Arthur Abraham hurt his elbow as he was training for his November 12th fight with Martin Murray and now the fight is off, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“We’ll keep our cards open for the next [few] days to see what will be next,” said Abraham’s promoter Kalle Sauerland.

“My rematch with Abraham is off due to him being injured,” Murray said. “Just in the process of sorting another opponent now.”

NEW YORK/MEXICO CITY DF, October 26 — Combate Americas, the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise, and TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: AZTECA; Latibex: XTZA), one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world, today announced an exclusive, year-long agreement to broadcast live world champion MMA events in the U.S. and Mexico.

In addition to monthly live events, the partnership, which marks the first time in history Azteca will carry MMA programming in Mexico, also includes a weekly series that will showcase the most exciting Combate Americas fights to date as well as highlight the league’s prolific, young fighters and celebrity personalities.

The live events and weekly series will be featured on both TV Azteca’s Channel 7 in Mexico and Azteca America in the U.S. Broadcast from Mexico City, the first live event under the new partnership is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19.

“MMA has developed a worldwide audience and through Combate Americas, a passionate following among the fast-growing U.S. Hispanic, millennial audience, which is why we wanted this programming for both U.S. and Mexico,” said Rodrigo Fernández, Director of Azteca 7. “Campbell McLaren understands MMA better than anyone, which is why Azteca wants to be part of what we believe will be phenomenal growth for Combate Americas.”

“As we’ve seen with our soccer programming, live sports events drive Hispanic millennial viewing. That’s why the opportunity to deliver MMA, with its proven track record, to our audience is so compelling,” said Manuel Abud, president and CEO, Azteca America. “Combate Americas understands the sport and our audience. It’s an unbeatable combination.”

“Our partnership with Azteca will take Combate Americas to the next level,” said Combate Americas founder and CEO Campbell McLaren. “I was there for the beginning of the UFC and saw how critical the correct television partner is to the growth of the franchise. Azteca has incredible reach in both the U.S. and Mexico, which is why this is such an exciting time for us.”

The weekly series, Combate Americas Azteca, hosted by award-winning MMA journalist and Combate Americas color commentator Andrea Calle, will premiere on Thursday, Nov., 3 at 10 p.m. in the U.S. on Azteca America, and on Friday, Nov. 4 at 11 p.m. on TV Azteca’s Channel 7 in Mexico, following the popular La Liga Mexicana football. The monthly live events air live in the U.S. and the following night in Mexico.

Founded by UFC co-creator McLaren and co-owned by Creative Artist Agency (CAA), Bunim/Murray Productions and Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM), Combate Americas is the first fight-themed show to win a major television award (“Best Variety or Reality Series” at the 29th annual Imagen Awards on August 1, 2014). The company has expanded its roster to include over 40 fighters and, after producing two live events in 2015, it rolled out a total of five live events in 2016.

Combate Americas live events will continue to air in English via UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service which gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s largest fight library.

# # #

ABOUT TV AZTECA
TV Azteca is one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world, operating two national television networks in Mexico, El trece and Azteca 7, through more than 300 owned and operated stations across the country. TV Azteca affiliates include Azteca US, a broadcast television network focused on the rapidly growing U.S. Hispanic market, and Azteca Web, an Internet company for North American Spanish speakers.

ABOUT AZTECA AMERICA’S NETWORK

Azteca America engages Spanish-language viewers by creating unique, passionate and enlightening content that is relevant to the daily lives of our audience. Wholly owned by Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V. one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language content in the world, Azteca America complements its Mexican programs with an innovative lineup of shows from third-party producers and distributors to ensure the finest programming for its audience. The company provides tailored, multi-platform advertising solutions for clients seeking to reach the most dynamic consumer group in the country.

ABOUT COMBATE AMERICAS
Combate Americas, LLC. is the first U.S. Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise in history, designed to build Latino fighting champions and serve Hispanic fans, one of the world’s most avid groups of prize fighting enthusiasts. The Combate Americas franchise includes reality TV programming, live events and mobile programming. The company’s CEO, Campbell McLaren, is universally recognized as the co-founder/co-creator of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). New York Magazine described McLaren as “the marketing genius behind the UFC” and Yahoo! Sports proclaimed that he “knows more about the sport than just about anyone in it today.” With an unprecedented product and a blue-chip ownership and management team, Combate Americas is poised to break new ground and bring about a new era in world championship level MMA competition.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (October 25, 2016) – A near brawl broke out today between former world champions Wilfredo “Papito” Vázquez, Jr. (24-6-1, 19 KOs) and Juan Manuel “JuanMa” López (34-5, 31 KOs) at today’s press conference, during the traditional face-off picture, in advance of this Saturday night’s grudge showdown, airing live on pay per view from Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Guerra En El Clemente: Vázquez Jr. v. López, presented by Black Tiger Promotions, is being distributed live by Integrated Sports Media in the United States and Puerto Rico, starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, on both cable and satellite pay per view on iN Demand, DISH, DIRECTV, Liberty Cable, Claro TV and Vubiquity. The event will also be available to watch across Canada on Fight Network, as well as via Fite TV app for iOS and Android devices or watch on the www.Fite.TV website. Suggested retail price is $29.95.

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

WILFREDO VASQUEZ, JR.: “‘JuanMa’ Lopez and many people have belittled me. They have disparaged my sacrifice, the food that I put on the table for my family, but Saturday I will hurt him. I have a Maciavelli plan to destroy him so he will respect me. I respect everybody that has had a rough time.”

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: “Vasquez was interrupting at all times during the press conference. He was singing out loud and during the face-to-face picture he tried to kiss me and I did not permit. I understand that he’s afraid and what a better moment than in front of everybody including the press to release his emotions.”

CARLOS MALDONADO, President of Black Tiger Promotions: “Security will be tripled for Friday’s weigh in so everybody can feel at ease and secure including the press.”

In other PPV fights, former world title challenger Jonathan Oquendo (26-5, 16 KOs) takes on Mexican rival Gustavo “El Gustavo” Molina (23-13, 9 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX junior welterweight champion Yomar “The Magic” Alamo (11-0, 8 KOs), the reigning, will be fighting in his first scheduled 10-round bout against Edwin “Bazookita” Lopez (27-6-1, 24 KOs).
Puerto Rico Olympian Jantony Ortiz (5-0, 3 KOs) faces fellow Puerto Rican bantamweight Luis Hernandez in a 6-round match to open the PPV action.

INFORMATION:
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlackTigerPromotionalLLC

Twitter: @integratedPPV

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Premier Boxing champions announced that they will have over 60 dates over 9 networks in 2017.

PBC announced it would continue to have fights on ESPN/ESPN Deportes, Fox, Fox Sports 1/Fox Deportes, NBC, Spike, Bounce TV and Showtime, as well as potential bouts on CBS, Showtime’s sister network.

ESPN’s 12-card slate, which is simulcast on ESPN Deportes in Spanish, will run from April to August with the season debut taking place on April 14. That is a modified schedule from when PBC and ESPN announced their partnership in 2015 under which monthly cards were initially scheduled.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Showtime gets back in ring with five fight cards
Showtime announced five fight cards that will be televised over the next five months, including two world title unification bouts.
“We are thrilled to welcome Premier Boxing Champions back on ESPN in 2017,” said Burke Magnus, executive vice president, programming and scheduling for ESPN. “The PBC series has delivered exciting boxing events that have garnered solid boxing viewership for ESPN. We are looking forward to showcasing a new season of fights next year.”

Fox once again will air three prime-time network shows, the first of which will take place Feb. 25. Sister network FS1 will televise 25 cards between February and October. Those cards are simulcast on Fox Deportes.

“We’re excited for the 2017 PBC series on Fox, FS1 and Fox Deportes with a robust schedule of outstanding matches at all levels of boxing, including exciting champions, contenders and prospects,” said David Nathanson, Fox Sports head of business operations. “We’ve enjoyed our thrilling Tuesday night series on FS1 and Fox Deportes and had several major title fights on the Fox broadcast network, including the heavyweight championship of the world [with Deontay Wilder]. We’re looking for more great fights in the coming year.”

NBC was due to televise several cards on broadcast network and cable network NBC Sports Net in the second half of 2016, but they were canceled.

However, NBC will televise three prime-time network shows in the second half of 2017, beginning with the first show on Sept. 23. It is unclear if there will be PBC fights returning to NBC Sports Net, which televised the series regularly during its first two years of operation.

Spike, which typically puts on one PBC show per month, will continue to run Friday night cards in 2017, beginning on Jan. 13. It still has a Nov. 12 card and possibly a December card remaining this year. Spike featured many of the top fighters on the PBC roster this year, including Daniel Jacobs, Adrien Broner and Adonis Stevenson.

Bounce TV, a network aimed primarily at African-American viewers, will feature quarterly cards with the first scheduled for March 31.

MIAMI (October 26, 2016) — Internationally renowned boxing trainer Orlando Cuellar has come full circle, right back to the famed 5th St. Gym in South Beach, where he once visited as a teenager to learn and now trains fighters out of six days a week.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Cuellar’s family resettled in Miami when he was three with Orlando living there through high school. As an amateur boxer, Cuellar vividly remembers watching boxers at 5th St. Gym such as Cassius Clay, Willie Pastrano, Vinnie Curto and Florentino Fernandez, as well as legendary trainers, brothers Angelo and Chris Dundee.

“I watched and learned, picking up as much as much as I could,” Cuellar said. “Now, I find myself working out of the 5th St. Gym for the past six weeks. It’s been an incredible experience. Every day, you never know who is going to walk through the doors there. It’s been one of the best boxing gyms in the world for more than 50 years. From the days dating back to Muhammad Ali, fighters have been attracted to this gym because of its rich history and great sparring, as well as to the area with South Beach’s restaurants, clubs and beach. The warm, humid weather also makes it easier for fighters to lose weight running and training.

“(Owner) Dino Spencer is carrying on the 5th St. Gym’s tradition. Everyday I’m there is exciting for me. Mixed ethnic groups train there and it’s a magnet for talent. There’s sparring three days a week – I call it Spar-a-rama – and everybody’s welcome to challenge themselves. The sparring is better than a lot of TV fights.

“5th St. Gym trainer Guy Laieta had been trying to convince me to join the team for the last five years. I spoke to Dino on several occasions, expressing my desire to train fighters out of the 5th St. Gym. He said, ‘Let’s do it.’ The success of the 5th St. Gym today has a lot to do with ownership. Dino has a passion for boxing and he is very hospitable, which trickles down to his staff and fighters. Good vibes all of the time!”

