With the Tampa Bay Rays fading fast and the Buccaneers still trying to find some punch to their offense, the Tampa Bay Times Forum will offer a boxing event that will have plenty of action on Friday night. Teaming up with Panda 5 Star Productions, the Forum presents Thunder at the Forum: Round 2 presented by Corona Extra starting at 7:45 p.m.
In June, Plant City-resident Chevelle "Fist of Steel" Hallback stole the night with her TKO of Dominga Oliva in the second round of the inaugural Thunder at the Forum event. On Friday, Hallback, 42, will be a part of the main event when she takes on Victoria "La Reina de Guerra" Cisneros (Albuquerque) as they fight for the World Boxing Federation Female Welterweight World title.
"I'm very excited," said Hallback, who trains at Bulldog Boxing and Fitness gym in east Tampa. "It's a great opportunity for us women to showcase ourselves in boxing."
Hallback (29-8-2, 12 KOs), who took a little over two years off from competitive boxing after two controversial losses in 2011, beat Cisneros (11-15-3, 4 KOs) by split decision in 2010.
In addition to the female title fight, the men's WBF North American Junior Welterweight title will also serve as a main event bout with DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley taking on Dedrick Bell (Memphis, Tenn.). Corley (Washington, D.C.), who previously has held the USBA Light Welterweight Title and the WBO Light Welterweight World Title, currently holds the NABF Light Welterweight Title.
Corley enters this match with the most high profile experience of any fighter on the card, having fought against top names in boxing like Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Miguel Cotto, Devon Alexander and Zab Judah.
The card features seven local fighters from the Tampa Bay area, Sarasota or Orlando. Local fighters who attended Thursday's weigh-in at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa were Jose Resendiz (Sarasota, FL, 126 lbs.), Justin Pauldo (Orlando, FL, 135 lbs.), Josh Medina (St. Petersburg, FL, 142 lbs.), Lee Dawson (Tampa, FL, 143 lbs.), Manny Woods (St. Petersburg, FL, 156 lbs.) and Martin Lagunas Jr. (Ruskin, FL, 140 lbs.) .
Resendiz and Pauldowill both be making their second appearance at the Times Forum after both winning their respective matches at the first Thunder at the Forum. Resendiz scored a 51-second knockout of Kherani Kessoon whilePauldo made his boxing debut and defeated Coleman Johnson by decision.
Tickets for Thunder at the Forum are on sale now at the McDonald’s® Ticket Office at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com . To order tickets byphone call 800.745.3000. Single ticket prices are $25 and $40 with ringside tables of eight available for $600 and $1000. Student and military may purchase $15 tickets by presenting valid ID. Prices do not include facility fee or service charges. Advanced parking passes are available at Ticketmaster.com or the ticket office.
THUNDER AT THE FORUM: ROUND 2 FINAL FIGHT CARD
1 (4 Rounds)
Jose Resendiz
Sarasota, FL.
126LBS
Vs.
Alexis Adorno
San Juan, Puerto Rico
126LBS
2 (4 Rounds)
Justin Pauldo
Orlando, FL
135LBS.
Vs.
Oscar Camacho
Houston, TX
135LBS.
3 (4 Rounds)
Yasmany Calzadilla
Miami, FL
140LBS.
Vs.
Tayfun Tiryaki
Houston, TX
140LBS
4 (4 Rounds)
Martin Lagunas Jr.
Ruskin, FL
140LBS.
Vs.
Eric Pacheco
Houston, TX
140LBS
5 (4 Rounds)
Manny Woods
St. Petersburg, FL
156LBS.
Vs.
Raheem Gordon
Houston, TX
156LBS
6 (4 Rounds)
Josh Medina
St. Pete, FL
142LBS
Vs.
Timothy Turner
Houston, TX
142LBS
7 (4 rounds)
Lee Dawson
Tampa, FL.
143LBS
Vs.
Berthin Rousseau
Orlando, FL.
143LBS
8 (4 Rounds)
Serge Cadeus
Miami, FL.
166LBS.
Vs.
Yoeglis Duvertgel
Miami, FL.
166LBS
INTERMISSION
15 MINUTES
DUAL MAIN EVENT
10 (10 rounds)
De'Marcus "Chop Chop" Corley
Washington, D.C.
140LBS
VS.
Dedrick Bell
Memphis, TN
140LBS.
11 (10 rounds)
Chevelle Hallback
Plant City, FL
147LBS.
VS.
Victoria Cisneros
Albuquerque, NM
147LBS.
