Boxer Christina Kwan's Return to Ring Delayed After Opponent Fails to Make Weight

CHICAGO, IL, October 13, 2012

After traveling over 2,500 miles across the country by car, boxer Christina Kwan arrived in Atlantic City, New Jersey with a full itinerary that was to culminate with her first fight back in six years on Dee Lee Promotions' Friday night card on October 12 at the Tropicana Atlantic City Casino and Resort. Officially weighing in at 99 pounds, Kwan proved to be back in peak form and ready for her comeback debut against Kendra Lucas. However, at weigh-ins, Lucas failed to make the proper weight for the fight and Kwan was given the news on-site approximately a half hour after the weigh-in from the New Jersey State Athletic Commission that her fight would not go on. "Kwan did nothing wrong. She did everything that was asked of her and came in at 99 pounds. We know she can fight. Kendra Lucas barely made 90 pounds and we have an obligation to protect the safety of the fighters," said New Jersey State Athletic Commissioner Aaron Davis.

Kwan, a former United States National and World Amateur Champion at 95 pounds, had expanded her repertoire during her six years away from the sport. She had founded a marketing and media company, Kwan International, which resides at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. She has built a 1,300 horsepower drag boat that she will be racing next spring and has become an avid poker player, becoming the first boxing titlist to cash in a World Series of Poker (WSOP) event.

Hosting the "Knockout Bounty Poker Tournament" on Wednesday night at the Tropicana Poker Room, Kwan and her team members which included Lisa Pickell, the first woman to win a WSOP Circuit Ring, were the tournament's official bounties. Players who eliminated any of the designated bounties won tickets to the fight, room accommodations from the Tropicana and giveaways from the Kwan team. The event was a success with the tournament yielding over double the entrants of a typical Wednesday night tournament. "The support from all of the participants was amazing. As a bounty, I widened my range of cards so that there would be greater opportunities for players to win my bounty prize. However, our team was definitely represented well as Lisa won the tournament," said Kwan. "From strenuous boxing training to battling it out at the poker table, it was truly one of the highlights of my trip to Atlantic City. Everyone that we've met here has been so supportive and it's been a pleasure to spend this time on the east coast."

While there is tremendous disappointment for Kwan, she is eagerly looking forward to her next opportunity for a comeback debut, "I've worked tremendously hard in preparation for this fight and while I have fully satisfied my contract for this fight, I can't help that my opponent did not do the same. The New Jersey State Athletic Commission will not allow the fight to go on under the circumstances. This is more than just a fight. I am coming back to boxing for a professional world title and I welcome any 99 or 100 pound opponents to seek me out."

Video of Christina's weigh-in can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9vi1T1M71Q