WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 11, 2016) – On Tuesday, May 10, Washington, D.C.’s undefeated Dusty Hernandez-Harrison (29-0, 16 KOs) and Bakersfield, California’s Mike “The Silent Assassin” Dallas Jr. (21-3-1, 10 KOs) participated in a media workout at Urban Boxing DC in Washington, D.C. in advance of their May 13 fight at the DC Armory. Hernandez-Harrison vs. Dallas Jr. will headline a throne boxing event in a 10-round welterweight bout that will be televised live on BET beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT and streamed live on global music and entertainment platform, TIDAL.com. Co-featured fighter Thomas “KO” Snow (18-2, 12 KOs) of Washington, D.C., who faces Dorado, Puerto Rico’s Orlando “Orlandito” Del Valle (20-2, 15 KOs), and undercard fighters Mike Balogun (5-0, 4 KOs) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, who will fight Capitol Heights, Maryland’s Devon Mosley (0-4-1), and Greenbelt, Maryland’s Sam “Vanilla Gorilla” Crossed (2-0, 1 KO) of who takes on Damion Reed (2-13, 1 KO) of Danville Virginia were also in attendance during the media workout on Tuesday.

After shadow boxing around the ring and a few rounds working the bags, all five fighters participated in interviews with invited media members.

Below is what the fighters had to say during the workout:

DUSTY HERNANDEZ-HARRISON:

“I think a lot of people are underestimating Mike Dallas Jr. I think they’re counting him out too early. A lot of times when people come back from a tough loss they train harder, they take it more seriously and erase all the mistakes they made in previous training camps, so that’s what I’m expecting him to do. Luckily Barry Hunter [Hernandez-Harrison’s trainer] knows him well as a fighter, so I’ve been going off of what he says.
“I’ve been getting great sparring in. I came home from sparring Canelo Alvarez and went right into to sparring with Lamont Peterson, Austin Trout, Demetrius Hopkins and other fighters on the card. Just really good sparring.

“I’m excited to fight on BET. It’s pretty cool. I think it’s good to bring boxing to a new audience. Hopefully, I put on a good fight to get them entertained. And we have Justine Skye performing before our bout. She’s got a completely different fan base than I do and I think it’s another good way to add a new audience to our event.

“I took a lot of things out of training with Canelo at his training camp. It was good to get a different perspective of a training camp. Usually it’s all about me, everything is catered to me and everyone is concerned about me, so it was good to take a step back and see how someone like him at the top level prepares for a world title fight. Luckily, I walked away knowing I’ve been doing everything right.

“Fighting in my hometown of Washington, D.C. is better for me. I feel like I have more to fight for. I have more to lose, which for me helps. You’ll never hear me say “no mas” in D.C.

“At my age, my preparation changes with every fight. I remember fighting in Connecticut in April then Miami in August, which seems really close, but Billy Briscoe [Hernandez-Harrison’s assistant trainer] was there and said ‘you’ve gotten so much stronger.’ That’s just the age that I am right now. I’m really maturing and getting that man strength. Every fight I feel a lot stronger.”

MIKE “THE SILENT ASSASSIN” DALLAS JR.:

“I feel very good ahead of this fight…confident and strong. I’m just ready to go out there and perform. There’s more pressure on him than me fighting in his hometown.

“I’ve gotten good training in for this fight. The Bay Area has a lot of good sparring out there right now. I had good training with Ben Bautista [Dallas Jr.’s trainer] and we’ve been pushing it. I had to dig deep in training to get through it and I’m ready to dig deep in the fight.

“I took some time off to let my body rest and heal and to let my mind get together. Now I feel great. I’m ready to come back and get back on top of things. I’m going to go out there and do my thing.

“I know Dusty is a pretty good fighter. I know he can box. I’m just ready to go out there, be smart and execute the game plan. I’m ready for people to know I’m back and there mentally. I’m ready to get back in the game and take care of these people in these bigger fights.”

THOMAS “KO” SNOW:

“I know my opponent [Orlando Del Valle] is a conventional fighter from Puerto Rico. He’s a basic fighter…a basic one-two puncher. He’s the best opponent I’ve faced to date. Both of us have two losses, so I know it’s a crossroads fight for us. We’re going to go in there and do what we came to do.

“I’ve fought in D.C. a lot of times. It’s my home.

“It’s awesome because I’ve known Dusty since he was six years old. We used to run together. We were just talking about that over in the corner. If you watch at any of his amateur fights, you’ll hear me in the background cheering him on. I’ve been in his life for a long time and it’s awesome seeing a young guy get his opportunity and make the sport of boxing grow.

“I know our amateur program in D.C. is awesome so you have to give a shout out to all the amateurs. D.C. is about to be the mecca of boxing once again. We will have six, seven or eight champions in the District of Columbia. It’s rich with boxing.

“I think fighting on BET is a great thing. I think it’s great that boxing is on free TV now and people don’t have to pay for it. For those people who can’t afford those things, I think it’s awesome for them and I think it will make the sport of boxing better.

“I’ve changed a lot over the years. I’m supposed to be dead, locked up or in jail. Having God in your life, your perspective of life and everything changes. I’m calm and comfortable in my situation. I thank God for the opportunity. I thank Roc Nation Sports for the opportunity and I thank everybody who is supporting Thomas “KO” Snow. We’re ready to do it.”

MIKE BALOGUN:

“During my career, when I was playing football, I used boxing as another form of training for cardio. After my career was over, it was natural for me to keep training and now we’re here. Football is a business. I got released and had another opportunity to play in the Canadian Football League as well as the Arena Football League, but football takes a toll on your body and I played the game for a long time. It was just natural for me to transition. I still needed something to stay active, because without activity, I didn’t feel like myself.

“I don’t know a lot about my opponent [Devon Mosley]. I know he’s a southpaw just like me That’s pretty much all I know and all I need to know.

“I’ve prepared for this fight just like any other fight…hard work and dedicating myself to my craft. At the end of the day I’ll reap the fruits of my labor.”

SAM “VANILLA GORILLA” CROSSED:

“I don’t know much about my opponent [Damion Reed]. I know he is a tall left-handed guy. I only watched a little video of him. I’ve been sparring a lot of left handers and then we just happened to get a left-handed guy, so it worked out pretty well.

“I’m still a little disappointed about my last performance in D.C., so I am going to come out and put on a show on Friday, May 13.

“Anyone you get in the ring with poses a threat, but at the same time, I am confident in what I have done to prepare. I’ve been sparring guys with 20 pro fights, so, I think I’m good.

“I played football and baseball growing up. Basically, what got me into boxing was that I got picked on when I was younger and smacked around on the basketball court. I always said when I grow up I want to be able to beat up the dudes that picked on me. What’s funny is that a lot of guys that bullied me are now begging me for tickets to my fights.”
###

Hernandez-Harrison vs. Dallas Jr., a 10-round welterweight fight which is presented by Roc Nation Sports takes place Friday, May 13, 2016 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. This fight headlines a throne boxing event presented by Corona Extra and will be televised live on BET beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET and streamed live on global music and entertainment platform, TIDAL.com. The event is also sponsored by FILA, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (ctms), Glad, Shoe City, Pepsi, RCN and The DC Lottery. In addition to the great action inside the ring, the May 13 edition of throne boxing on BET will feature several notable Roc Nation Sports touches that offer a unique fan experience including a live musical performance by Justine Skye as well as DJ Cipha Sounds and event host Big Tigger who will keep the energy at a high level throughout the event. Doors open on fight night at 6:30 PM and the first fight begins at 6:45 PM. Follow the conversation using #throneboxing.

Tickets priced at $75, $50 and $35, not including applicable service charges and taxes are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com (http://bit.ly/may13throneboxing) and charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

For more information, please visit www.rocnation.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter @rocnation, on Instagram @rocnation/@rocnationsports and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.

For additional information, visit www.bet.com. Join the conversation on the following social media platforms: on Twitter by using hashtag #BET #throneboxing and follow at @BET; on Facebook by liking the fan page at www.facebook.com/BET; and on Instagram @betnetworks.

For information on the DC Armory, visit www.eventsdc.com and follow on Twitter at @dcsportsent.

LONDON (11 May, 2016) – The thrilling light-welterweight unification clash between Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol is to be screened exclusively live in the UK on BoxNation on July 23.

The pair collide at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with WBO champion Crawford and WBC title-holder Postol putting their belts on the line to determine the lineal world champion at 140-pounds.

Crawford, (28-0, 20 KOs), of Omaha, Nebraska, is a two-division world champion who has won four of his last five bouts by stoppage, will be making his third title defence.

The 28-year-old is regarded as one of boxing’s rising pound-for-pound stars and will be looking to capitalise on a stunning last couple of years that has seen him crowned ‘Fighter of the Year’ in 2014.

Postol, (28-0, 12 KOs), came to prominence with a spectacular upset over the heavily favoured Argentine banger Lucas Matthysse who he knocked out in 10 rounds.

‘The Iceman’ is under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and will be looking to defy the odds once again when he steps in against the skilled Crawford.

“This is a great opportunity to show the world I’m the best champion at 140,” said Crawford. “July 23 is going to be a great night of boxing. It’s number one against number two in a unification fight. On paper everyone says it’s a 50-50 fight but in my eyes I’m going in there looking to destroy this man. I’m looking forward to putting on a great performance. After July 23 my record will be 29 wins with 21 knockouts!” he said.

“I have been waiting for this fight for a long time and I want to thank my promoters Elite Boxing and Top Rank for making this fight a reality for the fans. With the help of my team I will be ready come July 23 – may the best man win,” said Postol.

“This has Fight of the Year written all over it,” said Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. “For the second consecutive time Viktor will be involved in a world title tilt pitting the two best fighters in the division. He’ll be ready.”

“This title unification battle between Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol is evenly matched and both undefeated champions are determined to prevail. This is must-see television,” said legendary promoter Bob Arum.

“We are very excited to be showing this excellent match-up exclusively live on BoxNation,” said Jim McMunn, Managing Director at BoxNation. “BoxNation has already shown some world class fights this year and we are delighted to add another pound-for-pound star to our schedule in Terence Crawford who faces an equally formidable foe in Viktor Postol. This has all the makings of a truly special fight,” he said.

BoxNation is set to show a host of top boxing action over the coming months including the eagerly anticipated rematch between unified heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko on July 9.

BoxNation is available on Sky (Ch.437/490HD), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon). Visit boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-
About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Khan vs Canelo

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

Available on selected internet-connected Freeview products only, subject to coverage. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee

Anthony Ogogo (8-0, 4 KOs) will make his long-awaited return to the ring on May 28 at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, live on Sky Sports.

Unbeaten Ogogo’s professional career has been stop-start so far due to injury, with the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist set for his first action since July where he moved to 8-0 with a win in Germany over Ruslan Schelev. It was in that fight where he suffered a dislocated shoulder, fighting for the majority of the bout with just one arm, and the Lowestoft man’s outing in Germany was at the time also his return from a sustained period on the sidelines following Achilles problems. But the 27 year old insists his injury woes are behind him and he’s ready to get his career back on track and make a huge impact in the middleweight division.

On his return to the ring, Ogogo said, “I’m incredibly excited to be added to the May 28 card in Glasgow live on Sky Sports and cannot wait to get back in the ring. It’s been a difficult period for me as I’ve worked hard to recover from the shoulder injury I suffered in my last fight but I am now fully fit and raring to go.

“I want to thank Eddie Hearn, Kalle and Nisse Sauerland and Golden Boy Promotions for giving me the opportunity to fight in Glasgow and am looking to make a real statement of intent. I want to keep as busy as I can during 2016 and am determined to make a major impact in the middleweight division – starting on May 28.”

“We are excited to see Anthony back in the ring. With his injuries now behind him, we’re sure he can become a dominant force in the division,” said Promoter Kalle Sauerland, “He’s been training hard and has kept his focus so we’re looking forward to seeing how he performs. There are a lot of big fights out there for him, but first, he must get a good win under his belt on May 28 in Glasgow.”

“The talent pool in the middleweight division is the deepest its been in decades – and now that Anthony Ogogo is healthy, we fully expect him to be a major force in the weight class for years to come,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “With an Olympic pedigree and action-packed style, Anthony is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.”

