NEW YORK (JULY 27, 2018)– Antonio Nieves returns to action on Saturday night when he takes on Christian Esquivel in a scheduled eight-round bantamweight bout at The Hollywood Casino in Columbus, Ohio.

Nieves (17-2-2, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio will be making his 1st appearance since dropping his last bout to WBO Super Flyweight champion Naoya Inoue on September 9, 2017 in a bout that was broadcast live on HBO.

In Esquivel, Nieves is taking on an a veteran opponent who sports a record of 30-14-1 with 23 knockouts.

This will be a good test for Nieves, as Esquivel is a tough veteran who has fought countless world champions and undefeated fighters.

“I am 110% ready for this fight on Saturday. I am excited to get back in the ring and make my way back to the top. I fought one of the most feared Super Flyweight’s in the world. It my first trip to the weight class, and I didn’t get the victory. But being there only made me more hungry, and I’m coming back with a vengeance,” said Nieves

ABOUT SPLIT-T MANAGEMENT

Headed by David McWater, Split-T Management has amassed one of the top stables in boxing.

Their impressive roster includes:

World Rated Contenders

IBF Super Lightweight Mandatory Title Challenger Ivan Baranchyk

Welterweight “The New” Ray Robinson

Former Bantamweight Title Challenger Antonio Nieves

2016 Olympians

Lightweight Teofimo Lopez

Junior Middleweight Charles Conwell

Bantamweight Antonio Vargas

Undefeated Prospects

Heavyweights: Stephen Shaw, Marcus Carter, Yegor Plevako

Cruiserweights: Joshua Temple, “Mighty” Joe Jones

Light Heavyweights: Joseph Williams, Bortirali Mamajonov

Super Middleweights: Isiah Steen, DeAndre Ware, Isiah Jones, Anthony Barnes, Tyler Howard

Middleweights: Marquis Moore, Raquel Miller

Junior Middleweights: Ardreal Holmes, Hurshidbek Normatov, Fred Wilson, Jr.

Welterweight’s Janelson Bocachica, Poindexter Knight, Mark Dawson, Boubacar Sylla, Brian Ceballo

Junior Lightweight: Erick De Leon

27 July 2018 – Manila, Philippines: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), electrified the packed Mall of Asia Arena with another evening of authentic world-class martial arts action. The state-of-the-art showground played host to ONE: REIGN OF KINGS, featuring the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent. In the main event, hometown hero Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of Baguio City, Philippines overcame a stiff challenge from two-division ONE World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen, winning by unanimous decision to claim the ONE Interim Bantamweight World Championship.

Visit the official ONE: REIGN OF KINGS photo gallery by clicking: https://bit.ly/onephotos

In the main event of ONE: REIGN OF KINGS, Filipino dynamo Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon derailed Martin Nguyen’s goal to become a three-division world champion by outclassing the ONE Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion with his striking superiority. With his hometown crowd cheering behind him, Belingon effortlessly picked Nguyen apart in the stand-up, jolting the two-division titleholder with stunning left hooks and perfectly-executed spinning back kicks. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Belingon to win by unanimous decision after an intense five-round affair, bringing home the ONE Interim Bantamweight World Championship.

Kevin Belingon, ONE Interim Bantamweight World Champion, stated: “I can’t explain this feeling, I’m the happiest athlete tonight. Thank you to all the people who came out to support me, and of course to ONE Championship, my team, my coaches and trainers, and my teammates. To Martin [Nguyen], it was an honor fighting you. You’re such a great athlete and champion. I trained very hard for this fight, just to get this belt. I’m proud to be a champion representing the Philippines. My friend Bibiano [Fernandes], I respect him as a champion, but we’re in the same weight class and I’m the top contender. So there is no escape in facing me. I hope you recover fast and we can make the fight this year.”

In the co-main event of the evening, former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki of Japan smoothly steered to a first-round stoppage victory over Thai martial arts superstar Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai. It quickly became the beginning of the end for Wiratchai just minutes into the first round, as he was effortlessly taken down by Aoki. On the mat, Aoki barely gave Wiratchai room to breathe, raining down a torrent of punishing elbows that compelled the referee to step in and call a halt to the contest. The victory earned Aoki GoDaddy Knockout of the Night honors.

Brazilian legend Renzo Gracie made a triumphant return to mixed martial arts competition after eight long years, having his hand raised in victory at the expense of Japanese martial arts pioneer Yuki Kondo. Following a lengthy feeling-out process between the two grizzled veterans in the first round, Gracie shifted gears in the second frame and immediately drove his foe to the mat. Taking Kondo’s back, Gracie fastened a wrenching rear naked choke with no hesitation, which left his opponent no choice but to tap.

Hometown hero Eduard “Landslide” Folayang of Baguio City, Philippines turned in another complete performance, earning a unanimous decision win over previously unbeaten Aziz Pahrudinov of Russia. Folayang operated behind a relentless stream of leg kicks that left Pahrudinov hampered throughout the three-round contest. Connecting on his combinations with laser-like precision, Folayang dominated the bout as the three judges sitting cageside awarded him the victory.

International grappling superstar Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon of the United States was successful in his second appearance in the ONE Championship cage, defeating Rahul “The Kerala Krusher” Raju of India via submission in round three. After testing his striking abilities for the majority of the first two rounds, Tonon went back to his strengths in the third, taking the action to the canvas where he fastened a deep rear naked choke to seal the deal.

After falling short in his ONE Super Series debut two months ago, two-time Muay Thai World Champion Chris Ngimbi sought the redemption that he desired, edging out Armen Petrosyan via split decision in their three-round catch weight kickboxing showdown. Although Petrosyan kept himself aggressive all throughout the contest, Ngimbi landed the more telling blows from bell to bell, which was enough to persuade two of three cageside judges to score in his favor.

In a ONE Super Series Muay Thai contest, former ONE Warrior Series entrant Panicos Yusuf of Cyprus earned a unanimous decision victory over Han Zi Hao of China after a gruelling three-round affair. Operating behind a sound game plan and well-placed strikes, Yusuf countered Han consistently with a myriad of combinations off the back foot. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Yusuf.

Former ONE World Title challenger Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of the Philippines notched his third-straight victory, authoring a spectacular submission victory over rising Thai superstar Pongsiri Mitsatit in the first round. After an emphatic slam to the canvas, Pacio finished the job with a straining armlock, leaving Mitsatit with no other choice but to tap.

Former Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium World Champion Chamuaktong Fightermuaythai of Thailand showcased his world-class striking skills, defeating challenger Brown Pinas of the Netherlands via unanimous decision. Making his ONE Super Series debut, Chamuaktong dazzled, putting his treacherous Muay Thai clinch game on full display, while connecting on a plethora of elbows and knees from close quarters. All three judges scored the bout in favor of Chamuaktong after three rounds.

Filipino martial arts veteran Rene Catalan emerged as an early crowd favorite, bringing the Mall of Asia Arena crowd to their feet with a rousing performance. Over the course of three rounds, Catalan exhibited dynamic striking, feints, sweeping low leg kicks, and a powerful left hook that had highly-regarded opponent Stefer Rahardian of Indonesia in trouble on multiple occasions. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Catalan to win by unanimous decision.

Kicking off ONE: REIGN OF KINGS was Chinese featherweight sensation “The Stalker” Xie Bin. After a brief grappling exchange on the mat, Xie made quick work of Cambodia’s Sor Sey, finishing with a deep guillotine choke that put his opponent to sleep early in the first round.

Official results for ONE: REIGN OF KINGS

ONE Interim Bantamweight World Championship bout: Kevin Belingon defeats Martin Nguyen by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 5 rounds

Lightweight bout: Shinya Aoki defeats Shannon Wiratchai by TKO (Strikes) at 2:16 minutes of round 1

Welterweight bout: Renzo Gracie defeats Yuki Kondo by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:40 minutes of round 2

Lightweight bout: Eduard Folayang defeats Aziz Pahrudinov by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Lightweight bout: Garry Tonon defeats Rahul Raju by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:27 minutes of round 3

ONE Super Series (Muay Thai) Catch Weight (72.5kg) bout: Chris Ngimbi defeats Armen Petrosyan by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds

ONE Super Series (Muay Thai) Bantamweight bout: Panicos Yusuf defeats Han Zi Hao by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Strawweight bout: Joshua Pacio defeats Pongsiri Mitstatit by Submission (Armlock) at 3:37 minutes of round 1

ONE Super Series (Muay Thai) Catch Weight (68.0kg) bout: Chamuaktong Fightermuaythai defeats Brown Pinas by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Strawweight bout: Rene Catalan defeats Stefer Rahardian by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Featherweight bout: Xie Bin defeats Sor Sey by Submission (Guillotine) at 1:55 minutes of round 1

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™

ONE Championship is the largest global sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Championship is the home of martial arts and is the world’s largest martial arts organization, hosting bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. The world’s most exciting martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world’s best martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 1.7 billion potential viewers across 136 countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including Fox Sports, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Bandsports, Startimes, Premier Sports, Thairath TV, Skynet, Mediacorp, OSN, and more.

OCEANPORT, N.J. – WBO World Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev will make an appearance at Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 29, to take in the betfair.com Haskell Invitational in advance of his title defense against Eleider “Storm” Alvarez on Aug. 4 at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Atlantic City. The bout will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Kovalev will visit the Monmouth Park Sports Book by William Hill and will meet with jockeys and trainers before appearing in the winner’s circle.

Monmouth Park will offer wagering on the outcome of Kovalev’s fight with Alvarez, along with the rest of the bouts on the card, in the Sports Book. The card is the first at the newly-opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. In the co-main event, WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol will defend his title against Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba.

The $1 million Haskell Invitational, Monmouth Park’s showcase race, will go as the 12th race on a stakes-filled 14-race card. NBC-TV will televise the Haskell live from 5-to-6 p.m. with post time for the Grade 1 race set for approximately 5:47 p.m.

Gates open at 7:30 a.m. and parking lots at 6:30 a.m. for Haskell Day. First race post is noon.

About Kovalev-Alvarez: In the first boxing event at the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev will defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title against undefeated contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez on Saturday, August 4, 2018. In the co-main event, WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol will defend his title against Isaac “Golden Boy’ Chilemba. Tickets range between $50 and $200 and are on sale now through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel and World of Boxing and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Set on 17 acres, with the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk as its backdrop, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will be Atlantic City’s go-to entertainment destination, boasting 2,100 slots, 120 table games, more than 20 first-class restaurants and lounges, and world-class entertainment, including Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, the beachside Sound Waves and the Howie Mandel Comedy Club. The hotel and casino also features the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, overlooking the Atlantic City Boardwalk, showcasing a brand new elevated menu and state-of-the-art stage, allowing for an amplified level of service and entertainment. Along with an endless array of upscale amenities, including world-class shopping and the brand’s signature full-service Rock Spa and Salon, featuring 31 treatment rooms, the new, music-inspired property offers lavish guest rooms and suites, with stunning views of the city and Atlantic Ocean. From family vacations and business trips to weddings, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City offers an unparalleled experience. Each of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites radiates a contemporary style, including Hard Rock’s signature The Sound of Your Stay® music amenity program, which allows guests to set the mood with complimentary vinyl records or jam out on a Fender guitar in the privacy of their own room. Hotel guests can enjoy high speed, property-wide Wi-Fi, 24-Hour In-Room Dining, towel and chair service at Hard Rock Beach or at the indoor pool, and 24-Hour Access to Body Rock fitness. For more information and to book your stay, please visit hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.

Queens, N.Y. (July 27, 2018) – Ronson Frank’s Uprising Promotions is pleased to host another exciting night of boxing that is coming to Club Amazura in Jamaica, Queens, on Friday, August 10. The card will once again be presented in association with The New Mexican Promotions.

“We are excited to be back to business as usual in New York, and we have another action lineup planned for August 10,” said Ronson Frank, President of Uprising Promotions. “We had a great turnout at our last show, and we hope that the local boxing community continues to support us so we can keep providing opportunities to these young fighters. We are very pleased with how the show is coming together, and fans can expect another great night of boxing.”

In a middleweight showcase, undefeated prospect Edgar Berlanga (8-0, 8 KOs) will put his perfect record on the line when he meets 41-bout veteran Gogi Knezevic (33-7-1, 14 KOs). The Brooklyn-born Berlanga turned professional just a little over two years ago, and the eight-time Amateur National Champion has stopped all eight opponents he has faced during his pro campaign. The battle-tested Knezevic brings 14 years of ring experience to the contest, and he will almost certainly give Berlanga his toughest professional test to date.

Undefeated super bantamweight Ariel Lopez (9-0, 6 KOs) will return to action on the August 10 card, taking on 10-fight veteran Tim Ibarra. A native of Puebla, Mexico, the hard-hitting Lopez will be looking to keep his perfect record intact as he returns the ring for the first time since defeating Rudolph Hedge on an Uprising Promotions show this past May at Club Amazura.

A former International WBF World Super Featherweight and interim IBA World Super Featherweight titleholder, once-beaten Ronica Jeffrey (15-1, 1 KO) will end a two-plus year absence from the ring when she returns on August 18. A highly-popular and well-accomplished Brooklyn native, Jeffrey last fought in 2016 when she traveled to New Zealand and defeated Gentiane Lupi for the vacant WBC Silver Female Featherweight Championship. She will face 26-bout veteran Gabriella Mezei of Romania in her return.

Another unbeaten super bantamweight will be on this card, as Jose Gonzalez (9-0-2, 2 KOs) meets Hungarian pugilist Jeno Tonte (8-2, 7 KOs). Gonzalez returns to action after a pair of bouts against Adam Gonzales at Madison Square Garden, and he fights on an Uprising Promotions show for the first time since his first two professional bouts. Tonte is making his American debut in the contest.

Irish super lightweight Lawrence Gleeson (7-1, 2 KOs) will be making his third start of 2018 when he steps into Club Amazura to battle Mike Szoros. In super featherweight action, Harrison Barba will return to the ring when he meets Deron Smith in a four-frame bout, while super lightweight Paul Anthony (1-0, 0 KOs) will make his sophomore appearance against Demetrius Williams.

Club Amazura is located at 91-12 144th Place in Jamaica, Queens. Sponsorship opportunities for this exciting night are available now for any companies or local businesses who are interested in showcasing themselves. To inquire about becoming a sponsor, call (516) 939-7861.

This Uprising Promotions card will continue the initiative to KO Autism, with proceeds from the night being donated to The School For Language and Communication Development (SLCD) in Glen Cove, New York. For ticket information, call us today at (516) 939-7861.

Keep it locked to UprisingPromotions.com and @UprisingNYC for all of the latest information from Uprising Promotions.

New Castle, DE – DeeLee Promotions, LLC along with Nick Tiberi, Matchmaker presents A Night of Live Boxing “The Series” at Hockossin PAL Center, 7259 Lancaster Pike, Hockesssin, DE, Saturday night September 15, 2018. Delaware native, Lamonte “The Problem Solver” Singletary (9-2-0 6 KO’s), headlines a 10 bout professional fight card that puts an emphasis on an exciting group of young Delaware boxing talent. The dust barely settled on promoter Diane Lee Fischer Chritiano’s June 3, 2018 induction into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame https://youtu.be/T5vLNdosJuM before she hit the ground running on her next Delaware fight card. Delaware fight fans are no strangers to DeeLee fight cards and have never forgotten that she staged the first title fight ever held in the First State.

