MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (February 28, 2013) – Earlier tonight IBF Featherweight Champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (35-1-1NC, 21KO’s) and undefeated Russian Challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8KO’s) both made weight for their championship bout tomorrow night at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods. Both Dib and Gradovich looked to be in tremendous shape, with each fighter tipping the scales at 125 lbs.
The event tomorrow is promoted by 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by SMS Audio. The championship bout will be televised live tomorrow night on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Below are the complete weights for the entire card.
IBF Featherweight Championship (12)
Billy Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), Champion, Sydney, Australia 125 LBS.
Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), Challenger, Igrim, Russia 125 LBS.
NABF Super Welterweight Championship (10)
Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs), Champion, Cleveland, OH 152 LBS.
Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs), Challenger, Los Angeles, CA 154 LBS.
Junior Lightweights (8)
Ryan Kielczweski (15-0, 3 KOs), Quincy, MA 127 LBS.
Gil Garcia (5-3-1, 1 KO), Houston, TX 129 LBS.
Super Bantamweights (8)
Luis Rosa Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), New Haven, CT 124 LBS.
Jhovany Collado (4-6-2, 1 KO), Jamaica, NY 123 LBS.
Junior Welterweights (4)
Luis Oliveras (pro debut), Glendale, AZ 140 LBS.
Rafael Munoz (1-1), Houston, TX 140 LBS.
Female Junior Featherweights (6)
Shelly Vincent (7-0), Providence, RI 124 LBS.
Mikayla Nevel (0-3), Columbus, OH 122 LBS.
Welterweights (4)
Jimmy Williams (1-0, 1 KO), New Haven, CT 146 LBS.
Raynard Younger (0-1), Alpharetta, GA 147 LBS.
The 12-round main event on ESPN Friday Night Fights features International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent, defending against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich. NABF Super Welterweight Champion Willie Nelson defends his title against Michael Medina in the 10-round co-feature.
The ESPN Friday Night Fights card, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions, will air live at 9 p.m. ET. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio.
Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 may be purchased online at foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office.
Photo by Ed Diller