Oakland, CA (February 14, 2017) WBA Middleweight World Champion and Mandatory Challenger DANIEL “THE MIRACLE MAN” JACOBS, (32-1, 29 KO’s) held court with the Northern California media at his training camp in Oakland yesterday in preparation for his highly anticipated showdown with Unified Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN, (36-0-0, 33 KO’s) on Saturday, March 18 at The Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

DANIEL JACOBS
“Gennady is a great fighter; we’ll have multiple game plans to approach the fight. They can plan ahead or overlook me but I’m coming to be victorious on March 18..”

“Getting away has been great for me, there’s a lot less distractions in Oakland than if I stayed in Brooklyn.”

“I’ve been down twice in my career but I’m but not worried about my chin. He’s a very strong guy but it’s up to me to prove I’m quicker and better.”

“I don’t know how hard he punches, I’ve never faced him but anybody can be hurt and I’m confident in my power that I can hurt him. All the questions about my chin and heart will be answered on March 18.”

“I’m really a boxer, I’ve just become known as a knockout artist with all my stoppages.”

“Having Andre Ward here in my camp is terrific. I have a great deal of respect for him, he’s a role model for me, we’ve known each other since the amateurs. I greatly appreciate his support.”

“It’s the biggest fight of my career so I have to make sacrifices by leaving home and coming here, there’s too many distractions in New York. Being away adds to that motivation, it’s a sacrifice missing my 8-year-old son, but it makes me know that everything is worth it.

“Being around so many world class fighters here at Virgil’s gym helps push me and focus. We have smart sparring sessions, not wars.”

“In addition to having Andre Rozier as my trainer, bringing aboard Chris Algieri was a great addition. He’s able to help with my nutrition plus he’s fought on the biggest stages in the biggest fights which helps me.”

“It feels like home out here, I’ve been here for so long. It won’t feel like home during fight week, I won’t be in Brooklyn before the fight. I’m a true underdog fighting at Madison Square Garden, although I’ve fought there in the past it’s really Gennady’s home.”

“I have no idea how it ends, whether by decision or knockout but I will be victorious.”

Golovkin and Jacobs have an extraordinary, combined 35 consecutive knockouts heading into this highly anticipated battle.

GOLOVKIN vs. JACOBS is presented by K2 Promotions. Tickets priced at $1000, $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, are now on sale and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com

SOCIAL MEDIA — #GGGJACOBS

Gennady “GGG” Golovkin
@GGGBoxing – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Daniel Jacobs
@DanielJacobsTKO – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

HBO
@HBO, @HBOBoxing – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Madison Square Garden
@TheGarden – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Tom Loeffler (K2 Promotions)
@TomLoeffler1 — Twitter

ATLANTA (Feb. 14, 2017) – The latest Premier Boxing Champions – The Next Round on Bounce on Fri. Feb. 10 was a knockout success.

The live telecast (9:00 p.m. – 12:13 a.m. ET) delivered series records of 501K Persons 2+ (+73% vs. the prior PBC – The Next Round event), 285K Men 2+ (+47%), 120K Persons 18-34 (+264%) and 201K P18-49 (+95%). Viewership peaked with over half a million total viewers 2+ (557K).

The live telecast also racked up impressive time-period gains of +56% in P2+, +83% in M2+, +64% in P18-34 and +37% in P18-49 and became the youngest-skewing PBC event ever on Bounce, with a median age of 44 years old. Among its target audience of African Americans, Bounce was a top three network in the delivery of AA18-49 among all ad-supported cable.

Bounce aired an immediate encore of Premier Boxing Champions – The Next Round after the live event and the two telecasts combined reached 1.5 million viewers.

Nearly 10,000 fans packed the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio Friday night for hometown hero Robert Easter (19-0, 14 KOs) as he impressively defended his lightweight world title against Puerto Rico’s Luis Cruz (22-5-1, 16 KOs) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round. The 2012 Olympic alternate used his reach and power throughout the fight, knocking Cruz down three times en route to a unanimous decision victory.

In the exciting co-main event, three-time U.S. Olympian Rau’shee Warren (14-2, 4 KOs) of Cincinnati lost a split decision to Zhanat Zhakiyanov (27-1, 18 KOs) of Kazakhstan. The telecast kicked off with Cleveland-native Terrell Gausha (20-0, 9 KOs) earning a unanimous decision over Puerto Rico’s Luis Hernandez (15-4, 8 KOs) in a middleweight bout.

Bounce is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. The network 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 94 million homes across the United States and 93% of all African American television homes, including all the top AA television markets. Among the founders of Bounce are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and Ambassador Andrew Young. For more information visit BounceTV.com.

Wilmington, DE (February 14, 2017)-This Friday night, two members who fight under the King’s Promotions banner will be in action as Dagoberto Aguero takes on Olimjohn Nazarov in a super bantamweight bout scheduled for eight-rounds, while junior lightweight Frank De Alba takes on German Meraz in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

In the main event the legendary Roy Jones, Jr. takes on Bare Knuckle legend Bobby Gunn for the WBF Cruiserweight title LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware.

Aguero, 23 years-old of San Cristobal, Domincan Republic will be looking to make a big impression in his United States debut when he takes on the battle tested Nazarov.

“I want to thank David Feldman Promotions, King’s Promotions. Nelsons Promotions, and Raynelo Management are giving me an opportunity of a lifetime to show my skills in the ring,” said Aguero. “I come from nothing in the Dominican Republic, and I managed to get out alive and now I have to take advantage of opportunities like this. I’m on the card with Ring Legend Roy Jones Jr. in my first debut in the US, this is a dream come true. ”

Aguero is coming off a 1st round stoppage over Juan Miguel Garcia on June 24th.

Nazarov of Tashkent, Uzbekastan has a record of 14-4 with 8 knockouts, will already be making his 2nd start of 2017. On January 20th, he was in a tough battle with world ranked bantamweight Stephon Young before dropping an 8-round unanimous decision in Atlantic City

De Alba of Reading, PA has a record 20-2-2 with 9 knockouts has won 3 in a row since dropping a hotly contested majority decision to then-undefeated Omar Douglas on December 29, 2015 in Bethlehem, PA.

Frank De Alba

He has rebounded nicely with wins over Daniel Perales, Jonathan Perez, and an explosive 2nd round stoppage over Kiun Evans on September 9, 2016 in Reading, PA.

“My training has been good. I have been waiting to get back in there after 5 months,”said De Alba.

“I know Meraz is a Mexican, and I expect him to come forward, and it will be a great war.”

De Alba is very excited about the opportunity to fight on a high profile card that will be headlined by Roy Jones, Jr.

“I am very much looking forward to fight on this card that will be headlined by Roy Jones, Jr. He is a legend, and to share the same ring as him is a great honor.”

The Douglas fight was a good experience for De Alba, and his performance in his subsequent bouts has shown that he has learned and raised his game from that contest.

“After the Douglas loss, that fight made me aware of my talent. I could have won that fight. I learned that I have the talent and now the experience that will pave the way in my career. But first things first. I am just ready to get back in the ring on Friday and perform in Wilmington, and hopefully make some new fans for Team De Alba.”

Meraz of Agua Prieta, Mexico has fought a staggering 97 times in 12 years. At just 30 years-old Meraz has posted a record of 55-41-1 with 32 knockouts.

Meraz has fought 5 world champions.

In his last bout, Meraz lost a 6-round unanimous decision to Hairon Socarras on February 3rd in Philadelphia.

In 6-round bouts:

Samuel Teah (9-1-1, 3 KO’s) takes on Daniel Parales (10-7-1, 5 KO’s) of Monterrey, Mexico in a super lightweight bout.

In 4-round bouts:

Joey Tiberi, Jr. (13-2, 6 KO’s) of Newark, Delaware will fight Bryan Timmons (5-8, 5 KO’s) of St. Joseph, Missouri in lightweight bout.

Henry Stewart (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Toronto, Canada squares off Robert Mendoza (1-8, 1 KO) of Frankfurt, Indiana.

Dan Biddle (9-5, 5 KO’s) of Wilmington, Delaware will fight Lamont Singletary (7-1, 4 KO’s) of Dover, Delaware in a cruiserweight battle.

Eddie Ortiz (2-0-1, 2 KO’s) of San Antonio, Texas takes on pro debuting Jeff Chiffens of Wilmington, Delaware in a middleweight bout.

Media Week Schedule

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE CHASE CENTER–12 PM NOON
11:30 AM–Media Check in

The Chase Center
815 Justison Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH OPEN WORKOUT–CROSSFIT RIVERFRONT AT 2 PM
1:00 Media only check-in
2:00 Open Workouts–Public let in

Crossfit Riverfront
512 Jutison Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH–OFFICIAL WEIGH IN–DELAWARE PARK CASINO–6PM

5:00 PM–Media Check in
6:00 PM–Fighters on the scales

Delaware Park Casino
777 Delaware Park Blvd.
Wilmington, Delaware 19720

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH–FIGHT NIGHT–THE CHASE CENTER

6:00 PM–Doors Open
7:00 PM–1st bout
9:00 PM–Pay Per View Broadcast begins

The Chase Center
815 Justison Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

Scheduled to be in attendance are former Heavyweight champions Larry Holmes, Tim Witherspoon, Michael Spinks and Tyson Fury

SKILL VS WILL will be distributed live throughout North America via cable and satellite in High Definition by New York-based MultiVision Media, Inc. The broadcast will premiere on Friday, February 17th at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT and will be carried throughout the month on video-on-demand. Please consult your local guide for channels and encores in your area. The suggested retail price is $24.99. The event will also be available worldwide on home computers, laptops, Smart TVs, iPhones, iPads, AppleTV, and Android devices on FITE-TV, Flipps, and other OTT (over-the-top) streaming services.

Tickets are on sale now ranging from $55 – $300 and can be purchased by calling (484) 935-3378 & www.firststatefights.com

Roy Jones, Jr. vs Bobby Gunn, promoted by David Feldman Promotions and the Casino at Delaware Park.

Liam Smith and Liam Williams concluded their two-city media tour today at the Cardiff City hall ahead of their eagerly-anticipated all-British showdown at the Manchester Arena on Saturday 8th April, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

Liverpool’s Smith, 23-1-1 13 KO’s, was completely unfazed by the boisterous Welsh fight fans in attendance and even said that Williams was ‘lost’ on the top table without his trainer and manager Gary Lockett.

“How are you saying he’s going to beat me?” asked Smith. “I’ll show you how wrong you are to say that. If you think he’ll beat me you’re forgetting things. I was British Champion three years ago and I think people seem to forget that.

