Baltimore, MD (July 13, 2016) – Jake Smith’s Baltimore Boxing Promotions will pay tribute to legendary Muhammad Ali with “Rumble Young Man Rumble” Thursday, August 4 at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD.

During Baltimore Boxing’s June 16 card, Smith, who had his first amateur fight as part of a charity event hosted by Ali, honored “The Greatest” with a speech and honorary ten count. He also announced that his next card would be named after Ali.

Tickets are on sale now by going to Baltimoreboxing.com or calling 410-375-9175. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the first fight starts at 8.

Headlining is a heavyweight slugfest between Dallas Butts and Drew Ryan. In their first meeting, Butts won a controversial decision that upset the pro-Ryan crowd and immediately set the tone for a rematch. Ryan is confident he’ll leave no doubt as to whom the better fighter is and Butts believes he’ll win without question this time around.

Baltimore Boxing standout Joey “Bazooka Joe” Veazey returns for his final amateur fight against Rashad Kirkpatrick. He was scheduled to finish his amateur career by competing in the Ringside Tournament but instead opted to fight locally. Veazey, who is turning pro later this year, won various titles during his decorated amateur career and has a large fan base.

Wildly popular Clayton Frazier will face an opponent to be named. A multi-sport star, Frazier is amongst the hungriest local fighters and is coming off a victory June 16.

Justin “Psycho” Sykes and Ashton “The Goon” Sykes will appear in separate bouts and other fighters will be added shortly.

“Michael’s Eighth has been a great home for Baltimore Boxing and we’re expecting another solid crowd,” said Smith. “This will be our second consecutive card paying homage to the great Muhammad Ali. “Rumble Young Man Rumble” will feature all competitive fights and boxers giving everything they have to entertain the crowd. We’ve got a great local following and the exposure the fighters are getting is only growing. If you’re in the area, please make sure to
come out and support not just the fighters but local boxing.”

For more information, visit Baltimoreboxing.com.

LOS ANGELES (July 13, 2016) Consensus #1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter in the World and WBC Flyweight World Champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, (45-0-0, 38 KOs) will move up one weight class and challenge undefeated WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Carlos “Principe” Cuadras, (35-0-1, 27 KO’s) on Saturday, September 10 from the Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Presented by K2 Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions, further information on advance tickets sales will be announced shortly.

“I’ve very happy to challenge Carlos Cuadras for a world title in my fourth weight class. It’s an honor to return to fight at the Forum in front of the great Los Angeles fight fans,” said Gonzalez. “Thanks very much to God, K2 Promotions, Mr. Honda and HBO for making this happen.”

Said Cuadras, “I wish to thank HBO, K2 Promotions, Mr. Honda and everyone responsible for making this fight. I am excited to fight in the United States for the first time on HBO and at the legendary Forum in front of the great boxing fans in California.”

“Roman Gonzalez is a great champion and I have a lot of respect for him. I will prepare myself to be in the best condition of my boxing career to defend my WBC belt.”

“We’re very excited to bring Roman back to the Fabulous Forum in his first main event at the famed venue,” said Tom Loeffler. “Roman has proven with each fight why he is considered to be the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”

“Challenging an undefeated champion in his fourth weight class will be a great test for Roman and this battle against Cuadras will provide the non-stop action fans have come to expect at his fights.”

“Esteemed by many as the top pound for pound fighter in the world and the best fighter from Nicaragua since legend Alexis Arguello, Roman Gonzalez is a power-punching three-division champion, hoping to conquer a fourth weight class on September 10 against Carlos Cuadras in a clash of undefeated champs,” said Peter Nelson, Executive Vice President, HBO Sports. “From Golovkin fighting that afternoon in London to Gonzalez fighting that night in Los Angeles, the boxing world will be riveted September 10.”

Since his highly anticipated debut on HBO fourteen months ago, the 29-year-old Gonzalez has become a must-see attraction known for his thrilling performances.

On May 16, 2015, the Nicaraguan native stopped former world champion Edgar Sosa in the second round at the Fabulous Forum drawing a huge crowd in his debut at the famed venue where his mentor Alexis Arguello had also battled in world championship bouts.

Fighting in front of a sold-out Madison Square Garden crowd of over 20,000 New York City fight fans on October 17, 2015, Gonzalez was brilliant in his ninth round stoppage of four-time world champion Brian Viloria. The victory was punctuated by heavy handed, piston-like combinations which thrilled the local fight fans.

Most recently Gonzalez fought for the second time at the Fabulous Forum, dominating world ranked Puerto Rican McWIlliams Arroyo to a 12-round unanimous decision. The fight was fought in front of a sold-out crowd of 16,353 with the HBO telecast averaging a remarkable 1,001,000 viewers for the co-main event.

Fighting out of Mexico City, the 27-year-old Cuadras became a world champion on May 31, 2014 with an eighth round stoppage of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in Mexico earning the currently held WBC Super Flyweight World Title.

Cuadras has successfully defended the title six times including against former world champion Luis Concepcion on April 4, 2015, taking a 12-round unanimous decision.

Most recently Cuadras stopped world ranked Richie Mepranum in the eighth round in Los Mochis, Mexico on April 23, 2016.

The world title defense against Gonzalez will be his first time fighting on HBO and his debut in
Southern California.

SOCIAL MEDIA: For more information, visit www.K2Promos.com, www.FabulousForum.com and www.HBO.com/boxing.

Follow on Twitter for Roman Gonzalez @ChocolatitoBox, Carlos Cuadras @CuadrasOficial, Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions @TomLoeffler1, the Forum @theForum and HBO Boxing @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/ChocolatitoOfficial, www.facebook/CarlosCuadras, www.facebook.com/TheForum and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

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

Bristol, PA (July 13, 2016) – On Saturday night, August 6th, D & D Promotions and Silver Spoon Promotions will present “Rumble at the Rink II” at the Grundy Arena in Bristol, Pennsylvania.

In the main event, heavyweight contender, Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon will take part in a bout scheduled for eight rounds.

Witherspoon (33-4, 26 KO’s) of nearby Paulsboro, New Jersey established himself as one of the top American Heavyweights as the St. Joseph’s University graduate won his first twenty-three bouts with wins over the likes of Michael Alexander (11-0), Talmadge Griffis (24-6-3), Jonathan Haggler (18-1) before suffering his 1st defeat to future two-time world title challenger Chris Arreola via controversial disqualification.

Witherspoon went on to win three fights in a row, which was highlighted by an entertaining 8th round stoppage over Adam “The Swamp Donkey” Richards (21-1). That fight was voted Ring Magazine’s 2008 Heavyweight Fight of the Year.Witherspoon then dropped a fight to future two-time world title challenger Tony Thompson.

Witherspoon went on to score 4-consecutive knockouts which included a devastating 3rd-round destruction over Tyson Cobb (14-2).

Witherspoon then took on undefeated prospect Seth Mitchell on April 28, 2012 in a bout where Witherspoon had Mitchell badly hurt in several occasions before Mitchell came away with the victory.

Witherspoon has scored four consecutive knockouts which includes his last bout when he stopped Nick Guivas (11-2-2) in three rounds on August 15th in Atlantic City.

Seeing action in the eight-round co-feature will be junior welterweight Emanuel “The Tranzforma” Taylor (19-4, 13 KO’s) battling Carlos Aguilera (10-16, 4 KO’s) of Chiapas, Mexico.

Taylor of Edgewood, Maryland has a record of 19-4 with 13 knockouts.

The 25 year-old, won his first fourteen bouts has quality wins over Ayi Bruce (15-1); George Sosa (6-0); Raymond Serrano (18-1)’ Victor Cayo (31-3) & Karim Mayfield (18-1-1).

Taylor also battled former world champions Adrien Broner and Chris Algieri to competitive decision defeats.

The Taylor – Aguilera bout is promoted in associated with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

In four-round bouts:

Cruiserweight Mike Hilton (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia, junior middleweight Glenwood Latimore (1-0) of Philadelphia; middleweight Elijah Vines (2-0, 2 KO’s) & junior welterweight Sam Teah (7-1-1, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia will all see action against opponents to be named.

Tickets for this night of boxing are $150 VIP with food and soft drinks; $100; $50; $25 (for children under 17) and can be purchased by calling 856-842-7577 or dboysboxing@gmail.com or www.dboysboxing.com

The Grundy Arena is located at 475 Beaver Street in Bristol, PA.

BERLIN, GERMANY (July 13, 2016) – Unbeaten middleweight Anthony Ogogo (10-0, 6 KOs) is looking to continue his fine run of form when he returns to action on Saturday, July 16 against Bronislav Kubin (19-20-2, 12 KOs) at the Max-Schemling-Halle in Berlin, Germany.

The 27 year-old Olympic medalist joins a blockbuster bill in the German capital featuring the WBA World Super Middleweight title fight between Tyron Zeuge and Giovanni De Carolis, and the return of former two-weight World Champion Arthur Abraham.

Confidence is high for the Lowestoft-boxer following back-to-back stoppage victories over Gary Cooper and Frane Radnic, and as he prepares for his third fight in as many months, Ogogo is eager to entertain the Berlin audience and build towards a title challenge after the summer break.

”I’m looking forward to fighting in Germany again,” said Ogogo. ”My last fight there was bitter sweet. I got the win but dislocated my shoulder in the second round. Now, I’m back, I’m fully fit and I’m going to show the German fans what I can really do.

”I’ve feeling fit, sharp and strong and have managed to put together two good wins in quick succession and I’m ready for my third. I want to prove I’m a league above and that I’m ready to face the best in the division. After the summer, I’m coming for the titles.”

Tickets for the Team Sauerland show at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin are available online via www.tickethall.de and www.eventim.de or by calling +49 (0)1806-570044. All the action will be available to watch on SAT.1 in Germany and Sky Sports in the UK.

HONOLULU, HI (July 13, 2016) – Pro Box Management is happy to announce the signing of 2015 U.S.A. Junior Olympic Bronze medalist, Logan Yoon. Yoon, who’ll compete at the lightweight division as a professional, is a native of Honolulu, Hawaii. The 17-year old sensation will turn professional, on September 10, 2016 in Mexico.

As an amateur standout, Yoon, an 8-time state champion in Hawaii, won many national titles. The Jr. Olympic Bronze medal, Adidas National Champion, Title National Champion, Jr. National Golden Gloves Champion, and Ringside National Champion, are some of the notable titles won in the amateur ranks.

Standing 5’10, Yoon is of Korean-Puerto Rican decent. He has a rare combination of speed, to go along with his amazing power. With power in both hands, Yoon has become one of the most avoided fighters in the amateurs. As a result, Yoon will take his skills to the professional ranks, and compete in Mexico before turning 18-years old, the legal age to fight in America. Expect Yoon to be on the fast track to a world title.

“I’m ready to take my God given talent to the professional arena,” stated Logan Yoon. “Signing with Pro Box Management is a dream come true for me and my dad, who’s been with me since the beginning. I know with a lot of hard work, everything will pay off in the end. I can’t wait to turn pro in Mexico in September.”

“Logan is a blessing and we are extremely pleased to sign him.” said Pro Box Management’s Henry Rivalta. “He’s a very sharp, poised fighter, who comes forward and can really bang. This kid is only 17-years old and will no doubt become a world champion in my humble opinion. He has terrific skills and I believe he’s going to make a fantastic pro. World get ready for Logan “TP” (Total Package) Yoon.”

Logan Yoon joins a great team of Pro Box Management stablemates that include, Sammy Vasquez Jr. (21-0, 15 KOs), Erickson Lubin (15-0, 11 KOs), Moises Flores (25-0, 17 KOs), Juan Carlos Payano (17-1, 8 KOs) and Dennis Galarza (13-1, 8 KOs). Not to mention up and coming prospects, Edgar Berlanga (2-0, 2 KOs), Chaise Nelson (3-0, 3 KOs), Antonio Williams (3-0, 3 KOs) and newly added amateur standout Carlos Monroe.

LOS ANGELES (July 13, 2016) – Two of the most popular Los Angeles-based fighters, featherweight world champion Leo Santa Cruz and former two-division champion Mikey Garcia, took part in a media workout on Tuesday at City of Angels Boxing Club in Los Angeles, Calif. as they prepare to make a cross-country trip to Brooklyn for their respective Saturday, July 30 showdowns at Barclays Center and live on SHOWTIME®.

