According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the camps of Canelo Alavarez and Gennady Golovkin are angling for a fall 2017 fight.

“I met with Eric (Gomez) on Monday, and we had a good, good conversation, and the plan was they want to shoot for fall of 2017,” said K2 Promotions Tom Loeffler told ESPN.com. “It’s not going to happen in September of this year, so we’ll use the time to build the fight. We wanted the fight in [this past] May.

“It’s Gennady’s priority to make the Canelo fight as soon as possible, but Golden Boy felt next year would make the most sense on the promotional side and with the weight as well.”

“We’ll be happy whenever we can make the fight with Canelo,” Loeffler said. “We can’t force people to get in the ring with Gennady. Canelo wants to work to get up to 160, and we’ll try to make the best out of the situation.”

“I believe that Canelo wants to fight Gennady. I don’t think he is afraid of Gennady, but I think Golden Boy wants to build up the fight, and the time also gives Canelo time to get to 160 pounds,” Loeffler said. “We can jump up and down all we want, but it won’t help us get the deal. We have to focus on continuing to build Gennady. The bigger we can make Gennady, the bigger we can make that fight with Canelo, as long as we have to wait.”

Golovkin, who, like Alvarez, is under contract to HBO, likely will fight in September as well. Loeffler said he has been talking to Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn about matching GGG with England’s Chris Eubank Jr., son of the former middleweight and super middleweight titleholder Chris Eubank Sr., one of England’s biggest stars of the 1990s. Eubank Jr. (22-1, 17 KOs) defends the British middleweight title against Tom Doran on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London on the undercard of heavyweight world titleholder Anthony Joshua’s defense against Dominic Breazeale.

“I’ve been talking to Eddie about Eubank Jr., and Eddie said as soon as [Saturday’s] fight is over, we will see if we can move forward with that fight,” Loeffler said, adding that if it is made, Golovkin likely would travel to England for the bout.

MASHANTUCKET, CT (June 22, 2016) – Undefeated world-rated junior featherweight prospect Luis “KO King” Rosa Jr. takes on former world title challenger Luis “Barcelo” Hinojosa in the eight-round main event Thursday night, June 30, in Premier Ballroom at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

The 25-year-old Rosa (22-0, 10 KOs), born in Puerto Rico and fighting out of New Haven (CT), is a rising star in the junior featherweight division, world rated at No. 10 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 12 by the World Boxing Council (WBC). He is a recent graduate of Gateway College in New Haven with an associates degree in business.

Hinojosa is a former Dominican Republic and World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedelatin bantamweight champion who was stopped in the 11th round by Yonfrez Parejo in their 2014 interim WBA bantamweight title fight.

Rosa doesn’t feel any added pressure in terms of risking his ranking and undefeated record against a veteran such as Hinojosa. “I’m hungrier knowing I’m so close to a major fight,” Rosa said. “I’m working even harder, I’m right there, knocking on the door for a world title fight. I think that will take a little more than a year. I know it’s hard to get a world title fight. I’m willing to fight any of the top 122-pounders. I’m ready to take them on, but I still take it one fight at a time. Eventually, they’ll (world champions) will have to fight me, and then I’ll take their belts.”

In the eight-round co-feature event, Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) junior featherweight champion Jennifer “The Bolivian Queen” Salinas (18-3, 4 KOs), now fighting out of Providence (RI), faces off in a non-title fight against Hungarian challenger Gina Chamie (14-6, 6 KOs), a three-time world title challenger.

Unbeaten Irish junior welterweight prospect Noel Murphy (6-0, 2 KOs) faces Albanian invader Afrim Mema (5-3-1, 2 KOs), who fights out of Detroit, in a six-round bout.

Also fighting on the undercard is the newest DBE signee Mykey Williams (1-0, 1 KO), the 18-year-old three-time Ringside World amateur champion from East Hartford, in a four-round welterweight fight against an opponent to be determined.

Also scheduled to be in action are New Haven’s highly decorated Foster brothers, light heavyweight Charles (10-0, 5 KOs) and junior lightweight William III (2-0, 1 KO), in six and four-round matchups, respectively, versus TBAs. Both brothers were National amateur standouts.

Worcester, MA featherweight Irvin Gonzalez, another decorated New England amateur who qualified for the 2016 USA Olympic Boxing Team Trials, will make his professional debut in qa four-round fight against TBA.

Tickets for the June 30th card are on sale and priced at $125, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET, first bout at 7:00 p.m. ET.

For more information, visit www.DBE1.com and www.Foxwoods.com, follow on Twitter @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT, @JSalinasBoxing, and @MarvelousMykey, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/foxwoods/

Fans unable to attend this Saturday’s California Xtreme Fighting (CXF) Professional MMA show at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City will nevertheless be able to tune in and watch all of the action live on FITE TV.

The live stream will cost $9.99 and can be ordered by going to the following link:

FITE TV is the home for all things fighting and will now be the home for CXF: PROVING GROUNDS this Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 7:00pm Pacific. Just go to your Google Play or iTunes app store and download FITE TV and experience CXF: PROVING GROUNDS from the comfort of your own home or wherever you may be. Or for more information, go to the FITE TV website at www.FITE.tv

CXF: PROVING GROUNDS will feature the CXF Lightweight Title between Dominick Clark (8-6 MMA) and Emilio Chavez (11-7 MMA) and a tantalizing CXF Welterweight Title Bout between two of the most dynamic strikers on the west coast when recent Glory contender Casey Greene (4-1 MMA) and Bellator veteran Curtis Millender (8-3 MMA) meet in the cage. Bantamweight Champion Alfred Kashakyan (6-2 MMA) and Middleweight Champion Moses Murrietta (3-0 MMA) are also scheduled to appear.

CXF: PROVING GROUNDS presented by In Sync Productions, Lights Out Promotions, and Bash Entertainment, takes place on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Sportsmen’s Lodge Event Center located at 4234 Coldwater Canyon Ave. (cross street Ventura Blvd.) in Studio City, California.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.valleyfightnight.com or at the Sportsmen’s Lodge Box Office the night of the show.

Tickets start at $50 for General Admission. A limited number of VIP bottle service tables are also available.

Doors Open at 6:30pm; First Bout at 7:00pm. All bouts are subject to change.

NEW YORK (June 22, 2016) – Their peers in the welterweight division – world champions, former champions, contenders and top prospects – can’t pick a definitive winner between defending WBA 147-pound king Keith “One Time” Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) and former world champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16 KOs).

The majority of the fighters polled – some of whom are potential opponents down the line for the winner – lean toward Thurman, but most all concede that Saturday’s eagerly awaited main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on CBS event, presented by Premier Boxing Champions (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at Barclays Center is going to be an intense, exciting, tight fight from start to finish that could go either way.

Here’s how the boxers see “Thurman vs. Porter”:

Danny Garcia (WBC Welterweight Champion): “I think this is a great matchup. Thurman has the boxing ability and the movement while Shawn Porter is the aggressor and he’s going to bring the heat. To be honest with you it’s a 50-50 fight, but I would give the edge to Keith Thurman by a very close decision.”

