Rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) received his promotes license in Nevada on Thursday according to
Dan Rafael of espn.com

“It was heartening to read all the letters of recommendation in support of your application,” commissioner Pat Lundvall told Jackson, who said he was prepared to invest an additional $2 million into the company.

This weekend GFL and Comcast continue their weekly combat sports series with a rising star of East Coast MMA, as Gladius Fights presents Gladius Fights 1 featuring a full lineup of veteran and battle-tested fighters from the East Coast highlighted by a main event featuring Strikeforce veteran Don Carlo-Clauss (9-7) taking on ROC and CFFC veteran Eddie Fyvie (9-5) in a lightweight battle. Both Carlo-Clauss and Fyvie are looking to prove they are the alpha male in the lightweight division in this inaugural event and the fighting styles and explosiveness of both fighters will be on full display from bell to bell. Air times will be at 10 PM EST Saturday evening in all TCN coverage areas, and will replay on Thursday, 11/22 at 8 pm. CSN Philly will air the event on Sunday, 11/18 at 4pm and replay on Tuesday, 11/20 at 7 PM. Comcast subscribers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Delaware, New Jersey and even some parts of New York will have access to Gladius Fights 1 this weekend. To stay connected with GFL and this unique fight series, visit these CSN online locations for up-to-the-date programming info.

CSN Philadelphia http://www.csnphilly.com/ontv/listings
CSN Washington http://www.csnwashington.com/pages/tv_listings
CSN Bay Area http://www.csnbayarea.com/tvlisting_bayarea
CSN Chicago http://www.csnchicago.com/pages/tvlisting
CSN New England http://www.csnne.com/pages/oncsn
CSN Northwest http://www.csnnw.com/pages/tvlistings/

Program Lineup Through Thursday November 22
Date Sport Event Price
Fri Nov 16 5:30PM ET MMA Showdown Fights – Lightweight Championship $14.99
Sat Nov 17 12:00PM ET Boxing True Brit: Froch vs Mack $29.95
Sat Nov 17 4:00PM ET MMA Locked in the Cage 12 $14.99
Sat Nov 17 5:00PM ET Wrestling Impact Zone Wrestling: Nov 17, 2012 $4.99
Sat Nov 17 4:00PM ET Multiple CSC 34 – Battleware Fighting Championships $14.99
Wed Nov 21 4:00PM ET MMA Rocktagon MMA XXII $9.99

About Gofightlive
GFL is a pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 1700 live events to fans in over 199 countries worldwide and has a video library exceeding 8000 combat sports videos comprising more than 5,000 hours of programming. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 5 million public viewers over the years with more than 250 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL is also available on Roku, Boxee, Android, IPhone, IPad, as well as other internet ready devices. Check the event page for details. Join us at: www.GFL.tv or https://www.facebook.com/GoFightLive.tv or twitter.com/GFL or youtube.com/Gofightlive or inquiries contact press@gfl.tv

Tokyo, Japan (Nov. 15, 2012) – Glory Sports International (GSI) announced today the top eight seeds for the star-studded GLORY 4 TOKYO – Heavyweight Grand Slam, 16-man, single-elimination tournament at Saitama Super Arena on December 31.

Heavyweight champion Semmy Schilt (39-6, 18 KO’s) of Netherlands has been named the No. 1 seed in the tournament draw. Seeds No. 2 through 8 have been assigned to Gokhan Saki (77-15, 53 KO’s) of Turkey, Daniel Ghita (44-7, 34 KO’s) of Romania, Remy ‘The Flying Gentleman’ Bonjasky (76-14, 40 KO’s) of Netherlands, Peter ‘The Dutch Lumberjack’ Aerts (104-30-1, 78 KO’s) of Netherlands, Errol Zimmerman of Curacao (76-16-1, 41 KO’s), Anderson ‘Braddock’ Silva (32-8-1, 22 KO’s) of Brazil and Sergei Kharitonov (22-7 12 KO’s) of Russia, respectively.

A draw that will decide the tournament’s quarterfinal round matchups will take place in Tokyo on Tuesday, Nov. 20 and will stream live, free-of-charge on GloryWorldSeries.com, beginning at 8 p.m. local time/6 a.m. EST/3 a.m. PST.

“The fighters in this tournament are without a doubt the best heavyweights in the world. The top eight seeds alone would make for an amazing tournament but, when you consider that they are just half of the Grand Slam field, you realize that the Dec. 31 event is going to be something very special,” said GLORY Managing Director Marcus Luer.

“It is a great pleasure and considerable honor for us to present the top eight seeds to the Japanese fans and fight fans around the world. The complete line-up is the strongest there has ever been for any kickboxing event and it will be by far the most challenging tournament in the history of the sport,” observed GLORY Chairman Pierre Andurand.

GLORY determines its tournament seeds using the GLORY World Federation rankings.

Semmy Schilt (No. 1 Seed)

An Ashihara Karate sensei, Schilt faced Zimmerman in Sweden earlier this year in GLORY’s inaugural heavyweight championship bout, and his dominating win underlined his place at the top of the weight category and at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings.

Gokhan Saki (No. 2 Seed)

Saki’s performance against Mourad Bouzidi at GLORY 2 Brussels on Oct. 6 gave all his fellow heavyweights pause for thought. Few of them can match Saki’s speed and power, and his left hand that has ended many a fight.

Daniel Ghita (No. 3 Seed)

Ghita, known as ‘The Savage Samurai,’ is noted for his brutal leg-kicks and technical kickboxing. In 2011 and 2012, he dismantled all the opposition placed in front of him and is now at his absolute prime, touted as a future all-time great.

Remy Bonjasky (No. 4 Seed)

One of the sport’s decorated, all-time greats who has produced some of the most memorable moments in the ring with his high-flying, unorthodox style, Bonjasky recently returned from a long hiatus to take on and beat the very tough Silva in a grueling fight. During the bout, Bonjasky proved that his superior athletic ability and conditioning remains intact and that he still relies on his leaping knees and kicks which have made him such a fan favourite.

Peter Aerts (No. 5 Seed)

For many fans, Aerts is still the face of kickboxing. He has fought in Japan for 20 years and won the K-1 Grand Prix, once the top kickboxing tournament, three times. Aerts has also beaten Schilt three times.

Errol Zimmerman (No. 6 Seed)

Zimmerman came to fight for his shot at the GLORY heavyweight title on May 26 but, like many before him, he couldn’t overcome the dominant Schilt. Since their matchup, Zimmerman has been working hard in the gym and honing his fearsome right hand and, according to insiders, he has some new tricks for whomever he faces in the tournament.

Anderson Silva (No. 7 Seed)

The No. 1 heavyweight kickboxer in Brazil, Silva was invited to Amsterdam to become Aerts’ primary sparring partner for several years. He has faced Bonjasky and fellow top heavyweight Badr Hari in 2012 and impressed fans in both starts. In 41 professional fights, the 26-year-old has never once been knocked out.

Sergei Kharitonov (No. 8 Seed)

Russian bear and former paratrooper Kharitonov knows a thing or two about shock tactics. In keeping with his military training, Kharitonov likes to close the distance, overwhelm defenses and take the enemy out as quickly and completely as possible before returning to base for his next mission.

The card featuring the GLORY 4 Tokyo – Heavyweight Grand Slam tournament represents one half of the ‘GSI presents DREAM 18 and GLORY 4 Tokyo – New Year’s Eve Special,’ double-header event at Saitama Super Arena. The action will kick off at 4 p.m. local time with DREAM 18, a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) card stacked with world-class talent to be announced soon.

Tickets for GSI presents DREAM 18 and GLORY 4 Tokyo – New Year’s Eve Special, go on sale on Sunday, Nov. 25. Broadcast details for will be announced soon. For more information, visit www.gloryworldseries.com.

About GLORY:

The GLORY World Series (www.gloryworldseries.com) is the world’s premier kickboxing, or stand-up fighting league, staging events across the globe and offering up to $1,000,000 in prize money to the winners of 16-man ‘Grand Prix’ tournaments, which are open to only the best fighters in each weight class. The fight series also includes 8-man tournaments and events with traditional, single bouts.

With television deals spanning every continent, plus a groundbreaking online video streaming system and the world’s largest online martial arts library, GLORY is one of the world’s most widely-broadcast sporting organizations.

Owned and operated by Glory Sports International (GSI), the organization has offices in Holland, the UK, Tokyo, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Its personnel includes a diverse mix of award-winning hedge-fund and private equity investors; principals from pioneering sports marketing agency Total Sport Asia; and senior level executives from several leading sports franchises, including WWE, FIFA, Golden Glory, Champions League and It’s Showtime.

Las Vegas, Nevada – UFC® flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson makes his first ever title defense against current number one contender and The Ultimate Fighter® season 14 winner John Dodson on Saturday, Jan. 26 when the Ultimate Fighting Championship® returns to United Center in Chicago, Ill.

Unbeaten in his last three performances, Johnson defeated Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 in September to earn the inaugural UFC flyweight championship, while Dodson earned his shot at the title following a TKO victory over Jussier Formiga in October.

In the night’s co-main event, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson takes on the heavy-handed Glover Teixeira, while final WEC® lightweight champion and Milwaukee’s own Anthony Pettis meets the always exciting Donald Cerrone in an explosive matchup.

In addition, UFC® on FOX: JOHNSON vs. DODSON also features three prominent Chicago-based UFC stars and an exciting lightweight contest between surging contenders:

· Chicago native and Elmhurst College grad Ricardo Lamas vs. Erik Koch in a featherweight fight that could earn the winner a title shot.

· Chicago’s Clay Guida making his featherweight debut against Japanese star Hatsu Hioki.

· Chicago police officer Mike Russow vs. Shawn Jordan in a hard-hitting heavyweight bout.

· T.J. Grant vs. Matt Wiman in a fight between surging lightweights.

All of the main card action airs live on FOX at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

“Chicago is a great fight town and we’re excited to come back to the United Center on Jan. 26,” UFC President Dana White said. “This will be our first big event on FOX for 2013 and we’ve lined up an incredible card, including the flyweight title fight. I can’t wait to get back to Chicago for this event!”

Tickets for UFC® on FOX: JOHNSON vs. DODSON will be available Friday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. CT and are priced at $250, $150, $100, $75, $50 and $40. Tickets will be available at the United Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.

UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Nov. 29, starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

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

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®

Universally recognized for its action-packed, can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, 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 2011, 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 149 countries and territories, to nearly one billion homes worldwide, in 20 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 in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with over two million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, the best-selling UFC Undisputed® video game franchise distributed by THQ, and a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.

About the United Center

The United Center is a state-of-the-art, 960,000 square-foot multi-use entertainment facility that has welcomed over 40 million fans since opening in 1994. Home of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League and the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association, the United Center hosts over 200 events each year, including the best musical performers, sporting events, family shows, and special events in the industry. A commitment to superior service makes the United Center one of the top venues in the world.

For more information, visit www.unitedcenter.com.

Adrien Broner, Undefeated Rising Star
“I am very excited to fight in Atlantic City. I was on my toes when Sandy came through, but even Sandy couldn’t stop this fight from going on, so it must have been meant to be.

“I have been training very hard. I want to thank DeMarco and his team for taking the fight and coming to the U.S. to fight me. I know he is a great champion. He is ready and I am ready. It is going to be an electrifying fight and I am ready to go.

“Legacy is very important. It always starts locally. If you don’t have a big name in your hometown, how do you expect to have a name anywhere else? I am trying to go global here.

“Visiting the Boys & Girls Club is something I am looking forward to. I want to put smiles on people’s faces. I want to make someone’s day better. I would do it every day.

“DeMarco is definitely my best opponent so far on paper. It is the biggest fight of my career thus far. I am not looking past anyone. I have to take it one fight at a time.

“I am ready to show my talent. I think this is a fight that I will be able to show a lot more of my skills. In my last fights, even though some of my opponents were ranked, after fighting me, they got downgraded because of my high skill level.

“In boxing, a knockout is a punch away. You always have to be careful.

“DeMarco has fought good guys, but he hasn’t fought me.

“You are going to see a totally different Adrien Broner on Saturday night. I am going to be able to show more of my skills on Saturday night because DeMarco has such talent. They say if one good talent goes up against another good talent, it brings out something in the elite.

“I am a lot stronger than people think and on Saturday, you will see that against DeMarco.

“We are going head over heals, balls to the walls with this one. Let’s go. Rock and roll. It is time to put on a show. You aren’t just coming to see a boxing show, you’re coming to the Adrien Broner Show. It is going to be fun. It is going to be entertaining. There are going to be a lot of smiles. Some might cry, but at the end, they will laugh about it. I want everybody to come out and have a good time. Saturday is going to be a nice night for everybody, family and all.”

Antonio Demarco, WBC Lightweight World Champion

“I am very well prepared because I know Adrien is extremely talented and a great fighter.

“I feel that every opponent of mine is a worthy one and I respect anyone I step into the ring with. This fight is very important for my career as well as for Broner’s career.

“I’ve faced undefeated boxers in the past and I have learned my lessons. I’m coming into the fight ready. I’ve been defeated in the past and that experience has helped me to be ready to succeed this time.

“I’m confident that my training will pay off. I can assure you that we will put on a good show. May the best boxer win.

“Whoever wins this fight will have many opportunities to further his career. I want those opportunities. I want what every boxer wants…recognition and success.

“I only dreamt that I would be world champion one day.

“I am happy to be fighting in Atlantic City. I look forward to charming a new crowd when I step into the ring with Adrien Broner.

“I am glad to be here and I am looking forward to doing what I love to do…fight.”

Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions

“In an effort to raise funds for the Hurricane Sandy relief, Golden Boy Promotions is donating $2 for every ticket sold and $1,000 for each knockout registered during the event. We will be donating that money to the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. Caesars Atlantic City and myself, the Oscar De La Hoya Foundation, will match the donations. I am hoping everyone can send that message and raise some money for this cause.

“Adrien Broner is only getting better as his career goes on. He is one of the hardest working fighters in the sport today. He is also known to brush his hair after every victory, rap himself into the ring, and he has already won a title at 130 pounds.

“Not only do we know Adrien as a charismatic fighter, but here is a guy that does wonderful deeds for wonderful people. He went to Iraq to visit the troops for two whole weeks and he is going to the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City today. Here is a guy that wants to be great inside the ring and outside of the ring.”

Gary Shaw, President of Gary Shaw Productions

“It is going to be a great event. Antonio DeMarco is a wonderful champion. I believe he is the Mexcian version of Arturo Gatti, who was a fixture in Atlantic City, so I think it is fitting that he come here and defend his world title.

“I am glad Oscar decided to keep the fight in Atlantic City. As a resident of New Jersey, I am proud that we are here to help New Jersey rebound and show how strong New Jersey is.”

Don Marrandino, Eastern Division President for Caesars Entertainment

“Our region really got beaten up by the hurricane. I am happy to report that the city and the casinos are intact. We did a great job cleaning everything up so when the folks get here, they are going to have a great experience.

“We are excited once again to be the host here. We had a fight here with Golden Boy several months ago and it was a terrific experience. We are excited not only for the main event, but also for Seth Mitchell as kind of a local guy and a heavyweight. We are hoping that can develop into something very good for us here in Atlantic City.”

Broner vs. DeMarco, a 12-round fight for DeMarco’s WBC Lightweight World Championship will take place Saturday, November 17 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R & R Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The co-main event will be a 12-round heavyweight clash between Seth Mitchell and Johnathon Banks for Mitchell’s NABO title and the vacant WBC International Heavyweight title.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.randrpromotions.net, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/GaryShawBoxing, www.twitter.com/AdrienBroner, www.twitter.com/De_Marco07, www.twitter.com/SethMayhem48, www.twitter.com/BanksBoxingEnt, www.twitter.com/BoardwalkHall and www.twitter.com/HBOboxing, follow the conversation using #BronerDemarco or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/HBOboxing.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

WHAT: “True Brit” PPV Event
WHEN: Saturday, November 17, 2012 – 3:00 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
WHO: IBF Super Middleweight Championship (12)
CARL FROCH (29-2, 21 KOs), Champion, Nottingham, UK
vs.
YUSAF MACK (31-4-2, 17 KOs), Challenger, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Vacant WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Championship (12)

TONY BELLEW (18-1, 12 KOs), Liverpool, UK

vs.

ROBERTO BOLONTI (30-1, 19 KOs), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Light Welterweights (8)

SCOTTY CARDLE (7-0, 2 KOs), Lytham St. Annes, UK

vs.

JOE ELFIDH (7-2), Harworth, UK

Bantamweights (8)

KHALID YAFAI (4-0, 3 KOs), 2008 British Olympian, Birmingham, UK

vs.

PRO ANTONIO NETTUNO (7-5, 1 KO), Cesenatico, Italy

Plus, highlights of other undercard bouts, time permitting

WHERE: Capital FM Arena, Nottingham, United Kingdom

PROMOTER: Matchroom Boxing

PPV: Distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 PM/ET – 12:00 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

t:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/True_Brit_Froch_vs_Mack/1722

ANNOUNCERS: Sky Sports Nick Halling (blow-by-blow) & former world lightweight champion Jim Watt (color commentator)

INFORMATION: www.integratedsportsmedia.com, or on Twitter @integratedppv

About Integrated Sports Media: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Erik Morales, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Tomasz Adamek, Ivan Calderon, Pauli Malignaggi, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., Brian Viloria, Giovani Segura and Ruslan Chagaev. Also World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Mirko Filipovic, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. In addition, Integrated Sports Media distributed numerous International soccer matches featuring teams like Real Madrid,Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.

s.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.— The co-feature fight between undefeated lightweight contender Angelo “La Cobra” Santana (13-0, 10 KOs), from Miami, and fellow unbeaten Johnny Garcia (13-0, 8 KOs), from Holland, Mich., has been elevated to the main event of Friday’s SHOWTIME-televised doubleheader (ShoBox: The New Generation live at 11 p.m. ET/PT) from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., after Omar Henry was forced to withdraw today from his scheduled match with Juan Ubaldo Cabrera.

The telecast will open with a new 10-round clash of super welterweights featuring world-ranked Miami

favorite Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez (22-1-1, 13 KOs), an American-born Cuban, against James

“Shotgun” Winchester (15-5, 5 KOs), from Greensboro, N.C.

Hernandez vs. Winchester, which had been slated for the non-televised undercard, replaces Omar Henry

vs. Juan Ubaldo Cabrera, which was cancelled earlier today after Henry withdrew due to gallstones.

“I want to commend SHOWTIME executives Stephen Espinoza and Gordon Hall for being visionaries

and stepping up and adding Joey Hernandez and James Winchester to their telecast,” event promoter Don

King said. “ShoBox is designed for the new generation of boxers, and I feel better knowing fans are still

going to see an exciting doubleheader on SHOWTIME.”

Hernandez, 28, has won seven consecutive fights and is currently ranked No. 12 by the World Boxing

Council and the International Boxing Federation. He’s the No. 13 rated 154-pounder in the World Boxing

Organization.

“I’m glad my fight will be seen on SHOWTIME,” the ever-confident Hernandez said. “Now people

around the country will see why I have gained so many fans in South Florida. Winchester says he’s ready

to fight but this is going to be over within three rounds.”

The 34-year-old Winchester is an upset-minded veteran who plans to make the most of this opportunity.

“I didn’t come to lose, I came to win,” the non-stop talking Winchester said. “I am fighting a guy called

‘Twinkle Fingers.’ I can’t believe that. When I get done with him, he’s going to be ‘Twinkle Toes.’ All

he’s got is a mouth. I come from the street and I don’t play. You’ll see what I mean on Friday.”

Santana and Garcia will be risking their perfect records—both are 13-0. Santana was a two-time Cuban national champion before defecting to Miami to follow his girlfriend, Anay, and dreams of winning a world championship. Now married to her, Santana is closing in on his first world-title shot.

At 24, he has developed to the point where he has stopped his last six opponents in four rounds or less. In his last outing, Santana earned a career-best victory when he scored a third-round technical knockout over world-class contender Justin Savi on June 23.

“Garcia is a good fighter and I have respect for him,” Santana said. “We will put on a great show for all the fans at Gulfstream Park and watching on SHOWTIME.”

Garcia is seeking another upset win. No stranger to facing undefeated prospects, he outpointed William Jackson (10-0-1) on Nov. 26, 2011. This past March 23 on ShoBox, Garcia registered a shocking 10-round decision over highly touted Cuban Yordenis Ugas (11-0 going in).

“I am from Michigan, and when I left there this week there was snow on the ground,” Garcia said. “Now I’m in Florida where it’s warm and sunny.

“Santana and I are both 13-0, so it doesn’t get much better than that. The fights are being held outdoors at Gulfstream Park. I can’t wait to fight.”

Henry is currently under observation for gallstones at Broward Health Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale.

“I arrived in South Florida from California on Tuesday,” Henry said. “I went for a run and began to

experience strong pains. I went to the hospital. There is no way I can fight.”

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $100 and $200 are on sale and can be purchased online at

www.gulfstreampark.com or by calling the Gulfstream Park box office at (954) 457-6201.

Sunshine State Showdown is promoted by Don King Productions. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. ET. Six bouts are planned, beginning at 8 p.m. Santana vs. Garcia and Hernandez vs. Winchester will be televised on ShoBox: The Next Generation live at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME.

SAN DIEGO (November 14, 2012)—THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!! one of the most anticipated bout of 2012 will take place at the Los Angeles Sports Arena as WBO Flyweight champion Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria takes on WBA champion Hernan “Tyson” Marquez in a unification bout that will prove 112 pound supremacy.

The bout can be seen live in the United States on WealthTV and www.wealthtv.com beginning at 9pm eastern.

This fight card begins a five week stretch of some of the best boxing action in the world on WealthTV and www.wealthtv.com

On November 30th, undefeated Heavyweight sensation David Price (14-0, 12 KO’s) takes on former world title challenger Matt Skelton.

The very next day, Undefeated Heavyweight Tyson Fury (19-0, 14 KO’s) takes on American proven veteran Kevin Johnson.

December 6th, WealthTV and Wealthtv.com will be re-broadcasting the WBC Super Featherweight championship bout between Takahiro Ao and Gamaliel Diaz

On December 8th, European Super Middleweight champion James DeGale (13-1, 9 KO’s) defends his title against an opponent to be named

Finally on December 14th, WealthTV and wealthtv.com ventures back to Montreal for the return of former Light Heavyweight champion of the world Jean Pascal as he returns to the ring against former world title challenger Aleksy Kuziemsky. Also on that card will be Eleider Alvarez fighting Edison Miranda plus knockout artist David Lemieux.

“We have some terrific fights over a five week stretch”, said WealthTV president Charles Herring

“WealthTV promised the boxing fans that we’d be one of the most active networks in providing the highest quality bouts from all over the world without any associated premium channel fees. The next several weeks provide just a glimpse into what we have planned for 2013. And US boxing fans that don’t receive WealthTV via their cable provider can watch these fights for just 99 cents a month on wealthtv.com. We aren’t aware of another network that offers high quality fights for such a price.”

Viloria (31-3, 18 KO’s) is thirty-one years old of Waipahu, Hawaii was a 2000 United States Olympian and won his first seventeen bouts before scoring an explosive first round knockout over Erick Ortiz to win the WBC Light Flyweight crown. After one defense, Viloria lost the crown to Omar Nino Romero. Viloria and Romero fought to a disputed draw in the rematch which was later ruled a no-contest after Romero failed a post-fight drug test. Viloria then lost to Edgar Sosa in a bout for the vacant title. Viloria went on to win five straight bouts before winning the IBF belt with a majority decision over Ulises Solis. Viloria defended that belt once before being stopped by Carlos Tamara in the twelfth round of a memorable war.

Viloria moved up to Flyweight and won two fights before winning the WBO Flyweight championship with a twelve round unanimous decision over Julio Cesar Miranda. Viloria has had two impressive defenses which includes stoppage wins over classy world champion Giovanny Segura and his old nemesis Romero.

Marquez (34-2, 25 KO’s) is twenty-four years old of Emplame, Sonora, Mexico turned professional in 2005 and won his first twenty-seven bouts. Marquez was stopped in eight to pound for pound ranked fighter Nonito Donaire. Marquez won two straight bouts before winning the WBA belt with an eleventh round stoppage over Luis Concepcion. That bout was of the best bouts of 2011 where both fighters inflicted vicious punishment to each other to the point where the bout was one of the most brutal fights in the past decade. Marquez defended the title twice which included a first round stoppage over Concepcion in the rematch.

Marquez has won seven in a row which includes two non-title wins and he is ready to add the WBO title to his collection.

In the co-feature, one of boxing’s best fighters, Roman “Chocolatio” Gonzalez (33-0, 28 KO’s) of Managua, Nicaragua will look to make the fifth defense of the WBA Light Flyweight title when he takes on fellow power puncher Juan Francisco Estrada (22-1, 18 KO’s)

Saturday’s night evening of boxing can be enjoyed on WealthTV nationally on Verizon FiOS TV channel 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and 1470 in HD, along with over 100 cable systems across the country as well as on line viewing on numerous connected devices and via www.wealthtv.com.

About WealthTV

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

Former world champion Toshiaka Nishioka announced his retirement on Wednesday according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“Boxing gave me so much happiness and I was able to experience special feelings. I was touched and moved with strong emotion from fighting and boxing,” Nishioka said in remarks translated into English. “I was able to become a world champion and able to fight against Donaire in the United States in the main event on a major television station (HBO) in U.S. I am very satisfied with what I have accomplished with my life as a boxer.”

“Looking back, I was very exited to defend my title outside of Japan,” he said. “The emotion that went through my mind right after the fight was unspeakable. That was the kind of fight that I will never be able to experience that kind emotion ever again in my life. As a fight that I have emotional attachment is the fight against Napapol, (because I) became a world champion, which I dreamed of since I was 11 years old.”

“The first week (after the fight), I was frustrated and angry, but it was just a result of the fight,” he said. “I have given everything toward this last fight against Donaire and trained this past year. For that, I am very proud of myself and satisfied.

“To be honest, I feel I can still become world champion against anybody except for Nonito Donaire. There is no more motivation and emotional satisfaction I will receive by fighting anybody other than the last fight I prepared myself and fought against Donaire in October. This is the reason I decided to retire from boxing.”

15rounds.com is giving away a pair of tickets to this Saturday’s Brian Viloria – Hernan Marquez WBA/WBO Flyweight unification bout in Los Angeles. All you have to do is leave a prediction in the comments section of this post to be eligible and we will pick the winner Tomorrow–NOTE WE ARE JUST PROVIDING THE TICKETS, SO PEOPLE SHOULD BE IN DRIVING DISTANCE OF LOS ANEGLES

CHICAGO, IL (November 14, 2012) This Friday night’s IBO Light Heavyweight World Title clash between Chicago’s Polish Prince Andrzej Fonfara and world title challenger Tommy Karpency of Adah, PA at the UIC Pavilion has proven to be a very hot ticket with all $150 Ringside tickets sold out.

‘This world title fight has truly become a huge event in Chicago. Sports fans are excited about the fight between Fonfara and Karpency and also about the sensational undercard. We have an unprecedented 89% winning percentage across the board on this card and fans know their going to see a fantastic evening of professional boxing” said Frank Mugnolo, President of Round 3 Productions.