This 10 bout fight card is filled with plenty of the type of power punching young talent that keeps a crowd shouting for more. Delaware natives like “Jolt N” Joe Tiberi, Jr. (15-3-0 6 KO’s), Maurice “The War Time” Horne (2-0-0 2 KO’s) and super middleweight Brandon “King Bran” Mullins (2-0-0 1 KO) love to showcase their skills for their hometown fans and are chomping at the bit to get back in action.

Elsewhere on the card, Anthony “The Bull” Caputo Smith (16-8-0 11 KO’s), the hard hitting Kennett Square, PA cruiserweight, plans to show everyone in the house the big time punching power he brings to every fight. Perhaps another crowd pleasing performance by Caputo Smith will inspire Emmanuel “The Feorican” Rodriguez, Justin Riley and Vinnie Kirkley to excel in their respective Pro Debuts.

Super Welterweight Schmelle “The Real Deal” Baldwin (1-0-0) and welterweight Michael “The Hammer” Crain (2-3-0 1 KO) round out the 10 bout card and have their own plans to show the fans just how it’s done.

Come out and support these young fighters! Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the first bout slated for 7:00 p.m. Tickets prices are; General Admission $45 in advance ($50 at the door), Ringside $60 in advance ($65 at the door) For more info contact: Promoter Diane Fischer 609.868.4243, Matchmaker Nick Tiberi 302.540.7203 or Joey Tiberi 302-650-8678.

About Dee Lee Promotions, LLC.
Dee Lee Promotions, LLC. is owned and operated by New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame promoter Diane Fischer of Vineland, NJ. Fischer has earned a reputation not only as a premier matchmaker who has presented some of the most memorable and entertaining boxing contests in the country, but as woman who has been innovative and overcome gender barriers in an industry dominated by men. Her industry awards and distinctions include: New Jersey Promoter of The Year; Undercard Fight of the Year; Best Girl Fight of The Year; The First Time Six World Title Belts [Pay Per View] appeared on one card (Atlantic City); The First All Girl Fight on the East Coast; The first woman ever to promote an all girl fight card in Baton Rouge Louisiana; The first woman promoter ever to promote a World Title Fight in Panama City; The first male or female promoter to present a title fight in Delaware; The first woman promoter to promote/co-promote a Heavyweight Championship Fight on HBO, Ray Mercer, and Wladimir Klitschko on June 29, 2002; the fight also was aired on PPV in Germany and was the first Heavyweight Championship promoted by a female in that country. To contact Dee Lee Promotions LLC., call 856.692.1206.

LOS ANGELES (July 26, 2018) – Lightweight world champions Mikey Garcia and Robert Easter Jr. went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference two days before they enter the ring for a 135-pound title unification Saturday, July 28 live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Joining them Thursday and competing on the three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) were Cuban heavyweight slugger Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz and former title challenger Razvan Cojanu, who meet in a 10-round bout plus unbeaten super lightweight contender Mario “El Azteca” Barrios and hard-hitting Jose Roman, who compete in a 10-round showdown.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, begin at $50, plus applicable fees, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit AXS.com.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from Conga Room at L.A. Live:

MIKEY GARCIA

“This will be my first title unification match. It means a lot to face another unbeaten champion. It will help my legacy and my career. I’m taking the proper steps to move forward and cement my name for the ages.

“There isn’t another fight in front of me right now that gets me excited other than this one against Robert Easter Jr. He’s going to come with everything he has. This is definitely his biggest fight and I believe we’ll be able to bring the best out of each other.

“Me and Robert Easter Jr. are the only unbeaten champions in the division. So in my eyes, the winner is the best fighter in the division.

“I’m very happy to be fighting again in Los Angeles. It’s been seven years since I fought here. To give fans a chance to see this big fight live at STAPLES Center is a great thing. I’m very thankful that we could have the fight here. Most opponents wouldn’t have come here.

“I’m coming back to STAPLES Center as a world champion and I have a chance to unify in my hometown. There’s nothing better that I could ask for. I’m going to do everything I can to come out victorious on Saturday night.

“I’m glad that Robert is confident coming into this fight. I believe that he will show up the best possible version of himself. That’s what gets me even more motivated and excited for this fight.

“I’m here to take the biggest fights and biggest challenges. I will be at welterweight very soon and I look forward to taking on the best there. Everyone says not to do it, and that’s what excites me and motivates me the most.”

ROBERT EASTER JR.

“I really don’t pay attention to being ‘overlooked’ or what my opponents say leading up to a fight. On July 28 we still have to get in there and throw these hands. Nothing said by him or anyone outside bothers me at all.

“The only big name Mikey Garcia has beaten is Adrien Broner. I’m going to give him problems. I believe with our skills and record, the winner of this fight is the best fighter in the weight class.

“This can add big attention to my career. It can help me get the recognition that I deserve. I look at all my fights like a big fight, but obviously this is unification. You will see two warriors in there on Saturday.

“It’s been a long time since I made my pro debut at STAPLES Center. You’re going to get a lot of action and excitement on Saturday night. Expect the unexpected.

“I had such a great training camp with coach Cunningham and my dad. It was all boxing all the time and really what I needed heading into a matchup like this.

“Everyone will be able to see my hard work pay off on Saturday night. I’m not the one who likes to talk about it, I want to show everybody what I got.

“These are the kind of fights that I’ve always wanted to be a part of. It’s a big fight that I know the fans are going to really enjoy. I’m going to give them something to remember.

“Being the underdog is what it is. Only one of us can be the favorite. We did what we had to do to prepare for this fight and on July 28 you’ll see it all in action.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Mikey’s Brother and Trainer

“There’s always risk in any fight. We’re very well-prepared for this big challenge and Mikey is in a great place mentally. Easter is a tall guy who I’m sure will try to use his reach and fight from the outside. But we’ll be ready for whatever he brings.

“This is obviously a big fight for Mikey against another elite boxer. When two undefeated guys are unifying, it’s always big. We had great sparring partners who prepared Mikey to be at his very best.

“We’re ready for the best Robert Easter possible. I’m not even looking at his past two performances. We’ve done what we had to do to be ready for this fight and the best version of our opponent.”

KEVIN CUNNINGHAM, Easter’s Co-Trainer

“Robert has always been a tremendous fighter and an excellent boxer when he wants to box. We just put extra emphasis on how we want to fight Mikey Garcia. Robert has the natural skill and ability, plus the size and reach to get this done.

“We’re prepared to dictate the tempo, control distance and range and do everything we want to do. We’ve done it so far in camp and we’re going to bring it into the ring on Saturday night.

“It’s obvious for the last couple of weeks that Garcia has been talking more about future fights than this fight on Saturday night. I look at that as him overlooking Easter. However, Mikey is a pro with a seasoned trainer so I doubt he’s being totally overlooked. He better be ready.”

ROBERT EASTER SR., Easter’s Father & Co-Trainer

“I always feel very confident about Robert’s chances every time he steps into the ring. We had a good camp and I know he’s ready. He’s always ready, just like he’s been for every fight leading up to this one.

“This fight is going to live up to the hype. Robert is going to go out there and show the world what he is really made of.

“We’re going to go out there and get the win. We’re going to impose our game plan on Mikey and make it a really long night for him.”

LUIS ORTIZ

“My hunger and motivation to become world champion has not changed at all. My opponent is very big, but in the ring everyone is the same size. We’re going to be smart and I’m going to do my job on Saturday night.

“The Wilder fight is what it is. It’s the past now, and I don’t regret it. At the end of the day I want the rematch and I believe I deserve the rematch. They’re still running from me and they’re obviously running from Wilder, but I’m running from no one.

“A victory on Saturday night will put me back in line for the rematch with Deontay Wilder. Fighting is what I know how to do, and that’s what I’m coming to do on Saturday night. We’re both hungry for a win and we will see who comes out on top.

“I learned that I need to train even harder, fight harder, throw more and connect more. If I hadn’t been fatigued, I’d still be punching him today. I threw the clock away at the gym. We’re going to be smarter going forward.”

RAZVAN COJANU

“I am very ready for this matchup. When we got this call, I was already in shape. We just had to make the adjustment to fighting a southpaw. We have about a month of really fun sparring leading up to this fight.

“I feel very comfortable against the southpaw, especially one that everyone is familiar with like Ortiz. I know I have the skills to take home the victory.

“The Wilder vs. Ortiz fight was a great fight and I congratulate him for that performance. I saw plenty of things that I can expose. The main thing is the sharp one-two combination that gives him trouble.”

MARIO BARRIOS

“This is definitely the toughest test of my career. I’m very happy to have this big fight. This is going to be the breakout performance that I’ve been looking for.

“Whichever title is available to me is the title we’ll go after. It doesn’t matter who I have to face, I’ll be ready. I’m gunning for the very best.

“This is a great opportunity to make my debut on SHOWTIME. This is a card packed with talent, but I plan on stealing the show. I’m going to show everyone the kind of fighter that I am.

“I know that Roman is going to come to fight but so am I. I can’t wait to fight in this building. All the greats have fought here and I can’t wait to put on a great show.”

JOSE ROMAN

“Barrios’ best weapon would be his speed and his range and I think we have the perfect game plan to oppose it. I know that I have to be patient in there because I have a difficult opponent. I’m doing this for my family and no one can stop me.

“A win over Mario Barrios would be huge for me. The fans can come in there expecting a war between two Mexican warriors who will leave it all in the ring.

“When I’m not fighting I’m going to Cyprus College and majoring in Mathematics. I’ve been really good at math since I was a kid. I’m on a great track right now in my boxing career and in life.”

RICHARD SCHAEFER, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports

“This is a top to bottom amazing card. It’s a boxing spectacular taking place here at STAPLES Center. We have a little bit of everything on this card. That includes talent from Robert Garcia’s gym, plus 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas, who I believe will one day be headlining at STAPLES Center one day.

“The televised portion of this card has a stellar lineup as well, including an undefeated Mario Barrios, who represents Texas well and makes his state proud. He’s one of the most exciting fighters in the division and will have a tough challenge in Jose Roman.

“Luis Ortiz is the kind of fighter that you just don’t want to miss a minute of when he fights. He is coming off of one of the best fights of this year, when he challenged WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

“The matchup between Mikey Garcia and Robert Easter Jr. is the cherry on top of an amazing night. I know that these fighters are ready to entertain and showcase their talent.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc.

“There are fighters who say they want tough fights and then there are fighters who actually take tough fights. There’s a big difference between these two. Mikey Garcia and Robert Easter Jr. are the fighters who actually take the top fights.

“This is the third world title unification on SHOWTIME this year. No other network has delivered this level of fights to boxing fans. That’s more world title unifications than all the other networks combined this year.

“Mikey is a top pound-for-pound fighter and Easter is the longest reigning champion at lightweight and probably the most avoided fighter in the division. No one is rushing to fight either of these guys, yet, this was an easy fight to make.”

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.staplescenter.comfollow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @MikeyGarcia, @RobertEaster_Jr, @Ringstar, @TGBPromotions @STAPLESCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 26, 2018) – Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (23-0, 15 KOs) will have the crowd on his side Saturday evening at the Kissimmee Civic Center when he takes on Japan’s Masayuki Ito (23-1-1) for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title.

Kissimmee is home to a large Puerto Rican population, and Diaz is seeking to become the fifth current male world champion from the “Island of Enchantment.”

Ito, who has fought solely in Japan as a professional, will look to become the ninth 130-pound world champion in the rich fighting history of his homeland.

Diaz-Ito and the 10-round welterweight showdown between Artemio Reyes and Gabriel Bracero will stream live and exclusively in the United States at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with undercard action set for 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Also in action will be middleweight contender Esquiva Falcao (20-0, 14 KOs), who will face Jonathan Tavira (16-5, 12 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Diaz and Ito crossed paths for the first time Thursday at the final press conference. This is what they, and many of the other fighters on Saturday’s card, had to say.

Christopher Diaz

“I never expected to be at this point in my career. I had my pro debut in 2013, and I didn’t even know that I was going to get to 10-0, 20-0. And I never expected to be fighting for a world title. But my hard work every day, my anger, my passion for this sport, made me be here for this opportunity. I think nobody is going to take that out of me, and I feel so good. It’s a moment. It’s one more fight. I know Ito is a great fighter. I’ve been working for 15 years to now for this opportunity.”

“{My fans} know that I always make a war. I know Masayuki Ito is going to come to give me a war. That’s the kind of fight that I want for the fans.”

Masayuki Ito

“Thanks for giving me the opportunity to fight here. Also, I appreciate Top Rank, All Star Boxing, and Teiken Promotions. I did not have enough English training, but I did have hard training in boxing every day. I promise I’ll show a very good fight on Saturday night.”

Artemio Reyes

“You can expect to see a good fight. First of all, I want to thank Bob Arum and Top Rank for giving me the opportunity. My team, we worked hard for this camp. {Everyone} is going to see a good show. We trained hard for this fight. I know {Bracero} is a tough fighter. These short-notice opponents are always the toughest because we were studying for one style and now they’re coming with a different style. But, nonetheless, we’re ready to go, and we’re ready to go for 10 rounds and put on a great show.”

“I’m willing and able to fight anybody who is willing to step in the ring with me. I’m going to go out there and get the victory.”

Gabriel Bracero

“I want to thank everyone at Top Rank for giving me the opportunity. It was a last-minute call. I took the fight on maybe seven, eight days’ notice. But the good part about it was, I was just in training camp. I’ve been in training camp for the past six weeks. I was Robert Easter’s main sparring partner for his fight against Mikey Garcia… and I was also sparring with Devon Alexander for his fight against {Andre} Berto. So, when I got this call at the last minute, I was all in. I was ready for it. I look forward to putting on a performance here in Kissimmee. I have a lot of friends and family here.”

Esquiva Falcao

“I had a very tough training camp. I’m looking for the knockout and to show what I can do. I’m looking forward to fighting for a world title.”

# # #

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with All Star Boxing and Teiken Promotions, remaining tickets to this world championship event, priced at $100 (red carpet ringside), $50 (lower bowl), and $30 (general admission), may be purchased at the Kissimmee Civic Center box office, online at ticketerapr.com, or charge by phone at (787) 305-3600.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter:twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo,@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtag #DiazIto to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans can watch thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

LOS ANGELES (July 26, 2018): Former heavyweight world champion James “Bonecrusher” Smith will be the special VIP guest for the August 17 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. The main event will feature Andrew “El Chango” Cancio (18-4-2, 14 KOs) who will return to the ring in a 10-round super featherweight fight against contender Dardan Zenunaj (14-4, 11 KOs).

Doors to the Special Events Center will open at 5:00 p.m. PT. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT. ESPN3 will live stream the fights beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT.

