Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to congratulate the fighter he co-promotes (along with Oswaldo Kuchle of Promociones Del Pueblo), Hugo “Cuatito” Ruiz, for his title winning victory on Saturday night.

Fighting on the Showtime-televised co-main event last Saturday (February 27) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Ruiz (36-3, 32 KOs) gained revenge against Julio Cesar Ceja and took back his WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship via TKO 1 (:51 seconds).

“Hugo was the fighter I knew he was tonight,” said a happy Lewkowicz. “In the first fight, he gave this guy too much respect. This time he came out looking to destroy him and he did.”

Ruiz and Ceja met for the first time last August. A big left hook in the third round had Ceja nearly out, but Ceja landed his own hook in the fifth and ended up with a TKO victory, seconds later.

In the rematch on Saturday, Ruiz dropped Ceja with one of his first few punches, sending him down hard and injuring his ankle. Ceja rose but the follow-up barrage ended matters for good.

Lewkowicz says the future is now bright for his 29-year-old fighter from Los Mochis, Mexico.

“Ceja is crying for a third fight, but we are not looking at that,” said Lewkowicz. “Except for one lucky punch in the first fight, Hugo has dominated him every round. We are more interested in one of the other super bantamweight champions in this exciting division.”

Lewkowicz says there’s a unification fight he wants above all the rest for Ruiz. “I enjoy a good working relationship with the team behind now-unified champion Carl Frampton. We would be willing to travel to Europe to make that sensational fight happen.”
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

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

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

LONDON (Feb. 28, 2016) – Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) and Amir “King” Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) took time on Sunday, Feb. 28 to kick off their press conference tour week visiting some of London’s most recognizable landmarks. The fighters posed for photos alongside their teams at the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The Shard, London Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Oxo Tower, London Eye and Westminster-House of Parliament.

The press tour will continue for the fighters with a press conference at The Park Plaza Riverbank London on Monday, Feb. 29. The tour will move on to New York on Tuesday, March 1 at the Hard Rock Cafe’s Live Venue in Times Square and will finish off at the Five Tower Stage at Universal City Walk Hollywood on Wednesday, March 2. All events are open to the public.

Current WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez is set to clash with former two-time world champion and resurgent contender Amir “King” Khan in a 12-round world championship battle on Cinco De Mayo weekend, Saturday, May 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Casa Mexico Tequila. The mega-event will take place on Saturday, May 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

B-roll and images of the fighters are available for use and download
here: bit.ly/canelokhan. Video and photo credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.HBO.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @TMobileArena, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya @HBOboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.Facebook.com/tmobilearena and www.Facebook.com.HBOboxing, join us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @tmobilearena, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, and follow the conversation using #CaneloKhan.

Claudio Abalos held on to take a 12-round unanimous decision over Noe Gonzalez Alcoba in a Middleweight bout at Club Social y Deportivo El Porvenir in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Abalos scored knockdowns in round’s two and six but was down twice in the final frame, but he built a lead and won by scores of  116-107 twice and 115-108.

Abalos is now 30-14-3.  Alcoba is 30-5.

Elias Vallejos won a 6-round unanimous decision over Segundo Semteno in a Welterweight bout.

In round four, Senteno was deducted a point for a low blow.

Vallejos won by scores of 60-53 twice and 60-54 and is now 19-5-1.  Senteno is 8-7-1,

Ramon Sena stopped Cristian Gramajo in round three of a scheduled 6-round Welterweight bout.

In round two, Sena dropped Gramajo with a right hand.  After taking a few punches in round three, Gramajo’s corer stopped the bout.

Sena is 21-15-2 with 12 knockouts.  Gramajo is 17-3-1.

German Peralta and Maximilliano Brizuela battled to a 4-round draw in a Middleweight bout.

Scores were 38.5-38.5 on all cards.

Peralta is 3-1-4.  Brizuela is 2-1-2.

Leo Santa Cruz made the first defense of the WBA Feathweight title with a fifth round stoppage over former champion Kiko Martinez at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Santa Cruz dumped Martinez just seconds into the fight with a right hand. Later in the round, it was an uppercut that sent Martinez to the canvas.

In round five, Santa Cruz landed a fuselage of punches on the ropes with Martinez punching sparingly and the fight was stopped at 2:09.

Santa Cruz, 125 lbs of Los Angeles is 32-0-1 with 18 knockouts. Martinez, 125 1/2 lbs of Spain is 35-7.

Hugo Ruiz evened up the score by scoring a first round stoppage over Julio Ceja to win the WBC Super Bantamweight title.

In the first 15 seconds, Ruiz dropped Ceja with a huge right hand. Seconds later a huge barrage on the ropes forced the referee to stop the fight at 51 seconds.

Ruiz, 122 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is now 36-3 with 31 knockouts. Ceja, 121 1/2 lbs of Altizpen, MX is now 30-2.

 

 

 

Follow all the action LIVE  from Ringside at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden as Terence Crawford defends the WBO Jr. Welterweight title against Hank Lundy.  The action begins at 10 PM ET /7 PM PT with a Lightweight contest between future star Fleix Verdejo taking on William Silva in a battle of undefeated Lightweights.

THE PAGE WILL REFRESH EVERY 60 SECONDS AUTOMATICALLY 

Round 1 Lundy lands a left..Jab from Crawford..

Round 2

Round 3 Crawford lands a left from distance…Hard jab from Lundy…Left from Crawford..Jab..

Round 4 Crawford gets in a left..inside right..Lundy cut above right eye…

Round 5 Lundy gets in a right hook..Straight left hurts Lundy…BIG LEFT IN CORNER AND DOWN GOES LUNDY…crawford ALL OVER LUNDY AND ANOTHER STRAIGHT LEFT ROCKS LUNDY AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

 

Round 1 Silva gets in a left..

Round 2 Verdejo lands a right over the top…Left to body…1-2

Round 3 Combination from Verdejo

Round 4 Verdejo lands a jab

Round 5 Good left hook by Verdejo…Right over the top..

Round 6 Verdejo lands a right to the body…Verdejo warned for a low blow…right from Verdejo

Round 7 Verdejo jabbing

Round 8 Verdejo lands a right to the body…

Round 9 Right from Verdejo..Right from Silva…Left hook..

Round 10 Right from Verdejo…2 hard left hooks

100-90 twice and 99-91 for VERDEJO

Terence Crawford retained the WBO Jr. Welterweight title with a 5th round stoppage over Hank Lundy at a sold out Madison Square Garden Theater.

It was a close fight early with Lundy getting in a few shots.  Lundy was cut above the right eye in round four from an accidental headbutt.  In round five, Crawford caught Lundy with a left down the middle that rocked the challenger.  Crawford jumped on Lundy and the two had a heated exchange with Crawford getting the better to the point where another left hand sent Lundy Spawling to the canvas in his corner.  Lundy got up to only eat a barrage of heavy punches that forced referee Steve Willis to stop the bout at 2:09

Crawford, 139.2 lbs of Omaha, NEB is 28-0 with 20 knockouts.  Lundy, 138.2 lbs of Philadelphia is 26-6-1.

Crawford Quotes

What did you tell Lundy after the fight?

I told him good fight and I appreciate him taking the fight

Cause I got my respect – I said he was going to respect me at the end of the fight and he was going to respect me today and I respect him back. He said good fight it’s all love and I appreciate it

Why do you get hit in eearly rounds?

