EASTON, PA – SEPTEMBER 24 –A night of heavyweight action will serve as the main event at “Fight Night at SteelStacks II” scheduled for October 17, 2013 at 7:00PM at the beautiful ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA. The evening’s main event will feature 13th ranked WBA heavyweight contender Travis Kauffman (26 – 1, 19 KO’s) of Reading, PA in a 6-round bout. In addition to seeing Kauffman in action, former Heavyweight Champions James “Buster” Douglas and Larry Holmes will be on hand for a VIP ticket holder reception and autograph signing.

Kauffman, coming off a TKO victory in North Carolina on September 21, looks to continue climbing the boxing ranks as he prepares for a potential title shot in 2014. Known as “Great White Hope“, Kauffman hopes to turn his rough upbringing on the streets of Reading, PA into being Heavyweight Champion.

Prior to bell time, VIP ticket holders will have the opportunity to meet former Heavyweight Champions “Buster” Douglas and Larry Holmes at a special reception to be held at 6:00PM. Douglas, best known for his 1990 knockout victory over then undefeated Mike Tyson, finished his career with a 38-6-1 record when he retired in 1999. Tickets for the VIP experience start at $100 and include a premium open cocktail package for four hours.

In addition to Kauffman, Jeffrey Dorsey Holmes (0-2), grandson of Larry Holmes will compete on the undercard. Holmes, who was defeated by Marquis Pierce of Phillipsburg, NJ at Fight Night at SteelStacks I in June, will attempt to defend his family’s name as he enters a higher weight class. Holmes has been training with his grandfather and says he feels much stronger in the new division. Pierce(1-1) is also scheduled to appear against a new opponent.

Tickets for the October 17th date are on sale now at www.artsquest.org , by phone at 610-332-3378, and the ArtsQuest Center box office. All tickets include a drink package, and start at $35.

Fight Night at SteelStacks II is proudly sponsored by Boyle Construction, Inc., Bennett Jaguar of Allentown, American Printing Unlimited, Service Electric Cable TV and Communications, and Contrail Aircraft Charters, Inc. Along with media sponsors 99.9 the Hawk, ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley, and 107.1 the Bone.

Jack Culcay wants his title back! After the German’s rematch with Guido Nicolas Pitto for September 14 in Stuttgart, Germany fell out due to an injury of headlining WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck, the fight has now been rescheduled. On October 26, the junior middleweight clash is going to take place in Oldenburg, Germany.

“It was a shock to me when I first heard about the cancellation for Stuttgart. I was already well prepared at that time,” said Culcay. However, after a week away from the gym, he started training again. “I have to take it as it comes. Now, I am looking forward to fight Pitto on October 26 and settle the score with him.”

Culcay and Pitto already faced each other this April in Hamburg. Back then, the Amateur World Champion of 2009 lost controversially on points against the man from Argentina. Together with his trainers Fritz Sdunek and Artur Grigorian as well as fitness coach Moritz Klatten, Culcay prepared himself intensively for the last few weeks. “I will be better in all aspects for the rematch,” he promised. “I want to take a big step forward with a clear-cut victory.”

A win against Pitto would not only spell the recapture of the WBA-Intercontinental Championship for Culcay, who turns 28 on September 26. Moreover, the prodigy of Fritz Sdunek would also regain a position in the top-15 of the WBA’s world rankings.

The main event on October 26 in Oldenburg will see Arthur Abraham trying to defend his WBO Intercontinental Championship. Tickets for the big fight night at the EWE ARENA can be purchased at www.eventim.de and www.boxen.com.

Evgeny Gradovich will defend the IBF Featherweight title against the man he won it from in Billy Dib on November 23rd in Macao, China as part of the Manny Pacquiao – Brandon Rios card.

“Gradovich got rid of his mandatory in his last fight, he’s exciting to watch and we felt it was important to live up to the commitment to Dib for a rematch since he gave Gradovich the opportunity,” said Top Rank’s Todd duBoef said. “It was an excellent fight on ESPN2, so why not put this one on the Pacquiao-Rios show and then the winner can look at bigger matches in 2014.

“I’m excited to return to Macau to fight on the Pacquiao versus Rios card and I know I will fight even better this time,” Gradovich said. “I had very little time to train before fighting Dib the first time. I think it was just 29 days before the fight when we got the call. This time I have much more time to focus and technically be better in my performance against Dib.

“I’m extremely excited that the rematch has been made,” Dib said. “Our first battle was a good one. I feel I have developed into a more fan friendly fighter. Gradovich is a good fighter and I expect another all-out war with him. I look forward to recapturing the IBF championship and setting up a trilogy with Gradovich.

“The fact that the fight is on such a big stage is so exciting. Finally I feel that I have the chance to show the world that I can mix it with the best of them. I truly believe in my heart I’m winning this championship back.”

World Boxing Association Bantamweight “Super Champion” Anselmo ‘Chemito’ Moreno (34-2-1, 12 KOs) of Panama and his long-time adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz, say they have no objections to WBA Regular Bantamweight Champion Koki Kameda’s request for an interim fight, provided he and Moreno have their mandatory fight later this year or early in 2014.

“The WBA gave us 30 days to negotiate with Kameda Promotions to arrange the mandatory fight between Moreno and Kameda, but Kameda has requested an interim fight before he faces Moreno,” explained Lewkowicz, “we will agree to not interfere with that request, provided the fight is arranged in good faith for December or January.

Lewkowicz says the future Hall-of-Famer Moreno will most likely face Kameda (the 12th defense of Moreno’s title) at Lewkowicz’s “Vegas in Panama III” event at the Megapolis at the Hard Rock Hotel in Panama City.

“Next up for Moreno is the Kameda fight. That is our direction we have decided,” continued Lewkowicz. “We appreciate the kind offer to fight Leo Santa Cruz, made by Roberto Diaz on behalf of Richard Schaeffer and Golden Boy Promotions to the management of Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno, however, Golden Boy needs to understand that this offer is not acceptable because we need to honor the mandate of the WBA and face Koki Kameda.”

ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBA Featherweight champion Nicholas Waters has signed a promotional deal with Top Rank and will defend his title on November 9th in Corpus Christie, Texas.

“We found out he was [a free agent] and we jumped on him because, obviously, we are concentrating on that division,” siad Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. “We have some major fights that can be made there and the more good fighters you can have in that weight class, the better the fights you can make.

“So now we have [titleholder Evgeny] Gradovich, the winner of the Orlando Salido-Orlando Cruz [vacant title] fight [on Oct. 12], Walters, Nonito Donaire, we just signed [two-time Olympic gold medalist Vasyl] Lomachenko and there’s [junior featherweight champ] Guillermo Rigondeaux. So there are a lot of great fights we want to do in that division.”

“It’s a dream and a privilege come true for me to be with Top Rank, as they have made many great fighters with the likes of [Muhammad] Ali, [Sugar Ray] Leonard and [Oscar] De La Hoya, just to name a few,” Walters said. “I hope that they will help me reach my different goals in the future.”

“I know that Nicholas is a spirited and a disciplined fighter whose boxing style will please the boxing fans of America and he will be an exciting TV fighter, which will make both Top Rank and HBO happy,” manager Jacques Deschamps said.

“He’s a capable and strong son of a gun,” Arum said. “He’s heavy handed and he comes forward and makes a good fight. He’s a good puncher and he’ll make a pleasing fight and we can put him with any of these featherweights we have and HBO will buy it.

“I talked to Donaire, for example, and he’d love to fight him next year. The guys aren’t going to duck him. So we needed to get him a fight before the end of the year, so we’ll have him on the card in Corpus Christi and then look for a bigger fight for him next year.

BROOKLYN (September 23, 2013) – With Carlos Molina forced to withdraw from his Monday, September 30 bout against Michael “The Artist” Perez due to flu-like symptoms, tough Mexican prospect Miguel “Dinamita” Zuniga will step up to face “The Artist” in a 10-round fight for the vacant WBA Fedelatin Super Lightweight Title at the Cushman & Wakefield Theater at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY in the Golden Boy Live! co-featured event on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes.

In the main event, Brooklyn’s undefeated welterweight and 2008 U.S. Olympian Sadam “World Kid” Ali takes on “Smokin” Jay Krupp in an eight-round matchup.

Plus, 2012 U.S. Olympian “Sir” Marcus Browne of Staten Island, fellow Olympic team member Jamel Herring of Coram, NY, The Bronx’s Emmanuel Gonzalez, Brooklyn’s Claude Staten Jr. and Maryland’s D’Mitrius Ballard will all be in action to help Barclays Center celebrate its one-year anniversary.

Newark’s Michael “The Artist” Perez (18-1-2, 10 KO’s) is unbeaten in five of his last six bouts with the only loss to recently crowned World Champion Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. and a technical draw with Lonnie Smith due to a cut from a clash of heads. Unbeaten in New York, Perez hopes to keep the streak going on September 30.

A native of Tijuana now fighting out of San Diego, 26-year-old Miguel “Dinamita” Zuniga (13-2, 8 KO’s) has won four of his last five bouts, with his only loss in that stretch coming against unbeaten hot prospect Daquan Arnett. Zuniga has the opportunity to make a name for himself by defeating Perez, his highly respected foe, on national television.

