PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 17th, 2013) – In a night of epic finishes, Providence’s Shelito Vincent left Twin River Casino with her first championship belt wrapped around her waist.

Fighting for a title for the first time in her career, Vincent (9-0) responded with her most impressive performance to date Friday night, dominating tough challenger Angel Gladney (8-8-1) in an 80-71, 79-72, 79-72 unanimous-decision victory to capture the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) International super bantamweight title in the main event of “The New Era,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports.

“Non-Stop” Gladney lived up to her nickname, trading blows with Vincent throughout the night, but Vincent landed the cleaner shots with more authority, eventually dropping Gladney in the opening seconds of the seventh round with a hard left hook. Gladney, a Columbia, S.C., native, looed sharp early, especially at the end of the opening round when she landed a clean, four-punch combo that stunned Vincent, but Vincent’s relentless pressure was the difference as she eventually wore down her opponent in the later rounds.

In the co-feature, “Mr. Providence” Vladine Biosse (15-2-1) returned to Twin River for the first time in a year with a strong win over Philadelphia super middleweight Latif Mundy (10-6). Working with new trainer Paul Andrade for the first time, Biosse picked up the pace in the second and third rounds, continuously backing Mundy against the ropes. Biosse scored most of his points by landing the power punches, specifically his left hook mixed with a series of uppercuts.

The work with Andrade, including a brief trip to Oakland to train at world champion Andre Ward’s gym, paid off as Biosse rebounded from his loss to Marcus Upshaw in January with an effective, methodical win over the tough Mundy.

Two of the most highly-anticipated undercard bouts lived up to expectations as Rich Gingras (13-3) won a close split decision against Joe Gardner (11-6-1) and star middleweight Thomas Falowo (10-1) impressed with a convincing 59-54, 59-54, 60-53 win over the hard-hitting Tylon Burris (5-1).

Gardner, of Woonsocket, R.I., started strong in his six-round super middleweight showdown as Gingras, the Attleboro, Mass., native, came out wild from the opening round, but Gingras eventually his strength to overpower and, at times, wear out Gardner in the middle rounds. Gingras also mixed in his jab, which peppered Gardner, and began to apply more pressure by backing Gardner into the corner. The result was a 58-56, 56-58, 58-56 win for Gingras, which snapped Gardner’s three-fight win streak.

Facing an unbeaten foe from nearby Hartford, Conn., Falowo turned in what may have been his most impressive performance. The Pawtucket, R.I., native shook off a few strong body blows by Burris and eventually dominated the pace with his typical output, peppering Burris with jabs and landing solid combinations in the later rounds that eventually forced Burris to clinch. With Burris being deducted a point for hitting in the back of the head, Falowo dominated the scorecards, 59-54, 59-54, 60-53, for his fourth consecutive win.

In what might’ve been the most thrilling fight of the night aside from the main event, Cranston, R.I., welterweight Nick DeLomba (1-0) won his professional debut against Portland, Maine’s Jimmy Smith (0-1) in a 59-53, 60-52, 60-52 unanimous decision. The action was much more tense than the scores indicated. Smith pushed the pace early, but DeLomba began landing at will in the middle rounds and eventually battered Smith’s right eye to the point where it swelled late in the fight. Still, Smith battled as the two took turns landing flurries in the center of the ring and exchanged clean hooks in the closing seconds of the sixth and final round to end the bout triumphantly.

Also on the undercard, Cranston welterweight Jon Smith (2-0, 1 KO) earned the first knockout win of his career, stopping Hartford’s Oscar Diaz (0-1) at the 1:24 mark of the opening round. Smith backed Diaz into a corner with a hard left and a follow-up right and finished the fight with a flurry, forcing referee Joey Lupino to stop the fight. Harwich, Mass., super middleweight Paul Gonsalves (5-3) bounced back from a loss in March with a hard-fought win over Roxbury, Mass., veteran Maceo Crowder (2-1), who returned to the ring for the first time in three years. Gonsalves controlled the pace early and won unanimously, 39-37, on all three scorecards.

Hyannis, Mass., heavyweight Jesse Barboza (6-1-1, 3 KOs) stopped New York’s Phil Triantafillo (2-3) at the 1:19 mark of the opening round and welterweight Zack Ramsey (4-0) of Springfield, Mass., outlasted veteran Bryan Abraham (6-17-2) of Schenectady, N.Y., in the toughest fight of his young career to earn a 38-36, 38-36, 37-37 majority decision. Ramsey dropped Abraham with a hard right early in the third round and then rebounded from a flash knockdown in the fourth in which Abraham hit him with a looping right.

LOS ANGELES, May 17 – As the return of Sugar Shane Mosley approaches, FOX Deportes will celebrate the return of one of the future Hall of Famer on Saturday, May 18, with back-to-back Classics shows that will lead into Mosley’s comeback fight against Mexico’s Pablo Cesar Cano which will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes from The Grand Oasis in Cancun, Mexico.

At 7:00 pm ET, it’s a trip back to September of 2010, when Mosley squared off against Sergio Mora in a 12-round battle of former champions fighting their way back to the top. Then at 8:00 pm ET, it’s the Classics premiere of Mosley’s February 2006 win over “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas.

All of this action leads up to the live FOX Sports Networks (9:30 p.m. ET) and FOX Deportes (9:00 p.m. ET) telecasts from Cancun headlined by the welterweight battle between Mosley and Cano.

Fighting at 154 pounds, Three-Division World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley battled reality series “The Contender” winner and former Super Welterweight World Champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora on September 18, 2010 at STAPLES Center in 2010. After 12 rounds, a draw verdict was rendered in the bout.

Two of the most popular fighters of this era, Mosley and Vargas battled it out for Southern California bragging rights at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on February 25, 2006. In the end, it was Mosley who emerged victorious via a tenth round technical knockout in the exciting contest, but the two would meet once again five months later with Mosley emerging victorious again.

Mosley vs. Cano is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Pepe Gomez Promotor Deportivo and sponsored by Corona, Periodico QueQui, The Grand OasisCancun, Quintana Roo Tourism and Cancun Tourism. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. CT and the first fight begins at 6:30 p.m. CT. The FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes broadcast will air live at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT respectively and the Televisa broadcast will air on Canal 5 beginning at 10:30 p.m. CT.

Tickets, priced at 200 pesos, 300 pesos, 500 pesos, 1000 pesos and 1500 pesos are available for purchase at Periodico Quequi by calling +52 (998) 193 2100, Hotel GranOasis, Farmacias Paris, sucursal Yaxchilan and Crucero, Presidencia Municipal de Benito Juarez.

For more information visitwww.goldenboypromotions.com, www.quequi.com.mx, www.FOXDeportes.com and www.televisadeportes.com, follow on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/PeriodicoQuequi,www.twitter.com/SugarShaneM, www.twitter.com/TD_Deportes andwww.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/periodicoquequi and www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

The fighters for tomorrow night’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey stepped on the scales today at Caesars Atlantic City for the Official Weigh-in. Main event fighters Lamont Peterson and Lucas Matthysse made the catch-weight limit of 141 pounds with Peterson weighing in at 141 lbs. and Matthysse tipping the scale at 140 lbs. IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander made the welterweight limit of 147 lbs., but his opponent, Lee Purdy, was unable to make the weight after two attempts, coming in at 147.8 lbs. As a result Purdy will not be eligible to win the world championship title in tomorrow night’s fight.

The telecast will air live on SHOWTIME at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue. Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Attached is the entire bout sheet with the official weights, and the weigh-in photos.

ABOUT “PETERSON VS. MATTHYSSE”:

Peterson vs. Matthysse, a 12-round 141 pound catch-weight fight, will take place Saturday, May 18 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME® at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue. In the co-main event, IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander defends his title against IBF number four rated welterweight contender Lee Purdy. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Wladimir Klitschko can come. That’s what must have gone through the mind of
Alexander Povetkin on Friday night after he finished off Andrzej Wawrzyk
inside three rounds. It was obvious that the Pole was over his head from the
get go and was sent to the canvas on three occasions before the 33-year-old
Russian was declared the winner and still WBA Heavyweight Champion of the
world.

The defending champion started of slowly at the Crocus City Hall in
Myakinino, close to the Russian capital of Moscow. In front of the eyes of
Vitali Klitschko (current WBC Champion), former WBA Champion Nikolai Valuev
as well as American movie star Steven Seagal the Russian mainly dominated
with his jab. But from round two onwards, Povetkin did not hold back
anymore. The orthodox fighter started to dominate Wawrzyk, who wasn’t able
to take advantage of his superior height and reach. After pushing him into
the corner, the champion caught the Pole with a powerful right hook straight
to the chin, which sent the previously undefeated heavyweight crashing to
the floor. Still feeling the pain the 1.95 meter challenger managed to get
back to his feet and was later saved by the bell.

However, the Olympic gold medalist continued the third round exactly where
he left off with. This time it was a left hook by Povetkin which found the
target and once again the 25-year-old Pole found himself on the floor. Just
a few seconds later he was caught by another shot. This time referee Russell
Mora stopped the punishment for Wawrzyk and it was all over.

Povetkin was understandably happy about his 26th victory out of as many
professional fights. “Everything went exactly as I wanted it to,” said the
man form Chekhov, Russia. “It took a little bit of time to get into the
fight but once I got started it was pretty much over.”

The defending champion already knows what his upcoming challenge will look
like. The next time Povetkin steps into the ring he will be looking straight
into the eyes of Wladimir Klitschko, the reigning IBF Titleholder as well as
WBA and WBO Super Champion of the world. Staging the mega fight will be
Russian based Hrunov Promotions who won the purse bid by putting more than
23 Million US-Dollars on the table.

Wawrzyk on the other hand had to taste defeat for the very first time in his
career after 27 previous victories.

CANCUN, MEXICO, May 17 – Saturday’s card featuring the return of Sugar Shane Mosley against Mexican star Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano at The Grand Oasis in Cancun, Mexico has added even more fistic firepower with the addition of a stellar co-main event pitting Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson against Gustavo Sandoval, as well as undercard bouts starring Golden Boy Promotions’ newest signing, Adan “Speedy” Mares, along with Roberto “Massa” Manzanarez, Miguel Angel Gonzalez and Ivan “Macanón” Cano.

Mosley vs. Cano and Thompson vs. Sandoval will be telecast live on FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes in the United States and on Televisa in Mexico on a delayed basis.

Plus, three fights originally scheduled for Saturday have been moved to Friday afternoon creating a special free admission event at The Grand Oasis featuring Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas, Jorge “Pantera” Silva and Enrique Ornelas.

Mosley vs. Cano is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and “Cancún Boxing” de Pepe Gómez and sponsored by Corona, Periodico QueQui, The Grand OasisCancun, Quintana Roo Tourism and Cancun Tourism. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. CT and the first fight begins at 6:00 p.m. CT. The FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes broadcast will air live at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT respectively and the Televisa broadcast will air on Canal 5 beginning at 10:30 p.m. CT.

Tickets, priced at 200 pesos, 300 pesos, 500 pesos, 1000 pesos and 1500 pesos are available for purchase at Periodico Quequi by calling +52 (998) 193 2100, Hotel Gran Oasis, Farmacias Paris, sucursal Yaxchilan and Crucero, Presidencia Municipal de Benito Juarez.

A native of Chetumal now making his home in Cancun, 29-year-old Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson (26-2, 24 KO’s) has been crushing the competition at 130 pounds for years and on May 18 he will attempt to stop Gustavo Sandoval. Currently sporting a 12-fight win streak that includes 10 straight knockouts, Thompson has dispatched Jorge Linares, Moises Castro and Juan Ramon Solis during the streak, establishing himself as perhaps the division’s most feared puncher.

Barranquilla, Colombia’s Gustavo “Huracan” Sandoval (13-4-1, 11 KO’s) is a talented up and comer ready to make his move on the world elite on Saturday. The winner of three of his last four fights, the 21-year-old power hitter is eager to go punch for punch with Thompson in his Yeyo’s hometown.

In a 10 round battle for the vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental Lightweight title, 18-year-old Los Mochis phenom Roberto Manzanarez (22-1, 18 KO’s) meets 21-year-old Oscar Arenas (24-5, 21 KO’s) of Coahuila in a fight many feel has the potential to steal the show from the headliners

Before his older brother Pablo Cesar Cano steps into the ring with Mosley in Saturday’s main event, Mexico City’s Ivan Cano (21-5, 14 KO’s) will meet Los Mochis’ Daniel Ruiz (27-6-1, 20 KO’s) in eight-round lightweight action.

