From training camp at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard, California, we have former world champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios and his trainer, “Trainer of the Year” Robert Garcia, and Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum. They are here to discuss their upcoming historic battle against Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach, taking place Saturday, November 23 and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® at 9:00 PM east coast and 6:00 PM west coast time. Brandon will be hosting his only U.S. media workout this Thursday at Robert Garcia’s gym – 1451 Pacific Ave., Oxnard, California, beginning at Noon PT. Joining Brandon at the workout will be Kevin Hart, who is starring in the upcoming Warner Bros. movie “Grudge Match” which will also be starring Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro. Kevin will also be available for interviews at the workout, as will Bob Arum.

BOB ARUM: Hello everybody, I don’t know if it’s morning or night but we just got back from the Philippines last night in time for this conference call with Brandon Rios and Robert Garcia. Everyone is pumped and ready to go. The buzz in Asia is just tremendous. Over 70 media members from all over – mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore attended Manny’s media day, and now we shift the focus to America with Brandon Rios on this conference call and his media day on Thursday.

BRANDON RIOS: Training camp has been going great. It’s awesome. I won’t say it been my best training camp ever, but it’s been great. Now I am just ready to go out there and do what I’ve got to do.

Robert, we understand you are leaving for Macau on November 11 to get acclimated, how do you feel it’s been going so far?

ROBERT GARCIA: Everything is great. We’ve had a great training camp with great sparring partners.. We will leave on the 11th and we have everybody – the cook, sparring partners ready to go.

How is preparation for a welterweight fight?

BRANDON RIOS: It is really great. I don’t have to kill myself to make 140 or even 135 that I was doing before that. I fell really great and I feel really strong. I don’t think the weight will affect me a negative way, I actually think it will help me.

ROBERT GARCIA: You know he seems to be much more comfortable at this weight. Normally three or four weeks out he is usually training to cut the weight and it was hurting his performances in the gym. That seven pounds is not going to hurt him at all. He is going to be stronger and he’s going to be faster because he is not cutting weight like he did when he was fighting at 135 or 140. Now the training is on our game plan and how to beat Manny Pacquiao, not on cutting weight, and he will be better for it when he gets in the ring with Manny Pacquiao.

Does part of you want to go in there and jump on him to see how Pacquiao reacts after the brutal knockout by Juan Manuel Márquez?

BRANDON RIOS: No we cannot do that. We can’t go in the ring and think he’s going to be like that from the last knockout. We don’t know how he is personally. We have to go in there and wait and wait and wait and see what he has because he is still a dangerous opponent. Pacquiao is always going to be dangerous, so I can’t go in there and jump on him to see if he’s done with. I’m not thinking like that. I’m going in there with a great game plan. Robert has a great game plan and his dad is also helping us out. So we have a great game plan going into the fight and I have to follow instructions and stick to the game plan and I think we should be ready.

Robert, what do you think about trying to jump on him?

ROBERT GARCIA: My dad and I have put together a great game plan for Rios and we have been watching the Pacquiao tapes together. That is something that everybody expects us to do and we just might do that. We don’t know what Pacquiao has coming out. But we also have to be smart. We just can’t jump in there and think we are going to be the better guy that night. No, we have to be ready for the best Pacquiao. For him, it’s do or die so we have to be ready for the best Pacquiao. We can’t go in there thinking it’s going to be easy. Our game plan has turned out really good. If Brandon follows instructions and does everything we tell him to do, the sparring partners have been very helpful, so we should come out with good results.

How do you prepare for the time change? Fighting in the morning in Macau?

ROBERT GARCIA: The fact that we are fighting in the morning, it is different and we have never done that. It’s not only different for us but for everyone on the card and is new for everybody. One thing about Brandon is that he always trains at that time anyway. He is always at the gym at 11 and by Noon he is already sparring and doing his work. So that is already something we do, so it could benefit us. When we go to Macau we will do the same thing. We will be training early.

BRANDON RIOS: It’s going to be different, but not really. Once you get in the ring and fight you are not even thinking about ‘Oh it’s going to be too early for me.’ It’s in the morning, but to me, I’m just ready to fight, to get It on. To show the world what I can do when I’m in top shape having the best training camp ever and when I come in mentally and physically ready to show everybody what they can expect from me.

We noticed you and Manny acting friendly while in China on the tour. Are you finding that changing now getting closer to the fight?

BRANDON RIOS: I always have my game face on. Yes, in China we saw each other a lot but didn’t really talk to each other. We showed respect to each other, but that’s it. Right when my manager Cameron Dunkin told me on the phone I was fighting Pacquiao – I had my game face on. So I am ready to fight.

Bob, what have you seen from Brandon’s personality so far?

BOB ARUM: Brandon is somebody who is really a credit to boxing, because he has a great fan-friendly personality and fighting style. You know if you are watching a Brandon Rios fight you are going to see a real fight. He has a big heart and brings a lot of energy into a fight. He complements Pacquiao in this fight. They are both high energy fighters and I think we are going to see a tremendous battle between two guys who love to fight and know, when they get in the ring that that’s what is expected of them.

How is the fight doing? How is the risk factor economically?

BOB ARUM: There is no risk, to be honest. The Macau fight will be sold out. There will be thousands more in Macau watching on close circuit, as in Hong Kong, as in the Venetian in Las Vegas – so that aspect is all covered. The television all over Asia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia is going to set records for viewership. And in the United States, we believe with the campaign we are going to have the pay-per-view figures in the United States will be right there. What we intend to do in Las Vegas at the Venetian on fight week is we are going to have all the radio remotes there. We are bringing in top fighters to talk to the radios there. We are going to do all the things at the Venetian in Las Vegas as if the fight was at the Venetian in Las Vegas.

The last time you faced a southpaw was when you were 19…

BRANDON RIOS: I guess there hasn’t been a tough enough opponent for me to fight. But fighting a southpaw is OK. It’s something different and maybe I need something different. I look at a right-handed fighter then I look at a left-handed fighter, and it’s even better.

How do you feel about those in the media not giving you a chance?

BRANDON RIOS: It’s OK – everybody looks at me as a punching bag. But that’s all right, Robert and I are going in with a great game plan and we are going to shock the world and show them what kind of a fighter I am. We are just ready, man. To be honest with you, I don’t care what people think, if I have a chance or not. I am just going to prove everybody wrong. And that’s good; they are not giving me credit. That makes me train harder and gives me the drive to show them and shut them up.

Do you enjoy being and underdog?

BRANDON RIOS: I love it. I love it when they doubt me and I can prove them wrong. I proved them wrong against Peterson. I did it again against Acosta. I did it with Antillon and I did it with Alvarado. So I’ll be ready.

The fight is billed Pacquiao-Rios. How do you feel about that? Do you feel as if you are the opponent?

BRANDON RIOS: Well, it is Pacquiao versus Rios so no one is giving me a chance. Everybody is overlooking me. I just want to show the world that, hey, he is in there with a live dog. He is not in there with a little puppy. He is in there with a live dog. I am going to show the world that he belongs with the best; he wants to fight the best. This is the guy that has heart and balls that gives everything in the ring, that’s what he wants.

What gives you that perception?

BRANDON RIOS: There is a lot of it man. I have read articles. I don’t need to go out there and keep saying it. The people that ’know boxing.’ Everybody is out there saying it. But that’s OK. I am going to go out there and shut everybody up.

There is also the perception that you were picked by Pacquiao because you won’t box and that you are smaller…

BRANDON RIOS: I am not smaller. At the press conference I believe he was smaller than me so I am not the smaller guy here. If you say that, your eyes are deceiving you because I am not smaller than Pacquiao, Pacquiao is smaller than me.

BOB ARUM: That is a good point that Brandon raises. Pacquiao is a much smaller guy. Brandon towers over Pacquiao; Brandon is much taller than Pacquiao. As far as the weight is concerned, that is one of Freddie’s biggest problems. Manny is working so hard and he is so light that he is going back is eating five meals a day in order to keep his weight. In other words, now he is probably five pounds under the welterweight limit.

So you think Brandon is probably the bigger guy?

BOB ARUM: I don’t think, I know. He is much bigger than Pacquiao. He is taller, his reach is longer and probably today he weighs more, probably ten pounds more than Msnny, right Brandon? You are probably about 152 today?

BRANDON RIOS: Yup.

BOB ARUM: And Manny was 142 when I left him in General Santos City.

What kind of fight do you plan to bring to Manny? He prefers a guy to stand in there with him…

ROBERT GARCIA: I think if we were getting ready to outbox Manny it would be trying. Everybody knows how Brandon fights and nothing is going to change Brandon. That’s what we are going to do. We are going to try to make it into a brawl. That’s the only way Brandon fights and that’s the only way Brandon knows how to fight so there is nothing else we can do. That’s what we have to do.

BRANDON RIOS: You heard it from Robert and he’s the man training me so I’ve go to go with Robert. I have to stick with what Robert says and that’s what’s going to happen.

If you’re not a puppy, what kind of dog are you?

BRANDON RIOS: I am a Pit Bull mixed with a Great Dane, mixed with a Rottweiler, mixed with a Bull Terrier, mixed with everything. That’s what kind of dog I am.

How long has Pacquiao been on your radar? Three years ago you were fighting for a lightweight title when Margarito was fighting Pacquiao…

BRANDON RIOS: He hasn’t been on the radar that long. At that time I wasn’t ready for this type of fight, really. I think Robert has got me to the point where I need to be and he feels that I’ve grown. Cameron Dunkin feels that I’ve grown so I can compete at this level now. I feel like I can compete at this level now. Now I am ready for these types of fights.

Do you feel a rematch with Alvarado is in your future?

BRANDON RIOS: This is what I say and I always tell this to everybody. There is only one guy on my mind right now and that’s Manny Pacquiao. There is only one guy that’s going to be on my mind and that’s Manny Pacquiao. I can’t overlook any opponent because all fighters are dangerous. Every fighter is dangerous. I only look at one opponent at a time and that’s many Pacquiao. After the fight I will sit down with Cameron Dunkin and Robert and go over some great options for me.

Do you feel drug testing will be part of your future fights?

BRANDON RIOS: I’m a clean fighter and I don’t really need drug testing. They said they wanted drug testing for this fight so why not? I didn’t ask for it. If they want drug testing, that’s OK. It’s not like I’m not going to fight him. I’m a clean fighter like I said. If they’re not clean, that’s OK. I am just worried about my camp and what we do and that’s it.

BRANDON RIOS: I feel good and I’m ready to fight Pacquiao. Everything in the gym with Robert is going great and Robert is training me real hard and I’ll be ready.

Will having Alex Ariza in the corner have an effect on the fight?

ROBERT GARCIA: Ariza is not in the corner. Ariza is working with Brandon but not in the corner. In the corner will be my dad, Dr. Anderson and myself. The fact that he worked with Pacquiao before does not mean we are taking advantage or asking any questions about Pacquiao. Ariza doesn’t ever say anything to me about Pacquiao or what we should do against Pacquiao. I don’t ask questions and he doesn’t tell me anything. He’s just doing his job like he never worked with Pacquiao.

How has Ariza impacted the camp:

BRANDON RIOS: I’m already a physically strong guy, but Ariza’s got some good work ethics. He’s making me faster. He’s making me more light on my feet. He’s been great and been working very well, like Robert said. There has not been one mention of what Pacquiao does wrong or anything like that. We don’t need any of that stuff. We just do hard work and get the job done. That’s what we do. Ariza is great at what he does and we have a great workout. Mikey’s using him and I’m using him and we see great results.

Which Pacquiao are you preparing for?

BRANDON RIOS: I’m ready for the Pacquiao that was dominating the game. That’s the guy I’m ready for. I am not looking at his last fight when he got knocked out by Márquez. That could happen to anybody – that could happen to me. We cannot go in thinking Pacquiao is done, he’s old. I’m not looking at that. I’m looking at the Pacquiao that was dominating the game. I’m getting in the best shape I can get and I’ll be ready mentally and physically for this fight. And if he looks old? Great – that gives me more time to warm up. If he’s at his best? Great – then I have to warm up faster.

BOB ARUM: I want to thank everybody for being on the call. I’m glad you mentioned this great triple-header we have on November 9 – Robert’s brother, Mikey Garcia challenges for the 130-pound title against Rocky Martinez; Nonito Donaire in a grudge rematch with Vic Darchinyan; and former U.S. Olympians Vanes Martirosyan against Demetrius Andrade for the junior middleweight title – it’s a terrific offering on HBO. These fighters, both Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios have really been training hard for this fight and I want to address one question – the idea of them fighting in the morning. Remember, on the greatest fights I ever saw took place thirty-eight years ago, in Manila, in the morning, at the same time, when Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali went at it in one of the great heavyweight, one of the great fights, in boxing. I expect a great fight here in the morning in Macau and live Saturday evening, usual time [9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT], in Las Vegas.

