Evans launches Motown fight series
and local TV deal!
KO Artist Epifanio Mendoza vs. Leon Pierson on Dec. 5 opener!
December 1, 2002
By Andre
Courtemanche
www.fightnews.com
Gerald Evans of 1World Productions announced he is further capitalizing on
his "right place, right time" good fortune in the burgeoning Grand Rapids,
Michigan boxing scene by signing a six-show pact with the 3000 seat
DeltaPlex Expo Center and a four-show television pact with local UPN
affiliate WXSP-TV beginning Thursday, December 5.
"I've said
all along that I'm not promoting fighters, I'm promoting fights," Evans
said. "The idea of the 'Defenders of Democracy' series is to put on
competitive fights, the kind that fight fans want to see. DeltaPlex and WXSP
recognized that, and it's gratifying to enter into a long-term arrangement
with both of them."
The December
5 opener, entitled 'Defenders of Democracy 3: How the West was Won,' will
feature hot prospect Epifanio Mendoza, 16-1 (16), of Colombia. Fresh from
knocking out highly regarded Tokunbo Olajide on national television and then
suffering his first defeat (via disqualification).
Mendoza will
be pitted against slick Detroiter Leon Pierson in a ten-round middleweight
scrap. Pierson, who recently drew with WBC #1 Super Welterweight Fitzroy
Vanderpool, and also lasted the distance with top contenders Kermit Cintron,
and Germaine Sanders, should prove to be a significant test for the
Colombian looking to return to the win column.
In the
semi-final, former world title challenger Bernard Harris, 21-16-2 (10), from
Jackson, Michigan will rumble with local favorite Elvesto Mills, 6-18-1 (4).
Additionally,
several local and Western Michigan fighters are also scheduled to appear
including Dallas Vargas, Harold Cutts, Frankie O'Neil, Rocky Smith, Sonny
Baker, Parcell Banks, Kolmage Harris, Chris Grays, Ramon Guvara, and Omar
Dodson.
The next four
DeltaPlex boxing dates are already pencilled in for January 30, 2003, March
20, and May 15, with two additional shows by November 2003. Tickets for the
December 5 event are $40 ringside, $20 reserved, $10 general admission and
are available at the DeltaPlex' box office and all Ticketmaster outlets.
For more
information, contact 1World Productions at (616) 554-5810, or the DeltaPlex
at (616) 364-9000. WXSP will televise the main event and one other fight in
a live telecast, beginning at 10 p.m. |