Let’s Get Ready to Rumble! Texas Title Fight
By John Razook, 1:06AM, Thu. Jun. 14, 2007
If you are one of the remaining humans who finds something appealing in the Sweet Science that is boxing – that is, if you’re not one of the converted, a follower of MMA (mixed martial arts) or UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) – then Saturday, June 16, will provide you with all you could hope for and maybe even a little more.
It’s fight night in Austin, and we are the fortunate few who have the opportunity to witness, at the venerable Frank Erwin Center, no less, not one but two championship fights.
Two Texas title belts will be on the line as Austin’s own Gilbert “Boogie” Vera (6-0-1; 3 KOs) will take on Gilbert “Ivy” Guevara (5-2-1; 1 KO) for the super lightweight title, and 42-year-old Johnny Casas (11-4-1; 1 KO) and Randy Gatica (6-0; 3 KOs) will battle it out for the welterweight title. Both title fights are scheduled for eight rounds.
There will be a total of eight fights on the card. The real treat, from a curiosity standpoint at least, could be Austin’s S’Kati Katz (pronounced “Scotty,” her first name is a combination of both of the fighter’s parents’ names), wife of deli mogul Mark Katz, taking on Lauren Owens. Whereas the deli’s motto is “Katz’s never kloses,” the fighter’s motto is an equally impressive “this Katz always closes.”
What will be more furious Saturday night? S’Kati Katz’s punches or drunken late-night deli patrons surprised by the bill for a $10 pastrami sandwich? The gambler in me says it’s even money, but then this isn’t Vegas. You’d be hard-pressed to get good odds on the 26-year-old wife of a sandwich-shop owner, a fighter who sports a 1-0 record and is basically unproven. If nothing else, it should be entertaining.
Ticket prices are set at $20, $30, $50 floor, and $100 for VIP and are on sale at all Texas Box Office outlets. Charge by phone at 477-6060 or 800/982-2386, or order online at www.texasboxoffice.com. Coupons for half price on the $20 and $30 tickets are available at Austin area Hooters locations. Also, half-price-ticket coupons for the $20 ticket are available on Pizza Hut box tops at select locations. Five dollar tickets are available for members of the armed forces with valid ID.
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