PHILADELPHIA – Junior welterweight world champion Danny Garcia has been named the “2013 Philly Fighter of the Year” by PhillyBoxingHistory.com. It is the third consecutive year Garcia has taken the honor. In 2013, Garcia defended his world title twice, including a career-best performance against Lucas Matthysse last September. That upset victory will also earn Garcia a second trophy, the Briscoe Medal, for the “2013 Performance of the Year” at this year’s event.

Garcia and all the other winners will receive their awards on October 19, 2014, at a free event in South Philadelphia.

The following Briscoe Medal award winners were also announced:

· Anthony Caputo Smith and Dhafir Smith (2013 Area Fight of the Year), for their 10-round battle for the PA State light heavyweight title bout in Chester, PA.

· Julian Williams (2013 Prospect of the Year), for a 5-bout run that made him a contender.

· Tevin Farmer (Breakout Fighter of 2013), for his 7-0 streak during the year.

· Julio De Jesus (2013 KO of the Year), for his 1st round knockout of Ray Ellis.

· Manny Folly (2013 Rookie of the Year), for his impressive 2-0 debut as a professional.

· Stephen Fulton Jr. (2013 Amateur of the Year), for his outstanding accomplishments in 2013, including a national Golden Gloves championship.

This year’s “Everett Brothers Award” will be given to amateur boxer Dylan Price.

The Briscoe Awards are given out every year at a free public event designed to acknowledge the best of the Philly fight scene. The awards are named for Bennie Briscoe, a legendary Philadelphia middleweight who fought professionally between 1962 and 1982.

The event will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2014, 1-4 PM, at the Flat Iron Bar & Grill, 26 East Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19148. The event is FREE and open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information, contact John DiSanto, PhillyBoxingHistory.com, 609-377-6413.

London (Aug 18) After signing a long term promotion deal last week with promoter Mick Hennessy, Nick Blackwell ‘can’t wait’ to make his Hennessy Sports debut on Saturday October 4th at Glow, Bluewater as support to the MaxiNutrition Knockout final.

The MaxiNutrition Final will be shown live and exclusive on Channel 5.

The West Country Warrior said “ I can’t wait to box at Glow on the 4th October, I have watched previous events from there and the arena looks fantastic and if the final is anything like the semi-final between Dickinson and Clarkson then the fans are in for a real treat, it will be a great night of boxing.”

“I’m an old school fighter, I’m in boxing to fight so I’m going to show the fans what I’m all about on the night.

Glow, Bluewater will be the stage for the first ever MaxiNutrition Knockout final on Saturday October 4th when British Light Heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe takes on Travis Dickinson, the current English champion.

Tickets to see who will lift the MAXINUTRITITON TROPHY and NICK BLACKWELL making his Hennessy Sports debut will be available to purchase from 12pm on Tuesday 19th August from Ticketline.co.uk or by calling the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 9991.

Ticket are priced £25 for General Admission, £50 Outer Ringside Reserved Seating, £100 Inner Ringside Reserved and £120 Inner Ringside Reserved (Please note that the £120 ringside tickets will secure you a seat in the first 3 rows)

Details on the rest of this great undercard will be announced shortly.

Media Accreditation

For fight accreditation for Oct 4th please email: Lee@hennessysports.com for an application form.

Applications need to be submitted on or before Friday 26th Sept 2014. You will be notified of your accreditation status by close of business (5.30pm) on Wednesday 1st Oct 2014 via Email.
FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS
For more information on Channel 5, MaxNutrition, Glow and Hennessy Sports:

www.channel5.com
www.maxinutrition.com
www.hennessysports.co
www.glowbluewater.co.uk

London (Aug 18) Glow, Bluewater will be the stage for the first ever MaxiNutrition Knockout final on Saturday October 4th when British Light Heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe takes on Travis Dickinson, the current English champion.

The fight promoted by Hennessy Sports will be shown live and exclusive on
Channel 5.

The successful knockout tournament has already seen both finalists in 2 fights of the year and the final between Ajisafe and Dickinson has all the ingredients to produce yet another one.

Ajisafe started his route to the final in a thrilling points win over former European, British and Commonwealth champion Dean Francis back in March and then he stopped Southern Area champion Leon Senior in 5 rounds at Leeds Town Hall in May.

Dickinson’s first fight in his quest to reach the final saw him knocking down the former European champion Danny McIntosh in the 1st round and then twice in the 3rd before the fight was eventually stopped towards the end of that round.

Then came the rocky style performances from Dickinson and brave Matty Clarkson in what was the pick of the semi finals at Leeds Town Hall. From the first bell both came out fighting and both put everything on the line and after hitting the canvas 3 times each the referee decided that Clarkson was unable to continue due to a cheek injury and halted the fight in the sixth and Dickinson confirmed his spot in the final.

Promoter Mick Hennessy said “After the brilliant MaxiNutrititon semi-finals, I’m looking forward to the final just as much as any other boxing fan, this has been a great tournament for British boxing and now we have a worthy final to finish it off.

“In my opinion the semi-final between Dickinson & Clarkson should be fight of the year worldwide not just domestically!”

Tickets to see who will lift the MAXINUTRITITON TROPHY will be available to purchase from 12pm on Tuesday 19th August from Ticketline.co.uk or by calling the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 9991

Ticket are priced £25 for General Admission, £50 Outer Ringside Reserved Seating, £100 Inner Ringside Reserved and £120 Inner Ringside Reserved (Please note that the £120 ringside tickets will secure you a seat in the first 3 rows)

Details on the undercard will be announced soon.

18 August 2014 – SINGAPORE: ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC), Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization with a 90% market share, has added two bouts to the card at ONE FC: RISE OF THE KINGDOM. The event is set to take place at the Koh Pich Theatre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 12 September. Highly ranked lightweights Caros Fodor and Vuyisile Colossa are set to clash once again in a rematch, while top rated Singaporean star Radeem Rahman will take on Taiwanese mixed martial arts pioneer Sung Ming Yen and fellow Singaporean Amir Khan will face Malaysia’s Jian Kai Chee. Cambodian-Australian Suasday Chau has also been added to the card, and will clash with Arnaud Lepont in his ONE FC debut.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship™ Victor Cui stated, “ONE FC: RISE OF THE KINGDOM is set to be the biggest sporting event to ever take place in ‘The Kingdom’! Fans in Cambodia and viewers watching all over the world can expect a night of adrenaline-pumping mixed martial arts action that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire night! This is a night that you will not want to miss!”

Tickets for ONE FC: RISE OF THE KINGDOM are on sale now at MyTV and Nagaworld. Ticket categories begin with the full red carpet and cage side experience for USD80. Tickets priced at USD50 and USD20 are also available.

Caros Fodor was one of the top lightweights in Strikeforce where he ran up an impressive record and was on course for a title shot. A Muay Thai champion and submission grappling champion, he has gone to battle with some of the best in the business and wants to introduce himself to fight fans in Cambodia with a spectacular performance. He bounced back from an earlier loss to Colossa by defeating Willy Ni in convincing fashion at ONE FC: HONOR & GLORY in May, and now gets an opportunity to avenge his only loss in ONE FC.

Vuyisile Colossa is one of the best stand-up fighters to ever compete in MMA and the fact that most of his wins have come by way of KO reflects his ultra-aggressive style. Colossa, who is based in Hong Kong, has devastating low kicks and brutal knees as numerous opponents have discovered to their cost. Colossa has won his last two bouts, including a victory over former ONE FC Lightweight World Champion Kotetsu Boku.

Radeem Rahman is the first Singaporean to compete inside the ONE FC cage. He emerged victorious in his ONE FC debut when he defeated Susovan Ghosh from India in ONE FC’s first event back in 2011. He was scheduled to compete in 2012 but had to withdraw due to injury. He made a successful return to the ONE FC cage by defeating Malaysia’s Raymond Tan in May this year, and will look to keep that winning streak going against Sung Ming Yen.

Sung Ming Yen is a Taiwanese mixed martial arts pioneer who has proven himself as one of the top mixed martial artists in the country. Sung is equally adept in both grappling and striking, and prides himself on his aggressive style. He defeated Singaporean Nicholas Lee in less than a minute in his ONE FC debut and will look to notch another victory over an opponent from Singapore when he takes on Radeem Rahman.

Suasday Chau is a Cambodian refugee who migrated to Australia when he was two. Now the owner of a gym in Adelaide, he will get to fulfil his dream of returning to Cambodia to compete as a mixed martial artist when he takes on Arnaud Lepont. Chau has deadly grappling skills and has won all four of his bouts via submission.

Arnaud Lepont is legendary for his charisma and crazy entrances and always goes looking for the KO right from the start of the fight. Lepont has outstanding striking and knockout power in both hands. He is eager to get back on track to a championship opportunity and the road to redemption begins with a battle against Suasday Chau.

Amir Khan is a Singaporean who has an undefeated amateur record competing in the United States. He is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt under Relson Gracie, and also has competitive wrestling and Muay Thai experience. With more than seven years of competitive combat sports experience under his belt, Khan will now make his professional mixed martial arts debut opposite Malaysia’s Jian Kai Chee.

Jian Kai Chee is a striking expert from Malaysia who has won national championships in both Sanda and Muay Thai. He has also taken on some of the best in Asia in his eight mixed martial arts bouts, and has even won three bouts on the same night. After winning his last ONE FC bout, he will now get to welcome Amir Khan to ONE FC.

For more updates on ONE Fighting Championship™, please visit www.onefc.com and follow on Instagram and Twitter @ONEFCMMA, Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA and Weibo at http://www.weibo.com/onefc.

About ONE FC
With a 90%+ market share in Asia, ONE Fighting Championship is Asia’s largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization. Headquartered in Singapore, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Fighting Championship™ has partnered with FOX and STAR Sports for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans 70+ countries across the world.

Follow all the action as Shawn Porter defends the IBF Welterweight title against Kell Brook in a battle of undefeated fighters. The action kicks off at StubHub Center with the WBC Lightweight title bout between Omar Figueroa and Daniel Estrada as well as a rematch for the WBC Super Middleweight title between Sakio Bika and Anthiny Direll

12 Rounds–IBF Welterweight champion–Shawn Porter (24-0-1, 15 KO’s) vs Kell Brook (32-0, 22 KO’s)

Round 1 Brook lands a counter left…Jab from Porter..right Upper cut from brook..Jab from Porter..lead right..Right from Brook..10-9 Brook

Round 2 Jab from Brook..jab to the body..Body shot from Porter..Brook cut on left eye brow (accidental Headbutt)..Nice right from Brook..20-18 Brook

Round 3 Good exchange of rights…right from Brook..30-27 Brook

Round 4 Counter right from Brook..right…jab..1-2..Body work from Porter..right..40-36 Brook

Round 5 Jab from Brook..Nice right..Jab..Jab…right..1-2…Clubbing right from Porter..50-45 Brook

Round 6 Porter lands a right..Brook lands a jab..Porter lands 3 lefts inside…Right from Brook..59-55 Brook

Round 7 Porter cut over right eye (accidental Headbutt)…Good body shot from Porter..Body..Jab..right to body…straight right from Brook..right..Porter lands a right..Good uppercut from Brook..left hook from Porter…68-65 Brook

Round 8 Left uppercut from Porter…left hook on inside…right cross from Brook..3 punch combination…combination..jab…Porter working the body...78-74 Brook

Round 9 Jab from Brook..double jab..Porter working body..short left hook from Brook..double jab/right hand..jab..88-83 Brook

Round 10 Nice left hook from Brook…short left hook..Porter working the body..Good right..98-93 Brook

Round 11 4 punch combination from Brook..chopping right from Porter..1-2 from Brook..nice sweeping left hook..right cross to the jaw..108-102 Brook

Round 12 1-2 from Brook..jab..body…Porter lands a counter right..combination from Brook..118-111 Brook

114-114; 117-111 and 116-112 for THE NEW IBF WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD——-KELL BROOK

12 Rounds–WBC Super Middleweight title–Sakio Bika (32-5-3, 21 KO’s) vs Anthony Dirrell (26-0-1, 22 KO’s)

Round 1 Dirrell coming out swinging…Wild fighting…10-9 Dirrell

Round 4 Bika going to the body

Round 5 Jab from Bika…Counter right from Dirrell…

Round 6 Good counter from Bika..counter from Dirrell…Left from Bika…Dirrell lands a right…Left to the body..Straight right..Left hook from Bika…59-55 Dirrell

