Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a pair of stacked live events this Saturday, May 3, beginning at 4 p.m. ET with Cage Warriors 68 from Liverpool, England, followed by GLORY 16 Denver at 9 p.m. ET.

Headlining Cage Warriors 68 from Liverpool’s Echo Arena, Danny Roberts (10-1) meets Jim Wallhead (25-8) in welterweight action, plus Ronnie Mann (23-6-1) takes on Marcelo Costa (8-2-1) in a bantamweight clash.

Other featured bouts include welterweights Mauro Chimento (15-10) vs. Matt Inman (13-5), middleweights Steve Dinsdale (6-1) vs. Matt Hallam (4-2), middleweights Leeroy Barnes (12-13) vs. Che Mills (15-7) and bantamweights John Cullen (17-8-2) vs. Dean Garrett (5-0).

Meanwhile, GLORY 16 Denver will emanate from 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado at 9 p.m. ET, headlined by a welterweight world championship title fight pitting No. 1-ranked Nieky Holzken (84-11, 44 KOs) of the Netherlands against Belgium’s Marc de Bonte (86-11-1, 28 KOs), currently ranked No. 5.

Originally scheduled for GLORY 15 Istanbul, the matchup between power puncher Errol “The Bonecrusher” Zimmerman (101-11-1, 42 KOs) and knockout artist Ben Edwards (36-9-3, 32 KOs) now serves as one half of the heavyweight contender tournament. On the other side of the tourney bracket, heavy handed Russian Sergei Kharitonov (5-3, 3 KOs) meets Brazil’s Anderson “Braddock” Silva (37-10-1, 24 KOs). The contender tournament winner earns a spot in GLORY’s heavyweight world championship tournament later this year.

Making his GLORY debut in the contender tournament reserve bout, recently signed UFC veteran Pat “HD” Barry (15-5-1, 9 KOs) take son fellow newcomer Zack Mwekassa (10-1, 9 KOs).

Immediately following Fight Network’s live presentation of GLORY 16 Denver, catch an encore of Friday’s live broadcast of ONE Fighting Championship 15: Rise of Heroes from Manila, Philippines at 11 p.m. ET, topped by a bantamweight championship showdown between Bibiano Fernandes and Masakatsu Ueda.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com and follow on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

LAS VEGAS (April 30, 2014) – The Las Vegas-based World Series of Fighting promotion will stay in its hometown for a championship triple-header on June 21.

Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino hosts “World Series of Fighting 10: Branch vs. Taylor,” which pits David Branch against Jesse “JT Money” Taylor for World Series of Fighting’s inaugural middleweight title in the night’s five-round main event. World Series of Fighting featherweight kingpin Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan battles relentless finisher Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn in the co-main event.

A third championship matchup, which will also take place on the evening’s main card, will be announced shortly.

“Every time we hold an event, we always work hard to put on the most exciting fights possible,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo. ” World Series of Fighting 10 will be no exception and will deliver one exciting fight after another at The Joint in The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which is such a fantastic venue we decided to return on June 21. With these two championship fights leading the way – not to mention a third one on the way – it’s going to be an incredible night.”

As with all World Series of Fighting events, the evening’s main card airs live on NBCSN. The broadcast begins on Saturday, June 21, at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT local time).

Branch (13-3) is a three-time World Series of Fighting veteran who earned his way into the championship fight with a September win over Danillo Villefort in the company’s middleweight tournament semifinal. The 32-year-old Branch, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie, also boasts wins over Paulo Filho and Dustin Jacoby under the World Series of Fighting banner. The highly-regarded New Yorker collides with Taylor (27-9), a highly-decorated wrestling machine who mashed Elvis Mutapcic in his semifinal bout five months ago and owns a seven-fight winning streak.

Russian-born Karakhanyan (23-3-1), coming off an impressive third-round submission over big-name talent Lance Palmer that won him the World Series of Fighting featherweight belt, is widely considered one of the top 145-pounders on the planet. The 28-year-old destroyer Karakhanyan goes for 10 straight wins against the very aggressive Glenn (14-2), an Iowa native who is trained by standup wizard Duke Roufus at the Roufusport MMA Academy. Karakhanyan vs. Glenn looks to be a war.

Tickets for “World Series of Fighting 10: Branch vs. Taylor” start at just $39 and go on sale at 10 a.m. PT local time on Saturday, May 3, at AXS.com.

About “World Series of Fighting” (WSOF)

“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a world wide premier profesional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and “World Series of Fighting” President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

About NBC Sports Network

NBC Sports Network, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 80 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France and the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2013, the Premier League and Formula One. In addition, NBC Sports Network features college football, college basketball, college hockey, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Action Sports Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, The Crossover, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show. NBC Sports Network is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

About Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is Las Vegas’ off-strip playground, just minutes and less than three miles from McCarran International Airport. The premier destination entertainment resort is owned by Brookfield Real Estate Finance Fund II and managed by WG-Harmon, LLC, a subsidiary of Warner Gaming, LLC. Built in 1995, the property completed a $750 million expansion in 2010. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers an energetic entertainment and gaming experience with the services and amenities associated with a boutique luxury resort hotel. The property is known for its innovative nightlife and music scene where acts such as The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Incubus, Foo Fighters, Carlos Santana, Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses have all performed. Features of the property include an 11-story Casino Tower with 640 guest rooms, 17-story Paradise Tower with 490 rooms and suites and the all-suite HRH Tower with 359 suites, eight spa villas and seven penthouse suites; 72,000 square feet of casino space featuring Peacock High-Limit gaming and Asian gaming amenities; 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention space; more than $4 million in rare music memorabilia; Body English Nightclub; Reliquary Water Sanctuary, Spa & Salon; 4.5 acres of tropical pool paradise housing world-famous pool parties REHAB Sunday and RELAX Monday; live music/entertainment venues The Joint and Vinyl; Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co.; restaurants Culinary Dropout, Nobu, The Ainsworth, 35 Steaks + Martinis, Pink Taco, Mr. Lucky’s Café and ?Fú; a state-of-the-art fitness center and trendsetting retailers John Varvatos, Affliction, Love Jones, Rocks The Jewelers and Rock Paper Photo. For room availability and additional information call 800.HRD.ROCK (800.473.7625) or visit hardrockhotel.com. Follow Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

London (30 April) Leon Senior is “looking forward” to the “biggest fight” of his career when he faces British light heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe in the MaxiNutrition Knockout semi-finals at Leeds Town Hall on May 17, live on Channel 5.

The Southern Area champion, Senior, would “love” to win the competition and feels all the pressure is on the Leeds man, Ajisafe, ahead of their domestic clash.

“I’m really looking forward to it, this is my biggest fight to date and it’s the best opportunity I could ask for,” Senior said.

“It would mean so much to get through Ajisafe, he’s the favourite in this competition so I’m not looking any further than him and I’m taking it one fight at a time.”

Senior progressed following a non-contest decision against former Commonwealth title contender Tony Hill after an accidental clash of heads cut short their quarter-final.

While Ajisafe came through a brutally relentless fight of the year contender against former British, Commonwealth, European, WBC International, WBO and IBO Inter-Continental champion Dean Francis on points at Rivermead, Reading and the Swanley man recognises that many will favour Bob when they meet, but believes he has what it takes to cause a major upset.

“I have no pressure at all on me,” Senior said.

“I don’t think in anyone’s eyes other than the people in my own camp am I expected to win this fight.

“I know Bob has fought a lot of high profile fighters, where I haven’t, so I wouldn’t blame anyone looking at him as the favourite, but I still think I have a better chance than most will think.

“I always believe in myself and I see myself as a very strong contender for this competition and this fight.

“I never thought I was going to be in a competition like this and I would love to lift that trophy.”

This superb night of championship boxing will also see Newcastle fighter and newly crowned English light heavyweight champion ‘Tasty’ Travis Dickinson meet Preston’s Central Area champion ‘Magic’ Matty Clarkson in the second semi-final to decide who will compete for the first ever MaxiNutrition Knockout title.

The night will also feature a whole host of exciting talent on the undercard including former world heavyweight title contender and Wladimir Klitschko opponent ‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers, Bradford’s former WBC world light welterweight champion Junior Witter, as well as Leeds fighter Damon Jones, Bradford’s Darren Tetley, Hull fighter Samir Mouneimne and Morecambe’s Isaac Lowe.

Ticket Information

Tickets for start from £35 and are available to purchase now from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 9991 or online at www.ticketline.co.uk

London (30 April) ‘Magic’ Matty Clarkson feels “the momentum” building ahead of his English title showdown with ‘Tasty’ Travis Dickinson at Leeds Town Hall on May 17, live on Channel 5.

The Central Area champion, Clarkson, defended his title to meet the newly crowned English champion, Dickinson, in the MaxiNutrition Knockout semi-finals and is “looking forward” to facing the tough Geordie.

“It was a brilliant feeling to defend my title in the quarter-final and one of the highlights of my career so far,” Clarkson said.

“My training has rolled straight from the last fight into this one so it keeps the momentum going – I know I need a performance, I know I need to up my game to get rid of Travis and I’m looking forward to it and showing that I’ve been on this level for a while.”

The 27-year-old Preston man, Clarkson, came through a tricky fight against Sheffield’s Lee Duncan on points in their MaxiNutrition Knockout quarter-final contest just last month and recognises he will be the underdog when he faces Dickinson, who knocked out former European champion Danny McIntosh in three rounds in his respective quarter-final.

“I have a lot of questions to answer, obviously a lot of people are going to write me off based on our last performances, I understand that,” Clarkson said.

“Travis boxed well, he got rid of an ex European champion in Danny McIntosh in three rounds, he didn’t mess about.

“But, I couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks because on the 17th of May I’ll answer all the questions.”

This fantastic night of championship boxing will also see Leeds fighter and newly crowned British light heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe take on Swanley’s Southern Area champion Leon Senior in the second semi-final to decide who will compete for the first ever MaxiNutrition Knockout title.

The night will also feature a whole host of exciting talent on the undercard including former world heavyweight title contender and Wladimir Klitschko opponent ‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers, Bradford’s former WBC world light welterweight champion Junior Witter, as well as Leeds fighter Damon Jones, Bradford’s Darren Tetley, Hull fighter Samir Mouneimne and Morecambe’s Isaac Lowe.

Ticket Information

Tickets for start from £35 and are available to purchase now from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 9991 or online at www.ticketline.co.uk

April 30, 2014 – HBO Sports® debuts an all-new installment of “2 Days” when the feature segment returns Saturday, May 17 at 12:30 a.m. (ET/PT) with a behind-the-scenes look at world middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, one of boxing’s elite pound-for-pound fighters. “2 Days: Sergio Martinez” premieres immediately following the HBO World Championship Boxing® telecast from The Forum in Inglewood, CA.

