Christopher Brooker 168.8 – Antowyan Aikens 167
Kermit Cintron 153.9 – Eduardo Flores 156.7
Naim Nelson 139.4 – Carlos Velasquez 142.9
Scott Kelleher 139.4 – Terrell James 141.3
Erik Spring 153 – Justin Johnson 150.9
Aaron Brooks 165 – Ryan Bivins 165
Thomas Velasquez 130.4 – Grashino Yancy 131.2
Tyrone Crawley Jr. 137.7 – Korey Sloane 136.1
Amir Shabazz 174.4 – Tahlik Taylor 174.9
Emmanuel Folly 122.5 – Bryan Perez Nevarez 126.4

Promoter: King’s Promotions
Venue: 2300 Arena
1st Bell: 7 PM
Stream: GFL.TV

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $100 for Ringside, $75 for Premium, $50 for Reserved and $35 for Standing room and can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE

LAKELAND, FLORIDA (May 5, 2016) – Unbeaten rising middleweight contender Alantez Fox (18-0, 7 KOs) will square-off against Colombian brawler Milton Nunez (32-15-1, 29 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight attraction that headlines undercard action on Sunday, May 8 from Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Florida.

The May 8 event is headlined by undefeated super welterweight Kanat Islam taking on Colombia’s Juan De Angel in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV and BounceTV.com. 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) do battle while featherweight prospect Dennis Galarza (12-1, 8 KOs) faces Mexico’s Yardley Suarez (15-3, 9 KOs).

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.

Additional action inside of the arena will feature the son of former champion Antonio Tarver, Antonio Tarver Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs), in a four-round middleweight contest against West Palm Beach’s Jose Cortez (1-1), unbeaten junior welterweight prospect Nester Bravo (5-0, 5 KOs) of Puerto Rico taking on Miami’s Daniel Lorenzano (4-7-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round bout and unbeaten Fort Lauderdale-prospect Antonio Williams (3-0, 3 KOs) in a four-round featherweight bout against Puerto Rico’s Luis Ortiz (3-20).

Rounding out the night of fights is Vietnamese-born Florida native Dat Nguyen (17-3, 6 KOs) in a six-round featherweight contest against Fort Meyers-product Jesus Lule (8-16-1, 1 KO), undefeated Puerto Rican Efrain Cruz (4-0-1, 1 KO) against fellow Puerto Rican-native Irvin Hernandez (3-14-2, 1 KO) in a four-round junior welterweight affair and the pro debut of West Palm Beach’s Daruma Almenarez in a four-round middleweight bout against Zarief Brand.

A tall fighter at six-feet, five-inches with a 79-inch reach Fox is looking to take advantage of his outstanding physical skills on his path towards a world title. After a 165-35 amateur career the Forestville, Maryland-native turned pro in 2010 and is yet to taste defeat. The 24-year-old had a big 2015 as he began the year defeating previously unbeaten Patrick Day by decision before stopping Franklin Gonzalez, Guillermo Valdes, Eric Mitchell and Todd Manuel. The 28-year-old veteran Nunez from Barranquilla, Colombia has won four fights in a row by knockout heading into the May 8 showdown.

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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.

LAS VEGAS (May 5, 2016) Fighters on the undercard of Canelo vs. Khan hosted a final press conference today at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino ahead of Saturday’s bouts. Co-main event fighters David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs) and Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-2, 15 KOs) were joined by Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs), Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (20-0, 13 KOs), Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs), and Curtis Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs), all of whom will fight on the HBO Pay-Per-View broadcast. They were also joined by preliminary undercard fighters Diego De La Hoya (14-0, 8 KOs), Rocco Santomauro (13-0, 1 KO), Jason “El Animal” Quigley (10-0, 9 KOs), “King” James De La Rosa (23-3, 13 KOs), Lamont Roach, Jr. (10-0, 3 KOs), Rashidi Ellis (14-0, 11 KOs), and David Mijares, who will make his professional debut on Saturday at the new T-Mobile Arena.

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s undercard final press conference:

ERIC GOMEZ, Senior Vice President for Golden Boy Promotions:

“We have put together a fantastic undercard bursting with talent. From the opening bout to the main event, each of these undercard fights are sure to bring the action and excitement to T-Mobile Arena leading up to the main event.

“Thank you to our broadcast partner, HBO – the best network for boxing. HBO will broadcast three of the undercard fights on Saturday evening including the co-main event between David Lemieux and Glen ‘Jersey Boy’ Tapia; the welterweight showdown between Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera and Frankie ‘Pitbull’ Gomez; and a 10-round matchup for the vacant WBC De Las Americas Middleweight Title between Brazil’s Patrick Teixeira and Brooklyn bomber Curtis ‘Cerebral Assassin’ Stevens.

“To get fight fans ready for the final four bouts of the evening, the Canelo vs. Khan preliminary undercard will present two action-packed battles starring two of the game’s top rising stars, streaming live on HBO Boxing YouTube Page. In a 10-round super bantamweight bout, Mexicali’s Diego De La Hoya will put his perfect record on the line against Shane Mosley’s Rocco Santomauro of Duarte, California, putting back life into the De La Hoya vs. Mosley rivalry.

“Plus, Donegal, Ireland’s Jason ‘El Animal’ Quigley will try to keep his impressive professional run going when he takes on Benito, Texas’ seasoned fighter ‘King’ James De La Rosa in a 10-round middleweight bout.”

BERNARD HOPKINS, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions Business Partner:

“I am excited to be a part of this. Undercard boxers have an opportunity to get into it. Two of the biggest months in boxing are May and September. The middleweight class is my baby and in the conversation and that makes me happy. I’m looking for better fights to come. Enjoy, sit back and write what you write, but pay attention.”

DAVID LEMIEUX, Former IBF Middleweight World Champion:

“It’s great to be here back on the big stage and preform in from of the world again and make a good mark in Vegas. I am extremely excited to perform well. I am ready and very excited to give the fans a great show and they will not be disappointed at the end of the night. Thank you to Golden Boy. I try not to leave anything behind in the gym. We’ll see how Tapia comes with on his end, and I’m excited to see the Canelo – Khan fight.”

GLEN “JERSEY BOY” TAPIA, Middleweight Contender:

“To tell you the truth, I know most of you guys have me losing this fight but I know what I can bring to the table. I learned from all my losses and I can’t wait to show you guys what I can do. And when we look back, we can show you how wrong you were.”

MARVIN SOMODIO, Trainer for Glen Tapia:

“This fight is going to be very tough, Lemieux is ready. Tapia is ready too though. We had a very great camp under Freddie Roach.”

MAURICIO “EL MAESTRO” HERRERA, Former WBA Interim Super Light Weight World Champion:

“I never dreamed of getting this far and I am hoping to stay at this level. I’ve fought six to seven undefeated guys and I gave them hell. Fighting an undefeated fighter is nothing new. I’m a dream killer. Bring me any prospects and lets see if they are the real deal.”

FRANKIE “PITBULL” GOMEZ, Undefeated Welterweight Contender:

“I’m really excited to be apart of this event. I know my opponent is strong, but I am ready to do my best. This is my second opportunity, and I will take advantage of it.”

PATRICK TEIXEIRA, Undefeated Middleweight Prospect:

“I’m really excited to be a part of this event. I know my opponent is strong, but I am ready to do my best. I want to take the future world title back to Brazil.”

CURITS STEVENS, Former World Title Challenger:

“I am physically ready, in great shape, and mentally prepared. Momma said to knock you out.”

JOHN DAVID JACKSON, Trainer for Curtis Stevens:

“People in the sports world have been talking, ‘Is Curtis ready? What makes this opponent great? This is the first fight. He has more experience in the ring.”

DIEGO DE LA HOYA, WBC Youth World Super Bantamweight Champion:

“If he wants to fight I will leave my life in the ring like a war. Like every great Mexican.”

ROCCO SANTOMAURO, Undefeated Super Bantamweight Prospect:

“I want to thank Golden Boy and give a huge thank you Diego De La Hoya. I am here to win. Not a lot of prospects want to take on other undefeated prospects, and we are here to put on a show.”

SHANE MOSLEY, Trainer for Rocco Santomauro:

“I’m excited and it’s like I’m fighting. This will be a great fight on the undercard on Saturday night.”

JASON “EL ANIMAL” QUIGLEY, Middleweight Prospect:

“I’d just to like to take a chance to thank everyone. A lot of Irish fans came out, and I know what I am capable of. I have sparred over 160 rounds. Not only this for this fight, but for every fight, I come at 110 percent. This is why I came from Ireland. Come Saturday night, I’m ready to take care of business.”

JAMES DE LA ROSA, Middleweight Contender:

“I’d like to thank everyone. I want to thank the man upstairs. I hope Quigley’s ready ’cause I’m ready and I’ve trained hard to leave my mark.”

LAMONT ROACH, JR, Undefeated Super Featherweight Prospect:

“Happy Cinco de Mayo! Thank you to everyone for putting me in this position. This is my second Pay-Per-View card. Bernard Hopkins told me to take full advantage of it and obviously I did. I appreciate everything and I am excited.”

RASHIDI ELLIS, Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect:

“My birthday is fight night. Thank you Golden Boy Promotions. I had the best sparring training, and I am ready to go and ready to give on a show.”

DAVID MIJARES, Super Lightweight Prospect:

“Man, this is something else and I am very fortunate to be treated like this. I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for the fight and for being on the undercard of these amazing fighters. I can’t wait to get in there and get my job done.”

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila, DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13, and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August. David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.Facebook.com/HBOboxing, join us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, and follow the conversation using #CaneloKhan.

SAN ANTONIO (May 5, 2016) – Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz (17-1, 8 KOs) and former world champion Miguel “Titere” Vazquez (35-5, 13 KOs) will meet in a 10-round battle of super lightweight contenders that headlines Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FS1 and FOX Deportes from the Dancehall in San Antonio on Saturday, May 28 with televised coverage beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. This marks the first Saturday primetime PBC card on FS1 and FOX Deportes and anchors an action-packed memorial day weekend.

“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Diaz. “Miguel Vazquez is a great former champion and I’ll have to be at my best. I’m very thankful to be the main event again and I’m thrilled to fight in San Antonio for the first time.”

“I’m very excited for this opportunity to face a skilled Olympic Gold medalist like Felix Diaz,” said Vazquez. “He’s a good fighter, but he’s never faced someone as experienced and talented as I am. I look forward to a great victory in front of the great fight fans of San Antonio as I march towards becoming a world champion again.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions and TGB Promotions, are priced at $100, $85 and $20 and $1,000 and $850 for VIP tables, before taxes and fees and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, call (210) 988-8821 visit http://lbtickets.ticketleap.com/march28th2016/ or in person at Champion Fit Gym at 6824 San Pedro Ave.

A two-time Olympian representing the Dominican Republic, Diaz Jr. won a gold medal at his second Olympic games in 2008 in Beijing. Now fighting out of the Bronx, the 32-year-old increased the level of his competition with victories over Emmanuel Lartey, Adrian Granados and Gabriel Bracero before giving former champion Lamont Peterson all he could handle in losing a majority decision last October. Now he moves back to 140-pounds looking to make noise and grab a world title.

The 29-year-old Vazquez had a successful reign as 135-pound champion and defended his title eight times during his championship run. After beating Ji-Hoon Kim for his title, he would go on to defend it against the likes of Denis Shafikov, Mercito Gesta, Leonardo Zappavigna and Ammeth Diaz. Fighting out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Vazquez’s most recent victory came against Jerry Belmontes and he is looking to rebound from a decision loss to Algenis Mendez in October.

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

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (May 5, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced that M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan “Buki” Buchinger will defend his title against undefeated challenger Magomed Idrisov, headlining M-1 Challenge 67, June 4 at Baku, Azerbaijan.

Also announced is a fight between undefeated Kazakh welterweight prospect Shavkat Rakjmonov and Brazilian veteran Carlos Alexandre “Indio” Pereira.

M-1 Challenge 67 will be streamed live from Azerbaijan in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

Buchinger (30-4-0, M-1: 5-0-0), fighting out of his native Slovakia, captured the vacant M-1 Challenge featherweight title 1-½ years ago at M-1 Challenge 52, stopping Tural Ragimov (see picture below) in the fourth round on punches. His lone title defense last October was a decision win over current M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Mansour Barnaoui at M-1 Challenge 62. Undefeated in his last nine fights, dating back four years, Buchinger is 5-0 in M-1 Global competition.

Fighting out of Russia, Idrisov (6-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0) is the European Wu-Sanda champion. He has three wins in M-1 Global fights, including a pair of notable decisions over Max Coga last May at M-1 Challenge 57, and in his last fight this past December against Sergej Grecicho (see picture below) at M-1 Challenge 61.

Rakhmonov vs. Pereira is a classic clash between young and old, Combat Sambo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialists.

The 21-year-old Rakhmonov (5-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0) was a decorated MMA amateur who has won two Submission of the Night honors in only three M-1 Global events against Michal Wienek last July at M-1 Challenge 59, and versus Adam Tsurpov (pictured below) October 17, 2014 in Rakhmonov’s professional debut.

Pereira, 37, won Submission of the Night in his only M-1 Global fight to date, last September against Ruslan Zhemuklkov (see picture below) at M-1 Challenge 61.

Information

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

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 multi-platform channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents live action beginning on Friday, May 6 at 9 p.m. ET, as Cinco de Mayo weekend kicks off just one day ahead of the highly anticipated showdown between Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan.

