Just three days to go until fight fans will witness an excellent triple-header from Schwerin, Germany! First and foremost, the event staged at the Sport- und Kongresshalle on August 24 will feature Juergen Braehmer’s (40-2, 31 KOs) EBU Title Defense against Stefano Abatangelo (17-2-1, 6 KOs). Thereby, the European Champion will have some pressure to handle – not only from his Italian opponent, but also from the crowd. “The fans as well as my own expectations are enormous – a homecoming is not always an advantage,” stated Braehmer who might very well challenge for a world title at light heavyweight, as he is the current WBO mandatory. However, this fact is not on the 34-year-old’s mind. “Currently, I just look ahead to my bout on Saturday. Afterwards I can look forward to bigger and better things.” Meanwhile, Abatangelo’s adviser Alessandro Ferrarini sees his fighter surprising the hometown favorite: “It’s like Rocky vs. Apollo Creed – Stefano is the big underdog, who has nothing to lose and that will be his chance to win!”

In contrast, Arthur Abraham (36-4, 28 KOs) has a lot to lose. Only a win against Willbeforce Shihepo (20-6, 15 KOs) will hold his chances alive to get another shot at a world title. “I must win – nothing else matters. On Saturday, I want to beat Shihepo and then look out for another chance to get my hands back at the WBO Belt. Abraham vs. Stieglitz III – that’s the fight people want to see,” said Abraham. Ulli Wegner, the coach of Abraham, still believes in his prodigy: “If not, our cooperation would not make sense anymore.”

A bunch of top-rated heavyweights did not saw any sense of facing Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9 KOs). Therefore, it was difficult to find a proper opponent for the number one rated contender by the IBF. Finally, somebody stepped up the plate, after the charge of coach Otto Ramin beat Alexander Ustinov via KO in round eleven back in September of 2012. With Tony Thompson (38-3, 26 KOs), Pulev faces his toughest challenge to date. Still, the 32-year-old is very confident to continue his unbeaten streak in the professional ranks: “I am very concentrated and won’t let go my chance to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship.” Thompson, who has already fought twice for world title honors, might beg to differ: “It’s good to be back again in Germany. On Saturday, you will see excitement in the ring. A KO is what you ask for and a KO will be delivered!”

Tickets for the big fight night on August 24 at the Sport- und Kongresshalle Schwerin, Germany are available at www.eventim.de.

LAS VEGAS (Aug 21, 2013) – Multi-award winning artist Richard T. Slone, known by fight fans around the globe for his unique style and ability to capture the true essence of the sweet science with each brush stroke, has been commissioned to create the official artwork for the upcoming Superfight between Floyd Mayweather and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, which will take place on Saturday Sept 14, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME PPV®.

Slone will be ringside at the fight to complete his series of official paintings and will also be hosting an exhibit of his works at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 12-15th. “Having Richard T. Slone creating unique artwork for this fight is a thrill and an honor for us at Golden Boy Promotions,” said company CEO Richard Schaefer. “Mr. Slone is the new leader in sports art throughout the world, and having him involved with this mega event adds to an already historic night.” Slone has created two pre-fight paintings and will create his third after the actual where he will be doing sketches from ringside.

Slone’s prefight paintings include an intense “Stare down” painting, used on all events tickets and a full action painting titled “The One” which Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions simply called “A masterpiece”.

“It’s an honor to create art for this amazing event. It gives me chills to think these paintings will be part of the great history of boxing, like important fight paintings by George Bellows and LeRoy Neiman” said Slone at the unveiling. “Both of these warriors will be giving it their all. It’s going to be an all-time classic fight and I’ll try to capture that in my paintings.”

Slone’s pre-fight paintings of the unbeaten champions will adorn commemorative tickets and official fight posters. There will also be a special limited edition of only 75 museum quality fine art canvas prints. Fight fans who are unable to attend the live event but who wish to purchase the art, may visit www.sloneart.com

Richard T. Slone is the official artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and has created artwork for many major sporting and celebrity events. The list of his collectors reads like a who’s who of modern day icons, with prominent collectors such as Nelson Mandela, Donald Trump, Muhammad Ali and Hugh Hefner and many more. His artwork has become synonymous with boxing’s superfights. He has created official artwork for fights including those of Oscar De la Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather and many other stars. In the spring of 2013, Slone renewed a publishing deal with National Geographic that will publish his art in up to two million books. Collectors of his art range from celebrity clients, art connoisseurs and high-roller gamblers to a new generation of college kids who collect posters and Slone designed apparel.

Floyd Mayweather and artist Richard T. Slone unveil the painting in Las Vegas.

Slone’s portraits are also featured on the tickets to the record breaking fight.

ondon (21 August) Tickets for Kid Galahad’s British title showdown against James “Jazza” Dickens at the Magna Centre on Saturday 14th September, are now available to buy through Ticketline.co.uk and Ticketmaster.co.uk.

The undefeated WBC International super bantamweight champion Galahad, 23, has a perfect 14-0 record with seven knockouts and has already drawn comparisons to former Ingle Gym stable mate and former world champion Prince Naseem Hamed.

Dickens, 22, similarly holds a flawless pro record of 16 wins with five knockouts. He is the English champion, picking up the belt with a 10-round unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Jon Fernandes in Liverpool.

Both fighters were meant to face off for the English belt and are now determined to show they are the better fighter as they prepare to put everything on the line for the famous Lonsdale belt.

“Some may see this as a 50/50 fight – he is a dangerous opponent, but on the night, I’m going to show I’m on a different level,” Galahad said of the fight which will be shown live on Channel 5.

“You have not seen the best of me – there is much more to come – I’m going to put on a tremendous performance – this one will be a master class – I’ll adapt to anything he brings.

“I’m feeling strong and sharp from my last fight, I’m always training, always in the gym, always ready to fight – I can’t wait to get in there.

“I’m going to show my fans excitement, drama and that’s what it’s going to be – I’m already the best in Britain and I’m going to show it in the Dickens fight.”

Supporting Galahad at Magna will be middleweight sensation Chris Eubank Jr in his 11th professional contest and current World Youth super-heavyweight champion Hughie Lewis Fury in his ninth outing as a pro.

The undercard will also feature a whole host of local talent.

Ticket Information

Tickets for September 14th are priced from £30 and are available to purchase from our box office today:

Hennessy Sports box office on 01925 755 222 or online at: http://hennessy.ticketline.co.uk

Ticketline by calling 0844 888 4402 or online at ticketline.co.uk

Ticketmaster by calling 0844 847 2500 or online at ticketmaster.co.uk

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS
For more information on Channel 5, maximuscle, Liquid and Hennessy Sports:

Two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner Vasyl Lomachenko will take a very tough fight in his pro debut when he takes on Jonathan Oquendo as part of the Timothy Bradley – Juan Manuel Marquez undercard on October 12th in Las Vegas according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“He’s stepping up right off the bat,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com. “This is a hellacious debut. I don’t mean to be dramatic, but this is unheard of for a pro debut. You probably have to go back to when [Floyd] Patterson fought [Pete] Rademacher.”

“For a pro debut, this ranks way up there because of how tough an opponent Oquendo is. Just look at his credentials,” Moretti said. “Stepping up a gear during any race is no an easy thing to do. In boxing, in a pro debut, it’s unheard of.”

“Lomachenko must have a lot of confidence making his debut against a fighter like me,” Oquendo said. “He must think he’s really good. Let’s see what happens in the ring.”

“He has this zest to reach the top as soon as possible and knew we could provide him the route to getting there,” Moretti said of one of the reasons Lomachenko signed with Top Rank. “He is on this card against a solid 10-round guy who has fought excellent opposition and has always been in a war. When he signed with us and told us what he wanted to do, our eyebrows were raised. But we were all for it. If somebody has that kind of zeal to prove himself right off the bat, why not.”

If Lomachenko comes through the fight, he could be looking at a world title shot early next year. The plan would be to match him with the winner of the fight between former titleholder Orlando Salido (39-12-2, 27 KOs) of Mexico and Orlando Cruz (20-2-1, 10 KOs) of Puerto Rico, who meet for a vacant 126-pound world title in the co-feature of the Oct. 12 card.

“We have our eyes on having Lomachenko fight the Salido-Cruz winner in the first quarter of 2014, in his second or third pro fight,” Moretti said.

Richard Schaefer
Thank you very much and thank you all media members to be on the call, thank you to both fighters to be on the call. I remember a couple years ago we did a card called Action Heroes and then we, of course, just had another one a few weeks ago, Knockout Kings 2 and I think this card here from the Stub Hub Center would certainly fit perfectly into either one of those cards. Because one thing, which is for sure, that night, on Saturday night the 24th of August from Stub Hub Center, fists will fly, it will be heavy action and it’s going to be a tremendous night of boxing again. It’s exactly these kinds of match ups, which Oscar and I discussed with our matchmakers, Eric Gomez and with Roberto Diaz. It’s these kind of match ups we like to bring to the fight fans.

First, we are going to go with the main event of the night, which is going to be pound-for-pound star Abner Mares defending his world title against Jhonny González.

Jhonny González doesn’t need much introduction with a record of (58 -8, 46 KO’s). I think that record speaks for itself. He’s one of the most exciting fighters with devastating power in his fists. He wants to win that world title back. He is already a former two-division world champion and really an amazing warrior. I know he’s been training hard, I know he’s going to be ready and it is a pleasure now for me to introduce to you the former two-division world champion Johnny González.

Jhonny González
Now, first of all, I want to say good morning to all of you. Thank you very much for being here. It’s a great honor and pleasure for me to be on this call. What can I say? The moment is near; the moment of the fight is near and I’m very excited.

Schaefer
Thank you, Jhonny. I’m going to now introduce Abner and then we can open it up for questions for both fighters.

Whoever you put in front of Abner he beats and not only beats but he looks sensational doing it. He clearly marched through all of these divisions and is finally now recognized as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He is the reigning and defending WBC Featherweight World Champion. His background goes back to the 2004 Olympics and then, of course, winning Showtime’s Bantamweight Championship series clearly put him in a place now where he is one of the best and one of the most exciting fighters in the sport.

There’s a handful of fighters that you know when you see them fight you know it’s going to be all action and you know it’s never going to be a boring fight and in that group, in that very elite group, Abner Mares certainly belongs. He fought Daniel Ponce de Leon for the WBC Featherweight Championship on May 4th in Las Vegas to now become a three time and three-division world champion and instead of going and taking an easy fight, a little breather, he’s going in against the always dangerous, as I mentioned before, Jhonny González. It is a pleasure and an honor for me to introduce to you the WBC World Champion and pound-for-pound star, Abner Mares.

Abner Mares
Richard, thank you for the kind words. Everyone, good morning. Happy to be here, happy to be on another press conference call and ready to give you guys another exciting fight come August 24th at the Stub Hub Center. I’m blessed, I can’t wait and it’s going to be really a magnificent night for the sport of boxing.

Schaefer
Thank you very much, Abner. I want to add that this fight is presented in association with Promociones del Pueblo, which is the promoter for Jhonny González. I like to open it up now for those two fighters for the media if you have any questions for Jhonny or for Abner please.

Q
I wanted to ask you how to do you feel physically and do you think it’s going to be easier for you this time around making weight? And also you talked about how you felt stronger and how your power carried, so if you can talk a little bit about that, too.

Mares
Well, good morning, first of all. I feel it’s going to be a lot more comfortable making weight, yes, because I’m moving up on weight. This is the second time fighting at this weight class. But then again, I am gaining muscle, so it’s not as easy, but then again it’s not as complicated making weight. I’m not struggling and I’m going to be strong, I’m going to be strong come August 24th. I can’t wait. Jhonny González is a tough fighter that I have in front of me and again, I feel strong physically and mentally.

Q
My question is for Abner and Jhonny González. Hey, guys. Do you feel coming into this fight it might be a little bit easier since you guys used to be sparring partners years ago? Is that going to affect the fight?

Mares
I’ll answer that question first. I don’t think so. Not at all. I think I proved that last fight when I fought Daniel Ponce de León. We had sparred many times. We were gym partners, we sparred many times, like I said, and it didn’t affect me or it did not affect him. I saw a different Ponce de León that night. I was able to win things out, but, again, you can’t expect the same type of fighter when you spar them come fight night. So I’m not looking for that. I know Jhonny comes with his A game, so I got to expect a tough Jhonny.

Gonzalez
No, not at all. That was many years ago; that was at the beginning of Abner’s pro career when he was just getting started. I think he’s demonstrated to the world and everybody that he’s a three-division world champion and the class that he has. He’s a tremendous fighter and one of the best in the division, so that, the sparring, has nothing to do with what we’ll see on Saturday night.

Q
Would there be an affect from the sparring in the past, that they know each other’s styles?

Mares
No, not at all. I expect the best Jhonny González. He’s going to come with his A game. That was many years ago we sparred. I appreciate my past sparring experience, because I learned a lot and gained some experience. But the winners will be the fans that are present and the fans in Mexico on Saturday the August 24th because they are going to see a great fight.

Q
What do you expect going into this fight with Abner? How has the preparation been? How has training been?”

Mares
Like all my other training camps; I always prepare 100%, especially for the most important fights. I added even more on this training camp because I’ve said it in the past, I’ve said it in weeks past, Abner is the best featherweight in the planet right now and for me to take his place I have to be very well prepared. What I can assure you is we’re going to give the public a great fight.

Q
Jhonny do you think this is your last big fight and are you close to retirement?”

Gonzalez
No, not at all. My body still feels great. My body’s still responding in the gym and the trainings. I definitely think this is a very important fight at this moment and we are looking forward to it and then going up another division to the super featherweight and then at that point fight even bigger fights there.

