London (30, November, 2012) Official Weights from Belfast.

Fury vs. Johnson, proudly presented by Hennessy Sports will be broadcast live on Channel 5 from 9pm tomorrow night.

Supporting Tyson will be middleweight sensation Chris Eubank Jnr in his 8th pro fight against Bradley Pyrce and former Commonwealth champion John O’Donnell who is challenging Irish champion Stephen Haughain over 8 rounds.

The undercard will also feature Tyson Fury’s cousin Phill Fury against Joe Hillerby, Matthew Wilton vs. Jozsef Garai, Marc McCullough vs. Michael Kelly, Dee Walsh vs Paul Morby, Daniel McShane vs Janis Puksins, John Hutchinson vs Gerald Healy, Paul Quinn vs Tibor Meszaros and Conall Carmichael vs Darren Corbett.

Official Weights from Kennedy Centre, Belfast.

12 x 3 minute rounds – WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator Contest

Click on picture below to watch the footage from the weigh in

Tyson Fury vs Kevin Johnson

Tyson Fury – 17st 10lbs

Kevin Johnson – 17st 2lbs

8 x 3 minute rounds – Middleweight Contest

Chris Eubank Jr vs. Bradley Pryce

Chris Eubank Jr – 11st 9lbs

Bradley Pryce – 11st 9lbs

8 x 3 minute rounds – Welterweight Contest

John O’Donnell vs. Stephen Haughian

John O’Donnell – 10st 8lbs

Stephen Haughian – 10st 8lbs

8 x 3 minute rounds – Light Middleweight Contest

Phill Fury vs. Joe Hillerby

Phill Fury – 11st 2lbs

Joe Hillerby – 11st 4lbs

The Undercard Weights

Matthew Wilton (10st 6lbs) vs. Jozsef Garai (10st 6lbs)

Marc McCullough (9st 11lbs) vs. Michael Kelly (10st 5lbs)

Daniel McShane (9st 4lbs) vs. Janis Puksins (9st 5lbs)

John Hutchinson (11st 5lbs) vs. Gerald Healy (11st 5lbs)

Paul Quinn (9st) vs. Tibor Meszaros (8st 12lbs 7oz)

Conall Carmichael (15st) vs. Darren Corbett (17st 6lbs)

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

1st December – Ticket Details

Tickets are available to purchase from the Odyssey Arena Box Office on 0289 073 9074 or Ticketmaster 0844 277 4455 (24 hour).

Tickets are also available to purchase in person from Odyssey Arena Box Office and usual Ticketmaster outlets and online from www.ticketmaster.ie

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS

For more information on Channel 5, Lonsdale, Liquid, Super Channel, Wealth TV and Odyssey

Arena please visit.

www.channel5.com

www.Lonsdale.com

www.OdysseyArena.co.uk

www.L1quid.com

www.wealth.tv

www.superchannel.ca

Philadelphia, PA-When Teon Kennedy sustained an injured knee last month and had to withdraw from his fight with Jerry Belmontes on Dec. 8 at Temple University, it opened the door for fellow-Philadelphian Eric Hunter.

Hunter, extremely talented but on a treadmill going nowhere, jumped at the chance to impress on national television and in front of his hometown fans as well.

The 10-round junior lightweight fight will serve as the co-feature to the main event which features Bryant Jennings, of Philadelphia, in a 12-round defense of his USBA heavyweight title against Bowie Tupou, of Tonga.

The two fights will be televised on NBC Sports Network Fight Night beginning at 10pm (EST). First of nine preliminary matches begin at 7:15pm.

Hunter, 24, had an impressive amateur career and he is 16-2, 9 K0s, as a pro.

“I had about 200 amateur fights,” he said. “I won the National PAL, Junior Olympics, Golden Gloves, Diamond Belts, all that. I got a couple of titles under my belt.”

Hunter’s nickname is “Outlaw” because, he says, “I didn’t care how I won when I was kid. I just fought everybody.”

After turning pro in 2005, Hunter racked up five quick wins, then he was idle for 10 months before fighting Carlos Vinan, of Newark, NJ, early in 2007. Hunter dropped Vinan early in the fight but faded down the stretch and lost a six-round split decision.

Two weeks later he fought again, winning the first of 10 straight fights despite another one-year gap in activity from mid-2008 to mid-2009. After beating lefty Andre Wilson, of St. Joseph, MO, in 2010, Hunter landed his first TV assignment against Cuban Luis Franco, but was disqualified in the eighth round for low blows.

“I took it hard,” Hunter said. “On TV and a guy I shoulda beat. I think I really should have won that fight. Honestly, it was an easy fight for me. But you take fights on short notice (six days) and take the opponent lightly, that’s what happens.

“Listening to people that you think have your best interests at heart (is what hurt me). That’s what messed me up. Thinking they were going to move me. Being manipulated. (Letting) people draw you in instead of having your own mind. But now I just have to grow. Right now I’m gonna right my wrongs. That’s what I’m gonna do.”

Hunter was idle for 19 months after losing to Franco. He returned last July 7 and stopped Jason Rorie, of Winston-Salem, NC, in two rounds at the Convention Center in Philadelphia.

“That was my pro debut (against Rorie) as far as I’m concerned,” Hunter said. “Now I have to do what I was supposed to do.

“My talent is real, real high. But I’m not proven. Maybe it’s the people I associate with, or used to associate with. Maybe it’s a lot of things why I’m not a world champion right now.’

“I want to show now that I’m busy and that I want to go to the top. I figure I’m one of the best fighters in Philly. You got a lot of great fighters out there. You got Mike Jones, Teon Kennedy, Danny Garcia, Hank Lundy, Karl Dargan. You got a lot of guys who came up with me and I should be right there (with them). So I’m back to the drawing board.”

When he got the call to fill-in for Kennedy, Hunter did not hesitate to take on Belmontes (17-0, 5 K0s), of Corpus Christi, TX.

“I’m always in the gym and I’m blessed with this opportunity,” he said.

ABOUT DECEMBER 8TH

Pearson/McGonigle Halls, a 4,500-seat venue at Temple University located at 1800 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121. It has hosted both professional and amateur boxing in the past, but when NBC Sports Network broadcasts the sixth installment of its Fight Night series on Dec. 8, it will be the first professional boxing event held at Pearson/McGonigle Halls in over 19 years.

Ten bouts are planned for the Philadelphia card. The fight is promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing, and Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with BAM Boxing. Tickets priced at $35, $50 and $75 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing at 215-765-0922 or going online at www.peltzboxing.com. Tickets also are on sale at www.comcastTIX.com.

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

On DIRECTV NBC Sports Network has moved to channel 220.

Tweet the link to NBC Sports Network Fight Night channel finder: bit.ly/175UuU

Twitter: #FightNight Twitter: @main_events @NBCSN

Facebook:facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing facebook.com/NBCSports

Heavyweight prospect David Price scored a second round knockout over former world title challenger Matt Skelton in a scheduled twelve round Heavyweight bout to retain the British and Commonwealth Heavyweight championship at the Aintree Equestrian Center in Liverpool, England.

Skelton came out and tried to bully Price on the ropes in round one. Price was able to find the range and land a couple of good right hand late in the round. Price landed a hard right hand that set up some solid body shots that sent Skelton down on all fours. Skelton’s corner then threw in the towel and the fight was stopped.

Price is on the fast track to a world title opportunity and is now 15-0 with thirteen knockouts. Skelton is now 28-7.

Tony Dodson scored a six round unanimous decision over John Anthony in a Super Middleweight bout.

The referee scored the bout 60-55 for Dodson and is now 29-7-1. Anthony is 8-28-1

Steve Williams scored a twelve round decision over Kirk Goodings in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

The referee scored the bout 116-115 for Williams and is now 13-1. Goodings is 7-1.

These fights were shown all over the United States on WealthTV and www.wealthtv.com

Austin Trout 154 – Miguel Cotto 153.6
Jayson Velez 125.8 – Salvador Sanchez II 125.2
Daniel Jacobs 161.2 – Chris Fitzpatrick 163.3 (needs to lose .3

London (30 November) TYSON Fury says he will send out a clear message to the world that he is the future of the heavyweight division when he defeats American Kevin Johnson in their WBC World heavyweight title eliminator.

Fury and Johnson meet at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena tomorrow night in the Hennessy Sports show which is live on Channel 5 and also features unbeaten middleweight prospect Chris Eubank jnr.

“I’m the best heavyweight since Lennox Lewis and after this fight I want Vitali Klitschko or Wladmir Kliktschko. This man is getting smashed to bits,” said undefeated Fury.

“Forget about David Haye and David Price, they’re not in my league and after I beat Johnson there’s no American left who could take on the Klitschkos so that just leaves me.

“People haven’t seen the best of me. I’m still only 24 but on Saturday night in Belfast you will see just how much I have improved and people won’t believe the shape I’m in. I could have a 20-round war if I had to.

“I can fight, I can box, I do anything in the ring, nobody can live with me and that includes the Klitschkos.

“This is now my era, I’m taking over and Johnson is not going to stand in my way. I know that he will be awkward, he’s a bit like the Floyd Mayweather of the heavyweight division because he can be defensive but he can punch as well so I have set him the traps and punish him.”

