Golden Boy Hooks On To ShoBox

LOS ANGELES – (March 8, 2010) – For years, SHOWTIME® has featured boxing’s top prospects and future World Champions on its hit series ShoBox: The New Generation, giving boxing fans a glimpse of the World Champions of tomorrow today.  On Friday, April 2, live on SHOWTIME, Golden Boy Promotions is proud to present its first event on the series.

Undefeated Cuban junior middleweight rising star Erislandy Lara puts his perfect record on the line against the always-dangerous Danny Perez in a 10-round main event and Puerto Rican featherweight standout Carlos Velasquez returns to dazzle fans in the co-feature on what promises to be a night to remember at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

“We’re proud to present our first ShoBox event and we promise that fans will see the quality of fights they’re accustomed to on the series,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.  “Danny Perez will be Erislandy Lara’s toughest test to date and a fight I’m really looking forward to.  I’m also excited to see Carlos Velasquez back in the ring and if he can be impressive on April 2 on ShoBox, the sky’s the limit for him.”

The doubleheader will headline an exciting night of professional boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. It will air live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets, priced at $100, $60 and $30, plus a limited number of $125 VIP and $25 standing room tickets, are on sale and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone (800) 745-3000.

Also competing on April 2 will be a host of Golden Boy Promotions’ undefeated rising stars, including Puerto Rico’s Hector Sanchez (18-0, 8 KO’s), 2008 U.S. Olympic Heavyweight Bronze medalist Deontay Wilder (8-0, 8 KO’s) and New Jersey’s Mike Perez (6-0-1, 3 KO’s).

Southpaw sensation Lara (10-0, 6 KO’s) has followed up a stellar amateur career in Cuba with the makings of a world championship run in the professional ranks.  Unbeaten in 10 bouts, the 26-year-old native of Guantanamo went 7-0 with 4 knockouts in 2009, and in 2010 he’s picked up where he left off, halting veteran contender Grady Brewer in 10 rounds on Jan. 29 at The Joint.  On April 2, he returns to the site of his greatest pro victory to date and hopes to make it two in a row against Perez.

Perez (34-6, 17 KO’s), of Carlsbad, Calif., knows all the tricks of the trade when it comes to the sweet science.  The owner of five regional titles over the course of his career, Perez has faced the likes of Antonio Margarito, Jose Luis Zertuche, Grady Brewer, David Lopez and Eric Mitchell, and is looking forward to taking Lara into deep waters on April 2.

A member of the 2004 Puerto Rican Olympic team, Velasquez (11-0, 9 KO’s) has been tearing through the pro ranks with a mix of speed and power that has boxing insiders taking notice.  The highly regarded 25-year-old Velasquez, who trains out of Las Vegas, owns wins over a series of seasoned veterans and will be put to the test once again as he looks to further cement his status of future star against an opponent to be determined.

Opponents for Sanchez, Wilder and Perez and additional undercard bouts will be announced shortly.