Dhafir Smith 175.5 – Anthony Caputo Smith 176.25
DeCarlo Perez 155.75 – Julius Kennedy 156.5
Damon Allen 137.5 – Joseph Ahaamid 137
Julio DeJesus 139.25 – Ariel Duran 139
Arthur Parker 125.25 – Drew Aguillar 125

Venue: Harrahs Philadelphia
Promoter : Joey Eye Boxing & David Feldman
1st bell: 7:30 pm est
Broadcast: www.gfl.tv (Delayed)

Photo Credit—John Disanto / www.phillyboxinghistory.com

Tickets are now on sale for $85 (VIP); $70 (Ringside) and $50 (General Admission) and can be purchased at the Harrahs Philadelphia Gift Shop; By calling Joey Eye (267-304-9399); David Feldman (610-291-0806); 800-480-8020 or on http://www.webtix.net/

FURY vs. CUNNINGHAM and STEVENS vs. FINDLEY

FIGHT NIGHT: SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH

NBC at 4PM ET

FIGHT VENUE: THE THEATER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Photo Credits to Larry Levanti/Main Events

NEW YORK – The main event weigh-in for the NBC Sports Fight Night broadcast featuring Tyson Fury vs. Steve Cunningham will air nationally on NBC Sports Network on “The Crossover” at 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT Friday, April 19th. The Crossover airs daily at 6 PM and is hosted by Michelle Beadle and Dave Briggs. Fight Night’s own ringside reporter, Chris Mannix, will be subbing for Briggs and sharing co-hosting duties with Beadle on Friday.
Click here to be directed to The Crossover website

APRIL 20TH FIGHT INFO

April 20th at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York features a 12-round heavyweight battle between Tyson Fury and Steve Cunningham in the main event. Curtis Stevens will take on Derrick Findley in the 8-round middleweight co-feature. Six additional bouts are planned for the undercard. Doors open at The Theater at Madison Square Garden doors open at 1:15PM ET. The main event and co-feature will be broadcast 4PM ET on NBC as a special 2 hour afternoon presentation of NBC Fight Night. The card is presented by Hennessy Sports and Main Events.

The main event is an official IBF Heavyweight Voluntary Eliminator fight for the #2 position. The winner must meet #1 or the leading available contender to establish the mandatory challenger for Heavyweight King Wladimir Klitschko.

Tickets are priced at $50, $100, $250 and $500. Tickets are available at the Madison Square Garden box office, through Ticketmaster 866-858-0008 and at ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices include a $5 Facility Surcharge. Ticketmaster purchases are subject to a Ticketmaster Surcharge. Wheelchairs, companion seats, aisle seats and Assistive Listening Devices are available 212-465-6035.

Javier Fortuna 126.8 vs. Miguel Zamudio 125.4

(Fortuna automatically loses WBA interim World featherweight Championship due to not making the 126-poundlimit. He initially weighed 127. Zamudio can still win title if he wins.)

John Jackson 154.2 vs. Cerresso Fort 155

Jonathan Batista 147.6 vs.Emmanuel Lartei Lartey 144.6

Dean Burrel 137.2 vs. Vernon Alston 135.6

Anthony Young 147 vs. Rafael Montalvo 145.4

Date: Friday, April 19

Promoter: Sampson Boxing

Venue:Tropicana Casino & Resort (Tropicana Showroom)

TV: ESPN Friday Night Fights

Tickets for “Fortuna vs. Zamudio” are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or at the Tropicana box office on fight night.

On fight night, doors open at 7:00 (approx.) and the action starts at 8:00. The Tropicana Casino & Resort is located at 2831 Boardwalk in Atlantic City.

Costa Mesa, CA: Besides it being the biggest Fight Club OC show in the three year history of the bi monthly fight series, with eight pro bouts featured on the Thursday, April 11th show in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center, it was also the most lucrative show ever.

Fight Club OC promoter Roy Englebrecht announced today that the live gate for the April 11th show was $61,013, which set a record for not only any Fight Club OC show, but was also bigger than any gate he did over 25 years at his Battle In The Ballroom shows at the Irvine Marriott.

“A big thank you to the fight fans in Southern California, and especially all the fighters on the show who did an incredible job in ticket sales,” said Englebrecht.

The next Fight Club OC show is Thursday, June 6th.

New York, NY (4/18/13) – This Saturday night at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, WBC #3-rated junior welterweight Ajose Olusegun (30-1, 18KO’s) will return to action for the first time since suffering his first pro defeat to Lucas Matthysse in a bout for the interim WBC title in September of last year. Olusegun will take on veteran Rynell Griffin in an eight-round bout. The fight is promoted by Hitz Entertainment, in association with DiBella Entertainment.

“I am so glad that I’m getting back in the ring,” said Olusegun. “This is going to be my first fight after my loss to Matthysse and I can’t wait to do my thing.”

Olusegun participated for his native Nigeria in the 2000 Olympics before successfully turning pro in May 2001 with a first-round TKO over Tony Montana.

He won the junior welterweight Commonwealth title in 2007 and defended the belt four times before picking up the British junior welterweight title in 2009.

With all of his professional bouts, up to that point, taking place in the U.K., Olusegun decided to relocate to the U.S. and signed with DiBella Entertainment (DBE). In his first fight under the DBE banner, Olusegun won a dominant near shut-out 12-round unanimous decision over Ali Chebah (35-1). The bout, which took place on Showtime®, was an official WBC light welterweight title eliminator.

The win earned Olusegun his shot at the title against Matthysse. In a grueling and entertaining slugfest, Olusegun was stopped in the 10th-round of their scheduled 12-round championship bout. Olusegun admitted after that bout that he fought the wrong fight, but he took the loss as a learning experience. He is hoping to work his way back into another world title opportunity soon and has even offered up his services to IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander, who was scheduled to fight Kell Brook May 18, before Brook had to pull out after suffering an injury during training.

“I know that Devon is currently looking for an opponent and I would love to get in the ring against him. This is a great opportunity for me to share a ring with the champ and I am willing and able to step in. I am sure boxing fans around the world will like this matchup, so I’m ready to give everyone an exciting fight. I’m here, let’s make it happen.”

# # #

MONTREAL (April 18, 2013) – Yesterday at noon, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) issued a statement about Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM)-promoted Kevin Bizier being appointed as the new mandatory challenger to IBF world welterweight champion Devon Alexander.

Alexander was scheduled to face his mandatory challenger, Kell Brook, of England, May 18 in Atlantic City on Showtime, but Brook was injured during training and had to withdraw. To ensure Bizier’s presence in Atlantic City to fight Alexander, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaeffer also contacted the president of GYM, Yvon Michel, offering a very attractive proposition.

All members of Team Bizier – Kevin, Michel, Marc Ramsay, and Remi Bizier — met yesterday to analyze the entire situation.The unanimous conclusion of this meeting was to refuse the IBF and Golden Boy’s proposal. The current circumstances do not allow Kevin Bizier sufficient training and preparation required to participate in a fight of this magnitude against the established IBF champion. A letter was also sent this morning to the Chairman of the IBF Championships Committee, Mr. Lindsey Tucker, for this purpose.

“We believe that Kevin Bizier has the talent to become World welterweight champion this year,” Michel said. “We thank the IBF and Golden Boy for the opportunity offered but, unfortunately, we had to decline because Kevin would not have been able to offer a performance, given the current context, at the height of his talent. This is only a postponement.”

Meanwhile, Bizier is currently ranked No. 3 by the IBF and No. 6 by the World Boxing Association (WBA). He is still developing and expected to rise even higher in world rankings. His next fight will take place May 25, as planned, on the Pascal vs. Bute super event in Montreal.

About Groupe Yvon Michel Inc.:

Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers through supportive coaching and management, especially in competition. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events. Since its inception eight years ago, GYM has presented 108 events, including some historic in terms of ticket sales and PPV views, like Pascal vs. Hopkins I and II. GYM has produced over 300 hours of TV for Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, TVA Sports, VOX, TVA, CBC, RDS and V, in Canada, as well as HBO, Showtime and ESPN in the US. A total of six different GYM boxers have fought in 16 world championship fights. Under the tutelage of GYM, Joachim Alcine captured the WBA super welterweight title in 2007 and Jean Pascal the WBC Light Heavyweight championship in 2009.

CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC Super Welterweight World Champion

“If I want to win this fight, I have to move fast. I have to watch out for Trout’s left. I’ve been studying his style and I can definitely adapt to it. It’s going to be tough, but I know I can beat him. I trust I have what it takes to beat him.

“On Saturday, after defeating Trout, I will raise my hand and my belt and will be thinking of my brother. That belt is his.

“I’m 100 percent ready for Trout. He’s a world-class boxer and an undefeated world champion.

“I’m thankful to the people of San Antonio. They give me great motivation and they have an amazing energy.

“I’m very grateful and happy to be here.

“I’m maintaining weight. I’m training hard. I’m ready.

“I’m visualizing the fight. I’m very focused and very determined. Saturday is going to be my night.

“I’d like to thank my fans for their support. I’m anxious to give them the show they want on Saturday.

“I’m excited to be part of all this. I feel motivated that Oscar De La Hoya is part of all this. It makes me happy to be part of his team.

“I’m the type of boxer that adapts well to other styles.

“When I step into the ring, the best of me comes out.

“I’m ready for Trout. I’m ready to not let my fans down. I’m ready to win.”

