The final batch of tickets for the World Heavyweight title unification blockbuster between Anthony Joshua MBE and Joseph Parker at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on March 31 will go on sale at midday on Monday February 26.

Joshua and Parker clash for the WBA Super, IBF, IBO and WBO belts at the Welsh national stadium and fight fans have already snapped up over 70,000 for the event, which also features Ryan Burnett defending his WBA World Bantamweight title against Yonfrez Parejo, Alexander Povetkin putting his WBA Inter-Continental and WBO International titles against Liverpool favourite David Price, Joe Cordina fighting for his first pro title against Andy Townend with the WBA International Lightweight title and more undercard action to be announced soon.

Tickets will go on sale at midday on Monday February 26 through official ticketing partner StubHub priced at £40, £60, £80, £300 and £600 from www.stubhub.co.uk

Limited tickets remain on sale for the event priced at £300 and £600 from www.stubhub.co.uk

Coach packages are on sale via www.seetickets.com with various pick up/drop off locations available throughout the UK.

For accessibility and wheelchair tickets – please contact the Principality Stadium via 02920 822432.

Official hospitality packages are available to purchase directly from Principality Stadium Experience. Both private suite and premium lounge packages are available to purchase, with prices starting from £450 per person + VAT. For further information please call the team on 02920 822 413.

Official Hospitality packages are also available via Sportsworld via www.sportsworld.co.uk or by calling 0208 9712966

Authorities are strongly advising fans to allow plenty of time to get into both Cardiff and Principality Stadium and to plan their travel before purchasing a ticket. Details can be found via the Information tab at: http://www.principalitystadium.wales/events/v/joshua-v-parker-2018-03-31

Philadelphia, Penn./ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2018) – Rising featherweight talent Ruben Villa (9-0, 4 KOs) of Salinas, Calif. faced some fight week uncertainty after his initial opponent, Ruben Tamayo, fell in and was replaced by Juan Sandoval (7-20-1, 4 KOs) of San Bernardino, Calif. late Wednesday.

The “Path to Glory” co-feature between Villa and Sandoval is set for 6-rounds and originates from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif. Tonight.

Villa, a former two-time Golden Gloves winner, gave his take on tonight’s last minute match up, his early dominance on the scorecards, and what its like sparring against heavier competition.

Your main sparring partners for this training camp were Joel Diaz, Jr. and Andy Vences. Both fight at a heavier weight class than you (135-140 lbs.). What kind of advantage will that give you on Friday night?

“It’s a tremendous advantage. My trainer, Max Garcia, wanted me to spar bigger, longer guys with respectable records. Both Joel and Andy have hit the 20-fight mark and are highly skilled. I went four-minute rounds with them to make sure I was prepared for Tamayo. They gave me excellent work.”

Is there anything specific that you dialed in on for this training camp?

“I’m trying to use more angles so I can attack in different ways. Also, trying to mix up my movements so I don’t telegraph what I’m trying to do.”

Your opponent, Juan Sandoval, was added at the last minute. How does this affect your preparation?

“It’s boxing. This type of stuff happens all the time especially when you’re first starting out. I’m not too worried. I put in an excellent training camp and I’m prepared for everything.”

Of your five wins that have resulted in unanimous decision victories, you’ve managed to win every round on every scorecard. Did you expect that kind of dominance early on?

“Staying in the gym pays dividends, but at the same time you should see that type of dominance in a prospect. The ability to impose your will boosts your confidence. I see every round of every fight going my way. It’s not arrogance, it’s confidence and you need that belief otherwise you’re in trouble.”

Villa is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents: Path to Glory via our 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 Steve Kim 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

https://www.facebook.com/WBSuperSeries/videos/1052853868185804/?t=73

RENO, NV (February 15, 2018) – San Antonio’s undefeated super-featherweight prospect, Ignacio Holguin Jr. (5-0-1, 5 KOs), takes a major step up in competition when he faces Robson Conceicao (5-0, 4 KOs), who captured Gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Holguin, who’s trained by Rick Nunez, took the fight on short notice, and has made weight for their scheduled 6-round bout that will take place at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, NV, on the Ray Beltran vs. Paulus Moses card, promoted by Top Rank.

“This is a big fight for me and I’m ready to shock the world and give Conceicao his first loss.” said Ignacio Holguin Jr., who arrived in Reno, NV this morning. “We finalized the fight last night, and I’m ready to go. I took this fight on short notice because I believe in myself, and my ability to come out victorious. I’m in great shape and ready to bring the heat.”

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 15, 2018) – Two-division world champion Danny Garcia and former world champion Brandon Rios faced off Thursday at the final press conference for their WBC Welterweight World Title Eliminator this Saturday, February 17live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Garcia, who returns for his first bout since a unification showdown with Keith Thurman, promised to put on a show, while a confident Rios assured he was 100 percent prepared for what he deemed a “make or break” fight.

Saturday’s co-main event stole the show Thursday as undefeated WBC Super Middleweight World Champion David Benavidez promised to send top-rated contender Ronald Gavril into retirement in their anticipated rematch of a thrilling 2017 split-decision. Gavril, who floored Benavidez in the final minute of their Fight of the Year nominee, promised a different outcome in Saturday’s rematch.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGtelecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with welterweight contenders Yordenis Ugas and Ray Robinson facing offin an IBF 147-pound title eliminator.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at AXS.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say from Rhythm & Riffs Lounge in Las Vegas:

DANNY GARCIA
“I took a little under a year off just to enjoy my life. I’ve worked hard my whole life; I’ve been boxing for 20 years. I just wanted to be a regular person and let my mind rest, spend time with my daughter and enjoy some of my money.

“More than anything, I just felt like I needed the rest. It wasn’t about the hunger because I’ve always had passion for the sport. I love boxing. I love the competition.

“I’m back now and I’ve been in camp for three months. I’m training hard. I feel great and I feel confident.

“It was a close fight against Thurman. I walked out of there with no injuries. Thurman was the one with the elbow injury, so he took more punishment than me. I could easily be unified champion of the world right now. At the end of the day, I’m a champion. That’s my mindset. What doesn’t break me, makes me stronger.

“It feels great to be from Philly right now. The atmosphere is crazy. When the Eagles won the Super Bowl, it felt like I won. They motivated me to go out there and do what I have to do.

“It’s the Danny Garcia show so I’m going to go in there and do what I want to do. I’m going to dictate the pace. If we want to bang, we can bang. If we want to box, we can box.

“I’ve faced fighters that came straight at me before. I’ve faced fighters that moved. I’m prepared for whatever. I’m a young veteran in the sport and what made me a true champion is adapting to anything and overcoming adversity. If I have to overcome adversity on Saturday night, then I’m going to do that because that’s what I was built for.

“I need to get a victory on Saturday night. I can’t overlook anybody. I’ve seen some crazy things happen in boxing. One punch can change everything, so I’m just focused on Saturday night.”

BRANDON RIOS
“I’m ready 100 percent. I’m ready to give the fans an exciting show and that’s what I’ve prepared for. That’s my style. I always come forward and I come to fight. We ain’t dancing, we’re going to be fighting.

“Robert Garcia has always been my brother. He’s a brother from another mother. It felt great to be back with Robert Garcia and I’m just ready for the fight now. Him and Donald Leary have me confident in myself, and that’s the most important thing.

“I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity. This can make or break me. I’m doing everything right in training and dieting. I usually say I can’t wait until weigh-ins but this time I can’t wait until Saturday.

“There’s no weight issue at all. I’m perfectly on-weight right now. I’m perfectly fine health-wise, there’s no injuries. I’m 100 percent ready.”

DAVID BENAVIDEZ
“I’m going to put Gavril into retirement after this fight. I’m going to knock him out. This is going to be the fight of the night so you guys don’t want to miss it. He’s not going to want to box again after I get done with him.

“He dropped me but I wasn’t hurt at any point of that fight. I got back up and smiled. I did not feel his power at all.

“It wasn’t a tough decision to give him a rematch because it was a great fight. I just want to give the fans the fights they want to see. They said the first one was a war, let’s make this one a war too.

“I’m not offended by Gavril’s talk because he’s a good fighter. This is just more hype for the fight and more motivation for me to go in there and make it a war.

“This time, there’s going to be a little bit more boxing. I really want to put this guy away so in order to do that, I need to step up every part of my game.”

RONALD GAVRIL
“In the first fight, I proved to everybody that I have the skill and the power to be the best in this division. I thought that I won the fight, especially with the knockdown. So now, I had more than eight weeks to prepare for this fight when I only had four weeks for the first fight. I’m better now.

“I was not surprised Benavidez gave me the rematch because it was such a good fight. I think Benavidez talks to much. He said before the first fight that he was coming to stop me in four rounds or five rounds. He cannot stop me. And now, he said the same thing before this fight. He can’t do that. Why do you think he got a new fitness coach?”

YORDENIS UGAS
“Moving up from 140 to 147 in 2016 has been great for me. Putting on the extra weight only makes me stronger.

“I’m ready to fight Robinson. I feel 100 percent and after I fight him on Saturday, I’m looking forward to fighting (Errol) Spence if I’m successful.

“I’m going to jump on the fact that I have length and reach on him. I have the height advantage. I can find a way to come in and attack the body first.

“This is definitely the biggest fight of my career. It’s an eliminator so I’m going for the win on Saturday night.”

RAY ROBINSON
“At one point, I used to put a lot of pressure on myself because of my name. I put so much pressure on myself that I even think I lost a couple fights. I look up to Sugar Ray Robinson, but I’m here to put my own footprints in the sand.

“I have learned from every fight and gotten better every fight as a pro and as a person. I have a great team now and they have only added to my craft.

“I feel confident. I did all of the hard work in the gym with my team. This is the easy part. I can box with a blindfold on. That’s the one thing I know how to do – fight. On Saturday, all of my hard work is going to pay off.”

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, and @MandalayBay or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShoBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Premier Boxing Champions is presented by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 15, 2018): NABF and NABO Featherweight Champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (25-0, 13 KOs) and former world champion Victor “Vikingo” Terrazas (38-4-2, 21 KOs) hosted a media workout today at Azteca Boxing Club ahead of their 10-round main event fight on the Feb. 22 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.

