LEMOORE -- The women will take center stage on Thursday night at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino. Palace Entertainment Director Christian Printup teams with Goossen Tutor to bring a night of championship boxing to the Palace Bingo Hall.

Watsonville's Carina Moreno (18-1) will defend her WBC/WIBA Women's Mininumweight title against Puerto Rico's Yahaira Martinez (7-2).

"Moreno is undoubtedly and arguably the best female boxer in the world pound-for-pound today and I think she has proven that she is the best," Printup said. "She is fighting a tough girl and now Moreno has an 'x' on her back. She is fighting people that want to beat her and stop the Moreno express. I think it will be a great fight."

San Francisco's Ana Julaton (4-0-1) battles Dominga Oliva (6-4-1) for the vacant WBC International Women's Super Bantamweight title.

"Julaton is trying to do what no other Filipino has done and win a major world title. She's a great talent and trained by Freddy Roach and just that shows a lot. He's worked with biggest fighters in the game and for him to take her under his wing means a lot," Printup said. "This is probably a fight that should happen down the road, but in women's boxing there isn't a lot of depth and some times these type of fights happen a little too soon."

Also in action is a title fight between Wasco's Manuel Quezada (23-4) and Louisiana's Andrew Greeley. Quezada is defending his WBC Caribbean Heavyweight title.

"This is a big time for Manuel and an important time in his career. His career started a little rocky and I signed him and he was 8-3 and he's now put in so much time and dedication to be the best boxer that he can be," Printup said. "Now he's 23-4 with 15 knockouts and on the verge of being ranked in the WBC."

Weighins are slated for today at 3 p.m. the Den Sports located on the third floor of the Palace.

For ticket information visit the Tachi Palace Gift Shop, www.tickets.com or call 1.800.225 2277.

The first bout is slated to take place at 6 p.m..

Las Vegas standout Dewey Cooper is looking to move up the Cruiserweight rankings and will try and do so with a 10-round showdown against Missouri's Galen Brown (30-8).

Visalia's bantameweight sensation Aaron Alafa will be back in action in a 4-round fight against Cambria's Greg McDowell, who is making his pro debut.

In other action:

Bakersfield welterweight Mike Dallas Jr. (4-0) vs. Missouri's James Helmes (4-6).

Los Angeles super bantamweight Rico Ramos (5-0) vs. Mexico's Manuel Sarabia (16-26-9).

New York junior welterweight James Ventry (6-4-1) vs. Houston's Carlos Navarez (4-12-1).

Madera middleweight Joaquin Marquez (3-0-1) vs. TBA.

(Aug. 20, 2008)