“I’d strongly suggest that fans buy in advance this week either through our office or through Ticketmaster. With the Bulls out of town and the Blackhawks not playing, sports fans are looking for a Friday night fix and we’ve got it.”

“It’s a very busy week with heavy tickets sales, our press conference at the Trump Towers on Wednesday and the public weigh-in at Cinespace Film Studios on the set of the hit TV shows Chicago Fire and Boss. Friday night is going to be a memorable event here in Chicago.”

Remaining tickets for “WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING” priced at $100, $50 and $30 may be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com, phone 1-800-745-3000) or at the UIC Pavilion Box Office (phone 312-413-5700) in addition to the Round 3 Productions Office (phone 708-345-9999).

The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine on the near West Side of Chicago. Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.

In the super middleweight division, former Chicago Golden Gloves Champion Paul Littleton, 4-0-1 (4KO’s) will return to the UIC Pavilion in front of his legion of fans to face St. Louis, Missouri prospect Michael Williams, 2-0-0 (2KO’s) in a six round middleweight clash.

Mexican American Jaime “THE TRUTH” Herrera, 8-2-0 (4KO’s), fighting in front of his massive following at the UIC Pavilion where all of his fights have taken place will be challenged by undefeated Patrick Boozer, 5-0-0 (2KO’s) of Ann Arbor, MI in a six round welterweight clash.

Also in the welterweight division Puerto Rican welterweight “Luis “SITO” Santiago, 5-0-0 (1KO) will face fellow undefeated prospect Justin Jones, 5-0-0 (3KO’s) of Bellair, Florida in a six round clash.

Heavyweights will also be represented as perennial contender Carl “IRON FIST” Davis, 16-4-0 (12KO’s), of Evanston, will clash with undefeated Kansas City, Missouri native Richard Carmack, 10-0-0 (8KO’s) in a scheduled six rounder.

About Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago

Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago, located in the heart of the city at 401 N. Wabash Avenue, welcomed its first hotel guests in January 2008. The hotel, comprising floors 14-27 of a 92-story residential tower developed by the Trump Organization, features 339 luxuriously appointed guestrooms including one-, two- and three-bedroom suites; Sixteen, a modern restaurant featuring the progressive, French-inspired American cuisine of Executive Chef Thomas Lents; The Spa at Trump® with 53 specially appointed spa guest rooms; the Trump Health Club; Rebar, a chic cocktail lounge; The Terrace at Trump and more. Designed by the noted architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with interiors by McGinley Design, Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago is a stunning addition to Chicago’s distinguished skyline. Recently, the hotel was ranked #1 City Hotel in the Continental U.S. and Canada and #4 in the World in the Travel + Leisure “World’s Best Service Awards” 2011. For room and event reservations at Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago, call (312) 588-8000, (877) 458-TRUMP (7867). Click here to follow the hotel on Twitter. Click here to find the property on Facebook.

For information on owning a Residential Condominium or Hotel Condominium in Trump International Hotel and Tower® Chicago, please call (312) 644-0900. Prices start from the upper $400,000s.

ATLANTIC CITY, November 14 – Unbeaten Canadian welterweight star Phil Lo Greco and junior middleweight veteran Demetrius Hopkins, along with a host of east coast talent, will stack the Adrien Broner vs. Antonio DeMarco undercard at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City this Saturday, November 17, making it a must see night for fight fans throughout the region.

In the featured undercard bouts both scheduled for eight rounds, Toronto’s Lo Greco faces Highland, New York’s Daniel Sostre, and Philadelphia’s Hopkins battles York, Pennsylvania’s Keenan Collins.

Broner vs. DeMarco, a 12-round fight between Adrien “The Problem” Broner and Antonio DeMarco for DeMarco’s WBC Lightweight World Championship will take place Saturday, November 17 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R & R Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The co-main event will be a 12-round heavyweight clash between Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell and Johnathon Banks for Mitchell’s NABO title and the vacant WBC International Heavyweight title.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Nicknamed “The Italian Sensation,” Phil Lo Greco (24-0, 13 KO’s) has thrilled fans in his native Canada as well as in Italy, but now he’s on a quest to conquer the United States as well. A six year pro who won the WBC International Welterweight title in 2010, the 28-year-old Lo Greco has won both of his fights in the United States in 2012, decisioning Hector Orozco in April at Boardwalk Hall and most recently, knocking out 16-1-1 Brandon Hoskins in the first round at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Saturday night, he will battle Daniel Sostre (11-7-1 4 KO’s), a seven-year professional looking to end the year with a win over the undefeated Lo Greco.

The nephew of boxing legend Bernard Hopkins, 32-year-old Demetrius Hopkins (31-2-1, 11 KO’s) got back in the saddle in September after an 18-month layoff from the ring, and he looked sharper than ever in scoring a shutout unanimous decision victory over Doel Carrasquillo. Comfortably set in his new weight class of 154 pounds, “The Gladiator” is expected to get a stiff challenge from fellow Pennsylvanian Keenan Collins (14-7-3, 9 KO’s), an eight-year vet of the sport who is as tough as they come on the East Coast.

Also representing the City of Brotherly Love is 22-year-old junior middleweight prospect Julian Williams (9-0-1, 4 KO’s), who will be looking to extend his three fight winning streak at the expense of Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico’s Jonel Tapia (8-2-1, 5 KO’s) in their eight round match-up.

In light heavyweight action, Fort Washington, Maryland’s Thomas Williams Jr. (10-0, 7 KO’s) will travel north to Atlantic City to take on Philadelphia’s Taneal Goyco (4-4-1, 2 KO’s) in a six round bout.

This hard-hitting night of fights will kick off with a pair of four round bouts, with New York junior welterweight Zachary Ochoa (2-0, 2 KO’s) facing Casa Grande, Arizona’s Michael Salcido (1-4) and Terron Grant (3-0, 2 KO’s) of White Plains, Maryland squaring off against Abraham Esquivel (5-2, 3 KO’s) of Monterey, Mexico in a lightweight bout.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.randrpromotions.net, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/GaryShawBoxing, www.twitter.com/AdrienBroner, www.twitter.com/De_Marco07, www.twitter.com/SethMayhem48, www.twitter.com/BanksBoxingEnt, www.twitter.com/BoardwalkHall and www.twitter.com/HBOboxing, follow the conversation using #BronerDemarco or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/HBOboxing.

The world’s “Uncrowned” #1 154-lb contender “King” Carlos Molina (20-5-2, 6 KOs) is offering help to WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin with his quest to find an opponent.

Golovkin’s trainer, Abel Sanchez, was recently quoted as claiming that no one wants to face his fighter, and so far no opponent for Golovkin has been announced.

“I will!” said the eager Molina. “We can do it at 154 or at any weight between 154 AND 160 lbs. It doesn’t matter to me. If you want a top opponent to face, here I am. Let’s do this.”

Russia’s Golovkin (24-0, 21 KOs) is scheduled for a January 19 HBO appearance in New York, and Sanchez went so far as claiming Edwin Rodriguez turned down a half million dollars for the fight.

Despite the five losses on his ledger, Molina truly is the uncrowned number one contender. His 20-5-2 record includes draws with Erislandy Lara and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., both fights most people thought he clearly won. His disqualification against Kirkland was one of boxing’s truly low moments, and he also ended up on the wrong end of several other bad split-decision losses early in his career.

In fact, it is Molina who is the fighter truly willing to fight anyone between 147 and 160 lbs.

“I got you Gennady. Bring your half a million and your boxing gloves and let’s fight. I’m not busy January 19 and I’d love to be world middleweight champion. Call my people and let’s make a deal.”

HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 14, 2012) – International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch (29-2, 21 KOs) has warned challenger Yusaf Mack (31-4, 17 KOs) that he will pay for his pre-fight jibes when the pair meet Saturday, headlining the “True Brit” pay-per-view event (in the U.S.), live from Nottingham, United Kingdom.

“True Brit,” presented by Matchroom Boxing, will be distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 PM/ET – 12:00 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

“True Brit” will also be available to view via online at: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/True_Brit_Froch_vs_Mack/1722.

Mack appeared live on Ringside after the first press conference for the clash and called Froch, “a fake Joe Calzaghe.” The pair came face-to-face again at yesterday’s press conference at the Capital FM Arena, and “The Cobra” told the challenger that he will “face his wrath” in his ninth consecutive World title fight.

“I was just letting him know that he said too much when my back was turned and it might be inside his mind that I’m a bit wound up,” said Froch, a huge 1-18 favorite by Betfair to retain the title and 1-4 to do so inside the distance. “I just wanted him to know he talked a load of rubbish on Ringside about Joe Calzaghe, but he probably spoke without thinking, so I put him right on that.

“I have to put on a good performance, be strong, sharp and confident, put my work together and put educated pressure on him because he could be dangerous. He’s not a big and tall light heavyweight, so he could be better at super middleweight. I’m not taking anything for granted and I am making sure that I do my work right and that will be enough to defend my title in style.”

Mack is a big 15-1 underdog with Betfair to claim Froch’s IBF crown but the Philadelphian is confident that he has “The Cobra” rattled and he will be able to use that to shock the world.

“I got under his skin with the Calzaghe comment and I hope that’s to my advantage on the night,” Mack added. “On Saturday, I’m going to prove that I’m ready for this fight. I’ve lived in the gym and I’ve given myself the chance to show that I am the fighter I can be. I really believe I’m going to be taking the belt home.

“I haven’t come to fight the crowd. I’ll block them out on Saturday and I have nothing to prove to them. Froch has the pressure to impress them, not me; he’s said he’s going to knock me out so the pressure is on him to do that. When I’m still standing there after the sixth round, when people think I’m going to tire, what’s he going to do? I don’t fade and he can’t beat me.”

(L-R) Carl Froch & Yusaf Mack

(Phobo by Lawrence Lustig)

World-rated light heavyweight Tony Bellew (18-1, 12 KOs) takes on South American champion Roberto Bolonti (30-1, 19 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Championship, which is also an official WBC eliminator to become champion “Bad” Chad Dawson’s mandatory challenger.

Bellew, rated No. 10 by The Ring Magazine, has lost only once as a professional, last year in his only World title challenge fight to undefeated WBO champion Nathan Cleverly in a hotly-contested 12-round majority decision.

Bolonti, who is rated No. 5 by the WBC, as well as No. 10 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and IBF, is shooting for his 27th consecutive victory, fighting for the first time outside of his native Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The PPV card will also showcase some of Britain’s top, young fighters, including bantamweight prospect Khalid “Kal” Yafai (3-0, 2 KOs), a 2008 Great Britain Olympian, vs. Pro Antonio Nettunio (7-5), lightweight Scott “Scotty” Cardle (5-0, 1 KO) vs. Joe Elfidh (7-2) and, time permitting, highlights from other undercard bouts. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Go online to www.integratedsportsmedia.com, www.fightnow.com for more information about the “True Grit” PPV. Follow Integrated Sports on Twitter @integratedppv and Fight Now TV @fightnowtv.

About Integrated Sports Media: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Erik Morales, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Tomasz Adamek, Ivan Calderon, Pauli Malignaggi, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., Brian Viloria, Giovani Segura and Ruslan Chagaev. Also World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Mirko Filipovic, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. In addition, Integrated Sports Media distributed numerous International soccer matches featuring teams like Real Madrid,Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.

About FIGHT NOW TV: With offices in New Jersey, Las Vegas and Toronto, FIGHT NOW TV is a cross-platform media company that creates and distributes content through its television, video on demand, and online outlets.

Chicago super middleweight prospect Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez (7-0, 4 KOs) has seemed to have all the tools in his first seven pro fights.

Blessed with natural showmanship, decent punching power and an ever-growing army of loyal fans, Jimenez has been a world beater at the preliminary levels of his career.

Now it’s time to start finding out if he really is a world beater.

The 25-year-old will take a significant step up on Thanksgiving Eve at Hitz Boxing’s “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” boxing event on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, when he faces three-time world title challenger Antwun Echols (32-18-4, 28 KOs).

“I’m ready. I feel confident,” said Jimenez, “I’ve been working hard in the gym. I understand it’s a step up but I’m ready for the challenge. I think I can take this guy out.”

For a fighter with just seven pro fights, even a shop-work Antwun Echols is handful. While Echols has suffered most of his losses in recent years, they were all against top-flight opposition and before eventually winning, many of these fighters first found themselves on the floor courtesy of Echols’ well-known power.

“I heard the name and got excited. I welcome the opportunity. He’s fought top guys like Bernard Hopkins and he used to be number one contender. I talked it over with my trainer/manager Pete George and we think it’s the right move. We’ve been trying to take it the right speed, but I feel like I’m ready for this level of a challenge. He’s a big name and he’s super experienced and I’ve definitely seen him fight before. He’s real technical and throws hard punches. He’s game and he’ll be ready to bring it, but I’m going to force my will on him. I’m going to put it all together and show everybody I can do this.”

Jimenez claims that while he’s been a fan of the all-action Echols in the past, on fight night, he will be looking to make a statement. “I’ll come in there and pump my jab like I always do at first, feel him out for a bit, then start getting my shots off. I’ll have to pick my shots and use my skills to take this guy out.”

So what would a victory over Echols mean?

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot and it’d be a huge accomplishment for me to say I beat somebody like that. Definitely something I can talk about for a time to come. Not everybody gets to fight in a fight like this. I’m definitely excited about it.”

