LAS VEGAS (May 27, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today the completion of the live NBCSN (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT) televised portion of its WSOF32 world championship doubleheader, with the addition of a middleweight (185 pounds) contest between undefeated sensation Shamil Gamzatov (10-0) and red-hot finisher Louis “Put The Guns Down” Taylor (12-3).

In addition, the league announced the first WSOF32 preliminary bout, a much-anticipated rematch between a pair of unbeaten featherweight (145 pound) rivals in Hakeem “Mean” Dawodu (5-0-1) and Marat Magomedov (7-0-1).

WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II takes place at Xfinity Arena at Everett on Saturday, July 30. In the world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship main event, reigning kingpin Marlon Moraes (16-4) will risk his title for the second time against challenger Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1).

Since he made his professional debut with a second round (1:35) TKO (punches) on Murat Aibazov on January 30, 2012, the 6-foot-2, 25-year-old Gamzatov of Dagestan, Russia has been an unstoppable force, defeating all of his opponents by way of either (T)KO or submission in either the first or second round of action.

In his last start and debut inside the World Series of Fighting decagon on January 23, Gamzatov scored a thunderous, first round (2:32) TKO (punches) on Teddy Holder.

The 5-foot-11, 37-year-old Taylor of Chicago, Ill. is riding a five-fight win streak that he ignited on December 14, 2012 with a first round (4:12) KO (punch) on Joe Vedepo.

Taylor, who has earned 11 of his 12 career wins via (T)KO or submission, made an explosive promotional debut for World Series of Fighting in his last appearance at WSOF29 on March 12, finishing Cory Devela in just 29 seconds with a guillotine choke submission.

A protégé of famed Muay Thai trainer Mike Miles, the 5-foot-8, 24-year-old Dawodu of Calgary, Alberta, Canada launched his professional career inside the World Series of Fighting decagon on February 21, 2014 when he scored a first round (1:07) KO (punch) on Behrang Yousefi.

Following his successful debut, Dawodu claimed four consecutive victories – all by way of (T)KO – under the World Series of Fighting banner, before facing off with Magomedov last December 18. Following three rounds of battle, the fight was declared a majority draw.

The 5-foot-8, 25-year-old Magomedov of Dagestan is a combat Sambo specialist who has claimed all but one of his wins by way of submission, beginning with his professional debut on July 1, 2011 when he forced Dzhambulat Magomedov to tap out from a triangle choke in the first round (3:40) of their matchup.

Additional preliminary card bouts for WSOF32 will be announced soon.

Priced from $29, tickets for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II are on sale at XFINITYArenaEverett.com and WSOF.com.

In the world featherweight championship co-main event, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) will defend his title for the first time against the fighter he took it from – Lance Palmer (10-2).

In other action on the live NBCSN telecast, costumed crime fighter Phoenix Jones (6-1-1) aka Ben Fodor of Seattle, Wash. will look to settle his rivalry with adopted brother Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-5) of Seattle in a 162-pound catchweight affair.

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING

“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a worldwide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com and follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries. WSOF and World Series of Fighting are registered trademarks of MMAWC, LLC.

ABOUT NBCSN
NBCSN, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 85 million homes, the Emmy Award-winning network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL) – including two games of the Stanley Cup Final — Premier League, Formula One, IndyCar, Tour de France, the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2015, NASCAR. In addition, NBCSN features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk, The Dan Patrick Show, and NASCAR America. NBCSN is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

About XFINITY Arena at Everett
The XFINITY Arena at Everett, recipient of the International Association of Venue Manager’s (IAVM)
prestigious Venue Excellence Award 2010, was developed by the Everett Public Facilities District.
The 10,000-seat venue hosts a myriad of events including concerts, ice skating and family shows and
is home to the Everett Silvertips, a Western Hockey League franchise. The venue is managed by
Spectra by Comcast Spectacor and embodies all three of its divisions: Venue Management, Food
Services & Hospitality and Ticketing & Fan Engagement.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 multi-platform channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents live coverage of the official prelims for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ALMEIDA vs. GARBRANDT from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas this Sunday, May 29 at 7 p.m. ET.

Fight Network will air the live UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ALMEIDA vs. GARBRANDT prelimsexclusively in Canada at 7 p.m. ET, preceded by a pre-show at 6 p.m. ET. The main card airs live on TSN5 at 9 p.m. ET.

In the featured prelim, top 10 women’s bantamweight contenders will collide when No. 6-ranked former Olympian Sara McMann (8-3) battles No. 7-ranked Jessica “Evil” Eye (11-4, 1NC). Meanwhile, Abel “Killa” Trujillo (14-6, 1NC) welcomes newcomer Jordan Rinaldi (12-4) to the sport’s biggest stage for a lightweight duel, Jake “The Prototype” Collier (9-2) meets undefeated Brazilian Alberto Uda (9-0) in a middleweight matchup and Erik “New Breed” Koch (14-4) makes his long awaited return to action opposite dynamic Canadian striker Shane “Shaolin” Campbell (12-4) in a lightweight bout.

Before all the action, the fighters will come face-to-face during Fight Network’s live broadcast of the UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ALMEIDA vs. GARBRANDTweigh-ins on Saturday, May 28 at 7 p.m. ET, as undefeated headliners Thomas Almeida and Cody Garbrandt tip the scales ahead of their bantamweight main event showdown.

Following Sunday’s main card, Fight Network will broadcast the live UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ALMEIDA vs. GARBRANDTpost-fight press conference in its entirety.

In addition to all the live events, Fight Network is the destination for UFC library content, specials and series, including The Ultimate Fighter, UFC Unleashed, UFC Now, UFC Ultimate Insiderand classic UFC PPV events.

The full card for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ALMEIDA vs. GARBRANDTincludes:

Main Card (Live on TSN5, 9 p.m. ET):
-Thomas Almeida (21-0) vs. Cody Garbrandt (8-0)
-Renan Barao (35-3, 1NC) vs. Jeremy Stephens (24-12)
-Tarec Saffiedine (16-4) vs. Rick Story (18-8)
-Chris Camozzi (23-10) vs. Vitor Miranda (13-4)
-Jorge Masvidal (29-10) vs. Lorenz Larkin (16-5, 1NC)
-Josh Burkman (29-12, 1NC) vs. Paul Felder (11-2)

Preliminary Card (Live on Fight Network, 7p.m. ET):
-Sara McMann (8-3) vs. Jessica Eye (11-4, 1NC)
-Abel Trujillo (14-6, 1NC) vs. Jordan Rinaldi (12-4)
-Jake Collier (9-2) vs. Alberto Uda (9-0)
-Erik Koch (14-4) vs. Shane Campbell (12-4)

Preliminary Card (Live on UFC Fight Pass, 6 p.m. ET):
-Aljamain Sterling (12-0) vs. Bryan Caraway (20-8)
-Chris De La Rocha (4-1) vs. Adam Milstead (7-1)

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visitwww.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd is ready to put his British title heartache behind him and break into the World scene by landing the WBC International Lightweight title against Pasquale Di Silvio at Goodison Park on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

Dodd came close on two occasions to taking Scotty Cardle’s British crown in their meetings at the Echo Arena in November and April but fell agonisingly short on both nights.

The Birkenhead man’s stock has risen dramatically following both his fights with Cardle and his win over Gary Buckland at late notice in September to get the Cardle clash, and Dodd believes that he will finally get his hands on a title in his clash with the experienced Italian.

“I am over the moon to be on the show and to have this fight,” said Dodd. “It is great to be fighting for a title and I am excited to get in there on Sunday. It is a great card and to be a part of it on a massive night for the city.

“He is a tough Italian fella. He has done almost as many ten and 12 rounders as I have had fights. He is a little bit older than me so it could be his last chance and that could make him very dangerous. He has a lot of things in his favour and I am expecting a very hard fight.

“A win can get me a world ranking with a win and to get into the rankings so soon isn’t something I would have expected a year ago.

“Taking these opportunities has given me a life I didn’t have. I am feeling good and very hungry and I cannot wait to get back out there. I am an entertainer and I am going to rise up to this level, put on a good show and win this title.

“In the gym I am feeling confident and I feel that I have moulded into the professional lifestyle so well. I feel like I am on a level to fight Di Silvio and for the WBC International title.”

While Dodd is feeling good about his chances, the 31 year old can be forgiven for have been down in the dumps following his second meeting with Cardle last month.

Having been stopped by the Lytham St Annes man in the final round of the first contest when he was in front on the cards, Dodd and his fans were certain that he’d done enough to get the nod in the rematch only for the judges to rule the contest even – but landing a huge fight at Everton has helped Dodd get over the disappointment of the rematch.

“I know a lot of people were upset with the last decision, as was I, but it’s ancient history now, I have put it behind me and I am looking to the future,” said Dodd. “I have a bigger fight now and I am moving on and moving up.

“Decisions are out of my hands so I am more interested in how I perform. Every time I have stepped up I have performed well. In boxing it is about listening to your coaches and the tactics, not going out there all gung ho.

“Every style has a weak link so I have been listening a lot more to my coaches. I have always listened but even more so now because bigger things are at stake. I have been nailing the tactics and the performances have been showing.

“From where I have come from in the last fight, it has left a lot of hunger so I am going to go out there and grab this by both hands. It is a big opportunity and I don’t let those go by. It doesn’t get much bigger than fighting at Goodison Park.”

Dodd’s clash with Di Silvio is part of a huge night of action at Goodison Park as Tony Bellew aims to land the vacant WBC World Cruiserweight title at the home of his beloved Everton against Congo KO star Ilunga Makabu.

Stephen Smith looks to bounce straight back from his brave World title challenge by taking on Daniel Brizuela for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Featherweight title, and he’s joined on the bill by his Super-Middleweight brothers Paul and Callum.

Tom Farrell meets Kofi Yates in an eliminator for the English Super-Lightweight title, Liverpool Heavyweight favourite David Price is back in action and there’s a host of young talent on display including British Light-Heavyweight champion Hosea Burton, Preston’s Commonwealth gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald and Merseysiders JJ Metcalf, Paul Economides, Gerard Carroll, Craig Glover and Steve Brogan.

Tickets are on general sale now priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 and can be purchased by visiting www.evertonfc.com/eticketing, or by calling 0151 556 1878*. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in person by visiting the Park End ticket office or our City Centre ticket facility in Everton Two, Liverpool One. £350 VIP tickets will be available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com

Opening times for all ticket outlets can be found here.

*Booking fees apply.

Tickets for May 29 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.

Tyrone Nurse has told Willie Limond to forget about a World title fight with Ricky Burns as he plots a path to land the British Super-Lightweight title outright, starting with his first defence at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports.

Nurse landed the title in November having finally the better of Chris Jenkins in their second bout having drawn with the talented Welshman in July.

Former champion Limond had been set to face both Nurse and Limond during his reign but injuries and illness to the Scot and the Welshman meant he had to vacate the belt. Limond now gets his chance to regain the belt and then hopefully set-up a clash with Ricky Burns who tops the bill in his World title clash – but Nurse is here to rip up that script.

“This is boxing, there’s always a bigger picture with things happening behind the scenes,” said Nurse. “I know that if Willie wins and Ricky wins the World title, they’ll look to make that fight for a World title in Glasgow. We are not daft, we know how it works, but that’s not going to happen.

“He’s going to be so up for it too as he knows that the Burns fight is there if everything goes right, but that’s not in my plans and I am sure it’s not in Michele Di Rocco’s plans either. We’re not here to give wins away, but like I said, we’d be foolish to look at this and not see that Burns vs Limond is what they want to set up.

“There’s been a few ups and downs getting this fight on, I was meant to fight Willie a year or so ago but he got injured, and now in a sense he’s my mandatory as even though this is a voluntary, he gave the belt up so Chris and I could fight for it and deserves his chance to get it back.”