“This is a step up for him and I’ll show that it is a step too far. I’m massively confident of beating Liam Williams, he hasn’t got a lot of variety and that will show, especially if it comes down to a slugfest. Liam is lost up here on the top table without Gary.”

Clydach Vale star Williams, 16-0-1 11 KO’s, dismissed claims that Smith is an elite fighter and predicted that his strength and power will be too much for the former WBO World Champion to handle on the night.

“I think I’m physically stronger and bigger that Liam Smith and that will cause him problems all night long”, said Williams. “This fight is a step up for me but Smith is by no means an elite fighter. I need to prove myself and move on to the next level.

“This is the most motivated I’ve been in my career. Everything is going perfectly in my camp and it is definitely going to be a cracking fight for the fans. I’m excited and I know that I can beat him.I think I do things just that little bit better than him and that will show on April 8th.”

Smith vs. Williams is part of an unmissable evening of action at the Manchester Arena on April 8th; local hero Terry Flanagan makes the fifth defence of his WBO World Lightweight crown against dangerous Russian Petr Petrov; slick South African Zolani Tete faces Arthur Villanueva in a final eliminator for the WBO World Bantamweight strap ; double Olympic Gold Medallist and women’s boxing icon Nicola Adams OBE fights for the first time as a professional and former Team GB Heavyweight monster Daniel Dubois makes his highly-anticipated professional debut.

Elsewhere on the card former World Title challenger Jimmy Kelly takes on Bolton man Rick Godding in a tasty local tear-up; rising Super-Featherweight star Zelfa Barrett fights over six; Liverpool Super-Welterweight James Metcalf takes on Heywood’s Mark Thompson; undefeated Super-Lightweight Steven Lewis faces Andy Keates; Oldham Super-Middleweight Mark Heffron, Ellesmere Port Super-Welterweight Mason Cartwright, Manchester Cruiserweight Jordan Thompson and Super-Middleweight Anthony Leak complete a stacked card.

Tickets for April 8 priced £50, £70, £100, £150, £200, £300 and VIP £500 are available from eventim at www.eventim.co.uk and 0844 249 1000 and the Manchester Arena at www.manchester-arena.com and 0844 847 8000.

February 14, 2017 (Danbury, CT) – One day after turning 22 years of age, Omar Bordoy formally announced he has turned professional. Family and friends gathered at Champs Boxing Club in Danbury, CT Monday night for a press conference in where Bordoy, nicknamed The Beast, signed his license and declared he is entering the pro ranks.

Bordoy, who is of Puerto Rican descent, was born and raised in the rough Mill Ridge section of Danbury, CT. A born fighter, he started boxing at 13 years old under the tutelage of former World Kickboxing Champion Bennie ‘The Jet’ Little. After nearly six years of competing in the amateurs, Bordoy’s resume is littered with achievements such as the CT J.O. State Champion, CT Golden Gloves Champion, various Regional and National tournament qualifiers, and countless fighter and fight of the night awards. His exciting boxing style has had people in Connecticut constantly asking, “When will he go pro.”

“I have nothing more to prove in the amateurs.” Stated Bordoy, who plans on competing at 135 pounds professionally, “I have been dreaming of this moment since I was 13. There were times I felt ready to make that jump, but something held me back. But now is the time, I’m ready. I have had a lot stacked against me but I never quit. My motivation is to provide a better life for my family, to make Danbury proud and to bring a World Championship to Connecticut.”

Bordoy is currently trained by former professional and New York City amateur standout Luis Marichal. Marichal, who trains at Champs Boxing Club in Danbury promises excitement from his first professional boxer, “Omar is ready. We have been training extremely hard every day. Sparring has been great, we have been all over for sparring and he has shown me he can handle what is to come. I feel he is being overlooked by others who have flashier amateur records and backgrounds, but that’s what motivates our team, we are ready to unleash the beast!”

Bordoy will be under the watchful eye of A.J. Galante. Galante, 30, has managed and advised fighters such as Delvin Rodriguez, Frank Galarza, Eleser Ortega, among others since 2011. He also promoted Danbury Fight Night in May of 2015, in Danbury, CT. Galante hopes to see Bordoy in action sometime in March, “We are looking at a bunch of options for Omar. March is the target, and obviously I’d like to get him in the ring as many times as possible in 2017. I am very excited to be part of Team Bordoy.”

Photos by Jason Rodriguez / Super Elite Boxing News

Wilmington, DE (February 13, 2017)-World rated junior middleweight Kanat Islam is looking for a big outing this Friday night when he takes on Robson Assis (16-3, 9 KO’s) on the Roy Jones, Jr. – Bobby Gunn WBF Cruiserweight title Pay-Per-View co-featured bout at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Islam – Assis bout is scheduled for 10-rounds.

Islam (22-0, 18 KO’s) has been training in his adopted home of Pahoke, Florida by way of Kazakhstan, is ready for whatever Assis will bring to the ring.

“Training has been great. I know Assis is a southpaw, and he likes to box. That’s about it! Between all my amateur experience and pro bouts all over the world, I am ready for anything,”said Islam.

Before taking this fight, Islam was mentioned as possible opponent for WBO junior middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, before the Mexican superstar took a bout with Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. This would be a fight that the 32 year-old Islam would relish.

“My people in Kazakhstan would love to see this fight. My team wants to see it, and I want to be in that fight. If that opportunity comes, I will focus and get the right sparring, and be ready for that opportunity.”

But before any of that can happen, Islam must 1st get past Assis on a card headlined by the legendary Roy Jones, Jr. This is an opportunity, that Islam isn’t taking lightly.

“Roy Jones, Jr. is a legend, and a big name in boxing. In the past and still today he is big. It is an honor to fight on a card that he is in the main event.”

Back home in Kazakhstan, Islam is getting close to legendary status himself, as on October 29th, he defeated Patrick Allotey in front of 18,000 fans in his homeland to capture the WBO Inter-Continental title and retain his WBA Fedlatin Super Welterweight titles.

“Fighting in front of my home people means more to me than anything. It shows them that I represent their culture and they like to see my fighting style. It was a dream come true to fight in front of so many of my people. They were cheering my name, and for that I am thankful for them.”

“We will return there to Kazakhstan and fight again. I don’t want them to miss the fight on February 17th that I have with Assis. I am always thankful for my fans who always support me. I want to thank Nelsons Promotions, Raynelo Management and my sponsor Zheizu Company. I always want to David Feldman Promotions, King’s Promotions and Roy Jones for giving me the opportunity to fight on this card.

In an 8-round bout, Dagoberto Aguero (10-0, 8 KO’s) of San Cristobal, Domincan Republic takes on Olimjon Nazarov (14-4, 8 KO’s) of Tashken, Uzbekistan in a super bantamweight bout.

In 6-round bouts:

Frank De Alba (20-2-2, 9 KO’s) of Reading, PA battles German Meraz (55-41-1, 32 KO’s) of Agua Prieta, Mexico in a junior lightweight.

Samuel Teah (9-1-1, 3 KO’s) takes on Daniel Parales (10-7-1, 5 KO’s) of Monterrey, Mexico in a super lightweight bout.

In 4-round bouts:

Joey Tiberi, Jr. (13-2, 6 KO’s) of Newark, Delaware will fight Bryan Timmons (5-8, 5 KO’s) of St. Joseph, Missouri in lightweight bout.

Henry Stewart (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Toronto, Canada squares off Robert Mendoza (1-8, 1 KO) of Frankfurt, Indiana.

Dan Biddle (9-5, 5 KO’s) of Wilmington, Delaware will fight Lamont Singletary (7-1, 4 KO’s) of Dover, Delaware in a cruiserweight battle.

Eddie Ortiz (2-0-1, 2 KO’s) of San Antonio, Texas takes on pro debuting Jeff Chiffens of Wilmington, Delaware in a middleweight bout.

Media Week Schedule

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE CHASE CENTER–12 PM NOON
11:30 AM–Media Check in

The Chase Center
815 Justison Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH OPEN WORKOUT–CROSSFIT RIVERFRONT AT 2 PM
1:00 Media only check-in
2:00 Open Workouts–Public let in

Crossfit Riverfront
512 Jutison Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH–OFFICIAL WEIGH IN–DELAWARE PARK CASINO–6PM

5:00 PM–Media Check in
6:00 PM–Fighters on the scales

Delaware Park Casino
777 Delaware Park Blvd.
Wilmington, Delaware 19720

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH–FIGHT NIGHT–THE CHASE CENTER

6:00 PM–Doors Open
7:00 PM–1st bout
9:00 PM–Pay Per View Broadcast begins

The Chase Center
815 Justison Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

Scheduled to be in attendance are former Heavyweight champions Larry Holmes, Tim Witherspoon, Michael Spinks and Tyson Fury

SKILL VS WILL will be distributed live throughout North America via cable and satellite in High Definition by New York-based MultiVision Media, Inc. The broadcast will premiere on Friday, February 17th at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT and will be carried throughout the month on video-on-demand. Please consult your local guide for channels and encores in your area. The suggested retail price is $24.99. The event will also be available worldwide on home computers, laptops, Smart TVs, iPhones, iPads, AppleTV, and Android devices on FITE-TV, Flipps, and other OTT (over-the-top) streaming services.

Tickets are on sale now ranging from $55 – $300 and can be purchased by calling (484) 935-3378 & www.firststatefights.com

An encore presentation of Friday’s thrilling ShoBox: The New Generation, featuring a potential Fight of the Year slugfest between unbeaten super lightweight Ivan Baranchyk and a game Abel Ramos, will air tonight/Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

Baranchyk and Ramos both landed more than 50 percent of their power punches in the 10-round brawl, well above the super lightweight average of 36.6 percent. They nearly doubled the divisional average in total punches landed and power punches landed in a bout that featured three total knockdowns.

CompuBox records indicate that Baranchyk (314) & Ramos (350) combined to land 664 total punches. As a point of reference, the epic first encounter between Micky Ward (268) and Arturo Gatti (350) featured 618 combined total punches landed. Of the 664 punches landed on Friday night, 482 were power punches.

The three-fight telecast will re-air in its entirety Monday. In the opening bout, undefeated Spanish super featherweight prospect Jon “Johnfer” Fernadez knocked out formerly once-beaten Ernesto Garza with a punishing series of unanswered combinations in the third round. In the co-feature, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Joseph “Mack” Williams won a close, majority decision over previously undefeated Dominican Olympian Lenin Castillo.

The event was promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions. Fernandez vs. Garza was promoted in association with MaravillaBox Promotions and Jaafar Promotions.

