Follow all the action from ringside at Madison Square Garden as Jorge Linares defends the WBA Lightweight title against 2 division world champion and reigning Fighter of The Year Vasyl Lomanchenko.  The action kicks off at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT with a welterweight bout featuring undefeated Carlos Adames taking in Alejandro Barrera

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Round 1: Lots of feeling out,,Left from Lomachenko..Right from Linares..Left to body from Lomachenko..Left from Linares..

Round 2 Left from Linares..Hard body shot..3 punch combo from Lomachenko..left on inside..Right from Linares..Body shot..Combination from Lomachenko..

Round 3 Right to body from Linares..Right hook from Lomachenko..Left from Linares..Uppercut from Lomachenko..

Round 4 Combination from Linares…Uooercut from Lomachenko..Right hook from Linares..Right from Linares..Combination from Lomachenko..Uppercut..Straight left..

Round 5 Left to body from Lomachenko..3 punch combination..combination from Linares..Hard jab from Lomachenko..Straight left..Combination finsiged off by a hard right

Round 6 Linares warned for a low blow..rippimh 5 punch combination from Linares..left hook..HUGE COUNTER RIGHT AND DOWN GOES LOMACHENKO

Round 7 Right from Linares..Right hook from Lomachenko..Right from Linares..Combination..Left from Lomachenko

Round 8 Uppercut from Lomachenko…Uppercut and right hook inside..Hard jab..

Round 9 Uppercut from Lomachenko..Hard right from Linares..Right to body..Counter right

Round 10 Body and head shots from Linares..Right hook from Lomachenko..good jab..Right from Linares..BIG COMBINATION..BIDY SHOT..DOWN GOES LINARES…FIGHT OVER

Round 1 Right from Adames..Right from Barrera..Jab..Left drives Barrera Back..hard left.Straight right..

Round 2 Left from Adames..Hard left..Right from Barrera..4 punch combination..Trading body shot..Left to body from Adames..Good right..2 Body shots..right to body from Barrera…Left buckles Barrera…Right

Round 3 Left to body from Barrera..Uppercut..Left to body..Good right from Adames…Good right from Barrera..Left from Adames..Left from Barrera

Round 4 Right from Adames..Flush right..Uppercut..Left to body from Barrera…Hard right from Adames…Good counter right

Round 5 Body work from Adames..2 more body shots..Straight right….Left to body from Barrera..Hard left from Adames..Right to body..1-2 ..Right drives Barrera into ropes..another ripping right

Round 6 Left from Adames..3 punch combination from Barrera..Jab..Adames switching southpaw..

Round 7 Left to body from Adames..Left to body from Adames..Left to body from Barrera..Jab from Adames..Good right from Barrera..Trading body shots on the inside..Combination that is punctuated by a right from Barrera

Round 8 Both are trading heavy shots..Barrera coming forward..Left from Adames..Hard left off the ropes…Right cross..Head combination…Hard right from Barrera

Round 9 Barrera lands 5 shots on the ropes..Good left from Adames..Good counter right..Jab..

Round 10 Left/body-right from Adames..Right from Barrera..Body work from both..Body from Barrera..Counter right..Left and right from Adames..

98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for ADAMES

NEW YORK, NY–Vasyl Lomachenko captured the WBA Lightweight title with an exciting 10th round stoppage over Jorge Linares at Madison Square Garden

Lomachenko started to get going in round three, as he handspeed and footwork started to take its course.  The right eye of Linares began to swell in round four.  Lomachenko showed a blistering combination to punctuate the 5th.  In round six, Linares landed a huge counter right that sent Lomachenko on the seat of his pants.

Both guys traded winning rounds with Linares getting through with some solid right hands, while Lomachenko’s quick combination punches were the difference tin the frames for which he took.

In round ten, Lomachenko planted a perfect straight left under the rib-cage of Linares and the champion fell to all fours.  Linares did get o his feet, but he was unable to continue at 2:08.

Lomachenko is now a champion in his 3rd weight class as he raises his mark to 11-1 with 9 knockouts.  Linares is now 44-4.

Carlos Adames remained undefeated by winning a ten-round unanimous decision over Alejandro Barrera in a welterweight bout.

It was a solid action fight that saw Adames push the pace and land the heavier blows.

Adames, 149.8 lbs of Santiago, DR won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94, and is now 14-0.  Barrera, 149.4 lbs of Monterrey, MX is 27-5.

Michael Conlan remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Ibon Larriniga in a featherweight bout.

 

Conlan, 126.8 lbs of Belfast, IRL won by scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 7-0.  Larriniga, 126.4 lbs of Bibao, ESP is now 10-2.

Teofimo Lopez needed just 64 seconds to dispose of Vitor Freitas in their scheduled eight-round lightweight bout.

Lopez landed a straight right that buckled and sprawled Freitas under the bottom rope and the fight was called just as Lopez did a standing backflip in the ring.

Lopez, 135.8 lbs of Brooklyn is 9-0 with 7 knockouts.  Freitas, 135.4 lbs of Salvador, BRA is 13-2.

Mikaela Mayer remained undefeated by winning a six-round unanimous decision over Baby Nansen in a lightweight bout.

Mayer, 131.6 lbs of Los Angeles, CA win by shutout scores of 60-54 on all cards, and is now 5-0.  Nansen, 131 lbs of Auckland, NZ is 6-3-1.

Former U.S.  Olympian Jamel Herring stopped Juan Pablo Sanchez in round five of a scheduled eight-round lightweight bout.

Herring battered Sanchez on the ropes until the bout was stopped at 1:28.

Herring, 132.4 lbs of Coram. NY is 19-2 with 10 knockouts.  Sanchez, 133 lbs of Humimagullo, MX is 29-16.

Fazliddin Gaibnazorv stopped Jesus Silveyra in round four of their scheduled eight-round lightweight bout.

Gainnazorv dropped Silveyra twice in round four, and the bout was stopped at 2:05.

Gaibnazorov, 140.6 lbs of Bakabod, UZB is 4-0 with 2 knockouts.  Selveyra, 141.2 lbs of Monterrey, MX is 8-6-2.

Atlantic City, N.J. – May 12, 2018 – Two-time light heavyweight world champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (32-2-1, 28 KOs) puts his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title on the line against long-time WBC Light Heavyweight number one Contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (23-0, 11 KOs) at the Etess Arena in the brand new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Saturday, August 4, 2018. The event, promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel, will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. This will mark Kovalev’s 14th appearance on HBO® with Alvarez making his network debut.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 18.

Kovalev vs. Alvarez will be the first professional boxing event to take place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, which opens on June 28. Kovalev, 35, of Chelyabinsk, Russia, will be fighting for the fourth time in Atlantic City, including his 2014 victory over future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins, which unified three of the four light heavyweight world titles. The only light heavyweight world title Kovalev has not had the chance to win belongs to WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson. Kovalev and Stevenson have come close to getting in the ring several times, but “Superman” seems set on avoiding the hard-hitting Russian.

Undefeated Eleider Alvarez also knows a little something about being avoided by Stevenson. Alvarez defeated Isaac Chilemba in 2015 to secure the WBC mandatory position and the opportunity to face Adonis for his piece of the light heavyweight crown. Since then, Alvarez is 4-0 with notable wins over former world champions Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute. After more than two years since becoming the mandatory contender and almost one year since his last fight, Stevenson still has not agreed to fight Alvarez, so Eleider jumped at the opportunity to face Kovalev for the WBO World Title when the offer arrived.

Kovalev explained, “Alvarez has earned his title shot but Chickenson dodged him; just like he dodged me. I want to fight the best in my division. Alvarez took the fight with me without hesitation. I respect that and I am excited to face him in my return to Atlantic City.”

Egis Klimas, Sergey’s manager, added, “Eleider Alvarez is a great competitor. That is probably why Stevenson refused to fight him. Sergey will face anyone, any time, any place. If Adonis is too scared to take the fight, Sergey is happy to step up and fight Alvarez. He earned this opportunity.”

Main Events’ CEO and Kovalev’s promoter, Kathy Duva, said, “Entering our 40th year in this business, we are so excited to return to Atlantic City and honored to be the first fight in this beautiful new venue. Atlantic City, and the Etess Arena in particular, were home to so many amazing fights with Evander Holyfield, Michael Moorer, and the late, great Arturo Gatti, just to name a few. The Atlantic City fans have always come out to support Sergey and, fortuitously, this event will take place during the French-Canadian Construction Holiday when the Jersey Shore fills up with vacationers from Quebec. We’re going to have a great crowd on August 4th!”

According to Alvarez, “I am extremely happy. I said yes as soon as I had the offer! I waited for a long time to get a shot at a world title. I don’t want to hear about Adonis Stevenson anymore: I am focused on Sergey Kovalev! I am really motivated, it is a huge fight against a really high-class opponent. Kovalev is right now the best fighter of the division. I wanted to fight in a world championship bout to show my talent and now I finally have the opportunity. I know it is a really hard fight, but I will work hard to become world champion. This is my dream. I am a boxer who loves challenge and who performs at my best when I am challenged. I now have what I want. Kovalev is an all-around solid fighter, with a good jab, good technique and a hard puncher, but my trainer knows him well! I have no doubt, I will be the next WBO champion.”

Alvarez’s promoter, Yvon Michel, added, “The experience that Eleider Alvarez has now makes gives him solid chances to win that important clash! He is fighting with passion and adrenaline. He deserves his world title fight in front of his crowd. I am convinced that Eleider Alvarez has what it takes to beat Sergey Kovalev and to bring a third light heavyweight title back in Quebec!”

Eleider is managed by Stéphane Lépine, who explained, “The offer from Kathy Duva arrived and we were really happy. Fighting against Sergey Kovalev, an established and recognized name of the boxing world, on HBO, we couldn’t ask for any better opportunity! For me, it was a no brainer; we had to accept that amazing offer. We were also too tired to wait for Adonis Stevenson.”