Also participating in the workout was Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (18-1, 15 KOs) who will kick off the ESPN3 coverage facing Laguna, Philippines’s Rey “Flash” Perez (21-9, 6 KOs). Manny “Chato” Robles III (14-0, 6 KOs), who is trained by his world-renowned father, Manny Robles, Jr., will participate in an eight-round featherweight affair facing Tucson, AZ’s Martin Cardona (24-10, 16 KOs). Power punching prospect Edgar “Kid Neza” Valerio (12-0, 7 KOs) of Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl by way of South Central, Los Angeles, Calif. will participate in an eight-round battle against Victor Proa (28-5-2, 21 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico in the 126-pound division. San Diego’s Genaro “El Conde” Gamez (6-0, 4 KOs) will participate in an eight-round lightweight fight, and Hector “El Finito” Tanajara, Jr. (11-0, 4 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas will open up the card in a scheduled eight-round super featherweight fight.

Here’s what today’s participants had to say at the media workout:

JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ, JR., NABF & NABO Featherweight Champion:

“I’m going to showcase my power, speed, experience and ring intelligence. I know [Victor] Terrazas is a former world champion, but my skill is the best at 126 pounds. I’m excited to headline this fight because I’ll be kicking off the year for Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN. I’m going to take advantage of this and put all the champions at featherweight on notice. Hopefully after this fight, I’ll finally get that world title shot.”

VICTOR “VIKINGO” TERRAZAS, Former World Champion:

“I’m still in my prime. I feel I still have a lot to give. This is an important fight not just for me, but for Joseph Diaz as well. I’ve been training hard in Mexico with my coach, Alejandro “La Cobrita” Gonzalez, and I’ve been having really good sparring as well. I have a lot of experience dealing with world-class fighters and quick southpaws, so it will be a battle of youth vs. experience on February 22.”

CHRISTIAN “CHIMPA” GONZALEZ, Lightweight Prospect:

“I’m going to be in a tough fight. I’m looking forward to the challenge because he’s [Rey Perez] experienced. They call him ‘Flash’ for a reason because he’s really quick, so we’re expecting nothing easy on Feb 22. If everything comes out well, I’ll be looking forward to 10-round fights on ESPN cards.”

MANNY “CHATO” ROBLES, III, Featherweight Prospect:

“I’ve been working on sitting on my punches and working on the inside. In this camp, I’ve been working with former fighter Rudy Hernandez and getting great sparring as well. Fans can expect to see a different Manny Robles next Thursday. I’ll be more aggressive and I’ll be more affective on the inside. If I see the opportunity, I’ll get the knockout.”

EDGAR “KID NEZA” VALERIO, Featherweight Prospect:

“Would I be a ‘Guru’ if I told you that I’d start the year off sensationally? I’m not fighting the toughest opponent of my career, HE is. At the end of the day, we’re all in the hurt business.”

HECTOR “EL FINITO” TANAJARA, JR., Super Featherweight Prospect:

“I’ve been working really hard since my last fight. No matter who I fight, I’ll be ready to knock him out. It’s been great training with Robert Garcia. There are a lot of world champions in our training camp, and I learn a lot every day. I expect to be busy this year in exciting fights and fighting more rounds.”

GENARO “EL CONDE” GAMEZ, Lightweight Prospect:

“Training camp has gone really well, and I’m really focused for this fight. I know my opponent has had tough fights and that he’s a warrior. This year I hope to demonstrate to all who Genaro ‘El Conde’ Gamez is. The lightweight division is very tough, and every fight features with quick punchers. Don’t go on a bathroom break during the fight because you might miss the knockout!”

Diaz, Jr. vs. Terrazas is a 10-round fight for the NABF and NABO Featherweight Titles 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, Feb. 22, 2018 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Doors to the Special Events Center open and the first televised bout begin at 5:00 p.m. PT. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT, and stream live on ESPN3 starting at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

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

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com andhttp://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.

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

EL PASO, TX. (February 15, 2018) – Former world champions Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander went face to face Thursday two days before they enter the ring for their Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes main event showdown this Saturday, February 17 from Don Haskins Center on the UTEP campus in El Paso, Texas.

Also in attendance at Thursday’s press conference were undefeated contender Caleb “Sweethands” Plant and Rogelio “Porky” Medina, who battle in a super middleweight world title eliminator. Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and also features 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas battling Jorge Rojas.

IBF Female Featherweight World Champion Jennifer Han was also at Thursday’s press conference in her hometown, as she prepares to take on top contender Lizbeth Crespo in a world title defense.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from Don Haskins Center

VICTOR ORTIZ

“We’re ready to go once again. I’m here for what’s mine, and that’s a victory. Alexander is a nice fighter and I’m sure it’ll be a war.

“The victory is the only thing on my mind. I’m here to defeat Devon Alexander. I just need to trust my training and I know it’ll give the result I want.

“I’m definitely looking for the knockout. I want to put on a great performance for these fans. They’ve supported me throughout this promotion and I owe them something memorable.

“Devon and I have known each other for a long time, but that all goes out the window on fight night. It’s going to be a brawl. We’re going to do what we have to do to get this win and move on to the next step of my career.”

DEVON ALEXANDER

“No one wants to hear me say what I’m going to do. People want to see me beat Victor Ortiz. Nothing else matters. I’m prepared to come in and win this fight. I’m going to win and get back to the top.

“I’m so blessed to be in this position. I’ve had ups and downs in my life and career, but it’s all been leading to this moment and this part of my career. I’ve got something special coming for the fans.

“I’m really excited to be fighting in El Paso. This is clearly a fight town and I can’t wait to give them a great show on Saturday.

“This fight is so important to me. I know how important it is to Victor too. We both need these wins to get to where we want to be in the future. Only one of us can move on, and It’s going to be me.”

CALEB PLANT

“This has been the best camp of my life. Everyone always says that, but this has truly been the best one I’ve ever had. I have a great team that I’m very lucky to have.

“It’ll come down to who has the will to win. There’s a stigma that people on the ‘A side’ haven’t been through trials and tribulations. But I’ve been through more than anyone can imagine.

“I’m not playing around. This is no joke to me. This is all I’ve ever had. When I was a kid with no heat and the lights were off, boxing was all I had. Saturday night I’m getting my hand raised and I’ll be one step closer to a world title.

“Saturday night is going to be fireworks. There’s no secrets what’s going to happen when I fight ‘Porky’ Medina. He’s coming to break me down, and I’m coming to box.”

ROGELIO MEDINA

“I am honored to be a part of this card and compete in a big fight like this in a fight city like El Paso. I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans.

“I’m determined to get this win. Caleb Plant is a good fighter, but he’s never fought anyone as tough as me. I don’t think he’s going to be ready for my pressure.

“I’m always going to come forward and look for the knockout. That’s what we train for and that’s the only thing on my mind. I have to go right through Caleb Plant to earn another world title shot.”

JENNIFER HAN

“I want to thank El Paso for always being there to support me. I couldn’t do what I do without all the fans.

“I’m truly blessed to have the help and support of me team. We work hard together and we win together.

“I’m thankful to Lizbeth Crespo for coming to El Paso. I’ve had problems in the past getting opponents here who are ready. She looks ready to go and we’re going to put on a great show.

“This is such a talented card full of world class fighters. If the fans show up, we’re going to keep having big events like this in El Paso.”

LIZBETH CRESPO

“I am thrilled to be here. It’s an honor to be fighting Jennifer Han. She’s the queen of El Paso and I’m excited to fight her in her backyard.

“I’m focus and determined to win this fight. I’ve had a wonderful training camp and I’m looking forward to taking home the victory for Argentina.”

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Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FOX or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.tgbpromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @FOXTV, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.PBC on FOX & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

On Saturday, March 17, the “Argentinean Lomachenko,” two-time Olympian Alberto “Impacto” Melian, will challenge for his first professional title in only his second professional fight.

Fighting in his hometown of Villa Dolores, Cordoba, Argentina, Melian (1-0, 1 KO) will take on Argentine Super Bantamweight Champion Javier Aristule (32-8, 16 KOs) over 10 rounds.

The event, presented by Sampson Boxing in partnership with Tello Box and JEB Boxing, and entitled “Night of the Olympians,” will also feature promising former Olympian Alberto “Beto” Palmetta (6-1, 2 KOs) and will be televised live on TyC Sports and VTV Uruguay (available in HD) for all of Latin America, The United States and the Caribbean.

Considered by several experts as the best Argentine amateur boxer of the last decade, Melian represented Argentina in numerous international tournaments, including his double Olympic participation, at the Olympic Games in London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

After knocking out the former world title contender Diego Ricardo Santillan in the fifth round in his debut (who entered the ring at 23-2), Melian received the challenge of Aristule, who was present at ringside. Melian accepted the challenge, but asked Aristule to put his national title on the line.

Among Melian’s outstanding amateur victories were wins over Cuban Olympic champion Robeisy Ramirez and Frenchman Khedafi Djelkhir, Olympic silver medalist in Beijing 2008 and APB Series World champion. In 2014, he was awarded the “Firpo de Oro” as the best boxer in the country, amateur or professional, by the Boxing´s Journalist Union of Argentina (UPERBOX).

Palmetta, former captain of the Argentinean Olympic team that participated in the Olympic Games of Rio de Janeiro 2016, will return to the ring after suffered his first defeat as a professional in a fight that had dominated on the cards against Gonzalo Coria.
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

https://www.facebook.com/BestInBoxing/videos/2143477725884909/

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (Feb. 15, 2018) – Laila Ali will become the first child of a Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame inductee to be enshrined when she is inducted into the NVBHOF on Saturday, August 18 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Tickets to the induction gala, priced from $95 to $500, go on sale at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT today and can be purchased at www.nvbhof.com (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nevada-boxing-hall-of-fame-6th-annual-induction-dinner-tickets-43144441185) Caesars Palace is once again offering a discounted room rate for the event. Rooms can be reserved now via this link: Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

Ali, the daughter of legendary former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, headlines an elite 14-member class.

“I am so excited about our latest class, because we not only do we get to honor some of the greatest boxers ever, but also because of the historic connection between Muhammad Ali and his daughter, Laila,” said Michelle Corrales-Lewis, the CEO of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. “Just like her father, who was known as ‘The Greatest,’ Laila was believed by many to be the best female boxer during her career.

“It’s also exciting for us to induct Sen. Harry Reid. Sen. Reid was a boxer himself, and loved the sport and used his influence over the years to help boxing and boxers in his beloved State of Nevada. We can’t wait for our fans to be able to see these great people receive recognition for their amazing careers.”

Of the 14-member class, nine are being elected as boxers and five as non-participants. The living inductees are Laila Ali, Chris Byrd, Todd duBoef, Kevin Kelley, Don Minor, Shane Mosley, Sen. Harry Reid, Jerry Roth and Earnie Shavers.

Alexis Arguello, Henry Armstrong, Jack “Doc” Kearns, Bill Miller and Aaron Pryor will be inducted posthumously.

