PROMOTER PLANS BALLROOM BOXING MATCHES.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

VALENCIA - The Hyatt Valencia's Grand Ballroom, where many a new bride has danced with her dad and many a 13-year-old has celebrated his bar mitzvah, is the unlikely site for a new undertaking: boxing matches.

But promoter Ron Williams said the Feb. 25 fight series under the ballroom chandeliers will be a perfect fit.

``This is an A-plus event,'' Williams said Thursday. ``We're making boxing what it should be: entertainment. You won't have guys drunk and cussing. We're catering to a crowd that wants to have a nice night out.''

Williams, president of RW promotions, will meet today with officials of the Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club, which might be a beneficiary of the matches. No deal has been cut, club officials said.

``The Boys & Girls Club is about to expand, and we want to be instrumental in helping that,'' Williams said.

Williams plans five fight nights through the year at the 1 1/2-year-old Hyatt. Tickets for the Feb. 25 event will cost $75 for ringside seats, $50 for other reserved seats and $35 for general admission.

The main event will feature Oxnard's Israel Correa fighting Rodger Medal of Pasadena in a 12-round match for the state featherweight championship.

Also scheduled are junior welterweight, lightweight, middleweight and light heavyweight fights among male boxers and a female featherweight battle.

``A lot of people perceive this as two guys punching their brains out,'' Williams said. ``But the sport of boxing is an art form. You'll see boxing at its best. It's very entertaining.''

But in a ballroom?

``Some people might see an irony, but hopefully we can open some eyes,'' he said. ``For as many people who think it strange, there are that many people who think it's the greatest sport in the world, a time for families to come out, have a nice dinner, dress up and be entertained.''

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Rodger Medal

Going for title

(2 -- color) Israel Correa

Out to stop Medal