Cause they are earlier rounds and we are feeling each other out. Once I make the adjustment I start touching him more

Seems like you have more power

I was killing myself to make 135 and it was taking a lot out of me. I want to thank got for the V.

I told everyone I got power in both hands and the boxing ability that I have and it’s going to take me a long way in this game

I never duck anyone and I’ll fight anybody. My manager will make the fights happen and and I will train and fight.

Hot-shot prospect, Felix Verdejo won a 10-round unanimous decision over Willian Silva in a battle of undefeated Lightweights.

Verdejo was solid throughout and won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91.

Verdejo, 135 lbs of San Juan, PR is 19-1.  Silva, 134.4 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 23-1.

Verdejo Quotes

“I felt very goodd uring the fight. My opponent moved a lot, but I did what I had to do and got the win”

“This is a new learning experience. I will learn from this and I will keep moving forward”

Julian Rodriguez remained perfect with an 8-round unanimous decision over King Daluz in a Super Lightweight bout.

Rodriguez dropped Daluz with a right to the body in round seven and cruised home to the victory by scores of 80-71 on all cards.

Rodriguez, 141.6 lbs of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ is now 12-0.  Daluz, 140.4 lbs of Santa Cruz, Spain is 12-3-2.

Juan Carlos Torres remained undefeated with a 3rd round stoppage over Miguel Gloria in a scheduled 4-round Lightweight contst.

Torres scored a knockdown in round one and floored Gloria twice more in round two.  Gloria only lasted 20 seconds into round three before the fight was halted.

Torres, 136.4 lbs of Trujillo Alto, PR is 4-0 with three knockouts.  Gloria, 136 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 1-2.

Christopher Diaz was impressive in scoring a 4th round stoppage over Angel Luna in a scheduled 8-round Featherweight bout.

Diaz pummeled and rocked Luna in round three with heavy blows.  In round four, Diaz landed a booming right that basically knocked Luna out on his feet.  prone in the corner, Diaz unloaded two more blows and the bout was stopped at 2:42 of round four.

Diaz, 127 lbs of Barranquitas, PR is 15-0 with 10 knockouts.  Luna, 126.8 lbs of Santiago, DR is 12-2-1.

 

World ranked Light Heavyweight Seanie Monaghan tuned up Janne Forsman in round five of their scheduled 10-round bout.

Monaghan landed a flurry of body shots in round four that sent Forsmann to his knees.  Monaghan continued the assault until the bout was halted at 1:34 of round five.

Monaghan, 179.8 lbs of Long Beach, NY is 26-0 with 17 knockouts.  Forsmann, 177 lbs of Vassam FIN is 21-4.

Emanuel Taylor scored a sixth round stoppage over Wilfredo Acuna in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Welterweight bout

In round six, Taylor landed a blistering combination that featured a right uppercut and left hook that sent Acuna to the canvas and the fight was waved off at 2:59

Taylor, 143.8 lbs of Baltimore, MD is 19-4-2 with 13 knockouts. Acuna, 144 lbs of Minagua, NIC is 15-19.

Carl Frampton took a 12-round split decision over Scott Quigg in an highly anticipated Super Bantamweight unification bout at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Scores were 116-112 twice for Frampton, who now adds the WBA 122 lb crown to his IBF title. Frampton is 21-0. Quigg of Manchester is now 31-1-2.

Washington, D.C.. (February, 27, 2016) – TONIGHT, February 27th,King’s Promotions returns to our nation’s capital of Washington, D.C with a big night of boxing at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

A solid nine bout card that will feature Super Lightweight contender Ty Barnett battling former world title challenger Daniel Attah in a bout scheduled for 10-rounds.

The entire card will be streamed LIVE on GFL.TV at 6 PM ET for $14.99 by CLICKING HERE

Barnett of Washington, D.C. has a record of 22-4-1 with 14 knockouts.

He turned professional in 2005 and went 16-0-1 in his first 17 bouts.

The 33 year-old has wins over Deon Nash (3-0), Pavel Miranda (17-1); Jose Leonardo Cruz (13-3-2); Johnnie Edwards (14-2-1); Tyrese Hendrix (18-1-1); Barnett is looking to get back in the win column following his 9th round stoppage defeat to former world title challenger Cosme Rivera on May 31, 2014 in Washington, D.C.

Attah of Washington, D.C via Nigeria has a record of 28-21-1 with 11 knockouts.

Attah, 37 years-old is a 20 year veteran who has some terrific wins on his resume.

He has wins over Miguel Figueroa (4-0-1), Elvis Ortiz (1-0-1), Brian Adams (7-0-1), Juan Carlos Suarez (14-2-2), Hicklet Lau (10-2-2), Kareem Braithwaite (6-1).

He won the WBO-NABO Super Featherweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over Aldo Valtierra on February 25, 2000. After winning the title he had three more quality wins over Keylang Umana (19-2), Ariel Nestal (24-2-4) and former world title challenger Ever Beleno (38-8) to set up a shot at undefeated WBO Super Featherweight champion Acelino Freitas.

Attah showed his toughness by going the distance with the Brazilian knockout artist, but fell short by losing a 12-round unanimous decision.

The loss to Freitas did not dissuade Attah as in his next bout he defeated Toncho Tonchev (27-1). Attah also has wins over Isidro Granados (14-1-2) & Marvin Quintero (20-2).

Attah has fought 6 world champions and 7 men who have fought for world titles.

In an 8-round bout, Jordan Shimmell (19-1, 16 KO’s) of Hudsonville, MI will take on upset minded Willis Lockett (14-15-5, 5 KO’s) of Takoma Park, MD in a Crusierweight bout.

Shimmell of Hudsonville, Michigan has a record of 19-1 with 16 knockouts and is looking to rebound after suffering his first professional defeat.

The 27 year-old turned professional in 2012 after completing a successful amateur career.

He won his first nineteen bouts which included wins over Brad Johnson (2-0) & Damon McCreary (15-1).

In his last bout, Shimmell dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to undefeated Isiah Thomas in a nationally televised bout.

Lockett of Takoma Park, Maryland has a record of 14-15-5 with five knockouts and has shown he will take on all comers from 168 pounds on up.

The 39 year-old is a fifteen year veteran of the squared circle and has sprung many upsets over the course of his career.

Those big wins include triumphs over Tyrone Tate (5-1), Glenn Turner (3-0-1), Willie Williams (6-1), former world title challenger Larry Marks, Joe McCready (10-2-1) & John Lennox (13-3). In his last bout, Lockett dropped a 6-round split decision to Ed Latimore (10-0) on January 8th in Royal Oak, Michigan.

In a 6-round bouts:

Super Middleweight Demond Nicholson (15-1, 15 KO’s) of Laurel, MD battles Jose Valderrama (4-12, 3 KO’s) of Manati, Puerto Rico.

King’s Promotions signee Mykal Fox (8-0, 2 KO’s) of Forestville, MD battles Claudinel Lacerda (17-13-1, 12 KO’s) of Sombrio, Brazil in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

In 4-round bouts:

Patrick Harris (7-0, 4 KO’s) of Hyattsville, MD takes on Christopher Russell (3-15-1, 2 KO’s) of Shattuck, OK in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Sam Crossed (1-0, 1 KO) of Greenbelt, MD will fight Martez Williamson (1-9) of Akron, OH in a Cruiserweight bout.