Having shared the ring with heavyweight world champions Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson, former WBA Heavyweight World Champion James “Bonecrusher” Smith had a boxing career that spanned two decades. In 1986, Smith became the WBA heavyweight champion with a shocking first-round knockout of Tim Witherspoon, and faced top-flight contenders including Frank Bruno, Mike Weaver, Rickey Parkey, and Jesse Ferguson. Smith was the first heavyweight in history to have earned a bachelor’s degree, which he earned in 1975 in the field of Business Administration. Upon retiring in 1999, Smith committed himself to community service and launched his own non-profit, Champion for Kids. Smith will be in attendance for this event to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center before the ESPN transmission begins. The meet-and-greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

In the co-main event, Japanese slugger Yoshihiro “Corazon de Acero” Kamegai (27-4-2, 24 KOs) will make his highly anticipated return after his impressive first shot at a world title against Puerto Rico’s living legend, Miguel Cotto. This time he’ll participate in a 10-round super welterweight bout against Stoneham, Massachusetts’s up-and-coming contender Greg “The Villain” Vendetti (19-2-1, 12 KOs). The bout is promoted in association with Murphy’s Boxing.

Rommel Caballero (1-0-1) of Coachella, Calif. will return in a four-round or six-round super featherweight clash in the night’s swing bout against Jahaziel Vazquez (2-7, 1 KO) of Monterrey, Mexico. Anthony Reyes (2-0, 2 KOs), who is also from Coachella, Calif., will return in a four-round bantamweight fight against a soon-to-be announced opponent.

Cancio vs. Zenunaj is a 10-round super featherweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy, “Never Stop, Never Settle.” The fights will take place on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. Doors to the Special Events Center will open at 5:00 p.m. PT. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT. ESPN3 will live stream the fights beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event are on sale and start at $25. Tickets will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Media interested in attending Golden Boy Boxing: Cancio vs. Zenunaj must request credentials by emailing clavoie@fantasysprings.net by 5:00 p.m. PT on Friday, Aug. 10.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and http://www.espn.com/boxing/; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPN, and @ESPNBoxeo; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing; and follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @OscarDeLaHoya. Follow the conversation using #GBPonESPN and #CancioZenunaj.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here copying and pasting link: http://bit.ly/CancioZenunaj into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for photos and videos used.

NEW YORK (JULY 26, 2018)–This Saturday, 2016 U.S. Olympian and undefeated bantamweight Antonio Vargas is in action this Saturday night when he takes on Aaron Echeveste Lopez (5-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout at The Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

The 21 year-old Vargas has a record of 6-0 with three knockouts, and is coming off a six-round unanimous decision over Luis Fernando Saavedra on February 23rd in Kissimmee.

Vargas of Kissimmee by way of Houston, has a win over undefeated Jonathan Garza (6-0) on his resume.

The Vargas – Lopez fight will be streamed live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 PM ET.

“I trained hard for this fight, and I feel strong physically and mentally. This is one of the biggest fight cards that I have fought on. I look to be on many more this year. I’m excited for this fight and look to put on a great performance,” said Vargas.

“Coming out of the Olympics, I felt Antonio was one of the best talent’s coming out of the 2016 class. He has tremendous power and speed that will dazzle the boxing world, and we look forward to seeing that on display on Saturday night,” said David McWater, CEO of Split-T Management.

Vargas is Promoted By Top Rank.

Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank

ABOUT SPLIT-T MANAGEMENT

Headed by David McWater, Split-T Management has amassed one of the top stables in boxing.

Their impressive roster includes:

World Rated Contenders

IBF Super Lightweight Mandatory Title Challenger Ivan Baranchyk

Welterweight “The New” Ray Robinson

Former Bantamweight Title Challenger Antonio Nieves

2016 Olympians

Lightweight Teofimo Lopez

Junior Middleweight Charles Conwell

Bantamweight Antonio Vargas

Undefeated Prospects

Heavyweights: Stephen Shaw, Marcus Carter, Yegor Plevako

Cruiserweights: Joshua Temple, “Mighty” Joe Jones

Light Heavyweights: Joseph Williams, Bortirali Mamajonov

Super Middleweights: Isiah Steen, DeAndre Ware, Isiah Jones, Anthony Barnes, Tyler Howard

Middleweights: Marquis Moore, Raquel Miller

Junior Middleweights: Ardreal Holmes, Hurshidbek Normatov, Fred Wilson, Jr.

Welterweight’s Janelson Bocachica, Poindexter Knight, Mark Dawson, Boubacar Sylla, Brian Ceballo

Junior Lightweight: Erick De Leon

(Oxnard, California) – Super welterweight Madiyar Ashkeyev (9-0, 5 KOs), 29, left his home in Kazakhstan to train at the famous Boxing Laboratory in Oxnard, California, also home to two-time Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev.

But now Ashkeyev has his young family with him, including his youngest son who was born just one year ago, the first American citizen in the family. “It’s much, much easier training when I can see my family every day,” said Ashkeyev.

The undefeated rising star will appear on the undercard of Kovalev’s upcoming bout (32-2-1, 28 KOs) versus Eleider Alvarez (23-0, 11 KOs) and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (13-0, 11 KOs) versus Isaac Chilemba of Malawi (25-5-2, 10 KOs). Ashkeyev will face Fernando Carcamo of Mexico (23-8, 18 KOs).

Ashkeyev is a thinking fighter, and says he will watch video of his opponent and thoroughly analyze him. “We are going to analyze him, every step, and we will see him August 4,” said Ashkeyev. Nevertheless, Ashkeyev is modest when asked to predict the outcome of the contest. “I don’t want to promise a lot. I just want to show my hard work. I really work hard,” said Ashkeyev.

“For every professional fight, you get more hungry, you want to fight more, and do everything the best possible. I’ve never lost, and I hope I won’t make my record worse. I’m putting all of my heart into every training session.

“Every fight is important to my future,” explained Ashkeyev. “I can promise you I will put 100 percent into my work.

“We have the best team in the world” in Oxnard said Ashkeyev, who trains at the Boxing Laboratory alongside champions such as Sergey Kovalev, Alexandr Usyk, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, and Vasyl Lomachenko. “I’m so proud to be part of the best team in the world. Watching Loma or Kovalev, this only motivates me. We always support each team member. If you are a world champion, you are giving advice. If you aren’t, you are getting their advice,” explained Ashkeyev.

Ashkeyev sent a message to Atlantic City’s boxing fans. “Please come to support us, we need your support. I hope we’ll have a nice win, and we’ll show you all the love.”

About Kovalev-Alvarez: In the first boxing event at the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev will defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title against undefeated contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez on Saturday, August 4, 2018. In the co-main event, WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol will defend his title against Isaac “Golden Boy’ Chilemba. Tickets range between $50 and $200 and are on sale now through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel and World of Boxing and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Set on 17 acres, with the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk as its backdrop, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will be Atlantic City’s go-to entertainment destination, boasting 2,100 slots, 120 table games, more than 20 first-class restaurants and lounges, and world-class entertainment, including Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, the beachside Sound Waves and the Howie Mandel Comedy Club. The hotel and casino also features the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, overlooking the Atlantic City Boardwalk, showcasing a brand new elevated menu and state-of-the-art stage, allowing for an amplified level of service and entertainment. Along with an endless array of upscale amenities, including world-class shopping and the brand’s signature full-service Rock Spa and Salon, featuring 31 treatment rooms, the new, music-inspired property offers lavish guest rooms and suites, with stunning views of the city and Atlantic Ocean. From family vacations and business trips to weddings, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City offers an unparalleled experience. Each of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites radiates a contemporary style, including Hard Rock’s signature The Sound of Your Stay® music amenity program, which allows guests to set the mood with complimentary vinyl records or jam out on a Fender guitar in the privacy of their own room. Hotel guests can enjoy high speed, property-wide Wi-Fi, 24-Hour In-Room Dining, towel and chair service at Hard Rock Beach or at the indoor pool, and 24-Hour Access to Body Rock fitness. For more information and to book your stay, please visit hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.

Philadelphia, PA (July 26, 2018) – Undefeated and WBO number-3 ranked junior lightweight contender, Evgeny Chuprakov will have a keen interest in Saturday’s Christopher Diaz – Masayuki clash for the vacant world title in Kissimmee, Florida.

Chuprakov (20-0, 10 KOs) of Ekaterinburg, Russia, and current WBO Intercontinental champion, has really stepped up his performances as his world title opportunity nears.

The 28 year-old Chuprakov has earned his opportunity with wins over five undefeated opponents plus victories over former world champion Dmitry Kirilov, as well as Eden Sosona (36-6-2), Timor Akhundov (15-2-1) and Pablo Manuel Ojeda (14-3).

Most recently, Chuprakov won a ten-round unanimous decision over Ernie Sanchez on July 14th.

“We are happy that Evgeny is closing in on this opportunity to fight for the WBO World Junior Lightweight title. We hope to have hm fighting the winner of Saturday’s fight in the very near future,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

FRESNO, Calif. (July 26, 2018) — The wait is over. It took a little longer than expected, but Jose Ramirez will finally return home as a world champion.

Ramirez, the pride of California’s Central Valley, will make the first defense of his WBC super lightweight title against Antonio “Relentless” Orozco on Friday, Sept. 14 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. Ramirez was originally scheduled to defend his title at the Save Mart Center on July 7 against Danny O’Connor, but the bout was canceled after O’Connor was hospitalized for severe dehydration before the weigh-in.

Ramirez-Orozco and a soon-to-be announced co-feature will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET, with the entire undercard to be streamed at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+— the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy Promotions, tickets to this world championship event, priced at $150 (floor), $90, $60, $35, and $25, plus applicable fees, go on sale Friday, Aug. 3 at 12 p.m. PST. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000, or at the Save Mart Center box office. For more information and box office hours, visit www.savemartcenter.com.

“We have an undefeated fighter in front of us, and I will get myself prepared to put on a great show,” Ramirez said. “It’s an honor to fight in Fresno, and we owe it to the fans after what happened last time. We’re going to make this show bigger and better. The fans of Fresno and the Central Valley have supported me my entire career, and I am honored to return home to defend the WBC world championship.”

“This will be a signature fight for Jose,” said Bob Arum, Top Rank’s founder and CEO. “Orozco is a very good, undefeated fighter, and we’re looking forward to a spectacular show back in our favorite venue, the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.”

“My time is now,” Orozco said. “The time for me to become world champion is here, and I will do everything possible to take that world title away from Jose Ramirez. I want to thank my manager Frank Espinoza and Golden Boy Promotions for this opportunity, which I will take full advantage of this September. I know that Ramirez is a tough fighter and that I’ll be fighting on enemy turf. But I’m not worried about that. I have all the experience and the skills to score a great victory and leave the ring with the world title around my waist.”

“Orozco has been a loyal Golden Boy Promotions fighter for years, and we always knew he would fight for a world title,” said Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “There’s no better way to do it than against a tough champion in Jose Ramirez. This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that he is the best in the division, and I’m confident he will walk away world champion when he invades enemy territory on Sept. 14.”

Ramirez (22-0, 16 KOs), beloved in the Central Valley for his commitment to immigrant causes and water rights for area farmers, won the vacant WBC super lightweight title on March 17 in New York City with a hard-fought unanimous decision over Amir Imam. He earned the title shot with a stunning second-round knockout over the previously undefeated Mike Reed on Nov. 11, 2017 in front of 13,838 fans at the Save Mart Center, which broke the venue’s previous record for a boxing match. When Ramirez fought Issouf Kinda at the Save Mart Center on Dec. 2, 2016, 13,700 fans turned out for the event dubbed “Fight For Water 6.” A 2012 U.S. Olympian, Ramirez turned pro later that year and soon became one of North America’s top ticket-sellers. On Oct. 25, 2014, Ramirez knocked out David Rodela in 50 seconds to win the vacant NABF super lightweight title in front of 10,000 fans at the Selland Arena in Fresno.

Orozco (27-0, 17 KOs), ranked the WBC’s No. 3 super lightweight, is a 10-year pro with a résumé that includes standout wins over former world champions and longtime contenders. In 2014 alone, he defeated former junior lightweight world champion Steve “2 Pounds” Forbes, former title challenger Martin “El Brochas” Honorio, and tough-as-nails veteran Miguel “El Anestesista” Huerta. On Oct. 3, 2015, as the co-feature to the Viktor “The Iceman” Postol vs. Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse main event in Carson, California, Orozco won a 10-round unanimous decision over former two-division world champion Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto. In his last bout, March 16 at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, Orozco weighed in at the super lightweight limit of 140 pounds and prevailed via eight-round unanimous decision over Honorio in a rematch.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing, www.goldenboypromotions.com; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; https://www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing/ Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, https://twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo.

Use the hashtag #RamirezOrozco to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks.

The ESPN+ lineup includes 18 exclusive, live Top Rank events per year, dozens of fights from other Top Rank undercards, an unmatched library of the greatest fights in boxing history, and two exclusive, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays) and In This Corner (twice monthly).

It also features hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is an integrated part of the completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App is the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App curates all of ESPN’s incredible content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

Beverly Hills, Calif. (July 26, 2018) – Undefeated middleweight prospect Cem Kilic returns to action on Friday night, August 17th at the Hinckley Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota against Joe Amouta in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

Kilic (10-0, 6 KOs) will be making his 3rd consecutive appearance at The Hinckley Grand Casino.

The native of Sherman Oaks, California by way of Frankfurt, Germany, Kilic will be making his 1st start under world-renowned trainer Buddy McGirt.

Amouta (7-1-1, 2 KOs) of Minneapolis, Minnesota has wins over 3 undefeated fighters plus 13-1-1, George Carter, Jr.

“I’m excited to get back in the ring on August 17th to one of my adopted fan bases in Minnesota,” said Kilic. “I have been training very hard, improving every facet of my craft. I am in phenomenal shape, I’m more motivated than ever and ready to show what Buddy McGirt and I have been working on in the gym, and finishing off this year with at least 3 more fights!”

“Training camp is going great,” said McGirt. “This is our first camp together, and every day Cem continues to improve and learn more and more. Cem works very hard in the gym and is getting world class sparring that will make him the better fighter come fight night.” – Buddy McGirt

“Over the last few months we made some positive changes to Cem’s team bringing in a new trainer and strength + conditioning coach.,” said manager Shane Shapiro of No Limit Mindset LLC. “There are not many world class trainer’s like Buddy McGirt, and he has made an immediate impact on Cem in a short time. I’m excited to see all the hard work translate on August 17th!”

Kilic is managed by Shane Shapiro’s No Limit Mindset LLC, and is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions.

Toronto, Canada (July 26, 2018):

Evander Holyfield’s The Real Deal Sports and Entertainment and Lee Baxter Promotions in association with Louisville Top Knotch and the World Boxing Council, are proud to announce that the semi-final round of The Jose Sulaiman WBC World Invitational Tournament will now take place at Toronto’s famed lakeside amphitheater, Budweiser Stage and tickets starting at $40 are on sale today at www.ticketmaster.ca and www.therealdealboxing.com

The gorgeous venue located on the banks of Lake Ontario which was voted “one of the best concerts venues in North America”, has played host to the world’s most popular musical acts since it’s opening in 1995 and now will hold it’s first boxing event in what will be one of the biggest cards to take place this summer in all of Canada on Saturday, August 25th.

Budweiser Stage (formerly Molson Ampitheatre) received international attention last year when it was the location for one of the dates on the press tour for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight. For the Jose Sulaiman WBC World Invitational Tournament the venue will have a similar set up with on stage ringside seating as well as covered amphitheater and outdoor lawn seating to create an end of summer fight party.

“From the media coverage of Holyfield’s visit last week, officially announcing that the WBC tournament is coming to Toronto, to the buzz on social media from Canadian boxing fans, we knew it was the right move to take the event to a special venue like the Budweiser Stage.”, explains co-promoter, Lee Baxter, president of Toronto based, Lee Baxter Promotions.