Unbeaten as a professional, Staten Island’s “Sir” Marcus Browne (6-0, 6 KO’s) has made a seamless adjustment from the amateurs to the pros. Fresh from a knockout victory over Robert Hill on the first Golden Boy Live! card on August 19, the 22-year-old will take on Lamont Williams in his fourth appearance at Barclays Center in a six round televised light heavyweight fight.

Gardena, California’s Lamont Williams (5-1-1, 2 KO’s) has rebounded from a 1-1 start to his career to go unbeaten in his next five bouts, leading him to the biggest fight of his career against Browne. To win, the 33-year-old will have to be firing on all cylinders, but with high risk always comes a high reward as he looks to upset the hometown fan favorite.

In a featherweight swing bout scheduled for four or six rounds, The Bronx’ Emmanuel Gonzalez (12-0, 7 KO’s) is back in action, looking to follow up his Golden Boy Live! debut win over Michael Doyle in August with a victory over fellow unbeaten Noel Echevarria (11-0, 6 KO’s) of Guayama, Puerto Rico.

Rounding out the card will be Brooklyn’s Claude Staten Jr. (1-0) who will return to Barclays Center to face Philadelphia’s Derrick Bivins (1-1-1) in a four-round super bantamweight bout, highly-regarded super middleweight D’Mitrius Ballard (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Temple Hills, Maryland battles Lynchburg, Virginia’s Jess Noriega (2-5, 2 KO’s) in a four-round contest and in the six-round super lightweight opener, 2012 U.S. Olympian Jamel Herring (4-0, 2 KO’s) of Coram, NY hopes to keep his unbeaten streak going against Springfield, Illinois’ Justin Robbins (2-3, 1 KO).

Ali vs. Krupp is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Barclays Center doors open at 7:00 p.m. ET with the first bell sounding at 7:45 p.m. ET. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets starting at $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are on sale now and available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, and by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK. A limited number of suites are available for the event. For more information on how to reserve one, please call 718-BKSUITE (718-257-8483).

Cushman & Wakefield Theater is an intimate theater within Barclays Center. The theater can accommodate 3,500-6,000 seats and is ideal for theatrical performances, concert artists, music festivals, boxing events and comedy acts.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com orwww.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing
, www.twitter.com/realworldkidali,
www.twitter.com/SmokinJK, www.twitter.com/theartistperez, www.twitter.com/Marcus_Browne, www.twitter.com/Claudie_Boy,
www.twitter.com/barclayscenter and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1 and become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@FOXSports @FOXSports1 and @FOXSportsPR.

Santa Ana, CA – UFC GYM® announced today that it will partner with former two-division UFC champion and coach of the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter® BJ Penn to open a second signature fitness facility in the fighter’s home state of Hawaii. The fitness destination, which will begin enrolling members on September 24, 2013, is set to open for workouts early in 2014. The gym will serve the Central and Leeward Oahu community and will be located in the Waikele Center at 94-875 Lumiana Street, Suite 15, Waipahu, HI.

“I’m excited to partner with UFC GYM to open another location so soon after the successful opening of our first Oahu gym nearly two years ago,” said BJ Penn, a native of Hilo. “We wanted to expand on the west side of the island to continue to share our workouts and lifestyle that have proven successful not only for our members, but for me, personally, as well as many of the world’s most elite UFC athletes.”

The 30,000 square-foot facility will feature a 30 foot Octagon™, Brazilian jiu-jitsu studio, bag room, top-of-the-line strength training and cardio machines, battling ropes, agility ladders and other functional training equipment for dynamic workouts. The gym’s explosive workout environment will use cutting-edge training techniques inspired by BJ Penn and will provide members with everything needed for the entire family to sweat, move, and TRAIN DIFFERENT®.

Membership also includes unlimited access to UFC GYM’s signature classes such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay thai, women’s self-defense, Daily Ultimate Training (DUT), and more. A team of elite Personal Trainers will help members achieve indisputable results through personal and group training. The new location will also feature a UFC GYM retail store and UFC GYM Kids’ private training area offering specialized youth fitness classes.

An enrollment center is now open at the temporary address of Suite 105, 94-849 Lumiana Street, Waipahu, HI 96797, where memberships are available now at significant pre-opening discounts. The permanent club space will be in Suite 15. To find out more about UFC GYM, click on www.ufcgym.com.

In addition to the two UFC GYM BJ Penn signature gyms in Hawaii, UFC GYM signature clubs are located in Concord, Rosemead, Corona and Torrance, Calif., Long Island, N.Y., and Sydney, Australia. UFC GYM also franchises a new model of boutique clubs. Earlier this year, UFC GYM acquired LA Boxing® adding 81 LA Boxing locations in 23 states to their roster of ultimate fitness destinations. Franchisees have the unique opportunity to own and operate the new UFC GYM franchise model across the U.S. and the globe. For franchise information, visit www.ufcgym.com/franchising.

About UFC GYM®:

UFC GYM® is the first major brand extension of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, the world leader in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). In alliance with New Evolution Ventures™ (NeV), developers of many of the world’s most successful fitness brands, the UFC GYM brand gives UFC enthusiasts and fitness seekers of all ages the opportunity to practice the training techniques of famed UFC athletes. Offering a full-range of group fitness classes, private MMA training, personal and group dynamic training, plus MMA style youth programming, UFC GYM creates something for all ages and fitness levels. As the first to combine the world of mixed martial arts and fitness, UFC GYM’s TRAIN DIFFERENT® approach has developed an atmosphere where members can see immediate results. UFC GYM is the ultimate fitness experience. The brand is not what you expect, and more than you can imagine, aiming to continue revolutionizing the fitness industry. For more information, please visit www.ufcgym.com.

About New Evolution Ventures® (NeV):

Based in Northern California, New Evolution Ventures® (NeV) has a two-decade plus record of success in delivering superior returns on investment, specializing in the acquisition, development and operations management of both domestic and international fitness endeavors. Founded in 2008 by Mark Mastrov, Jim Rowley and Mike Feeney and following a strategic partnership with Vision Capital in 2011, the current team of NeV professionals is setting industry-wide standards one brand at a time. Operations have spanned over 20 countries worldwide and included hundreds of facilities. Our team’s industry experience has positioned NeV as a global leader in its field, expanding and reinventing the vision of fitness. For more information, visit www.nev.com.

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.

London (23 September) Hennessy Sports would like to reassure fans following the extremely disappointing news regarding the British super-fight between Tyson Fury and David Haye, set for September 28th at the Phones 4 U Arena Manchester, as we endeavour to do all we can to resolve this situation and reschedule a new date as quickly as possible.

We would like to officially apologise to all the boxing fans who have supported us, bought tickets, booked time off from work and booked hotels prior to this news and thank you for your patience as we look to announce a new date.

“We only found out about this situation around midday on Saturday morning, only about half an hour before Hayemaker sent out their official release announcing it,” Mick Hennessy said.

“Since then we have been working around the clock with Team Fury, Hayemaker and Sky in an attempt to resolve the situation and reschedule a new date as quickly as possible.

“We have looked into a number of possibilities and have been left very frustrated as due to these circumstances beyond our control, there is nothing that can be done to salvage the 28th, but this is a super-fight that the fans deserve to see and Tyson is eager to deliver for them.

“To be fair to Tyson as well, he has done everything in his power to keep this date alive for the fans, even agreeing to fight Deontay Wilder on the 28th (if Team Wilder agreed), but this fight at short notice was obviously not considered to be box office.

“For the fans that want refunds on their tickets rather than wait for a rescheduled date, please contact the point of purchase for a refund.

“We are very disapointed and can imagine how you are all feeling about this as fans and hopefully we will be able to announce further information as soon as possible.”

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS

Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing is proud to return to the Comanche Nation Casino on Friday, OCTOBER 4 with “PUNCH OUT”, an exciting evening of professional boxing headlined by the return of Lawton, Oklahoma’s favorite son, George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah.
Tahdooahnippah will face off against York, South Carolina battle tested veteran, Thomas Brown in the ten round main event for the IBA Continental Americas Middleweight Championship.

Said DeGuardia, “We’re very excited to return to the Comanche Nation Casino and promote this terrific event headlined by George Tahdooahnippah. We’ve planned an action packed undercard and a fantastic evening of entertainment.”

Having compiled a record of 31-1-1 (23KO’s) over his nine-year professional career, Tahdooahnippah returns to battle following the first loss of his career.

This past FEBRUARY 15, Tahdooahnippah traveled to Uncasville, Connecticut to face former world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez.
Despite fighting valiantly, Tahdooahnippah was stopped in the sixth round of the main event, telecast on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

The 29-year-old Brown sports a record of 15-4-1 (9KO’s), amidst a ledger that includes current middleweight champion Peter Quillin and top rated contender Sebastien Demers.

Heavyweights will also see action at “PUNCH OUT” with Wichita Falls, Texas based veteran Ty Cobb battling undefeated prospect Justin Wilims of Hayesville, Kansas.

Cobb, 16-4-0 (9KO’s), will be making the fourth start of his 2013 campaign and has won nine of his last eleven.

