Jose Nieves scored a ninth round stoppage over Danny Flores in a scheduled twelve round Bantamweight bout in Palm Bay, Florida.

Flores dropped Nieves in round three from a combination. Nieves recovered and started taking control in the middle rounds until a heavy flurry hurt Flores and the bout was stopped.

Nieves, 118 lbs of Carolina, PR is now 22-2-3 with eleven knockouts. Flores is now 14-3.

In a sloppy Heavyweight bout scheduled for ten rounds, Yunier Dorticos remained perfect by stopping Willie Herring after the third round.

Dorticos was docked a point for low blows. After that Herring kept falling to the canvas and he finally could not continue after the third round.

Dorticos, 202 lbs of of Miami is now 14-0 with all wins coming by knockout. Herring, 202 lbs of Orlando, FL is now 14-13-3.

In a battle of pro debuting Super Flyweights, Ariel Vega dropped Jose Rodriguez in round two and round four with the latter leading to a fourth round stoppage victory

CABAZON, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2013) – For the 102nd and 103rd times in its 10½-year history, a previously unbeaten fighter suffered the first loss of his career on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME®.

The latest was Art “Lionheart” Hovhannisyan, of Glendale, Calif., who dropped a close, unanimous 10-round decision to Alejandro “El Alacran” Perez, of Salinas, Calif., in an action-packed main event Friday night at Morongo Casino Resort.

Perez (17-3-1, 11 KOs) outpointed the naturally bigger Hovhannisyan (15-1-2, 8 KOs) by the scores of 96-93 twice and 95-94. There were no knockdowns.

Perez and Hovhannisyan are quite familiar with each other, having sparred as many as 80 rounds in the past. They are pals. But they didn’t perform like it, treating the fans to an entertaining, fast-paced, hard-fought fight that featured numerous heated exchanges

The crowd-pleasing Perez lost his previous ShoBox fights to then-highly regarded prospects Diego Magdaleno and Rico Ramos. Magdaleno is still perfect as a pro; Ramos went on to become a world champion.

“It’s a great relief to finally win one on ShoBox, but I definitely felt I had it,’’ said Perez, who was triumphant despite getting docked a point for a low blow in the fifth. “All the hard work paid off for me. Although this was my first fight in a year, I never stopped training and never quit going to the gym.

“I think I surprised Art with my straight right hands down the middle. I don’t think he expected that. It was something we worked on specifically for this fight. I train hard to please the fans and give them a great show, and I think we gave them a great fight tonight.’’

A bitterly disappointed Hovhannisyan didn’t seem as upset with the decision as he was with himself. “It was a close fight,’’ he said. “I didn’t throw enough punches.’’

Former Bahamian Olympian Tureano Johnson scored a eight round unanimous decision over Willie Fortune in a fight that featured two undefeated Middleweights.

Johnson was dominant as he thew and landed many more punches then Fortune and was extremely accurate and the fight was one-sided as Fortune showed more guts then competitiveness in the bout.

Johnson outlanded Fortune 277-140 and connected on a staggering 59% of his punches

Johnson, 159 lbs of Nassau, Bahamas won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 14-0. Fortune, 157 lbs of Detroit is 15-1

BRONX, NY (February 22, 2013) All participants on the sensational seven bout NBC Sports Network FIGHT NIGHT professional boxing card were on weight at Friday afternoon’s Official Weigh-In.

Glazkov and Scott

Algieri and Peralta

Karperis and Johnson

Gotay and Branch

Issouf Kinda

FIGHT NIGHT is presented by Star Boxing, Main Events and Goossen-Tutor.

Vyacheslav Glazkov, 220 vs. Malik Scott, 225

Ten Rounds

Chris Algieri, 143 vs. Jose Peralta, 143

Ten Rounds

Issouf Kinda, 141 vs. Javier Loya, 140.5

Eight Rounds

Cletus Seldin, 142.5 vs. Jonathan Cuba, 141

Six Rounds

Karl Dargan, 135 vs. Ramesis Gil, 137.25

Six Rounds

Alan Gotay, 132 vs. Micah Branch, 132

Four Rounds

Anthony Karperis, 139 vs. Justin Johnson, 141

Four Rounds

ABOUT FEBRUARY 23 FIGHTS

Tickets priced at $200, $150, $125, $100 and $50 can be purchased through Star Boxing 718-823-2000, www.starboxing.com, the Paramount Box office 631-673-7300, Ticketmaster 1-800-745-3000 or www.Ticketmaster.com.

A limited number of seats remain.

Seven bouts are planned for the February 23 card to be held at The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington, NY. Doors open at 6:30pm ET, first bell is at 7:30pm ET. TV bouts start at 10:30pm ET.

SOCIAL MEDIA INFO

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To find the location of the NBC Sports Network on your local cable, satellite or IPTV provider, click here: http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30092015/ns/sports/

Tweet the link to NBC Sports Network Fight Night channel finder: bit.ly/175UuU

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#FightNight

MAIN EVENTS

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THE PARAMOUNT

http://www.paramountny.com/

@TheParamountNY

MEDIA CONTACTS

Star Boxing, Main office, pr@starboxing.com, 718-823-2000

Star Boxing, Bernie Bahrmasel, berniebahrmasel@yahoo.com, 773-592-2986

Main Events, Ellen Haley, ehaley@mainevents.com, 973-200-7050

NBC Sports Group, Alex Rozis, alex.rozis@nbcuni.com, 212-664-4154

Goossen Tutor, Tom Brown, tbrown54@aol.com, 818-817-8001

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing Inc. is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2012. 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 @ Star Boxing and Facebook at Star Boxing.

ABOUT MODELL’S SPORTING GOODS

Founded in 1889, Modell’s Sporting Goods is the local family sporting goods destination that provides a convenient and compelling shopping experience for the athlete and fan in all of us. Modell’s offers customers an assortment of top brands in sporting goods equipment, footwear and active apparel for every level of play year round. The retailer operates 153 stores located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC. In addition to www.Modells.com, which services customers all over the country.

ABOUT THE FOX HOLLOW

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

ABOUT THE PARAMOUNT:

Opened September 30, 2011 this 1,555 capacity live entertainment venue located in downtown Huntington, Long Island, features concerts, boxing, comedy, community and other special events. Booked by Live Nation, the Paramount has hosted over 150 events in its first year of operation and quickly established itself as the premier music venue on Long Island. Some recent acts to take the stage include Pitbull, Taking Back Sunday, The Pixies, Elvis Costello, Warren Haynes, Willie Nelson, Brand New, Goo Goo Dolls, Primus, Marilyn Manson, Korn, The Wanted, The Script, Panic! At the Disco and many, more.

Star Boxing

Star Boxing Exclusive Merchandise

***All press releases are available in word and pdf documents. Contact pr@starboxing.com if needed.***

Any attached Photograph(s) may only be used for news, information or promotional purposes and only for the period commencing on the date of this e-mail and ending 90 days later (the “License Period”). Any other use and any use after the License Period is strictly prohibited without permission in writing from Star Boxing, Inc. All inquiries should be addressed to Star Boxing, Inc., 991 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York 10462.

Copyright © Star Boxing, Inc. 2011 All Rights Reserved.

Lamont Peterson retained the IBF Jr. Welterweight title with a eighth round stoppage over former beltholder Kendall Holt at the DC Armory in Washington, DC.

Holt came out boxing well over the first three rounds. Peterson started ti get his motor running as he started walking down Holt and dropped him with a big overhand right in round four. Peterson started applying intense pressure that had Holt backing. A big combination on the ropes hurt Holt in round six and it was cleaned up by a big right hand that sent Hold to the canvas for a second time.

Peterson was relentless and landed some hard combinations in round seven and he then finished things off in the eighth with a devastating flurry on the ropes and referee Tony Weeks stopped the bout at 1:42 of round eight.

Peterson, 139.6 lbs of Washington, D.C. was fighting for the first time in fourteen months after testing positive for synthetic testosterone is now 31-1-1 with sixteen knockouts. Holt, 140 lbs of Paterson, NJ is now 28-6.

Roman Morales scored a fifth round stoppage over Jesus Hernandez in a scheduled eight round Jr. Featherweight bout.

Morales boxed well and got out to an early lead lead over the first three rounds. In round four, Morales scored a knockdown from a right habd just before the end of the frame. Morales ended things with a perfect left to the body that sent Hernandez down for referee Malik Walid’s ten count and the bout was over at 2:59 of round five

Morales, 122 lbs of San Ardo, CA is now 15-0 with eight knockouts. Hernandez, 121 lbs of Riverside, CA is 10-1-3

SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, Delayed On The West Coast)

CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE – 152. 8 Pounds

ISHE SMITH – 152.8 Pounds

J’LEON LOVE – 161 Pounds

DERRICK FINDLEY – 161 Pounds

NON-TELEVISED UNDERCARD

BADOU JACK – 167.8 Pounds

DON MOUTON – 164.8 Pounds

LUIS ARIAS – 163.2 Pounds

EDGAR PEREZ – 163.8 Pounds

TERRELL GAUSHA – 164 Pounds

LEKAN BYFIELD – 164 Pounds

JOSEPH BONAS – 153 Pounds

COY WITT – 152.2 Pounds

BRAULIO SANTOS – 127.4 Pounds

TERRANCE WALKER – 127 Pounds

STEVE GEFFRARD – 188.2 Pounds

KENTRELL CLAIBORNE – 190.2 Pounds

D’MITRIUS BALLARD – 164.4 Pounds

KELLY HENDERSON – 169.2 Pounds

ABOUT “BUNDRAGE VS. SMITH”:

Bundrage vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, February 23 at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, sponsored by Corona and MGM Grand Detroit and will be televised live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round middleweight bout between Detroit’s undefeated rising star J’Leon Love and Derrick Findley of Gary, Indiana.

Tickets priced at $200, $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale now and are available for purchase at the Masonic Temple box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.com and www.themasonic.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/MayweatherPromo, www.twitter.com/K9Boxing, www.twitter.com/IsheSugarShay, www.twitter.com/JLeonLove, www.twitter.com/BadouJack, www.twitter.com/LuisCubaArias, www.twitter.com/TerrellGausha, www.twitter.com/stevegeffrard, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #BundrageSmith become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

LOS ANGELES, February 22 – The Classics are back on FOX Deportes this Saturday, February 23 with a hard-hitting doubleheader featuring lightweight title challenger Sharif “The Lion” Bogere and top featherweight contender Gary Russell Jr, the stars of the March 2 Showtime televised boxing event at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

In the Classics main event, we see Bogere move from prospect to contender when he battled the always-tough Raymundo Beltran. The co-featured bout takes a look back at Russell tackling tough veteran Antonio Meza beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

A charismatic and exciting fighter throughout his career, Uganda’s Sharif “The Lion” Bogere, who now resides in Las Vegas, made a statement to the world that he arrived on May 13, 2011 when he won a hard-fought 10-round battle over highly-regarded Raymundo Beltran to win the vacant NABO lightweight title.

Known as one of the most technically sound boxers in the game today, Gary Russell Jr. also packs quite a punch, something Mexico’s Antonio “Barrio” Meza found out the hard way on June 17, 2011 when he was dropped three times by the 2008 United States Olympic team member before the end of the fourth round.

# # #

Abril vs.Bogere, a 12-round fight for the vacant WBA Lightweight World
Championship, will take place Saturday, March 2 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME telecast beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round featherweight bout between undefeated phenom Gary Russell Jr. and Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev
.

