Cotto and Kirkland will join Roc Nation Sports and the Dallas Cowboys organization on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. CT for a press conference at Ford Center at The Star to officially announce the fight. This will be the first event of its kind to be held at the state-of-the-art, 510,000 square foot indoor athletic facility shared by the Dallas Cowboys, the City of Frisco, and Frisco ISD’s high schools. Ford Center at The Star is also the home to the Dallas Cowboys Football World Corporate Headquarters.
Tickets priced at $304, $204, $154, $104, $79, $54 and $29 not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. local time and will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 and the AT&T Stadium box office.

“I’m excited to return to the ring and put on a great show. I can’t wait to start training camp and get ready for February 25,” said Five-Time World Champion Miguel Cotto. “Fighting inside the beautiful Ford Center, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboy’s newest creation, and headlining the first ever boxing event there pumps me with a lot of enthusiasm and energy.”

“I’m very excited to get back into the ring against a legend like Miguel Cotto. I’m going to train like never before so I can show the world that the old James Kirkland is back,” said James Kirkland. “You know the fight will be exciting while it lasts. February 25 can’t come soon enough.”

“Miguel Cotto is back and ready to put on an exciting show against the always tough James Kirkland,” said Hector Soto, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “We can’t wait to see Miguel back in the ring on February 25 on HBO Pay-Per-View.”

“On behalf of Roc Nation Sports, we are so thrilled about Miguel Cotto’s return to the ring and to bring the first public event to Ford Center at The Star,” said Michael Yormark, Roc Nation President & Chief of Branding and Strategy. “This will undoubtedly be a historic event with an exciting, all-action bout in store for the fans in Frisco and all of North Texas along with those watching from home on HBO Pay-Per-View.”

“We are excited to host an incredible matchup for the very first boxing match here at Ford Center at The Star,” said Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager. “This venue was designed with the idea of versatility in mind, and we expect a great crowd in Frisco, Texas to experience a world class fight between Miguel Cotto and James Kirkland.”

“Throughout his brilliant ring career, Miguel Cotto has never backed down from a challenge and on February 25 he takes on a dangerous knockout specialist in James Kirkland,” said Tony Walker, Vice President, HBO Pay-Per-View. “Fans watching live in Frisco and those tuning in on pay-per-view should not blink in what should be an all-action slugfest.”

Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs) is a former WBC and Ring Magazine middleweight world champion and the first native of Puerto Rico to become world champion in four different weight classes. He previously held the WBO junior welterweight world title, the WBA welterweight world title, the WBO welterweight world title and the WBA super welterweight world title. He also represented Puerto Rico in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Cotto has competed in 24 world championship fights, compiling a record of 19-5 with 16 knockouts in those bouts. In Puerto Rico, he is hailed as a national hero and the successor of Felix “Tito” Trinidad as the island’s most revered boxer. Cotto is one of the biggest gate attractions in boxing and one of the largest pay-per-view draws among active fighters. In June 2014, Cotto made history in his first fight as a middleweight by dominating Argentine southpaw and defending WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez. He is trained by legendary Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and has fought some of the biggest names in the sport including Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. Cotto owns his own boxing promotional company in Puerto Rico, Miguel Cotto Promotions, and presides over his charity La Fundación El Ángel de Miguel Cotto, a non-profit organization dedicated to combatting childhood obesity. In March 2015, Cotto and Roc Nation Sports announced that they had entered into a partnership that includes a co-promotional agreement with Miguel Cotto Promotions to promote Cotto’s fights. On June 6, 2015, Cotto defended his WBC, Ring Magazine and lineal middleweight world championships against former two-time World Champion Daniel Geale at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Cotto scored a thunderous knockdown early in the fourth round before finishing matters with a second knockdown midway through the round, which left Geale unable to continue. On November 21, 2015, Cotto cemented his status as one of the biggest pay-per-view draws among active fighters in his much anticipated mega-fight against Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, despite going the distance for a twelve-round unanimous decision loss. The hard-fought bout has been dubbed as the biggest fight in the history of the famed Puerto Rico vs. Mexico boxing rivalry. The Five-Time World Champion is eager to return to the ring against James Kirkland on February 25.

A Texas titan, representing the city of Austin, 32-year-old southpaw James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland (32-2, 28 KOs) has built his reputation with explosive power. His fists have accounted for 28 knockout victories over the course of his nearly 14-year professional career. A former NABO and WBC Continental Americas Champion, Kirkland bounced back from his lone defeat against Nobuhiro Ishida in 2011 with five consecutive wins, four coming by way of knockout. Kirkland has defeated Brian Vera, Alfredo “Perro” Angulo and Carlos “King” Molina and handed Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia his first professional loss by way of a punishing sixth round technical knockout, prior to taking the stage for a 12-round super welterweight war with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on May 9, 2015 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

Cotto vs. Kirkland is a 12-round junior middleweight fight presented by Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions and Ford Center at The Star, and is sponsored by Corona Extra.

For more information, please visit www.throneboxing.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter @rocnation and Instagram @rocnationsports and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.

For more information, visit www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Follow the conversation using #CottoKirkland.

NEW YORK (Dec. 19, 2016) – Undefeated, WBA No. 3-ranked super bantamweight Adam Lopez (16-0-1, 8 KOs) will face the WBA’s No. 4-ranked Danny Roman (20-2-1, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader on Friday, Jan. 20, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino.

The first ShoBox telecast in 2017 features eight fighters with a combined record of 115 wins against just seven losses.

In the co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Ronald Ellis (13-0-1, 1 NC, 10 KOs) will face off with Christopher Brooker (11-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round 168-pound matchup of ShoBox veterans.

In another eight-round featured bout, former national amateur champion Kenneth Sims Jr. (10-0, 3 KOs) and Dominican Olympian Wellington Romero (11-0-1, 5 KOs) will clash in an eight-round matchup of up-and-coming, unbeaten super lightweights making their ShoBox debuts in their toughest assignments to date.

In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated bantamweight Stephon Young (15-0-3, 6 KOs) takes on Mexican veteran and two-time interim world title challenger Daniel Rosas (19-3-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round bantamweight bout.

