     Chris Middendorf


WHERE:        Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, PA

PROMOTER:  Iron Mike Productions

MATCHMAKER:     Chris Middendorf

ABOUT IRON MIKE PRODUCTIONS (IMP): Founded in 2013 by CEO Garry Jonas and Hall of Famer Mike Tyson, Iron Mike Productions is a full-service boxing promotional company with offices located in Deerfield Beach, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada. IMP is committed to changing traditional boxing promotion by advocating for its fighters' successes, inside the ring and out, throughout their professional careers and into retirement.

For additional information go online at www.IronMikeProductions.com, friend on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/IronMike Productions, or follow on Twitter @IronMikeProd.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

KO Kings of Tomorrow Featuring Claudio Marrero, Juan Carlos Payano & Erickson Lubin Feb. 22, 2014 - Sands Casino Resort - Bethlehem, PA


     IMP logo              

For Immediate Release

Latino fighters dominate
Iron Mike Productions stable
Monthly 'KO Kings of Tomorrow' series kicks-off Feb. 22 at
Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 
Mike Tyson KO Kings U-Stream Commercial
Mike Tyson KO Kings U-Stream Commercial


DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (February 11, 2014) - Like many boxing promoters in North America, Hall of Famer "Iron" Mike Tyson's stable of Iron Mike Productions (IMP) fighters are predominately Latino (see classic photo gallery below).  Many of his top Latino fighters will be in action February 22 as IMP launches its new monthly boxing series, "KO Kings of Tomorrow," at Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The IMP boxing series will be broadcast worldwide as low-cost pay-per-view events over Universal Streaming Network, live from Sands Bethlehem Event Center, for only $4.99 via http://www.ustream.tv/universalstreamingnetwork.

IMP's Latino contingent of fighters are led by International Boxing Federation (IMP) junior lightweight champion Argenis "The Thunderstorm" Mendez and two-division world titlist Joan "Little Tyson" Guzman.

"The great Latino fighters in history are true legends of the ring," Tyson said. "My business partner, Garry Jonas, and I are confident that our Latino fighters will always strive to reach the level of those gladiators."

The Feb. 22nd "KO Kings of Tomorrow" card is stacked with IMP Latino contenders and prospects such as world-rated featherweight Claudio "The Matrix" Marrero (14-1, 11 KOs), who faces Mexican invader Jose Angel "Pepe" Beranza (36-28-2, 28 KOs) in the eight-round main event, plus two-time Dominican Republic Olympian Juan Carlos Payano (14-0, 8 KOs) versus Mexican bantamweight German "Panteonero" Meraz (46-28-1, 25 KOs) in the eight-round co-feature.   Marrero is rated No. 9 by the World Boxing Association (WBO), while Payano is ranked No. 2 by the WBA (the No. 1 spot is unrated), No. 10 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 15 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

                           
             Claudio Marrero (red trunks)               Juan Carlos Payano (gold trunks)
(pictures by Rey Sanchez / Iron Mike Productions)

Cuban light heavyweight Humberto "El Don" Savigne (11-8, 8 KOs), rated No. 4 by the WBC, takes on Baltimore boxer "The General" Maxwell Taylor (18-6-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round bout. 


Cuban super featherweight Alexei "The Mexican-Cuban" Collado (17-0, 16 KOs), who is rated No. 15 by the WBA, plans to extend his perfect win streak against Mexican veteran Edgar "Basuras" Riovalle (36-16-2, 25 KOs) in an eight-round match. 

Puerto Rican-American featherweight prospect Dennis Galarza (2-0, 1 KO) meets Jesus Gonzalez (1-1) in a four-round bout. 

Rising star Erickson "The Hammer" Lubin (3-0, 3 KOs) tangles with Tirobio Ball (4-1-1, 1 KO) in a four-round Special Welterweight Attraction.  2012 National PAL champion Lubin, fighting out of Orlando (FL), was considered Team USA's No. 1 overall prospect for the 2016 Olympics prior to him signing a promotional contract with Iron Mike Productions last October 1 on his 18th birthday. Lubin fought on ESPNFriday Night Fights this past weekend for the second time in a row.  The gifted southpaw registered his third consecutive first-round stoppage as his much more experienced opponent, Roberto Acevedo (13-13-1), was unable to answer the bell for the second round.