# # #

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 67 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

Derry Mathews says the whole of British boxing want him to shut Ohara Davies up when they clash in a grudge match at The O2 in London on March 4, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Liverpool favourite Mathews challenges Davies for the Hackney man’s WBC Silver Super-Lightweight title on the undercard of David Haye and Tony Bellew Heavyweight showdown – with the Merseyside-London rivalries on a par for spite as ‘Dirty’ Derry and ‘Two Tanks’ continue to trade barbs on social media in a hostile build-up.

Former World Lightweight title challenger Mathews believes that Davies is talking himself into a corner by disrespecting the experienced and popular Scouser online, and that the sold-out Greenwich arena will be willing him on to silence Davies in style.

“The kid is mad and everyone in boxing wants me to do him in,” said Mathews. “He bad mouths people because he thinks it’s going to raise his profile – the likes of Naseem Hamed could back it up, no-one has seen this kid back it up yet and it’s down to me to stop him.

“I’ve just got to listen to everything Danny Vaughan tells me to do and put the graft in, that’s why I’ve locked myself away from my family and gone to Scotland and LA to prepare for the fight, it’s about being in and around champions, it doesn’t matter that I’ve had 51 fights, success breeds success and you can only improve being around world class fighters.

“When I beat him, he’ll still take that belt out with him wherever he goes, even down the local shop. I’ve got tons of belts at home and the missus won’t even let me have them out, they’re all stuck up in the loft – he’s not a World champion, and he’s never going to be one because I’m going to smash him to bits.”

Mathews’ clash with Davies is part of packed bill at The O2 topped by the blockbuster Heavyweight grudge match between Haye and Bellew. Stourbridge banger Sam Eggington faces the biggest night of his career against former two-weight World champion Paulie Malignaggi, while Irish amateur star Katie Taylor boxes for the third time in the pros.

Tickets for Haye vs. Bellew sold out in record-breaking time when they went on sale in December.

Fierce Super-Welterweight rivals Liam Smith and Liam Williams faced-off at a press conference held at the iconic Royal Liver Building in Liverpool today ahead of their mouth-watering showdown on Saturday 8th April at the Manchester Arena, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

Former WBO World 154lbs Champion Smith was in a supremely confident mood and promised to put the Boxing Writers’ Best Young Boxer of the Year ‘in his place’ when they lock horns in April.

“This is a fight that I’m well up for”, said Smith. “Frank and a lot of other people are getting excited about Liam Williams and talking about him as the next big thing. My job is to put him back in his place and remind everyone who the best fighter in the division is.

“They’re barking up the wrong tree if they think they can make me lose my cool like Corcoran did. I don’t need to wind him up, I can end this fight however I like. If I want to drag Liam into a fight I’ll do that. Liam is a more talented fighter than Jimmy Kelly but I can see April 8th ending in a similar fashion to that fight.”

Williams, the British and WBO European Champion, is undefeated in 17 professional fights and will head into the Smith bout on a six-fight knockout streak. The rising-star of Welsh boxing believes he has the power to stop his Frank Warren stablemate.

“Smith is a couple of levels above my previous opponents,” admitted Williams. “We’re going to work on his weaknesses and not give too much away. Of course I believe I possess the power to stop him but this fight won’t just be about landing that one big shot.

“I think this is going to be a tactical fight. Everyone seems to think we are going to meet head on in the middle of the ring but I’ve got a good boxing brain on me. I’ve shown I’m capable of mixing it up and I know I have the tools to beat him.”

Smith vs. Williams is part of an unmissable evening of action at the Manchester Arena on April 8th; local hero Terry Flanagan makes the fifth defence of his WBO World Lightweight crown against dangerous Russian Petr Petrov; slick South African Zolani Tete faces Arthur Villanueva in a final eliminator for the WBO World Bantamweight strap ; double Olympic Gold Medallist and women’s boxing icon Nicola Adams OBE fights for the first time as a professional and former Team GB Heavyweight monster Daniel Dubois makes his highly-anticipated professional debut.

Elsewhere on the card former World Title challenger Jimmy Kelly takes on Bolton man Rick Godding in a tasty local tear-up; rising Super-Featherweight star Zelfa Barrett fights over six; Liverpool Super-Welterweight James Metcalf takes on Heywood’s Mark Thompson; undefeated Super-Lightweight Steven Lewis faces Andy Keates; Oldham Super-Middleweight Mark Heffron, Ellesmere Port Super-Welterweight Mason Cartwright, Manchester Cruiserweight Jordan Thompson and Super-Middleweight Anthony Leak complete a stacked card.

Tickets for April 8 priced £50, £70, £100, £150, £200, £300 and VIP £500 are available from eventim at www.eventim.co.uk and 0844 249 1000 and the Manchester Arena at www.manchester-arena.com and 0844 847 8000.

Smith and Williams face the Welsh media at a press conference tomorrow at the Cardiff City Hall (12.30pm start)

LAS VEGAS (February 13, 2017) – Neon Star Sports & Entertainment (NSSE) Inc. has announced the formation of its promotional company, Knockout Night Boxing LLC. The company will be responsible for promoting and co-promoting “Knockout Night Boxing,” a series that airs on CBS Sports Network across North America. Additional broadcast partners will also be announced in the coming weeks.

“Knockout Night Boxing LLC is a fight-friendly promotion that provides a platform for athletes to showcase their skills while building their own brand,” said Knockout Night Boxing president/promoter John Andersen.

“Our ‘Knockout Night at the D’ series on CBS Sports Network last year was a huge hit, and so we are excited to expand across the United States and Mexico with our partner Pepe Gomez,” added Neon Star Sports & Entertainment CEO Mike Garrow. “Currently, the ‘Knockout Night Boxing’ series has 20 television dates scheduled for 2017. We are looking forward to delivering fight fans non-stop, action-packed excitement.”

Whit Haydon will serve as talent relations recruiter and Marvin Romero is the matchmaker. The rotating television team consists of Hall-of-Famer announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein, as well as veterans Sean Wheelock and Joey Varner. The primary ring announcer is Justin Roberts, who was the WWE ring announcer for 14 years.

INFORMATION:

Twitter: @Neonstarmedia

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neon-Star-Media-378687919005532/

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Kiev, Ukraine (February 12, 2017) WBO Cruiserweight World Champion, OLEKSANDR USYK, (11-0, 10 KO’s) has issued the following statement today in regards to his future training and the parting with his trainer JAMES ALI BASHIR.

“Bashir is a very nice man and good trainer. He has his own approach to training. But the moment came when I realized that it was not enough for me any longer. That is why I decided to change everything that I did before. I am very grateful to him for being with me all this time. There is nothing personal, just business. I think we will stay in touch in the future.”

Usyk will now be trained by ANATOLY LOMACHENKO, the father and trainer of WBO Super Featherweight World Champion VASYL LOMACHENKO.

On September 17, 2016, Usyk became the fastest cruiserweight world champion, winning the WBO Cruiserweight World Title in only his tenth professional bout with a dominating 12-round decision over Krzysztof Glowacki in Gdansk, Poland. The previous record was held by boxing legend Evander Holyfield in his twelfth professional bout.

The 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist representing Ukraine, Usyk made his highly anticipated United States and HBO debut on December 17, 2016, stopping Thabiso Mchunu in the ninth round at The Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles.

Anthony Yigit (19-0-1, 7 KOs) scored a unanimous points decision over Lenny Daws (30-5-2, 11 KOs) to claim the European Super Lightweight Championship tonight at the Westcroft Leisure Centre in Carshalton London.

The 25 year-old from Stockholm produced a boxing master class to dominate
the British veteran in his hometown arena. The judges scored the fight 118-110, 118-110 and 116-112 in the favour of the Swedish fighter.

Yigit becomes the first Swede to hold the European title since 1987 and joins an elite group of fighters to have held the title including Harry Persson, Olle Tandberg, Ingemar Johansson, Anders Eklund, John Andersson and Bo Hogberg.

‘’It feels amazing to be European Champion,’’ said Yigit. ‘’It still feels a little bit surreal and difficult to put into words, but I’m very happy!

‘’Daws is very experienced fighter. We knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I always felt like I was in control. I followed the game plan and everything we had worked on went well. I’m very happy with my performance, and I think I showed that I was a level above and that I’m ready for the big fights.

‘’Now, it’s all about moving forward. First I want to defend my title at home in Stockholm and then I want to start challenging for World titles.’’

Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’That was a great performance from Anthony. He went away from home into the lion’s den and took the title from the home fighter. This is a great achievement. He is the fist Swede to hold the title for thirty years. Next up, will be a title defence at home in Sweden.’’

Fort Washington, MD (February 10, 2017)- Weights for Saturday night’s card at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland.

Mykal Fox 141.4 – Tre’Sean Wiggins 142.4
Luther Smith 198.8 – Darnell Pierce 193.8
Marcus Bates 122 – Alec McGee 121.2
Greg Outlaw, Jr. 140.2 – Kashon Hutchinson 141.6
Justin Hurd 153 – Dawond Pickney 155.4
Tyrek Irby 139.8 – Lamont White 141.4
Patrick Rivera 163.6 – Gregory Clark 165.8

Promoter: King’s Promotions
Venue: Rosecroft Raceway
1st Bell: 7:00 PM

Tickets are on sale for $75, $60 and $40 at www.kpboxing.com or by calling 301-899-2430

10 February 2017 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has once again electrified the capacity crowd at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur with another exciting evening of world-class mixed martial arts. The absolute best in local and international mixed martial arts stars took the ONE Championship cage by storm, delighting fans in Malaysia with non-stop action. In the main event, Ev “E.T” Ting emerged victorious over Kamal “Prince of Persia” Shalorus to win by split decision in a high-octane catchweight encounter.

Visit the official ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS photo gallery by clicking: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ivh34n9pza3q94o/AADwuMwRg-gnDecd5AIBoQyTa?dl=0

In the main event of the evening, lightweight contenders Ev Ting of Malaysia and Kamal Shalorus of Iran put on an absolute show to delight fans in attendance. For three rounds, Ting flaunted his tremendous striking, hammering Shalorus with lashing strikes on numerous occasions. Shalorus tried his best to take Ting to the ground, where he had the upper hand. However, he was unable to do so. In the end, Ting continued his winning streak, doing just enough to earn a split decision victory over Shalorus, who was unable to overcome Ting’s sharpness.

After the bout, Ting took the chance to thank the fans at the jam-packed Stadium Negara and called for a title shot against reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang.

“Eduard Folayang, I am coming to your home to take your belt. See you on April 21st,” he said in his post-fight interview.

In the co-main event of the evening, Malaysia’s very own Agilan “Alligator” Thani authored one of the most spectacular finishes of ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS, submitting Jeff Huang of Chinese Taipei with an astonishing rear-naked choke. Thani put on a masterful performance, pacifying Huang’s striking advantage in the early proceedings as the hometown favorite utilized his impeccable ground game. The young Malaysian prospect executed a flawless transition into a rear-naked choke that left Huang no choice but to submit in the second round.