Round 7 Good right from Dirrell hurts Bika..Short right from Bika…straight from Dirrell…hard rights from Dirrell…69-64 Dirrell

Round 8 Bika deducted a point for a low blow…Big Flurry from Bika…Hard right from Dirrell..79-72 Dirrell

Round 9 More rough stuff…Bika lands a right…88-82 Dirrell

Round 10 The fight cant get any rythym

Round 11 Bika lands a right to the body…Dirrell lands a jab…Counter right…Jab from Bika..Double jab/right from Bika…

Round 12 Dirrell lands an uppercut…Body shot..Sharp right

114-113; 116-111 and 117-110 FOR THE WINNER AND NEW WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION ANTHONY DIRRELL

12 Rounds–WBC Lightweight title–Omar Figueroa (23-0-1, 17 KO’s) vs Daniel Estrada (32-2-1, 24 KO’s)

Round 1 Right from Figueroa…Estrada counters..Estrada lands a left and right..Straight from Figueroa…Sraight right and lead right from Estrada..combination,,right…10-9 Estrada

Round 2 Estrada lands a left hook..left hook on the ropes..Lead left uppercut from Figueroa..Left hook from both…left from Estrada…20-18 Estrada

Round 3 Figueroa was hit with a low blow..Estrada lands a right..Jab..and right from Figueroa…good right...29-28 Estrada

Round 4 Estrada lands a short left uppercut…Jab..Head shot from Figueroa..body and uppercut from Estrada..double jab..Right from Figueroa…body combo that is followed by a left to the jaw..Lead right…Straight left from Southpaw stance..jab to body from Estrada…2 rights and jab from Figueroa..left hook to body…..38-38

Round 5 Figueroa lands a right to the body..48-47 Figueroa

Round 6 Figueroa lands a jab..Estrada goes to body…jab..Figueroa lands a right…58-57 Figueroa

Round 7 Combination inside from Figueroa…Right from Estrada…left hook from Figueroa..right cros…Jab from Estrada…68-66 Figueroa

Round 8 Nice combination from Figueroa…lead right right…Blood around left eye of Figueroa..Estrada lands a right in the corner…Figueroa coming back with a left 78-75 Figueroa

Round 9 Cut caused by accidental head butt….BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES ESTRADA…Figueroa all over Estrada..CombINATON ON THE ROPES AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED….

Kell Brook won the IBF Welterweight championship with a 12-round majority decision over previously undefeated Shawn Porter at the StubHub Center in Carson, California

Early on it was Brook looking to jab and hold on when he Porter would make a surge on the inside. In round two, Brook was cut over the left eye from an accidental headbutt. Brook was timing Porter coming with his nice jab. In round six, Porter was cut over his right eye from an accidental headbutt.

Brook was able to thwart any brief momentum that Porter could muster up as he landed the more telling combinations.

Brook, 146 1/2 lbs of Sheffield, UK won by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 114-114 and is now 33-0. Porter, 146 3/4 lbs of Akron, OH is now 24-1-1.

“You can tell how much it means to me by my reaction,” said Brook, who was cut over the left eye in the second round. “I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was nine-years old. It’s unbelievable.

“I was scrappy tonight, and not as slick as I wanted to be. But I’m the world champion now, baby. I was born to do this.

“I’m ready for a mega, mega fight next. I’ll take on Keith Thurman or Floyd Mayweather. Amir Khan should get in queue now. I’m the world champion now so they’re all going to want to fight me.”

Porter, a former U.S. amateur standout, thought he had done enough to win his second title defense despite getting cut over his right eye in the sixth.

“I think I’m still the champion,” he said. “I’m 24-1 and Team Porter will be back to the drawing board. There are no excuses. I do want the rematch.”

Anthony Dirrell wrestled the WBC Super Middleweight title away from Sakio Bika via 12-round unanimous decision.

The fight was very sloppy throughout the contest. When given distance, Dirrell was able to land the more telling blows. Bika was deducted a point in round eight for low blows. Dirrell hit the canvas several other times from Bika’s “veteran” tactics.

Dirrell, 167 3/4 lbs of Flint, MI won by scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 114-113 and is now 27-0-1. Bika, 167 3/4 lbs of Australia is now 32-6-3.

“This journey has been amazing and I can’t even fathom it,” Dirrell told SHOWTIME’s Jim Gray afterward. “I already overcame the biggest fight of my life by beating cancer. I can’t see anything being bigger than this. I was never close to giving up. I stuck to it and now I’m WBC world champion.

“This means the world to me, what else can I say? After beating cancer, making it back from a motorcycle accident and getting a second chance at boxing, I just knew I was going to make the best of it.

“Tonight the referee did a wonderful job. Bika is rough, he’s a helluva fighter. But I’m glad to finally have him in my rearview mirror. I’m not gonna complain about the close scores. I got a unanimous decision and I couldn’t be happier.

“The difference between this fight and our first one is that I wasn’t on the ropes this time. I came out and boxed. But I know I got his attention at the start.”

Said Bika: “I fought very hard. He was a better fighter tonight. I’m going to go back to the gym and come back stronger. This (losing) happens.”

Omar Figueroa defended the WBC Lightweight title with a 9th round stoppage over mandatory challenger Daniel Estrada.

It was a phone booth fight early with Estrada taking the early lead by landing the harder punches in close. Figueroa began to pick up in the middle rounds as he got in close and started landing combinations.

Round nine was action packed as the two traded shots in close. Figueroa was cut around the left eye from a clash of heads. Figueroa seized that moment to land a nice flurry only to see Figueroa come back just before the bell.

That did not deter Figueroa as he came out in round nine and dropped Estrada with a big right hand. Estrada got to his feet but Figueroa was all over him and landed a big combination on the ropes and the fight was stopped at 1:00 of round nine

Figueroa, 135 lbs is now 24-0-1 with 18 knockouts. Estrada, 134 1/2 lbs is 32-3-1.

“I don’t think I did that great and obviously felt I could be more explosive and maybe get him out of there earlier,” said Figueroa, who suffered a bad cut above his left eye from an unintentional headbutt in the ninth. “I was a little concerned that the referee or doctor would stop the fight because of the cut. I knew Estrada would be open for the right hand. I was playing a little possum when I caught him.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Estrada, who was making his U.S. debut and fighting less than three weeks after a sister and her daughter were killed in an automobile accident in Mexico. “Initially I felt good but he hurt me and I couldn’t recuperate. I had the mentality to win, but I was up against a great champion.”

Deontay Wilder tuned up for a fall title shot with Bermane Stiverne with a stoppage win over Jason Gavern after round four in their scheduled 10-round Heavyweight bout.

Wilder boxed from the outside while Gavern tried and occasionally got through with an overhand right. In round three, Wilder scored a knockdown when a right hand landed around the ear. Gavern complained that the punch was behind the head. Wilder scored a 2nd knockdown in round four from another straight right. After the round, Gavern encouraged his corner to stop the fight and they obliged.

Wilder, 224 lbs of Tuscaloosa, AL is now 32-0 with 32 knockouts. Gavern, 247 lbs of Kissimee, FL is now 25-16-4.

“This was fun,” Wilder said. “I wanted to go some rounds. A lot of people are still asking so many questions to me; I tried to answer some of them today.

“Of course, I could have landed my right hand more in the first couple rounds. He was leaving me openings, but I didn’t want to show off everything. I wanted to save that for next time.

“I’m ready for that world title fight. I want the WBC champ Bermane Stiverne next, hopefully in late November.”

Jorge Linares tuned up for a title shot with a 2 round demolition of Ira Terry in scheduled 8-round Lightweight bout.

Linares hurt Terry at the end of round one with a hard right that was followed by a combination. Linares finished the fight with a perfect right to the face that plummeted Terry on the canvas and the fight was stopped at 1:20 of round two.

Linares, 137 lbs of Venezuela is now 37-3 with 24 knockouts. Terry, 132 lbs of Memphis, TN is now 26-12-1.

“This was the kind of fight I didn’t expect but that I wanted,” Linares said. “I was able to watch tapes o him extensively so I was well prepared. I definitely want to fight for the world title next. That’s why I was here and took this fight. I’m just waiting for my opportunity.

“That was a good straight right hand I landed on him. Once I connected I knew it was over.”

Lydell Rhodes remained undefeated with a stoppage after 4-rounds over John Nater in a scheduled 8-round Welterweight bout.

Rhodes was dominant with his hand speed. He dropped Nater in round four with a four punch combination where Nater took three steps back to the ropes and took a knee. After the round, Nater decided he had enough and the bout was stopped.

Rhodes, 142 lbs of Las Vegas is now 22-0 with 11 knockouts. Nater, 144 lbs of Bayamon, PR is now 13-7.

Former Irish Olympian Jason Quigley scored a stoppage victory over Fernando Najera in a scheduled 4-round Middleweight bout.

Quigley dominated and opened up a bad cut over Najera’s left eye in round three. Iromically, Quigley was cut over his left eye as well but Najera’s openinh was much worse and Najera’s corner stopped the bout.

Quigley 160 1/2 lbs of Ireland is now 2-0 with 2 knockouts. Najera, 158 1/4 lbs of Tijuana, MX is now 1-4.

LOS ANGELES (Aug. 16, 2014) – One of Mexico’s top rising stars, Horacio “Violento” Garcia, will seek his fourth win of 2014 on today, Saturday, August 16, when he defends his WBC Silver International Super Bantamweight title on Televisa and FOX Deportes against Colombia’s Jonathan Perez at the Centro de Convenciones Azul Ixtapa in Ixtapa, Mexico.

In the co-main event, Mexican bantamweights Jessica Gonzalez and Estrella Valverde square off in a 10-round bout for the WBC Female Interim Bantamweight World Title.

Also on the card, Mexican bantamweight phenom Ivan Morales faces off with Colombia’s Cesar Canchila in a 10-round bout.

A popular figure on the Mexican fight scene, 24-year-old Horacio “Violento” Garcia (26-0, 18 KOs) is on the verge of making his mark worldwide, and his current number 15 ranking in the WBC is a good start. Winner of nine fights in two rounds or less, Garcia plans on giving his fans another early finish this Saturday as he makes his way to the top of the super bantamweight division.

Fighting out of Barranquilla, Colombia, Jonathan “Popeye” Perez (33-9, 27 KOs) has been unbeaten for nearly three years, a span that has seen him go unbeaten in 15 fights. With his last seven wins coming by way of knockout, the 27-year-old is clearly the biggest challenge Garcia has ever faced, making this a must-see battle for fight fans.

Popular Mexico City native Jessica “Magnificent” Gonzalez (5-1) has fought top competition throughout her career, and this experience allowed her to shine when she won the interim 118-pound title in November of 2013 by upsetting Yazmin Rivas. Now she will defend that title for the first time against Estado de Mexico veteran Estrella “La Chacala” Valverde (9-4-1, 1 KO), a two-time world title challenger who has won three of her last five fights.

Twenty-two-year-old Tijuana native Ivan “Nino Maravilla” Morales (25-0, 14 KOs) is a top Mexican prospect that hopes to add to his nation’s rich boxing history by becoming a world champion in the coming years. While he’s still young, his efforts thus far have shown him to be a mature fighter with a seemingly endless list of positive attributes. Coming off a 10-round win over 40-fight veteran Jose Alfredo Tirado in April, Morales faces the equally-experienced Canchila.

Monteria, Colombia’s Cesar Canchila (33-4, 25 KOs) is a former interim WBA junior flyweight champion who is looking to make a run at championship glory once again, this time at 118 pounds. A hard-punching veteran who is 5-1 in his last six bouts, with three knockouts, the 32-year-old Canchila has the power, savvy, and style that can test Morales and see if he is ready for prime time.

Garcia vs. Perez, a 12-round bout for the WBC Silver International Bantamweight Title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5 p.m. CT and the first fight begins at 6 p.m. CT. The FOX Deportes broadcast begins at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and the Televisa broadcast airs at 10:30 p.m. CT.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and visit on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page. For more information on Televisa Deportes visit www.TelevisaDeportes.com, become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TD_Deportes. For more information on FOX Deportes visit www.FOXDeportes.com, become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes on Facebook.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (August 16, 2014) – Undefeated challenger Marcin “Tyber” Tybura (11-0-0) dethroned defending M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion
Damian “Polish Pitbul” Grabowski (19-2-0) by way of a first-round submission in last night’s main event on theM-1 Challenge 50: Battle of Neva anniversary show held outdoors in the open center area of St. Petersburg, Russia.

