Delvin Rodriguez and former world champion Joachim Alcine battled to a 10-round draw in a Jr. Middleweight bout at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

It seemed like Rodriguez controlled the bout from the outside but Alcine made it close with his inside work..

Rodriguez, 158.8 lbs of the Dominican Republic won a card 97-93. Alcine, 153 lbs of Canada won a card 96-94 while a 3rd card read even at 95-95.

Rodriguez is now 28-7-4. Alcine is 35-7-1.

Derric Rossy scored a 10 round majority decision over Joe Hanks in a Heavyweight bout.

Rossy won by scores of 98-92, 97-92 and 95 95 and is now 29-8.

INGLEWOOD, CALIF (May 16, 2014) — Today’s Official Weigh-In for boxing’s triumphant return to the “Fabulous” Forum will be OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The inaugural brawl, which takes place on Saturday, May 17, will feature four-division world champion and Méxican icon JUAN MANUEL “Dinamita” MÁRQUEZ (55-7-1, 40 KOs), of México City, and former world junior welterweight champion “Mile High” MIKE ALVARADO (34-2, 23 KOs), of Denver, Colo., squaring off in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title elimination bout with the winner emerging as the mandatory challenger to WBO welterweight champion and Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao.

FREE PARKING in the Manchester Lot, North West side will be available for fans at Noon. Doors will open at 2:00 p.m. with the fighters stepping on the scale, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Fans will be directed up Ramp No. 4 for access into the North Entrance. (Media parking will be in the North East side of the Manchester Lot. Media should check in at the Floor Seat entrance.

The weigh-in will be streamed live via www.toprank.tv, beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT

Márquez vs. Alvarado takes place Tomorrow! Saturday, May 17, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast will open with the Viktor Postol vs. Selcuk Aydin World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight title elimination bout. Postol (25-0, 10 KOs), of Brovarsky, Ukraine, and Aydin (26-2, 19 KOs), of Trabzon, Turkey, are world-rated No. 1 and No. 2 by the WBC, respectively,

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Márquez Boxing, PS4 and Tecate, remaining tickets to Márquez vs. Alvarado, priced at $400, $250, $150, $75 and $35, can be purchased at the Forum box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (800-745-3000), and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.fabulousforum.com

Doors open on Fight Day at 3:00 p.m. PT with the first bout on the mega undercard beginning at 3:15 p.m. PT.

Road To Márquez/Alvarado HBO Replay Schedule (All times are ET/PT):
May 16 (9:00 a.m. & 3:45 p.m.) and 17 (8:15 a.m.).

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

For more information on the Forum visit www.fabulousforum.com.

May 16, 2014 – HBO Sports® debuts an all-new installment of “2 Days” when the feature segment returns Saturday, May 24 at 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT) with a behind-the-scenes look at world middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, one of boxing’s elite pound-for-pound fighters.

“2 Days” is a revealing and intimate look at a 48-hour span in the life of a boxer in the lead-up to one of his fights and the next edition will focus on Argentine Sergio Martinez. HBO cameras followed the engaging and compelling fighter prior to his memorable hometown showdown with Martin Murray last April in Buenos Aires. The outdoor event attracted more than 40,000 fans.

HBO air times include: May 24 (11:00 p.m.), 25 (10:00 a.m.), 27 (3:15 p.m. & 2:30 a.m.), 28 (12:30 a.m.), 29 (5:30 p.m.), 30 (10:30 a.m.), 31 (7:00 p.m.) and June 3 (12:30 p.m. & 3:30 a.m.), 5 (1:15 a.m.), 6 (6:45 p.m.) and 7 (10:45 a.m.).

HBO2 air times include: May 25 (5:30 p.m.), 26 (10:45 a.m. & 3:30 a.m.) 30 (4:00 p.m.) and 31 (11:30 p.m.).

All times are ET/PT.

Martinez is set to return to the ring on Saturday, June 7 in one of the year’s hottest fights when he faces superstar Miguel Cotto at New York’s Madison Square Garden on HBO Pay-Per-View®.

