ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (June 27, 2016)–On Friday night, July 22nd, Rising Promotions will present it’s 4th big event at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

No doubt another sold-crowd will be on hand to witness the action as Rising Promotions is establishing itself as the busiest promoter in the Garden State.

The shows have consistently featured some of the best talent in the Tri-Stae (New Jersey, New York & Pennsylvania.) in competitive, fan-friendly bouts in front of a packed venue at The Claridge.

“The first three shows have gone exactly to the blueprint which we set out for when we came up with the concept,” said Debra LaManna of Rising Promotions.

“The response has been terrific on all fronts. From the fighters, the fan turn out and sponsors. The Clardige and the New Jersey State Athletic Commission have been a pleasure to work with as well.”

“I think when fans know that every couple months they know they can see these kinds of events with Rising Promotions, the events start to sell themselves. With events scheduled for July, September and November, we will continue to build on what we have started.”

Said Thomas LaManna of Rising Promotions, “Every big time promoter starts somewhere, I just so happened to start at the age of 24 while still active in my career with a pro record of 18-1.”

“It all started out with just doing these shows to keep me active. Ray McCline of the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame and I met in Las Vegas during the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight week and discussed doing shows at The Claridge because he had a direct connection with them. When the meeting was over, I started to see the big picture with it so I than sat down with my parents and my promoter Mr. Vincent M. Ponte of Gulf Stream Promotions, we put together a strong team with a solid mission and three successful shows later, here we are,” Continued Thomas LaManna.

It feels great to open doors for fighters to jump start there career. So far, I was able to have four boxers make their professional debut on my shows so far and they include (former Olympian Luis Perozo, 2016 United States Olympic alternate Leroy Davila & Marvin Johnson).

“It’s always been my dream and goal to become a world champion. That’s first and foremost because I am still a fighter first, but I also have a goal to be one of the top promoters in the sport of boxing. Most people say I can’t, waste of time, no money to be made. That’s there way of thinking and they can keep that mindset. I strive to be great in everything I do and this is just another journey. Keep a lookout for Rising Promotions.”

Tickets are $125 for premium, $77 Ringside stage and $52 reserved and are available at www.risingboxingpromotions.com or 609-487-4444

Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo

Birmingham middleweight star Tommy Langford will make the fourth defence of his WBO Intercontinental crown against Germany’s Ronny Gabel at the Ice Arena Wales, Cardiff on Saturday 16th July, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Fresh from earning a hard fought points decision victory over Lewis Taylor back on March 12’s massive show in Liverpool, Langford leapfrogged up the WBO World Rankings. The unbeaten Baggie finds himself sitting pretty in second place in the WBO’s order of merit at 160lbs and is looking forward to boxing in Wales for the first time as a professional.

“It’s a brilliant venue for me, right in the middle of the Midlands and Devon where all my fans travel from,” explained Langford. “I’m taking big numbers down there so it should be like a home venue for me. There’s some cracking fights on the card and I can’t wait to see Rigondeaux in the flesh!

“It’s another great card to be involved in. I keep on getting on these massive cards and its doing wonders for me. It’s another chance for big exposure and I intend on winning in style. The last two cards I’ve been on have been world title cards – Billy Joe Saunders vs. Andy Lee and Terry Flanagan vs. Derry Mathews – I’m chomping at the bit to get in the ring and show what I can do.”

Gabel, 21-5-1 15 KO’s, is enjoying a red-hot nine fight winning streak that stretches back to 2013. The Berlin bruiser has previously held the Germany GBA Super-Welterweight and Global Boxing Council Intercontinental Super-Welterweight Championships and should provide a stern test for Langford.

“I haven’t seen too much of him but his only two stoppage losses were to Billy Joe Saunders and Sergey Rabchenko who are world class fighters. The loss to Billy Joe was very early on in his career and he’s come on since then. His record suggests that he’s a puncher which is something to be aware of going into the fight.

“I’ve just got to go in and put my stamp and my authority on the fight. The plan is to fight to my strengths and eradicate any mistakes I’ve made in the past which is what we’ve been working really hard on in the gym.”

Co-headlining a huge night of boxing in Cardiff promoted by Frank Warren in association with RocNation and Caribe Promotions is pound-for-pound superstar Guillermo Rigondeaux who defends his WBA Super-Bantamweight crown against Merseyside hero Jazza Dickens in a real life ‘Rocky’ story. British and Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Williams defends his titles against unbeaten WBO Intercontinental Champion Gary Cororan

A talent-stacked undercard sees British and Commonwealth Champion Super Bradley Skeete make the fifth defence of his WBO European Welterweight title; Baggies banger Tommy Langford defends his WBO Inter-Continental belt; ‘The Mexican’ Jamie Conlan returns to the ring after his fight of the year contender, Southampton’s red-hot Joe Pigford looks to extend his unbeaten run to eleven fights; Welshmen Craig Evans, Alex Hughes, Gary Buckland, Jay Harris, and Dale Evans all look to impress in front of their home crowd; big-hitting cruiserweight prospect Gary Sweeney looks to go 2-0 and Belfast’s Tyrone McKenna fights over six rounds.

Tickets priced at £35, £40, £70, £100 and £150 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!

Miami, OK (June 27, 2016) – Hot junior welterweight prospect Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk kept his perfect record intact following a three round thrashing of previously unbeaten Eliseo Cruz Saturday, June 25 in Miami, OK.

Topping an exciting fight card promoted by Holden Productions, Baranchyk fought his second consecutive match in the Sooner State. Backed by chants of “Beast, Beast, Beast” from the packed house at the Buffalo Run Casino, Baranchyk battered Cruz until his corner threw in the towel at 1:07 of the third round.

Baranchyk, a Russian based in Brooklyn, NY, is now 11-0 with 10 wins by knockout. Cruz, of Chiapas, Mexico, is 9-1-1 with 6 KO’s following his first setback.

“Four State Franchise” member Jesse Cook of Seneca, MO scored an impressive knockout of hard-hitting Balmaro Solis at 57 seconds of round three. After a slow opening stanza, Cook finished strong with a combination to cap the second. Early in round three, Cook connected with a picture perfect left hook to the body that sent Solis down for the count.

Cook improves to 17-1 (12 KO’s) while Solis of Kansas City, MO slips to 12-3 with all 12 wins by knockout.

Undefeated heavyweight Kenzie Witt-Morrison demolished previously unbeaten Robby Mendez in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Witt-Morrison who fights out of Tulsa, OK and is the half-brother of Trey Lippe-Morrison, battered Mendez until the stoppage.

A member of the “Four State Franchise” who bears a striking resemblance to his late father Tommy Morrison, Witt-Morrison is now 9-0-1 with 8 knockouts. Mendez heads back to Topeka, KS with a 2-1 record.

Bartlesville, OK’s Jarrett “Legacy” Rouse (9-0-1, 4 KO’s) and Noel Esqueda of Wichita, KS (6-3-1, 3 KO’s) fought to a six round draw. The competitive bout could’ve gone either way as both men had their moments but the judges ultimately ruled it even.

In other action, Cuban cruiserweight Luis Garcia (14-0, 12 KO’s) stopped Kansas City, MO veteran Demetrius Walker (8-13-2, 4 KO’s) in the first round.

2012 Azerbaijani Olympian Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev debuted successfully by outpointing Wichita resident Brandon Phillips Black (1-1, 1 KO) in a middleweight contest.

Debuting World Series of Boxing standout Hurshidbek Normatov of Uzbekistan topped Wichita’s Ramon Barber (6-11, 5 KO’s) in a middleweight affair.

“This was an outstanding, talent rich card.” said Tony Holden. “Ivan Baranchyk is quickly building himself a nice fan base here in Oklahoma and two of the “Four State Franchise” members scored knockouts. We expect to have Trey Lippe-Morrison back shortly and continue to provide our ticketholders with outstanding cards.”

Holden Productions’ next fight card will be announced shortly.

Tell us about your fight with Matthysse and what that victory meant to you.

VIKTOR POSTOL

“The fight with Matthysse was my most challenging because it was my first world championship fight and I was fighting for the title against one of the strongest punchers in the division. The importance of this fight for my career and my life was not lost on me. It was all I thought about during training camp at Wild Card. It’s all I ever wanted since I started boxing in a gym outside Kiev as a 12-year-old boy. I followed Freddie’s game plan from beginning to end. Even the last combination I landed — right uppercut, left hook — we worked on daily. It was a reflex to throw them when he charged in at me. He was perfect for that punch. Freddie Roach had me well prepared for that fight. My trainers made me a champion and helped me realize a dream I have had for a very long time. Every time I look at that green belt I will think of Freddie and everyone at Wild Card who helped me become a champion. I loved showing it off to all my friends, family members and fans in Ukraine. I am very proud to represent my country as a world champion.”

FREDDIE ROACH

“It was a very good performance. We were in charge of the fight the whole time. Viktor followed the game plan perfectly. I remember before the last round I told our corner that Matthysse was very tired and ready to go out. He was coming in with his head leaning down. We told Viktor, ‘Now is the time for a right uppercut and a left hook. Viktor took him out when he was ready to take him out. He is a good student of the game. Viktor deserved that victory. I’ve never had a fighter work harder in training camp than he did. I was so happy for him when the fight was stopped. I just knew that a lot of doors would be opening for him now that he was a world champion and because of how he won that fight. This was, really, one of the greatest wins of my career.”

The HBO Sports Special, Terence Crawford: My Fight, debuts Saturday, July 9 at 12:15 a.m. on HBO.

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.

ORANGE, Calif. (June 26, 2016) – Undefeated heavyweight LaRon Mitchell continued his knockout winning streak by taking out rugged veteran Epifanio Mendoza in the third round on Friday night from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

The stoppage win extends Mitchell’s (13-0, 13 KOs) consecutive KO win tally to thirteen.

“It’s not something that I think about,” said Mitchell, based in San Francisco and trained by Jimmy Ford. “I just try to get better with each and every training camp and each fight.”