Wilims sports a record of 4-0 with all of his victories coming by way of knockout.

In a special attraction women’s bout, bantamweight Sheena Chaney of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma will clash with Norman, Oklahoma’s Tiffany Alexander in a four round tilt.

Newcomer Chaney, 1-3-1 (1KO), will look to stay in the winning column in her fourth fight of 2013. On APRIL 13, she knocked out Sara Maloy in the second round in Oklahoma City.

Alexander, 0-1-1, will be looking for her first win, having fought to a four round draw with Rachel Vidal on JUNE 6 in Oklahoma City.

Welterweight prospects will see action as Lawton’s Jose Gualderrama, 1-1-0 will face Oklahoma City’s Edwin Williams,1-0-0, in a four round tilt.

As a special feature to those men fighting in the United States Armed Forces around the world, the card will also feature a three round military amateur bout, light heavyweights will battle with Daniel Logan from the Lawton Air Force Base facing off against Juan Hollingsworth of the Wichita Army Base.

Advance tickets priced at $20 for General Admission ($25 at the door) can be purchased through Ticket-E-Split www.ticket-e-split.com or through the Comanche Nation Casino, phone (580) 354-2000.

VIP tables are available for purchase at $2500 per table. Each table includes ten seats with free food, beer, soda, water, $100 free play, and a gift bag per seat.

The Comanche Nation Casino is located at 402 SE Interstate Drive in Lawton, Oklahoma; 73501.Doors on the evening of the event will open at 6:00p.m. with the first bell at 7:00 p.m. Guests must be 18 years or older to attend.

For more information on the Comanche Nation Casino, please visit their website at www.comanchenationcasinos.com

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit their official website at www.StarBoxing.com and follow them on twitter.com/starboxing and Facebook.com/starboxing

After a hotly contested fight, both Martin McCord and Mike Towel shared the spoils Martins debut and Mikes second fight In July this year. Having his second fight on October 11th, on the under card of Iain Butchers WBO European Title challenge at Ravenscraig Sports Facility, McCord is looking forward to returning to the ring .

Making the switch from the Amateur ranks to the Professional game, McCord enjoyed his first professional fight “It was a hard fight to have as your first fight. Mike (Towel) was a tough opponent for anyone’s first fight and really went town on me. I thought I boxed pretty well to be honest, and all credit to Towel as he gave as good as he got in the ring.
With his debut a distant memory, McCord has returned to training “I train twice everyday including the weekends. I get up at half five every morning and do a Six mile jog before work then training at night. My Training in the evening consist of pad work and some sparring. I also have taken to changed my diet so I get the most out of my training so come October 11th I will be in good shape and a division lighter at Light welter this time.
While fight night draws closer the 20 year old is preparing to use his boxing skills “I will try box more instead of getting into a scrap. These early fights in my career are learning fights so I will look to take as much as I can get from it, fair enough you need to go toe to toe now and again to break your opponent down but I will be looking to show people I am not just a brawler and I can box properly
He Adds “I Hope to get Six or Seven fights to educate myself into the pro game and see where the future takes me. I think I could do well but I am just taking it one fight at a time, starting with October 11th
Prospect Boxing presents an Evening of Championship Boxing at the Ravenscraig Sports Centre, Motherwell on Friday October 11th. The Main event sees Iain Butcher take on Hungarian Gabor Molnar for the vacant WBO European Flyweight Title.
The undercard sees the return of Chris Steel (Coltness) vs Mike Towel (Dundee) and also features Mark Parvin (Wishaw) vs Gerry Brady (Airdrie), Martin McCord, Rhys Pagan. Also in action is former commonwealth title challenger Mitch Prince. Tickets are priced at £30 and £40 and available from the fighters or by calling 01698 338 888

Former three-division world champion and the Pride of Puerto Rico Miguel Cotto (37-4, 30 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico, is in his final weeks of training with Hall of Famer Freddie Roach at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif. Cotto is preparing for his 12-round super welterweight battle with Top-10 contender and two-time world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez (28-6-3, 16 KOs), of the Dominican Republic. Cotto vs. Rodriguez will take place Saturday, October 5, at the home of the Orlando Magic, Amway Center, in Orlando, Fla. Cotto’s Florida debut will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

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

TODD duBOEF: Thanks, everybody, this is a wonderful day. We are only a couple weeks away from the fight and it is great to be promoting once again with Miguel’s promotional company Miguel Cotto Promotions on October 5th at the Amway Center in Orlando. Obviously the reunion between the two of us has been terrific and the show we have put together has been absolutely fantastic from top to bottom using a combination of Miguel’s fighters and Top Rank fighters. The way the tickets have sold and the interest in the fight – the fans have come out – from the press conference where the Mayor was such an advocate of the show – we have seen unprecedented support from the Coty of Orlando which hasn’t really had a fight in many, many years, especially of this caliber. I could talk more about the show but I am sure you want to hear from Freddie and Miguel and how that combination is going.

FREDDIE ROACH: We have had a great training camp so far and Miguel is a great student. His work ethic is unbelievable and we are working really hard here at the Wild Card. Sparring is going really well – we did nine rounds yesterday. I am really happy with the way things are coming. Strength coach Kevin MacMillan is doing a very good job with Gavin [MacMillan] and they work very well together. We have a really good team and I am excited for the fight coming up. I am looking forward to Miguel fighting with us for the first time. His progress is great and his punching power is coming back to where it once was. Miguel has been one of the best students I have ever had.

MIGUEL COTTO: We have had a great training camp. We are committed to doing so good and to look amazing at the fight. We are working together to get the best out of me and that’s all I can really say about it.

Why the long break in between fights?

MIGUEL COTTO: I have had a lot of fights over my career and we thought it would be good to take a break. I feel good now with all of the training sessions we have had in LA and things are very good right now.

Do you put pressure on yourself since you have lost two fights in a row?

MIGUEL COTTO: I am just thinking about being in the best shape possible and we have no doubt that we will prepare the best.

Freddie, can you talk about the pressure of a ‘must win’ fight?

FREDDIE ROACH: We are in a must-win situation for sure. That’s why we are working so hard and we are working well together. We start conditioning work every morning at 5 AM and that ends at 8 AM. That leaves Miguel a little time to rest then we come back to the gym at 2 PM and from 2-4 we are sparring or working with the mitts. We do about nine rounds every day. We are working real hard and we know what the situation is.

Did you feel there was anything you needed to change in Miguel?

FREDDIE ROACH: I watched the Trout fight and we talked about why he thought he lost that fight. He thought he wasn’t busy enough and I want to bring back that work to the body – his bread and butter. That’s what got him to where he is today. I am not going to change him of course because he is a great fighter as he is. We just need a reminder of the fundamentals of boxing.

How do you feel you can still compete against the elite of the sport?

MIGUEL COTTO: I feel that I can fight against the best at any time. I just made the fight with Mayweather last year. I made that fight. I fought that fight and then I fight the next fight.

Freddie, do you think the body attack will be back?

FREDDIE ROACH: I think that’s a big part of what we have been working on. When you think of Miguel Cotto, you think of great bodywork. Lefts to the body we have been working on quite a bit and we have also been working on a lot of new moves and it’s been working out really well. Again is work ethic.

How do you feel about fighting in Orlando in front of all the Puerto Rico fans?

MIGUEL COTTO: Fighting in front of that whole Puerto Rican community is going to be amazing to me.

How did you decide to be trained by Freddie Roach?

MIGUEL COTTO: At this point in my career I realized that I want my career to finish with Freddie on my side.

How do you go about training someone that knows so much?

FREDDEIE ROACH: The thing is, I am not going to change people. I don’t believe in changing people. We are what we are and it’s pretty much, when he was at his best it was the fundamentals of boxing which he excelled at and he had gotten away from the body attack a little bit and we got that back in line. He’s been getting a little older and so-forth so we cut back in the roadwork and do more conditioning because running every day for six days a week your whole life is hard on your body. So we cut back on that a little bit and added a few things to replace it. It’s going really well and I can’t wait for him to get in the ring for the first time with me in the corner.

Did you see anything from the Pacquiao-Cotto fight you would fix?

FREDDIE ROACH: When I trained Manny for that fight the biggest thing was to stay off the ropes because if you go on the ropes, Miguel is going to hit you with the left hook to the body and that was something we had to stay away from. That was the biggest thing we worked on in camp. Miguel would sometimes get a little lazy with his punches. He has great speed with his punches so we have been working on that and it’s been working quite well.

Have you had a fighter you worked against then worked with him?

FREDDIE ROACH: I have been in this situation before. I trained Donny LaLonde against Virgil Hill and Virgil was one of my first world champions so it was just once before in my life so getting the call from Miguel asking me to help him made me feel really good. I know he’s a great fighter and if I can make someone a better fighter, I’m here. I just want to bring back the best of Miguel Cotto – lefts to the body then to the head and efficient combinations and breaking his opponent down– that’s where we want to get to. We’ve had some good sparring partners so far and it’s worked out really well.