Ogogo’s return is part of a huge night of action in Glasgow as Ricky Burns (39-5-1,13 KOs) looks to become a three-division world champion as he takes on Michele Di Rocco (40-1-1, 18 KOs) for the vacant WBA Super-Lightweight World Championship.

Tyrone Nurse (32-2-1, 6 KOs) heads into the Lion’s den to defend his British Super-Lightweight title against local favourite Willie Limond (39-4, 11 KOs) and Newcastle’s Jon Lewis Dickinson (17-4, 5 KOs) meets Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (8-0, 5 KOs) in an eliminator for the British Cruiserweight Title.

Conor Benn (1-0, 1 KO) fights for the second time in the paid ranks, Islington Middleweight John Ryder (22-2, 12 KOs) is in action and there’s a host of young Scots on display, including Commonwealth gold medal winner Charlie Flynn (7-0, 1 KO), Joe Ham (7-0, 5 KOs) and Lewis Paulin (5-0).

Tickets for Glasgow are on general sale with those in the £40-£100 bracket available from the SSE Hydro website http://www.thessehydro.com/ and on 0844 395 4000 and 0800 952 0110 (accessible). VIP tickets at £200 are exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for Glasgow are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

LOS ANGELES (May 10, 2016) — A picture may be worth a thousand words but a stamp is Forever. Just ask World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight world champion “The Iceman” VIKTOR POSTOL who presented a larger than life commemorative stamp of himself to his opponent World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight world titlist TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD at today’s Beverly Hills press conference (photo attached). The undefeated world champions announced their 12-round world title unification fight to determine the lineal king of the exciting 140-pound division.

Photo attached: Credit Mikey Williams/Top Rank

The stamp not only featured Postol’s image but also foreshadowed the result of their upcoming fight, with a caption that included Postol’s record after their rumble, complete with projected record and unified titles.

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor Terence Crawford stays this Postol courier from the swift completion of unifying the titles,” said World-Famous Freddie Roach, Postol’s Hall of Fame trainer. “Come July 23, Postol will deliver just like he did against Lucas Matthyse.”.

After viewing the artwork, a bemused Crawford told Team Postol, “There’s only one place for junk mail and that’s the shredder. I’m going to cancel your stamp and your reign as WBC champion on July 23. The new face of boxing isn’t on that stamp, it’s in front of you.”

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association withTecate and the motion picture “Hands of Stone,” the Crawford vs. Postol world championship event will take place on Saturday, July 23, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. Tickets, priced at $304, $204, $104, and $54, not including applicable service fees, went on sale today. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase at mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com.

Crawford (28-0, 20 KOs), of Omaha, Neb., already a two-division world champion, has won four of his last five bouts by stoppage. The consensus Top-10 pound-for-pound fighter will be making his MGM Grand Garden debut in his third title defense of his WBO junior welterweight world championship crown.

Postol (28-0, 12 KOs), from Kiev, Ukraine, put his stamp on the boxing landscape when he scored a 10th-round knockout of the heavily-favored former world champion Lucas Matthysse to capture the vacant WBC super lightweight world title on October 3, 2015. Having won two of his last three fights by knockout, the Freddie Roach-trained Postol will be making his first defense of that title.

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

LAS VEGAS (May 10, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) has announced a new main event and second championship rematch between reigning bantamweight (135 pounds) kingpin Marlon Moraes (16-4-1) and streaking challenger Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1), for its stacked Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event at XFINITY Arena at Everett on Saturday, July 30, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

The highly-anticipated world featherweight (145 pounds) title fight and second showdown between Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) and the man he took the title from – Lance Palmer (10-2) – will now serve as the co-main event of WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II.

“The magnitude of this event has increased dramatically with the addition of a second world title fight and rematch between Marlon Moraes, who has been unstoppable, in the cage, and one of the most formidable and talented contenders in the world in Josh Hill” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

The second meeting between Moraes and Hill comes 17 months after the two superstars went the five-round distance of their championship main event fight at WSOF18 on February 12, 2015, with Moraes successfully defending his coveted title by way of unanimous decision.

The 5-foot-6, 28 year-old Moraes of Howell, N.J. via Nova Friburgo, Brazil is a former Muay Thai champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt whose reign of terror in the 135-pound division has been ongoing since the end of 2011, when he ignited a win streak that has spanned 11 straight fights, including 3 defenses of his World Series of Fighting title.

In his last start and third title defense at WSOF28 on February 20, Moraes, who captured the World Series of Fighting crown with a unanimous decision over Josh Rettinghouse on March 29, 2014, needed just 1 minute and 13 seconds to score a brutal TKO on Joseph Barajas with a series of rapid-fire leg kicks.

Since the first meeting with Moraes, his only loss to date, the 5-foot-6, 29-year-old Hill of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada has rebounded with four straight victories, a streak that Hill started with a third round (2:01) submission (rear-naked choke) of Rettinghouse on May 30, 2015.

Hill is coming off of a unanimous decision win over Bendy Casimir on April 9, in a bout that took place in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.

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

In other action on the live NBCSN telecast, costumed crusader Phoenix Jones (6-1-1) aka Ben Fodor of Seattle, Wash. will look to settle his rivalry with adopted brother Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-5) of Seattle in a 162-pound catchweight affair.

Additional bouts for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II will be announced soon.

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a worldwide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com and follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries. WSOF and World Series of Fighting are registered trademarks of MMAWC, LLC.

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

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

Quite simply, Flanagan v Crolla has to happen. when has there even been an opportunity to see two world champions from the same city, in fact the same school, attempt to unify their World titles?

Far too often, politics get in the way of making great events, now so more than ever before. During my 35 year career, I have co-promoted countless of events with major promoters in the UK and around the world, including Matchroom so I see no reason why this cannot happen again.

It seems the one stumbling block being flagged up by Matchroom Sport was the issue of the respective fighters rival broadcast platforms, Sky Sports, who televise Anthony Crolla’s fights and BoxNation, who televise Terry Flanagan. To get over this, as Terry’s exclusive Promoter, I am prepared to agree, subject to contract and the commercial terms offered by Sky, that Sky Sports Box Office, can have the exclusive UK broadcast rights to the event to make it happen.

This should ensure that the Sky Sports/BoxNation argument cannot be used as a smokescreen to prevent this fight from happening. I will not make counter offers to secure the event for BoxNation providing Sky Sports Box Office do not offer unreasonable terms.

I will agree to this if the following terms are accurately reflected in a contract:

The Event is staged by Queensberry Promotions Ltd and Matchroom Sport Ltd, on an equal 50:50 basis. All decisions regarding the event, including pricing and costs, must be mutually agreed.

The Event takes place in 2016 at the Manchester Arena.

Manchester Arena’s official ticketing partner, Eventim, receive the sole and exclusive ticketing rights for the event. No secondary ticket agents are permitted to be a sponsor, associate or partner of the event, such as StubHub and the like.

Each co-promoter is responsible for paying the purse of their respective boxers (i.e. Terry Flanagan to be paid by Queensberry Promotions and Anthony Crolla to be paid by Matchroom Sports) with an undercard to be mutually agreed.

This is an opportunity for both Terry and Anthony to earn career high purses, along with delivering a huge British unification clash for the fans. There is no reason why we cannot move forward on what are fair and reasonable terms for all involved and get this fight on, that is of course if they want it to.

Contrary to the opinion of a few people with their own agenda, no other fight for either fighter can deliver them the type of pay day and profile that is possible from this event. It has all the ingredients to be a special night and an historic one for Manchester. Two World Champions from the same City, same school and arguably the number 1 and 2 in the lightweight division putting it all on the line for local bragging rights. Add on top of that that one is a City fan and the other United. What more could you ask for?

Boxing fans have called for Promoters to put aside rivalries, egos and personal agendas and collaborate to deliver the best possible fights for the public. Here is the perfect opportunity to do this and I’m playing my part.

I am making this statement public to show boxing fans how serious I am about making this event happen. Neither the fighters, nor the public deserve to miss out on what will be a memorable night for British boxing.

In simple terms, no barriers, no excuses, let’s get it done!

The ball is now firmly in Team Crolla’s court.

Flanagan is ready and I’m ready and our door is open.

LAS VEGAS (May 10, 2016) – Four young, undefeated cruiserweights from the United States will look to make a name for themselves when they meet in the featured bouts on ShoBox: The New Generation this Friday, May 13, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live.

The cruiserweight division has traditionally been dominated by Europeans boxers. Friday’s U.S.-born ShoBox fighters will be seeking to change that perception.

In the main event, talented Mayweather star Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti (12-0, 11 KOs), of Las Vegas, takes on power-puncher Keith “Machine Gun” Tapia (17-0, 11 KOs), of Bronx. N.Y. 2012 U.S. Olympian, Michael Hunter (11-0, 8 KOs), of Las Vegas, faces Isiah Thomas (15-0, 6 KOs), of Detroit, in the co-feature.

Other televised fights of a quadrupleheader: TMT’s Ronald “The Thrill” Gavril (15-1, 11 KOs), of Las Vegas, will meet hard-punching Colombian Juan Camilo “La Boa” Novoa (25-6-1, 23 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight bout and his TMT stablemate Sanjarbek “War” Rakhmanov (4-0, 3 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of Uzbekistan, will be opposed by Alfonso Olvera (7-2, 3 KOs), of Tucson, Ariz., is a six-round welterweight bout that will open the telecast. All but Gavril will be making their ShoBox debuts.

Tickets for the event promoted by Mayweather Promotions are priced at $25 and $50, not including applicable fees, and are on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at www.samstownlv.com/entertain, by calling (702) 284-7777, or at any Boyd Gaming box office.

Here’s what the fighters said about their fights Friday, training camp, their respective opponents and more:

ANDREW TABITI

“It’s great that four undefeated cruiserweights are fighting each other. I want us to get the ball back into U.S. territory, since it is a historically European-dominated division. I definitely think the emergence of young cruiserweights like myself is changing that.

“I don’t compare myself to other cruiserweights in the division, I know I’m the best. I’m always looking to win impressively, and I look to put on a great performance for the fans Friday night.

“Everything has been perfect. Training camp has been going great. I started camp in February so I feel strong and comfortable. What’s interesting is that I’m not nervous at all despite this being my first headlining debut. I see it as any other fight where I know what I am coming in to do. I think that lets me know that I am maturing as a fighter and feel a lot more confident in my skills and abilities.

“I’ve been waiting for the right date and this is it. I believe my career moving is great, what I dreamed of. Now it’s time to take the next step.

“Personally I’ve never seen Tapia fight, but I’ve watched videos. He is unbeaten, a solid opponent. Styles make fights and this is a good one for me. I’m looking forward to continuing to step up and give everybody a good performance and get close to a title fight.

“I can’t wait. I’m going in confident. The key is to get the victory, it’s the main thing. Winning is everything.

“I feel blessed to be training out of Floyd’s gym and be able to fight under Mayweather Promotions. He’s someone I look up to so being where I am is a dream coming to reality. I love training at Mayweather Boxing Club. It keeps me focused and hungry.”

KEITH TAPIA

“Fighting Tabiti is a great, real challenge. I like the way he fights. I respect him, but I’m going to be bad weather for him. I’m going to take control right away; it will be a Tapia fight, not a Tabiti fight. That’s a fact.

“Tabiti is a talented boxer. His style is a Mayweather style. I love Floyd Mayweather as a fan, but Tabiti’s not Floyd Mayweather. Me? I come to fight, hands up, moving forward as I go. I want to run over you.

“I’m definitely going to change the perception about me in this fight and the division because I’m a machine. I’m really confident and can’t wait to fight.

“For me, this is the right time. I am here and definitely ready to fight. I feel I’m the best in my weight class except no one has seen me yet. Tabiti may have the fame, but I’m not just going to talk the talk, I’m going to walk the walk.

“I think this is a big step up for me when I beat him. Once the bell rings, that’s when we know what is going to really happen.

“I’m going to become the cruiserweight champion, defend it a couple of times and then move up. I already feel like a champion both mentally and spiritually.

“All of my fights are equally important. I’m really satisfied with the way my career is going. If it wasn’t for boxing I wouldn’t be here right now. God and boxing saved me. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be alive.”