Mendoza (42-23-1, 36 KOs), by far, was the most experienced opponent Mitchell has encountered in his young career. The Colombian native’s approach was to fight in close quarters, thus eliminating Mitchell’s height and reach advantage. In the third, Mitchell strung a couple of combinations together and connected with a left hook to the body. Mendoza crumbled to the floor and was counted out at the :52 mark.

In the co-main event, featherweights Erick Ituarte (14-1-1, 2 KOs) and Daniel Ramirez (11-4, 5 KOs) put on a thrilling fight that saw three knockdowns and relentless back and forth action. Ramirez got things started in the first round – landing a left hook upstairs that put Ituarte on his wallet.

Ituarte shook it off and followed up with a right cross in the third that sent Ramirez flying to the ground. The action continued in the fifth, with Ramirez landing a counter left hook. Iturate never saw it and suffered a second knockdown. Most boxers would be out of the fight at this point, but Ituarte found an extra gear and rallied in the final three rounds to force the judges’ hands. Ituarte won via unanimous decision with scores: 75-74, 76-73, 77-73.

One of the more exciting prospects in the Southern California boxing scene is the Joel Diaz-trained lightweight Manuel Mendez (10-1-2, 6 KOs) of Indio. Mendez, always a strong starter, dropped challenger Ricardo Maldonado (6-5-1) of Renton, Wash. in the first round with a counter right hook to the head.

In the second, Mendez continued his bruising style and battered Maldonado with powerful shots to the body. The two eventually bumped heads with Mendez suffering a nasty cut above his right eye. The ringside physician ruled Mendez unable to continue, consequently declaring the fight a technical draw.

Welterweight Eridanni Leon (3-2, 1 KO) of Los Angeles grabbed his first knockout win after routinely backing up Rasheed Lawal (1-4-1) of Ventura, Calif. The knockout came at the 1:31 mark of the fourth and final round. Referee Sharon Sands put a stop to the fight after Lawal looked deflated.

Opening the event were Los Angeles bantamweights Rudy Garcia (2-0, 1 KO) and Rafael Rivera (2-9). Garcia boxed his way to an efficient and one-sided unanimous decision win, sweeping it on all three scorecards (40-36).

“Locked n’ Loaded” was presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Lucas Oil, in association with LATV Networks.

Thomson Boxing Promotions returns to the Doubletree Ontario on Friday, July 29.

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

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, find us on Google+ and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

I am sad to report that passing of boxing super-scribe Jack Obermayer, who passed away this morning at his home in Lindenwold, New Jersey at the age of 72.

Obermayer, who covered 3514 professional fight cards in 49 states in over 400 cities and was affectionately known as “KO-JO” was a beloved figure at ringside for 50 years.

Obermayer wrote for many publications such Flash Gordon’s “Tonight’s Boxing Program”, Ring Magazine, Boxing Illustrated (Which later became Boxing Digest) & USA Boxing News.

Obermayer penned the popular column “KO JO Says”, which chronicled his many road trips to fights an and his love of classic diners.

Obermayer was inducted into the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame’s. In 2010 he won the Barney Nagler Award for Long and Meritorious Service by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

Services will be held on Thursday, June 30th at The Harmon Funeral Home (571 Forest Avenue in Staten Island, New York).

There will be another email when the time of the service is confirmed.

– The main event of Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter, WBA Welterweight World Championship, began with a 2.0 rating and grew to a 2.6 in final half hour.
– Ratings increased each half-hour from 9p –11: 30p showing growth throughout both broadcast bouts.
– Overall, the 2 ½ hour broadcast earned 1.8 overnight rating which is 80-percent higher than Algeri vs. Spence broadcast (April 2016).
– Complete viewership isn’t available at this time, but Saturday’s boxing event on CBS is likely to be the most watched boxing broadcast of 2016.

REPLAY: The broadcast will be available for replay on various platforms in the coming days. Stay tuned for more information including distribution outlets and availability.

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – June 25, 2016 – In front of a sold out Baton Rouge crowd, WFC 54 delivered action, a title win and the WFC debut of one of boxing’s hottest prospects.
FULL RESULTS
MAIN EVENT
6 ROUNDS
Justin Thomas KO David Thomas

CO-MAIN EVENT
10 ROUNDS
WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS SUPER WELTERWEIGHT TITLE
Eric Walker UD Josue Ovando

6 ROUNDS
Devin Haney UD Clay Burns

4 ROUNDS
Henry Allen TKO Hakeem Atkinson

4 ROUNDS
Steven Lyons UD Keenan Hickman

WFC announced its next event, an MMA event in Las Vegas. For tickets and information visit worldfightingchampionships.com.

LONDON (26 JUNE) Team Fury/Hennessy Sports: We are baffled by today’s story in the Sunday Mirror. Tyson Fury absolutely denies any allegation of doping. He looks forward to recovering from his injury and defending his titles against Wladimir Klitschko in October.

BROOKLYN (June 25, 2016) –World middleweight champion and Brooklyn native Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (31-1-0) has been named the face of BROOKLYN BOXING, the flourishing boxing platform for Barclays Center.

In the multi-year agreement, Jacobs will wear BROOKLYN BOXING branded merchandise, appear in promotional materials and make public appearances on behalf of the brand.

Jacobs will train and compete in branded gloves, trunks, shoes and robes and will wear other apparel during fight week events and post-fight press conferences. As Jacobs and his corner men take their famed walk from his branded locker room to the ring, they’ll wear a full array of BROOKLYN BOXING gear. Fans can purchase their own apparel at BrooklynBoxingShop.com and during BROOKLYN BOXING events at Barclays Center.

“I’m proud to represent BROOKLYN BOXING, not just in the ring, but also in the community where I got my start in the sport,” said Jacobs. “BROOKLYN BOXING is a great platform for me to share my story about determination and never giving up. Brooklyn is my home and I’m proud to have achieved so many of my career milestones at Barclays Center.”

In 2011, Jacobs was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a life-threatening form of bone cancer. After an arduous battle, radiation treatments and surgery, Jacobs returned to the ring at Barclays Center where he went on to win his WBA world middleweight title in August 2014, a belt he still holds. He last defended his title at Barclays Center in December 2015, when he took down then-undefeated Peter Quillin in a shocking first-round knockout.

“Daniel is a true inspiration to Brooklyn, the boxing community and beyond,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “His story captures what BROOKLYN BOXING is all about – courage, toughness, and perseverance. We are proud to have Daniel represent the BROOKLYN BOXING brand globally. Wherever he goes, BROOKLYN BOXING will go.”

In support of the alliance, BROOKLYN BOXING will make an annual donation to Jacobs’ Get In The Ring Foundation, through which he advocates for children struggling with cancer, childhood obesity, and bullying.

The new BROOKLYN BOXING merchandise line features a unique brand of active wear, lifestyle apparel, accessories for men and women, fighters and fans alike.

The assortment includes in-ring essentials like BROOKLYN BOXING training gear, gloves and corner buckets, as well as street wear such as hats, hoodies, shirts, socks and skateboards.

ABOUT BROOKLYN BOXING™
Upon opening in 2012, Barclays Center brought major championship boxing back to Brooklyn after more than 50 years. Over the past four years, the BROOKLYN BOXING platform has hosted more than 120 bouts and more than 20 world title fights while giving local fighters their own shot in the spotlight. In April 2016, BROOKLYN BOXING extended its brand by creating an active wear and lifestyle apparel line that is available at www.BrooklynBoxingShop.com. BROOKLYN BOXING is proudly presented by AARP.

ABOUT BROOKLYN SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment is the business enterprise that manages and controls Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Islanders business operations. It is currently overseeing the redevelopment of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and will also manage the Coliseum’s future operations upon its opening in December 2016. BSE identifies and creates alliances, strategic partners and other business opportunities to ensure the success of its assets. For more information on Barclays Center, please visit www.barclayscenter.com or follow on Twitter @barclayscenter.

LOS ANGELES (June 24, 2016) – WBC Super Featherweight World Champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas was honored today with the Boxing Writers Association of American Muhammad Ali – Joe Frazier Fight of The Year Award. Vargas was onsite to receive the award in regard to his spectacular fight against former world champion Takashi Miura on November 21, 2015.

“I’m very grateful to recieve this award and I only hope to continue to give great fights to all the fans, ” said Francisco Vargas.

Serving as the co-main event to the highly anticipated Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alavrez event on Nov. 21, Takashi Miura vs. Francisco Vargas stole the show and received unanimous Fight of the Year nods from Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com, The Bleacher Report, USA TODAY’s Boxing Junkie, The Sweet Science and Boxing Scene. The action packed fight featured knockdowns, great performances and a lot of heart from two of boxing’s’ most respected warriors; where Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas was able to claim the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship via ninth-round technical knockdown over Takashi Miura after suffering a knockdown during the fourth round. ESPN.com called the fight “the most dramatic comeback since the late Diego Corrales used a legendary 10th-round rally to stop Jose Luis Castillo and unify lightweight titles in 2005.”

For more information please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram, @GoldenBoyBoxing and @elbandido130.

WBA Welterweight World Championship – 12 Rounds
Keith Thurman – 146 Pounds
Shawn Porter – 147 Pounds
Referee: STEVE WILLIS; Judges: ERIC MARLINSKI (N.Y.), WALESKA ROLDAN (N.Y.), STEVE WEISFELD (N.J.)

Super Welterweights – 10 Rounds
Jarrett Hurd – 153 ¾ Pounds
Oscar Molina – 154 ¾ Pounds
Referee: RICKY GONZALEZ; Judges: GLENN FELDMAN (Conn.), JOHN MCKAIE (N.Y.), RON MCNAIR (N.Y.)

Swing Bouts (time permitting)
Light Heavyweights – 8 Rounds
David Benavidez – 168 ½ Pounds
Francy Ntetu – 170 Pounds
Referee: SHADA MURDAUGH; Judges: KEVIN MORGAN (N.Y.), ANTHONY PAOLILLO (N.Y.), JOHN POTURAJ (N.J.)

