LUIS “EL MERCEDEZ” ORTIZ TO MAKE HIS GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS DEBUT AGAINST VETERAN ALEX GONZALES

SUNRISE, FLORIDA (Nov. 22) – Fighting in his adopted home state of Florida for the first time since 2012, highly-touted Cuban heavyweight contender Luis “El Mercedez” Ortiz will make his Golden Boy Promotions debut against fellow southpaw Alex Gonzales of Puerto Rico in a featured bout at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The 10-round bout was added to the fight card after the matchup between Odlanier “La Sombra” Solis and Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson was removed from the card.

In the Golden Boy Live! main event, airing on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes, heavyweight star Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver returns to action to face Mike Sheppard for the vacant NABA Heavyweight crown. In the co-main event, undefeated bantamweight Randy “El Matador” Caballero makes his Florida debut against local southpaw Jessy Cruz of Miami. Also featured on the card will be unbeaten 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale, who takes on Nagy Aguilera in an eight-round televised bout.

Owner of nearly 350 amateur wins, Camaguey, Cuba native Luis “El Mercedez” Ortiz (17-0, 14 KO’s) is on the fast track to the top of the heavyweight division. Now making his home in Miami, the 34-year-old southpaw has won 10 fights in three rounds or less and he will be looking for another quick finish to entertain his local fans.

“I’m happy to put this deal together between Golden Boy Promotions and Dade Promotions, said Juan Lazaro Jimenez, manager of Luis Ortiz. I am also excited about the possibilities that will see us lead Luis Ortiz to the world heavyweight championship.”

“I’m proud to be fighting for Golden Boy Promotions and Dade Promotions, and I’m going to give a great show on November 26, said Luis Ortiz. “I’ll be looking for the knockout from the opening bell, and as excited as the fans will be, I’m even more excited to be fighting in and representing the United States, which has been my home for the past four years.”

A 1992 Olympian who represented Puerto Rico in the Barcelona Games, Alex Gonzales (20-8, 10 KO’s) is a veteran competitor who can match Ortiz in world-class experience as both an amateur and a professional. Winner of two of his last four bouts, Gonzales has waited for an opportunity like this and plans on making the most of it when he steps in the ring against his unbeaten foe.

Tarver vs. Sheppard, a 10-round bout for the vacant Interim NABA Heavyweight title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The BB&T Center doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET and the first bell rings at 6:45 p.m. ET. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes bilingual simulcast will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $150 (VIP Tables), $75, $50, $40 and $25, not including applicable service charges, are on sale now and available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (800) 745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the BB&T Center box office.