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

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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.

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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

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Kelly Swanson
Welcome, everybody. We are here today to talk about “Showdown: Cotto vs. Trout” for the WBA Super Welterweight Championship, set for this Saturday, December 1st, at Madison Square Garden. Everybody has received their fight week schedule, there’s a lot happening this week, so we look forward to seeing you in New York.

Oscar De La Hoya,

Welcome, everybody, all the media all over the world. We appreciate you being on the call.

Miguel Cotto and Cotto Promotions put together a tremendous card with an exciting co-feature with up and coming featherweight Jayson Velez against Salvador Sanchez for the WBC Silver Featherweight Title. We are also happy to have Danny Jacobs from Brooklyn, New York, fighting again and so soon after his ring return in October.

He made an incredible come back not only inside the ring, but outside of it too. I’m sure all of you know his tremendous inspirational story that really touched everyone’s heart across the globe.

This fight it taking place Saturday, December 1st at Madison Square Gardens, Miguel Cotto’s home, or shall I say second home. This event is being promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions, the up and coming premier promotional company already doing tremendous shows in Puerto Rico and looking to expand across the globe. The fight is also in association with Golden Boy Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions. We’re happy to announce that Corona is a sponsor of this event, as well as the Puerto Rican Tourism Board.

Tickets are still available; they’re definitely going fast, we do expect a sell out. Tickets are priced from $50 all the way up to $500. And we are always extremely proud to announce that this event is being televised live on Showtime Championship Boxing. To explain to you and give you details on the timing and is the Executive Vice President and the General Manger of Showtime Sports, Stephen Espinoza. Stephen.

Stephen Espinoza

We are extremely excited here at Showtime to have Miguel back on the network, especially in such a competitive fight when he goes up against a real up and coming young star in Austin Trout.

In the bigger picture for the network we’re in the stretch run of the end of our year, finishing up with a terrific bang; we had what ultimately turned out to be Ricky Hatton’s re-retirement fight this past Saturday; we are featuring this week Miguel Cotto versus Austin Trout, as well as a stellar undercard; and then you will be seeing Amir Khan against Carlos Molina in two weeks on December 15th. So we have those three names, Hatton, Cotto, and Khan, three of the biggest names in the sport, three of the most popular fighters, ending off the year.

For this particular fight we want to remind you that we have premiered the first episode of All Access: Cotto vs. Trout. It’s available On Demand, online on our Web site, also and playing on CBS Sports Network, on Showtime, and Showtime Extreme. Also the second episode, the epilogue episode, which covers fight week, fight night, and the aftermath, will be premiering before the championship show on December 15th. That is All Access: Cotto vs. Trout Epilogue immediately before the Amir Khan versus Carlos Molina broadcast on Saturday, December 15th.

De La Hoya

Thank you. Thank you very much, Stephen. Also I would like to acknowledge Cotto’s agent, who does a tremendous, tremendous job with Team Cotto, with Cotto Promotions, that’s Gaby Penagaricano. Also I want to acknowledge a man who is Director of Miguel Cotto Promotions, that’s Bryan Perez. Thank you very much for all your hard work and everything you do.

And at this moment let’s introduce, hailing from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Four-Time, Three-Division World Champion. He is one of the best fighters the island has produced, and we’re talking about champions like Hector, the late Hector Macho Camacho, we’re talking about Felix Trinidad. Miguel Cotto is definitely if not the best fighter that has come out of the island, who is fighting once again in his backyard, Madison Square Garden, his second home where thousands of fans have supported his illustrious career. He is one of the most successful fighters that have fought at the Garden in recent years. He does hold the record of 37-3 with 30 knockouts fighting once again, another world title against a very, very tough opponent in Trout.

Miguel Cotto

Hi, everybody. I’m just happy to be here again, and getting ready for this Saturday. I’m just in the final week of my preparation and I’m ready for all the questions you have for me.

Q

I think if this is a really tough fight, and God forbid you lose, I think people are going to look back and say, “Austin Trout, it was the wrong kind of guy to fight, twenty-seven years old, 25 and 0, very quick offensively.” I’m wondering if you thought twice about picking Trout as an opponent and who else that you did consider for this December 1st fight?

Cotto

Everybody who knows Miguel Cotto knows Miguel Cotto doesn’t pick easy fights, or easy opponents. Austin was the next in line. I’m ready for him and we’re just going to see what happen next Saturday.

