TKO Boxing Returns To Commerce Casino March 25

The Commerce Casino, the world’s largest poker facility in the world, will once again host an evening of world class professional boxing presented by TKO Boxing Promotions on Thursday, March 25th.

“We’re really proud to return to the Commerce Casino with our third event. It’s an excellent venue that allows us to present world class professional boxing to the outstanding sports fans in the Southern California area” said Chet Koerner, President of TKO Boxing Promotions.

Said Mike Sana of the Commerce Casino, “We’re very happy to welcome back Chet and the TKO Boxing team on March 25th. They’ve done a great job putting together terrific events and we’re looking forward to another fan friendly evening.”

The ten round main event on March 25th will feature a welterweight showdown between Philadelphia based contender Demetrius Hopkins and former world champion Freddie Norwood of St. Louis, Missouri.

The 30 year old Hopkins , 28-1-1 (11KO’s), will be making his debut at welterweight against the southpaw Norwood . Hopkins is making his first start since challenging then world champion Kendall Holt in December 2008, a hard fought bout which he took on one week’s notice and lost by split decision.

Hopkins has long been known as an outstanding technician in the ring and believes the move to the higher weight will also improve his power as he enters the welterweight division.

Norwood, 43-3-1 (23KO’s), is a former two time world champion, with his second reign including a unanimous decision over future Hall of Famer, Juan Manuel Marquez in 1999, an era in which he was rated among the best fighters in the world.

In his most recent outing on July 30, 2009, Norwood won a unanimous decision over veteran Jose Celaya in El Monte, California.

Dropping the younger Celaya with his first punch of the bout, a drilling overhand left, Norwood remained in control throughout the fight, counterpunching his way to a solid victory.

Featured on the undercard, Dmitry and Fedor Chudinov, will both be returning to action at the Commerce Casino. Older brother Dmitry, 3-0-0 (2KO’s), brutally stopped Flavio Cardoza in the first round on December 19th at the Commerce Casino while younger brother Fedor, 3-0-0 (2KO’s), dominated Cesar Ibarra over four rounds to earn a unanimous decision on the same card.

Also featured at the Commerce Casino is sensational Canadian newcomer Mikael Zewski. The 20 year old, an outstanding amateur prospect, made his pro debut on February 27th in Augusta, Georgia, thrilling the huge crowd at the Bell Auditorium with a third round stoppage of Kevin Kibler.

Highly regarded lightweight prospect Arman Sargsyan of Moscow, Russia, will be making his US debut. Carrying a record of 13-0-0 (8KO’s), the Armenian born Sargsyan stopped Abdul Malik Jabir in the seventh round on November 22, 2008 in his last bout.

After winning his first two professional bouts with devastating first round knockouts, Ukrainian Ivan Redkach, 2-0-0 (2KO’s), will return to the Commerce Casino. Now based in Los Angeles, Redkach pro debuted with a brutal stoppage of Keith Kelly on November 3rd and followed that up by halting Napoleon Matthews on December 17th, both knockouts coming by devastating body shots.

Also on tap for the Commerce Casino event is the highly anticipated pro debuts of Coachella based flyweight Randy Caballero and Los Angeles’ Flavio Rodriguez.

The 20 year old Caballero had an outstanding amateur career, which included winning the 2008 U.S. Future Stars National Championship at 112 pounds.

Competing in the 145 pound division, Rodriguez was a highly decorated amateur whose accolades included a second place finish in the prestigious 2007 Junior Olympic National Championships in Marquette, Michigan.

In a special attraction four round heavyweight bout, Mike Finney of San Jacinto, California will square off against Carson City, Nevada’s Steve Fierro.

More information on this evening of professional boxing will be announced shortly.

Tickets, starting at $25, can be purchased through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com or by phone 800-745-3000). The Commerce Casino is located at 6131 Telegraph Road. Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm, with the first bell at 8pm.