PHILADELPHIA (SEPTEMBER 27, 2014)–Set your DVRs and grab some Johnson’s Popcorn!

Below is the Comcast broadcast schedule for Tuesday Night Fights from Sept. 16th at 2300 Arena.

Monday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
The Comcast Network Philadelphia & TCN Mid-Atlantic

Friday, October 3, 8 p.m.
Comcast Sports Network – Philadelphia

Friday, October 3, 11 p.m.
TCN Philadelphia & TCN Mid-Atlantic

Sunday, October 5, 5 p.m.
TCN Philadelphia & TCN Mid-Atlantic

Sunday, October 5, 8 p.m.
Comcast Sports Network – Philadelphia

Thank you to all our sponsors for their support!
Adelphia Balis Restaurant & Bar
Club Risque
Chickie’s & Pete’s
Johnson’s Popcorn
JDK Bent Buster
Lexus of Cherry Hill
Mall Chevrolet
Sumo Steaks

The next card of Tuesday Night Fights will take place on November 25 at the 2300 Arena.

Los Angeles, CA (September 26, 2014) Due to the overwhelming demand from Southern California area boxing fans, Bleacher Seating tickets are Now On Sale priced at $53 for “Mexican Style”.

“After meeting with the StubHub Center this week we were able to add an additional 324 bleacher seats on the concourse level. With the balance of the venue virtually sold out we’re attempting to accommodate as many fans as possible for this event.” said Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions.

Set for Saturday, October 18th, “Mexican Style” is headlined by the highly anticipated 12-round world middleweight title fight between Boxing’s fastest rising star, WBA/IBO Middleweight Champion, GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN and WBC Interim Middleweight Champion MARCO ANTONIO “El Veneno” RUBIO.

The co-feature bout on October 18th is a featherweight showdown between 2012 Fighter of the Year and four-division world champion NONITO “The Filipino Flash” DONAIRE and undefeated world champion NICHOLAS “The Axe Man” WALTERS who will battle it out to determine the undisputed World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight world champion. Donaire vs. Walters is presented by Top Rank®.

Bleacher Seating tickets priced at $53, plus applicable service charges are available online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at the StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT).

“Mexican Style” is presented by K2 Promotions and GGG Promotions in association with Promociones Del Pueblo.

The StubHub Center is located at 18400 Avalon Blvd. in Carson, CA 90746. For directions and further information, please visit their website at www.StubHubCenter.com Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. PT on the day of the event with the first bell at 3:15 p.m. PT.

For fight updates on GOLOVKIN VS. RUBIO via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/ @GGGBoxing, Marco Antonio Rubio/ @MAVenenoRubio, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Promociones Del Pueblo/ @PromoDelPueblo. Use the hashtag #GolovkinRubio to join the conversation on Twitter.

Demetrious Johnson 124 1/2 – Chris Cariaso 124 1/2
(UFC FLYWEIGHT TITLE)
Eddie Alvarez 155 – Donald Cerrone 155
Connor McGregor 146 – Dustin Poirier 145 1/2
Tim Kennedy 185 – Yoel Romero 185
Cat Zingano 135 – Amanda Nunes 135
Dominick Cruz 134 – Takeya Mizugaki 136
James Krause 155 – Jorge Masvidal 155
Patrick Cote 170 1/2 – Stephen Thompson 170
Brian Ebersole 170 1/2 – John Howard 170
Jon Tuck 155 – Kevin Lee 155 1/2
Manvel Gamburyan 135 1/2 – Cody Gibson 135 1/2

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 26, 2014) – Framingham, Massachusetts’ Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor and Virginia’s Andrew Farmer will battle it out in the special “Monster Brawl” on Thursday, Oct. 30. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes’ Golden Boy Live! series will be held at Plymouth, Massachusetts’ Plymouth Memorial Hall, headlining another stellar night of world-class boxing action. The bout, which was originally scheduled for St. Patrick’s Day, but was postponed due to an injury sustained by O’Connor, is a Halloween treat for Boston area boxing fans.

In the co-main event, lightweight contender Sharif “The Lion” Bogere travels to the East Coast from Las Vegas to face Binan City, Laguna, Philippines’ Aaron Melgarejo in a 10-round matchup. In the four-round televised opener, Dublin middleweight standout Jason Quigley makes his Boston area debut against Miami’s Serge Cadeus. Also televised will be local sensation Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca as he competes in a six-round middleweight swing bout on Oct. 30 against an opponent to be determined.

As a special tie-in with the “Monster Brawl” theme, there will be a costume contest held for those dawning the evening’s best Halloween costumes. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed fans.

“The greater Boston area is proving to be one of our favorite stops as we bring Golden Boy Live! around the country and the fans here are loud, energetic, and diehard – everything we want to see and hear when we come to town,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president and founder of Golden Boy Promotions. “O’Connor vs. Farmer was a main event everyone wanted to see when it was first scheduled in March and we made every effort to make sure the fans get what they want. This will be a good one.”

“We are very excited to be bringing boxing back to Plymouth and especially to Plymouth Memorial Hall, which is one of the best venues in all of boxing. We have a great card, with Boston’s most popular fighter, Danny O’Connor in the main event. Danny rejuvenated local boxing and he’s back and poised to make a world championship run,” said promoter Ken Casey, who when not busy with his main job as the signer for the Dropkick Murphys has become a driving force in Boston area boxing promotions.

“After being out of the ring for a year, I’m so looking forward to getting back in there,” said Danny O’Connor. “I’m excited that it’s close to home and I’ll have a chance to again fight in front of my home fans that have faithfully supported me since day one. I’m not losing at home – no way.”

“Danny O’Connor is a fighter who will have the whole place behind him on Oct. 30, but when the bell rings, it’s only me and him in there,” said Farmer. “I’m looking forward to quieting the crowd and getting the victory I should have had in March.”

Crowd favorite Danny O’Connor (23-2, 7 KOs) makes his return to the ring in the 10-round main event against Andrew Farmer. The former amateur National Champion and U.S. Olympian looks to continue his march toward a title shot. In order to do this O’Connor must first get by the tough and capable Farmer. Framingham native O’Connor has been out of the ring since October 2013, and his return to the ring expects to be a rousing homecoming. “Clan O’Connor,” Danny’s passionate fan base, is expected to come in droves, armed with their trusty drums and fervent chants.

Front Royal, Virginia’s Andrew Farmer (18-2, 7 KOs) has no problem traveling into O’Connor’s backyard to fight. After winning 14 of his last 15 bouts, including five straight, the 28-year-old has the confidence that when the bell sounds, he’s got the goods to upset the hometown favorite.

A native of Uganda now fighting out of Las Vegas, 25-year-old Sharif Bogere (25-1, 17 KOs) has bounced back nicely from the lone loss of his career in a 2013 title bout against Richar Abril, stopping Arturo Urena and Miguel Zamudio in 2014. Now looking to get back into the championship race, “The Lion” will fight on the East Coast for the first time in his career this Oct.

Philippine native Aaron Melgarejo (17-7-1, 6 KOs), a winner of four of his last five bouts, will be returning to the ring after a five-year hiatus. Melgarejo’s matchup with Bogere will mark the first time that Melgarejo has fought since Oct. 2009. The veteran will look to remove any ring rust and take command early on Oct. 30.

Whitman, Massachusetts’ hometown favorite and former U.S. Marine combat veteran Mark DeLuca (11-0, 8 KOs) will look to continue his impressive undefeated streak with a twelfth consecutive professional victory. There’s little doubt who the fan favorite will be on Oct. 30 as DeLuca returns to the ring just over one month after another impressive knockout in mid-September.

Former Irish amateur star Jason Quigley (2-0, 2 KOs) should also have plenty of support from the local crowd as he seeks his third professional win. Already drawing rave reviews for his knockouts of Howard Reece and Fernando Najera, the 23-year-old is eager to keep the positive notices going this fall.

Brooklyn’s Serge Cadeus (1-0), fighting by way of Miami, Fla., will be vying for his second professional victory after his unanimous decision win in August over Yoeglys Duverger.

“Monster Brawl: O’Connor vs. Farmer,” a 10-round welterweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Murphys Boxing and Back East Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Mexico – Live It To Believe It! and Brennan’s Smoke Shop. Plymouth Memorial Hall doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET and the first fight starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $100 (Rindside – Reserved seating), $80 (Floor seating – Reserved), $65 (Mezzanine – General admission) and $45 (Balcony – General admission) are available for purchase now at any of the six Brennan’s Smoke Shop locations which can found at http://www.brennanssmokeshopma.com/location.html or by visiting www.murphysboxing.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.murphysboxing.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/murphysboxing,www.twitter.com/DOC_Boxing and www.twitter.com/HOBBoston, www.twitter.com/dropkickmurphys, www.twitter.com/kendkm, follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page. Also, visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit FOXSports.com and become a follower on @FOXSports1 and @FOXDeportes.

Moscow, Russia (September 26, 2014)– Former WBO Jr. Welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov was joined in his native Russia by his promoter Artie Pelullo and trainer Freddie Roach.

The three,along with manager Vadim Kornilov are in Russia to discuss Provodnikov’s next bout, which will take place in his homeland before the end of the year.

Provodnikov has made his feelings known that he wants a rematch with Chris Algieri early in 2015.

LONDON (26 SEPT) Hennessy Sports have announced today that the event on October 4th at Glow, Bluewater has now been postponed due to British champion and MaxiNutrition finalist Bob Ajisafe suffering a lower back injury sustained during training.