The younger brother of Three-Division World Champion Abner Mares, Adan “Speedy” Mares (8-0, 3 KO’s) was a solid amateur prospect, compiling a 45-5 record, but his true calling was in the professional game and in February of 2012 he made his debut with a first round body shot knockout over Francisco Cervantes. Since then, he has lit up the Mexican fight scene, showing off speed, power and ring generalship while putting together his perfect pro slate. In his most recent bout on February 16, Mares won a shutout four-round decision over Antonio Chuc and on Saturday he faces Chetumal’s Alberto Cupido (7-8-2, 6 KO’s) in a six-round junior featherweight battle.

Also featured will be junior lightweight prospect Miguel Angel Gonzalez (8-0, 7 KO’s) of Los Mochis who squares off against Queretaro’s Luis Becerra (9-5-1, 8 KO’s) in a six-round junior lightweight bout

In fights now to be featured on Friday afternoon which presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Pepe Gomez Promotor Deportivo and sponsored by Corona, Periodico QueQui, The Grand OasisCancun, Quintana Roo Tourism and Cancun Tourism with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. CT and the first fight beginning at 4:00 p.m. CT.

Now fighting out of Los Angeles, 28-year-old Francisco Vargas (15-0-1, 12 KO’s) represented his native Mexico in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, going 1-1 in the prestigious competition. Turning pro in 2010, Vargas has built a strong reputation for his versatile skill set and ring savvy. Last year, he turned up the heat, fighting and winning six times with five of those wins coming by way of knockout. On January 26, Vargas kept his hot streak going with a second round knockout win over Ira Terry and, following the cancellation of his scheduled May 3 bout when his opponent passed out trying to make weight, he will be back in the ring this weekend to take on Chiapas’ Cristian Arrazola (7-7-1, 4 KO’s) in a lightweight contest scheduled for eight rounds.

Plus, Tijuana’s Jorge Silva (18-3-2, 14 KO’s) will take on Guasave’s Cesar Chavez (21-3, KO’s) in a 10-round welterweight fight, while veteran fan favorite Enrique Ornelas (33-8, 21 KO’s) of Guanajuato is back in action in an eight-round super middleweight clash against Chihuahua’s Isaac Mendez (16-9, 14 KO’s).

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.quequi.com.mx, www.FOXDeportes.com and www.televisadeportes.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/PeriodicoQuequi, www.twitter.com/SugarShaneM, www.twitter.com/canochampion, www.twitter.com/TD_Deportes and www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/periodicoquequi and www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 17, 2013)—TONIGHT at The Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California, undefeated Jr. Middleweight prospect Taras Shelestyuk will look to make it three for three when he takes on Mario Angeles in a scheduled four round bout.

The show is promoted by Thompson Boxing.

Shelestyuk, who is promoted by Banner Promotions, is 2-0 with both wins coming by knockout.

The Ukrainian, who captured the Bronze Medal in the 2012 Olympic Games, has been impressive in his first two outings.

“We have liked what we have seen so far in Taras”, said Arthur Pelullo, CEO of Banner Promotions.

“We are keeping him active and we know he will continue to improve. We see a big future in Taras. I also want to thank our partners Ken Thompson and Alex Camponovo for having Taras on their show tonight”.

Said Shelestyuk’s manager Vadim Kornilov, “Taras has had great preparation for this fight. He will show the same results as his first two outings”.

Shelestyuk is coming off a fourth round stoppage over Brandon Adams on May 2nd in Corona, California.

LUCAS MATTHYSSE, WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion

“[On arriving to the United States later than planned] I don’t think it’s going to have any affect on the fight because I’ve been training so hard. I’m done training, but I’m still going to move a little bit to keep the weight off. Basically everything is the same other than not coming to the United States on Monday.

“Peterson is a good fighter and a good boxer. He knows how to deal with things when he’s in danger.

“I think I can beat Peterson with my power. I know how to get in the best punches.

“[On why he thinks he’ll win Saturday night] It’s a combination of my will to win and my experience. I’ve fought some guys with pretty good names.

“When they told me that I was coming here to fight, I came here with a mentality to win. I didn’t come here thinking that it’s going to be a robbery. Yes, I’ve had those experiences, but I’m not going to get robbed this time.

“I learned early in my career that I have a good punch and have worked very hard to maintain that.

“Winning this fight will open a lot of doors for me and my career. This might be the most important fight of my career. I want big matchups and this is definitely one of them.”

LEE PURDY, Number Four Rated IBF Welterweight Contender

“I was surprised to get this shot in the first place. My manager told me that I was ranked number four so we realized it was coming soon, but we didn’t know it was going to be this soon.

“I trained as hard as I could when I found out [that I got the fight].

“[On taking this fight] It wasn’t about money or anything. I love to fight and that’s why I’m here.

“I watched quite a few of Alexander’s fights. He didn’t really impress me.

“I broke my arm when I started my amateur career [at age 11 or 12]. I started training again when I was 17 and then I turned pro when I was 18.

“I’ve got a style that people like to watch. I have power and that’s entertaining for people.

“I think I’ll have 20 or 30 people [family and friends] coming out to support me. I think I’ll have a few fans coming out to support me too. I don’t know how many exactly, but they’ll be here.

“I can’t see myself doing anything else but fighting. It’s what I love to do.”

ANTHONY OGOGO, 2012 British Olympic Bronze Medalist

“I’ve always loved sports. I came across boxing when I was 12-years-old and I fell in love with it. I fell in love with the intensity and passion of it. I knew that whether I was going to be any good or not that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and it turned out pretty well.

“I walked into the boxing gym when I was 12. I sparred that very first day and I’ve never turned back.

“I had about 150-160 amateur fights and it culminated with me winning a Bronze Medal in the 2012 Olympic Games. My mom was very ill at the time; six weeks before the Olympics she suffered a really serious injury. She’s doing great now, but I initially pulled out of the Games. Then three weeks before, my mom and sisters pulled me aside and kind of guilt-tripped me into going, and I did. Somehow I managed to juggle it all.

“I thought I deserved to win the gold medal and I was good enough to win the gold, but with everything else going on, I’m quite proud of my achievements to go in there and still come out successful.

“[On the crowds at the Olympic Games in London] That was phenomenal. That was one of the reasons I wanted to turn professional because I’ve never had that. Ten thousand people [cheering] at the Excel Arena; it made hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and it still does. I didn’t want to go back and be an amateur and box in front of 100 people. I wanted to experience those big exciting nights all of the time.”

# # #

Peterson vs. Matthysse, a 12-round 141 pound catch-weight fight, will take place Saturday, May 18 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME® at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue. In the co-main event, IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander defends his title against IBF number four rated welterweight contender Lee Purdy. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Misquoted? Misunderstood maybe? Brash? Brazen? Outspoken, brave, no doubt! What is for sure is that James DeGale is going to be boxing’s next big name.

With Fights out there versus Carl, George, Bika, Stephenson, Oosthuizen, Buté, Pascal, Abraham, Kessler…at least three of which will be made within the next 12 months, a new, more mature and knowledgeable ‘Chunky’ is raring to go.

Disappointments and let downs have seen fights with Kenny Anderson, Brian Magee and the exciting South African Bomber Oosthuizen fall by the wayside. A last minute offer by James to fight Pascal as a replacement for the injured Buté was politely declined, but was a perfect illustration of James’ intent.

James will be a keen observer of the upcoming Froch vs Kessler bout. A real Man versus Man affair. Ever the true Brit, James will be rooting for Carl to emerge victorious. Assuming that he does, it opens the doors to a real festival of fights with Andre Ward coming back into the picture!

Will he fight Carl? If he does, James and George can begin what, for one of them, will be ‘The Road to Perdition’. It may be that Carl will want to fight George who is his stable mate? If he does, James will set out after the WBC belt and then look to step up and fight Andre Ward.

This may surprise some who regard Ward as the complete fighter.

Fact is, he has a four-year head start on James as a pro. Both won Olympic Golds – look ‘em up. James’s was far harder and GB’s only boxing gold in Beijing, China. Ward has been relatively inactive as a a pro’ – just 24 fights in nine years. He has to come back from an injury-forced layoff, and has his head in two weight classes.

Both are instinctive and incisive fighters. We have seen what Ward can do. No one has yet seen anything like what James can do. They fight. James wins. You read it here. Now call Betfair and get on it!! 2014..Chunky will beat the man!

James is taking his Canadian debut versus Sebastien Demers tonight very seriously. Having been fit BUT inactive since last December, despite nearly a-thousand rounds of sparring, he is keen to shake off the rust, put on the little mitts and give boxing fans a sample of what’s to come.

James DeGale, Possibly “The Best Super middle weight in the World”.
FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS

The WBC Silver champion fights Sebastien Demers at Casino Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, tonight.

EOTTM (Eye of the Tiger Management) and Hennessy Sports are promoting the event.

The fight is being aired live to a huge TV audience on Fight Network in Canada and Wealth TV in the US. It is also available for millions to watch online at wealthtv.com via subscription.

Tickets are available at www.admission.com or at the Final Round Boxing Club at 613 371 1543. Prices range from $60, $85, $125, $250 and there are tables (10 seats) at $2000.

For more information on WealthTV please visit: www.wealthtv.com

For more information on Lonsdale, Liquid and Casino Lac-Leamy please visit.
www.casinosduquebec.com
www.Lonsdale.com
www.L1quid.com

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.C

We’re coming to you LIVE and EXCLUSIVE from Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia, from 5.30pm tonight with not one but two World titles on the line! Unbeaten heavyweight Alexander Povetkin defends his WBA World Heavyweight Championship against the 27-0 Poland fighter Andrzej Wawrzyk. The bout is seen by many as a stepping stone for Povetkin to face the WBA’s “Super” World Champion Wladimir Klitschko, but he knows he faces a tough test against the unbeaten 25-year-old.

Co-headlining the show, Denis Lebedev (above) and Guillermo Jones finally get it on for the WBA World Cruiserweight title after previously planned clashes were disappointingly postponed.

John Rawling and Barry Jones will call the action on the night, while expert analysis will come from Steve Bunce and Steve Lillis in the studio. Join us from 5.30pm for another great night of world title action on the Channel of Champions, BoxNation!

Philadelphia, PA – May 16, 2013 – At Cage Fury Fighting Championships 24 this past Saturday night, though the main card featured two title fights, it was the undercard showdown between Brazen Boxing & MMA’s Paul Felder out of Philadelphia and the highly acclaimed AMA Fight Club’s top prospect, Corey Bleaken, that stole the show.

The back story between these two camps goes back to CFFC 20, when Paul Felder quickly and dominantly put away the brash Rick Nuno (also from AMA) in a mere three minutes and fifteen seconds. Internet chatter and excuses ensued as much of the AMA faithful believed Felder’s destruction of Nuno to be a fluke. Yet, having earned a record of 4-0 at that point, with four KO/TKOs to his credit, one wonders how any educated fight fan could doubt Felder’s abilities.

Enter Corey Bleaken. Bleaken is an accomplished amateur wrestler who, like Rick Nuno, boasted a strong amateur MMA record and a 1-0 professional record when each of them faced Felder. Also like Nuno, Bleaken had never beaten a fighter with a winning record at either the amateur or professional level. It seemed a bit ambitious for AMA to believe taking on a 4-0 Felder would be the time that trend would end. But believe it they did, as Bleaken stated in interviews leading up to the bout that he planned on “destroying” Felder and avenging the quick, yet substantial, beating given to his teammate. Beliefs aside, the night belonged to Felder.

On paper the Felder/Bleaken fight appeared to be a classic striker versus grappler contest, but someone forgot to tell that to Felder and Bleaken. Both showed the fighting public that they could learn and use each other’s dominant skill-set as they put together performances that were both skilled and well rounded.

Almost as impressive as Felder’s newfound wrestling ability was Bleaken’s aggressive and effective striking against one of the most polished young 155 pound strikers in the region. The fight was truly a great display of skill, aggression, and determination from both combatants. Most casual fans in the audience (at least in my section) believed rounds 1 and 3 were all Felder and that a close second round belonged to Bleaken. In the end all three judges (as did I) scored the fight for Felder. But take nothing away from Bleaken, as I believe he was easily the second best 155 pound fighter on the entire card.