Q

And as far as type of fighters that you have fought how does Trout line up as far as technique goes, as far as skills goes? Is he one of the best guys you’ve faced, is he in the middle of the pack, do we have to see Saturday? How do you set Trout right now?

Cotto

I don’t think about Trout. I’m thinking about myself; I just put myself in the training camp, in the training sessions, and I’m ready. I’m ready for whatever he tries on Saturday night.

Q

Hey, you know when we are in Madison Square Garden for your fights the noise is deafening for you once you enter the ring, when you throw a punch, when you acknowledge the crowd after a fight. How special for you does it feel and will it feel walking into Madison Square Garden and so many great victories in your career?

Cotto

I’m just happy to be here again. People here have supported my whole career, and I know next Saturday is going to be the same: a lot of people there shouting for me, being there just for watch entertaining fight. That’s what’s Miguel he’s used to over the ring. I’m ready. I’ve had one kind of good preparation for this Saturday, and I’m going to be the whole night on the fight until I beat Austin Trout next Saturday.

Q

I imagine, I was there the last fight against Antonio Margarito, that was obviously a huge, huge fight for you symbolically, and when you walked into the ring that night it was, again, deafening. How did you feel absorbing the praise and the cheers from the crowd as you walked into the ring? Does that lift you up, does that kind of fill you with energy when you walk in there and hear that?

Cotto

People just show me that they’re all good things they had for me that night. They are there for me, I’m there for them, and I’m going to make them proud and they’re going to help me whatever happen during the fight.

Q

Obviously you feel the punches, you feel and you really go to war in there, but when you-in football they call the crowd the twelfth man, and during your fight with Margarito you just seemed to really absorb what was going on. How big was the crowd in that fight for you and how energized were you in that special moment?

Cotto

This fight with Margarito was special; it was my redemption fight, and I just knew that it meant a great deal for the people that supported me during what happened the night 2008 and I just wanted be there for them, it was special for me as special for them.

Q

I know Austin Trout has said that he has been in other arenas and fought against the odds, but how must that be for your opponents to have to deal with the support that you have? Does that put you at an advantage and maybe put them at a disadvantage do you imagine?

Cotto

I know what he said, he said he’d been in Panama fighting with a Panamanian guy, he was in Mexico fighting with a Mexican guy, but next Saturday he going to be in New York in Madison Square Garden fighting with Miguel Cotto there. That’s my home, and I know nothing is going to be equal or the same as he has done before. That’s a special venue, that’s a special night for me, and I know he going to figure it out as soon as he get in there.

Q

What do you remember about Hector Camacho, about his life, his career, and they way his life ended last week.

Cotto

Camacho had a rough life, he made the decisions he made. I prefer to remember Macho Camacho for his brilliant career, his abilities in the ring, and the glory that he brought to his country, Puerto Rico.

Q

Now that you are going for another world title, another victory, and how do you feel you’re your future is going to look like,

Cotto

I am not thinking whatsoever about 2013, I am focusing exclusively on what’s going to happen on December 1st at the Garden.

Q

The fight in May with Mayweather, and I know you didn’t win that fight but you fought very well, a lot of people thought you gave Mayweather, whom many consider the number one fighter in the world, probably one of his toughest fights, if not his toughest fight, of his career. So even though you didn’t win how did you feel, even though without winning the fight, feel about the performance that you put on even in defeat?

Cotto

Mayweather was an excellent fight; it was a good fight. I didn’t win, but sometimes when you lose you win. That was my case in this fight. I’m felt rejuvenated after this fight. Everybody going to see on next Saturday.

Q

When you say that sometimes when you lose you win what do you mean by that? What is your analysis of that comment?

Cotto

We didn’t win the fight against Mayweather, but I won a lot of more things, especially with myself. I feel better with myself than I would have won.

Q

How do you feel good with yourself?

Cotto

No matter if I lost.

Q

Okay. Because a lot of people, and you know this because you’ve discussed this with many of us in the past, a lot of people thought they may be counting you out after maybe the loss to Pacquiao or even the loss to Margarito. Do you feel like you regained a lot of the thought from a lot of people that you know what even though you didn’t win that Miguel Cotto is still one of the very best fighters out there?

Cotto

I’m just trying to be here and do what I know to do the best I can. I work in every moment to try to bring the best I can in every session of my training and just to be the winner when I have to fight. That’s happened in this camp, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to be the new champion of the world.

