WFC successfully debuted in Pennsylvania tonight with an action-packed card in front of a sold out crowd at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Tommy Karpency defeated Paul Gonsalves via first round stoppage to be crowned the WBA NABA US Light Heavyweight Champion.

Full Results:
Roque Zapata def Dan Karpency by unanimous decision, 37-39 on all 3 cards
Anthony Taylor def Antonio Coniglario by unanimous decision, 39-36, 39-36 and 38-38
Boubacar Sylla def Bobby Watson by unanimous decision, 40-36, 40-36 and 39-37
Jeremiah Karpency draw Sheppard, 76-76, 76-76, 78-74 (Karpency)
Karpency def Gonsalves by TKO 1st round 1:39

World Fighting Championships returns next Saturday, April 15th with professional boxing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Tickets and information at www.worldfightingchampionships.com

NEW YORK (April 9, 2016) – The 154-pound division will take center stage on Saturday, May 21 in a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader featuring three world title fights in the same division. In a rare showcase of the division’s elite, five of the top-six super welterweights* will square off live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Venue and ticket information are forthcoming.

(*via Transnational Boxing Rankings)

In the main event, Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara—the consensus No. 1 fighter at 154 pounds—will defend his WBA Super Welterweight World Championship against U.S. Olympian and top contender Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan in a rematch of their 2012 bout that ended in a technical draw.

Brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo will look to make history in co-featured bouts as the first twins to hold world titles in the same division. Unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Jermall faces his toughest test when he makes the second defense of his belt against former world champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout. Jermell will take on exciting contender John Jackson in a bout for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship.

The event is being promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions.

With five of the top-six ranked fighters on the telecast, the May 21 matchups join an already stellar slate of recently announced boxing events on SHOWTIME. The super welterweights join the top fighters at featherweight, welterweight, super middleweight and heavyweight in a series of fights that features accomplished champions and young stars facing each other in the most significant divisional matches that can be made.

“This is yet another example of SHOWTIME Sports’ commitment to delivering the best lineup in boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “We’re featuring three important championship fights in one of boxing’s most intriguing young divisions – a tripleheader that will bring our 2016 tally of world title bouts to 14 – all free to SHOWTIME subscribers. We’re excited to offer this rare opportunity to see the top fighters in a division all on the same telecast.”

“Mayweather Promotions is thrilled to bring this fantastic tripleheader of super welterweight world champions to fight fans,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “The best of the 154-pound division will be on display on May 21 and we expect an action-packed night of drama.”

“We’re very excited to work with SHOWTIME on this action-packed tripleheader,” said Tom Brown of TGB Promotions. “Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan have a huge score to settle from their 2012 bout, and Jermall and Jermell Charlo are in high-stakes matchups against Austin Trout and John Jackson, respectively, in what promises to be a highly entertaining evening of boxing.”

A technical master, Lara is considered one of the toughest men to beat in the sport and will look to continue his reign at 154 pounds against the always-game Martirosyan, who is set on becoming a world champion on his second try.

The 25-year-old Charlos are aiming for history against stiff opposition from a former champion in Trout and the Olympian from the Virgin Islands in Jackson.

The 32-year-old Lara is a slick boxer with the ability to deliver punishment while taking very little of it in return. Lara has notched victories over Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout, Ishe Smith and Freddy Hernandez. As an amateur, Lara won numerous titles including a national championship at welterweight and also participated in the 2007 Pan-Am games. The fighter originally from Guantanamo, Cuba dominated Delvin Rodriguez in June of last year and followed that up with a third-round stoppage of former champion Jan Zaveck.

Born in Armenia, but fighting out of Glendale, Calif., Martirosyan represented the U.S. at the 2004 Olympics. As a professional, he won his first 32 fights before fighting Lara to a draw in 2012. The 29-year-old suffered a narrow defeat by split decision in his first world title shot against Demetrius Andrade, but has rebounded with solid victories over Mario Lozano, Willie Nelson and most recently Ishe Smith.

A newly crowned champion at 25-years-old, Charlo grabbed his title with a dominant third-round stoppage of Cornelius Bundrage in September 2015. Residing in Houston, Charlo built up his resume in 2014 with dominant triumphs over Hector Munoz, Norberto Gonzale, Lenny Bottai and Michael Finney. In his most recent outing, he successfully defended his title with a fourth-round stoppage of Wilky Campfort in November.

In 2004, Trout won the U.S. National Amateur welterweight championship and after climbing up the ranks as an elite pro boxer, he won a super welterweight world championship in 2011 by defeating Rigoberto Alvarez. He went on to make four successful defenses, including a career-best, dominant victory over Miguel Cotto in New York. He is currently on a four-fight win streak after knocking out Joey Hernandez in September to set up his world title opportunity.

Younger-by-one-minute than Jermall, Jermell Charlo is a highly ranked young fighter looking to get one step closer to a world title shot. A tall fighter for his division, the 25-year-old earned his shot at a world title with victories over Gabriel Rosado, Charlie Ota and Mario Lozano in 2014 and Martirosyan and former world champion Joachim Alcine in 2015. He impressed last time out by disposing of Alcine in the sixth-round of their fight in Houston in October.

Since representing his native Virgin Islands in the 2008 Olympics, Jackson has put together an impressive pro career. The St. Thomas-born fighter won his initial 13 fights after making his debut in January 2009. The 27-year-old earned the No. 1 spot and the title shot with a shutout victory over Dennis Laurente in August. Jackson comes from a fighting family; his father John David Jackson was a world champion and feared power-puncher while his brother, Julius, is a contender in the 168-pound weight class.

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

Jamie McDonnell dominated Fernando Vargas with a ninth round stoppage win in the fourth defence of his WBA World Bantamweight title at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

McDonnell patiently picked the tough Mexican apart as the late replacement provided stubborn resistance in the first half of the fight, but the Doncaster man was faultless and put his foot down in the second half of the fight to force the stoppage after landing heavy headshots in the ninth session.

McDonnell believes he should now add to his WBA strap and is hunting a unification showdown with his fellow champions at 118lbs.

“The kid came it at the last minute and we knew he was going to be tough for the first half of the fight,” said McDonnell. “The game plan was to break him down, work him down and take him out of there after six.
“It felt so easy in there but it was very frustrating when I started chasing him around and not cutting him down, but when I pinged him and let the shots go you could see he couldn’t take the shots and the power, and he folded.

“I have been on the road and proved I am the best in the Bantamweight division; I beat the WBO champion and should have the IBF, WBA and WBO World titles. I have defended the WBA belt four times, I am the best in the Bantamweights – forget Lee Haskins, Shinsuke Yamanaka, your Juan Carlos Payano; I said to Eddie line those fights up and I will go and take the titles, as long as I am fighting I am happy.

“The plan was to move up after the first Tomoki Kameda fight but I can still make Bantamweight and as long as there are fights there I can still make Bantamweight, I don’t mind moving up to fight the likes of Scott Quigg or Carl Frampton, I believe if I move up I would beat them, but at the minute I am clearing up at Bantamweight.”

Hearn added: “He will fight anyone. There is talk of the Scott Quigg fight at Super Bantamweight. I think that is a good fight, Scott wants it, Jamie fancies that. He has been superb, an unsung hero of British boxing and he is really starting to get the respect he deserves.

“He is a two-time Bantamweight champion. Dave Coldwell has done a brilliant job with him and I thought he went through the gears excellently there. I believe he is the best Bantamweight in the World. Payano for the Super belt could be next, Lee Haskins is out there with a World title and Stuart Hall is in a final eliminator for Lee’s belt. Jamie is getting better and better with every fight.”

In the early action, Ohara Davies put in a powerful performance to land the English Lightweight title in style. Davies dropped Andy Keates in the opening round and battered the Leek man over the next three rounds before delivering a brutal body shot that ended proceedings in the fourth round.

“I’ve worked hard in the gym and did everything write in the build-up so this is what happens what I can do when I get it right,” said Davies. “I am ready for the British title, I’d love to fight Scotty Cardle or defend my English again Sean Dodd.”

Matthew Macklin came out on top in his crossroads Middleweight clash with Brian Rose. The Irishman had a point deducted in the tenth round for low blows in a war of attrition between the pair, but his busy approach and fast start handed him the win against the Blackpool man by majority decision – 113-113, 115-111 and 115-111.

“I think I was the one that wanted it more,” said Macklin. “I need to think now, I didn’t win in the convincing fashion I thought I would but I am not going to take any meaningless fights now I will only take big ones. Let’s sit tight and see what comes. I started OK but I got sloppy. He was a lot tougher than I expected and I wasted some energy going for the body.”\

Conor Benn kicked off his pro career with a first round KO win at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Benn showed all his father Nigel’s trademarks as he fired in heavy shots from the first bell of his exciting future in the paid ranks, and the 19 year old made sure his first night would be a short one as he cornered Hungarian Ivailo Boyanov and handed him more punishment before the referee waved it off.

“It is unbelievable,” said Benn. “This is something that will stay with me until the day I die, it is an unbelievable reception I got. I told you I am bring the Team Benn vibes back and here it is, there is much more to come.

“The crowd have welcomed me and then it is me focusing on what I have got to do – get in there and do the damage.

“If I can fight in front of a crowd like this and just embrace it and perform the way I did, then let’s fight every month, as much as I can. I have to be three-times World champion, not two.”

“My heart was going like the clappers,” said Nigel Benn. “Now you can see what he has got in store – he is quality, he likes to fight just like me and he has the tools. I am proud that he will be working with Eddie Hearn, he couldn’t be with any better promoter. I can go back to Australia now – I am not coming back here anymore, I cannot take it anymore!

“He wants to be better than me and he is going to be better than me.”

