Paul Nave Weigh-In Results

Mark Ortega

On the eve of the first HBO card to take place in the Bay Area in a little over eight years, another staple to the area will return to boxing as "The Marin County Assassin" Paul Nave returns to the ring following an equally long eight-year layoff to take on unheralded yet tested Mikhall Lyubarsky at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall in San Rafael, California.



Nave [15-8-2, 7 KOs], who is best known for his 1998 ESPN-televised conquering of former junior welterweight beltholder and Julio Cesar Chavez foe, Greg Haugen, is now 48 years old but still feels that he has enough left to get back in the ring. Nave fought Haugen three times, with all three wars taking place at the same venue he will be fighting at tonight. Although those bouts did not display the most tactical of in-ring skills by either fighter, they showed that Nave has world-class heart and will as he grinded out a win even though he was the much more limited fighter.

Lyubarsky [3-9. KO], of Hollywood, California by way of the Ukraine, flashes a very unappealing record as a professional, but in his last three bouts he has been in the ring with fighters that were at least a few classes above him in terms of skill. He has been in the ring with a few prospects such as Brian Mihtar and Donald Orr, failing to make it out of the second round against either.

Nave weighed in at a trim 152 pounds, while his opponent tipped the scales at 159 pounds. Nave showed no reluctance in accepting the bout anyways, which is fortunate since he is the main draw on the card, as well as the promoter.

In an intriguing bout at 159 pounds, former ShoBox participant Enrique Gutierrez will take on David Tabatadze in a battle of two fighters of vastly different experience levels. Gutierrez [10-3, 8 KOs] of Santa Rosa, California ran off ten straight wins to start his professional career, but has since suffered three straight losses, one of which came at the hands of Shamone Alvarez who is fighting tonight as well in an eliminator. Tabatadze [2-0, KO] of Reseda, California is only a few bouts into his professional career and is matched very tough in this one after his original opponent fell out. The bout was originally scheduled for four rounds, but with the addition of Gutierrez it makes much more sense as a six-round bout. Gutierrez weighed in at 157.5 pounds while Tabatadze came in at 159.

Also in action is junior welterweight prospect Alex Paracha [1-0, KO] of San Francisco, California against the always tough Dario Castillo [5-8-1] of Pittsburg, California. Paracha fought Castillo three times in the amateurs, so it is safe to say these two know each other quite well. Paracha weighed in at 140 while Castillo tipped the scales at 139 for this four-round bout.

Dario Castillo's brother, Daniel, will also be fighting tonight as he takes on Michaelangelo Lynks in a six-round welterweight bout. Daniel Castillo [2-4-1, KO], also of Pittsburg, has only lost by decision, with all but one defeat coming by majority or split decision. Castillo will be fighting a six-rounder for the first time in his professional career. Lynks [6-9-2, 2 KOs] has been scheduled for ten before and has gone as many as eight rounds in the past, so expect the Los Angeles, California native to be ready for the later rounds. Castillo weighed in at 147.25 while Lynks came in ready at 144.

Rounding out the card is a four-round middleweight fight between George Uberti of Navato, California and DeMarcus Stephens of Oakland, California. Stephens formerly worked in the gym with Olympic gold medal winner Andre Ward and will be making his professional debut tonight. He weighed in at 158, while his opponent, who is also making his debut, also weighed in at 158.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Liberty Boxing Enterprises, are available online at Ticketmaster.com.