Santa Cruz will defend his title against Irish superstar Carl Frampton in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The undefeated Garcia will return to the ring after a two-and-a-half-year layoff to fight former world champion Elio Rojas in a 10-round bout while 154-pound contenders Tony Harrison and Sergey Rabchenko meet in a 12 round IBF Jr. Middleweight eliminator in the televised opener. The telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Also in attendance at the workout was promising lightweight contender Ivan Redkach, who takes on Tevin Farmer in the opening bout of SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT). Additional action on July 30 will feature an all-Brooklyn welterweight battle between two-time world champion Paulie Malignaggi and Gabriel Bracero in the main event of a SHOWTIME EXTREME doubleheader.

Here is what the participants had to say Tuesday:

LEO SANTA CRUZ

“My dream is to be the next big thing in boxing. We’re going to work hard every day in the gym, learn from our mistakes and improve so I can be the best fighter out there. With the help of the fans and the media I think I can accomplish that.

“He has great skills, great punches and he moves very well. It’s going to be a tough fight for me but I’m going to work hard to defend my belt.

“I see Frampton as someone trying to come and take away everything I worked hard for. I can’t let that happen. I’m going to do what I have to do to get the win.

“He’s a very skilled fighter. He has great power and I think it’s going to be an exciting fight. These are the kind of guys I want to fight. It gives me even more motivation to get in the gym and train hard.

“I’ve known Mikey Garcia from the amateur days and our families have sparred with each other. I’ve even trained with Robert Garcia before. To see another great Mexican fighter go over to New York is very exciting. I’m very happy for him. He’s a great guy and a great fighter.

“I think Frampton will keep his power up the weight classes. He couldn’t make 122-pounds anymore and he’s said that he will be even stronger this time. That’s good. That’s what I want. I want him to feel good so it’ll be a tough and entertaining fight.

“I can’t let him come over to the U.S. and get this win. We’re going to go out there and see if he can bring the best out of me. I’m going to be one-hundred percent ready.

“I’m comfortable at 126-pounds. I want to get this win against Carl Frampton and then unify against Gary Russell Jr., Lee Selby or any of the champions. When my body is ready we’ll move up in weight to seek another world title.

“When I first started boxing all I ever thought about was being a world champion one time. Then after I got there I started pushing my goals. If I continue to keep learning and improve as a fighter, I could go all the way up to 140-pounds.

“I’m thrilled to be fighting in New York. It’s going to be my first time out there. I’m excited to meet new fans. The people who have wished I would fight in New York will get to see me. There are people that don’t know me and this my opportunity to be impressive and put on a show for them.”

MIKEY GARCIA

“I’m a well-rounded fighter. I can adjust to just about any style. I get a lot of diverse sparring so that I can adjust to anything Rojas might bring. Training camp has been going very well and I think it’s going to be a good night for me.

“I’ve seen Rojas before. I saw him when he was champion. He’s a good fighter with a lot of experience. He can definitely box and has a good right hand. He lost his title to a great champion. He’s very skilled and experience.

“Both of us are boxers and we tend to try to work from a distance. This time I may have to look for the fight a bit more and apply some pressure. If he tries to box around, I’ll find him. I think my power will eventually be the difference and I’ll break him down.

“I don’t believe there will be ring rust because I was never really outside of the ring. I’ve been in the gym the whole time, sparring and training. I would spar 10 or 12 rounds, just to do it. Not because I had a fight, but just to keep me active. I know it seems like a long time, but I don’t really see it. I feel like I was gone six months.

“I want to fight at 135 and fight for a title there. I’m going to see how my body feels after this fight, but that’s the plan as of now. We’re not looking past Elio. I definitely want to get back in the ring soon if everything goes right.

“I have no regrets. I’ve got to enjoy myself more than I had in the last 10 years. When you’re in boxing, it’s a year round sport. You don’t have time to yourself, for your family or friends. You miss out on a lot. I learned a lot in my time away about boxing and more.

“This will end up being about a seven-week training camp, but even prior to that I’ve been staying in the gym. I don’t feel any different. I feel one-hundred percent. My body is well-rested which makes me hungrier and more motivated.

“I’ve fought in New York before and it’s always been a great and very supportive crowd. I was at Barclays Center for the first time on June 25 for Thurman-Porter and it was a great arena. It had great energy and I can’t wait to fight there. I can’t wait to fight at Barclays.

“It’s great to be in the gym with all these different types of fighters that my brother trains. I have a lot of very intense sparring. I’ve gotten a chance to really learn from the different styles and it definitely helps me.”

IVAN REDKACH

“This is an excellent fight for me. I’m closing in to a title shot and I’m going to be ready on July 30.

“I have a plan for this fight. You’ll see it in the ring. I’m going to make this an exciting fight.

“A title fight is my motivation but my focus in fully on July 30. Everything I’ve done is to lead up to a world title fight.

“I know that my opponent is slick and very fast. He’s a good boxer but we’ll see what he brings to the ring.

“This is my first camp with Leo Santa Cruz and his team and it’s been going very well. I feel very prepared to fight.”

ANTONIO SANTA CRUZ, Leo’s Brother & Trainer

“This camp feels very close to the same as usual. My father (Jose) is usually the one who tells us what to do. I’m in the ring with Leo but he’s still there. He is sick but he is still going to the gym. He wants to be there for Leo.

“Frampton is a good fighter. He’s going to give my brother a good fight. Short guys are tougher for Leo so we’re making sure we have sparring with fighters of all heights. Frampton won’t be hard to get inside but his height could pose a problem.

“It’s a little bit more pressure on me. I’m trying to show my father that I can learn and help Leo be at his best. I think he’s going to have a great night.”

JOSE SANTA CRUZ, Leo’s Father & Trainer

“I feel good. Right now I’m going to the gym every day. Leo looks good in the ring and is training very well.

“Little by little Antonio is learning and even I’m still learning. We’re both getting better as trainers and that is our goal, to be great. I feel the love from my sons and I love them a lot too. I’m proud of them and I’m proud that they are my sons.

“Leo is very calm. I don’t think Leo is going to be affected by traveling to New York. Even if he doesn’t have the majority of the fans, I don’t think it will affect him.

“You never know how it’s going to go on fight night. You can prepare in the gym, but sometimes, once you’re up in the ring, a fight can get complicated.

“Even if I can’t make it to New York, I’m going to watch the fight. Even if it’s with one eye open, I’m going to watch.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Mikey’s Brother & Trainer

“Mikey definitely wants to win a title at 135-pounds. There are some good champions out there but not necessarily a huge name. Eventually Mikey would want to go up to 140-pounds where I believe there are a lot of exciting fights that could be made.

“Elio is a fighter that has been off for a while and he’s a former world champion. He’s also trying to come back and make a statement. We have to be prepared for the opponent to be at the top of his game.

“Now that he’s got a date and with the training and sparring, Mikey has been looking really good. It’s been a while. We might see a little bit of rust, a little bit of adjustment to timing. But the way he’s been in the gym, against top quality fighters, he’s been looking so good that I wouldn’t be surprised if he put on one of his best performances.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions and presented by Premier Boxing Champions, start at $38 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

# # #

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @RealCFrampton, @mikeygarcia, @PaulMalignaggi @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Stuart Hall will challenge Lee Haskins for the IBF World Bantamweight title at The O2 in London on September 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The hotly-anticipated rematch between the bitter rivals sees Haskins defend his title for the second time having landed the belt in spectacular fashion with a sixth round KO of Ryosuke Iwasa in June 2015 and widely outpointing Ivan Morales in his first defence in May.

Hall is out to regain the IBF title he claimed in December 2013 beating Vusi Malinga in Leeds and has revenge on his mind after losing to the Bristol man in 2012 for the European title – adding extra spice to a fight that promoter Eddie Hearn is delighted to add to a stellar bill in the capital.

“September 10 has just become even bigger with this domestic World title grudge match added to the card,” said Hearn. “It’s a real 50-50 clash and with the domestic 118lbs scene really hotting up, it’s a must win for both fighters.”

Haskins and Hall’s grudge match is the third World title clash on a huge night of boxing in Greenwich, topped by the colossal fight between pound-for-pound star Gennady Golovkin and unbeaten Welterweight king Kell Brook for Golovkin’s IBF, WBC, WBA and IBO World Middleweight straps.

Former Team GB star Charlie Edwards challenging Johnriel Casimero for the IBF World Flyweight title and unbeaten teen sensation Conor Benn tasting his fourth fight in the paid ranks.

Tickets go on sale today (Wednesday July 13) at midday to O2 Priority members at www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday July 14 at midday to Matchroom Fight Pass members from the Fight Pass area at www.matchroomboxing.com and the venue and AXS pre-sale before tickets go on general sale at www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday July 15 at midday from www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets are priced between £40 to £500 will be available from www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202. VIP tickets are £1,000 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Face value tickets for September 10 will also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ from midday on Friday July 15. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Having already experienced being a world-rated TV-level fighter under tremendous pressure to win every fight impressively, Miami-based slugger Josh “Dempsey” Gormley says he much prefers the lowered expectations of being considered the “opponent” since coming back to boxing.

“There’s a lot of pressure on you as the A-side guy,” explained Gormley. “As an opponent, I’m supposed to lose, so when I win it’ll be that much more dramatic.”
Gormley (22-4, 21 KOs) will face WBO #5-, IBF #5-, and WBC #7-rated and current NABF heavyweight champion Andy “The Destroyer from Mexicali” Ruiz (27-0, 18 KOs) in a non-title fight this Saturday in Detroit. The two bruising heavyweights will meet in the 10-round main event of Salita Promotions’ latest “Detroit Brawl” event at the Masonic Temple.

Sponsored by Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar, tickets for “Detroit Brawl” will be priced at VIP $123, Box Seats $100, Ringside $93, Reserved $63 and $38, and Balcony $28, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and Tickmaster.com.

Gormley says he isn’t prepared to go along with the expected outcome for a 41-year-old fighter taking on a top contender in just his third fight since returning from a 16-year retirement. He’s coming to Detroit to win.

“He’s perfect for me,” he said of Ruiz. “I feel like I’m fighting the weakest guy in the top 10. He doesn’t punch hard and I won’t have to look for him. He comes forward a lot and he’s not Floyd Mayweather. I don’t think he can handle my power. Now that I’m older, I hit harder than ever and I’m in great shape. I doubt it’ll last the distance. I’ll get him out of there in about five rounds. Even if he does, I’m in great shape to beat him over the distance.”

Gormley, reportedly the grandson of all-time-great heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, turned pro in 1992 and flirted with world-contender status before suffering a pair of tough losses and retiring in 1999. However, boxing, like any addiction, eventually lured him back.

“I just want to take opportunities and see what I can do,” he said. “Win or lose, I’m just carrying on my legacy and seeing what I can still do. My goal is to be champ of the world. But I’m not chasing that dream lie I used to. A long time ago I chased the heavyweight championship dream so hard that every loss was devastating. Now, I want to take the opportunities as they come and win some of them. And hey, when I beat this guy, I’m back in the top 10!”

Scheduled in support of the main event that night will be Giorgi Gelashvili (4-0, 2 KOs) of Brooklyn via Georgia facing comebacking veteran Eric Hall (8-9-1, 4 KOs) of Durand, Michigan in a super lightweight six-rounder.

Also, Serdar Hudayberdiyev (2-0, 2 KOs) of Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan, will face fellow undefeated fighter Steven Andrade (3-0, 2 KOs) of Atlanta, Georgia in a welterweight four-rounder.

The opponent for the long-awaited pro debut of Dearborn, Michigan’s “Southpaw Prince” Gheith Karim, a three-time national amateur champion, will be two-fight welterweight scrapper Dean Walsh Jr. of Monroe, Michigan.

Detroit prospect Demetrius Banks (7-0, 4 KOs) is scheduled for a six-round cruiserweight match-up against Niagara Falls, New York’s Eric George (4-11).
Promising Detroit bantamweight Jarico O’Quinn (1-0, 1 KO), a recent Salita Promotions signee, will take on Sergio Aguilar (0-3) of Miami Beach, Florida, in a four-round bout; super bantamweight Zach Shamoun (3-0-1, 3 KOs) of Royal Oak, Michigan, will face also-unbeaten Jose Elizondo (1-0) of San Antonio, Texas; and so-far perfect undefeated cruiserweight Clarence Dubose (3-0, 3 KOs) of Detroit will look to keep his KO streak intact against Karinn Davis (2-6, 2 KOs) of Jackson, Michigan.

Detroit middleweight Dorell Van Horn Jr. (9-0, 6 KOs) will face Rapid City, South Dakota’s Ryan Soft (3-5-1, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.