###

In the night’s eight-round main event, Hitz will unveil his new heavyweight contender, Andrey Fedosov (22-2, 18 KOs) the former WBC Youth Heavyweight Champion from Shuya, Russia. In his Horseshoe debut, Fedosov will face comebacking former NABA Champion “Rockin” Rodney Moore (17-6-2, 7 KOs) from Houston, Texas.

In the co-featured bout, Chicago cruiserweight Dimar “Strongman” Ortuz (5-0, 3 KOs) will be taking on UFC veteran and fellow undefeated Terry Martin (5-0, 5 KOs) in a heavily hyped local grudge match.

In another notable six-round encounter, Chicago (via Lithuania) middleweight slugger Donatas Bondorovas (15-3-1, 4 KOs) will take on Evansville, Indiana’s “King” David Thomas (10-2-2, 8 KOs).

The huge undercard (12 bouts are scheduled in total) will also feature Pacquiao sparring partner and undefeated knockout sensation Abdulai “The Classiq” Amidu (20-0, 17 KOs) also going six.

In four-round fights will be Frankie “Time Bomb” Scalise (4-1, 4 KOs), Genaro Mendez (4-1, 3 KOs), kickboxing and Golden Gloves champ Simon “The Punisher” Buettner (2-0, 2 KOs), Russell “Rocky” Fiore (6-2-1, 6 KOs) and, making their pro-debuts, “Irish” Jimmy Murphy and Jonathan Manos.

Complete match-ups will be announced shortly.

The high-class atmosphere and luxurious surroundings the Horseshoe has to offer make their boxing shows a Las Vegas-style night of boxing that Chicago-area fans don’t have to get on a plane to enjoy.

The Horseshoe Casino has an intimate, comfortable venue with luxurious seats, a spectacular gaming area, free parking, exquisite food and all the amenities — and is just 20 minutes from Downtown Chicago.

Tickets are priced at $90 Ringside & $40 Orchestra and available at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.

Please Note Early Start Time: On fight night, doors open 6:00 pm and the action starts at 7:00.

All bouts are subject to change.

ABOUT CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
Caesars Entertainment Corporation is the world’s most geographically diversified casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, more than 74 years ago, Caesars has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions, and now operates casinos on four continents. The company’s resorts operate primarily under the Harrah’s®, Caesars® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars also owns the World Series of Poker® and the London Clubs International family of casinos. Caesars Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. Caesars is committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognizes the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com.

ABOUT HORSESHOE CASINO
The $500 million Horseshoe Casino, a Caesars Entertainment Corporation property, just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago is the premier entertainment and gambling destination in Chicagoland. Where legendary gaming lives on, Horseshoe boasts more than 350,000 square feet with over 3,000 slot machines, over 100 table games, one of the largest poker rooms in the Midwest, and more. The Venue at Horseshoe Casino is proud to offer the ultimate concert and entertainment destination and premier experience in a flexible space that can hold up to 3,300 guests. Dining elegance is not overlooked and guests can choose from a variety of dining options including; Jack Binion’s Steak House which overlooks Lake Michigan and winner of the 2009, 2010, 2011 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and the May 2012 OpenTable Diners’ Choice award, around-the-globe variety at the Village Square Buffet, and a taste of Chicago at Benny’s Pub and Eatery.

For more information, please visit: www.chicagohorseshoe.com.

Must be 21 years or older to gamble or attend events at The Venue. Know When To Stop Before You Start® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9WITH-IT © 2012 Caesars License Company, LLC.

TOKYO, Japan (Nov 14, 2011) – On the heels of last week’s press conference announcing a historic night of world-class DREAM MMA and GLORY kickboxing action at Saitama Super Arena on New Year’s Eve, GLORY Sports International (GSI) announced today that it has opened a corporate office in Tokyo and established a subsidiary entity, GLORY Sports Japan KK, to pioneer its electrifying martial arts fight series in the Japanese market.

“We are firmly committed to re-vitalizing Japan as an epicenter for some of the best martial arts fight action in the world and, in order to do that effectively, it is critical that we have a capable team operating on the ground there, on a day-to-day basis,” said GLORY Managing Director, Marcus Luer.

Situated in the prestigious Omotesando district of Tokyo, the space represents GLORY’s sixth office location, in addition to its offices in Holland, the UK, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The upcoming event – ‘GSI presents DREAM 18 and GLORY 4 Tokyo – New Year’s Eve Special’ – marks GLORY’s first venture into Japan, where countless MMA and kickboxing legends have been spawned and many of the most memorable, epic battles have taken place.

The GSI-produced New Year’s Eve event will begin at 4 p.m. local time with the DREAM MMA fight card, the lineup for which will be announced soon, and will continue with the GLORY kickboxing event that will award a total of $600,000 in prize money to its competitors and be headlined by a 16-man, one-night heavyweight tournament that will crown its winner the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Slam Champion.

Amongst the heavyweight kickboxing superstars who have accepted a place in the invitation-only tournament lineup are world No. ranked Semmy Schilt as well as Daniel Ghita, Remy Bonjasky, Gokhan Saki, Peter Aerts and Errol Zimmerman.

Broadcast details for GSI presents DREAM 18 and GLORY 4 Tokyo – New Year’s Eve Special will be announced soon. For more information, visit www.gloryworldseries.com.

About GLORY:

The GLORY World Series (www.gloryworldseries.com) is the world’s premier kickboxing, or stand-up fighting league, staging events across the globe and offering up to $1,000,000 in prize money to the winners of 16-man ‘Grand Prix’ tournaments, which are open to only the best fighters in each weight class. The fight series also includes 8-man tournaments and events with traditional, single bouts.

With television deals spanning every continent, plus a groundbreaking online video streaming system and the world’s largest online martial arts library, GLORY is one of the world’s most widely-broadcast sporting organizations.

Owned and operated by Glory Sports International (GSI), the organization has offices in Holland, the UK, Tokyo, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Its personnel includes a diverse mix of award-winning hedge-fund and private equity investors; principals from pioneering sports marketing agency Total Sport Asia; and senior level executives from several leading sports franchises, including WWE, FIFA, Golden Glory, Champions League and It’s Showtime.

November 13, 2012 – Gary Shaw Productions, in association with Grange Old School Boxing and Black Venom Promotions, are happy to announce the date and location for the epic IBF Middleweight championship bout between Daniel “Real Deal” Geale (28-1, 15 KOs) and Anthony Mundine (44-4, 26 KOs). The Sydney Entertainment Centre in Australia will host the larger-than-life rematch on January 30, 2012.

“In all my years in boxing, this is the biggest fight in Australian boxing history and we are delighted to be able to bring it to Sydney,” said Gary Shaw. “This city has a proud history of staging big fights and let me assure you they don’t get bigger than this. Daniel Geale is considered to be, by many, one of the best Middle Weights in the World, after winning 2 World Titles from German Fighters on German soil. Daniel is desperate to avenge his controversial loss to Mundine in 2009.”

“For Mundine, this is an opportunity to not only claim a fourth world title, but also put on a show for the millions of fans who will be watching this fight around the globe. This is a once in a life time fight that will captivate not only fans in Sydney, but across Australia and the rest of the world. I’d like to thank Destination NSW for their support in bringing this fight to Sydney and look forward to working together to ensure the event becomes a truly memorable sporting event.”

“I’m happy we are able to move forward with the promotion now that we have a date and venue sorted,” said Daniel Geale. “The Sydney Entertainment Centre is a fantastic place to hold this fight. The whole country is talking about this fight and I can’t wait to put Mundine in his place after all the trash talking he’s been doing. I encourage everyone to get their tickets now because January 30th will be a night to remember.”

“This fight is going to be a blockbuster event for the people of Australia and I’m expecting an explosive night of boxing,” said co-manager Garrie Francisco. “My partner Bill Treacy and I are excited to be part of this historic event.”

Today’s announcement marks a homecoming for Anthony Mundine, who returns to his ‘spiritual home’ for the eighth time as a professional.

“I’ve had some of my best fights in this venue and I can’t wait to get back here again on January 30” Mundine said. “I made my pro debut and won my first world title here, it’s a special place for me and in January I’m going to write another chapter in my legacy by stopping Daniel Geale.”

The Sydney Entertainment Centre has capacity of 11,500 guests and is located 35 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour NSW 2000, Australia. Tickets priced Cat 1-$1000, Cat 2-$500, Cat 3-$300, Cat 4-$200, Cat 5-$100 and Cat 6-$75 can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com from 9am AEDT Friday, November 16.

For more information on this terrific showdown and to interact with their chosen fighter, simply log onto www.mundinevgeale.com and show your support for Dan or The Man!

Once registered, you will receive regular updates from your chosen fighter as well as the opportunity to purchase tickets to next year’s blockbuster before they are released to the general public.

This is a rare opportunity step inside the inner sanctum ahead of one of the most anticipated boxing events in Australian sports history. Check out www.mundinevgeale.com and join Team Mundine or Team Geale now!

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing is proud to announce that Colombian middleweight power puncher Jose Miguel “Mochuelito” Torres (26-5, 23 KOs) has signed an exclusive multiyear promotional agreement with Sampson Boxing LLC.

33-year-old Torres is probably best known for his NABO and NABF title-winning KO 6 over previously undefeated Patrick Majewski last November. Torres’ brother, Ricardo, is a former junior welterweight world champion.

Having rattled off another three knockouts since the huge victory over Majewski, Torres is now rated #16 by the WBC and #8 by the IBF at 160 lbs.

“I am very excited to work with Mochuelito and his Team. I will announce his next fight shortly,” said Lewkowicz. ”

Torres’ team, manager Joel Rojas and advisor Cesar Osorio both say they are proud to be a part of the Sampson Boxing Team and looking forward to bringing Torres to the next level in his career.

Given Lewkowicz’s relationship with World Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez, the move puts Torres on a very short list to eventually face “Maravilla.”

Kelly Swanson
We are delighted to have with us today two unbelievable American heavyweights, both in Seth Mitchell and Johnathon Banks, who are gearing up to fight each other this Saturday as the co-main event of the Adrien Broner vs. Antonio DeMarco WBC Lightweight World Championship. Both of the fighters are on the phone, as well as Dave Itskowitch from Golden Boy Promotions and Tom Loeffler from K2 Promotions.

David Itskowitch

Thank you, Kelly. Thank you, everyone, for joining today. We’re very excited about the show this weekend at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Our main event is Adrien Broner versus Antonio DeMarco for the WBC Lightweight World Championship. And of course our co-main event is Seth Mitchell versus Johnathon Banks, a 12-round fight for Mitchell’s NABO and the vacant WBC International Heavyweight Championship Saturday, November 17th at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and R&R Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions, sponsored by Corona, AT&T, and Caesars Atlantic City. We are going to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.

We have great seats still available starting at just $25. We’re extremely excited to be back in Atlantic City, especially in light of recent events. And in that vein, in an effort to raise funds for Hurricane Sandy relief Golden Boy is going to be donating $2 for every ticket sold and $1,000 per knockout registered during the event to the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. Oscar De La Hoya and Caesars Atlantic City are going to match those funds. So we’re happy to be doing something for the community, happy to be bringing a big event to Atlantic City. They had a Carrie Underwood concert this weekend, and from what I understand the turnout was great, so Atlantic City is up and running and open for business.

Now to turn things over to the fighters. Now to introduce Johnathon Banks I’d like to introduce Tom Loeffler, who is the Managing Director of K2 Promotions, who is Banks’ promoter. Tom.

Tom Loeffler

Thank you, David. We’re really excited to be involved with this event. I think you have two great, young American heavyweights fighting each other. Seth Mitchell obviously has gotten a lot of exposure recently on HBO. Johnathon has been fighting quite a bit on our big Klitschko events over in Europe, although he did come up through the Kronk system in Detroit, an outstanding amateur career, and I think the winner of this fight can clearly be considered the best American heavyweight out there. It’s an exciting complement to the main event, which Adrien Broner is clearly one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the lightweight division.

So we’re excited about it. Johnathon had a really big night last Saturday where he got a lot of publicity, actually more publicity as a trainer than as a fighter, where he trained Wladimir Klitschko for his successful world championship defense last Saturday. So with all that being said, want to introduce Johnathon Banks from Detroit, Michigan.

Johnathon Banks

Okay. Thanks, Tom. Hello, everybody. Once again, like Tom said, this is Johnathon Banks. I look forward to this fight. It’s been a long time coming, keep backing up, backing up, backing up, kept changing the date, but hey, I’m just looking forward to it. I know Seth is looking forward to the fight. And he’s a fighter, I’m a fighter; we just really happily, like I said for both of us, we both just really looking forward to Saturday night.

Itskowitch

Okay. Thank you, Johnathon. Now to make a few statements, I want to introduce a fighter that all of us at Golden Boy are very proud to work with. We believe he is the future of the heavyweight division. He’s a former standout Michigan State University linebacker who found his true calling in the boxing ring. He’s quickly becoming the kind of fighter that we believe can reinvigorate the heavyweight division in the United States and around the world. Recently he blasted through top contenders Timur Ibragimov and Chazz Witherspoon in a combined five-rounds Showing that he not only has the power, but the heart to succeed. With a record of 25-0-1 with 19 knockouts from Brandywine, Maryland, Mr. Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell.

Seth Mitchell

Thanks, Dave; thanks for the introduction. I want to thank everybody that joined in on the conference call. Obviously I want to thank Golden Boy; I want to thank my team for allowing me to have another opportunity to perform on this big stage.

I’m excited. Like Johnathon said, this fight has been postponed for a while; the first time it was due to a hand injury that I had gotten in my fight against Chazz Witherspoon. But, on record, my hand feels great. I’ve been training very hard, again very excited for this fight, very motivated. It’s going to be a good fight. I respect Johnathon Banks, he has a lot to bring to the table, but at the end of the day I truly believe in my heart that I’ll be victorious. Whatever he comes to the table with I’ll be able to respond by training. We have about three to four game plans, and it’s going to be a great fight. I don’t know if you can tell by the excitement in my voice, but I’m ready to show up on the 17th.

