DOVER, Del. — Dover Downs Hotel & Casino will host an exciting night of championship boxing on Friday, February 8, 2008, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Rollins Center.  The event is being promoted by Duva Boxing.

The main bout is scheduled for 12 rounds between Darnell “Ding-A-Ling Man” Wilson (22-5-3, KO 19) of Takoma Park, Md., and undefeated B.J. Flores (20-0-1, KO 13) of Willard, Mo. in a battle for the United States Boxing Association’s Cruiserweight title and the International Boxing Federation’s Cruiserweight Eliminator match.  The winner of this bout will rank No. 2 worldwide and become the USBA Cruiserweight Champion.

The night’s cofeature includes Olympic Gold Medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa (8-0, KO 7).  Super featherweight Gamboa began his pro career last April following an impressive string of amateur titles to become one of Cuba’s most celebrated amateurs of all time.  His amateur triumphs include Cuban Champion 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2006, Panamerica Champion 2003 and World Cup Champion 2006.  Gamboa defected from the Cuban national team in December 2006, eventually ending up in Hamburg, Germany, where he signed with his current promoter Arena Box-Promotions.  Gamboa’s opponent for the eight-round bout will be announced soon.

The undercard features local, undefeated middleweight newcomer “Mighty” Mike Tiberi (4-0, KO 2) of Smyrna, Del., and cruiserweight Simon “One Punch” Carr (4-1-1) of Philadelphia, Pa.  Tiberi is fresh off a January 12 win against Alan Moore of Indianapolis, In.  Tiberi sent Moore into the ropes then dropped him with a left hook prompting a stoppage by referee Allen Huggins at 2:33 into the first round.  Huggins stopped the fight in the second after a hard right by Tiberi knocked Moore to the canvas again.

“Everything went the way we planned,” said Tiberi.  “We knew he would come wild with a lot of energy in the beginning.  I just put the power behind my punches and it paid off.”  Tiberi promises a good show in the ring at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino.  “I put in the hours to work out hard every day before a fight, and I always expect something high of myself.  I won’t slow down, that’s for sure.  I am determined, I’m hungry, I’m in good shape, and whatever the outcome it will be a good show.”

Three more Delaware fighters make up the undercard of four-round bouts.  Welterweight Ryan Belasco (5-2-3, KO 1) of Wilmington, will appear fresh off his fight with Brian Miller in N.J. on January 12, which ended in a draw.  Light welterweight Mike Denby (0-1-1) of Felton will appear in his third fight since making his pro boxing debut last November, hoping to log his first win.  Light middleweight Bernard “Road Dog” Miller (1-1-1) of Dover will hope for a win in his fourth fight to break his now three-way record.  Miller lost to Mike Tiberi last month at the PAL Center in Hockessin, Del.

Other local fighters are currently in negotiations to fill the undercard.

Tickets are on sale now and range from $35 general admission seating to $100 premium seats.  Call VIP Services at 800-711-5882