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If it’s a fight night at Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Arizona, you can almost guarantee that David “The Destroyer” Lopez will be on hand to thrill his legion of loyal fans.
On Friday, April 10, Lopez will fight at his home away from home for the 12th time when he takes on veteran Ossie Duran in the main event of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights”.
Making a special appearance to take in the action at this big night of boxing in Tucson will be none other than the Golden Boy himself, Oscar de la Hoya.
Also in action in a televised bout will be highly touted undefeated junior welterweight prospect Hector Sanchez in the stiffest test of his young career when he squares off against former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley in an eight-round bout.
“It’s great to be back on ESPN2’s ‘Friday Night Fights’ and at the Desert Diamond Casino,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.
“Fighting on a storied network and at a great venue always brings the best out in fighters and we’re expecting an explosive night of action for Tucson fight fans as well as those watching at home on ESPN2.”
“Everyone knows how I love fighting at the Desert Diamond Casino and in front of all my loyal fans in Tucson,” said Lopez. “This is like a second home to me and it will be difficult for anyone to beat me here because I refuse to disappoint the people who have supported me for so long. Making it even better is that my fight will be on ESPN2’s ‘Friday Night Fights’ which let’s me showcase my skills to boxing fans across the United States.”
One of the most underrated middleweights of the last ten years, Nogales, Mexico’s Lopez, 37-12 (25), has been avoided like the plague by champions at 160 pounds because they know that a fight with “The Destroyer” will likely be a painful one.
Lopez has refused to get discouraged and has kept winning, going 13-0 with eight knockouts over the last four years. Fresh off a 12-round win over Samuel Miller last October, Lopez is now dropping to the junior middleweight class, where because of his sterling performances at middleweight, he has garnered a ranking of number four in the world by the WBC.
Before that happens though, Lopez will have to get by rugged Ghanaian veteran Ossie Duran, 23-6-2 (9). A 13-year pro who has been in with the likes of James Kirkland, Jonathan Reid and Jamie Moore, Duran – who now makes his home in Patterson, New Jersey – is unbeaten in four of his last five fights and is eager to spoil Lopez’ party and end his winning streak in front of his diehard fans on April 10.
Looking to follow in the footsteps of past and present Puerto Rican greats, Rio Piedras’ Hector Sanchez, 17-0 (8), is certainly off to a good start towards reaching those lofty heights.
Unbeaten as a pro, the 22-year-old is seemingly getting better with each fight and he plans on extending his current three-fight knockout streak when he steps through the ropes at the Desert Diamond Casino.
Washington, DC’s DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, 33-10-1 (19), possesses a mix of speed and power that means a tough night for anyone who steps into the ring with him.
A former Junior Welterweight World Champion, 34-year-old Corley has been in with some of the best fighters of this era, including Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah, Randall Bailey and Junior Witter. With two straight knockout wins under his belt, he’s gearing up for another title run in 2009.
A full undercard will be announced shortly.
Lopez vs. Duran, a 10-round junior middleweight bout that headlines a hard-hitting night of world-class boxing, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Quaker State. The ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” telecast begins at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT.
Tickets, priced starting as low as $35, through, $100, are on sale now and available for purchase by calling 1-800-745-3000 or visiting either Desert Diamond Casino or Desert Diamond Casino Hotel. Tickets may also be obtained online at Ticketmaster.com.