AUSTIN “NO DOUBT” TROUT, WBA Super Welterweight World Champion

“We just want to up the intensity from the Miguel Cotto fight. Even though they’re not the same fighter, they have similar styles. We want to up the intensity because Canelo is a bit more intense of a fighter than Miguel Cotto.

“He’s an all-around fighter and he doesn’t have many faults, but he’s not as strong in some areas as others and we’re going to exploit that. We’re preparing for the total package.

“Canelo’s a world champion so he has to have what it takes. They wouldn’t have given him the belt otherwise.

“I’m ecstatic to be the focal point of over 38,000 people. It’s wonderful. I really just can’t wait to be in that atmosphere.

“If Canelo’s not ready now, he’s never going to be. I’m excited to get in there and I’m glad he put his foot down to make this fight happen.

(On the public turnout at Wednesday’s workout) “It’s love. I appreciate all the love. They’re the reason that boxing is going to thrive for ages. It’s one of the oldest sports and it’s not dying anytime soon. This is evidence of it right here.

“Anything is possible. We’ve done things that people said couldn’t be done. I believe God does miracles everyday. I’m not saying it’s going to beat the man, but it can be done. Impossible is a mind state and I don’t have that type of mind state.

“My focus is to just be in shape. We know he’s going to bring it, so we want to make sure we can up the intensity when we need to.

“I don’t think it’s going to be difficult at all fighting in front of these fans. It’s the opponent that’s going to make it difficult. The crowd isn’t going to make it harder or easier. Canelo is going to make it harder. So the crowd is not going to stray me or bother me one bit.

“My hometown is really divided being that it’s a mostly Latin area, but we have a lot of support coming from Las Cruces. Mexican blood is thick and it’s hard to divide that. They’re the best fans to have. If I could have them adopt me as their own champion, I’d be ecstatic because they’re loyal and they fight for their guys. My whole goal is to just take that love and push it onto me.

“Canelo is a champion and he wants to please his fans. If his fans didn’t say that he needed to fight me to prove that he’s the true champion, then I don’t think he would have done it.

“My strategy is to win by any means possible. Whether it is brawling, boxing, moving, sticking there, staying there, whatever I need to do. We’re going to win.

“I want to be a legend in this game. I don’t want to be a one-hit wonder.

“I’ve been the underdog a lot. What they think doesn’t bother me. I think ‘underdog’ is a mind state. I’m here to win. I’m here to win decisively. What the odds say, what the people say, is not really going to affect what happens in the ring.

“I’ve prepared for it and the way I’m feeling right now in my heart and in my mind, that’s what is going to affect the fight.

“The formula is the same (as against Miguel Cotto), but we know they’re not the same fighter. Canelo is in his prime, he’s undefeated and he’s not battle worn. He’s still got a lot of pop and life left in him. Although the formula is the same, we have to up the intensity and we’re not treating him as the same fighter.

“I fought his style of fighter my whole life being from Las Cruces, New Mexico, and fighting around the area. I’m not sure if he’s fought my style, though and we’ll see the difference come Saturday.”

ABNER COTTO, WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Champion

“First, I want to thank the public of San Antonio for being here. Then, I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for giving me this opportunity. I’m so proud that I’m fighting at the Alamodome in front of over 30,000 people. It’s a true honor.

“It’s truly an honor to fight on the same card as Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout. They’re both great boxers. It’s not going to be easy for Canelo. Trout is a tough fighter. After all, he beat my cousin [future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto]. To be honest, I don’t know who’s going to win. I’m not going to make a prediction.

“When I have to fight, I’m always ready to fight at my best.

“I’ll be representing my people from Puerto Rico on Saturday at the Alamodome and I won’t let them down.”

JERMELL CHARLO, Top Super Welterweight Prospect

“I’m so happy to come back to San Antonio. I really enjoy the boxing fans here. They’re so nice and excited about boxing in this city.

“I feel good. I’ve been training hard. I’m focused and I’m ready.

“This is my shot…my first real shot. This is my chance to show not only San Antonio, but also the boxing world, what I’m made of and what I can do.”

RAUL MARTINEZ, Top Bantamweight Prospect

“I’ll be in my prime in a couple years. I’m training very hard. This fight means a lot to me. It’s my chance to move forward.

“I’ve had tough times, but boxing is a tough sport.

“I don’t have a promoter right now, but I have a great trainer, Jesse James Leija. He’s truly an inspiration to me.

“It’s an honor to be here working out at The Alamo. I’ve been to workouts before, but none like this one. This is awesome. Being in front of my people is an amazing feeling.

“To me, if you go by what you believe and you put a lot of effort and pride into it, you will get something out of it.

“I look up to Jesse [James Leija]. He gives me energy and he motivates me. When we’re training, I want to show him what I have and what I’m made of. He makes me want to punch harder.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions

“This fight will truly show the world what Canelo is made of. This is the opportunity he has needed to prove himself.

“I can’t wait to be in that arena on Saturday night. With almost 40,000 people in the Alamodome, it’s going to be rocking.

“It’s just amazing the draw that Canelo is. At 22 years old, his following is unlike anything I have seen in a long time.

“This is going to be a tough, tough fight. Canelo has his work cut out for him. Trout showed what he is made of when he fought Cotto and he is going to have to bring that intensity and more on Saturday night.”

JESSE JAMES LEIJA, President of Leija Battah Promotions and Texas Boxing Legend

“We brought the big fight here and San Antonio responded.

“Not only was I proud to fight here every time I stepped into the ring to fight, I am proud as a promoter to bring big fights here now.

“This is such a tough fight. I can’t pick a winner.

“If the energy in the arena is anything like it was 20 years ago when Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker, you will be able to feel the electricity through your body.”

# # #

Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight for

Canelo’s WBC title, Trout’s WBA title and the vacant Ring Magazine title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The co-main event will be a 10-round fight between undefeated prospects Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas and Abner Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico which is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions and will be a WBC lightweight semi-final elimination bout for the vacant NABA Lightweight Championship and Cotto’s WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Championship. The fights will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with Canelo vs. Trout being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Newly released tickets priced at $150, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are limited to eight per person and on sale now only at the Alamodome box office

PROVIDENCE.(April 18, 2013) – After his awesome and complete destruction of Gadiel Andaluz last Saturday night, on the Nonito Donaire-Guillermo Rigondeaux undercard at the famed Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Providence’s undefeated super featherweight prospect Toka “T Nice” Kahn-Clary’s (5-0, 4 KOs) star is shining brighter than ever.

Liberia-native Kahn-Clary dropped Andaluz (4-5-1, 2 KOs) three times in the opening round en route to a victory by technical knockout at the 1:32 mark.

“I wanted to make a statement to fans, friends and my promoter, Top Rank, that I’m a good fighter and will be one of the top fighters in the world someday,” the 20-year-old Kahn-Clary said. “My opponent had been knocked out once in nine pro fights. The plan was for me to out-box him and go four rounds. We knew that he was a pressure fighter and he’d run into a lot of my shots. I stepped back, hit him with a left, and down he went. I didn’t expect that to happen but I knew I hurt him on the first knockdown.”

“We hit a home run, make that a grand slam,” added Kahn-Clary’s head trainer Peter Manfredo, Sr. “He hit a tough guy with some really good shots. We knew he was a tough Puerto Rican kid who would be the aggressor. We had worked in the gym at Toka using his jab and then bringing in the left. He did that right from the start and boom; he hurt Andaluz with a big left. We’d also been working on Toka relaxing when he threw punches, stepping back, being quick, and accuracy. It all paid off last Saturday night.

“Toka jumped on his opponent after the eight-count. Everything comes off his jab, he popped him with another left and put him down again, and then he did it the third time when the fight was stopped. Everybody who is anybody in boxing was there and Toka turned in a great performance under pressure. He proved he could do the job under the bright lights. He’s really matured and that’s what has impressed me the most.”

Kahn-Clary’s fight was the swing bout but Top Rank moved it to the second-to-last fight of the night, right before the high-profile Donaire-Rigondeaux main event, in front of a packed house.

“It was exciting to fight in front of so many people, almost like I was in the co-feature, only not on HBO,” Kahn-Clary noted. “Peter told me to calm down when I’m throwing punches and I did that. I wanted to show all of my skills for people to see what I can do.

“I’m hoping that my next fight is a six-rounder. I’d like to fight four or five rounds. I’ve had five fights now as a pro and I’ve only fought 12 rounds. I need more experience because I know I’m not going to knockout everybody I fight.”

Promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Kahn-Clary was a standout amateur who captured a gold medal at the 2010 U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament. He fights out of the new Manfredo Boxing Sports Fitness gym in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

PHILADELPHIA (April 18, 2013)—This Friday night, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania native Anthony Caputo Smith (13-1, 10 KO’s) has a big opportunity to advance his career when he takes on Dhafir Smith for the Pennsylvania State Light Heavyweight title at Harrahs Philadelphia.

That bout will headline a nine bout card that is promoted by Joey Eye Boxing Promotions and David Feldman.

The twenty-seven year old sees this not only a chance to capture his first belt but a gateway to the future.

“I want to win this title because it will open up great opportunities for me”, said Caputo Smith

But he will have to do it against the battles tested Dhafir Smith (26-23-7, 4 KO’s). A man who has been in with everyone and has a win over former world champion Jeff Lacy.

