LAS VEGAS (November 3, 2016) – The remarkable journey of Demond “Body Shot” Brock, from prison into the boxing ring, has led him to a 10-round main event showdown Friday night, November 18, with North American Boxing Association (NABA) United States lightweight champion Reynaldo Blanco (13-2, 7 KOs) in the latest installment of the popular “Knockout Night at the D” series, airing (9 p.m. PT / 12 a.m. ET) on CBS Sports Network live from inside the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center tent.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegasand Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.
Hall of Fame announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside, along with roving reporter Sean Wheelock, on CBS Sports Network. Known for introducing the top stars of professional wrestling to the ring for 20 years, Justin Roberts will join the legendary CBS Sports Network broadcast team in Las Vegas for the Nov. 18 show to enhance the entrances of the “Knockout Night at the D” boxing stars of tomorrow.
Brock (12-3-1, 4 KOs), fighting out of New Orleans, learned how to box in the Louisiana State Penitentiary, where he was sentenced at the age of 15 for armed robbery. He served a 14 ½-year sentenced and he ended up with a 39-1 record with 17 knockouts. Upon his release, Brock won the Ringside Tournament and he was the No. 1 ranked welterweight in the United States. Brock reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials and finished his amateur career with an outstanding 54-3 record. He left prison a completely different person; much calmer and cerebral, which he totally attributes to becoming a boxer.
(L-R) — Brock & Jones
(photo by Manny “Mitts” Murillo / RJJ Boxing Promotions)
In his last fight (June 10), Brock defeated previously unbeaten Chuy Gutierrez (14-0-1), headlining a “Knockout Night at the D” show at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, retaining his World Boxing Council (WBC) United States lightweight title in his first title defense. Brock, 35, originally captured his title belt in 2015, by way of an 8-round unanimous decision over
Oscar Valenzuela (9-1-1).
Living legend and 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. has been training Brock in Pensacola, Florida, for his Nov. 18th fight with Blanco. “I love Demond’s energy and his will to learn,” Jones noted. “He has been very enthusiastic, doing everything asked of him and more, each day in the gym. Everybody will see what a talent Demond is November 18th. He has a lot of upside in this sport and the heart of a champion.”
“Having an opportunity to train with somebody like Roy Jones, Jr. is a great opportunity for me,” Brock said from training camp. “I’m learning new things every day from one of the greatest boxers of all-time. This is truly a blessing and I’m grateful to have everybody on my team working so hard to make me the best I can be.”
Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino junior middleweight title-holder Daniel “El Duro” Rosario Cruz (11-1, 10 KOs), a legitimate knockout artist from Puerto Rico, meets past Mexico welterweight champion an proven upset specialist Norberto Gonzalez (22-8, 13 KOs) in the 8-round co-feature.
Rising Las Vegas junior lightweight Randy Moreno (6-0, 5 KOs) steps up in class in the television opener in his first scheduled 6-round bout against Mexican veteran Daniel Perales (7-5-1, 4 KOs)
Keeping with its goal to showcase young talent based in Las Vegas, junior flyweight Marina “Rocky” Ramirez (2-0), fighting out of Idaho, and pro-debuting cruiserweight Jason Beauchamp are slated to be fighting in separate 4-round bouts.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $1,000.00 VIP booth (includes 15 admissions), $50.00 VIP ringside, $25.00 and $15.00 general admission, are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 7:00 p.m. PT.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center and Neon Star Media.
INFORMATION:
Websites: www.dlvec.com, www.thed.com, www.royjonesjrboxing.com, www.knockoutnightboxing.com
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvEventsCenter, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dlvec, www.Facebook.com/thedlasvegas
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @bodyshot brock and @_randymoreno
RIVAL BOXING GEAR & EQUIPMENT is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series. www.rivalboxing.com, @rivalboxinggear
About the D Las Vegas: the D Las Vegas delivers the fresh, energetic attitude and fun atmosphere synonymous with downtown Las Vegas. The new casino hotel boasts 629 remodeled rooms and suites and a unique two-level casino featuring modern and vintage floors. Cocktails, beer and frozen beverages abound inside the casino at LONGBAR and on the Fremont Street Experience at D Bar. the D offers contemporary American fare at D Grill, Detroit’s legendary Coney Dogs at American Coney Island and premium steaks and authentic Italian dishes at Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse. The Showroom at the D Las Vegas features outstanding entertainment ranging from award-winning dinner theater and Broadway productions to music, comedy and more. Follow the D on Facebook and Twitter.
About Downtown Las Vegas Events Center: Located at the corner of Third St. and Carson Ave. across from the D Las Vegas, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center can accommodate up to 11,000 guests and features state-of-the-art stage, sound and lighting. The open-air design is inviting to both tourists and locals and offers the perfect spot for concerts, conventions and other large-scale events. Embracing the uninhibited spirit of Downtown Las Vegas, the new venue plays host to a line-up of curated events including premier concerts, food festivals and more. The venue is also the first entertainment arena in Las Vegas to accept Bitcoin as currency. For more information, visit www.dlvec.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @dlveventscenter.
About Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. Based in Las Vegas, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable such as undefeated super welterweight John Vera and former 3-time world super bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko, along with Tony Lopez and Hanzel Martinez, lightweight Demond Brock, super featherweight Randy Moreno, cruiserweight Irsael Duffus, bantamweight Max Ornelas, super lightweight Emanuel Robles, middleweight Rolando Garza and light heavyweight Adrian Taylor.
About Neon Star Media LLC: Neon Star Media is a marketing and content company that creates highly effective brand-integration experiences for our clients, executed through a unique “story-telling” approach that empowers client’s product messaging to soar while delivering results. At Neon Star Media, we maximize client media spends by leveraging our relationships with various sporting events, cable channels, digital platforms and other social media outlets. We work with our clients to engage, endorse and advance their message with audiences on all platforms 24/7. Visit us on Twitter @Neonstarmedia or Facebook www.facebook.com/Neon-Star-Media-378687919005532/
