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“Friday Night Fights” Returns
To “The Cosmopolitan”
By: Robert Jones
For the second time this year ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights”
will make their way back to the beautiful Boulevard Pool at
The Cosmopolitan for the second time this year. The
Boulevard Pool at the $3.9 billion resort makes for one of
the most unique spots to watch a boxing fight in the world,
as the multi-level pool deck looks right over the famous Las
Vegas Strip.
The seven fight card is brought to you by Warriors Boxing
and the Blue Wave Group, and will feature a main event
between Carlos Molina-151 lbs. (17-5-2 5 KO’s) and Allen
Conyers-150 lbs. (12-4 9 KO’s) in a super-middleweight
clash. The Mexico born Molina hasn’t lost since February
2007, and in his four losses, three of them have come by
majority or split decision. The 27-year-old Molina has
enjoyed his biggest level of success recently, having earned
a majority draw with the then red-hot prospect Erislandy
Lara this past March on Friday Night Fights, also at The
Cosmopolitan. Molina is coming close to earning a shot at a
title, but first he has to get by the upset-minded Conyers.
Conyers is also coming off his best performance, having
earned a unanimous decision this past January with
previously undefeated prospect James De la Rosa, knocking
him down three times in the process. However, prior to that,
Conyers had suffered knockout defeats to Said Ouali (KO-5)
and James Kirkland (KO-1), but he also knocked down Kirkland
in the fight, making for one of the wildest one-round fights
you’ll ever see. Conyers’ career has been more of a roller
coaster ride than the actual roller coaster at New York, New
York, also on the Las Vegas Strip. When he has won, he has
defeated contenders such as Derek Ennis and Russell Jordan,
but when he has lost, it has usually been by knockout, which
is how three of his four losses have come.
While the records of the main event fights on Friday aren’t
the cleanest, they are both fighting with the thought of a
big fight for the winner just down the road. Additionally,
they are meeting at the perfect time, with both of them
coming off their best showings in their careers. Molina is
the favorite, but not by much, as Conyers has certainly
shown he doesn’t mind being the underdog.
The opening televised fight will feature Hylon Williams
Jr.-134 lbs. (13-0 3 KO’s) who returns for just his second
fight since a 15-month layoff, for what he contributed to
“burn-out.” Williams was a red-hot lightweight prospect
before his layoff, and it won’t take too many fights for him
to get back to that level. Time is also on his side, as he
is still only 20-years-old. His opponent on Friday will be
Marcos Herrera-135 lbs. (6-4-1 2 KO’s), who has won just one
fight in his last five outings.
Also expected to be on the televised portion of the card is
world rated light welterweight Tim Coleman-142.50 lbs.
(18-1-1 5 KO’s) against Sergio Rivera-144 lbs. (25-6-2 16
KO’s) in an eight-round fight. Many pundits are surprised
Coleman would take such a tough fight with a rumored major
fight right around the corner.
Coleman may be opting to stay busy rather than wait around
for a fight that may or may not materialize, but his
opponent is no slouch. Rivera has lost three of his last
six, which may appear safe, but he has been in the ring with
solid competition, and has a decent punch, both factors
which may help him play the role of spoiler Friday night.
The rest of the card looks like this –
The Cuban Prospect Rances Barthelemy-132.50 lbs (11-0 9
KO’s) takes on Vegas local Rynell Griffin-135.50 lbs. (6-4-1
2 KO’s).
In a battle of undefeated fighters, Russian born Evegny
Gradovich-125 lbs. (9-0 6 KO’s) takes on Aalan Martinez-126
lbs. (9-0-1 5 KO’s).
“The Guantanamo Giant” Glendy Hernandez-238.50 lbs. (6-0 3
KO’s) takes on Canadian Ken Frank-287 lbs. (4-1-1 2 KO’s),
in what can be described as a “big” heavyweight fight, with
the fighters tipping the scales at over a combined 525
pounds.
Opening the show will be light-heavyweight Yunieski
Gonzalez-188 lbs. (4-0 3 KO’s) taking on Carlos Reyes-196
lbs. (4-3-1 2 KO’s).
On fight night, doors will open at 4:30 pm. The first fight
is at 5:00 pm and the main event will begin promptly at 6:00
pm.
The Cosmopolitan proudly presents another uniquely glamorous
evening of world-class professional boxing; and this time,
overlooking the heart of The Strip on the open-air
multilevel deck of the city's most fabulous luxury pool, The
Boulevard Pool. Tickets are on sale now and are priced at
$50, $150 and $250 for the VIP experience, which includes a
private section with comfortable seating and complimentary
cocktails. Special Cabana packages also are available.
Tickets are available for purchase at
www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or by calling 877-551-7776
or 702-698-6880.
About The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is a unique luxury resort
offering a decidedly different perspective, situated in the
heart of The Strip. The resort's uniquely vertical
multi-tower design offers spectacular views of the vibrant
city. The new 2,995-room resort features oversized,
residential-style living spaces with expansive,
one-of-a-kind private terraces. The Cosmopolitan's luxurious
resort amenities include a 100,000-square-foot casino; Sahra
Spa & Hammam; three unique pool experiences at The Pool
District; Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan, a
multi-level integrated nightclub; and 150,000 square feet of
state-of-the-art convention and meeting space. An eclectic
lineup of new-to-market retailers include AllSaints
Spitalfields, Beckley, CRSVR Sneaker Boutique, DNA2050,
Droog, Molly Brown's Swimwear, Retrospecs & Co, Skins 6|2
Cosmetics and STITCHED. Signature restaurants include Blue
Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill by restaurateurs Bruce and Eric
Bromberg; Comme Ça by Los Angeles Chef David Myers;
Estiatorio Milos, by international restaurateur Costas
Spiliadis; Holsteins from Block 16 Hospitality; Jaleo and
China Poblano restaurants by acclaimed Chef José Andrés;
Scarpetta and D.O.C.G. by award-winning Chef Scott Conant;
and popular steakhouse STK from The ONE Group.
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