Wilmington, DE (February 13, 2017)-World rated junior middleweight Kanat Islam is looking for a big outing this Friday night when he takes on Robson Assis (16-3, 9 KO’s) on the Roy Jones, Jr. – Bobby Gunn WBF Cruiserweight title Pay-Per-View co-featured bout at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Islam – Assis bout is scheduled for 10-rounds.

Islam (22-0, 18 KO’s) has been training in his adopted home of Pahoke, Florida by way of Kazakhstan, is ready for whatever Assis will bring to the ring.

“Training has been great. I know Assis is a southpaw, and he likes to box. That’s about it! Between all my amateur experience and pro bouts all over the world, I am ready for anything,”said Islam.

Before taking this fight, Islam was mentioned as possible opponent for WBO junior middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, before the Mexican superstar took a bout with Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. This would be a fight that the 32 year-old Islam would relish.

“My people in Kazakhstan would love to see this fight. My team wants to see it, and I want to be in that fight. If that opportunity comes, I will focus and get the right sparring, and be ready for that opportunity.”

But before any of that can happen, Islam must 1st get past Assis on a card headlined by the legendary Roy Jones, Jr. This is an opportunity, that Islam isn’t taking lightly.

“Roy Jones, Jr. is a legend, and a big name in boxing. In the past and still today he is big. It is an honor to fight on a card that he is in the main event.”

Back home in Kazakhstan, Islam is getting close to legendary status himself, as on October 29th, he defeated Patrick Allotey in front of 18,000 fans in his homeland to capture the WBO Inter-Continental title and retain his WBA Fedlatin Super Welterweight titles.

“Fighting in front of my home people means more to me than anything. It shows them that I represent their culture and they like to see my fighting style. It was a dream come true to fight in front of so many of my people. They were cheering my name, and for that I am thankful for them.”

“We will return there to Kazakhstan and fight again. I don’t want them to miss the fight on February 17th that I have with Assis. I am always thankful for my fans who always support me. I want to thank Nelsons Promotions, Raynelo Management and my sponsor Zheizu Company. I always want to David Feldman Promotions, King’s Promotions and Roy Jones for giving me the opportunity to fight on this card.

In an 8-round bout, Dagoberto Aguero (10-0, 8 KO’s) of San Cristobal, Domincan Republic takes on Olimjon Nazarov (14-4, 8 KO’s) of Tashken, Uzbekistan in a super bantamweight bout.

In 6-round bouts:

Frank De Alba (20-2-2, 9 KO’s) of Reading, PA battles German Meraz (55-41-1, 32 KO’s) of Agua Prieta, Mexico in a junior lightweight.

Samuel Teah (9-1-1, 3 KO’s) takes on Daniel Parales (10-7-1, 5 KO’s) of Monterrey, Mexico in a super lightweight bout.

In 4-round bouts:

Joey Tiberi, Jr. (13-2, 6 KO’s) of Newark, Delaware will fight Bryan Timmons (5-8, 5 KO’s) of St. Joseph, Missouri in lightweight bout.

Henry Stewart (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Toronto, Canada squares off Robert Mendoza (1-8, 1 KO) of Frankfurt, Indiana.

Dan Biddle (9-5, 5 KO’s) of Wilmington, Delaware will fight Lamont Singletary (7-1, 4 KO’s) of Dover, Delaware in a cruiserweight battle.

Eddie Ortiz (2-0-1, 2 KO’s) of San Antonio, Texas takes on pro debuting Jeff Chiffens of Wilmington, Delaware in a middleweight bout.

Media Week Schedule

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE CHASE CENTER–12 PM NOON
11:30 AM–Media Check in

The Chase Center
815 Justison Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH OPEN WORKOUT–CROSSFIT RIVERFRONT AT 2 PM
1:00 Media only check-in
2:00 Open Workouts–Public let in

Crossfit Riverfront
512 Jutison Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH–OFFICIAL WEIGH IN–DELAWARE PARK CASINO–6PM

5:00 PM–Media Check in
6:00 PM–Fighters on the scales

Delaware Park Casino
777 Delaware Park Blvd.
Wilmington, Delaware 19720

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH–FIGHT NIGHT–THE CHASE CENTER

6:00 PM–Doors Open
7:00 PM–1st bout
9:00 PM–Pay Per View Broadcast begins

The Chase Center
815 Justison Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

Scheduled to be in attendance are former Heavyweight champions Larry Holmes, Tim Witherspoon, Michael Spinks and Tyson Fury

SKILL VS WILL will be distributed live throughout North America via cable and satellite in High Definition by New York-based MultiVision Media, Inc. The broadcast will premiere on Friday, February 17th at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT and will be carried throughout the month on video-on-demand. Please consult your local guide for channels and encores in your area. The suggested retail price is $24.99. The event will also be available worldwide on home computers, laptops, Smart TVs, iPhones, iPads, AppleTV, and Android devices on FITE-TV, Flipps, and other OTT (over-the-top) streaming services.

Tickets are on sale now ranging from $55 – $300 and can be purchased by calling (484) 935-3378 & www.firststatefights.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com. IBF Welterweight champion Kell Brook will defend his title against hot American contender Errol Spence Jr. on May 20th in Sheffield, England.

“I know I have a mandatory with Errol Spence. He’s a very talented fighter but not really heard of in the U.K. or even America, but we all know he can fight,” Brook told ESPN last month in New York. “It’s hard to get up for guys like this because he doesn’t have the name yet. I want the big-money fights if I’m going to make 147 pounds. … I’m in a situation where I still might have to defend against Spence because I don’t want to lose my title without losing it in the ring.”

An encore presentation of Friday’s thrilling ShoBox: The New Generation, featuring a potential Fight of the Year slugfest between unbeaten super lightweight Ivan Baranchyk and a game Abel Ramos, will air tonight/Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

Baranchyk and Ramos both landed more than 50 percent of their power punches in the 10-round brawl, well above the super lightweight average of 36.6 percent. They nearly doubled the divisional average in total punches landed and power punches landed in a bout that featured three total knockdowns.

CompuBox records indicate that Baranchyk (314) & Ramos (350) combined to land 664 total punches. As a point of reference, the epic first encounter between Micky Ward (268) and Arturo Gatti (350) featured 618 combined total punches landed. Of the 664 punches landed on Friday night, 482 were power punches.

The three-fight telecast will re-air in its entirety Monday. In the opening bout, undefeated Spanish super featherweight prospect Jon “Johnfer” Fernadez knocked out formerly once-beaten Ernesto Garza with a punishing series of unanswered combinations in the third round. In the co-feature, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Joseph “Mack” Williams won a close, majority decision over previously undefeated Dominican Olympian Lenin Castillo.

The event was promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions. Fernandez vs. Garza was promoted in association with MaravillaBox Promotions and Jaafar Promotions.

# # #

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 67 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

A new York jury ruled that ormer heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin took a banned substance before his world title fight with WBC champion Deontay Wilder last year, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The jury took just 32 minutes to reach a verdict finding that Povetkin used the performance-enhancing drug during the leadup to what was supposed to be a mandatory fight against heavyweight world titleholder Deontay Wilder last May 21 in Moscow.

The fight was canceled nine days before the fight when a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association-conducted test found that Povetkin had meldonium in his system.

After the fight was canceled, Wilder and promoter Lou DiBella sued Povetkin and Russian promoter Andrey Ryabinsky of World of Boxing in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for breach of contract and at least $5 million in damages.

Ten days later, Ryabinsky countersued them in the same court for breach of contract and defamation, claiming they unilaterally canceled the fight before the WBC, whose belt Wilder holds, decided what to do.

“We won the case, and this is an important precedent in cases of this nature when a fight is canceled for PED use,” DiBella told ESPN. “The other participant in the fight has gone through all the work. Deontay was ready to fight, and this got canceled right before the fight. This ruling is a further disincentive for any fighter to attempt to get an unfair advantage. Our attorneys, Judd Burstein and Peter Schalk, did a tremendous job because this is somewhat complicated and scientific.

“Basically, it’s a great thing about our justice system that where the facts are on your side and you’re telling the truth, you win.”

DiBella said he was confident the defamation case would soon be dropped.

“I also think it’s a good bet that I don’t have much to worry about with their defamation claim, which was based on my saying Povetkin is a cheater,” DiBella said. “The jury said he is a cheater. I think it’s very telling that the jury only deliberated for slightly longer than 30 minutes.”

Ryabinsky could not be reached for comment but did write on social media, “Jurors in the trial were against us.”

“I’m in shock that they wasted the court’s time and their money fighting over something that was as plain as day,” Burstein told ESPN. “I don’t know if they were arrogant or just stupid, but whatever happened was inexplicable to me that they went forward with this case when the evidence was so overwhelming. [Povetkin] tried to argue this was the residual effects of taking meldonium in August and September of 2015. But it was a laughable defense.”

“Once that’s done, I will make a motion for summary judgment to get the money and seek other damages,” Burstein said. “I will also serve a motion seeking sanctions unless they drop the defamation case.”

Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs), 31, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was due to earn approximately $4.5 million to fight Povetkin. That money remains in an escrow account from before the fight, as does an additional $715,000 from Ryabinsky’s winning purse bid that is with the WBC and was meant as a bonus for the winner of the fight.

“They could have settled this case and kept some of the money and done enough clean testing that Deontay would have fought him, but they were so arrogant and they wouldn’t do it,” Burstein said.

Derry Mathews says the whole of British boxing want him to shut Ohara Davies up when they clash in a grudge match at The O2 in London on March 4, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Liverpool favourite Mathews challenges Davies for the Hackney man’s WBC Silver Super-Lightweight title on the undercard of David Haye and Tony Bellew Heavyweight showdown – with the Merseyside-London rivalries on a par for spite as ‘Dirty’ Derry and ‘Two Tanks’ continue to trade barbs on social media in a hostile build-up.

Former World Lightweight title challenger Mathews believes that Davies is talking himself into a corner by disrespecting the experienced and popular Scouser online, and that the sold-out Greenwich arena will be willing him on to silence Davies in style.

“The kid is mad and everyone in boxing wants me to do him in,” said Mathews. “He bad mouths people because he thinks it’s going to raise his profile – the likes of Naseem Hamed could back it up, no-one has seen this kid back it up yet and it’s down to me to stop him.

“I’ve just got to listen to everything Danny Vaughan tells me to do and put the graft in, that’s why I’ve locked myself away from my family and gone to Scotland and LA to prepare for the fight, it’s about being in and around champions, it doesn’t matter that I’ve had 51 fights, success breeds success and you can only improve being around world class fighters.

“When I beat him, he’ll still take that belt out with him wherever he goes, even down the local shop. I’ve got tons of belts at home and the missus won’t even let me have them out, they’re all stuck up in the loft – he’s not a World champion, and he’s never going to be one because I’m going to smash him to bits.”

Mathews’ clash with Davies is part of packed bill at The O2 topped by the blockbuster Heavyweight grudge match between Haye and Bellew. Stourbridge banger Sam Eggington faces the biggest night of his career against former two-weight World champion Paulie Malignaggi, while Irish amateur star Katie Taylor boxes for the third time in the pros.

Tickets for Haye vs. Bellew sold out in record-breaking time when they went on sale in December.

Fierce Super-Welterweight rivals Liam Smith and Liam Williams faced-off at a press conference held at the iconic Royal Liver Building in Liverpool today ahead of their mouth-watering showdown on Saturday 8th April at the Manchester Arena, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

Former WBO World 154lbs Champion Smith was in a supremely confident mood and promised to put the Boxing Writers’ Best Young Boxer of the Year ‘in his place’ when they lock horns in April.

“This is a fight that I’m well up for”, said Smith. “Frank and a lot of other people are getting excited about Liam Williams and talking about him as the next big thing. My job is to put him back in his place and remind everyone who the best fighter in the division is.

“They’re barking up the wrong tree if they think they can make me lose my cool like Corcoran did. I don’t need to wind him up, I can end this fight however I like. If I want to drag Liam into a fight I’ll do that. Liam is a more talented fighter than Jimmy Kelly but I can see April 8th ending in a similar fashion to that fight.”

Williams, the British and WBO European Champion, is undefeated in 17 professional fights and will head into the Smith bout on a six-fight knockout streak. The rising-star of Welsh boxing believes he has the power to stop his Frank Warren stablemate.

“Smith is a couple of levels above my previous opponents,” admitted Williams. “We’re going to work on his weaknesses and not give too much away. Of course I believe I possess the power to stop him but this fight won’t just be about landing that one big shot.

“I think this is going to be a tactical fight. Everyone seems to think we are going to meet head on in the middle of the ring but I’ve got a good boxing brain on me. I’ve shown I’m capable of mixing it up and I know I have the tools to beat him.”

Smith vs. Williams is part of an unmissable evening of action at the Manchester Arena on April 8th; local hero Terry Flanagan makes the fifth defence of his WBO World Lightweight crown against dangerous Russian Petr Petrov; slick South African Zolani Tete faces Arthur Villanueva in a final eliminator for the WBO World Bantamweight strap ; double Olympic Gold Medallist and women’s boxing icon Nicola Adams OBE fights for the first time as a professional and former Team GB Heavyweight monster Daniel Dubois makes his highly-anticipated professional debut.

Elsewhere on the card former World Title challenger Jimmy Kelly takes on Bolton man Rick Godding in a tasty local tear-up; rising Super-Featherweight star Zelfa Barrett fights over six; Liverpool Super-Welterweight James Metcalf takes on Heywood’s Mark Thompson; undefeated Super-Lightweight Steven Lewis faces Andy Keates; Oldham Super-Middleweight Mark Heffron, Ellesmere Port Super-Welterweight Mason Cartwright, Manchester Cruiserweight Jordan Thompson and Super-Middleweight Anthony Leak complete a stacked card.

Tickets for April 8 priced £50, £70, £100, £150, £200, £300 and VIP £500 are available from eventim at www.eventim.co.uk and 0844 249 1000 and the Manchester Arena at www.manchester-arena.com and 0844 847 8000.

Smith and Williams face the Welsh media at a press conference tomorrow at the Cardiff City Hall (12.30pm start)

LAS VEGAS (February 13, 2017) – Neon Star Sports & Entertainment (NSSE) Inc. has announced the formation of its promotional company, Knockout Night Boxing LLC. The company will be responsible for promoting and co-promoting “Knockout Night Boxing,” a series that airs on CBS Sports Network across North America. Additional broadcast partners will also be announced in the coming weeks.

“Knockout Night Boxing LLC is a fight-friendly promotion that provides a platform for athletes to showcase their skills while building their own brand,” said Knockout Night Boxing president/promoter John Andersen.

“Our ‘Knockout Night at the D’ series on CBS Sports Network last year was a huge hit, and so we are excited to expand across the United States and Mexico with our partner Pepe Gomez,” added Neon Star Sports & Entertainment CEO Mike Garrow. “Currently, the ‘Knockout Night Boxing’ series has 20 television dates scheduled for 2017. We are looking forward to delivering fight fans non-stop, action-packed excitement.”

Whit Haydon will serve as talent relations recruiter and Marvin Romero is the matchmaker. The rotating television team consists of Hall-of-Famer announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein, as well as veterans Sean Wheelock and Joey Varner. The primary ring announcer is Justin Roberts, who was the WWE ring announcer for 14 years.

INFORMATION:

Twitter: @Neonstarmedia

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neon-Star-Media-378687919005532/

ABOUT NEON STAR SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT (NSSE): NSSE is a content company whose focus is creating original and joint venter media properties – unscripted, scripted, events and digital programming – for cross-platform distribution. In this highly competitive digital age, NSSE specializes in the development and production of corporate branding designed with your target audience and accelerated consumer growth in mind. Visit us on Twitter @Neonstarmedia or Facebook www.facebook.com/Neon-Star-Media. REV Sports Entertainment Inc. (MAVTV Canada) and Neon Star Media LLC are subsidiary companies of Neon Star Sports & Entertainment Inc.

Kiev, Ukraine (February 12, 2017) WBO Cruiserweight World Champion, OLEKSANDR USYK, (11-0, 10 KO’s) has issued the following statement today in regards to his future training and the parting with his trainer JAMES ALI BASHIR.

“Bashir is a very nice man and good trainer. He has his own approach to training. But the moment came when I realized that it was not enough for me any longer. That is why I decided to change everything that I did before. I am very grateful to him for being with me all this time. There is nothing personal, just business. I think we will stay in touch in the future.”