Q
There’s been fighters in the past that in the early stages of the career have had tough fight after tough fight and there has been an affect on them. Do you think you’re taking these fights at the right time or it’s been premature?”

Mares
No, I’m not. I’d say they happen at the precise time. I’ve learned from every fight. I’ve gained experience and I haven’t been beat up in any of my fights. I’ve learned a lot, gained experience and continue getting better and better and it’s been at the right age.

Q
Jhonny, how has it affected you now that you’ve been without your title for over a year?” What did you see in that fight between Abner and Ponce De Leon? Did you see any weaknesses or strengths or something that you saw when Abner won seeing that you lost your title to Ponce?

Gonzalez
In that fight with Ponce De Leon I wasn’t 100 percent mentally and physically there and that’s apparent. You have to see the difference. Styles makes fights. Ponce De Leon is a southpaw. Abner’s not a southpaw. He’s a clean fighter. I can’t say the same about Ponce De Leon. So I am coming in 100% prepared mentally and physically prepared and I think you’re going to see it on fight night.

Q
Jhonny, how frustrating was it to lose the way that you lost to Ponce De Leon after having established such a run in the division and successful title defenses?

Gonzalez
I was not frustrated at all. I was prepared physically very well, but mentally I wasn’t. I had some outside issues that affected me, some personal problems. I learned a lot experience wise. I went in there knowing that mentally I wasn’t there and then the head butt just broke my concentration even more. But now I learned from that experience to not go in there that way and this time I’m physically and mentally prepared.

Q
Can you shed light on any of the personal problems that you had?

Gonzalez
It was personal. Family issues.

Q
Given that you lost to Ponce De Leon and Abner beat him, and not only that Abner is ranked by The Ring as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, how rewarding and how easy is it to focus on a fight that could take you right back into the top level if you beat him?

Gonzalez
You pretty much answered your own question. It’s definitely motivating for the same reasons you said. He’s the best fighter, I’ve been saying it, at 126 pounds and that’s why we prepared 100% knowing that if we beat him we didn’t just beat anybody, we beat the best. We’ve trained very hard in the gym. We’ve prepared ourselves very well, as we know he did. So what I can tell you is come fight night it’s going to be a great fight for the public, the fans. Just like everybody’s expecting it to be that’s what we’re going to give them.”

Q
In every fight probably up until now, even the Ponce De Leon fight, there’s been an element of you have something to prove. The last fight you were looking for pound-for-pound performance, which you in fact turned in and were able to be ranked in the top 10 pound-for-pound. Now you’re probably perceived as the favorite because of everything you’ve done and the fact that he lost to a guy that you just beat. How do you motivate yourself for a fight like this and is there any extra pressure now that you’re the absolute favorite in this fight?

Mares
Well, first of all, no pressure at all, because I’m training the same way I train for all of my fights, all my previous fights, so I’m with the same hunger, the same desire to win every fight and to give a great show come fight night. I’m really glad and I’m blessed that people are seeing what I’ve been saying, that I’m one of the best fighters out there and I’m proving it fight after fight, fighting all these tough opponents. But as each fight comes to me, as each fighter keeps getting tougher and tougher there’s always something to prove. With Jhonny what do I have to prove? I have to prove that I am now one of the best, I’m one of the elite and I have to beat Jhonny. I can’t lose and I just have to win. It’s a fight where I can’t lose. And again, I’m fighting a tough fighter, an experienced fighter, close to 60 fights, 48 knockouts, great puncher, an experienced fighter. So his fight does not take anything away from me. I gain a lot.

Q
Do you think, either from you or your fans, that they want to see something sensational? Your last fight you had a knockout against a guy that was coming to beat you. Is there an element of “I have to top what I did the last fight” given your status now?

Mares
Well, yes, there’s always that. Well, I mean me, personally, there’s always that room for improvement or for learning. I go in the gym wanting to learn something new, as I have been doing it fight from fight, because I’ve been taking all these different opponents, different styles, and now I’m fighting a different style, a unique style in Jhonny; a clean fighter, really finesse boxer/puncher. So I have to go in there and just be better, show a different Abner Mares. And I can’t wait. Believe me, I trained hard, I trained differently for a different style, and you will see a different Abner Mares.

Come August 24th; a week from now you guys will see a different Abner Mares. You guys will see a tremendous fight from Jhonny and myself; a great fight. Boxing world wins. Can’t wait to prove again that I’m one of the elite. And I want to thank Showtime, I want to thank Golden Boy for always giving me good fights, for putting me on great defense, and this is another great fight for boxing. Thank you so much to all the press and come join us August 24th and if you can’t watch it on Showtime. It will be a tremendous fight. Thank you, Jhonny. Let’s give the fans a great fight.

Gonzalez
I want to thank everybody for calling in and for participating. I want to thank Showtime. I want to thank Golden Boy. I want to thank my promoter, Promociones del Pueblo, for having the confidence in me. I want to thank a great friend, a great fighter, a great champion, Abner Mares, for giving me this opportunity. And I also want to tell the public they’re going to enjoy a great type of fight that only happens when two Mexicans fight. Thank you, all. Thank you very much.”

Schaefer
I want to say something to Abner and I want to say something to all the media. First of all, this is going to be one of those fights, as I said in my opening remarks, you just don’t want to miss.
But I want to make another statement. Abner Mares is a pound-for-pound star. When I look at these pound-for-pound lists, and I know that different people have different opinions, I believe that Abner Mares, in my opinion, without any question, belongs in the number two spot on that pound-for-pound list. We have Andre Ward there, a fighter I respect, who has had tremendous accomplishments. He won the super six tournament. Abner Mares won the Bantamweight Tournament. Both of them fought the best in their division. Look what Abner Mares has done since then, since winning the bantamweight tournament? Look at what Ward has done since then. No question, in my opinion, that Abner belongs in the number two spot.

You look at Juan Manuel Marquez, who I believe is in the number three spot. He got dominated, and I mean dominated every second of every round, by Floyd Mayweather, who in my opinion is the clear number one pound-for-pound star.

But there’s no question, in my opinion, that Abner belongs there. Presently, Abner Mares is unquestionably one of the best fighters in the world; pound-for-pound. Make sure you tune into Showtime and if you are in Los Angeles or in Southern California make sure you show up at the Stub Hub Center, because it is a treat to see Abner Mares in action.

Now thank you, Abner. Thank you, Jhonny. I can’t wait to see you guys in a week here in Los Angeles at the press conference, and then, of course, weigh in and fight night. It’s going to be an exciting week. We can’t wait.

Schaefer
Before I’m going to introduce Victor Terrazas I just want to make another quick comment.
The card is sponsored by Corona and AT&T and it will be televised live on Showtime Championship Boxing. The preliminary fights are airing live on Showtime Extreme at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 8:00 p.m. Pacific. The Showtime Championship Boxing telecast double-header will be immediately following the premier of All Access: Mayweather versus Canelo, which will begin at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 p.m. Pacific, and the event can be heard as well in Spanish using Secondary Audio Programming, SAP.

Tickets are still available, are starting at $25, $50, $75, $150, and the way it’s looking is we are on track to have an other sellout event just like we did for Maidana and Lopez. In fact, current ticket sales are ahead of where we were with a little more than a week to go for Maidana and Lopez. So it’s going to be another tremendous night at the Stub Hub Center, formerly known as Home Depot Center, in Carson, California.

Now Victor Terrazas is defending his world title against one of the most exciting punchers and action fighters in the sport, irrespective of weight class. Leo Santa Cruz is certainly going to be opening up the Showtime telecast with a lot of fireworks.

Victor Terrazas, with a record of 37-2-1, 46 KO’s, of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, is the current WBC Super Bantamweight world champion. He’s a patient warrior whose time has come now. He’s 30-years old. Victor “Vikingo” Terrazas has only lost once since 2003, so he is coming off a tremendous run here. He’s on an 11 fight winning streak coming off a 12-round win over Cristian Mijares on April the 20th that earned him his first world championship, the WBC Super Bantamweight title. He obviously has no intentions to give up that hard earned title, which he worked for his entire career, his entire life and he will defend it against the rising star, Leo Santa Cruz. So it’s a pleasure now for me to introduce to you Victor “Vikingo” Terrazas.

Victor Terrazas
I can assure you all that it’s going to be a great fight. Leo Santa Cruz is a strong fighter; he comes forward. He started from the bottom and he’s been chipping at winning, getting wins, just like we all do. I now have the title and I’m going to go in there to defend it with all I have so that we can give the public a great fight. And the best man, the best prepared fighter will win that night.

Schaefer
Thank you Victor. Leo “Teremoto” Santa Cruz, with a record of (24-0-1,14 KO’s), of Huetamo, Mexico, now lives here in Los Angeles, is, as I said, an action puncher, a volume puncher. A guy if I could see only one guy fighting for the rest of my life, I can tell you it would be Leo Santa Cruz.

And for Leo Santa Cruz to go back to Carson has a lot of good memories, because this is the place where he won his first IBF Bantamweight World Championship with a 12-round decision win over Vusi Malinga back in 2012. So this is, in a way, a homecoming and he wants to duplicate what he did back in June 2012. Here he is a little over a year later, and going for his next world championship, second world title, moving up fighting in the super bantamweight weight class.

He has defended his belt three times in 2012 with very exciting victories over Eric Morel, Victor Zaleto and Alberto Guevara. He appeared as well on CBS last December, where he generated over 1.7 million viewers making it one of the most watched, if not the most watched, boxing telecast of any platform, of any network last year. So, clearly, Leo Santa Cruz is another fighter which is marching towards that top 10, cracking that top 10 pound-for-pound list.

It’s a pleasure and an honor for me now to introduce to you the former world champion, Leo Santa Cruz.

Leo Santa Cruz
Thank you very much for the words; I really appreciate it. I want to say greetings to everybody, and I’m very happy and excited for August 24th. I want to say that I’m ready. I’m training 100% and with my family over here, with my brother, my dad, and my whole team, I’m really ready. I know that with Terrazas it’s going to be a great fight. He’s a warrior. He’s a Mexican fighter; he comes forward with pressure in the ring. I’m going to do the same, because I want that title. I know he wants to defend the title. I know how we are, that when we win something we don’t want to lose it and I know he had struggled a lot for to win that title and that he’s going to come 100% prepared too. But I’m the same; I want that title. I want to win the same title for the same fight and I’m going to go give everything and give the fans what they want, a great show and a great fight.

Q
Is there anyone in your career that you have fought in the past that you believe that resembles Victor Terrazas fighting style?

Santa Cruz
I think he’s like all great Mexicans warriors, maybe like Guevara, he’ll fight as he comes forward. He has great techniques and great ring experience. He comes forward, attacking, working the body and working a few different techniques… But we’re going to work that in the gym, we’re working very hard, and we’re going to fight.

Q
How much of a difference has it been for the past two training camps, for the fight with Munoz and then fight for this, to train to fight at 122 as opposed to trying to make the bantamweight limit?

Santa Cruz
It hasn’t even been the same. There’s a difference, I mean the fighting with the weight class, before I’d have to go down to 118; it was a little bit more trouble. But we’ve been training the same, I think and doing the same. We have been doing different techniques that my dad’s been teaching me with my brother, and we are learning different things with style, because he kind of drops his jab, so we’re going to work on those things, like little mistakes we’ve seen on him on video we seen, and that’s what we have been doing. So everything else is the same; we train 100 percent for every fight, we don’t take any fight easy, we just we train hard.

Q
On Leo Santa Cruz on the same fight card as Abner Mares on this card and on past cards.
What’s the relationship between you two and do you see him as a potential future opponent, without looking past Victor Terrazas, of course.

Santa Cruz
No, if everything goes good I will win the title and hope to defend it. If the fans want the fight, I would want that fight. He’s my friend, we talk good and everything. I wouldn’t want to fight him, but if the fans want it we’d have to give it to them, because we have to give want the fans want and if they want that fight we will make it happen.

Schaefer
Yes, I can only echo that. If that’s the biggest fight, which has an opportunity, which the fans want, the network wants, and has an opportunity to make a substantial amount of money for both fighters, then let’s do it. And I know that Abner and Leo are the kind of fighters that never turn down anyone, they’re always up for a challenge. Both of them, as I said, are just tremendous fighters and both of them are really super nice guys outside of the ring as well. They respect each other and they are both a pleasure to promote. So we at Golden Boy believe in the best fighting the best, and if it’s going to happen with both of those guys, who are considered the best in these weight classes, we certainly won’t be standing in the way.

Q
Victor, how does Leo rank to the opponents you faced and what do you see as the most difficult aspect of his style?

Terrazas
No, I see him as very strong, obviously he’s a young strong fighter, and stronger than my past opponents. And I’ve been saying it; it’s a great honor to be on this mega card underneath Jhonny González, underneath Abner Mares. I’m very, very motivated. I’m very grateful and looking forward to it.

Q
Leo, how does he rank to your past opponents and what are his most difficult aspects of his style?

Santa Cruz
Oh, I think out of my entire career he’s the one with most experience, he is better than anyone I have fought in the past, he comes forward pressuring a lot. I think that his best attribute is the pressure in terms of punches, because he’s like a Mexican warrior coming forward and I think he’s going to come forward non-stop. If he’s always going to be right there in front of me we’re going to have a war. And, like he said, the better fighter is going to win the match, whoever trains hardest and whoever deserves it better is going to win the match.

Q
Leo, how is your brother?