Tickets for the show, which is promoted by GH3 Promotions, Kings Promotions in association with Thompson Boxing (the main event) and Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino, are $125, $100 $75 & $50 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or calling 1-800-745-3000

ADAM LOPEZ VS. DANNY ROMAN – 10 Rounds, Super Bantamweights

Lopez, of San Antonio, Texas, by way Phoenix, Ariz., is a prototypical Shobox prospect-turned-contender. He’s 3-0-1 on the series, having defeated three previous unbeaten boxers on the series: Mario Muniz (11-0) in a hard-fought 10-round decision on Feb. 19, 2016, outpointing Eliezer Acquino (17-0-1) across 10 rounds on July 17, 2015, and knocking out Pablo Cruz (11-0) in the second round on March 13, 2015. In his most recent ShoBox outing, Lopez boxed a 12-round draw with Roman Reynoso (18-1-1) on July 22, 2016.

“This will be my toughest fight. It is all about levels and progressing,” Lopez said of the matchup between the 26-year-old world-ranked contenders. “This may be my last ShoBox fight so I want to save the best for the last.”Roman is very good fighter and I’m ready for a tough fight. He’s progressed a lot. He’s a good puncher, counter puncher and works the body. But I’m ready for whatever he brings. A win would be huge — it puts me in contention to fight a world champion.”An excellent boxer-puncher and tactician that likes to counter, Lopez was a standout amateur before going pro in February 2012. He is coming off an eighth-round knockout over Carlos Valcarcel on Nov. 11, 2016, and is facing likely his toughest test to date in Lopez.

Roman has won 13 in a row dating to March 2014 – and none of the fights have been close. He went 4-0 in 2014, 6-0 in 2015 and 4-0 in 2016. The Los Angeles native, who is coming of an eight-round decision over previously unbeaten Marlon Olea (12-0) last Nov. 18, will make his ShoBox and East Coast debut in just his second outing outside of Southern California.

“I’ve been extremely active over the last few years and now all the hard work is starting to pay off,” said Roman, a pro since October 2009. “This is a tremendous opportunity and the type of fight I’ve been preparing for. Adam Lopez is a great fighter, and he’s highly ranked just like me. We are going to give the fans an exciting fight.

“I can box, I can brawl. I give the fans what they want. I think people are going to be impressed with how I fight. People want to see a fight and I know I’m going to bring it. Boxing fans are going to know who Danny Roman is on Jan. 20.”

RONALD ELLIS VS. CHRISTOPHER BROOKER, 8 Rounds, Super Middleweights

Ellis, of Lynn, Mass., and Brooker, of Philadelphia, are making their second ShoBox starts. Like Lopez, they fought Feb. 19, 2016, in Atlantic City. Ellis boxed an entertaining eight-round majority draw in a slugfest with hard-hitting Jerry Odom; Brooker took an eight-round majority decision over previously unbeaten John Magda (11-0) in a match that was originally announced a split draw but was later changed to a majority decision win for Brooker.

This will be Ellis’ second fight since the Odom fight. The 27-year-old Ellis, the older brother of welterweight prospect Rashidi Ellis, outpointed Oscar Riojas across eight rounds on Dec. 10.

Ellis feels he’s benefited from going the distance in consecutive contests. “It’s helped me that I’ve gone through it before,” said Ellis, whose 10 knockouts have come inside two rounds (eight in the first). “Now, I know what they’re looking for. This time I’ll finish super strong and put on a show. I need this to further my career and put me in main event fights.

“I’ve seen Brooker fight a few times. He’s a tough guy who comes forward and comes to fight, and that is perfect for me. Brooker will be there for me to hit, and it will give me a great opportunity to showcase my talents.”

As an amateur, Ellis upset Terrell Gausha to win the 2010 National Golden Gloves. Gausha went on to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games and is now an undefeated professional middleweight.

Brooker, a physically strong, aggressive-minded boxer-puncher, is trying to regain his winning ways after a nine-fight winning streak ended when he lost by 10th-round TKO to highly regarded Ronald Gavril (16-1) last Oct. 8 in Las Vegas. The 25-year-old Brooker dropped Gavril in the fifth round but went down twice in the 10th before it was stopped at 2:04. Entering the 10th and final round, the fight was even on the judges’ scorecards.

“I’m ready and excited to get back in the ring,” said Brooker. “I can’t wait to fight another undefeated fighter on ShoBox. I’m still looking to get to the next level. I was at Ellis’ last fight, and I saw an average fighter compared to the guys I’ve fought. He’s solid, throws nice, short punches but runs out of gas.

“In my last fight I lost because I kept looking for the KO. I have a new trainer now (Gaunch Muhammad), and I’m getting back to the technical part of boxing. I’m jabbing more, and in my previous camps I wasn’t jabbing or boxing enough. I have the heart and condition but I have to get to my opponent with the jab.”The Philadelphia native was a top level amateur who has been active since turning professional in 2015.

KENNETH SIMS JR. VS. WELLINGTON ROMERO – 8 Rounds, Super Lightweights

Sims, of Chicago, is matched with unquestionably the most dangerous opponent of a career that began in March 2014. This will be the eight-round debut for the 23-year-old, who has gone six full rounds six times.

“This is the biggest fight of my career,” said Sims, who is coming off a six-round decision over Jonathan Dinong last Nov. 11. “I will be prepared for anything that I have to do. I’ve seen videos of Romero and I know he is a good fighter. I fought world champions in the amateurs so it’s not a big deal to fight him. I need to take care of business and get my win on national television. It’s as simple as that.”

Sims was a main sparring partner for Floyd Mayweather (when he was getting prepared for Andre Berto) and Manny Pacquiao (as he was getting ready for Mayweather). Sims, known for his boxing skills and ability to work the body, was a 2013 U.S. National Amateur Champion and a 2012 Olympic Trials semifinalist.

Romero had 268 amateur bouts and represented his native Dominican Republic in the 2012 Olympic Games, where he lost to eventual Gold Medalist Vasyl Lomachenko. Shortly thereafter he relocated to New York, where he turned pro in 2013. The 25-year-old is coming off a first-round knockout over Engleberto Valenzuela on Dec. 10.

A slick boxer who can punch and gives opponent issues because of his awkward style and movement, Romero has been brought along carefully against mostly modest opposition. The southpaw is coming off a first-round TKO over Luis Meroles last Dec. 5.

Romero understands that this could likely be his most daunting task to date. “I’m looking forward to introducing myself to the American public,” he said. “Sims is a good fighter but I will always like challenges, and this will be my biggest challenge as a pro.”

STEPHON YOUNG VS. DANIEL ROSAS – 8 Rounds, Bantamweights

Young, of St. Louis, is making his second ShoBox start. In his debut, he boxed a 10-round draw with previously undefeated Nikolai Potapov (14-0) in April of 2016.

