February Prime Time Boxing Event Features Victor Ortiz
Jennifer Han's title fight with Lizbeth Crespo has been moved for the third time, but the attraction of a network prime time event is too good to pass up. Han will be on the non-televised undercard for Premier Boxing Champions, originating on FOX Network from the Don Haskins Center on Saturday night, February 17th. However, an impressive performance over Crespo in front of PBC executives at the Haskins Center could land her a future spot in a televised title defense. The main event will include former welterweight world champions Victor Ortiz (32-6-2, 25 KOs) and Devon Alexander (27-4, 14 KOs), who will square off in a key eliminator showdown.
"This is a classic crossroads match in the truest sense. Both Devon Alexander and Victor Ortiz are battle-tested in one of the toughest, deepest divisions in boxing," said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. "Alexander has overcome some serious health issues and is looking to regain the welterweight championship. Ortiz, also a former champion, has always come to fight and doesn't back down from anyone. It promises to be an entertaining match for the fans in attendance at Don Haskins Center and those who tune in on FOX and FOX Deportes."
Ortiz (32-6-2, 25 KOs), a former 147-pound champion, has starred in motion pictures including Creed as well as compete in 2013 in Dancing With the Stars. He is excited about the opportunity to step back into the ring next month.
"I'm ready to give all I have to defeat Devon Alexander and get my crown back," Ortiz said in a press release. "My priority is to make a strong comeback and putting myself in a position to have my straps once again. I demonstrated what I was made of and did what I said I was going to do in my last fight. I'm facing a great fighter in Devon Alexander and someone I've known since we were kids. I don't hate him, but I will not be his friend on fight night and he won't be mine. I'm ready to prove everyone wrong starting on Feb. 17."
The other big fight on the undercard features unbeaten contender Caleb "Sweethands'' Plant against Rogelio "Porky'' Medina in a 12-round 168-pound world title eliminator. Also on the card, Tony Harrison (25-2, 20 KOs) takes on Jorge Cota (27-2, 24 KOs) in a super welterweight showdown and Karlos Balderas, a 2016 U.S. Olympian, will appear in a lightweight special attraction.
The Han-Crespo title fight was originally scheduled for January 27 and has officially been moved to the February 17 card to avoid any conflict. Han vs Crespo will not be televised by the FOX network. Any fans who purchased tickets for the January 27 event will be given full refunds at the point of purchase. New tickets will need to be purchased for the February 17 PRIMETIME event. Tickets go on sale Friday and are priced at $200, $100, $60, $40, and $25.