Junior middleweight contender “Mean” Joe Greene (24-1, 16 KOs) will return to action tonight (Thursday, January 10, 2013) in his own backyard of Woodhaven, New York, against Inglewood, California’s Calvin Odom.

Greene’s homecoming versus Odom will serve as the eight-round main event of a Greg Cohen Promotions professional boxing show at the elegant Cordon Bleu Banquet Center.

Though Odom’s record is a rather pedestrian 15-12, 11 KOs, the fight has the potential for intrigue.

Odom always holds his own against top competition, and is very capable of pulling off the occasional upset. Plus, it’s been a full year since Greene’s last fight, a KO 8 over Jackson, Tennessee’s Nathan Bedwell and only his third fight since beginning a comeback in October 2011.

“Joe is back with a vengeance,” said his promoter Greg Cohen. “His weight is down almost 10 pounds since his last fight and that’s because he’s been training with the determination of a champion. He came to me a few months ago and told me to get him a fight and said he was back. And the shape he is in tonight is a clear indication of his drive to finally win that world championship we both dream about for him. He has all the tools to do it. Getting past a spoiler like Odom will be a great first step in that direction.”

In the night’s co-main event, former amateur star Antoine Douglas (2-0, 2 KOs) of Washington, D.C., will go for his professional victory against fellow Virginia’s Stanley Harvey (1-2, 1 KO).

On the undercard, Woodhaven native Danny Gonzalez will finally make his junior welterweight pro debut in a four-round fight against Harlem’s Bernel Ayers (0-2); Brooklyn’s Glenford Nickey will make his four-round lightweight debut against Benjamin Burgos (1-1) of Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania; and rounding out the action, Puerto Rican junior welterweight Carlos Nieves, a former amateur standout, will make his long-awaited pro debut against Brooklyn’s Anthony Smith (0-1).

Tickets, priced at $125 (VIP with Dinner) and $40 (General Admission), can be purchased at the Elite Heat Boxing Gym (130 Mt. Pleasant Avenue in Newark, NJ) and at the door on fight night.

Doors open at 6 pm and first bell is at 7:30.

“Mean” Joe Greene 156 vs. Calvin Odom 154

Antoine Douglas 163 vs. Stanley Harvey 166

Danny Gonzalez 143.5 vs. Bernel Ayers 143.5

Glenford Nickey 131.5 vs. Benjamin Burgos 131

Carlos Nieves 141 vs. Anthony Smith 145

Venue: Cordon Bleu, Woodhaven, New York

Promoter: Greg Cohen Promotions

Sunrise Fl, January 9 – The inaugural event of Golden Boy Promotions’ new boxing series at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fl. is just days away and in addition to the main event between Venezuela’s former World Champion Johan “El Terrible” Perez and former World Champion Steve “2Pound” Forbes, this Saturday’s FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes card will feature an eight-round light heavyweight co-main event between unbeaten Thomas Williams and Williamson, Kentucky’s Jason Smith as well as a four-round super middleweight fight between 2012 United States Olympian Terrell Gausha and Kenneth Schmitz of St. Joseph, Missouri. Plus, former Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield will be in attendance at the BB&T Center.

The official weigh-in will take place this Friday, January 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET at theBB&T Center Food Court located at Section 130 (One Panther Parkway Sunrise, FL 33323) and is open to the public. For Friday’s weigh-in, please enter through Gate 5, park in Lot B16 and enter the building through the North Patio.

Perez vs. Forbes, a 10-round junior welterweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Sunrise Sports & Entertainment and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. The FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes bi-lingual simulcast will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. FUEL TV will rebroadcast the fight on March 31 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $195 (VIP Tables), $95, $45 and $20,not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale and available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (800) 745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the BB&T Center box office. Fight fans can also purchase annual subscriptions for all four events in the series inclusive of VIP seating and boxing legend meet and greets by calling 954-835-CLUB. In addition to the Jan. 12 event, Golden Boy and the BB&T Center will host additional live boxing events on June 1, 2013, Oct. 12, 2013 and Jan. 14, 2014.

Fighting out of Washington, DC, 25-year-old Thomas Williams (11-0, 8 KO’s) has emerged over the last two years as one of the top prospects in the light heavyweight division. Currently riding a four-fight knockout streak, Williams followed up three consecutive first round knockouts with a fifth round finish over Ricardo Campillo on December 8. This Saturday, he’ll look to get 2013 off to a knockout start against fellow prospect Smith.

A professional since 2005, Williamson, Kentucky’s Jason Smith (8-1, 6 KO’s) has the power and desire to make the best of the biggest opportunity of his career this Saturday. A knockout artist with dynamite in his gloves, Smith’s current five fight winning streak includes four consecutive knockouts, three in two rounds or less.

At the 2012 London Olympics, Cleveland’s Terrell Gausha (1-0, 1 KO) went 1-1 as a member of Team USA, finishing off his amateur career in style. Last November, the 25-year-old made his professional debut with an impressive second round knockout over Dustin Caplinger and he looks to go for two straight this Saturday against St. Joseph, Missouri’s Kenneth Schmitz (2-4, 1 KO).

Now making his home in Miami, 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist for Cuba Yudel Johnson (12-1, 8 KO’s) plans on bouncing back from the first professional loss of his career to Willie Nelson last May when he tackles an opponent to be named in an eight-round junior middleweight fight.

Plus, Hollywood, Florida super middleweight Tracy Rollins (2-0, 1 KO) will take on an opponent to be determined in a four-round fight and Chapel Hill, North Carolina welterweight Willie Jones will see action in a four-round bout against an opponent to be named. In the evening’s opening fight, also scheduled for four rounds, Fort Lauderdale’s own Larry Yanez (3-3-1) faces Miami’s John Wampash (1-7-1, 1 KO) in the lightweight division.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com Tony Bellew and Isaac Chilemba will fight each other in a WBC Light Heavyweight elimination bout on March 30th to crown a top contender for champion Chad Dawson.

“I cannot wait for this show — it’s going to be a great night of boxing in Liverpool,” said Bellew’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s a crucial night for Tony, with a win securing a well-earned second world title shot, and he has great momentum coming into the fight after performing well in 2012. Isaac is a tough customer, though, and Tony will have to be at his best to get the win.”

“It’s a massive night and a really tough opponent for the right to fight for the big one,” Bellew said. “Isaac is a top-class opponent. He beat Miranda at late notice and has only one defeat on his record from five years ago, so he’ll be well up for this and he’s in good form.

“But I’m on the edge of a world title fight, and I’ve worked too hard to give it away now. It’s a great card … for the Liverpool fans, and I am sure they will turn out in force on March 30.”

“We think that Isaac matches up well with Bellew and this is a tremendous opportunity for Isaac,” promoter Lou DiBella said. “It’s a title elimination bout, so you take the fight. You roll the dice, and if you have to go to England and fight in the other guy’s hometown for the opportunity, you go to England and fight in the other guy’s hometown. Isaac has been waiting for this opportunity.

“He’s a top-tier 175-pounder, and so is Bellew. People saw Bellew’s fight with Cleverly. It was a great fight. They saw what he did against Miranda. They saw what Isaac did against Miranda. It’s gonna be a good fight.”

BROOKLYN – Curtis “Showtime” Stevens, 22-3, 16 KOs, was training for his upcoming fight with New Haven, CT middleweight Elvin Ayala, 26-5-1, 12 KOs, when he read what Ayala had to say about him on FightNews.com. Many of Ayala’s comments sounded like typical pre-fight trash talk, but one remark struck a nerve in the New Yorker.

“He said that I’m no Arthur Abraham,” Stevens recalled. “Well, I got news for him, I’m a bigger puncher than Abraham. I’m going to wear him down from round one to round ten. If I catch his ass early, it’s going to be over for him. I believe he has to say things like he did to give himself motivation and confidence. So by telling a reporter that I’m nothing like Abraham, he was just psyching himself up.”

Stevens added,”He (Ayala) said he wasn’t ready when he took the fight with Abraham, well he’s had alot of time to prepare for me, so there better be no excuses when I beat him.”

Ayala also said that he felt that the fight with Stevens was a good opportunity for him to gain some exposure and a was a route to bigger and better things. Stevens didn’t like that comment either.

“Opportunity? I’m on NBC too,” Stevens said. “It will give me a chance to showcase my big knockout skills, my great boxing ability. I’m ready for whatever happens. If the knockout comes or if I have to box him and cut him up and make him look stupid, so be it. I’m coming to win. I hope he comes and shows tools. I’m not John Mackey (Ayala’s last opponent). He went nine rounds with John Mackey? Come on. I’d have taken Mackey cold out of his socks. I’m coming to win. I’m coming for blood, like a vampire.”

And what does Stevens think about the home-state advantage Ayala will have for their fight at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT on January 19th?

“He’s going to need the help,” Stevens said. “I love going hostile. It gets me fired up. I love hearing the crowd cheer for the other guy. I like taking the crowd by surprise. Hometown advantage? He’s going to need help, whether it’s the doctor, the commission, the ambulance. He’s going to need help from somebody.”

Let the grudge fight begin.

ABOUT JANUARY 19 FIGHTS

Tickets are priced at $125 and $40 can be purchased through Ticketmaster 1-800-745-3000. Ticketmaster Link to January 19 NBCSN Fight Night at Mohegan Sun. For ADA accessible sales, call Mohegan Sun Box Office 1-800-862-8499.

Eight bouts are planned for the January 19 card to be held at Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard Uncasville, CT. Doors open at 6:00PM. First fight is at 6:30PM.

Sergey Kovalev, 19-0-1, 17 KOs, takes on Gabriel Campillo, 21-4-1, 8 KOs, in an international 10-round light heavyweight main event. In the co-feature, Elvin Ayala, 26-5-1, 12 KO’s, battles Curtis Stevens, 22-3, 16 KO’s, in a 10-round middleweight contest.

The card is promoted by Main Events and Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment Sports in association with Peltz Boxing, and Sampson Boxing.

2012-2013 NBC FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE

(All times ET and subject to change)

Saturday, January 19, 9PM – 11PM, NBC Sports Network, Mohegan Sun Casino, CT

Saturday, Feb 23, 10:30PM – 12:30AM, NBC Sports Network, The Paramount, NY

Saturday, March 9, 10PM- 12AM, NBC Sports Network, Location TBA

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

Twitter: #FightNight Twitter: @main_events @NBCSN

Facebook:facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing facebook.com/NBCSports

New York (January 9, 2013) – Philadelphia’s Raymond ‘Tito” Serrano will battle Baltimore based Emmanuel ‘The Tranzforma” Taylor in a 10-round junior welterweight clash on FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2013, at The Paramount in Huntington, New York, it was announced today by Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing®.

Broadcast on ShoBox: The New Generationlive on SHOWTIME®

(10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) and promoted by Star Boxing and Banner Promotions, the Serrano/Taylor bout is the chief support to the 10-round junior middleweight title bout between world ranked Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade and former world title challenger Freddy “EL Riel” Hernandez.

“This is an excellent junior welterweight matchup between two young aggressive fighters. Serrano and Taylor have an outstanding opportunity to show the great boxing fans on Long Island and the nationally televised audience on SHOWTIME®that they belong in the mix with other top prospects in the division,” said DeGuardia.

“Ray has been working hard the last couple of months with his new trainer, Barry Hunter. He was very excited when we approached him about the fight. Ray wants to show that he is the prospect everyone thought he was, (winning his first 18 pro fights) before getting tagged against Karim Mayfield last May” said DeGuardia.

The 23-year-old Serrano, 18-1-0 (8KO’s), was stopped in the fifth round by Mayfield on MAY 18, 2012 in Albany, NY.

Just 21-years-old, Taylor has compiled an excellent record of 15-1-0 with ten knockouts since turning professional in 2009 following a highly decorated amateur career.

Earning his nickname through his transformation from a quiet persona outside the ring to an all-action fighter inside of it, Taylor returns to battle following a sensational decision win over then undefeated prospect George Sosa on October 12th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Advance tickets priced at $50, $100 and $150, are now on sale through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000) or through The Paramount Box Office, (631) 673-7300 in addition to the Star Boxing Office, (718) 823-2000 or on their website, www.StarBoxing.com. Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7PM with the first bell at 8PM.

The Paramount is located at 370 New York Avenue, Huntington, New York, 11743. For directions and more information, please visit their website atwww.paramountny.com

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 atwww.StarBoxing.com and follow them on Twitter @ Star Boxing and Facebook atStar Boxing.

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 asthe premier music venue on Long Island. Some recent acts to take the stage includePitbull, 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.

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 towww.Modells.com, which services customers all over the country.

Sherman Oaks, Calif. (January 9) – After earning the NABO Lightweight Championship belt in July 2010 with an eleventh-round knockout against Henry “Hank” Lundy, John Molina, Jr. (24-2, 19 KOs) looks to restore his reputation with a victory by again claiming the vacant title against the power punching Dannie “Dangerous” Williams (22-2, 18 KOs) at the Pueblo Pavilion in Santa Fe, N.M on January 11.

Molina has been chomping at the bit to get back into the ring since the “aberration,” as he calls it, a first-round TKO against Antonio DeMarco in a WBC Lightweight Championship bout last September. The Covina, Calif. native protested the referee’s decision to stop the fight to the California State Athletic Commission, based upon having half of his body hanging outside the bottom rope, to no avail.

“It’s my job now to prove everybody wrong,” Molina said in regard to his fight against DeMarco. “I’m sure people are saying John who? but come Jan. 11, I’ll have my chance to turn it all around.”

Molina certainly didn’t take the easy path to accomplish this.

His eagerness for redemption increases the tension for what is already set to be a thrilling bout between the two knockout fighters with each of them having a 75% KO average. The hard-swinging Williams also enters the fight with a chip on his shoulder after missing out on a chance at premium lightweight bout with a decision loss to Lundy on March 30, 2012.

In the semi-main event bout to be televised live on ESPN (9 PM ET/6 PM PT), is hot prospect and undefeated super middleweight, Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales
(16-0-1, 10 KOs), who will face Don Mouton (11-4-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

The event is being promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with
M & H Productions and DiBella Entertainment.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 9, 2013) – Tuesdays just got TUF™. On January 22, some of the world’s most talented and determined mixed martial artists will face-off in the most grueling sports tournament on television. Watch as 28 mixed martial arts prospects battle for a coveted spot on the new season of The Ultimate Fighter®, which begins with a special two-hour premiere airing at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FX.

The Ultimate Fighter, the Ultimate Fighting Championship®’s long-running reality television series, will run for 13 weeks and will culminate in a three-hour finale, live from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. Unlike previous seasons on FX, the one-hour broadcast will now be shown on Tuesday nights at its new regularly scheduled timeslot of 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The 14 successful combatants will be divided into two teams, which will be coached by two of the fiercest rivals in all of sport. UFC® light heavyweight champion and MMA superstar, Jon “Bones” Jones will captain one team, while the controversial and charismatic challenger Chael Sonnen will lead the second team into battle in this, the 17th installment of the series.

The coaches will then collide for the light heavyweight title on Saturday, April 27, at UFC® 159: JONES vs. SONNEN at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Not surprisingly, both Jones and Sonnen will be bringing their trademark self-confidence into their stints as coaches this season on The Ultimate Fighter.

“I thought it would be a good way to share myself with the sport of MMA,” Jones said. “I embrace the role.”

Said Sonnen: “The hottest show on FX is being graced with the greatest talent God ever made: Chael P. Sonnen.’’

The list of finalists in the middleweight (185 pounds) division was trimmed from more than 250 applicant athletes. The fighters – all seeking the opportunity of a lifetime and a six-figure contract from the Ultimate Fighting Championship – hail from the United States, Australia, England and Sweden.

“The quality of guys we have this season in unbelievable,” said UFC President Dana White. “From the fights to get into the house, to every single fight this season, I think the talent is some of the best I’ve ever seen on this show. We’re going to end up with some really good guys in the 185-pound division.”

“The production value has increased, the talent level is at an all-time high, and we have two of the most dynamic personalities in all of the UFC as our coaches,” said Chuck Saftler, EVP of FX Networks. “I’m extremely excited about this season of The Ultimate Fighter and truly believe this could be the show’s best season yet.”

On Jan. 22, the season will launch with 14 gripping elimination scraps. Those victorious in the opening round, or “Fight In”, become official cast members and earn their place in The Ultimate Fighter house in Las Vegas. The winners will be drafted into opposing teams of seven by Jones and Sonnen. Thereafter, cameras will document their activity before and after their training and fights during the season.

Each episode’s winners will advance in the single-elimination tournament until one is crowned The Ultimate Fighter.

The competitors are:

Dylan Andrews (16-4-1), 32, Gold Coast, AUS
Jake Heun (3-2), 25, Salt Lake City, Utah

Hito Andrews (9-2), 34, Sacramento, Calif.
Nicholas Hohring (3-0), 22, Valley Springs, Calif.

Luke Barnatt (5-0), 24, Cambridge, ENG
Mike Jaspar (6-0), 29, Camarillo, Calif.

Leo Bercier (7-2), 31, Great Falls, Montana
Bubba McDaniel (20-6), 29, Albuquerque, N.M.