Marc Ramsay, Eleider’s trainer, has faced Kovalev before as the trainer for Jean Pascal. He said, “‘Eleider is an experienced fighter, he has fought in other opponent’s backyard, he also fought in front of huge home crowd. We were waiting for a title shot for so long, he is now very ready to perform. The objective for him when we started together in the pro ranks was to become world championship fight. That is a promise I made him when he arrived in Montreal from Colombia. I am really confident that Eleider have what it takes to become world champion.”

“Sergey Kovalev will face his toughest opponent in over a year in undefeated Eleider Alvarez when World Championship Boxing returns to Atlantic City,” said Peter Nelson, Executive Vice President, HBO Sports. “The boardwalk has been the site of many memorable moments throughout the years and we look forward to this light heavyweight title showdown on August 4.”

“We are thrilled to bring championship boxing to the Boardwalk and to host it at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. This event will mark the first sporting event at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena which is all new and a venue that our boxing fans will truly enjoy. Our world-class facility will be the ultimate location for events and entertainment”, stated Bernie Dillion, vice president of entertainment at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

About Kovalev-Alvarez: In the first boxing event at the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev will defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title against undefeated contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez on Saturday, August 4, 2018. The event is promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, May 18 and will be available through the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Box Office and Ticketmaster.

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Hard Rock International
With venues in 75 countries, including 182 cafes, 24 hotels and 11 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company’s two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, FL., both owned and operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida, as well as other exciting locations including Bali, Cancun, Ibiza, Las Vegas, and San Diego. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include St. Petersburg, Fortaleza, Casablanca and Chengdu. New Hard Rock hotel, casino or hotel-casino projects include Atlanta, Atlantic City, Berlin, Budapest, London, Los Cabos, Maldives, New York City, Ottawa, Dalian and Haikou in China. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.

TORONTO (May 11, 2018) – Members of the boxing media asked to weigh in on the world title showdown between light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson and two-division world champion Badou Jack all see a close fight on Saturday, May 19 but lean toward the challenger to take the crown from the champion live on SHOWTIME from Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Stevenson vs. Jack is part of a split-site SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT with featherweight champion Gary Russell, Jr. defending his title against mandatory title challenger Joseph Diaz from the MGM National Harbor in Maryland on Saturday, May 19.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel, Lee Baxter Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, are on sale now and available at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Here is what the media had to say about this matchup:

Steve Simmons (Toronto Sun) – “Jack by decision – Adonis Stevenson is 40 years old and hasn’t fought in the past 11 months and has hardly been active the past two years. Look for Badou Jack to try and box Stevenson, stay away from his immense power and work his way to a 12-round decision.”

Bob Velin (USA TODAY) – “Stevenson, 11th-round TKO: Jack is the bigger man, and has a six-year age advantage, and both men have not been real active recently. But Stevenson, even at 40, is an outstanding boxer-puncher and keeps impressing. I believe he will stop Jack late.”

Lyle Fitzsimmons (Boxing Scene / CBS.com) – “I love this fight. And every time I think about the result, my mind changes. Stevenson is certainly the puncher of the two men, while Jack seems the more dynamic all-around fighter. I can see Badou winning nearly every round based on skill and speed, but it’s harder to envision him getting through 36 full minutes without taking some solid left hands. The hunch here at this moment, though, is that he can avoid those bombs in the early going and lessen their severity as he wears Stevenson down in the second half — en route to a decision win. Call it 116-112 for Jack.”

Lester Silva (Univision) – “Although Adonis Stevenson hasn’t been tested in years, he possesses one of the best solid left hands in the sport of boxing. His hometown crowd will be on his side May 19 against Badou Jack, who is just getting off with lots of momentum after winning a title. This should be a very interesting fight only if Badou avoids getting caught with that powerful left hand.”

Adam Caparell (Complex) – “His age (40) and the questionable competition he’s fought the last five years has to catch up to Stevenson at some point, right? Not sure if I see Jack dropping Stevenson, but I’m taking ‘The Ripper’ in a majority decision.”

Josh Katzowitz (Forbes) – “Every time I think Adonis Stevenson has gotten too old or too inactive to continue to win, I’m always proven wrong. Badou Jack is Stevenson’s biggest test in the past five years, so I’m tempted to pick him to beat Stevenson. But even at 40 years old, Stevenson still has enough skills to hold on to his belt and he’s still strong enough to knock out a fighter like Jack. I’d pick Stevenson to win by late stoppage.”

John Cudney (Reddit Boxing – Sunday Puncher) – “Adonis Stevenson vs. Badou Jack is as close to 50/50 as they come. Stevenson’s left hand is one of the deadliest punches in the sport, and Badou Jack has established himself as one of the game’s best body punchers. To add further intrigue, both men have each suffered a single loss, with each of those losses coming by first round knockout. Either man could win, and the outcome could either be an early KO or a hard-fought decision. I’m going with Badou Jack by decision. I think Jack will be able to avoid Stevenson’s left hand and make this a long and difficult night for the champion. Jack’s body punching will be the perfect weapon to make Stevenson finally feel his age in the ring.”

Rhett Butler (The Shadow League) – “This is honestly a fight for true fight fans who understand the pivotal and unique David vs. Goliath matchup that this truly is. Adonis Stevenson has an illustrious array of light heavyweight bodies on his resume and is a true juggernaut in the division. Still, Jack earned a world title in his first jaunt at light heavyweight and as the old adage goes, ‘true champions can do it in multiple weight classes’. Both Stevenson and Jack are hungry but I think that Jack will fell the giant in Stevenson this time out. It’s his time and Stevenson thinks since Andre Ward retired he might be safe from anyone not named Kovalev. It will be a war of attrition, that ultimately Badou Jack will have his hand raised from.”

Gabe Oppenheim (Props) – “I pick Jack by decision, though a late stoppage wouldn’t surprise me.”

Gilbert Manzano (Las Vegas Review Journal) – “In a really close fight, I say Badou Jack pulls it out. Very close, split decision for Jack. I think the fans will witness a couple knockdowns too.”

Andreas Hale (Ring Magazine) – “Close fight! Adonis Stevenson’s age might finally catch up to him and he might be underestimating Badou Jack. We might be in for a little barn burner in the middle of the rounds. I’m gonna say Jack by split decision.”

Salvador Rodriguez (ESPN Deportes) – “It’s not an easy fight for anyone. Adonis Stevenson is 40 years old and Jack showed some very good things in his first fight at 175 with the KO over Nathan Cleverly last year. I believe Stevenson has something in his pocket, but not enough to defeat a younger lion like Badou Jack. I go for Jack by points.”

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, mayweatherpromotions.com and www.groupeyvonmichel.ca follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @AdonisSuperman, @BadouJack, @MayweatherPromo, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionsand www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Saturday’s World Champion Boxing® telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Opening the telecast at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. is Rey Vargas vs. Azat Hovhannisyan in a 12-round super bantamweight title bout.

In the main event junior middleweight champion Sadam Ali defends his championship against Jaime Munguia in a 12-round bout.

Official Weights from Verona:

Sadam Ali: 153 lbs.

Jaime Munguia: 152.75 lbs.

Rey Vargas: 120 lbs.

Azat Hovhannisyan: 121 lbs.

ESPN will debut two new shows this month, exclusively on ESPN+, as it continues to introduce new and unique boxing content to serve fans of the “Sweet Science.”

In This Corner is a twice-monthly deep-dive talk show with a rotating panel of four of boxing’s best journalists gathering at noteworthy New York City establishments to discuss boxing’s biggest stories, past, present and future.

The first episode of In This Corner will be available today on ESPN+ and brings fans to New York’s Crompton Ale House, just six blocks from Madison Square Garden, to preview Saturday’s big Top Rank Boxing on ESPN fight between Vasiliy Lomachenko and Jorge Linares, as well the potential rematch between Gennady Gennadyevich Golovkin (aka Triple G) and Saul Canelo Alvarez. The four featured boxing writers: George Willis of the New York Post), Chris Mannix from Yahoo Sports, Lance Pugmire at the Los Angeles Times and Mike Coppinger of Ring Magazine.

The Boxing Beat, a weekly interview show available next Monday, May 14, on ESPN+, features ESPN’s lead boxing writer Dan Rafael providing an inside perspective of boxing through conversations with top fighters, as well as breaking news, commentary and questions from boxing fans. The Boxing Beat will debut with Keith Idec of Boxingscene.com and WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International division in partnership with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA Tour golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year).

ESPN+ is an integrated part of a completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App is the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App curates all of ESPN’s content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also be available through ESPN.com.

London (11 May 2018) British Heavyweight Champion Sam Sexton and challenger Hughie Fury weighed in today at the Bolton Whites hotel ahead of their showdown tomorrow night at the Macron Stadium, Premier Suite,

exclusively live on Channel 5 from 9pm, with the undercard live on 5Spike from 7.30pm. Norwich puncher Sexton weighed in at 16st 11lbs (235lbs) whilst Bolton star Fury scaled slightly lighter at 16st 8lbs (232lbs).

Two-time Olympian and 2012 World Amateur Champion Savannah Marshall weighed 11st 9lb 4oz (163lbs 4oz) and her opponent, Ester Konecna, came in spot on 12st (168lbs) for their eight-round contest.

Irish three-weight Chamion Peter McDonagh weighed in at 10st 13lbs (153lbs) and his opponent Peter Kramer from Hungary came in at 11st 1lb 2oz (155lb 2oz) for their eight round super-welterweight contest.

Hot young unbeaten prospect Yusuf Safa weighed 9st 2lbs 4oz (124lbs 4oz) and Jose Aguilar from Spain came in at 9st 8oz (126lbs 8oz) for their eight-round super-featherweight contest.

The remaining boxers on the show will weigh-in tomorrow.

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Top Rank Boxing on ESPN returns to the big house at Madison Square Garden, the historic “Mecca of Boxing,” this Saturday, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App. The telecast will feature two bouts, including the most anticipated boxing main event of the year—ESPN.com’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Vasiliy Lomachenko (10-1-0, 8 KO) taking on WBA Lightweight Champion Jorge Linares (44-3-0, 27 KO)—for the world title.

Simultaneous to the fight, ESPNews will air “Around the Ring,” a multi-screen presentation featuring enhanced views of the ring, as well as access to both fighter locker rooms and corner cameras, beginning at 8 pm. ET. All other undercard bouts will be available on ESPN+ within the ESPN App beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET, including rising female prospect Mikaela Mayer and Irish superstar Mick Conlan.

ESPN+ will also stream the weigh-ins for all fights today at 4:45 p.m. ET. ESPN2 will air the weigh-ins for the Co-Feature and Main Event live at 5 p.m.
TOP RANK ON ESPN LINARES VS LOMACHENKO ON ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPN+ AND ESPN DEPORTES

Date Time (ET) Network(s) Event/Show
Fri, May 11 4:45 PM ESPN+ Top Rank Boxing on ESPN: Undercard/Main Event Weigh-Ins
5 PM – 5:30 PM ESPN2 Top Rank Boxing on ESPN: Linares vs. Lomachenko Weigh-In
7 PM – 8 PM ESPN Deportes Semana de Campeones: Linares vs. Lomachenko Weigh-In
8 PM – 8:30 PM ESPNEWS Top Rank Boxing on ESPN: Linares vs. Lomachenko Weigh-In (re-air)

Sat, May 12
4:30 PM ESPN+ Top Rank Boxing on ESPN: Undercards
7 PM – 8 PM ESPN Deportes Semana de Campeones: Linares vs. Lomachenko Pre-Show
8 PM – 10 PM ESPN
ESPN Deportes
Top Rank Boxing on ESPN: Main Event
Carlos Adames vs. Alejandro Barrera
Jorge Linares vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko (WBA Lightweight World Title)
8 PM – 10 PM ESPNEWS Top Rank Boxing on ESPN: Around the Ring
Sun, May 13 2 AM – 4 AM ESPN2 Top Rank Boxing on ESPN: Main Event (re-air)
Mon, May 14 7 PM – 9 PM ESPN2 Top Rank Boxing on ESPN: Main Event (re-air)

Lomachenko is unbeaten in over the last four years (nine straight victories) and his opponents have retired in his last four fights, failing to answer the bel in the next round. He is attempting to win a world title in his third weight class (former WBO Featherweight and current WBO Junior Lightweight World Champion). Linares is a four-time world champion in three weight classes (former WBC Featherweight, former WBA Junior Lightweight, former WBC Lightweight, and current WBA Lightweight World Champion). Co-promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, Linares is unbeaten in six years with thirteen straight victories. In the TV opener, unbeaten WBA top-5 contender Carlos Adames (13-0-0, 11 KO) takes on Alejandro Barrera (29-4-0, 18 KO) in Junior Middleweight action.
—30—

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. / ORANGE, Calif. (May 11, 2018) – Undefeated junior lightweight Michael Dutchover (8-0, 5 KOs) weighed in at 130.7 lbs., while his opponent Mike Fowler checked in at 128.7 lbs. for their scheduled six-round bout that will take place tonight at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.

Dutchover is co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

Remaining tickets are priced at $40 and $75 and are available for purchase on the day of the event (Friday) at the will call booth starting at 5:30 p.m. local time from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents: Path to Glory via Thompson Boxing Facebook page and ThompsonBoxing.com.

The livestream starts at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Michael Montero providing expert, color commentary.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. local time with the first bout at approximately 8:00 p.m. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 N. Vineyard Ave. in Ontario, CA 91764 and can be reached at 909-937-0900.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

Photos by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

LONDON (11 May, 2018) – World champion Jorge Linares has promised to “shut up” pound-for-pound ace Vasyl Lomachenko when they meet this Saturday night.

Taking place at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York, 32-year-old Linares will be putting his WBA and Ring Magazine lightweight world titles on the line when he faces the superstar Ukrainian, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

The showdown has had fans licking their lips since it was first made and now both men are finally set meet this weekend, with Venezuelan hotshot Linares promising to silence Lomachenko in a not to be forgotten clash.

“I’m going to shut him up, plain and simple. I know I have my advantages. I’m the natural lightweight here – he’s coming up. He needs to be ready. I’m going to shut him up. This fight is going to be very interesting. We have to put on a great performance for the fans,” said Linares.

“He knows what he’s in for. He knows that I’m not an ordinary fighter. He knows that I’m bigger, that I’m faster and he has tried to prepare for that. I know what I have to do too. We both have to be at our best.

“I’m not just an ordinary fighter like he’s fought in some cases, where they don’t know how to get out of trouble or use their hand speed or combinations. I know what I have to do to win. It will be a very memorable night,” he said.

Lomachenko is regarded by many as boxing’s very best and a win for Linares would be the icing on the cake following a hard-fought 47 fight career, which has had its ups and downs.

“I went through some tough times, back-to-back losses, a lot of people wrote me off. But hard work and dedication got me back in there. I suffered a lot but was able to get myself up,” said Linares.

“The motivation of fighting the best gets me up in the morning, not only Lomachenko, but that is really motivating me because I’m fighting the best pound-for-pounder in boxing and I want to continue fighting the best,” he said.

30-year-old Lomachenko, a two-weight world champion, despite having had only 11 professional fights, has dominated most of his opponents, often forcing them to quit, says all he is thinking about is the win rather than how it comes about.

“I don’t think about stopping Linares and forcing him to quit. I don’t worry about that or need to do that. I do everything to win the fight and it doesn’t bother me how I win as long as I do win. It doesn’t bother me if I stop him, if he quits or if it’s a judges’ decision – I just want to win,” said Lomachenko.

“Everybody has a chance when they get in the ring but I don’t like the way Linares has been talking ahead of the fight. I’m not scared of anyone and will fight anybody,” he said.

Irish sensation Michael Conlan will also be on the card as he looks to keep on winning in just the seventh fight of his career when he takes on Spaniard Ibon Larrinaga.

Lomachenko v Linares will be live and exclusive on BoxNation from Saturday midnight.

Sky Customer Free Registration Offer: BoxNation subscription is £12 per month with free registration (normally £8) for Sky TV subscribers using offer code: CHAMPIONS.

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com, via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) and TV Player for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –

About BoxNation

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated boxing channel. From £12* per month with no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Canelo vs Golovkin.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.427), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), TV Player, online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

Available on selected internet-connected Freeview products only, subject to coverage. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers

Ellesmere Port marauder Mason Cartwright believes that swapping trainers and dropping a weight division shall prove the catalysts to securing a crack at the British welterweight title over the next 12 months.

The one they call ‘Nutty’ due to his fiery red hair (gingernut!) began his unbeaten 14 fight pro career as a super-welterweight under Anthony ‘Arnie’ Farnell in Manchester.

However, the lad who hails from the same Vauxhall Motors amateur set-up that bred European bantam boss Paul ‘Livewire’ Lloyd and ex IBF bantam king Paul Butler has since transferred to Liverpool’s ‘No Limits’ gym. There, he claims he’s received a career enhancing style makeover under coach Danny Withington.

‘My defence is improving with each camp and I’ve far better agility and movement now,’ insists the 25 year old action man who meets Bradford’s unbeaten Darren Tetley for the WBO European strap and a possible world ranking on the Selby-Warrington undercard at Elland Road on Saturday week.

‘I’m no longer a ginger hot head! Starting out, I was definitely rash but this is where I’ve most improved. I still crank up the pressure but I’ve learnt to open doors, move my head and feet. After going to points in all of my first nine, I’ve now stropped five of my last six. Instead of hitting arms and gloves, I’m clattering through the target.

‘Bizarrely, dropping down to welter from light-middle for my last fight has actually made me stronger. I’ve recently added an extra 20 kilo to all my lifts. From a small light-middle, I’ve become a huge welter. I put on 16lbs overnight and felt amazing.

‘If and when (current British welter boss) Bradley Skeete moves on, I’ll be looking to throw my name into the hat to challenge for the title. You’ve got good lads like Josh Kelly, Johnny Garton and Tamuka Mucha coming through but the stiffer the competition, the more I’ll rise. I wouldn’t bother boxing if I didn’t think I could beat all of them.’

Style nemesis Tetley, a slick and savvy southpaw, can expect to command most of the support from his fellow Yorkies at the Leeds United football stadium but Cartwright is unnerved.
‘I definitely perform better under pressure. A better opponent brings out an ‘edge’ states the one-time England schoolboy finalist.

‘I’m not remotely bothered about going to Tetley’s back garden. In my fifth fight I went to London (Chigwell, Essex) to fight Leyton’s Ash Hill and I properly wiped the floor with him. It heightens the adrenalin. I get off on spiting ‘em!

‘Anyway, I’ll be bringing between 2-300 myself. We’re a small community and everyone here is on your side.’

Cartwright is equally unperturbed by the prospect of travelling beyond six rounds for the first time as he enters this scheduled 10 rounder.

He says:‘This camp has gone perfectly and I’ve had some great sparring recently, 10 rounders with fighters of the calibre of Liam Smith (for the second Liam Williams fight)and Jack Catterall so that tells me I’ll have no problem going 10 under the lights.’

Tyke Tetley, who snared multiple national amateur titles and has won 15 straight for pay, poses a formidable obstacle for Cartwright’s coming out parade but ‘Nutty’ is banking on his educated Cheshire pressure getting the job done.

‘Look, I respect whoever gets in the ring to fight me but I don’t come to lose,’ he warns.