“In addition to the tournament’s semi-final fights, I plan on this being one of the best undercards I have matched in my entire promotional career. We are putting together a who’s who of Canadian fighters from prospects to contenders and putting them in competitive fights on the biggest stage of the career. We also have several events scheduled as well for the week of the fight to build up excitement in the city. This truly will be the boxing event of the summer in Canada, and, as the first boxing event to take place at such a legendary concert venue, it also be a historic night in Toronto boxing history.”

As 4-time heavyweight champion of the world, Evander Holyfield adds, “Visiting Toronto last week for the kick off press conference made it clear to us that the city is becoming a boxing hotbed. I was blown away by the interest and excitement the event is receiving from fans and the media in Canada. We’re also happy to work with such a forward thinking commission that will be honoring many of the new initiatives that we set for the tournament and are trying to bring to sport beyond this event. August 25th will be The Real Deal Boxing’s biggest show yet and together with our friends at Lee Baxter Promotions, we promise to provide an action packed night at a truly incredible venue.”

ABOUT THE JOSE SULAIMAN WORLD INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

The Jose Sulaiman World Invitational Tournament, named after the late president of the WBC, is a single elimination bracket style tournament created by The Real Deal Boxing where 8 high level welterweights, representing different countries, compete over the course of three events to declare one winner who will be in position to fight for the WBC World Welterweight Title in 2019.

Saturday, August 25th in Toronto will be the semi-final round of the tournament and will see the quarterfinal winners face each other in co-main events when South Africa’s Chris Van Heerden (26-2-1), #22 in the world, takes on Ghana’s Fredrick Lawson (27-1), #15 in the world, and the USA’s Brad Solomon (28-1), #23 in the world, faces Mexico’s Francisco Santana (25-6-1), #14 in the world.

Besides the exciting action in the ring, the Jose Sulaiman World Invitational Tournament is receiving glowing praise from fans, media and athletic commissions for the initiatives it’s taking to make long overdue changes in the sport in three distinct categories.

Judging & Scoring

To combat one of boxing’s biggest issues, inexplicable if not downright awful judging and scorecards, the tournament features 5 judges as opposed to the regular 3. One for each side of the ring as well as one judge who watches the fight on a monitor with no sound. Halfway through the fight, scorecards are announced to the audience and the fighters so everyone is aware of how the 5 judges are viewing the bout. The first round of the tournament did not have a single controversial decision in 5 back to back 10-round fights and several fights had distinct momentum shifts after the cards were announced at the half way point. The Real Deal Boxing also developed a standardized scoring system that is given to judges in advance which clearly defines the way a round should be scored to eliminate any subjectivity from the equation. Last but not least, any bouts that end in a draw immediately head to a 11th and final round that judges must give to one of the fighters.

Instant Replay

A nearly universal request from fighters, fans and the entire boxing community, the tournament uses instant replay. In the case of a controversial or potentially wrong call, the incident in question is reviewed in between rounds, allowing officials to get it right every time. Instant replay helps assure the bout’s outcome and scorecards are never affected by a missed call, be it a slip ruled as a knockdown or a cut from an accidental headbutt ruled as punch or vice versa.

Fighter Safety

In the tournament’s first round fighters were required to undergo a pre fight MRI and post fight MRI (on the following day of the fight) regardless of the bout’s outcome. In addition, The Real Deal Boxing has it’s own internal team of physicians to oversee the health and safety of all the fighters on their roster, helping to address the inconsistent medical standards brought on by differing requirements from each regulatory authority. The expense of these additional medical and safety requirements is covered entirely by The Real Deal Boxing.

For more information on the Jose Sulaiman World Invitational Tournament visit The Real Deal Boxing and Lee Baxter Promotions. Full undercard details forthcoming.

The Jose Sulaiman World Invitational Tournament is proudly sponsored by Venum Fight Gear and Fight Wear.

Los Angeles, CA (July 26, 2018) Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions has announced details of the highly anticipated return of the widely acclaimed SUPERFLY series set for Saturday, September 8 at the ‘Fabulous’ Forum in Los Angeles, CA. The triple-header will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

#SUPERFLY3 will be headlined by a 12 -round super flyweight clash between former world champion JUAN FRANCISCO ‘El Gallo’ ESTRADA, (36-3-0, 25 KO’s), of Sonora, Mexico and two-time world title challenger FELIPE ‘Galito’ ORUCUTA, (36-4-0, 30 KO’s), of Nicolas Romero, Mexico.

Co-featured over 12-rounds for the vacant WBO Super Flyweight World Title, four-time world champion DONNIE ‘The Snake’ NIETES, (41-1-4, 23 KO’s), of Bacolod City, Philippines, moves up one division to challenge countryman ‘Mighty’ ASTON PALICTE, (24-2-0, 20 KO’s) of Bago City, Philippines.

Opening the telecast, three-division world champion KAZUTO IOKA, (22-1-0, 13 KO’s), of Osaka, Japan, battles two-time world title challenger MCWILLIAMS ARROYO, (17-3-0, 14 KO’s), of Fajardo, Puerto Rico in a ten-round super flyweight bout.

Advance tickets for SUPERFLY 3, priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25 will go On-Sale This Friday at 10:00 a.m. PT and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000) and the Forum Box Office. The Forum is located at 3900 W. Manchester Blvd, Inglewood CA 90305. Doors on the night of the event will open at 4:00 p.m. PT.

“We’re very excited to make this announcement today for SUPERFLY 3”, said Loeffler. “Our first two Superfly cards were among the most well received international boxing events over the last year.”

“Since our last SUPERFLY card in February, boxing fans and media have continuously asked me when the next card is taking place. The fights that have been presented in this series have provided non-stop action and an unparalleled in-arena atmosphere for boxing.”

“Juan Francisco Estrada and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai battled in one of the best fights this year in February with both fighters proving to be two of the most valiant warriors in boxing. Against the hard-hitting Orucuata, Estrada will be facing a determined challenger seeking his own path to a world title.”

“Fans were also treated to a sensational performance in February by Donnie Nietes winning his third world title and facing his rival countryman Aston Palicte at SUPERFLY 3 will provide fireworks from the opening bell.”

“Having three-division world champion Kazuto Ioka of Japan come out of retirement to face Puerto Rico’s McWilliams Arroyo further validates how important the SUPERFLY brand is to these outstanding fighters.”

“The stylistic matchups of these three announced fights will provide the type of non-stop action the SUPERFLY events have become known for and the ‘gold standard’ which fans have become accustomed to.”

“I am very excited to return for a third SUPERFLY event card and look forward to giving the fans another thrilling fight,” said Estrada. “I need to win so I can get a second shot at the WBC Super Flyweight World Title and a rematch against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. I am training in the mountains of Mexico City to be ready for the fight on September 8.”

“Juan Francisco Estrada is a great boxer and one of the best fighters from Mexico. It’s an honor to fight him and I will be well prepared for victory at SUPERFLY 3 on September 8,” said Orucuta.

Long a favorite among Mexican boxing fans, the 28-year-old Juan Francisco Estrada has built a reputation for facing the very best in the flyweight and super flyweight divisions. Fighting on February 24, 2018 at SUPERFLY 2, Estrada battled over 12-rounds in a fearless clash against defending WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai that had the huge crowd at the Forum on their feet cheering loudly for each fighter.

This will be Estrada’s third straight fight at a SUPERFLY event, having defeated former world champion Carlos Cuadras on September 9, 2017 in an epic battle at the series debut in Carson, CA.

Over the course of his illustrious 10-year career, Estrada has fought many other world champions and top contenders including Roman Gonzalez, Hernan Marquez, Giovanni Segura, Richie Mepranum and Milan Melindo.

Estrada won the WBO and WBA Flyweight World Titles on April 6, 2013 by defeating then world champion Brian Viloria, making five defenses before moving up to the super flyweight division.

The 32-year-old Felipe Orucuta has twice challenged for the WBO Super Flyweight World Title, losing in very close decisions to Omar Narvaez in Argentina. On May 25, 2013 in Buenos Aires, Orucuta was on the short end of a 12-round split decision. Fourteen months later, Orucuta returned to Argentina, this time losing a 12-round majority decision to Narvaez in Villa Maria, Argentina.

Currently the heavy handed Orucuta is on a five-bout winning streak; all by knockout including the fourth-round stoppage of Ricardo Roman on May 26, 2018 in Mexico City.

Among the other notable names on Orucuta’s winning side of the ledger are Roberto Castaneda, Fernando Lumacad, Julio David Roque Ler and Enrique Bernache.

The fight against Estrada will be Orucuta’s first in the United States since July 2008.

Fighting in the Los Angeles for the third time in recent years, Donnie Nietes thrilled the local Filipino fans with a seventh-round knockout over Juan Carlos Reveco at SUPERFLY 2 to earn the IBF Flyweight World Title, his tenth straight victory. Incredibly, Nietes has not suffered a loss since September 2004.

One of the Philippines most popular fighters over the last fifteen years, among the victories on Nietes’ ledger are wins over Edgar Sosa, Raul Garcia, Ramon Garcia Hirales, Manuel Vargas, Juan Alejo and Gilberto Parra.

The 27-year-old Aston Palicte will be fighting for the third time in the United States. In his U.S. debut, he won a 10-round decision over then undefeated Oscar Cantu on December 17, 2016 in Las Vegas. Following that up on December 8, 2017, the all-action Palicte knocked out Jose Alfredo Rodriguez in the fifth stanza in Round Rock, Texas.

The boxing pride of Osaka, Japan, Kazuto Ioka retired in November 2017 after making five defenses of his WBA Flyweight World Title earned by defeating then champion Juan Carlos Reveco on April 22, 2015.

Over the course of his nine-year multiple title reign, Ioka defeated world champions and top-rated contenders including Amnat Ruenroeng, Akira Yaegashi, Felix Alvarado, Ekkawit Songnui, Yutthana Kaensa and Nare Yianleang.

With all of his previous bouts coming in Japan, Ioka will be making his long-awaited United States debut at SUPERFLY 3.

A representative of his native Puerto Rico in the 2008 Olympics, the 32-year-old McWIlliams Arroyo made his Los Angeles debut at the Forum and on HBO by challenging then WBC Flyweight World Champion Roman Gonzalez on April 23, 2016. Although losing a 12-round decision, Arroyo would fight valiantly against the #1 Pound-for-Pound legend, earning the respect from the sold-out crowd.

Most recently Arroyo challenged former super flyweight world champion Carlos Cuadras at SUPERFLY 2, defeating the popular Mexican over ten rounds in an outstanding battle at the Forum that had the huge crowd cheering throughout.

Additional information on this tremendous night of world class professional boxing will be announced shortly.

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Nutley, NJ (July 25 2018) – Just eight days after winning his professional debut, undefeated heavyweight Roney Hines will get right back to work when he takes on Raquan Ashby in a scheduled four-round bout, this Saturday night at The Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Hines won his maiden voyage last Friday night, when he stopped David Becker in just 68 seconds, as the 2018 National Golden Gloves champion dropped Becker three-times before the bout was halted.

Ashby of Wilson, North Carolina is 0-1.

“Like I said, we will move Roney at a good pace, and he did not take any punches in his first bout, so he is ready to go Saturday night,” said GH3 Promotions CEO, Vito Mielnicki.

With a win, Hines will be back in Charlotte on August 11th,

(Oxnard, California): Before fans at the Etess Arena at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City enjoy two light heavyweight championship bouts, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev vs. Eleider Alvarezand Dmitry Bivol vs. Isaac Chilemba, on Saturday, August 4, Main Events serves up a menu of top international and local prospects on the non-televised undercard.

Among them is Astana, Kazakhstan native Meiirim “The Sultan” Nursultanov (7-0, 6 KOs), who is riding a six knockout win streak while remaining undefeated. He will face Jonathan Batista (17-14, 10 KOs) of the Dominican Republic.

Nursultanov who will turn 25 years old the week prior to his fight, has two goals for his bout. “My goal is not only to win by knockout, but also to deliver a nice win to watch for everyone. For the team, and for the fans,” said Nursultanov.

Although Nursultanov scored a sixth round TKO in his last bout in Los Angeles, it wasn’t good enough for him. “The fight was not comfortable at all. The opponent was very good, very tough, and his style was hard to deal with. I won by TKO, but I plan to do this faster (on August 4),” said Nursultanov.

“I’m trying to show the best qualities of boxing, but it isn’t always possible,” said Nursultanov. “Every opponent is different. At the last second, he may change a few things. But every fight is getting better and better, so it’s harder for me.”

Nursultanov says he’s checked out his opponent on video, and says the record should not fool anyone. “He’s got losses, but right now in professional boxing, losses are nothing. I get ready 100 percent for every fight,” said Nursultanov.

Nursultanov says he’s excited about appearing in Atlantic City. “I want to add fans in Atlantic City to my collection, fans from this place,” said Nursultanov. “I want as many fans as possible, I need more fans. It’s better for everyone and it helps you grow as a professional boxer.

“So please, everyone, people who are interested in boxing, attention. Please come to see my fight. I’m going to put all of my heart into it to show the Kazakhstan school and how hard we work,” declared Nursultanov.

Nursultanov hopes his hard work will place him at the top of the middleweight division with a chance to fight the bigger names such as Canelo Alvarez, countryman Gennady Golovkin, Americans Daniel Jacobs and the Charlo Brothers, or Billy Joe Saunders. “My goal is to start collecting the championships belts. Right now, I’ll keep growing in the rankings and hope to keep this going into the future,” said Nursultanov.

About Kovalev-Alvarez: In the first boxing event at the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev will defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title against undefeated contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez on Saturday, August 4, 2018. In the co-main event, WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol will defend his title against Isaac “Golden Boy’ Chilemba. Tickets range between $50 and $200 and are on sale now through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel and World of Boxing and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Set on 17 acres, with the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk as its backdrop, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will be Atlantic City’s go-to entertainment destination, boasting 2,100 slots, 120 table games, more than 20 first-class restaurants and lounges, and world-class entertainment, including Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, the beachside Sound Waves and the Howie Mandel Comedy Club. The hotel and casino also features the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, overlooking the Atlantic City Boardwalk, showcasing a brand new elevated menu and state-of-the-art stage, allowing for an amplified level of service and entertainment. Along with an endless array of upscale amenities, including world-class shopping and the brand’s signature full-service Rock Spa and Salon, featuring 31 treatment rooms, the new, music-inspired property offers lavish guest rooms and suites, with stunning views of the city and Atlantic Ocean. From family vacations and business trips to weddings, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City offers an unparalleled experience. Each of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites radiates a contemporary style, including Hard Rock’s signature The Sound of Your Stay® music amenity program, which allows guests to set the mood with complimentary vinyl records or jam out on a Fender guitar in the privacy of their own room. Hotel guests can enjoy high speed, property-wide Wi-Fi, 24-Hour In-Room Dining, towel and chair service at Hard Rock Beach or at the indoor pool, and 24-Hour Access to Body Rock fitness. For more information and to book your stay, please visit hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.