Promoter Mick Hennessy is confident that Fury will face one of the Klitschkos after having talks with their management.

“I have spoken to Vitali’s people and they are very open to doing a fight with Tyson but there is also the option of fighting Wladimir and Tyson is up for fighting any of the brothers,” commented Hennessy.

“As long as they realise that Tyson is the only credible heavyweight out there to make a super fight with and they are fair at the business table then the fight will happen in 2013, either one of the brothers.

“It needs to be a stadium fight so we’ll be looking at sometime between May and July. We know as a team that it would sell out a stadium. They would prefer to work with us and do the Tyson fight than work with any other contender.”

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

1st December – Ticket Details

Tickets are available to purchase from the Odyssey Arena Box Office on 0289 073 9074 or Ticketmaster 0844 277 4455 (24 hour).

Tickets are also available to purchase in person from Odyssey Arena Box Office and usual Ticketmaster outlets and online from www.ticketmaster.ie

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS

For more information on Channel 5, Lonsdale, Liquid, Super Channel, Wealth TV and Odyssey

Arena please visit.

www.channel5.com

www.Lonsdale.com

www.OdysseyArena.co.uk

www.L1quid.com

www.wealth.tv

www.superchannel.ca

It seems like the festive spirit is taking over. The Austrian Boxing
Federation (FVA) let Michael Sprott (26-19, 17 KOs) of the hook and reduced
his ban in order for him to face Edmund Gerber (22-0, 14 KOs) for the second
time on December 15. The heavyweight clash is part of the undercard to the
WBO Super Middleweight World Championship between Arthur Abraham (35-3, 27
KOs) and Mehdi Bouadla (26-4, 11 KOs).

After Sprott´s TKO loss to Edmund Gerber on September 15, the 37-year-old
seemed to have let the frustration get the better of him as he went to
confront Referee Gerhard Sigl and ended up pushing him, as he did not
believe that Sigl had to stop the fight. Just a few days after the event in
Bamberg, Germany, the sanctioning body of the fight (FVA) decided to ban the
man from Reading for three months. However, due to the fact that Sprott
previously had a record of immaculate behaviour he was granted permission to
participate in Nuremberg, just a few days before the official end of the
ban.

In contrary to Sprott, Edmund Gerber has already been back inside the ring
since the happenings from Bamberg. In Halle/Westphalia, the 24-year-old won
an unanimous decision against Darnell Wilson from America. But the November
3 fight was not as plain sailing as the result might suggest. Right towards
the end of the very first round, Wilson landed two left haymakers to the
head of the German that almost sent him crashing to the canvas. “I have
definitely learned a lot from that fight. I only lost concentration for a
brief moment and dropped my right hand. My coach warned that this could
happen – from now on I will listen to him even more carefully,” said the
prodigy of Karsten Roewer.

The spectators at the Arena in Nuremberg will be looking forward to the
rematch between the Brit Michael Sprott and Edmund Gerber. And the German
heavyweight hopeful remembers the bout against Sprott too well. “It took me
a while to get into the fight. I will have to improve in terms of boxing.
Although I did win in the end, I had some difficulties to adjust to his
style. Now I know exactly what I have to do. The fans will get to witness an
exciting matchup.”

His key to success: “I will have to move around a lot more in order to make
it harder for him to find the target. If I can also take the initiative in
the fight it will be very hard to beat me.”

According to Gerber, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the second
fight between the pair. “I am convinced that I will be much better than in
our first meeting. I am looking forward to showcase my abilities. After I
have done that I will take some time off and spend the holidays with my
family.”

Tickets for the big fight night are in Nuremberg are available at
www.eventim.com and www.boxen.com.

LINCOLN, R.I. (Nov. 29, 2012) – Nearly one year removed from what he originally thought would be his last fight, “The Pride Of Providence” made an emphatic – and successful – return to the ring Thursday night in front of his hometown fans.

Peter Manfredo Jr. (38-8) dominated Pittsburgh, Pa., challenger Rayco Saunders (22-19-2) to earn a 99-91, 100-90, 100-90 unanimous-decision win at Twin River Casino in the 10-round main event of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports’ “The Pride Is Back” professional boxing event.

Manfredo Jr., who last fought in November of 2011 in a knockout loss to world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., spent seven weeks with legendary trainers Freddie Roach and Ernie Zavala in preparation of Thursday’s fight and it showed as “The Pride Of Providence” utilized a steady jab throughout the night and simply out-worked the over-matched Saunders.

“Tonight, I felt good,” Manfredo Jr. said. “This was the longest layover I ever had. He was very, though – the biggest guy I’ve fought in a while. I just used my jab. Ernie and Freddie did a great job getting me ready for this fight and I showed.”

Manfredo Jr. circled the ring brilliantly, out-pointing Saunders throughout the fight. Saunders showed no willingness to establish his jab and failed to cut off the ring, allowing Manfredo Jr. to literally box circles around him for 10 rounds. Saunders stunned his opponent momentarily with a hard right hand in the fifth, but Manfredo Jr. survived the round and then bounced back with another methodical, well-executed performance in the sixth to stem the tide.

“This is my first step back,” Manfredo Jr. said. “You have to walk before you crawl.”

The co-feature starred Providence’s female bantamweight sensation Shelito Vincent (6-0), who kept her perfect record intact with a dominant 60-54, 59-55, 59-55 win over challenger Rosie Thomas. Vincent utilized her superior speed to earn her fifth win of the year and finish 2012 with a remarkable 5-0 record.

Springfield, Mass., welterweight Zack Ramsey (3-0, 3 KOs) made quick work of Mobile, Ala., newcomer Michael Lambert (0-1) in the opening bout, stopping his opponent in just 1 minute, 15 seconds. Ramsey sent Lambert to the canvas twice with referee Joey Lupino promptly stopping the bout after the second knockdown.

Light heavyweight Tylon Burris (4-0, 3 KOs) of Hartford, Conn., ended Kevin Cobbs’ five-fight winning streak with authority, stopping Cobbs at the 1:19 mark of the second round. Burris knocked down Cobbs in the opening minute of the first round and continued to apply the pressure in the second, rocking his opponent with a series of hard, overhands rights that sent Cobbs into the ropes. Lupino mercifully stopped the bout following another flurry from Burris.

In the six-round, super middleweight attraction, Joey Gardner (10-5-1) of Woonsocket, R.I., out-worked Providence’s Alex Amparo (5-1) to earn a 59-55, 58-56, 58-56 unanimous decision victory. Gardner was the busier fighter, effectively weaving in and out of trouble throughout the fight and landing more than enough punches while simultaneously avoiding any serious damage. The loss was Amparo’s first in six professional bout while Gardner picked up his second consecutive win and his third in his last four fights.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (November 29, 2012) – With the Manny Pacquiao – Juan Manuel Márquez 4 welterweight rumble projected to be a sellout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Top Rank announced today that the pay-per-view portion of the card would be available in Las Vegas via closed-circuit at the following MGM Resorts International properties: ARIA, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York-New York and Circus Circus.

Closed circuit tickets to Pacquiao-Marquez 4 priced at $50, not including applicable service charges, go on sale This Monday! December 3 at 10 a.m. PT. All seats will be general admission and will be available at each individual property’s box office outlets.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions, Zanfer Promotions, Márquez Boxing, Tecate, Wonderful Pistachios, Cinemax ‘Banshee,’ Smart Communications, Universal Pictures ‘Django Unchained’ and MGM Grand, remaining MGM Grand Garden Arena tickets to Pacquiao-Márquez 4 are priced at $1,200, $900 and $400. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at all MGM Resorts box offices and online at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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

All-new editions of HBO’s all-access reality series 24/7 PACQUIAO/MARQUEZ 4 debut on Saturday, December 1 (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) – while the finale debuts Friday, December 7 (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET/PT), the night before the high-stakes welterweight showdown. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand and HBO GO®.

Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs), of the Philippines, and Juan Manuel Márquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs), of México, who have won world titles in 12 weight divisions between them, will go mano a mano and toe-to-toe, for the fourth time, in a 12-round welterweight battle, Saturday, December 8, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Pacquiao vs. Márquez 4 telecast, which begins at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 92 million pay-per-view homes. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. Follow HBO Boxing news at www.hbo.com and at www.facebook.com/hboboxing. Use the hashtag #PacMarquez to join the conversation on Twitter. For Pacquiao vs. Márquez updates, log on to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com.

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

NEW YORK, November 29 – This Saturday night, December 1 marks the return of Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto to Madison Square Garden in New York City where he will face undefeated WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin Trout. Before Cotto enters the ring in the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader, some of his island’s finest up-and-comers, including Jorge Melendez and Jeffrey Fontanez will step through the ropes on what promises to be a crowd-pleasing undercard.

Also in action in the Big Apple will be Newark, New Jersey’s Michael Perez, New Brunswick, New Jersey’s Jorge Diaz and The Bronx’s Eddie Gomez, adding a genuine local flavor to fight night at The Garden.