This is the stage that I want to be on. I believe it’s my time. I think that I don’t talk much, I’m very humble, but I’m pleased with myself and I’m pleased that I have the capability and the tools to become heavyweight champion in the world, and on the 17th Johnathon Banks is just another step, another hurdle that I have to get over. I’m not underestimating him; I expect him to bring his A game, and with the unfortunate passing of Emanuel Steward, may his soul rest in peace, that probably is going to bring more excitement and more enthusiasm out of Johnathon Banks, which is only going to make for a better fight. But at the end of the day my hand will be raised.

Again, I want to thank everybody who has joined in on the phone call, and tune in; if you can’t be there on the 17th definitely tune in, because it’s going to be a hell of a night of boxing.

Q

Seth, it’s kind of an interesting situation you’re in; you’re getting another fight on HBO, but your opponent, Johnathon Banks, is now the trainer for the Heavyweight Champion, Wladimir Klitschko, a man that has mentioned you as a possible opponent, somebody that you and your team have talked about in the future fighting some day, and being able to step up to that challenge. How much do you think a victory over his trainer is going to get his attention to put you in a position to be one of his challengers in the near future?

Mitchell

I think, well it’s funny, I was thinking the same thing as I was watching the fight this Saturday. But I think a victory over Johnathon Banks will ultimately get me closer to my title shot, whether it’s Klitschko or whoever it is. But it’s still I think it will still be at the latter part of 2013. My team and I we have a plan, and we had a plan since day one, and the latter part of 2013 had always been that plan. But to answer your question, I think I’m looking at first to get Johnathon Banks would definitely increase those chances and Wladimir would probably want to fight me.

Q

Would want to fight you if you knock off his trainer. Is that what you mean?

Mitchell

Yes

Q

More so than he does already.

Mitchell

Absolutely. Absolutely.

Q

Okay. And Johnathon, I know we spoke before you had the fight that you trained Wladimir for this past Saturday against Wach, but I’m wondering for you how difficult of a process was it to go back and forth mentally from being the guy that has to be the trainer for the heavyweight champion, because I know you were doing the double duty of training for this fight as well as getting Wladimir ready, to go back and forth mentally from okay now I’m getting the champ ready for his fight, and then when you go into your own training with your own trainer, Sugar Hill, to then mentally go to the point where okay now I’m a fighter now the trainer. How difficult was that, and now how are you dealing with it that your Klitschko fight is behind you and now you can focus 100% on getting reading for Seth?

Banks

Okay, first of all … it’s wasn’t as big issue as-well I guess what I want to say it sounds bigger than what it really is, the issue is what I’m talking about. It wasn’t a big issue at all. It’s all a part of boxing; I’m a fan of boxing, I love boxing, and it’s just all a part of it, it’s all a part of boxing. I didn’t have to step outside my box one time, I didn’t have to step outside the sport … one time; it was all inside in boxing. It actually sounds harder than what it really was. It wasn’t an easy task. It had a little difficulties because, like I said, I had a big fight coming up and I also had to get Wladimir ready for his big fight. But I thought that I handled it pretty well. I’m glad his fight is over with, and I’m looking forward to mine.

Q

Can you just talk a little bit about your experience in being the head man in his corner for the first time on Saturday; how did it go for you, how did you feel about it, and were you a little concerned when Wladimir got touched in the fifth round there? It looked like he might be in a little bit of trouble at the end of the round, and you maybe had to-I mean you did do a good job staying calm in the corner, but how you were handling that emotionally when you saw what happened?

Banks

Like I said, it was all a part of boxing. I saw that Wach touched him with the right hand, but the thing about it is Wladimir I didn’t see him getting in trouble; his knees wasn’t getting buckled, it wasn’t a sign of he was going down. Wach I don’t believe he had any energy to turn it up if he wanted to anyway, so it wasn’t a problem. I mean my whole thing was I know Wladimir and I know if he get caught with a clean shot he’d want to rush and get it back, and my job was to keep him as calm as possible, to let him know everything was cool, and to continue to fight.

Q

How comfortable were you being the guy that everybody looked to in the corner for the first time? That’s a pretty big spot never having been in that position; now all of sudden it’s not just training any old guy, you’re training the heavyweight world champion.

Banks

Well it was comfortable, because it wasn’t my first time training someone, because I have been doing that off and on for a very long time anyway. So it wasn’t my first time out, but it was my first time on the highest stage in boxing, so that made it a little-I mean it was a little nervous starting out, but it is what I do. Boxing is what I do, it is my life, so I just went right into it. The same as if a reporter, like you as a reporter, you just write the big story or small story. The format is the same. You just have to do. So it’s the same thing.

Q

Johnathon, I was just wondering will you go to Emanuel Steward’s memorial service tomorrow? Will you be able to do that or what is your plan for the rest of your week?

Banks

Yes, the memorial service is right here in Detroit tomorrow, and yes, I will attend it.

Q

Okay. Can you comment, just let us know what Emanuel meant to you? Obviously he meant a lot to your life; can you elaborate on what he did for you?

Banks

Okay. You’re talking about going back to a 15-year-old kid that looked up to this guy who kind of start growing up in and around Lennox Louis training camps, him finding Big Bear to training Oscar, and then later on coming and training. I mean he kept me in boxing, he kept me around boxing, and I really, really learned a lot from him as far as life, as far as a man, as far as a fighter, and as far as actually the fundamentals of training about boxing. Because I used to even live with him for a few years at one point, so I mean there was that one point for years and years we were together every day, we traveled together. Even when he went to Germany I would go with him a lot of the time. So as far as what he meant, I mean everything I guess what a father would ever mean to a kid, so he meant a lot to me. Because I mean the guy was a great mentor, he was a great father figure, he just was a great overall person, and for me and to be a part of his life was nothing but a blessing for me.

Q

On Saturday night, obviously, it’s a big night for you, a huge fight for you, and obviously an emotional time the last couple of weeks after Emanuel passed away. How do you kind of channel that in a positive direction and not allow yourself too become too emotional when that fight?

Banks

It’s all basically like this; if you really think about I really think about a lot of things Emanuel told me, when it comes to fighting you have to shut everything out. Fighting is like going to war; you have to shut everything out and you got to go to war. No matter what’s going on at home when you got to go you got to go, and that’s just the situation that it is at hand. Saturday night I have to go. No matter what’s going on this week, no matter what’s going on last month, on Saturday night I have to be prepared to go.

Q

Thank you, Johnathon. I just have one question for Seth. Seth, I was just wondering what you feel you got out of your fight against Chazz Witherspoon where you were in a little bit of trouble and obviously fought through it and won the fight. How much did that help you develop as a fighter?

Mitchell

I believe it helped me develop a lot. I tell people all the time if they were to ask me how I would respond to adversity I would have told them I would have responded how I responded in the Chazz fight, but until you get put in that situation you really don’t know. For me to get put in that situation and come through as I did I think that it showed signs of a true champion, somebody that definitely has the heart, has determination, and show recovery. I wasn’t over anxious, I stayed composed, I stayed calm, so I think it helped me out a lot and let me know that I can fight through adversity when in trouble. At the same time, I don’t want to continue to put myself in those situations. It let me see why I got in that situation and things that I need to work on. So overall I think it helped me out a lot.

Q

I wanted to talk about your defense. You obviously had trouble when you first started fighting Chazz, and is your defense something you’ve been working on since that fight?

Mitchell

Definitely. As a fighter I definitely don’t think I know it all. I’m only just been boxing almost six years now, and I just don’t think I know it all. I continue to be a sponge. I’m still, even though I’ve kind of accomplished a lot in a short amount of time, I still consider myself wet behind the ears. There’s still more to learn, and that’s what’s exciting to me. When I come to the gym I still I want to learn, I’m thirsty for knowledge. My trainer, Andre Hunter, I think he does a great job. We sit and we talk, we go back to the fundamentals, and we just work on becoming a better fighter, and most definitely, definitely working on my defense.

I don’t really get hit with too many combinations, but in that fight Chazz was able to man the right hand, and I was just glad that I was able to overcome it. But to answer your question, I’ve definitely been working on my defense. We’ve been working on quite a few things, and hopefully on the 17th you’ll be able to see that come out, see that show that night.

Q

You have like 10 knockouts in a row. My question is will your experience against Witherspoon make you a more patient fighter or will you come out looking for that knockout right away or how do you handle that? I guess it’s different for every situation, but can you talk about that?

Mitchell

It may look that way, but to be honest I don’t necessarily go out there looking for knockouts. I consider myself an aggressive box of punches. I come to fight, I’ll tell you that much, I do come to fight. But I just try to put my punches together at a high work rate for a heavyweight, and I just point that behind my jab and the knockouts have just been coming.

But if I need to change my style for this particular fight I’m capable of doing that. A lot of people they think that I’m just a bull, but if I have to be a matador I definitely can do that. I believe that I possess all the skills; I have decent power in both hands, good speed, I’m very athletic. I just have only had to show one or two things, and if I only have to show it in that fight that’s what you’ll see, but if I have to show something else you’ll see that as well.

Q

What about Johnathon concerns you most at this point?

Mitchell

Johnathon, he’s a good fighter. He’s had a lot of tutelage, he’s been around a lot of good fighters, trained with Emanuel Steward, he’s sparred with Lennox Lewis, he’s sparred with the Klitschkos, so he has a lot of experience. And he knows his way around the ring and he’s definitely showed that he can get off the canvas and get up and win it, so he shows that he has heart. And he’s a good counter puncher; he likes to set traps and he has a nice little tricky right hand. We’ve been watching him, so I’m well prepared for Mr. Banks. But at the end of the day I truly believe in my heart that my hand’s going to be raised at the end of the night, whether it goes one round or whether it goes twelve rounds.

Q

Hey, Johnathon, I wanted to ask you, about mentally the transition from being trainer to fighter during the course of the day. I wanted to know mentally and physically, first of all, how you did that. Did Wladimir come in in the morning and you trained him and then you trained after him, or was it vice versa? And then physically how was that for you at the end of the day; were you worn out, how did you feel? Because nobody does that.

Banks

Yes. Well our schedules I set my schedule to train when Wladimir trained in the morning I trained before he did; by the time he got in the gym I was just there ready, waiting on him. And the afternoon was the same schedule; I just trained before him so by the time he got there I was dressed for him and ready to go. At the end of the day, yes, I was completely exhausted. I slept like a baby every single night.

Q

So it was instead of two-a-days it was four-a-days for you.

Banks

Four-a-days. Yes, it was four-a-days. Yes.

Q

Seth made a reference to this that you’ve sparred with Lennox, you’ve sparred with the Klitschkos. Does that give you any kind of advantage in terms of assessing your opponents and enduring what they bring to the table in the course of a fight? And that’s one question. The other question is as a trainer cerebrally does that give you an advantage in assessing your opponents?

Banks

Well to answer the first question, I’m going to say no. Sparring with those guys it doesn’t give me an advantage, because none of those guys are Seth Mitchell. And, first off, I just want to say I take my hat off to Seth Mitchell, because I think he’s a hell of a fighter. My personal opinion about him I think he’s a hell of a fighter. And like I say, no, it doesn’t give me an advantage at all. All the opponents that he fought and all the opponents that I fought that was good at those particular times. Seth Mitchell brings a whole different energy to the ring than most opponents and I feel I bring a different rhythm to the ring than most opponents, so I think that’s what’s going to make this fight a hell of a fight. So to answer that first question, no, working with those guys doesn’t give me an advantage.

And could you please repeat the second one?

Q

Second one was more or less being a trainer, having a trainer’s mind and a trainer’s acumen, does that give you any upside to assessing your opponents from a trainer’s mental standpoint?

Banks

I’m not going to say an advantage, but it definitely equips you with another piece of equipment besides being prepared for different things. Looking at it from a trainer standpoint, usually a trainer will say, a trainer obviously his job is to speak and give directions; that’s pretty much it. So I try not to look at it from a trainer’s point, because I can’t speak to nobody and give them directions, except myself.

But it gives me a different outlook about boxing, which is really good, and it’s a part of it that gives me the outlook that really keeps me motivated, got me really excited about fighting all the time, just because that particular different outlook I have as far as the trainer. But I don’t see it as no type of advantage.

Q

Okay. And the last question for you is that your last loss was as a cruiserweight to Tomasz Adamek, and since you’ve been a heavyweight you’re undefeated in nine fights. Was there a reason you moved to heavyweight after that fight, number one, and then number two, to what do you attribute your success as a heavyweight?

Banks

I’m going to answer the first question, but I’m going to ask you to repeat the second question when I finish answering the first one. The loss was to Adamek, but the move was to heavyweight simply because I was killing myself too much to make the 200 pounds. And I could make the weight, but I couldn’t perform at the weight; that was my problem. I could make the weight, but I couldn’t perform at the weight. I was too weak trying to get down to 200, and it just took its toll on me, it took a toll on me in a big way. Not taking nothing against Adamek, he did what he was supposed to do. But I mean I really had nothing left to fight cruiserweight.

Q

And then my second question was I’m assuming that because you moved to heavyweight its easier. To what do you attribute your success in the heavyweight?

Banks

Just my willingness to work hard; that’s really what it was. Same with cruiserweight, I’m just trying to work as hard as I can and to fight to the best of my ability. That’s really that’s what it’s all about.

Q

Hey, Seth. Good seeing you last week. You talked about more or less his craftiness and you talked about a lot of things; you obviously have done a lot of homework on him. How does he rank in some of the categories that you mentioned with your opponents? How does he rank in terms of those categories with your opponents?