Here are brief career highlights of the 14 members of the Class of 2018:

· LAILA ALI – Born Dec. 30, 1977 … Was 24-0 with 21 knockouts in career that went from 1999 to 2007. … Her father, Muhammad Ali, is one of the greatest boxers who ever lived and is a member of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015. … At various points in her career, Ali held the IBA, WIBA, IWBF and WBC super middleweight title as well as the IWBF light heavyweight championship. … She became the first woman, along with Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, to headline a boxing pay-per-view when they met in Verona, N.Y., on June 8, 2001. … She fought twice in Nevada, both times in Las Vegas. She stopped Suzy Taylor in the second round on Aug. 17, 2002, and stopped Valerie Mahfood in the eighth on Nov. 8, 2002. … Her husband, Curtis Conway, had an 11-year NFL career with four teams.

· ALEXIS ARGUELLO – Born April 19, 1952. Died July 1, 2009. … Arguello was 82-8 with 65 KOs. … Held world championship at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight. … Lost two bids for a super lightweight title to Aaron Pryor, both of which are among the greatest bouts of the 20th century. … He was named the No. 1 super featherweight of the 20th century by The Associated Press. … Was 20th in a Ring Magazine story on the 100 greatest punchers of all-time. … Made his debut in 1968 and retired for good in 1995. … Arguello was 6-2 in fights in Nevada. … Scored notable wins over Ruben Olivares, Bobby Chacon, Cornelius Boza-Edwards, Jose Luis Ramirez, Jim Watt and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.

· HENRY ARMSTRONG – Was born Henry Jackson Jr. on Dec. 12, 1912. Died on Oct. 24, 1988. … Was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. … Held the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight belts simultaneously in 1937 and 1938. … Compiled a record of 151-21-9 with 101 KOs. Widely regarded among the top five boxers who ever lived. … Was niced “Hammerin’ Hank’ and ‘Homicide Hank.’ … Was 27-0 with 26 KOs in 1937 alone. … The following year, he was 14-0 with 10 KOs.

· CHRIS BYRD – Born Aug. 15, 1970 … Was 41-5-1 with 22 KOs as a pro and won a version of the heavyweight title on two occasions. … Lost in the 1988 Olympic Trials at light welterweight to Todd Foster, but made the 1992 U.S. Olympic team. He won a silver medal as a middleweight in Barcelona. … Despite being a smaller heavyweight, fought most of the big names of his era, including Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, Evander Holyfield, Ike Ibeabuchi, David Tua, Alexander Povetkin, Fres Oquendo and Jameel McCline. … Posted a 5-2-1 record in world title bouts … Attended Flint, Mich., Northwestern High School, which also produced two-time boxing gold medalist Claressa Shields. … Was 1-1 in fights in Nevada … Retired in 2010 and has become a trainer.

· TODD duBOEF – Born Aug. 18, 1967 … duBoef is the president of Top Rank, a position he has held since 2005. Joined Top Rank in 1993. … Though Top Rank founder Bob Arum, a member of the inaugural Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2013, remains the public face of the promotion, duBoef runs the company on a day-to-day basis and has played a key role in bringing the company into the digital age. … Considers himself a boxing evangelist and points to large crowds and high television ratings for fights around the world as reasons for optimism. … Shepherded a multi-year deal with ESPN to not only get Top Rank regular shows on the powerful all-sports network, but also pre- and post-fight shows as well as regular coverage during the week on the network.

· JACK “DOC” KEARNS – Born Aug. 17, 1882. Died July 7, 1963. … Was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. … Kearns is best known as the long-time manager of heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey. With Dempsey, helped generate the first million-dollar gate in boxing history, when Dempsey fought Georges Carpentier on July 2, 1921. Kearns arranged for Dempsey to fight in Nevada numerous times… He is given credit for staging the first fight in Las Vegas, a card that had a main event between Archie Moore and Nino Valdes. … After Dempsey, Kearns managed other greats such as Moore, Mickey Walker and Joey Maxim.

· KEVIN KELLEY – Born June 29, 1967 … Nicknamed “The Flushing Flash,” Kelley finished his career with a 60-10-2 mark with 39 KOs. … Defeated Goyo Vargas in Reno on Dec. 4, 1993, to win the WBC featherweight title. … Known for his fast hands and explosive power, Kelley faced most of the top starts of his day. His most memorable bout was a Dec. 19, 1997, loss to Prince Naseem Hamed. Kelley and Hamed were down three times apiece before Hamed finished the fight late in the fourth. … Also fought Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Manuel Medina, Humberto Soto, Derrick Gainer, Luisito Espinoza, Bones Adams and Troy Dorsey. … Has done working as an expert analyst on television since retiring.

· BILL MILLER – Miller was one of the top promoters in Las Vegas in the 1960s and 1970s. … He promoted a fight involving the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson at The Hacienda on The Strip on July 12, 1965, a bout Robinson lost to Ferd Hernandez. … Miller also promoted shows at The Castaways, but is best known for his weekly shows at The Silver Slipper. The fights began in 1968 and were held every Wednesday night. The series continued into the late 1970s. … Miller was known for promoting evenly matched fights which generated plenty of toe-to-toe slugfests. … He promoted numerous fights involving fellow 2018 Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Don Minor.

· DON MINOR – Boxing came of age in Las Vegas in the 1960s and Minor was among the more popular fighters on the local circuit of the era. … He was 19-2 with nine knockouts in a brief pro career that began in 1961 and ended in 1965 after a hand injury. … Minor fought of all his fights in Nevada, with 18 in Las Vegas and three in Reno. … His biggest win was a victory over previously unbeaten Ernie Lopez for the North American welterweight title in 1964.

· SHANE MOSLEY – Born Sept. 7, 1971. … Compiled a 49-10-1 record with 41 knockouts. … Scored a pair of victories over long-time rival Oscar De La Hoya. … Held world titles at lightweight, welterweight and super welterweight. … Was a fan favorite because of his power and his fast hands. … Scored notable victories over De La Hoya twice, as well as Fernando Vargas twice, Luis Collazo, Ricardo Mayorga twice, Antonio Margarito and Phillip Holiday. … Suffered losses to Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Winky Wright, Vernon Forrest, Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez. … He was 15-7 with 12 KOs in world championship fights.

· AARON PRYOR – Born Oct. 20, 1955 and died Oct. 9, 2016. … A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Pryor was 204-16 as an amateur but lost a spot on the fabled 1976 U.S. Olympic boxing team when he was outpointed in the box-offs by Howard Davis Jr. … A powerful puncher with a great chin, Pryor was 39-1 with 35 KOs. His only career loss was by stoppage in 1987 to Bobby Joe Young. Only four of the 40 pro fights he was involved in went to the cards. … He is best known for his pair of victories over Alexis Arguello in 1982 and 1983. He stopped Arguello in the 14th round in Miami on Nov. 12, 1982 and then knocked out Arguello in the 10th in a heavily hyped rematch in the outdoor arena at Caesars Palace. … Won the WBA super lightweight title on Aug. 2, 1980, knocking out Antonio Cervantes in four. Pryor made eight defenses of it. He won the IBF super lightweight title by decisioning Nick Furlano on June 22, 1984 and made one defense.

· SEN. HARRY REID – Born Dec. 2, 1939 in Searchlight, NV … Reid is best known as a politician, and served Nevada as a U.S. Senator for 30 years. He was the Senate Majority Leader for eight years. Reid also served in the House of Representatives and was Lieutenant Governor of Nevada. … Reid loved boxing and boxed as an amateur while at Basic High School in Henderson. One of his teachers there, Mike O’Callaghan, served as his boxing coach. O’Callaghan later became Nevada governor with Reid as his lieutenant governor. … Reid played a key behind-the-scenes role in helping boxing promoters and regulars with fights in Nevada. … He was frequently seen at major fights in the state.

· JERRY ROTH – Born May 12, 1941 … Roth was one of boxing’s best judges in a 35-year career that began in 1990. … Among the major fights he judged were the heavyweight title fight between Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney; Oscar De La Hoya-Felix Trinidad; Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.-Meldrick Taylor I; all three Evander Holyfield-Riddick Bowe heavyweight title fights; Roy Jones-James Toney and Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales III. … Was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame and will be inducted in June. … Was regarded as one of the small handful of the best judges in the world for more than 20 years.

· EARNIE SHAVERS – Born Aug. 31, 1945 … Shavers was one of the most feared punchers in the heavyweight division and was renowned to be the hardest puncher in boxing during his career, which went from 1969 until 1995. … Shavers was 74-14-1 with 68 KOs. … Fought for the heavyweight title twice. Was outpointed by Muhammad Ali on Sept. 29, 1977 at Madison Square Garden. In 1979, he knocked Larry Holmes down in the seventh round of their title fight at Caesars Palace, but Holmes got up to stop Shavers in the 11th. … Ali nicknamed Shavers “The Acorn.” … His most notable win was a first-round KO of Ken Norton at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1979. … He also knocked out ex-champion Jimmy Ellis in 1973, also in one. … He scored 23 first-round knockouts in his career and ended 50 bouts in the first three.

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is an IRS 501 (c)3 charity and all donations are tax deductible. The Hall’s charitable contributions over the five years since its formation have helped boxers in need and boxing-related charities. Donations are welcome.

The Hall was founded in 2013 by noted boxing broadcaster Rich Marotta.

Tijuana, Mexico (Feb 15, 2018) – On Friday night, a fan friendly fight between two exciting Super Flyweights will take place. Dewayne “Easy” Beamon is looking to make some noise in the division by making a statement in this fight. The confident Beamon says he will knockout Angel “Diablito” Ramos. Angel is a tough hard hitting boxer who earned the name “Diablito” or “Little Devil” because he has a come forward style and one punch knockout power. He signed to a contract fight because he believes by beating Beamon, an up and coming fighter, he can get the attention from network TV. Beamon has his sites on fighting the champions of the flyweight division as the division has heated up in the past few years with HBO’s Super Flyweight triple-headers and the rise of former number one fighter Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.

“Our cards every fight night get better and better as more fighters want to fight on our cards, ” said Saul Rios CEO of Borizteca Boxing. Saul believes that by giving fighters exposure to a global audience with Best In Boxing he has increased his visibility within the sport of boxing. “I am contact on a regular basis with promoters to have their fighters fight on our cards and I believe it has something to do with the exposure I am able to give them.”

Also on the card hard hitting Armando Tovar, 19 year Mario “Guero” Ramirez and hot prospect Kevin Torres. “Kevin Torres is something special. The boxing world is going to know Kevin Torres when he is done with his career. He has all the skills to be a world champion and he has the looks and personality to become a super star in the sport.” Saul Rios has all the confidence in the world that his developmental series is going to produce world champion in a few years.