MICHAEL HUNTER

“This is a step up as far as competition compared to the past, with him being an undefeated cruiserweight. He’s a good, long-ranging southpaw. We are actually around the same age; we were in the amateurs at the same time, but never fought each other. Friday, I aim to win impressively. I don’t want to say I’m going for the knockout, if it happens it happens, but hopefully we can get it.

“Although I’ve fought on TV quite a few times before, this is going to be a good show with Mayweather Promotions. I’m thankful to be fighting on the undercard of my good friend Andrew Tabiti. That’s an honor, to be honest. It’s going to be great that my family and friends outside of Las Vegas will be able to tune in to watch me, so that’s a blessing.

“I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied with the way my career is going. I can’t complain because I have no losses, I just wish it would go at a little faster pace. I’m a two-time Olympian and in the amateurs we’re used to fighting 4-5 times out of the week, so adjusting to fighting once every few months or so feels a little stagnant to me. I really try not to think too far into the future, I try to live in the moment, but I hope to get a title shot relatively soon.

“I went into training camp right after my last fight, so it’s been about eight weeks. There’s always ups and downs in training, but as long as you keep a positive spirit, everything will end up going perfectly well. So it’s been going good I can’t complain. I usually train out of the Mayweather Boxing Club, but there’s been some construction going on so we have moved it to Fight Capitol and a few other places.

“I have been changing my training just to better myself, not necessarily for my opponent or for this fight.

“You have to be a little more focused in the Mayweather Gym. There’s a lot of stuff that doesn’t really happen in a normal gym simply because he is Floyd so it will bring it out of you or it won’t. Only the strongest survive.”

ISIAH THOMAS

“Friday is a good thing for up-and-coming, American cruiserweights. There are a lot of us in the division looking to make our mark. Not just myself. This is our chance to show that America has good fighters in the cruiserweight division. It’s the perfect showcase.

“I’m very excited about being part of Friday’s card. I am just taking it all in and looking to perform to the top of my ability and showcase my talents.

“Hunter is young and hungry just like me, but I haven’t really seen or watched him. I’ve heard about him and I’m sure he’s going to bring his “A” game.

“I know what I can do, there’s no need for a lot of strategizing. I’m not just showing up.

“I feel my career is going good to this point. I keep rising. I’m on television. I like the pace I’m going but there is only way to really go, and that’s to the top. I don’t consider myself the best cruiserweight, just one of the top comers. Eventually, and in due time, though.

“Friday, I’m just going to do what I do best. Of course, you want to win impressively but the most important thing is to win. I’ve got to get that W.

“I live in Detroit but train in Miami, which is like a second home to me. Training camp has been going for about two months and it has been great. I get great sparring in Miami.”

RONALD GAVRIL

“I’m looking forward to having this big opportunity. Many people don’t know who I am so fighting on SHOWTIME will start giving me the exposure and recognition I need.

“Training camp has been going great, I feel strong and prepared. I’m happy and have no complaints. I feel blessed to be a part of this great card full of fighters with tremendous talent. It’s exciting to be able to share this with my stablemates here in our town.

“I’m looking forward to what this will bring not only for my future but for all of ours.”

JUAN NOVOA

“Training camp has been going great, I have been training for seven weeks now. I’m currently training in Miami, Fla.

“I have seen videos of his fights and can tell he is a strong fighter who is not afraid to mix it up. Considering that I have more professional fights and over 180 amateur fights, it is tough to say whether Gavril is a step up for me, until I step into the ring this Friday.

“I would be more satisfied with my career if I had already won a world title, but unfortunately the circumstances from my last world championship challenge didn’t turn out in my favor. I know that by winning this fight I would immediately launch myself into world title contention and potentially another world title opportunity. I see myself either challenging for, or defending a world title a year from now.”

SANJARBEK RAKHMANOV

“I’ve watched Olvera enough to feel I know him. He’s a taller, Mexican guy. I’m looking forward to fighting him.

“I train at Mayweather Boxing Club with Dewey Cooper; he’s been my coach since I turned pro. I had about 150 amateur fights and I got a lot of international experience.

“I consider myself a puncher. Once the bell rings, I come to fight.

“I’m happy with the way things are going. I train hard every day. I’m coming to take all the titles. This is my weight, around 143 pounds. I don’t plan to go up much or down

“In this fight I want to win and look good and then come right back. I think after about a year I will be ready to take on all the top guys.’’

ALFONSO OLVERA

“Training camp has been great; we’ve been in training for about a month. Road work is good, the sparring is good with different boxers. The weight is not an issue. I train at Scrapyard Boxing Gym in Tucson, Ariz.

“Our opponent is formidable and to be taken serious. We know he is aggressive and expects to win so we have to bring our “A” game to the ring. We also expect to win.

“At this point in my career I am very happy with my progress. This card is definitely for the world to see, and is also a big step forward for us.

“We are welcoming the opportunity and grateful for it. We hope this fight elevates us to more opportunities and gets us closer to someday challenging for a world title.”

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter: @FloydMayweather, @MayweatherPromo @SHOSports, @andrewtabiti89, @machine_gun_tapia_, follow on Instagram at: @floydmayweather, @Mayweatherpromotions, @shosports, become a fan on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

RICKY HATTON and Hatton Promotions would like to counter claims made about Zhanat Zhakiyanov by the team of Zolani Tete.

While very initial discussions were held regarding the possibility of Zhakiyanov defending his interim WBA bantamweight title against the South African, they did not progress and no agreement was made.

Online claims that he pulled out of the fight due to weight issues are entirely unfounded.

Zhakiyanov is due to resume training with Ricky Hatton in Manchester in the next few weeks and will be looking to get back in the ring in the near future.

“Zhanat couldn’t have pulled out of facing Tete because the fight wasn’t even made,” Hatton said.

“We held initial conversations with Frank Warren (Tete’s promoter) when we talked about a whole host of things such as Nathan Gorman boxing at the Copper Box and working together in the future, but we never reached the contract and date stage for this fight. Any suggestion we did is just nonsense.

“That said we have a good working relationship with Frank and we will continue to work together in the future. For example, we have Hatton Promotions’ Kiryl Relikh defending his WBA Intercontinental title this Friday on a BoxNation show in Bolton.”

INDIO, Calif. (May 10, 2016) — Former WBO junior welterweight world champion, “The Siberian Rocky”, Ruslan Provodnikov is deep in training in Indio, Calif. with his trainer Joel Diaz for his June 11 main event bout with John Molina Jr. at The Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) .

“Knowing exactly the date and the opponent makes me unstoppable and mentally confident in training,”Provodnikov said. “This fight will start a new page in my career. I want to show the people that have already written me off the books what I can do in the ring.

“I will be ready for another war on June 11. I am very happy with the way training camp is going. Joel Diaz is a great trainer and is helping me correct some of the bad habits that I had in previous fights.”

Provodnikov-Molina Jr. will headline a tripleheader live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) that will also feature a WBC Super Welterweight Elimination bout between Demetrius Andrade and Willie Nelson, plus a battle for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship that will pit No. 1 Dejan Zlaticanin against No. 2 Emiliano Marsili
.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster,com).

Turning Stone Resort Casino is no stranger to hosting high caliber nationally televised boxing events. Last year, Turning Stone hosted the epic battle between Provodnikov and Matthysee, selected over arenas in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami. When Provodnikov returns to Turning Stone on June 11th, it will mark Turning Stone’s 18th nationally-televised boxing event, cementing the resort as a mecca for knockout fights. Located in Upstate New York, Turning Stone is an award-winning destination resort, offering world-class amenities including four hotels, 21 restaurants and dining options, two luxurious spas, 1,200 square foot Las Vegas style gaming floor, five beautiful golf courses, and several bars, cocktail lounges and nightlife venues.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and , follow on Twitter @SHOSports, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
Visit Banner Promotions at www.banner-promotions.com, follow on Twitter at @BannerBoxing, follow on Instagram at @BannerBoxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BannerPromotions, follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/banner-promotions-inc-?trk=biz-companies-cym, and watch on Youtube at www.youtube.com/user/bannervideo.
For Turning Stone Resort Casino: www.turningstone.com ; Twitter: @turningstone ; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningStoneResort/

LAS VEGAS, NV. (May 10, 2016) — Undefeated junior welterweight champions TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD and “The Iceman” VIKTOR POSTOL will go mano a mano, in a 12-round world title unification fight, to determine the lineal king of the exciting 140-pound division. The Crawford vs. Postol world championship event will take place on Saturday, July 23, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Tecate and the motion picture “Hands of Stone,” tickets to Crawford vs. Postol, priced at $304, $204, $104, and $54, not including applicable service fees, go on sale Today! Tuesday, May 10, at 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available for purchase at mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com.

“This is a great opportunity to show the world I’m the best champion at 140,” said Crawford.

“We are about to show the world that I am indeed a better trainer than Postol’s trainer Freddie Roach,” added Brian McIntyre, Crawford’s trainer and co-manager.

“I believe this is a GREAT fight and Terence will prove he’s not only the best 140-pound fighter in the world but that he is pound for pound the best fighter in the world,” said Cameron Dunkin, Crawford’s co-manager.

“I have been waiting for this fight for a long time and I want to thank my promoters Elite Boxing and Top Rank for making this fight a reality for the fans,” said Postol.

“This has Fight of the Year written all over it,” said Hall of Fame Trainer World-Famous Freddie Roach. “For the second consecutive time Viktor will be involved in a world title tilt pitting the two best fighters in the division. He’ll be ready.”

“This is one of those fights where no one knows who will come out victorious,” said Vadim Kornilov, Postol’s manager. “It’s the type of fight fans crave but rarely get to see. There are no opponents in this battle, only champions. Postol and Crawford each have 28-0 records and they have both fought great opposition.”

“This title unification battle between Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol is evenly matched and both undefeated champions are determined to prevail. This is must-see television,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum

“We look forward to hosting what very well could be the ‘fight of the year’ this summer at MGM Grand,” said Richard Sturm, president of entertainment and sports for MGM Resorts International. “These two fighters will make their Grand Garden Arena debut and undoubtedly provide an exciting evening for boxing fans worldwide.”

“We are excited to present two accomplished champions in a major unification title showdown at 140 pounds” said Peter Nelson, Executive Vice President, HBO Sports. “Terence Crawford stands today among boxing’s elite attractions. His opponent Viktor Postol, Crawford’s toughest to date, seeks to seize that star power for himself with an upset under the bright spotlight in Las Vegas.”

Crawford (28-0, 20 KOs), of Omaha, Neb., a two-division world champion who has won four of his last five bouts by stoppage, will be making his MGM Grand Garden debut in his third title defense as World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight world champion. The consensus Top-10 pound-for-pound fighter will be looking to build on his star-making 2014 which featured three world championship victories as well as Fighter of the Year honors from the Boxing Writers Association of America and major media alike. Crawford, 28, captured the vacant WBO junior welterweight crown on April 18, 2015, via a devastating sixth-round knockout of once-beaten No. 2 world-rated contender Thomas Dulorme. He has successfully defended the title twice — stopping No.2 world-rated contender Dierry Jean in front of a packed house at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha on October 24, 2015, and knocking out Top-10 contender Hank Lundy in the fifth round last February 27, at a soldout Theater at Madison Square Garden. Crawford began his career-best year on March 1, 2014, just 13 days short of the sixth anniversary of his professional debut. He captured the WBO lightweight title, dethroning defending champion Ricky Burns on Burns’ home turf of Glasgow, Scotland. Scoring a powerful and unanimous decision, Crawford put the boxing world on notice with his virtuoso performance as he pulled out all stops in dismantling Burns, rocking the defending champion throughout the fight, while switching back and forth between orthodox and southpaw stances. He followed that with a dramatic and critically-acclaimed knockout victory of undefeated former world champion and Cuban Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa on June 28, 2014, in a Fight of the Year nominee. It was one of the most-watched fights of the year with over 1.2 million viewers catching the live, first-time airing of the fight, according to Nielsen Media Research. He concluded 2014 on November 29 with a thorough shellacking of one-time world title challenger and No. 1 contender Ray Beltran, winning 11 of the 12 rounds. Crawford, who is friendly with Warren Buffet, is only the second Nebraska native to be recognized as a boxing world champion. Perry “Kid” Graves, from Rock Bluff, captured the welterweight crown, knocking out Johnny Alberts in Brooklyn, in 1914, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

Postol (28-0, 12 KOs), from Kiev, Ukraine, put his stamp on the boxing landscape when he scored a 10th-round knockout of the heavily-favored former interim world champion Lucas Matthysse to capture the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight world title on October 3, 2015. World-rated No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, Postol and Matthysse went toe to toe throwing every weapon in their arsenals at each other until Postol caught Matthysse with a right uppercut and a left hook effectively turning out the lights on one of boxing’s most fearsome punchers. A former sparring partner of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, Postol’s resume includes victories over top-rated contenders Selcuk Aydin, Jose Lopez, Lundy, and former world champion DeMarcus Corley. Postol, who has been trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach for his last three fights, with two of those ending in knockouts, will be making his first defense as the WBC super lightweight champion.

