Representatives of world-rated junior middleweight Jorge “Destroyer” Melendez will file an official protest with the Oneida Indian Nation Athletic Commission for what they see as a result-changing error made by Referee Charlie Fitch during Melendez’s SHOBOX-televised upset decision loss to local fighter Nick Brinson on Friday night (June 7, 2013) at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY.

José A. Acevedo, Advisor, and Edwin Diaz, Manager, say a careful review of the fight will show that their fighter, Melendez, should be awarded a TKO victory after the improper issuance of a standing eight count in round four.

Late in the fourth round, Melendez landed a picture-perfect counter left that sent Brinson into the ropes, clearly out on his feet. Brinson did make a motion to sit on the ropes and if referee Fitch had ruled at knockdown at that point, it would have been a proper ruling. However, a full seven seconds later, with Brinson stumbling senselessly sideways towards his own corner, Fitch then halted the action and issued a standing eight count (which lasted 11-14 seconds by the Showtime clock).

“The Unified Rules of the Association of Boxing Commissions were in effect Friday night,” said Acevedo. “When Referee Fitch gave Nick Brinson a standing eight count, he was in violation of Rule #7, which clearly states that no standing eight count was in effect. The ropes were not holding Brinson up at the time he started the count, and so his only justified options were to either allow the fight to continue or rule a TKO. By jumping in and issuing the illegal count, he improperly allowed Brinson time to recover that was not allowed under the rules. This action changed the outcome of the fight, as Brinson was clearly standing but unconscious at the time it occurred.”

“It is clear to all who witnessed that Jorge would have gotten a knockout or TKO victory had the referee not jumped in,” added Diaz. “We will be petitioning the Oneida Commission to either rule a TKO or change the result to a No Contest. The rule violation was unequivocal and changed the result of the fight unduly.”

While all of Team Melendez agree that Referee Fitch had no improper motives for his actions, the mistake he made is serious enough to warrant changing the result of the fight.

“Jorge has a world rating to protect,” said Hector Soto from Miguel Cotto Promotions, “He did what he had to do against a guy who fought well. He put his opponent out and only the referee’s mistake stopped that from happening, but there is no doubt as to what should have happened. But to hurt my fighter’s career by taking a knockout away from him improperly is not right and we trust the Oneida Indian Nation Athletic Commission will agree.”

Tacoma, WA (June 11, 2013) – Training camps are alive and well as the Northwest’s premier fighters start to gear up for Halquist Productions’ CageSport XXV , set for July 6th, at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA. Headlining the electrifying ten bout card will be CageSport featherweight champion, Drew Brokenshire (7-2), defending his title for the second time against grizzly veteran, “Shorty” Weikel (9-3). In the semi-main event, Julian Erosa (10-1) will take on Lee Morrison (8-3) in what has turned into one of the most anticipated matchups in CageSport history.

Tickets for CageSport XXV, set for Saturday, July 6th, are still available and can be purchased at the Emerald Queen Casino box office or through Ticketmaster. Prices are $35, $55, and $100.

After defeating Julian Erosa for the CageSport featherweight title late last year and then defending the title for the first time in February against Enoch Wilson, Brokenshire made his professional boxing debut on June 1st and came out victorious with a unanimous decision victory. He’ll have his hands full when he attempts to defend his title once again against Oregon’s submission specialist, Shorty Weikel, who has won eight of his nine victories by that fashion.

The semi-main event between Yakima MMA’s Julian Erosa and Okanogan’s Lee Morrison has been a matchup that CageSport fans have been wanting for over a year now. With the already established rivalry, the stakes are even higher as the winner of this fight will get to take on the winner of the Brokenshire/Weikel fight for the CageSport featherweight title at the next CageSport in October.

Erosa became the first ever featherweight champion for CageSport when he defeated Ryan Mulvihill in April of last year with a fourth round arm bar. In his first chance to defend the title, he took on Brokenshire in what is still remembered as one of the most thrilling fights in CageSport history that resulted in a unanimous decision victory for Brokenshire who has held on to the title ever since. The real intrigue behind this is that Lee Morrison defeated Brokenshire at a King of the Cage event last August, leaving to question who the best featherweight in the region truly is.

“We have four of the best featherweights stepping up for their chance to fight for a title. Drew’s been such a tough and exciting fighter on our shows which has given him the opportunity to defend his title for a second time,” said promoter, Brian Halquist. “Erosa vs. Morrison is a fight that everyone has wanted for a long time and we’re giving it to them. With these fights we’ll be able to finally determine who the true featherweight champion really is.”

An undercard featuring eight other three round bouts full of the best Northwest fighters will also take place on July 6th. A preliminary card can be seen on the official CageSport Facebook page in the “CageSport XXV” event. An official announcement of the full fight card will be made during fight week.

Halquist Productions’ CageSport continues to be the premier MMA promotion in the northwest featuring the only all pro card in the region. CageSport has been a place for fighters such as: Miesha Tate, Bryan Caraway, John Albert, Sam Sicilia, and Michael Chiesa to showcase their talents and eventually sign on with the UFC. For more information about CageSport XXV 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

BETHLEHEM, PA – You know a boxer is getting close to the big time when you start seriously thinking about how they might fare in a fight against the very top talent of their division, including the reigning world champions. You never do this in the early stages of a boxer’s career, but when they start climbing the ranks, one can’t help but wonder what will come in the near future.

Such is the case with both heavyweight Bryant Jennings, 16-0, 8 KOs, and light heavyweight Sergey Kovalev, 20-0-1, 18 KOs. Each boxer is world-rated in the top five, and both headline the next edition of Fight Night on the NBC Sports Network, June 14th at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA. The Fight Night telecast will begin at 8PM EDT.

We all know that the Klitschko brothers currently dominate the heavyweight division, but “BY BY” Jennings is an obvious choice when it comes to who may eventually take over once the Ukrainian siblings fade from the scene. Wladimir, 37, and Vitali, 41, are still turning back challenges with relative ease, but their time at the top can’t last forever.

Jennings, who blossomed as a legitimate contender in 2012, made five starts during the year that not only put him on the heavyweight map, but also boosted him to the #3 spot in the IBF ratings. With his renowned work ethic, winning attitude, and still-developing fighting skills, Jennings stacks up as one challenger who has a legitimate chance against the brothers.

Bryant Jennings
Photo credits to phillyboxinghistory.com
Although Jennings would love to earn his chance before the Klitschkos retire, he figures to play a major role in determining a new champion, if his opportunity doesn’t come that soon. On June 14th, Jennings faces Russian Andrey Fedosov, 24-2, 19 KOs, in his latest chance to impress the powers that be.

Like Jennings, Sergey Kovalev, is quite possibly the future of his division. Just thinking about how “Krusher” Kovalev’s vaunted power would play against the top 175-pounders is a boxing fan’s dream. His June 14th fight against Cornelius White, 21-1, 16 KOs, is a title eliminator that puts the winner in line to face legend Bernard Hopkins. Even though the 48 year old Hopkins has spent his golden years beating the young studs of the sport, Kovalev’s heavy hands have a legitimate chance of seizing the crown from the boxing icon.

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev
Photo credits to Rich Graessle/Main Events

Who knows if Kovalev will ever get that chance? However, when a knockout artist like Sergey comes along, boxing fans want to see him vie for the championship, no matter who holds the belt. So whether it is fellow KO-artist Adonis Stevenson, WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly, legendary Bernard Hopkins, or anyone else, Kovalev’s chance at the big time is around the corner. All he needs to do is to keep winning, and if he’s smart, keep sending foes home early.

Both Jennings and Kovalev are on the brink of very big things. Today we talk about them as contenders, but before long we very possibly will be calling them champions.

ABOUT FRIDAY, JUNE 14

The Jennnings-Fedosov, Kovalev-White and Cruz-Narh fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. Doors open at 6:15pm ET. Tickets priced at $50 and $75 and $130 (luxury suites) can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and at all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com, and www.Ticketmaster.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Deja Brew, Inc., 101 West 4th Street (610-865-2739) and at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790). NBC Sports Network will televise the Jennings-Fedosov, Kovalev-White and Cruz-Narh fights, beginning at 8 pm ET, Friday, June 14th. The card is promoted by Main Events and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, Hitz Entertainment and Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

To find the location of the NBC Sports Network on your local cable, satellite or IPTV provider, visit: http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30092015/ns/sports/

Chicago-based middleweight contender Donovan “Da Bomb” George wishes to congratulate his friend and former opponent Adonis Stevenson for his WBC Light Heavyweight title-winning KO1 over Chad Dawson last Saturday.

George and Stevenson became friends while sparring at Detroit’s Kronk Gym, after the two met in a fight in October 2012 (won by Stevenson after 12 tough rounds).

“I’m very happy for Adonis,” said George (24-3-2, 21 KOs), who is currently in heavy preparations for his upcoming ESPN Friday Night Fights-televised 10-round co-main event against Caleb Truax on Friday, June 21 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

After absorbing Stevenson’s best shots, George says he wasn’t surprised by Dawson’s spectacular exit just 1:16 in the first round at the Bell Center in Montreal.

“He hits like a heavyweight. I was hurt for a month after our 12-round war. There aren’t many fighters who can take his punches and stay upright.”

George’s promoter, Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing, says the Dawson fight not only made a statement about Stevenson and his abilities, but about Donovan George as well.

“This is only going to be his third fight at the weight class, but Donovan is a natural middleweight, always has been” said Margules, “and he took Stevenson’s power for 12 tough rounds and kept coming. Stevenson just crushed one of the world’s best 175-lb fighters with that power. So what does that say about the toughness of Don George? Here’s a middleweight who went to war and took everything a beast like Stevenson could throw and barely blinked. It says a lot about what Donovan brings to the table, especially now that he’s at middleweight and fighting much smaller guys. Not only is his punching power incredible for a middleweight, his chin is as well.”

George says that with every fight, he’s growing more and more comfortable shedding the extra eight pounds to make middleweight and is ready for anyone in the division, including Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

“I’m unstoppable at this weight. Chavez Jr., let’s do this any time. Even at a catchweight if you want. Bring it on. If I can go 12 rounds with the light heavyweight champion of the world, one of the hardest punchers in boxing, I’m going to walk right through any middleweight.”

For his next fight, George says he will try and walk in his friend and now-world champion’s footsteps. “Just like Adonis did, I’m going to make a major statement on the 21st. I will be going for the spectacular knockout.”

###

George vs. Truax will be held on Friday, June 21, at the Minneapolis Convention Center and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. It will be presented by Seconds Out Promotions and Warriors Boxing.

Tickets to Friday Night Fights at the Convention Center start at $35 and can be purchased through www.sofights.com.

In addition to George vs. Truax, seven more fights are scheduled in support of the 12-round main event featuring Cuba’s IBF #2-rated Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (18-0, 11 KO) taking on Thailand’s IBF #5-rated Fahsai “Mountain Boy” Sakkreerin (39-3-1, 21 KO).

An eight-round crosstown battle will highlight the night’s undercard, as St Paul’s Jeremy “Lights Out” McLaurin (10-5, 5 KOs) will face St Paul’s Tony “2Sharp” Lee (7-1, 3 KOs) for the vacant Minnesota State Lightweight Championship.

