Sillakh To Headline ESPN The Weekend

Lake Buena Vista, FL (February 17, 2011) – For the first time in history, professional boxing is coming to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Friday, March 4, 2011 as part of ESPN The Weekend.  This event is being promoted by Roy Jones Jr’s promotional company Square Ring Promotions, Inc. and The Bluewave Group.

In the main event, the current undefeated North American Boxing Federation Light Heavyweight Champion Ismayl Sillakh (14-0-0, 12 KO’s) will be defending his title against the also undefeated Yordanis Despaigne (8-0-0, 4 KO’s).

Tickets are priced at $100 for ringside and $35 for general admission and went on sale Friday, February 11 and are available at Ticketmaster.com and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  Doors at the Jostens Center will open at 7:30PM ET with the first bout scheduled for 8:00PM ET.

Ismayl Sillakh (14-0-0, 12 KO’s) was recognized among the premier amateur fighters in the world and amassed an amazing record of 302 victories against just 16 losses.  He was the World and European Champion in 2001 and world silver medal winner in 2005.  In 2006 he won the European silver medal.

He turned professional on July 18, 2008 and is undefeated with 14 wins.

On April 3, 2010 he won the North American Boxing Federation Light Heavyweight Championship by defeating southpaw veteran Daniel Judah by a second round TKO.

Sillakh’s opponent on March 4^th, Yordanis Despaigne is a Cuban professional boxer who, as an amateur boxer, has medaled repeatedly in international tournaments as a middleweight:  2001 World Amateur Bronze medalist for Cuba; 2003 World Amateur Bronze medalist; 2003 Pan American Games Silver medalist; 2004 Olympic Representative for Cuba and 2006 Cuban National Champion.

He turned pro on May 22, 2009 and since that time has amassed an impressive record of 8-0-0 with four of those wins coming by way of knockout.

“This fight has the potential to be a candidate for fight of the year” said Roy Jones, Jr., President of Square Ring Promotions.  “We are excited to be promoting this event with the Bluewave Group and working with ESPN to bring a great night of boxing to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  On March 4th, somebody’s ‘0’ has got to go!”

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