SANTOS vs. MARTZ FOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE; JACK SHARKEY TRIBUTE; PACQUIAO vs. BRADLEY LIVE SIMULCAST; A

SALEM, NH (March 9, 2016)- There will be plenty of fireworks at Rockingham Park when New England Heavyweight belt holder Alexis Santos takes on Daniel Martz with a division of the WBA Heavyweight title on the line Saturday, April 9.

Presented by Big Six Entertainment, the stacked card of live professional boxing is highlighted by the 10-round grudge match between Santos (15-1, 13 KOs), who lives in the shadow of the racetrack in Lawrence, MA, and West Virginia invader Martz (14-3-1) in the main event.

The 26-year-old Santos is sure to be out for the revenge he’s waited almost two years to taste.

His only career loss was inflicted by Martz on June 15, 2014 when the anterior cruciate ligament in Santos’ knee was shredded in the first round. He battled on one leg through the next three rounds and wanted to answer the bell for the fifth stanza, but his corner stopped the bout and Martz was awarded the TKO.

After reconstructive surgery and intensive rehabilitation that kept Santos out of the ring for 14 months, he came back to capture the New England Heavyweight Championship at The Rock with a third round TKO defeat of Arthur Saribekian October 3. He followed that with a fifth round TKO of Aaron Kinch October 30.

International Boxing Hall of Fame referee Steve Smoger returns to New Hampshire to referee the exciting main event.

This night of thrilling action also includes a tribute to Epping, NH’s Sharkey, the world heavyweight champion during the golden age of boxing. Sharkey, who died in 1994 at the age of 91, is the only man to have fought immortals Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis.

Sharkey is also the only fighter with New Hampshire ties to be enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Following the main event, ticket holders will be treated to the closed circuit live simulcast of the much-awaited rubber match between Manny Pacquiao, who has won world titles in four divisions, and Tim Bradley, Jr. This fight is a “can’t miss” as it will be the final time in the ring for the 59-fight winning “Pac Man” before he hangs up his gloves.

Hall of Famer Russell Peltz is the matchmaker for the live action at The Rock, and the evenly-matched and highly-competitive under card will feature some of the region’s best professional talent with boxers battling in different weight divisions.

“For boxing fans, this event has everything; a heavyweight championship, the Pacquiao-Bradley fight and the best local professional boxing in New England. This event at The Rock signifies the role that New Hampshire plays in bringing world class boxing to the region,” said Al Valenti, event coordinator. “Buy your tickets early because there will be a big demand for them.”

Tickets go on sale Saturday March 12 and are $35 (general admission), $45 (reserved) and $75 (ringside seating), and parking at the racetrack is free.

Tickets will be available for cash-only purchase at Rockingham Park (603-898-2311 x admissions) or may be purchased by calling 860-982-2535. More information can be found at facebook.com/groups/bigsixentertainment .

Doors to the Rockingham Park Sports Club open at 6 PM and the first fight will get underway at 7:30 PM.

Simulcasting of Thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing and the Rockingham Park Poker room are also available at the racetrack.