Heavyweights – 8 rounds
Adam Kownacki – 264 ¼ Pounds
Jesse Barboza – 242 ¾ Pounds
Referee: HARVEY DOCK, Judges: JULIE LEDERMAN (N.Y.), KEVIN MORGAN (N.Y.), ANTHONY PAOLILLO (N.Y.)

# # #

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 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.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at ww.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.

LOS ANGELES (June 24, 2016) – Known for his power and dominance in the ring, Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs) will look to win his third title in the junior middleweight division when he challenges undefeated heavy-hitter Liam “Beefy” Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) for the WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship on Saturday, September 17. A battle between two power-punchers, Canelo vs. Smith promises action between two fighters willing to take a punch in order to secure the next Knockout of the Year. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Information regarding venue and tickets will be announced shortly.

“I am very pleased to announce my next fight against Liam Smith, a tremendous fighter with real knockout power, and the WBO junior middleweight world title owner,” said Canelo Alvarez. “I have no doubt that this fight will be give and take, which will fill the expectations of the fans, and I will work with all the enthusiasm as I always do to get the upper hand on 17 September.”

With the bout’s announcement, Canelo has fulfilled his pledge to headline the two biggest fight nights of the year; Cinco De Mayo – when he knocked out Amir Khan in dramatic fasion — and Mexican Independence Day.

Current WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Liam “Beefy” Smith has built a reputation as one of the hardest punchers in the sport as his last eight victories have come by knockout. Defeating Canelo via knockout is now his top priority, as he begins to establish his legacy in becoming the UK’s next boxing super-star.

“I am delighted to get the opportunity to defend my world title against the biggest name in world boxing and to headline in the U.S. which is a dream I have had since I started in the sport of boxing,” said Liam Smith. “This fight allows me to make my name in the U.S. and show just how good I am and this is the big stage that will enable me to do that. I thank my team for getting me this opportunity: Frank Warren, BoxNation, Daniel and of course Golden Boy for providing it. I am confident of winning this fight and returning to the great city of Liverpool with my belt still around my waist.”

“This fight will be a slugfest between two heavy hitters, and I have little doubt that it will end with a 10-count,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “Canelo is the biggest star in our sport today, and with a victory on September 17, at the age of just 26 he can add yet another chapter to his already-incredible career.”

“Liam grabbed the opportunity to defend his WBO title against Alvarez,” said Frank Warren. “This is a fantastic chance for Liam to showcase his talent in such a high profile fight. He believes, as do I, that he has the tools to beat Alvarez and stake his own claim to be the world’s best.”

At the age of 25, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez, the current Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion, has conquered the boxing world, captivating fans both at home and around the globe with his action-packed fighting style, charisma and willingness to take on the toughest challenges. Canelo’s road to stardom began in 2011 with a win over Matthew “Magic” Hatton for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World title, his first title defense against Ryan Rhodes and stoppage victories over Alfonso Gomez and Kermit Cintron. Then in 2012, Canelo defended his belt against future Hall of Famer Sugar Shane Mosley and showed the veteran his first retirement, winning via unanimous decision. Canelo continued on the path to superstardom in 2013 with a fifth round technical knockout of Josesito Lopez, followed by a unanimous decision victory over then world champion, Austin Trout in front of over 40,000 fans at San Antonio’s Alamodome. The victory earned Canelo the WBA Super Welterweight World Championship and proved his dominance at 154-pounds and as a bonafide ticket seller. On September 14, 2013, Canelo faced the man on top of the pound-for-pound list – Floyd “Money” Mayweather – giving a stellar effort before falling short of victory for the first time via 12-round majority decision. The fight ended up being the biggest of 2013, but also the second highest grossing bout of all-time and the second most watched boxing event ever on Mexican television (only behind 2015’s Mayweather-Pacquiao). Since then, Canelo has defeated top stars Alfredo “Perro” Angulo via 10th round technical knockout and Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara via split decision in 2014. On May 9, 2015, Alvarez dazzled with a victory over the fierce James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland at Minute Maid Park in Houston in front of more than 31,000 fans that featured what many deemed the Knockout of the Year in 2015. At the end of 2015, Alvarez defeated future Hall-of-Famer Miguel Cotto for the WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight Championship in front of a packed arena at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas and more than 900,000 homes across the country. The unanimous decision victory cemented Canelo’s status as boxing’s biggest draw and among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Finally, Canelo delivered another Knockout of the Year contender in May of this year, knocking out Amir “King” Khan in the sixth round of his first middleweight title defense opening up the new state-of-the-art T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Part of the Famous Fighting Smith Brothers, where brothers Callum, Paul and Stephen have all competed in the boxing elite level as current title holders and world championship title challengers with Liam “Beefy” Smith is the first to hold a world championship title. A decorated fighter and current WBO Junior Middleweight Champion, Smith has maintained his undefeated status since his 2008 debut, defeating his last eight opponents by knockout. Smith began his knockout prowess in 2013 when he defended his BBB of CBritish Super Welterweight Title by knocking out Marck Thompson in the fourth round. 2014 saw Smith defend his British belt and win the vacant WBA Continental Super Welterweight Title with dramatic stoppages against Jason Welborn and Zoltan Sera proving that Smith belonged in the upper ranks in the division. In 2015, The Scouse warrior went on to stop Robert Talarek by an eighth-round technical knockout in March and then claimed WBO Intercontinental Super Welterweight Title when he finished David Ezequiel “La Herradura” Romero with a seventh-round technical knockout in April. By October of 2015, Smith proved to be an elite fighter as he defeated John “Apollo Kid” Thompson via seventh-round technical knockout to be crowned as the new WBO Junior Middleweight Champion. Since then, Smith has made two successful defenses of his world championship defeating ‘Jimmy’ Kilrain Kelly also in the seventh round in December 2015 and most recently Predrag “Pedja” Radosevic in June 2016 with a devastating second round knockout.

Canelo vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for the WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Frank Warren and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD. The event will take place on Saturday, September 17 and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.frankwarren.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @LiamBeefySmith, @OscarDeLaHoya, @FrankWarren_tv and @HBOboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/frankwarrenpromotions, or www.Facebook.com/HBOboxing, join us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @LiamBeefySmith, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, and follow the conversation using #CaneloSmith.

BETHLEHEM, PA. (June 24, 2016) – This Tuesday night undefeated lightweight prospect Mykal “The Professor” Fox (9-0, 2 KO’s) will take on Jose Valderrama (5-13, 3 KO’s) in a scheduled six-round bout that will be part of the undercard of Premier Boxing Champions ­TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

The June 28 event is headlined by a lightweight showdown between former title challenger Edner Cherry and quick-fisted contender Lydell Rhodes. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with unbeaten featherweight Omar Douglas taking on Cuba’s Alexei Collado.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75,and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available atwww.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

Fox of Forestville, Maryland will be making his second start of the year and he is ready to go and put on a great performance.

“My training has been great. Everything is falling into place and my weight is coming off easy,” said the 20 year-old prospect.

In Valderrama, Fox is facing his 3rd straight opponent who has had significantly more fights then him. Fox will be Valderrama’s 11th undefeated opponent.

“Valderrama has fought some guys from my area (David Grayton, Demond Nicholson and Malik Hawkins), so I know him some. He has fought at bigger weights so i expect him to be bigger, but my boxing skills will get me over in this fight.”

Fox has been kept busy with King’s Promotions and he expects to begin moving up the ladder in the near-future.

“I am getting moved very well. This is a great opportunity for me as it is on the undercard of a televised fight. That in itself is a step up. I feel like this is an upward step. I keep telling people to just be on the lookout for me. This is a television undercard, so the next step will be to be on television and then I will be known nationally.”

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com www.sandseventcenter.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FS1, @TheSBEC, @FoxDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes and www.Facebook.com/the SBEC. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

NICE, CALIF. (June 24, 2016) – Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz (17-1, 8 KOs) will battle exciting brawler Levan Ghvamichava (16-2-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight showdown that headlines Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes Tuesday, July 12 from Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino in Nice, California.

Televised coverage begins at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT and features undefeated prospect Malcolm McAllister (7-0, 7 KOs) battling Brazil’s Gilberto Pereira (7-2, 4 KOs) in eight-rounds of super middleweight action while undefeated prospects Thomas Hill (6-0, 1 KO) and Marcos Hernandez (7-0, 2 KOs) compete in an eight-round super welterweight fight.

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring on July 12 in this tough matchup,” said Diaz. “This is my first fight back since my close fight with Lamont Peterson but I’m looking forward to shining and getting back on track towards becoming a world champion.”

“I have been making 140-pounds since I was 16-years-old and the move to 147-pounds is very welcome,” said Ghvamichava. “Along with the hard work I’ve been putting in with my trainer Virgil Hunter, I should show a great deal of improvement against the very skillful Felix Diaz.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, start at $20 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets call the players club at (707) 262-4000.

A two-time Olympian representing the Dominican Republic, Diaz Jr. won a gold medal at his second Olympic games in 2008 in Beijing. Now fighting out of the Bronx, the 32-year-old increased the level of his competition with victories over Emmanuel Lartey, Adrian Granados and Gabriel Bracero before giving former champion Lamont Peterson all he could handle in losing a majority decision last October.

Ghvamichava will look to rebound from a defeat in his last bout after riding a five-fight win streak that had dated back to 2013. The 30-year-old took down previously unbeaten fighters Jonathan Garcia and Chris Singleton in 2014 and followed it up with triumphs over Cameron Kreal and Cosme Rivera in 2015. Originally from Poti, Georgia, Ghvamichava now trains out of Hayward, California.

Fighting out of Long Beach, California, McAllister turned pro in December 2014 and has knocked out every opponent he’s faced. The 25-year-old stayed busy in 2015 as he picked up five victories before making his 2016 debut with a third round knockout of Tyrone Selders in January. He takes on the Goias, Brazil-native Pereira who will make his second start in the U.S. and most recently stopped Humberto Conceicao in March.