Mitchell

I think with the Chazz Witherspoon and Timur, as I said before, I think my team is doing a great job in moving me. He brings something different than my last two fights, though. I think Chazz was more busy a fighter, but he wasn’t as slick. Johnathon he’s a slick fighter; he has little subtle things that he does when he steps to the side and come over with the right hand and things of that nature. He’s a boxer that he doesn’t run, I mean he doesn’t use his legs a lot to move around the ring and run and make it a boring fight, but he definitely knows his way around the ring and taking small steps, economizing his movements to get the punches that he wants. Those are some of the things that we noticed and those are some of the things that we definitely worked on to try to alleviate some of the things that he wants to do.

But I’d say this is a solid test for me, it’s a different style of opponent that I’m facing thus far in my career, and I’m excited about it and I’m ready.

Q

Last question for you, do you think that this is a fight, a reference was made to the fact that you’ve been knocking everybody out and I know you box your way into position to score those knockouts, but is this one that you could see going the distance and maybe testing you in ways in terms of your boxing IQ and your ability to make adjustments and actually settle into a boxing match? You think that is a possibility more than say in your last 10 fights?

Mitchell

Definitely, I mean but I felt that way in my last two fights. I didn’t think that I was going to stop Timur in the second round or Chazz; I felt both of those fights was going to go about six or seven rounds. And I’m going to say you’ve seen me train before, you know I prepare for the distance; I go out there, I’m definitely in shape when I get in the ring. I know a lot of people that are waiting to take me into deep woods, because I haven’t been past eight since 2010. But conditioning is the last thing that’s on my mind when I step into the ring and I’ll be ready. I don’t expect this fight to be a short fight. Mentally I’m prepared to go twelve rounds, and that’s what I think this fight’s going to go. Whatever happens happens, but I’ll be ready mentally and physically.

Q

I wonder if you could share with us a little bit about your training regimen over the last couple of months and what that looks like and what you actually had to do to prepare yourself in the event this fight goes into the deeper rounds?

Mitchell

Well I don’t want to give away too much of my secrets, but just know that I trained very hard. I take my craft very seriously, and when it’s about two months away from the fight I cut back on a lot of things, I eat extremely healthy and I’m working twice a day, I’m working six days a week and twice a day five of those days. But we’re prepared all right. We do certain things in the gym as far as my sparring, punch count, things of that nature, high reps, we just we prepare well. But I know I’m not giving you too much, and that’s definitely intentional; I don’t give away my secrets. But we train extremely hard and we’re very prepared when we get into the ring, when we step into the ring.

Q

Okay. And my next question is in the past you have talked about coming into the ring not necessarily looking to knock the opponent out, but you’re coming to fight, you’re prepared whatever comes your way. I’m just wondering what are you expecting from Johnathon Banks; are you expecting a boxing match, are you expecting to have to go toe-to-toe, are you expecting to go the distance? What’s your expectation going into the fight?

Mitchell

Whatever it takes. One of the reasons why I personally don’t watch tape that much of my opponent because each fight is different. If I’m thinking that Johnathon’s going to come in and try to box my head off and that’s my mind set and then he comes out like a raging bull all up in my grill during the fight I think that could just throw me all off track and get me discombobulated, and mentally you have to be sharp.

So I don’t really know what he’s going to do. I would expect him to probably try to box me and take me into the deeper rounds, but we’re prepared. Like I said earlier, we have about three or four game plans that we’re really ready to go with depending on how Johnathon comes out to fight. But I can’t answer that question. I just know, and I expect, Johnathon Banks to be at 100% ready to fight come the 17th. He knows I’ll be–he knows I’ll be ready, and I hope and I expect that he’s ready to fight and be 100% on the 17th.

Q

Johnathon, I’m just wondering, given the fact that Seth hasn’t gone deep into many of his fights, is it one of your primary objectives coming into the fight to get him into the later rounds? And secondly, do you think that getting him into the later rounds will increase your chance of winning the fight?

Banks

I think what increases my chance of winning the fight is me getting in shape before the fight. But with him not being in the later rounds I think that has nothing to do with the fight at all, because as anybody knows he’s a big puncher. A big puncher has a chance from bell one to bell twelve; I don’t care if he’s dog-tired, he has a chance to win the fight because he’s a big puncher. So I think the longer the fight goes it’s not like it’s getting safe for me. No, it’s getting more and more dangerous. You know what I’m saying? So I don’t see it being an advantage at all. I don’t look at the rounds he’s been, or no, he hasn’t been this amount of rounds. I don’t get off into that, because it really doesn’t matter. You know what I’m saying, it doesn’t matter, because you don’t have to go twelve rounds every fight to be able to go through a round for one fight. You know what I’m saying? And like I say, he knows that I know that he’s coming and to be in good shape. He’s always in good shape and ready to go, so that’s what, in my mind, so you know that he’s in good shape. And once again, like I say, no, I don’t think there’s going to be an advantage if the fight goes past six or past eight or past nine rounds.

Q

Have you felt overlooked in terms of what you’ve been doing in the ring as a heavyweight?

I was wondering if you felt overlooked as a fighter because you’ve been getting a lot of attention as Wladimir’s trainer or as the Klitschko sparring partner for so many years? Have you felt overlooked in terms of what you’ve been doing in the ring?

Banks

A little bit. Sort of a little bit. It’s no bearing on me; it’s not like it’s a burden on my mind at all–I’ve been overlooked all the time and now they want to give me some attention. It’s nothing like that. I feel like a little bit I’ve been overlooked, but that’s how it is sometimes. I don’t worry about it. I’m sort of in the spotlight now, happy to be in the spotlight, and I’m going to work my butt off so I can stay in the spotlight really.

Q

Do you think it’s helped you given that, and obviously this is a big advantage on HBO, but you’ve been fighting in Europe in front of 40,000 people, do you think that helps you in terms of handling the pressure that comes with a big fight like this?

Banks

I think so. You have arenas that seat 62,000 people and it’s actually sold out for 62,000 people, you have another 2,000 people outside the arena trying to grab your clothes as you enter the arena. So you know what I’m saying. It definitely was a help as far as a pressure builder, you know what I’m saying, fighting in front of a lot of people. So in that aspect, in that sense fighting in front of a lot of people I’m totally comfortable with it.

Q

And finally, Johnathon, it’s been a little while since there has been a Detroit born and bred heavyweight from the Kronk that has gone on to really be in the big stage in the heavyweight division. Can you talk about that? And who were some of the guys that you looked up to growing up in Detroit, Detroit fighters that maybe you looked up to?

Banks

Actually, of course, the guys I looked up to in Detroit as far as Detroit fighters, Joe Louis, he was from Detroit; Sugar Ray Robinson was from Detroit; and of course there was Thomas Hearns; the Milt McCoys; the Jimmy Farr’s; a lot of these guys; Hilmer Kenty was one of the first park champions ever, and of course Emanuel Steward. I have to say I looked up to all these guys, and I was able to talk to a majority of these guys. I was able to talk to a lot of different trainers that trained Joe Louis, a lot of different trainers that worked right next to Sugar Ray Robinson. So I was able to talk to a lot of these guys, just get a little techniques or stuff like that, learning different things from a lot of old-school people.

Q

Seth, with Eddie Chambers apparently moving down to cruiserweight you look poised to take on the role of the best American heavyweight out there. I was wondering if you could tell me how important is that to you and how important is bringing the heavyweight championship of the world back to the U.S.A., how important is that to you?

Mitchell

It’s very important. As I say all the time, I never proclaim myself to be the great American hope, the great American heavyweight. Honestly now I just try to work hard, to stay humble, stay focused, and try to reach my goals. I believe in myself and I believe that I have the ability to become heavyweight champion of the world. And Johnathon Banks, he’s standing in my way to achieve that goal, and I’m not taking it lightly. I’m ready to go. But it definitely would mean a lot to me to become heavyweight champion of the world, just to be the best. Whenever I get into something I want to become the best at it, and becoming the heavyweight champion of the world would definitely solidify that.

So I’m anxious, I’m excited, I truly believe the future is bright for me, and it’s exciting for me right now. When I lay down at night and I just think about the future, and it’s just bright. And the next step, again, is the 17th, I know I keep saying it and it sounds redundant, but it’s the truth. Where I’m trying to go Johnathon Banks is in my way, and on the 17th there’s going to be a fight, and again I definitely plan on being victorious. But to wear that strap, to claim those belts back from the Klitschkos; they’re champions right now, they’ve been champs for the last six, seven, eight years, and rightfully so, they deserve all the credit that they’re getting. They’re consummate professionals inside the ring as well as outside. But the heavyweight division needs some more excitement, and I do believe that I possess those tools to bring it back.

Q

Seth, is there a current or a past fighter that you admire and/or model your style after?

Mitchell

Not really. Like I say, I literally just got involved in boxing six years ago. There’s nobody that I really looked up to as a fighter, and you probably ask Johnathon this question and he probably could say well I used to look up to so and so in the boxing, but that wasn’t my thing. I wanted to be a football player. I really looked up and admired and wanted to play like Ray Lewis, middle linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. But as a boxer I like a lot of people. I watch tape on fights just to pick up different things to add to my boxing craft. My favorite fighter right now is Miguel Cotto.

Q

Did you happen to see the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Mariusz Wach fight, Seth?

Mitchell

Yes I did.

Q

What did you think about Wach’s chin and do you think that you could have held up like that against Wladimir?

Mitchell

Well, man, hopefully I wouldn’t have got hit too many times flush like that. I thought he had a hell of a chin. I thought Johnathon did a hell of a job in the corner in the fifth round when Klitschko got touched and it looked a little-he wasn’t hurt at all, but it flustered him a little bit, and I thought Johnathon did a great job. I thought Wach had a hell of a chin, but he was standing there taking a lot of shots. If I were to take those shots hopefully I could stand up to them, but hopefully I will have better defense when my opportunity comes.

Q

And for you looking forward professionally over the next few years does your future in boxing more as a trainer or more as a fighter? So I guess what I’m asking you is what is the number one priority right now?

Banks

The number one priority right now is just boxing, but whether it’s training or whether it’s actually fighting it’s all inside of boxing, so I don’t have to take a break on doing anything. The transition that you take to fight and to train is just the mental defense; okay I train this guy, okay I have to fight this guy. So it’s no problem. The whole ideal of it is boxing, so that’s the number one goal is just boxing right now.

Q

If boxing is the number one goal, but being the trainer of the heavyweight championship of the world, it would seem that your path to the heavyweight title is blocked. Would you ever fight Wladimir Klitschko?

Banks

To the naked eye it does seem like that, doesn’t it? I mean I don’t know, honestly. I’m not the type of guy, I never really said too much too soon about the future, you know what I’m saying. That’s one of those bridges that you have to wait to cross when you get to it. So the focus right now is to just keep training and keep fighting, so we’ll see what happens when we get to it.

Q

I know we kind of whipped a dead horse today with asking you about your training duties between Klitschko and your personal training. In the event that you’re not victorious in your fight this weekend, will you continue to battle on or would you want to shift more into the direction of training?

Banks

Once again, that’s really a difficult question to answer, because as once again it’s one of them bridges that you have to cross when you get there. As of right now my plan is to continue to train Wladimir as he needs me, because he asked me to be there so my plan is to be there for him. And also my plan is to be there for Johnathon, which is to fight. Johnathon is a fighter; I’m a fighter, I love to fight, so that’s my job as of right now.

Q

Okay. And then I have a quick question for Seth. We’ve also touched upon the point that your right hand is ready and ready to battle with Johnathon this weekend. Do you feel any type of uncomfortableness mentally about using your right hand? Even though it’s medically healed do you feel uncomfortable launching any power shots when you get into the ring this weekend?

Mitchell

As of right now my hand is 100 percent. The doctor said it takes six to eight weeks to rest, and by the fight getting pushed back and postponed I actually rested it for eleven to twelve weeks, so about three months. And for the last three months I’ve been hitting the heavy bag, I’ve been sparring, and not holding back at all, and so it’s ready to go, it’s 100 percent. Now who’s to say I could go in there and throw the first punch and my hand starts hurting, but as of right now my hand is 100 percent. I have no ill effect from previous fights and I’m ready to go, and you won’t see me holding back any punches come the 17th.

Swanson

Okay. Great. That calls it. And, you guys, we look forward to seeing Saturday night compete in the ring together, because you sure competed on the phone today. Thanks, everybody, for joining us. See you Saturday in Atlantic City.

END OF CALL

Broner vs. DeMarco, a 12-round fight for DeMarco’s WBC Lightweight World Championship will take place Saturday, November 17 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R & R Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The co-main event will be a 12-round heavyweight clash between Seth Mitchell and Johnathon Banks for Mitchell’s NABO title and the vacant WBC International Heavyweight title.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Madrid, Spain / New York, NY (11/13/12) – Yesterday afternoon, reigning middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez underwent surgery to repair his right knee and ankle, both which were injured in his last fight against then WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Martinez had the operation done in Spain, where he has been living since relocating from his native Argentina earlier in his career. The operation was done by highly regarded doctor Villamor Perez, the personal physician for the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I.

“I am very, very happy with how the operation went,” said Martinez. “I will be rehabbing for two or so weeks and then I will be back in the gym, and begin preparations for my next title defense, which will take place next year in my native Argentina. This will be my first fight there in many years and I am really looking forward to defending my title in front of all of my great fans in Argentina.”

“We are very pleased that Sergio’s surgery today was successful with no complications. He’ll be back on his feet in a few weeks and able to train shortly thereafter,” said promoter Lou DiBella. “He’ll have no problem getting ready for an April fight and we hope to help him realize his dream of defending the WBC Middleweight Championship in his homeland of Argentina.”

