NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Empire Sports and Entertainment Holding Co. (OTCBB:EXCX),"The Empire," a promoter of entertainment and sports events, today announced that negotiations have been finalized for its fighter, undefeated Austin "No Doubt" Trout (21-0, 13 KOs), to face Mexican Interim WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Rigoberto "Espanol" Alvarez (26-2, 19 KOs) for the World Title at the Arena Coliseo in Guadalajara, Mexico, on February 5th.
The #1 rated Trout has waited several months for an opportunity to be involved in this title fight. During that time, Alvarez won the Interim WBA Super Welterweight World belt with a split decision over former Interim Champion Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan last October. The WBA Super Welterweight World Championship belt is currently vacant because Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto's ascended to "Super" champion by the sanctioning body.
Austin Trout, a 24-year-old native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, has held the WBA Continental Americas, WBA Fedelatin, and WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championships. The 5′ 10″ southpaw is also a former United States Amateur Champion and was a member of the most recent US Olympic boxing team. In addition to currently holding the WBA Super Welterweight Title, Rigoberto Alvarez is a former Mexican National Middleweight, Super Middleweight and WBC FECARBOX Super Middleweight Champion.
"We are looking forward to Austin getting his long awaited title shot," said The Empire Sports and Entertainment's President, Greg Cohen. "This was not an easy deal to finalize and I'm very pleased that Golden Boy and The Empire worked together to make this fight happen. We're very confident that a victory over Alvarez will propel Austin to huge showdowns against the likes of Cotto, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. or even a Manny Pacquiao and we like his chances even in those fights."
"Austin is the best-kept secret in boxing right now and his chance at a title is well deserved. He is a good kid and we're all very happy for him but right now the focus is on him beating Alvarez and taking the WBA Super Welterweight World Title. Come February 5, there is 'No Doubt' he'll be crowned champion," concluded Cohen.
About The Empire Sports and Entertainment
The Empire Sports and Entertainment, Inc. is a promoter of sports-driven promotions and entertainment events such as concerts, music festivals, pay-per-view programming, as well as other exciting events. The company is led by CEO Shelly Finkel, a legendary promoter and member of The Boxing Hall of Fame.
For more information about this fight or to learn more about "The Empire," visit www.theempirese.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
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