UFC® KICKS OFF TICKET SALES FOR UFC® 180 WITH BLOCKBUSTER PRESS CONFERENCE AT POLYFORUM SIQUEIROS IN MEXICO CITY

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Mexico City – The UFC® was in Mexico today to kickoff ticket sales for UFC® 180: VELASQUEZ vs. WERDUM, and unveil several of the fighters and bouts slated for the Saturday, November 15 event at the Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City.

UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, UFC President Dana White, heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, heavyweight title contender, Fabricio Werdum, Kelvin Gastelum, Jake Ellenberger, Diego Sanchez, Augusto “Dodger” Montano, Erik Perez, Ricardo Lamas and Norman Parke were present at the press conference, which took place at the Polyforum Siqueiros – the capital’s iconic forum. Inaugurated in 1971, it is home to “La Marcha de La Humanidad,” the largest mural in Latin America and work of Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros.

Headlining the November card is the highly anticipated five-round main event featuring UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (13-1, in his professional career, fighting out of San Jose, Calif.), and no.1 contender Fabricio Werdum (17-5-1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif. by way of Porto Alegre, Brazil). The heavyweight clash marks the culmination of 12 weeks of rivalry and competition as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter Latin America.

In addition, eighth-ranked Jake Ellenberger (29-8, fighting out of Lake Forrest, Calif. by way of Omaha, Nebraska) goes up against no.11 Kelvin Gastelum (10-0, fighting out of Yuma, Ariz.) in a welterweight showdown. Ellenberger, a former Marine and NCAA wrestler, will bring his grit and knockout power to the Octagon® against the undefeated winner of the 17th season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Other bouts for UFC® 180 include:
– The Ultimate Fighter winners, Diego Sanchez (27-7, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) and Norman Parke (21-2-1, fighting out of Bushmills, Ireland) will collide in a lightweight battle
– No.4 ranked, Ricardo Lamas (14-3, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) will meet Dennis Bermudez (15-3, fighting out of Lindenhurst, N.Y.) in a featherweight showdown that could have title implications
– Born and raised Mexican fighter, Erik Perez (14-6, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.by way of Monterrey, Mexico) squares off against Marcus Brimage (6-3, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.)
– Augusto “Dodger” Montano (13-1, fighting out of Mexico City, Mexico), the newest Mexican fighter signed to the organization and making his UFC debut

The card will also feature the final featherweight and bantamweight bouts of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America. The series, brought to you by Bud Light®, which started airing August 20, can be seen throughout Latin America on TV channels and free-to-air, including UFC Network. Networks, air dates and times can be seen here: http://www.ufcespanol.com/news/tuf-latam-donde-ver.

Tickets for UFC® 180: VELASQUEZ vs. WERDUM go on sale Wednesday, August 27 at 10 a.m. CT and are priced at $7,000 zone Cancha, $4,500 zone Retractil Platino, $2,950 zone Superpalco (Club), $2,950 zone Retractil Oro, $2,250 zone Platea Platino, $1,750 zone Platea Oro, $1,300 zone Barrera, $975 zone Butaca, $850 zone Butaca 2, $650 zone Balcon, $450 zone Balcon 2, $350 zone Balcon 3 (prices listed in Mexican pesos and include taxes). Tickets are available for purchase online at www.superboletos.com, by phone at +52 (55) 15154100. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.

UFC® 180: VELASQUEZ vs. WERDUM will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High -Definition. Fathom Events and the UFC will also broadcast the event live to select movie theatres in the U.S. on Sat., Nov. 15 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

For more information or current fight news, visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change.
Follow us on Twitter: @UFC and Facebook/UFC

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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 to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. In 2013, the UFC and Televisa Networks announced an exclusive deal for UFC content distribution in 20 Latin American countries with the launch of UFC NETWORK, a 24 hour channel, 7 days a week, dedicated to the UFC. The UFC NETWORK is available in Total Play, Megacable, Cablemas, Gigacable Cablevision and SKY (México); TuVes (Chile, Bolivia, and Peru); Tevecable (Ecuador); Gigared (Argentina); Tigo Star (Paraguay and Bolivia); Claro and Tricom (Dominican Republic); Inter (Venezuela) and TCC (Uruguay). Additionally, UFC programing is available in TDN in Mexico, including transmission of select live events and free-to-air television in: Televisa Channel 5 (México), Canal 10 (Uruguay), Telefuturo (Paraguay) ABC Surinam (Surinam), Viva TV Nicaragua (Nicaragua) Next (Panamá), Red Uno (Bolivia), America TV (Argentina), America TV (Peru), Citytv (Colombia) Via X (Chile), Teleprogreso (Honduras) and Teleamazonas (Ecuador).

The inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter® Latinoamérica, the UFC’s long-running reality show, is set to debut the week of August 20, 2014. The show will feature UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez, and No.1 contender, Fabricio Werdum, as coaches in the first Spanish-speaking season of the reality series.

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 UFCNetwork.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com, Twitter and Instagram: @UFCNetwork.

About Arena Ciudad de México
Zignia Live is part of Avalanz Group and is one of the main companies promoting shows in Mexico and Latin America, ranking in the “Top 20” as most active promoters in the world. Live Zignia is aprovider for venues in Mexico City, Puebla, Guadalajara, Torreon, Tampico, Monterrey and offers unique and memorable experiences through the presentation of live world-class performances.




Huck and Larghetti come face-to-face ahead of WBO World Title Fight!

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Here are the main quotes from today’s final press conference ahead of the fight between WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Marco Huck (37-2-1, 26 KOs) and challenger Mirko Larghetti (21-0, 13 KOs) this Saturday at the Gerry Weber Stadium in Halle/Westphalia, Germany.

Kalle Sauerland: The GERRY WEBER Stadium is most famous for its tennis tournament. But on August 30 there will no game, set and match but fistic fireworks instead. Marco gets the chance to write history with his 13th title defense. However, we plan bigger and better things for him – either unification or a step-up to heavyweight – on US soil.

Salvatore Cherchi: Every reign has come to an end. Marco Huck had a lot of success in the past but come Saturday a new era is about to start and that will be Mirko Larghetti’s!

Marco Huck: I am not tired to repeat myself – I will make spaghetti out of Larghetti! Listen good to me Salvatore, I will break your fighter to pieces. Mirko Larghetti is still unbeaten and therefore he has a certain kind of self-confidence. But come August 30 it will be gone as he is about to witness that I am in a complete different class. Regarding all my future plans I can just say that I am currently focused on the fight this Saturday and you may well ask me on Sunday about them.

Mirko Larghetti: The better man is going to win. I am well prepared and thankful for this chance. On Saturday, I will make my dream come true and become the WBO Cruiserweight World Champion.

Tickets for Marco Huck’s WBO World Cruiserweight title defense against Mirko Larghetti at the Gerry Weber Stadium are available via eventim.de




SHOWTIME PPV®, MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS & GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS BREAK WITH TRADITION; SET EARLIER START TIME FOR “MAYHEM: MAYWEATHER VS. MAIDANA 2”

Floyd Mayweather
NEW YORK (Aug. 26, 2014) – In a move designed to enhance the viewing experience, SHOWTIME Sports®, Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions have scheduled the “MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” pay-per-view event, headlined by the rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana, to start at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT instead of the traditional 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The earlier start time is another innovative step SHOWTIME Sports is taking to improve the television viewer’s experience for live boxing events. Viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones, which make up nearly 80 percent of the U.S. population, won’t have to stay up as late as usual in order to witness the conclusion of the event.

“Pay-per-view boxing events have changed, and we think it’s time the scheduling changed too,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Along with our partners at Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, we have been presenting compelling four-fight cards with multiple 12-round world championship bouts. As a result, we’ve seen the start of the main event coming later and later into the night which is not an ideal viewing experience for viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones. No other major sport makes a significant portion of their audiences wait until well past midnight for the peak of the event. SHOWTIME PPV will no longer be one of the exceptions.”

“Mayweather Promotions is excited to be part of this initiative to start the pay-per-view show at 8p.m. ET,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “In years past the main event did start earlier and I believe this change is a convenience and great advantage for the paying customer. With Floyd’s fight starting earlier, all of his fans watching will be able to enjoy the event. It works well for both coasts and we very much welcome it.”

The earlier pay-per-view start time is only one of the changes SHOWTIME Sports has made in recent years to improve its live event coverage of boxing.

SHOWTIME has recently added “COUNTDOWN LIVE” to accompany blockbuster PPV boxing events. The preview show, which airs live on SHOWTIME immediately prior to the start of the PPV, offers a live bout along with live interviews, special features and analysis. On Sept. 13, “Mayweather vs. Maidana 2: COUNTDOWN LIVE” (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME) will feature a 10-round junior welterweight matchup between John Molina (27-4, 22 KOs) and Humberto Soto (64-8-2, 35 KOs).

In another move to enhance value for subscribers, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, the flagship boxing series on SHOWTIME, has increased the number of fights on each card from the industry-standard two fights to three-fight telecasts on a regular basis. Additionally, SHOWTIME Sports has also given fans the opportunity to experience even more live action with the airing of previously non-televised undercard bouts on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

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About Showtime
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, FLIX ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

“MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2,” a 12-round world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBA Welterweight Belt and WBC Welterweight and Light Middleweight World Titles takes place Saturday, Sept. 13 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts and “The Equalizer” in theaters September 26. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® (5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET) and is the fourth fight of a six-fight deal between Mayweather and Showtime Networks Inc. In the co-main event, Leo Santa Cruz defends his WBC Super Bantamweight Title agains Manuel Roman in a 12-round bout and Miguel Vazquez faces Mickey Bey in a 12-round bout for the IBF Lightweight World Championship. In the PPV opener, Alfredo Angulo squares against James De La Rosa in a 10-round middleweight bout (162 lbs.). The event will be available in Spanish through secondary audio programming (SAP).

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are priced at $1,600, $1,200, $850, $600 and $350, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $350 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Mayweather vs. Maidana will be shown on the big screen in over 500 movie theaters across the country via Fathom Events. For more information visit www.FathomEvents.com




Quigg to fight Jamoye

Scott Quigg
WBA Super Bantamweight champion Scott Quigg will defend his title against Stephane Jamoye on September 13 in Macnchester, England according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Jamoye replaces Paulus Ambunda who bowed out last week due to a hamstring injury.




VIDEO: WATCH MARCOS MAIDANA MEDIA WORKOUT LIVE AT 3 PM




Return of the Saint: Groves vs. Rebrasse – television and undercard announcement

George Groves
On September 20, ‘’Saint’’ George Groves (19-2, 15 KOs) returns in a final eliminator for the WBC World Super Middleweight title against European Champion Christopher Rebrasse (22-2-3, 6 KOs). Team Sauerland is pleased to announce that the ‘’Return of the Saint’’ will be available to watch live on Sky Sports in association with Matchroom Boxing.

‘’I am thrilled to be back boxing on Sky Sports,’’ said Groves. ‘’It is a great platform for boxing in the UK. Over the years I have made a lot of friends within the company and created a base of fantastic fans with the help of their exposure. I’m sure with their continued support everyone will be able to see me lift the WBC belt live on Sky Sports in the near future.’’

Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’We are delighted this fight will be on Sky Sports, where George has found his home in recent years. Considering the importance of this fight for George’s career, this is the icing on the cake in terms of making it a big night for British boxing. We are also very happy to be working with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing to bring fans an action-packed undercard.’’

