Photos by Scott Foster

Legendary eight-time world boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. returns home for only the second time in 11 years to battle Danny “The Bronx Bomber” Santiago for the vacant North American Boxing Federation cruiserweight championship on Thursday, Oct. 7 at the Pensacola Civic Center. The star-studded card also features two additional NABF championship matches. The event is being promoted by Square Ring Promotions in association with the Pensacola Civic Center.

Roy Jones Jr. (54-7, 40 KOs) felt an urgent need to return to his roots and fight in Pensacola, where many of his early matches were held. “This region and the people here have been hit hard by recent events,” said Jones, a life-long resident of Pensacola. “There was Katrina, and economic downturn and then we got hit with the oil spill and people are really going through tough times right now. But we’ve gotten knocked down before and had some setbacks, but where we’re from and what I’m proud of is that we get back up each time stronger than before. My promoting an event here helps our local economy, brings in people from other communities and provides needed revenue for hotels, restaurants, etc. but more importantly, the support I get from my hometown fans inspires me. We are all going to come back and be better than ever, and that’s why I named this fight ‘Resurgence.’”

Jones’ opponent on Oct. 7, Danny Santiago (31-4-1, 19 KOs), said he has waited a lifetime for an opportunity to fight Roy Jones Jr. “When I got the call, I didn’t hesitate to say yes,” said Santiago, a native of The Bronx, N.Y. who now lives in Ocala, Fla. “The NABF title is certainly important, but when you fight Roy Jones for a belt, it makes it 10 times more special. This is my chance to make my mark.” Santiago has fought and lost twice for world titles, but with the exception of those two losses, Santiago is undefeated in the last eight years.

The co-feature also showcases a NABF title match, as champion Ismayl Syllakh (12-0, 11 KOs) defends his belt against mandatory challenger Daniel Sackey (13-1-1, 6 KOs). Syllakh, a native of the Ukraine now living in Las Vegas, was one of the world’s most decorated amateurs before turning pro in 2008. This April, he knocked out Daniel Judah in two rounds to win the NABF light-heavyweight title and establish himself as a top-10 rated pro.

A supporting NABF lightweight championship bout for the vacant title is added, featuring local former world champion Derrick “Smoke” Gainer (42-7-1. 24 KOs) against Miami’s Walter “The Rooster” Estrada (37-13-1. 25 KOs). Born and raised in Pensacola, Gainer won the World Boxing Association featherweight championship on Sept. 9, 2000, stopping the previously undefeated champion Freddy Norwood in eleven rugged rounds. He defended the title three times before losing it to Juan Manual Marquez in 2003.

Also scheduled to appear on the undercard is a heavyweight match-up between Fres Oquendo (32-6, 21 KO’s) of Chicago against Pensacola’s Big Gabe Brown (18-13-4, 12 KOs).

Other featured performers will be Vero Beach’s super- middleweight James McGirt Jr. (22-2-1, 11 KOs), against George Armenta (13-6, 11 KOs) from Silver Spring, Md., and rising lightweight star Yaundale “Money Shot” Evans (8-0, 5 KOs).

Rounding out the show, will be two local matches featuring young Pensacola natives, Isaac Salter (3-0, 1 KO) and in a pro-debut 4 rounder, Beden Lurant.

Tickets, priced at $128, $103, $78, $53 and $28 go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 8 and will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Pensacola Civic Center box office and Ticketmaster.com.