Golden Boy Boxing: Abner Mares Headlines Next “Fight Night Club”

Top bantamweight contender Abner Mares is closing in on a world title shot in 2010, but before he can challenge for a championship belt, he will have to get through another tough battle, this time against Colombian veteran Felipe Almanza in the ten-round main event of the March 25 edition of the hit series “Fight Night Club” at L.A. Live’s Club Nokia.

Also in action will be junior featherweight prospect Derrick Wilson facing undefeated Khabir Suleymanov in the televised co-featured bout as well as undefeated featherweight prospect Ronny Rios.

Ranked in the top five by the WBO, WBA and IBF, Mares (19-0, 12 KO’s) of Montebello, California is on a collision course with the world champions at 118 pounds. A 2004 Olympian for Mexico, the 24-year-old Guadalajara native has won three of his last four fights by knockout, showing that he can box or bang when the bell rings.

Fresh off of a sixth round knockout over Carlos Fulgencio on the August 2009 edition of “Fight Night Club,” Mares is back at Club Nokia on March 25 and ready to shine once again and should he emerge victorious, Mares will challenge for a world title this spring.

Looking to halt Mares’ meteoric rise is Lorica, Colombia’s Almanza (17-15-4, 8 KO’s), a hard-nosed competitor who is on a hot streak that has seen him go unbeaten in his last seven fights.

A native of Fort Myers, Florida, junior featherweight Derrick Wilson (5-1-1, 2 KO’s) returns to action on March 25 and the 21-year old is eager to repeat the success of his last “Fight Night Club” appearance in July of 2009, when he knocked out previously unbeaten Charles Huerta in just 59 seconds.

Wilson faces undefeated Khabir Suleymanov (9-0, 4 KO’s) of Los Angeles who returns to Club Nokia with ambitions of keeping his flawless record intact. In October of 2009, in his last appearance at “Fight Night Club”, Suleymanov faced Hugo Ramos and proved that he is a fierce competitor adding a fourth knockout to his record in an all-action fight.

Santa Ana, California’s Ronny Rios (9-0, 4 KO’s) is a two-fight veteran of the “Fight Night Club” series and he brings a growing fan-base to each bout in his backyard of Los Angeles.

That’s no surprise given the talent that has earned him a perfect professional record. Rios kicked off 2010 with his first Las Vegas appearance in January, when he outpointed Willshaun Boxley in his toughest test to date. He’s looking to make it two wins in a row this year on March 25.

An opponent for Rios, as well as a full undercard will be announced at a later date.

“Fight Night Club,” is Golden Boy Promotions’ and AEG’s critically acclaimed live monthly boxing series, that presents boxing in a night club atmosphere, with a DJ, music, great food and a VIP room, as well as a unique setup where the ring is on Club Nokia’s stage with standing room for fans in front of the ring, as well as reserved seating in the balcony.

After the boxing action ends, fans are invited to stay to hear great music played by LA’s hottest DJ’s, dance and mingle with the fighters as the venue converts back into a night club.

“Fight Night Club” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and AEG and is sponsored by DeWalt Tools, Budweiser and Vitamin Water. The series will return to L.A. LIVE’s Club Nokia on April 22, May 27, June 24, July 29, August 26, September 30, October 28 and November 18. The fights will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates (check local listings) and streamed live online at www.RingTV.com. Doors open at 6:00pm PT and the first bell rings at 7:00pm PT

Tickets, priced at $250 (VIP On-Stage Seats, which are limited to only twenty per show and allow purchasers to sit ringside on Club Nokia’s stage near VIP’s attending the fight [De La Hoya, Mosley, etc.], receive an autographed boxing glove by Oscar de la Hoya and provide buyers access to the Club Nokia VIP Room [must be 21 years of age and over]), $100 (VIP Front Row Balcony Seats which grant buyers access to the Club Nokia VIP Room [must be 21 years of age and over]), $60 (VIP Balcony Seats which grant buyers access to the Club Nokia VIP Room [must be 21 years of age and over]) and $19.75 (General Admission: Floor Standing Room & Balcony Seats), are on sale now and may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 online at http://www.ticketmaster.com or thru any Ticketmaster outlet or the Staples Center box office. Group tickets and full series tickets at a discounted rate are also available by calling 1-877-AEG TICKETS (1-877-234-8425).