The Final of the Light Heavyweight tournament between Bob Ajisafe and Travis Dickinson will now be held at Glow, Bluewater on Saturday 8th November.

Tickets already purchased for the event will be valid to be used for the rescheduled date on Saturday November 8th.

If you require a refund please contact the point of purchase.

Tickets to see who will lift the MAXINUTRITITON TROPHY are available to purchase from Ticketline.co.uk or by calling the Ticketline box office on
0844 888 9991

Ticket are priced £25 for General Admission, £50 Outer Ringside Reserved Seating, £100 Inner Ringside Reserved and £120 Inner Ringside Reserved (Please note that the £120 ringside tickets will secure you a seat in the first 3 rows)

Monaco/Johannesburg, September 26 – By his own admission, unbeaten light-heavyweight Ryno “The Lion” Liebenberg has a big mouth.

The WBC #4, IBF #8 and WBO #15 says that the difference between him and many other fighters is that he backs up his boasts with his boxing.
“I’ll fight King Kong, Mike Tyson, whoever. You can say I have a big mouth, but I always deliver. Even my wife agrees I have a big mouth,” says the cocky South African (16-0, 11 KOs).
That same mouth has goaded and taunted Colombian Eleider Alvarez (15-0, 8 KOs), the WBC #12, WBA #2 and WBO #3, who fights Liebenberg in an intriguing battle of unbeaten prospects on the Golden Gloves “Title Tornado” tournament in Monte Carlo on October 25.

“He’s got no manners, but I’ll be teaching him some,” said Liebenberg, referring to Alvarez’s January fight against Andrew Gardiner in which, Liebenberg claims, Alvarez swore at the Canadian after being offered a congratulatory handshake.
Liebenberg constantly bates Alvarez on Twitter in an undisguised attempt to get under the skin of the Montreal-based Alvarez.
The South African is one of the sport’s supreme talkers and has an unusually self-deprecating view of his fighting style. “I’m never gonna be slick like a Mayweather or a Pernell Whitaker; it’s not what I do. I wouldn’t know how. If I try and be someone I’m not, I’ll come up short. You can’t learn how to box . . . you box a certain way and that’s it. You can always tighten up and be more polished, but the essence remains.
“I work on my strengths. I never used to think I could punch, but as a pro I’ve banged out a lot of guys. Thirteen of my 16 fights have been at light-heavy, with 11 of them stoppages. I’m tough, I can take a punch and I’m fit and strong.”
It’s a style that has served him well, particularly as he turned professional at the relatively advanced age of 27.
“He’s all heart,” says promoter Rodney Berman. “I had my doubts in the beginning, but he just kept winning. I’m quite sure Alvarez could beat him, but to do so would require a bigger heart than Ryno. I’m not sure that’s possible. What I do know is that it will be a helluva fight.”
Going into his most recent bout, against Russia’s Denis Grachev, he had three back-to-back first round stoppages. An early cut in their August fight troubled Liebenberg, but he boxed well down the stretch to earn a decision win in claiming the WBC’s vacant Silver belt.
He said the main thing he learned fighting Grachev was the need to work and train even harder. “I went 12 rounds and never gassed, but I realised I had to do more. I know that boxing is the only sport in the world where your best might not be good enough. I must be much better prepared mentally and physically.”
He is just coming off the endurance phase of training and moving into what he calls the “explosive” phase of his build-up with under a month to go until his Monaco outing. This includes regular sparring with Nkululeko Mhlongo, the South African junior-middleweight champion, who offers excellent work, and up-and-coming prospect Alfonso Tissen, among others.
Liebenberg trains twice a day, six days a week, all the while holding down his day job of running the family-owned paint store on the west side of Johannesburg.
For all his bravado, Liebenberg makes no bones about his respect for Alvarez’s boxing.
“He’s very good, with a fast jab, fast combinations and a good uppercut and left hook. He has enough skill and talent to beat anyone at light-heavyweight. We’re both 30, so there’s no chance of ducking anyone. Eventually you have to fight whoever is put in front of you. I’ll fight anyone and, the thing is, I’m not afraid of losing, it’s not the end of the world. But at my age, I have no intention of doing so.”
Liebenberg’s candour is refreshing in this age of preening PR-talk and polished images. He admits his honesty “can bite me in the arse”, but says it “sucks” to go to boring press conferences where boxers spew clichéd soundbites instead of talking the truth. He is many things, but boring isn’t one of them.
Unfazed by fighting overseas for the first time, Liebenberg is predicting a late stoppage win.
“This guy has never been knocked down, he can take a punch. But can he take a punch from me? Yes, he beat a puncher like Edison Miranda, but Miranda was a banger at middleweight, not light-heavy.
“I suspect Alvarez will box my ears off the first four or so rounds, but then I’ll start breaking him down. If I hit and land cleanly, he’s gone. After six, it’s my fight. I’ve told him, too – I’m gonna knock him out.”
That’s Liebenberg, talking the talk and, for now, walking the walk.
We’ll see on October 25.

The “Title Tornado” card also includes WBA/IBO strawweight champion Hekkie Budler’s title defence against Xiong Zhao Zhong of China, the WBC Silver middleweight title fight between Martin Murray and Domenico Spada and the IBF bantamweight title bout between Stuart Hall of the UK and Randy Caballero of the US.

Known as one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, owned and operated by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, is the premiere casino destination in Europe. The Casino de Monte-Carlo continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.

Ontario, CA (September 25, 2014)–2012 Olympic bronze medal winner Taras Shelestyuk (8-0, 6 KO’s) of Sumy, Ukraine weighed in at 146.7 while opponent Patrick Boozer (6-2, 2 KO’s) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, weighed in at 146.4 for Friday night’s 8-round Welterweight bout at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.

Shelestyuk, who represented Ukraine in the 2012 Olympics, has won his last three bouts by stoppage. In his last two bouts, he has finished off his opponent in the 1st round.

Shelestyuk is promoted by Banner Promotions.

The show is promoted by Thompson Boxing.

Los Angeles, CA (September 25, 2014) Two additional bouts have been confirmed to the acclaimed “MEXICAN STYLE” world championship professional boxing event set for Saturday, October 18 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California which will be televised on HBO Latino beginning at 12:45 a.m. ET/PT (on tape delay).

In a 10-round light heavyweight battle, former world title challenger EDWIN “La Bomba” RODRIGUEZ will face off against fast rising contender AZEA AUGUSTAMA of Miami, Florida.

Opening the HBO LATINO BOXING telecast will be an evenly matched 10-round middleweight clash between hard-hitting contenders MARCOS “Dorado” REYES of Chihuahua, Mexico and El Paso, Texas native ABRAHAM “Abie” HAN.

“Adding these two action packed bouts to an already stellar card validates this as one of the premier boxing events of 2014” said Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions. “We’ve met with the StubHub Center Team this week and are exploring options to add more tickets to this event.”

Presented by K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions and Promociones Del Pueblo, “MEXICAN STYLE” is headlined by Boxing’s fastest rising star, GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN, defending his WBA/IBO Middleweight World Titles against WBC Interim Champion MARCO ANTONIO “El Veneno” RUBIO in the scheduled 12-round main event.

The co-feature bout on October 18th is a featherweight showdown between 2012 Fighter of the Year and four-division world champion NONITO “The Filipino Flash” DONAIRE, 33-2-0 (21KO’s) and undefeated world champion NICHOLAS “The Axe Man” WALTERS, 24-0-0 (20KO’s) who will battle it out to determine the undisputed World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight world champion. Donaire vs. Walters is presented by Top Rank®.

Both world title fights will be televised Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. With a simulcast on the HBO Latino service.

RODRIGUEZ vs. AUGUSTAMA is presented by DiBella Entertainment.

“We’re happy that Edwin is returning to the ring where he belongs, in the light heavyweight division,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Augustama is an excellent test for Edwin’s move into the light heavyweight division.”

Said Rodriguez, “I’m excited to be returning to action and to get back on HBO. I’ve had a really good training camp with great sparring preparation. I feel that with my last fight against Andre Ward, my body was telling me that I needed to move up in weight.”

“This is Edwin’s first fight at 175 pounds,” said Augustama. “He picked the wrong light heavyweight. I feel sorry for him. He picked the wrong guy to come back against. It will be the biggest mistake of his career.”

After impressively stopping the previously undefeated Jason Escalera in eight rounds in September 2012 on HBO Boxing After Dark®, Edwin participated in and won the ‘Million Dollar Super Four’ tournament in Monte Carlo, Monaco, defeating the 19-0 Ezequiel Maderna via 10-round unanimous decision and demolishing the 13-1-1 Denis Grachev by TKO inside the opening frame. His performances in the tournament earned him a shot at the WBA Super Middleweight Champion Andre Ward.

On November 16, 2013, Edwin worked hard to bring the fight on the inside and take Ward out of his game plan, but would ultimately lose a 12-round decision. Now refreshed and rejuvenated, Rodriguez is determined to reclaim his lofty highly ranked status, as a light heavyweight.

Haitian-born Azea Augustama is an extremely fast and agile boxer/puncher with a lethal straight right hand.

After losing a controversial eight-round majority decision to the 8-0 Denis Grachev in 2011, Augustama has gone on to score eight straight victories, over the likes of durable and hardnosed opponents Billy Bailey, Rayco Saunders and Cory Cummings. Against Jermain Mackey this past January, Augustama picked up the WBC Fecarbox title by winning a unanimous eight-round decision.