Tickets priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $125, are on sale at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. An exact on sale date will be announced as soon as determined.

For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit www.goldenboypromotions.comor www.FOXDeportes.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes visit us on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page or www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

NEW YORK (Feb. 22, 2013) — Since its inception in July 2001, 47 fighters who’ve appeared on ShoBox: The New Generation have gone on to capture a world title.

One of them, Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (32-4, 19 KO’s), of Detroit, will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against fellow ShoBox alum, Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (24-5, 11 KO’s), of Las Vegas, tomorrow/Saturday, Feb. 23, live on SHOWTIME® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit.

Bundrage fought twice on ShoBox, and in his most recent start, on a Special Edition of the critically acclaimed series, he retained the 154-pound world title with a seventh-round knockout win over former titleholder Cory Spinks in a rematch on June 30, 2012.

But it was his “double-knockdown” fight against southpaw Sechew Powell in his ShoBox debut on May 6, 2005 that will be forever etched in fans’ memories. Both fighters were knocked down simultaneously in the bout’s opening seconds. They each got up immediately, then Powell scored another knockdown with a left hand. Bundrage got up, but stumbled across the ring and fell. He got up again, but stumbled across the ring and fell again. The official time of the fight was 0:22.

“The premise on ShoBox has always been to match prospects tough and when ‘K9’ fought Powell, both were unbeaten,” ShoBox Executive Producer Gordon Hall said. “Bundrage was 21-0 going in, Powell 15-0 at the time. Because of the double knockdown, their fight was one of the most memorable in ShoBox history.

“That ‘K9’ is defending against Ishe Smith on Saturday is a great thing. It’s always neat to have a ShoBox fighter who’s gone on to win a title come back to the network and defend it.”

A resilient Bundrage has gone 8-3-1 since the “double-knockdown” fight, including fighting four times during his stint on The Contender reality show in 2006 and capturing the IBF Junior Middleweight Title with a fifth-round technical knockout win over Spinks in their first fight on Aug. 7, 2010. In his outing before last, in his first defense, “K9” avenged the loss to Powell by winning a dominant 12-round decision on June 25, 2011.

“We could do ShoBox for 100 years and that 22-second double knockdown between Powell and ‘K9’ will always be front and center in terms of memories,” said boxing historian and ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood. “Given that K-9 suffered that type of loss, and then went on to lose in the semis of Season Two of The Contender, it tells you a lot about his character that he still advanced to become a world champion.”

The double-knockdown loss taught “K9” an invaluable lesson, one that served him well in his career since. “I learned that I have to exercise patience,” he said. “I just try and get better and compete, but the whole key is patience and not getting overly anxious.

“When I fought Powell the first time, I had an associate tell me that he would give me 10 grand for a first-round knockout, so I went for it, but became too anxious and it cost me,” Bundrage said. “At that time, I’d been very active, the most active in my career, so it seemed like a good idea. Turns out it was a terrible decision on my part, but I learned, the hardest way, that I had to fight a with a little more patience, that no matter where I am fighting or who it’s against, anything can happen and that no one is invincible.

“That was the first loss of my life. I came up from the streets. I grew up in the streets but I’d never lost a fight on the streets, so the loss to Powell really took a lot out of me. It humbled me, but my faith got me through. I grew up in the church. I prayed that I could get back on TV again and God granted my wish to be on TV again. The whole thing is, I’d taken the fight with Powell because I wanted to get on TV, and God granted my wish. Right after the Powell fight, I was on The Contender and I’ve had nothing but big fights since.

“Looking back, I see now that it just wasn’t time for me to be where I’m at now, on God’s time and a champion of the world. Now I’m back on SHOWTIME where it all began for me. Thanks to God, and I give all glory to Him. I’ve come full circle.”

Smith, who is seeking to become the first Las Vegas-born boxing world champion, is 4-1 on ShoBox and 1-0 on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

“Ishe was one of many top up and coming prospects who passed their early tests on ShoBox,” Hall recalls. “First, he defeated Sam Garr and David Estrada and then he beat future World Champion Randall Bailey. That got him on The Contender in 2004. Four years later, he came back to ShoBox not as a prospect but as a veteran playing the spoiler role and resurrected his career by upsetting the undefeated favorite Pawel Wolak (21-0 going in) in Wolak’s backyard (Brooklyn, N.Y.).”

Smith credits ShoBox for keeping his topsy-turvy career relevant.

“If not for ShoBox I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said. “Since my first fight on ShoBox in early 2003, they have always had my back, they have always backed me even when other networks would not approve me for certain opponents, when no one else would give me a chance.

“Really, the entire ShoBox family has been great to me; Nick Charles rest in peace, Steve Farhood, everybody. They have always treated me like family and I feel the same way about them. When Nick, a loveable guy who always showed me so much respect, died, it was as hard on me as it was on them. ShoBox has really been a staple of my career and I thank them for that. It’s awesome getting my first title shot on SHOWTIME. It will almost be 10 years to the day from my first fight on ShoBox.”

Smith is coming off of a lopsided 10-round decision victory over Irving Garcia on SHOWTIME EXTREME on Sept. 8, 2012. His lone loss on ShoBox came in a close decision to then-undefeated southpaw and now world title challenger Fernando Guerrero on July 16, 2010, a result Smith disputes to this day. “I should be unbeaten on ShoBox,” he said. “I definitely felt I did enough to win against Guerrero.”

Regarding Saturday’s matchup, Farhood, who has called every ShoBox fight, said, “Given how long ago both of these fighters debuted on ShoBox, it says tons about both of them that we find them at this level in 2013 fighting in a world title fight.

“I’m so happy Ishe is getting his first title shot because whether he’s won or lost, he’s always given such a great effort on SHOWTIME. He has said many times that he defines himself as a SHOWTIME fighter. He could easily be unbeaten on ShoBox. I scored the Guerrero fight in his favor.”

Fans can expect both veterans to lay it on the line on Saturday.

“I’m really looking forward to Saturday and I thank everyone involved for making the fight happen,” Bundrage said. “I’ve been around this game a long time. This is a great opportunity. Tell Ishe, he’d better be ready. The Dog is coming.”

Smith says he’ll be prepared for anything. “I have no expectations on what to expect,” he said. “Our motto in camp has been to get the win by any means necessary. It’s been a long road, but it’s just awesome and only fitting that I am getting this world title shot on SHOWTIME. I plan to make the most of it and bring the title back to Las Vegas.”

#####

Bundrage vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, will take place tomorrow/Saturday, February 23 at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, sponsored by Corona and MGM Grand Detroit and will be televised live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round middleweight bout between Detroit’s undefeated rising star J’Leon Love and Derrick Findley of Gary, Indiana.

Tickets priced at $200, $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale at the Masonic Temple box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

The historic Masonic Temple in downtown Detroit was dedicated on November 25, 1926. With 1,037 rooms and 550,000 square feet, and built to house numerous fraternal organizations, it is the largest structure of its kind in the world. This amazing Gothic building was constructed between 1920 and 1926 at a cost of $7 million. George Washington’s own working tools were used to spread the first mortar for the cornerstone. Washington, who was a Freemason used these same tools to lay the cornerstone of the Capitol building in Washington DC.

For information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.com, and www.themasonic.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/MayweatherPromo, www.twitter.com/K9Boxing, www.twitter.com/IsheSugarShay, www.twitter.com/JLeonLove www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #BundrageSmith or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

CONTACTS:

LOS ANGELES, February 22 – Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce the latest additions to its roster with the signing of former amateur stars D’Mitrius Ballard of Maryland and Steve Geffrard of Florida to exclusive promotional agreements with boxing’s leading promotional company.

The two light heavyweight boxers will make their professional debuts this Saturday night on the Cornelius Bundrage vs. Ishe Smith undercard at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan.

“This is an exciting time for Golden Boy Promotions and the sport of boxing,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “We’ve had a great injection of new talent over the past few months and with the addition of D’Mitrius and Steve, I feel even more confident that the future of our sport is in great hands.”

A stellar amateur competitor, 19-year-old D’Mitrius Ballard won five Ringside World Championship titles, a 2012 National Golden Gloves crown and four National PAL titles, a member of the 2012 Olympic trial team, among many other accolades. Trained by Lamont Roach Sr., the talented youngster from Temple Hills, Maryland is excited and ready to begin his pro journey.

“Golden Boy Promotions is the best promoter in the game today and to be on the same roster as a lot of my friends from the amateurs is an added bonus,” said Ballard. “I’m ready to take the headgear off and get started. I can’t wait.”

An amateur Triple Crown winner in 2010 who earned the National Golden Gloves, USA Boxing National and National PAL titles, 22-year-old light heavyweight Steve Geffrard fell just short of making the 2012 United States Olympic team. Instead of waiting for another shot at the 2016 Games, the Miami, Florida resident will instead make his way into the pros. Now training in Houston with renowned trainer Ronnie Shields, the promising light heavyweight is expected to do big things in the coming years.

“This is an honor for me to be working with Golden Boy Promotions and I promise that no one will be disappointed with my performances,” said Geffrard. “Everything has happened so fast, but I’m taking it all in as I get ready for my pro debut on Saturday.”

February 22, 2013 – Super featherweight hopeful Mark “Too Sharp” Davis is quickly gaining a reputation for being one of the most avoided fighters in his division, and possibly even the surrounding weight classes as well. It’s not difficult to understand what it is about Davis that fighters find so uninviting because no fighter wants to be the least dangerous man in the ring, but that is the harsh reality that potential opponents face when contemplating a fight with Davis.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Davis collected over 200 victories in the amateurs before turning pro in 2007. Now, with an undefeated professional record of (16-0, 5 KOs) Davis is ready to step up his competition, the problem is he’s been met with hesitation from certain fighters and it has proven difficult to secure a fight with an opponent who has presumably seen Davis in action.

Terence Crawford (19-0, 15 KOs), a highly touted prospect in his own right, became the most recent fighter to dodge a showdown with Davis. The two fighters were working towards inking a deal and Davis, who is an unsigned free agent, had expressed his strong desires for making the fight a reality. The deal would’ve been easy to make from Davis’ side of things based on the fact that he doesn’t have a promotional company to muddy up the waters, yet it wasn’t to be and you have to assume that it was more of a question of Crawford’s unwillingness to step up to the plate.

“I was game, I wanted this fight and I thought it was going to happen,” Davis expressed. “I don’t know what it is, but I can tell you that this fight isn’t happening and it has nothing to do with me. The hesitancy isn’t coming from my end of things, Eddy can only do so much and at the end of the day we can’t force anyone to do something that they’re terrified of doing. I can understand that because I don’t know if I’d step into the ring with me either, not if I wanted to keep winning.”

Although Davis is a promotional free agent he is advised by Eddy Marin and Marin has guided Davis very precisely and has come up with a premeditated game plan for bringing Davis along in his career thus far.

“He’s ready to move up to the next level of competition. Mark has expressed to me that he is willing to fight anyone who is willing to fight him, even if that means moving up to 135lbs. He was ready to move up to 135 to fight Crawford, but I guess that wasn’t enough for Crawford to risk his status against a superior fighter like Mark,” Marin said.

Davis is very deliberate in the ring and he possesses the speed and precision to execute a very calculated attack. His footwork allows him to glide flawlessly across the ring and these attributes are clearly not appealing to fighters that can’t match his natural grace. Still, Davis is willing to make the necessary sacrifices in order to land a quality opponent.