Kell Brook (IBF Welterweight Champion): “This is a great fight, one I can’t wait to watch. If Shawn can stick to his boxing I think he can become world champion again on points, but Keith is heavy-handed and he could walk Shawn onto one – it’s really a pick ’em fight for me.”

Errol Spence Jr. (Undefeated Welterweight Contender): “I think this is a great fight between young fighters with good skill. Shawn throws a lot of punches while Thurman is a boxer who can punch too. I know Shawn will be aggressive and it should make for a great fight. If Keith can box and keep Shawn Porter on the outside I see Keith Thurman winning. If Shawn stays on the inside and stays in the chest of Keith, I see him winning.”

Andre Berto (Former Welterweight Champion): “Shawn is going to come, but I think Keith will be on his toes and box but also drop hard shots as well when Shawn comes in. Keith can be very versatile in there and has a lot of great skills, while Shawn is more like a bull. Keith will hurt or knock Shawn down but will keep coming all night.’’

Sammy Vazquez (Undefeated Welterweight Contender): “Shawn is a pressure fighter and Thurman used to be a pressure fighter but now he boxes. It’s really hard for me to decide who is going to come out on top. Thurman has good power. It all depends on how Shawn is able to take Thurman’s punches. I think Thurman because of the power but Shawn will bring it for 12 rounds.”

Robert Guerrero (Former Welterweight Champion): “This is a fight the fans are going to love watching. Both Thurman and Porter bring exciting styles to the ring. I think if Porter can keep the fight on the inside he’ll have a better chance to come out victorious. But Keith Thurman is a very smart and powerful fighter and will make the right adjustments. I just think Thurman is going to outbox Porter. I’m picking Thurman to win by decision in a very tough fight.”

Luis Collazo (Former Welterweight Champion): “I’m not sure who the favorite is, but I’m going with Porter. I like his style and I think it’s going to be interesting to see how Thurman holds up with the pressure Porter is going to bring.”

Devon Alexander (Former Welterweight Champion): “It’s a very exciting fight. Both fighters are come forward type fighters and they swing for the fences when they throw. I don’t know who will come out on top because they have similar styles. Shawn Porter has decent power, but out of the two Keith has the more power. We’ll see. This is boxing.”

# # #

The live CBS telecast with open with a 10-round matchup between undefeated super welterweight prospects Jarrett Hurd and Oscar Molina

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP. Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebookat www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Middleweights Sergiy Derevyanchenkov& Sam Soliman will meet in an elimination bout on July 21 at Foxwoods and on ESPN.

“I’m excited about this opportunity to headline against an experienced former champion,” Derevyanchenko, 30, said. “Soliman has accomplished a lot, but right now he is standing in the way of me being a world champion. You will see the best version of me on July 21 and I will show why I am a dangerous fighter in this division.”

“This is a crossroads fight so I am leaving nothing to chance and will do every bit of training needed to win this fight,” Soliman said. “We are both fighting for world title position and I know Sergiy will fight hard for this win. This all makes it a great contest.”

In the co-feature, middleweight prospect Ievgen Khytrov (13-0, 11 KOs), a 27-year-old from Ukraine living in Brooklyn, will face Paul Mendez (19-2-2, 9 KOs), 27, of Delano, California, in a scheduled 10-round bout.

Chris Eubank Sr. and Dave Coldwell clashed at a press conference today ahead of their charges Chris Eubank Jr and Tom Doran meeting for the British Middleweight title at The O2 on Saturday night live on Sky Sports Box Office – but the fighters say their focus is on their clash.

Eubank Sr. and Coldwell got caught up in a heated exchange on how they manage the careers of their fighters, with the British boxing legend also tangling with Conor Benn, the son of his old nemesis Nigel, in a feisty prelude to the weekend’s action.

Eubank Jr. and Doran kept their cool as they close in on their meeting in Greenwich. Eubank Jr. defends the British strap for the first time, and insisted that his focus was solely on the Welshman despite all the talk of a potential meeting with World champion and pound-for-pound star Gennady Golovkin.

“I’m on the world stage on Saturday and I’m facing a guy in Tom that wants to cause an upset,” said Eubank Jr. “That’s what people want to see, they want a competitive and exciting fight and that’s what I hope we can deliver.

“I’m 100 per cent ready, it’s fight time and I am really looking forward to it. It’s a very good test, it’s always tough when you fight someone that has yet to taste defeat as they have an aura about them so it will be interesting to see how Tom deals with being in the ring with a guy of my quality.

“Any fighter is tricky when they are fighting for a British title because they are going to put it all on the line to take that belt from me. I don’t think he’s on a level with me as far as ability though, but he will give it everything and that makes him so dangerous.

“It’s one fight at a time of course, but when you know you are working towards a super fight, then that always plays a role in your mind and in your preparation. For me, it’s a positive thing, it makes me train harder and focus more because I know that with every step I am moving closer to a World stage fight against any of the guys with a belt. That’s what I dream of, to pursue these guys and take them out in devastating fashion.

“I’m not looking past Tom at all. I know he is a talented fighter and a dangerous guy, and anyone that faces me knows that they will elevate themselves to a whole new level by beating me. It’s a huge opportunity for him and I cannot take anything for granted. Spike O’Sullivan and Nick Blackwell were brawlers so if he’s a brawler, great, it should be an exciting fight. He showed he had heart, and he’ll need that against me.

“Each statement I make gets me closer to the super fight, you cannot have flat performances and then come out and say you want Golovkin. It doesn’t work like that. You have to stop these guys and put on World class performances to earn this shot.”

Doran accepted that Eubank Jr. respects the threat that he carries, but the unbeaten Connahs Quay man believed there is some disrespect from those around the Brighton star about the possible Golovkin fight – but that could play into his hands.

“I think Team Eubank are overlooking me,” said Doran. They are already talking about Golovkin and then massive Super-Middleweight fights, but I expect that, I’m not surprised by it, its part and parcel of the sport.

“To be honest, I think it plays into my hands. I hope that he is overlooking me, because he’s going to get a big shock on fight night. Chris is ranked number three in the world, so he’s right to be putting himself in with those names but he’s got me to deal with first, and I intend to grab that opportunity with both hands.

“Chris is taking me seriously and that’s good to see because on Saturday he has a really serious opponent in front of him.

“Chris is a great fighter, you can’t take that away from him, but I’ll be working to a game plan and I am confident I can rip the title from him. His world ranking speaks for itself, but taking his scalp and getting into the world rankings myself is just another incentive in this fight, it’s a great springboard for my career.”

Eubank and Doran clash in a huge night of action at The O2 as Anthony Joshua MBE makes the first defence of his IBF World Heavyweight title against unbeaten American Dominic Breazeale.

George Groves and Martin Murray meet in an eliminator for the WBA World Super-Middleweight title, John Wayne Hibbert clashes with Andrea Scarpa for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Lightweight title, Brixton Heavyweight Dillian Whyte returns to the fray, unbeaten Super-Flyweight star Kal Yafai is in action, Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo continues his comeback from injury, Conor Benn fights for the third time in the paid ranks and there’s a debut for Team GB star Felix Cash.

