LOS ANGELES, CA (APRIL 8, 2014)–WBO Jr. Welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov arrived late Monday night in Los Angeles to begin preparations for his June 14 title defense that will be live on HBO.

Afghani-Canadian super featherweight contender Arash Usmanee (20-1-1, 10 KOs) will step into the highest-profile fight of his life on short notice and face WBO #1 ranked Raymundo Beltran (28-6-1, 17 KOs) for the WBO NABO Lightweight title this Saturday, April 12, in the co-main event of the HBO Pay-Per-View card featuring the Timothy Bradley vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

An extended illness suffered by former two-time world champion Roman “Rocky” Martínez forced him to cancel, creating the huge opportunity for Usmanee, who was already in the gym preparing for another fight.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 tickets, priced starting $435, are now available for purchase at Ticketnetwork. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Buy Tickets Center at (855) 859-4045.

Usmanee is ranked #9 at super featherweight by the IBF. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, he and his family moved to Alberta, Canada, when he was three years old. He now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. The aggressive 32-year-old’s career has been marred by controversy thus far, as his two biggest career fights have both ended with questionable outcomes. In his only defeat, Usmanee dropped a highly controversial 12-round decision to Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy on January 4 of last year. Fighting for the IBF #2 ranking and live on ESPN Friday Night Fights, Usmanee appeared to take the fight over at the midway point and grew more dominant as the rounds wore on. However, the judges saw it another way.

And then, in August of last year, Usmanee missed winning a world championship by a single point when he fought to a draw with Dominican champion Argenis Mendez at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.

Beltran has also seen his share of hard luck in the ring. He was last seen fighting to a very debatable draw with then-world champion Ricky Burns in September of last year. Burns was down in the eighth and suffered a broken jaw in the second round that subsequently required the insertion of a titanium plate to repair. And yet it was not enough to sway the judges, as the fight was held in Burns’ homeland of Scotland.

As tough as they come, 32-year-old Beltran was born in Los Mochis, Mexico, but now lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

The pair will not only be vying for the WBO NABO Lightweight title, but also a place in the front of the line to face new champion Terence Crawford, who defeated Burns by decision in March of this year.

Usamanee’s promoter, Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions, says the match-up has explosive written all over it.

“Neither of these guys take many backwards steps in the ring. It’s going to be a war of attrition from the first round. You could easily say this is a battle between the uncrowned IBF Champion and the uncrowned WBO Champion. It’s a very high-level match-up between two of the toughest guys in the sport. It’s going to be a sensational slugfest!”

LAS VEGAS (April 8) – Great Britain’s unbeaten middleweight star and 2012 Olympic medalist, Anthony Ogogo, will make his debut in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, on Saturday, May 3 when he faces an opponent to be named on the non-televised undercard of the SHOWTIME PPV® mega-event “THE MOMENT: Mayweather vs. Maidana” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“It’s an honor for me to be on the show and I can’t wait for May 3rd,” said Ogogo, “I’ve had a great training camp and hope to be in the best shape of my career for this fight. Some British fighters never get the chance to fight in Las Vegas and to do so in my sixth fight is a real achievement and will be a fantastic moment for me.”

“British fans already know the great potential Anthony has and the charisma he possesses in and out of the ring,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Now on one of the biggest nights of the year in boxing, fans and media in Las Vegas will get to see what all of the excitement is about. We’re looking forward to having Anthony on ‘THE MOMENT’ fight card.”

Rising British middleweight star Anthony Ogogo (5-0, 2 KOs) has captivated the United Kingdom since his run at the 2012 London Olympics, and now he has his sights set on world domination. A talented boxer-puncher who shows maturity far beyond his years in the ring, Ogogo is coming off a shutout six-round win over Greg O’Neill in March, lifting the record of the 25-year-old from Lowestoft to 5-0.

“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 priced at $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 or www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @chinomaidana, @amirkingkhan, @realluiscollazo, @AdrienBroner, @CarlosMolina562, @anthonyogogo, @mayweatherpromo, @goldenboyboxing, @ShoSports and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #TheMoment and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and http://www.facebook.com/SHOboxing.

Las Vegas, Nev. – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) is pleased to announce that Lou Lauria has joined the company as Vice President, Governing Body Relationships and International Fight Week. In this role, Lauria will oversee the company’s relationships with national, continental, and international sports federations. He will also spearhead the UFC’s global expansion and influence during International Fight Week™ in Las Vegas.

“I have watched with great interest over the years the emergence of the UFC as an innovative property that has become a true industry leader,” said Lauria. “The opportunity to become engaged in the global development of this sport and bring the combat sports community together around what will become an iconic annual event in International Fight Week was what attracted me to the UFC.”

Lauria’s extensive knowledge and background will shape the UFC’s continued support for various governing bodies and provide leadership on issues relating to the development of mixed martial arts (MMA) around the world. As the UFC continues to expand internationally, Lauria’s expertise in global development will help further the company’s growth as a leader in MMA.

“Developing existing relationships and identifying potential partners is vital to the UFC as it continues to promote MMA and combat sports around the world,” added Lauria. “We have already seen the explosive growth of the UFC and with International Fight Week serving as the premier MMA event of the year we will continue to work with governing bodies around the world to help better serve MMA and expand the sport globally.”

Lauria brings over 20 years of experience of fostering international partnerships and developing projects for various sports federations around the world. He joins the UFC from Helios Partners, an international sports consulting agency, where he was most recently responsible for the Bid City and Organizing Committee Consulting business unit. Previously, Lauria worked with the International Olympic Committee as a Partnership Services Manager for their Television and Marketing Services division. He also worked in sport and venue roles for the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Salt Lake 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committees.

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.

New York City (April 8, 2014)—New York area fight fans, get ready for another action-packed evening of professional boxing, featuring many of the best and brightest pugilists in the region.

Promoter Dmitriy Salita is proud and excited to announce a fight card, sure to promise thrilling action, and ferocious knockouts, at the Millennium Theater in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn on May 15. “I am excited about another talent packed show,” Salita said. “The show will showcase multi-cultural NYC with some of the best contenders in the sport, all from different communities. That’s what boxing in New York City is all about!”

Salita’s Star of David Promotions has crafted a top-notch slate, topped by cruiserweight contender Steve Bujaj. The 12-0 Albanian native snapped up the NY State cruiser crown at the Millennium in February, and Salita promises he will be matched tough on May 15 as he continues his push to a world title. Bujaj will bring a rooting section down from Yonkers, where he resides. “Bujaj is an excellent fighter, who is looking to climb up the contender ladder,” Salita said. “He is looking to place himself into title contention this year.”

Jarrell Miller, a promising heavyweight just signed to Star of David, will also see action. The Brooklyn resident, nicknamed “Big Baby,” has been making foes whimper like a newborn; he is 8-0, with 8 KOs. Can 13-2 Vincent Thompson make his “0” go? “Jarrell Miller is one of best, most explosive heavyweight prospects in America,” the promoter said. “He is taking on a tough contender, a fellow prospect, and is very focused on making a statement in this fight.”

Middleweight prospect Steve Martinez wowed the Millennium crowd with his power-punching style at the Theater in February, and Salita is bringing the 14-1 Bronx boxer back for an encore on May 15. Opponent Taronze Washington will be flown in from Texas, having won two of his last three fights, with a desire to silence Martinez’ fans traveling down from the Bronx. “Steve Martinez is back in the ring again and is looking to put on another exciting performance,” Salita said. “Steve is looking to fight top contenders in the division.”

Boxing fans will be entertained by the talented hitter Amanda Serrano, a Puerto Rican-born Brooklyn resident who boasts a 20-1 record. The former WBC super featherweight champion craves another world title shot, ASAP, and needs a win in Brighton Beach to maintain momentum.

Also gloving up May 15 at the Millennium: Dimash Niyazov, a 5-0-2 pugilist from Staten Island; fellow New Yorker Peter Reyes, a 4-0 slugger who seeks the show-stopper KO in every bout; Marco Suarez, a 2-0 prospect from the Bronx; and 3-1 Akil Auguste from Brooklyn.

Log on to http://www.dsalita.com/ for ticket information, and be sure to snap up the tickets quickly, as this card has sellout written all over it.

Philadelphia, PA (APRIL 8, 2014)–One of the great great things about the concept of the Boxcino 2014 tournament is that it gives opportunity to fighters who just need a stage to showcase their talents.

Some of have flown under the radar, others have been victims of bad decisions. Both of those factors were evident early in the career of Raymond Gatica. But since entering the Boxcino tournament, Gatica has been given the opportunity that many boxers desire.

On February 28, he scored an impressive victory in stopping previously undefeated knockout artist Sena Agbeko in the fourth round of their quarterfinal matchup in Hammond, Indiana.

Gatica (14-2, 9 KOs’s) of Austin, Texas will now fight another undefeated opponent in Brandon Adams (13-0, 9 KO’s) of Los Angeles on April 18 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino.