Victory over Jenkins came after 24 rounds of intense action between the pair in two fights in Manchester. The judges were unable to separate them in the first contest but Nurse was awarded the belt in their second clash by five rounds and three rounds (twice). Jenkins floored Nurse hard in the fifth round of the rematch but the 26 year old recovered well and believes he showed he’s the best fighter in the exciting 140lbs division.

“I was comfortable in there and I was having a bit of fun at times,” said Nurse. “He caught me with a great shot in the fifth round that woke me up a bit. You get hit with good shots from time to time, it happens. I recovered quickly but went onto the ropes and let him unload, but he didn’t really catch me with anything clean, certainly none of them bothered me. It just taught me to stop switching off really.

“I’ve said for a while that Chris and I are the best in the division and I proved that I’m the best. There’s some really good fights in the division, Chris will come back stronger and he’s teamed up with a great trainer in Gary Lockett, you’ve got John Wayne Hibbert, Dave Ryan, Jack Catterall is the mandatory for the British title now and then there’s Ricky at the top of the list. It’s a really exciting division and there’s some big fights out there, so keep hold of the title and see Jack off, and there’s a lot more big fights for me.

“I’d love to win this belt outright. I’ve got to get past Willie first and then Jack, he’s a very good fighter. I’m not one to look too far down the road, you have to just have to take each fight as it comes because it’s such an unpredictable sport you never know what fight could be next or what opportunity might present itself. Willie has my full respect as he’s a great fighter.”

Nurse’s clash with Limond and Burns’ shot at three-weight World title glory is part of a huge night of action in Glasgow as Newcastle’s Jon Lewis Dickinson meets Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy in an eliminator for the British Cruiserweight Title.

Olympic Bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo returns from injury, Conor Benn fights for the second time in the paid ranks, Islington Middleweight John Ryder is in action and there’s a host of young Scots on display, including Commonwealth gold medal winner Charlie Flynn, Joe Ham and Lewis Paulin.

Tickets for Glasgow are on general sale with those in the £40-£100 bracket available from the SSE Hydro website http://www.thessehydro.com/ and on 0844 395 4000 and 0800 952 0110 (accessible). VIP tickets at £200 are exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for Glasgow are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

LAKELAND, FL. (May 26, 2016) – A battle between exciting welterweights Phil Lo Greco (27-2, 15 KOs) and Joseph Elegele (15-2, 11 KOs) will serve as the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV and BounceTV.com Sunday, June 12 from The Lakeland Center in Lakeland, FL.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT and will feature unbeaten Australian prospect Steve Lovett (15-0, 12 KOs) and tough contender Craig Baker (16-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round light heavyweight showdown. The full night of action will be streamed on BounceTV.com

“I don’t know much about Elegele but I will not take him lightly,” said Lo Greco. “I am always in the gym. I enjoy fighting. This is what it’s all about, fighting on television and making a name for yourself. A win here will get me one step closer to the bigger fights.”

“People should watch me, because after this fight, I am ready to show the world that I am ready for the big fights,” said Elegele. “This win will put me towards the top and in a position to fight top fighters. This is the best I have felt in my whole career. Lo Greco is a game fighter. This is my hometown and I will have a lot of people coming out to support me and I can’t wait.”

“A win here will get me in the mix with the top contenders,” said Lovett. “I expect an entertaining fight and I am ready to go. Training camp is always good and I will be in the best shape possible on June 12. I helped Edwin Rodriguez prepare for his fight against Baker so I know him well. I am at the stage to step up to the next level”

“I’m excited about this opportunity to take on a fighter like Steve Lovett,” said Baker. “He’s highly regarded but I know that I have the skills and experience to beat him. I’m leaving it all in the ring. A win here puts me in position to get big fights so I plan on being impressive.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $75, $50 and $35, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.thelakelandcenter.com or by calling 888-397-0100 and from the Lakeland Center Box Office by calling 863-834-8111 or visiting between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“This will be a great night of boxing,” said Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions. “Elegele and Lo Greco is a real 50/50 fight with each guy needing a win to get to the next level. The last show at Lakeland was action packed and June 12 will be no different.”

A four-time amateur national Canadian champion, the Toronto-born Lo Greco turned pro in 2006 and quickly made a name for himself as one of the top fighters from Canada. The veteran fighter has also fought in Germany, Italy and Hungary before making his U.S. debut in 2012 by defeating Hector Orozco in Atlantic City. He racked up a 25-0 record to begin his career and his lone defeats have come to top welterweights Shawn Porter and Errol Spence Jr. In his last bout, Lo Greco stopped Pablo Munguia in the fifth-round.

After piling up an amateur record of 69-8, Elegele turned pro in 2009 and reeled off 12 victories to start his career. One of nine siblings, Elegele worked as a sparring partner for Floyd Mayweather in 2013 and has also spent time in the training camps of Adrien Broner and fellow New Haven, FL native Andre Berto, who he has known since he was 12-years-old. He owns victories over Manuel Aguilar, Angel Hernandez and Lanard Lane and most recently stopped Alex De Jesus in the sixth-round of their Bounce TV clash in January.

Born in Australia but now training in Houston with Ronnie Shields, Lovett looks to build on the momentum he has gained in 2015 with four knockouts in his five wins. The New South Wales-native has taken down veterans Kevin Engel and Samuel Miller in his last two fights as he heads into his toughest challenge in Baker.

A once-beaten fighter who turned pro in 2008, Baker enters this fight having four of his last five opponents inside the distance. The Baytown, TX native took home victories over Anthony Greeley and Sergio Cordoba in 2014 and kicked off 2015 by knocking out highly regarded Umberto Savigne. Now, Baker looks to bounce back from a defeat to Edwin Rodriguez when he enters the ring on June 12.

# # #

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @BounceTV, @KingsBoxing_ and @Swanson_Comm and follow the conversation using #PBConBounce, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.Facebook.com/BounceTV. PBC on Bounce is sponsored by Corona Extra: La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Bounce TV is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. The network features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Bounce TV has grown to be available in more than 93.5 million homes across the United States and 93% of all African American television homes, including all of the top AA television markets. Among the founders of Bounce TV are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and Ambassador Andrew Young.

For local channel location, visit BounceTV.com.

LAS VEGAS, May 26, 2016 – The Premier Boxing Champions series monthly calendar is jam packed with action from May 28 through June 28, providing boxing fans a variety of entertaining matches featuring everything from world title super fights to showcasing the sport’s next generation of rising stars.

“If you’re a boxing fan, you can’t help but enjoy the month-long slate of matches involving the talent featured on the PBC series and presented on so many different broadcast platforms,” said Tim Smith, VP of Communications for Haymon Boxing. “With primetime shows on CBS, NBC, ESPN, Spike, FS1, FOX Deportes and Bounce TV, there will be something for every boxing fan. All they have to do is sit back and enjoy.”

The month-long festival starts with former world champion Miguel Vazquez taking on Erick Bone in a junior welterweight match and unbeaten featherweight prospect Miguel Flores and Mexican Veteran Ruben Tamayo battling it out in San Antonio on FS1 and FOX Deportes on May 28.

On Friday, June 3, lightweight champion Rances Barthelemy will defend against former champion Mickey Bey and bantamweight prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez takes on former title challenger Alberto Guevara in Hollywood, Fla., on Spike.

The following night, Saturday, June 4, hard-hitting light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev faces Argentina’s Ezequiel Maderna and rising undefeated welterweights Bryant Perrella and David Grayton doing battle from Montreal on ESPN.

The next weekend, junior welterweight standout John Molina, Jr. battles the bruising Ruslan Provodnikov in a match between boxers who have both been involved in recent Fight of the Year contests, from Verona, NY on SHOWTIME on Saturday, June 11.

BounceTV follows up on Sunday, June 12 when Phil Lo Greco takes on Joseph Elegele in a battle of welterweights while Australian-born light heavyweight Steve Lovett takes on once-beaten Craig Baker from Lakeland, Fla

The month continues with primetime network boxing on back-to-back weekends.

Saturday, June 18 on NBC primetime, light heavyweight star Andrzej Fonfara, who was involved in Fight of the Year candidate last year, will take on hard-hitting New Yorker Joe Smith, Jr., live from Chicago starting at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT. On the same card Juan Carlos Payano will defend his bantamweight title against Rau’Shee Warren in a rematch of their 2015 battle plus brilliant junior middleweight prospect Erickson Lubin takes on Mexico’s Daniel Sandoval.

Then, on Saturday June 25th, in one of the most highly anticipated matches of 2016, welterweight champion Keith Thurman will defend his title against former champion Shawn Porter from Barclays Center in a battle of top fighters in Brooklyn on CBS on June 25. The co-nain event may steal the show as featherweight titlist Jesus Cuellar battles former three-division world champion Abner Mares.

After the action concludes on CBS, that same night on NBCSN as super welterweight prospects Justin DeLoach and Junior Castillo go toe-to-toe in San Antonio.

The jam packed stretch concludes on June 28 with exciting contenders Edner Cherry and Lydell Rhodes in the main event and featherweight Omar Douglas against Alexei Collado at Bethlehem, PA on FS1 and FOX Deportes.

Here is the 30-day schedule:

Saturday, May 28 -Miguel Vazquez vs. Erick Bone; Miguel Flores vs. Ruben Tamayo from San Antonio on FS1 and FOX Deportes (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

Friday, June 3 -Rances Barthelemy vs. Mickey Bey (Lightweight World Championship); Emmanuel Rodriguez vs. Alberto Guevara from Hollywood, Fla., on Spike (9 p.m. ET/PT).

Saturday, June 4 -Artur Beterbiev vs. Ezequiel Maderna; Bryant Perrella vs. David Grayton from Montreal, Canada on ESPN (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT).

Saturday, June 11 -John Molina, Jr. vs. Ruslan Provodnikov from Verona, NY on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

Sunday, June 12 -Phil Lo Greco vs. Joseph Elegele; Steve Lovett vs. Craig Baker from Lakeland, Fla., on Bounce TV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

Saturday, June 18 -Andrzej Fonfara vs. Joe Smith, Jr.; Juan Carlos Payano vs. Rau’shee Warren; Erickson Lubin vs. Daniel Sandoval from Chicago on NBC (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT).

Saturday, June 25 -Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter; Jesus Cuellar vs. Abner Mares from Barclays Center in Brooklyn on CBS (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

Saturday, June 25 – Justin DeLoach vs. Junior Castillo; Ryan Karl vs. Luis Solis in San Antonio on NBCSN (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT).

Tuesday, June 28 – Edner Cherry-Lydell Rhodes; Omar Douglas-Alexei Collado from Bethlehem, PA on FS1 and FOX Deportes (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Showtime has sued Top Rank over lawsuits pertaining to the Floyd Mayweather – Manny Pacquiao mega fight last May.

Showtime is seeking $682,754.07 in legal fees for having to pay lawyers to defend the network against numerous civil lawsuits filed by fans upset that they shelled out a record $100 apiece for the pay-per-view telecast of a bad fight in which Pacquiao knew he was injured ahead of time.

Showtime said in its lawsuit, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN.com, that Top Rank failed to meet its contractual obligation to indemnify the network in the event it was sued in relation to the fight. Showtime, which said it was named as a co-defendant in 12 of approximately 42 suits filed after the fight, is seeking legal fees it says it paid to defend the suits, plus interest.

“Showtime Networks [on Wednesday] filed suit against Top Rank in the Southern District of New York to enforce Showtime Networks’ right to be reimbursed for legal fees incurred defending the many lawsuits filed relating to the injury sustained by Manny Pacquiao before his May 2, 2015 fight against Floyd Mayweather,” a Showtime spokesperson said in a statement. “Showtime was dismissed from those litigations which continue against Top Rank. Showtime made every effort to resolve this matter short of the courthouse, but Top Rank’s persistent refusal to honor its contractual obligations forced Showtime to take this regrettable, but necessary, step.”

