MMA Worldwide

Pandemonium at the Palladium

Posted by MMA Worldwide Staff on the 10 June 2010 | View Comments

MEZ Sports Brings Back Old Time Fight Promoting With Palladium Fight Card June 12, 2010

Los Angeles, with the Grand Olympic Auditorium, used to be the hub for fighting in Southern California with fights featuring up-and-coming fighters along side those who were trying to make their way back to prominence. It didn’t matter if you were a serious fight fan or a casual spectator; you went to the Olympic Auditorium to see a good fight.  These days, the Olympic Auditorium is an empty reminder of days gone by and fight fans are left reminiscing about the good old days.

Now promoter Craig Zimmerman with his MEZ Sports fight promotion is bringing back the classic days of fights on June 12, 2010 with Pandemonium at the Palladium I powered by Pit Bull Energy Drink. The fight card will feature exciting Southern California fighters in both boxing and MMA allowing fans of both sports to enjoy an action packed night of fights. 

Headlining the MMA card are two UFC veterans from The Ultimate Fighter reality show on SpikeTV, Roman Mitichyan, Season 6, and Ritchie Whitson, Season 9. Mitichyan, a judo and sambo practitioner, faces a tough competitor in wrestler Preston Scharf while Whitson faces the always tough Orange County local Nick Reale. The balance of the MMA portion of the night will feature exciting new fighters looking to work their way to the major promotions.

All too often hybrid cards like these are filled with overmatched fighters trying to fill up time and space. However, Zimmerman is bringing back the boxing heavyweights when WBC Youth Heavyweight Champion Andrey “The Russian Bear” Fedosov (21-1, 17KO’s) meets former world title contender Lance “Mount” Whitaker (34-6-1, 28K0’s) in a 12 round championship fight. This is the first steep challenge for the powerful Russian and he is facing an opponent who is almost twelve inches taller than him and with a significant reach advantage. With 45 knockouts between them, this fight won’t last long. Also on the card Damian “Bolo” Wills, (27-2-1, 21 KO’s) who regularly sold out Hollywood’s Henry Fonda Theater, meets the rugged Lionel Butler (32-16-5, 25 KO’s) in a 10 round match up. The winners of these two fights will meet up at MEZ Sports’ next fight at the Palladium for the IBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Title and a top 15 world ranking.

“I can remember watching the great fighters like Ray Mancini, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard fight on television every weekend when I was young and I wanted to bring that type of fight back with MEZ Sports. Fans can attend one of my fight cards and know that they are guaranteed an exciting night of fight action,” Zimmerman states, reflecting back on the shows he has promoted.

Zimmerman is known for quality match-ups and no easy fights in the over two years that he has been promoting fights in Southern California and this card is no exception. The last card was highlighted by a six round stand up brawl between Johnny Suarez and Ricky Duenas and a technical ground fight between Nick Reale and Steve Magdaleno.  Both crowd pleasers, Suarez and Reale are again showcased on the June Palladium show because the fans demanded to see both fighters again.

The full fight card is as follows:

Boxing

Andrey Fedosov vs. Lance Whitaker 12 rds for Fedosov’s WBC Youth Heavyweight Title

Damian Wills vs. Lionel Butler 10 rds heavyweight

Johnny Suarez vs. Hedi Bouaziz 6 rounds super welterweight

Alejandro Luna vs. Alejandro Cortez 4rds lightweight

Artur Bernetsyan vs.Ramon Flores 4 rds lightweight

MMA

Roman Mitichyan vs. Preston Scharf 3 x 3 min rounds welterweight

Ritchie Whitson vs. Nick Reale 3 x 5 min rounds welterweight

Cody Goodale vs. Will Richey 3 x 3 min rounds heavyweight

Lorenz Larkin vs. Scott Carson 3 x 3 min rounds light heavyweight

Tickets are available online at www.LiveNation.com or by calling 1-877-598-8497 or at the door. Ticket prices are $131(ringside), $75, $59, and $42.  Standing room is available for $34. VIP Tables are available including valet parking, food and beer by calling Craig Zimmerman at 949-981-1432 or via email at Craig@mezsports.com.  Fight card is subject to change and all fights sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission.  Doors open at 6:30 pm and the first fight at 7:30 p.m.

The fights will be carried live on www.gofightlive.tv (free under card, PPV for main card – probably the last 4 fights).

Join us for the weigh ins at Locals Sports Bar located at 5047 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019 and after the fight, come to the exclusive after party with the fighters at Villa Lounge 8623 Melrose, West Hollywood, CA.