Former "The Contender" star Eric "Dynamite" Vega doesn't believe in taking the easy road.
That's why on October 17, when he climbs into the ring at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, for his first fight since appearing on the show, it will be against hard-punching former IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Kelvin "Concrete" Davis (24-10-3, 17 KOs).
Fighting in one of the main supporting bouts of Neworld Promotions "Phoenix Rising" event, that also features the comebacks of former world champions Vasiliy Jirov and Shannon Briggs, Vega (8-4-1, 6 KOs) will be taking on one of the toughest opponents of his career in front of his hometown Phoenix fans.
"We spoke to Eric about taking such a tough opponent for his first fight since the show and he was adamant that's what he wanted," explained Neworld Promotions chief Les Cohen. "I'm not complaining. Whenever you have two guys with that much power in there, it always makes for an entertaining fight as long as it lasts."
Two of Vega's four losses came during competition of The Contender. He avenged another of his losses by stopping JJ McAllister in May of 2008.
"We believe in Eric and his willingness to challenge himself is a big reason why," added Cohen.
The main event that night will feature former cruiserweight champion and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Vasiliy "The Tiger" Jirov making his return against Dominique Alexander. Former WBO and Linear Heavyweight Champion Shannon "the Cannon" Briggs opponent is still TBA.
Also on the undercard, Arizona will get its first look at former amateur world champion and now undefeated light heavyweight Ismayl Silakh of the Ukraine (9-0, 8 KOs), as well as an intriguing showdown between Phoenix super lightweight Eddie Brooks (8-2, 3 KOs) and Sweden's undefeated Shadi Hamsho (10-0, 2 KOs).
Tickets for "Phoenix Rising" are available at the Celebrity Theatre box office, by calling 602.267.1600. They are priced at $25 and $50 with a limited number of Gold Circle VIP seats available for $100.
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