Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010,
Fort Washington Fitness, Fresno, California
STRIKEFORCE Challengers This Friday, Oct. 22, 2010
Save Mart Center
Fresno, California
Live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT
Four of the fighters who will appear on a top-notch STRIKEFORCE Challengers event presented by Rockstar Energy Drink at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), this Friday, Oct. 22, participated in an Open Media Workout on Wednesday at Fort Washington Fitness.
The four were heavyweight Lavar “Big” Johnson (14-3), of Madera, Calif., who faces Virgil “RezDog” Zwicker (8-1) of Temecula, Calif.; undefeated Fresno resident Billy Evangelista (10-0, 1 NC), who takes on Waachiim “Native Warrior’’ Spiritwolf (8-6-1) of San Diego in a 165-pound catch weight bout, world-ranked Shana “Rock Solid’’ Olsen (4-0), of Diluth, Minn., who faces highly regarded Canadian Muay Thai Champion Julia “The Jewel” Budd (pro debut), of Sechelt, British Columbia, at 145 pounds, and Fresno heavyweight Brandon Cash (4-2), who battles John Devine (5-2) of San Francisco.
In this Friday’s main event, welterweight Relentless” Roger Bowling (8-0) will put his unbeaten record on the line one more time against “Vicious” Bobby Voelker (22-8) of Kansas City, Kan., in a rematch of an exciting fight last May 21 that ended prematurely due to an accidental poke in the eye.
Doors will open at 4:45 p.m. PT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5:30 p.m. The first televised match starts at 8 p.m. PT.
What the fighters said Wednesday:
LAVAR JOHNSON:
“I feel good and I am very happy to be on a STRIKEFORCE card that has so many of my (Fresno Pro Buhawe) teammates on it. I’m excited for everybody. I know Zwicker will be ready. He’s a fast, scrappy fighter who comes to fight. He may be a little shorter than me, which will definitely be a little different. The last two guys I’ve fought have been taller. God blessed me with an opportunity to have a second chance at life and has put me in position again to show what I can do. I’ll be ready to go on Friday.’’
BILLY EVANGELISTA:
“I’ve been working really hard. I want to keep this winning streak going. I’ve prepared like I always do. I don’t watch tapes. My job is to do the best I can and not worry about my opponent. Winning is always the main goal, but I really would like to submit this guy – just so I could get a submission on my record.’’
SHANA OLSEN:
“I’m really excited about fighting for STRIKEFORCE the first time and fighting on SHOWTIME. I consider myself a well-rounded fighter and look forward to displaying my skills. I never look past any opponent and this will be a tough fight. But, of course, I will fight anybody, and that includes (STRIKEFORCE 145-pound World Champion and No. 1 Female Fighter in the world, Cris) Cyborg. My goal is to become the world champion. It doesn’t matter to me who I fight to get the title.’’
BRANDON CASH:
“It’s always great when STRIKEFORCE comes to Fresno because they use a lot of local fighters like me. I don’t like losing and I lost the last time I fought in Fresno so I appreciate STRIKEFORCE giving me another chance. I am going to thank them by knocking this guy out.’’
Photos Courtesy of Paul Breski:
Heavyweight Lavar "Big Johnson'' works out Wednesday at Fort Washington Fitness in Fresno, Calif., for his important match against Virgil Zwicker in one of the featured fights this Friday, Oct. 22, on STRIKEFORCE Challengers on SHOWTIME.
Undefeated Billy Evangelista, shown working with Jasper Tayaba, meets Waachiim Spiritwolf in one of the headlining bouts on SHOWTIME.
Johnson (left) hits the mitts with Rudy Cruz Jr. while Evangelista does the same with Tayaba.
Unbeaten Shana "Rock Solid'' Olsen speaks to a local television reporter and smacks the heavy bag on Wednesday. One of the top 145-pounders in the world, Olsen makes her STRIKEFORCE and SHOWTIME debut against highly touted Julia Budd.
Brandon Cash, shown working with Cruz, looks to regain his winning ways against John Devine in the opening bout of the telecast.