Sporting a record of 32-1-0 (24KO’s) and well known in Mexico for his show stopping knockout victories, the 26-year-old Reyes is undefeated over the last four years, a winning streak of nineteen bouts.

Making his third start of 2014, Reyes is coming off a ten round unanimous decision over Octavio Castro on June 7th in his hometown of Chihuahua, Mexico.

With a distinguished record of 22-1-0 (14KO’s) over his seven-year professional career, the 29-year-old Han will be looking to stay in the win column, riding a three bout undefeated streak.

Most recently Han thrilled his legion of local fans with a second round knockout of perennial contender J.C. Candelo on April 5th in El Paso, Texas.

Han’s only loss came to highly regarded contender Glen Tapia in July 2013.

The StubHub Center is located at 18400 Avalon Blvd. in Carson, CA 90746. For directions and further information, please visit their website at www.StubHubCenter.com Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. PT on the day of the event for a full program of world class boxing with the first bell at 3:15 p.m. PT.

For fight updates on GOLOVKIN VS. RUBIO via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/ @GGGBoxing, Marco Antonio Rubio/ @MAVenenoRubio, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Promociones Del Pueblo/ @PromoDelPueblo. Use the hashtag #GolovkinRubio to join the conversation on Twitter.

ORANGE, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2014) – Lightweight champion Jose Roman (17-1-1, 12 KOs) of Garden Grove, Calif. defends his WBC CABOFE Lightweight Title against veteran Hector Velazquez (56-22-3, 38 KOs) of Tijuana, Mex. in the 8-round “Path to Glory” main event. Roman-Velazquez is part of a seven-bout fight card promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and is set for Friday, Sept. 26, from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

General admission tickets for “Path to Glory” are available at $40. Boxing fans can purchase tomorrow at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif. See address below.

WEIGHTS

Jose Roman, 134.5 vs. Hector Velazquez, 135
Danny Roman, 121.8 vs. Jonathan Alcantara, 121.5
Taras Shelestyuk, 146.7 vs. Patrick Boozer, 146.4
Cesar Villarraga, 133.6 vs. Oscar Santana, 132.2
Erick Ituarte, 129.4 vs. Jesus Aguinaga, 129.8
LaRon Mitchell, 249.9 vs. Eduardo Ramirez, 229.9
Andres Figueroa, 133.7 vs. Carlos Zatarin, 134

For additional details on “Path to Glory,” please click here.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the first bell rings at 7:45 p.m. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91764 and can be reached at (909) 937-0900.

“Path to Glory” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Lucas Oil, in association with KCAL 96.7 FM Rocks!, KOLA 99.9 FM, and LATV Networks.

For additional information please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter @ThompsonBoxing and Instagram. To follow the conversation on social media, please use hash tags #ThompsonBoxing, #PathtoGlory.

Danny Roman, 121.8 vs. Jonathan Alcantara, 121.5

Taras Shelestyuk, 146.7 vs. Patrick Boozer, 146.4 w/ James Toney in background

Ken Thompson, Shelestyuk, Boozer, & former world champ James Toney

Cesar Villarraga, 133.6 vs. Oscar Santana, 132.2

Erick Ituarte, 129.4 vs. Jesus Aguinaga, 129.8

LaRon Mitchell, 249.9 vs. Eduardo Ramirez, 229.9

Andres Figueroa, 133.7 vs. Carlos Zatarin, 134

Roman defends his WBC CABOFE Lightweight Championship vs. Velazquez

NEW YORK (Sept. 25, 2014) — Undefeated Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (20-0-0, 12 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of Cuba, will defend his IBF junior lightweight title against former world title challenger and IBF No. 3-ranked challenger Fernando David “El Vasco” Saucedo (52-5-3, 8, KOs), of Florencio Varela, Argentina, in the main event of a SHOWTIME Boxing Special Edition quadrupleheader on Saturday, Oct. 4, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, Conn.

In other 10-round fights on a four-fight telecast: Willie “The Great” Nelson (23-1-1, 13 KOs), of Cleveland, Ohio, will be opposed by Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (34-1-1, 21 KOs), of Glendale, Calif. by way of Armenia, in a collision of once-beaten junior middleweights, former light heavyweight world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (32-3, 18 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of New Haven, Conn., fights for the first time in his home state in five years when he goes up against Tommy Karpency (23-4-1, 14 KOs), of Adah, Penn, and promising middleweight Dominic “Lights Out” Wade (16-0, 11 KOs) of Largo, Md. will put his perfect record on the line against KeAndre Leatherwood (14-2-1, 10 KOs), of Birmingham, Ala.

The 5-foot-11, 29-year-old Barthelemy, a boxer-puncher with good skills, movement and punching power, is making the first defense of the 130-pound title he won with a dominant 12-round decision over defending champion Argenis Mendez in his last fight on July 10 in Miami, Fla.

The victory, scored 115-111 three times, came in a rematch of a bizarre scrap on Jan. 3, 2014, in Minneapolis that went into the books as a no-decision after the former Cuban amateur standout knocked Mendez out after the bell had sounded to end the second round.

With Mendez finally in his rearview mirror, Barthelemy is looking forward to Oct. 4 and beyond.

“I’m very excited to be fighting on SHOWTIME for the first time,’’ said Bathelemy, who defected from Cuba shortly before his pro debut in September 2009. “The goal when you start out your career is to win a world title and fight on a major network. Now that I have accomplished both I want to prove I’m one of the best fighters in the world.

“Saucedo has fought a lot of guys. He’s one of the highest ranked contenders in the IBF so I’m coming in totally prepared and focused. I want to win obviously, but I’d like to win impressively.

“I want to show everybody that I’m the best at 130 pounds no ifs, ands or butts, and that includes Mikey Garcia, Orlando Salido, who’s called me out … So the opportunities are there for me. But first I have to defeat Saucedo.’’

A veteran of 60 pro fights, the 33-year-old, 5-foot-7 Saucedo has won 14 in a row, including seven by way of knockout. This will be not only his first time fighting on SHOWTIME, but also his first time fighting in the United States.

His last loss came in his first world title fight on a 12-round unanimous decision to WBA 126-pound titleholder and hometown favorite Chris John on Dec. 5, 2010, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Saucedo is a veteran who gets one last chance to prove he can succeed at the highest level,’’ said SHOWTIME Expert Analyst Steve Farhood. “To date, he’s been strong in Argentina but less effective outside his native country. Barthelemy is one of the brighter young titlists in boxing.’’

Saucedo, who captured the WBC Silver 130-pound belt three outings ago, is coming off a third-round TKO over Luis Juarez, last June 27 in Buenos Aires.

Farhood regards the co-feature between Nelson and Martirosyan as a “throwback fight between contenders where the stakes are self-evident.’’

“This type of matchup you don’t see anymore,’’ Farhood said. “Martirosyan is a legitimate top-10 contender while Nelson is just outside the top 10. The winner will be clearly in line for a shot at a title.’’

Nelson, a 6-foot-3½, 27-year-old, has won seven in a row since his lone defeat (on ShoBox on an eight-round majority decision to Vincent Arroyo in April 2011). Nelson was triumphant in his other ShoBox start on a unanimous 10-round decision (97-92 twice and 95-94) over left-handed former Cuban amateur star and previously unbeaten prospect Yudel Jhonson in May 2012.

After dealing Johnson his initial setback, Nelson, who’s very tall for the weight class, upset undefeated prospect and 2008 Virgin Islands Olympian, John Jackson, on a unanimous 10-round decision (98-92 and 96-94 twice) to capture the NABF 154-pound belt on Sept. 15, 2012.

Nelson underwent surgery on his left elbow in late 2013, but has fought twice since, winning a clear 10-round decision over hard-trying Luis Grajeda in his most recent outing last Aug. 8.

An amateur standout before going pro in May 2006, Nelson doesn’t plan to make radical changes in his style and technique against Armenian-born Martirosyan.

“I think Martirosyan is a good fighter,’’ said Nelson, a former U.S, amateur standout and eight-year pro. “He’s well-rounded–decent speed, decent power. But I’m going to use the same game plan for him as I do for everybody else. I’m not going to change nothing. Basically, I’m just going to work on keeping him on the outside on the end of my punches.”

Martirosyan, 28, is coming off a unanimous 10-round decision over Mario Lozano last March 21 in Cabazon, Calif. In his first start for new trainer, Joe Goossen, and new promoter, Goossen Tutor, Martirosyan dominated; he scored a knockdown with a right hand in the second and consistently outboxed and outworked Lozano to win going away by 100-89 three times.

A 2004 U.S. Olympian, Martirosyan is 6-foot-tall boxer-puncher who possesses good power, movement and speed. He’ll be looking to make it two-for-two for his new team on Oct. 4.

“I’ve been training for this fight for over 2 and a half months–it’s been a long camp,’’ said Martirosyan, who lost a 12-round split decision to undefeated lefthander and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (117-110, 114-113 and 112-115) in a fight for the vacant WBO junior middleweight belt on Nov. 19, 2013. “Every time I spar, I’m sparring 15 rounds, 20 rounds. We’re working really hard. I’ve never in my life sparred so long or experienced something like this.

“I think Nelson is a good fighter. He always finds a way to win even though he gets hurt or dropped, and you’ve got to respect him for that. But he has to respect me, too, because I’ve never been so hungry in my life,” said Martirosyan. “This is basically do-or-die for me.”