At 9 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents a live three-hour broadcast of Golden Boy Promotions from Toshiba Plaza in Las Vegas, headlined by an NABF and NABA lightweight title unification between Russia’s Petr Petrov (36-4-2, 17 KO) and Tijuana knockout artist Marvin Quintero (28-6, 24 KO). In the televised co-main event, former WBA champion Pablo Cesar Cano (29-4-1, 21 KO) will take on resilient Californian Alan Sanchez (17-3-1, 9 KO).

Just two days later, Fight Network will air the live UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: OVEREEM vs. ARLOVSKI prelims exclusively in Canada this Sunday, May 8 at 12 p.m. ET, preceded by a pre-show at 11 a.m. ET. The main card airs live on TSN2 at 2 p.m. ET.

In the featured prelim contested in the lightweight division, Dagestani Jackson-Winkeljohn student Rustam Khabilov (18-3) looks to put a stop to the six-fight winning streak of New York-based wrestler Chris Wade (11-1). In other action, Sweden’s Magnus Cedenblad (13-4) meets South African’s Garreth McLellan (13-3) in a middleweight bout, Jon Tuck (9-2) takes on undefeated late replacement Josh Emmett (9-0) in a lightweight pairing, plus Brazil’s Yan Cabral (12-2) throws down with Iranian Reza Madadi (13-4) in a lightweight clash.

Before all the action, the fighters will come face-to-face during Fight Network’s live broadcast of the UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: OVEREEM vs. ARLOVSKI weigh-ins on Saturday, May 7 at 11:30 a.m. ET, as headliners Alistair Overeem and Andrei Arlovski tip the scales ahead of their heavyweight main event showdown.

Following Saturday’s main card, Fight Network will broadcast the live UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: OVEREEEM vs. ARLOVSKI post-fight press conference in its entirety, featuring all the aftermath.

In addition to all the live events, Fight Network is the destination for UFC library content, specials and series, including The Ultimate Fighter, UFC Unleashed, UFC Now, UFC Ultimate Insider and classic UFC PPV events.

The full card for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: OVEREEM vs. ARLOVSKI includes:

Main Card (Live on TSN2, 2 p.m. ET):
-Alistair Overeem (40-14, 1NC) vs. Andrei Arlovski (25-11, 1NC)
-Antonio Silva (19-8, 1NC) vs. Stefan Struve (30-8)
-Albert Tumenov (17-2) vs. Gunnar Nelson (14-2-1)
-Germaine de Randamie (5-3) vs. Anna Elmose (3-0)
-Nikita Krylov (19-4) vs. Francimar Barroso (18-4)
-Karolina Kowalkiewicz (8-0) vs. Heather Jo Clark (7-4)

Preliminary Card (Live on Fight Network, 12 p.m. ET):
-Rustam Khabilov (18-3) vs. Chris Wade (11-1)
-Magnus Cedenblad (13-4) vs. Garreth McLellan (13-3)
-Jon Tuck (9-2) vs. Josh Emmett (9-0)
-Yan Cabral (12-2) vs. Reza Madadi (13-4)

Preliminary Card (Live on UFC Fight Pass, 10:30 a.m. ET):
-Kyoji Horiguchi (16-2) vs. Neil Seery (16-11)
-Leon Edwards (10-3) vs. Dominic Waters (9-4)
-Ulka Sasaki (18-3-2) vs. Willie Gates (12-6)

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit www.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

LAS VEGAS (May 5, 2016) – Lightweight sensation Devin “The Dream” Haney (5-0, 3 KOs) is a boxing prodigy. The gifted 17-year-old boxer, fighting out of Las Vegas, will make his national television debut May 21, at home, on the “Knockout Night at the D” card.

The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegasand Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC), is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions. The May 21st show, airing (8 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. ET) live on CBS Sports Network from under the neon lights at the DLVEC outdoor venue, is presented in association with Main Events and Shamo Boxing Promotions.

Undefeated Russian middleweight Arif “The Predator” Magomedov (17-0, 10 KOs) faces upset-minded Andrew “Hurricane” Hernandez (11-4-1, 3 KOs), of Phoenix, in the 10-round main event. Magomedov is rated among the top 15 middleweights by the four major sanctioning bodies: WBC #2, WBO #3, WBA #5 and IBF #14.

Unbeaten super welterweight John “The Phenom” Vera (12-0, 8 KOs), of Fort Worth, Texas, defends his NABA-USA title belt against challenger Joey “Boxer” Ruelas (10-1-1, 4 KOs), of Phoenix, in the 8-round co-feature.

Knock Out Night @ the D – May 21 2016
Knock Out Night @ the D – May 21 2016

Haney (pictured below) is a 7-time national amateur champion, who captured a gold medal at the 2015 Youth World Champion, but he was unable to try-out for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team because of his age. When headgear was eliminated from Olympic boxing competition, the minimum age for a U.S. boxer to compete in the Olympics was changed to 19, so Haney decided to turn pro at the age of 17 rather than wait four more years. At first, though, he had a problem getting licensed in the U.S.

After having four successful fights in Tijuana, Mexico, Haney’s license was approved by the Nevada Athletic Commission and he won an impressive 4-round decision over Rafael Vazquez this past April 9th on the Manny-Pacauiao-Timothy Bradley III show at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Fighting May 21st on CBS Sports Network promises to be the start of something very special for Haney.

“It really means a lot to me fighting on national television for the first time,” Haney said between workouts. “I’m excited to have my friends from all over be able to watch me fight on TV. I’m going to make a statement that nigh that I’m the next big star. I’m going to show everyone my talents.”

Haney, of course, hasn’t graduated from high school yet. He’s been home schooled since the seventh grade, studying between his training responsibilities as a prizefighter: morning run, afternoon strength and conditioning, and full boxing workouts during the evening.

What can fans expect to see when they watch Haney in the ring? “I’m a boxer-puncher; strong and fast,” Haney added. “I’m a balanced fighter who can do everything. I’m only 17 and still have a long way to go. Every day, my head trainer, Floyd Mayweather, Sr., works with me to relax more, walk-down my opponent and take my time – it’s not the amateurs anymore – to breakdown my opponent.”

Another undefeated fighter, Virginia featherweight Jerren “Hardknocks” Cochran (11-0-1, 4 KOs), faces former WBC Youth International titlist Tony Lopez (10-1, 3 KOs), of Dallas, in the 6-round television “swing bout.”

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Las Vegas junior lightweight Randy Moreno (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Texan Chris Turtun (1-2), and Las Vegas welterweight Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $99.99 VIP ringside, $49.99 ringside, $24.99 and $14.99 general admission (seated), are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.

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

The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with DLVEC and Neon Star Media.

CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

TITLE Boxing is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series.

NEW YORK (May 5, 2016) – Universally acknowledged as the most talented fighter of this generation and one of the greatest boxers in history, now-retired Floyd Mayweather will be honored during the month of May when SHOWTIME Sports® continues its year-long salute commemorating 30 years of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® with “MAYWEATHER”.

The fifth round of a 12-month tribute will be highlighted by four of the most memorable and meaningful fights in Mayweather’s magnificent 19-year career – against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Marcos “Chino” Maidana, Manny Pacquiao and Andre Berto.

The four fights will air on “Throwback Thursdays” all month at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME and are available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and via the network’s online streaming service. Each fight will be wrapped with brief context and commentary from SHOWTIME Sports host Brian Custer.

Below is the schedule of SHOWTIME EXTREME premieres for the month of May
Thursday, May 5: Mayweather vs. Canelo
Thursday, May 12: Mayweather vs. Maidana I
Thursday, May 19: Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Thursday, May 26: Mayweather vs. Berto

May Days

(Mayweather-Canelo, Sept. 14, 2013) — In a blockbuster megaevent billed as “The One,” Mayweather won an impressive 12-round decision over previously undefeated Canelo Alvarez in the then-highest-grossing pay-per-view and most profitable boxing event of all time. For the night’s work, Mayweather collected Canelo’s WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight Championships.

(Mayweather-Maidana 1, May 3, 2014) — Mayweather seized “The Moment” against Marcos Maidana, but it wasn’t easy. For a stirring moment – or two, in fact – it appeared the aggressive-minded Argentine might do the unthinkable — and deal Mayweather his first defeat. But the supremely skilled and savvy Mayweather rallied convincingly in the bout’s second half to take a 12-round majority decision.

(Mayweather-Pacquiao, May 2, 2015) – Five-Division world champion Mayweather won a clear 12-round unanimous decision over Eight-Division world champion Manny Pacquiao in a record-shattering “Fight of the Century.” Regarded as one of the most anticipated sporting events of all time, Mayweather-Pacquiao demolished PPV records for buys, revenue, live gate and more. The fight nearly doubled the previous record of 2.48 million buys generated by the Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya match in 2007 and nearly tripled the record $150 million in U.S. pay-per-view revenue generated by Mayweather-Canelo in 2013. Inside the ring, Floyd had his way throughout, winning by the scores of 118-110 and 116-112 twice,

(Sept. 12, 2015, Mayweather-Berto) – Mayweather went to 49-0, matching the record of the late heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, with a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over Berto. In command throughout, “TBE” landed an impressive 56 percent (232/410) in punches thrown and 67 percent of his power punches (132/196) to triumph by the scores of 120-108, 118-110 and 117-111. If this was Mayweather’s last fight, as he’s said, then the maestro manufactured yet one last masterpiece.

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While in Las Vegas, Golovkin will also host two autograph signings, returning to the Field of Dreams stores at the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Las Vegas and The Forum Shops in Ceasars Palace.

“I’m excited to attend the Canelo vs. Khan fight to witness this great matchup of size and power vs. speed and movement,” said Golovkin, holder of the WBA, IBF, IBO and WBC “Interim” Middleweight World Titles. Golovkin is the WBC Mandatory Challenger for the winner of the Canelo vs. Khan fight.

On Friday, Golovkin will meet his fans for autograph signings at the following locations;

Friday, May 6
3:00 to 4:30 p.m. PT
Field of Dreams
Grand Canal Shoppes/The Venetian Las Vegas
3377 South Las Vegas Boulevard Suite 2175
Las Vegas, NV

5:00 to 6:30 p.m. PT
Field of Dreams
The Forum Shops/Caesars Palace
3500 South Las Vegas Boulevard #F19
Las Vegas, NV

ABOUT GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN
Sporting a record of 35-0 with 32 knockouts, Golovkin is known as “The Most Exciting, Hardest-Hitting, Most Feared Fighter in the World.” From recently selling out arenas in New York City (Madison Square Garden) and Los Angeles (The Fabulous Forum) in consecutive fights in addition to his sponsorships with the JORDAN Brand, Apple, Samsung, and Bijan, Golovkin is one of the most marketable boxers in the world.

Golovkin’s record includes 22 straight knockouts in addition to 16 consecutive world title defenses. His 91.4% knockout ratio is the highest in boxing’s middleweight division history.

Heading into his showdown with WBA World Lightweight Champion Anthony Crolla (30-4-3, 12 KOs) this Saturday night at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, UK, WBA #1-rated contender and interim champion Ismael Barroso (19-0-2, 18 KOs) and his team wish to offer their sincere respect to the “future former champion.”

“He is a true champion,” said Barroso of Crolla. “There were easier domestic fights for more money he could have taken, but he wanted to do the right thing and face his top challenger. I admire him for that.”

Unfortunately, the murderous punching Barroso, of El Tigre, Venezuela, says he’ll be ending the brave Englishman’s run as champion on Saturday night.

“He (Crolla) won the WBA title by an upset last year and he’s a likeable man,” continued Barroso, “but all good things come to an end. When they help him up after the fight Saturday, he will have all my respect and I wish him very well for the rest of his life.”

Greg Cohen, promoter of Barroso, agrees with his fighter’s sentiment.

“Anthony is a true champion, but he’s in way over his head in this one. And him being in his home country and the fans backing him, that only makes Ismael that much more determined. Crolla has had a great and surprising run as champion, but there’s not much anyone can do for him in the face of the kind of power he’s up against.”
About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

LAS VEGAS (May 4, 2016) – Fighters featured on the pay-per-view undercard of Canelo vs. Khan, held an open workout for fans at the MGM Grand Hotel & Restort today. Co-main event David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs), and Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-2, 15 KOs) who will meet in a 10-round middleweight fight; Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs) who takes on East Los Angeles’ undefeated star Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (20-0, 13 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight fight; and Brazilian star Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs) and Curtis Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) who will open up the Pay-Per-View telecast in a 10-round career-defining middleweight bout. They were also joined by Jason “El Animal” Quigley and Diego De La Hoya, who will fight in respective middleweight and super bantamweight bouts on the non-televised undercard.

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s undercard media workouts:

BERNARD HOPKINS, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions business partner:

“The knock against me years ago was that I didn’t go up in weight – then I showed them I was successful by jumping up two weight classes. And now Amir [Khan] is attempting to do what I did on Saturday and prove them wrong.

“I like Canelo [Alvarez] in the fight. He’ll have a bit of difficulty early, but he’ll calm Amir’s speed down and make it a fight from inside and not a fight from distance. I like a Canelo knockout in the 10th or 11th round – TKO.”

DAVID LEMIEUX, Former IBF Middleweight World Champion:

“My fight with [Glen] Tapia is absolutely at 160 and it’s not going to be an issue making weight. It won’t be a problem dropping the week before, and our program is right on track. I feel great, and I’m very close to making my weight now.