A matchup between Bleaken and CFFC poster boy, Bobby Fabrizi, would certainly be interesting, as Fabrizi has yet to post a victory against any fighter with a professional win. His wins come against opponents with a combined record of 0-5, so Bleaken would be a substantial test to clean up a cluttered CFFC 155 pound division.

The obvious question: where does the impressive Felder go from here? A CFFC title maybe? Word from CFFC Champion Sean Santella is that Corey Bleaken pushes around the Miller brothers. If that’s true, then… how good is Paul Felder? My guess is that the talented young Felder will be amongst the UFC’s most talent rich division in the next year or two.

Christopher Vallaro (5-2) says he’s not treating his upcoming fight as anything special, but it’s not easy to rattle a tough Italian from Brooklyn who’s earned the nickname “The Neighborhood Legend”.

Vallaro is set to face Paterson, New Jersey’s “Monster” Mohammad for the EFC Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event of The Darwish Brothers Presents: “Extreme Fighting Championships: MMA MANIA” on Saturday, May 18, in the Xanadu Theater at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City

Tickets for “Extreme Fighting Championships: MMA MANIA” are priced at $46, $67, $100 and $125 Cageside and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, at the EFC website: www.efcmma.com, or at the Trump Taj Mahal box office on fight night.

“A fight is a fight, that’s how I see it,” revealed Vallaro, “but this one is a little sweeter because after I win, I will get a pretty belt for doing it. The belt is more for spectators to understand that I’m the top fighter in this league at the weight though.”

The confident and intelligent Vallaro studied Health Science in college and is the general manager and a certified personal trainer/strength coach at a fitness facility. Between work and twice-daily training sessions at Ardon Sweet Science Gym in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, he even helps out his training partners.

“I help a lot of my teammates with their conditioning plans. Besides being well-rounded, my biggest strength as a fighter is my overall conditioning. I always outshine my opponent in conditioning and that’s usually the deciding factor in the fight. I’m a pressure fighter. I put pressure on my opponents and eventually they break.”

So what does he think of facing a “monster” this Saturday?

“I know he’s an MMA guy by trade,” said Vallaro of Mohammad. “That means he doesn’t have a speciality. From watching his fights, I’m not impressed with him, but every fighter gets better with every fight, so I can’t go in like a madman. I see the fight going down with me being victorious. There are a lot of ways I’ll be able to win. I just have to do what I normally do and fight how I normally fight. The first mental or physical mistake he makes, I’m capitalizing on it. And it’ll be a very tough time for him to get back on his feet.”

Event promoter Hani Darwish says Vallaro may be playing it cool a bit on the fight.

“This fight is a toss-up. Both these guys are hugely popular for a reason. This is a true New Jersey super fight. They’re both tough, tough guys who can fight hard. They’re both always in great fights. I’m expecting an all-action war in there and the winner will be who wants it more.”

Vallaro says he earned his nickname by taking on older men, feared by others, in the streets of Brooklyn until “neighborhood politics” voted him a local legend.

He found his way to the cage in the same way as so many others.

“When I was a kid, my cousin and I would rent martial arts movies. I was always a fan. Then I saw UFC 2 and realized they were the best fighters in the world. I love competition. I said to myself if this is the sport with the best fighters in the world, then I want to compete and prove myself.”

SHELITO VINCENT

8-0

Providence, R.I.

121 ½

ANGEL GLADNEY

8-7-1, 6 KOs

Columbia, S.C.

121 ½

VLADINE BIOSSE

14-2-1, 7 KOs

Providence, R.I.

169 ½

LATIF MUNDY

10-5, 4 KOs

Philadelphia, Pa.

169 ½

RICH GINGRAS

12-3, 8 KOs

Pawtucket, R.I.

167

JOE GARDNER

11-5-1, 1 KO

Woonsocket, R.I.

167 ½

THOMAS FALOWO

9-1, 7 KOs

Pawtucket, R.I.

165

TYLON BURRIS

5-0, 3 KOs

Hartford, Conn.

165

NICK DELOMBA

Pro debut

Cranston, R.I.

148

JIMMY SMITH

0-0-0

Portland, Maine

149 ½

PAUL GONSALVES

4-3, 3 KOs

Harwich, Mass.

171

MACEO CROWDER

2-0, 1 KO

Brockton, Mass.

2-0, 1 KO

JON SMITH

1-0

Cranston, R.I.

147 ½

OSCAR DIAZ

Pro debut

Hartford, Conn.

144

JESSE BARBOZA

5-1-1, 3 KOs

Hyannis, Mass.

232

PHILLIP TRIANTAFILLO

2-2, 1 KO

West New York, N.J.

230

BRYAN ABRAHAM

6-16-2, 6 KOs

Schenectady, N.Y.

146

ZACK RAMSEY

3-0, 3 KOs

Springfield, Mass.

146

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (May 16, 2013) – World-rated welterweight Eddie “The Lion” Paredes (32-3-1, 21 KOs) is prepared to go from being considered one of the most avoided welterweights to world champion.

Rated #2 in the world by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and #3 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), Parades hopes to soon face one of the top-ranked welterweights – Robert Guerrero, Luis Carlos Abregu or even Amir Khan if he moves up in weight – in a career-defining fight to position him for his first world title shot.

Paredes, fighting out of Hollywood (FL), is riding a 10-fight win streak. He has won 11 of his last 12 fights with one draw, since suffering his last loss more than four years ago to Carlos Molina by 10-round decision. Paredes’ last fight was a solid victory by 10-round decision over veteran Hector Munoz last November in Sunrise, Florida.

“Floyd Mayweather, Jr. just made Guerrero by giving him the payday of his life,” the 28-year-old Paredes commented. “Floyd can do this for many fighters and he’s signed to fight five more times in the near future. I’d love to be one of the guys who gets a call to be his opponent. I’m willing to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime. Mayweather has been an inspiration for me. He is the best fighter in the world and, of course, I would love to mix it up with the world’s best fighter.”

“Eddie is the only welterweight rated by all four of the major boxing organizations (also WBO #11 & IBF #14),” noted his promoter Henry Rivalta (Acquinity Sports), “yet he hasn’t been in a really big fight. I think he’s a victim of boxing politics today. He’s talented and a risky fight for anybody, no doubt, but I wonder if he’s so avoided because he’s not with the two major promotional companies in boxing. We’re ready to prove he deserves a world title shot by fighting any of the top 147-pounders who’ll get in the ring with him. If none of them will voluntarily fight Eddie, we’ll continue working hard to get him into a mandatory position. One way or the other, we’re determined to get Eddie the shot he deserves.”

During his nine-year professional career, Paredes has defeated world champion Vivian Harris (TKO10), world title challengers Oscar Leon (KO4) and Michael Lozada (KO3), Manuel Leyva (TKO7), and previously undefeated Joey Hernandez.

Go online to www.AquinitySports.com for additional information about Parades or any of his Acquinity Sports stable-mates. Follow Acquinity Sports on Twitter @AcquinitySports, or friend is at Facebook.com/AcquinitySports.

ABOUT ACQUINITY SPORTS: Founded in 2011 by CEO Gary Jonas and Henry Rivalta, Vice President of Boxing Operations, Acquinity Sports is a full-service promotional company based in southern Florida.

Acquinity Sports is committed to changing traditional boxing promotion as an advocate of its fighters, supporting them to succeed in and out of the ring throughout their professional careers and into retirement. Fully dedicated to providing a structured environment, Acquinity Sports develops each individual fighter to maximize their potential, ensuring maximum exposure to audiences across a diverse range of channels, as well as encouraging team spirit and sense of family so crucial for success in the highly-competitive sport and business of boxing.

Acquinity Sports continues to sign incredible talent in various weight divisions to provide fans the highest level of year-round entertainment in professional boxing. Seasons may change but Acquinity Sports’ commitment remains to bring the heat.

Las Vegas, Nevada – The secrets of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®’s elite athletes are finally revealed in UFC FIT™ – the UFC’s first ever in-home fitness and nutrition program. Developed with renowned strength and conditioning coach Mike Dolce, UFC FIT is a lifestyle program based on the same methods the world’s greatest athletes use to prepare for the OctagonTM.

A celebrated training coach and former mixed martial artist, Dolce has earned his reputation as the greatest conditioning and nutrition expert in the sport, helping top contenders including Johny Hendricks, Gray Maynard, Michael Bisping and Thiago Alves prepare for competition. Now, for the first time, Mike Dolce shares the knowledge and techniques that have turned athletes into champions in this in-home training program.
UFC president Dana White said: “What makes UFC FIT different from every other workout is Mike Dolce. The UFC doesn’t cut corners or do anything halfway, so when we decided to create UFC FIT, we knew we had to work with Mike. He’s someone we respect, someone we believe in and someone we know gets results. To compete in the UFC, you have to be proficient in five Olympic sports including boxing, wrestling, taekwondo and judo on top of having world class strength and cardio. And Mike Dolce take these guys level to another level – just imagine what he can do for you.”

Dolce said: “The methods you’ll see in UFC FIT are the same ones I’ve used with the top stars in the UFC, but I actually developed them for men and women of all ages. I used to weigh 280 lbs, I had elevated blood pressure, my cholesterol was high and I had sleep apnea. Using the principals I share in UFC FIT, I dropped 100 lbs and now am down to five percent body fat. UFC FIT is a fun, challenging program developed for everyone and every fitness level. We all deserve to be lean, to feel confident and to be healthy.”

UFC FIT includes:

• 12 dynamic workout DVDs
• Plus 3-Day Shred, a jumpstart to weight loss
• 12-week Workout Tracker
• 132-page Lifestyle & Nutrition Manual, complete with training tips, a grocery list, meal plans and healthy, delicious recipes
• And for when you are on the go, Xyience® Ulti-Bar™ and Ulti-Meal™ Replacement Protein Shake, created exclusively for UFC FIT

UFC FIT is available now at UFCFIT.com. Additional merchandise is also available including an official UFC FIT Octagon® Mat, water bottle and fitness apparel.

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 and 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. 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®, which airs on FX.

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, 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.

About UFC FIT™
UFC FIT is the first in-home training and nutrition program from the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, the world leader in the sport of mixed martial arts, in partnership with New Evolution Ventures™ (NeV), developers of many of the world’s most successful fitness brands. UFC FIT continues the expansion of UFC and NeV’s partnership into the fitness and lifestyle category, which began in 2008 with the creation of UFC GYM®. By the end of 2013, UFC GYM will have over 100 locations including the recently acquired the LA Boxing® franchises which are currently being rebranded.

BETHLEHEM, PA – When NBC Sports Network Fight Night returns to the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA, Friday, June 14, it will feature a competitive triple header that promises more of the great action the series has become known for. The three hour telecast will begin at 8 PM ET. In addition, all three headliners will find themselves in “must win” fights, critical for their career advancement. The pressure will be great for them to collect a win and remain on track for the big fights that lie ahead for each of them.

Russian knockout artist Sergey Kovalev, 20-0-1, 18 KOs, has built tremendous momentum in the last year. His showy and brutal knockouts over Gabriel Campillo, Lionell Thompson and Darnell Boone, all in the past 12 months, have made him a feared man in the light heavyweight division. He’s won fans, polished his record, and climbed the ratings. A slip up now, would derail his momentum and force him backward.

Further, the fight on June 14, is a 12-round IBF Elimination Bout that could vault the winner into a title shot. Talk about “must win”. Kovalev must defeat Cornelius “Da Beast” White, 21-1, 16 KOs, of Houston, TX, on June 14th to keep moving forward. Another big KO would certainly help his cause, but White will be looking to play the spoiler and leapfrog over the better known light heavyweight.

Like Kovalev, Philadelphian Bryant Jennings, 16-0, 8 KOs, needs to win in Bethlehem. “By By” is coming off his breakthrough year when he went from unknown heavyweight prospect to bona fide contender. Jennings fought and won five times in 2012, but June 14th will be his first start of this year.

Currently Jennings is ranked #3 in the IBF, which means he is on the brink of a world championship opportunity. To stay on track for that, he cannot afford a loss. Jennings will face Andrey Fedosov, 24-2, 19 KOs, a Russian heavyweight now living and fighting out of Hollywood, CA, in a 10-round co-feature bout. He’s won three in a row and is aching to breakthrough, much like Jennings did last year. If he can topple the Philadelphian next month, he certainly will get the attention he desires.

Welterweight Ronald Cruz, 17-1, 12 KOs, will also have his back against the wall on June 14. However, Cruz must win for a very different reason than Kovalev and Jennings. Cruz, of Bethlehem, PA, returns to the ring for the first time since suffering his first professional loss. Last September, Cruz dropped a close split decision to Antwone Smith in the same Bethlehem ring.