“I have the luxury of coming to terms for a fight fairly easy because I don’t have anyone dictating my decisions. Eddy and I are on the same page, we have goals we’re looking to accomplish and I will make sure that my future opponents don’t have to worry about the red tape when it comes to getting a deal done. I just want to fight and I’m looking for an opponent that shares my passion for the sport,” Davis said.

NEW YORK (February 22, 2013) — World championship boxing makes its 2013 debut on EPIX next month with an exciting quadruple-header! World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight champion RICKY “Rickster” BURNS and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titlist MIGUEL “Titere” VAZQUEZ will collide in a world title unification to determine the division’s top dog in the main event of a blockbuster four-bout card. “Best of Britain” will be televised live ringside from Wembley Arena in London, Saturday, March 16, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT, exclusively on EPIX, the premium entertainment service. EPIX will stream the fights live on EpixHD.com and on the EPIX app on Xbox consoles and Roku players as part of a special free trial offer for boxing fans.

In addition to the Burns- Vazquez match, the EPIX “Best of Britain” live telecast will feature undefeated WBO light heavyweight champion NATHAN CLEVERLY defending his title against No. 1 contender ROBIN KRASNIQI; and undefeated No. 2-rated contender GEORGE GROVES will risk his record and rating against fellow Top-10 contender MOUHAMED NDIAYE in a rumble for the vacant European super middleweight title. The televised card will be rounded out with one-time world heavyweight title challenger DERECK “Del Boy” CHISORA making his 2013 debut.

These seven gladiators boast a combined record of 185-12 (84 KOs) — a winning percentage of 94%.

Last year, Burns (35-2, 10 KOs), of Coatbridge, Scotland, became his country’s first two-division world champion in 20 years. He captured the WBO junior lightweight title in 2010, winning a thrilling 12-round decision over defending champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez despite suffering a first-round knockdown. It remains the only loss on the two-time world champion’s resume. After three successful title defenses, Burns moved up to the lightweight division, winning the WBO interim title in 2011 over former champion Michael Katsidis. He is in his second year of his WBO lightweight title reign having successfully defended his world championship belt twice, against top-rated contenders Paulos Moses and Kevin Mitchell, who had a combined record of 61-2 when he fought them.

Vazquez (33-3, 13 KOs), of Guadalajara, México, enters this fight riding a five-year, 12-bout winning streak. He captured the vacant IBF lightweight title in 2010, via a dominant unanimous decision over Ji-Hoon Kim. He has successfully defended his title five times during his two-year reign. His last fight was a masterpiece, blitzing heralded undefeated contender Mercito Gesta via unanimous decision on the December 8 Manny Pacquiao – Juan Manuel Márquez 4 pay-per-view undercard.

Cleverly (25-0, 12 KOs), of Caerphilly, Wales, was British Commonwealth and European light heavyweight champion before he ascended the throne as world champion. After winning the WBO interim light heavyweight title in 2010, winning a close but unanimous decision over Nadjib Mohammedi, he was elevated to world champion a few months later where he has since successfully defended the WBO title four times since 2011 against opponents who had a combined record of 81-6-2 when he battled them. In Cleverly’s last fight, which took place at Staples Center in Los Angeles on November 11, he blasted out Shawn Hawk in the eighth round.

Krasniqi (39-2, 15 KOs), a native of Serbia who fights out of Munich, Germany, is riding a seven-year, 38-bout winning streak. Only once has Krasniqi ever fought outside Germany — in Prague, Czech Republic in 2010. He enters this fight having won his last four fights by knockout. Those victories also earned him the WBO European and WBO International light heavyweight crowns as well and his WBO mandatory challenger position.

Groves (16-0, 12 KOs), of Hammersmith, England, has a trophy case that already displays the British and Commonwealth super middleweight belts. He will be looking to add the vacant European title to his resume. He ended 2012 with a masterclass performance — a unanimous decision victory over former world champion and Fighter of the Year Glenn Johnson, last December 15. Groves is currently world-rated No. 2 by the WBO and the World Boxing Association (WBA), No. 6 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 7 by the IBF.

Ndiaye (22-1, 13 KOs), enters this fight enjoying a five-year, nine-bout winning streak. A native of Senegal, Ndiaye trains and lives in Pontedera, Toscana, Italy. He has held the Italian and the European super middleweight titles. World-rated No. 8 by the WBC, Ndiaye has won his last three bouts by stoppage.

Chisora (15-4, 9 KOs), from London, went the 12-round limit in a valiant challenge of WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko on February 18, 2012 before losing the decision. The former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion will be looking to return to world title contention this year.

About EPIX

EPIX® is the newest premium entertainment network delivering the latest movie releases, classic library titles, plus original films, comedy, music and sports events on TV, on demand, online and on devices. Launched October 2009 as the first multiplatform premium network with online accessibility for subscribers through EpixHD.com, EPIX pioneered the development and proliferation of TV Everywhere for American consumers. EPIX was the first premium network to launch on Xbox 360®consoles, first on Android™ tablets and phones, first on Roku® players and soon to be the first to launch on PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system. EPIX is available to authenticated subscribers on hundreds of devices including Apple® iPads®, iPhones®, Kindle Fire tablets, Samsung® Smart TVs and Blu-ray™ players and more. Today EPIX remains the only premium service providing its entire monthly line-up from new Hollywood hits to original programs on all platforms and provides more movies than any other premium network.

EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), available to over 30 million homes nationwide through distribution partners including Charter Communications, Cox Communications, DISH Network, Mediacom Communications, NCTC, Suddenlink Communications and Verizon FiOS.

For more information about EPIX, go to www.EpixHD.com. Follow EPIX Sports on Twitter @EPIXsports and on Facebook www.facebook.com/EPIXsports.

LOWELL, Mass. (February 22, 2013) — Recent world title challenger Osumanu Adama (20-3, 15 KOs) has been added to the March 16th “CFC Fight Night” card in the 10-round co-feature against Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer (30-14, 16 KOs), winner of The Contender II television reality series, for the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) middleweight title.

“CFC Fight Night,” presented by Chicago Fight Clubs Promotion, is being held on Saturday night, Mar. 16, kicking-off St. Patrick’s Day weekend, at Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. Doors open at 7 PM/ET, first bout scheduled for 8:00 PM/ET.

Lowell is the home of “Irish” Micky Ward and his brother, Dicky Eklund, whose lives were portrayed in the movie, “The Fighter.”

Eklund trains wildly popular Lowell light heavyweight, “Irish” Joey McCreedy (13-6-2, 6 KOs), who will be fighting for the vacant United Boxing Federation’s (UBF) 175-pound title against an opponent to soon be announced in the 10-round main event.

Adama, a native of Ghana who fights out of Joliet, Illinois, is world ranked at No. 12 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and No. 4 by the International Boxing Organization (IBO). In his last fight one year ago, Adama challenged IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale (26-1) in Australia, losing a 12-round decision in Geale’s backyard. Adama’s most notable victories have been over former world champion Roman Karmazin (TKO9), Marcus Upshaw (TKO4), and Angel Hernandez (DEC12). Adama, who is promoted by Chicago Fight Clubs Promotion, is a former Ghanaian and West African middleweight and light middleweight champion, as well as a past United States Boxing Association (USBA), United States Boxing Organization (USBO), and IBO International middleweight title holder.

Back in 2006, Brewer defeated former world champion Steve Forbes by way of a 10-round decision in the championship bout to win The Contender II. During his career, Oklahoma-native Brewer has defeated top-level fighters such as current IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius Bundrage for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title, along with upcoming World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight challenger Fernando Guerrero, Cuban prospect Giorbis Barthelemy, and previously undefeated Albert Onolunose.

Former World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris (29-9-2, 19 KOs) returns from his brief retirement to fight Shakha Moore (11-18-3, 2 KOs), fighting out of Norwalk (CT), in an eight round bout.

Fighting in scheduled eight-round bouts are Quincy (MA) light heavyweight Chris Traietti (10-3, 6 KOs), an Iraq War veteran, vs. Tyler Seever (13-12-1, 11 KOs), of Saint Louis (MO); exciting Lawrence (MA) junior middleweight Eddie “Thunder” Caminero (7-7, 7 KOs) vs. Robert “RJ Black Gold” Stockwell (5-2-1, 4 KOs), of East Strausberg, Pennsylvania; plus two other Lawrence-based boxers, undefeated heavyweight Alexis Santos (7-0, 6 KOs), and lightweight Agustine Mauras (4-0-1, 3 KOs).

Also slated to fight on the undercard is Chicago heavyweight Boban Simic (1-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA, Dracut (MA) middleweight Bernie Ongewe (0-1) vs. Joshua “El Guerrero” Rivera (0-2), and pro-debuting Lowell bantamweight Mike Martin vs. Josh Crespo (0-2), of New Haven (CT).

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets (all reserved), reasonably priced at $42.00, $77.00 (floor) and $102.00 (ringside), are on sale and may be purchased online at the www.TsongasCenter.com; by phone at 866.722.8780; or at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell Box Office. Go to www.cfcpromotion.com, www.TsongasCenter.com, www.irishjoemccreedy.com or on Facebook/CFC Promotions LLC for additional information.

ABOUT TSONGAS CENTER AT UMASS LOWELL: Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell is a Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) managed facility. Global spectrum is the fastest growing firm in the public assembly facility management field with more than 100 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The Philadelphia-based company is part of one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment companies, Comcast-Spectacor, which also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks, Ovation Foods Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, and Front Row marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company and Paciolan, the leading provider of venue establishment ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions. In a partnership with Disson Skating, Comcast-Spectacor annually produces 10 nationally televised figure skating spectaculars on NBC.

New Rochelle, NY. – Jägermeister is proud to announce “A Brother in your Corner,” a social responsibility campaign and consumer competition with legendary boxing trainer, Freddie Roach.

Arguably the most noteworthy trainer in boxing today and one of the greatest of all time, Hall of Famer Freddie Roach has trained 31 world champion boxers. Over the course of his career, Roach has been very outspoken about taking care of his fighters in and out of the ring, advising them when it is time to call a fight or walk away from the round. Regardless of how unpopular of a decision it may be, Roach puts his brotherhood of boxers first and lives by the same code that Jägermeister follows, The Jager Code. The code of always having “A Brother in your Corner”.

Jägermeister and Freddie Roach challenge consumers to share stories of how they live by the “Jager Code” for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Vegas with 3 friends where they will receive a private training session from Roach himself, boxing tickets, dinner with the boxing great and VIP access to the weekend’s most exclusive party.

A Brother in Your Corner Competition begins February 19th and runs for 8 weeks. Each week, two entrants will advance to the final round, one based on popular vote and one Jägermeister-chosen wildcard, aptly named for Roach’s gym in Los Angeles. Those who advance due to popular vote will also receive boxing memorabilia signed by Roach. The grand prize winner of the ultimate weekend in Vegas will be hand-selected by Freddie Roach and announced the week of April 21st.

Freddie Roach says, “Jägermeister’s “A Brother in Your Corner” competition challenges everyone to step up and show how strong their bonds are within their brotherhoods. I know these bonds well, as I believe I have lived by this code throughout my entire career in boxing. I have been fortunate to train 31 world champions yet I feel it is not always about the win. It’s about always being in their corner and having their back.”

“Social responsibility is extremely important to the Jägermeister brand and to Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc. We are proud to partner with Freddie Roach to launch the pioneering ‘A Brother in Your Corner’ program which was developed to promote responsible consumption. We intend to effectively communicate the power of knowing when you’ve had enough and it’s better to sit a round out,” says Amanda Blanco, VP of Marketing for Jägermeister at Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc.