“2 Days” is a revealing and intimate look at a 48-hour span in the life of a boxer in the lead-up to one of his fights and the next edition will focus on Argentine Sergio Martinez. HBO cameras followed the engaging and compelling fighter prior to his memorable hometown showdown with Martin Murray last April in Buenos Aires. The outdoor event attracted more than 40,000 fans.

HBO air times include: May 17 (12:30 a.m.), 18 (4:15 p.m.), 19 (8:00 a.m. & 1:35 a.m.), 23 (5:30 p.m.), 24 (10:45 a.m.), 27 (11:45 p.m.), 29 (4:45 p.m.), 30 (9:45 p.m.), and June 3 (12:45 p.m. & 3:45 a.m.), 5 (1:00 a.m.), 6 (8:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.) and 7 (10:30 a.m.).

HBO 2 air times include: May 20 (9:15 p.m.), 21 (1:40 p.m.), 22 (4:00 p.m.), 25 (3:15 p.m.), 26 (3:15 a.m.), 27 (8:45 p.m.), 29 (11:30 p.m.) and 31 (11:45 p.m.).

All times are ET/PT.

Martinez is set to return to the ring on Saturday, June 7 in one of the year’s hottest fights when he faces superstar Miguel Cotto at New York’s Madison Square Garden on HBO Pay-Per-View®.

“2 Days” will also be available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO GO® and at www.hbo.com/boxing as well as various other new media platforms that distribute the series.

London (30 April) Callum Hancock is feeling “absolutely brilliant” and “over the moon” to be back in action on May 10 at Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield.

The Sheffielder known as ‘Hitman’, who was out of action for 11 months due to injury, fights for the second time this year on the undercard to Kid Galahad’s fight for the vacant Commonwealth title, live on Channel 5.

“I feel absolutely brilliant,” Callum said.

“I can’t wait for May 10th, back in Sheffield in my home town and boxing on a big Channel 5 show like this is every young fighter’s dream – it’s massive.”

The 23-year-old middleweight prospect is undefeated in five contests, boasting a perfect five straight victories.

In his last contest in March he overcome Steve Spence over four rounds and admits that it was the biggest performance of his career so far, as he returned to fighting after recovering from serious whiplash injuries sustained in a car accident that left him unable to fight for almost a year.

“It was a long time coming to get back in the ring following my accident, it meant everything to me,” Callum said.

“It was massive for me, I was absolutely petrified before my last fight, I was scared stiff and I’ve never felt like that before.

“I kept doubting myself – am I ready? Should I be doing this? Is it too soon? And I answered all the questions to myself which I was over the moon to do.

“In my training I was worried about doing something to my neck but this time I’ve been flying, so all systems are go for May 10th.

“In this game confidence is key, if you go in that ring doubting yourself, that’s it, game over – the demons have definitely been shrugged off the shoulders, I’m back and I’m happy.”

Callum fights on the undercard of fellow Ingle Gym fighter and newly crowned European super bantamweight champion Kid Galahad as he takes on Australian champion Fred ‘The General’ Mundraby for the vacant Commonwealth title.

Also scheduled to fight in Sheffield is undefeated heavyweight sensation Hughie Lewis Fury and Morden’s former British champion and European title contender Lenny Daws, as well as a whole host of local talent.

VIDEO: CALLUM HANCOCK TALKS ABOUT HIS FIGHT ON THE KID GALAHAD UNDERCARD ON MAY 10
VIDEO LINK –

Negotiations are complete and contracts have been signed for Patrick Nielsen’s World title challenge. The Danish middleweight (22-0, 11 KOs) will travel to Moscow, Russia to face Dmitry Chudinov (12-0-2, 8 KOs) for the interim WBA World Championship at the Mytishchi Arena on June 1st.

‘’This is the opportunity I have been waiting for,’’ said Nielsen. ‘’I have been dreaming of becoming a World Champion since I was a kid and now my chance has come!

‘’Everything I have done so far in my career, all the fights, all the training, has been building up to this moment, so I won’t be leaving anything to chance. I will make sure I am in the best possible shape when I enter the ring. There is no way I will be coming home without the belt.’’

To realise his World title ambition, Nielsen, the current WBC Silver Middleweight Champion, must travel to Russia to take on the undefeated champion Dmitry Chudinov.

Despite being away from home the 23 year-old is confident that he has what it takes to become Denmark’s next World Champion.

”It makes no difference to me where the fight takes place,” said Nielsen. ‘’Home or away, Denmark or Russia, I am still the best and I will prove that on June 1st in Moscow.”

Nielsen’s confidence is shared by his coach, former two-time World Champion, Joey Gamache.

‘’Sure Chudinov is a tough guy,’’ said Gamache. ‘’He is strong and he comes to fight but Patrick is the better boxer. For me Patrick has to be the favourite. He is young, he is hungry and he won’t let anything stand in his way.’’

Currently standing in his way is Dmitry ‘’Night Wolf’’ Chudinov, the 27 year-old defending champion from Serpukhov, Russia.

‘’Patrick is a strong opponent and I am expecting a tough challenge,’’ said Chudinov. ‘’But if he thinks he can come and take my title away from me he is mistaken. I have been training hard and will be in excellent condition on June 1st. I am predicting dark days for Patrick Nielsen in Moscow.”

Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’The fight is signed and sealed, so now its up to Patrick to deliver. Of course there is some risk involved in taking the fight in Moscow but this is too good an opportunity for us to pass up. We believe that Patrick is ready and that he will be returning to Denmark a World Champion.’’

Chudinov’s promoter Vladimir Hrunov, who is expecting a sell-out crowd inside the 9,000-capacity Mytishchi Arena, has said: ‘’We are very happy to have finalised the deal to bring Patrick Nielsen to Moscow. We have the utmost respect for Patrick. I am expecting a very tough and very even contest between two undefeated fighters.’’

According to Dan Rafael of espn.con, Floyd Mayweather has shown in terest in purchasing The Los Angeles Clippers in light of the Donald Sterling scandal.

“I called Al today about that to see if me, Leonard and Al (Haymon), and hopefully Richard (Schaeffer) and a couple of other guys, a couple other of my billionaire guys, we can come together and see what we can come up with,” Mayweather said. “Hopefully, we can do it, and it’s not just talk.

“With me, I can’t come in talking about Mayweather only gonna get 3 percent, 4 percent. I got to get a solid percentage. Do we want to buy the Clippers? Yes, we do. We are very, very interested in buying the Clippers. We’ll keep the Clippers right where they’re at.

“When I’m not boxing, I’m at the games all the time. We do want to buy the Clippers. Me and my team do want to buy the Clippers and we can afford the Clippers.

“Donald Sterling, he’s been getting a lot of negative press, and my thing is this — I don’t have nothing negative to say about this guy,” Mayweather said. “He’s always treated me with the utmost respect. He has always invited me to games. Always. Has always told me, ‘Floyd, I want you to sit right next to me and my wife.’ I don’t know about the [alleged] mistress. But I’m talking about him and the wife.”

“The league has made it known that it wants more minorities involved and, as a proud Mexican-American, I will bring a different perspective to the NBA in general, and the Clippers in particular,” said De La Hoya, who has a statue in the Staples Center’s Star Plaza outside the venue’s front entrance. “I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I know what it takes to run a successful sports entity, and nothing would make me happier than to bring an NBA championship home to Southern California sports fans.

“I applaud NBA commissioner Adam Silver for his quick and decisive action regarding the Donald Sterling situation, and his forward thinking will push the league toward a positive future. There is no room for racism and unfair treatment in any professional sport, or in life in general. I hope to be a part of positive change for the league.”

“If the Clippers become available, he would be interested in buying the franchise,” Geffen’s office said in an email to the newspaper.

As the son of former welterweight champion turned top-level trainer “Buddy” McGirt, middleweight contender James “Buddy” McGirt Jr. (22-3-1, 11 KOs) was once a promising young contender and a staple on televised boxing.

But an admitted party lifestyle cost the talented southpaw and led to his three career losses and eventually to him stepping away from boxing for the past three years.

McGirt is now back, 31 years old, signed up with a new co-promotional group consisting of Leon Margules and Luis DeCubas of Warriors Boxing and Javier Arce and Armando Garcia Chavez of G&A Boxing Promotions, and ready to make his much-anticipated ring return this Thursday night, when he takes on Larry Smith Jr. (10-21-1, 7 KOs) of Dallas, Texas, in a middleweight six-rounder.

McGirt vs. Smith will serve as a highlight on the undercard of Warriors Boxing’s “Noche de Combates”, a special edition of ESPN Thursday Night Fights, from the iconic Hialeah Park in South Florida, featuring Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia (34-3, 22 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas, taking on Victor “Mermelada” Cayo (32-4, 23 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in the night’s 10-round welterweight main event.

In the 10-round middleweight co-feature, undefeated Jonathan “Mantequilla” González (17-0-1, 14 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico, will face Sonora, Mexico’s Rogelio “Porky” Medina (32-5, 26 KOs).

Tickets for “Noche de Combates,” are priced at $20, $35, $50 and $100 and are on sale now. They can be purchased at ticketforce.com, as well as hialeahpark.com, and also at the Hialeah Park Racing & Casino box office. For more information, call the special Boxing Hotline at 786-483-7444.

McGirt, who hasn’t fought since losing to top contender Edwin Rodriguez in 2010, says he missed the attention being a world-rated fighter brought him and has made all the lifestyle adjustments necessary for a serious run at a world championship.

What brought you back to boxing, James?
I told myself I was going to do it and give 100%. I was going through some business and legal stuff with my old promoter and things weren’t working out. So, I just stepped back and got my life together. Things are 100% better now for me. I’m a grown man now and I know what time it is.

How did you hook up with your new promoters?
Luis DeCubas was my first manager when I turned pro. Then we parted ways on good terms and I went another way. Warriors is located in Southern Florida where I live and I know they’re a great promotional group. Plus, I’ve got Javier and Armando working together and helping me out. I’m so grateful for all of them and I have to go out there and make them all happy.

Do you still have what it takes to be a top fighter?
Do I still have it? I’m ten times better than I was before! Making a lot of money at a young age and not doing the right things outside the boxing gym caught up to me. I told myself I wasn’t going to box again until I was totally prepared to give 100%. I’m ready now. Words can’t express how excited I am. I’ve been missing it. I’ve been watching big fights on TV and watching the middleweight division and it’s wide open to make a good run at becoming world champion within a year.