LOS ANGELES (July 25, 2018) – IBF Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Jr. participated in a media workout to kick off fight week in Los Angeles Wednesday as he nears his 135-pound title unification showdown against WBC champion Mikey Garcia this Saturday, July 28 live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Joining Easter Wednesday and competing on the three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) were Cuban heavyweight slugger Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz and former title challenger Razvan Cojanu, who meet in a 10-round bout plus unbeaten super lightweight contender Mario “El Azteca” Barrios and hard-hitting Jose Roman, who compete in a 10-round showdown.

Rounding out the workout participants was unbeaten prospect and 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas, who competes on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN, which will stream on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, begin at $50, plus applicable fees, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit AXS.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from City of Angels Boxing Gym:

ROBERT EASTER JR.

“Training down in Florida allowed me to get away from distractions and just focus on myself. Kevin Cunningham stayed on me every day. We focused on my skills, using my advantages and you’ll see it all on July 28.

“We have a game plan, but we’re professionals in there and we both know we’ll have to make adjustments as the fight goes on. I’m going to fight my fight and leave it all in the ring. My focus is 100 percent on Mikey Garcia Saturday night.

“Early in my career I fought a lot on the West Coast and my first pro fight was actually at STAPLES Center. So I’m very excited to be back in front of a big exciting crowd.

“Coach Cunningham had me really working on the skills that I hadn’t been using as much in past fights. He’s helped me put together a great game plan that focuses on the advantages I have. He knows what kinds of things will give other fighters trouble.

“Big fights like these are important to me. Champion versus champion speaks loudly about who we are as men. It’s the two best guys out there fighting to decide who’s the best in the weight class.

“I’ve been dreaming about fights like this since I was a little kid. It’s finally here and I’m going to show the world what Robert Easter Jr. is really made of.”

LUIS ORTIZ

“I feel great and I’m happy to get back in the ring on Saturday night. I moved past the loss after a day or two and got right back in the gym. I always knew I would fight again this year, because this is what I love to do.

“I’m excited to be fighting at STAPLES Center and I’m thankful to my opponent for accepting the challenge. I just want to show off my skills and prove again why I’m one of the best heavyweights in the world.

“I’m going to go in there on Saturday and do my job. I’m prepared to take care of the opponent in front of me, whether it’s in round one or round twelve. It’s going to be the same mission that I have going into every fight.”

RAZVAN COJANU

“We worked during training camp and sparred with a lot of southpaws to prepare for this. I feel good about our strategy and the shape I’m in.

“My fight against (former heavyweight champion) Joseph Parker was an interesting fight. I only found out that I was facing him two weeks before, so I was not as ready as I wanted to be heading into it. But it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss and I believed in myself and fought all the way until the end.

“Ortiz is a strong fighter and a big challenge. I’m looking forward to another tough fight and putting on a great performance for the fans.”

MARIO BARRIOS

“I’ve finished off training camp the last four weeks in the Bay Area with Virgil Hunter and I’m feeling great. We had fantastic sparring and everything is looking great heading into fight night.

“I’m excited for this opportunity. I have a really good, experienced opponent in front of me, and I’m coming into his backyard. I have a lot to gain coming into this fight. This is going to be a very explosive fight.

“I’m ready to showcase my talent and dominate with the game plan that we’ve put together. We’re focused on this fight, but I’m looking to climb the ladder and get a title fight or title eliminator by the end of the year.”

JOSE ROMAN

“I trained really hard for this great opportunity that I have here. It was very exciting to find out I’d be on SHOWTIME, especially on a big show like this headlined by a fight everybody wants to see. Now I get to display my talent in front of everybody.

“We had an effective training camp. We worked hard each day and everything really went smoothly. Everybody wants to be in this position, but not everyone gets to experience it.

“Barrios has a really good record and he’s very talented. He’s undefeated for a reason. We’re coming here to win. I’m going to be at my very best on Saturday.”

KARLOS BALDERAS

“When I first made my pro debut I felt like I was rushing things in the ring and trying to do things too fast. Now as I get more fights in I’m going to be able to take my time and break these fighters down little by little. You can’t knock everybody out in the first round.

“I’m only 22-years-old and I still have a long way to go. More than anything I just need to remain patient throughout the bout. We’ve put in the work so I know what I have to do on Saturday night.

“I fought at STAPLES Center last month, so this is nothing new to me. I’m going to go in there and fight my fight, be smart and take him out of there. We’re doing things the right way and we’re planning on being here for a while.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.staplescenter.comfollow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @MikeyGarcia, @RobertEaster_Jr, @Ringstar, @TGBPromotions @STAPLESCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Kissimmee, Fla. (July 25, 2018) – Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (23-0, 15 KOs) is proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and is acutely aware of his homeland’s rich fighting history. Diaz, who fights Masayuki Ito (23-1-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday at the Kissimmee Civic Center for the vacant WBO junior lightweight world title, is hoping to become the fifth current male world champion from the “Island of Enchantment.”

In the 10-round co-feature, welterweight contender Artemio Reyes (25-2, 20 KOs) will face Brooklyn native Gabriel Bracero (24-3-1, 5 KOs). Diaz-Ito and Reyes-Bracero will stream live and exclusively in the United States at 9:30 ET on ESPN+, with undercard action set for 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

The undercard will include the professional debut of Vladimir Nikitin, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist from Russia whose controversial quarterfinal decision win against Michael Conlan resulted in Conlan’s famous double middle-finger salute to the judges. Also appearing on the undercard will be bantamweight prospect Antonio Vargas (6-0, 3 KOs) against Aaron Echeveste (5-2, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder, super lightweight Jose Lopez (10-0, 8 KOs) taking on Jorge Rodriguez (10-2, 10 KOs), and Henry Lebron (4-0, 3 KOs) versus Luis Diaz (2-5, 1 KO) in a six-round super featherweight bout.

Many of the fighters from Saturday’s card worked out for the media Wednesday at Kissimmee Boxing Gym. This is what they had to say.

Christopher Diaz

On Fighting For His First World Title – “I worked hard for this. This is my moment, and nobody is going to take away from me what I know is mine. That vacant title has a first name and last name on it. That name is Christopher Diaz.”

About Fighting in Kissimmee, Fla. – “I’m super happy and excited about returning to fight in Kissimmee. Here, I feel like I’m at home. I come ready to give my fans a great fight.”

Masayuki Ito

On Fighting Outside of Japan – “I do not care about where I’ll be fighting. Inside the ring, it will only be him, me, and the referee. Nobody else.”

On What He Expects from Diaz – “I’m ready for a war. I’m here to win round by round. I’m ready for a toe to toe fight. I’m going for the knockout. I’m taking the title with me to Japan.”

Artemio Reyes

“I was getting ready to fight a powerful guy like {Carlos} Adames, but I’m ready to fight anyone. Bracero is a good fighter. He doesn’t have as much power as Adames, but you can’t get overconfident with a pro fighter. Any pro fighter is a dangerous fighter.”

Gabriel Bracero

“I got the call for this fight on short notice, but I see this opportunity as a blessing. I’m always in the gym. I’m always in shape. I was helping {IBF lightweight champion} Robert Easter Jr. for his next fight. I’m ready to fight. I know he is a power puncher and has a lot of knockouts, but he hasn’t faced anyone as experienced as me.”
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Promoted by Top Rank, in association with All Star Boxing and Teiken Promotions, remaining tickets to this world championship event, priced at $100 (red carpet ringside), $50 (lower bowl), and $30 (general admission), may be purchased at the Kissimmee Civic Center box office, online at ticketerapr.com, or charge by phone at (787) 305-3600.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter:twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo,@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtag #DiazIto to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans can watch thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

(Los Angeles, Calif.) – WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (13-0, 11 KOs) of Russia hosted a media workout at the Legendz Gym in Norwalk, California on Tuesday, July 24 in preparation for his title defense against light heavyweight contender Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba (25-5-2, 10 KOs) of Malawi. Bivol and Chilemba will fight in the co-main event on the Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev vs. Eleider “Storm” Alvarez card at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Saturday, August 4. The doubleheader will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoter Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager, and Gennadii Mashynov, Bivol’s trainer, also attended and spoke with boxing media.

Dmitry Bivol WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion:

About his opponent, Isaac Chilemba: “I’ve seen his many fights. I’ve seen his fight against Kovalev, Gvozdyk, Eleider Alvarez. He fights through all fights, no problem, except Gvozdyk. But he has never been knocked out. He gives me a good experience. He is a good challenge for me. I will be ready.”

About future opponents: “I want to fight the best guys in my division. Now, (Sergey) Kovalev is one of the best guys. Of course, I want to fight with him, but I prefer not to fight a guy from the same country as me. Of course, if people like this fight, then I think it will happen. Kovalev wants to fight against the best, like me. It depends on the boxing fans. If they like it, it will happen.”

About his desire to fight in front of a big audience: “I want a lot of people to see me fight. I want a lot of people to enjoy my fights. Who my opponent is, doesn’t matter. This is what I want.”

About his goal to unify the light heavyweight division: “It’s very important for me. It’s every boxer’s dream to be the champion, the unified champion. It’s a big step to dream about. Like (unified cruiserweight champion) Oleksandr Usyk last week, he went for his dream.”

About the need to become better known before a major unification bout: “We need more promotion before our fight. Because I think my skills are ready. I want to show my boxing skills in front of as many people as possible. And the unification fight, if it’s good, gives me that chance.”

About the variables in boxing and why you can’t count on predictions: “I know every boxer have mistakes. And every boxer can be knocked out. It’s not like running, for example, where somebody is a little quicker and somebody is slower. This sport is different. Anybody can knock anybody else out, in any round. And that’s what makes this sport so exciting. You don’t know what to expect.”

About his modesty regarding his athletic talent: “Maybe it’s my nature. Maybe it’s my qualities, they come from within. Probably it is also from my parents, my upbringing and the way they raised me. Also the area where I come from, a lot of the qualities and values back home – not saying things and not answering for your words. That’s why I don’t like to say things that I wouldn’t be able to stand up for and perform. These are the main reasons for why I am the way I am.”

About where his confidence comes from: “I’m not the quickest. I’m not the strongest. I’m not the smartest. I’m not somebody who moves the most. But something in me here, it helps me. I know I have the best manager, the best trainer, the best promoter. Everybody, you think your mother is the best mother. I know my team is the best team. My team helps me.”

About his mental strength and drive in the ring: “I don’t know what it is, but it helps me before a fight, when I take my gloves and I think, it says to me, ‘You can do this. Don’t forget about his power, don’t forget about his speed, you can, you can, just do it. You have a good team to help you, you have a family who believes in you, you can do it.’ And I will go in the ring and have a good performance.”

About the desire to make history in a memorable fight: “I want to make history like Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti, in the type of fight that will never be forgotten from history. No one knows how to write history, but you have to try to do it. It wasn’t even a title fight. But it was a fight that will always be remembered.”

About his role model in boxing: “My favorite fighter is Sugar Ray Leonard, he’s the best.”

About Kovalev-Alvarez: In the first boxing event at the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev will defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title against undefeated contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez on Saturday, August 4, 2018. In the co-main event, WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol will defend his title against Isaac “Golden Boy’ Chilemba. Tickets range between $50 and $200 and are on sale now through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel and World of Boxing and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

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Lou DiBella
Thanks everybody for joining us. This is a terrific PBC on FOX and FOX Deportes card live at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT. Preceding it on FS2 and FOX Deportes at 5:30 pm ET/2:30 pm PT, there’ll be a show that features Marcus Browne versus Lenin Castillo and Brooklyn’s Luis Collazo versus Bryant Perrella, in what will be a good lead in to our two main event fights.

Tickets for the live event, which is co-promoted with TGB Promotions, are on sale now. They can be purchased online ticketmaster.com, nycblive.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000, and also the Ticketmaster box office at NYCB Live. And for those who don’t know, NYBC Live is what we used to call the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

This is really a very meaningful fight card because pretty much every fighter on this card understands that they’re in a must-win situation. In Andre Berto and Devon Alexander you have two, two-time former world champions, both of whom want to fight under the biggest lights in the biggest fights possible and they must win in this battle against each other in the welterweight division.

Andre Berto I’m very acquainted with. I promoted him coming out of 2004 Olympics. He’s had a terrific career and he’s looking to continue that career on the highest levels, and he is certainly going to have his hands full with Devon Alexander on August 4th. Andre and Devon, want to say a couple words?

Andre Berto
It’s going to be a tremendous fight card. I’m looking forward to it. We’ve had a tremendous training camp and I know the other side is ready and like I said I’m excited and look forward to it.

Devon Alexander
For me I’m just trying to get back in the ring. I’m excited to show people why I’m still one of the top, elite welterweights in the world. I want to prove to people that I’m still in my prime and every fight is meaningful in my career at this point. So I just want to thank everybody who made this possible. I want to thank Lou and TGB and New York for hosting this fight, and I’m just excited, excited to be against Berto and I’m excited to see what he’s got. I’m preparing for a lot of Berto so training camp was tremendous and I’m just ready.

L. DiBella
We also have on the line trainer extraordinaire, Kevin Cunningham, trainer of Devon Alexander, one of the best trainers, best guys in this business. So if anyone has questions for Kevin you can also throw those out, but I’m going to open it up for questions to Andre Berto and Devon Alexander. So moderator we can go to the queue.

Q
Andre, what is your motivation these days to keep going?

A. Berto
Everything is motivation nowadays is to, finish off the way we want to finish off. The fight with Porter, Devon knows as well, he’s an MMA fighter and he does a lot of rough things and rough tactics. And for me that’s not the way I really wanted to try to finish things off towards the end of my career, and that’s the situation.

I’ve had a tremendous career and for me I believe that I’m in the right head space now just to finish this thing off the way we want to finish it off and that’s strong.

Q
What would then be the ideal way to finish it off?

A. Berto
I’m just 34 years old and we’re still young, we’re still vibrant. We still have all our marbles, still have all our money, and we just want to really try to start and try to make it the new trend to try to step away from this game early and with all our marbles. But of course we want to try to make sure just to put everything into this game towards the end and that’s where I am right now.

I had a nice bit of time off to really heal and really just get in a new type of vibrant mode for this upcoming camp and it’s definitely showed in boot camp. And so I’m looking forward to showing all the skills fight night.

Q
Where do you believe a win would lead to?

A.Berto
I believe in myself and Devon. We’re at a place that our names are heavy enough in the game that it could lead us directly to a title shot. This is an important fight. I’ve known Devon for a long time, since the amateurs, I’ve known Kevin since the amateurs, and Devon’s brother too.

I’ve got much respect for those guys. I haven’t really got too much of the trash talking and crazy stuff to say, but I know they’re going to come prepared because on this side we’re definitely prepared. So I believe it’s just going to be a tremendous fight.

Q
Devon, do you think that most people look at your last fight and even though they may see a draw they say that you won the fight?

D. Alexander
I think so. Soon after the fight I think everybody know that I won convincingly. I was going out there to dominate completely. He had a lot of fans down there and I’m not making no excuse but I thought I wo, but, that’s part of the game. I’m glad a lot of people saw it as a win and they got to make their own conclusion from the fight. So I was happy about that. But I’m just glad everybody got a chance to see it.

Q
Are you of that same opinion that even though it’s not an official eliminator it could potentially lead you to another title shot?

