CLOSED-CIRCUIT BOXING RETURNS TO SHOW ME CENTER MARCH 18

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Closed-circuit boxing returns to the Show Me Center March 18 when Mike Tyson meets Donovan "Razar" Ruddock live from Mirage Casino and Resort in Las Vegas.

The exclusive Southeast Missouri-area closed-circuit presentation begins at 8 p.m. with a pre-fight program.

"The competitive undercard of the Triple Header Extravaganza provides the best closed-circuit boxing action we've ever had at the Show Me Center," said David Ross, Show Me Center director.

The winner of the fight will earn the right to fight the winner of the Evander Holyfield-George Foreman heavyweight battle.

Pre-fights include the WBC super lightweight championship battle between Julio Cesar Chaves, current champion, and fifth-ranked contender John Duplessis. Also shown will be the IBG/WBC welterweight unification championship fight between Simon Brown, IBG welterweight champion, and Maurice Blocker, WBC welterweight champion.

An additional bout will feature former WBC super middleweight champion Roberto Duran taking on Top 20 contender Pat Lawlor.

Tickets for the event will go on sale Friday and are $30 for reserved VIP table seats with waiter service for food and beverage; $20 for advanced general-admission seats; and $25 for day-of-show general-admission seats.

Tickets will be available at the Show Me Center box office, Sears and Disc Jockey Records in Cape Girardeau and Mercantile Bank in Sikeston. To order tickets by phone call the Show Me Center box office at 651-5000. Lines are open 24 hours a day.