Q

Also, Miguel, there was a lot of discussion about Madison Square Garden being basically your home court, you fought so many big fights there and sold so many tickets and had huge crowds. What is your take on the fact that Austin Trout is willing to come to fight in basically your backyard and seems quite fearless about it, has talked about Miguel’s a star, he deserves to have this home base, but I have no fear of coming there. What does it say do you think about the character of Austin Trout that he is more than happy and willing to come to Madison Square Garden to face Miguel Cotto, which cannot be easy for anybody?

Cotto

He doesn’t have to feel any kind of fear to being here in New York; people here are nice, people here are pretty good. At the end of the road only just the referee, Trout and myself are going to be inside the ring. What people outside the ring give to me, the people here that are rooting for me, people there going to be for me this night, and I’m going to win for them.

Q

Do you give him credit for being willing to come there to face you?

Cotto

You have to do whatever you have to do to be the boxer you want. He accepts the challenge to face me and I accept the challenge to face him. Everybody is going to see what happens next Saturday.

Q

What type of fighter do you think that you will find Saturday night in Austin Trout and what strategy are you going to use to defeat him?

Cotto

I’m not thinking about it, I have trained very hard, and I am prepared for whatever Austin Trout brings. Strategy-wise, I’m not giving up any details, but I can tell you that it has been carefully planned over weeks of training. The Miguel Cotto that you are going to see on Saturday is probably the best Cotto you’ve ever seen.

Q

Hi Miguel, I have a couple, a two-part question for you. One is at the end of your fight in May with Floyd Mayweather there was that very famous scene where he hugged you in the middle of the ring and said that you were the toughest guy he had ever fought in his career, and I think that really sums up the career of Miguel Cotto in one word-tough. You’ve had a lot of wars in your career; you’re a warrior who leaves everything in the ring every time. Do you have any concerns coming into the fight on Saturday against Austin Trout that these wars you’ve been in could catch up to you against a young, hungry champion?

Cotto

I’ve just put myself into a hard training camp just to be the winner, as I was my whole career. I’m here just to face Austin next Saturday, I’m here to win, and I’m not going to rest until I get it on December 1st.

Q

A lot of people have mentioned that there will be a lot of pressure on Austin Trout coming into the fight given that it will be an unfamiliar environment for him that will be very pro Miguel Cotto coming into the ring, while you’re in the ring. Do you feel any additional pressure fighting in front of your hometown fans, people who have put out a lot of money and time to come and see you and support you in the ring? So do you feel that the flipside of that coin is while Austin Trout’s never been on this stage before that is there an increased amount of pressure on you to give a good performance in front of your fans?

Cotto

I’m just thankful for being here again and I’m going to do my best just for all the fans, all the people who are going to be there for me. And I don’t know what passed through Austin’s mind, but I’m going to enjoy the whole night.

Q

Hey, guys. Miguel, it’s been over seven years since your first fight in the Garden. What do you remember about that first fight there with Abdulleav, and did you think this was going to turn into such a long relationship with the fans in New York?

Cotto

My first opportunity here, as you mentioned with Abdulleav, I didn’t think that this arena going to be so special for me in my entire career, but I’m happy, I’m thankful, and I’m just grateful for having such a wonderful career, such a wonderful performances here in Madison Square Garden.

Q

And this question is to you, Miguel, and also if Bryan is still on the line. A lot of great fighters have fought in the Garden over the years, not many have the relationship Miguel does here in the city. What is it about Miguel Cotto that the fans have attached themselves to?

Cotto

Can you repeat the question? I didn’t hear it very well.

Q

Over the years a lot of great fighters have fought in Madison Square Garden, but not many have the relationship you have with the fans here in New York. What is it about you that the fans have attached themselves to you like this?

Cotto

I can’t tell you exactly. I just train to be a good boxer, and then something special came when Madison Square Garden appeared in my career. People were there for Miguel Cotto. Miguel Cotto tried to was there the best he could for them just to bring them entertaining fight for them.

I think them appreciate that a lot, and I appreciate a lot more what the people who be there for me do to me.

Q

Gaby [Penagaricano], What is it about Miguel that the people in New York have just embraced him like this over the years?