“To be able to be back on ShoBox feels good,” said Young, who registered a majority 10-round decision over previously once-beaten Juan Lopez Jr. in his last scrap on Sept. 30, 2016. “My first fight on ShoBox was not a fair decision. It was my first 10-rounder and I feel like I won the fight. This time I will be able to show more of what I have.

“Training has been great. I already have been in camp for two months. The fight against Potapov was my first with my new coach (Herman Caicedo), and this will be our third fight. We won the NABA title by beating Lopez and now we’re back.”The 25-year-old Young, who is currently ranked No. 9 in the WBA, was an experienced amateur who compiled a record of 86-13 while representing the U.S. in a number of tournaments. In the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2011, he lost to the No. 1-rated amateur, Rau’shee Warren.

The 27-year-old Rosas, of Mexico City, is a nine-year veteran who is experienced against top opposition. In 2011, in just his 13th professional fight, Rosas fought to a 12-round split draw against Jose Cabrera in a bout for the Interim WBO Super Flyweight World Title. In 2014, he lost a close, unanimous decision to Alejandro Hernandez for the Interim WBO Bantamweight Title.

Rosas has rattled off three consecutive victories since fighting Hernandez. In his last bout on April 29, he lost via TKO to current IBF Super Bantamweight Champ Jonathan Guzman in his U.S. debut.

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

# # #

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.

Deerfield Beach, FL — Top rated heavyweights Alexander Povetkin and Bermane Stiverne were scheduled to fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Interim Heavyweight title on Saturday night at the Ekaterinburg Expo Center in Ekaterinburg, Russia. However, the WBC withdrew it’s sanctioning of the bout due to a Povetkin failed drug test. The WBC informed both camps of their decision Friday evening and advised the Stiverne camp they should not go through with the fight. The WBC abides by “Safety First” protocol in their Clean Boxing Program.

Povetkin (31-1, 23 KOs) from Checkhov, Russia was going into the fight rated No. 1 by the WBC. No. 2 rated Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs) was born and raised in Haiti, now residing in Las Vegas. They were to fight for the WBC Interim Heavyweight Title, the winner becoming mandatory challenger to current champion Deontay Wilder, who has been incapable of defending due to injury.

The WBC uses VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) to administer their drug testing. VADA uses random testing and athletes may be tested at any time. This is the second fight in which Povetkin has tested positive for a banned substance – this time Ostarine. Povetkin’s positive sampling was taken December 6 and the WBC and both fight camps were notified of the test results Friday night. Within a couple of hours of the notification, the WBC tweeted it was “Withdrawing its recognition of Povetkin vs Stiverne due to the positive result of Povetkin for Osterine,” and shortly thereafter wrote in its ruling “The WBC hereby withdraws its sanctioning of the bout for the heavyweight interim world championship and will conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances of the case and will issue subsequent rulings as required.”

Statement from Stiverne’s promoter Don King: “To say that I am very saddened and extremely disappointed that Alexander Povetkin was caught again using banned substances would be an understatement. What is the WBC going to do about it will be the answer. Bermane Stiverne deserves better than that. Bermane should be declared the interim title holder. This is the second time Alexander Povetkin is in the drug abuse program and has embarrassed the WBC causing the WBC’s sanction of the fight as a world title fight being withdrawn. The firs time was the Deontay Wilder vs. Povetkin May 21 in Moscow.

“Even though it hurts Bermane economically, psychologically and especially psychologically, I want to congratulate the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman did himself and his organization, the WBC, proud by withdrawing their sanctioning of the fight.. Thank you WBC, thank you Mauricio Sulaiman, thank you for your honest, dynamic leadership.”

Ostarine is known to increase muscle mass and fat loss as well as increase stamina. Previously Povetkin was to face WBC titleholder Deontay Wilder on May 21, but tested positive for Meldonium a week prior to the fight. Meldonium is known to increase blood vessel size, increasing blood, hence, improving once again, stamina.

BROOKLYN (Dec. 19, 2016) – Middleweight champion and Brooklyn native Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs will wear BROOKLYN BOXING branded merchandise in the ring when he fights against unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin on March 18.

Jacobs, who in June was named the face of BROOKLYN BOXING, the flourishing boxing platform for Barclays Center, will train and compete in branded gloves, trunks, shoes and robes and will wear other apparel during fight week events and in the post-fight press conference.

“I’m excited to represent BROOKLYN BOXING and the 2.6 million people in my home borough,” said Jacobs, who grew up in Brownsville. “My story is about never giving up and that’s the spirit and perseverance I’ll be bringing into the ring against Golovkin on March 18. I will make Brooklyn proud.”

In 2011, Jacobs was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a life-threatening form of bone cancer. After an arduous battle, radiation treatments and surgery, Jacobs returned to the ring at Barclays Center where he went on to win his WBA world middleweight title in August 2014, a belt he still holds.

“We couldn’t be more proud to have Daniel representing BROOKLYN BOXING,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “Daniel’s determination and courage capture the spirit of the borough and we are confident that he will return to Barclays Center for his next fight with all of Golovkin’s world middleweight championship belts.”

Launched earlier this year, the BROOKLYN BOXING merchandise line features a unique brand of active wear, lifestyle apparel, accessories for men and women, fighters and fans alike.

The assortment includes in-ring essentials like BROOKLYN BOXING training gear, gloves and corner buckets, as well as street wear such as hats, hoodies, shirts, and socks. Fans can purchase their own apparel at BrooklynBoxingShop.com.

BROOKLYN BOXING is making an annual donation to Jacobs’ Get In The Ring Foundation, through which he advocates for children struggling with cancer, childhood obesity, and bullying.

BROOKLYN SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE) develops and operates state-of-the-art venues and manages premier sports franchises, delivering dynamic content and experiences for audiences. BSE oversees programming, marketing, sales, and operations for Barclays Center and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented by New York Community Bank, and manages and controls the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and its Development League team, the Long Island Nets, as well as the business operations of the NHL’s New York Islanders.

Barclays Center, which opened on September 28, 2012, offers 17,732 seats for basketball, 15,795 for hockey, and up to 19,000 seats for concerts, and has 101 luxury suites, four bars/lounges, four clubs, and 40/40 CLUB & Restaurant by American Express.

The New Coliseum Presented by NYCB, scheduled to reopen April 5, 2017 after extensive renovation, will offer 13,000 seats for hockey, 13,500 for basketball, and 14,500 for concert configurations, with the ability to flex up. The bowl will have a theater seating option for 4,000 guests.

With a focus on emerging businesses, BSE identifies and creates alliances, strategic partners and other business opportunities to ensure the success of its assets. For additional information, please visit Brooklynse.com.

