San Diego, CA  – On Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, through Sycuan Ringside Promotions, will host “Salute to America’s Heroes,” a six-bout boxing card at Camp Pendleton, Calif. 

The highlight of “Salute to America’s Heroes” will be a 10-round main event pitting former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz of Coachella, Calif , against Tomas Barrientes of Weslaco, Texas. 

The event will be nationally televised on cable network ESPN from the Marine Corps Base.  The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation will provide this card free of charge for Camp Pendleton authorized personnel. 

“On behalf of the warriors of First Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton California, I salute the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and thank them for their generosity in bringing professional boxing to our Marines, Sailors and their families,” said BGen Mike Lehnert, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

The Sycuan Tribe demonstrates its strong commitment to the San Diego region through its support of civic and charitable organizations.  The Tribe has long been a supporter of organizations which support the military including, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. 

“Camp Pendleton is home to thousands of marines fighting in the war in Iraq,” said Daniel Tucker, Sycuan Tribal Chairman.  “We are remindful of the sacrifices they make to serve this country and hope that this event will provide our troops with some enjoyable entertainment.”

 Diaz is currently ranked No. 3 by the IBF among lightweights and has a record of 31-3 with 23 knockouts.  Diaz won the IBF lightweight championship with a 12-round decision over Javier Jauregui on a Sycuan Ringside Promotions card May 13, 2004.  The 25-year-old Diaz relinquished his IBF title to challenge World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo March 5 in Las Vegas.  In his only other match since his unsuccessful attempt to win the WBC title, Diaz stopped Marco Angel Perez with one punch in the first round on a card promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions June 7 at the Sycuan Resort and Casino.

The 35-year-old Barrientes is the former International Boxing Association junior welterweight champion and has a record of 27-8 with 17 knockouts. 

Sycuan Ringside Promotions is considered the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport.  Sycuan Ringside made its debut during 2004, and to date has hosted numerous world title bouts on premium cable networks.  Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable athletes in its corner including former World Boxing Organization junior featherweight champion Joan Guzman and IBF junior featherweight champion Israel Vasquez.  

Members of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation have resided in and around the foothills of the Dehesa Valley for nearly 12,000 years.  Today they are a modern government providing public services to their members, employees and neighbors.  The Sycuan Tribal Government operates one of the region's premier Indian gaming and resort facilities, the Sycuan Resort and Casino.  The Tribe through the Sycuan Tribal Development Corporation (STDC) also seeks to reinvest back into the San Diego community with a progressive business development effort.  To date, STDC has purchased the Singing Hills Country Club and the historic U.S. Grant Hotel, is an investor in Hotel Solamar near Petco Park and is owner/developer of the Marina Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in National City.  The Tribe also owns and operates Sycuan Ringside Promotions, the country's first tribally owned boxing promotion company, as well as  Sycuan Funds, a publicly traded and professionally managed mutual fund.  Combined, these enterprises now employ nearly 4,000 San Diegans.