PHARR – “The King” is making his triumphant return and it’s not Elvis Presley.

After suffering his first professional loss to Allen Conyers (11-4) by unanimous decision back in January of 2011, Harlingen’s “King” James De La Rosa has a totally new focus as he makes his return to the ring on March 23^rd and will face Tyrone Brunson (21-1-1, 20 KO’s) in the co-main event of ESPN Friday Night Fights at the Pharr Events Center.

De La Rosa said that he can’t wait to step into that squared circle after a year of inactivity.

“It feels great to make my boxing return in the Rio Grande Valley,” said De La Rosa. “Not being able to fight for over a year has been very frustrating for me. But in a way it has been a blessing for me too. I was able to sharpen up my boxing skills and get some great sparring in as well.”

CORPUS CHRISTI -- After a month of intense training and preparation, Lyford native Eric Molina came into Saturday night’s 12-round Heavyweight bout confident that he would defeat the WBC’s number one ranked contender Chris Arreola.

Arreola (35-2, 30 KO’s), who in the past has had a reputation for coming into fights out of shape and unprepared, looked to be in fit fighting shape as he stepped into the ring with WBC USNBC Heavyweight champion and number ten ranked contender Eric Molina (18-2, 14 KO’s). 

“There was a period in my career that I didn’t train the way I should have, I ate whatever I wanted; and I disrespected the sport,” said Arreola.  “Now I’m focused.”

The anticipation was high for this fight because a win for either fighter means a title shot against the undisputed World Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.  The anticipation came to an end early with Arreola knocking out Molina at the 2:30 mark in the first round and picking up the knockout victory. 

CORPUS CHRISTI -- With only days away from the biggest fight of Eric Molina’s career, the Lyford native stands ready and confident to step in the ring with Chris Arreola (34-2, 29 KO’s).  The two will face each other in a Heavyweight bout February 18^th in Corpus Christi at the American Bank Center as a part of Showtime Championship Boxing.  

Much is on the line for both fighters because the winner will receive a title shot against the undisputed Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko.  Molina (18-1, 14Ko’s), who is currently ranked number ten in the world, took the fight less than 5 weeks out and stayed in the Valley to work with trainer James Gogue and former Heavyweight boxing champion Oliver McCall. 

PHARR -- The Pharr Convention Center will host ESPN’s Friday Night Fights when they come to the Valley on March 23^rd and Weslaco’s Robert Garcia will make his much anticipated return to the ring. Garcia (30-3, 21 KO’s) will face Antwone Smith (21-3-1, 12 KO’s) of Miami, Florida in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Middleweight contest and said he is excited about getting this opportunity to fight on a national television.

“I have always wanted to fight on ESPN,” said Garcia. “This is going to be a real good fight with a competitive fighter and this is what boxing should be.”

Garcia’s last fight was in May of 2011 in which he won an 8-round unanimous decision over Calvin Odom in California. Garcia was supposed to fight in October, but that card was cancelled four days before the date.

SAN ANTONIO – Marco Antonio Rubio came into Saturday night’s 12-round main event title fight extremely confident that he was going to dethrone the WBC Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and even went as far as saying he was going to knock him out.

Well, Chavez Jr. made Rubio eat his words as he retained the title by scoring a unanimous decision victory Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio as a part of Top Rank Boxing and HBO Boxing.

“Rubio said at the press conference this past week that he was going to knock me out and it looks like I am still standing here with my title in my hands,” said Chavez Jr., who improved to 44-0-1. “I am very happy that I was able to get the win and retain the title. I have to give all the thanks to god for being in my corner tonight.”

PHARR – When Edinburg’s Raul “El Tigre” Casarez signed with Don Chargin Promotions back in December of 2011, Chargin promised him that he would have a big time fight for him real soon.

Well, Chargin was a man of his word as Casarez will be featured in the main event of “Solo Boxeo Tecate” on March 17^th as Golden Boy Promotions returns to the Pharr Events Center.

