IT’S LIGHTS. CAMERAS. ACTION
FOR UT ARLINGTON’S NEW COLLEGE PARK CENTER

ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
COMING TO ARLINGTON, FEBRUARY 17

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – College Park Center, the new home court for UT Arlington basketball and volleyball, also will be center ring for ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS come Feb. 17.

There will be plenty of hook shots when top-five world contenders John Molina (23-1, 19 KO’s…Covina, California) and Marvin Quintero (24-3, 20 KO’s, Tijuana, MX) battle in the main event at the new College Park Center, on the campus of The University of Texas at Arlington. The Feb. 17 event is being promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with DFW’s -- Showcase Promotions. ESPN Friday Night Fights are sponsored by Corona Beer.

The No. 3 world-ranked Molina and No. 5 rated Quintero are set for 12 rounds in an IBF World Title Elimination bout, with the winner getting a shot at world champion, Miguel Vazquez. The Molina vs. Quintero clash is one of seven bouts scheduled on the nationally televised event, which begins at 7 p.m.

Also slated for action on the undercard are 2008 United States Olympians Shawn Estrada (13-0, Los Angeles) and Luis Yanez (4-0-1, Dallas). Ray Ximenez, a former multi-national amateur champion from Dallas is also set on the card.

Opponents for Estrada, Yanez and Ximenez are to be announced.

Tickets are priced at $25, $35, $50 and $100 (VIP Ringside), plus ticket/facility charges.  VIP Ringside buyers receive-- seating in first 5 rows, Valet Parking and admission to VIP Ringsiders Club.  Tickets are ON SALE NOW at the College Park Center box offie as well as online at utatickets.com  or by phone at (817) 272-9595.

The much anticipated opening of the new College Park Center will be on February 1, when the men’s and women’s basketball teams take the court before a sell-out crowd.  The February 17th ESPN Friday Night Fights event will be the first non-basketball activity, as well as the first nationally televised broadcast, in the 6,200 seat venue. 

Co-promoter Israel Navarro, of Showcase Promotions, is especially excited to be bringing the first boxing event to the College Park Center.  “I am really excited for the fight fans to have an opportunity to see such a quality event in what I believe may be the best arena for boxing I’ve seen,” said Navarro, of Keller.  “Not only is the venue new and fresh, there truly isn’t a bad seat in the house.  Every fan is right on top of the action, and we anticipate a lot of action on February 17th.”

Last year, the 29 year-old Molina Jr. fought twice within the span of one month, dispatching two tough opponents in the 3rd and 5th rounds of the scheduled 10-round fights. Molina is on a 5-fight win streak, all by knockout.  During this streak, Molina defeated Henry Lundy to capture the WBO NABO lightweight title, and immediately followed that with a victory over Alejandro Rodriguez to win the vacant WBC USNBC lightweight title.

One of the hardest-hitting lightweights in boxing, Molina makes his return to the ring to take on the heavy-handed Quintero, who will be looking to hit 5 straight wins for the second time in his career. His current unbeaten streak has been dominant, with three KO’s in the 3rd round and the other in the first round.

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