LOS ANGELES, December 27 – The Friday, Jan. 6 edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME promises to kickoff 2012 in a big way. Larry Holmes, also know as the “Champ,” who honed his skills working as a sparring partner with impressive fighters such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Earnie Shavers and Jimmy Young, will be available for a meet and greet that is open to the public with purchase of a ticket. Holmes earned his Heavyweight Title in 1978 and reigned as the world heavyweight champion for more than seven years. His left jab is considered one of the greatest weapons in the history of sports. He had a comeback in the 1990’s, at an age when most fighters wouldn’t think about returning. During that time, he had 21 wins, 2 of which were for titles.
Holmes will be on hand to meet the public, sign autographs and take pictures, from 7-8pm in theFantasySpringsResortCasinoSpecialEventsCenter.
Golden Boy also announces today, another night of competitive action as the co-featured fight will be an intriguing matchup in the 135-pound weight class pitting unbeaten prospects Michael Perez and Omar Figueroa Jr. against each other in a 10 round battle for the WBO Inter-Continental Youth Lightweight Title. The night of boxing is headlined by the NABA USA Lightweight Title fight between Luis Ramos Jr. and Raymundo Beltran at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino inIndio,Calif.
Ramos vs. Beltran and Perez vs. Figueroa are presented by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T and will be televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME.
A native of Newark, New Jersey, 21-year-old phenom Michael “The Artist” Perez (15-0-1, 9 KO’s) went from local hero to one of the brightest prospects in boxing with four statement-making knockout victories in 2011. Included in these four knockouts were wins over then 24-4 Ira Terry and then 24-8 Tyrone Harris, proving that the former National Golden Gloves Champion was ready for primetime as a professional and on Jan. 6, he will get his chance to shine on ShoBox against fellow prospect Figueroa.