Kid Diamond Headlines Next Versus Network Boxing Show In Philly

ByBoxing Press

Kid Diamond makes the first defense of his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight title when he boxes hard-hitting Antonio Pitalua in the scheduled 12-round main event Thursday evening, Jan. 11, at the New Alhambra, Swanson & Ritner Streets, next to Forman Mills, in South Philadelphia. First of seven fights at 7.30 p.m.

The Versus network will televise the Diamond-Pitalua fight as well as the scheduled 10-round junior middleweight semifinal between Anthony Thompson and Robert Frazier.

Diamond, 29, of Las Vegas, NV, won the vacant NABF title Sept. 14 when he knocked out Jairo Ramirez, of San Diego, CA, in seven rounds at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. A pro since 2001, Diamond has a 23-1 record with 14 knockouts, including one over Philadelphia’s Koba Gogoladze. He boxed a draw with Joel Casamayor and lost to Nate Campbell. He has won his last three.

Pitalua, 36, is originally from Colombia but now lives in Mexico City. He is 41-3, 35 K0s, and he has knocked out his last nine opponents.

Thompson, 25, of North Philadelphia, is 22-1, 16 K0s. He has won his last seven fights, including a career-best victory July 27 when he K0d the usually durable Mohammad Said, of Secaucus, NJ, in nine rounds at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.

Frazier, 33, of Rochester, NY, is 31-7-4, 15 K0s. He lost a 12-round decision to Ronald “Winky” Wright for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior middleweight title in 2001 and he has boxed the best at 154 pounds since turning pro in 1995.

Philadelphia favorites such as super middleweight Omar Pittman, middleweights Joe Christy and Latif Mundy, and featherweights Eric Hunter and Teon Kennedy, will appear in separate bouts on the undercard.

The Jan. 11 show is being promoted by Top Rank, Inc., in association with Joe Hand Promotions, Inc., and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc.

Tickets priced at $35, $45, $50 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. (215-765-0922) or online at www.peltzboxing.com.