On Friday, July 6, 2018, Heavyweight Factory Boxing promoter Kris Lawrence will continue his “Greatest Dark Series” in all of boxing with “Hometown Throwdown,” a night of world-class professional boxing highlighting 10 bouts.

Taking place at Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., the night’s main event will feature a 10-round crosstown rivalry showdown between undefeated Miami-based welterweights Harold “King” Calderon (16-0, 10 KOs) and John David “Pretty Boy” Martinez (10-0, 8 KOs). The pair have decided Miami isn’t big enough for two undefeated 147-lb. fighters and one of them will lose their “0” that night.

The co-main event will be the 10-round rubber match of an entertaining three-fight series between veteran Florida middleweights Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez (26-4-1, 16 KOs) and Ed “The Lion” Paredes (38-7-1, 25 KOs). Also featured in a showcase bout that night will be 19-year-old Hawaiian WBO-NABO Youth Super Lightweight Champion and WBO #13-rated contender Logan “The Korican Kid” Yoon (11-0, 11 KOs), who will face an opponent TBA.

Tickets for “Hometown Throwdown” cost $60, $100, $150, $250 and $500 VIP. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.com.

Thirty-year-old Calderon is a popular slugger of Honduran heritage. He enjoys a friendship with Miami Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso and has already been featured in several main events. The powerful southpaw was last seen in March, stopping veteran Ronald Montes in three impressive rounds.

Also a fan favorite, 29-year-old Martinez was 14-2 as an amateur, and won the 2009 Golden Gloves and Florida PAL Championships. In addition to fighting, Martinez is a successful entrepreneur. He trains at the world-famous 5th Street Gym under Dino Spencer. He was last seen in April stopping Felix Sandoval in two rounds at Casa de los Clubes in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Hernandez vs. Paredes will be third meeting between the two fighters. They fought to a thrilling split draw in August 2009 and then again, on ESPN in February 2010 when Paredes scored a shocking KO 2 “Knockout of the Year” contender over Hernandez. It was southpaw Hernandez’s first career loss. The two fighters are not fans of each other. Their first two fights featured dirty tactics and body slams. They have also had to be separated at previous weigh-ins.

Nineteen-year-old Yoon, from Honolulu, won the WBO-NABO Youth Super Lightweight Championship by impressively battering Mexican former two-time world champion Juan Carlos Salgado over 10 rounds last March.

Expected special guests that evening include Heavyweight Factory regulars, former heavyweight champions Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe and Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. On fight night, the action starts at 7:15 p.m. Doors open one hour prior to start time. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, Fla.

When WBO number-3 ranked light heavyweight contender Mike Lee (20-0, 11 KOs) takes on Jose Hernandez (19-3-1, 9 KOs) this Friday night at The Allstate Arena in Chicago.  The card will be broadcast live on CBS Spots Network (9 PM ET) with an all-star announce team of International Boxing Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins and renowned Teddy Atlas.

Tompkins, who has been calling the biggest fights in the world for nearly 40 years, has seen his share of fighters, but not many with the versatility of a fighter who could be speaking to corporate America one day, and competing at a championship level in the ring.... the very next day.

"This fight will be a nice little test for Lee.  This is something that he has been striving for a long time, and I will be happy to see him get that chance that he has been wanting.  It is a real opportunity for him to show himself as one of the great fighters around," said Tompkins.

Lee, who is one of a real select few that is able to give motivational speeches to Fortunate-500 companies, is a national spokesperson for major cooperation's, and be a world class fighter all wrapped up in one.

Lee, who is holds a finance degree from Notre Dame, spends time and money for kids diagnosed with terminal cancer, so he is always fighting for a higher cause

"He is a very sellable guy whether he fights or not, and that's the thing.  He has the opportunity to be a real spokesman, not only for himself but for the sport of boxing in general.  He is that in general He can really fill a room and he is excellent at dealing with all walks of life and all generations of people.  I haven't been around too many that can do that.  "Sugar" Ray Leonard comes to mind who can do that. Leonard has a very galvanizing personality, and Mike has a lot of that in him.  He is very good spokesperson for the sport."

With a win on Friday night, Lee could be just a fight or two away for fighting for a coveted world championship.

"I know that is something he has looked forward to.  I am in favor of him getting an opportunity.  His record says that he is worthy of an opportunity." 

JOHNNY "THE HITMAN" HERNANDEZ (8-3 1KO) makes his homecoming on June 8th at The Paramount  in Star Boxing's "Rockin' Fights" against JUAN de la CRUZ RODRIGUEZ (8-8-1 7KO'S) of Haymarket, Virginia.  Hernandez is coming off of a tough majority decision loss to Anthony Laureano at Star Boxing "SLUGFEST at the SUN" in November, and is looking to get back in the win column on June 8th.

 

In his fight against Laureano, "The Hitman" put on a pace and pressure that kept the crowd on their feet round after round.  Fans in attendance witnessed Hernandez's determination and ability to provide non-stop action throughout the entire six round contest.  Although he would not come out on top, Hernandez kept it extremely close, losing by a majority decision.

Hernandez has seen much success fighting in front of his hometown Huntington fan base, at The Paramount. Making his pro-debut in 2014, Hernandez has appeared nine-times at The Paramount, earning seven victories.

"The Hitman" has earned the name, based on his fighting style, as he is unafraid to exchange with anyone in the center of the ring.   Hernandez utilizes a smart fighting style, picking his spots to unleash his hands.

Across from Hernandez will be veteran JUAN de la Cruz RODRIGUEZ, who returns to the Paramount looking for vengeance.  Rodriguez is no stranger to getting fans off their seats. In September of 2017, the Virginia native went against a tough and upcoming, Maynard Allison (then, 9-1).  Rodriguez was relentless with his pressure and  continuously poured it on Allison throughout the match.  Finally, the fight had to be stopped in the second round, giving Rodriguez the TKO victory.

Rodriguez is coming off a TKO loss to Danny Gonzalez at Star Boxing's "Rockin' Fights" in March. Rodriguez and Gonzalez were pitted in a grudge match, until a flurry of punches landed on Rodriguez caused the referee to call a stop to the action.

Both fighters have their eyes set on getting back into the win column in this scheduled six-round bout.