LAS VEGAS (September 27, 2016) – Veteran super bantamweight Erik Ruiz has replaced Ghanaian boxer Emmanuel Quartey, who was unable to secure a visa to enter the United States, in this Friday night’s 10-round main event versus Hanzel “Rude Boy” Martinez, headlining a strong “Knockout Night at the D” card, for the vacant World Boxing Association International super bantamweight title.
Airing live (11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT) on CBS Sports Network and internationally via ESPN (digital delay check local listings), “Knockout Night at the D” will be held outdoors under the neon lights at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.
Hall of Fame announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein will call all of the action from ringside with Sean Wheelock handling fighter interviews on CBS Sports Network and in English for ESPN internationally.
Martinez (23-2, 19 KOs), a former WBC United States bantamweight champion, fights out of Tijuana, Mexico. Ruiz (15-5-1, 6 KOs) is coming off an impressive 10-round draw with 30-1 Horacio Garcia this past May in as Vegas. He has a notable win over previously unbeaten (11-0-2) Roy Tapia also extended top prospects such as Jessie Magdaleno, Alexis Santiago and Manuel Avila the distance.
“We knew there were some issues with Quartey’s visa situation,” promoter Keith Veltre said, “so we had Erik Ruiz on hold. It’s unfortunate but things like this happen in boxing and we’re fortunate to have such a quality opponent like Erik as a late replacement. In fact, he’s fought much tougher opponents than Quartey. Hanzel has 18 knockouts in his 23 wins, but Ruiz has never been stopped as a professional. We’re confident that the main event will be equally competitive and that fans will enjoy another great night of ‘Knockout Night at the D” boxing.”
In the 10-round co-feature event, Tony Lopez, Jr. (11-1, 4 KOs) takes on Stephon “Showstopper” Young (14-0-3, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBA North American Boxing Association (NABA) bantamweight title.
In the third title fight of the night, undefeated WBA-NABA USA super welterweight champion John “The Phenom” Vera (14-0, 9 KOs) makes his second title defense against Milorad “Micko” Zizic (12-1, 6 KOs) in an 8-round bout opening the televised segment of the card.
Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Las Vegas welterweight Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. Marquis Hawthorn (4-4, 1 KO), Las Vegas’ 18-year-old bantamweight Max “Baby Face” Ornelas (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. Mulapi “The African Mexican” Enjani (2-2-2, 1 KO), Las Vegas junior lightweight Sal Lopez (3-0) vs. Kenneth Taylor (2-0, 2 KOs), and Las Vegas junior lightweight Randy Moreno (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Fabian Alaniz (1-0, 0 KOs).
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $99.99 VIP ringside, $49.99 ringside, $24.99 and $14.99 general admission (seated), are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 p.m. PT.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center and Neon Star Media.
This “Knockout Night at the D” event licensed to ESPN will be available to watch in 61 additional countries and territories in Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico & Brazil) Caribbean, Oceania (Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands), United Kingdom, Canada and India
INFORMATION:
Websites: www.dlvec.com, www.thed.com, www.royjonesjrboxing.com, www.knockoutnightboxing.com
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvEventsCenter, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @teamtonylopez, @hanzel2111, @stephonyoung, @johnverajr, @mickozizic, @jflashgang, @_RandyMoreno
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dlvec, www.Facebook.com/thedlasvegas
About the D Las Vegas: the D Las Vegas delivers the fresh, energetic attitude and fun atmosphere synonymous with downtown Las Vegas. The new casino hotel boasts 629 remodeled rooms and suites and a unique two-level casino featuring modern and vintage floors. Cocktails, beer and frozen beverages abound inside the casino at LONGBAR and on the Fremont Street Experience at D Bar. the D offers contemporary American fare at D Grill, Detroit’s legendary Coney Dogs at American Coney Island and premium steaks and authentic Italian dishes at Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse. The Showroom at the D Las Vegas features outstanding entertainment ranging from award-winning dinner theater and Broadway productions to music, comedy and more. Follow the D on Facebook and Twitter.
About Downtown Las Vegas Events Center: Located at the corner of Third St. and Carson Ave. across from the D Las Vegas, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center can accommodate up to 11,000 guests and features state-of-the-art stage, sound and lighting. The open-air design is inviting to both tourists and locals and offers the perfect spot for concerts, conventions and other large-scale events. Embracing the uninhibited spirit of Downtown Las Vegas, the new venue plays host to a line-up of curated events including premier concerts, food festivals and more. The venue is also the first entertainment arena in Las Vegas to accept Bitcoin as currency. For more information, visit www.dlvec.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @
dlveventscenter.
About Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. Based in Las Vegas, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable such as undefeated super welterweight John Vera and former 3-time world super bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko, along with Tony Lopez and Hanzel Martinez, lightweight Demond Brock, super featherweight Randy Moreno, cruiserweight Irsael Duffus, bantamweight Max Ornelas, super lightweight Emanuel Robles, middleweight Rolando Garza and light heavyweight Adrian Taylor.
About Neon Star Media LLC: Neon Star Media is a marketing and content company that creates highly effective brand-integration experiences for our clients, executed through a unique “story-telling” approach that empowers client’s product messaging to soar while delivering results. At Neon Star Media, we maximize client media spends by leveraging our relationships with various sporting events, cable channels, digital platforms and other social media outlets. We work with our clients to engage, endorse and advance their message with audiences on all platforms 24/7. Visit us on Twitter @Neonstarmedia or Facebook www.facebook.com/Neon-Star-Media-378687919005532/