CASINO RAMA TO HOST HISTORIC UNIFICATION BOUT

Posted on | October 16, 2008 | No Comments

Historic Unification Bout Takes Place at Casino Rama

IBF and WBA Champions battle for Unification Title at Rumble at Rama VI

MNJIKANING (RAMA), ON (Wednesday, October 15, 2008) – History will be made on November 21st when Casino Rama hosts the first boxing title unification to ever take place on Canadian soil. In one corner, IBF Junior Featherweight champion, “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor (28-0, 11 KO’s), looks to defend his belt and make history as the first Canadian to hold a unified title. In the other corner, WBA champion Celestino Caballero (30-2, 21 KO’s) looks to end Molitor’s winning streak and take both belts for himself.
“This is the biggest fight our country has seen since Roberto Duran fought Sugar Ray Leonard in Montreal more than 25 years ago,” said Allan Tremblay, President of Orion Sports Management. “A unification fight has never taken place here before, and based on those odds, it’s unlikely to ever happen again in our lifetime.”

Molitor has become a beloved national figure in Canada, making all five of his title defenses at Casino Rama, mere hours away from his hometown of Sarnia. His combination of otherworldly technical skills and fierce fighting fury has made him one of the top practitioners of the “sweet science” the world over.

While Molitor is an A-list sports celebrity in Canada, Caballero is equally revered in his native Panama, combining his relentless attacking style and unique 5′ 11″ build into one of the most complex physical puzzles in the sport.

“I’ve always said that the true fighter in me comes out when I’m really challenged or my back is to the wall,” said Molitor. “The tougher the competition, the fiercer I become in the ring. I welcome this opportunity to show Caballero exactly what I’m made of.”

Both fighters will be making their sixth defense of their respective crowns, with Molitor fresh off a 10th round TKO of Argentina’s Ceferino Dario Labarda at Rumble at Rama V in August. Caballero is still riding the momentum of a devastating first round knock out over Elvis Meija last month in Panama City.

Both fighters also share a similar path to their respective titles, with each having traveled into hostile territory and capturing their slice of boxing glory.

In November of 2006, Molitor went to Hartlepool, England to battle local hero Michael Hunter for the vacant IBF belt and returned home with the belt around his waist courtesy of a fifth round TKO.
A little over one month prior to Molitor claiming the IBF crown, Caballero found himself in Wat Ban Rai, Thailand opposite then WBA champ Somsak Sithchatchawal, who was making the first defense of his crown. Caballero made sure there wouldn’t be a second, battering Sithchatchawal about the ring early and often, earning a third round TKO win, and the WBA’s Super Bantamweight (122 Lbs) bragging rights.

In addition to the main event, Rumble at Rama VI will feature a loaded undercard that brings back a number of fan favourites.

“The Rumble at Rama series has been an unprecedented success that has provided a whole new level of live entertainment for our guests,” says Jeff Craik, Vice President, Marketing for Casino Rama. “The collaboration between Casino Rama and Orion Sports has not only changed the face of boxing in Ontario, it has made our venue the site of sports history in the making.”

The fight will be televised live in the United States on SHOWTIME’s popular ShoBox series and across Canada on TSN commencing at 11:00 P.M. ET.

“This promises to be one of the most-anticipated matches in Canadian boxing history,” said Phil King, President, TSN. “We are thrilled to join Casino Rama and Orion Sports Management to bring this momentous unification bout to Canadians.”
“It took a combination of intense negotiating, timing, and creative thinking to make this possible,” said Allan Tremblay. “In particular, I want to credit the extraordinary efforts put forth by Leon Margules, Executive Director of Warriors’ Boxing, and super agent Sampson Lewkowicz in making this dream a reality.”

Tickets for Rumble at Rama VI are $50/$75/$125/$175. Advanced ticket purchase for Players PassportTM Club Members begins Wednesday, October 15th at 12 noon, in-person only at the Casino Rama Box Office. Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Friday, October 17th at 12 noon, and will be available in-person at the Casino Rama Box Office, at all TicketMaster locations, by calling (416) 870-8000 and online at www.casinorama.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable taxes or service charges.

Orion Sports Management is an Ontario based promotional company known for staging first-class boxing events. Run by former Canadian Airline executive Allan Tremblay, Orion is the force behind Ontario’s biggest match ups, from their launch event at The Air Canada Centre (“The Night Of The Hurricane”) to a series of televised events in the Niagara region featuring “Baby Joe” Mesi, Razor Ruddock, Egerton Marcus, and Steve Molitor.

Operating 24-hours a day, seven days a week since July 31, 1996, Casino Rama is Ontario’s only First Nations commercial casino. The Casino offers a complete entertainment experience with over 2,500 slot machines, more than 110 gaming tables, ten unique restaurants, a world-class 5,000 seat Entertainment Centre and a 300-room all-suite, full-service hotel, featuring spa and health club facilities. Casino Rama is operated by Penn National Gaming, Inc.

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