Don King took over the famous Pirate Ship at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip on Wednesday for the final press conference before Saturday’s “Halloween Thrilla” world championship doubleheader at the TI and live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
Assembled media and several hundred curious onlookers watched in amazement and were entertained as “Captain” King took over the iconic ship with the friendly help of TI’s performing Pirates and Sirens.
In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING domestically televised doubleheader, International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko defends his title against No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Yonnhy “El Colombiano” Perez. In the co-feature, undefeated, WBC No. 1-ranked Antonio DeMarco squares off against former World Boxing Association (WBA) titlist Jose Alfaro for the WBC interim lightweight championship.
Don King is offering his “super-sensational undercard” on pay per view at DonKingTV.com for $5.99 featuring WBC No. 3-ranked Ray “The Rainman” Austin taking on former top-ranked contender DaVarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson for the WBC USNBC heavyweight championship.
Also featured in the five-fight PPV are three undefeated fighters: Undefeated welterweight “King” James De La Rosa, of Texas, will meet Lenin “Volcano” Arroyo, of Costa Rica; undefeated WBA No. 2-ranked super welter Nelson Linares, of Venezuela, faces Archak “Shark Attack” TerMeliksetian, of Armenia; and freedom-fighting Cuban Angelo “La Cobra” Santana will be opposed by Miguel “Silky Smooth” Gonzalez of Cleveland.
Another big heavweight fight showcases rising knockout artist Bermane “B-Ware” Stiverne trading blows with Jerry “Big Daddy” Butler from the Bahamas.
Tickets — all priced at $200 each, plus tax and fees — can be purchased at the Treasure Island box office or by calling (866) 712-9308 or (702) 894-7723. Don King Productions and Treasure Island will present the event. Agbeko-Perez and DeMarco-Alfaro are presented in association with Gary Shaw Productions.
What the fighters said Wednesday:
JOSEPH KING KONG AGBEKO (27-1, 22 KOs)
“The fight is almost here and I am very excited. I expect a hard fight, but Saturday is going to be my night, not Perez’.
“I don’t care how many more fights it will take, but my goal is to be the No. 1 fighter pound for pound in the world. There are a lot of great fighters but I feel I’m best. I am not looking past Perez, but I am willing to fight anybody to prove I am the best.
“This is going to be a great fight Saturday for the fans in Las Vegas and the fans watching on SHOWTIME. I am extremely confident that I will keep my IBF bantamweight title.’’
YONNHY PEREZ (19-0, 14 KOs)
“There is no pressure but the opportunity is so enormous that it will feel great once we get into the ring and the fight starts.
“The time for talking is over. I have never been as focused or determined for a fight in my life. I have never worked harder, and I train all the time.
“In my heart, there is no way I see myself losing. An unbelievable thing is going to happen to me this Saturday. I am going to achieve a lifelong dream and become champion of the world.’’
ANTONIO DEMARCO (22-1-1, 16 KOs)
“This is the biggest fight of my life. A win can change things for my family and myself forever. I really want to do well, but this is going to be a good, hard fight.
“My opponent has a lot of experience, but if I box and fight smart, I am confident I will win.
“I have worked a long time for this day to come. This is my chance of a lifetime. I wish it was Saturday right now. I am ready to go.’’
JOSE ALFARO (23-4, 20 KOs)
“I am looking forward to showing people that I am back on track and that I have learned from my mistakes and that I have become a much better fighter.
“This is exciting to get an opportunity like this again. I wasn’t ready before, but I am ready mentally and physically now. No one likes to lose, but I have learned. DeMarco likes to box and moves well, but I am here to fight and win. This could be the most exciting fight of the night.’’
About Treasure Island
Treasure Island on the Las Vegas Strip, a privately owned hotel and casino boasting nearly 3,000 guest rooms, stands alone as the only major Strip property to claim that unique market position. It’s a world-class destination for headline entertainment, the enchanting Sirens of TI nightly outdoor show and Mystère, the classic Cirque du Soleil performance that combines the powerful athleticism, high-energy acrobatics and inspiring imagery that have become the company’s hallmark. Upscale and casual dining choices, hip nightspots and indulgent spa and shopping experiences further complement the one-of-a-kind Treasure Island guest experience. For information or to make a reservation, call 800-288-7206 or visit www.treasureisland.com.
About Don King Productions
Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.
DKP has promoted or co-promoted 12 of the top 20 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including four of the top five: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in the history of the world.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