FREDDIE ROACH: I’m not really bringing things back, I am just trying to remind him of what worked best and to use it more. He knows how to do it he had just gotten away from it a little bit so it is really just a reminder of what works best. It is there naturally. It is part of his mechanics. It’s just fundamentals – how to cut the ring off and how to control the ring a little bit better. We are working really well together, we have had a great training camp and we have a couple more weeks to go and I look forward to going to Florida soon.

How do you see the future of Miguel Cotto?

FREDDIE ROACH: There is a good future and that’s why we are working so hard to win this fight. We know we are in a must-win situation but a win here will put us in position for a lot of good things. I want Miguel to win a word title again and I look forward to being a part of that.

MIGUEL COTTO: There are no possibilities beyond this fight to think about. The only possibility I have right now is to fight Delvin Rodriguez on October 5 in Orlando. Then after Delvin we can talk about what is next in my career. Right now I ham very happy with Freddie and the way we are training here and looking for good things to happen when I get inn the ring at Amway Center.

Todd, tell us about his popularity in Orlando.

TODD duBOEF: Miguel is an icon within the Latin community and I wouldn’t designate a specific territory. Throughout Latin America, Puerto Rico, Mexico – everywhere. Obviously the connectivity to his home base, which are people of Puerto Rican descent, they look at him as one of them. So if they are in New York, Orlando, Caguas or San Juan, they are the same fan. We looked at other facilities in other places and Amway Center was one that Miguel’s team wanted and we worked together with his team in establishing this venue and the response has been incredible. We keep having to open up sections and adding seats and we look for an electric night. His popularity is way beyond regional – he is an icon within the whole Latin community.

Do you see a sellout?

TODD duBOEF: Relatively speaking, yes. We keep opening up new sections. If the demand stays strong, we are going to be totally sold out.

You have a common opponent in Trout; does it help in preparing for Rodriguez?

FREDDIE ROACH: Delvin has a whole different style than Miguel does and styles make fights. We have studied the fights of those tapes and picked up things here and there. Overall, watching, not just because they both fought Trout and he is a common opponent, No.

MIGUEL COTTO: I didn’t see the fight between Trout and Delvin Rodriguez but we just create out strategy here in training camp and that’s what we are going to follow the day of the fight.

Do you feel camaraderie with Miguel?

FREDDIE ROACH: Yes, my whole team does. Everyone loves him in the gym and he gets along with everyone. Everything is working out very well and he seems comfortable here in LA. I’ve been over to his house a couple of times. We watched the Mayweather fight together. It’s a good situation because we are all on the same team. His family is kind and we are going to have a lot of big fights after this.

MIGUEL COTTO: The way things are going makes me feel like I am going to finish my career with him here. I feel I can do the best I can with Freddie.

Do you think you did the best against Mayweather?

MIGUEL COTTO: That is a different fight and I don’t want to talk about Canelo. He had his own strategy and he made his own fight and I made mine. I tried my way against Floyd and he tried his. That’s all I have to say about it.

FREDDIE ROACH: I definitely thought Miguel had a better fight with Floyd and everyone in the world knows that. It just wasn’t Canelo’s night. I don’t know what it was – making the weight or being in there with a very experienced guy with him being a young guy coming up. Miguel has a lot more experience and experience is something you have to earn. I’m sure Canelo did the best he could but it wasn’t nearly good enough.

Do you feel like you can take Miguel to the highest level?

FREDDIE ROACH: I feel like I can, yes. We work hard for each other and we are a good team and I think this is just the beginning.

You have faded towards the end of your last two losses – are you trying to fix that?

MIGUEL COTTO: Just train the best way and follow every instruction that Freddie gives to me. And I follow the strength coach, Kevin, and do what he tells me to do. Sometimes you need changes and I feel completely comfortable with Freddie in my corner and everybody is going to see it on October 5.

How long will your career go?

MIGUEL COTTO: I don’t know. A couple more fights then it will be over.

Do you retain any hard feelings regarding the Margarito situation?

MIGUEL COTTO: I don’t have any hard feelings for anyone. I am just trying to continue my career and the Margarito chapter in my life is over.

Freddie, what would you do if Pacquiao were to fight Cotto?

FREDDIE ROACH: I talked to Manny about it a little bit because Manny asked me if he could watch Miguel work out and I said ‘of course you can.’ So Manny came to watch. They shook hands and they are friends. Manny and Miguel will never fight each other. They have had their fight and it’s over. Miguel is a 154-pounder and Manny is 147. They are friends now and once Manny becomes friends with someone he will never fight them. They won’t fight and I guarantee you that.

I see Cotto’s weight is very low, how do you feel about that?

FREDDIE ROACH: Yes, I was a little concerned about the weight getting down too low. But we are controlling the weight and he is eating very healthy. It’s a very good diet he is on right now. His mom is cooking for him every night so it is a great situation. We are not trying to make weight here. What we are doing is training for the fight. The weight is coming off naturally so that is a good thing. He is right where I want him to be – a couple pounds off the weight class. Some nights I tell him to have a good steak and to eat a little bit more. It’s a good situation to be in – not struggling to make weight and he’s eating as much as he can.

Does your weight now make you think about going to 147?

MIGUEL COTTO: I am not interested at all in coming down to 147. I feel great at 154. I am doing what I need to do at 154. I had problems when I was at 147 and everyone knows how difficult it was for me and I don’t ever want that to happen again.

What’s the big difference you have seen since being with Freddie?

MIGUEL COTTO: I feel very comfortable with Freddie. Everyone does their job here, everyone is working hard and it makes me feel good. Everyone is doing the best he can every day. Freddie is doing his best and I am doing my best every day and that makes me a better fighter.

What is your plan? Would you like to retire as a champion?

MIGUEL COTTO: I am not thinking about a championship or defending titles or staying longer than I have to. I have an idea what I want to do but everything will be decided after this fight.

Do you feel stronger going into this fight compared to training on the east coast?

MIGUEL COTTO: At this moment, for this fight, I feel good. And I know next week I am going to feel better. And I am going to feel good in victory against Delvin Rodriguez. I am doing my best here in training camp and I am going to do my best when I get in the ring.

Where are you with Miguel Cotto Promotions?

MIGUEL COTTO: We are just a small company. The talent makes the company. We have to acquire talent then we can one day become a big company.

What does Freddie Roach bring to the table that other trainers did not?

MIGUEL COTTO: All I know is he comes prepared to work every day to get the best out of me every day in camp. I give him the best that I have and it’s been a great combination.

Do you feel pressure of putting Puerto Rico boxing back on the top?

MIGUEL COTTO: I train as hard as I can to do the best that I can when I get in the ring to win it and hopefully for Puerto Rico to enjoy it.

MIGUEL COTTO: I don’t look forward to fighting anyone at 147. I don’t think Manny is looking forward to fighting anyone at 154. I think we both have our own careers and that’s the way it will stay.

TODD duBOEF: This fight will be televised live on HBO [9:45 p.m. ET/PT] and Miguel Cotto has been one of the ratings leaders over his whole career. On the undercard from Miguel Cotto Promotions is up-and-coming featherweight, Jayson Vélez, and super welterweight contender Jorge Meléndez; and in the semi-final we have Terence Crawford in a really good lightweight fight, and young star from Puerto Rico Felix Verdejo.

************************************
Promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions and Top Rank, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Tecate, remaining tickets to Cotto vs. Rodriguez, priced at $150, $100, $50 and $25, can be purchased online at amwaycenter.com, Chase® Box Office at Amway Center, Ticketmaster retail locations, charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000 or at Ticketmaster.com. All dates, act(s) and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service, handling and facility fee charges. For Amway Center box office and ticket information, visit amwaycenter.com (phone purchases are not available through the Amway Center box office). The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street and the box office is located on the north side of the Amway Center, near the intersection of Church Street and Hughey Avenue.

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

Wilson Reis scored a three round unanimous decision over Ivan Menjivar in a Bantamweight bout.

Scores were 29-28 on all cards for Reis, 135 lbs of Philadelphia, PA and is now 17-4. Menjivar, 136 lbs of Montreal is now 25-11.

Steven Thompson stopped Chris Clements in round two of their Welterweight bout.

Thompson landed three hard punches that sent Clements plummeting into the cage and the fight was stopped at 1:27 of round two.

Thompson, 170/5 lbs of Simpsonville, SC is now 8-1. Clements, 169.5 lbs of of London ONT is now 11-5-1.

Mitch Gagnon scored a 1st round stoppage over Dustin Kiman in a Bantamweight bout.

Gagnon choked out Kiman at 4:05 of round one.

Gagnon, 136 lbs of Sudbury, ONT is now 10-2. Kiman, 135 lbs of Honolulu, HA is now 11-1.

John Makdessi scored a first round stoppage over Renee Forte.

Makdessi landed a hard punch that sent Forte to the canvas. Makdessi landed several punches to the face of a defensless Forte and the fight was stopped at 2:01 of round one.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former two division champion David suffered a cut over his left eye and his fight with Tyson Fury stated for next Saturday is now off for the time being.

“Gutted isn’t even the word,” Haye said. “Mentally, I’m on the floor at the moment. I’m devastated most of all for my loyal fans, my family and my team, as well as Tyson Fury and his team.

