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Undefeated top 10 super welterweight contender Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. and International Boxing Federation flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donair, Jr., headline “Final Impact” an explosive pay-per-view extravaganza Saturday, November 1 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
The question remains, will yet another victim be buried in “Chavez Ravine” or will “The Predator” put an end to one of boxing’s most impressive unbeaten streaks? Chavez, son of the legendary three-division world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, will risk his 38-bout unbeaten streak against Matt “The Predator” Vanda, in a rematch of their exciting July 12 brawl. Chavez won a close and hard-fought split decision. Donaire will be defending his title against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Moruti “Baby Face” Mthalane.
“After they fought in Hermosillo, Mexico, there was a controversy about who really won the fight – Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. or Matt Vanda,” said Bob Arum.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Since the fight was so good and rather than prolong the debate, we decided we would settle this controversy in the ring where these types of controversies should be resolved.”
“”This will be an exciting battle between two sensational young fighters,” said Richard Sturm, president of sports and entertainment for MGM Mirage. “We hosted Julio Cesar Chavez many times, one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport, and now we have the opportunity to have his son as the main event at Mandalay Bay in November. This definitely will be one of the highlights of the year.”
Chavez, 37-0-1 (29), from Culiacan, Mexico, stepped into the “family business” when he made his pro debut in 2003 at the age of 17, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Hernandez in Culiacan. Known for an aggressive style and an arsenal that includes razor-sharp combinations and a wicked left hook, Chavez is world-rated No. 7 by the World Boxing Council and has knocked out 78% of the opponents he has faced, including fellow contenders Ray Sanchez III, Jose Celaya and Tobia Lorgia over the past 10 months, the last two in WBC Continental Americas championship fights. Sanchez, Celaya and Lorgia had a combined record of 75-4-1 and a winning percentage exceeding 93% when they fought Chavez.
“Matt Vanda, like everyone else I have fought, will leave the ring with the bitter taste of defeat,” declared Chavez. “On November 1, ‘The Predator’ is going to find out what it’s like to be the prey. This time I’m going to finish him off”.
Vanda, 39-7 (22), from St. Paul, Minn., is a 12-year battle-tested veteran who has never taken a step backward in the ring. Known as “The Predator” for the way he hunts down his opponents in the ring before finishing them off, less than half of Vanda’s opponents have gone the distance against him. Like Chavez, Vanda also made his pro debut at the age of 17, winning his first 31 bouts, 21 by stoppage.
He is a former International Boxing Association Americas junior middleweight champion, won via an exciting 12-round split decision over former world champion Yory Boy Campas. Vanda is also well-known for his trademark upper body tattoos. In his last fight, In his last fight on September 20, Vanda knocked out rugged Dezi Ford in the eighth round.
“Chavez knows he got away with a gift decision from his hometown judges in our last fight,” declared Vanda. “This time we will be fighting under the auspices of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the best in boxing and a worldwide pay-per-view audience. Chavez will have no one to hide behind this time. I’m going to hunt him down and kill his perfect record. Chavez has made a huge mistake in taking this rematch. I’m going to tattoo him but good!”
Donaire, 19-1 (12), a native of the Philippines who now lives in San Leandro, Calif., will be making his Top Rank debut. He shocked the boxing world July 7, 2007 when he stunned undefeated defending IBF/IBO flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan, knocking him out cold with a picture-perfect left hook to the middle of Darchinyan’s face in the fourth round.
Donaire’s world title victory was the consensus “Knockout of the Year” and “Upset of the Year.” In his last fight, Donaire scored an eighth-round TKO over No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Luis Maldonado last December. Donaire is managed by the 2007 Boxing Writers Association of America’s “Manager of the Year” Cameron Dunkin.
“I’ve worked too hard to earn this title and there is no way I’m letting anyone take it away from me, said Donaire. “Mthalane is going back to South Africa without the only souvenir he craves most…my world championship belt.”
Mthalane, 22-1 (15), from South Africa, enters the fight of his life in his U.S. debut, riding a three-year, 10-bout winning streak, eight by knockout. Known as a “South African Barrera,” for his Mexican style of fighting, Mthalane earned his first world title shot by shellacking the favored Hussein Hussein, winning a 12-round unanimous decision by scores of 119-109, 118-110, and 118-110, in their IBF title elimination bout two months ago.
“This is my first fight outside of South Africa and I intend to make the most of it,” said Mthalane. “I’m going to be in the middle of the ring. Donaire will not have a problem finding me. Let’s see how he handles my pressure when he does.”
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets, priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50, go on sale today Tuesday, September 23, at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino.) To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
The five-bout pay-per-view broadcast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $39.95.
