First-ever boxing classic coming to the Muhammad Ali Center this Saturday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It seems almost impossible to believe that the sprawling boxing and civil rights museum dedicated to legend Muhammad Ali in downtown Louisville has never hosted a boxing event.

That all changes Saturday night, as the Rudell Stitch Boxing Classic floats into Louisville. Professional boxers, like heavyweight contender Tim "Mayhem" Moten, will be in the ring duking it out.

"I went on a 10-fight win streak as an amateur," Moten, professional boxer, said. "I won the Silver Gloves. I won the Junior Golden Gloves and then I like the way it felt."

Moten has felt that feeling, the feeling of victory, many times in his 20-year boxing career. The Louisville man racked up more than 80 wins as an amateur and went undefeated in his first 10 fights as a pro.

"It being a heavyweight fight, it only takes one shot," he said. "It only takes one punch to change the tide of the fight."

But Moten comes into Saturday's fight after a 2-year layoff, with a feeling unlike ever before.

"I'm part of history," he said.

Moten will face Ricardo Humberto Ramirez in the main event for the vacant ABO Americas Heavyweight Title on Saturday.

"I want to be sharp. I want to perform. I want my family to be able to be proud. I want my city to be proud of me," Moten said.

The gravity of the first boxing event at the Muhammad Ali Center is not lost on any of the competitors.

For the Nwokolo family, it's a full-circle moment.

Ali's iconic Rumble in the Jungle fight led Charles Nwokolo into a boxing career, having fought in the 1984 Olympics. His son, Emeka Nwokolo, faces Clinton Chavez on Saturday for the UBO International Super Welterweight Title with his dad in his corner.

"(It) means a lot to me because I just feel like he always talks about Muhammad Ali all the time in the gym," Emeka Nwokolo, professional boxer, said. "Muhammad Ali pictures everywhere. Then when I heard I got to be on the card I was like 'Well, yeah.'"

Organizers dubbed the 10 fight card the Rudell Stitch Classic. Stitch, a former sparing partner of Ali, was once ranked among the top welterweights in the world in the 50s and 60s.

The Rudell Stitch Classic is being promoted by Lee Kiper, who got into boxing because Stitch is his son's great-grandfather.

"We've got fighters flying from LA, from Argentina, from Mexico, from Canada, just to come here and be part of this event," Kiper, professional boxer and promoter said.

Saturday, Kiper won't just put on the show, he will lace his gloves for his first pro fight.

"Muhammad Ali is my hero," Kiper said. "So to be able to do this something that I love, and something I'm passionate about in that place and be the first one. It's pretty historic for me. It's just, I'll remember for the rest of my life."

With the stakes high, and emotions even higher, Saturday is fight night in Louisville.

Bell time is at 6 p.m. For tickets and information, click here.

Related Stories: