Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, gets fight week started with a blockbuster edition of Golden Boy Live!, featuring unbeaten heavyweights Luis Ortiz and Lateef Kayode meeting at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to battle for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title in the main event.
Live on Fight Network exclusively in Canada at 9:30 p.m. ET, the fight card features an unprecedented lineup of six televised fights taking place just two days before “MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” takes over Las Vegas on Saturday, September 13.
In addition to live broadcasts of the official final press conference (Wednesday, 4 p.m. ET) and weigh-ins (Friday, 6 p.m. ET), Fight Network will air a Floyd Mayweather bout marathon on Saturday afternoon beginning at 12 p.m. ET, which leads into a live mixed martial arts doubleheader with Cage Warriors 72 from Newport, Wales and BAMMA 16 from Manchester, England. Fight Network’s action-packed fight week also includes a live presentation of ONE Fighting Championship 20: Rise of the Kingdom on Friday, September 12.
Thursday’s edition of Golden Boy Live! at 9:30 p.m. ET features another championship fight, as the interim WBA featherweight title will be on the line with Jesus “El Jinete” Cuellar facing Puerto Rico’s Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez.
Also stepping into the right in separate televised bouts on this star-studded card will be Jermall Charlo, Julian “J Rock” Williams, Errol Spence Jr. and Josesito “The Riverside Rocky” Lopez.
“The heavyweight championship has long been the most prestigious title in all of boxing and Luis Ortiz and Lateef Kayode will be bringing it in order to win that belt and put their names in the history books,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “This is the perfect way to kick off a great weekend of boxing in Las Vegas.”
“We are happy to work with Golden Boy to continue the tradition of not one but two fights in Las Vegas the week of a Floyd Mayweather pay-per-view event,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “We want to keep the fans who come from near and far entertained all week long and there is no better way to do that than with a heavyweight title fight.”
“A lot of great fighters have come before me and won the heavyweight title and to have the chance to join them is an honor,” said the number two-ranked Ortiz. “I will fight my heart out for this championship and I won’t disappoint my fans, friends or family.”
“I’ve waited a long time for a fight like this and I feel that this is finally my chance to shine,” said the number five-ranked Kayode. “Before Mayweather and Maidana fight on Saturday, I will set the stage for them with a big win and a championship that will have the world talking.”
Ortiz vs. Kayode, a 12-round bout for the vacant WBA Interim Heavyweight World Title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and airs live on Fight Network at 9:30 p.m. ET.
With over 340 amateur wins in his native Cuba, 35-year-old Luis Ortiz (21-0, 18 KOs) knows more about boxing than practically anyone in the heavyweight division as evidenced by his 21 wins. Now the 6-foot-4 southpaw has his shot at championship gold and after back-to-back knockouts of Alex Gonzales and Monte Barrett respectively, it’s clear that the Miami resident isn’t content with just winning a decision on September 11.
A native of Lagos, Nigeria who now makes his home in Hollywood, California, 31-year-old Lateef “Power” Kayode (20-0, 16 KOs) is a hard-hitting contender whose six-year professional career includes wins over Matt Godfrey, Felix Cora Jr. and Alfredo Escalera Jr., as well as several regional titles at cruiserweight. Now competing at heavyweight, where he has knocked out his last two opponents, Kayode is one win away from becoming a world champion.
Making his second consecutive appearance in Las Vegas, Buenos Aires southpaw Jesus Cuellar (24-1, 18 KOs) is an experienced veteran of the fight game at just 27-years-old. With 24 victories and only one defeat, Cuellar is looking forward to make an even bigger name for himself by beating slugger Juan Manuel Lopez. A winner of seven straight, Cuellar won the interim WBA title in August of 2013 with a victory over unbeaten Claudio Marrero. After his win over Rico Ramos in May, he will now attempt to defend his belt for a third time on September 11.
Winner of three of his last five bouts, a stretch that includes a March knockout over Daniel Ponce De Leon, 31-year-old southpaw Juan Manuel Lopez (34-4, 31 KOs) will attempt to make history again by taking a world title back home to Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Already a two-division world titleholder who has thrilled fans for years, the exciting knockout artist believes he has another great fight in him heading into his bout against Cuellar.
Many believe Houston’s Jermall Charlo (18-0, 14 KOs) should have been a world champion by now, but when IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Carlos Molina was forced out of their March bout due to legal issues, the 24-year-old Charlo was forced to go back to the drawing board. A little over two weeks after his cancelled title fight, Charlo was back in the ring, stopping Hector Munoz in just two rounds and he expects another stellar performance on September 11. Charlo is set to face Mexican veteran Norberto Gonzalez (20-4, 13 KOs).
The best prospect to emerge from Philadelphia since Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia, Julian Williams (16-0-1, 10 KOs) wants to follow in Garcia’s footsteps and put a championship belt around his waist sooner rather than later. A knockout victor in his last three bouts over tough competition like Orlando Lora, Freddy Hernandez and Michael Medina, the 24-year-old junior middleweight will undoubtedly be bringing the thunder to Las Vegas next week when he takes on Eliezer Gonzalez (14-0, 9 Kos) of San Juan Puerto Rico in an eight round bout.
2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (13-0, 10 KOs) has been making a steady climb up the 147-pound ladder since becoming a professional and after a shutout win over rugged veteran Ronald Cruz in June, the 24-year-old from Desoto, Texas native has proven that he’s ready to take another step toward the top. Spence Jr. will face Noe Bolanos (26-10-1, 16 KOs) of Obregon, Mexico in an eight-round welterweight bout.
A noted fan favorite for his exciting style and ability to triumph against the odds, 30-year-old Josesito Lopez (32-6, 19 KOs) has won two fights straight since a courageous effort against Marcos Maidana in June of 2013, defeating Mike Arnaoutis and Aaron Martinez. On September 11, Lopez is back in action, and he is expected to open the Golden Boy Live! show in style when he faces Mexican slugger Rafael Cobos (15-4, 3 KOs).
For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com and follow on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.
