“NIGHT OF THE OLYMPIANS” WEIGH-IN: ALL FIGHTERS MAKE THE WEIGHT; ROBERTO CASTANEDA DISCUSSES HIS MAIN EVENT FIGHT WITH UNDEFEATED CONTENDER GARY RUSSELL JR.

INDIO, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2012) – The 12 fighters who will compete on “Night of the Olympians” on Friday, Nov. 9 on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) made weight on their first attempts Thursday at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.

In the ShoBox 10-round main event, unbeaten featherweight contender and 2008 United States Olympian Gary Russell Jr. (20-0, 12 KO’s), of Capitol Heights, Md., will be opposed by Roberto Castaneda (20-2-1, 15 KO’s) of Mexicali, Mexico.

Five 2012 U.S. Olympians will fight in separate four-round bouts: heavyweight Dominic Breazeale, of Anaheim, Calif., meets Curtis Tate (4-3, 4 KO’s), of Oakland, Tenn.; cruiserweight Marcus Browne, of Staten Island, N.Y., collides with Codale Ford (2-0), of Fort Gibson, Okla.; super middleweight Terrell Gausha, of Cleveland, Ohio, faces Dustin Caplinger (2-3, 1 KO) of Chillicothe, Ohio; junior middleweight Errol Spence Jr., of Desoto, Texas, takes on Jonathan Garcia (3-3, 1 KO), of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; and bantamweight Rau’Shee Warren, of Cincinnati, Ohio, battles Luis Rivera of Ponce, Puerto Rico (1-2).

The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT and the first fight starts at 5:30 p.m.

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

SHOBOX WEIGHTS: Russell Jr. tipped scale at 126¾ pounds, Castaneda 125; Breazeale weighed 248 pounds, Tate 238; Browne weighed 175¾, Ford 176¾; Gausha weighed 164 pounds, Caplinger 165½; Spence Jr. weighed 149, Garcia 149½ and Warren weighed 117½ pounds, Rivera 117 ¾.

In non-televised fights, Daquan Arnett (8-0, 5 KO’s), of Winter Park, Fla., meets Jeremiah Wiggins (10-0-1, 5 KO’s), of Newport News, Va., in a battle of undefeated junior middleweights in a six-round scrap and Manuel Robles (1-0), of Los Angeles, tackles Tim Ibarra (2-1), of Denver, Colo., in a four-round junior featherweight bout.

OFF-TV WEIGHTS: Arnett 153 pounds, Wiggins 151; Robles 122 pounds, Ibarra 117¾.

What Castaneda said Thursday about his main event clash against Russell:

ROBERTO CASTANEDA

“This is definitely a great opportunity for me to fight a big name like Gary Russell on SHOWTIME. I’d been training for a different fighter, another southpaw with a similar style, for three months but when this offer came along I took it. I’m definitely in good shape and very excited.

“With the preparation I had, I definitely feel I’m capable of winning. Russell is a good fighter, very, very fast, so my plan is to not let him get into a rhythm and dictate the pace.

“I feel I hit hard enough and I know I throw enough punches. I expect to throw 100 punches a round.

“If I win this fight, I can be another Josesito Lopez and we all know what happened to him when he got his first big opportunity.”

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as the expert analyst.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/BreazealeBoxing, www.twitter.com/MarcusBrowne, www.twitter.com/TerrellGausha, www.twitter.com/ErrolSpenceJr, , www.twitter.com/RauSheeWarren,www.twitter.com/fantasysprings or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/fantasyspringsresort.

For information on SHOWTIME, visit http://Sports.SHO.com, www.twitter.com/SHOsports or www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.




VIDEO: NATHAN CLEVERLY




THREE STRIKEFORCE® TITLE FIGHTS AND THE RETURN OF OSU STAR DANIEL CORMIER HEADLINE JAN. 12, 2013 EVENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Las Vegas, Nevada – STRIKEFORCE® heads to the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Saturday, Jan. 12 with three championship fights, plus the return of Oklahoma State University star Daniel Cormier, all televised live on SHOWTIME®. With a collection of some of the best fighters in the world today, STRIKEFORCE has put together a memorable and historic card for the fans in the Sooner State.

The action-packed night includes the following bouts:

Gilbert “El Niño” Melendez (champion) vs. Pat Healy for the STRIKEFORCE lightweight title
Luke Rockhold (champion) vs. Lorenz Larkin for the STRIKEFORCE middleweight title
Nate Marquardt (champion) vs. Tarec Saffiedine for the STRIKEFORCE welterweight title
Daniel Cormier (Grand Prix champion, OSU All-American) vs. Dion Staring

“We’ve built an absolutely stacked card for Oklahoma City and the SHOWTIME viewers,” STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker said. “We have three awesome title fights featuring some of the best fighters to ever grace the STRIKEFORCE cage. Plus, we have Daniel Cormier, one of the fastest-rising heavyweight stars today, returning to his roots in Oklahoma to fight Dion Staring. January 12 is going to be a really special night.”

“The biggest stars in STRIKEFORCE are putting their titles on the line in competitive fights,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports®, “and that is precisely what fans of STRIKEFORCE on SHOWTIME have come to expect. We are excited to be part of the event.”

STRIKEFORCE® will air live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), while preliminary fights will be shown live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast). Additional fights scheduled for the event are expected to be released shortly.

Tickets for STRIKEFORCE® go on sale to the public on Friday, November 16 at 12 p.m. CT and are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $50. Tickets are available at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations, at Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. Ticket prices will be announced in the coming days. Applicable service charges may apply.

UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, November 14 at 12 p.m. CT, via the website www.UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter and STRIKEFORCE Insider subscribers Thursday, November 15, starting at 12 p.m. CT. To access this pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through www.UFC.com and the STRIKEFORCE Insider through www.STRIKEFORCE.com.

For more information or the latest STRIKEFORCE news, visit www.strikeforce.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

About STRIKEFORCE® – www.strikeforce.com

Owned and operated by Forza, LLC, a subsidiary of Zuffa, LLC, which also owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand, STRIKEFORCE® is a world-class mixed martial arts promotion based in Las Vegas, Nev. that currently holds live events annually across the United States. First established as a mixed martial arts entity in 2006, STRIKEFORCE now broadcasts its events live on SHOWTIME® and has produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network. With a growing roster featuring the world’s elite competitors, STRIKEFORCE has cemented its place as a leader in providing quality mixed martial arts action.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

Chesapeake Energy Arena:
Chesapeake Energy Arena is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2012 and recently completed a more than $90 million renovation that included a new grand entrance and other significant upgrades. The arena is managed by SMG, which since 1977 has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities and convention, congress and exhibition cen­ters.




FANS VOTE ROBIN VAN ROOSMALEN VS. SANNY DAHLBECK ‘FIGHT OF THE NIGHT’ AT GLORY 3 ROME

Rome, Italy (Nov. 8, 2012) – The action-packed, GLORY 3 Rome ‘Final 8’ lightweight (70 kilograms/154 pounds) tournament semifinal round matchup between 21-year-old rising star Sanny Dahlbeck (25-5, 15 KO’s) of Sweden and eventual tournament runner-up Robin van Roosmalen (37-14-3, 12 KO’s) of Netherlands was voted ‘Fight of the Night’ by a landslide margin, by fans who tuned into the star-studded championship kickboxing event that awarded its winner, Giorgio Petrosyan (74-1-2 (1 NC), 34 KO’s) of Italy, a grand prize of $300,000 at the famed PalaLottomatica arena on Saturday, Nov. 3, live on GloryWorldSeries.com.

The poll results, determined by the number of re-tweets fans gave each tournament matchup after the event unfolded, have earned Dahlbeck and van Roosmalen a Fight of the Night bonus of $10,000 from GLORY.

The tournament quarterfinal round contest between Dahlbeck and Japanese standout Yoshihiro Sato (49-19, 20 KO’s) in which Dahlbeck emerged victorious via second round TKO, finished as runner-up in the Fight of the Night poll.

“One of GLORY’s goals is to give fans a voice within our league and the sport of kickboxing and, thus, we felt the Fight of the Night poll would be a great avenue to support this mission by allowing fans to award the two fighters whom they felt turned in the best performance during Saturday’s tournament,” said GLORY Managing Director Marcus Luer. “The fans’ enthusiastic participation in the Fight of the Night poll demonstrates just how passionate they are about our great sport and their appreciation deserves to be heard.”

Van Roosmalen scored an inside knockdown on Dahlbeck in each of the first two rounds after Dahlbeck had kept his shorter, stockier opponent at bay for the majority of each frame. In the third round, van Roosmalen sealed the deal, landing a crushing body punch that put Dahlbeck on the canvas and rendered him unable to recover.

In the championship round showdown of the tournament, van Roosmalen gave up a judges’ decision to Petrosyan, who re-affirmed his status as the world’s No. 1 ranked superstar in the weight division, after three rounds of battle. The championship round bout finished in fifth place in the Fight of the Night poll.

COMPLETE GLORY 3 Rome ‘Final 8’
‘Fight of the Night’ Fan Poll Results:

1st Place Winner – Robin van Roosmalen vs. Sanny Dahlbeck
2nd Place – Sanny Dahlbeck vs. Yoshihiro Sato
3rd Place – Robin van Roosmalen vs. Tim Thomas
4th Place – Davit Kiria vs. Shemsi Beqiri
5th Place – Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Robin van Roosmalen
6th Place – Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Davit Kiria
7th Place – Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Ky Hollenbeck

About GLORY:

GLORY World Series (www.gloryworldseries.com) is the world’s premier stand-up fighting league, staging events across the globe. It offers up to $1,000,000 in prize money to successful fighters via individual matches and participation in the 16- and 8-man tournaments, which are open to only the very best fighters in each weight class.

With television deals across over 145 countries plus a ground-breaking 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 already.

Owned and operated by Glory Sports International (GSI), the organization has offices in Holland, the UK, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Its personnel include prominent hedge-fund investors, the pioneering sports marketing agency Total Sport Asia and several executives from the Golden Glory and It’s Showtime team.




VIDEO: TEON KENNEDY




VIDEO: GARRETT WILSON




VIDEO: BRYANT JENNINGS




VIDEO: NBC SPORTS DECEMBER 8TH PRESS CONFERENCE




UNDEFEATED NABO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION SETH “MAYHEM” MITCHELL MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES


“Mayhem” Mitchell held an open workout at The Dream Team Boxing Gym in Clinton, Maryland today as Mitchell prepares to face top contender Johnathon Banks on Saturday, November 17 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Seth Mitchell, NABO Heavyweight Champion

“It would mean a lot to become heavyweight world champion. It remains to be seen, but I am definitely working hard toward that goal. I’m not trying to underestimate anybody, but I am just trying to stay focused and have tunnel vision toward that goal.

“A lot of people don’t believe me that the day I decided to box, I knew I was going to be successful in this sport. I believe in myself. I believe that athletics is my gift. The only thing that has surprised me during my career is how quickly I signed with Golden Boy Promotions.

“I never watch my opponents’ film. My trainer Andre Hunter does that and then we train based on what he learns from the footage.