BOB ARUM: Let me say this: people say ‘fighting in the morning, how unusual.’ Yea, it’s unusual, but ask your self, when do you have the most energy or the most strength? Is it in the morning? Or is it in the evening? Most people will say it’s in the morning. So that’s why I expect an even greater battle than if the fight was taking place at the usual time in the evening.

BRANDON RIOS: My friend has something to say [impersonates Kevin Hart]: Yea! Yea! Getting ready for Macau baby! Yea!

BRANDON RIOS: It’s going to be a great fight and it’s going to be a great fight for everybody around the world. You’re going to see two warriors go at it and they really do go at it. I want to say thanks for everyone that believes in me.

******************

Former world champion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS (31-1-1, 22 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., and reigning Trainer of the Year ROBERT GARCIA will host their only U.S. Media Workout This Thursday! October 31, at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy (1451 Pacific Ave., Oxnard, Calif. 93003), beginning at Noon PT.

KEVIN HART, who stars as a savvy boxing promoter in the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures movie “Grudge Match,” will attend Media Day and will be available for interviews as will Hall of Fame promoter BOB ARUM. Interviews with Rios and Garcia will take place before the workout.

Rios is in deep training for his eagerly-anticipated welterweight collision with Fighter of the Decade, Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO (54-5-2, 38 KOs). Rios departs for Macau on November 11 to acclimate to the environment.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Rios will take place Saturday, November 23 at The Venetian® Macao’s CotaiArena™. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

For Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, this marks the pound-for-pound box office monarch’s 2013 debut as well as his first fight outside the U.S. since his 12-round super featherweight unanimous decision victory over former world champion Oscar Larios in 2006, which took place in the Philippines. Rios, one of boxing’s most exciting fighters, has only fought outside the U.S. once, in México in 2008 when he won a 10-round split decision over Ricardo Dominguez.

HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns for its 18th boxing installment with 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS. The series debuts Saturday, Nov. 9, immediately following the Boxing After Dark tripleheader from Corpus Christi, TX. All new episodes premiere in prime time Saturday, Nov. 16 and Thursday, Nov. 21, just two days before the welterweight showdown in Macau.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/hboboxing and twitter.com/pacrios.

NEW YORK CITY, (October 29, 2013) WBA and IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin headed straight to Times Square upon arriving in New York City ahead of his showdown on Saturday night against top rated challenger Curtis Stevens at Madison Square Garden, “The Mecca of Boxing” and LIVE on HBO® (10:00 p.m. ET/PT.)

Golovkin was swarmed by fans and media as he posed for pictures in front of the massive HBO billboard at 42nd Street and 7th Avenue promoting the fight.

With the highest knockout percentage (89%) in the history of the middleweight division, Golovkin will be looking to extend his 14-bout knockout streak when he makes the 9th-defense of his world titles.

This past January 19, in front of a full house of New York City fight fans, Golovkin dominated top rated challenger Gabriel Rosado, stopping him in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden.

ABOUT “GOLOVKIN VS. STEVENS”:
Golovkin vs. Stevens is a 12-round bout for Golovkin’s WBA and IBO Middleweight World Championship, presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events, GGG Promotions and Madison Square Garden. In the televised co-feature, undefeated heavyweights Mike Perez and Magomed Abdusalamov will clash in a 10-round bout presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC.

Remaining tickets priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50 are available through at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com

Juan Carlos Gomez (51-3-0) is confident that he can “turn back time” and become cruiserweight champion again more than ten year after his last title reign. “Bernard Hopkins showed the whole world what old men are capable of”, said Gomez at a press conference today in Dachau, Germany. “And compared to Hopkins I am still a young guy! I’m not saying that I will still be world champion in eight or ten years but I know that I still have some great fights in me.”

“The Black Panther” returns to action this Friday (Nov. 1) in Dachau against journeyman Adnan Buharalija (29-18-2). The show will be broadcasted live on Eurosport. “With Hopkins beating up opponents at will and other guys like Vitali Klitschko and Guillermo Jones showing dominant performances at 40+ I feel like I’m part of a movement”, adds Gomez. “Maybe this is the age of the ageless fighter. I can only say that I hardly remember times when I felt better and stronger than right now.”

Gomez ruled the cruiserweight division as WBC champion between 1998 and 2001 before moving up to heavyweight to challenge world champion Vitali Klitschko in 2009. Now – at age 40 – the Cuban defector is moving down to cruiserweight again and eyeing a shot at “his” old world title which is currently held by Krysztof Wlodarczyk. “I cannot pronounce his name correctly but I have seen some of Wlodarczyk’s fights”, says Gomez. “I think he is an underestimated champion. He’s a great fighter. Still I see nothing too special about him which could stop me from winning my title back. Watch out, Krysztof, “The Black Panther” is on the hunt and coming to get you! It’s Showtime!”

In the main event of “Petko’s Fight Night” on November 1st in Dachau, local hero Alexander Petkovic (47-4-4) faces Chupaki Chipindi (11-4) from Tanzania. Petkovic who challenged Johnny Nelson for the WBO cruiserweight championship back in 2003 is eyeing a title shot in the heavyweight division sooner or later.

“Hats off to Juan Carlos for moving back down to cruiserweight in his age. I feel more comfortable playing with the big guys”, said Petkovic. “Maybe one day I will drop down again, too, but for the time being I hope to work my way through the ratings in the heavyweight division. I see this show and my fight as a stepping stone for bigger things to come.”

The show will be broadcasted live on Eurosport starting at 21.00h / 9pm local time.

Las Vegas, Nev. – From cornering your favorite fighter to having dinner with the Octagon Girls®, Ultimate Fighting Championship® fans can now place bids on exclusive UFC® auction items at ufcfightforthetroops.com, with the auction closing at 8 p.m. PT on Thurs., Nov. 7. The online auction to raise money for the United States Armed Forces is in conjunction with the UFC Fight for the Troops event that will take place live from Fort Campbell, KY on Wed., Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on FOX Sports 1. Fans can also make donations online or by calling 1-877-747-4376 (HERO).

In addition to exclusive UFC autographed merchandise and memorabilia, fans will have the chance to bid on an East Coast and West Coast VIP experience package. The package features airfare, accommodations and tickets to a UFC event for the winner and a guest, dinner with UFC President Dana White and Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste, a meet-and-greet with UFC fighters and Hall of Famers, special access to weigh-ins with a behind the scenes tour, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience to walk out with a fighter, and, should the fighter win, the opportunity to enter the Octagon® alongside them.

Several celebrities have stepped up in support of the UFC’s Fight for the Troops event. The Red Hot Chili Peppers donated an autographed guitar, drum head and album. Chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain will fly a fan and their guest to New York City for a one night stay including lunch with him. Country singer Blake Shelton, surfboarder Kelly Slater, skateboarder’s Tony Hawk, Rob Dyrdek and Paul Rodriguez and reality star Jenni “JWOW” Farley have also contributed autographed items.

Other sports teams and professional athletes that have contributed to the auction include Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Miami Heat, Manchester United, Baltimore Ravens, Indiana Packers, Indiana Fever, Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves.

Highlights of UFC’s Fight for the Troops online auction include:

· UFC VIP experience packages

· Private Training Session with a UFC Superstar Anderson Silva

· Dinner with UFC Octagon Girls

· Official piece of Octagon canvas

· Autographed UFC memorabilia and merchandise including event posters, Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, Junior Dos Santos and Anderson Silva framed gloves

· Dinner with UFC Hall of Famers Matt Hughes, Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin

· Behind-the-Scenes UFC Tonight show experience in Los Angeles

· UFC on FOX Sports 1 experience

· Octagon collector’s edition book autographed by UFC President Dana White

· UFC GYM Ultimate Fitness Experience including a 1 year membership

· Signed NBA basketball by the 2013 All Star Team

· EA Sports gift package

· Toyo Tires gift certificate for tires

· Century’s MMA Pro Line Gear

· VIP visit for two to the FOX NFL Sunday pre-game show in Los Angeles

· Meet and greet with Regis Philbin and the Crowd Goes WILD Cast in New York

· UFC, NFL and MLB Topps Trading Cards package

· Sons of Anarchy autographed items including pilot script with signed headshots, posters and limited edition comic book

*Restrictions apply on auction items. Auction items are subject to change. Visit ufcfightforthetroops.com for more information.

Proceeds from the online auction and donations will go to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and The National Intrepid Center of Excellence, an advanced research facility in Bethesda, MD dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of military personnel and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health issues. To date the UFC has hosted two UFC Fight for the Troopevents (2008 and 2011) that have help raise over $4 million.

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®

Universally recognized for its action-packed, can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto, Beijing and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 35 live events annually. The UFC is the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world with events distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice. In 2012, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group for live events and thousands of hours of programming including the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, on FOX Sports 1.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries, to 882 million TV households worldwide, in 28 different languages. UFC content is also distributed commercially in the United States to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions, in English throughout Canada via Premium Sports Broadcasting Inc. and Australia via Main Event and in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with nearly 2.5 million followers on Twitter. UFC businesses also include over 90 UFC GYM® locations in 28 US states, UFC FIT™, an in-home fitness and nutrition program, UFC 360, the internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, a new videogame franchise in development with EA, best-selling DVDs, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, branded apparel and Topps Trading Cards.

Tacoma, WA (October 29th, 2013) – On November 2nd, two fighters waiting to unleash their potential will step into the ring to headline Halquist Productions’ Battle at the Boat 93 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA. Raheem, fighting under the Halquist Productions banner for the third time will look to add to the momentum he’s established earlier this year with two impressive victories. Making his professional debut will be Washington’s own Jeremy McCleary, who has become one of the state’s more prominent prospects.

Tickets for Battle at the Boat 93 are still available and can be purchased at the Emerald Queen Casino box office and through Ticketmaster. Prices start at $25.

Raheem’s comeback to the sport of boxing earlier this year has gotten off to a successful start. In March, Raheem quickly defeated Santos Pakau with a TKO in the second round. Raheem followed suit in June when he defeated Justin Juuko via TKO in the fourth round. Coleman has most recently appeared twice on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights when he took on Vernon Paris and Kendall Holt.

When Zahir Raheem (33-3-0, 20 KOs) and Tim Coleman (19-3-1, 5 KOs) step into the ring to headline Battle at the Boat 93, it will not just be another main event. It will be a fight between two talented fighters seeking a highly needed quality win. A win on Saturday night could get the victor back in the spotlight to begin 2014.

The undercard seen below is filled with local talent including the pro debut of Jeremy McCleary, who is labeled as one of top prospects coming out of Washington State. One additional bout will be announced shortly.

Jared Teer (Olympia, WA) vs. Dex Montenegro (Issaquah, WA) at 154 Lbs.
Jeremy McCleary (Buckley, WA) vs. Manuel Ortega (Seattle, WA) at 132 Lbs.
Corben Page (Springfield, OR) vs. Marcello Gallardo (Renton, WA) at 129 Lbs.
Cameron Sevilla-Rivera (Fife, WA) vs. Mark Garcia (Prosser, WA) at 154 Lbs.

Doors for Battle at the Boat 93 open at 6 PM with the first fight scheduled for 7 PM. Halquist Productions’ Battle at the Boat continues to be the longest running professional boxing series at any Casino in the United States, while having staged numerous title fights on major sport networks such as ESPN, HBO, and ShowTime. For more information about Battle at the Boat 93 and all other Halquist production events, please visit www.halquistproductions.com and the official Facebook and Twitter pages of Battle at the Boat and CageSport MMA.

ig Bear, CA (October 29, 2013) After weeks of intense training in Big Bear, California, boxing’s fastest rising superstar Gennady “GGG” Golovkin is headed to New York City to defend his WBA and IBO Middleweight World Titles this Saturday night against Brooklyn’s Curtis Stevens at Madison Square Garden, “The Mecca of Boxing” and LIVE on HBO® (10:00 p.m. ET/PT.)

With two massive fight billboards in the New York City area and a full week of media activities ahead, the Golovkin/Stevens clash has become a must-see attraction in the “city that never sleeps”.

“I’m excited to fly to New York City for this fight with Curtis Stevens. Fighting at Madison Square Garden is always very special to me,” said Golovkin. “The training camp was hard, but I’m in great condition and ready to fight.”