Penagaricano

Well I think he has delivered here; he has fought eight or nine times, all wins, all of them exciting fights. So he has delivered what the fans want, and that’s why they’re so thirsty to see him again this Saturday. He’s just an exciting fighter, no boring fights when he steps into the ring, and it’s a big, big, big attraction between the two. So I know it’s very special for him.

Q

How do you evaluate Pedro Diaz and what he has done in the course of the two fights in which he has worked with you?

Cotto

I’m not here to evaluate, the people can see my performances when I have fought under the training and guidance of Pedro Diaz, so the public is the best judge to answer that question.

Swanson

Okay. So I am going to go ahead and turn this over to Mr. Cohen, Greg Cohen, CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions and also Mr. Trout’s promoter. And, Greg, if you’d like to make the introductions. I do know we also have Louie Burke on the line, who is Austin’s trainer, but if you’d like to make the introduction for Austin that would be great, and then we’ll open it up to media questions.

Cohen

Sure. Thank you. We’re very happy to be here today and I’m very lucky to be Austin Trout’s promoter. Austin, as you know, is the WBA 154-pound World Champion, he’s undefeated, he is a world champion inside and outside of the ring. And this is the opportunity he’s been waiting for his entire life, and we just couldn’t be more excited to defend the title. I know maybe outside of the boxing world a lot of people might not know Austin Trout that well, but we plan and know that after December 1st come December 2nd Austin Trout is going to be a household name.

So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce my World Champion, Austin “No Doubt” Trout.

Trout

Yes. I’m more than happy to be here. I’m grateful for this opportunity. I want to thank Miguel for allowing me to showcase what I’ve been working on all these years on a stage as big as this. We know if it wasn’t for his name to be carried out that we probably wouldn’t have been on this type of platform, so I’m very grateful to him for the opportunity. And I’m just ready to answer any questions and let you all get to know me.

Q

Good. As you look back at Miguel Cotto’s let’s say last five fights, maybe it’s six fights, I think he’s four and two, his two losses have come against guys who had very fast hands, a lot of good movement, defensive skills and everything, of course two outstanding fighters, Mayweather and of course Pacquiao. You fight more like those guys than the guys who stand in front of him, guys like Joshua Clottey and Mayorga, Yuri Foreman, Antonio Margarito. Have you been watching tapes of those two losses, and if you have what do you plan on doing to beat him?

Trout

We’ve definitely been watching tapes for those two losses. We’ve also gone back and watched tapes of Miguel Cotto when he was fighting around 140, 147. We plan on executing a game plan similar; we’re not going to necessarily run, but movement’s going to be a big deal as far as our game plan goes. Without going into too much detail, I do want to say that I am willing to sit down and fight. I know I’m going to have to put a lot of leather on him in order to get a decisive win in the Madison Square Garden, so a totally defensive fight is not going to necessarily be the key to victory for me.

Q

Judges often come into play so often. Let’s go back to Pacquiao and Bradley; we all saw one thing, the judges saw another thing. As I sit here I don’t know who the judges are going to be, I don’t know if you do, but if you do are you concerned with any of the judges and/or the referee?

Trout

Well I really can’t spend too much energy to be worried about the judging or the officiating. All I have to worry about is what I have to execute inside that ring. If we execute what I do in the ring and let it be up to God’s hands, as long as I’ve done my best that’s what I’m happy about it. If they “steal” it from me well that’s between them and God. All is can focus on is what I can do and what I can take care of, and then that’s my actions in the ring.

Q

Hey, I watched All Access, and the thing that’s really impressive is your candor and your honesty, but you’re also very confident. But at one point you asked for Miguel’s autograph, and I was like, “Wow that’s genuine.” But how do you go, I mean I’ve talked to boxers over the years who had to face their–Oscar De La Hoya being one, who had to face their idols when he beat Julio Cesar Chavez, and he really gave him a beat down, especially in the second fight-how do you go from being a fan to beating on a guy that you respect? How do you do that?

Trout

Well, it’s funny, because there’s two sides of Austin Trout; there’s Austin Trout the fan of boxing and Austin Trout the fighter, and you might get two different. As an answer I would say it’s a great fight, I’d love to watch this match up, but the Austin Trout the fighter is always thinking in the back of his mind I could beat both of those guys or I could beat that guy. So in the back of my mind I’ve always sized up anybody I’ve been a fan of. And really when I’m daydreaming as a kid, or even now, because I’m a daydreamer, when I’m fighting in that big arena and the person I’m beating up it’s one of my favorite fighters, because in my opinion to be the best you have to beat the best. So, yes, I don’t think it should be a hard transition coming from a fan to a fighter at all. I’ve been doing it my whole career.