Warriors Boxing sends congratulations out to Former IBF junior middleweight world champion “King” Carlos Molina for winning his sixth consecutive (and fifth this year) fight on Saturday night.

Fighting at the Gran Oasis Arena in Cancun, Mexico, Molina (28-6-2, 8 KOs) won a unanimous shutout (80-72 X3) decision over Diego “Demoledor” Cruz (17-4-1, 13 KOs). The 33-year-old Molina is currently rated #9 at welterweight by the WBC.

“I feel very comfortable at 147; this is my natural weight,” said Molina, post-fight. “I am at weight after working out and I feel faster in my fights. For this fight, I worked on utilizing my jab and being more effective with it. Over all I am happy about how things came together. I will continue to work hard to get back to a world title fight.”

Molina says he likes the hectic schedule he maintained this year, in fighting five times against respectable opposition.

“I want to stay busy. The activity I experienced this year was excellent and I want to continue being busy. I want bigger fights with anyone in the top 10 at 147. I want the fights that will lead to a second world title. I am a problem for anyone at 147 and in 2017, I want to be challenged with the best the division has to offer.”

“Carlos was one of the best in the world at 154,” said his promoter, Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing. “But at 147, he could very well be the best in the world. He is a true technician with a difficult style to solve for anyone. Now that he’s bigger and stronger than his opponents, he’s in very serious contention for a second world championship once again. He had a great year and I congratulate him.”
About Warriors Boxing
Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

José A. Acevedo of Free Agent Boxing Management wishes to congratulate his fighter, Jose Alfredo “Torito” Rodriguez, for winning both the UBF All-Americas and Latino Super Flyweight Championships in front of a standing-room-only crowd at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, Virginia, on Saturday (December 10).

A former interim WBA Light Flyweight and WBC Youth World Light Flyweight Champion, Rodriguez, now ranked #15 by the IBF, scored an eight-round decision over Puerto Rico’s former WBA Fedecentro Super Flyweight Champion, Edwin “Puto” Rodriguez (8-3, 5 KOs), no relation.

The victory marked the first time Sinaloa, Mexico’s Rodriguez had ever competed in the United States.

Although the Puerto Rican was able to get inside a few times, Rodriguez used his jab to keep him outside and controlled the action for most of the fight.

“Torito got some good rounds in against Rodriguez,” said manager Acevedo. “This will help him brush off that ring rust. I am very happy with his performance. I knew this fight was going to go the distance, because ‘Puto’ is a good fighter. Torito is very strong though, with a bright future ahead of him.”

Acevedo says the win was the first step pin his plan to put Rodriguez in his dream fight.

“Next we will be looking to fight the best of the best to get Torito back on top. He wants to be champion again and he’ll fight anyone to get there. But the fight he really wants is (current WBC World Super Flyweight Champion Roman) Chocolatito (Gonzalez). That’s who we are gunning for.”

“It’s big news for me. I am very excited,” Golovkin said. “I think it’s a very big fight and great fight for you guys to watch. Danny is an amazing fighter. He is a tough opponent and No. 2 in the middleweight division. He is my toughest opponent. Hopefully, I fight three times next year. There are big plans for 2017 (but) right now I am focused on Jacobs and I am here to fight.

“I’m excited about facing GGG and proving I’m the best middleweight in the world,” Jacobs said in a statement to ESPN. “On March 18 I’m bringing all the belts back to Brooklyn with me.”

Follow all the action as the legendary Bernard Hopkins wraps up his Hall of Fame career when he takes on Joe Smith, Jr. in a light heavyweight bout from the Forum in Inglewood, California.  The action kicks off at 10PM ET / 7 PM PT with a cruiserweight title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Thabiso Mchunu.  That will be followed by a featherweight contest between Joseph Diaz, Jr. and Horacio Garcia

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED

Round 1: Right wobbles Hopkins…Left from Smith..Good body shot..

Round 2 Smith lands 2 body shot…Smith bleeding from the head (Headbutt)..Hopkins lands a right..

Round 3 Uppercut by Smith…Right from Hopkins..Good body shot..

Round 4 Good right from Hopkins..Left hook to the body and left from Smith..Left hook from Hopkins..Left hook and good right from Hopkins..(Smith outlanding Hopkins 38-29)

Round 5 2 hard rights from Hopkins..Big left hook to body from Smith..Good right from Hopkins..Left hook..Good body shot and big right from Smith..Good jab,,

Round 6 Smith lands a right

Round 7 Hopkins lands a combination

Round 8 RIGHT HAND KNOCKS HOPKINS OUT OF THE RING—FIGHT IS OVER

Round 1: Garcia landing early..Straight left from Diaz..Good body shot..

Round 2:  Diaz lands a body shot…Good counter combo

Round 3

Round 4 2 hard rights by Garcia..Good body shot by Diaz..Good left..Hard left..body shot..straight left..

Round 5 Straight left from Diaz

Round 6 Diaz landing combinations to the head

Round 7 2 lefts from Diaz..Good combination..Good left hand lead..left to the body..Good body shot

Round 8 Diaz landing combinations

Round 9 Diaz lands right to the body..Left to the head..Combination..Good left

Round 10 Garcia lands a right..Good right to the body…Hard body shot and straight left from Diaz..Overhand right from Garcia..

100-90 ON ALL CARDS FOR JOSEPH DIAZ, JR.

Round 1: Good hook from Mchunu..

Round 2 Jab from Mchunu..Mchunu landed 17 punches; Usyk 15 through 2 rounds

Round 3 Mchunu works the body..Hook from Usyk..Right from Mchunu..

Round 4 Usyk starting to open up…Counter left from Mchunu..

Round 5 Hard right from Usyk…Hard 1-2

Round 6 Right hook from Usyk..Hard 5 punch combination..Left hurts Mchunu..Left from Mchunu..COMBINATION AND DOWN GOES MCHUNU..

Round 7:  quick uppercut from Mchunu..Counter left

Round 8 Usyk lands a left and right to head…2 counters from Mchunu…Usyk lands a left…Mchunu lands a right (Usyk outlanding Mchunu 133-67)

Round 9 Good body work by Usyk…STRAIGHT LEFT AND DOWN GOES MCHUNU..2 good counters by Mchunu..Osyk lands a big left..Body shot from Mchunu…LEFT TO TOP OF HEAD AND DOWN GOES MCHUNU…FIGHT STOPPED

Mickey Gall stopped Sage Northcutt in the 2nd round of their welterweight bout.

Gall sent Northcutt to the canvas with a right hand, He was able to get behind and make Northcutt tap with a rear naked choke at 1:40.

