London (17 April) Hennessy Sports are proud to announce that we are bringing the MaxiNutrition Knockout semi-finals to Leeds Town Hall on May 17, live on Channel 5.

After two blistering sets of quarter-finals we are delighted to bring the next stage of the competition to Leeds, featuring home town fighter and newly crowned British light heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe, Swanley’s Southern Area champion Leon Senior, Newcastle’s English light heavyweight champion Travis Dickinson and Preston’s Central Area champion Matty Clarkson, as all four men look to progress through to the final.

Tickets to come and see this brand new competition that is showcasing the true heart of the domestic light heavyweight division will be on sale from next Wednesday, as pulsating knockdowns, fight of the year contenders and uncompromising displays of self belief and determination are all set to continue in Yorkshire.

Newcastle’s newly crowned English champion, Dickinson, faces Preston’s ‘Magic’ Matty Clarkson in the first semi-final of the night.

Dickinson claimed the English title, in the second set of quarter-finals, with an explosive third round knockout over former European champion Danny McIntosh at Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, last month.

That set up his semi-final contest against Clarkson, who had already defeated the tricky and unorthodox Sheffield fighter Lee Duncan that same night, with a unanimous points decision.

The second semi-final will see Leeds’ own British champion, Ajisafe, meet Swanley’s Leon Senior.

Ajisafe claimed his place with an inspiring display of heart and fortitude in a fight of the year contender against former British, Commonwealth, European, WBC International, WBO and IBO Inter-Continental champion Dean Francis at Rivermead, Reading.

The pair gave the fans a relentless and dramatic display of pugilism in its purest form, with both men giving it everything they had in a fight that swayed both ways for all 12 rounds.

By the final bell they had both shown what the competition meant to them before Ajisafe was given a unanimous points victory.

That set up his semi-final showdown against Southern Area champion, Senior, who had progressed following a non-contest result against former Commonwealth title challenger Tony Hill.

After a bright start from both men the fight was halted when Hill sustained a bad cut after an accidental clash of heads. Unable to continue, the fight was waved off with Southern Area champion, Senior, progressing.

This superb night of boxing will decide who will compete for the first ever MaxiNutrition Knockout title as well as feature a whole host of exciting local talent on the undercard.

“It is an absolutely superb competition and I am delighted to bring it to a venue like Leeds Town Hall,” Promoter Mick Hennessy said.

“We have already seen some of the most entertaining and exciting fights and I know that in a venue like this we’re in for an absolute treat.”

Ticket Information

Tickets for May 17th will be available to purchase from 12pm on Wednesday 23rd April, with prices starting from £35, from the Ticketline box office: www.ticketline.co.uk

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (April 16, 2014) – Legendary former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson took a break from his promotional duties for Friday’s ShoBox The New Generation tripleheader to enjoy arcade games with two of his children at Latitude 40 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Tyson’s Iron Mike Productions will make its promotional debut on SHOWTIME®, home of 16 of Tyson’s last 18 fights, live at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pa., located outside of the Steel City.

Joining Tyson at Latitude 40 prior to a press conference and meet-and-greet with fans was his daughter, Milan, and his son, Morocco.

In the 10-round main event, heavy-hitting Cuban lightweight Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado (18-0, 16 KOs), of Miami, Fla., by way Cork, Ireland, and Havana, Cuba, will be opposed by his toughest opponent to-date, Pittsburgh-area crowd favorite “Lightning” Rod Salka (18-3, 3 KOs), of Bunola, Pa.

In the co-feature, undefeated southpaw and Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz (14-0, 8 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., by way of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic will box Emmanuel Lartey (15-1-1, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn by way of Ghana, in an eight-round welterweight bout.

In the opening bout of the telecast, local favorite and war veteran Sammy Vasquez, Jr. (13-0, 9 KOs), of Monesson, Pa., will meet fellow unbeaten Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez, Jr. (11-0, 5 KOs), of Union City, N.J., in an eight-round welterweight bout.

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information visit www.IronMikeProductions.com, www.sho.com/sports, follow on twitter at @IronMikeProd, @shosports, follow the conversation using #ShoBox or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/IronMikeProductions.Official and www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.

MONROEVILLE, Pa. (April 17, 2014) – It turns out promoter Mike Tyson can stir the pot almost as much as heavyweight champ Mike Tyson. Almost.

Tyson seemed right at home in his new role as promoter Thursday as he guided his Iron Mike Productions fighters through the final press conference and weigh-in for tomorrow’s ShoBox: The New Generation event.

Friday’s tripleheader airs live on SHOWTIME®, home of 16 of Tyson’s last 18 fights, at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pa., located outside of the Pittsburgh.

Tyson egged on his fighters, enticed trash talking and did his best to create some controversy during the presser before the official weigh-in. In other words, typical Tyson.

“Listen, I don’t want to hear you guys talk about respect for each other,’’ Tyson said. “I want to hear what you guys are going to do to each other tomorrow night. I want to hear that you’re going to knock him out.

“Don’t worry about making weight. Listen, we’re only talking about a few pounds here. I fought as a heavyweight and it didn’t matter. This is boxing. We’re here to see some people beat each other up tomorrow. Weight doesn’t matter; we’re here to watch you fight.

“I’m excited to have such a great card and exciting event for my return to SHOWTIME. We’re a very young organization but we’re moving pretty fast.”

Hard-hitting Cuban lightweight Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado (18-0, 16 KOs), of Miami, Fla., weighed in at 131.6 pounds for his 10-round main event showdown with Pittsburgh-area crowd favorite “Lightning” Rod Salka (18-3, 3 KOs), who tipped the scales at 132.6 pounds.

Undefeated southpaw and Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz (14-0, 8 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., by way of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, measured 139.6 pounds while Emmanuel Lartey (15-1-1, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn by way of Ghana, weighed in at 142.7 pounds for their eight-round junior welterweight bout.

Local favorite and war veteran Sammy Vasquez, Jr. (13-0, 9 KOs), of Monesson, Pa., weighed in at 146.8 pounds for his eight-round welterweight showdown with fellow unbeaten Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez, Jr. (11-0, 5 KOs), of Union City, N.J., who tipped the scale at 148 pounds.

Here’s what the fighters had to say during Thursday’s events.

ALEXEI COLLADO:
“I think he’s the toughest fighter I’ve faced, but we’re looking at this more as an opportunity than a challenge.

“My career has changed since I moved to Miami to train. I now have all the opportunity in the world. Fighting on SHOWTIME opens the door even more. Now all I have to do is win.

“I’m ready for anyone in this division. I let my team make the opportunities, I just handle the fighting. But I think I’m getting close to a title shot.

“We’re looking for the best fight of my career. I’m looking to make a statement and knock this guy out. A win is a win – we’ll take a decision – but we’d love a knockout.

“I’m not concerned about the judges or fighting in his hometown. I’m coming in with confidence. I’ve fought in Cuba, Ireland, the U.S. I’ll fight anywhere. If you win every round then there is no way the judges can take that away from you.

“It’s going to be a good, hard fight. We took a tough opponent – he’s smart, fast and strong.”

ROD SALKA:
“I can’t wait to get in the ring. This is a job; I’m here to fight. That’s all that matters.

“We have 10 rounds or less to finish this fight. Why wouldn’t I want to knock him out? It’s 10 rounds or less for a reason. We’ll see tomorrow when we get in the ring.

“We’ve been doing this for a long time in Pittsburgh. You know what we’re about. I look forward to showing it in the ring.

“I’m relying on everyone from Pittsburgh to cheer me on. Once we get in the ring I won’t have to do any more talking.

“If I win this fight I’m going to fly to California for the (Omar) Figueroa-(Jerry) Belmontes fight. I want the winner of that. If they can’t make that happen then I’ll fight anyone with a big name. That’s what I’m ready for.

“I’m sick of being the guy that people build their fighters up against. I’m looking for a signature win to make myself viable in this division.

“People know I looked good against (Ricardo) Alvarez. I need to look good in this fight and get my big shot.

“I love fighting guys that come forward. I think Figueroa would be perfect for me. If you put me in there with that guy it’s going to be an exciting fight.

“I’m not looking past Collado. This guy is tough – he comes forward and comes to fight. But if I come out throwing 80 or 90 punches a round it’s going to tough to beat me.”

FELIX DIAZ:
“I guarantee an exciting fight and a victory. I didn’t come here to lose.

“I went to Oxnard, Calif., to train with Robert Garcia and he’s done a hell of a job getting me ready.

“My outlook has always been the same and my style is the same. But Robert has improved my conditioning. I’m more well-rounded. My game has always been about reflexes and being quick, but training up there has made me a better fighter.

“He’s faced a few guys that might be tougher than me on paper. But at the same time I’m going to show why I’m the undefeated fighter.”

EMMANUEL LARTEY:
“This opportunity is everything. I wouldn’t mess this up for anything in the world. I’m here to win. I know Diaz is undefeated but I’m not anything or anybody to look past.

“I’m ready. I’ll fight this guy anywhere, anytime. I’m here to fight and I’m here to win.

“He not the toughest guy I’ve faced. I fought Kaizer Mabuza, who got a shot at a title, and I beat him. I think Diaz is between him and (Errol) Spence as far as talent. He may be tough, but tomorrow will be my day.

“His record doesn’t impress me. Olympics is Olympics, professional is professional. I went to Commonwealth games and was the captain of the Ghana team. I have a good amateur record as well. So I’m not afraid of him or his resume.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time and I just didn’t get a chance. People always took me as an opponent but I always proved myself. This is the right time for me to prove who I really am.”

SAMMY VASQUEZ, JR.:
“He’s coming into my town and messing with what I represent. My record speaks for itself. It’s not me going to sleep. It’s time for him to lay down.

“I’m here to handle business. I’m happy that we get to do this in Pittsburgh and we get to showcase this city and our skills to the world.

“I’m excited for the opportunity. To be on TV is a great experience. I’ve been on AFN (American Forces Network) before and that was great, but this is a whole different level.

“I have family in Texas, Florida, California, and now they can all watch my fight on SHOWTIME.

“Bringing a nationally televised fight to my town is a big deal. I’ve trained hard. Everyone knows who I am here – that statement has been made – but I’m looking to show the rest of the country what I have.

“I respect every fighter that steps in there with me. My job is to get him out of there. I’ll set him up with the shots and take care of business. I’m the first undefeated fighter he’s faced so he’s looking to make a statement as well.

“I think I’ve definitely faced the tougher opponents.

“I’ve already received some messages from friends over in Afghanistan that they’re going to watch my fight on AFN. It means a lot to have my fellow veterans and active military supporting me overseas.”

JUAN RODRIGUEZ, JR.:
“We have two undefeated fighters both putting their records on the line early in their career. It’s going to be a show. We didn’t come here to lose and I know he didn’t come here to lose. But we’re here to put him to sleep.

“We will just beat him up really bad, abuse him. Even though sometimes the judges don’t agree, we can abuse him and have fun with him if we don’t knock him out.

“It’s a step up for both of us. We’re both equal fighters. I don’t think he has an advantage over me. He’s only fought one other fighter with an undefeated record so I’m not worried. It’s a step up for both of us.

