OSCAR DE LA HOYA MENTORS BOXERS TO BECOME FIGHTERS
AS FOX SEARCHES FOR "THE NEXT GREAT CHAMP"

World Champ Headlines New Unscripted Series Winner Could Ultimately Get Shot at Title Holder

LOS ANGELES, April,19- Six-time World Champion Oscar De La Hoya and television powerhouse Endemol USA , have teamed to discover young, raw boxers with potential to become a top prizefighter. The hopefuls will push themselves to the limit as they train and slug it out in hopes of winning every fighter's ultimate dream - a possible shot at a titleholder and a professional contract with De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions in the unscripted series, THE NEXT GREAT CHAMP (working title) on FOX.

"El Angellino" Back in Action April 24

Recently added to the megacard at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 24, local hero Jose N avarro (19-0, 7 KOs) will put his unbeaten record on the line in an eight rounder against Martin Armenta (10-5-3, 6 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico.

Juan Lazcano - Weeks Away from His Dream

On June 5, the wait is over.

For Golden Boy Promotions' lightweight standout Juan Lazcano, the dream of finally becoming a world champion is within his grasp. And it won't be easy, as he will be tackling the former 135-pound champion Jose Luis Castillo for the WBC lightweight crown on the undercard of the pay-per-view show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas featuring Oscar De La Hoya-Felix Sturm and Bernard Hopkins-Robert Allen.

But the 29-year-old Lazcano is ready.

With the release this week of "Fight Night 2004" EA Sports has lived up to its slogan "If it's in the Game, it's in the Game", as the PS2 and XBox videogame captures the nuances of boxing in all its glory. But even more importantly for fans of Golden Boy Promotions, you now have the chance to fight as or against two of your favorites, as unbeaten contender "Mighty"

Mike Anchondo and former world champion and current contender Jesse James Leija have been immortalized in the game, where they join such legends as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Roberto Duran.

Click Here to view Screen Shots

Vazquez is "Magnifico" as He Wins World Title on "Boxeo De Oro"

It's been a long trek for Mexico City's Israel Vazquez, but in the career-defining fight of his nine-year career last night at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, "Magnifico" lived up to his nickname as he dismantled Jose Luis Valbuena in the 12 th and final round of their championship bout, earning the IBF super bantamweight world title in the process.

In the main event, the IBF super bantamweight world title is on the line when Israel Vazquez squares off against Jose Luis Valbuena, and in the co-feature, bantamweights Roger "Speedy" Gonzalez and Jhonny Gonzalez fight it out in a ten rounder . Click below for more information on this week's four warriors.

Israel Vazquez Profile
Jose Luis Valbuena Profile
Roger Gonzalez Profile
Jhonny Gonzalez Profile

VAZQUEZ-VALBUENA HIGHLIGHTS "TITLE NIGHT AT THE OLYMPIC" MARCH 25
GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO PRESENT
FOUR 2004 "BOXEO DE ORO" DATES AT THE LEGENDARY LOS ANGELES VENUE

Boxing and the Grand Olympic Auditorium have been linked together in fistic history since 1925. In 2004, Golden Boy Promotions will continue that storied tradition as it presents four shows showcasing the best the fight game has to offer.

Golden Boy Promotions' Baby Bombers Score KO's on "Solo Boxeo"

At the legendary Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, two of Golden Boy Promotions' celebrated prospects kept on the winning track Friday night with impressive knockout victories before a national television audience on Telefutura's "Solo Boxeo".

In the main event, junior welterweight Juan "Pollo" Valenzuela steamrolled game Guillermo Valdes en route to a second round TKO.

Click either Bio below to learn more about both Valenzuela and Ponce-DeLeon

Juan Valenzuela

Nickname - Pollo
Weight - 140 (junior welterweight)
Date of Birth - May 12, 1980
Hometown - Culiacan , Mexico
Record - 19-6 (8 Knockouts)

Some boxers get by on pure talent; others just go through the motions. Juan Valenzuela just loves to fight. Anytime, anywhere, against anyone, "Pollo" is anything but chicken when it comes to stepping between the ropes.

Daniel Ponce-De Leon

Weight - 118 - 122 (Bantamweight / Junior Featherweight)
Date of Birth - July 27, 1980
Hometown - Cuauhtemoc, Mexico|
Stance - Southpaw
Record - 17-0 (17 KOs)

23-year-old prospect Daniel Ponce-De Leon may not have been as heavily hyped as some of his peers from the Class of 2000, but among boxing insiders (and especially his opponents), the Mexican Olympian has quickly gained rave notices as not only a fighter to watch, but as a future world champion.

Battle in The Ballroom
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Results from Irvine , CA

Click here to view full results

LICONA-FAVELA TO HEAT UP MARCH'S "BATTLE IN THE BALLROOM"

As the longest running boxing series in the United States, the Irvine Marriott's "Battle in the Ballroom" shows have thrilled fight fans for 20 years. On Thursday, March 18, Golden Boy Promotions presents a five-bout card that will feature some of the sport's future stars, as well as a battle between two vets looking to move up the ranks in the crowded featherweight division.

Daniel Ponce DeLeon - The New "Baby Faced Assassin"?

There comes a time in every fighter's career when things don't always go as planned, and it's moments like these that separate champions from contenders.

On February 26, 2004, unbeaten Daniel Ponce DeLeon faced such a dilemma in a nationally televised bout against Cesar Figueroa. Entering the bout, DeLeon (who took the fight on short notice) had compiled a 16-0 record, with each win coming by knockout. Basically, once DeLeon landed one of his patented bombs, opponents fell.