Chambers-Liakhovich Headlines First Versus Show (Jan. 21)

Making his first hometown appearance since 2008, Chambers, (36-2, 18 KO's), who learned to fight in Philly's legendary gyms, will have his hands full when he faces “The White Wolf” of Scottsdale, AZ  (25-4, 16 KO's) at Philadelphia's Asylum Arena.   A former Russian Olympian, Liakhovich is an  aggressive, heavy-handed competitor who rarely takes a step backwards and always makes great fights.  His epic 2006 brawl with Lamon Brewster, when the native of Vitebsk, Belarus won the WBO Heavyweight Championship, is still characterized by many boxing pundits as the best heavyweight fight of the past ten years.

Opening the television broadcast at 9 p.m. will be a blistering junior middleweight battle between “King” Gabriel Rosado of Philadelphia (18-5, 10 KO's) and Jesus Soto-Karass  of Tijuana, Mexico (24-6, 16 KO's).  “Soto-Karass made his reputation in two wars with Mike Jones,” NBCSN Fight Night's Hall of Fame matchmaker Russell Peltz said, referring to a recent pair of thrilling bouts involving Soto-Karass and Jones, the world's number one welterweight contender. “Rosado vs. Soto-Karass is a huge fight in Philly,” he commented.  “It's the kind of bout where records don't matter.  It's all about the fight in the ring and there will be action from the first bell.”

“Our ambition with this series is to make interesting, competitive fights that are relevant to the markets where they take place,” said promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events.  “In short, fights that people would pay to see.  I think that this card delivers on all of those counts and I can't wait to experience the atmosphere at the Asylum when the fighters touch gloves.”

Promoted by Main Events, Peltz Productions and Goossen Tutor,  the non-televised undercard fights will begin at 7 p.m.  The remainder of the card will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets priced at $45 and $65 can be reserved by calling Peltz Boxing, (215) 765-0922.