In the co-feature, Stephan Puetz (11-1-0) successfully defended his M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title by second-round submission against Luis Fernando “Hulk” Miranda (12-2-0).

In a battle of Polish heavyweights, Tybura (pictured above) needed only 1:28 to force a submission of his fellow countryman, Grabowski, by skillfully using a North-South choke.

Puetz (pictured above on right), fighting out of Germany, made his first title defense memorable, locking a rear naked choke hold on Brazilian challenger Miranda, who submitted at 4:31 of the second round.

In one of three Super Fights, Spanish welterweight Daniel “The Gladiator” Tabera (18-5-3) took a three-round split decision from previously unbeaten Ilya Doderkin (5-1-0), who was fighting at home in St. Petersburg.

Slovakian featherweight Ivan “Buki” Buchinger (27-4-0) won a three-round majority decision over Russian veteran Mikhail Malyutin (26-13-0).

Russian featherweight Nikita Chistyakov (2-1-0), also fighting at home, came out on top of a unanimous three-round decision versus Polish invader Kamil Maron (5-2-0).

Also fighting on the main card, German lightweight Saba Bolaghi (1-0-1) and another hometown favorite, Zulfikar Usmanov (6-3-1), battled to a two-round majority draw.

In Ros Stroilnvest Cup action, St. Petersburg’s Anton Telepnev (8-4-0) used a rear naked choke to defeat Kyrgyzstan’s Zhyrgalbek Emilbekov (0-1-0)in the semifinals, as well as Artem Glybchak (1-1-0) in the championship final, both by first-round submission. Glybchak had won a unanimous two-round decision over fellow Russian, Daniyar Ismailov (0-1-0) in their semifinal match.

Also fighting in preliminary bouts, Russian lightweight Marat Balaev (1-0-0) won his professional debut with a two-round unanimous decision over Spaniard Issac Alvarado (1-1-0), Adam Tsurov (1-0-0) used a rear naked choke to submit Stanislav Rogov in a fight featuring a pair of Russian welterweight making their pro debuts, and Russian middleweight Khabib Isaev (1-0-0) won his pro debut by second-round split decision over Dauren Ermekov (0-1-0), of Kazakhstan.

Complete results and photo gallery below:

M-1 Challenge Title Fights

MAIN EVENT – M-1 CHALLENGE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Marcin Tybura (11-0-0), Poland
WSUB1 (1:28 – north-south choke)
Damian Grabowski(19-2-0), Poland
(Tybura won M-1 Challenge heavyweight title)

CO-FEATURE – M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Stephan Puetz(11-1-0), Germany
WSUB2 (4:31 – rear naked choke)
Luis Fernando Miranda(12-2-0), Brazil
(Puetz retained M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title)

M-1 Challenge Super Fights

WELTERWEIGHTS
Daniel Tabera(18-5-3), Spain
WSDEC3
Ilya Doderkin(5-1-0), Russia

FEATHERWEIGHTS
Ivan Buchinger(27-4-0), Slovakia
WMDEC3
Mikhail Malyutin (26-13-0), Russia

Nikita Chustyakov(2-1-0), Russia
WUDEC3
Kamil Maron (5-2-0), Poland

Undercard Fights

LIGHTWEIGHTS
Saba Bolaghi(1-0-1), Germany
SD2
Zulfikar Usmanov(6-3-1), Russia

Marat Balayev (1-0-0), Russia
WUDEC2
Issac Alvarado (1-1-0), Spain

WELTERWEIGHTS
Adam Tsurov (1-0-0), Inqushetia
WSUB1 (2:00 – rear naked choke)
Stanlslav Rogov (0-1-0), Russia

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Khabib Isaev (1-0-0), Russia
WSDEC2
Dauren Ermekov (0-1-0), Kazakhstan

ROS STROILNVEST CUP

SEMIFINALS — LIGHTWEIGHTS
Artem Glybchak(1-0-0), Russia
WUDEC2
Daniyar Ismailov (0-1-0), Russia

Anton Telepnev (7-4-0), Russia
WSUB1 (rear naked choke)
Zhyrgalbek Emilbekov (0-2-0), Kyrgyzstan

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Anton Telepnev (8-4-0), Russia
WSUB1 (2:47 – rear naked choke)
Artem Glybchak(1-1-0), Russia

Marcin Tybura attacks Damian Grabowski

M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein raises the hands of new M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura

Rising star Stephan Puetz enters ring in style before his first M-1 Challenge
light heavyweight title defense

Stephan Puetz (R) stalks Luis Fernando Miranda

Kamil Maron throws Nikita Chistyakov

Mikhail Malyutin catches Ivan Buchinger

Issac Alvarado (L) and Vadim Russul

Daniel Tabera hears decision over Ilya Doderkin

Ros Stroilnvest Cup lightweight champion Anton Telepnev

Saba Bolaghi (l) is about to counter Zulfikar Usmanov

Adam Tsurov blocks Stanislav Rogov’s kick

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ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2014 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.

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Denis Shafikov earned a 2nd world title shot as he stopped Rustam Nugaev in round nine of their scheduled 12-round Lightweight title elimination bout at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.

Early it was Shafikov’s hand speed that was giving Nugaev issues. The two continued to trade heard shots in close in round four. Nugaev started to get through with some combination’s on the ropes in the 5th. Both guys were cut, Shafikov started to leak in round six from around the right eye while Nugaev started to cut up in the 3rd round. Later in the round, Shafikov unloaded a hard combination that hurt Nugaev.

In round eight, Shafikov stepped on the gas and landed some body punches and a head punch on the ropes and the bout was stopped at 1:16 of round nine.

Shafikov, 135 lbs of Russia will now await the winner of the September 13 bout between Miguel Vazquez and Mickey Bey Jr. and now has a record of 34-1-1 with 18 knockouts. Nugaev, 134 1/4 lbs of Russia is now 27-7-1.

“Tonight Shafikov was the better man,” said Nugaev. “I couldn’t get into a good rhythm with my game plane and it showed. I still feel I have a lot of fight left in me and I promise I’ll be back to fight another day. I want to thank Gary Shaw for all that he’s done for me. I’m very disappointed I didn’t perform to my best ability tonight, but like I said…I’ll be back.”

Jose Pedraza remained undefeated by scoring a stoppage over Juan Carlos Martinez in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Lightweight bout.

Pedraza had some swelling around his right eye in round two as Martinez got in some early offense. Pedraza started getting into the bout and was the boss over the last four rounds and Martinez retired in his corner after the 6th frame.

Pedraza, 132 lbs of Puerto Rico is now 18-0 with 12 knockouts. Martinez, 129 lbs of Mexico is now 19-15-1.

“I knew Martinez was a very tough fighter coming in, but I wanted to make a statement and let the boxing world know that I’m for real,” said Pedraza. “I feel I’m ready to fight any of the champions in my weight class. I’m going to let my promoter Gary Shaw put everything together. I know I have the talent to bring a world title back home to my people of Puerto Rico. I’ll be back in the gym as soon as I return home.”

New York, NY (8/15/14) – This Sunday, August 17, SNY will air a special edition of DiBella Entertainment’s popular Broadway Boxing series, with the first of two episodes depicting the finals of the 2014 New York Daily News Golden Gloves tournament. The telecast will begin at 8:00pm EST.

On April 16 and 17th, the 87th annual New York Golden Gloves finals took place before a packed house at the Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, NY. Following the completion of the finals, it was officially announced that the New York Daily News and DiBella Entertainment entered into an exclusive joint partnership.

Since 1927, local boxers in New York have competed for the chance to win a Daily News Golden Gloves championship. The tournament was a launching pad for world champions such as Emile Griffith, Jose Torres, Floyd Patterson, Riddick Bowe, Mark Breland and Zab Judah. Thus far, 39 Golden Gloves medalists have gone on to win professional world championships.

“DBE is thrilled to forge this partnership with the New York Golden Gloves. The Gloves are one of the preeminent amateur tournaments in the world and a New York institution. Broadway Boxing has become the home for many former New York Golden Glovers. It is natural for DBE and Broadway Boxing to join forces with the Golden Gloves to bring this exciting action to our viewers,” said Lou DiBella, who served as the lead commentator on the broadcast both nights.

“Lou DiBella, being the great friend that he is, has committed to giving this exposure to these amateurs and it’s truly appreciated by all of us involved with the Gloves. Lou understands the value of NYC grassroots boxing and we are thrilled to have him involved in this capacity,” said Brian Adams, the New York Daily News Golden Gloves director.

“SNY is excited to add the Golden Gloves to our Broadway Boxing television package,” said Kevin Sornatale. “The rich history of the New York Golden Gloves enhances our overall boxing programming in 2014 and adds to our profile as the television home of all things New York sports.”

The bouts shown this Sunday, August 17, will include:

Jamie Estrada vs. Michael Stoute – 123lb. Open Class
Waris Aminy vs. Jared Bonilla – 141lb. Novice Class
Christian Bermudez vs. Christian Chavez – 132lb. Open Class
Schavez Peters vs. Juan Rojas Villalobos – 141lb. Open Class
Domonique White vs. Anthony DeMonte – 152lb. Novice Class
Ali Salem vs. Viacheslav Barsukov – 178lb. Open Class

The broadcast will re-air on SNY on August 30 (8:00 PM ET), September 13 (5:00 PM ET), and September 22 (8:30 PM ET), as well as on other Comcast regional networks. More action from the Daily News Golden Gloves finals will air as part of a second episode on a date to be determined in November.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Aug. 15th, 2014) – Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) light welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov, known as “The Siberian Rocky,” is looking to step back into the ring this fall following a close loss to Chris Algieri in June, and Philadelphia’s “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy could be next on the hard-hitting Russian’s list.

Coming off his third consecutive win in July, Lundy (25-3-1, 12 KOs) is now ranked No. 3 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) among lightweights and would have no problem stepping up to 140 pounds to face Provodnikov, a fight he felt he should’ve had been in June when Provodnikov (23-3, 16 KOs) instead faced Algieri at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“They had a list of guys to fight, including Algieri, Richar Abril and me and when they got my name, there was no excuse. They just didn’t want to fight me,” Lundy said. “They said Algieri wasn’t exciting enough, but with me, they just didn’t want to fight me.

“Then he fought Algieri anyway and got beat! This is the kind of fight I’ve been looking for. If I’ve got to take on the big, bad wolf to prove I’m elite, then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll come knocking at your door, push my way in, sit in your living room and see what the hot tea tastes like! All I can do at the end of the day is keep training and keep on knocking at their doors. These big, bad wolves, they say so much, but I’m the only one doing. I’m the one stepping to the plate and fighting.”

Lundy’s ability to win on the road in hostile environments, even on short notice, and beat the sport’s elite fighters has been well documented. The combined record of Lundy’s last 11 opponents prior to his bout in May is a staggering 232-18-3, including a win over Abril, the current World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion.

“I’m ready,” Lundy reiterated. “If [Provodnikov] wants to fight tomorrow, I’m ready to go. I’m already ready. I never have to get ready for a fight. That’s something you learn in the hood.”

Visit www.cesboxing.com for more information, follow CES Boxing on Twitter at @CESBOXING and Instagram at CESBOXING, or “like” CES Boxing on Facebook.

LOS ANGELES (Aug. 15, 2014) – An international lineup of boxing standouts from the United States, Venezuela, Ireland, England and Argentina will make up a stacked undercard ahead of Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader of championship bouts at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

In the main event, “ShowTime” Shawn Porter will defend his IBF 147-pound crown against British banger Kell Brook. Plus, WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika will risk his 168-pound belt in a rematch against unbeaten Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell, and undefeated Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. will defend his WBC Lightweight World Championship against mandatory challenger Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada. The tripleheader airs live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

Before the trio of world title fights gets underway, undefeated heavyweight knockout sensation and WBC Continental Americas Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder will be opposed by Jason Gavern in a 10-round scrap on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). In the opening bout, former two-division world champ Jorge “Niño De Oro” Linares faces Ira Terry in an eight-round lightweight match.

Time permitting, unbeaten Lydell Rhodes will take on Bayamon, Puerto Rico’s John Nader in an eight round welterweight matchup and Irish prospect Jason Quigley will take on Tijuana’s Fernando Najara in a four round middleweight bout on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

Also in action tomorrow will be 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic Breazeale, local favorite Alan Sanchez, 2012 Olympic Gold medalist for Great Britain Luke Campbell, fellow British star Callum Smith and Argentina’s Fabian Maidana.

