ERIC HUNTER KICKS OFF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AS HE FACES ANTONIO ESCALANTE IN THE HEADLINING BOUT ON MAY 22 AT FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO
CHINESE HEAVYWEIGHT SENSATION TAISHAN TO OPEN UP THE TELECAST ON FOX SPORTS 1 AND FOX DEPORTES
Tickets On Sale Now
LOS ANGELES (May 13, 2015) Philadelphia’s Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 9 KOs) is set to kick-off Memorial Day Weekend when he faces seasoned contender Antonio Escalante (29-7, 20 KOs) of El Paso, Texas on Friday, May 22 in a 10-round super welterweight bout as the main event for Golden Boy Live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.
Added to the action, in the televised opening bout Chinese heavyweight sensation Taishan (4-0, 2 KOs), will face an opponent yet to be named in a four-round heavyweight opening televised bout. Taishan is fresh off his impressive win against Jamal Woods at Minute Maid Park in Houston on May 9 as part of the undercard for Canelo vs. Kirkland.
Also, added to the non-televised undercard, Antonio Gutierrez (18-0-1, 8 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico will fight in a six-round middleweight bout and Neeco “The Rooster” Macias (8-0, 4 KOs) of Palm Desert, Calif. is scheduled for a six-round welterweight bout. Los Angeles native, Joet Gonzalez will make his second appearance at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio on May 22 in a six-round super bantamweight bout hoping to make air time. Opponents will be announced shortly.
Previously announced, southern California native and unbeaten featherweight Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez (17-0-1, 12 KOs) will face a yet to be named opponent in a 10-round co-main televised event and former IBA and WBC World Champion Mia “The Knockout” St. John will host special meet and greet at the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center prior to the bouts from 6:00 pm to 7:00 p.m.
Tickets for Hunter vs. Escalante are priced at $25, $35 and $45 and are available now for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Hunter vs. Escalante is a 10-round featherweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico, Live It To Believe It! Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 5:30 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.
Finally on track to fulfilling the potential so many saw in him, 28-year-old Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (20-3, 10 KOs) was an alternate on the 2004 US Olympic team who fought through the ups and downs of the fight game and is now looking to get in the title picture in 2015. Winner of five of his last six bouts, including three straight, the Philadelphia native defeated highly-regarded Rene Alvarado in January and he wants to keep the momentum going on May 22.
Before his professional debut in 2003, Antonio Escalante had a celebrated amateur career, with an impressive record of 40-3 and winning two Golden Glove Championships. Since then, Escalante has faced some of the toughest opponents in the sport, taking on the famed Daniel Ponce De Leon, Rocky Juarez and Leonilo Miranda. 2014 was a busy year for Escalante as he defeated Sammy Venutra in January and faced Miguel Berchelt in October. Now Escalante is looking to claim a victory when he faces the dangerous Hunter on May 22.
La Puente, California’s Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez may have suffered a draw against Juan Carlos Martinez in his last appearance at Fantasy Springs in March, but the talented 27-year-old promises to take matters into his own hands this May. To do so, he plans on showing off the knockout power that has led him to 10 knockout wins in three rounds or less once more in front of his Southern California fans.
Hailing from Beijing, seven-foot heavyweight Taishan, has captured the imagination of boxing fans both in China and in his adopted home in California. After turning professional in 2014 and scoring two quick knockouts, the 26-year-old showed that he has what it takes to win over the distance, as he scored a near-shutout victory over Roy McCrary in February of 2015 and had a unanimous victory over Jamal Woods on May 9. The heavyweight is eager to continue his winning streak when he fights at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino for the third time.
Rising prospect Joet Gonzalez of Glendora, California has been steadily climbing the professional ranks since his debut in 2012. Most recently, Gonzalez impressed fans with a win over his opponent in a featherweight bout on April 2 at LA FIGHT CLUB at The Belasco Theater. On May 22, Gonzalez will look to add another win to his resume.
The undefeated, Antonio Gutierrez of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico is a rising star in the middleweight division. A professional since 2011 the fighter most recently faced and defeated Mario Baeza, Dashon Johnson, Erick Mireles and Gilberto Flores Hernandez. In his second fight of 2015, Gutierrez will be looking to keep his undefeated status intact when he faces an opponent yet to be named on May 22.
Neeco Macias is a familiar face to fans in Indio with May 22 slated to be his fifth appearance at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Popular southpaw Macias knows how to attract a crowd and the 23-year-old super welterweight will look to add to his win total and fan base when he takes on an opponent to be determined in a six-round fight. A professional since 2013, Macias is coached by his father Al and this family affair has resulted in seven consecutive victories without a loss, including an October 2014 stoppage over Roberto Crespo at Fantasy Springs.
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