On Saturday, February 25, four of boxing’s most compelling athletes will begin 2012 in pivotal HBO Boxing After Dark televised battles from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
In the main event, the pride of St. Louis, Devon Alexander “The Great,” squares off against Argentinean knockout artist Marcos “El Chino” Maidana as the two junior welterweight stars move up to face off in a 10-round welterweight showdown.
The co-featured fight will see Adrien “The Problem” Broner make his first title defense when he puts his WBO Junior Lightweight Title on the line against unbeaten number one rated WBO contender Eloy “Prince” Perez.
“The main event features two top junior welterweight stars looking to make a statement as they move up to the welterweight division,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “Alexander will have his hometown fans cheering him on against Maidana, who is one of the most feared punchers in the game.
“In the co-feature, you have two young, undefeated fighters squaring off with a flashy, fast and strong Broner taking on a hungry, motivated and relentless Perez. These are must-win fights for all four fighters and a night boxing fans won’t want to miss.”
“I’m extremely excited to make my welterweight debut in such a big fight,” said Alexander. “Maidana is one of the best fighters in the game right now and I believe that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Come February 25, I win this fight convincingly.”
“I’m excited to be preparing myself to fight back in the United States against an elite opponent like Alexander on Feb. 25,” said Maidana. “It’s a great opportunity to prove myself and I won’t let it go. I know it’s a tough fight, but I love big challenges, especially in a new weight division. As always, I promise all the fans another war in the ring.”
“Get ready to come to swag class, because I’m taking Eloy Perez to school on February 25,” said Broner. “I’m going to treat this fight just like the last 22. I will train like it’s the last fight of my life and will come out victorious.”
“I’m looking forward to fighting Adrien Broner on February 25 and to hearing the words “and the new…,” said Perez. “Golden Boy Promotions gave me the opportunity to work with them two years ago and they have groomed me for this moment and I will not disappoint them.”
“I would like to thank Golden Boy and The Great Promotions for making such a great fight possible,” said Darryl Jones President of Boxing Operations of The Great Promotions. “I believe Alexander vs. Maidana has ‘Fight of the Year’ potential. Devon’s having a tremendous camp and we are preparing for war.”
“Devon Alexander and Marcos Maidana in a main event on HBO before a big crowd in St. Louis is a recipe for a terrific night of boxing action,” said Kery Davis, senior vice president of programming, HBO Sports. “It is a great way to kick off the season for Boxing After Dark.”
“This is a terrific sports town and Devon Alexander ranks among our city’s biggest sports heroes, both inside and outside the boxing ring,” said Mike McCarthy, CEO of Scottrade Center. “We’re thrilled to welcome Devon and his legion of fans back to Scottrade Center as the eyes of the sports world once again focus on St. Louis for what promises to be another unforgettable night of boxing.”
“Alexander vs. Maidana,” a 10 round welterweight fight taking place on Saturday, February 25 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with The Great Promotions and Universum Box Promotions and sponsored by AT&T and DeWalt Tools.
Also featured will be Adrien Broner vs. Eloy Perez in a 12 round fight for Broner’s WBO Junior Lightweight Title which is presented in association with R&R Promotions. The fights will be broadcast live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Tickets, priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Scottrade Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 800-745-3000, or online at ticketmaster.com. There is a facility fee on all tickets purchased at all locations, including at the Scottrade Center Box Office. Additional Ticketmaster service charges and handling fees apply to all tickets purchased through Ticketmaster outlets, by phone or online. For disabled seating, call 314-622-5420.