“I’m expecting a hungry Tapia. He’s jumping up weight and wants to prove himself. But he’s going to prove it to the wrong guy. He’s going to lose.

“I’m not here to lose and I am definitely not going to give [Tapia] the chance. I’m going to be merciless on the mat.”

GLEN “JERSEY BOY” TAPIA, Middleweight Contender:

“I’m not killing myself to make this fight. I feel good, I’m full and feel energized because I don’t have to cut so much weight, and I’m happy.

“I need to be smart, use my mind and think in there more than just going in there to brawl. Like Freddie [Roach] says, it’s more about my mind than my heart.

“It’s going to be a fun fight. At the end of the day, I like to entertain but I’ve got to be smart.”

MAURICIO “EL MAESTRO” HERRERA, Former WBA Interim Super Light Weight World Champion:

“Nothing phases me at this point in my career. I’ve been through struggles in my career like all fighters. I’m hungry, I still have fire and nothing is going to get me down. I’ll fight the best and undefeated, whatever it takes.

“It pumped me up when the fight was booked by seeing [Gomez]’s undefeated record. It’s something that motivated me in the gym to work out.

“I hope this weight is a comfortable weight. I feel strong in this weight class, and we’ll see what happens Saturday.

“I want to make an exciting fight for the people, but I do want to win this fight. I have to be very conscientious because Frankie Gomez is a strong puncher – I’ve dealt with him before. I have to play to my strengths and be whom I am.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to fight at the new T-Mobile Arena.”

FRANKIE “PITBULL” GOMEZ, Welterweight Contender:

“I’m always calm before a fight. It’s been like that since I was 5 years old. You know, going in the ring, [Herrera] is a guy just like anyone.

“People think he’s going to come out and take record away from me. I don’t really care what people think, it doesn’t really get to me. But I’m going to use it to motivate me. In the ring, I just let it go.

“On Saturday night, I’m going to show people a different Frankie Gomez.”

PATRICK TEIXEIRA, Undefeated Middleweight Prospect:

“I really prepared for this fight, I trained really hard. I actually went to Argentina for my camp, and I feel 100 percent.

“I expect a tough fight. He’s a tough fighter that throws really hard, but I’m going to throw a lot of punches and I expect to come out with the victory on Saturday.”

CURTIS STEVENS, Former World Title Challenger:

“[Teixeira] has high output numbers. But his punches are very wide, he telegraphs and it’ll really show.

“Working out in Canelo’s camp was a great experience. It really motivated me to stop doing the garbage I was doing and put another good two-to-three years to my career.

“This fight is important, to get past [Teixeira] and get back into title contention. I just gotta take this all the way.”

DIEGO DE LA HOYA, WBC Youth World Super Bantamweight Champion:

“It’ll be a great fight between two undefeated fighters. But we’re both well-prepared and I’m coming out here to win.

“I knew that the Diaz Brothers were going to give me a hard training camp, and hard camp in general with the trainers we had.

“I don’t want to think to far ahead. I want to take care of this fight and let management worry about what comes next.”

JASON “EL ANIMAL” QUIGLEY, Middleweight Prospect:

“This fight is a huge opportunity to showcase my talent, and I’ve trained my ass off for this fight. Diego De La Hoya is an obstacle in the path of my journey and I aim to remove him from that path.

“Boxing’s a game of surprises, but as much as it’s about surprises it’s also about patience and planning. And I’m ready to put on a master-class this Saturday.”

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila, DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13, and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August. David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.Facebook.com/HBOboxing, join us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, and follow the conversation using #CaneloKhan.

Photos and videos are available for download in the official Canelo vs. Khan press kit here: bit.ly/canelokhan.

Las Vegas, Nevada: This Saturday, Curtis “The Cerebral Assassin” Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) returns to the ring with his one-punch knockout power to face the aggressive up-and-coming prospect Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs) in ten rounds of action for the vacant WBC De Las Americas Middleweight Title on the HBO Pay-Per-View portion of the Canelo vs. Khan undercard in Las Vegas on May 7. Curtis has experience and power but Patrick is a younger, more aggressive southpaw. The scouting report for this exciting match-up is below:

Category
Curtis “The Cerebral Assassin” Stevens
Patrick Teixeira
Age
31
25
Record
27-5 (20 KOs)
26-0 (22 KOs)
Strength
Curtis is a power-puncher that can end the fight with any punch he throws. He is very experienced and has fought much better opposition than Teixeira thus far.
Teixeira has power in both hands and possesses pinpoint accuracy. He puts together good combinations and has an effective jab as well.
Weakness
Stevens has been inactive for over a year, so some ring rust is expected. He also has a tendency to not let his hands go, which could be costly when fighting a high-volume puncher like Teixeira.
Patrick has yet to face any top-level opposition. He also tends to throw wide, looping punches, which can lead to trouble if Stevens is able to sneak in one of his lethal left hooks.
Experience
He has fought the better opposition, including a win over top-ranked middleweight contender Tureano Johnson, and a hard-fought defeat against current middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.
He will be at a disadvantage coming into this bout; he has 26 pro bouts under his belt but has yet to face any legitimate contenders. Stevens will be the biggest test of his young career.
Power
Curtis has knockout power in both hands; if he connects clean with any punch it can be a game-changer at any point in the fight.
Patrick has good power in his combinations, he throws vicious body shots and possesses a nasty right hook that has ended many fights for the undefeated southpaw.
Speed
Curtis turns it up a notch when he smells blood, he shows off his quick hands and savage combinations.
Teixeira is quick; he puts his punches together well and maintains a steady pace throughout the fight, which has proven to overwhelm his previous opposition.
Endurance
Stevens is a young veteran of the sport who has proven his endurance; he has gone 10 rounds on four separate occasions and 12 rounds twice.
The Brazilian has gone 10 rounds only twice in his career, but has shown no signs of any stamina issues, even with such a high punch output.
Accuracy
If Curtis can work his way to the inside, he may be able to utilize some accurate bodywork against his much taller opponent.
Patrick has the accuracy advantage; he has demonstrated pinpoint accuracy in his jab and uses his reach effectively in picking apart his opponents from a distance.
Defense
Curtis’s best defense has been his offense, his opponents are usually running from him rather than running towards him.
Teixeira is a rangy fighter who utilizes his reach effectively. It will be a difficult task for any fighter to get on inside on him and do some damage.
Chin
Although Curtis has been stopped in his career, he has a solid chin. He has been knocked down from some big shots by some big punchers, including GGG, and has gotten back to his feet.
Patrick’s chin is still in question. He has not been in any real danger after impressively dominating his opposition thus far.
Style
Curtis is a no-nonsense, in-your-face power puncher who is always looking to end the night early.
Teixeira is a slick and aggressive southpaw who knows how to finish fights. He has a lengthy reach, stiff jab, and throws nasty combinations.
Intangibles
In the prime of his career, Stevens does not believe in tune-up fights. His past four opponents were all former or currently ranked contenders and titleholders. With over a year out of the ring, he has decided against tune-up bouts and will attempt to get his name back in the middleweight mix by taking on a young, undefeated, and dangerous knockout artist in Patrick Teixeira. A win on May 7 instantly makes Curtis a legitimate threat in the middleweight division.
The young Brazilian has chosen to take on a tough task in hopes of moving up the middleweight rankings. Rather than take on a much lesser opponent, he will instead put his undefeated record on the line on the biggest stage of them all, against a fighter in Curtis Stevens who can close the show with any punch he throws. A win over Stevens can catapult him into the top of the middleweight rankings.
Crowd Support
Curtis has been in the bigger fights throughout his career and has a style that is appealing to the fans, so he should have the majority of the crowd in his corner.
Teixeira’s aggressive, come-forward style may earn him some fans before the night ends.
The Match-up
Will ring rust be a problem for Stevens?
Will Teixeira be able to handle Stevens’ power?
Will Curtis be able to handle Patrick’s non-stop come-forward style?
Will Teixeira be ready mentally for his toughest challenge to date?

According to 2015 NABF Matchmaker of the Year, Jolene Mizzone, “This is the type of fight I would love to see more often: the veteran who is willing to fight anyone, any time and the up-and-coming prospect that is ready to take that step up. I love that neither of these guys know what the words ‘tune-up’ mean. Both fighters have a lot to prove and that could only be a recipe for a great fight in the ring!”

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila, DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13, and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August.

David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

NEW YORK, NY (May 5, 2016) – Two televised bouts and four non-televised undercard bouts will round out the card when Dusty Hernandez-Harrison (29-0, 16 KOs) of Washington, D.C. returns to the ring on Friday, May 13 to take on Bakersfield, California’s Mike “The Silent Assassin” Dallas Jr. (21-3-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight bout at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. The fight will headline a throne boxing event that will be televised live on BET beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET and will also be streamed live on global music and entertainment platform, TIDAL.com.

Opening the telecast will be an eight-round featherweight showdown between Orlando “Orlandito” Del Valle (20-2, 15 KOs) and Thomas “KO” Snow (18-2, 5 KOs). The second televised fight will see the professional debut of highly touted Philadelphia heavyweight prospect Darmani “Rock Solid” Rock against the beltway’s own Carlos “DC Diamond Cutter” Black (1-3).

The non-televised undercard will feature Caguas, Puerto Rico’s Abner “Pin” Cotto (19-3, 9 KOs) against veteran Juan Jose “Pinocho” Beltran (29-25-3, 18 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico in an eight-round junior welterweight matchup; Brooklyn’s undefeated Junior “The Young God” Younan (8-0, 6 KOs) facing Breedon, West Virginia’s Austin “Speedy” Marcum (10-6-1, 5 KOs) in a six-round light heavyweight fight; former NFL linebacker Mike Balogun (5-0, KOs) of Upper Marlborough, Maryland and Devon Mosley (0-4-1) of Capitol Heights, Maryland squaring off in a four-round heavyweight bout; and Greenbelt, Maryland’s Sam “Vanilla Gorilla” Crossed (2-0, 1 KO) against Damion Reed (2-13, 1 KO) of Danville, Virginia in a four-round cruiserweight fight. 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist Zhang “Big Bang” Zhilei (8-0, 6 KOs) of Zhengzhou, China will also see action in a six-round heavyweight bout against an opponent to be determined.

Roc Nation Sports will bring names from the entertainment world to the event, which will showcase a special performance by Roc Nation’s own breakout artist singer/songwriter Justine Skye. The Brooklyn songstress and social media maven who garnered attention, and over two million YouTube views, with her cover of Drake’s “Headlines” and current single, “I’m Yours” featuring Vic Mensa, is currently taking over radio airwaves nationwide. The evening will also feature a DJ set from Roc Nation’s multi-talented Cipha Sounds who will keep the energy up between bouts. Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan, afternoon host on Atlanta’s V-103, former host of BET’s Rap City and 106 & Park, and currently featured on Oxygen’s “Like A Boss”, will serve as the event’s host.

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.

Orlando Del Valle made his professional debut on April 11, 2008 at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey where he knocked out Rey Rivera in the third round. By October 2009, he had compiled a record of 7-0, including a third-round knockout victory over Christopher Rivera at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. On June 6, 2011, at Roseland Ballroom in New York City, he notched an impressive ten-round unanimous decision victory over Dat Nguyen in a fight telecast on Showtime’s ShoBox. On September 29, 2012, Del Valle, with a record of 16-0, made is HBO debut at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut against Three-Time World Champion Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan. Darchinyan controlled a majority of the bout, relying on his experience to pressure the young contender. In the ninth round Del Valle’s perseverance almost carried the day when he staggered Darchinyan with a tremendous left hook, badly hurting the former world champion. Darchinyan, however, was able to survive the round and hold on for a ten-round unanimous decision victory. After the defeat, Del Valle moved to Mexico City to train with Hall of Fame trainer Nacho Beristain. He rebounded in 2013 with two technical knockout victories over Andre Wilson and Juan Jose Beltran. On May 31, 2014, in a bout televised by HBO Latino from the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Del Valle faced another tough opponent in undefeated fellow Puerto Rican Luis Rosa. The ten-round, evenly matched fight went the distance producing a memorable, crowd-pleasing battle. In the fifth round, Del Valle sent Rosa to the canvas with a left hook and in the seventh round Rosa was deducted a point for a late punch, but in the end Rosa was awarded a unanimous decision victory. Since the Rosa setback, Del Valle has won all three of his fights, with none of them going the distance, including his last fight on April 9, in which he scored a second round technical knockout win over Josh Crespo at Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire. Del Valle will look to keep that streak going on May 13 against Snow.

Deeply rooted in D.C. and the capital community, Thomas Snow is an experienced fighter with an impressive record of 18-2 (10 KOs). Snow, who supplements his boxing earnings by working as a floor technician at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland, began boxing at the age of ten at Round One Gym in Capitol Heights, Maryland, compiling a stellar amateur record of 129-10, which included three Washington D.C. Metro Golden Gloves championships. In 2004, he took home the national PAL amateur tournament title in the 119-pound weight class. On November 5, 2005, he made his professional debut with authority, knocking out Ronald Viera in the first round at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He would go on to win his next nine fights, with seven of those wins coming by way of knockout, before he ran into fellow undefeated prospect and future world title challenger Teon Kennedy who dealt Snow his first professional loss in July of 2008. A streak of six consecutive wins would follow before he suffered another setback, again against an undefeated prospect in Nate Green. Following the defeat, Snow took nearly two and a half years off from boxing. The southpaw returned to the ring on March 6, 2015 and continued to live up to his “KO” moniker with a first round technical knockout win over Christopher Sanchez at the Omar Shrine in Charleston, South Carolina. Snow followed that win with a second round knockout of Tibor Nadori on December 4, 2015 at the Rosecroft Raceway close to home in Fort Washington, Maryland. He now faces a crossroads fight when he takes on Del Valle on May 13.