In a sensational amateur career in which he was an eight-time National champion, the lanky Martirosyan upended Timothy Bradley, who went on to win super lightweight and welterweight world titles, Austin Trout, who would become the WBA super welterweight titlist, and Andre Berto, who went on to win the WBC and IBF welterweight belt.

In the second televised fight of the evening, “Bad Chad” continues the second chapter of his career, as he calls it, against Pennsylvania native Karpency in an attempt to get a step closer to another world title shot.

Dawson is coming off a 2:35 first-round knockout over George Blades last June 21 on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

The knockout over the outclassed Blades snapped a two-fight losing streak for the former two-time light heavyweight world champion. ”It was good to get some of the ring rust off,’’ he said. “I think the time off did me a lot of good. I got a little rest and got to spend time with my family.

“With that fight out of the way, I’ll be sharper and in better shape this time. Nothing’s really changed for me. I’m just back to being myself and working hard and doing the right things. I’m strong and I’ve got that hunger back. ’’

Once considered one of the most talented pound-for-pound boxers in the world and the last fighter to defeat Bernard Hopkins, “Bad Chad” also owns victories over Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson (twice each), Tomasz Adamek and Adrian Diaconu. This will be his first fight in Connecticut since he unanimously outpointed Johnson in their rematch in November 2009, and his first at Foxwoods since 2004.

But questions remain about whether Dawson can regain his past form. “Dawson is at a point in his career where he has to give fans reason to think he can again be a dominant light heavyweight again,’’ Farhood said.

Fellow southpaw Karpency, 28, has won two consecutive fights, including a unanimous 10-round decision over Dhalir Smith last July 26. He has experience against good opposition. In February 2012, he fought WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly in England; in his next fight he met hard-hitting, world-ranked Andrzej Fonfara. He’s also been in with Karo Murat.

Wade and Leatherwood will square off to open the telecast in a 10-round middleweight bout.

Twenty-five-year-old Wade has won five in a row since returning to the ring in February 2013 after a two-year layoff. In his ShoBox debut and first scheduled 10-rounder, the former amateur star stepped up in class and won a unanimous decision over Nick Brinson. He also registered a spectacular one-punch second-round TKO over Marcus Upshaw.

Leatherwood is a 5-foot-10, 25-year-old who’s won two straight fights since losing a 10-round decision to Hugo Centeno in a disappointing effort in his ShoBox debut on March 8, 2013. Leatherwood is coming off a first-round knockout over Mickey Scarborough last April 5.

Tickets, priced at $150, $90 and $45, may be purchased online at Foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The first live, non-televised fight is at 6:30 pm. The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing with the co-featured Nelson-Martirosyan match promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Barry Tompkins will call the SHOWTIME BOXING Special Edition action with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Light Heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly will rematch one of his former opponents in Tony Bellew in November in England.

“I’m so pleased to get this over the line and deliver another huge domestic grudge match for British boxing,” Hearn said. “This fight has everything — quality, controversy and a genuine rivalry that will lead to a fascinating buildup and a wonderful night at the Echo Arena.”

“I cannot wait for this,” Cleverly said. “I beat him in front of his people before and this time I’m going to knock him out in front of his people. There will be no final bell in this fight. It’s going to be brutal. Expect fireworks from the buildup, the press conferences, the weigh-in and the fight, but also expect the same result — a Nathan Cleverly victory, and then I will become a two-weight world champion.”

Bellew is eager for revenge.

“I want this more than any fight in the world,” Bellew said. “I’ve dreamt about this moment, about putting this right, about ending him. His face will be in my mind every day in camp, every night. I can’t explain how badly I want to knock him out and that’s exactly how it will end in November. For the people of Liverpool, expect a great occasion, an epic buildup and an emotional fight.”

In the first made fight between Top Rank and Golden Boy in several years, Luis Carlos Abregu will take on Sadam Ali in a Welterweight bout on November 8 in Atlantic City as the HBO-televised co-feature to Bernard Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev Light Heavyweight unification bout, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Hopefully, this is the first of many fights to be made with Golden Boy,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com, adding that negotiating the bout with Golden Boy vice president Eric Gomez was “easy.”

“Abregu is the most avoided welterweight in the world,” Sean Gibbons, his agent, told ESPN.com. “He was turned down by Manny Pacquiao, Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado. They didn’t want to fight him. They didn’t want anything to do with him. So he is very happy to finally get back on HBO (where he faced Bradley and Dulorme) and follow in the footsteps of his successful countrymen, Marcos Maidana and Lucas Matthysse. Now it’s his turn.

“Like he did with Dulorme, Abregu is here to make a statement against Ali and show that in 2015 he can get an even more meaningful fight with one of the champions.”

“The best sparring Abregu ever got was against Sadam Ali,” Gibbons said. “They were both training in the gym for their own fights and they gave each other great work. I was really surprised and happy that Sadam Ali believes he can beat Abregu. He must think highly of the sparring sessions they had.”

Washington, D.C. (September 25, 2014) – This Friday, Washington D.C. native and undefeated Welterweight sensation, Dusty Hernandez-Harrison, will throw out the first pitch for the National League East Champions, Washington Nationals. The 1:00pm game, the first of a double header for the Nationals, kicks off the final home series for the Nats before the playoffs begin.

WBC Youth Welterweight World Champion, Hernandez-Harrison (23-0, 12 KO’s), grew up just on the other side of the bridge from where National’s Park stands today. At just 20 years old, Hernandez-Harrison relates to the dedication and passion that it takes in the aspirations of winning a World Championship.

“I am honored to be stepping on the same field as the Nationals’ players because I know what their success means to all of us in the community,” said Dusty.

Hernandez-Harrison’s promoter, Jeff Fried of All In Entertainment, noted that “an athlete’s competitive side is always present contributing to their elite status in their sport: as Dusty is practicing which of his repertoire of pitches to throw!”

Hernandez-Harrison was originally scheduled to take on Hector Muñoz on September 27 at DAR Constitution Hall for the WBC Continental Americas title; however, due to an ankle injury sustained by Hernandez-Harrison, the championship bout has been rescheduled for later in the fall in Washington, D.C. Also scheduled to compete on the championship boxing card are undefeated welterweight Larry Recio, Baltimore’s cruiserweight contender, Venroy July, rising heavyweight, Dwayne McRae and lightweight undefeated sensation, Mykal Fox, among many other exciting boxers from the DMV.

Tacoma, WA (September 25, 2014) – On Saturday October 4th at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington, fans will not only see an incredible night of fights at the inaugural Super Fight League America event, but the homecoming of Mixed Martial Arts legend and Seattle native Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett.

“We are extremely happy to have Josh Barnett involved in our inaugural SFLA fights at the Emerald Queen Casino,” state promoter, Brian Halquist. “Not only does he have two fighters in title fights, but he will also be doing a personal appearance following weigh in to sign autographs and take pictures with Northwest fight fans.”

Josh attended Ballard High School, where he immediately excelled in wrestling, earning a spot in the state tournament every year and placing as high as second place during his senior year. He soon found his way to other combat sports, namely kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. In 1997, Josh competed in his first professional MMA bout, winning by submission in the very first round. After amassing a 9-0 record, he was invited to fight in the UFC.

Barnett was so impressive, that after only 4 fights with the promotion, he was given the opportunity to fight UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture for the World Heavyweight Championship. Josh won by TKO to become the youngest UFC champion in history.

Since then, Josh has fought all over the world, putting together a stellar 33-7 record, with 28 of those victories coming by way of stoppage. Josh has become a hero to countless up and coming MMA fighters and fans alike. Josh has shifted some of his attention to training and with two of his fighters preparing for championship bouts at SFLA #1, Josh’s coaching looks to have a major impact come fight night.

“I’m glad to be back in the place I’m not only from, but where I launched my career,” said Barnett. “I loved fighting in Washington and I think it’s great to give my fighters the experience to fight up here as well.”

Currently training out of Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW) with legendary instructor, Erik Paulson, Barnett is an advisor to numerous fighters, but keeps his managing focus on Los Angeles prospects, Victor Henry and Colleen Schneider. On October 4th, Barnett will be handling cornering duties for both fighters whom, as mentioned earlier, will both be fighting for SFLA Titles. Josh’s years of experience as a competitor and coach will prove invaluable as both young fighters look to leave Tacoma with the championship belts.

Barnett will be available for autographs and photos directly following weigh in at 7:30 PM on Friday, October 3rd at the Emerald Queen Hotel and Casino in Fife, WA. Weigh in is free and open to the public. Fans are encouraged to come out to the EQC to meet the UFC star along with all of the other fighters participating on the first ever Super Fight League America card.

QUICKIE FACTS

WHAT: Josh Barnett Personal Appearance (Autographs and photos)
WHERE: Emerald Queen Hotel and Casino – Fife, WA
When: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
ABOUT SUPER FIGHT LEAGUE

The Super Fight League is Asia’s leading Mixed Martial Arts organization. Over the past decade, with the guidance of state athletic commissions throughout the United States, Mixed Martial Arts has developed from a spectacle into a highly respected sport with a global audience. Major fights between world-renowned Mixed Martial Arts superstars are among the most popular sporting events of the year, surpassing pay-per-view records of boxing and professional wrestling. Sports fans around the World have made their voices heard, they want a sense of real competition when they watch sports, and MMA delivers. The Super Fight League brings Mixed Martial Arts to India and it brings it the world through its partnership with YouTube.com. MMA fans can catch all Super Fight League live and for free on TV in India and YouTube everywhere else.

