Former undisputed and two-time Heavyweight Champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KOs) is putting the final touches on an “intense” training camp that has him in the best shape he’s been in a decade.

Rahman will challenge WBA World Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin (24-0, 16 KOs) on Saturday, September 29 at the Sporthalle in Hamburg, Germany, and his promoter says the conditions are ripe for another upset KO to win the title.

“They’ve been basically writing Hasim off since the start of the promotion,” said Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions, Rahman’s promoter. “Hasim isn’t even on the posters for this event. They’ve been making jokes and having fun. But while they were doing that, Hasim has been getting himself into fantastic shape.”

According to Cohen, it’s all reminiscent of the buildup to Rahman’s upset KO over Lennox Lewis 11 years ago.

“Hasim is going to shock the world again. This is the exact situation you don’t put Rahman in. Disrespected. Overlooked. An over-confident champion thinking he can just show up and win. But in the gym with Hasim, and seeing how focused he is, you know something’s about to happen.

The 39-year-old Rahman was originally scheduled to face Povetkin on July 14, but an injury forced the postponement.

“Hasim is completely healthy and ready to pull off the upset. I think at this stage of his career, it takes a big fight like this and an opponent and his people behaving this way to put him at peak motivation… and that’s what he is. Hasim Rahman is 100% ready to shock the world.”

Jhonatan Romero 122 vs. Efrain Esquivias 122 (For IBF No. 2 Ranking)

Roman Morales 122 vs. Jonathan Arellano 122 (For WBC Latino Championship)

Alejandro Luna 134.5 vs. Pipino Cuevas Jr. 140.5

*Cuevas must come in no more than 145 lbs at 10 A.M. for the fight to happen

Francisco Santana 148 vs. John Worthy 148

Jesus Hernandez 125.5 vs. Edwin Solis 126

Roy Tapiz 122 vs. Pablo Batres 123.25

Raul Lopez 126.5 vs. Leopoldo Gonzalez 129

Jundy Maraon 121 vs. Ernie Marquez 118.5

Maria Suarez 113 vs. Abigail Castaneda 114

Azat Hovhannisyan 122 vs. Raymond Chacon 121

Four promising, talented super bantamweights with a combined record of 62-1-1 will share the spotlight in important fights this Friday, Sept. 21, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Tickets for the Gary Shaw Productions event, priced at $35, $45, $55, $70 and $85, are on sale and can be purchased at Chumash Resort Casino Box office or online at www.startickets.com.

MANCHESTER, N.H. (September 20, 2012) – World-ranked junior middleweight Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (18-0, 13 KOs) displayed his entire arsenal tonight, stopping Alexis “Hurricane” Hloris (16-4-2, 12 KOs) in the second round, headlining the11th annual Fight To Educate Pro-Am card at Verizon Wireless Center in Manchester, New Hampshire.

The 24-year-old Andrade, a 2008 U.S. Olympian, dropped Fernandez early in the second round with a straight left and then finished the show with a right hook. Fernandez beat the count but the referee halted the action as the second round ended.

“I wouldn’t say I was rusty, just cautious in the first round, feeling him out to see what he had,” Andrade said after the fight. “I established my jab. I came out in the second round knowing he had trouble with my jab and left. I put some power and speed behind my punches. I showcased it (his entire arsenal); it looked good and sealed the deal.

“I want (Sergie) Dzinziruk (former WBO champion, 37-1, 27 KOs). His only loss was to the best, Sergio Martinez, and he just had a draw (Jonathan Gonzalez). His name would look good on my resume.”

Andrade, fighting out of Providence (RI), is co-promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Banner Promotions. The slick southpaw is ranked No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 5 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), as well as No. 10 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 15 by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

Undefeated Vermont welterweight Chris Gilbert improved to 5-0 (4 KOs) with a win over Antonio Chaves Fernandez. Gilbert dropped Fernandez midway through the opening round, trapped Fernandez on the ropes in the fourth and ended the fight by way of technical knockout with a powerful right uppercut.

Fight To Educate, presented this year in part by Absolute Broadcasting WGAM, The Game, is a unique charity event that combines a love of sports with the vision of assisting children and seniors in need, who with fundraisers like this could be ‘down for the count.’ During the past 10 years, Fight To Educate has raised more than $500,000 in donations benefitting local New Hampshire non-profit organizations.

Proceeds from the 11th annual Fight To Educate will benefit SEE Science Center (www.see-sciencecenter.org), The Bobby Stephens Fund for Education (www.stepheneducationfund.com), and New Horizons for New Hampshire.

Full Results:

Professionals

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Demetrius Andrade WTKO2 (3:00) Alexis Hlores

Providence, RI Mount Clemens, MI

18-0 (13 KOs) 16-5-2 (12 KOs)

WELTERWEIGHTS

Chris Gilbert WTKO4 (2:50) Antonio Chaves Fernandez

Windsor, VT Quincy, MA

5-0 (4 KOs) 2-8-1 (0 KOs)

Amateurs

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Joel Bishop WPTS3 John Rosa

West Forks, ME Lawrence, MA

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Nico Clow WPTS3 Richie Ford

Claremont, NH Claremont, NH

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Tevin Aleau WPTS3 Brandon Berry

Providence, RI West Forks, ME

LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS

Zack Morel WPTS3 Phil Kyser

New Hampton, NH Stockman ME

Rory Stapleton WPTS3 Keenan Manzi

Lancaster, NE Keene,

NH

LIGHT FLYWEIGHTS

Wayne Stearns WPTS3 Angel Tricoche

Searsport, ME Haverhill, MA

MILLVILLE, N.J. – September 19, 2012 — On Saturday night, November 10th, Gulfstream Boxing Promotions presents a special night of boxing at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey. In the main event, undefeated Jr. Middleweight Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will see action against opponent to be named in a six round bout.

The bout for LaManna is special for a variety of reasons as he will be fighting in his hometown of Millville for the very first time and the bout takes place just two days before LaManna’s 21st birthday.

LaManna is 9-0 with five knockouts is coming off a six round split decision victory over tough Yolexcy Leiva on August 18th in Atlantic City.

“I am very excited about this fight and event coming to Millville”, said LaManna. “It should be a great night of boxing and I want to thank the New Jersey Motorsports Park and my promoter Vincent Ponte for making this dream of fighting at home to come true. I plan to put on a great fight and hopefully this could be the beginning of boxing in Millville.”

In the six-round co-feature, undefeated Jr. Welterweight Anthony “Juice “Young will see action against opponent to be named.

Young, of nearby Atlantic City, has a record of 6-0 with two knockouts and is coming off a four round unanimous majority decision over Richard Andrews on July 27th.

Competing in eight-round bouts will be undefeated Super Middleweight Derrick Webster and Jr. Lightweight Joselito Collado.

Webster of Glassboro, New Jersey, has a record of 13-0 with seven knockouts and is starting to get national attention as he has stepped up the competition in recent bouts. He is coming off an eight round unanimous decision over Sabou Ballagou on April 27th and Webster has recently spent time in the camps of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andre Ward.

Collado of Queens, New York, has a record of 13-2 with three knockouts has fought top competition. He has an impressive first-round stoppage over Jules Blackwell (8-2-2) and decision over Rafael Lora (11-3). Collado’s only two blemishes have been to top prospect Casey Ramos (14-0) and his last bout when he lost a decision to Jerry Belmontes (16-0) on September 8th.

Also seeing action in a six round bout will be undefeated Middleweight Isiah Seldon.

Seldon, of Atlantic City, has a record of 6-0 with three knockouts and the undefeated son of former WBA Heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon is coming off a second-round stoppage over Kenneth Moody on February 4th.

Appearing in four-round bouts will be Jon Bolden (5-4, 5 KO’s) of New York, Light Heavyweight Amir Shabazz (1-0) of Philadelphia, Middleweight Godson Noel (1-0, 1 KO) of Newark, and amateur star Jr. Middleweight Antoine Douglas of Virginia.

In attendance will be Former WBO and Olympic gold medalist heavyweight world champion Ray Mercer & former Two-Time IBF cruiserweight world champion Steve “USS” Cunningham.

“NJMP is proud to partner with Gulfstream Boxing Promotions to present this special event,” said NJMP general manager Brad Scott. “We’re looking forward to seeing all of the scheduled competitors, especially Millville’s own Thomas LaManna.”

Tickets for this exciting evening of boxing are priced at $125 (VIP—Which will include a meet and greet with Mercer & Cunningham), $75 and $50 and can be bought by calling (856) 899-7372, or ordering online at NJMP.com.

