The Rio Grande Valley, along the border of South Texas, has proven to be one of the most vibrant boxing markets in the United States since the opening of the new Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas, over three years ago.  The 6,500 seat arena has hosted several nationally televised boxing events since it opening, but none bigger than the one that Top Rank, Inc. will be presenting on Saturday, September 28th. For the first time in Valley history, it will be Lights, Cameras, Action when HBO Boxing After Dark takes center stage with an exciting double feature event to be televised, LIVE, nationally on HBO. Scheduled in co-feature bouts are Mexican superstars, JORGE ARCE and JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ, JR.

 

Arce (44-3-1, Los Mochis, Mx), is the former WBC World Light Flyweight and World Flyweight Champion.  He will be moving up in weight and challenging for his third world title when he battles highly regarded former World Champion, MASIBULELE “Hawk” MAKEPULA (28-3, 20 KO's...East London, South Africa) for the vacant WBC World Super Flyweight Championship.

 


Chavez, Jr. (27-0-1, Culiacán, Mexico), the son of Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez, will be headlining the six bout undercard when he defends his WBC Youth Light Middleweight title.  Chavez' opponent, as well as the remainder of the remainder of the card, is to be announced.

 

Tickets for the event, which will begin at 7:30 pm, will go ON SALE Friday, September 1 at the Dodge Arena Box Office and all Dodge Arena outlets in the Rio Grande Valley.  Ticket prices will be $200, $100, $75, $50, $35 and $25, plus service charges.  Tickets will also be available online at www.dodgearena.com.

 

According to Bob Arum, Top Rank Chairman, the fight fans in the Rio Grande Valley have earned their opportunity to host their first HBO boxing event. "We at Top Rank are very aware of the great fight fans in the Valley," stated Arum, the Hall of Fame promoter from his offices in Las Vegas.

 

"No area in the country deserves to have this event more than the fans there.  It has been our intention to put an HBO event at the Dodge Arena for quite some time, but have been looking for the right opportunity to do so.  I believe with Jorge Arce challenging for his third world title and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. heading up the undercard, we have a great event for not just the fans in the Valley, but the national and worldwide TV audience, as well."

 

Dodge Arena General Manager, Lou Rivera, agrees with Arum and is happy to have the September 23rd event in Hidalgo.  "No question the fans here have deserved to have an event of this magnitude for a long time," Rivera pointed out.  "As for the city of Hidalgo, this is one of the reasons the Dodge Arena was built -- to host the biggest events possible.  This is not only good for the citizens of the Valley, but our economy as well.

 

Event coordinator, Lester Bedford, of The Bedford Agency in Colleyville, Texas, notes that the event will bring in thousands of dollars in economic impact and also provide mass exposure for the area. 

 

"Between the production staff for HBO, the boxers, the boxer's camps and promotional staff, there will be over 300 persons flying into the local airports, staying in hotels, renting cars and spending money on food and entertainment," pointed out Bedford. 

 

 

"In addition, there will be many temporary jobs created by the event at the arena.  And that doesn't event count the thousands of dollars, if not millions of dollars in exposure for the Rio Grande Valley and the Dodge Arena.  This is a win-win event for everyone, especially the fight fans.

 

Arce and Chavez, Jr. are scheduled to appear at a Media Conference next week to kick off the event.  Details of the Media Conference are to be announced.