“Coming back to Madison Square Garden and New York City with one of the premier fighters in the world is an experience like no other,” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions. “With two of the biggest punches in the middleweight division, fans can expect a lot of fireworks on Saturday night.”

Head trainer Abel Sanchez added, “We’re ready to showcase the best middleweight in the world this Saturday night. Gennady will deliver another terrific performance.”

With the highest knockout percentage (89%) in the history of the middleweight division, Golovkin will be looking to extend his 14-bout knockout streak when he makes the 9th-defense of his world titles.

This past January 19, in front of a full house of New York City fight fans, Golovkin dominated top rated challenger Gabriel Rosado, stopping him in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden.

ABOUT “GOLOVKIN VS. STEVENS”:
Golovkin vs. Stevens is a 12-round bout for Golovkin’s WBA and IBO Middleweight World Championship, presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events, GGG Promotions and Madison Square Garden. In the televised co-feature, undefeated heavyweights Mike Perez and Magomed Abdusalamov will clash in a 10-round bout presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC.

Remaining tickets priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50 are available through at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com

LONDON (29 Oct) – Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring against the unyielding Brandon Rios on November 23rd will be brought to UK fight fans live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546).

The eagerly anticipated matchup which sees Pacquiao make his first return to the ring since his devastating knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez will pit him against one of boxing’s most relentless warriors in the shape of Rios, in a bout certain to produce fireworks.

The 12-round welterweight rumble, taking place at The Venetian’s CotaiArena in Macao, China represents a sink or swim matchup for both men who go into the fight with everything on the line as they look to bounce back in spectacular fashion following their recent defeats.

Despite his status as a global boxing icon and being regarded as the ‘Fighter of the Decade’, Pacquiao, will not have it all his own way when he steps in against a former world champion in Rios, famed for his never-say-die attitude and outspoken nature.

The clash will also see the WBO international welterweight title up for grabs, in the biggest fight in the world that weekend.

“Brandon Rios is the biggest test out there for me and I will be ready to meet the challenge,” said Pacquiao. “I have heard what Brandon has been saying. If he fights as well as he boasts it will be a great fight for us and the fans.”

“Out with the old, in with the new . . . and I’m the new! Manny, this is my time,” said Rios.

Jim McMunn, General Manager of BoxNation, said: “We are delighted to continue bringing British fight fans the best possible matchups out there. Anyone who knows boxing knows that this fight is going to be an explosive all-action affair, with two of the most exciting boxers in the sport today. It is such an intriguing fight as we all want to see if Pacquiao can throw his name back into the pound-for-pound mix or if a new superstar will be born in Rios. BoxNation is committed to deliver the best bouts out there at great value to our customers and it’s fantastic we have managed to secure yet another ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate in the form of Pacquiao-Rios.”

-Ends-
About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £10* 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 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 £10 one off registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

New York, NY (10/29/13) On Saturday, November 9, DiBella Entertainment (DBE) will present a special edition of its Broadway Boxing series at the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn, NY. The event, which is being called the “Battle for Brooklyn”, is headlined by two of Brooklyn’s most popular fighters as once-beaten contender Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (22-1, 4KO’s) squares off against former world title challenger Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita (35-1-1, 18KO’s) in a 10-round welterweight showdown.

The bout between Bracero and Salita has been talked about throughout the New York boxing scene for years, and is one of the most significant fights to be made as part of the ever-popular Broadway Boxing series in its 10+ year existence.

The remainder of the card is loaded from top to bottom with several exciting fights as well as some of the most promising young prospects in the DBE stable.

Appearing on the card in a special attraction eight-round bout will be world-rated junior middleweight contender Charlie Ohta (23-1-1, 16KO’s). The Harlem-native Ohta, who now lives and trains in Japan after moving to the country following the time he spent stationed there in the US Navy, is ranked #11 in the WBO and #13 in the WBC. Ohta is set to take on tough Puerto Rican-native Mike Ruiz (17-7, 9KO’s) in their eight-round junior middleweight showdown.

Ohta has won 17 fights in a row dating back to 2008, after suffering his only career loss via eight-round majority decision. The bout on November 9 will be Ohta’s second here in the US. The career of Ruiz, now living and training in Queens, has seen a number of ups and downs, starting off 0-2 before putting together a string of eight consecutive victories. Ruiz is 9-3 in his last 12 bouts and is coming off back-to-back stoppage victories.

Returning to action for the seventh time since turning pro just a little over a year ago will be Brooklyn’s fan-favorite Heather “The Heat” Hardy (6-0, 1KO), as she looks to keep her unbeaten record intact when she squares off against Laura Gomez (4-3). The fight, contested at the junior featherweight limit, will be Hardy’s first bout scheduled for eight rounds. The vacant UBF International title will be on the line.

Hardy, a NY Golden Gloves champion, recently signed an exclusive long-term promotional contract with DBE and has quickly become one of the main boxing attractions in New York City. After her signing, promoter Lou DiBella proclaimed, “Heather has the ability, the story and the intangibles to be a legitimate star in the biggest media market in the world. I believe that Heather can be New York City’s breakthrough female fighter.” Given the excitement that Hardy brings each fight and as her legion of adoring fans continues to grow, along with the major media coverage she receives, her promoter’s words have held true.

Making his much anticipated pro debut on the card will be #1-rated US junior amateur Junior “Sugar Boy” Younan. Having just turned 18 on October 14, Younan is set to take on an opponent TBA in a four-round super middleweight matchup.

The “boxing prodigy”-as Younan was referred to in a lengthy New York Times article written on him and his father/trainer Sherif Younan when Junior was just 10 years old-has long been in the spotlight throughout his amateur career. The blue-chip prospect first picked up a pair of gloves at just two years old and by the time he was eight, he was fighting competitively. Compiling an outstanding 90-5 record, Younan won nearly every major tournament in which he competed on both the regional and national level. In addition to winning the National Junior Olympic championship in 2011 (he lost a debated decision in the 2012 finals), Younan was a nine-time Junior Olympic champion, nine-time Junior Metro champion, eight-time NY State Silver Gloves champion, five-time Regional Silver Gloves champion, four-time National Silver Gloves champion, three-time Ringside World champion, three-time National PAL champion and a two-time National Junior Golden Gloves champion. He is being advised and managed by James Prince and Josh Dubin, the same business team behind pound-for-pounder and super middleweight champion Andre Ward.

Looking for his sixth straight victory since turning pro earlier this year will be DBE’s highly touted Patrick “All” Day (5-0, 2KO’s), as he takes on Urmat Ryskeldiev (5-3, 4KO’s) in a six-round junior middleweight contest.

The former #1-rated US amateur Day was also the 2012 USA Boxing National, PAL National, and NY Golden Gloves champion. He is coming off his most impressive victory to date as a pro; a dominant six-round shutout decision over (5-1) Donald Ward this past August.

Fighting in separate four-round bouts on the card will be Shemuel “The Chosen One” Pagan (3-0, 1KO) and Christopher “Golden” Galeano (0-1), both of whom are co-promoted by DBE and 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions.

Pagan, a five-time NY Golden Gloves champion, returned last month after a near two-and-a-half year layoff, looking as though he never lost a step, dominating and dropping his opponent twice en route to a four-round shutout decision. Pagan is set to see action against Jesus Javier Cintron (2-3-2, 1KO) in a four-round junior welterweight matchup.

Galeano, a National amateur and NY Golden Gloves champion, is looking to get into the win column after dropping a close decision in his professional debut when he takes on Jamil Gadsden (0-3) in their four-round junior middleweight contest. In his pro debut last month, Galeano dominated the action in his four-round bout, but unfortunately suffered two flash knockdowns that were the deciding factor on the judges’ scorecards. Galeano will be looking to right the ship and get what many feel will be a very promising professional career back on track.

Also seeing action on the card out of the SMS Promotions stable will be one of the crown jewels of their growing roster of fighters, lightweight Ryan Martin (1-0, 1KO). A 12-time National champion with over 200 amateur fights, Martin is regarded as one of the most successful amateur boxers to have ever come out of the state of Tennessee. Martin made his successful debut last month and looked absolutely sensational, scoring a second-round TKO over Darus Somieari. Martin is set to take on William Fauth (0-2) in a four-round lightweight matchup.

Rounding out the card will be former NY Golden Gloves champions Louis Cruz (5-0, 2KO’s) and “Irish” Joe Smith (12-1, 11KO’s).

The Bronx-native Cruz is looking to make it a perfect 4-0 in 2013, after signing with DBE earlier this year when he faces Brooklyn’s Bryan Acaba (3-4, 2KO’s) in his first scheduled lightweight six-rounder.

The heavy-handed and fan-favorite Smith has strung together six consecutive victories, with five of them by stoppage, after suffering the only pro defeat of his career back in August 2010. In that bout, Smith suffered a broken jaw that required immediate surgery and nearly a year of recovery. The 24-year-old Smith is looking to continue his winning ways when he takes on Lamont Williams (5-2-1, 2KO’s) in a six-round light heavyweight showdown.

Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $45, and can be purchased by calling the DiBella Entertainment office at (212) 947-2577. Only a limited number of tickets are currently left at each price point so act fast as this event will be sold out!

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 29, 2013) – The World Series of Fighting continues to expand its global footprint with the launch of World Series of Fighting Japan (WSOF Japan).

World Series of Fighting launches its new Japanese division in a partnership with the long-running and highly respected Pancrase organization, a Tokyo-based group that has promoted mixed martial arts events since 1993 and is widely considered one of the most historically important organizations in the sport.

“Japan has long been a home of top-level martial arts competitions of all types, and I personally have enjoyed some of the best moments of my fighting career there,” World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. “I’m excited to announce this new division with the launch of World Series of Fighting Japan.

“I look forward to working with Pancrase CEO Masakazu Sakai and his team, and together we will produce amazing events for the Japanese fight fans, as well as big opportunities for both Asia-based fighters and MMA fighters around the globe.”

The first World Series of Fighting Japan event is expected to take place in early 2014. The relationship will allow fighters from both sides of the Pacific Ocean to be featured in fight cards in both the U.S. and Japan, including recent World Series of Fighting addition Yushin “Thunder” Okami (29-8), one of the world’s top-ranked middleweights.

The launch of World Series of Fighting Japan marks the second international branch of the WSOF brand to be announced in the past month alone, as World Series of Fighting Canada is set for a Dec. 7 debut. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

London (29 October) Lenny Daws is ready to “get in there” and “put on a good show” for all his fans on the James DeGale undercard at Glow, Bluewater, Saturday 16th November.

The 34-year-old light welterweight has been training harder than ever and “can’t wait” for fight night.

“The fans know I will give it my all and always put on a good performance,” Lenny said.

“I will never leave anything in the changing room, it will all be on the line and I’m going for the win – I just want to get in there and show my stuff now.

“It’s not too far from me, I should have got a lot of support down there and I’d like to give them all a good fight – I’m really, really looking forward to it.”

Morden man Lenny lost a controversial decision in Italy for the vacant European title in his last outing in June and can’t wait to show why he feels he should be champion.

“The result of the last one has made me train a lot harder, I’m more determined because I know that I shouldn’t have lost the fight and I should be European champion,” Lenny said

“I know where I’m at, where I need to be and I know I can even go beyond, it’s just a minor set back and I know I can go back at it stronger.”

Lenny fights on the undercard to James DeGale MBE’s WBC Silver super middleweight title defence against ‘Dangerous’ Dyah Davis at Glow, Bluewater on Saturday 16th November, featuring an all-star line up, live on Channel 5 from 10pm.

Tickets are priced from £40 and are still available to buy from the Hennessy Sports Box Office on 01925 755 222 or online at http://hennessy.ticketline.co.uk or alternatively by contacting Tickeline.co.uk online and by phone on 0844 888 4402 or via Ticketmaster.co.uk online or by phone on 0844 847 2500.

Ticket Information

Tickets for November 16th are priced from £40 and are available to purchase from the following box offices:

Hennessy Sports box office on 01925 755 222 and online at: http://hennessy.ticketline.co.uk

Ticketline on 0844 888 4402 and online at: ticketline.co.uk

Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2500 or online at: ticketmaster.co.uk

London (29 October) James DeGale MBE is ready to give his best performance to date and prove his knee troubles are truly behind him.

The WBC Silver super middleweight champion has been undergoing physiotherapy for his injured knee and now feels he is ready to once again show his best form.

“I’m going to show that once and for all my knee problem is behind me,” the 2008 Olympic gold medallist said.

