Undefeated WBA #1-ranked welterweight contender Brad “King” Solomon (16-0, 7 KOs) defends his WBA International title against Demetrius “The Gladiator” Hopkins (30-1-1, 11 KOs) on March 18th at Hard Rock Live.
Solomon; who is also the WBC #6-ranked Latino champion, faces his stiffest test yet against Demetrius Hopkins (nephew of light heavyweight contender and former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins.)
The “King” scored a decisive 10-round unanimous decision victory against rugged veteran Anges Adjaho (25-5, 14 KOs) at the Hard Rock during his last outing in December.
Solomon continues to impress boxing observers with his mix of blinding speed, nimble footwork and airtight defense; which prompt many to compare his style to that of the great Roy Jones Jr.
Solomon stayed active last year; fighting 7 times to climb the WBA and WBC rankings in his quest for a world title opportunity. He handed fellow prospects Kenny Galarza and Ray Robinson their first career defeats in his rapid ascension towards the welterweight throne.
On March 18th he hopes to hand Hopkins his second career loss in front of a nationally-televised audience.
The co-main event of the evening features 2004 Cuban Olympic gold medalist Yan Barthelemy (11-2, 4 KOs) against heavy-handed Chris Avelos (18-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round bantamweight bout.
The southpaw Barthelemy seeks to extend his 3-fight win streak with a decisive showing against the tough Californian, who is coming off a 2-fight winning stretch himself.
The talent-laden undercard features two big punching men from the Deep South as heavyweight contender and NABA champion Cedric “The Bos” Boswell (33-1, 26 KOs) of Atlanta takes on Tennessee native Alonzo “Big Zo” Butler(28-1-1, 21 KOs) in a 10-round slugfest.
Fellow Heavyweight Factory heavyweights Eric “The Viking” Leander (9-1, 6 KOs) and Cuban Yasmay Consuegra (4-0, 2 KOs) will see action against opponents to be named. Leander plans to bring his trademark crowd-pleasing aggression and “Viking” persona into the ring while Consuegra seeks to continue the tradition of local Cuban boxing success.
Super middleweight Tracy Rollins (1-0, 1 KO) of Las Vegas rounds out the card in a 4-round contest against Puerto Rican Marvin “Papi Gallo” Jones (2-0, 2 KOs).
The March 18th show represents the Heavyweight Factory’s return to Friday nights and big-time national TV coverage, with successive shows planned to take place on the national stage.
In addition, The Heavyweight Factory will make a special presentation to the family of Caroline Pallidine; a local 13-year old girl who is bravely battling AML Leukemia. Caroline’s inspirational story earned her the nickname “McMillan’s Fighting Champ” in honor of the middle school she attends.
The action-packed fight card is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Doors open 6:30 p.m.
The final press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16th at the Renegade BBQ in the Seminole Paradise complex beginning at 1 PM.
Weigh-ins will start at 5 PM on Thursday, March 17th in the Heavyweight Factory’s training facility across from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on 441 and Lucky Street (SW 54 Ct).
Individual tickets cost $150, $55 & $30*, All seats are reserved and available at the Hard Rock Live Box Office; open Tuesday – Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and on Sunday & Monday – only open on event days at noon. Tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open one-hour prior to show start time.