Diverse Mix of Local Prospects and International Talent Highlight Undercard for Mohegan Sun’s Rising Stars Boxing Series

This Saturday, November 26, Mohegan Sun and Main Events will premiere the pilot event of Mohegan Sun’s Rising Stars boxing series. Before fans in attendance at the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun enjoy what should be an action-packed main event between Virgilijus “The Terminator” Stapulionis (18-3-1, 13 KOs) and Patrick Day (12-2-1, 6 KOs) they will be treated to a diverse mix of local prospects and international talent during the undercard bouts.

New Haven’s own Cassius Chaney (7-0, 4 KOs) made headlines as a University of New Haven basketball star but now is making waves in boxing’s heavyweight division with his exciting style and overwhelming presence. Chaney will take on Carlos Sandoval (10-10-1, 7 KOs) of Agua Prieta, Mexico in a four-round match-up.

Madiyar Ashkeyev (6-0, 3 KOs) of Merki, Kazakhstan will make his east coast debut in a six-round junior middleweight battle against southpaw Marcus Beckford (3-3-3, 1 KO) of East Meadow, New York. Ashkeyev is a ferocious competitor in the ring who tends to show no mercy so look for this one to be exciting.

Making his Main Events’ debut against Antonio Fernandes (7-28-3, 2 KOs) of Brockton, Massachusettes is Vaughn Alexander (6-0, 5 KOs) of St. Louis, Missouri and older brother of welterweight contender Devon Alexander. Alexander was a hot young prospect in 2004 until he was arrested and served nearly 12 years in prison. He was released earlier this year and is now looking for redemption in the hot middleweight division.

Former kickboxer Georgian Enriko Gogokhia (2-0, 1 KO) will make also make his east coast debut in a six-round junior middleweight bout against Roberto Yong (5-10-2, 4 KOs) of Phoenix, Arizona. As a kickboxer Gogokhia was a Muay Thai-style fighter. His professional career record as was 42-7, 21 KOs so look for him to end the fight early.

Another New Haven resident, super bantamweight Josh Crespo (6-4-3, 2 KOs), will face Jesus Gonzalez (4-12, 3 KOs) of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in a six-round match-up. Featherweights Ernesto Ornelas (1-0, 1 KO) of Portland, Maine and Kevin Asmat (0-1) of Union City, New Jersey are scheduled for four rounds of action. Cruiserweight Tracey Johnson (4-4-4) of Boston, Massachusetts will face Kennedy Katende of Uganda who is making his professional debut. Finally, Reinaldo Graceski (3-0, 1 KO) of Springfield, Massachusetts is scheduled for a four-round light heavyweight bout but his opponent is still to be determined.

Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva said, “We have a great lineup for a local show on Saturday night. Anyone who attends will get more than their money’s worth for this one!”