“Working with Saul Rios and Borizteca has been a real blessing as we develop our Best in Boxing series.” Armando Bareño founder of Best in Boxing series has expanded on the series by partnering Borizteca and Best in Boxing with Fight Hub TV. Fight Hub is the largest and most subscribed to digital platform for boxing in the world and second biggest in all of combat sports. Boxing fans and combat sport fans have truly found Fight Hub TV to be a great source of information on their favorite fighters and events. “I’m very happy in joining Global Sports Streaming and Borizteca Boxing in this venture. It’s the perfect opportunity to provide live fights that provide knockouts to our core subscribers and fight fans via our platform. We look forward to this event and others that will see Fight Hub TV move into broadcasting live fights and events in 2018.”

This Friday’s fights kickoff at 7 PM at the Salon Mezzanine in Tijuana, Mexico. Tickets are $10 general admission and $20 for VIP ringside tickets. “Where in the US can you get 13 fights for only $20? We are right over the board from San Diego in a beautiful venue with inexpensive tickets, food and drinks.” Saul Rios said. If you can’t make it to the fights in person the next best thing is watch it online. YouTube.com/FightHub kicks off the night with seven fights and passes off to BestInBoxing.com at 9 PM for five fights including the main event between Dewayne “Easy” Beamon vs Angel “Diablito” Ramos.

BESTINBOXING.COM PPV $2.99
9 PM PST
MAIN EVENT

DEWAYNE BEAMON 13-0 vs ANGEL RAMOS 22-1-1

ARMANDO TOVAR 8-1 vs JORGE VALENZUELA 6-1
MARIO “GUERO” RAMIREZ 9-1 vs JORGE LUIS BABUCA 5-24-2
KEVIN TORRES 6-0-1 vs CRISTOPHER GARCIA 0-1
ROBERTO MEZA 8-1 vs JAVIER MERAZ 6-10-1

FIGHT HUB TV ON YOUTUBE
YOUTUBE.COM/FIGHTHUB
7 PM PST

MAIN EVENT
SIMON TORRES vs GIOVANNI PONCE

BRANDON VALDEZ vs JONATHAN PEREZ
BRANDON CRUZ vs MARIO DIAZ
ALIMKHAN JUMAKHANOV vs SAUL GONZALEZ
DILAN MIRANDA vs CARLOS ESCOBEDO
OSVALDO HERNANDEZ vs MANUEL GUILLEN
YAHO GABRIEL BLACKWELL vs ESTEBAN SOSA
JORGE MUñOZ, JR vs GABRIEL VILLAR (Swing)

For More information on Borizteca Boxing:

www.boriztecaboxing.com or on Social Media:

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NEW YORK (Feb. 15, 2018) – The million-view mountaintop has been summitted by the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series, with sights set only higher for what is to come in 2018. The ten month-old, fan-friendly Facebook platform has already featured two outstanding fight cards in the first six weeks of the New Year – and up next: Feb. 23-24 back-to-back-to-back Friday and Saturday shows spanning from the casinos of New England to the Boardwalk of Atlantic City.

The interactive series that – among other aspects – prides itself on the real-time conversations held between fight commentators and the viewing audience recorded new high-marks with 5,033 in-show comments and 3,421 total hours viewed in Philadelphia last Saturday. The ultimate result of all of the show-by-show views, the series interactivity and the global reach of the Facebook platform throughout the U.S.A. and also to significant audiences in the U.K., Mexico and South America – FIGHTNIGHT LIVE surpassed a new milestone by reaching its 1,067,435th view in only its 12th show.

And Facebook itself has taken notice – the world’s No. 1 social network recently profiled FIGHTNIGHT LIVE on its “Success Stories” media blog, noting the series’ use of best practices for production and interactivity: https://www.facebook.com/facebookmedia/success-stories/fightnight

“THANK YOU, fight fans! We’re extremely proud that Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has provided free, action-packed events for more than a million fans in just over nine months, by posting a show-by-show average audience of nearly 90,000,” said Mark Fratto, Principal and Director of Business Development, Linacre Media. “But beyond the numbers, we’re really pleased with the way the shows have been presented, using multiple promoter-friendly production models. We’ve been able to showcase up-and-coming fighters to fight fans all over the world, and help them expand their bases. And we’ve been able to invite our viewers to be part of the action by fostering real-time interaction between our broadcasters and viewers on the fight activity, the decisions and the knockouts; it’s the next-best thing to having a ringside seat.”

Over the first nine-plus months of programming, the numbers on the 12-show FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series have showed promise and potential for the new platform with an average of close to 90,000 fight fans tuning in per event and more than one-million fans served.

The Sept. 9 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” from Resorts World Casino (225,000), the August CES “Super Saturday” from Foxwoods (203,000), the Sept. CES “Twin River Twinbill” from Lincoln, R.I. (157,000) all topped 150,000 views, and collectively the 12-show series saw a total of more than 21,000 total hours of Facebook video consumed by 1,067,435-plus users across all devices.

In addition to the raw viewership numbers, the fully-interactive, fan-friendly productions have seen more than 142,000 collective live post engagements (nearly 12,000 per show), including almost 97,000 “likes” or “loves,” more than 22,000 comments and almost 6,000 shares.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE broadcasts are viewed by 76 percent men, 24 percent women. The top demographic is comprised of males ages 25-34, which encompasses approximately 30.0 percent of the audience, on average.

The Sept. 9 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” set a new bar with 224,658 views and the Sept. 15-16 DiBella-CES doubleheader carried the series to three-quarters-of-a-million views in just over four months. The Feb. 10 Hard-Hitting Promotions “Philly Fight Night” show stands out individually with 3,421 live hours of content viewed, while the Sept. 15 DiBella card saw more than 40,000 viewer interactions including almost 39,000 “likes” or “loves.”

The FIGHTNIGHT LIVE page on Facebook has more than 80,000 fans and more than 82,000 followers.

Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has been delivered to fans absolutely free since its May 2017 launch courtesy of series corporate partners like Elite Heat Water, Montauk Iced Tea (montaukbev.com), Mr. Custom Made (mrcustommade.com) and BallWash (ballwash.com).

Many FIGHTNIGHT LIVE cards are called by world-renowned blow-by-blow announcer Ray Flores of Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime Boxing, HBO Boxing and CBS Sports Networks. Often joining Flores ringside are analysts like Michael Woods of the TalkBox Podcast, NYFights.com and Ring TV. Marc Abrams of AWE, NBC Sports Philadelphia, 15Rounds.com and AbramsBoxing.com and Xavier Porter of BrooklynFights.com and Notorious Boxing are frequent contributors while pro fighters like former IBF and WBA World Champion Paulie Malignaggi and Top Ten world-ranked light heavyweight Mike Lee have provided expert analysis from the broadcast booth. Locally-based ringside reporters with significant social media followings are often employed for weigh-in day “behind the scenes” taped interviews and post-fight reports.

Created and produced by Linacre Media out of New York City, the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series features professional announcers, multiple camera angles, television graphics, replays and behind-the-scenes access and interviews. The streamed shows are available globally wherever Facebook is available. The initiative not only enables fans from around the world to tune in, but also gives up-and-coming fighters a global platform to showcase their abilities, gives promoters an accessible “broadcast” solution and gives sponsors the ability to reach a mass audience via branded content.

More FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Winter/Spring 2018 dates will be officially announced in the coming weeks.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online at: https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/

Follow all the action via social media at FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Facebook, @FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Instagram and @FIGHTNIGHTLIVE_ on Twitter, or by using the hashtag #FIGHTNIGHTLIVE. For the latest Linacre Media events and broadcast schedule, follow @LinacreMedia across all social platforms or use the tags #LinacreMediaEvents or #LinacreMediaOnTV.

Callum Smith believes he will face George Groves in the final for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.

“Groves-Eubank is a good fight, a very good one. The winner will become an even bigger name after the weekend,” said Smith.

Smith is fully focused on his semi-final against Germany’s Juergen Braehmer next weekend at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung in Nuremberg.

But he is keeping an eye on Saturday’s event in Manchester.

“I have been following the build-up a bit and I will watch the fight at home. One of them will be my opponent in the final and as a boxing fan, it’s a good fight. I am fully concentrated on my own fight, but I will watch this one on the telly.“

“They both have strength and weaknesses at different points. Groves has got the jab, the boxing brain and the size on his side. I think his weakness is his stamina issues whereas Eubank’s strength is his stamina. Eubanks weakness might be his boxing ability at distance, where I feel Groves is the better man.”

“If would have to pick, I will pick Groves on points. I believe he will win the early rounds, a few rocky moments later on, but in the end, he will win on points,” said Smith before talking about his upcoming challenge:

“I am very confident that I will beat Juergen Braehmer next Saturday in Nuremberg. And I am confident that I will beat the winner of this weekend’s semi-final. I entered this tournament to win it.”

Tickets for the Ali Trophy semi-final Smith vs. Braehmer at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung, Germany on February 24 are available via eventim.de.

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 15, 2018): Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (13-0, 12 KOs), the 2017 consensus prospect of the year out of Victorville, Calif., will put his Junior NABF Super Featherweight Title on the line in his first headlining bout on the March 22 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. Garcia, a rising phenomenon of modern boxing, will also fight for the vacant NABA USA Super Featherweight Title as he faces the tough Mexican pugilist Fernando Vargas (32-15-3, 24 KOs) in this ten-round affair. ESPN and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT, and stream live on ESPN3 starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Garcia has star potential written all over him. The 19-year-old won multiple national championships as an amateur before turning professional in 2016 at the age of 17. After several fights in Mexico and in the United States, Garcia signed with Golden Boy Promotions to finish off the year. Since then, he has won every fight by knockout, including a highlight-reel knockout of Miguel Carrizoza to win the Junior NABF Super Featherweight Title on the Sept. 15 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN. Garcia is eager to defend his title for the second time in his headlining debut.

“I’m excited to fight on ESPN in my first main event fight,” said Garcia. “I look forward to showing the fans a great fight as I continue to build the “Kingry” Army. This is a big responsibility, and I appreciate the trust and confidence Golden Boy Promotions has in me. This March 22, I will not disappoint!”

“I have said from the minute we signed him that Ryan Garcia has the potential to be the next megastar in the sport of boxing,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Ryan is charismatic, has an incredible amateur pedigree and has one-punch knockout power. He is the real deal.”

Vargas is an aggressive brawler from Tijuana, Mexico. Vargas has fought the likes of Horacio “El Violento” Garcia, current world champion Jamie McDonnell, and has a victory against former world titlist Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr. The 29-year-old will look to derail Garcia’s rise with an upset victory.