BoxNation have secured the exclusive UK live TV rights for Unified World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury’s highly-anticipated rematch against the legendary Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday 9th July at a venue in the North-West of England to be announced by promoters Hennessy Sports and K2 Promotions.

The exciting news follows hot-on-the-heels of the recent announcement that The Channel Of Champion also acquired the exclusive live rights to the sensational showdown between British boxing hero and former World Champion Amir Khan against the Mexican pound-for-pound great Canelo Alvarez on Saturday 7th May.

The bitter grudge match sees Fury, the linear, WBA Super, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine World Heavyweight Champion make the first defence of the titles against the man he took them from in an explosive blockbuster showdown.

Undefeated Fury shocked the sporting world last November when he sensationally dethroned long-reigning heavyweight icon Klitschko in one of boxing’s biggest ever upsets in recent years at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The self-proclaimed Gypsy King broke down in tears in the ring after he ended Klitschko’s long reign as Heavyweight Champion with a deserved unanimous decision as he outboxed the Ukrainian.

Fury (25-0, 18 KOs), who is regarded as the leading Heavyweight in the World, has stated his desire to dispose of Klitschko again before targeting a potential showdown with WBC king Deontay Wider (36-0, 35 KOs), but in one of boxing’s most eagerly-anticipated rematches, Fury will first be looking to prove his doubters wrong once more.

Klitschko is gunning for revenge after suffering his first defeat in over 11 years at the hands of the Mancunian. The 40-year-old was quick to take up the contractual option for a rematch against Fury; ending speculation that he would decide to retire after his 11 year, 22-fight unbeaten streak was spectacularly ended. ‘Dr Steelhammer’ (64-4 54 KOs) is determined to recapture his belts from Fury and take his place back at the top of the world heavyweight scene.

Fury said, “I’m thrilled to get this fight on July 9th and more importantly the fight is going live on BoxNation. I’ve had great relations with the team at Boxnation and I’m over the moon to be working with Boxnation once again in this super fight. I’m the best heavyweight in the world and the rest are imposters to my titles. I am coming for all of them once I’ve dealt with Klitschko a second time.”

Klitschko said, “I’m honoured that my rematch with Tyson Fury will be shown LIVE by the UK’s premier boxing network, BoxNation on Saturday 9th July. BoxNation has shown a great commitment and has a tremendous reputation for showing the best fights from around the world and this rematch is a perfect fit. Boxing fans worldwide will watch this international mega event and I’m looking forward to coming out victorious against Tyson Fury and regaining my heavyweight titles.”

BoxNation Chairman Frank Warren said, “BoxNation is the REAL home of the real Champions and I’m delighted that we’ve secured the real Heavyweight Championship of the World with Fury v Klitschko II which is by far the biggest fight in Europe so far this year. The addition of the fight to the channel is another fantastic acquisition following on from the recent capture of the blockbuster showdown between Khan v Canelo. This yet again shows our commitment to bringing the biggest and best fights to our BoxNation subscribers. The night promises to be one of the biggest events in the UK for years and I’m thrilled our channel will be there as Fury looks to cement his place as king of the heavyweight division.”

About BoxNation

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

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.

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

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

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers.

According to Dan Rafael of espn, Cruiserweights Murat Gassiev and Jordan Shimmell will meet in a Cruiserweight elimination bout on May 17 in Carlton, Minnesota.

“I have seen Jordan Shimmell in the ring, and I feel like this is a good fight for me,” Gassiev said. “I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring after the mistake I made last fight. I’m going to be real sharp on May 17, and I will not disappoint.”

“I’m excited to get back in the ring and fight in another televised bout,” he said. “I know I’m in there with a tough, strong opponent, but with my skills and ability, it shouldn’t be a problem. As long as I fight smart and do the things I’ve been training to do, I will come out with the win.”

In other televised bouts, Miami’s John Wesley Nofire (19-0, 15 KOs), 29, and Joey Abell (31-9, 29 KOs), 34, of Champlin, Minnesota, will meet in an eight-round heavyweight fight. Javontae Starks (13-1, 7 KOs), 27, of Minneapolis, will face Yordenis Ugas (15-3, 7 KOs), 28, a 2008 Cuban Olympic bronze medalist based in Miami, in an eight-round junior middleweight bout.

IBF/WBA 122 pound champion Carl Frampton was stripped of his WBA portion for failing to meet Guilermo Rigondeaux, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“In light of Frampton’s announced intention to face an opponent other than his mandatory and for failing to respond to WBA inquiries as to his intent, Frampton’s recognition as champion is removed,” WBA championships chairman Gilberto Jesus Mendoza said.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former two-division world champion Mikey Garcia and promoter Top Rank have parted ways following a 28-month standstill.

“All parties came to a mutual agreement,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com. “Details of that agreement are a confidential matter. We all move on and do what we do.”

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVNIA – April 8, 2016 – The stage is set for World Fighting Championships 50th event, and its first at Meadows Racetrack and Casino in PIttsburgh tomorrow, April 9th. Doors open at 6pm, and first bell is at 7:00. Tickets are priced at $100, 50 and 25 and are available at the door, or online at www.worldfightingchampionships.com.

Weights:

Tommy Karpency 174.6 vs. Paul Gonsalves 175
Jeremiah Karpency 225 vs. Mike Sheppard 224.3
Anthony Taylor 114.3 vs. Antonio Coniglario 118.1
Boubacar Sylla 144.1 vs. Bobby Watson 145
Ltorie Woodberry (weight pending) vs. Dan Karpency 154.9

LONDON (April 8) – Boxing ace Amir Khan has hailed Manny Pacquiao as one of the greatest ever.

The Filipino superstar is set to call time on his illustrious career when he takes on Timothy Bradley live and exclusive on Premier Sports this Saturday night from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Speaking about his former stablemate Khan was quick to praise the eight-time world champion regarding him as one of the best of his generation.

“What Manny has achieved in boxing is incredible,” Khan told Premier Sports. “If he does call it a day with his career he can look back and be very proud of what he achieved because very few fighters have done what he has.

“He’s been in top fights, won a lot of world titles and has fought for everything to get to where he has got to so I have nothing but respect for that.

“It’s clear that he is one of the best fighters of this generation and I wish him nothing but the best if he does end his career against Bradley,” he said.

The 29-year-old Bolton boxer who is lined up to face Canelo Alvarez in a megafight at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas next month for the middleweight world title was in the running to be Pacquiao’s opponent this time around.

However, despite intense negotiations the fight never materialised, something which Khan hoped would have taken place.

“You always want to test yourself against the best and Manny is still one of the best around. It’s a fight we tried to make happen between us but for some reason or other it never came about,” said Khan.

“My team met with Bob Arum in London and we had agreed everything but it didn’t happen. It would have been a great fight and backstory but we both have other big fights coming up so are focused on them.

“I have no doubt it would have been an explosive fight but I wish Manny luck in his fight with Bradley,” said Khan.

37-year-old Pacquiao will meet Californian Bradley in a rubber match following previous meetings in 2012 and 2014.

Five-time world champion Bradley controversially won the first one before Pacquiao bounced back to win their second meeting in style, with this weekend’s clash set to be the decider.

Khan has picked the Philippines Congressman to come out on top despite acknowledging the improvements in Bradley.

“I think the fight will be closer this time around but Manny will have too much in the end. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back from his shoulder injury though and what sort of affect that will have on him,” Khan said.

“Bradley has improved under Teddy Atlas but it takes time to really get to know each other and they’ve only been together for one fight so it’s still early in their relationship.

“I’m interested to see what they have up their sleeve for this fight but I’m sure Manny will be able to deal with it,” he said.

To watch Pacquiao v Bradley 3 live and exclusive on Premier Sports for only £9.99 visit premiersports.com or call 0871 663 9000.

LOS ANGELES (April 8) – As the weather heats up, the popular series LA FIGHT CLUB continues to prove month-after-month why it is the hottest place for boxing in Los Angeles as the sure-fire ‘Fight of The Year’ candidate between Jesus “Renuente” Soto Karass (28-10-3, 18 KOs) and Yoshihiro “El Maestrito” Kamegai (26-3-1, 23 KOs) featured on the April 15 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB is officially sold out. Live from the Belasco Theater and on Boxeo Estelaron Estrella TV, the series has consistently featured sold-out and near sell-out shows every month in 2016.

As a treat for all local fight fans, Golden Boy Promotions has announced today, the new summer dates for LA FIGHT CLUB. First, WBC Silver Featherweight Champion Ronny Rios (25-1, 10 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. will kick off the summer season on June 3. The fan friendly action continues all summer on July 1, August 5, August 19, September 2, and October 7. Tickets for all shows are on sale with special multi-fight and group ticket discounts available.

“Whether it’s aggressive veterans slugging it out for one last possible title shot or young and hungry prospect looking to move up the ladder, LA FIGHT CLUB delivers high-action fights each and every month,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “When Golden Boy launched this series in March of last year, we knew it would be popular, but as we sell out show after show, it’s clear that local fans are hungry for even more.”

Launched in March of 2015, LA FIGHT CLUB has been thrilling fans in the Southern California area for the past year, along with those tuning in worldwide on Estrella TV and the Ring TV live stream. The series has established a standard of delivering action-packed fights featuring some of the most talented fighters in the sport, which includes Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr., Diego De La Hoya, Manuel “Tino” Avila, Nick Arce, Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez, Roy “Pitbull” Tapia, Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez, Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez, Hector “El Finito” Tanajara and Patrick Teixeira, just to name a few. Golden Boy plans on upping the ante this summer following a first quarter that saw the series sell out the Belasco Theater.

Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB are on sale starting at $20 with new Flex Passes, Group Tickets and BORN BOLD upgrades are available for purchase now at www.goldenboypromotions.com, the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page, by calling 213-233-2957 or by emailing LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com.

