Known for its dazzling beaches and as a vacation destination for millions, Cancun, Mexico will be turned into a fight town on Saturday, November 5, when Golden Boy Promotions and Periodico QueQui (Pepe Gomez) will bring one of the most anticipated bouts in recent years to the Cancun Center, where junior middleweight sluggers Alfredo "Perro" Angulo and James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland will engage in what is already anticipated to be a 2011 Fight of the Year candidate live on HBO's Boxing After Dark. Also on tap for this boxing extravaganza is a middleweight clash between two fighters battling for a spot in the top ten, undefeated rising star Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin and the always tough contender Craig McEwan.
"This is a fight that fans have been looking forward to for years and now we are finally going to see Angulo vs. Kirkland, and the word 'explosive' won't do it justice," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "There's no mystery as to what either fighter wants to do on November 5. James and Alfredo are both going to be looking for the knockout and I can't wait to see it."
"This is the kind of fight boxing needs and I respect James Kirkland for stepping up and taking it," said Angulo. "We're not going to dance or hug in there on November 5th; we're going to fight, and I can't wait."
"Angulo has been on my radar for a long time and I'm happy that we're finally going to get a chance to fight each other," said Kirkland. "He's a good fighter, I like his style and I know we're going to make for a great fight."
"I'm very excited and blessed to have this opportunity," said Quillin. "I know Craig is a solid fighter with tons of fight in him because we used to train together in the same gym, but he has to prove that he has what it takes to give me my first loss. He has tons of heart, but so do I, and if he wants to make a good fight, then he can meet me right in the middle of the ring on November 5th."
"I don't think I can just beat Quillin, I know I'm going to knock him out," McEwan said.
Angulo vs. Kirkland, a 12 round junior middleweight bout and Quillin vs. McEwan, a 10-round middleweight fight are presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Periodico QueQui (Pepe Gomez) and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. The HBO Boxing After Dark broadcast will air at 10:15pm ET/PT.
While James Kirkland can knock you out with a single blow, Mexicali's Alfredo "Perro" Angulo (20-1, 17 KO's) is a punishing puncher who can make you beg for a one punch knockout. A professional since 2005, Angulo became a fan favorite for his aggressive style while he piled up win after win, with his only loss coming via decision to Kermit Cintron in 2009. The winner of five in a row since then, including victories over Harry Joe Yorgey, Joel Julio and Joachim Alcine, Angulo returned from a year long layoff in August with a first round knockout over Joseph Gomez. He will look to make a big statement against the concussive punching Kirkland.
One of the hardest punchers in boxing today, James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (29-1, 26 KO's) has been responsible for some of the most devastating knockouts seen in recent years. A longtime junior middleweight contender who owns victories over Eromosele Albert, Ricardo Cortes, Brian Vera and Joel Julio, the 27-year-old southpaw from Austin, Texas returned to the ring in 2011 after two years away, and he has won four of five bouts, with all four victories coming by knockout in two rounds or less.
Undefeated as a professional, Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (25-0, 19 KO's) has become a much avoided contender in the middleweight division in the past year. That's not a shock considering his series of crushing knockout wins over Dennis Sharpe, Jesse Brinkley, and Jason LeHoullier in 2011. Now ready to take the next step in his career, the popular 28-year-old will look to take his career to the next level with a win over McEwanin his HBO Boxing After Dark debut.
Also looking to make a big impression on fight fans this November is Scotland native Craig McEwan (19-1, 10 KO's). Coming off of the first loss of his professional career, which was a thrilling 10 round battle with Andy Lee in March, the 29-year-old southpaw knows that the only way to erase the sour taste of defeat is by replacing it with a big win. In his fight against Peter Quillin, he has the opportunity to take out a top level opponent and get back in the victory circle in front of a worldwide television audience.
A full undercard and ticket information will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/ElPerro82, www.twitter.com/KidChocolate or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing. Follow HBO Boxing newsat www.hbo.com/boxing,on Twitter @hboboxing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hboboxing.