###

Remember, every ticket purchased to “Detroit Brawl” buys charitable meals for the Forgotten Harvest food rescue organization. Each regular ticket purchased will buy 10 meals that will be distributed to disadvantaged families and each VIP buys 15.

Based in Oak Park, Michigan, Forgotten Harvest was formed in 1990 to relieve hunger and prevent food waste throughout the metro Detroit area. Forgotten Harvest “rescued” over 40 million pounds of food last year by collecting surplus prepared and perishable food from over 800 locations, including grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, restaurants, caterers, dairies, farmers, wholesale food distributors and other Health Department-approved sources. This donated food, which would otherwise go to waste, is delivered free of-charge to 280 emergency food providers in the metro Detroit area. Forgotten Harvest has been ranked as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator for nine consecutive years.

Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar offers patrons an old-school sports and whiskey bar in Downtown Detroit’s Eastern Market district. Thomas Magee’s prides itself on providing every sport, every game, and every fight, plus great beer and whiskey!

For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visit www.salitapromotions.com. Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar is located at 1408 E Fisher Service Drive in Detroit. For more information, call 313-263-4342 or visit their official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ThomasMageesSportingHouseWhiskeyBar

On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm and the fights begin at 7:15 pm.

BIRMINGHAM, AL (July 11, 2016) – Unbeaten rising star Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (15-0, 11 KOs) returns to the ring to battle once-beaten brawler Ivan Montero (20-1, 8 KOs) in a super welterweight bout featured on the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FOX and FOX Deportes telecast onSaturday, July 16 from Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.

FOX televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is headlined by heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder defending his belt against two-time title challenger Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola plus undefeated welterweight contender Sammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez Jr. battles Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz. The televised action will switch over to FS1 and FOX Deportes immediately following the conclusion of the FOX telecast.

Bouts to be featured on FS1 & FOX Deportes include a 10-round matchup between unbeaten welterweight Jamal James (19-0, 9 KOs) and exciting contender Wale Omotoso (26-2, 21 KOs), former world champion Vic Darchinyan (42-8-1, 31 KOs) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout against Mexico’s Enrique Quevedo (16-7-1, 10 KOs) and undefeated heavyweight Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington (17-0-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round affair.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in
association with TGB Promotions and Bruno Event Team, start at only $20 and are on sale now. For tickets please visit www.alabamatitlefight.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

A highly regarded prospect with an exciting style, the 20-year-old Lubin burst onto the scene looking to finish opponents early as he cements his status as an elite contender. Fighting out of Orlando, he has already taken down experienced veterans including Orlando Lora, Ayi Bruce, Michael Finney and Norberto Gonzalez. He was sensational in November 2015 when he knocked out Alexis Camacho and in January he headlined his first card and dominated Jose De Jesus Macias in his first 10-round bout. He kept the hot streak going in June when stopped veteran Daniel Sandoval in the third round.

A professional since 2011, Montero was unbeaten in his first 19 pro fights including victories in 2015 over Michel Rosales and Julio Cesar Avalos. Fighting out of Yucatan, Mexico, he began his 2016 campaign by defeating Roberto Valdez in April. Now he looks to make a mark in his U.S. debut on July 16.

A tall welterweight at 6-foot-2, James is undefeated as a pro and beat tough contender Javier Molina in an FS1 and FOX Deportes main event in January. The 27-year-old out of Minneapolis had a big 2015 that began with victories over Michael Balasi and Daniel Sostre and culminated with a hard fought decision over once-beaten Juan Carlos Abreu in September. He will look to keep that momentum going when he faces his most dangerous opponent to date on July 16.

Born in Nigeria, but fighting out of Oxnard, Omotoso earned a unanimous decision over Gilberto Sanchez Leon in his last bout. He was unbeaten in his first 18 pro bouts while fighting out of Australia. The 31-year-old won his first five bouts stateside and will look for back-to-back victories when he battles James in Birmingham.

The fighter from Armenia who now fights out of Glendale, California, Darchinyan is coming off of stoppage victories over Cris Paulino and Prayoot Yaijam. Having fought against top contenders and former champions such as Abner Mares, Jesus Cuellar, Nonito Donaire and Nicholas Walters, Darchinyan looks to work his way back into world title contention after picking up titles in multiple weight classes. He takes on Quevedo out of Los Algodones, Mexico who most recently stopped previously unbeaten Yoandris Salinas in the fifth-round of their 2014 bout.

A two-way player (tight end and defensive end) at the University of Southern California, Washington spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills practice squads on his unconventional path that led him to boxing. The 34-year-old also worked in the Navy as a helicopter mechanic before going to USC and did not get his start in professional boxing until 2012. Fighting out of Vallejo, California, he is yet to lose in his latest endeavor and most recently he defeated former title challenger Eddie Chambers in April.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.alabamatitlefight.com www.dbe1.com,www.TGBPromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and foxdeportes.com follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @BronzeBomber, @NightmareBoxing @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions 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.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (July 12, 2016) — Since the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) came into existence in 2013, Floyd “Money” Mayweather has had a strangle-hold on the Nevada Fighter of the Year Award. The gifted Mayweather won the Award three straight years. However, that changes in 2016.

BADOU JACK “The Ripper,” who won the WBC super middleweight world title last year as a big underdog, dethroning undefeated defending champion Andre Dirrell. and successfully defended it twice since then, has been named the NVBHOF “Nevada Fighter of the Year.” In his first title defense, Badou found himself an underdog once again, this time to Britain’s popular slugger and two-time world title challenger George Groves at MGM Grand last September. He dropped Groves in the first round and outclassed him the rest of the way to take the decision. In April, Jack traveled to Washington, D.C. to face lethal slugger and former world champion Lucian Bute. The bout ended in a highly controversial majority draw, Jack a wide winner on one judge’s card, but the other two called it even. Media covering the fight were almost unanimous in saying Jack deserved the verdict. Jack (20-1-2), born in Stockholm of Swedish and Gambian parents, is a resident of Las Vegas.

Here is the complete list of the NVBHOF Award Winners for 2016:

NEVADA FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: BADOU JACK “THE RIPPER”

NEVADA FEMALE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: AVA KNIGHT. Since the last NVBHOF Induction, she has fought twice, both times in Mexico. Knight fought talented 17-3 Jasseth Noriega to a hotly-contested and disputed draw in Mazatlan and then two months later, recorded an impressive unanimous decision win over Judith Rodriguez in Los Mochis. A winner of the WBC Diamond Belt, Knight has a pro record of 14-2-4.

NEVADA AMATEUR FIGHTER OF THE YEAR : JJ MARIANO. After winning a National Championship belt at 139lbs in 2015, Mariano capped off his undefeated senior year at the University of Nevada, with a second consecutive National Title, this time at 147 pounds. Mariano decisioned University of Washington’s James Porter in the Final to run his lifetime record to 23-3. Mariano made the College Boxing Nationals in all four of his years for the Wolfpack. He is a lifelong resident of the Reno-Sparks area.

NEVADA PROSPECT OF THE YEAR : DEVIN HANEY. Becoming the youngest fighter to ever compete professionally at the famed MGM Grand, the 17 year old Haney decisioned Rafael Vasquez on the undercard of the Pacquiao-Bradley 3 fight in April. The flashy Haney, already a fan favorite, followed that up with a fourth-round TKO of undefeated Jairo Vargas at the Downtown Events Center in Las Vegas and a unanimous decision victory over Clay Burns in Baton Rouge, LA, in May and June, respectively. Trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr, Haney holds a record of 7-0.

MUHAMMAD ALI “HUMANITARIAN AWARD”: MAURICIO SULAIMAN. The WBC President, who has already made his own name in succeeding his late father Jose, is honored for his generosity and compassion outside the ring.. Sulaiman has been tireless in efforts to support charitable causes, many of them sponsored by professional boxers. His support, both financial and with the weight of WBC, extends to causes such as fighting diseases, support for education, mental health causes, help for the hungry and homeless and much more. He has also made support for military causes, such as Nevada Military Alliance Services, a prime focus. He also oversees the community-oriented WBC Cares program.

NVBHOF “PRESIDENTS AWARD”: HERB SANTOS ,SR. Involved in Nevada Boxing since 1970’s as a Judge and member of NSAC 1985-88, and Chairman 1987-88. Modernized NSAC rulebook published 1989. Santos received Special WBC recognition in 2012 as one of the top judges of the past 50 years. Santos is a Reno resident whose entire family, sons and grandchildren are involved in boxing.

Award winners will be honored during the NVBHOF Induction weekend July 29-30 at Caesars Palace, receiving their plaques at the Inductees Party Friday, July 29, and then introduced at the Induction Ceremony, Saturday, July 30.

Remaining Tickets for the NVBHOF induction Gala, priced at $300, $175 and $75, are on sale now through the organization’s website at www.nvbhof.com. In addition, a day-long autograph session with inductees, honorees, champions and other boxing figures will take place Friday, also at Caesars Palace.

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is an IRS 501-c-3 non-profit, charitable organizations which donates to boxing-related causes. Ticket purchases, auction or raffle purchases, and donations are tax-deductible.

TUNICA, MS (July 12, 2016) – Undefeated super lightweight Sergey Lipinets is days away from meeting Nicaragua’s Walter Castillo in the explosive main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Friday, July 15 from Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features 2012 Olympic Silver medalist Tugstsogt Nyambayar facing veteran featherweight contender Rafael “Dynamite” Vazquez.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing in association with Prize Fight, the City of Tunica the Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino, are priced at $60 and $35, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling Warriors Boxing at (954) 985-1155 or by visiting www.warriorsboxing.com.

Lipinets hopes a decisive victory over Castillo will put him squarely in the mix of 140-pounds contenders and he has enlisted the help of Buddy McGirt as his new trainer heading into this fight. Here is what Lipinets had to say about his matchup, training camp and more:

On fighting in the main event on ESPN:
“I’m very thankful to be fighting on a great network like ESPN. I’m hoping to score a spectacular knockout and have it be shown on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays…that would be great. One thing the fans watching can count on, is me throwing a lot of hard punches. I want to have an electrifying performance.”

On his current training camp:
“I’ve been working really hard to improve on every aspect of my game. I’m seeing improvement in a lot of areas, especially fighting on the inside. I want to be a well-rounded fighter who can make adjustments in a fight and it all starts in the gym. I’m happy with my sparring sessions. I’m feeling really confident going into this fight.”

On facing tough opponent Walter Castillo:
“Castillo is a veteran with many more fights than me. I know experience will be on his side, but I have many fights in kickboxing that will make up for my lack of fights in the boxing arena. I’m not sure how he deals with southpaws, but I’m going to be setting the pace from the opening round. I’m expecting him to be in great shape so I believe it’s going to be a good competitive fight, but one I feel I can win.”

On how he feels his career is progressing…
“I never dreamed everything would come so fast. In only my eighth fight, I’ll be fighting on national television for the second time, and it’s very beneficial to my career. I’m making a name for myself and everyone is starting to take notice. My career is taking off.”

On his relationship with veteran trainer Buddy McGirt…
“Buddy and I are working great together. He brings a lot of experience and knowledge to the ring. He comes up with fantastic game plans as he’s able to see flaws in my opponents. Being that he’s a former fighter, I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. We both know what it’s like to be in the ring and that’s very important to me. I’m happy with his instructions.”

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @UnionSamurai, @WarriorsBoxProm, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions
and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

13 July 2016 – Singapore: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has announced that it has entered into definitive agreements with a consortium-led by Heliconia Capital Management (“Heliconia”) for an investment into the company.

With this new partnership, ONE Championship will continue to expand and break new ground, and increase the number of live Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events across Asia, especially in China.

Chatri Sityodtong, Founder and Chairman of ONE Championship, stated: “In less than five years, ONE Championship has grown into a global brand with a broadcast reach to over 1 billion homes across 118 countries around the world. We have consistently broken attendance records at many of the largest stadiums across Asia. I expect to see an acceleration in business fundamentals across the board for ONE Championship. My team and I are fully committed to building a global business with strong ethics and values such as integrity, respect, humility, courage and inspiration. As Asia’s largest sports media property and the 2nd largest MMA organization in the world, ONE Championship will benefit significantly from Heliconia’s ecosystem, network, and resources.”

MMA is currently the fastest growing sport, accelerating exponentially by over 30 times in the past 10 years. In the past five years, ONE Championship has accelerated the growth of MMA in Asia as the market leader, organising live events across the region and broadcasting around the world.

