Gedeon, Cordova to Meet in Irvine Main Event

IRVINE — Bantamweight Ancee Gedeon, a refugee from Haiti who fought for a world title 14 months ago, will headline the Irvine Marriott’s boxing card tonight in an eight-round bout against Tomas Cordova of Tijuana.

Gedeon (14-8-1, five knockouts) began his professional career with an 8-7 record but reeled off six consecutive victories and earned a fight with International Boxing Federation champion Mbulele Botule of South Africa on April 2 on national television.

Gedeon was knocked down twice in the 10th round by Botule and was stopped in the 11th. He has not fought since and has left his trainer, Jesse Reid.

Gedeon, now trained by Henry Wade, has been living and training out of the Westminster Gym. Cordova (15-5, 10 knockouts) will not be an easy comeback fight for Gedeon. He has fought for the Mexican title and he has faced world junior flyweight champion Michael Carbajal.

In the semi-main event, Sacramento welterweight Horatio Garcia will attempt to come back from a disappointing draw with Jesus Gutierrez last month at the Marriott. Garcia (7-0-1) will fight Enrique Sanchez (10-8-1) of Tijuana.

The featured undercard bout will be between Tyrone Bennett of Huntington Beach and Kent Ascencio of San Diego. Bennett, a 35-year-old boxing instructor at LA Boxing, has no amateur or professional boxing experience.

The undercard begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $25, $30 and $35.