It’s a fight card saturated with the hope of legitimacy; the drama of redemption; and the suspense of lasting and/or emerging ring-greatness. The eight fighters’ records combine for an impressive 211-21-4 with 118 KO’s in those bouts—that’s an average of 26-3 with 15 KO’s.

     Rightfully dubbed “Fireworks,” this incredible night of live boxing action on the eve of Mexican Independence Day includes battles for two world titles; two Olympians (and a third who qualified but turned it down to go pro), two Contender finalists (one who won the first season and the other who came in second in season two) and a former Ugandan child soldier turned champion.

     The card’s headliner between Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Rocky Juarez, will only be the icing on the cake for a night that includes great match-ups between Kassim Ouma vs. Sergio Mora; Robert Guerrero vs. Martin Honorio and Francisco Bojado vs. Steve Forbes. One boxing scribe has already described it as . . . “there’s a little bit for everyone on what is a competitive, well-matched show . . .”

FIGHTING IS IN THE FAMILY’S SOUL

This will be Juan Manuel Marquez’s first defense since winning the title from Marco Antonio Barrera earlier this year. Marquez is known as one of boxing’s best, pound for pound fighters and has thrilled fans for over 14 years. Rocky Juarez is a hard working strategic and tactical brawler who has the confidence to beat a very accurate, talented and experienced boxer in Marquez. This fight is a compelling match-up of ring experience and desire.

Marquez was born in Mexico City and is one of eight children whose father was an ex-pro boxer with 35 fights to his credit. Entering the gym for the first time at the age of eight, Juan and his brother, current bantamweight world champion Rafael, quickly took to the sweet science, with his boxing career starting in amateur tournaments at age 13. With his brother’s recent ring loss to Israel Vasquez, Marquez is planning on winning this not only for his Mexican countrymen, but more importantly, for his entire family.

Juarez is a 2000 Olympic silver medalist and has been involved in some tough battles in the past, including two hard fought wars against Marco Antonio Barrera. But most importantly he is on a quest to beat Marquez for his 91 year old grandfather who has been by his side and in the gym with him throughout his entire career. Juarez will be fighting to prove to himself, his grandfather and his fans that he is a true world champion.

SOLDIER VS CONTENDER—WHAT A SLUGFEST!

Kassim Ouma looks to end Sergio Mora’s “15 minutes of fame” and Mora looks to prove he is a legitimate fighter and put his Contender days behind him, solidifying his unbeaten record.

An interesting battle in the making—a former child-soldier for a Ugandan Army, Kassim Ouma’s story is well known (and well respected) in the boxing community. Ouma, the former junior middleweight champion will take on The Contender’s first season winner and undefeated Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora in what looks to be a fast-paced fight, with many punches thrown.

In fact, Ouma holds the Compubox record for most punches landed in a junior middleweight title fight with an amazing 502. Don’t let that stat fool you into thinking this will be a lopsided fight though; Mora made himself a household name by his fighting style of a high-volume of punches thrown. This looks to be a true slugfest.

Jermain Taylor’s (who faced both fighters) take on the fight? Ouma lost to Taylor in his last fight and Taylor beat Mora in the 2000 Olympic trial finals. Also, Mora declined a fight on March 15, 2007 vs Taylor.

SOMETHING TO PROVE

Robert Guerrero is the two-time and current featherweight champion of the world. He will defend his title against a game Martin Honorio, who steps in on short notice for the chance to realize his dream of becoming a world champion.

Guerrero wants to prove he can defend and keep the title that he traveled overseas to regain. Guererro also has a fight pattern of rebounding after setbacks. He is now trying to set a new course by staying on top of the game. Honorio, coming off a 12 round split decision over Joe Morales, will look to prove that he is the bigger stronger fighter that can make “The Ghost” disappear for once and for all.

When Martin Honorio began to box, he didn’t have dreams of glory or world titles dancing in his head, he just wanted to learn how to defend himself from the daily beatings he endured in the crime-infested streets of Iztapalapa, Mexico. Since turning pro in 1999, Honorio has had a very exciting career and over time he has impressed insiders with his gritty style and his ability to lift his 5’10” frame (huge for a featherweight) from the canvas to win bouts.

THE COMEBACK

Both fighters are at a momentous point in their careers. Bojado is coming back after a break from the sport and at the end of his “first” career that was failed by ring loss and weight gain. He is a rejuvenated, lesson-learned fighter and he knows this time around it’s different.

Stevie Forbes was known as a competitor even before his days as a “talent” on the Contender. Many felt his recent loss to NABF Champion Demetrius Hopkins was an unfair decision. He knows he has to win this one and re-establish himself as a legitimate contender.

This fight will act as a catalyst, slinging the winner forward in their career and getting them back on track for a championship run. Whoever wins this fight will start on his way to a “comeback.”

The “Fireworks” pay-per-view telecast featuring Marquez vs. Juarez, will take place at MGM Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tickets for this unforgettable night of boxing, priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50, are on sale now at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Tickets are sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

The show will be broadcast live on pay-per-view beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, with a suggested retail price of $44.95. The fight will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your Marquez vs. Juarez fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.