The next in line to face WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne, Alabama’s Deontay Wilder (31-0, 31 KOs) is not sitting idle while he awaits his shot at championship gold. He looks to follow-up his 96-second demolition of Malik Scott in March with another spectacular win. The most impressive knockout artist in boxing today, the 28-year-old has yet to be extended past the fourth round.

Hoping to derail the “Wilder Express” will be seasoned veteran Jason Gavern (25-16-4, 11 KOs) of Orlando, Fla. Winner of four of his last five bouts, most recently a victory over James Toney last November, the 37-year-old knows that with an upset of Wilder, he will make headlines around the boxing world and set himself up for an even bigger fight.

In the eight-round SHOWTIME EXTREME opener, former two-division world champion Jorge Linares (36-3, 23 KOs) continues his move toward a world title shot when he faces Ira Terry. Winner of five straight, including a March win over Nihito Arakawa in a WBC Lightweight Title elimination bout, the 28-year-old Venezuelan is expected to get a shot at the Figueroa-Estrada winner if triumphant on Saturday.

Memphis, Tenn. veteran Ira Terry (26-11, 16 KOs) has no plans on being a stepping stone for Linares, and coming off of wins in three of his last four fights, Terry has the focus and form to stun Linares and put a dent in his championship hopes.

A multi-sport athlete growing up who has also competed in both boxing and mixed martial arts professionally, Oklahoma City welterweight Lydell Rhodes (21-0, 10 KOs) will risk his unbeaten record in an eight-round matchup with Puerto Rican power puncher John Nater (13-6, 10 KOs),of Bayamon, P.R.

Former Irish amateur and newly signed Golden Boy Promotions star Jason Quigley (1-0, 1 KO) needed just 82 seconds to win his pro debut over Howard Reece in July, and the 23-year-old is making a quick turnaround to get back in the ring to face Fernando Najera (1-3) of Tijuana, Mexico in a six-round middleweight bout.

In heavyweight action, 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (11-0, 10 KOs) will be fighting for the fourth time in 2014, and after big wins over Nagy Aguilera and Devin Vargas, he hopes to keep his hot streak going in an eight-round clash against tough Utah native Billy Zumbrun (27-13-1, 16 KOs), who has won four of his last five.

Stablemates of headliner Kell Brook, lightweight Luke Campbell (6-0, 4 KOs) and super middleweight Callum Smith (12-0, 9 KOs) will also proudly represent England. Hull southpaw Campbell is a 2012 Olympic Gold medalist who has impressed in each of his six outings as a pro. Campbell will be squaring off against the vastly more experienced Steve Trumble (13-30, 8 KOs), of Baton Rouge, Lain a four-round bout. Liverpool’s Smith is part of a fighting family who is soaring up the 168-pound ladder. Smith looks to continue his undefeated streak in a six-rounder against Abraham Hernandez (5-0, 3 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico.

In an eight-round welterweight bout, Alan Sanchez (13-3-1, 7 KOs), of Fairfield, Calif., will take on Tijuana native Jose Luis “Zurdo” Ramirez Jr. (7-0-1, 4 KOs), and in the four-round opener, also at 147 pounds, Fabian “TNT” Maidana (1-0), the brother of Marcos “El Chino” Maidana, meets Michigan’s Phillip Soriano (0-3).

Porter vs. Brook is a 12-round fight for Porter’s IBF Welterweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and AT&T. In the co-main event, the WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio Bika defends his belt in a rematch against Anthony Dirrell, and in the televised opener, Omar Figueroa defends his WBC Lightweight World Championship against Daniel Estrada. The event will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (SHOWTIME 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges are on sale now and are available online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 877-234-8425. Doors open at 1 p.m. PT. The first fight begins at 1:00 p.m.

London (15 Aug) Mick Hennessy is delighted to announce that Britain’s hottest middleweight prospect the West Country Warrior Nick Blackwell has signed an exclusive long-term promotional deal with Hennessy Sports.

With no amateur career and having to learn on the job since he turned pro, Nick has graduated from being the youngest ever-English champion to a genuine world-class contender.

Nick Blackwell said on signing his promotional deal with Mick Hennessy “Words can’t describe how happy I am, it’s taken a lot of ups and downs, dedication and hard work but it’s finally starting to pay off.

I’m looking forward to my first fight with Hennessy Sports on Channel 5 in October.”

“I can’t thank Mick (Hennessy), Will (Storey) and Mark (Kent) enough for helping to make this happen, I won’t disappoint.”

Blackwell has fought at world level from the very early stages of his pro career against the likes of Martin Murray and in the last year Blackwell who has only just turned 23 has not only given Max Bursak a torrid time in the Ukraine after putting him down heavy and losing the decision which most people thought he won clearly. He has also sparred with many of the world’s best Middle and Super Middleweights.

His performances have made him one of the most avoided fighters out there and many leading British contenders have consistently ducked him.

Hewn from solid granite with huge strides in power and ring-craft, Nick is set to take the boxing world by storm.

His path to a world title will start in October live on Channel 5 and Mick Hennessy who has guided numerous British talents including Carl Froch to the world title is delighted to have secured the signature of one of boxing’s best kept secrets and to be able to showcase Nick’s fights on free to air terrestrial television”

Promoter Mick Hennessy said. “Nick has certainly done things the hard way in his young career, he is an old fashioned throwback fighter who will take on all comers and we are looking forward to giving him the great support he needs to help him realise his dream of becoming a major world champion.

“His mandatory status for the British title has been an inconvenient truth and he has already been swerved by certain fighters.

“We are now here to make sure that he gets his opportunities to fight for these titles.”

More information on Nick’s first fight promoted by Hennessy Sports will be announced next week.

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS
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Shawn Porter 146 3/4 – Kell Brook 146 1/2
(IBF Welterweight title)
Sakio Bika 167 3/4 – Anthony Direll 168
(WBC Super Middleweight Title)
Omar Figueroa Jr. 135 – Daniel Estrada 134 1/2
(WBC Lightweight Title)

Brooklyn, NY (August 15, 2014) — Power hitter Steve Martinez is on a mission to climb the junior middleweight ladder and his promoter Dmitriy Salita of Star of David Promotions has announced the opponent who is the next rung on the boxers’ upward climb.

Martinez (15-0, 12 KO’s) is a resident of the Bronx, will take on Chris Pearson August 30, on “ShoBox.”

Martinez is a 24-year-old right-hander, who possesses ample power in both hands, and a closer mentality.’

The fight is slated for the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, and will screen on Showtime, on their series which spotlights only the best and brightest up and comers in the game.

“Steve Martinez is a product of the Brooklyn Braw series and as a result of consecutive victories, in February and then again in May, on Star of David cards, he’s moving up the ranks,” Salita said.

Pearson, a 23-year-old left-hander from Ohio, sports an 11-0 (9 KOs) mark.

Salita is impressed at the condition Martinez is in and expects him to hand Pearson the first blemish on his ledger. The promoter says Martinez stayed in stellar shape after a July 25 bout against John Thompson was scrapped because Thompson was in a car accident. “Steve is jumping on this opportunity to prove he is the best junior middleweight prospect in boxing,” the promoter said, in closing.

Don’t despair if you’re not heading to Vegas to see Martinez in action; you can get your fill of top-notch professional boxing on Sept. 18, when the next “Brooklyn Brawl” card unfolds in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn.

Please visit SalitaPromotions.com to learn more about that card, which will be held at the Master Theater

(MANCHESTER, 15 Aug) – Last night at the Hilton Deansgate Hotel in Manchester, boxer Amir Khan hosted a glittering fundraising dinner for the launch of the Amir Khan Foundation, raising a staggering £218,000, for the new charity (Charity Number 1158078).

A number of well-known faces, as well as 500 guests from across the country joined Amir at the sell-out event, including much-loved stand-up comedian, actor and co-host, Omid Djalili, ex-Bolton Wanderers star, Kevin Davies, TV presenter, Charlie Webster and basketball star, John Amaechi.

Set up by Amir to enable him to be even more hands-on with his charity work, the Amir Khan Foundation will provide crucial support to disadvantaged young people in the UK and worldwide. It will help communities and charities in need of support, from a local football club needing a new kit, to communities abroad hit by a natural disaster or a crisis.

The Amir Khan Foundation will work with international delivery partner, The Penny Appeal, and use the funds raised to support numerous projects including the building of a new orphanage, school and well in the deprived Gunjur region of Gambia.

Highly emotional speeches from Amir and the Amir Khan Foundation team brought to life the aims and aspirations of the new charity. Amir also shared details of his recent trip to Gambia where he visited communities in desperate need of support and the site where his orphanage will be.

The evening was packed with entertainment from Omid and his comedy sketches, as well as high energy performances from a Britain’s Got Talent dance group from Manchester, the Shockarellas. Guests also dug deep for rare auction items, which included a signed pair of Mo Farah’s running spikes, Muhammad Ali signed shorts, and a signed Lewis Hamilton racing suit.

Amir explained: “We’ve been working on plans for the Amir Khan Foundation for a long time, so I’m extremely proud to have raised so much on our first ever event.

“The total amount exceeded all of our expectations and I’d like to thank everyone who came along – it was a fantastic night.

“My recent trip to Gambia with the Amir Khan Foundation team really helped bring my dreams for the charity to life and I hope the money raised will help to make a real difference to communities over there.”

Aamer Naeem, CEO of Penny Appeal added: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Amir and the Amir Khan Foundation to help facilitate their great plans for the charity. The evening was a huge success and it’s great to work with someone who is so passionate – and this is just the start of great things to come for the partnership.”

To keep updated with all Amir Khan Foundation news, follow @AKFoundation – and to donate please visit www.pennyappeal.org/AmirKhanFoundation

-ENDS-
Notes
The Penny Appeal aims to transform lives through the collection of small change to help tackle poverty.

A penny may be small and insignificant to many people living in the developed world, but to those in extreme poverty a penny, combined with a handful of other pennies, genuinely equates to life-changing money.

All Penny Appeal projects and campaigns are carefully constructed and designed with affordability and high impact at their heart. Constantly striving to reach out and benefit the maximum number of poor and needy people it can, in ways that cost donors no more than a pocketful of pennies a day.

For more information please visit the Penny Appeal website www.pennyappeal.org/

CARSON, Calif. (Aug. 14, 2014) – Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions hosted the final press conference earlier today for this Saturday’s potentially explosive world championship tripleheader live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

In what should be a thrilling, non-stop action three-fight telecast, IBF Welterweight World Champion “ShowTime” Shawn Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs), of Cleveland, Ohio, will defend against fellow unbeaten Kell Brook 32-0, 22 KOs), of Sheffield, England, WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (32-5-3, 21 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, will risk his 168-pound belt in a grudge rematch against unbeaten Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (26-0-1, 22 KOs), of Flint, Mich., and undefeated Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. (23-0-1, 17 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, will put up his WBC Lightweight World Championship against mandatory challenger Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (32-2-1, 24 KOs), of Mexico City.

The three SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING world title fights will be preceded by two important bouts on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast): undefeated heavyweight knockout sensation and WBC Continental Americas Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (31-0, 31 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., will take on Jason Gavern (25-16-4, 11 KOs), of Orlando, Fla., in a 10-round match and former two-division world champion Jorge “Niño De Oro” Linares (36-3, 23 KOs) will be opposed by Ira Terry (26-11, 16 KOs), of Memphis, Tenn., in an eight-round lightweight match.

Both Wilder and Linares are mandatory challengers and a victory away from fighting for a world title in the near future; Wilder against WBC Heavyweight Champion Bermane Stiverne and Linares against the Figueroa-Estrada winner.

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale
now and are available online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at StubHub
Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by
calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 877-234-
8425. Doors open at 1 p.m. PT. The first fight begins at 1:05 p.m.

Speaking before a large contingent of media from the Southern California area and UK, Porter needed a little crowd participation to make his one and only point when it was his turn to talk at the dais.

“Let’s let him [Brook] know what time it is,” Porter yelled as he stepped up to the mic. Some in the audience responded,”It’s “Showtime!”

After repeating this, Porter then stared down at a still-seated Brook and said. “I think you know what time it is. Saturday night I’m going to make sure you know what time it is.” Porter said thank you and then sat down.

Here’s more from what Porter, the fighters and executives said during Thursday’s press conference at StubHub Center:

SHAWN PORTER, IBF Welterweight World Champion

“There was good energy today and the crowd really got me going. I have a lot to offer to this sport. I’m one of the quickest and strongest guys in my weight class. And I’m probably the most confident too. But I can’t help that. It’s my personality, it’s who I am.