“Now that the surgery is complete, I have no doubt that Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez will be back better than ever and continue to show everyone that he is one of, if not the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. We want to thank everyone who has sent their thoughts and prayers to Sergio for a successful and speedy recovery,” said longtime advisor Sampson Lewkowicz.

“It was an absolutely perfect operation,” said Martinez’ business manager Miguel Angel de Pablos. “Doctor Villamor Perez did a magnificent job and we couldn’t have been any happier with the outcome. Sergio will immediately begin working with our own personal doctor Raquel Bordons on his rehab, and will be back in the gym very soon.”

CHICAGO, IL (November 13, 2012) World class professional boxing will return to Cicero Stadium on Friday, DECEMBER 14 as 8 Count Productions and Round 3 Productions present WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 23 headlined by a sensational junior welterweight clash between Chicago cross-town rivals Adrian “EL Tigre” Granados and Antonio “Aztec God of War” Canas.

Advance tickets for WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 23, priced at $100, $75, $50 and $30 may be purchased by calling 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie in Cicero, Illinois, 1.5 miles south of the Eisenhower Expressway. Doors will open on the night of the event at 7PM with the first bell at 8PM.

“This fight has been building for a long time. Canas has watched Adrian become one of the best and most popular prospects in boxing and has been calling him out for the last year. Adrian loves the idea of proving people wrong and fighting in his hometown of Cicero” said Dominic Pesoli of 8 Count Productions.

“Our shows at Cicero Stadium have always had terrific atmospheres and it’s great to return with this main event along with an action packed undercard we’re putting together which includes popular Chicago fighters Henry Coyle, Victor Polyakov, Junior Wright, Juan Bustamante and Jose Arambula.”

The 23-year-old Granados, born and raised in Cicero, has compiled a record of 10-2-1 (6KO’s) as a professional following an excellent amateur career that included being named to the 2008 Mexican Olympic Boxing Team.

The scheduled eight rounder against Canas will be Granados’ third start in 2012. Fighting in front of his customary huge legion of fans at the UIC Pavilion on FEBRUARY 24, 2012, Granados won an excellent eight round battle over Chicago rival Jaime Herrera. He followed that up with a stunning second round knockout of veteran Ramon Guevara on APRIL 14 at Cicero Stadium.

In 2011 Granados produced two of his finest performances; against former world title challenger Lanardo Tyner and highly regarded Los Angeles based prospect Frankie Gomez.

Taking the fight against Tyner on two days notice at the welterweight limit on MARCH 25, 2011, Granados appeared to win a wide decision, however the judges scored the eight rounder as a majority draw.

On AUGUST 26, 2011, Granados battled Gomez in a bout broadcast internationally on SOLO BOXEO TECATE in front of a massive crowd at the UIC Pavilion. In a sensational back and forth war; Gomez was awarded a hotly contested eight round majority decision.

Formerly a professional MMA fighter, Chicago native Canas, known for his aggressive boxing style, is undefeated with a record of 6-0-1 with three knockouts.

Fighting against the much more experienced Tyron Chatman on MAY 9 in Lowell, Massachusetts, Canas survived two knockdowns in the second stanza to win the next four rounds, earning a majority draw in the six round battle.

Known as “The Western Warrior” Henry Coyle, 18-2-0 (12KO’s), makes a triumphant return to the Chicagoland area following a twelve round unanimous decision over Marcelo Alejandro Rodriguez on AUGUST 17 in Castlebar, Ireland in defense of his World Boxing Foundation Junior Middleweight Title.

With his aggressive all-action style and riding an eight bout-winning streak, Coyle is immensely popular in Chicago’s vast Irish community. He will be featured in an eight round junior middleweight tilt.

A member of the 2004 Russian Olympic Boxing Team and very popular in Chicago’s huge Russian community, Polyakov is coming off his career best victory, a dominant ten round unanimous decision victory over battle-tested veteran Derrick Findley on MARCH 16 at the UIC Pavilion.

Known as “The White Tiger”, Polyakov improved to 11-0-0 with six knockouts and earned the USBO Middleweight Title.

Heavy-handed prospect Junior Wright of Evanston, IL has wasted no time impressing the Chicago fight crowd with four show stopping first round knockouts. An outstanding amateur, Wright, 4-0-0 (4KO’s), will look to continue his torrid start in a four round light heavyweight clash.

Wright’s most recent first round victim was Covon Graham on JULY 13 at the UIC Pavilion.

Also in action at WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 23 is highly regarded Chicago junior lightweight prospect Juan Bustamante. The 21-year-old Bustamante has impressively turned heads at the UIC Pavilion winning his first five professional bouts, two by knockout.

Most recently Bustamante, displaying a wide range of boxing skills, won a four round unanimous decision over Jose Juan Sanchez on SEPTEMBER 18 in Hammond, Indiana.

Rounding out the card, 20-year-old newcomer Jose “Chico” Arambula will make his UIC Pavilion debut in a four round lightweight bout.

Fighting out of Harvey, Illinois, Arambula has moved quickly as a professional winning his first two bouts, most recently winning a four round unanimous decision over Shannon Kelly on NOVEMBER 3 in Merrillville, IN.

Much more information about WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 23 will be announced shortly.

ABOUT 8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS/ROUND 3 PRODUCTIONS

8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.

Joining forces with Frank Mugnolo’s Round 3 Productions in 2012, their partnership is currently among the premier boxing promotional firms in the United States.

Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions banner include; world ranked light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, super middleweight contender Donovan George, world class junior welterweight prospect Adrian Granados, former world title challenger Edner Cherry, super middleweight prospect Paul Littleton, middleweight prospect Viktor Polyakov and welterweight prospect Jaime Herrera.

For more information on 8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions please visit their new website, www.8countproductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8_Count and Facebook at “8 Count Productions”.

Philadelphia, PA—The old saying, “what’s a nice guy like you doing in a place like this,” certainly applies to Alex Barbosa, who has two degrees from Temple University but currently is pursuing a career as a professional boxer.

Undefeated in three pro fights, Barbosa returns to the North Broad Street campus Saturday evening, Dec. 8, in a scheduled four-round fight on a nationally televised boxing card at Temple’s Pearson/McGonigle Halls.

Headlining the show, which will be televised live as part of the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series, is a scheduled 12-round contest between USBA heavyweight champion Bryant “By By” Jennings, of Philadelphia, and challenger Bowie Tupou, of Tonga.

The eight-fight live card begins at 7pm and the NBCSN broadcast will begin at 9PM ET. The co-feature, also set for TV, is a 10-round junior lightweight contest between Teon Kennedy, of Philadelphia, and Jerry Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX.

Barbosa, who takes on Joshua Arocho, of Vineland, NJ, in a four-round featherweight contest, graduated from Temple in 2006 with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice.

Doing things out of the ordinary is nothing new for Barbosa, 26, who was Commanding Officer of his Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at William Allen High School in Alllentown, PA.

He had planned to attend either West Point or the Naval Academy, but changed his mind and chose Temple.

“I chose Temple because I wanted to keep my options open,” Barbosa said. “The ROTC program at the college level seemed like the natural course of progression and I wanted to go into the military as an officer.”

And what did his parents think after he got a college degree and decided to become a professional boxer?

“My dad wasn’t too happy about it,’ Barbosa said, “and he wanted nothing to do with it. Later, he came around. My mom just wanted me to be happy so she was fine with it.”

There were other incentives to get into boxing.

“I wrestled four years in high school and I also was on the tennis team,” said Barbosa. “I was born in the Bronx (NY) but we moved to Allentown just before I went to high school. My brother, Jesus, was a professional boxer and he got me interested in the sport.”

As an amateur at 122 pounds, Barbosa won the 2011 Mid Atlantic Novice Championship. That same year he was runner-up in the Open Division of the Pennsylvania Golden Gloves, also at 122.

When he is nor training at the James Shuler Memorial Gym in West Philadelphia, Barbosa is a boxing instructor at LA Boxing in Cherry Hill, NJ. Many of his students have followed him since his days as an amateur boxer.

“You must do what you love and be willing to sacrifice everything to get where you want to be,” said Barbosa,
“and that’s how I feel about boxing. We’ll see how it turns out.”

ABOUT DECEMBER 8TH
Pearson/McGonigle Halls, a 4,500-seat venue at Temple University located at 1800 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121. It has hosted both professional and amateur boxing in the past, but when NBC Sports Network broadcasts the sixth installment of its “Fight Night” series on Dec. 8, it will be the first professional boxing event held at Pearson/McGonigle Halls in over 19 years.

Eight bouts are planned for the Philadelphia card. The fight is promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing, and Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with BAM Boxing. For ticket information, contact Peltz Boxing at 215-765-0922, www.peltzboxing.com. Tickets also are on sale at www.comcastTIX.com.

2012-2013 NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE
(All times ET and subject to change)

Saturday, December 8 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. NBC Sports Network
Saturday, December 22 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. NBC
Saturday, January 19 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. NBC Sports Network
Saturday, February 23
Saturday, March 9 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. NBC Sports Network

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

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (November 13, 2012) – Limited tickets are still available to purchase for Saturday night’s (Nov. 17) 8th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Dinner in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun.

All of the 2012 CBHOF Hall of Fame inductees, as well as this year’s CBHOF award winners, will be honored this Saturday evening. Tickets, priced at $75.00, are on sale now by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (1.860-.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner.

The incoming class of CBHOF inductees include former World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight champion “Tremendous” Travis Simms, former World Boxing Union (WBU) middleweight titlist “Dangerous” Dana Rosenblatt, five-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach, promoter Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.), manager George Cruz and the late manager/promoter Lou Viscusi.

The 2012 award winners are Tony “TNT” Grano, Conn. Professional Boxer of the Year; Elvis Figueroa, Conn. Amateur Boxer of the Year; Dick Flaherty, Official of the Year; Mitchell Etess, Contributor To Boxing

Go online to www.ctboxinghof.com for more information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.

Holed away in his new, higher-elevation training camp in Ruidoso, New Mexico, WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (25-0, 14 KO’s) says he’s not necessarily doing anything different in preparation for the fourth defense of his WBA title on December 1 against Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden and televised live on SHOWTIME… he’s just doing more of it.

“I haven’t changed anything; it’s just a more intense camp,” Trout said. “I’m expecting a hard 12 rounds in an intense fight. Cardio is very important because I’ve never known him to show up unprepared. He’s still a very hungry fighter and I’m flattered he chose me as his opponent. That shows how hungry he still is, so I’m upping everything that I normally do. We had to acclimate to the high altitude, but now we’re continuing to work harder than ever.”

Trout says he’s been watching Cotto for a long time and knows what to expect when the two meet.

“I’ve got a pretty good bead on how he fights and I know my jab will be a problem for him, but I will have to put a lot of leather on him. He’s a warrior that comes to fight, but I’ve seen fighters like him before and I know what I have to do. I’m looking at this as my golden opportunity. He’s had his time and done great things with it, but it’s my time now. I’ll be damned if I let this opportunity slip away from me.”

The 27-year-old Las Cruces, New Mexico native says he’s not affected by the additional pressure of being in a career-defining fight. “This is part of the job,” Trout said. “It all comes with the territory. I was born for this.”

Trout admits to one weakness in camp though, “I definitely miss my kids.”

# # #

“Showdown: Cotto vs. Trout” is a 12 round battle between Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin Trout taking place on December 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event is promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be telecast live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

Tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.comor www.thegarden.com.

Hailing from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Cotto (37-3, 30 KO’s) has held a world title every year since 2004 while winning 16 of the 18 world championship bouts in which he has fought. Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter and one of its greatest of all time, Cotto held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it in order to fight for and capture the WBA Welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. After controversially losing the WBA title to Antonio Margarito in July 2008, Cotto won his second welterweight belt in February 2009, knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round to become the WBO Welterweight champion. He lost the title in his second defense in November 2009, but captured the WBA Super Welterweight title in June of 2010 at Yankee Stadium in New York by stopping then-undefeated defending champion Yuri Foreman. Cotto successfully defended that title by stopping Two-Division World Champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga in the 12th round in March of 2011 and then avenged his loss to Margarito in December of 2011, once again retaining his title and giving him true peace of mind. He has also added to his huge fan base by giving Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao their toughest fights to date. Next on his plate is Austin Trout, and if he defeats the New Mexico southpaw, it will be another world championship added to his Hall of Fame resume.

27-year-old Austin “No Doubt” Trout (25-0, 14 KO’s) has been boxing since the age of 10, but the 2004 United States amateur champion didn’t begin making noise in the sport until he began mowing through opponent after opponent while maintaining an undefeated professional record. By the tail end of 2009, he was 20-0 and the WBA international, WBA Fedelatin, and WBC Continental Americas super welterweight champion, but fights were hard to come by. In February of 2011 though, Trout emerged and captured a world championship by defeating Rigoberto “El Español” Alvarez, Canelo’s older brother, for the WBA Interim Super Welterweight World Championship. He has since been elevated to full champion and successfully defended his belt three times against David “Destroyer” Lopez, Frank “The Italian Stallion” LoPorto and Delvin Rodriguez, setting up the fight of his life on December 1 against Miguel Cotto.

For more information, visit www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, and www.thegarden.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/NoDoubtTrout, www.twitter.com/MSGSportsNYC, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #CottoTrout or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

LINCOLN, R.I. (Nov. 13, 2012) – These are the fights up-and-comers need to take in order to get to the next level.

“If you can’t beat top regional talent,” Chuck O’Neil said, “you don’t belong in the [Ultimate Fighting Championships].”

On Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, O’Neil and his opponent, Keith Jeffrey, will test that theory at Twin River Casino when they face one another in the main event of “Battle Tested,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports.

O’Neil (9-5, 2 KOs), a native of Bourne, Mass., and Jeffrey (8-2), a native of Pawtucket, R.I., are two of the top-ranked welterweights in the northeast; O’Neil is No. 2, one spot behind former UFC veteran Marcus Davis, whom he beat in 2011, while Jeffrey has risen to No. 5 following three consecutive wins.

Next month’s card also features the return of regional stars Todd “The Hulk” Chattelle (10-9, 8 KOs) of Pawtucket, Dinis Paiva Jr. (2-3, 1 KO) of nearby East Providence, R.I., Tyler King (5-1, 2 KOs) of Boston and Providence’s Thomas Evans (2-1), but the O’Neil-Jeffrey showdown is one of the most highly-anticipated bouts of the night, and perhaps the year, given the implications for both fighters.

“I want to test myself against the best,” Jeffrey said. “I want to be in the big show. A win over Chuck will put me right where I need to be.”

For O’Neil, the goal is to get back to the sport’s biggest stage. He had a small taste last year as a cast member on Season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter reality series. O’Neil didn’t make the final cut at first; he was originally an alternate, but got his chance to join the show in the first episode when Myles Jury was forced out of the competition due to an injury.

After losing his first bout to Zach Davis, O’Neil made it back onto the show as one of UFC president Dana White’s two wild-card selections. He eventually beat Javier Torres to advance to the quarterfinals and defeated Davis in a rematch before losing to teammate Tony Ferguson in the semifinals. O’Neil made the most of his opportunity on the show, but his run with the UFC didn’t last long; the promotion released him from his contract after he lost to fellow semifinalist Chris Cope on The Ultimate Fighter 13 finale in Nevada.

“I got that far just by being tough,” O’Neil said. “My talent was my toughness.

“Now I’ve switched up camps, got a new boxing coach [Muhammad Brooks of Nashua, N.H.], and now I have an actual skill set. I’m more than just tough. I’m ready now. I’m in a much better position to make a serious run.”

O’Neil got his start training with the Lauzon brothers, Joe and Dany, both of whom have ample UFC experience. He now works with Nate Ryan, a second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, also from Massachusetts, and Jimmy Quinlan of New Hampshire, a former Division III college wrestling standout who is now 2-0 in mixed martial arts.

“Everyday I learn something new, and I’m loving it,” O’Neil said. “I’ve fallen in love with jiu-jitsu, boxing, wrestling – they’re now passions of mine. I used to be a really good wrestler, but I was never really technical about it, and my boxing wasn’t tight, but if you hit me in the face I’d just fight back.

“Now I’ve got it, and it’s a whole different process being able to add those elements to your game.”

Following his loss to Cope in June of 2011, O’Neil jumped right back into the mix, agreeing to fight Davis, who had starred in the second season of The Ultimate Fighter and subsequently fought on 15 UFC undercards in a six-year span. What seemed like a risk turned out to be a wise decision as O’Neil beat Davis by split decision.

“I could have felt sorry for myself after The Ultimate Fighter, but I jumped at the opportunity to fight Davis,” O’Neil said. “My corner and I were probably the only ones who knew we’d win that fight. It was a huge win for us.”

O’Neil recently lost his last fight in June to Kevin Nowaczyk, an 11-2 welterweight from Chicago. His success on The Ultimate Fighter has made it difficult for him to find opponents over the past two years (he’s only fought twice since losing to Cope), but Jeffrey willingly accepted the challenge, hoping a win on Dec. 7 will ultimately get him the same opportunity to fight on the biggest stage.

“This is what will get my name out there,” Jeffrey said. “[O’Neil] is very well-rounded. He’s long on his feet and has pretty good stand-up. He likes the ground and doesn’t stay away from the ground. I imagine he’ll try to take me down at some point.

“He’s a great competitor and a worthy opponent. I’m expecting a really tough fight.”

Like O’Neil, Jeffrey has also made adjustments to his camp in recent years, most notably the addition of boxing coach David Keefe, which has helped translate into three consecutive wins since Jeffrey returned from a knee injury last November. His preparation for next month’s fight has gone relatively smooth, unlike past camps where minor issues popped up along the way.

“Just trials and tribulations,” Jeffrey said. “That right there is what makes you a better fighter. If you still come out on top, that’s what grows you as a person and fighter. I’ve had my share of things go wrong at the last minute, but I’ve been fortunate enough to come out on top. Now I’m looking forward to facing Chuck.

“You don’t ever expect to go in there 100 percent,” he continued. “No one is ever 100 percent, but if you can make it through and be 90 percent, that’s the best you can hope for. It’s about training smart, knowing when to taper off – that’s why having the right coaches and people around you is so important. That stuff adds up for you.”

Fighting in the main event is no small task, but Jeffrey is up to the challenge after his last fight against Harley Beekman at Twin River in June wound up as the last-minute headliner.

“That threw me for a loop a little bit, but it helped me to be on that stage,” said Jeffrey, who forced Beekman to submit via guillotine midway through the second round. “CES has helped me grow as a fighter. Before I came to them, I was injury prone and wasn’t sure if I’d ever fight again. I was young enough and wanted to make another run at it, and CES was the perfect fit.

“None of these fights have been easy, but they’ve helped me grow. I want to be the main event. I’m comfortable in front of the fans again. I’m more myself. Once you get more confident in there, you can show your true colors.”

Added O’Neil: “This is the type of fight I like. I know he’ll come to fight. I like tough fights. Those are the fights that will get you somewhere. Easy fights won’t get you anywhere.”

Tickets for “Battle Tested” are $35.00, $55.00, $100.00 and $125.00 and can be purchased by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254, online at www.cesmma.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Players Club booth at Twin River, or through any TicketMaster location. Doors open 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7.

On the undercard, Chattelle will face Robby Roberts (8-14, 1 KO) of Orange, Mass., in a middleweight bout; Paiva Jr. will battle bantamweight Evan Parker (3-2) of Leominster, Mass.; and Evans will face featherweight Chris Foster (5-2, 4 KOs) of Meriden, Conn. King, the No. 1 ranked heavyweight in the northeast and a former NFL defensive lineman from Norwood, Mass., will also be featured on the undercard along with an interstate bantamweight showdown between newcomer Matt Doherty of Salem, Mass., and Terrin Swanson (2-1) of Danbury, Conn. Middleweight Joe Palazio of Providence will make his professional debut against Joe Cronin of Mansfield, Mass.; and Eric Bedard (3-1, 1 KO) of Providence will battle Pat Walsh (1-0, 1 KO) of West Bridgewater, Mass., in a heavyweight bout.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Battle Tested.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and must enter through the West entrance).

World Middleweight champion Sergio Martinez is looking into fighting in his homeland of Argentina on April 27th according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“The most important thing he wants to do is fight for his people in his country,” Sampson Lewkowicz, Martinez’s adviser, told ESPN on Monday. “We need to comply with that wish. He deserves to fight at home in front of his own people. Always he was the visitor. It’s time to be the hometown fighter.”

Lewkowicz said the specific venue and opponent are not determined, but they have a short list for both.

“We have four on the short list,” Lewkowicz said of the possible opponents.

The leading candidate is England’s Martin Murray (24-0-1, 10 KOs), whose draw came in a world title bout against then-middleweight titleholder Felix Sturm in December 2011. Murray would have to win a fight he has scheduled to remain in contention. He is slated to face Jorge Navarro for a vacant interim belt on Nov. 24 in Manchester, England on the undercard of former junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton’s return from retirement against former welterweight titleholder Vyacheslav Senchenko.

“Martin Murray is the desired opponent, as long as he wins his upcoming fight,” Lou DiBella, Martinez’s promoter, told ESPN. “There’s a huge competitive thing between Argentina and the Brits.

“Sergio will be ready by April,” DiBella said.

Said Lewkowicz, “He will have plenty of time recuperate for a fight then.”

“Sergio is a giant superstar in Argentina now,” DiBella said. “One of the venues being discussed is a 50,000-seat soccer stadium with a retractable roof.”

Lewkowicz said the target date for a rematch with Mexican star Chavez is Sept. 14, the same weekend on which he met Chavez this year — Mexican Independence Day weekend.

He said he and Top Rank’s Bob Arum, Chavez’s promoter, have been discussing it.

“Bob and I discussed it and that is the appropriate time for the rematch,” Lewkowicz said.

NEW YORK (Nov. 12, 2012) — SHOWTIME® Sports takes viewers behind the scenes and into the lives of Four-Time and Three Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and undefeated reigning World Champion Austin Trout with ALL ACCESS: Cotto vs. Trout as they push themselves toward their highly anticipated Dec. 1 showdown at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden, live on SHOWTIME® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

The first of two episodes featuring the unique perspective of ALL ACCESS premieres on Friday, Nov. 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME, with multiple replays on CBS Sports Network, SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME EXTREME.

ALL ACCESS crews are on hand to document everything from the intense to the intimate as Cotto and Trout prepare for 12 rounds of boxing at its highest level. From the last brutal round of sparring to the respite of family life during an excruciating two month training camp, ALL ACCESS gives viewers an all-encompassing glimpse into the lives of these two world champions.

In episode one, SHOWTIME documents Cotto’s training camp from the mountains of Big Bear, Calif., to the heat of Orlando, Fla., where the pound-for-pound mainstay completes his camp. ALL ACCESS provides an inside glimpse to the intense workouts and preparations as Cotto (37-3, 30 KO’s), of Caguas, Puerto Rico, aims to win his 17th world championship bout.

Viewers will also be on hand in Las Cruces, N.M., home and camp of WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Trout. The undefeated “No Doubt” Trout (25-0, 14 KO’s) has made three successful defenses of his title and is aiming to defeat a legend in order to solidify himself as one of the sport’s premier fighters.

Featured in ALL ACCESS: Cotto vs. Trout are trainers Pedro Diaz (Cotto) and Louie Burke (Trout), as well as family members, nutritionists and nearly every vital component on the path to Madison Square Garden.

Following the Dec. 1 fight, Epilogue peels back the curtain and takes viewers inside the fight week build-up and offers a rare glimpse into the raw emotion and drama during the fight. Epilogue premieres on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. Following the premiere of Epilogue, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING presents Amir Khan vs. Carlos Molina in a 12-round Junior Welterweight bout live at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Websites and blogs may embed the trailer using http://bcove.me/m0o8hcje

“Showdown: Cotto vs. Trout” is a 12-round battle between Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin Trout taking place on Saturday, December 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event is promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be telecast live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

Tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now. They can be purchase.d at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.

HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 12, 2012) – Challenger Yusaf Mack broke training camp yesterday in his hometown of Philadelphia and departed for England to fight International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch (29-2, 21 KOs), headlining Saturday night’s (Nov. 17) “True Brit” pay-per-view event (in the U.S.), live from Froch’s hometown in Nottingham, England.

“True Brit,” presented by Matchroom Boxing, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 PM/ET – 12:00 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

as well as online at:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/True_Brit_Froch_vs_Mack/1722.

IBF No.5-ranked Mack (31-4, 17 KOs) has been fighting as a light heavyweight for the past five years. He lost his lone world title shot to IBF 175-pound champion Tavoris Cloud by eighth-round technical knockout in 2006.

“I feel good,” Mack said last week from the famed Shuler Gym in Philly. “Training camp has been going real good with sparring partners like Steve Cunningham. I just want to prove I’m a world champion. I’ve been there before and fell short. I will reach my goal this time to be world champion.

“Froch is a good fighter but he’s never fought anybody like me. Once Froch feels my power, he’ll respect me. He won’t be rushing in fighting a bigger, stronger guy like me. I’m going to out-slick him like (Andre) Ward did. He’s got more to prove than me. He’s fighting for his whole country. I have nothing to prove; he has to beat me.”

World-rated light heavyweight Tony Bellew (18-1, 12 KOs) takes on South American champion Roberto Bolonti (30-1, 19 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Championship, which is also an official WBC eliminator to become champion “Bad” Chad Dawson’s mandatory challenger.

Bellew, rated No. 10 by The Ring Magazine, has lost only once as a professional, last year in his only World title challenge fight to undefeated WBO champion Nathan Cleverly in a hotly-contested 12-round majority decision.

Bolonti, who is rated No. 5 by the WBC, as well as No. 10 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and IBF, is shooting for his 27th consecutive victory, fighting for the first time outside of his native Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The PPV card, pending time restrictions, will also showcase some of Britain’s top, young fighters, including bantamweight prospect Khalid “Kal” Yafai (3-0, 2 KOs), a 2008 Great Britain Olympian, vs. Pro Antonio Nettunio (7-5), lightweight Scott “Scotty” Cardle (5-0, 1 KO) vs. Joe Elfidh (7-2), former European middleweight champion Kerry Hope (17-4, 1 KO) in a six-round tune-up vs. Nobert Szekeres, lightweight Martin J. Ward (2-0) vs. Dan Carr, middleweight Ryan “Tank” Aston (7-1, 3 KOs) vs. Tyan Booth (11-6-1, 2 KOs), and featherweight Leigh “Leigh-thal” Wood (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Gavin Reid. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Go online to www.integratedsportsmedia.com, www.fightnow.com for more information about the “True Grit” PPV. Follow Integrated Sports on Twitter @integratedppv and Fight Now TV @fightnowtv.

About Integrated Sports Media: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Erik Morales, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Tomasz Adamek, Ivan Calderon, Pauli Malignaggi, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., Brian Viloria, Giovani Segura and Ruslan Chagaev. Also World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Mirko Filipovic, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. In addition, Integrated Sports Media distributed numerous International soccer matches featuring teams like Real Madrid,Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.