At the age of nineteen, Darmani Rock is already drawing comparisons to former heavyweight greats of the past. Rock has received high praise for his powerful jab and ambidexterity. Standing at 6’4”, he moves with an unparalleled lightness and speed for a fighter his size. Rock earned nation-wide accolades following a banner year in 2014 when he took home the USA Boxing Junior and Youth Open, Youth Continental and Youth World super heavyweight titles. During the 2014 Junior and Youth Open in Reno, Nevada, Rock shut out the 2013 National Youth Champion, John Luna, 3-0. This impressive performance was followed by another super heavyweight title at the Youth Continental Championships in March 2014 in Quito, Ecuador where he defeated Argentina’s Kervin Espinola, 3-0. Rock then took home the gold medal at the prestigious World Youth Championships in Bulgaria in April 2014 by a 2-1 decision over Germany’s Peter Kadiru. Rock also took home the 2014 World Junior Amateur Championship and capped off 2014 by being named Philadelphia’s Amateur Boxer of the Year at the annual Briscoe Awards. His most noteworthy win, however, came in May 2015 when he beat Cam Awesome, a career amateur who has been called the next Chris Byrd, in Las Vegas for the National Golden Gloves title. Rock also captured the 2015 U.S. National Amateur super heavyweight championship. He ended his amateur career as the number one rated super heavyweight in the United States (and the number five rated super heavyweight in the world) going 19-5 in national tournaments. His assault on the heavyweight division begins May 13 against Black.

Rockville, Maryland resident Carlos Black is better known to capitol region boxing as the “DC Diamond Cutter.” Turning professional late in life at the age of thirty, making his professional debut on April 23, 2015 at Tall Cedar’s Hall in Baltimore, Maryland scoring a four-round unanimous decision over the more experienced Lonnie Kornegay. Black, however, would fall short of victory in his next three bouts to George Arias on May 8, 2015 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, to Dennis Benson by a hard-fought four-round split decision in his return to Tall Cedar’s Hall on July 9, 2015 and to Jerry Forrest on September 26, 2015 at the Masonic Temple in Norfolk, Virginia. Tough like his nickname and propelled by his steadfast will, he believes he can one day fulfill his dream of becoming heavyweight champion of the world. That dream will come a step closer to reality should he defeat the highly touted Rock.

Abner Cotto is part of the famous Cotto boxing family of Puerto Rico. Legendary Miguel Cotto is a second cousin, while uncles Miguel Cotto Sr. and Evangelista Cotto were pro boxers themselves. Cotto is looking for his second straight win following a loss in a world-title elimination bout against current WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Javier Fortuna. On May 13 he faces the vastly experienced Juan Jose Beltran who has faced current World Champion Leo Santa Cruz and former World Champions Eric Morel and Rico Ramos.

Brooklyn’s unbeaten Junior Younan faces his stiffest test to date on May 13 when he faces Austin Marcum. Younan returned following a nine-month injury induced layoff on March 26 on the Andre Ward vs. Sullivan Barrera undercard by pounding out a four-round unanimous decision over Carlos Lozano. Marcum is riding a four-fight winning streak and plans to take his 20-year-old opponent into unfamiliar territory, as Younan has yet to fight past four rounds.

Former Washington Redskin Mike Balogun looks to make it six straight wins since turning professional as a boxer in October of 2014. Balogun was a standout inside linebacker at the University of Oklahoma and spent a year on the Redskins’ roster in 2010. He also played briefly for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers before retiring and becoming a full time boxer. Looking to stop Balogun’s rise as a pugilist on May 13 will be fellow local fighter Devon Mosley who is seeking his first professional win.

Local favorite Sam Crossed, has limited amateur experience, which his opponent Damion Reed, a 16-fight veteran hopes to exploit. Crossed, who works as bar tender, is expected to have hundreds of supporters behind him as he attempts to go to 3-0. Reed recently lost two hard-fought majority decisions to two cruiserweights and has a draw with Ken Moody.

Standing 6’6” and weighing 250 pounds, Chinese heavyweight sensation Zhang Zhilei has shown boxing skills rarely seen in a big man since turning pro in August 2014. Undefeated in eight fights as a professional, Zhilei was a highly-decorated amateur, winning a silver medal in the super-heavyweight division at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, as well as bronze medals at the 2007 world amateur championships and 2009 AIBA world championships. He faces an opponent to be determined on May 13.

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. Follow the conversation using #throneboxing.

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

###

ABOUT ROC NATION SPORTS
Roc Nation Sports, a sub-division of Roc Nation, launched in spring 2013. Founder Shawn “JAY Z” Carter’s love of sports lead to the natural formation of Roc Nations Sports, helping athletes in the same way Roc Nation has been helping artists in the music industry for years. Roc Nation Sports focuses on elevating athletes’ career on a global scale both on and off the field. Roc Nation Sports conceptualizes and executes marketing and endorsement deals, community outreach, charitable tie-ins, media relations and brand strategy. Roc Nation Sports launched its boxing division, a full service promotional company which represents Five-Time World Champion Miguel Cotto and Two-Time World Champion Andre Ward, in August 2014. Roc Nation Sports’ roster includes premiere athletes such as Robinson Cano, Skylar Diggins, Kevin Durant, Geno Smith, Victor Cruz, CC Sabathia, James Young, Dez Bryant, Ndamukong Suh, Rusney Castillo, Yoenis Cespedes, Jaelen Strong, Todd Gurley, Wilson Chandler, Erick Aybar, Justise Winslow, Willie Cauley-Stein, Jerome Boateng, Miguel Sano, CJ Prosise, Ronnie Stanley, Caris Levert, Henry Ellenson and Michael Gbinije.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks – BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.??

ABOUT EVENTS DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, deliver premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. The most recent addition is Gateway DC, an innovative and versatile space featuring a covered and open-air pavilion in the center of a 1-acre park, conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com.

ABOUT TIDAL
TIDAL is a global, experiential, entertainment platform built for fans, directly from artists around the world. TIDAL members enjoy exclusively curated content that?directly connect artists with their fans in multiple ways. The service offers high-fidelity, CD sound quality music, high resolution video, an opportunity to discover new artists via TIDAL Discovery, and unique experiences via TIDAL X. TIDAL is available in more than 46 countries, with more than a 40 million song catalog and 130,000 high quality videos. For more information, please visit www.tidal.com. Follow TIDAL at http://facebook.com/tidal, http://twitter.com/tidalhifi and https://instagram.com/tidal/

Ekaterinburg, Russia (May 5, 2016)–This Friday night, in Ekaterinburg, Russia undefeated WBO European Super Featherweight champion Evgeny Chuprakov will be back in action when he makes the second defense of his title, when he takes on fellow undefeated Sebastian Tlatlik on a card promoted by German Titov Promotions.

Chuprakov (15-0, 8 KO’s) of Ekaterinburg is
currently ranked number-5 by the WBO and number-12 by the IBF. Tlatlik is 10-0 with 9 knockouts.

“I have a real test coming up in my next fight. The opponent has a very serious record, and I have trained my best for this fight. I want to make sure that I am ready and in top condition. I am looking forward to this fight!”, said Chuprakov.

“This is a big fight for Evgeny. He has turned into a serious contender, and we know he has been working very hard. With a big performance on Friday, we are looking to bring him back to the United States and put him in a significant fight,” said Banner Promotions President, Arthur Pelullo.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 5th, 2016) — The best decision Peter Manfredo Jr. ever made came outside of the boxing ring and had nothing to do with strategy or technique.

Shortly after his loss to Sakio Bika in 2008, Manfredo’s second shot at a world title, “The Pride of Providence” — at the time, just 27 years old — figured it was time to start thinking about life away from the sport to avoid the pitfalls that had plagued so many retired boxers before him.

“I said to myself, ‘Forget this. I’ve got to get myself a job. I can’t keep taking beatings like this,'” said Manfredo, who returns to the ring Friday, May 13th, 2016 for the first time in two and a half years.

“Then what? Everybody loves when you’re winning. No one cares when you lose. At the end of the day, it’s you and your family and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to support your family. When you’re boxing, I don’t care how much money you make, you live within your means. It runs out!

“In boxing, there really aren’t many happy endings. There’s no retirement, there’s no health care, there’s no annuity. After you run out of your money, which you’re going to, what do you have?”

Manfredo (40-7, 21 KOs) didn’t want to find out, so he got himself a job working as a laborer for Laborers Local 271 in Providence, where he does everything from mixing cement to construction to breaking down job sites.

“Hard labor,” he said. “Physical labor.”

These days, he works for Lee Kennedy, Inc., a construction company in Quincy, Mass. The hours are long and the money’s good, but boxing is always on the backburner, except now it’s a trade, not a full-time job like it was during the halcyon days of The Contender.

As he prepares for his latest comeback, an intra-city showdown next Friday against “Mr. Providence” Vladine Biosse (15-7-2, 7 KOs) in the main event of CES Boxing’s “THE BATTLE FOR THE CAPITAL” show at Twin River Casino, the 36-year-old Manfredo is brutally honest about his intentions.

His daughter is entering high school next year and he wants to build her a bigger room in his house, so he’s lacing up the gloves one more time for some extra pocket change. Rather than recycle the usual rhetoric about being No. 1 in the world or wanting to win a world title, which he probably would’ve fed us in his 20s, the older, wiser Manfredo tells it like it is. He needs the money, so he’s fighting again. Plain and simple.

“I am who I am. I’m not trying to be someone I’m not,” Manfredo said. “I know I’m not the best fighter in the world, but how many people are? You’ve got Floyd Mayweather, who is probably the best fighter in the world in this generation and you can only have one. I know I’m not that, but I’m not trying to be that. I just want to make enough money to support my family and get by and I think people respect me for that because they can relate to that.”

Even with a two and a half year layoff, “The Pride of Providence” remains as popular as ever, a box office draw unlike any other in New England, and he’s maintained his relevancy without having to force-feed lies to the general public. If his blunt honesty were a turnoff, it would’ve driven fans away by now. Instead, Twin River is expecting record numbers next Friday for the latest chapter in Manfredo’s growing legacy.

“It’s a humbling thing, that’s for sure,” he said. “People like me because, for one, I’m a good kid, and, two, I’m a real fighter. People want to come and spend that kind of money to see a fight, they want to see a fight. And when you see a Peter Manfredo fight, win, lose, or draw, I give you a real fight.

“I come to win every fight and I give you a fight. People like that. They see the heart and the reason I do it. I do it for my family. I don’t do it to be a world champion anymore. I’m not trying to be the best in Rhode Island. I don’t care about any of that. I do it just to make a paycheck and I do it for my family. People like that and they can relate to that. Maybe that’s why I always sell the place out.”

It helps, too, that he’s as sharp as ever despite the long gaps between recent fights. After retiring in 2011 following a loss to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Manfredo returned one year later for another run on the regional circuit, firing off consecutive wins over Rayco Saunders, Walter Wright and Rhode Island rival Rich Gingras.

Manfredo stepped away again in 2013 after stopping Gingras in the eighth round of their scheduled 10-round fight, only to announce another comeback in March. Originally scheduled to face undefeated Angel Camacho Jr., Manfredo now faces Biosse, an awkward southpaw whose style has forced him to adjust on the fly over the final two weeks of training camp.

“Now I have to change my whole game plan,” he said. “It only gives me one week to prepare for it because the week of the weigh in, you’re not doing much. You’re making weight and you’re kind of slowing it down a bit. Yeah, it throws you off a little bit, but it is what it is. I’m a fighter.

“My mind is still on the prize. Obviously, there are still going to be obstacles in your way. Being the professional I am, I’ve got the experience where I’ll be fine at the end of the day.”

In an ironic twist, Biosse once trained under the guidance of Manfredo’s father, Peter Manfredo Sr., but has now built his own legacy as an iconic figure in Rhode Island’s Cape Verdean community. Meanwhile, “The Pride of Providence” continues to serve as an ambassador for Italian Americans, particularly in the Federal Hill section of Providence where he was born and raised.

“I have all the respect in the world for Vla,” Manfredo said. “I like Vla. When Vla was turning pro, I helped him to turn pro. I thought he could make it. I thought he was pretty good. I encouraged him.

“As far as the name, ‘Mr. Providence’ versus ‘The Pride of Providence,’ I don’t even look at it like that. It’s a fight. At the end of the day, it’s a fight. I’m going in there to win and I know he’s coming in there to win and for that the fans are going to get what they want. They’re going to get a good fight and get their money’s worth.”

Win or lose, there’s no guarantee of additional fights or additional paydays for Manfredo beyond next Friday. The only sure thing is his life outside of the ring, his life in the workforce, which has allowed him to build a stable foundation for his family. He can’t fight forever, but as long as he has a career beyond fighting, he’s an example of brains overcoming brawn in a sport that often leaves its most beloved stars with broken dreams and empty pockets. Perhaps there are happy endings in boxing after all.