A 22-year-old from Milwaukee, but now fighting out of Las Vegas, Hill turned pro in August 2014 and has yet to be defeated. He began 2016 by defeating Tavorus Teague in a six-round bout in February. He takes on the 23-year-old Hernandez who turned pro in 2013 and has also yet to taste defeat. The Fresno-native picked up three victories in 2015.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com, www.samstownlv.com/entertain and www.TGBPromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

4
LONDON (24 JUNE) Hennessy Sports, Klitschko Management Group (KMG) and Team Fury regret to inform that World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury has suffered an ankle injury in training and is therefore unable to defend his belts against Wladimir Klitschko on July 9 at the Manchester Arena.

The injury – a badly sprained ankle – occured recently and has unfortunately shown no signs of improving. This has left Team Fury with no option but to postpone the first defence of his WBA Super, WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles.

Hennessy Sports and KMG will announce a rescheduled date for Fury vs. Klitschko II in due course, and tickets purchased for the original July 9 date will be valid for the rescheduled date.

Promoter Mick Hennessy said, “It’s very unfortunate at this crucial stage of Tyson’s preparations that this injury has occurred with just a couple of weeks to go.

“There was no way Tyson could go into the fight against Wladimir Klitschko less than 100 percent fit.

“It’s essential now that Tyson gets the correct medical professional treatment for the injury and then we can then look to announce the new date.

“I feel for the fans who have purchased tickets and for the BoxNation viewers who were looking forward to this summer blockbuster, but we will put all our efforts into making sure Tyson fully recovers and then get the rematch back on.”

IBF Heavyweight World Championship
Anthony Joshua – 243 ¼ Pounds
Dominic Breazeale – 255 Pounds
Referee: HOWARD FOSTER (UK), Judges: DAVE PARRIS (UK), ROBIN TAYLOR (USA), PASQUALE PROCOPIO (Canada)

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing and @SHOSports, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/ShoSports

Also follow Dominic Breazeale on Twitter @TroubleBoxing, Anthony Joshua @AnthonyJoshua and use hashtag #JoshuaBreazeale to join the conversation.

QUEBEC CITY (June 24, 2016) – Light heavyweight world champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (27-1, 22 KOs) returns to defend his belt against hard-hitting challenger Thomas “Top Dog” Williams Jr. (20-1, 14 KOs) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike Friday, July 29 from Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada.

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/8 pm. CT and features former world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (34-4, 19 KOs) against top light heavyweight contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (19-0, 10 KOs) in a 10-round showdown.

Stevenson will be making his seventh title defense and his second straight defense on Spike. His latest challenge will be the young and hungry Williams Jr. who comes in with a straight-forward style and a ton of confidence after he knocked out Edwin Rodriguez in the second round of their April clash.

“I am very happy to return to the ring on July 29 in Quebec,” said Stevenson. “I will demonstrate that like fine wine, I am even better with age. Even though I haven’t boxed in 10 months, I’ve never left the gym and I’m willing and ready to defend my crown.”

“There were many people who had lost trust in me two years ago after my loss, but here I am” said Williams Jr. “There were circumstances that led to that result, but I don’t make excuses and that is in the past. I’m coming off of the best performance of my career and I’m ready to hold that belt on July 29. Stevenson has never faced a puncher like me.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Group Yvon Michel (GYM), start at $50, and are on sale now. Tickets are on sale at Videotron Centre, GYM (514) 383-0666 or at Champion Boxing Club (514) 376-0980.

“Adonis Stevenson has been a world champion since 2012 and we expect another great show on July 29,” said Yvon Michel, President og GYM. “The fights on July 29 will include a group of ambitious and talented boxers, which promises a show with intense fighters making statements.”

Stevenson won the world light heavyweight title in June of 2013 in Montreal, via a sensational 76-second, first-round knockout over the then-undisputed king of the division Chad Dawson. The impressive victory earned Stevenson “Knockout of the Year” and “Fighter of the Year” accolades. From there, Stevenson went on to record stoppage victories over Tavoris Cloud and Tony Bellew while winning a decision over Andzej Fonfara. Born in Haiti, but fighting out of Quebec, Stevenson defended his title twice last year as he defeated Sakio Bika and stopped Tommy Karpency in the third round.

Williams Jr., a 28-year-old from Fort Washington, Maryland, was introduced to boxing by his father, a former pro fighter. A dynamite puncher, his biggest victory came in his last bout when he knocked out Rodriguez in their fast-paced duel. However, the southpaw has also proven his endurance with unanimous decision victories over warriors like Michael Gbenga, Yusaf Mack and Otis Griffin. Prior to the showdown with Rodriguez he scored a second-round TKO over world-ranked contender Umberto Savigne last November.

A former world champion at light heavyweight, Dawson returns to the ring looking to earn another world title shot. The 33-year-old owns victories over former world champions Bernard Hopkins, Antonio Tarver and Tomasz Ademek and is coming off of victories over Shujaa El Amin. The New Haven, Connecticut-native will be fighting in Canada for the fourth time in his career.

A 2008 Colombian Olympian fighting out of Montreal, Alvarez defeated fellow top contender Isaac Chilemba in November 2015 to solidify his spot amongst the top light heavyweights in the division. The 32-year-old owned victories over previously unbeaten Ryno Liebenberg and Andrew Gardner plus triumphs over veterans Edison Miranda and Alexander Johnson heading into 2015. Alvarez was impressive in stopping Anatoliy Dudchenko and giving Isidro Ranon Prieto his first loss leading up to the bout with Chilemba.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.groupeyvonmichel.ca, and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AdonisSuperman, @TopDoggJr, @yvonmichelgym @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, and www.Facebook.com/Spike. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Miami, OK (June 23, 2016) – Junior welterweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk puts his perfect record on the line when he faces fellow unbeaten Eliseo Cruz Saturday, June 25 at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK.

Raised in Russia, Baranchyk now fights out of Brooklyn, NY and has an outstanding 10-0 professional ledger with 9 wins by knockout. On March 5, Baranchyk sent shockwaves through the boxing world by brutally knocking out unbeaten Nicholas Givhan (16-0-1) in 21 seconds on ShoBox at the Buffalo Run Casino. Prior to that, Baranchyk needed just 2:38 to demolished undefeated Sadhi Shawareb (9-0-2).

Living and fighting out of Chipas, Mexico, Cruz is 9-0-1 with 6 victories via knockout. In December 2015, Cruz scored an eighth round knockout of Luis Zambrano. His bout against Baranchayk will be Cruz’ fifth scheduled for eight rounds or more.

The “somebody’s 0 must go” fight between Baranchyk and Cruz is scheduled for 8 rounds.

Popular 147 pound prospect Jesse Cook of Seneca, MO battles cement-fisted Bulmaro Solis in the six round co-feature. A member of Holden Productions’ “Four State Franchise,” Cook is 16-1-1 with 11 victories by knockout. Solis, who hails from Kansas City, MO, scored knockouts in each of his 12 wins and only has 2 defeats.

Heavyweight Kenzie Witt-Morrison puts his 8-0-1 record on the line against fellow unbeaten Robby Mendez, 2-0, of Topeka, KS in a six rounder. The son of late Tommy Morrison and step brother of rising prospect Trey Lippe-Morrison, Witt-Morrison is a member of the “Four State Franchise” and continues to improve every time out.

Bartlesville, OK’s Jarrett “Legacy” Rouse, 9-0 (4 KO’s), meets Wichita, KS based Noel Esqueda, 6-3-1 (4 KO’s), in a six round welterweight tilt. Like Cook and Witt Morrison, Rose is a member of the “Four State Franchise” and fought seven of his matches at the Buffalo Run. Esqueda, who has only been defeated by unbeaten opponents, scored a first round knockout last November.

2012 Azerbajani Olympian Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev makes his pro debut against Whichita, KS’ Brandon Phillips, 1-0, and Hurshidbek Normatov of Uzbekistan enters the ring for the first time as a professional versus Ramon Barber, 6-10 (5 KO’s), also of Wichita, KS.

Cuban standout Luis Garcia “El Leon” Garcia looks to improve his record to 14-0 when he squares off against Kansas City, MO based Demetrius Walker, 8-12-2 (4 KO’s). Garcia was rated amongst the top prospects a few years back but was sidelined due to out of the ring issues. The Garcia-Walker match up is scheduled for ten rounds in the cruiserweight division.

“This card will be an exciting crowd pleaser,” said Tony Holden. “There are multiple fights where somebody’s 0 must go and competitive match ups across the board with fighters from all across the globe showcasing their talent under one roof. The fans at the Buffalo Run are in for a special evening of boxing Saturday night.”

Tickets are on sale at the Buffalo Run box office or by calling 918-542-7140.

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – June 23, 2016 – World Fighting Championships presents a trio of top boxing talent this Saturday at the Belle of Baton Rouge, topping a six fight, expected sell-out card. Boxing fans in the capital city will be treated to a stellar main event, featuring local fan favorite Justin Thomas (16-1, 6KO) in an eight-round bout at super middleweight against experienced David Thomas (10-5-2, 8KO) of Indiana, who has a habit of winning bouts on the road, and upsetting hometown fighters. Justin Thomas, who credits a 2008 encounter with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as a turning point in his boxing career, will be reunited with his former coach, Floyd Mayweather Sr. trainer of blue chip prospect Devin Haney, who will make his first appearance on a WFC card. After beginning his boxing career in Las Vegas, and then Houston, Justin Thomas returned home to take care of his mother after an accident. WFC 54 marks his 15th appearance at the Belle of Baton Rouge.