Santa Cruz
He’s really good. Right now he is already gaining weight. He’s been around. He’s in the gym with me; he helps me out, give me water and things, like gloves and stuff like that. He’s doing really good. Thank you.

Q
How is that having him there? How is that for you emotionally? Does it add to your motivation?

Santa Cruz
Yes, it does. Before when I used to come train for my other fights he always used to stay home because his body was hurting and I was thinking maybe he was going to have to go to the hospital. He went to the hospital and then he came back, and then in a couple days he had to go back to the hospital so that really made me worry and I was not concentrating so much on the fight or on training. But now that I know that he’s right here and his body doesn’t hurt or he doesn’t have something wrong with him it gives me more confidence, more … and I am able to concentrate here in the gym. I am more relaxed and focused.

Q
People have been the talking about the potential for a Mares/Santa Cruz fight for quite a while. How far away is a fight like that right now and potentially what venues do you see, or locations, Mexico, United States?

Schaefer
Well, I really don’t want to talk about it, because, first of all, you have Leo Santa Cruz in a very, very difficult fight challenging for the world title, so I know that he has his work cut out for him. I know that Victor Terrazas is going to do whatever he can to defend his title. He waited all his life to get that title, so this is going to be one of those toe-to-toe fights and it’s going to be a great battle.

So the same goes for Jhonny González. Jhonny González was world champion. He was mentally, physically not all there when he fought Ponce de León, he lost the title, and ever since that night he and his promoter have been waiting for a potential opportunity at the world title again and here with Abner Mares he gets it. So he is going to be wanting that title back and Abner is going to want to show why he is pound-for-pound one of the best.

So I think it’s totally premature to discuss a potential fight between Abner and Leo. Let’s see what happens August the 24th. I think both fighters should have maybe a couple or so title defenses and then we’ll see, assuming everything goes well. But let’s do first things first. In boxing people have that thing always like you do one great fight and before it’s over people already talk about the next one. Let’s enjoy what we have. Let’s enjoy, let’s kick back, and this is what that night, August the 24th is, it’s about enjoying the sport of boxing. These are four Mexicans, these are four champions, and it’s going to be one night in Carson where we can sit back and enjoy as fight fans, as sports fans, because those four guys are going to do our sport proud. So let’s talk about that before we start talking about what’s next.

Q
The question is for Leo Santa Cruz. He hasn’t had this much rest between fights in a while, so my question is did it help more physically or mentally? And also all this time off, even though it’s only four and a half months, what did it allow him to prepare? How did he prepare differently having a little bit more time?

Santa Cruz
Well, yes, the timing it helped me a little bit, because I had more time to work on things that I had to work on. My dad has been watching videos and he has learned from my mistakes and things I need to improve on, and we’ve been working on those things. So I have had more time to work on those things and more time to prepare, like more conditioning and strength, stuff like that. But at the same time I think I prefer fighting more sooner. I know when I’m not fighting I feel uncomfortable; I want to keep on fighting. But the promoters and the managers know what they’re doing, and I think my body needed to rest. I think that’s a good decision they made. In my down time I learned a lot of new things and that helped me a lot.

Terrazas
Well, once again I want to thank everybody for having me on this call. I’m very excited, very happy to have been here. And also I want to remind everyone that when you get two Mexicans in the ring you can expect the best, and the best you will get on Saturday the 24th and the best will be the winner. Thank you very much.

Santa Cruz
I want to say thank you to WBC for this opportunity. I want to thank my manager, Al Haymon, Golden Boy, Richard, Showtime for this opportunity. On August 24th I’m going to go out there and give my best. I’m going to give it 100 percent to show the fans who I am and that I’ve come 100 percent prepared to give a good fight, same as Terrazas. I know he’s coming prepared too, because he doesn’t want to lose his title. And we both have struggled a lot to get to this point, so we both going to give a war out there and we’re going to leave everything in the ring. I am very excited and happy for August 24th.

Schaefer
Thank you, Victor. Thank you, Leo. One thing I know, August the 24th it’s going to be “show time” on SHOWTIME, baby! This is exactly continuing the trend SHOWTIME has established. No tune-ups, no lay offs, no nothing, just the best fighting the best.

And if you’re not going to watch it live on SHOWTIME that Saturday night make sure, if you have an opportunity, to be there in Carson for a great summer night. And I don’t think I have ever said this, but for $25 to see those two fights, it is the deal of the century. For $25 make sure you make it there. If you have never seen boxing come and see it, come and be part of it. The Stub Hub Center in Carson is one of the premier venues in the world when it comes to boxing, so make sure to be there, be part of it, and cheer these four warriors, these four champions on.

Thank you all for being on the call, and I can’t wait for fight time for the first bell to ring a week from Saturday. All the best. Thank you. Good-bye.

END OF CALL

Mares vs. Gonzalez, a 12-round fight for Mares’ WBC Featherweight World Championship, will take place on Saturday, August 24 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® immediately following the series premiere of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Canelo at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Also featured will be a 12-round world championship showdown between WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Victor Terrazas and former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Mares vs. Gonzalez is presented in association with Promociones Del Pueblo. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (8 p.m. ET/PT).

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are available now at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. PT to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 877-234-8425.

WASHINGTON, D.C., (August, 20, 2013)- Undefeated and rising welterweight Dusty Hernandez-Harrison (16-0, 9KOs), will be back in action this Friday, Aug. 23, when he faces veteran Guillermo Valdes (12-4, 3KOs) of Miami, Fla. at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. Dover, Delaware is quickly becoming a home-away-from-home for the SE Washington, D.C., boxer who has fought in “The First State” twice this year already and who plans to continue his rise to the World rankings supported by fans from Delaware and the surrounding region.

“Every fight the opponent seems to get better and better,” Hernandez-Harrison said. “This guy has the best record of any guy I have faced and I will be prepared. I have trained to go the distance, but if the knockout comes, that would be great too.”

In his last fight, on the June 29 HBO Boxing After Dark undercard, Hernandez-Harrison dominated cagey veteran Ben Ankrah, shutting him out 60-54 on two of the judge’s scorecards and 59-55 on the third, while continuing his development against this rugged and experienced fighter.

“In his last couple fights Dusty showed he could win with his jab,” Buddy Harrison, the fighter’s father and trainer, said. “The jab is the key to everything and I think that Dusty is starting to come into his own; we are putting the pieces together to make him a complete fighter.”

“Jeff (Fried of ALL-IN Entertainment, Hernandez-Harrison’s promoter) said it was going to be a busy year, a learning year for me and a foundation year about the pro ranks,” Hernandez-Harrison added. “Every fight I see something else, whether it’s the opponent’s style, experience, different venues or the fan reactions; just what I need to continue with our plan of someday being mentioned along side some of the great fighters of today that I really respect.”

2013, has, in fact, been very busy for Hernandez-Harrison who has already fought five times this year. There are plans to have the 19-year-old Hernandez-Harrison return to Washington, D.C., later in the fall.

In his last fight in Washington, D.C., in May, Hernandez-Harrison’s first headline event under the ALL-IN Entertainment banner, nearly 3,000 enthusiastic fans watched him knock out Eddie Soto in the fifth round, with the fans clearly demonstrating their desire to see more Hernandez-Harrison fights in his hometown.

“While Dusty will continue to fight nationally, he always will return to his community as he understands and appreciates the support that starts at home. We look forward to coming back home to Washington, D.C., in the fall as the turnout for Dusty’s last fight was extraordinary. He rose to the occasion in the ring as this young man continues as Washington’s next superstar, both in and out of the ring,” Fried added.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, undefeated Lightweights Terrence Crawford and Andrey Klimov will do battle on October 5th as the televised co-feature to Miguel Cotto taking on Delvin Rodriguez in Orlando on HBO.

“Hopefully, Crawford can look good with this guy and keep rising up the rankings in the lightweight division,” said Top Rank vice=president Carl Moretti said.

Klimov (16-0, 8 KOs), 31, of Russia, has been fighting primarily in the United States for the past two years and scored his biggest win on June 7, when he scored a majority decision against former title challenger and longtime contender John Molina.

“The win over Molina on ESPN2 was a good win,” Moretti said of the fight that headlined a “Friday Night Fights” card. “The fact that Klimov is undefeated and has a quality amateur background should make this interesting. He’ll be there to win and to give Crawford all he wants.

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to congratulate all the fighters he promotes and/or co-promotes who scored victories Saturday night at the “Boxing in Paradise 6” show, held at Antilles School’s Mark C. Marin Center in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Topping the bill that night were “The Hawk’s Flock”, the sons and nephew of legendary world champion Julian Jackson.

Junior middleweight son John “Dah Rock” Jackson (17-1, 14 KOs) defeated Tony Hirsch by eight-round unanimous decision (scores: 79-73, 77-75 and 78-74), while super middleweight son Julius “The Chef” Jackson (16-0, 12 KOs) scored a TKO 1 North Carolina’s Julius Fogle. Junior middleweight nephew Samuel “The Hunter” Rogers (14-0, 8 KOs) notched a TKO 2 Eduardo Adorno (time 1:26).

All three are co-promoted by Sampson Boxing and Leslie Commissiong and Jose Rosario of 340 Promotions.

Other Sampson Boxing prospects to emerge victorious were Las Vegas resident and undefeated junior featherweight Rocco Santomauro (11-0, 1 KO), who scored a unanimous six-round decision (scores: 60-54, 59-55 and 59-55) over Christian Fernandez and Puerto Rican junior welterweight Daniel Rosario Cruz (5-0, 4 KOs) who needed just 25 seconds to stop Jordan Wisenfeld.

“I congratulate all my fighters for their victories on Saturday night,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “They are at different levels in their careers, but each one moved forward and that was the goal. They were all impressive in their performances and I’m very happy a sold-out crowd got to watch them in action. I wish to thank my promotional partners, 340 Promotions for being so wonderful to work with and I am looking forward to the next show in this island paradise.”

ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

It is fight week in Schwerin, Germany! The local fight fans are already excited and can hardly wait to see the big event at the Sport- und Kongresshalle this Saturday. On Tuesday, around 400 boxing enthusiasts along numerous media outlets turned up at the Schlosspark-Center Schwerin to make themselves an impression of the main protagonists on August 24. The open workout featured all main fighters: European Champion Juergen Braehmer (40-2, 31 KOs) along with his challenger Stefano Abatangelo (17-2-1, 6 KOs), the co-challengers for the WBO Intercontinental Championship, Arthur Abraham (36-4, 28 KOs) and Willbeforce Shihepo (20-6, 15 KOs), as well as heavyweights Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9 KOs) and Tony Thompson (38-3, 26 KOs), who will fight it out for the IBF mandatory spot.

Most people came to see local hero Juergen Braehmer. The 34-year-old is delighted to compete again in his backyard. “My preparation for this title defense was terrific,” said the southpaw. “I am in very good shape. It’s worthy to show up early on Saturday as all fights should deliver great competition.”

His Italian opponent wants to crash Braehmer’s homecoming. “I will make it a fight,” 31-year-old Abatangelo predicts. “I am seldom the favorite, but most of the times I am winning in the end.”

Tickets for the big fight night on August 24 at the Sport- und Kongresshalle Schwerin, Germany are available at www.eventim.de.

BOSTON (August 20, 2013) – The undercard bouts have been announced for the “Changing The Game” professional boxing card, presented by Big Six Entertainment in association with Danny Kelly Promotions, on Saturday, September 7 (special 5 p.m. ET start) at The Royale Nightclub Boston (formerly The Roxy) in the theater district.

Undefeated light middleweight Michael Moore (12-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, takes on gatekeeper Jose “Stinger” Medina (18-13-1, 7 KOs) in the eight-round main event.

2012 National PAL Championship gold-medalist, Lynn (MA) welterweight Rashidi “Prince” Ellis (1-0), returns to the scene of his successful professional debut on July 27, to fight an opponent to be determined, in a four-round bout.

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in four-round matches are Boston heavyweight Donnie Palmer (0-1-1) vs. Mario Huffman (0-2), Cincinnati (OH), Lawrence light welterweight Carlos Canderlario (3-0, 1 KO) vs. “Steamin'” Josh Beeman (4-13-4 2 KOs), Lynn light heavyweight Fadoul Louis (2-1-1, 1 KO) vs. K.J. Harrison (2-0), Providence (RI), Stoneham (MA) welterweight Greg Vendetti (3-0-1, 2 KOs) vs. Sergio Cabrera (pro debut), Lynn middleweight Jelame Garcia (pro debut) vs. Antonio Marrero (0-1), Bridgewater (MA) heavyweight Julian Pollard (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Somerville’s Romulo Lima (pro debut), and Lawrence bantamweight Jacob Solis (pro debut) vs. New Haven’s (CT) Josh Crespo (1-1-1, 1 KO).

All fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, reasonably priced at $40.00, $50.00 and $75.00, are available to purchase by calling 1.617.312.5059.

Doors open at 4:00 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.

London (20 August) Peter Fury wants “tough kids that will throw punches back” for young heavyweight star Hughie Lewis Fury and sees “quality fighter” Shane McPhilbin as the perfect test.

Ahead of Hughie’s clash, his father and trainer, Peter, hopes the former British cruiserweight champion, McPhilbin, will give him a hard fight on the Kid Galahad undercard, at the Magna Centre, Rotherham, September 14th, live on Channel 5 from 8pm, to aid the teenager’s progression.

“The better McPhilbin has prepared the better for us, because I want Hughie in difficult fights,” Peter said.

“I don’t want any padded records, we want tough kids that will throw punches back, as these are the types of fights where he’s going to learn and develop.”