Derek Lau, CEO of Heliconia stated: “We believe ONE Championship can potentially be the next big thing for consumers in Asia. They have the right product for Asia, they understand Asia and know how to monetise the value proposition in various ways in the New Economy. We are really excited to see ONE Championship taking the lead in the coming years to grow the sports media and entertainment industry in Asia.”

Lee Ark Boon, CEO of IE Singapore, said: “Traditional media and entertainment companies in Asia are facing strong headwinds with declining content sales and advertising revenues. ONE Championship’s foresight to identify and create unique content with global appeal illustrates the need for our companies to embrace new business models and transform themselves into globally competitive companies.”

Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “I believe this partnership marks the beginning of a long and fruitful journey to bring ONE Championship to the rest of the world. Heliconia is a well-respected investment firm with the expertise, resources and contacts across Asia. For us, this investment by Heliconia represents a strong vote of confidence and a belief in the value that ONE Championship can bring. This partnership will unlock additional markets and opportunities for ONE Championship.”

ONE Championship has consistently partnered with the best blue chip global brands around the world such as Disney, Facebook, Marvel, Under Armour, Sony, Universal Music Group, L’Oreal, and others. It currently has a roster of the best local and international athletes and champions in Asia. ONE Championship is dedicated to developing these athletes into true Asian heroes to inspire fans across Asia.

For more updates on ONE Championship™, please visit www.onefc.com and follow Twitter and Instagram @ONEFCMMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA.

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, Physique TV, MYTV, HTV, Esporte Interativo and more.

About Heliconia Capital Management
Heliconia Capital Management Pte Ltd is an investment firm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore investment company Temasek that provides growth capital for Singapore’s leading small and medium sized enterprises, helping them become globally competitive companies. For more information about Heliconia, please visit www.heliconiacapital.com.

Bayonne, New Jersey (July 12, 2016)–On Saturday night, August 27th, Nick Jayme’s LGM Promotions will be back with a star-studded card at the BCB Pavilion in Bayonne, New Jersey.

In the main event, it will be a battle of New Jersey based welterweights as Alex Perez (18-2, 10 KOs) will take on Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez (12-4, 5 KOs) in a bout scheduled for eight rounds and will be contested for the IBU World Welterweight title.

This will be Newark native Perez’ return to the ring after an eighteen-month layoff.

Perez, 34 years-old turned professional in 2004 and won his first 16 bouts. He has solid wins over Edy Chavez (1-0), Josh Sosa (10-1) and Francisco Figueroa (20-3). On March 14, 2009 Perez captured the WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation Welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Laureano Laracuente at the Coliseo Luis Aymat in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico.

Perez was last seen in the ring, losing to Brandon Adams in the acclaimed Boxcino tournament on February 13, 2015 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The 29 year-old Rodriguez, hailing from Union City, New Jersey turned professional in 2009 and won his first 11 bouts.

All four of Rodriguez’ defeats have come to undefeated fighters.

In his last bout, he was stopped by Ivan Golub on January 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

In a 10-round junior featherweight, Orlando “Orlandito” Del Valle (22-2, 16 KOs) will see action versus an opponent to be named in a 10-round bout.

Following a nationally televised unanimous decision victory, in his most recent fight against veteran Thomas Snow on May 13, 2016, in Washington, D.C., Del Valle looks to continue his momentum in the Bayonne ring for a fifth consecutive victory.

In six-round bouts:

Tyrell Wright (8-0-1, 6 KOs) of Jersey City, NJ will rematch Jacob Chavez (4-3, 3 KOs) of Las Vegas, NV in a heavyweight bout.

Jose Ortiz (3-3-2, 1 KO) of Jersey City, NJ will have his 3rd bout with Tyrone Luckey (8-6-2, 6 KO’s) of Neptune, NJ in a super featherweight bout.

The two met twice in 2015 with the first bout being declared a draw, while Luckey took the latest fight via unanimous decision on August 15, 2015 in Jersey City, NJ.

Hakim Bryant (6-0, 4 KO’s) of Asbury Park, NJ will take on an opponent to be named in a middleweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Leon Johnson (1-0) of Newark, NJ battles Alando Pugh (1-8-1, 1 KO) of Washington, DC in a heavyweight bout.

Adding to the card’s pool of Garden State talent will also be undefeated junior welterweight John “El Terrible” Bauza (2-0, 2 KOs) of North Bergen, NJ to fight an opponent to be named. Before turning pro, Bauza was the number one rated youth amateur fighter in the nation at 141 pounds with his defeat of Philadelphia’s Branden Pizarro at the 2016 USA Boxing Youth Junior Welterweight National Championship in Reno, Nevada.

Also seeing action against opponents to be named will be welterweight Caleb Hernandez (2-0, 1 KO) of Paterson, NJ; and middleweight Magdiel Cotto (4-0, 4 KOs) of Puerto Rico.

Tickets prices are $125 for VIP Table; $65 for Ringside; $55 for General ringside and $40 for General Admission and can be purchased by visiting: www.lgmpromo.eventbrite.com

BROOKLYN (July 12, 2016) – Brooklyn-native and WBO Featherweight World Champion Amanda Serrano (28-1-1, 21 KOs) will defend her title on a stacked night of action at Barclays Center as she takes on Colombia’s Calixta Silgado (14-6-3, 9 KOs) Saturday, July 30 in Brooklyn.

Serrano makes her Barclays Center debut in the first female world championship fight ever held at the venue. The event is headlined by featherweight world champion Leo Santa Cruz defending his belt against Irish star Carl Frampton in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features former two-division world champion Mikey Garcia facing former world champion Elio Rojas and 154-pound contenders Tony Harrison and Sergey Rabchenko meeting in a world title eliminator.

“I couldn’t be happier about this opportunity,” said Serrano. “To be the first female fighter to defend her world title at Barclays Center is truly something special. This is one of the biggest cards of the year, and I am honored to be a part of it. I can’t wait to put on a spectacular show on July 30th, and I guarantee that this fight will not go the distance.”

“All the talk has been about Amanda being the first female fighter to defend a championship at Barclays, but I am coming to Brooklyn to win and to make history by becoming the first female to win a world title there,” said Silgado. “Amanda is one of the most feared punchers in boxing, but I do not fear her. This is my opportunity to shine and I plan on leaving that ring on July 30th with her championship belt around my waist.”

“Puerto Rican Brooklynite Amanda Serrano is absolutely one of the best female fighters on the planet,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “She has tremendous skills, devastating power, and is always in exciting fights. Already a three-division world champion, WBO featherweight titlist Serrano will make history at the Barclays Center, on July 30’s extraordinary card, when she becomes the first female boxer to defend her world title at the renowned venue.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions and presented by Premier Boxing Champions, start at $38 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Additional action on July 30 will feature an all-Brooklyn welterweight battle between two-time world champion Paulie Malignaggi and Gabriel Bracero in the main event of a SHOWTIME EXTREME doubleheader. Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/PT with a lightweight slugfest between Ivan Redkach and Tevin Farmer.

Raised in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, Serrano gravitated toward boxing from watching her older sister Cindy, also a professional fighter. She picked the sport up quickly, amassing a 9-1 record during a brief amateur career that saw her win the New York Golden Gloves title in 2008. The 27-year-old would go on to fight all over the world, seizing her first world title in 2011 when she defeated Kimberly Connor to grab a super featherweight belt. In 2014, she went to Argentina and defeated Maria Elena Maderna to become a world champion at lightweight. Her latest world title campaign began in February when she stopped Olivia Gerula in the first round to capture her featherweight championship. She will be taking on the 28-year-old Silgado, out of Tolu, Colombia, who has tried four times to win a world title and who will be fighting in the U.S. for the second time on July 30.

# # #

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information, visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @RealCFrampton, @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Cuban boxing great Guillermo Rigondeaux came face-to-face with Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens at today’s press conference ahead of their WBA Super-Bantamweight World Title showdown at the Cardiff Ice Arena this Saturday, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Rigondeaux, renowned worldwide for his devastating hand speed and lightening quick reactions, heaped praise on his challenger for stepping up to the plate to take him on. The undefeated two-time Olympic Gold Medalist blasted his rival super-bantamweights for avoiding him; labeling them as cowards.

“I would like to show my respect and gratitude to Dickens for having the courage to take this fight,” said Rigondeaux. “Dickens is the only super-bantamweight in the world that has the guts to step in the ring with me. All of the others like to talk and talk but they don’t have the courage to actually fight. They know where to find me; I’m here and I’m ready to face anyone in the world. I’m quicker than Fedex and better than UPS.

“The Welsh fans are going to get an amazing show. We had an amazing training camp and I’m really excited to be here as I know you guys are massive boxing fans and I really appreciate all of the support. I’m ready to go!”

In a real ‘Rocky’ story Dickens heads into the fight as the massive underdog against Rigondeaux, but has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rip up the script and catapult himself into the world’s elite by defeating the Havana hitman.

“I believe it is God’s will for me to take this fight,” said Dickens. “I’ve been dreaming of a fight like this since I was a little kid and I’m extremely grateful to all those who made this fight possible. We have a good game plan going in there and we’re confident we can cause an upset.

“I’m the massive underdog. I’d just like to say to all of the youngsters out there, don’t be afraid to chase your dreams and always believe in yourself. I’ve worked for this shot my whole life and I intend on grabbing it with both hands.”

Limited tickets are available from:

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Ticketline UK
02920 230 130
www.ticketlineuk.com

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise the show live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, TalkTalk 415, Freeview 255 and also on smart connected devices via multiple platforms. Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Unbeaten featherweight prospect José ‘El Chocolatito’ González signed a multiannual promotional contract with Top Rank® the promotional company based in Las Vegas that is led by hall of fame promoter, Bob Arum.

As a professional fighter, Gonzalez, who was born and raised in Harlem, New York, marches undefeated with a record of 3-0-1 and 1 knockout. The fighter that is called ‘El Chocolatito’ amassed a 34-6 record as an amateur and won various amateur tournaments as: Junior Olympics in 2011 and Golden Gloves in 2014.

“I feel very blessed and thankful for my managers and Top Rank for giving me this opportunity to sign with the best promotional company,” said Gonzalez. This will motivate me to train harder every day and accomplish my goal of becoming a world champion,” guaranteed the 20-year old fighter.

‘El Chocolatito’, who describes himself as a classic boxer-puncher with knockout power, is trained by his father Martin Gonzalez, in the famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn.

Boxing runs through the Gonzalez’s veins. Martin represented Nicaragua in 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona and Jose is the cousin of world champion Roman ‘El Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, from whom he adopted his nickname.
“Jose is solid prospect who is always in entertaining fights and has a growing fan base. Along with his manager, Richard Anthony guiding him, his future is extremely bright,” said Carl Moretti, vice-president of Top Rank.

“It is a honor and privilege to work with the Top Rank family. Bob Arum and his team have been a delight to work with and we look forward to a long and happy relationship,” said Richard Anthony, manager of Gonzalez.

Details about Gonzalez debut under the Top Rank banner will be announced soon.

Philadelphia, PA (July 12, 2016)–Banner Promotions is pleased to announce the re-signing of former world title challenger and Boxcino 2014 Middleweight champion, Willie Monroe Jr. to an exclusive promotional agreement.

Monroe of Rochester, New York has a record of 20-2 with 6 knockouts and is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision over fellow former world title challenger and Boxcino champion, John Thompson on June 11th in Verona, New York.

The 29 year-old Monroe turned professional in 2008 and won his first 10 bouts. Monroe won the 2014 Boxcino Middleweight tournament with wins over Donatas Bondorovas, Vitally Kopylenko, and Brandon Adams.

Those wins catapulted him into a bout with WBA/Interim WBC Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.

Monroe performed admirably in the bout, which took place on May 16, 2015 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

“I’m excited to re-sign with Banner Promotions. Artie has been nothing but great to me, and he’ll put me in position to fight against the Danny Jacobs and Canelos of the boxing world,” said Willie Monroe Jr.

“It feels good to have a fresh start over. I am coming off of a huge win on Showtime vs. John Thompson, and I now have a great team watching my back with my brother, Trent Monroe, TJ Nolan and Adrian Clark as my Strategic Partner.”

“Doing what was best for Willie was the focal point in negotiations. We put our heads together and structured a great deal for Willie with Banner Promotions. I am looking forward to working with Artie to map out things for Willie,” said Adrian Clark, Monroe’s Strategic Partner.