“Saturday night, you’re going to see it all. You’re going to see some boxing, you’ll see some aggression, you’ll see intelligence, some power and quickness. The whole nine yards.

“I’ve done enough homework to know that I can beat him. This has been a long time coming, and I look forward to defending my title on Saturday night. Everybody in the UK better stay up late for this one. I’m hoping to get some new fans over there after this is over.”

KELL BROOK, Undefeated Welterweight Contender

“This has been a long time coming, but I’ve finally arrived on the top stage now. It’s every fighter’s dream to win a world title, and it’s all I’ve been thinking about through all the training and waiting.

“I know Shawn Porter is a very tough customer and a very worthy champion. But this is my time. I’m so ready mentally, and physically, I’ve got my family here. I’m just in the best place of my life. I’m very confident, totally prepared and Saturday could not come quick enough for me.”

SAKIO BIKA, WBC Super Middleweight Champion

“He ran around the first fight and I should have won. It’s nothing new for me to fight in the States and I just have to go there and knock him out so there’s no need for a judges’ decision.

“I don’t need to sit here and talk much. He’s doing enough of that for the both of us. We’ll see who’s doing the talking after I get through with him on Saturday night.”

ANTHONY DIRRELL, Undefeated Super Middleweight Contender

“I’m definitely ready to fight. If I wasn’t I sure couldn’t make it happen in two days. I’m basically going to stick to my game plan from the first fight, but with a few tweaks. I want to leave nothing to chance.

“It’s been nine months since our first fight. You can’t call Bika a real champion. I beat him the first time; this time it’s going to be worse. There’s going to be a new champion on Saturday. It’s going to be a helluva fight, but I’m going to burn him.

“I already won my toughest fight when I beat cancer. A big part of my motivation on Saturday is knowing that Danny Jacobs [a fellow cancer survivor who captured the WBA middleweight title last Saturday on SHOWTIME] will be calling the fights from ringside for SHOWTIME.”

OMAR FIGUEROA JR., WBC Lightweight World Champion

“This is the hardest I’ve ever trained for a fight and now I’m back on one of boxing’s biggest stages. I know Estrada likes to come forward so that should make for an exciting fight for the fans.

“This is another very big fight for me. This fight is for my family and all my friends back in Texas.

“I expect a rough fight, but I know I will win.”

DANIEL ESTRADA, Leading Lightweight Contender
“I’m dedicating this fight to my family and the memory of my younger sister, Janyn, and her five-year-old daughter, Emery, who died after they were in a car crash less than three weeks ago.
“It’s been a very difficult, emotional time for all of us. My sister, who was 27, has always been my biggest supporter in boxing. She always told me that if I continued to work hard I would make it to the top and become a world champion.
“I’m using what she always said to me as motivation for this fight. As bad as we all feel, there was never really a time when I thought I would abandon this opportunity. I know she would want me to take the fight.
“I’ve been waiting a year to fight for the title and on Saturday I’m going to take advantage of my shot. I recognize Figueroa as a great champion for what he brings to the sport, but I’m a Mexican warrior. I’ll show you all that on Saturday.”
DEONTAY WILDER, Undefeated WBC Continental Americas Champion

“I’m right at the door. All I’ve got to do is ring the bell or knock to get inside. Everybody has their opinion on who I should fight, and I know this is a risk fight. Jason [Gavern] comes to fight every time. And you’ve got to respect that. I’ve definitely not looking past Jason, but I’m looking through him.

“I love boxing, and I love what I do. I love being surrounded by other fighters and champions. I love the atmosphere and the fans, just everything that’s involved with boxing. I was very eager and very hungry to get back in the ring.”

JASON GAVERN, Veteran Heavyweight

“This is kind of cool for a former policeman like me to be on a card like this and I thank everyone involved for making it happen.

“Wilder is 31-0 with 31 knockouts for a reason. But I love to fight and look forward to putting on a good show like I always do.”

JORGE LINARES, Former WBC Featherweight & WBA Super Featherweight World Champion

“This is a must-win fight for me which is why I’ve prepared for a very hard fight. I know I have to win to get my title shot. But I’m not here just to win but to look good.

“I have three losses on my record, but in my heart I feel I’ve lost only once [against Antonio DeMarco]. I certainly can’t afford to lose on Saturday. I’m anxious and ready to go.”

JASON QUIGLEY, Unbeaten Super Middleweight Prospect
“My weight is always pretty good because I’ve never gone up and down between fights; I always try to maintain top conditioning.
“I really enjoy being a pro and being part of all the fight-week activities before a fight -the workout, press conference and weigh-in. It’s great to be surrounded by so many great fighters and so much media.
“Saturday is my second pro fight and I’m totally focused and ready to perform.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President and Founder of Golden Boy Promotions

“Every single one of these TV fights could be a main event. This is just a stacked card.

“StubHub Center is known for putting on some amazing fights. I like to call it the ‘Thuderdome’. You know, the old movie with Mel Gibson and Tina Turner where they just go to fight. Every single fight we’ve staged at StubHub has been incredible.

“The main event is definitely one of those fights where you don’t want to blink. I know both these fighters have the hunger and desire to put on just an amazing fight.

“Shawn Porter comes from Cleveland, Ohio, a place that grooms champions, like LeBron James. He’s a real throwback fighter who works hard and will fight anybody. Kell Brook is a true champion who is hungry and determined.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME SPORTS

“SHOWTIME is happy to be back here with Golden Boy at StubHub Center for what I predict will be one of the most exciting cards of the year.

“StubHub is a special place for boxing, one of the top two or three in the world, an outdoor venue that is a perfect setting for fights that draw great fans.

“The three world title fights Saturday couldn’t be more even -they’re all 50-50. All these fighters are coming to win. It should be an all-action show and we are very excited about it.

# # #

Porter vs. Brook is a 12-round fight for Porter’s IBF Welterweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, the WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio Bika defends his belt in a rematch against Anthony Dirrell, and in the televised opener, Omar Figueroa defends his WBC Lightweight World Championship against Daniel Estrada. The event will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (SHOWTIME 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

12-ROUND MAIN EVENT
Rustam Nugaev 134 vs. Denis Shafikov 135

Jose Pedraza 132 vs. Juan Carlos Martinez 132
Francisco Santana 146.5 vs. Luis Alfredo Lugo 145
Rufino Serrano 125 vs. Khabir Suleymanov 125
Edwin Sandoval 125 vs. Lyonell Kelly 125
Makani Sarellano 263 vs. Andrew Tinae 258
Carlos Samuel Lopez 161 vs. Azamat Umarzada 159.5

The ESPN “Friday Night Fights” telecast begins Friday August 15, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. EST / 6:00 p.m. PST from the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Tickets priced $35, $50, $65, $85, and $95 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Chumash Casino Box office or online at HERE. Doors open at 5:00 P.M, first fight starts at 5:30 P.M.

CINCINNATI, Ohio (Aug. 14, 2014) – Former three-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner and super lightweight contender Emanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor held a kickoff press conference at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati on Thursday to formally announce their upcoming showdown on Saturday, Sept. 6, LIVE on SHOWTIME®.

Broner (28-1, 22 KOs) will return to his hometown of Cincinnati for the first time in two years and will face Taylor (18-2, 12 KOs) in a 12-round super lightweight bout in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader from U.S. Bank Arena.

In the co-feature, former WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse (35-3, 33 KOs) will square off with Mexico’s highly touted Roberto “Massa” Ortiz (31-0-1, 24 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout. Opening the telecast will be the return of former welterweight world champion Andre Berto (28-3, 22 KOs) against an opponent to be announced.

Joining Broner and Taylor at Thursday’s press conference were undefeated bantamweight prospect Rau’Shee Waren,(who will fight on the undercard), Broner’s trainer Mike Stafford, Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions Eric Gomez and CEO of R& R Promotions Andrew Williams.

Broner vs. Taylor is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R&R Promotions in association with Star Boxing and is sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Tickets, priced at $128, $78, $53 and $28, are on sale now and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the U.S. Bank Arena Box Office.

Here’s what the participants had to say during Thursday’s press conference:

ADRIEN BRONER, Former Three-Division World Champion:

“I’m more than excited to be back in Cincinnati. It’s like when you spoil a kid —when you buy a kid a new pair of sneakers, the next time they come out they are going to expect another pair. Every time I’ve fought at home I gave my fans a knockout. I spoiled my fan base in Cincinnati. So every time I fight here that’s what they want.

“I have to give them a knockout, I got to. And it’s got to be pretty, too. I think I’m going to hit him with the 30 piece and the biscuit.

“My fans keep supporting me and I’m going to fight for them. We’ve waited a long time to get to this spot and now we have to stay on top.

“My mind isn’t anywhere but on Emanuel Taylor. That’s my main objective. After I get my job done then I’ll think about another fight. But right now I’m focused on what I have to do.”

“I’m going to put on a show like I always do and I’m ready right now.

“I know Taylor pretty well and I respect him, but at the end of the day he’s my enemy. I have to go out there and get my victory.”

EMANUEL TAYLOR, Super Lightweight Contender:

“He can’t get under my skin. I always keep my calm. I knew he was going to talk, but at the end of the day we have to throw our hands.

“I’m definitely an underdog, but I can’t tell you my game plan. We just have to go in there and do what we have to do to get a win.

“I have to beat him really bad to get the win, I know that. I know we’re going up against the odds fighting him in his hometown. I’m going to go in there and fight my fight. That’s what we train hard for.

“I saw his fight against [Marcos] Maidana and I saw a lot of weaknesses there. But that’s not the only way he can be beaten. I definitely can take advantages of his weaknesses but I have some other plans for fighting this guy.

“I’m definitely looking to make a statement. This is the biggest fight of my career. This is what I’ve been working for my whole life since I was a little kid. It’s my time to make a statement.

“I’m coming to fight to give the fans what they want. At the end of the day may the best man win. I’m coming here to fight and do my thing.”

RAU’SHEE WAREN, Undefeated Bantamweight Prospect:

“This is my first time fighting in my hometown as a pro and everyone knows how badly I’ve wanted this.

“It’s no secret that I’ve been trying to get a fight in Cincinnati ever since I first turned pro this is all I wanted.

“I’m so happy to have the chance on September 6 to put on a show for my hometown fans.”

MIKE STAFFORD, Broner and Warrens Trainer:

“It brings tears to my eyes to be here. Without Golden Boy [Promotions] we couldn’t keep these kids fighting in the ring. You see the matches they make and everyone needs to acknowledge what Golden Boy is doing.

“Emanuel’s coaches said they weren’t going to fight Adrien [Broner], for a whole week, but eventually it was up to the fighter and he made the decision to fight Adrien in Cincinnati. He’s coming off of a good win and you have to take your hat off to him.

“Don’t just come out for Adrien. Come out for the undercard. We have guys in camp and all they’re thinking about is Cincinnati.”

ERIC GOMEZ, Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions:

“Everyone knows that Adrien Broner is a superstar because of all the things he does in the ring.

“What makes Adrien so great is that he will fight anyone. He has never turned down an opponent. Few fighters have done what he has in his career.

“He already has a Hall of Fame career. Only one other fighter has jumped form 135 to 147 in the history of boxing and that Henry Armstrong, that’s the kind of talent we have here in Adrien Broner.

“Adrien and his team said they wanted to fight in Cincinnati, and it was done. You have to give Adrien a big hand for that. Adrien is doing something special for his hometown.

“Emanuel Taylor is a tough fighter. He always comes to fight and he is going to be ready on September 6.”

ANDREW WILLIAMS, CEO of R&R Promotions:

“We are extremely excited about this event and to be co-promoting it with Golden Boy Promotions. Cincinnati was the birthplace of gloved boxing so it is appropriate that we are brining this big-time event to Cincinnati.

“We have the number one up-and-coming boxer in the sport in Adrien Broner. He has brought boxing alive and is truly one of the most tremendous talents in the sport.

“Another first, we have the number one amateur, Rau’shee Warren making his hometown debut in Cincinnati.”

JAMES BROCK, Chief Inspector Ohio State Athletic Commission

“We are proud and honored to have Golden Boy Promotions, R&R Promotions and SHOWTIME right here on the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio where we have arguably the fight of the year.

“We are saying that if you are anybody, you will be here. Anybody who is anybody will be here.

“We have the incomparable Adrien Broner and the most-worthy Emanuel Taylor. May the best man win.”

