GARY SHAW PRODUCTIONS ESPN "FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" AUGUST 10 AT THE MORONGO CASINO DARLEY PEREZ vs. BAHODIR MAMADJONOV

July 25, 2012 - Gary Shaw Productions and Thomson Boxing Promotions' Darley Perez (25-0, 19 KOs), who was slated to face Australia's, Michael Katsidis (28-6, 23 KOs), will now face, Bahodir Mamadjonov (11-0, 7 KOs), at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, Calif.   The 10-round main event in the lightweight division will air on ESPN2 "Friday Night Fights" August 10, 2012. 

With Michael Katsidis pulling out because of a knee injury, Perez and Mamadjonov will put their undefeated records on the line.  Both fighters bring impressive styles to the ring and promise to give the fans a great show.

"One door closes and another one opens," said Perez. "This is a great opportunity to showcase my skills on a national stage.  I've trained for every style so this recent change will not affect me.  Mamadjonov is undefeated and I know he's going to bring it on fight night, so everyone will see a great fight.  I'm coming to end his unbeaten streak.

Said Mamadjonov, "Darley Perez doesn't know what he's gotten himself into.  His days of being undefeated are over.  I'm fully prepared to knock him off and end his dreams of becoming a champion.  I'm the future of the division and I'm going to prove it when we step in the ring."

In the co-feature, two exciting super bantamweight standouts will put it all on the line when, Lancaster, California's Chris Avalos (19-2, 15 KOs) and undefeated Dominican native, Yenifel Vicente (23-0, 15 KOs) and battle each other in a 10-round bout. 

Avalos, who is coming off a controversial split decision loss, is eager to get back in the ring and regain his quest for title contention.

"In my only two losses, I felt I won those fight," said Avalos. "They were split decision losses and I'm not going to leave it in the judge's hands in this fight with Vicente.  I know he comes to fight, but I'm hungrier than ever.  I'm going to end his unbeaten streak."

Vicente will be making his US debut and looks to make a great first impression/

"I want to show the United States fans that I'm one of the best fighters in the world," said Vicente. "This is a great opportunity and I'm not going to let it slip away.  I'm coming to knock Avalos out!"

Undercard

Popular Featherweight Alejandro Luna (9-0, 7 KOs) will make his highly anticipated return to the Morongo against an opponent TBA.  Jesus Hernandez (10-0, 2 KOs) of Los Mochis, MX vs. Edwin Solis (3-2, 3 KOs) of Tijuana, MX will battle it out in a 6-round super bantamweight bout. Roy Tapia (3-0-1, 2 KOs) vs. Jonathan Alcantara (6-7-2, 1 KOs) fight in a 6-round junior middleweight bout.  Puerto Rican Geovanny Rodriguez (6-0, 4 KOs) and Clevan Ishe (3-7, 1 KOs) clash in an 8-round bantamweight bout and Philippine super bantamweight Glenn Porras (27-3, 17 KOs) round out the card.  

This event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions in conjunction with Thompson Boxing and the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.  Tickets priced $35 & $55 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Morongo Casino Box office or by calling the Box office hotline at (951) 755-5391.  Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745- 3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.

The Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is located at 49500 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA, 92230.  Doors open at 5:00 p.m , first fight starts at 5:30 p.m.  ESPN "Friday Night Fights" telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

ESPN "FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" AUGUST 10, 2012 AT THE MORONGO CASINO DARLEY PEREZ vs. MICHAEL KATSIDIS

June 13, 2012 - On August 10, ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" returns to the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif., when Gary Shaw Productions in associations with Thompson Boxing Promotions, presents a lightweight main event attraction featuring Columbia's undefeated power puncher Darley Perez (25-0, 19 KOs) against Australia's rugged tough guy, Michael Katsidis "The Great" (28-6, 23 KOs).  The 10-round bout will air live on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

  

"Darley Perez is determined to show everyone that he belongs with the big boys," promoter Gary Shaw said.  "Beating, Katsidis, who we all know is a very tough fighter, will send a statement to the rest of the lightweight division.  Both fighters have something to prove and the fans are going to get their money's worth."

  

Perez is one of Columbia's the most talented fighters.  His aggressive style is extremely exciting, and most of his opponents are overwhelmed with his punch output.  He will be facing a very durable opponent in Katsidis, who's been in the ring with the best lightweights in boxing. Perez guarantees a great fight.

"Fighting a guy like Katsidis, who is one of the toughest guys in boxing, is going to be very challenging,'' Perez said. "But I'm a very tough fighter as well and I plan to keep my unbeaten record intact.  My team and I have come up with a perfect game plan to beat him.  The fans will see a great fight, I can guarantee that!"

Katsidis, known for his grit and determination, is one of boxing's most exciting fighters.  Having fought at the championship level several times with the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs), Robert Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KOs), Juan Diaz (35-4, 17 KOs) and Joel Casamayor (38-6-1, 22 KOs) to name a few, Katsidis' experience in big fights will be an advantage when he faces Perez.

"I'm coming into this fight with nothing to lose and everything to gain," Katsidis said. "My goal is to get back on top of the lightweight division. Perez is a good fighter, but he has some flaws that I'm going to expose.  I don't expect this fight to go the distance.  I want to end it early."

The co-feature will showcase Riverside California's, Chris "The Hitman" Avalos (19-2, 15 KOs), against an opponent to be later announced. 

Also appearing on the card, is Whittier, California's undefeated lightweight sensation, Alejandro "Charro" Luna (9-0, 7 KOs).  With an aggressive approach, Luna is a crowd favorite with a massive fan base.

"I have a lot of fans coming to this fight," Luna said. "I've been training really hard for this fight and I see myself getting better each day.  I'm prepared to put on a great show for everyone in attendance."

  

This event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions in association with Thomson Boxing Promotions and the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.  Tickets priced $35 & $55 are on sale and can be purchased at the Morongo Casino Box office, or by calling the Box office hotline at (951) 755-5391.  Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745- 3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.

  

The Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is located at 49500 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA, 92230.  Doors open at 5 p.m., first fight starts at 5:30 p.m.  ESPN "Friday Night Fights" telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.