Gall, 170 lbs of Green Brook, NJ is 4-0. Northcutt, 170 lbs of Katy, TX is 8-2.

Urijah Faber wrapped up his certain Hall of Fame career with a unanimous decision over Brad Pickett in a featherweight bout.

Faber, 136 lbs of Sacramento, CA won all cars 30-26 and will end his career with a record of 34-10. Pickett, 136 lbs of East London, England is 26-13.

Alan Jouban won a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Mike Perry in a welterweight bout.

In round three, a welt started to form on Perry’s left leg from the continuous leg kicks of Jouban.

Jouban, 170.5 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and, now is 15-4. Perry, 170 lbs of Orlando, FL is 9-1.

Joe Smith Jr ended the legendary career of Bernard Hopkins when he knocked Hopkins out of the ring in the 8th of their scheduled 12-round light heavyweight bout at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

In round one, Smith wobbled Hopkins with a right to the top of head.  In round two, Smith was cut inside his left eyebrow from an accidental headbutt.  Hopkins fought his way back into the fight as he occasionally landed his trademark right hand and some nice uppercuts on the inside.

Smith was bombing away with his right hand and startled but never had Hopkins in much trouble.  That changed in the 8th round, when Smith rocked Hopkins with a right hand.  A follow up combination drilled Hopkins out of the ring.  Hopkins fell on the back of his head, and could not beat the 20 count of referee Jack Reiss and Hopkins was stopped for the 1st time in his illustrious 28 year career.

Smith 174 lbs of Long Island, NY is now 23-1 with 19 knockouts.  Hopkins, 174 lbs of Philadelphia will wind up his career with a record of 55-8-2.

Joseph Diaz, Jr. remained perfect by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Horacio Garcia in a featherweight contest.

Diaz used superior handspeed and body work to control the action and outland Garcia by a 266-116 mark.

Diaz, 126 lbs of South El Monte, CA won by scores of 100-90 on all cards,  and is now 23-0.  Garcia, 125.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is 30-2-1.

Oleksandr Usyk retained the WBO Cruiserweight title with a 9th round stoppage over Thabiso Mchunu

Usyk started to open up in round five and in round six, dropped Mchunu with a hard combination.  Usyk continued to build his lead and then in round nine, he landed a hard straight left that sent Mchunu to the canvas.  Mchunu was able to continue, but not for much longer as a left to the top of the head put Mchunu down for a 3rd and final time.  Referee Lou Moret stopped the bout at 1:53.

Usyk, 199.6 lbs of Kiev, UKR is now 11-0 with 10 knockouts.  Mchunu, 198.6 lbs of Cato Ridge, SA is 17-3.

Jason Quigley remained undefeated by stopping Jorge Melendez in the 1st round of their scheduled 10-middleweight bout.

Quigley dropped Melendez with a short right in the 1st round. Quigley dropped Melendez a short time later with a five punch combination. Melendez went down for a 3rd time in the round from a right. Melendez was able to continue, but just for a brief time as he landed a big flurry that forced the corner to stop the fight at 2:42.

Quigley, 159.6 lbs of Donegal, IRE is 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Melendez, 158.6 lbs of Manati, PR is 28-8-1.

Ryan Garcia remained undefeated by scoring a 2nd round stoppage over Antonio Martinez in a scheduled 6-round lightweight bout.

Martinez was cut over his left eye in the 1st round from a huge flurry of punches by Garcia. Garcia scored a knockdown at the end of the round from a right hand. In round two, Garcia dropped Martinez with a left hand. Garcia continued the onslaught and landed a bug right hand that forced the referee to stop the bout at 2:00

Garcia, 131.4 lbs of Victorville, CA is 7-0 with 6 knockouts. Martinez, 131.4 lbs of Durango, MX is 6-8.

LAS VEGAS (Dec. 17, 2016) – In the aftermath of Saturday’s news that the WBC Interim heavyweight title fight in Russia between former heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne and top-ranked Alexander Povetkin had been cancelled because Povetkin tested positive for drugs again, Hall of Fame promoter Don “Only In America” King offered a simple solution:

Declare his fighter, Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs), of Las Vegas, the interim champion.

“I’ve had a long-standing respect with the WBC, beginning with Jose Sulaiman and now with his son, Mauricio, who has done an incredible job filling his father’s shoes as WBC president and just got re-elected for four more years. I stand with them and with the WBC for trying to do things the right way and with their organization’s safety procedures in regard to the boxers and the sport.

“It’s sad but this guy, Povetkin, has become a total embarrassment. He’s now tested positive in two WBC heavyweight title fights in a row. I’m all for winning and losing fights in the ring, but it’s time for justice to prevail. I don’t know what’s going on over there with so many Russian athletes in so many sports testing positive for drugs, but it has to stop. They cannot be allowed to continue to do things the way they are.

“The WBC should declare Stiverne world champion, make him the mandatory for (WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay) Wilder, and let’s move on with it. There are a lot of great heavyweight fights that can be made with willing boxers who don’t break the rules every fight.

“I’m very disappointed for Bermane, who’s now gone through two training camps with nothing to show for it. Why put up all that money for travel and expenses and then have no fight. He was ready to beat Povetkin and regain a part of the WBC title.

“And then – worse yet — for them to try and put it on Bermane for not fighting is just ludicrous. They’re taking the victim and trying to set him up as the criminal in this.’’

Stiverne pulled out after the WBC withdrew its sanction because Poverkin tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman revealed the positive test by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) on Saturday morning. Then, the WBC withdrew its recognition of the fight.

“There’s no reason to fight if the WBC won’t sanction the bout,” said Stiverne, who could have gone through with the bout but without the sanction opted not to. “I’m very disappointed in the actions of Povetkin. I’ve been training for months to be victorious.

“To wake up the day of the fight, have breakfast, take a nap and then find out he tested positive is the worst possible situation.”

This is the second time in seven months Povetkin (30-1-0, 22 KOs) has tested positive for a banned substance. He tested positive for Meldonium ahead of a scheduled May bout with Wilder, cancelling that fight.

If it had transpired, the winner of the fight for the WBC interim heavyweight title would have become the mandatory challenger to Wilder. Stiverne lost the WBC title to Wilder on a 12-round decision on Jan. 15, 2015. He’s the only fighter to go the distance with Wilder.

Ekaterinburg, Russia (December 17, 2016) Former World Boxing Council (‘WBC’) Heavyweight Champion BERMANE STIVERNE (25-2-1, 21 KO’s), of Las Vegas, Nevada, has elected not to face #1 ranked contender ALEXANDER POVETKIN, (30-1-0, 22 KO’s) today after Povetkin tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine and the World Boxing Council withdrew their recognition of the fight.