“I know injuries and cuts are part and parcel of our sport, but this doesn’t change the feeling of disappointment and sadness I’m experiencing right now. To everyone who has bought tickets, booked hotels, and followed this fight since it was announced, there is absolutely nothing I can do except apologize from the very bottom of my heart. Even when everything seems to be right on track, sometimes life throws you a curveball. I will somehow have to try and make the best of this horrible situation. But, right now, I’m in bits about what has happened.”

Former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Guillermo Avila in a Super Bantamweight bout at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

Scores were 116-112 on all cards.

Vazquez, 122 lbs of Bayamon, PR is now 23-3-1. Avila, 122 lbs of Jalisco, MX is now 13-1.

Israel Vazquez remained undefeated with a six round unanimous decision over Felipe Rivas in a Light Flyweight bout.

Scores were 60-54, 60-54 and 58-56 for Vazquez, 108 lbs and is now 9-0-2. Rivas, 109 lbs is now 14-14-1.

Leon Moore 121 vs Rafael Vazquez 121
(WBA-FEDELATIN TITLE)
Frank Galarza 154 vs Rich Neves 154
(NY State Title)
Amanda Serrano 135 vs Keri Hill 141
Bryant Cruz 129 vs Jesus Bayron 129
Evan Nedd 238 vs Ytalo Perea 243
Angel Garcia 130 vs Nuwan Jayakody 129
Jay Rodriguez 195 vs Eric George 195
Villi Bello 151 vs Anthony Birmingham 151
Allan Phelan 128 vs Benjamin Burgos 131

(Photos Credit: Fated2Triumph)

Promoters: New Legend Boxing/Old World Boxing/WON Promotions
Venue: Resorts World Casino
1st Bell: 6:30 PM EST

Stream: www.pandafeed.tv (Delayed)

On Monday night, September 23, brand-new IBF Junior Middleweight Champion “King” Carlos Molina will be at U.S. Cellular Field in his native Chicago to throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch when the Chicago White Sox play the Toronto Blue Jays.

Enjoying the celebrity that comes with success on the world level, Molina has gone on an extended media tour since winning his IBF belt via split decision against Ishe Smith on the pay-per-view televised undercard of Mayweather vs. Alvarez. It’s attention that has been a long time coming for the perpetual underdog Molina, who was the victim of several scoring controversies and other administrative misdeeds during his climb to the top.

“I am honored by this,” said the humble Molina. “This has been a dream come true for me and even better than I pictured the day I started boxing. I want to thank the Chicago White Sox for thinking of me and I will continue to do my city of Chicago proud.”

The Chicago White Sox versus Toronto Blue Jays game begins Monday night at 7:10 pm (Central). It will be televised on Comcast Sports Net (CSN+) in Chicago and on radio on WSCR 670 and 97.5 ESPN Deportes (Sp.).
ABOUT WARRIORS BOXING

Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to it’s credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

HERMAN OAKS, CA (September 20, 2013) – Following slightly more than a year’s absence from the ring due to injury, Bay Area hero, 2004 U.S. Olympic gold medalist and current WBA and Ring Magazine World Super Middleweight Champion, Andre “S.O.G.” Ward makes his highly anticipated return to the ring defending his title against Edwin Rodriguez on Saturday, November 16 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA.

Simply and appropriately billed as “The Return,” Ward (26-0, 13 KOs) will risk his title against the undefeated Rodriguez (24-0, 16 KOs) in the scheduled 12-round World Championship main event which will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets are priced at $200, $125, $75, $50 and $25 (parking included with purchase) and will be available at Citizens Business Bank Arena Box Office or online at AXS.com or by calling AXS at 888-929-7849 starting on Friday, September 27. For more information, please visit www.CBBankArena.com.

Following last year’s 10th-round destruction of then-WBC Light Heavyweight titleholder Chad Dawson in his biggest and most impressive defense of both his WBA and WBC belts in his hometown of Oakland on September 8, Ward was scheduled to take on former WBC/WBO Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik back in January. However, the bout had to be scrapped because Ward required surgery to an injured right shoulder, keeping Ward out of the ring for over 12 months and costing him an intriguing fight and sending Pavlik into retirement.

With Ward’s Super-Six Tournament demolition through the 168-pound division against the likes of Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, Allan Green, Sakio Bika and Carl Froch, Ward now puts his attention toward the currently ranked #1 WBC, #3 WBA, IBF and WBO Rodriguez.

“I’m excited to get back in the ring on November 16,” stated the champion Ward. “The opponent is Edwin Rodriguez. He’s a young, hungry, undefeated fighter who doesn’t believe he can lose and it’s my job to change his mind. I think he and his team feel like they are going to catch me slipping coming off of surgery and the layoff. I try to live like a champion. I stay in the gym, eat well, and don’t abuse my body and this rest that I got was needed. I don’t feel like the layoff will hurt me, I feel like it will help me. It allowed me to rest mentally and physically, and I want to show the fans on November 16 that I’m better than I was before I left.”

So now the 29-year old Ward can’t wait to make his return against the Dominican-born super middleweight, who now lives in Worcester, Mass. Having made a huge statement in his last bout stopping Denis Grachev in the first round in Monte Carlo, France winning the “Monaco Million Dollar Super Four Tournament” – Rodriguez, 28, will be fighting for the first time in California. In his most recent outing, the undefeated Rodriguez known as “La Bomba, ” handled Grachev from the opening bell. The normally durable Grachev went down twice in the first round and was taking further punishment when referee Stanley Christodoulou stepped in to stop the one-sided bout. Grachev was coming off impressive wins over highly-touted Californian Ismayl Sillakh, and also ended former champion Zsolt Erdei’s undefeated run. With the victory, the DiBella-promoted Rodriguez has propelled his name toward the top of the 168-pound division targeting Ward in the process.

“Vince Lombardi once said, ‘Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man. But sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.’ On November 16th, I know I will win,” stated Edwin Rodriguez.

“I commend Andre Ward for accepting a huge challenge after an injury and layoff. On November 16th, he will wish he didn’t when he gets La-Bombed by La Bomba,” said longtime promoter Lou DiBella.

Some strong words from the #1 world-rated Rodriguez proclaiming the demise of the #2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Ward probably summed it up best, “You have a young fighter in Edwin Rodriguez that feels like it’s his time. You have a young veteran in myself that feels like it’s still my time, and those ingredients will make for a blockbuster fight on November 16 on HBO.”

All other bouts will be announced shortly. Doors open at 3 p.m. with the first undercard fight set at 3:15 p.m.

The event is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with S.O.G. Promotions. The Ward-Rodriguez bout is presented in association with DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Morongo Casino Resort Spa and the City of Ontario.

“We are proud to be a sponsor to this great boxing event featuring WBA and Ring Magazine Supermiddleweight World Champion Andre Ward,” stated Morongo Casino Resort Spa General Manager, David Brents.

For more information on Goossen Tutor Promotions, including exclusive behind-the-scenes videos and photos, visit www.goossentutor.com. For information on DiBella Entertainment visit www.dbe1.com. Follow HBO Boxing news at www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/hboboxing. Join the conversation by using the Hashtag #WardRodriguez on Twitter.

Citizens Business Bank Arena, built and owned by the City of Ontario, operated by AEG Facilities, includes 9,500 fixed seats with additional “portable” seating risers to accommodate capacities of 11,089 for concerts, 9,736 for ice hockey and 10,832 for basketball. The Arena is home to Ontario Reign, an ECHL Premier AA Hockey Team. The venue is the biggest and most modern arena within the Inland Empire, an area with over 4.1 million people. It is located in the City of Ontario, on a 37-acre parcel located between Haven Avenue and Milliken Avenue, Fourth Street and the I-10 Freeway.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez will defend against mandatory challenger Alexander Alekseev after a purse bid was won by Hernandez promoter Sauerland Events.

Sauerland Event bid $555,414 to easily beat EC Box Promotion, which offered $212,000. There were only two bidders. Hernandez, as the titleholder, is entitled to 75 percent of the winning bid, or $416,560.50. Alekseev will receive the remaining 25 percent, or $138,853.50.

SAN DIEGO, CA (September 19, 2013)—On Saturday afternoon October 26th, undefeated Welterweight contender Kell Brook will battle former WBA Welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds and will be broadcasted in the United States on AWE and www.awetv.com

The action will originate from the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England.

Brook of Sheffield, England has a record of 30-0 with 20 knockouts and is currently ranked number-one by the IBF and number-nine by the WBO.

Brook has won several regional titles as he won the British Welterweight championship with a knockout win over Barrie Jones (15-1). He defended that bout four times with wins over Kevin Mcintyre (26-5), Stewart Elwell (12-3), Michael Lomax (15-1) and former world title challenger Michael Jennings (36-2).

Brook went on to win the WBO Intercontinental Welterweight title with a 6th round stoppage over Krzysztof Bienias (39-3). He defended that title one time and then went on win the WBA Intercontinental with a win over former world title challenger Lovemore N’dou. He defended that title twice with wins over former world title challengers Rafal Jackiewicz and Matthew Hatton. Brook also collected the IBF International title in the Hatton win.

Brook then went on to beat Carson Jones, Hector Saldivia (41-2) and he is coming off a 8th round stoppage in a rematch with Jones that took place on July 13th.