To the delight of the sizable Mexican community in Detroit, on Saturday, July 16, world-rated Mexican heavyweight contender Andy “The Destroyer from Mexicali” Ruiz will appear in the 10-round main event of Salita Promotions’ next “Detroit Brawl” installment at the Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit.

26-year-old Ruiz, from Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, is a former amateur standout, now undefeated at 27-0, 18 KOs as a professional and rated WBO #5, IBF #5, and WBC #7 at heavyweight. Ruiz is the current NABF heavyweight champion and has already made four successful defenses. Before that, he held the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship and made an additional three successful defenses before relinquishing.

In his last in-ring appearance, Ruiz stopped former world title challenger Ray Austin in the fourth round on May 14 in Studio City, California.

“I cannot wait to get back into the ring,” said Ruiz. “I’ve got some thunder coming with me to Detroit.”

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

“I am very excited about bringing another sensational show to Detroit that will feature local talent as well as some of the best fighters from around the country and the world,” said Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions. “I have a vision of helping Detroit become known as America’s Greatest Comeback City and the East Coast hub of professional boxing. With each show, we are showcasing great fighters and building a fan base locally and around the world.”

Giving the “Detroit Brawl” crowd its usual international flavor will be red-hot welterweight KO artist Bakhtiyer Eubov (10-0, 10 KOs) of Aktjubinsk, Kazakhstan making a very special six-round appearance, along with welterweights Giorgi Gelashvili (4-0, 2 KOs) Brooklyn via Georgia and Serdar Hadurbadyev (2-0, 2 KOs) of Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan in other six-round bouts.

Making his long-awaited four-round pro debut that night will be “Southpaw Prince” Gheith Karim, a three-time national amateur champion from Dearborn, Michigan. A product of the Kronk Gym, Karim was being touted as a future star by legendary Kronk founder Emanuel Steward since the age of 11. He will compete as a junior middleweight.

Also scheduled for action that night are crowd-favorite Detroit prospects including cruiserweight Demetrius Banks (7-0, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder; middleweight Dorell Van Horn Jr (9-0, 6 KOs) in a six-rounder; as well as Detroit bantamweight Jarico O’Quinn (1-0, 1 KO); super bantamweight Zach Shamoun (3-0-1, 3 KOs) of Bloomfield Hills Michigan; and cruiserweight Clarence Dubose (3-0, 3 KOs) of Eastpointe, Michigan, in separate four-rounders.

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On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm and the fights begin at 7:15 pm.

Deontay Wilder says that Anthony Joshua’s IBF World Heavyweight title clash with Dominic Breazeale is a 50-50 fight at The O2 in London on Saturday night (June 25) live on Sky Sports Box Office and on Showtime in the US.

Wilder will be part of the Showtime team covering the fight from New York City and the WBC king will be on the edge of his seat as he cannot split champion or challenger as Joshua prepares to defend the World title he landed in April with a devastating second round KO win over Charles Martin.

“I definitely see the fight as a 50-50,” said Wilder. “You’ve got two big Heavyweights, and the challenger wants what the champion has, and the champion wants to keep what he has.

“It’s going to be interesting because we’ve seen Breazeale in a lot of wars. He’s almost been taken out by some of the smaller Heavyweights, he’s been punched around, but he has always survived.

“We’ve seen Joshua has also been busted up as well, but he has kept his composure, and this fight is in his backyard amongst his people.

“I don’t put anything past Breazeale because he’s coming in hustlers’ territory. I think that it’ll be a good fight because of Breazeale – I think he really wants it.”

Wilder makes the fourth defence of his WBC strap on July 16 against Chris Arreola in his hometown of Alabama, and the 30 year old says that Joshua will feel like a different fighter as he goes into his first fight as World champion – but that there’s now an even bigger target on his back.

“Once you’ve got that belt, you feel like ‘I’m the man’,” said Wilder. “After the first fight, that’s when you really feel confident. You really feel you’re the man, you’re the champ. You’re the ruler once you’ve had your first defence.

“For Joshua, this is his first title defence, so he should feel some kind of security about himself and confidence about himself. But he’s going to find out that to continue his career and defend that title, these guys aren’t going to lay down after one punch or after two punches.

“They’re going to keep taking punches, they’re going to keep getting knocked down and they’re going to keep getting up. This is for a World title. This can bring you out of poverty, you know what I mean? For that reason, these challengers are hungry. That’s one of the things that I had to realise.

“I put myself in their position. When I was a challenger, I was hungry and I already had the mentality that ‘you’re going to really have to kill me or hurt me bad to get me out of this ring.’ So that’s the mentality that these challengers have.

“It’s going to be interesting when you have a guy with a big heart that really, really wants it and I think Breazeale really wants it. We’re going to see where his heart is. I can’t say what kind of heart he has, but we’re going to see.”

Breazeale is following compatriot Charles Martin into Joshua’s Greenwich fortress, where the 2012 Olympic gold medalist is fighting for the seventh time in his pro career. Wilder has boxed outside of the US many times – including his one-round KO of Audley Harrison MBE in Sheffield – and he believes Breazeale’s confidence must be sky-high to travel to Joshua’s backyard.

“It takes a lot of courage, will and heart to fight in someone’s backyard,” said Wilder. “It takes someone that has confidence in themselves. And not to mention going to someone else’s country, because then the environment has completely changed. It’s a big difference and not a lot of guys are willing to travel outside of their country where they would be uncomfortable.

“Only a very few that really want to build their legacy, such as myself, will travel and have no problem. I don’t like to worry about judges or nothing. You go do what you have to do. That’s just my philosophy and mentality as a champion now. When you say the Heavyweight Champion of the World, that’s why this is tough, we travel all over the world.”

Joshua’s clash with Breazeale tops a huge night of boxing at The O2 as George Groves and Martin Murray meet in an eliminator for the WBA World Super-Middleweight title.
Chris Eubank Jr defends his British Middleweight title against Welshman Tom Doran, John Wayne Hibbert clashes with Andrea Scarpa for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Lightweight title, Brixton Heavyweight Dillian Whyte returns to the fray, unbeaten Birmingham star Kal Yafai is in action, Olympic bronze medal man Anthony Ogogo continues his comeback from injury, Conor Benn fights for the third time in the paid ranks and there’s a debut for Team GB star Felix Cash.

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 21, 2016) – Heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and former title challenger Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola went face-to-face for the first time Tuesday at a Los Angeles press conference for their Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FOX & FOX Deportes showdown Saturday, July 16 from Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features undefeated welterweight contender Sammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez Jr. taking on former world champion Luis Collazo. Two more hours of boxing on FS1 and FOX Deportes will immediately follow at 10 p.m. ET after the Wilder vs. Arreola fight on FOX. Further details will be announced shortly.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions in association with Bruno Event Team, start at only $20 and are on sale now. For tickets please visit www.alabamatitlefight.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

The fighters were together at the Conga Room at L.A. Live after Wilder had hosted a press conference in Birmingham the week before, that Arreola joined via skype.

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:

DEONTAY WILDER

“This is going to be an exciting fight for everyone. It’s two dangerous heavyweights. Two guys who fight with their hearts. It’s going to be an action-packed fight from beginning to end.

