TKO Boxing Stacks Deck At Commerce Casino

Fight fans in Southern California will be treated to world class professional boxing at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles this Thursday night, December 17th as TKO Boxing Promotions presents “Fight Night At The Commerce”.

In the eight round main event, 21 year old junior featherweight sensation Leo Santa Cruz will face off against Mexican veteran Juan Jose Beltran.

Fighting out of nearby Lincoln Heights, the undefeated Santa Cruz knocked out Julio Valadez with a beautifully placed body shot in the first round on November 3rd at the Commerce Casino. With a record of 11-0-1 (3KO’s) and his ever improving repertoire of offensive skills, Santa Cruz is one of the most talked about prospects in the sport.

The more experienced Beltran brings a record of 19-15-3 (11KO’s) into the battle with Santa Cruz, having fought most of his career in Mexico against numerous contenders and world champions.

On May 21st of this year, Beltran upset highly regarded, Japanese contender Akihiko Nago with a unanimous decision win in Sacramento , California.

The co-main event will see former world title challenger Edner Cherry battle North Carolina native Jovann Jones over six scheduled rounds.

In his last bout on September 13, 2008, Cherry, 20-6-2 (12KO’s) battled WBC junior welterweight world champion Timothy Bradley, losing a close, hard fought twelve round decision.

Now competing as a lightweight, Cherry is confident that he will be one of the strongest boxers in the division as he works towards another world title shot.

With upset plans on his mind, the 29 year Jones brings a record of 9-7-0 (4KO’s) into the battle with Cherry.

Former Russian amateur champions now calling Los Angeles their home, Dmitry and Fedor Chudinov will also see action.

The 23 year old Dmitry, 2-0-0 (1KO), will battle Mexican prospect Cesar Ibarra, 5-2-0 (2KO’s), over four scheduled rounds in the middleweight division.

In his last outing, Dmitry stormed back from a knockdown against Eddie Hunter to win a four round unanimous decision at the Pala Casino in Pala, California on August 22nd.

Ibarra has won three of his last four and is fighting in the Los Angeles area for the third time.

Younger brother Fedor, 2-0-0 (2KO’s), will battle Carson City, Nevada native Flavio Cardoza, 1-3-0, in a four round middleweight bout.

The 22 year old Fedor has wasted no time in his first two professional bouts, scoring devastating first round knockouts in each. On the Pala Casino show on August 22nd, Fedor brutally dropped Southern California veteran Mikhail Lyubarsky twice in the opening stanza to earn the stoppage.

After an outstanding amateur career based in his home state of Florida , welterweight prospect Joseph Elegele is looking to make his mark in the pro ranks. He started off strongly last month, displaying outstanding boxing skills as he won his pro debut, a four round unanimous decision over Keith Redding on November 5th in Cockeysville, Maryland at the Jonathan Ogden Foundation Benefit event.

The 25 year old Elegele, 1-0-0, will face Lakeside, California, veteran Juan Carlos Diaz in a four round bout.

Also, Albuquerque based amateur national champion Fidel Maldonado Jr. will make his highly anticipated pro debut in a four round lightweight bout against Nicholaus Brannies, 1-2-0, of Bend, Oregon.

The 18 year old Maldonado Jr., finished his stellar amateur career with a record of 118-12 and was ranked #2 in the United States in 2008, winning the U.S. Future Stars National Championships.

In a six round lightweight bout, Las Vegas’ Sharif Bogere will bring an undefeated record to the Commerce Casino Ballroom to square off against Los Angeles native Christian Favela.

A native of Uganda, the highly talented 21 year old Bogere, 12-0-0 (7KO’s) is well known in Las Vegas, not only for his action packed fights but also for his colorful ring entrances, including the donning of a lion’s head dress.

A native of Los Mochis, Mexico, now living in Los Angeles, Favela, 17-22-6 (10KO’s), has faced numerous world champions and contenders over his eleven year career including Steven Luevano, David Diaz, Willie Jorrin and Javier Jauregui.

Rounding out the undercard, Ukranian lightweight Ivan Redkach, 1-0-0 (1KO), will battle Seattle ’s Napoleon Matthews, 1-2-0 (1KO) in a four round bout.

Redkach made his pro debut on November 3rd at the Commerce Casino stopping Keith Kelly in the first round with a bazooka like body shot.

Advance tickets, starting at $25 can be purchased through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000). The Commerce Casino is located at 6131 Telegraph Rd. Doors on the evening of event will open at 7pm, with the first bell at 8pm.