Brook was scheduled to face IBF world champion Devon Alexander but the fight had to be postponed three times due to injuries.

Senchenko of Dontsk, Ukraine has a record of 34-1 with 23 knockouts.

Like Brook, Senchenko won various titles such as the IBF Intercontinental and subsequently made four defenses. Senchenko collected the IBF International title before winning the WBA Intercontinental title with a 3rd round stoppage over Viktor Sydorenko (13-2).

He made three defenses of the title which included a win over former world title challenger Frederick Klose (41-6).

Senchenko then won the WBA Welterweight championship with a 12 round unanimous decision over Yuriy Nuzhnenko (28-0-1). Senchenko made three defenses before being stopped by Paulie Malignaggi.

Senchenko then redeemed himself as he stopped future Hall of Famer Ricky Hatton with a body shot which re-retired the popular Englishman.

Senchenko is coming off a 4th round stoppage over Carlos Adan Jerez on August 24th.

“This is a great fight with a lot of meaning”, said AWE CEO Charles Herring

“If it wasn’t for injuries, Brook could be a world champion today and for him to risk his title shot against Senchenko, who is a former world champion and has a knockout over Ricky Hatton shows that we will have a great fight on October 26th. Plus the implications are huge with the winner basically guaranteed a title shot, continues to show the type of fights we want to bring to AWE.”

The fight card will begin at 3pm eastern time.

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 iswww.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

QUEENS, NY (SEPTEMBER 19, 2013) — This Saturday night, September 21st, 2013 at the Resorts World Casino New York City in Queens, New York, two big New York State title bouts highlight a terrific night of boxing action promoted by New Legend Boxing, Old World Boxing and WON Promotions.

In an eight round bout, undefeated fighters Frank Galarza (10-0-2, 6 KO’s) and Richard Neves (6-0-1, 3 KO’s) will battle it out for the New York State Jr. Middleweight crown. Both fighters are very confident going into this bout which is one of the most anticipated bouts in the greater New York area.

“I have worked hard, I had a hard camp and I am prepared mentally and physically”, said Galarza. “Neves is a straight forward fighter. He keeps coming in and I have to be prepared for that.”

This will be Galarza’s 4th appearance at the Resorts World Casino and the Brooklyn native enjoys fighting at the venue. “I love fighting at Resorts World Casino; I always put on a show”. Galarza is no stranger to taking on the top competition as he and fellow undefeated fighter Alantez Fox fought a “Fight of the Year” back on September 22, 2012 at the Resorts World Casino and that fight has helped prepare Galarza for this fight.

“This is my 2nd undefeated opponent, so this is nothing new. I fight top competition and I am trying to bring boxing back. The fans don’t want to see fights where you basically know who is going to win. That takes away from the sport. People want to see competitive fights. I have something to prove to myself and fighting these kinds of fights is a learning experience.”

Galarza is sure to show the fans the tenacious style that has made him a fan favorite in the New York area. “I am not taking any prisoners. He better be prepared. I also want to thank my manager AJ Galante and my promoters New Legend Boxing, Old World Boxing and WON Promotions”, finished the 28 year-old Galarza.

Although he doesn’t have the professional experience that Galarza brings, Rich Neves is also very confident of a victory on Saturday night. “It’s a great opportunity. I could not turn it down. I am ready to go in and do what I do”, said Neves, a native of New Hyde Park, New York.

Both guys admit to knowing each other a little bit from being around the New York Boxing Circuit but each know the stakes are high for this fight. “Once that bell rings, friendship goes out the window” said Neves.

Despite having less fights, Neves believes that he is actually on par with Galarza in terms of experience. “He has more professional experience, at the same time I have fought tough guys in the amateurs, so his pro experience won’t mean much”. Being only his eighth pro bout, Neves is happy for the opportunity to win his first belt. “We do this to become champions and hopefully this will be the first of many to come.”

Like Galarza, Neves will have a huge fan base in attendance, which will make for an exciting atmosphere. “This is a great fight and hopefully the fans will enjoy it. I know I already have in excess of 100 fans coming to see me” said Neves.

IN OTHER BOUTS:

Main Event – Leon Moore (30-2, 24 KO’s) takes on Rafael Vazquez (8-1, 6 KO’s) in a ten round bout for the WBA-FEDELATIN championship and the New York State Super Bantamweight title.
Amanda Serrano (18-1-1, 13 KO’s) takes on Kerri Hill in a four round Super Featherweight bout.
Bryant Cruz (6-0, 5 KO’s) fights Jesus Bayron (5-8, 4 KO’s) in a six round Super Featherweight bout.
Angel Garcia (5-2, 2 KO’s) battles Nuwan Jayakody (1-2, 1 KO) in a six round Super Featherweight bout.
Undefeated Heavyweight Evan Nedd (5-0, 2 KO’s) takes on Ytalo Perea (4-1, 3 KO’s) in a four round bout.
Undefeated Cruiserweight Jay Rodriguez (1-0-1, 1 KO) boxes Eric George (0-4) in a four round bout.
Allan Phelan (2-2, 2 KO’s) takes on Benjamin Burgos (1-4) in a four round Featherweight bout.
Rounding out the card will be the pro debut of Villi Bello taking on Anthony Birmingham (0-1-1) in a four round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Tickets: $50 General Admission and $125 VIP Ringside can be purchased by calling
New Legend Boxing 718-487-4474 and/or logging on to www.NewLegendBoxing.com
Resorts World Casino New York City is located at
110-00 Rockaway Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11420
Doors Open 5:30PM / First Bout 6:30PM
* All Bouts Subject to Change

NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2013 – HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns for its 17th boxing installment with 24/7 BRADLEY/MÁRQUEZ, an all-new series debuting SATURDAY, SEPT. 28 (1:00-1:30 a.m. ET/PT) on HBO, immediately following the “World Championship Boxing” presentation beginning at 10:15 p.m. (ET/PT). The all-access series follows two world-class fighters as they prepare for their compelling pay-per-view welterweight title fight.

Episode # 1

Debut: SATURDAY, SEPT. 28 (1:00-1:30 a.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: Sept. 29 (11:15 a.m.) and 30 (11:30 a.m., 2:30 a.m.), and Oct. 1 (6:30 p.m., 2:35 a.m.), 2 (9:30 p.m.), 3 (midnight), 4 (6:30 p.m.), 5 (10:00 a.m.), 11 (7:00 p.m.) and 12 (9:00 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Sept. 29 (11:00 p.m.) and Oct. 4 (9:00 p.m.), 11 (11:15 p.m.) and 12 (3:45 p.m.)

HBO On Demand and HBO GO availability begins: Oct. 1.

Camp opens as Timothy Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs), coming off his all-action bout last March versus Ruslan Provodnikov, and Juan Manuel Márquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs), revitalized after his sensational knockout of Manny Pacquiao last December, prepare for their Oct. 12 showdown in Las Vegas.

Episode two of 24/7 BRADLEY/MÁRQUEZ debuts Saturday, Oct. 5 (12:30-1:00 a.m.), immediately following the “World Championship Boxing” presentation beginning at 9:45 p.m. (ET/PT). Both episodes will be presented on HBO the night before the high-stakes showdown.

“Bradley vs. Márquez” takes place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Saturday, Oct. 12 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 BRADLEY/MÁRQUEZ is Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Bentley Weiner; producers, Thomas Odelfelt and Christine Wilt; writer, Aaron Cohen. Liev Schreiber narrates.

LOS ANGELES, September 19 – Owner of the most deceptive record in boxing today, Guanajuato’s Robinson Castellanos will defend his WBC Silver Featherweight Championship against the United States’ Derrick Wilson in the 12-round main event of this Saturday’s Televisa/FOX Deportes event at the Oasis Arena in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

In the co-main event, scheduled for 10-rounds in the lightweight division, longtime contender and 2004 United States Olympian Vicente Escobedo squares off against Ciudad Obregon’s Fernando Carcamo.

Castellanos vs. Wilson, a 12-round bout for Castellanos’ WBC Silver Featherweight Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Cancun Boxing de Pepe Gomez and sponsored by Corona, Periodico QueQui and Quintana Roo Tourism. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. CT and the first fight begins at 6:30 p.m. CT. The Televisa broadcast will air on Canal 5 beginning at 8:30 p.m. CT in Mexico and the FOX Deportes broadcast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT in the United States.

To purchase tickets call Carlos Milhe at: +529841848420

A quick glance at the 18-9 (11 KO’s) record of Guanajuato featherweight Robinson Castellanos, and you may wonder how the 31-year-old has made it to the elite level of the 126-pound weight class. But consider that after an 8-9 start to his career from 2002 to 2010, a string that included four split decision defeats, Castellanos turned everything around, winning 10 straight bouts. Among his victories are eight wins in WBC Silver title fights and an April 2013 victory over former world champion Celestino Caballero.

Another fighter whose skills show more than his won-loss record is Fort Myers, Florida’s Derrick Wilson (10-4-2, 3 KO’s), a 24-year-old young man who has been battling it out with fellow prospects for much of his nearly six year pro career. In June, Wilson snapped a two fight losing streak with the biggest win yet, as he handed rising star Braulio Santos his first pro loss. Now it’s Wilson’s turn to get a big fight in Mexico against Castellanos and he’s ready to make the most of this opportunity.