Ryan Lee Q. Bigler (9-3), 28, Guam
Frasier Opie (10-5), 25, Milton Keynes, ENG

Kevin Casey (5-2), 31, Hawthorne, Calif.
Frederick Persons (3-0), 28, Stockton, Calif.

Adam Cella (4-0), 27, Fenton, Mo.
Jimmy Quinlan (3-0), 26, Metheun, Mass.

Zach Cummings (15-3), 28, Kansas City, Mo.
Scott Rosa (4-1), 27, Sparks, Nev.

Andy Enz, (6-1), 21, Anchorage, Alaska
Josh Samman (9-2), 24, Tallahassee, Fla.

Nik Fehete (5-1), 32, Las Vegas, Nev.
Gilbert Smith (5-1), 30, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Kelvin Gastelum (5-0), 20, Yuma, Ariz.
Eldon Sproat (3-1), 27, Molohai, Hawaii

Uriah Hall (7-2), 28, New York City, N.Y.
Tor Troeng (15-4-1), 29, Umea, SWE

Collin Hart (4-1-1), 23, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Eric Wahlin (5-1), 29, Taylorsville, Utah

Clint Hester (7-3), 24, Atlanta, Ga.
Timothy Williams (7-1), 26, Millville, N.J.

Many of today’s most recognizable names in the UFC have emerged from the TUF™ series, including, among many others, Forrest Griffin, Kenny Florian, Rashad Evans, and Michael Bisping.

Tune-in and watch who will become the next THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER on FX!

For more show information, bios, videos and photos, visit ultimatefighter.com and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter under our new name @TUFonFX or on Facebook.com/TUF.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship®

Universally recognized for its action-packed, can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. In 2012, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, which now airs on FX.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries and territories, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 30 different languages. UFC content is also distributed commercially in the United States to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions, in English throughout Canada via Premium Sports Broadcasting Inc. and Australia via Main Event and in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with over two million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, the best-selling UFC Undisputed® video game franchise distributed by THQ, and a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.

FX

FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 98 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series Sons of Anarchy and Justified; the miniseries American Horror Story: Asylum; the upcoming drama series The Americans; the acclaimed hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, BrandX with Russell Brand, and Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell; and the upcoming comedy Legit. The network’s library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network. FX’s other offerings include the acquired hit series Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother, and live sports with UFC and NCAA football.

PHILADELPHIA (January 9, 2013)—WBO number-two ranked Jr. Welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov expects to be in a major fight sometime in the near future according to his team.

Provodnikov (22-1, 15 knockouts) is in line to face Brandon Rios and his team led by promoter Arthur Pelullo and Banner Promotions along with manager Vadim Kornilov are doing everything to make that fight or another big opportunity a reality.

“I think Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado was a great fight, but Rios won the fight by KO and people would rather see another fight that would be candidate for fight of the year in 2013 against Ruslan Provodnikov than have them fight a rematch with the same outcome as their first fight”, said Kornilov

“If Juan Manuel Marquez won’t defend the belt then we are in line to fight Rios or the next highest rated contender. I know Artie Pelullo is doing everything possible to make this happen. I also know that Amir Khan and Timothy Bradley would like a big fight so we are open to a fight either of them as well anytime! Ruslan has fought live on ESPN Friday Night Fights over ten times and has a strong fan base in the US as well as all over the world. Big networks have showed interest in putting Ruslan on, but now we just have to find someone that will get in the ring with him for what will be a great and exciting fight just like all of his previous fights have been!”

“He is available and we know that Ruslan is ready to win a major fight. He has worked very hard. We know when his name is called to fight one of these big names, not only will he win but will do so in exciting fashion”, said Pelullo

Judgment day is getting closer! Current EBU-Champion Eduard Gutknecht (24-1,
9 KOs) is ready to defend his title against former WBO World Champion
Juergen Braehmer (38-2, 30 KOs) at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin,
Germany on February 2. Just a few days ago, Gutknecht and assistant coach
Georg Bramowski undertook a fitness test on the treadmill, which the
30-year-old champion passed with flying colors. That test was now followed
by an assessment of his all-around punching abilities as a boxer, which
includes power, precision and stamina. Again, Gutknecht showed an
outstanding performance, which testified that he is already in good shape to
defend his title in less than a month.

“Eduard showed how powerful his jab and straights are. The treadmill test
also proved to us, that he has the durability to go the whole distance,”
said Bramowski, who is convinced, that Gutknecht will cause his stablemate
some serious problems when they meet in the German capital. “First of all
Juergen Braehmer has to be able to go twelve rounds. For him, that will be
hard enough as it is.”

However, the current EBU Light Heavyweight Champion Gutknecht does not pay
too much attention to the praises of his coach. “This test just shows you,
where you currently stand from a physical point of view. Now I know that I
am already in a very good shape. If I manage to take advantage of my
technical abilities, I will not only leave the ring as the European Champion
but will also be fighting it out for the WBO World Championship in the near
future,” said the optimistic Gutknecht ahead of his fight with the
34-year-old challenger Juergen Braehmer.

Tickets for the big fight night at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin on
February 2 can be purchased at www.boxen.com and www.eventim.de.

NEW YORK (Jan. 8, 2013) – As part of a Free Preview Weekend on SHOWTIME® that begins this Friday, Jan. 11, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 13, over 80 million households will be able to watch the fighters who will compete on a ShoBox: The New Generation doubleheader Friday live on SHOWTIME (11:15 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Three of the boxers on the Jan. 11 ShoBox twin bill at Fantasy Springs Casino Resort in Indio, Calif., are undefeated. The other has one loss. Combined, they are 59-1-1, but for all their success, you can’t beat the kind of exposure they’ll get during a Free Weekend Preview that offers the opportunity to sample the premium network’s award-winning programming on SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME HD™, SHOWTIME On Demand® and SHOWTIME ANYTIME®.

“A great example of what TV exposure can do for a young fighter is Austin Trout,” ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood said. “He was a world champion who was virtually unknown to even hardcore fight fans, but then he fought on ShoBox (Frank LaPorto), and then shortly thereafter on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (Delvin Rodriguez). That landed him a fight with Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden on SHOWTIME. He won that and now everyone knows who he is.

“Friday is a huge opportunity for the four ShoBox fighters, who have never approached this level number of available viewers. When you deliver in a situation like this it almost guarantees that promoters and the TV networks will bring you back because the public wants to see you again.”

In the 10-round main event, always-exciting Ronny Rios (19-0, 9 KO’s), of Santa Ana, Calif., puts his unbeaten record on the line when he faces former WBA Super Bantamweight World Champion Rico Ramos (21-1, 11 KO’s), of Los Angeles, for the vacant NABF Featherweight Championship.

In a clash of unbeaten junior middleweights, Daquan Arnett (9-0, 6 KO’s), of Orlando, Fla., takes on Brandon Quarles (10-0-1, 2 KO’s) of Alexandria, Va., in the 8-round co-feature.

One of Southern California’s most popular fighters, undefeated NABO Bantamweight Champion
Randy “El Matador” Caballero (17-0, 9 KO’s), of Coachella, will make his 11th appearance at Fantasy Springs when he meets an opponent to be announced in the top non-televised fight.

Tickets priced at $25, $35 and $45 are available at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 6:30 p.m. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona.

Farhood says the first ShoBox event of the year is atypical of the critically acclaimed series, which has been a hit since its inception in July 2001.

“The main event is another classic ShoBox fight with an unbeaten prospect moving up in class against a former world champion,” Farhood said. “It is an age-old tradition, but in this case Ramos is a younger former world champion and presumably has a lot of fight left in him.

“It’s also crossroads fight because Rios needs to prove he can become a contender and Ramos needs to prove he’s still a top-10 fighter. This is a fascinating style matchup with Rios being the pressure fighter and Ramos the boxer-puncher.

“What’s interesting about the co-feature is that we have Arnett coming off a fight in which he was dropped and almost stopped getting right back in with his second consecutive unbeaten opponent. It’s time for Arnett to show he’s a legitimate prospect.”

The 5-foot-6 ½ Rios, a former amateur standout who turns 23 on Jan. 22, is making his ShoBox debut. A stable mate of WBC World Champions Abner Mares (super bantamweight) and Daniel Ponce de Leon (featherweight), the crowd-pleasing four-year pro is taking a significant leap in class after being steadily stepped up in recent fights and giving solid performances.

“I’ve been training really hard, and we really want to take advantage of this opportunity that’s been presented to us,” said the offensive-minded Rios, who’s facing by far his toughest opponent on paper to date. “I’m looking forward to a good fight.”

