Jones-Sheika headlines pro boxing/MMA PPV March 21in Pensacola

PENSACOLA, Fla. (March 11, 2009) – “The World’s Most Dangerous Man,” living combat fighting legend Ken Shamrock, compares his March 21st opponent, Bobby Lashley, to present UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, and the UFC Hall of Famer believes hybrid pro boxing/mixed-martial arts shows are the wave of the future.

Shamrock-Lashley is the main event of the mixed-martial-arts portion of the Mar. 21 hybrid pro boxing/MMA pay-per-view event, headlined by 8-time world boxing champion Roy Jones, Jr. (52-5, 38 KOs) against 4-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (27-8, 18 KOs) presented by Square Ring Promotions in association with Hirsch Borao Boxing, and Wargods at the Pensacola Civic Center.

The unique pro boxing/MMA show is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice, Shaw Cable, Star Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Besides the natural physical comparisons between the two incredibly built, muscular fighters, Lashley (6-3, 265 pounds) and Lesnar (6-3, 276 pounds), Shamrock noted their similar backgrounds and paths into MMA.

“Lashley was a championship college wrestler (Missouri Valley College) who went into WWE and then moved into MMA like Lesnar (U. of Minnesota),” Shamrock said. “I will never go into the ring thinking he can’t do damage to me. I’ll be on my toes and ready.

“Why wouldn’t MMA fans like this show? They love a good fight and want to be entertained; most of the characters are the most popular. This (boxing/MMA hybrid) is brand new at this level. Fans will watch and be entertained with MMA and boxing coming together. This is the future.”

Lion’s Den founder Shamrock (27-13-2, 2 KOs, 23 Submissions), fighting out of Reno, was the original UFC Superfight and King of the Pancrase MMA champion. Ken dominated the UFC and Pancrase for years, defeating a Who’s Who of MMA stars including Bas Rutten (twice), Masakatsu Funaki (twice), Dan Severn and Kimo Leopoldo (twice), as well as fighting Royce Gracie to a draw. He also starred in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) for three years before returning to MMA with Pride Fighting Championships and then the UFC again. An outstanding athlete who was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, Ken won his last bout by first-round submission (arm bar) this past February 13 against Ross Clifton.

After graduating from college, Lashley (1-0, 1 KO) joined the U.S. Army and was a 2-time Armed Forces Champion and 2002 Military Games Championship silver medalist.

Two years ago, Bobby became a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar, highlighted at Wrestlemania 23 as a representative of Donald Trump in a bet against WWE president Vince McMahon. Lashley won the match and helped Trump shave McMahon’s head in the ring. Bobby made his MMA debut last December 13, stopping Joshua Franklin only 0.41 into the opening round.

The MMA co-feature matches world-class grapplers Roy “Big Country” Nelson (13-6, 6 KOs, 4 Submissions), ex-IFL heavyweight champion, and former UFC title challenger Jeff “Snowman” Monson (27-8, 2 KOs, 15 Submissions).

Tickets, priced at $128.00, $103.00, $78.00, $53.00 & $28.00 are on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Pensacola Civic Center Box Office and ticketmaster.com.