“Dhafir is a great fighter and it should be a heck of a fight. I have seen him fight on Youtube and I am ready for the fight. I am prepared to put on a good show and get the win”

Despite having a modest 9-5 amateur career but his never quit attitude has propelled to the 13-1 professional mark.

Smith owns a business called Caputo and Guest Mushrooms which grows and sells Mushrooms.

That is the main event of the ten round card. The rest of the card as follws:

In an eight round Jr. Middleweight bout, DeCarlo Perez (9-2-1, 3 KO’s) of Atlantic City takes on Julius Kennedy (7-4-1, 3 KO’s) of Windsor Mill, MD.

In a six round Lightweight bout, Victor Vasquez (16-7-1, 7 KO’s) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named.

Julio DeJesus (7-3-3, 4 KO’s) of Chester, PA battles Ariel Duran (7-3-1, 4 KO’s) of New York in a six round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Javontae Starks (6-0, 5 KO’s) of Minneapolis, MN takes on an opponent to be named in a six round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Alex Barbosa (4-1-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will box Jose Del Valle (0-1-2) of Corozal, Puerto Rico in a four round Super Bantamweight tilt.

Super Bantamweight Arthur Parker (1-8-1, 1 KO ) of Lancaster, PA takes on debuting Drew Aguillar of Philadelphia in a four round Super Bantamweight bout.

Welterweight Anthony Prescott (1-1-1, 1 KO) of Cherry Hill, NJ takes on an opponent to be named in a four round bout.

In a battle of pro debuting Lightweights, Amateur standout Damon Allen takes on Joseph Ahaamid.

Tickets are now on sale for $85 (VIP); $70 (Ringside) and $50 (General Admission) and can be purchased at the Harrahs Philadelphia Gift Shop; By calling Joey Eye (267-304-9399); David Feldman (610-291-0806); 800-480-8020 or on http://www.webtix.net/

LAREDO, TX (April 18, 2013) – On the heels of Tax Day, two-division world champion VIC “Raging Bull” DARCHINYAN is looking to file a happy return to the ring when he makes his Top Rank and 2013 debut. The former flyweight and super flyweight world champion and current Top-Three contender will take on Tijuana toughman Francisco Javier Gallo in a 10-round super bantamweight rumble, on Saturday, May 11, under the stars at the Uni-Trade Stadium in Laredo, TX. This marks the inaugural boxing event at Uni-Trade Stadium, the new state-of-the-art home of the Laredo Lemurs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball League.

Darchinyan vs. Gallo will be televised live on UniMás, as the main event of Solo Boxeo Tecate, beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET. The telecast will also feature two-time Méxican Olympian ÓSCAR VALDEZ in a six-round featherweight battle. Darchinyan and Valdez are managed by Frank Espinoza.

“Vic brings an all-action style of fighting to a very exciting boxing division,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank. “I am looking forward to watching Vic bring it on May 11.”

Darchinyan (38-5-1, 27 KOs), a native of Armenia, who fights out of Sydney, Australia, was a member of Armenia’s 2000 Olympic boxing team. He won his first world title in his 22nd professional bout, knocking out undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Irene Pacheco in the 11th round of their 2004 battle, ending Pacheco’s five-year reign. During his own three-year tenure as world champion, Darchinyan successfully defended his tile six times – all by stoppage – against the division’s top contenders. After losing the title to Nonito Donaire, in 2007, Darchinyan moved up in weight and claimed the IBF junior bantamweight crown, knocking out defending champion Dimitri Kirilov in the fifth round. He unified the 115 pound world titles in his next fight, knocking out World Boxing Council (WBC) / World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares in the ninth round. He successfully defended his titles three times during his two-year reign as unified super flyweight champion, including an 11th-round stoppage of Méxican icon Jorge Arce. Darchinyan vacated his titles in mid-2010 to campaign as a bantamweight, defeating former IBF bantamweight champion Yonnhy Perez, Evans Mbamba and Eric Barcelona, while losing competitive decisions to world champions Abner Mares, Joseph Agbeko and Shinsuke Yamanaka. In his last fight, which took place last September, Darchinyan made his debut as a super bantamweight, winning the NABF title by shellacking previously undefeated prospect Luis Del Valle. Darchinyan is currently world-rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and No.3 by the WBC.

Gallo (18-6-1, 10 KOs), of Tijuana, México, is a stocky brawler with an aggressive style, At the age of 29, Gallo is an eight-year pro. At his best, he pressures his opponents and wears them down. He is tough, determined and experienced against good opposition. Over one half of his victories have come by way of knockout.

Valdez (3-0, 3 KOs), of Nogales, México, represented México in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. In last year’s London Games, fighting as bantamweight, he advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to eventual Silver Medalist John Joe Nevin of Ireland, despite Nevin taking a standing 8-count in the final round from a body shot. Trained by his father, Óscar Sr., Valdez returns to the ring fresh from a fourth-round TKO victory over Carlos Gonzalez on the undercard of the March 16 Tim Bradley-Ruslan Provodnikov battle at The Home Depot Center.

Remaining tickets, priced at $15 (reserved) and $20 (box), and VIP Field Tables priced at $500 and $750 (for 10 people), can be purchased at Uni-Trade Stadium box office only. Vouchers for FREE general admission tickets are available at all participating Laredo-area Whataburger Restaurants, while supplies last.

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

18 April 2013 – Manila: ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC), presented by Casino Filipino and in association with Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC), announced today three additional bouts for ONE FC: RISE TO POWER. Kevin Belingon will battle Masakatsu Ueda in the final of the Bantamweight Grand Prix. The winner will get a shot at the ONE FC Bantamweight Title. Plus, Eduard Folayang is back in action against Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) veteran Kamal Shalorus and fan favorite Phil Baroni will return to the famed ONE FC cage to take on the KO artist from Japan, Nobutatsu Suzuki. All the action takes place live on 31 May from the MOA Arena in Manila, Philippines.

Tickets for ONE FC: RISE TO POWER will launch in Casino Filipino branches across the Philippines starting on 22 April 2013.

Fans from around the world can witness the action online via live streaming at www.onefc.livesport.tv.

The first two undercard fights are available for viewing free-of-charge and the main card fights will be available for purchase at just US$9.99.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship™ Victor Cui stated, “ONE FC: RISE TO POWER will feature some of the biggest names in Asian MMA as we return to the fight capital of Asia. I’m beyond excited to see Honorio Banario back in action in front of his home crowd at the state-of-the art Mall of Asia Arena. Bibiano Fernandes taking on Koetsu Okazaki has all the ingredients for a possible Fight of the Night with one of the world’s greatest pound-for-pound fighters squaring off against a Japanese submission artist who is known for his impressive grappling game. I know fans cannot wait to watch these warriors collide on 31 May.”

The Bantamweight Grand Prix Final is also set and both fighters are ready to showcase their skills in Manila to earn a shot at the biggest Bantamweight title belt in Asia.

Bantamweight GP Finalist Kevin Belingon is a Filipino MMA champion and one of the best MMA fighters ever to emerge from the Philippines. It took him a few fights to become accustomed to competing inside the ONE FC cage but once he found his rhythm, the result was spectacular as he blasted through Yusup Saadulaev and Thanh Vu in less than a round to earn a slot in the Bantamweight Grand Prix Final. Known as “The Silencer” because he prefers to let his fists and feet do the talking, Belingon is a Wushu specialist with fast hands and devastating low kicks. He says that he is in the best shape of his life and nothing can stop him from earning a shot at the coveted ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship Title. His opponent is a veteran who is not at all concerned about fighting on Belingon’s home soil on 31 May.

Masakatsu Ueda is a Bellator veteran and former Shooto Featherweight Champion, a belt he defended successfully three times. He has an outstanding 17-2-2 record which makes him one of the best Bantamweights in the world. He was a very successful college wrestler who won numerous national wrestling competitions in Japan as well as the all Japan Shooto Grappling Championship. A very well-rounded fighter, he submitted MMA legend Jens Pulver at ONE FC: KINGS & CHAMPIONS to earn a slot in the final of the Bantamweight Grand Prix. Ueda understands the magnitude of this fight and knows very well that Belingon will be the toughest test of his career.

A Lightweight bout that is sure to get the crowd on their feet will pit Filipino MMA legend Eduard Folayang against UFC veteran Kamal Shalorus.

Folayang is a legend in the Philippines where he is universally regarded as MMA’s equivalent to boxing phenomenon Manny Pacquiao. A former school teacher, he is renowned for being humble and respectful outside the cage but a determined and relentless competitor inside. The Baguio-born mixed martial artist is never in a boring fight and the sight of Folayang struggling in a tough battle, but somehow finding a way to win in the end, is one which fight fans have become accustomed to. Folayang will square off against the resilient submission specialist from Iran, Kamal Shalorus.

Shalorus was born in the city of Khalkhal in Iran. He began wrestling as a teenager before moving to the United States to train in MMA. He is a UFC and WEC veteran with notable wins over Justin Milles and Bart Palaszewski. Shalorus will need to bring it all when he steps into the ONE FC cage for the first time at ONE FC: RISE TO POWER.