“I’m looking to show the world out there what I’m really about. I’m looking to make a statement to my Puerto Rican fan base and everyone out there. I want to show them my skills and talent.

“It’s time for the beast to be unleashed.”

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information visit www.IronMikeProductions.com, www.sho.com/sports, follow on twitter at @IronMikeProd, @shosports, follow the conversation using #ShoBox or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/IronMikeProductions.Official and www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.

WASHINGTON D.C. (April 17, 2014) – The fighters, including legendary future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins and Beibut Shumenov, who will compete on Saturday’s eagerly awaited “History at the Capitol” world championship tripleheader on SHOWTIME®, participated in the final press conference Thursday at The Hamilton Live in Washington, D.C.

In the history-making main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® (9 p.m. ET/PT following the premiere of Episode 1 of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana) the 49-year-old Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 KOs), of Philadelphia, will be seeking to become the oldest fighter in boxing history to unify world titles when he puts his IBF Light Heavyweight title on the line against his WBA counterpart, Shumenov (14-1, 9 KOs), of Shymkent, Kazakhstan, who is aiming to become the fastest fighter to unify the light heavyweight division with only 15 professional fights.

The two other world title fights on SHOWTIME — unbeaten IBF Welterweight World Champion Shawn Porter (23-0-1), ofCleveland, defends against former world champion Paulie Malignaggi (33-5, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y. and unbeaten WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter Quillin (30-0, 22 KOs), of Brooklyn, risks his belt against the Czech Republic’s Lukas Konecny (50-4, 23 KOs). Three live preliminary fights will precede the SHOWTIME telecast on SHOWTIME EXTREME®(7 p.m. ET/PT): Sadam Ali (18-0, 11 KOs), Brooklyn, vs. Michael Clark (44-9-1, 18 KOs ) Columbus, OH., 10 rounds, welterweights; Zachary Ochoa (6-0, 3 KOs), Brooklyn, vs. Hector Marengo (6-7-4, 4 KOs), Arecibo, Puerto Rico, 4/6 rounds, junior welterweights; and Marcus Browne (9-0, 7 KOs), Staten Island, N.Y., vs. Otis Griffin, 24-15-2 (10 KOs) Sacramento, Calif., 8 rounds, light heavyweights.

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $75, $200 and $300, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale now and available online at http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000. The DC Armory Box Office will be open on fight night only from 3 p.m.-10 p.m. ET.

Hopkins was honored twice during the final press conference. At the outset of the proceedings, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer presented him with a National Portrait Gallery portrait donated by Golden Boy Promotions and shot by renowned sports photographer Holger Keifel. It will become part of Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery permanent collection and is projected to appear in the museum within the next two to three years and will likely be on display for six months or longer.

Later, Marvis Frazier, the former boxer and son of the late, great former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, presented a plaque to Hopkins and Golden Boy Promotions in appreciation for their contribution to the Joe Frazier Statue in Philadelphia.

What the boxers and executives said Thursday:

BERNARD HOPKINS

“This is really a defense of my legacy. Belts are nice, but they’re nicer when you’re younger and establishing a foundation. My foundation was laid down years ago. You get what you put in most of the time and then you get the times where you have to fight for what you want.

“This is an opportunity for me to represent the 40 and up club that is very alive in the world. Boxing and non-boxing fans are supporting me. I go and train understanding that it’s not just for me, but for you all to enjoy what is taking place while it is taking place.

“Sometimes we take personal achievements for granted. We don’t appreciate it until you get treated the opposite way.

“Come April 19, you will be inspired by me. The work I’ve put in all these years has already been set. Now I’m here to let you know how I feel.

“The best in Beibut will bring out the best in me. I want him to try to win every round. I want him to do this because if he doesn’t do this, you won’t see the best of me. I’ll do what I do regardless, but I don’t want to look like the worst word in America, a bully.

“He’s motivated to fight me, he said he’s been dreaming of this all his life. Understand one thing, be careful what you wish for.

“Get ready for school, student. No disrespect, its logic. I am the professor with a PHd. I’m going to take his GED learning that you need more than that to make a living.

“After this is over with, let’s pray he has the career going forward. I have a track record. There’s a whole list of names that didn’t survive the mental beat down.

“When you watch Saturday you’re going to watch something you’ve seen over and over. I can’t help if you all get bored. You’re going to have to write the story.

“Enjoy and understand that this is history. I’m defending something bigger than a title. My legendary
20plus year legacy, is more important than anything around my waist.”

BEIBUT SHUMENOV

“[To Hopkins] You’re mistaken if you think going into this as if I’m fighting a 50-year-old man. On Saturday night we are going to see who is taking whose belts.

“It’s not for me about money. I’m fighting for the honor and the glory to be acknowledged as a great fighter. I’m not thinking about future fights. I prepared for this fight like it’s my last. I’m a man of my word, so you’re going to see a great fight Saturday night.

“I want to fight the best and I am fighting the best.

“I’ve been dreaming all of my life for this moment. I’ve been ready to fight at this level for several years. I couldn’t get there on my own. This is a good opportunity for me.

“Hard work and preparation has been done. I am fighting one of the greatest ever, who beat so many other legends and great fighters.

“I am ready to show the world what I’m capable of. I will show the world that I am the best light heavyweight champion.”

SHAWN PORTER

“We could have taken any challenger, we could have taken a lesser opponent, and we could have fought two more months from now…but that’s not the Porter way.

“We work hard and we have high expectations. At Team Porter we challenge ourselves. We talk day in and day out about the game plan. We send footage and notes to one and other every single day. We diet together. I lost a lot of weight for this fight, and I feel really good right now.

“My dad’s doing the exact same things I’m doing, eating the same stuff, working the same way I do. We work hard and we’re blessed. We understand what position we’re in today and what position we’re going to be in when I get in the ring with Paulie Malignaggi.

“We’re in a privileged position – we have a world championship belt. We’re going to defend it with honor and everything we have. We know what Paulie is bringing to the ring. This is going to be a great, exciting fight.”

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

“I’m very happy with the team I have around me, they’ve allowed me to excel. I can just focus on boxing with no other headaches.

“I have outlasted almost every single fighter that has been hyped more than me. You keep saying, ‘how is this guy still around?’

“Shawn Porter is a world champion who still has that hungry attitude. That makes it all the more difficult of a challenge. Fighting a guy like that becomes not only a game of skill, but a game of will.

“I think I’ve proven through the years that I have a lot of both and Shawn is proving he has both as well and that makes it a very intriguing matchup.

“The winner will be very deserving at the end of the day. I feel like I’m the more talented fighter not that Shawn isn’t talented. I feel what I have in my back pocket is more than what he has. We’ll see Saturday if he’s ready.”

PETER QUILLIN

“It’s an important thing for me to be here in front of you guys. I just hope I can keep doing this same thing over and over again.

“I’m going to defend my title with so much pride. There’s no ego, just pride, hard work, determination and sacrifice. It’s what got me here and it’s the most important part of boxing to me.

“I may not have much control outside of the ring, but when I’m in the ring I can create and do what I want. I’m inspiring people to be happy with themselves.

“Bernard set the bar so high and I just want to set it even higher.

“The only part of this card that’s going to be hard is watching my brothers Paulie and Shawn fight. May the best man win. When the opportunity comes you have to capitalize on it.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity to fight in D.C. I’m so inspired to be here I think my name is going to be the ‘Capital Kid.’ ”

LUKAS KONECNY, WBO European Champion & Former WBO Interim Junior Middle Champion

“I expect a hard fight, but a fair fight. I want to win and I have the most experience.

“I think it should be a good confrontation between the European and the U.S. boxing style. Hopefully the best one will win and it will be me.”

NAAZIM RICHARDSON, Hopkins’ Trainer

“I’ve seen a lot of these young guys as they grew up. I’ve known Shawn Porter so long I remember when his father was fighting. Seeing all these guys up in this position is great and needs to be paid attention to.

“This guy, Bernard Hopkins, you’ve said everything you could say about him. We just hope you guys appreciate it. This guy has been fighting all the way through.

“Bernard teaches me all the time. I want people to understand when they see Bernard that you’re not seeing the microwave era of boxing. You have to appreciate it, the sweet science of boxing. These guys on the undercard are lucky because they get to see it.

“I want people to acknowledge that we’re dealing with a special athlete in Bernard. Thirty is old in boxing, guys still perform at 30 but it’s old. So what he’s doing is ridiculous.

“Everything he does is history. Every bag he hits is a part of history. Because what he’s doing has never been done. Bernard is the oldest athlete to hold a title in any sport.

“Bernard now carries Joe Frazier’s spirit in Philadelphia. It’s not the same style but it’s the same mentality. He never says die and never surrenders.”

MARVIS FRAZIER, Joe Frazier’s Son

“Bernard Hopkins is a true humanitarian. My father passed away in the midst of people putting together a statue for him. No one would come to the table; Golden Boy and Bernard Hopkins said they would build the statue for my father.

“I love this guy, he’s a great brother and on behalf of the Frazier family I want to thank you and Golden Boy Promotions for what they have done and are about to do.”

RICHARD SCHAEFER, Golden Boy Promotions CEO

“Now is your chance. Here in Washington and the East Coast, people from Philly, New York and Washington come here to be part of this historic event.

“With Beibut Shumenov, Bernard’s fighting somebody who as a pro has a record with 14 wins, 9 by KO. Beibut is from Kazakhstan, and he has a rich amateur history. He was a 2004 Olympian for Kazakhstan. He has been waiting for an opportunity like this. He is as dedicated as any fighter I have ever seen. He has tremendous will and desire. He has a tremendous and loyal team behind him. He’s trained hard and is ready to go and make history here in Washington, D.C.

“Paulie is one of the most recognized fighters in the world. He’s a two-time, two-division world champion who is trying to win his third world title on Saturday night.

“Shawn Porter wants to face a veteran and the welterweight division is without any question the hottest division. Shawn Porter was one of the best amateur boxers of this era and established himself as one of the most exciting, young emerging stars of the sport.

“I’ve been in boxing since 2000. Of all the fighters there’s one that stands out when it comes to loyalty and when it comes to respect and Bernard tells me that it’s because of the respect I show him. He is one of a kind in many ways. He is a true friend.”

CHRIS DEBLASIO, Vice President Communications, SHOWTIME SPORTS

“This fight Saturday night on SHOWTIME is part of a tremendous lineup of boxing programming on our network that features no less than 19 live prizefights over the next three weeks.

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will be preceded by the premiere of All Access: Mayweather vs. Maidana. And the live show will feature a special guest analyst. Middleweight contender Daniel Jacobs will be substituting for Paulie Malignaggi who will be indisposed.

“Last January, when we had a fight card here at the DC Armory, I reported record ratings and record viewership growth for Showtime Boxing. I am proud to say that the trend continues and we are looking for strong performances in the next three weeks. Thank you for your support.”

ERIK A. MOSES, Senior Vice President of Events DC

“We consider ourselves very fortunate to be able to host such a fantastic fight card. As a fight fan, I’m excited about what we’re going to see on Saturday. But as a person who’s responsible for making D.C. more of a fight and sports town, I’m really excited that Golden Boy Promotions and SHOWTIME and Bernard, in particular, have decided to come back to Washington.