Showtime said it was eventually dropped from many of the suits because while it had prefight access to Mayweather’s training camp, it did not have any access to Pacquiao’s and, therefore, had no idea he had a shoulder injury.

The suit went on to say that “under an agreement among [Showtime and Top Rank], [Top Rank] was obligated to defend and indemnify [Showtime]. But at the outset of these actions, it was manifest that [Showtime] and [Top Rank], which was alleged to have known of and concealed the pre-fight injury, had starkly different interests. … At once, [Showtime] demanded that [Top Rank] honor its contractual obligations to indemnify [Showtime] and pay for [Showtime’s] own counsel to defend it in these actions because of the manifest potential conflict between them. [Top Rank] refused.”

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum told ESPN.com that his lawyers do not believe there is a conflict and that the contract is open to interpretation.

“Our lawyers say that under the contract, they’re not entitled to any indemnity,” Arum said. “But when this came up, we made a proposal to Showtime and [parent network] CBS, and they said it was not adequate. I told them to come back with a counterproposal, and instead they filed suit. And then I told them that’s not fair. If you’re negotiating a settlement with me, you don’t file a suit. And then they said, ‘If you don’t pay this in full, CBS and Showtime will not do business with you.’ I said, ‘What the f— else is new? You haven’t done any business with Top Rank in years.’ They’re trying to bully me.

“I didn’t appreciate the threat. You sit down like normal people and you work it out.”

MONTRÉAL (May 26, 2016) – Lucian Bute was informed of the results of the anti-doping test done after his World Boxing Council (WBC) world title fight against Badou Jack, April 30, in Washington, D.C.

As reported in a statement sent by the WBC, the Washington D.C. Boxing and Wrestling Commission informed them that Bute tested positive for Ostarine, in an A sample analysis, after the bout.

”I am surprised and sorry about this. I don’t understand what led to this positive result, Bute said. “I have always passed every anti-doping test that I was asked to take since I won a world title. More recently for my fight against James DeGale, in Quebec City, last November, I was tested eight times from before my training camp until after my fight. I have never taken any illegal products. I have a complete trust in my team. There will be an analysis of the B sample and I am sure that this result will be negative.”

”GYM has always been strongly in favor of a strict anti-doping policy to keep the sport of boxing clean,” GYM president Yvon Michel remarked. “We are really surprised by this first result and we now hope that the B sample proves that the first result was wrong. Until then, we support Lucian Bute.”

There will be no further comments on this subject until the publication of Bute’s B sample result.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin’s “B”sample came up positive for his random drug test for his muted fight against WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

Povetkin’s mandatory shot at heavyweight world titleholder Deontay Wilder, scheduled to take place May 21 at the Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow, was called off after his “A” sample came up positive for meldonium nine days before the fight. The sample had been taken in a random urine test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association on April 27.

Povetkin, 36, had the right to have his “B” sample tested, and he did. According to the VADA testing report, which was obtained by ESPN.com, it was also positive for meldonium.

Isiah Seldon 156 – Eddie Edmond 158
Chuck Mussachio 183 – Willis Lockett 205.3
Adrian Wilson 147.3 – Quan Johnson 148.6
Soloman Maye 226.7 – Quian Davis 253
LeRoy Davila 116.9 – Dominic Whitehurst 117.5
Nick Kisner 197.8 – Lamont Capers 196.2

Promoter: Rising Promotions
Venue: The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City
1st Bell: 7:00 PM

Tickets are $125 for premium, $77 Ringside stage and $52 reserved and are available at www.risingboxingpromotions.com or 609-487-4444

Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo

New York, NY (5/26/16) – As previously announced, on Friday, June 3, Broadway Boxing returns to the beautiful Resorts World Casino New York City in Queens, NY, featuring former world champions Richar Abril (19-3-1, 8KO’s) and Yuri Foreman (33-2, 9KO’s) headlining in separate bouts. The exciting 10-bout card is presented by DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing and sponsored by Nissan of Queens. Abril is set to take on the always-tough, former world title challenger and now resurgent contender Jerry Belmontes (21-8, 6KO’s) in a 10-round super lightweight showdown, while Foreman squares off against Jason Davis in an eight-round junior middleweight matchup.

Anytime undefeated light heavyweight Mike Lee (16-0, 10KO’s) steps in the ring, he does so behind an army of adoring fans. The Notre Dame graduate Lee is set to make his second appearance in 2016 when he takes on Mike Snider in an eight-round light heavyweight matchup.

The Chicago-native Lee graduated from the esteemed University in 2009, but not before claiming three Bengal Bout championships while fighting on the University’s boxing team. Following his graduation, Lee won the 2009 Chicago Golden Gloves before embarking on his professional career in 2010. Since his debut, Notre Dame Alumni from across the U.S. have come out in droves to show support for their favorite son. In September 2011, Lee became a national spokesman for Subway Restaurants and continues to be prominently featured in their nationally broadcast “Famous Fan” advertising campaigns. In 2011, Lee headlined the first-ever pro boxing event at the University of Notre Dame, donating more than $100,000 to Notre Dame Charities through The Mike Lee Foundation.

Returning to action for the first time since his sensational knockout performance on ShoBox is undefeated prospect Steve Rolls (13-0, 7KO’s) as he squares off against Emmanuel Sanchez (7-4, 1KO) in an eight-round super middleweight matchup. Making his ShoBox and national TV debut in December, the Canadian Rolls scored a scintillating, come-from-behind fourth-round knockout over fellow undefeated prospect and UK National champion Steed Woodall.

Also making his 2016 debut on the card will be hard-hitting Queens-native Joseph Williams (8-0 6KO’s) as he takes on Lamar Harris in a six-round cruiserweight matchup. A 2011 US Olympic Team Trials silver medalist, Williams won the 2012 National Golden Gloves heavyweight title and was three-time NY Golden Gloves champion before turning pro. Williams was a perfect 5-0 in 2015 with three of those wins coming by way of devastating knockout and will be looking to improve to 9-0 when he takes on Harris.

Female world-rated contender Alicia Napoleon (5-0, 4KO’s) will look to continue on her path of destruction through the world rankings when she takes on Latasha Burton in an eight-round junior middleweight matchup. A devastating puncher, Napoleon claimed the vacant WBC silver junior middleweight title in her last bout and is determined to secure a shot at a world title sometime this year.

Making his NYC debut will be former amateur standout and two-time National Golden Gloves champion Marquis Moore (1-0, 1KO). Campaigning at middleweight, Moore, a member of the U.S. Army, who was honorably discharged after serving three years for our country, had an outstanding amateur career, compiling a 140-15 record. Moore also claimed the National PAL championship in 2015 and boxed at the U.S. Olympic trials. Moore’s fight on June 3 is scheduled for four rounds.

Popular Brooklyn-native prospect Julian Sosa (4-0-1, 2KO’s) is also set to see action on the card when he competes in a six-round welterweight contest.

Also appearing on the card will be Bronx-native and 2014 NY Golden Gloves heavyweight champion George Arias (5-0, 3KO’s) in a six-round bout.

Rounding out the card will be Staten Island’s James Wilkins as he makes his much-anticipated pro debut when he takes on Erick Lainez in a four-round junior lightweight matchup.

Tickets are priced at $125 ringside, $75 reserved seating and $50 general admission. Tickets may be purchased by calling DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the night of the fight. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7 p.m.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (May 26, 2016)–THIS Friday night, May 27th, a big night of boxing will kick off a holiday weekend at The Claridge in Atlantic City as Rising Promotions will present a terrific card of boxing.

In the main event, It will be about New Jersey bragging rights as Isiah Seldon will take on Eddie Edmond in a bout scheduled for six-rounds.

In a one of the undercard bout, Baltimore-based cruiserweight contender, “Slick” Nick Kisner will take on Lamont Capers.

Kisner, who was a prized amateur that saw him become a 3-time National Silver Gloves champion, a 2-time National junior Golden Gloves champion and a Ringside World championship, just to name a few of his big wins in the non-paying ranks.

The 25 year-old has a record of 16-2-1 with six knockouts.

“I have had a very good training camp,” said Kisner. “Capers is a tough and durable opponent. He has been in with some very good fighters, but I am very confident about getting the win on Friday.”

Kisner has won two in a row since his highest profile bout to date when he dropped a ten round unanimous decision to former two-time world title challenger Lateef Kayode,

In that bout, Kisner fought well and had some moments in the bout, but came up just short in a fight that seemed closer then the official scorecards.

“I learned a lot about in that fight. I went 10-rounds for the first time. I did that against one of the best fighters in the divisions. That was the fight where, also learned the best way to get down to 200 pounds. Before that fight, I would kill myself to make the weight.”

That training regimen has worked so well, that Kisner is now contemplating a move to light heavyweight.

“That is the plan. In fact, if everything goes well on Friday, that I am looking at a big name at light heavyweight in August.”

But first, he has to deal with Capers, not far from Kisner’s hometown of Baltimore.

“I am excited to be fighting in Atlantic City. It is one of the big stages in boxing. Come Friday, I am going to put on a great show, and I am going to show the world that I am great fighter. I have learned from my previous fights. I have matured and on Friday, people will see that I am on the best fighters in the world.”

In a six-round co-feature, one of the most popular fighter’s from the shore area, Light Heavyweight Chuck Mussachio will be back in the ring after a 39-month lay off when he takes on Willis Lockett in a rematch of a bout that that ended in a draw on September 19, 2008.

In four round bouts:

In a four round Welterweight bout, Adrian Wilson (0-2) of Atlantic City will take on pro debuting Da’Quan Johnson of Pennsauken, New Jersey

Quian Davis (2-0-1, 1KO) of Mays Landing, NJ will fight Soloman Maye (1-6-1, 1 KO) of New Haven, CT in a Heavyweight out.

Also on the card will be the pro debut of Bantamweight Leroy Davila of New Brunswick, New Jersey battling fellow pro debuter Dominic Whitehurst of Chillicothe, OH.

Davila, who had over 60 amateur fights was ranked second in the United States in his weight class.

Tickets are $125 for premium, $77 Ringside stage and $52 reserved and are available at www.risingboxingpromotions.com or 609-487-4444

Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo

A familiar name, especially to the local boxing fans, will make his first ring appearance in just under five years this Friday night in his own hometown of Niagara Falls, New York.

Former red-hot prospect Nick “Hands of Gold” Casal (22-4-1, 17 KOs) says he’s expecting some rust, but should have enough to overcome when he takes on 37-fight veteran Antonio Chaves Fernandez of Brockton, Massachusetts, in one of the untelevised supporting bouts at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. The fight will be Casal’s first at home as a professional.

In the night’s 10-round main event, WBO #11-, WBA #12- and IBF #15-rated heavyweight boxer Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (16-0-1, 14 KOs), defends his WBA NABA Heavyweight title against Topeka, Kansas, slugger Nick Guivas (12-3-2, 9 KOs). And in the 10-round lightweight semi-final, red-hot Filipino prospect Harmonito “El Huracan de Gensan” Dela Torre (17-0, 12 KOs) will make his debut on US soil against capable veteran Guillermo Sanchez (15-18-1, 6 KOs) of Buffalo.

Presented by Greg Cohen Promotions, Salita Promotions, FightCard Productions and Winner Take All Productions, “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” will be broadcast live nationally at 9 pm EST.

Tickets for “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” start at $35 and are available at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino box office, www.ticketmaster.com or you can charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

30-year-old Casal was headed for big things in boxing before suffering a loss of focus and all four of his losses in a two-year stretch from 2007 to 2009. Since then, inactivity has been the name of his game.

So where was he and why wasn’t he fighting?

“I never really left,” said Casal during a break in one of his final training sessions. “I’ve been working full-time for the last three years, but I was ready to go and trying to get a fight the whole time. I had a number of them fall through. I had one fight fall through at the weigh-in when a guy failed his physical. That was heartbreaking. But now, I finally have a team in place that can keep them from falling through and I’m glad to be finally getting back in the ring.”

Casal says he’s basically the same talented fighter he always was… with a few improvements.