Local bragging rights will be on the line for these two local scrappers, so expect fireworks. McLaurin has been in with the better opposition in his career, while Lee has fewer losses.

Also scheduled is an eight-round junior middleweight scrap between “Sir” Charles Meier (7-2, 3 KOs) of Coon Rapids, MN and Tyler Hultin (5-1-2, 3 KOs) of Fergus Falls, MN and a four-round junior middleweight contest between Gavin Quinn (1-0) of Circle Pines, MN and Kenneth Glenn (2-0, 1 KOs) of Minneapolis.

Several fighters will make their professional boxing debuts that night, including a four-round junior middleweight match-up of pro debuters between LeWayne Hardiman of Las Vegas and Dustin Petron of Rosemount, MN; a four-round heavyweight bout featuring the pro debut of Pat Quinn from St Paul, MN against John Schimon (0-1) of Minneapolis; and a four-round lightweight tilt between Milwaukee’s pro debuting Adrian Martinez and Kurtis Erhorn (0-1) of Grand Rapids, MN.

NEW YORK (June 11, 2013) – Born and raised in Framingham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, light welterweight prospect Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor (20-1, 7 KOs) has always been a proud Bostonian and avid sports fan of local clubs like the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New England Patriots and New England Revolution.

On June 29th, the 28-year-old Irish-American boxer will take things a step further when he gets into the ring to fight veteran Hector Munoz (21-10-1, 14 KOs) in an eight-round fight on the non-televised portion of an HBO® triple-header card at Foxwoods® Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

O’Connor will shed his traditional Clan O’Connor outfit for one specially designed by Rival Boxing Gear to honor victims of the recent Boston Marathon bombing. “I’m really excited to be Boston Strong,” O’Connor said about dedicating his fight. “I’m honored and privileged to wear what Rival has made for me. The names of the Boston Marathon bombing victims will be on my trunks. I’ll also be wearing the Boston Marathon logo and colors on my trunks, shoes, gloves….everything. This means a lot to me.

“It’s not like I’m on a team playing 100 games, so, after this one fight, we’re going to auction everything with all proceeds going to The One Fund. It’s just my way of showing my appreciation for what these families have been through. We’ll never forget. I’m from Boston and I’ve probably been at that spot (of the bombing at the finish line) a million times. Boston is tight-knit and this affected me and all Bostonians a lot. We’re Boston Strong!”

The DiBella Entertainment and K2 Promotions-presented HBO triple-header, starting at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT, is headlined by WBA/IBO champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (26-0, 23 KOs) champion defending against Ireland’s top-rated former world title challenger Matthew “Mack The Knife” Macklin (29-4, 20 KOs), live from MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods ® Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Also airing on HBO is a 10-round co-feature pitting IBO super middleweight titlist Thomas “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen (21-0-1, 13 KOs) against Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales (17-0, 10 KOs), while NABF super welterweight champion Willie “The Great” Nelson (20-1-1, 12 KOs) defends his title against Argentinian-invader Luciano Leonel “El Principito” Cuello (32-2, 16 KOs) in the 10-round HBO opener.

O’Connor has gone through a metamorphism, in and out of the ring, since suffering his lone professional loss on April 8, 2011, by eight-round decision to Gabriel Bracero. The popular O’Connor has won six in a row, four by knockout, after he started being trained by two-time world title challenger Ronnie Shields and managed by Kenny Casey, founder/front-man for the wildly popular Dropkick Murphys band out of Boston.

“I am a different person,” O’Connor explained, regarding what’s happened since his only loss. “I have a family now – my wife Diane and our two-year-old son Liam – and I’ve been sober for one and a half years and will remain this way. I have a completely different lifestyle now. They inspire me and today I appreciate even the smallest things. I’m blessed to be in the position I am in with Kenny, Coach Ronnie, and all of the others who’ve helped me. I strive to be great in boxing and as a person.

“I’m not fighting on HBO, but I hope to impress the people there on June 29. Maybe my next fight will be on television? I’m coming off an injury and itching to get back in the ring. I’m fighting a tough veteran in Munoz, who keeps coming forward with his in-your-face style. I’m ready for anybody after what I’ve been through. I feel so good now.”

Echostar Technologies and 1208 Reality are sponsoring a free bus trip to and from Foxwoods for O’Connor fans. Go to www.dannyoconnorboxing.com to sign up. Tickets may also be purchased at that site.

Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at $300, $200, $90 and $45. Tickets may be purchased online at foxwoods.com by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at Ticketmaster.com.

For updates and additional information, please visit www.K2Promos.com, www.dbe1.com or www.HBO.com/boxing.

London (11 June) James DeGale is targeting domestic super-fights and world honours after his impressive stoppage win over Croatia’s Stjepan Bozic at the weekend.

Live on Channel 5, Bozic’s corner pulled their fighter out before the start of the fifth round, as James outclassed and outgunned the former world title challenger to successfully defend his WBC Silver super-middleweight title at Glow, Bluewater.

“I’m in boxing for the big fights,” DeGale said.

“Carl Froch is a very good fighter but everyone is making him out to be like The Terminator, who can’t be beaten.

“But he has lost before and I think I’m all wrong for him.”

James came out and set the pace immediately, landing solid combinations to the body of Bozic.

Utilising his superior speed and movement, DeGale never looked troubled by the Croatian fighter, who beat Carl Froch in the quarter-finals of the 2000 European Championships when the pair were amateurs.

Landing multiple body punches before switching to land uppercuts and hooks to the head, DeGale was clearly looking to impress and despite the action being temporarily stopped in the third and fourth rounds when he landed accidental low blows on his opponent, James never let the pace drop.

Shifting through the gears it was clear that DeGale had plenty in the tank in his latest fight since defeating Sebastien Demers in Canada just 22 days earlier.

By the end of the fourth Bozic had soaked up a lot of punishment to his body and head and his corner took the decision to stop the contest.

The win gave James his 16th win as a professional and leaves him on the cusp of world title fights and domestic super-fights.

“He couldn’t take it any more,” DeGale said.

“I’ve boxed my last four fights with a knee injury, but my knee is perfect now.

“It wasn’t a vintage performance, but it was nice and I’m pleased.”

This was DeGale’s sixth consecutive victory since his controversial points defeat to rival George Groves.

With Froch likely to look towards another fight with Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler or American Andre Ward, a possible rematch with Groves or a fight with the winner of Cameroon-born Australian Sakio Bika and Mexican Marco Antonio Periban, who fight for the vacant WBC world title in June, could be possible options for the man known as ‘Chunky’.

LINK TO WATCH THE CHANNEL 5 BROADCAST FROM JUNE 8 NOW ON DEMAND 5:

http://www.channel5.com/shows/international-boxing-james-degale-v-stjepan-bozic/episodes/international-boxing-james-degale-v-tbc

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS

For more information on Glow, Bluewater, please visit www.glowbluewater.co.uk

For more information on Channel 5, Liquid, maximuscle and Wealth TV please visit:

www.channel5.com
www.L1quid.com
www.maximuscle.com
www.wealthtv.com

CHICAGO, IL- Tickets for “THE BIG FIGHT 2,” at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, presented by “The Promoters” and “The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority,” (ISFA) will go on sale Wednesday, June 12, 2013. This historic event marks the return of boxing to the South Side of Chicago after more than 50 years.

Headlining this memorable night, telecast on ESPN Friday Night Fights, will be the highly anticipated return of Chicago’s Polish Prince, IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Andrzej Fonfara, battling former world champion Gabriel “EL Chico Guapo” Campillo of Madrid, Spain in a scheduled 12 rounder.

Also featured will be the “Can’t Miss” heavyweight rematch of Artur ‘The Pin” Szpilka of Wieliczka, Poland and Chicago’s “Merciless” Mike Mollo, scheduled for ten rounds.

Tickets start at $32 and will go on sale Wednesday, June 12 at 10 a.m. CT through Ticketmaster (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone, 1-800-745-3000), The Chicago White Sox (www.whitesox.com) the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office and the 8 Count Productions Office, (312-226-5800.). The ring will be set up behind home plate with the grandstand serving as a backdrop. Doors on the night of the event will open at 6 p.m. CT with the first bell at 7 p.m. CT.

“We are very excited about bringing boxing back to the South Side,” said Kelly Kraft, Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. “August 16 will be a memorable night marking a rare opportunity for fight fans, baseball fans, and Chicago fans to experience boxing inside a ballpark.”

The last Chicago baseball stadium professional boxing event took place on September 25, 1962 at the previous home of the Chicago White Sox, Comiskey Park. Headlined by the World Heavyweight Championship fight between champion Floyd Patterson and challenger Sonny Liston, over 260 million viewers worldwide watched ‘The Big Fight” in addition to a huge crowd in attendance.

“Chicago used to be the greatest fight town in the world and we want to make it that way again,” said Frank Mugnolo, President of Round 3 Productions. “My father went to the last great fight at Comiskey Park back in 1962 when Sonny Liston knocked out Floyd Patterson. Transforming the home of the Chicago White Sox into a boxing ring once again will bring back a lot of memories and help create new ones in the annals of Chicago boxing.”

“For many years boxing events in ballparks in Chicago and across the country were commonplace,” said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions. “In our last fifteen years of promoting in Chicago this most recent period has seen the sport of boxing in its finest hour and our event at U.S. Cellular Field will truly validate this growing success. We have put together an excellent card in keeping with what fans have come to expect at all of our events over the years.”

Stated Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing, “My partner, Luis DeCubas and I are very excited to be working with Round 3 Productions and 8 Count Productions on this history-making event. We wish to thank the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority for their hospitality and thank them for their role in bringing big-time boxing back to Chicago.”

“We both feel very privileged to be part of this fantastic event, the likes of which has not been seen in this great city in decades.”

THE CARD:

Andrzej Fonfara- a native of Warsaw, Poland, the 25-year-old, 23-2-0 (16KO’s), has become a longtime Chicago fan favorite amidst the vast local Polish community since turning professional in 2006.

Currently riding a fourteen bout unbeaten streak and known for his bone crunching knockouts, Fonfara most recently stopped former world title challenger Tommy Karpency on November 16 to earn the IBO Light Heavyweight World Title.

Fonfara made his highly successful ESPN Friday Night Fights debut on July 13, 2012, winning a dominant ten round unanimous decision over boxing legend Glen Johnson in front of a packed and raucous crowd at the UIC Pavilion.

Gabriel “EL Chico Guapo” Campillo- 21-5-1 (8KO’s), won the WBA Light Heavyweight World Title traveling to Astana, Kazakhstan on August 15, 2009 and defeating hometown favorite Beibut Shumenov by decision for the vacant title.

Last year, Campillo travelled to El Paso, Texas on February18, to challenge IBF World Title holder Tavoris Cloud. Despite being dropped twice in the first stanza, Campillo put on a boxing clinic throughout the balance of the fight, easily beating the champion to the punch on a consistent basis. However, Cloud kept his title by split decision, stunning many noted boxing writers watching the bout.