Cuellar left for Las Vegas in 1976 and, after he realized that being a boxer wasn’t in his best interest, he started training fighters there in 1981 out of Johnny Garcia’s Gym. A year later, he shifted his base Brooklyn and started training fighters out of another boxing icon, Gleason’s Gym. In 2000, he resettled in Miami.

Best known as world light heavyweight champion the head trainer of Glen Johnson, Cuellar also worked with future champions such as Nicolas Walters, Rances Barthelemy and Erslandy Lara, as well as Luis Franco, Aaron Davis and Juan Carlos Gomez, to name a few of the more notables. Today, he’s the chief second for several top fighters including Antonio Tarver.

Recognized throughout boxing as a superior teacher, Cuellar’s success is mostly attributed to his training of fighters on an individual basis, focusing on their personal needs rather than giving all fighters the same instructions and attention.

“Each fighter needs personal and specific work to complement their God-given talents,” Cuellar explained. “You can’t teach all fighters the same way. I specialize on what I call old school meets new school. Old school was upfront and personal to go 15 rounds, new school is about throwing more punches, more foot movement and fighting from the outside. I teach doffense: defense + offense. Punches aren’t vitamins, none should be taken. Boxing is little more than a battle of reflexes; one fighters versus another, but the real trick is how the fighter uses his reflexes. I teach my fighters how to turn the ring apron into a minefield.”

Boxing has played a huge role in Cuellar’s life. Back in the 5th St. Gym is just another chapter in his unique life.

“I live through my fighters,” Cuellar concluded. “Every victory is my proudest moment. There are no big or little victories, every win is a happy moment because of all the hard work and sacrifices me and my fighter made during training camp.”

Orlando Cuellar is thrilled to have gone back to the future.

Las Vegas, NV: The Kovalev vs. Ward “Pound for Pound” HBO Pay-Per-View telecast on November 19 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. will now include the 10-round middleweight showdown between Curtis “The Cerebral Assassin” Stevens (28-5, 21 KOs) and James “The King” De La Rosa (23-4, 13 KOs).
Stevens fought earlier this year on the Canelo-Khan HBO Pay-Per-View telecast and scored a spectacular second-round upset knockout of then-undefeated Brazilian Patrick Teixeira. When asked about the upgrade to the televised card Curtis replied, “I know it is Kovalev-Ward but now it is Kovalev-Ward-Stevens. Time to show out!”

De La Rosa was in a similar situation when he defeated former title contender Alfredo Angulo on the undercard of Mayweather-Maidana. He said, “Déjà vu all over again. The same thing happened when I fought Angulo. I am happy to fight on the PPV telecast. I need this win so I’ll leave it all in the ring come November 19.”

Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva added, “After we announced Curtis would be fighting on the untelevised portion of the Kovalev-Ward PPV card, we heard from a lot of fans asking that the fight be moved to TV so they could see Curtis. What the fans want, the fans get!”

Stevens, 31, of Brownsville, Brooklyn returned to the ring this past May 7 and stopped previously undefeated Brazilian prospect Patrick Teixeira in the second round on the HBO Pay-Per-View® undercard of Canelo-Khan. The victory over Teixeira catapulted Stevens back into the ranking of all four sanctioning bodies, including Top 10 ratings in both the IBF and WBC. He is hoping to continue that momentum and secure another shot at the middleweight title.

De La Rosa, 28, is originally from Mexico but now resides in San Benito, Texas. His most recent win was a unanimous decision upset over former title contender Alfredo Angulo on the undercard of Mayweather-Maidana. De La Rosa has suffered two back-to-back losses since his win over Angulo but both have come at the hands of two previously undefeated prospects in Hugo Centeno Jr. and Jason Quigley. Commonly, fighters in his position would prefer a tune-up to get back on a winning track but, in this case, De La Rosa opted out of that easy route and decided to test himself against another former title contender in Stevens.

Kovalev vs. Ward “Pound For Pound”, a 12-round mega-fight for the WBO/IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight World Titles, takes place Saturday, Nov. 19, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. “Pound for Pound” is presented by Main Events, Roc Nation Sports, Krusher Promotions and Andre Ward Promotions and is sponsored by MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Rosneft and Corona Extra. Tickets are on sale now at AXS.com and the T-Mobile Arena Box Office.

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PHILADELPHIA (October 26, 2016) – Undefeated rising star Jarrett Hurd (18-0, 12 KOs) will now match up against former title challenger Jo Jo Dan (35-3, 18 KOs) in a 10-round showdown featured on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike Saturday, Nov. 12 from Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.

Once-beaten contender Jorge Cota was originally scheduled to face Hurd, but was forced to withdraw after an emergency appendectomy.

The event is headlined by Philadelphia’s own undefeated world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia, who takes on Colombia’s Samuel Vargas in a 10-round bout. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and features a clash between former world champion Javier Fortuna and unbeaten prospect Omar Douglas.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DSG Promotions and King’s Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $35 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit LiacourasCenter.com/events or call 800-298-4200. Ten dollars from every ticket sold will go to Philabundance, feeding 20 people in need per ticket.

Hurd fights out of Accokeek, Md., just south of Washington, D.C. and is perfect since entering the pro ranks in 2012. The 26-year-old has faced three straight undefeated fighters including a sixth-round stoppage of Frank Galarza in 2015 and a 10th-round TKO over Oscar Molina in the co-main event of the Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter card in June. The exciting boxer-puncher will look to continue his climb to a world title on November 12.

Born in Romania, Dan fights out of Quebec, Canada and hopes to stay perfect in his U.S. outings, having already won twice stateside. A pro since 2004, Dan was unbeaten in his first 26 professional starts. He owns two impressive victories over Canadian rival Kevin Bizier and challenged Kell Brook for his welterweight title last year. Dan moved up to 154-pounds in his last fight, when he defeated veteran Rafal Jackiewicz by decision and he will look to announce his presence in the division when he faces Hurd on November 12.

For more information visit
www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports @KingsBoxing_ and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions. Follow the conversation using #fight4philly. PBC on Spike is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DSG Promotions and King’s Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $35 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit LiacourasCenter.com/events or call 800-298-4200. Ten dollars from every ticket sold will go to Philabundance, feeding 20 people in need per ticket.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (October 25, 2016) – This Saturday night’s grudge match between Puerto Rican former world champions Wilfredo “Papito” Vázquez, Jr and Juan Manuel “JuanMa” López is no hype job. Plain and simple, they really dislike each other immensely and both have predicted knockouts in their 12-round Special Attraction showdown, contested at a 129-pound catch-weight, which will air live on pay per view from Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“There is super real animosity,” Vázquez confirmed. “I cannot stand him; he repulses me. He has always undervalued and disparaged me. He’s never given me my proper place. This is the first time in my career that I make a prediction: I will knock him out!”

Guerra En El Clemente: Vázquez Jr. v. López, presented by Black Tiger Promotions, is being distributed live by Integrated Sports Media in the United States and Puerto Rico, starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, on both cable and satellite pay per view on iN Demand, DISH, DIRECTV, Liberty Cable, Claro TV and Vubiquity. The event will also be available to watch across Canada on Fight Network, as well as via Fite TV app for iOS and Android devices or watch on the www.Fite.TV website. Suggested retail price is $29.95.

The Vázquez, Jr. vs. López main event is presented in association with Matias Entertainment and sponsored by Best Alarms and Municipio de San Juan.

Vázquez, Jr. (24-6-1, 19 KOs), the son of three-division world champion Wilfredo Vázquez, is fighting out of Bayamón, also home of the late Hall of Famer Héctor “Macho” Camacho. Vázquez became the vacant WBO super bantamweight world champion in 2010, knocking out previously unbeaten Marvin Sonsona (14-0-1) in the fourth round.

The 33-year-old López (34-5, 31 KOs), fighting out of Caguas, Puerto Rico, is a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight and featherweight world champion. “JuanMa” was one of the top pound-4-pound fighters in the world from 2008 to 2010 but he hasn’t fought in two years.

“I have discipline,” Vázquez, Jr. added, “which many fighters lack. I am a better fighter than him and I also have a punch, So, what he lacks, I have extra. I do not know how much he has left in him. I don’t care about that stuff but I do not underestimate him. I will do what I’ve prepared for…win. This fight is about who is more intelligent in the ring. I will use my head to to produce a work of excellence. I am very clever in the ring and I will do what’s needed to win. There will be fireworks, as well, no doubt about it.

“I am very happy for this opportunity. I will be back on top and refocus my career towards another world title and many other good things for me and my family. To that person, who is always looking for me to fail, and you know who you are, standby for a great surprise.”

In other PPV fights, former world title challenger Jonathan Oquendo (26-5, 16 KOs), who takes on Mexican rival Gustavo “El Gustavo” Molina (23-13, 9 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature, has notable career victories over Jhonny Gonzalez (DEC10) Alexandro Montiel (TKO1).

Rising junior welterweight star Yomar “The Magic” Alamo (11-0, 8 KOs), the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX champion, will be fighting in his first scheduled 10-round bout against an opponent to be announced very soon.

Puerto Rico Olympian Jantony Ortiz (5-0, 3 KOs) meets fellow Puerto Rican bantamweight Luis Hernandez in a 6-round match to open the PPV action.

INFORMATION:
Websites: www.blacktigerpromotionspr@gmail.com, www.integratedsportsnet,com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlackTigerPromotionalLLC

Twitter: @integratedPPV

As a kid, watching his uncle, former WBC World Super Welterweight Champion Duane Thomas fight on TV, Detroit’s Ed Williams used to dream of becoming a boxer.

That’s where he and his mother disagreed.

“I always wanted to box,” laughs Williams, “but my mother wouldn’t let me fight until I was older. My uncle even came and tried to sneak me to the gym a few times, but my mom would never let me. She just wouldn’t let me train.”

When Williams turned 17, he was finally able to box and made the most of it, going 57-9 as an amateur and winning two State Championships, the Ringside Nationals and two Detroit Golden Gloves before turning professional in 2007.

Williams won his first two fights before leaving boxing to obtain a B.Sc degree in Industrial Engineering at Eastern Michigan University. But after working in the field a few years, Williams felt the pull once again that he’d felt since childhood.

He wanted to be a boxer, full-time and give it a shot.