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

Merseyside maverick Liam Smith makes a hero’s return to Liverpool this summer to make the second defence of his WBO World Super-Welterweight title against Montenegro’s Pedrag Radosevic at the Echo Arena on Saturday 4th June, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Radosevic, who is number 11 with the World Boxing Organisation and holds the body’s European title, is on a red-hot three-fight winning streak since losing his unbeaten record at the hands of WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm in July 2013.

The man from Podgorica in Montenegro holds a top record of 30 wins from 31 fights, 11 coming via knockout, in a career spanning 12 years. 31 year-old Radosevic will be looking to cause an upset on his debut on British soil and is a step-up in class for the undefeated Smith.

Scouse warrior Smith became Liverpool’s first World Champion in 22 years last October when he stopped American John Thompson in the seventh round to claim the vacant WBO Super-Welterweight crown.

His finishing was as emphatic as his game plan. A brutal right-hand, left hook combination finished Thompson just past the halfway point in the seventh.

Following his sensational performance against Thompson, Smith returned to the Manchester Arena two months later to make the first defence of his newly attained title against Mancunian Jimmy Kelly on the undercard of Billy Joe Saunders’ world title showdown with Andy Lee.

In the first Manchester versus Liverpool world title showdown in over 80 years, Smith blasted out his unbeaten rival with another seventh round stoppage. After emphatically announcing himself on the world stage ‘Beefy’ is now looking forward to making a hero’s return to his beloved home city.

Smith said: “I’m looking forward to fighting back at home. I haven’t boxed in Liverpool since I won the world title and I can’t wait to put on a show for my home crowd; there’s nobody better to fight in front of.”

He added: “It’s a great fight for me. I asked for this opponent for my first defence. He’s a good solid European fighter and he’s only lost to Felix Sturm at middleweight so it’s a good voluntary defence. I’m happy with the opponent.”

A mouth-watering night of action sees Ellesmere Port star Paul Butler defend his WBO International Super-Flyweight belt against Petchbarngborn Kokietgym, should he win Butler will be guaranteed mandatory position with the WBO. South African super-puncher Zolani Tete makes his eagerly anticipated return to Liverpool to defend his IBF International Bantamweight title. Ryan Farrag makes the first defence of his EBU European Bantamweight title against Frenchman Karim Guerfi and Jazza Dickens takes on Spain’s Abigail Medina for the Vacant EBU European Super-Bantamweight Championship. A top undercard sees Tom Stalker, Liam Williams, Steven Lewis, Josh Leather and Declan Geraghty all in action.

Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 are available from:
www.frankwarren.com
TicketMaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com

The bookmakers of Wiltshire can expect a busy afternoon this Friday with local fight fans lobbing heavily on Malmesbury light-welter Joe Hughes ahead of his WBO Inter-Continental challenge that evening, writes Glynn Evans.

Chorley champion Jack Catterall has been installed as a prohibitive 12-1 favourite to retain when he tops the bill for the first time at Bolton’s Macron Stadium. However, West Country chancers will be very eager for a slice of the 8-1 on offer for Smokin’ Joe in a fight that doubles as a final eliminator for the British title.

‘I’ve been fighting a lot longer than Jack Catterall has,’ warns the 25 year old four time national junior champion who has conceded just once – controversially – in 15 paid gigs.

‘Catterall’s three years younger than me, has had less pro fights and boxed (26) less pro rounds. I’ve gone 10 rounds four times as a pro, Jack just once, and he didn’t achieve anything like as much as I did as an amateur.

‘I’ve been fighting all of my life, in gyms from when I was five or six years old. Since birth, I had a problem with my right shoulder called Erb’s palsy, nerve damage.

‘As part of my physio, I was encouraged to do martial arts. I preferred the punching to kicking so gravitated to the Malmesbury amateur boxing club around the age of eight.’

Over the ensuing decade, despite his impediment, Hughes evolved into one of the most decorated amateurs to emerge from the Western Counties.

He recalls: ‘I had the first of my 70 bouts at 11 and won the English schools, junior ABAS plus two national CYP titles as a junior. I also bagged Four Nations and Three Nations gold medals. I beat Tommy Langford and Jamie Kavanagh, went one and one with Ronnie Heffron and lost very close fights to (reigning British champs) Bradley Skeete and Tyrone Nurse.

‘I represented England several times and won the senior ABAs in 2010 whilst still a teenager beating Manchester’s Liam Taylor, a well regarded kiddie, in the final.

‘The England selectors had told us that whoever won the ABAs would go to the Commonwealth Games in India but then Team GB got involved and (world bronze medallist) Bradley Saunders was slipped in ahead of me. Having achieved everything on the domestic scene, I thought it best to go pro.’

Initially signed to Frank Maloney, hitman Hughes conceded his unbeaten tag in his fifth outing when 6-0 Moroccan Joe Elfidh edged him out over six rounds in Sheffield.

‘I really don’t think I lost because I dropped Joe in the opener and felt I won the first four rounds before conceding the last two. Stupidly, I hid a virus from my team because, being a fighter, you just want to fight,’ admits Joe.

‘It was close and all credit to Joe but I still sort of feel unbeaten. The experience taught me to be honest with my team and just motivated me more.’

With upwardly mobile coach Andy O’Kane also assuming the managerial duties, the Malmesbury maelstrom rebounded by racking up 10 successive wins and hoovering up Southern Area, International and English titles en route.

Catterall, unbeaten in 14, is rightly feted as one of the nation’s finest prospects at any weight but one senses Hughes will land as a very lively underdog.

‘Jack’s very good – strong and skilful – and deserves all the credit he’s getting but that just makes me want to fight him more. I want to go as far as I possibly can in the game. I’m looking forward to challenging myself against him,’ says Hughes who has stopped six of 14.

‘Unbeaten fighters don’t frighten me. I’ve faced five before and beaten four of them (Debutant Tony Pace, 9-0 Philip Bowes, 7-0 Anthony Hardy and 11-0 Anthony Upton). Records don’t mean much. It’s who they’ve fought. To be fair, Jack’s beaten some good boys.’

The Wiltshire wonder has no qualms about confronting a Lancastrian in Bolton.

‘Malmesbury is right in the countryside – population roughly 4,000 – about 30 miles from Bristol and 20 from Swindon, the nearest town. It’s the forgotten area. Us West Country lads were definitely overlooked in the amateurs and it’s similar in the pros,’ he claims.

‘I boxed away all the time as an amateur and my early pro fights were dotted all around the country.

‘So boxing on Jack’s patch certainly won’t be a problem. In fact I’m looking forward to it. There’s no pressure with regard to selling tickets like there is fighting at home.

‘I get plenty of support when I box locally but there’ll not be many of mine there Friday. It’s a day off work plus travel and ticket expenses. Some say they can’t get anyone in to milk their cows!’

Fans who’ve yet to see Hughes operate can expect a highly driven, physically powerful pressure fighter who aims to please.

‘I’m most comfortable coming forward and I like to land a lot of shots,’ he says.

‘As a fan myself, I like to deliver action, I like the crowd to be excited. Jack also likes to attack and take his opponents out so I expect it to ‘kick off’ from the start. Our styles should gel nicely. It’s going to be explosive.

‘Because of my shoulder problem, I mostly like to use my left hand, jabbing and hooking. The right arm is three inches shorter and quite a bit weaker. I’m the only pro fighter with a disability but, rather than viewing it as a disadvantage, I’ve turned it on its head. Battling it gives me real ‘attitude’.

The Western gunslinger knows that Friday’s fight presents his opportunity to gatecrash the Big Time and he has prepared accordingly.

‘I’ve had 11-12 weeks’ notice, my weight’s good and all has gone well,’ he insists.

‘I’ve been sparring Frankie Gavin, a very, very skilful welterweight, Danny Butler for strength plus Kane Steward and Ryan Martin, two very useful local amateurs. I’ve never been fitter. I’m raring to get in there.

‘Having won Area, International and English titles, I’d intended progressing to the British, Commonwealth and possibly European. But if I beat Catterall, I’ll take his WBO ranking (four) and be eligible for a world title. I’ll fight any light-welter in the world.’

Ovill McKenzie will challenge Dmytro Kucher for the Vacant European Cruiserweight title at the home of boxing York Hall on June 10th.

It’s a big return for the hard-hitting Derby based Jamaican who just missed out on claiming a world title when he pushed IBF ruler Victor Emilio Ramirez to a controversial draw in Argentina last October.

Kucher, from Kiev, Ukraine, has an explosive record of 17 knockouts from 23 wins with only one points loss and draw and has previously held the WBC International Silver Cruiserweight title. This will be his second shot at the European title after he drew against Bilal Laggoune last October for the vacant title.

McKenzie, 36, has previously won a Commonwealth title at light-heavyweight and Commonwealth and British title at cruiserweight, is excited to challenge for the European crown for the first time and sees it as a significant step back onto the world title stage.

“I’m delighted that Queensberry Promotions won the purse bid today and that I’ll be fighting for the prized European title for the first. This a fantastic fight to return back into after the disappointment in Argentina when I should have been crowned world champion. However, that’s in the past and now I want that beautiful European belt around my waist and then look at the world title again. Kucher looks dangerous, but he doesn’t have the experience I have and that will be crucial in this fight”

The undercard will feature a host of top emerging talent including Mitchell Smith, who looks to bounce back after an unexpected first loss against George Jupp, devastating light-heavyweight prospect Anthony Yarde, and super-welterweight slickster Ahmet Patterson who prepares for a mandated showdown with British and Commonwealth Champion Liam Williams.

English Light-Heavyweight Champion Tom Baker is also action as are prospects Billy Long, Leon Woodstock, Jez Smith, Lucien Reid and Ryan Gardener who makes his pro debut.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.co.uk and Eventim.co.uk at prices £40 and £60.

Ekaterinburg, Russia (May 9, 2016)–This past Friday night, in Ekaterinburg, Russia, undefeated WBO European Super Featherweight champion Evgeny Chuprakov made the second defense of his title, when he stopped previously undefeated Sebastian Tlatlik in the fifth round of their scheduled 10-round bout.

Chuprakov (16-0, 8 KO’s) of Ekaterinburg is currently ranked number-7 by the WBO and number-14 by the IBF.

Chuprakov dominated the action and finally the fight was halted by the referee in the 5th round. This was the third undefeated opponent that Chuprakov has beaten, as he continues to fight top-level competition; He already has a stoppage victory over former world champion Dmitry Kirillov.

“This is a great win for Evgeny. He stopped an undefeated fighter, and now we are looking to bring him back to the United States and put him in a meaningful bout. He has proven that he is a contender at junior lightweight, and we hope to have him back in the ring in August,” said Banner Promotions President, Arthur Pelullo.

Philadelphia, PA (May 9, 2016)–This past Friday night in Las Vegas, Petr Pertrov solidified himself as a world title contender with a 6th round stoppage over Marvin Quintero, winning the NABF Lightweight title and defending his NABA Lightweight title.

The fight was a back and forth brawl that saw both men land power punches throughout the fight. Petrov’s right hand was pinpoint all fight, and his accuracy had Quintero’s left eye swelling from the second round. As Petrov’s punches began to take more effect, Quintero’s eye started swelling more rapidly and the fight was called off after round 6.

With the win, Petrov (37-4-2, 18 KO’s) of Madrid, Spain is now set up to face any of the champions in the lightweight division.

“I knew coming into the fight it was going to be a tough one,” said Petrov.

“I knew the rounds were close, but I thought I was winning. I was landing the harder and more accurate punches.”

“When we saw that his eye was closing, my corner was telling me to throw more right hands. I now just want to fight any of the champions. I know I can beat them, and I want to become world champion.”

“Petr once again showed that he is one of the top lightweights in the world. His next bout should be for one of the world titles. We are already working on trying to secure that opportunity,” said Banner Promotions President, Arthur Pelullo.

Photo credit: by Emily Harney / Banner Promotions

THE FIGHT GAME WITH JIM LAMPLEY returns with a new edition WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Hosted by the four-time Sports Emmy® winner, who has hosted HBO Boxing since joining the network in 1988, the show is a provocative, engaging and informative experience that delves into intriguing storylines, newsmakers and issues that are top-of-mind in boxing.

Other HBO playdates: May 14 (11:15 p.m.), 15 (10:15 a.m.), 16 (7:30 p.m., 12:55 a.m.), 19 (11:00 a.m., 8:00 p.m.), 21 (11:45 a.m.), 24 (6:15 p.m.), 26 (1:15 a.m.) and 31 (9:00 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: May 12 (11:00 a.m., 8:30 p.m.), 17 (12:30 a.m.), 22 (10:00 a.m.), 25 (1:40 p.m., 12:30 a.m.) and 28 (2:00 p.m.), and June 1 (4:20 p.m.)

The show will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO and HBO On Demand.

On this edition of THE FIGHT GAME: Max Kellerman and Bernard Hopkins join Lampley to review the May 7 Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan middleweight title showdown, preview the fight schedule and address the latest headlines and issues; and Lampley presents a new pound-for-pound compilation.

Correspondent Melissa Stark delivers a comprehensive examination of a controversial ruling in men’s amateur boxing, which no longer requires headgear in this summer’s Olympic Games. Interviews include: boxer Mark Dawson; Executive Director of USA Boxing, Mike Martino; neurosurgeon, Dr. Julian Bailes, and Dr. Barry Jordan.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 9th, 2016) — There can only be one underdog on fight night, but both Freddy Sanchez and Nick DeLomba carry a chip on their shoulder entering their super lightweight title bout Friday night at Twin River Casino.

DeLomba (8-1, 2 KOs), the Cranston, R.I., native and Gary Balletto protégé, is still smarting from his first career loss, a first-round knockout in September at the hands of Gledwin Ortiz, a fight he and his coach, Vic Fagnant, admit they probably shouldn’t have taken so quickly following DeLomba’s emotionally — and physically — draining win over Juan Rodriguez in July.

Then there’s Sanchez (7-0, 5 KOs), the hard-hitting, undefeated Worcester, Mass., native who’s coming off a no-decision against Antonio Fernandes in February courtesy of a head-butt in the opening round that opened a cut over Sanchez’s right eye. He didn’t take the loss that night, keeping his perfect record intact, but still looks at is as a missed opportunity, in some cases almost as bad as losing.

He and DeLomba lock horns Friday, May 13th, 2016 on the undercard of CES Boxing’s “THE BATTLE FOR THE CAPITAL” show highlighted by the main event between Providence super middleweights Peter Manfredo Jr. (40-7, 21 KOs) and Vladine Biosse (15-7-2, 7 KOs). DeLomba and Sanchez will face one another in a six-round bout for the vacant New England Super Lightweight Title.

On paper, it’s a pick-’em fight; even if Sanchez has a slight edge based on his undefeated record and knockout power, DeLomba’s level of competition – Ortiz, Rodriguez, and even 12-fight veteran Edwin Soto of Connecticut, whom he beat in just his fourth fight as a pro – theoretically evens the playing field.

The way Sanchez sees it, even with his 7-0 record, he’s the underdog, not DeLomba, which adds even more motivation with fight night less than a week away.

“I’m going into his hometown,” Sanchez said, “but it doesn’t matter to me. I love being the underdog. It’s a great way to upset people.”

Sanchez might even be licking his chops heading into Friday after watching DeLomba’s last two fights. While he suffered the loss against Ortiz, a fight stopped at the 2:43 mark of the opening round by Joey Lupino, DeLomba was arguably hurt worse against Rodriguez two months prior when he got knocked down early in the opening round, survived the bell and then fought back to score a fifth-round knockout win.

“His last fight was horrible. The fight before that? Wow,” Sanchez said. “I think he should have two losses now. That’s how bad he was hurt.

“I don’t really talk a lot of shit. I’m humble,” he added. “I’m just going to go in there and do what I do. If I get him out of there early, I get him out of there early. If not, it is what it is.”

Aside from wanting to avenge his first loss, DeLomba has other reasons to be motivated for Friday’s fight. There’s been some surprise among regional fans that he’d even take this fight after getting knocked out in September. Others expected him to take the proverbial tune-up fight to get back on track, but DeLomba didn’t want to go backwards.

“I’ve never done that in my whole career,” said DeLomba, who took the unconventional path to the pros by starting out fighting six-rounders instead of fours.

“I fight the exciting fights. That’s why the fans come to watch me. This is what we felt was best for my career. Winning this fight will definitely help me in the long run.”

Besides, there’s no better way to silence critics than to step up following a loss and beat an undefeated fighter ranked favorably among his peers.

“I think there are going to be a hell of a lot of people in the stands Friday, whether they bought a ticket from me or bought one from the casino, that are coming to watch me lose this fight,” he said. “I have a lot of people to shut up.

“I’ll let the people do the talking and let my hands do the work.”

The last eight months have been a whirlwind for DeLomba. He and his fiancée, Milly, welcomed their first child, Nicolas Jr., into the world earlier this year, giving DeLomba further incentive to chase his dream in the ring.

“It changed my whole world,” he said about the birth of his son. “I can’t take this fighting game as something I just do to get by. I know I have the talent and the work ethic. I’ve got to go above and beyond like I used to when I first started this sport.”

“That last fight was a wake-up call. That could be one of the best things that ever happened to my career. I’ve realized no one is untouchable. Even the best can lose.”

How one responds to a loss, according to Sanchez, “depends on the fighter.”

“It could discourage you or make you stronger,” he said.

“My last fight, you saw what happened. I was pissed off. I still am. It wasn’t a loss, but it was a missed opportunity. This fight, I’m looking to change that.”

Four days from now, two of New England’s brightest stars, both with big records and big dreams, stand toe-to-toe in one of the most highly anticipated fights on the undercard with a title on the line. Both consider themselves the underdog, the “other guy” on the marquee, and both are equally hungry following disappointing outcomes their last time out. It all adds up to a strong Fight of the Night candidate come Friday.

“I’m excited. This is a great opportunity and I feel blessed to be in the position I’m in,” DeLomba said. “I’m in great shape and ready to go to war. This will be a great addition to my resume.”

“I’m thankful to CES for the opportunity,” Sanchez added. “I feel great. They’ve been keeping me active.”

Limited tickets for “THE BATTLE FOR THE CAPITAL” are priced at $46.00, $66.00, $151.00 (VIP) and $201.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com, www.twinriver.com or www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Casino Players Club.

Standing room tickets are also available for $46.00 directly through Twin River Casino and can also be purchased online at www.twinriver.com or www.ticketmaster.com or at the Twin River Casino Players Club. All fights and fighters are subject to change and tickets are non-refundable.

The Manfredo-Biosse headliner at “THE BATTLE FOR THE CAPITAL” is one of nine fights on a stacked card featuring two title bouts in addition to the professional debuts of two accomplished amateurs from Worcester, Mass.

Worcester’s Khiary Gray (12-0, 9 KOs) also returns on May 13th and puts his Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) Northeast Junior Middleweight Title on the line against Fort Meyers, Fla., vet Quinton Willis (10-3-2, 5 KOs) in an 8-round bout while unbeaten New Haven, Conn., welterweight Jimmy Williams (10-0-1, 5 KOs) faces St. Petersburg, Fla., veteran Manny Woods (15-4-1, 5 KOs) in a six-round bout.

Undefeated Springfield, Mass., junior welterweight Zack Ramsey (7-0, 3 KOs) steps back into the ring for the first time since 2014 to face 20-fight vet Issouf Kinda (17-3, 7 KOs) of New York in a six-round bout.

The May 13th undercard also features a six-round rematch between Stoughton, Mass., super featherweight Travis Demko (4-0, 1 KO) and Mohamad Allam (2-1, 1 KO) of Holyoke, Mass. The two faced one another in September with Demko winning by unanimous decision in a 4-round bout.

Also returning to Twin River, unbeaten Framingham, Mass., lightweight Julio Perez (4-0) faces Providence’s Cido Hoff (0-0-1) in a 4-round bout. Worcester’s Kendrick Ball Jr. makes his professional debut in a 4-round super middleweight bout against Providence’s Tunde Odumosu while fellow Worcester native Jamaine Ortiz debuts in a 4-round super lightweight bout against Skowhegan, Maine vet Josh Parker (0-2-1).

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information and use the hashtags #ManfredoBiosse and #Battle4TheCapital to join the conversation.

Conor Benn returns to action after an impressive April debut with spots on two World title undercards – Ricky Burns’ vacant WBA World Super-Lightweight title clash with Michele Di Rocco in May 28 at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow and Anthony Joshua MBE’s IBF World Heavyweight title defence against Dominic Breazeale at The O2 in London on June 25.

Son of British legend Nigel kicked-off his pro career in style when he landed a first round KO on his debut at The O2 on the undercard of Joshua’s World title win earlier in the month and will form part of the star-studded line-up for Joshua’s first defence at the same venue.

Before that, Benn heads north of the border as his fellow Tony Sims’ trained gym-mate Burns looks to make history and become a three-weight World champion – and the 19 year old is still pinching himself at the

“I never thought that when I came over here I would be good enough to sign for Eddie Hearn and Matchroom – but so far it has been proven otherwise,” said Benn.

“My Dad backed me and next thing I knew I was walking out at The O2 in front of 20,000! It’s been an unbelievable journey so far and I’m pinching myself that I’m with Matchroom.

“I only had 20 amateur fights and came here to the UK with the intention to stay amateur for three years – which is what my father wanted me to do, but I wanted to turn professional.

“I’m just a baby in the sport of boxing starting out, coupled with being only 19 years old. I’m relaxed and don’t feel any pressure, I’m just going to be myself and do it my way.

“I want to box all over the country, so going to Glasgow and boxing on the undercard of Ricky’s third World title fight will be a huge honour for me.

“I’m excited to be boxing back at The O2 too and one thing you can guarantee with me is that I will be explosive and excite the fans.”

Burns’ World title clash with Di Rocco featuring Benn on a packed bill that sees Tyrone Nurse defending his British Super-Lightweight crown against Glasgow’s Willie Limond, new star Ryan Burnett continue his march to World titles, Commonwealth games hero Charlie Flynn in his first title action and undefeated young stars Joe Ham and Lewis Paulin also feature.

Tickets for Glasgow are on general sale with those in the £40-£100 bracket available from the SSE Hydro website http://www.thessehydro.com/ and on 0844 395 4000 and 0800 952 0110 (accessible). VIP tickets at £200 are exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for Glasgow are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Joshua’s World title defence against Breazeale featuring Benn on the undercard that is topped by a mouth-watering domestic Super-Middleweight blockbuster and WBA World title eliminator bout between George Groves and Martin Murray, while John Wayne Hibbert clashes with Andrea Scarpa for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Lightweight title.

John Wayne Hibbert can make huge strides in the world rankings after landing a dream clash with Andrea Scarpa for the WBC Silver Super-Lightweight title at The O2 on June 25, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Hibbert kicked off 2016 in style by successfully defending his WBC International and Commonwealth titles with a final round KO win over Tommy Martin, and returns to the venue of his three cracking fights last year.

The Essex man defended his WBC strap with a stoppage win in January at The O2 against Tyler Goodjohn, then revisited his rivalry with Dave Ryan on two occasions – losing his belts in May to the Derby man but reversing that stoppage loss in September in two gripping clashes.

Hibbert’s form could not be better timed as he faces Italian champion Scarpa, who made his own impact on the world rankings in his last outing, landing the IBF Inter-Continental title in November to crash into the top ten in the IBF.