“Physically, I feel exactly the same as I did five years ago. Mentally, I would say I’m a little stronger and a lot more patient than I was when I was younger. I set my shots up a lot better. I don’t think the ring rust will be as bad as it is for other guys who take a lot of time off. I’ve been in the gym training fighters and working out the whole time. I expect to have a little bit of rust, but not as much as someone who was completely out for years. I picture it going very well if I stick to my game plan and stay very focused.”

Working with father Ray at their Casal’s Boxing Club Gym in Niagara Falls since February, Casal says he will now compete in the welterweight division and expects to take an aggressive approach to getting back on track.

“I want to win a few regional titles and then earn a world title shot. Around this time next year, I’d like to be in some important fights.”

Casal says he owes his apparent resurgence to promoter Greg Cohen, with whom he signed earlier this year.

“He’s a great promoter and does shows in my hometown. I’ve never fought here as a professional. I fought in Buffalo a few times in 2011, but never fought here. That was important to me. People are calling like crazy for tickets. I’m excited to get it on. With the crowd behind me, I’ll be 100% ready. I’ve just been waiting for the right guy to help me get to where I want to be. Looks like I found him.”

On fight night, doors open at 6 pm and the action starts at 7:00 pm. The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is located at 310 4th Street in Niagara Falls, NY. For more information, call 877-873-6322 or visit www.senecaniagaracasino.com.

About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen first made promotional headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney.

Cohen currently promotes WBA Interim World Lightweight Champion Ismael Barroso, Undefeated WBA NABA Heavyweight Champion and world-rated contender Jarrell Miller, undefeated WBA NABA Middleweight Champion and world-rated contender Robert Brant, former world champion Kendall Holt, as well as current world-rated contenders including long-time elite middleweight “Mean” Joe Greene, top super featherweight Arash Usmanee, Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis; WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Australian lightweight prospect Josh King.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including CBS Sports Network, HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.

LOS ANGELES (May 25, 2016) – Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov was involved in the Fight of the Year in 2013 with Tim Bradley. John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr. was embroiled in the 2014 Fight of The Year with Lucas Matthysse.

On Saturday, June 11, Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) a former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, and former world title challenger Molina (28-6, 23 KOs) will face each other in the 12-round main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

On Tuesday, Provodnikov, Molina and undefeated WBC No. 1-ranked lightweight contender Dejan Zlatacanin participated in a Media Workout Day at Fortune’s Gym in Los Angeles.

Zlatacanin (17-0, 10 KOs), of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro, will be opposed by fellow unbeaten and WBC No. 2-ranked Emiliano Marsili (32-0-1, 14 KOs), of Italy, for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship in the opening match of the SHOWTIME telecast.

In the co-feature, undefeated former 154-pound world champion Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs), of Providence, R.I., battles Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KO’s), of Cleveland, Ohio, in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator.

Also on June 11, former world title challengers, Willie Monroe Jr. and John Thompson, will meet in a 10-round middleweight bout in the main event on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT). In the SHO EXTREME opener, heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (28-3, 23 KO’s) takes on Mario Heredia (11-1, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).

Below is what the boxers said Tuesday:

RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV

(On the importance of this fight)

“Every fight is important. I come out for every fight to give everything I have. For me, every fight is like the last fight. So this is a very important fight, just like any other.

“I don’t like to make predictions too much; boxing is an unpredictable sport and it’s hard to say what will happen. Anything can happen on June 11. We’ve got a little bit to wait and we’ll see what happens.

“I don’t know if it will go to the scorecards. Anything can happen. He is also a great fighter, so maybe it will go to the scorecards.”

(On what he expects from John Molina Jr.)

“I’m expecting him to come to fight. No doubt he’s a fighter, he’s a warrior. For somebody to defeat me is a big motivation and I know he’ll be coming to win.

“No matter what, he’s going to do anything possible to win this fight. That’s what I expect from people that take a fight with me – that they’ll die in the ring to defeat me because it would be a great accomplishment. So I’m expecting a real war, a real fight.”

(On the style of fighting and the matchup)

“I think this is the type of fight that will be exciting and all-action. I think it’s a great matchup and it will be exciting for the fans.”

(On who he’s looking to fight next)

“I’m not thinking about that too much right now. Luckily my weight classes, both 140 and 147, there’s no problem with the opposition. There (are) a lot of guys, a lot of stars. After this fight on June 11 we’ll be able to start thinking about what’s next.

“I’ve always said that I’m willing to fight anyone at 140 and 147, just let me know when and I’ll be there. I’m ready to fight any of the top guys.”

(On if he would rather fight a boxer or a come-forward fighter like Molina)

“I definitely like the guys that come to fight. For me that is a better, more enjoyable fight. I like to fight a guy that wants to brawl.

(On if he’s ready to box if Molina choses to box instead of brawl)

“On June 11, I’ll be ready for anything that can happen in the ring. I’ve been watching previous fights and correcting my mistakes and I’ll be ready for anything he decides to bring.”

(On not fighting for eight months)

“I don’t see too much of a negative side to that. I just wanted some time off and now I’m ready to come back. I’m always in shape; I’m always in the gym, always training.

“I’m training all the time and always moving around even when I’m at home. Right now, training camp is going very well. Joel Diaz is very happy with training and he says everything is going a lot better than the last training camp. Everything is 100 percent. I’m not worried at all.”

(On his relationship with trainer Joel Diaz)

“Everything is going great. When Joel and I are training together it’s always very positive. That’s important for me. I’m enjoying the training camp and I’m having a good time, which is the most important thing.

“Boxing-wise I’ve added a lot of different things. Most importantly, I’ve increased my defensive skills and that’s going to show in this fight very much and I’m positive of that. More than that, my punching combinations have gotten better in the last few camps and that’s going to show. Joel and I work well together and that’s definitely important.”

JOHN MOLINA JR.

(Thoughts leading up to the fight)

“I am really excited. Ruslan is a hell of a fighter and competitor. I think it’s a can’t-miss, all-action fight when you have someone like myself and Ruslan in there.

“Stylistically I think there are thing that I have to my advantage. Stature-wise: my height, my reach. But with that being said, when the fight starts, all of that is going to go out the window and we’re going to fight.

“We were both in Fights of the Year, but we were both on the losing ends. Now we want to be on the winning end. I think that is an unwritten motivation for both of us.

“Stylistically it’s a great matchup. We’ve had a common opponent and of course you can draw that he was in a Fight of the Year with some other fighter. But I’m not that stature. I am 5-feet-11 with a reach that he can’t compare with. On June 11 after the first bell rings, I’ll be able to tell you exactly how the fight is going to play out.”

(On the importance of winning this fight)

“Every fight is important. Fortunately and unfortunately, boxing is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ type of sport. For me, I didn’t have an extensive amateur career so the pros were, in essence, my amateur career. But I believe I’m at the right spot right now, where I need to be to hit my stride.

“Of course a victory is always the goal. I don’t like to lose at checkers and I don’t want to lose at boxing. To keep the lifestyle that I have going, I have to continue to be victorious and move forward.

“We definitely want to catapult off of a big marquee name. We want to be on the winning side. That is the goal 110 percent. We won’t be satisfied with anything less than a victory. I’m not content with getting in these fights because people love to watch me fight. I want to be content with getting these fights because I’m victorious and that’s what we’re planning on doing on June 11.

“I feel like you’re going to get the best of me now. I feel like my longevity isn’t a question because I didn’t have the extensive amateur career. A lot of these guys have been boxing since they were eight years old. I didn’t start until I was 17. I didn’t turn pro until I was 24. I only had 22 amateur fights. So the miles on my odometer, so to speak, are less than someone like Ruslan who had an extensive amateur career. He’s been in more wars than me.

“Either way you slice it, boxing takes something from you. Whether it’s your youth, your sharpness, boxing is that kind of a sport where it draws something from your body. I believe he’s had it worse than me. I feel stronger and more experienced for lacking those years.”

DEJAN ZLATCANIN

(On what this fight means for his career)

“This is the most important fight for me because the WBC title has been my dream since the first day I went to the gym. I will be the new champion.

“I was always the underdog in every fight but now I don’t get underestimated. My opponent is going to get the best me on June 11. I think those who underestimated me were wrong all along, but I will put some good shots on him and he’ll go down. I will knock him out.

“I think they [fans] will cheer for me like I am a home fighter and I will do my best to bring the good fight.”

(On his opponent)

“He’s a boxer. He’s smart, but he has no power. He will try to box, keep a distance and use his height advantage. He will use his footwork to keep me at bay, but it won’t work.”

(Thoughts on fighting for first world title)

“I am very excited and I am very happy to be fighting for my first world title. I am coming from a little country and I want everyone to know where Montenegro is and I can’t wait to get in the ring.

(On fighting in U.S. for first time)

“People in America, they’re fans, they love good boxing. It doesn’t matter where you are from, they just like good fights. They like my style because I am a fighter and I go forward.”

Tony Bellew has told Ilunga Makabu that he will not deny him his dream World title win when they clash for the vacant WBC Cruiserweight strap at Goodison Park in Liverpool on Sunday May 29, live on Sky Sports.

Bellew welcomes Makabu into the Lion’s den on Sunday night when the pitch where his beloved Everton play on becomes the stage for his third crack at landing a World title.

Typically for Bellew he’s chosen the hardest way possible to achieve his dream. Since losing by KO on his debut in 2008, Makabu has KO’d 18 of 19 opponents and is the most avoided fighter in the division.

Makabu concedes a considerable height advantage to Bellew, and with the Merseyside man believing he’ll be heavier as well as taller than the visitor, Bellew says it’s ‘Junior’ who has the real problem on his hands on Sunday.

“There’s nothing he can do to beat me,” said Bellew. “Boxing is a brutal sport and he has to make it as brutal as possible but I don’t believe he has the size and structure to do it. He’s going to come in light which will be a bad mistake. The advantages he usually has in fights are through speed and power – he’s normally faster than his opponents and punches harder than them too.

“In this fight, I don’t think he’ll have those against me. I’ve carried my speed from Light Heavyweight to Cruiserweight, and I don’t think he’s got more power than me. I’ll be the bigger man, I’ll make it show and I am the real Cruiserweight. Look at when I am stood next to Johnny Nelson – we’re the same size, and Johnny Nelson was known as one of the monster Cruiserweight, well so am I.

“He’s been put on the floor. I don’t care if it was in his first fight or last fight. Who’s he beaten that’s a World class fighter? If Glen Johnson is his best win then that says a lot to me. I’m his biggest test and he’s mine. We both have records that suggest we both have vulnerable tendencies so anything can happen.

“I believe I am going to hit him early, really nail him, and he’s going to feel it. Then it’s going to go one of two ways, he’s going to use his southpaw stance to be cute and defensive, or he’s going to say, come on then, let’s fight. If he does the latter, I’ll happily go for that, because no smaller man is going to outfight me. He can’t outpunch me, he can’t outwork me, the only way I can lose this fight is if I walk onto something huge, but I think I might be a bigger puncher than him. My record might not reflect it but look at his face when I catch him clean, he’s going to know he’s been hit.”

Bellew’s clash with Makabu is part of a huge night of action at Goodison Park as Stephen Smith looks to bounce straight back from his brave World title challenge by taking on Daniel Brizuela for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Featherweight title, and he’s joined on the bill by his Super-Middleweight brothers Paul and Callum.

Birkenhead’s Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd faces Pasquale Di Silvio for the vacant WBC International Lightweight title, while Tom Farrell meets Kofi Yates in an eliminator for the English Super-Lightweight title.

Liverpool Heavyweight favourite David Price is back in action and there’s a host of young talent on display including British Light-Heavyweight champion Hosea Burton, Preston’s Commonwealth gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald and Merseysiders JJ Metcalf, Paul Economides, Gerard Carroll, Craig Glover and Steve Brogan.

Tickets are on general sale now priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 and can be purchased by visiting www.evertonfc.com/eticketing, or by calling 0151 556 1878*. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in person by visiting the Park End ticket office or our City Centre ticket facility in Everton Two, Liverpool One. £350 VIP tickets will be available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com

Opening times for all ticket outlets can be found here.

*Booking fees apply.

Tickets for May 29 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.

Willie Limond is hoping for double-delight on Saturday night at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow live on Sky Sports – claiming his British Super-Lightweight title back from Tyrone Nurse and then watching Ricky Burns become a three-weight World champion, so they can clash in an all-Scotland World title blockbuster.

Limond vacated the title that he won against Curtis Woodhouse in June 2014 after a shoulder injury ruled him out of a clash with Chris Jenkins.

Limond was told that he would get a shot at the winner as Jenkins and Nurse met for the belt, but with their first meeting in July ending in a draw, they boxed for the title once more in November, with Nurse prevailing on points.

Nurse won the title by a handy distance despite hitting the deck hard in the fifth round, and Limond knows he’s up against a real talent in the Huddersfield man this weekend.

“I rate Tyrone highly,” said Limond. “He’s a big boy at the weight and he’s very skilful, but I am very good at adapting to different styles. Tyrone is the champion so I have to fight him to get the title back, it’s pretty simple.

“I’ve watched a few of his fights and on some of them I wasn’t that impressed with him to be honest, but in some fights when he pts it all together he’s a very good fighter. Is he in the class of the guys that have beaten me? I don’t think so. It should be a good fight though and one way or the other, I don’t think that it’s going to go the distance.”

Burns takes on Michele Di Rocco for the vacant WBA World Super-Lightweight title on the top of the bill, and Limond believes that Burns will make history and then they can make a huge domestic World title fight down the line.

“Me versus Ricky – that’s a massive fight and a no-brainer,” said Limond. “It’s easy to make, I’d be up for it, Ricky would be up for it, Sky Sports would be up for it, Eddie Hearn would be up for it, Glasgow would be up for it, the who of Scotland would be up for it. I believe Ricky will get the job done and I am confident I will too.

“It’s so big, we live three miles from each other, we’ve known each other for years and I respect Ricky as a boxer and as a man, but if it’s a fight that makes sense then let’s get it sorted.”

Limond’s clash with Nurse and Burns’ shot at three-weight World title glory is part of a huge night of action in Glasgow as Newcastle’s Jon Lewis Dickinson meets Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy in an eliminator for the British Cruiserweight Title.

Olympic Bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo returns from injury, Conor Benn fights for the second time in the paid ranks, Islington Middleweight John Ryder is in action and there’s a host of young Scots on display, including Commonwealth gold medal winner Charlie Flynn, Joe Ham and Lewis Paulin.

Tickets for Glasgow are on general sale with those in the £40-£100 bracket available from the SSE Hydro website http://www.thessehydro.com/ and on 0844 395 4000 and 0800 952 0110 (accessible). VIP tickets at £200 are exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for Glasgow are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Michael Buffer is in Britain to introduce Ricky Burns and Tony Bellew into the ring as they look to land World titles on an historic weekend of boxing live on Sky Sports.

The Hall of Fame MC will be doing plenty of travelling as he hits Glasgow first on Friday to do the weigh-in for Burns’ clash with Michele Di Rocco for the vacant WBA World Super-Lightweight title as ‘The Rickster’ aims to become Scotland’s first ever three-weight World champion.

Buffer will then head to Liverpool on Saturday for the weigh-in for Bellew’s WBC World Cruiserweight title clash with Congo KO star Ilunga Makabu – before making a mad dash to Glasgow to call Burns into the ring.

Buffer’s weekend concludes under the floodlights at Goodison Park in Liverpool as Bellew aims to land a World title at the third attempt at the home of his beloved Everton FC, and the man on the mic cannot wait for the mad weekend of brilliant boxing to commence.

“There’s such a run of great matches out there in the UK,” said Buffer. “I’m flying to Scotland for the Ricky Burns fight and the very next day will be in Liverpool for Tony Bellew’s Cruiserweight title challenge – and I am at both weigh-ins too! It’s going to be crazy and I can’t wait.

“The UK fans are outstanding in their passion and knowledge for the sport and I’ve developed a good relationship with Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith (Head of Boxing Operations).

“Bellew gets his chance for life to imitate art. Tony and I are good friends. I first met Tony in Montreal when he was starving himself at Light-Heavyweight for his fight with Adonis Stevenson. It’s a difficult fight for Tony, but if he continues the form he’s shown recently he can become champion.”

Burns’ shot at history against Di Rocco is part of a huge night of action in Glasgow as Tyrone Nurse heads into the Lion’s den to defend his British Super-Lightweight title against local favourite Willie Limond and Newcastle’s Jon Lewis Dickinson meets Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy in an eliminator for the British Cruiserweight Title.

Olympic Bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo returns from injury, Conor Benn fights for the second time in the paid ranks, Islington Middleweight John Ryder is in action and there’s a host of young Scots on display, including Commonwealth gold medal winner Charlie Flynn, Joe Ham and Lewis Paulin.

Tickets for Glasgow are on general sale with those in the £40-£100 bracket available from the SSE Hydro website http://www.thessehydro.com/ and on 0844 395 4000 and 0800 952 0110 (accessible). VIP tickets at £200 are exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for Glasgow are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Bellew’s clash with Makabu is part of a huge night of action at Goodison Park as Stephen Smith looks to bounce straight back from his brave World title challenge by taking on Daniel Brizuela for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Featherweight title, and he’s joined on the bill by his Super-Middleweight brothers Paul and Callum.

Birkenhead’s Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd faces Pasquale Di Silvio for the vacant WBC International Lightweight title, while Tom Farrell meets Kofi Yates in an eliminator for the English Super-Lightweight title.

Liverpool Heavyweight favourite David Price is back in action and there’s a host of young talent on display including British Light-Heavyweight champion Hosea Burton, Preston’s Commonwealth gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald and Merseysiders JJ Metcalf, Paul Economides, Gerard Carroll, Craig Glover and Steve Brogan.

Tickets are on general sale now priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 and can be purchased by visiting www.evertonfc.com/eticketing, or by calling 0151 556 1878*. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in person by visiting the Park End ticket office or our City Centre ticket facility in Everton Two, Liverpool One. £350 VIP tickets will be available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com

Opening times for all ticket outlets can be found here.

*Booking fees apply.

Tickets for May 29 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.

Conor Benn says his legendary father has told him to prepare for one of the best atmospheres in boxing when he laces his gloves up for the second time in the paid ranks at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Benn made his pro bow at The O2 in London in April on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s IBF World Heavyweight title win, landing a first round KO in front of a sold-out crowd in Greenwich and displaying the swashbuckling style that made his father Nigel such a popular fighter in the 1990s.

Nigel Benn boxed twice in Glasgow, once in 1989 and then defended his WBC World Super-Middleweight crown at the SECC in October 1992. ‘The Dark Destroyer’ has regaled Conor with tales of those crazy nights north of the border, and the 19 year old cannot wait to sample another huge crowd expecting a Wold title win for a hometown favourite and stablemate Ricky Burns.

“Dad has told me stories about Glasgow – he says the fans here are amongst the best in the sport,” said Benn. “He said they’re mad and they love their boxing so much. He’s coming on Saturday but he didn’t intend to be here for. He doesn’t want to come to many more fights. Dad is keen for me to make my own path, go my own way and that’s why he has every confidence in Tony Sims and Eddie Hearn in guiding me while he’s at home in Australia.

“He will come to some fights, but it’s a testament to the belief that he has in the team around me. That gives me even more confidence that I’m in the right place with the best people – who will help me achieve my goals in the sport.

“I believe that Ricky Burns will make history on Saturday and become World champion again. He’s been thrown in to sparring with myself and Ohara Davies – we’ve been both trying to take his head off! Fair play to Ricky, he keeps up with us and gives as good as he gets in sparring.”

Benn’s progression in the paid ranks will be played out in front of more huge crowds on massive bills, with the 19 year old set to appear at The O2 on June 25 as Joshua defends his World title. Benn understands that his surname will increase the profile and the pressure on him to succeed, but with just 20 amateur bouts behind him he’s ready to do his learning in rings all over Britain, just like Joshua.

“I want to fight as much as I can, once or twice a month,” said Benn. “I’m looking forward to boxing all over the country. I want the whole of Britain to see me and be part of the journey – I want to show everyone where I’m at. Tony Sims and Eddie Hearn are adopting a similar model they used for Anthony Joshua when he first turned pro – build my profile round the country. I want them to see what scene I’m from.

“When I walked out at The O2 I thought: ‘This is it, and this is it for the rest of my life.’ I’ve got to learn to work with it and embrace it instead of being scared and letting my nerves get the better of me. The British public made me feel at home. For them to back me the way they have is another good feeling. I just can’t wait for more nights like that and there are plenty more to come.”

Benn’s second fight in the paid ranks comes as Burns’ takes his shot at history against Michele Di Rocco for the vacant WBA World Super-Lightweight title.

Tyrone Nurse heads into the Lion’s den to defend his British Super-Lightweight title against local favourite Willie Limond and Newcastle’s Jon Lewis Dickinson meets Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy in an eliminator for the British Cruiserweight Title.

Olympic Bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo returns from injury, Islington Middleweight John Ryder is in action and there’s a host of young Scots on display, including Commonwealth gold medal winner Charlie Flynn, Joe Ham and Lewis Paulin.

Tickets for Glasgow are on general sale with those in the £40-£100 bracket available from the SSE Hydro website http://www.thessehydro.com/ and on 0844 395 4000 and 0800 952 0110 (accessible). VIP tickets at £200 are exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for Glasgow are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

WBO #11-, WBA #12- and IBF #15-rated heavyweight boxer Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (16-0-1, 14 KOs), who is preparing to defend his WBA NABA Heavyweight title against Topeka, Kansas, slugger Nick Guivas (12-3-2, 9 KOs) on Friday night at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York (and live at 9 pm EST on CBS Sports Network), took some time out of his training to make an appearance at the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester Wednesday afternoon.

Back in January, Miller made an appearance at the club prior to his NABA title fight vs. Donovan Dennis and promised the kids he would return after he won the title to show them his title belt. Today they not only got to see his title belt and take pictures with the fighter but they also received 20 donated tickets to Friday night’s fight from Miller, so that kids from the Boys & Girls Club could attend the fight.

Miller will face Guivas in the 10-round main event of Greg Cohen Promotions, Salita Promotions, FightCard Productions and Winner Take All Production’s next instalment of “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network.”

In the night’s 10-round lightweight co-main event, red-hot Filipino prospect Harmonito “El Huracan de Gensan” Dela Torre (17-0, 12 KOs) will make his debut on US soil against capable veteran Guillermo Sanchez (15-18-1, 6 KOs) of Buffalo.

Tickets for “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” start at $35 and are available at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino box office, www.ticketmaster.com or you can charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. On fight night, doors open at 6 pm and the action starts at 7:00 pm. The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is located at 310 4th Street in Niagara Falls, NY. For more information, call 877-873-6322 or visit www.senecaniagaracasino.com.
About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen first made promotional headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney.

Cohen currently promotes WBA Interim World Lightweight Champion Ismael Barroso, Undefeated WBA NABA Heavyweight Champion and world-rated contender Jarrell Miller, undefeated WBA NABA Middleweight Champion and world-rated contender Robert Brant, former world champion Kendall Holt, as well as current world-rated contenders including long-time elite middleweight “Mean” Joe Greene, top super featherweight Arash Usmanee, Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis; WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Australian lightweight prospect Josh King.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including CBS Sports Network, HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.
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LOS ANGELES (May 25, 2016) – The B. Riley & Co. 7th Annual “Big Fighters, Big Cause” Charity Boxing Night returned to The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland on Wednesday, May 25 for a star-studded night of boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions to benefit the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation, and their mission to raise funds for research and awareness towards a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, and to help children live healthier lives through diet and exercise.

Hosted by actor and comedian Bill Bellamy, guests at the exclusive event were treated to Wolfgang Puck cuisine, and a live & silent auction display featuring iconic memorabilia and other one-of-a-kind items and experiences to benefit this important cause. During the live auction, Usher, who plays Sugar Ray Leonard in the upcoming Weinstein Company’s Hands of Stone film, joined Sugar Ray Leonard on stage to help auction off tickets to the film’s upcoming premiere and after-party, along with vintage boxing gloves signed by Robert De Niro.

Additional celebrities, VIP guests, and Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation supporters in attendance included Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber, Magic Johnson and wife Cookie Johnson, Holly Robinson Peete (Chicago Fire) and husband Rodney Peete (Former NFL Player), Cedric the Entertainer (Actor/Comedian), Abraham Lopez (NABA Featherweight Title Contender), Catherine Bach (The Young & the Restless), David James Elliott (Trumbo), Gary Hall Jr. (Olympic Gold Medalist), Jennifer Widerstrom (NBC’s The Biggest Loser), Johnny Gill (Recording Artist), Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz (NABF Featherweight Champion), Lisa Rinna (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), Mia St. John (Boxer), Nicole Murphy (TLC’s Global Beauty Masters), Ronnie Ortiz-Magro (Jersey Shore), Ronny Rios (WBC Silver Featherweight Champion), Sergio Mora (Boxer), Terry Norris (Former Boxer), Tommy Davidson (Actor/Comedian), Verne Troyer (Actor), Willie Gault (Former NFL Player) and more.

In the evening’s main event, Philadelphia son “No Smilin” Damon Allen, Jr. (10-0, 4 KOs) maintained his undefeated status and gave the crowd a thrilling fight with his third-round technical knockout of Reynosa, Mexico’s Danny Montoya (10-4, 7 KOs). Allen, Jr. kept the pressure on Montoya, wearing him down landing a flurry of punches toward the end of round three.

“I was shocked that I took out my opponent like that so quickly,” said Damon Allen, Jr. “It felt so great to be the main event tonight. I had a lot of family that wanted to be here tonight but couldn’t. Everyone can expect to see a lot from me this year and see me fighting here in LA and back home on the East Coast.”

For the third fight of the evening, rising lightweight prospect Hector “El Finito” Tanajara, Jr. (6-0, 4 KOs) wasted no time, stopping Francisco “El Mono” Medel (9-3, 5 KOs) two minutes and 15 seconds in to the first round with a left hook technical knockout.

“It was really great to be here in front of all these celebrities and fight,” said Tanajara, Jr. “I try to stay busy and fight every couple of months. Everyone can expect really big things from me later this year. My trainer Robert has taught me so much, with him being a world champion and him having trained other world champions.”

Two Mexican warriors Alexis “Laberinto” Salazar (7-3, 3 KOs) and Hector “Charro Negro” Velasquez (57-28-3, 39 KOs) brawled before an energetic crowd in a six-round middleweight bout for the second fight of the night. The veteran Velasquez, who has fought the likes of Many Pacquiao, Jorge Linares, Rocky Juarez and many others, gave Salazar a tough fight by keeping the pressure on throughout each round. Ultimately, Salazar came out on top and was declared the winner by unanimous decision by the judges.

“I felt really good to fight here tonight,” said Alexis Salazar. “It’s different from what I am used to. I am used to fighting in Mexico, and the fights aren’t as big like they are here. I am looking forward to fighting more in the US. I train in Guadalajara and have had Canelo Alvarez as a sparing partner and he’s very tough. I’m looking to learn a lot from him and bring that with me to my future fights.”

In the first fight of the night, Golden Boy Promotions’ Edgar “Kid Neza” Valerio (7-0, 4 KOs)maintained his undefeated status with a unanimous decision victory after a six round featherweight battle against Harold Reyes (2-5-1) of Puerto Rico. Valerio lead each round, never letting up on the pressure but Reyes held his own and forced Valerio to go all six-scheduled rounds.

“I feel really blessed to be a part of this event with the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation to bring awareness for childhood type 1 & 2 diabetes,” said Valerio after his victory. “This fight was a learning experience for me and there are things I would have done differently. For my next fight I feel confident that if there is a knockout, I’ll be there to take the opportunity.”

The event posthumously honored Michael King, Founder and CEO of King Sports Worldwide for his work with the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation and B. Riley & Co. In his honor, King’s daughter, Ali King performed the National Anthem during the event.

Photos, videos and scorecards are available for download in the following link: http://bit.ly/BigFightersBigCause.

About Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation
The Foundation was established in 2009 by boxing legend and six-time world champion Sugar Ray Leonard and his wife, Bernadette. The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation is committed to funding life-changing research and creating awareness for childhood type 1 & 2 diabetes and to help children lead healthier lives through diet and exercise.

Throughout Leonard’s boxing career, he watched his dad and friends struggle with the many complications of diabetes and how it has affected every aspect of their life. Type 1 diabetes strikes both children and adults at any age. It comes on suddenly, causes dependence on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Type 2 diabetes in children is on the rise, fueled largely by the obesity epidemic. Leonard draws from his personal experience and boxing career to provide inspiration for funding research to combat the disease.

For more information, visit www.sugarrayleonardfdn.org, like and follow on twitter at @SugarRayLeonard and Facebook at www.facebook.com/SugarRayLeonard6.

About Golden Boy Promotions
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by 10-time world champion in six divisions Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the world and has worked with networks such as HBO, HBO Latino, Estrella TV, ESPN, TeleFutura, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, Televisa and TV Azteca. The company has also promoted some of the top boxing events in the history of the sport including De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Mayweather vs. Canelo and other notable pay-per-view fights featuring fan-favorites Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Marco “Baby Faced Assassin” Antonio Barrera, Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Sugar Shane Mosley.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, like and follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing and Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

About B. Riley & Co., LLC
B. Riley & Co., LLC is a leading investment bank which provides corporate fi­nance, research, and sales & trading to corporate, institutional and high net worth individual clients. Investment banking services include initial, secondary and follow-on offerings, institutional private placements, and merger and acquisitions advisory services. The fi­rm is nationally recognized for its highly ranked proprietary equity research. B. Riley & Co., LLC is a member of FINRA and SIPC.

B. Riley & Co., LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) which provides collaborative fi­nancial services and solutions through several subsidiaries which also include: Great American Group, LLC, a leading provider of advisory and valuation services, asset disposition and auction solutions, and commercial lending services; B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, an SEC registered Investment Advisor, which includes B. Riley Asset Management, a provider of investment products to institutional and high net worth investors, and B. Riley Wealth Management (formally MK Capital Advisors), a multi-family office practice and wealth management ­firm focused on the needs of ultra-high net worth individuals and families; and Great American Capital Partners, a provider of senior secured loans and second lien secured loan facilities to middle market public and private U.S. companies. B. Riley Financial, Inc. is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in major fi­nancial markets throughout the United States and Europe. For more information on B. Riley Financial, Inc., please visit www.briley­n.com.

After the positive drug test to Alexander Povetkin, THE WBC has granted Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder the right to make an optional defense, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“In relation to challenger Povetkin’s test result, the WBC is conducting an in-depth investigation and evaluation of the situation. Further WBC rulings will be forthcoming,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement. “In the meantime, the WBC hereby rules that in light of the fact that the bout with challenger Povetkin did not take place as scheduled, WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder has the right to make a voluntary defense of his title as reasonably soon as possible.”

“I’m excited to get back in the ring, that’s for sure so everything we worked hard for in the Povetkin camp wasn’t in vain,” Wilder told ESPN.com. “I still have the urge to fight. I didn’t do all that for nothing. Somebody has to pay for it and it’s going to be my next opponent.”

Promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN.com that he and Wilder adviser Al Haymon will immediately turn their attention to lining up a fight for Wilder.

“Deontay went through a whole camp. He wants to get into the ring, so we are going to try to figure something out but I think it’s a fair assumption to say he would fight this summer,” DiBella said. “Obviously, you’re not going to do a fight without television, so we need to see about that. We’re turning our attention to it now that the ruling has been made.

“The WBC did the right thing. I’m pleased and gratified that they did the right thing. I think the WBC is stepping up with their clean boxing program. The WBC has to review everything, but they did the right thing not to handcuff their champion. Deontay wants to fight as often as possible. He has always said he wanted to be an active champion, so it was not an option for him to sit out a long time when this fight fell through. So we want to get something done as soon as possible.”

“I’m always in shape. I’m always ready,” Wilder said. “I had a hell of a camp for this fight (against Povetkin) and I still feel in shape. So I want to fight as soon as possible. I’ll let my team handle that and picking an opponent as well. I want to give the fans something so I definitely want a top opponent.

“Hopefully we can get a great date and a great opponent. We understand it’s short notice but some heavyweight out there is going to get the call, so if you’re in the top 10 be ready.”

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing sends his warm congratulations to his newest champion, John Riel Casimero of Cebu City, Philippines, for his KO 4 victory over previously unbeaten IBF flyweight champion Anmat Ruenroeng at the Diamond Court in Beijing, China.

In a rematch of their controversial first fight in June 2015, won by Ruenroeng by unanimous decision, Casimero (22-3, 14 KOs) dropped Ruenroeng (17-1, 5 KOs) twice in the fourth round to end things at 2:10. A counter left hook dropped the champion first and then a follow-up left hook to the body brought the finish.

Casimero is now a two-time world champion. He previously held the IBF Light Flyweight Championship from 2012-2014 and made three successful defenses before moving up in weight.

The new champion joins Sampson Boxing promotional stablemates Oscar Escandon and Hugo Ruiz to become Sampson’s third world champion to be crowned this year. He also handles current WBA World Super Featherweight Champion Javier Fortuna.

“John Riel has gotten this out of the way now,” said Lewkowicz of defeating Ruenroeng. “My congratulations to him and to his people in the Philippines. He is now their third current world champion and is very proud to represent them. Next, we want to unify against Chocolatito. Tell him we are ready any time.”

Referring to current WBC Champion Roman Gonzalez, Lewkowicz says this is a fight that needs to happen.

“They say no one wants to fight Gonzalez. We do! John Riel is right here and ready to unify the championships. My phone is always on. Let’s make it happen.”
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

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

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

SAN ANTONIO (May 25, 2016) – Unbeaten rising featherweight contender Miguel Flores (19-0, 9 KOs) will take on Mexican veteran Ruben Tamayo (24-8-4, 16 KOs) this Saturday night, May 28, in a 10-round fight on Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes from The Dancehall in San Antonio.

Televised coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and is headlined by former world champion Miguel Vazquez battling tough contender Erick Bone in a 10-round super lightweight showdown.

Undercard action will feature the brother of former world champion Omar Figueroa, Brandon Figueroa (6-0, 4 KOs), in a super bantamweight battle against Puerto Rico’s Jonell Nieves (6-2, 4 KOs), unbeaten 25-year-old lightweight Rickey Edwards (10-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout against fellow unbeaten John Delperdang (5-0, 5 KOs) and Los Angeles prospect Emmanuel Medina (9-0, 6 KOs) in a six-round welterweight showdown against Isiah Robinson (3-2, 2 KOs).

Additional action features a slew of local prospects as unbeaten Enrique Neira Jr. competes in a four-round middleweight bout against Rudy Lozano, Ramon Cardenas facing Isau Duenez in a four-round super bantamweight contest, unbeaten Rolando Garza battles Houston’s Rick Graham in a four-round super welterweight fight and the pro debut of Xavier Wilson in a four-round lightweight affair against Thomas Smith.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions and TGB Promotions, are priced at $100, $85 and $20 and $1,000 and $850 for VIP tables, before taxes and fees and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, call (210) 988-8821 visit http://lbtickets.ticketleap.com/march28th2016/ or in person at Champion Fit Gym at 6824 San Pedro Ave.

An undefeated fighter from Michoacan, Mexico, but fighting out of Houston, Flores has not lost since turning pro in 2009 at just 17-years-old. The 23-year-old had a big 2015 beginning in May with a victory over German Meraz and followed up by wins against Juan Ruiz, Carlos Padilla and Alfred Tetteh. He started 2016 with a headlining win over Mario Briones at The Dancehall in January. Now he will take on the 27-year-old Tamayo of Sonora, Mexico. The southpaw has wins over veterans including Meraz and Jose Cayetano and he challenged Jesus Cuellar for a world title in 2014.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, TGBPromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TitereVazquez, @LeijaBattahPR, @TGBPromotions @FS1, @FOXDeportes, @CowboysDanceHal and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsportsand www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

LOS ANGELES (May 25, 2016) – Golden Boy Promotions is taking it up a notch for the Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido fight night with the addition of fan favorite contender and prospect boxing stars for the June 4 undercard at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.. Headlining the Ring TV Live stream and the international broadcast, Creed film star and boxing top contender “King” Gabriel Rosado (22-9, 13 KOs) of Philadelphia, is set to take on Tijuana’s Antonio “Tony” Gutierrez (20-1-1, 9 KOs) in a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico 10-round middleweight showdown.

Also featured on the live stream, undefeated knockout artist Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (13-0, 12 KOs) of Buena Park, Calif. will face Jhon “Baki The Disaster” Gemino (12-6-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round fight for the WBC Youth Super Featherweight Title, and Los Angeles fan favorite Nick Arce (7-0, 6 KOs) will take on Francisco Dominguez (8-9, 2 KOs) of Cuidad Juarez, Mexico in a six-round super featherweight event. Opening up the live stream, East Los Angeles native Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro (5-0, 4 KOs) will take on McAllen, Texas’s pride Marc Torres in a six-round super lightweight battle.

In the non-televised action, Santa Ana, Calif.’s Alexis Rocha (2-0, 2 KOs) will face Anthony Woods (0-4) from Americus, Georgia. Also, San Diego, Calif.’s Genaro “El Conde” Gamez (1-0, 1 KO) will make the second appearance of his professional career in a four-round lightweight bout against Juan Bryand (1-3,) of Laredo, Texas., while stable mate Oscar Duarte of Parral, Mexico will engage in an four round lightweight fight. Finally opening up the night, newly signed Golden Boy Promotions fighter Cesar Diaz of Palmdale, Calif. will make his professional debut in a four-round super bantamweight fight. Opponents will be announced shortly.

The main event of the night will feature Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KOs), fresh from his Fight of the Year victory over Takashi Miura, defending his WBC Super Featherweight World Title for the first time against fellow Mexican warrior and former three-time world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (43-13-3, 30 KOs, 1 NC) in a 12-round Fight of the Year candidate televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®.

Since making his film debut in last year’s Creed,the latest installment of the internationally recognized Rocky franchise, “King” Gabe Rosado is fresh off of an exciting victory over Joshua “Grand Master” Clottey this past December 2015. Looking to keep the momentum going, Rosado will be looking for another exciting victory over the tough Antonio “Tony” Gutierrez of Tijuana, Mexico. Rosado has established himself as one of the most entertaining fighters to watch in the sport taking on some of the toughest and elite fighters in the middleweight division. Having held titles such as USA Pennsylvania State middleweight title and WBO Intercontinental light middleweight title, one thing is for certain-Rosado never disappoints in the ring.

Antonio Gutierrez is coming in to his middleweight match against Rosado high off of a victory against past double wins over Alejandro “Iron Man” Alonso. A true Tijuana fighter, Gutierrez’s relentless spirit has shown with his nearly perfect record, including a knockout over Mexican knockout artist Gilberto “Gil” Flores Hernandez. With 20 wins under his belt, Gutierrez can’t wait to get back into the ring and prove he has what it takes to move up to become a top contender in the middleweight division when he faces “King” Gabriel Rosado on June 4.

Boxing’s next big thing, Buena Park’s Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez won his first seven bouts in Mexico by first-round knockout. Since then, he has defeated his past four opponents in the U.S. by way of knockout, including seasoned fighters David Rodela, Alejandro Ochoa, and Luis Ruiz Lizarraga Jr. Come Saturday, June 4, “Chimpa” will have his fans on edge as he fights for his first title against Recky “The Terror” Dulay for the WBC Youth World Super Featherweight Title.

Filipino featherweight all-star and GAB Super Bantamweight Title holder Jhon “Baki the Disaster” Gemino of Batangas, Phillipines is ready to add another bantamweight to his collection when he faces Christian Gonzalez for a fight over the WBC Youth Super Featherweight title. Having fought almost all of his fights in the Phillipines, Gemino has been training hard to make his boxing debut in America.

Having established quite the growing fan base among Southern California boxing enthusiasts, Nick Arce has impressed every step of the way with an impressive 85 percent career knockout rate. Fighting out of Westside Boxing Club in Los Angeles, Arce will be fighting for the second time this year and the second time at the StubHub Center in what is to be a fantastic show in front of his home town crowd.

Hailing from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Francisco “Panchito” Dominguez will be fighting for the first time in over a year. Having been a professional boxer for ten years, “Panchito” has so far taken on the likes of Alex “El Diablo” Becerra and the undefeated Roberto Marroquin showing that he isn’t afraid to challenge anyone in the ring.

Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro representing East Los Angeles has lived up to his nickname thus far, as the 19-year-old has ended three of his four wins by knockout. Loyal to LA FIGHT CLUB and having fought all professional bouts at The Belasco Theater, this fan favorite is hungry to make a name for himself in the East L.A. boxing scene by fighting on the Vargas vs. Salido undercard at The StubHub Center. As the nephew of former boxing Olympian Jose Navarro, “Thunder” has boxing his in his blood and hopes to keep up the family tradition of big victories and sensational knockouts on June 4 when he faces Marc Torres.

Coming back from a killer knockout over opponent Mark Rojas this year, McAllen, Texas fighter Marc Torres can’t wait to have an action-packed year of boxing as he fights for the first time in SoCal after a series of South Texas bouts. After becoming a professional boxer four years ago, the 22-year-old is sure to light up the super lightweight division when he faces rising knockout artist Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro.

The youngest fighter to ever take home the gold from the Junior Olympics in 2012, Alexis Rocha has been the talk of the boxing world as he continued on to become a six-time national champion during his amateur career. As the younger brother of current WBC Silver Featherweight Champion, Ronny Rios, this six-time national champion signed a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions at the start of this year and has so far ended both of his professional bouts by knockout.

Anthony Woods of Americus, Georgia has fought all over the United States from the Lifestyle Pavilion in Columbus, Ohio to the Grand Ballroom in Atlanta, Georgia. This welterweight fighter fears no one and has built up his experience in the ring by taking on the likes of undefeated, rising stars Nathan Howard and Leandre “Blue” White. Come June 4, Woods is ready to go to war against Alexis Rocha in the 4-round welterweight division.

After leaving behind a highly decorated amateur career, including being ranked as the number one lightweight in the United States, Genaro “El Conde” Gamez has quickly become of boxing’s top prospects. A 2014 USA Boxing National Champion, San Diego’s Gamez is currently coached by renowned former world champion Robert Garcia. Since breaking into his professional career with a catastrophic first round knockout over Archie Weah, Gamez is sure to do the same to his soon to be named opponent in a 4-round lightweight bout.

Laredo’s boxing pride Juan Bryand will be giving The StubHub Center a big Texas welcome when he fights for the first time in Southern California in the lightweight division. Since turning professional two years ago, this 31 year-old fighter began his career with a bang with he won by unanimous decision against Daniel Sanchez.

Oscar Duarte of Parral, Mexico is eager to become a big name in the sport of boxing. In his U.S. debut, Duarte defeated Alejandro Salinas in August 2015, landing himself a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions. Currently co-managed by Latin star Gabriel Soto and Guillermo Roacha, Duarte was last seen at LA FIGHT CLUB this February defeating Archie Weah via unanimous decision. Duarte has shown that he has the power to outbox any opponent and will look to do so on Saturday, June 4 when he makes his debut at The StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Opening the Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido undercard and ready to take on anyone willing to step up in the ring, Cesar Diaz is set to make his exciting professional debut as a new member of the Golden Boy Promotions stable in a 4-round super bantamweight bout.

Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido is a 12-round battle for the WBC Super Featherweight Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD, Casa Mexico Tequila and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins live at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. The RingTvLive.com live stream begins at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT

Tickets for Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges will are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849), and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, call 877-234-8425.

ABOUT STUBHUB CENTER
StubHub Center is southern California’s home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. Managed by AEG Facilities, the $150 million, privately financed facility was developed by AEG on a 125-acre site on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California. StubHub Center features an 8,000-seat tennis stadium, a 27,167-seat stadium for soccer, football and other athletic competitions and outdoor concerts; a 2,000-seat facility for track & field and a 2,450-seat indoor Velodrome – the VELO Sports Center – for track cycling. StubHub Center is home to Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy, the five-time MLS Cup Champions. StubHub Center is also home of the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) High Performance Training Center, the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and EXOS, an international training center for elite and professional athletes. For additional information, please visit www.stubhubcenter.com.

For more information, visitwww.goldenboypromotions.com,www.zanfer.mx, www.hbo.com/boxing and www.stubhubcenter.com; follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @ZanferBox, @HBOBoxing, @StubHubCenter, @ElBandido130, and @siri_salido; become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/zanferpromotions, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/StubHubCenter; and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOBoxing. Follow the conversation using #VargasSalido

25 May 2016 – Bangkok, Thailand: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), announced today that the mixed martial artists competing at ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS are ready for all the action which takes place tomorrow evening, 27 May, at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Competitors faced off against one another ahead of fight night, which promises to be an amazing spectacle of world-class MMA action. Undefeated ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke is set to defend his title against unbeaten Japanese challenger Yoshitaka Naito in a 5-round title tiff.

Visit the official ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS Face-Off Photo Gallery by clicking: https://goo.gl/M4tHkn

Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, ONE Strawweight World Champion, stated: “It has always been my dream to compete at home in front of all of my family and friends, in front of the people of Thailand. I am grateful to ONE Championship for giving me the opportunity to live my dream and honoring me as champion. This fight means so much to me and I promise to give my all inside the cage.”

Yoshitaka Naito stated: “I am coming into this fight as the challenger, as the underdog, in front of my opponent’s hometown crowd. But in my professional career, I have not known defeat and I plan to keep it that way on fight night. The champion had better be prepared for a real battle, because I will be bringing all my skills into the cage. I will walk away with that belt around my waist.”

Tickets for ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS are still available at https://www.thaiticketmajor.com/

ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS

MAIN EVENT
ONE Strawweight World Championship bout: Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke (C) VS Yoshitaka Naito

CO-MAIN EVENT
ONE Featherweight World Championship bout: Marat Gafurov (C) VS Kazunori Yokota

MAIN CARD
Catchweight bout: Timofey Nastyukhin VS Rob Lisita
Middleweight bout: Leandro Ataides VS Marcin Prachnio
Lightweight bout: Shannon Wiratchai VS Kyal Linn Aung
Featherweight bout: Christian Lee VS Rocky Batolbatol

UNDERCARD
Catchweight bout: Yodsanan Sityodtong VS Khon Sichan
Strawweight bout: Pongsiri Mitsatit VS Ye Thway Ne
Strawweight bout: Kritsada Konsrichai VS Kev Hemmorlor

For more updates on ONE Championship™, please visit www.onefc.com and follow Twitter and Instagram @ONEFCMMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA

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 75+ countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including FOX Sports, Setanta, MNC, Astro, Thairath TV, ABS-CBN, TV5, Physique TV, MYTV, HTV, Esporte Interativo and more.