Now 27 years old, and 12-1-1, 4 KOs as a Kronk Gym super welterweight, Williams will make his next ring appearing by once again appearing on a Salita Promotions “Detroit Brawl” event, this one on Saturday, November 12, at the Masonic Temple against an opponent that will be announced shortly.

“It feels great to fight in Detroit,” he said. “You get support from friends and family and I’m even growing a new fan base.

Sponsored by Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar, tickets for “Detroit Brawl” will be priced at VIP $123, Box Seats $100, Ringside $93, $63, $38, and $28 and available at all Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com.

“My goal in boxing,” said Williams, “is to become the second guy in my family to win a world title. Right now, I want to have the right fights to have that opportunity. I’ve been progressing and having challenging fights and getting good opportunities, so things are going well.”

Williams is, admittedly, not your typical fighter.

“I have a boxing style that is awkward. It’s not a traditional style at all. I fight with an off-beat tempo that throws you off. And I’m tall and long, so I box you and use my jab and then I set up shots.”

While Williams says he has no regrets with his decision to pursue fighting, someone in the family does have a few…

“My mom now says she wishes she would have let me do it sooner. But I understand. She didn’t want me to get hurt and was just being protective. Now she’s my biggest fan.”

More fights, opponents and rounds will be announced shortly. On fight night, doors open at 5:00 pm and the fights begin at 6:00 pm.

###

Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar offers patrons an old-school sports and whiskey bar in Downtown Detroit’s Eastern Market district. Thomas Magee’s prides itself on providing every sport, every game, and every fight, plus great beer and whiskey!

For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visit www.salitapromotions.com.

Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar is located at 1408 E Fisher Service Drive in Detroit. For more information, call 313-263-4342 or visit their official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ThomasMageesSportingHouseWhiskeyBar

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Vladimir Tikhonov, rated No 9 by the WBA, and No 13 by WBO, has put word out that he’s ready, willing and more than able to rumble with the best and brightest in the super bantamweight division.

Scott Quigg, “let’s get it on”, he is calling the former WBA champion out, through promoter Dmitriy Salita.

Guillermo Rigondeaux, “I respect your skills but don’t believe you are invincible”, is Tikhonov’s message for the Cuban sweet scientist.

Nonito Donaire, “If you take care of business Nov. 5 against Jessie Magdaleno then how about you step to the line against me,”, said the 15-0 (8 KOs) Russian.

“Tikhonov is a big, strong super bantamweight who knows how to use his height, reach and power,” Salita said of the southpaw pugilist tutored by Igor Shafer in St Petersburg, Russia. “Vladimir is very well schooled and wants to fight the best fighters in the division. Russia is producing lots of top notch fighters, contenders and world champions. I feel that Vladimir has the skills and experience to be the new face in the super bantamweight division!”

The 26 year-old Tikhonov got it done in his last outing against 40-4 Mikhail Krivolapov. Salita has proven himself to be judicious talent spotter, no surprise since he’s been to the mountain top himself, as a standout at 140 pounds, with a 35-2-1 record at junior welterweight/welterweight. “This Russian is ready to rock and makes heads roll at super bantamweight,” Salita said. “He can finish out this year with a bang and climb even higher in 2017!”

NEW YORK (Oct. 25, 2016) – SHOWTIME Sports will present seven marquee boxing matches pitting top-10 rated champions in the prime of their careers against fellow top-10 rated challengers over four consecutive months beginning in December. The schedule, which is the second robust boxing programming announcement from SHOWTIME in 2016, was announced today by Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. The lineup includes two long-awaited championship matchups, Jesus Cuellar vs. Abner Mares and Jermall Charlo vs. Julian Williams; the can’t-miss featherweight rematch between Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz, and a welterweight unification blockbuster between undefeated champions Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia. All four of these anticipated bouts will be presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME Sports produced the strongest lineup of world-class boxing events of any network this year, delivering 18 world title fights devoid of mismatches and “tune-up” fights. The best fought the best, and the results were spectacular: two “Fight of the Year” contenders, Thurman-Shawn Porter and Santa Cruz-Frampton; a “Knockout of the Year” frontrunner by one of boxing’s biggest punchers, Deontay Wilder; and the arrival of one of boxing’s most marketable new stars in Anthony Joshua. SHOWTIME also featured the trio of junior middleweight champions, the Charlo twins, Jermall and Jermell, and Erislandy Lara, all in title fights on one card; highlighted the world’s best featherweights in Santa Cruz, Frampton, Gary Russell Jr. and Lee Selby; and set the table for the title unification fight between super middleweight champions Badou Jack and James DeGale.

Boxing’s brightest stars will again take center stage on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® as the network prepares to present the following seven matchups, including six world title fights, over a 12-week span. All bouts will air live on SHOWTIME with the exception of Garcia vs. Thurman, which will either air live in Primetime on CBS or live on SHOWTIME.

Seven of the 14 fighters are undefeated, while the champions and challengers in the six world title fights boast a combined 313 wins versus just six losses.

December 10: Jesus Cuellar (28-1, 21 KOs) vs. Abner Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs)*
Jermall Charlo (24-0, 18 KOs) vs. Julian Williams (22-0-1, 14 KOs)*

January 14: Badou Jack (20-1-2, 12 KOs) vs. James DeGale (23-1, 14 KOs)**

January 28: Carl Frampton (23-0, 14 KOs) vs. Leo Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18 KOs)* Dejan Zlaticanin (18-0, 11 KOs) vs. Mikey Garcia (35-0, 29 KOs)*

February 11: Adrien Broner (32-2, 24 KOs) vs. Adrian Granados (18-4-2, 12 KOs)

March 4: Danny Garcia (32-0, 18 KOs) vs. Keith Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs)**

*World title bout
**World title unification bout

“This is a slate of high-level, evenly-matched, 50/50 fights – the best fighting the best – which has become the calling card of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING,” said Espinoza. “Every fight we are announcing today features a top 10-ranked champion taking on a top 10-ranked challenger; in many cases, it’s top-five vs. top-five.

“This is our second major boxing lineup announcement this year, further proof that no other network is delivering high-quality competitive fights – without relying on PPV – as consistently as SHOWTIME. No other network is as committed to driving the sport forward. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is giving subscribers the best that boxing has to offer.”

Saturday, Dec. 10 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®
Presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions

In a highly anticipated featherweight blockbuster, hard-hitting Jesus Cuellar will make the second defense of his WBA 126-pound title against Abner Mares, a three-division champ who has compiled a staggering resume while collecting belts at 118, 122 and 126 pounds. Cuellar vs. Mares is the latest in a lineup of action-oriented 126-pound showdowns assembled with the goal of unifying one of the sport’s most talent-laden divisions. It will be the fifth featherweight world championship of 2016 on SHOWTIME.

On Dec. 10, there also will be a long-awaited world championship contest between two undefeated 154-pound fighters. Jermall Charlo will make the third defense of his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against No. 1 mandatory challenger Julian Williams in a matchup of 26-year-old fighters at the top of their game. Charlo vs. Williams becomes the sixth title or world title eliminator in the 154-pound weight class in 2016 on SHOWTIME, a roster featuring eight of the top-10 fighters in the division.

Saturday, Jan. 14 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

Super middleweight world champions Badou Jack and James DeGale are set to unify the 168-pound class. Both champions retained their titles on a doubleheader last April 30 on SHOWTIME. Jack kept his WBC belt in a controversial draw with longtime titlist Lucian Bute that many thought Jack clearly won. Earlier that evening, DeGale successfully defended his IBF crown with a unanimous decision over mandated challenger Rogelio Medina. Jack landed 61 percent of his power punches, while DeGale connected on an astonishing 66 percent of his power shots. Now, Jack and DeGale will face off in a long-awaited unification to determine the No. 1 fighter in the super middleweight division.

Saturday, Jan. 28 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions

The most anticipated rematch in boxing will take place when Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz square off in an immediate rematch of a leading 2016 Fight of the Year candidate. In their first encounter July 30 on SHOWTIME, former super bantamweight champ Frampton moved up in weight to challenge fellow unbeaten Santa Cruz, edging the three-division titlist in a firefight. The must-see rematch will be the sixth featherweight world championship on SHOWTIME in less than 12 months.

The co-feature pits undefeated lightweights Dejan Zlaticanin against resurgent fan favorite Mikey Garcia. Zlaticanin is making the first defense of his WBC 135-pound crown against the former two-division titlist in Garcia. The champion is the No. 1 fighter at 135 pounds, while Garcia is aiming to become a three-division world champion in just his second fight back from a two-and-a-half year layoff.

Saturday, Feb. 11 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Four-division world champion Adrien Broner will face the streaking Adrian Granados in a matchup of top-10 ranked 140-pound fighters. The flashy Broner, who has captured titles at 130, 135, 140 and 147 pounds, has scored two consecutive knockouts in the super lightweight division. The hard-charging, all-action Granados, who pulled a stunning upset of then-undefeated WBC No. 1 ranked super lightweight Amir Imam in a dominating performance last November on SHOWTIME, thrives in the underdog role and has a deceiving record – his four defeats, all via split or majority decision, have come against opponents with a cumulative record of 52-1.
Saturday, March 4 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions

Undefeated welterweight world champions Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia have been on a collision course for more than a year. Thurman has held a version of the WBA Welterweight World Championship since 2013 but announced his arrival in March 2015 with an emphatic win over Robert Guerrero. Thurman has since defended the title twice, including most recently against former world champion Shawn Porter in a potential Fight of the Year thriller in June on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS. Garcia, after conquering the 140-pound division, captured the WBC Welterweight World Championship with an impressive performance against Guerrero in January. Should Garcia defeat Samuel Vargas on Nov. 12 in a non-title fight, he and Thurman are set to meet in a marquee unification blockbuster between undefeated champions at the pinnacle of their careers. Garcia vs. Thurman will air live in Primetime on CBS or live on SHOWTIME.

# # #

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon and Google. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Prime Video. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

Ndongeni of East Cape, South Africa has a record of 21-0 with 11 knockouts and is ranked number-2 by the WBA.

The 26 year-old will be making his American debut against Juan Garcia Mendez (19-1-1, 12 KO’s) of Mexicali, Mexico in a bout scheduled for ten-rounds.

Ndongeni turned professional in 2010 and is the IBO Lightweight champion and former South African Super Featherweight & Lightweight champion. Among his 21 wins is a win over former world champion Mzonke Fana. In his last bout, Ndongeni scored a 1st round stoppage over Emilio Norfat on April 22nd in East London, South Africa.