“Every fight from here on out is a really big fight for me. I truly believe in the latter part of 2013, I will be ready for my opportunity to fight for the heavyweight world title.

“[On hailing from the Washington, D.C. area] The DMV (DC-Maryland-Virginia region) is a hotbed for boxing. I’m glad to be able to represent this area. I’m happy to have a lot of former champions and athletes come support me.

[On HBO’s “2 Days: Seth Mitchell” episode] The thing that was funny for me to see was how they showed my wife’s reaction ringside, her expressions and her emotions watching me fight. I could still see her nerves when we watched it together. I thought they did a great job.

“I am fortunate that my style resonates with the people. All of the fans on Twitter and Facebook are reaching out and telling me they are excited to see me fight.

“It feels good to be recognized as an American heavyweight. I know why everyone is saying it and it is because of what I am doing in the ring.”

# # #

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 Corona, AT&T and Caesars Atlantic City and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The co-main event will be Seth Mitchell vs. Johnathon Banks in a 12-round battle for Mitchell’s NABO 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 ticketmaster.com. When ordering online at ticketmaster.com, fans wishing to be seated in sections with other Seth Mitchell fans can use the code MAYHEM (in all caps).




WEDNESDAY’S MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES: UNDEFEATED FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDER GARY RUSSELL JR. & U.S. OLYMPIANS DOMINIC BREAZEALE, MARCUS BROWNE, TERRELL GAUSHA, ERROL SPENCE JR. & RAU’SHEE WARREN ANXIOUS, CONFIDENT & READY TO GO


INDIO, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2012) – Unbeaten featherweight contender and 2008 United States Olympian Gary Russell Jr., and the five 2012 U.S. Olympians who will fight on “Night of the Olympians” tomorrow/ Friday, Nov. 9, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., participated in a Media Workout Wednesday at Fantasy Springs.

The six talented boxers deemed themselves fit, anxious and primed for top efforts.

In the 10-round main event of a special edition of ShoBox, Russell Jr. (20-0, 12 KO’s), of Capitol Heights, Md., will try and keep his unblemished record intact when he meets Roberto Castaneda (20-2-1, 15 KO’s) of Mexicali, Mexico.

The fights featuring the other Olympians are scheduled for four rounds: heavyweight Dominic Breazeale, of Anaheim, Calif., takes on Curtis Tate (4-3, 4 KO’s), of Oakland, Tenn., cruiserweight Marcus Browne, of Staten Island, N.Y., will be opposed by Codale Ford (2-0), of Fort Gibson, Okla., super middleweight Terrell Gausha, of Cleveland, Ohio, meets Dustin Caplinger (2-3, 1 KO) of Chillicothe, Ohio, junior middleweight Errol Spence Jr., of Desoto, Texas, faces Jonathan Garcia (3-3, 1 KO), of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; and bantamweight Rau’Shee Warren, of Cincinnati, Ohio, collides with Luis Rivera of Ponce, Puerto Rico (1-2).

The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the first live fight at 5:30 p.m.

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

What the fighters said Wednesday:

GARY RUSSELL JR.

“To headline an event with all the Olympians is a blessing and I’m really looking forward to Friday. I’m ready to go.

“I feel the path my career is on is right on schedule. I truly believe 2013 is going to be a big year for me. I’m fortunate that I know enough not to overlook anybody and that any boxer is capable of an upset on any given night, so I am not looking past Friday.

“I don’t know much about Castaneda. I spent my whole camp training for Vyacheslav Gusev (who withdrew after suffering a broken rib), but I feel my pedigree will take over. In the amateurs, we hardly ever got a chance to prepare for an opponent either. So, we’re ready.”

DOMINIC BREAZEALE

“You can’t erase what happened in the Olympics because that is history, but the difference between amateurs and pros are night and day, so beginning Friday, I’m setting out to get revenge.

“I was always good in a lot of sports and I love challenges, so when the door to my football-playing days closed, I went to boxing. I was 23 when I sparred the first time. Honestly, I never thought I’d get this far, but I improved little by little and now I’m anxious and ready to rock ‘n roll.

“I feel great. Good American heavyweights are hard to find. I really want to win a world title and bring it back to the United States. The sport of boxing is going to explode when that happens.

“I consider myself an aggressive boxer who’s a great finisher. If you want to box, I’ll box and then I’ll finish you. If you want to brawl, I’ll finish you earlier.”

MARCUS BROWNE

“On Friday I’ll be fighting for my friends in Staten Island and for everybody in Staten Island. I came out of Sandy OK, as did my family, but I know a few people who lost everything. I feel so bad for them. This was one of the very worst things that could happen.

“It’s a beautiful thing, all of us teammates fighting together on the same card. It doesn’t happen often. All of us, we grew up together and we all have great relationships with each other. In 25 or 30 years we can all tell our grandchildren that we turned pro together.

“I actually feel what happened in the Olympics will work to my advantage. I think we can all leave our marks as pros. We have a pro style that fans will like.”

TERRELL GAUSHA

“I’m really excited about fighting Friday on SHOWTIME. Aside from the Olympics, this is one of the biggest days of my life. Your pro debut is very important and this is definitely the real thing for me. This is the big leagues. This is absolutely the real deal.

“I like the fact so many of us are fighting on the same card. To be reunited with my teammates again is great. I think we motivate each other and our support for each other is real. Boxing is an individual sport but any time we get a chance to be together like this again is just great.

“I believe all of us are more suited for the pro game than we were fighting amateur. We’re all hard workers. The Olympics for the most part was a good experience. More people know me now and they recognize me, but this is what it’s all about and we’re going to give it our all.”

ERROL SPENCE JR.

“I can’t wait to fight in the big time. I have a great team behind me and I’m really ready to show the pro world what I’m made of.

“Fighting on the same card with the other guys is a good thing to me. They are like my brothers. It makes me a little more comfortable when I’m around them.

“I think we all have a great pro style and we get to show it in a couple of days. I did my homework so I know some basic stuff about Garcia. I know he’s kind of wild and will be coming out very aggressively in the first round. I’m not nervous at all and don’t think I’ll be nervous on Friday. I’m anxious to get this thing going.”

RAU’SHEE WARREN

“It feels good to be fighting on the same card as some of my Olympic teammates. We’ve got a bond that no one can take away. We motivate each other, push each other. It’s like getting an extra energy push. We’re all coming out of a long training camp except now we are at another level.

“This time, it’s for real. We’re wearing eight-ounce gloves, no headgear. In the pros, you fight. It isn’t like in the amateurs where it is hit-and-run.

“I’m really looking forward to Friday and being able to showcase my speed and talent.”

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as the expert analyst.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/BreazealeBoxing, www.twitter.com/MarcusBrowne, www.twitter.com/TerrellGausha, www.twitter.com/ErrolSpenceJr, , www.twitter.com/RauSheeWarren,www.twitter.com/fantasysprings or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/fantasyspringsresort.

For information on SHOWTIME, visit http://Sports.SHO.com, www.twitter.com/SHOsports or www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.




Froch Predicts KO Win in ‘True Brit: Froch vs. Mack’ Live Saturday on PPV


HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 8, 2012) — International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch (29-2, 21 KOs) defends his title Saturday, November 17 against American challenger Yusaf Mack (31-4, 17 KOs),headlining the”True Brit” event, which will air in the United States live from Capital FM Arena in 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.

Froch graciously answered a series of questions about Saturday’s fight against Mack:

Q. You’ve made many fans in the states over the past few years. How does it feel to have this fight airing live in the states?

Froch: “It’s always fantastic to be boxing on US TV. I’ve boxed in the States four times and I’ve always enjoyed myself there. My training camp was in Manhattan (New York City) before the Andre Ward fight. It was tough there because it was getting close to Christmas and it was insanely busy, but my morning run was always great, taking in the New York skyline as I was pounding the streets – incredible.

“I’ve always been well received by American boxing fans. They really know their stuff. I think that they appreciate that I am a good, honest fighter who never backs away from a challenge and always wants to fight the best. Too many fighters try to coast through their careers and don’t test themselves, so I’m glad I’ve had those fights in the States and they were great experiences. And there’s a good chance that there’s still a big fight for me over in America before I hang up the gloves.”

Q. You’ve had an unprecedented run against many of the world’s top fighters, starting with Pascal through your last against Bute. Can you remain as “up” fighting Mack who doesn’t have the same credentials as your last 8 opponents, particularly with a Bute rematch already slated?

Froch: “Absolutely. At this level, and as a World champion, there’s no second in a fight that you can let your guard down and you have to be at 100 percent. I have prepared as hard for this fight as I did for the previous eight world title fights, for my British title fights, for my Commonwealth title fights and for my debut back in 2002.

“If I come unstuck in this fight then everything I have achieved over the last few years will go to waste. People ask me about Lucian Bute, Andre Ward and Mikkel Kessler fights, so I answer their questions. It’s only natural for them to ask; they are fights people want to see, but believe me, I only have Yusaf Mack on my mind.”

Q. Does Mack remind you of any fighter you’ve already fought? What are his strengths?

Froch: “The best thing about this fight is that Yusaf is like nothing I’ve ever fought before and that’s what sport should be – a fresh challenge every time. He’s a natural light heavyweight who is dropping down, so he’s a puncher but also a nice boxer and a mover, too. You don’t get World title shots for no reason. He can more than handle himself in the ring and I know that I have to be completely focused on the fight as this guy is dangerous and he wants to shock the world of boxing by taking my belt, in my hometown.

“So, I’ve got to give this guy respect and take him very seriously because this is his world title fight, and his big opportunity to come over here and cause an upset. I know that he’s going to be training and running harder than ever for this. Whatever you’ve seen of him before, add 20 percent for this fight. I’ve got to be ready, and I will be.”

Q. He has been fighting as a light heavyweight. Is there any concern on your part about Mack possibly being the stronger man?

Froch: “I am stronger than him, no question. I don’t think there’s a super middleweight out there in better shape than me, and there are some super-fit guys in this division. But I can honestly say I feel in incredible shape, fit as I’ve ever been, and I am convinced that he won’t be able to match me for heart, punch power, desire and skill.

“He’ll be bringing that light heavyweight power down to super middle though, I know that. I have to be watchful of him every second that he’s in there. I have been sparring with Tony Bellew for this fight. He is a great sparring partner and a World champion in the making at light heavyweight. He has a tremendous dig on him and we have some great battles in sparring, so I don’t have any issues with whatever Yusaf Mack is going to bring to the table.”

Q. What type of fight do you expect this to be: war, chess match, etc.?

“I expect him to come at me with everything he’s got as he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. He will have seen what I did to Lucian Bute. He knows that if I get into a rhythm, and get my shots off, it’s goodnight. So, he’ll be at me from the start, wanting to make an impression to get me on the back foot, and I’ll be doing the same. It’s going to be a ferocious pace and great to watch.”

Q. Any prediction?

“I’m not one for picking a round, but I think that it’s going to be a knockout night for me again in front of my home fans. Yusaf Mack has never been in an atmosphere like a sold-out Carl Froch show in Nottingham. The viewers are in for a real treat. When my fans get behind me, my punches are that much harder, and he’ll be in real trouble on the night.”