Making his Madison Square Garden debut, Manati’s Jorge Melendez (24-2-1, 23 KO’s) has thrilled Puerto Rican fans for years with his knockout power and exciting style. Putting his 11-fight winning streak on the line in a fight that will be aired exclusively in Puerto Rico as part of the event’s pay-per-view broadcast on the island, the 23-year-old power-puncher is prepared to show that he is a force in the super welterweight division. Melendez will face Greensboro, North Carolina’s James Winchester 15-6 (5 KO’s) in an eight-round fight.

Another ferocious youngster out of Puerto Rico, 20-year-old Caguas native Jeffrey Fontanez (9-0, 8 KO’s) will also be making his New York City debut and will appear on the Puerto Rican pay-per-view broadcast. Fontanez, who is 6-0 in 2012 with three first round knockouts, will fight help to continue the long-standing Puerto Rico-Mexico boxing rivalry when he meets Tijuana’s Pedro Arcos (12-2-1, 9 KO’s) in a four/six-round junior lightweight bout.

Newark’s Michael “The Artist” Perez (17-1-1, 10 KO’s) bounced back from the lone loss of his career in January against top prospect Omar Figueroa by stopping Eric Cruz in two rounds in June and decisioning Fidel Maldonado Jr. in August. On Saturday, the red-hot prospect who has fought five times in his family’s native Puerto Rico, will attempt to close the year with another win as he faces Obregon, Mexico’s Fernando Carcamo (10-4, 7 KO’s) in an eight-round lightweight clash that will open Puerto Rico’s pay-per-view telecast.

New Brunswick, New Jersey’s Jorge Diaz (16-1, 10 KO’s) was a highly decorated amateur who is now pursuing his dreams of professional glory at 126 pounds. A local favorite making his fifth appearance at Madison Square Garden, Diaz rebounded from the lone loss of his career against Teon Kennedy in 2011 with a third round technical knockout victory over Rafael Lora in September of 2011. He will attempt to make it two straight when he squares off against Houston’s Victor Sanchez (3-4-1) in a six-round featherweight bout.

Twenty-year-old junior middleweight phenom Eddie Gomez (11-0, 8 KO’s) is coming off of a blistering second round knockout of Saul Benitez in October and the Bronx product is back in action this weekend, this time making his Madison Square Garden debut. In the opposing corner will be Gomez’ toughest test to date, fellow unbeaten Luis Hernandez (9-0, 5 KO’s) of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, who he faces in a fight scheduled for six rounds.

In the opening bout of the evening scheduled for six rounds in the middleweight division, unbeaten John Thompson (9-0, 3 KO’s) of Newark takes on Port Au Prince, Haiti’s Eli Augustama (6-5, 3 KO’s).

“Showdown: Cotto vs. Trout” is a 12-round battle between Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and undefeated WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin Trout taking place on Saturday, December 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-featured fights will see Jayson Velez take on Salvador Sanchez in a 10-round fight for the vacant WBC Silver Featherweight title and Danny “Miracle Man” Jacobs battle Chris “The Irish Ghost” Fitzpatrick in an eight-round middleweight fight. The event is promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, sponsored by The Puerto Rican Tourism Board and Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.

For more information, visit www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, and www.thegarden.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/NoDoubtTrout, www.twitter.com/Jayson_Velez, www.twitter.com/DanielJacobsTKO, www.twitter.com/TheArtistPerez, www.twitter.com/fontanezjeffrey, www.twitter.com/eddiegomez718, www.twitter.com/MSGSportsNYC, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #CottoTrout or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

November 29, 2012 – Gary Shaw Productions bantamweight contender, Glenn Porras (28-3, 17 KOs) from M’lang, Cotabato (Del Norte) Philippines, will fight Jose Nieves (20-2-3, 9 KOs) of Carolina, Puerto Rico, for the WBO Intercontinental bantamweight title. The 10-round bout will take place at the Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida on December 7, 2012.

“Porras is on fire of late going undefeated since 2008,” said Gary Shaw. “He’s been fighting at an incredible level over the last four years and he’s ready to make a statement against Nieves. I expect a great performance from him on December 7th.”

Porras is riding a 15-fight winning streak, knocking out over half of those opponents during this remarkable stretch. A win against Nieves will get him closer to a world title shot.

“I’m ready to represent my country of the Philippines when I fight for the second time the United States,” said Glenn Porras. “I feel my career is about to take off with my promoter Gary Shaw. Together I know we can go far. I’ll be ready for a world title shot in 2013”

New York, NY (11/29/12) – Yesterday, Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment (DBE), announced the signing of current world championship contenders, welterweight Ionut “Jo Jo” Dan (29-2, 16KO’s) and middleweight Avtandil Khurtsidze (27-2-2, 16KO’s) to his roster.

The former NABA light welterweight champion Dan, a native of Romania, but now living and training in Montreal, Canada, has only two losses as a professional both coming in world title bouts to former WBC welterweight champion Selkuk Aydin. In those bouts, Dan traveled into Aydin’s backyard and put forth a great effort in two equally action-packed fights, only to come up on the wrong end of two very close decisions. Aydin went on to lose his title to 2012 “Fighter of the Year” candidate Robert Guerrero, who just recently defended his championship with a brutal 12-round unanimous decision over Andre Berto. Dan, who hasn’t fought since November 2011, will make his debut on the upcoming DBE Broadway Boxing card on December 19, which will be a benefit for Hurricane Sandy victims, held at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC.

After his bout in December, DiBella will look to position Dan in a significant fight sometime in early 2013.

“Dan is a real guy, a good welterweight, but he hasn’t fought in a while [since the second loss to Aydin last November] and he needs activity, which I will give him,” DiBella said.

“I am thrilled and proud to join DBE,” said Dan. “My goal has always been to be a world champion and to fight the best boxers out there, especially in the United States, the biggest stage for professional boxing. I am convinced that DBE will offer me the opportunity to reach my goals and I will not disappoint! This is a very exciting moment of my career and I look forward with confidence.”

The IBF #5 and WBC #11 rated middleweight Khurtsidze has reeled off four consecutive victories since dropping a close decision to former interim WBA/WBO middleweight champion Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam in N’Jikam’s backyard of France in October 2010. In Khurtsidze’s most recent outing, he decisioned the extremely dangerous Ossie Duran to pick up the vacant WBC silver middleweight title.

“Khurtsidze is a friggin’ good middleweight and competitive with the top of the division I think,” DiBella said. “I saw tape of the guy. He’s got a great record, he’s world-ranked and I think a fight between Khurtsidze and Macklin is a war. He beats Danny Jacobs. He won’t beat Sergio, but this guy will be in good fights and he can win a world championship in the right fight. I think Khurtsidze and [titleholder] Peter Quillin is a war.”

“I’m very happy to sign a promotional contract with DBE, Lou will give me exposure in the US. I’m happy that I’ll be training in the US with experienced trainers and also to have the best sparring. I hope US boxing fans will love my aggressive style.”

“I love these kind of signings. They are worth the effort,” DiBella said. “These guys are true professionals and legitimate contenders. I got two guys like that [on Wednesday.] Both of these guys can win titles in the right circumstance and both will be in great fights. I’m very pleased with both of them. Whenever you can bring two world-class fighters into the fold it’s a good thing. These guys want to fight in the United States.”

Headlining the Broadway Boxing card on the December 19 will be Queens-native Will “Power” Rosinsky (16-2, 9KO’s) taking on former USBA and WBO NABO light heavyweight champion Otis Griffin (24-10-2, 10KO’s) in a 10-round matchup. Also scheduled to appear on the card is red-hot DBE prospect Ivan Redkach (12-0, 11KO’s), as he squares off against Edward Valdez (11-8-2, 8KO’s) in an eight-round lightweight matchup. Junior welterweight contender Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (20-1, 3KO’s) takes on Jonnie Edwards (15-5-1, 8KO’s) in an eight-round contest as well.

Tickets are priced at $45, $65, $85 and $125. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1 (800) 745-3000 or by going on Ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the DBE office at (212) 947-2577. The card is sponsored by Manfredi Auto Group and Newlio.com, in association with Everlast.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Undefeated Jerry Belmontes, 17-0, 5 KOs, sees his upcoming nationally televised 10-rounder with Eric Hunter, 16-2, 9 KOs, as the opportunity he’s been waiting for to breakthrough to the next level in the junior lightweight division. In fact he feels that if he can win big enough to impress fans and the powers that be, a victory over Hunter might just earn him a title shot. The fight will be shown live on NBC Sports Network Fight Night; the telecast begins at 10 PM ET.

“From the way we’re going to perform, to the way we’re going to fight,” Belmontes said, “this fight will get me up there. Eric Hunter has a name. I remember him from the amateurs. A really good boxer. I think I’ve seen him fight two times as a pro. So I know a lot about him.”

Belmontes, the “Corpus Christi Kid”, started boxing as a 65-pound, ten year old, and went on to build an amazing amateur record of 119-18, collecting numerous national and international amateur titles along the way. He turned pro at age 18 in 2008. Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter also had a distinguished amateur run, and holds a reputation in Philly as one of the City’s most talented boxers. Although the pair never met back in the day, this professional showdown couldn’t be more important to their careers.

“Every time you fight on national TV, that’s a huge thing,” Belmontes said. “Fighting on NBC Sports Network Fight Night and finally fighting ten rounds, that’s just another step closer to a world championship.”
After a few false starts with early promoters and managers, Belmontes feels he’s got the right team and the right focus to take it all the way to the top.

