Los Angeles, CA – Bunnies, Playmates and “Hef’s three girlfriends” won’t be the only knockouts on display at magazine mogul Hugh Hefner’s world famous Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles on the evening of Friday, February 16, 2007. 

The “House that Hef Built” will play host to a nationally televised professional boxing show presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and will feature a night of knockout artists when world-ranked heavyweight Tony “The Tiger” Thompson makes his Best Damn Fight Night debut along with super middleweight Andre Dirrell.

The main event of FSN’s “Best Damn Sports Show Period” telecast will showcase

Washington, DC native Thompson (28-1, 17 KOs) against Timur Ibragimov (21-1-1, 13 KOs) who was born in Uzbekistan but now resides in Hallandale, Florida in a 10-round battle of top world-rated heavyweights, with the winner looking to immediately fight for the world championship.

Thompson, a tall and rangy 6-5 southpaw with power in both hands, is ranked #5 by the WBO, #7 WBC and #11 IBF heavyweight in the world.  The 35-year old Thompson, who is co-managed by NBA New York Knicks’ star Steve Francis and Nate Peake, has run off a string of 24 straight wins over a seven-year period, including a 12-round unanimous decision in his most recent bout last July against the once “can’t miss” heavyweight prospect Dominick Guinn to capture the WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Title.

“I can’t wait to get back into the ring.  After then #1 contender Luan Krasniqi pulled out of fighting me twice in the past six months, it was time to move on to someone that was willing to step into the ring with me.  I’m going into this fight with the attitude that I want to make a big statement to the fans and the networks,” said Thompson.

The 32-year old Ibragimov, who, like Thompson, has been fighting professionally since 2000, is ranked #16 by the WBC and is coming off his only loss – a 12-round decision to then-unbeaten and top world contender Calvin Brock in an IBF Title Elimination Bout.  Prior to that bout, the 6-3 Ibragimov had stopped his three previous opponents to earn the shot at the highly rated Brock.

“Thompson catapults himself to the top of the heavyweight heap with a victory.  Add a knockout to the equation, which Brock wasn’t successful in doing, and he immediately becomes a major player for the heavyweight championship,” said Dan Goossen of his charge.

Also scheduled to be featured on the “Best Damn” telecast in a six-round super middleweight bout is the undefeated Dirrell from Flint, Michigan.   

Andre (10-0, 7 KOs), who took home a bronze medal from the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, is scheduled to take on the very tough Kenny Kost (11-2, 6 KOs) from Centerville, MN.  The 24-year old Dirrell has stopped his last three opponents inside of three rounds, including Cullen Rogers in his most recent bout in December.  Kost is well known for delivering a picture perfect left hook knockdown punch to Olympic Gold medallist Andre Ward, in only Ward’s second pro fight.

Other matches on the exciting undercard include Mexicali, Mexico’s Jorge Paez, Jr. (12-0, 8 KOs and son of the former world featherweight champion) taking on Jaime Alvarado (7-4-2, 4 KOs), Fort Wayne, Indiana in a six-round welterweight bout; Sharon Gaines (10-8, 3 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada versus unbeaten San Diego, California native Heather Donohue (4-0-1, 0 KO) in a six-round women’s bantamweight contest; and undefeated Washington, DC lightweight Ty Barnette (8-0-1, 6 KOs) in a six-rounder against Marcus Brashears (4-4-1, 2 KOs) of Amarillo, Texas.  Floyd Mayweather- managed welterweight, Alejo Sepulveda (1-0, 1 KO) from Las Vegas, Nevada goes up against Abraham Gonzalez (0-3) of San Bernardino, CA.

“Best Damn Sports Show Period at the best damn Mansion, throw in top heavyweights, and a few bunnies running around…just what boxing needs,” said an elated Goossen.

Sponsored by Tru dat Entertainment, the third such association Goossen Tutor has enjoyed with CEO Hysear Randell and his company, the others being last years Toney-Peter1 at Staples Center and Mayweather-Baldomir at Mandalay Bay Resorts and Casino.  Tru dat was founded to provide a platform for recruiting, developing and sustaining urban talent in art, sports, music, television and film.