Q

Who are those guys that you faced? Who are the guys that you’ve idolized in your dreams and beaten them up in your dreams? Name some of them.

Trout

Money Mayweather. When I was a kid, well not a kid, like more in high school, it way Roy Jones Jr.; that was the visualization I had. I even go back and visualize me beating Sugar Ray Leonard or Pernell Whitacker just to name a few. I have a big list of fighters that I really admire, and Miguel Cotto is on that list.

Q

So when you visualize this fight with Cotto what are the different scenarios that have come out with you winning?

Trout

Oh in the daydream, which I feel I can make a reality, it’s a win by knockout. It’s a hard, tough fight for a while, but I come out in the later rounds and pull ahead to get that KO victory. Either way my hands are raised; whether it’s a decision or it’s a knockout, my visualization is with my hands raised.

Q

Great. Two more questions for you. I’ve talked to Matthew Macklin, who has predicted that you would win. Obviously you sparred with him to prepare him for Sergio Martinez. And I talked to Martinez just about your jab, I didn’t ask him about this specific fight. Do you feel that the jab, your jab, is going to be a key in this fight and sustaining that over the course of the fight?

Trout

I definitely do. I’m going to have to keep him away from me and there’s no better measuring stick than the jab, and I have a pretty good jab so using the jab is definitely going to be a key. Just as he has a good jab and he’s going to try and use it I’m going to have to use my jab as well.

Q

And my last question is he says that, and I’ve been there during his fights, the crowd is deafening and they cheer everything he does from the time he walks into the ring to the time he leaves, every punch he throws, every acknowledgement he makes to the crowd, and he doesn’t think you’re going to be ready for that. What is your answer to that?

Trout

I just have to make sure I don’t give the crowd anything to cheer about.

Q

There was a lot of discussion when Miguel was on the call prior to you joining us about his relationship with the fans in the Garden and basically it becoming his home away from Puerto Rico where he’s fought I think eight or nine times so many big fights. You’re a guy that’s gone to the lion’s den, so to speak, fought in Mexico a couple of times against Mexican opponents, won your world title in Mexico, which I actually saw on TV just the other night. My question for you is what are your expectations for being in that kind of crowd and how do you feel like you will handle that mentally, emotionally?

Trout

Well actually my past experiences, which have not been on this type of level by far, but if practice makes perfect this is not my first time doing it, so I feel like I’ll be pretty comfortable being in the hostile territory. Really the crowd can only do one thing, and that’s to make noise; they can’t help him get up, they can’t help him punch harder, they can’t help him punch faster. I’m expecting and I’m preparing for Miguel to be at his absolute best anyway, so it’s not like they can make him better than his best. And I’ve done all the preparation now, and really the only thing I’m focused on is Miguel Cotto in that ring.

Q

So do you think, though, it’s one thing to visualize that. Like go back to when you were going to Mexico when you fighting Alvarez or when you were fighting I believe it was David Lopez, when you walk into the crowd and they basically want you to get knocked out walking to the ring how do you deal with that? Some guys would just find it to be me against the world kind of attitude, like I’ll show them. Others might shrink from that and be intimidated. What was it like for you making those ring walks in that hostile environment?

Trout

Yes, when I was walking to the ring my whole goal was to shut the crowd out. Going to the ring you get people likely throwing things at you, cursing at you, and things like that. It’s just exactly as you said; it’s me against the world, and I’m going to show them. I respect the Puerto Rican fan base and for their passion. I said at the press conference that if it wasn’t for them or the Mexican fans that boxing might be dead, especially in American. So as a fan I’m glad they’re keeping it alive, but I’m not going to give them anything to cheer about. My whole goal is to get the Garden absolutely quiet.

Q

Well that’s hard to do, obviously, when you’re dealing with a Miguel Cotto fight. Are you intimidated at all or do you embrace the notion of doing what you just said you’d like to do, shutting them up?

Trout

No, I embrace the notion. I’m not intimidated at all. This is what I feel like I have to go through to get to where I want to be, so I’m not going to le the crowd or Miguel Cotto be in my way.