Usyk will now be trained by ANATOLY LOMACHENKO, the father and trainer of WBO Super Featherweight World Champion VASYL LOMACHENKO.

On September 17, 2016, Usyk became the fastest cruiserweight world champion, winning the WBO Cruiserweight World Title in only his tenth professional bout with a dominating 12-round decision over Krzysztof Glowacki in Gdansk, Poland. The previous record was held by boxing legend Evander Holyfield in his twelfth professional bout.

The 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist representing Ukraine, Usyk made his highly anticipated United States and HBO debut on December 17, 2016, stopping Thabiso Mchunu in the ninth round at The Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles.

Antonio DeMarco won a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Solis in a welterweight bout.

DeNarco won by scores of 98-89 on all cards and is now 32-6-1. Solis is now 20-8-4.

Belal Muhammad won a unanimous decision over Randy Brown in a welterweight bout.

Muhammad, 170 lbs of Chicago won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and is now 11-2. Brown, 170.5 lbs of Queens, NY is 9-2.

Wilson Reis won a unanimous decision over Ulka Sasaki in a flyweight bout.

Reis, 125 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA won all cards 29-28 and is now 22-6. Sasaki, 125.5 lbs of Japan is 19-4-2.

Islam Makhachev won a unanimous decision over Nik Lentz in a lightweight bout.

Makhachev, 155 lbs of Russia won by scores of 30-25 twice and 30-27 and is now 14-1. Lentz, 156 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL is 27-8-2-1.

Rick Glenn won a split decision over Phillipe Nover in a featherweight bout

Nover was cut on his right eyelid in the 1st round from a left of Glenn.

Glenn, 146 lbs of Milwaukee, WI won two cards by 29-28 tallies. Nover won a card 30-27.

Glenn is 19-4-1. Nover, 145.5 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 11-8-1.

Anthony Yigit (19-0-1, 7 KOs) scored a unanimous points decision over Lenny Daws (30-5-2, 11 KOs) to claim the European Super Lightweight Championship tonight at the Westcroft Leisure Centre in Carshalton London.

The 25 year-old from Stockholm produced a boxing master class to dominate
the British veteran in his hometown arena. The judges scored the fight 118-110, 118-110 and 116-112 in the favour of the Swedish fighter.

Yigit becomes the first Swede to hold the European title since 1987 and joins an elite group of fighters to have held the title including Harry Persson, Olle Tandberg, Ingemar Johansson, Anders Eklund, John Andersson and Bo Hogberg.

‘’It feels amazing to be European Champion,’’ said Yigit. ‘’It still feels a little bit surreal and difficult to put into words, but I’m very happy!

‘’Daws is very experienced fighter. We knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I always felt like I was in control. I followed the game plan and everything we had worked on went well. I’m very happy with my performance, and I think I showed that I was a level above and that I’m ready for the big fights.

‘’Now, it’s all about moving forward. First I want to defend my title at home in Stockholm and then I want to start challenging for World titles.’’

Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’That was a great performance from Anthony. He went away from home into the lion’s den and took the title from the home fighter. This is a great achievement. He is the fist Swede to hold the title for thirty years. Next up, will be a title defence at home in Sweden.’’

Robert Easter Jr. defended his IBF Lightweight title with a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision over Luis Cruz in Toledo, Ohio.

Easter was dominant and never in harms way as he boxed and used combination to slowly wear down the challenger, who was making his first attempt at a world title. The offense started to get to Cruz as a right hand sent him down in round 10. In round 11, it was an even bigger right that sent him down towards the close of the stanza. In the final round, Easter looked to close the show in style as a it was the right hand again that dropped Cruz. Cruz was fortunate to make it to the final bell as Easter landed a heavy barrage of punches over the last minute of the fight.

Easter of Toledo won by scores of 119-106, 118-107 and 117-108 to remain unblemished at 19-0. Cruz, 134.5 lbs of Las Piedras, PR is 22-5.

Robert Easter Jr:
“It was very important for me to remain focused tonight but also have fun. My people came out in full force so I wanted to give them a show, a night to remember. I feel like I did that, even though I wish I could’ve given them the knockout.

“I admit, I was very surprised that Luis Cruz could take my punches like that and finish the fight. When I had him down and hurt (in round 10), I thought he was done. I give him credit. He came a long way and showed a lot of heart.

“I said before the fight and I’m going to keep saying it – I’m here to collect all them belts. I’m not gonna pretend to be that guy who doesn’t call out other fights. I’m calling out Mikey Garcia, Jorge Linares and Terry Flanagan. I want them to see what we were able to do here tonight, the crowd I pulled in. I’m a superstar on the rise and now it’s time for me to collect my prizes and bring these fights and all of the belts home to Toledo.

“Even in seeing my brother (Rau’Shee Warren) lose a fight we all thought he won, I couldn’t let that distract what I had to do in the ring. I hated that Rau’Shee had to go through that again – losing in the Olympics three times, not getting his win in the first fight with Juan Carlos Payano, then not getting his belt for months after winning it, and now losing it like that. He’s had it rough, but we’re a team and we have to pick each other up. That became my mission to rise for the sake of the team.

“Realistically I’d like to come back maybe May or June. It’s always hard work but I’m not cut or marked up. I want to stay active and get all the champions and best challengers out there. TBT – The Bunny Team is getting ready to take over.”

Luis Cruz:
“He’s a very strong fighter. I wanted to do more but he took away my energy late in the fight. The first knockdown took a lot of out me. I felt dizzy but it was important for me to finish the fight on my feet. I never stopped trying to win, but he a great champion and the best I’ve ever faced.

“I’m going to return home (in Puerto Rico) and enjoy time with my family. I need to rest and relax. After that, I’ll think about what’s next for my career.”

Zhamat Zhakiyanov won the WBA Bantamweight title with a 12-round split decision over Rau’she Warren.

In round one, it didin’t look good for the visitor as Warren dropped Zhakiyanov twice.  First with a hard combination and then it was hard right hook that sent Zhakiyanov down again.  In round three, Zhakiyanov turned the fight around as his relentless pressure hurt Warren, drawing blood from his nose he began to inch himself back into the fight.  The fight was neck and neck as they headed down the stretch, but two judges favored the come-forward style as he took two cards by 116-110 and 115-111 scores.   Warren took a card 115-111.

Zhakiyanov, 116.5 lbs of Petropavi, KAZ is 27-1.  Warren, 116 lbs of Cincinnati, OH is 14-2.

Zhanat Zhakiyanov:
“I knew at the end of the fight that I deserved to win, but because of where we were, we weren’t sure if the judges would give it to us. So that surprised us, but not that I won the fight. I was hurt early, but I outworked him in almost every round after that and was the stronger fighter in the end.

“The knockdowns shocked me, but (trainer and promoter, former two-division world champion) Ricky Hatton kept me level-headed, telling me the adjustments I had to make. Once I was able to get inside and force the action, I saw (Warren’s) energy level drop.

“We are grateful that he gave us the opportunity to fight for the world title. It’s an amazing feeling to win that belt. He feels like he won the fight and wants the rematch. We can definitely talk about doing that. I’ve fought everywhere in the world and don’t back down from any challenge.”

Ricky Hatton:
“We were surprised when Zhanat went down like that in the beginning of the fight. I just wanted to remind him what he does better and what Rau’Shee is good at. He is never going to outbox him; he had to get in his chest, he had to mug him and make it a brawl. Zhanat did that very well and that’s how he won the fight.

“If we lost the fight, we would have been upset, but we’d know it wouldn’t have been a bad decision. I know that Warren is gutted, he feels like he won the fight and let’s be honest – it was the type of fight where no matter who won, the loser would have felt like he deserved to have his hand raised.

“Their styles make for a great fight. Why not do it again? Not just because it was close but because it was such a great action fight and it always will be.”

Rau’Shee Warren:
“Man, I won that fight. I knocked him down, I was landing the cleaner punches and making him miss. What it is, the judges are favoring aggressive fighters, even when they ain’t even landing.

“I went through the same thing with (Juan Carlos) Payano, losing the first fight that I should’ve won and then getting the decision in the rematch. So now I have to prove to these judges the second time what I should’ve got tonight. Of course I want that rematch. I want it next, I want my world titles back.