Jesus Soto Karass vs. Yoshihiro Kamegai is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” Carmelita Chorizo and Casa Mexico Tequila. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on Friday, April 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and will stream live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.

Media interested in attending the April 15 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are available here. The deadline to submit a credential application is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.estrellatv.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @EstrellaTV and become a fanon Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @belascola and @EstrellaTV, follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB and #BoxeoEstelar.

IBF Heavyweight World Championship – 12 Rounds
Charles Martin – 245 Pounds
Anthony Joshua – 244 Pounds

IBF Featherweight World Championship – 12 Rounds
Lee Selby – 125 Pounds
Eric Hunter – 125 ¼ Pounds

NOTE: Highlight coverage of Selby vs. Hunter will air on this Saturday’s SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® telecast, preceding the live presentation of the IBF Heavyweight World Championship between unbeaten American titlist Charles Martin and fellow unbeaten British Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Joshua. Martin vs. Joshua airs live on SHOWTIME® at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.

# # #

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

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 8th, 2016) — Their first two fights were so good, Tyler King and Eric Bedard figured it was worth trading blows one last time.

“The feeling was, ‘We have to do this,'” said King, who won the first bout between the two in 2012.

“Everybody wants to see it,” added Bedard, who avenged that loss in the rematch two years later.

Coincidentally, the two crossed paths in December at another event, squashed their differences and discussed a third and final fight. Just like that, a trilogy was born.

The rubber match will take place Saturday, April 16th, 2016 on the undercard of “CES MMA 35” at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Mass., sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Both King (9-4, 3 KOs) and Bedard (6-6, 4 KOs) are coming off back-to-back losses, so if a third fight was going to happen, it was now or never, especially with rumors swirling about King’s impending retirement. There was bad blood between the two, admits Bedard, a misunderstanding stemming from a rival promoter’s attempt to book the fight long before either side was ready, but that’s in the past now.

With two fights between them in the books, both ending in first-round knockouts lasting a grand total of 5 minutes, 56 seconds, there’s nothing but mutual respect along with a corresponding desire to “settle the score,” a common phrase in the fight game both King and Bedard are using loosely leading up this rubber match.

“I can’t help but respect the guy,” said King, a North Attleboro, Mass., native. “He goes in there and mixes it up with all the toughest guys. If you look at his last two fights, he fought Matt Thompson, who just fought Anton Berzin, and I know Matt and train with Matt and he’s a tough prick. He’s been around forever. Then he went out and fought Parker Porter, who I think is the best heavyweight in New England. He’s not taking easy fight, so I can’t help but respect the guy.”

Added the Providence, R.I., native Bedard: “When he came up to me at the fight in December, he said, ‘I’m not going to talk any shit. Let’s just get the fight done.’ I was cool with that. I have respect for him. Anyone who gets in that cage and fights, I’ve got to respect you. There are a lot of different personalities. Some people rub you the wrong way. I rub people the wrong way. It is what it is.”

Pleasantries aside, both sides are willing to do whatever it takes to win next weekend’s third and final installment. In Bedard’s case, that means more of the same, even if his approach is as predictable as it is effective.

“I never really have a strategy to fight,” he said. “I’m going to walk out there and everyone knows what I’m going to do. You can ask anyone who’s ever seen me fight. I’m going to walk out there and I’m going to throw bombs. Anybody that trains with me, they know I walk forward and throw bombs.

“Yeah, I’m not that great on the ground,” Bedard admits. “One of my two submissions is a tap out due to strikes. I just pounded the guy until he gave up. Realistically, I have one submission.

“I won’t try to give up position to go for a submission. I’ll punch you in the face. If there’s a position where I can crack you with an elbow, that’s what I’ll do. If you turn around and do something stupid and leave your neck out there, I’ll rip your head off, but that’s about all I’ll do. I’m not going to go for an omoplata or a gogoplata. You’re going to see keylocks, kimuras, guillotines, that’s about it.”

King plans on adding a new wrinkle to his game plan, even if the perception is he and Bedard know each other too well to fool one another at this point.

“I’m going to put out something he’s never seen before,” King said. “Don’t get me wrong, he trains with some of the best guys in New England, so I’m sure he’s seen plenty, but, hey, I’m me. I’m a different fighter.

“One thing I try to do is evolve every time out. I was much different fighter coming off my layoff. I had a couple of tough fights and had to go back and analyze what I’ve done. I’m going to have some new things out there. It’s not going to be the same old, same old. If you’re not evolving, you’re getting worse, and I pride myself on getting better every time I go out there.”

Whether next weekend’s fight ends in another quick knockout or unfolds over the course of three hard rounds, neither fighter will lean on excuses when the trilogy is finally over. Why start now? Both King and Bedard have owned up to their shortcomings in their losses and are ready to accept whatever happens on the 16th, win or lose.

“One thing in my career is I’ve had guys who I’ve beaten soundly make a ton of excuses and I promised myself I’d never do that,” King said, “so the one thing I’m going to say is he was the better man that night. There’s no two ways around it. I can’t say, ‘This happened,’ or, ‘I was pissed off because my dog ran away.’ None of that. You get in the cage and it is what it is. I have to be better this time out.”

“He won the first fight. I’m not going to take anything away from him,” Bedard said. “I’ve watched the fight since then and I’ve had a couple of people come up to me and say out of the blue, ‘Hey, when you fight Tyler you were winning that fight until you got caught.’ Whatever. He caught me and he won. That’s how it is. I don’t look back at fights and say, ‘Well, I could’ve,’ or, ‘I should’ve,’ or, ‘I was winning until …’ It doesn’t matter. Look at the Cheick Kongo fight [against Pat Barry]. [Barry] knocked him [down] three times, Kongo came back and knocked him out. You don’t win the fight until the ref raises your hand at the end and calls your name.”

Tickets for “CES MMA 35” are priced at $35.00, $50.00 and $100.00 (VIP) and can also be purchased online at www.nsmt.org, by phone at 978-232-7200 or at the North Shore Music Theatre Box Office. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET and the first bout begins at 7. All bouts are subject to change.

Headlining “CES MMA 35” is the return of Gloucester, Mass., bantamweight Pedro Gonzalez (10-5, 9 KOs), who faces Boston’s Andres Jeudi (7-5, 3 KOs) in the main event.

Having battled injuries and setbacks for more than a year and a half, Gonzalez steps back into the cage for the first time since 2014 against the seasoned Jeudi, who has squared off against regional standouts Saul Almeida, Matt Bessette, Leon Davis, Chris Foster and Lucas Cruz.

Also on the pro portion of the card, Quincy, Mass., middleweight Mike Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line against Buck Pineau (1-2) of Ashland, Maine in a rematch of their amateur bout in which Pineau won by third-round submission. Pineau returns to CES MMA for the first time since October when an arm injury cut short his match against Pat McCrohan at “CES MMA XXXI.”

Rounding out the main card of “CES MMA 35,” Medford, Mass., lightweight Lewis Corapi (6-2, 3 KOs) faces Keenan Raymond (3-2, 1 KO) of Providence, R.I., who scored his first career knockout win in January at “CES MMA XXXII,” and Boston’s Devin Carrier (0-1) searches for his first win as a pro in a lightweight bout against Meriden, N.H., native Wayne Ahlquist (1-2, 1 KO). Corapi looks to rebound from a stunning second-round knockout loss to Jay Bakanowski at “CES MMA XXVIII.” Fall River, Mass., lightweight Josh LaBerge (9-5, 4 KOs) faces 37-fight vet Ran Weathers (18-21, 6 KOs) of Albuquerque, N.M.

Rico DiSciullo (5-0, 2 KOs), an undefeated Peabody, Mass., native with three appearances each for Bellator and CES MMA, will face Ohio’s Jake Constant (6-9, 2 KOs) in a rematch. The two went toe-to-toe at “CES MMA XXX” with Constant forced to tap out in the opening round due to a shoulder injury.

On the amateur side, Mark Bordieri of Foxborough, Mass., faces Nick O’Connell of Cranston, R.I., in a bantamweight bout; welterweight Jamie Collins of Woonsocket, R.I., battles Boston’s Jon Ciampa; and Aaron Reverdes of Pawtucket, R.I., faces Joao Ramos of Framingham, Mass., in a featherweight bout.

Also on the amateur portion of the card, Providence’s Marquis Brewster faces Billy Keenan of Salem, Mass., and Boston’s Sean Murrin (1-0, 1 KO) battles featherweight John Douma (2-1) of Providence. All amateurs are competing for a promotional contract with CES MMA.

Visit www.cesmma.com, www.twitter.com/cesmma or www.facebook.com/ces.mma for more information and use the hashtag #CES35 to join the conversation.

08 April 2016 – Singapore: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), in partnership with Official Timekeeper G-Shock, Under Armour, Mah Motors, and Marvel´s Captain America: Civil War, returns to the Lion City with another heart-thumping evening of world-class mixed martial arts action. Nine exciting new bouts are scheduled to take place on 6 May at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. In the main event, Singapore’s Angela Lee is set to do battle with Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi for the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship. In the co-main event, ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash will defend his title against challenger Aleksei Butorin.

Tickets for ONE: ASCENT TO POWER are available at http://www.sportshubtix.com.sg.

“Unstoppable” Angela Lee of Waipahu, Hawaii, is one of the promotion’s most promising young prospects regardless of gender and weight class. Lee, who is of Singaporean and Korean descent, has strong roots in Singapore and trains at Asia’s premiere mixed martial arts gym, Evolve MMA. Lee’s beautiful combination of solid striking and grappling skills has proven to be a potent formula for success as she remains unbeaten so far in her MMA career. Lee will now challenge Japanese MMA veteran Mei Yamaguchi for the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship.