Super Fight League was founded by Raj Kundra and Sanjay Dutt in 2012. Both men are proven leaders in Sports and Entertainment in India and both are well respected and successful Entrepreneurs. Collectively they have become dominant forces in India’s Bollywood and Cricket scene and now Mixed Martial Arts.
ABOUT BRIAN HALQUIST

Brian Halquist Productions is the Northwest premiere fight promotion company creator of the famed “Battle at the Boat” boxing series promoting over 17 years and 100 fights at the Emerald Queen Casino. BHP has also built the largest professional MMA series on the USA’s west coast with “CageSport MMA” promoting over 30 fights. Brian Halquist Productions has promoted events for ESPN, ShowTime and HBO and featured on Showtime’s historic boxing event in St Lucia, West Indies. Brian Halquist Productions has been promoting fights and concerts for over 30 years in the Pacific Northwest.

Las Vegas – UFCFIGHTPASS.com’s biggest month so far, dubbed the stacked September streamathon, concludes this Saturday with two evenly-matched Fight Pass Prelims, which kick-start the huge UFC 178 event.

There have been exclusively live fights every single Saturday this month on UFC FIGHT PASS, the UFC’s digital streaming service. The action began with the inaugural live stream of Invicta FC on September 6, where “The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson blitzed challenger Yasuko Tamada in an Invicta atomweight title fight.

Then, in an exclusive UFC FIGHT NIGHT from Brazil, former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski completed his fairytale comeback by knocking out two-time title challenger Bigfoot Silva in the very first round on September 13. And, last week, in what many believe to be the best action card of the year so far, UFC FIGHT NIGHT JAPAN saw Mark Hunt stun Roy Nelson in an another exclusive UFCFIGHTPASS.com card.

All these cards are available on-demand right now on UFC FIGHT PASS, but the action continues this Saturday from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as the opening fights of the night will be available exclusively live on UFC FIGHT PASS.

First, two lightweights with big ambitions collide when BJJ wizard Jon Tuck takes on the rising force of 22-year-old Kevin Lee. Both men have identically impressive 8-1 MMA career records and are coming off victories inside the Octagon.

Lee said: “We’re both 8-1, we are both coming up. One of us is going to keep coming up, and one of us is going back down. This is a huge fight for me. Not only am I here to prove I’m a contender, I’m here to prove I am a future champion. I want to really impress the fans, start to get the fans excited to see me fight, start the process of breaking out of the pack, and go from there.”

And in the opening fight of the night veteran Manny Gamburyan, 13-8-0 1NC, takes on Cody Gibson, 12-4, in a bantamweight fight neither man can afford to lose.

Gibson, 27, was a high school wrestling standout who, by his own admission, squandered the chance to become a Division I wrestler when he got to Menlo College back in the day.

He said: “I have to be honest; I beat up T.J. Dillashaw in my freshman year of college wrestling. Beat him up. I was right there; I could have really done something in wrestling. I could have competed at the Division I level, no question, but I was a dumb kid and I was having too much fun playing beer pong and partying. I regret a lot about my college days and am trying to make up for that now.”

Having quit his job as a school teacher to focus on MMA full time, Gibson has promised to make up for lost time, starting with the UFC FIGHT PASS fight vs veteran Gamburyan.

He said: “I’m fighting an Ultimate Fighter veteran and just feel fortunate to have another opportunity to prove to people what I can do against a name like him. He’s definitely the biggest name I’ve ever fought, but that doesn’t scare me or intimidate me. If I can put his name on the list of people I’ve beaten, it’s going to be a feather in my cap and catapult me to new heights in this division.”

But Gamburyan said: “He’s a good fighter but he’s not got anything I’ve not seen before at this stage of my career. I’m very experienced now, and I’ve trained very hard for this fight. I know that you can’t take any fight for granted, that doesn’t exist at this level, and Gibson is a very well rounded fighter. I’m here for a tough night.”

UFC FIGHT PASS is available now at UFCFIGHTPASS.com on personal computers, iPad, iPhone, Chromecast, Android, Samsung, LG Smart TV and Roku. Subscriptions are $9.99 month to month, $8.99 per month for six months or $7.99 per month for a one-year subscription.

All bouts live and subject to change.

Las Vegas, Nev. – The UFC® announced its popular International Fight Week will return to Las Vegas July 7-12, 2015. Since its inception, UFC International Fight Week™ has increased in size and activities, quickly establishing itself as the world’s largest mixed martial arts celebration. The weeklong festival provides high-energy, all-star entertainment that the UFC is known to deliver and includes diverse events around town providing something for everyone.

Signature events such as UFC Fan Expo, an Official Pool Party with Octagon Girls®, a free concert and Open Workouts will headline the weeklong schedule, with newer events such as Charity Bowling, and the Ulti-man® 5K Run making their return. Many of the hottest locations around town including Brooklyn Bowl, The Venetian® and The Palazzo® Las Vegas, Fremont Street Experience, LIQUID Pool at Aria and El Cortez Hotel and Casino will host special UFC-themed events. In addition, several new amateur and youth combat sport tournaments will make their debut in Las Vegas during 2015 UFC International Fight Week. The celebration will culminate with a weekend of action-packed fights, including UFC 189 on July 11.

The 2014 UFC International Fight Week drew nearly 70,000 fans of all ages and featured interactive experiences with more than 100 UFC athletes, Octagon Girls, talent and industry icons. Amateur athletes from 20 different countries also competed in tournaments, including the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s first World Championships for Amateur MMA.

Innovative auctions and unique fan experiences raised thousands of dollars over the week for the UFC Community Works program which benefited Three Square Food Bank, One Drop, Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada and The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada. Fans bid on the opportunity to bowl or sightsee with fighters, ran side-by-side with the stars at the fund-raising 5k, and took home original creations at “The Art of Fighting” art exhibit and auction. In addition, UFC fighters and Octagon Girls taught a free self-defense class at The Center and visited both the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada and Sunrise Children’s Hospital during this special week.

More details and the official 2015 schedule will be released in the coming months, and updates can be found at www.ufcfightweek.com as well as by following UFC International Fight Week on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@UFCFightWeek).

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC®) is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT™ (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, Octagon™ branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Sept. 25, 2014 – In anticipation of the fall boxing season’s signature event – the world light heavyweight unification battle between Bernard Hopkins and Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev on November 8th – HBO Sports will air “24/7 Hopkins/Kovalev,” an exhilarating one episode, 30-minute special examining the upcoming mega-showdown. In the highly-anticipated 175-pound title fight set for the venerable Boardwalk Hall arena in Atlantic City, NJ, on Nov. 8, Hopkins and Kovalev will collide in the year’s most intriguing encounter. HBO will televise it live on the flagship World Championship Boxing series.

The “24/7 Hopkins/Kovalev” special will premiere Saturday, Oct. 18 at 12:15 a.m. ET/PT on HBO immediately following the live World Championship Boxing event from Carson, CA. It will preview the hotly anticipated meeting between two accomplished warriors who have been on a journey to confront each other in the ring. The special will provide all-new content including portraits of both fighters’ path to this significant fall showdown on boxing’s leading television platform.

Hopkins, 49, will enter the ring just two months shy of his 50th birthday as the oldest champion in history and boasts a Hall of Fame- caliber career record of 55-6-2 with 32 KOs. Kovalev, 31, sports an undefeated record of 25-0-1 and his 23 knockouts illustrate the punching power that the Russian native who now calls Ft. Lauderdale home will display in Atlantic City on November 8.

The 30-minute special narrated by Liev Schreiber and produced by HBO’s Emmy-Award-winning “24/7” production team will also be available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO GO® and at www.hbo.com/boxing as well as various other new media platforms that distribute the series.

Other HBO playdates: October 19 (10:45 a.m.), 22 (3:45 a.m.), 25 (12:30 p.m.), 27 (1:45 p.m.), 29 (8:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.) and November 5 (4:30 a.m.), and 8 (11:00 a.m.).

HBO2 playdates: October 21 (11:50 a.m. & 8:30 p.m.), 23 (3:45 p.m.), 26 (10:20 a.m. & 3:20 a.m.) 30 (7:35 p.m. & 12:00 a.m.) and November 2 (3:45 p.m.) and 7 (8:00 p.m.).

All times are ET/PT.

Classy WBC Flyweight champion Roman Gonzalez remained perfect and made the the title by stopping reigning champion Akira Yaegashi at Yoyogi #2 Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.

Gonzalez dropped Yaegashi in round three from a perfect left hook. With his right eye swelled, Yaegashi took a vicious 6-punch combination that was capped off ny a left uppercut that deposited him on the seat of his pants and the fight was stopped at 2:24 of round nine.

Gonzalez, 112 lbs lbs of Managua, NIC is now a 3-division champion with a record of 40-0 with 34 knockouts. Yaegashi, 112 lbs of Yokohama, JAP is now 20-4.

Naoya Inoue made the 1st defense of the WBC Flyweight title with an 11th round stoppage over Samarlek Kokietgym.

Kokietgym was dropped in round’s four and six and the fight was stopped at 1:08 of round 11.

Inoue, 107 3/4 lbs of Yokohama, JAP is now 7-0 with 6 knockouts. Kokietgym, 107 1/4 ls 17-5.