“2 Days” will also be available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO GO® and at www.hbo.com/boxing as well as various other new media platforms that distribute the series.

By Norm Frauenheim–

Boxing returns to a place Saturday that helped re-define the business in a way that allowed it to move beyond the Sugar Ray Leonard generation and into an era without the heavyweight division as its flagship.

Welcome back to The Forum.

It also was nicknamed the House of Upsets, which might mean trouble for favored Juan Manuel Marquez against Mike Alvarado if contractors didn’t remove that legacy in the $35-million remake of the old arena near LAX.

It’s a good fight, but Top Rank’s return to the building is more intriguing for historical significance and perhaps coincidence.

“This is going to be a great night and a fight that is really important for boxing,’’ said Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who during a conference call also said The Forum was “a venue that helped make boxing as popular as it is today.’’

Note that Arum did not say boxing was as popular as it was the last time it was there. Nobody would. Or could. Arum promoted Muhammad Ali, the most legendary name of all, in a decision over Ken Norton at The Forum in a Sept. 10, 1973 bout that drew 12,417 customers for a live gate of $476,750, a California record that stood for 27 years.
“That was what? Forty-one years ago,’’ Arum joked. “Oh my, I was a thin, young handsome guy. Now, I’m an old fat guy.’’

But the memories are as keen as ever for Arum, who at 82 finds himself confronted by decisions about where to go and what to do. Maybe the answers are in China or with boxers from Kazakhstan, Russia and The Ukraine. It’s hard to know. But it’s becoming abundantly clear that change is on the horizon.

The Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. era is near its end. HBO’s pay-per-view numbers for Pacquiao’s rematch victory over Timothy Bradley on April 12 were reported to be between 750,000 and 800,000, down from the 890,000 for their first fight in 2012.

As of Thursday, there was still no news on Showtime’s PPV number for Mayweather’s difficult decision over Marcos Maidana on May 3. However, there were indications that it might not reach the one-million mark, a Mayweather standard.

Barring a Mayweather-Maidana surprise, the numbers, although still strong, are short of expectations. No matter how you add them up, it’s impossible to subtract public exasperation at never getting Mayweather-Pacquiao. Consequences have come home to roost.

If there’s any good news, it’s in boxing’s proven resiliency. The Forum is a symbol of that. From 1968 through 1999, the Forum was an entry point for Mexican and Mexican-American fighters. A fight in The Forum was a good introduction to the American market. With them, there were fans. Ruben Olivares and Carlos Zarate drew bigger crowds than Ali.

Olivares’ fifth-round knockout of Australian Lionel Rose in a 1969 rematch drew 18,408, The Forum’s biggest boxing crowd ever. In 1970, Olivares won a decision over Chuchu Castillo in front of 18,141. In 1977, Carlos Zarate scored a fourth-round stoppage of Alphonso Zarate in front of 13,971. They were little guys, bantamweights.

They got smaller and in the nick of time. Heavyweight Mike Tyson was in prison for rape and Leonard’s career was all but finished in the wake of a loss to Terry Norris when Michael Carbajal and Humberto Gonzalez met at The Forum. They were 108 pounds in a division sometimes called light-flyweight, a redundancy if there ever was one. But their impact at the box-office was big.

A crowd of 10,333 showed up on Feb, 19, 1994 for a Forum rematch of their 2003 Fight of the Year, won by Carbajal, who got up twice to score a seventh-round stoppage at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Gonzalez, who made his name at The Forum after beginning his career at home in Mexico City, won a debatable split decision in the second of three fights between the two. But the real history in their first rematch was in the purse.

Arum paid Carbajal $1 million, which then made him the lightest ever to collect the milestone purse. Carbajal’s victory in the first bout had given him leverage in negotiations. To get the $1 million, however, Arum told him he had to fight Gonzalez at what was then called The Great Western Forum. On the scorecards, Carbajal, who also lost the third fight a narrow decision in Don King-promoted bout in Mexico City, might have paid for that move.