Said Eddie Hearn: “Delighted to reach an agreement with Team Sauerland to broadcast George Groves’ clash with Christopher Rebrasse at The SSE Arena on Sky Sports. Following the success of the Froch vs. Groves card at Wembley Stadium, we felt it was important to keep George on Sky, with some huge domestic and international fights at Super Middleweight sure to be in the mix. The undercard will feature a number of top Matchroom Boxing fighters, with a full card to be announced shortly

Already confirmed for September 20 are Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell MBE (7-0, 5 KOs), Commonwealth Super Flyweight Champion Kal Yafai (11-0, 8 KOs), lightweight prospect Martin J. Ward (9-0-1, 4 KOs), Swedish KO king Oscar Ahlin (9-0, 8 KOs) and professional debutant Luke Watkins.

Tickets for Return of the Saint: Groves vs. Rebrasse at The SSE Arena, Wembley on September 20 are available via axs.com.




WBA world champion Jürgen Brähmer’s thinks about mega-clash with Brit Carl Froch

Carl Froch
Hamburg/London 26.08.2014 – WBA world champion Jürgen Brähmer can’t wait to get in the ring for the super-duel against the Brit Carl Froch. The current IBF super-middleweight world champion recently announced he is only interested in a really big fight – now Jürgen Brähmer, a famous name on the boxing scene known around the world, is challenging the Brit to a bout. The former WBO and current WBA world champion in the light-heavyweight class intends to defend his title and is even prepared to drop a weight class for the duel. “If Froch is worried he doesn’t stand a chance of taking my title in my weight class, I’ll drop a division or we’ll agree a catchweight,” says champion Brähmer. Hailing from the northern German city of Schwerin, he’s even prepared to go to England to fight the duel: “If things work out, I’d definitely box on the island. A Germany v. England duel in Great Britain – what more could you want. After all, such highlights are why I became a sportsman and they electrify boxing fans around the world.” Promoter Kalle Sauerland considers such a duel as being entirely possible: “I have spoken to Froch’s promoter Eddie Hearn this week about this fight and it is something that we will be discussing in the coming weeks. Obviously there is a score to settle from the amateur days but also would represent a new challenge to Froch to test himself against the best Light Heavyweight in the Division“ says Sauerland.

If it comes off, the fight would actually represent a clash between two veterans of the ring: Between them, Jürgen Brähmer (35) and Carl Froch (37) have over 40 years’ experience in the ring. And with so much ring-time experience, it promises to be an epic duel particularly as the two have only suffered two defeats in their long, record-winning boxing careers and especially as both are feared owing to their high KO rates.
That said, a duel between the two world champions wouldn’t be the first time the two have come to blows as both set foot in the ring against each other during their amateur careers. Things look positive for Brähmer who, as an amateur, has already enjoyed victories over Felix Sturm and Ricky Hatton. “Jürgen was an outstanding amateur and an even better pro. I believe he can be victorious over Froch again as an amateur,” says Peter Hanraths, Jürgen Brähmer’s manager. If the duel actually happens depends mainly on Froch and his team.




Lomachenko – Piriyapinyo plus Shiming added to Pacquiao – Algieri

The televised undercard is taking shape for the November 22 Welterweight card featuring Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algiero in Macao, China.

Featherweight titlist Vasyl Lomachenko will make his first defense against mandatory challenger Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo.

Chinese Olympic Gold Medal winner Zou Shiming will fight a Flyweight elimination bout against Kwanpichit 13 Rien Express.

“When Lomachenko fought Gary Russell, it was for the vacant title, so there is a mandatory lingering around,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com. “It’s a Thai guy, Piriyapinyo, who has an unbelievable record and went the distance with Chris John. It’s probably not a fight that makes sense in the U.S. and that the mandatory is from Thailand provides us with a good platform to get rid of the obligation and showcase what a great fighter Lomachenko is. That’s why we’re doing it on the Pacquiao card.

“The fight is agreed to, and the contracts are out. It was not difficult to make. [Piriyapinyo] just wanted a shot at the title, and you know Lomachenko will fight anyone.”




Klitschko injures bicep; fight with Pulev postponed

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According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the September 6 world Heavyweight title bout between champion Klitschko and Kubrat Pulev is postponed due to Klitschko suffering a bicep tear.

“He had problems on Friday, and he first thought it’s a minor thing, but he went to the hospital near the camp [in Austria], and there they detected this torn muscle,” Bernd Boente, Klitschko’s manager, told ESPN.com. “He was in top shape and he had perfect sparring partners. He did a long preparation and is sorry to have to postpone the fight.”

Said Klitschko in a statement: “I am very disappointed that the fight cannot take place as planned. I am in absolute top form and had a great training camp. Of course, I’m sorry for the fans, but also for my opponent Kubrat Pulev, who was certainly training as intensely as I do.”

Boente said the fight will be rescheduled for November and likely still take place at the O2 World, which was already sold out — around 15,000 tickets — for the Sept. 6 fight.

“We hope to reschedule the bout in the same arena in mid-November, probably Nov. 15,” Boente said. “But that is something we have to discuss with the arena and RTL [the German television network that has a contract to carry Klitschko’s fights]. We also have to talk to the IBF because this fight is a mandatory.

“Of course, we are all disappointed, but these things can happen during the preparation.”




“Battle at the Ballpark” fighters throw out first pitch at SA Missions home game

On Saturday, August 23, Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez (8-0, 3 KOs) and Junior Welterweight Armando Cardenas (4-0, 3 KOs) took to the hill at Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the San Antonio Missions’ home game.

The talented 122 pound prospect enjoyed the experience this past weekend.

“Being on the ball field was a lot of fun,” stated Lopez. “I was really impressed with stadium. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. It’s a great venue, and I can’t wait to compete there on August 30th.”

Adam will be taking on Leonardo Torres in the co-main event of a ten bout fight card this Saturday night at “The Wolff”.

Although the prolific counter puncher is used to performing under pressure, the 23 year old fighter was admittedly nervous while trying to throw a perfect strike.

“I didn’t realize the pitcher’s mound was 20 yards away from home plate,” confessed the undefeated pugilist. “So I really had to concentrate on throwing a good pitch. Because I’m an athlete, there was a lot more pressure on me to deliver a strike.”

“The last thing I wanted was to look like 50 Cent out there. The pitch was a little high, but it was on target. I think I did alright.”

Cardenas also had some nerves as he graced the mound at Wolff Stadium.

“I always get little excited when I have to perform in front of a crowd,” admitted the 24 year old boxer while laughing. “It’s something that I’m currently working on. But it was a great experience, and it made me very anxious for this Saturday’s fight card.”

The six foot puncher will be taking on the customarily durable James Burns of Dallas/Ft. Worth in a four round special attraction this weekend.

While Armando is hoping to score an impressive knock-out on Saturday night, the talented boxer/puncher stated that he would also be happy with a unanimous decision victory and a rare opportunity to show his technical prowess in the ring.

“I hear my opponent is a tough fighter,” professed the heavy handed pugilist. “Because I’ve stopped three of my four opponents within the first round, I welcome the chance to showcase some of my boxing ability and work some rounds.”

“Battle at the Ballpark”, sponsored by “Bush’s Chicken!” of San Antonio and “Copa Ultra Lounge & Grill” on Walzem Rd, promoted by Triple A Promotions and TMB Entertainment, will feature 10 action filled bouts on Saturday, August 30, at Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium.

Tickets are priced at $25 in General Admission, $50 at ringside, and $500 for special VIP tables and can be purchased at the ticket offices of Nelson Wolff Stadium (210-675-7275), or by calling 210-560-8181 & 210-387-




Chris Gilbert to headline 13th annual Pro-Am ‘Fight To Educate’ Sept. 18 in Manchester, NH

MANCHESTER, N.H. (August 25, 2014) — Junior middleweight knockout artist Chris Giilbert (11-1, 9 KOs) will headline the 13th annual Fight To Educate (FTE) Pro-Am boxing event, Thursday night, September 18 at Verizon Wireless Center in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Fight To Educate, presented in part this year by Matrix Aerospace, is a unique charity event that combines a love of boxing with the vision of assisting children and seniors in need who without fundraisers like this could be ‘down for the count.’ During the past 12 years, Fight To Educate has raised more than $750,000 in donations benefiting local New Hampshire non-profit organizations.

This year’s attending Boxing Legends include former world middleweight champion Vito Antuofermo (50-7-2, 21 KOs), world heavyweight title challengers Chuck “Bayonne Bleeder” Wepner (25-14-2, 17 KOs) and Earnie “The Acorn” Shavers (74-14-1, 68 KOs), and two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (44-9-1, 30 KOs).

“We are extremely excited about the forthcoming 13th annual FTE extravaganza,” FTE Chairperson Stephen Singer said. “In addition to hosting such iconic boxing legends such as Vito Anteofermo, Chuck Wepner, Earnie Shavers and John Ruiz at the event, our card promises an incredible night of heart-pounding action. This year’s recipient charities include New Horizons, our food pantry and soup kitchen, the SEE Science Center and the Bobby Stephen Foundation for Education.”

Gilbert, who fights out of Windsor, Vermont, will be fighting in the Fight To Educate for the fourth time. He is scheduled to face an opponent to be determined in the eight-round main event.

In the six-round co-feature, Portland, Maine’s undefeated middleweight Russell “The Haitian Sensation” Lamour (9-0, 4 KOs) will face TBA. Also scheduled to fight on the pro segment of the FTE card is unbeaten Whitman, Mass. middleweight Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca (10-0, 7 KOs) vs. Zain Shah (5-3, 3 KOs), of Centreville, Virginia, and popular West Forks, Maine junior welterweight prospect Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. Fred Mandrachia (0-2), of Plymouth, Mass.

Two amateur matches featuring local boxers will open the live action. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Proceeds from the 13h annual Fight To Educate will benefit SEE Science Center (www.see-sciencecenter.org), The Bobby Stephens Fund for Education (www.stepheneducationfund.com), and New Horizons for New Hampshire.

Tickets, priced at $50.00 and $25.00 (general admission), $10 tickets for Veterans and Senior Citizens 60+, are available to purchase at the Verizon Wireless Arena Box office, by going online at
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/8748/1616837/?brand=verizonarena

Call Stephen Singer at 603.669.4100 for more details about sponsorship opportunities, including VIP table (of 8 for $1000) sponsorships for a night of professional boxing and Black Tie dinner. This special offer also includes an auction and meet-and-greet with the aforementioned boxing legends Antuofermo, Wepner, Shavers and Ruiz.

The dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. ET, doors for boxing open at 7:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Visit www.fight2educate.com or www.verizonwirelessarena.com for




The “Four Horsemen” of San Antonio boxing ride on Saturday, August 30th

This Saturday night, August 30th, from Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium in San Antonio, Texas, four of the Alamo City’s brightest and most promising prospects will take center stage on TMB Entertainment and Triple A Promotions’ “Battle at the Ballpark”.

Javier “The Pitbull” Rodriguez (10-0-1, 1 KO) – This hard working, 20 year old prizefighter is quickly becoming one of the more marketable commodities in the South Texas region. With a strong work ethic, respectful and sportsmanlike demeanor, as well as mental and physical durability on tap, “The Pitbull” is easily one of the more exciting and fan friendly young fighters in the sport.

The entertaining San Antonio native is proving that you don’t necessarily need a deep amateur pedigree to be successful in the demanding world of prizefighting. The all-action banger fights in a professional and aggressive style, while combining tactical brutality and intelligent pressure. At a very tender age, the full time college student has already been pitted as the headliner in four of his last five events.

With a willingness to take risks in the ring, coupled with a rapid and explosive workrate, Javier Rodriguez has become a sure-fire crowd pleaser. This Saturday night’s showstopper will be taking on rugged fight veteran Guadalupe Perez in a highly anticipated rematch.

Can the young San Antonio resident keep his perfect record intact on August 30th, at “Battle at the Ballpark”?

Adam Lopez (8-0, 3 KOs) – Under the tutelage of former two-time world champion Carlos “El Famoso” Hernandez, this Super Bantamweight phenom is one of boxing brightest stars and most talented undefeated prospects. The 23 year old sharp-shooter is coming off of his most impressive victory to date, dispatching the customarily crafty Omar “Badboy” Gonzalez in just one round.

