LAS VEGAS (September 22, 2016) – The September 30th “Knockout Night at the D” co-feature between Tony Lopez, Jr. and Stephon “Showstopper” Young will have serious implications as the winner will rise in various rankings.
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 Friday, Sept. 30, 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 on CBS Sports Network and in English for ESPN internationally.
PROMO VIDEO LINK:
(English): https://vimeo.com/183651133
(Spanish): https://vimeo.com/183852904
Hanzel “Rude Boy” Martinez (23-2, 19 KOs) faces Emmanuel Quartey (20-2, 19 KOs) in the 10-round main event for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) International super bantamweight championship.
In the 10-round co-feature, Lopez, Jr. (11-1, 4 KOs) squares off against unbeaten Young (14-0-3, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBA North American Boxing Association (NABA) bantamweight title.
The 22-year-old Lopez, fighting out of Dallas, is coming off of a jaw-dropping second-round stoppage of Jerren Cochran this past May at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. The former WBC Youth Intercontinental bantamweight champion is rated No. 7 by the NABA.
“I remember growing up and watching all the greats as a young kid and thinking that’s going to be me someday,” Lopez said. “Thanks to RJJ, Neon Star and CBS Sports Network that dream is a reality. I’m a small town kid living out my dreams; I’m on the right path and the journey I am on is something big.”
Despite his opponent having an advantage in terms of their comparative amateur backgrounds, Lopez doesn’t feel that will be a factor in their fight, which he predicts will be very exciting.
“Amateurs are a different ball game,” Lopez commented. “It gave us knowledge and experience but at the end of the day, our records are just numbers. I don’t look at the numbers or the fighter, I’m only going to look at the fight because my job is to get in the ring and bring home the win.
“I’m a versatile fighter; if I have to brawl, I brawl but I can adjust to whatever I see fit. It’s going to be an exciting fight because I have everything I need to win. I’m a lot smarter in the ring and I’m coming to get the win.”
NABA rated No. 2 Young, 27, is a southpaw with a rich amateur pedigree background having compiled an 86-13 record, including a silver-medal performance at the 2011 National Golden Gloves Championships.
“I don’t really know too much about Lopez,” Young remarked. “I know he’s from Texas and he’s 11-1, which means he already know what it feels like to lose. He’s a decent fighter but nothing I can’t handle. I can fight any style, but one thing for sure and two for certain, whichever style I choose to fight will be a good showing. I’m coming to WIN!”
All three of his draws were fought on the road, including his last fight this past April at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York, in which he and 14-0 Nikolay Potapov battled evenly for 10 rounds. However, Young doesn’t appear to be overly concerned about fighting on the B side against an RJJ opponent.
“I really don’t worry about getting a win by decision,” Young explained. “I just feel like I will have to do a little more just to make it a one-way fight. And if the KO comes, I will love that.”
Las Vegas junior lightweight Randy Moreno (4-0, 2 KOs), a2008 World Ringside Championships gold medalist, will make his national television debut in a 4-round bout against an opponent to be announced.
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 first title defense against Milorad “Micko” Zizic (12-1, 6 KOs) in an 8-round bout.
In keeping with its philosophy to showcase tomorrow’s stars now, especially those from the talent- rich Las Vegas market, this installment of “Knockout Night at the D” will also see in action undefeated prospects such as welterweight Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (5-0, 2 KOs) and 18-year-old bantamweight Max “Baby Face” Ornelas (4-0, 2 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/