For official rules, full details on how to enter plus exclusive videos from Freddie Roach, Gerry Penalosa, James Toney, Wayne McCullough and Eva Futch, widow of the late Eddie Futch, visit www.jagercode.com or www.facebook.com/JagerUSA. Must be at least 21 years of age to enter. Open to all United States residents. No purchase necessary.

In May of 2012, Jägermeister unveiled “Stronger Bond”, the brand’s first ever television and 360° advertising campaign in the United States. Aimed at the 21-29 year old male demographic, Jägermeister brought together seven men at the top of their respective crafts to form the ultimate bond. Freddie Roach was among these men, who not only had to embody the untamed edge of Jägermeister, but also had to be a part of a group whose success relies on their strong bonds with others – one of the foremost social components of the brand.

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ABOUT JAGERMEISTER: Jägermeister, which translates to “master hunter,” is the #1 selling imported liqueur in the United States and one of the top shot brands in the world. The liqueur is based on a secret recipe, combining 56 different natural ingredients, including select herbs, blossoms, roots and fruits. Jägermeister, with the distinctive square bottle, was developed in 1934 in Germany and the brand quickly gained global fame through its innovative marketing, unique taste profile and its association with good times. The brand recently unveiled its first-ever television and 360° advertising campaign in the United States. The bold and compelling “Stronger Bond” campaign features a pantheon of legends that speak to the 21-29 year old male demographic including All-Pro Wide Receiver – Keyshawn Johnson, Champion Boxing Trainer – Freddie Roach, Rock Icon – Kerry King, World Champion Bullfighter – Rob Smets, NASCAR Pit Crew Champion – Mike Lingerfelt, Famed Street and Tattoo Artist – Mister Cartoon and Big Wave Surfer – Nathan Fletcher. Jägermeister Liqueur is 35% Alc. /Vol. and imported exclusively by Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc., New Rochelle, NY. Visit www.jager.com or www.facebook.com/JagerUSA for additional information. DRINK RESPONSIBLY

BRONX, NY (February 21, 2013) A sensational undercard has been compiled for this Saturday night’s NBC Sport Network Fight Night professional boxing event at The Paramount in Huntington, New York. The Live telecast will begin at 10:30PM ET.

With two outstanding headline bouts being telecast cast LIVE on the NBC Sports Network Fight Night show and a card featuring eight undefeated fighters amidst a combined record of 142-14-9 of the fourteen combatants, fans will also be treated to five action packed undercard bouts showcasing some of boxing’s finest prospects.

In the main event of Fight Night, undefeated heavyweights Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov, 14-0-0 (10KO’s) of Lugansk, Ukraine and Philadelphia’s Malik Scott, 35-0-0 (12KO’s) will battle over ten rounds.

Glazkov

Co-headlining FIGHT NIGHT, The Fighting Pride of Huntington, New York, Chris Algieri, 14-0-0 (7KO’s) will face off against Jose “Mangu” Peralta, 10-1-0 (6KO’s) of Jersey City, New Jersey in a ten round junior welterweight bout.

Algieri

Peralta

Kicking off the undercard in the junior welterweight division, undefeated local fan favorite, 25-year-old Issouf Kinda will risk his undefeated record against hard hitting Mexican Javier Loya in a scheduled eight round bout.

The colorful and highly skilled Kinda has continuously impressed the New York City area boxing fans since turning professional in 2009. Sporting a record of 15-0-0 with five knockouts, Kinda is coming off a career best victory on OCTOBER 13, winning a ten round shut out unanimous decision bout over former world title challenger Mike Arnaoutis at the NYCB Theatre in Westbury, New York. With the win Kinda earned the New York State Junior Welterweight Title.

The tough as nails 27-year-old Loya, 7-1-0 (6KO’s), returns to battle following his only loss, at the hands of highly touted prospect Jose Benavidez on AUGUST 4, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Among Loya’s seven victories, two came against undefeated, hometown prospects, Genaro Mendez in Chicago, Illinois in April 2011 and Jose Vargas two months later in Indio, California.

Also in the junior welterweight division, bone-crushing undefeated Long Island native Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin will seek to add to his seven-bout knockout streak as he faces off with Jonathan “Lil Big Man” Cuba of Queens, New York.

Seldin

Undefeated with a record of 10-0-0 (8KO’s). the 26-year-old Seldin has become well known for his show stopping knockouts, five of which have come at The Paramount.

Seldin’s opponent is also 26-years-old and sports a record of 6-4-1 (4KO’s), Cuba won the New York State Lightweight Title on NOVEMBER 23, 2011, taking an eight round decision over Ariel Duran in Woodhaven, New York.

Former national standout Karl “Dynamite” Dargan of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will defend his unblemished record as he faces San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Ramses Gil in a six round lightweight bout.

Dargan

The 27-year-old Dynamite, 11-0-0 (6KO’s), will be making his first start of 2013, capping off his 2012 campaign with a fourth round knockout of Jesse Carradine on SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey.

On AUGUST 10, 2012, Gil, 8-5-3 (5KO’s), captured his best career victory winning a six round decision over hometown and undefeated fan favorite Carney Bowman in York, Pennsylvania.

Popular Huntington, New York newcomer Alan Gotay, 3-0-0 (2KO’s) will look to stay perfect taking on Micah Branch, 1-3-1, of Cincinnati, Ohio in a four round lightweight bout. Just 22 years old, the all-action Gotay is coming off a stunning first round knockout of Shane Reynolds JANUARY 25, 2013 in front of a sold-out crowd at The Paramount.

Rounding out the stellar undercard junior welterweight newcomer Anthony Karperis, 3-0-0 (2KO’s), of Hicksville, New York will see battle against Justin Johnson, 4-3-4, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in a scheduled four round tilt.

Kaperis

ABOUT FEBRUARY 23 FIGHTS

The February 23rd card is promoted by Main Events, Star Boxing and Goossen Tutor.

Seven bouts are planned for the February 23 card to be held at The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington, NY. Doors open at 6:30pm. First fight is at 7:30pm.

Tickets priced at $200, $150, $125 $100 and $50 (standing room) can be purchased through Star Boxing 718-823-2000, www.starboxing.com, Paramount Box office 631-673-7300, Ticketmaster 1-800-745-3000 or www.Ticketmaster.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA INFO

NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT

Twitter: #FightNight

Twitter: @main_events @NBCSN

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To find the location of the NBC Sports Network on your local cable, satellite or IPTV provider, click here: http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30092015/ns/sports/

Tweet the link to NBC Sports Network Fight Night channel finder: bit.ly/175UuU

NBC SPORTS GROUP

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/

Tweets by NBCSN

@NBCSports

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#FightNight

MAIN EVENTS

http://www.mainevents.com/

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STAR BOXING

www.StarBoxing.com

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http://www.facebook.com/StarBoxing

GOOSSEN TUTOR

http://goossentutor.com

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THE PARAMOUNT

http://paramountny.com

@The ParamountNY

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CABAZON, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2013) – The boxers who will fight on a terrific doubleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow/Friday, Feb. 22, live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) made weight on their first attempts Thursday at Morongo Casino Resort.

Main eventers Art “Lionheart” Hovhannisyan (15-0-2, 8 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., and Alejandro “El Alacran” Perez (16-3-1, 11 KOs), of Salinas, Calif., each tipped the scale at 130 pounds.

In an eight-round collision of unbeatens in the co-feature that opens the telecast, Tureano “Reno” Johnson (13-0, 10 KOs), who represented the Bahamas in the 2008 Olympic Games, faces Willie Fortune (15-0, 7 KOs), of Detroit, Mich., in a middleweight match. Johnson weighed 159 pounds, Fortune 157.

Tickets for the Gary Shaw Productions event are priced $35 and $55 and are on sale at the Morongo Casino Box Office or by calling the Box Office hotline at (951) 755-5391. They are also available by calling Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. Doors open on fight night at 5 p.m. The first fight starts at 5:30 p.m. The Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is located at 49500 Seminole Dr. in Cabazon, 92230.

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

What the fighters said Thursday:

ART HOVHANNISYAN

“We’ve sparred a lot, we know each other well and we’re friends. But business is business and once the bell sounds, the fight is on. I know what Alejandro is capable of so there’s no way I underestimate him. He’s going to give it everything he has. So am I. I expect him to come right at me and try and outhustle me

“I want to fight for a world title this year, and it doesn’t matter which champion I fight. Alejandro has fought some good guys like Diego Magdaleno and Rico Ramos, so this fight should show me where I’m at. This is obviously a very important fight for me.

“I thought going 10 hard rounds in my last fight (against former world champion Miguel Acosta) was good for me. He was a strong, tough guy. I felt in order to win I had to pick it up in the last two or three rounds, which I did. I’m hoping to be very active this year.’’

ALEJANDRO PEREZ

“There’s no way this won’t be an all-action fight. We both come to fight, and there’s a lot on the line.

“I’ve always been patient between fights looking for the right opportunity, and I never quit training or stayed out of the gym. So even though this is my first fight in a year, I’m in great shape and ready to go. My training camp was excellent. This is a great opportunity for me.

“I feel I’ve grown into a strong 130-pounder. My dieting and conditioning is different so making the weight is no problem and I feel stronger.

“When we sparred we both got in our fair share of good shots. I feel I know what to expect from Art. Art isn’t just a puncher, he can box. But for sure he comes to fight. My job is to try and stay a couple steps ahead of him. I’ve got some new stuff I’m bringing into this fight so I’m well-prepared.’’

TUREANO JOHNSON

“There’s been only one world champion from the Bahamas, Olisha Obed (former WBC 154-pound titlist). I want to be the next. I’m going to be the greatest champion of all time.

“My last two fights were at 168, but I have no trouble making 160 pounds. I just took those fights to see how my power was affected at the higher weights. But I feel my immediate future is fighting middleweight, or maybe even at 154.

“When I heard I had the opportunity to fight Forture, I jumped at the chance. Honestly, I can’t believe they took the fight. But it’s here and I’m treating it as the most important fight of my career.

“I feel I should have already fought for a world title. I was very discouraged when I had the long layoff (July 2010 to January 2012), but I fought nine times last year and I enjoyed all nine fights. I’m back on track to get to where I want to be.

“Sometimes I feel pity for the guys in the ring I hit. But I’m not just a power guy and I hope to show I can be a more complete fighter. I know what I can do, but I want to show the world. I want to be the best.’’

WILLIE FORTUNE

“This guy talks a lot. I’m from Detroit, so I just show and take care of business. I let my fists do the talking. The key to this fight, and all fights, is to hit and not be hit, to make him miss and then make him pay for his mistakes.

“I love the fact I’m fighting on SHOWTIME. This is the network that features the next generation of top fighters, the next crop of rising stars. I’m confident I can take advantage of this huge opportunity.”

DETROIT (Feb. 21, 2013) – Undefeated Eight-Time World Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather joined Cornelius Bundrage, Ishe Smith, J’Leon Love and Derrick Findley on Thursday at the final press conference for Saturday’s SHOWTIME event from the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Mich., which his company, Mayweather Promotions, will co-promote with Golden Boy Promotions.

In the main event, IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage will defend his title against challenger Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith, live on SHOWTIME® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). In the SHOWTIME co-feature, undefeated middleweight contender J’Leon Love (14-0, 8 KO’s) of Detroit will risk his perfect record against veteran Derrick “Superman” Findley (20-8, 13 KO’s) of Gary, Ind. in a 10-round fight.

