Gans of Santa Rosa to Replace Crabtree in Fight Against Pepeli

Heavyweight Rocky Pepeli of Burbank will take on Mike Gans of Santa Rosa in the scheduled 10-round main event Tuesday night at the Country Club in Reseda.

Pepeli, 15-4-1 with 15 knockouts, had been scheduled to fight brawling journeyman Bobby Crabtree of Fort Smith, Ark., but Crabtree was scratched late Friday. That might prove to be a lucky break for Pepeli, who hasn’t fought since April, when he knocked out Sam Adkins in the sixth round.

Crabtree (44-24-2) has fought--and been knocked out by--some of the best heavyweights, including former world champions George Foreman (sixth round in 1987), Mike Weaver (second round, 1989), Tony Tucker (fourth round, 1985), James Tillis (third round, 1984) and Trevor Berbick (fifth round, 1990). Earlier this year he was knocked out by Alex Garcia of San Fernando, but in his most recent bout July 1, Crabtree knocked out Randy Hunter in the first round.

Gans, on the other hand, has only 20 bouts on his resume and he has lost half of those. Gans can throw a punch, however, as evidenced by his seven knockouts.

Also on the card will be middleweight P.J. Goossen (3-0) of North Hollywood. Three other bouts are scheduled. The card begins at 7:30.