(FEB 14) Oneida Nation Homelands— Turning Stone Resort and Casino is set to host ESPN 2’s “Friday Night Fights” on February 24. The night of professional boxing begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Event Center, with the national television audience joining the action at 9 p.m.

In the Main Event, Oscar Diaz (23-1, 11 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas faces Rochester’s Russell Jordan (12-2, 8 KOs) in a ten-round welterweight match. Diaz is trained by Hall of Famer Lou Duva. Jordan has looked impressive in his last two performances at Turning Stone, winning both of them by TKO.

The night also marks the return of Utican Jamar Patterson (4-0, 3 KOs). He is scheduled for six rounds against Sheldon Rudolph (4-3, 2 KOs) of New Jersey. Patterson’s four previous fights in Verona have been four-round affairs.

In a heavyweight clash, hard-punching Floridian Mike Marrone (12-0, 10 KOs), also fighting out of the Duva camp, defends his unblemished record against Dave Chappell (7-5, 3 KOs) of Portsmouth, Virginia. Marrone has been a workhorse, stepping inside the ropes a dozen times, since turning pro less than two years ago. In a previous appearance at Turning Stone, he stopped Rodney Collins in the first round in June 2004.

In a highly anticipated women’s match, Cindy Serrano (12-0-1, 7 KOs), born in Puerto Rico and now residing in Brooklyn, is set to go against Las Vegas pugilist Crystal Hoy (2-0-2, 2 KOs). Serrano is a relentless puncher who feverishly exchanged blows with Rhonda Luna throughout their ten-round WIBA Featherweight Championship bout at Turning Stone last December. It was arguably the highlight of the evening, as the combatants were rewarded with a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd. The judges scored the bout a draw.

Also, Rochester super middleweight James Singleton makes his pro debut against Richard Pearson (2-0, 1 KO) of Paterson, N.J. in a four-rounder and lightweight Patrick Lopez (4-0, 4 KOs) of Venezuela has signed on for six rounds against a yet-to-be-named opponent.

Pro Boxing at Turning Stone is presented in conjunction with Duva Boxing, Fisticuff Productions and Oscar Suarez Promotions. Tickets -- priced at $25, $35, $45 and $75 -- are available by calling the Showroom box office at 361-SHOW or toll-free at 1-877-833-SHOW Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster location or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort and Casino is the premier four-season, destination resort in Upstate New York, conveniently located about 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33. The resort offers guests a variety of choices including: lodging, fine dining, golf, entertainment and gaming. Turning Stone also has about 100,000 square feet of meeting space and banquet facilities.

For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or 1-(800) 771-7711.