Mayweather, already the highest paid athlete in the world (Forbes, 2012), also discussed the groundbreaking contract he recently inked with Showtime Networks Inc. and its parent company, CBS Corporation. The deal, a unique revenue-sharing arrangement between SHOWTIME PPV and Mayweather, will enable him to fight up to six times over a period of 30 months, with the first mega-event taking place on May 4, 2013 when Mayweather will fight Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero.

Here’s what the participants had to say on Thursday:

CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE:

“This cat right here [Smith], the last time he came to Detroit, he was scared to death. I could see a fear in him. He went home and started Tweeting. He’s a Facebook gangster and now he comes back to my city with The Money Team and all of a sudden he’s hard. I bark outside the ring, but I bite inside the ring. They can’t fight for him. I’ll give him the business and hopefully his boss [Floyd Mayweather] will step up.

“K9 is in the house. The dog is coming. I’m just excited. I’m fighting Ishe Smith, so I’m not worried about The Money Team. I’m not worried about Floyd. We have to do battle. Ishe, you’re not leaving here with that belt. The only think you’re going to have is that Twitter belt.

“He’s a pillow puncher. He’s going down. The only person I fear is God. Him [Smith], I’ll put him down. The thing is, 39-years-old for me is like 21 because I didn’t have an amateur career. I’m coming with everything. It’s going down. May the best man win.”

ISHE SMITH:

“I want to thank SHOWTIME. It’s been over 10 years now since my first fight on SHOWTIME and to think that my first world title shot is coming on SHOWTIME is unbelievable. It’s an unbelievable feeling to be on network TV so many times, even when some of the times I knew I was going to be on the ‘B’ side, they always had my back. It’s 10-plus years of a great relationship and it’s only fitting that this first world title shot to try to become the first-ever Vegas born champion is on this network.

“What can I say about Eddie Mustafa. I hadn’t fought in 18 months and I didn’t know if I even wanted to fight anymore. He told me to come to the gym. He would call me and make sure I was OK. I grew up fatherless so he was like a father-figure.

“This crowd here is full of K9 supporters and that’s great. If you guys came to Vegas, it would be full of Ishe Smith supporters. This isn’t football, this isn’t basketball. You can’t yell at a quarterback and have him hear you. It’s just me and him in the ring. He has to fight and I have to fight too. The one thing about it is he’s going to get touched. I’ve had almost 30 pro fights and I’ve never been down, never stopped. Bottom line is, it’s one-on-one. We’re going to strictly box hard. I’m coming to fight and I’m taking that title back to Vegas. That’s the way it’s going to be.

“It’s like my boy Chico (Diego Corrales) used to always tell me, it’s a war of attrition. You have to go out on your back. I’d rather go out on my back than leave without that title. He can question everything about me, but come Saturday night we’re going to see who’s the real champion.”

“I need to thank Floyd for everything he’s done for me. I’ve had a lot of different promoters in my 13 years as a professional and no one has treated me the way he does. I did communicate with him when he was incarcerated and I carry this letter that he wrote me whenever I fight. He said, ‘You are a champion. Thank you for helping me get ready for the most important fights of my career – Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley. Have that same attitude when you spar and that same determination and no one can stop you. I’m proud of you. Always continue to think about your family when you’re training and push yourself to the limit.’ That’s just half of what he wrote me. At the end he said, ‘I promise I’m going to get you a world championship fight when I get out of jail.’ So we went 18 months without a fight and in less than a year we are fighting for a world championship. I don’t see how anybody can say anything bad about Floyd Mayweather or Mayweather Promotions. I’m not going to do any of that damn barking. I don’t need to do that. This Saturday it’s going to be a good show, it’s going to be a good fight.”

J’LEON LOVE:

“I’m a Detroit native. I love Detroit. This is where I’m from. This is where I caused trouble, did good, did bad. Detroit runs in my blood. I’m going to come out Saturday and do what we do best and that’s fight and put on a good show. We want to put on more shows out here in Detroit, so this is the time to show that we’re ready for whatever. We’re ready for Derrick Findley, whatever he comes with. He’s going to rush, do whatever he has to do, so we’ll be ready for it.

“I come from the dog house. This is where we put all our hard work in. We’re in Vegas putting in the work, running, doing everything we have to do. We have the best trainers and there’s nothing we’re not ready for. We train hard. It’s another day and we’re going to put on a good performance.”

DERRICK FINDLEY:

“I just want to thank J’Leon and Floyd Mayweather for giving me this opportunity. I’m used to going into the lion’s den; I’m used to fighting guys in their backyards, but that stuff doesn’t matter to me. I just got to give it everything I got in the ring. Take advantage of the opportunity and get the win in his hometown. I’ll definitely be ready and I can’t wait until Saturday.”

FLOYD MAYWEATHER:

“I’ve got love for the whole Midwest, and Detroit has embraced me with so much love. Detroit is a great city and the Midwest has produced nothing but a lot of legendary champions. It is great to be here in Detroit and Mayweather Promotions is happy to be here putting on this fight.

“It is going to be a great fight this Saturday night on SHOWTIME. I am telling everyone right now, if they don’t have SHOWTIME already, they have to go out and get it. You can’t miss Floyd Mayweather or Mayweather Promotions fighters who are fortunate to be fighting on this network. For the next 30 months I will give you excitement. You can believe that.

“I promised Ishe a title fight and I lived up to my side of the bargain. Now he has to go out there, perform and get the job done. It’s great to showcase J’Leon Love too, a local Detroit fighter who now trains out of the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas. He is a very exciting fighter and I am looking forward to seeing him fight too.

“Ishe Smith is not a walk in the park for K9 Bundradge. Ishe Smith is not Cory Spinks and he [Bundrage] needs to understand that. K9 is world champion and I give him credit for being in this fight, but he is going in against a great fighter in Ishe Smith and I think Ishe and Mayweather Promotions will prevail Saturday night.

“Saturday night is going to be a great night for Mayweather Promotions, so tune in this Saturday. It’s SHOWTIME coming to you live from the Motor City.

“Emanuel Steward was an icon in the sport of boxing and a legendary trainer. He is truly missed. I actually work with J’Leon Love on a daily basis, so I feel like I am getting my experience as a trainer too.

“I am happy to be the face of boxing and give the fans the excitement they are looking for. It is all about hard work and dedication. I do that every time I prepare for a fight and Mayweather Promotions’ goal is to do that too.

“My career is not over yet. I have done it my whole life and I have always worked hard to be the best. That was my goal from the very beginning. To have my name mentioned with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Tommy Hearns, so many legendary champions that paved the way for me, I am appreciative.

“I get motivated just by watching the young fighters, going to the boxing matches and watching these young guys come up. Even though it is hard for me to go out to a boxing match, as it does get a little crazy when I show up, I have been doing it lately and being around the sport. Watching the fights is exciting and helps me stay motivated.

“SHOWTIME and CBS, I’ve got to take my hat off to them. They did a tremendous job and I am happy to be a part of this family. It’s not just SHOWTIME. It’s CBS too. I have to give everyone their just due and credit. They are partners, came together and gave me a great deal and one I couldn’t refuse. I couldn’t ask for a better deal.

“I am comfortable in this new relationship and my team is happy too. It’s like a new marriage and I feel good about it. I will be ready to go May 4, Cinco de Mayo. It’s going to MayDay and May-Per-View.

“Robert Guerrero is a champion. For this guy to be mentioned with some of the top fighters in today’s time, he must have done something right or correct in his career. This is a guy who I know I can’t overlook; I have to push myself to the limit. I have to dedicate myself and I have to do what it takes to stay at the top.

“Guerrero is a very aggressive fighter. I am starting to train. As a matter of fact, this week I was out on the basketball court with some young kids working on my cardio. I have to build my cardio up to fight Guerrero. I will not overlook him. I don’t overlook anyone. I know that everyone who fights me is gunning for me, so I have to be ready for what they are ready to give me.

“I am absolutely excited about fighting more. It’s about staying active and that means a lot more of me. Before my career ends, that’s what I am going to give the fans-a whole lot more of me. It’s SHOWTIME baby!

“I am a veteran in the sport. I have been in the sport of boxing for 17 years and I am still doing record-breaking numbers. Boxing isn’t going anywhere as long as Floyd Mayweather is here. The sport is here to stay.

“People don’t understand that I just didn’t wake up overnight and become pound-for-pound champion. My legacy is not based on any one fight and if that was the case, I didn’t need to fight 43 fights. I’ll continue to strive for the best no matter who it is that I’m fighting.

“I don’t think people give me the credit that I’m due for dealing with the drug issues in our sport. I’m the pioneer when it comes to making sure fighters have an equal playing field when we fight. We need to take random blood and urine tests to make our sport fair and safe.

“I am really happy right now. SHOWTIME let’s do it.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA:

“We at SHOWTIME are extremely happy to be back here in Detroit – it’s our first time back since 2010 when we featured Andre Dirrell and Arthur Abraham. Detroit is a city rich in boxing history, for my money probably the deepest in boxing tradition of any city in the U.S. I’d also like to acknowledge Thomas Hearns, one of the legends of the sport, and also a dear friend who you can’t really talk boxing or say anything about Detroit boxing without mentioning, Emmanuel Steward.

“At SHOWTIME we like to do big things, we like to make history. We’re proud to be the first championship boxing event at the Masonic Temple Theatre. Those of you who watch our shows know that last year we had the first boxing event ever at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“As you all know this event is being co-promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Floyd Mayweather. As you also know, Mr. Mayweather has been in the news this week as the result of a little announcement he made about a deal with SHOWTIME and CBS, which we are very, very proud of. We look forward to a very long relationship.

“Today we’re here because of a different deal, a deal that didn’t quite get as much attention, a deal that was done several months ago when we scheduled this event. It was Floyd’s wish to come to Detroit and bring a high-quality fight card here. So I’d like to acknowledge Floyd and Leonard for doing just that.

“In our main event we have two of the most successful fighters ever to come out of ‘The Contender.’ Two action fighters who have fan-friendly styles. K9 Bundrage is a really dangerous fighter with proven knokcout power and he’ll be fighting Ishe Smith, a veteran who has faced and beaten some of the best fighters in the world. I think this will be an action fight, something you will not want to miss whether you’re in the arena or at home.

“In our opener we’ll be seeing, once again, J’Leon Love. J’Leon is fast becoming one of our SHOWTIME guys. We featured him earlier this year, he’s a very entertaining fighter with an outstanding amateur background, and I think he’s one of the future stars of the sport. At SHOWTIME we match our fighters tough, we like challenges, we like entertaining fights, and that’s why we asked Derrick Findley to be the opponent here. I guarantee that will be an entertaining fight.”

ABOUT “BUNDRAGE VS. SMITH”:

Bundrage vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, February 23 at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, sponsored by Corona and MGM Grand Detroit and will be televised live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round middleweight bout between Detroit’s undefeated rising star J’Leon Love and Derrick Findley of Gary, Indiana.

Tickets priced at $200, $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale now and are available for purchase at the Masonic Temple box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.com and www.themasonic.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/MayweatherPromo, www.twitter.com/K9Boxing, www.twitter.com/IsheSugarShay, www.twitter.com/JLeonLove, www.twitter.com/BadouJack, www.twitter.com/LuisCubaArias, www.twitter.com/TerrellGausha, www.twitter.com/stevegeffrard, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #BundrageSmith become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook

Ivan Redkach, of Los Angeles, improved to 14-0, 12 KOs, scoring a KO at 2:06 of the very first round against Sergio Rivera, now 27-11-2, 17 KOs. Scheduled for eight rounds in the lightweight division, the knockout artist Redkach came out of his corner like a tornado, throwing fast combinations to the head and body. Body shots bent Rivera in half and the southpaw Redkach followed up with uppercuts to the chin that dropped his foe for the full count.