“Main Events is leading me down the right path to be a world champion,” he said. “Right now, I feel the pace is right. I’m happy that I’m with them.”

Belmontes looks forward to an eventful 2013, “In 2013, we’re looking for the best, everybody in the top ten; I know it will come next year. We’re going to call people out like crazy, and hopefully they answer.” He added, “What I really want is to have one or two fights in Corpus Christi and then fight for the title. But if a title fight comes sooner, then that’s cool with me.”

Yuriorkis Gamboa, Diego Magdaleno, Rances Barthelemy, Juan Carlos Delgado and Orlando Salido are all on Belmontes radar for the upcoming year.

The match itself may turn out to be the fight of the night on the blockbuster card from Temple University’s Pearson / Mcgonigle Hall in North Philly. Both men are accomplished boxers who are depending on a win.
“We’re just going in there to execute the game plan,” Belmontes said. “To be a world champion would be a dream come true. It’s been my dream since I started boxing, and now I’m hungrier to be a world champion because I’m so close to it. Nothing’s going to stop me from getting to where I want to be.”

ABOUT DECEMBER 8TH
Pearson/McGonigle Halls, a 4,500-seat venue at Temple University located at 1800 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121. It has hosted both professional and amateur boxing in the past, but when NBC Sports Network broadcasts the sixth installment of its Fight Night series on Dec. 8, it will be the first professional boxing event held at Pearson/McGonigle Halls in over 19 years.

Nine bouts are planned for the Philadelphia card. The fight is promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing, and Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with BAM Boxing. Tickets priced at $35, $50 and $75 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing at 215-765-0922 or going online at www.peltzboxing.com. Tickets also are on sale at www.comcastTIX.com.

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

On DIRECTV NBC Sports Network has moved to channel 220.

Tweet the link to NBC Sports Network Fight Night channel finder: bit.ly/175UuU

Twitter: #FightNight Twitter: @main_events @NBCSN

Facebook:facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing facebook.com/NBCSports

The one of its kind fight promotions teaching seminar, that has already seen over 150 future fight promoters attend from all over the world, will include an extra teaching day and is set for April 10 – 14, 2013 at the Hilton Orange County Airport in Irvine, California. Plus all students attending FPU IX will get to work not one, but two Fight Club OC shows, featuring boxing, mixed martial arts, and muay thai action.

“I have selected April 2013 as our next FPU session so that those people wanting to attend would have enough lead time to make proper arrangements,” said Englebrecht. “Plus, with all our 2013 Fight Club OC shows at The Hangar being doubleheaders, all students will now get to observe, experience, and work at two shows, including the hybrid pro boxing/mma Fight Club OC show on Thursday, April 11th and our Fight Club OC Rising Stars mma/muay thai show on Saturday, April 13th. I think that with adding an extra day and an extra show, that these five days and two shows will deliver the best opportunity for people attending to be ready to decide if this is the profession they want to invest and get involved in.”

The five day Fight Promoter University IX session will include 12 guest speakers, and the cost will be $1,895, which will include four nights lodging at the Hilton, all meals, 280 page FPU Manual, credential, and Fight Club OC merchandise.

To view all FPU IX information and a lineup of guest speakers, or to register for FPU IX go to www.fightpromoteruniversity.com .

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (November 29, 2012) – There is a strong mixed martial arts connection, as well as future crossover implications, to the December 7th IBA and WBF light welterweight title fight between 12-time, three division world champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm (31-2-3, 9 KOs) and WIBA super featherweight champion Diana Prazak (11-1, 7 KOs), who will square-off in the 10-round main event on Fresquez Productions-presented “Fire And Ice” show at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque.

Holm (31-2-3, 9 KOs) is the pound-for-pound Queen of Boxing whose victims among the world’s best women’s boxers, ranging from the 140 through 154-pound weight classes, include Ann Sophie Mathis, Christy Martin, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Myriam Lamare, Jane Couch, Duda Yankovich and Chevelle Hallback (twice).

Holm also is an accomplished MMA fighter with a 2-0 (2 TKOs) record, both wins coming by way of kicks. Her lack of MMA fights is due to her concentration on boxing, which has been more lucrative and competitive. Holm’s head trainer in boxing, Mike Winkeljohn, is one of the head coaches at the famed Jackson’s/Winkeljohn Mixed Martial Arts Gym in Albuquerque. Team Jackson-Winkeljohn is recognized as one of the best in MMA, featuring UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones, a training and sparring partner for Holm..

Prazak, a native of Australia, is trained by former world boxing and kick-boxing champion Lucia Rijker. One of Prazak’s training partners in Los Angeles is Strikeforce bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey, who won a Bronze Medal in Judo at the 2008 Olympic Games. “I train with Ronda who walks around at 145 (lbs.),” Prazak explained why her move up in weight to fight Holm won’t be a problem for her. “She is a very powerful fighter and we are getting in some great sessions.”

Holm certainly isn’t looking past Prazak but her promoter, Lenny Fresquez, has to look to the future, ironically, and Holly may be heading towards a major MMA showdown in 2013. “Prazak is tough and we expect a very good fight,” Fresquez said. “Holly is focused only on her December 7th fight against Diana, but I have to think about Holly’s fight career. If we get past Prazak, I’ll try and make a deal for Holly to fight (Cecilia) Braekhus (21-0, 5 KOs), something we’ve tried to get done in the past without success. Holly’s 31 and we’re not going to wait around for Braekhus. If we can’t get a deal done to fight her, I will look into an MMA super fight between Holly and Ronda Rousey.”

Supporting “Fire And Ice” fights showcasing local boxers will feature light welterweight Matthew “Champ” Baca (1-0, 1KO) vs. Derek Perez (pro debut) in a four-round bout, female light welterweight Victoria “La Reina de la Guerra” Cisneros (8-13-2, 3 KOs) vs. “Merciless” Mary McGee (19-1, 10 KOs) in a six-round match, bantamweight Raymond “Hollewood” Montez (5-2, 3 KOs) vs. Tony Valdez (6-6-3, 6 KOs) in a much-anticipated eight-round rematch, and amateur standout Jason Sanchez makes his pro debut in a four-round fight vs. featherweight Gene Perez (1-0).

For more information about “Fire And Ice” go on line to www.FresquezProductions.com or www.rt66casino.com.

November 29, 2012 – Undefeated Light middleweight prospect, Alantez Fox (7-0-1, 3 KOs), who hails from Forestville, Maryland, makes his ring return on December 8, 2012 at the Convention Center in Washington DC. Fox, who stands 6’5, will take on Weymouth, Massachusetts native, Jimmy LeBlanc (13-22-4, 5 KOs) in a scheduled 6-round bout.

Fox, who recently signed a contract with New York Based promotional, company Boxing 360, is excited to be fighting after he suffered his first blemish on his undefeated record when he fought to a SD draw against Frank Galarza (7-0-1, 4 KOs).

“I’m ready to make a round with my new promoter Mario Yagobi and Boxing 360,” said Fox. “I’ve been working real hard since my last fight and I can’t wait to step back in the ring. LeBlanc has a lot of experience, but I feel my youth and skills will guide me to victory.”

Trained by his father Troy Fox, Alantez feels his father is the perfect trainer to take him to the top.

“My father knows me best and we have a great relationship,” Alantez continued. “Right now we have a stong belief in one another and I see us going to the top together.”

“My son and I have a mutual respect for each other and we come up with great strategies going into fights,” stated Troy Fox. “If there needs to be some adjustments made in the middle of the fight, we always figure it out together. I’m looking forward to working Boxing 360 and we will be ready to go whenever are name is called.”

“The goal is to keep Alantez busy for the next 12 months,” said Boxing 360 Promoter Mario Yagobi. “I have a good feeling this kid is going to be something special. He has a great upside and he’s a young hungry fighter that wants to be the best. I’m thrilled to be working with Alantez and his father Troy, they are great people.”

New York (November 29, 2012) The professional boxing card originally set for Friday, DECEMBER 14 at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York has been postponed to Saturday, FEBRUARY 2, 2013, it was announced today by Star Boxing and the Times Union Center.

“We had a terrific card planned but the main event featuring undefeated world ranked heavyweight Joe “The Future” Hanks against undefeated Fred Allen will not happen. Unfortunately Fred Allen pulled out of the fight. This was an excellent matchup featuring two, young undefeated heavyweights from the United States, but the promoter of the event – Star Boxing has secured an even better heavyweight challenger, which will give our fans something more exciting on February 2,” said Bob Belber, General Manager of the Times Union Center.

“We deeply regret having to reschedule this event, but we want to be sure to give fans an opponent worthy of facing Hanks for the title. Therefore we are moving the card to FEBRUARY 2 and we look forward to returning to the Times Union Center and presenting a terrific card featuring the Joe Hanks title fight for the great fans in the Albany area in February,” said Joe DeGuardia – President of Star Boxing.