“I always wanted to work. I was always a hard worker,” Manfredo said. “As I was coming up, I was always influenced by my father just to be a fighter because he was looking to make a living off of me. He was just looking at his end.

“At the end of the day when I got older and I started having my own family, I woke up and I got myself a job and got myself in the union. It’s the best move I ever made.”

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 and regional standouts Nick DeLomba (8-1, 2 KOs) of Cranston, R.I., and the undefeated Freddy Sanchez (7-0, 5 KOs) of Worcester face off in a 6-round bout for the vacant New England Super Featherweight Title.

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.

Philadelphia, PA (May 5, 2016)–TONIGHT AT 6 PM AT CHICKIE’S & PETE’S IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA, King’s Promotions will stage the weigh in advance of a big 10-bout card that will take place Friday night at the 2300 Arena.

Chickie’s & Pete’s is located at 1526 Packer Ave

In the main event, rising super middleweight Christopher Brooker (8-1, 5 KOs) takes on Antowyan Aikens (10-1-1. 1 KO) in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

In the six-round co-feature, former IBF Welterweight champion, Kermit Cintron (35-5-2, 28 KO’s) is coming full circle when he takes on Eduardo Flores (23-20-3, 15 KO’s) in a junior middleweight bout.

In a six-round super lightweight bout, Naim Nelson (12-1, 1 NC, 1 KO) battles Carlos Velasquez (24-23-2, 15 KO’s) of Managua, Nicaragua.

In a six-round super welterweight bout, Erik Spring (6-1,1 KO) of Reading, PA will fight Justin Johnson (6-11-4) of Pittsburgh, PA.

In four-round bouts:

Scott Kelleher (4-0, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia will fight Terrell James (1-3-1) of Philadelphia, PA. in a super lightweight fight.

Tyrone Crawley Jr. (4-0) of Philadelphia will square off with Korey Sloane (2-8-2) of Philadelphia in lightweight bout.

Amir Shabazz (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia fights Tahlik Taylor (1-3) of Freeport, NY. in a light heavyweight affair.

Aaron Brooks of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against Ryan Bivins (0-1-1) of Philadelphia in super middleweight bout.

Thomas Velasquez (4-0, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will fight Grashino Yancy (1-0) of Staten Island, New York in a super featherweight bout.

Emmanuel Folly (6-0, 4 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will take Bryan Perez Nevarez (2-3-1, 1 KO) of Carolina, PR in a bantamweight contest.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $100 for Ringside, $75 for Premium, $50 for Reserved and $35 for Standing room and can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE

Anthony Crolla, the defending WBA World Lightweight champion, will be seen sporting a stunning new look during fight week for his defence against Ismael Barroso at the Manchester Arena on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, as he takes to the wheel of a brand new Aspire Design Range Rover Sport.

The bespoke SUV will be with Crolla and his team, including coach Joe Gallagher, as they attend today’s Fight Week press conference, as well the weigh-in and pre-fight training sessions throughout the North West.

Established in 2015, Aspire Design is already becoming a leading exponent of bespoke British automotive design, craftsmanship and manufacture, and offers an exclusive body styling program for Range Rover Sport and Vogue models. The company also hopes to soon employ its skills on other marques too, such as Rolls Royce, Bentley and Lamborghini.

Every element of the Aspire Design body styling program is manufactured in the UK, which ensures precision engineering and the highest standards of quality.

From soft napa leather interiors which are hand-stitched in England, to a range of 22-inch concave alloy wheels all designed and crafted in Britain from the finest quality aluminium. So it seems only fitting that Crolla should choose such a quintessentially British brand with which to partner during Fight Week.

Ajay Vasdev, Founding Director of Aspire Design said, “We are very excited and proud that Anthony Crolla has chosen to drive an Aspire Design Range Rover Sport during Fight Week”.

He went on to add, “Aspire Design is based in the North West, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to support a fellow North West champion. It’s an honour and a privilege that such a high profile celebrity has chosen one of our luxury SUVs”.

Joe Gallagher, world class trainer and Anthony Crolla’s coach, said, “I would like to thank Aspire Design for allowing us the opportunity to enjoy the Aspire Design Range Rover Sport during Fight Week. It’s an exciting time, and to be able to enjoy the luxury of such a unique and bespoke British designed SUV is a privilege”.

Crolla trains at Gallagher’s Gym, which is part of the Gloves Community Centre built by Amir Khan and has produced a number of World champions.

For further information or to discover more about the Aspire Design Range Rover body styling program, visit www.aspire-design.co.uk. Alternatively, the Aspire Design team will be doing a North West roadshow this summer. Details of dates and locations will be made available online at www.aspire-design.co.uk

Tickets for Crolla’s defence are on general sale £40, £60, £80 and £100 www.manchester-arena.com or by calling 0844 847 8000. VIPs are available exclusively through www.matchroomboxing.com priced at £200.

Tickets for May 7 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.

LONDON (5 May) Nick Blackwell says the outpouring of love from the boxing community made him ’emotional’ while on the road to recovery and that he’d like to personally thank all who have raised money for him in recent weeks.

The inspirational 25-year-old is back home with loved ones and well on the way to a full recovery.

“I don’t ever cry or get emotional,” said Blackwell, “but reading through all the messages people have been sending me has been really touching. I’ve had tons of people calling me a ‘warrior’ and a ‘hero’ and saying how brave I am. It really did take me by surprise.

“Then, of course, you have all the people who have raised money for me. It’s incredible. It shows the power of the boxing community, the boxing family, and I’ve been humbled by everyone’s generosity.

“Many boxers are forced to retire and have only their last purse to their name. But, thanks to some incredible human beings, I stand to have a little bit more, and that means I can go on and do something with my life.

“Ideally, at some stage, I’d like to personally thank every single one of the people who have donated money. I truly mean that. I want to make that happen.”

*** IMPORTANT ***

If you have kindly raised money for Nick Blackwell, please email elliot@hennessysports.com for details of how to ensure the money finds its way to Nick.

Also, if you still wish to donate, please email elliot@hennessysports.com.

Thank you.

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

LONDON (May 5) – Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has tipped Amir Khan as a ‘huge favourite’ ahead of his showdown with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez.

The Golden Boy Promotions boss believes the British ace is a genuine threat to middleweight world champion Canelo and thinks those with knowledge of the fight game would not be surprised should he prevail against the odds.

“There’s a reason Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao didn’t want to fight Amir Khan because he possesses skills like no other,” said De La Hoya.

“He may come in as the underdog, but he also comes in as a huge favourite to those who know the sport and to many of those who have seen him fight,” he said.

The six-division world champion was also quick to praise Khan’s willingness to face the very best, comparing his impending battle, exclusively live on BoxNation, to Muhammad Ali’s stunning upset over George Foreman.

“It’s great to be beside a fighter who dares to be great. Amir is a hard worker, not only an Olympic silver medallist, but here is a fighter who is a multiple weight world champion, always asking for the big fights and never getting them.

“Guess what? He’s now here facing the top fighter in the world, and he’s ready for it and excited to face him,” said De La Hoya.

“Whoever thought that Muhammad Ali could knock out George Foreman? I just talked to Foreman and people were praying he didn’t hurt Ali and look what happened there,” he said.

25-year-old Canelo, who is regarded by many as one of boxing’s pound-for-pound kings, knows that he will need to show that come fight night.

He takes on the Bolton born fighter at a catchweight of 155-pounds and says he has done a lot of work to deal with Khan’s speed.

“There’s not too much more left to say, the fight is here. I’m very happy with the work I have done.

“Khan is a very fast, very elusive, and very tricky fighter, but I am happy with the work I have done and I am ready to go in the ring and break him down.

“And again, I am much honoured to be opening the T-Mobile Arena. Come Saturday, I’m excited to yell, ‘Viva Mexico!’,” Canelo said.

Khan v Canelo is exclusively live on BoxNation (Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/Online & App) this Saturday night. Go to 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, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.

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.

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 for Sky TV customers.

LAS VEGAS (May 4, 2016) WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) and British top fighter and former two-time world champion Amir “King” Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) met today for one final press conference at the Kà Theater in the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas ahead of their middleweight championship mega-fight showdown on May 7 at the new T-Mobile Arena, which will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Below is what the fighters and their teams had to say at today’s final press conference:

CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion:

“There’s not too much more left to say, the fight is here. I just want to thank each and every one of you for your support and promotion of this fight. I’m very happy with the work I have done. Khan is a very fast, very elusive, and very tricky fighter, but I am happy with the work I have done and I am ready to go in the ring and break him down. And again, I am much honored to be opening T-Mobile Arena. Come Saturday, I’m excited to yell, ¡Viva Mexico!”

AMIR KHAN, Former Two-Time World Champion:
“On Saturday you will see the best of Amir Khan. Canelo is a great champion who is dedicated to the sport of boxing, but it is my time and I’m going to grab it with both hands. It’s been my dream to hold a great fight like this in Las Vegas. And, you never know-this could be the last fight between Canelo and I here in Vegas if Donald Trump is elected president.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:

“It’s great to be beside a fighter who dares to be great. Amir is a hard worker, not only an Olympic silver medalist, but here is a fighter who is a multiple weight world champion, always asking for the big fights and never getting them. Guess what? He’s now here facing the top fighter in the world, and he’s ready for it and excited to face him. Whoever thought that Muhammad Ali could knock out George Foreman? I just talked to Foreman and people were praying he didn’t hurt Ali and look what happened there.

“There’s a reason Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao didn’t want to fight Amir Khan because he possesses skills like no other. He may come in as the underdog, but he also comes in as huge favorite to those who know the sport and to many of those who have seen him fight.

“Canelo is a great fighter and has accomplished so much at 25 since beginning to fight at the tender age of fifteen. This match up will be truly incredible to witness, and the fans will be in for a great night come Saturday. ”

EDDY REYNOSO, Head Trainer of Canelo Alvarez:

“The hard work has been done, the preparation has been done, and we know what we have to do on Saturday night. Canelo is a great fighter and we can tell you that we have worked very hard. On Saturday night, you will see Canelo lift and raise his hand in victory.”

VIRGIL HUNTER, Trainer for Amir Khan:

“Glad to see everyone here again. It’s an honor to really be beside Amir in this situation. He has been through so much in his career with adversity but here he is willing to step up two weight classes and then some to prove he got in to this sport to show he has a legacy and fears no one. I learned this early on from him. I was amazed the first time I saw him spar, and his attitude is amazing. He will walk right in to the face of adversity and it is a pleasure to be right beside him when he walks right in to the ring on May 7. Saturday night will be a great fight.”

JOSE “CHEPO” REYNOSO, Manager of Canelo Alvarez:

“This camp was very intense, very well done, very tough and had tremendous sparring that helped us prepare for this fight. These sparring partners brought the best out of Canelo and you will see that Saturday night. The birth of my granddaughter, Eddy’s daughter, was a true inspiration for us as we trained. The great ambiance we had, the job and the hard work that was done only gives us the confidence that we will be yelling ¡Viva Mexico y Viva Canelo!”

SHAH KHAN, Father and Manager of Amir Khan:

“All the hard work has been done. This has been a dream for Amir, to get to the top and fight the best fights and be amongst MannyPacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Amir always said he wanted this fight and we worked hard towards it.

“It has been a great training camp with great sparring, and Amir looks incredible. The world is looking right at this fight. Initially, many were saying this wasn’t a right fight. This happened to Amir back in his Olympic games when he was 17 years old. As the fight went on, the media didn’t have enough seats to watch him. Now we’re back, Amir is an underdog and we’re going to prove everyone wrong. This is the fight he wants, and I think we’re going to repeat history here on May 7.”

PETER NELSON, Executive Vice President of HBO Sports:

“I want to thank T-Mobile, great venues make great fights. Thank you to Canelo Promotions and Amir Khan’s camp. Lastly, I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions and everyone on the team. When I spoke to Oscar De La Hoya earlier this year, he said he wanted to make the best fights possible. Oscar has consistently lived up to his word, and you can see this is the best fight of 2016 so far. It’s very commendable what Golden Boy Promotions has achieved. This is going to be a great fight.

“Canelo has had a spectacular year in 2015 with a great win over Cotto. For Khan, it has been four years since we’ve seen him, and we’re happy to have him back. We’ll see on Saturday night whose time it is. Both fighters are incredibly hungry. If you haven’t already, check out 24/7 to see the incredible regimens these fighters go through. We are looking forward to Saturday night for these great fights.”

MAURICIO SULAIMAN, President of WBC:

“When Oscar De La Hoya mentions Cinco de Mayo, I think of coming to Las Vegas in the past to watch the biggest boxers with my father. Today, the eyes of the world are on Las Vegas. HBO, the best network in the history of the sport, is broadcasting one of the best fights to be made today. Two elite fighters fighting each other to make sure the world gets a real boxing match.

“I think Amir has a strategy he plans on performing on Saturday, same as Canelo, backed by tremendous teams. They have worked very hard to make this a success. We have a Catholic fighter against a Muslim fighter, and both have been named as ambassadors for peace by Pope Francis. I wish Canelo and Amir the best of luck and may the best man win.”

BERNARD HOPKINS, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions business partner:

“It took a lot of people to put this fight together: HBO, Oscar De La Hoya, and the two camps of Canelo and Amir Khan. It’s a great thing to see, especially being from a middleweight champ, which is true to my DNA history. History is a very important thing to me.

“Let’s enjoy this fight before we start talking about the next fight. We want to put the best in front of the best. Oscar put the best in his career, and Amir Khan has come to make it happen. Enjoy the fight, sit back and do what you do. Either way, we’re going to keep putting together great fights.”