“I think from the Hadillah Mohoumadi fight you’ve seen me gradually get better, through the Fulgencio Zuniga fight, Sebastien Demers and Stjepan Bozic, you’ve seen me bending more, throwing more shots, throwing my combinations, using angles more, so in this one you’ll see another big difference as well.”

James enters the ring at Glow, Bluewater on November 16th, live on Channel 5 from 10pm, where he faces the resilient American ‘Dangerous’ Dyah Davis, son of 1976 Olympic champion Howard Davis Jr.

A man full of pedigree who has blemished the records of unbeaten fighters and traded leather with current WBC world super middleweight champion Sakio Bika.

But the man fondly known as ‘Chunky’ enters the ring knowing he is injury free and ready to deliver a big performance.

“I feel really good, just going through training nice and I just want to box and November 16th we’re ready,” DeGale said.

“Self confidence wise I’m right up there, because I was getting into the ring knowing that I wasn’t 100 percent, so now, knowing that I’m fully fit and I’ve got no injuries, getting in there, I’m back to my old self – I’m back and full of confidence.”

Ticket Information

Tickets for November 16th are priced from £40 and are available to purchase from the following box offices:

Hennessy Sports box office on 01925 755 222 and online at: http://hennessy.ticketline.co.uk

Ticketline on 0844 888 4402 and online at: ticketline.co.uk

Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2500 or online at: ticketmaster.co.uk

Accreditation

For fight accreditation for November 16th please email: leeb@hennessysports.com for an application form.

Applications need to be submitted on or before Friday 8th November 2013. You will be notified of your accreditation status by close of business (5.30pm) on Monday 11th November 2013 via Email.

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS
For more information on Channel 5, Maximuscle, Liquid and Hennessy Sports:

www.channel5.com
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FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Canelo Alvarez will fight three times on Pay Per View three times and already has dates for 2014.

“I’m very happy. I’m ‘resting’ but I go to the gym regularly and I am always training. I am very happy to be getting back in the ring,” Alvarez said through a translator.

“We locked in three dates with the pay-per-view industry,” said Alvarez promoter Richard Schaeferof Golden Boy Promotions naming March 8, July 26 and Nov. 22 as the dates on which Alvarez will fight. “Canelo said he is excited to fight three times next year. He said he doesn’t want any vacation, just to fight and work hard.”

Said Alvarez, “I came to Golden Boy and told them I want three fights next year. We talked about a lot of different things and we agreed on three dates. I wanted to have the dates set up and start working. I want to have three fights next year and I will work hard preparing for all of them.”

“We have different names in mind,” Schaefer said. “Those are three of them. We are looking at different opponents. I’d anticipate in the next few weeks we will have an opponent locked in. We want to make the biggest possible fights.”

“I have zero doubt that next to Floyd Mayweather, Canelo is the biggest name in the sport from a draw point of view,” Schaefer said. “To see Canelo committing to three fights next year is exciting to me as a promoter and as a boxing fan. He wanted to set his schedule. We know he brings a lot to the table.”

“It bothers me that he won that fight, but my career has a lot of future still. I still want to be one of the best in the world and I need to fight a lot next year,” Alvarez said. “The Mayweather fight is behind me.”

“For me, my career is most important. I have a big career still ahead. I want to leave a legacy. That is more important than the money. First my legacy and then everything else is extra for me.

“Canelo is going to fight three times next year, so if Sergio can’t be ready for March, there are still two other dates for the fight,” Schaefer said.

“We all know how huge a Canelo-Cotto fight would be, Mexico versus Puerto Rico, two great fighters, two popular fighters,” Schaefer said. “That’s the beauty of Miguel being a free agent. He can pick the best deal for himself.”

SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 28) – One of boxing’s most popular action fighters, former middleweight world title challenger Fernando Guerrero will look to thrill boxing fans on Monday, Nov. 11 when he squares off against Austin’s Raymond Gatica in the 10-round co-main event of FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes’ Golden Boy Live! (10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. PT) at Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio, Texas.

“I’m excited to return to the ring and get back in the title picture,” said Guerrero. “The Texas fans were great to me when I fought there against JC Candelo last year and I promise to give them another show to remember on November 11.”

“Fernando Guerrero is a big name in the division and I have a lot of respect for him,” said Gatica. “But, I have every intention of beating him in front of my fellow Texans and making a big statement.”

In the 10-round main event, it’s a meeting of junior welterweight southpaws when Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. and Luis Ramos Jr. meet in the ring.

“Fernando Guerrero is one of my favorite fighters to watch and he brings it every time,” said Mike Battah, President of Battah*Leija Promotions. “He had a great performance in Texas against JC Candelo and the San Antonio fans wanted him again, so we got him. He’s in for a tough test in Raymond Gatica and I think we’re going to be in for a great fight on November 11.”

Also added to the televised portion of the card is an eight-round middleweight bout featuring unbeaten 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha against an opponent to be determined.

Twenty-seven year-old southpaw Fernando Guerrero (25-2, 19 KO’s) has always been a must-see for boxing fans and he doesn’t disappoint. A native of the Dominican Republic who later became synonymous with his adopted hometown of Salisbury, Maryland, Guerrero parlayed a four-fight winning streak from 2011-2012 into a world title shot against current WBO Middleweight Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin in April of 2013. Guerrero fell short of victory that night, but he’s eager to get back in the title race beginning with his Nov. 11 bout against Gatica.

Austin’s Raymond Gatica (13-1, 8 KO’s) is a former Texas State Welterweight Champion who is unbeaten in two fights since moving to the middleweight division in 2013 where the 29-year-old upset Raul Casarez in April. In his most recent bout on June 28, he stopped Juan Reyna in four rounds, making it clear that he’s ready for his FOX national television debut against Guerrero.

Since emerging from the London Olympics, Team USA member Terrell Gausha (11-2, 6 KO’s) has proven to be one of the most promising members of the Class of 2012, showing off speed, savvy and power as he’s scored six post-Olympic wins, four by knockout. Fresh from a recent first-round technical knockout over Bruce Runkle in September, the 26-year-old from Cleveland will attempt to keep the momentum going in Texas.

Maldonado Jr. vs. Ramos Jr. is a 10-round junior welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Cowboys Dancehall doors open at 5:00 p.m. CT and the first fight starts at 6:30 p.m. CT. In the co-main event, Fernando Guerrero squares off against Raymond Gatica in a 10-round middleweight bout. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $100, $65, $30 and $20, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges are available for purchase now by phone by calling Leija*Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,www.twitter.com/LeijaBattahPR, www.twitter.com/atriscokid, @FernandoDomini, @TerrellGausha and @cowboysdancehall, follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and www.facebook.com/LeijaBattah. Also, visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com and become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FOXSports, www.twitter.com/FOXSports1 and www.twitter.com/FOXsportspr.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (OCTOBER 28, 2013)–Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions is proud to announce the signing of undefeated light heavyweight Michael Seals to an exclusive promotional contract.

Seals of Atlanta, Georgia has record of 16-0 with 12 KO’s.

Seals began boxing after attending college at Alabama A&M. He began training at the Paul Murphy Boxing Club in Atlanta where his trained by “Sugar” Bert Wells. After a brief amateur career, Seals turned professional on November 25, 2008 with a 2nd round stoppage over Ousman McClain in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Seals proceeded to stop undefeated Michael Sunkett. He also has wins over battle-tested veterans DeAndrey Abron, Robbie Tovar and Adam Collins.

Seals scored his signature victory when he stopped former world champion Byron Mitchell in the first round on December 8, 2012.

Seals is coming off a second round stoppage over 41 fight veteran William Johnson on September 7th.

“I am excited to be a part of Banner Promotions,” said Seals. “I know they can do a lot of big things and can take my career to the next level.”

“Within the next year, I will be looking to be in the top 15 and will be fighting for the world title by 2015. Banner Promotions will provide me with the opportunity to introduce me to the world. I feel like i am the most talented light heavyweight and i know the world will be excited to see that,” finished Seals.

Seals is managed by Atlanta attorney Keishan Davis.

“The kid loves boxing and is such a gym rat that he sleeps in between his workouts at the gym. He has been told to slow down and he basically lives at the gym. We are very excited to be with Banner Promotions. They have shown they can get fighters to the highest level and they will provide Michael that avenue.”

Said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo, “We have been talking to Michael for a little bit and we are very happy to have him in the fold. He has great potential and we will give him the opportunity to showcase the skills that we believe can take him very far.”

Seals, who stands 6 foot 2, was raised in Mobile, Alabama and has a college degree in physical education from Alabama A&M.

He will see action on November 9 against veteran Steve Walker in Norcross, Georgia.

Bethlehem, PA—Junior lightweight Jason Sosa, of Camden, NJ, riding a streak of five consecutive knockout wins, takes on Chazz McDowell, of Yonkers, NY, in a scheduled eight-round contest Saturday evening, Nov. 16, in the Events Center at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

The Sosa-Morales fight will serve as the semifinal to the 10-round main event between welterweights Ronald Cruz, of Bethlehem, and Hector Munoz, of Albuquerque, NM. First of seven fights begins at 7pm.

In the last 13 months, Sosa (right), 25, has knocked out Clinton Douglas, of Philadelphia, PA, Isaac Suarez, of Lancaster, PA, Joseph Chip Perez, of East Hartford, CT., Georgi Kevlishvili, of Gori, Georgia, in Eastern Europe, and Tyrone Luckey, of Middletown, NJ.

Though none of the five were world-rated, none of them had a losing record (38-14-3 overall) and each was solid pro who came to win. The one-punch knockout of Luckey—done with a devastating left hook to the body—stamped Sosa as someone to watch at 130 pounds. Not bad when you consider than Sosa only had three amateur fights and lost two of them.

clip_image005Sosa also fought a pair of draws—one at 6 rounds, one at 8, with Angel Ocasio, of Philadelphia, who is 7-0-2. The only setback in Sosa’s career came late in 2010 when, on 48 hours’ notice and out of shape at 138.5 pounds, he accepted a fight with hard-hitting junior welterweight Treysean Wiggins, of Newburgh, NY, and was K0d in one round in Atlantic City, NJ.

After that loss, Sosa stayed out of the ring for 13 months and changed his team, which now includes co-managers Adrien Soto and Raul Chino Rivas, who also serves as trainer.

Rivas has high hopes for Sosa: “I am confident Sosa will win a world championship within the next 18-20 months. He’s getting better with every fight. He’s a real warrior and no one scares him. He’d fight every month if he could.”

A graduate of Sterling High School in South Jersey, Sosa often does maintenance work for Camden County Parks and
volunteer work for the Lion of Judah Church in his neighborhood.

Against McDowell (left), Sosa will be facing his toughest test.

The 23-year-old McDowell is 6-3-1, 1 K0, and is coming off a six-round draw with unbeaten (7-0-1) Amos Cowart, of Groveland, IL, on Aug.14 in New York City.

Five additional fights complete the card.

ABOUT NOVEMBER 16

The Cruz-Munoz and and Sosa-McDowell fights headline a seven-bout card at the Sands Bethlehem. Doors open at 6.30pm; first fight 7p.m. Tickets priced at $50 and $75 can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and at all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com, and www.Ticketmaster.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Deja Brew, Inc., 101 West 4th Street (610-865-2739) and at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790). The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., and BAM Boxing in association with the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2013 – HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns in November for its 18th boxing installment with 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS, it was announced by Rick Bernstein, executive producer, HBO Sports. Debuting SATURDAY, NOV. 9 (12:15-12:45 a.m. ET/PT), the all-access series follows two elite fighters as they prepare for their intriguing welterweight showdown Nov. 23 from the Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena in Macau, China.
“The intensity and significance of the fight will be a great launching point for this all-new edition of ‘24/7’,” noted Bernstein. “We are eager to follow both teams, since there is so much new ground to cover, especially as both sides prepare for a fight taking place at an exciting international destination.”

Episodes two and three of 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS debut Saturday, Nov. 16 (9:30-10:00 p.m.) and Thursday, Nov. 21 (10:00-10:30 p.m.), with the finale premiering two nights before the high-stakes welterweight bout. All episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand® and HBO GO®.

24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as the fighters prepare for their highly anticipated meeting.

Born amid poverty in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs), 34, has conquered every barrier to become a worldwide star, capturing world titles in eight different weight divisions. He is the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province of his homeland, winning reelection to a second term earlier this year. Now, Pacquiao is determined to overcome the setbacks he experienced in 2012, while rising star Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 22 KOs), 27, is battle-tested and fearless.

