Goossen Promotions returns to the Pechanga Resort and Casino on Thursday, December 11th with “Night of Champions” an ESPN Boxing Special. Headlining the event will be the return to Pechanga and ESPN of former junior middleweight world champion Austin “No Doubt Trout of Las Cruces, New Mexico in 10-round clash against tough Mexican veteran Luis “Slayer” Grajeda.
With a record of 27-2-0 (14KO’s) including a victory over future Hall-of-Famer Miguel Cotto, the 29-year-old Trout returns to Temecula and ESPN following his action packed victory over Daniel Dawson on August 22nd.
Sporting a record of 17-3-2 (13KO’s), 27-year-old Grajeda has battled a long list of top contenders over his six-year professional career including Hector Camacho Jr., Jermell Charlo, Willie Nelson and Said El-Harrak.
Co-headlining at “Night of Champions” will be a 10-round heavyweight clash featuring two-time former heavyweight world title challenger and longtime Southern California fan favorite Cris “The Nightmare” Arreola.
Fighting out of Riverside, California, Arreola, 35-4-0 (31KO’s), returns to the ring against an opponent to be announced following his ESPN televised world title challenge against Bermane Stiverne this past May, a sensational battle stopped in the sixth round as the valiant Arreola came up short.
In a special attraction battle for the World Boxing Association Super Bantamweight Title, top rated contenders Oscar Encandon, 23-1-0 (16KO’s) of Ibague, Columbia and Canadian southpaw, Tyson “Prince of Haiti” Cave , 22-2-0 (6KO’s) will clash over 12-rounds.
Also appearing in a 10-round heavyweight battle will be former light heavyweight world champion Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarverof Tampa, Florida, who has compiled a record of 30-6-1 (21KO’s) over his illustrious career.
Among the world class fighters rounding out the card in separate bouts are; former world champion and winner of The Contender Season One, Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora, 26-3-2 (9KO’s) of Los Angeles, former world title challenger Edwin “The Bomba” Rodriguez, 25-1-0 (16KO’s) of Worcester, MA, former super bantamweight world champion Rico “Suavecito” Ramos, 23-4-0 (12KO’s) of Los Angeles, 2012 U.S. Olympian and hot light heavyweight prospects “Sir’ Marcus Browne, 12-0-0 (9KO’s) of New York City and Ahmed Elbiali, 8-1-0 (7KO’s) of Cairo, Egypt.
“We wanted to do something special in honor of Dan Goossen and we thought of no better way than to put on a great night of boxing just like he had done for so many years on ESPN,” said Brian Kweder, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions. “Dan’s contributions to the sport of boxing are well documented, but he was also a joy to work with and be around. I’m hopeful that he has a ringside seat wherever he may be for these fights.”
A lifelong resident of Southern California and popular fight promoter for over three decades, Goossen passed away at the age of 64 on September 28th.
Said Tom Brown of Goossen Promotions, “We could not be any more excited to bring this outstanding ‘Night of Champions’ boxing event to the beautiful Pechanga Resort & Casino. It is always great to provide their fans with an action-packed show!”