“Michael fought Gonzalez in his living room and then fought him in his kitchen,’’ said ex-Forum broadcaster and fighter Ruben Castillo, who called his friend’s second loss “The Great Western Rip-off.”

At The Forum, however, Arum confirmed what had been evident for many years. There was a new market for fights at weights that promoters had always ignored. There was a new way to do business at a time when one was badly needed. Arum is back in a place he knows and a time he recognizes.

San Diego, CA – May 15, 2014 -This Saturday afternoon, Featherweight contender Lee Selby will look to inch closer to rumored big fights when he takes on tough Mexican Romulo Koasicha in a bout that will broadcast live in the United States on AWE.

The card begins at 2:30 PM Eastern / 11:30 AM Pacific.

The fight, will be for the WBC International Featherweight title, will originate from the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

Selby of Barry, Wales has a record of 18-1 with 7 knockouts. Selby has been on a roll, winning 14 straight fights and capturing multiple championships.

Selby is ranked no. 3 in the world by the WBC, no. 12 by the WBA, no. 6 in the world by the IBF and no. 10 in the world by the WBO.

“Everything is going well and the preparation was great,”said Selby on Thursday morning.

When asked about his opponent, Selby had very little knowledge going into Saturday’s contest.

“I really don’t know too much. I know he likes to mix it up and he has a good jab.”

With potential big fights on the horizon against WBC champion Jhonny Gonzalez or Nonito Donaire (who fights for the WBA title later this month), Selby is not looking past the upset minded Koasicha.

“I take each fight as its own. I prepare myself well and treat them all the same.”

Selby made a big impression to the American fans on February 1st when he stopped former world title challenger Rendall Munroe in a fight that was also seen on AWE.

“It is great to be seen in America. That is where the big fights are and it is great to be able to show my talent. Hopefully I can challenge for one of the titles. I just want everybody to keep following my career. Hopefully I can fight in America and bring a title back to Wales,” finished Selby.

Koasicha of San Luis Potosi, Mexico has a record of 21-3 with 12 knockouts. He has earned a number of belts, including the WBC United Stated USNBC with a 7th round stoppage over Eduardo Becerril. Koasicha has defended the title three times over two reigns which includes his last bout when he scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Marcos Cardenas on February 8. He is ranked no. 15 by the WBC

A stacked undercard has been arranged by promoter Eddie Hearns of Matchroom Sport. In a 12-round Battle for the WBC International Super Middleweight title, undefeated Callum Smith (10-0, 8 KO’s) will take on Tobias Webb (14-1-1, 2 KO’s). Gary Buckland (28-3, 9 KO’s) will battle former world champion Gavin Rees (37-4-1, 18 KO’s). Also former Light Heavyweight champion, Nathan Cleverly (26-1, 12 KO’s) will make his Cruiserweight debut against Sean Corbin (17-4, 12 KO’s)

Boxing fans can enjoy Selby vs Koasicha and upcoming world-class boxing bouts live on AWE via Verizon FiOS TV channels 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and1470 in HD, along with over 100 cable systems across the country and worldwide. Watch for additional live boxing announcements at www.awetv.com

About AWE LIVE BOXNG

In 2012, AWE earned 2 of the 6 Boxing Writers Association of America nominations for “Fight of the Year” candidates, beating out all other networks except HBO which earned three. AWE also showcased live all 2012 David Price fights. In 2013, AWE has featured the stunning upsets of Tony Thompson over David Price, bouts with Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew, who just fought each other for the Light Heavyweight championship; 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James DeGale and possibly the two most controversial bouts which saw Ricky Burns keep his Lightweight title against Ray Beltran as well as the debatable stoppage that saw Carl Froch retain his title against George Groves.

About AWE – A Wealth of Entertainment

A Wealth of Entertainment (“AWE”) features a wide range of lifestyle and entertainment programming from exotic travel and outrageous homes to live world championship boxing. AWE is featured on over a hundred cable providers, including AT&T U-Verse, ch 470 and 1470 in HD and Verizon FiOS TV, ch 116 and 669 in HD. For more information, please visit www.awetv.com.