“People said Arreola doesn’t deserve the shot, but who are they to say things about a man who every time he gets in the ring, fights with his heart.

“I feel like this is a special occasion. It’s a short notice fight. A lot of guys said they would take it, but used the short notice as an excuse. It takes a lot to put together a fight. But when you can get someone who can make the best of this and put on a great show, it’s a job well done.

“There’s only one name who can make this be what it is. Every time he steps in the ring, he comes to fight. I think we chose the right person.

“This is going to be a great fight for boxing fans. I chose to go back home because of all the travel I did preparing for the Povetkin fight. I’m excited to be in my backyard and have the great support behind me. I won’t crack under the pressure.

“The fans will get their money’s worth. It’s two tough and determined fighters who are trying to knock each other’s head off.

“This was my longest layoff. I’ve wanted to be an active champion since I won the belt. When one door closes, another one opens.

“It’s up to Chris to take advantage of this opportunity. He has his own history that he can make and it will mean a lot to him.

“My mentality is to go all out. Everything I say, I really believe. I don’t need anyone to believe in me, because I believe in myself.

“I have a guy in front of me who’s trying to stop me from getting to the next level. I promise this is going to be an outstanding fight.”

CHRIS ARREOLA

“I’m grateful for this opportunity. A lot of people say that I don’t deserve this title fight. A lot of people said Deontay didn’t deserve his title shot. I said that. But when he got it, he made the most out of it. He beat the guy who beat me.

“He’s defended his title and done everything you’re supposed to do as a champion. I respect him a lot. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“I’m going to his backyard. I’m fine with people not recognizing me out there. He’s going to be dealing with ticket requests and I’m just going to be focused on beating Deontay Wilder.

“I’m not fighting the fans, at the end of the day it’s me and Deontay Wilder in that ring. That’s what I know about this sport, there’s a lot of talk, but at the end of the day, it’s mano a mano.

“I’m blessed to have this opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it.”

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,
www.alabamatitlefight.com www.dbe1.com,www.TGBPromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and foxdeportes.com follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @BronzeBomber, @NightmareBoxing @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX. PBC on FOX is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

LOS ANGELES (June 21, 2016) – Former five-division boxing world champion and International Boxing Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard will be on hand for an electric night of boxing at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on July 15. Fans with tickets to the event will get a chance to meet the former undisputed welterweight champion and former Olympic gold medalist at the Special Events Center prior to the televised fights from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Leonard will join viewers in the Coachella Valley for what is sure to be an exciting card, as Mexican warrior Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (29-5- 1, 21 KOs) will square off against top welterweight contender KeAndre “The Truth” Gibson (15-0-1, 7 KOs) in an explosive 10-round main event broadcast live on Estrella TV’s Boxeo Estelar. In the televised 10-round co-feature of the night, former world title challenger Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez (23-2- 1, 16 KOs) will battle former WBC Silver Featherweight Champion Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (23-7, 16 KOs).
Tickets for the event are on sale and priced at $45, $35, and $25. They can be purchased at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Sugar Ray Leonard is a boxing gold medalist and legendary sports icon of the 20th century. He has a passion to help fund research and awareness for type 1 & 2 diabetes and obesity prevention. In 2009, Leonard and his wife Bernadette started the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation and have been supporting the life-changing programs at the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Pablo Cesar Cano vs. KeAndre Gibson is a 10-round welterweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout beings at 5:15 p.m. The Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on Estrella TV at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The card will also stream live on EstrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios. The RingTVlive.com live stream will begin at approximately 5:15 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.
For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.estrellatv.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @EstrellaTV, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, http://www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @EstrellaTV; and follow the conversation using #BoxeoEstelar.

BETHLEHEM, PA. (June 21, 2016) – Unbeaten prospect Antonio Russell (6-0, 5 KOs) will take on Jamaica’s Rudolph Hedge (10-3-3, 4 KOs) in a six-round super bantamweight showdown as part of Premier Boxing Champions ­TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes Tuesday, June 28 from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

The June 28 event is headlined by a lightweight showdown between former title challenger Edner Cherry and quick-fisted contender Lydell Rhodes. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with unbeaten featherweight Omar Douglas taking on Cuba’s Alexei Collado.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75,and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available atwww.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

Additional undercard action features unbeaten Brooklyn-prospect Chris Colbert (4-0, 2 KOs) taking on fellow unbeaten Antonio Dubose (8-0-1, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia in a six-round super bantamweight bout, unbeaten Philadelphia-prospect Milton Santiago against veteran Osumanu Akaba (32-10-1, 25 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight attraction, local heavyweight Eric Newell (8-3-2, 5 KOs) in a four-round bout against Randy Easton (3-9-1, 3 KOs) and the pro debut of Philadelphia’s Yurik Mamedov in a four-round welterweight bout.

Rounding out the night of fights Maryland-prospect Mykal Fox (9-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round super lightweight bout against Puerto Rico’s Jose Valderrama (5-13, 3 KOs), Yonkers-native Victor Vasquez (4-2, 2 KOs) against Philadelphia’s Seifullah Jihad Wise (3-1, 1 KO) in a six-round lightweight battle and unbeaten Washington, D.C. prospect Marcus Bates (3-0-1, 3 KOs) in a bantamweight bout against Bennie Culpepper.

Twice a National Golden Gloves runner up, Russell won the national championship in 2013 and he now looks to follow in the footsteps of his older brother and current 126-pound world champion Gary. The 23-year-old fighting out of Washington, D.C. turned pro in 2015 and delivered five victories before making his 2-16 debut in April with a stoppage of Alberto Serna. He will take on Kingston, Jamaica’s Hedge who made his U.S. debut in May.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com www.sandseventcenter.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FS1, @TheSBEC, @FoxDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes and www.Facebook.com/the SBEC. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Sammy Vasquez will take on former welterweight champion Luis Collazo on July 16th in the co-feature to the Deontay Wilder – Chris Arreola Heavyweight title fight in Birmingham, Alabama, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“This is a great opportunity for me, and I’m looking forward to showcasing my talent and skills,” the 30-year-old Vasquez, of Monessen, Pennsylvania, said. “Luis Collazo is one of the toughest guys I’ve fought so far, and he’s definitely going to test me. My job is to go in there, handle my business and beat him worse than anyone else has. I think our styles will combine for a great battle, and I’m excited to give the people another great fight.”

“I’m totally stoked about this fight against Sammy Vasquez,” said Collazo, who has also faced opponents such as Shane Mosley, Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto. “He is a talented fighter and I’m excited to test his abilities and the will that he has to keep that zero. This will be a good one.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Andre Ward will take on Alexander Brand on August 6th in Oakland in a prelude to his November 19 PPV bout with Sergey Kovalev.

HBO will televise the bout.

BROOKLYN (June 21, 2016) – The stacked undercard for the highly anticipated Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter welterweight showdown is complete and will feature a pair of popular Brooklyn fighters as heavyweight Adam Kownacki (13-0, 10 KOs) battles hard-hitting Jesse Barboza (11-1-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round bout while crowd-pleasing featherweight Heather “The Heat” Hardy (16-0, 4 KOs) takes on Colorado’s Kirstie Simmons (8-1, 2 KOs) in an eight-round contest on Saturday, June 25 from Barclays Center.

The June 25 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on CBS event, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, is headlined by the world title fight between defending world champion Keith Thurman and former champion Shawn Porter. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The live telecast will open with an exciting battle between undefeated super welterweight prospects Jarrett Hurd and Oscar Molina.

Additional undercard action features unbeaten prospect Jonathan Alonso taking on Los Angeles native Brian Jones in a junior welterweight match, Bronx native Josue Vargas opposing Oklahoma’s David Nelson in a four-round welterweight bout and a recent addition to the card, Puerto Rico’s Nicklaus Flaz, in a four-round junior middleweight battle against Brooklyn’s Mack Babb.

Completed matchups that were previously announced include fast-rising prospect David Benavidez (14-0, 13 KOs) taking on Francy Ntetu (16-0, 3 KOs) in an eight-round light heavyweight bout and unbeaten junior welterweight Regis Prograis (17-0, 14 KOs) versus Luis Eduardo Flores (21-3, 17 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

A popular Brooklyn fighter who competed in Barclays Center’s first-ever professional female boxing match, Hardy has become a staple at the arena since. On June 25, she will be making her seventh appearance at Barclays Center. A little over two years after her pro debut, Hardy won an international title belt in the super bantamweight division in October 2014. In 2015, she defeated Noemi Bosques and Renata Domsodi twice. In her lone 2016 fight, she stopped Anna Donatella Hultin in the fourth round. She will be opposed by Aurora, Colorado’s Simmons who has won nine fights in a row after losing her pro debut.

A two-time New York Golden Gloves champion, Kownacki had a big 2015, notching four victories including knockouts of Maurenzo Smith and Randy Easton. Born in Lomza, Poland, the 26-year-old now calls Brooklyn home. His 2016 campaign began in January at Barclays Center when he defeated Danny Kelly in front of a raucous Polish crowd. He will take on Barboza out of Hyannis, Massachusetts. The 29-year-old Barboza was a three-time New England Heavyweight Golden Gloves champion.

# # #

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.

NEW YORK (June 21, 2016) – WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will join the SHOWTIME announce team as an in-studio analyst for the SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® presentation of the IBF Heavyweight World Championship between undefeated champion Anthony Joshua and unbeaten challenger Dominic Breazeale on Saturday, June 25, live on SHOWTIME (5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT).

The charismatic Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) will provide commentary and insight from a New York studio along with Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood before and after the fight.

Coverage of Joshua vs. Breazeale from the sold-out The O2 in London will be provided by Sky Sports with the play-by-play call from Nick Halling, analysis from Jim Watt, additional in-fight analysis from former WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye, and post-fight interviews from Andy Scott.

An encore presentation of the SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL telecast will air later that evening on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

The 26-year-old Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs) has compiled a perfect knockout record of 16-0 with 16 knockouts since turning professional shortly after winning the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal. Earlier this year, Joshua earned the IBF Heavyweight World Championship with a second-round knockout of defending champion Charles Martin on SHOWTIME, earning a heavyweight belt in the fewest number of fights in more than 20 years. The showdown with Breazeale is Joshua’s first since signing a multi-fight licensing agreement for Showtime Networks Inc., to be the exclusive U.S. television partner of the British sensation.

The 30-year-old Breazeale (17-0, 15 KOs) has knocked out nearly 90 percent of his opponents since turning professional after representing the United States at the 2012 Olympics. Standing at 6-foot-7, the Los Angeles native is one inch taller than the 6-foot-6 Joshua. The former NCAA football quarterback is coming off a career-best victory of previously once-beaten Amir Mansour on Jan. 23.

Also on Saturday, June 25, Keith Thurman will defend his WBA Welterweight World Championship against former titlist Shawn Porter in a blockbuster matchup of two of the world’s best 147-pound fighters, live in Primetime on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. In the co-main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar will defend his title against former three-division world champion Abner Mares.

Tickets for Anthony Crolla’s unification blockbuster with Jorge Linares for the WBA and WBC Diamond World and Ring Magazine Lightweight Championships at the Manchester Arena on September 24 will go on sale on Monday June 27.

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be the first fight fans to get the chance to purchase tickets to ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla’s battle with the Venezuelan star. Tickets go on sale at midday priced from £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £250 VIP – these tickets will be available from the Fight Pass members area of www.matchroomboxing.com

Tickets go on general sale at midday on Tuesday June 28 with tickets in the £40-£150 bracket available from the Manchester Arena at www.manchester-arena.com or by calling 0844 847 8000. VIPs tickets are exclusively available through www.matchroomboxing.com priced at £250.

Williams: “He definitely doesn’t want to come and have a fight with me because he’s going to get himself hurt.”

Corcoran: “You’re not that big a puncher, you’re an average puncher. He thinks he’s Golovkin. All I can say is he better not run on the night.”

A war of words erupted between bitter super-welterweight rivals Liam Williams and Gary Corcoran at today’s heated press conference at the Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff. British and Commonwealth Champion Williams puts it all on the line against unbeaten WBO Intercontinental Champion Corcoran on July 16th, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Clydach Vale puncher Williams, 24, is raring to get back on his world title trail after blasting out Gustavo Alberto Sanchez inside three rounds on his 2016 ring return on the undercard of Liam Smith’s world title defence against Predrag Radosevic earlier this month.

The big-punching Welshman is determined to deliver a career best performance in-front of his home crowd and is predicting his brutal power will be too much for his challenger to handle.

“I’m not bothered by what he’s going to try and do. If he comes to box I’m going to outbox him and he definitely doesn’t want to come and have a fight with me because he’s going to get himself hurt.

“He’s not going to keep rushing forward when I’m landing big shots on him trust me. This fight is only going to end one way; Gary is getting knocked out. I’ll see him in the middle of the ring on July 16th.

All-action Corcoran, 25, has ripped through his first 15 opponents, claiming six knockouts along the way. Known as the ‘Hell-Raiser’ for his non-stop ferocious fighting style, Corcoran has promised to live up to his name and take Williams deep into the trenches.

“Let’s be honest, who has he fought? I’ve fought better fighters than him. He’s not a big puncher, he’s an average puncher. Everyone seems to think he’s Golovkin but nobody has tested him yet.

“Coming down to Wales to fight him on his own patch doesn’t bother me one bit. I can’t wait for the fight, he can hit this chin as much as he wants. I’ll let him have a free crack at it as well. We’ll see who’s on the back foot.

Co-headlining a huge night of boxing in Cardiff is pound-for-pound superstar Guillermo Rigondeaux who defends his WBA Super-Bantamweight crown against Merseyside hero Jazza Dickens in a real life ‘Rocky’ story.

A talent-stacked undercard sees British and Commonwealth Champion Super Bradley Skeete make the fifth defence of his WBO European Welterweight title; Baggies banger Tommy Langford defends his WBO Inter-Continental belt; ‘The Mexican’ Jamie Conlan returns to the ring after his fight of the year contender, Southampton’s red-hot Joe Pigford looks to extend his unbeaten run to eleven fights; Welshmen Craig Evans, Alex Hughes, Gary Buckland, Jay Harris, Dale Evans and Rhys Saunders all look to impress in front of their home crowd; big-hitting cruiserweight prospect Gary Sweeney looks to go 2-0 and Belfast’s Tyrone McKenna fights over six rounds.

Tickets priced at £35, £40, £70, £100 and £150 are available from:

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Ticketline UK
02920 230 130
www.ticketlineuk.com

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise the show live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, TalkTalk 415, Freeview 255 and also on smart connected devices via multiple platforms. Go to www.boxnation.comto see how you can watch this fight and more live!

William Hill have signed a deal with Matchroom Sport to be the title sponsors of IBF World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua’s next three fight nights’. The new agreement follows on from their sponsorship of AJ’s last two fights – against Dillian Whyte and his World title winning performance against Charles Martin.

Joshua (16-0-16 KO) defends his title for the first time at The O2 in London this Saturday when he faces the unbeaten American Dominic Breazeale. The Californian (17-0-15 KO) is no stranger to London having represented the USA in the 2012 Olympic Games, where Joshua won gold. Both fighters predicted an explosive knockout on ‘The Gloves Are Off’ preview on Sky Sports on Sunday night – and unsurprisingly the bookmakers agree. The sponsors are offering odds of 14/1 for both fighters to be knocked down at any stage of the fight.

The Joshua v Breazeale undercard features some other mouth-watering bouts – including the Super-Middleweight clash between Martin Murray and George Groves. Other big names on the undercard include Chris Eubank Junior, Dillian Whyte, Anthony Ogogo, Kal Yafai and Conor Benn.

The event will be watched by a 17,000 strong sell-out crowd at the O2 Arena in London, while millions more will tune in on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK, Showtime in the USA and via other associated broadcasters around the world.

Alex O’Shaughnessy, Chief Marketing Officer at William Hill said “We’re delighted to sign this new deal with Matchroom Sport. Anthony Joshua is one of the most talked about boxers of our generation and it’s exciting to align our brand to this true British sporting icon.”

Eddie Hearn, Managing Director at Matchroom Sport, said “AJ is one of the biggest draws in world boxing right now and it’s fantastic to have one of Britain’s biggest brands with us on his journey to greatness. We’ve built up a really strong working relationship with William Hill over the last year and I believe it will continue for many years to come.”

Do you feel like the underdog in this fight? What would a win do for your career?

VIKTOR POSTOL:

“I do not consider myself an underdog in this fight. Terence Crawford’s fans might consider me as the underdog but that does not bother me. I’m 100% confident in myself and in my victory on July 23rd and the reasons are simple. I work harder in training camp than my opponents because I have to. Because I want to. I have the best trainer working with me and his name his Freddie Roach. He has been named Trainer of the Year a record seven times and he is in the Hall of Fame. Crawford has no one like that on his team. Since I have been training with Freddie I have knocked out two of the three opponents I have faced — Lucas Matthysse and Selcuk Aydin. Both were No. 2 world-rated contenders and both times I was considered the underdog. I have passed every test that I have taken as a professional fighter and with the best teacher in boxing working with me I intend to pass this one on July 23rd with flying colors. This victory will prove to everyone that I am the best fighter at 140 pounds and the king of the division.”

FREDDIE ROACH:

“I do not feel that Viktor is an underdog going into this fight. Why should I? In his two toughest tests — Lucas Matthysse and Selcuk Aydin — he didn’t just knock them out, he took their will to fight away. He broke them down brick by brick. His experience against blue chip opposition has been great preparation for his fight with Terence Crawford. Don’t get me wrong. I have a lot of respect for Crawford. He has a lot of talent. But I think this is going to come down to resumes and I think Postol has fought tougher and better opponents than Crawford. Postol even spent an entire training camp with Manny Pacquiao in 2014 when Manny was preparing for Chris Algieri. Viktor more than held his own against Manny. Crawford is going to find out that defending a title against Hank Lundy and Dierry Jean is a lot different than fighting a fellow undefeated world champion like Viktor Postol. A win for Viktor will mean that the U.S. and the world has a new star in boxing. A star as bright as boxing has ever seen.”

The HBO Sports Special, Terence Crawford: My Fight, debuts Saturday, July 9 at 11:15 p.m. on HBO.

Crawford vs. Postol takes place Saturday, July 23 at the MGM Grand Garden 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.

NEW YORK(June 20, 2016) – Undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs) will make the first defense of his title against fellow unbeaten Dominic Breazeale (17-0, 15 KOs) of Upland, Calif., this Saturday, June 25 on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® from The O2 in London, live on SHOWTIME® on at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.

Just a few hours later in Primetime on CBS (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), Keith “One Time” Thurman will defend his WBA Welterweight World Title against former champ Shawn “Showtime” Porter in a welterweight blockbuster that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Both Joshua and Breazeale participated in an international media conference call on Monday. Also taking part were Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports; Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport and Brittany Goossen-Brown of TGB Promotions introducing Breazeale.

Below are highlights of what the principals had to say on the conference call. A full transcript will be available in the coming days.

ANTHONY JOSHUA
Thoughts on his preparation for the fight:
“I feel great condition wise, and mentally I’m in a good place. I’ve never felt so relaxed because I just know I’m capable of doing it. I’ve trained weeks and years and it’s just about getting it right on the night of the fight. My tactics and my mind have not let me down so far, so that’s why I don’t want to change anything.

“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. I’m going to attack the fight the same way I have my last 16 and put on an explosive show. That’s what the Americans love. They like knockouts and I won’t let them down.

“Every fight can be my last fight. As much as I would like to tell you I’m confident and ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that’ I do understand I have to approach this as if it could be my last fight.

“I know he can hang around, he doesn’t go down easy. He’s a big guy, he can eat shots. The Dominic Breazeale I’m used to watching on YouTube and I’m reading about is the enhanced Dominic Breazeale – the Dominic Breazeale that is 50 percent better because I think he knows he wants to come prove himself on a global stage. And this is his chance come Saturday, so I need to prepare for the best of Breazeale.”

On going from being the hunter as a challenger to being the hunted as a champion:
“I’m not the cream of the crop in the gym. I’m around guys that are achieving things on the same level so I’m still hunting. I still have that mentality as if I’m a main killer in the jungle. I haven’t lost that hunger.

On potential to fight in the US in the future:
“I just keep on hearing the United States is where it’s happening. And if I come to the U.S., I’m going to shut it down.”

Thoughts on Breazeale’s performance against Amir Mansour:
“He’s a tough guy. He managed to go out there and break Mansour’s jaw and capture a win, which has led him into where he is now. Whichever angels were floating in the ring with him that day have led him to this point, so I’ve got to put an end to his dream.”

On winning a piece of the heavyweight championship in just his 16th pro fight:
“It didn’t mean much. I still have another couple titles I need to get my hands on. I’m still hunting. There’s still work to be done. So it only ticked one of the boxes on my to-do list.”

DOMINIC BREAZEALE
“I’m out here very excited. I can’t wait to get in the ring June 25 and shock the world, that’s for sure. I’ve been lucky enough to prepare for the biggest fight of my life and I’m really super excited about it.”

On why he thinks he was selected for this matchup:
“Honestly, the way I see it is that someone didn’t do their research. They didn’t look deep enough. They didn’t find out enough about me and maybe they’re looking at me as just another football player that transitioned into boxing. And I’m hoping they’re overlooking me. It definitely can be a situation where they’re just watching one fight, especially my last fight. But there’s been a lot of tough ones. If they’re looking at that one situation, I’m glad because that’s to my liking.”

On his feelings about fighting overseas:
“The way I’m thinking about it is, June 25, I gain 20,000 fans. I’m in a situation where I’m very confident going into this fight and I know for sure I’m going to put on a great show, come out victorious and go back to the U.S. with 20,000 UK fans.

“I definitely believe [Joshua] realizes; he understands that he’s got a big test in front of him. He’s got a big fighter in front of him. He’s got a guy that’s going to break him down, test his will and see if he is a true champion.

“I am coming into this fight very confident and I’ve got some things that I know are going to work for me, as well as some things that I plan on exploiting out of Joshua.

“I’m blessed to have been picked for this fight and am thankful for this opportunity. The way I look at it, and the way I look at every fight that I go into, is that as long as I do everything that I need to do in the gym as far as sparring, preparation and training, running my miles, sleeping right and eating right – I’ve crossed all of my T’s and dotted all of my I’s. I’ve got nothing to worry about. I’ve got nothing to second-guess. I’ve done everything I’m supposed to and I just can’t wait to shine.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports

“Anthony quickly went from a diamond in the rough to really one of the foremost stars in the UK and Europe, and we are happy to be his partner as he establishes his presence in North America.

“We are particularly excited about this bout because we have, pardon the phraseology, two behemoths. There are two skilled boxers, really the epitome of what heavyweight boxing should be – big, strong athletes skilled in their sport, with amateur pedigree, meeting on the afternoon here in the US, evening in the UK to determine who is the best fighter.”

EDDIE HEARN, President, Matchroom Sport

“Over here, the feeling is that it’s going to be quite a routine defense, but Anthony hasn’t trained like that. He is not expecting that. He knows the background and roots of Dominic Breazeale. He knows his skill, and he knows how dangerous he can be and he knows how hungry he is as well. I think you’re going to get a different kind of fight than the Charles Martin fight. I think you’re going to get a guy that’s not afraid to let his hands go. He’s not going to wait and the sold out O2 Arena is going to be an electric place to be.”

“SHOWTIME is a deal we are very excited about. To link up with an American broadcaster for us was an obvious move, but it was a move we had to choose carefully. And I think we chose very, very well in SHOWTIME.”

BRITTANY GOOSSEN-BROWN, TGB Promotions

“Over here in the U.S. we have gotten to see Dominic grow before our eyes. We know he is definitely capable of challenging for the world title. On Saturday we expect him to be victorious and bring that back to America.”

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing and @SHOSports, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/ShoSports

Also follow Dominic Breazeale on Twitter @TroubleBoxing, Anthony Joshua @AnthonyJoshua and use hashtag #JoshuaBreazeale to join the conversation.

How will it feel fighting in Vegas for first time? PPV for the first time?

TERENCE CRAWFORD

“It is an honor to fight in Las Vegas, especially at the MGM Grand where so many historic fights have taken place and so many great fighters have made their mark. It’s the same way I felt when I headlined my first card at Madison Square Garden earlier this year. Many fighters dream of fighting on such a big stage but it’s something you have to earn. I have worked very hard to get to this point in my career — to earn the right to headline my first pay-per-view event. I can’t think of a better place to do it than in the Fight Capital of the World. It’s very exciting, but I need to keep my eye on the ball. There will be a lot of hard work to do in training camp to make my pay-per-view debut successful. This isn’t just opening night for a new phase of my career. I want this to be the beginning of a long run as boxing’s next pound for pound star and a worthy successor to Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.”

BRIAN McINTYRE:

“Fighting in Las Vegas in the main event and headlining a pay-per-view is a tremendous honor. Years ago I never imagined we would get to this point. We are representing Omaha on the biggest stage boxing has to offer and Terence is not about to let his hometown down. He is proud to represent Omaha and he will be carrying that pride in his heart and soul when he enters the ring on July 23rd and beats Viktor Postol. We know we are in this position because of hard work and more hard work. And with hard work came success, success that produced an undefeated record against the best fighters and two world titles in two different divisions. No one has ever been able to outthink or outfight Terence and that’s a lesson Postol is going to learn the hard way — in front of a very big audience.”

The HBO Sports Special, Terence Crawford: My Fight, debuts Saturday, July 9 at 11:15 p.m. on HBO.

Crawford vs. Postol takes place Saturday, July 23 at the MGM Grand Garden 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.

BROOKLYN (June 20, 2016) – An intriguing matchup between undefeated super welterweights Jarrett Hurd and Oscar Molina will open this Saturday’s Primetime CBS broadcast from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS broadcast, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, airs live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is headlined by a welterweight blockbuster between undefeated champion Keith Thurman and once-beaten former titlist Shawn Porter.

The 10-round showdown between the 25-year-old Hurd (17-0, 11 KOs) and 26-year-old Molina (13-0-10 KOs) is a rare matchup between young undefeated prospects in one of boxing’s hottest divisions. The winner graduates to contender status in the stacked 154-pound class, a division featuring Erislandy Lara, Jermall and Jermell Charlo, Demetrius Andrade and Julian Williams.

Hurd vs. Molina represents the toughest professional fight for either man.

“The dictionary definition of ‘Swift’ is to happen quickly or promptly,” said Hurd. “So just like my ring name, that’s exactly what you’ll see on Saturday night. I’m so grateful that this fight was made and that the whole world will be able to see my boxing skills on this highly anticipated card.”

“I’m excited for this fight and I’m grateful that it’s even bigger now that it’s on CBS,” said Molina. “I’ve seen Hurd fight. I know what he does well and what his weaknesses are and I’ll be looking to capitalize on them. It’s important for me to defeat the top guys and this is someone I have to beat to become a world champion one day. I’m excited about fighting in Brooklyn on the big stage, but my focus will be on my trainer’s game plan and coming out victorious.”

Hurd, of Accokeek, Md., just south of Washington, D.C., has an unblemished record since turning professional in 2012. He is coming off a career-best performance last November with a six-round destruction of previously undefeated Frank Galarza on ShoBox: The New Generation. Hurd, who has never been down or cut as a professional, will be facing his third consecutive unbeaten opponent.

Molina, of Norwalk, Calif., just east of Los Angeles, was a 2012 Mexican Olympian. He tore through his opposition after turning professional in 2013, registering knockouts in 10 of his 14 fights. Molina, who has also never been down, is coming off a 10-round draw with fellow unbeaten highly regarded prospect Dominque Dolton last September. He returns to the ring this Saturday against another undefeated opponent as he looks to make a statement in the 154-pound division.

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Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP. Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebookat www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.