RICHARD STURM, President of Entertainment and Sports MGM Resorts International:

“We are thrilled to be a part of this international sporting event between Canelo and Amir Khan. This will the first of many great boxing events to be held here. T-Mobile Arena has truly changed the Las Vegas landscape in sports and entertainment arenas. Canelo is returning after a tremendous win over Cotto, and Amir returns after nearly 18 months from Las Vegas to take on this huge fighter. We will look forward to seeing everyone Saturday night.”

FELIX PALAU, Vice President at Tecate:

“We at Tecate are very excited. We have launched our biggest effort to promote this fight. Our advertising for this fight has reached more than one million consumers on TV; we have reached more than 6,000 stores to promote the fight. We have also launched our biggest digital effort, having reached more than 11 million fans. We wish Canelo, Khan and all the boxers on the card a successful fight and the best of luck.”

BOB BENNETT, Executive Director of the Nevada Athletic Commission:

“On behalf of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, we thank Golden Boy Promotions for bringing this championship fight to the fight capital of the world and to T-Mobile Arena. ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!”

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila, DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13, and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August. David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.Facebook.com/HBOboxing, join us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, and follow the conversation using #CaneloKhan.

LONDON (May 4, 2016) – Undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua and unbeaten American challenger Dominic Breazeale had an intense face-to-face meeting on Wednesday before a contingent of major sports media outlets in London to formally announce their June 25 showdown. The two were joined by SHOWTIME Sports Executive Vice President & General Manager Stephen Espinoza and Matchroom Sports President Eddie Hearn, as the executives announced Joshua’s new exclusive U.S. television deal. All four participants later took part on a teleconference with U.S. media.

Highlights from today’s press conference at Hilton London Syon Park and teleconference are below.

Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs) will make the first defense of his heavyweight title against Los Angeles’ Breazeale (17-0, 15 KOs) live on SHOWTIME at the sold-out The O2 arena in London. The heavyweight showdown is the first of a multi-fight licensing agreement for Showtime Networks Inc., to be the exclusive U.S. television partner of Joshua, the 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist from London.

Before the press conference, Breazeale and Joshua had to be separated. Breazeale approached Joshua and was asked if there was a problem. “I don’t know, brother, I’ve just come here to get the belt,” Breazeale said. “On June 25, you’ve got a problem. You’re a bad man because you’ve got a belt now.

“This is not acting, it’s heavyweight boxing. You can act all big and bad in front of all these cameras and your promoters, but in the end you’ve got to put a mouthpiece in your mouth and gloves on your hands.”

Joshua then told Breazeale if he had a problem, they could “settle it man to man.”

Here’s what Joshua and Breazeale had to say from the podium on Wednesday in London:

ANTHONY JOSHUA:

“There are a lot of positive things happening in boxing and a lot amazing things happening in my career at the moment. But I know enough to realize that this is a dangerous sport and you are only as good as your last fight. I fought and lost in the amateurs, and I know how quickly this can all change. It’s my job now to prepare myself properly and to keep this momentum rolling.

“Dominic and I are equals in many ways. He came up around the same time I did, through the Olympic Games and all. Now, with this U.S. TV deal with SHOWTIME and the deal with Sky Sports, Dominic Breazeale gets a chance to announce himself on the UK scene. And I have the chance to do the same in the U.S.”

“I’ll never overlook, never drop the ball. As far as I’m concerned, I am the underdog. I know every day of training camp and every hour of every day, where I am in my preparations leading up to a fight. We have less than seven weeks to go and we will be ready.”

DOMINIC BREAZEALE:

“I am not here looking to see the final round. I’m not here to look at the judges’ scorecards. I am here to knock Anthony Joshua out. Period.

“I am very excited. I wish this fight was this weekend.”

When asked if he expected to fare better than his counterpart, Charles Martin.

“We are two totally different fighters. Anthony Joshua knows he is now getting in there with a beast. He knows he is in for a dog fight. He’s going to hit me and I am going to hit him. And whoever’s will breaks first will lose this fight.

“Charles Martin wasn’t prepared. He dropped the ball. He fought the wrong fight at the wrong time. He had just won the belt, was excited about that, and he took the wrong fight. I haven’t made that mistake. I won’t make that mistake.”

Here’s what the principals had to say during Wednesday’s teleconference with U.S. reporters:

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, SHOWTIME SPORTS Executive Vice President

“UK boxing is on fire right now. There are more UK champions than any other country right now and at SHOWTIME we pride ourselves on bringing our viewers the best fights and the best boxers on the planet, whether they be American, British or from any other country. It is no surprise that our desire, our quest to seek out the most talented and most exciting boxers on the planet, has led us to Eddie’s doorstep and to this deal with Anthony Joshua. We have been discussing this for quite some time. Eddie is a great advocate and ultimately Anthony’s performances have spoken for themselves.

“We had originally intended to put Anthony on SHOWTIME two fights ago but the logistics just didn’t work out, so we were fortunate enough to make his U.S. TV debut with the title fight against Charles Martin and now we’ve done a deal in which we’ve hopefully laid a foundation for hosting Anthony on SHOWTIME for the remainder of his career.

“It was bold of them for entrusting this portion of their career to SHOWTIME. There’s a wealth of good fights in the heavyweight division and most importantly of all, Eddie and Anthony are willing to take all of them.

“I’m not the biggest fan of multi-fight deals but when you have a promoter and a boxer who have committed to taking the best fights available, big or small, in the U.S. or the UK and anywhere else, it brings a lot of comfort to the network in doing those types of deals. From that perspective it was a no-brainer. We’re thrilled to have them.”

ANTHONY JOSHUA:

On coming to American and making statement:

“It’s a great opportunity to be on SHOWTIME because when I look back at my amateurs, I think that’s why I’ve had such a good career in Great Britain so far. It’s because people have been out to follow me since I was an amateur fighter. SHOWTIME worked with me on my first defense and now I get to build with the Americans. I’ve got friends out there and we’re going to build to a wider audience. If we can keep on building and growing organically, by the time I come out there it will be unbelievable. Just like I’m at home.”

On who he thinks will be his biggest challenge:

“I would have to say, Klitschko or Wilder. Klitschko because of the experience and Wilder because he’s the heavyweight champion of the world who’s defended his belt on multiple occasions. So I have to give him credit as the strong force of the division right now because he’s the only other champion who has defended his belt. As far as Klitschko, he’s won the belt and defended it time and time again. Those two are the main names I’m looking at.”

On how his life has changed since becoming a heavyweight champ:

“I’ve had no time. It has been three weeks since the belt was won and I know it was nice for my family. They all had a great time and my mom is telling everyone. So it’s nice to see her enjoy the fruits of labor, but for me, we got straight to organizing the next project, which is why we’re here now.

“You’re not a real deal until you fight in the states, so I thought there was a plan. Eddie has been doing a great job in the background while I’ve been in the gym and they (Hearn and SHOWTIME) pulled something together that is unprecedented, historical. So, credit to the guys that put it together while we’re in the gym putting in the work. At first I was surprised because I didn’t understand the capacity of it, but now I’m looking forward to seeing how we build up things in America.”

On how it is being written about and talked about by credible boxing writers that he is the next big thing in boxing:

“I think that’s why it is important to stay fighting and in the gym. If you spend too long out of the gym then one event turns to two events; turns into the club after the event; turns into all of these expectations and promises, glitz and glamour get to you and I like to keep things (in place). I’ve got an unbelievable family, I’ve got friends around me that count as my family. I’ve got really good people that see me as the same Anthony that was a kid with them running around in the streets. The belt is a great achievement but I feel that why I’ve been so calm is that I think the sky is the limit, what we’re achieving so early on.

“I think I am capable of doing great things if I stay locked away in the gym and I think that is what is so important. To keep on improving time after time. I’ve got a long career ahead of me so I can’t let the expectations and the glitz and glamour get to me right now because it’s way too early for that right now.’’

On if he’s fighting to do something spectacular or look good:

“No, no, no. What I’ve been doing has been working, which has led me to this position. So, all the expectations can’t put pressure on me because it may lead to something that we’re not used to, like a slugfest or a type of fight like that. I need to maintain composure but I definitely need to be effective because I feel like I’ll win but what’s important is how I win. The pressure for me is trying to impress my coach. That is one of my main pressures.”

DOMINIC BREAZEALE:

On the heavyweight division having a bad rep in the past and on how Joshua and Breazeale are different than recent previous fighters:

“I think the biggest difference is that we are separating ourselves with being big athletic guys. Before, in the past, there were just big, strong, aggressive guys in the ring just slugging it out. We are showing some athletic ability as far as using the jab, moving around the ring, throwing combination punches and things like that. We’re kind of taking it back to the days when you saw heavyweight fights like Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield. Not necessarily just big stiff guys that are kind of stuck in the mud. I am fortunate to be in the division at the time being right now and I am looking forward to it.”

Thoughts of Martin-Joshua clash, Martin’s performance and what he will do differently:

“I was very upset with Charles Martin’s performance against Anthony Joshua. I was expecting him to put out a lot more, give it a lot more, but unfortunately he didn’t. That four minutes in two rounds were very, very disturbing. One of the differences between me and Charles is that I am not Charles Martin. I’m a big statured guy, a big athletic guy and a strong guy and Joshua knows best that he’s going to be in the ring with somebody who mirrors his image and just a little bit bigger than him, just a little bit heavier and just a little bit stronger than him. So, I plan on finding out if Anthony Joshua has got the legs and the lungs to go five, six, maybe seven rounds but at the same time I want to test his chin, test his body and see if he is the true heavyweight champ.’’

EDDIE HEARN, Matchroom Boxing

“Probably for three years now, I’ve been knocking on the doors of American networks, telling them about this great young fighter. They’ve all been keeping an eye on Anthony Joshua, for sure and the victory on April 9 over Charles Martin to become the IBF Heavyweight champion really opened the doors.

“Anthony Joshua is the biggest star in world boxing and now we have a position with Stephen Espinoza and SHOWTIME where we will move forward together in a multi-fight deal which we hope will not be five, six, or seven fights, we hope it will be for the entire career of Anthony Joshua, for the unification of the heavyweight division. And as I have I said, the birth and the evolution of the biggest star in world boxing today.

“SHOWTIME in my opinion is at the forefront of dynamic boxing programs in the U.S. I think the fights and the shows are continuously pushing the boundaries, not just in America, but outside of America as well. We were privileged to have Quigg vs. Frampton on SHOWTIME and Andy Lee against Billy Joe Saunders recently. They’re picking up the biggest fights in world boxing in many different territories.

“For us this is a groundbreaking day. For a UK promoter and a UK fighter to sign a multi-fight agreement with SHOWTIME, gives me a huge amount of great pleasure commercially. I think it’s a groundbreaking day for British boxing as well, I think we’re on fire at the moment. We’ve got 12 world champions; James DeGale just defended his world title on SHOWTIME last weekend and we have another world champion fight this week with [Anthony] Crolla, Ricky Burns and Tony Bellew are both fighting for world titles to become the 13th and 14th Brits to win world titles. I really feel like the atmosphere, the energy and the vibes of the show that we’re producing are second to none. The atmosphere is electric, the passion is through the roof of the arena and now the U.S. man is going to get a chance to witness it time and time again with Anthony Joshua.

“The plan for us is to evolve Anthony Joshua in various different markets which will lead to U.S. fights as well and I will work closely with Stephen [Espinoza] to see if that’s possible perhaps even in November of this year, but we want to make Anthony Joshua a global star and that includes fighting in America. I am so pleased that the U.S. public will get the opportunity to watch Anthony Joshua on the No. 1 boxing network in America.”

Manchester, Lancashire, UK (May 4, 2016) – Undefeated heavyweight sensation Hughie Fury will appear in a featured bout on the undercard of the world heavyweight championship rematch between unified champion Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko Saturday, July 9 at the Manchester Arena.

The bout will take place in front of more than 21,000 fans and be seen by millions more around the world on various television outlets.

Widely regarded as one of the best young heavyweights on the planet, the 21-year-old Fury has an outstanding 20-0 ledger with 10 wins by knockout. On April 30 in London, Fury scored a clear-cut technical decision over tricky switch hitter Fred Kassi to capture the WBO Intercontinental championship when the fight was stopped early due to an accidental clash of heads. Since turning pro in March 2013, Fury’s been matched tough and defeated the likes of Andriy Rudenko, George Arias, Dominick Guinn and the aforementioned Kassi.

Having already faced quality opponents while many young heavyweights build their records against subpar opposition, Fury’s team is looking for another tough challenge July 9.

“Hughie Fury is taking fights that no other heavyweights are taking,” said Peter Fury, his father and trainer. “Forget being built up on handpicked opponents, we’re facing guys that are here to win and give us a hard fight. He’s coming off of back to back tough fights. Look at his career so far compared to other prospects. Last year, we scored a clear win over Andriy Rudenko, who was 25-1 and his only defeat came via controversial decision to current heavyweight champion Lucas Browne. That will give you an idea where he’s at and I believe he’s the next force in the heavyweight division.”

Fury’s opponent will be announced shortly and the bout will be scheduled for either ten or twelve rounds.