Artur Szpilka and Mike Mollo- Watched by millions around the world, the first clash between Artur Szpilka and Mike Mollo on February 1 at the UIC Pavilion was fought in a Rocky 1 like atmosphere with both heavyweights emptying their tanks in front of a huge “loud and proud” Chicago fight crowd.

Despite being dropped twice by the badly bleeding Mollo, the 24-year-old Szpilka rallied to halt the Chicago native with a stunning sixth round knockout, Mollo falling to the canvas at the end of an astounding display of valor.

Writing in his weekly scorecard ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael called the fight a “tremendous, action-packed, bloody battle.”

A fan favorite in Poland as well as with the massive Chicago Polish community, Szpilka, 14-0-0 (11KO’s), followed up the win over Mollo with a first round stoppage of Taras Bidenko on April 20 in Rzeszow, Poland.

Over the course of his career, the 33-year-old Chicago born and raised Mollo, 20-4-1 (12KO’s), has thrilled local boxing fans with brutal second round knockouts of Kevin McBride and Art Binkowski.

The initial fight with Szpilka followed a two and a half year layoff; however, Mollo has begun training diligently in Chicago for the rematch with the goal of making a world title run in the near future.

A full undercard for this sensational event will be announced shortly.

U.S. Cellular Field is located at 333 W. 35th Street, one block west of the Dan Ryan Expressway.

The event will be presented by “The Promoters”- Round 3 Productions, 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing and Ulrich KnockOut Promotions in association with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS/ROUND 3 PRODUCTIONS

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

Joining forces with Frank Mugnolo’s Round 3 Productions in 2011, their partnership is currently among the premier boxing promotional firms in the United States.

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

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

WARRIORS BOXING

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

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

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

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

THE ILLINOIS SPORTS FACILITIES AUTHORITY

The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority is the developer, owner and operator of U.S. Cellular Field, home of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox. www.isfauthority.com.

Proven amateur fighter Anthony “The Hitman” Hardy has waited for this all his life – In less than a month his dream will finally become a reality. On July 7th at the Stadium of Light (Home of Sunderland Football Club) Anthony Hardy will finally break out onto the pro rankings.

His opponent; Matt Seawright (5-76-5) is a stiff test for such a young boxer. The thing is? Anthony Hardy likes a test – He practiced boxing in his home since he was only seven years of age! He was ambitious; hoping to get in the doors of a boxing gym but all who he spoke to sternly required he be at least ten years old. He waited. He worked. He never quit. At age 21, after compiling a tremendous amateur tally of 29-24 since age 10, he is as ready as ever to become a professional.

Growing up in Horden, England, Hardy tried many sports – he excelled in them all! However, he wanted a true challenge of his physical ability – he wanted to prove himself – boxing was his only true passion. His numerous amateur boxing accolades include a Bolton Box Cup silver medal in 2005, Junior ABA TTW championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010 plus he was the CYP area champion through four different years (2008-2011)!

Through this extensive time period Anthony Hardy continued to develop on his natural groove. Hardy is a cagey southpaw with a good right jab and exceptional technical boxing ability. He is expecting his unconventional style and nonstop workmanship to glide him past the very best of the fight game. Like in any sport – he recognizes all he will have to put on the line during his lengthy path to British, European and perhaps world championships.

However, Hardy is not underestimating his first opponent. Matt Seawright is a veteran of 86 fights. The Scottish native, 35, is likely nearing the close of his boxing career and is hoping to go out with a bang – A win over Hardy would be just what the doctor ordered. That is what makes this a fascination match up and one the fans should enjoy.

Abiding by a strict training and dieting regimen Hardy will be gunning for an impressive finish – Building towards a regional title challenge in the coming months. To reach that goal he will need to dominate each and every opponent he faces – including Seawright.

You will hear much more on Hardy in the coming months. His career has gotten thorough media coverage over the last couple years. Starting with his debut on July 7th – everybody — locally and internationally – will know his name.

Follow Anthony on Twitter @Anth_Hardy11 and like his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/anthonyhardyboxing.

Las Vegas, Nev. – Former interim UFC® welterweight champion Carlos Condit (28-7, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) returns to the Octagon® to face top contender Martin Kampmann (20-6, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) on Wednesday, August 28 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. The two previously met in 2009, with Kampmann earning a razor-thin split decision. Now the two meet again to settle the score in the UFC’s first event in Indianapolis since UFC 119 in 2010.

“Two of the top-ranked welterweights in the division will collide when former interim UFC champion Carlos Condit meets Martin Kampmann in Indianapolis,” UFC President Dana White said. “Both of these guys love finishing fights, so this is gonna be a war!”

Also, fan favorite and 6th ranked lightweight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (20-5, 1 NC, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) faces resurgent Brazilian Rafael Dos Anjos (19-6) in a battle that’s an early candidate for Fight of the Night honors. While Cerrone has long sat near the top of the divisional rankings, his recent showing against former Strikeforce® standout KJ Noons brought him one step closer to a coveted shot at the title. Riding a four-fight win streak that includes notable victories over Evan Dunham and Mark Bocek, the 10th ranked Dos Anjos plans to derail “Cowboy’s” title train.

Additional bouts:
· Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann (7-0, fighting out of Gaffney, N.C.) brings her unblemished record into the Octagon against former Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion Sarah Kaufman (16-2, fighting out of Victoria, BC, Canada).

· The Ultimate Fighter®: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen winner Kelvin Gastelum (7-0, fighting out of Yuma, Ariz.) squares off against longtime UFC welterweight Paulo Thiago (15-5, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil).

Tickets for UFC® ON FOX SPORTS 1: CONDIT VS. KAMPMANN 2 go on sale Friday, June 14 at 10 a.m. ET and are priced at $200.00, $125.00, $90.00, $60.00, and $40.00. Tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster locations. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.bankerslifefieldhouse.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.

UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, June 12 at 10 a.m. ET via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, June 13 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

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

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Universally recognized for its action-packed, can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto, Beijing and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 35 live events annually. The UFC is the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. In 2012, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group for live events and thousands of hours of programming including the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, moving to FOX Sports 1 in September 2013.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 28 different languages. UFC content is also distributed commercially in the United States to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions, in English throughout Canada via Premium Sports Broadcasting Inc. and Australia via Main Event and in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with nearly 2.5 million followers on Twitter. UFC businesses also include over 90 UFC GYM® locations in 28 US states, UFC FIT™, an in-home fitness and nutrition program, UFC 360, the internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, a new videogame franchise in development with EA, best-selling DVDs, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, branded apparel and trading cards.

Bethlehem, PA-Three rising junior welterweights and one comebacking young veteran highlight the undercard of the NBC Sports Network Fight Night boxing series card on Friday evening, June 14, at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

Topping the show is a 10-round heavyweight contest featuring fast-rising Bryant Jennings, of Philadelphia, PA, against powerful Andrey Fedosov, of Shuya, Russia.

A 12-round IBF light-heavyweight eliminator features Sergey Kovalev, of Chelyabinsk, Russia, against Cornelius White, of Houston, TX, The winner becomes the No. 1 challenger for the IBF crown, currently held by Bernard Hopkins, of Philadelphia, PA.

In a welterweight match, scheduled for 10 rounds, Bethlehem’s Ronald Cruz hopes to rebound from his first loss as a pro when he takes on rugged Ray Narh, of Ghana.

Two unbeaten undefeated lefties collide in the top junior welterweight prelim when Treysean Wiggins, of Newburgh, NY, goes against hometown favorite Jerome Rodriguez, of nearby Allentown, PA, in a six-round contest.

Wiggins, 23, has knocked out all three of his professional opponents, but has only been able to secure three fights since turning pro three years ago. He ended a 30-month layoff March 10 when he K0d Duane Hall, of Rochester, NY, in the second round of their fight in Albany, NY.

His biggest win came Sept. 25, 2010, when he blitzed Jason Sosa, of Camden, NJ, in the first round at Bally’s Atlantic City.

Rodriguez, 26, is 3-0-1, 1 K0. He has boxed four times in the 12 months since he turned pro, with his most recent fight coming March 15 when he earned a six-round decision over Rafael Montalvo, of St. Clair, PA, at the Valley Forge (PA) Casino.

The other six-round junior welterweight match pits a prospect against a young vet as Hasan Young, of Philadelphia, PA, goes against Ariel Duran, of Queens, NY.

Young, 22, is 2-1-1, 1 K0, but has been in tough matches. He boxed a four-round draw with Rodriguez on year ago at the Sands, having accepted the fight on 36 hours and losing five pounds in that time period. He also was stopped by unbeaten prospect Emanuel Colon, of La Vegas, Colombia, in one of the best action-packed preliminary fights of 2012.

Duran, a young vet at 26, is 7-4-1, 4 K0s, having ended a 19-month layoff on April 19 when he lost a six-round majority decision to Julio DeJesus, of Millville, NJ.

A pair of four-round fights open the card at 6.30pm.

Junior middleweight Alex Trujillo, of Easton, PA, and Anthony Watson, of Philadelphia, a pair of lefties, collide over four rounds in the pro debut for each man. Plus, heavyweighs Randy Easton (0-1-1), of Williamsport, PA, takes on Billy Marks (pro debut), of Allentown.

ABOUT FRIDAY, JUNE 14

The Jennnings-Fedosov, Kovalev-White and Cruz-Narh fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. Doors open at 6:15pm ET. Tickets priced at $50 and $75 and $130 (luxury suites) can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and at all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com, and www.Ticketmaster.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Deja Brew, Inc., 101 West 4th Street (610-865-2739) and at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790). NBC Sports Network will televise the Jennings-Fedosov, Kovalev-White and Cruz-Narh fights, beginning at 8 pm ET, Friday, June 14th. The card is promoted by Main Events and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, Hitz Entertainment and Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

To find the location of the NBC Sports Network on your local cable, satellite or IPTV provider, visit: http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30092015/ns/sports/

Chicago, IL, Sunday, June 9, 2013–Reigning WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Champion “Fast” Fres Oquendo added both the NABA and WBC Silver Heavyweight titles to his resume on Saturday, June 8 as he beat hard working veteran Derric Rossy in front of an enthusiastic crowd of boxing fans during “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” at Hammond, Indiana’s The Venue inside of the Horseshoe casino.

Before the fight Oquendo, who is vying for a shot at the world title, predicted an early round knockout of Rossy.

“I want to take my hat of to this kid who came to my home town and fought a good fight. I hurt him several rounds,” said Oqeundo. “I just want to thank the crowd, I came to win and I did.”

Rossy complimented Oquendo after the fight.

“I give the respect to Fres, he does what he needs to do to win,” said Rossy. “He is crafty he knows what his doing. I thought the fight was closer than what is was.”

Super Middleweight Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez beat veteran Richard “Bobo” Starnino by technical knock out. Starnino, who had boxing legend Vinny Paz in his corner, withstood Jimenez’s punishment for three rounds before giving in at the 1:22 mark of the 4th round of scheduled six bout.

Hometown favorite Frankie “Time Bomb” gave his fans an early scare as he hit the canvass in the opening seconds of his match with Reymundo “The Prosecutor” Hernandez, however he quickly recovered and scored a knockout of his opponent at 2:08 into the first round of scheduled four rounder.

