Nagaev vs. Hernandez Headlines Friday Night Fights

ByGary Shaw Productions

Gary Shaw Productions in association with Lucas Oil present ESPN “Friday Night Fights” August 9, 2013 at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif.

In the main-event lightweights Rustum Nagaev (24-6, 14 KOs) and Jose Hernandez (14-6-1, 6 KOs) will battle in a 10-round bout. The co-main event will feature Jose Pedraza (13-0, 9 KOs) vs. Gabriel Tomalyjan (13-2-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round super-featherweight bout. ESPN “Friday Night Fights” telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

After back to back knockouts against Daniel Attah (28-15-1, 8 KOs) and Jonathan Maicelo (19-1, 11 KOs), Russian born Nagaev is marching toward title contention. Another win against Hernandez on national television will get Rustum one step closer to a title fight. He feels his dream is becoming a reality and is excited to be fighting in the main event.

“This will be my third fight back after an extensive layoff and I feel unstoppable at the moment,” said Nagaev. “I’m very grateful to Gary Shaw for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents on national TV for the second time this year.

“Fighting in the main event is awesome and I promise to give the fans another great fight. Like always I’m coming to knockout my opponent.”

“Rustum is a very respectable young man who has a fighting style that people want to see,” Shaw said. “I told him if he keeps on winning, I would be a man of my word and get him some television exposure. He’s looked real good in his last two fights and I expect the same on August 9th.”

The co-main event is a fight between two very talented fighters. Puerto Rico’s undefeated sensation, Jose “Sniper” Pedraza is up against a very game Gabriel Tomalyjan. This fight has fireworks written all over it as both fighters are looking to advance in their careers.

“Tomalyjan is very tough and I know I’ll have to be ready to go to war when we step in the ring against each other,” said Pedraza. “I feel I’m ready to take my career to the next level and these are the type of fights I have to win. I’m hungry and I feel I’m the better fighter.”

“Pedraza has been touted as the next big star to come from Puerto Rico but he hasn’t fought anyone,” said Tomalyjan. “In my last fight I beat his fellow countryman Jorge Maysonet Jr (11-1, 10 KOs) who was also highly regarded as the next star from Puerto Rico. I ended Maysonet’s undefeated streak and I plan on doing the same against Pedraza.”

“Pedraza vs. Tomalyjan is a fan friendly fight and the winner goes on to bigger and better things,” stated Shaw. “These are the fights the fans want to see and may the best man win.”

The undercard will showcase a number of talented fighters. Emmanuel Tagoe (21-1, 8 KOs) and Gerardo Robles (16-11, 7 KOs) clash in a 12-round bout for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title. Popular undefeated slugger, Alex Luna (14-0, 10 KOs) and Christopher Rivera (5-12-1, 4 KOs) will battle in a 6-round lightweight bout. Unbeaten Roy Tapia (5-0-1, 2 KOs) and Eliezer Agosto (2-2, 2 KOs) square off in 6-round super bantamweight bout. Edgardo Laboy (6-0, 3 KOs) and Jose Iniguez (6-16, 1 KO) fight in a 6-round super bantamweight bout. Super welterweight Arnold Barboza (1-0) will face a fighter to be announced.

Tickets priced $35 & $55 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Morongo Casino Box office or by calling the Box office hotline at (951) 755-5391. Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745- 3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.

The Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is located at 49500 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA, 92230. Doors open at 5:00 p.m , first fight starts at 5:30 p.m. ESPN “Friday Night Fights” telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.