January 7 (Merrillville, In) -Jimmy "The Fighting School Teacher" has always been a fan's favorite and his absence inside the ring has definitely been felt. Maybe it's his pure love for the sport or maybe it could be the true devotion he has for his students at Lincoln Elementary in Roselawn, In.
 
Whatever the case may be, Holmes has crept into the hearts of those fans that follow Octavius James' One In A Million, Inc. and his nearly year layoff will come to an abrupt end on Friday, January 23rd at the Radisson Hotel @ Star Plaza in Merrillville, In.
 
Holmes will be squaring off against a TBA opponent, in his first fight since Feb. 1st, 2008, at "SLUGFEST 2009" as the Main Event of a card that also boasts the NABC Lightweight World Champion Gary's own "Merciless" Mary McGee.
 
Holmes' last fight ended after his opponent was dropped, but recovered to only be disqualified in the 4th round for excessive holding giving the DeMotte native a victory and improving his record to 17-1-2 (9 KOs).
 
"I've learned a lot from that fight, but you always learn from every fight," said Holmes of his last fight. Holmes has been sidelined following a minor injury, but the 31 year-old is back in prime form and ready for a SLUGFEST of his own.
 
"This has been the longest layoff of my career and it just gives you more motivation," added Holmes. "Everyone can expect  nothing less than a good solid Jimmy Holmes performance."
 
Octavius James has seen the growth of Holmes fans and doesn't think his long layoff will negatively affect his hardnosed fighter. "We are really intrigued by Jimmy (Holmes) and he definitely brings plenty excitement to each and every fight," said James.
 
Lightweight "Merciless" Mary McGee (15-0, 9 KOs)  looks to stay unblemished, as she makes a triumphant return to the ring for the first time since successfully defending her coveted NABC Lightweight World Championship at U.S. Steel Yard back in August.
 
Hobart's undefeated Ed Ochoa (6-0, 6 KOs) will also be on the card and light heavyweight "The Bulldog" Jimmy Perez Jr. (3-1, 1 Kos) of Hammond will also look to stay hot. Powerhouse welterweight Marcus Thompkins (2-0) of Michigan City will attempt to stay unbeaten.
 
Very skilled middleweight Josh Crouch of Schererville (2-0, 2 KOs) will look to continue his tear. A young Chicago-product Orphius Waite (3-0, 2 Kos) looks to continue to impress and run through the middleweight division.
 
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at $100 for VIP, $75 VIP ringside, $50 ringside and $30 general admission.  They are available from any Ticket Master location at (219) 791-1234, (312) 559-1212, (866) 438-7372 or .
 
The Radisson is located at I-65 & US 30 in Merrillville, IN.  Doors open at 7 p.m.  The first bout is at 8 p.m.

 
Contact: 
Aaron Pineda
Publicist/Media & Public Relations
One In A Million Inc.
apineda@oneinamillionboxing.com

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