For over twenty years, Manuel Medina has thrilled fight fans with his undeniable skills and warrior spirit.  And on Friday, March 24, 2006 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, ‘Mantecas’ will kick off his third decade in the fight game with a bout against Javier Alvarez which will determine who becomes the IBF's number one contender to junior lightweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera.   The show will be aired live on Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo beginning at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.  In the co-feature, 2004 US Olympian and highly-regarded prospect Vicente Escobedo battles an opponent to be determined in a junior lightweight contest.

Manuel Medina (65-14, 31 KOs) has long been one of boxing’s unsung heroes.  Winner of the world featherweight title an amazing five times, this warrior from Tijuana turned pro at the age of 14 in 1985 and has never looked back, facing the best competition of perhaps any active fighter in the game today.  Still relevant in the sport at 34, the crafty Medina, who has won five of his last six bouts, now seeks a sixth world title – this time at 130 pounds.

A hard nosed native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Javier Alvarez (33-4-1, 16 KOs) plans on joining his countrymen – Jorge Rodrigo Barrios and Carlos Baldomir – as a world champion in 2006.  A seven year veteran, Alvarez holds multiple lesser super featherweight titles, and is riding a three fight winning streak that includes a sixth-round road stoppage of former prospect Michael Gomez.  He is currently ranked third in the world at 130 pounds by the IBF.

Vicente Escobedo (9-0, 9 KOs) has taken no prisoners in his short tenure in the pro game, and fans and boxing insiders love him for it.  A young fighter blessed with all the tools and a poise far beyond his 24 years, the Woodland, California native is gaining followers with each victory.  In his last bout, on January 27th, Escobedo stopped his most experienced foe to date - veteran Jesus Perez - in the sixth round.

For tickets, affordably priced at $25 and $35, call 702-365-7075.