June 20, 2016 – Springfield, NJ – Last week the IBF’s Executive Officers and Board of Directors conferred to discuss the organizations stance on AIBA’s and the IOC’s decision to allow professional boxers to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Preliminary discussions were held during the IBF’s annual convention this past May in Beijing, China where IBF Medical Committee member and ringside physician, Dr. Paul Wallace presented the organization with a letter sent to AIBA’s President, Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, by Dr. Raymond Monsell, Chairman of the Association of Ringside Physicians and Dr. Larry Lovelace, President of the Association of Ringside Physicians. In the letter the doctors address the dangers faced by an amateur boxer competing against a professional boxer. In particular they reference skill level, the difference in scoring amateur bouts vs. professional bouts and the use of head gear.

Upon reviewing the medical opinions put forth in this letter, and conferring with other individuals and organizations involved in the sport, the IBF believes that there is an inherent risk with professionals competing against amateurs. While the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championships Contests do not specifically address professional boxers competing against amateur boxers, the organization will apply its rules 5 and 14 in addressing any situation where an IBF Champion or fighter rated by the IBF chooses to compete as a boxer in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The rules are as follows:

Rule 5 of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contest cites:

“A Champion and Challenger must at all times set high ideals and act in a sportsmanlike manner. Any action by a Champion, Challenger promoter, manager or cornerman which reflects poorly on the IBF/USBA or the sport of boxing will subject the contestant to the imposition of discipline and penalties. The provisions of Rule 14 will be applied to any such situation.”

Rule 14 of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contest cites:
“Should any Champion or Challenger be found in violation of any of the rules of the IBF/USBA, he may be removed from the rankings for a period of not less than one (1) year. Should any Champion, Challenger, promoter, cornerman or manager be found to have acted in an unsportsmanlike or unprofessional manner as provided in Rule 5 (IBF and USBA championship, elimination and unification bouts) by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, the Champion or the Challenger may be subject to fine, forfeiture of monies, vacation of title, lowering or removal from the ratings or any other discipline directed by the Board of Directors. Any boxer, promoter, cornerman or manager subjected to discipline under this rule has a right to appeal the finding of a violation or the imposition of discipline, or both, under Rule 12, Appeal Procedure.”

Essentially, an IBF Champion or fighter included in the IBF ratings that chooses to participate in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio will be found in violation of rule 5. Their participation in these games will be considered unsportsmanlike behavior due to the potential risks involved with amateur boxers competing against professional boxers. An IBF Champion found in violation of rule 5 will have the title vacated and will be removed from the ratings for one year, and an IBF rated fighter will be removed from the ratings for one year.

“Making this decision was not difficult for us. We felt it was important for the IBF to get involved and take a stance against professional boxers competing against amateurs due to safety concerns as part of our commitment to this sport is to promote the health and well-being of the boxers,” noted IBF President Daryl Peoples.

NEW YORK (JUNE 20, 2016) – Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas “Hitman” Hearns might be uniquely qualified to talk about what WBA welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman and “Showtime” Shawn Porter are thinking and feeling heading into their battle that pits two men against each other who are in their primes in a highly charged battle for supremacy in the talent-laden welterweight division.

The highly anticipated showdown headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on CBS presented by Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) with televised coverage starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Leonard had a record of 30-1 with 21 KOs and held the WBC welterweight title when he took on Hearns, who was 32-0 with 30 KOs and held the WBA title, in a 15-round title unification match in Las Vegas on September 16, 1981. The match was billed as “The Showdown” and had a worldwide television audience of 300 million.

The fight was a pitched back-and-forth battle, but Hearns appeared to be in control having won rounds nine through 12 on all three judges’ scorecards. It was between rounds 12 and 13 that Leonard’s trainer, the late Angelo Dundee, famously screamed at Leonard: “You’re blowing it now, son! You’re blowing it!”

Leonard, with his left eye badly swollen, turned the tide in the 14th round by staggering Hearns with an overhand right and then pinning Hearns on the ropes and unleashing a barrage of punches, which prompted referee Davey Pearl to stop the fight, giving Leonard the victory and making him the undisputed welterweight champion and king of the division. At the time of the stoppage Hearns was leading on all three scorecards – 124-122, 125-122 and 125-121.

“It was the toughest fight of my life. It took every ounce of will and strength to beat Tommy Hearns. I couldn’t have taken that many of those in my career,” Leonard said. “The Tommy Hearns fight was the one that propelled me to the penthouse.”

Leonard felt like the victory over Hearns launched him into superstardom. He believes the same thing awaits the winner of Thurman-Porter.

Hearns on the fight: “I wanted to show my world my boxing ability. They knew I could knock people out, but they didn’t know that I could box very well.”

Both Leonard and Hearns said they are anxiously awaiting the match between Thurman and Porter because they believe it will hold just as much drama as their match 35 years ago.

“Yeah, you can make the comparison,” Leonard said. “Both guys are at the top of the welterweight division. The only thing that’s different is that me and Tommy were so well known by sports fans. We were on TV a lot, and that’s what built our names and gave people the chance to see us so much. And that’s what they’re doing now with the PBC and the shows being on network TV. This could be a fight like ours. Who knows? But I do know that the fans are waiting on this fight.”

HOW DO YOU PREPARE TO FACE THE BEST MAN IN YOUR DIVISION?

HEARNS: “It’s always hard to get prepared for someone like that because you think about what the outcome is going to be and what are your chances of winning the fight. I never thought about losing, but I thought about what my chances were.
I knew if I went out and boxed the way I knew I could box, I would beat Ray. Just the thought of fighting Ray brought a lot of questions to my mind. Some I had answers to and some I didn’t have. Most other guys I knew I could go out there and knock them out.”

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THIS MATCHUP?

LEONARD: “Just the heart of Keith and Shawn. Both of these guys have heart and both have that will. That composure. You can’t teach composure. It’s something that you either have or you don’t. You can’t learn that. That deep, deep composure when your left eye is closed and your liver is busted and you got to get up on the canvas.”

HEARNS: “I know Thurman and Porter have the ability to get each other out of there. It’s going to be a matter of who gets to who first. I’m definitely watching. I hope to be there in person.”

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE MENTAL ASPECT OF THIS MATCH?

HEARNS: “I know what it’s like to go against somebody that people don’t think you can beat. You have to prepare for that. It’s a mental stage that you go through, how you prepare your mind. If you can control your mind and tell your body what you’re going to do, then you can do it. You can’t worry about how good the other guy can punch. Just stay out of the way. Keep on laying that stick on him and he won’t be able to punch you.”

WHAT WAS YOUR MENTALITY GOING INTO THE MATCH AGAINST LEONARD?

HEARNS: “I didn’t come to go 12 or 15 rounds. I came to whip your butt and go home. I had no desire to go 15 rounds. I trained for it, but I was never going 15 rounds.”

WHAT WAS YOUR MENTALITY GOING INTO THE MATCH AGAINST HEARNS?

LEONARD: “I felt that I could beat anyone. My brother Roger didn’t think I could beat Tommy. He didn’t tell me that until it was over. In training camp I used to box Roger and he would land a lot of right hands. He figured if Tommy’s right hand landed on me it would be over. My brother didn’t have much confidence in me.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.