LION FIGHT PROMOTIONS WBC CHAMPIONSHIP MUAY THAI EVENT
Oct 21, 2011 Comments
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Lion Fight Promotions announced today that it
has added a heavyweight contest between Brazilian Muay Thai and K-1
Champion Eduardo
Maiorino (40-14 (20 KO’s) of Richmond, Calif. via Campo Grande,
Brazil and K-1 USA veteran Terroll
Dees (6-2 (4 KO’s) of Concord, Calif. to its “Battle In The
Desert 4, Live from The Joint,” WBC Muay Thai championship fight
card at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Sat., Nov.
19.
Tickets for Lion Fight Promotions: Battle In The Desert 4, Live from The Joint, priced from $25, are on sale and can be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino box office, at all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) and online at Ticketmaster.com.
Surging Muay Thai star Chaz Mulkey (7-4) of Las Vegas will collide
with four-time British Muay Thai champion Simon Chu (29-7 (17 KO’s)
of Leeds, England for the vacant WBC international middleweight
(160 pounds) Muay Thai championship in the main event.
“I know my opponent is considered very tough and he is very big and strong so I have been training extra hard. I have always fought bigger fighters so I will be prepared for this challenge,” said the 32 year old, 6 foot 2, 230 pound Maiorino, who is coming off a stunning 31 second KO of Gerald Hill in Sugar Creek, Oklahoma on May 14.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for my team, my family and me,” said the 34-year-old, 6 foot 4, 250 pound Dees, a well-versed technician also known for his ability to aggressively push the pace of fights and brawl when necessary. Originally from New Orleans, La., Dees is a seven-year member of Dan Black’s Team Black Muay Thai fight squad.
“Eduardo has accomplished a lot and fought at the highest level. He’s a jack of all trades,” said Dees, “so this is a chance for me to immediately re-establish myself in Muay Thai’s heavyweight division in my first fight back in kickboxing.”
Dees put an end to a three-year hiatus from competition on Sept. 10, scoring a first round KO on Josh Romdica with an elbow strike in a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) rules bout at Lakeport, Calif.
Dees’ career-best performance in stand-up combat took place at the K-1 USA event at Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on April 30, 2005 when he scored a first round KO on Dustin Hanning.
In the Lion Fight Promotions: Battle In The Desert 4, Live from The Joint lightweight (135 pounds) co-main event, superstar Phanuwat “Coke” Chunhawat (145-24-1 (24 KO’s) of Oakland, Calif. via Thailand will face battle-tested Muay Thai champion and professional boxing contender Rami Ibrahim (13-7-2 (6 KO’s) of Philadelphia, Pa.
Four-time world Muay Thai champion Kit Cope (23-1 (9 KO’s) will make his long-awaited return to the ring on United States soil when he squares off with rising Muay Thai and MMA star Jose Palacios (5-2 (3 KO’s) of San Jose, Calif. in a featured WBC U.S. welterweight (147 pounds) championship bout.
Two knockout artists and rapidly emerging forces will collide when Las Vegas-based Muay Thai and mixed martial arts (MMA) standout Chidi Njokuani (10-1 (6 KO’s) squares off with aggressive-minded Ken Tran (13-3 (10 KO’s) of Vancouver B.C., Canada in a 170-pound catchweight fight.
The main card will also be highlighted by a pair of women’s bouts. Former Cung Le-protégé Elaina Maxwell (0-0) of San Francisco, Calif. will face off with Roxy “Balboa” Richardson (2-1) of Los Angeles, Calif. at super lightweight (140 pounds) while Vivian Leung (1-0) of Las Vegas via Saskatoon, Canada will lock horns with Heidi Otterbein (3-1 (1 KO) of Las Vegas via Vancouver B.C., Canada in a 120 pound catchweight affair.