Fans may use the December 14 tickets for the rescheduled date on February 2. For any fans that prefer a refund, refunds will be made at the point of purchase by no later than December 14 . Full details of the FEBRUARY 2 event will be announced shortly.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Chadd Ryan

Times Union Center

518-487-2015

Chadd.Ryan@timesunioncenter-albany.com

Star Boxing

718-823-2000

PR@StarBoxing.com

Bernie Bahrmasel

DOUBLE B PUBLICITY

773-592-2986

BernieBahrmasel@yahoo.com

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com

follow us on www.facebook/starboxing and www.twitter/starboxing

ABOUT THE TIMES UNION CENTER:

Upstate New York’s premiere sports and entertainment facility, the Times Union Center, located in Albany, NY, is excited to welcome boxing back after a 14 year hiatus. Hosting boxing in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1997, the Times Union Center offers the perfect atmosphere for championship events, and our fans are ready for championship boxing to make its long awaited return to the biggest stage in the Albany. Nestled between Hall of Famer Mike Tyson’s hometown of Catskill, NY, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY, the Capital Region is a great boxing community for both fighters and fans locally and in our surrounding areas. Albany, NY is easy to get to from anywhere! Amtrak offers direct trains from New York City, Buffalo and all points in between, and major interstates from points east, west, north and south intersect in the capital region making it easy to drive from all parts of the state. For more information, please visit their website at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com

LAS VEGAS (November 29, 2012) – Irish and boxing have been synonymous for more than a century. Undefeated featherweight Patrick “The Punisher” Hyland, one of three prizefighting Hyland brothers, certainly embodies the popular sobriquet, “The Fightin’ Irish.”

Dublin-native Hyland (27-0, 12 KOs) plans to continue making Irish boxing history on December 8, when he fights fellow undefeated challenger Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna for the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title, fighting on the HBO Pay-Per-View event headlined by Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marguez 4, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The 29-year-old Hyland, who is promoted by Final Round Promotions and Team Snooki Boxing, made a major commitment to boxing a year ago, moving from Ireland to Marlboro, New York in order to be trained by two-time two-division world champion Tracy Harris Patterson. Rated No. 6 by the WBA, Hyland already holds the Republic of Ireland boxing record for most consecutive wins to start a professional career (27), and he’ll become the first Ireland-born world featherweight champion with a win Dec. 8.

Hyland would become the first Irishman to capture a world title since Bernard Dunne (WBA super bantamweight) in 2009, also joining Dunne and Stevie Collins as the only Dubliners as world champions. In fact, Hyland would be only the seventh Irishman (Ireland national born), dating back to the late 1800’s, in an exclusive group that also includes George Gardner, Mike McTigue and Hall of Famers Barry McGuigan and Jack McAuliffe.

“I’ve had tunnel vision for this fight and didn’t know I could become the first world featherweight champion born in Ireland,” Hyland said. “It feels great to hear that as well as have a chance to be mentioned in the same class with those other Irish world boxing champions.”

WBA No. 2-rated Fortuna (20-0, 15 KOs), fighting out of the Dominican Republic, is a 23-year-old southpaw. “Fortuna is an explosive fighter and it’s a pleasure to share the ring with him,” always the gentleman Hyland noted. “He’s a lefty, which is a problem for most right-handed fighters, but we’ve trained hard to move to the left. I have to stay sharp and focused, especially the first few rounds, so he doesn’t catch me. Our plan is to take him into deep water and see what he has left.”

Hyland will be fighting in Las Vegas for the first time. He doesn’t plan on hitting the strip, at least not on this particular trip, and everything there has been all business for the personable boxer with a thick brogue.

“It’s hard to describe,” Hyland spoke about fighting on the HBO PPV in Las Vegas. “Manny Pacquaio is the best known boxer in the world and fighting on his undercard hasn’t really sunk in, yet, and it probably won’t until after the fight It has gone through my mind but it’s all been positive We have two unbeaten fighters who both want to win and get that belt. We’ll put on a show, fighting on the biggest stage (HBO PPV in Las Vegas), and we could steal the show.”

One of Hyland’s promoters, Mike Pascale (Final Round Promotions), believes that it’s Hyland’s time to shine. “This fight is the culmination of Patrick’s training as a boxer since the age of seven. As always, he has trained hard and will lay it all on the line on December 8th. The Hyland-Fortuna fight will be a real barnburner. Patrick will shock many when his arm is raised as the winner. This is Patrick Hyland’s time and he will not be denied.”

Clan Hyland

About Final Round Promotions: A full-service boxing and MMA promotional company, Final Round Promotions is based in Poughkeepsie, New York and operated by Mike Pascale and Brian Burke.

About Team Snooki Boxing: Founded by one of the stars of MTV’s reality shows, Jersey Shore and JWoww, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, and her father, Andy.

SAN DIEGO (November 29, 2012)—Tonight on WealthTV and www.wealthtv.com a memorable weekend of boxing kicks off with the exclusive rebroadcast of the leading candidate for 2012 Fight of The Year between WBO Flyweight champion and WBA king Hernan Marquez.

The bout, which took place on November 17th was a thrilling war which many boxing scribes called the fight of the year but the best televised card of 2012.

In the bout, Viloria scored three knockdowns en route to a tenth round stoppage which was full of non-stop two way action.

The card begins at 9pm eastern and will also feature the thrilling WBA Light Flyweight championship bout between champion Roman Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada.

Gonzalez took the twelve round unanimous decision in a fight that was competitive and had many high drama moments.

Two important Heavyweight bouts from the United Kingdom highlight a weekend of Live boxing on WealthTV & www.wealthtv.com

On Friday afternoon, Undefeated former Olympic Silver Medal winner David Price (14-0, KO’s) takes on former world title challenger Matt Skelton (28-6, 23 KO’s) beginning 2:30 pm eastern / 11:30 am Pacific with a replay at 10 pm eastern / 7 pm Pacific

Then on Saturday, the war of words will finally be settled in the ring when America’s Hope to Bring the Heavyweight champion back to the United States, Kevin Johnson (28-2-1, 13 KO’s) takes on undefeated giant Tyson Fury (19-0, 14 KO’s) in a WBC Elimination bout.

Johnson – Fury begins at 4pm Eastern / 1pm Pacific.

“This weekend is a going to be a fantastic weekend of boxing. To start everything off on Thursday night with the rebroadcast of Viloria – Marquez and to follow that up with two live bouts Friday and Saturday that have huge implications in the Heavyweight division just shows that WealthTV wants to bring the best fights from around the world to the many great fans In the United States:, said WealthTV President Charles Herring

These Cant-Miss fights can be seen on WealthTV nationally on Verizon FiOS TV channel 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and 1470 in HD, along with over 100 cable systems across the country as well as on line viewing on numerous connected devices and via www.wealthtv.com.

About WealthTV

WealthTV is the premier lifestyle and entertainment network —the destination for exclusive and original programming, simultaneously transmitted in high definition and standard definition. WealthTV delivers to informative shows to its viewers, providing invaluable insights on what every American dreams of – from travel secrets to fast cars, from outrageous homes to live events, and much more. The network fills a television vacuum by delivering intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking entertainment and always-unbiased news from an insider’s perspective. For more information, please visit www.wealthtv.com.

Lafayette, CA (November 29, 2012) – UFC GYM® announces it will begin selling memberships at its first East Coast location in New Hyde Park, NY Saturday, December 1st. Set to open for workouts in spring 2013, the facility will be the brand’s first gym in New York and looks to bring UFC GYM’s unique “Train Different” approach to Long Island, offering residents the opportunity to train like world-class UFC fighters.

“After shaking up the fitness industry in California and Hawaii, we’re ready to show the East Coast what makes UFC GYM such a powerhouse in the industry,” said Adam Sedlack, senior vice president, UFC GYM. “Through a combination of MMA training and cutting-edge fitness offerings, we’ve created a place where people can go to stay motivated, workout and get results.”

UFC GYM Long Island will go beyond traditional workouts by offering a broad and innovative array of programming for the entire family and every fitness level. Its “Train Different” approach applies to every element of the workout experience. The goal is to provide a true alternative to the same old workout routine through signature classes and specialized equipment. The club will include a 32 square foot Octagon, BJJ Studio, Bag Room, top-of-the-line strength training and cardio machines, battling ropes, agility ladders and other functional training equipment. Top-notch personal trainers will be available to help people of all fitness levels achieve undeniable results and the club will boast an expansive 2,500 square foot group fitness studio to house a full range of UFC GYM’s signature classes including Hot Hula, D.U.T (Daily, Ultimate Training), Hi-Octane Conditioning, and more.

In addition to the club’s training options, UFC GYM Long Island will offer full-service locker rooms, an Arm Bar Café™, featuring a tasty assortment of healthy shakes and smoothies and a retail shop. To create a fitness destination for the whole family, the club also offers a YOUTH GYM, featuring a private kids’ training area, offering Youth Fitness Classes, Active Fitness Gaming, Youth Mixed Martial Arts and Ultimate Birthday Parties.

Potential members will have an opportunity to join at a reduced rate and lock in low monthly dues prior to the facility opening at the UFC GYM enrollment center located at 1596 Union Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040. The first 300 new members will receive a UFC GYM shirt and gift bag. The enrollment center hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, check out www.ufcgymlongisland.com or call 516-784-4072.

About UFC GYM®

UFC GYM® is the first major brand extension of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, the world leader in the sport of mixed martial arts. In alliance with New Evolution Ventures™(NeV), developers of many of the world’s most successful fitness brands, the UFC Gym brand gives UFC enthusiasts and fitness seekers of all ages the opportunity to practice the training techniques of famed UFC athletes.

Offering a full-range of group fitness classes, private MMA training, personal and group dynamic training, plus MMA style youth programming, UFC GYM creates something for all ages and fitness levels. As the first to combine the world of mixed martial arts and fitness, UFC GYM has developed an atmosphere where members can see immediate results. UFC GYM is the ultimate fitness experience. The brand is not what you expect, and more than you can imagine, aiming to continue revolutionizing the fitness industry. For more information, please visit www.ufcgym.com.

About New Evolution Ventures™ (NeV)

Based in Northern California, New Evolution Ventures (NeV) is a private equity firm focused on the acquisition, development and operations management of fitness, media and sports interests both domestically and internationally. Founded in 2008 by Mark Mastrov, Jim Rowley and Mike Feeney, and following a strategic partnership with Vision Capital in 2011, the current team of NeV professionals is shaping the world of fitness, media, and sports one brand at a time. With a foundation representing over a century of business experience, NeV currently has operations and investments in more than 20 countries worldwide representing over 800+ facilities. For more information, visit www.nev.com.

About 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 2011, 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 now airs on FX.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 149 countries and territories, to nearly one billion homes worldwide, in 20 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 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 over two million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, the best-selling UFC Undisputed® video game franchise distributed by THQ, and a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.

On Monday, December 17, Sampson Boxing and Manguita Promotions will return to the Dominican Fiesta Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with another star-studded night of professional boxing, including an all-Dominican main event and two female world title fights.

In the night’s 10-round main event, hometown hero Victor “Mermelada” Cayo (30-3, 22 KOs) of Santo Domingo will face unbeaten countryman Vladimir Baez (17-0 with 15 KOs) of La Vega, Dominican Republic.

Cayo will be gunning for his second consecutive victory over and undefeated opponent, as he defeated unbeaten Julio DeJesus (15-0, 14 KOs) on August 11. Baez has won four straight by knockout since winning the Dominican Light Welterweight Championship in 2010.

In the 10-round co-feature will be Daihana Santana (30-6, 14 KOs) will be defending her IBF Female Featherweight World Title against Mandatory Challenger Helen Joseph (11-1, 6 KOs) of Nigeria, by way of Ghana.

Also appearing that night will be IBF Female Junior Featherweight World Champion Katy Pamela “La Super Baby” Wilson (16-1, 9 KOs) making the second defense of her title against Maribel Santana (12-10, 5 KOs).

On the undercard, Sampson Boxing will showcase future stars such as power punching Dominican super bantamweight Jonathan Guzman (10-0, 10 KOs), and heavy-handed super featherweight Braulio Rodriguez (10-0, 10 KOs), undefeated super middleweight Felix Valera (3-0, 3 KOs), and Santo Domingo’s own future light welterweight star Juan Carlos Abreu (13-0, 12 KOs) in separate fights.

And in a very special added attraction, the “Hawk Flock” undefeated brothers John Jackson (13-1, 12 KOs) and Julius Jackson (13-0, 9 KOs) and undefeated light middleweight Samuel Rogers (11-0, 6 KOs) from the US Virgin Islands will each appear in separate bouts. John and Julius are the sons and Samuel is the nephew of all-time-great slugger Julian “The Hawk” Jackson.

“I have made it one of my missions to bring world-class boxing to the Dominican and stars like Javier Fortuna and Victor Cayo, as well as upcoming champions such as Jonathan Guzman, Braulio Rodriguez and Juan Carlos Abreu are a big part of those plans. I am very excited about this show and look forward to another successful co-promotional venture with Manguita Promotions,” said Sampson Boxing President Sampson Lewkowicz.

LINCOLN, R.I. (Nov. 28, 2012) – Listed below are final weights for all the participants in Thursday night’s professional boxing event, “The Pride Is Back,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports on Nov. 29th, 2012.

PETER MANFREDO JR.

37-7, 20 KOs

Providence, R.I.

169 ½

RAYCO SAUNDERS

22-18-2, 9 KOs

Pittsburgh, Pa.

169

DENNIS SHARPE

17-9-4, 4 KOs

Bayonne, N.J.

166

VLADINE BIOSSE

14-1-1, 7 KOs

Providence, R.I.

168 ½

SHELITO VINCENT

5-0

Providence, R.I.

123

ROSIE THOMAS

2-0

Ottawa, Canada

119

ALEX AMPARO

5-0, 3 KOs

Providence, R.I.

168

JOEY GARDNER

9-5-1, 1 KO

Woonsocket, R.I.

166

TYLON BURRIS

3-0, 2 KOs

Hartford, Conn.

170 ½

KEVIN COBBS

6-0, 2 KOs

Burlington, Vt. (Willimantic, Conn.)

175

ZACK RAMSEY

2-0, 2 KOs

Springfield, Mass.

145 ½

MICHAEL LAMBERT

0-0

Mobile, Ala.

136

LOS ANGELES, November 28 – One of 2012’s most intriguing match-ups comes to the Business Expo Center in Anaheim, Calif. on Saturday, December 8 when unbeaten junior welterweight Luis Ramos Jr. takes on former Olympian Ricardo Williams Jr. in the 10-round main event of a night of boxing which will be televised on FOX Sports Networks, FOX Deportes and FUEL TV.

This explosive night of action is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and DeWalt Tools. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 5:30 p.m. PT. The FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes broadcast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. FUEL TV will rebroadcast the fight on January 20, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $30 and $50 are available for purchase online at www.goldenboypromotions.com.

Santa Ana southpaw Luis Ramos Jr. (23-0, 10 KO’s) has had a career-best year in 2012, when he stepped up his level of competition in a big way by delivering defeats to top talents in Raymundo Beltran (W10), Daniel Attah (W10) and Noe Bolanos (TKO8). Now ready to move into the title picture at 140 pounds, the 24-year-old Californian is looking to make a year-ending statement by defeating another hot talent in Williams Jr. on December 8.

31-year-old Ricardo Williams Jr. (20-3, 10 KO’s) emerged from the 2000 Olympics with a Silver Medal and proved that he has unyielding fighting spirit to never give up. With victories in 11 of his last 12 fights, the Cincinnati native is not only still standing, but a win over Ramos will push him into the top contender category once again.

For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit www.goldenboypromotions.comor www.FOXDeportes.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes visit us on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page or www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

PHILADELPHIA – Heavyweight Bryant Jennings, 15-0, 7 KO’s, didn’t begin 2012 as the #5 IBF heavyweight contender, but after an incredible eleven months, four TV bouts, winning a USBA title, and three nationally televised fights on NBC Sports Network, the North Philadelphia boxer has put together a year that will be hard to top.

Jennings takes on Bowie Tupou, 22-2, 16 KOs, before Jennings’ hometown fans at Temple University’s Pearson / McGonigle Hall, on December 8th. The 12-rounder will be for Jennings’ USBA title and will once again be featured on NBC Sport Network Fight Night. The telecast will begin at 10PM ET.

Jennings began the year as a 11-0 prospect who’d never been in a fight scheduled more than six rounds. But everything changed in January with the inaugural edition of NBCSN’s Fight Night series. With expectations high for the beginning of the new recurring boxing show, Jennings saved the day by stepping into the main event at the last minute, and in doing so made his own career. Jennings not only won a 10-round decision against Maurice Byarm to claim the Pennsylvania State title that night, he also propelled himself into the heavyweight mix. He fought hard, looked good, and won big, all on national TV. A star was born.

“If you thought my fight with Byarm was a big transition for my career, then the rest of the year was magnificent,” Jennings said. “I went from never being ranked by a major sanctioning body to being arguably the best prospect with a heavyweight title. That’s unheard of.”

Much of the Jennings’ buzz came three months later, again on NBCSN, when he defeated former WBO heavyweight champion Sergei Liakovich by impressive 9th round TKO, in the evening’s televised co-feature. The win proved Jennings was for real and further pushed him up the ladder.

“I dreamt it before, but I never knew it would come this soon,” Jennings said of his sudden stardom and clear career path. He was really on a roll.

In his next fight, in June against Steve Collins, Jennings earned the USBA title on yet another NBC Sports Network Fight Night telecast. The win pushed the Philadelphian into the top ten of the world ratings. After blowing out his next opponent, Chris Koval, in just 35 seconds in September, Jennings wanted one more fight before the year ended.

He gets his chance on December 8th, right back where everything started for him, back home and on NBC Sports Network.

“It kind of puts a little more pressure on me,” Jennings said about the logistics for his next fight. “I’m home, and I definitely have to be on my P’s and Q’s. I have to make sure everything is perfect.”

A victory against Tupou would cap Jennings’ very good year, and give him a chance to show his fans how far he’s come in just twelve months.

“This year was definitely great because I exceeded my expectations,” Jennings said. ” I actually did it. That shows how focused and hungry I am to achieve my goals.”

