Promoter Oscar De La Hoya calls it “one of the biggest fights of the year,” and it’s part of one of the biggest boxing cards in Tucson history. Juan Manuel Marquez faces Rocky Juarez for the WBC super featherweight title. Robert Guerrero, the IBF featherweight champion, faces Martin Honorio, in defense of his title in the co-main event Nov. 3 at Desert Diamond Casino. Name fighters for two world titles, televised on Showtime. The matches – part of a scheduled six-bout card – were moved to Tucson after a hand injury by Marquez caused his Sept. 15 fight in Las Vegas to be delayed. Marquez suffered a cut on his right hand that became infected. “This fight has fireworks written all over it” said De La Hoya, who five months ago fought Floyd Mayweather Jr., who won in a split decision. Juarez accepted the fight after Jorge Barrios backed out because of an injury. “Time was of the essence (to put the card together) and the Desert Diamond stepped up to the plate and were able to accommodate Juan Manuel Marquez,” De La Hoya said in a teleconference Wednesday. The fight is the fifth and final in De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions agreement with the casino, which has had a partnership with Golden Boy for more than three years. “We’ve had a great relationship with Golden Boy and they wanted to give us this opportunity for the fight,” said Treena Parvello, casino director of marketing and public relations. “We’re honored to have this great event.” Because it is the biggest and most noteworthy fight the casino has held, Desert Diamond will increase its capacity from 1,900 to 2,400. Parvello said $150 tickets are sold out, with $75 and $40 tickets still available at the venue at Pima Mine Road and Interstate 19.