The rising Rios is a gym rat who enjoys reading mystery novels in his spare time. A boxer-puncher with solid speed and movement, he’s campaigned at featherweight and junior lightweight the last few years. He made his 10-round debut in his last start, scoring an impressive ninth-round knockout over game veteran David Rodela in a thrilling all-action junior lightweight slugfest on July 28 at Fantasy Springs.

Ramos, 25, is a ShoBox alum and former amateur standout who captured the WBA 122-pound world title in his 20th pro fight with a spectacular, come-from-behind, one-punch, seventh-round knockout over Akifumi Shimoda on July 9, 2011.

The 5-foot-5 Ramos, currently ranked No. 7 in the IBF, No. 8 in the WBA and No. 23 in the WBC at 122 lbs., is seeking his second consecutive victory since losing the WBA crown in his first defense to unbeaten Guillermo Rigondeaux on Jan. 12, 2012. In his lone fight since, Ramos finished much the strongest to win an 8-round majority decision in a spirited encounter over previously undefeated Efrian Equiovoas last June 23 by the tallies of 78-74 twice and 76-76.

While his opponent’s weight fluctuates slightly from fight to fight, Ramos has been fighting at or around 122 pounds since going pro in March 2008. However, this move north in weight isn’t necessarily a permanent one.

“I just want to see how I feel at 126 because I know I’m strong at 122. We’re going to see where it takes us right now,” said the more experienced Ramos, a natural counterpuncher who possesses good natural athletic ability, skills, speed and movement. “I can still make 122, but I just want to see where the opportunities are. This isn’t a permanent move up in weight.’’

Reunited with trainer Charles “Chili” Wilson and re-energized after some time off, Ramos is primed for a top effort. “I’ve been working on a lot of stuff: throwing more punches, not tensing up too much, throwing more combinations with a lot of movement and not standing straight up,” he said. “I’m ready for all fighters from 122 to 126. I’ll be back on top. I’m happy to be back.”

Arnett will be making his eight-round debut and first official start on ShoBox although highlights of his last fight on Nov. 9 (a fourth-round KO over Jeremiah Wiggins) were shown during the ShoBox telecast. He also fought on SHOWTIME EXTREME, winning a six-round decision over Jesus Tavera last Sept. 8.

An accomplished amateur and 2009 Junior Olympic national champion, the talented, aggressive-minded 5-foot-10, 20-year-old Arnett has kept busy since turning pro on Dec. 1, 2011. He had eight fights in 2012, winning six by knockout. He’s gone into the fourth round four times and six full rounds once.

Arnett’s last fight was his roughest as he had to rebound from a knockdown to stop Wiggins. Arnett had dominated the first two rounds, but got nailed by a hard right hand by Wiggins during an exchange in the third. Visibly hurt, Arnett held on and got through the round. In the fourth, Arnett knocked Wiggins through the ropes from a barrage of punches and the referee stepped in and stopped it at 1:59.

One of three children, Arnett hails from a family of fighters. “My younger brother is a top amateur, my sister, who got into the sport pretty much for self-defense, knows more about boxing than a lot of people I know,” Arnett said. “My dad was a boxer, all of my cousins competed in the amateurs and my uncle was a Golden Gloves champion. Boxing’s my life. My dad literally introduced us to boxing when we were one and two years old – from the time we were able to walk.”

Quarles is a 5-foot-10, 26-year-old who is managed and trained by George Peterson, the career-long manager and trainer of former Two-Time WBO Welterweight World Champion Paul Williams.

A pro since July 2010, Quarles is coming off of a six-round draw in his last start on Oct. 27 against John Mackey. Quarles, who was decked in the first, registered a knockdown in the final 10 seconds to get the draw. Two judges had it 56-apiece; the other scored it for Mackey, 57-55.

“I’ve seen Arnett fight a few times and I’ve seen him hurt a few times, too,” said Quarles, a boxer with good speed and movement who was one of Williams’ top sparring partners. “My friend Jeremiah Wiggins just fought him. He told me, ‘just don’t wait on him. Take it to him as soon as the bell rings.’

“I’m just ready to fight. I’m ready to put on a show. It’s what it is – go for broke.”

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

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, 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 HAVEN, Conn. (Dec. 8, 2012) – Jimmy Williams knows he was born for this. His mother knew, too.

She won’t be there to watch him make his professional boxing debut Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 at Mohegan Sun Casino, but she’ll guide him every step of the way.

“I take her spirit with me every time I step in the ring,” Williams said. “I fear nothing.”

Williams’ mother, Belinda Jordan Williams, died in November of 2008, the victim of a homicide police in Williams’ hometown of Plainfield, N.J., have yet to solve. Her partially-clothed body was found strangled to death behind an abandoned building with signs of a struggle evident by the cuts and scratches on her face. The case remains unsolved. No leads. No motives. No answers.

Though the trail has gone cold, Williams remains in hot pursuit of the truth while chasing his dream of becoming a world champion, a dream his mother always knew he’d follow, even if he didn’t quite know it at the time.

“We were tight. She knew me well,” said Williams, a 26-year-old welterweight prospect now fighting out of New Haven, Conn., where he once starred as a defensive back for the Southern Connecticut State University football team.

“Even during my football days, she told me to never rule out boxing. She told me football was just a phase. We used to argue sometimes. I’d tell her, ‘I’m going to play football!’ but she always kept boxing in the back of my mind.”

Williams actually began boxing with his uncle when he was just 8 years old, but stopped during high school as he became more involved with football. After a standout career at Plainfield High in which he was named one of the nation’s Top 100 players as a senior, Williams was recruited by several Division I colleges, including Virginia Tech, Rutgers and Penn State. He fully committed to Western Michigan until the entire coaching staff that had originally recruited him was abruptly fired; by then, the only school still interested was Southern Connecticut State, leaving him with no options.

“I committed without even visiting,” Williams said.

As a three-year starter, Williams blossomed as one of the nation’s premier defensive backs in college, but everything changed in 2008 when he learned of his mother’s death during a team meeting.

“My sister kept blowing up my phone,” Williams said. “She never really called that much, so I knew something was wrong. I still remember the words she said to me – ‘Don’t stop doing what you’re doing. Keep working hard.’

“My whole life changed.”

After college, Williams entertained thoughts of playing in the NFL. He wasn’t drafted, but he was invited to several post-draft workouts, starting in Oakland with the Raiders. Similar workouts followed with the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts, but after tweaking a groin muscle while training with the Raiders, Williams wasn’t quite the same physically, and his dream of playing professional football came to a sudden end.

“A lot of teams told me to go play in Canada,” he said. “I couldn’t run as fast as I wanted to. I just lost my spirit. I got discouraged.”

Enter boxing, which was always Williams’ first love. Back in New Jersey, he resumed training with his uncle and competed in the state’s Diamond Gloves Tournament, but lost in the opening round, his nine-year layoff a contributing factor.

“I was too stiff,” Williams recalled. “I couldn’t move around the ring.”

Those who had watched Williams in the gym knew there was reason for optimism despite his performance. Underneath his football physique – he bulked up to 180 pounds as a college defensive back – he still had the body of a slick-punching, welterweight capable of out-boxing anyone in his class. Once he shed the extra pounds, he began turning heads in local gyms, including New Haven Boxing, where he made enough of an impression to earn a permanent spot on the roster.

“I used to spar one of their top guys, and they saw day in, day out how I used to bring it to him,” Williams recalled, “so they asked me to join their gym. That’s all she wrote.”

With a new team behind him, including promoter Jimmy Burchfield, who recently signed him to a promotional contract, Williams will make his highly-anticipated debut Jan. 19 on the undercard of NBC Sports’ nationally-televised Fight Night series, co-promoted by Main Events and Classic Entertainment & Sports.

“When I got back into the ring, I didn’t know it would come to this,” he said. “This is my goal. I want to become a world champion, and this is the first step.

“Signing with CES, I think they’ll give me my chance. I’m excited. I’m fired up. I’m ready to go. Words can’t express how I feel. Whoever they put in front of me, I’m willing to beat. I’ve made it this far and been through so much already. Nothing is going to stop me now.”

Unbeaten Russian light heavyweight Sergey Kovalev (19-0, 17 KOs) will face Spanish southpaw Gabriel Campillo (21-4-1, 8 KOs) in the 10-round main event while New Haven middleweight Elvin Ayala (26-5-1, 12 KOs) will battle Curtis Stevens (22-3, 16 KOs) of Brownsville, N.Y., in the 10-round co-feature. The undercard includes an eight-round super middleweight showdown between Vladine Biosse (14-1-1, 7 KOs) of Providence, R.I., and Marcus Upshaw (14-8-2, 6 KOs) of Jacksonville, Fla., and a six-round female bantamweight bout between undefeated Shelito Vincent (6-0) of Providence (New London, Conn.) and Bronx native Nydia Feliciano (5-3-3).