Manila’s favorite slugger Phil Baroni will be back in action on 31 May when he battles up and coming Japanese mixed martial artist Nobutatsu Suzuki. Baroni has faced some of the toughest opponents in the world and is renowned for his one-punch knockout power. Despite being one of the hardest punchers to ever compete in MMA, it’s not just Baroni’s hard-hitting fists that the fans come to see. His brash and charismatic personality and inimitable swagger down the fighter’s entrance makes him one of the biggest showmen in MMA. Suzuki is the complete opposite in personality but identical in fighting style. Eight of his fights have been won via impressive KO. On 31 May, he will look to make Baroni number nine.

ONE FC: RISE TO POWER is headlined by a ONE FC Featherweight World Championship bout between reigning champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario against number one contender Koji Oishi and pound-for-pound king Bibiano Fernandes taking on Koetsu Okazaki for the ONE FC Bantamweight Interim Title. All the action takes place live from the MOA Arena in Manila, Philippines.

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

About ONE Fighting Championship™

Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Fighting Championship™ (http://www.onefc.com) is Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization. ONE Fighting Championship™ hosts the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Fighting Championship™ has partnered with STAR Sports, the number one leader in sports content, for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans across 70+ countries in Asia.

Juergen Braehmer (39-2, 30 KOs) expects a brutal challenge. The 34-year-old
will defend his newly won European Light Heavyweight Championship on April
27. The German takes on Tony Averlant (18-7-2, 4 KOs), a real warrior inside
the ring, at the Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany and not only risks his belt but
also the position as WBO mandatory challenger. As Braehmer held the title of
the World Boxing Organization in the past, his motivation to regain his
beloved crown is immense. Therefore, it comes as a surprise that he is
willing to risk it all in a fight that will be anything but a walk in the
park.

Although the 29-year-old Frenchman has lost his last fight against Mounir
Toumi, Braehmer knows that he will pose a real threat. “I don’t believe the
fight with Toumi says anything about Averlant´s abilities,” so the German.
“He broke his hand right at the beginning and still carried on through the
whole duration of the bout. If anything it proves what a strong will the guy
has and that he never gives up.”

The last time Averlant challenged for the European Championship was in March
of 2012. Back then, his opponent of the night was the very same guy who
Braehmer defeated and consequently took the EBU Belt from, Eduard Gutknecht.
“The bout with Gutknecht was really impressive. It was a very close decision
and it could have gone either way. So Averlant was very unlucky to have lost
that fight. At the end of the day, I know that I will do everything I can to
win. I have a clear goal in sight and that is once again to be crowned as
the champion of the world. In order to do so, I have to beat a guy whose
style is very uncomfortable.”

The motivation to finally becoming the champion of Europe is huge for
Averlant. “I am very appreciative that Team Sauerland has given me another
opportunity to fight for it,” said the challenger. “But they should be
prepared to have a titlist less in their ranks.”

Tickets for the big show at the Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany on April 27 are
available at www.eventim.de and www.boxen.com.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (April 17, 2013)—This Friday night at Harrahs Philadelphia, one of the best amateur boxers in the United States is set to make his pro debut as Lightweight Damon Allen will take on Joseph Ahaamid in a bout scheduled for four rounds.

The fight is part of a packed nine bout card promoted by Joey Eye Boxing and David Feldman.

The main event will feature a ten round bout for the Pennsylvania State Light Heavyweight bout featuring Dhafir Smith (26-23-7, 4 KO’s) of Upper Darby, PA and Anthony Caputo Smith (13-1, 10 KO’s) of Kennett Square, PA.

Allen of Philadelphia competed in over 160 amateur bouts and looks forward to his debut.

“I am feeling good. I just came back from the USA Championships and I am anxious to turn pro.” said Allen.
The twenty year-old’s amateur pedigree is long and decorated.

Allen was a top-two junior and then went on to win the bronze in the United States Championships which gained him an automatic qualifier for the 2012 Olympic Trials.

After competing in the 2013 Championships, Allen is ready for his pro debut.

Allen is signed to powerful D & D Management.

The management team consisting of Doc Nowicki and David Price have a strong stable of fighters between them which include former world title challengers Mike Jones and Teon Kennedy as well as contenders Emanuel Taylor and top
prospects Naim Nelson, Jesse Hart, Mark Rideout and Todd Unthank-May.

“D & D Management is the hottest management team around and I just want to be added to the list of great fighters that they already have. That will start on Friday as I am ready to take over the pro ranks and am excited to make my debut in front of a lot of family and friends.”, finished Allen

Allen is trained by his father Damon Allen Sr.

Besides the Allen – Ahaamid fight and the main event, the rest of the card is as follows:

In an eight round Jr. Middleweight bout, DeCarlo Perez (9-2-1, 3 KO’s) of Atlantic City takes on Julius Kennedy (7-4-1, 3 KO’s) of Windsor Mill, MD.

In a six round Lightweight bout, Victor Vasquez (16-7-1, 7 KO’s) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named.
Julio DeJesus (7-3-3, 4 KO’s) of Chester, PA battles Ariel Duran (7-3-1, 4 KO’s) of New York in a six round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Javontae Starks (6-0, 5 KO’s) of Minneapolis, MN takes on an opponent to be named in a six round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Alex Barbosa (4-1-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will box Jose Del Valle (0-1-2) of Corozal, Puerto Rico in a four round

Super Bantamweight tilt.
Super Bantamweight Arthur Parker (1-8-1, 1 KO ) of Lancaster, PA takes on debuting Drew Aguillar of Philadelphia in a
four round Super Bantamweight bout.
\
Welterweight Anthony Prescott (1-1-1, 1 KO) of Cherry Hill, NJ takes on an opponent to be named in a four round bout.

Tickets are now on sale for $85 (VIP); $70 (Ringside) and $50 (General Admission) and can be purchased at the Harrahs

Philadelphia Gift Shop; By calling Joey Eye (267-304-9399); David

Feldman (610-291-0806); 800-480-8020 or on http://www.webtix.net/

LOS ANGELES, April 18 – With the Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight between Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout coming up this weekend on Saturday, April 20 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, followed by the Unified Super Lightweight World Championship between Danny Garcia and Zab Judah at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, April 27 and the culmination of the back-to-back-to-back championship fight weekends, “MAY DAY: Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero” on Saturday, May 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, predictions are swirling around on the internet, in newspapers and on television from boxing scribes and fans doing their best to make their calls on what will happen in the upcoming fights.

Yet perhaps the predictions that hold the most weight are those of the pugilists themselves set to fight in the coming weeks.

Below are fight predictions from WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez,Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift Garcia,Middleweight Contender Fernando Guerrero,Six-Time and Four Division World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero,Middleweight Rising Star J’Leon Love, Two Division World Champion Abner Mares,WBC Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa CruzandWBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout – Saturday, April 20 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

“I am going with Austin Trout, but he has to go in there and box. He can’t let Canelo Alvarez warm up too early. If he drops hard punches, he’ll pull it off.”

– Danny Garcia

“Gotta go with Canelo Alvarez. He’s young and he’s a mentally and physically strong person. Also, the people (fans) make him better.”

– Fernando Guerrero

“Canelo Alvarez is very hungry to prove all the doubters wrong. Both fighters have tremendous heart and will give fans a night to remember. Canelo has developed nicely and I’m giving him the edge in this fight based on pure desire. His body attack will be the difference. Canelo wins by mid-fight knockout.”

– Robert Guerrero

“I think Austin Trout will win because he has a better skill set and he’s a better boxer.”

– J’Leon Love

“That’s going to be a really exciting fight being that Canelo Alvarez has never faced a champion in his prime. Austin Trout is a difficult fighter that just beat (Miguel) Cotto, but I think Canelo should win because he’s younger and has a statement to make to let the world know that he is the real thing as a younger and hungrier fighter.”

– Abner Mares

“I’m going with Canelo Alvarez because he’s more powerful. I think Canelo can win by knockout if Austin Trout is willing to exchange shots.”

– Daniel Ponce de Leon

“This is a good matchup for boxing. You can’t go wrong with either fighter. Its two top fighters at the top of their game. I’m in the gym with Canelo Alvarez, and Austin Trout is my friend, so it is hard to pick.”

– Peter Quillin

“I think Canelo Alvarez is going to win. He comes forward. It’s going to be hard for Austin Trout to take Canelo’s pressure and handle his strength. Trout will make it difficult for Canelo, but I think he will win.”

– Leo Santa Cruz

Danny Garcia vs. Zab Judah – Saturday, April 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

“This is a great fight. I don’t have a favorite. The best fighter will win.”

– Canelo

“Danny Garcia will win. Zab Judah had his time. I think its Garcia’s time now.”

– F. Guerrero

“Zab Judah will make the proper adjustments in this fight, which will tame the young lion Garcia. Danny’s youth and punching power will even out Zab’s experience. This fight ends in draw.”

– R. Guerrero

“I pick Danny Garcia because he is younger and stronger.”

– Love

“This is another interesting fight. I’m 100 percent sure that Danny Garcia is going to win. No doubt the power punch is there. I know that isn’t everything for everyone, but that’s everything for Garcia. Zab Judah is an older guy. He’s an older fighter. I think he’s coming in with everything he has, but that isn’t enough. Youth and power trump age. I pick Garcia by knockout.”

– Mares

“Danny Garcia has power in his fists and will win by knockout. He is young and full of energy.”

– Ponce de Leon

“I think that in the first rounds Zab Judah will be a problem for Danny Garcia, but he will get tired in the later rounds. Danny will take advantage of that and knock him out.”

– Santa Cruz

“Danny Garcia will win with his consistency and power.”

