‘Pittsburgh Power’ Undercard Announced for Friday, April 18
Hall of Fame boxer and president of IMP, “Iron” Mike Tyson, who fought 17 times on SHOWTIME®, will make his return to the network in a new capacity as the promotion makes its debut on the network. Three of IMP’s most highly regarded unbeaten fighters will be showcased in a live tripleheader airing on ShoBox: The New Generation (SHOWTIME, 10:45 ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
Explosive Cuban southpaw Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado (18-0, 16 KOs), of Miami, Fla., by way Cork, Ireland, and Havana, Cuba, faces Pittsburgh-area crowd favorite “Lightning” Rod Salka (18-3, 3 KOs), of Bunola, Pa., in the 10-round main event for the vacant WBC Interim FECARBOX title.
Slick southpaw and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz (14-0, 8 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., by way of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic meets Emmanuel Lartey (15-1-1, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn by way of Ghana, in an eight-round co-feature for the vacant WBC FECARBOX welterweight championship.
Local favorite and Iraq War veteran Sammy Vasquez, Jr. (13-0, 9 KOs), of Monesson, Pa., makes his IMP debut against fellow unbeaten Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez, Jr. (11-0, 5 KOs), of Union City, N.J., in an eight-round welterweight bout opening the broadcast.
Lubin, arguably the best teenage professional boxer in the world, was considered Team USA’s No. 1 overall prospect for the 2016 Olympics prior to him signing a promotional contract with Iron Mike Productions last October 1 on his 18th birthday. The multi-talented southpaw, who was the 2012 National PAL Champion, has knocked out all four of his opponents as a professional. He faces the toughest test of his young pro career in his first scheduled six-round fight against Mexican invaderJovan “Negrito” Ramirez (3-1, 1 KO). In his last fight, Ramirez suffered the first loss of his career to former world light middleweight champion Joachim Alcine.
Cuban-born Jhonson, fighting out of Miami, squares-off against Lenwood Dozier (9-5-1, 4 KOs), of Glen Burnie, Maryland, in an eight-round junior middleweight fight that has future world title fight implications for the gifted Cuban.
Another highly decorated amateur in the IMP stable, undefeated super featherweightAlbert “Prince” Bell (3-0, 1 KO) will seeks revenge against Micah Branch (2-9-1) in a four-round match. Branch defeated Ohio native Bell, who now lives in Miami, as an amateur.
Also fighting on the undercard in a four-round bout is local favorite junior middleweight Andreas Kamouyerov, of Vemetia, Pa., versus New Jersey junior middleweightMalik Jackson (0-2-2).
Another heralded, undefeated prospect in action will be Cleveland lightweight Ryan “Blue Chip” Martin (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. an opponent to be determined in another four-rounder. Martin is promoted by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson‘s SMS Promotions. 50 Cent is expected to be in attendance.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets are on sale and priced $250.00 VIP ringside (includes meet-and-greet with Mike Tyson), $100.00 ringside, $75.00 reserved and $35.00 general admission (plus fees) and available to purchase at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/