Hibbert currently sits in 14th spot in the WBC, but the 31 year old knows that victory on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s first World title defence will see him rise up the rankings and knocking on the door for huge fights in the second half of the year.

“I’m over the moon to have landed this massive fight at The O2,” said Hibbert. “Beating Tommy and Dave in my last two fights means my confidence is sky-high and I’m ready to move on from the domestic scene and make an impact on the Wold stage.

“Scarpa is a tough test and he’ll be thinking along the same lines, but I hope that the sold-out crowd gets right behind me and can roar me onto victory on the biggest night of my career.”

Hibbert’s clash with Scarpa is part of a huge night of action, topped by Joshua’s defence against the unbeaten American Dominic Breazeale, with a mouth-watering Super-Middleweight battle between former World title challengers George Groves and Martin Murray, plus more fights to be added.

LAKELAND, FLORIDA (May 9, 2016) – Undefeated contender Kanat Islam (21-0, 18 KOs) stopped Colombia’s Juan De Angel (18-4-1, 17 KOs) in the sixth round of Sunday night’s main event on Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV from the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Florida.

The rising 154-pounder from Kazakhstan stopped his ninth straight opponent inside the distance when De Angel fell to the canvas twice in round six prompting referee Telis Assimenios to halt the bout 22 seconds into the round.

De Angel appeared to succumb to an ankle injury while taking a step backward that forced him to drop to the canvas. Islam sensed his moment and pounced on the injured brawler to put an end to the bout quickly.

A 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist, Islam was able to navigate around the four-inch reach advantage owned by De Angel and control the fight with his athleticism and powerful right hand. His first headlining appearance was a successful one as he looks to continue to climb the ladder towards a world title.

The co-main event of the evening saw Miguel Cruz (13-0, 11 KOs) take home a split decision victory over Samuel Figueroa (10-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round back-and-forth battle of unbeaten prospects.

The friends turned rivals brought the action from the beginning as the smaller southpaw Figueroa aggressively attacked the body of Cruz in early exchanges. Cruz’s timing improved as the fight went on and his combinations began to land and stunt the attack of Figueroa.

Some of the best back-and-forth action came in round six as both fighters had found their way through the opponent’s defense. Cruz used his length to beat Figueroa to the punch, but Figueroa continued to throw punches and do plenty of damage throughout the heated final stanzas.

In a fight that appeared to be an even affair, the judges scores were 77-75 for Figueroa and 78-74 and 77-75 for Cruz to give him the split decision.

In the opening bout of the telecast, super featherweight Dennis Galarza (13-1, 8 KOs) won his eighth straight fight as he defeated durable Mexican Yardley Suarez (15-4, 9 KOs) over eight hard fought rounds.

Galarza used his length advantage to break Suarez down with his jab and penetrate his defense with various combinations. The Brooklyn-born fighter now training out of Orlando dominated the first half of the fight on his way to the unanimous decision.

Suarez began to pick up the action in the second half of the fight landing several hard punches and challenging Galarza to exchange in the middle of the ring in round five. He landed perhaps the best combination of the fight in round six with a pair of punches that sent Galarza into retreat mode for the remainder of the round.

Overall it was Galarza’s output that proved to be the biggest difference as he threw 421 punches to Suarez’s 305 on his way to a 117-99 advantage in punches landed. The judges’ scores were 77-75 and 78-74 twice for Galarza.

Here is what the fighters had to say Sunday night:

KANAT ISLAM

“It felt good to go to (six) rounds to get the win. My last few opponents didn’t put up a fight and challenge me. My team wanted to test me and everything went to plan for what I wanted to do in the ring.

“I boxed, I used my feet, I moved in and out, I set up my power punches and I was able to finish him off. I hope he’s OK, I know it’s hard to fight with an injury. I hope he recovers soon.

“I saw he was beginning to get tired around round four and knew I had him hurt. That’s when I started hitting him with harder punches. I did the work I wanted to do, and then I wanted to finish him.

“There were a lot of fans from the Kazakhstan community here, a lot of fans who traveled from far places to see me fight. That meant a lot to me. I wanted to make sure they got to see everything I can do in the ring. Now I want them to see me win a world title this year.

“I feel like I can come back tomorrow. I don’t want any longer breaks in my career. I want big fights. Who are the champions? That is who I want to fight.”

MIGUEL CRUZ

“I know that I won the fight in the end, but it was a hard fight, a very tough fight. I was landing the cleaner shots but there were times where he was putting the pressure on me. He hurt me with body shots and he actually managed to hurt me in the last round with a right hook. I recognized when he hurt me and I hit him and hurt him right back. I had him hurt a couple of times.

“I knew he was a tough guy from when we fought in the amateurs and from when we sparred together. He made me bring something out of me that I didn’t even know I had and I appreciate him for that.

“This was the toughest fight of my career. Right now, I want to rest and relax, but within the next 2-3 months I’ll start looking at the guys that can get me closer to a world title.

“The fight’s over, we can absolutely go back to being friends. It’s business. They told us we had to fight each other. We’re better fighters for it and now it’s over and back to the way it was between us as far as I’m concerned.”

SAMUEL FIGUEROA

“I didn’t think Miguel won the fight but that’s how the judges seen that. I don’t know how, but I can’t do anything about that. The first rounds I hit him clear in the face, Miguel only caught me with a couple of clean shots but I was catching a lot of his punches with my hands and elbows. I don’t know how I lost this fight.

“I love fighting unbeaten opponents. I train with champions in the gym, I have the resources to get me ready for these fights.

“Yes of course we go back to being friends. Nothing personal. He’s my friend. We’re cool.”

DENNIS GALARZA

“It felt good to go eight rounds. I didn’t mind going rounds, although I wanted to take him out. He was throwing a lot of wild shots just looking to catch me with a lucky blow. He caught me with some good shots but he never had me hurt. I train with southpaws all the time and was ready for anything Yardley Suarez had to offer.

“I want to come back as soon as possible. Whatever my team has in store for me, I’ll be ready.”

YARDLEY SUAREZ

“I had him hurt but feel like I let the opportunity get away from me. I wasn’t busy enough; I need to let my hands go more. My corner told me that I needed a knockout to win. I went for it, but I couldn’t slow him down and land enough punches.

“I want to stay on this level, I could have done more but know that I can compete with the best.”

# # #

PBC: The Next Round on Bounce TV was promoted by King’s Promotions.

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

Bounce TV is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. The network features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Bounce TV has grown to be available in more than 93.5 million homes across the United States and 93% of all African American television homes, including all of the top AA television markets. Among the founders of Bounce TV are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and Ambassador Andrew Young.

For local channel location, visit BounceTV.com.

LAKELAND, FLA. (May 8, 2016) – TONIGHT in Lakeland, Florida, featherweight Dat Nguyen returns to the ring after a 31-month layoff when he takes on Gustavo Molina (22-10, 9 KO’s)

In the main event, unbeaten super welterweight and Olympic Bronze medalist Kanat Islam (20-0, 17 KOs) will take on Colombian brawler Juan De Angel (18-3-1, 17 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV taking place Sunday, May 8 from Lakeland Events Center in Lakeland, Florida.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.thelakelandcenter.com or by calling 888-397-0100 and from the Lakeland Center Box Office by calling 863-834-8111 or visiting between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT and features a pair of exciting undercard battles as unbeaten prospects Miguel Cruz (12-0, 11 KOs) and Samuel Figueroa (10-0, 4 KOs) compete in an eight-round super welterweight showdown while featherweight prospect Dennis Galarza (12-1, 8 KOs) faces Mexico’s Yardley Suarez (15-3, 9 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

Nguyen of Vero Beach, Florida hasn’t had the typical layoff of getting out of shape and thinking about missed opportunities.

“I have been training the whole time. I own a gym here in Vero Beach and I have been training people for the past six years, so I have been in shape. Sure it is not professional competition but I am able to stay busy and am ready for the fight on Sunday,” said Nguyen. “I haven;t fought in a while, but I have no fear of ring rust. I been sparring and going through boxing techniques the whole time.”

Nguyen was cruising along as a heralded prospect at 11-0 before losing a split decision to Gregorio Torres. Nguyen then won six straight before dropping back to back fights to Luis Del Valle and future world title challenger Jayson Velez.

“The first loss was a bad decision. The second loss, I was so winded after five rounds that I don’t know what happened. The third loss to Velez, I also thought that I won that fight. I just think under better circumstances that I would have won those fights. I know a lot of good stuff was said about me on the way up and I still think that I am championship material. I just have not had that opportunity.”

To gain that opportunity, Nguyen turned to the man, who turned him professional twelve years ago in King’s Promotions Marshall Kauffman.

“Marshall is a father figure to me. He trained me in 2004 and twelve years later I am back with him. I have learned the business and now I am with a good promoter. If I would have stayed with Marshall, I would be world champion. I have the skills and Marshall knows boxing. Now that I am back with him, he will get me that opportunity. I live a clean and healthy life and now it is time that I reach my potential as a boxer.”

Also on the card:

In an eight-round bout, Alantez Fox (18-0, 7 KO’s) of Forestville, MD takes on Milton Nunez (35-15-1, 29 KO’s) of Barranquilla, COL in a middleweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Antonio Tarver Jr. (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Tampa, FL will fight Jose Cortez (1-1) of West Palm Beach, FL in a middleweight bout.

In a junior welterweight battle, Nestor Bravo (5-0, 5 KO’s) fights Daniel Lorenzano (4-7-1, 2 KO’s) of Miami, FL.

Efrain Cruz (4-0-1, 1 KO) of Vieques, PR will fight Irvin Hernandez (3-14-2, 1 KO) of Caguas, PR in a junior welterweight bout.

Botirsher Obdidov (4-0-1, 1 KO) of Kissimmee, FL take on Hakeem Atkinson (2-2, 2 KO’s) of Atlanta, GA in a super middleweight bout.

# # #

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

Bounce TV is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. The network features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Bounce TV has grown to be available in more than 93.5 million homes across the United States and 93% of all African American television homes, including all of the top AA television markets. Among the founders of Bounce TV are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and Ambassador Andrew Young.

For local channel location, visit BounceTV.com.

Interim WBA World Bantamweight Champion Zhanat “ZZ” Zhakiyanov (26-1, 18 KOs) and his representatives are now forced to respond to the deliberate falsehoods being distributed by the team around South African super flyweight Zolani Tete.

Zhakiyanov of Petropavl, Kazakhstan, is a proud warrior, who has been willing to face anyone from the start of his career. Which is what makes the blatantly false and intentionally misleading allegations by Tete’s camp so infuriating.

Tete and his manager, Mla Tengimfene, have been feeding the media a fictional story that Zhakiyanov recently backed out of a purported fight between the two, supposedly scheduled for June 4 at Echo Arena in Liverpool.

One problem.

Zhakiyanov and his people were never even contacted about such a fight. It never existed.

“I have never heard from anyone about this fight,” said Zhakiyanov. “They are saying I can’t make the weight and that’s why I can’t fight him. I was never supposed to fight him! He and his people are telling stories.”

Zhakiyanov’s manager, Philippe Fondu, wonders why the media would even believe such a fight ever existed when a quick check of the WBA rule book would have eliminated all talk of such a match-up.

“There were some unfounded rumors on the net about Zhanat defending against Tete a while ago, but having never received any concrete proposal from anyone, including his new promoter Frank Warren, I never paid any specific attention to these rumors. But let’s be honest here. Zhanat Zhakiyanov is the reigning interim WBA Bantamweight champion and Tete is actually boxing for other world organizations (IBF and/or WBO). Furthermore, Tete is rated #9 in the WBA super-flyweight division (115 lb.). Such a contest could obviously not even be considered, as a WBA Interim 118-lb. champion can only defend his title against a WBA top-15 rated boxer in the 118 lb. division.”

Fondu also says that Zhakiyanov, promoted by Hatton Promotions, is fully capable of making the 118-lb weight limit and welcomes any and all viable fight proposals approvable by the WBA.

“I have been in boxing many years and I understand using the media to get a fighter’s name in print,” continued Fondu, “but they are using the name of a champion and proud representative of his home country of Kazakhstan to do it and it’s not right. Hopefully the media will get more responsible about checking the facts in the future.”