Ndongeni is promoted is Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves Promotions.

Mendez, 24 years-old, is a 7 year professional, and is on a five-fight winning streak. In his last bout, Mendez stopped Roman Mendez in 1 round on May 29, 2015 in Mexicali, Mexico.

Villa of Salinas, California has a record of 2-0 with 2 1st-round knockouts.

The 19 year-old was a two-time National Golden Glove Champion, 2-time Jr. Olympics Champion, and 2015 Olympic Trials runner-up, and he holds two victories over 2016 Olympic silver medal winner Shakur Stevenson.

He turned professional on July 29th with a 1st round stoppage over Gerardo Molina. Villa followed that up with a first round stoppage over Jose Mora on September 23rd in Ontario, California.

Villa’s opponent in the scheduled four-round bout will be announced shortly.

In a 4-round super flyweight bout, Danny Andujo (2-0, 1 KO) of Temcula, California will battle Joel Cano (0-3) of Ciudad, Mexico.

Jonathan Esquivel of Anaheim, California will make his pro debut against an opponent to be named in a middleweight bout.

Tickets for the event promoted by Banner Promotions & Thompson, are priced at $100 (ringside), $70 (reserved) and $50 (general admission) and can be purchased by calling (714) 935-0900.

Undefeated 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Taras “Real Deal” Shelestyuk (14-0, 9 KOs) will face upset-minded Jaime Herrera in the 10-round welterweight main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader on, live on SHOWTIME at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

In the co-feature, undefeated cruiserweights Constantin Bejenaru (11-0, 4 KOs, 0-1-1 in World Series of Boxing), of Catskill, NY by way of Moldova, and Stivens “Superman” Bujaj (16-0-1, 11 KOs), of New York, will collide in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBC International and WBC Continental Americas titles.

In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated lightweight Vitor Jones Freitas (12-0, 1 ND, 6 KOs), of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, will be opposed by local fan favorite Manuel Mendez (12-1-2, 8 KOs), of Indio, CA, in an 8-round bout. The 23-year-old Freitas is the nephew of popular former four-time world champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas.

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 Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

# # #

About ShoBox: The New GenerationSince 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.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (October 25, 2016) – Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Sportswoman of the Year Claressa Shields will be making her much anticipated professional debut during the lead-off freeview telecast of Kovalev-Ward “Pound For Pound” on Saturday, Nov. 19 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shields is set to face an opponent to be announced in a four-round middleweight bout, with each round timed at two-minutes. The pay-per-view telecast will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The freeview telecast which includes the live Claressa Shields bout will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT and will be available on cable, satellite, and telco channels.

As an amateur, Shields achieved unprecedented Olympic success as an American athlete. She is the only boxer in U.S. history, male or female, to successfully defend a title, winning back-to-back Gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio games. The 21-year-old Flint, Michigan native and four-time USA National Champion has merited accolades at every level of international competition, earning Gold medals in the Pan American Games, two World Championships and two-time AIBA Female Boxer of the Year honors. The pride of a nation, Shields looks to break boxing’s glass ceiling and engage a new generation of fight fans with her move into the professional ranks.

“After working hard for so many years and having the honor to represent my country at two Olympic games, I am thrilled to take the next big step in my career, fighting professionally and leading the rise of women’s boxing worldwide,” said Shields. “There is no better place to begin the journey than to join the biggest fight of the year, Kovalev vs Ward, and to fight alongside my idol and fellow U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward. I can’t wait to entertain the fans on Nov.19!”

“Claressa Shields is a uniquely talented and special young woman. At just 21 years old, she is a once-in-a-lifetime type athlete whose talent inside the ring and charisma outside of it gives her the potential to be a trailblazer for women’s boxing and for all of boxing for years to come,” said Mark Taffet and Jamie Fritz, co-managers of Claressa Shields. “We are proud to be part of Claressa Shields’s team and are thrilled she will be part of the year’s marquee event, Kovalev vs Ward, on Nov. 19 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.”

“Claressa Shields is about to take the boxing world by storm and we are honored to host her professional debut as part of an already loaded fight card on Nov. 19,” said Roc Nation President & Chief of Branding and Strategy Michael R. Yormark. “Claressa’s unique blend of talent, style and charisma make the two-time Olympian a rising force to be reckoned with in the boxing world and beyond.”

Claressa Shields is a talented 21-year-old boxer from Flint, Michigan. Inspired by former boxing star Laila Ali, Shields developed a passion for the sport and began boxing at the age of 11. It was soon after beginning her journey she realized her family was apprehensive towards the contact sports. After weeks of family discussions, Shields was granted her family’s permission to pursue her passion – a decision they will likely never regret.

Shields burst onto the boxing scene, developing a name for herself as one of the most talented female boxers in the country. Her reputation continued to build through her middle and high school years leading her to become the first ever U.S. women’s boxer to qualify for the 2012 London Games. To Shields, simply earning an invitation to the Olympics was not enough, she wanted to make a lasting impact for her country. After three exciting fights, Shields was rewarded her first Gold medal in the 165-pound weight class, and became the first American woman to win a Gold medal in boxing.

Shields was named the 2014 AIBA Female Boxer of the Year, 2014 USA Boxing National Champion, 2015 Pan American Games Gold Medalist in the light heavyweight division, and two-time World Champion in the women’s middleweight division. Chasing greatness, she became the first U.S. boxer to successfully defend an Olympic title as she earned a second Gold medal at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro. Concluding an unparalleled amateur legacy, Shields announced that she would be making her professional debut on the freeview broadcast of the year’s biggest boxing matchup, Kovalev-Ward at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 19, 2016.

As a proud Flint, Michigan native, Shields is constantly looking for ways to shine a positive light on her hometown. She understands the importance of being a role model to youth in her community and has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support she has received since returning from Rio with another Gold medal. Following her first Gold medal summer, Shields became the first in her family to graduate from high school and is enrolled in online college classes to pursue her academic goals and competitive aspirations simultaneously.

Follow Claressa Shields on Twitter @ClaressaShields, Instagram @ClaressaShields, and Facebook: www.facebook.com/claressa.shields.7

Kovalev vs. Ward “Pound For Pound”, a 12-round mega-fight for the WBO/IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight World Titles, takes place Saturday, Nov. 19, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

“Pound for Pound” is presented by Main Events, Roc Nation Sports, Krusher Promotions and Andre Ward Promotions and is sponsored by MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Rosneft and Corona Extra. Tickets are on sale now at AXS.com and the T-Mobile Arena Box Office.

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MEDIA CREDENTIAL REQUESTS: http://www.magnamedia.com/credential_form.php?event_id=173&event_description=Kovalev%20vs.%20Ward

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Main Events: Ellen Haley, ehaley@mainevents.com, 973-903-6715
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Roc Nation Sports: Lauren Menache, lauren@berkcommunications.com, 212-889-0440
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Claressa Shields: Ed Keenan, keenan@emcevents.com, 609-432-7859

FREDDIE ROACH: It was a pretty tough schedule in this camp but he held up really well. The sparring days were really good and it’s the best I’ve seen Manny in a long time – he is a lot more aggressive than I have seen him in the past and there was a lot of the old Manny Pacquiao coming out and he really, really looked good. We trained right up until Saturday morning before our flight out to Los Angeles and he boxed 10 rounds and he looked great and he’s in great shape, I know it’s been a very difficult camp with the Senate and so forth. Manny has always been a busy person but because of the Senate he seems to be a lot more serious than anything else he has done. He is in Senate sessions on some nights until 7:30 or 8:00 at night and when he is done we go right to the gym.

MANNY PACQUIAO: Hello everyone and thank you Bob and Freddie and the people who are all part of this conversation.

Because of all the work you are doing in the Senate does that mean you are less distracted, being committed to work in one form or the other?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I can say that working in the Senate is not easy, especially, along with training. You need to manage your time and that’s what I did in training for this fight while I am working in the office. I don’t have time really for any other activities – all of my time is with working and training.

Is it a problem for you to be away right now when there are problems with the president?

MANNY PACQUIAO: My work is my work and whatever the comments from the President are – he has a lot of advisors and we know what his statements are. My work is for the people and that is what my job is, to help the people.

What is the most difficult part of trying to do both jobs?

MANNY PACQUIAO: That’s a good question. The most difficult part is trying to control my time and to manage and discipline myself. The most difficult part of training in the past has always been when I do a bad job of managing my time. This time I managed my time and disciplined myself from going to my work to my training and that’s what I did in the Philippines. I don’t have any time to spend with my friends – just time for hard work.

How is it to have you, the most famous Philippine boxer, and now the second most famous Philippine boxer, Donaire on the same card and how come you think it has never happened before?

MANNY PACQUIAO: This is a good boxing card because not only am I fighting on the card but also my fellow Philippine boxer Nonito Donaire, who is the “Pride of the Philippines.” I think it is a good present for us and for the Philippine people for us to fight on this card together.

Do you support your President’s stand against the US and the call for closer relationship with Russia and China?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Clarifying the issues and I think there is nothing wrong to clarify everything. He has clarified everything about the relationship between the United States and the Philippines and it is a healthy relationship. We all respect his statement and he clarified it already.

MANNY PACQUIAO: The bond between the United States and the Philippines is one of longstanding and there is a great kinship between the people of our two countries.

How did you feel in the last Bradley fight – can you tell us about it?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I felt very good in that Bradley fight. It is not the reason I continued to fight though. I came back because I felt lonely, not training with my friends and I felt empty and I realized that I could still train and work so that’s why I decided to fight again.

FREDDIE ROACH: I thought it was a good performance I thought he fought very well. He was accurate a lot more than usual. In this training camp he has been using his speed and his combinations, not just single-punching and he has looked very good and it is probably the best training camp he has had in a long time. I look forward to Manny fighting in this style.

In looking at Vargas’ opponents we don’t see a murderers row, is it difficult to take this fight seriously?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Vargas is a world champion so in no way can I underestimate him. You can never underestimate a boxer who is a champion. He is good. I just have to make sure that I am 100% ready for the fight.