“We are ready to take on this big challenge,” said Vargas. “We know that Ryan [Garcia] is a good fighter and that he is following in the footsteps of Oscar De La Hoya. We know that the fight is tough, but winning it is not impossible. We will come well prepared and ready for the upset.”

In the televised co-main event, two tough contenders will battle it out for a chance to rise in the 147-pound rankings. KeAndre “The Truth” Gibson (18-1-1, 7 KOs) St. Louis, Mo. will face Eddie “EBoy” Gomez (20-3, 11 KOs) of the Bronx, N.Y. in a 10-round fight. Both are coming off a tough challenge in a common opponent, Alejandro “El Elegido” Barrera on previous editions of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN.

Joet Gonzalez (18-0, 10 KOs), the Glendora, Calif. native who developed into a legitimate contender in 2017, will battle Rolando Magbanua (26-6, 18 KOs) of Cotabato, Phillipines in a scheduled 10-round fight in the 126-pound division. Gonzalez, who was a decorated amateur before turning professional, is coming of a third-round knockout victory against the experienced Isao Carranza, where he utterly destroyed the Mexico native.

East Los Angeles, Calif.’s Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro (12-0, 6 KOs) will take on Cesar Valenzuela (7-2, 2 KOs) of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in an eight-round 140-pound fight. Raul “El Cugar” Curiel (2-0, 1 KO), the welterweight prospect who participated in the 2016 Olympic Games representing Mexico, will return in the six-round swing fight against Quantavious Green (1-1, 1 KO) of Shreveport, La.

Emilio Sanchez (16-0, 11 KOs) of Pacoima, Calif. will return in an eight-round super bantamweight fight against a soon-to-be-announced opponent in the first bout of the evening. Sanchez is an explosive puncher who is inching closer toward a regional title.

Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, Feb. 16 at 10:00 a.m. PT 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.

Media interested in attending Golden Boy Boxing: Garcia vs. Vargas must request credentials by emailing clavoie@fantasysprings.net by 5:00 p.m. PT on Friday, March 13.

Garcia vs. Vargas is a 10-round fight for the Junior NABF and vacant NABA USA Super Featherweight Titles 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, March 22, 2018 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. ESPN and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT, and stream live on ESPN3 starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

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.

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

(Shirley, New York) – Boxing is full of big talkers. LeShawn “Lightning” Rodriguez (8-0, 7 KOs) isn’t one of them. The 24-year-old undefeated middleweight prefers to deliver his big statements in the boxing ring and relishes the opportunity to entertain his fans at every bout.

“Of course, I want to be an entertainer,” says the hard-hitting Rodriguez. “When I go see boxing, I want to see a show. When I go into the ring, I put on the best show I can.”

Rodriguez gets his next chance to entertain in his return to The Theater at Madison Square Garden on the non-televised undercard of Sergey Kovalev vs. Igor Mikhalkin and Dmitry Bivol vs. Sullivan Barrera on Saturday, March 3. Rodriguez hopes to extend his knockout streak to seven in a row against opponent Martez Jackson (4-1-2, 2 KOs) of Valdosta, Georgia.

Rodriguez says he gets energy and motivation from his growing fan base, who’ve picked up on the buzz about him and like what they see. “The new fans, I’m getting a lot of support from them and congratulations on social media. ‘Great KO power’ and ‘You’re going to be a superstar.’ When people come to support me, I put on an even better show so they’ll come back again and watch again,” said Rodriguez.

As a result, Rodriguez can be his toughest critic when assessing his efforts. Although his last bout ended in a third round TKO, he gave himself no more than a “B-plus … I could have done it a little sooner. I took my time … It’s true, I’m my biggest critic, honestly. I always want to be better than the last time. I work harder and I push myself. It’s a benefit, I think,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez channels his competitive drive into everything he does outside the boxing ring as well as inside. He still shows up at his local fitness center and plays basketball, showing no mercy to his friends or any new players unfamiliar with the knockout artist who’s coming down the floor at them.

If your competitive tastes run to video games like the popular “Call of Duty,” you better watch out for online player “PeakKnight123.” Yes, it’s Rodriguez, a big gamer who plays Xbox One games to relax. “Of course, I’m competitive in everything!” admits Rodriguez.

Rodriguez knows his next opponent, Martez Jackson, scored draws with two previously undefeated fighters, and he doesn’t want to make it three. “I’m going to take that into consideration, and do my best.”

Rodriguez says he hopes to be 13 or 14 and 0 by the end of 2018, with a title shot opportunity in 2019, all with an eye toward his knockout percentage.

Rodriguez has a final word for his fans: “Come out, watch the future of boxing. Get in on the ground floor. I’m going to keep my knockout streak going for you!”

About March 3: The Saturday, March 3 main event between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin is a 12-round match-up for the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-main event features WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol versus Sullivan Barrera in a 12-round title fight. Tickets range from $50 to $300 and are available at TicketMaster.com and the Madison Square Garden box office. The event is promoted by Main Events, Krusher Promotions and World of Boxing in association with EC Box Promotions and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

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Bethlehem, PA (February 15, 2018) – This past Tuesday night, junior welterweight Mykal Fox took an eight-round unanimous decision over tough Ricardo Garcia in the main event of an eight-bout card at the
Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The card was promoted by King’s Promotions.

Fox of Forestville, Maryland remained undefeated by using his long reach, as he used his jab and nice left hands. Garcia landed haymaker shots from time to time, but over the second half of the fight, Fox made the proper adjustments and timed Garcia lunging in. The damage inflicted by Fox was evident as Garcia’s left eye began to swell midway through the fight. In round seven, with his eye nearly shut, Garcia ate a right hook that put him on the canvas.

Fox, 141.8 lbs of Forestville, Maryland took the decision by scores of 78-73 twice and 77-74 to further his perfect mark to 16-0. Garcia, 142.1 lbs of Dominican Republic dropped his 2nd straight fight, and is now 14-2.

Former two-time world welterweight champion Kermit Cintron and Marquis Taylor fought to a no-contest after an accidental headbutt caused a bad cut on the right eyelid of Cintron.

The end came at 35 seconds of round three of the scheduled eight-round super welterweight bout.

Cintron, 153.7 lbs of Reading, PA is 39-6-3. Taylor, 153.8 lbs of Houston, TX is 8-1.

Colby Madison fought through a cut on the bridge of his nose to win a six-round unanimous decision over Dante Selby in a heavyweight bout.

Madison, 247 lbs of Owings Mills, MD won by scores of 60-54 & 59-55 twice to remain undefeated at 6-0-1. Selby, 230 lbs of Philadelphia is 2-4-1.

Blake Mansfield stopped Darryl Bunting in round five of their scheduled six-round middleweight bout.

The bout was entertaining as the two landed good shots on each other. Bunting was cut over his right eye from a punch in round two. Mansfield was deducted a point in round four as his mouthpiece came out several times.

Mansfield ended the fight in round five when he landed a hard combination that had Bunting in trouble on the ropes. Several hard an unanswered punches later, the fight was stopped at 36 seconds.

Mansfield, 162.4 lbs of Burington, NC is 6-1-1 with four knockouts. Bunting, 163 lbs of Asbury Park, NJ is 3-3-2.

Michael Coffie won a four-round unanimous decision over tough Nicoy Clarke in a heavyweight bout.

Coffie, 269 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won all cards 40-36, and is now 2-0. Clarke, 206.8 lbs of Jersey City, NJ was making his pro debut.

Juan Sanchez stopped Sergio Aguilar in the final scheduled round of the their four round featherweight bout.

Sanchez scored knockdowns in round one, two in round two, and finished the show with a hard left that sent Aguilar down and out with just five seconds remaining in the bout.

Sanchez, 125.5 lbs of Allentown, PA is 5-0 with two knockouts. Aguilar, 123 lbs of Homestead, FL is 2-7.

Kendall Cannida made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Leroy Jones in a cruiserweight bout.

Cannida, 175.1 lbs of Philadelphia won on all cards by 40-36 scores. Jones, 174.5 lbs of Newark, NJ is 2-2.

Martino Jules won a four-round unanimous decision over Malik Loften in a battle of previously undefeated featherweight’s.

Jules scored a knockdown in round two and won by scores of 39-38 and 37-37 twice.

Jules, 127.1 lbs of Philadelphia is 3-0. Loften, 125.8 lbs of Suitland, MD is 1-1.

King’s Promotions returns with a terrific night of action on Friday, March 2nd at The SugarHouse Casino.

HOUSTON (Feb. 15, 2018) – Undefeated 140-pound contender Regis “Rougarou” Prograis remains focused on the prize despite the recent change in opponent for his March 9 showdown for the Interim WBC Super Lightweight World Championship. Prograis will now face former unified world champion Julius Indongo in the 12-round main event of a SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota.

The southpaw Indongo replaced Viktor Postol, who was forced to withdraw from the bout on Monday with a hand injury.

“Lou called and told me about what happened to Viktor Postol and that Indongo could be the new opponent and I said yes immediately,” said Prograis. “I always want to fight the best and with Indongo being a former unified champion, he brings a great deal of credibility to the fight. Both of his titles were won on the road in Russia and Scotland, so I know how fearless and determined he will be.

“I had to switch up my training a little for sparring with Indongo being a lefty and a little taller, but I’m sparring with middleweights. I’ve heard how hard he hits and I want to be fully prepared. Maybe down the line Postol and I could still fight, but I’m only focused on Indongo now. This is my time and my year to shine. I’m ready to put on a spectacular performance on March 9.”

“This fight came together in a matter of two phone calls – one to Prograis and one to Indongo – and that speaks volumes about the championship mentality of both fighters,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Prograis wanted to fight the best fighter available, even if that fighter presented a different style and was recently a unified champion. Indongo immediately jumped at the opportunity to again be a champion. They are true professionals and their desire to fight will be evident in the ring.”

The event is presented by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Fight Promotions Inc., Holden Productions and Sauerland Promotions. Tickets, priced at $200, $80 and $60, are on sale now and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com or by calling (877) 907-4726. The doors open and first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. More information on Deadwood Mountain Grand can be found on their website at www.DeadwoodMountainGrand.com.

Fighting out of Namibia and now training in Omaha, NE, Indongo (22-1, 11 KOs) is a former unified champion who held the IBF and WBA 140-pound titles.

In 2016, Indongo traveled to Moscow, Russia, to dethrone IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Eduard Troyanovsky with a stunning first-round knockout. In his first defense, Indongo traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, for a unification bout with WBA Champion Ricky Burns. The 35-year-old won a 12-round unanimous decision to become unified champion.