Making his eighth “24/7” appearance, Pacquiao is expected to surround himself with a trusted contingent of family and friends as he works primarily in the Philippines with longtime trainer Freddie Roach. In his “24/7” debut, Rios will be trained by longtime trainer Robert Garcia in the burgeoning boxing market of Oxnard, Cal.

24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS is the latest installment of the acclaimed franchise that began in 2007 and is the most-honored sports series on TV over the last six years, earning 17 Sports Emmys®. Last year’s “24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez 4” was recently recognized with the Sports Emmy® Award in the category of Outstanding Editing. The “24/7” franchise has now captured the Emmy® in the Outstanding Editing category five years in a row.
ESPN The Magazine called the series “a masterfully entertaining reality show.”
“Pacquiao vs. Rios” takes place at the Venetian Macao in Macau, China on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®.
The executive producer of 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS is Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Bentley Weiner; producers, Harley Glantz, George Jakovic and Abtin Motia; writer, Aaron Cohen. Liev Schreiber narrates.

Steve Carl pushed himself to the limits, and he walked away as World Series of Fighting’s first-ever champion.

Battling through injuries that hampered his final weeks of preparation, an exhausted Carl choked out resilient challenger Josh Burkman to claim the promotion’s inaugural welterweight belt.

The two squared off in the main event of Saturday’s “World Series of Fighting 6: Burkman vs. Carl,” which took place at BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Fla. and aired live on NBCSN.

Carl and Burkman wasted little time in getting to work, as each looked to attack from the opening bell. It was Burkman who took the upper-hand with an early takedown, but Carl worked hard to defend underneath.

As the fight wore on, both men enjoyed moments of success on the floor. Each had submission attempts that seemed destined to end the fight, but neither opponent would go away quite so easily. But as the bout entered the championship rounds, Carl emerged as the better fighter.

As the two grappled yet again, Carl went willingly to his back, where he locked in a tight triangle choke. Burkman tried hard to escape but was ultimately choked out at the 1:02 mark of the fourth frame. With the win, Carl claimed the first championship belt ever awarded by World Series of Fighting, but admitted he was capable of more.

“I felt like I could have performed a lot better, but there’s something not a lot of people know,” Carl said after the win. “Two weeks ago I was in the emergency room with torn muscles and a bulging disc in my back, unable to walk. My last two weeks have been nothing but rest and rehab to get here. I was bound and determined to take this fight, and I’m not really happy with my performance.

“I was so tired I wanted to quit there a couple times. Josh is a really game opponent, and he kept bringing it. Honestly, I didn’t think I could do it for a while. My cornermen just kept pushing me through it, and here we are. We did it.”

Carl (21-3) now boasts an impressive seven-fight win streak. Burkman (26-10) sees a five-fight win streak snapped, but will no doubt remain a top contender for the promotion.

In the night’s co-feature, Marlon Moraes earned his fourth World Series of Fighting victory with an impressive first-round finish of Carson Beebe.

With Beebe rushing forward for the takedown, Moraes defended the efforts while rattling off powerful punches. A few early uppercuts left Beebe rattled, and a massive left hook sent him toppling to the floor. Moraes pounced with a few short punches to finish the deal, and the bout was stopped after just 32 seconds.

Afterward, Moraes said Beebe’s wrestling skills also made him a vulnerable target.

“He’s a wrestler,” Moraes said. “He came hard to take me down, but I was ready. He was too close to try to take me down. I could hit him with some punches.”

Moraes (12-4-1) is now a perfect 4-0 for World Series of Fighting and would appear to be in line to challenge for the company’s first bantamweight belt. Beebe (14-3) falls to 1-2 in his past three appearances.

Welterweight contender Jon Fitch is no stranger to adversity, but he once again proved his heart in a gritty, three-round war with Marcelo Alfaya.

While Fitch (25-6-1) was heavily favored heading into the matchup, underdog Alfaya (15-7) pushed forward from the opening bell, bringing the fight to the floor and outgrappling Fitch, a vaunted wrestling ace. Alfaya tried to repeat the performance in the second before Fitch escaped to the feet and turned to his striking to shift the momentum. It was a wise decision.

After a tightly contested second frame, Fitch took over in the third, outworking Alfaya by defending takedowns and snapping his head back with several stiff strikes. It was clear Fitch took the final round, but the result of the fight remained in doubt until the judges’ scores were read.

Two of three judges sided with Fitch, and he was awarded a split-decision win. Afterward, he said he was confident he’d done enough to take home the win.

“I was fairly confident I did enough,” Fitch said. “I did a lot of damage, a lot of striking, a lot of stuff on top. He was able to control a lot of positions on me, which I wasn’t expecting. He was really strong, but I don’t think it was enough to win a fight.”

In the night’s first main-card matchup, lightweight Justin Gaethje shed the “prospect” tag in favor of a “contender” label with a brutal stoppage of durable veteran Dan Lauzon.

Gaethje and Lauzon engaged from the opening bell, but by the end of the first round, a dizzying barrage of leg kicks left Lauzon hobbling. He switched stances in the second, but Gaethje simply chopped away at the other limb before scoring two huge right hands that send Lauzon to the floor. Another punch on the floor sealed the TKO win at the 1:40 mark.

After the win, Gaethje said Lauzon’s lack of movement led to his demise.

“My strategy is always to work hard; I take the opportunities I get,” Gaethje said. “I definitely saw him planting his feet, so yeah, I was trying to tee off on that leg.”

Gaethje (10-0), who remains perfect for his career, is now 3-0 under the World Series of Fighting banner and may soon contend for the promotion’s inaugural lightweight belt. Lauzon (17-5) sees a five-fight winning streak snapped.
In the headlining attraction of the preliminary card, the unheralded Pablo Alfonso took advantage of the biggest opportunity in his career, wobbling and submitting former WEC champion Miguel Torres in impressive fashion.

Alfonso blitzed Torres in the early going and rocked him with a quick flurry of punches, including a pair of uppercuts that landed flush. As Torres hit the floor, Alfonso passed on an opportunity to look for a submission, choosing instead to try and strike his way to the win. Torres briefly recovered, but Alfonso (9-5) stayed on the attack and worked in a guillotine choke. With the hold tightening, Torres (40-7) tried desperately to pull free but was ultimately forced to tap out at the 3:05 mark of the first.

Thirteen-year MMA veteran Luiz Firmino has faced a who’s who list of opponents, but he picked up one of the most important wins of his career with a decision over fellow lightweight Jacob Volkmann.

The two grappling specialists relied heavily on their wrestling games, with Firmino perhaps surprisingly getting the best of the takedowns in the early going. Volkmann struggled to shift the momentum throughout the tedious three-round affair, but Firmino kept establishing top position and earning points with the judges, eventually taking a unanimous-decision win over Volkmann (16-5), 29-28 on all three judges’ cards.

In a grappling-heavy catchweight contest, Chad Robichaux used a non-stop submission attack to tap out a previously undefeated Andrew Yates.

Robichaux looked to end the fight early, latching on to a guillotine choke in the opening seconds and later transitioning to a triangle. However, Yates survived each hold, eventually slamming Robichaux to the canvas, and crawled back to his feet. Unfortunately, he remained in hot water for the entirety of the round.

Robichaux (13-2) continued the assault in the second, and while Yates (7-1) continued to flash impressive defense, “Robo” nailed a beautiful sweep from the bottom to turn over and lock in a north-south choke, putting “The Golden Boy” to sleep with 51 seconds left in the round.

In an early barnburner, 23-year-old Josh Rettinghouse scored an upset win over Olympic wrestling medalist Alexis Vila.

The taller Rettinghouse also flashed impressive speed, as he moved in and out of Vila’s range and delivered both punches and kicks to all levels. Meanwhile, the powerful Vila walked confidently forward and threw heavy leather, constantly hunting for the knockout. After back-and-forth action in the first two rounds, Vila took over in the third. An early takedown scored points, as did a few knees on the floor. Rettinghouse worked back to his feet and looked to strike, but Vila’s grappling scored him two more takedowns.

A gutsy Rettinghouse (10-2) flurried in the final minute and pressed until the final bell of the spirited contest. In the end, judges felt he had done enough to take home the win, as he was awarded a unanimous-decision win over Vila (13-4) with scores of 29-28 on all three judges’ cards.

In early featherweight action, undefeated prospect Nick LoBosco (7-0) announced himself as a fighter to watch with a brutal first-round knockout of veteran Fabio Mello (11-7). After a brief feeling out process, LoBosco launched a high kick that landed flush and sent Mello to the floor. From there, LoBosco pounced with massive right hands that finished the job at the 2:02 mark of the first round.

In the night’s first fight, grappling ace Alexandre Pimentel (13-1) submitted a game Jade Porter (9-4) in the third frame. While Porter showed excellent submission defense throughout the fight, Pimentel finally worked to the back in the third round. While he was unable to finish with a rear-naked choke, he instead transitioned beautifully to a triangle choke earning the tap at the 3:05 mark of the final round.

In a walkout bout, Hans Stringer (21-5-3) and Francisco France (8-3-1) battled their way to a draw. Stringer, who trains with the Blackzillians, had a point deducted from him after he caught France with a low blow for the second time.

About World Series of Fighting
World Series of Fighting is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering an incredible, action-packed entertainment experience for fight fans by producing the best possible matchups between elite fighters from around the globe. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

About NBCSN
NBCSN part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 80 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France and the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2013, the Premier League and Formula One. In addition, NBC Sports Network features college football, college basketball, college hockey, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Action Sports Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, The Crossover, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show. NBC Sports Network is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

About BankUnited Center at UM
The BankUnited Center, an 8,000 seat multipurpose entertainment facility located on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus, hosts concerts, family shows, trade shows, lecture series, sporting events and the University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball teams. For more information call 305-284-8686 or visit www.BankUnitedCenter.com. The BankUnited Center is located at 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, PHILIPPINES (October 25, 2013) — Fighter of the Decade, Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO (54-5-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani Province of the Philippines, and Hall of Fame promoter BOB ARUM hosted an international Media Conference Call which emanated from General Santos City, Philippines, where Pacquiao has been in deep, rigorous training for his battle with former world champion and reigning hellion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS (31-1-1, 22 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif. Their eagerly-anticipated welterweight collision is just four weeks away.

TRANSCRIPT

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening, depending on what part of the world you are in. It is 10 PM in the evening here in the Philippines and we have had an extraordinary past two days here with Manny Pacquiao at his training camp here in General Santos City. Joining us here today are Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao and Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum to talk about what’s going on here and what will be coming up on November 23 when we have our historic event in Macau Live on Pay-Per-View between Manny and former world champion Brandon Rios.

BOB ARUM: It is very exciting to be here in General Santos City. The weather is such that we are trying to convince Julio César Chávez Jr. to train here – he would probably make 154 after he trained here. It’s wonderful, Manny built his own gym right in his own three-story building next to our hotel and it’s a tremendous place to train. In addition to Manny, Zou Shiming is here and we have the Chinese Army training here today with about 70 Chinese newsmen from Mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong. Manny looked terrific and we are getting really pumped up for the big fight on November 23rd. All of The Venetian Macao executives are here and it is really a spectacular event and the buzz here in the Philippines and in China is just enormous. Manny hosted a sumptuous media dinner at his mansion last night.

We now welcome Eight-Time World Champion and Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao.

MANNY PACQUIAO: Thank you everyone, this is Manny Pacquiao and I would like to thank you all for giving me this opportunity to speak to you. My training here in General Santos City is very good and I am getting very excited for the fight. I have been training very hard for this fight and right now I feel like I am 25-years-old and training that way. I feel very good. My stamina and my quickness and power are there and I am very excited about that.

Manny there were over 100 media coming in from Mainland China and Macau – how was that?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I was very excited to have all of the media from China and from Macau. There were a lot of press here and they wanted to interview me and talk about the fight. I was more than happy to find out that they really love boxing.

Rios’ Trainer Robert Garcia said you are not as intimidating as you were a few years ago. How do you feel about that?

MANNY PACQUIAO: He tries to say the words that he thinks will anger me but they don’t mean much to me. What I have to do it to prove it to them on the night of the fight on November 23rd. I can say the words too, but I have to prove it when we get in the ring.

There has been talk of the drug testing. Has VADA been there to test you?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Yes, I was tested twice so there is no problem.

From what you have heard from Freddie Roach, do you think Manny can be the same intimidating guy that he was?

BOB ARUM: Well, that’s what we will see on November 23rd. Manny is training more seriously and harder than any time I have ever seen him. Manny, to me, looks more dedicated than ever and General Santos City is the perfect place for him to train. He concentrates on nothing but his training and I think the Manny Pacquiao you are going to see on November 23rd and going to be perhaps better than the Manny Pacquiao we saw against De La Hoya, Hatton and Cotto.