Malaysian female MMA superstar Ann “Athena” Osman captured a satisfying victory in front of a jubilant hometown crowd by routing Cambodia’s Vy Srey Khouch. After a long feeling-out process between the two fighters from a toe-to-toe stance, Osman shifted gears and took Srey Khouch to the ground, where her opponent was at a stylistic disadvantage. Securing a full mount, Osman rained down heavy shots. Srey Khouch tried her best to survive the onslaught, laying back mostly on the defensive. However, Osman was simply too much for her Cambodian foe, claiming the stoppage with two seconds left in the first round.

Russia’s Movlid “Killer” Khaibulaev accomplished a major victory in his maiden assignment as a ONE Championship athlete by marking the first defeat in the professional record of Brazilian featherweight standout Herbert “The Blaze” Burns. Khaibulaev showcased his pinpoint accurate striking early on, peppering Burns with stinging right hands and spinning back-kicks in the first two rounds of the featherweight showdown. Khaibulaev took matters on the mat in the third round, where he tagged Burns with telling blows and maneuvered his cage counterpart easily on the ground to get the unanimous nod from the three judges at cageside.

Previously-unbeaten Pakistani featherweight prospect Ahmed “The Wolverine” Mujtaba experienced the first loss of his career as he went to battle against Malaysian mixed martial artist Keanu Subba. Both fighters started out aggressively, but it was Subba who showed a more capable set of grappling skills, locking in a deep guillotine choke in the first round to the roar of his hometown crowd.

In a clash of high-caliber strawweights, Alex “Little Rock” Silva of Brazil extended his impressive winning streak to four bouts by mustering a scintillating submission conquest of Philippine boxing champion Roy Doliguez. Knowing the risk in the stand-up exchanges with Doliguez, Silva relied on his world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pedigree as he spun a web of crafty grappling to dominate his Filipino foe. In the third round, Silva was finally able to fasten an armbar to force the tap.

Saiful “The Vampire” Merican of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia exhibited stellar form, proving himself a top bantamweight competitor with a stoppage victory over Filipino fighter Burn “Hitman” Soriano. Showcasing tremendous power with every strike and drawing cheers from the crowd after each landed blow, Merican’s thunderous kicks and punches proved too much for Soriano as the Filipino was unable to continue after the first round bell. Merican was awarded a technical knockout for his efforts.

Singaporean prospect Tiffany “Soul Crusher” Teo notched her second-straight victory inside the ONE Championship cage by defeating Wushu Sanda gold-medalist Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol of Indonesia via unanimous decision.

Muhammad Aiman of Malaysia kicked off a spectacular evening of world-class mixed martial arts action at ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS with a technical knockout victory over debuting Brazilian combatant Eduardo Novaes. Aiman finished the job with finesse in the first round, launching a perfectly-executed kick to the body before punctuating it with follow-up blows on the ground.

Official results for ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS
Catchweight bout (79.8KG): Ev Ting defeats Kamal Shalorus by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds
Welterweight bout: Agilan Thani defeats Jeff Huang by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:10 minutes of round 2
Catchweight bout (58.7kg): Ann Osman defeats Vy Srey Khouch by TKO (Strikes) at 4:58 minutes of round 1
Featherweight bout: Movlid Khaibulaev defeats Herbert Burns by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Featherweight bout: Keanu Subba defeats Ahmed Mujtaba by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:56 minutes of round 1
Strawweight bout: Alex Silva defeats Roy Doliguez by Submission (Armbar) at 2:36 minutes of round 3
Bantamweight bout: Saiful Merican defeats Burn Soriano by TKO (Strikes) at 5:00 minutes of round 1
Strawweight bout: Tiffany Teo defeats Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Bantamweight bout: Muhammad Aiman defeats Eduardo Novaes by TKO (Strikes) at 2:50 minutes of round 2

In case you missed the action log on to www.onefc.com/livestream for the full replay of the fights at only US $9.99.

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 sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia featuring the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Championship is broadcast to over 1 billion viewers across 118+ countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including FOX Sports, Setanta, MNC, Astro, Thairath TV, ABS-CBN, TV5, MYTV, HTV, OSN and more.

Kelly Swanson
Thanks media for joining us. We are here today to talk about the big matchup on Saturday, February 18th, Adrien Broner versus Adrian Granados from Cintas Center at Xavier University in Cincinnati and it will headline a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event.

The event is promoted by About Billions Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in association with TGB Promotions. Tickets for the live event start at $30 and are still available to purchase through Ticketmaster and the event is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Before we get to the participants, I’m going to introduce Chris DeBlasio, Senior Vice President, Sports Communications at Showtime Networks.

Chris DeBlasio
Thanks Kelly and thank you to the fighters for being on and to all the press for joining. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING winter schedule rolls on. As we had announced last October, our promise to our subscribers and to fight fans is that we would pit the top-rated fighters against the top-rated fighters in the deepest and most talent-laden divisions in boxing.

So far we have seen spectacular results. Just a brief recap, back in December we saw Jermall Charlo in a brutal knockout win over Julian Williams. We saw Abner Mares reassert himself against Jesus Cuellar and win a world title back.

The turn of the year on Jan. 14th we witnessed a thrilling super middleweight championship unification bout where Badou Jack and James DeGale were in a thrilling fight. On the undercard of that event, we saw a breakout performance from Gervonta Davis, who beat Jose Pedraza for his first world title.

Davis is now one of the youngest world champions today and just two weeks ago still fresh in our minds, Leo Santa Cruz won an awesome majority decision over Carl Frampton. That was another fantastic fight at featherweight and we saw an incredible Knockout of the Year candidate on that card from resurgent Mikey Garcia.

Mikey didn’t just knock out another champion, a paper champion of sorts or any type of middling contender. He beat one of the toughest guys at lightweight in spectacular fashion, so it’s pretty plain to see there’s no one making a bigger commitment to the sport of boxing than SHOWTIME.

We are consistently delivering the strongest lineup of fights directly to our subscribers and we appreciate all of you in the press as you guys have made note of that. Our subscribers have responded and tuned-in in larger number and we’re excited to continue next week on Feb. 18th.

There’s no prohibitive favorite, no look-good or stay-busy fight on this card. Adrien Broner versus Adrian Granados, both men are in need of a big win to lineup that next world title shot. For Broner we all know what he’s capable of. He’s a four-division world champion and one of the most popular fighters in the sport, still in the prime of his career.

Adrian Granados is very comfortable in the underdog role. You can look no further than his stunning upset of Amir Imam last year. Just a bit of housekeeping here. The SHOWTIME telecast is going to air live on the 18th of Feb. at 9:00 pm ET, 6:00 pm PT.

We had a short video feature that we released yesterday titled The Reveal with Mark Kriegel. This edition was on Adrien Broner and The Reveal, as you may know, is where Mark sits down with boxing’s biggest stars and he engages in candid conversations about life, about motivations and challenges and more.

Each of the interviews that Mark does for this series The Reveal, they’re unique, as unique as the subject in them and the one with Adrien Broner is probably the strongest we’ve produced so far so Adrien thank you for that candor in that and I encourage all the press to check it out.

We’ll have one on Adrian Granados available later this week so with that I thank you for your time and I’ll turn it back to you Kelly so we can get to the fighters.

K. Swanson
Thanks so much, Chris. We’re going to start with Mr. Broner himself and before he gets on the line I just want to say that he is wearing two hats as his company About Billions is very busy these days.

They have a big fight in Toledo, Ohio which will be Robert Easter versus Luis Cruz, that’s Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce at the Huntington Center in Easter’s hometown. That begins at 9:00 pm ET so Mr. Broner is acting both as a promoter and also preparing for his fight as Chris mentioned, he’s a former four-division world champion and has held world titles at 130, 135, 140 and 147 pounds.

He’s a thrilling fighter, very, very popular and I have to say myself watching The Reveal that there was a wonderful maturity and self-awareness that I’m so happy that Adrien has come to feel as he worked through his own legacy as a boxing champion. Mr. Broner are you on the call and could you make some opening comments before we give it to the press, Adrien?

Adrien Broner
Well, I really don’t have much to say. It’s fight time right now so you can bring them all in and I’m ready to answer all questions.

Q
How’s the weight going and do you think you’ll have any issues making the weight this time around?

A. Broner
Training camp has been great and like I said before, I’m just ready to fight and ready to go out here and put on a great show not only for the city but for boxing and we’re going to step it up from here on out.

I’m really not worried about the weight right now. It’s all about staying focused and putting on a great show for boxing.

Q
How different do you feel this time around Adrien?

A. Broner
I’ve just been more focused. Less distractions and just tunnel vision.

Q
Do you find that you’ve been able to be a lot more productive in training because of that?

A. Broner
Even in my last fight with the distractions, I still got a TKO so, let’s fight without the distractions and I can only put only a greater show.

Q
Adrien, what is your expectation with you and SHOWTIME for this year?

A. Broner
Well, I don’t look past any opponent and I don’t try to look past any fight so I just take it a fight at a time and my main focus right now is next week, February 18th.

Q
What is your experience fighting with guys like Adrian Granados?

A. Broner
I know he’s a tough competitor, world-class fighter and that’s why I picked him so he can bring the best out of Adrien Broner.

Q
What do you project for your weight class for your next fight?

A. Broner
Right now like I said before I’m really not worried about any weight situation. All I want to do is win and put on a great show for my fans.

Q
Adrien how helpful is it for you to go back, train in your neighborhood where you came from and realize where you came from and kind of help you to appreciate what you have now?

A. Broner
It helped a lot. It’s a humbling situation. I’ve been living the fast life and I’ve calmed down a lot and just coming back home and just seeing everything. It just brings me back down, right, so I’m in a great mind state right now and I’m just ready to put on a great show.

Q
How have your children changed your perspective?

A. Broner
It changed a lot. It’s not about me anymore, it’s about my children and that’s what I’ve based my career off of now. I’m doing everything for them.

Q
It seems like you’re kind of reenergizing yourself for another opponent with an opponent this tough. Is that what you were thinking?

A. Broner
Yes, I just know what I’m doing. To bring out the best Adrien Broner I have to have a nice opponent in front of me and that’s why I picked a nice opponent.

Q
My last question is about the potential for fighting for a title. Does that play into your mind? Would that be something you’re looking for if you do everything you’re training to do?

A. Broner
If you looked at my last two fights, you know nobody never stopped Khabib. Nobody never stopped Ashley. If I have a chance to stop Adrian Granados, then I’m going to take it.