Carl Froch’s recent media workout (photo by Lawrence Lustig)

Bellew (18-1, 12 KOs) faces South American champion Roberto Bolonti (30-1, 19 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver light heavyweight championship and an official WBC eliminator.

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.




‘BIG THINGS’ FACT SHEET

WHAT: “Big Things” Professional Boxing Show

WHEN: Saturday, November 10, 2012

WHO: Main Event (8) Heavyweights

Jason “Big Six” Estrada (19-4, 5 KOs), 2004 U.S. Olympian, Providence, RI

Galen “Bad Boy” Brown (38-20-1, 23 KOs), Saint Louis, MO

Co-Feature (6) – Light Welterweights

Diego Pereira (7-0-1, 3 KOs), Pawtucket, RI

Brian “The Brick” Abraham (6-14-2, 6 KOs), Schenectady, NY

Heavyweights (6)

Jesse Barboza (4-1-1, 3 KOs), Hyannis, MA

Kevin Franklin (4-5, 1 KO), Charleston, WV

Light Welterweights (6)

Jair Ramos (3-0-1, 2 KOs), Waterbury, CT

Gabriel Deluc (6-0, 1 KO), Boston, MA

Light Heavyweights (4)

Paul Gonsalves (4-2, 2 KOs), Hyannis, MA

Ahmad Mickens (1-2-1), Stamford, CT

Light Welterweights (4)

Josh “Bam Bam” Beeman (4-11-3, 2 KOs), Providence, RI

Carlos Hernandez (3-2, 2 KOs), Bridgeport, CT

Middleweights (4)

Russell Lamour (pro debut), Portland, ME

Issa Coulibaly (0-3), Washington D.C.

Middleweights (4)

Kevin Harrison (pro debut), Providence, MA

Pubilo Pena (pro debut), Providence, RI

Welterweights (4)

Michael McLaughlin (2-1-1), Boston, MA

Robert Hunt (0-2), Hyannis, MA

Heavyweights (4)

Julian Pollard (pro debut), Bridgewater, MA

Johnnie Davis (1-2-1), Niagara Falls, NY

(All fights & fighters subject to change)

WHERE: Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI

PROMOTER: Big Six Entertainment

INFORMATION: www.bigsixentertainment.com

DOORS OPEN: 6:00 p.m. ET FIRST BOUT: 7 p.m. ET

TICKETS: $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00 and available to purchase at the Rhode Island Convention Center box office.

REMINDER: The official weigh-in will be held TOMORROW (Friday, Nov. 9, 2012) at Louie’s Tavern, 597 Douglas Ave. in Providence, RI, starting at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET.




JAPANESE GRAND PRIX ISSUES STATEMENT TO VICTIMS OF SANDY

Japanese Grand Prix Freestyle Fighting Tournament Committee President Sadahura Tanikawa issued a statement earlier today in regards to the recent devastation caused by super storm Sandy, as well as information about the upcoming tournament.

“First, we offer our sincerest condolences to those deeply affected by the devastating hurricane that struck the Eastern coastline of the United States last week” said Tanikawa. “It takes a storm of such magnitude to realize the things that are truly important in life. One of our fighters who is competing in this storm was heavily impacted by the storm, and we send our best wishes to him and his family.”

The one-of-a-kind tournament has been delayed several times over the last few months due to various reasons, and the committee is confident that the commencement date is within their sights.

“Unlike every other fighting tournament that is out there, which are based solely on making profits, we pride ourselves on putting on the most unique tournament available to the top fighters in the world, and for that reason we will not rush into beginning just to appease the public,” said Tanikawa.

The annual Japanese Grand Prix freestyle fighting tournament contains the top fighters in their discipline across the world. Competing this year are Japan’s acclaimed sumo champion Harumafuji, America’s Bare Knuckle Boxing Champion Gunn and Argentina’s Muay Thai Bosch, amongst several other top combatants.

“This is not an average MMA or boxing match; this is one of the most revered freestyle fighting tournaments in the world, and we will go above and beyond to ensure the success of it. We owe it to the fighters who have qualified, and of course to the fans around the world.”

This unique tournament is one of a kind, as it encompasses all of the diversified martial arts and boxing disciplines across the world, and brings the most elite fighters in each discipline together to compete in a winner take all, single elimination tournament with the grand prize being the purse of $1 million and eligibility to fight in any tournament worldwide.

Already sold out, fans around the world are anxious to see this competition get underway. More information as to when the firm date of the commencement of the tournament will be released as soon as word is given from the committee.




WBC “SANDY RELIEF FUND”

November 7, 2012 – Mexico City.

From the office of WBC President Dr. José Sulaimán:

The WBC invites the boxing community of the world to participate and join efforts in support of the so many people suffering in the northeast region of the United States after the passing of the devastating Hurricane Sandy .

The WBC has initiated the “Sandy Relief Fund ” with a donation of $5,000 dollars, and will start different dynamics to raise funds all over the world .

“Boxing has always stepped up to the plate in times of crisis. Boxing has always presented events to show the world that people who suffer work hard and get up to overcome any crisis,” Jose Sulaiman said.

After the horrible events of 9/11, New York hosted Trinidad vs Hopkins. After Hurricane Wilma and after the H1N1 crisis, Cancun hosted great boxing events and so did Japan after the tragic tsunami.

The WBC fully supports the great boxing event which will be presented in Atlantic City on November 17 when Antonio DeMarco battles Adrien Broner for the WBC lightweight world championship.

We invite you to listen to your heart and reach out and help those in need in any way possible. There are many ways to provide aid, and it is now when you can make a difference.




EPIX WLADIMIR KLISCHKO / JOHNATHON BANKS MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT


TRAVIS POMPOSELLO: First off, I would like to send our condolences to Wlad, Johnathan and everyone at K2 for your loss [Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward] a couple of weeks ago.. We are proud and honored to have Wlad back on EPIX again for the third time this year. We will have aired all of his fights in 2012 as the year concludes. We at EPIX feel that Wladimir is one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time and it has been a real privilege to have him on our network this whole year. As always we will be streaming the event live on all of our platforms and devices as well as our television channel. We are really looking forward to this one and Wladimir breaking the record.

TOM LOEFFLER: We are real excited about this fight. It is in a sold-out arena with about 15,000 people at the O2 World Arena in Hamburg. We got a great response from the Polish boxing fans and of course whenever Wlad fights in Germany the arenas are always full. This is an unusual situation where Wladimir is fighting a taller guy – a first for Wlad. Mariusz Wach made a good impression at his public workout today. He is a very tall, very strong, very confident fighter. It will be a great night and we appreciate all the support we have gotten from EPIX. I know simulcasting live on the EPIX Times Square jumbotron [Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets] is a great marketing tool EPIX has come up with and we hope a lot of people watch again. I would like to introduce Johnathon Banks who has been with Wladimir the entire time Wladimir has been with Emanuel. It’s a touchy subject but I will put Johnathon on the line and he can tell you about how training has been going.

JOHNATHON BANKS: Camp has been going really good. We had a few setbacks or maybe a disappointment by losing one of the greatest trainers of all time, in my mind, in Emanuel Steward. Outside of that camp is good. Everyone’s spirits are high and as always we look forward to a beautiful fight.

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO: Good afternoon everybody in the States. Wladimir Klitschko speaking. I would also like to share my feeling about Emanuel Steward. He was a great-great friend and one of the geniuses in boxing. He is not here, but we know his spirit is with us and around us. He is laughing and enjoying himself and also looking forward to that fight – I know that for sure. On the other hand, I would like to congratulate all of the Obama supporters and congratulate President Obama for winning the election. I understand politically people can be divided but it is what it is in politics. It has been on TV all day in Germany – all of the people have been following and the outcome everyone knows,
Of course, regarding the fight – I have been going through the camp which has been a little bit different by losing Emanuel. On the other hand he is with us in spirit. I also want to mention something about Johnathon Banks. Of course everyone has been wondering who is going to be my next coach. I knew from the beginning that it was going to be Johnathon Banks. The man has learned a lot from Emanuel Steward – I met them both on the same day over nine years ago. Johnathon has been learning a lot from the Kronk spirit. Of course Johnathon Banks is not Emanuel Steward – he is Johnathon Banks. Everyone has their own way of doing things and I think, considering everything, the camp went well. I had some good sparring partners … Dante Wilder was one of the greatest sparring partners I have ever had. He gave me a lot of speed and is a really talented guy. We enjoyed those sparring sessions that we had. I am also looking forward to this challenge in the ring. My opponent is undefeated, younger, heavier, taller, and has a longer reach, and everything like that. We had today an open workout with Maruisz Wach and his coach making a little fun by putting my face on the pads and hitting my face many times. It was something that was entertaining to watch. However, in the ring on Saturday, November 10, he will face the real Wladimir Klitschko, not just images on the pads. I think it is going to be a real exciting fight because Wach has the spirit of a young man that wants to become world champion. He is very self-confident and I am expecting him to be better than he usually can be because that is his motivation – his chance to be world champion and I am expecting a very good fight from Wach.

What was it about Emanuel that when you met him nine years ago you decided to put your career in his hands?

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO: I had been working with a lot of guys and coaches in the States — well known and experienced coaches. My advisor Bernd Boente called Emanuel Steward and asked him if he could imagine working with me. Do you really want to try and work out with me because I do. You know how he is, ‘yea, yea, yea, let’s try it out and see how we do.’ I was in Marina Del Ray. So we had this first pads work and conversations and all that and it clicked. It clicked from the beginning. The relationship between Emanuel and me was very special – not just a regular relationship between a coach and a boxer, I assure you of that because he respected my experience inside and out of the ring. I respected his experience outside of the ring as a coach. Our first work was not successful – it was the first time I fought Lamon Brewster in 2004 – a fight that I lost. After which we both broke down in tears (laughs) because we couldn’t believe what happened to us. Emanuel Steward has been known for his strength to pick up the fighter when he is not on the top – when he is on the bottom. That was the situation when Emanuel started to work with Lennox Lewis. He was not in Lennox’s corner when he fought Oliver McCall then he started to work with Lennox. It was something that I believed in the coach and he believed in the boxer, in this case with me and in that case with Lennox and that made Emanuel a very special man. I have mentioned it before- Emanuel Steward is a genius in the ring and it is something and it makes me feel privileged to have worked with him for many years and be a friend with such a legend and a genius that we have in boxing.

Is there anything tactical you can say that he made you better from 2004 to today?

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO: It is very complicated to explain everything. It is a lot and it would be impossible to mention it all on this conference call. But I’ll tell you one thing, maybe what he has changed in me? What’s amazing – Emanuel Steward hasn’t changed anything in me. He said “Wladimir, be yourself.” The thing I learned in the amateurs is about technique and balance, strategy that he has been improving on that. We basically write a script in the preparation and the script was played out in the fight exactly the way we wrote it. We were analyzing everything – the way the opponent talks, the way the opponent walks, what he has done before, what was the most common thing he repeated on the strong side of the opponent and on the weak side of the opponent. And we used it. That is what in general I am telling you.

