March 21, 2000

HARTFORD, CT (March 20, 2000) -- Undefeated heavyweight contender and 1996 U.S. Olympic boxing team captain, LAWRENCE CLAY-BEY, had the retina of his left eye successfully reattached last Friday. The procedure was performed by Alex Gaudio, M.D., in Hartford, CT., Clay-Bey's hometown.

Clay-Bey, 11-0 (8 KOs), who had been training in Denver for his April 1 NABF title fight against top contender Chris Byrd at the Regent Las Vegas, was diagnosed with torn retinas in both eyes during a routine pre-fight medical in Denver.

"Doctor Gaudio told me the damage I suffered was not nearly as severe as the semi-detached retinas suffered by Sugar Ray Leonard and Iran Barkley." said Clay-Bey. "No procedure was necessary for the right eye, the doctor said it would heal on its own. The entire recuperation period for both eyes should take three months."

"Lawrence has overcome every obstacle that has come his way, " said Dan Goossen, president of America Presents, Clay-Bey's promoter. "Turning pro at 31, an age when most fighters consider retiring from a professional career, not beginning one, took great courage and confidence. Three times he broke the third metacarpal on his left hand, he sat idle for 18 months while he endured various procedures, and still he successfully returned to the winners circle. His last fight, against Robert Daniels in January, summed up the man and his potential. Clay-Bey won nine out of 10 rounds against a former world champion who had not lost in six years and was riding a 15-bout unbeaten streak. Clay-Bey never stops amazing me. If Ray Leonard can come back from the same injury, I know Lawrence will too, if he so chooses."

Stepping in for Clay-Bey, as Byrd's NABF title opponent, will be former IBF cruiserweight champion ADOLPHO WASHINGTON, 28-8-2 (17 KOs).

The card at the Regent Las Vegas has also added Las Vegas heavyweight wrecking machine and one-time world title challenger JORGE LUIS GONZALEZ, 30-5 (27 KOs). In the best shape of his life, Gonzalez returns to the ring with his sights set squarely on two-time world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Gonzalez is enjoying a two-year, five-bout winning streak -- four by knockout -- which includes victories over former WBA heavyweight champion Greg Page, Josh Gormley, Alex Stewart and Rodolfo Marin.

FREEDA FOREMAN, daughter of two-time world heavyweight champion George Foreman, is scheduled to make her pro debut against Tiffany McRae, also making her pro debut, in a four-round super middleweight bout.

The co-main event will feature Las Vegan featherweight, AUGIE SANCHEZ, 25-1 (23 KOs), world-rated No. 7 by the IBF and No. 9 by the WBC, in a 10-round bout against former WBO-Latin America and Argentine National champion Jorge Peredes, 17-5-4 (4 KOs).

The fights will be televised on tape-delay, Sunday, April 2, 7-9 p.m. EST/PST, on FOX Sports Net.