Q
Where does what sounds like honest to goodness maturity come from at this point?

A. Broner
The situations, man, and just wanting to do better and be in better situations. That’s all. When you try to do it your way and it don’t work, then you got to make the right choices and start following all the right steps.

Q
Do you feel like that at this point of your career and of your life that you’ve figured-out a better way to handle the fame and the money and the stuff that goes along with being a famous athlete than you did maybe a few years ago?

A. Broner
I was young. I’m pretty sure a lot of people who’ve been as successful as me or even more successful than I am today, have been through a lot of the same things and I know one person to have and that’s Floyd Mayweather and he tells me all the time ‘You’re going to be okay.’

He says, ‘I’ve done some of the things you’ve done before but it’s all about learning from your situations,’ and that’s what I’m doing, I’m learning from my situations and now it’s just time to grow up.

Q
Can you even calculate how many rounds you did with this Granados and how were those sparring sessions?

A. Broner
We’ve done numerous rounds and I know he’s tough as nails and he’s got to bring it when he comes to fight me so I know this has a chance to be a Fight of the Year type of fight, but we’ll see once the bell rings.

Q
Is it correct to say then at various times you each had the better of one another?

A. Broner
This is boxing, you have good days, you have bad days but at the end of the day if you’re having more good days than bad days, everything’s okay. You’re going to have a day where something happens or you’re just not that focused that you should be and a fighter get off but at the end of the day, as long as you do what you got to do, you’ll be okay.

Q
Would you say that you and Adrian were friendly with one another?

A. Broner
Aw, man, of course. Of course. I love him. I love him to death.

Q
Okay, got you so this is one of those fights where and we’ve seen this lots of time in boxing where guys are real cool with each other outside the ring. They go and they try to win the fight, they try to do their best to beat the heck out of each other but when it’s over, friends again, right?

A. Broner
Of course. He’s a stud, I mean, he’s a stand-up guy. Anytime he needed me, I was there for him and it’s still the same way today.

Q
When you sparred Granados, was there a moment in camp that kind of got your attention or respect for Granados?

A. Broner
What happens in the gym I try to keep it in the gym, but I can say that every time that we sparred, he earned it, every time and like I always said, he’s a hell of a fighter.

Q
As you know Ed Brown was shot in December. I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on that? You know, he was pretty close to Granados and I understand you knew him as well.

A. Broner
Ed Brown was a hell of a guy, a special type of talent. I knew him since the amateurs. He was actually a close friend to me, but at the end of the day like I told Adrian in camp, there’s just some people you can’t save, you can’t save everybody and was a heartbreaking situation for Adrian but I was there.

I was a shoulder to lean on and I was there. He got through it and I tried to make his days better.

K. Swanson
Okay, Adrien any final thoughts before we let you go and congratulations on your promotion this Friday night too. About Billions is making a lot of about noise.

A. Broner
This weekend it’s about Rau’shee Warren and Robert Easter, Jr. and you know, it’s going to be a hell of a card it should be a sold-out event and then next week we got another electrifying card with great fights on the undercard and the main event is me, Adrien against Adrian, Adrien with an E and Adrian with an A in the end and the best Adrien shall win.

K. Swanson
Great, thank you. That’s an awesome statement. Okay, so we’re going to let you go because we know you’re busy and we will now have the media talk to Adrian Granados.

The hard-hitting contender Granados fights out of Chicago and he enters this bout against Adrien Broner on a five-bout winning streak including a very impressive stoppage over the then-unbeaten top contender Amir Iman in November of 2015.

So Adrian, I’d like you to make some opening comments about your upcoming bout against Adrien Broner on Saturday, February 18th from Cincinnati and live on SHOWTIME and then we’ll open it up for media questions.

Adrian Granados
Yes, I just wanted to say just thank you to God, thank you to my promoter TGB Promotions, my management team Journeyman Management, my team here in Chicago, my family and everyone who supported me. This has been a long time coming and a hard-earned fight and thank the lord I’ve got this opportunity and I look to become successful with this fight next Saturday.

Q
Adrien Broner was just saying on his version of the call that he discussed the Ed Brown situation with you after Ed’s tragedy and tried to help you through it. Can you elaborate on that and maybe how much he was able to maybe help you through that?

A. Granados
Me and Adrien Broner, we did develop a friendship during camp and it was a mutual respect.

He was there for me just like I was there for him, when he was having his scare, on the social media that everybody was worried about him, I guess he reached-out to his people and told them, I was there for him and I know he was there for me too during my tragic loss of my good friend Ed Brown.

At the end of the day, we’re both men and we’re both human, so when things like what has happened to both of us in the past few months happened, you kind of put the business and the boxing out the window and you worry about the person so yes, I appreciate him for that.

Q
What was he able to tell you that maybe helped you a little bit?

A. Granados
Just knowing that he was there, that was it, I mean, I had to get through that myself. I didn’t need anybody to tell me anything. Ed Brown, that was my best friend in boxing, that was my little brother in boxing.

I knew him the most out of anybody in the boxing world just because we spent the last 12 years pretty much side by side here in Chicago, we were pretty much always with him in the juniors as the lower weight and then once he got older, he was right under me at 132 and I was representing at 141 so like I said we were brothers of the ring and we spent countless days here at the gym, I used to pick him up, I used to drop him off.

I used to always tell him to stay out of trouble and like Adrien said there’s some people that you can’t save but that doesn’t change that I lost a good friend and a good man. He was just a great kid, he was always smiling, always positive vibes from him and you know, it was a terrible loss for boxing.

Q
Can you give me your view of how those sparring sessions [with Broner] went?

A. Granados
Yes, it was a great experience. It reaffirmed to myself that I belonged at that level, they were very competitive sparring sessions. They were very exciting and it was like I said it was just a reminder that I belong at this level.

I helped prepare Juan Manuel Márquez for his fight again Juan Diaz when he beat him by knockout and like I said it was a reminder that I belong at that level because as I was competitive with Juan Manuel Márquez, I was just as competitive with Adrien Broner and just what I got from the sparring was like if we ever fought, it’s going to be a very entertaining, very competitive, very high action fight.

That’s definitely what I’m expecting next Saturday. It’s going to be exciting for boxing. It’s going to be exciting for SHOWTIME and the people there in Cincinnati, Ohio, so it’s just going to be a great fight. I have a feeling like we’re going to make a classic.

Q
Do you think the sparring means anything when the bell rings in the real fight or does that all go out the window?

A. Granados
Yes, I’m definitely old school and I think that goes out the window when we’re under the bright lights, smaller gloves, no headgear, it’s going to be a free for all and may the best man win and the best man will win that night. Sparring is completely different from a fight, the show and the lights and just the atmosphere so I’m not banking on the sparring sessions we had.

I know that I can compete with him and that I can beat him and I know he feels the same way about me so that’s why we’re in the fight and it’s going to be an electrifying night come the 18th.

Q
What would a victory against Adrien Broner mean for you?

A. Granados
It would be a huge victory for me. I definitely believe it could change my life and the life of my family and the life of my teammates. I plan on coming-out with that victory however I understand the odds and the way that they’re stacking it up.

I’ve been in there with some great fighters myself like Lanardo Tyner, Kermit Cintron, Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz, Frankie Gomez, undefeated Brad Solomon.

Adrien Broner’s a different caliber of fighter but I’ve got some thick skin myself because I know I won a lot of those losses.

I could easily be undefeated. I’ve always been the B-side and always had the odds stacked-up against me so I just got to thrive in the underdog position and which I plan to and yes, this is definitely the biggest fight of my career and I plan on taking full advantage of it.

Q
Was there a letdown in your last fight after beating Iman or what was the deal?

A. Granados
No, I was working on some different things I wanted to get my miles in, however, I did suffer an accidental head butt and I was actually sick with diarrhea actually for that fight. I actually had to use the washroom the whole day after the win. There was a yogurt that I had that was expired and it just didn’t sit well so I pretty much going to the washroom even one last time I had to go, before I went out to fight so it was just I was very dehydrated and that’s just a lot of things that you don’t know about that fight but either way, I got my rounds in.

Once I got going I got sharp again and just got back to work and Ariel came to fight. He knew this was a good opportunity for him to get another good payday but yes, there was an accidental head butt and I was suffering from diarrhea during that fight but I did finish the fight and I won, and that’s all that matters.

Q
What is it in your mind that makes you believe that you can beat him?

A. Granados
I just believe I’m a better fighter. He’s a tremendous fighter, a tremendous talent, I just believe that people underestimate my talent and they only see me as a one-sided fighter and one type of style and one type of skillset but there’s plenty there that the boxing world doesn’t know about me and I plan on giving them a hint of that February 18th.

Q
What weight is the fight at?

A. Granados
Yes, it is actually at 147. It was 142, but however it’s 147 now and this is just the way it is.

Q
So what happened, so the fight was initially made at a catch weight of 142 and then did Broner’s side ask for it to be at welterweight?

A. Granados
Yes, they did and it was kind of a take it or leave it offer so, I’m obviously not going to pass up on this opportunity and I accepted.

Q
Do you buy that this is a new Adrien Broner or do you think it’s going to be the old Broner? What do you think about all the talk that he’s a different guy for this fight?

A. Granados
I mean, that’s all up to him, I don’t worry about who I’m fighting or what their preparations are and what they’re doing. I have to worry about myself and that I’m the best Adrian Granados.

Good for him if that’s what it is and if it’s not he’s still a good guy. I know him as a real man and as a true competitor so more power to him if he’s turning a new page in his life and God bless him.

Q
If Adrien knows how tough this fight is going to be and you guys are capable of being so emotionally close and he knows how good you are, why would he choose you to fight in such a difficult situation coming off of a 10-month layoff and what does that say about him?

A. Granados
I totally respect that. I think he’s a great true competitor. I know he was brought-up the right way but once he got to the new level, he took a lot of tough fights that he didn’t have to, Marcos Maidana being one, Shawn Porter being another one, myself included, we’ve seen, he’s a true competitor.

He wants to be a great fighter and he wants to be remembered as a great fighter and that’s why I respect him for taking this fight, it’s at a time when really nobody’s trying to fight and no, there were talks of so many fights that would get on and fall off, get on and fall off.

I’ve been going through hell this past year waiting on a big fight and finally I got one and although yes, we do have a friendship and a mutual respect, we know we’re in the business and we’re not into team sports and there can only be one.

One of the fights he was talking with Ricky Burns and at the time I was the highest ranked available fighter because I know Number 1 and 2 had fights already setup and I was ranked Number 3 by the WBA and now I’m Number 5 but either way, yes, I mean, this is a true attribute to his competitive spirit.