“Obviously you can always do more. We’re gonna go back, look at what we could’ve done differently and make sure the judges don’t take it from me no more.”

Terrell Gausha survived a brief scare, but easily defeated Luis Hernandez via 10-round unanimous decision in a middleweight bout.

In round three, Hernandez stunned the crowd by landing a big overhand right that sent Gausha to the canvas.  Hernandez was deducted a point in round seven for consecutive low blows.  The balance of the fight was dominated by Gausha’s superior output and accuracy, and he won by scores of 98-90 twice and 97-91.

Gausha, 156 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 20-0.  Hernandez, 154.5 lbs of Rio Piedras, PR is 15-4.

Terrell Gausha:
“The knockdown was legitimate, but that was (Hernandez’) only good moment in the fight. He caught me clean, but it happened to me before (versus William Waters earlier in his career). Just like I did back then, I immediately adjusted and controlled the rest of the fight.

“It felt good to get so much from the fans in Toledo and all my fans that came from Cleveland (Gausha’s hometown). It was a great night out here and I’d love to do it again whenever they’re ready to bring us back here or even in my hometown.

“I’m ready to return whenever my team says the next opportunity is there for me. Hopefully it’s as soon as possible. This is going to be a big year for me.”

Luis Hernandez:
“I had him hurt but I didn’t finish him. I didn’t throw enough punches to slow him down after I knocked him down. He deserved to win; I could have done better and will do better in the future. I hope PBC brings me back soon as I want to show I belong with the best.”

Joseph Mack Williams, Jr. won an eight-round majority decision over previously undefeated Lenin Castillo.

Williams, 178.5 lbs of Far Rockaway, NY won by scores of 78-74, 77-75 and 76-76 and is now 11-0. Casyillo, 177 1/4 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is now 15-1-1.

Jon Fernandez stopped Ernesto Garza III in round three of their scheduled eight round super featherweight bout.

In round one, Fernandez dropped Garza with a hard combination that was set up by body punches, and was followed by three blistering shots to the head. In round three, Fernandez hurt Garza with a flurry of punches. Garza did well to stay on his feet, but the fight was stopped at 1:39.

Fernandez, 129 1/2 lbs of Spain is now 11-0 with nine knockouts. Garza, 126 1/4 lbs of Saginaw, MI is 7-2.

Fort Washington, MD (February 10, 2017)- Weights for Saturday night’s card at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland.

Mykal Fox 141.4 – Tre’Sean Wiggins 142.4
Luther Smith 198.8 – Darnell Pierce 193.8
Marcus Bates 122 – Alec McGee 121.2
Greg Outlaw, Jr. 140.2 – Kashon Hutchinson 141.6
Justin Hurd 153 – Dawond Pickney 155.4
Tyrek Irby 139.8 – Lamont White 141.4
Patrick Rivera 163.6 – Gregory Clark 165.8

Promoter: King’s Promotions
Venue: Rosecroft Raceway
1st Bell: 7:00 PM

Tickets are on sale for $75, $60 and $40 at www.kpboxing.com or by calling 301-899-2430

Follow all the action as Robert Easter, Jr defends the IBF Lightweight championship against Luis Cruz.  The action starts at 9 PM with the WBA Bantamweight title fight between Rau’she Warren and Zhanat Zhakiyanov.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY 

Round 1: Easter lands a right..

Round 2 Easter lands a body shot…Nice hook..

Round 3 Combination from Easter

Round 4 Body shot for Easteghtr

Round 5 Good body shot from Easter…2 lead lefts from Cruz

Round 6 Nice left from Easter…Body shots..Big right…Double left,.

Round 7 Good combination from Easter…Hard body punches..

Round 8 Easter jabbing

Round 9 Easter working and landing on the ropes

Round 10 RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES CRUZ….Cruz on the ropes trying throw back…Bog hooks from Easter..

Round 11 Body shot from Easter…BIG RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES CRUZ

Round 12 Easter opening up on Cruz…Big right…HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES CRUZ…

119-106, 118-107 and 117-108 FOR ROBERT EASTER JR.

Round 1 Nice combination from Warren..Big uppercut…Hard combination hurts Zhakiyanov…COMBINATION AND DOWN HE GOES…HARD RIGHT HOOK AND DOWN GOES ZHAKIYANOV AGAIN

Round 2 Uppercut from Warren

Round 3 Uppercut from Zhakiyanov…3 more uppercuts..Big right hand and Warren goes down.  They call it a slip..Big right from Zhakiyanov

Round 4 Left from Zhakiyanov…Blood from nose of Warren..Nice uppercut from Zhakiyanov…Body shot from Warren..Right from Zhakiyanov

Round 5 Zhakiyanov lands a right..lead right

Round 6 Warren boxing and moving

Round 7 Good body work from Warren..Good left..Uppercut

Round 8 Uppercut from Zhakiyanov …Counter left from warren..2 rights from Zhakiyanov…2 more rights

Round 9 Zhakiyanov landing on the ropes

Round 10 Right from Zhakiyanov..Counter from Warren..Zhakiyanov lands an uppercut

Round 11 Nice hook from Warren..Body shot…

Round 12 Right from Zhakiyanov

115-111 Warren…115-111 Zhakiyanov…116-110 Zhakiyanov

Round 1 Good jab and body shot from Gausha…3 rights

Round 2 Big right from Gausha..Left hook..

Round 3:  BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES GAUSHA..1-2 from Gausha..Hernandez laughing

Round 4 Combination from Gausha..Good right hand..

Round 5 Nice uppercut from Gausha..quick 1-2..2 right hands..2 uppercuts..Hernandez trying to fight back

Round 6 Hard right from Gausha..6 punch combination..Big uppercut..

Round 7 2 LOW BLOWS BY HERNANDEZ AND HE IS DEDUCTED A POINT

Round 8 Combination from Gausha..Big right

Round 9 Uppercut from Gausha..

Round 10 Gausha lands a big right and right uppercut

98-90 twice and 97-91 for TERRELL GAUSHA

10 February 2017 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has once again electrified the capacity crowd at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur with another exciting evening of world-class mixed martial arts. The absolute best in local and international mixed martial arts stars took the ONE Championship cage by storm, delighting fans in Malaysia with non-stop action. In the main event, Ev “E.T” Ting emerged victorious over Kamal “Prince of Persia” Shalorus to win by split decision in a high-octane catchweight encounter.

Visit the official ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS photo gallery by clicking: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ivh34n9pza3q94o/AADwuMwRg-gnDecd5AIBoQyTa?dl=0

In the main event of the evening, lightweight contenders Ev Ting of Malaysia and Kamal Shalorus of Iran put on an absolute show to delight fans in attendance. For three rounds, Ting flaunted his tremendous striking, hammering Shalorus with lashing strikes on numerous occasions. Shalorus tried his best to take Ting to the ground, where he had the upper hand. However, he was unable to do so. In the end, Ting continued his winning streak, doing just enough to earn a split decision victory over Shalorus, who was unable to overcome Ting’s sharpness.

After the bout, Ting took the chance to thank the fans at the jam-packed Stadium Negara and called for a title shot against reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang.

“Eduard Folayang, I am coming to your home to take your belt. See you on April 21st,” he said in his post-fight interview.

In the co-main event of the evening, Malaysia’s very own Agilan “Alligator” Thani authored one of the most spectacular finishes of ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS, submitting Jeff Huang of Chinese Taipei with an astonishing rear-naked choke. Thani put on a masterful performance, pacifying Huang’s striking advantage in the early proceedings as the hometown favorite utilized his impeccable ground game. The young Malaysian prospect executed a flawless transition into a rear-naked choke that left Huang no choice but to submit in the second round.

Malaysian female MMA superstar Ann “Athena” Osman captured a satisfying victory in front of a jubilant hometown crowd by routing Cambodia’s Vy Srey Khouch. After a long feeling-out process between the two fighters from a toe-to-toe stance, Osman shifted gears and took Srey Khouch to the ground, where her opponent was at a stylistic disadvantage. Securing a full mount, Osman rained down heavy shots. Srey Khouch tried her best to survive the onslaught, laying back mostly on the defensive. However, Osman was simply too much for her Cambodian foe, claiming the stoppage with two seconds left in the first round.