In his first bout as a unified titleholder, Indongo made his U.S. debut against fellow undefeated and unified champion Terence Crawford in a showdown to determine the undisputed champion of the 140-pound division. It was the first championship bout with all four major world titles at stake since Jermain Taylor dethroned Bernard Hopkins in 2005. Indongo lost to Crawford to suffer the only defeat of his professional career.

Prograis (20-0, 17 KOs), of Houston by way of New Orleans, has scored knockouts in 13 of his last 14 fights and is a rising star in the wide-open 140-pound division. Indongo represents the toughest challenge of his career.

In the 12-round co-feature, undefeated 140-pound contenders Ivan Baranchyk (17-0, 10 KOs) and Anthony Yigit (21-0-1, 7 KOs) will square off in a Junior Welterweight World Title Eliminator to become the mandatory challenger for IBF champion Sergey Lipinets. Lipinets will defend his belt the following day, March 10, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® against undefeated three-division champion Mikey Garcia.

Savage Southampton Super-Feather Ryan Garner might have been absent from the public eye for the past seven months following a short suspension for an out of ring transgression but the one the call ‘The Piranha’ certainly hasn’t been profligating.

A one time European schoolboy king and triple national junior champion, the classy yet clinical 20 year old executioner has been sharpening his tools and collecting props in world class company ahead of his highly anticipated ring return at London’s York Hall on February 24th.

‘I doubt I’ll be that rusty as I’ve been sparring up and down the country,’ claims iron Ryan who has won six straight since storming the pros in June 2016.

‘I went up to Doncaster to help (Commonwealth Featherweight boss) Isaac Lowe and I worked with (IBF and WBA bantam boss) Ryan Burnett for his unification fight in October.

‘I was sparring the Walsh brothers (champions Liam and Ryan) before I even turned pro and last summer I was doing six to eight rounds, three times a week for three weeks with Carl Frampton. Recently I’ve sparred Mitchell Smith and Charlie Edwards.

‘They’re all older and far more experienced but if I can hold your own in that company after just five fights, it shows what level I should be able to compete at.

‘For these top guys, you travel to their gyms where they feel they have to show they’re ‘The Man’. That adds pressure but my timing was there and I feel good.

‘To be honest, I’m learning far more sparring that level than I would fighting journeymen who just come to survive. Sparring better people, I can show more variety. In longer fights, my body shots will come more into play. In the amateurs or four rounders, they can take it…but they’d fold over ten or 12.

‘These spars can only help me progress and I’m improving every aspect of my game. I’m becoming stronger physically and mentally more focussed. During my suspension, I’ve been able to focus on improving my overall technique as opposed to getting myself ultra fit to fight.’

A former streetfighter with natural combative instincts, the aptly named ‘Piranha’ needed less than three completed rounds to shred five of his six paid victims yet insists his skill set extends beyond a heavy punch and executioner’s mien.

‘Some dismiss me as just a come forward banger but I can make people miss and counter off the back foot,’ he claims.

‘My fifth opponent (50 fight Nicaraguan veteran) Rafael Castillo was really tough and I couldn’t walk through him so last two rounds I just boxed. It might have been my best performance.

‘Hatton was my childhood hero but, of the current crop, I like ‘Loma’, an aggressive, exciting, front foot counter puncher.

While the city’s population exceeds a quarter of a million, it’s boxing history and ring accomplishments thus far are surprisingly sparse. And that’s something that Garner – in tandem with Pound for Pound gym mate Joe Pigford – Southampton’s obscenely heavy-handed 13-0 super-welterweight – intend to alter.

‘Southampton’s a rough old port but unfortunately, before us, local fighters never had much of a chance,’ explains the Wayne Batten coached prospect who has started just twice in his home city but has accrued a large band of travelling fans.

‘Wayne’s the only professional boxing trainer in Southampton. Before myself and Joe signed with Frank Warren, he went under the radar a bit but he’s got exceptionally quick hands and is probably the best pad man I’ve seen, never mind worked with. He’s also done so much for me outside of boxing.

‘Though the Guildhall has the most mental atmosphere’s I’ve known, it only holds about 1100. Then the Rosebowl cricket ground and St Mary’s are both outdoor. But Joe and me are both big Saints (Southampton FC) fans since day dot and I intend to be a flag bearer and headline at St Mary’s……one day!’

Limited remaining tickets for Saturday 24th February are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.com and directly from fighters on the bill.

Media accreditation: Media and photographers wishing to attend the show can apply via the event page on the Frank Warren website: https://www.frankwarren.com/allevents/yarde-v-averlant/. The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Friday 16th February.

https://www.facebook.com/WBSuperSeries/videos/1051528814984976/

Zolani Tete will make the second defence of his WBO Bantamweight World Championship against Omar Andres Narvaez on the blockbuster Frampton v Donaire bill at Belfast’s SSE Arena on Saturday 21st April.

Tete (26-3, 21 KO’s) had been due to defend his title against Narvaez in London this month but was forced to postpone the bout after suffering a calf injury in training but will now return to the scene of his record-breaking knockout win over Siboniso Gonya.

The thunderous punching South African won a legion of new fans back in November when he stopped countryman Gonya in just eleven seconds, setting a new World record for the fastest ever knockout recorded in a World Title fight.

‘Last Born’ floored Gonya with a brutal right hook just six seconds into the first defence of his 118lbs strap, firing a warning to WBA ‘Super’ Bantamweight Champion and Belfast native Ryan Burnett in the process.

Narvaez (47-2-2, 25 KO’s) is 5-0 since a knockout loss to Naoya Inoue and recently forced the previously unbeaten Nikolai Potapov to quite in seven. He has held the WBO Flyweight and Super-Flyweight World Titles and will be aiming to become a three-weight World Champion on April 21st.

“Let’s see who the real Bantamweight king is,” said Tete. “I want to unify the division and Ryan Burnett is standing in my way. Let’s not rob the public of a brilliant fight, they want to see the best fight the best.

“Until that fight is made I will do everything that is asked of me by my team. Narvaez is a mandatory defence and I’ll be aiming to dispatch him in style to make another statement. I can’t wait to put in another explosive performance for all of my new fans in Belfast, see you in April!”

“Tete is an exceptional talent and I’m delighted that he will be showcasing his skills in Belfast once again,” said Promoter Frank Warren. “We’re bringing him back to Belfast because we want to make the Ryan Burnett unification fight.

“If Tete keeps on dominating shows in Burnett’s hometown perhaps it will lure him out of hiding. Let’s give the fans the fight that they want to see. We want to make that fight in Belfast and I’m sure it would pack out the SSE Arena.”

Also added to the Frampton v Donaire card is Tamworth Light-Heavyweight prospect Ryan Hatton who will be aiming to improve his unbeaten record to 3-0 when he fights over four rounds.

Three tasty all-Irish fights feature on an action-packed undercard as Dubliner Jono Carroll (15-0, 2 KO’s) clashes with Belfast’s Marco McCullough (18-4, 11 KO’s) for the IBF European Super-Featherweight title, Tyrone McKenna (15-0-1, 6 KO’s) meets Light-Welterweight rival Philip Sutcliffe Jr (14-2, 9 KOs’), while WBO European Champion Conrad Cummings (12-1-1) and Irish champion Luke Keeler (13-2, 5 KO’s) will do battle at Middleweight.

Undefeated prospects Lewis Crocker, David Oliver Joyce, Steven Ward, Tyrone McCullagh, Sam Maxwell, Troy Williamson and Alex Dickinson complete an unmissable card.

*A limited number of tickets for Frampton v Donaire are available to purchase from the SSE Arena Belfast Box Office, www.ssearenabelfast.com and 0044(0)28 9073 9074. Prices range from £40 (tier) to £400 (inner-ring hospitality).

After being widely rumored to be heading to Madison Square Garden, The proposed Pay-Pew-View card featuring Jeff Horn defending his WBO Welterweight title bout between Jeff Horn and Terence Crawford will be staged at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Although the fight, long in the works, has not been officially announced, Bob Arum said it is now agreed to on both sides. The site, though, will be Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas as the main event of a pay-per-view card Top Rank is putting on in conjunction with ESPN as part of their long-term deal.

“Mandalay Bay is a great venue and we’re happy to put this card on there,” Arum said. “You’ve got a lot of boxing in New York coming up, so it made sense to move the fight to Las Vegas when Mandalay Bay became available.”

Arum said that he is in the process of finalizing the co-feature between Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao, the former eight-division world champion, and former junior welterweight titlist Mike Alvarado (38-4, 26 KOs), 37, of Denver.

Arum said there would also be another world title bout on the card. It will pit junior featherweight world titleholder Jessie Magdaleno (25-0, 18 KOs), 26, of Las Vegas, in his mandatory defense against hard-hitting Isaac Dogboe (18-0, 12 KOs), 23, of Ghana.

Arum said he initially was going to make that fight the main event of his April 28 ESPN card but decided to move it to the April 14 show to beef up the pay-per-view.

“That’s going to be a really good fight,” Arum said. “It’s a 50-50 fight, I think. Both guys can really hit.”

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 14, 2018) – Two-division world champion Danny Garcia and former world champion Brandon Rios hosted a media workout in Las Vegas on Wednesday ahead of WBC Welterweight World Title Eliminator this Saturday, February 14 live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

In the co-main event, undefeated WBC Super Middleweight World Champion David Benavidez and top-rated contender Ronald Gavril meet in a rematch of their thrilling September 2017 bout in which Benavidez won the vacant title by split decision.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with welterweight contenders Yordenis Ugas and Ray Robinson facing off in an IBF 147-pound title eliminator.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at AXS.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say from House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Wednesday:

DANNY GARCIA

“I’m just hungry for this fight. At the end of the day I have the passion for boxing, and I love the competition. That’s what motivates me and that’s what has motivated me to get back in there and get back on top. It all starts on Saturday night.

“I can’t worry about what [Brandon] is doing. At the end of the day I know he trained his heart out for this fight and this is an opportunity of a lifetime for him. This is a big fight for me. I have to go in there and show that I’m one of the best fighters in the world. I just have to go in there and be Danny Garcia.

“It’s great to be back here in Vegas. This is a big-fight atmosphere and it just motivates me. I feel good and I can’t wait to go in there and fight.

“I’m going to do a little bit of everything, it just depends how I feel. I’m gonna bang, I’m gonna box. I’m going to back him up. I’m going to do everything.

“I try to knock everyone out in the first round. I’ll go and get that check. Twelve rounds or less. I’d like to get it done in under eight or six. But if not I’ll go 12 rounds. I have a great team and I’ve been training hard.