The positive test reported by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association was revealed by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman on Saturday morning local time.

Said Stiverne, “There’s no reason to fight if the WBC won’t sanction the bout, I’m very disappointed in the actions of Povetkin. I’ve been training for months to be victorious.”

“To wake up the day of the fight, have breakfast, take a nap and wake up to find out he tested positive is the worst possible situation.”

“I’m headed back home to Las Vegas, hopefully the WBC will install me as the mandatory challenger to face (current WBC Heavyweight World Champion) Deontay Wilder. I want the opportunity to fight for the world title again, that was my whole reason to come to Russia was to earn that opportunity.”

The winner of Povetkin vs. Stiverne, contested for the WBC Interim Heavyweight Title, would have become the mandatory challenger for Wilder as declared previously by the WBC.

Stiverne lost a 12-round unanimous decision and the WBC Heavyweight Title to Wilder on January 17, 2015 in Las Vegas.

All pictures by Manny “Mitts” Murillo / Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions

(picture IDs – first fighter listed each bout is pictured on the left, promoter Keith Veltre is in the center )

Main Event – NABF & Vacant WBO Inter-Continental Super Flyweight Championships (10)*
Oscar Cantu (14-0, 1 KO), Champion, Kingsville, TX 113 lbs.
Aston Palicte (21-2, 18 KOs), Challenger, Bago City, Philippines by way of Los Angeles, CA 115 lbs.

Co-Feature — Junior Middleweights (8)*
Angelo Baez (15-0-1, 11 KOs), Osorno, Chile 152 lbs.
Nathaniel Gallimore (15-1-1, 12 KOs), Chicago, IL by way of Jamaica 153 lbs.

Welterweights (6)*
Flavio Rodriguez (5-0, 4 KOs), Los Angeles, CA 147 lbs.
Dilan Loza (5-0, 3 KOs), Mexicali, Mexico 147.6 lbs.

Welterweight (6)
Jeremy Nichols (7-0, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, NV 149 lbs.
Kevin Ottey (3-0, 2 KOs), San Diego, CA 149.8 lbs.

Junior Lightweights (6)
Randy Moreno (7-0, 6 KOs), Las Vegas, NV 130.2 lbs.
Mike Fowler (5-3, 2 KOs), Milwaukee, WI 129.4 lbs.

Junior Featherweights (6)
Jessie Hernandez (7-1, 6 KOs), Ft. Worth, TX 121.6 lbs.
Sharone Carter (6-1, 2 KOs), St. Louis, MO 120.8 lbs.

Bantamweights (4)
Max Ornelas (6-0, 3 KOs), Las Vegas, NV 117.2 lbs.
Jorge Perez (6-4-1, 3 KOs), Riverside, CA 117 lbs.

*denotes TV fight

WHAT: “Knockout Night at the D” professional boxing

WHEN: Saturday, December 17, 2016

WHERE: Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (tent)

PROMOTER: Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions

TELEVISION: Live on CBS Sports Network and live streamed worldwide via FloBoxing.tv (full undercard plus 3 TV fights outside of North America)

BROADCASTERS: Jim “JR” Ross & Joey Varner

RING ANNOUNCER: Jeff Huston

DOORS OPEN: 4:00 p.m. PT

FIRST BOUT: 5:00 p.m. PT

FIRST TV BOUT: 7:00 p.m. PT

OTHER: “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center

TICKETS: $1,000.00 VIP booth (includes 15 admissions), $50.00 VIP ringside, $25.00 and $15.00 general admission, are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.

INFORMATION:

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

Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvEventsCenter, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

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

RIVAL BOXING GEAR & EQUIPMENT is the official gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series. www.rivalboxing.com, @rivalboxinggear
About the D Las Vegas: the D Las Vegas delivers the fresh, energetic attitude and fun atmosphere synonymous with downtown Las Vegas. The new casino hotel boasts 629 remodeled rooms and suites and a unique two-level casino featuring modern and vintage floors. Cocktails, beer and frozen beverages abound inside the casino at LONGBAR and on the Fremont Street Experience at D Bar. the D offers contemporary American fare at D Grill, Detroit’s legendary Coney Dogs at American Coney Island and premium steaks and authentic Italian dishes at Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse. The Showroom at the D Las Vegas features outstanding entertainment ranging from award-winning dinner theater and Broadway productions to music, comedy and more. Follow the D on Facebook and Twitter.

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 @dlveventscenter.

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 Randy Moreno, cruiserweight Irsael Duffus, bantamweight Max Ornelas, super lightweight Emanuel Robles, middleweight Rolando Garza and light heavyweight Adrian Taylor.

About Neon Star Media LLC: Neon Star Media is a marketing and content company that creates highly effective brand-integration experiences for our clients, executed through a unique “story-telling” approach that empowers client’s product messaging to soar while delivering results. At Neon Star Media, we maximize client media spends by leveraging our relationships with various sporting events, cable channels, digital platforms and other social media outlets. We work with our clients to engage, endorse and advance their message with audiences on all platforms 24/7. Visit us on Twitter @Neonstarmedia or Facebook www.facebook.com/Neon-Star-Media-378687919005532/

Warriors Boxing and Ural Boxing wish to congratulate the fighter they co-promote, brand-new IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Murat “Iron” Gassiev, for his title-winning victory on December 3 against Denis Lebedev at the Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow, Russia.

In an entertaining fight, Gassiev (24-0, 17 KOs) of Vladikavkaz, Russia, dropped his countryman Lebedev in the fifth round and won a split decision by scores of 116-112 and 116-111 against a score of 114-113 for the now-former champ.

In losing, Lebedev remained the WBA World Champion, as that belt was not on the line in the fight… which is where Warriors’ challenge to the boxing world lies.

“I challenge anyone in the boxing world to give me a logical explanation why Denis Lebedev was allowed to keep his WBA title after losing,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing. “Neither fighter was over the cruiserweight limit. This was a unified champion defending his titles. It’s absurd and it sets a dangerous precedent in boxing. Why would any unified champion ever put all their belts on the line again if they could keep one or two, even if they lose?”

The pair were supposed to meet for both the WBA and IBF belts, but somehow less than a week before the fight, the WBA was convinced to allow this highly irregular move, which allowed Lebedev to remain WBA Super World Cruiserweight Champion, win or lose, above WBA “Regular” World Champion Beibut Shumenov and WBA “Interim” World Champion Yunier Dorticos.