To follow Thomas “Cornflake” Lamanna on twitter: @cornflakeboxing

About New Jersey Motorsports Park

Sitting on more than 500 acres in Millville, N.J., New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) is nestled snugly in a beautifully forested region surrounded by scenic rivers and the nearby Delaware Bay. NJMP is conveniently located near Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, New York and Baltimore, offering diverse and dynamic motorsports attractions. The park includes two world-class road courses, Thunderbolt and Lightning, a motorsports country club membership program known as the “Drivers Club,” the Finish Line Pub restaurant, and F1 New Jersey, one of the top karting facilities in the U.S. For more information, visit www.NJMP.com or call (856) 327-8000. GPS Address: 8000 Dividing Creek Road, Millville, NJ 08332.

ALBANY, NY (September 21, 2012) – Advance tickets are now on sale as Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing will return to Upstate New York’s premier sports and entertainment facility, the Times Union Center on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 with undefeated heavyweight contenders Joe “The Future” Hanks and Fred “Showtime” Allen battling in the ten round main event for the NABA Heavyweight Title.

“Having this heavyweight matchup at the Times Union Center is a one-two punch,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy. “Fans will get yet another chance this year to enjoy great boxing at Albany County’s premiere sports and entertainment venue. The evening is sure to be a knock out!”

Tickets priced at $75, $50 and $35, are available through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000) or at the Times Union Center Box Office, (www.timesunioncenter-albany.com), and at all local Wal-Mart Music Centers. Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at 718-823-2000 or on www.starboxing.com. Kids 12 & Under are just $10 and students are $25 with a valid student id. Doors will open on the night of the event at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.

Said DeGuardia, “This is our third event this year at the Times Union Center and we’re very excited to return to this terrific venue. The local fan and media support we’ve received for our first two shows compelled us to return with this sensational heavyweight battle which will be complimented by a terrific undercard that we will announce shortly.”

Triumphantly returning to the Times Union Center is world ranked contender Joe Hanks of Newark, New York. Sporting a record of 20-0-0 (14KO’s), the 29-year-old Hanks looked dominant in stopping Cuban contender Rafael Pedro in the second round on FEBRUARY 4 at the debut Star Boxing event in Albany. Hanks is currently ranked #14 by the World Boxing Organization.

Hanks followed up the knockout of Pedro by halting veteran Marcus Rhode in the first round on APRIL 27 in Miami, Oklahoma.

Fighting out of Texas City, Texas, the 25-year-old Fred Allen has compiled a record of 14-0-1 with six knockouts in just three years as a professional. Fighting twice in 2012, he’s won all twelve rounds in the two bouts, leading to shutout unanimous decisions, most recently winning the USA Texas State Heavyweight Title on APRIL 28, defeating Angel Herrera in Galveston Texas.

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

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

The fight for the WBA World Heavyweight Championship is getting closer. On
September 29, defending champion Alexander Povetkin (24-0, 16 KOs) and
mandatory challenger Hasim Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KOs) will battle it out at the
Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany. Since his last bout against Marco Huck, a lot
has changed for team Povetkin. With ring legend Kostya Tszyu he has someone
in his corner, who will help him to exploit his full potential. In the
following interview Povetkin talks about his new training and his next
opponent Hasim Rahman.

Alexander Povetkin, your last fight against Marco Huck was seven months ago.
A lot has been said since then. Now that you had time to reflect, what are
your thoughts on that topic?

Alexander Povetkin: It was a hard and tough battle, and both of us had to go
to the limits of our capacity. However, in the end I beat Marco as I landed
the more precise punches than him.

What lessons did you learn from this extremely close fight?

Alexander Povetkin: Of course, I learned a lot from that fight. My team and
I know what we have to do to prepare myself in order to be better than last
time. For example, we have worked a lot on my stamina during my current
preparations.

Your next opponent Hasim Rahman already was a world champion. He stood
inside the ring on 60 occasions and fought the likes of Evander Holyfield,
Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. What are your thoughts on him?

Alexander Povetkin: He should not be underestimated, that’s for sure. If he
comes to the ring in good shape on September 29, and I am sure he will be,
then he’s going to be a real challenge for me.

Will Rahman’s experience be an advantage for him?

Alexander Povetkin: He is somebody, who can change the outcome of a fight
with just one punch. Therefore, I have to stay really focussed against him.
Experience is always an advantage and might help him against me. So I have
to be prepared for all possibilities.

You are currently training in Moscow. How is your training camp going?

Alexander Povetkin: Everything is fine and we are training in a
state-of-the-art gym. We have a lot of useful sparring partners. Everything
is perfect and as it should be.

Over the last few months, you have been working with your new coach, Kostya
Tszyu. How satisfied are you with him?

Alexander Povetkin: I feel privileged to be working with him. He was an
excellent boxer and now he is an excellent coach. I have learned a lot from
him.

So will we see a “new” Alexander Povetkin when you step into the ring come
September 29?

Alexander Povetkin: No, that will not be the case. Kostya Tszyu doesn´t want
a new fighter, as it isn’t necessary. We want to improve aspects that I am
already good at. We also working on my weaknesses as well and want to wipe
them out. Altogether, I will be a more complete boxer trough our work inside
the gym.

Finally, how is your fight against Rahman going to end? Will it be a fight
over twelve rounds or less?

Alexander Povetkin: You can’t foresee what will happen and I don’t like
giving such statements ahead of a fight. I just know one thing for sure: I
will be one hundred percent for that bout and will do my best to be the one
standing tall when everything is said and done. It doesn’t matter if it will
go for twelve rounds or if it will end prematurely. The main thing is me
keeping my belt.

September 21, 2012 – Boxing 360’s middleweight prospect, Donyil Livingston (8-1-1, 4 KOs), who hails from Palmdale California, is looking forward to his main event showdown against, Delano, California’s, Paul Mendez (9-2-1, 3 KOs). The 8-round bout will take place this Saturday, September 22, at the Woodland Community Center located at 2001 East Street, in Woodland, California, televised on TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate.”

“I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans,” said Livingston. “This is my first main event and I’m prepared to go to war with Mendez. I know he’s coming to fight and there is no room for error. I want to thank my promoter Mario Yagobi and Boxing 360 for giving me this opportunity to fight on national TV. This is a fight I must win to get back on track. I’m going to leave everything in the ring.”

Donyil is looking to rebound from his first loss as a professional fighter when he suffered defeat to Elie Augustama in his last outing. A win against Mendez will put him in position to climb up the middleweight rankings once again.

“In my last fight I know I could have done better,” continued Livingston. “In this fight with Mendez I’m going to bring it. If I get him hurt, I’m going for the knockout.”

Don Chargin Productions and Paco Presents in association with Golden Boy Promotions and Jorge Marron bring you the action.

Tickets priced $35, $40, and $65 are available by calling 530-669-7946 or 530 668-0573. Doors open at 6:00 P.M. first fight starts at 7:00 P.M. and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 12:00am ET/11:00pm PT.

For more information on Donyil Livingstion and Boxing 360 please visit www.boxing360.com

SAN DIEGO (September 21, 2012) – WealthTV, the latest destination for boxing’s premier live events, has secured the live United States television rights for the United Kingdom heavyweight showdown between a pair of former Olympians, rising star David Price and battle-tested veteran Audley Harrison, on October 13 (starting at 3 p.m. ET) from Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.

Price vs. Harrison continues WealthTV’s commitment to become a major player in live telecasting of world-class boxing, as well as the network’s focus on the heavyweight division. In July, WealthTV showcased world heavyweight contender Tyson Fury’s (19-0, 14 KOs) fifth-round technical knockout of veteran Vinny Maddalone. The Price-Harrison announcement comes on the heels of WealthTV’s entertaining “Ironbound Throwdown,” a Main Events card featuring top heavyweights Tomasz “Goral” Adamek against Travis “Freight Train” Walker that aired September 8.

In what many in the boxing community are describing as the best heavyweight round of boxing in recent years, two-time, two division world champion Tomasz Adamek (47-2, 29 KOs) was floored by a well-trained Walker in the second round. Adamek recovered and dropped Walker (39-8-1, 31 KOs) with both fighters ending the round on their feet, along with the crowd. Adamek battled back to finish Walker in the fifth round. WealthTV’s live Sept.8th airing also included two other fights featuring two of America’s premier rising heavyweights, United States Boxing Association heavyweight title-holder Bryant “By-By” Jennings (15-0, 7 KOs) and former two-time IBF cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham (25-4, 12 KOs), who moved up to heavyweight for the first time, in winning fashion. Jennings was impressive, ending his fight with Chris “Special K” Koval (25-10, 18 KOs) in the opening round, and Cunningham pitched a near shutout en route to a dominating win by 10-round decision over Jason “The Sensation” Gavern (21-11-4, 10 KOs).

“We anticipate upwards of 30 to 40 fights on WealthTV through 2013,” WealthTV President Charles Herring commented. “We’re pleased with our programming, thus far, but we’re actively looking for more opportunities to feature top-quality, world-class fights and fighters on our growing network.”

The 6′ 8″ undefeated Price (13-0, 11 KOs), a 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist, defends his BBBofC British heavyweight title for the first time against southpaw Harrison (28-5, 21 KOs), who captured a Gold Medal in the super heavyweight division at the 2000 Olympic Games.