DALE MALLORY, Ohio State Representative, District 32

“On behalf the Governor of the state of Ohio and the Ohio Athletic Commission we would like to welcome you to the great state of Ohio and the proud birthplace of many historic events.

“One historic event was the birth and rise of our own home-grown boxing champion, Adrien Broner. Now on September 6 we will bring worldwide exposure of the historic homecoming and the exciting experience of the sweet science of boxing –Cincinnati style.”

# # #

Broner vs. Taylor, a 12-round super lightweight bout, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R&R Promotions in association with Star Boxing and is sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The event will take place at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio live on SHOWTIME (immediately following “ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” Episode 2 premiere at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT). The event will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). In the co-main event, Lucas Matthysse faces Roberto Ortiz in a super lightweight bout. In the televised opener, former welterweight world champion Andre Berto will face an opponent to be named.

Tickets, priced at $128, $78, $53 and $28, are on sale now and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the U.S. Bank Arena Box Office.

MAIN EVENT – M-1 CHALLENGE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 3 X 5
DAMIAN GRABOWSKI (19-1-0), Champion, Poland 247 LBS. (112.0 KG.)
MARCIN TYBURA (10-0-0), Challenger, Poland 245 LBS. (111.1 KG.)

(L-R) Damian Grabowski, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Marcin Tybura

CO-FEATURE – M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
STEPHAN PUETZ (10-1-0), Champion, Germany 204 ¼ LBS. (92.7 KG.)
LUIS FERNANDO MIRANDA (12-1-0), Challenger, Brazil 201 ½ LBS.(91.4 KG.)

(L-R) Stephan Puetz, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Luis Fernando Miranda

SUPER FIGHT – FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
IVAN BUCHINGER (26-4-0), Poland 144 ¾ LBS. (65.7 KG.)
MIKHAIL MALYUTIN (26-12-0), Russia 145 LBS. (65.8 KG.)

(L-R) Ivan Buchinger, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Mikhail Malyutin

SUPER FIGHT – WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
DANIEL TABERA (17-5-3), Spain 170 LBS. (77.1 KG.)
ILYA DODERKIN (5-0-0), Russia 169 ¾ LBS. (77.0 KG.)

(L-R) Daniel Tabera, M-1 Global promoter Vadin Finkelchtein and Ilya Doderkin

SUPER FIGHT – FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
KAMIL MARON (5-1-0), Poland 144 ½ LBS. (65.5 KG.)
NIKITA CHISTYAKOV (1-1-0), Russia 144 ½ LBS. (65.5 KG.)

(L-R) Kamil Maron, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Nikita Chistyakov

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 2 X 5
SABA BOLAGHI (1-0-0), Germany 154 ½ LBS. (70.1 KG.)
ZULFIKAR USMANOV (6-3-0), Russia 154 ¼ LBS. (70.0 KG.)

PRELIMINARY CARD

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 2 X 5
MARAT BALAYEV (pro debut), Russia, 154 ¾ LBS. (70.2 KG.)
ISSAC ALVARADO (1-0-0), Spain 155 LBS. (70.3 KG.)

WELTERWEIGHTS – 2X 5
STANLSLAV ROGOV (pro debut), Russia 165 LBS. (74.9 KG.)
ADAM TSUROV (pro debut), Inqushetia 169 ½ LBS. (76.9 KG.)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 2 X 5
DAUREN ERMEKOV (pro debut), Kazakhstan 185 ¾ LBS. (84.3 KG.)
HABIB ISAEV (pro debut), Russia 184 ½ LBS. (83.7 KG.)

ROS STROILNVEST CUP SEMIFINALS – LIGHTWEIGHTS – 2 X 3
ARTEM GLYBCHAK (pro debut), Russia 154 ½ LBS. (70.0 KG.)
DANIYAR ISMAILOV (pro debut), Russia 152 ½ LBS. (69.2 KG.)

ROS STROILNVEST CUP SEMIFINALS – LIGHTWEIGHTS – 2 X 3
ANTON TELEPNEV (6-4-0), St. Petersburg, Russia 154 ½ LBS. (70.0 KG.)
JYRGAL EMILBEK (pro debut), Russia 154 LBS. (69.9 KG.)
_______________________________________________________________________

WHAT: M-1 Challenge 50: Battle on Neva

WHEN: Friday, August 15, 2014

WHERE: Mitninskaya enb 6, St. Petersburg, Russia

PROMOTER: M-1 Global

LIVE STREAM: WWW.M1GLOBAL.TV
Main Card Fights $1.00 USD, Preliminary fights free
Hi Definition, Bitrate Auto Selection, Broadcast Provider: OCTOSHAPE CDN, Software Solution (OTT PLATFORM): FUUGO TV (by Finnish company, Axel)

REGISTER NOW!
Main card starting time around the world:
Moscow 20:00, Rome 18:00, London 17:00, New York 12:00 and Tokyo 1:00

Information

www.M-1Global.com

www.mixfight.ru

www.WMMAA.org

www.M1Global.tv

Instagram:

@M1Global

@VadimFinkelchteinM1

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244
ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2014 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV:
Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

LAS VEGAS (August 14, 2014) – In keeping with Mexican Independence Day tradition, Mayweather Promotions has assembled a stellar undercard featuring some of this era’s most exciting boxers to co-feature on “MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” on Saturday,September 13 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena live on SHOWTIME PPV.

Featured on the four-fight pay-per-view telecast, fan favorite Leo “Terremoto”
Santa Cruz will put his WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship on the line in a 12-round championship bout against Mexican contender Manuel “Suavecito” Roman, plus Tijuana-Baja’s pride Miguel “Títere” Vazquez defends his IBF Lightweight World Championship against Mayweather Promotions’ rising star Mickey “The Spirit” Bey. In the opening bout on pay per view, Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo returns to the ring against James De La Rosa in a 10-round bout.

Rounding out a sensational night of televised fights, SHOWTIME will present a live 10-round Jr. welterweight bout between John Molina Jr. and Humberto “La Zorrita”
Soto on “COUNTDOWN LIVE” (SHO, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT) immediately preceding the SHOWTIME PPV telecast.

“This is my second time fighting on a Floyd Mayweather pay-per-view undercard and I know that there is no bigger stage than this,” said Santa Cruz. “Manuel Roman is a tough customer. I know he’s going to come prepared and try to take my title. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain, but I plan on leaving the ring with my hand raised.”

“Leo Santa Cruz is one of the top guys not only in the super bantamweight division, but in all of boxing,” said Roman. “I’ve never been intimidated in the ring before and I don’t plan on starting on September 13. Santa Cruz better be ready because I know I will be.”

“I’m looking forward to fighting at MGM Grand again and on this amazing Floyd Mayweather card,” said Vazquez. “It’s time to get to business and get in the best shape ever so I’m ready to put on a show. I respect Mickey Bey, but I plan on winning convincingly to show that I’m one of the best in the lightweight division.

“I want to thank God for helping me persevere through the tough times and helping me overcome obstacles in my life,” said Bey. “I also want to thank my team for believing in me and helping me get to this opportunity. I plan on seizing the moment and becoming a world champion on September 13.”

“I’ve been anxious to get back in the ring ever since the end of the Canelo fight,” said Angulo. “I’m ready to get back on the winning track and this is a great opportunity for me to do that in front of the world on Mexican Independence Day weekend. This fight could not be more critical for my future in this sport and I want to put on a great show for the fans.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to make my name on a huge stage against a fellow Mexican-warrior in Alfredo Angulo,” said De La Rosa. “On September 13 I’m going to teach an old dog some new tricks.”

“Floyd always wants to ensure the paying fans get their monies worth by delivering a strong night of boxing action through compelling televised undercard bouts,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO Mayweather Promotions. “This fight night will be no different from the rest as Leo Santa Cruz and Miguel Vazquez will defend their world titles valiantly, electrifying Mickey Bey will seek to win that title from Vazquez and fan favorite Alfredo Angulo will look to revitalize his career in what will amount to a sensational night of boxing.”

“From top to bottom, the September 13th fight card is going to get fans out of their seats whether they are among the thousands in attendance at MGM Grand or hundreds of thousands watching from home,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president and founder of Golden Boy Promotions. “Golden Boy is proud to promote the most crowd-pleasing fighters in the sport and with Marcos Maidana, Leo Santa Cruz and Alfredo Angulo, all in action under the same roof, it’s sure to be a night that no one will forget.”

One of the most successful and exciting fighters in the sport, Leo Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KOs) is on the cusp of superstardom. Widely recognized as one of the highest volume punchers in the game, the 25-year-old, two-division world champion who fights out of Los Angeles by way of Huetamo, Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico will be making his third defense of the WBC 122-pound title he won last August. His exciting work rate and significant power have made Santa Cruz a mainstay on SHOWTIME as he prepares for his second consecutive PPV bout after defeating Cristian Mijares in March on the “TOE TO TOE: Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo” PPV card.

Tijuana-Baja, Mexico native fighting out of Paramount, Calif., Manuel Roman (17-2, 6 KOs) is ready for the spotlight. The hard-hitting 26-year-old is coming off of a two-fight winning streak. An underdog ready to upset bantamweight favorite on the biggest stage of his career could pull off the upset of the year.

A respected veteran and the current IBF Lightweight World Champion, Miguel Vazquez (34-3, 13 KOs) looks to make himself a household name on September 13 when he puts his title on the line against Mickey Bey. The 27-year-old from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico is riding an impressive 13-fight win streak dating all the way back to a 2008 loss against Canelo Alvarez. Vazquez won his lightweight world title in 2010 against Ji-Hoon Kim and has gone on to defeat undefeated fighters Leonardo Zappavigna, Mercito Gesta and, most recently, Denis Shafikov this past Feb. 22.

His opponent, Mickey Bey (20-1-1, 10 KOs) is one of the top rising stars in the Mayweather Promotions’ stable. The 31-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio was an amateur standout who defeated Brandon Rios at the 2004 Olympic Trials but was forced to miss the Olympics because of a bout with pneumonia. Since then, Bey has put together an exceptional professional career, with only one loss at the hands of John Molina Jr. last July, and has risen to contender status in the lightweight division. The winner of his last two fights, including a dominating decision victory against Alan Herrera in his last fight, Bey is ready to fight on the biggest stage of his career.

Despite losing his last two fights, Alfredo Angulo (22-4, 18 KOs) remains a popular and extremely dangerous fighter, who is no doubt looking to take out his recent frustrations on his next opponent. The 31-year-old from Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico always produces exciting fights, as evidenced by knockouts of Gabriel Rosado, Joel Julio and Joachim Alcine, as well as his classic 2011 showdown with James Kirkland. Angulo’s last two defeats came at the hands of the top fighters in the 154-pound division in Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara. Both fighters controversially stopped Angulo in the 10th round, but on Sept. 13 it is Angulo who plans on inflicting pain and walking out victorious.

Angulo’s opponent, James De La Rosa (22-2, 13 KOs) is looking to make his name in the sport with an explosive win on September 13. The 26-year-old Mexican fighting out of San Benito, Texas is fresh off of an August 2 technical knockout victory over Fabian Reyes. This win adds to a list of solid triumphs that includes Tyrone Brunson, Lenin Arroyo and Tim Coleman. Now he looks for his biggest victory and to be able to say he has arrived as one of the sport’s elite.

The two fighters kicking off the night on Mayweather vs. Maidana 2: COUNTDOWN LIVE are sure to make sparks fly in the ring as both look to rise in their divisional rankings. John Molina Jr. (27-4, 22 KOs) from Covina, Calif., is looking to bounce back from his loss to Lucas Matthysse in a fight that immediately jumped to the top of the Fight of the Year list. The 31-year-old owns an impressive knockout victory over Mickey Bey that proved you can never count the powerful puncher out of a fight.

Humberto Soto (64-8-2, 35 KOs) is riding a six-fight winning streak since a 2012 loss to Matthysse. A former titlist in three divisions, the 34-year-old from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico looks to stay hot and earn himself another shot at a world title with a big televised victory on Sept. 13.

# # #

“MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2,” a 12-round world championship bout for Mayweather’s 147-pound world titles takes place Saturday, Sept. 13 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts and “The Equalizer” in theaters September 26. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® and is the fourth fight of a six-fight deal between Mayweather and Showtime Networks Inc.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are priced at $1,600, $1,200, $850, $600 and $350, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $350 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information visit www.mayhemfight.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com, and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @chinomaidana, @mayweatherpromo, @goldenboyboxing, @ShoSports and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #Mayhem and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/chinomaidanaoficial, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

NEW YORK, (August 14, 2014) – Former amateur boxing sensation, Wellington Romero (4-0, 2 KOs), who’s undefeated as a professional, is a promotional free agent. Fighting out of Newburgh, New York, by way of Dominican Republic, Romero competes at the Light Welterweight division (140 lbs).