Adams is coming off a stoppage over Daniel Edouard in his quarterfinal bout.

The winner of the Gatica / Adams fight will take on the winner of the Vitalli Kopylenko (23-0, 13 KO’s) / Willie Monroe Jr. (16-1, 6 KO’s) semifinal battle that will take place on the same card.

The fights will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPNDeportes+ and WatchESPN beginning at 9 PM ET.

Gatica knows he will have to improve to reach the finals.

“I felt I was a little sloppy but it came down to who would throw the harder punches,” said Gatica.

“My training for this fight is going well and I am getting in shape. I will be in better condition and we are working on my technique.”

Gatica is excited about the opportunity in fighting Adams.

“Brandon is a good fight for me. He is worthy with good skills. He is strong and in good shape. I am glad to be fighting him.”

Gatica believes that this fight pits two of the better fighters in the tournament.

“It could be us in the finals but that’s the way tournament shook out. I see myself winning the whole thing, but I am taking this one fight at a time.”

Gatica has received a lot of support from the boxing fans around the world who watched his first bout in Boxcino.

“People are glad that I am in Boxcino. It is exciting and I believe I will be in the final. They have liked my fights and have got great feedback on the concept of Boxcino. It gets people to fight and not be protected,” finished Gatica.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, is getting geared up for the highly anticipated HBO PPV rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley with extensive fight week coverage, including the live pre-fight press conference, weigh-ins and undercard.

The coverage gets underway on Wednesday, April 9, at 4 p.m. ET with the final press conference.

Then, on Friday, April 11, at 6 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents live coverage of the official weigh-ins from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the site of Saturday’s rematch, with Pacquiao and Bradley expected to tip the scales at 6:15 p.m. ET.

Finally, on Saturday, April 12, at 7 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents the live undercard pre-show with final previews, analysis and preliminary fights ahead of the championship rematch.

Saturday’s live Fight Network quadrupleheader will begin with a live broadcast of GLORY 15 Istanbul at 2:30 p.m. ET. Immediately following the conclusion of the HBO PPV undercard pre-show, Fight Network presents tape-delay broadcasts of Cage Warriors 67 at 9 p.m. ET, followed by K-1: Battle for Spain at 11 p.m. ET.

Additionally, Fight News Now Extra will feature exclusive one-on-one satellite interviews with Saturday’s marquee competitors.

Fight Network’s live Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 fight week coverage will air nationwide in Canada, as well as internationally as part of Fight Network’s expansion on ZON in Portugal, Telenet in Belgium, D-Smart in Turkey, ZAP in Angola and Mozambique, and OSN across the Middle East and North Africa.

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.

Here are the main quotes from today’s kick-off press conference ahead of the fight between WBO Super-Middleweight World Champion Arthur Abraham and Nikola Sjekloca on May 3 at the Velodrom Berlin, Germany, which will host its first ever world title fight.

Nikola Sjekloca: “I am going to dethrone the ‘King’ Arthur and take his title away. Last year, I had a competitive fight against Sakio Bika, who went on to win the WBC Belt. Now I want to win the WBO Title and unify against Bika in a rematch. I do not underestimate Abraham as I am following his career since he had his first world championship fight. I studied his style in detail and know how to beat him.”

Arthur Abraham: “To study my style by watching videos is one thing, to step into the ring against me the other. I am leaving for training camp tomorrow morning. I know for a fact that my coach Ulli Wegner will come up with the right game plan for me to be victorious on May 3. I am really looking forward to defend the WBO World Championship in my hometown of Berlin.”

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

What: Official Weigh-In for the upcoming “Ringside at Del Mar” Boxing Event

When: Thursday, April 10, 2014 2pm

Where: Westfield Plaza Bonita Mall – Food Court Second Floor (south end of
mall) Plaza Bonita is located at 3030 Plaza Bonita Road National
City, CA 91950

Come see all the fighters participating in Friday’s “Ringside at Del Mar” boxing event at the Del Mar Fairgrounds at the Official Weigh-In conducted by the California State Athletic Commission. A press conference is scheduled to immediately follow the Weigh-In. A fighter Meet & Greet session with the public will follow the press conference. Boxing fans of all ages are welcome to have their pictures taken with the fighters. Free autographs.
*Schedule of events subject to change.

Advance tickets for “Ringside at Del Mar” are priced at $25 (General Admission), $55 (Ringside),$75 (Table Seats), and $100 (Apron seats). Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketmaster, at www.ringsideadelmar.com, by phone at (858) 755-1161, or in person at the Del Mar Fairgrounds ticket office. “Ringside at Del Mar” is sponsored in part by 7UP, IHOP, Joel Diaz Training Camp, El Latino Newspaper, 2014 FAB FAIR, Rincon del Mar Restaurant, Virtual Tax Solutions, Cotixan Mexican Food, Mi Familia Market, Elite Pro Nutrition, and MyAttorney9111.

The Del Mar Fairgrounds are located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard.. Doors open at 7pm. The first of seven bouts is scheduled for 8pm. We’ll see you ringside at Del Mar!

Making his second appearance at the Paisley Lagoon this year, Light Middleweight Kris Carslaw knows a win this Saturday will open the door to another shot at the British title, however coach Colin Bellshaw wont be over looking opponent Dan Blackwell .

“We have confirmation that Kris Will be facing Joe Selkirk in the summer for a British title fight, since his last shot at the title Kris has been on the road a few times and picked up a lot of experience so we are confident when the opportunity arises we will come good.
He adds “Saying that, we are not overlooking the task in hand on Saturday and with a good local crowd, Kris is looking to make a statement ,
In the opposite corner on Saturday will be Dan Blackwell, and the Saltire Boxing supremo is aware of Blackwell potential “ Dan Is a come forward fighter who is certainly going to be looking to upset the odds, we picked him as we know he will be looking for a win. This will be a real challenge for Kris, and I know he will relish it.
Saltire Boxing present n Evening of Championship Boxing this Saturday 12 April at the Paisley Lagoon Leisure Centre.
Headlined by Rhys Pagan v Mike Towell for the vacant Scottish Light Middleweight title, and is supported by strong undercard featuring the return of Kris Carslaw as he looks towards a British Title Eliminator in the summer.
Also in action is Ronnie Clark, Brian Peacock while Scottish Welterweight Champion Craig Kelly also returns, and completing the line up is Marek Laskowski.
Standard Tickets are priced at £30, Ringside Reserved are £40 while Inner Ringside £60 and are available from the fighters directly and a limited number available on the door on the evening.
Doors at 6pm, first fight at 7pm.

LAS VEGAS (April 8, 2014) – World Series of Fighting is happy to announce the addition of exciting striker Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard to the company’s lightweight roster.

The UFC veteran signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion and is expected to debut in the World Series of Fighting decagon in July.

“I’m excited to start a new chapter in my career,” said Guillard. “I feel like a brand new fighter with a great opportunity here with World Series of Fighting. I’m looking to prove I’m one of, if not the best lightweight in the world.”

“Melvin is an amazing fighter with an energetic style that has earned him a massive, loyal fan base, ” World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo said. “He’s a guy that comes to fight every time he enters the cage, and I’m excited to see how he fares in our lightweight division.”

A 31-year-old New Orleans native, Guillard has competed for the UFC for the past six years, picking up 13 wins during that time, including eight victories by knockout. One of the most physically gifted and feared knockout artists in all of the sport, Guillard has been competing professionally since 2002 and boasts nearly 50 professional bouts to his name.

About WSOF
World Series of Fighting is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering an incredible, action-packed entertainment experience for fight fans by producing the best possible matchups between elite fighters from around the globe. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

Kelly Swanson
This week has been jam-packed with information about the April 19 ‘History at the Capitol. Yesterday, we did a conference call with the undercard fighters, and now, we have our main event fighters available today to talk to the press. I’m very excited about it.

Bernard Hopkins, the IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion, certainly a future first ballot Hall of Famer is on the phone; along with Beibut Shumenov, who is the WBA and IBA Light Heavyweight World Champion. I think it’s going to be an amazing unification bout; let’s go ahead and talk a little bit more about the fight and its particulars as well as introduce the fighters. I’d like to introduce Bruce Binkow, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of Golden Boy Promotions.

Bruce Binkow
We’re very, very excited about this one, and I personally can’t wait as I know a lot of you can’t. It’s a great tripleheader. It’s called ‘History at the Capitol.’ The main event is outstanding, Hopkins versus Shumenov. The co-main, Shawn Porter and Paulie Malignaggi is a fight that a lot of people want to see, and the telecast will open with Peter Quillin versus Lukas Konecny. It’s going to be a great night. It’s Saturday, April 19 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. It’s promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and brought to you by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. The telecast will be on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time. There are tickets still available starting at just $25. The tickets can be had at Ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster locations. The Dc Armory Box Office is open on fight night only starting at 3 p.m.

So, without further ado, let’s get right to the main event. I’d like to start by introducing to you all, Beibut Shumenov. Shumenov is 14-1 with 9 KOs. He’s a native of Shymkent, Kazakhstan, but fights now out of Las Vegas, Nev. He was a 2004 Olympian for his home country. What’s amazing about Beibut aside from his talent is that he made his way up the ranks of the light heavyweight division with amazing speed. He won his first title in 2009 in just his eighth professional fight, and then, he added soon thereafter his WBA title in 2010. Since 2010, he’s successfully defended his title five times. So, this April 19h, he’s going to get a shot at the big one, which is the legend, Bernard Hopkins, and Shumenov is hoping to etch his name in history with a victory on the 19th. So, with that, Beibut, if you’d like to make an opening comment before we open it up for questions, ladies and gentlemen, Beibut Shumenov.

Beibut Shumenov
Hello, everyone. I’m very excited that I’m fighting with Bernard Hopkins, one of the greatest fighters and a future Hall of Famer. So, everything has been great. I’m in the final stage of my preparation camp. So, everything is great. I am looking forward to showing all my capabilities on April 19 in Washington, D.C.

B. Binkow
Now, I’d like to introduce a man that needs no introduction. As a matter of fact, you almost run out of things to say about Bernard. If you’re on this conference call, you know everything there is to know about Bernard Hopkins, so I’m not going to recite all of the amazing stats and the history and the triumphs that this man has experienced and given us through his performances in the ring, but I will just say something that we talked about when we were on our press conferences and that is I truly believe that what Bernard is doing, the level in which he’s competing as a professional athlete, in one of the toughest sports that there is at this point in his life is nothing short of remarkable. If it was any other sport, I think that he would be getting a lot more mainstream media attention, and it’s my mission to make sure that people experience the joy of watching Bernard do his thing before he finally hangs it up, whenever that’s going to be.

He’s been called ‘The Executioner,’ more recently ‘The Alien.’ I’d like to introduce to you Bernard ‘The Alien’ Hopkins.

Bernard Hopkins
Thank you, Bruce, and thanks to all the sponsors and everybody that’s had a hand in promoting this tripleheader coming up in Washington, D.C. Any of those three fights can easily be main events on any night, so that’s the bang for your buck if you can tell me that something else can match that in three championship fights. So, I’m looking forward to being the main event on that and also making a statement like I’ve done many times before.

I’m used to this type of dance, and I’m just hoping that people will tune in whether they are there personally or at home and checking it out so they can witness the three major championship fights on the same card, which is not done often in boxing.

Q
Beibut, can you talk about what the reason was for your two lengthy layoffs and was that by your design or was it just problems getting fights or you weren’t signed with a promoter or what was going on there?

B. Shumenov
At that time, I was promoting myself and we tried to make a fight against Cleverly; it didn’t happen, and then, we tried to make a unification title fight against Chad Dawson. Again, we didn’t get any success. So, I couldn’t get any of those big names, and I couldn’t get to all those big networks. That’s why I got stuck and couldn’t do anything.

Q
So, was it a matter of when you came to make your deal with Golden Boy Promotions that they outlined a plan where they said hey, we’ll get you in the ring, we’ll give you a fight, it turned out to be the Kovacs fight and then after that, we’ll get you that big fight with Bernard Hopkins?

B. Shumenov
They didn’t mention Bernard, but I told them to my manager, Mr. Al Haymon and then to Richard Schaefer that I want to fight who’s the best. I want to keep fighting until I fight for all of the championship belts. So, I want to fight all those champions.

Q
Does it offend you that no one says what about Shumenov against Stevenson because they’re sort of overlooking you I guess a little bit against Bernard Hopkins? What are your thoughts about that?

B. Shumenov
Like I said, my main goal is to unify all the titles and I’m not thinking ahead. I’m only concentrated and focused on my upcoming fight against Bernard Hopkins, and it kind of motivates me more. They’re only talking about Bernard facing Adonis Stevenson. It motivates me more. I don’t care. It makes me train even harder. It makes me be a better fighter.

Q
What are your thoughts about fighting a guy with so few fights compared to the legendary resume that you’ve compiled over your 20-plus year career?

B. Hopkins
If you look at Shumenov, you look at Shumenov’s record, you can be blinded and misled by that, he has to give you some type of blueprint to say if you’re not thinking multiple ways. You’re thinking one way, then you think what you see. But I’m smart enough to understand that when a guy has a pedigree of an amateur record, as far as I’m concerned, they need to send people to fight amateurs with 100-something fights that come out of there basically closed, they just don’t have they license yet, and that’s a big debate in amateur boxing right now.

I’m very wise in this game, and I understand when you have a pedigree and it goes deep in the Olympics for his country, Kazakhstan, it’s something that he understands the big stage. He’s been around the championship level without even having a title at the top.

So, I’m not underestimating him. I’m in a position right now where I haven’t been in many, many years, and that is people overlooking my opponent. People have overlooked Bernard Hopkins even with titles. I mean I have records to prove, but at the same time, I know what that can do to a guy. It can motivate a guy and also can put pressure on a guy, and that’s the blessing and that’s the education that I come from both sides. I’m still around to understand how he feels and how he has to be motivated, what motivates him, and that’s dealing with the IQ and that’s dealing with the experience and that’s the luxury that I have in the game today amongst anybody I fight whether it’s Shumenov, whether it’s Stevenson, or whoever you name. It doesn’t matter because I’ve been here longer than any boxer that’s boxing right now in a respectful level and position, and I think that’s an honor.

Q
What is your opinion about that aspect of sort of knowing that you have an even bigger fight perhaps in the future if everything goes good for you in April and also your thoughts about Stevenson making that jump because he’s wanted you certainly much more than he’s wanted Kovalev.

B. Hopkins
Well, first of all, it’s good for both of us. It’s good for both guys, myself and Shumenov because we going in April 19 in D.C. on SHOWTIME, and all what you just said is going to be mentioned by the commentators, and leading up to the fight it’s going to be mentioned. So, it’s out there. I mean, like you said, it was out there when Stevenson came onboard to unify the title on this end, and of course, he’d be fighting his next fight on that network. So, all these things are basically a win/win for the fans of boxing because at the end of the day, no matter which side of the street you’re on, west side, north side, east side, southwest, doesn’t make a difference. People want to see one guy who even has a title as the man that beat the man. When you’re a fighter, you want all the major belts that someone else is carrying.

Now, tell you how much I’m a dinosaur in the game, I’ve been here before, as anybody having short memories that’s listening, 2001, post-9/11, New York City. So, I have a track record of having an itch to prove if I have to have all three or four belts, forget what anybody says who’s the best in this division or who’s the best, the man beat the man, that is true I agree, but at the end of the day, Stevenson made it clear he wants to fight other champions, myself and anybody else, and as far as I’m concerned, the belts that people care about are the main three belts that people really know about and care about. Any fourth or fifth belt is just extra gravy if you want to put some more on your bread. The bottom line is we in the ring April 19. We’re going to do what we got to do, the winner will be the winner and we move forward, and I’m looking to be the winner and I’m looking to make history. What better place to make history than D.C. at the capital?

Q
Beibut, nothing can be said exactly about Bernard’s accomplishments. He’s 49-years-old, but when you look at him, why do you think he’s been able to have success as long as he’s had?

B. Shumenov
It’s truly amazing. It’s unbelievable. It’s incredible. I don’t see where in the past or in the future anybody could do what Bernard does.

Q
Do you have any fears that if this fight goes to the cards that because of his reputation, the decision will go in his favor and not yours?

B. Shumenov
Right. But since my December fight, which was before the fight, a lot of people starting asking about potential fights between us, and then, right after the fight Bernard got in the ring and I got the feeling that the fight would happen in the near future, and right after the fight, I started watching his fights and studying him. I’m preparing to win each round clearly to leave no doubt for judges, anybody.

Q
Bernard, you mentioned 2001 against Felix Trinidad. It’s been a very long time since you had a unifying title fight. Why has it been so long?

B. Hopkins
Well, you have to ask boxing. I mean, you’re asking me a question; if I had a crystal ball, every division would be unified to one champion. I mean that’s through the politics, but you’re asking a question that I think that me and you both are asking. You’re allowed to ask anything you want, but that’s self-explanatory, but I’m glad I’m the one that continues to make history, that continues to give something to scratch your head about, and that’s my main objective.

I have my own agenda, and trust me, in that agenda is to one day be part of a long conversation about where do they put Bernard Hopkins because we can’t just put him with all of the other historic legend boxers. So, I want to make y’all have a really hard time whether you’re here or not, whoevers in the future, figuring out where to put this and I have to do the work now to be able to do that later. That’s the thing. You work now, you enjoy later. That’s how it’s supposed to be.

Q
Bernard, for the third straight fight, you’re listed again as the betting favorite. Does that change your views going in?

B. Hopkins
That’s shocking, but I always say I know you might look at this as not being a boxing question, but I was born in 1965 in this great country, and anybody that knows history of 1965, I was the underdog when I was born in this country compared to my ancestors. So, when you say underdog, I got the mentality that I’m always going to be the underdog. I don’t look for any favors or any help. I go and do what I got to do, and that’s one of the reasons I’m here so long.