In the co-main event, Eric Walker (12-0, 6KO) makes his triumphant return to his hometown after an upset decision over formerly undefeated banger Chris Pearson in Las Vegas late last year. He will face Josue Ovando (14-9-1, 11KO) for the WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship. Ovando, who went the distance with Matt Korobov in his last bout, is a tough foe for Walker, having knocked out Ronald Hearns in a bout two weight classes above his normal fighting weight before facing Korobov and Hugo Centeno. While many fighters began their careers in structured amateur programs, Walker, dubbed the “Babyface Assassin,” took a tougher road to the ring, joining the prison boxing team while incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Institute. Over an eleven year period, Walker amassed a 61-1 record, and became the captain of the prison boxing team. Now a father and role model to youth in his community, Walker’s arrival on the radar of boxing scribes and fans came with a hard-fought, eight round unanimous decision win over the southpaw in what many felt was the PBC fight of the year.

Devin “The Dream” Haney (6-0, 4KO), one of only a handful of fighters under the age of 18 to be granted a boxing license in Nevada, will face Clay Burns (4-1-2, 4KO) in a special feature bout. Haney isn’t matched easy in the bout against Burns, who is coming off a second round knockout win in May. A highly-touted prospect, Haney was a 7-time National Champion as an amateur. The prospect made his pro debut just after his 17th birthday, securing a first round TKO victory over Gonzalo Lopez in Mexico in December.

“This is one of the most exciting cards we’ve put on at the Belle,” said Matt McGovern, World Fighting Championships Founder and Promoter. “The WFC brand is becoming synonymous with high-quality, high-energy shows. To have Thomas, Walker and Haney all on one card is going to make for an explosive night.”

The up-and-coming promotional company, which promotes both boxing and MMA events, is coming off a sell-out event last weekend at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Pittsburgh. “We do these events with a small, dedicated staff. We have loyal and gracious casino clients, and the Belle has been a very strong partner over the years.”

Tickets are priced at $100, $50, and $25, and are available along with VIP tables via the WFC website at www.worldfightingchampionships.com.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. on fight night. First bell is at 7:00 p.m.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (June 23, 2016) – Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before their eagerly anticipated welterweight world title showdown this Saturday, June 25 in primetime as SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, comes to Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Live televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features undefeated super welterweights Jarrett Hurd and Oscar Molina in a 10-round rumble of rising contenders.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 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.

The press conference took place at the Dream Hotel PHD Rooftop in downtown Manhattan. Here is what the participants had to say Thursday:

KEITH THURMAN

“It’s an honor to be on this platform. I’m excited to be back at Barclays Center. My last fight at Barclays Center was the first time I felt the fans give me love and I felt like I made it.

“I’m excited to feel the energy in the arena. We’re recovered and we’re ready. We did what we needed to so that we’re ready for Saturday night.

“As I think about this fight, these are dreams coming true for me. Sometimes I feel like I’m living a dream. I think about how I was raised by Ben Getty to this moment. Ben used to say that my moment was ‘right around the corner,’ and now it’s here. He was a wise man and he knew what he was talking about.

“This is a great fight. This is what the boxing fans want to see. I truly believe you are looking at two of the best welterweights in the world.

“I’m here as an entertainer. I’m here for the love of the sport. The fans want to see these kinds of fights. It’s obvious in the welterweight division that we are the two most exciting and devastating fighters in the division.

“Everybody kept talking about the sparring video, so I just decided to put it out. Sparring is sparring and fighting is fighting. This fight will be judged and this time I’ll have eight-ounce gloves on.

“It’s always been my dream to be the undisputed champion of the world.
“I’m looking forward to a great performance. I’m excited to a great challenge from Shawn Porter. There is a burning desire within myself to have a knockout victory. It’s hard to make world-class fighters quit. The fans ultimately want to see that knockout victory.

“There are real stakes are on the line this Saturday night. Our careers are on the line. My title is on the line. My undefeated record is on the line. It’s a great fight and a great matchup.

“I do believe that with each and every fight, you step up, you step up and you step up. So, thus the stakes are always higher and there are those times where you get a decent fight. But like I said, this is a great fight at a great moment of both athletes’ careers. We are both in our prime. I’m 27-years-old, Shawn is 28-years-old, we’ve both accomplished many great things and a victory on Saturday night is just going to be another thing to add to the resume.

“This really is the best fight of the best. We’re trying to satisfy the fans and we’re trying to challenge ourselves, push ourselves, and see where we fit in and how great we really are. I’m going to show you Saturday night how great Keith “One Time” Thurman really is.

“Just like Ali said, Saturday night, I’m going to show you how great I am.”

SHAWN PORTER

“It’s here. It’s been long anticipated and it’s here. I have never been more excited to fight in my life. It’s a blessing. Along this journey I’ve been able to learn the basics and excel in the basics and I found myself in a position where I’ve been able to be very successful.

“My hometown Cleveland Cavaliers winning the NBA title is definitely a motivation. It motivates me to be a winner. I want to bring this belt back to Ohio.

“I’m looking forward to this kind of moment to shine. That’s how you gain notoriety and become bigger. There’s no pressure, just excitement.

“I’m just looking forward to getting in there and getting that energetic feeling. I want to feel the excitement of getting into the ring and all the adrenaline that rushes through.

“This is the fight I wanted. I wanted to have fun training for a fight like this. Keith has made it possible. He’s so good it pushes me to be better.

“This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last time that two friends fight. I’m done talking about us being friends because it’s time for us to start punching each other. My plan is to have great defense, avoid getting hit and win the fight.

“I didn’t take much time off after the postponement. We tried to train and stay ready through the cancellation. You never know when the phone is going to ring. We just wanted to stay in shape, get better and be ready for anything.

“I feel like if Floyd Mayweather comes back, he should fight the winner of this matchup. I believe that will be me.

“I’m not going to go in there looking for a knockout and throw my hands wildly. I’m going to keep up the pace that I normally keep up. I’m a great boxer. People consider me a boxer, but I may surprise you.”

JARRETT HURD

“I’m thankful for this opportunity. This is a great shot for me right now. In my last fight I had an opportunity similar to this. I was a fill-in for television and I did what I was supposed to do.

“Success is accomplished when preparation meets opportunity. I know things like this can happen. It doesn’t change anything. We’re going to go out and do what we trained for.

“You always get butterflies before getting in the ring but that’s normal. Molina is very experienced and has good hand speed but I know what I can do. We’re ready for this.

“I’m happy to be on this stage. This could be the biggest fight of the year and I’m extremely blessed to open it up.

“I’m going to go out there and put on another terrific performance. Molina, he’s an Olympian and he has a lot of experience. He’s a crafty fighter and we’re going to do what we have to do to get the victory.

“We’re ready to do what we’re going to do. It’s going to be a great fight on Saturday night.”

OSCAR MOLINA

“I’m ready for this. I’m more than ready for this. These type of fights are what gets me up to train.

“This guy I’m fighting is young, undefeated and a prospect like myself. I know he’s going to be ready and it’s going to be a tough fight but I’m ready for him.

“This is a huge deal for me. I was already excited to be on this huge undercard. When they told me that I was moving up to CBS I knew how big of an opportunity it is for me and my career.

“Hurd is a tall and lanky fighter. I saw his last fight and I see that he does well with guys who are flat footed. My boxing skills and my footwork are something he’s never seen before. Frank Galarza was tailor-made for Hurd and I think I’m going to be able to give him different looks.

“I’m a boxer-puncher and I can adapt to different styles. I also have power for big knockouts but my boxing skills are most important.

“Fighting in the Olympics taught me to adapt to different styles. I have a fan-friendly style and I’m excited to put on a show.”

DAN BIRMINGHAM, Thurman’s Trainer

“We’re ready for this fight. Keith trains hard every day and we know Shawn and Kenny well. I’ve brought them to my gym and these two guys have gone a lot of rounds together.

“I think Keith Thurman is the most gifted guy in boxing. He does everything right. Saturday night we’re looking for a great fight and I know in my heart that we will be victorious.”

KEN PORTER, Porter’s Father & Trainer

“It’s great to be here. It’s great to be on this stage with Shawn. This isn’t something we just started getting ready for, this is something he’s been getting ready for since birth. I always had a mindset to put Shawn in a position to excel in life. He has not disappointed.

“I know these guys are going to give it everything they have. It will be 100 percent for as long as it lasts. We’re prepared to take the championship. These are great guys here to the right, but on Saturday we’re bringing everything to the table.

“We’re coming to deliver a great show. Enjoy yourselves on Saturday night.”

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

“This is what it’s all about. This Saturday night, the best is fighting the best. It’s right here in Brooklyn on CBS. It’s the first fight on CBS in primetime since Muhammad Ali fought over 30 years ago.

“This is a terrific card from top to bottom. There is a tremendous undercard, a great co-feature and a main event that boxing fans have been waiting for a long time.

“This is an undercard chock full of talent. You will want to get there early as there are evenly matched bouts all night.

“SHOWTIME has highlighted the 154-pound division in recent shows, so it makes sense that there will be another significant matchup in that division on CBS Saturday night with Jarrett Hurd and Oscar Molina.

“We’re not going to talk about friendship and respect anymore with these two guys, that’s in the past and the future. These guys know their future is dependent on beating up the other guy and a fight of this magnitude makes the stakes even higher.

“The best want to fight the best and it starts Saturday night. The winner of this fight wants to be the best in the world. Both men want to be an undisputed welterweight champion.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports

“June 25 is a very special day and night for us at CBS. It begins with the heavyweight world title being contested between Anthony Joshua and Dominic Breazeale and then the return of boxing to primetime CBS for the first time in almost 40 years.

“This was an easy fight to make. Shawn and Keith, neither one hesitated for a second in taking this fight. All credit goes to them for taking this fight. It’s a difficult fight for both on a big stage.

“Boxing takes criticism for not making the right fights at the right time. One of the bad habits we have is that we spend time thinking about fights that might get made. But now we have the right fight, at the right time and at the right venue. It’s a disservice to not recognize that what is going on Saturday is very special and very exciting.”