We talked a lot. We actually talked more than we did pads work — making combinations or anything like that. We talked about boxing and we talked about life because life is like boxing. There are certain things that are comparable and one of them is life and the sport of boxing.

How do you train for a fight next week and train a fighter for the heavyweight world championship?

JOHNATHON BANKS: Amazing is what it is. It is an amazing situation on both sides. I don’t feel any added weight. It is the situation at hand. I am in boxing. I love boxing. I love what I do. As far as me training then turning around and training Wladimir – there is no pressure, because boxing is what I’m into. It’s not like I’m training a guy for a golf tournament and I’ve got a fight coming up. I am with a fighter that has a fight and I have a fight coming up so it is definitely not a problem.

How were you able to get Wladimir’s respect and what was the process like?

JOHNATHON BANKS: In the words of Wladimir, I was just being myself. I approached him with a great deal of respect and I will always have that great deal of respect for him. I feel that through the wonderful sport of boxing I earned his respect. Then I earned it more once I got to be around him.

What is your brother’s political situation in politics and are you involved at all?

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO: Of course, Ukraine had Parliamentary elections and he is going to represent his party and also his people that were elected and voted for in Vitali’s party. Vitali has always been interested in politics and his goal is to change the way of Ukrainian politics. I can’t really be proud of Ukranian politics. Vitali has been living in different counties, United States, Germany and he sees Democracy. He knows that we have corruption in Ukraine and that is the main point — where to fight corruption. There are no rules like in boxing. I was a part of his campaign from the beginning of August until October and I’m not into politics and I’m not in his party but I am politically aware and politically active but not a politician. I also represent the majority of the country that are not politicians. I shared my experience that I have had with the people that were watching the elections and was motivating them to go vote. Because a lot of people just lost any hope that they could change anything in the country because corruption in the No. 1 disease in the Ukraine. It is like a cancer taking over the whole body, and we have to fight. The fight is not easy. There were fights for the votes and it is still going on actually. I am happy for my brother and proud of my brother that he was elected and is going to protect the interests of the people.

When was the last time you spoke to Emanuel and what did you talk about?

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO: The last time I spoke to Emanuel was 2½ weeks ago and the only line that I got to hear from him was “Hello, hello, how ya’ doing?” Unfortunately that was the last words that I heard from Emanuel. His voice was very strong and his wife Marie held the phone. He wasn’t able to speak too much but that was the last line I heard from Emanuel – a strong, happy and clear sounding voice.

It was very sad and it is still sad. I am probably going to go over after the fight and of course there is going to be a memorial on the 13th of November. I can tell you that the real spirit of Emanuel Steward is with us. I am very happy there is a fight so we can stay focused and continue to do what he was excited about. We are doing a job we love doing and we are very excited about it. I see excitement in everyone on my team and in the man that replace Emanuel Steward – Johnathon Banks.

What kind of impact has Emanuel had on you as a human being?

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO: I have spent more time with Emanuel in the last nine years than I have with my own father. My father shaped me as a person and Emanuel did a lot for me inside the ring. What shaping Emanuel did for me outside the ring was he was always flexible and trying to figure out how people acted. He was not a conservative person. In is 68 years he has been around young people all of the time. His spirit was young and he was always learning and he never stopped. He said one line that ‘You know Wladimir, fighters are smarter than trainers.’ Trainers are not able to listen to their fighters but they have to actually listen to them. He’s right about it. You have to be flexible. As a trainer you tell a boxer ‘this is the way you do it and you do it.’ I would express my point of view and he would express his point of view and we try to work it out to get to one solution. He was incredibly flexible in his way of understanding things. And in life you have to be flexible also. Every person has certain qualities: see it, use it and don’t kill it. That is a description of Emanuel – exactly what he was.

Do you think you can help with the future of Kronk Gym?

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO: I saw a picture of the Kronk Gym, which has been destroyed. It made me really sad to see what happened. Kronk Gym has existed for a long time and it will continue to exist. I will do my dedication to that. Fortunately there are a lot of people in Detroit, boxers as well and boxers who have worked with Emanuel. Speaking for all of us that have worked with Emanuel and I am taking this responsibility to speak for all of us will unite to proceed with the existence of the Kronk Gym an existence of strategy of the spirit of Emanuel through the Kronk Gym. It has been taking care of a lot of young people and keeping them away from drugs and crime or anything else. Whoever will run it after Emanuel that is something we will think about after the November 10th fight. Of course I am dedicated and I will make sure all of the fighters that have worked with Emanuel are on the same page as me.

JOHNATHON BANKS: My feeling about the Kronk Gym – the name alone is my upbringing as far back as being an amateur fighter. Seeing the gym now is really hard to look at. Seeing pictures of the outside and the inside is really hard. As Wladimir said, all the fighters that have trained under Emanuel definitely want to keep that legacy going.

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO: I will be at the memorial service on November 13. I am pretty sure that Vitali is going to come to the memorial service.

I want to say thank you very much for all the questions and the participants on today’s conference call. I want to thank you, EPIX, for broadcasting the fight in the United States. I know the Klitscko brothers have a lot of fans in the United States. I am looking forward to getting back in the States, not just as a person, but as a person to perform, as well. Everybody watch the fight on EPIX because I am very excited about the fight and I think you guys are going to be too.

JOHNATHON BANKS: Like Wladimir said, it’s going to be a very good fight. Both big guys are motivated for the fight. It’s going to be very exciting fight. As far as my fight, tune in on November 17 on HBO because that is also going to be a very exciting fight.

TOM LOEFFLER: This just proves how fragile life can be. On July 7 three men were celebrating their birthdays in the ring and now we are here without Emanuel. I just want people to realize that and appreciate people who are in their lives. Everyone is using this for motivation for Wladimir’s performance on Saturday night.

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Heavyweight championship boxing makes an EPIX on Saturday!

World Heavyweight Champion WLADIMIR “Dr. Steelhammer” KLITSCHKO (58-3, 51 KOs), of Kiev, Ukraine, will defend his unified titles This Saturday! November 10, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT, exclusively on EPIX, the multiplatform premium entertainment service. EpixHD.com will stream the fights live as part of a special free trial offer for boxing fans.

Klitschko, the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super heavyweight / International Boxing Federation (IBF) / World Boxing Organization (WBO) / International Boxing Organization (IBO) / The Ring heavyweight champion, will battle 6’7 1/2 undefeated world-rated contender MARIUSZ “The Viking” WACH (27-0, 15 KOs), a native of Poland who fights out of North Bergen, NJ, at the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany. It is the first time the 6’6 Klitschko has ever rumbled with a taller opponent. It will also be the first fight since 2004 that Klitschko will not have Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward in his corner. The telecast will include a tribute to Steward who passed away on October 25.

The telecast and live stream will also feature ROBERT “The Nordic Nightmare” HELENIUS (17-0, 11 KOs), a native of Finland who fights out of Berlin, Germany, risking his undefeated record and his march to a world title shot against battle-tested veteran SHERMAN “The Tank” WILLIAMS (35-11-2, 19 KOs), a native of the Bahamas, who fights out of Vero Beach, Fla., live from the Helsinki Ice Hall in Helsinki, Finland.

These four gladiators boast a combined record of 137-14-2 (95 KOs) – a 90% winning percentage and a 69% victory by knockout ratio.

As has become the custom, EPIX will once again present the closed-captioned simulcast of this world championship rumble on its jumbotron in Times Square in New York City (Broadway between 44th and 45th Sts.)

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

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

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




ABNER MARES vs. ANSELMO MORENO SANTA CRUZ vs. ZALETA ANGULO vs. CASAREZ FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FROM STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES


LOS ANGELES (Nov. 7, 2012) – All six fighters squaring off in Saturday’s tripleheader at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles participated in a final press conference on Wednesday to discuss the highly anticipated SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, live at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

In a battle of world champions, Abner Mares (24-0-1, 13 KO’s), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., will risk his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against WBA Bantamweight Super World Champion Anselmo Moreno (33-1-1, 12 KO’s), of Panama City, Panama, in the main event. Unbeaten IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz (21-0-1, 12 KO’s), of Los Angeles, will defend against Victor Zaleta (20-2-1, 10 KO’s), of El Paso, Texas, in the co-feature, while hard-hitting junior middleweight contender Alfred Angulo (20-1, 17 KOs), of Los Angeles by way of Mexicali, Mexico, and the upset-minded junior middleweight contender Raul Casarez (19-2, 9 KO’s), of Edinburg, Texas, will clash in the telecast’s opening match.

Also featured as part of the SHOWTIME Extreme broadcast, live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), will be WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Nathan Cleverly (24-0, 11 KO’s), of Cfen Fforest, Wales, defending his title against light heavyweight contender Shawn Hawk (22-2-1, 16 KO’s), of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000 and at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 2:35 p.m.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA:

“We don’t just want to put on a main event; we want to stack our cards from top to bottom. That’s what boxing should be and that’s what boxing is all about. We have great prospects and world champions fighting together on one night.

“Moreno is stepping up to fight the best to be the best in the 122 pound division. That just shows you what type of fighter Moreno is.

“One thing we’re most proud of at Golden Boy is that Abner is the first world champion that we’ve brought up from the beginning. Fans have the opportunity to see him fight here in his home. Fans love him for his fan-friendly style. People keep saying, it’s tough fight – well, it’s a fight. The best fighting the best. That’s what you’ll see Saturday night.”

ABNER MARES:

“I’m ready for Saturday. I’m ready to give you guys another great fight. My team has done a tremendous job with me.

“SHOWTIME has really gotten my name out there. Now fans know I come to fight. I leave everything in the ring and they now know I don’t leave the ring without giving them everything they paid for.

“I came to this country when I was seven years old and to see me fighting at STAPLES throws me off a bit. I will not disappoint on November 10th. I’ll give you guys the fight of the year.”

ANSELMO MORENO:

“I’m in perfect condition for Saturday. I’m very happy that they gave me this great opportunity to fight Mares. The only thing we’re waiting for is the weigh-in and then its fight night. He’s tough and I need to stay smart and stick to my game plan.”

LEO STANTA CRUZ:

“I trained really hard. I dedicate this fight to my fans and the people of Mexico. Victor is strong, he comes forward like me, so it will be a great fight. The better man will win on Saturday night. I’m excited to fight here in Los Angeles in front of my hometown fans. I can’t wait to get in there on Saturday night.”

VICTOR ZALETA:

“This is my first fight here and I’m excited about the opportunity. Hopefully, it will not be my last time here. I’m ready to face Leo Santa Cruz on Saturday. He’s a really good fighter and I know I need to bring my best to beat him.”

ALFREDO ANGULO:

“I’m back in my town and it feels great. I’ve worked hard for this and I’m ready to get back in the ring. This is going to be a really good fight for the fans. I’m just grateful to get this opportunity after everything I’ve been through.”

RAUL CASAREZ:

“I’m excited, I’m grateful for the opportunity. I trained really hard with my team to make the most of this night. Angulo is a great fighter and I know he’ll be ready after his long layoff. But I’m focused and need to do my job in the ring.”