And I should say that I’ve been out of the ring for the last three years, but I haven’t been totally out of boxing. I’ve been in camp with Lucien Bute, Andre Dirrell and Andre Ward, three highly respectable names and I’ve learned a lot from them. I kept myself sharp. I was still working

How is your weight for this fight? Any problems?
No. I’m probably going to come in at 162. The contract is 164, but I’ve been under that for the past week. With it being three years away, I didn’t know how my body would respond, but making weight was a lot easier this time without all the partying in my off time. Now that I’m living a clean life, it makes it a lot easier.

How do you picture your fight with Smith unfolding?
If the knockout comes, it comes, but I just want the bell to ring and start the fight already. I miss it. I missed the limelight of the boxing world. Being a top-rated fighter and leaving the game for three years, you miss it. I’ve been given this opportunity to showcase my talent now it’s do or die time and I have to take advantage of it.

###

Also featured Thursday night will be two more recent Warriors Boxing and G&A Boxing Promotions’ co-promotional signees, twin-brother featherweight contenders, Juan Carlos Velasquez and Carlos Ivan “Twin Dream” Velasquez, from Catano, Puerto Rico, now living in Miami.

Juan Carlos (11-1, 5 KOs) will face a stern test in comebacking former world title challenger Rogers Mtagwa (27-16-2, 19 KOs) of Philadelphia, via Tanzania. Carlos Ivan (16-1, 11 KOs) will be facing Guillermo Sanchez (13-11-1, 5 KOs) from Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

Also that night will be an eight-round light heavyweight bout, featuring knockout artist Yunieski Gonzalez (13-0, 13 KOs) of Havana, Cuba, who will put his perfect record on the line against Arpartado, Colombia’s Jaison Palomeque (14-9-1, 9 KOs); and a six-round cruiserweight affair between undefeated Cuban Vilier Quinonez (7-0, 4 KOs) of Havana taking and Edgar Perez (5-8, 3 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In preliminary action, Cairo Egypt’s Ahmed Elbiale (3-0, 3 KOs) will see action in a light heavyweight four-rounder against Steven Chadwick Jr. (2-5, 1 KO) of Jacksonville, Florida; and in the four-round welterweight opener, Bogota, Colombia, via Hollywood, Florida’s Jorge Quintero (0-1) will face Davie, Florida’s pro debuting (and Florida 2012 Golden Gloves Champ) Jeff “Rambo” Souffrant.

Hialeah Park & Casino is located at 2200 E 4th Avenue in Hialeah, FL. On fight night, Thursday May 1, 2014, gates will open at 6:30 PM ET and the first fight will be at 7:00 PM ET. All bouts are subject to change.
ABOUT WARRIORS BOXING

Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to it’s credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

LOS ANGELES (April 29) – While still actively promoting the sport he loves, boxing great and President of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya also wants to throw his hat into a different arena, making it known Tuesday night of his desire to own a piece of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers franchise.

“The league has made it known that it wants more minorities involved, and as a proud Mexican-American, I will bring a different perspective to the NBA in general, and the Clippers in particular,” said De La Hoya. “I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I know what it takes to run a successful sports entity and nothing would make me happier than to bring an NBA Championship home to Southern California sports fans.”

A 1992 U.S. Olympic Gold medalist, East LA’s De La Hoya went on to a storied professional boxing career that earned him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2014. In addition, De La Hoya founded and built Golden Boy Promotions into boxing’s premier promotional company. However, he has his sights set on more, and if he becomes an owner of the Clippers, he will join fellow 1992 Olympic Gold medalists Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan as athletes turned professional sports team owners.

Continued, De La Hoya, “I applaud NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for his quick and decisive action regarding in the Donald Sterling situation, and his forward thinking will push the league toward a positive future. There is no room for racism and unfair treatment in any professional sport, or in life in general. I hope to be a part of positive change for the league.”

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com , follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing.

LAS VEGAS (April 29, 2014) — Main event and undercard fighters for “THE MOMENT: Mayweather vs. Maidana” made their grand arrivals Tuesday to the MGM Grand Hotel Lobby to officially kick off fight week activities leading up to this Saturday night’s SHOWTIME PPV® event.

FLOYD “MONEY” MAYWEATHER, 10-Time, Five-Division World Champion and WBC Welterweight World Champion

“We’re five days away from another big event; this bout is about two fighters coming together giving the people what they want to see.

“Maidana is hungry, he’s ready and he has a great knockout ratio. It’s all about keeping composure and sticking to the game plan.

“It’s the best fighting the best. I’m glad he believes in himself and that’s what it’s all about. It’s champion versus champion and country versus country.

“Saturday night you’re not going to see the same Floyd Mayweather. I’ll be right there going toe-to-toe.”

MARCOS MAIDANA, WBA Welterweight World Champion

“To see all these people here supporting me is amazing.

“I know people think I’m going to lose, but I come to win and I’m not afraid of anybody or anything.

“I have the support of the Latino people and I’m coming to win.”

AMIR “KING” KHAN, Former Unified Super Lightweight World Champion

“It’s going to be a great event, my first time fighting at the MGM Grand, not in Las Vegas but at the venue.

“I worked very hard, I feel healthy and strong at 147.

“I’m not looking past Collazo. He’s a good, strong fighter. We just want to put on a show and the best man will win.”

LUIS COLLAZO, WBA International Welterweight Champion

“You can expect fireworks in the ring on Saturday.

“I love being the underdog. I’ve been the underdog my entire life. I may be underrated, but I’ve never faded.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to be here. I’m going to give the fans a great night of boxing.”

ADRIEN “THE PROBLEM” BRONER, Former Three-Division World Champion

“I told Molina it’s work time. I’m going to beat him. Everybody knows Adrien Broner.

“It’s amazing to be on Floyd’s card. He’s going to do his thing and I’m going to do mine.”

CARLOS MOLINA, Junior Welterweight Contender

“There’s no pressure in this fight; we put in the hard work.

“We know what Broner brings and we’re ready to shock the world. We’re going to bring the heat and surprise a lot of people.

“I’m going to let my fists do the talking.”

J’LEON LOVE, Undefeated Super Middleweight Contender

“There’s no pressure. I’m training hard for the task in front of us.

“We know Marco is very tough, but I plan on coming out victorious.”

MARCO ANTONIO PERIBAN, NABF Super Middleweight Champion

“I’m happy to be here in Vegas. I plan to use this platform to grow my career.

“It motivates me to fight against a Mayweather Promotions fighter. You will see a new Marco Periban on Saturday.”

ANDREW TABITI, Undefeated Cruiserweight Prospect

“We’ll see what happens on Saturday night. I’m going to bring my speed, power and my technical skill.”

RONALD GAVRIL, Undefeated Super Middleweight Contender

“All I have to say is, next fight, next knockout.”

ANTHONY OGOGO, Undefeated Middleweight Prospect and 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist

“I’m very honored to be here in Las Vegas. It’s a crazy place, but I love it and it’s where I want to fight.

“I’m going to put my heart and soul into this fight.”

ASHLEY THEOPHANE, Welterweight Contender

“It’s good to be back here for the biggest show that there is.

“It’s all about getting that win and moving on to the next.”

LANELL BELLOWS, Super Middleweight Prospect

“Fan’s can expect fireworks. I’ll be ready for war come Saturday.”

LADARIUS MILLER, Welterweight Prospect

“I’m honored to be here and I’m ready to bring my talent on May 3.

“Everyone should expect excitement in the ring.”

# # #

THE MOMENT: Mayweather vs. Maidana,” is a 12-round world championship unification bout for Mayweather and Maidana’s respective 147-pound titles. This is the third fight of Mayweather’s lucrative multi-fight deal with Showtime Networks Inc. THE MOMENT is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts and AT&T. In the co-main event, Amir Khan faces Luis Collazo in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBC silver welterweight world title. The pay-per-view undercard also features a 10-round junior welterweight fight between Adrien Broner and Carlos Molina as well as a 10-round super middleweight bout featuring J’Leon Love vs. Marco Antonio Periban. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000 and $750 are still available, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets $550 and $350 are sold out. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com orwww.ticketmaster.com.

Six MGM Resorts Properties will host live closed circuit telecast of THE MOMENT: Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage and Monte Carlo. General admission tickets for the closed circuit telecasts are priced at $75, not including handling fees, and are available for purchase at each individual property’s box office outlets and by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711 or at www.mgmgrand.com. Select properties also will sell tickets through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or by purchasing online at www.ticketmaster.com. “THE MOMENT” will also be broadcast on nearly 520 select movie theaters across the country. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

LAS VEGAS (April 29 2014) – The state of Ohio will be well-represented on Friday, May 2, when Cincinnati’s Rau’shee Warren, Jamel Herring and Javonte Clark, Toledo’s Robert Easter Jr. and Cleveland’s Raynell Williams make the trip to Sin City to The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas as undercard bouts leading up to an exciting tripleheader featuring some of boxing’s best.

In the 10 round super welterweight main event, former World Champion Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith faces tough Illinois contender Ryan “Dangerous” Davis. Also in action on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes will be rising lightweight star Mickey “The Spirit” Bey who will meet hard-hitting Mexican veteran Alan “Explosivo” Herrera in a 10-round matchup and in the televised opener, Argentina’s Jesus Cuellar squares off with former World Champion Rico Ramos in a 12-round bout for Cuellar’s WBA Interim Featherweight World Title.

Three-time United States Olympian Rau’shee Warren (10-0, 3 KOs) has been dazzling in his professional career, using speed, technique and ring savvy to leave his opponents unable to mount any offense against him. After five consecutive shutout wins, the 27-year-old bantamweight will engage in his first 10-round bout on May 2 when he faces Durango, Mexico’s Martin Alvarado (7-2, 6 KOs), a hard-hitting competitor eager to score the upset win.

Owner of four first-round knockouts, Robert Easter Jr. (9-0, 8 KOs) showed off his ability to go the distance in his last fight on January 25 when he shut out veteran contender Daniel Attah over eight rounds. The 23-year-old will return to Las Vegas on May 2 in an eight-round lightweight bout against Carlos Cardenas (20-7-1 13 KOs)of Barinas, Venezuela.

In an eight-round lightweight matchup, Warren’s 2012 Olympic teammate Jamel Herring (7-0, 4 KOs) returns to action for his second bout of 2014 when he meets Peten, Guatemala native Rogelio Cazarez (6-1, 3 KOs). The 28-year-old Herring is coming off of back-to-back victories over Lance Williams and Antonio Sanchez and he expects to add another win to his record against the 23-year-old Cazarez, who is riding a four-fight winning streak.
Rounding out this stellar card will be two four-round bouts will be Cleveland lightweight Raynell Williams (3-0, 3 KOs) faces Joshua Arocho (3-8-4, 2 KOs) of Vineland, New Jersey and Cincinnati welterweight Javonte Clark (1-0, 1 KO) takes on Mexicali’s Miguel Rico (2-5-1).

