A big night of boxing at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. just got even bigger as the special Saturday night edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on June 30 which features the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship bout between champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage and Cory Spinks, has been bolstered by the addition of unbeaten featherweight contender Gary Russell Jr. taking on Christopher Perez and Cuban junior middleweight star Erislandy Lara facing Freddy Hernandez in a pair of 10-round co-featured attractions.
A member of the 2008 United States Olympic team, Gary Russell Jr. (19-0, 11 KO’s) will make his long-awaited first appearance of 2012 following a stellar 2011 campaign that saw him go 6-0 with blistering knockouts over Antonio Meza and Heriberto Ruiz. Currently ranked in the top 10 in the world by the WBA and WBO, the 24-year-old begins his road to a title shot on June 30 against Perez.
One of the most active young fighters in the game today, Culiacan’s Christopher “Huracan” (Hurricane) Perez (23-2, 14 KO’s) brings a hurricane every time he steps between the ropes. A hard-hitting competitor with the skill and stamina to take Russell into deep water, Perez has the determination and desire to halt his unbeaten opponent’s rise.
The latest phenom from the boxing-rich nation of Cuba, Erislandy Lara (16-1-1, 11 KO’s) has had little difficulty living up to the hype following up his amazing amateur career with a blistering start to his professional endeavors. After a 2011 campaign in which he had controversial decision bouts against Carlos Molina (D10) and Paul Williams (L12), the 29-year-old southpaw has taken matters into this own hands, knocking out Ronald Hearns in just 94 seconds in April. Now he’s hungry for more fast finishes and will look for a similar result against Hernandez on June 30.
Mexico City’s Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez (30-2, 20 KO’s) is an 11-year veteran of the sport who has the experience and power to give anyone, including Lara, a rough night at the office. Having faced four former or current World Champions in a row (DeMarcus Corley, Mike Anchondo, Andre Berto and Luis Collazo) in his last four fights (and losing only to Berto), the 33-year-old veteran plans on handing Lara a loss that he won’t forget.
Bundrage vs. Spinks, a 12 round fight for the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the first fight begins at 4:00 p.m. The ShoBox: The New Generation telecast will air live on SHOWTIME at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