RESULTS
Fight #1
Welterweight: Sukhrab Shidaev (3-0, 3 KOs) of Hollywood, CA by way of Grozny, Russia stops Anthony Willis of Battle Creek, MI (1-3-1) with a TKO at 1:22 in the 2nd round of fight scheduled for four rounds. Referee Kurt Spivey.

Fight #2
Super Flyweight: Johnny “Wite Boi” Determan (7-0, 6 KOs) of Omaha, NE knocked out Ryan Raglin (1-6, 1 KO) of Indianapolis, IN at 1:50 in the 1st round of a fight scheduled for four rounds. Referee Eric Fetzer.

Fight #3
Heavyweight: Nick Asberry (2-0, 2 KO) of Waukegan, IL stops Tim “Fat Boy” Dunn (0-2) of Manitowoc, WI with a TKO at 1:46 of the 2nd round of a fight scheduled for 4 rounds. Referee Kurt Spivey

Fight #4
Light Middleweight: Ricky Smith (1-1) of Green Bay, WI beats Chad McKinney (1-2) of Chicago in a majority four round decision. Referee Eric Fetzer.

Fight #5
Welterweight: Roy Navarro (2-0) of Chicago beats Clifford “The Magician” McPherson (2-14-1) of Cleveland, OH, in a majority four round decision. Referee Kurt Spivey.

Fight #6
Super Featherweight: Fidel Navarrete (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Highland, IN stops Adam Alvarez (0-4) of Lansing, MI, with a TKO at 0:01 into the 2nd round of a fight scheduled for four rounds. Referee Eric Fetzer

Fight #7
Heavyweight Title Bout: WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight “Fast” Fres Oquendo (36-7, 23 KOs) of Chicago beats Derric Rossy (28-7, 14 KOs) of Medford, NY in a 10 round unanimous decision. Oquendo defended his WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight title and claimed the vacant NABA and WBC Silver Heavyweight titles. Referee Kurt Spivey

Fight #8
Super Middleweight: Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez (11-0, 8 KOs) of Chicago stops Richard “Bobo” Starnino (9-12-2), from Providence, RI, with a TKO at 1:22 into the 4th round of a fight scheduled for six rounds. Referee Eric Fetzer

Fight #9
Light Welterweight: Genaro Mendez of Chicago (6-1-1, 4 KOs) stops Antoine Elerson of Milwaukee, WI (1-6, 1 KO) with at 0:01 into the 3rd round of a fight scheduled for four rounds. Referee Kurt Spivey

Fight #10
Lightweight: Russell “Rocky” Fiore of Chicago (9-2, 7 KOs) knocked out Reggie “Two Gun” Nash (10-32-1) of Grand Rapids, MI, at 2:33 into the 2nd round of a fight scheduled for four rounds. Referee Eric Fetzer

Fight #11
Lightweight: Frank “Time Bomb” Scalise 7-1, 7 KO’s) of Chicago knocked out Reymundo “The Prosecutor” Hernandez (6-14, 6 KOs of Atchison, KS,at 2:08 into the 2nd round of a fight scheduled for four rounds. Referee Kurt Spivey

Fight #12
Light Heavyweight: Simon “The Punisher” Buettner (4-0) of Carpentersville, IL beats Cameron Allen (4-13, 2 KOs) of Battle Creek, MI, in a four round unanimous decision. Referee Eric Fetzer.

Marco Huck is still the WBO Cruiserweight World Champion. Before a massive crowd of 5,000 spectators at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany, he beat the previous interim titleholder Ola Afolabi. It was not the win itself that was so surprising but the way the 28-year-old achieved it. Throughout the whole twelve rounds he showed a disciplined performance and won on points by scores of 117:111, 115:113 and a confusing 114:114.

After a short-lived feeling-out it was the defending champion who took control with eye-catching combinations, which rattled his challenger. Afolabi tried to tire out Huck, by aiming for the German´s body most of the time but without much effect. Instead it was the Briton, who tired late in the championship rounds. Besides putting his well-known warrior’s mentality on display, Huck was counter-punching Afolabi for most of the fight.

“Today, I proved that I am first and foremost a boxer and not just a warrior inside the ring,” said Huck after the fight, his eleventh defense of the WBO Title. “This time, I was in tip-top shape – unlike to last year’s clash with Afolabi, where I was nowhere to my current level of fitness. I was focused on the task ahead of me and it showed.”

Huck’s coach Ulli Wegner agreed with his prodigy: “I can only praise Marco for this win. The way he fought from the beginning to the end was close to a perfect performance of him. Afolabi might be the more refined boxer of the two but tonight he lost against the better man and the better strategy.”

“I gave my best but it wasn´t enough. Huck is the rightful winner as I have no excuses at all,” Afolabi confirmed afterwards, his third loss in 25 fights. His coach Fritz Sdunek was also disappointed: “I thought that Ola might pull the fight around in round ten but Marco upset our plan.”

Huck, who now has 36 victories to his name, feels ready for a rematch against mandatory challenger Firat Arslan, who was watching from ringside. “I want to give the fans some even more spectacular fights and prove that I am able to beat everyone in convincing fashion.”

In the main support, Robert Woge defended his IBF Intercontinental Championship against capable southpaw Dariusz Sek. The 29-year-old light heavyweight showed improvements in his defense and already knocked down his opponent in the opening stanza. Still, the fight went the distance with the judges scoring it 114:113, 118:110 and 117:110 in Woge’s favor, who remains unbeaten in twelve professional bouts.

Also on the card, another light heavyweight from Team Sauerland won the vacant WBA Intercontinental Title as Eduard Gutknecht dominated Richard Vidal by scores of 120:108, 120:108 and 119:109.

Hammond, IN, Saturday, June 8, 2013–Regardless who wins the title bout between Fres Oquendo of Chicago, IL and Derric Rossy of Medford, NY the WBA Fedelatin, vacant NABA and WBC Silver Heavyweight belts will be in the hands of a Puerto Rican American. As the two men faced off during Friday’s weigh-in in advance of tonight’s “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” presented by Bobby Hitz, the room was buzzing in anticipation. Tickets are available at the Horseshoe box office and the fight is available via a Ustream PPV webcast ($9.99) at HitzBoxing.com.

Oquendo (35-7, 23 KOs), who is ranked fifth in the world, currently holds the WBA Fedelatin title, while both the NABA and WBC Silver belts are vacant.

“He is just another opponent. I am going to knock Derric Rossy out in the second or third round,” predicted Oquendo who weighed in at 226 pounds.

Rossy (28-6, 14KOs), who is fresh off of a victory of Travis Walker, has won three of his last four fights. He appeared confident and relaxed. He savored the opportunity pull off an upset and win all three belts.

“I’m feeling really good. I look forward to picking up three belts, its going to be a good fight,” said Rossy who weighed in at 239 pounds.

Oquendo is hoping for a shot at the world title and at 40 years old a loss to a very hungry Rossy, who is eight years his junior at 32, could derail those plans.

“Fres is on track and he looks good, but Rossy is impressive and could pull and upset,” said Hitz. “I am really looking forward to this fight. The fans are in for a treat.”

Rossy has sparred with impressive Polish heavyweight Tomasz Adamek who has recently been rumored to be a future Oquendo opponent.

Oquendo was born in Puerto Rico, while Rossy, who was born in the United States is of Puerto Rican descent.

Juan Carlos Sanchez scored a twelve round unnaimous deicison over previously undefeated Roberto Domingo Sosa at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Sanchez, who was the IBF Super Flyweight champion lost his title on the scales on Friday as he weighed in one-halh and then two-tenths of a pound over the 115 pound weight limit. Had Sosa won the fight he would have been able to become world champion.

Scores were 117-110, 117-110 and 116-111 for Sanchez who is now 16-1-1. Sosa is now 24-1.

Jesus Gutierrez scored a four round unanimous decision over Daniel Calazada in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Gutierrez, 141 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas and is now 8-0. Calzada, 140 1/2 lbs of Denver 7-8-2.

Andrey Klimov scored a ten round majority decision over former world title challenger John Molina Jr. in a Lightweight bout at the Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Washington.

Not much happened over the first couple rounds. Klimov started to bleed over the left eye in round three. Molina punctuated that round with a hard right. Molina rocked Klimov in round four with hard a hard left hook that sent Klimov’s mouthpiece flying. Klimov started jabbing well in round five.

Molina upped the pressure to begin round six. Klimov continued to peck with shots while Molina landed some hard rights like he did in round eight But it was the activity of Klimov that won out as he was able to win the majority decision by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95.

Klimob of Russia is now 16-0. Molina, 137 ½ lbs of Covina, CA is now 25-3.

Farah Ennis scored a ten round unanimous decision over Anthony Hanshaw in a Super Middleweight bout.
Ennis looked decent early as he featured his right hand. Hanshaw started to control the middle rounds as he became busier while Ennis only punched in inconsistent spurts. Ennis took over in round nine as he hurt Hanshaw with a couple of right hands. Hanshaw seemed to be losing his legs and it was proven as he was dropped with a left hook as the final round began. Ennis had Hanshaw hurt several times before the end of the fight but was unable to score a knockout.

Ennis, 168.8 lbs of Philadelphia won by scored of 96-93, 96-93 and 95-94 and is now 21-1. Hanshaw is now 23-3-2.

Nick Brinson scored the biggest win of his career when he scored a ten round unanimous decision pver power punching Jorge Melendez in a Middleweight bout at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY

Brinson was very effective early as he came out the aggressor as he landed some hard rights while Melendez was conservative. The two had a nice exchange in round three where it was evident that Brinson had the hand speed advantage. Round four was a memorable round as it was Brinson who struck first with a right to the body then a left-right combination that sent Melendez to the canvas.

Brinson continued to land with the right until later in the round where Melendez landed a huge left hook that rocked and froze Brinson and referee Charlie Fitch administered an eight count to a badly hurt Brinson. Brinson was able to survive the onslaught of Melendez and get out of the round.

Brinson continued to dominate in the center of the ring as he landed some sweet looking combinations and mixing in an body punch. In round eight, Brinson landed a few more combinations for which Melendez had no answer for.

Brinson, 157 ¾ lbs of Albany, NY won by scores of 99-90, 98-91 and 96-92 and is now 15-1-2. Melendez. 158 lbs of Bayamon, PR is now 27-2-1.

Jeffrey Fontanez remained undefeated as he narrowly took an eight round split decision over veteran Alejandro Rodriguez in a Lightweight bout.

Fontanez was effective early with the right hand while Rodriguez looked to work the body. Over the first half of the fight, Fontanez had a 67-29 edge in punches landed. Fontanez then took after Rodriguez and worked the body and was racking up the rounds. The fight almost became a disaster for Fontanez as he ate a looping right that sent Fontanez to the deck at the end of round seven. Fontanez did well to steady himself in round eight but Rodriguez took the round but came up a tad short on the decision
.
Fontanez, 132 lbs of Caguas, PR won by scores of 78-73 and 77-74 and is now 12-0. Rodriguez, 132 lbs of Guadalajara, MX took a third card by a 76-75 tally and is now 19-11.

