Golden Boy cards kick off new fight year
It has been quiet on the local boxing scene since Juan Manuel Marquez knocked out Manny Pacquiao on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand Garden. But things are about to pick up again.
Golden Boy Promotions has two cards planned for Las Vegas within a one-week span. On Jan. 26, Lucas Matthysse of Argentina will defend his WBC interim super lightweight title against Mike Dallas in the 12-round main event at the Hard Rock Hotel. The co-feature has welterweight Selcuk Aydin facing Jesus Soto Karass in a 10-round bout.
On Feb. 2, undefeated welterweight Frankie Gomez will meet Lanard Lane at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, with former U.S. Olympian Joseph Diaz Jr. also on the card.
Showtime will televise from the Hard Rock, and Fox Sports Networks will show The Cosmopolitan card.
Matthysse (32-2, 30 knockouts) has bounced back from controversial losses to Zab Judah and Devon Alexander with wins over Humberto Soto in June and a 10th-round technical knockout over Ajose Olusegun on Sept. 8 at the Hard Rock Hotel to win the WBC interim title.
Dallas (19-2-1, eight KOs) had a successful 2012, posting wins over Miguel Gonzalez in February and Javier Castro in June. This will be Dallas’ second appearance in Las Vegas. In 2009, he claimed a four-round unanimous decision over Terrance Jett at Mandalay Bay.
Tickets for the Jan. 26 card are on sale at the Hard Rock Hotel and through Ticketmaster. Prices are $25, $50, $75, $100, $125 and $150.
Gomez (14-0, 11 KOs), is the main attraction for Feb. 2. He is one of Golden Boy’s rising stars and is coming off a sensational first-round knockout of Pavel Miranda on Dec. 15.
Lane (13-2, 8 KOs) has lost two of his past three fights, the most recent a majority decision loss to Joseph Elegele on June 2 at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and at cosmopolitanlasvegas.com. Prices are $30, $60 and $80.
■ CHAVEZ ON AGENDA – Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s disciplinary hearing is on the agenda for Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the Nevada Athletic Commission. But it may have to be tabled, because Chavez is trying to work out visa issues so he can attend.
Chavez, a former WBC middleweight champion, tested positive for marijuana after his Sept. 15 loss to Sergio Martinez at the Thomas & Mack Center. He has been under temporary suspension since October.
NAC executive director Keith Kizer said that suspension remains in effect. If Chavez’s attorneys choose to move forward and answer the complaint without their client present, the commission is ready to do so, Kizer said.
■ RENO HOSTS JUNIOR WORLDS – The inaugural Junior World Team Open, featuring the top 15- and 16-year-old boxers in the country, starts Monday in Reno.
The tournament, which ends Friday at the Grand Sierra Resort, has 13 weight divisions for boys and five for girls. Las Vegas’ Nysja Barrientes will fight in the female 110-pound class.
The male winners will represent the United States in the AIBA Junior Men’s World Championships in August.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.