(SEPT 16) LAS VEGAS - The
next wave of Reno boxers will continue its rich boxing tradition
October 25th on "RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASSŪ," co-promoted by
Joey Gilbert Promotions in association with Silver Legacy Resort
Casino at THE ROW in Reno, Nevada.
The event will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT
PASS, the world's leading digital subscription service for
combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, from inside
the Grande Exposition Hall at Silver Legacy.
Local boxers such as featherweight Ricardo Lucio Galvan (2-0, 2
KOs) and super lightweight Wilfred Mariano (1-0, 1 KO) are all
slated to fight on the Oct. 25th card against opponents to be
determined.
Organized boxing was held during the early 1880's in small
mining towns in the Northwest section of Nevada, professional
boxing matches were conducted there later that century.
Hall of Fame promoter Tex Richard and legendary heavyweight Jack
Johnson first put Reno on the boxing map on July 4, 1910, when
World heavyweight champion successfully defending his title
against James J. Jeffries, stopping him in the 15th round at
what was reportedly the only venue ever built for a single
boxing event. When President William Taft declined Richard's
offer to referee, Richards became the third man in the ring.
Boxing stars including Jake Kilrain, Tommy Burns, and Abe Attell
were introduced to the reported crowd of 16,528.
Richard first brought another Hall of Fame heavyweight champion,
Jack Dempsey, to Reno in 1915 for his ninth pro fight, when
Dempsey stopped Emmanuel Campbell in the fourth round at
Airdrome Arena. To fight, Dempsey had to "ride the rails" from
Utah to Reno, stored away on a train with hobos. Dempsey
returned three years later to knockout Jack Moran in the opening
round at Moana Spring Arena.
Dempsey may have been involved in unsanctioned fights in Reno as
well. Desperate for money during the early part of his boxing
career, Dempsey is infamous for walking into saloons and saying,
"I can't sing, and I can't dance, but I can lick any SOB in the
house."
In 1982 on HBO, future Hall of Famer "Sugar" Ray Leonard
successfully defended his World Boxing Council (WBC) and World
Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight World titles at Centennial
Coliseum, knocking out Bruce Finch in round three.
Reno-based Gilbert's first three (2001-2003) and last three
(2010) pro fights were held in Reno, where he had a 7-2 (6 KOs)
pro record.
Gilbert commented, "Having fought as both an amateur and a
professional at these same properties; THE ROW, Eldorado, Silver
Legacy, and Circus Circus, which are like a second home to me
and all Nevada boxing alumni, it's really an honor to bring
boxing and combat sports back to Northern Nevada, a true fight
town, and to provide world class entertainment and an incredible
digital production through Roy Jones JR Boxing and UFC FIGHT
PASSs, in a partnership with the very casinos and environment
that helped make me who I am today; I couldn't be more delighted
to be a part of this opportunity with Eldorado Resorts and UFC
Fight Pass through Roy Jones Jr Promotions. I'm looking forward
to a prosperous partnership with everyone involved, including
the local community and all fight fans in the area."
Hall of Fame referee Mills Lane was an adopted son of Reno,
arguably the No. 1 referee in the world of boxing, during his
high-profile stretch of activity.
Reno has also hosted major amateur boxing events like the 2016
NCBA (college) Western Regional Championships at the Eldorado
Hotel and USA Boxing's 2018 Western Elite Qualifier and Regional
Open. Reno will host the 2020 Western Elite Qualifier & Regional
Open, March 21-28, 2020.
Undefeated super lightweight prospect Kendo "Tremendo" Castaneda
(16-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of San Antonio, faces Estonia-native
Stan Martyniouk (20-2, 6 KOs), who lives in Belmont, California,
in the eight-round main event on Oct. 25th.
The co-featured event pits undefeated Sacramento cruiserweight
Blake McKernan (10-0, 2 KOs) against Francisco Rivas (15-2, 5
KOs), of Mexico, in an eight-round bout.
Undefeated WIBA World female bantamweight champion Rosalinda
Rodriguez (10-0, 2 KOs), of Miami, takes on Las Vegas' unbeaten
Jamie "The Miracle" Mitchell (5-0-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round
non-title fight.
Galvan is matched against Sacramento's pro-debuting Samir
McQueen, while Mariano faces an opponent to be determined.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in separate four-round
bouts against TBAs are undefeated Las Vegas lightweight Daquan
Mays (3-0, 1 KO) and Sacramento lightweight Sergio Vega (2-0, 2
KOs).