ABOUT DECEMBER 8TH

Pearson/McGonigle Halls, a 4,500-seat venue at Temple University located at 1800 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121. It has hosted both professional and amateur boxing in the past, but when NBC Sports Network broadcasts the sixth installment of its Fight Night series on Dec. 8, it will be the first professional boxing event held at Pearson/McGonigle Halls in over 19 years.

Ten bouts are planned for the Philadelphia card. The fight is promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing, and Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with BAM Boxing. Tickets priced at $35, $50 and $75 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing at 215-765-0922 or going online at www.peltzboxing.com. Tickets also are on sale at www.comcastTIX.com.

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

On DIRECTV NBC Sports Network has moved to channel 220.

Tweet the link to NBC Sports Network Fight Night channel finder: bit.ly/175UuU

Twitter: #FightNight Twitter: @main_events @NBCSN

Facebook:facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing facebook.com/NBCSports

After three shows this year, Prospect Boxing end the year with a final show on December 7th at Rivals Gym in Wishaw. And with seven fights scheduled, Promoter Paul Graham is looking forward to an evenings Boxing ,but does admit to pre fight nerves

“While I am not physically in the ring,taking the punches ,its my job as the promoter to ensure the fighters get the right fights for there development and the crowd are entertained. I take both of those as seriously as the other”

The main event at Rivals Gym sees Jervistons Iain Butcher move up to Super Flyweight to take on Bristol based South African Michael Ramabeletsa who replaces Phil Smith “Iain already bet Smith earlier this year ,while it was closely fought I feel that he was landing the cleaner shots. Rambalesta will be the bigger fighter as he’s naturally a bantamweight,but this will be a good test to see how Iain (Butcher) copes with that ,plus as this is the first time he has been scheduled for ten rounds”

He adds “Iain has had five fights to date, and in each fight he has progressed up a notch, but if he’s successful on December 7th ,we are looking to get him involved in a British Title fight either with Kevin Satchell at Flyweight or Paul Butler at Super Flyweight”

While starting the year with a loss to Carl Frampton, Bellshills Kris Hughes continued a losing run with a loss to Ghanian Richard Commey after breaking his hand in the fourth round. With an appearance at Rivals planned for December 7th ,Graham expects Hughes to overcome Geordie Dougie Curran “Kris was unlucky with breaking his hand against Commey in his last bout. But he’s been doing his road work while he was waiting for it to heal and has been sparring quite hard since it healed. He’s fighting at Super featherweight and I know not having to constantly diet has given him more energy in training. Curran is no walkover and will come to spoil the party for Kris but I know Badger will have other ideas” .

After a successful debut over Sid Razack in the last Prospect show, Wishaws Mark Parvin returns against the entertaining Johnny Greaves in a six round contest. After the picking up the win, Graham expects Parvin to build on his professional debut “Mark did very well against Sid Razack back in October. He took his time to pick his shots and didn’t rush into anything. I thought he was composed for his first fight”

“Johnny Greaves is one of the characters of the British scene and comes not only to entertain but give a competitive fight, however I feel Mark will live with this and stay composed ,but it certainly makes for a good under card fight”

Also in his second fight, New Cummock’s Billy Campbell looks forward to fighting in front of a home crowd,after picking up an debut away win to Joe Collins in Manchester. Fighting in the Light Middleweight division he is involved in an all Scottish affair as he takes on Paisleys Craig Kelly

“His first fight at our last show fell through,and he had to fight a four round exhibition against Martin McCord” Said former professional referee Paul Graham.

“But taking the fight away to Joe Collins at 24 hours notice, and coming away with the victory was an excellent way to start his career. Craig Kelly is a very formidable opponent who will be coming here for a victory. He has four fights to Billy’s one so it is a real acid test for Campbell, who I am sure will thrive in the pressure”

Also in action is Sanquhar’s Light Middleweight Rhys Pagan, who takes on William Warburton over four rounds. After Joining Prospect earlier this year Graham was impressed by his first fight under his guidance “Matt Seawright was a slippy operator, and Rhys showed his maturity to box to a convincing victory. I expect big things from him in the future,and his attitude and approach is a big factor in that. Looking to his next fight I hope he continues the progress he made in his last bout”

New signing Sean Watson from Fauldhouse makes a welcome return to the ring with a four round contest in the featherweight division. Looking forward to his first fight as a Prospect Promotions,Paul Graham explains that the featherweight hopes for a knockout “Speaking to Sean, he is keen to get on with the fight and tells me he wants a knockout. He is back with old trainer Colin McNeil who always got the best out of him as an amateur and I cant see why he wont get the best out of him as a professional. On December 7th it will be about getting him back in the ring,back to winning way’s and shaking off some ring rust”

Completing the line up is Belfast based James Tennyson who will be stepping up to six rounds for the first time in his short career against former Irish champion Mickey Coveney. With three knock outs from three fights, manager Mark Dunlop expects his fighter to steal the show “James has impressed on his first three fights. He has won a lot of fans with his crowd pleasing style, and for his first six round fight you can see how high we rate him with bringing up former Irish super featherweight champion Mickey Coveney and I think he could steal the limelight if he continues his form”

Prospect Boxing present an evening of Championship Boxing,with a packed six fight undercard and Iain Butcher taking on South African Michael Rambalesta for the vacant International Masters Super Flyweight title at Rivals Gym, Wishaw on December 7th .

Tickets are priced £30 and available by calling 01698 338 888 or from the fighters direct. Doors at 6.30 ,with the first bell at 7pm .

More information are avail from www.facebook.com/prospectboxing and @prospectboxing

LINCOLN, R.I. (Nov. 28, 2012) – Peter Manfredo Jr. has faced every challenge a professional boxer could deal with inside the ring, but there’s nothing that could motivate him more than what he’s facing as he begins his highly-anticipated comeback.

“I’m fighting for my family,” Manfredo Jr. said Wednesday on the eve of his 10-round super middleweight bout against Pittsburgh veteran Rayco Saunders, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 at the Twin River Event Center.

“When I was on The Contender I did it for my family and I’m still doing it for my family,” said the Providence, R.I., icon, who will end his brief retirement in the main of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports’ “The Pride Is Back” boxing event, appropriately named for Manfredo Jr., “The Pride Of Providence.”

“My father [Peter Manfredo Sr.] thinks I’m doing it for all the wrong reasons, but I’m doing it for the right reasons. Boxing is about taking care of your family, and that’s what I’m doing. This is what I’ve been doing all my life. God gave me a gift and I’m going to use it.”

Manfredo Jr. (37-7, 20 KOs) and his father have only worked together briefly in anticipation of Thursday’s bout. Instead, Manfredo Jr. spent six weeks in California training with Freddie Roach and Ernie Zavala. The former helped him during the height of his career shortly after his successful stint on the debut season of The Contender reality television series.

“[My father] is a little upset with me, but deep down he knows I love him,” Manfredo Jr. said. “You’re only as good as the environment you’re in. I love my father, but I felt I had to get away from him and go somewhere where I’d be at my best, and I was always at my best with Freddie and Ernie at Wild Card [Boxing Club].”

Manfredo Jr. will need every advantage against Saunders (22-18-2, 9 KOs), a determined, 38-year-old veteran who has only been stopped once in 42 professional fights despite facing Edison Miranda, Daniel Judah and Chris Henry, among others.

“I’m 38 going on 25. I feel great,” Saunders said. “I definitely plan on winning [Thursday]. I know Manfredo has different plans, but this is my plan.

“I respect Peter Manfredo for fighting me. I’m not your typical 38-year-old guy. I’m just as fast, if not faster. I’m stronger than Manfredo. I’m bigger than Manfredo. These qualities will show [Thursday] night. I look forward to it. I’m on a roll toward 100 fights. I know people don’t fight like that anymore, but I do. If I could do this once a week I would. They call me ‘Rayco War’ for a reason.”

Manfredo Jr., who lost his last fight a year ago to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in Texas, respects Saunders and his impressive resume and is planning on a long, yet successful, night.

“He’s incredible,” Manfredo Jr. said of Saunders. “He’s here to fight. He’s fought everyone in the world at light heavyweight and hung in there with all of them. I’m in for a fight. Marlon Starling once asked me, ‘What’s the worst thing that could happen to you?’ I said, ‘Lose?’ and he said, ‘No, you get in a fight.’

“That makes sense to me. I’m ready to fight. I plan on going 10 rounds. I’m in shape for 10. If I knock him out, that’s a bonus. I’m in great shape and ready for a battle.”

Tickets for Nov. 29 are available at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00 and can be purchased online at 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. CES is also partnering with the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) to sponsor a holiday toy drive at Twin River. All fans attending are encouraged to donate a toy at the fight to help benefit needy families during the holiday season.

“The Pride Is Back” also features a six-round super middleweight intrastate showdown between Alex Amparo (5-0, 3 KOs) of Providence and Joe Gardner (9-5-1, 1 KO) of Woonsocket and the long-awaited return of super middleweight “Mr. Providence” Vladine Biosse (14-1-1, 7 KOs), who will New Jersey’s Dennis Sharpe (17-9-4, 4 KOs) in a six-round bout. Female bantamweight Shelito Vincent (5-0) of Providence (New London, Conn.) will battle unbeaten Rosie Serine (2-0) of Ottawa, Canada; and Burlington, Vt. (Willimantic, Conn.), light heavyweight Kevin Cobbs (6-0, 2 KOs) will face Tylon Burris (3-0, 2 KOs) of Hartford, Conn. Welterweight Zack Ramsey (2-0, 2 KOs) of Springfield, Mass., will battle newcomer Michael Lambert of Mobile, Ala., in a four-round bout. All bouts are subject to change.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “The Pride Is Back.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and must enter through the West entrance.)

Miguel Cotto, Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion
“Austin’s team mentioned that he went to Panama and beat a Panamanian guy and they were in Guadalajara to fight Rigoberto Alvarez. He doesn’t have any of them in front of him. He’s in New York and he is going to have Miguel Cotto in front of him. It’s going to be a great fight.

“Saturday night is going to be a great night for Puerto Rico and for New York.

“I have seen tape on Austin Trout, but not much. Maybe three or four rounds of him fighting, but that is about it. I leave watching tape up to [my trainer] Pedro [Diaz]. He has seen a lot of Trout’s fights and has prepared a game plan for us.

“We looked at our options for this fight and felt that Trout was the best option.

“People here are different to me than in other places. People here help me a lot with their support and cheering. Actually, when people expect so much, that motivates me. I felt that in training camp already. I am very excited.

“People here enjoy every aspect of my boxing style. They enjoy when I move, going after my opponents the way I do.

“Fighting southpaws is not difficult for me. Actually, I’m a converted southpaw. I used to fight southpaw, but converted into an orthodox stance. I have already fought many southpaws and didn’t really have any problems with them. I don’t expect to have any problems with Austin either.

“We had a great training camp with sparring partners with real skills. I think my sparring partners have more skills than Austin. I think they showed me more skills and gave me more problems

“The toughest guy I ever fought was Carlos Quintana. He gave me a lot of problems and gave me two very tough rounds.

“I don’t mind fighting anyone really. You have to do what you have to do. I look at the best option for my career at the time and make a decision based on those options.

“I watched the [Floyd] Mayweather fight a couple of times since we fought. I thought it was a good fight, a close fight. The judges gave it to him on the scorecards, but after watching it, I feel like I gave him a good fight and I am proud of my performance.

“If I were to fight Canelo next, everyone knows that a fight like that would stir up the great rivalry between Puerto Rican and Mexican fans. It’s an all-time rivalry. They also know what a Mexican fighter and a Puerto Rican fighter can do in the ring too.

“Austin is [my opponent] Saturday night and once I am done with that fight, I can sit back and look at my options and decide who my next fight will be against.

“God brings second opportunities. I wait for mine.

“There is a balance of being a fighter and a promoter. This was an idea my father had and I am happy we are doing a good job of making the company as successful as it is. My father picked three excellent people to run the company. I don’t have to occupy too much of my time to help them with the day to day. They make it easy for me and I am really happy they are there for me.

“It feels good to be able to prepare for a fight and train when there are no other distractions like I had last year with the Margarito fight. Margarito, stole a lot of things from me in 2008, and I got them back last year. This fight, the only thing I want is the belt and that is what I trained for during this training camp…to win the belt.”

“I know on Saturday I’m going to be able to give fans and the crowd all they are expecting.

Austin Trout, Undefeated WBA Super Welterweight World Champion

“Miguel Cotto is doing what other champions in this weight class won’t do by fighting me. I thank him for this opportunity.

“All we wanted was a chance. We had to go above and beyond, under the radar for this chance.

“I plan on making history. Not because I made Miguel Cotto a five-time world champion, but because I will be the only person to beat Miguel Cotto in New York.

“We didn’t get in this game for it to be easy. The harder the hurdle is for me, the greater the victory. I think the things we go through are what makes us who we are.

“Once the fight was confirmed, it took a while to sink in.”

“My goal on Saturday is to get the crowd quiet. I don’t want to give them anything to cheer for.

“I feel great. I feel like this is my time. I have wanted this fight for years. This was preordained and I don’t think God brought me here to fail.

“My mom was in the army. She met my father there on a base in Texas, but she was born in Brooklyn. I have a lot of family here. I feel like I am more of a New Yorker than Miguel Cotto.

“This fight is allowing all my dreams to come true. I am crossing a lot off of my bucket list with this one. After Saturday night, I’m either going to become a big star or it could stop here.”

Jayson Velez, Top Featherweight Prospect

“I want to thank Miguel Cotto personally. He has helped me this entire camp.

“I am prepared. I am ready. I am happy to be in this great legendary arena fighting a Mexican warrior.

“I am not fighting a uniform. I am fighting the guy in the uniform.” [In response to Sanchez saying that he will wear his uncle’s trunks during the fight.]

Salvador Sanchez II, Top Featherweight Prospect

“I want to thank my team, for preparing me and believing in me from the beginning of my career. I am 100 percent ready.

“It is an honor for me to fight at Madison Square Garden, 30 years after my great uncle [Salvador Sanchez] fought here. I am so happy to be wearing the clothing that my uncle wore here.

“Don’t miss this fight. It is going to be one of the better bouts of the night.”

Danny Jacobs, Top Rated Middleweight Contender

“It is a privilege to be back here in the Mecca of Boxing. I remember when I was 15 years old, too young to even be in the Golden Gloves, I dreamed of fighting here.

“Austin Trout and I were in the amateurs together. I am very proud of him. Miguel Cotto is a true champion. My girlfriend is a huge fan of his…sometimes more than I would like her to be.

“Being able to fight at the Garden is an honor. Tune in. You won’t be disappointed. I promise that.”

Jorge Melendez, Super Welterweight Prospect

“I want to thank Miguel Cotto for giving me the opportunity to be on such a great card. I’m very excited.

“I also want to thank my team and my trainer. I’m very well prepared and because of that I’m going to give you a great fight on Saturday night.”

Jeffrey Fontanez, Undefeated Junior Lightweight Rising Star

“I had a really strong camp with Miguel. We’re ready to get this win.

“We prepared properly. We know we’re going to take this victory and I want to thank all of the people of Caguas, Puerto Rico.”

Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions

“There are a large number of tickets sold so far. There are still some remaining, starting at 50 dollars.

“We are happy to be back here in New York City. Golden Boy Promotions has become active in New York with back-to-back shows and we are planning on being back here early next year as well.

“Showtime has had one of the best years as relates to their boxing programming. I am happy that we at Golden Boy were able to play a part in that.

“We are very happy for Danny Jacobs that he is back fighting at the Garden on Saturday night. I think it means a lot to him and to fight fans as well.

“The sport of boxing is built on stories and what Danny Jacobs went through, and how he fought to get to this point, is a symbol of what fighters really are.

“When a fighter like Austin Trout has the opportunity to step up and face a fighter like Miguel Cotto, he is going to be ready. I’m sure you are going to see the best Austin Trout has to offer.

“A lot of fighters have started their own promotional companies and it hasn’t worked out. I want to celebrate Miguel for doing it the right way.

“Cotto has been a world champion every single year since 2004. You are never going to see a boring Miguel Cotto fight.”

Greg Cohen, President of Greg Cohen Promotions

“This will be Austin’s third consecutive title defense on Showtime and we appreciate the exposure he has gotten on the network.

“Madison Square Garden is by far the greatest venue in all of sports.

“Austin wanted this fight so badly. He said ‘I don’t care if I have to fight Cotto for free. I will do whatever it takes to make the fight.’

“Saturday night is going to be electric. Austin Trout is one of these special individuals who seizes the moment.

“Saturday night, Austin Trout will become a star. This is his moment.”

Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports

“It has been many years since SHOWTIME televised a boxing event at the Garden and we think it is fitting as the Garden undergoes under its transformation, SHOWTIME is also undergoing a transformation. Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto are a big part of that.

“Every time Cotto fights, it is a special event, but when Miguel fights at the Garden, it is extra special.

“Trout is a very special fighter. I have no doubt he will fight the fight of his life on Saturday night.

“These two young men represent the best that this sport has to offer. They are top quality athletes and top quality individuals and I think that is deserving of recognition and deserving of support.”

Joel Fisher, Executive Vice President of MSG Sports

“We are excited to welcome Miguel Cotto back to the Garden, his home away from home.

“There is a great milestone that Miguel Cotto has eclipsed during this promotion. He has a tremendous fan base here in New York City, which is why he has sold over 100,000 tickets in all of his eight fights here at the Garden.

“It’s fight week and the excitement continues to build each and every day. There is nothing better in the Garden than a big fight like we are going to have Saturday night.

“I am not going to say that the Garden was renovated, because it was truly transformed. It is a different building and now all of the fight fans will be able to experience the new Garden on Saturday night.”

# # #

“Showdown: Cotto vs. Trout” is a 12-round battle between Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and undefeated WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin Trout taking place on Saturday, December 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-featured fights will see Jayson Velez take on Salvador Sanchez in a 10-round fight for the vacant WBC Silver Featherweight title and Danny “Miracle Man” Jacobs battle Chris “The Irish Ghost” Fitzpatrick in an eight-round middleweight fight. The event is promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, sponsored by The Puerto Rican Tourism Board and Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra