LOS ANGELES, April 6 – Before world champion Paul “The Punisher” Williams and Winky Wright enter the ring on Saturday, April 11th to battle it out at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, three of boxing’s up and comers will look to impress ringside observers as they continue their move up the boxing ranks.
In a super middleweight bout scheduled for four rounds, 2008 United States Olympian Shawn Estrada (3-0, 3 KOs) will look to keep his knockout streak intact when he battles Las Vegas hometown favorite Thomas Rittenbaugh (3-2-2). A six round junior welterweight bout will see Mike Dallas Jr. (6-0-1, 1 KO) take on another local Las Vegas fighter, Terrance Jett (4-12-2, 2 KOs), and unbeaten super bantamweight Rico Ramos (8-0, 5 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line against Gino Escamilla (5-4-1, 2 KOs) of Laredo, Texas.
These bouts are part of a nine-bout undercard headlined by the 12 round middleweight fight between the “Most Avoided Fighter in Boxing,” Winky Wright against the “Most Feared Fighter in Boxing,” Paul Williams. HBO will open the broadcast with the most significant step in the career of the undefeated heavyweight Cristobal Arreola when he faces the very dangerous former four-time world title challenger Jameel “Big Time” McCline.
The event is being presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Goossen Tutor Promotions and Winky Promotions with the Arreola vs. McCline bout being presented by Goossen Tutor in association with Don King Productions. HBO World Championship Boxing will air live beginning at 10:00pm ET / 7:00pm PT.
One of the most inspirational stories to emerge from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, U.S. team member Shawn Estrada is continuing to inspire people as a professional with the talent and down-to-earth attitude. A 24-year old with concussive power and an unyielding determination in the ring, Estrada has knocked out each of his pro opponents in the first round, with the longest going just 1:41 into the round. Rittenbaugh believes he can stop Estrada in his tracks on April 11th.
Just 22 years old, Mike Dallas Jr. of Bakersfield, California, is 6-0-1 as a professional a career he followed his father into, Mike Dallas, Sr. The Jackie Kallen-Prentiss Byrd managed fighter is a former amateur standout with an exciting fan friendly style, and he plans on making more fans when he makes his Las Vegas debut.
A native of Pico Rivera, California, 21-year old Rico Ramos burst onto the professional scene after a stellar amateur career and has continued the success with an undefeated record of eight wins and 5 knockouts. Another aggressive offensive minded fighter, Ramos prides himself with a style built on combination punching. After having all eight pro fights in 2008, Ramos is set to begin his 2009 campaign on one of the biggest boxing shows of the year this Saturday.
Tickets priced at $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50 are on sale now at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.