WORLD CHAMPION DANIEL SANTOS TO DEFEND WBO JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ON FEBRUARY 27 IN LOUISVILLE, KY.

December 23, 2003 - Promoter Chris A. Webb/Straight Out Promotions will present a sensational world championship fight card on February 27, 2004, in Louisville, Kentucky.

In the 12-round main event, WBO jr. middleweight world champion Daniel Santos, 27-2-1, 1 No Contest, with 20 knockouts, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will defend the title against an opponent to be announced. Daniel has held the title since March, 2002, and made two successful title defenses. He is undefeated in his last seven fights - 6-0, 1 NC - dating back 3 ½ years.

Chris said today, "We're very exciting about Daniel's opportunities in 2004. We're expecting an impressive performance from him in February that should lead into an even bigger fight later in the year. 154 pounds is one of the hottest divisions in boxing right now and Daniel is one of the most talented boxers in the division.

"We tried to make the fight with Winky Wright, no response. There's been a lot of talk from the other top 154-pounders in the world right now - Bronco McKart, Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas, Oscar De La Hoya and Vernon Forrest - Daniel is ready for any of them. Daniel saw a quote somewhere from Bernard Hopkins that he would like to beat up another Puerto Rican. Daniel would love that fight. He said he'd retire Hopkins."

The February 27 card will also feature undefeated jr. welterweight prospect Ramon Arellano Jr., 13-0, with 10 knockouts, of Nashville, Tennessee, against former WBA featherweight world champion Eloy Rojas, 39-3-2, with 27 knockouts, of Caracas, Venezuela. The fight will be scheduled for 10 or 12 rounds.

Light heavyweight prospect Randy Griffin, 16-1, with 9 knockouts, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, now based in Louisville, will fight in his first scheduled 10-rounder against an opponent to be announced.