Shafikov vs. Suarez in a Wednesday Fight Card at the Avalon Theater

As bright as the lights shining on the Hollywood sign, the symbiotic relationship between Hollywood and prizefighting remains just as glowing.

360 Promotions brings its second edition featuring Denis Shafikov versus Hector Ambriz Suarez on Wednesday, June 6 at an historic venue, The Avalon Theater. Though the building has more fame as a music venue, boxing has been there before.

On the same stage where jazz saxophone legend Sonny Rollins once performed and where other groups like Los Lobos played songs like Cancion del Mariachi, it was The Avalon where fighters like England’s Carl Froch, Panama’s Celestino Caballero and Mexico’s Daniel Ponce De Leon shed blood and sweat in the prize ring.

Decades ago, just a few blocks east, the famous Hollywood Legion Arena used to stage fight cards back in the 1920s to the 1950s. Actors like Lupe Velez were regulars and fight action was the best ticket in town.

My long departed grandfather used to regularly visit the old Hollywood Legion and run into Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller. Hollywood celebrities still make the fight scene.

This past March a number of Hollywood luminaries attended the first 360 Promotions show including one of my favorites, Rhys Coiro, who played the flashy independent director Billy Walsh on the HBO series Entourage.

It’s the place to be if you dig the Hollywood scene and especially if boxing grabs your lapel.

Russia’s Shafikov (38-4-1, 20 KOs) is set to fight Mexico’s Suarez (12-6-1, 6 KOs) in a super featherweight main event set for eight rounds. Shafikov has been a hard luck Charlie recently. He’s had three cracks at the IBF world lightweight title and fell short each time.

In 2014, Shafikov met the clever southpaw Miguel “El Titere” Vazquez and lost by decision in Macao. Then, he met Rances Barthelemy in Las Vegas and lost again. A third attempt saw him fall short against Robert Easter in Easter’s hometown of Toledo, Ohio.

He just can’t get a break.

Next up is Suarez, a 22-year-old from Ensenada who fought this past April at Belasco Theater and lost to prospect Hector Tanajara by decision. It’s a moment of truth for Shafikov.

Also on the fight card are two female bouts.

Promoter Tom Loeffler has a long history of supporting female prizefighting and has signed several female boxers from other countries. After initially signing Norway’s great Cecilia Braekhus he also signed Australia’s Louisa Hawton and Austria’s Elvina White.

Hawton (7-1) a former light flyweight world titlist lost her first fight under the 360 Promotions banner but is back for a second try. Once again she fights a Mexican fighter in Elvia Trevino who usually fights a weight division lower. It’s Hawton’s time to return to the win column.

White (1-0) meets another Mexican fighter in Annette Pabello (0-2) whose two losses were to Aida Satybaldinova who lives and trains in Los Angeles. This should be a competitive fight in the super lightweight division.

Other Bouts

Mexico’s Luis Rosales (7-1) fights Roberto Pucheta (10-13-1) in a super bantamweight six rounder.

Jonathan Esquivel (5-0) fights Sergio Lucio Gonzalez (6-5) in a six round middleweight contest.

Serhii Bohachuk (8-0) meets Mexico’s savvy veteran Cesar Berumen (26-37-3) in a six round welterweight bout.

Also New York’s Brian Ceballo (2-0) makes his second appearance at the Avalon when he meets Adan Ahumada (3-4-2) in a four round welterweight contest.

Hollywood and boxing have intertwined as far back as when Charlie Chaplin roamed the streets more than 100 years ago. And it’s still going strong.

The Avalon Theater is located at 1735 N. Vine Street in Hollywood, Ca. 90028. Doors open at 5 p.m. For tickets go to www.360Promotions.us

All bouts will be streamed via www.360Promotions.us

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