Ytalo Perea of Ecuador laughs during media day before last year's Fallon Fights.
For decades, Nevada has been home to some of the world’s most famous fights and fighters.
This year, the first annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame class was inducted and included Mike Tyson, Don King, Mills Lane, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike McCallum, Diego Corrales, Bob Arum and more.
The Aug. 10 event at the Monte Carlo resort in Las Vegas was the tipping point, though. Terry Lane, son of Mills Lane and CEO of Let’s Get It On Promotions, said NVBHOF President Rich Marotta will be in attendance at the sixth annual Fallon Fights on Saturday at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.
The card, which features four boxing and four mixed-martial arts bouts, is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
Marotta, according to Terry Lane, who promotes the Rural Rumble, will be on hand to present awards to each fighter and the best fighter of the night. Terry Lane said his father, Mills Lane, may appear in Fallon for the fights.
Mills Lane suffered a severe stroke about 10 years ago and has difficulty travelling, Terry Lane said.
“We hope my dad can come out to accept his award,” he added.
Nevertheless, the prodigal son said Marotta wanted the hall of fame to also have a Northern Nevada flavor, although Las Vegas is the fight capital of the world.
University of Nevada boxer, Josue Gaytan, whose brother Carlos Gaytan is fighting in Fallon on Saturday, was recognized by the NVBHOF as the state’s Amateur Boxer of the Year.
As for the fights, Terry Lane said the blend between the local MMA fighters and the professional boxers boosts the event.
“It’s just so unique and unexpected,” he said. “I expect this to be a large crowd and crowd.”
Fallon is represented by MMA fighters Cody Downs, Quentin Owens, Casey Diaz, Tim Nunes and Robert Smith, while Gio Mackey calls Gardnerville home. Reno sports two boxers, Oscar Vasquez and Carols Gaytan and Carson City is represented by Justin Benitez.
Of the opponents, Terry Lane said Vasquez’s counterpart, Alejandro Solorio, is a power puncher who has yet to be knocked down.
“Those 10 losses in the flyweight and junior flyweight are against the who’s-who,” Terry Lane said. “This guy is going to come and try to thump Oscar.”
Avery Gibson (2-2-2, one knockout), meanwhile, battles Ytalo Perea.
“He’s (Gibson) a good technical fighter and Ytalo is going to have to go six rounds to win,” Terry Lane added.