Hartford, Conn., super featherweight Joseph “Chip” Perez (10-3, 1 KO) will face Jason Sosa (7-1-3, 3 KOs) of Camden, N.J., in a six-round bout; Brooklyn’s Ian James (2-4-1, 1 KO) will battle newcomer Edwin Cotto of Willimantic, Conn., in a four-round lightweight bout; and unbeaten heavyweight Jarrell Miller (4-0, 4 KOs) of New York will face Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko (7-1-1, 3 KOs) in a four-round bout. Tickets are priced at $40 and $125 and can be purchased by calling TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

January 8, 2013 – Undefeated junior middleweight prospect and Maryland native, Alantez “Sly as A” Fox (8-0-1, 4 KOs), will try to carry the successful momentum from his last outing into his next as he squares off against fellow Maryland native Julius Kennedy (7-2-1, 3 KOs) in his first main event attraction. The bout will serve as the headliner for a card which takes place on January 12th, 2013 at the Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland, in front of a crowd that will surely appreciate an event that matches up two of its very own in-state combatants against one another.

Fox is a superb boxer who possesses a substantial height and reach advantage over the average 154 pounder. Fox is able to utilize his 6’5″ stature and maintains the kind of well-rounded game that allows him to fight both inside and out. Promoted by Boxing 360, Fox is confident that he’ll shine in his first main event bout.

“My handlers are giving me the opportunities and it’s up to me to capitalize on them,” Fox said. “My career is in the best hands, but this is boxing and at the end of the day it’s on me to do the right things inside the ring and out. This is a benchmark fight on the road to my ultimate goal and I can’t overlook the importance of each outing and the lessons I can gain from them. It’s an honor to headline a fight in my home state and ticket buyers will be treated to a very entertaining night of boxing.”

“There are a lot of talented prospects in boxing and Fox is one of them, but what separates him from the rest is his desire to outwork the competition,” said Boxing 360’s Mario Yagobi. “This kid has an insatiable appetite for hard work and if you couple that with his maturity it’s easy to see what makes Fox so special. On January 12th the Maryland fight fans will get the chance to see a future star on his way to the top.”

Leon Margules, co-promoter of now IBF #2 super featherweight contender Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (18-0, 11 KOs) says he feels the level of controversy after Barthelemy’s close, but deserved, 12-round unanimous (115-113, 116-112, 116-112) decision over Arash Usmanee on Friday night at Stage 305 in the Magic City Casino in Miami, is both surprising and unfounded.

“Some internet writers from some reputable sites have been claiming Usmanee was robbed and that this was a ‘corrupt’ and ‘hometown’ decision and to them I say: Before you try to sully the reputations of some long-time boxing people, watch it again closely without the commentary and decide for yourselves.”

Margules concedes it was a close fight, but feels accusations of a hometown decision and robbery are irresponsible given Barthelemy’s large early lead and the difficult-to-score nature of many of the subsequent rounds.

“You’ve got Usmanee doing more work, but not really being effective and you’ve got Rances picking his opportunities to land the harder, cleaner blows. Three experienced judges with solid reputations decided in the majority of the rounds, Rances was more effective. It’s that simple. They aren’t corrupt for making that call. Watch the fight again. Even if you don’t agree, you can see how they could have leaned that way. It’s not a travesty of justice that Rances won this fight. Far from it. In my opinion, he deserved to win.”

Margules’ opinion is backed by some important boxing writers with impeccable reputations.

“I had Barthelemy 7 rounds to 5,” said Santos Perez, the longtime well-known long-time boxing writer for the Miami Herald. “Several of the rounds were close, but I thought Barthelemy built enough early rounds. A draw would not have been a travesty, but Usmanee winning 8 or 9 rounds, like some scored it, is quite a reach. I assume the majority believe that Usmanee won, but some media members, whose judgment I trust, also had Barthelemy winning.”

Margules also got another in-ring endorsement for his man that night: Usmanee’s own manager.

“Douggy Berneche, Usmanee’s manager, told me he thought Rances won the fight. I came over to him after the fight to congratulate his guy on a great performance and he told me ‘your guy won 8 to 4.’ I said ‘no, it was a close fight, let’s see what happens.’ In fact, I have heard that on TV you can hear Usmanee’s cornermen telling him he needs a knockout before the final round, so even his team had their doubts about whether they were winning before this controversy took hold.”

Margules says Team Barthelemy are not against a rematch with Usmanee down the road, but for now they’re looking for the world title opportunity their man has rightfully earned in the not-so-distant future.

“Everybody settle down. What happened to Carlos Molina against James Kirkland? That was a robbery. Pacquiao vs. Bradley, that was a robbery. There were a few other high-profile fights last year you could call robberies. Barthelemy vs. Usmanee was a close fight that a majority of people there live had going my guy’s way. No one in the live audience booed the decision. Seems like those who watched on television were somehow swayed into another school of thought. But regardless who you thought won, it was a very good, close fight that honestly could have gone either way.”

New York, NY / Sante Fe, New Mexico (1/8/13) – This Friday night, lightweight contender Dannie Williams (22-2, 18KO’s) will return to action under the bright lights of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights when he takes on recent world title challenger John Molina (24-2, 19KO’s) in the 10-round main event at the Indian School in Sante Fe, New Mexico. The bout is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment and Rumble Time Promotions.

The bout between Williams and Molina features two contenders meeting at an ultimate crossroads in their respective careers. On March 30, 2013, Williams squared off against fellow top-rated contender and NABF champion Hank Lundy on Friday Night Fights. The heavy-handed Williams got off to a good start, dropping Lundy early in the first. Lundy would go on to win a 10-round unanimous decision though, retaining his title in the process.

Williams bounced back with a seventh-round TKO over veteran Rynell Griffin in October and now has his sights set on Molina, who was stopped by then WBC lightweight titlist Antonio DeMarco in September. A win over Molina will set Williams up for much bigger and better opportunities in 2013 as he looks to position himself for his first world title shot.

“I need to show the world in this fight that my last televised fight was not me. That was a fluke,” said Williams. “The boxing world needs to see the real Dannie Williams. 2013 is a huge year for me. After I take care of business on Friday night, I want to get right back in the ring against ranked opponents and move my way to the top of the lightweight division.”

ESPN will begin live coverage at 9 p.m. ET. The Williams-Molina bout is promoted by Goosen Tutor Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment and Rumble Time Promotions.

DOVER, Del. — Friday Night Fights on Friday, Jan. 25 will headline Amir “Hardcore” Mansour, 16(12)-0, of Wilmington, Del., against Dominique “Diamond” Alexander, 23(11)-15-1, of Topeka, Kan., in a heavyweight bout. The co-feature heavyweight bout pits Franklin “Yah-Yah” Lawrence, 18(13)-2-2, of Indianapolis, Ind., against Mark “Oak Tree” Brown, 15(7)-4, of Salem, N.J.

Tickets are on sale for between $40 – $200 and may be purchased by calling VIP Services at 800-711-5882 or visiting doverdowns.com.

The undercard features female super featherweight champion “Queen” Ronica Jeffrey, 11(1)-0, of Brooklyn, N.Y. Also appearing on the undercard will be featherweight Omar “Super O” Douglas, 6(4)-0, of Wilmington, Del.; super middleweight John “Church Boy” Bowman, 4-0-1, of Dover, Del.; featherweight Cornelius Lock, 19(12)-6-1, of Detroit, Mich.; light welterweight Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, 26(17)-4 of New York, N.Y.; and light heavyweight Frankie “The Freight Train” Filippone, 11(2)-2-1, of Norfolk, Va. Undercard opponents will be named soon.

The first bout will begin at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Will call will be open from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Visit doverdowns.com for updates. Event, times and card are subject to change or cancellation without notice. For media credentials and interview or photo requests, please contact Lisa Rollins at lrollins@doverdowns.com.

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About Dover Downs Hotel & Casino

Owned by Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: DDE), Dover Downs Hotel & Casino® is a premier gaming and entertainment resort destination in the Mid-Atlantic region. Gaming operations consist of approximately 2,500 slots and a full complement of table games including poker. The AAA-rated Four Diamond hotel is Delaware’s largest with 500 luxurious rooms/suites and amenities including a full-service spa/salon, concert hall and 41,500 sq. ft. of multi-use event space. Live, world-class harness racing is featured November through April, and horse racing is simulcast year-round. Professional football parlay betting is accepted during the season. Additional property amenities include multiple restaurants from fine dining to casual fare, bars/lounges and retail shops. For more information, please visit www.doverdowns.com.