LINCOLN, R.I. (June 7th, 2013) – After doing his best to avoid the constant questions for the past few months, John “Doomsday” Howard made his intentions clear after yet another dominant win Friday night at Twin River Casino.

“I might piss some people off, but I want to fight for the [Ultimate Fighting Championships],” said the former UFC veteran from Boston. “I’ll fight for free on the Boston card [in August].”

Howard (20-7, 9 KOs) might get his chance after another knockout win in the main event of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports’ “New Blood” show Friday night. Howard made quick work of veteran Georgia middleweight Chris Woodall (12-4), scoring the knockout win with a series of unanswered strikes at the 2-minute, 14-second mark of the opening round. The win was the sixth in a row for Howard and fifth consecutive win by knockout since the UFC released him two years ago.

“John is the man in this weight class,” Woodall said. “When he gets back to the UFC, he’s going to dominate.”

The co-main event featured what might’ve been the final fight for Providence light heavyweight Greg “Ribz” Rebello (15-5), who suffered a tough, split-decision loss to Williamsport, Pa., native Lewis Rumsey (9-8), 27-30, 29-28, 28-29, and announced it would be his final fight after a stellar career in which he won 11 consecutive fights between 2011 and 2012.

“This is a young’s man game,” Rebello said. “I’ve got a baby daughter and a family at home. This is my last fight.”

Neither Rumsey or Rebello did much in terms of striking, but Rumsey earned the win by stuffing most of Rebello’s takedown attempts and preventing Rebello from establishing his presence. Fatigue was also a factor.

“I just hit a wall,” Rebello said. “I felt a little over-trained. At some point in the first round, I felt that adrenaline dump.”

On the undercard, Woonsocket, R.I., bantamweight Andre Soukhamthath improved to 5-1 and won his fifth consecutive fight in his toughest test to date, defeating Branford, Conn., veteran Blair Tugman (5-5) by unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-27, 29-28. Tugman tweaked Soukhamthath leading up to the fight by calling his opponent a “big fish in a small pond,” but Soukhamthath kept Tugman from taking the fight to the ground and dominated with his hands to win the fight easily despite a late surge by Tugman.

East Providence, R.I., lightweight Nate “The Snake” Andrews (5-0) also stepped up the level of competition, facing the tough veteran Jeff Anderson (11-8) of Lincoln, and won convincingly, choking out Anderson via rear-naked choke at 1:41 opening round while former UFC vet Chuck O’Neil (11-5) shook off an early scare from last-minute replacement Ralph Johnson (5-6) of Worcester, Mass., absorbing a big right hand to the start the fight, and eventually finished Johnson at the 1:30 mark of the opening round with a rear-naked choke. The Bridgewater, Mass., welterweight has now won back-to-back fights at Twin River after beating Keith Jeffrey in December.

Trained by veteran Scott Rehm, amateur welterweight standout Brian Sparrow (1-0) of Sandwich, Mass., put on an impressive performance in his professional debut, submitting fellow newcomer Ruben Ortiz (0-1) of Providence fifty-nine seconds into the third round via rear-naked choke. Ortiz, who trains out of former boxer Gary Balletto’s gym in Providence, hung in through two rounds with Sparrow, but Sparrow’s dominant reach – he entered the fight with a six-inch reach advantage – proved to be the difference, keeping Ortiz from using his boxing background to his advantage. Sparrow sunk in the choke early in the third and applied the pressure before Ortiz tapped.

Entering Friday having lost six consecutive fights, Williamsport, Pa., bantamweight Joshua Aarons (2-6) earned a huge win against hometown favorite Joe Reverdes (1-3) of Providence, submitting Reverdes via the guillotine at the 1:39 mark of the third round following two back-and-forth rounds. Aarons had youth on his side (27 years old, compared to Reverdes, who entered the cage at 39), but had a tough time dealing with Reverdes’ stand-up game until he took the fight to the canvas in the third round.

Making his highly-anticipated debut after a celebrated amateur career, bantamweight Sophanarith Am (1-0) of Braintree, Mass., rallied brilliantly against the gritty Carlos Hernandez (1-1) of Lynn, Mass., finishing Hernandez via rear-naked choke at the 2:25 mark of the third round. Hernandez looked strong in the first two rounds, but Am rebounded to earn the finish with his back against the wall in the third. Bombsquad veteran Ahsan Abdullah (4-3, 1 KO) of Cortland, N.Y., stopped Coventry, R.I., featherweight Shaun Marmas (5-5) at the 4:01 mark of the second round and Providence welterweight Eric Spicely (2-0) remained unbeaten after submitting newcomer Tundee Odumosu (0-1) of Johnston, R.I., via rear-naked choke at 1:41 of Round 1.

HITZ BOXING FIGHT NIGHT AT THE HORSESHOE
June 8, 2013 — HORSESHOE CASINO, HAMMOND, IN

RED CORNER

BLUE CORNER

Anthony Willis
Battle Creek, MI
1-2-1
150.5
Welterweights–4 Rounds
vs

Sukhrab Shidaev
Hollywood, CA, by way of
Grozy, Russia
2-0, 2KOs
152.5

Ryan Raglin
Indianapolis, IN
1-5, 1KO
124
Super Flyweights — 6 Rounds
vs

Johnny Determan
Omaha, NE
6-0, 5KOs
123

Tim Dunn
Manitowoc, WI
0-1
282.5
Heavyweights — 4 Rounds
vs

Nick Asberry
Waukegan, IL
1-0, 1KO
240

Ricky Smith
Green Bay, WI
0-1
155
Light Middleweight — 4 Round
vs

Chad McKinney
Chicago, IL
1-1
153

Clifford McPherson
Cleveland, OH
Veteran of 15 fights
153
Welterweights-4 Rounds
vs

Roy Navarro
Chicago, IL
1-0
145

Adam Alvarez
Lansing, MI
0-3
130.5
Super Featherweights — 4 Rounds
vs

Fidel Navarrete
Highland, IN
0-0-1
128.5

Derric Rossy
Medford, NY
28-6, 14KOs
239
MAIN EVENT
Heavyweight– 10 Rounds
vs
TITLE FIGHT
WBA FEDALATIN (Oquendo)
NABA (Vacant)

Fres Oquendo
Chicago, IL
35-7, 23 KOs
226

Mike Starnino
Providence, RI
Veteran of 20 fights
168.5
Super Middleweight — 6 Rounds
vs
CO-FEATURE

Mike Jimenez
Chicago, IL
10-0, 7KOs
170

Antoine Elerson
Milwaukee, WI
1-5, 1KO
145.5
Light Welterweights — 4 Rounds
vs

Genaro Mendez
Chicago, IL
5-1-1, 3KOs
145.5

Reggie Nash
Grand Rapids, MI
Veteran of 42 fights
138
Lightweight — 4 Rounds
vs

Russell Fiore
Chicago, IL
8-2, 6KOs
137.5
Reymundo Hernandez
Atchison, KS
Veteran of 19 fights
136.5
Lightweights– 4 Rounds
vs
CO-FEATURE
Frank Scalise
Chicago, IL
6-1, 6 KOs
136
Cameron Allen
Battle Creek, MI
Veteran of 16 fights
170
Light Heavyweights–4 rounds
vs
Simon Buettner
Carpentersville, IL
3-0
173.5

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 YouTube which has amassed over 4 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.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 Native American boxing standout, “Comanche Boy” George Tahdooahnippah continued his efforts of speaking among tribes, extending his message of health and education to the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida. Tahdooahnippah spoke at two Seminole Indian Reservations, at the Recreation Center in the Big Cypress Reservation and also the Recreation Center at the Hollywood Reservation in Hollywood, FL. The speaking engagements were focused on the communities and school children.

“Speaking to the Seminoles of Florida was insightful,” Tahdooahnippah said. “I wish I had more time to listen and learn more about their culture and ways. It is inspiring to see how other Native American tribes function and feel even more honored as a special guest. Tahdooahnippah plans to return to the ring later this summer.

FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

“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.

Comanche Boy Productions 2013

www.comancheboy.com

NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY (June 7, 2013)—On Friday night June 14th, once-beaten Featherweight contender, Jorge “King” Diaz returns to the ring and the national stage as he will take place In the ten round co-featured when he takes on Yenifel Vicente at the South Mountain Arena in West Orange, NJ.

The Diaz – Vicente fight will be part of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights and is promoted by GH3 Promotions, Pound for Pound Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions.

Diaz of New Brunswick, New Jersey has a record of 17-1 with ten knockouts and the New Brunswick, New Jersey native sees this as an incredible opportunity to put himself back in prime position in the Featherweight division.

Diaz has prepared very hard and sees Vicente as the perfect opponent to look good against.

“The training has been up to par. I see him as a tough opponent who likes to come forward and doesn’t mind exchanging fire”, said Diaz

“This is a great opportunity to showcase what I have been working on”

Diaz will look to win back some of the critics and fans who may have jumped off the bandwagon after March 26, 2011 thrilling defeat to future world title challenger Teon Kennedy in Atlantic City.

“This is a second title fight to me. This is America, the home of the free and land of the second chance. This is a second chance for me to get to where I have to get to”

Diaz likes his chances against the tough fighter from the Dominican Republic, who boasts a record of 24-1-2 with 16 knockouts.

“1-2-3, The bell goes ding, out comes the guy from across the ring. As I knock him off his feet, the crowd goes crazy for the King”, finished up the poetic Diaz

Tickets are priced at $35, $50, $75, and $100 Ringside (Rows 1-2). VIP Tables for 10 are also available that include dinner. To purchase, please call 888.612.4191.

On fight night, doors open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 7:30. The Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange, New Jersey.

AS VEGAS, NEV. (June 7, 2013) — Legends MIKE TYSON, SUGAR RAY LEONARD and OSCAR DE LA HOYA head up the list to be feted at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

The star-studded inaugural class of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame will be officially inducted in a gala dinner on Saturday, August 10, at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino.

Tickets for the event, ranging from $50 to $250, will go on sale on This Monday! June 10, at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT at the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame website at http://nvbhof.com.

The 19 inductees represent some of the best in the sport’s glorious history in Nevada and includes 12 who are already in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

The Hall’s board of directors selected the 19 enshrinees in eight categories: Nevada resident boxers; Non-Nevada resident boxers; Officials; Trainers; Promoters; Media; Executives; and Special Contributors.

“A true Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame has been long overdue, considering this state’s rich tradition in the sport,” NVBHOF founder and CEO Rich Marotta said. “The NVBHOF is ready to honor the significant contributors to boxing in Nevada. Our board of directors has been pointing to this night and is planning a gala, Las Vegas-worthy event. The Nevada boxing community comes together August 10.”

Some of boxing’s greatest champions and most well known names are among those who will be honored at the Monte Carlo.

Former undisputed heavyweight champion “Iron” Mike Tyson, former three-division world champion Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum and two-division world champion Diego “Chico” Corrales were chosen in the Nevada resident category.

The non-Nevada resident category is comprised of nothing but members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame: Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes; 1976 Olympic gold medalist and multiple division world champion Sugar Ray Leonard; Julio César Chávez, México’s greatest boxer; and Oscar De La Hoya, boxing’s biggest pay-per-view star and a world title-holder in six weight classes.