HBO Sports presents WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®: CANELO ALVAREZ VS. AMIR KHAN., the exclusive replay of their highly anticipated world middleweight title showdown, SATURDAY, MAY 14 at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT). The HBO Sports team, which was ringside at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 7, called the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: May 15 (9:00 a.m.) and 16 (11:40 p.m.)

HBO2 playdate: May 15 (4:00 p.m.) and 17 (11:30 p.m.)

The fight will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO and HBO On Demand.

25-year-old Canelo Alvarez has been on boxing’s fast-track rack since turning pro as a teenager and in an intriguing showdown that was originally televised on HBO Pay-Per-View he placed the lineal world middleweight championship belt on the line against Amir Khan of England.

® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

LAKELAND, FLORIDA (May 7, 2016) –

Kanat Islam 152.8 – Juan De Angel 154.2
Miguel Cruz 146.6 – Samuel Fugueroa 146.6
Dennis Galarza 130.4 – Yardley Suarez 132.2
Dat Nguyan 130.8 – Gustavo Molina 126.2
Antonio Tarver Jr. 155.2 – Jose Cortez 157.8
Nestor Bravo 135 – Daniel Lorenzano 138.4
Alantez Fox 167.2 – Milton Nunez 175
Botisher Obidov 166 – Hakeem Atikinson 169.6
Daruma Almenarez 160 – Zarief Brand 157.8

Promoter: King’s Promotions
Venue: Lakeland Center
1st Bell: 7 PM
TV: Bounce TV (9 PM)

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.thelakelandcenter.com or by calling 888-397-0100 and from the Lakeland Center Box Office by calling 863-834-8111 or visiting between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SAN DIEGO, CALIF.- May 7, 2016 – Anthony Crolla scored a stunning 7th round stoppage over Ismael Barroso to retain his WBA Lightweight title at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

The bout headlined a seven bout telecast on AWE.

Barroso raced out and set a fast pace over the first four rounds. Crolla was biding his time landing some good shots on the the middle of the ring and he started to take over on a fading Barroso towards the end of round five. In round six, Crolla began to hurt Barroso and the Venezuelan challenger started to break down and seemed spent as he walked to his corner. Crolla jumped on Barroso and landed a tremendous flurry of punches that put Barroso on the canvas for the ten count.

It was the second straight stunning knockout for Crolla on AWE–A Wealth of Entertainment as he won his title with a knockout over Darleys Perez in November.

Crolla is now 31-4-3 with 13 knockouts. Barroso is 19-1-2.

“What a day for boxing on AWE. Once again, AWE had a stellar show that was headlined by a great knockout by Anthony Crolla. We continue to put on exciting world title bouts and we should have some announcements about more great boxing action the coming months,” said AWE President, Charles Herring.

In the televised co-feature from Hamburg, Germany, Kubrat Pulev won the European Heavyweight title and an IBF Elimination Heavyweight bout by winning a 12-round split decision over Dereck Chisora.

Pulev controlled the action with quick combinations and Chisora was never able to get in a groove to land any hard power shots.

Pulev won by scores of 118-110 and 116-112. Somehow a judge saw the fight for Chisora by 115-113.

Pulev is 23-1. Chisora is 25-6.

Shayne Singleton stopped Anwil Anwar in round eight of their ten round welterweight contest.

Singleton looked like he was going to make it a quick and easy night as he dropped Anwar in round one from a left hook. Anwar was able to steady himself and have success over the next handful of rounds by getting in some good right hands. With the fight being on an even level, Singleton landed a big left that sent Anwar down in round eight. Anwar was clearly hurt, and Singleton jumped all over him and the fight was quickly stopped at 1:37 of round right.

Singleton is now 23-1 with eight knockouts. Anwar is 22-6.

Martin Murray tuned up for a June 25 showdown with George Groves by stopping an overmatched Cedric Spera in a scheduled 8-round Super Middleweight bout.

Murray dropped Spera with a left to the body in round two and finished him off with hard right that sent Spera down and out at 1:47 of round two.

Murray is now 33-3-1 with 16 knockouts. Spera is 12-5.

Marcus Morrison scored a 2nd round stoppage over Jefferson De Souza in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Morrison dropped De Souza with a left hook in round one and the bout was stopped in the 2nd.

Morrison is now 11-0. De Souza is now 16-2-2.

Hosea Burton scored a 4th round stoppage over Michal Ludwiczak in a scheduled 6-round light heavyweight bout.

Burton dropped Ludwiczak with a left hook in round three. Burton scored another knockdown from a left hook in round four and the fight was stopped shortly after at 2:58.

Burton is now 16-0. Ludwiczak is 13-4.

Tommy Coyle (22-3) won a decision over Reynaldo Mora (7-13-1) in a super lightweight bout via referee score of 59-55.

About AWE LIVE BOXING

AWE LIVE Boxing features live world title championship and elimination bouts showcasing today’s most exciting fighters. Since the inception of AWE’s live boxing events in 2011, and has featured over 50 world class title fight. AWE has earned multiple Boxing Writers Association of America nominations for “Fight of the Year” and has featured over thirty world class boxing events. In 2013, AWE showcased all live bouts featuring heavyweight David Price. AWE aired live the stunning upsets of Tony Thompson over David Price, along with Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew cards, who fought each other for the light Heavyweight championship; 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James DeGale. AWE brought boxing fans two of the most controversial bouts which saw Ricky Burns keep his Lightweight title against Ray Beltran. AWE fans have witnessed the explosive power of undefeated heavyweight Tyson Fury multiple times on the network, including Fury’s victory over Kevin Johnson. In 2014, AWE televised the crowning of lightweight champion Terence Crawford with his win over Burns as well as the exciting rematches between Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez along with Tony Bellew defeating Nathan Cleverly. In 2015, AWE brought boxing fans on of the most anticipated rematches of the year, Darleys Perez v. Anthony Crolla II for the WBA Lightweight World Title.

In 2016, AWE was the exclusive American boradcaster of Lucas Browne’s stunning knockout over Ruslan Chagaev to win the WBA Heavyweight title.

About AWE – A Wealth of Entertainment
A Wealth of Entertainment (“AWE”) features a wide range of lifestyles and entertainment programming from exotic travel and outrageous homes to live world championship boxing. AWE is featured on over a hundred cable providers, including AT&T U-Verse, ch 147 and 1147 in HD and Verizon FiOS TV, ch 169 and 669 in HD. For more information, please visit www.awetv.com.

Philadelphia, PA (May 7, 2016)– Christopher Brooker won a 8-round unanimous decision over Antowyan Aikens that headlined a 10-bout card at a nearly sold-out 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.

The card was promoted by King’s Promotions

In round one, both guys were cut from an accidental headbutt. Brooker over the left eye and Aikens over the right. In round three, Brooker scored a knockdown when he landed a left hook that sent Aikens to the canvas. Aikens was not hurt as he jumped right up and argued with referee Shawn Clark that it should have been ruled a slip. Brooker continued to get the best of the action as he pushed the pace and he took the bout by scores of 80-71 and 79-72 twice to raise his mark to 9-1. Aikens of Atlantic City is 12-2.

Kermit Cintron pounded out a 6-round unanimous decision over Eduardo Flores in a junior middleweight bout.

Cintron was systematic with his punches and worked well to the body and head. Flores was a game opponent who tried and got in a few decent shots of his own.

In the end, Cintron a former world champion making his first start in 27-months, fought well and got some needed rounds in and won all cards by 60-54 scores.

Cintron of Reading, PA is now 36-5-2. Flores is 23-21-3.

Naim Nelson won a 6-round unanimous decision over Carlos Velasquez in a junior welterweight bout.

Nelson of Philadelphia won all cards 60-54 and is now 13-1, 1 NC. Velasquez of Managua, Nicaragua is 24-24-2.

Scott Kelleher thrilled the crowd with a three-round beatdown of Terrell James in a scheduled four round junior welterweight bout.

Kelleher landed hard power shots over the first two rounds as he dived up his punches between the body and head. Kelleher landed some vicious body shots in round three and assaulted James with a hard flurry in the corner until referee Blair Talmidge stopped the bout at 2:23 of round three.

Kelleher of Philadelphia is 5-0 with three knockouts. James of Philadelphia is 1-4-1.

Erik Spring won a 6-round split decision over Justin Johnson in a junior middleweight bout.

Spring controlled the bout, yet somehow Johnson took a card 59-55. That was overruled by 60-54 and 59-55 scores in favor of Spring.

Spring of Reading, PA. is now 7-1. Johnson of Pittsburgh is 6-12-4.

Aaron Brooks made a successful pro debut with a 4-round unanimous decision over Ryan Bivins in a battle of Philadelphia based super middleweights.

In round three, Brooks landed a couple of right hands that hurt Bivins and his glove ultimately touched the canvas for a knockdown. In the fourth round, another right hand hurt Bivins and he went down on a slow reaction.

Brooks won by scores of 40-34 twice and 39-36. Bivins falls to 0-2-1.

Thomas Velasquez scored a thudding second round stoppage over Grashino Yancy in a scheduled four round junior lightweight bout.

Velasquez landed a perfect left hook to the head that sent Yancy down in the corner. he could not beat referee Shawn Clark’s count at 1:39 of round two.

Velasquez, 131.4 lbs of Philadelphia is 5-0 with four knockouts. Yancy, 131.2 lbs of Staten Island, NY is 1-1.

Tyrone Crawley Jr. pounded out a 4-round unanimous decision over Korey Sloane in a lightweight bout.

Crawley of Philadelphia won by 40-36 tallies on all cards and is now 5-0. Sloane of Philadelphia is 2-9-2.

Emmanuel Folly scored a stoppage after round one of his scheduled 4-round featherweight bout with Bryan Perez.

Perez injured his hand and the bout was stopped in the corner.

Folly of Philadelphia is 7-0 with five knockouts. Perez of Carolina, PR is 2-4-1.

Amir Shabazz won a 4-round unanimous decision over Tahlik Taylor in a Lightweight bout.

Shabazz scored a knockdown in round one from a right hand.

Shabazz, 174.4 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 39-36 on all cards and is now 4-0. Taylor, 174.9 lbs of Freeport, NY is now 1-4.

LAS VEGAS (May 6, 2016) – On the eve of the Canelo vs. Khan showdown, Golden Boy Promotions gave back by to boxing fans by offering a day full of excitement free and open to the public. First, fans onsite were able to witness the final face-off between Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan at the new Toshiba Plaza in from of the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. Immediately after, a free three-title fight night was staged featuring Marvin Quintero vs. Petr Petrov for the NABA and NABF Lightweight Titles. Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions’Oscar De La Hoya and future hall of famer and Golden Boy Promotions business partner Bernard Hopkins were in attendance enjoying the action packed fights, along with WBC Lightweight World Champion Jorge “El Nino de Oro” Linares, and Golden Boy Promotions stablemates WBC Silver Featherweight Champion Ronny Rios, NABF Featherweight Champion Joseph “Jojo” Diaz, and Eddie “E-Boy” Gomez.

Headlining the televised main event in a fight for Marvin “Cachorro” Quintero’s (28-7, 6 KOs) NABF Lightweight title, Petr “Zar” Petrov (37-4-2, 17 KOs) put his NABA Lightweight Tile on the line and gave every ounce of his strength and power to defeat his opponent. Quintero battled against Petrov’s jabs and hooks suffering from a dangerously swollen left eye starting in the fourth round. By the end of the sixth round and before the beginning of the seventh round, the doctor stopped the fight from moving forward due to the left eye swelling impairing Quintero’s vision, ultimately awarding Petrov the victory by technical knockout in the sixth round.

“This was a great fight for me, my opponent was a strong fighter and I give my respect to him and his team. I have been off for over a year and half and I did feel sluggish and slow at times, but the win is all that matters,” said Petrov of his NABF/NABA victory. “I feel honored to have fought in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend as the first boxing event at the new Toshiba Plaza and I hope this is the first of many more fights in Las Vegas.”

“I am very disappointed with the doctor’s decision, I had been fighting like this for two rounds and physically felt strong to continue, but they made the decision and that is something that I cannot control,” said Marvin Quintero of his technical knockout. “It’s the Mexican blood in me that wills me to continue fighting and never give up. I will not stop fighting for my dream to one day become a world champion.”