Sherman Oaks, CA (Jan. 7) – Deferring to the recommendation of a noted Bay Area orthopedic specialist after receiving a second opinion on his injured right shoulder, reigning WBA, WBC and Ring Super Middleweight World Champion Andre “S.O.G.” Ward underwent successful surgery, which will keep him out of action for an indefinite period and has forced the postponement of his highly-anticipated title bout against Kelly Pavlik for a second time.

Originally scheduled as an HBO “World Championship Boxing” main event from the Galen Center on the campus of USC on January 26, the bout was rescheduled to March 2nd after the 2004 U.S. Olympic gold medalist, “Super Six” World Boxing Classic tournament winner and 2011 “Fighter of the Year” felt pain in his right shoulder after throwing a punch at sparring partner Tony Hirsch during training in Andre’s hometown of Oakland. The original MRI revealed a significant amount of swelling and inflammation, but no injury to the rotator cuff.

However, after a period of rest and rehab resulted in little improvement, Andre sought a second opinion from Dr. Michael Dillingham, for 25 years the team orthopedic surgeon for the San Francisco 49ers and currently for the San Francisco Giants. A subsequent MRI revealed a small tear in Andre’s right shoulder capsule and, this past Friday, surgery was performed by Dr. Dillingham at the SOAR Surgicenter in nearby Burlingame. Assisting the doctor on the surgical team were his partners Ken Akizuki (team orthopedist for the Giants) and Joe Donahue (former 49ers assistant team orthopedist and current team physician for Santa Clara University).

“Technically, things went very well and all involved are very hopeful about the eventual outcome,” stated Dr. Dillingham. “Within a week, Andre will begin his rehab.”

Lisa Giannone, of Activecare Physical Therapy in San Francisco, will head up Andre’s rehabilitation team.

“The doctor said Andre will initially have his arm in a sling where he will be better prepared to give a timeline for Andre’s recovery process once the sling is removed,” said promoter Dan Goossen.

“Andre has always surpassed everyone’s expectations and I told Dr. Dillingham he can expect the same fire from Andre with his rehabilitation as the fans see when he’s in the ring.

The timing is unfortunate for Andre (26-0, 14 KOs), whose fast-track rise to elite status since winning his first world title in 2009 against reigning WBA super middleweight champ Mikkel Kessler — then capturing the WBC version in late 2011 against brash Briton Carl Froch and, in his most recent domination of current WBC light heavyweight king Chad Dawson — has vaulted him near the top of the “Pound for Pound” ratings and cemented him as a recognized superstar worldwide.

“My surgery went very well and I am definitely pleased with the outcome. I had a fantastic team of surgeons overseeing everything on Friday morning and they did a great job of repairing the injury. I am confident that I will return to the ring even better than I was prior to the injury,” stated Ward.

“I really want to thank everyone for all of the prayers and support that my family and I have received. We truly appreciate it and it has helped throughout this process. I can’t wait to get back out there and perform for all my fans and plan to keep everyone updated on my progress. The best is yet to come so stay tuned.”

Below is a link to the photo gallery provided by Squint Photo – http://www.flickr.com/photos/91948583%40N03/sets/72157632460172154/

New York, NY (1/7/12) – On Wednesday, January 23, former junior middleweight world champion Yuri Foreman (28-2, 8KO’s) will return to the ring for the first time in nearly two years when he takes on Brandon Baue (12-8, 10KO’s) in a special attraction six-round feature bout at BB King Blues club in New York City. The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and will feature a number of DBE’s top up-and-coming prospects, including unbeatens Lamar Russ (11-0, 7KO’s), Luis Rosa (11-0, 6KO’s) and Delen Parsley (9-0, 2KO’s). A complete list of bouts will be announced shortly.

Tickets are priced at $125, $100, $75 and $55, with a limited number of $1,000 V.I.P. tables available. There are five seats to each V.I.P. table. Tickets can be purchased by calling the DiBella Entertainment office at (212) 947-2577. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

The Belarusian-born Israeli Foreman, who has been living and training in Brooklyn since 1999, is studying to become a Rabbi in addition to competing as a professional boxer. Foreman won the WBA junior middleweight championship by pitching a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over Daniel Santos in November 2009. By winning the title, Foreman became the first Jewish world champion in 71 years, since Barney Ross lost his welterweight crown in 1938. In his first title defense, Foreman lost his junior middleweight belt in a spirited effort to Miguel Cotto in the inaugural boxing event held at the new Yankee Stadium in June 2010. Foreman badly injured his knee in the seventh round of their championship bout but continued to fight on. He was eventually stopped on his feet in the ninth round once his knee left him immobilized.

In Foreman’s next bout, he was stopped in six rounds by fellow top-rated contender Pawel Wolak on March 12, 2011. After the bout against Wolak, Foreman took some time out of the ring, but he has been training for the past few months feeling rejuvenated and ready to make another run at a world championship.

Tickets are priced at $125, $100, $75 and $55, with a limited number of $1,000 V.I.P. tables available. There are five seats to each V.I.P. table. Tickets can be purchased by calling the DiBella Entertainment office at (212) 947-2577. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Manfredi Auto Group, Newlio.com and Everlast.

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

READING, PA (January 8, 2013)—On Saturday night January 19th former world title challenger Elvin Ayala (26-5-1, 12 KO’s) will take on Curtis Stevens (22-3, 16 KO’s) in a Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut in a bout to be televised by the NBC Sports Network.

For the thirty-one year old Ayala, this fight is a chance to get to the head of the line for a second world title opportunity.

It is also a “full circle” moment for Ayala as he is training in the place where he was born in Reading, Pennsylvania under the eye of trainer Marshall Kauffman.

“I was born in Reading but I have lived in New Haven, Connecticut for the better part of a decade. So this is a homecoming in many ways as I get to train where I grew up and I am fighting so close to the place which is my adopted home”, said Ayala

But standing in front of him is noted “Chin Checker”, Curtis “Showtime” Stevens

“Stevens is a strong, durable and has skills. This is a fight I need to prove who I am. This is a great fight for me and Stevens is well known”

Ayala is very excited about the exposure that the fight will have being on the popular NBC Sports Network “Fight Night” Series.

“This is great exposure that will help me on to bigger and better things”

Ayala has been on the biggest stages as he lost to IBF Middleweight champion Arthur Abraham In a bout where Ayala put up a valiant fight before being stopped just twenty-eight seconds before the final bell in round twelve.

“Stevens has been in with great fighters but I have been with the best and have wins over guys who are very decorated. I respect all fighters but I wasn’t ready to fight Abraham. That fight did give me great experience. Stevens is dangerous but he is not Abraham”

Ayala is referencing his career ledger which shows wins over former world title challenger Larry Marks plus a draw with former Jr. Middleweight world champion Sergio Mora in a bout most people believe Ayala was the winner.

Ayala has won six straight with half of those coming via knockout and he knows what a win on January 19th will do for him.

“A win will open a lot of doors. The Middleweight division is one of the deepest divisions so a win will put me in the mix for one of the big names”

08 January 2013 – Singapore: ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC) announced the launch of the Malaysian National Featherweight Championship Tournament. Four of the top Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) prospects in Malaysia will battle it out in the first round of the tournament at ONE FC: RETURN OF WARRIORS which takes place live on 2 February from the state-of-the-art Stadium Putra in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The two fights signed for this historic tournament are Raymond “The Rocket” Tiew taking on Melvin “Overkill” Yeoh and AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor squaring off against Jian Kai “The Headhunter”Chee. By the end of the evening, Malaysians will know who the top two contenders for the National Featherweight Championship title will be.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship™ Victor Cui stated, “ONE FC is stacked with the largest roster of Asian champions and the Featherweight division is probably the most exciting division. It is time for us to crown National champions in Asia and Tiew, Yeoh, Mansor and Chee have proven that they are the most exciting prospects in Malaysia. We are giving these home-grown champions the chance to earn themselves the right to be called the Malaysian National Champion and rise to the top of the division as the number one contender.”

Raymond Tiew is a Sanshou Champion who has also represented Malaysia at Wushu. He is a stand up specialist with explosive striking which never disappoints the avid MMA fan. Tiew knows that this is his chance to show that he is the top Malaysian Featherweight but first he must get passed the brawler from Johor Bahru, Melvin Yeoh.

Melvin Yeoh has been called the top MMA prospect in Malaysia by international MMA media. A full-time school teacher, Yeoh has received much media attention both outside and inside the cage. He has always kept his gym doors open for kids on the streets looking to better themselves by learning the discipline associated with MMA and the valuable life skills that go along with the sport. This ferocious warrior will carry the weight of the community, gym and country come 2 February.