South African superstar Zolani Tete makes an eagerly-anticipated return to his adopted city of Liverpool on Saturday 4 June to defend his IBF International Bantamweight against Mexico’s Victor Ruiz at the Echo Arena, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

All-action Tete is widely regarded as one of the most explosive punchers in the division, boasting an incredible 19 knockouts in 23 wins – 12 of them coming inside the first round! The clinical southpaw is delighted to be fighting on UK soil again and is promising to put on another show-stopping performance for his adoring Liverpudlian fans.

“I can’t wait to fight again Liverpool. It feels like home every time I’m there. I’ve been preparing for the fight for almost eight weeks now and I’m ready to deliver another explosive performance for my loyal fans,” said Tete.

He added: “Liverpool fight fans have been so good to me ever since I beat Paul Butler and I’m looking to repay their support with another exciting victory. I’ve heard they call me the Scouse African now! The Echo Arena holds happy memories for me and I plan on sending my fans home happy on June 4th.”

28 year-old Tete unforgettably announced himself on the world stage back in March last year with a devastating eighth round knockout win over then unbeaten Ellesmere Port star Paul Butler. His world-class performance left UK fans mesmerised and demanding to see more.

‘Last Born’ delivered another punch perfect performance on his return to UK soil last March when he systematically dismantled Mexico’s Jose Santos Gonzalez to claim another stoppage win. Tete is determined to dispatch Ruiz before setting his sights on huge showdowns with IBF titleholder Lee Haskins and WBA Champion Jamie McDonnell.

Tete said: “I believe Victor Ruiz is a typically tough Mexican who will come out all guns blazing. Unfortunately for him he is standing in the way of bigger and better opportunities for me. I’m going to break him into pieces,”

“Haskins and McDonnell are holding my titles. I’m coming to the UK and they can’t hide from me any longer. I have the upmost respect for both fighters but they hold the belts I want around my waist; they must bring them to me.”

Tickets priced at £40, £60 and £80 are available from:

TicketMaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com

The Channel of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, Freeview 255 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

Undefeated, WBC Silver International Champion and WBC World #6th ranked Jr. Welterweight contender Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin (18-0 15KO Long Island, NY), will take on Mexican brawler Jesus Selig (19-3-1 12KO Douglas, AZ) Friday night, June 17th at The Paramount in Huntington, NY in a 10 round Jr. Welterweight contest as part of Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing’s popular fight series “Rockin Fights”.

Seldin, who has continually climbed the ranks of the Jr. Welterweight division, will be appearing for the 15th time at the Paramount. Seldin has become a must see attraction for his all action fights and tremendous punching power. Seldin captured the WBC title on December 20, 2014, stopping the very tough Bayan Jargal in 9 rounds and has successfully defended it 3 times. In his last outing at The Paramount on March 5th of this year, Seldin returned from shoulder surgery and picked right up where he left off by destroying Puerto Rican Orlando Vasquez in 1 round. Seldin will face a much sterner test when he takes on the veteran Selig on June 17th.

Selig is coming off 2 straight knockout wins and has crossed gloves with world rated fighters Sadam Ali and John Jackson as well as top prospect Jose Ramirez. Selig is a game slugger who always comes to fight and gives 100% each time. He vows that he will put Seldin to the test on June17th.

Promoter Joe DeGuardia had these comments regarding the main event, “Cletus Seldin is becoming a major force in the already loaded Jr. Welterweight division. His ferocious style has attracted droves of fans and on June 17th we expect the same as he faces a tough task when he battles Mexican Jesus Selig who is coming in to upset the applecart. I expect another exciting night of fights at The Paramount, as has become the tradition with the Rockin Fights series”.

The undercard fighters will be announced shortly and tickets are on sale now by calling Star Boxing (718 823-2000) or going to www.starboxing.com, The Paramount Box Office (631 673-7300), or Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com (1 800 745-3000).

HOLLYWOOD, FL. (May 24, 2016) – Lightweight world champion Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy and former world champion Mickey “The Spirit” Bey are deep into training camp and closing in on their main event battle on Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Friday, June 3 from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida

Both fighters have been training in Las Vegas before they head to southern Florida for their world title battle. Barthelemy trains with Ismael Salas at the Salas Boxing Academy while Bey works with his longtime trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. at the Mayweather Boxing Club.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Kings Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and Panther Promotions, are priced at $130, $80, $60 and $35 (additional fees may apply) and are on sale now. All seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.myhrl.com,www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open at 5:30 pm, with the first fight set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Here is what the fighters had to say about training camp, their matchup and more:

What advantages do you believe you have because of your training team?

Rances Barthelemy: “To me, Ismael is the best trainer in the world. He was the lead trainer of the Cuban National Team at the time that Cuban amateur boxing was having its most success. He is truly underrated and I do not know why.

“Having gone through different trainers throughout my career, I am glad that I found Salas. We clicked right off the bat, and him being a Cuban and having a successful background both in the Cuban amateur system and in the pros, he’s been able to incorporate the best from both worlds in his training methods. He has also been able to bring out abilities in me that others were not able to and it has made me a completely different fighter.”

Mickey Bey: “Floyd Sr. has been my trainer for about 12 years. We’ve been together since I was a teenager and before I turned pro. He is an old school trainer and he knows the science of boxing.

“Being around the other Mayweather Promotions fighters provides a lot of energy to training because everybody is striving to be the best they can be. Whenever that’s the case it’s always a positive thing because the trainers know that’s what you’re after. Floyd Sr. and Floyd are the reason I moved to Las Vegas. It’s been a blessing to be able to train with him for so long. We gelled from the beginning and I have definitely grown a lot as a fighter.”

What does fighting for this belt mean to you?

RB: “I don’t really focus on this being another title defense. I just focus on it being another fight that I must win impressively so that I can get to the big fights. There is no added pressure from it being a title defense. I just want everyone to see the boxing ability that I have so that I can get the big fights that I want and deserve.”

MB: “Winning back this belt is really important to me. I still feel like it’s mine. He’s just been keeping it warm for me. I had to deal with the injuries but now I don’t have to worry about babying my hand or anything like that.”

What do you think this fight will be like stylistically?

RB: “I plan on this being a great fight between two great boxers. He has a great amateur and pro background, as do I, and hopefully that makes for a great show.”

MB: “You never really know until you’re in the ring but it’s going to be a fight between two skilled boxers. I have seen some footage but not too much because I don’t really watch much tape. I saw him fight for my vacant belt but I can’t get caught up in that because I’m different than anybody he’s ever fought. I’m a lot more difficult than he probably thinks.”

What skill advantages do you believe you have over your opponent?

RB: “I feel I am the better all-around fighter. I have the reach, height and power over him. I feel he has shown in the past that he can’t take a good punch, so we will see if he can take mine.”

MB: “I bring it all. I can do everything that can be done in the ring. Every single department, period. I do think he’s a good fighter, I give him his props, he’s a two-time world champion, but I don’t think he can do one thing better than me.”

What did you learn from your fight with Denis Shafikov?

RB: “It was a really tough fight and definitely a great learning experience. I made it tougher than it should have been but I had never been in a war like that before and adrenaline kicked in. The blood made me want to dig down and trade with him in the center of the ring and beat him at his own game. It was the first time I had to go down to the trenches and engage in a fight like that but I wanted to do it to show that not all Cubans are boring and only box around.”

What did you learn from your fight with Miguel Vazquez?

MB: “I found out how good I was because I was able to beat a guy that good with one hand. Going into it I already knew I was going to be fighting with one hand since it had been giving me problems. I couldn’t let both hands go, so I had to strategically land more accurate shots. I couldn’t let it become a high volume fight because I knew I wouldn’t be able to respond with both hands. This is my first fight in four or five years with two good hands, so it’s going to be a completely different ball game.”

What does it mean to you to fight in south Florida in front of your Cuban fans?

RB: “That’s my backyard and it’s another advantage for me. It is like being in a free Cuba pretty much and I don’t think I’ll ever feel as comfortable fighting anywhere else with the majority of the people being there to support me. It means the world to me to be able to fight in front of my fans and my closest friends. It’s the closest thing to being able to fight in my country.”

Are you concerned about fighting on the road in front of a crowd that is expected to be for your opponent?

MB: “They can’t get in the ring for him. It’s just going to be me and him. Nobody can get in the ring and help him. It doesn’t add any pressure. I grew up hard, in a rough neighborhood and I’ve been through a lot so I’m numb to any pressure. I’m just ready to get in the ring with him.”

What are your plans after this fight?

RB: “I will be headed straight to the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C. after the fight to try to obtain a visa so I can finally return to Cuba and visit my family that I have not seen since my defection eight years ago. I thought I would never be able to return but now I will be returning as a two-time world champion with grand dreams of one day headlining the first pro boxing event in Cuba.”

MB: “After this fight I’ll be looking for another big competitive fight. I’m always looking for a challenge. That’s why I’m in this fight.”

Why do you believe you’ll be victorious on June 3?

RB: “I feel I am levels above Mickey Bey in all aspects of the game. I am comfortable with my training and I plan on returning to Miami with my second world title. The adrenaline of fighting in front of my Cuban people will add fuel to my fire and propel me to victory. I am on a mission to be great and leave an imprint in the sport and Mickey Bey is in the way.”

MB: “I’m a better fighter. It’s that simple.”

Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @RealKidBlast, @MickeyBeyTMT, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports, @KingsBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @PantherPromo and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and
www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.

NEW YORK – May 24, 2016 – The weekend of June 11th, boxing’s most influential women will gather for brunch in the Big Apple for the 7th Raging Babe event of its kind, dubbed New York, New York. Attendees will include promoters, network executives, public relations representatives, referees, fighters and others, and come from diverse backgrounds, cultures and levels of experience. Women who have attended Raging Babe events have networked, forged business and personal relationships and have been inspired by the stories of success and persistence shared by the hundreds of attendees over the past few years. There may be no woman that better personifies a story of success and persistence than Kathy Duva, who will be honored with the Raging Babe Luminary Award at the brunch.

Duva, the CEO of Main Events, and a mother of three, has been involved with boxing for nearly forty years, entering the business while in college with her then boyfriend Dan Duva. The Duvas teamed up to promote some of boxing’s top talent over the years under the Main Events banner, including Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitacker, Arturo Gatti and Fernando Vargas, all while cultivating powerful relationships with HBO and other networks. Kathy continued her husband’s legacy after his passing in 1996, becoming one of the most recognized figures in boxing. Most recently, Duva and Main Events have developed one of boxing’s most avoided superstars in Sergey Kovalev.

“Kathy Duva is the perfect honoree for our first New York City Brunch,” said Raging Babe founder and namesake Michelle Rosado. “Boxing, like the ‘Concrete Jungle,’ has so many hard edges, and can be tough to navigate…but like New York City, it is full of opportunity for the right type of person, and Kathy Duva is that kind of person. She’s a headstrong, smart and persistent woman, who has an uncanny ability to endear people to her while not taking any gruff from anyone. It’s our honor to recognize her at the brunch.”

Past Raging Babe event honorees have included the “First Lady of Boxing” Jackie Kallen, Public Relations ace Kelly Swanson, TV trailblazer Claudia Trejo, heart transplant recipient Kennedy Cunningham, Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame Chief Operating Officer Michelle Corrales-Lewis, and Golden Boy’s Monica Sears. “It’s a privilege to stand in a room with women of this caliber,” said Rosado. “The Raging Babe Brunch started as a concept…something we might try to do yearly, but it’s become such a powerful and valuable event for attendees, we’re growing and doing more than one event per year. We’re able to do this because of the women of boxing that continue to support the event, and of course, thanks to our event partners.

The East Coast is well overdue for a Raging Babe Brunch, and I’m so pleased to be able to work with our partners to bring the event to New York City.”

The Raging Babe Brunch is made possible by the generous support of World Boxing Organization (WBO), War Tape, Box Stats, Boss Case (owned and operated by Raging Babe Livvy Cunningham), World Boxing Council (WBC) and Youth Fighting Forward.