NATHAN CLEVERLY:

“This is a great opportunity to come to the United States and showcase my talent. I’m looking to make a statement and take my career to the next level. I trained at Wild Card Gym and it’s been a great experience. I’m looking forward to showing my exciting style and making the most of this.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA:

“If you’ve been watching SHOWTIME recently, you’ve seen an incredible run of dramatic, exciting fights. In just the last couple of months we’ve had some huge events. On September 15th, SHOWTIME brought you “Knockout Kings” – four fights on SHOWTIME, that delivered four incredible stoppages. On October 20th, SHOWTIME delivered fight fans the first fights from the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. with four world title fights on one telecast.

“This Saturday, I have no doubt we keep our streak of action-packed fights alive. We have another stacked card. We have the return of “El Perro” – Alfredo Angulo – one of the most feared fighters in the junior middleweight division. We have rising star and world champ Leo Santa Cruz – one of the most exciting young fighters in boxing.

“As for the main event, if you’re a boxing fan – a real boxing fan – it doesn’t get any better than this. Abner Mares, who grew up on SHOWTIME, is a world champion with a rare combination of toughness and skill. Anselmo Moreno, a world champ as well, is one of the most skilled fighters in any division.”

ABOUT “MARES vs. MORENO”:

Mares vs. Moreno, a 12-round battle for Mares’ WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship taking place on November 10 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, Los Angeles’ own Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz puts his IBF Bantamweight World Championship on the line against Victor “Nene” Zaleta and hard-hitting junior middleweight Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo of Los Angeles by way of Mexicali, Mexico makes his highly anticipated return against Raul Casarez in a 12-round bout. The SHOWTIME® CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000 and at the STAPLES Center Box Office.




EDDIE CHAMBERS SIGNS WITH MAIN EVENTS AND SETS SIGHTS ON CRUISERWEIGHT DIVISION


PHILADELPHIA – Heavyweight contender “Fast” Eddie Chambers, 36-3, 18 KOs, Philadelphia, has decided to campaign as a cruiserweight. It is a move that he believes will bring him a world title belt.

“The cruiserweight division is better because I’ll be fighting guys my size,” Chambers said. “I may have had some advantages at heavyweight, but imagine me at cruiser, fighting against someone my own size.”

Chambers hasn’t weighted over 210 pounds for a fight in more than three years, and feels that the move down to the 200-pound cruiserweight limit will make him more competitive and offer greater opportunity for him to become champion.

“I want to be a world champion,” Chambers said. “That’s what you set out to do when you start boxing. That’s what I want to be, and I’ve worked my entire boxing career, and most of my life, at that. I want to achieve it. I see that title (belt) wrapped around my waist.”

Main Events is currently riding a wave of success with their nationally televised “Fight Night” boxing series on the NBC Sports Network. Chambers looks forward to more national exposure on the popular program.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Chambers said. “Main Events puts on nothing but great fights. I’m just happy to be part of it. They really have confidence in my ability, and it led me to believe that these were the people for me.”

Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO, said, “I don’t think anyone in the cruiserweight division can beat Eddie Chambers, period. We are very happy that he has decided to work with us towards his goal of winning the cruiserweight title and I have no doubt in my mind that he will get there very soon.”




WHICH U.S. OLYMPIANS SINCE 1976 ACCOMPLISHED THE MOST AS PROFESSIONALS?

NEW YORK (Nov. 7, 2012) – Talented unbeaten featherweight contender and 2008 United States Olympian Gary Russell Jr. and five 2012 U.S. Olympians will be featured on “Night of the Olympians” this Friday, Nov. 9, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.

So what kind of pro careers will the Olympians fighting this Saturday go on to have? Russell, of course, is off to an excellent start. For the others, you’ll have to stay tuned.

Below is ShoBox expert analyst and boxing historian Steve Farhood’s Top 10 list of the U.S. Olympians since 1976 who accomplished the most as professionals:

1. Sugar Ray Leonard: Beat Thomas Hearns, Wilfred Benitez, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler, and won titles from welterweight to light heavyweight. The best fighter I’ve ever covered.

2. Floyd Mayweather: Has rarely been challenged, much less beaten. The last man to defeat him: Serafim Todorov at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

3. Pernell Whitaker: Defensive wizard Whitaker is among greatest lightweights of all time. His crowning achievement was domination of Julio Cesar Chavez (though judges called the fight a draw).

4. Roy Jones Jr.: Virtually untouchable in his prime. He was such a special talent that he rose to heavyweight and won a share of that world title.

5. Oscar De La Hoya: Carried boxing on his golden shoulders. Fought everyone from Chavez to Mayweather to Bernard Hopkins, and won titles at six weights.

6. Evander Holyfield: Amazing overachiever was the best cruiserweight in history and went on to beat Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson at heavyweight.

7. Michael Spinks: Forget the loss to Tyson at heavyweight; he was a brilliant boxer and huge right-hand puncher in a lengthy reign at 175 pounds.

8. Andre Ward: Already in the top two or three of today’s pound-for-pound rankings. He has the potential to rise even higher.

9. Michael Carbajal: It’s not easy for a 108-pounder to be named Fighter of the Year, but Carbajal did so. He raised the profile of the lighter weights as much as any other fighter.

10. Virgil Hill: A master boxer who enjoyed a pair of reigns as light heavyweight champion. He was beaten only once, by Hearns, during an awesome 10-year title run.

Russell Jr. (20-0, 12 KO’s), of Capitol Heights, Md., will face Roberto Castaneda (20-2-1, 15 KO’s) in the Saturday’s ShoBox 10-round main event.

The five 2012 U.S. Olympians – heavyweight Dominic Breazeale, of Anaheim, Calif., cruiserweight Marcus Browne, of Staten Island, N.Y., super middleweight Terrell Gausha, of Cleveland, Ohio, junior middleweight Errol Spence, of Desoto, Texas, and bantamweight Rau’Shee Warren, of Cincinnati, Ohio – will box in four-round pro debut fights.

Breazeale takes on Curtis Tate (4-3, 4 KOs), of Oakland, Tenn., Browne will meet Codale Ford (2-0), of Fort Gibson, Okla., Gausha will face Dustin Caplinger (2-3, 1 KO) of Chillicothe, Ohio, Spence will be opposed by Jonathan Garcia (3-3, 1 KO), of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and Warren collides with Luis Rivera of Ponce, Puerto Rico (1-2).

The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the first live fight at 5:30 p.m.

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

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/BreazealeBoxing, www.twitter.com/MarcusBrowne, www.twitter.com/TerrellGausha, www.twitter.com/ErrolSpenceJr, , www.twitter.com/RauSheeWarren,www.twitter.com/fantasysprings or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/fantasyspringsresort.

For information on SHOWTIME, visit http://Sports.SHO.com, www.twitter.com/SHOsports or www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.




WBO LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION NATHAN CLEVERLY VS. SOUTH DAKOTA’S SHAWN HAWK TO BE FEATURED ON SHOWTIME EXTREME® THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!


LOS ANGELES (November 7) – One of Europe’s top stars, WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Nathan Cleverly will put his unbeaten record and world championship belt on the line against South Dakota’s Shawn “The Sioux Warrior” Hawk this Saturday night at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The 12-round world title fight will air live as part of the SHOWTIME EXTREME® broadcast along with a clash between junior welterweight prospects Antonio Orozco and Danny Escobar before the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader headlined by the WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship matchup between Abner Mares and Anselmo Moreno begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Also in non-televised action on Saturday night will be young undefeated prospects Chris Pearson, Zachary Wohlman, Isaac Torres, Robert Easter and Luis Arias.

Mares vs. Moreno, a 12-round battle for Mares’ WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship taking place on November 10 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, Los Angeles’ own Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz puts his IBF Bantamweight World Championship on the line against Victor “Nene” Zaleta and hard-hitting junior middleweight Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo of Los Angeles by way of Mexicali, Mexico makes his highly anticipated return against Raul Casarez in a 12-round bout. The SHOWTIME® CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000 and at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

Already a star in the United Kingdom, 25-year-old Nathan Cleverly (24-0, 11 KO’s) returns to fight in the United States for the first time since 2008 and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his Welsh countryman Joe Calzaghe in making a mark on the international stage. The WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion since 2010, Cleverly has defended his title three times, most recently with a 12 round win over Tommy Karpency in February.

28-year old Shawn Hawk (22-2-1, 16 KO’s) has been boxing since the age of seven and after winning over 100 amateur fights, he made the move to the pros in 2004. Fighting at cruiserweight and heavyweight before finding a home at 175 pounds, Hawk has won five of his last six fights, including consecutive wins over Rubin Williams, Otis Griffin and Henry Buchanan. This weekend, he attempts to win world championship gold against Cleverly.

Rapidly improving with each fight, 25-year-old Antonio Orozco (15-0, 11 KO’s) is on the verge of a breakthrough performance that he hopes will take place this Saturday. Already 3-0 in 2012, with each win coming by knockout, the San Diego native will be bringing his hometown fans to STAPLES Center to cheer him on to victory this Saturday night.

Also hoping his fans will help lift him to victory will be Riverside’s Danny Escobar (8-1, 5 KO’s). A professional since 2008, the 23-year-old has handed defeats to two unbeaten prospects in his most recent fights, decisioning then 21-0 Jose Emilio Perea last November and defeating then 4-0 Abner Lopez in March by decision as well.

Ohio knockout artist Chris Pearson (5-0, 4 KO’s) will make his third California appearance in an eight round junior middleweight fight against Ottumwa, Iowa’s Jeremy Marts (8-12, 6 KO’s). 21-year-old Pearson has stayed busy in 2012, winning all four of his fights with three of those wins coming by way of knockout. Marts is on a two-fight winning streak of his own, knocking out Alan Moore and William Bokhart in 2012.

Popular Hollywood favorite Zachary “Kid Yamaka” Wohlman (4-0-1, 1 KO) is a former Golden Gloves champion whose charisma and exciting style have made him a must-watch attraction for California fight fans. On Saturday, the 24-year-old faces Gilroy’s Alonso Loeza (2-7-1, 2 KO’s) in a four round welterweight fight.

In four round bantamweight action, Midland, Texas’ Isaac Torres (5-0, 4 KO’s) takes on Montebello’s David Reyes (2-2), a four round lightweight fight will see debuting Robert Easter of Cincinnati take on Omaha’s Eddie Corona (0-1) and opening the show will be Las Vegas’ Luis Arias who is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and will be making his professional debut against Joshua Thorpe (1-1) of Cincinnati in a four round super middleweight fight.

# # #

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.staplescenter.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AbnerMares00, www.twitter.com/ChemitoMoreno, www.twitter.com/ElPerro82, www.twitter.com/NathanClev, www.twitter.com/PuroOrozco, www.twitter.com/_ChrisPearson, www.twitter.com/kidyamaka, www.twitter.com/STAPLESCenter, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #MaresMoreno or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.




THOMAS “CORNFLAKE” LAMANNA TO FIGHT ERICK HERNANDEZ PEREZ THIS SATURDAY IN MILLVILLE, NJ

MILLVILLE, NJ (November 7, 2012)—THIS SATURDAY NIGHT at the New Jersey Motorsports Park, undefeated Jr. Middleweight Thomas “Cornflake”LaManna will hope to celebrate his 21st birthday with a win over Erick Hernandez Perez in a scheduled six round bout in the main event of a big night of professional boxing.