“We went along with this travesty and fought anyway, but only because Lebedev’s team threatened to pull the fight if we didn’t. It’s a ridiculous situation and I want the boxing world to know what went down here.”

Margules says Lebedev’s camp are now using the Russian media to claim Gassiev is refusing a rematch.

“Let me set that straight right now. We would LOVE to fight Lebedev again. We’ll beat him even more easily this time. But only if he actually puts the WBA belt on the line, the one my guy has already won from him in the eyes of everyone but the sanctioning body.”

Boxing politics aside, Margules and his team say they are happy with the way the 23-year-old Gassiev looked in going 12 rounds for the first time in his life.

“Murat fulfilled the promise he has shown throughout his ascension to the top of the division,” said Margules. “He was in his first 12-rounder and he kept his composure. He didn’t blow his energy when he had the guy down in the fifth. And he didn’t panic when the champion, who is a very tough guy, had a few good rounds in the middle of the fight. I am very happy to be promoting a terrific fighter like him.”

“He reminds me of a young Rocky Marciano,” said Warriors Boxing’s COO Luis DeCubas. “He’s like a tank coming forward that you can’t stop. He will get to you eventually. He’s a star in this sport. I am sure the Shumenov/Dorticos winner would much rather fight the real unified champion Gassiev, instead of the loser Lebedev. These types of situations really hurt our sport.”
About Warriors Boxing
Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

Bernard Hopkins 174 – Joe Smith, Jr. 174
Joseph Diaz Jr. 126 – Horacio Garcia 125.8
Oleksandr Usyk 199.6 – Thabiso Mchunu 198.6
(WBO Cruiserweight title)
Jason Quigley 159.6 – Jorge Melendez 158.6
Ryan Garcia 131.4 – Antonio Martinez 131.4
Carlos Morales 130 – Charles Huerta 130
Cristian Gonzalez 134.6 – Jonathan Perez
Roberto Rivera 133 – Ivan Delgado 131.4

LONDON (16 December) – Bernard Hopkins is out to prove he is ‘special’ by overcoming knockout king Joe Smith this weekend.

The future Hall-of-Famer is looking to go out in style in his final bout by overcoming the hard-hitting Smith, exclusively live on BoxNation.

51-year-old Hopkins has long proved himself as one of boxing’s greatest ever but he is hungry to show once again why he is no ordinary fighter by dazzling against his light-heavyweight opponent at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

“You have to prove you’re special, no matter how many titles you win,” said Hopkins. “If you use that to stay in the game then you become special and an icon surpasses a legend. Common man, special man. Which one do you want? I want the special, you are that before you become that.”

The two-weight world champion has a history of shortening the careers of his rivals, such as his demolition of former middleweight world champion Kelly Pavlik in 2008, with Hopkins confident he will give Smith a similar boxing lesson this Saturday night.

“I’m not going to predict that I end his career. I’m not going to wish the Kelly Pavlik on him. But I’m going to spank him, teach him his A,B,C’s and send him back to Long Island, up the road from Philadelphia,” Hopkins said.

“Then one day if he recovers mentally then he might have something to salvage and go forward. I’m a career stopper to most of my opponents that talk like him. Joe won’t be special come Saturday,” he said.

27-year-old Smith, who has knocked out 18 opponents in his 22 wins, including an impressive stoppage over Andrzej Fonfara in the summer, enters the ring with a reputation as a big-puncher, something which holds little fear for Hopkins.

“They make it sound like he knocked out Sergey Kovalev or Andre Ward. I’m not underestimating him – power is power. I respect that. I’ve been in the game too long not to respect whether a guy can hit or not,” said Hopkins.

“But are we just talking about power here or are we talking about matrix, are we talking about reducing and negating that.

“Because once that’s gone or if that’s not working I’ve not heard anything else about what else he’s got. So you’re coming to a gunfight and I’ve got an Uzi and you’ve got a 22 with one bullet,” he said.

Smith knows the daunting challenge which is in front of him but is ready to leave it all on the line when he finally gets into the ring.

“I am prepared to go 12 rounds, he is a tough guy. If I get the opportunity to take him out, I will do that,” said Smith.

“I go into every fight the same way; whether it is a legend or a nobody that is standing in front of me, they have the potential to hurt me. Each fight I push myself a little harder,” he said.

Hopkins v Smith Jr is exclusively live on BoxNation this Saturday night. Buy now at boxnation.com.

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon).

– ENDS –
About BoxNation

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

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

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

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

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

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 16, 2016) – Placing an exclamation point at the end of a decades long career, former two-division world champion and future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (55-7 2, 32 KOs) will be delivering a performance reflective of his extensive career taking on the best as he faces a young lion and current WBC International Light Heavyweight Champion Joe Smith, Jr. (22-1, 18 KOs) this Saturday, Dec. 17 on HBO World Championship Boxing®. Hopkins will be entering the ring for his last hoorah in true Hopkins style by closing out the book with a match up that will demonstrate his evolution as a fighter and his daring persona.
Bernard Hopkins Fighter Spotlight – Golden Boy Boxing

Bernard Hopkins Fighter Spotlight – Golden Boy Boxing

“The Executioner” sat down with Doug Fisher from Ring TV, and discussed some of the pivotal moments in his extensive career where Hopkins has defied the odds stacked against him and thrived on being the underdog.

Below are some highlights of the exclusive Q&A session, in which Hopkins gives an in-depth look into his boxing career.

The video is also available to view here.

DOUG FISHER: You’re an all-time great – you dare to be great. You’ve been out of the ring for almost two years now, over 50 years old, at a place in your career where nobody would fault you if you wanted to make your last hoorah an easy one, yet you have decided to go up against Joe Smith, Jr. – someone who is ranked in the light heavy weight

division, who has a powerful punch. A lot of people have asked you ‘why get in the ring with someone 17 years younger than you?’ Why?
BERNARD HOPKINS: “I dare to be great. This fight is no exception. Yes, I have had some time off, but not in the way I feel where I wouldn’t be able to take him down. Because this is my last fight it has to be with a guy like Joe Smith Jr., who presents a very serious threat not only to my legacy, but also to my health. But I recognize that in order to get the sendoff that I want, I want to show people in boxing and around the world that age is not a factor. I just have that one thing to prove. This will be the Final 1.”

FISHER: You have broken all types of records – even your own. Do you still need a guy that is perceived to be a threat to be motivated at this stage of your career?