33-year-old Japanese MMA veteran Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi is a female atomweight from Tokyo with a 15-8 professional mixed martial arts record. She is the current Deep Jewels Atomweight Champion and has won her last three bouts, including two by knockout. Yamaguchi’s experience and championship mettle will prove to be the biggest test of the surging Angela Lee’s career in a battle for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship.

ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash of Rostov-on-don, Russia, will be making the first defense of his title since winning the belt back in October. Bigdash’s resounding technical knockout victory over former champion Igor Svirid is one of the most action-packed fights under ONE Championship, and he showcased tremendous heart and resolve to overcome a devastating attack by Svirid to score the upset. Now, he takes on his first challenger as champion in Aleksei Butorin.

St. Petersburg, Russia’s middleweight contender Aleksei Butorin debuted successfully in ONE Championship with an exciting knockout over highly-regarded Leandro Ataides last September. Butorin made waves with his frightening knockout power and relentless attack, showing fans why he remains undefeated in his seven-year mixed martial arts career. Now, Butorin receives the opportunity to fight for the title against ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash.

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia makes his highly-anticipated return to the ONE cage since losing his title to current titleholder Marat “Cobra” Gafurov in an instant classic last November. Jadambaa and Gafurov went back-and-forth for four gruelling rounds before Gafurov was able to unseat the former champion. Jadambaa is now officially on the comeback trail, but will face tough foe Kotetsu Boku next.

Kotetsu “No Face” Boku, although originally from South Korea, is a Japanese mixed martial arts legend and former ONE Lightweight World Champion. With more than 30 professional fights on his fight resume, Boku has the experience of a seasoned veteran and has seen it all inside the cage. Always a crowd pleaser, Boku gets to showcase his dynamite fists once again as he takes on fellow former champion Narantungalag Jadambaa.

Needing no introduction, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu master Roger Gracie of the Gracie fighting family returns to ONE Championship seeking to continue his winning ways. In Gracie’s last bout, he overcame a dangerous James McSweeney to win via third-round technical knockout at ONE: WARRIOR’S WAY. This time, Gracie takes on unbeaten middleweight contender Michal Pasternak.

Undefeated 32-year-old Michal Pasternak of Pinczow, Poland, was successful in his ONE Championship debut against Rafael Silva, prevailing by decision to extend his win streak to 11. More than half of his victories have come either by knockout or submission, and he’ll be put to the test against Roger Gracie in a highly-anticipated three-round middleweight contest.

French mixed martial artist Sylvain Potard is an aggressive and powerful contender who has enjoyed mixed success in the ONE Championship cage. He is a 12-fight veteran who possesses experience and solid technique to match his undoubted power. In his promotional debut, he defeated highly-regarded American wrestler Jake Butler by knockout. Now, he returns to ONE to face Tatsuya Mizuno.

Tatsuya Mizuno is a 34-year-old Japanese mixed martial arts veteran from Tokyo. His extensive professional MMA record of 14 wins and 11 losses has given him knowledge and experience that is a cut above the level of many fighters. Mizuno uses his great all-round striking and grappling skills to subdue his opponents, and he gets another chance for victory inside the ONE Cage against Sylvain Potard.

Christian “The Warrior” Lee, younger brother of Angela “Unstoppable” Lee, has impressed in his first few outings in ONE Championship. Lee is riding the momentum of three stoppage wins inside the ONE Cage, two by highlight-reel knockout and the other by crafty submission. Lee looks to continue his early success but will face a stern test when he takes on the Philippines’ Cary Bullos.

32-year-old Filipino featherweight contender Cary “The Prince” Bullos is the URCC Visayas Bantamweight Champion. He has finished all his opponents in his seven wins, making him one of the top mixed martial arts prospects in the Philippines. Bullos fell short of victory in his first two appearances inside the ONE Cage, but he’s determined to get back in the win column by defeating Singapore’s Christian Lee.

21-year-old Singaporean mixed martial arts prospect Amir Khan will make his much-anticipated return to competition following a win over Filipino Jimmy Yabo back in November. Khan of Evolve MMA is a five-fight ONE Championship veteran who has only lost once inside the ONE Cage. The young gun is well-rounded and very aggressive, and will look to take on Chang Ching Hsiung next.

Taiwanese mixed martial artist “The Lightning” Chang Ching Hsiung will be making his ONE Championship debut. At four wins and three losses, Chang is a Sanda specialist and a solid prospect. He is the former Chinese Taipei K-1 Rules champion as well as the former Sanda-King champion. His first foray into Asia’s largest MMA promotion will be a tough one, when he takes on the promising young Amir Khan.

Unbeaten young Singaporean Benedict Ang has two wins and no losses inside the ONE Cage. The 19-year-old featherweight from Evolve MMA defeated mixed martial arts veteran Yohan Mulia Legowo in his last bout, stopping the Indonesian after two rounds of hard action. The highly-skilled Ang will showcase his talents once more when he faces Filipino Jimmy Yabo.

The Philippines’ Jimmy “The Silencer” Yabo is a former URCC standout with an impressive mixed martial arts record of five wins and two losses. He boasts a perfect knockout percentage, having finished all five of his opponents by KO within the distance, including his last bout when he felled Pakistan’s Bashir Ahmad with one punch. A rededicated Yabo is now looking for victory, but he’ll have to go through tough Singaporean Benedict Ang to get it.

Undefeated 21-year-old Dagistani Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev impressed fans in his first appearance in the ONE Cage last January, winning by technical knockout at just over 30 seconds into the first round against Mishal Alfad. Arslanaliev brought the crowd to the edge of their seats from the opening bell, swarming his opponent with fearless aggression and impressive wrestling technique. Arslanaliev will take on China’s Ma Jia Wen next.

Chinese standout Ma Jia Wen is 2-1 inside the ONE Cage, and a victor in his last bout against compatriot Wang Ya Wei last November at ONE: DYNASTY OF CHAMPIONS – Beijing II. Ma is part of a quickly rising contingent of rock-solid Chinese mixed martial artists, and will look to put his skills further to the test against aggressive Dagistani standout Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev.

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 best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Championship™ has partnered with FOX and STAR Sports for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans 70+ countries across the world.

LAS VEGAS (April 7, 2016) – South African welterweight Chris “The Heat” Van Heerden is on a mission to torch his Canadian opponent Steve “The Dragon” Claggett, in their 12-round main event, headlining “Knockout Night at the D”.

The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC), is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.

The Apr. 16th “Knockout Night at the D” event will air Saturday night, April 16 (8 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. ET), live on CBS Sports Network from under the neon lights at the DLVEC outdoor venue.

Van Heerden (23-1-1, 12 KOs), fighting out of Santa Monica (CA), is a former International Boxing Organization (IBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion.

During his 10-year professional career, Van Heerden has defeated quality opponents such as Ramon Avila, Cecil McCalla, Ray Narh, Cosme Rivera, Mathew Hilton, and Sebastian Andres Lujan.

“A win over Claggett will put my career right back to where we need it to be,” Van Heerden said. “Winning this fight is my only option! I’m predicting a win, nothing less. Fans watching me fight for the first time can expect to watch a fighter with speed and footwork. I’m a winner who is going to win this fight no matter what.”

Claggett (23-3-1, 16 KOs) is the reigning Canadian Professional Boxing Council and Canadian welterweight champion. “Claggett’s strength is his comin’ forward aggression and that’s how he’s got most of his opponents to give up,” Van Heerden noted. “I know I’ve faced guys with more power. I’m expecting a hard fight, nothing easy, and it will be entertaining.”

The 28-year-old Van Heerden moved to Santa Monica two years ago after he wiped out the top South African fighters in his weight class. He has the strong support of actor Frank Grillo, who has appeared in numerous movies, including Warrior, The Grey, End of Watch, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Purge: Anarchy.

“Frank Grillo is like a father/brother figure to me and he has been since I met him,” Van Heerden explained their relationship. He motivates me on a daily basis. I’m blessed to be around him.”

Unbeaten California welterweight prospect Neeco “Rooster” Macias (11-0, 4 KOs), fighting out of Lancaster, CA, takes on Limberth “Lightning” Ponce, Jr. (10-2, 8 KOs), of Rock Island, Illinois, in the 8-round co-feature. Undefeated welterweight prospect Malik “Iceman” Hawkins (6-0, 5 KOs), of Baltimore, meets Errol Sidney (6-1-2, 2 KOs), of New Orleans, in a 6-round bout to open the television broadcast.

The undercard also features promising Las Vegas-based prospects in four-round bouts: welterweight Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (2-0, 2 KOs), featherweight Sal Lopez (2-0) and junior featherweight Randy Moreno (1-0, 1 KO).

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $149.99 VIP ringside, $119.00 ringside, $74.99 seated and $29.99 rear seated, are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.

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

The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with DLVEC and Neon Star Media.

CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

TITLE Boxing is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series.

INFORMATION:

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

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

Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJRFA

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

Follow these fighters on Twitter: @SDragonClaggett, @TheHeat001 (Van Heerden), @Limbo_1991 (Ponce), @mhawk0_6 (Hawkins), @ej_flash562 (Nichols)

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents extensive live coverage of UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ROTHWELL vs. DOS SANTOS from Zagreb Arena in Zagreb, Croatia.

Fight Network will air the live UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ROTHWELL vs. DOS SANTOS prelims exclusively in Canada this Sunday, April 10 at 12 p.m. ET, preceded by a pre-show at 11 a.m. ET. The main card airs live on TSN2 at 2 p.m. ET.

