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Former two-division world champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (26-3, 14 KOs) returns to take on battle-tested Mexican Aron Martinez (19-4-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight clash as Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN heads to Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Wednesday, October 14.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with the U.S. debut of featherweight world champion Lee Selby (21-1, 8 KOs) as he takes on former three-division world champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel (54-4-2, 39 KOs) in the co-main event.
“I’m very excited to return to the ring and I’m anxious to show people that I’m still an elite fighter,” said Alexander. “This is a huge opportunity to be on prime time and I’m going to make sure everything is in order at camp so I’m there 100 percent mentally and physically on fight night.”
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to fight on such a big stage against a great fighter in Devon Alexander,” said Martinez. “Arizona has a huge Mexican boxing community and I look forward to the support from their terrific fans.”
“I’m looking forward to my USA debut in Arizona on ESPN,” said Selby. “It’s been my dream since I was a young boy to win the world title and then to box in a major fight in the U.S. I have the upmost respect for Fernando Montiel, he’s a three-time world champion and we all know over here in the UK how tough the Mexican fighters are. I know the U.S. fight fans appreciate the top fighters and I am sure I can win them over on 14th October with my skill, style and technique.”
“I am very happy to have an opportunity to win another world title,” said Montiel. “I am going to make the most of this and leave everything I have in the ring. I will leave that ring with Lee Selby’s belt and with the fans cheering my name.”
“This is a big fight for Arizona and the first world title fight in Arizona since 2004,” said Scott Maling, Owner of Ring Pros Promotions. “I was lucky enough to promote that last world title fight and I can’t wait to bring the boxing fans of Arizona a terrific night of action from start to finish, featuring some of the top talent in the sport.”
A world champion at 140 and 147-pounds, the 28-year-old Alexander makes his 2015 debut looking for a performance that will vault him back into title contention. Alexander owns victories over Marcos Maidana, Lucas Matthysse, Randall Bailey and Lee Purdy. The St. Louis-native is 4-2 in world title fights with his most recent victory coming via a dominant decision over Jesus Soto Karass.
The 33-year-old Martinez is coming off of a controversial decision loss to Robert Guerrero, in a fight where Martinez dropped Guerrero for the second time in his career and appeared within seconds of being awarded a stoppage victory. Born in Mexico, but fighting out of Los Angeles, Martinez has fought professionally since 2004 and racked up 10 straight victories between 2009 and 2012.
Born in Barry, Wales, Selby picked up his world title with a dominant technical decision over previously undefeated Evgeny Gradovich in May. The 28-year-old owns a slew of victories over previously unblemished fighters including Joel Brunker, Ryan Walsh, Viorel Simon, Corey McConnell and Stephen Smith. The slick-boxer will be making his first start on U.S. soil on October 14.
The Mexican veteran Montiel has won world titles across three weight classes throughout his long career that began as a 17-year-old in 1996. He won his first world title in 2000 over Isidro Garcia and went on to have title winning performances over Pedro Alzacar, Ivan Hernandez, Z Gorres, Ciso Morales and Hozumi Hasegawa. Born in Sinaloa, Mexico, Montiel is riding an eight-fight win streak heading into this match and returns to fight in the U.S. for the first time since 2011.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Ring Pros Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25 for general admission, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale today at 12 p.m. PT. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at www.gilariverarena.com.
Doors at Gila River Arena open at 3 p.m. PT with the first bout following shortly after.
