Former cruiserweight champion and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Vassiliy “The Tiger” Jirov (37-3-1, 31 KOs) will face Dominique Alexander (18-7-1, 9 KOs) when he returns to the ring for the first time in two years on October 17 at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. “We are committed to keeping top-level shows like this one coming to Arizona, where the fans are enthusiastic supporters of world-class action,” said Jirov’s manager Ivaylo Gotzev. “Vassiliy is the perfect fighter to help us bring boxing back to the area. He moved to Phoenix after the 1996 Olympics and has lived here ever since. He trains in downtown Phoenix at Central Gym and Joe Diaz’s Gym.” Ironically, Jirov’s last Phoenix appearance was his sold-out 12-round IBF cruiserweight title defense against Jorge Castro in 2002 at the very same Celebrity Theatre.

In the main supporting bout, Phoenix native and star of The Contender series, Eric “Dynamite” Vega (8-4-1, 6 KOs) will face heavy-fisted former world champion Kelvin “Konkrete” Davis (24-10-3, 17 KOs) in a cruiserweight showdown.

Also on the undercard, Arizona will get its first look at former amateur world champion and now undefeated light heavyweight Ismayl Silakh of the Ukraine (9-0, 8 KOs) as well as an intriguing showdown between Phoenix super lightweight Eddie Brooks (8-2, 3 KOs) and Sweden’s undefeated Shadi Hamsho (10-0, 2 KOs).

Tickets for “Phoenix Rising” are available at the Celebrity Theatre box office, online at www.celebritytheatre.com or by calling 602.267.1600. They are priced at $25 and $50 with a limited number of Gold Circle VIP seats available for $100.