In the featured prelim, Denmark’s undefeated Nicolas “Sharpshooter” Dalby (14-0-1) faces his toughest test to date against rugged American veteran Zak Cummings (18-4). Meanwhile, British bantamweight Ian Entwistle (9-2) throws down with Mexico’s Alejandro Perez (17-6), Russian lightweight Mairbek Taisumov (24-5) welcomes Bosnia’s Damir Hadzovic to the world-famous Octagon®, plus Croatia’s own Filip Pejic (10-1-1) welcomes Poland’s Damian Stasiak (9-2) into enemy territory for a bantamweight clash.

Before all the action, the fighters will come face-to-face during Fight Network’s live broadcast of the UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ROTHWELL vs. DOS SANTOS weigh-ins on Saturday, April 9 at 11 a.m. ET, as headliners Ben Rothwell and Junior dos Santos tip the scales ahead of their heavyweight main event showdown.

Following Saturday’s main card, Fight Network will broadcast the live UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ROTHWELL vs. DOS SANTOS post-fight press conference in its entirety, featuring all the aftermath.

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 Insider and classic UFC PPV events.

This Sunday, April 10 at 8 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents the Episode 7 premiere of the 10th season of The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights, featuring Roy Nelson, Kimbo Slice, Brendan Schaub, Matt Mitrione and many more. The episode will lead into a full encore presentation of UFC 156: Aldo vs. Edgar from Feb. 2, 2013 in Las Vegas, featuring the first encounter between Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar ahead of their rematch for the interim featherweight title at UFC 200. In other featured attractions, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira meets Rashad Evans and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva faces Alistair Overeem.

The full card for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ROTHWELL vs. DOS SANTOS includes:

Main Card (Live on TSN2, 2 p.m. ET):
-Ben Rothwell (36-9, #4) vs. Junior dos Santos (17-4, #5)
-Derrick Lewis (14-4, 1NC) vs. Gabriel Gonzaga (17-10)
-Francis Ngannou (6-1) vs. Curtis Blaydes (5-0)
-Timothy Johnson (9-2) vs. Marcin Tybura (13-3)
-Igor Pokrajac (25-12, 1NC) vs. Jan Blachowicz (18-5)
-Maryna Moroz (6-1) vs. Cristina Stanciu (5-0)

Preliminary Card (Live on Fight Network, 12 p.m. ET):
-Nicolas Dalby (14-0-1) vs. Zak Cummings (18-4)
-Ian Entwistle (9-2) vs. Alejandro Perez (17-6)
-Mairbek Taisumov (24-5) vs. Damir Hadzovic (10-2)
-Filip Pejic (10-1-1) vs. Damian Stasiak (9-2)

Preliminary Card (Live on UFC Fight Pass, 10:30 a.m. ET):
-Rob Whiteford (12-3) vs. Lucas Martins (15-3)
-Jared Cannonier (7-1) vs. Cyril Asker (7-1)
-Alessio Di Chirico (9-0) vs. Bojan Velickovic (13-3)

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

For More Information Contact:

Fight Network
Ariel Shnerer
Director, Programming & Communications
ashnerer@anthemse.com
www.fightnetwork.com

About Fight Network:

Fight Network (www.fightnetwork.com) is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Suddenlink Communications, Grande Communications and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., all major carriers in Canada, Roku devices across North America, over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East and on TSN Radio in Canada via its program “Live Audio Wrestling.” Fight Network’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. launched Fantasy (FNTSY) Sports Network (www.fantasysportsnetwork.com) across North America in March 2014 and also holds a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel.

NEW YORK (April 7, 2016) – The boxers who will be fighting Saturday, April 16 on a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® world title doubleheader are deep into their respective training camps as they continue preparation for their bouts at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.

In the main event, live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT), the talented and speedy southpaw Gary Russell Jr. (26-1, 15 KOs) makes the first defense of his WBC Featherweight World Title against Irish contender Patrick Hyland (31-1, 15 KOs). In the SHOWTIME co-feature, unbeaten sniper Jose Pedraza (21-0, 12 KOs) risks his IBF 130-pound world title as he defends his title for the second time against a mandatory challenger, Stephen Smith (23-1, 13 KOs).

Russell, who won the 126-pound title with a fourth-round knockout over defending champion Jhonny Gonzalez on March 28, 2015, trains in Washington, D.C.

Hyland, whose only loss suffered was to WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Javier Fortuna, has been training at a gym in Dublin, Ireland, owned and operated by his trainer, Paschal Collins, whose older brother Steve was a former two-time WBO world champion. Paschal Collins also boxed as a pro but is best known for being Irish heavyweight Kevin McBride’s head trainer during his shocking knockout of Mike Tyson.

The switch-hitting Pedraza, a 2012 Puerto Rican Olympian, has been working out in his native Puerto Rico. Smith, of Liverpool, England, has been training in the UK.

Below is what the confident boxers had to say with less than two weeks to go before their major fights:

GARY RUSSELL JR., WBC Featherweight World Champion
(On Training Camp)
“I’ve been in camp in Washington, D.C. for about eight weeks. I suffered the head butt before my November fight but I have been able to train this whole time and returned to sparring eight weeks ago. It’s been a really long training camp but I’m ready to go. This is the hardest part. Fighting is easy, but the preparation before the fight is where the hard work comes in. Being out of the ring so long is difficult, but it’s part of the business. Everything happens for a reason and I’m just really keyed in mentally.”

(On fighting Patrick Hyland)
“Hyland is going to come in there to win. You have to have that confidence to get in the ring. He’s preparing himself, but the question is, will it be good enough? I highly doubt it. We don’t take anyone lightly and we prepare to the best of our abilities. Everyone in the ring can pull off the upset. That’s why I have to be prepared to the fullest.”

“He’s not really a pressure fighter so I might have to take the fight to him. He’s long and rangy and he tries to keep his distance. He’s not a big puncher but he definitely has the ability to steal a fight.”

(On the fighting Russell family)
“My brother Antuanne made the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team in the 141-pound division and he has a chance soon to qualify for the games with a tournament in Azerbaijan. My other brother Antonio is going to be on my undercard as well. Within my family we’re actually the first set of four brothers to all win the National Golden Gloves. That just goes to show the level of coaching we get from our dad, to have a world champion, two Olympians and four National Golden Gloves winners. We’re trying to leave a legacy in this sport. We’re all very similar in temperament and attitude. We all want to be world champions.”

(On dealing with injuries)
“I’ve never had a fight where I was 100 percent. There’s always been something going on. I have had hand injuries since the beginning of my career but we have creative ways to handle that and preserve my hands. Right now, I feel great. I just have to pick my shots more, but that’s where the speed becomes a factor.”

(On possible future opponents)
“If I can get by Hyland, I want to fight the winner of the Lee Selby vs. Eric Hunter fight and unify titles. After that I’d like to see Leo Santa Cruz and take care of that. Then I want another crack at Vasyl Lomachenko. I don’t care what weight Lomachenko is at, I’ll follow him. He has to see me.”

PATRICK HYLAND, Featherweight Contender

(On Training Camp)
“I’ve been training at Celtic Warriors Gym in Dublin since before Christmas because I had a fight here (Ireland) on Feb. 6 but pulled out when I got word that I was fighting on March 12 (at Mohegan Sun). When that fight was postponed, I took it easy for two weeks until the April 16 show was announced. That’s when I started picking up training again. I’ve been training really hard and putting everything on the line to become WBC champ. We plan to arrive in the U.S. a week prior to the fight.”

(On fighting Gary Russell Jr.)
“To challenge a great champion, Gary Russell, Jr., is an honor for me. I think Gary is an awesome fighter with great hand speed and boxing ability. I’ve been working with Jono Carroll, an unbeaten Irish southpaw with good hand speed and good movement, who is ideal for what I have to work on to beat Russell.”

(On fighting again in the U.S.)
“I love fighting in the U.S. because there’s always a great atmosphere at the fights and it’s the real home of boxing. I’ve met friends for life who I consider family from the Marlboro area (Hyland lived in Marlboro, N.Y., for a couple of years). They’ll be at this fight, as always.”

(On the fighting Hyland brothers)
“My brothers are no longer fighting. Their last fights were on the same show, Jan. 28, 2012 in Atlantic City, which I headlined in (against Emmanuel Lucero). My older brother, Edward (“Pride of Tallaght”) fought at super featherweight. He runs his own Boxing Club in Dublin. My other brother, Paulie, was a former European and Irish super bantamweight champion. He is back doing a bit of training. No other members of our Hyland family were in professional boxing. I’m hoping we’re not the last, though, as I’ve got a few nephews and my own son now. One day they might lace up the gloves.”

JOSE PEDRAZA, IBF Super Featherweight World Champion

(On Training Camp)
“I am currently training in the Municipal gym in Cidra, P.R., where I took my first steps in boxing. I decided to train here because it feels like home and I can feel the warmth of my people and I am able to set an example for those who are starting out in boxing as well.”

“My training started in December and it is divided into two sections (morning and evening). During the morning portion we work on all of the specifics of boxing, including gloving up in addition to physical training lasting about three and a half hours. For the evening portion of the training I run. Two days a week it is track training and four days of the week it is distance running for about two hours in the evening, making it a total of about five and a half to six hours of work daily.’’

(On his diet)
“Actually, thank God, I do not have a strict diet and can eat all varieties of foods. I am doing really well with weight and I just reduce portions in the evenings during the final stages of the camp to meet the required 130 pounds. That’s why I do not miss any foods. My favorite foods are steak and other grilled foods. After the weigh-in I prefer the pastas my mom makes. She always prepares three different kinds for me.’’

(On his team)
“My team is composed of Mr. Luis Espada (trainer-manager), Francisco Flores (conditioning and track trainer), Andres Melendez (strength and conditioning) and Dr. Hector Santos (cutman and spiritual director). I’ve been with my trainer, who is my father, for 14 years ever since I threw my first punch. I haven’t made any major changes since I became champion. I’ve remained the same humble young man from a small town. I just push myself more to reach the bigger fights in the five categories from 130 to 154.”