Are you going to train differently so as to stay out of harm’s way after what happened in Márquez fight?

MANNY PACQUIAO: My training for this fight has been unique and my training camp has been very long for this fight. My preparation has been going very well so I think it is going to be an exciting fight. I have given over 100% to my preparation for this fight.

What did you think of the Bradley-Márquez and Mayweather-Alvarez fights?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I didn’t watch the fight between Bradley and Márquez but I heard what happened. I had predicted that Bradley would win the fight so I am not surprised at what happened. The fight between Mayweather and Canelo, I know Canelo told the press he would fight like the style of Manny Pacquiao but he didn’t do that. Floyd is faster than him and quicker than him so the fight ended different.

Assuming you beat Rios, what will be next?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Right now I am not thinking about the next fight. What I have right now is focus on my training and preparation for Rios so I can be sure that victory is mine.

Can you tell me what you think Rios’ strongest weaknesses are?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I can’t tell you what his strongest weaknesses are now. It depends on how he prepares for the fight

When you watch Rios tapes, what do you think his strengths and weaknesses are?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Nothing.

Nothing strong? Nothing weak?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Yes. Nothing

Have you watched the replay of the Márquez knockout? What do you think when you see it?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I saw the replay. I saw the replay and it just happened. That’s boxing.

Sometimes it affects a boxer to watch yourself getting knocked out. What did you think?

MANNY PACQUIAO: That’s boxing. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I am not going to complain or worry about what happened. That’s boxing.

BOB ARUM: I selected VADA. Both fighters said they wanted their drug testing. I selected VADA because this is not the usual situation. This fight is taking place outside of the country in a place that isn’t used to boxing. I needed a collection and testing agency that could handle testing outside the country since Manny was going to train in the Philippines and they’ve been able to do it. They sent a collector twice, I think from Germany and I have confidence in their ability to do a good policing job. The only alternative I had was the other organization, which I don‘t care for.

BOB ARUM: We owe it to the public when we have these major boxing events to do the pre-testing in an effective way like we did in the Márquez-Bradley fight so that the public is assured that the two fighters competing against each other are absolutely clean.

Are you better off training in General Santos City?

MANNY PACQUIAO: My training camp is good and we are very happy with Freddie Roach without Alex. We are very excited. We are very focused in training and we have no distractions. For this fight in Macau, it is better to train here in the Philippines. It is always better to train near, or in the same region as where the fight is. Since the fight is in Macau, this is the best place for me, here in the Philippines. This training camp has been about focus.

Is Rios’ style good for you? Rios coming to you – you not having to go after him?

MANNY PACQUIAO: That’s what I want – his style of fighting. He likes to come inside and I like that style. I don’t like to chase and I’m pretty sure I won’t have to chase him.

Manny how is the testing?

MANNY PACQUIAO: The testing is fine and I am happy to do it and random testing is good for boxing.

Bob, what is your plan with the welterweights?

BOB ARUM: This is the last of the three fights – Manny vs. Rios — and a lot of it depends on who the winner of this fight will be. There are some fantastic matches that can be made next year with these fighters. Manny has unfinished business with Tim Bradley and that might be a good option if he beats Rios. If Rios wins, Ruslan Provodnikov or Bradley would be good opponents. Provodnikov versus Manny, if Manny wins, would be an intriguing kind of fight. And of course there is a revenge match-up between Manny, if Manny wins, and Juan Manuel Márquez, which would be very sellable with the Mexican-Americans – that are still heavily in Marquez’s corner – that would like to see that fight again. So let’s see how this fight goes on November 23rd and then I’m sure everyone will sit down and we’ll work out who Manny and Brandon will fight next.

Manny, what did you think about the Provodnikov fight?

MANNY PACQUIAO: It was good a good fight and I congratulate Ruslan. I knew he was going to win the fight because of Ruslan’s style and he is big and strong. He is much stronger than Alvarado. So that is why I predicted before the fight that Ruslan would win the fight.

Have you thought about fighting Provodnikov?

MANNY PACQUIAO: No I have not. I am focused on the fight on November 23rd and not thinking about anything else.

You have had a year off since the KO loss to Márquez. How do you feel about that?

MANNY PACQUIAO: The year off has been good and I am very excited to get back into the ring and fight and to do it for the fans. I feel very fresh, strong and fast.

What do you feel the key is to winning the fight?

MANNY PACQUIAO: The key to winning the fight is to train hard and to focus while in training. Focus on my speed and power so I am ready when I get into the ring.

Do you feel you need to knock him out?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I will not go for the knockout in this fight but if I have a chance to finish early, why not? But I am not thinking that I need to knock him out. In training if I focus on a knockout I will get careless in the ring on the night of the fight. So what I need to do is focus in training so I am ready to get in the ring on the night of the fight.

What do you think about the comments Rios made thinking Pacquiao is looking past him?

BOB ARUM: If Brandon Rios said that, I think it is wishful thinking on Rios’ part. I can assure you that Manny is focusing solely on Brandon Rios. If a fighter or a team doesn’t focus on the opponent to come it can get upset like Stanford, which was looking forward to facing UCLA and was facing Utah, a game they should have won easily, and they lost the game to Utah. The one thing a fighter can do that will hurt him is to look a future opponent instead of the opponent he is facing. I believe that Manny is looking solely on Brandon and I think that Brandon is looking solely at Manny.

What obstacles are on China?

BOB ARUM: The biggest obstacle in doing a fight in Macau, which is twelve times different now and will be thirteen time zones different on November 23 from the U.S. east coast – we will be out of daylight savings time by then – the biggest obstacle is to re-orient the thinking. To do a conference call in the evening, so it will be in the morning in the U.S. Also, to promote the fight, as well as possible, as if it was happening in Las Vegas, so time-wise we are OK. The Venetian Macao has given us the facilities in Las Vegas – we’ll have radio row in Las Vegas, just as if the fight was taking place in Vegas. There will be about twenty radio stations and we are bringing in some great fighters from the past, Like Roberto Duran and Marco Antonio Barrera and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and George Foreman and others to be interviewed and talk about the fight. So we are fully aware that that may be an issue when you have a fight in Macau rather than the United States. We are trying as much as possible to ameliorate that issue. A lot of people have said we won’t do as well on pay-per-view having the fight in Macau as we would have done if the fight was in the United States and I understand that point of view. On the other hand, there is a possibility that we may do better by having the fight in Macau because it is something unique to the public. After all, we haven’t had a major fight since 1975, which took place between 11 in the morning and Noon. And we haven’t had a major fight take place in China, ever. Those elements may add some curiosity and history to the public and therefore the public may watch the pay-per-view, who ordinarily watch the pay-per-view if it was coming from the United States. So we’ll have to see how this all comes out after the fight occurs. If you ask me right now for a prediction, I think we’ll be right on line as if the fight was taking place in the United States, but do I really know? I can’t say it with confidence, but neither do you, nor does anyone else. So we’ll have to see.

While negotiating with the fighters, did you take into account it is in Asia?

BOB ARUM: The one thing we had going for us, you have to remember, is the tremendous savings, as far as Manny Pacquiao is concerned, is he doesn’t have to pay U.S. taxes at 39.6%, so any arithmetic that we did, how well we would do or how well we wouldn’t do, had to take into account the enormous tax savings. As far as Brandon Rios is concerned, we are American citizens and we have to pay taxes on our share of the money. For Manny it makes an enormous difference.

Manny, would you come back and fight in the US?

MANNY PACQUIAO: It depends on my promoter Bob Arum. I really don’t know yet.

Bob?

BOB ARUM: Well, we know how it goes – it’s going splendid. You have to understand – stop being so U.S.-centric. The world has changed. There are revenue sources that are huge outside of the United States. And it’s not only Macau – look what happened in Russia where somebody paid $23M fo a heavyweight match because they knew in Russia they could generate huge amounts of money from sponsorships and tickets. This is no longer a U.S. ballgame. For example, if Manny were to fight Márquez, the optimum amount of money to be generated could be in Mexico rather than in the United States.

Would you bring Manny back to the U.S.?

BOB ARUM: Of course, economically, if everything works out, Manny has nothing against fighting in the United States. As long as it makes sense.

By the way, Bob, I’m sure the fight in Russia lost money, big time…

BOB ARUM: Well the guy made $6 million. Maybe he was hoping to make $20 million. $6 million profit after bidding $20 million. And I know that for a fact.

MANNY PACQUIAO: After the fight with Márquez? I felt good. I forgot already what happened.

What do you think about the recent comments Alex Ariza has made?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Alex Ariza? He has a right to talk, but I have boxed more than him and I have no comment.

BOB ARUM: It has been a pleasure talking to all of you people and it’s going to be a great event. This is a significant event. This event has captured the attention of people all over the world. Whether it is the non-televised portion of the card, which will be streamed and includes a number of fighters from China, to the pay-per-view which includes a world featherweight championship rematch – Gradovich, the Russian fighter fighting out of the United States against Billy Dibb the Australian; and Felix Verdejo, the Puerto Rican star, fighting in his first big fight; Zou Shiming, the Chinese star and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. This card is a real tribute to the fact that boxing is a true global sport and great fighters are coming from all over the world. What we are doing will enhance the sport of boxing having a card with international stature because believe me guys, that is the future. The future isn’t matching people from one or two countries; the future is matching people from around the world. Whether it’s the Philippines or the U.S. with Brandon Rios, or Puerto Rico or China – these people represent the future of this sport.

MANNY PACQUIAO: I would like to thank all the media and all the fans of boxing. This is going to be a good fight on November 23. It’s going to be a good fight with a lot of action in the ring. I am going to do my best to put my name back on the top of boxing. I am doing my best in training and I am very excited for the fight. Thank you for all of your support and God bless you all.

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Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Rios will take place Saturday, November 23 at The Venetian® Macao’s CotaiArena™. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

For Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, this marks the pound-for-pound box office monarch’s 2013 debut as well as his first fight outside the U.S. since his 12-round super featherweight unanimous decision victory over former world champion Oscar Larios in 2006, which took place in the Philippines. Rios, one of boxing’s most exciting fighters, has only fought outside the U.S. once, in México in 2008 when he won a 10-round split decision over Ricardo Dominguez.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/hboboxing and twitter.com/pacrios.

Ken Alvarez had to get off the deck and came back to take a six round unanimous decision over Kevin Nieves in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

It was a good back and forth bout as Alvarez controlled the fight but was caught with a huge left hook in round three that sent him to the canvas.

Alvarez, 137 lbs of Toa Alta, PR won by scores of 58-55, 58-55 and 57-56 and is now 5-0-1. Nieves, 136 1/2 lbs pf Puerto Rico is now 6-1.

Angel Acosta remained perfect by scoring a 4th round stoppage over Pedro Ortiz in the final round of their Super Flyweight bout.

Acosta dropped Ortiz three times in the final round and the fight was stopped at 2:29 of round four.

Acosta, 108 1/4 lbs is now 5-0 with 5 knockouts. Ortiz, 106 1/2 lbs is now 2-2-1.

TLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Oct. 26, 2013) – To celebrate one of the strongest years of programming in boxing history, SHOWTIME Sports® and Golden Boy Promotions will deliver back-to-back blockbuster events airing live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 14. Both events will be quadrupleheaders featuring six world championship fights including the most exciting and dynamic champions and challengers in the welterweight, super welterweight and super bantamweight divisions.

Throughout this past year, month after month, week after week, SHOWTIME and Golden Boy Promotions have featured the sport’s biggest stars in the most significant and meaningful fights in every relevant division in boxing. They joined forces to produce the most lucrative pay-per-view event in television history with perennial pound-for-pound superstar Floyd “Money” Mayweather,grew the average audience for live boxing on SHOWTIME by more than 30 percent from 2012, and attracted record crowds at sold-out arenas from coast to coast.

Beginning Dec. 7, the first of consecutive quadrupleheaders takes place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn when former five-time, two-division World Champion Zab “Super” Judah(42-8, 29 KO’s) and former two-time, two-division World Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi(32-5, 7 KO’s) clash in the main event, a 12-round showdown for Brooklyn bragging rights.

The co-feature will match IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (25-1, 14 KOs), of St. Louis, Mo., against unbeaten Shawn Porter (22-0-1, 14 KOs), of Akron, Ohio. Also on the card will be Erislandy Lara (18-1-2, 12 KO’s) of Houston, Texas against former world champion Austin Trout, of Las Cruces, N.M., for the vacantWBA Super Welterweight Championship. Rounding out the televised card, Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (32-5-2, 21 KO’s) makes the first defense of his WBC Super Middleweight crown against unbeaten Anthony Dirrell (26-0, 22 KO’s), of Flint, Mich.