McPhilbin, 27, is the first British fighter Hughie has faced and represents the first big step up in the 18-year-old heavyweight’s career to date.

Boasting a professional record of eight wins with five knockouts, the former British cruiserweight champion has fought and knocked down the likes of Enzo Maccarinelli and poses a big threat.

“It’s an upper level – he’s upping his game and McPhilbin’s a good test for Hughie, so it should be a good night of boxing,” Peter said.

“McPhilbin’s not going to be easy and this is what we want Hughie to learn.

“Hughie’s got power – his power is not in question – but I want him to learn how to survive, how to not get frustrated and how to stick to his game plan.

“What we need is rounds upon rounds upon rounds, the more McPhilbin can take him.

“Experience is only gained when you’re in there with a quality fighter and McPhilbin is a quality fighter.”

Hughie outpointed Moses Matovu in his last contest and is aiming to improve his record to nine straight victories since his debut in March.

The 6’7” Hughie is in Belgium helping his cousin Tyson Fury prepare for his September 28th showdown with David Haye at the Phones 4 U Arena Manchester.

Aiming at beating Mike Tyson’s infamous record of becoming the youngest world heavyweight champion, Hughie is fully focussed on his latest test.

Also supporting Galahad at Magna will be middleweight sensation Chris Eubank Jr in his 11th professional contest, with an undercard featuring a whole host of local talent.

Ticket Information

Tickets for September 14th are priced from £30 and are available to purchase from the following box offices:

Hennessy Sports box office 01925 755 222 and online at http://hennessy.ticketline.co.uk
Ticketline by calling 0844 888 4402 and online at ticketline.co.uk
Available soon at Ticketmaster
FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS

If Maryland MMA fighter Roya Darvishian seemed a bit nervous this week, it’d be perfectly understandable.

After all, a huge crowd is expected this Saturday (August 24) to watch the 21-year-old, as she appears in her first main event, (and the first ever staged by the organization hosting the show) against a very tough opponent, at one of Atlantic City’s top casinos.

Naturally, some might be feeling the pressure, but if Darvishian is feeling it, she’s certainly not showing it.

Darvishian (5-2) will face Whippany, New Jersey’s Jen Lopez (4-1) in the featured bout this Saturday night in the Grand Ballroom at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, as The Darwish Brothers present their latest MMA blockbuster: EFC WARRIOR.

Tickets for EFC WARRIOR are priced at: $125, $100, $67 and $46 and are on sale now by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com, at the EFC website: www.efcmma.com, or at the Trump Taj Mahal box office on fight night.

“There’s not really any added pressure; a fight is a fight for me,” explained Darvishian after a sparring session with her boyfriend of three years, fellow MMA fighter Marcus “Menace” Daniels. “At my first couple fights it was a little nerve wracking. I still get nervous, but once you’re in there, it’s time to do what you do. Your body just takes over and there are no more nerves. I’m just focused on winning. I don’t care who’s around or if it’s the main event. All of my focus is just on the fight.”

The two female warriors already had a sensational war last February 16 at Xtreme Caged Combat: Mayhem, with Darvishian emerging victorious by split decision. The stakes are upped, however, in the rematch as they will be competing for the EFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship.

Darvishian says she’s been preparing for another tough fight, mixing her training time between Lloyd Irvin MMA in Camp Springs, Maryland, and Sugar Ray Leonard’s Boxing Gym.

“She (Lopez) lost last time, so she’ll come at me even harder this time. I didn’t really do anything different for this one; I’m just trying to get better at the stuff I’ve been doing. I feel very good.”

Darvishian works nights at UPS and spends her days working toward her dream of pioneering a 105-lb female division in the UFC.

“The UFC has definitely been my goal since I started. I’m working my way up to be a fighter for them, even if they don’t have anybody my size yet that they’ve signed. I work at night, so I have my whole day to train. And that’s all I really do is train.

While so many have said the two ladies put on a classic performance in their first encounter, Darvishian says she has little memory of the fight.

“People say it was a good fight, but I don’t really remember it because my body just kind of took over. I remember in the third round, we boxed. I already knew I had won the first two rounds. I just want to get in there and show how much I’ve improved and put on a great performance for the people.”

“Roya is a true credit to the sport,” said event co-promoter Hani Darwish. “She’s in fantastic shape and ready to put on another great show. I can easily picture both these women becoming MMA stars someday and I’m very excited to be hosting this important rematch.”

EFC WARRIOR will host two more title fights, as Gabriel Ruiz (3-2) of the EFC Fight Club in Woodland Park, NJ will face Jovany Alvarez (4-2) from Modern Martial Arts in Englishtown, NJ, for the EFC Featherweight Championship; and the always exciting Barat Jan (3-0) of Eagle Martial Arts in Boonton, NJ, will take on Victor Romero (3-3) of Modern Martial Arts in Englishtown, NJ, for the EFC Middleweight Championship.

###

Ticket buyers to the Saturday, August 24, “EFC WARRIOR” event in the Grand Ballroom at Trump Taj Mahal can bring their ticket to the promo booth, sign up for a Trump card, and will then receive $10 free bonus slot dollars on to the card, which can be used at any slot machine at the Taj on fight night.

For more information on EFC and its fighters, visit the EFC website: www.efcmma.com.

Doors open at 7 pm on fight night and the first bout is at 8 pm.

All bouts subject to change.

WARNING: Tickets are going fast, support your local fighters by purchasing them now before it’s too late.

NEWARK, NJ (AUGUST 19, 2013)—Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions is pleased to announce the signing of undefeated Heavyweight Danny Kelly to a promotional contract.

Kelly of Washington, DC has a professional record of 4-0 with all of wins coming by knockout.

Kelly had a relatively brief but successful amateur career where he had about fifty fights and in that time. He placed 2nd in the National Golden Gloves tournament; 3rd in the Pan-American games and even traveled to China where he fought the 2008 Olympic Silver medal winner Zhang Zhilei.

“I am looking forward to fighting and getting my career off and running”, said the 22 year-old Kelly.

“I am friends with (Fellow GH3 Promotions fighter) Antoine Douglas and they are doing a great job keeping him busy and moving him”

Said Kelly’s trainer Darrell Brown, “”It is a great thing to sign with Vito and GH3 ad to give Danny this opportunity”

“Danny can box on the outside and really fight on the inside. He has good hand speed and very good feet”

Said GH3 Promotions Vito Mielnicki “Danny is a very good prospect and we are excited to sign him. He joins a great stable of fighters that we are assembling that includes Antoine Douglas, John Thompson, Jerry Odom and Dorsett Barnwell to name a few”

Kelly will make his debut under the GH3 Promotions banner on Friday night September 13th at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ.

For more information on GH3 Promotions, Contact Marc Abrams at 856 287 7611 or phillyboxing@gmail.com

Kelly Swanson
Thanks everybody for joining us today for “THE ONE” media conference call with the pay-per-view undercard fighters. At this point, I’m going to turn it right over to our hosts of the call; that’s both Oscar De La Hoya and Leonard Ellerbe; Oscar is President of Golden Boy Promotions and Leonard Ellerbe is CEO of Mayweather Promotions. So I’m going to turn it over to Oscar, and then he will introduce Leonard.

Oscar De La Hoya
Yes. We are one month away from the mega event, “The One: Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez,” which will be a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC and WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World title and Mayweather’s WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship. We also have a tremendous co-main event, Danny Garcia vs. Lucas Matthysse, which obviously you all know that fight could have been a pay-per-view itself, but for the fans Mayweather decided along with Ellerbe and Golden Boy Promotions that this fight belongs on the big stage along with Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez. That will be a unification fight for the lightweight world title. Also, Mayweather promotions put on a tremendous undercard, co-main event with Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina. Ishe Smith is promoted by Mayweather Promotions. Also another spectacular fight with Pablo Cesar Cano, who had a tremendous fight against Sugar Shane Mosley in Cancun, Mexico a few weeks ago, is fighting against Ashley Theophane, which will be a ten-rounder in the welterweight showdown.

This event is being brought to you live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions along with Canelo Promotions. We are excited and thrilled to once again by hosting the live events throughout the MGM properties, which will host the closed circuits at ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York. Also, to make sure that fans get a unique experience nationwide, for all the fans who cannot make it to Las Vegas or watch it at home on pay-per-view, NCM Fathom will be showing Mayweather-Canelo on over 400 movie theatres to get that experience with other fans. Get your popcorn, your drinks, and experience this once in a lifetime opportunity to watch a Mayweather vs. Canelo and the entire card in movie theaters.

It’s a wonderful wonder experience. I really recommend this experience to anyone who hasn’t seen a fight. We’re expecting this even to shatter all records. We have broken one record already, which is the live gates and those are obviously indications that this event will break the pay-per-view record of 2.5 million homes so it’s very exciting for boxing. It’s very exciting for all the fighters, everybody participating so let’s show the world that this is “THE ONE.” This is the one that is going to put boxing on that worldwide stage and show everyone that boxing is the best sport in the world.

So without any further ado, I would like to introduce to you the CEO of Mayweather Promotions and that is Leonard Ellerbe.

Leonard Ellerbe
I’d like to welcome everyone to the call today. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us. We have a tremendous event, obviously, on September 14th and it all starts, with the Mayweather vs. Canelo. We have three other undercard bouts—two of those which are world championship fights, so we’ve got a total of three world championship fights on the card. This is the biggest pay-per-view card definitely that I can recall in recent history from top to bottom.

And to start off in the first fight on the show a gentleman, he’s originally from London, England. He’s now living in Las Vegas fighting out of the Mayweather Boxing Club, a gentleman that I just recently signed last week, a guy who I would say is the definition of what a blue-collar worker is all about, a guy who didn’t have it easy. He worked his way through fighting some very, very tough fights. He owns victories over Delvin Rodriguez who is getting ready to fight Miguel Cotto. He’s beaten a number of different top guys along with DeMarcus Corley who took forward 12-rounds. He’s just a very, very tough fighter. A guy who we’re very proud to have on our stable, so without further ado, I’d like to introduce Ashley Theophane. He’s 33-5 with one draw with 10 KO’s.

Ashley Theophane
It’s a pleasure to be on “THE ONE” card. It’s the biggest boxing event in the world. It’s going to be one of the biggest ever and it’s a big achievement on that. Leonard and Floyd have put me on the card and I’m looking forward to it. And for me, obviously, I’ve got Pablo Cano. He’s fought Erik Morales. He’s fought Paulie Malignaggi. He’s fought Johan Perez, Shane Mosley. He is a very tough operator, and I’m going to be in great shape, but to me every time he steps up is when he’s lost, and to me this is another step up, and he’s going to lose again, but I respect him. And I’m saying I’m going to be 110 percent ready, and I didn’t fly over here from London, England to take a loss, that’s not even on my mind. I’m training with the best in the world. I’ve got a great training team, and we’re going to be ready for “The One” and it’s an honor to be on the show with—you’ve got Ishe Smith who is world champ. You’ve got Danny Garcia who is world champ. You’ve got Lucas Matthysse, and then you’ve got the pound-for-pound king who is Floyd Mayweather himself so it’s a great card. It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen, and it’s going to break records.

For me coming from London, England it’s a very big deal. It’s all over the news in England that I’m part of Mayweather Promotions, and I’m representing the UK and at the same time I’m representing like Mayweather Promotions, which is the face of boxing. Mayweather Promotions is taking over boxing. They’ve just had their first world champion, Ishe Smith who is the first Las Vegas born world champ. So it’s great to be part of such a great team, and I have to thank Floyd and Leonard again for this great opportunity that they believe in me and I believe in me. So it’s just all about taking it to the next level and Pablo is the—he’s the great step in the right direction so I want to thank everyone.

Q
Ashley, can you just give us some perspective on what you already did, on you know how big it is to sign with Mayweather Promotions at this point in your career, and also, how important it is at your age to reignite your career against someone like Pablo?

Theophane
Well, it’s great to be with Mayweather Promotions at any point in your career if you’re just starting out, if you’re in the middle of it, or if you’re at the end of it. I’ve been a professional for ten years now, and to me it feels like the right time. Floyd has been a professional for years, for nearly 18 years. I’ve been a professional for ten. You’ve got to have been around for a long time. I still feel that I’ve got a lot left in me, another five or six years so.
I’m not worried about the age. I’m 32-years-old. I’m going to be 33 but if you look at the guys who Pablo lost to he lost to guys who were in their 30s so experience is a very—youth is good but experience at the same time is—you can’t buy experience and that’s what I’ve got. I’m a smart fighter. I’m a strong fighter. I’ve been in with like some good like boxers. There’s Delvin Rodrigues. He’s going to fight Miguel Cotto next. You’ve got Garcia – he’s going to fight Lucas Matthysse. I’ve beaten DeMarcus Corley. He’s fought everyone in boxing. I’ve been British champ so I’ve been around the block. I’ve sparred with the very best in boxing so to me I’m at a good point in my career, and I don’t want no easy fight. This is going to be my … fight. I’m training up with Mayweather Promotions. With them behind my back the world is my oyster and Leonard and Floyd both believe in me and it’s just up to me to do it in the ring and that’s what I’m going to do.

Q
Do you still believe that you could still win a world title maybe even despite your age?

Theophane
Yes, 100 percent. You don’t have to be a world champion in your 20s. Like there’s no age where if you’re 32-years-old you can’t win a world title. Ishe Smith has shown—he won his first world title—oh, I think he was 34-years-old or 33-years-old so it doesn’t matter because everyone they get their—because they get their opportunities at different times in their careers so the age is not an issue. I still feel good. I’m 32-years-old. I haven’t been in like many hard fights because I’m a smart boxer and I have a good defense. The age it doesn’t play a role. I eat well. I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. You don’t see me out in the clubs so the age is not an issue.