“We are excited to have Willie back in the fold,” said Banner Promotions President, Arthur Pelullo.

“Willie has showed not only in the Boxcino tournament, but in his fight against Golovkin, that he is one of the top middleweights in the world. He had a great performance against John Thompson, and now he is ready for any challenge in the division. We will be actively pursuing all of those opportunities for Willie.”

Undefeated Minnesota-based middleweight Rob “Bravo” Brant would like to be the contender chosen to face WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders on September 17.

Saunders (23-0, 12 KOs) announced last week he would be fighting on the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Liam Smith undercard on HBO pay-per-view in the United States, and WBO #9-rated Brant (20-0, 13 KOs) says he thinks he’s the right choice to face him.

“I have the utmost respect Billy Joe Saunders as an athlete,” said Brant. “I respect him so much that I would really enjoy giving him a grand welcome to the United States in the middle of the square circle.”

Brant has been on a tear for the last year, scoring important victories on national television, including a “KO of the Year” contending knockout over Decarlo Perez in January. During that time, he also won the NABA Middleweight and WBC Continental Americas Championships.

“Rob Brant is the perfect choice for Saunders in that fight,” said Brant’s promoter, Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions. “He’s red hot right now. He’s undefeated and makes for exciting fights and he’s got a fan following from his television appearances. Saunders vs. Brant makes great sense for boxing fans and from a business perspective.”

Cohen says he’s hoping to hear from Saunders’ representatives soon.
About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen first made promotional headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney.

Cohen currently promotes WBA Interim World Lightweight Champion Ismael Barroso, Undefeated WBA NABA Heavyweight Champion and world-rated contender Jarrell Miller, undefeated WBA NABA Middleweight Champion and world-rated contender Robert Brant, former world champion Kendall Holt, as well as current world-rated contenders including long-time elite middleweight “Mean” Joe Greene, top super featherweight Arash Usmanee, Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis; WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Australian lightweight prospect Josh King.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including CBS Sports Network, HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.

biggest name of his boxing career as he meets former world title challenger Darnell “The Ding-a-Ling Man” Wilson (25-21-3, 21 KOs).

Barboza returns to Cape Cod after headlining two shows right there in his backyard in 2015, scoring a pair of first round knockouts over Jesse Oltmanns and Francisco Mireles. He has indicated that the bout will be his last ever on Cape Cod.

“I’m excited and thrilled to give my all for my hometown one last time before I hang them up,” said Barboza.

Darnell Wilson is an accomplished boxer. Known for his concussive knockout power, he made a big splash on the boxing world in 2007 with a win over former world title challenger Dale Brown, a KO win over former world champion Kelvin Davis and a crushing KO of top 10 contender Emmanuel Nwodo that was voted “Knockout of the Year” by ESPN and Ring Magazine amongst others.

In 2008, he would lose a 12-round decision against Firat Arslan in a bid for the WBA Cruiserweight World Championship. Afterwards, he would move up to heavyweight earning noteworthy victories over former world champion Juan Carlos Gomez and the previously unbeaten David Rodriguez, who was 36-0, with 34 KOs entering their fight.

“I’ve had some ups and downs as a professional boxer but I look at this as a great opportunity for me and Jesse.” Wilson said, “He’s in his physical prime and I want to use this to gauge some things about myself. Can I get myself back into contention to fight for major titles? If I can, I need to beat Barboza. I know he’s not afraid to test himself looking at who he has fought recently and I’m not afraid either. Let’s do this.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.CapeCodBoxing.com. A very limited number of ringside seats are available for $60 each, while general admission costs $40.

Boston Boxing Promotions is dedicated to the resurgence of professional boxing at the regional level, particularly in the New England area. To learn more about the promotion, you can follow them on Twitter @BostonProBoxing, join the promotion’s official Facebook page “Boston Boxing Promotions,” and visit the promotion’s website www.BostonBoxingPromotions.com.

LAS VEGAS (July 12, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today the completion of a nine-fight preliminary card for the highly-anticipated WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II, world championship doubleheader that airs live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT from XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. on Saturday, July 30.

The preliminary card will stream live, in its entirety, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT, on an embeddable video player on WSOF.com.

Joining the previously announced, headlining featherweight (145 pounds) preliminary card showdown between undefeated, rising stars Hakeem Dawodu (5-0-1) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Marat Magomedov (7-0-1) of Dagestan, Russia, are 8 fights stacked with a collection of 12 local upstarts.

“We have a phenomenal fight card in store for fans for our debut in Washington State, and are looking forward to touching down in Everett, and seeing some of the best prospects in the area, and potential, future World Series of Fighting athletes in action,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

In a featured, middleweight (185 pounds) preliminary card battle, Rex “T-Rex” Harris (9-2) will put a five-fight win streak on the line against undefeated Nicolai “Blanka” Salchow (6-0).

The 33-year-old Harris of West Pittston, Pa. is a perfect 2-0, to date, inside the World Series of Fighting decagon cage. In his last start at WSOF30 on April 2, he earned a unanimous decision over Clinton Williams.

Salchow of Dusseldorf, Germany is a 32-year-old finisher who has been taken the distance of a fight only once since turning pro in 2004. He is coming off a first round (2:25) TKO (punches) of Steve Montgomery on May 7.

In another middleweight preliminary card contest and rematch, Alfonso “Big Smooth” Gonzales (9-1) of Tacoma, Wash. and Thomas Hoeper (4-2) of Arlington, Wash. will revisit their first meeting that took place on September 26, 2015 and ended with Gonzales scoring a second round (1:29) TKO (punches) on Hoeper.

Elsewhere on the undercard, recent World Series of Fighting signee and former K-1 star Andrews Nakahara (4-3-2) of Mogi Das Cruzes, Brazil will make his promotional debut against Travis “The Praying Mantis” Doerge (5-8) of Renton, Wash. in a welterweight (170 pounds) bout.

Unbeaten prospects Patrick Benson (2-0) of McKenna, Wash. and Brett Malone (1-0) of Marysville, Wash. will put their perfect records on the line against each other in a lightweight (155) matchup.

Also at lightweight, Matt Coble (9-7) of Bellingham, Wash. will collide with Colt Hausauer (5-4) of Eastsound, Wash.

Following a stellar, near perfect amateur career during which he amassed an overall record of 10-1, 28-year-old Tycen “Shin To Chin” Lynn of Everett will make his highly-anticipated professional debut in a bantamweight (135 pounds) matchup with 23-year-old, fellow upstart Justin Hugo (1-1) of Everett.

In heavyweight action, Matt “The Attack” Kovacs (11-13) of Everett will face off with Bill Widler (9-6) of Redding, Calif.

Kicking off the WSOF32 preliminary bout card will be a bantamweight contest between Jon Marc Cortez (0-2) of Renton and Joe Elea (0-1) of Everett.

Priced from $29, tickets for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II are on sale at XFINITYArenaEverett.com and WSOF.com.

In the world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship main event, Marlon Moraes 16-4-1) will defend his coveted title for the second time against Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1) while, in the co-main event and a second world championship rematch, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) will put his featherweight (145 pounds) belt on the line against the fighter he took it from – Lance Palmer (10-2).

Doors at XFINITY Arena Everett will open at 3:30 p.m. PT for WSOF32, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 4:00 p.m.

WSOF32: MORAES VS. HILL II

MAIN CARD (Live on NBCSN)

World Series of Fighting Bantamweight Championship Main Event:
Marlon Moraes (Champion) vs. Josh Hill (Challenger)

World Series of Fighting Featherweight Championship Co-Main Event:
Alexandre Almeida (Champion) vs. Lance Palmer (Challenger)

Catchweight (162 pounds): Caros Fodor vs. Phoenix Jones
Middleweight: Phil Hawes vs. Louis Taylor

PRELIMINARY CARD (Live on WSOF.com)

Featherweight: Hakeem Dawodu vs. Marat Magomedov
Middleweight: Rex Harris vs. Nicolai Salchow
Welterweight: Andrews Nakahara vs. Travis Doerge
Middleweight: Alfonso Gonzales vs. Thomas Hoeper
Heavyweight: Matt Kovacs vs. Bill Widler
Lightweight: Patrick Benson vs. Brett Malone
Lightweight: Matt Coble vs. Colt Hausauer
Bantamweight: Justin Hugo vs. Tycen Lynn
Bantamweight: Jon Marc Cortez vs. Joe Elzea

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING

“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a worldwide premier, professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion partnered with NBC, NBCSN and international media distribution giant, IMG. Established in 2012 and headquartered in Las Vegas with satellite offices in New York City and Boston, the company is dedicated to delivering an incredible experience for sports fans by producing action-packed, live fights between elite athletes from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com and follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries. WSOF and World Series of Fighting are registered trademarks of MMAWC, LLC.

ABOUT NBCSN
NBCSN, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 85 million homes, the Emmy Award-winning network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL) – including two games of the Stanley Cup Final — Premier League, Formula One, IndyCar, Tour de France, the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2015, NASCAR. In addition, NBCSN features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk, The Dan Patrick Show, and NASCAR America. NBCSN is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

About XFINITY Arena at Everett
The XFINITY Arena at Everett, recipient of the International Association of Venue Manager’s (IAVM)
prestigious Venue Excellence Award 2010, was developed by the Everett Public Facilities District.
The 10,000-seat venue hosts a myriad of events including concerts, ice skating and family shows and
is home to the Everett Silvertips, a Western Hockey League franchise. The venue is managed by
Spectra by Comcast Spectacor and embodies all three of its divisions: Venue Management, Food
Services & Hospitality and Ticketing & Fan Engagement.

Professional boxing returns to the Pioneer Event Center (“The PEC”) in Lancaster, California this Saturday, July 16, 2016.

Presented by Top Rank in association with Team Estrada/Roman Promotions and Bash Boxing, the Antelope Valley’s premiere boxing show Fists of Fury 5 will be supplemented by undefeated world class boxers from the Top Rank stable including Casey “The Wizard” Ramos (22-0), Arnold Barbosa Jr. (12-0), and Egis “The Mean Machine” Kavaliauskus (13-0).

Ramos, who won his previous bout in a bloody affair in Burbank, returns to Southern California to face Chile’s Hardy Paredes (18-13) in the Solo Boxeo on Unimas main event. South El Monte’s Barbosa has been rapidly rising up the rankings and will take on upset minded Texan John David Charles (9-7). While the Lithuanian sensation Kavaliauskus takes on heralded upset specialist Jeremy Bryan (17-6).

Fists of Fury 5 will also feature Lancaster’s own Jose Hernandez (12-2-1) taking on undefeated Ulises Sierra (9-0-2) for the California Super Middleweight Championship. While Palmdale’s undefeated female sensation Poula Estrada (5-0) faces off against Mexico’s Paola Ortiz (1-5-1). Rounding out the undercard will be a trio of undefeated prospects, Bryan Gallegos (4-0), Maxim Dadashev (2-0), and Oscar Mendoza (1-0).

Tickets starting at just $30 can be purchased online at www.uavpec.com or by calling
(661) 538-1997.

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

How is Crawford different from other boxers and what kind of fight are you expecting?

POSTOL

“What differentiates Crawford from many other fighters are his skills and technical attributes. From a mental aspect he is a very clever boxer, always using his mind in the ring, changing stances, all the time adapting to different types of opponents. He has shown this in his previous fights. But that does not mean he is the best I have fought. I think Lucas Matthysse is a higher-level fighter than Crawford and everyone knows how my fight with Matthysse ended, with him knocked out and the WBC belt around my waist. And that is exactly where the WBC belt will remain after my fight with Crawford on July 23. Just above the WBO belt. I am looking forward to destroying Crawford — destroying his perfect record and destroying his reign as world champion.”

ROACH

“Crawford can box and move and is a very good fighter. I think both fighters are very complete boxers and both have good amateur backgrounds and great pro backgrounds. They have one common opponent — Hank Lundy. Crawford knocked him out but when we fought him four years ago and won a decision, Lundy was in his prime. And just because I am impressed by Crawford doesn’t mean I am intimidated by him. Viktor will break him down just as he did with Matthysse. He has a lot of patience which comes from experience. He’s going to break Crawford down brick by brick, with his jabs and his body shots. Viktor leaves nothing to chance. No one works harder in the gym than Viktor. I give Crawford a lot of credit for taking this fight. But bravery will only take you so far in this game and in this fight it won’t be taking Crawford into the winner’s circle.”