Antonio Magruder (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Washington, DC will fight Terrell James (1-2-1) of Philadelphia, PA in a Jr. Welterweight affair.

Luther Smith (3-0, 3 KO’s) of Maryland will look to remain perfect when he takes on Charlemagne Jones (2-4-1, 2 KO’s) of Washington, DC in a Heavyweight bout.

Wesley Triplett (2-0, 1 KO) of Youngstown, OH will box Alando Pugh (1-6-1, 1KO) of Washington, DC in a Heavyweight bout.

Ricardo Rodriguez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Miguel Cartagena in a Super Flyweight bout at The Community Center in Palm Bay, Florida.

In round six, Rodriguez dropped Cartagena with a left hook.  Rodriguez went on to win by scores of 99-90 twice and 98-91.

Rodriguez, 114 lbs is 13-3.  Cartagena, 113 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is 14-3.

Oldoer Landin stopped Alex Roman in round four of their scheduled 6-round Super Bantamweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 2:49 for Landin, who is now 4-1-1.  Roman is 4-2.

Michael Davis stopped Daniel Rodriguez in round three of their scheduled 4-round Super Middleweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 1:45 for Davis who ups his mark to 2-0.  Rodriguez is 2-15-1.

Daniel Attah 136.4 – Ty Barnett 138.2

Claudinel Lacerda 141 – Mykal Fox 139.2

Wesley Triplett 213 – Alando Pugh 238

Demond Nicholson 163.5 – Jose Valderrama 162.2
Sam Crossed 192 – Martez Williamson 186
Antonio Magruder 140 – Terrell James 138
Jordan Shimmell 195 – Willis Lockett 197
Patrick Harris 138 – Christopher Russell 134
Luther Smith 216 – Charlemagne Jones 230

Tickets are on sale now for $100, $75 and $50 and can be purchased at www.beltwayboxing.com

The fights will be streamed live on GFL.TV for $14.99

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is located at 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

WBA FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Leo Santa Cruz – 125 Pounds
Kiko Martinez – 125 ½ Pounds

WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Julio Ceja 121 ½ Pounds
Hugo Ruiz 122 Pounds

# # #

Santa Cruz vs. Martinez, a 12-round bout for Santa Cruz’s WBA Featherweight Title taking place on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Sampson Boxing Promotions. In the co-feature, Julio Ceja and Hugo Ruiz will meet in super bantamweight world title rematch for the WBC belt. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader will air live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @MartinezKiko, @TGBPromotions, @HondaCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

Totowa, NJ: Main Events continues to add to their stable of young prospects with the signing of Madiyar Ashkeyev (2-0, 1 KO) of Kazakhstan. The 27-year old now resides in Oxnard, California and trains at the Robert Garcia Gym along with Main Events’ stablemates Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko and Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin.

Madiyar made his professional debut on Dec. 12 with a second round KO of Tavorus Teague in Glendale, California. In his most recent bout, he scored a six-round unanimous decision victory over Obafemi Bakare in Studio City, California. Before becoming a pro, he also competed in the World Series of Boxing. He said, “I would like to thank Main Events and my manager, Egis Klimas, for this opportunity. I am excited to fight in America and this is the first step towards fulfilling my dream of becoming a world champion.”

Klimas and Ashveyev Pose While Signing the Contract with Main Events
Photo Courtesy of: Egis Klimas

Ashkeyev is managed by Egis Klimas, who also manages Main Events’ stablemate and WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. Regarding the signing Klimas said, “Thank you to Main Events and Kathy Duva. Madiyar is very excited for this opportunity. We look forward to more great things together.”

Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events added, “Madiyar is a very exciting prospect in one of boxing’s glamour divisions. We’re very happy to have him on board and I can’t wait to see what he can do! I think he can be the next big thing out of Kazakhstan.”

FOLLOW US:
www.mainevents.com
Twitter: @main_events
Facebook: facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing
Instagram: @Main_Events

LAS VEGAS (February 26, 2016) – the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC), along with Neon Star Media and Roy Englebrecht Promotions, have announced an agreement in which Title Boxing will be the official apparel and gloves partner of the “Knockout Night at the D” professional boxing series.

Eight “Knockout Night at the D” events are planned in 2016, starting March 12, will are live from the DLVEC open air venue located adjacent to the D Las Vegas. The inaugural event, however, will take place inside the DLVEC’s 20,000-square-foot tent.

“We’re excited to have Title Boxing in our corner for the ‘Knockout Night at the D’ series,” said John Anderson, Neon Star Media, SVP of integrated sales. “Title Boxing is one of the top brands in combat sports in terms of apparel and equipment. Partnering with Title Boxing is a KO win for us.”

“It’s exciting to be associated and working with people who are interested in progressing the sport, not just profiting from it,” added Douglas Ward, Title Boxing Director of Marketing. “That’s a philosophy that ‘Knockout Night at The D’ and TITLE Boxing both have in common and is part of what will set the stage for what will be a highly successful boxing series.”

From EQUIPMENT design, to real INVOLVEMENT in the sport, to having INTEGRITY in business, TITLE continually delivers the best boxing gear in the industry. Since 1998 TITLE Boxing has been dedicated to making everyone’s pursuit of the sweet science a positive experience by being the industry leader in safety, innovation and setting the standard of what great gear really means. Every piece of equipment that bears the TITLE logo, is a demonstration of their deeper passion for prizefighting and support of your journey towards greatness.

To celebrate this partnership, Title Boxing (www.titleboxing.,com) is offering any fighter, fan or follower to enter promo code KND20 to receive 20-percent off entire Title Boxing orders (some exclusions apply) through Mar. 15, 2016.

Five-time, two-division world champion Zab “Super” Judah (42-9, 29 KOs) takes on upset-minded junior welterweight Josh “Pitbull” Torres (15-4-2, 7 KOs) in the Mar. 12th inaugural event’s 10-round main event.

Popular Las Vegas Las Vegas light weight Chuy “El Huracan” Gutierrez (14-0-1, 4 KOs) meets Leon “The Third Generation” Spinks III (11-3-1, 7 KOs) in the 8-round co-feature

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $65.00 ringside and $20.00 seated general admission, are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com or the D Las Vegas box office (702.288-2111). Suites are $1000.00, up to 10 guests, and includes a beverage package. 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 at the D” series was developed in partnership with the 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.

