Iron Mike Productions is bringing big-time boxing back to Florida, presenting opening-round action in the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) World Cup of Boxing, on Friday night, November 15, 2013 at 7 p.m. at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Former two-divisional world champion Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman (33-1-1, 20 KOs) has moved up to fight as a welterweight in the WBC World Cup of Boxing. The Dominican Republic native, who was world champion as a super featherweight and super bantamweight, takes on undefeated WBC CABOFE champion Simeon “Candyman” Hardy (10-0, 7 KOs) in the 10-round World Cup main event.
In the other World Cup fight, Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero (14-1, 11 KOs) faces WBC Unites States (USNBC) featherweight champion Romulo Koasicha (20-3, 12 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. Marrero, also from the Dominican Republic, is coming off his lone loss as a professional this past August, by way of a 12-round decision to Jesus Cuellar for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim featherweight title.
The two WBC World Cup of Boxing fights will air live on Fox Sports1.
In a 10-round Special Super Bantamweight Attraction, undefeated Alexei “The Mexican-Cuban” Collado (17-0, 16 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line against an opponent to be determined. Collado has stopped 16 of his 17 victims. The powerful Cuban is world rated at No. 14 by the WBA and No. 15 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
Also fighting on the undercard are three hot prospects in separate four-round bouts. Multi-talented featherweight Albert “Prince” Bell (2-0, 1 KO), a 2011 National PAL and 2012 National Golden Gloves champion, returns to the ring on the undercard. Newly-signed IMP fighters, 18-year-old welterweight Erickson “Hammer” Lubin and 20-year-old featherweight Dennis Galarza, will make their much-anticipated pro debuts on the November 15th card. Lubin was a 2012 National Golden Gloves champion.
“We’re looking forward to being at the Seminole Hard Rock to promote our second show,” IMP president and Hall of Famer “Iron” Mike Tyson said.
“The World Cup of Boxing celebrates the WBC’s 50th anniversary and we’re very proud to be hosting its second event on November 15th. Our two fighters in the World Cup, Joan Guzman and Claudio Marrero, are both forces to be reckoned with throughout the tournament. Another one of our future world champions, undefeated Alexei Collado, will be in action. We’ll also be showcasing three of the top prospects in boxing, Albert Bell, and newly signed former U.S. amateur standouts Erickson Lubin and Dennis Galarza.”
Opponents will soon be announced, in addition to a seventh fight, for Collado, Bell, Lubin and Galarza. All of the aforementioned boxers, in addition to Guzman and Marrero, are fighting out of Miami.
Tickets cost $79, $59 and $39; seats are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, www.myhrl.com, ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000.