Q
And have you set a time limit on when you can—how long you want to wait to do it?

Theophane
Well, I’ve been a pro for ten years. I would be—I’m happy to be a professional for another five years so I’m cool. Floyd is 36-years-old now and he’s still in great shape. If he wanted to continue to go on like Oscar did with SHOWTIME he could. If you live the life you can’t put an age restriction. You’ve got Bernard Hopkins, he’s well in to his 40s and it’s not an issue. I don’t want to be boxing when I’m 40-years-old but I’ve set a goal. I’ve had 39 fights so I’m just focused on this fight and to get a win; that’s it. That is the most important thing.

Q
Ashley, when you look at your opponent he’s had some notable fights. Do you take that into consideration knowing that you want to make it big in the states and want to win, of course, a world title and not—as you just finished saying, you may—whether you said it or not you may be patterning your career under Mayweather and you want to have a world title before it’s all over. So what are you doing in consideration to prepare for Cano?

Theophane
Well, if nothing really changes I’m always in shape so it’s just continuing to put forth the hard work in the gym to do my runs, my swimming and stuff, and it’s all about just being focused and being smart. I’m not going to really change anything up. I’ve watched him fight in the past and to me every time he stepped up he lost. He may have 20 KO’s but you have to look who is he knocking out? He’s knocking nobody out. You’ve got Erik Morales. You’ve got Paulie Malignaggi, and you’ve got Shane Mosley so every time he stepped up he lost. If you look at the guys who I beat and you look at the guys who he beat there’s no comparison, so that is what you have to go by. But with every fight you have to respect your opponent, and I respect him because all of those fights that he stepped up he gave them a very hard fight so I expect a hard fight, but I expect to win as well.

Q
Boxing takes all of your life. Mayweather said—and I’m quoting Floyd Mayweather and I think he’s absolutely right because 44 tried and 44 failed. He said that, “Boxing is a 24/7 business not a 9 to 5er.” Do you believe in that concept?

Theophane
One hundred percent and you have to see that. I’ve been a professional for ten years. I’ve never had it easy so I had to go on the road. I’ve boxed in five countries. I’ve won in five countries, but I’ve never had it easy. For me I’m used to being in the backyard and having to fight the promoters’ guy and I’m supposed to lose and I win. So for me I’m used to doing it the hard way so to finally have a team to back me and believe in me that’s only going to make me a better fighter because I know that they have my back. So for me I’m just continuing to work hard and to even work even harder. So we have a young lion who may—he may watch me and think that I’m old now and it’s his time, but he fought that against the other three guys he stepped up to and he always was a bit short. He’s going to be a bit short again because I’m in that class where he stepped up. He is going to lose. It’s just how but I’m focused and I live the life. I don’t party. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke so I don’t put no limit on what I can achieve.

Q
Ashley, Do you have a weight at which you feel most comfortable and when you’re ready to fight for a title it’s just going to matter on the best opportunity or do you have a particular weight class in mind?

Theophane
Well, all through my career I’ve boxed being the junior welterweight and welterweight division so I don’t really like to restrict myself. It’s just on the opportunity, the opponent. I want to fight the best in the world in both divisions so I make weight like good so I’m okay. The weight issue is not a problem for me.

Q
Leonard, I just wanted to ask what caught your eye about Ashley that led Mayweather Promotions to want to sign him and put him on this show?

Ellerbe
Well, Ashley’s a gentleman that I’m very familiar with. I’ve been watching him work for the last couple months. He’s a guy that once I did my research on him—obviously, I had watched him in the Danny Garcia fight a couple years ago and it was a fight that I personally thought that he got the bad end of the stick. And he’s a gentleman that like I say he has tremendous character. I think that he’s had a tough road, as he just mentioned, with going in other fighters’ backyards and getting it done the hard way. So now with us—with him being part of Mayweather Promotions I think that we’re going to go out and create these opportunities, and he just has to go out and win. And I think that he will be a guy that the world will get a chance to see him on September 14th. He’ll put on a tremendous fight, and he’s going to make a lot of noise, and he’s going to be right there in the thick of things with the Danny Garcias and Lucas Matthysses right off the bat.

Q
My question for Ashley was I just was curious how he came to wind up in Vegas training at Mayweather’s gym and how he had kind of met them and wound up with them. I heard what Leonard had said a little earlier about seeing him and doing his research, but I’m curious how and when that Ashley ended up in Las Vegas working with Floyd and the gym.

Theophane
Well, it goes back to Cotto camp when I came over to Vegas because I was in New York. That’s where I normally train and I was there for like eight weeks, and I knew that Floyd was going to fight. I just thought that I would just come over as part of my camp and just do two weeks at the Mayweather Boxing Club. I came over for two weeks. Leonard and Floyd were very nice to me. The sparring there it was great. When I left back I wished Floyd well in his fight with Miguel Cotto, and then the next time came for the Robert Guerrero fight and I had other fight which was going to come up so I said I’ll go out to Vegas again, went out to Vegas for four weeks for this time. I was sparring with great guys, and I just liked the vibe at the gym. The Mayweather Promotions team was all like just friendly with me and I just stayed there for like the whole camp, and it just went on like this from there. So I think Leonard and Floyd just heard about the work that I was putting in the gym, and then I got to spar with Floyd and it was just step-by-step, bit-by-bit just keep working, the way I’ve done my whole career just putting in the work. Floyd and Leonard listened to what others were—like said that I was a good boxer and they got my record, and then the rest is history. I signed up with Mayweather Promotions to take it to the next level now.

Q
I have one other question for you, Ashley, and Leonard made reference to it in his comments about thinking that maybe you came out on the wrong end of the stick in the very close good fight you had with Garcia a couple years ago, which is really the first time he had ever faced what people would consider yourself one of the top guys in the weight class. I’m curious to see him in this undercard fighting in the co-feature and a pretty big fight. Do you feel like with a good performance on a card in which he is also features that you could perhaps if he does okay in his fight get a rematch with him like for the title?

Theophane
You know I don’t focus on one opponent because there’s many great boxers in the welterweight and the junior welterweight division, but if a rematch happens it happens. A lot of people thought that I beat him the first time around. To me it was a close fight and they gave it to him. It happens in boxing, but the fight could happen down the line. I thought I won the first time. I’ve watched him fight and he’s big so I’m very happy that he’s gone on to be a world champ, but I don’t think that he has improved much since I watched him fight. He beat Amir Khan. He beat Erik Morales, but other than that I haven’t really seen much improvement, but you never know. It could happen in the future. I just want to fight in the division, and I’m not just going to focus on one man. It’s whoever.

Oscar De La Hoya
Now I would like to introduce to you the other participant, which will be fighting Theophane. He has a record of 26-3-1, 20 KO’s. He hales out of Mexico, Tlalnepantla, Mexico. He’s one of the top hopefuls from Mexico. We would consider him a future world champion who is fighting the best and this is no exception. Theophane is a fighter who is going to bring his a-game and Cano understands that. He’s coming off two close decision losses against Paulie Malignaggi and Shane Mosley. Obviously, we know him making his breakthrough battle against legendary Eric Morales, and so he’s always here to put on a show. He’s in tremendous shape now. He’s ready to take the world by storm September 14th so let me introduce to you Pablo Cesar Cano.

Q
Pablo, what has your preparation been for this fight with Ashley?

Pablo Cesar Cano
I understand I came off two controversial fights, but I am preparing very hard. I am 100% ready and I am not looking for a knockout. I am just looking to make a great fight, and just give the fans what they want.

Q
You are very young. Do you feel that’s an advantage?

Cano
I believe it is an advantage however there are older boxers just like Bernard Hopkins that even though he’s at an older age he’s still very strong, very fast, and I believe age is nothing but a number, and I’m going to just give 100 percent and fight a great fight.

Q
Pablo, you’ve been in with three former champions and lost close decisions. Is there any concern that after this fight you could, at an early age, slip in to opponent status or more or less sparring partner mentality?

Cano
I understand I have been in three close fights with three great champions with great names and that I have gained a lot of experience, and with that experience I’m taking that in to account with my new plans. I’m just going to fight, and gain more experience there. I just believe that I am going to give a great fight.

Swanson
We will now make the transition to our next set of fighters and will turn it over to Leonard to make the introductions. Leonard.

Ellerbe
Mayweather Promotions’ first world champion, what can I say? A gentleman that has been the epitome of what hard work and dedication is all about. He’s a guy that’s been around the sport for quite some time. He’s had his ups and downs but he’s persevered. He’s a guy that’s obviously just not even a year ago was initially—you know got the opportunity to come in, worked with Floyd to help him prepare to get ready for Cotto, and he made the most of the opportunity because he’s a guy that we’ve been familiar with for quite some time. He’s been knowing the whole Mayweather family for a number of years. A guy that we know firsthand the kind of setbacks that happened in the sport and a lot of times it’s really about the right situation that you’re in to protect your best interest and he was a guy that we took under our wing. We got him an opportunity with “K-9” Bundrage for the world title, and he definitely made the most of that opportunity and the sky is the limit. He’s a guy, like I said, who represents not only Las Vegas with being the first born Las Vegas world champion, which is a tremendous feat within itself, but he’s a very, very proud champion. He understands what being world champion is about. He has a responsibility to that, and he wants to be the best that he can be. He’s a guy, like I said, I personally admire quite a bit. Without further ado, I’d like to introduce the IBF Junior Middleweight Champion, none other than Ishe Smith.

Ishe Smith
Training is going great. I had put in eight weeks before I suffered the cut to fight July 19th and we took a couple weeks off and got right back in the gym so training has been great. It’s just a fabulous, wonderful opportunity to be fighting on this card; the biggest card of my career. You know I’m not the main event. It’s just an honor. It’s just sometimes I just can’t believe it. It’s taken me 13 years to be on a big card, but I’m truly honored. I’m truly blessed, and I wouldn’t be here without God and just without him placing the right people in my life, like Mayweather Promotions people. It’s been a great ride. It’s been a real good ride.

Ellerbe
This next gentleman has been around for quite some time himself. He’s a guy that’s finally getting his shot after quite some time. He began making a lot of noise with his definitely heavily disputed draw against Lara in 2011. He’s won four of his last five fights. He has beat former world champions like Kermit Cintron and Cory Spinks with his only loss coming with a controversial DQ against James Kirkland in March of 2012. He’s a very, very tough competitor. It took quite some time for me to make this fight happen, and we were more than happy to put this fight as a world championship fight on the biggest card ever, and we know that Carols Molina—he’s a very, very tough fighter, and he’s coming to win, and his promotional company, Warriors Boxing, they’ve been behind supporting him, and, like I say, he’s coming to lay it on the line come September 14th. So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce Carlos Molina.

Carlos Molina
I’m ready. I had a good training. I was ready July 19th. We’ve been training all summer long and the best shape of my life. I’m just entering my time in my career. I just turned 30-years-old. I’m feeling great. I’m feeling my best and I am ready for September 14th.

Q
I have a question and maybe Ishe and Carlos you can both answer this. I’ll start off with Ishe. I know you probably would have liked to have the fight when it was originally planned on July 19th after participating in your training camp and doing all the things you do to get ready for the fight, but now looking back is it almost better for you do you think that this fight was postponed and now you get to be on a much, much bigger stage than you would have otherwise been on previously?

Smith
I think so. It’s a privilege to, like I said, to be on the biggest card of my career, bigger than any contender card I ever fought on, bigger than any show boxing main event, bigger than any co-features that I’ve been on. It’s a blessing. July 19th was because I work a lot with the youth out here in Vegas. I coach various sports, and I had a lot of people coming in town and these tickets are already sold out so it’s disheartening. Now I’m not able to have the people that can’t get tickets or can’t afford these kind of priced tickets to come see me fight but they’ll be tuned in on TV watching on pay-per-view. And like I said, it’s just an honor. Mayweather Promotions made sure that I get another date at home after this so it definitely is an honor. I don’t take it for granted at all.

Q
And Carlos, how about yourself? Like you just said you were going to fight the 19th on TV but not on a big mega card like this. Do you think from the way you look at it it’s almost better to be on this level of a show than had you been on that other card on the 19th?

Molina
Yeah well I mean like to me really it doesn’t matter where it is. I just want to fight. I want to fight for the IBF belt and wherever it happens to be—this happens to be an even greater opportunity I feel, but like I said it doesn’t really matter as long as I get the title shot and get that belt. But yeah to be on a big card like this and get all that exposure that’s definitely better.

Q
Well, especially because the main event happens to be taking place in the same weight class where you guys both fight, and certainly people will look at that main event, look at the winner of the fight between you two, and it’s certainly not out of the question if the winner wants to further unify the title they would have to see you. Do you think about at as a prospect of—it may be a long shot but—landing a shot with the winner against Alvarez or Floyd?

Molina
Yes, definitely. I mean right now, first things first is, Ishe. I’m ready for that fight. The belt, without that it’s nothing else but getting that and making a statement in this fight, and then being considered to be—being on the radar for these guys. If they don’t want to give me the fight right away I’ll be really—I’ll be willing to fight anyone. Just keep winning and sooner or later you might get that.

Q
All right. I have just one other question for you, Ishe. With regard to the cut that you suffered, how bad was it and how is it now?

Smith
It was pretty bad at the time, but we have great doctors. I was able to see a doctore here in town, and we did the right things we needed to do, and it’s healed up really well. I’ve been sparring for some weeks now and everything is going perfect, everything is great.