LAS VEGAS (May 4, 2016) – Promising Mayweather Promotions star Ronald “The Thrill” Gavril (15-1, 11 KOs) will be opposed by Juan Camilo “La Boa” Novoa (25-6-1, 23 KOs) and his TMT stablemate Sanjarbek “War” Rakhmanov (4-0, 3 KOs) will take on Alfonso Olvera (7-2, 3 KOs) in what is now a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader on Friday, May 13, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live.

Romania’s highly regarded Gavril, of Las Vegas, and Novoa, of Miami, Fla., by way of Medellin, Colombia, meet in a 10-round super middleweight scrap. Uzbekistan’s up-and-coming Rakhmanov, of Las Vegas, takes on Olvera, of Tucson, Ariz., in a six-round welterweight skirmish that will open the telecast.

Four undefeated cruiserweights – two from “The Money Team” — will be featured in previously announced 10-round fights. Mayweather’s Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti (12-0, 11 KOs) confronts Keith “Machine Gun” Tapia (16-0, 11 KOs) in the main event collision of power punchers. Mayweather Promotions’ 2012 U.S. Olympian Michael Hunter (11-0, 8 KOs), of Las Vegas, will touch gloves with Isiah Thomas (15-0, 1 ND, 6 KOs), of Detroit, in the co-feature.

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.

All but Gavril will be making their ShoBox debuts.

GAVRIL vs. NOVOA:
Gavril, making his 2016 debut and second ShoBox start, is seeking his fifth consecutive victory. An aggressive-minded fighter with a fan-friendly style, Gavril registered a seventh-round TKO over Thomas Falowo in his ShoBox debut on Aug. 13, 2014.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 29-year-old has won his last two by knockout, including a fourth-round TKO over Mariano Hilario last Dec. 18. This will be Gavril’s 11th fight overall in Las Vegas since he signed with Mayweather Promotions in 2013 and his sixth in a row.

An outstanding amateur (165-15) and longtime member of the National Team of Romania, Gavril turned pro in December 2011 and won his initial 11 scraps before losing in an upset eight-round decision to Edwin Ayala in March 2015.

Novoa, a straight-up brawler and power-puncher making his 2016 debut, has won 11 of his last 12 fights by knockout, all inside four rounds, dating to March 2010. The 34-year-old’s last three outings lasted two rounds or less. In his last effort, he scored a second-round TKO over Francisco Cordero on April 11, 2015.

The 5-foot-10 Novoa fought eight times in the United States between December 2006 and August 2009, but this is his first U.S. start since. The majority of the 11-year veteran’s fights emanated from Colombia and Panama.

Novoa was an outstanding amateur with more than 150 fights. He was a three-time national amateur champion in Colombia and represented his native country in the 2004 Olympic Games where he advanced to the quarterfinals.

RAKHMANOV vs. OLVERA:
The highly touted Rakhmanov left Uzbekistan in December 2014 for Las Vegas, specifically to land a spot on the Mayweather Promotions team. The 26-year-old has since quickly made a name for himself in America.

Within days after signing with MP, Rakhmanov turned pro with a 1:21 first-round knockout over Brett Simmons on June 20, 2015. The 5-foot-7½-inch emerging talent is coming off a fourth-round knockout over outmatched Jose Castro this past Jan. 19.

In his lone fight to go the distance, Rakhamanov dominated Farkhad Sharipov en route to a unanimous six-round decision on the undercard of Mayweather-Andre Berto on Sept. 12, 2015. Rakhmanov is fighting for the fourth time in Las Vegas.

Rakhmanov, who was born in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, was a top amateur with more than 140 bouts. He won a gold medal at the 2009 Asian Amateur Boxing Championship. In 2013, he became the national champion of Uzbekistan.

Olvera has won three-in-a-row and six of his last seven. This will be his third fight this year and second in Las Vegas since turning pro in October 2014. In what may be a career-best performance, he scored a six-round decision over Genaro Mendee last March 12. Olvera showed in that one that he’d evolved from a one dimensional counter-puncher into a more complete fighter

The 5-foot-11 Olvera, who was born in Sonora, Mexico, has fought exclusively in the U.S. The 26-year-old won his pro debut but lost his second fight on a competitive four-round decision to highly regarded unbeaten Ivan Baranchyk. He remains the only fighter to take Baranchyk the distance.

Olivera didn’t begin to box until the age of 20. Despite the late start, he won the Arizona and regional Golden Gloves tournament in his weight division three times, finishing his amateur career with a record of 51-4.

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.

Philadelphia, PA (May 4, 2016)–THIS FRIDAY night, May 6th, a terrific night of boxing returns the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia as King’s Promotions presents a ten-bout card.

In the main event, rising super middleweight Christopher Brooker (8-1, 5 KOs) takes on Antowyan Aikens (10-1-1. 1 KO) in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

In the six-round co-feature, former IBF Welterweight champion, Kermit Cintron (35-5-2, 28 KO’s) is coming full circle when he takes on Eduardo Flores (23-20-3, 15 KO’s) in a junior middleweight bout.

Cintron, who for most of the last decade was a heralded prospect, turned world champion, is reuniting with the team started him to his journey.

“Everything has been great for this camp and I got excellent sparring and I am ready to go,” said Cintron.

The Reading, Pennsylvania native is happy to fighting just forty-five minutes away from his hometown. He will making his first appearance in the “City of Brotherly Love” in fifteen years.

“Fighting in Philly is exciting. I will have lots of family, friends from school and other friends be able to drive and see the fight. It is a great opportunity for them to watch me live. It’s been a long time but I am looking forward to it.”

Most of Cintron’s fights in the past decade have been high-profile fights that have been seen in on premium cable television. Cintron is taking this stage of his career one fight at a time.

“It is all up to my promoter Marshall Kauffman and King’s Promotions. When he says that I am ready for a bigger fight, that is when we will move to that. I am just trying to get my feet wet again. I am excited for this opportunity and to be back with Marshall. Marshall and Joe Pastore trained me to get to the top. Now Joe is training me and Marshall is promoting me and I am happy to be back with them. I am just trying to get back to being my old self again. I have been working on walking my opponents down.”

This fight is ticketed for 154 pounds, but Cintron has eyes on welterweight glory again.

“We will slowly work our way down and see how my body feels. This will be at 154. The next fight, I am looking at 150-151 and then hopefully 147.”

In Flores, Cintron is fighting an experienced foe who has been in the ring with former world champion Carlos Baldomir plus a bevy of contenders and prospects.

“I really do not know much on him other then he has fought a bunch of good fighters and he is from Ecuador. I just expect me to be my old self and if that is the case, a knockout should be happening on Friday.”

In a six-round super lightweight bout, Naim Nelson (12-1, 1 NC, 1 KO) battles Carlos Velasquez (24-23-2, 15 KO’s) of Managua, Nicaragua.

In a six-round super welterweight bout, Erik Spring (6-1,1 KO) of Reading, PA will fight Justin Johnson (6-11-4) of Pittsburgh, PA.

In four-round bouts:

Scott Kelleher (4-0, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia will fight Terrell James (1-3-1) of Philadelphia, PA. in a super lightweight fight.

Tyrone Crawley Jr. (4-0) of Philadelphia will square off with Korey Sloane (2-8-2) of Philadelphia in lightweight bout.

Amir Shabazz (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia fights Tahlik Taylor (1-3) of Freeport, NY. in a light heavyweight affair.

Aaron Brooks of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against Ryan Bivins (0-1-1) of Philadelphia in super middleweight bout.

Thomas Velasquez (4-0, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will fight Grashino Yancy (1-0) of Staten Island, New York in a super featherweight bout.

Emmanuel Folly (6-0, 4 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will take Bryan Perez Nevarez (2-3-1, 1 KO) of Carolina, PR in a bantamweight contest.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $100 for Ringside, $75 for Premium, $50 for Reserved and $35 for Standing room and can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE

The weigh-in will take place this Thursday at Chickie’s & Pete’s at 6 PM.

Chickie’s & Pete’s is located at 1526 Packer Avenue in Philadelphia.

Ellesmere Port star Paul Butler will face Thailand’s Petchbarngborn Kokietgym in a showdown that should Butler win will guarantee him the mandatory position with the WBO.

The bout will act as chief support for Liam Smith’s massive homecoming world title defence at the Liverpool Echo Arena and will be broadcast live and exclusive on BoxNation; the channel of champions.

Butler’s huge world title eliminator will also double up as the first defence of his WBO International Super-Flyweight Title. Red-hot Butler edged closer to another world title shot last time out at the Liverpool Echo Arena where he emphatically stopped Mexico’s Sebastian Sanchez in nine rounds with a crunching left hook to the body.

Kokietgym, the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Super-Flyweight Champion, fights out of Bangkok and is a veteran of 46 fights. With 18 knockouts from 38 career wins the terrifying Thai will be looking to cause an upset on his debut on UK soil.

With the solitary blemish on his ring record now firmly consigned to memory, Butler is gunning for another shot at a Super-Flyweight title on his return to the Echo Arena. 27 year-old Butler, 21-1 12 KO’s, is more determined than ever to become the first Englishman in over 100 years to drop down a weight and win a second world title.

“I’ve not seen him box but what we know is he doesn’t really like to work at a high work rate. He throws between 30-40 shots per round so we want to take him out of that comfort zone by working him and that means me throwing between 80-100 shots,” said Butler.

He added: “He’s a very good fighter if he’s getting his own way but we plan on making him work and taking that away from him. This is a massive fight for me as it will get me back to where I belong; the world level and winning a world title.”

A talent-stacked card is headlined by Scouse warrior Liam Smith’s second WBO World Super-Welterweight title defence. South African super-puncher Zolani Tete makes his eagerly anticipated return to Merseyside to defend the IBF International Bantamweight that he won against Jose Santos Gonzales in March. Liverpool’s favourite fighting son ‘Jazza’ Dickens takes on Spain’s Abigail Medina for the Vacant EBU European Super-Bantamweight Championship. A full undercard will be announced shortly.

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 Channel Of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, TalkTalk 415 and Freeview 255. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com or watch online at watch.boxnation.com and via iPhone, iPad or Android and Amazon devices.

WBO #11, WBA #12 and IBF #15 heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (16-0-1, 14 KOs) will face Topeka, Kansas, slugger Nick Guivas (12-3-2, 9 KOs) for the WBO NABO Heavyweight Championship on Friday, May 27, 2016, at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York.

The two power-punching heavies will meet in the main event of Greg Cohen Promotions next instalment of “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network.”

In the night’s 10-round lightweight co-main event, red-hot Filipino prospect Harmonito “El Huracan de Gensan” Dela Torre (17-0, 12 KOs) will make his debut on US soil against capable veteran Guillermo Sanchez (15-18-1, 6 KOs) of Buffalo.

Tickets for “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” start at $35 and are available at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino box office, www.ticketmaster.com or you can charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

An impressive victory over Guivas will inch Miller that much closer to a shot at his dream of becoming Heavyweight Champion of the World. Never one to shy away from a war or a microphone, the outspoken Miller has been publicly calling out the world’s heavyweight champions from nearly the beginning of his career.

Promoted by both Greg Cohen Promotions and Salita Promotions, Miller’s boasts have turned to real threats in recent years, as his string of impressive knockouts grows and grows over ever-more-dangerous foes.

On fight night, doors open at 6 pm and the action starts at 7:00 pm. The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is located at 310 4th Street in Niagara Falls, NY. For more information, call 877-873-6322 or visit www.senecaniagaracasino.com.
About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

LONDON (May 4, 2016) – SHOWTIME Sports and Matchroom Boxing announced on Wednesday a multi-fight licensing agreement for Showtime Networks Inc., to be the exclusive U.S. television partner of undefeated heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua. The announcement was made today at the Hilton Syon Park outside London by Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports and Eddie Hearn, President of Matchroom Sports.

The multi-fight agreement kicks-off on Saturday, June 25 when Joshua, a British sensation, attempts to make the first defense of his IBF Heavyweight World Championship against undefeated American challenger Dominic Breazeale at the sold-out The O2 arena in London. The addition of this heavyweight title fight, airing live on Showtime Networks in the late afternoon, bolsters a big day for boxing as later that evening on CBS, SHOWTIME will present the first live primetime boxing event on the CBS Television Network in nearly 40 years.

Joshua, 26, has compiled a perfect knockout record of 16-0 with 16 knockouts since turning professional shortly after winning the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal. Earlier this year, Joshua earned the IBF world championship with a second-round knockout of defending champion Charles Martin on SHOWTIME, earning a heavyweight belt in the fewest number of fights in more than 20 years. Further, Joshua is just the sixth Olympic Gold Medalist at super heavyweight to go on to win a professional heavyweight world title joining Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin.

The 30-year-old Breazeale (17-0, 15 KOs) has knocked out nearly 90 percent of his opponents since turning professional after representing the United States at the 2012 Olympics. Standing at 6-foot-7, the Los Angeles native is one inch taller than the 6-foot-6 Joshua. The former NCAA football quarterback is coming off a career-best victory of previously once-beaten Amir Mansour on Jan. 23.

Joshua vs. Breazeale will be the fifth heavyweight title bout to air live on SHOWTIME in the first six months of 2016, joining a stellar schedule that features many of the top-rated fighters in boxing’s deepest and most exciting divisions.

Also on Saturday, June 25, Keith Thurman will defend his WBA Welterweight World Championship against former titlist Shawn Porter in a blockbuster matchup of two of the world’s best 147-pound fighters, live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. In the co-main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar will defend his title against former three-division world champion Abner Mares.