– Trout

Peter Quillin vs. Fernando Guerrero – Saturday, April 20 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

“I cannot give a prediction since I’ve never seen Fernando Guerrero fight. However, Peter Quillin is the champion and has the advantage.”

– Canelo

“Peter Quillin all the way. He has the street in him and the heart. That’s the making of a great fighter.”

– Garcia

“This is going to be a competitive fight. I’m going with Peter Quillin to win by knockout because I feel he has the better punching power and will catch Guerrero with a punch he doesn’t see coming.”

– R. Guerrero

“Peter Quillin is a bigger puncher, but it will be a hard fight. I think Quillin will pull it off though.”

– Love

“That is a really tough fight. I know a lot of people see it toward Peter Quillin, but I think he’s going to have a hard time. Guerrero takes everything and more and gives as much back. It’s going to be an even fight.”

– Mares

“I think Peter Quillin has the advantage and can win in any way. He’s the better boxer and is the champion.”

– Ponce de Leon

“I haven’t seen much of Fernando Guerrero, but what I have seen from Peter Quillin, he’s a really good, strong fighter. I think he’s going to win by decision, but I think he is going to take a few punches along the way.”

– Santa Cruz

“Peter Quillin showed his heart and determination to win the belt. I’m sure he will go above and beyond to keep it. I am picking Kid Chocolate.”

– Trout

Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero – Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®

“Robert Guerrero has a great opportunity to win. He’s hungry for glory and will try everything to get the victory. I am picking Guerrero.”

– Canelo

“Floyd Mayweather all the way. Robert Guerrero is a good fighter. He earned his shot, but Mayweather is the star.”

– Garcia

“You can never bet against Floyd Mayweather. He’s just overall one of the best fighters ever. Gotta go with Mayweather.”

– F. Guerrero

“Floyd Mayweather is too intelligent of a fighter.”

– Love

“Floyd Mayweather is such a talented fighter and he backs it up. He talks a lot, but he backs it up. I know Robert Guerrero is hungry and determined, but wanting to win doesn’t get you a win. It’s about what you can do inside the ring, and that’s why Mayweather will win.”

– Mares

“I think Robert Guerrero can win if he fights the same way he fought Andre Berto, pressing the action like Jose Luis Castillo did against Floyd Mayweather. However, Mayweather is a great fighter and so difficult because his style, but I think Guerrero will win.”

– Ponce de Leon

“I never count Floyd Mayweather out. He’s the best pound-for-pound fighter. He’s who every fighter looks up to. I call it the Floyd Mayweather era of boxing. Robert Guerrero wanted this for a long time. He’s a multi-division champion and he deserves it. They both have something to prove. I don’t know who to pick here.”

– Quillin

“That is going to be another hard fight. I think Floyd Mayweather has more experience and he’s smarter. He knows what he has to do to win. Guerrero is a good, smart fighter, but I think Mayweather is going to take it by decision.”

– Santa Cruz

“I’m picking Floyd Mayweather, but this fight is not as easy as everyone thinks it’ll be. Robert Guerrero is hungry and has the ability to make it a tough fight.”

– Trout

Daniel Ponce de Leon vs. Abner Mares – Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®

“I’m taking Daniel Ponce de Leon. I don’t really see Abner Mares pulling it off at 126 pounds. That’s a tough fight.”

– Garcia

“Abner Mares just has the youth and the will. When guys are winning, they want to keep at it.”

– F. Guerrero

“Both Daniel Ponce de Leon and Abner Mares are great Mexican warriors. Mares is going to come forward with pressure and Ponce de Leon will counter. I’m picking Ponce de Leon to win by a close split decision.”

– R. Guerrero

“Abner Mares has much better skills.”

– Love

“A lot of people don’t give Abner Mares the credit he deserves. Daniel Ponce de Leon has a rough, rugged style. I see Mares putting on a great performance against a guy like Ponce de Leon who gives people trouble, and coming out with the win.”

– Quillin

“That is going to be another hard fight. They are both Mexican warriors. It can go either way, but if it goes to decision, Abner Mares will win. However, if Daniel Ponce de Leon catches him with a good punch, he will win by knockout.”

– Santa Cruz

“Abner Mares takes this one. His youth and toughness can outdo the super tough Daniel Ponce de Leon.”

– Trout

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Alexander Munoz – Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®

“Leo Santa Cruz should win. He’s younger and full of talent.”

– Canelo

“Leo Santa Cruz is a tough guy and he is on a hot streak. I’m going with him.”

– Garcia

“Leo Santa Cruz is going to grind out a tough hard fought victory with pressure and a nice body attack. Santa Cruz wins by unanimous decision.”

– R. Guerrero

“Leo Santa Cruz is a much busier and better fighter.”

– Love

“That fight is hard to call. I think Santa Cruz is a strong up-and-comer. I think Alexander Munoz is an tough opponent for Santa Cruz to go up against, but he will go in there, look good and come out with a win.”

– Mares

“Leo Santa Cruz is the favorite to win because is young and powerful, and I think he will win.”

– Ponce de Leon

“I love watching Leo Santa Cruz. He’s a fan-friendly fighter and I think he will win.”

– Quillin

J’Leon Love vs. Gabriel Rosado – Saturday, May 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV

“Gabriel Rosado is a Philly guy, so I have to go for the hometown fighter.”

– Garcia

“J’Leon Love is the man. We’ve fought on the same card several times. I fought Gabriel Rosado. That is a pretty tight fight. He’s a tough opponent. That one is a question mark for me.”

– F. Guerrero

“J’Leon Love is a good prospect, but I think Gabriel Rosado is going to pull off the upset. Experience will be the key factor in a Rosado split decision.”

– R. Guerrero

“Flip a coin on that one.”

– Mares

“This is J’Leon Love’s biggest fight. He’s in camp with the pound-for-pound champion. He has a controversial win on his record. Gabriel Rosado is rough and rugged. He puts it all on the line. We’ll see. I don’t know who will win this one.”

– Quillin

“I have heard that J’Leon Love is a really good fighter. He should be able to take it. He has more to lose. I think he’s going to go out there and win by decision.”

– Santa Cruz

“This is a toss up. J’Leon Love is looking to prove himself. Gabriel Rosado is proven in my mind at 154, so we will see if weight is an issue.”

– Trout

# # #

About Canelo vs. Trout:

Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight for Canelo’s WBC title, Trout’s WBA title and the vacant Ring Magazine title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The co-main event will be a 10-round fight between undefeated prospects Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas and Abner Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico which is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions and will be a WBC lightweight semi-final elimination bout for the vacant NABA Lightweight Championship and Cotto’s WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Championship. The fights will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with Canelo vs. Trout being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Newly released tickets priced at $100, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale now and only available for purchase at the Alamodome box office.

About Garcia vs. Judah:

Garcia vs. Judah, a 12-round bout for Garcia’s Unified Super Lightweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attraction, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin puts his title on the line against hard-hitting Fernando Guerrero in a 12-round fight. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).

Remaining tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

About “MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero”:

“MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero,” a 12-round fight for Mayweather’s WBC Welterweight World Championship and the vacant Ring Magazine Welterweight World Championship, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Star Trek Into Darkness and Valvoline. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Also featured will be WBC Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon taking on Two-Division World Champion Abner Mares in a 12-round fight for Ponce de Leon’s WBC Featherweight World Championship, former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz facing veteran Alexander Munoz in a 10-round fight for the vacant USBA Junior Featherweight Championship and rising star J’Leon Love squaring off against recent world title challenger Gabriel Rosado in a 10-round middleweight battle for the vacant NABF Middleweight Championship.

Remaining tickets for “MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero”
priced at $1,500, $1,250, $800 and $600, not including applicable service charges, are on sale now with a ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com
or www.ticketmaster.com.

General admission tickets for the “MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero” closed circuit telecasts at ARIA, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York, are priced at $50, not including handling fees, and are available for purchase at each individual property’s box office outlets and by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Growing up the son of one of boxing’s hardest hitters ever, you have some pretty big gloves to fill if you plan on becoming a fighter, but so far, Virgin Islands slugger John “Dah Rock” Jackson (15-1, 14 KOs), son of legendary champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, isn’t doing so bad at it.

16 fights into his career, the elder Jackson was still fighting preliminaries. Going into his 17th fight, WBC #15 Jackson is set to face St. Paul, Minnesota’s undefeated “Sir” Cerresso Fort (16-0-1, 11 KOs) in the televised six-round co-main event this Friday (April 19) at the Tropicana Showroom in the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City and live across the country on ESPN Friday Night Fights (10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN and later televised Saturday April 20, at 2:30 a.m. on ESPNEWS).

Presented by Sampson Boxing, the spectacular tripleheader of world-class boxing will be topped by La Romana, Dominican Republic’s dynamic Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (21-0, 15 KOs) defending his interim WBA World featherweight title against Sinaloa, Mexico’s Miguel “Mikol” Zamudio (25-1-1, 13 KOs) and will also feature Ghana’s Emmanuel Lartei Lartey (14-0-1, 7 KOs) taking on the Dominican Republic’s Jonathan Batista (13-0, 6 KOs) in a six/eight-round welterweight battle of undefeateds.

“A lot of people compare me to my dad because of the power I got from him, but my dad was something special,” admitted Jackson of his father, who also serves as his assistant trainer (with head trainer David Rogers). “He had that one-punch power that puts guys to sleep. I’m glad I got some of what he had at least. And I’m glad to be his son and represent him.”