“I don’t blame Keith Thurman for not wanting to fight me again. I wouldn’t want to fight me two times in row. My journey and my superstardom start again on Saturday night. My job then is to show the work and that I’m still one of the superstars of this sport.

“I’m 29 years old and in the prime of my career. It starts now. I’m ready to get back on track.

“I represent Philly wherever I go. I represent all Latinos all around the world. When you’re a world champion boxer you represent everyone around the world.

“He likes to bang…let’s do it. I feel like I’m the stronger man and there’s no need to back up. If that’s what it takes to get the job done.”

BRANDON RIOS

“I’m ready. I’ve been training really hard and I’m focused and dedicated to the boxing game. In the past I was immature and just being a kid and being a dork and just going with heart and balls – that’s what I was doing it with. But now I want to get back to the top and I know what it takes to get there.

“I don’t care what the critics say because at the end of the day that’s what they are, just critics. It’s all good. I can tell you right now I’m in shape. I’m on weight already.

“Everyone knows the way I fight. Going all out is my style. I’ll walk through brick walls to get the victory. Everyone will see on Saturday night the new and improved Bam Bam.

“Think about why I looked like [crap] after my last fight. I’ve been through wars after wars and wars in my previous fights, and that takes a toll on your body. It happens. And I realized it and I took a step back and I wasn’t doing it right with dieting and training. I was doing it with heart and balls.

“Now I feel rejuvenated and fresh. So you will see the new and improved Brandon. I feel young and not war-shot, or whatever you guys want to call it. I want to go out there and prove everyone wrong. I’m going to prove every one of you wrong. There’s going to be a smile on my face when I win this fight and I will put up my middle finger to all of you.

“Danny’s a strong fighter and he has power in both hands. He’s a great counter-puncher. One thing I like is he doesn’t move or run, he likes to bang it out, and that suits my style better. But if he does run, we’ll be ready for that too. I sparred with young guys, so I’m ready.

“Thanks to all of you guys for calling me out, and calling me a cherry, or whatever. I love it. It’s all good. That’s the chip on my shoulder I got. I’m not a cherry, I might be a wild berry, but I’m not a cherry.”

DAVID BENAVIDEZ

“The preparation we had for this camp was amazing. Three months in training camp, we made a lot of changes for this fight and we’re ready to go in there and take care of business.

“Winning the title changed my confidence but it changed my work too. Now I know everybody is gunning for my title and I don’t want to let it go. All the work and sacrifice it took for me to get this – I’m not going to let it go.

“I feel very strong. The weight is good. I feel amazing and you guys are going to see it come Saturday.

“I don’t think Gavril can do any better than he did in the last fight. He’s a one trick pony and he doesn’t have many tricks left, he’s getting old. We’ve been working on a lot of different styles for this fight and I feel more than ready.

“I’m very motivated. I stayed very dedicated to this training camp. I’m ready to go in there and play no games. I’m going to do what I say and I’m going to knock Gavril out.

“I feel I could have done better in the first fight. Having everybody tell me Gavril should have won and him talking a lot of smack, it’s the motivation and drive that I needed to train the way I did in this camp.

“The sickness during the first fight took a lot out of me but my mentality is that I’m a warrior and I’m always going to push through it no matter what. This time, we didn’t have any injuries or sickness so I can’t wait to put on a show on Saturday.

“This is the first time I’ve really had a chip on my shoulder. All the hard work it took for me to get this belt, and people say it was just given to me? No way, I’m going to go in there and show why I’m the youngest champion in the super middleweight division.

“I want to become the best in the division. I want to earn every victory and fight the best. I would love to fight the World Boxing Super Series winner. I’ll be ready for anybody. I worked so hard to get this, nobody can take it from me.

“I’m thinking it will be a knockout around Round 5. It’s going to be a combination of the body and chin. It’s not really looking for the knockout, it’s just setting it up. I’m not going in just throwing haymakers, but I’ll set it up and if it comes, it will come in spectacular fashion.”

RONALD GAVRIL

“I trained a little bit different this time. I had way more time than the first fight to prepare. Last time was four weeks, this time I had a full 10 weeks. I have done a lot of rounds of sparring and a lot of work related to this fight.

“I learn after every fight. From the first fight against Benavidez, I learned even more because it was a tough, tight fight.

“His people tried to make him a superstar before he fought me. I don’t know what people said after the first fight, but they should wait until after the rematch. I’m the stronger fighter.

“The difference in this fight is going to be who boxes smarter. I feel I’m the smarter fighter because if I need to box, I box; if I need to put pressure, I put pressure. I can adapt.

“I think this is going to be the fight of the year. It’s going to be special. The fans should all come see this fight because it’s going to be amazing with two warriors.

“I’m not looking for a knockout. I’m looking to win every round. But I also don’t want to leave it in the judges’ hands like last time, so we’ll see what happens Saturday.

“I’m ready to win. It would be a dream come true. This is why I came here to America from Romania.”

YORDENIS UGAS

“We are both good fighters. But I am ready to put on the fight of the night for the fans and I will be victorious.

“I’m more than ready to get back in the ring. I know what’s at stake. This is a title eliminator and it is the biggest fight of my career. I’m ready to get even better and show the world that I’m ready to be at that top tier of boxing.

“Because of the intensity of this fight, I think it has the potential to be the fight of the night. This is going to shine over all the other fights.”

RAY ROBINSON

“Training camp was perfect. My team did everything to prepare me for this fight. I dotted every ‘I’ and crossed every ‘T’ for this fight. This was one of the best camps I’ve had and I’m excited to get in the ring on Saturday.

“Carrying Sugar Ray’s name is obviously a pleasure. Growing up, I had a lot of pressure on myself with my name being Ray Robinson. Sometimes I think I even lost fights because I put too much pressure on myself having that name. So now, I make sure I don’t put too much pressure on myself.

“This is the type of fight that I roll out of bed for. You get tired of fighting regular guys. I’m an old school fighter – I love fighting guys that look good on paper and nobody knows who’s going to win and it’s up to his camp and my camp. I haven’t been this excited for a fight in a long time.

“I expect hell. That’s how I’ve been preparing. If it’s anything less than that, he’ll be sorry. That’s how I’ve been training – like we’re fighting for a world title. I’m going to bring all the hardship I’ve had in my life into this fight on Saturday night.

“I’m an old school fighter. I’ll fight people in their grandma’s back yard if I have to. It doesn’t matter who I’m fighting. I’ll just do it Kimbo Slice-style. Once we conquer Saturday, we are supposed to fight Errol Spence and even if that doesn’t happen, we’re looking for a world title. Errol Spence, (Keith) Thurman, I’m ready to rock.

“Every time we put the gloves on, we want to do something special. Especially with this fight being on SHOWTIME, we just made sure we prepared the right way. But it doesn’t matter if it’s on TV or not, we still have to put on a good fight.

“Each fight that I have is a stepping stone in my career. This is no different just because it’s in Vegas. I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself and blow this up and make it bigger than what it needs to me. Vegas, the crowds, the lights – that’s all cool and dandy but at the end of the day I still have to do my job.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, and @MandalayBay or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShoBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Premier Boxing Champions is presented by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

EL PASO, TX. (February 14, 2018) – Former welterweight world champions Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander showed off their skills at a media workout in El Paso Wednesday, as they prepare for their Saturday, February 17 showdown that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FOX & FOX Deportes action from Don Haskins Center on the UTEP campus in El Paso, Texas.

Also in attendance at Wednesday’s workout were undefeated contender Caleb “Sweethands” Plant and Rogelio “Porky” Medina, who battle in a super middleweight world title eliminator. Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and also features 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas battling Jorge Rojas.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from the Wolves Den Boxing Gym:

VICTOR ORTIZ

“I had a great training camp. I just made sure to listen to my coach every day and grind every day with my team. You really have to grind when people say this is your ‘last chance,’ because I’m not ready for that.

“Every fight shows a lot. Every time I step into the ring it’s a new challenge. I haven’t had any shortcuts throughout my career. I’ve never treated a fight like an easy fight.

“Life tends to take you certain places and right now I’m where I’m supposed to be. I’m 31-years-old and I believe I’m going to be able to accomplish all my goals in this sport.

“Devon Alexander is a very fast boxer who was a champion for a reason. We’ve prepared for him in each and every way possible. We’ve worked hard to be in the best condition possible. I won’t step out of the ring without that victory.

“I’ve done what I have to do to prepare for Devon Alexander. I have speed and power and that’s a scary combination for any welterweight.

“I’m thankful for the support of El Paso and I’m proud to be fighting in the main event on Saturday. We’re here to perform for everybody and have a great time.”

DEVON ALEXANDER

“I feel great right now. It’s been a tremendous training camp and I’m ready to go. I’m happy to be in El Paso to do something I love to do. Boxing is what I was born to do and I’m just ready for Saturday.

“Victor Ortiz is a good fighter. We’ve known each other for a long time. We used to fight in a lot of the same amateur tournaments. We go back a long way but this is business. We’re not friends in the ring. We’re not playing games.

“This fight is very important to me. This can catapult me back to title contention. If this doesn’t go my way, it’s very bad for my career. If I pull out the win, it could lead to tremendous opportunities for me. This is a do-or-die fight.

“I’ve added more power in this camp. But we’ve pretty much kept it typical with that emphasis on really looking good on fight night. It’s just been an all-around good camp. Victor Ortiz can’t bring something that we haven’t seen before.”

CALEB PLANT

“I’m ready for this fight. A lot of boxers say they had their best camp heading into a big fight, but I truly have never had a camp this good. From sparring to conditioning, mentally and spiritually, I’m on point.

“Medina is a tough competitor. He puts it all on the line and he doesn’t quit. We’ve had problems in the past getting people to quit, but I feel we’ve figured out how to take me to that next level and get these guys out of there.

“This is a great USA vs. Mexico showdown. I’m coming to put on a show for all the fans here and watching on television.

“Everyone has a plan until they miss their first 40 punches. We both have plans, but all that matters is if you can translate that into the ring. Stylistically, I don’t think he’s fought anyone like me. It’s exciting because everyone knows what both of us are coming to do. It’s the bull versus the matador.”

ROGELIO MEDINA

“The fact that I’ve been sparring with David Benavidez in camp and have Alex Ariza around has me feeling very confident. I’m in great shape and will be ready for a great performance on fight night.

“I know that Plant likes to run and stay on the outside. Once he feels my power, I know he’s going to run even more. I’ve been making sure I’m in proper condition to chase him, cut the ring off and apply pressure.