Crawford vs. Postol takes place Saturday, July 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Will Postol be the toughest test of career? Why did you decide to take such a dangerous fight?

CRAWFORD

“On paper you could make a case that Postol will be the toughest man I have faced inside the ring, but I won’t really know that until I fight him on July 23. When I go into camp, I always assume the opponent I’m training for will be my toughest test. It’s the only way I know how to train. I respect any fighter who laces up the gloves and enters the ring to battle with me. I take no opponent for granted and I take nothing in training camp for granted. We are by the book in camp. We skip nothing in gym training or conditioning. It’s a fulltime job. You have no idea what it takes on a daily basis to get myself to the level I achieve on fight night. I cannot afford an off night. It’s unacceptable and it’s dangerous. No one is going to give me anything in a fight. I have to earn it the old-fashioned way and that’s by taking the fight to my opponent and winning it. Against Postol, I’m not just defending my belt, I’m out to take his too. That’s the reason for taking such a tough fight. It is because I wanted to fight the best fighter out there. To beat the best fighter out there. To show that I am the best fighter in the division.”

McINTYRE

“We won’t know if Postol will be the toughest until we get into the ring with him. He does have some good victories, he has a title and he is undefeated. So if you look at those credentials, you can’t ask for a stronger opponent than that for Terence. Both fighters are risking their titles and their undefeated records — everything that have worked so hard to earn — and that is something that appeals to us and appeals to fans who are looking for the best to fight the best. A victory on July 23 will lead to bigger and tougher tests and we welcome that too. I know Terence is the best fighter in boxing. We want him to have the opportunities to prove it. Regarding the July 23rd fight, I’m not worried about what Postol will be doing. I’m only concerned about what Terence does in training camp. And right now, Terence is having an amazing camp. Because Terence is training so strong, my gut is telling me this may be an easy fight for us.”

Crawford vs. Postol takes place Saturday, July 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the blockbuster showdown between Gennady Golovkin and Kell Brook go on sale tomorrow (Wednesday July 13)

Pound-for-pound star Golovkin fights in the UK for the first time in his career and puts his IBF, WBA, WBC and IBO Middleweight titles on the line against the unbeaten IBF World Welterweight king Brook, with the duo sharing a combined record of 71-0 with 57 wins by KO.

Promoter Eddie Hearn announced the first additions to the undercard yesterday with former Team GB star Charlie Edwards challenging Johnriel Casimero for the IBF World Flyweight title and unbeaten teen sensation Conor Benn tasting his fourth fight in the paid ranks.

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday July 13 at midday to O2 Priority members at www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday July 14 at midday to Matchroom Fight Pass members from the Fight Pass area at www.matchroomboxing.com and the venue and AXS pre-sale before tickets go on general sale at www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday July 15 at midday from www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets are priced between £40 to £500 will be available from www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202. VIP tickets are £1,000 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.
Face value tickets for September 10 will also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ from midday on Friday July 15. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

LOS ANGELES (July 11, 2016) – Having taken the 140-pound division by storm, the WBC’s number one-ranked super lightweight “Relentless” Antonio Orozco (24-0, 16 KOs) will continue to pursue a world championship title as a Golden Boy Promotions fighter, retaining the Los Angeles-based company founded by Oscar De La Hoya as his promoter. Orozco’s multi-year agreement comes ahead of his July 30 fight where he will headline the HBO Latino card against Abner “Jaeger” Lopez (25-5, 19 KOs) at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.

“Since I was a child I always dreamed to be part of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions,” said Antonio Orozco. “This is where I started my career and this is where I would like to finish. I am at my prime, and re-signing with Golden Boy represents the second chapter of my career of become a world champion.”

“Antonio Orozco is one of the best fighters in our stable at Golden Boy Promotions, and with his natural talent, skill and strong work ethic, he is poised to become a world champion in this sport, without a doubt,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “I’m proud Antonio chose to stay with the Golden Boy family, and I’m excited to see him conquer the division and rise to the top of the sport.”

“I look for great things for Antonio Orozco, we started with Golden Boy and this is where we want to finish,” said Frank “Derecho” Espinoza, manager of Antonio Orozco. “We enjoy being part of the Golden Boy family and with their help we know we will get to the next level and fight for a world title.”

Unbeaten as a professional, San Diego’s Antonio Orozco has paid his dues on the way to the top, and now his only intention is to get the shot at a world championship that he’s craved. Rated as number one by the WBC, and rated in the top 10 by all sanctioning bodies in the super lightweight division, Orozco is ready for the next chapter of his career as a world champion. Winner of the NABF junior super lightweight title in 2014, the 28-year-old has since defeated former world champions Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto and Steve “2Pound” Forbes, and hot prospect Emmanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor. In his most recent bout on March 25, 2015, Orozco made another statement with a first round knockout of Miguel “Aguacerito” Acosta that thrilled the fans at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @PuroBoxOrozco, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @ItsRelentless.

Lou DiBella
Thank you. And thank you all for joining us on the PBC on FOX Wilder vs. Arreola conference call. This show will be on July 16 at the Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama. The start time on FOX is 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT

The opening bout on FOX is a terrific one. It’s undefeated 21-0 U.S. Army vet Sammy Vasquez against Felix Diaz, former Dominican Olympian. Excellent matchup in the welterweight division.

And then the heavyweight championship of the world where Deontay Wilder will be defending his WBC title against Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola. This wasn’t the fight, obviously, that Deontay had begun training for, the one we anticipated. In some ways, that makes it all the more dangerous and sort of leaves a lot of questions, because Chris Arreola never expected to be getting the shot at a heavyweight title on July 16; experienced heavyweight; a rugged, strong, big guy that’s dangerous and had some ups and downs in his career.

I think Chris knows that this is his opportunity and his big chance. Yo introduce Chris to say a few words, the Goossens and the Browns have worked with Chris Arreola throughout his career. And it’s my pleasure to introduce Brittany Goossen Brown.

Brittany Goossen Brown
Thank you, Lou. It has been our pleasure to have promoted Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola since he turned professional over 12 years ago. As long as I’ve known him, it has always been his dream to become the first Mexican heavyweight world champion and wear that green belt.

Saturday, July 16 will be Chris’s third attempt to fulfill his dreams. And he will not let this opportunity pass him by.

We’d like to thank FOX and FOX Deportes, the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama and everyone at DiBella Entertainment for their help in this promotion.

Without further ado, I’m honored to pass it over to my friend, Chris Arreola. Chris, do you want to go ahead and make an opening statement?

Chris Arreola
Yeah, well, this is my third opportunity and yeah, I’ve been with the Goossen’s for a very long time. Basically since the beginning of my career, it has been just a long road, man. I’ve been working hard. I’ve been working very hard to win this title. I can’t let this opportunity slip away, man. I respect Deontay. But like I said, once the bell rings, it’s time to go fight and it’s time to get that title, man.

I want that title. I want it more than anything. I’ve been working my ass off over in San Diego. I’ve got to make the best out of this opportunity.

L. DiBella
Thank you, Chris. Just before I introduce Deontay to say a few words, I just want to note that Chris’s trainer Henry Ramirez will be on the line when we open up to questions and so will Jay Deas, Deontay’s trainer and co-manager. So those gentlemen will be on the line if you want to ask them any questions when you’re asking Chris and Deontay.

It’s my pleasure to promote the WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World. I think one of the signs of a true professional and a real champion is to be able to roll with the punches, literally and figuratively. This has been a period where it’s been hard for Deontay. He’s had to roll with a lot of punches and a lot of things that were outside of his control.

July 16 he is putting the heavyweight title on the line again against the very, very tough customer who knows it’s his last chance. So this is a big night for Deontay Wilder and his fans.

It’s my pleasure to introduce the WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World, one of the most charismatic, hard punching and most approachable heavyweight champions we’ve had in a long time, Deontay Wilder.

Deontay Wilder
How are you guys doing? Less than a week away from the fight. I’m getting excited. I’m always excited to fight. I was born to do this. The closer it gets, the more eager and excited I’ve become, ready to get in the ring and do what I love to do; and that’s knock out people. I’ve been blessed with a God-given power.

I don’t have to work out a day in my life and I wake up in shape, just God given. Right there and I thank him for that. I’m just ready to put on another show for my – for my city, for my state of Alabama. We came a long way with first off going to the Olympics and then getting a commission to have professional bouts here and bringing attention to the sweet sport of boxing and to my state and we’re still climbing.

It’s been a long process. It’s been a strong and long days. But we’re here and we’re making – people here, they yearn for win the next fight. We want to see the next fight. We want to see the next championship fight. I bless people over and over again to see many shows here throughout the state of Alabama. And it became my thing now.

I’m looking forward to the BJCC with fans all over the world are going to be, not just Alabama. It’s going to my fans. It’s going to be Chris’ fans. It’s going to be fans all over the world that love boxing that’s going to attend. And that’s what it’s all about. All levels of classes coming together, seeing a great event come July the 16th.

And I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait. I need a stress reliever because I’ve been under so much stress. So I need something to hit. I can’t wait until July the 16th to get this stress relief off me.

L. DiBella
Thank you, Deontay. Once again, we want a big audience for PBC on FOX, but there are plenty affordable seats available at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham at the BJCC. So anybody who is drivable from Birmingham or anybody that can get on a plane, a Chris Arreola fan, come on down to Birmingham. And it’s going to be a great event.

Q
Chris, did you learn anything in the Klitschko fight that might help you get inside on Deontay?

C. Arreola
The main thing is I got to move my head, man. Vitali Klitschko clobbered me with jabs left and right. I believe he threw the most punches he had thrown in his career against me, and that’s because I just kept coming with the pressure. And the thing about it, I just got to be a lot smarter and I got to be more athletic about it because Deontay is more athletic fighter than Klitschko is, a lot more athletic. And he moves a whole lot better around the ring.

Klitschko was more methodical in nature. He just moves just a tad bit. He doesn’t waste any energy. I just got to try to keep Deontay on his heels, and that’s going to be a big task in itself. And just come hard behind the jab and not get caught with that dangerous right hand he has.

Q
How close have you been paying attention to the legal battle between your team and Povetkin’s? And has there all been in any way, shape or form any kind of distraction as you prepare for your own fight that was put together because of the cancellation?

D. Wilder
I haven’t been on a close watch of it. I’ve definitely been following it. It’s ridiculous, if you ask me. I’ve got served papers and everything. I’m not letting it knock me off my game, my focus. It’s just part of life, you know what I mean. I’ve been through worse situations in life. It’s just a bad storm – another storm that I have to weather in my life.

My skin is tough. That’s in all aspects of life, no matter what. I go through things to have a strong testimony because I know that somebody may, throughout my year, somebody may go through the same thing and I can give them advice on how to do it.

So right now, this is just a test for a strong testimony in the end of my life. So with that being said, I’m very focused. I’m always focused. When you’re in the hurt business, you have no choice but to stay focused on the test that lies at hand because if you’re not focused, you can get knocked out. No one wants to feel what it feels like to be knocked out, wake up in the hospital, don’t know what happened.

You never want to be that guy that didn’t even know the end of the round has ended because you’re dazed or you’re unconscious.

I train hard. I meditate. I visualize what I want to do and I go get the job done. This is a tough job to be the Heavyweight Champion of the World because everybody wants what you have. Everybody trying to get it and you’re trying to keep it.

As far as I’m concerned my future is bright.

Q
Do you have to be careful of a desperate opponent?

D. Wilder
Oh, most definitely. It’s just like a rabbit. The rabbit can be soft and sweet all you want, but you push him in a corner, he’s going to fight. So I think this is the corner for Chris Arreola. This is like the corner of his career. I’m always blessing people, though. I’ll bless him again with another opportunity.

Of course, people say who deserves this or who’s supposed to deserve that. But who are people to say who deserved anything? Everybody – sometimes chances come around more than twice, and this is his third time. I don’t believe in luck. But he’s been blessed with a third opportunity. If I was him, I would take it very seriously.

All the things that I’ve done in the past that didn’t make me susceptible in my future, I would change. I would definitely – it’s too late to change it now, but I’m just saying in preparation for this fight, that’s what the mentality would have been for me given that this is my last opportunity to eat because we chose careers like I kept saying, no matter what people say, the guy comes to fight. And that’s what we were looking for, for a short notice.

A lot of people going make excuses. After he get beat, he may make an excuse. But you know what? We know that he’s going to bring a great fight. He was the perfect person for this situation that we had. And to bring it to – and my people deserve a great fight. The fans deserve a great fight, no matter who they said they could have been. Everybody got an opinion.

