Over the past decade, mixed martial arts, in some shape or fashion, has dominated the fight scene because it has focused on pitting one known personality against another, to the delight of dedicated fans. While they may not be the crux of Ultimate Fighting Championship title bouts, pomp and circumstance are a necessary element of them.

Boxing, on the other hand, has been reduced to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. taking selfies with Justin Bieber, being a douchebag to a woman at a barbershop, struggling to read a pithy radio drop, and bragging about owing money to the IRS — all while depriving fans of a blockbuster match against Manny Pacquiao over the years.

Gone are the days of anticipated fights featuring Mike Tyson, Muhammed Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, and Joe Frazier, just to name a few.

Fortunately, though, events like The New Generation at the A La Carte Pavilion on Friday help dissipate the disappointment seen at the uppermost levels of the sport.

The fourth installment of the Boxeo TELEMUNDO Ford Summer Series will feature two winners from earlier bouts this year squaring off against each other in the WBO Latin Super Flyweight Title match when Daniel Lozano (12-1, 9 knockouts) battles Jonathan Vidal (18-2, 10 KO’s) in the main event. Six other bouts are scheduled on the card, including fights featuring local fighters like Ricky Tomlinson and Noemi Bosques, which will be televised internationally on the TELEMUNDO network.

Tomlinson excited the sold-out crowd in the summer event at the A La Carte Pavilion when the 20-year-old scored a convincing first-round knockout of Lucas Grant.

Bosques (6-1, 2 KO’s) continues her quest to be one of the best female boxers when she goes up against Ivanna Coleman (1-5).

“It’s important to have these types of events to give up-and-coming fighters national exposure,” said fight promoter Ruben De Jesus. “For fans, it’s an opportunity to see an event with professional fighters who will continue to rise in the sport. Fans locally have an excellent chance to witness quality boxing in an up-close-and-personal atmosphere. In addition, this is a NBC-televised production on the same level as any other professional sport that will be seen throughout the world.”

Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. The televised portion, including the main event, will go live at 11:35 p.m.

For information and tickets, call 813-309-9991 or visit http://www.pier6promotions.com/home.html.

This article appears in Oct 2-8, 2014.