Q
Ishe Smith, I have been following you for years before the contender series but you remind me of a very young Sugar Ray Robison and that is the truth. I’m wondering how come after the contender you seem to fall off the radar screen and I didn’t see you for years and years until now finally Golden Boy—not Golden Boy but Mayweather Promotions finally put you where you belonged a long time ago. I see the emotion broke out of you when you won the title. Has it been frustrating all these years to finally come up in to a title owner and under the biggest fight of the year card?

Smith
Well, you know I think as a man I needed to go through those things. Those things you can’t predict life. Obviously, it’s not the way I scripted it starting off and then going to the contender, but things happen and I couldn’t be happier with my life where it is right now. I have some very important people that have helped me get to where I am today, and without them I wouldn’t be where I am, and that’s why I’m always grateful to Mayweather Promotions and everything that they’ve done for me. But you know this is the biggest card. It don’t matter what happened in the past. This is probably arguably the biggest card in the last ten to fifteen years just because of the main event and the co-feature so it’s a privilege and an honor to be on this card, and, like I said, as a man I think I needed to go through those trials and tribulations to be where I am today and I’m truly blessed.

Q
Yeah this question both of you can answer. Given your past and you both had tough luck stories—and Ishe, I thought you beat Fernando Guerrero by the way—knowing what you’ve been through, each of you, and knowing who you’re fighting has been through similar situations could this, for both of you, and each of you answer, be the most difficult fight and at the same time probably bring out the best in each of you? Can each of you answer that question?

Molina
Ishe is a pretty well-rounded fighter. I feel like the harder I train—it depends on how hard I train to make the fight easier for me, so I’m not sure. I can’t say something like that until I actually get in there and go through it and do it, but I feel like it is going to bring out the best in me because there’s a championship fight that I would have. Even though I train for every fight and I can pine for the championship fight this is it right here. This is what I visualized since I started boxing and it’s right in front of me, and I’m so focused. I’m so ready. I’m ready to go. I wish the fight was closer.

Smith
Whenever you’re world champion you know you’ve got a lot of people gunning for you and coming to take what you’ve earned and what you fought hard to accomplish. And I was able to do that in Detroit, and I don’t want to fall victim to looking past Carlos. He’s a tough competitor, and I’ve trained really hard so I won’t have any hiccups and I don’t have any trip ups. This fight we’re in tremendous shape and I’m ready to go, but I think it’s going to be a good night of boxing. Everyone on the card is going to be great from top to bottom, and I’m looking forward to putting on a tremendous fight for all the Las Vegas fans and all the fans across the world who will be tuned in on pay-per-view.

Q
One more question for Ishe. Can you address Carlos’ style? Have you faced anybody with guess awkward would be the best word?

Smith
I’ve faced all kinds of styles. They said K-9 was going to be too big and strong for me and he was awkward. You don’t worry about styles; skills pay the bills, and come September 14th I’ll be ready to go and I’ll be keeping my title here at home. I don’t worry about he going to fight. I just have to listen to my coach and go out there and execute the game plan, and I feel like the one fight I didn’t do that—where I didn’t listen to him was the only fight I lost and that was Danny Jacobs. But, as you said, I thought I beat Guerrero and since I’ve been with Eddie we haven’t lost a fight at 154 pounds so I’m extremely excited to be defending my title at home. To accomplish so much in my career in such a short period of time being with Mayweather Promotions and having this wonderful opportunity to fight on the biggest state in boxing is just amazing.

Q
Ishe, first of all you’ve ended up with an opponent who is, in my mind, going to be much trickier than K-9 Bundrage. Why did you select him as an opponent? How did that come to be? This is a fight nobody saw coming, and do you see any parallels between youself and Molina? You have had similar circumstances coming up.

Smith
He’s a hard worker. You can’t really say that he’s tougher or trickier than K-9 because K-9 was a world champion. Like I said, I don’t worry about styles. I just go in there and fight my fight. I told Leonard to make this fight. I fold Leonard when I won the title that he was going to be the first guy I fought. I didn’t have to make this mandatory until November but I respect his story. I respect where he come from, and I want to give the fans what they want, and I want to fight the best. That’s just the bottom line. I want to fight the best in my division and go out on top. When I retire I want to be talked about and I want to be remembered, and I think that’s what everybody wants in this game, and I think I’ve already left a legacy by being the first Las Vegas born world champion but it’s not complete. We still writing the script and, like I said, I’m excited to be fighting on the biggest card in boxing and I can’t wait to go.

Q
You’re a titleholder now. Have you changed any in your day-to-day approach to life or has anything changed in your mind or what you do or how you approach things in general?

Smith
You know you’ve become champion it just takes your training to another level because you realize you got guys coming for you. There’s not a week that I can’t go by without somebody mentioning my name so that all comes with the territory. I haven’t changed anything. I still work very hard. I still train hard, and I’m ready to defend my title and keep my title.

Swanson
Thank you very much gentlemen. We will now move on to our co-featured fight of the evening and I would like to reintroduce Oscar De La Hoya to make the introductions.

De La Hoya
It is very exciting to be introducing what we expect is an explosion come September 14th with two great fighters, and I am saying great because you have on one hand Lucas Matthysse who has a tremendous, tremendous record, an outstanding knockout ratio, 94% of his wins come by knockout; and on the other hand you have the champion Danny Garcia who is undefeated, 26-0, 16 KO’s who keeps on proving to every single person day in and day out that he is going to be great. He is going to be taking all comers. This is a fight that, like I said before, belongs on its own pay-per-view on any given day. This is a fight that the people have been waiting for. This is a fight that when you finish watching if you do not love boxing already you will fall in love with the sport because this is what it’s all about. Putting Lucas Matthysse against Danny Garcia in that same squared ring will be a tremendous, night for every boxing fan across the globe.

Let me introduce to you first—he is rated number one at 140 pounds by the Ring Magazine, has scored a staggering 94% of his wins by knockout. He does possess the highest KO percentage of any world champion in history, and has won six fights in a row by KO including his third round KO of Lamont Peterson on May 18th. He has a record of 34-2, 32 KO’s, Trelew, Chubut, Argentina, Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse.

Lucas Matthysse
Hi. Good afternoon. I’m here at the gym trying to train. We’re sparring and I’m very happy and pleased to be on this call.

De La Hoya
Now, I’m going to introduce to you a young man who needs no introduction. He is the unified super lightweight world champion. He first won his world title in 2012 by dropping then … legendary Erik Morales for the WBC 140 pound title, and, like I said before, he keeps proving everyone who has doubt in him—he keeps proving them wrong in every fight that he’s in. He has great knockout power but at the same time he does possess the talent of a boxer/puncher. He hales out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the unified super lightweight world champion with a record of 26-0, 16KO’s, Danny “Swift” Garcia.

Danny Garcia
Hey. What’s up, everybody? I want to say good afternoon to everybody. I hope you’re having a blessed day, and I’m very motivated for this fight. I’ve been working hard in the gym, and I’m very excited for September 14th and it’s going to be another epic showcase by me that night.

Q
Lucas, what is your plan for this fight?

Matthysse
I am training very hard. It’s a hard fight but I’m going to give the fans what they want, and I’m going to bring the win to Argentina.

Q
Lucas, Danny Garcia as an athlete and as a fighter or are you going to go in to the ring and just give it your all?”

Matthysse
I respect Danny as a fighter. He’s a great champion, but I am going to give the fight 100%.

Q
Lucas, can you talk about what it has been like for you since you’ve signed with Al Haymon? Do you have this new sense that you’re going to be able to be in big fights such as this in your future?

Matthysse
Yes the plans are to have bigger and greater fights and to continue fighting.

Q
Danny, just from some of the stuff that I’ve read and some of the way your father has reacted I get the sense that he feels you’re not being as respected as a champion as you feel you should be and he feels you should be, and, in fact, that maybe you’re not being treated as or perceived as the a-side. Most notably, he talked about Lucas’ presence on the cover of Ring Magazine. What are your thoughts? What do you have to say about that and is that true?

Garcia
You know I really don’t care what the media thinks or who they think is the best because in my heart I know I’m the best, and I hold the titles, and September 14th is going to be another day at work for me, and I’m just going to defend my title. I’m still champion and the people who don’t believe hey that’s their problem. I know in my heart I’m the best 140 pound fighter in the world, and I’m going to show it on September 14th.

Q
Last question for you, that left hook sequence—where Lucas dropped Lamont Peterson with his left hook, and obviously Peterson landed his but it didn’t have as much of an effect. You are known as the left hooker. If that sequence happens in your fight can you kind of address what might happen? Do you think he’s seen a left hook like yours?

Garcia
We’ll have to see. I’ve fought big punchers. I took big shots before, but Peterson when he threw that left hook he was more in a position that’s why he got the end of it. But I’m just going to be smart. I’m going to do what I do best, make adjustments in the fight and get the victory.

Q
Okay. My question is for Danny Garcia; Danny, do you think that for this match the winner deserves the fight with Mayweather and Canelo’s winner? Do you think you are ready for the fight with Mayweather?

Garcia
It’s a big fight but I’ve got to worry about my fight. I’m not really worried about the future right now. My future is Lucas Matthysse and I’m not looking past him, but that’s up to Golden Boy and Al Haymon and whatever they want to do. I’m just a fighter and that’s what I do is fight, so whoever they put me against that’s what I do.

Q
Why do you think that the people doesn’t believe you after the many fights, many knockouts in favor of you?

Garcia
I really don’t know because I feel like I’m before my time a lot of people still don’t understand it because I’m not supposed to be here right now. It wasn’t supposed to be my time right now. I made it my time. I took it and the people still don’t understand it but I’m just going to keep building my legacy and proving myself.

Q
My question for Lucas is he had such an easy time knocking out Lamont Peterson, I wondered did he anticipate that victory was going to be as easy as it, at least, looked on the outside of the ring, and does he think that he can do something similar and make that kind of statement against Garcia?

Matthysse
Going in to the Lamont Peterson fight was difficult at the beginning but then it became easy for me and that’s why I knocked him out. With Danny Garcia, I have prepare myself but I believe that I’m going to do my best and just give a great fight.

Q
Do you think though that the end result could be the same, an early knockout because your power at least it looks so good in his recent fights?

Matthysse
I respect Danny Garcia as a champion. I am going to give a lot of resistance, but I feel that I am confident enough to give a great fight. It is going to be a difficult fight but I’m not looking for a knockout. I am looking to have a great victory and give a great fight.

Q
I have just one other question for Lucas. Some of the comments Danny has made—although he is showing respect for Lucas it doesn’t sound like he really thinks a whole lot of his punching power. He has said that he has a built up record in Argentina where he really didn’t fight a lot of top opponents, and then when he came to the United States and fought people like Zab Judah, like Devin Alexander that—the way Danny described it was as soon as somebody hit him back he lost, and that the record and the knockout power is maybe a little overrated. How does Lucas respond to that?

Matthysse
On September 14th I’m going to prove to Danny—That’s going to be the proof that when he feels my punches if they’re strong enough or not, and that will either give him the benefit of the doubt if he is strong.”

Q
How do you think the ambiance is going to be around Las Vegas? There’s going to be a lot more Mexicans than there is Argentinians. Do you believe the Mexicans are going to be behind your back?”

Matthysse
Yes. I believe the Mexicans will be behind me; although, there will be a few Argentinians there to support me and to see a great fight.

Q
If there is a victory against Danny Garcia what element will it give you with the Argentinian public?”

Matthysse
I would be on top of the world. The Argentinians will—it would be the best fight of my life.

Q
Hey, Danny. I know that you said that your job is just—on your team is just as a fighter but the reality was this fight was on the table for a while. How soon after your win over Zab Judah did you realize that you would probably be fighting Lucas Matthysse?

Garcia
I accepted the fight when he came to me. I think it was about five, six weeks ago, five weeks, six weeks ago. As soon as the fight was gave to me I accepted it but it took them time because the negotiations; you know it’s a big fight. It’s not an easy fight to make, and as my fighter I accepted the fighter. Me and my dad we accepted the fight and the negotiations—where the fight was going to take place, the money so it was a lot of things but the fight got done. I’m happy and then I’m happy to give the fans again what they want.

Q
I guess what I was trying to get at like when you—before you even accept a card do you have like an idea of who you want to fight next? I know you’re the type, you know I fight whoever they put in front of me, but obviously I know you always want to fight the best. Did you recognize Matthysse as the best of the lot and that you would have to fight him? Not that you would have to fight him but fight him to prove that you are the best.

Garcia
Yeah no doubt it was a fight that the fans wanted and the boxing world. He’s buzzing off his last two victories; his last two knockout wins so the fight was built up. Showtime made it big. The media made it big so it was only worth it to fight with me.

Ellerbe
I want to touch on to what Danny just added on. I just think this is kind of important. A lot of times when you have big events like this and obviously this is a main event on its own, but there was a lot of criticism coming Danny’s way, unjustifiable, by members of the media and the fans because obviously those out there who thought that Danny was unafraid to take the fight. But let me go on the record with this; I know firsthand. Obviously, I have a very close working relationship with my business partner and everyone knows who that is and we at least talk ten times a day. Danny and his dad, I know firsthand, have been very, very adamant that they wanted that fight to the point where they were bugging Haymon about making the fight. What’s taking so long?