LaManna is 9-0 with five knockouts is coming off a six round split decision victory over tough Yolexcy Leiva on August 18th in Atlantic City.

“Perez is a tough fighter and I have seen him”, said LaManna

“He has just come off a draw with an eighteen fight veteran so I know he is coming to win but I have been training every day and even have gotten some great advice from Bernard Hopkins when I was sparring his nephew Demetrious. I also want to thank my sparring partners Julian Williams, Jesse Hart & Ismael Garcia. I have extra motivation fighting in front of my hometown fans and I expect fireworks”

“I want to thank Brad Scott and Carolyn Watson of the New Jersey Motorsports Park for giving this event an opportunity”

Perez of Cancun, Mexico has a record of 2-2-1 with two knockouts and is coming off a four round draw with Daniel Garcia (10-7-1) on September 29th.

Jon Bolden (5-5, 5 KO’s) of New York, NY takes on Dennis Benson ((1-4, 1 KO) of Norfolk, VA in a four round Heavyweight bout

In a four round Light Heavyweight bout, Amir Shabazz (1-0) of Philadelphia, PA will box Abdellah Smith (1-3, 1 KO) of Queens, NY

Gilbert Alex Sanchez (1-1, 1 KO) of Camden, NJ will fight Nasser Abdel Malik (1-0, 1 KO) in a four round Light Heavyweight bout

Antoine Douglas (1-0, 1 KO) of Burke, VA fights pro debuting Carlos Lopez of New York in a four round Middleweight bout.

Moses Molina (1-1, 1 KO) of Bridgeton, NJ will fight Joshua Nieves (0-2) of New York in a four round Super Featherweight bout.

Tickets for this exciting evening of boxing on November 10th are priced at $125 (VIP which includes a meet and greet with former world champions Steve Cunningham & Ray Mercer); $75 and $50 and can be bought by calling (856) 327-8000 & (856) 899-7273

To follow Thomas “Cornflake” Lamanna on twitter: @cornflakeboxing

About New Jersey Motorsports Park
Sitting on more than 500 acres in Millville, N.J., New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) is nestled snugly in a beautifully forested region surrounded by scenic rivers and the nearby Delaware Bay. NJMP is conveniently located near Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, New York and Baltimore, offering diverse and dynamic motorsports attractions. The park includes two world-class road courses, Thunderbolt and Lightning, a motorsports country club membership program known as the “Drivers Club,” the Finish Line Pub restaurant, and F1 New Jersey, one of the top karting facilities in the U.S. For more information, visit www.NJMP.com or call (856) 327-8000. GPS Address: 8000 Dividing Creek Road, Millville, NJ 08332.




USA Knockouts to be the New United States Franchise of the World Series of Boxing

COSTA MESA, Calif. – A new American franchise will compete in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) action in the third season of this innovative, global boxing league, and they will call Orange County home. The USA Knockouts will compete in their first fight show of the season at The Hangar on the grounds of the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa, Mesa, Calif., on November 15, 2012.

As a franchise, the USA Knockouts will bring outstanding international boxing action to Southern California and Orange County specifically. The United States have struggled globally in the sport of boxing, coming off a disappointing performance at this summer’s London Games. USA Knockouts will assist in rebuilding the sport nationally and allow athletes to gain traction and success at an international level.

USA Knockouts is also proud to announce that they will partner with Roy Englebrecht Promotions for their inaugural fight this season. Roy Englebrecht, a veteran in the boxing industry and promoter of the Fight Club OC series, which also calls The Hangar home, will serve as the squad’s promoter and operations consultant for the November event.

“I am pleased to assist in the launch of the World Series of Boxing’s USA Knockouts in Orange County, and am excited that they selected The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center as the team’s first venue. With the tremendous success of our fight shows in The Hangar, I am sure our Fight Club OC fight fans will also support the USA Knockouts,” Englebrecht said.

The 2012-13 USA Knockouts regular season will run from November to March with the first home match scheduled for November 15. The regular season will feature home and away match-ups with World Series of Boxing squads from the United Kingdom, Germany, Kazakhstan, Italy and Ukraine. World Series of Boxing franchises includes teams from Poland, Azerbaijan, Moscow, Argentina, Mexico and China and the Knockouts could face off with any of the international squads in playoff action in late spring.

The Knockouts also announced that undefeated heavyweight Natu Visina will fill the heavyweight spot on the November 15th show. Visina is 8-0 with 7 KOs and is from nearby Lakewood, and won three bouts in 2010 on Battle In The Ballroom shows at the Irvine Marriott. The remaining four fighters on the USA Knockout squad will be announced later this week.

Tickets for the Thursday, November 15th show are priced at $50 and $40 and can be purchased online at www.fightcluboc.com.

USA KNOCKOUTS

2012 / 2013 COMPETITION SCHEDULE

WEEK
DATE
TIME
HOME
AWAY

1
Nov. 15 (Thursday)
7:30PM
USA
United Kingdom

2
Nov. 23 (Friday)
8:00PM
Kazakhstan
USA

3
Dec. 6 (Thursday)
8:00PM
Germany
USA

4
Dec. 14 (Friday)
8:00PM
Ukraine
USA

5
Jan. 11 (Friday)
8:00PM
Italy
USA

6
Jan. 18 (Friday)
8:00PM
United Kingdom
USA

7
Jan. 31 (Thursday)
7:30PM
USA
Kazakhstan

8
Feb. 7 (Thursday)
7:30PM
USA
Germany

9
Feb. 21 (Thursday)
7:30PM
USA
Ukraine

10
Feb. 28 (Thursday)
7:30PM
USA
Italy




Ortuz Gearing Up For Another Tough War in Hammond

Chicago cruiserweight fighter Dimar “Strongman” Ortuz is in heavy preparations for another tough war, this one 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.

The undefeated (5-0, 3 KOs) 31-year-old Ortuz wowed Horseshoe fans last August with his savage battle against then-undefeated (8-0) Donta Woods, grinding Woods down and dropping him twice in an eight-round thriller.

And now he is back in the co-featured bout, taking on UFC veteran and undefeated power-punching fellow Chicago native Terry Martin (5-0, 5 KOs).

To put it mildly, this fight has explosive written all over it.

“He called me out!” explained Ortuz of the dangerous match-up. “I heard through everybody that he wanted this, so it’s on. I don’t back down from any challenge.”

Ortuz, who took eight years off boxing after winning the Chicago Golden Gloves in 2002, has had an added obstacle to face in preparation for this fight.

“I tore my calf muscle about three weeks ago which took me out for a week and a half. I’m slowly getting back into the pace of it, building up cardio to make up for the time I spent off. I’m also doing a lot more running up and down stairs, rebuilding the strength in my calf. I’ll be fine.”

Ortuz says he and Martin are former sparring partners and although he is careful to never seem arrogant, when asked who got the better he replied: “I know he’s got a hard hook and a good inside game and he holds a lot, but I present a difficult style to a lot of fighters. A lot of guys have difficulty sparring me. Put it that way.”

Ortuz intended to relocate to New York City, but had such a great experience at the Horseshoe in his last fight, he’s decided to postpone.

“I sat down and talked to Bobby (Hitz) about leaving and what he can do for me, and I decided to give Bobby a shot and test the waters. If I don’t have to go far from home to fight as much as I want, why go? New York was an option because they had fights scheduled for me throughout the year and I’m looking to fight around eight times a year. Bobby does lots of shows, so he can probably keep me busy.”

A hard-nosed throwback type of fighter who brings relentless pressure, Ortuz says he’s not sure how the fight will unfold.

“My trainer, Sam Colonna, was also Terry’s trainer, so that’s an advantage. We’ve been working on a game plan. Sam knows a lot of his weaknesses and we’ve worked on targeting some of them. I won’t say I’ll get the KO because anybody who goes in saying they’ll KO someone is too confident. I’m going to box. I didn’t expect to put Donta Woods down and I put him down twice. I’ll keep doing what I do. I’m just going to give it all I can for six rounds and really go after him.”

###

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 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 feature such popular local names as promising super middleweight prospect Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez (7-0, 4 KOs), who will go six rounds, and Pacquiao sparring partner and undefeated knockout sensation Abdulai “The Classiq” Amidu (20-0, 17 KOs) also going six.

Also featured will be four-round fights for 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.




Omar Henry to Face Juan Ubaldo Cabrera In ShoBox: The New Generation Main Event On Nov. 16 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.—Don King’s Omar “El Boricua” Henry (12-0-1, 9 KOs), from Oakland, Calif., will fight at 160 pounds when he faces World Boxing Association No. 15-ranked middleweight Juan Ubaldo Cabrera (20-0, 14 KOs), from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in a main event battle of unbeatens on ShoBox: The New Generation (live at 11 p.m. ET/PT, on SHOWTIME, delayed on the West Coast) set for Friday, Nov. 16 from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The four fighters appearing on SHOWTIME-televised doubleheader are currently undefeated. In the co-featured main event, lightweight Angelo “La Cobra” Santana (13-0, 10 KOs), from Miami, will face Juan “Johnny” Garcia (13-0, 8 KOs), from Holland, Mich. Both matches are scheduled for 10 rounds.

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.

Henry, 25, has long been considered one of the top prospects in boxing. A proud Puerto Rican, he compiled a stellar amateur record of 60-5. The promising Henry is on the verge of realizing the greatness that so many have predicted for him.

Cabrera defeated future pro world champion Jean Pascal and Yordenis Despigne in the amateurs and also participated in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic games representing the Dominican Republic. Now 33 years of age with a perfect record, Cabrera will face the toughest challenge to date against the talented Henry.

In the co-feature, Santana and Garcia will both be risking their perfect records—both are 13-0—In the lightweight scrap.

Santana was a two-time national champion in Cuba 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 appearance, Santana earned his best win against a quality opponent, world-class contender Justin Savi, who he dispatched with a third round technical knockout on June 23.

Garcia seeks to spoil Santana’s rags-to-riches story. No stranger to facing undefeated prospects, Garcia defeated William Jackson (10-0-1) last year. On March 23 he scored a shocking upset over highly touted Cuban Yordenis Ugas, who was 11-0 before they met.

Sunshine State Showdown is promoted by Don King Productions. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. A full undercard will be presented. Henry vs. Cabrera and Santana vs. Garcia will be televised on ShoBox: The Next Generation live beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME.

About Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation.

The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horseracing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America’s premier supplier of virtual online horseracing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.

About Don King Productions

Don King Productions has promoted over 600 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.

DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 25 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including five of the top seven: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in the history of the world.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995; and Trinidad vs. De La Hoya, paid attendance: 11,184, gross: $12, 949, 500. Sept. 18, 1999.




Card set for this Saturday night at the Riveredge in Reading, PA

READING, PA (November 7, 2012)—The complete lineup has been finalized for the Saturday night’s boxing event at the Riveredge in Reading, PA.