Jackson says he’s ready for war against the formidable Fort, a match-up that could prove to be the runaway winner of Fight of the Night.

“I know he’s undefeated and a very strong fighter, and a hard hitter also. We’re both heavy-handed. I’m going in there focused and ready for war. I know it’ll be exciting. The people who tune in are going to love it. I’m not going out for a KO. I’m just going in to work and it if comes, it comes. Early or late I will take it, but I’ll go in there and do what we worked and come out with the impressive win.”

Unlike his father at similar points in their careers, the younger Jackson has already suffered a career loss. Last September in Las Vegas, he dropped a close but unanimous decision to the streaking Willie Nelson in a battle for the NABF Championship.

“I learned a lot,” he admitted. “It was the best fight I’ve had to date, an exciting ten-rounder and I fought hard. It could have gone either way. I learned a lot about myself. I learned I can go ten and I can take a punch. It was a great experience.”

Jackson is one of a fistic trio with his brother, undefeated super middleweight contender Julius “The Chef” Jackson (15-0, 11 KOs) and cousin, undefeated super welterweight Samuel “Rock City Cobra” Rogers (13-0, 6 KOs), known as “The Hawk’s Flock” a play on Julius Jackson’s fighting nickname.

“We mostly spar with each other. We go real hard at each other, but we don’t try to see who is better. We train three times a week, so we can’t be trying to win every day. Sometimes, we each get the best of each other and there are some wars, but there is no family rivalry.”

Jackson says that, like his father, the dream is to eventually strap a world-title belt around his waist for his beautiful homeland.

“My dream is just to keep moving up, get to the top and be world champion. That’s the ultimate goal: to hold a world title and defend it. That’s the dream. I think I could get some more experience first. After a couple more fights, I’ll be ready to go in there and capture my dreams.”

###

On the undercard, undefeated Anthony Young (7-0, 3 KOs) of Atlantic City will face St. Clair, Pennsylvania’s Rafael Montalvo (2-3, 2 KOs) in a four-round welterweight clash; Brooklyn, New York’s Dean Burrell (6-1, 5 KOs) will face Durham, North Carolina’s Vernon Alston (5-4, 5 KOs) in a four-round lightweight bout; and in a pair of four-round heavyweight battles, undefeated Charles Martin (6-0-1, 6 KOs) of St. Louis, Missouri, will face David Saulsberry (7-5, 7 KOs) of Greenville, Kentucky, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania’s Eric Newell (5-2-1, 3 KOs) will take on Virginia Beach, Virginia’s Joe Cusomano (6-1, KOs).

Tickets for “Fortuna vs. Zamudio” are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or at the Tropicana box office on fight night.

On fight night, doors open at 7:00 (approx.) and the action starts at 8:00. The Tropicana Casino & Resort is located at 2831 Boardwalk in Atlantic City.

SINGAPORE (April 17, 2013) –Glory Sports International and CBS Sports Network have reached an agreement to showcase action from the world’s premier kickboxing league, beginning with the star-studded GLORY 7 event in Milan, Italy on Saturday, April 20.

The CBS Sports Network telecast of the nine-bout GLORY 7 Milan kickboxing event from Mediolanum Forum, headlined by a showdown between world No. 1 ranked lightweight (154 pounds/70 kilograms) Giorgio Petrosyan (75-1, 35 KOs) of Italy and fellow sensation Hafid El Boustati (67-7-3, 18 KOs) of The Netherlands, will air at 1:00 a.m. ET/10:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 21 (Same day delay).

“We look forward to expanding our relationship with CBS Sports Network, a tremendous national sports television platform, and bringing U.S. sports fans some of the hardest-hitting, world-class kickboxing action featuring elite martial arts fighters from around the world,” said GLORY Sports International CEO Andrew Whitaker.

GLORY action on CBS Sports Network continues from Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan with a one-night, eight-man, single-elimination tournament in GLORY’s featherweight (143 pounds/65 kilograms) division that airs Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 a.m. ET/11:00 p.m. PT (Same day delay). In addition to the tournament, several Superfights, including a heavyweight rematch between all-time great Jerome Le Banner (73-21-2, 59 KOs) of France and Muay Thai champion Koichi (26-8-1, 15 KOs) highlight the card.

Additional CBS Sports Network telecast dates of GLORY events will be announced soon.

GLORY made its debut on CBS Sports Network from Tokyo on December 31, 2012 with GLORY 4 Tokyo, a one-night, 16-man ‘Grand Slam’ tournament loaded with an unprecedented lineup of the world’s greatest heavyweight fighters.

CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, and to access the CBS Sports Network channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

For more information, visit www.gloryworldseries.com.

About GLORY:

GLORY World Series (www.gloryworldseries.com) is the world’s premier kickboxing league, producing live events across the globe and offering up to $2 million in prize money to the winners of one-night, 16-man ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments and 8-man ‘Slam’ tournaments, which are open to only the best fighters in each of six different weight classes. The fight series also includes events with traditional, single bouts.

With television deals spanning every continent, online live video streaming of all shows and the world’s largest online martial arts library, GLORY is one of the world’s most widely distributed sporting organizations.

Owned and operated by Glory Sports International (GSI), the organization has offices in the UK, Netherlands, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the US. Its personnel include an unprecedented mix of accomplished entrepreneurs and senior level executives from the diverse worlds of finance, sports marketing, television and martial arts fighting.

In 2013, GLORY launched the Road To GLORY tournament fight series to identify and develop new kickboxing talent in the United States, Japan and elsewhere around the globe into future champions and superstars of the sport

CECILIA BRAEKHUS
“I am very, very disappointed. A fight against Holly would have been the biggest thing in women´s boxing, the one fight every fan wants to see. It´s a shame that it will not happen – but it´s not our fault. We´ve done all we could. I have always said that I was willing to fight her, I have always been ready for her. My team has worked very hard to organise the fight. We removed all the stumbling blocks. We were even willing to go to her backyard. And when she has to chance to give the fans what they want to see, she retires. Really, I don´t know what to say. It´s a pity and I´m disappointed. I will now shift my focus to other challenges, there are a lot of other interesting options for me. One thing I know for sure – true champions do not run away from mega-fights.”

NISSE SAUERLAND:
“We are disappointed to hear that Holly Holm has retired from boxing. She is one of the all-time greats. She deserves respect for what she has done for women´s boxing. It´s sad that a great career ends like this – now she will always be remembered for running away from Cecilia Braekhus, the best female fighter in the world.

“If Holly Holm still had the heart, pride and skills to compete at the highest level, there is no way she would have passed on the biggest payday of her career. We have offered her a six-figure sum. But with this offer on the table, she calls it a career and decides to fight in MMA – for a fraction of that money. That just tells you all about how scared she is to fight Cecilia. The horrible knock-out loss against Anne-Sophie Mathis – a fighter Cecilia outclassed last September – must have changed something inside Holly. She knows she can´t beat Cecilia.

“We wish Holly all the best for her retirement. Meanwhile, Cecilia has other options against fighters who are courageous enough to challenge the best female fighter in the world. That´s how you cement a legacy, by fighting the best of the best, not by retiring when you have the chance to be part of a fight every boxing fan wants to see.”

LOS ANGELES, April 17 – The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. will be the site of one of the most intriguing clashes of boxing’s summer season, as Argentinean knockout artist Marcos Maidana faces off against Southern California favorite Josesito Lopez in a 12 round fight for Maidana’s WBA Intercontinental Welterweight Championship in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader set for Saturday, June 8.

The tripleheader will also feature a 12-round junior middleweight showdown between all-action warrior Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and number one rated WBC super welterweight contender Erislandy Lara and a clash for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Championship between number one rated WBC super middleweight contender Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika and Mexico’s Marco Antonio Periban, the number four rated WBC super middleweight contender.

“If you’re a fan of action fights, there is no better card to see than this one on June 8th,” said President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya. “All three high-stakes bouts have the potential to be the main event and the winners who walk out of the Home Depot Center with their hands raised will know they’ve been in a fight.”

“Like all of our recent fights, the fight between Marcos Maidana and Josesito Lopez is a matchup in which there is no clear-cut favorite,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive General Manager and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “You can make a legitimate argument for either fighter. Maidana is one of the most exciting fighters in any division, and he’s facing an opponent, Josesito Lopez, who scored the biggest upset of 2012 and is now back in his most natural weight class.

“Top to bottom, this card is filled with fan-friendly, all-action fights. There is no question that Maidana vs. Lopez will be one of the most entertaining, hard-fought matchups of the year, and the Angulo-Lara and Bika-Periban are sure to be hotly contested and action-packed as well.”

“Outdoor boxing cards at The Home Depot Center’s intimate 8,000-seat outdoor stadium continue to be annual highlights on the southern California sports calendar,” said Katie Pandolfo, General Manager of The Home Depot Center. “With Golden Boy Promotions lining up this championship card, our fans are truly in for another great night of boxing.”

“Josesito Lopez is a tough challenge, but I’m ready for everything he will bring to the ring on June 8th,” Maidana said. “Beating him is the next step to getting a world title shot and I know I’ll get the victory.”

“I fight my best at home, and with the fans in my corner on June 8th, Maidana doesn’t have a chance,” said Lopez. “He’s going to push me hard from start to finish, but that’s when I truly shine. I promise this will be a great fight for the fans.”