‘I’m familiar with Darren’s name from the amateurs and I’ve seen a few rounds of him on DVD. He’s clearly earned his stripes but I’ve boxed loads of southpaws as an amateur and beat all four I’ve faced as a pro. I throw lots of back hands so southpaws suit me. I prefer them.

‘From what we’re hearing, he seems to think he can stand and fight with me. Good! I don’t want him to go running. For a southpaw, he doesn’t seem too hard to hit.

‘I don’t think Tetley understands quite how strong I am. When his movement inevitably dips and he’s forced to hold his feet, I’ll take over, mow him down.

‘But I’ll not be a bull at a gate. I want to show my skills. When fights were going my way, I could get away with just being aggressive but people haven’t see the class I show when I’m sparring ‘Beefy’ and Catterall. The classier the opponent, the better I’ll box.

‘I’ll not rush for a stoppage but, if a chance arises, I’ll certainly not be taking my foot off the gas. He’ll discover I just don’t give up. I’m promising Darren Tetley a long, painful night!

General admission tickets for Selby v Warrington are available from just £40 per person.

Tickets are available to purchase online via the club’s official website www.leedsunited.com and via the Leeds United Ticket Office on 0371 334 1992

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, junior welterweight titeholders, Jose Ramirez and Regis Prograis will take separate bouts before they are mandated to fight each other.

On July 7 at the Save Mart Center in his home region of Fresno, California, Ramirez will defend his belt for the first time when he meets Danny O’Connor in the main event of a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card.

One week later, on July 14 at the Lakefront Arena at the University of New Orleans, Prograis (21-0, 18 KOs) will fight in his hometown for the first time in the main event of another Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card. He will face Juan Jose Velasco as long as Velasco wins a fight he has scheduled for Friday night in his home country of Argentina and comes away uninjured.

fter Prograis, 29, won the vacant interim belt by stopping former unified titlist Julius Indongo in the second round on March 9, and Ramirez (22-0, 16 KOs), 25, of Avenal, California, outpointed Amir Imam for the vacant full title on March 17, they were supposed to fight next based on a ruling at last year’s WBC convention ordering the winners of the two bouts to meet on a 50-50 split if the fight went to a purse bid.

However, Ramirez promoter Todd duBoef of Top Rank and Prograis promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN on Thursday that they have agreed to forgo the fight for now with the hope of having it take place perhaps next summer when they believe it can be much bigger commercially.

“It’s a great fight now. We want it to be a great event as well,” duBoef said. “It’s back-to-back weekends, back-to-back hometowns. The scenario we like is two young guys building momentum and using the upcoming fights to showcase themselves and make their fight much bigger. We want it to be more than just a great fight. We want it to be a big fight, which is what the sport needs.”

if Prograis wins his summer fight, he is headed to the World Boxing Super Series eight-man single-elimination tournament, which will begin in September but has not yet been formally announced. If he wins the tournament — and he’ll be favored to do so — he could emerge with two major titles as well as the WBC’s symbolic diamond belt and a date with Ramirez.

“We’re banking on the skill sets of both fighters and the marketability of what we can do behind them to create a bigger match down the road,” duBoef said. “This is collaborative between both sides. We’re not hiding from anybody. Lou communicated his needs, and we communicated our needs, and then we figured out a solution that works for everybody, and that was good collaborative behavior.”

“We know this fight can be built into something,” DiBella said. “There’s an interest in doing the fight right now and we had backing from Showtime (where Prograis has been fighting). We could have gone to purse bid, and the fight could have been delayed. Ramirez isn’t going into the tournament, but Regis wants to be part of it, and he couldn’t have both — the fight right away and then the tournament. So with this scenario, Regis can go into the tournament. The tournament will be over in less than a year. Regis will get exposure in the tournament, and Todd can keep building Ramirez on his ESPN platform. If these kids keep winning the fight won’t be smaller in a year. At that point they’ll be much bigger.”

“It has been my dream to become a world champion. It’s now my duty to defend this belt at home for my city, fans and everything I fight for,” Ramirez said Thursday. “I’m blessed to have this opportunity. I dedicate this fight to the immigrants that contribute to and make our society a better place. I’m pro-immigrant and proud.”

LOS ANGELES (May 10, 2018): Undefeated featherweight contender and former U.S. Olympian Joseph”JoJo” Diaz Jr. (26-0, 14 KOs) hosted a media workout in Los Angeles at Azteca Boxing Club. Diaz, Jr. will challenge Gary Russell, Jr. (28-1, 17 KOs) for the WBC World Featherweight World Title on Saturday, May 19 in a clash televised live on SHOWTIME from MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

Here’s what Joseph Diaz, Jr. had to say at today’s workout:

JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ, JR, Current NABF and NABO Featherweight Champion:

“I have no hostility toward Gary Russell Jr. I respect Gary Russell Jr., and I know what he brings to the table. Ever since I was brought up as a professional fighter I was always humble and I was always down to earth. Now that I have the opportunity to become the champion that I know I can be I feel like I’m more outspoken because I know that the opportunity is finally here, and I know what I’m capable of doing.

“I want to fight the best at 126 pounds and I want to show all the fans that I’m the real deal. By fighting and bringing on the toughest 126 pounders like Gary Russell Jr., and defeating him, that’s going to showcase to the whole boxing world that I am the real deal and I will be the king at 126 pounds.

“He’s been inactive and used to fighting just once a year now. But what makes him so dangerous is he’s very, very speedy and has great hand speed. And not only that but he knows how to use his hand speed and counter when guys are opening up. My father and I know what we are bringing to the table, and I’m fast, as well. I have a very high boxing IQ and I’m very powerful in there. I know how to land sneaky body shots and I’m a big 126-pound fighter, and that will be the key to victory. He will try and land his power shots, but they’re not going to be effective because I’m the bigger fighter.

“I need to bring this WBC belt back to L.A. and to South El Monte. I’ll be the first champion coming out of there and I’m a role model to a lot of youth. That’s what makes me hungry and I’m one hundred percent confident I’ll be the champion and we will have a big parade in South El Monte, and you’re all invited!

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime, fighting for a world title against Gary Russell Jr., is a dream come true. I feel like I’m so much better a fighter now than I was at the Olympics. If feel like if I fought that kid who was in the Olympics now I’d stop him in the first round. My management and trainers have groomed me for this fight on May 19. I fought some undefeated fighters, some experienced fighters and some real live dogs. I just feel like all the experience I’ve gained in the past will serve me well.”

(ABOVE: Oscar Duarte, Romero Duno and Raymond Muratalla pose for the media ahead of their fights on the May 17 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino)

Click HERE for Additional Photos
Photo Credit: Lina Baker/SeeYouRingside Photography

Fighters from the May 17 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN also participated in the workout. In the main event, Romero “Ruthless” Duno (16-1, 14 KOs) of General Santos City, Philippines will take on Mexico City’s Gilberto “Flaco” Gonzalez (27-4, 22 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight fight. The co-main event will feature Oscar Duarte (13-0-1, 9 KOs) of Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico against Rey Perez (22-9, 6 KOs) in a lightweight bout scheduled for 10 rounds of action. Raymond Muratalla will make his professional debut in a four-round lightweight battle.

ROMERO “RUTHLESS” DUNO, Lightweight Contender:

“I want this victory to prove to Golden Boy Promotions that they made no mistake in putting me in the main event. In 2016, no one knew who I was. But then I jumped at the opportunity and now I’m in the biggest fight of my career. I’m ready to impress everyone and give a great victory.”

OSCAR DUARTE, Lightweight Prospect:

“I feel really motivated. I get to be co-main event on an ESPN card! I’m ready to go out there and win without a doubt. I know after this, only good things wait for me. I love training in the Coachella desert with Joel Diaz — making weight is so easy when it’s so hot out there! I’m excited for the next door to open after this.”

RAYMOND MURATALLA, Lightweight Prospect:

“I’m making my pro debut. I hope I impress the boxing fans and let them know that I’m someone to watch. I have a really good amateur record with 74 wins and only six losses. I’m currently training with Joel Diaz in Indio and it’s been a great experience. I’m ready to leave an impression.”

(ABOVE: Rafael Gramajo, Javier Molina and Jessie Roman pose for the media ahead of the June 1 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB at Belasco Theater and televised on EstrellaTV)

Fighters from the June 1 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB also participated in the workout. Super lightweight contender Javier “El Intocable” Molina (17-2, 8 KOs) will return to the ring to face Jessie Roman (22-3, 11 KOs) in an eight-round 140-pound battle. Rafael “El Alikin” Gramajo (9-1-2, 2 KOs) will return in an eight-round super bantamweight fight.

JAVIER “EL INTOCABLE” MOLINA, Super Lightweight Contender

“I’m not nervous to be in the main event. This is my town, and at the end of the day Jessie Roman and I are still going to be able to shake hands because we have a solid friendship that is years in the making. This is a tough business, but at the end of the day that’s all it is.”

JESSIE ROMAN, Super Lightweight Contender

“We had a really tough camp this time around because I wanted to be ready. At the end of the day it’s just business, but we’re still friends.

“We were in the amateurs together and even though he was a couple years older and a little heavier, we still had the opportunity to spar against each other for a couple rounds. I’m fully aware of what I’m facing. This is my opportunity to show everyone what I’ve got.”

RAFAEL “EL ALIKIN” GRAMAJO, Super Bantamweight Prospect

“Unfortunately, things didn’t work out with my opponent [Pablo Rubio Jr.], but I was ready catch some sharks. I’m ready to face whoever and wherever. I’ve been training hard, so I’m ready to fight anyone that night.”

Russell, Jr. vs. Diaz, Jr.is a 12-round World Championship fight for Russell, Jr.’s WBC’s Featherweight Belt presented by TGB Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions. The fight will take place on Saturday, May 19 in a clash live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

Tickets for the MGM National Harbor show, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions, are on sale now and are available by visiting http://mgmnationalharbor.com/.