In addition to winning several tournaments before turning professional, Romero competed in the 2012 Olympics, going further then Jose Ramírez, Félix Verdejo and Rau’shee Warren to name a few.

Standing 5’9 and fighting out of the southpaw stance, Romero possesses the skills to compete at the highest level. After sparring top level opposition, Wellington has earned the respect of his peers and looks to make his mark in the boxing world.

“I’m very hungry to show the world what I’m made of,” said Romero. “I’ve been in the ring with some of the best fighters in the world and I held my own to say the least. I know with the right promoter, I’ll be able to work my way up the rankings with the goal of fighting for a world title in the future. I have big dreams to become something special in this sport, all I need is an opportunity.”

TORONTO (August 14, 2014) – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a live broadcast of Cage Warriors 70 from The Helix in Dublin, Ireland this Saturday, August 16, at 4 p.m. ET.

Fight Network’s live broadcast will air on Cablevision’s Optimum TV in the U.S., nationwide in Canada and internationally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

In the main event, rising French star Damien Lapilus (9-3-1, 1NC) will take on former Cage Warriors lightweight title challenger Joseph Duffy (10-1).

In other featured bouts, Irish favorite Philip Mulpeter (7-4) returns to welterweight for what’s set to be an explosive clash with heavy-hitting Englishman Jake Bostwick (15-8, 1NC), who searches for his ninth consecutive victory.

An All-Irish lightweight tussle will see Paul Redmond (9-4) lock horns with Greece’s Alexis “The Furious Kid” Savvidis (8-1) and following his two-fight stint with Bellator, Andrew Fisher (12-6-1) will make his Cage Warriors debut against Artem Lobov (9-10, 1NC). Plus, England’s Lloyd Clarkson (8-7) faces undefeated Irishman Karl Moore (4-0), while Romania’s Paul Marin (7-4) takes on Northern Irish prospect Andy Young (6-5).

The full fight card for Cage Warriors 70 is below:

Main Card (Live on Fight Network, 4 p.m. ET):
-Joseph Duffy vs. Damien Lapilus
-Jake Bostwick vs. Philip Mulpeter
-Paul Redmond vs. Alexis Savvidis
-Andrew Fisher vs. Artem Lobov
-Lloyd Clarkson vs. Karl Moore
-Paul Marin vs. Andy Young

Preliminary Card (Facebook, 2:45 p.m. ET):
-Konrad Iwanowski vs. Peter Queally
-Tommy McCafferty vs. Dean Reilly
-Louis Chapman vs. Ryan Roddy

Preliminary Card (Untelevised, 2 p.m. ET):
-Catherine Costigan vs. Noelia Molina
-Dean Garnett vs. Martin Sheridan

Duffy returns to mixed martial arts in his native Ireland for the first time since October 2011, having had a successful stint as a professional boxer in the meantime, during which he accumulated a 7-0 record.

The 26-year-old, who was a contestant on the twelfth season of The Ultimate Fighter, holds submission wins over current UFC stars Norman Parke and Conor McGregor.

“I can’t wait to put some new skills on show for one of the best promotions in the world, especially in front of a home crowd,” said Duffy. “It’s going to be a cracker.”
Lapilus will provide an extremely difficult challenge for Duffy, as the 25-year-old Frenchman aims to stretch his unbeaten run to six bouts.

With just one loss in his last ten outings – which came at the hands of unbeaten Finnish star Teemu Packalen – Lapilus has carved out a reputation as one of Europe’s top prospects, having competed on highly-regarded events in France, Belgium, Finland and Sweden.

The clash with Duffy will be the fourth fight of 2014 for Lapilus, who has already picked up wins over Zyad Abada and Jean Francois Darmazil, as well as a draw with Daguir Imavov, so far this year.
Lapilus said: “This will be a big challenge for me but I’m excited for it. Fighting on this event for Cage Warriors is a great opportunity which I’m really looking forward to.”

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.

HILDALGO, TX (August 13) – Monday night boxing will arrive in the great state of Texas on September 29 when FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes’ sensational series Golden Boy Live! presents an explosive heavyweight showdown between former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver and top contender Johnathon Banks at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.

“I’m happy to be back in the ring and fighting in Texas for the first time,” said Tarver, who returns to action for the first time since November, 2013. “A win over Johnathon Banks is just what I need to get my shot at the heavyweight title. To come back to boxing on the same day that my son, Antonio Jr. makes his pro-debut; that’s even more rewarding.”

“Tarver is a crafty veteran who deserves respect for what he’s done in the sport,” said Banks. “But his time has passed and I’ll remind him of that on September 29.”

“This is a great matchup between two veteran heavyweights who can show a lot of the younger kids how it’s done,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president and founder of Golden Boy Promotions. “I’m really looking forward to this one and as far as picking a winner, it’s a toss-up.”

One of the premier light heavyweights of his era, Antonio Tarver (30-6, 21 KOs) beat the likes of Roy Jones Jr., Glen Johnson, Montell Griffin and Eric Harding en route to a world title and a place on the pound-for-pound list. Now reinventing himself as a heavyweight contender, Tampa, Florida’s “Magic Man” is unbeaten in his last four bouts, most recently stopping Mike Sheppard in four rounds on November 26, 2013. On September 29, he looks to move closer to a world title shot.

A talented heavyweight veteran, Detroit’s Johnathon Banks (29-2-1, 19 KOs) performs double duty in the division as a respected contender and the trainer of world champion Wladimir Klitschko. When he puts the gloves on September 29, the 32-year-old Banks plans on showing the form that has led him to knockout victories over the likes of Seth Mitchell and Travis Walker.

Individual tickets priced at $24, $30 and $50 as well as group table packages priced at $1,094, $886 and $664, plus applicable fees and service charges will go on sale on Friday, August 15 at 10:00 a.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased by calling Leija*Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302, the State Farm Arena at (956) 684-5115, Ticketmaster at (866) 448-7849 or online at www.ticketmaster.com

Tarver vs. Banks, a 10-round heavyweight bout is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions in association with K2 Promotions and is sponsored by Corona Extra and O’Reilly AutoParts. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. PT.

LAS VEGAS (August 14, 2014) – World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne (24-1, 21 KOs) was honored this past weekend by the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF) at its annual awards dinner in Las Vegas.

Stiverne was presented a Special Achievement Award by the NSBHOF for becoming the first Haitian-born World Heavyweight Champion.

“It felt great to represent Haiti,” Stiverne said, “but what really felt amazing was to receive it amongst legends like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Roberto Duran and Floyd Mayweather.”

Stiverne, who knocked out Chris Arreola (35-4) this past May to claim the coveted title belt vacated by retired Vitali Klitschko, is tentatively scheduled to defend his title for the first time later this year against mandatory challenger Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (31-0, 31 KOs).

During the NBHOF dinner, Stiverne spent most of the time with his head trainer, Don House, along with his long-time friend and former world champion, Kevin Kelley. However, Bermane was introduced to a few people he’s always wanted to meet.

“I had the honor to meet Evander Holyfield, the talented actress and host of the night, Rosie Perez, and Roberto Duran,” Stiverne noted. “It’s really funny how I used to watch these icons when I was a young kid.”

“I’m very happy Bermane is getting the recognition he deserves,” Stiverne’s manager Camille Estephan (Eye of the Tiger Management) added. “We’ve all worked hard to get him to this point but this isn’t our destination point. He’s gong a lot further. He has the WBC belt, the same one held by Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and so many other great heavyweights. Someday, we want Bermane talked about in the same way. We can’t wait for his next fight so he can make a major statement.”

For further information visit www.eottm.com, follow on Twitter @eotmvd and @BStiverne, or Instagram @BermaneStiverne.

Middleweight Martin Murray’s charge to the world championship will continue on another Golden Gloves bill that takes place in Monaco on October 25.

The tournament will be staged at the glittering Salles des’Etoiles, which hosted the Golden Gloves Super Eight event and has also featured superstars from the world of music.

Having established himself in the principality with a dominant performance in June, Murray (28-1-1, 12 KOs) returns for his second outing there against rugged Domenico Spada (38-5, 19 KOs) of Italy, rated #8 by the WBC. It marks the first defence of Murray’s WBC Silver belt.

The tournament also includes three other championship fights.

Dual champion Hekkie Budler (26-1, 9 KOs) of South Africa, holder of the WBA and IBO strawweight titles, defends against former champion Xiong Zhao Zhong (24-5-1, 14 KOs).

American Randy Caballero (21-0, 13 KOs), the IBF #1, will venture out of California to fight IBF #3 and former world champion Stuart Hall (18-3-2, 7 KOs) of the UK for the IBF bantamweight belt. This bout will be presented in association with Dennis Hobson Promotions.

And big-hitting light-heavyweight Ryno Liebenberg (16-0, 11 KOs) of South Africa, ranked #6 by the WBC, will put both his WBC Silver belt and his unbeaten record on the line against Canada-based Colombian Eleider Alvarez (15-0, 8 KOs), who is also undefeated and rated #11. This fight will be presented in association with Groupe Yvon Michel.

Promotions company Golden Gloves believes that Murray, ranked #1 by the WBC, is no more than a fight or two away from a crack at a major title.

Efforts to entice interim WBC champion Marco Antonio Rubio and IBF champion Sam Soliman came to naught, despite outstanding purse offers.

“They won’t be able to run forever,” said Berman. “Until then, we have to keep Martin busy. He did a fine job in his last outing, outworking European hard man Max Bursak, and I expect even better against Spada, who has mixed in excellent company and has far more experience. He knows that beating Martin is a shortcut to the top.”

Budler blew the lid off the Casino de Monte-Carlo in his last outing, knocking out 60-fight veteran Pigmy Kokietgym, and will hope to do the same against Zhong, who until recently held the WBC title.

“The websites and boxing magazines that count have me as the number one in the division and that’s what matters,” said Budler. “I can’t help it if the other champions don’t want to fight me. For now, I have a job to do against Zhong. I loved fighting in Monte Carlo last time. I’ll train just as hard and expect to be rewarded on the night.”

Caballero has cut a swathe through the bantamweight division, most recently travelling to Koheo Oba’s Japanese backyard to cut him down in eight rounds in a title eliminator.

It means former champion Hall will have to be at his very best if he intends to regain honours.

“It’s a fight that would ordinarily top the bill,” said Berman. “Caballero might start favourite, but I’ve seen enough of Hall to expect that he will give Caballero a massive challenge. At 34, this could be his final big opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Liebenberg and Alvarez will bring together two contrasting styles – the fighter against the boxer. Both are unbeaten and chasing down a single goal: becoming world champion.

Alvarez has become hot property in Canada, where he is based, while Liebenberg is hot off the best victory of his career, having beaten Denis Grachev at the weekend.

Berman says that the winner will be in line for a crack against WBC champion Adonis Stevenson.

Known as one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, owned and operated by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, is the premiere casino destination in Europe. The Casino de Monte-Carlo continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Middleweight champion Sam Soliman will defend his title against Jermain Taylor in October in the United States.

According to Warriors Boxing promoter Leon Margules and Lou DiBella, who are co-promoting the card, the contracts are signed for the fight to take place on Oct. 4. However, there is a good chance the fight will be moved to Oct. 8 and air on ESPN2 as a Wednesday night boxing special, one week after the network will carry the Oct. 1 title elimination bout between Curtis Stevens and Hassan N’Dam for the right to become the mandatory challenger for the Soliman-Taylor winner.

“Jermain is very excited about it,” trainer Pat Burns told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “We’ve won four fights since we got back together and Jermain has come back. I’d like to have had more fights, more activity, but that’s the business. Jermain has been maintaining himself and his weight is good. It should pay off for him. He’s already in pretty good shape.”

“We always wanted to get another opportunity. They don’t come around too often,” Burns said. “We have a second chance and it’s a blessing. He’s fortunate to have this opportunity. I know there are some who say Jermain shouldn’t get this opportunity and some that say Sam Soliman shouldn’t be fighting Jermain, but I don’t worry about the critics.

“I put them aside and let’s go ahead and see how it comes out. I think we’ll win the fight. I know Jermain will work hard. We will be prepared and let the cards fall where they may.”

