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Boxing legend Mike Tyson and Iron Mike Productions Presents “The Pride of Pittsburgh” on Friday, August 8 at Consol Energy Center and telecast live on Fox Sports 1, headlined by the Steel City’s favorite son, Sammy “The Who Can Mexican” Vasquez
Fighting in the hottest division in boxing, Vasquez will face off against fellow undefeated Baltimore, Maryland native James“Keep ‘em Sleepin” Stevenson in the 10-round main event contested for the IBF/USBA Welterweight Title.
Returning home following two outstanding nationally televised knockouts this year that validated his future star status in the sport, the 28-year-old Vasquez boasts an unblemished record of 15-0-0 with eleven knockouts.
The busy Vasquez will be making the fifth start of his 2014 campaign, all four of his previous fights this year ending by stoppage.
Most recently, Vasquez defeated Jay Krupp with a show stopping third round knockout on June 6 in a bout telecast live on ESPN Friday Night Fights from Verona, New York.
Fighting for the first time at the Turning Stone Casino, Vasquez had the crowd on their feet, dropping Krupp in each of the three rounds.
Prior to that outstanding performance, the Pittsburgh native stunned the huge crowd in Monroeville, PA on April 18 with a first round stoppage of then undefeated prospect Juan Rodriguez Jr. which was broadcast on Showtime.
Vasquez dropped Rodriguez three times in the initial stanza, forcing referee Phil Rogers to halt the carnage.
Known as one of he toughest fighters on the Eastern Seaboard, the 31-year-old Stevenson has compiled a record of 21-0-0 (14KO’s), since turning professional five years ago.
Co-featured at “The Pride of Pittsburgh” is an eight round lightweight clash between the highly popular, local fan favorite, Monte Meza Clay and Nicaraguan battler Rene “Super Chirizo” Gonzalez.
With a record of 35-3-0 (21KO’s), Clay is riding a seven bout-winning streak, capped by an eight round unanimous decision over Adolfo Landeros on May 17 in Chester, West Virginia.
The 30-year-old Gonzalez, 31-6-1 (23KO’s), will be making his United States debut, most recently competing for the Interim WBA Junior Lightweight Title against Bryan Vasquez on October 26 in San Jose, Costa Rica in a bout declared a technical decision after Gonzalez suffered a bad cut over his left eyebrow in the fifth round.
In a special attraction six round middleweight battle, 2012 Ukrainian Olympian Ievgen “The Ukrainian Lion” Khytrov will face off against tough Detroit veteran Willie Fortune “500”.
With five show stopping knockouts to start off his professional career Khytrov, 5-0-0 (5KO’s), has become a must see attraction since relocating to Brooklyn, New York.
Looking to stay busy, the sure-fire 2014 “Prospect of the Year” candidate will be making the fifth start of this year.
The much more experienced Fortune enters the ring against Khytrov with a record of 17-1-0 (8KO’s), having won an eight round shut out unanimous decision on October 17, 2013 against Angel Rios in front of his Motor City faithful.
As has become custom at all Iron Mike Productions events around the country, a sensational undercard will be announced shortly.
Consol Energy Center is located at 1001 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219.
Advance tickets for “The Pride of Pittsburgh”, starting at $50 are available through the Dick’s Sporting Goods Box Office at Consol Energy Center, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. Doors will open on the night of the event at 6:30 p.m. with the first bell at 7:00 p.m.