To complicate things, Cruz’ return was delayed due to surgery to repair a hernia last winter. Now 100% healthy, Ronald will be raring to go on fight night. However, he may have his hands full on June 14th.

Facing Cruz will be the hard-hitting, Bronx-based Ray Narh, 25-2, 21 KOs, of Ghana. Narh is a battle-tested pro who brings more experience, a higher knockout percentage, and a height advantage into the bout. However as usual, hometown hero Cruz is expected to bring out his loyal Bethlehem fan base, who will support their man 100% and help to level the playing field in this pick ’em fight.

This jam-packed triple header will be the 4th edition of NBC Sports Network Fight Night in 2013 and will begin at 8PM ET. By the looks of the stakes in each bout, it might be the best so far.

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.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 16th, 2013) — Tomorrow night, Shelito Vincent, the unbeaten bantamweight from New London, Conn., will have the opportunity to achieve something most boxers only dream about when she fights Angel Gladney for the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) International championship in front of her hometown fans at Twin River Casino.

As if often the case in evenly-matched title bouts, the outcome might hinge on who wants it more.

“There’s no way this girl is working harder than me,” said Vincent (8-0), who now lives and trains in Providence under the guidance of Peter Manfredo Sr. “Why wouldn’t I work hard for something I’ve wanted my whole life?”

Vincent’s shot at the title, which is the eight-round main event of “The New Era,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, comes just a year and a half after her professional debut in 2011, a rapid climb even by female boxing standards. It’s also the first women’s title bout to be held in Rhode Island since Jaime Clampitt faced Belinda Laracuente for the International Women’s Boxing Federation (IWBF) lightweight title at Twin River in 2008. Vincent’s opponent, Gladney (8-7-1, 6 KOs), is a tough veteran from Columbia, S.C., who has fought for a title before, namely in 2010 when she challenged Kaliesha West for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) female bantamweight title. That fight ended in a seventh-round knockout win for West. Will Gladney’s second shot at a title end differently?

“In 2010, it just wasn’t my time,” said the 25-year-old Gladney. “I was too young, but it was an experience for me. I learn as I go. I didn’t have much amateur experience, so fighting Kaliesha West was a real learning experience. Of all the girls she’s fought, she said I was the toughest, so I’ve kept my head up and kept going.”

The one edge Gladney has entering Friday’s showdown is she has six knockout wins on her resume, whereas Vincent has yet to record a knockout, but, as Vincent pointed out, “she has a lot of losses, too, and I don’t have any of those.”

“But I respect her a lot,” Vincent added. “I know it’s going to be a tough fight. If you want to be the best, you have to start fighting the best. I’m ready. There’s nothing I’ve wanted more than this. She better be ready for a fight.”

Gladney, who considers herself a counterpuncher with “a little bit of everything” in her arsenal, credits her trainer, Dominic Neal, and promoter, Andrew Stokes, for keeping her on track. Following back-to-back losses at the end of 2012, Gladney kicked off the new year with a win over Kelan Robey in April, her final test before she faces Vincent tomorrow night.

“I really wanted to get that win,” Gladney said. “I’m really excited about this opportunity. I just want to keep fighting and stay active. I love this sport.”

Vincent was originally supposed to face Christina Ruiz of Texas, but Ruiz pulled out of the fight, citing a hand injury. Gladney accepted the challenge on just two week’s notice. The stage has now been set for Friday night in what will be a major opportunity for both Vincent and Gladney.

“When I got into boxing, this is what I dreamt about,” Vincent said. “I’m going hard on Friday night.”

“Mr. Providence” Vladine Biosse (14-2-1, 7 KOs) will also return to the ring May 17th in the eight-round super middleweight co-feature against Philadelphia’s Latif Mundy (10-5, 4 KOs). Tickets for “The New Era” are $41.00, $76.00, and $126.00 (VIP) and can be purchased by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254, online at www.shop.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Players Club booth at Twin River, or through any TicketMaster location. Doors open 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7.

The undercard features seven bouts, most of which are regional showdowns, starting with Pawtucket, R.I., middleweight Thomas Falowo (9-1, 7 KOs) stepping up to face undefeated power-puncher Tylon Burris (5-0, 3 KOs) of Hartford, Conn., in a six-round bout. Super middleweight Rich Gingras (12-3, 8 KOs) of Attleboro, Mass., a former contestant on The Contender reality television series, will battle the red-hot Joey Gardner (11-5-1, 1 KO) of Woonsocket, R.I., in a six-round bout.

The always-busy Falowo, who’s known for throwing a high volume of punches from start to finish, will have his hands full with Burris, who has raised eyebrows in New England following an impressive knockout win over previously-unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Kevin Cobbs in November. Falowo has won his last three bouts, all by knockout, since suffering his first loss in May of 2012.

The Gingras-Gardner showdown came to fruition after Providence’s Alex Amparo was forced to withdraw from his scheduled rematch with Gardner due to a rib injury. Gardner, who has won his last three fights, will instead face Gingras, a former cruiserweight now looking to make his mark in the super middleweight division.

Also on the undercard, Boston’s Maceo Crowder (2-0, 1 KO), the half-brother of former U.S. Olympian and Providence native Demetrius Andrade, will return from a three-year absence to face Harwich, Mass., veteran Paul Gonsalves (4-3, 3 KOs) in a four-round super middleweight bout; and welterweight Jon Smith (1-0) of Cranston, R.I., will battle newcomer Oscar Diaz of Hartford, Conn., in a four-round bout. In a six-round special attraction, former Cranston amateur standout Nick DeLomba will make his professional debut against Portland, Maine native Jimmy Smith (0-0-0); the latter is returning to the ring for the first time in more than a year after his debut was cut short due to an accidental head butt. Smith and DeLomba faced one another twice as amateurs with each fighter winning once.

Hyannis, Mass., heavyweight Jesse Barboza (5-1-1, 3 KOs) will take on West New York, N.J., challenger Phillip Triantafillo (2-2, 1 KO) in a four-round bout, and Springfield, Mass., welterweight Zack Ramsey (3-0, 3 KOs) will return to face Bryan Abraham (6-16-2, 6 KOs) of Schenectady, N.Y., in a four-round bout. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

CES is proud to announce its May 17th event will be held in honor of those affected by the recent Boston Marathon bombings, along with all the first responders, fire fighters and law-enforcement officials who worked tirelessly in the aftermath of such a senseless tragedy. On May 17th, “This one’s for Boston!”

Also on May 17th, former New England Patriots fullback and three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Pass will receive the CES Special Recognition Award, and an additional ceremony will be held in memory of the late Matthew Cariglio Sr., a dear friend of the Classic Entertainment & Sports family.

Three-time world title challenger and former reality television star Peter Manfredo Jr., “The Pride Of Providence,” will also be on hand beginning at 6 p.m. for a special meet-and-greet outside the arena. Manfredo Jr. will also provide televised color commentary alongside play-by-play host Patrick Sullivan.

Twin River Casino is an exciting gaming, dining and entertainment destination, located in Lincoln, R.I., just 45 minutes from Boston and 10 minutes from Providence. Twin River features more than 4,700 slot machines, many virtual gaming options with black jack and roulette tables and more. This unique gaming facility also hosts simulcasting of the best thoroughbred and greyhound racing from around the country, a 29,000-plus square foot Twin River Event Center with headline entertainment, the legendary Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club, free concerts at the Lighthouse Bar, Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse and Wicked Good Bar & Grill, as well as 13 other dining outlets.

NEW YORK (May 15, 2013) – All five of the fighters in attendance at Wednesday’s press conference at Lucille’s Bar & Grill (located inside B.B. King’s Blues Club) in New York City were confident and ready for fight night as they discussed their upcoming bouts taking place this Saturday, May 18 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J live on SHOWTIME® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

In the main event IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Lamont Peterson (31-1-1, 16 KO’s), of Washington, D.C., faces power-punching WBC Interim Super Lightweight Champion Lucas Matthysse (33-2, 31 KO’s), of Trelew, Argentina, in a 12-round bout at a catch-weight of 141 pounds. In the co-featured attraction on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KO’s), of St. Louis, will defend his IBF Welterweight Championship against number four rated IBF welterweight contender Lee Purdy (20-3-1, 13 KO’s), of Colchester, England.

Fights on SHOWTIME EXTREME®, airing beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT, will include a scheduled 10-round bout between promising, world-ranked, unbeaten welterweights Shawn Porter (20-1, 14 KO’s), of Akron, Ohio, and Phil Lo Greco (25-0, 14 KO’s), of Toronto, Canada, and a six-round middleweight bout between highly regarded 2012 British Olympic Bronze Medalist Anthony Ogogo (1-0, 1 KO), of Lowestoft, England, who’ll be making his United States debut against Puerto Rico’s Edgar Perez (5-4, 3 KO’s). Haroon Khan (1-0), Amir Khan’s brother, of Bolton, England, will make his United States debut against Vicente Medellin of Riverside, CA in a four round bantamweight bout which, time permitting, will also air on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

In non-televised undercard action, Anthony Peterson (31-1, 20 KO’s), Lamont’s younger brother and also from Washington, D.C., will face slick veteran Dominic Salcido (18-4, 9 KO’s) of Rialto, CA

See below for what the Peterson brothers, Alexander, Purdy, Ogogo, Golden Boy Promotions COO David Itskowitch and SHOWTIME Sports EVP and General Manager Stephen Espinoza said Wednesday.

LAMONT PETERSON, IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion

“I’m looking forward to a great fight this weekend.

“This is a great card. I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for signing me. This is our first fight and I think we’re going to do great things together.

“If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, you need to. I’m hoping there’s a monitor for me in my locker room to watch the whole card. There are a lot of my friends fighting Saturday night and of course my brother.

“You’ve got Anthony Ogogo, Khan’s brother Harry, the Cincinnati boys and D.C.-native Thomas Williams. I’m excited to see everyone on the card and I encourage everyone to go get tickets.”

DEVON ALEXANDER, IBF Welterweight World Champion

“‘Finally’ is the key word here. My fight with Kell Brook was postponed three times. I was supposed to fight him many times, but now I’m fighting Lee Purdy who’s a very suitable opponent for me.

“I’m ready. It doesn’t matter what Lee Purdy is going to bring Saturday night. He’s in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m ready to fight. I’ve been ready to fight.

“This fight will lead to bigger and better things with SHOWTIME.”

LEE PURDY, Number Four Rated IBF Welterweight Contender

“I’m a big underdog in a lot of peoples’ eyes. I’m here to fight and put on a good show for the fans.

“Fans are paying their hard earned money for entertainment and they don’t want to see fighters holding for 12 rounds.

“This is a fight that I’ve wanted. I’m coming to bring the upset.”

ANTHONY PETERSON, Lightweight Contender

“I’m excited about my fight, but I’m more excited about my brother’s. He gets to eliminate this so called ‘Boogey Man.’ I know that’s what’s going to happen Saturday night.

“My brother is a solid guy all around, inside and outside of the ring, so that’s going to make a big difference on Saturday night.

“My brother is going to take out his [Matthysse’s] power, and it’s going to be a big problem.

“Matthysse only knows how to go one way, and that’s forward. He doesn’t know how to work the inside and Lamont does, so that’s going to be the difference in the fight.”

ANTHONY OGOGO, 2012 British Olympic Bronze Medalist

“I’m really thrilled. This is why I wanted to sign-up with Golden Boy Promotions, to fight in places like Boardwalk Hall.

“I’m an ambitious young man and I want to get to the top of world boxing. I know that’s a few years down the road, but right now I need to take these opportunities as they come, learn and keep getting better and better.

“I’m looking forward to the future.”

DAVID ITSKOWITCH, COO of Golden Boy Promotions

“This main event is probably one of the best fights that can be made in a very talent rich weigh class.

“Lucas Matthysse is probably one of the most feared fighters on the planet and I think that’s one of the reasons Lamont Peterson wanted to fight him.

“Devon Alexander is a great fighter. That’s all that needs to be said because it is the truth.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, EVP & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports

“During the past few weeks SHOWTIME has been showcasing the best fighters in the world in the 140, 147 and 154 pound weight divisions.

“We have been bringing fans not just competitive and exciting fights, but competitive and exciting fights from the biggest names and most skilled fighters in the sport. That is something that, right now, fans are only getting on SHOWTIME. This weekend is no exception.