I just want to be clear that this is a fight that Danny and his dad wanted from the very beginning. It’s just a matter of the things that take time for fights to come together, and it’s just not simple little things. Obviously, when you’re talking about large amounts of revenue and other particulars that come in to play because that’s great but you know fighters at this level there’s no such thing about being scared of one another. When it comes down to it nobody is scared to make money. Danny didn’t get to this level—his father is a tremendous trainer. They didn’t get to where they’re out—Lucas didn’t get to where they’re at—two fighters being scared of one another. This is a tremendous fight and this is the fight that the fans have demanded and both guys want to fight and it’s going to be a great fight come September 14th. I just wanted to add on the fact that I know firsthand that Danny and his dad had demanded this fight to the point where they were bugging Mr. Haymon about what was taking so long in getting this fight made.

Q
Danny, I know that you were ringside for Lucas’ KO Peterson and you’re a champion. I mean we all know that you have the ability and the goods to make this happen and pull off a victory, but I’m just wondering what you’re doing psychologically to prepare yourself because he’s a scary dude.

Garcia
I’m doing the same thing I always do, just training hard, and yeah he has power but I have power too so if he’s not careful he’s going to get hurt. But I’m not going in there worrying about another man. I’m doing what I do best and just training hard, staying focused, and adapting; adapting to the fight. I’m not going in there worrying about another man’s power. I’ve got power myself so I’m just going to go in there, make adjustments and get the job done.

Q
Hey, Danny. Was the random blood testing as a result of what happened with Eric Morales or is it something that’s related to suspicions that have crept up concerning Lucas’ camp or his results in fights?

Garcia
No. That has nothing to do with Lucas Matthysse. Ever since I won the world title, ever since I bet Erik Morales the first time, Amir Khan took the test, Morales took it again, Zab Judah took the fight and now this fight. It doesn’t matter who I fight for what it’s just something I feel needs to be done if you want to be the champion. And it’s my fourth defense and it’s the fourth fighter who has took the test; it’s just something that comes with do you have to beat the champion and that’s something I ask for. I just want a clean fight and that’s it. It has nothing to do with Lucas Matthysse. It’s just what I do.

Q
Hey, Danny, this question is for you. You’ve been in lots of fights. We all know this is not going to be an easy fight. Would you say this is your hardest fight up to date?

Garcia
I could probably answer that question after the fight because the fights not here yet. I really don’t know because sometimes the hardest fights—sometimes you think the hardest fights will be the easiest fights, sometimes you think the easiest fights will be the hardest fight. You really don’t know until the fight happens, but you know at this level you know you’re going to get hit. It’s all about preparing for the fight and making adjustments, and that’s what I feel I bring to the table.

Garcia
Okay. You know I’ll thank the media for taking the time out to ask these questions, and I’m very excited about being a part of this and I’m training hard. I’m very motivated, and I can’t wait to show my fans and all the new fans that are going to be watching me September 14th what I’m about and I’m going to keep the title in Philadelphia. I’m going to do this for all my Latinos around the world. The end.

Matthysse
I just want to thank everyone for their time today. I am training really hard in Argentina and will be ready for September 14.

Ellerbe
You heard today from all six guys who are fighting on the card, and we have, like I said, a top fight card, best that I’ve seen in recent history. We’re expecting great things. We know we have great fights, and the Matthysse v. Danny Garcia, like I said, that fight is fireworks all over. You have Matthysse who is known as—he has the most feared man out there in boxing today and we know that Danny’s a great champion and that fight’s going to come down to one guy trying to impose his will and the other guy doing what he does. I think you’re going to see a tremendous, tremendous fight in that fight. I think you’ll be able to see Garcia be able to do things that many people hadn’t seen him do before, and I think that you’ll be able to see what happens when Danny backs Matthysse up. All those things will be answered in that fight and come September 14th those questions will be answered on that night. And the fight before that we have Ishe and Molina; that’s going to be another barn burner, another world championship fight. Ishe is coming to win. Carlos is coming to win. It’s going to be a great fight, and to open up the card Ashley and Cano, both guys have never ever been in a not exciting fight.

From top to bottom we have a tremendous card, and we’re just really, really truly excited. Mayweather Promotions working with Golden Boy Promotions, Richard, Oscar and their great staff and obviously my staff and Kelly’s staff we’ve all been working together to make this a great night of boxing, and we look forward to all you guys continuing to support this event, and come September 14th expect a great night.

De La Hoya
Thank you very much. Guys, we have we have exciting news coming up in the weeks leading up to the event so we will talk soon, and we will see you soon. Thank you.

END CALL

“THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO,” a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather’s WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Valvoline, Mexico Tourism, Fred Loya Insurance and Nature Nutrition. In the 12-round co-featured attraction, WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and thunderous puncher WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse square off in a fight presented in association with Swift Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. Also, Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina square off in a 12-round battle for Smith’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Title which is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing. The opening bout on SHOWTIME PPV features a 10-round welterweight showdown between Pablo Cesar Cano and Ashley Theophane. The mega-event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP).

Less than 24 hours after going on sale on June 25, the event was sold out, but six MGM Resorts properties will host live closed circuit telecasts of “THE ONE.” Properties showcasing the event include ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York. General admission tickets for the closed circuit telecasts are priced at $100, not including handling fees, and are available for purchase at each individual property’s box office outlets and also are available for purchase by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711. Closed circuit ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.floydmayweather.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @FloydMayweather, @CaneloOficial, @MayweatherPromo, @DannySwift, @IsheSugarShay, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @mgmgrand and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #TheOne and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

Professional boxer, “Comanche Boy” George Tahdooahnippah guided Native American youth participants at a diabetes summer camp sponsored by the Comanche Nation Diabetes Program, where he serves as the Health and Fitness Promotions Coordinator this past July, 2013. Tahdooahnippah helped lead the campers, during the four day event, teaching the youth the importance of healthy eating habits, and good physical activity.

During the week the campers made their own healthy snacks, which on one occasion was a healthy avocado dip. The campers spent countless hours playing physically active games intended on getting the kids moving. The campers began each day with morning exercises such as stretching, push-ups, and sit ups. The campers consisted of children between the ages of 5-18 years old.

“I personally participated and played all the games with the kids along with my colleagues at the Comanche Nation Diabetes Program, Amanda Parker, Casey McCarthy, and Director Marilyn Figueroa,” Tahdooahnippah said. “It’s very important to interact with the kids, and lead by example. I want my career as a boxer to change lives for the better for all people. Starting with the youth is a good place.”

The camp received many positive comments from the children and their parents. The Comanche Nation Diabetes Program highly supports encouraging our Native American youth to learn about the prevention of diabetes.

Tahdooahnippah returns to the ring October 4th, 2013 at the Comanche Nation Casino in Lawton, OK. Details about his bout are soon to follow.

Comance. Workout Diabetes

Comanche Boy Leads by Example

“Comanche Boy” George Tahdooahnippah is available for motivational speaking engagements for the youth, adults and elders covering topics such as: Wellness, Diabetes Prevention, health and fitness, anti-drug & anti-alcohol, suicide prevention, and anti-bullying. Comanche Boy is also available for Sports Camps. If you are interested in having Indian Country’s premiere boxing champion as a keynote speaker, workshop presenter, or sports camp facilitator, please contact Carmen Davis of Litefoot Entertainment Group at 206-388-3279 or carmen@litefoot.com. For all the latest Comanche Boy news, visit www.comancheboy.com and follow him on Twitter, @comancheboy49.

ABOUT STAR BOXING

Star Boxing Inc. recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary (promoting pro boxing continuously since 1992). The company has produced some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star Boxing continues to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star Boxing is proud that is has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit their official website at www.StarBoxing.com and follow them on Twitter @ Star Boxing and Facebook at Star Boxing.

Chicago, IL, Monday August 19, 2013–Bobby Hitz announced today that exciting super middle weight prospect Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez (11-0 8 KOs) of Chicago will square off against Gary, Indiana’s Derrick “Superman” Findley (20-10-1, 13 KOs) in the eight round “IT’S TIME: The Battle of the Border” Main Event of “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” on Friday, September 13, at The Venue inside of Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. Tickets can be purchased at hitzboxing.com or The Venue box office.

“Mike is risking it all by fighting Derrick and he is working hard to prove that he and his unbeaten record are the real deal” said Hitz. “Both a loss and a win can change the trajectory of his career. He is stepping up big time and Chicago’s fight fans will benefit as a result.”

Jimenez hopes to remain unbeaten against the very tough Findley, who is the only man to stop the highly regarded Andrzej Fonfara, who knocked out Gabriel Campillo in the ninth round this past Friday. In July of 2011 Findley stopped Fanfara with a second round TKO.

“I know Derrick and he is a super tough dude, who doesn’t slow down. He brings it all night, he’s never been stopped and he is beaten some quality boxers,” said Jimenez. “I will be on BEASTMODE on September 13 and I will bringing the KRYPTONITE to “Superman.” I’ve been killing it in the gym, my team is pushing me hard to make sure I am ready and I will be on my “A” game.”

For his part Findley doesn’t appear to be too concerned stepping in to the ring against an undefeated opponent. In an interview with ESNewsReporting.com posted on YouTube in July he said.

“They go out here and the knock out a guy in some basketball shorts and some Reeboks and then go up to the club with their little Cubic Zirconia chains jumping around like they just beat Canelo. Everybody wants tomato cans, nobody wants to fight real fighters. Everybody wants to be undefeated, everybody wants to be 40 and 0.”

Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez

Derrick “Superman” Findley

ABOUT HITZ BOXING: Since its debut in 1991, Hitz Boxing has been the Midwest’s leading boxing promoter. Led by Bobby Hitz, who boasted a 21-4 record with 18 KO’s as a boxer, Hitz Boxing is the longest running boxing promoter in the Chicago area dating back to the bi-monthly boxing series the “Ramada Rumble,” held at the former Rosemont Ramada Inn. The organization currently promotes the wildly popular “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN and is the subject of “Hitz Boxing,” a reality show airing on the Internet which has amassed over 5 million views. Over the years the organization has produced matches that have included some of the top names in boxing such as James Toney, Antonio Tarver, Montell Griffin, Iran Barkley, Andrew Golota and “Fast Fres Oquendo.

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

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

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

Tacoma, WA (August 19th, 2013) – Halquist Productions is returning with CageSport MMA to the Emerald Queen Casino this weekend where current heavyweight champion, Anthony Hamilton (9-2), will attempt to defend his title against the fearless, Matt Kovacs (8-11). In the semi-main event, Josh Rettinghouse will put his 8-2 record on the line when he takes on Aberdeen’s Jeff Hatton (7-3) in a three round bout that is expected to be one of the scrappier fights of the evening.

Tickets for CageSport XXVI, set for Saturday, August 24th, at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA, are available and can be purchased at the Emerald Queen Casino box office and online through Ticketmaster. Prices start at $35 for general admission. First Row VIP tickets are still available.

CageSport heavyweight champion, Anthony Hamilton, has practically been unstoppable since being defeated last August. Since that fight, Hamilton has gone on to defeat three different opponents, all in the first round, with not one fight going longer than a minute and 37 seconds, which includes his 38 second victory over Bill Widler for the CageSport heavyweight title.

Hamilton will get his first chance to defend that title this weekend, but it will be no easy task with Matt Kovacs hungry for revenge. In 2010, Kovacs held the CageSport title when he defeated Corey Williams via first round TKO, but wasn’t able to hold on to it as he lost it in his first title defense attempt against Nick Braker. Adding more intrigue to the fight is that this will be a rematch for Kovacs who was defeated by Hamilton in a title fight in 2011. It’s certain that Kovacs is hungrier than ever to even the score and take back what once belonged to him.

Jeff Hatton and Josh Rettinghouse, fighting in the semi-main event, are two of the top bantamweight fighters in the region who have a lot to prove when they step into the cage this Saturday. Both have lots of promise in their professional MMA careers, but are in the process of revamping their rank as both have been defeated during CageSport bantamweight title fights. A victory at CageSport XXVI will go a long way in helping them fight their way back to another opportunity at championship gold.

Eight other thrilling bouts are set to take place on the 24th, featuring all local talent hoping to catch the attention of the national MMA media.

UNDERCARD: All three rounds
Justin Harrington (4-0) vs. Levi Peaslee (1-3)
Jeff Sweeney (debut) vs. Jacob Solis (0-1)
Chris Wheaton (1-4) vs. Hector Lopez (debut)
Harrison Bevens (5-1) vs. Dave Shepherd (5-3)
Ian Williams (6-1) vs. Zach Conn (1-0)
Lonya Champion (0-1) vs. Josh Solis (1-0)
Gary Winslow (1-2) vs. Montrez Tinson (0-1)
Alex Eastman (debut) vs. Eduardo Torres (1-1)

Doors for CageSport XXVI will open at 6 PM with the first fight scheduled for 7 PM. Halquist Productions has created a world class promotional company with CageSport MMA and Battle at the Boat boxing. After partnering with the United Fight Alliance, CageSport will soon be available to be viewed across the nation in over 100 million homes giving fighters the exposure that Halquist Productions prides itself in offering. For more questions about CageSport XXVI and all other Halquist Production events, please visit www.halquistproductions.com and the official Facebook and Twitter pages of Halquist Productions, CageSport MMA, and Battle at the Boat.

LOS ANGELES, August 19 – One of the premier boxers of this era, Zab “Super” Judah has won five world titles in two weight divisions, but he still has plenty of goals left, including winning another championship and continuing to give fans more exciting fights. So it is with great pleasure that Golden Boy Promotions is announcing a joint venture with Super Judah Promotions to co-promote Judah and make sure the world continues to see this boxing superstar on the sport’s biggest stages.