Complete Fight Card:
Professional:
Main Event WBC International Middleweight (160 pounds) Championship Chaz Mulkey (Las Vegas, Nev.) (Champion) vs. Simon Chu (Leeds, England) (Challenger) 5x3 rounds
Co-Main Event WBC National Lightweight (135 pounds) Championship (Vacant) Phanuwat “Coke” Chunhawat (Oakland, Calif) vs. Rami Ibrahim (Philadelphia, Pa.) 5x3 rounds
WBC National Welterweight (147 pounds) Championship (Vacant) Kit Cope (Las Vegas, Nev.) vs. Jose Palacios (San Jose, Calif.) 5x3 rounds
Elaina Maxwell (San Francisco, Calif.) vs. Roxy Richardson (Los Angeles, Calif.) Super Lightweight (140 lbs) / 5x3 rounds
Chidi Njokuani (Las Vegas, Nev.) vs. Ken Tran (Vancouver B.C., Canada) Catchweight (170 lbs) / 5x3 rounds
Vivan Leung (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Heidi Otterbein (Las Vegas, Nev.) Catchweight (120 lbs) / 5x3 rounds
Eduardo Maiorino (Richmond, Calif.) vs. Terroll Dees (Concord, Calif.) Heavyweight (Max 250 lbs.) 5 x 3 rounds
About Lion Fight Promotions
Lion Fight Promotions is a Las Vegas, Nevada-based world championship Muay Thai kickboxing promotion dedicated to producing matchups between the best Muay Thai fighters in the world in their respective weight classes. Led by former Las Vegas casino executive, Scott Kent, the promotional company has been developed in consultation with Christine Toledo, one of the sport's most popular champions and star of the Oxygen Network reality television show Fight Girls. Both Kent and Toledo share a common passion for Muay Thai and are working together to promote the sport.
About Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is a premier destination entertainment resort in Las Vegas, owned by Brookfield Real Estate Finance Fund II, a division of Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) and managed by WG-Harmon, LLC, a subsidiary of Warner Gaming, LLC. Built in 1995, the property completed a $750 million expansion in 2010. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers an energetic entertainment and gaming experience with the services and amenities associated with a boutique luxury resort hotel. The property is known for its innovative nightlife and music scene where acts such as The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Incubus, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters and The Killers have all performed. Features of the property include an 11-story Hard Rock Hotel tower with 640 guest rooms, 17-story Paradise Tower with 490 rooms and suites and the all-suite HRH Tower with 359 suites, eight spa villas and seven penthouse suites; 72,000 square feet of casino space; 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention space; more than $3 million in rare music memorabilia throughout the hotel; the luxurious Vanity Nightclub; Reliquary Water Sanctuary & Spa; Reliquary Salon; 4.8 acres of tropical pool paradise; REHAB, the trendsetting Sunday afternoon pool party; The Joint concert venue; Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co.; restaurants including the new 35 Steaks + Martinis, a traditional steakhouse with an edge, casual Italian eatery LTO, world-renowned Nobu, Johnny Smalls, Pink Taco and Mr. Lucky’s 24/7 diner; numerous cocktail lounges; several retail stores; and a state-of-the-art Fitness Center. For room availability and additional information call 800.HRD.ROCK (800.473.7625) or visit www.hardrockhotel.com.
Tickets for Lion Fight Promotions: Battle In The Desert 4, Live from The Joint, priced from $25, are on sale and can be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino box office, at all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) and online at Ticketmaster.com.
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“I know my opponent is considered very tough and he is very big and strong so I have been training extra hard. I have always fought bigger fighters so I will be prepared for this challenge,” said the 32 year old, 6 foot 2, 230 pound Maiorino, who is coming off a stunning 31 second KO of Gerald Hill in Sugar Creek, Oklahoma on May 14.
Maiorino defeated three opponents in one night of action to emerge
the K-1 Brazil Grand Prix Tournament Champion on Oct. 30, 2004.
After scoring KO’s on his first two opponents, Maiorino earned a
unanimous decision victory over Vitor
Miranda in the championship round of the event.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for my team, my family and me,” said the 34-year-old, 6 foot 4, 250 pound Dees, a well-versed technician also known for his ability to aggressively push the pace of fights and brawl when necessary. Originally from New Orleans, La., Dees is a seven-year member of Dan Black’s Team Black Muay Thai fight squad.
“Eduardo has accomplished a lot and fought at the highest level. He’s a jack of all trades,” said Dees, “so this is a chance for me to immediately re-establish myself in Muay Thai’s heavyweight division in my first fight back in kickboxing.”
Dees put an end to a three-year hiatus from competition on Sept. 10, scoring a first round KO on Josh Romdica with an elbow strike in a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) rules bout at Lakeport, Calif.
Dees’ career-best performance in stand-up combat took place at the K-1 USA event at Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on April 30, 2005 when he scored a first round KO on Dustin Hanning.
In the Lion Fight Promotions: Battle In The Desert 4, Live from The Joint lightweight (135 pounds) co-main event, superstar Phanuwat “Coke” Chunhawat (145-24-1 (24 KO’s) of Oakland, Calif. via Thailand will face battle-tested Muay Thai champion and professional boxing contender Rami Ibrahim (13-7-2 (6 KO’s) of Philadelphia, Pa.