In the co-main event, the vacant WBC Continental Americas Welterweight title was on the line as, Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (29-5-1, 21 KOs) of Tlanepantla, Mexico went head to head against Fairfield, CA’s Alan Sanchez (18-3-1, 9 KOs) in scheduled 10-round welterweight fight. Going the distance, the exciting match incited cheers from boxing fans in the crowd which heavily favored Cano. The judges awarded the belt to Sanchez, via split decision who proudly displayed his new title in the ring to show off for his newfound fans.

“I’m going home with my belt! This is just the beginning, and I am excited for the doors that will be opened because of this,” said Alan Sanchez of his big victory. “I want the big title and I want to be a world champion one day–this is the first step to achieving that goal.”

“I don’t feel the decision was a good one, because I felt I was ahead in the rounds, landing more of my punches harder and more effectively,” said Pablo Cesar Cano. “I felt that my opponent was running most of the time, and I didn’t get a chance to hurt him the way I wanted to.”

In the televised swing bout of the night, rising southpaw standout star Alexis Rocha (2-0, 2 KOs) of Santa Ana, CA knocked out San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Abdel Vera (0-3) in the first round showing Rocha’s sheer strength and power punches.

“When the referee made the call, I felt so excited because I knew all of my hard work paid off. I knew I was coming in to the ring with more experience so I was able to dominate the round. I wanted to start the fight with ferocity on my terms to control the fight. Looking forward, I’m very excited for more fights.”

Opening the televised fight night was Guadalajara, Mexico’s Horacio “Violento” Garcia (30-1-1, 21 KOs) facing Erik “El Trompo” Ruiz (15-5-1, 6 KOs) of Oxnard, CA battling it out over the vacant NABF Super Bantamweight title. The crowd couldn’t get enough of the quick exchanges between both fighters eager to take a home a belt during their 10-round scrap. For every punch thrown by “Violento,” “El Trompo” effectively counterpunched. In a shocking split decision draw, the judges gave 92-98 to Ruiz and 97-93 to Garcia and 95-95.

“My opponent started out slow, and my game plan was to build out more momentum in the fight,” said Horacio Garcia of the split decision draw. “I feel that I needed more rounds to get the job done, but I respect the judge’s decision. Next time, I hope to take more chances and throw more punches when I can.”

“After this fight, I want a rematch,” said Erik Ruiz of the decision. “I want to take home my belt because I know I made cleaner and harder punches. I am extremely disappointed with the results of the fight.”

Capturing the opening victory of the night in the first boxing event to ever take place at the newly opened Toshiba Plaza was the always swift Joet Gonzalez (13-0, 6 KOs) of Glendora, CA against Chihuahua, Mexico’s own Ricardo “Cepillo” Proano (11-4, 9 KOs) in an eight round featherweight fight. With his consistent counterpunches against Proano, Gonzalez was able to corner his opponent in almost every round. Never one to back down, Proano came back with his consistent head shots to Joet who used his blocks awarding him the win by unanimous decision.

“During the fight, I was very angry because my opponent kept head-butting me,” said Joet Gonzalez of the bout. “At one point during the fight, I was unable to see from my right eye. However, I could tell he was nervous and he really made me work for the victory so I kept my distance and tried to neutralize his hits.”

Marvin Quintero vs. Petr Petrov was a 10-round fight for the NABF and NABA Lightweight title and was presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Banner Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold.” The first bout began at 4:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will aired on Friday, May 6 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT and streamed live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream began at approximately 4:30 p.m. PT through 9:00 p.m.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.estrellatv.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @EstrellaTV and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, and @EstrellaTV, follow the conversation using #BoxeoEstelar.

Biloxi, MS (May 6, 2016) – Rite Hook Promotions CEO William Hunter is not afraid to present his fighters with challenging and potential career changing opportunities. Having successfully promoted and built his boxers locally in Biloxi, Hunter is a firm believer that fighters can win anywhere under fair circumstances.

“It’s always a pleasure working with hungry fighters that aren’t scared to bite down on their mouthpiece and give it everything they’ve got whether it’s in a tune up fight or against the best in the world. There are only a handful of guys willing to take these opportunities and see that there’s a bigger picture if they win.”
Two of those men are Rite Hook’s very own Manny “Shake em’ Up” Woods and Mike “Concrete” Bissett.

Living and fighting out of St. Petersburg, FL, Woods travels to Lincoln, RI to challenge undefeated Jimmy Williams Friday, May 13 in a six round junior middleweight bout. A former football standout who received multiple NFL tryouts, Williams is 10-0-1 with 5 knockouts and fought all of his bouts in Connecticut or Rhode Island. While undefeated, Williams hasn’t fought the same level of opposition as Woods.

With a solid 15-4-1 ledger and 5 knockouts, Woods won five of his last six bouts and is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over tough Mexican Elias Espadas last month. Earlier in his career, Woods outpointed future title contender Wilky Campfort and then unbeaten Shelden Moore. With an experience advantage and recent hot streak, Hunter is confident his fighter will be the first to defeat Williams.

“First and foremost I respect Jimmy because he’s a great athlete and has been through a lot in his personal life. I think he’s a good boxer but Manny’s already been in deep waters. He knows what it’s like to have the odds stacked against him and do what he has to in order to get the W. Jimmy’s never been in this position before and I believe he’s biting off more than he can chew against Manny.“

One week later in Central Point, OR, Bissett faces highly touted Mike Wilson in a cruiserweight matchup. A two-time US amateur champion, Wilson is 13-0 with 7 victories by KO and was considered a top prospect when he came out of the amateurs. Currently doubling as a fighter and promoter, Wilson’s last five bouts took place in his native Oregon and he’s stopped his last three foes.

Born in Mississippi and based in Tampa, FL, the hard-hitting Bissett’s professional ledger reads 10-8 with 7 knockouts. He’s fought a number of notable fighters including 2012 Olympians Michael Hunter and Dominic Breazeale, rising star Stivens Bujaj and then unbeaten Milos Pantelic twice. A winner in three of his last four, Bissett’s career best victory came in 2014 when he outpointed popular contender Nicholas Iannuzzi. Much like his stalemate Woods against Williams, Bissett has the experience advantage having been in tough multiple times.

“Wilson is a very good fighter and I’ve heard about him for years. He’s done a great job of promoting himself and building the sport of boxing in Oregon. With that said, Mike Bissett has been in the ring with a number of top cruiserweights and proven his toughness. I think both him and Manny will make statements in the upcoming weeks and move onto bigger fights.”

For more information on Rite Hook Promotions, visit Ritehookpromotions.com

SAN DIEGO, CALIF.- May 6, 2016 – This Saturday afternoon it will be a full day of championship boxing as two more big fights have been added to an already stacked broadcast on AWE- A Wealth of Entertainment.

Already announced is the WBA Lightweight world championship between champion Anthony Crolla (30-4-3, 12 KO’s) and Ismael Barroso (19-0-2, 18 KO’s) from Manchester, England

Also on the telecast will be an IBF Heavyweight elimination bout between former world title challengers Dereck Chisora (25-5, 17 KO’s) and Kubrat Pulev (22-1, 12 KO’s) from Hamburg, Germany.

Former WBA Interim Middleweight champion and three-time world title challenger Martin Murray will see action in a super middleweight clash against Cedric Spera.

Opening up the broadcast will be a battle for the WBC International Silver Welterweight title between Shayne Singleton and Adil Anwar.

The broadcast will begin at 2:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM PT.

Murray of St. Helens, United Kingdom has a record of 32-3-1 with 15 knockouts and is looking to get back to the world title stage and a win over Spera will catapult him to a June 25th showdown with George Groves.

Murray won the WBA Interim Middleweight championship with a 6th round stoppage over Jorge Navarro in 2012. When he has stepped up, he has come up just short in world title opportunities against Sergio Martinez, Gennady Golovkin and Arthur Abraham.

Spera of Belgium has a record of 12-4 with two knockouts, but has a win on his ledger over former contender Stephane Ouellet.

Singleton is an upstart contender from Colne, England and has a record of 22-1 with seven knockouts.

He is a former English Super Lightweight champion & WBC International Silver Welterweight titlist, and his record his highlighted by wins over Curtis Woodhouse (17-4) and Steve Jevons (8-0)

Anwar of Leeds, England is a former English Welterweight champion has a record of 22-5 with eight knockouts.

He has quality wins over Ben Lawler (5-1), Nathan Graham (11-1), James Finn (10-0-1), John Watson (13-2), Tyrone Nurse (20-0) & Dale Miles (13-1).

About AWE LIVE BOXING

AWE LIVE Boxing features live world title championship and elimination bouts showcasing today’s most exciting fighters. Since the inception of AWE’s live boxing events in 2011, and has featured over 50 world class title fight. AWE has earned multiple Boxing Writers Association of America nominations for “Fight of the Year” and has featured over thirty world class boxing events. In 2013, AWE showcased all live bouts featuring heavyweight David Price. AWE aired live the stunning upsets of Tony Thompson over David Price, along with Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew cards, who fought each other for the light Heavyweight championship; 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James DeGale. AWE brought boxing fans two of the most controversial bouts which saw Ricky Burns keep his Lightweight title against Ray Beltran. AWE fans have witnessed the explosive power of undefeated heavyweight Tyson Fury multiple times on the network, including Fury’s victory over Kevin Johnson. In 2014, AWE televised the crowning of lightweight champion Terence Crawford with his win over Burns as well as the exciting rematches between Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez along with Tony Bellew defeating Nathan Cleverly. In 2015, AWE brought boxing fans on of the most anticipated rematches of the year, Darleys Perez v. Anthony Crolla II for the WBA Lightweight World Title.

In 2016, AWE was the exclusive American boradcaster of Lucas Browne’s stunning knockout over Ruslan Chagaev to win the WBA Heavyweight title.

About AWE – A Wealth of Entertainment
A Wealth of Entertainment (“AWE”) features a wide range of lifestyles and entertainment programming from exotic travel and outrageous homes to live world championship boxing. AWE is featured on over a hundred cable providers, including AT&T U-Verse, ch 147 and 1147 in HD and Verizon FiOS TV, ch 169 and 669 in HD. For more information, please visit www.awetv.com.

NATHAN GORMAN wants to send a statement to rest of the heavyweight division by blasting out his second opponent in two weeks.

The Ricky Hatton-trained teenager floored Hrvoje Kisicek three times in the opening round at the Copper Box Arena, London on Saturday night and he’s looking for a similarly explosive performance against Poland’s Kamil Sokolowski in Walsall next weekend.

Given that Kisicek had previously been the distance with Hughie Fury and reached the second round against Anthony Joshua, Gorman’s display was little short of incredible.

“I got him out of there in the first round. The first knockdown the referee didn’t count it, but the punches after that landed and he felt them all. It was game over then,” Gorman said.

“He gave Hughie a good fight and not many people get through the first round with Joshua so I think knocking out so quickly will get people talking about me.

“My power has really come on since I’ve been with Ricky. He works on getting everything into my shots and people saw that last weekend.”

Next Saturday’s fight, which co-headlines Hatton Promotions’ and Black Country Boxing’s Mayhem event at Walsall Football Club, will see Gorman step up to six rounds in what is only his fourth paid outing.

“Six-rounders are better for me,” he said. “As an amateur I was used to doing three rounds so four-rounders weren’t really any different, but six will be good.

“Sokolowski will be a tough opponent because he’s boxed pretty much all the upcoming guys in the British top 15 and only Dillian Whyte has stopped him. He’s been in with Kash Ali, Sam Sexton and Gary Cornish and none of them could put him away.

“He’s solid and he comes for a fight so I think it’ll really say something about my potential if I can get him out of there.”

‘Mayhem’ also features Gorman’s stable mate Sam Evans alongside the return of former British lightweight champion Martin Gethin and unbeaten prospects Chad Sugden and Kieron McLaren. Rowley Regis’s popular Jason Welborn is also in action against William Warburton.

Tickets are £30 for standard unreserved seats and £60 for VIP tickets which includes table service and a two-course meal. Call the Walsall FC Ticket Office on 01922 651 414 to book.