BOB ARUM: No murderers row of opponents but when he fought Bradley he had Bradley out on his feet and because the referee got mixed up he stopped the fight ten seconds too soon so who knows how that would have ended. And he fought Sadam Ali to win the title and Sadam Ali is a terrific fighter – he was a member of the US Olympic Team, he was undefeated and certainly not a tomato can and he entered the fight a big favorite over Vargas and Vargas dominated him and eventually knocked him out. I think that victory alone qualifies Vargas for top level of fighters and opponents for Manny.

I agree on the Ali fight, but Bradley was way ahead on scorecards when Vargas had Bradley out on his feet in the 12th round…

BOB ARUM: We can agree on that but what if he had him out on his feet in the earlier rounds or in the 11th round – the fact that he could put Bradley out on his feet is I think the operative statement.

Have you given any thought to how many fights, if you win, that you may have in 2017?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I don’t know yet. Right now my focus is on this fight. Then I go back and do my job then I could think about 2017.

Will you fight again?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I don’t know yet. One fight at a time. I take them one at a time. I cannot say yes right now. First I think about this fight. Today, Jessie Vargas is the most important fight of my career.

BOB ARUM: Let’s take it one at a time. If Manny comes in and dominates this fight and looks like the old Manny, and wants to continue fighting, there will be certain opponents that will be considered. If he decides that it’s too much juggling two careers then he shouldn’t continue. If he is determined to continue and his performance suffers because of his work in the Senate I would have to look in the direction of somebody else for an opponent. So to jump now about names and so forth, who knows? Manny may look so good in this fight and may have such senatorial presence in the fight that we may be looking for Golovkin next. And if he doesn’t vote right in the senate I think some of his constituents may be urging him to fight Golovkin.

MANNY PACQUIAO: Bob, I hope you are joking about. Golovkin!

Do you have expectations of how the fight will do?

BOB ARUM: We are very optimistic. What’s happened here is – how do you know? Why are you optimistic? We are optimistic because our ticket sales are tremendous at the gate – that is one indication and secondly, our closed circuit operations – the bars and chains and mom-and-pop bars, are doing sales reminiscent of Manny Pacquiao of a couple of years ago. They are being blown away by the response, so the Gagliardi family (closed circuit sales team) are chortling, “Happy Days are Here Again.” So then how does the pay per view do? We think it’s going to really do very well and the reason for that is we are marketing it in a lot of different ways. We are not spending the money on the shoulder programming that is seen only on HBO – we are spending that shoulder money on a new series called “ALL IN” which starts today and will be seen all over the internet – on Facebook, Twitter and on the stuff the young kids are watching. We will be reaching many more millions of people than we reached by the previous shoulder programming. We think it’s the way to go. We think by reaching a tremendous audience with views of the fighters and interviews with Manny and Jessie and pictures and vignettes of the other fighters fighting in the championship fights and telling everyone that they are not going to see one or two world championship fights on the telecast, but FOUR. Every single fight is a world championship fight and every single fight is competitive. We think we are going to do very, very big pay per view numbers. Do I know that for a fact? No. The others I know for a fact because the pay per view numbers — we really won’t get a handle on until the week of the fight. Am I optimistic? Off the charts. Off the charts optimistic. Listen, you can say what you want about Pacquiao and Vargas, I think it’s competitive – certain people don’t and that’s their opinion. Jessie is the kind of guy that can make it a real interesting fight. But everybody says that Nonito Donaire vs. Jessie Magdalena is a competitive, very good and interesting fight. The new featherweight champion Oscar Valdez against the No. 1 contender from Japan is a shootout – it’s a terrific fight. And Zou Shiming has a rematch against Prasitak Papoem of Thailand for the vacant title which will be a very interesting fight – wait till you see the Prasitak – it will look like Shiming is fighting a miniature Manny Pacquiao because this kid is a dead image of Manny Pacquiao. So it will really be a great night of boxing and we think the pay per view is going to be terrific.

Manny, you haven’t won by knockout since 2009, does that matter to you?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Remember my minimum weight is – I can still make 135. I can still make 135 and my natural weight is 140. When I move up into the higher weight divisions it changes my preparation – I eat a lot to make 147. Where I may gain a pound of two between the weigh-in and the fight, my opponent may be a lot heavier. I am not saying that I cannot do that, but what I am trying to do in every fight I try to do my best. It just so happens that my opponent is tough and bigger than me. But I am still trying to do my best to get a knockout in the fight. I am not saying what I am predicting for this fight but if the knockout comes, it will come – it is the bonus for all of your sacrifices in training.

MANNY PACQUIAO: My opponent is bigger than me but that doesn’t matter – I am not disappointing the fans that I have and I did my best. I work hard in the fight and in training and I have proven that to the fans.

BOB ARUM: There is another factor. The fighters that Manny is fighting, because he is so powerful and he throws so many punches and he throws them in bunches and he hurts guys – is that they tend to fight in defense. Now any fighter or trainer will tell you that if that happens it is very difficult to knock somebody out – very difficult. I think with Jessie Vargas, who is an offensive fighter who is going to go after Manny, whose goal is to knock Manny out – I think you will see, one way or another, a knockout in this fight. And it’s a lot because Jessie will be fearless and some people say reckless, will be going after Manny to try and knock Manny out. And when that happens it is easier for the other to knock that guy out – you know that.

Freddie, you have said Manny has been hurting you – do you think he is back to the old Manny?

FREDDIE ROACH: He has been very aggressive in his sparring – throwing combinations and he seems to be getting back to the old Manny – really quick combinations, in and out, flurries and very hard punching. He has been hurting me while on the mitts. My shoulder is a little messed up. Buboy’s hand and shoulders are messed up. We’ll hang in there … but holding the mitts for Manny is not the most fun thing in the world to do – it’s hard, hard work. If he carries that over into the fight I think he will knock somebody out. He hasn’t knocked out any 147-poundersin awhile but again they are much bigger guys and they can take better shots, but I feel that with the combinations and the way he has been training he has been very close to knocking guys out in the gym and so forth. I am very impressed with him in the gym workouts so far.

I have seen some clips where the workout had to end early…

FREDDIE ROACH: We have never ended a workout early. We never end a workout early. That just doesn’t happen. Manny Pacquiao comes into the gym and he works his ass off every day no matter how late we started. When he is in session — if we begin at 8 p.m. — we work out until the workout is over. We have not taken one minute off because of that. He is a Senator and he works very hard to do all of the stuff he has to do at that job. He is busier than usual but he always likes a full plate and he has a full plate right now.

Correct me if I am wrong but wasn’t he sick for a few days in training camp?

FREDDIE ROACH: Was he sick in training camp? No. There was a couple of days I told him to stay home and get some rest when sparring days were the next day and he didn’t listen to me and he shows up anyway. Manny Pacquiao is still the most dedicated fighter I have ever seen. I did get him to take one day off because I told him sparring is more important, so I did get him to take one day off, yes.

How is the process of being a Senator and going to training camp?

FREDDIE ROACH: It has worked pretty well for us so far. We are on one end of it and he’s on the other. We are the ones that have only one job to go to and he has two jobs to go to. It depends on how Manny feels and he looks great. The workouts are good and he is disciplined 100%. He comes in the gym every day no matter what time his Senatorial duties are over and he does a full scheduled workout. I do think he will fight again. And this is the best Manny Pacquiao I have seen in training camp in a long time.

What is the most important legislation you are pushing right now?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Right now I am pushing for the establishment of a boxing commission in the Philippines to focus on boxing that is close to being approved and also sponsoring the restoration of the death penalty.

Are you enjoying the boxing – is it a relief for you – after the Senate?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Absolutely, I am still enjoying boxing that is why I am continuing my career and I am also enjoying my time in the Senate while I am doing my job. I am enjoying both.

Does boxing serve as stress relief after a full day in the Senate?

MANNY PACQUIAO: NO! They are both hard. At the of the day in the Senate I am exhausted mentally and when I get to the gym and have to work hard and after that I am exhausted physically so I have to rest.

Bob, what has it been like working with Manny Pacquiao?

BOB ARUM: It made a tremendous difference to me emotionally. In 1985 I co-promoted a fight in Manila and I spent a lot of time in the Philippines and walked away from the people in the Philippines and in the interim years I had met so many Filipinos who had come to the United States and found them to be charming delightful people and with my association with Manny I have had an opportunity to meet thousands of Filipinos and have spent a lot of time in the Philippines and to meet somebody as dedicated to man kind as Manny Pacquiao. To me Manny Pacquiao symbolizes the best of the Philippine people. Somebody who cares for other people and somebody who dedicates his life to doing good. I think that that has had a great influence on me in my later years. To me when I think about it, made everything that I have accomplished and done in boxing worthwhile because I have had that experience with Manny and the Philippine people.

In Closing . . .

BOB ARUM: Looking forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday at Manny’s media day. I am really excited about this fight. My job is to get people interested and sometimes it is very hard because I have to get myself interested. In this event I really believe – Pacquiao and Vargas I can’t wait to see that fight and the other three title fights are absolutely great and to be able to do an event like this involving fighter from countries all over the world is something special, naysayers who cover the sport, who always talk about boxing being dead, and boxing being this and boxing being that, in negative terms will see, that on November 5 boxing is on the cusp of real greatness. In the 51 years I have been in the sport I have never seen the quantity of terrific fighters that I see today – not only from the United States but from all over the world. From the four corners of the world – from New Zealand, to Kazakhstan, to Russia, the Philippines, China, Brazil, to Ireland – all over the world. We have a great global sport and we will celebrate that sport on the evening of November 5 with a great card of four world championship fights.

FREDDIE ROACH: Manny is in great shape and he’s really looking good and I’m looking forward to this fight and many more to come after that.

MANNY PACQUIAO: I can’t wait for November 5.

*********************************

Boxing’s only eight division world champion and the reigning Fighter of the Decade Senator MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO, (58-6-2, 38 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, and Roach are in the final weeks of training for their world championship collision with World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight world champion JESSIE VARGAS (27-1, 10 KOs), of Las Vegas. In just 11 days they will go mano a mano and toe-to-toe in a high-stakes welterweight showdown. While Pacquiao will be looking to become a three-time WBO welterweight champion as well as the first senator to win a world title, Vargas will be resolute in enforcing a term limit on the future Hall of Famer’s boxing career.

Pacquiao vs. Vargas takes place Saturday, November 5, at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs. Vargas and its three co-main event world title fights will be produced and distributed live by Top Rank® Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, and will be available on all conventional platforms, including all major cable and satellite systems, as well as Top Rank’s digital distribution via www.TopRank.tv and mobile devices.