Four-time world Muay Thai champion Kit Cope (23-1 (9 KO’s) will make his long-awaited return to the ring on United States soil when he squares off with rising Muay Thai and MMA star Jose Palacios (5-2 (3 KO’s) of San Jose, Calif. in a featured WBC U.S. welterweight (147 pounds) championship bout.
Two knockout artists and rapidly emerging forces will collide when Las Vegas-based Muay Thai and mixed martial arts (MMA) standout Chidi Njokuani (10-1 (6 KO’s) squares off with aggressive-minded Ken Tran (13-3 (10 KO’s) of Vancouver B.C., Canada in a 170-pound catchweight fight.
The main card will also be highlighted by a pair of women’s bouts. Former Cung Le-protégé Elaina Maxwell (0-0) of San Francisco, Calif. will face off with Roxy “Balboa” Richardson (2-1) of Los Angeles, Calif. at super lightweight (140 pounds) while Vivian Leung (1-0) of Las Vegas via Saskatoon, Canada will lock horns with Heidi Otterbein (3-1 (1 KO) of Las Vegas via Vancouver B.C., Canada in a 120 pound catchweight affair.
Complete Fight Card:
Professional:
Main Event WBC International Middleweight (160 pounds) Championship Chaz Mulkey (Las Vegas, Nev.) (Champion) vs. Simon Chu (Leeds, England) (Challenger) 5x3 rounds
Co-Main Event WBC National Lightweight (135 pounds) Championship (Vacant) Phanuwat “Coke” Chunhawat (Oakland, Calif) vs. Rami Ibrahim (Philadelphia, Pa.) 5x3 rounds
WBC National Welterweight (147 pounds) Championship (Vacant) Kit Cope (Las Vegas, Nev.) vs. Jose Palacios (San Jose, Calif.) 5x3 rounds
Elaina Maxwell (San Francisco, Calif.) vs. Roxy Richardson (Los Angeles, Calif.) Super Lightweight (140 lbs) / 5x3 rounds
Chidi Njokuani (Las Vegas, Nev.) vs. Ken Tran (Vancouver B.C., Canada) Catchweight (170 lbs) / 5x3 rounds
Vivan Leung (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Heidi Otterbein (Las Vegas, Nev.) Catchweight (120 lbs) / 5x3 rounds
Eduardo Maiorino (Richmond, Calif.) vs. Terroll Dees (Concord, Calif.) Heavyweight (Max 250 lbs.) 5 x 3 rounds
About Lion Fight Promotions
Lion Fight Promotions is a Las Vegas, Nevada-based world championship Muay Thai kickboxing promotion dedicated to producing matchups between the best Muay Thai fighters in the world in their respective weight classes. Led by former Las Vegas casino executive, Scott Kent, the promotional company has been developed in consultation with Christine Toledo, one of the sport's most popular champions and star of the Oxygen Network reality television show Fight Girls. Both Kent and Toledo share a common passion for Muay Thai and are working together to promote the sport.
About Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is a premier destination entertainment resort in Las Vegas, owned by Brookfield Real Estate Finance Fund II, a division of Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) and managed by WG-Harmon, LLC, a subsidiary of Warner Gaming, LLC. Built in 1995, the property completed a $750 million expansion in 2010. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers an energetic entertainment and gaming experience with the services and amenities associated with a boutique luxury resort hotel. The property is known for its innovative nightlife and music scene where acts such as The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Incubus, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters and The Killers have all performed. Features of the property include an 11-story Hard Rock Hotel tower with 640 guest rooms, 17-story Paradise Tower with 490 rooms and suites and the all-suite HRH Tower with 359 suites, eight spa villas and seven penthouse suites; 72,000 square feet of casino space; 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention space; more than $3 million in rare music memorabilia throughout the hotel; the luxurious Vanity Nightclub; Reliquary Water Sanctuary & Spa; Reliquary Salon; 4.8 acres of tropical pool paradise; REHAB, the trendsetting Sunday afternoon pool party; The Joint concert venue; Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co.; restaurants including the new 35 Steaks + Martinis, a traditional steakhouse with an edge, casual Italian eatery LTO, world-renowned Nobu, Johnny Smalls, Pink Taco and Mr. Lucky’s 24/7 diner; numerous cocktail lounges; several retail stores; and a state-of-the-art Fitness Center. For room availability and additional information call 800.HRD.ROCK (800.473.7625) or visit www.hardrockhotel.com.