Returning to fight in Mexico for the first time since his third round technical knockout of Carlos Urias in March of 2010, Woodland, California’s Vicente Escobedo (26-5, 15 KO’s) is looking forward to making a return to the win column after tough defeats against Adrien Broner and Edner Cherry. Still young in the sport at 31, the former U.S. Olympian is hungry for victory and he has the skill and determination to get the job done.

In search of a career-defining win that will extend his current three fight winning streak and put his name on the world boxing map, 22-year-old Fernando Carcamo (13-5, 10 KO’s) already made plenty of noise with his second round stoppage of then-unbeaten Fidel Maldonado Jr. in April of 2012. Now he wants to add another notable name to his record in the form of longtime contender Escobedo.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.quequi.com.mx, www.FOXDeportes.com and www.televisadeportes.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ChenteEscobedo, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.twitter.com/PeriodicoQuequi, www.twitter.com/TD_Deportes and www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/periodicoquequi and www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

NEW YORK (Sept. 19, 2013) — Last Saturday’s blockbuster boxing event — THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO — ranked as the highest-grossing pay-per-view of all time, with nearly $150 million in U.S. pay-per-view revenue reported to date. The news was announced today by Showtime Networks Inc., a division of CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS), in conjunction with event promoters Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
The SHOWTIME PPV presentation of THE ONE surpassed the previous record of $136 million generated by Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing event in 2007.

Preliminary reports from distributors show pay-per-view buys projected to be 2.2 million. While not fully reported from all distributors, the total buys could challenge the existing record of 2.48 million pay-per-view buys set by De La Hoya vs. Mayweather. The initial report immediately following the De La Hoya vs. Mayweather event in 2007 was 2.15. THE ONE has already exceeded the previous #2 event, the infamous World Heavyweight Championship bout between Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II (1.95 million, 1997).

The Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 event, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, was headlined by the #1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, who already holds the all-time record in gross pay-per-view receipts, and wildly popular Mexican challenger Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in a super welterweight world championship bout. Mayweather dominated the exciting fight and won by decision to remain undefeated with 45 wins in his 17 years as a professional. Also on the pay-per-view boxing card was Philadelphia’s Danny “Swift” Garcia who emerged as the #1 boxer in the world at 140 pounds with an action-packed decision win over Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse of Argentina. Both of these bouts will premiere on SHOWTIME® on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 9:00 PM, ET/PT. The telecast will include never-before-seen ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO footage from fight night. Then, on Wednesday, Sept. 25, SHOWTIME will conclude the ALL ACCESS series devoted to this event with “Epilogue,” premiering on SHOWTIME at 10:00 PM, ET/PT.

What had been called the biggest boxing event in years during the build-up proved worthy of the hype. Tickets for the event sold out within 24 hours of going on sale and set a new boxing record for live gate revenue at more than $20 million. Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions reported earlier a record number of sponsorship and sponsor activation for a boxing event and additional distribution records for live closed circuit viewing (over 26,000 tickets sold in Las Vegas alone) and live movie theatre screenings at more than 500 theatres nationwide. On Friday, before fight night, the crowd at the official

(More)

Showtime…2

weigh-in was believed to be the largest on record, featuring an announced attendance of more than 12,000 excited fans.

ABOUT “THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO”:
THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO was a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather’s WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship that took place Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, was promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Valvoline, Mexico Tourism, Fred Loya Insurance and Nature Nutrition. In the 12-round co-featured attraction, WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and thunderous puncher WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse squared off in a fight presented in association with Swift Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. Also, Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina squared off in a 12-round battle for Smith’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Title which is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing. The opening bout on SHOWTIME PPV featured a 10-round welterweight showdown between Pablo Cesar Cano and Ashley Theophane. The mega-event was produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® at 9:00 PM, ET/6:00 PM, PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP).
* * *

Former WBA Interim Featherweight Champion and current WBC #8-ranked super featherweight contender Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (22-0-1, 16 KOs) will face Colombian veteran Jose Carmona (22-3, 12 KOs) on Saturday, October 19, at the Palacio de los Deportes in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The power-punching super featherweights will meet in the main event of a historic night of boxing, presented by promoters Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing and Cesar Mercedes of Manguita Promociones, that will also feature no less than three women’s world championship fights.

24-year-old Fortuna, from La Romana, Dominican Republic, will be looking to rebound from the only blotch on his professional record, a draw with extremely capable former Olympian Luis Franco in August of this year. Fortuna lost his interim title on the scale last April before destroying challenger Miguel Zamudio by way of terrifying knockout.

24-year-old Carmona won the WBA Fedebol featherweight title earlier this year with unanimous deicsion over Gustavo Sandoval. He is currently riding a four-fight winning streak.

Also that night in separate 10-round bouts, three different women from Santo Domingo: IBF Female Featherweight World Champion Daihana Santana (32-6, 14 KOs), IBF Female Super Bantamweight Champion Katy Pamela “La Super Baby” Wilson (18-1, 11 KOs), and former women’s super-bantamweight world champion Marilyn “La Cachorrita” Hernandez (24-9, 15 KOs) will either defend or challenge for world championships.

Scheduled for the undercard are Santo Domingo’s undefeated WBA Fedelatin Bantamweight Champion Jonathan Guzman (14-0, 14 KOs); undefeated Santo Domingo super featherweight KO artist Braulio “El Chavo” Rodriguez (14-0, 14 KOs), as well as several other local favorites.

Further opponents will be announced shortly.

ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Las Vegas – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) and FOX Sports 1 have joined forces to present UFC Fight For The Troops, a special three-hour live televised event on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. ET, to raise funds for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund in support of the brave men and women serving our nation in the United States Armed Forces. Headlined by Army Green Beret Tim Kennedy and featuring armed forces veterans Liz Carmouche and Colton Smith, the fights will be attended by thousands of soldiers from Fort Campbell, home to the only Air Assault Division in the world, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Squaring off against Kennedy in the main event will be former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida. In the coming weeks, www.ufcfightforthetroops.com will be live and will have the most up to date details on the fight card as well as information about ways to donate or bid on exclusive auction items like VIP experiences, premium autograph merchandise and other collectibles.

To date the UFC has hosted two UFC Fight For The Troop events (2008 and 2011) that helped raise $4 million for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and The National Intrepid Center of Excellence, an advanced research facility in Bethseda, MD dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of military personnel and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health issues.

Media Credential Application Link:

Application Deadline: October 11, 2013
*Please note that this is a hard deadline, ABSOLUTELY NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE DUE TO REQUIRED SECURITY CLEARANCE
Confirmations Sent Out: Week of October 14
https://cervello.ufc.com/signup/FightfortheTroops

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

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, UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas and has offices in Beijing, Singapore, Sao Paolo, London, and Toronto. UFC produces more than 30 live events and 400 hours of programming annually with a library of more than 50,000 hours of content. The largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world, UFC is also broadcast on free-to-air, cable and satellite networks in over 145 countries, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 28 different languages. Leaders in digital distribution, UFC connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, YouTube, XBOX, Sony PlayStation, iTunes, Hulu, and Amazon.com as well as social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook where UFC has reached over 10 million followers.

About The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a national leader in supporting the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families, has provided more than $150 million in support for the families of military personnel lost in service to our nation, and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans. The Fund most recently opened the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) to support the research, diagnosis, and treatment of military personnel and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). In 2013 the Fund launched a new $100 million campaign to build nine NICoE satellite centers at major military bases around the country. These satellite centers will extend the care provided at NICoE to more service members and veterans suffering TBI, PTS and related afflictions.

About Fort Campbell

Fort Campbell is home to the Army’s most-deployed contingency forces—the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), “Screaming Eagles” and two Special Operations Command units, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). The installation supports active and reserve component units, Army civilians, Army families, retirees and veterans. Fort Campbell’s mission is to provide the highest standards of service and support to sustain readiness and well-being. The installation is at the forefront of change and continues to be a leader in developing innovative and proactive methodologies to meet the needs of its customers. Fort Campbell will soon offer the most advanced diagnosis and treatment for service members and veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress. June 2013, marked the groundbreaking for a NICoE satellite center at Fort Campbell, the third of nine to be funded by the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

I’ll never forget this week for the rest of my life.