With a confident mindset and razor sharp skills to match, sky is the limit for this hard punching matador. Despite being largely inactive throughout 2013, Adam is looking to make his mark as a major player in the talent enriched boxing community of San Antonio, Texas, throughout his upcoming 2014-2015 fight campaign.

The prolific counter puncher is making his long awaited homecoming this Saturday night at Wolff Stadium and is looking to steal the spotlight from his fighting counterparts on the stacked TMB Entertainment bout sheet.

Although Adam will be facing the upset minded Leonardo Torres, the skilled technician will be looking to make an example of his Mexican born opponent. Will Adam Lopez steal the show this Saturday, August 30th, at “Battle at the Ballpark”?

Armando “El Cartero” Cardenas (4-0, 3 KOs) – This hard punching Junior Welterweight banger is currently being mentored by legendary boxing architect Joe Lopez of Angel’s Boxing Club in San Antonio, Texas. The mentor of the Alamo City’s first world champion, the late, great Robert “El Pikin” Quiroga, has done a masterful job of creating an elite level fighting machine in “El Cartero”.

With a 6’0” height advantage and a 72” reach with sledgehammers in both fists, Cardenas is literally and figuratively an extremely tall order for any prizefighter who decides to step in the ring with the talented SA prospect. The 24 year old “Fighting Postman” not only has the discipline and work ethic to be a prolific professional fighter, but the talented marksman also holds down a full time occupation with the U.S. Postal Service.

His natural athletic gifts, along with his charismatic personality, puts Armando Cardenas on a very short list of prospects to look out for in the South Texas region. Although the tall, rangy prizefighter will be facing a customarily durable opponent in James Burns on August 30th, “El Cartero” will be looking for another explosive knock-out to add to his already impressive fight resume.

Will “The Fighting Postman” deliver a KO performance this Saturday night?

Cresencio “Kid Thunder” Ramos (Pro Debut) – This highly touted amateur fighter will be making his long awaited professional debut this Saturday night at “Battle at the Ballpark”. Coming off of his impressive showing at the 2014 Ringside World Championships, “Kid Thunder” is looking to make a huge splash as a prizefighter on August 30th.

With world class skills and marquee good looks, this ultra talented boxer/puncher has the potential to be a true crossover superstar in the sport of boxing. The full time college student will be expected to impress when he graces the light blue canvas and puts his skills on display for the numerous talent scouts who will be in attendance at Wolff Stadium.

Although much pressure is being placed on Cresencio by most fight fans and boxing scribes within the national boxing community, the talented Super Featherweight technician has the mental and physical toughness to come through with an impressive debut performance.

Will “Kid Thunder” provide a true star making effort at “Battle at the Ballpark” this Saturday night?

“Battle at the Ballpark”, sponsored by “Bush’s Chicken!” of San Antonio and “Copa Ultra Lounge & Grill” on Walzem Rd, promoted by Triple A Promotions andTMB Entertainment, will feature 10 action filled bouts on Saturday, August 30th, at Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium!

Tickets are priced at $25 in General Admission, $50 at ringside, and $500 for special VIP tables for the exclusive August 30th presentation at “The Wolff”, and can be purchased at the ticket offices of Nelson Wolff Stadium (210-675-7275), or by calling 210-560-8181 & 210-387-6859.




Pacquiao to Defend Title Against Undefeated Champ Algieri

Pacquiao-Algieri-8-25PC-Macau-1024-670-01

Pacquiao-Algieri-8-25PC-Macau-1024-670-02
LAS VEGAS, NV (August 25, 2014) — Boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Fighter of the Decade Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against New York’s undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion CHRIS ALGIERI, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management, a Masters Degree in Clinical Nutrition and a Ph.D. in Upsets Inside The Ring. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, Banner Promotions and Tecate, the Pacquiao vs. Algieri world welterweight championship event will take place Saturday, November 22, at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at
9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Pacquiao and Algieri, will announce their world championship fight during a two-week 27,273-mile international media tour, which kicked off August 25 with a press conference at The Venetian Macao. The tour will include stops in Shanghai, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York.

“Chris Algieri fought an exceptional fight in June to win the world title from Ruslan Provodnikov,” said Pacquiao. “I am impressed and intrigued by his scientific approach to training and boxing. He may be the smartest and the fittest athlete I have ever faced and that makes him the most dangerous. I worked hard to reclaim my welterweight title and I will work harder to make sure I keep it on November 22. As always, I dedicate this fight to my fellow Filipinos around the world and to bring glory to the Philippines. ”

“It is a real honor to fight a future Hall of Famer like Manny Pacquiao and I am looking forward to being introduced to a whole new market and fan base in the Far East,” said Algieri “My last fight against Ruslan Provodnikov got the world’s attention, now I am going to show what I can really do. I have the utmost respect for Manny and his great team, but make no mistake — I am here to win and I have nothing on my mind but beating a legend.”

“I underestimated Algieri when he faced Ruslan Provodnikov in June but I won’t make that mistake again,” said Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. “I hope he understands that this is a fight and not a marathon. Algieri is going to face the best of Manny Pacquiao because Manny is going to have his toughest training camp ever. I am looking forward to a great fight and Manny’s finest hour on November 22.”

“Over the past 14 years I have trained and watched Chris become a Master of the Art of Boxing. His hard work ethic, discipline and dedication are second to none,” said Algieri’s trainer, Tim Lane. “Chris has been in the gym after only one week off from his last bout with New York trainers Keith Trimble, Dr. Mike Camp and Tony Ricci who have kept him in great shape through the years and continue to help him get stronger and faster between and during all camps. Training camp will officially start in late September in New York and finish in Las Vegas before leaving for China. Let it be known, there is a New ERA in the world of boxing and on November 22. Chris Algieri will once again Shock the World and become the New WBO Welterweight Champion!”

“The battle between the two world champions will be a fantastic fight. Manny’s non-stop attack style will be challenged by Algieri’s laser-like punching,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

“It has been a great year. In February we had Chris at The Paramount on ESPN, in June on HBO winning the World Championship at Barclays Center in dramatic fashion against the feared Ruslan Prodvodnikov. Now we are excited to announce that he will be at The Venetian Macao against legendary Manny Pacquiao on HBO Pay-Per-View. It has been an unprecedented meteoric rise that will continue on November 22. I look forward to this intriguing and ‘landscape-changing’ fight,” said Algieri’s promoter, Joe DeGuardia, President and Founder of Star Boxing.

“Sands China is thrilled to be bringing Manny back to Macao again to fight at the Cotai Arena this November,” said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sands China Ltd. “Since Manny’s sold-out Venetian Macao debut in November 2013, we’ve worked continuously with Bob Arum and Top Rank to host three more successful boxing cards at the Cotai Arena and two live screening events of US cards; and further, announced our partnership on the mainland China television program ‘Fist Power – Fight to Win.’ We’re happy to see these events helping promote the growth of boxing in the region while raising the profile of Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure.”

“Against all odds, Manny Pacquiao has produced a brilliant, Hall of Fame career. He’s accepted challenges around the globe and established new frontiers, including fighting on pay-per-view from Macao,” said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View. “Now another young, talented and unassuming prizefighter named Chris Algieri will try to defy the odds and fulfill his dreams by challenging Pacquiao for his welterweight crown. In Chris Algieri, fight fans see a great American story with added intrigue based on the heart and courage he displayed in his recent victory over Ruslan Provodnikov.”

Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province in the Philippines (he was reelected to a second term, running unopposed last year), is the only fighter to win eight world titles in as many different weight divisions. A three-time Fighter of the Year and the Boxing Writers Association of America’s “Fighter of the Decade,” Pacquiao made his Cotai Arena debut last November 24, pasting former world champion Brandon Rios with a unanimous decision beatdown. Pacquiao’s resumé features victories over present and future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Márquez. From 2008 to 2010, five of his seven victories were world title victories in five different weight classes, from 130 to 154 pounds. No active boxer has sold more live tickets in the U.S. than Pacquiao, who is also credited with nearly 13 million domestic pay-per-view buys. He returns to the ring after avenging his controversial 2012 split decision loss to undefeated two-division world champion Timothy Bradley, Jr. on April 12. Pacquiao won a scintillating unanimous decision to regain the WBO welterweight crown back from Bradley. .

Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs), from Huntington, NY on Long Island, has become boxing’s No. 1 story, as well as being hailed as the 21st century real-life Rocky. Over the last 22 months Algieri, a former kickboxing champion, has elevated himself from a prospect to a world-class contender to a world champion. After accumulating significant victories over top prospect Jose Alejo, former USBA champion Mike Arnaoutis, and highly-rated contender Emmanuel Taylor, Algieri, stepped up in his HBO debut and challenged WBO junior welterweight champion “The Siberian Rocky” Ruslan Provodnikov on June 14 Despite suffering two knockdowns in the first round which closed his swollen right eye, Algieri who entered the fight as a 5-1 underdog, eschewed the natural instinct to panic and resolutely stuck to his game plan, expertly using his jab and supreme athletic ability to pick apart the defending champion to claim a split decision victory and the world title. The live, first-time airing of the fight averaged over 1.1 million viewers placing among the five most-viewed fights on cable this year. In what could be a first for any professional boxer, Algieri used his purse from the Provodnikov bout to pay off his student loans. He is as much a scholar as he is a brawler. Algieri graduated from Stony Brook University with Honors in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management and then went on to receive his Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from the New York Institute of Technology. He aspires to attend medical school.

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

Advance tickets to Pacquiao vs. Algieri are available for purchase August 26-28 for Sands Rewards Club and Cotai Ring Club members. This exclusive pre-sale offer is available only at the Cotai Arena box office, and is not available online or via phone. For more details, visit www.venetianmacao.com/macau-entertainment/clash-in-cotai-ii.html.

Tickets for the Pacquiao vs. Algieri world welterweight championship event go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. August 29 at all Cotai Ticketing™ box offices*. Tickets can be purchased in one of eight categories: HKD/MOP 24,080 (Diamond), 20,080 (Platinum), 12,880 (Ruby), 9,880 (Gold), 6,480 (Silver), 3,880 (A Reserve), 1,880 (B Reserve) and 880 (C Reserve). HKD/MOP 88 adds a round trip Cotai Water Jet ferry ticket between Hong Kong and Macao. Tickets can be booked online at www.cotaiticketing.com, or by phone at +853 2882 8818 (Macao) / +852 6333 6660 (HK) / 4001 206 618 (China) / +63 2 395 3370 (Philippines). Tickets are also available through Hong Kong Ticketing (customer service fee applies), online at www.HKTicketing.com or by phone at +852 3128 8288, and via Macao Kong Seng Ticketing Network, online at www.macauticket.com, by phone at +853 2855 5555, or in person at selected retail outlets (for locations, visit www.macauticket.com/TicketWeb/ServiceStations.aspx).

NOTE: Bouts and times subject to change

# # #

Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination.

The 15,000-seat Cotai Arena is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.

The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.

The 650-seat Sands Theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.

With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.

For information about upcoming shows and events, visit www.venetianmacao.com/entertainment.html.

About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital & Spa; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao’s Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….Macao Starts Here. For more information, please visit
http://en.cotaistrip.com.




WBO Jr. Welterweight champion — ” CHRIS ALGIERI HITS MACAU”

Chris Algieri
Aug. 23, 2014, Macau, China — ” ALGIERI HITS MACAU” — New York’s
Undefeated (20-0) WBO Jr. Welterweight champion Chris Algieri (R) and his trainer Tim Lane (L) arrive in Macau, China for the start of their worldwide media tour with superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao and Algieri , along with their respective trainers Freddie Roach and Tim Lane, promoters Bob Arum, Joe DeGuardia and Artie Pelullo, and Ed Tracy, President and CEO of Sands China Ltd., will embark on a 27,273-Mile Media Tour, beginning on Monday, August 25 at The Venetian Macao. The 12-day tour includes press conferences or public and private appearances scheduled for Shanghai, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing ,Banner Promotions and Tecate, the Pacquiao vs. Algieri world welterweight championship event will take place Saturday, November 22, at the Cotai Arena in The Venetian Macao Resort in Macau,China.

It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. — Photo Credit : Chris Farina – Top Rank (no other credit allowed) copyright 2014

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 Hashtag #PacAlgieri to join the conversation on Twitter.




Mike Jones ready to resume his career TONIGHT LIVE on GFL

Mike Jones
Atlantic City, NJ (August 23, 2014)–TONIGHT from Ballys Atlantic City, former world title challenger Mike Jones (26-1, 19 KO’s) returns to the ring after a 26-month layoff when he takes on Jaime Herrera (11-2, 6 KO’s) in a 10-round bout that will headline an 8-bout card to be streamed LIVE on www.gfl.tv for $14.99

The show is promoted by Peltz Boxing and will begin at 7:30 PM ET.

During the layoff, the 31 year-old Jones moved his base from Philadelphia to Las Vegas.

Jones believes that it may take a couple of rounds to get his sea legs back after long lay off.

“Anytime someone hasn’t been in the ring that long, there maybe a little ring rust,”said Jones.

But Jones feels it won’t be that big of a problem as he has been in the competitive gym circuit in Las Vegas where it is not hard to find world championship caliber sparring.

“I been working out most of the time while i was on the layoff. I feel that there were a couple of positives to come out of it. I feel I am smarter now, i am rejuvenated mentally and physically and I haven’t been hit in 2 years.

The last time most boxing fans saw Jones, he was being stopped in the 11th round of his IBF title bout with Randall Bailey. In that fight, Jones was was comfortably ahead on all 3 judges scorecards and was just 3:08 away from being crowned world champion.

“After about 2 weeks it hit me pretty hard. I looked at it in a variety of ways. I was fighting all wrong. Even though I was winning the fight, my style was all wrong. I wasn;t slipping the right hand and I wasn’t doing all the things I can do.”

“During the break, I cleared my mind, I changed what I can do. I am bringing it back from the start. I needed the break for a clear head. My mind needs to be 100% boxing.”

When most boxers have an extended amount of time off, doubt seeps into their mind, but Jones looked at as a time restart with a clean slate.

“Despite what happened in the last fight, I never lost doubt because I never stopped training and now I am ready to show what I can do. Boxing is a form of martial arts and I am a true martial artist. I am totally happy when I am boxing.”

Jones learned one valuable thing while he time to ponder his next move.

“I should never take business personal.” in reference to rumored differences with his handlers.

When asked about why he uprooted to the Sin City, Jones said, “Vegas is a big attraction there is always different work and there is a lot of knowledge to be learned out there. I love Philadelphia and you never know at some point, I could be back here.”

In Herrera is fighting a man who knows a thing or two about pulling the upset as in his last bout he stopped undefeated prospect Michael Finney (12-0) in five rounds.

“All i know is that he stopped the undefeated guy and he throws a lot of punches but I am ready for a good fight on Saturday, ” finished Jones.

Fans can see the whole 8 bout card that features:

Undefeated Middleweight Thomas LaManna (14-0, 7 KO’s) taking on Jamaal Davis (14-11-1, 6 KO’s) in an 8-round Middleweight bout.

Alex Sanchez (4-4, 2 KO’s) battles Ismael Garcia (6-0, 3 KO’s) in a 6-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Anthony Caramanno (1-0) battles Marquis Pierce (1-3) in a 4-round Bantamweight bout.

Carlos Rosario takes on Garshino Yancey in a battle of pro debuting Lightweights.

Omar Curry and Marvin Johnson get it on on a fight between Jr. Welterweights.

Greg Thomas (0-3) fights Nick Valliere (1-0) in a 4-round Middleweight fight.

Joe Cusamano (7-1, 5 KO’s) boxes Randy Easton (2-3-1,2 KO’s) in a 4-round Heavyweight tilt.

To order the card, click http://www.gfl.tv/event/Fight/Boxing/Peltz-Boxing-Mike-Jones-vs-Jamie-Herrera/2459




ADAM ETCHES TO FACE SAMIR SANTOS BARBOSA FOR THE IBF INTERNATIONAL TITLE AT PONDS FORGE, SHEFFIELD ON SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER

London (23rd August) ADAM ETCHES will get the opportunity to bolster his world ranking and add another title to his collection when he faces Brazil’s tough Samir Santos Barbosa at the Ponds Forge Arena in Sheffield on September 20 on the Hennessy Sports promoted event.

The night of championship boxing will be headlined by Kid Galahad, who will be defending his Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title.

The event sponsored by MaxiNutrition will be shown live on Channel 5.

‘The Bomber’ is currently rated at number 13 by the IBF, having won the sanctioning body’s Youth titles at both middleweight and super-middleweight. This time he will contest the IBF International title and victory would likely catapult him into the world top ten.

Barbosa is sure to be a stern test, though. The 34-year-old from Rio Grande has won 35 professional fights, is the current WBA Fedecaribe middleweight champion, and has been the full 12 round distance with former world title holder Daniel Geale.

“I’ve not had a chance to have a look at him properly yet, but from what everyone has told me he’s a really tough fighter who will come over here to give me the fight of my life,” Etches, 16-0 (13 KOs), said.

“He’s been in with some of the best middleweights in the world and held his own so I think this is going to be the hardest fight of my career so far.

“These sorts of opponents are what I need now. I’m looking to kick on to bigger and better things and beating a good boxer for the IBF International title should move me up the rankings.

“Touch wood, I win this and then I can look for more belts and, who knows, in 18 months from now I could be knocking on the door of a world title shot. Kell Brook won an IBF title at the weekend and if I could go on to the same it would be massive for boxing in Sheffield.”

Popular Sheffield fighter Scott Jenkins will also be in action along with local fighters Atif Shafiq, Sam O’Maison, Callum Hancock, Bradford’s Golden Boy, Nadeem Siddique and Team Fury fighters Isaac Lowe and Tyson’s cousin Dempsey Fury.
The packed crowd will also see highly regarded featherweight prospect Yusuf Safa from Bexleyheath in action.

Tickets for the Hennessy Sports promoted event at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, priced at £35 general admission and £100 ringside are available to purchase by calling the SIV ticket box office on 0114 223 3777.

Tickets are also available from www.sivtickets.com or in person at the Sheffield City Hall, Crucible Theatre and Motorpoint Arena Sheffield.




Weights From Chicago

B96 Boxing at the Ballpark
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Round 3 Productions
U.S. Cellular Field, Home of the Chicago White Sox
Doors 6pm CT

Donovan George, 167 vs. Dyah Davis, 167.2
IBO Super Middleweight World Title
Frankie Scalise, 133 vs. DeWayne Wisdom, 127
Mike Jimenez, 176 vs. Maxell Taylor 184
Fidel Navarette, 126.2 vs. Sergio Montes de Oca, 125
Genaro Mendez, 143.5 vs. Alfred Hall, 140.5
Will Coix, 144.5 vs. Quintez Bozell, 153
Mike Reid, 173.5 vs. Norman McGInn, 167.5




Weights from Atlantic City; Jones vs. Herrera LIVE ON GFL

Jones_Herrera_weigh in
Mike Jones 147 vs. Jaime Herrera 147.5
Jamaal Davis 158.3 vs. Thomas LaManna 158.5
Gilbert Alex Sanchez 154 vs. Ismael Garcia 155.5
Grashino Yancy 133 vs. Carlos Rosario 131
Anthony Caramanno 122 vs. Marquise Pierce 124
Omar Curry 135.5 vs. Marvin Johnson 139
Randy Easton 222.5 vs. Joe Cusumano 225
Nick Valliere 154.5 vs. Greg Thomas 155

Venue: Bally’s Atlantic City
Promoter: Peltz&Top Rank in association with Bally’s Casino
First Bout: 7:30pm Saturday, August 23, 2014
Streamed live on www.gfl.tv
Photos by: Bryanna Carzo

Tickets: $50 & $75 215-704-6055
www.peltzboxing.com or at the door.

To order the card, click http://www.gfl.tv/event/Fight/Boxing/Peltz-Boxing-Mike-Jones-vs-Jamie-Herrera/2459




Trout survives knockdowns to decision Dawson

Austin_Trout
Former world champion Austin Trout had to endure two knockdowns but was able to comeback and win a 10-round unanimous decision over Daniel Dawson at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California.

With things going well for Trout, he walked into a perfect counter right that deposited him on the sears of the seat of his pants in round three. Dawson did not jump on Trout but late in the round it was deja vu all over again as Dawson landed another counter right that sent Trout again for a second time.

Trout got back to consistent boxing and in round seven, he began to pound away with hard combinations. In that round, Dawson suffered an apparent leg injury. Dawson implied that he hurt his calf in his right leg. Dawson should affects in the next round as Trout landed some heavy shots and eventually sent Dawson to the canvas for the first time in his career. Trout continued the onslaught in round nine as he drilled Dawson with several hard lefts to the head.

Trout, 154 lbs of Las Cruces, NM won by scores of 97-90 on all three cards and is now 27-2. Dawson, 154 lbs of Perth, AUS is now 40-4-1.

Eric Bone scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Mahonri Montes in a Welterweight bout.

Scores were 100-90 and 97-93 twice for Bone, 143 lbs of Ecuador and is now 15-1. Montes, 142 1/2 lbs of Mexico is now 29-4-1.

Ahmed Elbiale scored an explosive 1st round stoppage over Dwayne Williams in a scheduled 4-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Elbiale landed a crushing right to the temple that sent Williams face first on the canvas and the fight was stopped immediately at 1:51.

Elbiale, 175 lbs is now 6-0 with 6 knockouts. Williams, 175 lbs is 5-4.




BERNARD HOPKINS VS. SERGEY KOVALEV CONFIRMED TO TAKE PLACE AT BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY, NJ ON SATURDAY, NOV. 8 LIVE ON HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

Bernard Hopkins
Atlantic City, NJ (Aug. 22) – Since the August 4th official announcement of the Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins vs. Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev light heavyweight title unification fight, the boxing world has been waiting and wondering when and where the two will meet and put their respective titles on the line. The wait is over as Golden Boy Promotions and Main Events announced today that the fall’s most anticipated boxing event will take place Saturday, Nov. 8 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ live on HBO World Championship Boxing.

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50, plus applicable fees and service charges, go on sale on Friday, Sept. 5 at noon ET and will be available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Both fighters have a history of big fights on the Jersey Shore as Hopkins has fought 19 times in Atlantic City, five of which took place at Boardwalk Hall. Kovalev fought his only two American title defenses in Atlantic City, both of which were knockouts. Most recently against Blake Caparello on August 2nd.

“Atlantic City is a second home to me,” said Hopkins. “Some of my most memorable victories and greatest accomplishments of my career have taken place there including my fights against Antonio Tarver and Kelly Pavlik. I expect Philly to represent and come out to Boardwalk Hall to see me make history once again.”

“I am happy to be back in Atlantic City,” said Kovalev. “This is my third time fighting there, but this is the most special because this time I am facing the legendary Bernard Hopkins.”

“November 8 is going to be a great night for boxing in Atlantic City, said Oscar De La Hoya, founder and president of Golden Boy Promotions. “I would like to thank Caesars Atlantic City, Global-Spectrum, the Atlantic City Alliance, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA) for working together to bring this fight to the boardwalk, where east coast fans can get to see a historic fight between Bernard Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev and show the world what a big fight night is all about.”

“This fight is exactly where it belongs,” said Kathy Duva, Chief Executive Officer of Main Events. “Sergey Kovalev made his last two title defenses in Atlantic City and Bernard Hopkins fought much of his career there. Boardwalk Hall has a rich history in boxing and it holds a lot of great memories for Main Events, working in conjunction with Ken Condon and Caesars. I look forward to making some more memories on November 8th.”

“We’re thrilled to have one of the top boxing matches in the country here in Atlantic City,” said John Palmieri, Executive Director of CRDA. “We’ve been known for hosting great fight events for many years, and we welcome the fans, as usual, to experience all the action at both Boardwalk Hall and throughout the city.”

“Bernard Hopkins is a world champion athlete who grew up and trained in the greater Philadelphia area, just a short ride from Atlantic City, so this fight is going to be a great draw for the destination,” said Kevin Ortzman, President and General Manager for Caesars, Bally’s and Showboat Atlantic City. “Some of the greatest boxing matches and sporting events have been hosted in Historic Boardwalk Hall – and this November, Atlantic City will once again be the backdrop to one of the most historic bouts in the sport – Caesars is proud to sponsor this event and look forward to an entertaining weekend this fall.”

Hopkins vs. Kovalev is a 12-round Unification bout for the IBF, WBA and WBO Light Heavyweight World titles, presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Main Events in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and Hortitsia Vodka. The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mainevents.com, www.hbo.com/boxing or http://www.boardwalkhall.com/.
Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/main_events, www.twitter.com/hboboxing,www.twitter.com/THEREALBHOP, www.twitter.com/krusherkovalev and www.twitter.com/BoardwalkHall.

Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/maineventsboxing, www.facebook.com/hboboxing and https://www.facebook.com/BoardwalkHall.




DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT & NEW LEGEND BOXING ANNOUNCE OFFICIAL SIGNING OF UNDEFEATED PROSPECT ALANTEZ FOX TO EXCLUSIVE CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT

Alantez Fox
New York, NY (8/22/14) – DiBella Entertainment (DBE) has announced the signing of undefeated junior middleweight prospect Alantez Fox to an exclusive co-promotional agreement with New Legend Boxing.

At 6’5″, Fox is a tall, slick boxer who literally stands head and shoulders above most of his 154lb. contemporaries. Having already built his record to 12-0-1 (4 KOs) with exceptional physical tools that include a 79-inch reach, the 22-year-old Fox is ready to take the division by storm as he climbs up the rankings. From Forestville, MD, Fox is trained by his father, Troy Fox, out of Lloyd Irvin MMA/Boxing Gym.

Fox had a successful 10-year amateur career that began at the age of eight. He won the 2010 Under-19 Championships as well as the Ringside National Tournament that same year. Holding wins over current prospects Antoine Douglas and David Grayton, Fox’s amateur career culminated with a 165-35 record.

Following his July 2010 pro debut, Fox quickly fought his way into contention for the vacant New York State junior middleweight title. On September 22, 2012, at Resorts World Casino, in Queens, NY, Fox challenged hometown favorite Frank Galarza, also now co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing. Both Fox and Galarza were 7-0 heading into the match, and, when the bell rang, they waged a fast-paced exhilarating war for eight rounds. Galarza had early success with his overhand right, but Fox then established a distance using his long jab to dictate the action. Landing his left hook with regularity, he evened up the fight on the scorecards, leading to a draw verdict. Since then, Fox has won five in a row, including unanimous decision victories over the highly regarded Julius Kennedy and Zain Shah.

“Fox is an undefeated, super high quality junior middleweight,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “We feel that Galarza is one of the best 154lb. fighters in the world and Fox gave him his toughest fight. We believe that, along with Galarza, he too can be a force on the championship level in the competitive 154lb. division.”

“I am excited about the signing of our new prospect, Alantez Fox,” said Felipe Gomez, of New Legend Boxing. “I saw him for the first time in 2012 when he fought Galarza on one of my New Legend shows. Watching him fight, I really had a lot of interest in him. With his height, reach and boxing skill, Fox is going to be a huge threat in the junior middleweight division.”

Despite the sensational start to his pro career, Fox has been inactive for the past year due to promotional issues. However, that has now all been resolved, having aligned himself with DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing ready to pick up where he left off.

“I’m just ready to fight,” said Fox. “I’m thrilled to be with my new family. I’ve been waiting for somebody to give me an honest opportunity. Hopefully, there is no ring rust and I can shine like a diamond. Thanks to Lou DiBella, DiBella Entertainment, Felipe Gomez and New Legend Boxing for taking a chance on me. I won’t let you down.”

“Alantez is a talented fighter,” said his father Troy. “I am glad and thankful to be working with DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing. I know that they will push my son’s career in the right direction. I’m ready to see him get the attention he deserves and to watch him become a world champion one day.”

Look for an announcement on Fox’s DBE debut to come very soon.




Video: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2 – The Press Tour




“MAYHEM: MAYWEATHER VS. MAIDANA 2” SHOWTIME PPV UNDERCARD CONFERENCE CALL

Kelly Swanson
Thanks, everybody, for calling in. We really appreciate you taking out the time of your day to have this call. We do have a lot of fighters that will be on the phone and available for your questions, and just to give you the order we are going to start with the Alfredo Angulo vs. James De La Rosa fight, followed by the Mickey Bey vs. Miguel Vazquez fight, and end with the Leo Santa Cruz vs. Manuel Roman fight.

Now I’m going to turn it over to Leonard Ellerbe, Chief Executive Officer of Mayweather Promotions to go ahead and talk us through the fights and make the introductions.

Leonard Ellerbe
I’d like to thank everyone for joining us on the call today. Today we are on the call to announce the undercard of the Mayweather vs. Maidana rematch: “Mayhem.” Obviously in the main event we have Floyd and Maidana. Floyd will be defending his WBC and WBA titles, and also, in an unprecedented move, he’ll also be defending his WBC super welterweight title, which has only been done one time in boxing history.

To open up the undercard, we will be having three world championship bouts. In the first bout we’ll have Alfredo Angulo. He’ll be fighting James De La Rosa in a 10-round super middleweight bout, and in the next bout we’ll have the WBC lightweight championship where we’ll have Miguel Vazquez defending his title against Mickey Bey. Then in the co-main event we have Leo Santa Cruz defending his WBC super bantamweight championship, and he’ll be fighting Manuel Roman.

This event will be promoted by Mayweather Promotions along with Golden Boy Promotions. Our sponsors are O’Reilly Auto Parts, Corona and “The Equalizer.” “MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” will be shown live in over 500 movie theaters nationwide. Before we get into the introduction of the fighters I’d like to turn it over to our partner, co-promoter, and Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions, Eric Gomez.

Eric Gomez
Thank you, Leonard. Obviously we’re very excited about this undercard. We feel that we have a little bit of everything. We’ve got a strong Mexican support in the undercard, and these fights are can’t-miss. These are going to be very exciting fights and we’re going to start off the festivities with a great matchup, a dangerous fight between James De La Rosa and Alfredo Angulo.

James De La Rosa, with a record of 22-2, 13 KOs, he’s out of San Benito, Texas. He’s coming off a great win August 2, a TKO win. He has wins over Tyrone Brunson, Lenin Arroyo, and Tim Coleman, and this is probably the biggest opportunity of his career, and he obviously wants to take advantage of it.

So if I can have James De La Rosa please say a few words to the media and introduce yourself, James?

James De La Rosa
Hello. I’m doing well. I’m James De La Rosa, 22-2 with 13 KOs and looking to come out and put on a show out there in Vegas, and of course come out with a win.

E. Gomez
Great. Thank you very much, James. Now, obviously everybody knows “El Perro,” Alfredo Angulo. He’s always in action-packed fights. He’s always giving it his all. He’s got a record of 22-4, 18 KOs. He’s living in Los Angeles now and is originally from Mexicali, Mexico. Alfredo knows that this is a very important fight because if he’s going to be considered for future world title fights fighting the elite fighters in boxing he’s got to get past James De La Rosa.

This is a very dangerous fight for him but obviously a little bit-something a little bit different for Alfredo Angulo. He’s debuting as a middleweight. This fight will be fought at the middleweight division. So, Alfredo, if you could please say a few words and introduce yourself,

Alfredo Angulo
Hi. Good morning, everybody, and thank you so much for the call. This is Alfredo Angulo, and I’m ready for the questions.

Q
Alfredo, what is bringing on this move to 160 pounds and did the weight cut affect you greatly in the Canelo Alvarez fight?

A. Angulo
I think this is a good fight for my weight. I’ve been getting my weight and my body ready for the next weight class. I cut a lot of weight before the last fight and I think my body will be better at middleweight.

Q
Eric, is it any added pressure when you’re making these undercards because fight fans are holding these undercards to the standard of Lucas Matthysse and Danny Garcia type fights that you made?

E. Gomez
Well, I think that we’re a little bit of victims of ourselves. We are always competing against ourselves because we’ve had such great undercards, but that’s just part of doing a Mayweather fight. Mayweather insists he wants to have good fights, important fights, so I think that with this undercard here you have two world title fights. You have a very exciting fight and Alfredo Angulo’s fight.

I think that we’re going to continue to do that. We’re going to continue to do that. I know that that’s one of the things that Oscar also is very much interested in, making sure that the entire card from top to bottom is stacked and we’re making good fights, and I know that from working in the past with Floyd and his team with Leonard that they expect the same thing.

So they want action-packed fights. They want to do title fights, and it’s very important for the consumer to have a stacked show from top to bottom, and we’re going to continue to do that.

Q
Alfredo, have you already started training camp, and are you planning to get there early so that those mistakes don’t occur again in this new fight moving forward at a new division?

A. Angulo
Yes, definitely. I’ve come up early to the camp, and I’m working on a lot of things that are going to put me in top form by September.

Q
James, how do you get yourself prepared for this fight mentally because of the stage that you’re going to be on?

J. De La Rosa
I know it’s not any other fight, this is a big stage for me. Basically I’ve got to be in my zone, and I’ve got to block everything out and do what I’ve got to do and do what I do best on that stage to get that win and just train hard. That’s what I’m doing. I’ve been training hard and getting ready for it. I just can’t let the crowd distract me or anything like that. I’ve got to focus on myself.

Q
Alfredo, why the change in division, and what was it that you learned with your fights with Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara?

A. Angulo
Well, basically I’ve been saying it all along I was going to stay at 154 up until my body said otherwise. It’s not a struggle. I can still make 154 but not comfortably, so that’s why the jump to 160. You know, I think I’m going to feel more comfortable. I’m going to be the “Perro” that you all know.

As far as the Lara fight, I learned a lot. It was a great experience. I showed the people that gave me no chance, that Perro is always going to be here and give great fights. Honestly, in the Canelo fight I can’t tell you I learned anything because I wasn’t there. It wasn’t me. It wasn’t the one you all know, and I didn’t feel the strength and I wasn’t able to put on the performance that I would’ve wanted.

Q
Alfredo, what do you know about your opponent James De La Rosa besides the record that obviously is very good. But what can we expect in that fight with him?

A. Angulo
You know, in all honesty I don’t really look into too much of my opponents besides obviously their record. I don’t know really too much about James as far as what style he can bring. What I do know is that all my opponents when they are going to face me, they train extra hard. They give it that extra training because they know that it’s not going to be an easy night once they step into that ring with me.

Q
Alfredo, do you still think you’ll have the same power at 160 as you did as a junior middleweight?

A. Angulo
I don’t know. Honestly I think you’ll know come Sept.13 if I have the same or even more going into the new division. We’ll let you guys decide.

K. Swanson
Okay, thank you very much. Okay, that is the last question for Alfredo and James. Both of you, thank you very much for joining us. Good luck continuing to train, and we look forward to seeing you fight on Sept. 13.

Mickey Bey is on the line, and we’re waiting for Vazquez to call in. Leonard, if you would like to come back on and join us and talk a little bit about this fight and introduce Mickey.

L. Ellerbe
Next up I’d like to introduce one of our top fighters and rising stars. He has a terrific record of 20-1-1 and fighting out of Cleveland, Ohio. Mickey’s put together an exceptional professional career, obviously with only one loss coming last July, and it was a loss that he learned a lot from personally. He made a grave mistake at the end of the fight, and it was a valuable lesson that was learned, and I think that coming into the world championship fight this is something that he’s always dreamed of, to become world champion, and come Sept. 13 he’ll get that opportunity. He’ll be facing a tough Miguel Vazquez for the IBF lightweight world championship. So without further ado, I’d like to introduce Mickey Bey.

Mickey Bey
Training camp is going great, and I want to thank my team for making this happen. I’m really excited for the opportunity on September 13.

Q
How far are you away from the mistake that cost you the win against John Molina, and in what way has that motivated you to be a better fighter?

M. Bey
I got past it probably the day after, because it wasn’t like a thing where I had to go back and get better. One thing about it, I’m a humble guy, so I feel like I was kind of showboating to the crowd and I was looking out at the crowd and stuff, against a big puncher and that’s a mistake. So I was mad that that happened, but other than that I won every round, and I took his best shots the whole fight, and that’s a big puncher.

So I got over it the day after, but yes, I was disappointed because I don’t really-I don’t think anybody can beat me as far as if I didn’t do that I would still be undefeated. I love putting on great performances for the fans, but that’s not in my character to have went that far looking outside the ring and all of that type stuff.

Q
Floyd was at ringside for the Molina fight. Did he have any advice or counsel for you after the fight? Was he tough on you? What were his words for you afterward?

M. Bey
No, he wasn’t tough, but he definitely gave me some great advice. After he fought Canelo we watched the fight together, and we went over some things, and he told me that was just a mistake. He said it’s boxing, and anything can happen, so it’s not over until it’s over.

Q
Can you characterize Miguel Vazquez style? And also, do you think you’re fighting the guy that everyone considers to be the best in the division, and does that motivate you even more to get a win?

M. Bey
Oh, yes. It does. Yes, I think he is because people might not credit his style, but at the end of the day he’s been the champion for years, so you’ve got to give him credit. People can say he fights this way and that way, but he’s been the champion for years, so I think it’s going to be a great fight.

You got to give us both credit because, number one, a lot of fighters they might cherry pick or wait for a title. Me, I’m getting in and I want to prove that I’m the best by fighting the guy that’s the best in the division as far as being the champion for so long.

Q
Mickey, how do you prepare for a guy who will do anything to win a fight whether it be stink it out or do anything to take away your best weapon?

M. Bey
Well, I’ll tell you I’ve got way more tools than him. He’s just got the bigger name of course because he’s been the champion, but I think this is going to be a fight where he’s going to be trying to get around my puzzles. I can do it all, and nobody saw my best but you’re going to be your best when you fight on this level.

He fought at this level, so my trainer knows even though we’re expecting an even better Vazquez. But he’s going to have more of a puzzle because nobody really fully knows all the things that I can do.

Q
What do you think is the key to what makes him so difficult?

M. Bey
I think the guys in this game today, a lot of them fight the same pretty much. They don’t really know how to box. A lot of guys can’t beat good boxers. They just like the rock ’em sock ’em robot type style, and whatever happens, happens. A lot of guys just swing for the fences and they just fight with their eyes closed.

Vazquez is a crafty fighter, so I don’t think the guys that he was fighting had the ability and the speed and everything to keep up with him.

Q
Mickey, why did you take this fight?

M. Bey
I’m a beast at the end of the day. If Godzilla came or something came down from Mars I’ll fight it and come in 100% confident. He’s a good fighter. This is what boxing is about. It’s about wanting to prove that you’re the best, and to me it’s just that I want to fight the best and to prove that I’m the best.

Q
Now, both of you are boxers are you willing to change your style for this fight and become the aggressor because he plays the outside so much?

M. Bey
I’m just going to go accordingly really. I’ve got a great trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr. and he taught me well, so I’m going to just pretty much act accordingly. You never know. I don’t really look at previous fights because any fight can go different, so I’m just going to act accordingly. It could be a boxing match. It could be a street fight. I just come out on top whatever it is.

Q
Is there pressure to not only get the win but also look good and stellar on the Mayweather undercard because of the fact that all of the people will be watching?

M. Bey
Really you’ve just got to do your job. All of you all know this cat’s style, so at the end of the day beating him is good enough. Of course I want to look good, but this dude is a legitimate fighter and a legitimate champion, so I can’t get too caught up into thinking how I look even though I’m sure I’ll look great. But getting the win, that’s the key.

Q
You were talking about a couple of different fight dates. Was it difficult for you in training camp to manage all of that not really knowing exactly what date you were going to be fighting?

M. Bey
Not really. I just pretty much I just go with the flow, man. I just stay calm, relax, and just do my job. I’ve got a great team, so I’m confident in them, and they’re confident in me. I just go accordingly pretty much.

Q
Can you just kind of talk about what this fight means to you? You’re fighting on Floyd’s card and all that. What exactly does this opportunity mean for you?

M. Bey
It’s huge for me to get to this point after so long. I know talentwise I could’ve been champion many years ago, but I just think that it shows if you stay dedicated and stick to your craft everybody’s got a different story. Some people get it fast. Some people get it later. But if you quit or you lose confidence you never get the shot to see what you can do, so I’m just mentally tough, strong, and dedicated, and that’s why I’m glad that everything paid off and I got to this point.

Q
Assuming everything goes well and you do end up winning the title, do you think that makes up for the blemish with John Molina, or is that something that you would still want to go back and take care of?

M. Bey
Either way. I think everybody saw it, so they know. We wanted to get it done right after. He didn’t want the fight, so at the end of the day everybody saw it. They know, okay, why did this guy goof off?. In the last round why did this guy goof off and throw the fight away? I wasn’t really hit and stuff like that, but it was one of those fights where it was just a bad mistake on my end.

It wasn’t anything that he did. I can’t take credit away from him. He got the win that night, but everybody knows it was because I just started goofing off at the end, and that’s something that normally I wouldn’t have done. But I hope the fans enjoyed it, because they will never see that again.

K. Swanson
Okay Leonard could you please introduce Mr. Vazquez? Mickey, if you want to stay on the line I do believe that was your last question, but if you’d like to stay on the line in case some come up. I understand if you have to train, but stand by. Let’s hear from Mr. Vazquez.

L. Ellerbe
Next up I’d like to introduce the current IBF lightweight champion. He’s currently on an impressive 13-fight win streak that goes all the way back to 2008. He won his lightweight world title in 2010. He’s a respected veteran, always come to fight, and come Sept. 13 he’ll be looking to make himself a household name when he puts his title on the line against Mickey Bey.

So without further ado, I’d like to introduce the current IBF lightweight world champion out of Guadalajara, Mexico with a record of 34-3 with 13 KOs, Miguel Vazquez.

Miguel Vazquez
It’s a great honor, and I’m very happy to be here with you guys on this call, and I’m looking forward to it.

Q
What does it mean to you to make your debut with another promoter and to be on this significant card, a Mayweather card?

M. Vazquez
It’s a great honor to be with a new manager like Al Haymon, and obviously another great honor to be on such a great card like it is to be on the Mayweather undercard, and I’m coming very well prepared to come and defend my title.

Q
Now that you’re with a new company, now that you’re on such a big card do you have any plans to change up your style or continue on doing what you do best?

M. Vazquez
No, this is my style. My style is the style that took me to become a world champion, and I don’t plan to make any drastic changes to my style. This is why I’ve maintained and been victorious. I may modify a little bit more aggressive attack, but again, this is the style that’s kept me here.

Q
What can you tell us about Mickey Bey? Obviously it’s the big fight of his life, and what do you expect in this fight?

M. Vazquez
We know Mickey Bey is a very good fighter, very talented fighter, fast, difficult. But I know I’m very well prepared mentally, physically, spiritually. I know that I’m blessed. God blessed me, and we’re prepared. We’re prepared, and we’re going to come out with the hand raised first, God willing.

Q
Miguel, could you sort of take us through the evolution of your style and how it came to be at this point in your career?

M. Vazquez
I’ll say it started off with my father, that he started teaching me the craft, and from there on I learned from the Cubans the art of boxing, to hit and not be hit, and now currently with my current trainer I’ve learned and picked up new things. It’s a style that’s got me there. I go in there, hit, don’t be hit, and I’m blessed by God.

Q
Miguel, it was somewhat of a surprise to see you signing with Al Haymon. How important is that for you at this point in your career?

M. Vazquez
No, besides an honor it was a blessing to have signed with such an important figure in boxing like Mr. Al Haymon, and obviously the dreams of having the biggest fights have now become reality, and now come fight night I have to do everything to come out victorious so I don’t let him down.

K. Swanson
Okay, now we have both Leo Santa Cruz and Manuel Roman on the call. We’ll turn it over to Eric Gomez.

E. Gomez
Yes, here we are. Great. Thank you. Okay, so obviously the co-main event pits one of the most exciting fighters in boxing, Leo Santa Cruz, defending his world title against Manuel Roman out of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico with a record of 17-2. He’s a hard-hitting fighter. He’s only 26 years old.

This is a great opportunity, the biggest fight of his career. He’s an underdog in this fight, but he’s going to give it his all, so I would like to introduce to you Manuel Roman to say a few words. Manuel?

Manuel Roman
Hi, everybody. I just want to thank God for the opportunity, and I want to thank everybody that’s listening right now. I hope everybody tunes in on Sept. 13, it will be a great night of boxing.

E. Gomez
Great. Thank you very much, Manuel. Now, one of the most exciting fighters in boxing, he’s undefeated, super bantamweight WBC world champion. He’s probably one of the most exciting fighters. This guy throws so many punches it’s hard to count, but he’s coming off so many good, impressive wins.

This is going to be a big stage for him fighting on the Mayweather card, and I would like for him to say a few words -Leo Santa Cruz.

Leo Santa Cruz
Yes, good afternoon to everyone. I just want to say that I’m very happy and excited to be on this big undercard. It’s a dream come true to be on the Mayweather undercard and to be the co-main event. For me it’s what I’ve dreamed since I was really small, and now I have to thank God, thank my manager, Al Haymon, Golden Boy, my team, and I invite you guys to come Sept. 13.

Me and Roman, we’ve known each other since amateurs. He’s a great fighter. I know a lot of people know him, but he’s a great fighter, and he’s going to come out and give me a great fight, and we’re going to give a great fight for all the fans.

Q
Do you feel that being in the co-main event before a Mayweather-Maidana fight you need to be spectacular in order to get the fight that you’ve been calling for against (Guillermo) Rigondeaux or any other fights?

L. Santa Cruz
I think that before I was knocking out people and everything, but I was never really used to fighting fighters that box a little bit more. But we weren’t used to those kinds of styles running and boxing, but now we been training in the gym. We have been fighting fighters that move a lot and chasing them, so I think we’re getting used to them, so I think we’re going to start doing what we were doing before, and of course I think that I need to look spectacular because I’m the co-main event, and that millions of people are going to be watching me.

So I’ve got to go out there and give my best, and that’s what I’m training for, and hopefully I’m going to be at 100% and go out there and give the fans what I always do, war, and go out there and throw a lot of punches so the fans can go happy.

Q
Is the fact there are so many Mexicans on the card and it’s on Independence Day weekend a motivator for you?

L. Santa Cruz
A great motivation-all my fans there are always a motivation, even the Mexicans for all the fans all over the world they give me motivation too because I have great fans. I have Mexicans, Chinese, from the UK, Colombia, Puerto Rico, everywhere, so that’s a great blessing for me, and really I always think about the fans because thanks to them I’m here and they’re always saying nice things about me and everywhere. That’s why I go out there to give them my best, and I always try my best, and hopefully we do it.

Q
Eric, can you address the style differences between Seda and Mijares when he fought them and what he said just now about wanting to look spectacular on Sept. 13?

E. Gomez
I mean, I think that if you look at the opposition that he’s faced, he’s faced really top-notch opposition. He’s fought some of the toughest guys in boxing. He hasn’t had it easy ever since he won the IBF title. I think that he’s popular because of his style, the amount of punches he throws. Obviously we put him in with Seda. He was a slick counterpuncher, a southpaw. Mijares was similar. He was similar, but I think the thing with Leo is that he wants to go to war. He wants to give the fans what they want to see. He wants to stand there toe to toe, throw a lot of punches.

But a lot of times when he starts landing those punches his opposition they change their tactics, and they change, and they start moving around and running because if they stay right in front of him they can probably get knocked out or it’s going to be a long night. They’re going to have to eat a lot of punches.

So I think that he’s one of the most exciting fighters. The amount of punches that he throws every round are incredivke and he’s just going to keep getting better.

Q
You’re going to be on a stage that you’ve never been on before as the co-main. All these eyes are going to be watching. What’s that pressure like?

L. Santa Cruz
Yeah, there’s a big, big pressure on top of me because I’m the co-main event, and to be on this big undercard is a dream come true. This is what I always dreamed, and I’m training 100% and giving my all. We trained really hard with the 12 rounds already sparring with my friend Daniel Garcia.

We’re doing 12 rounds over there, and we’re leaving it all in the ring. So on Sept. 13 we go out there and give it war because that’s what the fans want, and to be on a big undercard like this and a million people watching we got to leave it all right there.

Q
Now, we’re used to seeing you fight three, four times a year, and in 2014 you’ve only fought once. Any particular reason for the layoff, and is that something that you’re going to be giving us now, just two fights a year, or do you want to go back to your old schedule, four and more?

L. Santa Cruz
If it was up to me, I would like to fight three or four times a year, but I think the whole team decided that I needed a little rest maybe, and they are the ones that take care of me, so I respect what they say, and if they think fighting like this is better I respect them, and I’m just doing whatever they want.

But hopefully next year we fight three or four times because we like to stay busy. We’re always staying in the gym. We’re ready, and we’re asking for more fights in the future.

Q
I’d just like to know why you would like to fight Guillermo Rigondeaux, being as though you know that he’s a slick counterpuncher and basically undefeated.

L. Santa Cruz
No, of course. I thought he was running away from me, and then I heard that he’s saying that I’m scared, and some people are saying that I’m scared. So I want to prove that I’m not scared of fighting nobody. I’m here to fight the best, and if he’s the best why not fight him?

Like I say, he does have a hard style, very difficult and everything, but hopefully everything goes well on Sept. 13, and hopefully next year we get to fight that war. We know that it will be a great fight and a hard fight for me, but no matter if we lose, we win.

But we want to give the fans what they want because that’s what the fans want, and if they want it I’m here for them to fight for them and we’re going to try our best to make that fight happen.

Q
You said that you’ve been fighting fighters that move around a lot and that you’ve been chasing them. Is this in preparation for Rigondeaux or no? Is this just so you’re trying to broaden your range?

L. Santa Cruz
Yes because I know Rigondeaux, he’s going to be a future opponent, and we’ve been fighting boxers because we want to be ready so that whenever we fight Rigondeaux we’re ready to go out there and fight boxers that move a lot. We know that that fight is going to happen sooner or later, but we want to be able change styles because I want to know how to fight every kind of style from people that stay there, that bang and that move or fighters like me who want to move too. So I think we’re going to work on any style so that when we go out there we’re ready for anything.

Q
Manuel, are you inspired by all the other upsets you’ve seen so far this year?

M. Roman
Of course I’m inspired. It’s a big card. I’ve never been in the stakes like this, and I thank Leo for the opportunity and all his team, and it’s a great inspiration for me. It means the world to me right now.

Q
What do you say to the detractors that might say this fight isn’t worthy of being a co-main event for Mayweather vs. Maidana 2?

L. Santa Cruz
Yeah, they can say on paper it might be-you guys might say this and that and other things, but I’ve known Roman since amateurs, he was a really good in amateur, and I sparred with him two or three years ago, and we used to work really good in the gym. We used to go to war in the gym and the sparring and everything.

So other people that don’t know him but he’s a great fighter. He has great punches, great technique. He’s good at everything, so I think he’s going to give it his all just like me like me, I never underestimate nobody. I always train 100% because those are the fights that are harder. They’re the ones that are hungrier.

Manuel is going to come out here and he’s going to get a war, so I think we’re both 100% ready, and we’re going to go out there and give a great, great fight.

Q
So after this, considering if you’re successful, will you push for more crowd-pleasing fights or more difficult challenges? Are you interested in fighting anyone else besides him?

L. Santa Cruz
Yes, of course I am. Hopefully everything goes good and we do well in September. We want to look for harder fights, for the stronger ones, again Carl Frampton, Scott Craig and other fighters at 122. All of those, they’re great fights, but we’re going to push it, and we’re going to try to get those fighters to get in the ring.

Q
Manuel, are there certain things that you know from training with Leo in the past that you might be focusing on and try to take advantage of when you guys fight?

M. Roman
As far as I know, Leo is a warrior. He’s a warrior, and that’s what we’re getting ready for, war. So that’s why we’re training so hard too, and this is a big opportunity, and like he said we know each other, and we know it’s going to be a great match, so we’re ready for that.

Q
Leo, how is training going for this fight?

L. Santa Cruz
Training is going great. We’ve been doing 10 rounds, and today we did 12 rounds of sparring. The training camp, the sparring, the miles, everything is going great, strength, conditioning all great. Everything is going great, so we’ve been training really hard. We’ve been leaving it all in the ring and in the camp, so I think it’s going great, and we’re ready for Sept. 13 already.

Q
Carl Frampton was saying that his team and your team were talking, and it was looking good. What happened? Why did that breakdown?

L. Santa Cruz
The truth is I don’t know. I never heard about those talks. I was just training, and I was always in the camp training getting ready for the fight. I never knew the camps were talking or anything. They never told me about a possible fight with him, but like I said, if it was up to me I’d say yes to that fight. I’m here to fight the best, and Carl is one of the fighters I want to fight.




2nd Installment of Tuesday Night Fights to take place on September 16 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

Philadelphia (August 22, 2014)–After successful inaugural show, Tuesday Night Fights is back for the 2nd installment on Tuesday, September 16 at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.

The show, which is promoted by Joe Hand Promotions and D and D Management is a pro-am show that will feature some of the best talent in the Philadelphia region.

Headlining the professional portion of the card will be undefeated Super Middleweight Derrick Webster battling Taneal Goyco in a bout scheduled for 6-rounds.

Webster of Glassboro, New Jersey has a record of 17-0 with 8 knockouts and is one of the top prospects in the area.

He has campaigned between Middleweight and Light Heavyweight but has settled in at Super Middleweight.

He has solid wins over Romaro Johnson, veterans Darnell Boone, Lester Gonzalez and his last bout when he won a 6-round unanimous decision over Michael Gbenga on May 30 in Philadelphia.

To say Goyco has been matched tough is an understatement. in his 14 pro fights (6-7-1, 3 KO’s) he has taken on 8 fighters that were undefeated at the time. He has wins over Dennis Morris (1-0); Frankie Filippone (14-2-1) and Jeremy Trussell (8-0). In his last bout the native of Philadelphia was stopped by John Magda (6-0) in four rounds on June 27 in Las Vegas.

Fresh off his exciting pro debut in the first Tuesday Night Fight’s card, Avery Sparrow (1-0) of Philadelphia will square off with Pedro Andres (1-3, 1 KO) of Bridgeton, NJ in a four round Featherweight bout.

Dante Wright of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against Lionel Charles (0-3) of New York in a four round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Wright was a 4-time Philadelphia District Golden Gloves and National PAL Tournament champion.

Jerome Conquest of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against William Harris (0-3) of Darby, PA in a Jr. Welterweight contest.

There will be 7-amateur bouts that will be a prelude to the professional card that will be headlined by national Golden Gloves champion Christian Carto and Eric Gordon in a 3-round bout in the 110-pound weight division.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are $50 for reserved and $30 for General admission and can be purchased online at www.2300arena.com or by calling 215 364 9000.

The 2300 Arena is located at 2300 South Swanson Street (Corner of Swanson & Ritner).




MIKE TYSON PRESENTS BIG TEXAS THROWDOWN!! September 26, Mesquite TX

Dallas, TX (August 22, 2014) Boxing Legend MIKE TYSON and Iron Mike Productions, in association with Mario Davila Media and Big Card Promotions present “Big Texas Throwdown” on Friday, September 26 at the Mesquite Arena in Mesquite, Texas.

Advance tickets for “Big Texas Throwdown”, priced at $250, $100, $75 and $50 will go on sale TODAY!! through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone 1-800-745-3000).

“The state of Texas is the home to some of the toughest fighters and best boxing fans in the country. I’m thrilled to promote my first event there on Friday, September 26th.” said Tyson. “With the highly anticipated bantamweight world title fight and a host of the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s finest boxers, local fight fans are set for an outstanding evening of entertainment.”

“Big Texas Throwdown” is headlined by a 12-round World Boxing Association (‘WBA’) “Super” World Bantamweight Title clash between champion ANSELMO “Chemito” MORENO of San Miguelito, Panama and #1 ranked contender JUAN CARLOS PAYANO of the Dominican Republic.

Also featured on the card will be popular Dallas-Fort Worth area fighters including middleweight contender CHARLES “The Future” HATLEY, 23-1-1 (16KO’s) who will be featured in the co-main event, former world title challenger ROBERT MARROQUIN, 23-3-1 (16KO’s), undefeated cruiserweight prospect RAPHAEL MURPHY 9-0-0 (7KO’s) and super featherweight prospect DE ANTHONY BONNER, 7-1-0 (2KO’s).

In a special attraction eight round bout, top Mexican featherweight prospect MOISES “Chucky” FLORES of Guadalajara will make his U.S. debut against an opponent to be announced.

With an excellent record of 20-0-0 (15KO’s), Flores will arrive this week in Miami, Florida to start training at the Iron Mike Productions headquarters.

Anselmo originally won the WBA World Bantamweight Title in 2008 and was elevated to the sanctioning body’s “Super” Bantamweight World Champion after making his fifth title defense in 2010.

Most recently the skilled southpaw looked sensational defeating Javier Nicolas Chacon over 12-rounds on March 22, 2014 in Panama City, dropping the challenger twice in the second round towards a dominant decision.

The 29-year-old Anselmo, 35-2-1 (12KO’s) has lost only once in the last twelve years, a very close, hard fought 12-round battle to then Pound-For Pound candidate Abner Mares in November 2012.

The undefeated Payano, 15-0-0 (8KO’s) will be challenging for his first world title, having pitched a shutout decision win over tough veteran German Meraz on February 22 in his first action of 2014.

The 30-year-old Payano represented the Dominican Republic in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, victorious in the first round of each tournament.

The Mesquite Arena is located at 1818 Rodeo Drive in Mesquite, Texas, 75149. Doors will open on the evening of the event at 6:00 p.m. with the first bell at 7:00 p.m.

For additional information on Iron Mike Productions visit www.IronMikeProductions, follow on Twitter at @IronMikeProd and on Facebook at IronMikeProductionsOfficial.




Undefeated lightweight contender Ivan Redkach Now trained by Robert Garcia

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LOS ANGELES (August 21), 2014 – Undefeated United States Boxing Association (USBA) lightweight champion Ivan “The Terrible” Redkach (17-0, 13 KOs) has changed head trainers, adding former world champion and 2011 Trainer of the Year
Robert Garcia to his corner.

The 28-year-old Redkach, who won 260 of 300 amateur matches and represented his native Ukraine at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as a team alternate, was always considered a better professional prospect than amateur because of his ferocious style and devastating power in both hands.

Rated in the top 10 by three of the four sanctioning bodies – IBF #6, WBC #8 and WBA #10 – Redkach and his manager, Larry Army (Elite Management), felt a world-class trainer was needed on Team Redkach as the Ukrainian fighter closes in on his first world title shot, hopefully, in 2015.

“I have a lot of respect for my former trainer, Mario Morales, but I needed a new trainer to teach me how to win at the championship level,” Redkach said. “I didn’t show any improvement in my last two fights, something I need to do every fight to be a legitimate world title contender.

“Robert Garcia has proven many times that he is a great trainer, one of the best in boxing. I get great sparring at his gym in Oxnard, which is only a one-hour drive from my home (in Los Angeles). I can’t wait for my next fight to show everybody how much I’ve improved.”

Garcia currently trains world champions such as Nonito Donaire, Evgeny Gradovich, Mickey Garcia and Marcos Antonio Rubio, as well as former world champions and top contenders Marcos Rene Maidana and Brandon Rios.
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Redkach captured the vacant USBA title last January, winning a 10-round decision (99-90, 97-92, 97-93) over tough Tony Luis (17-1), and this past June he came out of a fight against awkward Sergey Gulyakevich (41-2) with a victory by way of a 10-round decision (100-90, 99-91, 98-92).

“My job as his manager is to provide Ivan with everything he needs to win a world title,” Army explained. I saw things in Ivan’s last two fights, mistakes that weren’t corrected, and it was time for a change. Ivan needed a trainer like Robert Garcia to win at the highest level.

“Robert actually saw Ivan fight at the last show (vs. Gulyakevich). He trained a fighter on the same card. We talked after the fights and he immediately seemed like the right fit. We were lucky that, living in LA, Ivan had other options to go with an elite trainer, but Robert was always our No. 1 choice. He’s a great teacher and certainly qualified by any standards. He has some Eastern European/Russian fighters in his gym. Robert has had great success changing their styles to be more potent and that’s what we’re hoping for with Ivan”

Redkach’s next fight is expected to be in October.




Kenny Bayless to ref Mayweather – Maidana 2

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Kenny Bayless will be assigned to ref the rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana on September 13 in Las Vegas.

The judges assigned to Mayweather-Maidana II were Dave Moretti of Las Vegas, John McKaie of New York and Guido Cavalleri of Italy.

The Nevada commission also appointed the officials for the other two world title bouts that will take place on the Mayweather-Maidana II undercard. For the co-feature between junior featherweight titlist Leo Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KOs) and Manuel Roman (17-2-3, 6 KOs), Robert Byrd of Las Vegas will serve as the referee. Judges assigned were Burt Clements of Nevada, Cathy Leonard of North Carolina and Max De Luca of California.

Las Vegas’ Tony Weeks will referee the fight between lightweight titlist Miguel Vazquez (34-3, 13 KOs) and Mickey Bey (20-1-1, 10 KOs). Las Vegas judges Adalaide Byrd and Robert Hoyle and Julie Lederman of New York will score that fight.




WEIGHTS FROM TROUT VS. DAWSON, Temecula, California

Austin_Trout
Temecula, CA. (August 21, 2014) – Former world champion AUSTIN “No Doubt” TROUT (26-2,14 KO’s) returns to battle against two-time world title challenger DANIEL “The Rock” DAWSON (40-3-1, 26 KO’s) in the main event on ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra™ from the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California on Friday, August 22nd.

The Trout-Dawson fight will be televised live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event is promoted by Goossen Promotions.

Co-featured on the telecast this Friday night is a 10-round junior welterweight clash between ERICK BONE of Manabi, Ecuador and Sinaloa, Mexico native MAHONRI “Ruso Jr.” MONTES.

Advance tickets starting at $50 can be purchased through the Pechanga Resort and Casino website, www.Pechanga.com or by calling 1-877-711-2946. Doors on the night of the event will open at 4:30 p.m. with the first bell at 6:00 p.m.

Mahonri Montes 142.5 lbs. Erick Bone 143 lbs.
Jr. Welterweight Bout

Micheal Hunter 205 lbs. Harvey Jolly 194 lbs.
Heavyweight Bout

Juan Funez 124.5lbs. Fernando Fuentes 123.5
Featherweight Bout

Jessie Roman 141 lbs. Joaquin Chavez 141 lbs
Welterweight Bout

Thomas Hill 152.5 lbs. Enrique Montes 152 lbs.
Jr. Middleweight Bout

Antonio Urista 156 lbs. Joshua Conley 156 lbs
Jr. Middleweight Bout

Javontae Starks 151 lbs. Arturo Urena 153 lbs
Jr. Middleweight Bout

Danny Kelly 249 lbs. Avery Gibson 245 lbs.
Heavyweight Bout

Kyrone Davis 159 lbs. John Worthy 161 lbs.
Middleweight Bout

Dwayne Williams 175 lbs. Ahmed Elbiali, 175 lbs.
Light Heavyweight Bout

About Pechanga Resort & Casino
Pechanga Resort & Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the western United States. Rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort & Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 3,000 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com . Follow Pechanga Resort & Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

For more information on TROUT vs. DAWSON, follow Goossen Boxing on Twitter at @GoossenBoxing, Dan Goossen at @DanGoossen, Austin Trout @NoDoubtTrout, Daniel Dawson @Daniel_Dawson and the Pechanga Resort & Casino @PechangaCasino. Use hashtag #TroutDawson.




Fight Network Presents Golden Boy LIVE: Avila vs. Frias Friday at 10 p.m. ET

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents Golden Boy Live! this Friday, August 22, at 10 p.m. ET, as the series celebrates its one-year anniversary of 24 fights featuring hundreds of fighters in front of thousands of fans from numerous venues across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

For the first time in two years, top junior featherweight prospect Manuel “Tino” Avila will compete in his hometown of Fairfield, Calif. at the Allan Witt Sports Center and puts his undefeated record on the line against Mexico’s Sergio “Finito” Frias.

Fight Network’s broadcast will air live exclusively in Canada.

In the co-main event, it’s an eight-round heavyweight showdown when unbeaten Gerald “El Gallo” Washington faces veteran standout Nagy Aguilera. In the eight-round televised opener, featherweights Guy Robb of Sacramento, Calif. and Ontario, Canada native Jonathan Arrellano will square off.

“Few moments in boxing are more exciting for fans than when a young, hungry prospect fights in front of his hometown,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president and founder of Golden Boy Promotions. “Manuel Avila seems to have all the tools, but how he performs against a tough fighter like Sergio Frias in a pressure-packed situation will determine a great deal about Tino’s future.. Gerald Washington is an impressive athlete who has picked up boxing very well in a short period of time, and if he beats a veteran like Aguilera, he could be on his way to the next level of the heavyweight division.”

A 22-year-old rising star with a huge California following that is growing nationwide, Fairfield’s Manuel “Tino” Avila (15-0, 6 KOs) last fought at home in August of 2012, when he stopped Vicente Alfaro in three rounds. Since then, he has fought and won six more times, most recently knocking out seasoned veteran David De La Mora in just two rounds. Showing clear improvement with each fight, Avila expects to be at his best ever on August 22.

Sergio “Finito” Frias (15-3-2, 8 KOs) is a four-year professional who is unbeaten in his last three fights. A rugged battler who knows how to mix it up in the ring, the 23-year-old Guadalajara native is ready for a big night in which he makes his Golden Boy Live! and U.S. debut against one of the top talents in the 122-pound weight division.

A former college football star who is on his way to surpassing his success on the gridiron in the boxing ring, Vallejo’s Gerald Washington (13-0, 10 KOs) may have gotten a late start in the sweet science, but he’s making up for lost time quickly. Washington is 3-0 thus far in 2014 and the 32-year-old has scored knockouts over Arron Lyons, Skipp Scott and Travis Walker this year and Aguilera is on his hit list for number four.

Fresh from a gutsy effort against 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic Breazeale in April, New York’s Nagy Aguilera (19-8, 13 KOs) will attempt to get back on the winning track against Washington this August. Winner of three of his four pre-Breazeale bouts, the 28-year-old known as “Dominican Dynamite” can make a big statement if he pins a loss on Washington on Golden Boy Live!.

Sacramento featherweight Guy Robb (13-1, 5 KOs) is always in an exciting fight and he will have his fans out in force when he looks for his seventh consecutive win on August 22. The same can be said for Ontario’s Jonathan “Lil’ Thund’r” Arellano (14-4-2, 3 KOs), making this a must see fight for hardcore boxing fans.

Avila vs. Frias is a 10-round junior featherweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Don Chargin Productions and Paco Presents and sponsored by Corona Extra and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Fight Network’s broadcast airs live at 10 p.m. ET.

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




Quotes, Final Press Conference for “B96 Boxing at the Ballpark”

Chicago, IL, (August 21, 2014) Just days before from the highly anticipated “B96 Boxing at the Ballpark” event set for this Saturday night, August 23rd at U.S. Cellular Field, Home of the Chicago White Sox, the main participants held court at the Final Press Conference.

The Final Press Conference was held in front of a huge crowd of local media and supporters at U.S. Cellular Field.

Frank Mugnolo, President of Round 3 Productions
“We’re honored to be back here at U.S. Cellular Field for this outstanding card headlined by the IBO Super Middleweight World Championship between Donovan George and Dyah Davis.”

“We’d like to thank our promotional partners on this event who have been so very helpful, B96, The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority and The Chicago White Sox, all of whom have been instrumental in making this event such a success.”

“It’s a terrific card from top to bottom truly defining Chicago. ‘Best fans, toughest fighters, greatest city in the world. Period.’”

Donovan George
“I’m ready, we’ve put the work in. I’ve fought all over the world in my ten years as a pro and am thrilled to fight for my first world title in my hometown of Chicago.”

“Sam Colonna and Rita Figueroa have done a terrific job getting me prepared and I will be victorious on Saturday night.”

Dyah Davis
“This is my first time really spending time in Chicago. It’s a beautiful city and I’m honored to be fighting for the world title here on Saturday night.”

Howard Davis, Father/Trainer of Donovan George
“Dyah is well prepared and will be victorious on Saturday night. With all due respect Donovan, you don’t stand a chance against my son.”

Pete George, Father of Donovan George
“It’s been a long road that hasn’t’ been very smooth over the last ten years but Donovan is ready to win the world title on Saturday night.”

Sam Colonna, Trainer of Donovan George
“Donovan’s put the work in, he’s in excellent shape and we have a great game plan to win on Saturday night.”

Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez
“This is a fantastic event to be part of and I look forward to putting on a great performance and supporting Don on Saturday night.”

Frankie Scalise
“Bridgeport is my home, this is where I’m from. It’s an honor to fight on this card just blocks from where I’ve spent my whole life.”

“B96 Boxing at the Ballpark”, set for Saturday, August 23rd at U.S. Cellular Field, Home of the Chicago White Sox, is headlined by a 12-round IBO Super Middleweight World Title bout between Chicago’s most popular boxer, DONOVAN “DA Bomb” GEORGE and top rated contender DYAH “Ali” DAVIS of Coconut Creek, Florida.

“B96 Boxing at the Ballpark” is presented by ‘B96’, Round 3 Productions, Hitz Boxing and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

Advance tickets priced at $150, $100, $50 and $25 can be purchased through Ticketmaster (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone 1-800-745-3000.) U.S. Cellular Field is located at 333 W. 35th Street in Chicago. Doors will open on the night of the event at 6:00 p.m. CT.