“Lara is one of Cuba’s greatest talents, but I’ll have the California fans on my side and I’m determined to do whatever it takes to win,” said Angulo. “This is the most important fight of my career and I will perform like it when the bell rings.”

“Angulo hits hard and is a tough fighter making this a classic boxer vs. puncher match up,” said Lara. “I’m really excited for this fight. Come June 8th, I’m going to put on a boxing display and finally get the ‘W’ over a top fighter that has been taken from me in my past fights.”

“I’m thankful to Golden Boy Promotions and the WBC for giving me this opportunity and I will make the most of it,” said Bika. “Ever since I turned pro, my only goal was to win a world championship and on June 8th, Marco Antonio Periban won’t be able to stop me from getting that belt.”

“I’ve trained hard, I’ve made many sacrifices and I feel that my time is now to become Mexico’s next world champion,” said Periban. “Sakio Bika will be my toughest challenge, but I have the skills, determination and heart to beat him. I’ll beat him and become the first Mexican super middleweight world champion and make history for all of Mexico.”

Maidana vs. Lopez, a 12-round fight for Maidana’s WBA Intercontinental Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. The tripleheader will take place on Saturday, June 8 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Maidana vs. Lopez is presented in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions. Also featured will be a 12-round junior middleweight showdown between all-action warrior Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and number one rated WBC super welterweight contender Erislandy Lara and a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Championship between number one rated WBC super middleweight contender Sakio Bika and number four rated WBC super middleweight contender Marco Antonio Periban. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME Extreme at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, go on sale Friday, April 19 at noon PT and can purchase tickets at AXS.com or by phone at 1-888-9-AXS-TIX (1-888-929-7849), as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available for purchase by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.

2012 was a busy year for former WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (33-3, 30 KO’s) as he began his quest for another world title, this one seven pounds north in the welterweight division. After a rough outing in his 147-pound debut against current IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander in February, the Argentinean knockout artist bounced back with an exciting, Fight of the Year candidate eighth round technical knockout win over rugged contender Jesus Soto Karass before finishing things off in December by defending his WBA Intercontinental Championship with a third round knockout over Angel Martinez in his native Buenos Aires. On June 8, the 29-year-old returns to fight in California for the first time since his breakthrough 2009 stoppage over former World Champion Victor Ortiz.

One of the toughest fighters in the fight game today, Riverside, California’s Josesito Lopez (30-5, 18 KO’s) has made a career out of beating the odds and he’s not about to stop now. The winner of several regional titles since turning professional in 2003, Lopez stunned unbeaten rising star Mike Dallas Jr. in 2011, stopping the highly touted prospect in seven rounds. Two fights later, Lopez stepped in on short notice to face former World Champion Victor Ortiz in June of 2012 at STAPLES Center and scored a huge upset win, spoiling Ortiz’ chance at a fight with Canelo Alvarez by halting him in nine rounds. The victory set up a bout between Lopez and Alvarez last September. Although he was giving up size and strength advantages to the WBC Super Welterweight World Champion, Lopez’s gutsy effort in defeat earned him praise from both fans and media alike. On June 8, Lopez returns to 147 pounds to take on Maidana.

One of boxing’s most popular warriors, Mexicali’s Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-2, 18 KO’s) thrilled his avid followers in 2012, knocking out Raul Casarez and decisioning Jorge Silva in his first bouts after a year out of the ring due to immigration issues. Now back in the ring and eager to take on all comers, the 30-year-old knockout artist will face his toughest puzzle to date in Cuba’s dynamic Erislandy Lara.

A product of the legendary Cuban amateur boxing program, Erislandy Lara (17-1-2, 11 KO’s) garnered a host of amateur titles and accolades before defecting and beginning his quest for gold as a professional. Now living in Miami, Florida, the 29-year-old Lara rebounded from a highly controversial decision loss to former World Champion Paul Williams in 2011 to knock out Ronald Hearns and outpoint Freddy Hernandez, only to battle to a disputed draw with Vanes Martirosyan last November. On June 8, Lara vows to keep the judges out of matters against Angulo.

A respected veteran who has earned his stellar reputation with a hard-nosed attitude and exciting fights, 2000 Cameroon Olympian Sakio Bika (31-5-2, 21 KO’s) believes that after tough world championship bouts with Markus Beyer, Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward, his fourth shot at the belt on June 8 will be the one he capitalizes on. The winner of three straight, stopping Alfredo Contreras and Dyah Davis and scoring a punishing decision win over Nikola Sjekloca, the 33-year-old “Scorpion” is ready to sting Periban and capture his first world championship.

Mexico City’s Marco Antonio Periban (20-0, 13 KO’s) has impressed fight game insiders and boxing fans ever since his pro debut in 2008 and less than five years later, he’s on the verge of becoming a world champion and adding to his country’s championship heritage. The 28-year-old Periban went 4-0 in 2012 and got 2013 off to a sizzling start on March 16 with a second round knockout over Colombia’s Samuel Miller to win the NABF Super Middleweight Championship. Now he will look to add the WBC belt to his collection on June 8.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.homedepotcenter.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/shosports, www.twitter.com/HomeDepotCenter, www.twitter.com/ChinoMaidana, www.twitter.com/JosesitoLopez, www.twitter.com/ElPerro82 and www.twitter.com/LaraBoxing, follow the conversation using #MaidanaLopez or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/HomeDepotCenter.

CBS Sports Network is showcasing over 10 hours of coverage surrounding Floyd Mayweather’s debut fight on SHOWTIME PPV® against Robert Guerrero on Saturday, May 4. Programming is highlighted by live coverage of the Mayweather vs. Guerrero press conference on Wednesday, May 1 (4:00 PM, ET) and the Mayweather and Guerrero Official Weigh-In on Friday, May 3 (6:00 PM, ET).

Following the May 4 pay-per-view event, CBS Sports Network provides complete analysis of the action with commentator Barry Tompkins and analyst Steve Farhood, as well as live coverage of the post-fight press conference.

During the week leading up to the bout, CBS Sports Network also will air encore presentations of classic fights featuring Mayweather and Guerrero. Fights airing in their entirety include Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya (May 2007), the most watched pay-per-view event in history; the controversial fight between Mayweather and Victor Ortiz (September 2011); Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton (December 2007); Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley (May 2010) and Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (September 2009).

Coverage also includes encore showings of the SHOWTIME Sports series ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER VS. GUERRERO, which takes viewers behind-the-scenes of the dramatic and unpredictable world of prize fighting. The ALL ACCESS shows will air on CBS Sports Network following each episode’s television premiere on SHOWTIME.

A full programming schedule is included below.

CBS Sports Network is the 24-hour home of CBS Sports and is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, and to access the CBS Sports Network channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

CBS SPORTS NETWORK MAYWEATHER-GUERRERO PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

(All Times ET)

Monday, April 29

7:00-7:30 PM – ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Guerrero: Episode 1

7:30-8:00 PM – ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Guerrero: Episode 2

8:00-9:00 PM – Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya

9:00-10:00 PM – Robert Guerrero vs. Michael Katsidis

Tuesday, April 30

7:30-8:00 PM – ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Guerrero: Episode 3

8:00-9:00 PM – Floyd Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton

9:00-10:00 PM – Robert Guerrero vs. Selcuk Aydin

Wednesday, May 1

4:00-5:00 PM – Mayweather vs. Guerrero Press Conference

8:00-9:00 PM – Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez

Thursday, May 2

8:00-9:00 PM – Floyd Mayweather vs. Shane Mosely

9:00-9:30 PM – Floyd Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz

Friday, May 3

6:00-6:30 PM – Mayweather vs. Guerrero Weigh-Ins

11:30 PM -12:00 MIDNIGHT – ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Guerrero: Episode 4

Saturday, May 4

Following the fight – Post-fight analysis and Press Conference

Follow us on Twitter: @CBSSportsGang

The 12-round main event on the April 19 edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will feature an interim WBA Title fight between undefeated interim Featherweight titlist Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (21-0, 1 NC, 15 KOs, The Ring No. 10) and Miguel “Michael” Zamudio (24-1-1, 13 KOs). Friday’s show from the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., will air live at 10:30 p.m. ET (rather than its usual 9 p.m. start time) on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN. Friday’s show will later be televised Saturday, April 20, at 2:30 a.m. on ESPNEWS. The card is promoted by Sampson Boxing.

Commentators:
Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn), filling in for Joe Tessitore, will be ringside with Teddy Atlas describing the action for ESPN2 HD, while studio host Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will provide the latest boxing news and highlights. Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will call the fights for ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights) with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in the studio.

Studio:
Friday’s studio show will recap last Saturday’s Junior Featherweight Championship fight between Nonito Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux. Rigondeaux, who defeated Donaire in a 12-round unanimous decision, retained his WBA Junior Featherweight title and added the WBO Junior Featherweight belt. The show will also discuss this Saturday’s Saúl Canelo Álvarez-Austin Trout Junior Middleweight title fight and the fight between Heavyweight contender Tyson Fury and former Cruiserweight titlist Steve Cunningham.

Main Event:
California’s Fortuna, a stablemate of Middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, won the WBA interim Featherweight world title in December with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Patrick Hyland.