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment

“It’s an exciting week at Barclays Center. Tonight we host the NBA Draft, the weigh-in tomorrow and our big event Saturday night. The momentum is building for this fight and we are on pace for the biggest crowd for a boxing event since we opened.

“We are excited about bringing a great night of fights to Brooklyn. We welcome Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter back to Brooklyn as they have both fought there once before.

“It’s become tradition to have both of you fight in our ring and we know how popular you are with our fans and we love to have you back.

“This will be the first primetime fight on CBS since the first Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks fight in 1978 and it’s a big moment for the boxing community for sure. We look forward to hosting everyone on Saturday night.”

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.c

BROOKLYN (June 23, 2016) – Broadcasting legend and SHOWTIME commentator Al Bernstein will host a special live event with boxing fans on Friday, June 24 at Rocco’s Tacos in Brooklyn as part of the Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter fight week.

The event begins at 6 p.m. ET and features interviews with fighters, trivia, Q&A with fans and boxing commentary. The first 50 attendees will receive an autographed version of Bernstein’s book 30 Years, 30 Undeniable Truths About Boxing, Sports and TV.

The event is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina. Rocco’s Tacos is located at 339 Adams Street in downtown Brooklyn.

LAS VEGAS (June 23, 2016) – World Series of Fighting (www.WSOF.com) announced today that it has inked a one-year partnership agreement with Ticket Galaxy (www.TicketGalaxy.com), the premier online marketplace for buying and selling tickets for live events.

The partnership will begin with the highly-anticipated WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill 2 world championship doubleheader at XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. on Saturday, July 30, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

“We are thrilled to be in business with Ticket Galaxy, a company that has developed a stellar track record with consumers of many of the world’s elite sports and entertainment properties, and are confident that this partnership will further our goal of continually enhancing the fan experience for our live event series,” said World Series of Fighting CEO Carlos Silva.

“One of the world’s premier live event experiences, World Series of Fighting showcases elite MMA talent inside the decagon cage at top venues across the country,” stated Steve Kobelski, President of Ticket Galaxy. “Like millions of others, we are huge fans of the league, so aligning ourselves with them was a natural fit for us and our customers who are looking for the ultimate event experiences.”

As part of the partnership, Ticket Galaxy will periodically provide fans with exclusive, special ticket offerings and ticket packages for World Series of Fighting’s live events.

WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill 2 will feature two world championship rematches. In the main event, reigning, undisputed bantamweight (135 pounds) kingpin Marlon Moraes (16-4-1) will put his title on the line for the second time against top contender Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1).

In the featherweight (145 pounds) championship co-main event, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) will risk his belt against the man he took it from – Lance Palmer (10-2).

In other action on the four fight live telecast that will be preceded by a nine-bout preliminary card, famed, costumed crime fighter Phoenix Jones (6-1-1) aka Ben Fodor will square off with adopted brother and established MMA star Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-5) in a 162-pound catchweight affair.

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 TICKET GALAXY
Ticket Galaxy is the sports and entertainment industry’s leading marketplace to buy and sell tickets to sport, concert, theater, and family events. Providing consumers with hard-to-get, sold-out, and discount tickets to live entertainment in the United States and abroad, Ticket Galaxy partners with some of the world’s most identifiable brands. Its retail website, www.TicketGalaxy.com, grants fans access to unmatched inventory, premiere customer service and secure ticket transactions in an easy-to-navigate environment, all with a 200% money-back guarantee.

For more information on Ticket Galaxy, visit TicketGalaxy.com, Facebook.com/TicketGalaxyUSA, or Twitter.com/TicketGalaxy.

LONDON (June 23, 2016) – Anthony Ogogo (9-0, 5 KOs) is aiming for a stoppage victory against Frane Radnic (11-2, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The Olympic Bronze medalist returns to action following an impressive third-round technical knockout victory against Gary Cooper on May 28 at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, and the 27 year-old middleweight is eager to build momentum as he targets the big names in the division.

”I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring,” said Ogogo, who looks in fine form having recovered from the shoulder and Achilles injuries that had kept him out of action for much of the last two years.

”Radnic is a good boxer. He’s had thirteen fights, he’s won eleven and he’s knocked out ten of his previous opponents, so obviously he can bang. It’s a very good record, and I think he would be a good test for any prospect; particularly one coming off a big injury lay off like me.

”He’s only loss two fights and both of those have been on points, so I want to be the first person to stop him, that’s my objective. Some people might look at his record and see someone who can bang, but I look at it and see someone whose never been stopped, and I want to stop him.”

The Lowestoft boxer knows another victory will bring him closer to the big fights he craves. ”It’s all about building momentum,” he says. ” This is my second fight in two months and I want to keep busy. I’ve had some bad luck in my career so far, but that’s behind me now and I’m ready to move forward.

”I want to be involved in the big fights and I want the big names in the division. My goal has always been to become World Champion and I’m ready to fight anyone to make that happen. Chris Eubank Jr. has the British title, that’s something that I want, and that’s a fight I would love. He’s a big name and that would be a big showpiece for British boxing.”

Ogogo’s fight is part of a massive night of action at The O2 as Joshua defends his IBF World Heavyweight title against unbeaten American Dominic Breazeale.

George Groves and Martin Murray meet in a mouth-watering domestic Super-Middleweight blockbuster and WBA World title eliminator bout, Chris Eubank Jr defends his British Middleweight title against Welshman Tom Doran, John Wayne Hibbert clashes with Andrea Scarpa for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Lightweight title, unbeaten British Super-Flyweight champion Kal Yafai continues his World title trail, Brixton Heavyweight Dillian Whyte returns to action, Conor Benn fights for the third time in the paid ranks and there’s a debut for Team GB star Felix Cash.

PROVIDENCE (June 23, 2016) – A year after he was stripped of his world super welterweight title by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), undefeated super welterweight Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade has repositioned himself off of his sensational June 11 th stoppage of Willle “The Great” Nelson on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®.

The 28-year-old Andrade (23-0, 16 KOs) decked Nelson (25-3-1, 15 KOs) four times, finishing off his game opponent who’d never been knocked out, in the 12th round of their fight at Turning Stone Casino (Verona, N.Y).

Andrade successfully defended his WBO International title and also gained several valuable options in terms of world title and/or major fights. He is now the No. 1 mandatory contender in the World Boxing Council (WBC), waiting to challenge the winner of a mandated title fight between new champion Jermell Charlo and WBC Silver title holder Charles Hatley. The 2008 U.S. Olympian is No. 2 in the WBO, No. 3 in the World Boxing Association (WBA), and Miguel Cotto is No. 1 in both of those sanctioning organizations.

After his sensational, statement-making performance against Nelson, Andrade said he wanted to fight anybody whose name started with “C” and ended in ‘O” – the Charlo brothers (IBF champion is Jermall Charlo), Cotto and “Canelo” (Saul Alvarez).

“I am the best fighter in the 154-pound division,” Andrade proclaimed. “I’m the No. 1 contender in the WBO. Liam Smith is holding my belt but I don’t believe he’ll fight me. I’m the WBC mandatory for the Charlo-Hatley winner. Once I get that belt I’ll beat Charlo’s twin for the IBF title and I’ve been calling out (WBA champ Erislandy) Lara for a long time. But ‘Canelo’ is the big money fight out there for me and who I want the most. I can be ready for him in September for his next fight. At the end of the day, we’ll see what’s up, but I want to get right back in the ring as soon as one of these guys step up to fight me.”

During his long layoff, Andrade made a conscious effort to be a more fan-friendly fighter, building up his strength to go along with his superior quickness. Many called his last fight, ‘Mayweather-like,’ in which Demetrius displayed tremendous power and explosiveness, which complemented his incredible boxing skills and defense.

“When I first turned pro,” Andrade explained, “I was getting in the ring with some good fighters, so I was cautious and settled in on just getting a victory. I learned that I needed to change in order to put butts in seats. I don’t get hit and I also showed that I could go 12 rounds, good for experience, and still takeout a tough fighter like Nelson who had never been stopped. I wasn’t going for the knockout but, after I caught him early with a right hook, I knew that it would come if I was patient and kept up the pressure. I think Willie can give any of the other top guys at 154 a good fight. He has a big heart and came to win. It wasn’t as easy as it may have looked on the scorecards. Willie pushed me to look good. During my layoff, I worked hard on my craft to be better, concentrating on strength and conditioning, and it really showed in my last fight. I worked on my fundamentals and had a lot of success going to the body. I believe fans saw improvement in my performance and appreciated it.”

More comfortable knowing his promotional issues are now in the past (his A Team Promotions owns 50% of his rights to go along with 25% each for Banner Promotions (Artie Pelullo) and Star Boxing (Joe DeGuardia), Andrade is prepared to clean out the 154-division before eventually moving up in weight to take on Gennady Golovkin in what Andrade believes can be a mega-fight in due time.

“I’ve always known since I first saw Demetrius in the ring at 14 years old that he was going to become a superstar,” A Team Promotions president Ed Farris commented. “There were so many doubters and obstacles along the way. It sure took a long time to get here but I’m so happy for him that his moment has finally arrived. You don’t know how good it feels to see him fulfill his destiny.”

Andrade, in fact, hasn’t lost inside the ring in nearly eight years, when he was ripped off against Korean boxer Kim Jung-Joo, 11-9, in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. The boxer named “Boo Boo” – as a kid with cuts, bumps and bruises – doesn’t plan on changing his unbeaten script.

“I’m still untouchable,” Andrade concluded. “I’ve shown my continued commitment to boxing. It’s ‘Boo Boo’ time!”

LONDON (June 23, 2016) – Undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs) and fellow unbeaten American challenger Dominic Breazeale (17-0, 15 KOs), participated in the final press conference on Thursday at Sky Sports Studios in London, just two days before their showdown this Saturday.

The British sensation and 2012 Olympic Games Gold Medalist, Joshua will make the first defense of his title against Breazeale, a 2012 U.S. Olympian from Upland, Calif., this Saturday, June 25 on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® from a sold-out The O2 in London, live on SHOWTIME® on at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.