The legendary Eddie Futch and Freddie Roach were chosen in the Trainers category. In the Officials category, open to both referees and judges, voters selected Mills Lane and Joe “Fair But Firm” Cortez.

Long-time Showtime and ESPN broadcaster Al Bernstein and former Las Vegas Review-Journal boxing writer Royce Feour are the inductees in Media.

Bob Arum of Top Rank and Don King of Don King Productions, arguably the two greatest promoters in the sport’s history, are going in together in the Promoters’ division.

Two long-time contributors to the Nevada Athletic Commission, former executive director Marc Ratner and ex-commissioner Dr. James Nave, were the picks in the Executives division.

And in the Special Contributors class, chosen were MGM Grand owner Kirk Kerkorian and Las Vegas power broker Sig Rogich.

In addition to inducting its first class, the NVBHOF will announce selections for male and female professional Fighter of the Year from Nevada; its Nevada Fight of the Year; as well as its Nevada Prospect and Amateur of the Year.

Gold Circle Ringside VIP tickets are $250 apiece or $2,500 for a table of 10. The ticket includes dinner, preferred seating and other amenities to be announced shortly. Ringside tickets are $150 per ticket or $1,500 for a table of 10. It includes dinner and a seat for the gala. A limited number of $50 General Admission tickets that do not include dinner but will allow access to the gala, will also be available.

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity organization committed to helping boxing-related causes. In keeping with its mission, the NVBHOF will award its donations to several groups, organizations, clubs and schools working hard to promote the positive aspects of boxing.

You can “like” NVBHOF on Facebook (facebook.com/nvbhof) and follow it on Twitter (@nvbhof). For more information on the Hall of Fame, the induction ceremony or the Hall’s mission, phone 775-384-1903 or visit its website at http://nvbhof.com.

Tonight at 9:00 p.m. on MSG Network’s Friday Night Fights, hosted by John Duddy and Mark Breland: Alexis Arguello vs. Aaron Pryor II (9/9/83).

This classic rematch of their November 1982 fight found Alexis Arguello and Aaron Pryor exchanging blows for nine strong rounds until Pryor’s 10th Round uppercut stunned Arguello and a barrage of secondary punches sent him to the mat for good. In the post fight interview, Arguello is asked if his great left hand is retiring and he responds “and the right one too.”

“As we hear the bell at the end of Round 4, Arguello was making his way to the wrong corner,” Duddy comments.

“When you fight for Emanuel Stewart, he keeps you calm in the corner,” says Breland about Pryor’s trainer after the 9th Round. “What he’s telling him right now is keep throwing the short shots to the body and then bring the hook back. Arguello just keeps coming, but Pryor is starting to break him down by moving side to side and keeping busy.”

Friday Night Fights is part of MSG Network’s Summer Block Party. For more information go to www.msg.com/summer and join the conversation on Twitter with @MSGNetworks.

Fortaleza, Brazil – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® and the Government of the State of Ceara today participated in a ceremonial tree planting as part of an initiative that will make THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER® BRASIL 2 FINALE: NOGUEIRA vs. WERDUM 100% carbon neutral. The UFC® marked its participation in the Government’s carbon offset action initiative, known as Ceara Carbono Zero, on the heels of World Environment Day, June 5, 2013, at Cocó Park in Fortaleza.

In 2011 the Ceara State Government began a carbon emissions policy under the guidelines of the Ceara Carbono Zero strategy. The strategy emphasizes support to renewable energy investments (specifically solar and wind power), the protection of the biodiversity of the Caatinga (a semi-arid scrub forest situated in the northeast of Brazil), the implementation of the solid waste policy, as well as a set of overall efforts to mitigate and compensate emissions.

The State Government laid out a set of actions aimed to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at important events set to take place in Ceara throughout the next several years, such as the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Confederation Cup and Saturday’s UFC event. The Government will work with the Federal University of Ceará to calculate the carbon emissions stemming from the UFC event.

The State Government’s carbon offset action develops an inventory of all carbon emission from transportation and operation of an event, including travel by the public to the event venue, the calculation of total greenhouse gas emissions – using the United Nations approved Greenhouse Gas Protocol, adjusted to local environmental conditions – and the compensation of emissions through the planting of trees, using native species to protect and preserve the local ecosystem.

“As a global leader in sports, the UFC is thrilled that its event can serve as a platform for bringing awareness and further helping the State Government’s environmentally conscious initiative,” said UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. “With athletes and fans from all over the world, we are proud to do our part in reducing the carbon footprint of UFC’s live event this week in Fortaleza.”

UFC Brazil Head of Operations, Grace Tourinho, UFC No.4 light heavyweight Glover Teixeira, UFC No.5 welterweight Demian Maia and UFC Octagon Girl™ Camila Oliveira participated in the ceremonial planting of native tree species alongside Mr. Paulo Lustosa, President of the environmental council of the Ceara State Government and Mr. Gony Arruda, Secretary of State of the Ceara State Government, at Cocó Park. They planted the following selection of trees: Tecoma stans – Ipê-Amarelo-de-jardim, Pithecellobium diversifolium – Jurema-Branca and Piptadenia moniliformis – Catanduva. The remaining tress will be planted in an environmentally sensitive area defined by the State of Ceara.

“It means a lot to me to be a part of this historic initiative in my home country,” said Teixeira. “I’m a country guy, I love nature. I’ve worked in the farms and fields of Brazil and I know how important the environment, and everything that it produces, is to families and communities. I wish the whole country could create projects like Ceara Carbono Zero and involve all the other major sports events.”

Camila Oliveira, Demian Maia, Gony Arruda, Paulo Lustosa, Glover Teixeira, Grace Tourinho and Sergio Mello – IMX Vice President of Operations and Special Events

Sergio Mello, Glover Teixeira, Paulo Lustosa, Gony Arruda, Demian Maia, Camila Oliveira and Grace Tourinho

Glover Teixeira and local students at Cocó Park in Fortaleza.
About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Universally recognized for its action-packed, can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually. The UFC is the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world with events distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice. In 2012, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, moving to FOX Sports 1 in September 2013.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 28 different languages. UFC content is also distributed commercially in the United States to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions, in English throughout Canada via Premium Sports Broadcasting Inc. and Australia via Main Event and in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with nearly 2.4 million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs and video games, UFC FIT®, an in-home fitness and nutrition program, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.

CARSON, CALIF. (June 7, 2013) – Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer announced at the outset of yesterday’s final press conference that he expects The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., to be sold out for the exciting fight card headlined by Marcos Maidana vs. Josesito Lopez this Saturday, June 8 on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME® (10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT).

“The venue has 8,279 seats and there are only about 800 seats left on sale so we definitely will have a sell-out,” Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions said. “That shows that cumulatively this card is the single best card we have had here in Carson.”

“I was talking with my good friend Dan Beckerman, the President and CEO of AEG and he was telling me that there has only been one event in the history of boxing here in Carson that has been a sell-out and that was the Antonio Margarito fight in 2007 against Paul Williams. Whenever there’s a fight in Carson it always elevates the crowd and the fighters. It’s a hotbed for boxing, has been called the mecca of boxing in Southern California and I agree with that,” Schaefer continued.

“I think that week after week (Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports) Stephen Espinoza is kicking ass at SHOWTIME. There’s only one brand in boxing right now and that’s SHOWTIME, the undisputed leader in boxing.”

In what is expected to be a non-stop action slugfest in the 12-round main event, hard-hitting Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (33-3, 30 KO’s), of Margarita, Argentina defends his WBA Intercontinental Welterweight Championship against “The Riverside Rocky’’ Josesito Lopez (30-5, 18 KO’s) of Riverside, Calif.
Two additional 12-round battles top off the Golden Boy Promotions promoted event. In a classic puncher vs. boxer matchup, exciting Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-2, 18 KO’s) of Los Angeles, meets classy Cuban Erislandy Lara (17-1-2, 11 KO’s) of Houston, Texas for the vacant WBA Interim Super Welterweight World Championship and Demetrius Hopkins (33-2-1, 13 KO’s) of Philadelphia, Penn. takes on undefeated Jermell Charlo (20-0, 10 KO’s) of Houston, Texas for Hopkins’ USBA Junior Middleweight Championship and Charlo’s WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship.

Matchups for the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast (8:00 p.m. ET/PT) include undefeated Yoshihiro Kamegai (22-0-1, 19 KO’s) of Sapporo, Japan taking on former World Champion Johan Perez (16-1-1, 12 KO’s) Caracas, Venezuela in a 10-round clash for the vacant WBA International Welterweight Championship, former USC football player Gerald Washington (7-0, 5 KO’s) of Los Angeles facing veteran Sherman Williams (35-12-2, 19 KO’s) of Vero Beach, Florida in an 8-round heavyweight battle and (time permitting) 2012 U.S. Olympian Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (4-0, 2 KO’s) of South El Monte, Calif. squaring off against Rigoberto Casillas (8-10-1, 6 KO’s) San Diego in a four/six round junior featherweight battle.

Remaining tickets, priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are available at AXS.com or by phone at 1-888-9-AXS-TIX (1-888-929-7849), as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.

Here’s what the fighters and their trainers said Thursday at The Home Depot Center:

MARCOS MAIDANA

“If Lopez is willing, this is going to be a total toe-to-toe slugfest from start to finish. Fans know what they’re going to get from me. I come to brawl.

“For me, all my fights are very, very important. This fight is very important because a win means I keep progressing. I need to win so I can keep fighting higher-rated opponents.

“I’ve been in this position before, so I’m used to fighting on my opponent’s home turf, but I’ve been training in Oxnard for three months, so I am pretty acclimated to the area. Working with my trainer Robert Garcia has been great.

“I’m very excited. There’s no pressure. To me, the pressure is on Josesito. The fight is in his backyard.

“I want to thank my team, Golden Boy and SHOWTIME for this opportunity. I am very well-prepared. Come Saturday, we will do everything that we’ve worked on in camp.

“Lopez’ promoter (Ken Thompson) says I’m going to get knocked out. Words are easy, but it won’t be that easy. It’s very easy to talk as a spectator. Let him (Thompson) get in there.”

JOSESITO LOPEZ

“We’re definitely going to light up the city on Saturday night.

“I’m ready and very well-prepared for what will be the most difficult fight of my career. It’ll be great to have the fans behind me. I fight to please the fans. That’s my style. I want to put on a show, but I know I have to fight smart.

“This will be an all-action fight with the two best welterweights in the world going at it and trading their best shots. I’m not going to predict a knockout, but I don’t see how this fight can end any other way.

“These kinds of fights bring out the best in me. Maidana is one of the most dangerous guys out there, but I’m ready to prove myself again. As a fan, I am excited about this fight. Even before the fight was signed I knew this would be a great fight.

“This is such a great opportunity for me. Moving up to fight at 154 pounds against Canelo Alvarez was also a great opportunity, but that wasn’t my weight class. I feel stronger and taller at 147. Going into this fight, I feel like I did before I fought Victor Ortiz. I know I need to get Maidana’s respect and the way to do that is to fight him. I’m really looking forward to Saturday.”