“Lamont Peterson versus Lucas Matthysse promises to be one of the hardest hitting fights of the year.”

# # #

Peterson vs. Matthysse, a 12-round 141 pound catch-weight fight, will take place Saturday, May 18 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME® at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue. In the co-main event, IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander defends his title against IBF number four rated welterweight contender Lee Purdy. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

AN ANTONIO, May 15, 2013 – San Antonio, Texas will once again be the site of a major boxing event when SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® returns to the Lone Star State on Saturday, July 27 with “KNOCKOUT KINGS II,” a spectacular night of world-class fights at the AT&T Center featuring a tripleheader starring some of the sport’s brightest stars live on SHOWTIME.

In the 12-round main event, former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto is back in the ring to take on tough Mexican contender Jesus Soto Karass. Plus, unbeaten knockout artist Keith Thurman and fellow power-puncher Diego Gabriel Chaves battle for Chaves’ WBA Interim Welterweight World Championship and Weslaco, Texas’ undefeated rising star Omar Figueroa Jr. squares off against Tokyo’s Nihito Arakawa for the vacant WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50, $25 and $10, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, go on sale Friday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. CT and will be available for purchase at the AT&T Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.ATTCenter.com, all Ticketmaster locations by calling (800) 745-3000 or through Leija & Battah Promotions by calling (210) 979-3302 or emailing m@leijabattahpromo.com.

The event marks the return of co-promoters Golden Boy Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions to San Antonio where they recently promoted the April 20 blockbuster fight between Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout which had almost 40,000 fans in attendance.

“Texas is our new home away from home and it’s great to be returning so soon after the Alvarez-Trout mega event in April,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “That event proved that boxing is alive and well and on July 27, we’re going to have another stacked card that will pack the AT&T Center.”

“Leija-Battah Promotions is thrilled to be co-hosting another SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event in San Antonio in collaboration with Golden Boy Promotions,” said Mike Battah, President of Leija & Battah Promotions. “The people of San Antonio and Texas demonstrated their affinity for boxing on April 20 at the Canelo vs. Trout sell-out event and we look forward to hosting multiple mega-fights yearly.”

“We have always dedicated ourselves to providing the people of San Antonio and all of South Texas with a broad variety of first-class sports and entertainment events at the AT&T Center,” said Rick Pych, Spurs Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations. “San Antonio is a city that truly appreciates and supports boxing in a big way and this is a terrific opportunity for fight fans to witness three world-class bouts in an arena setting.”

A member of the 2004 Haitian Olympic team, Andre Berto (28-2, 22 KO’s) turned pro later that year and has never looked back. A throwback fighter willing to go into the trenches to put on exciting bouts for his fans, the 29-year-old from Winter Haven, Florida first struck professional gold in 2008 when he stopped Miguel Rodriguez in the seventh round to win the WBC Welterweight World Championship. Berto successfully defended the crown five times before losing it to Victor Ortiz in The Ring Magazine’s 2011 Fight of the Year. He bounced back five months later to defeat Jan Zaveck for the IBF Welterweight World Championship. In his most recent bout, Berto engaged in a fight of the year candidate against Roberto Guerrero, losing a hard fought 12-round decision last November.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve fought in Texas and I’m happy to be back fighting in front of the great fans here,” said Berto. “I’m hungrier than ever to get my title back and the first step is taking out Soto Karass on July 27.”

One of the fight game’s most rugged competitors, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico’s Jesus Soto Karass (27-8-3, 17 KO’s) always gives a supreme effort in the ring and, win or lose, his opponents never emerge from their fights with him unscathed. Fresh off of a January win over Selcuk Aydin, the 30-year-old Soto Karass hopes to add Berto’s name to a list of vanquished foes that includes Euri Gonzalez, Said El Harrak, Vince Phillips, David Estrada and Chris Smith.

“I respect what Andre Berto has done in his career and he’s a tough fighter, but a win over him would be the biggest of my career,” said Soto Karass. “If I want to get a world title shot, I have to go through him to get it.”

A crushing puncher with a 90% knockout rate, Clearwater, Florida’s Keith “One Time” Thurman (20-0, 18 KO’s) has raised his worldwide profile considerably since returning from a year-long injury induced layoff in 2012. Since then, Thurman has gone 5-0 with four knockouts, with wins over Brandon Hoskins, Orlando Lora and former World Champion Carlos Quintana. In his last fight in March, the 24-year-old scored a shutout win over former World Champion Jan Zaveck and on July 27, he challenges for his first world title.

“I’m looking forward to fighting for an interim title and doing it against someone like Chaves,” said Thurman. “I’m not going to have to chase him or get him to fight. We’re going to battle and I’m going to be the last man standing.”

The latest in the line of hard-hitting standouts from Argentina, Diego Gabriel “La Joya” Chaves (22-0, 18 KO’s) shares a similar fighting philosophy with his opponent, Thurman: to end matters as soon as possible. Currently sporting a five-fight knockout streak, the 27-year-old Chaves won the WBA Interim Welterweight World Championship in July of last year with a second round knockout of Ismael El Massoudi and defended it two months later with an identical result against Jose Miranda. Now he’s back to fight in the United States for the first time since 2010.

“I appreciate the opportunity to fight in the United States and against someone with a great reputation like Keith Thurman,” said Chaves. “We’re proud people and proud fighters in Argentina and I’m going to show this to the world on July 27th.”

Adding to the knockout theme on July 27 is Texas’ own titan, Weslaco native Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. (21-0-1, 17 KO’s), who has ended four of his last five wins with first round knockouts. In April, the 23-year-old thrilled his home state fans with a first round knockout over then unbeaten top prospect Abner Cotto, winning the NABA and WBC Interim Silver Lightweight titles in the process. He will draw on the energy from a San Antonio crowd for his third consecutive fight when he fights for his first world title against Arakawa on July 27.

“For me there’s nothing like fighting at home in Texas and the fans of San Antonio have pushed me to new heights in my last two fights,” said Figueroa. “I’m looking forward to giving them another big knockout win.”

Fighting out of Tokyo, Japan, 31-year-old southpaw Nihito Arakawa (24-2-1, 16 KO’s) is a nine-year veteran guaranteed to give Figueroa some looks he has never seen in the ring before. A Japanese and OPBF lightweight champion, Arakawa has won 11 of his last 12 bouts, most recently dispatching Pakphum Tor Pornchai in two rounds on May 4. On July 27, he’ll enter hostile territory with the goal of pinning a “1” on Figueroa’s loss column.

“I’m looking forward to fighting in the United States for the first time against a tough opponent like Omar Figueroa,” said Arakawa. “I’m coming here to put on a great show and take the title back to Japan with me.”

“KNOCKOUT KINGS II,” featuring Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto vs. tough Mexican contender Jesus Soto Karass in a 12-round welterweight main event, takes place Saturday, July 27 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the 12-round co-featured attractions, unbeaten knockout artist Keith Thurman and fellow power-puncher Diego Gabriel Chaves battle for Chaves’ WBA Interim Welterweight World Championship in a fight promoted in association with KO International and Weslaco, Texas’ undefeated rising star Omar Figueroa Jr. squares off against Tokyo’s Nihito Arakawa for the vacant WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship in a fight promoted in association with Teiken Promotions. The tripleheader will be broadcast live on SHOWTIME and will be available in Spanish via second audio programming (SAP).

For information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.ATTCenter.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AndreBerto, www.twitter.com/OmarFigueroaJr, www.twitter.com/attcenter and www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #KnockoutKings2 and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing andwww.facebook.com/ATTCenter.

# # #

2012 Olympic Gold Medal winner Luke Campbell is set to make his pro debut on July 13 in Hull, England according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

That bout will be paired with the rematch that will see Welterweights Kell Brook and Carson Jones square off in a bout for which Jones will look to get even after Brook scored an exciting victory last year.

“This is going to be a special night for Hull and a massive night for British boxing,” said promoter Eddie Hearn said.

“The whole city will have a chance to witness the start of Luke’s professional journey whilst also watching a huge card.”

“Kell Brook returns after a frustrating period, re-matching Carson Jones following their epic battle last July,” Hearn said.

“We took the fight for 20 percent of what he got in the first fight because he wanted the fight so badly,” Bobby Dobbs, Jones’ manager, said. “He left for camp [Tuesday] and Kell Brook is in trouble if he doesn’t pull out.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, undefeated Middleweight J’Leon love failed a post fight drug test when he tested positive for a banned diuretic following his split decision victory over Gabriel Rosado on May 4th.

“Floyd Mayweather nor myself condone this behavior and whatever the Nevada commission sees necessary as punishment we fully support it,” Mayweather Promotions chief executive Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.com. “In addition, there will be repercussions behind this as it relates to Mayweather Promotions and our fighter. This news is disgusting.”

Rosado tweeted, “I just got news that J’Leon Love tested positive for (an) illegal substance. So not only did the judges cheat me but so did Love.”

Love was two hours late for the weigh-in and then was 161½ pounds on his first attempt to make weight. He returned to the scale nearly an hour later — almost maxing out the time allotted to make weight — and was 160 pounds.

“My guess is that’s when he took it, allegedly. He may have taken it then or right before the weigh-in, because he was two hours late,” said Nevad boxing Czar Keith Kizer

“The usual suspension for a diuretic is seven to eight months, but the commission can go up to a year, depending on the circumstances,” Kizer said..

Kelly Swanson
Thanks, everybody, for joining us. We are so excited, this Saturday, May 18 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City for Lamont Peterson vs. Lucas Matthysse and Devon Alexander vs. Lee Purdy. And we’re really excited to have this conference call today. We have all four fighters available and we are going to start with Mr. Purdy and Mr. Alexander.

Before we get into their comments, I’m going to turn the call over to David Itskowitch, Chief Operating Officer of Golden Boy Promotions, to give us a little information about the fight.

David Itskowitch
Thank you, Kelly. As Kelly said, our main event, Lamont Peterson vs. Lucas Matthysse, which is a 12-round 141 pound welterweight fight, and our co-main event, Devon Alexander vs. Lee Purdy, 12-round IBF Welterweight World Championship fight for Mr. Alexander’s title, is Saturday May 18 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona, and AT&T.

We will be televising live on Showtime Championship Boxing beginning at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, meaning we’re delayed on the West Coast. Preliminary fights will air on Showtime Extreme at 7:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, delayed on the West Coast. And the fights will actually air immediately following All-Access Mayweather vs. Guerrero epilogue; which will start at 9:00 p.m. The event will be available using second audio programming in Spanish.

We still have tickets available starting at just $25. Ringsides are $250. We urge everybody on the East Coast, head to Atlantic City, available through the Boardwalk Hall Box Office and through Ticketmaster. Again, this is really, really, really a great show. The main event is one of the best fights that can be made around the 140 and 147 pound weight classes and then of course we’ve got a great world title fight with Devon Alexander and Lee Purdy.

A few notes about Fight Week-our final press conference will be Wednesday the 15th in New York City at Lucille’s Bar and Grill, which is inside BB King’s Blues Club in midtown Manhattan. Lunch begins at 12:30 p.m. and the press conference begins at 1:00 p.m.. And in Atlantic City on Thursday we have fighter roundtables beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Caesar’s Atlantic City in the Apollo and Zeus rooms and Lamont Peterson, Lucas Matthysse, Devon Alexander, Lee Purdy, Anthony Ogogo and Haroon Khan will all be available there.

Then we have our weigh-in, which will be open to the public, and it will in the lobby of Caesars Atlantic City beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. We urge everybody to come out. We usually have a pretty good turn out in the lobby of Caesar’s for our weigh-ins there. And then of course fight night is Saturday the 18at Boardwalk Hall. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and our first fight also begins at 3:30 p.m.

Now I’ll introduce the fighters to say a few words. Before I get to Lee Purdy, I just wanted to acknowledge Eddie Hearn, the Managing Director of Matchroom Boxing, who we’ve been working with on several of our shows of late, working with his fighters and it’s been great working with them.

One of those fighters is Lee Purdy, who has amazed British boxing fans by sailing to the top of the welterweight division despite having no amateur career. He can get into that, but from what I understand he did not have a single amateur fight yet he has risen to be the number four-rated IBF Welterweight Contender.

He’s been a pro since 2006. He brings in a knockout streak into his first world title fight having finished off four consecutive opponents, including Cosme Rivera, who he defeated in March. He stepped up to take this fight after countryman Kell Brook was injured and was unable to participate and he’s looking to make his mark in the United States by upsetting Alexander on Saturday. He has a record of 23-1 (13 KO’s) from Colchester, England, Lee Purdy. Lee?

Lee Purdy
I’m excited for the fight. I’m ready. It’s about late notice but I’m in good shape and I’ll be dangerous for 12 rounds.

Itskowitch
Thank you. Now to say a few words, a young man from St. Louis, Missouri, the former IBF Junior Welterweight and WBC Super Lightweight World Champion, owns wins over Lucas Matthysse, Marcos Maidana, Juan Urango and Junior Witter. In 2012, he moved up to Welterweight and captured the IBF Welterweight World Championship by defeating Randall Bailey in October at Barclay Center.

On May 18 he finally makes the first defense of his new crown after several postponements due to injuries between him and Kell Brook. There were a couple of postponements and then finally Kell Brook fell out of the fight. But we’re ready to go on the 18 in Atlantic City. With a record of 24-1 (13 KO’s) Devon Alexander “The Great.” Devon?

Devon Alexander
Thanks, Dave. ‘Finally’ is the word. I’m finally going to get in the ring after about six months of going back and forth. I’m ready to rock and roll. I’m fast. I’m feeling strong. It doesn’t matter who I fight on the 18, Lee Purdy is a suitable opponent. I know he’s going to come to fight but it’s not going to matter because I’ll be ready for anybody May 18.

I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions, my team and everybody else for staying on it, staying on it and continuing to get the right opponent. You guys got the opponent and now I’m ready to rock and roll.

Itskowitch
Thank you, Devon. I guess now we can turn things over to the media for Q&A.

Q
This is a question, this is a little off the beaten path for Devon. That is in 2004 you were going for a spot on the Olympic team. A guy that you’re familiar with, Rock Allen, got it. I’m sure you’re probably aware that a couple of years ago he had that serious car accident and hasn’t fought since and apparently never will fight again.

Your thoughts on that and have you guys had any contact with him over the last eight or nine years? Are you a little disappointed maybe that there’s no possibility probably that either one of you will ever fight him as a professional?

Alexander
Rock Allen, I did hear about the accident. I had sent my condolences and a few interviews I did after the accident, after I heard the accident had happened. It is terrible that it did happen and that goes to show you how life can take a turn for the worst or the better. For his case, I think it did for the worst.

He beat me in the Olympic trial finals in 2004 when I was going up to try to go the Olympics. Of course I wanted to get that defeat back. I was anxious to get a gold medal but I lost to Rock Allen 16-16, and they went to the scoring and he threw one more punch than me and got a decision.

I always wanted to get that back but I’ve moved on from that and now this is a professional game. I have no attachments to that. I’m world champion now. As far me fighting him, I’ve been passed that.

Q
Okay, just a follow up question, this is for Lee Purdy. There are a few fighters, that are in the Hall of Fame, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, is one, that didn’t have any professional bouts. How much of a disadvantage was it, obviously you’ve overcome it, to go at the professional boxing with no aperture background?

Purdy
I did actually have amateur background. I only had the six when I was 11 years old but it doesn’t make much difference. I’ve put in the hard work over the last few years to get where I am today.

Q
Devon, I wanted to ask you about-like you mentioned in your opening remarks about sort of just the general ups and downs of having your fight with Kell Brooks scheduled and postponed I believe three times. Once because of an injury that you suffered with your bicep and then two times because of injuries that Kell had. And I just wanted to get your take or just your thoughts about just sort of the emotional roller coaster of thinking you’re going to fight and the fight gets cancelled because of your own injury, and then, his situation comes up.

How do you go back and forth from being in a hard camp to like maybe just easing up a little bit? I know how you and Kevin worked together to get to the point now where you have to change everything up and now you’re focused on a new opponent, Lee Purdy, who is a whole different kind of fighter than Kell Brook was. What’s that been like for you over the past, I guess, about, like you said, six months or so?

Alexander
As far as me fighting Kell Brook, it was a roller coaster going back and forth. He got injured, postponed it, then I got injured and then he postponed it again. Then he got injured again then we had to do something else.

So it was a roller coaster and it was very frustrating but I’m a firm believer in it’s going to happen when it’s supposed to happen. Everything happens for a reason. No mistakes happen. No mistakes happen and in boxing, whatever happens, it’s supposed to happen and I’m a firm believer in that.

I’m fighting Lee Purdy for a reason. He must be a suitable opponent. He must be the guy I’m supposed to be fighting at this particular time. So I wanted to fight Kell Brook because they consider him one of the best at 147. I wanted to beat him but they put Lee Purdy in front of me and now I’ve got to beat him.

Q
How is your bicep?

Alexander
My bicep is good. It’s good. Right after I injured my bicep I did therapy on it. I started doing immediate therapy. When I found out it was just a little tear in my bicep, I found that it was healable with therapy and going to the therapy every other day would help it and now it’s ready to go. I’m ready to rock and roll 100%.

Q
When you switched up opponents and you changed over from Kell-and you guys have been talking a lot of smack with each other, I guess, but Kell Brook and Lee, they’re in the same promotional group. How much do you know about Lee Purdy and if you’re able to beat his stalemate do you think it kind of sends a message to Kell Brook that you’re not to be messed around with?

Alexander
I’m a student of the game. When they say I was fighting Lee Purdy, immediately me and my coach and got on it and see what had to deal with because I’m a student of the game. I don’t take anybody lightly.

With that being said, I do want to make a-I want to send a statement to everybody at 147 that I am a force to be reckoned with and that’s what you’re going to see on fight night. I’m ready for whatever. I’m versatile anyway. It didn’t matter if they switched it up to whoever. I was going to be ready for May 18th. I saw all different type of styles, punchers, boxers, sluggers, whatever you name, I’ve seen it all and I’ll be ready for whatever he brings.

Q
All right, great, thank you, Devon. I have a question for Lee. Lee, it’s good to talk to you today. When this fight came up for you can you describe-because it kind of came out of left field, can you describe what your thoughts were when you were told, “Hey, I have an opportunity now to fight Devon for one of the world titles?”

Purdy
When you lace up a pair of gloves when you’re a young boy this is what you dream of and now it’s come true.

Q
What was it like for you when you heard? I guess was it Eddie Hearn that told you about it or was it somebody else that told you about it? What was your immediate reaction?

Purdy
It was my manager and I didn’t have to think twice about fighting Devon. Obviously I saw him fought before and then I believe I can cause him some problems.

Q
Who was your manager, by the way?

Purdy
Tony Sims.

Q
Tony Sims, okay. And how did he tell you? Just call you up and say, “Hey, Lee, we have this opportunity,” or did he say, “Hey, guess what? You’re getting a title shot?” I’m trying to get an idea of idea of what that conversation is like when it sort of comes out of nowhere and you’re not training for a world title fight and all of the sudden within a few weeks you’re going to be stepping into the ring with Devon Alexander.

Purdy
He called me up and he just said, “You’ve got to fight Devon for his IBF title because Kell Brook pulled out.” And I said yes straight away.

Q
But before you knew when the fight was, where the fight was, how much money you were going to be making, anything like that?

Purdy
Yeah, before I knew anything about money, where the fight was, I just said yes straight away.

Q
So what are your thoughts then about coming to America to fight this fight on a very big TV stage, at least in this country. I assume it’s going to be televised also back to England as well. Listen, I don’t think it’s any secret to say Lee Purdy comes into this fight as an unknown fighter in the United States, certainly as an underdog in this fight. You don’t seem like you have anything to lose and you sound confident. So what are your thoughts about coming here to try to take this title back to England?

Purdy
When me and Devon step into that ring it doesn’t matter where the ring is in the world. It’s the ring at the end of the day and Devon that’s going to be in front of me. I’m in great shape and I’m ready to put a big statement out there.

Q
Devon, I want to pick up on what you said. You want to leave a statement to the rest of the 147-pound division. Your last two fights, in fact your last three fights, but in your last two fights you impressively lost very few rounds, if any. And what do you think that says about your skills, number one, and number two, do you feel like you’re ready to step it up in terms of maybe getting a knockout?

Alexander
For sure, for sure. I’m comfortable at 147. I believe in my skill. I believe in my skill and a lot of people actually don’t give me the credit that I deserve and take me lightly and take me for granted, which is cool, which is cool. I’m going to continue to beat these guys. I’m going to continue to beat whoever they put in front of me.

Sometimes you’ve got to make people respect you and that’s what I’m going to do. I just got to continue to win, continue to stay in the gym, continue to learn, continue to progress and continue to step up my game in the ring. Fight better opponents. I’m looking to fight better opponents. I never shied away from any opponent. I’m just looking for the best. After this fight I want the best but we’ve got to deal with May 18th first.

Q
Okay. When you go back and you look at the Maidana fight, you came close to stopping him. In your estimation, is that true and if so why didn’t that happen?

Alexander
Yes, actually when I went to go look back at the fight I did like, “Damn, I could’ve stopped him,” but I was just so anxious to put a hurt on him. I wasn’t relaxed enough and just wanted people to know that Devon is back. At 147 I’m better; I’m stronger and I wasn’t as calm as I needed to be for me to see the knockout.

When I went back and looked at it I was like, “Wow, I could’ve hit him with this shot. Hit him with a fasts shot,” and it could’ve ended a fight, but the Maidana fight is over. I’m constantly learning. I’m smart in the ring. So I’m going to make up for that. There’s better things to come for Devon Alexander. I assure you that.

Q
Okay, so you’re saying basically you can pick up where you left off in the Maidana fight. If that opportunity presents itself against Purdy, who is a good puncher, solid puncher; like Dave Itskowitch was saying, has four straight knockouts, do you think that you’ve learned enough from the Maidana fight to compose yourself and finish off an opponent like that?

Alexander
For sure, for sure, for sure. It’s long overdue. Lee Purdy’s coming to fight. He’s hungry. He wants my title, but he’s just in the wrong spot right now, the wrong time, the wrong time for him. I’m in another lane. He’s in another lane, but my lane is going. If he thinks he’s headed for super stardom he’s in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Q
Okay. My last question for you, when you say super stardom and bigger, better things would it be presumptuous of me to say you’re talking about Floyd Mayweather?

Alexander
Let me get past Lee Purdy first. We’ll talk about the future, but I want to focus on him first.

Q
Lee, since you accepted this fight, how much have you been able to go back and check out Devon’s last two or three fights, Matthysse, Maidana and Bailey, who are all three power punchers, and assess how he did against them given your propensity to knock guys out?

Purdy
I’ve watched him a lot. He holds a lot. I’ve come all this way to fight … he doesn’t allow the holding; it’ll be a good fight.

Q
How do you deal with a guy like him who obviously has taken advantage of situations using his boxing skills? Whether you say it’s the ref or not, how do you do what those three guys couldn’t do?

Purdy
I believe I’m stronger than the three other guys and I punch harder than then and it’s going to make for an exciting fight.

Q
Okay. So you actually think you have an advantage over the guys he’s faced?

Purdy
Yeah, mate, definitely. When he gets close to me of course he’s going to want to hold, but my strength, and I’m not going to stop punching until he lets go.

Q
Last question, I guess have you been able to talk to Kell Brook about Devon, since he’s your promotional stable mate? Have you been able to get anything from him? Do you talk to him much about what he was going to do against Devon, as far as scouting report?

Purdy
I haven’t spoke to Kell. Me and Kell have two different boxing styles. I couldn’t pick much off of Kell anyway.

Q
Hi, good afternoon, both fighters. I’d like to just wish both of you the best of luck Saturday night Atlantic City. Looking forward to seeing both of you in the ring. I just have a question for each guy. I’d like to start out with Devon.

Devon, you worked for a fight against Kell Brook for months and months and months after all the postponements that took place. Obviously Kell Brook was a bigger, higher profile fight for you than the fight you’ll have Saturday night.

So I guess my question is how do you guard yourself against a bit of a let down, given that you were expecting to be facing a little bit more of a higher profile opponent on Saturday than what you’re having? You’re also linked obviously via Twitter to a potential Floyd Mayweather fight not too long ago. So how do you guard yourself against a let down, given that this is not the fight that you were preparing for and probably not the fight you were expecting to have this Saturday?

Alexander
You don’t worry about. You don’t worry about. You have no control over what happens in boxing. Boxing, it changes every day. When you wake up you can hear something in one day; you wake up and it’s changed again. You just can’t let it bother you. You just have to continue to train, continue to do what you got to do for you and your team, getting your team together and just coming up with the best moves to make. That’s what I did.

I’m going to make the best fight we can for Saturday night and we got Lee Purdy. We have to handle business as usual. I wanted to fight Kell Brook but he was injured so we had to switch him to the side because we couldn’t worry about him no more. We had to move on because it would be going on six to seven months dealing with me and Kell. You couldn’t worry about it.

For the Floyd thing, it was just a Tweet everybody went crazy over. I was still focused on Kell Brook at the time. I wasn’t really tripping over Floyd because I had an obligation to fight Kell Brook.

As far as being let down, I’m not let down at all because I always stay positive. I’m a positive person and I believe everything happens for a reason. Everything happens on time. I’ll be ready for whoever, like I said, on May 18, and that’s Lee Purdy. So I’ll be ready for him.

Q
All right, thank you so much, Devon, and good luck to you in the fight on Saturday. Lee, I guess I have one question for you.

Lee, as a fighter who comes into this bout on Saturday, as I think some others have touched on, a relative unknown in the United States. We’ve seen this happen from time to time. A guy like yourself gets a call for a big fight, cashes it in and makes good on it and becomes the next big star in boxing.

Could you just tell us briefly, for those of us who have never had the opportunity to see Lee Purdy fight, who you are as a fighter, what type of fight you’re looking to bring on Saturday night and how you hope to impress the audience, not only here in America but back home, and bring that world title back to England?

Purdy
It’s a fight for as long as it takes. I didn’t come all this way to America to let the fans down. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to come in to fight and I’ll find a way to win.

Q
Okay, great, thank you, Lee. And again, thank you both guys and good luck to both of you on Saturday.

Q
Devon, how the postponement affected you, because sometimes fighters, a fight gets postponed due to injury maybe once and then a new date is made, but three postponements, two to Kell Brook and then one to you, how did that affect you mentally and also in your training regimen?

Alexander
It didn’t affect me mentally at all it was just frustrating. Frustrating that you training for this guy. You’re in a gym. You’ve got sparring partners flying in. You have all this going on and he pulls out again. Thinking a definite fight’s going to go on. We’re definitely on for May 18. It’s frustrating. But like I said, at the end of the day my team got together and said we had to move on and that’s what we did.

Now our full focus is on Lee Purdy. We’re 100 percent focused. We know he’s a tough cookie. He’s coming to take my belt and we’re 100 percent prepared for him. Like I said, I’m on a different level and I’d be ready May 18 for whatever he brings.

Q
What kind of changes do you see or differences do you see in Lee Purdy and Kell Brook as fighting styles and how did you have to adapt, since you were training for Kell Brook, in your training and then all of the sudden have to change everything for Lee Purdy?

Alexander
Like I said earlier, of course you had to change the game plan up a little bit, but I have saw every style there is in boxing. I have saw it. Whether it’s speed, slugger, whether it’s boxer, boxer/puncher, whatever, I done seen it. So it wasn’t that hard to adjust to what Lee Purdy will be doing, what we saw what he’ll be doing and it was just a flick of the wrist.

I think I’m talented enough to adjust to anything, any situation, any style they put in front of me. With all that said, it wasn’t that hard. My coach said it was Lee Purdy. My coach gets right on it. Started to figure the game plan out. That weekend he came up with the game plan and we already set it in motion. We’re ready.

Q
Devon, I know you were talking about the 2004 Olympic trials and your loss at that current time. How has a loss against Tim Bradley affected you? Do you see maybe a possible rematch with him in the future? Is that something that has kind of eaten away at you and something that you want to go forth and redeem?

Alexander
That’s a fight that’s just going to just have to happen with time because at this time he was Top Rank. I was Golden Boy. So I’m really not worried about the fight with Timothy Bradley because we’re on two different roller coasters.

But if it was to happen, I would love to make it happen if it was right, if the time was right and everything, if those pieces came together for it. But as of right now, I’m just focused on moving forward and becoming one of the best boxers at 147. So we’ll just see what happens in the future.

Q
All right, best of luck on Saturday night. Lee, my question for you is since you haven’t had like an amateur background, how do you think that’s going to affect you in a fight, especially against a top-level opposition in Devon Alexander?

Purdy
The amateur style is different to the program. We’re 12 rounds and it’s not all just about skills because in the amateur it’s three rounds. We’ve got 12 rounds in and it comes more to just skill. In the prior ring you need heart, you need power and you need your ability to get through a long 12-round fight and I believe I’ve got all of that in abundance.

Q
We’ve seen a couple fighters especially that haven’t had a great amateur background and kind of turned pro at a late age, kind of like Sergio Martinez, fighters in that class. Do you consider yourself in the same class as Devon Alexander? He says he’s going two different lanes. Do you see yourself in the same lane as him or do you see yourself better or do you see yourself on the same platform?

Purdy
Of course I’m on the same platform as him. I’m in position to challenge Devon’s title and come May 18I’m going to show the world what I’m all about.

Q
Good afternoon, gentlemen. This first question is for Devon. Your last time out against Randall Bailey wasn’t the most prettiest fight to watch. The crowd kind of got a little bit upset and booed a little bit. Do you feel this time that you’ve got to do a little bit more in the ring to kind of please the crowd and maybe kind of build that buzz for the bigger fights that you’re looking to get maybe down the road?

Alexander
Of course. I think everybody in the entertainment field wants to be entertained. This is boxing. You have to be entertaining, of course. I felt that at that time, being smart, that fight was about being smart and getting the title; getting the title and getting out of the ring with the title. That’s what I did.

In this fight, you have to be smart but you can do a little bit in this fight. I’m expecting an exciting fight because Lee Purdy’s exciting. He’s going to come to fight and I’m willing to fight too, myself. So it’s going to be a good fight May 18th.

Q
And then my next question is for Lee. With this being your first time fighting here in the States, what can the U.S. fans expect to see from you in this fight and what about Devon’s style do you think that you can expose during the fight?

Purdy
America’s going to enjoy my style. I’ve come to fight for three minutes of every round. They’re going to expect me to put pressure on Devon. Of course I’m not going to sit back and let him out box me. I’m going to put my heart and soul into this fight and come out victorious.

Swanson
Okay, I think that was the last call for these guys. Do you guys want to make one last comment and then we’re going to switch it over and put Lamont and Lucas on the line. Why don’t we start with you, Lee, if you want to say any last comments. Lee?

Purdy
No, that’s good, thanks.

Swanson
Okay. Thank you so much for joining us and we’ll see you this week. Good luck at the fight. Devon, for you?

Alexander
Thanks to all the media. Thanks to everybody that had the questions for me and see you Saturday night.

Swanson
Okay, all right, so both Lamont Peterson and Lucas Matthysse are on the line. I’m going to send it back to Dave Itskowitch to make the introductions for these fighters. Dave?

Itskowitch
Thank you, Kelly. Before I introduce Lucas to say a few words, I just want to acknowledge our co-promoter who we promote Lucas with and that’s Mario Arano from Argentina. I just wanted to acknowledge him before I introduce Lucas. As I said earlier in the call, this fight is really one of the best fights that can be made in and around the 140 and 147 pound weight classes. Lucas Matthysse is one of the most feared fighters in the game today, most notably because of his crushing knockout power, but I think he’s surprised many people with his boxing ability as well.

He bounced back from two controversial split decision losses to Zab Judah and Devon Alexander, each in opponent’s hometowns to score five straight victories with all those wins coming by way of knockout. A lot of people that watched those fights believe that Lucas won both of them and should be undefeated right now.

In his last three fights, the 30 year old has torn through stiff competition defeating former three division world champion, Roberto Soto, then number one rated WBC Super Lightweight contender, Olusegun Ajose and top contender Mike Dallas Jr. He’ll be looking to stake his claim as one of the top ten best pound-for-pound fighters in the world this Saturday when he squares off against Lamont Peterson. He has a record 33-2 with 31 knockouts, from Trelew, Argentina, he’s been nicknamed by some media members “The Machine,” Lucas Matthysse.

Now I will introduce Lamont Peterson and I just want to acknowledge Barry Hunter of Headbangers Promotions, who’s also Lamont’s trainer and father figure. And I also want to acknowledge Cologne Hunter of Headbangers Promotions who’s an integral part of Lamont and his brother Anthony’s lives and has been for a very long time.

Most of you know Lamont rose from a very difficult childhood, being homeless on the streets of Washington D.C. He eventually went on to win the Unified 140 pound World Championship in front of his hometown fans in D.C., just a short ways away from where he was homeless a few years before that when he defeated Amir Khan in December of 2011

He’s currently the IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion. In his last fight he dazzled his hometown fans with an 8th round technical knockout win over former world champion Kendall Holt. We’re extremely pleased for him to be fighting under the Golden Boy Promotions banner for the first time in this fight. With only a three-month layoff, Peterson’s looking to capitalize on a quick turnaround when he faces one of the hardest punchers in the sport. He has a record of 31-1-1 with 16 KO’s, from Washington D.C., Lamont Peterson. Lamont?

Peterson
Training camp went well, it’s pretty much over. I’m anxious for the fight this weekend. I’m looking forward to it. It should be a great night of boxing, great for my career; great for the sport of boxing and everybody else that’s involved.

Q
Good afternoon, guys. The first question is for Lamont. I’m just wondering how do you see Lucas stacking up with the competition that you’ve had so far? Where do you rank him in terms of competition?

Peterson
Of course I’ll have to see this weekend, but as far as what I see on paper and on film, he’s right there with the rest of those guys, if not better. He’s a top guy. We’re fighting each other for a reason, because we’re two of the top guys that want a challenge and that’s what we’re going to do Saturday night.

Q
Do you think that he has greater punching power than perhaps some of the other guys that you’ve faced, like Holt or anybody like that?

Peterson
I’m not sure because I normally don’t worry about anybody’s punching power before the fight. I understand that it’s boxing and I’m going to get hit. So I just don’t worry about it. That’s something that’s a given. If I get hit hard or not, that really doesn’t make a difference to me. I’m willing to take any shot that anybody can give out.

Q
What did you get out of the fight against Holt? What did you learn about yourself in that particular fight?

Peterson
I really didn’t learn anything about myself that I didn’t already know. It was good to get back in the ring. It had been a while since I’d been in there and I just wanted to get in there and really get my feet wet again and that’s pretty much it-getting comfortable because I knew these big fights were going to be coming and coming fast.

Q
Lucas, do you think you have to go into this fight with the mentality that you have to get a knockout because you’ve lost so many tough decisions to top opponents of in championship caliber fights?

Matthysse
I’m not coming in with that mentality. I’ve been training a lot because i know that i am going up against a very experienced fighter.

Q
Do you think you’ll get a fair decision?

Matthysse
Yes, I’m not worried about that. I’m going to come out to do my work. I’m going to work just like I’ve been working hard for the fight and I believe the judges will give a clear decision.

Q
A couple questions first for Lucas. Lucas, can you give us an idea of when you realized you’d be able to be a fighter with great punching power? And how much confidence that gives you maybe if you’re behind in a fight where you know you can win it just with one good punch?

Matthysse
Early on in my career I found out that I had a good punch. I’ve obviously trained hard throughout my career to obtain that. And , yes, it gives me calm. It gives me a lot of confidence and I’m very calm in the fights because I know what the opponents are thinking about in order to land one punch they might get caught with one of my punches. So obviously it’s a great deal of confidence that I have because of my punch.

Q
Can you talk a little bit about kind of the pride you take in having as many knockouts as you have, is it something you wear as a badge of honor? I know you talked earlier about not approaching this fight thinking that you have to win by knockout, but what’s the pride level you take in knocking out your opponent?

Matthysse
Yes, there’s a lot of pride and there’s a lot of pride and obviously it’s one of the most important things in boxing, being able to knock someone out, something that’s very, very important to this sport. I feel a lot of pride and a lot of happiness.

Q
Lamont, we talked about your defense and how much pride you take in it. Going into a fight like this where you’re facing a guy that has potential for a one-punch knockout, is defense even that much more important for you? Will it be that much more important for you on Saturday night?

Peterson
I won’t worry about defense too much. I’ll just worry about-the only thing on defense I’ll worry about, just not getting hit clean and that’s always the case in every fight. Because at the end of the day, whether a person can punch or not, if the person can punch really hard and he hits you clean then yes, you’re going to go out. But even if the person can’t punch that hard, if he hits you clean you can go out. So I mostly concentrate on not getting hit clean and that’s what I’ll do in this fight.