Russia’s Movlid “Killer” Khaibulaev accomplished a major victory in his maiden assignment as a ONE Championship athlete by marking the first defeat in the professional record of Brazilian featherweight standout Herbert “The Blaze” Burns. Khaibulaev showcased his pinpoint accurate striking early on, peppering Burns with stinging right hands and spinning back-kicks in the first two rounds of the featherweight showdown. Khaibulaev took matters on the mat in the third round, where he tagged Burns with telling blows and maneuvered his cage counterpart easily on the ground to get the unanimous nod from the three judges at cageside.

Previously-unbeaten Pakistani featherweight prospect Ahmed “The Wolverine” Mujtaba experienced the first loss of his career as he went to battle against Malaysian mixed martial artist Keanu Subba. Both fighters started out aggressively, but it was Subba who showed a more capable set of grappling skills, locking in a deep guillotine choke in the first round to the roar of his hometown crowd.

In a clash of high-caliber strawweights, Alex “Little Rock” Silva of Brazil extended his impressive winning streak to four bouts by mustering a scintillating submission conquest of Philippine boxing champion Roy Doliguez. Knowing the risk in the stand-up exchanges with Doliguez, Silva relied on his world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pedigree as he spun a web of crafty grappling to dominate his Filipino foe. In the third round, Silva was finally able to fasten an armbar to force the tap.

Saiful “The Vampire” Merican of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia exhibited stellar form, proving himself a top bantamweight competitor with a stoppage victory over Filipino fighter Burn “Hitman” Soriano. Showcasing tremendous power with every strike and drawing cheers from the crowd after each landed blow, Merican’s thunderous kicks and punches proved too much for Soriano as the Filipino was unable to continue after the first round bell. Merican was awarded a technical knockout for his efforts.

Singaporean prospect Tiffany “Soul Crusher” Teo notched her second-straight victory inside the ONE Championship cage by defeating Wushu Sanda gold-medalist Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol of Indonesia via unanimous decision.

Muhammad Aiman of Malaysia kicked off a spectacular evening of world-class mixed martial arts action at ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS with a technical knockout victory over debuting Brazilian combatant Eduardo Novaes. Aiman finished the job with finesse in the first round, launching a perfectly-executed kick to the body before punctuating it with follow-up blows on the ground.

Official results for ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS
Catchweight bout (79.8KG): Ev Ting defeats Kamal Shalorus by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds
Welterweight bout: Agilan Thani defeats Jeff Huang by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:10 minutes of round 2
Catchweight bout (58.7kg): Ann Osman defeats Vy Srey Khouch by TKO (Strikes) at 4:58 minutes of round 1
Featherweight bout: Movlid Khaibulaev defeats Herbert Burns by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Featherweight bout: Keanu Subba defeats Ahmed Mujtaba by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:56 minutes of round 1
Strawweight bout: Alex Silva defeats Roy Doliguez by Submission (Armbar) at 2:36 minutes of round 3
Bantamweight bout: Saiful Merican defeats Burn Soriano by TKO (Strikes) at 5:00 minutes of round 1
Strawweight bout: Tiffany Teo defeats Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Bantamweight bout: Muhammad Aiman defeats Eduardo Novaes by TKO (Strikes) at 2:50 minutes of round 2

In case you missed the action log on to www.onefc.com/livestream for the full replay of the fights at only US $9.99.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™
ONE Championship is the largest sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia featuring the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Championship is broadcast to over 1 billion viewers across 118+ countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including FOX Sports, Setanta, MNC, Astro, Thairath TV, ABS-CBN, TV5, MYTV, HTV, OSN and more.

Kelly Swanson
Thanks media for joining us. We are here today to talk about the big matchup on Saturday, February 18th, Adrien Broner versus Adrian Granados from Cintas Center at Xavier University in Cincinnati and it will headline a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event.

The event is promoted by About Billions Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in association with TGB Promotions. Tickets for the live event start at $30 and are still available to purchase through Ticketmaster and the event is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Before we get to the participants, I’m going to introduce Chris DeBlasio, Senior Vice President, Sports Communications at Showtime Networks.

Chris DeBlasio
Thanks Kelly and thank you to the fighters for being on and to all the press for joining. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING winter schedule rolls on. As we had announced last October, our promise to our subscribers and to fight fans is that we would pit the top-rated fighters against the top-rated fighters in the deepest and most talent-laden divisions in boxing.

So far we have seen spectacular results. Just a brief recap, back in December we saw Jermall Charlo in a brutal knockout win over Julian Williams. We saw Abner Mares reassert himself against Jesus Cuellar and win a world title back.

The turn of the year on Jan. 14th we witnessed a thrilling super middleweight championship unification bout where Badou Jack and James DeGale were in a thrilling fight. On the undercard of that event, we saw a breakout performance from Gervonta Davis, who beat Jose Pedraza for his first world title.

Davis is now one of the youngest world champions today and just two weeks ago still fresh in our minds, Leo Santa Cruz won an awesome majority decision over Carl Frampton. That was another fantastic fight at featherweight and we saw an incredible Knockout of the Year candidate on that card from resurgent Mikey Garcia.

Mikey didn’t just knock out another champion, a paper champion of sorts or any type of middling contender. He beat one of the toughest guys at lightweight in spectacular fashion, so it’s pretty plain to see there’s no one making a bigger commitment to the sport of boxing than SHOWTIME.

We are consistently delivering the strongest lineup of fights directly to our subscribers and we appreciate all of you in the press as you guys have made note of that. Our subscribers have responded and tuned-in in larger number and we’re excited to continue next week on Feb. 18th.

There’s no prohibitive favorite, no look-good or stay-busy fight on this card. Adrien Broner versus Adrian Granados, both men are in need of a big win to lineup that next world title shot. For Broner we all know what he’s capable of. He’s a four-division world champion and one of the most popular fighters in the sport, still in the prime of his career.

Adrian Granados is very comfortable in the underdog role. You can look no further than his stunning upset of Amir Imam last year. Just a bit of housekeeping here. The SHOWTIME telecast is going to air live on the 18th of Feb. at 9:00 pm ET, 6:00 pm PT.

We had a short video feature that we released yesterday titled The Reveal with Mark Kriegel. This edition was on Adrien Broner and The Reveal, as you may know, is where Mark sits down with boxing’s biggest stars and he engages in candid conversations about life, about motivations and challenges and more.

Each of the interviews that Mark does for this series The Reveal, they’re unique, as unique as the subject in them and the one with Adrien Broner is probably the strongest we’ve produced so far so Adrien thank you for that candor in that and I encourage all the press to check it out.

We’ll have one on Adrian Granados available later this week so with that I thank you for your time and I’ll turn it back to you Kelly so we can get to the fighters.

K. Swanson
Thanks so much, Chris. We’re going to start with Mr. Broner himself and before he gets on the line I just want to say that he is wearing two hats as his company About Billions is very busy these days.

They have a big fight in Toledo, Ohio which will be Robert Easter versus Luis Cruz, that’s Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce at the Huntington Center in Easter’s hometown. That begins at 9:00 pm ET so Mr. Broner is acting both as a promoter and also preparing for his fight as Chris mentioned, he’s a former four-division world champion and has held world titles at 130, 135, 140 and 147 pounds.

He’s a thrilling fighter, very, very popular and I have to say myself watching The Reveal that there was a wonderful maturity and self-awareness that I’m so happy that Adrien has come to feel as he worked through his own legacy as a boxing champion. Mr. Broner are you on the call and could you make some opening comments before we give it to the press, Adrien?

Adrien Broner
Well, I really don’t have much to say. It’s fight time right now so you can bring them all in and I’m ready to answer all questions.

Q
How’s the weight going and do you think you’ll have any issues making the weight this time around?

A. Broner
Training camp has been great and like I said before, I’m just ready to fight and ready to go out here and put on a great show not only for the city but for boxing and we’re going to step it up from here on out.

I’m really not worried about the weight right now. It’s all about staying focused and putting on a great show for boxing.

Q
How different do you feel this time around Adrien?

A. Broner
I’ve just been more focused. Less distractions and just tunnel vision.

Q
Do you find that you’ve been able to be a lot more productive in training because of that?

A. Broner
Even in my last fight with the distractions, I still got a TKO so, let’s fight without the distractions and I can only put only a greater show.