I’d have been long gone if it was that. If I wanted to just get a house and have some money in the bank, I’d been gone 15 years ago. Do the math. It’s 2014. Do you know how many great fights I had in the last 15-plus years? So, I mean, I’m glad you said it, but it doesn’t move me one way or the other. I was hoping that Shumenov would be the underdog because I know how he feels when people don’t give a person a chance. I mean, trust me, I’ve been through that, I understand that, but I accepted that, and I’d rather have it that way.

So, I flip it in my mind that he’s the favorite. I’m a 10-1 favorite on April 19 in D.C. He’s a 10-1 favorite over me in D.C. April 19. That’s how I train, that’s how I think. I don’t look for any favors from nobody because I never got any. Look at my career.

Q
I recently talked to your trainer, Naazim Richardson, and he said ultimately what it comes down to is Bernard is going to get tired of winning all these titles. Do you kind of see it that way, that the only way you will ultimately leave this game is throughout your own volition, giving up those titles, not having them taken from you?

B. Hopkins
Absolutely. Me and Naazim, he’s an old man. He’s been around me for 20-something years. He’s been a second trainer at one time with Bouie Fisher, the first trainer. So, he understands and he understands how I think and he understands what kind of mission that I feel that I’m on. We communicate. So, I couldn’t have been as accurate as you said. But my whole thing is, as Beibut said, he wanted to unify the titles. I’m answering that call because I want to do the same damn thing, and now, we have the pieces in line that has the same mentality. It gives you something to write about. It gives the fans and anybody that’s listening that comes along after you, it gives them a chance now to say we unified the title in that division, maybe become a good disease, a good virus that might spread through other weight divisions and that would be good, I think, for boxing. I mean that’s my opinion, I could be wrong.

Q
Are there any fights you’ve seen, for example, his last fight with Murat or probably one of the biggest fights of his recent career with Kelly Pavlik, for example, where you were able to learn from those fights?

B. Shumenov
My apologies, but I cannot discuss the knowledge that I have about Bernard’s work. Out of all the studies, I cannot discuss the knowledge as I’ve been perfecting myself against Bernard Hopkins, and I’m at the final stage with my preparation, so people will get to see my capabilities.

Q
Bernard, what do you see from Shumenov when you study him?

B. Hopkins
These are the things that I don’t have any problem telling you, how I feel whatever because whatever I tell you, if you want to hear it doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be my strategy. See, The Art of War is one of my favorite books. You asked me a question, see the difference between Bernard Hopkins and Beibut, and that’s his own style and it doesn’t make him bad or good, it’s just the way he thinks.

You ask me a question, well what do you see in Beibut, that you can do to expose? Well, I can tell you anything. Doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. I just might want him to hear, and these are things from The Art of War. He understands what The Art of War means. You understand? Because at the end of the day, no matter what I tell you, it’s what happens in that ring, but I’ve been in this game almost three decades, and there’s no style through the amateurs, short amateur career I had, I didn’t have 100 fights, I didn’t have 50 fights, but the short amateur career that I had, that and the one in state penitentiary is that it’s no style, I repeat, there’s no style on this planet earth dealing with boxing that I haven’t seen or been in the ring with.

It’s nothing I haven’t seen that I’ve been in this game for 26, 27 years that’s going to surprise me April 19, and that’s not underestimating anybody. That’s not overlooking. That’s just keeping it real by the time I’ve been in this game and by the time I’ve been a student and still considered a student, a little edge of a teacher in this game that I’m in.

Q
Beibut said that he wouldn’t react negatively if things get dirty in the ring and that he would let the referee deal with that. What do you think about that?

B. Hopkins
I don’t know where this dirty stuff comes from. I mean, I don’t understand. Only thing I know in two weeks or less, man, we’re going to be doing what we got to do. It’s not my job to think about what a man can do to me, I can do to him. I never had a big brother. I am the big brother of six siblings. So, I never had a big brother to look over me in case something happened. Now, I let my challenge speak for itself. I let my history speak for itself. I let the last five or six fights or five or six 17 years speak for themselves. We’re going to fight, and if somebody does something they’re not supposed to do, you got checks and balances that will check that.

It’s not my job. I can’t be a fighter and the referee. I wouldn’t even bring that up to you. That’s irrelevant. It’s ridiculous, and if he said it or you said it, whoever said it, it’s just not the point. The point is that you’ve got a guy in there, it’s the reason he’s in there, and the bottom line is I’m going to come across and bring my talent to a level where people are going to be talking about something else, and they’re going to be excited and they’re going to look forward for what comes next, and that’s how I feel, and that’s how I’m training and that’s how I live.

Q
You spoke of being born 1965. You were three years old 46-years-ago today when Martin Luther King was assassinated, and I guess I would like to ask you if you would express your thoughts on the significance of this day and his legacy from your point of view.

B. Hopkins
It really in a major way speaks for itself, because I was born at a change in America, but I also was born to establish my history through the checks and balances. A lot’s been done, lots still needs to be done, that would be perfect, but at the end of the day, I’ll just say this, when I step in any challenge and I step in any era or any other ways I think about history and when I was born and people that came before me, it puts me in a situation to do what I do.

I really believe that and that means the law of God, and I really believe that and that’s from my soul, and I’m here not only because of my talent, I’m no fool. I’m here because I have not only angels watching over me, but a bigger being that got me through things that I know weren’t my doing. It couldn’t have been my doing not even having the best lawyer. It couldn’t have been my doing. This was something beyond that, and that’s what comes in the spirit when I go to fight. If he don’t have that same spirit he’s in trouble. He’s in trouble.

Q
Does it energize you the prospect of being a unified champion again?

B. Hopkins
Yes. It gets me a lot more energized than my last two fights, but those last two fights played a role to get energized; to me, this isn’t the climax, this is the pre-climax, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s where I need to be and where I had to go through to get here in the last year or two, to be patient, to fight my mandatory, to show people and get out of there, get out of the way. I wanted it to be Kovalev but they chose to fight Cleverly, smart move, good management.

Now, we’re here, and I’m looking to show the world that I might be the second or the first boxer in any division that became undisputed in two weight classes in modern time, and I stand to be corrected, but I figured I’d put it out there. Somebody can research; I know y’all will get back to me, but I love history and I love trying to break records that have been set for multiple years because I believe I have a history of doing that, and this is energizing too. This is also adding to what you said being energized, yes. [NOTE: Evander Holyfield was undisputed at cruiserweight and heavyweight.]

Q
Do you sit back and sort of notice that boxers are sort of being on top now a little bit more, having more decision and more say on the business side and whether that makes you proud of the things that you’ve done in the past and those struggles that you’ve gone through and the battles that you’ve fought to try to assert your rights as a boxer?

B. Hopkins
Well, I’m always proud when you have your fellow man that’s tired of being labeled one way and wants to get the red light district type of mentality label off their back, I’m always excited when you see change and bigger fights, better fights and also knowing your business. I think knowing your business gives you an advantage, not at a disadvantage.

The only reason why I’m here is Ali had his purpose. Jim Brown had his purpose. Jethro Page had his purpose. So many people had their purpose and their time and I’m like those people in this time. Love me or hate me, I went against the grain when it needed to be and I compromise in a respectful way when need to be, and I think that’s what leadership is about.

But April 19 starts another chapter, and this other chapter is very important because I’m 49-years-old, and I’m showing that I’m 49-years-old and competing and winning because what I’ve done in the past and I’m reaping the benefits of how you take care of yourself, and that’s the brand, that’s the Bernard Hopkins. So, Beibut, 29, 30 whatever he is, he’s 10 years younger, 15, whatever he is, I’ve got 10 or 15 years over him or more, I’m not fighting a guy my age, I’m fighting young guys. I’m fighting guys that can fight guys that are undefeated, longer stints of amateur career, not new to the game, not going to be camera shocked, not going to be D.C. shocked. I just come in to push through, man, to make him work and I’m here to do this.

I’m here to show that this is why I’m different and to show how you’re different is to show in a sport that’s so physical and so mental; what better place to prove yourself than boxing. I know no other sport and I’m biased that I’ve been a part of where you can show what you’re made of in 36, 37 minutes or less.

Q
You look up to Hopkins. How long have you been following his career?

B. Shumenov
Look-I’m not just a boxer, but I’m also boxing fan. So, I’ve always watched all the big names when they fight Bernard.

Q
Could the fans expect you to try for the knockout on April 19?

B. Hopkins
Well, I sure enough think I try hard enough. I didn’t get it with Karo Murat, and Shumenov is no Karo Murat, no disrespect to Karo Murat, he can fight, different style, different demeanor, but at the end of the day, I see opportunities. I see a lot of opportunities with Shumenov, believe it or not, that I didn’t see with Karo Murat, and the styles always make fights. I know that’s an ancient quote, but it’s legit and it’s real, and I see his style perfect. I couldn’t ask for a better style in a match up and I don’t know what he thinks. It doesn’t matter, but he might think the same thing.