The show is promoted by Kings Boxing Promotions

In the main event, Grayson Blake (5-0, 2 KO’s) will take on Robert Sockwell (4-2-1, 4 KO’s) of East Stroudsburg, PA in a six round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Yordenis Ugas (11-1, 6 KO’s) of Miami, FL via Cuba fights Dedrick Bell (7-15, 6 KO’s) of Memphis, TN in a six round Jr. Welterweight affair.

Frankie De Alba (4-1-2, 1 KO’s) of Reading, PA will battle Benjamin Burgos (1-0) of Pocono, PA in a four round Lightweight bout.

In a four round Heavyweight bout, Aaron Kinch (3-0-1, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ will fight debuting Aaron Bratton of Baltimore, MD

Jeremy Stauffer (7-2-1, 6 KO’s) of Reading, PA will box Elvin Sanchez (5-2, 4 KO’s) in a four round Cruiserweight tussle.

Charles Mack of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against David Warren Huffman (2-8, 1 KO) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a four round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Tickets for this outstanding night of boxing ranging from $75 (VIP); $50 (Ringside); $30 (General Admission) and can be purchased by calling Kings Boxing (610-587-5950); Riveredge Hotel (610-376-6711); Dino’s Wings & Things (610-921-9898) or at www.kingsboxing.com

1st bout is at 7:15—Doors open at 6:15

The fights are sponsored by GMI FIRST, RAN’S FLOORING, DINO’S WINGS & THINGS & GO FISH SEAFOOD & SUSHI BAR.

Fighters expected to be in attendance will be Elvin Ayala, Roberto Garcia, Harry Joe Yorgey and Travis Kauffman

Special thanks to Sir Speedy Printing for providing the beautiful round card girls.

The Riveredge is located at
2017 Bernville Road Reading, PA 19601




JONATHAN OGDEN FOUNDATION PRESENTS 7TH ANNUAL ‘EVENING AT RINGSIDE’

BALTIMORE, MD (November 6, 2012) The Jonathan Ogden Foundation hosts the 7th Annual “An Evening at Ringside” this Thursday, NOVEMBER 8 teaming with Chris Middendorf’s UNITED BOXERS for a special evening of fine wine and great food, terrific fights, a sports memorabilia auction and a VIP list including many current Baltimore Ravens stars at the Martins Valley Mansion in Cockeysville, Maryland.

The Martins Valley Mansion is located at 594 Cranbrook Road in Cockeysville, Maryland. For tickets and more information on this sensational evening of LIVE professional boxing and charity please visit The Jonathan Ogden Foundation website at www.jonathanogdenfoundationa.org. For the first time this year, former perennial All-Pro and Ravens superstar Ogden is on the ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In the main event of the seven-bout card, popular undefeated Baltimore based welterweight prospect James “Keep Em Sleepin” Stevenson, 17-0-0 (11KO’s), will battle tested veteran Damon Antoine, 11-42-2 (5KO’s) of Akron, OH in a scheduled four rounder.

Stevenson makes a quick return to the ring following a sensational performance in a six round shut out unanimous decision win over Angel Rios on OCTOBER 20 in Winchester, VA.

Antoine is coming off a terrific unanimous decision win over Shakir Ashanti on OCTOBER 27 in Fairfax, VA.

In a special ladies bout, newcomer Tyrieshia “Baby Girl” Douglas, 1-0-0 (1KO), will challenge Sherine “Rosie” Thomas, 2-0-0 of Ottawa, Canada in a four round flyweight bout.

Douglas is coming off a triumphant pro debut on AUGUST 4, stopping Ashley Langston in the first round in Washington D.C. Thomas will be making her debut in the United States, winning two previous four round decisions in Quebec.

Returning to battle after a three-year absence, Baltimore junior lightweight Raymondo Elliott, 1-1-0, will face newcomer Shane Reynolds, 1-0-0 (1KO) of Cincinnati, Ohio in a scheduled four rounder.

In Elliott’s last action he stopped Clinton B. Douglas on APRIL 11, 2009, in the second round in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Reynolds made a highly successful pro debut on OCTOBER 13, stopping Brandon Brinkley in the second round in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Fighting out of Lancaster, PA, former national amateur standout, Rolando Chinea, 3-0-0 (2KO’s) will look to stay undefeated against Ian James 2-4-1 (2KO’s), of Brooklyn, NY.

Chinea returns to battle following a four round decision win over Jamell Tyson on APRIL 27 in Reading, PA.

Bantamweight females will also see action in a four round bout, as pro debuting Kelan Robey of Lynchburg, VA will face off against Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Unique Harris, 0-1-0.

In the super middleweight division, Baltimore’s Lee Snow, 2-2-0 (1KO), will face cross-town rival Dan Cannaday 2-0-0 (1KO), in a scheduled four rounder.

Snow is undefeated in 2012 and returns to action following a fourth round knockout of Issa Coulibaly on JUNE 16 in Baltimore. Cannaday also scored a fourth round stoppage of Coulibaly on SEPTEMBER 22.

Rounding out the card pro debuting junior middleweights will face off in a four rounder with Baltimore’s Jeremy Trussell challenging Ashton Terry of Lynchburg, VA.

UNITED BOXERS was founded in 2010 by Chris Middendorf. The goal of the company is to develop world-class professional fighters and promote them to the championship level. For further information or to be added to their mailing list, go to their website, UnitedBoxers.com.




Donaire – Arce set for December 15th in Houston


World Super Bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire will defend his crown on December 15th in Houston against former world champion Jorge Arce in Houston in a bout televised by HBO according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“You know this is a fight we’ve wanted to do and now we are able to do it,” Top Rank chief Bob Arum told ESPN.com. “We didn’t get it done in July, but after the Bradley situation, we went to our television partner and asked them for enough money to make it happen and it’s happening.”

Junior featherweight titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs), who has been calling out for a unification match with Donaire, will make his third defense in the televised co-feature.

A two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist, Rigondeaux, a southpaw, will face former titleholder Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (48-2, 33 KOs) of Thailand. Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com that the deal was agreed to on Tuesday.

“I’m emailing contracts to Thailand. We’re done,” he said. “We just went over some final stuff.”

“I’ve always liked the fight,” Cameron Dunkin, Donaire’s manager, said. “Arce’s a great name and Arce’s a tough bastard. He proved it in the fight he had with Vazquez Jr. He was a big underdog, and came back and showed what he was about (by scoring a 12th-round knockout to win a junior featherweight title). Arce will fight his ass off against Donaire.

“He’ll give it everything he’s got and he will be tough, but Nonito is so highly skilled and fighting at such a high level, I don’t see anyone at 122 dealing with him. It’s good for Nonito to get a fourth fight this year. Four times is really neat in these times in boxing where a lot of champions fight only twice a year.”

“It’s healed,” he said. “He hasn’t really done much with it (in training) yet. He’s running and staying in shape and he says if he’s in shape, he can hit with one hand for the first week or so of training and still get in four good weeks of training. That’s all he needs because he has been so active and doesn’t get out of shape.”

“HBO was prepared to go to Mexico, but the extra cost was prohibitive,” Arum said. “Donaire was willing to go there so that wasn’t the problem. The problem was we couldn’t make it work economically. They didn’t have a high-definition truck there that suited HBO and that means HBO would have to drive a truck there. It didn’t make sense for this kind of event.”

“They can say I am crazy, and much more, but I have shut the mouths of the critics in the ring many times, and against Donaire it will be no different,” Arce said. “I am preparing like never before along with the best trainer Mexico has given to the world, Nacho Beristain, and I will win on Dec. 15.”

Said Dunkin, “Nishioka is a great fighter but he was trying to play cat and mouse with Nonito. One thing about Arce, he won’t play cat and mouse. He’s coming to fight. Arce says Donaire is a good fighter but hasn’t fought anyone with any balls, so that ought to tell you how hard he will try. He’s a proud Mexican and will try to turn it into a sensational fight in Texas with so many Mexican fans there. It will be a really fun fight.”




John Joe Nevin stays amateur

LONDON (6 Nov 12) – Irish Olympian John Joe Nevin has reversed his decision to turn professional opting instead to remain in the amateur circuit.

Super Fight Promotions were made aware of this late last night by his representative Lynn Hunter who stated he would be competing in the upcoming World Series of Boxing tournament.

Super Fight Promotions are disappointed by his decision but would like to sincerely wish him the very best of luck if he feels this is the best choice at this point in his career.

Amir Khan, founder of Super Fight Promotions, said: “It’s disappointing that John Joe will be staying amateur as I firmly believe that he has the potential to make big waves in the professional scene. Nevertheless, I respect his decision to represent the British Lionhearts in the World Series of Boxing and do not rule out the possibility of working with him in the future.”




QAÍD MUHAMMAD SCORES EIGHT KNOCKDOWNS EN ROUTE TO FIFTH ROUND STOPPAGE OVER PARRAM

ATLANTIC CITY (November 6, 2012)—This past weekend at Fitzgerald’s Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi, undefeated Bantamweight, QaÍd “Kid Dynamite”Muhammad (8-0, 7 KO’s) scored a fifth round stoppage over Jamal Parram in a fight where Muhammad scored EIGHT knockdowns.

The bout was without incident for Muhammad as he was sent to the canvas twice in the second round but came back to drop Parram three times in that same second round.

Muhammad was clearly in control as he scored two knockdowns in round three, two more in round four and the fight was stopped after the eighth knockdown of Parram in round five.

“Parram was a tough guy”, said Muhammad’s Father/Trainer and co-manager Abdur Muhammad.

“Q is looking to stay active as we would like 1 more fight in 2012 and at least four in 2013. At that point we would like to fight for some sort of title and become a ten round fighter. We want to step up the competition”

Muhammad, twenty-three years old of Atlantic City, NJ is a 2008 Olympic Alternate and is managed by Bill Mielnicki and Abdur Muhammad and co-promoted by Gabe LaConte’s First Round Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions




2012 OLYMPIANS REFLECT ON UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL DEBUTS THIS FRIDAY, NOV. 9, AT FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

LOS ANGELES (November 6, 2012) – Before 2012 United States Olympians Dominic Breazeale, Marcus Browne, Terrell Gausha, Errol Spence and Rau’Shee Warren turn professional this Friday, November 9, at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., on a special edition of ShoBox: The Next Generation (SHOWTIME, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT), the fighters took time to reflect on their upcoming bouts and what it means to start their quests to become future world champions.

Breazeale will face Curtis Tate of Oakland, TN (4-3, 4 KO’s), Browne will face Codale Ford of Ford Gibson, OK (2-0), Gausha will face Dustin Caplinger of Chillicothe, OH (2-3, 1 KO), Spence will face Jonathan Garcia of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (3-3, 1 KO) and Warren will face Luis Rivera of Ponce, Puerto Rico (1-2).

“Night Of The Olympians” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. In the evening’s main event, unbeaten featherweight contender and 2008 United States Olympian Gary Russell Jr. will battle Roberto Castaneda in a 10-round fight. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT on fight night with the first fight starting at 5:30 p.m. PT. The ShoBox: The New Generation telecast will air live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

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

GET TO KNOW THE 2012 UNITED STATES OLYMPIANS

DID YOU KNOW?

Dominic Breazeale (DB) – Could throw a 72-yard pass as a college quarterback at the University of Northern Colorado and loves working with troubled youths (click HERE to a photo of Breazeale on the football field).

