Scarfing down Thanksgiving leftovers just got a lot more action-packed. On Saturday, November 27, two of the best young champions in the world – WBC Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto and WBA Super Bantamweight World Champion Celestino Caballero – will both step into the ring on the televised undercard of WBA/WBO/Ring Magazine Lightweight World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez's title defense against WBO Interim Lightweight World Champion Michael Katsidis from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Berto (26-0, 20 KOs) will make the fourth defense of his title against once-beaten, #11 ranked Freddy Hernandez. Hernandez (29-1, 20 KOs) earned the title shot in his last bout, the most impressive of his career, when he stopped former world champion Mike Anchondo in four rounds.
After moving up to featherweight and dominating previously unbeaten Daud Yordan in his last fight, Celestino Caballero (34-2, 23 KOs), the reigning WBA Champion at super bantamweight, will again push himself by making the leap to 130 lbs. for a showdown with WBA #3, WBC #4, IBF #6, WBO #10 ranked Jason "The American Boy" Litzau.
"Warriors: Marquez vs. Katsidis," featuring Berto vs. Hernandez, and Caballero vs. Litzau, will be presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, Gary Shaw Productions, Square Ring Promotions and Marquez Boxing Promotions, and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and DeWalt Tools. The bouts will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 pm ET / 6:45 pm PT.
Tickets for "Warriors: Marquez vs. Katsidis," priced at $350, $250, $150, $100 and $50, are on sale. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase at http://www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
"What was already a great card has been made sensational with the addition of Berto vs. Hernandez and Caballero vs. Litzau," said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment which promotes Berto and Caballero. "Just like in the main event, these two fights will showcase world champions in life-and-death battles. With so much at stake for everyone in the ring, this card gives boxing fans plenty to be thankful for."
Berto, 27, from Winter Haven, FL, is one of the most exciting young champions in the sport. After winning his title with a stirring seventh round stoppage of Miguel Angel Rodriguez in 2008, he has defended it four times against Steve Forbes, Luis Collazo, Juan Urango, and Carlos Quintana – all former world champions with impressive resumes.
Hernandez, 31, from Mexico City, Mexico, has reeled off thirteen straight fights without a loss, since 2005. His wins over the likes of former world champions Ben Tackie, DeMarcus Corley, and Mike Anchondo have propelled him up the welterweight rankings. Hernandez has never looked better than he did in his last two outings, fourth and fifth round knockouts over Anchondo and Corley, respectively, which vaulted him into this opportunity.
Caballero, 34, of Panama City, Panama, has become one of the most dominant, and most avoided, forces in the lower weight classes. From super bantamweight, where is currently a world champion, to featherweight, where he outclassed top contender Daud Yordan in his last bout, to super featherweight where he will contest his next bout, Caballero is looking to take on all comers to establish that he is the best in the world from 122 to 130 lbs. A sampling of the wins on Caballero's ledger includes Steve Molitor, Mauricio Pastrana, Daniel Ponce de Leon, and Somsak Sithchatchawal.
Litzau, 27, from St. Paul, MN, is considered one of the most exciting pugilists at any weight class with his all-offense style of fighting. Since coming up short in a title shot at featherweight vs. Roberto Guerrero, Litzau has moved up in weight where he feels stronger, and the results have reflected that. Litzau has won four in a row, including capturing the NABF super featherweight title in his last bout, an upset win over former Olympic Silver Medalist Rocky Juarez.