Q
Lamont, again, against Holt you talked about how you were kind of measuring him up in the first couple rounds and then feeling him out and then you started, in the fourth round, taking over. Is that a strategy you think you may be employing again this time when you fight Matthysse?

Peterson
You’ve seen a lot of my fights. That’s kind of how I work or go about things. People can call me a slow spotter, but I guess that’s the case. I take my time. I figure things out and after a few rounds I start taking over.

Q
I have a question that’s a little bit of course. And that is Philadelphia’s like a one-hour drive from Atlantic City. You have a history in the amateurs with Rock Allen. You’re probably aware of the horrible automobile accident he was in a few years ago that ended his career. Have you had any contact with him over the last seven or eight years or at least since the 2004 Olympic trials? I was a little curious that both you and Devon, who were at the trials with him, being on this card as world champions. And the other thing is are you a little sad maybe that you won’t get a chance to resume your rivalry that you had with him in the amateurs as a professional?

Peterson
I haven’t been in contact with him since the amateurs. We were never one-it was kind of like a rivalry so we never really talked much. I talked to his father once or twice last year and he said that they were doing pretty good. He kind of gave me an update on him.

As far as the rivalry thing and the pros, I was looking forward to it but that’s life. You know how life goes. A lot of things that you want and that you’re expecting sometimes never happen. I just hope the best for him, for a full recovery. I heard he’s doing pretty well now. I’m sad that he’s not going to be able to continue his career because he really could fight and had a promising career, but the main thing is I’m happy that he’s alive and he’s healthy.

Q
One of the things, I think it was Dave Itskowitch that said at the beginning was that Lucas was one of these fighters that very few people really want to fight. You seem different than that, that pretty much within a couple of days after your victory against Kendall Holt or even maybe that day or the next day there was discussion that you would make this fight.

It was just a matter of working out the deal, but you and your team, Barry and everybody, seemed very anxious and interested to fight Lucas Matthysse. And I’m wondering what was it about Lucas that made you different than pretty much everybody else in the weight class that was running towards a fight with Lucas as opposed to away from a fight with Lucas?

Peterson
It was nothing about Matthysse that I saw in the ring. It was the media who said things like, “No one wants fight him.” I’m in a division, in the same division, when I hear things like that, that are not true, it kind of gets under my skin. I’m like, “I’ll fight anyone.” Not being angry or anything, it’s just the fact that I want to prove to everyone I’m the best at the weight class.

A lot of people, when you hear about the best in the weight class, they were saying his name. So of course that was the person that I wanted to fight to prove myself and to let people know that someone out here wanted to fight him.

Q
I’m also curious about this. Listen, it’s a great match up, as we’ve all talked about. This is not anything bad about it. I love this fight, but I am curious as to the reason why you both have selected to do this fight at 141 pounds when you both have belts-you have your IBF title. He has his interim title-and why it is not for either of those belts at stake? Could you talk about your take on that?

Peterson
With me I always thought that we were fighting for my belt. I wasn’t sure if we were fighting for his belt. But for the most part, that’s what I expected until a few weeks ago when it was said that it wasn’t. I guess at the end of the day I heard a few different stories. So when you hear a few different stories some of them are not correct and one might be correct.

But the main thing is you have two of the top guys fighting each other. To me, I won’t say belts don’t mean anything, but as far as where I’m trying to be in this sport and trying to be the best fighter at the weight class and possibly another weight class, those belts mean nothing-

Q
But the thing is, Lamont, you wanted-if it had been your decision solely…?

Peterson
I would’ve made 140 pounds easily and defended it, no problem, not one problem.

Q
Okay. Lucas the same question about the situation with title? My understanding is that you were the one that wanted to still have his interim title. So because the IBF, for obvious reasons, would not allow a unification between its title and an interim title you made the decision to hang onto the interim title to sort of maintain his mandatory status for the Garcia Title. Could you explain what your thought process was in making this a non-title fight?

Eric Gomez
I can answer that for you, if you’d like.

Q
I’d like to hear the answer and I’d also like to hear Lucas’ opinion.

E. Gomez
Okay. Well basically the IBF has a rule. The IBF has a rule and they do not allow or they do not recognize interim titles. So if Lucas was going to put his title in play they would not approve the fight. So that was a big obstacle for us. We all put our heads together and the best outcome would be to make the fight at 141.

Everybody knows that both guys are two of the top guys in the division. Everybody obviously recognizes that Lamont is the world champion. He won the title. It’s his title. And Lucas, he won his interim title. So because both organizations couldn’t come to an agreement, they talked amongst themselves. I understand the Mauricio from the WBC spoke to their people and then tried to work something out and they couldn’t come to an agreement so we all decided the best thing to do was to fight at 141.

Q
That with Lucas having the interim title that the idea of any interim title is to get a shot at a regular world title. That by getting this fight with Lamont he would be fighting for Lamont’s major world title and therefore the interim title wouldn’t really be necessary.

E. Gomez
Yeah, he obviously fought very hard and he paid the sanctioning fees to the WBC. So he wanted his belt in play.

Matthysse
Obviously an agreement couldn’t be reached for the title but I’m fine with it. I’m calm and I’m fine with it because everybody knows that this is an important fight. Whether there’s a title or no title involved, this is a very important fight. Two top guys fighting each other so this is an important fight, but I feel fine. I’m calm and it’s still a very important fight.

Q
Okay, and just one other thing for both guys. Lamont, your first, like Eric just said and Lucas said, a very important fight, a good fight in the weight class, two of the top guys, but having talked to Richard Schaefer from Golden Boy, he looks at this as having had Danny Garcia get his win against Zab Judah a couple of weeks ago and you two guys are going to go at it on Saturday. What he would like to do is take Garcia, who won the fight in April against Judah, and the winner of your fight on Saturday, be it yourself or Lucas, and make perhaps what could be even a bigger fight sometime in the fall, maybe September, between the winner of Saturday’s fight between you guys and Garcia to unify some of those titles. What are your thoughts about using this fight to get into that fight and then your thoughts about that match up possibly?

Peterson
I’m okay with any of those match ups. At the end of the day, those are some of the top guys in the division and to me that’s what boxing’s all about. Once you get to this level it shouldn’t be any more C class fighters. There should be top-level guys, top five. I don’t even want to say top ten. It should be the top five guys. And those are some of the names that are in the top five, in my book, so I have no problem with that lineup.

Q
So you like the idea of using this to get into a big fight with Garcia if you win Saturday?

Peterson
Yeah, yeah, I’m definitely okay with it.

Q
Lucas what are your thoughts about the winner of this fight getting a shot to unify with Danny, who’s through his half of the mythical bracket?

Matthysse
Yes, definitely, definitely, that’s what I want. I want that, if that’s the reason for this fight. I hope that everything comes out okay because yes, I would love to fight Danny Garcia.

Q
If I could just please start out with Lamont. Lamont, obviously you got the biggest win of your career when you upset Amir Khan and then you were out of the ring for an extended period of time before returning against Kendall Holt. So I guess my question for you, Lamont, is you know boxing as well as anybody does and it’s not just about winning fights. It’s also about being in the forefront of people’s minds when you’re trying to make fights and you had that extended period of time where you were out of the ring. So I guess my question is how important is it for you, on a big stage on Saturday night, to make an emphatic statement that not only is Lamont Peterson back but that he never was really gone to begin with?

Peterson
It’s very important. Every fight right now is important to me because you’re at the top level right now and every fight that you win, every fight that you’re in is a big fight and if you win that big fight you’re going to a bigger fight. I’m 29 years old now. So I’m, some people might not say this but, on the tail end of my career. I don’t plan on doing this much longer.

Everyone knows that in boxing a loss is a setback. So it’s important for me to go out and win for many different reasons. I’m still trying to bury that whole drug testing situation. People seem to forget very fast about how I performed up and to that Khan fight. And then after the Khan fight a lot of people were saying I need this and that and this and that. But people forget that I’ve already been a top fighter and I just want to get paid to go out and to prove to people that Lamont Peterson’s still a top fighter and a world champion.

Q
Just one more for you, Lamont, if you don’t mind. Obviously you haven’t stepped in the ring yet with Lucas, but everyone on the call and I’m sure yourself and your team are well aware of the reputation he brings into the ring as being a very, very strong power puncher. I know obviously you haven’t fought him yet and you’ll be better in position to answer this question on Saturday or even Sunday, but where would you rank him among the punchers you’ve faced in your career before him?

Like I said, he has that reputation as being a knockout artist, a very fearsome power puncher. So where would you rank him in terms of the punching power that you’ve seen in the past in your career and do you feel that he could present any sort of a problem for you come Saturday night with that power?

Peterson
Like you said, it’s hard to tell. I’d have to answer that question after Saturday night, but as far as from what I feel and think, he’s a strong guy and he can punch. It’s not the fact that-you have good punchers who don’t have good knockout ratios. I think the fact that he works hard and the fact that he gets a lot of knockouts, for the most part, the punching power, but a lot of times you can get power from just working, just knowing how to break someone down. I think that’s more the case with Lucas than anything.

Q
All right, thank you so much, Lamont, and again, the best of luck to you on Saturday night. I have a quick question for Lucas. It’s a little similar to the first question I had for Lamont in that Lucas, you have a reputation. You’re a big puncher. Lots of guys have seemingly gone out of their way to try and avoid fighting you for that reason. So my question for you is, given the fact that in the two losses you have in your career against Alexander and Judah, you knocked both guys down. There was a lot of discussion and debate over whether you truly deserved to lose those fights. And with your reputation of being an avoided fighter, how important is it for you to get a win on Saturday night, because if you lose it’s going to make it a little bit more difficult given your reputation to get another big fight like this? So how important is it for you Saturday night to make a statement against Lamont and establish yourself as a star in the sport that people can’t avoid?

Matthysse
Yes, it’s very important. Winning this fight on Saturday and doing it in big fashion is going to open doors. It’s going to open a lot more doors. So it’s very, very important. Probably the most important fight of my career. I’m looking for the big fights. I want the big match ups. We want the big names and it all starts Saturday.

Swanson
Okay, so that was our last question. Lucas if you want to say any last minutes comments before we let you go and then we’ll finish up with Lamont.

Matthysse
Great, thank you for the support, everybody, and it’s going to be a great fight on Saturday. Don’t miss it and we’ll see you there.

Peterson
I’m looking forward to Saturday night. I’m a boxing fan so the fight’s right there to make me excited even though I’m the one fighting. Just thanks for everybody’s ongoing support. DC will be in the house. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll see you on Saturday.

Swanson
Okay, great, thank you so much. Okay, that wraps up our call and we look forward to seeing everyone at the Fight Week activities and then again in Atlantic City this weekend. Thank you very much.
END OF CALL

Peterson vs. Matthysse, a 12-round 141 pound catch-weight fight,will take place Saturday, May 18 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME® at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue. In the co-main event, IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander defends his title against IBF number four rated welterweight contender Lee Purdy. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

There is only one stepping-stone left between Alexander Povetkin (25-0, 17
KOs) and the World Championship bout with Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 50 KOs).
The current WBA Champion takes on Andrzej Wawrzyk (27-0, 13 KOs) this
Friday, a must-win situation for Povetkin. Defeat is not an option or the
hotly anticipated fight against the Ukrainian is over before it has even
begun. The champion met up with his challenger for the very first time
during today´s press conference. This is what they had to say:

Alexander Povetkin (WBA Heavyweight Champion): ?I am putting my belt on the
line, so this is a very important fight for me. I promise to give it all I
have. My opponent?s name on Friday is Wawrzyk and not Klitschko. I am fully
focused on him and want to give the fans inside the Arena a great show.?

Andrzej Wawrzyk (Challenger): ?As soon as they offered me to fight Povetkin,
I accepted. This could be the chance of a lifetime. I have been in training
anyways so I was ready from the get-go and I will try everything possible to
burst the bubble that is the fight between Povetkin and Klitschko.?

Kostya Tszyu (Coach Alexander Povetkin): ?Alexander has developed a lot
during our time together. His punches become more powerful every time we
step into the gym and I can feel them through the pads. I am glad that he
does not hit me anywhere else. Wawrzyk should better be careful because
Alexander´s strength will make the difference on May 17.?

But not only the heavyweight championship, which Vitali Klitschko will be
attending, will keep the fans on the edge. Also WBA Cruiserweight Champion
Denis Lebedev (25-1, 19 KOs) takes on ?Champion in Recess? Guillermo Jones
(38-3-2, 30 KOs).