Liles Headlines Irvine Fight Card

IRVINE —  Van Nuys’ Frankie Liles, the North American Boxing Federation’s super middleweight champion, will headline tonight’s five-bout boxing card when he fights Cecil McKenzie of San Jose at the Irvine Marriott.

Liles (21-1 with 13 knockouts), ranked second by the IBF in the 168-pound super middleweight division, has not fought since stopping New York’s Merqui Sosa in Las Vegas last October. Dan Goossen, Liles’ manager, said an injured left hand and variety of personal problems have kept Liles out of the ring nine months.

But Liles, 26, still is ranked second by the International Boxing Federation. Tim Littles, who handed Liles his only loss, is ranked first, and the champion is former world middleweight champion Michael Nunn, formerly managed by Goossen. Liles hopes to fight Nunn for his title by the end of the year, providing he beats McKenzie (6-2).

The undercard was supposed to be headlined by Anaheim heavyweight Daniel Dancuta (5-1 with four knockouts), but Dancuta injured his hip during sparring Monday and his fight was canceled.

The card begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25, $32 and $35 for ringside seats. They can be purchased by calling 553-0100.