The 29-year-old Price, already rated No. 21 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), captured the BBBof C heavyweight title last May, stopping former Commonwealth (British) champion Sam Sexton in the fourth round. Price is on the fast track in the heavyweight division, while Harrison’s career is at the crossroads.

Harrison emerged from the 2000 Olympics with great expectations that were never attained. The highlight of his professional career was a 12th round knockout of Michael Sprott in 2010 for the European heavyweight championship. In his next fight, however, Harrison was knocked out in the third round by then World Boxing Association (WBA) kingpin David Haye, whose chief sparring partner, ironically, has been Price.

Other British title fights will air as part of the Price-Harrison card. “This fight continues our heavyweight trend on WealthTV,” WealthTV Director of Live Events Thomas Morris noted. “The heavyweight division has traditionally driven boxing and boxing fans, particularly Americans, who love watching the big guys bang.”

WealthTV recently announced that it has exclusive U.S. rights to broadcast the popular GYM “Fast & Furious” series in Canada, and Hennessy Sports’ “Next Generation” series from the United Kingdom.

The first installment of the new season of the “Fast & Furious” series is scheduled for the night before the Price-Harrison fight – Friday, Oct. 12 – live from the famed Bell Centre in Montreal, headlined by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight title eliminator between dangerous Quebec favorite Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (18-1-0, 15 KOs) and American power-puncher Donovan “Da Bomb” George (23-2-1, 20 KOs). The winner between these two powerful hitters will automatically become the mandatory challenger to IBF champion Carl Froch.

Other stars in the making slated to fight on the Oct. 12 “Fast & Furious” show on WealthTV include undefeated North American Boxing Association (NABA) champion Kevin Bizier (17-0, 12 KOs), unbeaten North American Boxing Organization (NABO) light heavyweight titlist Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (9-0, 5 KOs), and middleweight knockout artist David Lemieux. (Plus undefeated Colombian heavyweights, now living in Montreal, Didier “Big Daddy” Bence (5-0, 2 KOs) and 2008 Olympian Oscar Rivas (11-0, 6 KOs).

WealthTV is available on Verizon FiOS TV (channels 169 and 669 in HD), AT&T U-Verse TV (channels 470 and 1470 in HD), along with more than 100 cable systems across the country. A live feed can also be found online at 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.

Hasim Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KOs) wants to do it again. The man who already took
on big names such as Lennox Lewis will face current WBA Champion Alexander
Povetkin (24-0, 16 KOs) at the Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany, on September 29.
And the American is not planning on just showing up. At the age of 39,
Rahman is aiming to become the champion of the world once more. Right before
the big showdown, the heavyweight took some time out of his preparations for
a one-on-one interview.

Hasim Rahman, you will be stepping back into the ring on September 29. Your
last fight was in June 2011 which ended in a victory over Galen Brown. Now
you have had quite a long break.

Hasim Rahman: The Galen Brown fight was over a year ago and really was a
tune up. About the only thing I can say is, that I will be in a lot better
condition for the Povetkin fight than I was for Galen.

What are your thoughts on your next opponent Alexander Povetkin? Where do
you see his strengths and which weaknesses are you planning to exploit when
you meet him inside the ring?

Hasim Rahman: Povetkin is a very good fighter. He has proven to be a winner
at every level. He was an Olympic gold medallist and is the current WBA
Champion. I have respect for him as a boxer. Regardless of his strengths or
weaknesses, I know what I have to do and that is to knock him out. I know
that when I’m at my best, no one can take my power and I will knock him or
anyone else out, period!

As mentioned before it has been a while since your last fight. When did you
start preparing for Povetkin and what shape are you currently in?

Hasim Rahman: I’ve been preparing for this fight for six months. We thought
we were going to fight in May, then July, now it is September 29. I haven’t
been this ready for a fight in many years. I’m prepared to go twelve rounds,
I’m in great condition.

How are you dealing with the time difference between your hometown of Las
Vegas and Germany?

Hasim Rahman: It won’t have an impact on my performance. The first time I
fought Lennox Lewis it was in South Africa and the time difference didn’t
affect me. I will arrive in Hamburg a week before the fight, so within a day
I will have adjusted to the local time.

You have been in 60 fights as a professional and fought some of the biggest
names such as Holyfield and Lewis. How much of an advantage might your
experience be against Povetkin?

Hasim Rahman: My experience is invaluable. This is not my first rodeo, I
have performed on the largest stage and know how to keep my focus and how to
embrace the moment.

This will be your second fight in Germany. What is your take on the German
boxing scene? Do you enjoy fighting over here?

Hasim Rahman: I am a professional and I will fight wherever I have to.
Germany has become the hot spot for heavyweight title fights. The fans are
knowledgeable and really support boxing. I’m looking forward to wowing them
with my performance.

How will the fight end on September 29? Will it go the distance?

Hasim Rahman: No fight at this level is easy, but I know that I am 100
percent prepared and so I am supremely confident. The fight will not go the
distance. I will KO Povetkin on September 29.

Last Saturday Marcos Nader (16-0, 2 KOs) won his tune-up fight in convincing
fashion. The Austrian came out on top against Damien Bertu from France with
a clear unanimous points decision at the Stechert Arena in Bamberg, Germany.
Along with the victory now come his first shot for a professional title.
Nader challenges the current EU Champion Roberto Santos (18-6-2, 10 KOa) in
front of his home crowd at the Multiversum Schwechat, Austria, close the
airport of Vienna

“I am very excited,” said the 22-year-old. “Since turning pro I have only
fought in Austria on a few occasions.” But against Santos the support of the
domestic fans could prove to be vital as the fight against Santos won’t be
an easy one. It seems as if the 30-year-old Spaniard is in the shape of his
life. After fighting out a draw against the German middleweight hope Dominik
Britsch back in February, the “Tiger of Benidorm” went one step further on
September 15 in Bamberg. Santos won the rematch against Britsch by TKO in
round 8 and destroying all hopes of the German middleweight of becoming the
EU Champion.

“I saw both fights,” said Nader. “I paid close attention to the fight in
Stuttgart before last weekend’s bout and I was present for the rematch last
Saturday, when Santos won the belt.”

The middleweight continues: “I am really looking forward to it. I know that
Santos is a tough guy but now after beating Britsch he is in the eye of the
public. The fans know that November 2 will be a great night of boxing.”

Tickets for the big fight at the Multiversum Schwechat can be purchased at
www.multiversum-schwechat.at and www.boxen.com at the beginning of next
week.

Las Vegas, Nevada (Sept. 20, 2012) – Have you ever wondered what life was like in The Ultimate Fighter® house? Wondered what it’s like to be one of 16 guys, with no contact with the outside world, sleeping in twin beds, training twice daily and competing with your housemates to reach the same dream? Well, we followed up with the cast of The Ultimate Fighter® Fridays, which airs Friday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX, to get their thoughts on life in the TUF™ house after week one. Here’s what they had to say:

TEAM CARWIN

Sam Alvey (@Smilensam)

“Week one of the TUF house was a lot like when Luke first met Yoda; excited to learn but really looking past that to becoming the TUF Fridays champ.”

Bristol Marunde (@bristolmarunde)

“I went from owning my own business, a big house, a king size bed to a bunk-bed and a house full of crazy fighters. I’m back in college!!!!”

Mike Ricci (@MikeyRicci)

“The first week was ‘tuf’ adjusting to the new location and schedule but things got easier from then on.”

Neil Magny (@neilmagny)

“The first week living in the TUF house was great. I was so happy that I was able to make it this far, after being turned away so many times before. Making it into the house was the biggest accomplishment I had in my MMA career yet. I also thought the house was amazing. For the first time in my life I had a hot tub/pool in my backyard and everything I could possibly want in the kitchen.”

James Chaney (@jameschaneymma)

“When initially going into the TUF house everybody was overjoyed. Flying high on our fresh victories, it was a rush picking the beds and raiding the massive fridge and pantry, the reality setting in that we had really made it, we were really there! The house itself was so massive! I constantly found myself discovering bizarre new things: Greek statues, koi ponds, samurai statues, and all sorts of bizarre locked rooms. I’m reasonably sure somewhere within that property is a path to Narnia or Hogwarts or something. For most, the joy of victory and the luster of the house was dulled within the week as fight picks loomed and the seriousness of our circumstances was realized.”

Eddy Ellis (@fasteddyellis)

“My feelings about the first week of The Ultimate Fighter house were mixed, the first part of the week I was just excited to be there. By the end of the first week I thought WHAT DID I GET MYSELF IN TO? Five and half more weeks in that place was a LONG-time away!”

Igor Araujo (@igoraraujojj)

“The war has started, amazing room, amazing house, 15 more crazy guys who want to see my head on the ground. I am sleeping in the same room as James Chaney and Julian Lane, will I survive in this adventure?”

