(JAN 8)  In a cross-town battle for bragging rights, Hammond’s Ruben “The Modern Day Warrior” Galvan (27-10-2, 10 KOs) faces Merrillville’s Jermaine “Too Sweet” White (14-2, 7 KOs) for the IN.B.A. state welterweight championship on February 9th at Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, IN. Presented by Octavius James’ One In A Million Inc., in association with Jack “Kid” Callahan, “Slug Fest ‘07” features six bouts including the return of fan favorite “Merciless” Mary McGee.

In 1985, Chicago, Northwest Indiana and Eastern Michigan fight fans witnessed one of the region’s greatest cross-town rivalries when Calumet City’s Mike ‘The Choir Boy’ Landini faced Hammond’s Carlos ‘The Force’ Tite for local bragging rights as well as the MWBA middleweight title.

Sean Curtin, the bouts referee and judge remembers it well. “That was one of the best fights I’ve ever refereed,” Curtin said. “It was a huge event. All of the Illinois fight fans where there. Michigan fans drove down. And, of course, the Northwest Indiana fans knew not to miss this one.”

“Landini moved up a weight class for this bout,” Curtain continued. “He started off jabbing and boxed beautifully. Tite, who was one of the toughest inside fighters I’ve ever refereed, picked it up during the middle rounds, but Landini finished strong and pulled out the decision. Tite lost a razor thin split decision that night.”

In a match-up reminiscent of the classic, friendly rivals Ruben Galvan and Jermaine White face off in the main event of Slug Fest ’07. For one man, it’s a chance to prove who’s the best welterweight in the One In A Million Inc. stable and, perhaps, the tri-state area.

“I’m a proud Mexican and I fight that way,” Galvan said. “It’s true that me and Jermaine are friendly outside of the ring, but that certainly doesn’t mean that I’ll hold back. Against Jermaine, I won’t fight dirty. I’ll give him that. But if the opportunity presents itself, I’m going for the knockout.”

Raised the son of a Pentecostal minister, that’s about as much trash talking as one will get out of Galvan. “I do my talking in the ring,” Galvan said.

White promises to make his fans proud as well. “This won’t be friendly once we get in the ring,” White said. “This is business. I know he’ll be aggressive and come to win.”

“I beat people with my mind,” White continued. “My greatest asset is that I’m smart. I’m an extremely skilled boxer and I have punching power.”

White’s family moved from Gary to Atlanta while he was a boy. “I started boxing in the street for candy money. We’d put on the gloves and play. I had my first real amateur bout when I was 13-years-old.” White went on to win most of his 60 amateur bouts.

After his family returned to Indiana, White attended Horace Mann High School and graduated from Merrillville. A father of four young children, White works as a cement mason, a profession he learned from his late father. “My dad was my biggest fan and came to all of my fights,” White said. “One night two years ago, someone drove by and shot up my father’s car. When the police arrived, he told them how proud he was of me and that his son was going to be a champion.”

“After the police left, my dad had a heart attack and died,” White continued. “He was just 49-years-old. He and my mother were married 31 years. It’s been especially hard on her, but she’s adjusting. I know my dad is watching.”

In the co-main event, Gary’s own “Merciless” Mary McGee (7-0, 4 KOs) returns to the ring after being bitterly disappointed on November 18th when her bout against Rita Figueroa was stopped in the 4th round due to an accidental clash of heads. McGee is adjusting to her growing fame in the region.

“After the fight, Mayor Clay and the City Council of Gary presented me and my teammates an official city proclamation. I’ve had lots of support and people are recognizing me on the street. It’s been really nice.”

In the mean time, Mary’s promoter, Octavius James, is looking for an opponent for her for February 9th. “She looked that good. It’s going to be hard to find women willing to get in the ring with her. But we’re looking at some solid possibilities and I’m certain that we’ll have someone lined up very soon.”

“It doesn’t matter who she is,” Mary continued. “I can adjust to any situation in a fight. I have natural talent and my accuracy makes me dangerous. Whoever they put me in the ring with me is going to get beat.”

In another clash of One In A Million Inc. stable mates; Derrick “Superman” Findley (6-2, 5 KOs) of Gary faces Juan “Mexican Connection” Aguilar (6-1, 3 KOs) of Michoacan, Mexico in a super middleweight bout.

Rounding out the card is 20-year-old undefeated lightweight prospect Jose Guzman (2-0, 1 KO) of Guadalajara, Mexico, middleweight “Marvelous” Shay Mobley (15-8-1, 7 KOs) from the south side of Chicago and undefeated heavyweight Michael “Quiet Assassin” Parker (5-0, 4 KOs), also a Chicago native.

Doors open at 7 p.m. The first bout is at 8 p.m.

Tickets, priced at $100 VIP, $75 VIP ringside, $50 ringside and $25 general admission, are available from Star Plaza Theatre box office at (219-769-6600) or from any Ticket Master location at (312-559-1212) or www.TicketMaster.com.