Also on the undercard in a six-round fight are a pair of unbeaten welterweights, popular Moossen (PA) resident "The Who Can Mexican" Samuel Vasquez (12-0, 8 KOs), the two-time All-Army and Armed Forces Champion, and Dominican Republic fighter Berlin "The Rock" Abreau (7-0., 5 KOs).  Azerbaijan middleweight Farid Aghaev will make his pro debut in a four-round fight vs. an opponent to be determined.

Marrero, Payano, Lubin, Savigne, Collado and Galarza are promoted by IMP.  All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Iron Mike Productions announces Monthly series at Sands Casino Resort

IMP logo              
KO Kings of Tomorrow
Featuring
Claudio Marrero, Juan Carlos Payano & Erickson Lubin
Feb. 22, 2014 * Sands Casino Resort * Bethlehem, PA 

For Immediate Release
'KO Kings of Tomorrow' Kicks-off Feb. 22 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (January 30, 2014) - Hall of Famer "Iron" Mike Tyson is the youngest World Heavyweight Champion of all-time and in 1987 he was voted "World's Most Popular Athlete." The living legend became a boxing promoter last year, partnering with Garry Jonas to form Iron Mike Productions, which has announced its new monthly boxing series, "KO Kings of Tomorrow," starting February 22, at Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Tyson, of course, isn't the first world champion who turned to promoting after retiring from the ring. He joined a select list of fighters who became boxing promoters, including Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali (see photo gallery below), Roy Jones, Jr., Oscar de la Hoya, Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Tyson also announced that he will perform his acclaimed one-man show, "Undisputed Truth," on Feb. 20 at Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The IMP boxing series will be broadcast worldwide as low-cost pay-per-view events over Universal Streaming Network, live from Sands Bethlehem Event Center, for only $4.99 via http://www.ustream.tv/universalstreamingnetwork.

The Feb. 22nd "KO Kings of Tomorrow" is loaded from top to bottom, featuring many of the top contenders and prospects in the world. World-rated featherweight Claudio "The Matrix" Marrero (14-1, 11 KOs) takes on Mexican invader Jose Angel "Pepe" Beranza (36-28-2, 28 KOs) in the 10-round main event. The World Boxing Association (WBA) rates Marrero, a native of the Dominican Republic, as its No. 9 rated 126-pounder in the world. The slick southpaw lost a close 12-round decision (116-111, 115-112, 114-113) in his last fight (August 23, 2013) to Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar for the WBA Interim title.

Two-time Dominican Republic Olympian Juan Carlos Payano (14-0, 8 KOs) faces battle-tested Mexican veteran German "Panteonero" Meraz (46-28-1, 25 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. Payano had more than 520 amateur matches and he is currently the WBA's top-rated contender (No. 2, the top spot is unrated), as well as ranked No. 10 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 15 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

One of the best prospects in the world, Erickson "The Hammer" Lubin (2-0, 2 KOs), meets Mississippi's upset-minded Tirobio Ball (4-1-1, 1 KO) in a four-round Special Welterweight Attraction. Lubin, fighting out of Orlando (FL), was considered Team USA's No. 1 overall prospect for the 2016 Olympics prior to him signing a promotional contract with Iron Mike Productions last October 1 on his 18th birthday. The explosive southpaw captured a gold medal at the 2012 National PAL Championships, among his many significant accomplishments as an amateur boxer.

Cuban light heavyweight Humberto "El Don" Savigne (11-8, 8 KOs), fighting out of Miami, squares off against former world title challenger Tommy Karpency (21-4-1, 14 KOs) in another 10-round bout. Savigne is rated No. 4 by the WBA. Karpency is a local favorite from Adah, Pennsylvania, who took then-World Boxing Organization (WBO) 175-pound champion Nathan Cleverly the full distance in 2012.

Another powerful southpaw, Cuban-born super featherweight Alexei "The Mexican-Cuban" Collado(17-0, 16 KOs) puts his undefeated record on the line against tough Mexican veteran Edgar "Basuras" Riovalle (36-16-2, 25 KOs) in an eight-round match-up. The 25-year-old Collado, who defected to Ireland and now lives in Miami, has stopped all but one of his 17 opponents as a professional. Riovalle has been knocked out only once in his last 14 fights dating back to 2010.

