“Border War” – Spirit Mountain Casino enters the ring with the Big Boys Oregon’s Steve Forbes and Washington’s Jason Davis go head-to-head at Spirit Mountain Casino
GRAND RONDE, OR – Well known for his impressive 12-round bout with boxing icon Oscar De La Hoya, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion, Steve Forbes (33-7, 9 KOs), of Portland, takes on hard-charging Jason Davis (11-2-1, 3 KOs), of Vancouver, in a 10-round welterweight main event.
For the first time in seven years, eight-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr., returns to Oregon to promote the seven-fight card through his company, Square Ring, Inc. and is expected to be ringside for all the action. The Forbes vs. Davis battle is only one of three fights on the ticket for the March 6th “Border War” event, featuring Oregon boxers taking on opponents from Washington.
Forbes, 31, is making his first appearance in Oregon since Nov. 19, 2005 when he stopped Julio Cesar Sanchez Leon in the third round at the Rose Garden. This resilient, hard-hitting fighter has won his last eight matches and is looking for his first world title belt, after losing a grueling 12-round brawl against Andre Berto for the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title on Sept. 27, 2008 in Los Angeles.
Davis, 26, is a rising rival from across the Columbia River who has great skills, balance and is a relentless attacker. He made his pro debut in 2005, and has primarily fought at casinos in Washington. He’ll be making his first ever appearance in Oregon against Forbes and is eager to score a signature win and emerge as the Portland region’s top boxing prospect. In his last outing, he dropped a 10-round decision to Derrick Samuels for the North American Boxing Association U.S. Light Welterweight crown on November 7th.
Other “Border War” match-ups on the card feature Portland’s Robert Brue (5-0, 3 KOs) against fellow light heavyweight Roger Cantrell of Tacoma (13-1, 8 KOs), scheduled for six rounds and Marco Canderos, of Salem taking on Manuel Ortega, of Seattle, two featherweights making their pro debuts in a four-rounder. Two other Portland-based light heavyweights, Kevin Hand (2-0, 2 KOs) and Sam Haynes (5-3, 4 KOs) face off in a four-round tilt.
Tickets for the debut boxing event at the Spirit Mountain Casino Events Center are on sale now for $25, $35, $50, $75 and $100 through Star Tickets Plus. Tickets can be purchased online at starticketsplus.com or by calling (800) 585-3737. With a seating capacity of 1,744, excellent seats can also be purchased at the casino Coyote Club desk and at www.spiritmountaincasino.com. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m.
About Spirit Mountain Casino
SMC opened its doors in October 1995. Named as Oregon’s #1 visitor destination for over a decade, Spirit Mountain offers the most dynamic gaming and entertainment options in the region. The casino is located just 90 minutes west of Portland, nestled in the Willamette Valley’s coastal range.
Presenting the largest and most diverse gaming options in the Northwest, Spirit Mountain offers Nevada-style slots, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, pai gow, keno and bingo throughout its spacious 90,000-square foot casino.
With 254 tastefully decorated rooms, including 14 elaborate suites, Spirit Mountain Lodge provides comfort and exemplary service for its overnight guests.
Whether it’s fine cuisine at its signature Legends restaurant, enjoying Oregon’s largest buffet at Cedar Plank, or trying one of the other food outlets, patrons have a variety of high-quality dining options.
Spirit Mountain Casino is an enterprise of The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.