A lot of people they didn’t want to fight me and I was calling people out and him included and he accepted it so I mean, this is great and it shows how much of a real man he really is.

Q
You just think he wants to bring out the best in himself and put it really put it on the line or do you think there’s a part of him that says I know he’s good but I have a little bit better?

A. Granados
It’s a little bit of both, he wants me to bring out the best in him and yes, obviously if he’s taken this fight, he believes he can beat me so that is what it is and I appreciate what SHOWTIME is doing putting on a great fight and giving me this opportunity and definitely giving boxing the best versus the best.

Q
You had said that or he had said that when Ed Brown was killed, you and Adrien were in camp together. Were you in camp together and if so, what camp was that?

A. Granados
That was the first time Ed was shot, the first time Ed was shot, I was in camp with him at the end of the Maidana fight. They all knew that Ed was very close to me. They all knew Ed Brown too so yes, he looked out.

That was my guy. The black and brown twin kids of Chicago, we were always at the same shows together. We were always good to see each other. If you seen me and I seen him, there was always a smile.

So you know it’s different here at the gym that we train at because he was the heart of this place and I feel like now I have this huge burden because everybody who sees me now thinks of Ed, and they’re like oh man, Ed always spoke so highly about you, and I feel like I have to be twice as great for both of us now.

Q
Can you characterize your give-and-take sparring sessions with each other?

A. Granados
Yes, they were electrifying sparring sessions, we were putting on a show for the camp and yes, that was bloody, some days we were both bloody. There were just two dogs trying to get at each other and I was quiet at first but I mean, I’m from the neighborhood, from the streets too, you can’t get too tough for me.

I’m raised in Chicago, we’re the murder capital of the world right now so I have some stuff to say back and that was entertaining, I actually got a lot more respect like, okay he’s not going to take that and he can talk some of his own too so it was cool afterwards.

We would just shake hands and go work and we would just chop it up, we got to kick it outside of the ring too and then he was a real cool dude. Like I said, everybody got their own outlook on him but I seen him as a cool ass dude.

He was down to earth, funny and he was a good cat, and it was electrifying sparring and it’s going to make for an electrifying fight and sparring is going to be completely different from the fight because you got less leather and no headgear and it’s just going to be me and him and we’ll see what happens.
Q
Have you ever fought at 147-pounds before?

A. Granados
Yes, plenty of times. I’ve fought Lanardo Tyner there, I fought Kermit Cintron there, Brad Solomon, also I fought the BKB fight with Jesus Soto Karass. The weigh-in actually was 150 for that fight.

Q
Are you going to come-in at 147 or you going to come-in lighter than that?

A. Granados
We’ll see what my body actually tips it off at, I believe he got sick and that’s what kind of threw off his camp. I was sick too as well. I was still planning on making 142 but he just made it easy on both of us and I still expect a competitive and an even fight and it’s going to be a great fight.

K. Swanson
All right, do you have any last thoughts Adrian before we let you go and wrap this call up?

A. Granados
Win, lose or draw, just know I’m coming to win. It’s going to be a great fight. Action-packed, Adrien versus Adrian, an A versus the E, AB versus AG so it’s just going to be a great competitive fight and the best man will win.

# # #

ABOUT ADRIEN BRONER vs. ADRIAN GRANADOS
Adrien Broner vs. Adrian Granados will take place Saturday, February 18 from the Cintas Center at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH live on SHOWTIME. Televised coverage on begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with unbeaten light heavyweight contender Marcus Browne meeting hard-hitting former title challenger Thomas Williams Jr. in a 10-round showdown. Also featured will be WBA Welterweight Champion David Avanesyan battling former two-time world champion Lamont Peterson.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in association with TGB Promotions and K1 Promotions, are priced at $250, $100, $75, $50 and $30, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online atwww.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @AdrienBroner, @ElTigreAG, @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @CintasCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.

Sam Eggington believes that beating Paulie Malignaggi is his ticket to the big time when they clash at The O2 in London on March 4, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Eggington put his WBC International Welterweight title on the line against Malignaggi in his biggest test to date, a first defence of the title he landed when he came through another major step-up in September when he stopped local rival Frankie Gavin in eight thrilling rounds in Birmingham.

That win continued Eggington’s impressive rise in the sport as he crashed into the top 15 of the WBC rankings with the win and is the mandatory challenger for the European title that was picked up by Spaniard Ceferino Rodriguez in December.

‘Magic Man’ Malignaggi is looking to halt Eggington’s rise and is no stranger to success in the Greenwich venue having landed the EU title in December 2015, but Eggington is determined to add the Brooklyn stars name to his CV and says doing so would make people stand up and take notice of his growing presence in the 147lbs division.

“I’ve taken every chance that’s been put in front of me with both hands and this is no different,” said Eggington. “Paulie brings so much to the table – he’s got pedigree, he brings a US TV audience and that means that my profile can go through the roof with a win.

“I want to make as much money for my family from the sport as possible, nothing has changed from that being the aim when I was just looking to be a journeyman. But I do have my goals in the sport, I’m mandatory for the European title and if I can win that, the sky is the limit, everyone knows I’ll take any fight with both hands and as European champion, those fights would be big, big fights.

“Success breeds success in big cities, we’re all doing well. The Yafai brothers in general are doing massive things and I’m putting in as much work as possible in to succeed. I’d love to follow Kal’s example and bring big shows to the city. I’m learning all the time and as long as I keep winning I believe I am capable of doing that.”

Eggington’s clash with Malignaggi is part of packed bill at The O2 topped by the blockbuster Heavyweight grudge match between David Haye and Tony Bellew. There’s another spite-filled London vs. Liverpool battle on the slate as Hackney’s Ohara Davies defends his WBC Silver Lightweight title against Merseyside favourite Derry Mathews, while Irish amateur star Katie Taylor boxes for the third time in the pros.

Tickets for Haye vs. Bellew sold out in record-breaking time when they went on sale in December.

The “24/7 Golovkin/Jacobs” special will premiere Saturday, Mar. 4 at 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT). It will preview the hotly anticipated meeting between two accomplished and tenacious ring warriors who have been on a journey to confront each other in the ring. The special will provide all-new content including portraits of both fighters’ path to this significant showdown.

Golovkin, 34, has been an indomitable force in the middleweight ranks with many in the division avoiding him and his sterling 36-0, 33 KOs record. Jacobs, 30, known as “Miracle Man” when he returned to the ring after being successfully treated for bone cancer, has a glittering record of 32-1, 29 KOs. Both fighters are known as knockout artists with Golovkin sporting a 91% knockout to win ratio and Jacobs 90% knockout to win ratio. All of Golovkin’s last 23 opponents have been unable to go the distance with “GGG.”

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

A head cold has forced Jamie Conlan to postpone his upcoming fight against Yader Cardoza at the Belfast Waterfront on Saturday 18th February.

Conlan was due to take on Cardoza for the Vacant WBC International Silver Super-Flyweight title but will now face the Nicaraguan on the rescheduled date of Friday 10th March, at the same venue.

“It’s incredibly frustrating as I’ve been working hard and preparing for this fight for the past two months,” said a disappointed Conlan. “I’m gutted that the show has been postponed but this is boxing and these things happen unfortunately.

“I contracted a head cold on my return to Belfast and as a result I’ve missed some vital training sessions. Yader is a former World Title challenger and I can’t take any chances; I want to put in a real performance for all of my fans.

“This is dangerous sport and I can’t afford to come in at anything less than 100%. It is just one of those things but I’ll be fully fit and prepared to put on a show on March 10th. This is a brilliant card to be topping and I hope you can all come along to the rearranged date and watch me win another title.”

Irish fight fans will still be treated to an unmissable evening of boxing just three weeks later, with all bouts on the card remaining the same.

Tickets purchased for the Saturday 18th February show will still be valid for the rescheduled Friday 10th March date.

Las Vegas, NV February 9 -Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions and The DownTown Las Vegas Event Center return on Saturday, March 11 with the second season of the most popular boxing series in the sport today, “KnockOut Night at The D”

“KnockOut Night at the DLVEC” has produced some memorable action packed fights, huge upsets and spectacular knockouts in 2016 and provided us with an introduction to some of the fastest-rising young contenders and prospects in the sports today like; WBO #6 Super-Flyweight Aston Palicte (22-0-0),
WBA #10 Super-Welterweight John Vera Jr. (16-0-0) and blue chip prospects Randy Moreno (8-0-0), Max Ornelas (7-0-0) and Flavio Rodriquez (6-0-0)

Insert quote for Roy
Saturday, March 11 will keep up with the “KnockOut Night at the D” tradition as former WBA Super-Bantamweight World Champion Rico Ramos (26-5) from Pico Rivera, CA takes on the WBA #13 Super-Bantamweight Contender Erik Ruiz 916-5) from Oxnard, CA in a 10 rd Super-Bantamweight bout.

Ramos won the WBA Super-Bantamweight World Championship back on July 9, 2011 in Atlantic CIty on HBO with a come from behind KO win over defending champion Akifumi Shimoda (23-2) from Japan. Ramos reign as world champion world be short lived as Ramos would lose his title six-months later in his first defense against Cuban sensation Guillermo Rigondeaux, who at the time was only (8-0). Ramos is currently on a two-fight winning streak defeating African veterans Justin Savi (28-5) and Prosper Ankrah (24-8). Ramos knows that a victory over the world ranked Erik Ruiz will place him right back into world title contingency.

Ruiz on the other is your typical hard nose contender who at one time started his career at 13-1 before suffering back to back losses, one to current WBO Featherweight World Champion Jesse Magdaleno (24-0) and another to world ranked contender Manuel Avila (22-0). Ruiz gained momentum last May in Las Vegas in September when he defeated fringe contender Hanzel Martines (23-2-0) by MD10 for the vacant WBA International Super-Bantamweight Championship on one of the installments of “Knockout Night at the D’.
Insert quote from Derek

Ramos vs. Ruiz will headline a seven-bout fight card presented by Roy Jones Jr, Boxing Promotions at the Downtown Las Vegas Event Center (DLVEC) where RJJ will showcase his stable of talent. Co-Main event will be Randy Moreno (8-0) and making his return to Las Vegas after his tremendous win for the vacant WBA-NABA Bantamweight Championship against Tony Lopez (11-2) last September will be Stephon Young (16-0). The under card is fulled with hard hitting, action packed fights, and all are coming to Las Vegas only to leave victorious.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $1000.00 VIP booth, $52.00 ringside, $37.00 seated and $27.00 rear seated, are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.