ALFREDO ANGULO

“I want to thank everybody involved for this opportunity. I’ve always wanted to fight a great Cuban fighter. I never had the opportunity before, but now I do. I know some people were surprised that I took this fight, but I’ve always wanted to fight the best. Why fight a guy who isn’t ranked?

“I’ve worked extremely hard for this. I’m ready to fight. Lara is a great boxer with a lot of skills. I know I can’t let him dictate the pace or fight his fight.

“If you want to know how I’m going to do it, how I’m going to make him fight my fight, buy a ticket or tune in on SHOWTIME. Whether he comes to fight, or comes to run, I’ll see him in the ring on Saturday.”

ERISLANDY LARA

“I’m very happy to be in this fight against Angulo and I want to thank America for the opportunity to fight this Saturday.

“I’ve done tremendous work and I’m ready to fight. I’m focused on this fight and only this fight. Angulo is a good, strong fighter, one of the best in the division, so there is no way I’m taking him lightly. This is a great fight for fans, a chance to see two of the best 154-pounders in the world.

“The key in this fight for me is to work and put consistent damage on him. I want to be the clear-cut winner of every round.

“This will be the fourth time in my last six fights that I am fighting a top-10 contender. I keep proving myself fight in and fight out.”

DEMETRIUS HOPKINS

“I’ve been down this road before. I just have to be me, fight aggressively and fight my fight. At this stage of my career it’s do or die.

“This will be Charlo’s toughest fight. No one has ever tested him like I’m going to test him. I’m ready to show the fans the very best of Demetrius Hopkins.’’

JERMELL CHARLO

“Fans can expect a good action fight. I’m preparing for a great fight and a great performance. You get out of boxing what you put into it and I work very hard. I’ll be ready for anything he has to offer.

“On paper, this looks like possibly my toughest fight. We’ll see how it turns out on Saturday.

“I feel like I’m on the verge of really making a big move; my twin brother, Jermall, too. It was an honor to spar with him during camp.

“On Saturday, I’m going to do what I do. I’ll be aggressive, I’ll box, I’ll do whatever it takes. I’m coming for a knockout but I’m ready to go 12 rounds. A victory keeps me right on track. At the end of the day, you will know who I am and want I stand for.”

YOSHIHIRO KAMEGAI

“This is my third fight in the United States and first in Los Angeles. I’ve been training in Las Vegas for the last five weeks and I had a great camp. I’m looking forward to having the best performance that I can.

“Even though I’m Japanese, I hope you’ll be rooting for me on Saturday.”

JOHAN PEREZ

“I’m very excited, well-prepared and I’m coming to get the victory. I don’t know too much about my opponent except that he comes well-regarded. I’m ready.

The important thing is to give the fans a great fight. That’s what it’s all about.”

GERALD WASHINGTON

“I’m very excited about fighting for the first time on television. I’ve worked hard. I want to get to the top. This is the next step.’’

JOSEPH “JO JO” DIAZ JR.

“It’s going to be awesome fighting on Saturday night and I’m really looking forward to it. This is a great card for Los Angeles and I’m excited to be part of it. I know I’m going to have a lot of fans supporting me and I can’t wait to be able to showcase my skills in front of all of them.

“Casillas has a lot of experience and some good knockouts, but I’m ready to outbox him and put on a show.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Maidana’s Trainer

“We’re going to be ready for a war because that’s what this fight will be. Josesito has tremendous heart, a tremendous chin and is always in such good condition. We have to be ready for 12 hard, brutal rounds.

“With Maidana, we’ve been working on using his jab a lot and going side to side, but we also have to be realistic; we might not have a chance to use any of that. We may just have to go to war because that’s what Lopez brings. We’re prepared for whatever we have to do inside the ring.”

HENRY RAMIREZ, Lopez’s Trainer

“It’s been a long camp and we’re ready to go. This entire card is stacked from top to bottom. Both of the main event guys are warriors in the ring. Maidana is a big puncher and Josesito has that never-say-die attitude.

“This is the best venue in Southern California for boxing. There’s no bad seat in the house. There’s going to be more than 8,200 loud fans watching this fight on Saturday night.”

VIRGIL HUNTER, Angulo’s Trainer

“With Alfredo it’s really about his conditioning right now. You’re looking at a guy who was incarcerated for seven months. He was unable to workout or exercise or do anything physical. That leads to a lot of deterioration, especially for a prizefighter. Then you have the mental side of it where you have the head guy telling you you’ll never get out of there.

“The concentration has been with the conditioning. You can’t teach much if he’s not in the condition to apply it, so the conditioning has been first and foremost and our priority.”

RONNIE SHIELDS, (Lara and Charlo’s Trainer)

“We’ve trained very hard and are ready. This is what we do for a living so of course we’re ready.

“Erislandy Lara is a boxer, that’s what he does. I think he’s going to surprise Angulo with the way he can punch. He’s a pure boxer. Angulo says, ‘He should be a man and stand up and fight.’ That’s what he wants. He wants to fight his fight. I’m sorry to tell him that he’s going to have to fight our fight.

“Jermell Charlo is just such a hard worker. He shows up to the gym everyday ready to work. He’s trying to hone his craft and he asks a lot of questions. He trains the same way each time, regardless of who it is. It doesn’t make any difference. He loves to fight the best guys out there. Demetrius (Hopkins) is the next guy we have to go through to get to the next level.”

ABOUT “MAIDANA VS. LOPEZ”:
Maidana vs. Lopez, a 12-round fight for Maidana’s WBA Intercontinental Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The tripleheader will take place on Saturday, June 8 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Maidana vs. Lopez is presented in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions. Also featured will be a 12-round showdown between all-action warrior Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and top rated super welterweight contender Erislandy Lara for the vacant WBA Interim Super Welterweight World Championship which is presented in association with Blue Wave Group and a 12-round fight between veteran Demetrius Hopkins and unbeaten phenom Jermell Charlo for Hopkins’ USBA Junior Middleweight Championship and Charlo’s WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.sports.sho.com
and www.homedepotcenter.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/shosports, www.twitter.com/HomeDepotCenter,
www.twitter.com/ChinoMaidana, www.twitter.com/JosesitoLopez, www.twitter.com/ElPerro82, www.twitter.com/LaraBoxing, www.twitter.com/TwinCharlo, follow the conversation using #MaidanaLopez and become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/HomeDepotCenter.

LOS ANGELES, June 7 – During what most thought would be a normal fight week for Golden Boy Promotions came a surprise when Chief Executive Officer Richard Schaefer called a staff meeting to announce several changes to the Los Angeles based company’s staff. During the meeting, he announced that after six years of service, COO David Itskowitch has decided to leave the company in search of other opportunities and, as a result, boxing’s leading promoter will be making several staffing changes including that current CMO Bruce Binkow will now also serve as COO and that long time Golden Boy VP of Operations Armando Gaytan will assume the newly created position of Deputy Chief Operating Officer and will also be named Senior Vice President of Operations. Other changes include Chief of Staff Robert Gasparri also taking on the role of VP of Operations, Outside Counsel Arnold Joseph joining the staff full time as General Counsel, Director of Communications and Events Monica Sears being promoted to VP of Operations and Digital Marketing Coordinator Nicole Sparks moving up to Director of Marketing. Assuming the public relations functions that Sears will leave behind will be former Golden Boy staffer Marylyn Aceves who will rejoin the company to take the newly created position of VP of Public Relations.

Said Richard Schaefer: “Given his contributions to Golden Boy Promotions over the past six years, David Itskowitch’s departure from the company is significant and he will be missed, but with the restructuring we have implemented installing Bruce Binkow as the COO/CMO and promoting Armando Gaytan to Deputy COO/SVP of Operations, coupled with the top notch staff that we have in place, we will have a smooth transition that will ensure the continued success of Golden Boy Promotions. I have every confidence that we will grow and thrive in the coming years as we have since the company was founded.”

“It has been an extremely rewarding six years working with Oscar, Richard and all of my colleagues at Golden Boy Promotions, who have become a second family to me,” said David Itskowitch. “However, at this stage of my career, I’ve decided that it is time for me to explore other opportunities in the sports world.”

“I’m extremely excited about taking on the added responsibilities of the role of Chief Operating Officer, said Bruce Binkow. “While Dave is leaving behind big shoes to fill, I’m confident that with the promotions and staff augmentations that have been implemented, we won’t miss a beat.”

Itskowitch will remain with the company until July 31 in order to assist with the transition of his duties to others on the staff.

Aceves will officially assume her position on June 10 while Joseph will come aboard full time on September 1 and will relocate from Philadelphia to Los Angeles.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and visit us on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page.

London (7 June) Young heavyweight star Hughie Fury is looking for his fifth straight professional win this weekend at Glow, Bluewater.

Since his debut in March, the 6’7″ teenager has fought in Canada, New York, Belfast, and Romania and on Saturday night he will be looking for his fourth knockout on home soil.

After a confident and composed two-round demolition of Janos Finfera, in Romania, in his last fight, Hughie takes on tough Czech Republic fighter Ladislav Kovarik.

Kovarik went the distance with Martin Rogan at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast back in February, has shared the ring with Matt Skelton and provides another step up for the young heavyweight.

But Hughie, the first ever Irish/British fighter to win a gold medal at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships at super heavyweight, has the momentum, having outpointed the experienced Moses Matovu at Belfast City Hall, Belfast and knocked-out the previously unbeaten Alex Rozman at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York.

For the 18-year-old younger cousin of heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury, that followed his emphatic second-round knockout victory over David Whittom on his professional debut in Canada.

Now, he takes aim at Kovarik looking for another convincing win.

The Hennessy Sports show, live on Channel 5 in the UK from 9.30pm and on Wealth TV in the US, features WBC Silver super-middleweight champion James DeGale defending his title against Croatian fighter Stjepan Bozic.

It also features unbeaten WBC International super-bantamweight champion Kid Galahad and son of the legend, middleweight sensation Chris Eubank Jr in his 10th professional fight.

The undercard will also feature kickboxing champion Albert Kraus in his second professional boxing fight, Eli Green from Guildford, Dani Davis of Croydon and Peter McDonagh of Bermondsey.

Ticket Information

Tickets already purchased for the event originally dated for March 23rd at Glow, that have not been returned for a refund, will be able to be used for this new date and no new tickets will be issued.

Anyone unable to attend this new date can get a refund at point of purchase.

Tickets for June 8th are priced from £35 and are available to purchase from the following box offices today:

Hennessy Sports box office 01925 755 222
Ticketline: 0844 888 4402 or ticketline.co.uk

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS

For more information on Glow, Bluewater, please visit www.glowbluewater.co.uk

For more information on Channel 5, Liquid, maximuscle and Wealth TV please visit:

www.channel5.com
www.L1quid.com
www.maximuscle.com
www.wealthtv.com

NUTLEY, NJ (June 7, 2013)—this past weekend in Colorado Springs, two members of the Elite Heat / McGirt Amateur Boxing team stood out from the rest of the competitors and one of the most prestigious Colorado Springs International Tournament.

