(Macao, March 1, 2013) – As China’s
golden boxer Zou Shiming prepares to make his highly-anticipated professional
debut April 6 at The Venetian® Macao’s CotaiArena™, Top Rank®
has announced that legendary two-time world heavyweight champion “Big George”
Foreman will be ringside at the event, providing blow-by-blow commentary for
HBO2®, who is televising the event to the U.S. on April 6, beginning
at 2 pm ET/PT. Tickets for ZOU SHIMING "Fists of Gold”
are available now at all Sands China box offices*.
“The already spectacular boxing event headlined by Zou
grows even stronger with the news that George Foreman will be ringside calling
the action,” said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sands
China Ltd. “The telecast to the U.S. by HBO2 is yet another indication that
Sands China’s multi-tiered entertainment strategy is successfully
moving forward, as we aim to help diversify Macao’s tourism economy. It’s our company’s goal to continue hosting
high-profile sporting events like this one to help elevate Macao’s status as a world centre of tourism
and leisure.”
"We are delighted that HBO recognizes as we
do the historic nature of the Macao
event and is making it available on a same-day basis to its subscribers on
HBO2," said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank.
Todd duBoef, President, Top Rank, added:
"When introducing a new product to the biggest market in the world, we are
thrilled that the biggest brand associated with boxing joins us. HBO is the
gold standard for the sport and we are honored to have their support and commitment
to expanding the boxing brand."
Sports fans can witness
the premiere of world championship boxing in Macao with ZOU SHIMING "Fists of Gold,”featuring two world title fights and the
professional debut of the China's two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time
World Amateur Champion Zou Shiming. Joining Foreman ringside at the event for
telecast commentary of Zou’s big night are broadcasting icons Tim Ryan and
Larry Merchant.
The nine-bout event will also feature World Boxing
Association (WBA) / World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight champion and
Filipino-American Brian "Hawaiian Punch" Viloriadefending his unified titles against Top-10-contender Juan
Francisco Estrada, in addition totwo-time
WBO junior lightweight champion Roman "Rocky" Martinez defending his
title against undefeated No. 1 contender Diego Magdaleno.
Zou, currently training with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie
Roach in Hollywood, California, will make his pro debut against Eleazar
Valenzuela (2-1-2, 1 KO), of Gusave, Sinaloa, Mexico, in a four-round flyweight
bout. One of China’s
most popular Olympic athletes, Zou is the world's greatest amateur light
flyweight, capturing gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. In
the 2005, 2007, and 2011 World Amateur Championships, Zou also brought home
gold medals, making him his nation’s first boxing gold medalist in the World
Amateur Championships and the Olympics. He became his nation’s first Olympic
medalist in boxing when he earned bronze in 2004. Known for his extraordinary speed
and superb footwork, thanks to years of martial-arts training, many of Zou's
opponents complain that they cannot keep up with him, much less see his punches
coming. He has stated that his heroes are Muhammad Ali and Jackie Chan.
Presented by Top Rank
and Sands China Ltd., tickets to ZOU
SHIMING "Fists of Gold” are on sale now at all Sands China box
offices. The event kicks off at 7 pm on April 6 at
the CotaiArena; tickets can be booked online at www.CotaiTicketing.com,
or by phone at +853 2882 8818 (Macao) / +852
6333 6660 (HK) / +86 4001 206 618 (mainland China). Tickets are also available
at Tom Lee Outlets and through Hong Kong Ticketing (customer service fee
applies) at www.HKTicketing.com,
or by phone at +852 3128 8288. Tickets are available in six categories: HKD/MOP
2,680 (Silver), 1,080 (A Reserve), 780 (B Reserve), 480 (C Reserve), 280 (D
Reserve) and 80 (E Reserve). Packages with round trip Cotai Water Jet ferry
tickets between Hong Kong and Macao are also available for HKD/MOP 2,768
(Silver), 1,168 (A Reserve), 868 (B Reserve), 568 (C Reserve) and 368 (D
Reserve). For more information about the event, visit www.CotaiTicketing.com.
*CotaiArena Box Office; The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel – Main Lobby Box
Office; Four Seasons Hotel – The Plaza™ Casino Box Office; Sands®
Macao – Casino Floor L1 Box Office; Sands® Cotai Central –
CotaiTicketing™ Box Offices (Holiday Inn and East Bus Lobby)
Photo
caption: China’s golden boxer Zou Shiming (above at The Venetian in Las Vegas) will
make his pro debut April 6 at The Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena, with legendary
heavyweight champion George Foreman providing commentary for an HBO2 telecast.
Tickets are on sale now at all Sands China box offices.
###
Entertainment
at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands
China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao
as Asia’s top entertainment destination.
The
15,000-seat CotaiArena™ is the only venue in Asia
ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It
is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the
region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently
choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.
The
1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment
venues in greater China.
Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage
items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and
exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in
bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury
theatre experience like no other in the region.
The
650-seat Sands Macao Hotel theatre regularly features internationally-renowned
singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional
Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to
contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.
With
an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is
ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.