Matt Secor (@secormatthew)

“I figured I wasn’t going to make any friends in the house and stay to myself, until our first Team Carwin practice. Then I knew I was going to be on a team that would stick together throughout the whole season.”

TEAM NELSON

Dom Waters (@shonuff89)

“My first week in the TUF house I felt like I was on cloud nine it was just the highest of highs to be walking around that house, just wow.”

Michael Hill (@mmamike)

“I made it, I’m finally here, and now it’s time to get to work. Mooooortal Kooooombat!!! This house is huge, bed’s are very unpleasant, is this jail? I could get used to this grocery list thing, might start using this back home. Cameras are even in the washroom??? Holy shit this is going to be serious.”

Cameron Diffley (@camerondiffley)

“The first week was pretty tame in the house compared to the rest of the season. Everyone was getting to know each other, getting used to their teams training schedule and getting used to living in the TUF house.”

Colton Smith (@coltonsmithmma)

“Being Active Duty Army for the past seven years has ingrained my mind into a certain schedule and habit. That was all shook up when I was put in the TUF house and that was the first of many obstacles I had to overcome being in the house with 15 other warriors.”

Jon Manley (@jonmanleymma)

“The first week in the house seemed crazy. We had to win a fight to get in the house. Pick teams, train and then we were right back into fighting. It was a high stress situation, not knowing who or when you are going to fight. The house was sick and plenty of free food.”

Nic Herron-Webb (@NaptimeNic)

“It was such a crazy experience. I’m stuck in a house with 15 other guys that I don’t know, and we are all out for the same thing. There is bound to be heartbreak, and lots of trouble. Bring it on!!”

Joey Rivera (@joeyboomboom)

“The first week at the house was tough being away from my friends and family, but I had fun meeting the guys and ‘experiencing’ all the different personalities. I knew then it was going to be a wild six weeks.”

Julian Lane (@julianlanemma)

“I really didn’t know what to think, but just go with it. I was ecstatic by the mansion, and knowing I had to live there for six weeks with 15 other fighters made my adrenaline pumped. All I could think about was how crazy everyone will be after the first week when we all get comfortable.”

The series resumes Friday, September 21, on FX at 10 p.m. ET/PT (check local listings for Central and Mountain Time) with the second episode of its 12-week run.

For more show information, bios, videos and photos, visit ultimatefighter.com and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter under our new name @TUFonFX or on Facebook.com/TUF.

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®

Universally recognized for its action-packed, can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. In 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.

FX

FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 98 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series Sons of Anarchy and Justified; the miniseries American Horror Story, which earned 17 primetime Emmy® Awards, tying for the most nominations of any program this year and the most nominations for a miniseries in basic cable history; the acclaimed hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, Legit, BrandX with Russell Brand, and Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. The network’s library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network. FX’s other offerings include the acquired hit series Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother, and live sports with UFC and NCAA football.

Not a lot of heavyweights have leaped to the top of the division in such a
short period of time. When current European and IBF International Champion
Kubrat Pulev steps into the ring at the Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany, he will
not only be fighting to defend his titles but also for the number one spot
in the IBF rankings – all that within in three years since turning pro. The
prodigy of coach Otto Ramin won the European Crown in Erfurt, Germany, in
May against Alexander Dimitrenko. Now he is aiming to beat Ustinov and
hoping to get a shot for the world championship.

Kubrat Pulev, your first title defence of the European Championship will be
on September 29. How is your preparation going?

Kubrat Pulev: It is pretty much business as usual. I took a short break
after the Dimitrenko fight. After that, I started with basic training in
Bulgaria. Then I flew out to Berlin for two weeks to work on my athleticism.
I went back to Sofia for a few days. At the end of this week, I will have
finished my four-week sparring phase in Berlin. I feel good and I am
prepared.

After Alexander Dimitrenko you have a new ‘Big’ guy waiting for you in
Alexander Ustinov. What are your thoughts on the man who will probably be
weighing in at around 300 lbs?

Kubrat Pulev: Alexander Ustinov is a mountain of a man. He is not only a few
inches taller than me but also weighs considerably more than I do. That will
tell in his punching power. I will have to be fully focused when I am inside
the ring with him. The saying that one punch can decide a heavyweight fight
is quite accurate for this fight.

What will your strategy look like against such a ‘heavy’-weight?

Kubrat Pulev: I will definitely have to win this fight through my
athleticism, speed and agility. He does not really have an amateur
background and therefore I will also have an advantage when it comes to
technical abilities.

This fight is not only about the European Title but also for the IBF top
spot. How close is a possible shot for a world title?

Kubrat Pulev: I fulfilled a dream of mine by winning the European crown
during my last fight. Now I will be defending my title for the first time.
Being right at the top of the division is just a bonus. But for now, my
priority is to establish myself as a top heavyweight in Europe when I face
Ustinov. My team will make the decision about what ever comes afterwards.
They know what is best for me.

How did the people in Bulgaria react to your successful title bid?

Kubrat Pulev: They were completely over the moon – I am the first Bulgarian
to win the European Heavyweight Title. Whenever I am walking around the town
people recognise me and thank me. Sometimes it actually makes me feel a bit
awkward. Nevertheless, I am really proud of what I have achieved in the name
of my country.

What outcome does the proud European Champion predict for the fight against
Ustinov?

Kubrat Pulev: Alexander Ustinov is not someone who you can beat on the go. I
am preparing as good as I can. That has worked so far against all my
opponents. Therefore I am hopeful, that I will still be able to call myself
European and IBF International Champion after the bout in Hamburg.

Tickets for the big event can be purchased online at www.eventim.de and
www.boxen.com.

LOS ANGELES, September 20 – The Woodland Community Center in Woodland, Calif. will host another night of world-class professional boxing this Saturday, September 22 when exciting 23-year-old Delano, Calif. native Paul “El Gallo Negro” Mendez takes on fellow prospect Donyil Livingston of Palmdale, Calif. in an eight-round middleweight fight to be featured on TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate.”

In the evening’s co-main event, unbeaten hometown favorite Manuel “Tino” Avila of Fairfield, Calif. steps into the ring for the fourth time this year to meet seasoned Miami veteran Jhon Molina in an eight round featherweight matchup.

This hard-hitting doubleheader headlines a night of world-class professional boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Don Chargin Productions in association with Paco Presents and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00 pm, the first bell rings at 7:00 pm and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 12:00am ET/11:00pm PT.

Tickets, priced at $35, $45, and $65, are available at Paco’s Mexican Resaurant at (669) 7946, Travis Credit Union at (530) 668-0573 or online at www.pacopresentsboxing.com.

Paul Mendez (9-2-1, 3 KO’s) has been on a hot streak of late, going 3-0-1 in his last four fights including an August stoppage of Loren Myers in his most recent outing. With the only two losses on his record coming by way of a controversial majority decision in August of 2009 and a split decision loss to James Parison in September of 2011. Now, Mendez will square off against Palmdale resident Donyil Livingston (8-1-1, 4 KO’s), a talented and versatile 28-year-old who is aiming to rebound from the first loss of his professional career in March, a six round split decision in a fight against Elie Augustama.

Former amateur star Manuel “Tino” Avila (9-0, 3 KO’s) was always touted for his professional style in the ring and he’s proven that praise well deserved since his professional debut in November of 2010, passing each of his tests with flying colors. Already 3-0 in 2012, the 20-year-old most recently stopped then once-beaten Vicente Alfaro in three rounds on August 25 and he expects to keep the momentum going this Saturday night against Jhon Molina (30-19-3, 19 KO’s). Molina, by far the most seasoned and dangerous opponent Avila has faced, has won three out of his last four bouts and the 35 year-old Colombia native will be out to see if Avila is ready for the next level.

In undercard action, Sacramento featherweight Guy Robb (8-1, 4 KO’s) continues his march upward in the 126-pound weight class when he battles Tijuana’s Leopoldo Gonzalez (12-7-1, 7 KO’s) in a six round featherweight bout, unbeaten junior welterweight Jonathan Chicas (6-0, 3 KO’s) of San Francisco meets up with Guadalajara’s Jorge Mendoza (7-6) in a six round battle and Sacramento featherweight Alberto Torres (1-0) opens the card in a four round fight against an opponent to be named.

NEW YORK (September 20, 2012) – Bay State boxers Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez and Danny O’Connor have come almost full circle since their amateur days, training together in Houston and now fighting on DiBella Entertainment’s “Road To Glory” card, September 29 on a special HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader, live from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs) defends his United States Boxing Association (USBA) title against unbeaten power-puncher Jason “Monstruo” Escalera (13-0-1, 12 KOs) in the 10-round main event, while super lightweight prospect Danny O’Connor (18-1, 6 KOs) faces Josh “Nino Assasino” Sosa (10-3, 5 KOs), providing chief support for the three HBO-televised fights, in an eight-round bout.

Unbeaten Luis Orlando “Orlandito” Del Valle (16-0, 11 KOs) takes on former three-time, two-division world champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan (37-5-1, 27 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature on HBO for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super bantamweight title.

Completing the HBO tripleheader is a World Boxing Council (WBC) International welterweight title fight between champion Antonin Decarie and the undefeated Alex Perez (16-0, 9 KOs). Decarie-Perez replaced a Special Light Heavyweight Attraction bout between world-rated Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba (19-1-1, 9 KOs) and former two-time, two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei, who was forced to withdraw due to suffering two broken ribs during training camp. Chilemba will still be fighting on the card.

The “Road To Glory” event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Gary Shaw Productions. All three bouts will be aired on HBO’s Boxing After Dark, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez moved to Worcester (MA) with his family 14 years ago when he was 13. O’Connor was born and raised in Framingham (MA), which is less than 30 miles from Worcester. O’Connor’s third amateur bout was at the old Boys & Girls Club in Worcester on a show in which hometown hero Rodriguez was in the main event. The now 27-year-olds first met then, both developed into national amateur champions, and turned pro in 2008.

Back when they were amateurs, Rodriguez, O’Connor and Providence’s Demetrius Andrade, a 2008 US Olympian, were roommates as members of USA traveling teams. “We dreamed of becoming world champions as professionals at the same time,” Rodriguez remembered. “And we’re getting close.”

Rodriguez is the closest of that trio to fighting for a world championship. He is rated No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC), as well as No. 8 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 9 by The Ring Magazine.

“I love fighting on the same cards as Edwin,” O’Connor said. “He’s headlining on HBO. We train and travel together; he’s my best friend in boxing. But it’s different for us right now. He’s fighting in front of the lights and I’m trying to get there. He has to perform well September 29 to keep fighting on HBO and I need to impress the people from HBO.”

The two took a circuitous route to Houston, joining trainer Ronnie Shields, in his new state-of-the-art boxing facility at Plex in Stafford, Texas. O’Connor quickly outgrew the Framingham PAL and started training at the Worcester Boys & Girls, rejoining Rodriguez there as young prizefighters. They traveled throughout New England, searching for sparring partners and a base, until they both landed at Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (RI) but with different trainers.

Rodriguez’ manager, Larry Army, then made a critical change sending Edwin out of New England to Shields in Houston. After losing his first professional fight, O’Connor decided it was time for a change. His new manager, Ken Casey, founder and lead singer of the popular Boston-based band Dropkick Murphys, has opened up a new world, marketing-wise, for O’Connor, who did some research and came up with a list of potential trainers. His co-promoter, Leon Margules (DiBella Entertainment promotes Rodriguez and co-promotes O’Connor), has been friends with Shields for 20 years and a connection was made. O’Connor left Framingham without money or a place to live, nothing but the clothes on his back and his gym bag. “I hooked up with Edwin in Houston, where he let me stay with him,” O’Connor noted. “But that’s the type of person Edwin is, always helping.”

“Danny came down here and I love it,” Rodriguez added. “He pushes me. There are days I don’t like running and he pushes me. We push each other.”

Rodriguez originally was supposed to fight this summer and he will be in training camp for 14 weeks by September 29, missing his wedding anniversary with his wife, Stephanie, and being away from his twins of special needs who will turn six on the night of his fight against Escalera. The only time he was away from Shields was for a week on vacation back home, but Edwin pointed out that he trained daily and wasn’t really on a vacation.

Shields has been nothing short of a boxing professor for his two protégés from Massachusetts. They love working with the former “Trainer of the Year” and two-time world title challenger, who has been where the duo wants to get. Many may feel that Shields has changed Rodriguez from a brawler to boxer, O’Connor from boxer to puncher, but Coach Ronnie is turning both into complete fighters.

“Edwin always came forward, throwing punches, and when you hit him, he hit you back,” Ronnie explained. “There’s nothing wrong with that attitude, but you don’t want to trade shots with an opponent who hits harder. You don’t go head-to-head with an opponent like Donovan George who was stronger. Edwin boxed in the middle of the ring and won rounds, catching everything George threw on his gloves instead of his chin. Edwin agrees that he doesn’t have to punch it out. I’m not taking the fight out of a fighter like Edwin. I’m making him more of a complete fighter like I’m doing with Danny, too. Complete fighters are smart fighters. If Edwin is losing late in a fight and needs a round or two, he can still do that if he needs to, but he has perfected his defense.

“When Danny first came here, I watched tapes of his fights and all he did was box against everybody. I asked him if he thought there was any other way to fight. He didn’t know how to fight any differently. We worked on getting him to fight inside, not just to go in there throwing punches. He needed defense to create offense. He’s done that perfectly in his last few fights and I’ve been impressed by his defense. He’s knocking people out now. He’s never going to be a power puncher, but he’s punching harder and sitting down on his punches. He’s a tough kid who sacrifices whatever I take to do it. I love working with him and Edwin.

“It’s very important that there down here together. One feeds off of the other. If Edwin is having a down day, Danny picks him up, and vice-versa.”

The journey doesn’t end for Rodriguez or O’Connor until they reach their dreams of capturing a world title. Shields has both of them headed in the right direction and not too far away from achieving their goals. They’ve almost come full circle.

“Road to Glory” is the highly anticipated HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader, featuring some of the brightest young fighters in all of boxing looking to continue on their paths toward their respective world championships. The card will take place on Saturday, September 29, at MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Foxwoods box office by calling 1 (800) 200-2882. Tickets are priced at $45, $75, $100 and $200.

Come September 29 all eyes will be on Hamburg, Germany, as three title
fights will top the bill at Alsterdorfer Sporthalle. Light Middleweight Jack
Culcay is going to defend his WBA Intercontinental Championship against Mark
Thompson and WBA World Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin will be
trying to fend off the bid of mandatory challenger and former WBC and IBF
Champion Hasim Rahman. But another heavyweight bout could steal the show,
when Kubrat Pulev and Alexander Ustinov collide not only for the European
and the IBF International Championship but also the number one spot in the
IBF rankings. So the winner will come closer to challenge current World
Champion Wladimir Klitschko in the not too distant future. In the following
interview, the heavyweight colossus Ustinov talks about his chances of
beating Pulev and earning this coveted position.

Alexander Ustinov, On September 29, you will challenge Kubrat Pulev for the
European and IBF International Heavyweight Championship. How is your
preparation going?

Alexander Ustinov: Everything is going well. I am currently in the final
moments of my sparring, so on the day of the fight I will be in tip-top
shape and ready to win!

What do you expect from Pulev and how are you going to deal with it?

Alexander Ustinov: We are both experienced professionals and know the boxing
business pretty good. Kubrat will enter the ring to win just like me! It is
going to be a great fight!

You have won 21 of your 27 fights by knockout – Pulev 8 out of 16. Would you
say that you are the bigger puncher and that his power is not as much of a
concern to you?

Alexander Ustinov: I do not consider myself just as a big puncher. I just do
my job inside the ring. However, if there is a possibility to finish the
combat in the early rounds – then why not? I will take the chance!

You are currently fighting for K2, the banner of the Klitschko brothers.
Have you actually sparred with them and if so, what have you learned by
sparring them?

Alexander Ustinov: I have helped Vitali twice to prepare for a fight and it
was always a great experience for me. After that, I have realised one very
simple but very important thing: If you want to be the best, then you have
to deal with the best! I am proud of being able to help Vitali.

The fight against Pulev is not only for the European Championship but also
for the number one spot in the IBF world rankings. Therefore, if you should
be able to beat Pulev, your next opponent could be Wladimir Klitschko. Are
you thinking about that?

Alexander Ustinov: The Klitschko Brothers are currently the heavyweight
kings. Everybody wants to face them, but not everybody has the chance to get
into the ring with them. Well, if I should get that opportunity I will be
very happy.

Tickets for the big event can be purchased online at www.eventim.de and
www.boxen.com.

Zachary Wohlman 148.6 vs. Jesus Vallejo 148.4

Dinmukhamed Niyazov 144.2 vs. Alonso Loeza 143.8

Terrell Williams 145.2 vs. Lawrence Hughes 145.8

Neil Arellano 147.4 vs. Andre Ewell 146.6

Javier Albonica 148.2 vs. Willie Walton 148.2
Erik Ruiz 123.2 vs. Daniel Modad 122. 2
Vyacheslav Shabransky 194.2 vs. Brian McGlory 189.2
David Clark 121.6 vs. Shawn Nichol 119.8
Louis Rose 158.4 vs. Mike Alexander 159
Holly Lawson 145.6 vs. Sarah Kuhn 145.6

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has tested positive for Marijuana following his unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Sergio Martinez this past Saturday night in Las Vegas.

“The commission let (Top Rank’s Carl) Moretti know (Tuesday) night that he tested positive,” said Chavez promoter Bob Arum. “I can’t really get excited about it. There’s no promoter in boxing who could pass the marijuana test, including myself.

“Julio is going to have to explain to the commission what happened and the commission will be guided accordingly. If there was a trace of marijuana, to me, it’s not the same as using a performance-enhancing drug. That is cheating.”

“I will release the results from the event once I get them all back, but Top Rank’s statement is an accurate reflection of the conversation I had with them (Tuesday),” Kizer said. “We had a positive test, one from that card.”

“Of course, we’re disappointed in him,” Arum said. “Hopefully, he can learn a lesson here and next time get in top shape for the fight. But it shows you the immaturity here. He needs to grow up.”

“Of course, we’re disappointed in him,” Arum said. “Hopefully, he can learn a lesson here and next time get in top shape for the fight. But it shows you the immaturity here. He needs to grow up.”

Bethlehem, PA-The six main-event fighters on Friday’s big NBC Sports Network met at today’s (Wednesday) final press conference at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

Headlining the seven-bout card is a 12-round fight for the No. 1 slot in the IBF world junior middleweight rankings between Charles Whittaker, of Georgetown, Cayman Islands, and Gabriel Rosado, of Philadelphia, PA. The winner is guaranteed a shot at current champion Cornelius Bundrage, of Detroit, MI, within six months.

“It’s going to be a great fight,” said Whittaker, ranked No. 2 by the IBF. “Gabriel is young. I’ve seen a few of his fights. He comes hard and he comes in shape. He says he is going to be No. 1 and I know I’m going to be No. 1 after Friday. The fans are going to be the recipient of a great fight.”

Whittaker, 38, who has not lost a fight in eight years, is 36-12-2, 21 K0s.

Rosado, ranked No. 3 by the IBF, has had a big year so far, knocking out Jesus Soto-Karass, of Mexico, and Sechew Powell, of Brooklyn, NY.

“It’s a great opportunity again to be in the main event on NBC Sports Network,” said Rosado, who is 20-5, 12 K0s. “I’m excited to showcase my skills nationally again. I’ve trained extremely hard. We finished up our last couple of weeks in camp in Phoenix, AZ. Camp was great there and I feel strong. I am not taking Charles Whittaker lightly.

“I expect him to bring his A game and I’m ready for that. I want him to come with his A game because it will bring out the best in me. Russell (co-promoter Peltz) said I am ranked No. 3 but after Friday I will be ranked No. 1. I feel like mentally and physically I will break him down. I will set him up in the early rounds and I will take him out in the middle rounds. My plan is to get him out of there by the sixth round.”

Photo Credits to Chris Toney

In a 10-round light-heavyweight matchup, hard-hitting but soft-spoken Sergey Kovalev, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, says only he will “try to show you a great fight” when he opposes five-time New York State Golden Gloves champion Lionell Thompson, of Buffalo, NY.

Kovalev, 29, returns to the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem where he blew away Darnell Boone, of Atlanta, GA, in two rounds June 1.

Thompson, 27, who accepted this fight two weeks ago after world-rated Gabriel Campillo, of Madrid, Spain, pulled out, looks forward to a breakhrough win for himself.

“I stay in the gym and I stay ready,” said Thompson, who is 12-1, 8 K0s, with his only loss coming to a Canadian fighter by split decision in Canada. “I’ve been in camp with Chad Dawson and Isaac Chilemba and I stay ready for opportunities like this. I always knew this opportunity was going to come soon. I had the best preparation, the best training, the best sparring. Sergey is a good fighter and I am ready to go out there and show my skills and talent to the world.”

Photo Credits to Chris Toney

Hometown hero Ronald Cruz opens the televised card at 9 pm when he makes the first defense of his WBC Continental Americas welterweight title against rugged Antwone Smith, of Miami, FL.

“I’ve had a lot of time to get ready for this fight,” said Cruz, 25, who is 17-0, 12 K0s. “Smith has had a lot of time to get ready for this fight. There will be no excuses. Just expect a very tough and exciting fight.”

Smith, 25, of Miami, FL, said he has been training in California for this important match.

“I been training about six and one-half weeks for this fight,” said Smith, who is 21-4-1, 12 K0s. “I left home and I went away to prepare. The little that I do know about him (Cruz), I know he’s a steady guy. I can give him that but I suffered a lot looking past people. I didn’t think much of Lanardo Tyner and he beat me (in July, 2010). It was a lack of preparation. So I am taking Ronald Cruz seriously. I am not looking past him and I am not worried about what is next. I am totally focused on Ronald Cruz.”

Photo Credits to Chris Toney

ABOUT SEPTEMBER 21

The Smith-Cruz, Kovalev-Thompson and Whittaker-Rosado fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. First fight is 7.15 pm (ET). Tickets priced at $80 and $55 can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922), all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) or at the box office at the Sands Event Center (610-297-7414). Tickets also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com and www.Ticketmaster.com. Luxury suite tickets at $130 apiece also are available. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Deja Brew, Inc., 101 West 4th Street (610-865-2739) and at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790).

NBC Sports Network will televise the Cruz-Smith, Kovalev-Thompson and Rosado-Whittaker fights, beginning at 9 pm (ET).

The card is being promoted by Main Events and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

2012-2013 NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE

(All times ET and subject to change)

Friday, September 21
9 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
NBC Sports Network

Saturday, December 22
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
NBC

Saturday, January 19
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
NBC Sports Network

Saturday, March 9
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
NBC Sports Network

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/

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

September 19, 2012 – INDIO, CA -“Irish” Micky Ward, the beloved retired junior welterweight boxer from Lowell, Massachusetts will greet fans along with his half-brother and former trainer Dicky Eklund at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. prior to the September 29 edition of TeleFutura’s “Solo Boxeo Tecate.” The event co-features former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz of Coachella facing Puerto Rico’s Hector Sanchez and Andrew “Chango” Cancio squaring off against veteran contender Roger “Speedy” Gonzalez.

Ward, a blue collar athlete who overcame many obstacles in life and prevailed through determination and hard work, is regarded as a working class hero. He was a fan favorite known for his devastating left hook to the body and his ability to withstand punishment while waiting to land his trademark shot.

Ward and Eklund will bewill be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center. The meet and greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the September 29 event.

The brothers were the subject of the 2010 movie “The Fighter” which recounted Ward’s climb to fame. Ward was played by actor Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale, who captured an Oscar for his portrayal, played Eklund.

Eklund is a former three-time golden gloves champion with over 190 victories as an amateur. He faced Sugar Ray Leonard in a professional bout televised by HBO in 1978.

Diaz vs. Sanchez and Cancio vs. Gonzalez are presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. PT. The TeleFutura broadcast begins at midnight ET/11:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow us on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing , www.twitter.com/fantasysprings or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/fantasyspringsresort.

Main Event – Middleweights (10)
Demetrius Andrade (17-0, 12 KOs), Providence, RI 159 lbs.

vs.

Alexis Hlores (16-4-2, 12 KOs), Mount Clemens, MI 158 lbs.

Co-Feature – Welterweights (6)

Chris Gilbert (4-0, 3 KOs), Windsor, VT 147 lbs.

vs.

Antonio Chaves Fernandez (2-7-1), Quincy, MA 147 lbs.

AMATEURS

(weighing in tomorrow)

Light Welterweights (3 X 3)

Brandon Berry, West Forks, ME

vs.

Tevin Aleau (Providence, RI)

Middleweights (3 X 2)

Neiko Clow, Claremont, NH

vs.

Matty O’Donnell, Boston, MA

Super Welterweights (3 X 2)

Phil Kyser, Searsport, ME

vs.

Zack Morel, Somersworth, ME

Light Flyweights (3 X 1)

Wayne Stearns, Searsport, ME

vs.

Angel Tricoche, MA

FACT SHEET

(L-R) James “Buster” Douglas & Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade

(Picture by Full Court Press)

Fight To Educate, presented this year in part by Absolute Broadcasting WGAM, The Game, is a unique charity event that combines a love of sports with the vision of assisting children and seniors in need, who with fundraisers like this could be ‘down for the count.’ During the past 10 years, Fight To Educate has raised more than $500,000 in donations benefiting local New Hampshire non-profit organizations.

Proceeds from the 11th annual Fight To Educate will benefit SEE Science Center (www.see-sciencecenter.org), The Bobby Stephens Fund for Education (www.stepheneducationfund.com), and New Horizons for New Hampshire.

Tickets, priced at $50.00 and $25.00 (general admission), are available to purchase by going online at www.ticketmaster.com, calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, or at the Verizon Wireless Arena Box Office or any Ticketmaster location.

Table tickets for a night of professional boxing and Black Tie dinner, as well as an auction and meet-and-greet with special boxing legends such as former world heavyweight champion James “Buster” Douglas as well as three of New England’s all-time greatest boxers: “Irish” Micky Ward, John “The Quietman” Ruiz and “Dangerous” Dana Rosenblatt. Call Stephen Singer at 603.669.4100 for more details about this special opportunity.

The dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. ET, doors for boxing open at 7:30 PM/ET with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Go online to www.fight2educate.com or www.verizonwirelessarena.com for additional information.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (September 19, 2012) – The IBF Welterweight World Championship bout between Devon Alexander and Randall Bailey has been added to boxing’s debut event at Brooklyn, New York’s Barclays Center on Saturday, October 20. An already star-studded fight card now features four compelling world championship bouts with titlists in the 140, 147 and 160-pound divisions defending their belts. An undercard featuring the most promising and talented New York fighters rounds out a historic night as world championship boxing returns to Brooklyn for the first time since 1931.

Alexander vs. Bailey, a 12-round bout for Bailey’s IBF Welterweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with The Great Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and will be part of an unprecedented four-title-fight telecast on SHOWTIME. The fight was originally slated for Saturday, Sept. 8 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, but was postponed when Bailey suffered a back injury.

“We are thrilled to not only be re-announcing this hard-hitting matchup, but also to be able to add it to the already powerful night of boxing planned for Barclays Center on October 20,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “With four world championship fights and a great undercard to kick off a new era of boxing in Brooklyn, this show is going to be like the Super Bowl of boxing and definitely will be a night to remember.”

“I really didn’t think the Barclays Center event could get any bigger, but that is exactly what has happened,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports®. “It’s been our strategy at Showtime to increase the quality and the quantity of our boxing coverage. For this network to televise four title fights on one night, not on pay-per-view, demonstrates the commitment we’ve made to our subscribers and to boxing fans. Thanks to the promoters and to Devon and Randall for bringing this fourth fight to the table. What a special night this will be for these talented fighters, for Brooklyn and for the sport of boxing.”

“We are extremely excited to be apart of this boxing extravaganza,” said Kevin Cunningham, CEO of The Great Promotions. “Brooklyn has produced some of boxing’s biggest stars, so it’s an honor to get this opportunity.”

“Randall is the hardest puncher in boxing and he is a true champion,” said Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment. “If Devon Alexander wants his belt, he is going to have to take it and withstand the hardest right hand in the sport.”

“A night of this magnitude is made for Brooklyn,” said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. “Barclays Center is launching its first boxing event with an unprecedented four-title-fights in one night. Brooklyn has raised some of the greatest world championship fighters and it deserves an event of this caliber.”

Devon Alexander “The Great” (23-1, 13 KO’s), no stranger to facing and beating powerful knockout artists as evidenced by his last two wins coming against current World Champion Lucas Matthysse and former World Champion Marcos Maidana, has the skill and will to baffle any opponent he faces. An eight-year professional who held both the WBC Super Lightweight and IBF Junior Welterweight World Titles before losing them via a controversial and close technical decision to Timothy Bradley in 2011, the proud 25-year-old St. Louis native has since reinvented himself at 147 pounds. After his big wins over two of Argentina’s best in Maidana (W10) and Matthysse (W 10), Alexander is looking forward to proving himself once again by beating Bailey and becoming a two-division world champion.

“The opportunity to be a part of this piece of boxing history means a lot to me,” said Alexander. “Randall Bailey and I have some unfinished business and I plan on starting the night off right for all of the fans watching at the new Barclays Center and at home on SHOWTIME. I am going to walk away as the IBF Welterweight World Champion on October 20.”

A veteran of more than 16 years in the professional game, Randall Bailey (43-7, 37 KO’s) has not slowed down a bit at age 37. In fact, if his recent one-punch knockout of previously unbeaten Mike Jones in June is any indication, he may be more powerful than ever. The Miami resident has always had a gift for blasting out anyone who stood in his line of fire. Bailey utilized his trademark power to claim his first world title in 1999 when he knocked out Carlos Gonzalez for the WBO Junior Welterweight World Championship in just 41 seconds. In 2002, Bailey won a second title by knocking out Demetrio Ceballos, but his victory over Jones earlier this year for the IBF Welterweight crown, which extended his unbeaten streak to five in a row, may have been the sweetest win yet. Now, he looks to defend that title for the first time on October 20, in Brooklyn.

“I am so happy to be able to get back in the gym and continue to train,” said Bailey. “At my age you can’t take anything for granted and injuries are harder to overcome, but I am totally healed and ready to shock the world again by beating another young fighter like Devon Alexander. I said I would knock Devon Alexander out before and I am going to say it again. It’s going to be a great fight.”

In the evening’s main event, unbeaten Danny “Swift” Garcia defends his WBA Super, WBC & Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Championships as he rematches with legendary Mexican warrior and future Hall of Famer Erik “El Terrible” Morales. In the evening’s other co-featured bouts, also to be televised live on SHOWTIME, Brooklyn’s own Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi puts his WBA Welterweight World Championship on the line against hard-hitting Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano and undefeated, number one rated WBO middleweight contender Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin of Manhattan takes on unbeaten Hassan N’Dam in a 12-round battle for N’Dam’s WBO Middleweight World Championship.

The undercard is stacked with a bevy of New York’s best including Brooklyn’s hot middleweight prospect Daniel “The Golden Child” Jacobs, former World Champion Luis Collazo, the Bronx’s rising star Eddie Gomez, former world title contender Dmitriy Salita and Brooklyn prospect Boyd Melson.

The fights will mark the first event of the previously announced deal between Barclays Center and Golden Boy Promotions under which at least 12 boxing events per year will be hosted at the new sports and entertainment venue.

The inaugural night of fights at Barclays Center is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Box Latino and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T with N’Dam vs. Quillin being presented in association with Asventure Promotion and Alexander vs. Bailey being presented in association with The Great Promotions and DiBella Entertainment. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50 are on sale now and available for purchase at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.barclayscenter.com, http://Sports.SHO.com, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BarclaysCenter, @loudibella, @DannySwift, @terrible100, @PaulMalignaggi, @KIDCHOCOLATE, @DAlexandereal, @KOKING_Bailey, @DanielJacobsTKO, @Eddiegomez718, @SHOsports, follow the conversation using #BrooklynBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, http://www.facebook.com/lou.dibella or www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.

New York, NY (9/19/12) – Just hours before he was to step into the ring for the most important fight of his life against the now former WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., The Ring Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez took the time to make a dream come true for one special family.

Days before the fight, Martinez’ camp received a touching letter stating that a family of five was driving 550 miles from Albuquerque, NM, to attend the fight to see Sergio, their favorite fighter. The family’s two oldest sons are severely disabled, with the oldest suffering from Cerebral Palsy while his brother has Downs Syndrome. The oldest son’s birthday had just passed on September 14, and while they knew their request “would be a stretch,” they asked if Sergio could meet the boys.

“Even though I was deep in my preparation and focused on the fight later that night, my team told me about a special request from a fan who was traveling very far with his sons to see my fight. I learned about the hardships that both of his sons face and that it would be a birthday surprise if I met with them and posed for a photo. There was no way I was going to let them down.”

“I believe that Karma is powerful,” said Martinez’ promoter Lou DiBella. “Sergio met with these young men just hours before his fight, rearranging his schedule to do so. He invited no press or camera crews and it had nothing to do with last minute promotion. It had to do with a sense of compassion and social responsibility by a kind, good hearted man.”

After meeting the family, Sergio went on to reclaim the WBC Middleweight Championship–which had been stripped from him–and defend his The Ring Middleweight Championship with a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over Chavez Jr.

NEW YORK (Sept. 19, 2012) – Four promising, talented super bantamweights with a combined record of 62-1-1 will share the spotlight in important fights this Friday, Sept. 21, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

One of the three unbeatens on the telecast, Colombia’s world-ranked Jonathan Romero (21-0, 12 KOs) will seek his 22nd consecutive victory when he meets Efrain Esquivias Jr. (16-1, 9 KOs), of Gardena, Calif., for the No. 2 ranking in the IBF and the WBC Latino championship in the 10-round main event.

The opening bout of the telecast will match Roman Morales (12-0, 6 KOs), of San Ardo, Calif., and Jonathan Arellano (13-0-1, 3 KOs), of Ontario, Calif., in an eight-round match.

ShoBox expert analyst and boxing historian Steve Farhood weighed-in on the event:

“This is a classic ShoBox card with two good matchups featuring fighters in the same division,”. “The 122-pound division is very strong overall, and it is also a very strong division for young prospects. Let’s see where these guys fit in.

“Romero scored an upset win over Chris Avalos last December on ShoBox and will be looking to continue to build off that. Romero is a boxer-puncher so it’ll be interesting to see how he does against Esquivias, who’ll be in his face all night.

“Morales is back on ShoBox after an impressive debut in July. He was a good amateur and seems to be progressing as a pro, but he’s matched against a very good boxer who’s also undefeated.”

Tickets for the Gary Shaw Productions event, priced at $35, $45, $55, $70 and $85, are on sale and can be purchased at Chumash Resort Casino Box office or online at www.startickets.com.