The second fight of the tournament will be between AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor and Jian Kai Chee. Mansor is the first thoroughbred Silat fighter to ever compete in MMA. His athletic ability earned him the National Silat Champion crown in the past and he will now turn his razor sharp striking toward his opponent, the Muay Thai champion Jian Kai Chee.

Chee has competed against some of the top MMA fighters in the region including Ole Laursen, Arnaud Lepont and Eddie Ng. Chee’s strength is his ability to finish a fight in an instant with punches, kicks, knees or elbows and will be looking to showcase his arsenal of skills at the Malaysian National Featherweight Championship tournament on 2 February in Stadium Putra, KL.

Cui further commented, “This tournament is part of ONE FC’s initiative to continually grow and support the local MMA community. ONE FC already has the very best Malaysian MMA fighters signed to us exclusively and this tournament, which is spread over two events, is a way for us to identify a true Malaysian National Champion.”

Tickets for ONE FC: RETURN OF WARRIORS, powered by Tune Talk are on sale now at www.AirAsiaRedTix.com. Tickets are priced at RM345 for the complete VIP experience that includes exclusive red carpet entrance, access to the VIP lounge and premium cage-side seating. The categories that follow are priced at RM145, RM95 and RM45 respectively. Booking fees and service charges apply.

Fans from around the world can witness the action online via live streaming at www.onefc.livesport.tv. The first two undercard fights are available for viewing free-of-charge and the main card fights will be available for purchase at just US$9.99.

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

About ONE Fighting Championship™

Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Fighting Championship™ (http://www.onefc.com) is Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization. ONE Fighting Championship™ hosts the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Fighting Championship™ has partnered with ESPN STAR Sports, the number one leader in sports content, for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans across 28 countries in Asia.

Juergen Braehmer (38-2, 30 KOs) is doing everything he can to ensure that he
gets the new year off to a winning start. The 34-year-old will challenge
current European Light Heavyweight Champion Eduard Gutknecht (24-1, 9 KOs)
when the pair meet inside the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany. After
having spent some of his training in Berlin and Schwerin, Braehmer and his
coach Karsten Roewer have now travelled to the city of Guestrow in the north
of Germany to add the finishing touches for the title fight.

Both met on Monday at 10.30 am for their first session in the city close to
Braehmer’s hometown. The first workout of the day saw the former WBO World
Champion hitting the pads. In the afternoon the first sparring session took
place. “So far I have been pleasantly surprised by him”, said coach Karsten
Roewer. “Juergen has a really good attitude. That is exactly what is needed
in order to form a successful working relationship. We get along really
well.”

Back in 2009 Braehmer was already in possession of the EBU Title before he
moved on to capture the WBO Belt, which he then lost at the round table, as
he did not participate in any professional fight for almost two years. In
January of 2012, the German gave his successful comeback in Hamburg against
the Spaniard Jose Maria Guerrero. Another victory followed in April in
Schwerin against Vikapita Merero from Namibia. Now he is aiming for another
title.

However, the man standing in his way is the current Champion of Europe,
Eduard Gutknecht. The 30-year-old man form Gifhorn, Germany is sure, that
the challenger is already past his prime. “This fight is not just about my
European Title. The winner will also get a chance to fight it out for the
WBO Championship,” said the prodigy of Coach Ulli Wegner. “He is standing in
the way of a potential title shot. Therefore I have to get rid of him.”

Tickets for the big fight night at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin can be
purchased at www.boxen.com and www.eventim.de.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. (Jan. 6, 2013) – Twenty-five year old sensation Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza (9-2) of Redondo Beach, Calif. earned a five-round unanimous decision over a game “Rowdy” Bec Hyatt (4-! 2) of Brisbane, Australia to become the first-ever Invicta Fighting Championships strawweight (115 pounds) champion, in the main event of a star-studded 13-bout women’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event at Memorial Hall in Kansas City on Saturday, Jan. 5, live on InvictaFC.com.

Esparza effectively weathered the storm brought on by the 23-year-old Hyatt, who took the title fight on just over a week’s notice after Esparza’s original opponent, Claudia Gadelha, was forced to withdraw from the matchup due to a broken nose sustained in training. Hyatt was originally slated to face Joanne Calderwood on the main card.

Esparza repeatedly took Hyatt down whenever the Australian attempted to explode on her feet. Esparza controlled the action on the ground, but was unable to finish Hyatt at any point.

In the bantamweight (135 pounds) co-main event and a much-anticipat! ed rematch, Alexis Davis (13-5) of Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada avenged a 2010 loss to fellow top contender Shayna “The Queen of Spades” Baszler (15-8) of Sioux Falls, S.D., putting Baszler to sleep with a rear-naked choke in the third round (:58) of their matchup.

Davis and Baszler engaged in a competitive battle on the mat for much of the first two rounds before finishing the second stanza on their feet, exchanging blows.

In the outset of the third frame, the two traded shots on their feet again before Baszler slipped and gave Davis the opportunity to take Baszler’s back and secure the finishing hold. Baszler refused to tap out and, instead, went to sleep, prompting the referee to stop the action at the 58 second mark of the round.

In other Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt main card action,Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith (5-2-1) of Pleasant Hill, Calif. engaged Raquel “Rocky” Pennington (3-3) of Colorado Springs, Colo. in a three-round firefight, outslugging Pennington to earn a unanimous decision victory in bantamweight action.

Sarah “The Monster” D’Alelio(7-3) of San Jose, Calif. effectively neutralized the dangerous punching power of Amanda “Lioness of the Ring” Nunes (7-3) of Salvador Bahia, Brazil, taking the bantamweight fight to the mat repeatedly before earning a unanimous decision. An illegal upkick to the face by Nunes in the second round cost her a point on each of the judges’ scorecards.

Ediane Gomes(9-2) of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. notched her second consecutive Invicta FC victory and her third straight win overall, by taking a unanimous decision from Hiroko Yamanaka (12-3) of Kisarazu, Japan in a featherweight (145 pounds) tilt.

Joanne! Calderwood(5-0) of Glasgow, Scottland used her long reach to keep Muay Thai champion and Matt-Lindland protégé Livia Von Plettenberg (1-1) at bay and punish Von Plettenberg with a mix of front kicks to the face and knee and elbow strikes for the majority of three rounds before being awarded a unanimous decision.

In preliminary card action, Veronica Rothenhausler (1-0) of Reno, Nev. made an explosive professional debut, crumbling Katalina Malungahu of Las Vegas, Nev. to the canvas with a right hand to the chin in the first round (1:12) of their featherweight matchup.

CompleteInvicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt Results:

Main Card:

Carla Esparza def. Bec Hyatt via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

Alexis Davis def. Shayna Baszler via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, :58

Leslie Smith def. Raquel Pennington via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Sarah D’Alelio def. Amanda Nunes via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Ediane Gomes def. Hiroko Yamanaka via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Joanne Calderwood def. Livia Von Plettenberg via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Preliminary Card:

Cassie Rodish def. Stephanie Frausto via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 1:04

Tamikka Brents def. Amanda Bell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jodie Esquibel def. Liz McCarthy via majority decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Rose Namajunas def. Emily Kagan via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:44

Tecia Torres def. Paige Van Zant via una! nimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Veronica Rothenhausler def. Katalina Malungahu via KO (punch) – Round 1, 1:12

Laura Marcusse-Sanko def. Cassie Robb via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:07

About Invicta Fighting Championships:

Invicta Fighting Championships (www.InvictaFC.com) is a world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform to hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executive Shannon Knapp and sports aficionado Janet Martin, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA by promoting the best possible matchups between female competitors and identifying and developing future superstars of the sport.

Dex Montenegro (0-1-0) vs. Angel Diaz (0-1-0)

Dex Montenegro def. Angel Diaz TKO 2:22 into Round 2

Frankie Orr (debut) vs. Enoch Wilson (debut)

Enoch Wilson def. Frankie Orr TKO 1:38 into Round 2

Zachary Cooper (1-0-0) vs. Rafael Umarov (1-5-0)

Zachary Cooper def. Rafael Umarov KO 0:30 into Round 1

Juan Martinez (1-0-0) vs. Cory Vom Baur (1-1-0)

Cory Vom Baur def. Juan Martinez UD: (40-36) X3

Daryl Gardner (1-0-0) vs. Ricardo Pinell (0-0-1)

Ricardo Pinell def. Daryl Gardner TKO 2:34 into Round 2

Carlos Rodriguez (1-0-0) vs. Marcelino Pineda (2-0-0)

Marcelino Pineda def. Carlos Rodriguez TKO 2:50 into Round 1

10 Round Main Event: Rob Frankel (31-12-1) vs. Jermaine White (17-5-1)

Rob Frankel def. Jermaine White UTD (accidental headbutt) 1:35 into round 5 (49-44) (49-44) (50-43)

IBF Jr. Welterweight champion Lamont Peterson will defend his crown against mandatory contender Kendall Holt on February 22nd in Washington, D.C. on ESPN 2 according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“I’ve been talking to (Peterson’s Manager/Trainer) Barry (Hunter) all along trying to work this out. We went to a purse bid so we could protect the fight and make sure we had time to get it all worked out,” said Holt’s promoter Gary Shaw, who won the purse bid to stage the fight. “Barry and I are partners and we’re gonna split up the money and make our own deals with the fighters. Kendall will make more than $12,500 and Lamont will make more than $37,500.”