James Gogue, Casarez’s trainer and manager, has worked with Chargin for quite a long time and knew that once Casarez signed with him, his career would start taking off.

LAREDO – Ultimate Warrior Fighting president Oscar Enriquez loves taking chances.

Enriquez put on his first show UWF 1 back in November of 2011 and brought down former UFC star War Machine, Roger Huerta and Dave Menee and the reviews at the end of the show were above the charts.

Due to the success of UWF 1, Enriquez was already planning on putting on his second show on March 17^th at the Pharr Events Center, which just happened to be the exact same place where UWF 1 was held.

However, the man who likes to take chances was given an opportunity that he couldn’t refuse.

Ultimate Warrior Fighting is teaming up with Bellator Fighting Chanpionships to put on a huge show in Laredo called “Bellator Fighting Championships 62” on March 24^th at the Laredo Energy Arena.

MCALLEN -- For those of you who have been waiting for the next MMA card to come to the Valley, wait the wait is over as STFC 19: Relentless will be coming to the McAllen Convention Center on March 2nd. STFC promoter Raul Ramos said that there are currently nine fights scheduled for this card and is excited about the event.
“We got a really good card all around,” said Ramos. “We are going to have some good talent and some really good competitors fighting that night.”
The main event will feature Hector Munoz from Corpus Christie as he will face Gilbert “The Pit bull” Jimenez (5-4-1) from San Antonio. Munoz works out at Jackson’s MMA where you will find the likes of UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and trains with fighters such as Leonard Garcia and Donald Cerrone.
“Hector and Gilbert are exciting fighters and both have fought high caliber competition in the past,” said Ramos. “This should be a good main event.”
In the co-main event, Aaron Lanfranco (5-0) will face Cedric “The Spiderman” Marks (28-22). Both fighters have had golden opportunities to showcase their talents as Lanfranco fought with Strike Force when they came to Texas and Marks has fought for Bellator.
“It’s going to be a tough fight,” said Ramos. “This has the possibilities of becoming one of the best fights of the night because both guys like to stand up and bang.”
Other fighters appearing on the card will be Jimmy Flick, Frank Trevino, Randy Villarreal, Luis Vega and Roger Narvaez.
STFC has always been committed to bringing high quality fights to the Valley and strives to improve on the talent they bring in and the production of each show they do each and every time they have one.
Ramos feels that this show could go down as being one of the best ones they have done so far.
“I think this is going to be one of the best cards we have put on so far,” said Ramos. “I think there are a lot of guys on this card that are going to have a bright future in MMA.”
Tickets are currently on sale and start at $25. Doors open at 7pm and the fights start at 8:30 pm.

EDINBURG – Currently, Lyford native Eric Molina is training for the fight of his life as he will face Chris Arreola (34-2, 29 KO’s), the number one ranked Heavyweight in the world on February 18^th in Corpus Christi.

While many skeptics don’t think Molina (18-1, 14 KO’s) stands a chance, there is one former Heavyweight champion who is doing everything possible to try and help the young Heavyweight pull off the upset.

Oliver McCall (56-11, 37 KO’s) came into town early this week and has been Molina’s primary sparring partner as well as assisting trainer James Gogue as a co-trainer.

PHARR -- Never in the history of Boxing in the Rio Grande Valley has there been a fighter this close to a Heavyweight title bout until now. 

Eric Molina of Lyford (18-1, 14 KO’s) has officially signed his contract and will fight the number one Heavyweight contender Chris Arreola (34-2, 29 KO’s) in Corpus Christi on February 18^th at the American Bank Center as a part of Showtime Championship Boxing.  The winner of the fight will receive a guaranteed title shot against the undisputed Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in the near future.

“I’m happy for this opportunity.  I’m not doing it for the money, I’m doing it for a chance at a title shot,” said Molina. “This is every boxer’s dream and I thank God for this fight. This is truly a crossroads fight for me. Either I win and take home all the marbles or I lose and get nothing.”