Vassilly Opponent Named

Vassiliy Opponent Named-********* AP August 27. 2009 Former cruiserweight champion and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Vassiliy “The Tiger” Jirov (37-3-1, 31 KOs) will face Dominique Alexander (18-7-1, 9 KOs) when he returns to the ring for the first time in two years on October 17 at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. “We are committed to keeping top-level shows like this one coming to Arizona, where the fans are enthusiastic supporters of world-class action,” said Jirov’s manager Ivaylo Gotzev. “Vassiliy is the perfect fighter to help us bring boxing back to the area. He moved to Phoenix after the 1996 Olympics and has lived here ever since. He trains in downtown Phoenix at Central Gym and Joe Diaz’s Gym.” Ironically, Jirov’s last Phoenix appearance was his sold-out 12-round IBF cruiserweight title defense against Jorge Castro in 2002 at the very same Celebrity Theatre.