MONTREAL (September 24, 2014) – Two-time Russian Olympian Artur Beterbiev (5-0-0, 5 KOs) steps up in class this Saturday night (Sept. 27) as he headlines “Red Dawn” against former International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight champion Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud (24-2-0, 19 KOs) in the 12-round main event for the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) 175-pound title at famed Bell Centre in Montreal.

“Red Dawn” is co-promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and InterBox, in association with Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) and the participation of Don King Productions (DKP), and co-presented by Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron.

The 29-year-old Beterbiev, who moved to Montreal last year, is on the fast track to stardom. Beterbiev has a rich amateur pedigree having captured gold medals in the 2006 World Cup in Baku and 2008 World Cup in Moscow, as well as at the 2009 World Championships in Milan. During his incredible amateur career, Beterbiev was crowned Russian and European champion, and his amateur victims include present WBO Sergey Kovalev twice, WBO world title challenger Ismayl Sillah, U.S. Olympian Michael Hunter Jr., and 2007 World Championships gold medalist Abbos Atoev. Beterbiev turned pro in 2013 and he is undefeated with all five victories coming by knockout, fighting a total of only 11 rounds, compared to Cloud’s 130.

The 32-year-old Cloud, fighting out of Tallahassee, Florida, currently world rated by The Ring Magazine (#7), as well as WBC #9 and WBA #14, is attempting to reposition himself for another world title shot.

Cloud won the IBF light heavyweight title in 2009 with a 12-round decision over Clinton Woods (42-4-1, 25 KOs). He successfully defended his IBF title four times against former world champions Glen Johnson (50-13-2, 34 KOs) and Gabriel Campillo (21-3-1, 8 KOs), as well as challengers Fulgencio Zuniga (24-4-1, 21 KOs) and Yusaf Mack (29-3-2, 17 KOs).

Cloud’s undefeated win streak was halted in 2013 at 24, when he lost his IBF title by 12-round decision to living legend Bernard Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KOs). Cloud was stopped later that year in seven rounds by WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (24-1-0, 20 KOs) at Bell Centre.

In the co-feature, former world title challenger Dierry “Dougy Style” Jean (26-1-0, 18 KOs), fighting out of Montreal by way of Haiti, will defend his North Amrican Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight title against Mexican invader Daniel “Cañerito” Ruiz (32-7- 2, 22 KOs) in a 12-round bout. Jean, who is ranked No. 10 by the WBC, is battling his way back to another world title shot.

Former No. 1 contender Stephane Ouellet (29-5, 18 KOs), of Jonquiere, Quebec, returns to action in a four-round middleweight fight against Belgium import Cedric Spera (10-2, 2 KOs). His return is creating a lot of interest in Quebec. He is one of the most beloved and charismatic fighter of the history of Canadian boxing. At 43 he is not dreaming of world championship fights but to redeem himself after been knockout twice in his last two fights, in the second round against Omar Sheika in 2001 in Las Vegas and against Joachim Alcine in the first round, at the Montreal Bell Center, in an ill-advised return in 2004.

A pair of popular Quebec-based, world-rated welterweights, former world title challenger Antonin Decarie (30-2, 9 KOs) and Kevin Bizier (21-1, 14 KOs), will be in separate fights. WBC #6, WBO #10 and IBF #11 faces Ivan Pereyra (19-3, 13 KOs), of Belgium, in a 10-round fight, while IBF #6 Bizier meets Laszlo “Bulldog” Fazekas (25-15-1, 17 KOs), of Hungry, in an eight-round match.

Three undefeated Canadian prospects round-out a solid top-to-bottom card. Montreal super lightweight Junior Ulysse (3-0, 3 KOs) hopes to keep his KO streak alive against unbeaten Polish opponent Krystian Huczko (2-0), and Laval super middleweight Eric Bazinian (5-0-0, 3 KOs) puts his unblemished record on the line versus Baptise Castegnaro (5-2, 2 KOs), of France, in a pair of six-round matches. Montreal super welterweight Steven Butler (4-0, 3 KOs) meets his toughest opponent to date, Frenchman Bernard Follea (5-2-1, 1 KO), in a four-round bout.

Tickets are on sale and available to purchase at Bell Centre, online at www.evenko.ca, or by calling GYM (514 383-0666) and the club Boxing Champion (514 376-0980). Ticket prices range from $50 in the red to $250 on the floor.

Ivaylo Gotzev of Epic Sports and Entertainment proudly announces that his blockbuster show entitled “Rumble on the River”, being held Saturday, September 27, 2014, at the OKC Downtown Airpark in Oklahoma City, will be streamed LIVE via Internet (devices like Roku, iPhone, iPad and computers) Pay-Per-View at 9:00 PM EDT
at GFL.tv.

The price is just USD $19.99. Watch the First 20 minutes for FREE! Click HERE for more information.

Comprising the all-star “Rumble on the River” broadcast team for the show will be former world champion, Oklahoma resident and USA Tuesday Night Fights commentator Sean O’Grady, well-known boxing-media man and host of “In This Corner” James “Smitty” Smith and top-level ring announcer Thomas Treiber.

“Rumble on the River” will be headlined by appearances by three former world champions.

In separate eight-round co-main event matches will be colorful and always entertaining former WBA/WBC Welterweight and former WBC Light Middleweight Champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (29-8-1, 23 KOs) taking on 33-fight veteran and ex-US Marine Allen “Funky Cole” Medina of Denver, Colorado; hard-hitting former WBC Heavyweight Champion Samuel Peter (34-5, 27 KOs) facing former ECHL hockey enforcer turned heavyweight KO artist Ron “The Iceman” Aubrey (12-3, 12 KOs) from Oklahoma City, and former IBF Light Middleweight champion “Yory Boy” Campas (102-17-3, 79 KO’s) gunning for the 103rd victory of his amazing career against 33-fight veteran Julio Cesar Lanzas of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

On the undercard, former winner of “The Contender” and well-known Okalahoma-based junior middleweight spoiler Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer (31-19, 16 KOs) of Lawton, Oklahoma, will take on fellow proven veteran “Prince” Said Ouali (29-4, 21 KOs) of Las Vegas via Belgium/Morocco in an eight-round showdown.

Also scheduled for “Rumble on the River” action are:

Hometown rising star Juan Alejandro “Alex” Saucedo (14-0, 10 KOs) from Oklahoma City in an eight-round middleweight battle vs. Columbus, Ohio’s Miguel Alvarez (8-12-1, 7 KOs). Promoted by Top Rank and currently the hottest prospect to come out of OKC, undefeated Saucedo has served as a sparring partner for the great Manny Pacquiao.

Formerly #3 world-ranked contender Carson Jones (35-10-3, 25 KOs) will face rugged Liberal, Kansas, via Mexico’s Joel Vargas, a 20-fight veteran, in a welterweight six-rounder. Jones is a former USBA Welterweight, NABA Light Middleweight, WBC Continental Americas Light Middleweight and NABA USA Light Middleweight Champion.

In other action, Monterrey, Mexico’s Rolando Garza (4-0, 2 KOs) will take on Midwest City, Oklahoma’s Joe Strong (3-2, 1 KO) in a four-round junior middleweight battle; Oklahoma City’s Martin Morales (2-1, 1 KO) will face 34-fight veteran Jeremiah Torres of Belen, New Mexico, in an eight-round welterweight bout; and to start the action, Douro, Ontario, Canada’s undefeated Cody Crowley (2-0, 2 KOs) will take an early-career step up in class, as he faces 35-fight veteran Larry Smith of Dallas in a six-round junior middleweight bout.

One of Oklahoma’s most beloved sons, Sean O’Grady’s family settled in Oklahoma City when he was 11 years old.

In addition to being a world champion, O’Grady is also a college graduate, boxing analyst, television personality, actor and former teen idol across the United States Midwest. O’Grady won the World Boxing Association Lightweight Championship via unanimous decision over Hilmer Kenty on April 12, 1981. He retired with a record of 81 wins and 5 losses as a professional boxer, with 70 wins by knockout.

James E. Smith (“Smitty”) is best known for his interviews with famous international boxing stars and as host of “In This Corner”, America’s only syndicated, half-hour long boxing interview show. On May 23, 1997, Smith gave the play-by-play commentary of the first ever live internet boxing broadcast. He was inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, Class of 2010.

Thomas Treiber is an internationally known ring announcer for professional boxing, mixed martial arts, K-1, and professional wrestling.Throughout his 20-year career he has worked in Japan, England, Kazakhstan, Uruguay, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Northern Ireland, Canada, and the United States.His credits include work on Showtime, HBO, ESPN, CBS, Fox Sports, Spike TV, Comcast Sports Net, USA Network, Sky Sports (UK), ITV (UK), Channel 5 (UK), Telefutura, and Pay-Per-View.

All bouts subject to change.

About GFL Combat Sports Network
GFL is a pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 2,400 live events to fans in over 199 countries worldwide and has a video library exceeding 10,000 hours of programming. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 5 million public viewers over the years with more than 300 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL is also available on Roku, Boxee, Android, IPhone, IPad, as well as other internet ready devices. Check the event page for details.

Join us at: www.GFL.tv or https://www.facebook.com/GoFightLive.tv
or twitter.com/GFL
ABOUT EPIC SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Epic Sports and Entertainment Inc. Founder, Ivaylo Gotzev, has spent the last 22 years working with some of the sport’s biggest names, including all-time-great multiple world champion James Toney, former WBC Lightweight Champion Stevie Johnston, former IBF Cruiserweight Vassiliy Jirov, former WBC Heavyweight Champion Samuel Peter, former WBO Heavyweight Champion Shannon Briggs and current middleweight king Gennady Golovkin.

