PRESS RELEASE: Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Don King/Don King Productions will present a sensational world title unification fight on Saturday, April 28, 2007, at Foxwoods Resort Casino, located at 39 Norwich Westerly Road in Mashantucket , Connecticut . The main event will be televised live on HBO.
WBO lightweight world champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas, 38-1 with 32 knockouts, of Salvador, Brazil, will face WBA lightweight world champion Juan “El Torito” Diaz, 31-0 with 15 knockouts, of Houston, Texas, in the main event scheduled for 12 rounds for the unified WBO-WBA lightweight championship of the world.
Both fighters are tremendous competitors with exciting styles. Freitas, now 31 years old, is more experienced at the championship level and is known for his one-punch knockout power. He is 13-1 with 9 knockouts in world championship fights and looking to win his fifth world title. He won the WBO jr. lightweight title in August, 1999, and made six successful title defenses before adding the WBA super featherweight world title in January, 2002. Freitas won the WBO lightweight title for the first time in January, 2004, and regained it in his last fight in April, 2006.
Just 23 years old, Diaz brings relentless pressure and nonstop punching to every fight. In spite of his youth, he is already 6-0 with 2 knockouts in world championship fights. Juan won the WBA world title at the age of 20 in July, 2004, and has made five successful title defenses.
An exciting undercard of supporting bouts will be announced. All bouts subject to change without notice.
Ticket information and media credential information will be announced soon.