“This should be a competitive fight,” said said promoter Lou DiBella, who has promoted almost all of Taylor’s fights. “Jermain came back for this kind of opportunity and he is getting it against probably the most vulnerable of the middleweight champions. It’s a winnable fight and a great opportunity. Jermain is very live to win that belt.”

Kurt Emhoff, an attorney and Soliman’s and co-manager, said Soliman has signed for the fight, deciding to fight Taylor rather than accept a unification fight against Gennady Golovkin that was also on the table.

“We got a very generous offer for this fight,” Emhoff said.

“They had the Geale fight coming up and we had to wait a little bit and then this offer came in and it blew the (offer for the) Golovkin fight out of the water,” Emhoff said. “It took Sam (17) years to win a title. He has fought everybody, but he’s going to be 41 and he was looking for the best possible financial package that was offered and that’s what we took.

“Jermain is ranked by the IBF, he’s a big name, he’s won four fights in a row and he beat Truax. So we know we have to be ready and we expect the best Jermain Taylor. He was seconds away from beating Froch. We’re taking him seriously. He’s a tough out for anybody.”

CARSON, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2014) – Unbeaten IBF Welterweight World Champion Shawn “Showtime” Porter, undefeated contender Kell Brook and seven other boxers who will compete on this Saturday’s stacked Golden Boy Promotions’ fight card at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., participated in an open media workout Wednesday at Fabela Chavez Boxing Center in Carson, Calif..

The exciting, offensive-minded Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs), of Cleveland, Ohio, will defend his 147-pound crown against British banger Brook (32-0, 22 KOs), of Sheffield, England in what figures to be an explosive main event of a world championship tripleheader live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

In other world title fights Saturday on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (32-5-3, 21 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, will risk his 168-pound belt in a rematch against unbeaten Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (26-0-1, 22 KOs), of Flint, Mich., and undefeated Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. (23-0-1, 17 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, will defend his WBC Lightweight World Championship against mandatory challenger Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (32-2-1, 24 KOs), of Mexico City.

Undefeated heavyweight knockout sensation and WBC Continental Americas Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (31-3, 31 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., will be opposed by Jason Gavern (25-16-4, 11 KOs), of Orlando, Fla., in a 10-round scrap on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). In the opening bout, former two-division world champ Jorge “Niño De Oro” Linares (36-3, 23 KOs) faces Ira Terry (26-11, 16 KOs), of Memphis, Tenn., in an eight-round lightweight match.

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale
now and are available online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT).
VIP Suites are available by
calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 877-234-
8425. Doors open at 1 p.m. PT. The first fight begins at 1:00 p.m.

Here’s what the fighters said during Wednesday’s workout:

SHAWN PORTER, IBF Welterweight World Champion

“Training camp was great; we had some of the camp in Las Vegas and some in the Bay Area. We are ready to rock and roll. I just continue to work hard and sharpen the skills that I already possess.

“I am going into the fight looking for that knockout. I told myself that going four rounds or less would be a beautiful night for me. But at the same time I am prepared for a 12-round fight and being a boxer I know that you must be prepared for anything.

“I welcome the target on my back; I enjoy people talking about me. The good thing about having the target on my back is that I am a very hard target to hit. I am very excited about this fight and looking forward to defending my title. Saturday couldn’t come fast enough and after the fight I will be walking out with that title again.

“I am very humble, but everyone knows that when I get into that ring it’s my time to shine. I will be showing off for the fans, my team, and for my future opponents.

“StubHub Center is a great outdoor venue. I’ve been to the venue about six times, but have never fought there. Every time I go there I wish I was the one fighting in the ring, but my opportunity has finally come and I can’t wait to get out there and feel the energy of the crowd.

“Being that this is only the second time Kell Brook has fought in America, I hope he feels that added pressure of the big fight. The energy of the StubHub Center crowd will make him feel it, that’s for sure. But, at the end of the day I have to get in that ring and handle my business and not worry about all the factors that I can’t control. I can’t worry about what he feels and thinks. I know that I am full of confidence and positive energy and that I’ve been counting down for this fight.

“I love the fact that we are both undefeated, it makes for a great story. I know that he is a great fighter and I can’t look past him — that would be a huge mistake.”

KELL BROOK, Undefeated Welterweight Contender

“Training camp has gone very well. I am ready.

“When you get to this elite level and become a world champion, top fighters want to fight the best and I believe that I am at that level.

“It doesn’t matter that this is only my second time fighting in America. It’s just another ring and I will be ready to go. Boxing is all I do.

“Porter comes forward with swinging punches. Anyone at this level, you must take it off to them, they are in the ring for a reason. I know that it will be a tough fight, but every top performer can adjust and you will see me adjust. I know that it will be a dogfight but I always find a way to win.

“I am a slick fighter who will be very exciting. You are going to see crisp shots and I think that this fight will be a fight of the year candidate. I refuse to lose, but there will definitely be some fireworks during this fight.

“I have been waiting a very long time for my opportunity to fight in a world title fight, so the added pressure and anticipation will work in my favor. I have never been more prepared for a fight before and knowing that this is the biggest fight of my career only adds to my confidence.

“This is definitely my opportunity to show American fans what all the fuss is about with this British guy. My message to them is that I will go into that ring and give it my all and come out with that world title. Get your popcorn ready.”

SAKIO BIKA, WBC Super Middleweight Champion

“Training has been going great; we did everything that we were supposed to do. The weather was very good, the sparing was good, no complaints.

“Nothing has really changed going into this training camp from the last camp, except that I pushed myself very hard. I didn’t put on and take off any weight, I just work very hard in the gym.

“The first fight with Dirrell, I started off a little too slow. For this fight I will try to show that I am the boss in the right from the beginning, and make him scared. I want to attack him relentlessly and prove to him that he doesn’t belong in the ring with me.

“I definitely feel that I won the first fight and everyone saw that. The body shot that he got on me was a low blow, it was a lucky punch. I kept on hitting him so hard and he couldn’t handle the pressure I was putting on him. I know that I won that fight.

“If I am the victor in this fight, I won’t call any names on who I want to fight next. Every time that I call on a fighter, everyone gets too scared and doesn’t want to fight. I need to sit down with my management and see if I need to move up a weight class and fight a big challenger maybe in the light heavyweight division because I feel that I am capable.

“My biggest strength against Dirrell is that I am much stronger than him and I can handle all the pressure that is thrown my way. I am very strong and will pressure him constantly.”

ANTHONY DIRRELL, Undefeated Super Middleweight Contender

“I’m here to officially take what’s rightfully mine. Bika knows I won our last fight. It’s good we got to go straight to a rematch with no fights in between.

“I expect to see nothing new or different from Bika – Bika is Bika. In the ring, he is who he is. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

“I thought I fought a good fight the first time, but I can do even better. I can box better and I can stick to the game plan better. He can’t touch me when I box. In fact, he can’t touch me no matter how I fight him.

“That’s good that Daniel Jacobs (recently crowned WBA middleweight champion) is calling the fights for SHOWTIME. He’s a cancer survivor like me. Between us, we want to continue to inspire others all over the world.”

OMAR “PANTERITA” FIGUEROA JR., WBC Lightweight World Champion

“It’s an honor to represent the people in my hometown. I fight for my brothers and the little kids in my city who feel like they have no hope to leave the city. I started fighting when I was six-years-old; success doesn’t come over night. It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears. I want to show the people where I am from that it is possible to be successful and make a good life for yourself. I know that boxing has kept me out of trouble and in some ways saved my life.

“The reason why I moved back home and started training with my dad was mainly because I wanted to be close to my daughter. I missed her terribly when I wasn’t home.

“I wasn’t able to take advantage of the things that were presented to me by training with Joel Diaz because of my (sore) hands, so I decided to just stay home. If I wasn’t able to get the world-class sparring and training, then what was I doing being away from my family? Leaving Joel Diaz had nothing to do with him, I love him. It was solely a personal decision.

“My dad (trainer Omar Figueroa Sr.) grinds my gears, it can be a bit rocky. But with the knowledge I brought over from training with Joel Diaz it can make me grow as a boxer and my dad will grow as a trainer.

“Training is six days a week for three hours and then a jog. I can’t put on too much muscle because then I won’t be able to make weight. Training and dieting is very hard, but I am proud of myself because I actually kept up with it.

“People take care of me from where I am from. The love and support I feel in Texas makes me feel great.

“My hands will always be an issue. We will find out how long they last me on Saturday. I hope they last me long enough to get rid of my opponent. If not, then I will have to suck it up.

“I haven’t looked at any footage of Estrada but my father tells me that he is a straight forward kind of guy. He will get punched a lot and I have to be prepared for that. I am trained in a certain way that will give me the opportunity to exploit his weaknesses. I will focus a lot on the body like I always do.

“Fans can expect a great fight. They will get entertained and get their money’s worth and I will put on an excellent show for them.”

DANIEL ESTRADA, Leading Lightweight Contender
“It doesn’t bother me that I’m sort of the forgotten fighter on this card, but I came here to win my U.S. debut and in my mind I know I will win Saturday and then maybe more fans and media in America will recognize me more.
“I’ve watched a couple of Panterita’s fights and he’s a good, tough champion. That’s why I prepared so hard in Mexico for this. So I definitely respect him as a champion, but he’s not going to win.
“I’ve waited a year-and-a-half for this opportunity, and that gives me extra motivation. This is my chance and I know it. I train all the time and I’ve learned from one of the best fighters, Juan Manuel Marquez, who is my advisor and who will be in my corner Saturday.
“I don’t like to talk, but I am very confident. My camp went well. My conditioning is perfect. I’m hungry for that world title and can’t wait to face Panterita on Saturday night.”
DEONTAY WILDER, Undefeated WBC Continental Americas Champion

“I come prepared to show up and show out for any fight. It doesn’t matter what venue we are in; we can be in the smallest venue in the world and I will come prepared to put on a great show for my fans. I will still perform to the best of my ability.

“I don’t think fighting outside will have any impact on this fight. Coming from Alabama, the weather gets real hot and humid so this is nothing to me. During camp the heat was rising from inside of my boots so it kept me dancing.

“I always want to fight the biggest and best fight. But it has to be the right time and the right money. If people understand that boxing is a business before anything else, then they will understand all the other aspects of boxing. Most people don’t know anything about the business side and make judgments.

“Once I have that belt a lot of questions will be answered. I have had to humble myself and convince myself that my time is coming for that championship. I am ready and excited to prove to everybody, my fans and haters that I will eventually be the champion.

“In facing my opponent, all I would like to say is that we are in the heavyweight division so one punch could end the fight. I am not looking past him, I am only looking through him. My prize is to fight for the world title and in order to be able to do that I must get through my opponent on Saturday.

“My management didn’t want me to take this fight, I was the one who wanted to take it. This fight is giving me the opportunity to fight for a world title for my next fight. I know that I must stay active and I know that my opponent is a tough guy who will come and try to win. You can’t go off of his record, you just never know how he will come out on this night. I don’t want him to feel comfortable. I want to get in and get out.

“I know that I have a big bull’s eye on my back and that if I beat my opponent then I will be in the running for the world title come November.”

JORGE LINARES, Former WBC Featherweight & WBA Super Featherweight World Champion

“I’m the No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger to fight the winner of Figueroa and Estrada. It would be an honor to fight either of them but I am taking nothing for granted and am not taking my opponent lightly.

“I made the mistake once before. They all said I was going to have an easy fight against Sergio Thompson and I lost. That was a crazy fight in Mexico. I got head-butted in the second round, took a knee, and the doctor came in and stopped the fight and I got a loss even though I felt I could continue and the fight didn’t go four rounds. So I learned the hard way that on any given night even the worst fighter can beat you.

“I’ve prepared very hard for this and I’m looking forward to taking care of business on Saturday.”

JASON QUIGLEY, Unbeaten Super Middleweight Prospect
“I’m really looking forward to my second fight since my first went so fast (82-second knockout). I just fought in mid-July so it’s great to be brought back so soon.
“Getting the pro debut out of the way is somewhat of a relief, but I know I have a lot of work to do. Getting the experience is so important, which is why I train all over Los Angeles. I go to different gyms all the time, looking to spar, work and learn.
“I just know my opponent is also 1-0, not much else. I am grateful for the opportunity to fight on Saturday and looking forward to putting on a good show.”
# # #

Porter vs. Brook is a 12-round fight for Porter’s IBF Welterweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, the WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio Bika defends his belt in a rematch against Anthony Dirrell, and in the televised opener, Omar Figueroa defends his WBC Lightweight World Championship against Daniel Estrada. The event will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (SHOWTIME 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).