As he said, he’s been studying me since his fight in San Antonio in Texas, and he’s a boxing fan. You can’t look at the record and be sidetracked and think this man doesn’t have any experience. I will not play that game, but in the same token, I’m looking for a battle. I’m looking for a battle, and when it’s all said and done, I want to be raising my hand in victory.

Q
Are you going to look into training fighters because they could use your knowledge and I think you would help?

B. Hopkins
I have so much to bring to the table to again, respecting trainers from all walks of life, to limit myself to be in a corner, to limit myself away from the big picture in boxing would be a disservice to my fellow boxers, who are in Pampers right now, and it’s going to be boxers one day. They’re walking around at six months old or a year old and they walk around in diapers and they are going to be fighters one day like myself and others.

So, why not have a venue for them where they can not only be educated first about a sport to get into and then multiple people that are going to be teachers/trainers and anything else, but I think do good for boxing. I think I played a role that I’ve been playing with Golden Boy Promotions for seven years. I think I’ve played a role when fighters come up and ask me about certain things, about taking care of the body, living a clean life amongst all the lights and the flash and the glitter and the success, how do you stay focused, disciplined. I think it would be a disservice to keep that away and just tell a person how to throw a jab and a left hook.

Q
Bernard, what should he study for?

B. Hopkins
I mean, I lost count. There’s a lot of them. You can go on YouTube. I mean it’s an information highway. You can find out anything about anybody, what you want to put out there, but in the same token, I mean it’s kind of hard to be kind of like an invisible man in a boxing business. Can you imagine that?

People going to know the style you’ve been successful with and the style that you are and just now knowing how to crack that safe. Now, it’s multiple styles I have, and I’ve said it, I don’t know, it wasn’t with you, but it was with two other callers before you, I’ve been in the game since 1988, I mean that’s almost three decades. Obviously, I’ve seen every style that you possibly can see with the short amateur career. I’ve seen the different styles how they hold their hands, how Beibut holds his hands, how he fights with a jab out, all this stuff. This isn’t giving away no secrets.

That’s the boldness of me, not the showoff because I’m confident about what I say based on putting the work behind, and understanding that I have to live up to those things, but I don’t mind being on the edge. Look at my life. Look at my career. So, whatever style, it needs to be presented. We do what we do.

So, at the end of the day, somebody’s hand is going to get raised and somebody is going to have to evaluate they’re career.

Q
How is different now going through the rigors of training than it was let’s say during the middleweight tournament days?

B. Hopkins
When you’re young, you overdo things a lot and you get away with it. When you have wisdom and you have understanding, you learn how to not overdo things where you rest and save your money like investing and you go ahead and you spend it tomorrow. A lot of things you do when you’re younger, you get away with it, a lot of things, you can’t do or you shouldn’t do wisely because it’s always the next day, there’s always next week, and it’s the preparation part.

The mindset controls the body because the body has always been right, but I’ve prepared a temple to be able to have the mind control the body. When your mind is right, everything is going to fall into place, but if your mind is right and your body is whack, it’s off balance. Life is a balance, and come April 19 on SHOWTIME, you’re going to see the balance between a guy with experience, a guy with a good pedigree, but a guy that’s in there with someone that has an IQ and a boxing ability and a body that brings it, not the look and the physical part, that’s nothing but the physical, but the youth of half his age in the ring with a guy that’s 30, 31-years-old. It’s going to be amazing to y’all, and that’s what I need to display and that’s what I will display. I’d rather show you than I can tell you. It’s better to prove it to you than talk to you all day long, but this is part of the business too. You have to talk.

Q
Do you still have long-term goals or do you just take it fight by fight now?

B. Hopkins
No. I can’t take it fight by fight because that’s boring. That’s like going to work and not knowing if you’re going to get fired each day. My thing is I always have long-term goals just to stay alive, but they are realistic goals, and I believe the realistic goals compared to the goals you just had, is nothing but a dream. It’s nothing but something just to fool yourself, and then reality comes in when those times go by and you looking at that date that you have to have things done that aren’t done, you get to now looking at reality and then you just die. So, my thing is yes, as long as I live and breathe this air called life in my lungs. So, yes, that’s how I operate. That’s how I function.

B. Binkow
That was a great call. Yes, I don’t have anything to add other than to reiterate what Bernard said at the beginning, which is that these are three potential main events in one night, another spectacular tripleheader brought to you by SHOWTIME and Golden Boy. Any chance that we have to showcase the great Bernard Hopkins is always a treat and very special. So, I urge everybody to tune in or buy a ticket, and whatever you do, just be with us on April 19 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.

# # #

Hopkins vs. Shumenov, a 12-round fight for the IBF, WBA and IBA Light Heavyweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, April 19 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In the 12-round co-features, Shawn Porter defends his IBF Welterweight World Title against Paulie Malignaggi and Peter Quillin puts his WBO Middleweight World Title on the line against Lukas Konecny. The live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana. The telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $75, $200 and $300, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale now and available online athttp://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.The DC Armory Box Office will be open on fight night only from 3 p.m.-10 p.m. ET.

LONDON (April 8) – Manny Pacquiao has insisted his killer instinct is still alive and well despite Tim Bradley questioning the motivation of the Filipino superstar.

The pair clash this weekend, live and exclusive on BoxNation, in a world title showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, looking to settle an old score following Bradley’s controversial points victory back in 2012.

Much was made of the judges’ scorecards during that first encounter, with the undefeated Bradley winning a split decision, to the bewilderment of many onlookers.

Since then, however, both men went their separate paths with Pacquiao’s desire for the fight game in recent times being called into question by some, including Bradley, something which the Philippines Congressman has hit back at.

“My motivation is the same now as it was when I started my boxing career,” said Pacquiao. “I love the competition and I love to win. When that stops, so does my professional boxing career. But I don’t see that happening for a long time.

“Because I am facing Tim Bradley again I am extra motivated for this fight. I may not have won the decision the first time we fought but I know I did not lose that fight. I want the world title he won from me back around my waist. I want to prove I am the better fighter,” he said.

Pacquiao is aware of the significance of this fight, having bounced back in style from his sensational knockout loss to Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez by overcoming Brandon Rios late last year.

“Freddie Roach [trainer] and Justin Fortune [conditioner] are asking more from me in this training camp than I have ever given before and as hard as that is to do, I am giving them everything they have asked of me,” he said.

“Too much is at stake for me and for my country. I want to end my career on a winning streak and against the best fighters. No one has ever defeated Tim Bradley during his professional career. I want to be the first name in his loss column. It will not be easy. Nothing at the world championship level is easy,” Pacquiao insisted.

“I still have the hunger and the desire to win and I appreciate Tim Bradley giving me this rematch to prove it. Unfortunately for him, on April 12, I will not be able to repay him that favour with kindness,” he added.

The eight-division world champion, who for the past decade has been regarded as one of the very best pound-for-pound in the world, also says he has learnt from his shock loss to Marquez.

Having not knocked anyone out since Miguel Cotto in 2009, question marks have been raised in regards to his punching prowess of late, something which he was too eager to show against the skilled Mexican.

“The one thing I learned from my fight against Marquez was patience. When I had him teetering I became reckless and went in to finish him. I was careless and he landed the perfect punch. That was learning a lesson the hard way. But I learned it,” Pacquiao said.

“I still have the killer instinct. I am not afraid to use my power and go for the knockout. But I will remember the lesson I learned from my last fight with Marquez. Knockouts need to come naturally, you should not force them. But Freddie [Roach] likes knockouts and I like to make Freddie happy,” he said.

‘Pacman’ also shot a note of warning to Bradley, believing that it will be the Pacquiao who blitzed his way past all-comers that he will share the ring with this Saturday night.

“I have all the respect for Bradley and what he has accomplished but I have no fear of him. He has inspired me to exceed my previous performances inside the ring. If Bradley wants to meet the fighter who stopped Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, he’s going to get his wish on Saturday,” said Pacquiao.

Tonight from 7pm BoxNation will air episode two of 24/7: Pacquiao vs. Bradley free-to-air for all Sky TV viewers, with episode three to be shown this Friday at 7pm.

Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Sunday at 2am. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.
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-Ends-

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April 8, 2014 – Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) today announced a partnership with Top Rank Boxing, the world’s leading boxing promotions company. As the Official Gaming Partner of Top Rank Boxing, the PlayStation® brand and the PlayStation®4 system (PS4™) will be highlighted at several of Top Rank’s premier events, including the highly anticipated World Welterweight Championship rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley on April 12.

“We are thrilled to be the Official Gaming Partner of Top Rank, a brand that celebrates greatness by promoting some of the best boxers in the sport today matched up in the most exciting, epic bouts,” said Guy Longworth, SVP, PlayStation Brand Marketing at SCEA. “This new partnership will generate exposure for the PlayStation brand among boxing fans that Top Rank reaches around the world.”