“For those of you who don’t know, this will be the third championship fight in 14 months that we’ve hosted in the DC Armory, which is a fantastic thing. And frankly, we should give it up to Golden Boy Promotions for that. D.C. is a good sports town, but we want to make certain that people know it’s a fight town as well.

“I will echo Scottie Irving’s [D.C. Boxing Commissioner] comments that we want to sell this fight out. And every fight that comes to Washington, we want to show that we’re a great fight town. There’s a lot of energy and buzz around this city, and there has been ever since this fight was announced.

“We want Golden Boy Promotions to come back many more times and bring many more fights to Washington, D.C. as we continue to show them what we can do to support this fantastic sport.

“We’re honored to have Bernard and Mr. Shumenov here having their fight, as well as Paulie and the other combatants who are going to be here.

“This is going to be history in the making. To see someone like Bernard, who’s been fighting as long as he has, and at his age, do what he’s trying to do in our nation’s capital has all the makings of a fantastic story.”

SCOTTIE IRVING, Chairman of the DC Boxing Commission

“We expect an outstanding, clean fight. I want to make it really clear that the last time we had a fight at the DC Armory that sold out we talked to Golden Boy and had a conversation with Bernard, and we said at that time that we did a great job and we deserve another fight. And Bernard said, ‘I will do my best to make sure you guys get another fight soon.’
“I said it before, that Bernard is a man of his word. Not only did he go out and find the best fighter that he could to fight in D.C., he offered to do it himself, and to come fight here.

“If you miss this one I’ll do my best to make sure Golden Boy is back this summer, and next time at the Verizon Center. We look forward to our continued success in boxing.”

# # #

Hopkins vs. Shumenov, a 12-round fight for the IBF, WBA and IBA Light Heavyweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, April 19 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In the 12-round co-features, Shawn Porter defends his IBF Welterweight World Title against Paulie Malignaggi and Peter Quillin puts his WBO Middleweight World Title on the line against Lukas Konecny. The live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana. The telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com and follow on Twitter at @TheRealBHop and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #HopkinsShumenov and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing

WHAT: “Pittsburgh Power” professional boxing

WHEN: Friday, April 18, 2014

WHERE: Monroeville Convention Center, Monroeville, PA

WHO: Vacant WBC Interim FECARBOX Lightweight Championship (10)
Alexei Collado (18-0, 16 KOs), Miami, Florida by way of Cuba
vs.
Rod Salka (18-3, 3 KOs)

Vacant WBC Junior Welterweight Championship (8)
Felix Diaz (14-0, 8 KOs), Oxnard, California by way of Dominican Republic
vs.
Emmanuel Lartey (15-1-1, 7 KOs), Brooklyn, New York by way of Ghana

Welterweights (8)
Samuel Vasquez Jr. (13-0, 9 KOs), Monessen, Pennsylvania
vs.
Juan Rodriguez Jr. (11-0, 5 KOs), Union City, New Jersey

Welterweights (6)
Erickson Lubin (4-0, 4 KOs), Miami, Florida
vs.
Jovan Ramirez (3-1, 1 KO), Aqua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico

Junior Middleweights (8)
Yudel Jhonson (14-1, 9 KOs), Miami, Florida by way of Cuba
vs.
Lenwood Dozier (9-5-1, 4 KOs), Glen Burnie, Maryland

Super Featherweights (4)
Albert Bell (3-0, 1 KO), Miami, Florida
vs.
Micah Branch (2-9-1), Cincinnati, Ohio

Lightweights (4)
Ryan Martin (4-0, 3 KOs), Cleveland, Ohio
vs.
Misael Chacon (1-1), Chandler, Arizona by way of Mexico

Junior Middleweights (4)
Andreas Kamouyerou (3-0, 2 KOs), Venetia, Pennsylvania
vs.
Malik Jackson (0-2-2), Newark, New Jersey

PROMOTER: Iron Mike Productions

MATCHMAKER: Chris Middendorf

TELEVISION: ShoBox: The New Generation
(live 10:45 p.m. ET, delayed on West Coast)

DOORS OPEN: 7 p.m. ET FIRST BOUT: 8 p.m. ET

TICKETS: $250.00 VIP ringside (includes meet-and-greet with Mike Tyson), $100.00 ringside, $75.00 reserved and $35.00 general admission (plus fees), purchase at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/shobox-the-new-generation-tickets-11033903703?aff=es2&rank=11&sid=8d2f3f59b37a11e38be122000a9f3045

INFORMATION:www.IronMikeProductions.com, www.sho.com/sports, follow on twitter at@IronMikeProd,@shosports, follow the conversation using#ShoBoxor become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/IronMikeProductions.Officialandwww.facebook.com/ShoBoxing

OFFICIAL WEIGH IN & FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: Thursday, April 17, 2014
4 p.m. ET – Doubletree Hotel, 101 Mall Plaza Boulevard, Monroeville, PA

OXNARD, Calif. (April 15, 2014) – Approximately 200 fans and media that included several television camera crews, newspaper and online reporters, photographers and video bloggers turned out to watch WBA Welterweight World Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana during his media day on Tuesday, April 15 at The Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard.

The Argentine Maidana (35-3, 31 KOs) is winding down final preparations as he gets set for the biggest fight of his career when he faces undefeated boxing superstar, 10-time world champion and current WBC Welterweight World Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather in the main event of “THE MOMENT” on Saturday, May 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena live on SHOWTIME PPV®.

In fights before the Mayweather vs. Maidana 147-pound unification match on the pay-per-view telecast, British superstar and former unified super lightweight world champion Amir “King” Khan (28-3, 19 KOs) faces WBA International Welterweight Champion Luis Collazo (35-5, 18 KOs), of Brooklyn, NY in a 12-round bout for the WBC Silver Welterweight Title. Also, former three-time world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (27-1, 22 KOs), of Cincinnati, OH takes on Carlos Molina (17-1-1, 7 KOs), of Norwalk, Calif., in a 10-round junior welterweight bout and undefeated J’Leon Love (17-0, 10 KOs), of Dearborn Heights, Mich., meets battle-tested NABF 154-Pound Champion Marco Antonio Periban (20-1-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight match.

Tickets for the live event priced at $1,500, $1,000 and $750 are still available, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets priced at $550 and $350 are sold out. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person. 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.

With Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions looking on, a fit and confident Maidana worked out for about 25 minutes Tuesday. After loosening up, he hit the mitts and the speed bag and smacked the heavy bag. Before and after the brief workout, he did many interviews, posed for pictures and signed autographs.

Below is what Maidana and his trainer, former world champion and 2012 Trainer of the Year, Robert Garcia, said:

MARCOS MAIDANA, WBA Welterweight World Champion

“I know I am fighting the best in the world and that this is the biggest opportunity there is, so I am very thankful to Mayweather for giving me the chance.

“I never let what anybody outside the ring says bother me. I’ve heard a little about what they’re saying, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve heard it before.

“I’ve been an underdog my whole life. I was the underdog against Adrien Broner and Victor Ortiz and you saw what happened. I won. I am the underdog again in this fight, but I earned the right to the fight.

“I will give Mayweather a much better fight than any of the other contenders will. I have trained very well, and I’m in great shape. The only pressure is to perform well. I am a fighter and I come to fight. I don’t respect any opponent when I’m in the ring. I’m in this fight to win.

“This is going to be a great fight that fans will not want to miss. They know my style is to come forward. They know I like to be the aggressor. They know I throw heavy punches that can seriously hurt my opponent. .

“My fans know I am going to give it my all, my absolute best. I am excited and very confident. I am ready for May 3 and I’m ready for Floyd Mayweather.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Maidana’s Trainer

“This is my fifth fight with Marcos and, since day one, he has come to learn and listened to everything I say. I tell him something and he does it. He’s great to work with, so willing. For a trainer, that is quite a blessing.

“It’s been a great camp. Maidana knows the odds, but odds don’t mean a thing to him. He’s coming to fight and win. He won’t be intimidated. He won’t be scared. He knows what he is capable of doing.

“Mayweather is the best and has been on top for many years. He may be the best pound-for-pound boxer in history. He has done so many great things. But just because you’re the best doesn’t mean you can’t lose. Ali lost. Sugar Ray Leonard lost.

“Styles make fights. One punch can change everything. I don’t think Mayweather has been hit as hard as Maidana will hit him. But we aren’t looking for a knockout. We don’t want to just rely on maybe a lucky punch. Maidana is preparing to win all 12 rounds, and dominate.”

# # #

“THE MOMENT: Mayweather vs. Maidana,” is a 12-round world championship unification bout for Mayweather and Maidana’s respective 147-pound titles. This is the third fight of Mayweather’s lucrative multi-fight deal with Showtime Networks Inc. THE MOMENT is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts and AT&T. In the co-main event, Amir Khan faces Luis Collazo in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBC silver welterweight world title. The pay-per-view undercard also features a 10-round junior welterweight fight between Adrien Broner and Carlos Molina as well as a 10-round super middleweight bout featuring J’Leon Love vs. Marco Antonio Periban. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Six MGM Resorts Properties will host live closed circuit telecast of THE MOMENT: Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage and Monte Carlo. General admission tickets for the closed circuit telecasts are priced at $75, not including handling fees, and are available for purchase at each individual property’s box office outlets and by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711 or at www.mgmgrand.com. Select properties also will sell tickets through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or by purchasing online at www.ticketmaster.com. “THE MOMENT” will also be broadcast on nearly 520 select movie theaters across the country. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @chinomaidana, @amirkingkhan, @realluiscollazo,@AdrienBroner, @CarlosMolina562, @anthonyogogo, @mayweatherpromo, @goldenboyboxing, @ShoSports and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #TheMoment and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and http://www.facebook.com/SHOboxing.

LONDON (April 16) – Boxing’s oldest ever world champion Bernard Hopkins believes he will once again make history as he looks to unify the light-heavyweight division this weekend.

Hopkins has already made a profound statement in the world of boxing, reigning as one of the world’s top middleweights for over a decade, before moving up the weight classes to finally become the fight games oldest champion.

Having initially dethroned George Foreman of that title back in 2011, when he captured the WBC and IBO light-heavyweight belts at 46 against Jean Pascal, the Philadelphian recently broke his own record when he beat Tavoris Cloud at 48 to win the IBF crown last year.

Now though, the boxing icon faces another momentous task as he looks to unify the 175-pound division when he faces off against WBA Super champion Beibut Shumenov this Saturday, live on BoxNation, with Hopkins urging fans to enjoy him while he’s around.

“To be 49-years-old, approaching 50, and knocking on the door of being a senior citizen – it’s a profound statement of my dedication,” said Hopkins “It’s sweeter now to be here with everybody. Everything I do is history. If you had one more chance to see something that you loved before you never see it again – here I am. You’ll have a chance to see history. You can tell your grandkids about what you saw,” he said.

The skilled veteran is determined to remain at the top and fighting the best, despite the challenges a battle with Shumenov presents.

“Name another athlete in this country that is doing it at this age and winning, not just competing, but fighting the top fighters in the world. This guy is no run-of-the-mill guy, he’s a threat,” Hopkins said.

“I’m not fighting a cream puff; this isn’t a bum of the month club. I’m fighting real dudes. These guys are hardcore, hungry and top contenders.