EDITORS NOTE: A press conference is currently underway in London. Quotes and photos to follow. A media teleconference for U.S. press with Joshua, Stephen Espinoza (Executive Vice President & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports) and Eddie Hearn (President of Matchroom Sport) begins at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 4th, 2016) — Between he and his brother, Marcus, also a professional fighter, Quinton Willis describes himself as the “mellow one.”

That is, until he’s asked whether or not his upcoming opponent, undefeated junior middleweight Khiary Gray, has ever faced anyone of his caliber. Willis didn’t even need to hear the rest of the question.

“No,” he said matter-of-factly. “Not at all.”

While it doesn’t quite register as “trash talk” — at least not what Gray is used to — it’s obvious the Fort Myers, Fla., vet carries a cool, quiet confidence into his upcoming Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) Northeast Title bout against Gray on Friday, May 13th, 2016 in the eight-round co-feature of “THE BATTLE FOR THE CAPITAL,” presented by CES Boxing at Twin River Casino.

Limited seated 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.

On paper, Willis (10-3-1, 5 KOs) faces long odds against the undefeated, reigning champion from Worcester, Mass., who sports a 12-0 record with nine knockouts — seven in the opening round — but the 32-year-old right-hander is coming off a strong camp, aided by both his brother and father, Larry Willis, who helped break down Gray’s extensive video library.

“Normally I have to go in there blind and just rely on my own talent,” Willis said, “but now we kind of know what he wants to do and what kind of fighter he wants to be.

“A lot of times he’s deceptive in doing the same stuff over and over again, but, at the same time, it’s different, and he tries to tweak it. We’re just trying to pick up on the habits he does consistently. It’s definitely different getting some film we can work off of. Normally, we don’t get that benefit, so it’s a big thing.”

Willis’ manager, Damian Walton, upped the ante, predicting the possibility of a short night for Gray if he doesn’t respect Willis’ punching power.

“This dude Gray ain’t fought nobody like Willis. He ain’t seen nobody like Willis,” Walton said. “We’re coming to their house to take that belt. We’re not coming to lay down. We’re not going to make it easy for him. We’re coming to give him eight rounds of hell. To be honest, it might not even go eight rounds.

“He better bring his ‘A++’ game. He ain’t ever fought no one that hits as hard as Quinton Willis. He’ll have to be ready for that. It ain’t going to be no fun and games in there. I caught a little interview and [Gray] is a little too comfortable for this fight. That’s a problem for me. This is the real deal right here.”

Gray, who actually rivals Willis in his reserved, laid-back demeanor, hasn’t had much to say since the fight was announced in late March, simply pointing out he knows little about Willis and doesn’t seem too concerned with finding out more. He’s equally unfazed by the talk emanating from Willis’ camp.

He heard it last year from Kenton Sippio-Cook, who went to sleep in just under three minutes, and again in February from Cameron Rivera, who never even made it up the steps, derailed by a broken wrist two weeks before the fight.

“Everyone can talk, but it’s about what happens in the ring. That’s how I see it,” Gray said. “Once someone gets punched, their whole game plan goes out the window. We’ll see what happens.”

Willis has won his last three while Gray enters next Friday’s bout having just gone 10 hard rounds with Nicaraguan challenger Eduardo Flores in February, the first time he had gone the distance since his third pro fight in November of 2014. Flores was the last-minute replacement for Rivera, agreeing to the fight less than 36 hours before the weigh-in.

With no background information to digest — Gray didn’t even know what Flores looked like until they stood face-to-face at the scale — Gray found himself learning on the job in what proved to be his most challenging, yet rewarding, victory.

“The knockouts are great, but I want people to see more than my punching power,” Gray said. “I want them to see my boxing. I want them to see my angles. I want them to see my different styles.

“[Flores] was a veteran, so he knew what he was doing. I was prepared for that. I felt great. I felt like I could’ve gone two more rounds.”

He might need the stamina against Willis, who has never been stopped and has boxed 58 rounds in 14 fights, compared to just 30 rounds for Gray in 12 bouts.

Born and raised in a boxing family — “I was in the gym when I had a snotty nose and Pampers on,” he says — Willis works well alongside his father and brother, the latter of whom is 16-4-2 as a pro, by keeping his cool when tempers flare in the gym.

“My dad and my brother are a lot more alike,” Willis said. “Me, I fight, come to the gym and train, and they argue. I’m just the one that laughs and keeps working.”

The film study might give him an edge, but Willis considers it a moot point once the bell rings.

“Honestly, everything is cause and effect with boxing,” he said. “No matter how much you film you get or don’t get, everything is going to be different once you get in that ring, regardless of whether or not he’s seen me fight or knows how I like to fight. Once we get in that ring, he has to adjust, I have to adjust. It’s people playing chess.”

Added Gray: “There’s not much tape on him, just some sparring sessions and what he’s been doing at his gym. It doesn’t bother me. I prepare for any style and any type of opponent.”

On May 13th, it’ll come down to who executes, not who watches the most film or pounds his chest the loudest. The battle lines have been drawn in what figures to be the toughest test of each fighter’s respective career.

“I feel a lot better from my last fight to this fight,” Gray said. “I’ve gained an idea of what it’s like to go the distance and how I came out of it, so this will be just another fight for me.”

“THE BATTLE FOR THE CAPITAL” is headlined by an All-Providence super middleweight showdown in the main event between “Mr. Providence” Vladine Biosse (15-7-2, 7 KOs) and “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo Jr. (40-7, 21 KOs).

On the undercard, 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 and regional standouts Nick DeLomba (8-1, 2 KOs) of Cranston, R.I., and the undefeated Freddy Sanchez (7-0, 5 KOs) of Worcester face off in a 6-round bout for the vacant New England Super Featherweight Title.

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.

Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions proudly announces the signing of undefeated lightweight Maynard “Mr. Marvelous” Allison to a promotional agreement.

Allison (4-0, 3 KOs), from Siler City, North Carolina, is a former college football player, who started boxing in his early 20s after getting curious while driving past a gym. “I played sports all my life,” explained Allison, “But there was no boxing where I’m from. When I graduated high school, I went to college to play football, but I didn’t get along with the coach. So then I was bored and looking for something to do. I was driving past a boxing gym, so I stopped and went in. I just wanted to see what it was and maybe learn how to box for the skill. But from the beginning, I was catching on really well. I’ve been boxing ever since.”

A quick-fisted counterpuncher with above-average power, Allison says he enjoys the finer points of the sweet science. “I’m a good boxer,” he said. “I like counterpunching. I’m slick. You got to be slick to last in this sport. I work on defense a lot. I try not to get hit. I make them miss and make them pay.”

The 28-year-old came down from 165 lbs. to 135 lbs. and went on to have almost 50 amateur fights. He turned professional late last year and now trains at the Inner City Boxing Gym in Durham, North Carolina, under coach Keedar Massey. “We have a great relationship. He is the best coach I’ve ever met. He’s really strict and stays on you, makes sure you do everything right. If you don’t come to the gym, he calls you and says ‘where you at? You need to come now.'”

Allison was last seen demolishing then-undefeated crosstown rival Braulio Soto in under one round last February. “He was going around running his mouth a lot,” said Allison of Soto. “My coach knew he stood no chance against me and knew fighting him would be a good opportunity for me to get a name. I don’t question my coach. I watched tape on him and found when he throws his jab his front foot comes up. So I was waiting for him to do it and when he did it, I slipped the jab and came back with the straight right. That was it. He was out.”

Promoter Cohen was introduced to Allison through his manager, Anthony Brown. The victory over Soto was what lead to the promotional agreement.

“Anthony had spoken to me about his fighter being something special in the past. He finally sent me a link to his last fight and I took a look,” explained Cohen. “I was very impressed. Maynard has very fast fists and a ton of power. I think having started his career at nearly super middleweight has made him extremely strong for a lightweight. We will be helping him advance in his career the right way: against opponents who will push him to his full potential.”

A married father of four, Allison is aware that at age 28, he has no time to lose. “I know I got a late start. I don’t’ want to say I’m old but I’m getting boxing old. I know I have to hurry up. It feels good to be signed with GCP. Knowing that I have somebody looking out for me and not having to worry about finding my own fights will really help. A world title was always my dream, but I just want to make enough to invest and do something with my money and make sure my family will be alright. That’s all I care about.”

Allison will return to the ring in the main event of a card on Saturday, May 14, at Dorton Arena in Raleigh, NC to face Charles Witt.
About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

LAS VEGAS (May 3, 2016) -WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) and British top fighter and former two-time former world champion Amir “King” Khan (31-3, 19 KOs)made their grand arrivals today at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas ahead of their middleweight championship showdown on May 7 at the new T-Mobile Arena, which will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

They were joined by undercard fighters David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs) and Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-2, 15 KOs) who will meet in a 10-round middleweight co-main event; Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs) and East Los Angeles’ undefeated star Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (20-0, 13 KOs) who will face off in a 10-round welterweight fight; and Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs) and Curtis Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) who will open up the Pay-Per-View telecast in a 10-round career-defining middleweight bout. They were also joined by Jason “El Animal” Quigley and Diego De La Hoya, who will fight in respective middleweight and super bantamweight bouts on the non-televised undercard.

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s grand arrivals:

CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion:

“There is a difference between wanting and doing. On Saturday night, we will see who will give who a boxing lesson. I want to thank all of my fans for the support. I am very honored to be celebrating on Cinco de Mayo, and I hope to put on a great show on Saturday night. I’m training hard for twelve rounds, I’m ready to go all of those rounds, and if the knockout presents itself-I’m ready to take it.”

AMIR KHAN, Former Two-Time World Champion:

“All the hard work and training has been done. I have a great team, and I am conditioned and ready to fight and represent my country of England. Mentally, I have prepared by praying, being with my beautiful family, and the support from my fans. Even though Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday, we are going to see a lot of British flags come Saturday night. This is a huge fight, as Canelo is a star in Mexico and America. I know I’m here as the underdog, but I’m ready to win and take this WBC belt back to my home in England. I wouldn’t have taken this fight if I didn’t think I could take it. I have trained for everything and worked on my speed and my power. A win against Canelo would be one of the biggest wins of my career because he is a superstar, especially on this Cinco de Mayo weekend in front of everyone. I have trained and worked on my speed and my power. The fans will be very happy on Saturday night. I will be the new world champion. I think it will be difficult to knock Canelo out, but I know I can give him a boxing lesson.”

DAVID LEMIEUX, Former IBF Middleweight World Champion:

“It feels great to be back here in Las Vegas, and I am excited for a great night of boxing. There is no more rest, it is all business. I am here to give a great show and win some fans. After this weekend, everyone will know the name David Lemieux. I am excited for a great night of boxing come May 7. I am here to give a great show and win some fans. I’m happy he [Glen Tapia] is confidant and 100 percent secure he’s going to win. But, that night the fans are going to be the winners. I am going to be more than ready to win. First, I know I need to take care of Glen Tapia properly. After that, I am going to be more than ready to take on Canelo or Khan.”

GLEN “JERSEY BOY” TAPIA, Middleweight Contender:

“I feel so good to be here in Las Vegas, I have trained hard, and I couldn’t feel better about this fight. I know Lemieux comes in as a great fighter, he has a better record than me, and I have a lot of respect for him. The only thing on my mind in the future is fighting David Lemieux.”

MAURICIO “EL MAESTRO” HERRERA, Former WBA Interim Super Light Weight World Champion:

“Frankie Gomez and I are going to create something very special in the ring on Saturday night. Get your tickets because nobody is going to take this fight from me. Training camp has been tough; like every camp it is the toughest part but all my training will make it an easy night for Saturday. I’m not burned out – I’m hungry to win. Frankie Gomez is undefeated and has everything going for him. He wants to take my spot and everything I have built. I respect him as a fighter, but it is my time. He will get his chance later.”

FRANKIE “PITBULL” GOMEZ, Welterweight Contender:

“I’m ready and Mauricio is a great fighter with a lot of experience but so am I. I’m going to show everyone I am not going here to lose on May 7. Training has been great, and I’ve been getting ready for 12 weeks. I’m 100 percent focused on the sport and ready to go. Herrera is very crafty with great experience and has fought many fighters, but I know I’m better.”

PATRICK TEIXEIRA, Undefeated Middleweight Prospect:

“I’m ready and prepared. Good luck to Curtis on trying to knock me out. I will put on a good show, especially for my Mexican friends.”

CURTIS STEVENS, Former World Title Challenger:

“This has been my dream all my life and the next step is to be a world champion. I’m going to keep the fans real excited on May 7!”

DIEGO DE LA HOYA, WBC Youth World Super Bantamweight Champion:

“I’m very excited to be here and see all the beautiful, Mexican people here as fans and to be here on this card. I am thankful to Golden Boy Promotions for this opportunity. There is some pressure with the De La Hoya name, but I’ve been prepared for it all my life and I’m ready to put on a show for my fans with my fight. I know my fight is going to be tough because I’m fighting an undefeated opponent. But like a well-trained, Mexican fighter, I’m going to give it all in the ring and come out with a victory.”

JASON “EL ANIMAL” QUIGLEY, Middleweight Prospect:

“It feels great to be here with all the support from the fans for my fight on May 7th. I worked very hard to get to this position, and I’m going to grab my opponent, put on my knockout gloves and take the victory.”

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila, DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13, and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August. David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.Facebook.com/HBOboxing, join us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, and follow the conversation using #CaneloKhan.