Gotzev’s vision for Epic Sports and Entertainment is to build a stable of domestic and international fighters in both boxing and MMA and develop major worldwide broadcasting and exposure to Epic events.

September 24, 2014–Valley Forge, PA-Junior welterweights Naim Nelson and Ryan Belasco are looking forward to their long-awaited showdown set for Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Valley Forge Casino Resort.

At stake is the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) 140-pound title.
Nelson, 24, of Philadelphia, PA, and Belasco, 30, of Wilmington, DE, had been scheduled to collide more than one year ago, but a hand injury sustained in training by Nelson canceled the match.

“I’m looking forward to finally fighting Belasco,” Nelson told the press last night at the Valley Forge Casino Resort. “The hand injury set me back but everything has been fine since then.”

Joining Nelson was his long-time trainer Rory Bussey and his new manager, Stephen Edwards, who also manages junior middleweight sensation Julian Williams.

A pro since 2011, Nelson comes into this fight off an eight-round decision victory over previously unbeaten lefty Jerome Rodriguez, of Allentown, PA, last May 16 at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.

Last year Nelson (12-0, 1 K0) won the vacant Pennsylvania lightweight title by earning a 10-round decision over Victor Vasquez, of Philadelphia. He also has defeated Osnel Charles, of Atlantic City, NJ.

Belasco (18-6-3, 3 K0s) has not boxed since Oct. 13, 2012, when he lost a 10-round decision to Rod Salka in Pittsburgh, PA.

The loss to Salka snapped a four-fight win streak for Belasco, who also has defeated Tyrell Samuel, of Baltimore, MD
.
The only common foe is Vasquez, who was stopped in five rounds by Belasco in 2008.

“I’ve been idle this year because my wife just had our baby and that has been slightly more important to me than fighting,” Belasco joked. “I’m anxious to get back into the ring and win a title, any title. The UBF belt would be fine with me.”

Junior lightweight Frank Santos de Alba, of Reading, PA, proudly brought his UBF belt to the press conference. He defends Oct. 4 against Jesse Carradine, of Las Vegas, NV.

“I’m up for the challenge,” said De Alba, who is 13-1-2, 5 K0s. “They say Carradine is tough and he’s only been stopped once, by Karl Dargan, who is a solid lightweight. I’m a natural junior lightweight, 130-pounder.”

Others fighters on the card in attendance included heavyweight Maurice Byarm, of Philadelphia; lightweight Travis Thompson, of Pottstown, PA; welterweight Shawn Sutton, of Norristown, PA.

Tickets for this great night of boxing are priced at $125, $75 and $45 and can be purchased by calling Kings Boxing at 610 587-5950 or Peltz Boxing at 215 765 0922

On Saturday night ‘King’ Arthur Abraham (40-4, 28 KOs) defends his WBO World Super Middleweight crown against former British Champion Paul Smith (35-3, 20 KOs) in Kiel, Germany.

At today’s final press conference the WBO Champion revealed his future is bound to that of his legendary coach Ulli Wegner and made clear his plan to prove his worth by stopping Smith at the Sparkassen-Arena. ‘’When Mr Wegner decides to call time on his career, I will follow him,’’ said Abraham. ‘’I wouldn’t want to train with anyone else. On Saturday it is my job to show him that there is still much more we can achieve together. I will do this by beating Smith in style.’’

‘’Arthur has the ability to beat anyone in his weight class,’’ said Abraham’s 72 year-old coach Wegner. ‘’He just needs to live up to his potential. The most important thing for him to do is follow my instructions. If he listens to what I tell him the fight won’t go the distance, he will knock Paul Smith out!’’

Smith will be counting on the support of his 2,000 travelling fans when he attempts to cause an upset by dethroning ‘King Arthur’ on his home turf. ‘’This is my first and last chance to become World Champion,’’ said Smith. ‘’I will not let this opportunity slip through my hands. I have had the best training camp ever and my coach Joe Gallagher has devised the perfect game plan. Now it is up to me. I’m going to grab this opportunity and the title with both hands!’’

‘’Arthur is a tough nut to crack,’’ said Smith’s coach Gallagher. ‘’But Paul has reached new levels in training and I believe he has the power to force an early stoppage. There are going to be fireworks from the first bell to the last. This could well be a contender for fight of the year.’’

The WBO World Super Middleweight showdown between Abraham and Smith will be shown live on Sky Sports. Tickets are available via eventim.de.

London (24 Sept) Sheffield’s super-bantamweight star Kid Galahad (Abdul-Bari Awad) has won the prestigious ‘Young Boxer of the Year’ award, which will be presented by the Boxing Writers’ Club at their annual dinner at The Savoy in London next month.

The 24-year-old has snared British, Commonwealth and European titles as a professional and secured the IBF World Youth belt on Saturday (September 20) when beating Adeilson Dos Santos via landslide decision at Ponds Forge Arena, live on Channel 5. The win took his professional record to 18-0 (9 KOs).

“This is a great honour for Kid Galahad and it’s richly deserved,” said promoter Mick Hennessy. “He has won British, Commonwealth and European titles in the space of three fights and has truly established himself as one of the very best super-bantamweights in the world. It’s now only a matter of time before he becomes a world champion.

“This award is also testament to the great job Channel 5 and MaxiNutrition have done with Kid Galahad. There are other top super-bantamweights in this country, of course, but, thanks to Channel 5, Galahad has been the one fighting regularly on terrestrial television. As such, his fights have been going out to a bigger audience. Channel 5 have backed him, they’ve believed in him and now everything is coming to fruition.

“It’s a victory for all of us. There are exciting times ahead for Kid Galahad.”

This year Galahad has beaten Brazilian Dos Santos, Australian Fred Mundraby and Spaniard Sergio Prado. Along the way, he has barely lost a round. At the end of this year he hopes to meet either Scott Quigg or Carl Frampton.

He said last week. “I’m fully confident I’ll fight for a world title, and I really hope I’ll fight either Scott Quigg or Carl Frampton. Either of them will do. I personally believe I’d beat them both on the same night.”
FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS
For more information on Channel 5, MaxiNutrition and Hennessy Sports:

www.channel5.com
www.maxinutrition.com
www.hennessysports.com

NEW YORK CITY (September 24, 2014) Earlier this week, IBF Middleweight Champion, “King” SAM SOLIMAN arrived in New York City to finalize preparations for his world title defense against former undisputed middleweight champion JERMAIN “Bad Intentions” TAYLOR on Wednesday, October 8th from the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi and telecast LIVE on ESPN2, (9 p.m. ET).

“I’m happy to be back in the Big Apple, the boxing capital and defending my IBF title in the United States which has always been my dream and now is a reality,” said Soliman, 44-11-0 (18KO’s).

In addition to training in New York City, Soliman will meet with the New York City media on numerous occasions prior to departing to Biloxi for the world title defense against Taylor,
32-4-1 (20KO’s).

SOLIMAN VS. TAYLOR is presented by Dibella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, in association with Soliman Stanley Promotions.

Tickets are priced at $89.95, $69.95, $49.95 and $29.95, plus tax and service charges, and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office, or through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 4:45pm, with the first bout scheduled for 5:30pm.

At Tuesday’s Nevada Commission hearing, pound for for pound king Floyd Mayweather admitted that scenes from the All Access television program are staged.

When questioned about a 31 straight minute sparring session and on camera marijuana use by female friends of Mayweather.

“We monitor every training session at Mayweather Boxing Club. I don’t take breaks during 15-minute rounds, but we allow other guys,” Mayweather said. “I am there to monitor and watch every ‘dog house’ fight.”

The commissioners also brought up the illegal gambling in the gym that was shown taking place during the “dog house” fights.

“That’s all for the reality show,” Emerick said. “It does not happen.”

When commissioner Pat Lundvall questioned Mayweather about the marijuana scene, Mayweather said that it was fake marijuana. He said that he is against drug use and that he was “trying to think outside of the box” and “I’m trying to sell more than a fight. It’s a lifestyle.”

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of 23-year-old junior welterweight Karim “KC” Martinez (15-1, 7 KOs) and 30-year-old light heavyweight Craig “El Gato Negro” Baker (14-0, 10 KOs), both of Houston Texas, to promotional contracts.

Southpaw Karim Martinez is blessed with natural athletic ability that helped him win the Texas State Golden Gloves Champion in 2008, as well as to become runner up at the National PAL Tournament in 2007. A slick, pure-boxing technician who uses angles and can fight moving forward or back with equal effectiveness, Martinez mixes offense and defense with amazing smoothness and fluidity.

A natural to the sport, Baker entered Lopez Boxing Club in 2005, weighing a whopping 293 lbs and looking to cut weight. Baker lost his amateur debut and then went on to win the Texas State Golden Gloves and the Texas State USA Championships in both 2007 and 2008. Baker was also runner up at the National PAL Tournament in 2007, a quarter finalist in both the National USA Championships Tournament and the National Golden Gloves, which earned him a USA boxing national ranking of #3. As a professional, the undefeated Baker has become a seasoned pressure fighter who wears opponents down intelligently.

I’m really excited to have signed with Sampson,” said Martinez. “In my career, I haven’t had much exposure or chance to show everybody what I can do. Now that I have Sampson, I’m really excited and ready to perform to the best of my abilities and see where it takes me in boxing.”