Smith vs. Davis, a 10-round super welterweight bout, is presented by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and is sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts and GoldenRam. The Joint doors will open at 3:00 p.m. and the first fight begins at 3:15 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $95, $65, $35 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now and available for purchase by visiting The Joint box office, calling 800.745.3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.FOXSports.com/FoxSports1, become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MayweatherPromo, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, @ishesugarshay, @mickeybeytmt, @JesusCuellarBOX and visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.com and www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

Star Boxing & Choko Boxing are proud to announce the live broadcast of
the highly acclaimed TV program with Delvin RODRIGUEZ vs Joachim “Ti-Joa” Alcine

On May 16th – Five professional fights at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium
This Starlight Children’s Foundation Charity Event exclusively for 1500 fans will be a home run!

Montreal, April 29th 2014 -Star Boxing and Co-Promoter Choko Boxing are please to bring one of the year’s most unique events in the boxing world to Montreal. On Friday May 16, ESPN’s celebrated Friday Night Fights television program will be broadcasted live from the most incredible venue in town, the legendary Olympic Stadium.

This will be a memorable event since the “Big O” hasn’t hosted any professional boxing for almost 35 years. The last fight was the famous Roberto Duran vs Sugar Ray Leonard in June of 1980, an event that became one of the greatest boxing confrontation in History.

The two hour live ESPN broadcast that will take place on Friday May 16 will showcase the Light Middleweight 10 round Main Event between STAR BOXING fighter Delvin RODRIGUEZ (28-7-1-21Ko) vs Montrealer & former WBA World Champion Joachim “Ti-Joa” ALCINE (35-7-1-21Ko).

We can expect Alcine’s fight to be full of excitement – Ti Joa won his two last fights by TKO and is in great shape. After brilliant confrontations against Québécois David Lemieux and Stéphane Ouellet, the crowd should be pleased to see him perform at home once again.

Delvin Rodriguez is one of ESPN’s most recognized fighters his famous FIGHT OF THE YEAR battle against Pawel Wolak still electrifies fans! Rodriguez’ last fight was against future Hall of Famer Miguel COTTO.

Alexandre Choko of Choko Boxing stated, “Following my 5 year journey to interview some of the greatest boxing legends of all time and write my book The Future of Boxing, it is with great pride that my first comeback professional boxing event will be televised in America in such a prestigious outlet. ESPN’s Friday Night Fights being the equivalent of Monday Night Football to boxing fans, it’s an honor to be part of such an exciting production”.

Choko recently teamed with Joe DeGuardia, Star Boxing CEO and currently President of the Boxing Promoters Association. This is a first collaboration between the two promoters, who met when Choko was preparing his book The Future of Boxing and Joe DeGuardia was just elected President of the Boxing Promoters Association.

Star Boxing and Choko Boxing expect to bring the local fans, Haitian and Dominican community together to cheer for Joachim Alcine and Rodriguez.

An affordable experience priced at only $45.00. Set as a special intimate format, only 1500 tickets will be released including 500 floor seats. Tickets will be available through the Admission network May 2nd 2014.

Main Event: Delvin RODRIGUEZ vs Joachim “Ti-Joa” ALCINE
Co-feature: Heavyweight Joe Hanks vs opponent TBA
Tickets: $45.00 Stands /$100.00 floor / $175.00 VIP with beverage service www.admission.com 1-855-790-1245.

Las Vegas (APRIL 29th, 2014) – The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame has confirmed that they will appear and have a Booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the inaugural Box Fan Expo that will take place this September.

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame honors boxers and those associated with the sports who have contributed to the advancement of boxing in Nevada. We are a non-profit organization with proceeds, after expenses, being distributed to boxing-related charities, special-needs former boxers, youth boxing, Nevada boxing gyms, and other worthy organizations.

Our mission is twofold: 1) To honor boxers and those who have contributed significantly to the sport in Nevada, through their induction into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. 2) To help those from the sport of boxing in need of financial assistance, to help other boxing-related organizations which do the same, and to support youth and amateur boxing programs including the the club boxing programs at the University of Nevada in Reno and UNLV.

Rich Marotta, Founder and President of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame:

“The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is excited to have a booth and be part of
Box Fan Expo. Since its inception, one of the stated goals of the NVBHOF was to help bring the Nevada boxing community together. The Box Fan Expo is certainly going to be doing that. It will be a great service to the sport and it’s fans.”

Michelle Corrales-Lewis Director of Events, NVBHOF:

“The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is honored to be a part of the Box Fan Expo. We look forward to seeing boxing fans gathering at this wonderful event to celebrate the sport of boxing and help some of the boxing greats bridge the gap between their fans and their brands.”

Every year, one of the biggest boxing weekends of the year is Mexican Independence Day. In 2014, that weekend has just got bigger, better and more fan accessible with the announcement of the FIRST-EVER BOX FAN EXPO.

Box Fan Expo will take place on Saturday, September 13th, 2014 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and will run from 10am to 6pm.

To Purchase tickets click: http://www.BoxFanExpo.eventbrite.com

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate fan experience that was created to promote the entire boxing industry and to allow fans to celebrate, Meet and Greet their favorite boxers and boxing celebrities. The event will feature boxing legends, today’s superstars, Hall of Famers, future prospects and the stars of today all under one roof.

The event will also feature major promoters, ring card girls, sanctioning organizations as well as trainers, referees, commentators and announcers. Anyone that directly or indirectly represents the sport of boxing will have a chance to showcase themselves to the boxing fans and whole industry. Also in attendance will be exhibitors, sponsors, television broadcasters and media.

Box Fan Expo will also feature different activities such as autograph sessions, photo ops, weigh in, face off with your favorite fighters and buy merchandise.

Throughout the next several months, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that have already committed their appearance at the Box Fan Expo.

For anyone in the industry who would like to be involved and reserve a booth, contact

Box Fan Expo at:

U.S.A Number: (702) 997-2099 or (514) 572-7222

Email info@boxfanexpo.com

For more info go to: www.boxfanexpo.com

Follow Box Fan Expo on twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BoxFanExpo

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo

NEW YORK (April 29, 2014) – SHOWTIME Sports® will offer a blitz of live and documentary programming across multiple platforms this week in advance of the SHOWTIME PPV® presentation of “THE MOMENT: Mayweather vs. Maidana” – a four-fight telecast headlined by boxing superstar and No. 1 pound-for-pound titlist Floyd “Money” Mayweather against Marcos Maidana in a 12-round welterweight world championship unification fight this Saturday, May 3 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The lineup features live events and exclusive content including live coverage of fight week, the premiere of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana Episode 3, classic fights, and COUNTDOWN LIVE, a one-hour show on SHOWTIME preceding the pay-per-view event.

The excitement begins tonight, April 29, on SHO EXTREME and continues with five consecutive days of daily fistic programming in support of “THE MOMENT: Mayweather vs. Maidana.’’ The schedule:

Tonight, April 29
Last Saturday’s terrific SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader, highlighted by the universally lauded Fight Of The Year candidate, Matthysse vs. Molina, delivered it all – drama, brutal action, and unrelenting intensity. Don’t miss the replay of the instant classic tonight/Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME.

Wednesday, April 30
SHOWTIME Sports Press Pass Live will stream the MAIN EVENT FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE live at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on www.sho.com/sports. The live program is available to simulcast on your network and website.

ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana EPISODE 3 premieres on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

CLASSIC FIGHTS – An encore presentation of Marcos Maidana vs. Victor Ortiz will air on SHO EXTREME at 11:45 p.m. ET/PT.

THURSDAY, MAY 1
SHOWTIME Sports Press Pass Live will stream the UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE featuring Amir Khan, Adrien Broner and all the undercard fighters at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on www.sho.com/sports. The live program is available to simulcast on your network and website.

CLASSIC FIGHTS – Marcos Maidana vs. Jesus Soto Karass will air on SHO EXTREME at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto will air on SHO EXTREME at 11:05 p.m. ET/PT.

FRIDAY, MAY 2
WEIGH-IN LIVE: Mayweather vs. Maidana, a one-hour live program, will air on SHOWTIME at 6 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. PT and include coverage the official weigh-in, plus a special ALL ACCESS LIVE segment highlighted by an unedited, unscripted, live face-to-face meeting between the main event combatants a mere 24 hours before they square off in the ring. This program will be fed live via satellite, and stream on YouTube, Ustream and www.sho.com/sports. WEIGH-IN LIVE is available to simulcast on your network and website.

SHO EXTREME MARATHON will air five continuous hours of content related to “THE MOMENT,” including a replay of the WEIGH-IN at 10 p.m. ET/PT, Amir Khan vs. Marcos Maidana at 11 p.m. ET/PT and an ALL ACCESS marathon of all three episodes beginning at midnight ET/PT.

SATURDAY, MAY 3
SHO EXTREME MARATHON will continue with more than three hours of non-stop programming Saturday morning. ALL ACCESS Episodes 1, 2 and 3 will air consecutively beginning at 10 a.m. ET/PT. SHO EXTREME will air Mayweather’s record breaking pay-per-view event from last September vs. Canelo Alvarez at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT and Maidana’s hard-earned upset decision over Adrien Broner last December at 12:30 p.m. ET/PT.

COUNTDOWN LIVE: Mayweather vs. Maidana, a one-hour preview show on SHOWTIME that leads directly into the pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT and will be fed via satellite, and stream via YouTube, Ustream and sho.com/sports. The live program is available to simulcast on your network and website.

London (29 April) Leeds’ own British champion Bob Ajisafe is “excited” and “confident” he can deliver and progress into the MaxiNutrition Knockout final in front of his home town fans at Leeds Town Hall on May 17th, live on Channel 5.

The newly crowned British light heavyweight champion faces Swanley’s Southern Area champion Leon Senior and is “completely focussed” on giving it his absolute all.

“It’s a great chance to showcase my skills in front of my home town and personally it means everything to fight in Leeds,” Ajisafe said.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to putting on a good performance for all the fans.”

Ajisafe claimed his place in the semis with an inspiring display in a fight of the year contender against former British, Commonwealth, European, WBC International, WBO and IBO Inter-Continental champion Dean Francis at Rivermead, Reading.

The pair gave the fans a relentless display in a fight that swayed both ways for all 12 rounds.

By the final bell it was Ajisafe who was awarded a unanimous points win, but both men had shown exactly how much the competition meant to them.

That set up his semi-final showdown against Southern Area champion, Senior, who had progressed following a non-contest result against former Commonwealth title challenger Tony Hill.

