He’s the son of one of the most famous boxers ever and Saturday Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has a lot to live up to. He fights Marco Antonio Rubio winner of the last 19 of his 20 fights, WBC number 1 contender and an 11 year pro that has fought some big names to get where he is. Chavez Jr. needs to win this fight to move up to the next level and take on some of the biggest names in the sport. He says he will do it. You can bet that his dad and a nation full of fans in Mexico expect it. Rubio would rather see himself with a win, his fist in the air and wrapped in the Mexican flag at the end of the fight.

Also this Saturday the co-main event is for the vacant WBO super bantamweight title!

Nonito Donaire vs. Wilfredo Vazquez,Jr. Donarie is in The Ring’s top five pound-for-pound fighters younger than 30 and the Ring ranks Vazquez Jr. eighth overall at 122 pounds.

UFC.com says Diaz vs. Condit “This is an absolutely delicious matchup for fans who enjoy all-action bouts. It certainly may come to an abrupt end in the first few minutes. Any fight can end suddenly. But the matchup suggests otherwise. All signs point to a back-and-forth war, where both men enjoy moments of solid success, though both will likely get bruised and bloodied.”

Also on the card:
Roy “Big Country” Nelson vs “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum
Koscheck vs Pierce
Barao vs Jorgensen
Herman vs Starks

After Ward vs Froch it’s a night of Strikeforce action with Melendez vs. Masvidal, Mousasi vs. St. Preux, Cybord vs. Yamanaka.

We’re joining in with all of Ward’s local fans and hoping the Bay Area’s own Olympic Champion and current WBA Super Middleweight Champion Andre Ward wins another fight!

It all happens this Saturday. Come see what happens at Rickys!

Ricky’s Sports Theatre & Grill of San Leandro (www.rickysports.com) – the East Bay’s legendary sports bar – is teaming up with members of the Raider Nation including ‘Raider Raza,’ the De La Cruz and Barragan families and other community members to hold a special Toy Drive Friday December 16 for approximately 30 University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Benioff Children’s Hospital patients. The patients – who range in age from three months to 23 years old – are confined to the hospital 24 hours a day because of conditions ranging from cancer to neurological disorders.

Ricky’s and the Raider Nation will collect unwrapped toys at Ricky’s for patients from 6 p.m. until closing and serve complimentary appetizers. A DJ will play Holiday classics. Any toy is greatly appreciated (a few older patients would welcome an ITunes gift card).

In addition, the Barragan and De La Cruz families (longtime Raider fans) will deliver the toys as well as serve a Christmas Eve dinner feast to the patients and their parents at the UCSF hospital whose expertise covers cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders, organ transplants, orthopedics and critically ill newborn babies.

WHO: Raider fans; Ricky and Tina Ricardo – owners; toy donators.

WHERE: Ricky’s Sports Theatre & Grill, 15028 Hesperian Blvd., San Leandro, CA

WHEN: Dec. 16 – Toy Drive – 6 p.m. to closing; Christmas Eve (Dec. 24 at UCSF (throughout Christmas Eve).

VISUALS/PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Raider fans collecting toys for UCSF Children’s Hospital patients; patrons; people donating toys; Ricky and Tina Ricardo – owners; staff; fantastic sports memorabilia and full access to a legendary sports bar voted number two among the nation’s Top 10 U.S. sports bars. Former professional athletes and coaches often drop by as well.

ABOUT RICKY’S: Ricky’s pioneered the concept of a ‘sports’ bar/restaurant. Established in 1946 by Ricky Ricardo Sr., Ricky’s is one of the nation’s oldest, independent and family-owned/operated sports bars and restaurants. It is owned by Ricky Ricardo Jr. who works each day side by side with his wife Tina Ricardo. In 2005, Sports Illustrated named Ricky’s the “#2 Sports Bar in America” and MSN in February 2010 also ranked it number two among the “Top 10 Sports Bars in the U.S.”

Fans of all sports and teams are welcome. But Ricky’s also has a global, deserved reputation as the sports bar for Oakland Raiders fans; each year Raiders fans from San Leandro to Sweden converge for the annual “Raider Mecca” event to celebrate all things ‘Silver and Black.’

Each wall in Ricky’s is loaded with sports memorabilia. And its patrons – who include former players- are as colorful and eclectic as the Bay Area’s teams and region.

Chad Dawson has had many titles and at 29 he is much younger that Hopkins 49 years of age. It’s a classic matchup of a legend and a possible future legend. Come join us for the fight and the undercard starting at 6pm this Saturday!