15-16 Year old 114 lb. Jr. National champion Shakur Stevenson won three bouts to win the championship belt in his class. Also Vito Mielnicki Jr. won thw 11-12 Year Old 75 lb. weight division not only won his three bouts to win his weight division but was also named the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Boxing.

Shakur, Mielnick and the rest of the Elite Heat/McGirt Boxing Team will compete this weekend in Philadelphia against some of the best from the City of Brotherly Love.

RED STERNBURG: Welcome everyone. We have got two very hot fighters from a very hot division getting ready to take each other on in world championship fight on Saturday, June 15, at the American Airlines Center® in Dallas. It will be televised live on HBO® at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast will open with a ten-round bout between Top-10 contenders Terence Crawford and Alejandro Sanabria Jr. for the vacant NABO lightweight title. If it is two things Mikey Garcia and Juanma Lopez know, it is how to win and how to win by knockout.

BOB ARUM: We are delighted to bring to Dallas a card as outstanding as this card. A great featherweight championship fight between two very popular fighters – the undefeated defending champion Mikey Garcia from Oxnard, California, and the “Pride of Puerto Rico” and former two-division world champion Juanma Lopez. This should be outstanding fight. The lead-in fight between Crawford and Sanabria should be very interesting. To tell you what HBO thinks about this show, the fights will be preceded on HBO by the Batman film “The Dark Knight,” where they expect a huge audience so we expect a great audience for this Boxing After Dark show. We are very pleased to be in Dallas. Mark Cuban is a great boxing fan and he has welcomed us to the American Airlines Center. The tickets are going extremely well. We have in addition to the two televised fights we have Vanes Martirosyan; Matt Korobov, the Russian Middleweight, fights Ossie Duran; Mikael Zewski from Québec, Canada is on the card; and a special attraction, in a six-round bout, Óscar Valdez, the former Mexican Olympian, fights Gil Garcia from Houston. It’s a terrific card for a great night of boxing in Dallas and we are very pleased to promote this outstanding match-up between Mikey Garcia and Juan Manuel Lopez.

Mikey is in his training camp in Oxnard California and joining him on the call is manager Cameron Dunking and trainer and brother Robert Garcia. Juan Manuel Lopez in his training camp in Puerto Rico and he is on with Peter Rivera, and his trainer Alex Caraballo.

MIKEY GARCIA: We have definitely had a very good camp. We worked very hard, with Robert and my dad [Eduardo] and Darryl Hudson for strength and speed. I think we are doing an excellent job and we are in the last week here and I am very excited to get back in the ring again and show another side of Mikey Garcia.

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: We had a great training camp. We are working real hard on the conditioning. We know we are going to have to be at the top of our game conditioning-wise because we know Mikey Garcia is a real good boxer.

Do you feel after your last two fights, even though not very competitive, have rid you of rust?

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: I think those two fights I had were very important because after the long layoff I was able to get in the gym, get on my diet, get a rhythm of training and fighting. It helped me tremendously and I am ready to take on this fight.

Did the time off do you good?

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: Without a doubt, ever since I started boxing professionally, I have had one fight after another with a lot of tough fights mixed in there and I never took any time off. So it was good, even though I didn’t want it that way, but there is a silver lining in everything. It was good for my body. Now I have come back and I feel good.

You were stopped twice by Salido and Garcia beat Salido – how do you think that matches you and Garcia?

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: It is a matter of styles, Salido and I love to go at it, have a war. Mikey is more of a counter-puncher. Either way, it’s a great fight and I congratulate him for that win. Different fighters and different styles – anything can happen and anyone can win. There is no way to tell from one fight to the next who will win. I feel good about it. I think Salido was pretty beat up when he faced Garcia and I think Salido was fresher when I got him.

How do you feel about the Salido match-up between the two of you?

MIKEY GARCIA: I also agree with Juanma that the styles are different and I fight different than Salido does. I am preparing myself differently for this fight because I am fighting Juanma. It is going to be a different fight. You can’t jump to conclusions. We’ll just have to see what the fight dictates and how it unfolds. I don’t have thoughts that the way I beat Salido I’d be able to walk through Salido. It doesn’t work that way. It is a different fight, a different opponent and I have to prepare differently.

Did you watch the two fights?

MIKEY GARCIA: I saw it when I was there live and I watched a few rounds here and there but there is only so much I can pick up from them. I have seen a few clips and that’s about it.

What makes you think you can beat a guy that everyone is talking about being the best at 126 right now?

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: I think it is a question of styles. I think his style is a little less complicated than Salido or some other guys I have faced. I think he is a very technical fighter which doesn’t make for a difficult fight. His style is very defined.

You say the Salido Mikey fought is not as good as the one you fought – why do you say that?

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: I say that because after he fought me, in the fights he had afterwards, he had a lot of trouble. He was knocked down by Yamaguchi (round 3). I think he was beat up by me, and that may be wrong for me to say, but I know he wasn’t as fresh when he fought Mikey as when he was fighting me.

How have you been making this weight?

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: I am always going to have a hard time making this weight – 126 – it is always going to be difficult and be a risk. We just have to do the best we can. It is a very important fight and one that I had to take at this point in my career. I know this fight can get me back to where I want to be.

Do you believe Salido was not the same fighter that Juanma fought?

MIKEY GARCIA: When Juanma fought him, Salido was a guy that had fought a lot of great fighters, a lot of wars before he ever fought Juanma. He already had experience at the championship level. I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him have his fight. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do against him and I think that was the difference. I was able to control the fight.

Do you think this is your last fight at 126? Looking to move up?

MIKEY GARCIA: After this fight I will talk to my manager and promoter and see what options I have available. There has been talk about me fighting at 130 in my next fight or two but I asked them if I could come back to 126. I want to keep defending my title even if I feel comfortable moving up a weight class.

How do you feel about fighting in an arena that will be full of Mexican-American fans?

MIKEY GARCIA: It will be very nice to have the support of my fans. I have fought in Texas a few times in my career. The people in the Dallas area have always shown a lot of support. It is going to be real nice having all of those fans there. I know they will be coming from different regions in Texas to watch a great night of boxing. It will be great to show the fans who we are as fighters.

This may be the first time in your career your opponent will have the crowd with him…

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: It doesn’t matter to me. I come to fight. I do enjoy having the fans behind me but I know in this fight I may not, but that’s not important to me.

What are the differences in styles between Salido and Garcia?

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: Mikey Garcia is a more technical fighter than Salido. Mikey does what you are supposed to do in the ring. He throws the right and he throws the left. He doesn’t go wild in there. He is a very smart guy. He is not going to throw punches if they are not there. I think that helps me. I will know what he is trying to do and I know he is a thinking guy in the ring and that’s what he is going to try and do – outthink me. That is going to be a lot different than a guy coming at me throwing punches from all angles.

What do you think of Juanma’s style and how do you plan to fight him?

MIKEY GARCIA: I have prepared with my brother [Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia] and my dad for many scenarios. We got different sparring partners, in case I need to put pressure on Juanma or if he decides to move and box a little bit more – I’ll be ready for each. Trade punches – I’ll be ready for that. Because we trained for it all already. If I feel that Juanma is strong and dangerous and he can hurt me and the best thing for me would be to move – side-to-side steps and stay on the outside – then I’ll do that. I’ll do whatever it takes to win. Because I am prepared for it.

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: I expect a great fight and I know the fans are really going to enjoy it. I know Mikey is going to come to fight and defend his title with everything he’s got. I am coming to regain the title with everything that I have.

MIKEY GARCIA: We are going to definitely put on a great show. A good performance. I think the Dallas/Fort Worth fans are going to be very happy with the way I will perform and the way I fight. They will be in for a real treat – what I can do as a fighter. They had seen some of my different looks in the Salido fight and now they are going to see another new side of Mikey Garcia. too.

BOB ARUM: This was an excellent conference call – very informative. Remaining tickets are priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 & $25 and are available at Ticketmaster and at the American Airlines Center Box Office. We are expecting a very nice crowd based on initial ticket sales – we are very pleased with the response and it should be a great night of boxing and it should be a terrific main event. I did want to share some sad news. Lem Satterfield’s father passed away last night, at the age of 94. He was a former Tuskegee Airman during the Second World War. I knew him personally – he was a lovely man. Condolences go out from everyone at Top Rank to Lem and his family on the loss of his father.

**********************

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with PR Best Boxing, Foreman Boys Promotions and Tecate, remaining tickets to Garcia vs. Lopez, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, plus additional service fees, can be purchased at the American Airlines Center box office (Monday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT), online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet (Fiesta Foods, Macy’s Wal-Mart and The Shops at Willowbend.)

The Garcia – Lopez world featherweight championship event t will take place on Saturday, June 15 and will be televised live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT. The HBO telecast will open with Top-10 contenders TERENCE CRAWFORD and ALEJANDRO SANABRIA, JR. battling for the vacant NABO lightweight title. This will be the first time HBO has televised a boxing event from the American Airlines Center.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing.

0-Round Middleweight Bout
JORGE MELENDEZ – 158 Pounds
NICK BRINSON – 157¾ Pounds

Eight-Round Lightweight Bout
JEFFREY FONTANEZ – 132 Pounds
JOSE A. RODRIGUEZ – 132 Pounds

VERONA, N.Y. (June 6, 2013) — World-ranked knockout specialist Jorge “Destroyer” Melendez (26-2-1, 25 KO’s), of Bayamon, P.R., and former amateur standout Nick “The Machine Gun” Brinson (14-1-2, 6 KO’s), of Rochester, N.Y., made weight on their first attempts Thursday for their 10-round main event fight tomorrow/Friday, June 7, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the West Coast) from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

There will be a new co-feature, undefeated Jeffrey Fontanez (11-0, 9 KOs), of Caguas, P.R., taking on Jose A. Rodriguez (18-10, 11 KOs), of Detroit, Mich. The Fontanez-Rodriguez lightweight bout was elevated to the telecast after a scheduled match between Jonathan Vidal and Mario Munoz was cancelled by the New York State Athletic Commission when Munoz could not make the weight.

Vidal weighed in at 118 pounds, but Munoz came in at 125. When Munoz returned to the scale, he still weighed 125 and the commission called the fight off.

An aggressive-minded 20-year-old with good power, the highly regarded, 5-foot-8½, 20-year-old Fontanez is coming off a six-round unanimous decision victory over veteran Daniel Attah on March 2. It was the first time Fontanez had gone six full rounds.

Rodriguez, a 5-foot-7, 25-year-old, will be fighting for the fifth time this year after fighting six times in 2012 and seven times in 2011. A “traveling underdog” in recent outings, Rodriguez has often been matched against top prospects and local favorites, many times on short notice. He gives strong efforts each time out against very good opposition. He is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision loss against Ray Beltran in his last fight on April 27 – a fight he took on short notice.

Tickets priced at $75, $45, $35 and $25, plus tax and service charges, are on sale at the box office of the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, by calling (315) 361-SHOW (7469) and also through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.turningstone.com

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former World Champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information visit: www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com , www.sports.sho.com and www.turningstone.com, Follow us: www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto, www.twitter.com/TurningStone, #PRSTRIKINGFORCE, www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.