On Saturday, Oct. 17, the “Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden, will host two additional stellar world title matchups as undefeated Cuban heavyweight Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (22-0, 19 KOs) takes on Matias Ariel “El Matador” Vidondo (20-1-1, 18 KOs) for the Interim WBA Heavyweight World Title and middleweight standout Tureano Johnson (18-1, 13 KOs) is set to face Eamonn “King Kane” O’Kane (14-1-1, 5 KOs) in an IBF Middleweight World Title Eliminator. Both bouts, scheduled for 12-rounds, will be featured on the televised undercard of the Middleweight World Championship Title Unification bout between WBC, IBO and WBC “Interim” Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and IBF Middleweight Champion David Lemieux. The championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
The winner of the Johnson-O’Kane bout will become the mandatory challenger for the IBF Middleweight Championship being contested in the main event between Golovkin and Lemieux.
Previously announced, in the co-featured bout of the Pay-Per-View telecast, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez will defend his WBC Flyweight Championship against two-time former world champion Brian Viloria.
“Luis Ortiz is the real deal – not only does he have tremendous power, but he moves extremely well for a man of his size,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “If he gets past Vidondo and captures his first heavyweight title, fights against anyone in the division – including Wladimir Klitschko – will be on the table.”
“The only way to be the best is to beat the best and taking on Matias and fighting for the Interim WBA Heavyweight World Title is a big step to proving that I am the best,” said Luis Ortiz. “But I am more than ready, I am too fast and too strong for Vidondo, and I will prove that on October 17. My dream has always been to become the heavyweight champion of the world and this fight is a big step closer to that dream.”
“Making my U.S. debut while fighting for the interim WBA Heavyweight World Title is a big opportunity for me,” said Matias Ariel Vidondo. “I will get to showcase my power in front of a national stage on HBO Pay-Per-View and on the undercard of one of the biggest nights in boxing this year. I promise my fans and Argentina that I will not let them down. I will be victorious on October 17 and bring home a title.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity that has been awarded to me, to be able to fight in the IBF Middleweight Title Eliminator,” said Tureano Johnson. “It was long awaited; I feel like I am halfway there on the path to accomplishing my goal to becoming a world champion and with Golden Boy Promotions at my side I know it’s inevitable. HBO Pay-Per-View is a major platform, and I’m excited to have been chosen and featured as one of their televised fights. I know that the fans have high expectations, and they will not be disappointed.”
“I am looking forward to proving I am the next great middleweight champion on October 17,” said Eamonn O’Kane. “I have been waiting for this opportunity my whole career, and now that it is finally here I am glad it will be at the ‘Mecca of Boxing,’ Madison Square Garden.”
Fans in attendance will also see a trio of impressive non-televised undercard matchups featuring top prospects from around the globe. In a 10-round lightweight bout, Montreal’s Ghislain Maduma (17-1, 11 KOs) makes his United States debut against the undefeated Maurice Hooker (18-0-2, 14 KOs) of Dallas, TX. Another 135-pounder drawing rave reviews is Washington, D.C. native Lamont Roach Jr. (8-0, 3 KOs) who is scheduled for a six-round lightweight bout. Opening up the night, undefeated super lightweight fighter Ruslan Madiev (5-0, 3 KOs) will fight in a four-round fight. Opponents for Roach and Madiev will be announced shortly.
Tickets for GOLOVKIN vs. LEMIEUX are on sale now and are priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.