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2016 — Melissa Stark, one of sports television’s most versatile broadcasters, is joining HBO’s The Fight Game with Jim Lampley this March. Equally skilled at studio hosting, field interviews and on-site reporting, she will be the new interviewer and correspondent for Lampley’s boxing studio program. The Fight Game launched in 2012 with Michelle Beadle serving in the reporting and interviewing role for the past two years. The season premiere of The Fight Game is set for Wednesday, March 16 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO.
Jim Lampley, host and executive producer of The Fight Game, says: “As she has repeatedly proven during her career as a broadcast sports journalist, Melissa Stark is serious business. She is an extraordinary addition to our show, and everyone on The Fight Game shares my excitement about working with her on the program.”
Stark, who will continue with her broadcasting duties at NFL Network, has a diverse announcing background. The University of Virginia graduate (@melissastark) has worked on some of network television’s most visible programs including Today and The View, and trademark sports programming such as Monday Night Football and ESPN’s SportsCenter and Outside the Lines. Prior to her current role as a host and reporter for NFL Network, the Baltimore native’s role at NBC extended to hosting duties at the Beijing Olympic Games (2008) and serving as a correspondent at the Summer Games (2004) in Athens, Greece, and Winter Games (2006) in Torino, Italy.
Stark says: “I loved working with Jim at the Olympics – we were in Athens together and I am thrilled to have an opportunity to work with him again this time at HBO.”
The Fight Game with Jim Lampley is available on HBO Now, HBO GO® and HBO On-Demand®

NEW YORK (Feb. 25, 2016) – Noted mixed martial arts journalist L. Jon Wertheim takes an in-depth and personal look at how Holly Holm, a barely known underdog, was able to knock out women’s MMA queen Ronda Rousey. In the piece, Wertheim visits Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, N.M., the home of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn. Wertheim investigates how the world-renowned trainers helped guide Holm to victory last November and have established their once-unheralded outpost in Albuquerque as a mecca for some of the best MMA fighters in the world.

Wertheim’s report appears on the next edition of 60 MINUTES SPORTS, premiering Tuesday, March 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. Nathalie Sommer is the producer.

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.

The fight fans of Belfast and Manchester will roar their man on tomorrow night as Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg clash in their Super-Bantamweight World title unification blockbuster live on Sky Sports Box Office – and Hall of Fame MC Michael Buffer cannot wait to experience another epic British boxing night.

Buffer calls the fighters to the ring for tomorrow’s main event, and the legendary voice of boxing was in awe of the 5,000-plus fans that attended today’s weigh-in at the Arena, and with promoter Eddie Hearn predicting one of the most memorable atmospheres ever witnessed in a boxing arena in Britain, Buffer expects something special.

“Once again the fight fans are in super support mode for this highly anticipated Super-Bantamweight world title unification match between IBF champ, Carl Frampton and WBA champ, Scott Quigg here in Manchester,” said Buffer. “I’ve been coming here many times for 20 years now and each time I can’t imagine the fans being any louder but they never fail to surpass the previous mark on the decibel meter.

“The final press conference was intense yesterday as each team tried to maintain the edge in the “I’m going to kick your butt” department of pre-fight psychology. That intensity continued at the weigh-in and was picked up by 5,000 fans in attendance. Both Frampton and Quigg weighed in easily within the Super-Bantamweight limit as each appeared exceptionally fit physically and mentally as well.

“So the stage is set for the type of fight we always dream off with two undefeated World title holders facing each other in front of their most loyal, loudest and supportive fans in one the most legendary fight venues in the world, Manchester Arena. After almost 35 years of announcing fights, I still get psyched when an event like this comes along. When Frampton and Quigg make their way to ring Saturday night thru that roaring, rocking, sold out Manchester Arena, I going to pinch myself to make sure it’s real. Sometimes I just can’t believe I’m going to be a part of it as I introduce them in the ring but also, as a lifelong fan, you better believe that this is as good as it gets!”

Quigg and Frampton clash on a huge night of action in Manchester, with Gavin McDonnell facing Jorge Sanchez for the WBC Silver Super-Bantamweight title and an official eliminator for the WBC World title.

Manchester’s Hosea Burton faces Miles Shinkwin for the vacant British Light-Heavyweight title and Belfast’s Ryan Burnett takes on Frenchman Anthony Settoul for the vacant WBC International Bantamweight title.

Belfast’s Marco McCullough faces Morecambe’s Isaac Lowe for the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title, unbeaten Flyweight Charlie Edwards takes on Luke Wilton, while there’s action for Commonwealth gold medallists Josh Taylor and Scott Fitzgerald, Conrad Cummings and Marcus Morrison.

Saturday’s HBO World Championship Boxing doubleheader telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT).

Opening up the telecast from the Theater at Madison Square Garden is a 10-round lightweight matchup between Felix Verdejo and William Silva.

The main event of the evening, a 12-round junior welterweight championship, features Terence Crawford defending his title against Hank Lundy.

Official Weights from New York:

Terence Crawford: 139.2 lbs.
Hank Lundy: 138.2 lbs.

Felix Verdejo: 135 lbs.
William Silva: 134.4 lbs.

Join the conversation on Twitter: #CrawfordLundy

Anthony Crolla has backed gym and stable-mate Scott Quigg to KO Carl Frampton MBE in their World Super-Bantamweight title unification blockbuster at the sold-out Manchester Arena tomorrow night (February 27) live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Crolla will be in Quigg’s corner when he meets the classy Belfast IBF champion in the Arena that Crolla landed his own World title with a stunning KO win over Darleys Perez in November, when Quigg was in ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla’s corner as he crunched home the body shot that saw him become WBA World Lightweight king.

Along with the Smith brothers and the rest of Joe Gallagher’s plethora of champions in the Bolton gym they share, Crolla says there’s no doubt that Quigg will add the IBF crown to his WBA strap, and will do so inside the distance.

“This is Scott’s moment of destiny,” said Crolla. “He’s achieved the goal of being World champion and after Saturday he’ll be financially set up for life, but this fight is about more than the belts or money. Scott would fight for nothing, it means that much to him and that’s why I don’t think he’ll be denied.

“Everyone in the gym has seen him train at first-hand and we all believe that he’s going to knock Carl out on Saturday night.

“Carl has plenty of pedigree and he’s a terrific fighter, Scott knows he’s in a really hard fight and he respects Carl. He told me in the build-up that he had been waking up with fear in his mind, knowing that he has to push himself harder than ever to improve and be the best version of Scott Quigg on the night, because Carl is that good.

“I know that he had that same mentality for the Kiko Martinez fight, and we all saw what happened there. Carl is a tougher opponent than Kiko, but when I didn’t think he could train harder or dedicate himself any more, I’ve seen Scott raise his level again.”

Quigg and Frampton clash on a huge night of action in Manchester, with Gavin McDonnell facing Jorge Sanchez for the WBC Silver Super-Bantamweight title and an official eliminator for the WBC World title.

Manchester’s Hosea Burton faces Miles Shinkwin for the vacant British Light-Heavyweight title and Belfast’s Ryan Burnett takes on Frenchman Anthony Settoul for the vacant WBC International Bantamweight title.

Belfast’s Marco McCullough faces Morecambe’s Isaac Lowe for the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title, unbeaten Flyweight Charlie Edwards takes on Luke Wilton, while there’s action for Commonwealth gold medallists Josh Taylor and Scott Fitzgerald, Conrad Cummings and Marcus Morrison.

Atlantic City, NJ (February 26, 2016)–On Saturday night, March 19, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will headline in an 8-round Welterweight bout when he fights Kendal Mena at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City
.
The card is promoted by Rising Promotions in association with Vincent M. Ponte’s Gulf Stream Promotions.

LaManna (19-1, 7 KO’s) of nearby Millville, New Jersey will be making his second consecutive appearance at The Claridge. LaManna won a 8-round unanimous decision over Ariel Vasquez on December 5th.

LaManna used his reach and height and worked behind his jab to keep Vasquez at bay. As the fight wore on, LaManna started to dominate with body punches and cruised home to victory to the tune of 79-72 on two scorecards and 78-73.