HOPKINS: “I do – and that’s why I need someone like Joe Smith, Jr. who is a prime candidate and a threat. I say legacy, and I say that based on my wins and losses. I know I have the strength within me to do a final one based on my legacy. My legacy is what moves me, what keeps me aware of anything that doesn’t say ‘W’. It keeps me aware of anything that takes away whatever percentage away from that legacy. I am a proud champion. I am a competitor. You must go in the ring with that mentality. One fight doesn’t change 28 years of hard work or to being a future Hall of Famer or not being legendary.

“This fight is different and the fans have to know this is not a salesmanship. I think I have gone on to sell a lot, and I think I have delivered more than I have sold. This is the last memory of Bernard Hopkins in the ring. Yes, we can talk about the past fights, about the past legacy, about the past belts, the unification, the attempt to unify the light heavy weight division. But they will remember the last chapter of the book the most. This book was good when it started off, it got greater in the middle, but the end – that’s what stays in your mind when you go to sleep at night, and when you tell somebody about this book named Bernard Hopkins, “The Executioner” Hopkins, This is a real profound statement to the world, not only just boxing, that I am and will be recognized for always being different There will be no more punches being thrown in the square ring.”

FISHER: You received your nickname “The Alien” because of your age, its other-worldliness that is not human, but the nickname the executioner was given to you when you were in your prime run, when you were knocking guys out. Is that the mindset you are going in with this fight?

HOPKINS: “I haven’t had a knock out since Oscar De La Hoya. I haven’t had a knock out in almost ten to twelve years. Being on this drought, of TKO-ing or KO-ing my opponent, about to face this guy from Long Island, that to me is something to get my juices flowing, and it’s a risk, I am running to fire, I am running to the challenge in and outside the ring.”

FISHER: There aren’t many elite boxers who are esteemed to be the underdogs in a fight. You were the 3-1 underdog for Felix Trinidad, 3-1 underdog for Antonio Tarver 3-1 against Kelly Pavlik, 3-1 underdog against John Pascal, among many of your other fights. How does that affect you in this fight?

HOPKINS: “I was born into the underdog title. Jan. 15, 1965, in an era that was not so nice to colored people, I was born to Shirley Hopkins. To be born on Jan. 15 on King’s day, in America and avoid somehow the trash can because I was Black – I was born in the underdog time in America. I was born in the underdog, adolescence I was born into that trap and I fell into that trap. When the underdog comes out with only a jail house GED and the education that he has, with only the support I have and have had to come home to. That foundation has built this story. In the nine years that I had after I got out, that built the foundation as to where I am today. I came through this thing not having a chance through the statistics.”

FISHER: When you got out of Graterford prison, did you make a promise to yourself that you were going to get yourself educated, get yourself ahead, regardless of being a professional boxer, successful or not? Did you believe you could become a world champion at that level?

HOPKINS: “Did I foresee this in my future? No I did not. My entire objective was to look that far into the distance, but to stay out of trouble. Knowing that I had to see the parole man twice a month, having to do my drug tests when years of temptations came every week was very hard. Back in the 80s and 90s, it was all about the fast money, it didn’t matter if you were on the west coast or in the east coast. I came out of prison just wanting to fight, stay out of trouble, and in 1988 and lost to a forerunner. I wanted to get into the mix fast, so that I would not get distracted.”

FISHER: After your first loss to Mitchell, you took a year off. You found Huey Fisher and a couple of odd jobs. How did that year off look for you?

HOPKINS: “I worked at the Penn Tower Hotel in the kitchen, and then I worked a roofing job. That year and some months were really crucial. From the years ’88 to ’89 to ’90, all the guys that I grew up in my neighborhood were in the fast money – I could have taken that road. But I made the decision to dedicate that special time in the gym with Huey Fisher through Rob Merrick. The two of them formed a company called ‘Arise in Boxing’, and from that, and meeting Huey, and having some amateur experience in boxing jail – that was my biggest resume. When Huey first met me, his reaction was, ‘Ooh, you’re a little heavy.’ And I wasn’t heavy I was just six foot weighing in at 185. Fisher looked at me, and saw that I could make 160.”

FISHER: Huey Fisher was done with boxing by the time you started training with him, he was fed up. How was your experience training with him?

HOPKINS: “It takes a man who doesn’t want to do boxing to have that eye to see every little thing that you are doing wrong. When he looked at me and saw a light heavyweight, I didn’t know 90 percent of the boxing intelligence I know now. Huey Fisher really saw it before anyone else did.”

FISHER: What are your top three biggest moments in boxing?
HOPKINS: “In 2001 – the circumstances, the underdog, the flag went down, a lot of hype, two weeks after 9/11 – Felix Trinidad. That was a historic moment in a lot of ways. Next would be the De La Hoya fight. Right behind De La Hoya would be Pavlik which happened in between the Trinidad and De La Hoya fight and made them respect me even more. Pavlik and just defeated someone who had a better record than me, and when I got into the ring with him, that artwork on display – man! This fight, people were very open and vocal about what they thought was going to happen to me. He was the middleweight champ who was undefeated – I was the 3-1 underdog. I wanted to take on the challenge and shut him down. That’s why you got to do with the young boxers.”

FISHER: Was there any point last year, 2015, where you decided to give up the idea of singing the last song, where you finished your transition into becoming a full time broadcaster?

HOPKINS: “If I wouldn’t have taken a fight the end of this year, or at the beginning of next year, the years would have just passed and I wouldn’t have gotten back into the ring. My thing is, the fight happened, the fight is the way I wanted it, the way I wanted to go out. I deserve to go out like Kobe Bryant. This is taking a page out of respect of the book for athletes who put in the points for their teams. Whether there was a title or no title, this is the final one. Every round that goes by, that’s important to my legacy that I go out the way that I want to be remembered. You write your own exit. Come Dec.17, that is exactly what I am doing, writing my own exit.”

Hopkins vs. Smith, Jr. is a 12-round WBC International Light Heavyweight Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. Diaz, Jr. vs. Garcia is a 10-round NABF featherweight title match presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Usyk vs. Mchunu is a 12-round WBO Cruiserweight World Title battle presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events. The event is sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD” and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on Saturday, December 17, 2016 from Inglewood, California’s “Fabulous” Forum on HBO’s flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The RING TV telecast will begin approximately at 7:45 p.m. ET/ 4:45 p.m. PT for Garcia vs Martinez and Quigley vs Melendez.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Smith, Jr. are on sale and are priced at $25, $50, $75, $105 and $205, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. PST to 7:00 p.m. PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

B-roll and images of Hopkins vs. Smith, Jr. are available for use and download HERE. Video and photo credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions.