Gradovich vs Leal: New Headliner For Top Rank Live, 3/31
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - A sensational new main event has been announced for the action packed TOP RANK LIVE professional boxing card on Saturday, March 31st in the Illusions Theater at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Broadcast internationally on the Azteca America network, the new ten rounder will feature former world title challenger Francisco Leal of Mexicali, Baja California, clashing with undefeated Russian prospect Evegeny Gradovich in a scheduled ten round featherweight tilt.
The 25 year old Leal, sporting a record of 16-5-3 with ten knockouts, took home his career best win on April 23, 2011, a ten round decision over the highly regarded and undefeated prospect Robert Marroquin in Thackerville, Oklahoma in a clash also broadcast on TOP RANK LIVE.
In his world title shot, Leal battled IBF/WBA Featherweight Champion Celestino Caballero on August 29, 2009. Following a ferocious war over the first seven rounds, Leal was stopped in the eighth stanza.
Only a professional for two years, the 25-year-old Gradovich, 12-0-0 (6KO’s), has continued to improve, most recently winning a decision over Robert Osiobe on February 3rd in Las Vegas.
The opening televised bout will feature junior lightweight Casey Ramos, 15-0-0 (4KO’s) of Austin, Texas facing off against Kansas City’s Gerardo Robles, 15-10-0 (7KO’s).
In a special attraction ten round bout, former middleweight world champion, Kelly Pavlik, 37-2-0 (32KO’s) will return to the ring against Sarasota, Florida’s Aaron Jaco, 15-2-0 (5KO’s) in a scheduled ten round bout.
Headlining the undercard at TOP RANK LIVE in separate bouts will be popular San Antonio prospects; junior welterweight Ivan Najera, 6-0-0 (5KO’s) and bantamweight Adam Lopez, 1-0-0 (1KO).
Also featured in separate bouts will be Oklahoma’s hard hitting welterweight newcomer Alex Saucedo, 2-0-0 (2KO’s), hotly tipped middleweight prospect Eduardo Alicea, 2-0-0 (2KO’s) from Cleveland along with Los Angeles based junior lightweight Saul Rodriguez, 3-0-0 (3KO’s)
Presented by the newly formed Jesse James Leija/Mike Battah Promotions in association with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, advance tickets priced at $100 VIP, $50 and $25 are available through Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone, 1-800-745-5000.