By Sean Reed
The Oak Cliff Boxing Club, home of Charles "The Future" Hatley, played host for Media Day to announce Golden Boy Promotions 6th annual "Fight Night at Sundance Square" on Friday, May 8th.
Hatley (2-0, 2 KO's) will face Carlos Garcia (3-3-1, 3 KO's), of Puerto Rico, on the card, which airs live on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights.
In addition to a high quality work-out, Hatley and his family treated the assembled media masses to a cook-out, where I personally consumed more food than I probably should have.
Regarding the televised appearance, Hatley is enthusiastic about the opportunity to shine for a national audience.
"This is ESPN2, the biggest fight of my career so far,” said the 23-year old Hatley, who turned pro last year after a stellar run in the amateurs that included a national championship in 2007. “I'm ready to go out and put on a good show, to let everybody know that I'm coming to fight and I'm the best fighter out here."
The "Media Day" gathering was postponed for 24 hours, out of respect for Benjamin Flores, who passed on the day the event was initially scheduled. Flores was on the minds of media and the fighters throughout the session.
"I was hurt when I heard the news", Hatley said. "I was hurt for him and his family. It hurt me deep down inside and I really didn't want to do anything boxing related that day, after I heard he died. But I know boxing is a safe sport, I leave it in God's hands; us fighters still have a job to do."
In the main-event, "The Contender-Season 2" participant, Brian Vera (16-2, 10 KO's) will face off with Craig McEwan (14-0, 9 KO's)