The three additional world championship fights on the pay-per-view telecast include: four-division world champion NONITO “The Filipino Flash” DONAIRE (37-3, 24 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, defending his WBO junior featherweight title against undefeated No. 1 contender JESSIE MAGDALENO (23-0, 17 KOs), from Las Vegas; and newly-minted WBO featherweight champion and two-time Mexican Olympian ÓSCAR VALDEZ (21-0, 18 KOs), from Nogales, Mexico, making his first title defense, against No. 1 contender HIROSHIGE OSAWA (30-3-4, 19 KOs), from Osaka, Japan. The pay-per-view telecast will open with the rematch between top-rated contenders Chinese Olympic icon ZOU SHIMING (8-1, 2 KOs), from Guizhou, China, and PRASITAK PAPOEM (39-1-2, 24 KOs), of Buriram, Thailand, battling for the vacant WBO flyweight world title. Zou a two-time Olympic gold medalist trained by Freddie Roach, will have his hands full against Prasitak, who enters this fight riding a two-year, 12-bout winning streak, with all of his victories coming by way of knockout.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Wynn Las Vegas and Tecate, remaining tickets to the Pacquiao vs. Vargas world championship event are priced at $1,000, $700, $500, $300, $100 and $50, not including applicable service fees. Tickets may be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office (except on Wednesday, October 19 because of the Clinton – Trump presidential debate), online at http://www.unlvtickets.com/, at UNLVtickets Outlet Town Square Las Vegas and La Bonita Supermarkets. To charge by phone call 702-739-FANS (3267) or 866-388-FANS (3267).

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing or facebook.com/trboxeo, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing or twitter.com/trbox

Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni at the Manchester Arena on December 10.

Burton landed the crown with an impressive sixth round stoppage win over Miles Shinkwin at the same venue in February but two scheduled defences were cancelled through injuries to his opponents.

Burton was set to meet Tony Dodson at Goodison Park in Liverpool in May but Dodson snapped his Achilles, then Buglioni was slated to meet Burton in September but the Londoner pulled out of their Manchester meeting after sustaining a cut in sparring. Burton boxed on both occasions, with a third round stoppage over Fernando Castaneda a ninth win inside the distance in 18 pro outings.

Former World Super-Middleweight title challenger Buglioni fights for the British strap for the first time in his career, but unbeaten champ Burton

“Frank is a good lad but this is business and I want to go forward so I need to beat him,” said Burton. “This is my division, my weight and I am the man in the Light-Heavyweight division – I’ll show that on December 10.

“I was frustrated that he pulled out of the last one with four weeks to go with a tiny nick over his eye. It was hard to stay motivated for the last fight but I had too good a training camp to mess it up so I stayed focused and got another stoppage win.”

Burton’s clash with Buglioni is part of a blockbuster night of action in Manchester as Anthony Joshua MBE defends his IBF World Heavyweight title for the second time and Kal Yafai aims to become Birmingham’s first World champion as he challenges WBA Super-Flyweight champion Luis Concepcion.

Further details on the card and tickets will be released soon.

Music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins teamed up with Frank Warren and BoxNation to host an exciting evening of Championship Boxing last night (Monday 24th October) at The London Hilton on Park Lane, which saw David Haye pick up the Boxing Icon Award.

‘The Hayemaker’ stands as the hottest Cruiserweight turned Heavyweight commodity since boxing legend Evander ‘The Real Deal’ Holyfield, scooping and unifying all the major World Cruiserweight titles within an explosive four month period before capturing the WBA World Heavyweight Championship. Last night he was celebrated for all of his glittering boxing achievements.

Haye said: “I know personally first-hand what music does for me, it’s a universal language, so any charity that uses music as a form of therapy is amazing”

In the night’s main event undefeated Super-Middleweight Alan Higgins stopped Alistair Warren in the sixth round. Birmingham’s Super-Bantamweight Raza Hamza took his undefeated record to 6-0 with a controlled points win over Jose Aguilar. New Malden Super-Middleweight Lerrone Richards impressed on his big return with an explosive first round stoppage win over Croatia’s Gordan Glisic. Mason Cartwright’s four round contest against Justin Menzie ended in a technical draw after an accidental clash of heads in the second round.

RESULTS

10 x 3 Minute Rounds Super-Middleweight Contest
ALAN HIGGINS WTKO6 (2.15) V ALISTAIR WARREN

6 x 3 Minute Rounds Super-Bantamweight Contest
RAZA HAMZA WPTS6 (60-54) V JOSE AGUILAR

6 x 3 Minute Rounds Super-Middleweight Contest
LERRONE RICHARDS WTKO1 (2.47) V GORDAN GLISIC

4 x 3 Minute Rounds Contest
MASON CARTWRIGHT V JUSTIN MENZIE (TD2)

The Boxing Dinner, which yesterday marked its eighth year, raised funds for Nordoff Robbins music therapy. Hosted by Anton de Beke, guests were treated to a drinks reception, three course dinner and a live performance from stage star Beverley Knight.

Images can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gnbwzt9yyra6obh/AADmkJxKHwWayZRCA8WVUOwHa?dl=0

Celebrity guests included EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, Love Island couple Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde, Singer and TV personality Michelle Heaton and pop and rock super group Busted.

Nordoff Robbins provides tens of thousands of music therapy sessions each year throughout the UK, helping people with autism, sensory impairment, dementia and numerous other conditions. Tonight saw £75k raised taking the overall total, to date, to over £300k which funds Nordoff Robbins’ life changing music therapy delivery.

The event also raises funds for the London ex-Boxers Association.

Nordoff Robbins Boxing Committee Chairman and Worldwide President of The Agency Group, Neil Warnock, said: “We are proud to say that the Boxing Dinner has been going strong for eight years now and the money raised allows the charity to continue their vital work in delivering music therapy to vulnerable and isolated people across the UK. My sincerest thanks to everyone who has made this event possible, including Frank Warren and Box Nation. We trust everyone had a great time and congratulations to our Boxing Icon winner David Haye and to all of the brilliant boxers in the ring tonight”

Frank Warren, Chairman of BoxNation, said: “We were absolutely delighted to once again be involved in the Nordoff Robbins boxing dinner. The work that Nordoff Robbins carry out in schools, day centres, hospitals and care homes is vital in changing the lives of those that need help. I have seen the truly amazing results they achieve with music therapy and events such as these are help raise much needed funds”

25 October 2016 – Manila, Philippines: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced two additional bouts for ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION, which takes place 2 December at the state-of-the-art Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes will defend his title against Reece McLaren, while Leandro Ataides of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil takes on Mohamed Ali of Alexandria, Egypt. The fight card is now complete with 11 bouts.

Tickets for ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION are available at https://smtickets.com/events/view/5040

Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION is shaping up to be one of the most exciting fight cards we have ever put on in Manila. With the addition of another title bout, fans in the Philippines and all around the world can look forward to an amazing night of world-class mixed martial arts action. Bibiano Fernandes of Brazil is one of the most humble and honorable champions in the world and he is set to take on rising star Reece McLaren.”

36-year-old Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil is the reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion and widely considered one of the best bantamweights in the world. He made his promotional debut back in 2012 and captured the title in 2013, and has since then remained unbeaten inside the ONE Championship cage. A winner of his last 11 bouts, including three submission wins and two knockouts, Fernandes is set to defend his title against rising star, Reece McLaren.

25-year-old Reece “Lightning” McLaren is a Filipino-Australian professional mixed martial artist from Toowoomba, Australia. He made his ONE debut in 2015 with a spectacular submission victory over top bantamweight contender Mark Striegl, and then followed up that win with a unanimous decision over highly-regarded prospect Muin Gafurov. McLaren has showcased a tremendous striking arsenal paired with a robust grappling skill set in his career to date. In his next bout, he takes on the toughest test of his career against Bibiano Fernandes.

Leandro Ataides of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is set to return to the ONE Championship cage this December. The 30-year-old professional mixed martial artist owns a professional record of eight wins and three losses, with only two of Ataides’ victories reaching the final bell. The hard-charging Ataides remains a force to be reckoned with at middleweight and will look to excite the crowd by defeating his next opponent, Mohamed Ali.

34-year-old fight veteran Mohamed “Flex” Ali is a professional mixed martial arts fighter who hails from Egypt. He owns a diverse 10-10 professional MMA record, which includes seven victories by stunning knockout. The well-travelled striker has competed in various countries in his MMA career. Initially a Muay Thai practitioner, he has finished most of his opponents by stoppage, a clear indication of his powerful striking ability. In his next bout, Ali takes on Leandro Ataides.

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, Esporte Interativo and more.

Former unified heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko will sit out the rest of 2016, according to Dan Rafael.

There had been rumblings of a fight with IBF champion Anthiny Joshua or a fight with Lucas Browne for the WBA title on December 10th, but Klitschko has a calf injury.

“Wladimir pulled a muscle in the calf last week,” Kilitschko’s manager Bernd Boente said. “It’s nothing that bad that we couldn’t go through with a fight if we had something set up, but we discussed things over the weekend. Regardless of the injury, we decided that if we get good news from the WBA that Wladimir can fight for that title against Joshua, we would do it in the spring because we need more time to market and promote such a big fight. We only have five weeks until [Dec. 10]. We still hope the WBA will sanction the fight.

“From the beginning, it was Wladimir’s wish and Joshua’s that we could do the fight. Both sides want it. There is no fight at this moment that is bigger than this fight without any doubt. So why rush it?”

“Let’s say we have someone else Wladimir was going to fight in Germany on Dec. 10, we still have not even announced the fight,” Boente said. “We have a lot to do. We have to fill an arena. There is just not enough time. And if he was fighting Joshua, we need to do more than just a press conference. We need to do a tour, go to Germany also. We decided with Eddie a fight this big needs more time to market than five weeks.”

“I’m healthy and will be ready to fight Joshua or whoever else, hopefully for multiple titles, sometime soon,” Klitschko said.

LOS ANGELES (October 24, 2016) – Former Two-Division World Champion and Future Hall of FamerBernard “The Executioner” Hopkins(55-7-2, 32 KOs) and Light Heavyweight Contender Joe Smith Jr. (22-1, 18 KOs) today hosted a Los Angeles press conference to discuss their 12-round battle set for December 17 at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. and to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®. Also, in attendance for this press conference was Los Angeles-based undefeated Vyacheslav “Lionheart Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (17-0, 14 KOs) as he takes on Cuban standout Sullivan Barrera (17-1, 12 KOs) for a 10-round bout for Shabranskyy’s WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight title on HBO Latino® Boxing on Friday, December 16 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Also rounding out the HBO Latino® Boxing card, was Former WBC Silver featherweight titlist Ronny Rios (26-1, 11 KOs) against Roy “Pitbull” Tapia (12-1-2, 6 KOs).

Below is what the fighters, their trainers, managers and promoter had to say at today’s press conference:

BERNARD HOPKINS, Former Two-Division World Champion and Future Hall of Famer:

“This is history, we have been here many times where history has been made. This is obviously different than everything I have ever done, because it is the Final 1. To be able to have the Final 1 in LA, where the city of stars are trying to be stars, however you cut it, it couldn’t have been better with the history placed in the DNA that the Forum has produced.

“It is fitting that the end of a twenty-nine year career, since 1988 is in a historic place at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. This is something that came as an opportunity to be here. I couldn’t tell you that it would be in this arena-it just happened, and here I am against an incredible opponent.

“I don’t want anyone to say Joe Smith Jr. gave me anything-give me an opportunity and give me a door and I’ll open it myself. I don’t’ have to convince anyone of anything. This is not emotional. What I am going to do is show you why I have been named three different names in boxing from “The Executioner” to “B-Hop” to “The Alien” they all exist in me.

“On December 17th you will see “The Executioner,” it will all come full circle. This press conference is just a warm up. Win, lose or draw, there is no excuse-Final 1.”

JOE SMITH JR., Light Heavyweight Contender:

“I’m so glad I was chosen to fight Bernard Hopkins in his final fight on December 17th at the Forum. I’m going to train very hard for this fight and take full advantage of it. I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for everyone.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:

“As you know, we are calling this the “Final 1,” and Bernard has expressed this is the final one. We are really excited to be putting together this card. We want to thank HBO for putting this card together.

“December 17th will be historical. I want to say coming out party, but it will be the last hoorah, as a champion goes out in his terms, in his way. Only legends can do that and superstars who transcend the sport.

“What excited me about this fight is that Bernard is not fighting someone who is a walk in the park, he is fighting a difficult fight, and this gentleman has every opportunity in the book to win and win a world title. This is Hopkins, this is who Hopkins chose. Joe Smith Jr. has an amazing record and an outstanding knockout percentage that is unheard of in his division.

“Hopkins will be an athlete that will transcend the sport, not just for what he has accomplished in the ring, but for outside of it, and that is huge. I am very excited and happy that this fight will be taking place in an arena where I began my professional career. It is an honor for me and thank you for giving Los Angeles and Angelenos an opportunity to watch this fight.

“Leading up to the event, we have some great events coming up. The annual Oscar De La Hoya Foundation Toy Giveaway will be taking place the day of the fight. We want to get the community involved, not only because yours truly is from here and I began my career here-but because we are celebrating a legend, such as Bernard in a way he should be honored.

“Part of the festivities leading up to the December 17th fight will be a card on December 16th on HBO Latino at one of the best casinos in California, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino,

“At Golden Boy, we are very proud to grow our young fighters. Rios vs. Tapia wasn’t an easy fight to make, because we have developed these fighters, but you have to make great fights for the fans and this will be an exciting fight to watch

“On December 16th, I think it is best to promote one of the best divisions in boxing today, the middleweight division. I acknowledge Jason Quigley, who is here today as an undefeated middleweight fighter.

“The main event fight on December 16th has a potential to be a Fight of the Year candidate, in a very hot division-light heavyweight division. Ever since I saw Shabranskyy, who I nicknamed ‘Chingonskyy’ I have seen something in him, with his finesse in the ring. He is a very special fighter and he is facing an experienced, durable fighter in Sullivan Barrera.

“Thank you to our sponsor, Tecate. I am proud to announce that Tecate will be sponsoring boxing in a whole new way in 2017, everyone will be blown away by how they will bring boxing to the next level.

“What makes Bernard Hopkins is that he doesn’t stop, he keeps going and surprises people. He would continue until he was 60 if he could, that’s what a legend is, he takes care of himself and keeps going.

JOE DEGUARDIA, President and CEO of Star Boxing:

“It is certainly great to be here in LA at the Forum where so much history has been made. This fight was really easy to male, and that is a testament to Bernard Hopkins, because most fighters would shy away from a puncher like Joe Smith Jr. It is an honor and I thank Bernard and Oscar for taking this fight.”

TONY WALKER, Director of HBO Sports:

“December 17th is our last broadcast of the year, and it is very special because it is the last time we will see Bernard Hopkins in the ring. This fight will be Bernard’s twenty-third fight on HBO, tying him with Lennox Lewis in appearances. Hopkins will join all of the boxing greats you can name. His traits of tenacity and endurance have been with him and we are going to celebrate Bernard with this Final 1 fight.”

JOSE “PEPE” SULAIMAN, JR., CEO of the WBC’s Los Angeles Office:

“With greatness comes great responsibility, Bernard Hopkins has taken this to very high levels. He is an ambassador for peace, and is an example in and outside the ring. He has a wonderful relationship with the WBC, and was a very great friend to my father.

“At the WBC, we are very proud to be a part of this fight. This is not another fight, this is not a farewell fight, this a real fight. We are very enthusiastic to be a part of this. Great champions fight great fights and great fighters. There will be two belts. One for the winner and one to celebrate a great champion.”

ANDY FOSTER, Executive Director of the California State Athletic Commission:

“One thing I can tell you, the California Commission does not care who wins, we want both fighters to go home safe. We look forward to a safe and successful event.”

NICK SPAMPANATO, Senior Vice President West Coast and General Manager of the Forum and MSG:

“The people up here are the best in the business. At The Forum, we are extremely excited to host this fight and have the historic Forum be the host. December 17th will be a great night of fights and we look forward to seeing everyone there.”

CHRIS LAVOIE, Public Relations Manager of Fantasy Springs Resort Casino:

“Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is proud to be hosting a great weekend in boxing, it will be broadcast live on HBO Latino. We are proud of our longtime relationship with Oscar and Golden Boy Promotions. Golden Boy boxing brings about ten to twelve shows a year to Fantasy Springs and Shabranskyy vs. Barrera will be an exciting fight on December 16th.”

VYACHESLAV SHABRANSKYY, WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight Champion:

“My next fight is December 16th on HBO Latino, and I am very excited to fight. This is a good opportunity for me and for the fans to witness a great fight. I will be ready”

RONNY RIOS, Former WBC Silver Featherweight Champion:

“First and foremost, thank you to HBO and Golden Boy for this great opportunity. December 16th and 17th will be a great night for boxing, as a legend says good bye to the sport. I never underestimate any opponent or fight, so Roy let’s put on a great show for everyone to see why Golden Boy is the best promoter in the sport.”

ROY TAPIA, Featherweight Prospect:

“What can I say, December 16th will be a great fight. I want to thank my manager and Golden Boy. It has been anything but a smooth path to get here, but on December 16th you will see who I am and what I can do. Like Bernard Hopkins just said up here, give me a door and I will knock it down.”

Hopkins vs. Smith is a 12-round light heavyweight battle presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on HBO’s flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Smith 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, go on sale Monday, October 24, 2016 at 10:00 am PST. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00am PST to 7:00pm PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.comor www.ticketmaster.com.

Shabranskyy vs. Barrera is a 10-round super lightweight bout for the WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight championship, presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events and sponsored by “Tecate, BORN BOLD,” and Casa Mexico Tequila Doors open at 4:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 4:15 p.m. PT. The HBO Latino® Boxing telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT). Ticket information to be announced shortly.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (October 24, 2016) – Former world featherweight title challenger Jonathan Oquendo, undefeated junior welterweight prospect Yomar “The Magic” Alamo and 2012 Puerto Rico Olympian Jontay Ortiz have all been added to this Saturday night’s (Oct. 29) Juan Manuel “JuanMa” López and Wilfredo”Papito” Vázquez, Jr pay-per-view card in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Guerra En El Clemente: Vázquez Jr. v. López, presented by Black Tiger Promotions, will be distributed by Integrated Sports Media live, starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, in the United States and Puerto Rico on both cable and satellite pay per view on iN Demand, DISH, DIRECTV and Vubiquity. The event will also be available to watch across Canada on Fight Network, as well as via Fite TV app for iOS and Android devices or watch on the www.Fite.TV website. Suggested retail price is $29.95.

The Vázquez, Jr. (24-6-1, 19 KOs) vs. López (34-5, 31 KOs) 12-round Special Attraction main event (contested at a 129-pound catch-weight) is presented in association with Matias Entertainment and sponsored by Best Alarms and Municipio de San Juan.

“We’re confident this will truly be a memorable night of boxing for fans in attendance,” said Carlos Maldonado, President of Black Tiger Promotions, “as well as for those watching on pay per view.”

Vázquez (24-6-1, 19 KOs) is a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) FECABOX super bantamweight champion, while López (34-5, 31 KOs) is a past 3-time, 2-division world champion (WBO super featherweight & featherweight, Interim World Boxing Association featherweight).

The 33-year-old Oquendo (26-5, 16 KOs) is coming off a 12-round decision loss to WBA world featherweight champion last December to Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar. Oquendo’s most notable victories during his 12 ½-year professional career include Jhonny Gonzalez (DEC10) Alexandro Montiel (TKO1).

Oquendo has lost, ironically, to both Vázquez TKO7) and López (TKO3). He hopes to parlay an impressive win in the 10-round co-feature against Mexican rival Gustavo “El Gustavo” Molina (23-13, 9 KOs) into a rematch with the Vázquez-López winner.

Rising star Alamo (11-0, 8 KOs), the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX junior welterweight champion, will be fighting in his first scheduled 10-round bout versus an opponent to be announced. Alamo’s last action was this past August, in which he stopped Edgardo Rivera to capture his regional title belt.

In the PPV opener, Ortiz (5-0, 3 KOs) faces fellow Puerto Rican Luis Hernandez in a 6-round match. Ortiz was bronze medalist in the 2011 Pan-American Games. He lost in the 2012 London Olympics to Russian David Ayrapetyan, 13-15, the eventual Olympic bronze medalist.

INFORMATION:
Websites: www.blacktigerpromotionspr@gmail.com, blacktigermediapr@gmail.com, www.integratedsportsnet,com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlackTigerPromotionalLC

Twitter: @integratedPPV

Warriors Boxing proudly announce the signing of undefeated Chicago-based super featherweight prospect Josh Hernandez to a promotional contract.

