Four excellent, exciting fighters with a combined record of 98-1 with 69 knockouts will be featured in a sensational world championship doubleheader on Saturday, July 7, on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
In a battle of unbeatens in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event, local favorite “Tremendous” Travis Simms (25-0, 19 KOs) of Norwalk, Conn., defends his WBA super welterweight title against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Joachim “Ti-Joa” Alcine (28-0, 18 KOs) of Montreal, by way of Haiti.
“The Lord of the Flys,” undefeated, hard-hitting Vic Darchinyan (28-0, 22 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, via Armenia, risks his IBF/IBO flyweight belts against once-beaten, world-ranked Filipino Nonito “Flash” Donaire (17-1, 10 KOs) in the co-feature.
The event is promoted by Don King Productions with Darchinyan-Donaire being promoted in association with Gary Shaw Promotions, LLC.
A domestically non-televised third world championship will also be presented Saturday on “Fistic Fireworks” when former IBF super flyweight champion Luis “El Demoledor” Perez (24-1, 15 KOs), from Managua, Nicaragua, will tangle with Genaro “Poblanito” Garcia (35-5, 20 KOs) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title.
Tickets, priced at $35, $50, $100 and $200, with a limited number of ringside seats at $350, are on sale now to those age 18 and older at Arena at Harbor Yard box office (Information Line: 203-345-2400), all Ticketmaster outlets, on-line at ticketmaster.com or by charging by phone at (203) 368-1000, (203) 624-0033, (860) 525-4500 or (203) 744-8100.
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“TREMENDOUS’’ TRAVIS SIMMS OPEN MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Here is what Simms had to say after his open media workout Monday:
TRAVIS SIMMS
“I ran three miles in a leisurely 14 minutes earlier today, so I am ready. Seven is my lucky number and this fight is on 7-7-07 so there are seven’s all around me. I can’t wait.
“Alcine’s been talking a lot, but all it shows me is a lack of maturity on his part. Here is a guy who has built up his record fighting C-level – heck, maybe D-level – fighters his whole career saying what he is going to do to me. I fought have sparring partners tougher than him.
“For one of eight children raised by my mother to come from where we were to defending my world title in what virtually is my backyard is very exciting. To be part of the first world title fight in the history of Fairfield County is a great thrill.
“There is no pressure on me whatsoever. I have enough faith in my ability to know that if I do what I am supposed to do, I will win Saturday and that’s what matters most. I’m not thinking I have to knock this guy out although I will not be surprised if this fight does not go the distance.
“I truly believe I am the best 154-pounder in the world and one of the best fighters pound-for-pound in boxing. The 154-pound division is very deep, and some of boxing’s biggest names reside in it, but I am willing to prove I am the best. All I want is the chance.
“I haven’t had a lot of fights in the last few years, but I am not concerned at all about ring rust. I may be 36, but that is just a number. Folks doubted me before my last fight and they saw what happened. I beat Jose Antonio Rivera and I was coming off a two-and-a-half year layoff.
“I am a world champion but I am still as hungry as ever. I look forward to reaching many more heights in my career. I truly believe I can be a great ambassador for this sport.
“Alcine is undefeated, so he doesn’t know what it is like to lose, but he will after our fight. People may still have questions about me, but I will erase them all on Saturday.
“I am primed. I am excited about fighting in Bridgeport and fighting again on SHOWTIME. This will be a great show Saturday.’’
