Murat Gassiev Battles Terrence Smith in Montebello
By Francisco Salazar
Pro boxing will makes its long-awaited return and 2015 debut tonight in the San Gabriel Valley area of Southern California.
Unbeaten cruiserweight Murat Gassiev will fight Terrence Smith in an eight round bout at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, a suburb of Los Angeles.
The bout will headline a seven-bout "Battle of the Rising Stars" card, presented by All Star Boxing Promotions.
Gassiev (19-0, 13 KOs) will be fighting for the first time in the United States. Originally from Vladikavkaz, Russia, Gassiev has won his last four bouts by knockout. In his last fight on October 31, the 21-year-old Gassiev stopped Engin Karakaplan in the first round.
Smith (8-17-3, 5 KOs) has lost his last four bouts in a row.
Junior lightweight Isaac Dogboe (4-0, 2 KOs) will fight Alejandro Ochoa (5-9-2, 1 KO) and super middleweight Jose Hernandez (6-2-1, 3 KOs) will fight Tony Juarez (0-4-1) in scheduled six round bouts.
Cruiserweight Israel Duffus (6-2, 5 KOs) faces Jamel Reynolds (0-4) in a four round bout. Three more four round bouts will complete the card.
Matcmaker Pete Hironaka said Gennady Golovkin, Leo Santa Cruz, and James Toney are scheduled to attend tonight’s card. For tickets, call (323) 816-6200. First bell is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Salazar also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