Then, on Dec. 14 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, the super-talented WBA Welterweight World Champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (27-0, 22 KO’s), of Cincinnati, will make the first defense of his title when he meets the toughest opponent of his career, the dangerous, hard-hitting Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (34-3, 31 KO’s), of Santa Fe, Argentina in the main event.

A ratings goliath, Broner will be making his first start since capturing the 147-pound belt with a hard-fought 12-round split decision over defending champion Malignaggi. He made history when he became the fourth fighter to jump two weight classes and win a welterweight world championship, joining Hall of Famers Henry “Homicide Hank” Armstrong, Roberto “Mano de Piedra” Duran and future candidate “Sugar” Shane Mosley.

Maidana has won three fights in a row, including a smashing sixth-round technical knockout over Josesito Lopez in scintillating slugfest and Fight of the Year candidate last June 8 on SHOWTIME.

In 12-rounders underneath Broner-Maidana, undefeated Keith “One Time” Thurman (21-0, 19 KO’s), of Clearwater, Fla., gets tested when he defends his WBA Interim Welterweight World title against tough-as-nails Jesus “Renuente” Soto Karass (32-12-4, 19 KO’s), of Mexico City, Mexico, who owns back-to-back impressive victories over world-ranked Selcuk Aydin and Andre Berto. And recently crowned WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (25-0-1, 15 KO’s) of Los Angeles, Calif. will make his first defense against Cesar Seda (25-1, 17 KO’s) of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The card will also feature, in separate bouts, former WBC Welterweight Champion
Victor Ortiz (29-4-2, 22 KO’s) against Alfonso Gomez (22-5-2, 11 KO’s) of Los Angeles and Light Heavyweight Champion Beibut Shumenov (13-1, 8 KO’s) against Tamas Kovacs (23-0, 14 KO’s) of Slovakia.

2013 SHOWTIME and Golden Boy Promotions Highlights
On April 27, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Danny Garcia faced Judah and Peter Quillin met Fernando Guerrero in two thrilling fights on SHOWTIME. The event set an attendance record for the largest crowd for a boxing event at that venue.

More than 40,000 fans, the largest paid crowd for a boxing event in the U.S. in nearly 15 years, filled the Alamodome in San Antonio for the Canelo Alvarez vs.Trout fight that headlined a card on April 20. The peak audience on the telecast was nearly 1.1 million viewers, making it the third most watched boxing event on record for SHOWTIME.

On June 8, the largest crowd in the history of the venue turned out at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., for an event highlighted by all-action brawls between Maidana and Josesito Lopez and Lara and Alfredo Angulo, both Fight of the Year candidates.

On June 22, undefeated rising superstar Broner and hometown favorite and defending world champion Malignaggi attracted more than 11,000 fans to Barclays Center and drew an audienceof more than 1.3 million viewers on SHOWTIME, the second-largest rating for a bout on the premium network on record.

The April 20 and the June 22 events, two of the top-3 most watched boxing events on record for SHOWTIME, anchored a viewership boon in 2013 whereby the network saw more than 30-percent increases in average viewership for the second consecutive year.

On Aug. 24, a crowd of 7,686 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. witnessed perhaps the Upset of the Year when Two-Division World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez (55-8, 47 KO’s) captured the WBC Featherweight Championship with a stunning knockout, 2:55 of the first-round over previously unbeaten Abner Mares.

Then, on Sept. 14, on SHOWTIME PPV®, Mayweather defeated Caneloin “THE ONE,” a record-setting mega-event that ranks as the highest-grossing pay-per-view of all time with more than $150 million in U.S. revenue alone, surpassing the previous record of $136 million generated by Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya in 2007. “THE ONE” also set records for boxing gate receipts by selling out within 24 hours of going on sale and for live gate revenue at more than $20 million. With approximately 2.2 million buys, “THE ONE” ranks second all-time to the Mayweather vs. De La Hoya pay-per-view which sold over 2.5 million buys.

CANTON, Mass. (October 26, 2013) — Irish southpaw Michael “Donegal Dynamite” McLaughlin (6-1-1, 3 KO) and middleweight Sergio Cabrera engaged in a wild, back-and-forth main event on today’s “Boxing Event Under The Tent” card, at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, Massachusetts.

“Boxing Event Under The Tent” was presented by Big Six Entertainment, in association with Danny Kelly Promotions.

Ireland-native McLaughlin, who lives and fights out of Dorchester (MA), won his fourth straight fight bit it was farm from easy. McLaughlin decked the Cabrera in the third, but McLaughlin was dropped twice in the fourth, barely avoiding the referee’s stoppage. McLaughlin finished strong to win, however, to win on all three judges’ scorecards by identical scores of 57-54.

Irish junior middleweight John “Buncrana Banger” Hutchinson remained unbeaten (5-0-2, 1 KO), winning a unanimous four-round decision over Robert “Flying Hawk” Brando-Hunt in rematch from this past July that ended in a ‘no contest’ when Brando-Hunt was cut over the eye from an unintentional head-butt.

Local favorite Gerald “The Artist” Schifone (2-0, 1 KOs), fighting out of nearby Stoughton, stole the show, unleashing a barrage of unanswered bombs on pro-debuting Wayne Harnoise, until referee Paul Casey halted the bout late in the opening round. Harnoise, who had been dropped but beat the count, was in no condition to resume fighting.

Heavyweight Donnie “The Big Nasty” Palmer (2-0-1, 2 KOs) remained undefeated, winning the battle of Dorchester (district of Boston) when Boston police officer Tyrone “Lock ‘Em Up” Smith was unable to continue fighting after two rounds.

Providence super middleweight K.J. “Canine” Harrison-Lombardi (3-0-1, 1 KO) pitched a shutout, winning all four rounds against Brockton’s pro-debuting Lionel “Boogz” Young.

Complete Results
(winners listed first)

HEAVYWEIGHTS
Donnie Palmer (2-0-1, 2 KOs), Dorchester, MA
WRTD2 (3:00)
Tyrone Smith (5-8-2, 2 KOs), Dorchester, MA

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
K.J. Harrison-Palmer (3-0-1, 1 KO), Providence, RI
WDEC4 (40-36-40-36, 40-35)
Lionel Young (0-1), Brockton, MA

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Michael McLaughlin (6-1-1, 3 KOs), Dorchester, MA
WDEC6 (57-54, 57-54, 57-54)
Sergio Cabrera (0-2), Somerville, MA

Gerald Schifone (2-0, 1 KOs), Stoughton, MA
WTKO1 (2:40)
Wayne Harnoise (0-1), Worcester, MA

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
John Hutchinson (5-0-2, 1 KO), Dorchester, MA
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Robert Brando-Hunt (0-4), Hyannis, MA

Follow all the action LIVE from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City when the legendary Bernard Hopkins defends the IBF Light Heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Karo Murat of Germany. The fights begin at 9pm eastern with a two fight undercard that will feature undefeated WBO Middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin defending against Gabriel Rosado. The card opens up with undefeated knockout artist Deontay Wilder battling Nicolai Firtha.

12 ROUNDS–IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE–BERNARD HOPKINS (53-6-2, 32 KO’S) VS KARO MURAT (25-1-1, 15 KO’S)

Round 1 Hopkins gets in a jab…10-9 Hopkins

Round 2 Uppercut and left from Hopkins..right from Murat..Murat complaining over a hurt side…20-18 Hopkins

Round 3 Murat gets in a hard right…Left..Straught right from Hopkins..Body from Murat…29-28 Hopkins

Round 4 Counter left from Hopkins..body/head…3 punch combos..uppercut…Right from Murat…39-37 Hopkins

Round 5 Ripping straight right from Hopkins..Uppercut o inside..both land good shots after the bell…49-46 Hopkins

Round 6 Hkopkins gets in a body shot..The two tangle…Hopkins goes down and Murat hits him 2 times on the floor..59-55 Hopkins

Round 7 Right from Urat..Wicked Left Hook hurts Murat…follow uo combo……Murat deducted a point for Holding..Tremendous flurry…Hopkins landing better..Counter right…69-63 Hopkins

Round 8 Hard right from Hopkins..Big right again..left..big right..hard ripping right…Murat cut over left eye..Hopkins tallking to the crowd and the camera while avoiding and ripping combinations…79-72 Hopkins

Round 9 Right to the body..Hopkins eats 4 hard hooks in the corner…88-82 Hopkins

Round 10 Murat coming forward..97-92 Hopkins

Round 11 Counter left from Hopkins… jab…uppercut from Murat…left..left from Hopkins off the ropes…Hopkins lands a right..107-101 Hopkins

Round 12 left from Murat..right to head..Hard right from Hopkins hurts a bloody Murat who eats a flurry on the ropes..2 big lefts off the ropes..117-110

117-110; 119-108; 119-108—BERNARD HOPKINS

12 ROUNDS–WBO MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE–PETER QUILLIN (29-0, 21 KO’S) VS GABRIEL ROSADO (21-6, 13 KO’S)

ROUND 1 Quillin landa a left hook..Left to the body…right...10-9 Quillin

Round 2 Hard right to body from Quillin…right..HARD LEFT HOOK TO THE HEAD AND DOWN GOES ROSADO..20-17 Quillin

Round 3 right from Rosado..right inside..Hard left from Quillin..29-27 Quillin

Round 4 Trading right hands//Left from Quillin..Hard left…double left hook..Huge right rocks Quillin and he is holding on at the end of the round…39-36 Quillin

Round 5 Hard stariright from Rosado..right and a flurry…Left to body from Quillin..48-46 Quillin

Round 6 1-2 from Quillin..left hook..Rosado gets in a body shot..right from Quillin..right and left from Rosado…58-56 Quillin

Round 7 Left hook from Rosado…uppercut..uppercut…left from Quillin..straight right..left…Good right from Rosado…68-65 Quillin

Round 8 both trying to work body…Rosado lands a combination in the corner and an uppercut..right over top..77-75 Quillin

Round 9 Combination from Quillin..Good right from Rosado…good right..Left from Quillin..counter left…Rosado bleeding from the left eye...87-84 Quillin

Round 10 Right from Quillin..Doctor to look at Rosado’s eye…FIGHT IS STOPPED

10-ROUNDS–HEAVYWEIGHTS–DEONTAY WILDER (29-0, 29 KO’S) VS NICOLAI FIRTHA (21-10-1, 8 KO’S)

Round 1 Firtha coming after Wilder…hits him with a left..Wilder gets in a right…jab..RIGHT BUCKLES FIRTHA AND DOWN HE GOES…RIGHT TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD AND DOWN GOES FIRTHA..hard left and right…Firtha bleeding from the nose…10-7 Wilder

Round 2..Left and right buckles Firtha…Firtha gets in a right…good right from Wilder..Hard right…right at bell…20-16 Wilder

Round 3 Left hook from Wilder followed by 2 booming rights sSENDS FIRTHA DOWN…30-24 Wilder

Round 4 Left from Wilder…SMASHING RIGHT AND DOWN GOES FIRTHA AND THE FIGHT IS OVER!!!!!

ATLANTIC CITY–The ageless Bernard Hopkins yet again held back the clock as he scored a 12 round unanimous decision over unheralded mandatory challenger Karo Murat at Boardwalk Hall.

Hopkins took a few rounds getting adjusted to Murat who came to win.

The bout was entertaining and featured many furious exchanges that aren’t common in most Hopkins bouts. Hopkins had Murat hurt on several occasions as his vaunted straight right hand was on point and began to bust up the face around Murat’s left eye. In between the action there was some holding that was precipitated by Murat and he was docked a point by referee Steve Smoger in round seven.

In round eight, the man known as “The Alien” became more entertaining as he engaged in an exchange with Murat while talking to the television cameras on the apron. Hopkins desperately wanted a knockout was aggressive and had Murat hurt down the stretch. Murat did mount an effort but came up short on this night to the 48 year-old legend.

Hopkins outlanded Murat 247-565 to 147-486. The hopkins tally included 184 power punches.

Hopkins, 172 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 117-110 (same as 15rounds.com) and is now 54-6-2. Murat, 174 lbs of Berlin, Germany is 25-2-1.

“Richard Schaefer said we needed to be crowd pleasers,” said Hopkins, the oldest champion in sports history. “The crowd wanted to see skill and blood so I had some blood to give them. I am an entertainer and this is what people want to see… He was a game number one contender.”