I truly think at the end of this fight people are going to say, yeah, that was a great fight for it to be a short-notice fight. So I’m looking forward to it.

Q
Do you feel very lucky to have gotten this opportunity? And what’s your view of whether or not you’re worthy of having this opportunity?

C. Arreola
Do I deserve this title shot? No, I don’t think I do. But since I don’t deserve it, I’m doing everything to win, just like Deontay said. Everything that I didn’t do in the past, I’m doing. Everything that I wasn’t supposed to do, I’m not doing. So I’m doing everything I possibly can to win this fight. Everything. Everything. I got to leave everything in the ring. I got to leave everything out there, man. Yes, my back is against the wall. This is my last title shot. And I have to bring it. I have to make this a dog fight, plain and simple.

Q
Can you just tell me what was your reaction when you got the offer on the short notice? And what kind of condition were you in at that point because it was relatively short notice for a heavyweight title fight?

C. Arreola
Let’s go. That’s all I said. Let’s do it. You know what, man, when a title shot comes, you don’t turn it down, period, because it’s not going to come back around again. What kind of shape was I in? In decent shape. I had broken my ankle. What’s a broken ankle? It’s nothing.

So I got this shot. Let’s go. Let’s do it. Let’s get in training. Let’s make this happen. I respect Deontay and thank you for giving me this opportunity. The main thing is, I’m coming for the win. I’m not just coming to show up. I’m not coming just to get paid. That’s not me. I’m not that guy that comes to get paid.

I’m coming for that title. I’m coming for that win. I don’t even know what I’m getting paid for this. I don’t even know. It wasn’t even told to me. I don’t care. Money is not the part. My part is I want to win this fight. That’s the God honest truth.

Q
Hey, Henry, I’m wondering if you could speak to his conditioning for this fight, especially given the short notice of the bout.

Henry Ramirez
Well, you know, what did you say. We were preparing – well, we had a fight April 30. Chris fractured his ankle in early March, and he’d been cleared for a few weeks already. You know, he had done some light training. We got the call, I believe, right around May 16 or 17. Was nothing guaranteed. We were just kind of told you might get this fight. You might want to start getting ready.

And when we actually got the call that it was officially happening, even though it wasn’t announced; it was pretty much Memorial weekend. But we had already started training, you know, just having the heads up that we may get the fight.

It’s been great. We’re here in San Diego. There is a thing that Chris always – when we get him away from Riverside, it gives us the best chance to win. He’s done well here. He’s working with conditioning coach BB Hudson, also. We’ve had a good camp. Great sparring. He’s ready to go. We’re ready to fight today.

Q
Deontay, do you have plans to meet with the WBC later this month to discuss the whole drug test situation?

D. Wilder
First off, right now it’s me and Chris Arreola. All the other legal stuff, that can take a hold until after. This is what’s next right now. This is what I’m focused on. I’m not really focused on the legal side of everything. I got a great team. I trust in my team. I’m just sitting and waiting for that moment where Povetkin have his day as well, too.

At this point in time, my mind is we’re a week or so days away from me fighting, defending my title. With that being said, my whole mentality and focus is on July the 16th, Deontay Wilder versus Chris Arreola.

L. DiBella
We have lawyers obviously as do Povetkin’s people. We’re having conversations right now with theW BC about an opportunity literally to be able to do the same thing Povetkin’s people did. But that’s not for Deontay to be worried about right now. There is a fight on the 16th. That’s where everyone’s attention is. The rest of that stuff is going to take care of itself.

But frankly, the WBC, we respect their process and we want to get our points across. But this is ultimately going to be decided in the U.S. courts in the southern district of New York where there are lawsuits pending. So this is a legal matter. It’s nothing that the fighters are worried about right now.

And our – we’re totally focused on the big event on July 16 in Birmingham.

Povetkin is the last thing on my mind at least until we get through a big event a week from Saturday. Right now I’m not thinking about and I’m sure Deontay is not thinking about and I know Chris is not thinking about Povetkin.

Mitch Abramson: You mentioned before that you don’t deserve a title shot. Can you just, I guess, explain what you meant by that and just, you know, how you’ve been able to prepare yourself, I guess, with that type of mindset going into the fight?

Q
Chris how do you view the title shot? And if you actually really believe that you don’t deserve this shot?

C. Arreola
I understand the situation. I understand everything. Let’s be honest, man. Do I deserve it? Come on. No. But that being said, that means that I have everything to gain and nothing to lose. That’s my mentality. I’m coming in there to win this fight. I’m coming in here to upset Mr. Wilder. That’s my mentality. My mentality is to win, period.

There are those kind of fighters that just go in to get paid. That’s not me, man. I have never been that guy. If people have seen me fight, I don’t come in to get paid. I come in there to win. I’ve been preparing to win this fight. I’m preparing to take this title. I’m preparing for everything.

So all those legal things, all that can be thrown out the window when I win this title fight. You know, I’m here to win. There is no losing. That’s it. I’m training to win. I’m training to beat Wilder. He has his legal shit. I’m sorry about that. But I’m here to win. I’m here to win this fight. I’m here to win this title.

Q
Lou, just overall, do you feel like PEDs is still a real serious problem in the sport of boxing?

L. DiBella
Well, it’s an incredible problem. It’s a huge problem. It’s a problem that’s all over the world. You know, it’s one thing when a guy is using PEDs and he is hitting a baseball. It’s another thing when a guy is taking PEDs and getting into the ring to hit somebody in the head with his fists.

I’m not advocating weed or whatever, but it’s sort of a disgrace that there is more testing nationally and across the board for marijuana and suspensions of fighters for marijuana than there are substantive tests for PED.

Cheating is not okay. PEDs are dangerous. They are potentially putting a fighter’s health and safety and life at risk. I could tell you Deontay’s first reaction about when everything broke was he didn’t really care. He had prepared himself and he was going to beat the hell out of Povetkin regardless of any failed drug test.

I think that when everything was taken into consideration, you don’t get in the ring when you’re standing there as a man with your two fists and the other guys got a weapon in his fists. And, yeah, I think it’s a real problem. I think there should be zero tolerance for performance-enhancing drugs and national standards in this country and across the board where drug testing is enforced and cheaters are punished severely.

Q
On top of that, is there anything that you’d like to see implemented or changed, in particular?

L. DiBella
I’d like to see across the board uniform testing with some national body, but not where a fighter has to go in there and say, okay, I’m going to voluntarily do this or that or ratings organization has to get involved, and I commend the WBC. I think that we’re very proud of the green belt and defending it. And the WBC has taken a strong stand against performance-enhancing drugs.

It has to be a problem that’s policed by all state athletic commissions and perhaps even with a federal law that mandates uniform standards for PED testing throughout the country. And then obviously there are problems with foreign countries where this type of cheating is par for the course, and that’s not okay. That has to be addressed, too.

In response to your question, it’s a very serious issue and one that needs to be addressed in the future. What happened to Deontay here and how he had to refocus, and this wasn’t fair. Cheating is never fair, but particularly when you are using performance-enhancing drugs, you’re endangering potentially your opponent and putting the health and safety of the people in your sport at risk, and that’s unacceptable.

Q
Deontay, do you expect this to really start fast in a real action-packed way in the first round?

D. Wilder
Actually, I do. Like I said, I do believe that Chris is going to be aggressive and the first couple of rounds is going to come. Like he said, their game plan is to pressure me and to get inside and all those good things and stuff. I think it’s going to start out good and action packed.

I know about every style there is to face, especially pressure fighters because a lot of fighters feel the remedy in beating Deontay Wilder is to pressure him. Over and over again, I proved to everybody that I’m the best. I’m the best heavyweight in the world going on my back of my heels. People should have been seen that years ago.

I do feel like it’s going to be a fight or flight from the first round to the end of the round it may be. You know, so I’m looking forward to it. That’s one of the reasons why. Another reason why I keep saying we chose Chris. We can go on and on about different fighters or go down the list of who is available, who could have been a potential.

I really feel in my heart that we chose the right person. He’s never been in a bad fight. So when you get two fighters that fight with their heart that do it for the legacy and not really for the money because the money is a part of it. It’s just like when you go out and take pictures, it’s part of the business, part of the game. The money’s part of it.

When you get two warriors that’s fighting for the legacy of it, it’s made for great boxing for sure. I’m looking forward to the action packed, whether it’s from the 1st round to the 12th. I’m already prepared for anything.

Q
How much during the times when you’re immediately preparing for the fight in the last couple of weeks do you focus on the news, the other news about Povetkin, the WBC, other stories in the heavyweight division? Or do you just sort of cut all that stuff out and just think about the fight ahead of you?

D. Wilder
I just deal with it like I deal with life. If anybody know me personally, they’ll tell you like Deontay is the most laidback, cool, down to earth person ever. I really don’t read into blogs and go look for things. If anything has been said about me or have been written about me, it’s always brought to my attention. I don’t never go on the Internet to Google my name or see what pops up or anything like that.

If a lot of things have been going on, I’m out of the loop of because I don’t really pay attention, especially when it’s time to fight. Because only a fighter would know how serious it is to get up in the ring and take some punches to the head and keep in mind your head is not meant to be hit in the first place. But we’re the only crazy people that get up in this ring and do it. So we do it because we love to do it.

With that being said, when my life is on the line, when I’m up to get in there, I take this seriously anything because in this day I got family support. I got kids that really love their dad. That’s all the motivation that I need to do what I got to do.

The only reason I was in this sport, for one reason. That was for my 11-year-old. That was my daughter that was born with spina bifida. If it wasn’t for her, man, you all would have never heard of me, not in boxing. I take this seriously. And that’s all the motivation for me to zone out what’s going on in my personal life and focus on what’s going on right now in my life. And right now it’s July the 16th. I can’t wait.

Q
Chris do you just sort of have blinders on and just focusing between now and the 16th on this fight?

C. Arreola
See, nobody is talking about me. Nobody is saying anything about me. So there is nothing for me to look at. Everyone’s focus is on Deontay Wilder, on him and his situation with Povetkin and about Deontay already talking about fighting Joshua or Fury.

Ain’t nobody talking about me. Nobody is saying anything about me. All they say is bad things, so why in the hell am I even going to look at it? I have enough bad stuff being said about me by Henry. I have enough stuff being said to me by my wife. I don’t need to read anymore. That’s all the negative things I need.

I’m good. I’m all right. I don’t read into that stuff. My job is to work on July 16. My job is to try to shock the world on July 16. I don’t care what anybody says. They don’t live my life. They don’t even throw punches. They probably never got punched in their life. For them to be talking about me, I’m like, eh, whatever.

Q
With this fight on FOX on a Saturday night live primetime and all that, will this be your biggest showcase, probably your biggest television audience?

C. Arreola
Brother, I fought everywhere. I fought on Showtime. I fought on every network probably. So me fighting on FOX, honestly, thank you FOX for putting us on. I fought against Klitschko and it got one of the highest numbers.

When I fought with Stiverne on ESPN, I got one of the highest numbers. Like I said, no one can come in the ring. Listen. It’s only going to be me and Deontay. That’s the thing. That’s the thing about boxing I love so much is it’s a gentlemen sport.

We could talk about this stuff all we want. We could say everything we want. But at the end of the day, it’s just me and Deontay. Then the bell’s going to ring. Then the last bell is going to ring. And we’re going to hug it out like nothing happened. That’s what I love about boxing, man.

Anybody that has two hands has an opportunity. All it takes it one punch to knock somebody out. Just one punch. I could be losing the whole fight and just hit him with one punch that makes him go to sleep. It could go vice versa. That’s the way it happened to me against Stiverne. And that’s the way boxing is. I have no animosity or nothing like that. It’s a sport and I love this sport.

Q
The one thing that’s good that came out of the Povetkin situation is that you’re getting to go back home to Alabama to fight. Talk about what that means to you to fight in your home state like that.

D. Wilder
It’s definitely a good feeling, especially when you just – you just trained your ass off for months and months. You even travel to another country. And you continue your training there. And then when you feel – the week of the fight you travel and all that hard work, man, it just goes in vain. It really hurt my heart to the fullest because of me being in love with this sport and never really thought of something would happen to me like that. I never thought about that.

You want to fight, you’re going to fight fair and square. But, one of the decisions that we made why we want to stay home because of all that traveling because of working so hard for nothing. That takes a toll on just a person itself to travel so many miles. I’m the fighter and it stressed me out. Even with my team, the ones that even get in the ring. Everybody on my whole team – everybody was drained from that situation. I don’t wish that situation on no fighter.