Q

Austin, with all the different guys you’re fighting a very hot weight class. I know you have one of the titles, which I’m sure is one of the key reasons why you were able to get this fight, but I wonder with all the different possibilities that Miguel might have had, he had the opportunity to maybe fight Pacquiao in a rematch, there were other fighters in the weight class. When you got this fight I know back when it was first made you said you were very shocked and didn’t really believe Greg when he called you to tell you that you got the fight. Do you still sort of pinch yourself to say I can’t believe like after 25 fights basically in relative anonymity, even though you have a world title, that now you’re getting the opportunity to fight one of the biggest stars in the whole sport?

Trout

Now suddenly it’s reality. I feel like this has to be all part of God’s plan, because of my anonymousness and since I’m not so known and not the big name and he’s had so many names. The only thing I can think of is God made this happen, and I feel like it’s part of my destiny to be on this stage. I don’t doubt my skills or ability in this fight. I don’t doubt God’s positioning of me in this fight. So I feel real good about the fight. I believe that I will be victorious as well.

Q

Do you think you’ve even been with a guy that’s as good of a puncher as Miguel Cotto? You fought guys that can punch a little bit, maybe Rodriguez who has knocked some guys out. I don’t think he got touched much; he pretty much won every round. But I looked at your record and you fought some good opponents, but I’m not sure there’s been a puncher with the type of power that Miguel has displayed in his career. What are your thoughts about that?

Trout

No, I wouldn’t say I have. I’ve definitely faced bigger guys; I’ve fought guys that came down from super middleweight, so maybe with that body strength that they may be bigger, stronger than Miguel as far as that’s concerned, and I still pushed them back. Miguel Cotto is a very powerful and explosive fighter, and I’ve not necessarily faced anybody as explosive as him, but I think I’ve faced people that have been as strong as him.

Q

How shocked were you when you got this fight? Were you surprised by it? Because you kind of, let’s be honest, your performance against Rodriguez, even though you won, had a lot of people not really wanting to see you again for a while, and here you are getting this monster main event.

Trout

Well I do look at it as a redemption song. But yes, I was shocked; I was shocked that he chose a fighter like me, because a lot of times I’ve been known as high risk, low reward, even with the belt. So I figured if I can’t get these guys to fight me with the belt then what do I have to do, who do I have to beat to get these names going. And lo and behold, Greg Cohen and Al Haymon made the Miguel Cotto fight happen, and I can’t be more appreciative for it.

Q

Hey, Cotto said that the Mayweather fight maybe rejuvenated him a little bit, even though he went through the loss. And just as you look as his previous fights, and especially that fight, did you see a guy who maybe is on the downside of his career like some people say or is he still in his prime?

Trout

I would definitely say he’s still in his prime; he’s still a hungry fighter, he’s still eating and have hung with some of the best fighters in our time, I should say. His losses have only been to the top guys, and one of the losses is very controversial. So I don’t see why anybody would count Cotto as being on the downside of his career.

Q

And I watched the All Access and I thought the team in Las Cruces in a good light, and I was just wondering what you thought about it and talk about why you have decided to say here. Louie has talked about that before, like he was able to train in different places, but you stayed here throughout your career.

Trout

Well, my kids are here. I love being around my kids. I can’t really leave them, and if I was to go pursue my career in another city that would be the case, I would have to leave my kids behind, and there’s no way I’m going to do that. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve stayed in Cruces. Not to mention beautiful weather, no natural disasters, we have good elevation out here. It’s a good place to focus if you need to focus.

Q

What’s your sense about the way the community feels about you? They’re kind of been able to watch your career and watch you grow up.

Trout

Well I’m glad they’re getting excited.

Q

First, do you see any weakness in Miguel Cotto that you can exploit during your fight? And the second question, just wanted to ask you if you had any Hector Camacho stories or if you ever met him and what you think about his untimely death?

Trout

My heart goes out to his friends and family, even his fans. I have never had the pleasure of meeting Camacho. My coach, Louie Burke, he has had the pleasure of actually fighting Hector Camacho, so that’s probably as close as I’ve gotten to Hector personally. It’s sad that the way champions can come out or go out, and I hate to see a great fighter like him go out like that.

Q

Do you see any weaknesses in Miguel Cotto that you could exploit? I mean they mentioned before about he fighting fast opponents. Do you see anything on his game that you can take advantage of?