“Everyone knows I like to fight coming forward. I’m fully confident in my abilities to get this win and earn another shot at the world title.”

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Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FOX or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.tgbpromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @FOXTV, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.PBC on FOX & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BROOKLYN (February 14, 2018) – The heavyweight world title showdown between Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz will feature a stacked undercard of exciting attractions that includes top contenders, a former heavyweight champion, exciting prospects and more all entering the ring on Saturday, March 3 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

Action inside the arena includes top middleweight contender Sergey Derevyanchenko facing Dashon Johnson in an eight-round fight, 2016 U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell in a six-round super lightweight showdown, and a 10-round matchup between super welterweight prospects Patrick Day and Kyrone Davis.

A 2008 Ukrainian Olympian now fighting out of Brooklyn, Derevyanchenko (11-0, 9 KOs) earned his top contender status in the IBF by stopping Tureano Johnson in the 12th round of their August 2017 showdown and will face California’s Johnson (22-22-3, 7 KOs) as he awaits his title shot.

One of featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr.’s younger brothers, the 21-year-old Russell (3-0, 3 KOs) represented the U.S. at the 2016 Olympic games in Rio and made it to the quarterfinal round. He turned pro in May of last year and has scored three first round stoppages as a pro.

The 25-year-old Day (14-2-1, 6 KOs) fights out of Freeport, New York and most recently won an exciting contest over then unbeaten Eric Walker last July to seize the WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Title. He takes on another prospect looking to leap to contender status in the 23-year-old Davis (13-1, 5 KOs) from Delaware who enters this bout on a three-fight winning streak.

The card continues with former heavyweight world champion Charles Martin (25-1-1, 23 KOs) in an eight-round fight, former world title challenger Willie Monroe Jr. (21-3, 6 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight affair and a pair of local welterweight prospects fighting at Barclays Center for the fourth time as Richardson Hitchins (3-0, 1 KO) and Kenny Robles (2-1, 1 KO) compete in separate six-round attractions. Rounding out the action is unbeaten prospect Shynggyskhan Tazhibay (5-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round welterweight bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by the highly anticipated Wilder vs. Ortiz matchup and will see undefeated former 154-pound champion Jermall Charlo take on Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the interim WBC middleweight title in the co-feature. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with
top super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell battling hard-hitting Jose Uzcategui in a rematch for the IBF Interim 168-pound world title.

EL PASO, TX (February 14, 2018) – Middleweight prospect, Marcos “Madman” Hernandez (11-1, 3 KOs), returns to the ring this Saturday, February 17, 2018, against Jeison Rosario (14-1, 11 KOs). The 8-round bout will take place at the Don Haskins Center on the UTEP campus in El Paso, Texas.

Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is headlined by a 12-round duel between former welterweight world champions Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander. Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Here is what Marcos Hernandez has to say about his upcoming fight with Rosario…

On his current training camp…
“This is my third training camp out here in Riverside with my trainer Henry Ramirez, who took over the lead in my corner a few fights ago. It’s been great getting the proper sparring needed to take my career to the next level. I’m feeling strong and sharp. Everything has come together, and I’ll be at my best this Saturday in El Paso.”

On facing opponent tough Jeison Rosario…
“Rosario is a very tough opponent who possesses a lot of power in both hands. He likes to go for the knockout, so I will have to be ready for everything he’s coming with. I know he’s hungry but so am I. This will be a fight for the fans, as we are both going to leave everything in the ring.”

On what a victory will do for his career…
“A win against Rosario will get me one step closer to my ultimate goal of fighting for a world title. I’ve been in tough fights since I turned pro and its prepared me for fights like the one I’m in now. I’m ready step it up and show the world I have what it takes to be an elite fighter, and a world champion.”

On fighting on another big PBC card in El Paso…
“I’m sure El Paso will have a lively crowd attending this Saturday. I know there will be a lot of Mexican’s in the house, so I must represent my people. I’m very happy to be fighting on another big PBC card. It’s a blessing to be part of the PBC family and I promise to impress those that will be watching.”

Los Angeles – Today, FOX Sports announces former multiple-division world champion Robert Guerrero and longtime boxing trainer Virgil Hunter join the broadcast team as analysts for PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS: ORTIZ VS. ALEXANDER live on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, Feb. 17 (8:00 PM ET), from the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.

Guerrero and Hunter team with blow-by-blow announcer Sean Grande calling the fights. Kate Abdo hosts the broadcast. On FOX Deportes, Jaime Motta joins blow-by-blow announcer Jesse Losada to call the action in Spanish.

The main event features a 12-round matchup between former welterweight world champions “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (32-6-2, 25 KOs) and Devon Alexander “The Great” (27-4, 14 KOs). In the co-main event, unbeaten contender Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (16-0, 10 KOs) faces Rogelio “Porky” Medina (38-8, 32 KOs) in a 12-round 168-pound world title eliminator. In addition, 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (3-0, 3 KOs) takes on Jorge Rojas (4-2-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round matchup.

Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FOX or FOX Deportes feeds. The fight is available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, fights are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

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WBA Super Champion George Groves (27-3, 20 KOs) and IBO World Champion Chris Eubank Jr. (26-1, 20 KOs) exchanged words for at last time before their Ali Trophy semi-final clash on Saturday at the Manchester Arena.

“I have been involved in big fights before and I’ve learned a lot along the way,” said Groves. “This is a tremendous fight but it’s not my biggest fight to date. But I am in the form of my life, certainly I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in through my career. I’m fully prepared to go out there and retain my world title in style.”

“It’s not an expression that I particularly like but it comes down to levels and I’m levels above Junior.”

“I’ve sacrificed a lot and I’ve been through some terrible times to get here. Desire is one thing I’ve always had in abundance. I’ve picked myself up from the lowest points and now I’m at the top and enjoying it. I won’t be taking my eye off the ball.”

“I’m the number one seed and I will go on to win this tournament and win it well. I started last year and will continue this week. I’m ready and hopefully, he is too.”

Said Chris Eubank Jr.: “What motivates me is becoming the number one super middleweight in the world. This is my stage, my time, my opportunity to show everyone that everything I’ve been saying is real. It’s time to prove the doubters, the nay-sayers and keyboard warriors wrong”

“I’ve been dreaming about fighting on a stage like this since I was 14 years old. Two of the best super middleweights in the world are putting it all on the line and me being victorious on Saturday night. That’s my motivation.”

“The talking has been done and the levels and preparations and weight are irrelevant now. It’s just about going out there and performing. I’m willing to do that, but I don’t think George is fully committed to giving everything to win.”

“There is nothing George can do that is going to stop me.”

“This is a defining fight for me. It can propel me to the top of the sport. It gives me the right to say I’m the number one super middleweight in the world. Two world titles. That’s every fighter’s dream but this is just the beginning.

“It’s collecting season and I’m coming for all the belts. After the tournament, every other belt holder is on the hit list. George Groves is just the first.”

“The only thing Shane McGuigan needs to worry about on Saturday is having that white towel ready.”

Said Shane McGuigan, Groves’ trainer: “I’m not going to give away our tactics but we’ve prepared well. This has been the best camp we’ve ever had. We’ve sparred many, many rounds with some top quality operators.”

“I don’t think Chris Eubank has prepared the way we have, not in terms of the top quality experience that we have had.”

“We need to go out and execute the gameplan and come away with the win and that’s that.”

Said Ronnie Davies, Eubank Jr.’s trainer: “I’m with Chris seven says a week, we work together. He’s a phenomenal talent. Angelo Dundee never told Muhammad Ali what to do. He is a phenomenal fighter and he’s had good sparring, enough sparring with about 15 different opponents of good quality.”

“Chris is so talented that no matter who you put in front of him he’ll more than likely beat them up.”

Said Kalle Sauerland, Comosa’s Chief Boxing Officer: “It’s great to be here. Manchester is a great fight city and some great fights have taken place here before. And something special is taking place here this Saturday.”

“The World Boxing Super Series set out to do a number of things, unify championships, create storylines and build characters all the way from the draw to the final in the O2 Arena in London on 2nd June. This fight does that.”

“It’s a credit to the tournament that it’s put together a fight that would otherwise take years to make. It will capture the nation, I think it’s captured the nation already. It’s a fight between two athletes with vast amounts of talent in different areas. They are two gladiators putting it all on the line.”

For details on how to watch the British gladiators, on how to watch the hotly anticipated Ali Trophy semi-final, go to itvboxoffice.com.

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 14, 2018) – Fans can enjoy a six-fight boxing feast this Saturday as Premier Boxing Champions presents two shows on separate networks from two locations, showcasing matches in the welterweight and super middleweight divisions – two of the hottest divisions in the sport – on February 17.

The evening will kick off with former welterweight world champions Victor Ortiz (32-6-2, 25 KOs) and Devon Alexander (27-4, 14 KOs) in a true crossroads battle live in primetime in the main event on FOX and FOX Deportes from Don Haskins Center on the UTEP campus in El Paso, Texas starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Also in televised action on the show, Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (16-0, 10 KOs) will clash with Rogelio “Porky” Medina (38-8, 32 KOs) in a 12-round IBF super middleweight title elimination bout and sensational 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (3-0, 3 KOs), a first generation Mexican-American, will take on Jorge Rojas (4-2-1, 2 KOs) in a lightweight match.

Following that will be a spectacular tripleheader live on SHOWTIME that will be headlined by former two-division champion Danny Garcia (33-1, 19 KOs) battling former world champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (34-3-1, 25 KOs). In televised undercard attractions, 168-pound champion David Benavidez (19-0, 17 KOs) will defend his title against Ronald Gavril (18-2, 14 KOs) in a rematch and Yordenis Ugas (20-3, 9 KOs) takes on Ray Robinson (24-2, 12 KOs) in an IBF 147-pound title elimination bout.

“Boxing fans are in for a real treat on February 17 as six exciting bouts will unfold in two shows on two separate networks. There are no NFL games, no NBA games and no MLB games. So get ready to binge watch boxing all night,” said Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications for Haymon Boxing. “These shows include something for every boxing fans – crossroads battles, championship clashes, contenders climbing the ladder to titles and a sensational prospect embarking on a brilliant career. It should be a fun night for the fans.”

Both shows hold significance in the 147-pound and 168-pound divisions. Garcia, Alexander and Ortiz are all seeking to return to the welterweight championship ranks and Rios wants to stay in contention for his first welterweight crown. The 21-year-old Benavidez, the youngest current world champion, looks to be spectacular in the rematch with Gavril and continue on his ultimate goal of unifying the titles at 168 pounds, while Plant, Medina and Gavril are seeking to get to where he is now.