“I think it’s a wonderful fight for Kendall,” Shaw said. “These are two fighters who are both going to come to win. I don’t think the fight is going to go to a decision. Kendall can really punch. I’ve always believed he was the biggest puncher in the 140-pound division. And I have a lot of respect for Lamont Peterson. Look what he did to Khan. At the end of the day, he won the fight.

“Stylistically, I think it will be a terrific fight. Neither guy will back down from each other.”

Former two division world champion Juan Manuel Lopez will take on Aldimar Silva Santos of Brazil on February 2nd in Puerto Rico according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“This will be a good return fight for JuanMa after his biggest absence from the ring,” promoter Peter Rivera of PR Best Boxing Promotions said. “We are going to see how JuanMa looks after almost 11 months without a fight. JuanMa is training hard because he wants to win a world championship again.”

Rob Frankel – 144

Jermaine White – 145

Contract Weight: 144 lbs.

4 Round Semi Main Event

Juan Carlos Rodriguez – 147

Marcelino Pineda – 144

Contract Weight: 147 lbs.

4 Round Under Card

Daryl Gardner – 160

Ricardo Pinell – 159.5

Contract Weight: 160 lbs.

Juan Martinez – 140

Cory Vom Buar – 141.5

Contract Weight: 142 lbs.

Zachary Cooper – 154

Rafael Umarov – 156.5

Contract Weight: 155 lbs.

Frankie Orr – 172

Enoch Wilson – 172

Contract Weight: 172 lbs.

Dex Montenegro – 153.5

Angel Diaz – 153

Contract Weight: 154 lbs.

KANSAS CITY, Kan.(Jan. 4, 2013) – All 13 bouts, including the main event and first-ever Invicta Fighting Championships world strawweight (115 pounds) title fight between Carla Esparza (8-2) of Redondo Beach, Calif. and “Rowdy” Bec Hyatt (4-1) of Brisbane, Australia, were made official today for the promotion’s fourth women’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 5 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, live on Invicta FC.com..

Esparza weighed in at 114.75 pounds while Hyatt weighed in at exactly 115 pounds.

Bantamweight (135 pounds) co-main event opponents Shayna “The Queen of Spades” Baszler (15-7) of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Alexis Davis (12-5) of Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada tipped the scales at 134.75 pounds and 135.75 pounds, respectively.

Of the 26 fighters on the card, only Veronica Rothenhausler (0-0) of Reno, Nev. weighed in one-half pound over the 146 pound limit for her featherweight (145 pounds) preliminary card bout with Katalina Malungahu (2-1) of Las Vegas, Nev. Rothenhausler will make her professional debut after reeling off two consecutive, five-second KO victories as an amateur.

Tickets for Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt, priced from $25, are on sale at Memorial Hall box office (913-549-4853), online at Ticketmaster.com and InvictaFC.com and by phone at 800-745-3000.

The live stream of the event, which will begin at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST, is available for purchase, in its entirety, on InvictaFC.com for a credit card charge of! $7.95. MMA legend Bas Rutten, superstar “King Mo” Lawal and women’s sensation Julie Kedzie will call the action cageside.

In other main card, power puncher Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith (4-2-1) of Pleasant Hill, Calif. will square off with submission specialist Raquel “Rocky” Pennington (3-2-1) of Colorado Springs, Colo. at bantamweight.

Hard-hitting KO artist Amanda “Lioness of the Ring” Nunes (7-2) of Salvador Bahia, Brazil will take on submission specialist Sarah “The Monster” D’Alelio (6-3) of San Jose, Calif. at bantamweight.

JEWELS star Hiroko Yamanaka (12-2) of Kisarazu, Japan will battle Invicta FC 3 winner Ediane Gomes (8-2) of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in a featherweight (145 po! unds) contest.

Unbeaten Matt Lindland-protégé and European Muay Thai Champion Livia von Plettenberg (1-0) of Vienna, Austria will meet undefeated Joanne Calderwood (4-0) of Glasgow, Scotland at strawweight.

The seven-bout preliminary card will be capped off with an atomweight (105 pounds) matchup between Stephanie Frausto (4-4) of Cincinnati, Ohio and Cassie Rodish (3-3) of Des Moines, Iowa.

Unbeaten Tamikka Brents (1-0) of Springfield, Illin. will take on Amanda Bell (0-0) of Medford, Ore. at featherweight.

Jodie Esquibel(2-0) of Albuquerque, N.M. and Liz McCarthy (1-0) of Tigard, Ore. will square off at atomweight.

Emily Kagan(2-0) of Albuquerque, N.M. will put her undefeated record on the line against Rose Namajunas (0-0) of Milwauk! ee, Wis. In a strawweight matchup.

Paige Van Zant(2-0) of Sparks, Nev. will face off with Tecia Torres (1-0) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. at strawweight.

Laura MarcusseSanko (0-0) of Kansas City will make her professional debut in the cage in an atomweight matchup with Cassie Robb (0-0) Casper, Wyo.

Doors at Memorial Hall open for Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt open at 5 p.m. CST and the first preliminary bout begins at 6 p.m.

About Invicta Fighting Championships:

Invicta Fighting Championships (www.invictafc.com) is a world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform to hone! their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executive Shannon Knapp and sports aficionado Janet Martin, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA by promoting the best possible matchups between female competitors and identifying and developing future superstars of the sport.

MONTREAL (January 4, 2013) – Finally, after much speculation about his next opponent, International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight Carl “The Cobra” Froch (30-2-0, 22 KOs), of Great Britain, is forced to defend his belt against mandatory contender Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (19-1-0, 16 KOs).

In a letter from IBF representative Lindsey Tucker, dated January 2, 2013, sent to the promoters of Froch and Stevenson, both parties were invited to negotiate and Jan. 15 was imposed as the deadline. If at that time the parties were unable to reach an agreement a purse bid would be held in the IBF offices in New Jersey.

If Froch, for whatever reason, decided to withdraw from this process then it would he removed as champion and Stevenson would be invited to fight for the vacant title against the next highest-ranking available IBF challenger. If Stevenson withdrew he would be excluded from the IBF’s top 10 contenders for six months and the highest-ranked available contender would replace him.

“I’m finally realizing my goal of a world championship fight, facing a great champion like Carl Froch,” Stevenson said about the turn of events. “I know he’s had great victories during his career, particularly against two other Quebec fighters, Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute, but I have all of the tools needed to emerge victorious in a great fight. I would obviously like the fight to take place here in Quebec, but I have no problem winning the title in England, if necessary. ”

“Carl Froch not only has the obligation to fight Adonis Stevenson,” said the president of GYM, Yvon Michel, “but the ‘Superman’ fight is certainly the most profitable, as well as the best alternative for the champion and his only way to keep his IBF title belt. I know Froch’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, wants this fight to take place in England, and he has also sent an interesting offer for a date in May. From our side, we will rally all of Quebec Nation to get behind us and try to convince the Super Six finalist to come here to defend his crown in March or April. We have also sent a very generous offer for this purpose. He had the opportunity to beat Pascal and Bute at his home in Nottingham. Isn’t it his turn to visit us in Quebec?”

Both parties believe that, despite the short time period, an agreement can be negotiated but, if that isn’t the case, then the purse bid action on Jan. 15 would then determine the outcome.

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About Groupe Yvon Michel Inc:

Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers, supported by coaching and management for competition. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events. Since its inception eight years ago, GYM has produced 106 events, including historical ticket sales and PPV viewership for Pascal vs. Hopkins I and II. GYM has produced more than 300 hours of television with Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, TVA Sports, VOX, TVA, CBC, RDS and V, in Canada, as well as HBO, Showtime and ESPN in the United States. A total of six different GYM boxers have participated in 16 world championship fights. Under the tutelage of GYM, Joachim Alcine captured the WBA super welterweight title in 2007, and Jean Pascal the WBC light heavyweight crown in 2009.