After the fight, ESPN.com boxing writer Dan Rafael wrote, “Fortuna has looked sensational in some of his fights and has scored some tremendous knockouts, including in his previous two fights – a first-round blowout of fellow prospect Yuandale Evans and a second-round stoppage of former Featherweight titlist Cristobal Cruz. Fortuna burst to a big lead over the first half of this fight, but Hyland hung in there and tried to make it a brawl. Hyland, who had never faced a quality opponent, showed toughness and a good chin but little else as Fortuna boxed circles around him.”

Mexico’s Zamudio, who is making his U.S. debut, won an eight-round split decision over Gilberto Bolanos in his last fight.

“I like the way Fortuna fights,” Zamudio said. “I respect him, but in the ring it will be totally different. This will be the first time that I’ve been to the United States. My dream is to be champion of the world, and I want to make my dream come true. I’m going to win this fight.”

Co-Feature:
Friday’s eight-round co-feature will pit undefeated Jr. Middleweight “Sir” Cerresso Fort (16-0-1, 11 KOs) against 2008 Olympian John “The Rock” Jackson (15-1, 14 KOs). Cerresso is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision win over Dennis Sharpe, while Jackson won a first-round TKO over Ramon Pena in his last fight.

Opening Fight:

Friday’s card will open with a six-round bout between undefeated Welterweights Emmanuel Lartey (15-0, 8 KOs) and Jhonathan Batista (13-0, 6 KOs).

Follow ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook. Follow ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo. Also score the fights round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round.

Live streaming by Ustream

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (April 16, 2013, 2013) – Today at a Fresquez Productions media luncheon, 14-time, three-division world boxing champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs) shocked the combat sports world by announcing her retirement from boxing, effective after her May 11 fight with “Merciless” Mary McGee (20-1, 11 KOs), in order to pursue her mixed-martial-arts career (3-0-0).

“Since I first started fighting, it became my passion,” Holly explained her decision. “I decided a long time ago, after quitting school to fight, that I would box as long as my heart was in it. One of my biggest and controversial fights was against Christy Martin. Then, it was Mary Jo Sanders. There’s always a champion. This is my own journey. Every one of my fights have helped me to believe in myself.

“When we were deciding which way to go with my future, my trainer, Mike Winkeljohn, said it best, ‘You want to climb a new mountain.’ This thing has created a new spark in me and I’m following my heart. I wish much success to Cecilia (Braekhus) but not fighting her does not, by any means, define my boxing career. I know there’s a lot of talk about that but what does that say about all the women I’ve already fought? I’ve never been a paper champion. I’ve grown so much every step of the way. I’m in this fight, on May 11,100 percent; I’m not distracted. This is obviously an emotional, spiritual and physical journey and I’m so grateful for the people who have supported me. I just want to fight where my passion is (MMA). I train in an MMA gym and always have.”

Holm defends her International Boxing Association and World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior welterweight titles in the 10-round main event on the “Mayhem” card, presented by Fresquez Productions, at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albququerque, New Mexico.

“I love Holly’s team – the chemistry, the fans, the loyalty,” Holm’s promoter Lenny Fresquez said. “Regarding Cecilia – Holly doesn’t need anybody! She is headed toward the boxing (International) Hall of Fame and is already named for the New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame. We will continue the Holly Holm saga. She’s at the top of her game and we support her history-making decision.”

Holly Holm hugs her longtime promoter, Lenny Fresquez

(photo by Will Fox)

The 31-year-old Holm has defeated a Who’s Who list of woman boxers from the 140 through 154-pound weight classes, including Christy Martin, Anne Sophie Mathis, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Jane Couch, Duda Yankovich and Chevelle Hallback (twice).

Holm has an amazing 21-1-1 record in world championship fights, as well as a 14-1-1 mark against world champions.

“We are going forward with Holly’s MMA career and there’s nobody better than Lenny Fresquez to take us to that next level,” Holm’s manager/trainer Mike Wonkeljohn added. “I found it hard to bounce back and forth between MMA and boxing. Holly is focused. Expect the best Holly ever. Her future is bright.”

Tickets for “Mayhem,” ranging between $25.00 and $200.00, are on sale and available to purchase at the Route 66 box office, going online to www.rt66casino.com, or calling 505.884.7484.

Go on line to www.FresquezProductions.com or www.rt66casino.com for more information about “Mayhem”

NEW YORK – Nicholas Rodriguez, a Montclair State University junior, will sing the National Anthem at Saturday afternoon’s Tyson Fury vs. Steve Cunningham 12-round heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Rodriguez, who is in the Musical Theatre Program at MSU, was also featured this season on American Idol.

Rodriguez won the American Idol Experience at Disney World Florida, which vaulted him into the New York City auditions for the popular TV show. He received positive reviews from Idol judges Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, & Randy Jackson, and earned a “Golden Ticket” to the Hollywood Week round of the competition. Rodriguez did not make it into the American Idol Top 10 this season, but still appears to have a big career ahead of him.

He was also recently profiled on NBC Dateline, and can be seen on the webisode American Idol: The Road to Hollywood. Rodriguez’s MSU performance credits include The Break, Rags, Sweet Charity, and last season’s critically acclaimed production of Kiss of the Spider Woman. He is a past recipient of the prestigious Sterling Scholarship, and has already been cast in the role of Black, in the upcoming MSU production of Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party.

On Saturday just before the main event, the Bordentown, NJ native will experience another star-making moment when he takes the stage in center ring at Madison Square Garden before one of the most anticipated fights of the year. If he can score a knockout with his rendition of the National Anthem, Nicholas Rodriguez will take another big step up the ladder of his entertainment career.

APRIL 20TH FIGHT INFO

April 20th at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York features a 12-round heavyweight battle between Tyson Fury and Steve Cunningham in the main event. Curtis Stevens will take on Derrick Findley in the 8-round middleweight co-feature. Six additional bouts are planned for the undercard. Doors open at The Theater at Madison Square Garden doors open at 1:15PM ET. The main event and co-feature will be broadcast 4PM ET on NBC as a special 2 hour afternoon presentation of NBC Fight Night. The card is presented by Hennessy Sports and Main Events.

The main event is an official IBF Heavyweight Voluntary Eliminator fight for the #2 position. The winner must meet #1 or the leading available contender to establish the mandatory challenger for Heavyweight King Wladimir Klitschko.

Tickets are priced at $50, $100, $250 and $500. Tickets are available at the Madison Square Garden box office, through Ticketmaster 866-858-0008 and at ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices include a $5 Facility Surcharge. Ticketmaster purchases are subject to a Ticketmaster Surcharge. Wheelchairs, companion seats, aisle seats and Assistive Listening Devices are available 212-465-6035.

LOS ANGELES, April 16, 2013 – The Ultimate Fighter® went out on top, as FX’s last telecast of the series (4/13/2013) scored FX series highs in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, while the entire 17th installment was FX’s highest-rated of the series.

The TUF™ 17 finale, which saw Kelvin Gastelum named “The Ultimate Fighter” with a split decision upset win over heavily favored Uriah Hall, scored 1.71 million Total Viewers and 1.16 Million Adults 18-49, marking series highs for FX. For the night, FX ranked #1 in Men 18-34 outright, beating all broadcast and cable networks, while Men 18-49 was the highest-rated in basic cable and second highest-rated overall, behind only FOX which aired NASCAR.

The finale was the most-watched show in all of television in Men 18-34 in primetime on Saturday night, and second most-watched among M18-49, behind only NASCAR on FOX.

Men 18-49, Adults 18-34, Men 18-34, Adults 25-54, Men 25-54 and Women 25-54 also scored series highs. The 17th season as a whole averaged 1.32 million Total Viewers and 921,000 Adults 18-49, increases of +45% and +41%, respectively, vs. TUF 16.

The Ultimate Fighter will move to FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports’ newly minted multi-sport national cable channel, when it returns in September. The next installment, featuring UFC® women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and challenger Cat Zingano as coaches, also moves to Wednesday evening at 10:00 PM ET. FS1 launches Saturday, Aug. 17 and season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter premieres Wednesday, Sept. 4 (10:00 PM ET).

“This was a great way to end The Ultimate Fighter’s run on FX,” said Chuck Saftler, Executive Vice President, FX Networks. “I want to thank Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Frank Fertitta as well as Craig Piligian on three amazing seasons of the series. I wish them all nothing but the best in their move to FOX Sports 1.”

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 and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. In 2012, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries and territories, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 30 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 over two million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, the best-selling UFC Undisputed® video game franchise distributed by THQ, and a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.

About FX

FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 98 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series, including Sons of Anarchy, Justified, The Americans, and the upcoming drama series The Bridge (July 2013); the miniseries American Horror Story; and the acclaimed hit comedy series Louie, Archer and Wilfred. The network’s library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network. FX’s roster of acquired hit series includes Two and a Half Men, Anger Management and, coming in 2014, Mike & Molly.

Source: Nielson Live+Same Day

Montreal, Tuesday, April 16th 2013 – InterBox, Lucian Bute, Jean Pascal and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) hereby confirm that antidoping tests are in place leading up to their fight scheduled on May 25th at the Montreal Bell Centre. All parties have agreed on all procedures and both fighters have approved the antidoping program.

The program is inspired by the highest standards in the industry and calls for unannounced testing for each boxer before, during and after the May 25th fight.

At the request of the third parties involved in this effort, all procedures and intervening companies shall remain confidential.

Both promoters, together with their respective boxers and team members, will not comment further on any aspect related to the program or procedures in place.