After a promising start the fight was halted when Hill sustained a bad cut after an accidental clash of heads. Unable to continue, the fight was waved off with Southern Area champion, Senior, progressing.

“I’m not underestimating or overlooking Leon Senior, I’m making sure I’m on my game 100 percent,” Ajisafe said.

“I’m completely focussed and determined to come out victorious. It would mean a lot to get to the final – I’m looking to win the tournament and push forward.

“This is a great competition and I want to come out on top.”

This superb night of boxing will decide who will compete for the first ever MaxiNutrition Knockout title as well as feature a whole host of exciting talent on the undercard.

Ticket Information

Tickets for May 17th start from £35 and are available to purchase now from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 9991 or online at www.ticketline.co.uk

as Vegas, Nev. – Two of the world’s fiercest mixed martial artists are set to let their rivalry play out in front of millions of fans as coaches on the newest season of The Ultimate Fighter®, the UFC®’s storied reality series, in the lead up to their title clash at UFC® 180 in Mexico City. The series will premiere the week of August 18.

UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (13-1 in his professional career, fighting out of San Jose, Calif.), an agile and explosive heavyweight with a strong wrestling base, is currently the only heavyweight titleholder of Mexican descent in combat sports around the world. Often referred to as “the baddest man on the planet”, he is considered the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time thanks to career wins over former champions Minotauro Nogueira, Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos as well as Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva.

No.1 contender Fabricio Werdum (17-5-1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif. by way of of Porto Alegre, Brazil) is currently on a four-fight win streak that includes victories over fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Minotauro Nogueira, Fedor Emelianenko, Roy Nelson and most Travis Browne. A two-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, he is also known as a technical fighter with heavy hands. Outside of the Octagon®, Werdum is seen across Latin America every week hosting the UFC Network™’s weekly magazine show, UFC® Ahora.

In this seventh international edition of the most challenging sports tournament on television, Velasquez will lead a team of four Mexican featherweight (135lbs) and four Mexican bantamweight (145lbs) fighters against Werdum’s squad of eight similarly divided fighters from other Latin American countries. The complete list of fighters will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

“I’m very excited about this – amazing talent is going to come out of Mexico and Latin America,” said UFC President Dana White. “This is a region we are working hard to develop. There is a lot of talent and a lot of great potential in multiple weightclasses. We know that the fans in Mexico and throughout Latin America will totally get behind this thing and it’ll blow up and it’ll be huge just like Brazil.”

The show which follows fighters training and competing against each other for a prized UFC contract, all while living under one roof, will air on Televisa Channel.5 in Mexico beginning in August 2014. UFC Network subscribers will also get the chance to catch replays and watch exclusive content on the channel as well as ufcnetwork.com.

José Baston, President of Television and Content for Televisa said: “We have huge expectations from this partnership between the UFC and Televisa, to produce the new season of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America. This partnership allows us to reunite the vast experience and ability of both companies, for a project that we are sure will be a great success. I’d also like to point out the superb performance that the UFC Network has had since last year, a channel that has been transmitting at a pan-regional level by Televisa Networks. And emphasize that mixed martial arts is one of the new sports with the highest growth, for Televisa it is very important to be able to offer it to its audiences.”

The coaches, UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez will battle No. 1 contender Fabricio Werdum for the heavyweight championship title at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on Saturday, November 15, in the main event of UFC® 180. The main card will also feature the final featherweight and bantamweight bouts of the series, crowning the first ever winners of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America. Further event and ticket details will be released later this summer ahead of the scheduled on-sale in the final week of August.

“For me, it’s an honor to be named the first coach of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America,” said Velasquez. “I’m excited to share my experience and help train a young team of up and coming Latin American men. And then, to be able to do something I’ve always dreamed of doing, defending my title in Mexico in November, will be a dream come true.”

There is nothing Werdum would rather do: “To have a shot at the belt is all I ever wanted and knowing it’s against Cain makes it even better. Fighting for the heavyweight title and coaching against Cain in The Ultimate Fighter Latin America is like having two dreams come true.”

The Ultimate Fighter® has launched the careers of more than 100 UFC fighters and produced champions such as Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans and Matt Serra and season winners including Michael Bisping, Ryan Bader and Nate Diaz. Mexico-born Efrain Escudero captured the season 8 lightweight title, while Mexican American Diego Sanchez was the first-ever winner of the franchise, defeating Kenny Florian, a fighter of Peruvian descent, at The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale in 2005. Other Mexican Americans to follow in his stead include, Tony Ferguson, season 13 winner and Kelvin Gastelum, winner of season 17.

For more information or current fight news, visit www.ufc.com.

###

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC®) is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Beijing, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries to 800+ million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, Octagon™ branded apparel, best-selling DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit www.UFC.com and follow UFC at www.Facebook.com/UFC and on Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Wilkes-Barre, PA: IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard Hopkins must face the winner of the Dudchenko-Mohammedi fight as his next mandatory opponent. IBF Championship Chairman, Lindsey E. Tucker, Jr. sent IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard Hopkins a letter on April 21, 2014 informing Hopkins that he is required to fight the winner of the June 21st Dudchenko-Mohammedi fight. Anatoliy “The Gladiator” Dudchenko (19-2-0, 13 KOs) and Nadjib Mohammedi (34-3-0, 20 KOs) will face off at the new Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, PA for the #1 position in the IBF as the main event of the June 21st edition of NBCSN Fight Night.

Click to Read:
IBF Letter to Bernard Hopkins

Making his Main Events’ debut, Dudchenko, 35, is originally from Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine and now resides in Los Angeles, CA. He is currently the IBF Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Champion and has won sixteen straight bouts in a row (seven by knockout) dating all the way back to May 16, 2008 with a first round TKO of Chris Eppley in Evansville, Indiana.

Anatoliy Dudchenko
“I started fighting to become a world champion,” said Dudchenko. “Every fight is a step closer to my dream. I’ve waited for this opportunity my entire career.”

The Gladiator
The legendary Hopkins, current IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight Champion, has been quoted in the media recently about possible fights with Adonis Stevenson and Floyd Mayweather. However, Anatoliy’s manager, Vince Caruso said, “Currently, Bernard Hopkins is under the delusion that he can just make his own rules, bypass his mandatory and go straight to a bout with Adonis Stevenson. Anatoliy and Naj Mohammedi have earned the right to face each other in an elimination bout and the winner be rewarded with a title shot. We expect Mr. Hopkins, as a world champion, will comply with the IBF’s rules.”

Nadjib Mohammedi
Photo Courtesy of:
Christel Boxing
A resident of Gardanne, Bouches-du-Rhône, France, Mohammedi, 29, has never fought in the United States. Nadjib has won ten straight bouts with seven knockouts since suffering a loss to Dmitry Sukhotsky on October 8, 2011 in Saint Petersburg, Russia and is currently ranked #4 in the IBF.

Mohammedi
Photo Courtesy of:
Christel Boxing
Mohammedi’s manager, Christel Aujoux, said, “Nadjib is happy and proud to fight in the United States for the first time. Thanks, Main Events, for this opportunity.”

Main Events’ CEO, Kathy Duva said, “I’m happy that we can bring another elimination bout to Fight Night and continue our mission to televise competitive fights with outstanding athletes who are on the road to a world title.” She added, “This will also be Anatoliy’s first fight under our banner, so I’m excited to see him in action in person.”

“This is a great opportunity for both fighters to showcase their skills in the very hot light heavyweight division,” said Jolene Mizzone, Main Events’ matchmaker. “What makes this fight even more exciting is that the winner is going to be the mandatory challenger and will face champion Bernard Hopkins.”

About June 21:

June 21 features Anatoliy “The Gladiator” Dudchenko and Nadjib Mohammedi in a twelve-round light heavyweight bout for the #1 position in the IBF live on NBCSN Fight Night from Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The Fight Night telecast will begin at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. The card is presented by Main Events and Peltz Boxing. The undercard and co-feature will be announced shortly. Ticket information is coming soon as well.

NBC Sports Live Extra:

NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will live stream Fight Night at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on June 21.
Coverage will be streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

All NBC Sports Network live events live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra, and to the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” which is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs.

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SAN FRANCISCO (April 29, 2014) – Jr. Welterweight contender, Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (18-1-1, 11 KOs) is now a free agent. His promotional agreement with Top Rank has ended.

After suffering his first loss as a professional, a close unanimous decision defeat to Thomas Dulorme (21-1, 14 KOs), Mayfield will look to make a quick return to the ring as he plans to fight in his hometown of San Francisco in mid June. Still a relevant name in the Jr. Welterweight division, Mayfield seeks to fight other contenders in his weight class and is open to working with everyone.

“Now that I’m a free agent, I feel I have more options to compete against other fighters in the top ten of my division,” said Mayfield. “One loss is not going to stop me from trying to accomplish my goal of becoming a world champion. If all goes well, I’ll be fighting in San Francisco at Kezar Pavilion in June. I still have a lot of fight left in me and I’m open to working with other promoters in the future.”

BROOKLYN (April 29, 2014) -Sunday night, WBO Jr. Welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov attended Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs between the Brooklyn Nets and the Toronto Raptors.

Provodnikov was a guest of Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov.

World Championship boxing returns to Barclays Center when “The Siberian Rocky” Ruslan Provodnikov makes the first defense of his World Boxing Orginization (WBO) junior welterweight title and his Brooklyn debut against undefeated world rated contender and New York product Chris Algieri. Provodnikov-Algieri will take place Saturday, June 14 and will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 10 PM ET/PT.

Promoted by Banner Promotions and Top Rank®, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, tickets to the Provodnikov-Algieri world champion event are $31, $56, $86, $106 and $206. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster by visiting www.barclayscenter.com or www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center beginning Friday, April 25 at noon. Group tickets are also available by calling 855-GROUP-BK. For information on individual suites, please call 718-BK-SUITE.

The co-main event will feature undefeated WBO junior middleweight champion DEMETRIUS “Boo Boo” ANDRADE making his first title defense, against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger BRIAN “The Lion” ROSE.

These four gladiators boast a combined record of 87-3-1 (44 KOs)- a 96 percent winning ratio, with more than half of their total victories coming by way of knockout.

The action-packed undercard will feature undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas champion, Top-Five contender and Long Beach, Long Island fan favorite “Irish” SEANIE MONAGHAN, and the debut of professional women’s boxing at Barclays Center with HEATHER “The Heat” HARDY of Brooklyn risking her undefeated record.

For fight updates go to www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/banner-promotions or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

About Barclays Center
Barclays Center opened on September 28, 2012, and is a major sports and entertainment venue in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. One of the most intimate seating configurations ever designed into a modern multi-purpose arena, Barclays Center offers 17,732 seats for basketball, 15,795 for hockey, and up to 18,000 seats for concerts, and has 101 luxury suites, four bars/lounges, four clubs, and 40/40 CLUB & Restaurant by American Express.

Barclays Center hosts an extensive variety of events, including premier concerts, major professional boxing cards, top college basketball, family shows, the Brooklyn Nets and soon the New York Islanders.

Barclays Center has redefined the arena customer service and culinary experience. Its more than 2,000 employees are trained by Disney Institute, the business advisory arm of The Walt Disney Company, and its BrooklynTaste™ food program features selections from 55 well-known restaurants and vendors in the borough.

Barclays Center engages the customer with state-of-the-art technology to enhance the fan experience. As the first arena in the world to utilize Cisco StadiumVision mobile multicast streaming technology, Barclays Center allows fans to watch live video and instant replays from their mobile phones while connected to the arena’s free Wi-Fi.

Located atop one of the largest transportation hubs in New York City, Barclays Center is accessible by 11 subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road, and 11 bus lines.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a live broadcast of ONE Fighting Championship 15: Rise of Heroes mixed martial arts action from the 20,000-capacity Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines this Friday, May 2, at 7 a.m. ET.

Fight Network’s live broadcast will be re-aired on Saturday night, May 3, at 11 p.m. ET immediately following the live GLORY 16 Denver kickboxing extravaganza.

In the ONE FC 16 main event, bantamweight grand prix winner Masakatsu Ueda rises up to the challenge against reigning and defending ONE FC world champion Bibiano Fernandes for the honor of being crowned the undisputed champion.

The co-main event features Filipino fan favorite Eduard Folayang against former ONE FC lightweight champion Kotetsu Boku.

An exciting flyweight bout between another popular Filipino fighter, Rey Docyogen, and Guam’s Joshua Alvarez, has also been added to the main card, along with a battle between top middleweights Leandro Ataides and Tatsuya Mizuno.

The stacked card also includes a featherweight clash between top Australian featherweight Rob Lisita and former Legend FC bantamweight champion Yusuke Kawanago. It will also feature the young and motivated Filipino hero Eugene Toquero, who will soak up the passionate support of the screaming Filipino fight fans as he faces one of the top flyweight prospects in the world, Gianni Subba.

In other action, world-renowned heavyweights James McSweeney and Chris Lokteff will square off, Aung La Nsang will make history as the first mixed martial artist from Myanmar to compete in the ONE FC cage when he takes on Egypt’s Mahmoud Salama, plus Filipina boxing champion Jujeath Nagaowa will also make her ONE FC debut when she meets Jeet Toshi of India.

Additionally, boxing world champion Ana Julaton and Egyptian kickboxing champion Aya Saeid Saber round out the live broadcast.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com and follow on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents live fight week coverage for The Moment: Mayweather vs. Maidana leading up to the highly anticipated welterweight championship unification bout between boxing’s pound-for-pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather and rugged WBA champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana this Saturday night on Showtime PPV.

The live coverage gets underway on Wednesday, April 30, at 4 p.m. ET, with a broadcast of the final pre-fight press conference from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the site of Saturday’s blockbuster pay-per-view clash.

Then, on Friday, May 2, at 6 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents the live weigh-in as all the fighters tip the scales and face off one last time before throwing down on Saturday night.

In addition, Fight News Now Extra will feature exclusive satellite interviews with competitors from Saturday’s card, plus highlights from the grand arrivals and fighter workouts.

Then, on Saturday, May 3, at 12 p.m. ET, get your dose of boxing’s greatest superstar early as Fight Network presents a Mayweather fight marathon, featuring a quartet of classic battles against Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley.

Getting the live fight action started early, Fight Network presents a special edition of Golden Boy Live! this Friday, May 2, at 10 p.m. ET, headlined by former world champion Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith facing tough Illinois contender Ryan “Dangerous” Davis at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

In other featured bouts on the live May 2 card, rising lightweight star Mickey “The Spirit” Bey will meet hard-hitting Mexican veteran Alan “Explosivo” Herrera in a 10-round matchup and in the televised opener, Argentina’s Jesus Cuellar squares off with former world champion Rico Ramos in a 12-round bout for Cuellar’s WBA interim featherweight title.

The live fight week coverage complements a stacked slate of live events this week on Fight Network, including ONE Fighting Championship 15: Rise of Heroes on Friday, May 2, at 7 a.m. ET, Cage Warriors 68 on Saturday, May 3, at 4 p.m. ET, plus GLORY 16 Denver on Saturday, May 3, at 9 p.m. ET.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com and follow on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

The special Thursday, May 1, edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra will feature former Super Lightweight title challenger Victor Manuel “Mermelada” Cayo (32-4, 22 KOs) and Roberto “La Amenaza” García (34-3, 22 KOs) in the 10-round Welterweight main event.

New PictureThursday’s show, which will take place outdoors at the historic Hialeah Park Race Track in Hialeah, Fla., will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2, broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+ and WatchESPN. ESPN Deportes will televise the fights on Saturday, May 3, at 6 p.m. The card is presented by Warriors Boxing.

Commentators:
Joe Tessitore will be ringside with Teddy Atlas describing the action for ESPN2, while studio host Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will present all the latest boxing news and highlights. Delvin Rodríguez and Pablo Viruega will call the fights for Noche de Combates (Fight Night) on ESPN Deportes, while Leopoldo González and Claudia Trejos will anchor the studio.

Friday’s show on ESPN2 will include Atlas’ interview with Heavyweight contender Chris Arreola as he prepares to meet Bermane Stiverne for the WBC World Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, May 10, at 8 p.m. live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Friday’s show will also include an interview with Floyd Mayweather Jr. as he prepares for his Welterweight title fight against Marcos Maidana on Saturday, May 3.

Main Event:
The Dominican Republic’s Cayo, who fought current titleholder Marcos Maidana for the WBA Welterweight title in 2010, is coming off a first-round knockout win over Ricardo Veras. García, who hails from Texas, has won his last six fights, including a 10-round split-decision win over Norberto González in his last bout which aired on Friday Night Fights back in February.

“I know Victor Cayo is a good fighter. He’s tough, comes forward. I saw his fight with Maidana – it was a good fight, a tough fight while it lasted,” García’s advisor, Julio Marines said. “He’s a good veteran fighter who’s going to test Roberto, but I believe Roberto stops him in six rounds. I think Roberto is too strong for him. He’s ready to go.”

Co-Feature:
Friday’s 10-round co-feature will pit undefeated Middleweight Jonathan “Mantequilla” González (17-0-1, 14 KOs), against Rogelio “Porky” Medina (32-5, 26 KOs). In his last outing, showcased on ESPN3, Puerto Rico’s González scored a fifth-round TKO win over Jaison Palomeque, while Mexico’s Medina is looking to continue his winning ways following a first-round knockout win over Fortino Lugo.

ESPN Boxing Next Week:
ESPN will exclusively televise the 12-round World Boxing Council (WBC) World Heavyweight Championship fight and rematch between top-rated contenders Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KOs) and Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-3, 31 KOs) live on Saturday, May 10, at 8 p.m. The fight from the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles, will be televised live in the U.S. on ESPN and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates and will be presented by Corona Extra. The fight will also be available on computers, smartphones, tablets, Apple TV, Xbox and Roku via WatchESPN. Read more on ESPN MediaZone.

Upcoming ESPN Boxing Schedule:

Date

Time (ET)

Main Event

Location

Networks

Thu, May 1

9 p.m.

Roberto García (34-3, 22 KOs) vs. Victor Manuel Cayo (32-4, 22 KOs)—10 rounds, Welterweights

Hialeah Park Race Track, Hialeah, Fla.

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN

Sat, May 10

8 p.m.

WBC World Heavyweight Championship: Bermane Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KOs) vs. Chris Arreola (36-3, 31 KOs)—12 rounds

USC Galen Center,
Los Angeles

ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, May 16

9 p.m.

Delvin Rodríguez (28-7-3, 16 KOs) vs. Joachim Alcine (35-7-1, 21 KOs)—10 rounds, Jr. Middleweight

TBD

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, May 23

9 p.m.

Boxcino 2014 Finals

Petr Petrov (34-4-2, 15 KOs) vs. Fernando Cárcamo (17-5, 13 KOs)—10 rounds, Lightweights

Brandon Adams (14-0, 9 KOs) vs. Willie Monroe Jr. (17-1, 6 KOs)—10 rounds, Middleweights

Turning Stone Casino, Verona, NY

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

*Schedule subject to change

Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates Social Media:

· Follow ESPN Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook.

· Score the fights round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round.

· Follow ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo.

· For the latest ESPN.com boxing news and analysis follow @ESPNBoxing.

DANBURY, CONNECTICUT (April 29, 2014) – Undefeated, hard hitting Junior Middleweight prospect Frank “Notorious” Galarza, 13(9)-0-2 , has inked a new multi fight managerial contract with A.J. Galante. Galante, President of the professional boxing management company, Elite Boxing Enterprises, has guided Galarza over his last 5 bouts.

“I’m very excited to continue to work in managing Frank.” Galante stated, “Our first year together has been extremely busy and successful. I recognized from the first time I met Frank he has what it takes to be a World Champion, and I look forward to guiding him there. We are both young, hungry, and have something to prove to the boxing world, and we will accomplish everything we set out for.”

Galarza is the current WBC Latino Junior Middleweight Champion, and ranked #30 in the world by the sanctioning body. Fighting out of Brooklyn, NY, Galarza is also the current New York State Junior Middleweight Champion. Over his first 13 fights, he became an instant fan favorite in New York’s club fight scene with his aggressive, brawling style. This past January however he took a National TV audience by surprise, by brutally knocking out then undefeated prospect John Thompson, just seventeen seconds into the second round. The fight was broadcasted live on Showtime’s Shobox series. Galarza is excited to continue his relationship with Galante and Elite Boxing Enterprises, “It’s an honor to be with a great manager like A.J. who dedicates his time, and constantly looking out for me both inside the ring and out. He was one of the first people to ever believe in me in Boxing, and we are the true definition of a team. He may be young but has a smart mind for the business. We’re both growing in this sport together.”

The Twenty Seven year old Galante founded Elite Boxing Enterprises in 2011, and has been managing boxers for three years. He guided former client Delvin Rodriguez over a span of 6 fights, from a year layoff in 2011, to the biggest fight of his career against Miguel Cotto in October of 2013. Galante originally signed Galarza in April 2013.

LONDON (April 29) – British boxing star Amir Khan has vowed to look his best yet despite spending the past year out the ring.

The former unified light-welterweight world champion has endured a frustrating 12 months having seen his chances of fighting Floyd Mayweather disintegrate when the pound-for-pound ace opted to fight Argentine bruiser Marcos Maidana instead.

Despite the setbacks, which saw Khan pass up the opportunity to take on Devon Alexander last December for the IBF welterweight title following assurances he would land ‘Money’ Mayweather, the Bolton pugilist is upbeat about his upcoming fight with the tricky southpaw Luis Collazo.

“It was a difficult time,” said Khan. “But the fact is I moved on fairly quick when I knew the Mayweather shot wasn’t happening. It was just about refocusing my mind on the next opponent and luckily we were able to announce Luis Collazo straight away which allowed me the chance to get back in the ring as soon as possible.

“I wanted a tough challenge at welterweight and not just to go in there against some average guy. Collazo is a legitimate welterweight who is very confident after his win against Victor Ortiz but I know I have the tools to beat him,” said Khan.

The Olympic silver medalist goes into the fight having not been in the ring since he overcame Julio Diaz in Sheffield last April.

Yet, Khan is confident he will be much improved having spent the last year locked away in the San Francisco gym of his esteemed American trainer Virgil Hunter.

“You’re going to see an improved Amir Khan, the best Amir Khan, there’s no doubt in my mind about that,” he said.

“Over the last 12 months I’ve been in camps with Virgil and we’ve been working on certain aspects of my game that I never really got the chance to work on because I just didn’t get the time as I was fighting so often.

“Through the last few months I’ve been focusing on improving myself and adding certain things to my game. Because I didn’t have an opponent lined up and I wasn’t fighting I had the time to look at myself and work on things I wanted to work on.

“On May 3rd I’m going to put that all into practice on the biggest stage and not only beat Collazo but look to beat him in real style,” said Khan.

The 27-year-old is also refusing to look past the Brooklyn banger as talk of a showdown with Mayweather later this year, should he prevail, constantly being mooted.

“I’m not thinking about other possible fights, my mind and my attention is solely on Luis Collazo. To overlook him would be foolish, he needs to be respected and I give him that respect,” said Khan.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me, all I know is I have to get through Luis Collazo to see what that might be. It’s a tough fight but one I’m ready for and very confident about.

“I can’t wait to get in the ring on Saturday because it’s been so long – I wish it was tomorrow,” Khan said.

The 33-year-old Collazo is also well aware of how big a fight this could be in his career.

The Puerto Rican-American has shared the ring with a number of top fighters, including a closely contested bout with fan favourite Ricky Hatton back in 2006.

Now, however, he is at a crossroads in his career, with a win over Khan propelling him into a shot at even bigger fights.

“This fight [against Khan] is my whole career right in front of me,” said Collazo. “I believe if I beat Amir Khan I have a bigger future in boxing and if I don’t, I have to start from the bottom again. I am not looking beyond Amir Khan. He is my main focus. From here whatever happens happens, but Amir Khan is all I’m thinking about right now.

“A win over Khan does put me in the Mayweather sweepstakes, but my sights are set on Khan,” he said.

Khan and Collazo’s bout will act as the chief support on a packed bill at the MGM Grand this Saturday, which also sees the brash talking Adrien Broner back in action against Carlos Molina, before the headliner Mayweather looks to make it 46-0 against the rugged Maidana.

BoxNation viewers will be able to see a special hour long countdown show previewing the respective Mayweather and Khan fights this Friday at 7pm, with the final ‘All Access: Mayweather v Maidana’ show premiering on Saturday at 7pm.

Mayweather vs. Maidana/Khan vs. Collazo is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Saturday midnight. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in theUK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 one off registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

New York, NY (4/29/14) – DiBella Entertainment and Jean Pascal Promotions have announced that they will be joining promotional forces, beginning with the exclusive signing of highly regarded super featherweight Joel Diaz Jr. (15-0, 12KO’s). Diaz Jr. had received offers from every major promotional outfit in boxing, but decided that DBE and Jean Pascal were the best fit. Diaz is set to make his much anticipated co-promotional debut when he headlines the upcoming May 16th ShoBox: The New Generation card at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut.

“I am thrilled to be signing with DBE and Jean Pascal Promotions. This is where I belong and this is the promotional team that will get me the opportunities that I want and need in my career. I couldn’t be happier to be joining their stables and I’m looking forward to becoming their next world champion,” said Diaz Jr.

“I am excited to be working with Joel Diaz Jr., who I consider to be one of the brightest young stars in all of boxing. This collaboration with Jean Pascal Promotions will increase Joel’s exposure and allow him to be promoted in an unprecedented way throughout all of North America,” said Lou DiBella.

“I have been a big fan of Joel Diaz Jr. ever since I saw him fight Guy Robb. The way he responded to adversity in that fight at just 19 years old really showed me something. I’m extremely proud that he is the first fighter to sign with Jean Pascal Promotions. I look forward to working with DiBella Entertainment on this international co-promotion and expect this to be the first of many deals that our two companies make,” said Jean Pascal.

“It was a pleasure to negotiate this deal with DiBella Entertainment, Joel and his manager Mike Criscio. Jean Pascal Promotions would like to thank Gordon Hall, Stephen Espinoza and everyone at Showtime for giving Joel Diaz Jr. another ShoBox date. We at Jean Pascal Promotions have no doubt that Joel will be graduating toward Championship Boxing dates and world title opportunities in the near future and are expecting a historical run to commence on May 16 at Foxwoods,” said Greg Leon, CEO of Jean Pascal Promotions.

“Joel Diaz Jr. is one of the best young fighters in the world. He is now starting to come into his own and I expect him to be a world champion by the end of next year. I would like to thank DiBella Entertainment, Jean Pascal Promotions and Greg Leon for making this deal possible. We feel very comfortable working with everyone, now it’s time to bring Joel Diaz Jr. to the next level,” said manager Mike Criscio.

Diaz is set to take on once-beaten prospect Tyler Asselstine in the 10-round main event live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) on May 16 at the beautiful Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, CT.

Tickets are priced at $125, $85 and $45, and may be purchased online at Foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com.

For fight updates go to www.dbe1.com, www.jeanpascalboxing.com www.sho.com/sho/sports/home, and www.foxwoods.com. Facebook at facebook.com/DiBellaentertainment, facebook.com/ShoBoxing, facebook.com/foxwoods, and on Twitter at twitter.com/dibellaent, twitter.com/LouDiBella, twitter.com/jeanpascalchamp, twitter.com/ShoSports and twitter.com/FoxwoodsCT. You can also follow Joel Diaz on twitter @realjoeldiaz

Here are the main quotes from today’s final press conference ahead of the fight between WBO Super-Middleweight World Champion Arthur Abraham (39-4, 28 KOs) and Nikola Sjekloca (26-1, 8 KOs) this Saturday at the Velodrom Berlin, Germany, which will host its first ever world title fight.

Arthur Abraham: “I am looking forward to defend the WBO Belt at home, in my town. It is great to return to the ring inside a span of two months and I want to fight two more times after this one in 2014. Before calling it a career, sitting on the couch and watching TV at age 40, I want to meet Felix Sturm at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium – that’s what I am dreaming of.”

Nikola Sjekloca: “I am thankful, finally getting the chance to fight for a world title after being rated highly in the pro ranks for such a long time. I lost to Bika but learned from my mistakes. I will show on May 3 that it was worth the wait and the experience, becoming Montenegro’s first world champion.”

Tickets for the fight night at the Velodrom Berlin, Germany are available via www.eventim.de.

LOS ANGELES (April 29) – Adding to its stellar international lineup, Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce the signing of Irish former amateur star Jason Quigley to an exclusive promotional contract.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have signed with Golden Boy Promotions,” said the 22-year-old middleweight, a native of Stranorlar. “I can’t wait to have my first pro fight. This is an amazing opportunity and I will give it my all.”

“Jason Quigley is part of the next generation of European boxers who are about to make their mark on the international stage, and we believe he has the skill and determination to go very far in the future,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “It also doesn’t hurt that he has the great nation of Ireland behind him, and I know they will support him wherever he goes.”

Hailing from Balleybofey in County Donegal, Ireland, 22-year-old Jason Quigley became the first Irish fighter to win a Silver medal at the AIBA World Amateur Boxing Championships in 2013, the thrilling cap on a stellar amateur career that saw him garner several accolades since he laced up the gloves for the first time. Among his accomplishments are gold medals in the 2013 European Championships, the 2009 European Youth tournament, and the 2012 European U23 tournament, and while he was considered to be a strong candidate to compete in the 2016 Olympics, he has decided to chase his pro dreams in 2014 and beyond.

A date, site, and opponent for Quigley’s professional debut will be announced shortly.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and http://www.twitter.com/jay_quigley or become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing.

FLOYD “MONEY” MAYWEATHER, 10-Time Five-Division World Champion & WBC Welterweight World Champion

“On May 3, I’ve got to go out there and take my time, keep my composure and be me. Everybody thinks he’s just going to be a pushover, but I don’t think so. That’s why I’m training hard and I’m pushing myself to the limit every day.

“I know Maidana is going to come and bring his best, so I know that I cannot overlook him. I’m in training every day and dedicating myself.

“I think Maidana is more confident now than he was when he faced the kid from St. Louis, Devon Alexander. I think he’s more confident now, so I think he’s more ready and tough. If you have more confidence it’s going to make you fight harder.

“Of course I want my name to go down in history as the best, but also making smart business moves to be very lucrative and build your portfolio is important.

“I’ve been in so many career-defining fights I can’t really choose one particular that defines my legacy, but all of them played a major role.

“We must realize that I am the bigger guy even though I walk around at 150. I go no higher than 152. I’m naturally the bigger guy because I’ve been at 147 almost 10 years now, so I’m naturally the bigger guy.

“I can feel when a guy’s gonna punch. I can feel it. I don’t even have to see it; I can feel it.

“Maidana punches extremely hard if he has an 80 percent knockout ratio. That’s obviously his best attribute, but a lot of times when a guy’s swinging a lot of big shots and they’re not landing, you get fatigued like that.

“I haven’t been hit by Maidana yet, so I can’t really say if he’s the hardest puncher I’ve faced. I may be the hardest puncher he ever fought. He hasn’t been hit by me yet, so we’ll just have to see if he’s the hardest puncher.

“Boxing is always very, very important to me and always will be because this has put me in a position to have everything that I have. I want to help this sport live on. I want to help this sport continue to grow. That’s what it’s about.

“I think that I don’t get my credit that’s due because I think that I make A-level and B-level fighters look ordinary, but that comes from just having a sharp mind and just really pushing myself in training

“When I was young I always loved to entertain, I always loved to promote. We’ve done house parties when we were young teenagers, 13, 14. I know how to promote and make sure the party was packed, so promotion has always been something I am good at.

“It’s about being a smart. I don’t go into a fight thinking about losing. It’s about winning at life. The most important thing is winning at life.

“Before I became a champion, I worked hard. Now that I am a champion, each fight I have to work harder and harder to stay in this position.”

MARCOS “EL CHINO” MAIDANA, WBA Welterweight World Champion

“I’m very happy to be part of this event. I have prepared myself for the best part of my career.

“I’m going to go out to win it. Others haven’t been able to do it, I’m training to do it. I’m training to be the first one to do it.

“All I’ve got to say for people doubting me is to order the fight because they’re going to enjoy a good fight. They’re going to see me beat Floyd Mayweather.

“I feel better now that I’ve been working with Robert Garcia. I feel much better. My punches are connecting even stronger now because the punches are being thrown in a better location and with precision.

“I’m fighting and beating great fighters, most of them have the same style, very similar style and defensive, but I already beat Broner the way I did and I think I can do the same with Mayweather, but until I’m in the ring we’ll look for things that no one has seen.

“With Broner, everybody thought I had to knock him out and I beat him with a decision. I am preparing myself to go 12 rounds if it’s necessary. I’m preparing to hurt him every time I throw punches and if a knockout comes, then great, but I am preparing myself to win after 12 rounds.

“This is the most important part of my career. The fight with Broner gave me a lot of exposure, but this fight itself is the biggest fight of my career and it would be a tremendous upset and that’s what I’m training for, to upset the world and to do it for my country. It would be huge for my country.”

AMIR “KING” KHAN, Former Unified Super Lightweight World Champion

“I’m looking forward to the big fight against Luis Collazo. It’s my first fight at 147. I’m excited, I really believe that I belong in the welterweight division; it’s going to be my division for my future career.

“I really believe we can steal the show, and that’s all we want to do. Whenever I fight I want to give it 100 percent. I want to give the fans what they want to watch, and I really believe that this fight could be the one that could steal the show on the night.

“We’ve been working on just being patient, being smart, using the feet and the hands at the right time, using the defense and the offense at the right time, and my trainer Virgil Hunter has been changing me up. He’s making me understand the sport of boxing.

“This is a tough sport when you go into the ring with the likes of these tough guys like Collazo, and the fighters that you’re going to be facing, you have to be 100 percent ready. So I really believe I’ll be a better fighter at 147, I’ll be stronger, and I’ll keep a lot of my energy and strength and power in the shots.

“You’ll definitely see a different Amir Khan coming into this fight because I’ve had a lot of time to work on things, and work on new strategies, and also work with my trainers, Virgil Hunter and also my strength conditioner, Tony Brady. So, I know I’m going to be ready in this division, and I can’t wait to step in the ring.

“Collazo’s a one-of-a-kind fighter. He has his own style. I respect the way he fights and he always causes big problems to his opponents, and he does really well in the ring. I’m not going to compare him to any opponent I’ve faced before.

“Physically I think I’m a better fighter, and like I said, moving up to the next weight category is only going to make me a better fighter. We don’t want to go in and take easy fights, we want to fight the best out there, and it shows that Luis Collazo is one of the best out there by knocking out Victor Ortiz in his last fight, and proving himself.

“I really believe that I needed a long break off, and taking that time off sometimes makes you metaphysically and mentally a better fighter. I expect time will tell; we’ll see how much I’ve become a better fighter on the night of the fight.

“[On Collazo’s knockout of Victor Ortiz] It shows that he’s got power, he’s got speed, he’s got great movement. This is going to be a good fight, it’s going to be a tough fight. We’re going to be up against a tough Collazo; even the fights he’s lost, Collazo’s been very, very close.

“It’s all about putting a great performance on, putting a great fight on and giving the crowd what they want. The fans want to see a good fight, the fans want to see an exciting fight, and I think us two, the two styles we have will make this fight very exciting, and very good to watch.”

LUIS COLLAZO, WBA International Welterweight Champion

“This is a fight that could take me to another level in the welterweight division, and I’m just very humbled by the opportunity. May 3 is going to be a great night of boxing.

“Khan’s got great speed, but I think he might be a little bit slower than Andre Berto was, and that was a big fight for me. Come fight night we’ll definitely see if his speed is going to be a factor or not.

“If he takes me lightly, more power to him. But come fight night I’m just going to try to capitalize on all his mistakes. That’s my main thing, and I’m just working my butt off. I’m working hard to give all fans what they want, a great and exciting show.

“Sometimes all fighters are vulnerable. We all make mistakes. We’re not perfect, but that’s why different styles make beautiful fights and I’m just going to try to capitalize to the best of my ability.

“Khan is a great fighter, he’s been on top of the game quite some time now, and to be able to get this fight, it’s great. This is just getting me closer to where I really want to be, at the top of the welterweight division.

“I’ve been the underdog all my life, all my fights I was the one trying, the next fighter to step up. He’s coming to the welterweight division. I’m more than happy to welcome him to this weight class.

“You’ve got to go in there to take care of business, and you’ve got to be careful with how you’re taking shots. If you know you’re taking shots and the refs think you’re hurt, keep it moving, don’t stay there and keep getting those shots, and just be smart. I learned a lot from my previous fights and I’m just grateful for all the experiences that I have.

“From the Ricky Hatton fight I learned that anything could happen. And from the Victor Ortiz fight, I learned don’t leave it to the judges. I learned a lot and I’m just very excited and humbled by this opportunity. And come May 3 I’m just going to keep giving the boxing fans what they want, some more excitement.”

ADRIEN “THE PROBLEM” BRONER, Former Three-Division World Champion

“At the end of the day, everybody is looking for Adrien Broner to be this new humble guy. Well, if you’re looking for Adrien Broner to be this new humble guy, you won’t get it. I’m still the same fresh, flashy, young, rich and famous guy. I’m a young man, and I respect every fighter, but I’m ready to fight.

“Molina is a hell of a fighter. Like I said, I don’t disrespect any boxer. It takes a lot to get inside that square circle and I don’t take any boxer lightly. I just want him to be on his A-game May 3.

“Anybody taking a loss that I did, it would probably break them. But coming from where I come from, I’m strong mentally and physically so I’m OK. I’m personally proud of myself and I don’t care that a lot of people are looking for me to just go in here and walk over this guy, but at the end of the day they’re forgetting that he’s not just somebody to walk over, he’s a top-class fighter.

“After this fight they will see that I’m still ‘The Problem.’ Anybody can get it in the ring. I’m still the same guy.

“I know there’s a lot of people that dislike the things that I do, but there’s a lot of people that love the things that I do and they want to see Adrien Broner back on top and I will not disappoint them and anybody who wants to see me.”

CARLOS MOLINA, Junior Welterweight Contender

“We’re working hard for this fight. We’re very humbled to get this opportunity to fight on the big fight, on a Mayweather undercard, against Adrien Broner. We’re excited and we’ll be ready come May 3.

“I know the whole world is seeing me as an underdog, but that just motivates me even more. I think I’ve got a lot to prove in this fight. I’m coming off a loss with Amir Khan, so I’m going to go in there and I’m going to give it my all come May 3rd. I’ve been working extremely hard for this fight.

“I’m just going to continue to work hard and give you guys a great show come May 3. I know what’s on the line. I’m fighting a world-class fighter, so I’m going to give it my all.

“He’s a three-time world champion. He’s the one that’s supposed to put on a show, so I’m right here, just working hard and getting ready for May 3.”

J’LEON LOVE, Undefeated Super Middleweight Contender

“Periban is a tough fighter. I know he’s going to come with his A-game. I’m definitely going to come with my A-game, and that’s what’s makes fights right there.

“I’ve been training extremely hard. I’m definitely focused. It really comes down to May 3. I’m going to put my heart and all my determination into this fight.

“His talent is respected, but we’re definitely going to come in there and give it our all and make sure we come out victorious. I know that he’s trying to make history for his country. I’m trying to make history for my family and me and do what I have to do to win this fight.

“I am young. I’m still learning. I’m definitely there mentally and physically. We made the right decisions for our career and I have the best team behind me.

“I have a job to do and my job is to be in the best shape possible, be mentally focused and physically focused for these fights and this is a big opportunity. I’m making a name for myself, from small time Eastern Michigan; I’m putting all that on the map
and this is what I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid.

“With Periban, he has a great skill set. He’s tough, strong, he’s tall and he’s a rangy fighter. He has a lot of skill and he has a good jab. Anything can happen in this fight and you can’t look past anybody and a guy like him. He can upset a lot of people.

“I’m just being myself. I don’t want to be like Adrien Broner or Floyd Mayweather. I want to be like J’Leon Love. I’m just a cool guy. I’m laid back. I’m silly at times. That’s just me. I’m not angry. I’m blessed. I’m just happy to be alive. I’m healthy and these opportunities are coming and I’m happy for it.”

MARCOS ANTONIO PERIBAN, NABF Super Middleweight Champion

“I understand that Mr. Love is in the way of me capturing my dream of fighting for the world championship. It’s very important for me to become world cChampion because by doing so I will be the first Mexican in history at 168 pounds to ever hold the championship for the WBC.

“It’s a fight that I must take the opportunity and be successful in and I can’t let Mr. Love beat me because basically it derails my opportunity to become world champion and to make history for Mexico.”

“I’m very focused. I want that title. I want that title for Mexico, so you can expect a very focused and determined fighter on May 3..

“Love is a very dangerous fighter and he has a lot of technical skills to him, so basically my training is no longer focused on my strength, but basically on the tactics that I’m going to use to fight Love.”

# # #

“THE MOMENT: Mayweather vs. Maidana,” is a 12-round world championship unification bout for Mayweather and Maidana’s respective 147-pound titles. This is the third fight of Mayweather’s lucrative multi-fight deal with Showtime Networks Inc. THE MOMENT is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts and AT&T. In the co-main event, Amir Khan faces Luis Collazo in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBC silver welterweight world title. The pay-per-view undercard also features a 10-round junior welterweight fight between Adrien Broner and Carlos Molina as well as a 10-round super middleweight bout featuring J’Leon Love vs. Marco Antonio Periban. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000 and $750 are still available, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets $550 and $350 are sold out. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com orwww.ticketmaster.com.

Six MGM Resorts Properties will host live closed circuit telecast of THE MOMENT: Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage and Monte Carlo. General admission tickets for the closed circuit telecasts are priced at $75, not including handling fees, and are available for purchase at each individual property’s box office outlets and by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711 or at www.mgmgrand.com. Select properties also will sell tickets through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or by purchasing online at www.ticketmaster.com. “THE MOMENT” will also be broadcast on nearly 520 select movie theaters across the country. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at
www.FathomEvents.com.