Marcus Browne (MB) – Loves getting manicures and pedicures and did a Sesame Street webisode scene with Elmo. (Click HERE to watch the webisode).

Terrell Gausha (TG) – Had his own billboard in downtown Cleveland during the 2012 Olympic Games (Click HERE to see a photo of the billboard).

Errol Spence (ES) – Was featured in US Weekly’s Hot Bodies issue (Click HERE to see the magazine article).

Rau’Shee Warren (RW) – Wears size four and a half shoes and owns over 300 pairs of shoes (Click HERE to see a photo of one of Warren’s pairs of shoes).

2012 UNITED STATES OLYMPIAN Q&A:

What do you think will be your greatest strengths/attributes as a pro?

DB: My strengths as a professional will be my presence in the ring. I’ll be the bigger, stronger, faster boxer. I also have developed a strong controlling jab.

MB: My greatest strength will be my power and professional style of boxing.

TG: I think my greatest attributes as a pro will be my ability to think and keep a level head in pressure situations.

ES:My combination punches, defense, my composure and ability to adjust in the ring.

RW: My hand speed and my footwork because speed equals power.

Since starting to train for your pro debut, what has been the biggest surprise or adjustment you’ve had to make?

DB: There hasn’t really been much of a surprise or adjustment. The only thing that changed is that training got that much harder. My training went from using the 3 minute bell for roughly 20 rounds to just working 90 minutes straight and getting water when you need it. Of course sparring is now 6 to 8 rounds long when it used to be 3 to 5 rounds, but I expected that to happen.

MB: The biggest adjustment is just sticking to the game plan and executing no matter what happens during the course of a match.

TG: Nothing has really surprised me because I have been working with pros for a while now, but I think an adjustment that I definitely have to make is the pace.

ES: I think I had a pro style in the amateurs, so really just picking my shots better and taking off the headgear.

RW: The biggest adjustments will be just staying patient, calming down, taking my time and picking my shots.

Do you have something to prove? If so, what?

DB: Every time I get in the ring, I have something to prove. I want to prove to fans and supporters that as an amateur I was good, but as a pro I will be great. I love proving people wrong. They said four years ago “he can’t box, he’ll never make it.” I think that really drove me to becoming an Olympian. Once you are an Olympian, you are always an Olympian (never former, never past). The only thing left to prove is that I’m the champ. I can hear it now “and the new heavyweight champ!”

MB: I think I have something to prove to both my supporters and myself. Besides that, I just have do what I do best.

TG: I want to prove that I am a force in the middleweight division and not to be overlooked.

ES: Yes I think I have a lot to prove, just coming in as an Olympian, there are high expectations from others and I want to be known as one of the greatest, so I have high expectation for myself as well.

RW: At this stage with me being a three-time Olympian, the fans will be watching to see what I can do because I’m a pro now and I’ve been an amateur for so long. I don’t have anything to prove to myself, but to others maybe.

What distinguishes yourself from your Olympic teammates?

DB: I’m not your ordinary professional debuting boxer. I say this because I’m a married man with two kids. Yup, married to my beautiful wife Christina for 5 years and I have 2 sons. My oldest DeAngelo is 4 and Devin is 9 months. I also have a college degree in criminal justice from the University of Northern Colorado. I started as a college Division 1 quarterback at the University of Northern Colorado. Football has always been a part of my life since I was 5 years old, but boxing, on the other hand, has only been in my life for the last four years. Prior to June of 2008, I never boxed before.

MB: I feel like I bring pizazz and a breath of fresh air to the light heavyweight division, but I’d rather let my fists do the talking.

TG: I think one thing that distinguishes myself from the rest of my Olympic teammates is my will to win, not to take anything away from them.

ES: Personality wise, I’m probably more laid back and quiet than the rest of my teammates.

RW: The only thing is that I’ve been to the Olympics three times, but in the ring, we’re all the same, we’re all human.

Is there more pressure on you on the eve of your pro debut than when you were fighting as an amateur?

DB: Of course there is more pressure on the eve of my professional debut, but I think it will help me more then it could harm me. The pressure will keep me on my toes, aware and alert.

MB: No not at all. I’ve been on the world stage at the Olympic Games so that experience was very helpful. I’m just going to have fun and not worry about what others think.

TG: I really don’t think it’s more pressure. This is what we have been working our whole careers for, to reach this point. I’m doing what I love to do and having fun doing it…no pressure.

ES: There’s a bit more pressure, it being my pro debut and all, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. The goal has always been to win.

RW: No, not all. I feel more relaxed and more confident this time around. I feel like I should have done this a while ago, but I always had a dream of going to the Olympics and winning a medal. Now I have to focus on a new dream of becoming a world champion.

Have you ever had a fight without headgear? What do you think it will feel like when you don’t wear it as a pro?

DB: No, this is my first fight without headgear. I think the feeling will be great. I never really liked wearing headgear.

MB: No, I haven’t had a fight without headgear and that just means I have to work on my defense and not get hit, but in boxing when will you not get hit?

TG: I’ve had seven fights without headgear while competing in the World Series of Boxing and I honestly feel that it better suits me. I can see better and move more freely.

ES: I’ve never fought without headgear. That and the smaller gloves will be the only adjustment that that I will have to make. I’ll probably feel the punches more and be more vulnerable to cuts and head butts.

RW: I had eight fights in the World Series of Boxing so fighting without headgear won’t be new. In the WSB, there were a lot of things that were different: no shirt, a bigger cup and no headgear. It was really different at first, but now I feel like it’s going to be easier because I know what to expect. I know how to go in the ring and be comfortable. All those little things count.

Can you tell us something about yourself that no one really knows — habits, hobbies, superstitions, etc.?

DB: I love the look and sound of a saxophone and one day I’m going to teach myself how to play it like a pro. It’s always been a passion of mine and I just don’t understand why.

MB: I love shopping, buying & listening to music, helping others & putting on for my city (New York City/Staten Island).

TG: I always watch Sugar Ray Leonard and Andre Ward before my fights. I take bits and pieces of their style and add it to my own. They are two of my favorite fighters.

ES: I’m a laid back conservative guy, but I do like to dance and play video games.

RW: Sometimes I like to dance a little to warm up, especially if Adrien Broner is with me so you might see a few dance moves before I walk to the ring.

What will you do with your first professional boxing paycheck?

DB: My first paycheck will go straight to bills and whatever is left will go in savings. Remember I’m a family man I have big responsibilities. Family first.

MB: Of course, I have to pay rent to my mom and I’ll put some money into my 401k as well as my life insurance policy (I’m not planning in leaving anytime soon, though).

TG: The first thing I want to do with the money I receive from my first pro fight is put some aside for my daughter’s college fund.

ES: It’s going straight to the bank! I’m the cheap one on the team.

RW: I haven’t decided, but I know Christmas is coming up. I have two little boys and a daughter coming, so I have to get ready for that. I have kids to feed.

If there is one special material possession you could get from your success, what would it be?

DB: Of course I would love to be debt free for my wife, my kids, their kids and myself. As far as a special material possession, it would be the belt or should I say belts.

MB: It would be a great fan base and a great way of living meaning wealth, health & happiness. #GODIsGreat!

TG: I honestly want to own a house.

ES: My boxing shoes and ring attire from the Olympics. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience in my life fighting in front of the world and representing my country with the world’s best athletes.

RW: Material possessions aren’t important to me, but I would like a Lamborghini…a red one.

ABOUT THE OLYMPIANS

A former quarterback for the University of Northern Colorado, 27-year-old Dominic Breazeale only began boxing three and a half years ago, but the 6-foot-6 heavyweight made an immediate impact, winning a U.S. national championship and earning a spot on the 2012 Olympic team. Opting to stay with the sweet science instead of returning to football, Breazeale has the raw talent and determination to give the United States a serious heavyweight threat in the coming years.

Three-time New York Golden Gloves, 2012 national and 2010 PAL champion Marcus Browne is a versatile light heavyweight southpaw who learned his craft in Staten Island, New York under the tutelage of Gary Stark Sr. and Teddy Atlas. Able to box or bang, the affable 21-year-old has the skill and charisma to make plenty of noise in the 175-pound division.

Cleveland’s Terrell Gausha was a two-time U.S. national champion before earning his spot on Team U.S.A. at the London Games. Gausha defeated Armenia’s Andranik Hakobyan by referee stoppage in his first Olympic fight. Now taking his talents to the professional game, the 24-year-old middleweight is seen as one of the most promising young fighters to emerge from the 2012 games.

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, 22-year-old Errol Spence began boxing at the age of 15, and he won three consecutive U.S. amateur championships before securing a spot in the London Olympics, where he won fights over boxers from Brazil and India before a quarterfinal loss to Russia’s entrant knocked him out of medal contention. Disappointed, but not discouraged, Spence is eager to begin his professional journey in the junior middleweight division on November 9.

The first American boxer to make three Olympic teams, Rau’Shee Warren now looks to follow in the footsteps of fellow Cincinnati fighters such as Ezzard Charles, Aaron Pryor and Adrien Broner by earning a professional world championship belt. A 2007 world amateur champion, the 25-year-old Warren won his first fight at the age of eight and he hasn’t looked back, competing in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Now he’s ready to take the next step in his career as a professional bantamweight and make the great boxing city of Cincinnati proud.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/BreazealeBoxing, www.twitter.com/MarcusBrowne,www.twitter.com/TerrellGausha, www.twitter.com/ErrolSpenceJr, www.twitter.com/RauSheeWarren,www.twitter.com/fantasysprings or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/fantasyspringsresort. For information on SHOWTIME, visit http://Sports.SHO.com, www.twitter.com/SHOsports or www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.




MORENO TO CHALLENGE KENTIKIAN FOR WBA FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

November 6, 2012 – Former 4-time world champion, Carina “La Reina” Moreno (22-5, 6 KOs) has signed a contract to fight WBA Flyweight champion, Susi Kentikian (29-1, 16 KOs) on December 1, 2012. The 10-round championship bout will take place in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

Once considered a pound for pound female champion, Moreno looks to regain he status as one of the best fighters in the world of women’s boxing. A win against Kentikian will put Moreno back on top of the food chain.

“This is a big fight to get my career back on track and I feel confident that the judging will be fair when I fight Kentikian in Germany,” said Moreno. “Melissa McMorrow won a majority decision over there so it’s possible to beat her on her home turf. Right now my trainer Rick Noble has me working on some flaws we see in Susi’s defense. It’s going to be a difficult fight but I feel I can get the victory and bring back home the title.”

After being robbed in her last two fights, Moreno’s trainer Rick Noble is hoping to get a fair shake she travels to Germany to face Kentikian.

“In Carina’s last fight against Irma Sanchez (25-5-1, 7 KOs) she clearly won almost every round, but they gave Sanchez the decision,” stated Nobel. “The fight before that, Carina completely dominated Cindy Amador (9-0, 1 KOs) and the judges gave her every round. I just hope this time around we get fair judging. Carina is ready to go and we are expecting Susi to be at her best. We need to go in there and take the fight to Susi and bring that belt home to the United States.”