For us to make a decision to stay home was the perfect choice because I didn’t even want to touch another plane. I’m staying at home. We’re going to train. We’re going to do everything here. That’s why we made the decision to come back to Birmingham and have the fight. People always – every time they see me, when the next one? Every time you get bigger and bigger and bigger.

This is going to be a mega fight. A lot of fans are going to be there, a sold-out crowd for sure. And the undercard is going to be great as well, too. You know, it’s going to be a fun environment and an action-packed fight.

Like I said, the fans are definitely going to enjoy this fight. It’s easy to say it’s special opinion now because you don’t understand how it’s going to be. Even in recent fights, like at my fight with Eric Molina or my fight with Johann Duhaupaus.

A lot of people like they just degraded them. And they called them bums and who are they. They never heard of them. This is people, though. Because if there was a price on you for a special opinion, a lot of people wouldn’t say nothing because they couldn’t afford it.

With that being said, people just have to wait and see things. They just can’t all jump because he didn’t do this; he didn’t do this. It doesn’t matter. This is the fight. You just never know what can happen.

And I think it’s really going to be a great fight and it’s going to be a win for boxing and a win for the fans of boxing. And it’s going to be a win for my state. Like I said before, I can’t wait. It’s less than a week-and-a-half away. It’s almost here, man. So I’m excited.

L. DiBella
Thanks, you mentioned an undercard, Deontay, a few minutes ago. There is going to be a tremendous amount of talent on this undercard from up and coming star Erickson Lubin to heavyweight Gerald Washington to Ryan Martin and a load of young kids from the Alabama area. It’s going to be a great card from beginning to end.

Again, the co-feature of Sammy Vasquez versus Felix Diaz is a terrific matchup. PBC on FOX 8:00 pm Eastern time, 5:00 pm Pacific time. The Legacy Arena at the BJCC. We hope people come out, buy tickets. I think it’s going to be a tremendous crowd

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (July 11th, 2016) — The fireworks begin Friday night as CES Boxing kicks off the summer with a long-awaited rematch between two fierce rivals at Twin River Casino.

With undefeated light heavyweight Angel Camacho Jr. unable to fight due to a shoulder injury, Thomas Falowo and Chris Chatman headline Friday, July 15th, 2016 in an eight-round rematch with Falowo’s New England Middleweight Title on the line, nearly three years to the date of their epic showdown at Twin River.

In July of 2013, the outspoken Jersey City, N.J., vet Chatman (13-5-1, 5 KOs) edged the hometown favorite Falowo (14-3, 8 KOs), 77-75, on all three scorecards, a tremendous, see-saw battle in which the two fighters exchanged knockdowns in the fourth round.

With regional fight fans clamoring for a rematch, CES Boxing delivered; nearly one year since beating Vladine Biosse at Twin River, Chatman returns to Rhode Island for the seventh time, fulfilling a promise he made to Falowo shortly after their 2013 showdown.

“I’m a very competitive guy,” Chatman said. “I don’t even like people walking past me on the sidewalk. I speed up. I’m very competitive. I’m going to come in here the same way I did last time. I beat Thomas before, and I’m going to beat him again.”

Added Falowo: “The only advantage I have is that I feel like I’ve progressed and I’m a much better fighter than I was the last time I fought him. Before, I was kid, but I’m a much different man now, so it’s going to be a whole different story.”

Falowo-Chatman is one of seven fights scheduled for Friday, a loaded lineup featuring two title bouts in addition to the return of three-time female world champion Kali Reis (9-5-1) of Providence, R.I., and a special Ring of Honor Ceremony dedicated to this year’s inductee, Rich Gingras, a former New England title-holder and longtime Twin River fan favorite who now leads the fight against Parkinson’s Disease through his Rock Steady Boxing program in Lincoln.

Tickets for the event are priced at $42.00, $67.00, $102.00 and $152.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com, www.twinriver.com or www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Casino Players Club. All fights and fighters are subject to change. Proceeds from each ticket sold benefit The Parkinson’s Place.

Also defending his title Friday is Cranston, R.I., native Nick DeLomba (9-1, 2 KOs), who puts the New England Super Lightweight Championship on the line in a six-round bout against Bridgeport, Conn., vet Oscar Bonilla (3-1-2), who threw his hat into the ring May 13th when DeLomba won the title against rival Freddy Sanchez.

“Once that bell rings, may the best man win. That’s it,” Bonilla said. “I’ve spoken to Nick before. He really seems like he’s a hell of a guy, but once the bell rings we don’t know each other. When the bell rings again, we can celebrate together.”

“[Bonilla] is a typical, come-forward, hard-working fighter. We’re not taking him lightly because we know he’s training for the title, so he’s going to train his hardest and come for us,” DeLomba said. “We’re just going to get in the best shape we can and we’re going to go out there and perform, have another fabulous night and come out on top.”

Three months after capturing the World Boxing Council (WBC) Female Middleweight World Title in New Zealand, Reis returns to Rhode Island for the second time this year in a six-round special attraction against Atlantic City’s Althea Saunders (3-2-2).

Reis dazzled in her last Twin River appearance, knocking out former world champ Victoria Cisneros in 91 seconds in February before her historic journey to New Zealand two months later, which ended with Reis capturing her third world title in the past year and a half.

Also on Friday’s undercard in a four-round junior middleweight bout, Ray Oliveira Jr. (4-0, 1 KO) of New Bedford, Mass., faces Worcester, Mass., slugger Andy Gonzalez (3-0, 3 KOs), a special attraction between two unbeaten fighters that could steal the show. Oliveira Jr. is the son of former world-title challenger “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, also of New Bedford. Gonzalez climbs back into the ring less than a month after knocking out Joshua Cook in Pennsylvania.

“I’m looking forward to the fight,” Oliveira Jr. said. “I’ve been out of the ring for a little while getting some things right and spending some time in the gym getting some good road work and getting my head back in the game. I’m ready to do this. I’m getting real impatient, actually.

“I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. Every fight that comes, I’m impatient for it. You’re going to get what you normally get when I get in the ring. Relentlessness. True heart, real heart. I’ve heard about my opponent. He’s a very decent fighter and I’m looking forward to getting a decent fight.”

Gonzalez is one of three Worcester fighters on Friday’s card. Middleweight Kendrick Ball Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) faces Bruno Dias of Woburn, Mass., who will be making his professional debut, and lightweight Jamaine Ortiz (1-0, 1 KO) battles Kimmy St-Pierre (1-1, 1 KO) of St-Georges, Quebec. Both are four-round bouts.

“I’m working seven days a week, so I’m ready to get in there, get it over with and remain undefeated,” Ball said. “I’m happy to be on the card with the rest of these guys.”

Added trainer Kendrick Ball Sr.: “Jamaine Ortiz, this kid can fight. We’ve got Andy Gonzalez out of our gym. I like Ray [Oliveira] a lot, but he’s fighting someone out of our gym. I’m sorry, man, we’re bringing the fucking heat that night. Anyone coming out of our gym that goes pro, we’re bringing heat.”

New London, Conn., welterweight Cristobal Marrero also makes his professional debut Friday in a four-round bout against Pittsburgh’s David Perez (0-5-1).

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING and use the hashtag #FalowoChatman to join the conversation.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (July 11, 2016) – M-1 Global has put together a solid main card for this Saturday night’s M-1 Challenge 69: Battle in the Mountains 5, headlined by heavyweights Denis Smoldarev (11-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), a two-time M-1 Challenge heavyweight title challenger, and former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner (16-9-0, M-1: 9-7-0), at Targin in Ingushetia, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 69 will be streamed live from Ingushetia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

One other previously announced M-1 Challenge 69 fight is Croatian featherweight Antun “Killer” Racic (18-7-0, M-1: 3-4-0) versus undefeated Russian prospect Movsar Evloev (5-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0).

Rounding out the main card are two other featherweight bouts: Brazilian Rafael Dias (11-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0) vs. Kazakh Sergey Morozov (6-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0) and Ukrainian Andrey “Iron” Lezhnev (8-6-0, M-1: 2-2-0) vs. American Lee “Bulldog” Morrison (15-6-0, M-1: 2-3-0), along with a heavyweight match between Brazilian Marcus “Montanha” Vinicius (9-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0) and Russian Kurban “Shkaf” Ibragimov (5-1-0, M-1: 3-1-0).

One preliminary card fight has been announced in the flyweight division as Ronny Gomez (3-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), of Spain, faces Russian Khamzat Dalgiev (5-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0).

Additional preliminary card bouts will be finalized and announced this week.

Information

www.M1Global.tv
www.mixfight.ru
www.wmmaa.org

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

Conor Benn will be back in action in September when he appears on two huge World title unification bills – Gennady Golovkin vs. Kell Brook at The O2 in London on September 10 and Anthony Crolla vs. Jorge Linares at the Manchester Arena on September 24.

Benn has made an impressive start to life in the paid ranks, making his debut at The O2 in April with a first round KO and added a second first round win in June at the same venue after going the four round distance with Luke Keleher in Glasgow in May.

The 19 year old’s appearances on Brook and Crolla’s special nights will make it five blockbuster World title nights that Benn has appeared on, but the son of British being legend Nigel insists he’s not looking at fighting for titles himself but concentrating on learning his craft.

“It’s brilliant being on these huge shows but I’m not complacent,” said Benn. “I know I have a lot to learn and a lot of improving to do. I want to have four more fights before the end of the year and then seven in 2017 – after that, I’ll be ready to start challenging for titles.

“I’m learning every day in the gym and being on the big shows and seeing how these top fighters like Anthony Joshua, Ricky Burns, Kell Brook and Anthony Crolla go about their business is invaluable to me.”

Benn’s outing in Manchester is part of a huge night of action as Crolla and Linares lock horns in a mouth-watering unification battle for the WBA and WBC Diamond World and Ring Magazine Lightweight Championships, with Isaac Lowe defending his Commonwealth Featherweight title against Tshifhiwa Munyai.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 and available from the Manchester Arena at www.manchester-arena.com or by calling 0844 847 8000. VIPs tickets are exclusively available through www.matchroomboxing.com priced at £250.

Information on tickets for Brook vs. Golovkin on September 10 also featuring a first World title shot for Charlie Edwards against IBF Flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero will be released tomorrow (July 12).

Dillian Whyte and David Allen have promised fans they will see a Heavyweight war when the bitter rivals meet at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on July 30, live on Sky Sports.

After months of heated exchanges on social media, Whyte issued a challenge to Allen’s manager at last week’s press conference – one that was accepted over the weekend by the Sheffield man’s team.

The pair will get in the ring in Yorkshire for the vacant WBC International strap – but both men say that there’s more at stake than the belt and there’s no way the fight can go the distance.

“He’s been shouting my name for ages now so he’s got to step up – he’s going to get KO’d on July 30,” said Whyte. “He said that he’s 100 per cent convinced he can beat me – so we’ll see.

“I just want to get in there and have a fight with a Heavyweight that’s going to come and have a go, so I hope he backs it up.”

“This isn’t about belts and titles, it’s about bragging rights – I don’t like him and he doesn’t like me,” said Allen. “We’re going to stick it on each other and there’s no way that it’s going to go 12 rounds – it’s going to be chin down and bombs away, let’s see who is the last man standing.”

“I’m so pleased these two have finally agreed to get it on,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s one of the best domestic Heavyweight fights out there and it’s added to a massive Leeds show. I will be re-applying to the board to make this fight for the British title with both agreeing to fight Sam Sexton in their first defence – I hope common sense prevails and we can get one of the most prestigious belts in boxing active.”

Whyte and Allen’s clash is part of a huge night of action in Leeds where Josh Warrington defends his WBC International Featherweight title against Patrick Hyland.

Luke Campbell MBE faces his toughest test in the paid ranks to date in the shape of former World champion Argenis Mendez, Huddersfield man Tyrone Nurse defends his British Super Lightweight title in an all-Yorkshire affair with Hull’s Tommy Coyle, Barnsley’s Josh Wale gets a shot at the Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight title against Birmingham’s unbeaten starlet Gamal Yafai and classy Belfast man Ryan Burnett defends his WBC International Bantamweight title.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £30, £40, £60 and £100 available from the First Direct Arena at www.firstdirectarena.com and on 0844 248 1585. VIP tickets priced at £150 are available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing at www.matchroomboxing.com.

Tickets for July 30 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing.