David Diaz; Undercard of "UNFINISHED BUSINESS", featuring the rematch of the epic battle almost four years ago between Pacquiao and Marquez

Chicago, IL- Chicago based World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion David Diaz is busy preparing to battle Ramon Montano on Saturday, March 15th at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

The Diaz/Montano bout will be broadcast on HBO Pay-Per-View on the undercard of "UNFINISHED BUSINESS", featuring the rematch of the epic battle almost four years ago between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

However, the collision course has been set for Diaz by his promoter, Top Rank Inc., to square off with boxing’s “Mexicutioner,” Manny Pacquiao later this year.

“I know the deal, if I beat Montano and Manny beats Marquez he’s going to move up to 135 to try and take my title. Good for him, I like the fact that he wants to fight for my title. If we both win on March 15th, I’ll be the first one to meet him at the post fight press conference to welcome him to 135. As far as I’m concerned they can officially announce the fight right then and there.”

“He wants to move up and try to continue collecting belts and I want to test myself against the very best and that’s what they call him. He beat Barrera twice, Morales twice, already has the draw with Marquez, beat Velasquez, Larios and Solis. He’s been on quite a run, if he beats Marquez on March 15th, maybe he’s the best fighter in boxing.”

Speaking about his bout with Montano, Diaz called it a priority first and foremost for him. “I’m sure Montano is preparing for the fight of his life, it’s his opportunity of a lifetime. As for me, when we touch gloves before the fight we’re going to do what we do and see who’s the better fighter. Bottom line is I know I must beat Montano to get a shot at Pacquiao.”

In regards to having the last seven months off since his win over Morales last August, Diaz said “The rest has been good, but I’m chomping at the bit here in Chicago. The cold weather and the snow we’ve had recently is both aggravating me and keeping me focused on Montano and March 15th.”

About his beloved Chicago Cubs who are in training camp in Mesa, Arizona, Diaz added, “I know a few of them want to come in for the fight. They were there when I beat Morales and at my other fights in Chicago. We’re in this together and they’re always welcome.”

The fistic debate about which fighter is the best finally will be settled when World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ defends his title against three-division world champion MANNY PACQUIAO in a 12-round battle for pound-for-pound supremacy. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, in association with Romanza Boxing Productions and MP Promotions, Marquez-Pacquiao II will take place Saturday, March 15 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Tickets for Marquez-Pacquiao II,priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, are on sale at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Macy's West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com

All-women’s pro boxing “Finally” pay-per-view event, featuring Holm vs. Sanders, June 13th live from the Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE- Fresquez Productions, Inc. has scheduled a media tour to announce and promote its pay-per view event, “Finally,” featuring Holly Holm and Mary Joe Sanders fighting for the vacant IFBA junior middleweight championship, as well as Pound-For-Pound Supremacy, on June 13 at the Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The media tour will kick-off with a press conference March 12 in Detroit, continue the following day in Albuquerque, and conclude March 15 in Las Vegas. “Finally” will be produced and distributed by Integrated Sports.

HOLLY HOLM; 6-Time World Champion, 3 Divisions, IFBA, IBA, WBC, WBA, & GBU Welterweight Title-Holder Albuquerque, New Mexico 21-1-2 (6 KOs)

MARY JO SANDERS 4-Time World Champion, 4 Divisions, IBA Middleweight Title-Holder
Auburn Hills, Michigan25-0 (8 KOs)

Damage control for hungry Manfredo vs. Benfield “Rumble at the River,” March 14 at Twin River Event Center, RI

PROVIDENCE– World super middleweight challenger “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr. (28-5, 13 KOs) is hungry again and planning to do some damage to Shane “The Irish Hitman” Benfield (17-1, 9 KOs) on March 14 in their 10-round main event, headlining “Rumble at the River,” part of “The Budweiser Night at the Fights,” at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island.


Vinny Paz and “Irish” Micky Ward are serving as honorary captains of Team Italy and Team Ireland, respectively, for the Italian-Irish themed “Rumble at the River” pro boxing show, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., in association with Twin River, Budweiser and Tournament of Contenders.

Manfredo, 27, has starred on The Contender I reality television show, fought for the world title, and earned a healthy living in boxing. But something was missing after his loss by controversial stoppage to Joe Calzaghe for the world championship in Wales. “I’m hungry again,” Manfredo explained. “I didn’t really care about boxing last year. The (Jeff) Lacy fight woke me up. I realized I have to be mean, not trying to go in the ring to really hurt my opponent, but to do some damage. That’s what I plan to do against Benfield – take him out – and show everybody that’s who I really am. I love what I do. I don’t love the behind the scenes part of boxing, but in the real world it’s tough to take out your frustrations like you can in the ring. I’m the boss in the ring. We have the toughest job in the world; there are no guarantees in boxing, but I’m a fighter.

“I’d like to go back down to 160 (pounds) because I feel I’m too small fighting some of these guys. It’s not that I can’t fight at super middleweight, but I want to be the best I can, and I think that’s at middleweight. I only plan on boxing until I’m 30, so I have three years left to make one last run at aworld title. Let’s see how I do against guys my size. I’m not sure when I’ll be fighting at 160. I’m thinking maybe my next fight will be at 165. Benfield’s a big guy who fought as a cruiserweight.”

Since graduating from his role in The Contender I, Manfredo’s fought in Wales, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, but he enjoys fighting at home. “It’s the best,” Peter said about fighting in Rhode Island. “There’s no place like home. It’s all about being comfortable in your surroundings. At home, I have my family and friends, sleep in my own bed, eat food I like…..everything is comfortable. One of the reason’s Joe Calzaghe has been so successful is because all of his fights have been at home.”

Three-time world champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (18-4-1, 7 KOs), fighting out of Cranston (RI) defends her IWBF lightweight crown against GBU junior welterweight title-holder Belinda “Brown Sugar” Larcuente (23-21-3, 9 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. Twenty-one of Larcuente’s last 22 bouts, dating back nearly five years, have been against world champions, including 10 world title fights.

Mitch Matlock, Belinda “Brown Sugar” Larcuente and Melissa Hernandez


Stoughton (MA) cruiserweight Chris McInerney (9-1-1, 6 KOs) squares-off again versus former New England title-holder Tim “The Hammer” Flamos (19-4-1, 7 KOs), of Brockton, in a six-round rematch of a fight McInerney won by sixth round TKO last December.

Undefeated Russian middleweight Andre Nevsky (3-0, 3 KOs), of Worcester (MA), meets Eric Pinarreta (2-1, 2 KOs), of New Bedford (MA), in a four-round match. A pair of popular power-punchers, USBA No. 4 super middleweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (20-1-1, 15 KOs), of Providence, and Lowell (MA) light heavyweight “Irish” Joey McCreedy (6-1, 4 KOs), are also on the undercard.

Undefeated Lynn (MA) flyweight Isander Beauchamp (3-0) faces Gabriel Cruz (2-1), while Providence junior welterweight Diego Pereira makes his pro debut. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Manfredo, Spina, Flamos and Pinarreta are on Paz’ Team Italy; Benfield, Clampitt, McInerney and McCreedy are captained by Ward on Team Ireland.

Tickets for “Rumble at the River” are priced at $35.00 (ADA stage seating only), $40.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and may be purchased by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at http://www.cesboxing.com/ or http://www.twinriver.com/, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ http://www.twinriver.com/) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Rumble at the River.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.) -CES-

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press