The PlayStation brand will be featured through in-arena branding, trailer spots during event broadcasts in the United States, integration across Top Rank’s social and digital channels and more.

“With the successful launch of PS4, PlayStation is a very compelling brand among gamers around the world,” said Lucia McKelvey, EVP of Global Marketing, Top Rank. “This partnership is a perfect opportunity for two leading brands to join forces and capitalize on the excitement and global attention surrounding the sport of boxing and Top Rank’s premier events.”

Top Rank’s events are available live on Pay-Per-View, HBO, and UniMas, a part of the Univision Network. The company works with networks in more than 130 countries to broadcast its fights. In addition to Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2, one of the year’s biggest fights, the PlayStation brand will be integrated into the June 7 pay-per-view match-up at Madison Square Garden between three-division champ Miguel Cotto and reigning middleweight champ Sergio Martinez. Additional events to feature PlayStation integration include the May 17 bout between Juan Manuel Marquez and Mike Alvarado at the Forum in Los Angeles and several UniMas events.

Canelo Alvarez will be looking for a July 12 Pay Per view dance partner and the man he is targeting is Erislandy Lara according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“When I met with Canelo last week, we discussed the date, the site and different opponents, and two of those have been resolved,” said Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer. “Canelo feels very comfortable fighting at the MGM. So we have the date and venue locked in and then we had to look at opponents.

“Canelo made it clear that his first choice is Lara because a lot of people, fans and media, feel he would be afraid of fighting somebody with the skills of Erislandy Lara, the same way people thought he wouldn’t fight Austin Trout. And you saw what happened.”

“Canelo thinks Floyd is the champion. Floyd beat Canelo and Canelo thinks Floyd is the champion, so how can Lara be a champion,” Schaefer said. “So Canelo doesn’t want it for a title so it won’t be a title fight, but if Lara wants to defend the title he can pay the sanction fees. But Canelo said he doesn’t want to fight for the title.”

“A lot of people feel Lara is the best at 154 pounds after Floyd,” Schaefer said. “Canelo said, ‘That’s the guy I want.’ I presented other names to him. He didn’t say yes and he didn’t say no. But he kept saying, ‘Get me Lara. That’s what my fans want to see.’ So I have begun negotiations with Team Lara. I’ve been working on it with [Lara adviser] Al [Haymon] and we have made an offer. We are going back and forth and my hope would be the negotiation could be concluded swiftly. We’re a little bit apart but if everyone will give a little bit we can get this done.

“I think it’s a very interesting fight. Lara is very skilled fighter. So is Trout and you saw how Canelo did with Trout, but Lara is a bit better than Trout.”

“Canelo would like to do a media tour,” he said. “When you have more time to promote, you can do a bigger tour. He liked the media tour we did with Mayweather and the big crowds. He loves to embrace his fans and mingle with his fans and so he definitely would like to do a big press tour.”

“We are talking about what we want to do,” Schaefer said. “Would we pull him out to have him ready for the promotion? That’s part of the negotiations and discussions. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen because I don’t have it done. But if you want to put together a major pay-per-view, the dates are a bit too close.”

Craig Metcalfe will replace an ill John Keane as a judge for this Saturday’s much anticipated rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley.

“Metcalfe is a good judge. We have no issue whatsoever,” said Top Rank’s Carl Moretti said.

The other two judges on the panel are Glenn Trowbridge of Nevada and Michael Pernick of Florida. The referee will be Kenny Bayless of Nevada.

April 8, 2014 –- Boxing fans can get a ringside seat for one of the sport’s most dramatic pre-fight activities when HBO telecasts “WEIGH-IN LIVE: PACQUIAO/BRADLEY 2,” the world championship fight weigh-in, featuring welterweight rivals Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. The 30-minute special airs Friday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.

Hosted by Jim Lampley, the fast-moving program will include the moment when both prizefighters tip the scales as well as providing boxing fans with unprecedented access to the festivities in Las Vegas prior to the highly anticipated rematch. Live interviews with special guests will be part of the half-hour presentation. All the action takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Immediately following “WEIGH-IN LIVE” will be an encore replay of the HBO special “Face Off With Max Kellerman: Pacquiao/Bradley 2” at 6:30 p.m. (ET/PT). HBO will then replay all three shows of “24/7 Pacquiao-Bradley 2,” starting at 7:00 p.m. (ET/PT). An encore presentation of WEIGH-IN LIVE will air at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

“Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2” will be distributed on HBO Pay-Per-View on Saturday, April 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The official fight headquarters for boxing fans all week long is insidehboboxing.com where fans can log on for exclusives features from fight week in Las Vegas.

Follow HBO Boxing news at www.hbo.com/boxing; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hboboxing; and on Twitter @hboboxing.

Photo by Chris Farina . Top Rank

According to Dan Rafael of espm.com, an intriguing doubleheader has been set for May 24 on HBO that will feature a Heabyweight elimination bout between Bryant Jennings and Mike Perez as well as a Middleweight showdown between former champion Daniel Geale and Matthew Macklin.

“I honestly think Perez is more dangerous that Szpilka because he’s so used to being the bully,” Jennings told ESPN.com from his training camp in Houston. “Both of them are slick but Perez has this type of bully aspect and I always bully the bully. I would hope (Perez trainer) Abel Sanchez makes sure Perez is smart and they take their time to do everything correctly because they are dealing with someone who is well-skilled and well-conditioned and ready to fight. I hope Perez brings his A-game and please do not sleep on Bryant Jennings.”

“I think it’s the best matchup right now. We ain’t ducking nobody. We’re fighting for a position that we would both love to be in,” said Jennings, who turned pro in 2010. “It’s all about the position.”

Said Jennings and Geale promoter Gary Shaw, “This is a real heavyweight fight. It’s a really good fight between two top contenders. I know Jennings is ready. He trains all the time. I think it’s a 50-50 fight. The questions I have is can Jennings use the lateral movement that I believe Perez cannot handle? Will Jennings start off slowly and be a sitting duck for Mike Perez to tee off on, because Jennings is historically a slow starter? Can he start quicker with more movement like he was going into the fourth round not the first? I believe he can.”

“I think it’s a great matchup between two of the top undefeated fighters in the heavyweight division,” said Perez promoter Tom Loeffler said. “I believe the winner of this fight will ultimately go on to win the WBC heavyweight championship. Both fighters have already been featured on HBO and there is a lot of anticipation for this fight now.”

“Stylistically, it’s a great fight and the outcome is doubt. This isn’t one of those fights where you know who the winner is going to be,” said Lou DiBella, Macklin’s promoter. “Neither of these guys is a huge favorite in the fight. These are two guys who like to fight, who like to throw punches and they’ll go at each other. But I have confidence in my guy.

“This is a good, old-fashioned ‘Boxing After Dark’ fight and I think the winner will get a title fight or a fight as economically big or bigger than a title fight.” Geale (30-2, 16 KOs), 33, of Australia, won a world title in 2011, made four successful defenses, including outpointing Felix Sturm in a unification fight, before losing a split decision to Darren Barker in August. Geale has fought once since, scoring a sixth-round knockout of countryman Garth Wood in February.

“I believe Geale is the better fighter, a late bloomer, and will bring it all, no different then what he did in the Barker fight,” said Shaw, Geale’s promoter.

CALIFORNIA (April 7, 2014) – After seeing a specialist, x-rays showed that Bruno “The Aloha Kid” Escalante (13-1-1, 6 KOs) was fighting with two broken bones in his left hand during this IBA Super-Flyweight title defense against Victor Ruiz (12-3, 9 KOs). Escalante showed tremendous grit as he continued fighting when the injury occurred in the 2nd round. The injury will likely keep Escalante out of the ring for 3 months.

“The doctor said Bruno can make a quick recovery if he lets his hand heal properly,” said Manager Herb Stone. “He could return after a few months of rehab. Bruno proved to me he has tremendous heart carrying on with a broken hand. I’m hoping he can fight by the end of the summer. I have big plans for Bruno when he returns to the ring.”

“This is just a minor setback,” said Bruno Escalante. “I’m going to do everything the doctor says to make the healing process faster. I’ll continue working out, mostly on my jab since that is the only arm I can use at the moment.”

Washington, DC (April 7, 2014) – Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce the donation of portraits of living boxing legends and future Hall of Famers Floyd Mayweather and Bernard Hopkins to the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. The portraits, taken by renowned sports photographer Holger Keifel, are a part of the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

“Golden Boy Promotions is incredibly proud to donate these portraits to the National Portrait Gallery and further the widespread recognition of these two great athletes and the recognition of the sport of boxing as a mainstay in American culture,” said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer. “This is an honor befitting these two great champions Floyd Mayweather and Bernard Hopkins.”

The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC houses portraits of Americans who have influenced the country’s history and culture. The process for choosing new additions to the museum’s collection is very selective.

In November 2013 the museum approved the inclusion of the Mayweather and Hopkins portraits into the museum’s collection. The portraits are projected to appear in the museum within the next two to three years and will likely be on display for six months or longer.

Both future Hall of Famers will be presented with their portraits before upcoming world title fights. Hopkins will receive his portrait on Thursday, April 17 in Washington, D.C. at the final press conference before his April 19 light heavyweight world championship unification bout against Beibut Shumenov at the DC Armory and on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®.

Mayweather’s portrait will be presented to him on April 30 in Las Vegas, NV at the final press conference for his May 3welterweight world championship unification bout against Marcos Maidana at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and on SHOWTIME PPV®.

Throughout Mayweather’s stellar career, he has amassed a record of 45 wins with no losses, 10 world championships and endless accolades recognizing his incomparable boxing talents. He is boxing’s biggest attraction setting and breaking records every time he fights. His September 2013 fight against Mexican boxing phenom Canelo Alvarez set a record for the highest grossing pay-per-view event of all-time. His skills in the ring are unmatched and as he continues his stellar career with a two fights planned in the coming year, Mayweather

The oldest athlete to win a championship in any major sport, Hopkins has had a long and storied career that has seen win seven world championships in two different weight divisions. In May 2011, Hopkins became the oldest fighter in history to win a title at 46-years-old, and has since broken his own record with his most recent win over Karo Murat to successfully defend his IBF Light Heavyweight title. Having just turned 49-years-old, Hopkins looks toward a successful year ahead with a goal of becoming the undisputed light heavyweight champion.

Photographer Holger Keifel is an accomplished name in the world of photography. Having focused on boxing from 2002-2010, Keifel put together a collection of over 250 black-and-white portraits for his book “Box: The Face of Boxing”, published in 2010 that included photos from fighters such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Mayweather, Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya. Keifel’s boxing work has been featured in several institutions, but these will be his first portraits to hang in the National Portrait Gallery.

The Portrait Gallery’s collection includes portraits of some of the most prominent boxers and fights in the history of the sport. Among the portraits of boxers in are images of Muhammad Ali, Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, Evander Holyfield and Joe Louis. Additionally there are photos and paintings of great fights including Ali vs. Joe Frazier, Louis vs. Max Baer, Louis vs. James Braddock, Louis vs. Max Schmeling, and Floyd Patterson vs. Tommy Jackson. These images date back as far as the beginning of the 20th century and together show the history of boxing in America.

“The inclusion of these two portraits is great for the sport of boxing and gives the American public another opportunity to appreciate these living legends,” said Schaefer. “At Golden Boy Promotions, we believe in giving back to the sport that has give us so much and we are thrilled to be able to do so in this way.”

The portraits can be viewed online at npg.si.edu. In addition to being featured on the website, the portraits may be used for special exhibits or printed in a museum catalog.

ABOUT GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS:
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. In 2007, in its fifth year of promoting, Golden Boy Promotions set a record by selling over 2.5 million in pay-per-view homes in a single night. Also in 2007, Golden Boy Promotions established the record for highest grossing pay-per-view homes in a single year with more than 4 million total. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the United States on networks such as HBO, SHOWTIME, TeleFutura, FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes.

Golden Boy Promotions currently has over 70 fighters under contract, from future Hall of Famers Bernard Hopkins and Erik Morales to current world champions and superstars Devon Alexander, Canelo Alvarez, Adrien Broner, Danny Garcia, Robert Guerrero, Chris John, Amir Khan, Marcos Maidana, Abner Mares, Paulie Malignaggi, Lucas Matthysse, Victor Ortiz, Lamont Peterson, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Peter Quillin, Leo Santa Cruz and Humberto Soto. Also included on the company’s roster are top contenders Alfredo Angulo, Sharif Bogere, Pablo Cesar Cano, Danny Jacobs, Erislandy Lara, Jorge Linares, Seth Mitchell and Keith Thurman as well as highly regarded prospects Randy Caballero, Jermell Charlo, Omar Figueroa, Eddie Gomez, Frankie Gomez, Anthony Ogogo, Antonio Orozco, Gary Russell Jr. and Deontay Wilder.

GILROY, CA (April 7, 2014) – This past Sunday Robert Guerrero’s “Breath for Caley” fundraising event successfully raised over $15,000 for Caley Camarillo a 12-year old girl who is suffering from a rare and terminal lung disease called cystic fibrosis (commonly referred to as CF). The money raised will help out with medical expenses.

“I’m very happy with the turnout yesterday as our local community and neighboring communities came out to support this event and help Caley and her family,” said Robert Guerrero. “Our goal was to hit $10K and we surpassed that, raising over $15K. I want to thank all the people who donated items, bought tickets and made bids on our silent auction items. There are so many people to thank, I’m just grateful to everyone who helped out.”

“A special thank you Morgan Hill Cellars, Isaiah Pickett & Band, Brent Cannon, Kevin Jensen, Mauricio Mejia and my committee who put this successful event together in 2.5 weeks.”.

For more information on how to help Caley and her family please click here.

DOVER, Del. (April 7, 2014) — Dover Downs Hotel & Casino with Champ’s Management announce a championship boxing event on Friday, May 9, in the Rollins Center® at 7 p.m. The headline bout features featherweight Cornelius Lock (22-6-2), from Detroit, Mich. vs William Gonzalez (26-5 with 22 KOs) from Managua, Nicaragua.

The undercard features The New” Ray Robinson (17-2-0), of Philadelphia, Pa., super featherweight Omar “Super O” Douglas (11-0-0), Wilmington, Del., lightweight “Jolt’n” Joey Tiberi (12-1-0), of Newark, Del., cruiserweight Alex Guerrero (10-0-1) of Salisbury, Md., light heavyweight Frankie “The Freight Train” Filippone (14-4-1), of Norfolk, Va., and cruiserweight Earl Platt (4-1-0) of Virginia Beach, Va.
Tickets are on sale at noon on April 8 for $45 – $200 and may be purchased by calling VIP Services at 800-711-5882 or visiting doverdowns.com. Event, times and card are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (April 7, 2014) — Fighter of the Decade MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO, who returns to a U.S. ring for the first time since 2012, will kick off Fight Week with his Grand Arrival Tomorrow! Tuesday, April 8, inside the main lobby of the MGM Grand. Pacquiao, his Hall of Fame Trainer Freddie Roach and the rest of his team, will arrive at 1:30 P.M. PT in a bus custom-designed with Pacquiao’s image. Fans are invited to attend and give boxing’s only eight-division world champion a boisterous welcome as he attempts to regain the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title from the undefeated defending champion TIMOTHY “Desert Storm” BRADLEY.

Pacquiao, Roach and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum will be available for interviews.

Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative of the Sarangani province in the Philippines, breaks camp in Hollywood today where he has been in deep training for the eagerly-anticipated WBO welterweight championship rematch against the two-division world champion Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif. This will also be the first time Pacquiao has ever challenged to regain a world title he formerly held.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 will take place, Saturday, April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

When Pacquiao and Bradley rumbled the first time, on June 9, 2012 at MGM Grand, Bradley’s hand was raised via a controversial split decision, ending Pacquiao’s welterweight title reign as well as his seven-year, 15-bout winning streak. Though both fighters claimed victory neither was satisfied. Destiny may have played a hand in their first battle but it will be survival of the fittest that determines the winner of this exciting rematch.

Remaining tickets for Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 are priced at $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges. There will be a total ticket limit of 12 per person with a limit of 10 per person at the $1,000, $800, $600, $400 and $250 price levels and a limit of two (2) per person at the $150 price level. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 will also be available via closed circuit in the Marquee Ballroom at MGM Grand. Tickets are priced at $50, not including applicable service charges. All seats will be general admission and will be available at the box office and via all area Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Episode No. 3 of 24/7 Pacquiao/Bradley 2 premieres This Thursday! April 10 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT two nights before the high stakes welterweight title bout.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #PacBradley to join the conversation on Twitter.

SALEM, N.H. (April 7, 2014) – Rockingham Park will be a closed circuit site this Saturday night for the Manny Pacquiao vs.Timothy Bradley pay-per-view fight airing live from Las Vegas. Admission is only $20.00 and tickets are on sale at Rockingham Park’s box office.

The Rock will also host live World Series of Boxing action, featuring the USA Knockouts vs. Cuba Domadores, earlier that same evening.

For more information about the Pacquiao-Bradley PPV and/or the World Series of Boxing event at Rockingham Park, please call 603.898.2311 or visit www.rockinghampark.com.

Sherman Oaks, CA (April 8, 2014) World-ranked junior middleweight contender and Southern California fan favorite Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan will return to the ring on Saturday, May 10 at the USC Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, it was announced today by his promoter Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Following his outstanding performance in a ten round decision on March 21 over Mario Aguila, Martiroysan will see action in a scheduled eight-round clash.

“Vanes made it very clear upon signing he wanted to stay busy and grow his fan base here in California; the added benefit is his desire to work in the gym under his new trainer, Joe Goossen,” said Dan Goossen. “The combination of learning new things with Joe, and staying busy, will allow Vanes to better utilize improved skills in real action.”

“Couple that with his immense fan support in Southern California, particularly in the Armenian community, it can only enhance Vanes’ popularity toward his world championship march.”

The bout will be featured on the off-TV portion of the ESPN televised “FIGHT FOR PEACE HEAVYWEIGHT HISTORY” bout between Haiti’s #1 WBC Heavyweight World contender Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola, the #2 WBC Heavyweight World contender of Riverside, California for the vacant WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Martirosyan won every round against Aguila in a bout telecast on ESPN Friday Night Fights from the Morongo Casino Resort Spa in Cabazon, California in his first bout under the Goossen Tutor Promotions banner.

“My last fight was the first time I felt like a pro,” said the former world title challenger Martirosyan. “It’s amazing even to me. I said being with Joe for only three weeks, he had me understanding the need to work harder and developing some of my other offensive weapons.”

Commented Joe Goossen, “It’s important now, at only 27 years of age, that we prepare Vanes to the fullest of his potential and not allow another opportunity for the world championship to fall through his grip. Activity in the gym and the ring can only help us.”

“FIGHT FOR PEACE HEAVYWEIGHT HISTORY” is presented by Don King Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 (plus fees) for the WBC Heavyweight World Championship night of boxing are available through the USC Ticket Office located in the Student Union, 213-740-4672 (GOSC), or www.galentix.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Doors will open on the day of the event at 3:00 p.m. PT with the first
bell at 3:30 p.m. PT.

For more information on the Galen Center visit; www.usctrojans.com/facilities/usc-galen-center.html

For fight updates go to www.goossentutor.com or www.espn.com/boxing on Facebook at facebook.com/GoossenTutor, and on Twitter at twitter.com/GoossenTutor, and twitter.com/ESPNBoxing. Use the hashtag #StiverneArreola2 to join the conversation on Twitter.

LOS ANGELES (Apr. 7) – Fighting outside of the United States for the first time, and only the third time outside of his native California, Coachella’s Randy “El Matador” Caballero scored the biggest win of his pro career last Friday in Kobe, Japan, as he stopped Kohei Ohba in eight rounds to earn a mandatory shot at IBF bantamweight champion Stuart Hall.

“This was a big win for me, and I thank my team, my promoter, and my friends, family, and fans for all their support,” said Caballero. “I didn’t care where the fight was, I was going to win and leave no doubts. Now it’s on to a world title fight, and I can’t wait for my shot at Stuart Hall.”

“A true world champion can fight anywhere they set up a ring, and by going to Japan and beating Kohei Ohba, Randy Caballero proved that he’s ready for that next step,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “We’re proud of Randy for this huge victory, and we’re ready to make a fight with Stuart Hall for the IBF title as soon as possible.”

The end came at 1:54 of the eighth round. At the time of the stoppage, the 23-year-old Caballero (21-0, 13 KOs) had a comfortable 70-61, 69-63, and 69-63 lead on the scorecards, but with a first-round knockdown of Ohba (35-3-1, 14 KOs) already in the books, he took the fight out of the judges’ hands, with the second knockdown of the fight in round eight prompting the game Japanese fighter’s corner to throw in the towel.

County Durham, England’s Hall won the IBF bantamweight title in December of 2013 with a 12-round decision win over Vusi Malinga. He retained the belt with a technical draw against Martin Ward on March 29, 2014. Now the 34-year-old’s mandatory challenger is the unbeaten Caballero, who is hungry for his shot at the belt.

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

Las Vegas, Nev. – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC®) announced today that Bruce Lee, “The Father of Mixed Martial Arts”, will make his historic first step into the Octagon® in EA SPORTS™ UFC, launching June 17, 2014. Fans can pre-order today to get instant day-one access to Bruce, or they can complete the game’s career mode at Pro difficulty to unlock him. Players can fight with the legend across four different weight classes and test his legacy against the best of the best in the UFC. To see Bruce Lee realized in game, watch the EA SPORTS UFC Gameplay Series: Bruce Lee Reveal, the first cinematic trailer from EA SPORTS UFC that was released today. For more information on the Bruce Lee pre-order offer, please visit http://o.ea.com/20562.

“I am so excited about this opportunity to bring my father back to videogames!” said Shannon Lee, Bruce Lee’s daughter, CEO of Bruce Lee, LLC and Chairperson of the Bruce Lee Foundation. “I’m thrilled that fans can now interact with him in a new way. The EA SPORTS UFC development team has been incredible to work with, and they’ve done a great job capturing the look and feel of my father. I think people will love getting a chance to fulfill a fight fantasy by playing Bruce Lee in the new UFC game.”

“There’s no debate, Bruce Lee is the father of mixed martial arts,” said Dana White, UFC President. “He believed not one style of fighting was the best and that you had to have a little piece of everything to be a complete fighter. He was proven right when the first UFC event took place in 1993.”

“It has always been part of our vision to have Bruce Lee, the most iconic martial artist of all time, in the first ever EA SPORTS UFC,” said Brian Hayes, Creative Director, EA. “The team is very excited and tremendously honored to have the privilege of bringing Bruce Lee to life in our game. We’ve been working closely with the Bruce Lee team to ensure we represent the legend with as much visual and gameplay fidelity as possible.”

Powered by EA SPORTS IGNITE technology, EA SPORTS UFC is built from the ground up exclusively for Gen 4 platforms, EA SPORTS UFC captures the human athleticism, physiology and emotion of the athlete like nothing before it. Step into the Octagon® and Feel the Fight with every strike, takedown and submission.

Assets: To download assets, please visit the EA press site at http://info.ea.com. Visit the EA SPORTS UFC website for more details.

EA SPORTS UFC is in development at EA Canada in Vancouver and will be available for Xbox One and PlayStation®4 consoles. The game has not yet been rated the ESRB and PEGI; visit www.esrb.org and www.pegi.info for more information. Become a fan of EA SPORTS UFC on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/easportsufc and follow us on Twitter via http://www.twitter.com/easportsufc.

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports videogames, including Madden NFL football, EA SPORTS FIFA, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, PGA TOUR® golf, SSX™ and EA SPORTS UFC. For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit www.easports.com.

*Conditions apply. Visit http://o.ea.com/20562 for details

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.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and tablets. EA has more than 300 million registered players in over 200 countries. In fiscal year 2013, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.8 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Need for Speed™, Battlefield™ and Mass Effect™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news. EA SPORTS, The Sims, SSX, Need for Speed, Mass Effect and Battlefield are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. and its subsidiaries. Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and affiliated entities in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners. John Madden, NFL, NCAA, NHL, NBA, PGA TOUR and FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Las Vegas, Nevada – For the first time in company history, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® will come to San Antonio on Saturday, June 28 at AT&T Center. The main event will feature a five-round featherweight bout between two of the division’s top contenders and most exciting strikers in Cub Swanson and Jeremy Stephens .

Winner of five straight bouts, the fourth-ranked Swanson (20-5, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) headlines his first UFC® event and eyes a potential shot at the title later this year. The Palm Springs, Calif. native has long been one to watch at 145 pounds with his blend of precision striking and seemingly endless cardio. With recent wins over Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, Ross Pearson and Dennis Siver, Swanson looks to cement his status as the next title contender with a win in San Antonio.

Longtime veteran Stephens (23-9, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.) will step into the Octagon® for the 19th time on June 28, looking to get one step closer to his ultimate goal of claiming the UFC title. The tenth-ranked Stephens was entrenched in the sport from a very early age, competing in amateur bouts at 16 and turning pro at 18. Having first competed at UFC 71 in May 2007, “Lil’ Heathen” has since gone on to collect wins over Cole Miller, Rafael dos Anjos, Sam Stout and Marcus Davis. Undefeated since dropping to featherweight, Stephens looks to continue his career resurgence and win his fourth straight bout.

Also scheduled for the card:
The return of The Ultimate Fighter® season 16 winner and active member of the U.S. Army Colton Smith (6-3, fighting out of Ft. Hood, Texas), as he takes on undefeated Carlos Diego Ferreira (9-0, fighting out of Edcouch, Texas) at lightweight.
A welterweight bout between Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Marcelo Guimaraes (8-1-1, fighting out of Vila Velha, Espirito Santo, Brazil) and submission specialist Andy Enz (8-1, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska).
A heavyweight matchup featuring promotional newcomers Anthony Hamilton (12-2, fighting out of Seattle, Wash.) and Oleksiy Oliynyk (48-13-1, fighting out of Vologda Oblast, Russia).

Additional bouts will be announced in the weeks to come at UFC.com.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT: SWANSON vs. STEPHENS, go on sale Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m. CT and are priced at $175, $125, $75 and $50. Tickets are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges. Tickets are also available at www.attcenter.com and the AT&T Center box office.

UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, April 9 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, April 10 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: SWANSON vs. STEPHENS will air live on FOX Sports 1 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Saturday, June 28, with the prelims kicking off the evening on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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

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.