The 24 year-old LaManna turned professional in 2011 and won his first sixteen bouts that were highlighted by wins over Ashandi Gibbs & Jamaal Davis.

“I really don’t know much about Mena, but I am preparing to the best of my ability to handle whatever it is he brings to the table. Records don’t mean anything to me, all I know is he beat twenty men and has knocked out eleven of them,”said LaManna

“Training camp has been great. In this camp my team and I have been focusing more on working on the basics. We believe I have natural talent and I’m excited to see when it all comes to place.”

Since suffering his only loss to world ranked Middleweight Antoine Douglas on ShoBox: The New Generation, LaManna has won three straight which includes a 6-round unanimous decision over rugged Ayi Bruce on September 26th in Beach Haven, New Jersey.

This will be LaManna’s second fight at Welterweight after moving down from Middleweight.

Mena of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic has a respectable mark of 20-3 with 11 knockouts.

The 28-year old Mena won his first twenty fights, which earned him a shot at the WBA International title.

He was stopped in the bout by contender Francisco Santana and he has lost to two undefeated fighters in his subsequent bouts.

In an 8-round co-feature, Tommy Rainone takes on Maurice Chalmers in a Welterweight bout.

Rainone has established himself as a fan favorite on the east coast, will be making his Atlantic City debut.

He has a record of 24-7-1 with five knockouts.

The 36 year-old of Long Island, New York won his first 11 bouts. Rainone captured the IBA Americas Title 10-round unanimous decision over Robby Cannon. He also captured the USBO Welterweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Carl McNickles.

Rainone will be looking to get back in the win column after dropping a unanimous decision to former world champion Ishe Smith on December 18.

Chalmers of Lynchburg, Virginia has a record of 14-12-1 with 8 knockouts.

Chalmers will be looking to spring the upset, much like he did when he defeated the likes of Marcus Woods (4-1), Michael Lozano (3-0), Rajiv Bhattacharya (9-0) and Tykeem Sadler (6-0).

In the 6-round co-feature, former IBF Cruiserweight champion Imamu Mayfield will be making his long awaited comeback in a Heavyweight bout against Dan Pasciolla for the Garden State Heavyweight title.

Mayfield of Perth Amboy, New Jersey will making his first appearance in just for 8-years.

Mayfield won the IBF Cruiserweight championship when he won a 12-round unanimous decision over Uriah Grant on November 8, 1997. He made one defense and was stopped by Arthur Williams on October 30, 1998.

Mayfield won the USBA Cruiserweight title with 10th round stoppage over Gary Wilcox on June 30, 2001.

Mayfield has also fought world champions Juan Carlos Gomez, Krzystof Wlodarczyk and Alexander Povetkin.

Pasciolla of Brick, New Jersey has a record of 6-1-1 and holds wins over Bill Marks (1-0), John Lennox (13-2) and Donnie Palmer (6-0-1). In his most recent bout, Pasciolla and Brendan Barrett (3-0-1) fought to a draw on February 19 in Atlantic City.

In a six-round bouts:

Lamont Capers (5-7-2) of Brooklyn, NY fights Tracy Johnson (3-2-3) of Boston, MA in a Cruiserweight bout.

In a bout for the Garden State Super Middleweight title, Isiah Seldon (7-1, 3 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ takes on Michael Mitchell (3-6-2, 1 KO) of Paterson, NJ.

Hakim Bryant (5-0, 4 KO’s) of Asbury Park, NJ will take on an opponent to be named in a Middleweight bout.

In 4-round Bouts:

Quian Davis (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Mays Landing, NJ will fight Corey Morley (0-1-1) of Philadelphia, PA in a Heavyweight bout.

Caleb Hernandez (2-0) of Vineland, NJ will battle LeAnthony Fleming (1-1) of Lakeland, FL in a Welterweight bout.

Omar Brito (2-2) of Pleasantville, NJ will take on Bienvenido Diaz (2-1, 2 KO’s) of the Prospect Park, NJ in a Super Featherweight bout.

Alvin Vermall (7-0-1, 7 KO’s) of LaPlace, LA will fight Dequan Morgan (3-2-1, 1 KO) of Hamlet, NC in a Cruiserweight bout.

Darryl Bunting (0-0-1 ) of Asbury Park, NJ fights Jason Singletary (0-1) of Washington, DC in a Super Middleweight fight

Steven Ortiz (2-0) of Philadelphia will take part in a Lightweight bout against an opponent to be named.

Tickets are $50 GA, $75 Stage (very few remaining) & $125 VIP (SOLD OUT) (Booths of 5 available for $500—SOLD OUT) and are available at RisingBoxingPromotions.com or 609-487-4444.

The Clardige Hotel is located at 123 S. Indiana Ave. Atlantic City NJ

Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo

· £5 MILLION + EXPECTED TO BE BET ON MANCHESTER CARD

· ONLY 3 BETS ON SCOTT QUIGG IN WILLIAM HILL’S SHOPS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

· 50% OF TOTAL BETS ON FRAMPTON, 42% ON QUIGG, 8% ON THE DRAW

William Hill, the title sponsors of Frampton vs. Quigg, have made the Northern Irishman their 8/13 favourite to win the highly anticipated grudge match against Scott Quigg on Saturday night, while the Bury brawler is an 11/8 chance to add the IBF belt to his WBA version.

The build to the fight has got the whole boxing world excited with over 100 million people expected to watch the fight across the world – and over £5 Million+ expected to bet on the Manchester extravaganza.

Frampton makes the third defence of the title he landed on a huge night in his hometown against Kiko Martinez in September 2014. The 29 year old made his first defence at his Odyssey Arena fortress in Belfast, stopping Chris Avalos in February 2015 before travelling to Texas to defeat Alejandro Gonzalez Jr in July – taking his record to 21-0 with 14 KO wins.

Quigg defends his title for the seventh time, having blasted Martinez away in two rounds in his last outing at the Manchester Arena, where he’s defended the title on four occasions. The 27 year old’s win over the Spaniard was his 23rd KO win from 31 victories.

The betting public are slightly siding with Frampton to win the unify the IBF and WBA title – with 50% of total bets on fight being placed on ‘The Jackal’, 42% on Quigg and 8% on the draw. In Northern Ireland, William Hill have only taken three bets on Quigg – with thousands of bets on their national hero Frampton.

“Everyone has being talking about the smallest of percentages making the difference in the fight and that’s the same with the betting market on the fight,” said William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny, “Frampton is the punters favourite at the moment but we’re expecting to see a lot of interest in Quigg in the hours leading up to this mega fight.”

LATEST WILLIAM HILL BOUT ODDS
8/13 Frampton, 11/8 Quigg, 20/1 Draw

THE UNDERCARD BOUT ODDS FROM WILLIAM HILL

1/200 Josh Taylor, 20/1 Lyes Chaibi, 33/1 Draw
1/100 Marcus Morrison, 16/1 Istvan Kiss, 25/1 Draw
1/66 Conrad Cummings, 14/1 Victor Garcia, 20/1 Draw,
1/50 Charlie Edwards, 12/1 Luke Wilton, 25/1 Draw,
8/11 Isaac Lowe, 11/10 Marco McCullough, 18/1 Draw,
1/14 Gavin McDonnell, 7/1 Jorge Sanchez, 25/1 Draw

Washington, D.C.. (February, 26, 2016) – TOMORROW NIGHT, February 27th,King’s Promotions returns to our nation’s capital of Washington, D.C with a big night of boxing at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

In the main event, Ty Barnett take on former world title challenger Daniel Attah in a Super Lightweight battle scheduled for 8-rounds.

