NEWPORT BEACH, CA, March 22 – After battling the best in the world everywhere from 130 pounds, where he won his world title in 2000, all the way up to 150 pounds, where he faced Oscar De La Hoya in 2008, former world champion Steve “2Pound” Forbes will make his return to the ring in his optimum weight class – junior welterweight – in a Fight Club OC headlining bout against veteran Emanuel Augustus on Thursday, April 12th.
This junior welterweight showdown, which is presented by Roy Englebrecht Promotions, will take place in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California.
“Anyone who knows Steve is aware that he’s at his best at 140 pounds, and he’s going to show that on April 12th,” said Forbes’ new advisor, John White. “Emanuel Augustus is a tough test, but Steve knows that it’s now or never if he wants to move forward in his career.”
Besides the Forbes vs. Augustus bout, the evening will also feature undefeated heavyweight prospect Alexander “The Great” Flores who at 7-0-5KO’s will meet 3-3 tough guy Giavanni Sarran, and another heavyweight prospect, 16-1-10KO’s Skylar Anderson will be back in the ring after a two year layoff. Others seeing action on a packed undercard include Newport Beach middleweight Stefan Lugo, Azusa’s Danny Martinez, and in a bout that could be the main event on anyone else’s card, 10-1 Ramon Valadez vs. 6-0 Kevin Hoskins.
Tickets priced at $50 are available online at www.fightcluboc.com.
One of the best boxers of this era, Portland, Oregon born Steve Forbes (35-10, 11 KO’s) has been competing since the age of 10, and he’s not slowing down at 35. A former IBF junior lightweight champion who defeated John Brown for the vacant belt in 2000, Forbes later went on to make national headlines as a member of the cast of the hit boxing reality series “The Contender.” Following his stint on the show, Forbes battled the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Francisco Bojado, and Andre Berto in high profile bouts. While he dropped 2011 bouts to welterweights Ionut Dan Ion and Karim Mayfield, at 140, Forbes, who now makes his home in Los Angeles, expects to look better than ever. And with a win against Augustus on April 12th, he is in line to face Ali Funeka in June for the WBF world junior welterweight title.
His record may not show it, but Emanuel Augustus (38-34-6) has long been not only a true fan favorite, but perhaps the most unique boxer to grace the ring in the last 20 years. A native of Chicago, Illinois with a style that goes beyond description, Augustus has been fighting professionally since 1994, and he has never ducked a challenge. Having engaged in battles with David Diaz, Antonio Diaz, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his 2001 battle with Mickey Ward was nominated as Fight Of The Decade, the 37-year old has seen it all in the ring, and though Forbes will be another imposing challenge on April 12th, considering that his last four opponents have owned a combined 64-0 record, it’s just another day in the office for Mr. Augustus.