Trout

I do, but I don’t want him and Pedro working on it so I’m going to keep that to myself. We’re going to work on his eye; he has a lot of scarring up there, he can’t help that. That’s one thing that we want to not focus on, but we’re looking to take advantage of.

Q

A lot of times we see this happen in boxing where you have an older, more established fighter, like Miguel Cotto in this case, go up against a younger, hungrier fighter like you, and a lot of time this ends up being where it comes to a coming out party for the younger fighter. How important is it to you on Saturday night to go in there, win or lose, to give the type of performance that builds the name of Austin Trout in the boxing community and gets you more established for bigger fights going forward?

Trout

Well it’s just like you said, it’s very important because I’m trying to be established; I don’t want to be anonymous anymore. So I pray for a blessing of a satisfied performance that I can perform for my best of my ability, and I feel like if I do that then I will win with no question. Now anything happens in this game, in fact you lose and still put up a good performance. I’m not happy with that; I don’t want to lose my undefeated record or my belt.

I feel like the powers that be don’t necessarily want me in the boxing game, because I feel like I’m a thorn to everybody’s side that have to fight me. So a loss would be the best way for them to get me out of there, so losing is really not an option. Even if I still perform to the best of my ability I think that they won’t let me in, and they didn’t let me in anyway, I had to kind of climb through the window.

Q

Right. Austin, I think it’s one more thing I want to ask you is about you, your personality; you’re very personable, you’re a very well spoken student of boxing. You said before that as much as you are a fighter you’re a fan of the game, and I think a lot of the younger up and coming fighters, obviously an Adrien Broner is a good example kind of carrying on that torch of the Floyd Mayweathe type fighter, how important is it to you, Austin, to stay true to yourself as both the fighter and the fan and being the type of guy who doesn’t have to go out there and disrespect or talk smack about his opponent and just does things the right way to establish his name in the game?

Trout

It’s the most important, because, like I said, I have kids, and my daughter, who’s 10 now, she’ll call me out, like, “That’s not you, dad,” and I want them to see the real me. I feel like to know me is to love me, so why even put on any kind of a façade. If I feel one way I will express it in my truest form. I feel like it’s very important. I don’t want to be fake with anybody. I’m not saying that Adrien Broner is, I feel like he’s himself when he’s doing what he does, but that’s just not me. I just want to be me and let the fans embrace me as me.

Q

My question is recently you have exactly your last fight with Delvin Rodriguez was a unanimous decision then you have a TKO, it stopped in eleven. Your preparation for this fight I think it’s a little bit different than the ones that you had before. Miguel and you they have prepared exactly the most kind of the same, he was in Big Bear, California, and they were basically at the same kind of training. But Miguel is a hard puncher, and basically your previous contenders have not been as hard. Do you have to prepare to the kind of fight that you are expecting this Saturday that maybe is going to be a long 12 rounds or what your main goal on this fight?

Trout

Well as the training, we’ve picked up the intensity, we’ve gotten some good thin air to be intent in for the fact that Miguel Cotto is an intense fighter, and we don’t want to have to keep up with his intensity, we want to push the intensity. So we prepared definitely a longer and harder training camp to be at our best for the whole 12 rounds, and we’re expecting and preparing for a hard fought 12 round fight. Miguel Cotto is the best fighter I’ve ever faced and that’s no secret, but I’ve put in the hard work now so that way December 1st can be easier. And with God willing we’ll do what we’ve been working on and come out victorious.

Q

Do you think with this training that you did for this fight, because you were doing more cardio and just keeping up in there, do you have healthy in your strength and you feel right now different when you are basically on the city, obviously breathing up a couple of thousand feet is different than just being in the city, do that help you a lot in the way that you are performing, and how do you feel for this fight and the previous one that you had with Delvin Rodriguez?

Trout

Yes. No, I feel very healthy. I have no injuries, there’s nothing that’s coming into the ring with me but a healthy we’ll say Austin Trout, and I can’t be more happy with the outcome of the camp. All that’s left is just to maintain my shape until we weigh in Friday and then Saturday we get to show how.

Swanson

All right, everybody. So that ends our call. And again, you have received your fight week schedule. Please pay attention to it. Wednesday is the final press conference at the theater lobby at Madison Square Garden and Friday is the official weigh in, which is open to the public, and that’s at the Affinia Manhattan Hotel in the ballroom at 1:00 p.m.

END OF CALL

“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