In one of the chief support bouts, undefeated Lightweight, Mykal Fox will look to stay perfect when he takes on veteran Claudinei Lacerda in a bout scheduled for 6-rounds.

Fox is promoted by King’s Promotions.

Fox of Forestville, Maryland has a record of 8-0 with two knockouts while Lacerda of Brazil has considerably more experience as he is 17-13-1 with 12 knockouts.

“My training has been great. I have had great sparring with different looks. I have been in there with puncher, boxers and even some MMA fighters, so I am ready for anything,”said the 20 year-old Fox.

Lacerda is a grizzled veteran, who has been a Brazilian Super Welterweight champion as well as the WBO Latino Interim Lightweight champion.

“My opponent has more than 30 fights. He has been a champion, but this is nothing new. My last opponent (Adam Mate, 18-6) had twenty-four fights, so I feel it’s a great opportunity for me to continue fighting quality opponents.”

Fox, along with his father/trainer Troy, doe not believable that fighting such veteran fighters is too-much, too-soon for the fighter known as “The Professor”.

“My father believes in me and what I am capable of doing. I work hard and am always trying to move forward. I am on a great pace. Is it too fast? I don’t think so, because I also know what I am capable of. ”

Fox has been building his name in the local market as every fight of his career has been in the greater Maryland/D.C area and he embraces the opportunities to please the home fans.

“It is always a pleasure to fight at home. I always have a huge turnout and it is a good way to build my fan base. I am thankful and excited. Camp is the hard part and that is done. I can’t be more excited to put on a great performance on Saturday night.”

A terrific nine bout card is now set that will feature many up and coming stars in the Beltway region.

In the 8-round co-feature, Jordan Shimmell will battle the upset-minded Willis Lockett in a Cruiserweight bout.

In a 6-round Middleweight bout, knockout artist, Demond Nicholson (15-1, 15 KO’s) of Laurel, Maryland will take on Jose Valderrama (4-12, 3 KO’s ) of Miami, FL.

In a 4-round Cruiserweight affair, Sam Crossed (1-0, 1 KO) of Greenbelt, MD. will battle Martez Williamson (1-9) of Akron, OH.

In a 6-round Super Lightweight contest, Patrick Harris (7-0, 4 KO’s) fights Christopher Russell (3-15-1, 2 KO’s ) of Shattuck, OK.

Antonio Magruder (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Washington, D.C. will fight Terrell James (1-2-1) of Philadelphia in a 4-round Super Lightweight bout.

Luther Smith (3-0, 3 KO’s) of Bowie, MD. will look to keep his perfect knockout record intact when he squares off with Charlemagne Jones (2-4-1, 2 KO’s) in a 4-round battle of Beltway based Heavyweights

Wesley Triplett (2-0, 1 KO) of Youngstown, OH. will fight Alando Pugh (1-6-1, 1 KO ) of Washington, D.C. in a 4-round Heavyweight bout.

Tickets are on sale now for $100, $75 and $50 and can be purchased at www.beltwayboxing.com

The fights will be streamed live on GFL.TV for $14.99

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is located at 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

IBF 122-pound champion Carl Frampton weighed-in at 121.7 pounds and WBA titlist Scott Quigg measured 121.6 pounds in front of a decidedly pro-Frampton crowd at Manchester Arena on Friday for their long-awaited super bantamweight unification this Saturday, Feb. 27, live on SHO EXTREME at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT.

“I am better than him,” said Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs), of Belfast, Ireland, who blew a kiss to his rival before breaking away from the stare-down. “I have the power to knock him out, from the first round to the last round, and I’ve also got the boxing brain to comprehensively beat him on points.”

“I respect him as a fighter, but the best Carl Frampton can’t touch the best Scott Quigg,” said Quigg (32-0-2, 23 KOs), of Lancashire, United Kingdom.

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® offering of the Sky Sports telecast will feature analysis from SHOWTIME Sports® host Barry Tompkins, analyst Steve Farhood and special guest and WBA Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs. An encore presentation of the bout will air on SHOWTIME® immediately following Saturday’s live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast headlined by three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz and former titlist Kiko Martinez. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD

“Fighting at Madison Square Garden…headlining the event at the Mecca of Boxing is personally historic.

“I love to give back…to my community…to the sport of boxing…and on Saturday night I’m going to give something back to Lundy. I’m going to show him that punches hurt a lot more than words.

“Manny [Pacquiao] is the only fighter in the Top Rank stable who can take me to the next level. [Viktor] Postol is good but only real boxing fans know him.

“With Lundy, I need to look out for head butts, low blows and elbows. He’s going to get rough in this one. But once he gets careless, and he will, he’s going down.

“Lundy’s trash talk makes me laugh. But I don’t think he’ll laughing too much on Saturday night. Deep down in his soul he knows what he’s in for. He’ll respect me Saturday. Don’t blink. It might be a quick one.”

“Hammerin'” HANK LUNDY

“It’s going to be a war. I’m going to be the new champion of the world. It’s going to be a new life for my family and for me when I go home s world champion.

[Regarding press conference scuffle] “He can’t take the pressure. I’m in his head. I have him. I’m going to beat his ass and he is going to feel these hammers.

“Crawford is going to feel my pain, my struggle and all of Philadelphia. I’m going to crack his head like the Liberty Bell.

“Tell Crawford to bring some suspenders to The Garden on Saturday because when I take that belt off of him he’s going to need them to hold up his pants.”

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

Undefeated superstar champions TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD and FELIX “El Diamante” VERDEJO will make their 2016 debuts in title defenses,This Saturday! February 27, at the “Mecca of Boxing” — The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Crawford, the two-division world champion and 2014 Fighter of the Year will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight world championship belt against Top-10 contender “Hammerin'” HANK LUNDY. Verdejo, the boxing gem of Puerto Rico, will be risking his WBO Latino lightweight title crown and his march to a world title shot when he rumbles with undefeated Brazilian buzz saw WILLIAM “Baby Face” SILVA. Both fights will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

These four warriors boast a combined record of 95-5-1 (60 KOs) — a winning percentage of 94% with close to 2/3 of their victories coming by way of knockout.

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

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES), Diamante Promotions and Madison Square Garden, any remaining tickets to the Crawford vs. Lundy / Verdejo vs. Silva championship doubleheader, priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtags #CrawfordLundy or #VerdejoSilva to join the conversation on Twitter.

Double-action comes exclusively live on BoxNation from both sides of the Atlantic tomorrow night when cruiserweight warriors Marco Huck and Ola Afolabi clash for a fourth time followed by pound-for pound great Terence Crawford’s collision with Hank Lundy.

Huck and Afolabi get the night underway when they meet for an incredible fourth time at the Gerry Weber Stadium, Halle, Germany, in a crucial crossroads fight for both men with the winner going on to a possible world title shot.

Serbian born, German resident, Huck is 2-0-1 going into the fight against London born Afolabi with the previous encounters being close and exciting affairs and although Huck’s WBO World title was previously on the line this time Afolabi’s IBO World title is up for contention.

“Käpt’n” Huck lost his WBO crown in a shock defeat to Krzysztof Glowacki last August in his American debut, but it was a thrilling fight that saw Glowacki floored in the sixth round and then rally back to stop Huck in the eleventh.

The 31-year-old will be looking to prove that he is not finished and has one more shot at glory with a strong performance against Afolabi. Although his preparations could have taken a hit when he revealed last week that he had split with trainer Conni Mittermeier and joined up with Varol Vekiloglu just 10 days before the fight.

For Afolabi, he’ll be looking to continue his hot form on the back of his stunning fifth round knockout of hard Russian Rakhim Chakhkiev last November when he went into the fight as the underdog. In the fight prior, Afolabi extended Interim IBF World Champion Victor Emilio Ramirez the distance in Argentina and lost on the scorecards.

At 35, the man known as Kryptonite, knows that a victory over his rival – which would be his first – is crucial if he is to get a fourth world title opportunity.

Once the dust settles in Germany, the action switches to the Mecca of Boxing at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden where American star Crawford defends his WBO World Super-Lightweight Championship against Hammerin’ Hank in a potential thriller.

“Bud” Crawford is on the cusp of becoming boxing’s next big crossover star following Floyd Mayweather Jnr’s retirement and the soon to be retired Manny Pacquiao and many believe the all-action and exciting Omaha man could be the one.

Unbeaten in 27 fights with 19 KO’s and with fast switch-hitting hands and power, Crawford shot to prominence when he totally outclassed Ricky Burns in his Glasgow backyard to take the WBO World Lightweight title in March 2014. He immediately made a hero’s return to his hometown in Nebraska and inflicted the first loss to former Unified World Featherweight Champion and 2004 Cuban Olympic Gold Medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa with a sensational ninth round knockout in June 2014 in the first defence of the title. Defences against Raymundo and Thomas Dulorme followed and last time out he smashed Dierry Jean in nine rounds on BoxNation.

The 28-year-old faces a hard test in his MSG debut against the trash-talking Philadelphian Lundy, who took the challenge after top super-lightweights Ruslan Provodnikov, current WBC World Champion Viktor Postol, and former Interim World Champions Lucas Matthysse and Mauricio Herrera all turned down the fight and Lundy is supremely confident with his chances.

At the press conference this week the pair clashed when Crawford nearly pushed Lundy off the stage following their head-to-head stare down after getting annoyed with Lundy’s trash-talking.

Crawford said, “That’s his main objective — to get in my head. But he doesn’t understand that just makes me fight harder, makes me be better, makes me be sharper. I’m not just going to go in there and try to just knock him out. I’m going to go in there and do what I do. That’s what he doesn’t understand.”

Lundy fired back, “I’ve been watching him ever since he came on the scene at 135, and nothing impressed me. Now, he’s going to have a guy in front of him that can do all the things he can do. It’s going to be a big mistake on his part.”

Also on the card will be fast the rising and undefeated Puerto Rican lightweight sensation Felix Verdejo who defends his WBO Latino Lightweight title against Brazilian William Silva. Britain’s WBO World Lightweight Champion Terry Flanagan will be keeping a close eye on Verdejo who if he emerges victorious could be a future potential opponent after his clash with Derry Mathews next month.

Live coverage for Huck v Afolabi starts at 7pm on Saturday night with live of Crawford v Lundy beginning at 2am on Sunday morning. To subscribe to BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 525, Freeview 255, TalkTalk 415, iPhone, iPad or Android and Amazon devices) for only £12 a month visit boxnation.com or to watch online subscribe at watch.boxnation.com

– Ends –

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.

Another packed house is anticipated for the only regular professional boxing show in the San Fernando Valley on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Burbank Marriott Events and Convention Center.

As part of Top Rank’s Solo Boxeo Tecate telecast on Unimas, undefeated prospect Casey Ramos (21-0) of Austin, Texas will headline the televised portion against Columbian knockout artist Jonathan Perez (34-13, 27KOs).

In a battle of Southern vs. Northern California prospects, South El Monte’s Arnold Barbosa (10-0, 4KOs) will battle Vacaville’s Max Becerra (8-1-2, 5KOs) NoCal will also be represented by Sacramento’s Guy Robb (17-1, 7KOs) taking on Carlos Padilla (15-3-1, 9KOs). While former World Title Challenger Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga (21-0, 18KOs) will look to make it three wins in a row since suffering his first loss at the hands of Featherweight Kingpin Nicholas Walters (26-0-1, 21KOs).

Central California will also be represented, as undefeated Fresno Middleweight Joe Louie Lopez (7-0, 4KOs) faces off against Wildcard Boxing Club’s British import, Liam “Punch” Vaughan (9-2, 2KOs). Vaughan’s Wildcard stable mate Zachary “Kid Yamaka” Wohlman will also make his return to the ring after an 18-month layoff.

Rounding out the undercard will be two boxers who had successful pro debuts on recent Top Rank/Bash Boxing cards, Konstantin Kupianskii (1-0) and Miguel Alcantara (1-0).

Valley Fight Night 8 will be presented by Top Rank in association with Bash Boxing.

Tickets can be purchased online at
www.valleyfightnight.com or
by calling (626) 388-8888 and start at $45 for General Admission and $60 for Assigned Seating.

Doors Open at 5:30pm; First Bout at 6:00pm. All bouts are subject to change.

ANAHEIM, CALIF. (February 25, 2016) – Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz and Kiko “Sensacion” Martinez went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before their featherweight world title showdown on Saturday, Feb. 27 live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Also in attendance Thursday were Julio Ceja and Hugo Ruiz, who will enter the ring in a super bantamweight world title rematch as part of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The previously announced opening bout between undefeated heavyweights Gerald Washington (16-0-1, 11 KOs) and Oscar Rivas (18-0, 13 KOs) has been cancelled due to Rivas being unable to pass a mandatory eye-exam.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB promotions, are priced at $27, $54, $104 and $199 and are on sale now via ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster retail locations, by calling 800-745-3000 of by stopping by the Honda Center Box Office.

All of the televised fighters in the now doubleheader have promised to live up to their all-action styles and will provide great drama for fans on Saturday night at Honda Center. Santa Cruz will be making the first defense of his featherweight world title while Ceja puts his 122-pound title on the line after earning the vacant belt with a fifth round stoppage of Ruiz in an exciting back-and-forth fight in August.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

LEO SANTA CRUZ

“Headlining a televised card has been my childhood dream. I could have never imagined I was going to get this far. And Here I am, on my second main event, defending my title on a premium network. I’m so psyched. I cannot believe it.

“The first time I put the gloves on, I knew that I had found my craft, and I also knew that it was not going to be an easy road. I knew that I had to work hard to become a champion. So, I trained the hardest and I fought the hardest, and with my father by my side I got here, where I’m at today. I owe him everything.

“I remember watching all the great Mexican Champions and day dreaming about being like them one day. It felt unreachable. I thought it was impossible to get where they were. But I worked hard, really hard from the beginning.

“The most important thing is that the fans leave happy and get their money’s worth. I’m glad that Kiko has come prepared because we’re ready for a great fight.

“People are saying that I should walk through Kiko Martinez, but I don’t listen to that. I look at Kiko the same way I look at any other opponent. When we step inside the ring, we are equals.

“At the end of the day, the winner will be the fighter who has prepared more and who has imposed his will on the other man.

KIKO MARTINEZ

“I have faced much stronger boxers than Leo and come Saturday, all of those who did bet on me for this fight, I am going to make you a lot of money.

“I am excited and proud to know that Sergio Martinez will be present on Saturday supporting me. His guidance and presence

“My trainer could not be here, but we have not taken one day off in training camp and I have been pushed to my limit to prepare me for this fight. I’m thankful to Robert Garcia for being in my corner on Saturday.

“I know this is a great opportunity to fight Leo Santa Cruz and I will make the most of it. I’m going to leave everything inside the ring so that the fight fans enjoy a great championship matchup.

“I feel that Leo Santa Cruz is a great fighter, he has beat some incredible fighters. He’s a great athlete and boxer. Sometimes people will try to make him out to be more than he actually is but they are mistaken with what they see in me. I am not to be mistaken as the underdog here.

JULIO CEJA

“As Hugo mentioned, we have both trained even harder than last time and we’re more prepared physically and mentally.

“I’m going to give everybody a great fight just like last time. I’m walking into the ring knowing my opponent very well. We’ve been to war. I know what to expect from him. I know about his punch and I know how to counter it.

“I’m going to be alert and ready. I’ll be a little more intelligent, because I know that he’s coming well prepared and he’s coming for the world title, but he’s not going to get it.
“There are going to be no surprises in this fight. Hugo Ruiz said that he was training harder this time. But I am too. I’ve trained very hard.

“The key for me to win this fight is to keep my hands up and to not give him one inch. I cannot be careless. I’ll be strategic and use my wisdom. I cannot come in with my hands down because I know I’ll pay for it. But nothing to worry about, we have rectified those issues in training camp. I’m ready. He’s not taking my belt away from me.

“I’m glad that he says he is better prepared this time because I am better than ever. My team has been instrumental in preparing me for this matchup.

“The winner will be the man who is more prepared physically and mentally. But the real winner will be the fans at Honda Center because this is an amazing card and we’re going to put on an amazing fight.”

HUGO RUIZ

“If you liked the first fight between us, then you are going to love this one.

“I’m excited to be fighting once again in Southern California. I’ve trained very hard and I have prepared myself for this world title opportunity.

“I’m looking forward to putting on a grand show for all my fans on Saturday night.”

JOSE SANTA CRUZ, Santa Cruz’ Father & Trainer

“I hear Kiko has a great trainer on his corner. Robert Garcia is really good, but I have news for Kiko, his trainer is not going to fight for him.

“Once a fighter steps into the ring, he’s alone in there. There are no trainers and no great promoters that can fight for him.”

“Kiko speaks about this prestigious trainer and thinks that by mentioning him, he is going to intimidate us. He has something else coming. The trainer won’t fight for Kiko. Roberto Garcia has trained my son and knows Leo very well but that does not give Kiko the upper hand.”

TOM BROWN, Head of TGB Promotions

“Southern California favorite Leo Santa Cruz returns to bring his action style to the ring. He will be opposed by a tough former world champion in Kiko Martinez who is sure to make this a tremendous fight.

“The first fight between Ceja and Ruiz was a true back and forth war. Should this pick up right where it left off, we will have a great fight to start the telecast.

“I’m looking forward to a great night on Saturday night in front of the fantastic Southern California boxing fans.”

TIM RYAN, CEO & President of Honda Center

“I’m so thankful to everyone for helping to bring boxing back to Orange County. It’s hard to believe that Julio Cesar Chavez fought here in 1996, because it seems like yesterday.

“We have a great arena and a great fan base that loves boxing here in Orange County. The card on Saturday is wonderful. I know these guys will be ready and I’m looking forward to an action-packed night on the 27th.

CHRIS DEBLASIO, Vice President, Sports Communication Showtime Networks

“This is a fight fan’s fight card and we are looking forward to some explosive action. I think everyone knows that the lighter weight classes, especially at the championship level, produce exciting fights. My favorite examples include the epic series between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez, which are available on SHOWTIME platforms and should wet your appetite for what we will see on Saturday night.”

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @MartinezKiko, @TGBPromotions, @HondaCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

LAS VEGAS (February 25, 2016) — the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC), along with Neon Star Media and Roy Englebrecht Promotions, hosted a press conference this past Tuesday afternoon to promote its new monthly boxing series, “Knockout Night at the D”.

The inaugural event, scheduled for Saturday, March 12, will be held inside the DLVEC’s 20,000-square-foot tent.

Guest speakers included Derek Stevens, Owner & CEO, the D Las Vegas; Carolyn G. Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas; promoter Roy Englebrecht, Mar. 12th main event fighters Zab “Super” Judah (42-9, 29 KOs) and Josh “Pitbull” Torres (15-4-2, 7 KOs), co-feature boxers Chuy “El Huacan” Gutierrez (14-0-1, 4 KOs) andLeon “The Third Generation” Spinks III (11-3-1, 7 KOs).

“We’re thrilled that the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center is going to showcase outdoor boxing and play a role in bringing it back to Las Vegas,” said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. “The series will impact Las Vegas in a new and exciting way by bringing boxing fans from all over the world to the heart of the city in a state-of-the-art venue, presenting a wonderful new way to experience Las Vegas.”

In addition to promoting the “Knockout Night at the D” series, as well as its Mar. 12th event, it was announced that the 8-event series will air live on CBS Sports Network and include all-star broadcasting team of Al Bernstein, Jim “JR” Ross and former world champion Kevin Kelley.
The “Knockout Night at the D” presser was streamed live and is still available to watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUimxhSX14k. Media and fans from around the boxing world emailed questions that were asked at the press conference and answered by the participants.

Below find quotes from principal fights the press conference and a photo gallery (by Tom Donoghue / the D Las Vegas).

Zab Judah: “It’s been a little bit of a long road for me on my comeback. I want to give a shout out to Derek Stevens and the D Las Vegas for putting on this beautiful event March 12th. You won’t want to miss this fight! I also want to thank CBS Sports Network, Team Judah and my manager, who is my brother, Bill Halkias. He’s got us back to where we should be. And I want to thank the City of Las Vegas.”

Josh Torres: “To be on the first series show is a dream come true. I’m fighting a legend, Zab ‘Super’ Judah. But I’m also fighting for New Mexico boxers. I want to inspire youth, that’s what it’s all about. Never give up, dreams do come true.”

Chuy Gutierrez: “I’d like to thank the D Las Vegas for having me on this CBS Sports Network show. Here we go again, let’s get it on!”

Leon Spinks III: “This is a very, very, very big event for me. I’m grateful and honored to be part of the first ‘Knockout Night at the D’ event on CBS Sports Network. My family will be here. My grandfather, Pops, is Leon Spinks. It’s going down at the D.”

Tickets, priced at $65.00 ringside and $20.00 seated general admission, are on sale at Ticketmaster.com or DLVEC.com. Suites are $1000.00, up to 10 guests, and includes a beverage package. 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 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.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.dlvec.com, www.thed.com
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvec, @DerekJStevens
Instagram: @downtownlasvegaseventscenter, @thedlasvegas
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dlvec, www.Facebook.com/thedlasvegas

Follow these fighters and our broadcasters on Twitter: @SuperJudah, @PitbullTorres, @ElHuracan88, @LeonSpinksIII