The co-feature showcased Travis Peterkin (6-0, 3 KO’s, 175lbs) completely out-classed Thomas Turner (3-2, 2 KO’s, 173lbs) over the course of three rounds. Turner did not land a significant punch the entire fight, while Peterkin brawled his way through three rounds, hurting Turner regularly. Finally, after taking dozens of unanswered punches, the referee was forced to call a halt to the bout at 2:10 of the third round and Peterkin received a TKO victory.
2:10 rd 3

Coming off of his first professional defeat, Thomas DuLorme (16-1, 12 KO’s, 143lbs) took on Edward Brooks (9-3, 3 KO’s, 148lbs). DuLorme took the fight to Brooks from the outset, and it didn’t take long for the KO to come. A measuring left jab followed by a powerful right dropped Brooks hard. Brooks made two attempts to get to his feet, but fell both times. The referee counted to ten at the 1:35 point of the first round, giving DuLorme a first round knockout victory.

Keisher McLeod Wells scored a six round unanimous decision over Jacqueline Park in a Female Flyweight bout.

McLeod Wells, 109 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 59-55, 58-56 and 58-56 and is now 6-2. Park, 110 lbs of Burlington, Ontario is 0-2.

In a bout scheduled for four rounds, former amateur national champion Patrick Day (1-0, 1 KO, 154lbs) took on Dominique Foster (1-1-1, 0 KO’s, 154lbs). Day opened up the bout aggressively, and Foster had no answer. He weaved away wildly while he took hard blows throughout the entirety of the first round. As the round ended, Foster complained about pain in his neck, and all three ringside doctors were called over to observe. Eventually, Foster’s trainer made the decision to call the fight off in between rounds. Day was credited with a TKO victory at 3:00 of the first round.

The popular Louis Cruz(1-0, 1 KO, 141lbs) of the Bronx, NY took on a very talented Demond Brock (3-1, 2 KO’s, 143lbs) in a bout scheduled for four rounds. Both fighters didn’t take long getting to know each other. Cruz worked behind his jab and powerful straight right hand while Brock countered to the body. Cruz’jab eventually opened up a cut over Brock’s right eye early in the fight, and that might have been the difference maker for what came later. Two rounds later, while Brock tried throwing a left hook, Cruz threw a better left hook that landed flush on Brock’s chin, flattening Brock. Cruz won by way of stoppage at 1:12 of the third round.

Neuky Santelises (3-0, 2 KO’s, 132lbs) scored a first round stoppage over Denis Madriz (1-0-1, 1 KO, 130lbs) in a scheduled four round Super Featherweight bout.

It was a brawl from the get but Santelises gained control and landed some hard shots before the fight was stopped forty-six seconds into the bout.

Santelises, 132 lbs of Washington Heights, NY is now 4-0 with three knockouts. Madriz, 130 lbs of San Francisco is now 0-1-1.

LOS ANGELES, February 21 – An important fight featuring top 154-pound prospects will land at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. on Friday, March 8 when
ShoBox: The New Generation showcases a clash between Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. and Keandre “Lightning” Leatherwood with both rising stars hoping to make a statement in their quest to become future world champions.

Centeno vs. Leatherwood, a 10-round junior middleweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT on fight night with the first bell sounding at 5:15 p.m. PT. The ShoBox: The New Generation telecast will air live on SHOWTIME beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Oxnard’s Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. (17-0, 9 KO’s) has the amateur experience, talent and determination to do big things in the fight game. At just 21 years old, his accelerated progress has been remarkable to see. In 2012, he had an impressive 6-0 run which included wins over Ayi Bruce and Allen Conyers, but he knows that Leatherwood will be his toughest test yet.

A veteran of 120 amateur fights, 24-year-old Keandre “Lightning” Leatherwood (12-1-1, 8 KO’s) has made a positive impression on boxing fans as a professional with his fast hands and action-packed style always providing excitement. The winner of three straight, including a December 2012 win over veteran battler Marcos Primera, the Alabama native is more than ready for his night in the spotlight.

A hard-hitting slate of undercard bouts, including the ShoBox: The New Generation co-main event, will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/HugoBoss805, www.twitter.com/fantasysprings or visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/fantasysprings. For information on SHOWTIME, visit http://Sports.SHO.com, www.twitter.com/SHOsports or www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing

NEW YORK (Feb. 21, 2013) — For the first time in a long time, UFC and Mixed Martial Arts superstar Ronda Rousey will not be attendance for a fight that features undefeated super featherweight boxer, Art Hovhannisyan, her stablemate and good friend who faces Alejandro Perez in the main event Friday, Feb. 22, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Rousey would like to be there, like always, but she has a fight of her own the next night against Liz Carmouche at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Her weigh-in is the same day as Hovhannisyan’s fight.

“If I wasn’t fighting on Saturday, I’d definitely be going to Art’s fight,’’ said Rousey, the first female fighter signed by the UFC who’ll be making her highly anticipated debut for the organization in the main event against Carmouche. “But Friday is a fighting day for me. It’s the day of the weigh-in.’’

Rousey and Hovhannisyan have known each other for several years. They belong to the same gym, Glendale Fighting Outfit, in Glendale, Calif., and are both coached by Edmond Tarverdyan. They spent a few weeks together recently preparing for their upcoming fights at a training camp in Big Bear, Calif.

“We have a great bunch of people at our gym,’’ Rousey said. “We all pull for each other. There is no hierarchy. Nobody’s jockeying for position. We’re just simply a team, and a family and we’re always there for the other one. Art usually trains with Edmond in the morning right before I do.’’

No, Rousey and Hovhannisyan have never seriously sparred. “I learn a lot just watching Art,’’ she said. “He’s such a big puncher; I just watch the way he sets down on his punches. Sometimes, he’ll try and work with me on my footwork. I don’t know what I’d do if we ever actually sparred, probably try for a takedown or something.’’

The incredibly popular Rousey is impressed with Hovhannisyan inside the ring and out. “Art is very respectful and a pleasure to be around,’’ she said. “He’s just the biggest sweetheart. You’d never guess he was a cold-blooded killer during a fight.’’

Hovhannisyan will be ringside for Rousey’s fight on Saturday. “Of course, after my fight I plan to go and support her,’’ he said. “We all support each other. We’re a team. I think she’s seen me fight three times, and I’ve seen her fight three or four times. I met her at the gym the first time she went there. You could say we’ve had light sparring, but mostly we’re just working on technique.’’

The Armenian-born Hovhannisyan gets to witness a side to Rousey that many accustomed to her brash attitude and trash-talking ways don’t often see.

“As a person, she’s a good friend of mine,’’ he said. “She may learn from me in the ring, but the things I learn from her are humanly characteristics. I see her drive and total dedication. To watch how far she’s come from when she was just an average judo fighter to what she’s now become, an MMA superstar and UFC World Bantamweight Champion is an absolute inspiration. As an athlete, she’s the best of the best, I can tell you that.

“My fight on Friday will start a big weekend for the Glendale Fight Club. We’re going to go 2-0.’’

In the middle of this is the trainer, Tarverdyan, who along with George Bastrmajyan has been instrumental in the lives and careers of all the fighters at Glendale Fight Club. They’ll be at both fighters’ weigh-ins and fights, making the approximately 75-mile, one-way trip between Cabazon and Anaheim a couple times.

“We’ll be at Art’s weigh-in on Thursday in Cabazon, than go to Ronda’s weigh-in on Friday in Anaheim,’’ Tarverdyan said. “After the weigh-in, we’ll go back to Art’s fight in Cabazon, but then we’re going to Glendale for an engagement party before heading to Ronda’s fight on Saturday.’’

That’s a lot of drive time but Tarverdyan, whose passion for combat sports cannot be understated, has made this kind of trek to back-to-back events in the past.

“It’s exciting,’’ he said. “Actually, we were supposed to have two fighters on each card, but their fights fell out, or we’d be dealing with double duty on both nights. We’ll be in the car for something like two-and-a-half hours in Friday traffic, but we’ve been doing this for 12 years so we’ve done it before and we’ll do it again. There’s no pressure. I’m confident both Ronda and Art are the superior fighters and will win.’’

Tarverdyan, 31, is a fighter himself. He was 27-2 in Muay Thai and retired as the WBC International Champion. He’s 2-0 in MMA with his next fight scheduled for April 13 at Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, Calif.

“I’m fortunate to be doing what I truly love; it’s also all about trying to be a successful coach,’’ he said. “We’ve had our share of hard times and disappointment, but we’ve had success, too. I love working with the fighters, and trying to keep them motivated. Even just holding the mitts or talking with the fighters is exciting for me.’’

Coaching dedicated athletes like Rousey and Hovhannisyan makes it even more special, he says.

“Ronda is so fun to work with,’’ Tarverdyan said. “She’s cool with whatever you say. I’ve seen a lot of difference in her, the way she’s changed in her training the last couple years. When she first came here, she just mostly sparred. Now, she does everything in a most professional manner and we bring in top people to work with her. Of course, she gets mobbed wherever she goes. But her focus in the gym has always remained totally focused. I actually think her boxing at this point is better than Cris Cyborg’s.

“Art’s been with us since his third pro fight. We’re like brothers. If he has a problem outside the ring, he can call me or George. It’s been a hard road for Art because of injuries and fights falling out, but he’s really easy to work with and never complains. He’s basically very quiet outside the ring, but he hits like a truck and is a real crowd-pleaser inside. I think Art will stop Perez inside 10 rounds, probably in the fifth or sixth.’’

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (February 21, 2013) — Undefeated welterweight prospect Tracy Rollins, Jr. (4-0, 2 KOs) is somewhat of an anomaly, at least in boxing. Not only is he an extremely gifted athlete, the 20 year old also has unusually high intellect and business acumen.

Born in Oakland and raised in Chicago, Rollins have overcome some major obstacles, including promotional and managerial problems, in addition to injuries suffered in a scooter accident, which derailed his professional career for several years.

After winning 78 of 84 amateur bouts, highlighted by his bronze-medal performance at the National Golden Gloves Tournament, Rollins chose boxing over business. He had graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School (Chicago) in only three years, finishing with a nearly straight “A” average, and founded several successful computer repair businesses by the time he was 16.

His circuitous journey took him from Chicago to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and finally Fort Lauderdale. Rollins finally made his pro on November 6, 2010, stopping Kevin Riding (2-1) in the first round of their fight in Tucson (AZ), unbeknownst to Tracy that he was brought in as the opponent that wasn’t supposed to win. His next fight wasn’t until eight months later, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood (FL), in which he won a four-round decision over Eddie Gates. The Seminole tribe, however, got out of the boxing business and Rollins’ promoter was left without a supportive venue for his shows..

An extremely frustrated Rollins stepped back from boxing in 2011, applied to a few colleges, and flew to Las Vegas to stay with his mother. He returned to Chicago to take care of his sick father, his girlfriend pulled some strings to get him enrolled at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and he was actively running his businesses again. He had a nice apartment but still kept in touch with his last trainer in Florida, Guy Laieta.

One day, Laieta called Tracy to say that he had found a legitimate boxing manager he was training, John Seip, who had inquired about landing some blue-chip good prospects to handle. Laieta asked Rollins to scout talent for them in Chicago.

“I went to some gyms for two months trying to recruit for Coach Laieta,” Tracy remembered, “but nobody wanted to leave Chicago for Florida. I weighed 210 pounds at that time from lifting weights and drinking protein shakes. I had made a lot of sacrifices and wasn’t happy with the way things ended. I was watching guys fight on TV who came-up with me in the amateurs. I missed boxing and didn’t want any regrets when I got older.

“Coach Laieta thought that I’d quit boxing and people in the Chicago gyms kept asking me why I’d quit. So, I flew to Florida and met John. He negotiated to buy me out of my old managerial and promotional contracts. It was an emotional time for me because my father was non-supportive of my decision. We’d never met so many shady people before and then I had contract problems. I had led a much protected life. I started training again in Florida with Coach Laieta and John as my manager.”

Rollin’s fortunes dramatically changed for the better when he hooked-up with Seip, a Wall Street broker who now lives in Florida. His major client is undefeated World Boxing Organization middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin. Seip was. Today, Rollins only has to be concerned with training. Seip has gotten him as many fights in short two months – Daniel Rodriguez (WDEC4) and Jose Angel Sanchez (WTKO1) – than Tracy had during the three previous years.

“Everything is now the way I had pictured it two years ago,” Rollins noted. “With his connections in boxing, John has me on a route to fight for a world title in about 2 ½ years.”

Seip doesn’t throw superlatives around easily, so his words about Rollins’ potential are sincere: “Tracy Rollins has the potential to be something very special,” Seip remarked. “He’s a throwback-style fighter, one to watch. At 147 pounds, Tracy will be difficult to handle. He is a true boxer-puncher, in that order.

“Tracy gets better every day and he’s very coachable. The level of sparring in South Florida is incredible. In addition to traveling to different gyms for sparring, most of his schooling is done at Boxing Fitness in Oakland Park and the famed 5th St. Boxing Gym in South Beach. Dino Spencer, from 5th St. Gym, is his conditioning coach. Tracy weighed 200 pounds when he started working with Dino. Six months later, he is a welterweight. Louie Perez, from Boxing Fitness, acts as Coach Laieta’s second. I feel that we have a formidable team in place to create a very exciting fighter. Stay tuned!”

Laieta has watched Rollins develop from a smart kid who liked to box into a dedicated, dangerous fighter. “He never trained hard and got by on his athletic ability,” Laieta spoke about his fighter. “He was likeable but difficult, immature with a bad attitude. I was getting frustrated because he wasn’t working hard. This was his job but he had been lied to for his entire pro boxing career. Now, he has a big-time boxing manager who believes in him and his talent. There’s nothing he can’t do in the ring. I’m sold. He’s very coachable now, a really good fighter who can hit hard, take a good punch and is fast. I think he can win a world title within three years.”

Quite a turnaround a kid who is such an avid reader — books about business, real estate, micro-economics, computer science and Republican conservatism – that he didn’t own a television until Laieta recently forced him to purchase one in order to watch fights and different style fighters. Rollin is also taking Harvard Extension School on-line courses and is two years shy of his degree.

Rollins’ boxing career is no longer in a holding pattern, but why did he decide to box rather than pursue his entrepreneurial goals? “I have a passion for the sport, plus, I ran the numbers,” Rollins quickly answered. “I figure I can make my first million a lot quicker boxing and then I’ll have plenty of time, when I’m a little older, to make a lot more money in business. I also want to bring education into boxing.”

Go online to www.tracyrollinsjr.com for more information about Rollins, or follow him on Twitter @tracyrollinsjr or at www.facebook.com/tracyrollinsjr.

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NEW YORK (February 21, 2013) — 2012 Fighter of the Year and World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight champion NONITO “Filipino Flash” DONAIRE and undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight champion and former two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX will collide on New York’s biggest stage — Radio City Music Hall! The Donaire vs. Rigondeaux world title unification battle, to determine the division’s top dog, will take place Saturday, April 13 and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Caribe Promotions, Tecate and Madison Square Garden, tickets to the Donaire-Rigondeaux world championship event will go on sale This Saturday! February 23, at Noon ET. Tickets, priced at $300, $150, $75 and $35, will be available for purchase at the Radio City Music Hall Box Office, Madison Square Garden Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.radiocity.com and www.thegarden.com.

For Top Rank, this will complete its New York Promotional Triple Crown, having already promoted world title fights at the old and the new Yankee Stadiums and numerous shows at “The Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden. This also marks only the second time Radio City Music Hall has ever hosted professional boxing in its 82-year history. The first fight was the Roy Jones Jr. vs. David Telesco light heavyweight world championship on January 15, 2000.

“The battle between the 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire against one of the greatest Olympian fighters of our time – two-time gold medal winner Guillermo Rigondeaux – promises to be a boxing classic,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “It is fitting that this match is being held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.”

“Coming off a spectacular year, Donaire wanted to keep the momentum rolling in 2013,” said Top Rank president Todd duBoef. “Fighting Rigondeaux at Radio City is the perfect combination. We are pleased that two of the most skilled athletes in the sport are reaching for their biggest challenges on April 13.”

“I am delighted that Nonito Donaire has finally agreed to challenge the 122-pound division boss Guillermo Rigondeaux,” said Gary Hyde, Rigondeaux’s manager. “I think Nonito’s confidence must have been boosted by his 2012 victories, but when he feels Rigo’s power, from angles he has never been hit from, the doubts which have haunted him every time he hears Rigo’s name will be there again, but it will be too late to avoid Rigo then. Nonito will certainly move weights classes after this fight but not in the direction he was planning. This kid is going back down to 118.”

“I’d like to thank the promoters and HBO for putting this fight together I think this is what the world wants to see the Top-Two boxers in the world in this weight class,” said Rigondeaux. “This is what I came to America for. I decided to go with my old trainer Pedro Luis Diaz who helped me win two Olympic gold medals. Jorge Rubio is a great trainer he did nothing wrong I just thought for this fight I would go back to do the type of training that I’ve never done in this country. I feel stronger than ever. I think this will be a great battle Nonito is one of the top boxers in the world and a gentleman. I’m looking forward to getting in the ring with him. We are both at the peak of our careers. On April 13th the world will witness one of the greatest boxing exhibitions they’ve ever seen.”

“See you on April 13, Rigondeaux,” Donaire responded.

“Nonito Donaire enjoyed a sensational 2012 season and the boxing world has been eagerly awaiting his 2013 debut,” said Kery Davis, the senior vice president of programming, HBO Sports. “For Nonito to fight in the spotlight at Radio City Music Hall is a spectacular way to start the new year. While Guillermo Rigondeaux is making his HBO debut, keen boxing observers know this is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who is one of the best fighters in the world and can handle the bright lights of New York. This will be night that boxing fans can truly enjoy a world class event.”

“Radio City Music Hall is an integral part of the fabric of New York City and has hosted a wide variety of memorable events and live performances from Sinatra to Lady Gaga, the Tony Awards and One Direction, who have all become part of the Music Hall’s great history,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Sports. “We are thrilled to once more host championship boxing on the Great Stage of Radio City for what will be a spectacular night of boxing for all fight fans.”

Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs), a native of General Santos City, Philippines, now living in the Bay Area of San Leandro, Calif., is a consensus top-five pound-for-pound fighter. He enters this fight riding a 12-year, 30-bout winning streak, with 11 of his last 15 victories coming by way of knockout . He is trained by 2012 Trainer of the Year and former world champion Robert Garcia. Donaire will be making his 2013 debut as the reigning Fighter of the Year. He enters this fight off a career-best year, winning four world title fights — all televised live on HBO. He began his 2012 campaign on February 4, where he captured the vacant WBO 122-pound title, winning a gritty split-decision battle over former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. He unified the title on July 7, via a dominant unanimous decision over defending International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Jeffrey Mathebula. Donaire followed that victory with another legacy-making knockout — a ninth-round stoppage of WBC Diamond Belt super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka on October 16, ending Nishioka’s eight-year, 16-bout winning streak. Donaire capped the year on December 15, blasting out Méxican icon Jorge Arce via a third-round knockout. Career highlights for Donaire also include knockout victories of defending IBF / International Boxing Organization (IBO) flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan, in the fifth round, former WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko, in the fourth round, and defending World Boxing Council (WBC) / WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel in the second round, ending Montiel’s 25-bout winning streak while also claiming his third world title in as many weight divisions. That victory was named the 2011 Knockout of the Year.

Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs), of Miami, Fla., and now trained by Pedro Diaz, had a stellar amateur career, winning Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2000, World Amateur Championship titles in 2005 and 2001, and Pan American Games gold medals in 2005 and 2003, all at 119 pounds, before defecting from Cuba and embarking on a professional career which began in Miami in 2009. In only his seventh professional fight where both fighters scored knockdowns, Rigondeaux captured the WBA interim super bantamweight title, winning a tough split decision over the vastly more experienced former world champion Ricardo Cordoba in 2010. After successfully defending the interim title in 2011 with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated former European super bantamweight champion Willie Casey, Rigondeaux won the WBA world super bantamweight championship with a sixth-round knockout of previously undefeated defending champion Rico Ramos on January 20, 2012. Rigondeaux has successfully defended that title twice since then, blasting once-beaten Teon Kennedy in the fifth round, which included Kennedy suffering five knockdowns en route to the loss and winning a dominant unanimous decision over once-beaten contender Roberto Marroquin on June 9 and September 15, respectively.

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

NEW YORK (February 21, 2013) – One of the best kept secrets in boxing, late replacement Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), will be a live underdog on March 1 as he challenges International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), in the 12-round main event on ESPN Friday Night Fights, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions, airing live at 9 p.m. ET from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

In the 10-round ESPN Friday Night Fights co-feature, North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Willie “The Great” Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) makes his first title defense against Michael “El Magnifico” Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs). The Nelson-Medina fight is being promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions.

Australia-native Dib, who is promoted by hip-hop superstar 50 Cent, was originally supposed to fight Luis Franco who unexpectedly withdrew from the title fight. Gradovich immediately accepted the challenge without any reservations. “I train most of the time and I’m always in shape,” Gradovich said. “To fight for a world title in only my 16th pro fight is quick, but I have good experience and this is a great opportunity for me.”

Gradovich was discovered by rising Russian manager Egis Klimas, who first heard about his latest star from his most well known boxer, world light heavyweight title contender Sergei Kovalev. “Evgeny had more than 150 amateur fights and he was a member of the Russian National Team,” Klimas explained. “I went with Don Turner to scout him at the 2009 Russian National Championships. Evgeny lost but Don said that he was really good and to sign him if I could. All of my Russian fighters are trained in North Carolina by Don (19 world champions) when they first come to America.

“I didn’t build up his record. I had him fight opponents with equal records. If Evgeny was 5-0, he fought a guy with a similar record and so forth as he developed. Gradovich is a punching machine. He’s going to pressure his opponent and throw a lot of punches, especially in good combinations. Being a late replacement won’t be a problem. He’ll have five weeks of training in Oxnard (CA) with Robert Garcia for this fight and he never blows up in weight between fights like other guys. We’re not going to Foxwoods to meet 50 Cent; we’re coming to take Dib’s world title belt back with us.”

Called the Mexican-Russian by other fighters in his gym because of their respect for tough style of fighting, Gradovich is living the American dream: promoted by Top Rank, managed by trusted fellow countryman Klimas, trained by Garcia, and fighting for the world title in only his 16th pro fight. “Yes, I am,” he agreed. “I like this country a lot. I wouldn’t be fighting for the world title now if I had stayed in Russia. Boxing is difficult in Russia but you can move forward in America. I have a good team here that helps motivate me. I’ve been working with Robert Garcia, who trains a lot of world-class athletes, for the past year and I think he’s the best trainer in boxing.”

Gradovich reports that Klimas, Kovalev and Turner will all be supporting him at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods on March 1.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40, may be purchased online at foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office.

MISSISSAUGA, ON – (Thursday, February 21, 2013) After a short hiatus, United Boxing Promotions returns June 1st to the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario for another in their series of world class pro boxing events.

“Not only is the Hershey Centre our home, but quite frankly it’s become one of the best boxing venues in Canada,” said Don Macdonald, of United Boxing Promotions.

“The fans are passionate, knowledgeable, and very loud. They appreciate the all-action fights that have become our trademark, and appreciate just how good these fighters have become.”

Participants for the June 1st card have yet to be determined, but Macdonald promises another great night at the fights.

“Our fans have come to expect action, guts, and thrills for their hard
earned money. And as a promoter, it’s my job to keep those fans happy.”

Tickets for the June 1st event go on sale today, and are available through ticketmaster.ca.

For updates on fight card particulars log on to unitedpromotions.ca in the coming weeks.

February 21, 2013 – Four-Division and Six-Time World Champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KOs), and pound for pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26 KOs) are finally going to step in the ring on May 4, 2013. The contracts were signed by both Guerrero and Mayweather after months of anticipation. Both fighters are perennial pound for pound champions and fans around the world can expect to see an action packed showdown. This mega-million dollar global event will be one the fans will remember for years.

Undefeated in his Hall of Fame career, Floyd Mayweather is no stranger when it comes to fighting on Cinco de Mayo weekend. The Mexican-American holiday is one of Floyd’s favorite dates to do battle. His conquests against Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya generated huge PPV numbers, making Mayweather the highest paid athlete in the world. In 2007, Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya set the record for the most PPV buys in boxing history, which still stands today.

Mayweather who is at the apex of sports, is one of the most recognized face’s on the planet. Fighting Guerrero will present Mayweather with his most difficult challenge since his fight with Oscar De La Hoya, being that Robert is a decorated multiple world champion in his prime. Guerrero, like De La Hoya, is one of the most accomplished Mexican-American fighters of this generation.

Guerrero gained international recognition when he made the leap from Lightweight to Welterweight to win a world title. Guerrero joined an elite class of fighters who have jumped up two weight classes to win world championships which include Roberto Duran, Roy Jones Jr., and Sugar Shane Mosley. In addition, Guerrero became the third fighter in boxing history to win a world title at featherweight and welterweight, uniting with legend Henry Armstrong and future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao. Finally, Guerrero joined all-time great Oscar De La Hoya becoming the only Mexican-American fighters to win world titles across four divisions.

Leading up to his showdown with Mayweather, Guerrero defeated five Olympians in a row, winning multiple world championships along the way. Guerrero’s dominating victory against No. 1 contender Selcuk Aydin (23-1, 17 KOs), a fighter who was the mandatory challenger to face Floyd for over three years, proved he’s one of the best fighters in the welterweight division. “The Ghost” followed that impressive feat with another spectacular performance, dominating former two-time welterweight world champion, Andre Berto (28-2, 22 KOs) in a “Fight of the Year” candidate. Guerrero’s performance against Berto also garnered him “Fighter of the Year” by some boxing pundits. Both wins came by wide 12-round unanimous decisions.

When asked about fighting Floyd Mayweather on the biggest stage in sports, Guerrero stated, “First I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all his blessings. Without him I am nothing. Next I want to give thanks to my team for all their hard work, dedication and loyalty. It’s been a long road with many trials and tribulations but we’ve stuck together though the fire.”

“Floyd Mayweather is a great fighter, one of the best to ever lace up the gloves, but on May 4th I’m going to end his reign as pound for pound king,” said Guerrero. “I believe God has put me in this incredible position for a reason. This is bigger than boxing. It’s about humbling a man everyone perceives is unbeatable. When I come out victorious on May 4th, everyone will know that if you put Jesus Christ first in your life, anything is possible.”

“I’m dedicating this fight to knocking out blood cancer with Be The Match. This organization saves lives by finding matching donors for patients who need a bone marrow transplant. My wife had leukemia and needed a marrow transplant — and she found her donor through Be The Match. Now she’s cancer free. I want to use my platform as a fighter to help Be The Match save even more lives by getting more people to join the Be The Match Registry like I did. You could be someone’s cure. Find out how at BeTheMatch.org.”

Will the seasoned veteran Mayweather be able to tame the young hungry lion Guerrero? Mayweather vs. Guerrero will be an epic battle of boxing’s best fighters facing off against one another. Get ready for the fight of the year in the ultimate David vs. Goliath super-fight.

DETROIT, February 20 – Detroit will be rocking this Saturday night, February 23 when the Masonic Temple Theatre hosts a stacked nine-fight card headlined by the SHOWTIME doubleheader featuring Cornelius “K9” Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Title defense against Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith and unbeaten J’Leon Love’s battle against veteran Derrick “Superman” Findley.

But before the SHOWTIME telecast kicks-off, Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions will treat fight fans in the Motor City to an action-packed undercard that includes appearances by unbeaten rising stars Badou Jack and Luis Arias, 2012 United States Olympian Terrell Gausha and debuting former amateur standouts Steve Geffrard, D’Mitrius Ballard and Detroit’s own Joseph Bonas .

Bundrage vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, February 23 at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, sponsored by Corona and MGM Grand Detroit and will be televised live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round middleweight bout between Detroit’s undefeated rising star J’Leon Love and Derrick Findley of Gary, Indiana.

Tickets priced at $200, $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale now and are available for purchase at the Masonic Temple box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

Coming off of a first round knockout over Jonel Tapia on February 2, Sweden-born Las Vegan Badou Jack (12-0, 9 KO’s) continues to turn heads in the boxing world. A 2008 Olympian for Gambia, the 29-year-old Badou has his sights set on professional stardom and he’s on the right track to getting there as part of the Mayweather Promotions stable. On Saturday, he meets Houston, Texas’ Don Mouton (11-5-1, 9 KO’s) in an eight round clash of super middleweight power-punchers.

One of Mayweather Promotions’ most promising up-and-coming prospects, Milwaukee native Luis Arias (2-0, 1 KO) has gotten off to a fast start in his pro career, decisioning Josh Thorpe last November and then stopping unbeaten Joshua Robertson in two rounds earlier this month. The 22-year-old will meet Chicago’s Edgar Perez (5-2 3 KO’s) in a six round super middleweight fight at the Masonic Temple Theatre on the 23rd.

Also on Saturday night, 2012 United States Olympian Terrell Gausha (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Cleveland returns to action as he attempts to keep his perfect record intact in a four round super middleweight bout against Tarrytown, New York’s Lekan Byfield (2-3-2).

In a four round junior middleweight fight, the world-famous Kronk Gym will be represented by debuting Joseph Bonas, who will fight in front of his Detroit fans in a four round matchup against of Coy Witt (2-2, 1 KO) of Pounding, Virginia.

The latest knockout artist to emerge from Puerto Rico, Carolina featherweight Braulio Santos (8-0, 7 KO’s) will seek another knockout victory in a six round bout against Terrance Walker (0-2) of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Twenty-two-year-old light heavyweight Steve Geffrard earned the National Golden Gloves, USA Boxing National and National PAL titles in 2010, but fell just short of making the 2012 United States Olympic team. Instead, he opted to turn to pro under the tutelage of famed trainer Ronnie Shields. The Miami, Florida native will meet Shreveport, Louisiana’s Kentrell Claiborne (2-6, 1 KO) in a four round cruiserweight battle in his professional debut on Saturday.

A stellar amateur competitor, D’Mitrius Ballard won five Ringside World Championship titles, a 2012 National Golden Gloves crown and four National PAL titles among many other accolades. Hailing from Temple Hills, Maryland, the 19-year-old is ready to begin his pro journey this weekend in a four round super middleweight fight against Kelly Henderson (0-1) of Bluefield, West Virginia.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.com and www.themasonic.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/MayweatherPromo, www.twitter.com/K9Boxing, www.twitter.com/IsheSugarShay, www.twitter.com/JLeonLove, www.twitter.com/BadouJack, www.twitter.com/LuisCubaArias, www.twitter.com/TerrellGausha, www.twitter.com/stevegeffrard, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #BundrageSmith become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

Detroit (February 20) – Eight-Time World Champion and Mayweather Promotions President Floyd “Money” Mayweather landed in his home state of Michigan today to promote this weekend’s Cornelius “K9” Bundrage vs. Ishe Smith world championship fight taking place at Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Mayweather is in Detroit to participate in promotional activities leading up to Saturday night’s fights including the official weigh-in at the Masonic Temple Cathedral Theater on Friday at 1:00 p.m., which is open to the public. Fans are encouraged to attend and arrive early.

Eight-Time World Champion and Mayweather Promotions President Floyd Mayweather lands in Michigan ahead of Saturday night’s Bundrage vs. Smith world championship fight at Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit which will be televised live on SHOWTIME.

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Bundrage vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, February 23 at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, sponsored by Corona and MGM Grand Detroit and will be televised live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round middleweight bout between Detroit’s undefeated rising star J’Leon Love and Derrick Findley of Gary, Indiana.

Tickets priced at $200, $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale now and are available for purchase at the Masonic Temple box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

February 20, 2013 – Mexico’s Aalan Martinez (14-1-1, 10KOs) is preparing for the biggest opportunity of his career, a 12 round fight against the WBO’s #2 ranked featherweight in the world Orlando Cruz (19-2-1, 9KOs). The bout will take place on Saturday, March 15th and it will be televised live on Telemundo from the Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

Martinez will enjoy a solid height and reach advantage over Cruz, but the most exciting aspect of this fight is the possibility for fireworks. This clash should live up to the mantra of styles make fights and these two fighters are capable of producing an action filled affair.

The 2000 Olympian Cruz has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Miguel “Mikey” Garcia and taking this fight with a young lion in Martinez is both admirable and dangerous. Martinez will hope to capitalize off of his opponent’s status and a win could catapult Martinez into the position currently presided over by Cruz.

“This is my chance to really jump start my career in a major way and I’m thankful that my team, my promoter Boxing 360, got me this opportunity. I’m going to make my family proud and I’m going to put myself into a position to better my life,” Martinez said.

This fight will definitely be under the microscope because it has the Mexico-Puerto Rico story-line behind it and that is one of the richest rivalries in all of sports. Martinez wants to prove he’s worthy of this tremendous opportunity.

“As a fighter you’re constantly working towards getting to the next level from a physical and mental standpoint,” Martinez continued. “Basically, you want to transform yourself into a next level fighter from a performance standpoint and once you do that it’s only a matter of opportunity. I know I’m a next level fighter and I’m so excited to get the chance to prove it, some guys have to wait a long time so I’m going to make sure I take full advantage.”

Martinez’s promoter, Mario Yagobi of Boxing 360, is confident that the timing is right for his fighter to make that major push towards world success.

“Some guys develop in ways that are more suitable for the big stage, that’s just the honest truth. Aalan has always been a champion of doing the right things and now is the time for all of his hard work to pay off. This is the best part of my job, getting the chance to see an individual reach the destination of a journey that has been filled with such trials and tribulations. When Aalan pulls off the upset it will be an emotionally overwhelming sight,” Yagobi said.

For information on Aalan Martinez please visit www.boxing360.com.