Another standout IMP prospect, Orlando featherweight Dennis Galarza (2-0, 1 KO), plans to continue impressing in a scheduled four-rounder versus Jesus Gonzalez (1-1), of Mexico. Also fighting on the undercard in a six-rounder are a pair of unbeaten welterweights, popular Moossen (PA) resident "The Who Can Mexican" Samuel Vasquez (11-0, 7 KOs), the two-time All-Army and Armed Forces Champion, and Dominican Republic fighter Berlin "The Rock" Abreau (7-0., 5 KOs). Azerbaijan middleweight Farid Aghaev will make his pro debut in a four-round fight vs. an opponent to be determined.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets priced at $200.00, $125.00, $75.00 and $50.00 are on sale and available to purchase at the Sands Event Center Bethlehem Box Office, http://sandseventcenter.com/event/details/ko-kings-of-tomorrow-featuring-mike-tyson/, all TicketMaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, or call 1-800-745-3000.
To inaugurate the "KO Kings of Tomorrow" series one lucky ticket holder will be selected to sit ringside with "Iron" Mike.
Doors open at 6:15 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. ET.

ABOUT IRON MIKE PRODUCTIONS (IMP): Founded in 2013 by CEO Garry Jonas and Hall of Famer Mike Tyson, Iron Mike Productions is a full-service boxing promotional company with offices located in Deerfield Beach, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada. IMP is committed to changing traditional boxing promotion by advocating for its fighters' successes, inside the ring and out, throughout their professional careers and into retirement.

For additional information go online at www.IronMikeProductions.com, friend on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/IronMike Productions, or follow on Twitter @IronMikeProd.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

CHRIS "THE NIGHTMARE" ARREOLA STUNS SETH MITCHELL WITH FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUT



Esquivias Stops Marquez In Nine    

Catch A Replay Of The Exciting Telecast:
SHOWTIME on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. ET/PT
SHOWTIME EXTREME® Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Midnight ET/PT
  

INDIO, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2013) - Chris "The Nightmare" Arreola made short work of Seth Mitchell, dispatching the younger fighter in just 2-minutes 26-seconds of round one in the main event of Saturday's SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. In the co-feature, Efrain Esquivias stopped Mexican legend Rafael Marquez in the ninth round of their 10-round junior featherweight bout.

Arreola of nearby Riverside, Calif., came into the fight feeling that Mitchell was out of his league. And he proved it.   
  
A well-conditioned and poised Arreola landed a clubbing right hand in one of the first exchanges of the bout. Mitchell was stunned and already on wobbly legs. Following a push down, and moments later a clean knockdown, veteran referee Jack Reiss halted the action late in the round as Mitchell was unable to defend himself against the power punches of "The Nightmare".   
  
"I want to thank myself for putting the work in," said a fresh and jubilant Arreola after the stoppage. "I worked my ass off in Phoenix preparing for this fight. I respect Seth for his power, but the big difference for me was in training camp."

Arreola's lack of preparation for big fights has been well documented. Coming into Fantasy Springs, he knew he needed to prove to his team, boxing fans and, most of all, to himself that he was not a shot fighter and certainly no stepping stone for Seth Mitchell.

"I have been my only downfall," he continued. "I should only have one loss on my record. All my other losses are on me for not training properly. But I came here to win tonight. And it was easy work."    

A stunned Mitchell said, "I got caught. I am very disappointed. I was confident in my ability to win this fight. My heart just hurts right now. This was a big fight for both of us, a fight that I wanted. I didn't want to step back after beating Jonathan Banks."

For Marquez, the Mexican warrior who is likely bound for the Hall of Fame, his reflexes and power simply were not there against the younger challenger. In his first fight back in nearly a year, the former two-division world champion may have had his dreams of fighting for another world title dashed by a resurgent Esquivias.
  
Esquivias (17-2-1, 9 KO's), of Gardena, Calif., found a home for his right hand by the fourth round. He was able to land it seemingly at will as the fight progressed. Gaining confidence in the middle rounds, Esquivias began to land the left hook to the body, further slowing the fading legend.   
  
Esquivias drilled Marquez with a lead right hand in the ninth sending Marquez down. After a brief look, referee Raul Caiz Jr., waved it off without a count.  "I am slow starter," said an emotional Esquivias after the bout. "He caught me early, but I finished strong and that's what matters."   

When asked about beating a legendary warrior, "It means everything. He's one of my favorite fighters. When he beat Tim Austin I became a big fan of Rafael. Now, I am in the ring with him and it's a huge honor. I am still his biggest fan. He's a great champion."   

# # #
  
Mitchell vs. Arreola, a 12-round heavyweight fight, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T.  In the 10-round co-feature former two-division world champion Rafael Marquez, of Mexico City, returns to the ring to take on Efrain Esquivias, of Gardena, Calif., in a featherweight bout.