ESPN2: Juan Urango – Joe Yorgey

With his dominant 12 round win over rugged contender Jose Luis Cruz in June, unbeaten Shamone Alvarez showed that he was ready for prime time in the ultra-competitive welterweight division. On Friday, August 31st, “The Truth’ will look to build on the biggest win of his career when he defends his NABO title at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“Shamone Alvarez is a fighter who has paid his dues in this game and now he’s ready to reap the benefits of his hard work by making a run at the world title,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “This should be a great fight for the Atlantic City fans.”

This ESPN2 Friday Night Fights card, presented by Seminole Warriors Boxing in association with the Panther Corporation and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, will also feature the return of former junior welterweight champion Juan Urango in a ten round bout and exciting, Joe Yorgey will take on Jose Medina.

“Practically every day, I’m asked, “when is Juan Urango fighting again,” said Margules. “Well, he’s back, and after seeing him in the gym, I can safely say that he’s looking better than ever and will be ready for another world title in no time. I wouldn’t want to be the fighter standing across the ring from him on August 31st.”

The live ESPN2 broadcast begins at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. Tickets, priced at $250, $200, $150, $65 and $35, go on sale tomorrow, Friday, July 28th at 12 noon, at all Ticketmaster outlets, and may also be ordered by visiting the Boardwalk Hall Box Office or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The pride of Atlantic City, New Jersey, 30-year old southpaw Shamone Alvarez (18-0, 11 KOs) came up the hard way in the fight game, but with an impressive string of wins, he’s ready to step up to face the marquee names at 147 pounds. A five year pro, Alvarez holds wins over previously unbeaten Mohammed Kayongo and Enrique Gutierrez, and in June he easily out pointed Jose Luis Cruz, a fighter who had been in the ring previously with the likes of Shane Mosley and Sharmba Mitchell. Shamone is currently ranked 6 in the world by theWBO

One of boxing’s hardest punchers, pound for pound, 26-year old Juan Urango (17-1-1, 13 KOs) burst onto the world scene in 2004 with his torrid 12 round draw against Mike Arnaoutis, which was televised nationally on Showtime. After that bout, Urango became a staple on US TV, with three knockout wins leading to a 12 round unanimous decision win over Naoufel Ben Rabah in June of 2006 that earned “Iron Twin’ the IBF junior welterweight title. Urango would lose his title in his first defense via decision to Ricky Hatton in January, but with a seven month break and a renewed hunger, Urango plans on winning his title back as soon as possible.