“Shumenov wants to make a name, like everyone else. What better place to make a name than against me?” he said.

The light-heavyweight division is packed with some of boxing’s leading names including knockout artists Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev.

Both hold the other recognised world titles in the division, with the prospect of capturing all the belts and becoming only the second fighter since Evander Holyfield to unify two separate divisions with every championship an alluring one for the ageless Hopkins.

“It [prospect of unifying the division], gets me a lot more energised than my last two fights but those last two fights played a role to get energised,” said Hopkins. “To me, this isn’t the climax, this is the pre-climax, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s where I need to be and where I had to go through to get here in the last year or two, to be patient, to fight my mandatory and to show people

“I wanted it to be Kovalev but they chose to fight [Nathan] Cleverly, smart move, good management. Now, we’re here, and I’m looking to show the world that I might be the second or the first boxer in any division that became undisputed in two weight classes in modern times,” he said.

“I love history and I love trying to break records that have been set for multiple years because I believe I have a history of doing that, and this is energising too,” Hopkins added.

The American’s disciplined lifestyle is the driving force behind his success that is seeing him not only remain competitive in his twilight years but still held in high regard as one of boxing’s truly elite fighters.

“Taking the test without studying is like taking a fight without being in the gym. The gym is studying. The test is April 19. You can put the cart in front of the horse if you’re a fool and I think people would agree I’m no fool.

“I’m a guy that loves the craft and respects the craft. You can love something, but it doesn’t mean you respect it. Love is the emotional part; respect is the dedication and hard work. That attitude and that demeanour is always going to be there. That’s just who I am,” said Hopkins.

Hopkins vs. Shumenov is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Saturday night. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 one off registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 16, 2014) – Middleweight contender Daniel Jacobs is trading in his gloves for a microphone, at least for one night.

The inspirational cancer survivor will serve as guest analyst for this Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the DC Armory in Washington, D.C.

Jacobs will step in for critically acclaimed analyst Paulie Malignaggi, who will challenge IBF Welterweight World Champion Shawn Porter in the co-feature of the world championship tripleheader.

“It’s an honor to have this opportunity on such a historic boxing event,” Jacobs said. “I’m excited to be the guy on the outside that will provide the viewers with the type of insight only a fighter can provide. I also look forward to the opportunity to see the sport in a different perspective and gain more of an appreciation for the craft.

“I know I’ll be in good hands alongside Al Bernstein, Mauro Ranallo and the rest of the SHOWTIME crew giving the viewers and fans a great night of boxing.”

In the main event, IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Bernard Hopkins will face WBA World Champ Beibut Shumenov in a highly anticipated world championship unification while WBO Middleweight World Champ Peter Quillin will risk his title against Lukas Konecny in the opening bout of the telecast.

Saturday’s telecast will air live immediately following the premiere of Episode 1 of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana, the most recent installment of the Emmy® Award-nominated SHOWTIME Sports® series that chronicles the dramatic and often unpredictable lives of the world’s best prizefighters.

The 27-year-old Jacobs (27-1, 24 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., is coming off a first-round TKO of Milton Nunez on March 15 on the SHOWTIME EXTREME® undercard of the Danny Garcia-Mauricio Herrera event in Puerto Rico. The victory was Jacob’s fifth straight win in as many fights since returning to the ring after a courageous 19-month battle against cancer and partial paralysis.

The 6-foot-1 Jacobs, who is the fifth ranked middleweight contender by the IBF and sixth by the WBC, WBA and WBO, has won seven in a row by knockout.

# # #

Hopkins vs. Shumenov, a 12-round fight for the IBF, WBA and IBA Light Heavyweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, April 19 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In the 12-round co-features, Shawn Porter defends his IBF Welterweight World Title against Paulie Malignaggi and Peter Quillin puts his WBO Middleweight World Title on the line against Lukas Konecny. The live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana. The telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 16th, 2014) — Good or bad, Andre Soukhamthath doesn’t care what you think.

You won’t find him online much these days reading what other people have to say about who he fights, how he fights, or what they think about his latest opponent.

“It’s not important,” he said. “I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone. I just want to win.”

The well-mannered bantamweight from Woonsocket, R.I., with the million-dollar smile hasn’t suddenly turned heel following his loss to Kin Moy in January, but with the pressure to respond to critics no longer clouding his judgment, Soukhamthath (7-2, 4 KOs) will be all business when he returns to the cage Friday, April 25th, 2014 against Josh Killion (10-4) of Ohio on the undercard of “CES MMA XXIII” at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I.

“There’s no pressure anymore,” said Soukhamthath, whose loss to Moy snapped a seven-fight win streak.

“I finally lost. People wanted to see me get tested. Well, I got tested. I know where I stand now. I know where I need to be and what I need to do to make it to that next level, and that’s focus on one fight at a time and fight smarter.”

The first step toward fighting smarter is to learn to block out all of the outside influences, whether it’s criticism from the press, social media chatter or unexpected adversity.

Soukhamthath dealt with it all leading up to the fight against Moy.

It was his first scheduled fight since moving south to begin training with the Blackzillians. In addition to the commute from Florida to Rhode Island during fight week, Soukhamthath also dealt with the death of his uncle, who passed away that weekend, a hardship any fighter would have difficulty trying to block out, let alone one with so much already on his plate.

No excuses, Soukhamthath said.

“I had a lot going on, but I usually separate things pretty well,” he said. “Mentally, I was drained, but I still went out there and fought, so I don’t have anyone to blame but myself.”

Soukhamthath’s biggest problem was paying attention to the criticism online, the questions about his record, who he had faced in the past, and whether or not he could compete with Moy, an undefeated prospect from nearby Cambridge, Mass.

“It really aggravated me,” Soukhamthath said. “I really wanted to go out there and put an exclamation point on my performance, and that’s what I tried to do. I wore myself out. That’s the only reason I lost the fight. I really beat myself. I don’t think Kin beat me at all. I thought I won the first and second round. His back was on the mat the entire time, but it is what it is. Life goes on.

“I’m sure everyone will agree I always come to fight,” he continued. “I don’t go there to dance around, or lay and pray, or win on points. It might not always be the smartest thing, but at the end of the day it’s what I do, and I’m not going to stop doing that.

“I won’t fight emotionally anymore. I’ll just fight smarter.”

Soukhamthath has grown tired of critics saying he picks his fights — “when my promoter calls me for a fight, I always say yes if I’m ready,” he said — which might explain why he’s facing another tough test next Friday against Killion, a 5-foot-3, 23-year-old vet with eight wins by submission and victories in seven of his last eight fights.

Killion’s cut from the same cloth, a throwback fighter who worries less about what his opponent brings to the table and focuses more on fighting his kind of fight once the bell rings.

“I don’t do a lot of homework on my opponent,” Killion said. “I just do my thing, and what happens, happens. It’s going down once we’re in that cage.”

Soukhmathath recently beat one of Killion’s training partners, Corey Simmons, in December, but Killion preferred to keep his training to himself rather than seek advice from Simmons.

“I never ask those guys, ‘How did he fight?’ or anything like that. I really don’t even like watching videos,” Killion said. “I’m not going in there with a game plan thinking he’s going to fight this way or that way. I’m not going to fight like that. I’m a go-getter, so let’s get it.”

Despite having won eight of his 10 fights by submission with no knockouts on his record, Killion surprisingly prefers to stand and trade blows with his opponent.

“I like to hit. They always tell me they’re going to hit with me, but then it goes the other way,” he said. “That’s how it’s gone my whole career. Once they trade with me, they want to take me to the ground, but I’m an animal down there, too, so it doesn’t matter to me. That’s why they call it mixed martial arts.

“I’m the little guy, but I’m here to hit. I don’t think [Soukhamthath] has ever come across anyone like me. I have a big heart. I hope he has heart, too.”

Added Soukhamthath: “I’m taking this fight on somewhat short notice, but I never really stopped training after the last fight. I took a week off and got right back in the gym. The training has been great. I finally feel like part of the team. We’re settled in. That’s why we moved here. I want to do things the way they do things here. That’s the best way to do it.”

“CES MMA XXIII” will also feature the return of reigning featherweight champion Rob Font and hard-hitting heavyweight Josh Diekmann.

Tickets are on sale now at $40.00, $55.00, $100.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesmma.com or www.twinriver.com or by phone at 401-724-2253/2254. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Coming off an impressive win in January, Font (9-1, 2 KOs) will return to face Tristan Johnson (8-4, 3 KOs) of Nova Scotia, Canada, in the main event. The 30-year-old Johnson has won three of his last five fights, including a split-decision victory over Bellator vet Will Romero in 2012, while Font has won his last eight.

Diekmann (14-5, 10 KOs), a Groton, Conn., native, returns to Twin River with wins in two of his last three fights. Following back-to-back first-round knockout wins in September and November, Diekmann’s scheduled three-round bout at Bellator 110 against Manny Lara ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. On April 25th, Diekmann will face Keith “Bad News” Bell (5-3-1, 3 KOs) of Newport News, Va. Bell has won three out of four since 2013 and appeared on the undercard of Bellator 109 in Pennsylvania.

“CES MMA XXIII” also features the return of fan-favorites Tateki Matsuda and Eric Spicely. Matsuda (8-5, 4 KOs), the Boston bantamweight who’s fought everywhere from Maine to Tokyo since his last appearance with CES in 2010, will battle the unbeaten Matt Doherty (3-0, 2 KOs) of Salem, Mass., in what figures to be one of the most intriguing intrastate matchups on the card. Matsuda has lost his last two while Doherty is coming off a submission win over Shaun Marmas in January.

Spicely (3-0) will put his unbeaten record on the line against 37-fight veteran Nuri Shakir (17-20, 8 KOs) of Nashua, N.H., in a three-round welterweight bout. Providence’s Spicely last fought in December with a first-round knockout win over Tyler Rose. The 35-year-old Shakir owns wins over UFC vets Tom Egan and Nick Serra.

Also on the undercard, Pawtucket, R.I., welterweight Abe Pitrowski (5-2, 1 KO) will face Samuel Almeida (2-0) of Framingham, Mass.; lightweight Bobby Flynn (4-1, 1 KO) of Mashpee, Mass., will battle Providence’s Tundee Odumuso (2-2); and featherweight Pete Rogers Jr. (0-1) of Baltic, Conn., will face Manny Torres (2-2) of Hartford, Conn. Two-time Bellator vet Rico DiSciullo (1-0) of Peabody, Mass., will face Jordan Espinosa (3-3) of Findlay, Ohio in a three-round bantamweight bout, and East Providence, R.I., heavyweight Eric Bedard (6-4, 4 KOs) will battle Matthew Thompson (18-9, 7 KOs) of Austin, Tex.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 16, 2014) – Several of the featured fighters for Saturday’s “History at the Capitol” event at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. worked out for media members at Bald Eagle Recreation Center in Washington, D.C. The SHOWTIME tripleheader headlined by future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins against Beibut Shumenov in an epic light heavyweight world championship unification.

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $75, $200 and $300, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale now and available online at http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000. The DC Armory Box Office will be open on fight night only from 3 p.m.-10 p.m. ET.

Below please find what the fighters had to say at today’s workout.

BERNARD HOPKINS, IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion

“I think my longevity has a lot to do with the early preparation in my life and my career. I took care of myself like I always have for the last 20 years and I’m reaping the benefits now.

“A lot of it has to do with just what I do and don’t put in my body. A lot of long-term discipline and staying the course, and not derailing many times during down time, or binging on things that aren’t good for you. I think that plays a big role in longevity.

“I’ll say that Shumenov is saying the right things because anything else contrary to that would hurt the fight and will not help ticket sales. People want to see you when you’re still relevant, so to me this is the time to show and perform on a worldwide stage.

“Shumenov wants to make a name for himself by defeating me. All the young guns want to make it big, and beating me would do that for Shumenov, but that’s not going to happen.

“To me, there are no butterflies. I’m eager, but it’s controlled for that moment to come and then we’ll have the fireworks. That’s the good part about it. I’m on stage, and as any entertainer loves the stage, you love the attention.

“Washington, D.C. is the nation’s capital. This is part of the foundation of East Coast boxing. So when you talk about D.C., you also say Philly and New York. There’s rich tradition and it’s all about history here.”

BEIBUT SHUMENOV, WBA Super Light Heavyweight World Champion
“I’m feeling great, most of the work has been done. I cannot wait to show what I am capable of.

“To show the world that I am the best light heavyweight in the world.

“I haven’t missed any days of training. Every day after my workout my body was exhausted and the next day I was always excited to go to the gym. Every day was valuable for me, every day I saw improvement. It made me happy to go to the gym.”

SHAWN PORTER, IBF Welterweight World Champion
“I’m excited to being fighitng in D.C. for the first time. I’ve been training well and the team is working very hard. We’re excited to get out there Saturday night and show what we can do.

“Paulie is a good fighter, he’s skillful, crafty and smart. I have everything it takes to beat him, I’m just as fast, just as quick. We’re going to go after him Saturday night.”

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI, NABF Welterweight Champion

“I enjoy being here, it’s experience. I fought in D.C. in the amateurs, and this is my first time as a professional. So this is a great welcome back.

“I think Bernard can do amazing things at his age, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he continues to do that for many more fights.

“Shawn Porter is a young, hungry guy who wants to make his mark on the sport, but I’m in his way. He’s aggressive. He’s got a certain physicality, but we’ll be ready for him.”

PETER QUILLIN, WBO Middleweight World Champion

“I’ve been in there working on my ability and showing what I can do. Nobody can beat me.

“What do I know about my opponent? I know he’s bald and that he’s from the Czech Republic. I also know he has a white hat on today and that he didn’t want to say ‘hello’ to me.

“This is a business, and when you get out of the ring, you’re going to get your check. There’s nothing emotionally involved in that. I just know that I’m coming here to handle business.

“I trained superbly for this fight. I know I have a lot riding on me, and that doesn’t discourage me. I just know that I have to work hard, and stay focused, hungry, and motivated, and stay inspirational to my fans. That’s what it’s all about.”

LUKAS KONECNY, WBO European Champion & Former WBO Interim Junior Middleweight Champion
“I expect a first class fight, he’s a good champion but not a great one. I want to take the belt home with me.

“I’m training twice a day, like I’ve done for over 20 years. I’ve got a lot of experience. I’ve been wathcing his fights with my trainer and I think we have a great plan.”

SADAM ALI, Undefeated Welterweight & 2009 U.S. Olympian

“I know my opponent has a lot of experience. He’s a veteran. I know I’ve learned from him, and he’s a good fighter. I’m not underestimating anybody. I’m training hard, and I’m just ready to go out there and do what I do.

“I don’t really have a game plan for anybody really. Once I see what kind of style they have, I know what to do right away. I don’t have to know who I’m fighting months before. It could be a week before my fight, and I find out who I’m fighting and I know what to do.”

ZACHARY OCHOA, Undefeated Junior Welterweight Prospect

“Training has been going good. It’s an honor for me to be fighting here on Bernard Hopkins’ undercard on Saturday.

“It’s been great, we work hard like we always do and I can’t wait to fight on Saturday. I know I have a tough opponent, but it’s my time to show the world what I’ve got.

“I know my opponent is a tough guy. He’s a tough veteran and he’s got a lot of fights -a lot more fights than me- but it’s my time to go out there and do my job and handle my business.

“We’ve been doing things like we always do. We stick to the game plan. I’m not going to say too much, but we do what we do. We work hard. We make sure we’re always in good shape, and we have a game plan that we’re going to stick to and do what we’ve got to do.”

MARCUS BROWNE, Undefeated Light Heavyweight & 2012 U.S. Olympian

“Bernard is a legend in my weight class, and it’s just like going to school. I have my fight of course and I take care of business, and then I go and take notes and learn what I can learn from the greats.

“My professional debut and my second fight were in California. But getting to fight in D.C. is great. I get to show my talent here and that’s a beautiful thing. It’s not right around the corner, but it’s like being down the block from New York City.

“This is a boxing town. So I just want to go out there and do what I have to do and look impressive.”

D’MITRIUS BALLARD, Undefeated Super Middleweight Prospect from Washington, D.C.
“I know that my opponent is from Kansas City, but I don’t know too much about his style.

“I know that my opponent is a southpaw so I’m working on that. I’ve just been working my way through my punches so they’re ready.”

LAMONT ROACH, Washington, D.C. Lightweight Prospect

“It feels great to make my professional debut. I’m ready.

“Puerto Ricans are very good fighters, so we’ll see what my opponent has to bring to the table.”

# # #

Hopkins vs. Shumenov, a 12-round fight for the IBF, WBA and IBA Light Heavyweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, April 19 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In the 12-round co-features, Shawn Porter defends his IBF Welterweight World Title against Paulie Malignaggi and Peter Quillin puts his WBO Middleweight World Title on the line against Lukas Konecny. The live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana. The telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $75, $200 and $300, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale now and available online at http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000. The DC Armory Box Office will be open on fight night only from 3 p.m.-10 p.m. ET.

New York; (April 16, 2014) Long Island fan favorite Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin will return to battle against hard hitting Nicaraguan Wilfredo “EL Zurdo” Acuna on Thursday, APRIL 24 at The Paramount in Huntington, New York.

The Seldin/Acuna eight round junior welterweight clash headlines “Rockin Fights 13” another installment of the widely acclaimed professional boxing series presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Currently training in West Palm Beach, Florida, the 27-year-old Seldin, 12-0-0 (9KO’s), has thrilled local boxing fans at The Paramount with his battering of opponents and show-stopping knockouts in each appearance.

The former body builder and standout amateur wrestler made his highly anticipated and successful return to the ring following right shoulder surgery on NOVEMBER 22 against tough Mexican veteran Gilbert Venegas in front of a standing room only crowd at The Paramount.

Dominating the action from the outset, Seldin won a wide eight round unanimous decision as he looked towards his 2014 campaign.

“Cletus has improved with each fight, from his knockout power to the terrific boxing skills he displayed going the distance against Venegas” said DeGuardia, Founder and President of Star Boxing. “We’re looking for spectacular things from him this year and look forward to his bout with the tough Nicaraguan Acuna on APRIL 24.”

A veteran of 29 professional fights over his eight years as a professional, the 32-year-old southpaw Acuna is well known to Long Island boxing fans having battled Chris Algieri this past SEPTEMBER 14 in front of a packed house at The Paramount.

Fighting on DECEMBER 20 in Honduras, Acuna returned to the win column, stopping Freddy Madrigal in the third round.

Advance tickets for “ROCKIN FIGHTS 13″starting at $50 can be purchased through the Star Boxing website, www.StarBoxing.com , Ticketmaster www.Ticketmaster.com , andThe Paramount Box Office, phone (631) 673-7300.

The Paramount is located at 370 New York Avenue in Huntington, New York, 11743. Doors will open on the night of the event at 7:00 p.m. with the first bell at 7:30 p.m.

For fight updates via Social Media, follow Star Boxing on Twitter at @StarBoxing and Facebook at /StarBoxing, Cletus Seldin on Twitter at @CletusSeldin and Joe DeGuardia on Twitter at @JoeDeGuardia. Use the hashtag #RockinFights13 to join the conversation on Twitter.

A sensational undercard will accompany the ‘Hebrew Hammer’ bout.

ABOUT STAR BOXING ®
Star Boxing Inc. celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2012. The company has produced some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star Boxing continues to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star Boxing is proud that is has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit their official website at www.StarBoxing.com and follow them on Twitter @ Star Boxing and Facebook at Star Boxing.

ABOUT THE PARAMOUNT:
Opened September 30, 2011 this 1,555-capacity live entertainment venue, located in downtown Huntington, Long Island, New York, features; concerts, comedy, boxing, community and other special events in a club/theater setting. With over 30,000 Facebook fans, The Paramount was recently ranked by Pollstar Magazine as the #24 highest attended club-venue worldwide (January-June 2013). A Ticketmaster venue, booked by Live Nation, TheParamount hosts nearly 200 events per year and in less than two years since its inception, has quickly established itself as the premier music venue onLong Island, NY. Some artists who have recently taken the Paramount stage include; Billy Joel, Pitbull, Don Henley, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, ZZ Top, Counting Crows, Primus, Matchbox 20, The Blues Brothers, Limp Bizkit, & many, many, more.

EAGLE AUTOMALL “THE BIRD IS THE WORD”
Eagle Auto Mall has a strong and committed sales staff with many years of experience satisfying customers’ needs. Feel free to browse our inventory online, request more information about vehicles, set up a test drive or inquire about financing! If you don’t see what you are looking for, click on CarFinder, fill out the form, and we will let you know when vehicles arrive that match your search! Come out to Eagle Auto Mall and discuss your options.
At Eagle Auto Mall, our friendly staff look forward to serving you!
1320 Old Country Road, Riverhead, NY 11901 Sales: (866) 495-3038

ABOUT THE FOX HOLLOW:
Nestled upon 8 private acres of Long Island’s north shore is the Fox Hollow, which features a state of the art event venue, fine dining restaurant and an all-suite luxury boutique hotel. Owned & operated by the Scotto Brothers, their Above & Beyond philosophy in providing each & every guest with superior services and amenities is paramount. Visit the Fox Hollow online at www.TheFoxHollow.com & www.TheInnAtFoxHollow.com

ABOUT CAMELOT LIMOUSINE:
Official Sponsor of the Paramount Boxing Series, Camelot Limos is a family owned and operated business located in Nassau County, with over 25 years of professional experience; serving satisfied clientele since 1984. The owners of Camelot Specialty Limos are very active in the business and play a major role in the company’s day-to-day operations. Camelot Specialty Limos, Inc. is an Accredited Member of the Better Business Bureau. www.camelotlimo.com

ABOUT WBAB 102.3:
WBAB 102.3 is the home of Long Island’s Classic Rock anchored by their Long Island Rock ‘N’ Roll Morning Show with Roger and JP. For more information or to listen online, visit their website at
www.wbab.com and follow them on Facebook.com/1023wbab and on Twitter @1023wbab.

Power Play International
Your Social Media Marketing and Website Design Agency
“Carrying Your Message Around The World”

BROOKLYN (April 16, 2014) — Banner Promotions will host a Russian press conference luncheon on the shores of Brighton Beach to celebrate the announcement of the WBO junior welterweight title fight between defending champion RUSLAN “The Siberian Rocky” PROVODNIKOV of Beryozovo, Russia and CHRIS ALGIERI of Huntington, Long Island, Tomorrow! Thursday, April 17, at 1:00 P.M. ET, at Tatiana Restaurant & Nightclub (3152 Brighton 6th St., Brooklyn, NY 11235.) Both fighters will be in attendance and available for one-on-one interviews.

“This isn’t your parents’ Borscht Belt,” said Arthur Pelullo, president of Banner Promotions. “The Russian Community has embraced this fight and Ruslan wants to embrace them back which is why we are hosting a second press conference in the heart of the Russian community.”

The Provodnikov – Algieri world title fight will take place Saturday night, June 14, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®.

The co-main event will feature undefeated WBO junior middleweight champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade making his first world title defense, against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Brian “The Lion” Rose.

The action-packed non-televised undercard will include undefeated WBC Continental America’s Light Heavyweight champion and Top-Five contender Seanie “Irish” Monaghan of Long Beach, Long Island, and the first professional woman’s fight at Barclays Center, featuring Brooklyn’s own Heather “The Heat” Hardy.

The event is promoted by Banner Promotions and Top Rank®., in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Located atop one of the largest transportation hubs in New York City, Barclays Center is accessible by 11 subway lines, The Long Island Rail Road and 11 bus lines.

LAS VEGAS (April 16, 2014)— Former WBA Welterweight World Champion boxer Luis Collazo will once again demonstrate his support for The NephCure Foundation when he meets Amir Khan in a critical confrontation May 3 as the co-featured bout on the blockbuster Floyd Mayweather card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

When he knocked out Victor Ortiz before his hometown fans Jan. 30 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Collazo entered the ring with NEPHCURE.ORG emblazoned on his robe and on the back of his trunks in support of the kidney disease patient advocacy group and his teenage friend, Allie Genatt, who suffers from the debilitating kidney disease FSGS. Collazo will sport similar NEPHCURE.ORG identification in the ring on May 3, when he takes on Khan, the popular, British, multi-sanctioning body junior welterweight champion who is moving up to the 147-pound welterweight division.
The winner of the 12-round battle for the WBC Silver Welterweight title will be positioned to possibly meet Mayweather, boxing’s biggest star, in a lucrative pay- per-view fight later this year or in 2015. The unbeaten Mayweather is favored to defeat Marcos Maidana in the main event of the May 3 card, which is expected to sell out the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas and generate an audience of millions on pay-per-view.
Media Assets for Download: https://clients.box.com/collazo-khan-boxing
A two-time New York City Golden Gloves Champion (35-5, 18 KO’s), Collazo returned to the ranks of elite fighters with his spectacular second round knockout of Ortiz, the younger, more prominent favorite, on Jan. 30. When he landed the perfectly-timed right-hook knockout punch, the NEPHCURE.ORG was easily recognizable in video and still photos seen via media outlets around the world. Collazo embraced NephCure for that fight when learning of the kidney disease afflicting 15-year-old Genatt, whom he met during training sessions at Competitive Edge Athletics in Port Washington, Long Island.
NephCure launched an awareness campaign around the Super Bowl-week Collazo- Ortiz card, specifically targeting New York City’s Latino population centering on the popular Collazo, a New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent who grew up in Brooklyn and lives in Queens. That campaign will continue around the Collazo-Khan fight as the May 3 Las Vegas date approaches. Genatt is a 15-year-old Long Islander who was first diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome at age two. The disease was later confirmed as FSGS and she endured years of medications with risky side effects
before receiving a kidney transplant (from her mother) at age 11. Collazo has also spent time with eight-year-old Nephrotic Syndrome sufferer Manuel Casado of The Bronx and 11-year-old FSGS sufferer Matthew Levine of Long Island.
“The challenge with FSGS is that there is a very high rate of reoccurrence when the disease attacks the new kidneys,” stated Henry Brehm, Executive Director of The NephCure Foundation. ”We have much work to do raising awareness and funding for research so people with FSGS can avoid the road to dialysis and transplant. “
Collazo has a tough opponent in Khan (28-3, 19 KOs), the former unified world light welterweight champion who won the Silver Medal for Great Britain at the 2004 Athens Olympics. The first ever British-Pakistani and Punjabi boxing world champion, Khan has been inactive since defeating Julio Diaz last April in Great Britain.
FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis), which afflicted the late actor Gary Coleman and interrupted the NBA career of Alonzo Mourning, is a disease that damages the kidney function, often requiring dialysis or transplant. The NephCure Foundation is the only organization committed exclusively to support research seeking the causes of FSGS and Nephrotic Syndrome, improve treatment and find a cure.
The Collazo-Khan fight is part of a SHOWTIME PPV® event entitled “THE MOMENT: Mayweather vs. Maidana.” Also scheduled are 10-round bouts featuring super middleweights J’Leon Love vs. Marco Antonio Periban and junior welterweights Adrien Broner vs. Carlos Molina.
Media Contacts: Tim Davis, NephCure Foundation, tdavis@NephCure.org, 610 585 4610 Steve Griffith, NephCure Foundation, sgriffith@NephCure.org, 484 433 7757

Chicago, IL (April 16, 2014) Russian heavyweight contender ANDREY FEDOSOV will make his highly anticipated return to battle this Friday night, APRIL 18 in a scheduled eight round clash against perennial contender and tough veteran MAURICE “Mo Bettah” HARRIS at “FIGHT NIGHT” at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, just outside of Chicago.

Advance tickets starting at $25.00 for “FIGHT NIGHT” presented by Hitz Boxing in association with Round 3 Productions are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, The Venue/Horseshoe Box Office and HitzBoxing.com. Doors open on the night of the event at 7:00 p.m. CT with the first bell at 7:30 p.m. CT.

The 28-year-old Fedosov, 24-3-0 (19KO’s), was last seen battling evenly with top rated heavyweight Bryant Jennings over six rounds on JUNE 14, 2013, before the fight was abruptly and controversially stopped due to a cut suffered by the hard hitting Russian.

“Andrey was very disappointed by the stoppage, he’s fully capable of competing at the elite level in the heavyweight division while Harris is a very tough competitor and a strong test for him” said Bobby Hitz, President of Hitz Boxing of the now Chicago resident Fedosov.

“The heavyweight division, particularly in the United States is very active with the World Boxing Council title being vacant and our plan for Andrey is to move him right in the mix if he beats Harris.”

Fighting out of East Orange, New Jersey, Harris, 26-18-2 (11KO’s), has fought numerous world champions and top rated contenders, most recently losing a hard fought, close 12-round decision to Amir Mansour in August 2013.

Also featured in separate bouts at “FIGHT NIGHT” will be the highly anticipated return of Chicago’s most popular, DONOVAN “Da Bomb” GEORGE, 24-4-2 (21KO’s) in an eight round super middleweight clash against TROY LOWRY, 28-13-0 (17KO’s) of St. Paul, Minnesota and “Hollywood” MIKE JIMENEZ, 13-0-0 (10KO’s) battling San Diego, California based veteran, BRANDON “El Cubanito” Gonzalez, 12-12-4 (6KO’s) in a six round light heavyweight tilt.

Rounding out the action packed card in separate bouts are numerous Chicagoland fan favorites and top prospects; undefeated cruiserweight DIMAR “Strongman ORTUZ, 9-0-0 (6KO’s), welterweight ROY NAVARRO, 5-1-0 (3KO’s), junior welterweights ANTONIO “Aztec God of War” CANAS, 9-1-1 (3KO’s), junior lightweight FIDEL NAVARRETE, 4-0-2 (3KO’s) and EDDIE RAMIREZ, 3-0-0 (3KO’s).

ABOUT HITZ BOXING
Since its debut in 1991, Hitz Boxing has been the Midwest’s leading boxing promoter. Led by Bobby Hitz, who boasted a 21-4 record with 18 KO’s as a boxer, Hitz Boxing is the longest running boxing promoter in the Chicago area dating back to the bi-monthly boxing series the “Ramada Rumble,” held at the former Rosemont Ramada Inn. The organization currently promotes the wildly popular “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN and is the subject of the actuality show “Hitz Boxing,” a web series that has amassed over 5 million internet views. Over the year’s the organization has produced matches that have included some of the top names in boxing such as James Toney, Antonio Tarver, Montell Griffin, Iran Barkley, Andrew Golota and “Fast Fres Oquendo.

For more information, please visit: www.hitzboxing.com.

ABOUT ROUND 3 PRODUCTIONS
Round 3 Productions was formed in 2011 by lifelong Chicago resident Frank Mugnolo and has quickly become one of the premier boxing promotional firms in the United States.

Making their mark quickly, Round 3 Productions guided current #1 ranked light heavyweight contender Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fonfara to his first world title (International Boxing Organization) in November 2012.

While continuing to retain a substantial financial interest in Fonfara, Round 3 Productions has teamed with Chicago’s Hitz Boxing to sign perennial super middleweight contender Donovan “Da Bomb” George to an exclusive promotional contract with more signings of Chicago’s finest to come.

From the packed houses at the UIC Pavilion to the unprecedented pro boxing event at U.S. Cellular Field, Home of the Chicago White Sox, on August 16, 2013, Round 3 Productions has become a proven leader in the sport of boxing

ABOUT THE HORSESHOE CASINO
The $500 million Horseshoe Casino, a Caesars Entertainment Corporation property, just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago is the premier entertainment and gambling destination in Chicagoland. Where legendary gaming lives on, Horseshoe boasts more than 350,000 square feet with over 3,000 slot machines, over 100 table games, one of the largest poker rooms in the Midwest, and more. The Venue at Horseshoe Casino is proud to offer the ultimate concert and entertainment destination and premier experience in a flexible space that can hold up to 3,300 guests. Dining elegance is not overlooked and guests can choose from a variety of dining options including; Jack Binion’s Steak House which overlooks Lake Michigan and winner of the 2009, 2010, 2011 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and the May 2012 OpenTable Diners’ Choice award, around-the-globe variety at the Village Square Buffet, and a taste of Chicago at Benny’s Pub and Eatery.

For more information, please visit: www.chicagohorseshoe.com.

Must be 21 years or older to gamble or attend events at The Venue. Know When To Stop Before You Start® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9WITH-IT © 2012 Caesars License Company, LLC

The rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves could be fought in front of 80,000 spectators as the fight at Wembley Stadium had more seats made available according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

The fihght sold out of the 1st 60,000 available seats in one hour.

“It’s fantastic that we have managed to ensure even more fans will be in Wembley for this monumental occasion,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “We have worked hard with the (city) council, Wembley and Transport for London and I am delighted that we have come to an agreement to get as many fans as possible into the stadium to create an incredible atmosphere.”

The April 18 edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra will feature the semifinals of the Middleweight portion of Boxcino 2014 sponsored by 1800 Tequila.

Friday’s show, from the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, N.Y., will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2, broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+ and WatchESPN. ESPN Deportes will televise the fights at 10:30 p.m. The card is promoted by Banner Promotions.

New Picture (1)Commentators:
Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN), filling in for Joe Tessitore, will be ringside with Teddy Atlas describing the action for ESPN2, while Doug Kezirian will fill in for Grisham in the studio. Delvin Rodríguez and Pablo Viruega will call the fights for Noche de Combates (Fight Night) on both ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+, while Leopoldo González and Claudia Trejos will anchor the studio. Bilingual reporter Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) will present live interviews and reports for both shows.

Middleweight Semifinal Matchups: Eight Rounds Each

The semifinal round of the Middleweight tournament will feature:

Vitalii Kopylenko (22-0, 12 KOs) vs. Willie Monroe Jr. (16-1, 6 KOs)
Raymond Gatica (16-5, 13 KOs) vs. Brandon Adams (13-0, 9 KOs)

Middleweight Division Bracket (full-size bracket attached):

Fighter Backgrounds:
N.Y.’s Monroe Jr., the son of former Middleweight contender Willie Monroe, is coming off a six-round unanimous decision win over Donatas Bondas (Bondorovas) in the quarterfinal round of the Boxcino tournament. Kopylenko, fighting out of the Ukraine and a stablemate of WBO Junior Welterweight titlist Ruslan Provodnikov, scored a second-round TKO win over Cerresso Fort in the quarterfinals.

Los Angeles’ Adams is coming off a fourth-round TKO win over Daniel Edouard in the quarterfinal round, while Texas’ Gatica is looking to advance to the finals following a fourth-round TKO win over Sena Agbeko.

About Boxcino 2014:
The tournament, which started in February, is a single-elimination, two-weight class competition featuring eight fighters in the Lightweight and Middleweight divisions. Tournament details, TV schedule and brackets can be found on ESPN MediaZone. ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions Brian Kweder, who oversees content strategy and acquisition for ESPN’s soccer, boxing and bowling properties, recently discussed the tournament in a Q&A on ESPN Front Row. Friday’s Middleweight winners will join Lightweights Petr Petrov and Fernando Cárcamo for a special night of boxing in the big finale for Boxcino 2014 on Friday, May 23, also at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, N.Y. The fights will be televised live at 9 p.m. on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

Upcoming ESPN Boxing Schedule:

Date

Time (ET)

Main Event

Location

Networks

Thu, Apr 24

9 p.m.

Josesito López (31-6, 18 KOs) vs. Aron Martínez (19-2-1, 4 KOs)—10 rounds, Jr. Welterweights

Agua Caliente Casino, Palm Springs, Calif.

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Thu, May 1

9 p.m.

Roberto García (34-3, 22 KOs) vs. Victor Manuel Cayo (32-4, 23 KOs)—10 rounds, Welterweights

Hialeah Park Race Track, Hialeah, Fla.

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Sat, May 10

8 p.m.

WBC World Heavyweight Championship: Bermane Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KOs) vs. Chris Arreola (36-3, 31 KOs)—12 rounds

USC Galen Center,
Los Angeles

ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

*Schedule subject to change

Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates Social Media:
· Follow ESPN Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook.

· Score the fights round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round.

· Follow ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo.

· For the latest ESPN.com boxing news and analysis follow @ESPNBoxing.

According to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, WBO Jr. Lightweight champion Mikey Garcia is suing his promoter Top Rank to get out of his promotional contract.

Junior lightweight titleholder Miguel Angel “Mikey” Garcia, declaring that his promotional agreement with Top Rank is illegal and also expired, sued the company in California State Court in Riverside County on April 8.

The suit, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN.com, says that the reason for the action is because of “Top Rank’s unlawful attempt to exploit, own and permanently control” Garcia’s boxing career “as well as Top Rank’s consistent violation of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, a federal statute enacted for the express purpose of protecting professional boxers like Garcia from the exploitive practice of boxing promoters like Top Rank.”

Further, the suit claims that his promotional agreement “improperly provides Top Rank the ability to extend the agreement indefinitely, essentially rendering the contracting fighter an indentured servant of Top Rank.”

“Mikey has no further obligation to Top Rank under the 2009 promotional rights agreement that he signed,” attorney Bryan Freedman, who is representing Garcia, told ESPN.com on Tuesday. “It’s very clear for a number of reasons, but that’s our position. There are a number of reasons why it’s invalid. Even if it hadn’t expired under its own terms, Top Rank acted not only as a promoter but also as a manager under the definition of manager in California and that is against the law. This is an absolute fairness issue.”

The suit uses also claims that Top Rank “violated numerous provisions of both California law and California’s strong public policy to protect California-based boxers from unscrupulous promoters and managers,” while also accusing Top Rank of acting as Garcia’s “unlicensed manager.”

In another claim in the suit, Garcia said Top Rank violated the Ali act by not making federally required disclosures concerning the amount of money the company would make from Garcia’s bouts.

“The act itself has been rarely been litigated but it requires Top Rank to make disclosures to Mikey before his bouts on the amount of money they would be receiving from his bouts. He did not get those disclosures,” Freedman said. “There are a number of different illegalities in this agreement, including how it was extended under different scenarios. If you look at it you’d say he’s done (with the contract) even without any violation of the law.”

The suit claims that Garcia’s contract with Top Rank expired on Feb. 27.

“I’m hopeful that Top Rank will take a look at this and seriously study their agreement. If they do they will agree he doesn’t have an obligation to Top Rank. And if they want to negotiate a new deal they can have a discussion about it. If they don’t it could be a court process. But there is no way you can look at this and say he is still bound to the contract (he signed in 2009).”

Las Vegas –The Ultimate Fighting Championship® will make its highly anticipated debut in Albuquerque on Saturday, June 7 at Tingley Coliseum. In the five-round main event, former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson will take on the surging Rustam Khabilov, a winner of six straight.

Owning wins over some of the sport’s top names such as Josh Thomson, Gilbert Melendez and Frankie Edgar (twice), Henderson (20-3, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) is eager to reclaim the lightweight crown. To do so, he must diffuse the relentless Khabilov (17-1, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.). Nicknamed “Tiger”, the 27-year-old Khabilov trains at the famed Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA gym in Albuquerque and has reeled off three straight wins to start his UFC career. Now he’ll meet the toughest test of his young career against the former UFC lightweight champion.

In the night’s co-main event, Albuquerque’s own Diego Sanchez (26-7) will compete in front of his hometown fans in a potential Fight of the Year candidate against Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson (17-6-1NC, fighting out of San Diego). Plus, flyweight sensation and hometown superstar John Dodson (16-6, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) looks to secure a title shot when he collides with No.4 flyweight contender John Moraga (14-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.).

If that wasn’t enough, Mexican bantamweight star and Jackson-Winkeljohn product Erik “Goyito” Perez takes on Bryan Caraway in a pivotal fight between rising title contenders.

Also scheduled for the card:

Bobby Voelker (24-11, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) takes on Lance Benoist (6-2, fighting out of St. Louis, Mo.) in a welterweight collision.
A bantamweight bout between Sergio Pettis (10-1, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wis.) and up-and-comer Yaotzin Meza (19-9, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.)
In a lightweight matchup, versatile Yves Edwards (42-20, 1NC, fighting out of Austin, TX) vs. submission specialist Piotr Hallman (14-2, fighting out of Gdynia, Poland)
A light heavyweight matchup featuring All-American wrestler Patrick Cummins (4-1, fighting out of Dana Point, Calif.) taking on Francimar Barroso (16-4, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

Additional bouts will be announced in the weeks to come at UFC.com.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT: HENDERSON vs. KHABILOV, go on sale Friday, April 18 at 10 a.m. MT and are priced at $175, $125, $75 and $50. Tickets are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.

UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, April 9 at 10 a.m. MT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, April 10 starting at 10 a.m. MT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: HENDERSON vs. KHABILOV will air live on FOX Sports 1 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Saturday, June 7, with the prelims kicking off the evening on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

For more information or current fight news, visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®

Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC®) is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Beijing, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries to 800+ million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT™ (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, Octagon™ branded apparel, best-selling DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit www.UFC.com and follow UFC at www.Facebook.com/UFC and on Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Former unified light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan is pleased to announce that he has signed a deal to work with influential boxing advisor Al Haymon.

Haymon currently works with a number of leading boxers including Floyd Mayweather, Adrien Broner, Danny Garcia and others.

Speaking on the agreement, Amir Khan said: “I am very happy to have signed with Al Haymon who has not only shown that he is a very astute businessman, but is extremely knowledgeable of the fight game and always has his fighters’ best interests at heart. I’m looking forward to building a long and successful relationship during this exciting stage of my career.”

LONDON (April 15) – BoxNation are delighted to announce another mega bill to its fantastic schedule with the addition of the stacked April 26th Golden Boy Promotions show featuring boxing’s biggest punchers in Keith Thurman, Lucas Matthysse and Omar Figueroa.

The card taking place at the StubHub Center in Carson, California is guaranteed to have fight fans on the edge of their seats with the three hitmen amassing a stunning 69 knockouts from 78 wins between them.

Headlined by rising welterweight star Thurman, who defends his interim WBA championship against the hardened Julio Diaz, who ran British ace Amir Khan very close last year, it offers the 25-year-old the chance to continue his march towards a shot at the world title. “

To headline a show like this against a former world champion is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and that day is here,” said Thurman. “I respect Julio Diaz and I will not underestimate him. He knows that this may be his last shot, and I expect the best from him, but I’ll be the one leaving with the victory.”

“This is a big opportunity for me to face a fighter that is feared by many, but not by me,” said Diaz. “I have been in the ring with far more dangerous and experienced fighters in the past, and everyone knows that I come to fight. My previous opponents Amir Khan and Shawn Porter will tell you that.”

Argentine assassin Matthysse will make his first appearance since his closely contested fight against light-welterweight kingpin Danny Garcia.

Having blasted his way past a host of top names including Lamont Peterson, Mike Dallas Jr and Humberto Soto, the feared puncher will go in against another hard-hitter in 31-year-old John Molina.

“Molina is the kind of fighter I respect and always want to compete against,” said Matthysse. “He shows up to fight and we’re going to give the fans the kind of show they want to see. I don’t think it will last long, but it will be something to see while it does.”

“I’m excited to showcase myself against someone that I consider to be one of the best fighters in the world at 140 pounds,” said Molina. “I am very well prepared to come in on fight night and do what I do best, and that is to be victorious.”

World title action is also set to take place on the card, with WBC lightweight champion Figueroa looking to continue his unbeaten run when he goes up against fellow Texan Jerry Belmontes.

“I am especially excited about this fight because I have wanted to get payback against Belmontes for longer than a decade,” said Figueroa. “I fought him in the amateurs and he always beat me because I was always shorter than him. Now I am taller, stronger and bigger than him and I am looking to beat him the way he beat me in the amateurs.”

“I beat Omar 5 times in the amateurs but it was just that, the amateurs, we were young,” said Belmontes. “We have taken different paths as professionals and finally they cross and we meet again…on April 26, he’ll be beaten…for the 6th time”.

Earlier that evening BoxNation will bring subscribers some top domestic action from Ponds Forge Arena in Sheffield when undefeated heavyweight bruiser Lucas Browne looks to win the vacant Commonwealth title against Canadian Eric Martel Bahoeli.

