Dan Goossen ran one of the foremost promotional companies of professional boxing in the greater Los Angeles area during the late 80’s and early 90’s, promoting monthly shows at the Reseda Country Club for over 12 years – Ten Goose Boxing – a name coined for Dan and his nine siblings. Michael Nunn and Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas became World Champions while fighting in front of frenzied fans and A-list celebrities.

 

On Friday Night, March 3, 2006 Goossen Goes Hollywood once again when Goossen Tutor Promotions presents a blockbuster fight card featuring KO Punchers in “Hollywood Swingers” at Universal City’s Gibson Amphitheatre at the world famous Universal City Walk.  The co-Main Events will be televised live on FSN’s “Best Damn Sports Show Period.”

 

The main event, scheduled for 12 rounds, features WBA Lightweight World Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (28-0, 14 KOs) putting his title on the line against the man from whom he took it - former two-time world champion and mandatory challenger Lakva “The Mongolian Mauler” Sim (21-4-1, 18 KOs) of Ulan Bator, Mongolia.  Diaz will be making the fifth defense of the title he won by decision in his hometown of Houston, TX back in July 2004 and televised on HBO.  Sim, who is trained by Joe Goossen, has been anxious to get the rematch with Diaz since his first encounter where he sustained a shoulder injury in training. Sim finally has his opportunity to reverse the decision in the friendlier confines of Hollywood.

 

The co-main event bout showcases former two-time world welterweight champion Vernon “The Viper” Forrest (37-2, 28 KOs) who will be taking on Raul “El Toro” Munoz (17-7, 14 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight contest.  Forrest, a native of Atlanta, GA, and one of the premier boxer/punchers in the world, is best known for his great wins over “Sugar” Shane Mosley – in capturing and defending the WBC welterweight title in 2002 and garnering “Fighter or the Year” honors.  Forrest will be making his second appearance on “BDSSP” having scored a 10-round TKO over Elco Garcia last October in a slugfest.  Munoz, who calls Topeka, KS home, has won 14 of his bouts by knockout.

 

In a special attraction bout, former world title contender Kirk Johnson (36-2-1, 26 KOs) will be highlighted in a 10-round heavyweight bout against hot Mexican prospect Javier “Monstra” Mora (19-2-1, 17 KOs).  The only losses for the Canadian-born Johnson, now living in Dallas, TX, were by disqualification to WBA champion John Ruiz and a stoppage by the recently retired Russian giant Vitali Klitschko.  Mora, who lives in nearby Anaheim, CA, is a knockout artist who is being guided by James “Lights Out” Toney.

 

Also scheduled on the card in an eight-round bout will be middleweight Enrique Ornelas (22-2, 14 KOs), of La Habra, CA, and Riverside, CA’s undefeated Mexican heavyweight KO artist, Chris Areola (13-0, 11 KO) in a six rounder.

 

For his part, Dan Goossen could not be more excited about bringing professional boxing back to the area where he first started promoting with his family-owned business.

 

“It’s been four years in the making, promoting a major event in the neighborhood where we got our start 20 plus years ago. It brings back wonderful memories of promoting at the Reseda Country Club,” Goossen revealed.  “We envision making the Gibson Amphitheater our home base for our high profile local promotions.  That means bringing in top talent, enthusiastic fans and celebrities.”

 

As for the impressive first card - “Hollywood Swingers” - Goossen offered, “It’s really a treat for the fans to have the great fighters we have on the show, with the ‘Best Damn Sports Show Period’ broadcasting our inaugural Amphitheatre event.  It’s Hollywood, and it’s just the way it should be…great fights, great location and great fans.”

 

Doors open at 5pm with the first bout beginning at 5:30pm and the BDSSP telecast to kick off at 7:30pm.

 

Tickets, priced at $200.00 (Ringside), $100.00 (VIP) $75 (Upper Loge), $40.00 (Lower Mezzanine) and $25.00 (Mezzanine) can be purchased at City Walk Box Office, across from Gladstones Restaurant, 7 days a week from 1PM to 9PM; the Main Ampitheatre Box Office, behind the Hilton Hotel, open Thursday through Monday 1PM - 9PM; Goossen Tutor Promotions office at 818-817-8001 or by email at irma@goossentutor.com ; and at all Ticketmaster locations or at www.ticketmaster.com.