Q
Adrien, what is your expectation with you and SHOWTIME for this year?

A. Broner
Well, I don’t look past any opponent and I don’t try to look past any fight so I just take it a fight at a time and my main focus right now is next week, February 18th.

Q
What is your experience fighting with guys like Adrian Granados?

A. Broner
I know he’s a tough competitor, world-class fighter and that’s why I picked him so he can bring the best out of Adrien Broner.

Q
What do you project for your weight class for your next fight?

A. Broner
Right now like I said before I’m really not worried about any weight situation. All I want to do is win and put on a great show for my fans.

Q
Adrien how helpful is it for you to go back, train in your neighborhood where you came from and realize where you came from and kind of help you to appreciate what you have now?

A. Broner
It helped a lot. It’s a humbling situation. I’ve been living the fast life and I’ve calmed down a lot and just coming back home and just seeing everything. It just brings me back down, right, so I’m in a great mind state right now and I’m just ready to put on a great show.

Q
How have your children changed your perspective?

A. Broner
It changed a lot. It’s not about me anymore, it’s about my children and that’s what I’ve based my career off of now. I’m doing everything for them.

Q
It seems like you’re kind of reenergizing yourself for another opponent with an opponent this tough. Is that what you were thinking?

A. Broner
Yes, I just know what I’m doing. To bring out the best Adrien Broner I have to have a nice opponent in front of me and that’s why I picked a nice opponent.

Q
My last question is about the potential for fighting for a title. Does that play into your mind? Would that be something you’re looking for if you do everything you’re training to do?

A. Broner
If you looked at my last two fights, you know nobody never stopped Khabib. Nobody never stopped Ashley. If I have a chance to stop Adrian Granados, then I’m going to take it.

Q
Where does what sounds like honest to goodness maturity come from at this point?

A. Broner
The situations, man, and just wanting to do better and be in better situations. That’s all. When you try to do it your way and it don’t work, then you got to make the right choices and start following all the right steps.

Q
Do you feel like that at this point of your career and of your life that you’ve figured-out a better way to handle the fame and the money and the stuff that goes along with being a famous athlete than you did maybe a few years ago?

A. Broner
I was young. I’m pretty sure a lot of people who’ve been as successful as me or even more successful than I am today, have been through a lot of the same things and I know one person to have and that’s Floyd Mayweather and he tells me all the time ‘You’re going to be okay.’

He says, ‘I’ve done some of the things you’ve done before but it’s all about learning from your situations,’ and that’s what I’m doing, I’m learning from my situations and now it’s just time to grow up.

Q
Can you even calculate how many rounds you did with this Granados and how were those sparring sessions?

A. Broner
We’ve done numerous rounds and I know he’s tough as nails and he’s got to bring it when he comes to fight me so I know this has a chance to be a Fight of the Year type of fight, but we’ll see once the bell rings.

Q
Is it correct to say then at various times you each had the better of one another?

A. Broner
This is boxing, you have good days, you have bad days but at the end of the day if you’re having more good days than bad days, everything’s okay. You’re going to have a day where something happens or you’re just not that focused that you should be and a fighter get off but at the end of the day, as long as you do what you got to do, you’ll be okay.

Q
Would you say that you and Adrian were friendly with one another?

A. Broner
Aw, man, of course. Of course. I love him. I love him to death.

Q
Okay, got you so this is one of those fights where and we’ve seen this lots of time in boxing where guys are real cool with each other outside the ring. They go and they try to win the fight, they try to do their best to beat the heck out of each other but when it’s over, friends again, right?

A. Broner
Of course. He’s a stud, I mean, he’s a stand-up guy. Anytime he needed me, I was there for him and it’s still the same way today.

Q
When you sparred Granados, was there a moment in camp that kind of got your attention or respect for Granados?

A. Broner
What happens in the gym I try to keep it in the gym, but I can say that every time that we sparred, he earned it, every time and like I always said, he’s a hell of a fighter.

Q
As you know Ed Brown was shot in December. I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on that? You know, he was pretty close to Granados and I understand you knew him as well.

A. Broner
Ed Brown was a hell of a guy, a special type of talent. I knew him since the amateurs. He was actually a close friend to me, but at the end of the day like I told Adrian in camp, there’s just some people you can’t save, you can’t save everybody and was a heartbreaking situation for Adrian but I was there.

I was a shoulder to lean on and I was there. He got through it and I tried to make his days better.

K. Swanson
Okay, Adrien any final thoughts before we let you go and congratulations on your promotion this Friday night too. About Billions is making a lot of about noise.

A. Broner
This weekend it’s about Rau’shee Warren and Robert Easter, Jr. and you know, it’s going to be a hell of a card it should be a sold-out event and then next week we got another electrifying card with great fights on the undercard and the main event is me, Adrien against Adrian, Adrien with an E and Adrian with an A in the end and the best Adrien shall win.

K. Swanson
Great, thank you. That’s an awesome statement. Okay, so we’re going to let you go because we know you’re busy and we will now have the media talk to Adrian Granados.

The hard-hitting contender Granados fights out of Chicago and he enters this bout against Adrien Broner on a five-bout winning streak including a very impressive stoppage over the then-unbeaten top contender Amir Iman in November of 2015.

So Adrian, I’d like you to make some opening comments about your upcoming bout against Adrien Broner on Saturday, February 18th from Cincinnati and live on SHOWTIME and then we’ll open it up for media questions.

Adrian Granados
Yes, I just wanted to say just thank you to God, thank you to my promoter TGB Promotions, my management team Journeyman Management, my team here in Chicago, my family and everyone who supported me. This has been a long time coming and a hard-earned fight and thank the lord I’ve got this opportunity and I look to become successful with this fight next Saturday.

Q
Adrien Broner was just saying on his version of the call that he discussed the Ed Brown situation with you after Ed’s tragedy and tried to help you through it. Can you elaborate on that and maybe how much he was able to maybe help you through that?

A. Granados
Me and Adrien Broner, we did develop a friendship during camp and it was a mutual respect.

He was there for me just like I was there for him, when he was having his scare, on the social media that everybody was worried about him, I guess he reached-out to his people and told them, I was there for him and I know he was there for me too during my tragic loss of my good friend Ed Brown.

At the end of the day, we’re both men and we’re both human, so when things like what has happened to both of us in the past few months happened, you kind of put the business and the boxing out the window and you worry about the person so yes, I appreciate him for that.

Q
What was he able to tell you that maybe helped you a little bit?

A. Granados
Just knowing that he was there, that was it, I mean, I had to get through that myself. I didn’t need anybody to tell me anything. Ed Brown, that was my best friend in boxing, that was my little brother in boxing.

I knew him the most out of anybody in the boxing world just because we spent the last 12 years pretty much side by side here in Chicago, we were pretty much always with him in the juniors as the lower weight and then once he got older, he was right under me at 132 and I was representing at 141 so like I said we were brothers of the ring and we spent countless days here at the gym, I used to pick him up, I used to drop him off.

I used to always tell him to stay out of trouble and like Adrien said there’s some people that you can’t save but that doesn’t change that I lost a good friend and a good man. He was just a great kid, he was always smiling, always positive vibes from him and you know, it was a terrible loss for boxing.

Q
Can you give me your view of how those sparring sessions [with Broner] went?

A. Granados
Yes, it was a great experience. It reaffirmed to myself that I belonged at that level, they were very competitive sparring sessions. They were very exciting and it was like I said it was just a reminder that I belong at this level.

I helped prepare Juan Manuel Márquez for his fight again Juan Diaz when he beat him by knockout and like I said it was a reminder that I belong at that level because as I was competitive with Juan Manuel Márquez, I was just as competitive with Adrien Broner and just what I got from the sparring was like if we ever fought, it’s going to be a very entertaining, very competitive, very high action fight.

That’s definitely what I’m expecting next Saturday. It’s going to be exciting for boxing. It’s going to be exciting for SHOWTIME and the people there in Cincinnati, Ohio, so it’s just going to be a great fight. I have a feeling like we’re going to make a classic.

Q
Do you think the sparring means anything when the bell rings in the real fight or does that all go out the window?

A. Granados
Yes, I’m definitely old school and I think that goes out the window when we’re under the bright lights, smaller gloves, no headgear, it’s going to be a free for all and may the best man win and the best man will win that night. Sparring is completely different from a fight, the show and the lights and just the atmosphere so I’m not banking on the sparring sessions we had.

