DAVID "THE DESTROYER"
LOPEZ TO FACE MARCO ANTONIO "POISON"
RUBIO ON HOPKINS VS. CALZAGHE UNDERCARD SATURDAY,
APRIL 19 IN THE PLANET HOLLYWOOD RING
For
Immediate Release
LOS ANGELES, (March 28, 2008)
– Mexican middleweight David "The
Destroyer" Lopez, and Marco Antonio "Poison"
Rubio will square off April 19 in the Planet
Hollywood (PH) Ring at the Thomas & Mack
Center in Las Vegas as the featured undercard
bout for the highly anticipated "Battle
of Planet": Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe.
"This will be an explosive
fight between Lopez and Rubio because battles
between Mexican fighters usually end up in a
war," said Eric Gomez, vice president and
matchmaker of Golden Boy Promotions. "Their
ring histories and experience make this an extremely
competitive fight."
Lopez (33-12, 23 KOs) is
one of the most recognizable and famous athletes
to hail from Nogales, Mexico. He is coming off
of a decision victory with David Toribio in
his last bout on November 16, 2007 and is ranked
5th in the world at middleweight by the WBC.
Highlights of Lopez's impressive resume include
a seventh round knockout of former world champion
Lonnie Bradley and a seventh round stoppage
of former Olympian and highly touted prospect
Jerson Ravelo, both of whom were undefeated
prior to stepping into the ring with the Nogales
native.
"I am thrilled to be
a part of this fight card with a main event
featuring great champions like Bernard and Joe,"
said Lopez. "I am getting great training
in camp and I know my dedication and time in
the gym will get me a win on April 19th."
The hard-working Lopez has
and will be pulling double duty in preparation
for his fight with Rubio….in addition
to his usual training regimen, he is also serving
as a sparring partner for Bernard Hopkins as
he prepares for Calzaghe.
"David has been a very
valuable part of my training in preparation
for my fight with Calzaghe," stated the
current light heavyweight champion Hopkins.
"If he performs in the ring on the 19th
like he does in sparring, Rubio is in for the
fight of his life."
Native of Torreon, Mexico,
Marco Antonio "Poison" Rubio (41-4-1,
37 KOs), ranked 4th as middleweight by the WBC,
has been demolishing his opponents with his
concussive punching power since he turned pro
in 2000. His most recent fight ended in with
a seventh round knockout of former Olympian
Jose Luis Zertuche on February 9, 2007.
"I am on a mission to
win a world title and if I have to beat a fellow
countryman along the way, so be it," said
Rubio. "There is nothing that is going
to get in the way of my quest and I am determined
to win on April 19th. Lopez better be ready
to fight"
Hopkins vs. Calzaghe,
"Battle of the Planet", is presented
by Golden Boy Promotions, Frank Warren's Sports
Network and the Planet Hollywood Resort and
Casino. Tickets are priced at $1500, $1200,
$750, $450, $350 and $250 are still available
and can be purchased via phone at 866-USFIGHT
or online at www.planethollywood com. The main
event bout will be shown live on HBO's World
Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET
/ 6:45 p.m. PT
.