Fellow heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder, the undefeated WBC titleholder, will join the SHOWTIME announce team as an in-studio guest analyst for coverage of Joshua-Breazeale from New York.

A few hours later Saturday, in primetime on CBS (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), Keith “One Time” Thurman will defend his WBA Welterweight World Title against former champ Shawn “Showtime” Porter in a welterweight blockbuster that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Below is what the fighters had to say at the final press conference, followed by some recent fight week quotes. (Courtesy Sky Sports and Matchroom Sport)

ANTHONYJOSHUA:

“You’re in my jungle now. There’s no pressure on me.

“Once that bell goes, you can’t hide the instinct, the instinct that you want to get someone out of there. I hope I can go in there, stay relaxed and do what I planned to do. But once that bell rings something just comes over you and you want to get him out of there ASAP.

“There will always be pressure. But look, it’s always been the same concept: Train hard – it’s the same ring. It hasn’t changed.

“I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ve always explained let’s get rid of the belts, the atmosphere, because when the bell goes it’s just me and him in the ring. Two gladiators, two respectful warriors coming together. We’re going to slug it out and put our 0s on the line.”

“I’m prepared, Dominic is prepared well, and one of us has to take a loss.

“Each fight is a stepping stone to the big tests. I want to look like the real deal.”

“I think we’re in the golden era of boxing again.”

DOMINIC BREAZEALE:
“I respect you as a fighter, but I’m going to beat you. I’ve got to beat the best of the best.”

“I can’t wait, it’s been an opportunity I’ve been waiting eight years for this. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime and I’m ready for this.

“Expect fireworks. We’ll be going round for round, punch for punch and I expect to knock out Joshua.”

“I got a big right hand, I have a big left hook. I stand 6-foot-7, 255 pounds. I’m unorthodox – I’m a guy that can fight on the inside, I’m a guy that can take a punch, I’m a guy that can give a punch. So if any one of those given things show up on Saturday night I’m getting a knockout, for sure.

“It’s a major advantage just for me to have Anthony Joshua the whole time. I don’t want him at any given point for him to feel like he’s in his comfort zone, his own backyard or his own little lion’s den.

“That’s what I came across the pond to do. I came across the pond to get my belt and take it back home with me.

“It’s my Super Bowl. Being a former football player, this is my Super Bowl.”

“Everybody keeps comparing me to Charles Martin, the only thing that we have in common is that we’re both American. We have a completely different fight style, different goals in life.

“I’m a big puncher, so is Anthony Joshua. He has the belt and I intend to have it on Saturday night.

ADDITIONAL FIGHT WEEK QUOTES:

ANTHONY JOSHUA

“I’m 16 fights, 16 wins, Dominic is 17 fights, 17 wins. We’ve been pro for the same amount of time, amateurs for the same time so we’re at a similar level on paper.

“People think this will end in two rounds? Brilliant. I am winning fights early because of my talent and hard work. Where I am in my career, it’s a perfect fight.

“I don’t overlook anyone. People talk and talk, that’s irrelevant. It’s all about whether he can fight. I think he believes in himself, but he knows what’s in store here, he needs to know I’m serious about this boxing. He thinks he’s going to KO me, he’s dismissed Charles Martin — sometimes you just have to humble somebody and show levels, let them know it’s not that easy.

“The second I stepped in to the pros it was ‘Boom!’ — Anthony Joshua – headlining. That’s not down to me, its media channels and people wanting to get to know the guy behind the gloves. So it’s been hard to build a career at the right pace without criticism because people want to see me in massive fights right now.

“You can’t jump from hero to zero, there are people guiding us over a long and a dangerous career. People have to understand that it’s a development of a career, and if I ever train a fighter, I’ll tell them the same thing.”

On fellow heavyweight world champions Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury:
“This won’t be my only defense, I want there to be lots and lots, and at the right time I will fight David Haye, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and the rest. We’re in an era now where we have to fight each other. There’s never been an era when the best don’t fight the best at heavyweight — but they have to happen at the right time, and they will.

“We are all world champions as we hold all the belts that are available. We’re all talented. Deontay has defended his title multiple times so you have to give him credit for that. Tyson and I haven’t defended yet, so I put Deontay at the top. But Tyson beat Wladimir Klitschko who reigned for such a long time.

“I am happy because I became a world champion in my 16th fight and they won theirs later in their careers. But Tyson beat the main man in the division, and Deontay has defended his belt lots of times, so I am in third right now, but I am building my way up.

“Put the belts to one side, they don’t give you magical powers. A lot of fighters lose their belt in their first defense. It’s about developing your raw talent and making sure you keep on an upward curve because there’s hungry young challengers snapping at your heels all the time, ready to expose you – and I refuse that to happen to me.”

On Charles Martin:
“Before the fight, no one criticized (Charles) Martin. He was undefeated, knocking guys out, tall southpaw, dangerous. Bookies were taking a lot of bets on him knocking me out. Tyson Fury backed him to do just that and a lot of people thought it would be tricky. Up until I beat him, he was seen as a worthy fighter. I figured him out quickly and I made him look bad. He didn’t look like the champion people thought he was, but you have to respect him.”

On thinking about losing:
“I think about losing all the time, I’m scared of it. That keeps me humble and working hard. I don’t think people are going to beat me or anything, but I don’t want to lose, and I know that if I work hard and keep improving, I won’t lose.

“I get enough attention from this job. There are 20,000 fans at the fights, millions watching on TV around the world. I don’t need to seek attention. I’m not a trash talker because the fists do the talking.’’

On being a role model:
“I know that there are a lot of kids watching me now and their parents say ‘my son loves you’ and that’s in my mind.

“I’ll be myself all the time, but that sense of being a role model and having kid’s look up to you, that checks the emotions that could come out if you get wound up. You have to conduct yourself.’’

On Tyson Fury:
“Tyson talks a lot. I hear so many different things, if he was consistent with what he says then maybe I’d think he was digging a bit, but it’s just water off a duck’s back. I don’t know him, but as long as people are saying ‘when are you going to fight him?’ then I like him because he is relevant.

“It would be such a huge fight and one that would be part of my legacy. I think because he’s beaten Wladimir once he can do it again. I didn’t think he’d win the first fight, but he pulled it off.

“I’d love to fight Tyson – it’s a match-up that needs to happen. There have been talks, whether they are a quick chat or serious negotiations, but you can’t click your fingers and come up with a mega fight. It takes time, but they are in the pipeline and we’re building towards them, and in the meantime I want to test myself and learn my craft. I need to perform well to prove that I can handle the massive fights.’’

On fellow British heavyweight David Haye:
“David is running the show and people know it, so when he goes in against soft opponents, he’s putting his neck on the line to get the stick. Fans expect more from him and he’s not meeting those levels, and that’s where the backlash comes from. The people he’s calling out versus the two guys he has fought, they just don’t add up, and that’s what people are frustrated about.

“I don’t think you can knock the Shannon Briggs fight. He’s made a lot of noise, he’s old school and it’s a good fight for David to take, win and move upwards. Shannon had made noise and he’s got his moment and who knows? Maybe he can shock the world. He’s old, but he trains hard and he’s in great condition, and that’s why people love the heavyweights because it’s that one shot.

“A fight with Fury and I is the biggest fight in British boxing in my opinion. The Haye fight is big too; there’s enough media interest for it to be big. It’s already big and we’re not even fighting yet, so imagine how big it would be once we get in there. It’d be unbelievable and that’s why I am so interested in the fights.”

DOMINIC BREAZEALE:
“I plan on putting on some extreme pressure and taking Joshua to places he’s never been. We’ll find out if he can handle it.

“Do I want to see him go into uncharted territory? Of course, without a doubt.

“I’ve been there, I know what it feels like and I’ve done it several times now. At the same time, I’m not going to let an opportunity pass me. If I see something I can take in the first or second round, I’m definitely going to get him out of there.

“I’ve sparred guys that are bigger than me, I’ve sparred some guys smaller than me. I’ve been the tallest thus far (of his professional opponents), but I don’t think the difference in a matter of inches is going to make that big of a difference. The guys I’ve sparred with are 10 times better than Anthony Joshua.

“I think that it’s going to be one of those situations that it is not going to be a difference of size or weight. It’s going to be the difference of skill and experience.

“When you think of a heavyweight champion you want to make sure he’s fought the best, and I think that’s why Joshua has chosen me as his opponent to defend against. That’s what he plans on getting out of the situation if he can make it through the 12 rounds.

“I think Joshua’s thinking of me as a stepping stone and he’s going to be sorry about that. He’s just wrong. He’s fighting a guy at 6-foot-7, 255 pounds that brings the pressure and a great pace from round-to-round.

“I’m one of those guys that I might take a shot, I might work some defense or I might work a strong jab. Either way, I’m going to make it a fight. All of my opponents have been down on the canvas and I don’t think Joshua is going to come shy of that as well.

“I’ve been picked as the smaller guy in the ring, by the IBF as a stepping stone and I feel like my back is against the wall. I’m going to come out fighting.

“To come here and win the IBF title in London is a major thing for me that I plan to achieve. Then I want to continuing to go after all the titles.

“My mind set has definitely changed. The situation that I’m in mentally is just different compared to some of my fights in the past. My confidence level is through the roof and physically I feel great.

“I think the heavyweight division is getting ready to change. With individuals like myself, Deontay and Tyson, we have guys who are characters who bring a lot of charisma to the division. That’s something that we need. Yes, we are athletes but in the end we are entertainers and we want to see a show. I’m the type of guy that brings a show every single time I fight. It’s action-packed from the opening bell to the end, and fight fans are looking for that. That’s what is going to resurrect the heavyweight division.’’

On his win over Amir Mansour:
“That was another confidence booster for me. It’s one thing to finish a guy in the first round with three punches or something like that. It’s another thing to finish a guy in the sixth, seventh round with a combination of shots.