I know that I can compete with him and that I can beat him and I know he feels the same way about me so that’s why we’re in the fight and it’s going to be an electrifying night come the 18th.

Q
What would a victory against Adrien Broner mean for you?

A. Granados
It would be a huge victory for me. I definitely believe it could change my life and the life of my family and the life of my teammates. I plan on coming-out with that victory however I understand the odds and the way that they’re stacking it up.

I’ve been in there with some great fighters myself like Lanardo Tyner, Kermit Cintron, Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz, Frankie Gomez, undefeated Brad Solomon.

Adrien Broner’s a different caliber of fighter but I’ve got some thick skin myself because I know I won a lot of those losses.

I could easily be undefeated. I’ve always been the B-side and always had the odds stacked-up against me so I just got to thrive in the underdog position and which I plan to and yes, this is definitely the biggest fight of my career and I plan on taking full advantage of it.

Q
Was there a letdown in your last fight after beating Iman or what was the deal?

A. Granados
No, I was working on some different things I wanted to get my miles in, however, I did suffer an accidental head butt and I was actually sick with diarrhea actually for that fight. I actually had to use the washroom the whole day after the win. There was a yogurt that I had that was expired and it just didn’t sit well so I pretty much going to the washroom even one last time I had to go, before I went out to fight so it was just I was very dehydrated and that’s just a lot of things that you don’t know about that fight but either way, I got my rounds in.

Once I got going I got sharp again and just got back to work and Ariel came to fight. He knew this was a good opportunity for him to get another good payday but yes, there was an accidental head butt and I was suffering from diarrhea during that fight but I did finish the fight and I won, and that’s all that matters.

Q
What is it in your mind that makes you believe that you can beat him?

A. Granados
I just believe I’m a better fighter. He’s a tremendous fighter, a tremendous talent, I just believe that people underestimate my talent and they only see me as a one-sided fighter and one type of style and one type of skillset but there’s plenty there that the boxing world doesn’t know about me and I plan on giving them a hint of that February 18th.

Q
What weight is the fight at?

A. Granados
Yes, it is actually at 147. It was 142, but however it’s 147 now and this is just the way it is.

Q
So what happened, so the fight was initially made at a catch weight of 142 and then did Broner’s side ask for it to be at welterweight?

A. Granados
Yes, they did and it was kind of a take it or leave it offer so, I’m obviously not going to pass up on this opportunity and I accepted.

Q
Do you buy that this is a new Adrien Broner or do you think it’s going to be the old Broner? What do you think about all the talk that he’s a different guy for this fight?

A. Granados
I mean, that’s all up to him, I don’t worry about who I’m fighting or what their preparations are and what they’re doing. I have to worry about myself and that I’m the best Adrian Granados.

Good for him if that’s what it is and if it’s not he’s still a good guy. I know him as a real man and as a true competitor so more power to him if he’s turning a new page in his life and God bless him.

Q
If Adrien knows how tough this fight is going to be and you guys are capable of being so emotionally close and he knows how good you are, why would he choose you to fight in such a difficult situation coming off of a 10-month layoff and what does that say about him?

A. Granados
I totally respect that. I think he’s a great true competitor. I know he was brought-up the right way but once he got to the new level, he took a lot of tough fights that he didn’t have to, Marcos Maidana being one, Shawn Porter being another one, myself included, we’ve seen, he’s a true competitor.

He wants to be a great fighter and he wants to be remembered as a great fighter and that’s why I respect him for taking this fight, it’s at a time when really nobody’s trying to fight and no, there were talks of so many fights that would get on and fall off, get on and fall off.

I’ve been going through hell this past year waiting on a big fight and finally I got one and although yes, we do have a friendship and a mutual respect, we know we’re in the business and we’re not into team sports and there can only be one.

One of the fights he was talking with Ricky Burns and at the time I was the highest ranked available fighter because I know Number 1 and 2 had fights already setup and I was ranked Number 3 by the WBA and now I’m Number 5 but either way, yes, I mean, this is a true attribute to his competitive spirit.

A lot of people they didn’t want to fight me and I was calling people out and him included and he accepted it so I mean, this is great and it shows how much of a real man he really is.

Q
You just think he wants to bring out the best in himself and put it really put it on the line or do you think there’s a part of him that says I know he’s good but I have a little bit better?

A. Granados
It’s a little bit of both, he wants me to bring out the best in him and yes, obviously if he’s taken this fight, he believes he can beat me so that is what it is and I appreciate what SHOWTIME is doing putting on a great fight and giving me this opportunity and definitely giving boxing the best versus the best.

Q
You had said that or he had said that when Ed Brown was killed, you and Adrien were in camp together. Were you in camp together and if so, what camp was that?

A. Granados
That was the first time Ed was shot, the first time Ed was shot, I was in camp with him at the end of the Maidana fight. They all knew that Ed was very close to me. They all knew Ed Brown too so yes, he looked out.

That was my guy. The black and brown twin kids of Chicago, we were always at the same shows together. We were always good to see each other. If you seen me and I seen him, there was always a smile.

So you know it’s different here at the gym that we train at because he was the heart of this place and I feel like now I have this huge burden because everybody who sees me now thinks of Ed, and they’re like oh man, Ed always spoke so highly about you, and I feel like I have to be twice as great for both of us now.

Q
Can you characterize your give-and-take sparring sessions with each other?

A. Granados
Yes, they were electrifying sparring sessions, we were putting on a show for the camp and yes, that was bloody, some days we were both bloody. There were just two dogs trying to get at each other and I was quiet at first but I mean, I’m from the neighborhood, from the streets too, you can’t get too tough for me.

I’m raised in Chicago, we’re the murder capital of the world right now so I have some stuff to say back and that was entertaining, I actually got a lot more respect like, okay he’s not going to take that and he can talk some of his own too so it was cool afterwards.

We would just shake hands and go work and we would just chop it up, we got to kick it outside of the ring too and then he was a real cool dude. Like I said, everybody got their own outlook on him but I seen him as a cool ass dude.

He was down to earth, funny and he was a good cat, and it was electrifying sparring and it’s going to make for an electrifying fight and sparring is going to be completely different from the fight because you got less leather and no headgear and it’s just going to be me and him and we’ll see what happens.
Q
Have you ever fought at 147-pounds before?

A. Granados
Yes, plenty of times. I’ve fought Lanardo Tyner there, I fought Kermit Cintron there, Brad Solomon, also I fought the BKB fight with Jesus Soto Karass. The weigh-in actually was 150 for that fight.

Q
Are you going to come-in at 147 or you going to come-in lighter than that?

A. Granados
We’ll see what my body actually tips it off at, I believe he got sick and that’s what kind of threw off his camp. I was sick too as well. I was still planning on making 142 but he just made it easy on both of us and I still expect a competitive and an even fight and it’s going to be a great fight.

K. Swanson
All right, do you have any last thoughts Adrian before we let you go and wrap this call up?

A. Granados
Win, lose or draw, just know I’m coming to win. It’s going to be a great fight. Action-packed, Adrien versus Adrian, an A versus the E, AB versus AG so it’s just going to be a great competitive fight and the best man will win.

# # #

ABOUT ADRIEN BRONER vs. ADRIAN GRANADOS
Adrien Broner vs. Adrian Granados will take place Saturday, February 18 from the Cintas Center at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH live on SHOWTIME. Televised coverage on begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with unbeaten light heavyweight contender Marcus Browne meeting hard-hitting former title challenger Thomas Williams Jr. in a 10-round showdown. Also featured will be WBA Welterweight Champion David Avanesyan battling former two-time world champion Lamont Peterson.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in association with TGB Promotions and K1 Promotions, are priced at $250, $100, $75, $50 and $30, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online atwww.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @AdrienBroner, @ElTigreAG, @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @CintasCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.

Sam Eggington believes that beating Paulie Malignaggi is his ticket to the big time when they clash at The O2 in London on March 4, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Eggington put his WBC International Welterweight title on the line against Malignaggi in his biggest test to date, a first defence of the title he landed when he came through another major step-up in September when he stopped local rival Frankie Gavin in eight thrilling rounds in Birmingham.

That win continued Eggington’s impressive rise in the sport as he crashed into the top 15 of the WBC rankings with the win and is the mandatory challenger for the European title that was picked up by Spaniard Ceferino Rodriguez in December.

‘Magic Man’ Malignaggi is looking to halt Eggington’s rise and is no stranger to success in the Greenwich venue having landed the EU title in December 2015, but Eggington is determined to add the Brooklyn stars name to his CV and says doing so would make people stand up and take notice of his growing presence in the 147lbs division.

“I’ve taken every chance that’s been put in front of me with both hands and this is no different,” said Eggington. “Paulie brings so much to the table – he’s got pedigree, he brings a US TV audience and that means that my profile can go through the roof with a win.

“I want to make as much money for my family from the sport as possible, nothing has changed from that being the aim when I was just looking to be a journeyman. But I do have my goals in the sport, I’m mandatory for the European title and if I can win that, the sky is the limit, everyone knows I’ll take any fight with both hands and as European champion, those fights would be big, big fights.

“Success breeds success in big cities, we’re all doing well. The Yafai brothers in general are doing massive things and I’m putting in as much work as possible in to succeed. I’d love to follow Kal’s example and bring big shows to the city. I’m learning all the time and as long as I keep winning I believe I am capable of doing that.”

Eggington’s clash with Malignaggi is part of packed bill at The O2 topped by the blockbuster Heavyweight grudge match between David Haye and Tony Bellew. There’s another spite-filled London vs. Liverpool battle on the slate as Hackney’s Ohara Davies defends his WBC Silver Lightweight title against Merseyside favourite Derry Mathews, while Irish amateur star Katie Taylor boxes for the third time in the pros.

Tickets for Haye vs. Bellew sold out in record-breaking time when they went on sale in December.

The “24/7 Golovkin/Jacobs” special will premiere Saturday, Mar. 4 at 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT). It will preview the hotly anticipated meeting between two accomplished and tenacious ring warriors who have been on a journey to confront each other in the ring. The special will provide all-new content including portraits of both fighters’ path to this significant showdown.

Golovkin, 34, has been an indomitable force in the middleweight ranks with many in the division avoiding him and his sterling 36-0, 33 KOs record. Jacobs, 30, known as “Miracle Man” when he returned to the ring after being successfully treated for bone cancer, has a glittering record of 32-1, 29 KOs. Both fighters are known as knockout artists with Golovkin sporting a 91% knockout to win ratio and Jacobs 90% knockout to win ratio. All of Golovkin’s last 23 opponents have been unable to go the distance with “GGG.”

The 30-minute special narrated by Liev Schreiber and produced by HBO’s Emmy-Award-winning “24/7” production team will also be available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO GO®, HBO NOW® and at www.hbo.com/boxing as well as various other new media platforms that distribute the show.

A head cold has forced Jamie Conlan to postpone his upcoming fight against Yader Cardoza at the Belfast Waterfront on Saturday 18th February.

Conlan was due to take on Cardoza for the Vacant WBC International Silver Super-Flyweight title but will now face the Nicaraguan on the rescheduled date of Friday 10th March, at the same venue.

“It’s incredibly frustrating as I’ve been working hard and preparing for this fight for the past two months,” said a disappointed Conlan. “I’m gutted that the show has been postponed but this is boxing and these things happen unfortunately.

“I contracted a head cold on my return to Belfast and as a result I’ve missed some vital training sessions. Yader is a former World Title challenger and I can’t take any chances; I want to put in a real performance for all of my fans.

“This is dangerous sport and I can’t afford to come in at anything less than 100%. It is just one of those things but I’ll be fully fit and prepared to put on a show on March 10th. This is a brilliant card to be topping and I hope you can all come along to the rearranged date and watch me win another title.”

Irish fight fans will still be treated to an unmissable evening of boxing just three weeks later, with all bouts on the card remaining the same.

Tickets purchased for the Saturday 18th February show will still be valid for the rescheduled Friday 10th March date.

Las Vegas, NV February 9 -Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions and The DownTown Las Vegas Event Center return on Saturday, March 11 with the second season of the most popular boxing series in the sport today, “KnockOut Night at The D”

“KnockOut Night at the DLVEC” has produced some memorable action packed fights, huge upsets and spectacular knockouts in 2016 and provided us with an introduction to some of the fastest-rising young contenders and prospects in the sports today like; WBO #6 Super-Flyweight Aston Palicte (22-0-0),
WBA #10 Super-Welterweight John Vera Jr. (16-0-0) and blue chip prospects Randy Moreno (8-0-0), Max Ornelas (7-0-0) and Flavio Rodriquez (6-0-0)

Insert quote for Roy
Saturday, March 11 will keep up with the “KnockOut Night at the D” tradition as former WBA Super-Bantamweight World Champion Rico Ramos (26-5) from Pico Rivera, CA takes on the WBA #13 Super-Bantamweight Contender Erik Ruiz 916-5) from Oxnard, CA in a 10 rd Super-Bantamweight bout.

Ramos won the WBA Super-Bantamweight World Championship back on July 9, 2011 in Atlantic CIty on HBO with a come from behind KO win over defending champion Akifumi Shimoda (23-2) from Japan. Ramos reign as world champion world be short lived as Ramos would lose his title six-months later in his first defense against Cuban sensation Guillermo Rigondeaux, who at the time was only (8-0). Ramos is currently on a two-fight winning streak defeating African veterans Justin Savi (28-5) and Prosper Ankrah (24-8). Ramos knows that a victory over the world ranked Erik Ruiz will place him right back into world title contingency.

Ruiz on the other is your typical hard nose contender who at one time started his career at 13-1 before suffering back to back losses, one to current WBO Featherweight World Champion Jesse Magdaleno (24-0) and another to world ranked contender Manuel Avila (22-0). Ruiz gained momentum last May in Las Vegas in September when he defeated fringe contender Hanzel Martines (23-2-0) by MD10 for the vacant WBA International Super-Bantamweight Championship on one of the installments of “Knockout Night at the D’.
Insert quote from Derek

Ramos vs. Ruiz will headline a seven-bout fight card presented by Roy Jones Jr, Boxing Promotions at the Downtown Las Vegas Event Center (DLVEC) where RJJ will showcase his stable of talent. Co-Main event will be Randy Moreno (8-0) and making his return to Las Vegas after his tremendous win for the vacant WBA-NABA Bantamweight Championship against Tony Lopez (11-2) last September will be Stephon Young (16-0). The under card is fulled with hard hitting, action packed fights, and all are coming to Las Vegas only to leave victorious.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $1000.00 VIP booth, $52.00 ringside, $37.00 seated and $27.00 rear seated, are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 p.m. PT.

INFORMATION:

Websites: www.dlvec.com, www.thed.com, www.royjonesjrboxing.com, www.knockoutnightboxing.com

Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvec, @DerekJStevens, @RoyJonesJRFA

Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJRBoxing

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dlvec,www.Facebook.com/thedlasvegas www.Facebook.com/RoyjJonesJr.Boxing

Follow these fighters on Instagram: @_randymoreno, @stephon_showstopper, @f_rod48,

RIVAL BOXING GEAR & EQUIPMENT is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series. www.rivalboxing.com, @rivalboxinggear

About Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. Based in Las Vegas, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable such as undefeated super welterweight John Vera and former 3-time world super bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko, along with Tony Lopez and Hanzel Martinez, lightweight Demond Brock, super featherweight Bryan Vasquez & Randy Moreno,super flyweight Aston Francis Palicte, super welterweight Daniel Rosario Cruz and Rolando Garza cruiserweight Irsael Duffus, bantamweight Max Ornelas, super lightweight Emanuel Robles, middleweight Rolando Garza and light heavyweight Adrian Taylor.

About Downtown Las Vegas Events Center

Located at the corner of Third St. and Carson Ave. across from the D Las Vegas, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center can accommodate up to 11,000 guests and features state-of-the-art stage, sound and lighting. The open-air design is inviting to both tourists and locals and offers the perfect spot for concerts, conventions and other large-scale events. Embracing the uninhibited spirit of Downtown Las Vegas, the new venue plays host to a line-up of curated events including premier concerts, food festivals and more. The venue is also the first entertainment arena in Las Vegas to accept Bitcoin as currency. For more information, visit www.dlvec.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @DLVEC.