Duno vs. Gonzalez is a 10-round lightweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy, “Never Stop, Never Settle.” The fights will take place on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Doors to the Special Events Center will open at 4:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 4:30 pm PT. ESPN2 will air the fights beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT, and stream live on ESPN3 starting at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. ESPN Deportes will air the fights on Friday, May 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event are on sale and start at $25. Tickets will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Molina vs. Roman is an eight-round super lightweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Casa Mexico Tequila. The Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on EstrellaTV at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The card will also stream live on EstrellaTV.com and on YouTube via LBI Media, Inc.’s Fenomeno Studios. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets for the upcoming shows on July 6, Aug. 10, and Oct. 12.

Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB start at the fan-friendly price of $25 and are available for purchase now at www.goldenboytickets.com and the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: Russell, Jr. vs. Diaz, Jr.:
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MrGaryRussellJr, @JosephDiazJr, @TGBPromotions, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @MGMNatlHarbor and @Swanson_Comm or
become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/MGMNationalHarbor. The event is sponsored by
Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

GBP on ESPN on May 17:
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and http://www.espn.com/boxing/; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPN, and @ESPNBoxeo; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing; and follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @OscarDeLaHoya. Follow the
conversation using #GBPonESPN.

LA FIGHT CLUB on June 1:
For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
www.thebelasco.com and www.estrellatv.com. Follow on Twitter at
@GoldenBoyBoxing and @EstrellaTV. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA and
www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork. Visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @belascola and @EstrellaTV. Follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB and #BoxeoEstelar.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on May 19:
Past-fights and workout footage available for review and download. All footage must be credit SHOWTIME. https://cbs.box.com/v/StevensonJackandRussellDiaz

GBP on ESPN on May 17:
Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or copying and pasting link: http://bit.ly/DunoGonzalez into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for photos and videos used.

LA FIGHT CLUB on June 1:
Videos and images are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/MolinaRoman. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for any photos/video.

PHILADELPHIA (May 10, 2018) – Undefeated lightweight prospect Devin Haney and veteran Mason Menard made weight on Thursday for their 10-round main event matchup tomorrow/Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA.

Haney (19-0, 12 KOs), a seven-time junior amateur champion, is a highly-touted prospect from Las Vegas taking a major step-up in opposition against Menard (33-2, 24 KOs), whose only loss in nearly a decade came to current WBO Lightweight Champion Ray Beltran. Menard, who will appear on ShoBox for the third time on Friday, debuted on the series in 2016 in dramatic fashion when he brutally knocked out the previously unbeaten Eudy Bernardo.

Super bantamweight prospects Josh “Don’t Blink” Greer (16-1-1, 8 KOs) and Glenn Dezurn (9-1-1, 6 KOs) nearly came to blows at Thursday’s weigh-in before they meet in the 10-round co-feature. Greer returns to ShoBox for the third time after scoring knockouts in his previous two appearances. The once-beaten Dezurn, who fights out of Baltimore, also returns to the series for the third time. Light heavyweight prospects Alvin Varmall Jr. (15-0-1, 12 KOs) and Charles Foster (15-0, 8 KOs) face their toughest opponents to date in an eight-round featured attraction.

In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated super bantamweight Arnold Khegai (11-0-1, 8 KOs) meets veteran Adam Lopez (16-2-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-round bout, which will be Lopez’s record-setting seventh ShoBox appearance.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions, Devin Haney Promotions & Hard Hitting Promotions, are priced at $125 for VIP, $75 for ringside and $50 for general admission and are available at the 2300 Arena Box office or online at www.HardHittingPromotions.com

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:

Lightweights – 10 Rounds

Devin Haney: 134 ¾ Pounds

Mason Menard: 134 ¼ Pounds

Super Bantamweights – 10 Rounds

Joshua Greer: 122 ¾ Pounds

Glenn Dezurn: 122 ¼ Pounds

Light Heavyweights – Eight Rounds

Alvin Varmall Jr.: 172 ¾ Pounds

Charles Foster: 174 ½ Pounds

Super Bantamweights – Eight Rounds

Arnold Khegai.: 120 ¼ Pounds

Adam Lopez: 121 ¾ Pounds

(See attached for a full bout sheet, including non-televised fights.)

FINAL QUOTES:

HANEY:

“I feel like this is my breakout fight. The world hasn’t seen me yet. They’ve seen me on social but they haven’t seen me on national television. This is my breakout. I’ve had people who have believed in me from a pretty young age and it’s about to pay off

“A lot of top prospects have been turning me down and Mason Menard was the guy that stepped up and took the fight. He’s the only guy that wanted to fight me.

“He has a lot of experience on paper. He’s been under the lights before. But my experience comes from in the gym. I sparred (Floyd) Mayweather for (Conor) McGregor. I sparred (Jessie) Vargas for (Adrien) Broner. That’s where my experience comes and we’ll see tomorrow who has more experience. He’s fought some pretty good guys but nothing like me.

“When I spar these top level guys they always say one more round, one more round, because they want to get me.

“Winning isn’t good enough. It’s about going in there and looking good. I want to go in there and show my full arsenal. I want to show I’m a complete fighter and not leave any doubts.

“I’m just going to go in there and be me. We’ll see how the fight plays out. I know he’s watched a lot of film on me, but I have a lot of different styles. I’ve learned from a lot of different people and come Friday night we’re going to show it.

“I need to take care of business tomorrow and hopefully I get a title eliminator next. The belts are tied up at 135 and the way my weight cutting s going I could make 130. So if given the right opportunity I could go for a title at 130.”

MENARD:

“There’s a lot of hype on Devin. We have a lot of respect for him but we also think there’s a lot of hype. He has good skill, good counterpuncher and is fast. I just have to make him fight at my pace. I have to make it a fight and hurt him.

“My only real loss was to a current world champion. He’s stepping into a whole different world and that’s going to be the difference. We want to see Devin in deep waters because we know he hasn’t been there before.

“A win here will catapult me back into the top contender ratings. We have a lot of confidence, the shoulder has healed well. It’s been smooth sailing in camp and we’re ready to go.

“Getting out of Louisiana has made a huge difference. Training in Dallas and Los Angeles I’ve gotten the best work of my career. For the (Ray) Beltran fight I had one sparring partner. I’ve had plenty of sparring partners for this fight.”

GREER:

“This opportunity against Dezurn, I couldn’t turn it down. So when they offered it I said, ‘let’s go.’

“He’s an average fighter. There’s nothing that impresses me. He’s in great physical shape and he’s going to be there for three or four rounds, but after that it will be a problem. As soon as I see him fade I’m going to step up my game and take him out.

“A win here could set me up for great things. I’d love to get in the new World Boxing Super Series.

“When I first started boxing I was facing tough competition. I had to find myself and now I found myself. The better the fighter the better I’m going to look.

“It’s easier for me to focus training outside of Chicago. That’s why we made the trainer switch. I can focus on boxing and sharpening my game. I’m in California sparring so I’ve sparred with some of the best guys. I’ve sparred with Olympians. I’m ready for any and everything.”

DEZURN:

“He brings a pillow to the ring and we’re going to give him a blanket. If I’m afraid of a pillow I’m in the wrong business. But that’s what he’s supposed to do to make this exciting.

“I just need to win. He talks a lot so I hope he can back it up. I’m like an old guy. I bring my lunch and go to work. My whole focus is to win.

“I want to be a nightmare for him. At the end of the day, I want him to think twice about bringing that pillow to the ring again.

“My job is to have good hands and be victorious. He’s young and he’s flamboyant and he’s going to make me look good when I beat him. When he talks it just gives me more motivation.”

VARMALL:

“This weight has been perfect for me. I’m taking my career very seriously now. I’ve been sparring with some good guys, getting good work in the gym. I’m ready for the move down to 175 and maybe 168 next.

“I’ve watched a little bit of tape on him but not too much. I’m worrying about myself, I’m not worrying about him. I’ve fought taller guys than him so I’m not too concerned with that.

“He’s definitely a step up, but it’s a step up for both of us. It’s his birthday and I owe him a present. We’re going to continue to work hard and shock the world.”

FOSTER:

“It’s a brawler vs boxer type fight. He’s going to be the shortest guy that I’ve fought. We know he’s going to try to come in and fight and we’re going to be ready.

“He looks good on paper, he’s undefeated. So this is a good test for us. Tomorrow we’ll see who is the better guy.”

KHEGAI:

“I’m ready to make my statement here in the U.S. I’ve fought a lot of fighters with good records and now I’m here to show the fans in America. My vision was to always fight in America and now it’s here.

“Ukrainian fighters are making a lot of moves in the U.S. and now it’s my time. This is where boxing lives. The future is here.

“Lopez is a good boxer. We’ll see what he’s made of and we’ll see what I’m made of.”

LOPEZ:

“I can get back to where I was with a win. I’ve been A-side, B-side, I’ve been in it all. I’m a veteran. And I know a win will get me back to where I need to be.

“This fight is very important. I’m no stranger to fighting undefeated guys. This is the fight that will gauge where I’m at right now. I feel like I’m close to getting where I need to be.

“I’ve seen all of his fights before. He’s a tough guy, so we need to beat him with a variety of punches.”

# # #

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

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 73 fighters who have appeared onShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams, and more.

Mykal Fox 143 – Anthony Mercado 141.1

Alex Barbosa 124 – Sergio Aguilar 125.1
Romuel Cruz 124.4 – Bryann Perez 127.6
Jerrod Miner 116.8 – Desmond Moore 116.9
Joshafat Ortiz 129.7 – Jordan Peters 129.8
Michael Coffie 276.2 – Lamar Lewis 248.3
Joel Flores 135.9 – Christopher Burgos 135
Anvar Yunusov 131.6 – Deo Kizito 131

Promoter: King’s Promotions

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ELEVEN SPORTS is available in 70 million homes worldwide in Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States. Launched in the US in March 2017, ELEVEN SPORTS is dedicated to delivering world-class domestic and international sports and lifestyle entertainment ‘For The Fans’. Sports fans will be treated to a unique mix of emerging and established sports combined to provide engaging and compelling LIVE entertainment, placing the viewer at the very heart of the action.

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A short, but murderous puncher, fighting behind a squat, peekaboo style, light heavyweight Alvin “Iron Majik” Varmall Jr. enjoys the comparisons people make between himself and former heavyweight champion “Iron” Mike Tyson.

“I always appreciate the comparison,” said Varmall, “I added ‘Iron’ to my old nickname ‘Majik’ because Mike Tyson is one of my favorite fighters and, by the grace of God, I ended up training at Cus D’Amato’s KO Boxing Gym in Catskill, New York, the same gym that Tyson did, and learning his style in its purest form.”

Currently the only pro fighter training out of the famed gym, Varmall (15-0-1, 12 KOs), originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, will take on New Haven, Connecticut’s Charles Foster (15-0, 8 KOs) this Friday, May 11 in an eight-round featured attraction of a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader, live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

In the 10-round main event Louisiana’s Mason Menard (33-2, 24 KOs) takes on undefeated Devin “The Dream” Haney (18-0, 12 KOs) of Las Vegas for the USBA Lightweight Championship. In the 10-round co-feature, super bantamweight prospects Josh “Don’t Blink” Greer (16-1-1, 8 KOs) and Glenn Dezurn (9-1-1, 6 KOs) will meet and in the opening televised fight, super bantamweight Arnold Khegai (11-0-1, 8 KOs) will face Adam Lopez (16-2-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions, Hard Hitting Promotions & Devin Haney Promotions, are priced at $125 for VIP, $70 for ringside and $50 for general admission and are available at the 2300 Arena Box office or online at www.HardHittingPromotions.com.

The 26-year-old Varmall says he’s been emulating the all-time-great Tyson from his earliest days in boxing.

“The Cus D’Amato style, I guess you could say, is my foundation. From the beginning of my career as an amateur, my first trainer, Rodney Jenkins, he started me out with the peekaboo style and it works the best for me. I ended up having 21 fights with 19 KOs and won the USA Nationals at heavyweight.”

Varmall says he’s in perfect shape and ready to begin carving out his own prize fighting legacy.

“I’m absolutely ready for this opportunity. I’ve waited a long time for it and it’s finally here. I trained the hardest I’ve ever trained and did a lot of things different for this camp. I’m definitely ready to showcase my talents and abilities. To say I’m not nervous, I’d be lying, but it’s about controlling that feeling. That’s what we learn at the Cus D’Amato Gym, how to control our feelings and use that as something to catapult us, instead of hindering us. After it’s all said and done, everyone can say what they want about my performance because I always come to bring my very best.”

Varmall says he realized early in his career that his punching power was well above average by sparring with a full-size heavyweight veteran in Louisiana.

“I was sparring with this guy, “Big” Fred Kassi. He’s from New Orleans. You know how big Fred is. One time, before sparring, he came to the corner and he said, ‘Majik, let me check your gloves. I just want to make sure we’re playing fair.’ After that, my trainer said, ‘see? I told you, you punch hard!”

At the end of the day, Varmall says, he’s not out to match the great Tyson in achievement or legend. He’d rather carve out his own place.

“At the end of the day Mike Tyson was Mike yson and Alvin Varmall Jr. is Alvin Varmall Jr. Even though we both have the foundation of the same style, I do it in the way that is most comfortable for me. That’s what Mike did too. That’s what’s going to help me reach my full potential.”

About Greg Cohen Promotions

One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen first made promotional headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney.

Cohen currently promotes undefeated WBO NABO Heavyweight Champion a top contender Jarrell Miller, top-rated middleweight contender Robert Brant, and former WBO NABO Lightweight Champion and world-rated contender Mason Menard, among many others.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including CBS Sports Network, HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.

New York City (May 10, 2018) — The fight the boxing world has been waiting for — Jorge Linares defending the WBA and Ring Magazine lightweight titles against former two-division kingpin Vasiliy Lomachenko at Madison Square Garden — is only two days away.

Lomachenko and Linares, along with many of the undercard fighters, met the media one last time on Thursday.

The stacked undercard features welterweight contender Carlos ‘Caballo Bronco’ Adames (13-0, 11 KOs) in his Top Rank debut in a 10-round, ESPN-televised co-feature against Alejandro Barrera (27-4, 17 KOs); Irish sensation Michael Conlan (6-0, 5 KOs) will see action in an eight-round featherweight contest against Ibon Larrinaga (10-1, 2 KOs); Jamel Herring (16-2, 9 KOs) takes on the durable Juan Pablo Sanchez (29-15, 14 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout; top lightweight prospect Teofimo Lopez (8-0, 6 KOs) faces veteran Vitor Freitas (13-1, 7 KOs) of Salvador, Brazil, in a scheduled eight-rounder; female boxing sensation Mikaela Mayer (4-0, 3 KOs) will face Baby Nansen (6-2-1, 0 KOs) of Auckland, New Zealand, in a six-round lightweight fight; and 2016 Olympic gold medalist Fazliddin ‘Fayzi’ Gaibnazarov (3-0, 1 KO) returns in a scheduled eight-rounder against Jesus Silveyra (8-5-2, 3 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico.

Linares vs. Lomachenko and Adames vs. Barrera will be televised live and exclusively at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+, available on the ESPN App, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET.

This is what the fighters had to say.

Vasiliy Lomachenko

“I want to thank Linares for taking this challenge. Saturday night, it’s going to be a good bout, and we’re going to find out who is the best.”

“The way this bout is going to go… who knows? It’s boxing. It’s going to be a fight, and after that, we’re going to see.”

Jorge Linares

“I’ve been working hard for the last few fights preparing for this fight. I knew Lomachenko wanted it. I wanted it. So I was very confident that Golden Boy, Teiken and Top Rank were going to get it done.”

“The last two opponents I faced were southpaws. Purposely. I was preparing psychologically and physically to fight Vasiliy Lomachenko. I’ve had him on my radar.”

“I believe, and trust me when I say this, the fight is going to get more intense as the rounds go on.”

Bob Arum

“It’s a challenge, but that’s what makes a fighter one of the all-time greats… challenges. {Lomachenko} was great at 126. He devastated everybody at 130. Now, he’s moving up to 135, and people say, ‘Is this a bridge too far?'” And his father {Anatoly}, who is a great trainer says, ‘No this isn’t a bridge too far.’ And we’re going to see on Saturday. That’s what boxing is all about. If there aren’t any challenges, if there aren’t any obstacles, who the hell wants to watch it?”

Carlos Adames

“I know Barrera is a Mexican warrior, but he is going to face a fighter who is ready to do whatever he needs to do to win.”

“I’m expecting the support from my people. I am not just any Dominican fighter. I’m going to fly the flag high and represent my people.”

Alejandro Barrera

“This is a great opportunity for me. This is a great card, and I am ready for whatever he brings.”

Michael Conlan

“I have to thank the fans of New York for always supporting me. My fans always pack the arena every time I fight here.”

“I feel I’m on the right track and moving steadily at the right pace. I prepare for the longer distance, but if it goes short, it goes short.”

Teofimo Lopez

“May 12, I’m going to do what I gotta do to take over. No disrespect to Loma and Linares, but I’m here to take over the show. At the end of the day, I’m here to entertain and put on a show for everyone. I’m going for the knockout. After this fight, my team and I have huge plans.”

“Being on this card with Golden Boy and Top Rank, it’s a blessing. I’m grateful to be here.”

“I know I’m going to win, but I want people to come away from my fights saying they need to watch me again.”

Jamel Herring

“Now that I’m with Top Rank, I have a fresh start. I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring.”

“I just want to have a busy year. That’s why I chose to work with Top Rank because they are doing a lot of great things, especially with the ESPN platform. I just want to stay busy and get a title shot.”

Mikaela Mayer

“This is a huge time for women’s boxing. We always needed big promoters to start signing women. I think that was the first step.”

“Because I am one of the few women boxers in the spotlight, I feel like I have a big responsibility to represent women boxers every time I step in the ring.”

“I can box on the inside and the outside as well. I want to be a well-rounded fighter. If I see the opportunity for a knockout on Saturday, I am going to take it.”

Fazliddin Gaibnazarov

“I had a little break since my last fight because of an injury, but I am ready to go on Saturday and show everyone what I am capable of.”

###

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy Promotions, Teiken Promotions, and Madison Square Garden, tickets for the Linares vs. Lomachenko world championship card are ON SALE NOW. Priced at $506, $406, $306, $206, $106, and $56, including facility fees, tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at MSG.com.

Use the hashtag #LinaresLoma to join the conversation on social media.

May 10, 2018, New York: Matchroom Boxing, a world leading boxing promoter, and Perform Group, the digital leader in global sports media, have today announced the creation of a landmark $1billion joint venture and the biggest-ever deal in boxing.

The historic eight-year $1billion deal will see the joint venture, Matchroom Boxing USA, stage 16 fights a year featuring some of the sport’s biggest stars at the best venues across America. Perform Group’s live and on-demand streaming service, DAZN, will be the exclusive US broadcast partner for the 16 US fight nights plus Matchroom’s existing 16 fight nights in the UK. This iconic investment in the fights, talent, content, and promotion of boxing will reignite fans’ passion for the sport and engage a new generation of fight fans.

Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Boxing, and Simon Denyer, CEO of Perform Group, announced the joint venture at a press conference in New York. The two companies have brokered the industry-first deal so that fans can see the fights how and when they want to, anytime and anywhere.

Eddie Hearn said: “This is a historic moment for Matchroom and the sport of boxing. Since our expansion to the US, we have been looking for a partner that shares our vision and that can give us the volume of dates and rights fees required to build the strongest stable in world boxing and take it to a new level.

“This is a dream scenario for us, we can build a formidable team of fighters and also put our stamp on events from production to talent to in arena experience. Our plan is to make DAZN the home of boxing and with 32 big fight nights already confirmed from the US and UK we are nicely on our way.

“America – we have well and truly arrived, let the fun begin!”

Simon Denyer, CEO of Perform Group, said: “Perform Group has a rich history of long term strategic partnerships with the best rights holders in world. I’m excited about working with Matchroom; we share the same passion and vision for reigniting boxing in the US and it’s time for DAZN to provide an exciting new platform for these great events. It’s a better deal for everyone – especially fight fans.”

John Skipper, who on Monday joined Perform Group as Executive Chairman said: “DAZN has already proven itself in Japan, Germany and Canada as the best platform for delivering great live sport to passionate fans. It’s time to bring DAZN to America and the amazing events we have planned with Matchroom is a great place to start”.

The two British businesses, which have worked closely together for over 10 years, are partnering on this joint venture to be the change the US boxing world needs. None of the fight nights will be on PPV, all will be available for one monthly fee and no long term contract.

Matchroom Boxing, which has sold over one million tickets to fights in the last five years through its promotion of boxing, has raised the profile of the sport in the UK to attract sell-out crowds of 90,000 fans.

Matchroom Boxing will stage 16 fights in the UK over the next year which will also be available for US fans to stream on DAZN, anytime and anywhere.

Perform Group is changing the world of sport for fans. Backed by Access Industries, the company believes that more should be done to elevate fans’ experience of boxing no matter how, when or where they enjoy it.

– – -ENDS – – –

Note to Editors

About Perform Group

Perform Group is the digital leader in global sports media and one of the fastest growing sports media companies in the world. With almost 3,000 employees in over 30 countries, its businesses touch every aspect of the way fans engage with sport.

Perform Group streams sport to fans directly through DAZN, its unique live and on-demand service. It partners with the biggest rights holders to help them commercialise and grow their sports around the world. It produces better, faster, more detailed content and data for broadcasters, media companies, sports teams, and sponsors. It operates some of the world’s biggest digital sports platforms, such as Goal.com and SportingNews.com.

About Access Industries

Access Industries is a privately held industrial group with long-term holdings worldwide, founded in 1986 by American-British industrialist and philanthropist Len Blavatnik. Access Industries’ investments in the media and entertainment sector include Warner Music Group, Deezer, AI Film, and Perform Group.

About Matchroom Boxing

Matchroom Boxing is one of the world’s leading boxing promoters, led by Managing Director and star promoter Eddie Hearn. Matchroom Boxing has become a powerhouse in boxing promotions with over 100 events in the last five years with 57 World title fights as part of an exclusive broadcast deal with Sky Sports – and growing a stable of elite stars and rising talents like Anthony Joshua MBE, Carl Froch MBE, James DeGale MBE, Kell Brook, Tony Bellew, Amir Khan, Katie Taylor, Anthony Crolla, Scott Quigg and Ryan Burnett.

Matchroom Boxing has been central to the rise and rebirth of boxing in Britain, hosting sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium in London and Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with Joshua’s last three fights bringing a combined live gate of over 250,000. Hearn made a move into the US market in September with the signing of former Middleweight World champion Daniel Jacobs and has promoted two shows in New York City with ‘The Miracle Man’ headlining on HBO. Matchroom Boxing is part of Matchroom Sport, the unrivalled sports event promotional company born of Barry Hearn in 1982.

(May 10, 2018) — A middleweight title will be at stake on Saturday, June 23, live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ — the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International segment, in partnership with ESPN.

From the O2 Arena in London, Billy Joe Saunders will defend the World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight title against veteran Martin Murray, undefeated heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois (7-0, 7 KOs) will take on Tom Little for the vacant British title, and unbeaten light heavyweight Anthony Yarde (15-0, 14 KOs) will face an opponent to be named. Saunders-Murray coverage will start at 5 p.m. ET, while undercard action will be shown beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.

“I’m delighted that the WBO middleweight world title showdown between Billy Joe Saunders and Martin Murray will be shown live in the United States on ESPN+,” said Frank Warren, the event’s promoter. “I’d like to thank Bob Arum and Todd duBoef of Top Rank for making this happen. There’s a lot on the line for Billy Joe and Martin and I’m predicting a brilliant fight for the fans. This is a brilliant opportunity for our young guns Daniel Dubois and Anthony Yarde to showcase their skills to the American audience.”

Saunders (26-0, 12 KOs) will be making the fourth defense of his world title against Murray (36-4-1, 17 KOs,), a four-time world title challenger riding a three-bout winning streak. Saunders won the world title with a majority decision over Andy Lee on Dec. 19, 2015 in Manchester, England and has gone the distance in each of his title defenses.

In his last bout, on December 16 of last year, he put on a boxing clinic in befuddling the hard-punching David Lemieux en route to a clear unanimous decision. Saunders possesses the only middleweight world title not held by Gennady Golovkin.

Murray, who lost a split decision to Arthur Abraham for the WBO super middleweight title in November 2015, has had three previous cracks at middleweight world titles. He was held to a controversial draw against Felix Sturm for the WBA crown in 2011, lost a disputed unanimous decision to WBC champion Sergio Martinez in 2013, and was knocked out in the 11th round by unified champion Golovkin on Feb. 21, 2015 in Monte Carlo.

The ESPN App and ESPN+ are available on mobile and TV-connected devices and on ESPN.com. The new ESPN App with ESPN+ are available on devices and platforms including Amazon (Fire TV, Fire Stick, Fire Smart TVs, Fire tablets), Android (Android phones, Android TV), Apple (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and supported in the Apple TV App), Chromecast and Roku.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International segment, in partnership with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA Tour golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is an integrated part of a completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App is the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App curates all of ESPN’s incredible content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

DETROIT (May 10, 2018) – Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and unified women’s super middleweight champion Claressa Shields worked out for the media and spoke to local youth Wednesday at The Downtown Boxing Gym in Detroit. The boxing star is two weeks into training camp ahead of her SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION showdown Friday, June 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT live on SHOWTIME from the historic Masonic Temple.

The 23-year-old Shields, who grew up in nearby Flint, will attempt to become a two-division world champion when she faces unified women’s 154-pound champion Hanna Gabriels for the vacant IBF and WBA Middleweight World Titles.

Ahead of the crucial middleweight world title fight, Shields has altered her preparations significantly. She has changed her diet, switched to renowned trainer John David Jackson and has moved her camp from Michigan to Florida.

Joining Shields at the workout on Wednesday was Dmitriy Salita, Founder of Salita Promotions. Here is what Shields and Salita had to say.

Claressa Shields:

On fighting in Detroit…

“To fight in Detroit for a world title on SHOWTIME and to be mentioned with great Detroit fighters like Tommy Hearns and James Toney is incredible. Those guys are known worldwide. It shows me that I have a chance to do the same thing and bring attention to women’s boxing. That’s my goal overall – to make sure women’s boxing lives for a long time”

On moving camp to Florida…

“You really can’t deal with unnecessary distractions getting ready for big world title fights like I have been having. You want people pushing you to be better and not have people pulling you down.

“I was dealing with everybody who’s around pulling me left and right and calling me at 2, 3 o’clock in the morning. All this negative stuff that goes on in Flint that 23-year-olds are being involved in is something I can’t be involved in. That initially made me do the whole move. I have to stay focused and work hard on my goal of beating Hanna Gabriels and capturing the world title in a second division.

On training with John David Jackson…

“We’re on the same page and we’re always talking about the game plan for Hanna and what we’re going to do and what we have to work on. John doesn’t try to change my style, he just makes small adjustments to improve the good things that got me to this level. I feel great about this camp so far and I look forward to putting it all together in June.”

On Hanna Gabriels…

“Hanna is a talented world champion. I have a lot of respect for her skills and accomplishments. It takes great, competitive matches to bring women’s boxing to an elite level and that’s what I want to do. I always said that I want to fight the best. On June 22, I look forward to putting on a special performance for the fans watching the fight on SHOWTIME and those at the Masonic Temple. It’s going to be a special night and I can’t wait to capture my second division world title close to home in front of my hometown fans live on SHOWTIME.”

On being an inspiration for kids…

“Kids need to know that everything is possible. I decided to be an Olympic gold medalist at the age of 11. I did it when I was 17. How do you stay focused on one goal all that time? Take one step towards it every day, sometimes small and sometimes bigger. But, the important thing is to keep focused on your goal. If you persevere and work hard enough, truly everything is possible”

Dmitriy Salita, Founder of Salita Promotions

“We had a tremendous media turnout at today’s media workout at Detroit Downtown Boxing Club. It’s very special to see such support for Claressa, who’s story and success transcends boxing and is very much in line with the comeback story of Flint and Detroit – “America’s Greatest Comeback City”.

“It’s very meaningful for kids in Detroit gyms like the Downtown Boxing Club to see someone that came from a similar background and neighborhood that they did and accomplish all the amazing things that Claressa is doing. Claressa makes them see and believe that through hard work, belief and focus everything is possible. Boxing is a tool that she has mastered with which to deliver this very important message.

“June 22 is going to be one of the biggest fights of the year and one of the most meaningful and memorable moments in sports and women’s boxing.”

LAS VEGAS (May 10, 2018 – Hungarian invader Szilveszter “The Silent Assassin” Kanalas (14-7, 9 KOs) has a plan designed to upset local favorite Nico Hernandez (4-0, 3 KOs), a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, May 19th in their showdown for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) World Flyweight Championship, headlining SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes at Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas.

Hernandez vs. Kanalas will launch Super Channel’s new live boxing series, SUPERBOX LIVE, in association with KO Night Boxing LLC, airing live exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.

Integrated Sports Media will distribute “SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes” in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide on FITE.TV app and website (excluding Canada) for a suggested retail price of only $19.95.

In the first world championship boxing match ever held in the state of Kansas, Kanalas challenges 22-year-old Hernandez, the reigning IBA Americas champion, in the 12-round main event.

Fighting hometown hero Hernandez in his backyard, where the Wichita fighter made his pro debut last year, apparently doesn’t faze the 19-year-old Kanalas. “I think it’ll be fantastic fighting him in the arena,” Kanalas said. “It will be a good atmosphere for me and Nico. We will both be giving our all.

“Nico seems like a good guy, but I don’t want to be friendly with him before the fought, or in the ring. Maybe after the fight. We won’t talk in the ring, only fight. Nobody knows before a fight what will happen in the ring. Everybody has a plan, of course, and I do as well. I’m not going to talk about my plan to win the fight, but I can tell you Nico will not love my plan.”

Two years ago, Kanalas became one of the youngest (17) world champions ever, when he defeated fellow Hungarian boxer, Jozsef Ajtai, for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Super Flyweight World Championship.

“I was very happy when I won my first title,” Kanalas remembered. “I thought the world was mine, but life isn’t easy. I had some private life problems and I didn’t prepare enough for my second title fight opportunity for the IBF Youth World title fight in Indonesia. The fight started good for me with two judges giving me the first round, but I got tired and lost in the third round. I’m very happy that I have this title fight and will try to take advantage of this great opportunity.

“I’m very happy that fans back home will be able to watch the fight live. I will not feel alone. I want to show my family and friends that I can do big things in the ring.”

The prestigious list of IBA world champions during the past quarter-centory includes Hall-of-Famers Oscar de la Hoya, George Foreman, Roberto Duran and Arturo Gatti, as well as stars such as Roy Jones, Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosely, James Toney, Mikkel Kessler, Eric Morales, Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver.

CLICK HERE FOR PROMO VIDEO: https://ims-channel-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/IntegratedSports/trailer/KO_Boxing_NicoSyl_trans.mp4

Russian heavyweight prospect Andrey Afonin (5-0, 2 KOs) takes on Cuban fighter Pedro “El Reguilete” Rodriguez (23-4, 19 KOs) in a eight-round, In the co-featured event. Afonin was a 2011 Russian Junior Championships gold medalist, while Rodriguez is a former World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedalatin cruiserweight champion.

Another heavyweight also fighting on the televised segment of the show is undefeated Ukrainian heavyweight prospect Oleksandr Teslenko (12-0, 10 KOs), fighting out of Toronto, against an opponent to be determined.

Undefeated Washington featherweight Victor Morales, Jr. (8-0, 4 KOs) meets David Berna (15-3, 14 KOs), of Hungary, in an eight-round bout.

Also fighting on the under, all in four-round bouts, are popular Wichita junior welterweight Jeff Sturm (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Nigeria-native Archie Weah (2-10), Kansas City, KS cruiserweight Chris Harris (2-2-2, 2 KOs) vs. Leroy Jones (2-3, 2 KOs), of Saint Louis (MO), Topeka-, KS welterweight Brian Clements (0-1-1) vs. Nebraska’s Luis Marquez (0-2), and undefeated Texas junior middleweight Joe Alday, Jr. (7-0, 7 KOs).

Tickets are priced at $120.00 (VIP), $80.00, $50.00 and $30.00 (prices do not include service fees) and available to purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com, Kansas Star Casino and .. Tickets are priced at $120.00 (VIP), $80.00, $50.00 and $30.00 (prices do not include service fees) and available to purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com, Kansas Star Casino and US Logo, Inc. (520 N. West St., Wichita / 316.264.1321).

This is an all-ages show. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. CT with the opening bout scheduled at 7:00 p.m. CT.

To watch “SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes” live in Canada, showcasing undefeated Canadian heavyweight Teslenko, in addition to more exciting boxing to come in 2018, fight fans can contact their local cable provider to subscribe to Super Channel and all that it offers, including premium series, movies and much more, for as low as $9.95 per month.

Venum (www.venum.com) has been named the official gloves and apparel of SUPERBOX LIVE

INFORMATION:

www.konightboxing.com, www.internationalboxingassociation.com

Twitter: @NicoMHernandez, @KONightBoxing, @SCSportsTV, Kansas_Star, @KansasStarArena, @IntegratedPPV, @Fitetv, @NeonStarSE, @DiBellaEnt, @LouDiBella,

About Super Channel

Super Channel is a national premium pay television network, consisting of four HD channels, four SD channels, and Super Channel On Demand.

Super Channel’s mission is to entertain and engage Canadian audiences by providing a unique and exclusive entertainment experience. With a core foundation of integrity and accountability, we dedicate ourselves to implementing innovative programming strategies and unparalleled team work that provides viewers with exceptional value and variety.

Super Channel is owned by Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc., an Edmonton-based media company.

Super Channel is currently available on Bell TV, Shaw Direct, Rogers Anyplace TV, Shaw Cable, Cogeco Cable, Access Communications, Bell Alliant TV, Source Cable, SaskTel, MTS, Novus, EastLink, TELUS, Videotron, Westman Communications and other regional providers.

Connect with Super Channel:

www.superchannel.ca
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About KO NIGHT Boxing LLC

KO Night Boxing is an emerging combat sports promotional company whose core value is “Fighters First!” KO Night Boxing produces live events for CBS Sports Network. Follow us on Twitter @KONightBoxing

PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 10th, 2018) – Reading’s undefeated Junior Lightweight prospect, Joshafat “Trvth” Ortiz (3-0, 1KO), makes his return to the ring This Friday, May 11th, 2018. The four-round bout against Jordan Peters (2-1-1, 2 KOs) will take place at SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia, PA. The show will be promoted by King’s Promotions.

Ortiz is coming of an impressive win last month against Evgueny Metchenov.Ortiz is excited to be back in the ring in his state of Pennsylvania.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to fight in my home state again” said Ortiz. “My manager Felipe Gomez, of El Matador Management and adviser Domingo Gonzalez, of EMNY have been doing a great job in guiding my career so far. I know every time I step in the ring, that I will be facing an opponent that will be tougher than the last, but I train hard every day with my team and I am ready for whatever comes. I want to give a special thanks to Marshall Kauffman, of Kings Promotions for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents.”

“Ortiz is looking better and better each and every time he steps in the ring,” said his manager Felipe Gomez. “He is stepping up the competition and by doing so he will be gaining the quality experience he will need to take his career to the next level.”

Follow Us On
Twitter: @BoxingAdvisor
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www.ElMatadorManagement.com

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (May 10, 2018)) – Two-division World Boxing Association (WBA) World Champion Beibut Shumenov announced his comeback fight will be held July 7, against 30-1 Hizni Altunkaya for the vacant WBA Cruiserweight World title, in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Shumenov (17-2, 11 KOs), a 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian, retired last June due to an eye injury that required surgeries, forcing him to relinquish his WBA cruiserweight world title.

Shumenov vs. Altunkaya is a presentation of Shumenov’s company, KZ Event Productions, Inc.

The July 7th gala event will be part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Astana being the capital of Kazakhstan. Many political dignitaries from Kazakhstan and around the World are expected to attend Shumenov’s comeback fight.

“I’m happy to fight for my belt,” Shumenov said from his training camp in Kazakhstan. “My eye is 100-percent and I’m excited about fighting again. I’m honored to fight on the 20th anniversary celebration of Astana as my country’s capital. After this fight, I want Interim cruiserweight champion, Arsen Goulamirian.”

In only his 10th pro fight, Shumenov established the fewest-fights record for a light heavyweight world champion, when he decisioned Gabriel Campillo in Las Vegas.

Shumenov became the only two-division world champion from Kazakhstan in his last fight, when he stopped Junior Wright in the 10th round of their May 21, 2016 title fight, capturing the WBA Cruiserweight World Championship.

During the 34-year-old Shumenov’s professional career, he has defeated four world champions – Campillo, Byron Mitchell, William Joppy and Montell Griffin) – as well as seven world title challengers: Epifanio Mendoza, Vlacheslav Uzelkov, Danny Santiago, Enrique Ornelas, Tamas Kovacs, BJ Flores and Wright.

The 30-year-old Altunkaya (30-1, 17 KOs), fighting out of Germany by way of his native Turkey, stopped Mathias Reinhardt in the opening round on the Vitali Klitschko versus Shannon Briggs World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight World Championship card in 2010 at O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany.

In 2011, Altunkaya won a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Salvatore Aiello (29-0) for the Interim World Boxing Federation (WBF) World cruiserweight title. The talented Turk added the vacant Global Boxing Council (GBC) Intercontinental cruiserweight crown to his collection in 2016, The only loss of his pro career was last year to former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Cruiserweight World champion Krzysztof Glowacki (26-1).

“I’m thankful for the chance to fight Beibut Shumenov,” Altunkaya said. “He’s a great fighter, but I will give him my best. We have optimum time to be fully prepared for the fight. It’s going to be a good fight. I’m coming to Kazakhstan to win!”

Other fighters to be in action include four undefeated Kazakh prospects in separate bouts: middleweight Aidos Yerbossynuly (7-0, 6 KOs), super welterweight Bobirzhan Mominov (6-0, 5 KOs) and middleweight Ibragim Iskandarov (2-0, 2 KOs), and pro-debuting Mirzhan Rahimzhanov, who was Shumenov’s teammate on the 2004 Kazakhstan Olympic Boxing Team.

Opponents and other fights will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

INFORMATION:
www.BeibutShumenov.com
Twitter @Beibut_Shumenov
Instagram @BeibutShumenov
Facebook – BeibutShumenov/fanpage.