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King brings big hitters to Chengdu
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-23 09:21

Flamboyant US boxing promoter Don King will stage a Nov 7 fight card in China, with four bouts scheduled including heavyweight Andrew Golota against Ray "The Rainman" Austin.

 
Don King, seen here in September in Carson, California, will stage a November 7 fight card in China, with four bouts scheduled including heavyweight Andrew Golota against Ray "The Rainman" Austin. [Agencies]
The fights will be staged at Chengdu National Stadium, with King and the Chinese side pledging that a portion of the proceeds would go to rebuilding the Sichuan area hit by a devastating earthquake in May.

King has tried to stage a boxing card in China before, planning to have the third World Boxing Association heavyweight title fight between US legend Evander Holyfield and Puerto Rico's John Ruiz in China in 2001.

But that bout was called off nine days before it was due to be staged after Ruiz sustained a neck injury.

The November spectacle will see Poland's Golota (41-6-1) up against former No 1 heavyweight contender Ray Austin (24-4-4) from Ohio, fighting for the WBC International heavyweight championship.

A WBC heavyweight elimination bout will also be showcased, pitting established contender Jameel "Big Time" McCline from New York against one of Chicago's best young punchers, "Merciless" Mike Mollo.

The interim WBC strawweight championship will be up for grabs when Juan "El Exterminador" Palacios from Nicaragua squares off against Japanese champion Teruo Misawa.

The Chinese crowd will also be treated to two of the best professional prizefighters in the sport appearing in separate bouts against opponents to be named.

Former five-time world champion "The Baby Faced Assassin" Marco Antonio Barrera from Mexico will appear at lightweight, and undefeated WBC top-ranked super lightweight Devon Alexander "The Great" will also compete.

"We are all truly together in bringing this international event to China," said King. "And all of us support the ongoing recovery in Sichuan province after the earthquake."