"VICIOUS" VICTOR ORTIZ RETURNS TO THE RING TO FACE HOMETOWN FAVORITE LUIS COLLAZO IN A BATTLE OF FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE WBA INTERNATIONAL WELTERWEIGHT TITLE ON FOX SPORTS 1 AND FOX DEPORTES FROM BARCLAYS CENTER ON THURSDAY, JAN. 30, 2014
PLUS, EDDIE GOMEZ AND DAQUAN ARNETT SQUARE-OFF IN A BATTLE OF 154-POUND UNBEATENS
Golden Boy Promotions has teamed up with FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes to return to Barclays Center in Brooklyn, on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 with one of best matchups the network has seen thus far when former World Champions "Vicious" Victor Ortiz and Brooklyn's own Luis Collazo collide in a pivotal showdown for the WBA International Welterweight title. In the 10-round co-main event, New York phenom Eddie "E-Boy" Gomez will meet top Florida prospect Daquan "King" Arnett in a clash of junior middleweight unbeatens.
"I've got a lot of friends and fans in New York and I'm excited about fighting at Barclays Center for the first time," said Ortiz. "This is a big fight for me. I missed being in the ring and even though Collazo will be a tough challenge, I'm going to win in spectacular fashion."
"Ortiz is a former world champion and you have to respect that, but Barclays Center is my home and he's going to find that out the second he leaves the locker room," said Collazo. "I need to win this fight and make a statement if I want to get a shot at a title and I plan on doing just that."
"I have no excuse not to win," said Gomez. "This is my city, my building and my people. If Arnett thinks he can come into my backyard and beat me, he is definitely mistaken."
"You don't see fights like this too often and I respect Gomez for stepping up and putting his '0' on the line, just like I am," said Arnett. "This is going to be a great fight between two of boxing's top young prospects and I have no doubt that I'm going to leave the ring with the victory."
"Victor Ortiz and Luis Collazo are two of the top welterweights in the world and I'm happy that we're able to deliver this type of quality fight to the fans for free on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "This fight has serious world title implications for the winner so you know it's going to be a great fight. Plus any time you have a battle between two undefeated fighters like Eddie Gomez and Daquan Arnett, there are sure to be fireworks."
"Everyone at FOX Sports is looking forward to the Ortiz-Collazo card at Barclays Center on January 30," said David Nathanson, FOX Sports 1's General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. "We're planning an incredible week of live events and programs on FOX Sports 1 in the week leading up the Super Bowl XLVIII, and Golden Boy has provided us a tremendous card for what is sure to be one of the centerpiece events of that week."
"We are excited to be hosting another championship boxing card at Barclays Center during what should be a super week in New York City," said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. "Golden Boy continues to deliver great fights for Brooklyn and we are delighted that FOX Sports 1 is returning to Barclays Center and giving the borough a national stage. We are proud that Barclays Center is becoming the heart of boxing on the East Coast."
One of boxing's most charismatic young stars, 26-year-old "Vicious" Victor Ortiz (29-4-2, 22 KO's) fighting out of Ventura, Calif. has made headlines in and out of the ring, not only as a fighter, but also as an entertainer. First, as a former welterweight world champion who has engaged in memorable battles against the best in the boxing business including Floyd Mayweather, Andre Berto, Marcos Maidana, Antonio Diaz and Josesito Lopez proving that he will not back down from any challenge. He has also crossed over into the bright lights of Hollywood as a member of the cast of ABC's hit series "Dancing With The Stars" and most recently as part of the film "Expendables 3," which comes out next year. Now with his acting skills pushed aside, Ortiz has the gloves back on and on Jan. 30 he faces a stern test in Collazo.
A proud native of Brooklyn, NY, Luis Collazo (34-5, 17 KO's) is a former WBA Welterweight World Champion who held the belt from 2005-2006. Since then, the 32-year-old southpaw has continued to fight and beat the best with back-to-back wins at Barclays Center and a recent victory in September of this year on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes. Now making his second appearance on the new hit sports network and fourth appearance at Barclays Center, Collazo is more ready than ever to step into the ring as he makes his case for a world title shot when he battles Ortiz.
Twenty-one-year-old Eddie Gomez (15-0, 10 KO's) is the latest Bronx, NY product to make his mark on the boxing world. The young star is showing no signs of slowing down as he prepares for what is likely to be the biggest year of his professional career. Fresh off of wins over Javier Gomez, Luis Hernandez and Steve Upsher Chambers, Gomez is ready for all comers, beginning with Arnett on Jan. 30.
Hailing from Winter Park, Fla., 20-year-old former amateur star Daquan Arnett (11-0, 7 KO's) has already garnered rave reviews for his talent and his willingness to test himself against tough competition every time he steps in the ring. In 2013, Arnett defeated then unbeaten Brandon Quarles and once-beaten Miguel Zuniga, putting him in a big co-main event against Gomez to kick-off 2014.
Ortiz vs. Collazo is a 12-round fight for the WBA International Welterweight title presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Barclays Center doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET with the first bell sounding at 6:30 p.m. ET. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