A role model to the city’s youth, when not in training at Sam Colonna’s Gym on Chicago’s south side, the young Hernandez majors in Physical Education and Exercise Science as a junior at Chicago’s De Paul University while working as a personal trainer at Unanimous Boxing Gym.

“I’m excited. It’s a great opportunity for me,” said Hernandez. “All my pro fights so far have been with Warriors and I’m very comfortable working with Leon, Luis and Dominic and their team. That’s what matters most. Other than that, they can offer me some great opportunities. My first three fights were on big PBC cards, so that was exciting. Even my fourth fight was exciting at the UIC Pavilion.”

As an amateur, Hernandez (4-0, 4 KOs as a pro) had just over 50 fights and in 2014, won the Power Gloves and Chicago Golden Gloves, where he was named Best Male Boxer of the tournament.

He is managed and trained by his father, former middleweight contender and fan favorite “Macho” Miguel Hernandez. The 20-year-old has inherited his father’s exciting style, having KO’d all his opposition, thus far, in dramatic fashion.

“My father took me to the gym at five years old and I had my first fight when I was seven. We are very close. He’s my best friend. He is my manager and trainer since I started boxing. I’ve learned everything from him. When I was younger, he took me everywhere with him in his pro carer. When he sat down to talk business with Dominic, I was in the room. When he auditioned for ‘The Contender,’ I was there. At a young age, I was exposed to the business of boxing and what it takes to be a high-level fighter. I bring a lot of people out to watch me fight, but when I’m in the ring, all I hear is his voice. That’s how close we are. I can block everything out but him.”

Long-time Chicago boxing staple and top promoter Dominic Pesoli, now Vice President of Warriors, says he’s happy to be working with the second generation of Hernandez.

“Josh comes from a good, hard-working family,” said Pesoli. “Despite all his talent, he is an extremely humble young man focused on his goals. He has excellent power and great technical skills in the ring and he’s very smart. I couldn’t be happier to be part of this family affair in boxing. Looking forward to working with them.”

Warriors President, Leon Margules, says Hernandez has shown a great deal of promise so far.

“Luis DeCubas and I couldn’t ask for anything more from Josh so far,” he said. “He trains hard and stays dedicated. And in the ring, he’s been levelling his opponents. It’s always amazing to me to see such a nice young man turn so ferocious in the ring, but he does and the fans love it. Warriors is thrilled he is allowing us to handle his career.”

The elder Hernandez says he’s also optimistic for his son’s ring future.

“I fought for Dominic and we have a good relationship. He treated me fairly and he knows when it comes to my son that I’m going to be a little overprotective. He, Luis and Leon are good guys. Warriors is a good company that can take my son to the next level. I’m very happy about this deal.”
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.

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev Blog Part 1: Monday, October 24

Has becoming the best P4P fighter ever crossed your mind? Is that a career goal for you?

When I was growing up in Russia I did not hear these words pound for pound. Once I learned what this was I knew this was important. I am honored that people think I am the fighter that could get this title. It’s important for me, for my career. I am champion in my division now, but I want to get all the belts and also I would like to be best pound for pound boxer in the world. I respect Andre Ward, he is very good boxer and Olympic gold medal winner, but he is man not alien so I have chance to beat him. My fight against Andre Ward is very interesting for all boxing fans. We both have undefeated record and top rating. I will be prepared 100% to do all I have to do, box, fight, go 12 rounds, what it takes to win I will do. There is much intrigue, many people talk of this fight. They say it’s 50/50 who will win. We will see on Nov. 19 at T-Mobile Arena. I hope all my fans will watch pay per view. This is boxing, anything can happen during fight, but I try always to do my best to win. My goal is to get victory over Andre Ward. It’s big step for me in my boxing career and I must be ready.

My Fight: Kovalev/Ward, HBO Sports special leading up to their pay-per-view light heavyweight title showdown, debuts Saturday, October. 29 on HBO.

Kovalev vs. Ward takes place Saturday, November 19 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

Andre “S.O.G.” Ward Blog Part 1: Monday, October 24

How difficult is to go from 168 pounds to 175 pounds and be competitive? What did you have to do to make the jump in terms of dieting, preparation, training?

My competitiveness never leaves me, regardless of weight class. I carry my competitive nature wherever I go. I felt my body was ready to move up, and I’m surrounded by a great team that helped ensure I made that transition the right way. We took a diligent approach—utilizing BMI measurements, blood work, nutritional insight—to ensure I was where I needed to be, and all signs were pointing up.

As a light heavyweight, you have to adjust your training accordingly. It’s unlike any other weight class. You need to place an emphasis on explosiveness and strength. That said, the skills I gained from other weight classes hasn’t left me. My agility and my endurance remain-add that to my new strength and explosiveness, and I’m feeling better than ever.

My Fight: Kovalev/Ward, HBO Sports special leading up to their pay-per-view light heavyweight title showdown, debuts Saturday, October. 29 on HBO.

Kovalev vs. Ward takes place Saturday, November 19 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

ORANGE, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2016) – LaRon Mitchell (15-0, 13 KOs) claimed the vacant NABF Jr. Heavyweight Championship on Friday night over Scott Alexander (12-2-2, 6 KOs) in a tightly contested fight that was a lot closer than the scorecards would indicate.

Mitchell, who has showed an increasing level of comfort fighting in close quarters, pressured Alexander onto the ropes for most of the fight. Alexander kept a high guard to minimize punishment and countered nicely to keep Mitchell honest. Mitchell, however, would not be denied in his first career title fight.

“It wasn’t very pretty,” said Mitchell after the fight. “But I’ll take an ugly win over a pretty defeat any day of the week.”

Alexander would fight from behind early due to an accidental slip in the third that was ruled a knockdown. Mitchell took full advantage and never allowed Alexander to slip into his normal routine of boxing from the outside to set up power shots.

“I knew I had to take the fight to him because of his jab,” Mitchell said. “Our game plan worked and now I go home with the NABA title.”

Scores: 97-92, 98-91 twice.

UNDERCARD RESULTS

In the co-feature, welterweight Juan Ruiz (17-0, 10 KOs) was successful in his U.S. debut against the crafty Wilberth Lopez (15-6, 10 KOs). Recently signed to Thomson Boxing, Ruiz showed excellent technical ability against the very awkward Lopez. Ruiz, who lives in Mexico by way of Venezuela, mixed his punches well throughout the 8-round fight. He largely worked off his jab to set up an inside attack that helped him secure a majority decision win (76-76, 78-74, twice).

Junior bantamweights Ricardo Espinoza (10-1, 8 KOs) and Francisco Lapizco (7-5, 2 KOs) put on an exhilarating fight that rocked the Doubletree Hotel from start to finish. Lapizco opened the action in the first with a counter right that flattened Espinoza. He would beat the count, only to be dropped a second time by the hard charging Lapizco.

Espinoza shook off the damage and deposited Lapizco on the canvas to salvage some points. From that point forward, the fight went back-and-forth with both fighters inflicting damage on the other. Ultimately it was Espinoza that escaped with a razor thin unanimous decision win (58-56, 57-56 twice).

Lightweight Juan Reyes (13-3-3, 2 KOs) of Riverside, Calif. outperformed Colombia’s Cesar Villarraga (9-3, 4 KOs) through six rounds to claim a unanimous decision win. Reyes applied his signature pressure to keep Villarraga off balance. He jumped on him early and never took his foot of the gas. Villarraga, at times, countered nicely, but Reyes had too much movement for the former Olympian. Scores: 58-56, 59-55, 60-54.

Welterweight Eredani Leon (4-2, 1 KO) used a steady attack to stymie Jacob Szilasi (4-2, 4 KOs) over four rounds. Leon, who had a considerable height advantage over Szilasi, tagged Szilasi early and often with a sturdy jab. Szilasi, who hails from Spokane, Wash., was unable to power through the jab and fell behind early on the scorecards. The Los Angeles-based Leon swept the 4-round fight on all three scorecards (40-36).

Featherweights Alex Solorio (3-2, 1 KO) and Alimkhan Jumakhonov (2-1, 1 KO) thrilled the sold-out crowd with consistent action that only improved as the rounds went on. Jumakhonov, while not impressive on the defensive end, landed the more telling blows against the equally active Solorio. Jumakhonov won via unanimous decision: 39-37, 40-36 twice.

Junior lightweight Michael Dutchover (1-0, 1 KO) out of Midland, Tex. earned his first professional win in knockout fashion over Cesar Partida (1-1-1) in the “Path to Glory” show opener. Recently signed to Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions, Dutchover looked like an elite prospect right from the start.

He worked off an effective jab that allowed him to land crisp power shots. In the third, he connected on a crushing combination that resulted in the fight’s only knockdown. Partida survived the round, but was not allowed to come out for the fourth and final round.

“Partida was a tough opponent,” said Dutchover. “He took a lot of quality punches. I was able to drop him in the third and I knew he was hurt. It feels great to start my career with a knockout win.”

“Path to Glory” was presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Lucas Oil, in association with Everlast.

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, find us on Google+ and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

LaRon Mitchell, right, misfires on a jab in an early round versus Scott Alexander

Scott Alexander protests a slip that was ruled a knockdown in the third

LaRon Mitchell (15-0, 13 KOs) took the NABF Jr. Title by UD: 97-92, 98-91 twice

Juan Ruiz, right, won via majority decision over Wilbert Lopez

Juan Ruiz, left, was successful in his U.S. debut

In a thrilling fight, Ricardo Espinoza, left, won a narrow decision over Francisco Lapizco

Francisco Lapizco, right, nearly defeated Ricardo Espinoza on the “Path to Glory” undercard

Juan Reyes, left, outperformed Cesar Villarraga to win via UD

Eredani Leon, right, cruised to a unanimous decision win over Jacob Szilasi

Alimkhan Jumakhonov, left, won a slug fight over Alex Solorio

Michael Dutchover (1-0, 1 KO) started his career with a knockout win over Cesar Partida

Michael Dutchover (1-0, 1 KO), left, jumped all over Cesar Partida to win by third round KO

Michael Dutchover (1-0, 1 KO), out of Midland, Tex., has a bright future ahead of him

PHOTO CREDIT: CARLOS BAEZA / THOMPSON BOXING PROMOTIONS