When asked by SHOWTIME ringside reporter Jim Gray if Murat brought out the best in him, Hopkins answered, “Not really, but he didn’t bring out the worst either.”

Regarding the slow start, Hopkins said, “That was the plan. That was the bone on the string so that the dog could follow him into a dark alley and then realize someone was waiting on him. And that dog was me.”

Hopkins continued, “He throws pretty good punches and he is no one to sleep on. He is going to give some light heavyweights a bit of a problem.”

When Gray asked Hopkins how he stays in such phenomenal shape at age 48, Hopkins replied, “I’m a freaking alien.”

Gray then spoke to Murat who said, “Bernard is a good boxer and I lost concentration due to the two cuts which came by head butts. I know that when I am in good shape I can beat him, however, the cuts disturbed me.”

Peter Quillin retained the WBO Middleweight title with a 10th round stoppage over Gabriel Rosado when the challenger was deemed unable to continue due to a cut over the left eye.

In round two, Quillin landed a left hook to the side of the head that sent Rosado to the canvas. Rosado fought back valiantly and started to get into fight with some solid right hands. the two traded off rounds with Quillin throwing less but landing harder. Rosado landed the flashier punches and seemed to be picking up momentum in various parts of the fight.

In round nine, a bad cut appeared around the left eye of Rosado that was ruled from a punch. Just forty seconds into round ten, ringside doctor Blair Bergen thought the blood was too much and stopped the fight.

Quillin, 159 1/4 lbs is now 30-0 with 22 knockouts. Rosado, 160 lbs is now a hard luck 21-7.

Said Quillin after the fight, “I’m not a judge. I’m not an elected official. I did what I had to do as a fighter and I respect the call. The referees and doctors ringside did what they had to do to make sure the fighters are safe.

“I never expect an easy payday or an easy fight. I work hard every time for each fight… When you dedicate to win a title you need to give that person a sense of being able to achieve what they want. I am a world champion and I work hard. He has never been a champion and he doesn’t know.

“I’m ready for anybody. I am a fighter and I worry about fighting. If it is a rematch, then I don’t care. I work hard to be in this ring and I work hard to defend my title against anybody. I don’t care if it is against my own mother.”

Of the stoppage, Rosado told Gray, “I felt like that was B.S. This is a championship fight. We were going into the championship rounds. This was a competitive fight. I never complained about a cut. When the doctor saw my eye, I told him that I could see. It was not giving me any problems up to that point.

“I noticed if I backed him up with a jab that I was hurting him and I was doing that. But then the doctor called me over and stopped the fight. This is boxing. What about Gatti-Ward? They didn’t stop that fight. Corrales-Castillo. We are warriors.

“I never even complained that I couldn’t see. Of course I want a rematch. This is the story of my life. I’m the real Rocky Balboa.”

Deontay Wilder made it 30 for 30. 30-0, 30 knockouts that is as he scored a four round destruction over Nicolai Firtha in a scheduled ten round Heavyweight bout.

Firtha came rushing out and made Wilder stumble from a left hand. Wilder came back string in the round as he floored Firtha twice in the round. The first knockdown came from a hard right hand while the second was from a right to the side of the head. Firtha began to gush blood from his nostrils. Wilder kept up the power assault in round two and then dropped Firtha from a huge power right in the third.

Wilder ended things with a huge right hand that sent Firtha flat on his back and the fight was stopped at 1:26 of round four.

“This is what i wanted. To box and have fun. I told everyone that Firtha was coming to fight. I am right there at the door. Everytime you see me, you know what you are going to get and that a knockout.”, Said Wilder

Wilder, 224 lbs of Tuscaloosa, AL is now 30-0 with 30 knockouts. Firtha, 252 1/2 lbs of Akron, OH is now 21-11-1.

Zachary Ochoa remained undefeated with a four round unanimous decision over Michael Doyle in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Scores were 40-36, 39-37 and 39-37 for Ochoa, 140 1/2 lbs and is now 5-0. Doyle, 137 lbs is 2-6.

Braulio Santos disposed of David Clark in round one of their scheduled eight round Featherweight bout.

Santos rocked Clark with two vicious power shots and then connected on a devastating left hook that sent Clark down. Clark got to his feet but referee David Fields called the bout off at 1:49 of round one.

Santos of Puerto Rico is now 11-1 with 10 knockouts. Clark is 6-3.

Dominic Wade opened the show up with a first round destruction over Roberto Ventura in a scheduled eight round Middleweight bout.

Wade rocked Ventura with a left hook and then dropped him with an overhand right. Seconds later Wade dropped Ventura with an overhand right. Wade finished things with a hard overhand right that sent Ventura down for a third and final time and the bout was stopped at 2:08 of round one.

Wade is now 13-0 with 10 knockouts. Ventura is now 12-8.

SAN DIEGO (October 26, 2013)—On Saturday afternoon November 23rd, boxing fans will get an early holiday gift as one of most anticipated All-English bouts in a long time will take place as IBF/WBA Super Middleweight champion Carl Froch defends his crown against undefeated George Groves.

The bout will be televised LIVE and exclusively in the United States by AWE and awetv.com

The announcement comes on the heels of a great afternoon of boxing that will see IBF number-one Welterweight Kell Brook take on former WBA Welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko that will be shown LIVE TODAY AT 3 PM EST / 12 PACIFIC

Froch, 31-2 with 22 knockouts has been a world champion for the better part of five years and has become a fan favorite all over the world due to exciting fights and willingness to fight anybody, anywhere and anytime.

Froch has fought nine current or former world champions (10 total) and is 8-2 in those bouts with wins over Robin Reid, Brian Magee, Jermain Taylor, Jean Pascal, Arthur Abraham, Glen Johnson, Lucian Bute, Glen Johnson and Mikkel Kessler.

Groves of London has a record of 19-0 with 15 knockouts was a prized amateur who scored the biggest win of his career when he scored a 12 round unanimous decision over 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James De Gale. He also holds victories Kenny Anderson (12-0); Daniel Allotey (13-1); Paul Smith (31-2); Francisco Sierra (25-5-1); Johnson and his coming off a 5th round stoppage over Noe Alcoba (31-2).

AWE – A Wealth of Entertainment, which has been delivering on average more than one live fight per month since late 2011 and has featured numerous world title fights, has landed the Carl Froch fight, arguably the best fight on the network yet

According to Charles Herring, president of AWE, “Carl Froch is clearly one of the best super middleweights in the world. He’s getting better with time and he’s a must watch for the true boxing fan. Obtaining this fight, it shows that AWE is committed to bringing the best fights from all over the world to the United States.”

”Froch’s going up against a tough and undefeated George Groves. Groves, is coming off a big win over Noe Gonzalez Alcoba, who had a near perfect 30-2 record going into the fight.”

When asked whether showing top PPV quality fights such as Froch for free on AWE takes away revenue from other PPV events, AWE network president stated emphatically, “No, we’re contributing to the excitement that the sport of boxing offers, increasing the fan base and level of interest. It’s clear that our strong live boxing lineup contributes to the success of boxing in the US, which, in general, lifts PPV buys.”

For 2012, AWE earned 2 of the 6 Boxing Writers Association of America nominations for “Fight of the Year” candidates, beating out all other networks except HBO which earned three. AWE also showcased live all 2012 David Price fights. ESPN’s Dan Rafael picked Price as its Prospect of the Year for 2012 and in 2013 AWE has featured the stunning upsets of Thompson over Price. Bouts with Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew, who will be fighting each other for the Light Heavyweight championship; 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James DeGale and possibly the most controversial bout which saw Ricky Burns keep his Lightweight title against Ray Beltran. Plus Dierry Jean was featured on AWE as he will be fighting for the Jr. Welterweight title.

The network is currently available nationally on Verizon FiOS TV channel 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and 1470 in HD, along with over 100 cable systems across the country and worldwide. The new website for AWE is www.AWEtv.com.

About AWE

AWE is the premier lifestyle and entertainment network —the destination for exclusive and original programming, simultaneously transmitted in high definition and standard definition. AWE delivers informative shows to its viewers, providing invaluable insights on what every American dreams of – from travel secrets to fast cars, from outrageous homes to live boxing events, and much more. The network fills a television vacuum by delivering intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking entertainment and always-unbiased news from an insider’s perspective. For more information, please visit www.awetv.com

World Series of Fighting 6 main event fighters Josh Burkman and Steve Carl both weighed in at exactly 169.6 pounds at the official Weigh-In for the inaugural WSOF Welterweight World Championship title, which will take place on Saturday night at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Fla.

The live two-hour NBC Sports Network telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Preliminary bouts stream live on World Series of Fighting’s official website at www.WSOF.com at 6 p.m. ET and venue doors open at 5 p.m. ET.

Burkman (26-9) leaned over and whispered something to Carl (20-3) during their faceoff for photographers. “He just said he was glad it was me he was facing and that I deserved this shot,” Carl said.

“I have a lot of respect for him and he deserves to be here more than anyone,” said Burkman. “This is the biggest fight I’ve ever had to fight for the inaugural belt in the World Series of Fighting. It’s a big night for both of us.”

Following are the weights from Friday’s Weigh-In:

JOSH BURKMAN 169.6 lbs. VS. STEVE CARL169.6 lbs.

MARLON MORAES 136 lbs. VS. CARSON BEEBE 136 lbs.

JON FITCH 170.4 lbs. VS. MARCELO ALFAYA172 lbs.

JUSTIN GAETHJE 155.8 lbs. VS. DAN LAUZON 158 lbs.

PABLO ALFONSO 145.4 lbs. VS. MIGUEL TORRES 145.2 lbs.

HANS STRINGER 205 lbs. VS. FRANCISCO FRANCE 204.4 lbs.

LUIZ FIRMINO 156 lbs. VS. JACOB VOLKMAN 155.4 lbs.

CHAD ROBICHAUX 134.4 lbs. VS. ANDREW YATES 140.4 lbs.

ALEXIS VILA 135.6 lbs. VS. JOSH RETTINGHOUSE 135.8 lbs.

FABIO MELLO 145.6 lbs. VS. NICK LOBOSCO 145.4 lbs.

ALEXANDRE PIMENTEL 146.2 lbs. VS. JADE PORTER 145.8 lbs.

About World Series of Fighting
World Series of Fighting is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering an incredible, action-packed entertainment experience for fight fans by producing the best possible matchups between elite fighters from around the globe. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

About NBCSN
NBCSN part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 80 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France and the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2013, the Premier League and Formula One. In addition, NBC Sports Network features college football, college basketball, college hockey, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Action Sports Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, The Crossover, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show. NBC Sports Network is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

About BankUnited Center at UM
The BankUnited Center, an 8,000 seat multipurpose entertainment facility located on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus, hosts concerts, family shows, trade shows, lecture series, sporting events and the University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball teams. For more information call 305-284-8686 or visit www.BankUnitedCenter.com. The BankUnited Center is located at 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (October 25, 2013) – Boxing broadcaster extraordinaire Al Bernstein will be inducted into his third Hall of Fame this year on Saturday night, November 9th during the 9TH annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Dinner in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun.

The other CBHOF Class of 2013 inductees are former world title challengers Luigi “Kid Dynamite” Campurato and Israel “Pito” Cardona, promoter Joe DeGuardia, referee/amateur coach Johnny Callas and USA Boxing administrator Roland Roy.

The 2013 CBHOF award winners are Hartford’s “Machine Gun” Mike Oliver, Professional Boxer of the Year; East Hartford Mykquan “Mad Mike” Williams, Amateur Boxer of the Year; Lou Pontacoloni, state Amateur Official of the Year; timekeeper Bill Maxeiner, William Hutt state Professional Official of the Year; former Hartford Courant sportswriter George Smith, Contribution to Boxing.

Bernstein, a native of Chicago, was the face of ESPN boxing from 1980 to 2003. ESPN is headquartered in Bristol (CT) and Al currently serves as a color analyst for Showtime Championship Boxing. Earlier this year, Bernstein was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the inaugural class of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

“I was delighted when Glenn (Feldman, CBHOF president) called to give me the good news,” Bernstein said from his Las Vegas home. “I really appreciate this for a variety of reasons. That time period (when he worked for ESPN) was really special for me because it established myself as a broadcaster and the voice of ESPN boxing. I identify closely with ESPN.

“Connecticut has had so many great shows, especially at the casinos there (Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods). This is very gratifying. Being inducted into the same Hall of Fame as the great Willie Pep, and so many others in the sport, adds to the delight of this for me.”

Tickets for the 9th annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $90.00, are on sale now by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (1.860.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner.

Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 9th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, or past CBHOF inductees.