“Amir put me down on the canvas in the second, I battled back and ended up breaking the man’s jaw.

“It gives me something to work on. I know I was able to come back and be very successful from it. Anytime you get a win of that matter where you get a guy, break him down, break him down where he quits on the stool, it’s a huge confidence booster. It makes you understand as an athlete or as a professional boxer that you’ve got punching power, you just broke another man’s jaw.’’

On returning to London after the 2012 Olympics:
“I think it’s going to beautiful. It’s going to be great to go back to where my amateur career ended and beat the guy who won the gold medal. That’s going to be great. And then, on top of that, take away more hardware with the IBF Heavyweight title. You couldn’t ask for anything better.

“Then again I do understand and believe I’m a completely different fighter — not only am I a professional but I no longer fight an amateur style. I would consider myself a knockout artist with some pretty good punching power and that’s what I plan on showing the UK fans and my U.S. following. It’s a chapter that needs to be closed and I plan on doing that.’’

On the state of the heavyweight division:
“I believe that we’ve got a lot of heavyweights who are doing real well and are real successful in their situations, some being titleholders, some not. But I think it’s going to be a revolving circle. Me fighting Anthony Joshua, then going on to Deontay and Fury, Wladimir Klitschko might even hang around for a while. Will it ever be compared to the Ali days or Riddick Bowe and the Evander Holyfield days? I don’t know. Bowe and Holyfield had one great trilogy and I study it all the time. So it all depends on how much each fighter has left in him.’’

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing and @SHOSports, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/ShoSports

Also follow Dominic Breazeale on Twitter @TroubleBoxing, Anthony Joshua @AnthonyJoshua and use hashtag #JoshuaBreazeale to join the conversation.

Hyannis, Massachusetts [June 23, 2016] – Boston Boxing Promotions announced that the fight promotion would return to Hyannis Saturday night, August 8, 2016 with an All-Pro Boxing card. The event will be held at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC).

In 2015, the promotion put together two events in Hyannis. The first was held in August at the HYCC and the second on Thanksgiving weekend at Barnstable High School’s gymnasium. Both shows were rousing successes and sold out. Hyannis’s Jesse “Bad News” Barboza (11-1-1, 7 KOs) headlined each card with Harwich’s Paul Gonsalves (9-8-1, 4 KOs) and Pembroke’s “The American Nightmare” Vinnie Carita (12-1-1, 11 KOs) prominently featured on both undercards.

The fight card for the event will be announced in the weeks to come. 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 .

MASHANTUCKET, CT (June 22, 2016) – Undefeated world-rated junior featherweight prospect Luis “KO King” Rosa Jr. takes on former world title challenger Luis “Barcelo” Hinojosa in the eight-round main event Thursday night, June 30, in Premier Ballroom at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

The 25-year-old Rosa (22-0, 10 KOs), born in Puerto Rico and fighting out of New Haven (CT), is a rising star in the junior featherweight division, world rated at No. 10 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 12 by the World Boxing Council (WBC). He is a recent graduate of Gateway College in New Haven with an associates degree in business.

Hinojosa is a former Dominican Republic and World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedelatin bantamweight champion who was stopped in the 11th round by Yonfrez Parejo in their 2014 interim WBA bantamweight title fight.

Rosa doesn’t feel any added pressure in terms of risking his ranking and undefeated record against a veteran such as Hinojosa. “I’m hungrier knowing I’m so close to a major fight,” Rosa said. “I’m working even harder, I’m right there, knocking on the door for a world title fight. I think that will take a little more than a year. I know it’s hard to get a world title fight. I’m willing to fight any of the top 122-pounders. I’m ready to take them on, but I still take it one fight at a time. Eventually, they’ll (world champions) will have to fight me, and then I’ll take their belts.”

In the eight-round co-feature event, Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) junior featherweight champion Jennifer “The Bolivian Queen” Salinas (18-3, 4 KOs), now fighting out of Providence (RI), faces off in a non-title fight against Hungarian challenger Gina Chamie (14-6, 6 KOs), a three-time world title challenger.

Unbeaten Irish junior welterweight prospect Noel Murphy (6-0, 2 KOs) faces Albanian invader Afrim Mema (5-3-1, 2 KOs), who fights out of Detroit, in a six-round bout.

Also fighting on the undercard is the newest DBE signee Mykey Williams (1-0, 1 KO), the 18-year-old three-time Ringside World amateur champion from East Hartford, in a four-round welterweight fight against an opponent to be determined.

Also scheduled to be in action are New Haven’s highly decorated Foster brothers, light heavyweight Charles (10-0, 5 KOs) and junior lightweight William III (2-0, 1 KO), in six and four-round matchups, respectively, versus TBAs. Both brothers were National amateur standouts.

Worcester, MA featherweight Irvin Gonzalez, another decorated New England amateur who qualified for the 2016 USA Olympic Boxing Team Trials, will make his professional debut in qa four-round fight against TBA.

Tickets for the June 30th card are on sale and priced at $125, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET, first bout at 7:00 p.m. ET.

For more information, visit www.DBE1.com and www.Foxwoods.com, follow on Twitter @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT, @JSalinasBoxing, and @MarvelousMykey, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/foxwoods/

Fans unable to attend this Saturday’s California Xtreme Fighting (CXF) Professional MMA show at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City will nevertheless be able to tune in and watch all of the action live on FITE TV.

The live stream will cost $9.99 and can be ordered by going to the following link:

FITE TV is the home for all things fighting and will now be the home for CXF: PROVING GROUNDS this Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 7:00pm Pacific. Just go to your Google Play or iTunes app store and download FITE TV and experience CXF: PROVING GROUNDS from the comfort of your own home or wherever you may be. Or for more information, go to the FITE TV website at www.FITE.tv

CXF: PROVING GROUNDS will feature the CXF Lightweight Title between Dominick Clark (8-6 MMA) and Emilio Chavez (11-7 MMA) and a tantalizing CXF Welterweight Title Bout between two of the most dynamic strikers on the west coast when recent Glory contender Casey Greene (4-1 MMA) and Bellator veteran Curtis Millender (8-3 MMA) meet in the cage. Bantamweight Champion Alfred Kashakyan (6-2 MMA) and Middleweight Champion Moses Murrietta (3-0 MMA) are also scheduled to appear.

CXF: PROVING GROUNDS presented by In Sync Productions, Lights Out Promotions, and Bash Entertainment, takes place on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Sportsmen’s Lodge Event Center located at 4234 Coldwater Canyon Ave. (cross street Ventura Blvd.) in Studio City, California.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.valleyfightnight.com or at the Sportsmen’s Lodge Box Office the night of the show.

Tickets start at $50 for General Admission. A limited number of VIP bottle service tables are also available.

Doors Open at 6:30pm; First Bout at 7:00pm. All bouts are subject to change.

NEW YORK (June 22, 2016) – Their peers in the welterweight division – world champions, former champions, contenders and top prospects – can’t pick a definitive winner between defending WBA 147-pound king Keith “One Time” Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) and former world champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16 KOs).

The majority of the fighters polled – some of whom are potential opponents down the line for the winner – lean toward Thurman, but most all concede that Saturday’s eagerly awaited main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on CBS event, presented by Premier Boxing Champions (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at Barclays Center is going to be an intense, exciting, tight fight from start to finish that could go either way.

Here’s how the boxers see “Thurman vs. Porter”:

Danny Garcia (WBC Welterweight Champion): “I think this is a great matchup. Thurman has the boxing ability and the movement while Shawn Porter is the aggressor and he’s going to bring the heat. To be honest with you it’s a 50-50 fight, but I would give the edge to Keith Thurman by a very close decision.”

Kell Brook (IBF Welterweight Champion): “This is a great fight, one I can’t wait to watch. If Shawn can stick to his boxing I think he can become world champion again on points, but Keith is heavy-handed and he could walk Shawn onto one – it’s really a pick ’em fight for me.”

Errol Spence Jr. (Undefeated Welterweight Contender): “I think this is a great fight between young fighters with good skill. Shawn throws a lot of punches while Thurman is a boxer who can punch too. I know Shawn will be aggressive and it should make for a great fight. If Keith can box and keep Shawn Porter on the outside I see Keith Thurman winning. If Shawn stays on the inside and stays in the chest of Keith, I see him winning.”

Andre Berto (Former Welterweight Champion): “Shawn is going to come, but I think Keith will be on his toes and box but also drop hard shots as well when Shawn comes in. Keith can be very versatile in there and has a lot of great skills, while Shawn is more like a bull. Keith will hurt or knock Shawn down but will keep coming all night.’’

Sammy Vazquez (Undefeated Welterweight Contender): “Shawn is a pressure fighter and Thurman used to be a pressure fighter but now he boxes. It’s really hard for me to decide who is going to come out on top. Thurman has good power. It all depends on how Shawn is able to take Thurman’s punches. I think Thurman because of the power but Shawn will bring it for 12 rounds.”

Robert Guerrero (Former Welterweight Champion): “This is a fight the fans are going to love watching. Both Thurman and Porter bring exciting styles to the ring. I think if Porter can keep the fight on the inside he’ll have a better chance to come out victorious. But Keith Thurman is a very smart and powerful fighter and will make the right adjustments. I just think Thurman is going to outbox Porter. I’m picking Thurman to win by decision in a very tough fight.”

Luis Collazo (Former Welterweight Champion): “I’m not sure who the favorite is, but I’m going with Porter. I like his style and I think it’s going to be interesting to see how Thurman holds up with the pressure Porter is going to bring.”

Devon Alexander (Former Welterweight Champion): “It’s a very exciting fight. Both fighters are come forward type fighters and they swing for the fences when they throw. I don’t know who will come out on top because they have similar styles. Shawn Porter has decent power, but out of the two Keith has the more power. We’ll see. This is boxing.”

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The live CBS telecast with open with a 10-round matchup between undefeated super welterweight prospects Jarrett Hurd and Oscar Molina

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 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. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebookat www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.