D. Alexander
Absolutely, absolutely. Me and my coach never shy away from any challenge, any opponent, anybody, my whole career. So this fight can catapult us to a world title shot and that’s my goal. That’s my goal. That’s what I mean by comeback. That was my goal to get a world title and that’s what I’m focusing on. I’m hungry. I just turned 31. I’m hungry and I feel refreshed, I feel vibrant, and I just want to show people that I’m still one of the elite welterweights in the division. I’m still right here. I’m still the same guy that people saw four or five years ago. So this fight, this win will, and it should, put me in a title fight soon.

Q
Devon, how confident are you going into this fight and how do you assess the threat level of Andre Berto at this stage in his career?

D. Alexander
Well the threat level from Berto is I’m go into this fight like he was 25 years old. This is the elite level. So I’ll be prepared for whatever he brings, whatever he’s going to be doing in there. So I’m preparing for a 25-year-old Berto. I’m preparing for a big bad Berto and that’s where my mind’s at. I’m not taking this fight lightly. I’m not taking nothing away from Berto. This is going to be an awesome, extremely good fight and that’s what I’m preparing for.

Q
Errol Spence in particular has been very avoided at 147, or at least that’s the perception. Would you take a fight with him going forward?

D. Alexander
Oh absolutely, absolutely. It just depends on what my coach and my team want for me. I’d love to get in there with Errol Spence. I’d love to get in there with Keith Thurman. It depends who’s available at that particular time. A lot of people they like to pick the easiest opponent nowadays so we’ll just have to see when we cross that road. What I’m focusing on is Andre Berto and getting the job done August 4.

Q
For Kevin Cunningham, I’d like to ask you the same question I asked Devon upfront. How do you rate Andre Berto at this stage in his career?

Kevin Cunningham
It’s a serious threat. Any time that you are an Olympian, any time that you are multiple time world champion, the threat is real. He’s still got speed, he’s always got power, and he’s got a huge heart. So he’s a serious threat. Anybody that takes him as a joke obviously doesn’t know boxing and doesn’t know to evaluate fighters.

This fight is going to be a fan-friendly fight because there haven’t been too many fights where Devon or Andre Berto has been in where you would call it boring. Everybody has one or two here and there if they had illustrious careers like both of these guys, but for the most part, both of them have had fan-friendly fights and I think this one’s going to be great. They’re two of the biggest names in the welterweight division and I think it was great for this fight to be put on network television because people like watching names that they’re familiar with.

Q
Andre can you assess Devon’s threat level at this point in his career?

A. Berto
Of course my confidence is high but at the same time, when you got a guy that’s a two-time world champion and he has high level amateur experience under his belt, you have to bring your best. He had the draw with Victor Ortiz but I believe he got the win there.

Victor Ortiz is the type of guy that either he’s going to be alive one night or another night he’ll fall apart. You just never know which one that’ll you’ll get. He’s a former world champion as well. I just know that in situations like this, it’s the fight game so anything can happen that night.

It just bugs me out at times how people will downplay another fighter just because of their last performance and not knowing what they’ve achieved and just really just kind of discard their skills. Devon Alexander, he’s highly skilled and he took some time off. I know about his situation. I know about that whole situation that happened. But he’s here and he’s a very good fighter and he’s at a point in his life that I believe he took a lot of flak, because of the Ortiz fight. So I think think he took that energy into this camp. And that’s all I’m looking for.

Same thing with when I fought Victor Ortiz the first time. I overlooked him and he beat me. But when I went into the second fight, I didn’t care how he looked, the fight before or two fights before, I came in there to handle business. I came there as a dog for whichever Victor Ortiz showed up, and that’s the same situation here.

I believe that Devon Alexander is going to be at his best. I know Kevin Cunningham. He’s a great coach as well and he’s a different type of coach. He’s going to drill that stuff in your head, and he’s going to let him know that this is a do-or-die opportunity for him and he’s going to voice it a lot and he’s going to let you understand. So it’s going to be up to Devon if he’s going to rise up to the occasion, and the same thing on my end. We had a great camp and I’m ready to do what I got to do. I need to come out with a win.

Q
Devon, how do you expect the long layoff to affect Andre in this fight?

D. Alexander
We’ve been doing this our whole lives so it affects everybody different. Everybody’s body is different and I can’t say how it’s going to affect him. But for me, it took me a couple rounds to get my legs under me. I was like okay I’m feeling decent and after the fourth or fifth round I was like this is a breeze, and I struck something good and I felt like I was there. So everybody’s different and I know for me it only took me a short time to snap back into my groove and get the job done.

Q
Andre, how do you expect to feel in the ring that night after being off for 15, 16 months?

A. Berto
I think I’m going to feel great because I’ve had a tremendous training camp. When you get to this point in your career, we’re not 22, 23 anymore, so I believe that rest is key. I believe that at times recovery is key because the knowledge isn’t going anywhere. It’s almost like muscle memory getting back in there, and we’ve been doing it for so long.

But the rest and the recovery is key and I believe I just came back into camp just vibrant and just felt great. It showed all training camp and I’ve had an extensive training camp and I’ve had a lot of great small fighters to spar. I even brought in a few of these Olympic guys to come in and work as well. I feel sharp, fast and strong.

Q
Andre, after you lost to Porter, how close did you come to retiring? How much of that enter you mind and how did you wrestle with that?

A. Berto
I mean with the Porter fight it was just a lot. There was just a lot going on. It was my first time realistically being in a fight and taking that type of damage when it comes to headbutts. He didn’t punch hard at all. He didn’t really hurt me on any punches.

I was just so confused at the time on how many headbutts I was taking and the referee just wasn’t saying nothing about it, and Virgil was just trying to keep me calm because he knows me. He knows I was going to go right back with some other type of foul, but he just tried to keep me, on task.

I just really just wanted to take some time off after that because I took some hard butts and that was the first time in all my fights, to be realistic, even though I had a few tough scraps, that was the first time I had a concussion. I just really just wanted to take some time off and really heal up nice like I needed to and spend time with the family.

So I just really didn’t really dwell on it too long. I think everybody got a chance to see and I believe everybody put Shawn Porter in the place as well where they don’t want to fight him neither. That’s why it took him so long to had to get a fight now as well. After coming off a win nobody wanted to fight that guy, man. Nobody want to deal with that type of mess.

L. DiBella
We’re going to move on to the co-featured bout. And I before I introduce the combatants in the co-featured bout, I just want to point out there are some terrific world-class fighters fighting on the undercard on the show. Sergey Lipinets will be on the card opening up the FOX and FOX Deportes telecast, plus Richard Commey will be on the card, and Alicia Napoleon will be defending her WBA Middleweight title against Hannah Rankin in a very significant female fight.

The co-feature, much like the main event, features two well-known fighters that need to win, that are on the comeback trails, that are looking for a shot at a world title, and this is a critical crossroads fight for both of these gentlemen. I promoted a number of fights for both of these fighters. I go back with Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin since he was a kid. I promoted J’Leon Love before my friends at Mayweather Promotions, who now promote him.

They’re two guys I like a lot and also two fighters that know what’s at stake, and I know you’re going to see the best out of both Peter Quillin and J’Leon Love on August 4 at Nassau Coliseum, or what’s now known as NYCB Live. First Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin. Pete and J’Leon, can you say a few words?

Peter Quillin
Yes. I want to thank you, Lou, for having me on this card. When I went pro, I turned pro with Lou on his first card at Broadway Boxing, and it’s such a pleasure to be on this card again in front of my hometown fans. I’m hoping I’m going to be blessed that everybody come out and see Kid Chocolate get on the road back to the top.

J’Leon Love
Hey, what’s going on, Lou? Hello. Hello to everybody. Yes, listen, it’s a blessing to be back on the stage again with Berto, Devon Alexander, Peter Quillin, Commey and Lipinets, all of those guys on the card. It’s a blessing to be on this great card as the co-feature. Shout out to Lou. We’ve always had a good relationship. He’s done very well with me early in parts of my career. There’s nothing but respect for everybody on here.

Q
Do you feel more comfortable fighting at 168 since you don’t have to cut as much weight as you did at Middleweight?

P. Quillin
Of course, yes. I thought maybe I should have went up in weight a long time ago but timing tells everything and timing heals everything, so I guess we went 168 at this time it’s probably the best time for me to do it. I think J’Leon is the perfect guy for me to mix it up with. He’s been at 168 for a while and if I want to mix it up with those big guys I have to be able to get through him.

Q
How does it feel to be fighting and not just back in New York but also fighting in a marquee matchup on FOX?

P. Quillin
Man, it’s a special privilege to be on primetime on FOX as well as being in front of my hometown fans here in New York. It’s going to be my first time being here at the Nassau Coliseum and I can’t wait. This is where I built my name. I’m just excited to be back. The level of intensity for this fight is right there. So I just got to put my best foot forward.

Q
J’Leon, what would a win over Peter Quillin mean for you?

J. Love
Peter Quillin is a former world champion at 160. He’s done a great job when he was there. He took some time off but he’s back and so we’re looking at him as the same world champion Peter Quillin. So a win over him will definitely set me up and is exactly what I need to challenge for a title.

Q
Do you feel that there’s more pressure to win this fight or are you approaching this as you would any other fight with the same mentality and same preparation?

J. Love
I’m definitely not approaching it as just the same. This is it. This is my chance to make it happen for myself and I’m fighting with one of the elites out there. So at the end of the day this is definitely my time to shine and I’ll definitely do what I need to do to be at the top of the game and challenge for one of these titles. So I can’t look at it as this is just a regular fight or a regular person I’m trying to get in there with.

Q
Peter, I was just wondering where you see yourself now at 168. Do you see yourself in the top three? Do you see yourself as having to do more to establish yourself and would you be ready for a title shot if given the opportunity after this fight?

P. Quillin
Yes, I will be ready for a title shot after this fight. If that is what is meant for me, yes I’ll be ready. Being at 160 was very hard to make the weight. I feel very comfortable at 168. I feel like this is my place, and I’m always trying to establish myself. We can never say we’re ready for something, I just got to be well prepared. So that’s how my vision is.

Of course down the line maybe in the future maybe me and Danny Jacobs having a rematch but it cannot be at 160 pounds. I want to campaign at 168 and I’m going to see how I feel at this weight. I’m going to close with progress. I’ve been out of the ring for such a long time. I was in California training with Virgil Hunter.

I made the decision to come back home to be closer to my family, my wife and my kids, and now I’m here and I’m training under the watchful eye of Aureliano Sosa, who is working with like guys like Chris Colbert, he has a lot of passion and he’s very dedicated. So I feel very motivated, feel positive and I feel like I’m ready to go.

Q
Are you wanting to be more active or is this partly factors outside of your control that have led these gaps?

P. Quillin
Well a lot of these things happen, you would figure like the business, the boxing would have kept it out but it wasn’t the business or boxing, it was a lot of personal issues with my family but also who I would decide to train with, and then when I decide to train with Virgil it was his scheduling. He had a very busy schedule working with other fighters.

Me and J’Leon, we’ve been training since January for this fight. Some mishaps came about and, I didn’t want to keep letting this type of fight be on the stove and getting too hot and then eventually burn out. So I made like a decision to come back home, find somebody comfortable close to home for me to be able to train with and look to put my best foot forward.

We’ll see how Kid Chocolate look. I’ve been looking phenomenal in the gym but, I think the fight is always different from the gym. So I’m looking to go ahead and showcase my talent and you can guys can decide how well I do and we can take it from there.

Q
J’Leon, from my perspective this is by far your biggest fight thus far. How do rate the stakes of this?

J. Love
I only have one loss. It’s not like the end of the road. Even with Peter Quillin like it’s one loss to a really good elite fighter. I mean that’s it. So it’s definitely not the end of the road, just what you guys make it to be. But at the end of the day, there’s definitely pressure on anybody to win any fight, whether it’s a mediocre fight or a big fight, it doesn’t matter.

You want to put your best foot forward and come out with the win and keep moving from there. I’m going to come out and be the best J’Leon Love I’m going to be. I’m well prepared. I’ve been wanting to fight Peter for a long time. And nothing against Peter, he’s a former title holder. I was chasing the title so nothing against him, I just want to be champion.

I’ve been wanting this fight. So I’ve been busting my ass for a long time and I’m sure he has too. I don’t look at it as there’s too much pressure. I don’t take it as pressure. I’m just going to go out there, do what I need to do in this gym, do what I need to do on the road and continue to grind and whatever God has planned for me, that’s where it’s going to be. So at the end of the day, I don’t put no pressure on myself to go out there deliver like I’m supposed to.

Q
Do you think you’ll have any relative size advantage between both of you if you think you’re both about the same size?

J. Love
Yes. I’ve been at 168 for a while. At 160, it was a little bit of a struggle. As I got older and stronger and moved more, it became more hard to make 160. So yes it was the best thing for me to move up to 168. I make it there and there’s no struggle me for, but I’m strong, I feel good, and I’m doing it the healthy way.

I don’t think it’s an advantage. Everybody isn’t walking around like okay Peter Quillin is fighting other 168 but it’s not like he’s walking around at 154 fighting at 68, he’s coming down to 168. So he’s a grown man. I don’t think it’s an advantage at all. I think Peter Quillin’s going to be the best Peter Quillin he can be and I’m going to be the best J’Leon Love I can be.

So this is going to be a really good fight. I can’t wait. I know Peter can’t wait. This has been a long time coming. These camps on top of camps, it’s going to be a good fight. No advantage for anybody I think. I can’t wait to fight him. And New York is not my first time so I’m looking forward to this whole thing.

Q
J’Leon do you consider this fight a must-win?

J. Love
Sure. If anybody wants a title shot and to win a belt or even be a contender to go for a belt, you better win. That’s it. This is it. You’d better win. You got to go out there, put it all on the line and win. Period. That’s what it takes. We’re fighters, we’re gladiators. We’re elite. This is what it is right here.

Go out there show that you want a title, it’s the difference between a prospect and a contender. Go out there and bust your ass in front of everybody and do what you’re supposed to do. like to look at it that way.

There’s no pressure for me because I know what I want. I’ve been ready for this. So at the end of the day, here’s my chance to go out there and do it. You never get a free chance in this game. It ain’t like basketball, where you can lose and it’s a team loss and hey don’t worry you got a chance to still make it to the playoffs or the championship. No.

If you lose too many times, it’s over with. People don’t look at you like that anymore. People think you’re a has been or he’s old, he’s done, this, that and the other, and it’s over. That’s what boxing is. So go out there and dominate. Do what you’re supposed to: win. Period.

Q
How difficult is it at this point in your career to transition from being in training to balancing the family life?

P. Quillin
The motivation has definitely changed. I’m 35. I’ve gotten to witness what old age can feel like, but I’m very fortunate to say I haven’t partied a lot in my career. I’ve been in the gym a lot, many years of my life. Being around my family I think the hardest thing was letting another man tell me how to sacrifice for my family.

So I was like on the road all the time. I was traveling and I miss some very special moments with my kids growing up. I feel like a FaceTime dad at the time and for the most part a lot of special fighters reached out to me when I was making the decision to be closer to my family, I was asking for advice as far as how many fighters train at home with their family, and what I found out is a lot of fighters train at home with their family.

Early in my career I basically sacrificed going to camp and being away, being secluded, not around people but now I don’t need that because I don’t have problems with partying. It’s a schedule. And my family kind of work around my schedule. My kids they eat around their dad.

We all pretty much eat healthy outside of when I’m getting ready for a camp so it is much easier when I have a whole family who don’t eat like fast foods and they kind of understand what I do. My kids know that I’m a boxer. My son definitely knows. He comes to the gym once a week with me just kicking it with me and just to experience what Dad do for a living.

My wife has been probably one of the biggest supporters I have. She’s got a full time job and she basically makes herself available for whatever I need her for. I got all the real support system that at the end of the day if anything ever happened in a boxing match, I usually come back home to my family anyway and they accept me in my condition.

My biggest thing was learning what kind of leader I’m trying to be for my household. Everybody pretty much follows my lead in my household, my wife and my kids. I just want to do stuff out of the goodness of my family and most importantly out of sense of God, being righteous to what God is doing with my family and staying obedient to His plan.

L. DiBella
I just again want to point out this great card. August 4, NYCB Live, home of the Nassau Coliseum on Uniondale Long Island. PBC on FOX and FOX Deportes fights begin at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT, FS2 and FOX Deportes at 5:30 pm ET/2:30 pm PT with Marcus Browne against Lenin Castillo, and Luis Collazo versus Bryant Perrella. Tickets can be purchases ticketmaster.com, nycblive.com, at the Ticketmaster box office at NYCB Live or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

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Fans can live stream the fights on the FOX Sports app, available in English or Spanish through the FOX or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSports.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FOXTV, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions, @LouDiBella, @NYCBLive and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/NYCBLive. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina. BROOKLYN BOXING on Long Island is an extension of BSE’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ brand. For more information, visit brooklynboxingshop.com.

Deerfield Beach, FL (July 25, 2018)—Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin’s rematch is all set for Mexican Independence Day on September 15th in Las Vegas, but what better way to add a little war to the card than having two Mexicans do battle.

Roberto Garcia just witnessed Jaime Munguia’s unanimous decision over Liam Smith on Saturday night and if Munguia is ready to return to the ring on September 15th, Garcia is ready as well.

“What better way to celebrate Mexican Independence Day than to have two Mexican’s do battle,” said Garcia. “We are both warriors. One veteran taking on one youngster. We both come to fight. Let’s get it on.”

Garcia is thankful to Zanfer Promotions (Munguia’s co-promoter with Golden Boy) for giving him his career defining fight against Julio Cesar Chavez’s son, Omar Chavez.

Garcia won that fight on Aug. 12, 2017 in a 10-round unanimous decision to win the WBC Silver Middleweight title.

Garcia lost his title in his first defense after traveling to England and losing a unanimous 12-round decision to Martin Murray on June 23, 2018.

“Two warriors doing battle, “Thunder vs Lightning” , both fighters coming forward all night , I’ll KO the “Kid” somewhere late in the fight or I win by unanimous decision.”

No doubt the fight would be epic.

LOS ANGELES (July 25, 2018): The inaugural edition of Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch promises even more fireworks as Damon “No Smilin'” Allen Jr. (15-0-1, 5 KOs) and Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro (14-0, 7 KOs) face off in a highly competitive battle between two undefeated Golden Boy Promotions prospects in the co-main event of Diaz Jr. vs. Rojas at Avalon Hollywood. The action will be streamed live on Saturday, August 11 beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Fans can catch all the fights by clicking here.

This scheduled eight-round super lightweight battle will be the next chapter in a series of Golden Boy Promotions fights where our very best prospects are matched up to see who’s deserving of contender status.

Allen Jr. is a 25-year-old prospect who hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The quick-handed pugilist has defeated tough warriors such as Luis “Vampiro” Arceo, Gamaliel “El Platano” Diaz and Martin “El Brochas” Honorio. Though spending his career at lightweight, Allen Jr. will move up to 140 pounds for this matchup.

“This is a step-up fight for both of us because we’re both undefeated Golden Boy prospects,” said Damon Allen Jr. “I feel I have the advantage though because of my amateur experience and because I was taught in the school of Philadelphia boxing. That puts me ahead of a lot of the other prospects, and everyone will see that when I defeat Jonathan Navarro on August 11.”

Navarro, the pride of East Los Angeles, California, has been very busy this year and will return for his third fight of 2018. The 21-year-old is a natural 140-pounder, and he’ll look to use his size advantage on the much quicker opponent in Allen Jr.

“This is what it takes for me to make the next step in my career,” said Jonathan Navarro. “It’s rare to see two young and undefeated fighters facing each other, so I’m excited to be a part of this matchup against Damon Allen Jr. I feel I’m bigger, stronger and better skilled than Allen Jr., and I promise an exciting victory in front of a hometown crowd.”

Ferdinand “Lucky Boy” Kerobyan (9-0, 5 KOs) of North Hollywood, Calif. will battle across a scheduled six rounds of welterweight action. Aaron “Silencer” McKenna (4-0, 3 KOs) of Monaghan, Ireland will participate in a four-round 147-pound fight.

Opponents for these two fighters will be announced shortly.

Rojas vs. Diaz Jr. is a 12-round fight for the WBA Featherweight World Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Universal Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate,”THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” and Hennessy, “Never Stop, Never Settle.”The fights will take place Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Avalon Hollywood. Doors for the event open at 4:00 p.m. PT. The action will be streamed live on Facebook Watch in the U.S. and globally on the Golden Boy Fight Night Facebook Page beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Fans can catch all the fights by following the Golden Boy Fight Night Page.

Limited tickets for Rojas vs. Diaz Jr. are still available and are priced at $40, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are available for purchase at
www.goldenboytickets.com and the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.avalonhollywood.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @AvalonHollywood. Become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.Facebook.com/AvalonHollywood/
Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya and @AvalonHollywood. Follow the conversation using #GBPonFB and #RojasDiazJr

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or by copying and pasting link: http://bit.ly/RojasDiazJr into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for photos and videos used.

Fort Myers, FL (July 25, 2018) – To say that welterweight Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella lives, eats and breathes boxing wouldn’t be an understatement.

The 29-year-old Fort Myers native trains year round, doesn’t drink or smoke and keeps a strict diet. When he’s not feverishly pounding away at the heavy bag, shadowboxing, sparring, or doing roadwork in the sweltering heat, Perrella’s likely at a fitness facility in Southwest Florida.

“He puts his entire life into this sport and taking care of his body,” said Michael Nowling, Perrella’s head trainer. “I’ve seen plenty of fighters work hard in the gym to get ready for a fight then take breaks after and balloon up in weight. Bryant is the exact opposite – I have to tell him he needs a break.”

A 6’1 southpaw, Perrella’s regarded as one of the better up and coming 147 pound fighters. At 15-1 with 13 wins by knockout, Perrella’s scored impressive victories over fellow welterweight hopefuls David Grayton and Alex Martin. In his lone setback, a fourth round stoppage by title contender Yordenis Ugas, Perrella entered the bout with a right leg injury and left with many lessons learned.

Still, he’s expecting the toughest challenge of his career when he battles former welterweight champion Luis Collazo, 37-7 (20 KO’s), August 4 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. Residing in nearby Brooklyn, NY, the slick southpaw not only has the hometown advantage but the edge in experience having faced Shane Mosley, Keith Thurman, Andre Berto, Ricky Hatton, Victor Ortiz and Amir Khan among others.

“Luis Collazo is one of the craftiest boxers around and he’s been a top fighter for many years,” Perrella said. “He’s given everybody a tough fight and had a few close decisions go against him. I expect this to be the biggest challenge of my career but I’m ready for it. Fights like these are the reason I’ve dedicated my life to boxing. I don’t just want to win – I want to win impressively and show the boxing world that I’m worthy of a title shot in the near future.”

Perrella meets Collazo over ten rounds and the bout airs at 5:30 pm ET on FS2.

Fans can follow Perrella on Instagram @BryantPerrella.

LAS VEGAS (July 25, 2018) – Once-beaten contender Sharif Bogere will enter the ring for a 10-round super lightweight bout against Chile’s Oscar Bravo in a fight that highlights undercard action Friday, August 3 from Sam’s Town in Las Vegas.

The night is headlined by rising lightweight contender Ladarius Miller facing Dennis Galarza in the Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce main event. The telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a 10-round welterweight showdown between Cesar Barrionuevo and Abel Ramos, plus unbeaten junior welterweight Juan Heraldez taking on Kevin Watts in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds.

Tickets for the event, which is being promoted by Mayweather Promotions, begin at $25, are on sale now and will be available at www.samstownlv.com/entertain.

Undercard showdowns include unbeaten welterweight prospect Sanjarbek Rakhmanov battling Marquis Taylor in an eight-round contest while super featherweight contenders Omar Douglas and Lydell Rhodes compete in an eight-round showdown.

The lineup of fights will also see unbeaten Angelo Leo (12-0, 7 KOs) taking on Sharone Carter (9-2, 2 KOs) in eight rounds of super bantamweight action, super middleweight Kevin Newman (7-1-1, 3 KOs) stepping in for a six-round bout against Cesar Ruiz (8-7, 5 KOs) and undefeated prospect Andres Cortes (7-0, 4 KOs) battling Jarret Jeter (7-2-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round super featherweight showdown.

Rounding out the night are unbeaten lightweight prospect Rolando Romero (4-0, 4 KOs) in a six-round bout against Javier Martinez (4-4, 3 KOs), junior welterweight Kaywann Sistrunk (0-0-1) fighting Sevelle Hasan (1-1, 1 KO) in four rounds of junior welterweight action, unbeaten Efren Lopez (2-0, 1 KO) in a four-round featherweight bout versus Daniel Constantino (2-1-1, 1 KO) and the pro debut of Jose Valenzuela in a four-round featherweight attraction.

The 29-year-old Bogere (31-1, 20 KOs) has won eight-straight fights heading into his August 3 matchup. Born in Uganda but now fighting out of Las Vegas, Bogere lost a close decision to Richar Abril in a vacant title fight in 2013 before putting together his current winning streak in hopes of attaining another title shot. He will be opposed by Chile’s Bravo (22-7, 10 KOs), who most recently lost a narrow decision to unbeaten prospect Saul Rodriguez in a fight that he sent Rodriguez to the canvas.

Originally from Uzbekistan, Rakhmanov (10-0-1, 5 KOs) fights out of Las Vegas and will look to put on a show in his adopted hometown as he enters the ring at Sam’s Town for the second time this year. The 28-year-old’s previous fight this year saw him stop Hylon Williams Jr. in the second round to make it six wins in a row since he fought to a split-draw against Alfonso Olvera in 2016. He will be opposed by the 24-year-old Taylor (9-1), who fights out of Houston and also enters the August 3 bout with a six-fight winning streak.

The 27-year-old Douglas (18-2, 13 KOs) will step into the ring on August 3 looking to put on an impressive performance to get back in the mix for a world title shot. Douglas impressive victories over once-beaten Frank De Alba and Alexei Collado, before dropping decisions to former champion Javier Fortuna and Edner Cherry. The Delaware-native most recently scored a first round knockout of Isaias Martin Cardona in December 2017.

A multi-sport athlete who has competed in both boxing and mixed martial arts professionally, Oklahoma City’s Rhodes (26-2-1, 12 KOs) bounced back from decision losses to former champion Sergey Lipinets and Edner Cherry to score three-straight wins, including an April victory over Mike Fowler. The 30-year-old Rhodes was unbeaten in his first 23 pro fights and will look to make it four in a row on August 3.

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Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce will also be available to be streamed live via Bounce’s new subscription-video-on-demand service Brown Sugar, which features an extensive and one-of-a-kind library of iconic black movies as well as Bounce original programming and series. Brown Sugar is available on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Channels, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Kindle, Android and Apple smartphones and tablets and web browsers via BrownSugar.com. Brown Sugar also has Google Chromecast capabilities which allow video to play on televisions directly from mobile devices and tablets for consumers with Android and iOS devices. There is a free initial trial period for subscribers with a retail price of $3.99/month thereafter.

Bounce (@BounceTV) airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage, and features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports, and more. Bounce has grown to be available in more than 109 million homes across the United States and 97% of all African-American (AA) television homes, including all the top AA television markets. Visit BounceTV.com for more information. Bounce is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).

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

Las Vegas – UFC® will return to Dallas, Tex. with a highly anticipated welterweight championship bout that will see Tyron Woodley defend against undefeated No.2-ranked contender Darren Till. Also, women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano makes her first defense versus No.1-ranked contender Valentina Shevchenko. UFC® 228: WOODLEY vs. TILL goes down Saturday, Sept. 8 at American Airlines Center and will air live on Pay-Per-View.

Unbeaten for almost four years, UFC welterweight champ and No.7-ranked pound-for-pound fighter Woodley (18-3-1, fighting out of St. Louis, Mo.) goes for his fourth successful title defense. Known for his elite wrestling and knockout power, he has earned victories against Stephen Thompson, Demian Maia, Robbie Lawler, Kelvin Gastelum and Carlos Condit. Woodley now aims to stop a surging and unbeaten contender dead in his tracks.

A diverse and cerebral striker, Till (17-0-1, fighting out of Liverpool, England) has been on a tear since joining the UFC roster three years ago. He’s earned incredible wins over Donald Cerrone, Bojan Velickovic, Wendell de Oliveira and Stephen Thompson, the latter coming in front of his hometown crowd this past May. With momentum and unwavering confidence on his side, Till is now on the cusp of the becoming the first undefeated UFC welterweight champion.

Also at UFC® 228: WOODLEY vs. TILL, two dynamic flyweights battle for the top spot in the newly minted 125-pound division.

Montano (5-2, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) conquered The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion tournament to become the inaugural champ in December. Though she was seeded at #14, she put together an incredible run that saw her net impressive victories against Lauren Murphy, Montana Stewart and Barb Honchak. Montano then took home the title with a thrilling win over Roxanne Modafferi at the live finale. She is now gunning for her first successful defense.

A former title challenger at 135-pound, Shevchenko (15-3, fighting out of Lima, Peru by way of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) holds wins over many of the biggest names in women’s MMA. Though she failed to dethrone bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes, she holds spectacular wins over Holly Holm, Julianna Pena and Sarah Kaufman. She then put the flyweight division on notice when with her vicious victory over Priscila Cachoeira in February. A decorated kickboxer, Shevchenko now looks to add UFC gold to her resume.

Additional bouts on the card include:

No.14-ranked featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov (15-1, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) squares off with No.15 Yair Rodriguez (11-2, fighting out of Chicago, Ill. by way of Parral, Mexico) in a bout guaranteed to deliver fireworks
In a pivotal strawweight fight, No.2-ranked contender Jessica Andrade (18-6, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) locks horns with No.4 Karolina Kowalkiewicz (12-2, fighting out of Lodz, Poland)
No.8-ranked bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling (14-3, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y.) looks to keep his momentum going against surging No.10 Cody Stamann (17-1, fighting out of Sparta, Mich.)
Former strawweight champion and No.6-ranked contender Carla Esparza (14-5, fighting out of Irvine, Calif.) takes on undefeated No.9 Tatiana Suarez (7-0, fighting out of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.)
Exciting bantamweight contenders collide when No.5-ranked Jimmie Rivera (21-2, fighting out of Ramsey, N.J.) faces No.7 John Dodson (21-9,fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.)
Perennial fan favorite Jim Miller (28-11 1NC, fighting out of Sparta, N.J.) faces Alex White (12-3, fighting out of Farmington, Mo.)
Dallas flyweight Ryan Benoit (10-5, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.) looks for another highlight-reel finish when meets Roberto Sanchez (8-1, fighting out of Houston, Tex.)
Surging hometown middleweight Charles Byrd (9-4, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.) goes for his fifth straight win against dangerous striker Darren Stewart (8-3 1NC, fighting out of London, England)’
Dallas welterweight Geoff Neal (9-2, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.) goes for his fourth straight win against gritty Frank Camacho (21-6, fighting out of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands)

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

Visit the UFC® Press Portal for information and content to support your UFC coverage.

UFC® 228: WOODLEY vs. TILL will air live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Saturday, Sept. 8, with the prelims kicking off the evening on FS1 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and on UFC FIGHT PASS® at 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.

Tickets for UFC® 228: WOODLEY vs. TILL go on sale Friday, July 27 at 10 a.m. CT and are priced at $350, $275, $225, $175, $125, $100, $85, $70 and $60 (does not include fees). Tickets are available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, July 25 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, July 26 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

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About UFC®

UFC® is a premium global sports brand and the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2018, UFC boasts more than 284 million fans worldwide and has produced over 400 events in 21 countries since its inception in 1993. Acquired in 2016 by global sports, entertainment and fashion leader Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG), together with strategic partners Silver Lake Partners and KKR, UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas with a network of employees around the world. UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe, while programming is broadcast in over 165 countries and territories to more than 1.1 billion TV households worldwide in 40 different languages. UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service, delivers exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content to fans around the world. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About American Airlines Center

Designed by architectural wizard David M. Schwarz and Dallas based HKS, Inc., American Airlines Center is considered one of the nation’s top arenas. Since opening its doors in 2001, the Center has been setting the precedent for sporting and live entertainment events. Bringing in a wide variety of big name shows as well as being home of both the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars, American Airlines Center consistently displays its unique versatility. Venue’s Today Magazine named American Airlines Center the 5th busiest arena in the U.S. and the 8th busiest in the world in 2017.

(Los Angeles, California) – Just four years after making his professional debut,WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (13-0, 11 KOs) of Russia finds himself with a problem unique to formidable champions: finding worthy opponents willing to go up against him.

Fortunately, light heavyweight contender Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba (25-5-2, 10 KOs) of Malawi stepped up to the challenge. Bivol and Chilemba will fight in the co-main event on the Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev vs. Eleider “Storm” Alvarez card at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Saturday, August 4. The doubleheader will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

“I respect him,” said Bivol of Chilemba. “He took this fight. He fought against the big guys in the division like Kovalev and Alvarez. Both times he fought all 12 rounds. He has good experience. I think he’s stronger than he was one year ago. Sometimes this (a loss) makes you better,” said Bivol.

Bivol relishes the challenge, especially because finding worthy opponents is becoming more difficult as he racks up one impressive performance after another, seemingly with ease. And he’s only improving.

“After every fight, you learn something. I hope I will be stronger this fight,” said Bivol, who is coming off a 12th rough TKO win over Sullivan Barrera, handing the Cuban his first career loss. “Every time we’re working in the gym on a stronger fight, on my stronger side. I don’t think about my opponent’s weak side, I think about my strengths, every time.”

Bivol’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, says Bivol was already a complete fighter when he turned professional after an accomplished amateur career. “The last ten fights have given him the confidence to face any of the top fighters. I think a lot of the others are already not interested in fighting him, not as interested as they are showing. It’s the problem every top world fighter has.

“Many people already know Dmitry Bivol is one of the top pound-for-pound prospects in boxing today. He doesn’t like to show off and be flashy. That’s how his parents raised him. But at the end of the day, Dmitry Bivol will prove he’s one of the top pound for pound fighters. He doesn’t like to talk about it; he will show it in the ring. In a little bit of time, the fans will be able to see it.”

Nevertheless, Kornilov is confident Bivol’s promoters, World of Boxing and Main Events, can make the big fights happen, even if potential opponents and their promoters are afraid of him. Bivol says his dream is to be an undisputed champion. “I think in the next year, he will take bigger steps toward that goal,” said Kornilov.

Bivol says his confidence is growing, but at the same time, his level of responsibility is growing after every fight – especially the motivation to take care of his young family. For the first time, Bivol’s wife and two young children joined him for the first few weeks of training camp in Oxnard, which helped him avoid being homesick while spending several months apart in St. Petersburg, Russia and Oxnard, California.

“Of course, it’s helped me,” said Bivol. “When my family is with me, I can see my kids and my wife, and she can make favorite meals. They are here three weeks and then go home. I’m happy they’ve seen America.” Bivol’s son Miron, age three and a half, loves the water whether it is a swimming pool or the beach. “He likes California. When he went to LA, he asks every time, ‘Are there any pools?’

“They are my motivation. They motivate me. I think about why I love them, that’s why I’m working so hard. I work hard to support them, so they will see how I feel,” said Bivol.

Bivol says one of the side benefits of boxing is the opportunity to see the world, including Atlantic City. “I’m glad when I fight in a new city, one I’ve never been to … I’m blessed to be in Atlantic City, in a most famous area for boxing. I’m glad people from Atlantic City will see my fight. I hope they enjoy it.”

About Kovalev-Alvarez: In the first boxing event at the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev will defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title against undefeated contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez on Saturday, August 4, 2018. In the co-main event, WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol will defend his title against Isaac “Golden Boy’ Chilemba. Tickets range between $50 and $200 and are on sale now through HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel and World of Boxing and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Set on 17 acres, with the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk as its backdrop, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will be Atlantic City’s go-to entertainment destination, boasting 2,100 slots, 120 table games, more than 20 first-class restaurants and lounges, and world-class entertainment, including Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, the beachside Sound Waves and the Howie Mandel Comedy Club. The hotel and casino also features the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, overlooking the Atlantic City Boardwalk, showcasing a brand new elevated menu and state-of-the-art stage, allowing for an amplified level of service and entertainment. Along with an endless array of upscale amenities, including world-class shopping and the brand’s signature full-service Rock Spa and Salon, featuring 31 treatment rooms, the new, music-inspired property offers lavish guest rooms and suites, with stunning views of the city and Atlantic Ocean. From family vacations and business trips to weddings, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City offers an unparalleled experience. Each of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites radiates a contemporary style, including Hard Rock’s signature The Sound of Your Stay® music amenity program, which allows guests to set the mood with complimentary vinyl records or jam out on a Fender guitar in the privacy of their own room. Hotel guests can enjoy high speed, property-wide Wi-Fi, 24-Hour In-Room Dining, towel and chair service at Hard Rock Beach or at the indoor pool, and 24-Hour Access to Body Rock fitness. For more information and to book your stay, please visit hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.

BROOKLYN (July 24, 2018) – Welterweight stars and former 147-pound titleholders Danny “Swift” Garcia and “Showtime” Shawn Porter will square off for the vacant WBC Welterweight World Championship live on SHOWTIME Saturday, September 8 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® main event (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) will pit two of the division’s biggest names against each other, as the former unified 140-pound champion and former WBC welterweight titleholder Garcia meets the hard-charging fan favorite and former welterweight champion Porter. The consensus top-5 ranked welterweights face off for the WBC belt vacated by Keith Thurman as he rehabs from an elbow surgery.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, in association with DSG Promotions, start at $50 and go on sale Thursday, July 26 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center starting Friday, July 27 at noon. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

“I’m excited and motivated to go in there and recapture what’s mine,” said Garcia. “The WBC title belongs to me. Come September 8, I’m going to prove that I’m the best fighter in the world. My loss is behind me and it’s given me a chip on my shoulder to run that extra mile and train even harder. I know that Shawn Porter is not on my level. I’m coming to fight him in the middle of the ring and I’m going to beat him at his game.”

“I’m going to force Danny Garcia to fight me, to be uncomfortable and to do things he’s not used to doing in a fight,” said Porter. “If Danny comes in being defensive and trying to hold, it may last a while. But if he comes and tries to trade with me and prove something to himself, then it will end fast. I think my style will give him problems and not allow him to pace himself. This is going to be an instant classic and I’m going to win and become champion once again.”

Garcia (34-1, 20 KOs) has fought and defeated many of the most formidable opponents at 140 and 147-pounds spanning two generations-Erik Morales, Zab Judah, Kendall Holt, Amir Khan, Lucas Matthysse, Paulie Malignaggi and Lamont Peterson among them. Five of his six opponents in the welterweight division were world champions and 11 of his last 15 opponents were world champions or former world champions.

Representing the fighting city of Philadelphia, Garcia has made Brooklyn another home base, drawing big crowds in six fights since the arena opened in 2012 including his triumphs over Morales, Judah, Peterson and Malignaggi and a narrow decision loss to Keith Thurman in a blockbuster world title unification that aired on CBS. The 30-year-old put himself into position to earn back his WBC belt with a highlight-reel knockout of Brandon Rios in a title eliminator February on SHOWTIME.

Porter (28-2-1, 17 KOs) owns victories over four-division champion Adrien Broner and two-division champion Paulie Malignaggi over a career that has seen him develop a reputation as one of the sport’s most reliable all-action attractions. He lost a narrow decision to unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman in a 2016 Fight of the Year candidate in Brooklyn but rebounded with two victories last year at Barclays Center. He scored a TKO victory against former welterweight champion Andre Berto in a welterweight title eliminator and followed it up with a 12-round decision over Adrian Granados.

The 30-year-old Porter, who was born in Akron, Ohio and now lives in Las Vegas, will fight at Barclays Center for the fifth time on September 8, including his title-winning performance against Devon Alexander that earned him the IBF title in 2013.

“Danny Garcia vs. Shawn Porter will be an action-packed, can’t-miss brawl,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This hugely important matchup is between two of the best welterweights in the world and pressure fighters with pleasing styles. Both Garcia and Porter have shined in memorable battles at Barclays Center and September 8 will be a tremendous night for boxing.”

“Danny Garcia against Shawn Porter in a welterweight title fight is a throwback to the era when you had Thomas Hearns battling Roberto Duran,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Their styles are tailor-made to create action in the ring. Porter comes forward and throws punches in bunches and Garcia doesn’t back up for anyone. This one will be decided in the center of the ring like all the great welterweight championship matches.”

“In 2018 SHOWTIME has delivered the biggest and most meaningful matchups in boxing, and Garcia vs. Porter is no exception,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “This will be our sixth fight this year featuring consensus top-10 welterweights, an unrivaled offering of elite fighters in boxing’s glamour division. Danny and Shawn have fought a combined 20 times on SHOWTIME and, along the way, have earned reputations as fighters who never back down from a challenge. I know they are both eager to earn another world title and send a statement to the other champions in the welterweight division.”

“I am pleased to welcome both Danny and Shawn back to Barclays Center,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of BSE Global. “Both fighters have established a great following in Brooklyn, and September will be their biggest moment yet at Barclays Center. We are the number one venue for boxing, and are proud to host another world-class fight.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Las Vegas (July 24, 2018) – Former World Champion Brandon Rios has confirmed that he will appear and hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the fourth Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday September 15, 2018 from 10am to 5pm
, during Mexican Independence weekend. The Boxing Expo will also coincide with the highly anticipated rematch between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin, that will take place later that evening.

Rios will once again appear at this years’ Expo at the Supreme Boxing booth, and will be signing gloves, photos and have merchandise for fans to enjoy. Boxing fans will also have a great opportunity to take pictures with this boxing star also known as “Bam Bam”. For more info on Supreme Boxing go to (http://supremeboxinginc.com).

Brandon Rios is an 11-year pro, and currently a contender at Welterweight Division. He is a former WBA Lightweight World Champion, Latino WBO Champion, WBO International Champion and Lightweight NABF Champion. Nicknamed “Bam Bam”, Ríos is known for his highly aggressive pressure “throwback” style and a warrior’s mentality with formidable punching power and excellent chin, which makes him an exciting boxer to watch. Rios challenged some of the top fighters in his career such as Manny Pacquiao, Tim Bradley, Mike Alvarado and Danny Garcia to name a few.

Rios Joins, David Benavidez, José Benavidez, Badou Jack, Mia St.John, Jessie Vargas,
Erik Morales and Fernando Vargas as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo

About Box Fan Expo
Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last three Expos such as Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roy Jones Jr., Marcos Maidana, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, James Toney, Vinny Pazienza, Mikey Garcia , Mia St.Johns, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris , Riddick Bowe , Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Abner Mares, Jorge Linares, Brandon Rios and many more…

Exhibitors such as boxing gear, apparel, new equipment’s, energy drinks, alcohol, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies and other companies who wish to participate will once again have a chance to showcase their brand to fans, media and the boxing industry.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at:
https://boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to Meet and Greet Boxing Superstars of today, current and former world champions, Legends of the sport and other boxing Celebrities at their booth. On Site, fans will experience different activities from Autograph Sessions, Photo Sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, as well as a chance to purchase merchandise and memorabilia from their booth, plus so much more… you won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!

Box Fan Expo will also feature top boxing organizations, promoters, ring card girls, famous trainers and commentators as well as boxing gear companies “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”.

Throughout the next couple of months leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo. And for anyone in the Boxing industry or other Exhibitors (non-industry), who would like to be involved and reserve a Booth, contact Box Fan Expo:

Telephone number: (514) 572-7222 or Las Vegas Number (702) 997-1927

For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

More information on the Box Fan Expo is available at: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

You can follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/BoxFanExpo

and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo

NEW YORK, JUNE XX, 2018

JOE DEGUARDIA’S STAR BOXING is pleased to announce the signing of undefeated welterweight and Detroit native, RONNIE “TEFLON RON” AUSTION to a promotional agreement. The 24 year-old Austion currently has an impressive record of 9-0 with six wins coming by way of knockout.

Austion had a terrific amateur career, with an impressive record of 95-20. Along with his record, Austion boasts the titles of Ringside champion, Junior Olympic champion and olympics qualifier.

Austion currently fights out of Las Vegas, Nevada, and under the Star Boxing banner, will look to continue to defend his undefeated record, while setting his sites on the ultimate goal of earning a world title. Austion fights out of the Mayweather Gym in Vegas but began his tutelage at the world famous Kronx Gym under the watchful eye of trainer Javan “Sugar” Hill and the legendary Emanuel Steward.

“I want to thank both Star Boxing and Fifty One Sports for creating a partnership that will allow me the opportunity to continue my boxing career inside the ring,” said Ronnie Austion. “I am extremely excited to showcase my skills under the Star Boxing promotional banner and to grow from a rising prospect, into a world title contender!”

Juan Plakio of Fifty One Sports & Entertainment had this to say about Ronnie’s signing, “Fifty One Sports would like to thank Joe DeGuardia and his team at Star Boxing for teaming together to bring rising prospect, Ronnie Austion, back to the ring. Ronnie is an extremely talented young fighter and will now showcase his talents for the world to see with Star Boxing backing him in his pursuit of a world title. We look forward to a prosperous and bright future between the “Teflon Ron”, Fifty One Sports and Star Boxing!”

Joe DeGuardia stated that, “We are very excited to have Ronnie Austion fighting under the Star Boxing banner. Ronnie has a great amateur background, and has continued to prove himself as a professional. I look forward to working with Ronnie to provide him the opportunities that we know Ronnie is capable of taking advantage of and helping him reach his goal of becoming a world champion.”