PROVODNIKOV VS. HERRERA HEADLINES
CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD,
ANDRADE VS. GONZALEZ IN CO-FEATURED BOUT
ON JANUARY 7 AT COX PAVILION IN LAS VEGAS;
TELEVISED LIVE ON ESPN'S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
 
Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions, German Titov/German Titov Box Promotions, Thompson Boxing Promotions, and Joe DeGuardia/Star Boxing will present a sensational fight card on Friday, January 7, 2011, at the Cox Pavilion, which is connected to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The main event and co-featured bouts will be televised live on the first telecast of the 2011 ESPN "Friday Night Fights" series at 10:00 PM Eastern time, 7:00 PM Pacific time.
 
In the main event - scheduled for 12 rounds for the vacant IBF North American junior welterweight and the WBC International super lightweight titles - Ruslan Provodnikov, 17-0 with 11 knockouts, of Ekaterinburg, Russia, will face Mauricio Herrera, 15-1 with 7 knockouts, of Riverside, California.
 
The 26 year-old Provodnikov had a big year in 2010 and is looking to add to his momentum. On February 12, he stepped up in class of opposition against former IBF lightweight world champion Javier Jauregui and won by TKO in the eighth round. Three months later on May 21, he battled tough veteran Emanuel Augustus and won by TKO in the ninth round. Provodnikov has climbed in the 140-pound world rankings to WBO No. 7 and IBF No. 14.
 
Herrera, now 30 years old, is a three-year professional veteran. He has won two fights in a row since his only loss in December, 2009 - a questionable eight-round split decision against former WBO junior lightweight world champion Mike Anchondo. Herrera rallied in the middle and late rounds against Anchondo, and many observers thought he deserved to win.
 
In the co-featured junior middleweight bout, scheduled for eight rounds, 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, 11-0 with 8 knockouts, of Providence, Rhode Island, will fight undefeated Southern California prospect Sam Gonzalez, 7-0-1 with 3 knockouts, of Chino, California.
 
Andrade, 22 years old, has stayed active in the ring and made good progress in his two years as a pro. His sensational amateur career included gold medals at the 2007 World Championships and National Golden Gloves Championships, the 2006 U.S. National Championships and National Golden Gloves Championships, and the 2005 U.S. National Championships.
 
Gonzalez, 30 years old, is undefeated in his five-year pro career. He is coming off a six-round draw against Albert Herrera in his last fight on July 31 - it was a fast paced toe-to-toe battle that had the fans on their feet. Sam rallied in the late rounds and some ringsiders thought he deserved to win, but the judges scored the fight even.
 
An exciting lineup of undercard bouts will include, in separate fights: 19 year-old heavyweight prospect Garret Simon, 4-0 with 3 knockouts, of Puyallup, Washington; light heavyweight knockout artist Jackson Junior, 8-0 with 7 knockouts, of Sao Paulo, Brazil; and super bantamweight prospect Alex de Oliveira, 16-1 with 12 knockouts, also of Sao Paulo.
 
All bouts subject to change without notice.
 
Doors open at: 5:30 PM Pacific time
First fight at: 6:00 PM Pacific time
First TV Fight at: 7:00 PM Pacific time (10:00 PM Eastern time)
Main Event: 8:00 PM (Pacific time, approximate)