“It feels great to be working with Sampson,” said Baker. “It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to actually be able to be successful. All I needed was a shot. I’m going to make the most of it.”

Trainer of both fighters, Juan Lopez of Lopez Boxing in in Bay Town, Texas, says he brought his two star pupils to Sampson based on word of mouth.

“I met Sampson when Chris John fought Rocky Juarez in Houston. I was the one that coordinated the training camp for John. Everything I heard about Sampson from John’s people, Craig Christian and Tony Tolj, I liked. Craig gave him the nickname ‘The Picasso of Boxing’ because he paints the game of boxing, and I always thought to myself that if I ever have a kid good enough to fight at the international level, I would go to him. Well, now I do. I have two. And that’s why I took them both to Sampson. Thanks to Sampson for giving us the opportunity. Staying active is very hard here in Texas and he’s going to really help us with that.”

“Both of these fighters have tremendous potential,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “I have already started work to put them in important fights and show off their talent. I expect both will be established contenders within a very short time. I’m looking forward to working with Juan and Karim and Craig and helping them get the most of their careers.”

Martinez will make his Sampson Boxing debut on October 3 in Buenos Aires against Nazareno Ruiz (29-15, 9 KOs) from Argentina. Baker’s debut will be announced shortly.

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.

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 23, 2014)—Golden Boy Promotions Founder Oscar de la Hoya, HBO Sports President Ken Hershman, and superstar boxer Canelo Álvarez today announced a major new agreement to showcase the fan-favorite fighter’s matches on HBO Sports.

“For all of my career, I have wanted to fight on HBO for one main reason–I believe it will allow more of my fans to see me in action,” said Álvarez (44-1-1, 31KOs). “Today marks a huge milestone for me, and I look forward to a long and successful partnership with HBO.”

Álvarez, a light-middleweight knockout artist known for his tremendous punching power, made his pro debut in 2005 at 15-years-old and quickly became one of the most popular prize fighters in the sport. His exciting fighting style and reputation for taking on all comers has captured the attention of fans all around the world.

“Everyone at HBO is excited to welcome back Canelo Álvarez to the HBO family, and we can’t wait to re-introduce him to our subscribers,” said Ken Hershman, president of HBO Sports. “At only 24-years-old, Canelo has already established himself as one of the boxing world’s brightest stars, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship as we embark on this new chapter together. We are delighted to partner with Oscar de la Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions in presenting Canelo’s fights and events on our various platforms.”

The award-winning network has a 40-year history of presenting the best fights on television. Canelo has previously fought seven times on HBO platforms in his pro career; three times on the HBO Boxing After Dark series in 2011 against Kermit Cintron, Matthew Hatton and Ryan Rhodes, and four on the HBO Pay-Per-View platform versus Jose Miguel Cotto (2010), Carlos “Tata” Baldomir (2010), Alfonso Gomez (2011) and Sugar Shane Mosley (2012).

“I’m thrilled to be part of this historic agreement between Canelo Álvarez and HBO Sports, an agreement that marks another major step in Golden Boy Promotions’ primary goal–to give boxing fans the fights they want to see,” said Oscar de la Hoya, founder of Golden Boy Promotions. “Canelo is the best young fighter in the sport, and this move will help line him up to fight top opponents in the sport for many years to come.”

A former world champion, Canelo is eager to once again hold a title belt. His record includes victories over some of the best fighters in the light-middleweight division including Austin “No Doubt” Trout, Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo, Sugar Shane Mosley and most recently the dangerous southpaw, Erislandy Lara. Canelo’s lone blemish in 46 fights came in September 2013 against Floyd “Money” Mayweather in the highest grossing bout of all time, further cementing Canelo’s stature as boxing’s next superstar fighter.

For more information, visit www.CaneloÁlvarez.com, www.GoldenBoyPromotions.com and www.hbo.com/boxing.

Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CaneloOficial, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing
and www.twitter.com/HBOBoxing and Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing.

Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and
www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

About Golden Boy Promotions
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by Oscar de la Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. In 2007, in its fifth year of promoting, Golden Boy Promotions set a record by selling more than 2.5 million in Pay-Per- View homes in a single night. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the United States throughout the year.

About HBO Sports
HBO Sports has brought the best in sports to television for four decades. The sports division has been honored with 10 prestigious George F. Peabody Awards and 120 Sports Emmy® Awards for production excellence. HBO is the leading television platform for the sport of boxing in the U.S. HBO Boxing programming includes HBO World Championship Boxing®, HBO Boxing After Dark® and HBO Pay-Per-View®. HBO introduced the groundbreaking reality franchise “24/7” in 2007 and the show has earned more Sports Emmy® Awards (18) than any other regularly scheduled sports television series during that span.

New York, NY (9/23/14) – On Saturday, September 20, Brooklyn fan favorite junior middleweight Frank Galarza remained unbeaten while headlining an exciting night of action promoted by New Legend Boxing, at Resorts World Casino, in Jamaica, NY. Both junior middleweight Alantez Fox and featherweight Danny Aquino were also successful in comeback fights on the undercard. All three dynamic prospects are co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing.

Facing the awkward Jonathan Batista, of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in an eight-round contest, Galarza, 153¾, started off by patiently stalking his foe over the first two frames. In the third, the Brooklynite picked up the pace, digging to the body. Trapping Batista, 152¾, in his own corner, Galarza landed a powerful left hook downstairs to drop him to a knee. From then on, the hometowner was in complete control, while Batista grew increasingly frustrated, resorting to dirty tactics. Referee Harvey Dock deducted a point from Batista in round four for hitting behind the head and ultimately had to disqualify him at 0:45 of the fifth frame for repeated infractions. With the loss, Batista’s record fell to 14-4 (7 KOs). World ranked by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and now 15-0-2 (9 KOs), the charismatic and talented Galarza is on the rise and poised for stardom.

“It felt great to fight in front of my hometown fans again,” said Galarza. “This was my sixth fight at Resorts in Queens, and my fan base continues to grow. I have people coming to see me from all over, Boston, Chicago, Connecticut, wherever. I must be doing something right. I felt good in there against Batista, but I was a little too anxious to knock him out. I was looking for that one big punch, but then I adjusted and began to break him down. Batista started getting a little dirty, but I kept my composure. Whether he was disqualified or not, it didn’t matter. He was going to get knocked out eventually. I got the win and that’s what matters. Now, it’s back to training and I’m just looking forward to the next fight.”

Former Galarza rival and now promotional stable mate Alantez Fox, 157, of Forestville, MD, returned to the ring following a 53-week absence while sorting out managerial issues. Shaking off the ring rust against the upset-minded Jonathan Garcia, 156½, of Cerro Gordo, Puerto Rico, the 6’5″ Fox established a distance early on with his long jab and superior reach. Garcia did his best to close the gap, winging hooks to the midsection. By the middle rounds, Fox did fight in close quarters to Garcia’s advantage on occasion. However, he wisely switched tactics to focus on straight punches to ward off his opponent’s advances. As Garcia tired down the stretch, Fox used right hook pot shots to keep him at bay. Punctuating the fight by pinning Garcia against the ropes with flurries, Fox earned a unanimous six-round decision on tallies of 60-54, and 59-55 twice, to improve to 13-0-1 (4 KOs).

“Having been off for so long, I was kind of nervous excited going into the fight,” said Fox. “Garcia was a real durable, tough guy and he landed some good shots on me. I was working on my patience and picking my shots in there. I did feel a bit rusty, but once I got into my groove, the fight wasn’t too challenging. I’ll be back in the gym by next week and would love to stay active and fight again in the next few months.”

Mexican featherweight Danny Aquino, from Meriden, Conn., ended an 18-month layoff to secure a six-round majority decision victory in what was a wild shootout against the very game local Dominican Jhovanny Collado, of Jamaica, Queens. From the opening bell, Aquino, 122, displayed relentless pressure and pure aggression as he swarmed Collado, 124, who was more than willing to return fire. Working his way inside with combinations to the body and landing his overhand right upstairs, Aquino dominated much of the action. However, he survived a scare in round four when Collado caught him coming in to drop him twice. Fighting on instinct, Aquino managed to hurt his adversary by round’s end. The pair never let up for the remainder of the contest, often bringing the raucous crowd to their feet. Scorecards read 57-55 twice, and 56-56, to award Aquino the verdict. At 16-2 (10 KOs), Aquino is an all-action brawler looking to work his way back into the world rankings.

“It felt good to come back,” said Aquino, “but I never expected to end up on the floor like that in the fourth round. I just dropped my hands a little bit, got careless and he caught me with one of his wild hooks, but I got up and did what I had to do to win. I boxed a little bit in the fifth to clear my head and was fine by the last round. Other than that one round, I knew I was in control and winning the fight. Whatever DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing think is good for me next, I’ll take. I will fight anybody.”

“It was great to see Fox and Aquino back in the ring after such a long layoff,” said Felipe Gomez, of New Legend Boxing. “I think both fighters demonstrated that they are ready to step it up and take on bigger fights. Galarza’s fan base turned out in full force to watch him break down a tough veteran in Batista with body shots. I believe Galarza has what it takes to be in the mix for a title fight in the near future. All three of these fighters are exciting to watch and worthy of televised fights.”

“Galarza is definitely ready to take the next step toward becoming a contender. He truly has the talent and the personality to become a major star in boxing,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “I’m happy that Fox and Aquino were able to get back into the ring and shake off the cobwebs with impressive victories. Both fighters have a lot of potential and we will work hard to get them the best possible opportunities.”