A dream that started long ago as a five year old kid, was realized as a 33 year old man. I always wanted to fight on a super boxing event and I finally have.
I remember watching Mike Tyson, Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard in the 1980s and thinking I’d love to be part of that one day. Well that day happened on Saturday 14th September 2013.
A Floyd Mayweather fight is now so much more than just an event, it’s simply the biggest boxing show in the world.
The week started on Tuesday, when we had the ‘Grand Arrivals’ at the MGM Casino. That was unreal! It finally dawned on me then that this was really about to happen.
I train hard all the time regardless of the proximity of a fight. I thrive on it and enjoy it, so I push myself to be the best that I can be. Being in the gym training with great fighters can only get the best out of you.
Seeing the thousands of faces waiting in anticipation for the fighters at the Grand Arrival was crazy. That unique feeling of seeing my opponent, face to face for the first time – is unexplainable. You can’t prepare yourself for an event like this. You can watch it as a spectator, but actually being in there is another thing completely. There’s a heck of a lot of pressure to perform, but I feel like I was born for the big stage.
Pablo Cesar Cano had fought on a Floyd Mayweather card before against the legend, Erik Morales. He has fought Paul Malignaggi at the Barclays Centre in front of over ten thousand people. He has fought boxing legend, Shane Mosley in Mexico. He’d been part of big events before, so he knew the feeling. For me, this was both new and exhilarating.
I knew that I had fought and beaten better fighters than him, but occasions like this test the true character of a man. It can be daunting and nerve racking, or you can love the attention and thrive on the pressure. I loved the pressure and the attention!
Floyd told me later that day in the locker room, that all I have to do is win and he would get me a world title shot. He looked at me and said “you know I can make it happen”. He has presented me with a life changing opportunity, because he believes in me. I’ve waited and worked my whole life for this moment. I’m very grateful to him and Leonard Ellerbe.
On Wednesday the undercard fighters had the autograph signing, and a workout at the MGM Grand. It was again incredible. Everyone had their time slot to sign gloves, and take pictures with the fans. Following this, each fighter was given a chance to show off their skills in the ring in the lobby of the MGM Grand. World champions Ishe Smith and Danny Garcia followed myself and two time world title challenger, Pablo Cesar Cano.
Thursday was the press conference! Leonard Ellerbe introduced me, and summarized the story of how and why I was signed by Mayweather Promotions. Listening to him talk about me, made me feel proud of what I had accomplished. Being signed by the number one boxer in the world isn’t easy, but I achieved it with hard work, perseverance and resilience.
As I walked to the stage. I was surrounded by some of boxing’s top men; Richard Schaefer, Bernard Hopkins and Leonard Ellerbe. These are memorable and unforgettable times, they will last with me forever.
Hundreds of the world’s media were in attendance, patiently listening to me. I started by thanking Leonard and Floyd for this incredible opportunity, because without them, it would not have been possible.
I told my story of how I fell in love with boxing from watching Mike Tyson in the 80?s. Turning professional ten years ago in Britain with no one in Britain’s boxing establishment believing in me. But somehow I had become British champion, and beaten former world champion Demarcus Corley, two time world title challenger, Delvin Rodriguez, who fights Miguel Cotto next and dropped a split decision to world champion, Danny Garcia who had knocked out Amir Khan.
It feels good knowing that I’ve faced some very good fighters on the world stage.
I was told that I stole the show at the press conference, one reporter told me that my story is reminiscent of the “American dream”.
The weigh in at the MGM Garden Arena was filled with 12,000 fight fans, with by far the majority being Mexicans. I was the first to walk out with Notorious B.I.G’s song ‘Juicy’ banging out around the Arena. I signed t-shirts, stopped for pictures and shook hands on my way to the stage to weigh in.
I’ve obviously watched these things so many times on TV over the years, but to be part of it was truly amazing and something I’ll remember to my dying day. This week was the best week in my ten year boxing career.
I got to the stage and Richard Schaefer and Bernard Hopkins were already there. The Commissioner, and the most respected of boxing’s media were below watching and reporting on the proceedings. Some of the Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions fighters were lined up on stage watching; Shane Mosley, Devon Alexander, Amir Khan, Abnar Mares, Badou Jack, to name but a few.
Pablo Cesar Cano came to the stage after me. The crowd was electric, and we could feel them pulse through our veins as the world’s cameras focused on us. We both weighed in below the 143lb weight limit which was stipulated in the contract. The great modern day champion, Bernard Hopkins stood between us. We did the traditional stare down, no one blinking, no one showing fear. We both so much wanted and needed this win.
Danny Garcia, Lucas Matthysse, Ishe Smith, Saul Alvarez and Floyd Mayweather all weighed in after me. What a gathering to be part of. The bill had already broken the record for ticket sales, and Floyd Mayweather had also broken the record previously held by Mike Tyson, for the highest guaranteed purse of 41.5 million dollars. Which could rise to 100 million after PPV has been added to it.
I was playing my part in the biggest boxing show in history. Ashley Theophane from London. Who would have dared to think that ten years ago when I turned professional. Coming from where I’ve come from, I’m a winner already. I followed my dream and I made it a reality. From London to Las Vegas! But now I was here, I wanted so much more, on a platform like this – I so wanted to win.
Saturday 14th September 2013. Two time world title challenger Pablo Cesar Cano and I went at it, no quarter asked for, and believe me, none given. The Mexican fans were making a deafening roar for their man. Many of the fans in the arena were gripped to their seats.
It was a hell of a fight, it went back and forth. No respect was given, it was full on every minute. We both gave our all and both had to dig deeper than we ever had before. It was a relentless pace, and we felt each other’s blows again and again. The momentum changed quickly from one to the other, we called on our reserves and battled all the way to the final bell. It was tough, very tough indeed.
We waited anxiously for the scorecards, boxing judges Richard Houck and Patricia More seeing the fight different to Richard Ocasio, who scored the fight to me 96-94. He had his strong moments and I had mine. Just like my fight with future world champion Danny Garcia, it was a fight that could have gone either way.
British boxing legends, Ricky Hatton and David Haye both sent me positive messages after the fight. Ricky told me “what a great performance at world level”. David, who has inspired and motivated me with his performances over the years, gave me words of encouragement. “It’s good to be officially ‘world class’, so you never know what title shot may arise.”
Thank you gentlemen, you taking the time to share your supportive words with me will never be forgotten.
Floyd Mayweather told me after the fight that I’d be okay and that he still had love for me. When he was doing his post-fight press conference he told the world’s media “Ashley fought like a champion, I’m still proud of you”.
René Carayol flew from the UK to watch me take part in a historical event. He was proud of my performance and told me “The dream continues”.
Very few people are able to follow their dream and make it a reality. It takes hard work, dedication, and you have to be very mentally strong as you’ll come across many non-believers who, if allowed to, can suck your energy and self-belief. I have not given them the pleasure of seeing me wilt on my special journey.
I only have very good things to say about Floyd Mayweather. He’s obviously a great elite athlete, but he’s an even greater person. Floyd, the most sincere thanks for believing and investing in me.
CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe gave me this extraordinary opportunity, and also believes in my talent.
On the long and arduous road to success, set backs are a necessary part of the process. I have the best team in the world behind me. We will get there!
Some succeed because they are destined to. But most succeed because they are determined to.
I have learned loads, I gave loads and took loads from this unbelievable experience – winners never quit, and quitters never win. I’m no quitter.

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 18) – Nearly 8-out-of-10 households in Mexico with a television set tuned into last Saturday’s “THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo” mega-fight live on Televisa’s Channel 5. The 12-round majority decision fight, which Mayweather won, garnered a national rating of 41.1 points, which equates to a 77 percent share, 22.1 million viewers and 5.9 million television households, making it the highest-rated boxing program ever on television in Mexico. The telecast peaked with a National rating of 42 points (78.4 percent share/22.6 million viewers6 million television households) and the total program average from 8:00 p.m. CT to 12:30 a.m. CT was 30.1 points (16.2 million viewers/4.3 million television households).

“Boxing fans demanded “THE ONE” and when we gave it to them they responded with these record ratings,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “This proves that great fights with great fighters like Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez will always strike a chord with viewers and that Canelo is undisputed as the biggest star Mexican boxing has today.”

The last time a sporting event rated this high on Televisa was in 1999, for a Copa Confederaciones soccer final between Mexico vs. Brazil, with the only other programs rating this high in Mexico being select, very popular telenovelas on Televisa’s Channel 2.

The previous viewership high for Canelo, who has never garnered less than 7.5 million viewers for one of his eight appearances on Televisa, was his April bout against Austin “No Doubt” Trout, which pulled in a 28 point rating and over 15 million viewers.

For more information, visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com , www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.canelopromotions.com and www.TelevisaDeportes.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mayweatherpromo, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/canelopromotion, and www.twitter.com/TD_Deportes. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @MayweatherPromotions @GoldenBoyBoxing.

In the wake of her controversial scorecard that had this past Saturday night’s bout between Floyd Mayweather and Saul Alvarez be a draw, judge CJ Ross has stepped down as a judge in Nevad according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Luckily two othwe judges rightly scored the fight in favor of Mayweather thus giving him a majority decision.

“I will be taking some time off from boxing but will keep in touch,” Ross wrote.

“We respect her decision, and appreciate her love of the sport she has served for over 20 years,” said Nevad executive director Keth Kizer. “She came into the [commission] office [on Tuesday] and spoke with chairman [Bill] Brady, commissioner [Francisco] Aguilar and me.”

“She did not get too in depth, especially without a DVD of the bout,” Kizer said. “She referenced it was round-by-round scoring, and that overall she thought Mayweather outperformed Alvarez.”

“I apologized to the governor for any embarrassment we may have caused the state,” Brady told the newspaper. “He made me aware of his concerns. He wants things done right.”

“There will be more questions asked, and Keith will be held accountable for his recommendations,” Brady told the Review-Journal. “We won’t be a rubber stamp anymore.”