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

INFORMATION:

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

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

Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJRBoxing

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

Follow these fighters on Instagram: @_randymoreno, @stephon_showstopper, @f_rod48,

RIVAL BOXING GEAR & EQUIPMENT is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series. www.rivalboxing.com, @rivalboxinggear

About Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. Based in Las Vegas, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable such as undefeated super welterweight John Vera and former 3-time world super bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko, along with Tony Lopez and Hanzel Martinez, lightweight Demond Brock, super featherweight Bryan Vasquez & Randy Moreno,super flyweight Aston Francis Palicte, super welterweight Daniel Rosario Cruz and Rolando Garza cruiserweight Irsael Duffus, bantamweight Max Ornelas, super lightweight Emanuel Robles, middleweight Rolando Garza and light heavyweight Adrian Taylor.

About Downtown Las Vegas Events Center

Located at the corner of Third St. and Carson Ave. across from the D Las Vegas, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center can accommodate up to 11,000 guests and features state-of-the-art stage, sound and lighting. The open-air design is inviting to both tourists and locals and offers the perfect spot for concerts, conventions and other large-scale events. Embracing the uninhibited spirit of Downtown Las Vegas, the new venue plays host to a line-up of curated events including premier concerts, food festivals and more. The venue is also the first entertainment arena in Las Vegas to accept Bitcoin as currency. For more information, visit www.dlvec.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @DLVEC.

Former amateur foes ‘Golden’ Jack Culcay (22-1, 11 KOs) and Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade (23-0, 16 KOs) will meet for the WBA World Super Welterweight Championship on March 11 at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Both men are former Amateur World Champions who have gone on to claim World honours as professionals. Culcay, who claimed the WBA strap with a unanimous pints decision over Maurice Weber on May 9, 2015, will be making a third defence of his title against Andrade, a former WBO World Champion.

At a press conference yesterday in Ludwigshafen, Culcay and Andrade, who was appearing via video link, exchanged words for this first time prior to their super welterweight showdown with most of the talk surrounding their 2007 bout at the Amateur World Championships in Chicago.

‘’Last time we fought at the Amateur World Championships in Chicago the judges clearly favoured the home fighter,’’ said Culcay. ‘’They gave him point after point when in reality it was a really close fight for the first two rounds. He beat me and won the gold that year, but now it’s my time for revenge. We will be fighting on a level playing ground in Germany and I will prove I am one of the best boxers at 154 lbs.’’

“Hey Jack, remember 2007,’’ said Andrade. ‘’Back then we were just two young guys, greenhorns without much power, but I already made easy work of you. This time we’re grown men with punches that can hurt badly. You better get ready to be dominated again. Boo Boo is going to make your World title disappear!’’

‘’This is one of the most hotly anticipated fights to take place on German soil for many years,’’ said promoter Kalle Sauerland. ‘’It is an exciting match up. Both men have reached the pinnacle in amateur boxing and have won World Championships as professionals. No doubt, their amateur history will add extra spice to the battle. March 11 is judgment day, and we will see if it is repeat or revenge?’’

Tickets for the WBA World Super Welterweight Championship clash between Jack Culcay and Demetrius Andrade are available online via www.eventim.de or by calling the ticket hotline on 01806-570044.

Chorley’s Jack Catterall will defend his WBO Inter-Continental Super-Lightweight title against Walsall’s Martin Gethin at the Manchester Arena on Saturday 8th April.

Heavy handed Catterall’s all-action and hard-hitting style has taken him to an unbeaten 17 fight record with 9 coming by knockout and has claimed the Central Area, WBO European and Inter-Continental belts on the way.

He earned a comfortable unanimous decision against tough Argentinian Diego Gonzalo Luque last time out in December despite injuring both hands in the opening round but is determined to with in style against the current IBF International Super-Lightweight Champion.

‘The Quiet Man’, a former Midlands, English and British Lightweight Champion, upset the odds against John Wayne Hibbert last November. After being called up at less than a week’s notice, Gehtin spectacularly stopped Hibbert in the fourth round and will be heading into his clash with Catterall full of confidence.

“Martin had a good win last time out which will have given him a lot of momentum heading into our fight,” said Catterall. “He’s been a good domestic fighter over the years and has some decent wins to his name. I know he’ll be up for this fight and I’ve got the bit between my teeth; I’m well up for it!

“I never overlook any opponents and I’m going to train the hardest and the smartest that I can so that on April 8th he’ll just be another notch on my belt.

“Watching Martin and how he’s been fighting of late I can see that he’s a come forward fighter who likes to try and break his opponents down with relentless pressure. His style is perfect for me, I’ll be able to find chinks in his armour and if he keeps coming at me it’s only going to get more painful for him.

Catterall’s showdown with Gethin lands on the undercard of undefeated Terry Flanagan’s fifth defence of his WBO World Lightweight title against dangerous Russian Petr Petrov; fierce Super-Welterweight rivals Liam Smith and Liam Williams clash in one of the most eagerly-anticipated all-British showdowns in recent times; South African Zolani Tete faces Arthur Villanueva in a Final Eliminator for the WBO World Bantamweight title; double Olympic Gold Medallist and women’s boxing icon Nicola Adams OBE fights for the first time as a professional and former Team GB Heavyweight monster Daniel Dubois makes his highly-anticipated professional debut, with more exciting fights to be announced shortly.

Tickets for April 8 priced £50, £70, £100, £150, £200, £300 and VIP £500 are available from eventim at www.eventim.co.uk and 0844 249 1000 and the Manchester Arena at www.manchester-arena.com and 0844 847 8000

Charlie Flynn will fight for his first pro title when he meets Ryan Collins for the Celtic Lightweight title at the SSE Arena in Glasgow on April 15, live on Sky Sports.

Flynn has raced to 8-0 in the paid ranks since turning over in December 2014 and ‘Mailman’ will look to deliver his first pro belt at the same venue he won Commonwealth Games gold in August 2014.

The 23 year old Newarthill talent tackles his first ten round action into the bargain when he faces Irvine’s Collins – also 23 – who fought for his first belt in June where he landed the vacant Scottish Area title in Glasgow.

Ricky Burns tops the bill in Glasgow in his World Super-Lightweight unification clash with Julius Indongo, and Flynn’s is the second title bout to be added in as many days following Charlie Edwards’ meeting with Iain Butcher for the vacant British Super-Flyweight title, while Team GB Olympian Josh Kelly makes his pro debut.

Tickets for April 15 are on general sale priced £40, £60 and £100 from www.thessehydro.com and £200 VIP exclusively at www.matchroomboxing.com.

BIRMINGHAM, AL (2/9/17) – On the undercard of the Wilder-Washington world heavyweight championship, unbeaten middleweight contender Alantez Fox (21-0-1, 10 KOs) will meet Birmingham-native Kenneth McNeil (10-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round bout for the vacant WBC-USNBC title.

Undefeated heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs) will defend his title in his home state for the fourth time, as he faces challenger Gerald Washington (18-0-1, 12 KOs) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes, on Saturday, February 25, from Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.

Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will feature the only American heavyweight world champion headlining his third primetime show on network television, after Wilder most recently stopped Chris Arreola following eight rounds of action on FOX in July. The champion suffered hand and biceps injuries during the fight, but returns on February 25 fully healthy.

From Forestville, MD, middleweight Alantez Fox is trained by his father Troy out of Lloyd Irvin MMA/Boxing Gym. Following a 165-35 amateur career, highlighted by his gold-medal performances at the Ringside National and Under-19 tournaments, the 6’5″ Fox turned pro in 2010. The only blemish on his record is a draw to then 7-0 prospect Frank Galarza in September 2012, in a war with the New York State title at stake. He has won 14 bouts since, including victories over 7-2 Julius Kennedy, 5-1 Zain Shah and former top-rated contender Eric Mitchell. In January 2015, Fox made his debut on SHOWTIME’s “SHOBOX: The New Generation” series defeating 9-0 prospect Patrick Day via decision. Securing three victories in 2016, Fox knocked out 17-3 former Colombian champion Ronald Montes on national television, in his last bout on September 30.

Before turning pro in September 2012, Birmingham’s Kenneth McNeil was a four-time Title National champion and a six-time Alabama Golden Gloves champion as an amateur. Showing promise early on, McNeil defeated spoiler Lekan Byfield in his second pro bout. His only losses have come to the very tough Samuel Clarkson via split decision and to Ukrainian Olympian Ievgen Khytrov by decision in a competitive fight for the NABF middleweight title. McNeil bounced back from the Khytrov loss to score a second-round knockout over 6-1 Robert Burwell in his last bout on July 16, underneath Deontay Wilder’s world title defense against Chris Arreola in Birmingham.

“Alantez Fox is a tremendous prospect and, with his size and style, is a danger to any of the top middleweights,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “On February 25, Fox will be going into his opponent’s hometown of Birmingham, where Kenneth McNeil will have a lot of local support in the crowd. This is the biggest opportunity of McNeil’s career, so I know he will be ready for the challenge and I expect a great fight.”

Tickets for the live Wilder-Washington event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions in association with Bruno Event Team, start at $25 (not including applicable fees) and are on sale now. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and by visiting www.AlabamaTitleFight.com.

Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features a pair of exciting matchups as rising super welterweight contenders Tony Harrison and Jarrett Hurd meet in a 12-round world title eliminator, plus hard-hitting Dominic Breazeale battles undefeated Izuagbe Ugonoh in heavyweight action.

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.alabamatitlefight.com, www.dbe1.com, www.tgbpromotions.com, www.foxsports/presspass/homepage and foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @BronzeBomber, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/FoxSports and www.Facebook.com/FoxDeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX. PBC on FOX is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

MIAMI, OKLA. (Feb. 9, 2017) – Undefeated super lightweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk and once-beaten Abel Ramos weighed-in on Thursday for their 10-round main event tomorrow/Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10:05 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Buffalo Run Casino & Resort in Miami, Okla.

The hard-hitting Baranchyk (13-0, 10 KOs), who trains in Los Angeles and fights out of Miami, has scored 10 KOs inside of three full rounds, while the aggressive-minded Ramos (17-1-2, 12 KOs), of Casa Grande, Ariz., has knocked out three straight and promises to be the toughest test of Baranchyk’s career.

Undefeated former Dominican Republic Olympian Lenin Castillo (15-0-1, 10 KOs) and former national Golden Gloves champion Joeseph “Mack” Williams (10-0, 7 KOs), of Far Rockaway, N.Y., meet in a matchup of undefeated light heavyweights in an eight-round featured bout.

In the opening bout of the telecast, Spain’s up-and-coming unbeaten Jon “Johnfer” Fernandez (10-0, 8 KOs) takes on southpaw Ernesto Garza (7-1, 4 KOs), of Fort Hood, Texas, in an eight-round super featherweight bout.

Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions are priced at $35, $55 and $75 and are available at buffalorun.com and at stubwire.com.

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:
Ivan Baranchyk: 140 Pounds
Abel Ramos: 139 ½ Pounds

Lenin Castillo: 177 ¼ Pounds
Joseph Williams: 178 ½ ounds

Jon Fernandez: 129 ½ Pounds
Ernesto Garza: 126 ¼ Pounds

FINAL QUOTES:

IVAN “THE BEAST” BARANCHYK:
“I’m working with a new trainer (Eduard Kravtsov) at Wild Card Gym. We had some mistakes with our old team and it was time for me to move on. It was my decision to move on.

“We have better sparring now, a new coach, new strategy. Wild Card is a different experience. We have tough sparring, tough training. It was a good change.

“I’m still the same aggressive fighter; I come forward and try to stop you. We’re just working on a few new things, more combos, better defense.

“Ramos is my toughest opponent, but we’re ready for everything he brings. We’re ready to fight on the inside, on the outside.

“The game plan is to get the victory. That’s the most important

“The first couple rounds are the most dangerous. We know he’s tough and experienced. We need to make it my fight, style-wise.

“My last two fights went the distance, but it was good to know I can go 10 rounds. It was good to get that experience.

“People connect with me here (in Miami, Okla.). I can’t explain it, it just works.”

ABEL RAMOS:
“Ivan is a different fighter. We know what we’re getting in there with and we’re going to feel out his power. His last two fights went the distance so he must not hit that hard. We’re going to wear him out.

“Ivan is aggressive, and he can be explosive at times, but he makes mistakes. He fights a little wild.

“I think I can start to worry him. We’re going to test his power and decide how I need to fight. He hasn’t fought anyone at my level yet.

“I have to win this fight. This is my third time on SHOWTIME and I have to win. I have to make a statement.

“I’ve been working on pushing the pace. You’ll see some of that tomorrow night.

“We sparred with Sergey Lipenets, helping him get ready for his fight in December. That was a good experience for us.

“I’ve learned lot since my loss to Regis (Prograis – ShoBox, 2015). I’m training harder, working in the gym, taking this more seriously.

“I’m here to show that I’m back and ready for the top guys. I’ve had three wins by knockout since the loss. I’m a different fighter.”

LENIN CASTILLO:
“We know Williams is an aggressive fighter that comes forward. I’ve seen some tape. I’m expecting him to come at me. But it’s nothing I’ve never seen before.

“I need to bring the pressure so the judges won’t have any doubt. I need to fight my fight.

“I think I’ve fought the better opponents. I think my experience is going to be the difference.

“The quality of fighters here (in the U.S.) is better than back home (Dominican Republic). This is where I want to fight now.”

JOSEPH “MACK” WILLIAMS:
“He (Castillo) has a few more fights, but mostly in the Dominican Republic, so we don’t know how good he actually is.

“He’s never fought anyone like me. He’s going to come with confidence because he’s 15-0 with 10 KOs. He’s confident because he’s Olympian. But he’s never faced anyone like me.

“He may be an Olympian, but look who I fought in the amateurs. Look at the men that I beat. And those guys are mostly cruiserweights now. I’m much stronger at light heavyweight.

“This is the right time and right place for us. This is a huge opportunity.

“I don’t think he’s the best fighter I’ve faced. If I hit him clean I don’t think it will go that far. I’m going to go in there with an open mind and exploit his weakness.

“I’ve gradually moved down in weight. I’m faster at light heavyweight. When I was heavy I took my time. I’m sharper, faster. I’m just a totally different person.

“I always compare myself to James Toney. I can hit hard, I can take a punch, and I’m slick. What you see will depend on my opponent. If I feel he’s weak, I’ll jump early. I can brawl, I can box. I’m explosive.”

JON FERNANDEZ:
“I sparred with (Carl) Frampton in Las Vegas for the (Leo) Santa Cruz fight. It was a great experience sparring with him three times a week. It gave me more confidence knowing I could handle him.

“Garza is basically the same height as Frampton, so that will be an advantage.

“I know he’s going to come at me, and we’re ready for that. I need to keep my rhythm and make it an entertaining fight. I believe my power and speed will be the difference. I throw a lot of punches.

“This fight means a lot to me. We’re both good fighters and the TV exposure means a lot. It’s a good opportunity and I need to take advantage of it.”

ERNESTO GARZA:
“We’re going to give him something he’s never seen before. We’re going to bring the action.

“I’ve always been an aggressive fighter. I like to bring the pressure.

“I’ve faced guys as tall as him before, I fought a guy that was 6-foot-2. I know I need to get inside with a guy like this.

“I’ve seen a lot of his fights, and I don’t think he’s a fast puncher. He always fights the same style, and his opponents are always there for the taking. I’m not going to be there for him to hit like that.

“This is my chance. This is a big opportunity for me.”

The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions. Fernandez vs. Garza is promoted in association with MaravillaBox Promotions and Jaafar Promotions.

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 67 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

Los Angeles – Feb. 9, 2017 – The main event battle between Trevin Giles (8-0) and Ryan Spann (9-3) for tomorrow night’s live broadcast of AXS TV FIGHTS: LEGACY FIGHTING ALLIANCE 3 is official after the headliners both made weight today for their scheduled middleweight bout. The broadcast begins live at 10pE/6pP on AXS TV FIGHTS presented by commentators UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich and “The Voice” Michael Schaivello, along with cageside reporter Ron Kruck, from the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Check out Giles’ last victory, an arm-triangle choke submission at LEGACY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP 59 last September, in AXS TV FIGHTS’ “Fight of the Week” – http://bit.ly/FOTW_Giles

Official weigh-in results for LFA 3 are below with fighters’ official record and weight (in pounds) in parenthesis.

LFA 3 Televised Main Card:

Main Event – Middleweight Fight – Trevin Giles (8-0, 184.9) vs. Ryan Spann (9-3, 185.3)

Co-Main Event – Middleweight Fight – Jon Kirk (19-12, 187.8) vs. Brendan Allen (6-1, 185)

Featherweight Fight – Thanh Le (5-1, 144.6) vs. Alex Black (11-4, 145.7)

Bantamweight Fight – Caio Machado (10-2, 135.5) vs. Trent Meaux (5-2-1, 135)

Catchweight Fight (160 pounds) – Joshua Davila (6-6, 165.6) vs. Ray Blodget (10-3, 161.8)

Bantamweight Fight – Carlos Vera (5-1, 135.1) vs. Joel Scott (5-5, 135.2)

Middleweight Fight – Carnan Jenkins (0-0, 183.8) vs. Brian Wells (0-0, 184.3)

ABOUT AXS TV FIGHTS

AXS TV Fights presents more LIVE mixed martial arts and kickboxing events than any other television network with 45 scheduled LIVE world-class fight cards in 2017. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich call all the action and Ron Kruck reports from cageside as champions, challengers, and top prospects take center stage every Friday night at 10pE/7pP. AXS TV Fights can be found online, on Facebook and on Twitter. AXS TV is widely distributed in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH, Sling TV, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other cable, satellite, telco and streaming providers. The network is also carried in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

MIAMI, FL (February 9, 2017) – After fracturing his hand last year, unbeaten light heavyweight prospect, Ahmed Elbiali (14-0, 11 KOs), is back in the gym. Elbiali suffered the setback in his last bout against Andrew Hernandez, a fight that took place in January of 2016. The Miami based fighter is looking to come back in March, in a bout that most likely will be televised.

“The hand is one hundred percent healed and I’m ready to get back in the mix,” said Ahmed Elbiali. “It’s been over a year since I’ve been back in the ring, but during the time off, I really focused on staying in shape. I didn’t let the layoff affect me in a way where I was going to be depressed. I worked on a lot of other aspects of my game that I feel I’ve improved on. Now it’s time to get back in there and march toward a world title.”

Elibial was on the fast track to the top of the light heavyweight division. He started off his career with nine straight knockouts. In his last two fights, both 8-round bouts, he’s went distance. That experience has helped him gain confidence in his ability to go deep in fights.

“When I first turned professional, I had a lot of early knockouts,” Elbiali continued. “It was nice getting my opponent out of there early but I didn’t know who my body would react if I had to go deep into fights. So, the fact that I was able to go the full eight rounds in my last two fights, gives me confidence going into the next chapter of my career. Right now, I’m just eager to get back in the ring and shake off the rust. I know with hard work, I’ll have an opportunity to become a world champion. That is the ultimate goal.”

ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2017) – Promising junior welterweight Giovani Santillan (20-0, 11 KOs), headlines a stacked “Path to Glory” card Friday night from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

Santillan weighed in at 143 lbs., while challenger Omar Tienda (18-3, 11 KOs) checked in at 142.2 lbs. The “Path to Glory” main event is scheduled for 8-rounds.

“I’m going to make a statement tomorrow night,” said Santillan, a southpaw. “We expect a big year and it all starts with getting a win on Friday.”

In the 8-round co-feature, Erick Ituarte (15-1-1, 2 KOs) made weight at 127.7 lbs and Naciff Castillo (17-9-2, 5 KOs) measured 127.4 lbs.

“It’s going to be a competitive fight,” Ituarte said. “I’m prepared to go the distance or finish the fight early with a knockout.”

WEIGHTS

Giovani Santillan, 143 vs. Omar Tienda, 142.2
Erick Ituarte, 127.7 vs. Naciff Martinez, 127.4
Ruben Villa, 128 vs. Francisco Camacho, 128
Rudy Garcia, 117.8 vs. David Martino, 117.7
Michael Dutchover, 129.1 vs. Jose Mora, 124.8
Francisco Armenta, 138.9 vs. Cody Peterson, 139.5

On the undercard, two blue chip prospects are featured: featherweight Ruben Villa (3-0, 2 KOs) of Salinas, Calif. and junior lightweight Michael Dutchover (2-0, 2 KOs) of Midland, Texas.

“We had an excellent training camp in Northern California,” said Villa, a former back-to-back national golden gloves champion. “I’ve been in the gym since December getting ready for this fight. I’m anxious to get back in the ring.”

“Training for this fight was a lot of fun,” said Dutchover, who is trained by Danny Zamora. “I got to spar with Petr Petrov. He’s relentless, powerful too. I learned a lot from him.”

Tickets for “Path to Glory” are priced at $40 & $100 and are available for purchase on the day of the event from the Doubletree Hotel will call booth starting at 5:30 p.m. local time.

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

“Path to Glory” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Lucas Oil, in association with Everlast.

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. To follow the conversation on social media, please use #PathToGlory and #ThompsonBoxing.

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