With 23-year-old Hatton Promotions protégé Adam Etches also taking on Felipe De la Paz Teniente in a 10-round middleweight contest for the WBC Youth world title.

The two big bills join a mammoth lineup of fights on the channel which has exclusive UK rights to Floyd Mayweather’s crunch unification world title clash with Marcos Maidana, plus Bernard Hopkins April 19th fight with Beibut Shumenov and a host of other top world title bouts.

Further good news for BoxNation viewers is that ‘The Channel of Champions’ will also be the only place to see All Access: Mayweather vs. Maidana.

The hit behind-the-scenes show gives a unique insight into both camps as they prepare for the May 3rd bill at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The premiere of All Access: Mayweather vs. Maidana airs this Saturday April 19th at 7pm, with episode two on Sunday 27th April at 7pm and the finale on Saturday May 3rd at 7pm, all free-to-air to Sky TV customers.

BoxNation is available for only £12 a month (plus a one-off registration fee). Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 one off registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

Philadelphia, PA—Heavyweights Joey Dawejko and Mark Rideout meet over eight rounds—or less—in an all-Philadelphia match on Friday evening, May 16, at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.clip_image010

Topping the seven-bout card is an eight-round between undefeated junior welterweight prospects Naim Nelson, of Philadelphia, and Jerome Rodriguez, of Trenton, NJ.
The seven-bout card program marks the first pro fight card at the 2300 Arena since Jan. 21, 2012, when then-unknown heavyweight prospect Bryant Jennings upset Maurice Byarm in a battle of undefeated Philadelphians to open the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series.
Formerly known as the ECW Arena, the New Alhambra and later the Asylum Arena, the 2300 Arena, located at Swanson & Ritner Streets in South Philadelphia, has undergone renovations and eventually will seat close to 1,700 spectators.
First fight May 16 is set for 7.30p.m. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing and BAM Boxing in association with SugarHouse Casino.
Dawejko (right), 23, comes into this fight off the biggest win of his career, an eight-round decision over former contender Derric Rossy, of New York, on Jan. 25 in Atlantic City, NJ.
clip_image012Dawejko is 9-3-2, 3 K0s, but this will be only his fifth fight in Philadelphia since turning pro in 2009.
He has boxed in Canada, California, Illinois and Connecticut, taking fights on short notice for short money. It all seemed pointless until Dawejko’s recent win over Rossy.
“I know Mark from the amateurs and I was able to beat him when we fought,” Dawejko said, “but I know the pros are a different story. I’m looking forward to fighting in my hometown again in front of my fans. It should be a good fight.”
Part of Dawejko’s preparation for the May 16 fight is in Austria, where he was summoned last week to serve as a sparring partner for Waldimir Klitschko, who is defending his world heavyweight championship belts against Alex Leapai, of Samoa, on April 26 in Germany. Lepai is 6-foot tall, short for a heavyweight; Dawejko is 5-foot-10.
Rideout (left), 24, is 4-0-2, 1 K0, since turning pro midway through 2012.
In his last fight Jan. 24 in Atlantic City, Rideout boxed a four-round draw with unbeaten Fred Latham, of Pittsburgh, PA. Ironically, it was 24 hours before Dawejko’s big win over Rossy across town.
“I am excited about the opportunity to get back in action and be in my first eight-rounder,” Rideout said. “My last couple of fights have ended in draws, but not this fight.
“Me and Joey fought in the amateurs and he beat me, but this is the pros and I’m getting this win. I respect all of Joey’s accomplishments as an amateur, but this is my time and it will be a long night for Joey.”
Five additional fights complete the May 16 lineup.

ABOUT MAY 16

The Nelson-Rodriguez and Dawejko-Rideout fights top a seven-bout card at the 2300 Arena. First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 and they are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and they also can be purchased on line at www.peltzboxing.com. The card will be streamed live on the internet by www.gofightlive.tv. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., and BAM Boxing in association with SugarHouse Casino. The 2300 Arena, formerly known as the New Alhambra, hosted consistent professional boxing from 2004 thru 2012 when it was later known as the Asylum Arena. Boxing cards there have been televised by ESPN 2, CN8, Univision and the NBC Sports Network. Fighters who have boxed there include Danny Garcia, Bronco McKart, Omar Sheika, Demetrius Hopkins, Mike Jones, Teon Kennedy, Bryant Jennings, Gabriel Rosado, Jesus Soto-Karass, Ronald Cruz, Israel “Pito” Cardona and Derek Ennis.

ABOUT SUGARHOUSE CASINO

SugarHouse, which opened in September 2010 as Philly’s casino, features 1,602 slots, up to 58 table games, fun and unique dining options, riverfront views and free on-site parking. The casino employs approximately 1,100 people, and for three consecutive years has been voted a “Best Place to Work” in the Philadelphia Business Journal and a “Top Workplace” from Philly.com. For more information, visit www.sugarhousecasino.com.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Iron Mike Tyson Promotions won the purse bid to stage the rematch with Rannces Barthelemy and Argenis Mendez for the IBF Jr. Lightweight championship.

Mike Tyson’s promotional company Iron Mike Promotions, which represents Mendez, won the auction with an offer of $260,000. Warriors Boxing, Barthelemy’s promoter, was the only other bidder, offering $251,000.

As the 130-pound world titleholder, Mendez (21-2-1, 11 KOs) is entitled to 75 percent of the winning bid ($195,000) and Barthelemy (19-0, 12 KOs) will receive the remaining 25 percent ($65,000).

The bout is likely to wind up on Showtime and will be a rematch of their controversial fight on Jan. 3 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Although Barthelemy dominated that fight and dropped Mendez late in the second round, he knocked Mendez out moments later with punches that came just after the bell rang to end the round, which was a foul. However, referee Pete Podgorski counted Mendez out and declared Barthelemy the winner despite having scored the knockout on an accidental foul.

Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions wishes to congratulate his fighter, Afghani-Canadian super featherweight contender Arash Usmanee (20-2-1, 10 KOs) who stepped up in weight on short notice to face WBO #1 ranked Raymundo Beltran (29-6-1, 17 KOs) for the WBO NABO Lightweight title last Saturday night, April 12.

Fighting in the co-main event of the HBO Pay-Per-View card featuring the Timothy Bradley vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Usmanee put in a brave performance against the larger Beltran, but became understandably fatigued as the fight progressed.

Although it was Beltran who was awarded the unanimous decision by scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111, Usmanee made many new fans with his courage in taking on a larger man on short notice and hanging in for 12 tough rounds.

“Arash never ceases to amaze me with his toughness,” said Cohen. “How many fighters in the world could step up a weight class on less than a week’s notice and go toe-to-toe for 12 grueling rounds with a top fighter like Ray Beltran?”

With the victory, Beltran earned the right to face unbeaten WBO lightweight titleholder Terence Crawford, while Usmanee will return to his natural weight of 130 lbs and continue to campaign for another shot at the world championship.

“Arash will fight anyone in the world at super featherweight,” continued Cohen. “He beat (top contender) Rances Barthelemy everywhere but the scorecards and had a draw with (current IBF champ) Argenis Mendez. He’s an elite super featherweight and his short-notice foray into the lightweight division, and the guts he showed doing it, only further solidify what a world-class warrior he truly he is. I’m very proud of him and he will be back at 130 lbs very soon.”

ALLENTOWN, PA (APRIL 14, 2014)–On Friday night, April 18, Kings Boxing Promotions will present a big Pro-Am card that will be headlined by rising Jr. Lightweight Frankie DeAlba taking on Israel Suarez in the 8-round main event.

DeAlba of Reading, PA has won 9 consecutive fights and is unbeaten in 13 that has raised his mark to 11-1-2 with 4 knockouts.

During the streak he has defeated two undefeated fighters in Benjamin Burgos and Andrew Bentley. On November 30, he scored a thrilling 4th round stoppage over Osnel Charles. In his last bout, DeAlba is coming off an 8-round unanimous decision over Chazz McDowell on January 25 in Bethlehem, PA.

“My training has gone great. I know a lot of people say this but this really has been my best training to date,”said De Alba

“I just work harder and harder and I am ready to go.”

Suarez of Luguillo, Puerto Rico has a record of 4-3-2 with 1 knockouts.

He has been matched tough as he has faced four undefeated opponents and has wins over Omar Pena (2-0-1) and Fauris Capellan (1-0) and in his last bout he fought a majority draw with highly regarded Frankie Trader (10-1) on February 7.

Despite that modest record, De Alba knows that he could be in a battle with Suarez.

“I know he had a draw with Trader. Trader is a good prospect. Suarez is from Puerto Rico and they are tough fighters. I know it’s going to be a good fight.”

De Alba knows that 2014 is a moving year to get him position for big fights and he is looking forward to the process.

“I know by the end of the year I should be fighting for some small title. I just continue to work hard. I know because my name is getting out there that a lot of fighters want to end my streak.”

By 2015, De Alba will be ready for the big names of the division and has set his sights on a particular former world champion.

“I fight whoever they put in front of me. I see some guys with big records like Juan Manuel Lopez. I know I can beat him but I will continue to fight whoever they want me to fight. I just want to thank my team. My manager Marshall Kauffman and my trainer Anibal Adorno. The hard work will pay off,” finished De Alba

In four round bouts:

Pat Kehoe of Reading, PA will make his pro debut against Shawn Sutton (0-1) of Norristown, PA in a Welterweight bout.

Super Bantamweight bout, Luis Acevedo (0-0-1) of Bethlehem, PA will take on an opponent to be named.

Robert Ramos (1-2, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA will fight Benjamin Burgos (1-6, 1 KO) of Mount Pocono, PA.

Miquel Martinez of Reading, PA will make his pro debut against Danny Lugo (2-6) of Harrisburg, PA in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

In the amateur bouts, there will be five female bouts.

Catarina Lentini of Bethlehem will fight Elizabeth Morris of Pttsville in an 132 lb. bout.

Yesenia Torres of Reading will take on Marissa Mills of New Jersey in a 138 lb. bout.

Jasmin Torres of Reading will square off with Samantha Veresey of Bethlehem in a 138 lb bout.

Kaliah Vasquez of Reading will tangle with Angelita Rodriguez of New Jersey in a 88 lb fight.

Kayla Hracho of Reading will fight Brookes Shilling of New Jersey in a 126 lb fight.

In the lone male fight, Kevin Garcia of Phoenixville will take on Jay Morales of Bethlehem in an 141 lb novice contest.

Tickets for this outstanding evening are $45 and $60 and can be purchased by clicking:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/ballroom-rumble-tickets-10853508135 or

610 587 5950

Julian Ramirez remained undefeated with an 8-round unanimous decision over Carlos Rodriguez in a Featherweight bout.

Ramirez, 122 1/4 lbs of East Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 and is now 11-0. Rodriguez, 122 1/2 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is now 18-14-4.

Jose Arambula scored a six round unanimous decision over David Diaz in a Lightweight bout.

Arambula scored a knockdown in round one from a left to the body. Arambula rocked Diaz again in the 2nd round and was never challenged.

Arambula, 134 1/4 lbs won by scores of 60-53 and 58-55 twice ans is now 7-0. Diaz, 135 1/2 lbs is now 4-1-1.