The 5-foot-9, 25-year-old Romero is making his third start in a row in the United States, and fourth overall. In 2008, he won the Colombian National Amateur Championship at 119 pounds and represented his country in the Olympics. He turned pro in May 2009.

In an action packed slugfest two outings ago, he rebounded from an opening-round knockdown to win a questionable 10-round split decision over former contender, Avalos, last Dec. 2 on ShoBox at Chumash. He got a narrow decision by the scores of 96-93, 95-94 and 94-95.

Romero earned a lopsided eight-round decision over Adolfo Landeros in his most recent effort, this past May 11, where he fractured his left thumb. This is the first fight back for a solid up-and comer ranked No. 5 in the IBF and WBO and No. 9 in the WBA.

Romero is expecting a rough go Friday. “I’ve seen Esquivias fight,” he said. “He’s a tough guy who’s going to be right in front of you, putting pressure on you. That’s what we’re preparing for, and we’re going to be ready for it. I’m going to have the same approach I had against Avalos. I’m going to box, not stand right in front of him. If we have to adjust, we’ll adjust.”

Regarding the spelling of his first name, he said, “My name is spelled j-o-n-a-t-h-a-n.”

Esquivias, who is ranked 12th in the IBF, has also fought Landeros and Ramos. Like Romero, he won an eight-round decision over Landeros. But unlike Romero, he came up on the wrong end of a close decision to Ramos, losing a split 10-round nod in a spirited and competitive affair on June 23, 2012.

He’ll be looking to rebound in this one. “I’m aggressive but at the same time, smart,” the 5-foot-4, 29-year-old, five-year-pro said. “I’m a boxer-puncher. I can switch up. I can box, I can brawl. It depends on the opponent. I like to keep a hard pace, though, and entertain the fans. We know this is a tough fight, but this is a fight that can get me a world ranking and back in contention.”

The ambidextrous Esquivias gets great sparring; he’s been in camps with WBC champs Abner Mares (Super Bantamweight) and Ponce De Leon (Featherweight), and former two-division world titleholder Jorge Linares.

After a mediocre amateur career, Esquivias went pro in September 2007. Although being at a height disadvantage in the division, he has stayed active and continues to make good progress despite the close loss to Ramos.

“I’ve had a little over 100 amateur fights,” Esquivias said. “I started off pretty bad and didn’t have many wins. But I took every fight as a learning experience, and I fought the best. I knew I could do better. I never gave up, and I kept learning something new off every loss. I won the National Golden Gloves in 2006 and I went pro, and I said, ‘I’ll never lose again.’

“As of right now, I’m fully focused on fighting full-time. I was going to college, but I couldn’t concentrate after I lost my father. All I was thinking about was making a promise that I made to him come true: to be a world champ. That’s all that was on my mind, to train and make it happen. So I dedicated myself full-time to boxing. I’ve got a lot of weight to carry, and I’m working hard to make this dream come true.”

The aggressive, switch-hitting Morales is making his second start on ShoBox at Chumash and seventh overall at Chumash since he went pro in February 2011. The good-looking youngster is fighting for the fifth time this year after fighting eight times in 2011.

Morales showed promise in his ShoBox debut, winning a crowd-pleasing, hard-fought but dominant eight-round decision over the Roger Mayweather-trained Alexis Santiago last July 20. Going eight rounds for the first time, Morales registered a knockdown in the third and combined a steady body attack with a big edge in power punching to outpoint Santiago by 80-71 on the three judges’ scorecards.

“I’ve been training really hard for this fight,” said the 5-foot-7, 23-year-old Morales, a former amateur standout and 2010 U.S. National Champion at 119 pounds who is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision victory over Jonathan Alcantara on Aug 24.

“I just had a fight about two weeks ago and took maybe three or four days off. I still train at the San Ardo Boxing Gym at home, but I also trained in San Carlos, Calif. I was there sparring with Nonito Donaire. There are a couple local fighters in the Fresno area but mostly I travel. I go to Oxnard and Maywood (both destinations, one way, are several hours away).’

Morales is familiar with Arellano. “I know he’s kind of slick and moves around,” he said. “He’s a boxer – hit and move. I plan is to push ahead and put the pressure on him. I like to use good power and speed and move a lot. I keep my hands up and move forward – nothing sloppy.”

Arellano is trained by Henry Ramirez with an assist from Danny Zamora. A stablemate of Josesito Lopez and Chris Arreola, he’s won nine in a row since a four-round draw in March 2010, and is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Jose Beranza last June 22.

“I’ve had a good eight weeks to prepare,” he said. “I took a couple of weeks off after my last fight and just relaxed. I took some time off for my birthday, so I was able to enjoy that. It was the first time I wasn’t in training camp or preparing for a fight in a long time. I got back in the gym, and that’s when I found out we were on SHOWTIME.”

Regarding his style and goals, the 5-foot-6, 25-year-old Arellano said, “I’m more of a boxer-puncher. I’ve definitely gotten much smarter, just through experience in the ring. I’m being more calm and collected instead of being ruthless and reckless. In boxing, everyone has a reason why they do the sport. Growing up as an amateur, it’s fun. You have dreams and goals. But being a pro is a little different. I feel I’m fighting for completely different reasons now. I feel I’m not fighting just for myself. As much as those dreams and goals are still intact, now I’m fighting for my family. It’s more serious.

“At times when I’m in the ring, I feel like I have a complete advantage, I feel I fight for different reasons. If I’m in the ring and the guy is fighting for the same reason I am – he has a family and kids — the fights become brutal. Those are the fights that are tougher. I’m going to go in there on Friday and give it all I’ve got.”

This will be the toughest test for a slick boxer-puncher with good movement who has fought just 25 amateur fights.

Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with Farhood as analyst. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

Vegas, Nevada – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization returns to Toronto this Saturday with a stacked card featuring two world title fights.

At an open workout today, here’s what the top four fighters on the card told the Canadian and travelling press:

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones said: “Vitor Belfort is a UFC original, a real, true legend. He has so much experience at so many different weight classes and I cannot underestimate him. He will have something planned for me, and I’ve prepared to react to anything he does.

“He’s a very powerful striker, but in this situation, I feel I am the more versatile striker in the fight. I won’t shy away from a striking battle just because he has a punch. He’s got a unique style and I enjoy matching up against guys like that. There are so many styles in MMA and, being the champion, you have to face all of them.

“In no way have I ‘cleared out’ the division. Everyone’s style is a puzzle for me, and who knows which style I will have the most trouble with. I’m about to fight my fifth straight UFC champion – which I was told is a UFC record – and I’m very proud of fighting the best guy available in each of my fights. That’s how you build a legacy in a sport.”

Vitor Belfort, challenger, said: “Everyday, I have the chance to be the best of myself. Every day I have a day to improve. I know I can win this fight and shock the world. I can bring the old guys some pride back (laughs).

“I am so ready in my mind, it is hard for me to explain. I am so ready to be the champion again. My brain, my body, they are so ready. That’s how I live my life, with belief. I am a winner. I am ready to win. As you get older you learn about yourself. I have the same abilities as I had when I was younger, but now I have more sense of myself. I know how I respond and learn. Whenever someone says something like ‘Can you speak French?’ I don’t say “no” I say “Not yet”.

“Against Jon Jones people ask ‘how can you beat this guy?’ and I say ‘I will show you how on Saturday’.”

Moving to the second UFC world title fight at UFC 152, the clash for the newly created UFC flyweight title, Joseph Benavidez said:

“The main goal in my career is to be the UFC champion. I would take that however it comes – but to be the first UFC champion is extra special. If I wasn’t a fighter, and I was just a fan, I would be a fan of DJ. He’s got a great all-action style and I love watching him. My coaches have broken his style down and we got a plan to beat him. My eye is on the prize but I am planning a long reign.

“It was frustrating to wait since February for this fight because DJ had a draw against (Ian) McCall but it was just extra time to get better. Most fighters train when they are fighting, I train to get better all the time. You get better as a fighter when you don’t have a fight but you in the gym – and you’ll see the best version of me yet on Saturday.”

And Demetrious Johnson added: “I first walked into Matt Hume’s gym after seeing Rashad Evans on the Ultimate Fighter (season two, 2006) and I said ‘I saw this guy who is a wrestler, like me, doing well, and I think I want to try it’. I had no idea I was too small for the smallest UFC division back then, but as they kept adding more and more smaller classes I started to believe I would fight at 125lbs in the UFC.

“This is where I belong. This is where I can perform to the best of my abilities. I want to be remembered as the George Washington of the 125lbs division, the first, the guy who was first in line and everyone else followed. All the hard work is worth that piece of the history books.”

UFC® 152: JONES vs. BELFORT, presented by Assassin’s Creed III – Igniting the Revolution on October 30th – will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, and in Canada on Shaw Communications, Bell TV, Sasktel and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High Definition.

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

Photos by Ed Diller / Top Rank