“Super Judah Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions working together is phenomenal,” said Judah. “I have been doing business with Golden Boy Promotions for a number of years, working both with them and against them and I know what it’s like to be on both sides. Through those times, I see that we are a perfect fit. This joint venture will give me the experience I need as a promoter and get me the big fights I want at this point of my career.”

“I am very happy to welcome Zab to the Golden Boy team,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “He is without question not only one of the most exciting fighters in boxing, but he also has tremendous name recognition with reaches into the general market. In his thrilling fight against Danny Garcia, Zab showed that he belongs in the absolute top level of the sport. I am looking forward to be working with Zab and his team and have him participate in the biggest fights in the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions.”

Offered Bill Halkias, Vice President of Super Judah Promotions, “Zab Judah and Super Judah Promotions are looking forward to working with boxing’s premier promoter in Golden Boy Promotions. We understand the importance of partnering with the best promoter in the business. It’s the difference between having Zab in good fights and having Zab in great fights. Zab only wants to fight the best and Golden Boy Promotions stable of fighters is the best in boxing. ”

A New York boxing icon who was a five-time world champion with titles in the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions, Brooklyn’s Zab “Super” Judah (42-8, 29 KO’s) showed in his recent challenge for Danny Garcia’s 140-pound titles that he’s still a major player at both 140 and 147 pounds. A veteran of nearly 17 years in the pro game, Judah owns wins over Micky Ward, Junior Witter, DeMarcus Corley, Cory Spinks, and Lucas Matthysse, while also battling the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Amir Khan, Kostya Tszyu, and Miguel Cotto. Winner of six of his last eight bouts, the dazzling boxer-puncher continues to provide thrills for fight fans around the world, and if his recent form is any indication, the best may be yet to come.

Zab Judah’s next bout will be announced shortly.

VALLEY FORGE, PA (August 19, 2013)—This Friday night, “Under the Radar” Lightweight prospect Frankie De Alba will meet Miguel Rodriguez in a six round bout which will serve as one of the co-feature bouts at the Valley Forge Casino Resort.

In the main event, undefeated Naim Nelson (10-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia defends the Pennsylvania Lightweight title against Ryan Belasco (18-5-3, 3 KO’s) of Wilmington, Delaware.

In an eight round Heavyweight bout, WBA #13 ranked Travis Kauffman (24-1, 18 KO’s) battles Arron Lyons (12-12-1, 9 KO’s)

De Alba of Reading, PA has a record of 8-1-2, with three knockouts and has won six in a row and has not been defeated since his pro debut.

De Alba has been chomping at the bit to get back in the ring.

“I feel more than ready. I have been in the gym and staying busy and am anxious to show my ability”, said De Alba.

“I know Rodriguez has been in with tough opponents and he will be tough”.

De Alba was originally scheduled to fight Osnel Charles but when Charles pulled out, it was just a bit of an inconvenience for De Alba.

“The change of opponents distracted me a little bit. I had a plan for Charles but I am ready for anybody”.

De Alba, who had a brief yet undefeated (10-0) amateur career, is expecting his second baby in the next month.

He works at a foundry (Manual Labor) for nine hours a day before hitting the gym.

“I am ready to fight anybody they put in front of me”.

De Alba was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico and is influenced by Miguel Cotto.

In addition to the three featured bouts, the rest of the card is as follows (all four round bouts):

Kamarah Pasley (6-6, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be named in a Cruiserweight bout.

Damon Allen (2-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia battles Samuel Quinones (2-1, 1 KO) of York, PA in a Lightweight bout.

Khalib Whitmore (1-0) of Philadelphia takes on Richard McCombs (1-4, 1 KO) of Washington, DC in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Miguel Cartagena (7-0, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia boxes Eduardo Melendez (4-13, 1 KO) of San Isabel, Puerto Rico in a Bantamweight bout.

THERE WILL BE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT VALLEY FORGE CASINO CENTER BAR AT 7PM ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 20 at 7pm

Tickets for this outstanding night of boxing are $125 for VIP; $75 for Ringside and $45 for General Admission and can be purchased at:

Kings Boxing
440 Elm Street
Reading, PA 19601
610 587 5950

Villa
714 West Marshall Street
Norristown, PA
610 275 3609

Vfboxing.eventbrite.com and kingsboxing.com

Atlantic City, NJ—A couple of junior lightweights will put their futures on the line Saturday evening, Aug. 24, when Teon Kennedy, of Philadelphia, PA, and Joselito Collado, of Jamaica, Queens, NY, collide in the 10-round main event in the Grand Ballroom at Bally’s Atlantic City.

The Kennedy-Collado contest tops an eight-fight card which will be streamed live on the internet by www.pandafeed.tv First fight is 7.30 p.m.

This is not your ordinary off-TV main event; two careers are on the line in this one.

Kennedy (left), 26, turned pro as a super bantamweight (122 pounds) early in 2007 after winning the National Golden Gloves the year before at 112 pounds.

He was undefeated in his first 18 fights, scoring seven knockouts and winning both the USBA and NABA titles at 122. Only a disputed 10-round draw with Lante Addy, of Ghana, marred his record. In that fight, the scores were 98-92 Kennedy and a pair of 95-95 tallies.

On Aug. 18, 2013, disaster struck when a listless Kennedy was soundly beaten at Bally’s by underdog Alejandro Lopez, of Tijuana, Mexico. That setback cost Kennedy his USBA and NABA titles.

Five months later, Kennedy again was held to a disputed draw, this time in Las Vegas, NV, by Chris Martin, of Chula Vista, CA. Scores that night were 97-93 Kennedy and again a pair of 95-95 tallies.

When an opportunity came to fight for a world title five months later, Kennedy went for it, challenging talented lefty Guillermo Rigondeaux, of Cuba, for the latter’s WBA 122-pound belt in Las Vegas.

Kennedy worked hard to get down to 122 pounds—he had been having weight problems for months—and was knocked down five times and stopped in the fifth round.

After that, Kennedy took a one-year hiatus.

Talking things over with his crew—managers Doc Nowicki and Jim Williams and trainers Randy and Wade Hinnant—Kennedy decided to move up two weight classes to 130 pounds, junior lightweight.

Feeling more comfortable at the new weight, Kennedy took on Carlos Vinan, of Newark, NJ, on June 1 at Ballys. After a slow start, Kennedy found his groove, taking command in the third round and dropping the iron-chinned Vinan in the 10th en route to a unanimous decision.
clip_image005 Since the June 1 fight, the Hinnant brothers have had a tough time keeping Kennedy out of the gym.

“I’ve never seen Teon so dedicated,” Wade Hinnant said. “It’s like he’s starting all over again. He knows a win on over Collado could lead to bigger things.”

Collado (right), also is taking this fight seriously.

When it was first signed in mid-July, he and trainer Gary Stark immediately made the trip to Mullica, NJ, to get the pre-fight medicals out of the way so they could concentrate on training.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, where he turned pro in 2006, Collado moved his base of operations to New York in 2008 and has won 13 out of 15 fights, three by knockout.

The only men to beat Collado, both by decision, were Casey Ramos, of Austin, TX, who was 14-0 at the time, and Jerry Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX, who was 16-0 when he beat Collado in Collado’s last fight on Sept. 8, 2012, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Collado has beaten Rafael Lora, of Irvington, NJ, and Andres Ledesma, of Miami, FL.

“Training has been going well and Collado is in top shape,” said Stark. “We been getting good (sparring) work in the gym and we’ll be ready.

“It hasn’t been easy for Collado to get the right fights for the right money ever since he lost to Belmontes. Now we feel we have the right fight and the right situation and it’s time for us to make a move in the (junior lightweight) division. I know Kennedy is a good, tough fighter but so is Collado.”

Seven additional fights complete the card.

ABOUT AUGUST 24

The Kennedy-Collado fight tops an eight-bout card at Bally’s Atlantic City. First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 and they are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com and www.ticketmaster.com. www.pandafeed.tv will stream the card on the internet. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with BAM Boxing and Bally’s Atlantic City.

What a heavyweight blockbuster on August 24! Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9 KOs), the European Heavyweight Champion and number one rated challenger by the IBF, will take on Tony Thompson in a final eliminator to decide who will be the next mandatory of the New Jersey, USA, based boxing organization. Thompson (38-3, 26 KOs) has already challenged twice for the World Heavyweight Championship, coming up short both times against reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko. For Pulev it would be the first time to fight for a world title.

“That does not fluster me in the slightest,” said the 32-year-old Bulgarian about the importance of his bout against Thompson. “I am motivated to finally step into the ring again and get my job done. My aim is to become a world champion.” The last time Pulev had the opportunity to show off his skills was nearly a year ago with a knockout victory over Alexander Ustinov. Since then, such names like Tomasz Adamek decided not to face Pulev. “I guess that they have fear of losing against me. Maybe these fighters see an easier chance to get a big fight. I have no problem with it as I just want to go toe-to-toe with fighters, who have the ambition to go up against the best and Thompson is somebody like that.”

The southpaw from Washington, D.C., relishes the possibility to secure his third shot at the heavyweight crown. “This is really huge for me,” stated the 41-year-old. “That would be third times the charm.” So far, Thompson has a successful run in 2013, beating David Price twice. “My confidence is running high after having stopped Price not once but twice this year. It was also good to see that my body is still able to compete at such a high level,” Thompson acknowledged. He is optimistic to stop the man from Sofia, Bulgaria: “This fight is going to be over inside eight rounds with me being the winner!”

However, Pulev has other things on his mind: “I not only have to beat him – I must beat him! It does not matter if I win on points or make it an early night. Afterwards, nobody can talk about a worthy world title challenger without using the name Kubrat Pulev!”

Tickets for the big fight night on August 24 at the Sport- und Kongresshalle Schwerin, Germany are available at www.eventim.de.

LOS ANGELES (August 18, 2013) – Two-time Olympic gold medalist ZOU SHIMIING and his wife Ying Ying welcomed their second child into the world today. Baby Ryan, born in Los Angeles, had his first official weigh-in — a strapping six pounds, seven ounces.

“It’s a good omen that Ryan was born under the sign of the president,” said Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum. “Today is Top Rank president Todd duBoef’s birthday. Todd has already sent Bruce Trampler over to the nursery to watch him work out. We couldn’t be happier for Shiming and Ying Ying. It’s a wonderful day.”

Zou (2-0), who trains with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club, will be traveling to General Santos City in the Philippines to train with Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao. Both will be featured on the same historic card, in separate bouts, Saturday, November 23, at The Venetian Macao. Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Sands China Ltd., MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao will headline the card, facing former world champion Brandon Rios in a 12-round welterweight rumble, which will be produced and distributed live to the U.S. by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

One of the most popular Olympic athletes in the People’s Republic of China, Zou was the world’s greatest amateur light flyweight, capturing gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. In the 2005, 2007, and 2011 World Amateur Championships, Zou also brought home gold medals, making him his nation’s first boxing gold medalist in the World Amateur Championships and the Olympics. He became his nation’s first Olympic medalist in boxing when he earned bronze in 2004.

The wait is finally over as a mega fight heads for Australia. In Late October 2013 “The Legendary Fight of the Ages” takes place in Sydney, Australia. Two of the world’s most legendary fighters from two different continents face off in what should be one of the most blockbuster fights of our time. From the United States is “Sugar” Shane Mosley who is one greatest boxers of all time taking on the Australia Legend, Anthony Mundine. This match up shapes up to be one of the best fights in the history of boxing. Fans across the world will be treated to a battle which is truly a test of what champions are all about.

It goes without saying that Shane Mosely in his career has fought all the greatest boxers in his weight class in the last two decades. Compiling a record of 47-8-1 with 39 KO’s. In 2000 Mosely was the elected by the World Boxing Hall of Fame Fighter of the Year. He has held World Titles from Lightweight, Welterweight and Light-Middleweight. He won his first title in 1997 as a Lightweight and just last year fought for World Title at Jr. Middleweight. In his career he has fought the likes of Saul Alverez, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Miguel Cotto, Fernando Vargas and of course, Oscar De La Hoya.

Hailing from Down Under is Anthony “The Man” Mundine who is undoubtabtly one of the greatest Australia’s boxers of all time. Mundine, a former professional rugby league star turned pro-boxer in 2000. Since becoming a boxer Mundine has torn up the world of boxing with a professional record of 44-5-0 with 26 knockouts. Mundine also has fought many legendary fighters in his career such as Danny Green, Mikkel Kessler, Sam Solomon and Bronco McKart. Mundine has won world titles in three different weight divisions from super-welterweight, middleweight and super-middleweight. Anthony’s last fight was against Daniel Geale for the World Middleweight Title.

These two warriors shape up very well against each other and who knows who the victor will be. Both fighters have very similar records and very similar careers both fighting and holding world titles in different weight divisions. Shane Mosely holds an advantage as possibly a better boxer with a little better resume. Mundine is a bigger, stronger fighter who can pose some interesting problems for Mosely. Both fighters are right handed but Mundine holds a 3 inch height advantage. Mundine has always fought heavier than Mosely and this could play a part in the outcome of the fight. On the other hand, Mosely is a great boxer and has fought more world champion caliber fighters than Mundine. Mundine and Mosely are both in the later stages of their career, Mundine at 38 and Mosely at 41. The winner of this blockbuster event will likely fight the winner of Mayweather vs Alverez bout. This bout shapes up to possibly surpass the Mayweather vs Alverez bout in action.

Tickets for this event will be available for purchase shortly and this fight is definitely going to sell out! The event will also be on Pay Per View and will be announced shortly.

There will be a press conference on August 29, 2013 in Los Angeles by Millennium Events and Golden Boy Promotions. Time and Place to be announced.