(On his challenger Stephen Smith)
“I have seen some videos with my team of his fights and I can see that he is a boxer with a lot of resources who utilizes hooks to the body just as much as to the head. He is strong but something that works in my favor is that he is a come-forward fighter. He can handle 12 rounds comfortably. I hope on fight night I can neutralize all of his abilities and get the victory. I wouldn’t doubt if the win came by a KO anywhere from the sixth through the eighth round.’’

(Plans for his future in boxing)
“There are conversations about going up to 135. I’ve been at this weight since 2007; my body is demanding for me to go up to 135. Eventually my aspirations as a boxer are to be able to make boxing history not just in Puerto Rico but in the world. I want to go up and be the champion in five categories.”

“First and foremost I would like to face Francisco Vargas; he’s a seasoned boxer and is strong with a lot of rage. He went to the Olympics like I did in 2008 and he became a champion in what could be considered the fight of the year for 2015, very dramatic. It would be the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry. Another fighter who I would like to face is the champion Javier Fortuna. He is simply just a loud mouth with a poor memory (or selective memory) but I’ll send him a note to look up what happened in boxing history during the Roman Cup 2006 in the Dominican Republic. I’ll leave it to him as an assignment.’’

(On his inspiration and role models)
“My biggest inspiration is my family. It is they who always, day after day, are there supporting me as my No. 1 fan. I am a pro-family man and my family is my engine with God as my strength. Together they inspire me to carry the responsibility on my shoulders of doing my best in and out of the ring.’’

“Floyd Mayweather. He is an intelligent boxer and his abilities distinguish himself. He also works and trains very hard and puts in the gym time. He’s a man of his word and he invests 100 percent to each in his training camps and knows how to manage his fans as well. So many fans would like to see him win and just as many like to see him lose, but people just want to see him.’’

STEPHEN SMITH, IBF No. 1 Super Featherweight Contender

(On the significance of this matchup)
“All fights are important but this one is especially very important for me to win so that I can get back to where I was in the division.’’

(On finally getting a crack at the world title)
“I’ve waited a long time for this opportunity, but the timing couldn’t be better. I’m excited to get the opportunity to win the world title live on Sky Sports in the UK and on SHOWTIME in America.’’

(His views of the defending champion)
“Pedraza is a good fighter with a good amateur background and he’s not a world champion for nothing. He can box from either stance but I am confident of winning. I wouldn’t expect it to be an easy fight. It’s a world title fight, it’s meant to be tough. I’m preparing for the best of him; I don’t think he was at his best last time out against (Edner) Cherry.

“He could have lost that fight, but he got the win and he’s going to look to show he’s better than that. We’ve covered all bases as far as sparring for whatever way he comes out, and I think I have the game plan to beat him.

“It’s not like he’s looked at me and thought ‘he’s an easy fight’ – he has no choice if he wants to keep his title. I think this fight has happened at the right time for me. It’s dragged out a bit but I’ve got a good head on my shoulders and I think that everything happens for a reason. My last outing was a career-best performance and I think that this has come at the right time.’’

(On his strategy)
“(Trainer) Joe Gallagher is as meticulous as anyone when it comes to preparing to face someone. Pedraza’s a lot more aggressive from the orthodox stance, but we’ve studied everything and we’re really confident. The gym is still going strong; we were gutted for Scott Quigg as we know how much he gives in the gym for each fight. Spirits were down for a bit but big fights keep coming round, and now I have my fight.”

(On answering the critics who said he’d never fight for a title after his 2011 defeat to Selby)
“Because I had such a successful amateur career, I think that big things were expected of me. I had a bit of bad luck with injury, the loss to Selby set me back, but that was more from people writing me off. Lee is world champion now so there’s no disgrace in that, but people were saying after that fight that I wouldn’t fight for a world title. It can be a fickle sport at times but I’ve come back stronger and I think I will prove a lot of people wrong in America.’’

(On his fighting brothers, Paul, Liam and Callum)
“The family is doing great things, but it’s just something that we all set out to do when we started boxing so it’s not really come as a surprise to us. We work hard every day and we’ve hit the goals we’ve set ourselves; Liam is world champion, Paul has boxed for the world title twice, Callum is on the verge and I box for a world title soon. Four brothers fighting for world titles is a massive achievement but for us, it’s not enough — we want to win them. I think it’s very achievable for us, Paul is back tonight and he’s looking for another shot, so it’s realistic to say that three of us will box for world titles this year.’’

(On making his U.S. debut)
“The training is the same but there’s more pressure and more media attention on this one as it’s the big one. I’ve never boxed in the states myself but I’ve been over there with Paul and Callum, and anyone who has brothers that box will tell you it is worse when they are fighting than when it’s your own fight. I know what to expect over there and I’m going to embrace it and soak it all up.”

For more information, visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @MrGaryRussellJr, @PajPunisher, @Sniper_Pedraza, @SwiftySmith, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.

The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment. The bout featuring Pedraza and Smith is promoted in association with Gary Shaw Productions, Universal Promotions and Matchroom Boxing.

Brooklyn, N.Y. (Thursday, April 7, 2016) – Ronson Frank’s Uprising Promotions returns to the Five Star Banquet Hall this Saturday night, as stablemate Samuel “Main Event” Clarkson (17-3, 11 KOs) meets Hungarian veteran Istvan Zeller (30-10, 9 KOs) for the NABF Jr. Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event.

“We are very excited about this lineup, especially with us being able to put together this championship opportunity for the leading man on our roster, Samuel Clarkson,” said Ronson Frank, President of Uprising Promotions. “Samuel did a lot of great things last year, and now we are looking to step things up in 2016, get him some hardware and put him into a position to fight for a world title. He has really found his stride since settling in as a light heavyweight, and he belongs in the conversation with all of the guys at the top of the division.”

A Texas native, Clarkson won five fights in 2015 to extend his current winning streak to seven bouts. Among those victories included a decision over former world title challenger Cedric Agnew and knockouts of highly touted prospects Jerry Odom and Lavarn Harvell on ShoBox: The New Generation. The 25-year-old has been continually improving and showing significant growth since signing with Uprising Promotions last year, and Saturday marks the first time that he has officially fought on a card hosted by the promotion.

Ultra-popular New Yorker Alicia “The Empress” Napoleon (5-0, 4 KOs) will also be featured on the Saturday night docket, her second consecutive bout on the Uprising Promotions platform, when she meets Louisiana tough Latashia Burton. In her last outing, the Long Island native won in dominant fashion against gritty Hungarian veteran Szilvia Szabados to claim the WBC Women’s Silver Middleweight Championship. The hard-hitting and crafty Napoleon always brings a great crowd to each and every one of her bouts, and Saturday night will be no different.

“Alicia Napoleon always puts on great fights, and she brings a madhouse crowd every time she steps into the ring,” Frank continued. “She is matched tough on Saturday night, but we expect another great performance from her.”

Supporting those two feature bouts will be an incredible undercard that will showcase some promising young prospects.

Undefeated welterweight Peter Dobson (6-0, 5 KOs) will be among those returning to action when he fights battle-tested Malik Jackson, a 14-bout veteran who is facing his 11th unbeaten opponent as a professional. Dobson enters this contest on a five-fight knockout streak, stopping every adversary since a unanimous decision in his pro debut.

Two additional bouts scheduled to occur on the program include a super welterweight pairing between Matthew Armstrong (1-0) and Malik Joe (0-1), as well as a women’s flyweight scrap between two-time New York Golden Gloves champion Natalie Gonzalez (1-0) and pro debuting Rachel Sazoff.

Additional combatants on the show include Brooklyn lightweight Jude Franklin (1-0, 1 KO), Queens middleweight Villi Bello (3-1-1, 1 KO), hard-hitting Brooklyn heavyweight Romarick Ngoula (4-0, 4 KOs) and New York featherweight Jose Gonzalez (1-0). Franklin will face Texas native Rex Jackson, Bello squares off against Texan Mike Lemelle (3-1-1), Ngoula meets Glenn Thomas of Philadelphia, while Gonzalez looks to continue his winning ways against Puerto Rican pugilist Jaxell Marrero.

“On the undercard, fans will get a chance to look at a very good up-and-coming prospect in Peter Dobson. He is another guy who we are looking to help groom and put into a position for a TV fight in the near future,” Frank stated. “We are truly loaded with an entertaining show from top to bottom on Saturday night. It will be another great night of boxing overall, and I am very proud of the product that we were able to put together.

Originally slated for action on Saturday night was 2012 USA and PAL national champion Patrick Day (11-2-1, 6 KOs), who won the New York Golden Gloves at 152 pounds in 2012. The former USA Olympic alternate was undefeated in his first 10 professional bouts as a welterweight before falling to unbeaten Alantez Fox on ShoBox: The New Generation in 2015. Look for Day to take part on an upcoming show by Uprising Promotions.

The first bell on Saturday night is scheduled for 7:00 PM sharp, with doors opening at 6:30 PM. The Five Star Banquet Hall is located at 13-05 43rd Avenue in Long Island City, and its intimate setting ensures that there is not a bad seat in the house. Tickets are priced at $60 for general admission and $100 for ringside seating, and there is also a table option with dinner. For pricing on those tables, call (516) 451-6773.

This Uprising Promotions card will continue its initiative to KO Autism, with proceeds from the night getting donated to The School For Language and Communication Development (SLCD) in Glen Cove, New York. This show is being sponsored by Brooklyn Brothers, Sleep Inn, Alma Restaurant and Charlie’s Auto Collision in Long Island City.

For more information on Uprising Promotions and to keep up with all of our latest news, make sure to check out www.UprisingPromotions.com and follow us on social media: @UprisingNYC

MONTREAL, April 7th 2016 – A press conference to discuss the WBC super-middleweight world championship bout between Lucian Bute and Badou Jack was held Wednesday at the Bell Centre La Cage – Brasserie sportive restaurant In Montreal. Here is what the participants had to say.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PICTURES.
Credit: Vincent Ethier / InterBox

Lucian Bute
Former IBF super middleweight world champion
“This chance at another world championship fight is a great opportunity for me. Taking part in two world championship bouts in a row is not easy, but it makes me quite proud. I’m in good health and I’ve been in th gym since February. When the phone rang, I said yes without hesitation. When you are given the opportunity to fight for a world title, at this level, you cannot refuse. I haven’t been injured in a long time. Although I had some small doubts before going up against DeGale, after the performance I came up with against him, my confidence level is now at 100%. I can see it in the gym and everyone can see it, including my trainers and my sparring partners! I’m hungry for another championship title, like I was when I was younger, at age 26 and 27. I want to take away the belt from Badou Jack. I respect him, he has a good background at the amateur level, he went to the Olympic Games and he showed that he was part of the boxing elite when he beat Anthony Dirrell and George Groves. But on April 30, the province of Quebec will have a new champion!”

Badou Jack
WBC Super Middleweight World Champion
“I’m excited to face a great champion like Lucian Bute who I know will bring the best out of me. I’m looking forward to showing off all of my skills,” said Jack. “I want to be considered the best in the division. Undisputed. I have to beat great fighters like Bute to get there and I look forward to the challenge.”

Howard Grant
Lucian Bute’s trainer
“We will go to the American capital and bring back the belt! When the phone call came, we sat down in the office, Lucian and I. I asked him what were his thoughts about such a matchup and he anwered : ‘Howard, I would go up against him for free. I will win!’ That’s all I needed to hear. Training Lucian is easy; he is a student of the sport. He watches a lot of video. He makes me a better trainer.”

Jean Bédard
President – InterBox
“This is good for boxing in Quebec. Lucian’s performance against James DeGale put him back where he belongs: at the top! I told him after that fight that the phone would soon start to ring. And I am convinced that he will be even better this time, because he has found his confidence back. It has also been 13 years since Éric Lucas had his WBC belt stolen away from him in Germany. When we signed Lucian, we said that we would get Éric’s old title back, but I never thought that such an opportunity would come 13 years later! Lucian’s performance will give a big boost to boxing in Quebec.”

Éric Lucas
Former WBC super-middleweight world champion and InterBox representative
“I’m very proud that Lucian now has the opportunity to bring back the belt that was stolen away from me in Germany. I am convinced he can bring back the title here in Quebec. It will not be easy against Jack : he has a long reach, he punches hard and h relies on a good right hand, but Lucian has the tools to win. I predict, in fact, that he will bring back the belt in Quebec and I will then be proud to say that this belt used to be mine! This will put me back on the map!”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and InterBox in association with Matchroom Boxing, are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster locations, or call (800) 745-3000.

For further information, visit www.interbox.ca, www.mayweatherpromotions.com and www.SHO.com/Sports and follow on Twitter at: @BadouJack, @ButeLucian, @JamesDeGale1, @PorkyMedina @MayweatherPromo, @SHOSports, @Interboxca and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

LONDON (April 7, 2016) – IBF Heavyweight World Champion Charles Martin and unbeaten British Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Joshua faced off at the final press conference on Thursday at Four Seasons Hotel in London as they near Saturday’s heavyweight showdown, live on SHOWTIME from The O2.

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® telecast begins live at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME. An encore presentation will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Here’s what Martin and Joshua had to say at Thursday’s final press conference.

CHARLES MARTIN:
“I don’t consider this a risk. The O2 Arena, that’s my arena. I’m comfortable everywhere I go. When eyes are on me, I’m going to perform.

“I know how to move my head and be evasive. Real true analysts see the things I do. They can tell.

“I’m always here to prove the doubters wrong. When you doubt me, that just fuels my fire.

“We’re going to keep the tide rolling. We’re rolling.”

ANTHONY JOSHUA:
“They know when it comes to these big heavy-hitters we don’t play games. We’re here to go to war. We’ve just got two generals in the ring and the best army wins.

“You know what I’m like, I’m a fighter. I’m not going to go in there and dance around and try to evade punches. I’m going to walk through two to give him five. That’s just how it goes, I’m coming for him.

“I’m here to box, but at the same time I know I’m ready to swim through deep waters to get it. It’s not going to be easy, I know that for a fact, no fight is easy. That’s why I said to you I will box and hopefully it will be an easy night.

“It most definitely is a risk, but at the same time let’s scrap all this 15-fight, 16-fight nonsense and let’s put men in the ring together who want it. Whoever wants it comes out on top and it’s simple as that.”

When asked if he can control his emotions: “Probably not. I’ll probably go out and try to take his head off.”

Additional Fight Week Quotes (free to use):

CHARLES MARTIN:

“I don’t know how the fans will react to me knocking him out, but that’s what is going to happen. I don’t know how the fans in London will react, but I can only be myself.

“I’m world champion, but a lot of people don’t know me. After I knock him out we’ll see where that goes.

“I’m not going to go in there respecting anybody’s power. He’s going to have to respect me and my power and deal with me and my tools. I don’t care what he’s bringing to the table.

“This is my livelihood and I get real emotional with this. If you don’t take emotion into it then how are you even going to win? I’ve got to walk my own path. When I get emotional ahead of a big fight like this, I feel that I cannot be stopped. Even if I have doubt, I always have that.

“I don’t think about where he’s been. All I care about is where he’s going. I don’t care if he’s been in deep water before, or how many rounds he’s been. I want him to remember the word ‘timber’ because I’m going to make his ass hit that canvas real hard.

“This belt is mine. He’s trying to take what’s mine, take something from me. He’s trying to steal food out of my mouth, out of my kids’ mouth, out of my family’s mouth. This is my livelihood.

“I don’t want to let this go: this is never going to end. I want to be known as the greatest southpaw heavyweight that ever put on a set of gloves.

“When I get to this point now, I can’t be stopped. I’m like Lamon Brewster versus Wladimir Klitschko when he unloaded all those shots until he couldn’t throw anymore punches. And then what did Lamon Brewster do? Knock him the (expletive) out. Just that will to win, man. You can throw whatever you want, but I’ll walk through fire to get you.

“It’s controlled aggression, though, because if it’s not, you’ll run into everything they throw at you. I go in there with my antennas to the ceiling and I won’t take my eyes off him until the job is done.

“Everything is just cooking in the kitchen like I am a master chef, and all of the ingredients put together make it perfect.

“Life is all about taking risks but I don’t consider this a risk because I’m confident in what I do. It’s all about just taking that first step. You’ve got to walk out on your own and you’ve got to believe in yourself. If I didn’t believe in myself I wouldn’t have made it this far. If I didn’t believe in myself I wouldn’t be Prince Charles Martin.

“The belt is absolutely in the right hands. I didn’t want to win it the way I did – that was just crazy – I don’t even really like talking about it because it wasn’t my fault. Afterwards, he walked out of the venue – he didn’t limp or get carried out, he walked. If that was me I’d have fought on and gone out on my shield. You’d have to knock me out no matter what. I don’t care if I break my hand, if I break my jaw, I am not stopping.”

ANTHONY JOSHUA:
“I believe I am ready to win the world title. A lot of people have said that this might be too soon for me, that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, but right now my knuckles are itchy and I just want to get in there and show the world what I can do.

“When my promoter Eddie Hearn called me up and said ‘do you want to fight Charles Martin for the world heavyweight title?’ I just said: ‘Let’s roll’.

“Opportunity knocks and you have to open the door. I have trained and prepared correctly and am ready for this. There’s no turning back. I just embrace it.

“We saw the opportunity when Martin called me out. I was like, ‘OK Mr. IBF calling me out.’ The IBF champ calling out the British champ. I’ve got the heavyweight champion of the world calling me out saying he wants to fight me. I say cool. Let’s rock and roll.

“At the end of the day, let’s strip away the heavyweight title and let’s look at the opponent I’m facing. Charles Martin is a southpaw who can box and who can punch a bit.

“Facing a southpaw always comes with different angles and different tricks. I can’t go in recklessly because you can easily get counter punched. That’s why sparring is important and having a successful camp is important. I know I’ve done all I can to prepare myself for him.

“Let’s welcome Charles into the Lion’s den. He’s coming to The O2 – this is my stomping ground. When I fight here it’s electric and it’s going to be an amazing atmosphere, the best yet. It’s going to be interesting to see how he handles it. What a night it will be if I can lift that belt above my head.

“Sometimes you got to put talent to one side and dig deep. This is the fight game; you got to prove to yourself that when tactics aren’t working, you’ve got to dig a bit deeper, go to war and find a way to win. That’s what I thought when I fought Dillian (Whyte). Certain things weren’t working, I was rushing a bit, I wasn’t in my comfort zone, but I dug deep I found a way to win and I ended the night in a spectacular knockout.

“After I do the business with Martin, a fight with (Tyson) Fury is 10 or 12 months away — providing he handles his business in (Wladimir) Klitschko rematch.

“I find Fury a bit irritating to be honest. All his antics work for him, I suppose, but I can’t wait to fight him. He’s had plenty to say about me, and it’s coming from the same guy that was singing my praises when I sparred with him when I was a complete novice.

“As time goes on, it’s going to get worse for the others because my confidence will grow, I’ll train, learn and take it into the ring.

“David Haye? Bring it on. My heart tells me I am ready. I am at championship level now. After I get Martin out of the way, David is a massive name and when we’re ready to get it on it will be a huge fight.”

# # #

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

DENVER – April 7, 2016 – On Cinco De Mayo weekend, Golden Boy Promotions, Fathom Events and O’Reilly Auto Parts will present a match-up between two of boxing’s biggest stars with Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan, broadcast live from Las Vegas’ new T-Mobile Arena to select movie theaters across the U.S. This mega-fight promises high-intensity action between two of boxing’s most powerful athletes competing in the prime of their careers; WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez makes his first title defense of 2016 against former two-time world champion and resurgent contender Amir “King” Khan. The event will be presented live on Saturday, May 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. CT / 7:00 p.m. MT / 6:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. AK / 3:00 p.m. HI.

Additionally, three exciting fights have been confirmed leading up to the Canelo vs. Khan mega-fight. In the co-main event of the evening, Canada’s biggest boxing star and former IBF Middleweight World Champion David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs) will be looking to make an impression and use his power against the swift contender from Passaic, New Jersey, Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-2, 15 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round middleweight fight. Top rated contender and former WBA Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-5) will move up to welterweight to square off against East L.A.’s undefeated Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (20-0, 13 KOs) in a ten-round welterweight fight. Opening up the televised undercard, Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs) will face Curtis Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) in a ten-round career-defining middleweight bout.

Tickets for Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 200 movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

At the age of 25, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs), the current WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion, has conquered the boxing world, captivating fans both at home and around the globe with his action-packed fighting style, charisma and willingness to take on the toughest challenges. The 2015 Fighter of the Year candidate’s road to stardom began in 2011 with a win over Matthew “Magic” Hatton for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World title. On November 21, 2015, Canelo defeated future Hall-of-Famer Miguel Cotto for the WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight Championship in front of a packed arena at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas and more than 900,000 homes across the country. The unanimous decision victory cemented Canelo’s status as boxing’s biggest draw and among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

“This fight, against Amir Khan on May 7, is one of the biggest fights of my career, and I am glad that all my loyal fans will have the opportunity to support me not only at the new T-Mobile in Las Vegas, but also in theaters across the country. That makes me even more motivated to defeat Amir Khan and offer fans a fight full of high intensity,” said Canelo Alvarez

Bolton, Lancashire, England native, Amir “King” Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) catapulted into the media spotlight after winning the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Khan turned professional on July 16, 2005 with a first round technical knockout victory over Phil Edwards. Since then, Khan’s highlights include giving Carlos Molina his first professional loss in December 2012 and defeating former IBF Lightweight World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz in April 2013, securing the WBC Silver Welterweight title. In May 2014 Khan secured the WBA International Welterweight title against Luis Collazo, and went on to defend his titles in spectacular fashion against former three-time world champion Devon “The Great” Alexander in December 2014 and former WBO Super Lightweight World Champion Chris Algieri in May 2015. Now, “King” Khan will be looking to become a world champion again when he faces Canelo.

“Saturday May 7 is going to witness a special moment in my career,” said Amir Khan. “I’m facing a great champion in Canelo Alvarez and know I will need to be at my very best. I’m ready to give everything to win this fight and I’m delighted that boxing fans will be able to watch this fantastic event live on the big screen.”

Fathom Events Vice President of Programming Kymberli Frueh said, “This event is set to be a ‘must-see’ fight. Boxing fans nationwide will enjoy thrilling views of this classic speed vs. power bout, up on the big screen and bigger-than-life.”

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 7th, 2016) — They say it’s sometimes better to be lucky than good, but Pedro Gonzalez hasn’t even had enough good fortune lately to show he good he might be.

How many fighters have had to withdraw from a fight due to a poison ivy outbreak? The list — if there is one — is probably short, yet it actually happened to Gonzalez not too long ago, canceling what would’ve been a must-see bout against Chris Foster.

A series of strange mishaps have kept Gonzalez (10-5) on the shelf for far too long. Other than Muay Thai fights, Gonzalez hasn’t competed since June of 2014, but still carries a three-fight win streak into his long-awaited return Saturday, April 16th, 2016 in the main event of “CES MMA 35” at the historic North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Mass.

The talent and the foundation are there. The Gloucester, Mass., native now needs the consistency and activity to put his name back in the mix among the best bantamweights in the northeast.

“I want to go somewhere,” said Gonzalez, who fights Boston’s Andres Jeudi (7-5, 3 KOs) in next Saturday’s main event. “I need someone who can sign me so I can perform like I know I can.”

A win next weekend would be a step in the right direction. The experienced Jeudi, who has faced regional standouts Saul Almeida, Matt Bessette, Leon Davis and Lucas Cruz, among others, makes his seventh CES MMA appearance on the 16th, so he knows what to expect at this level. He’s also the more effective striker of the two, whereas Gonzalez is a noted submission specialist with nine of his 10 wins coming by submission.

“I feel like if I overwhelm him with my striking, he’ll try to take me down,” Jeudi said. “I’ve always had those guys who want to strike or say they want to strike until I hit them once.

“He can try to make the attempt to submit me, but I’ve fought some pretty good grapplers, brown belts, and even they couldn’t submit,” continued Jeudi, who’s never been stopped in 12 pro fights. “He can make all the attempts he wants, but I don’t think he’s going to submit me.”

Though not considered a striker, Gonzalez competed at Lion Fights 26 in November, a Muay Thai event, and stood toe-to-toe with Sean Fagan, winning by unanimous decision. Jeudi promises to bring a different look into next weekend’s fight, perhaps more well-rounded than in the past.

“I’m going to go into this fight as an MMA fighter and not a Thai boxer,” he said. “Pedro has fought for Lion Fights a bunch of times, but this is MMA, not Muay Thai.”

Gonzalez doesn’t care how he wins as long as he leaves Beverly with his streak intact. Coming from a region where so many fighters have carved their path to the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) through CES MMA — Rob Font, Tateki Matsuda, Kyle Bochniak, to name a few — it’s hard for Gonzalez to not feel as though his long layoff might’ve prevented him from getting the call instead.

“This is probably one of my greatest opportunities,” Gonzalez said. “It’s not televised, but just to fight close to home and headline for CES, I can’t thank them enough for this opportunity. I just want to shine now.

“If things go well, I’d love to be on one of those televised cards and go from there. A lot of guys who come from CES have gone onto the UFC. I’ve been here a long time, eight years in the game. I just feel like it’s my time. It’s now. I need to put in the work and I need to get there. I have two kids I need to support. Money right now isn’t where it needs to be. I need big bucks and I need the right fights. I want to get there.

“Those other guys that got there, they were busy. The UFC wants guys that are busy. They were busy, they looked good and they got the call.”

Whatever prevented Gonzalez from staying as active as he needed to be, he’s put that in the rearview mirror and is instead focused on the present. Three days away from his anticipated return, his weight is on point and — “fingers crossed,” as he says — there’s nothing standing in his way of stepping back inside that cage.

“I had some injuries in camp and I was still fighting injuries from my last fight in November, but, luckily, I’m healthy and I feel good,” Gonzalez said. “I feel good about this one.”

Tickets for “CES MMA 35” are priced at $35.00, $50.00 and $100.00 (VIP) and can also be purchased online at www.nsmt.org, by phone at 978-232-7200 or at the North Shore Music Theatre Box Office. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET and the first bout begins at 7. All bouts are subject to change.

Sparks will fly in the heavyweight division when Tyler King (9-4, 3 KOs) of North Attleboro, Mass., faces Providence’s Eric Bedard (6-6, 4 KOs) for the third time in four years with each fighter having won once by first-round knockout. King beat Bedard in February 2012, only to have Bedard avenge the loss nearly two years to the date in 2014.

There’s even more at stake in the rubber match as each fighter looks to snap a two-fight losing streak. King last fought in October, losing to Patrick Walsh at World Series of Fighting 24, while Bedard suffered a submission loss to Parker Porter at Bellator 140.

Also on the pro portion of the card, Quincy, Mass., middleweight Mike Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line against Buck Pineau (1-2) of Ashland, Maine in a rematch of their amateur bout in which Pineau won by third-round submission. Pineau returns to CES MMA for the first time since October when an arm injury cut short his match against Pat McCrohan at “CES MMA XXXI.”

Rounding out the main card of “CES MMA 35,” Medford, Mass., lightweight Lewis Corapi (6-2, 3 KOs) faces Keenan Raymond (3-2, 1 KO) of Providence, R.I., who scored his first career knockout win in January at “CES MMA XXXII,” and Boston’s Devin Carrier (0-1) searches for his first win as a pro in a lightweight bout against Meriden, N.H., native Wayne Ahlquist (1-2, 1 KO). Corapi looks to rebound from a stunning second-round knockout loss to Jay Bakanowski at “CES MMA XXVIII.”

Rico DiSciullo (5-0, 2 KOs), an undefeated Peabody, Mass., native with three appearances each for Bellator and CES MMA, will face Ohio’s Jake Constant (6-9, 2 KOs) in a rematch. The two went toe-to-toe at “CES MMA XXX” with Constant forced to tap out in the opening round due to a shoulder injury.

On the amateur side, Mark Bordieri of Foxborough, Mass., faces Nick O’Connell of Cranston, R.I., in a bantamweight bout; welterweight Jamie Collins of Woonsocket, R.I., battles Boston’s Jon Ciampa; and Aaron Reverdes of Pawtucket, R.I., faces Joao Ramos of Framingham, Mass., in a featherweight bout.

Also on the amateur portion of the card, Providence’s Marquis Brewster faces Billy Keenan of Salem, Mass., and Boston’s Sean Murrin (1-0, 1 KO) battles featherweight John Douma (2-1) of Providence. All amateurs are competing for a promotional contract with CES MMA.

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