It's Showtime to Madrid June 18th, Tyrone Spong to Headline

It was announced yesterday that It's Showtime would be headed to the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad in Madrid on June 18th. Among the fighters announced for the event thus far are Tyrone Spong, Karim Bennoui, Gago Drago, and Wendell Roche.

Tyrone Spong is scheduled to face Spanish fighter Loren Javier Jorge in a heavyweight contest. Coupled with his scheduled appearance in Lyon against Igor Mihaljevic, it's clear that the promotion is looking to set up a couple showcase bouts for Spong, who hasn't seen action in the promotion since a 2009 decision win over Attila Karacs. Like Spong, Jorge has somewhat of a history near the 95 kg. weight limit. While his resume is certainly not similar to what Spong has amassed, Jorge has held belts regional belts in both Muay Thai and kickboxing for organizations such as the World Professional Muay Thai Federation and Wako Pro.

Gago Drago and Abraham Roqueni will meet in a 70 kg. contest. Currently on a three fight slide, Drago will return to action following his decision loss to Artur Kyshenko on March 6th. As for Abraham Roqueni, the Spanish fighter saw his stock rise with a surprise victory over Andy Souwer at the El Desafio K-1 event in Madrid in February. While the handling of that bout was much to the displeasure of many kickboxing fans, Roqueni will have the chance to show his skills against another name fighter - and do so on a much bigger stage.

Wendell Roche will also appear on the card, squaring off against Moises Ruibal. Although unconfirmed, I would tend to believe this bout will be at 95 kg. Roche will be looking to bounce back from his one-sided defeat to Danyo Ilunga in a bout which cost him the vacant It's Showtime 95 kg. MAX title. In Ruibal, Roche will be meeting a veteran Spanish fighter who has had some domestic success. Ruibal, a former opponent of Loren Javier Jorge, was once an ISKA champion and competed at the K-1 Palacios event in 2006.

Yavuz Kayabasi is scheduled to face Zeben Diaz in the last of the four bouts announced thus far. Kayabasi has gained some traction in the It's Showtime promotion with solid showings and his resume is anchored by a surprise victory over Gago Drago. As for Zeben Diaz, he is yet another Spanish fighter who has experienced some national success; readers may recognize his name as he won a non-tournament bout at the K-1 MAX Madrid event back in January.

William Diender is also scheduled to appear on the Madrid card, although no opponent has been named for him as of yet. More news on the It's Showtime Madrid event as it comes in.