the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC), along with Neon Star Media and Roy Englebrecht Promotions, have announced the formation of a new monthly boxing series, “Knockout Night at the D”.
The inaugural event, scheduled for Saturday, March 12, will be held inside the DLVEC’s 20,000-square-foot tent and headlined by five-time, two-division world champion Zab “Super” Judah (42-9, 29 KOs). The Brooklyn native, now fighting out of Las Vegas, returns to the ring after a two-year break from the sport. The fast and powerful southpaw faces Albuquerque, NM junior welterweight Josh “Pitbull” Torres (15-4-2, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event.
During his 19 ½-year pro career, Judah is 11-8 (9 KOs) in world title fights, defeating five world champions along the way in Junior Witter, Terron Millet, DeMarcus Corley, Raphael Pineda and Cory Spinks.
The 24-year-old Torres started boxing professionally at the age of 18, under the direction of his late trainer, 5-time world champion Johnny Tapia. Torres, a former USNBC welterweight title holder, is now trained by Tapia’s brother-in-law, Chris Chavez.
Rising Las Vegas lightweight star Jesus “Chuy” Gutierrez (14-0-1, 4 KOs) takes on a member of one of boxing’s great families, Leon “The Third Generation” Spinks III (11-3-1, 7 KOs), in the 8-round main event. Gutierrez is a former USNBC titlist.
The 27-year-old Spinks has boxing blood running through his veins. His grandfather is two-time world heavyweight champion and 1976 Olympic gold medalist Leon Spinks. Three-time world cruiserweight and former heavyweight champion Michael Spinks is young Leon’s great uncle, while his uncle Cory Spinks is a five-time, two-division world champion.
Canadian junior welterweight Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (23-3-1, 16 KOs) and Las Vegas junior welterweight Jeremy “J Flash” Nichols (2-0, 2 KOs), who served as a sparring partner for Floyd Mayweather, Jr. for his mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao, are slated to fight opponents to be announced, respectively, in 8 and 4-round fights.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series will take place under the neon lights of Las Vegas in the DLVEC open air venue, located in the heart of the downtown Las Vegas casino district, one block away from the world famous Fremont Street (200 S. 3rd St.).
“One of my visions for the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center was to bring outdoor boxing back to the city,” said Derek Stevens, Owner and CEO of the D Las Vegas. “I have a true passion for this sport and I am thrilled to provide my guests with an incredible boxing series that will support athletes, businesses and the community of Las Vegas.”
Each “Knockout Night at the D” event during the 2016 series will feature a variety of compelling matches, including world title bouts, world-class matches, tournament eliminators and special attraction bouts, plus pro-debuts of future boxing stars