EL PASO, TEXAS — May 15, 2014 — Iron Boy Promotions has successfully promoted twelve professional boxing events in Phoenix since 2012, and now takes the show to El Paso, Texas with Iron Boy 13. Showcasing the brightest, most exciting young talent in El Paso, Iron Boy Promotions hopes to give the fighters in and around El Paso a high quality platform on which they can build their professional careers, much like the promotional company has done in Phoenix.

El Paso’s Oscar Valenzuela (6-0-1, 3KO) will face Mexico’s Alexis Del Bosque (3-1, 3KO) in the main event bout. Valenzuela, who trains at Carolina Gym with Reyes Mata, made his pro debut at 19 years old after more than 120 fights as an amateur. He faces Del Bosque in a six round bout at 132 pounds.

The co-main event bout of the evening pits El Paso fighter Carlos Villa (5-1-1, 3KO) against Albuquerque’s Matt Baca (4-1-1, 2KO) at 140 lbs. Said Baca about the match-up, “This is going to be a good, competitive fight. We are both up and coming prospects and I’m excited to be on the card.” Fan favorite Siju Shabazz (4-1, 4KO) who hails from Las Cruces, and is now training in Phoenix, will also be on the card in a special feature bout.

Two-time Amateur World Champion Ayanna Vasquez will be making her professional debut at Iron Boy 13. Said Roberto Vargas, President of Iron Boy Promotions, “We’re excited to have an accomplished amateur such as Ayanna making her pro debut on our card. We also want to support women’s boxing whenever possible, and had her on our card as an amateur in Phoenix. She gives a great show, and I’m sure El Paso will be no exception.” Ayanna’s brother Adam Vasquez (1-0, 0KO) will also be on the card, facing former US Marine Anthony Rocha (Debut) from Lubbock, Texas. The Vasquez siblings live and train in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Three Arizona boxers will make the trip to El Paso for Iron Boy 13. Iron Boy Promotions fighter Carlos “The Chosen One” Castro (5-0, 2KO) will make his long-awaited return to the ring on June 6th. Standout amateur Emmanuel Nieves will be making his professional debut, and David Benavidez, younger brother of exciting prospect Jose Benavidez, Jr. will be making his United States debut after amassing a 4-0, 4KO record in Mexico as a professional.

“This is such a great opportunity for the fighters and for fight fans in El Paso. Iron Boy Promotions has put on such high quality shows in Phoenix, and we’re looking forward to having that same energy, those same exciting fights here in El Paso. I’m excited that Iron Boy has chosen El Paso to launch its Texas operations,” said Rico Velez, Director of Operations for the Texas Division of Iron Boy Promotions.

Iron Boy Promotions is also honored to welcome special guests on fight night: El Paso’s own David “Nino” Rodriguez (36-1 34KO), along with 100 soldiers from Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso.

Iron Boy Promotions will be hosting a Media Workout Day on Tuesday, June 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at Pound for Pound Boxing Gym, located at 10931 Pellicano Drive in El Paso. This event is open to the public, and fight fans are encouraged to attend. There will be food served, ticket giveaways and opportunities to meet the Iron Boy 13 fighters.

The Iron Boy 13 Official Weigh-in will be at Camino Real Hotel at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 5th.

Tickets for the event, which will take place at Buchanan’s Event Center, may be purchased at www.iron-boy.com, and are priced at $25 for general admission. Doors open at 6 p.m. on June 6th, first bell is at 7 p.m.

#######

Iron Boy Promotions is a Phoenix-based boxing promotions company. Established in 2011, Iron Boy Promotions is committed to providing quality, high-powered boxing shows with talented fighters.

Mashantucket, Conn. (May 15, 2014)- Earlier today, all of the fighters for the DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and Jean Pascal Promotions card weighed in ahead of their bouts tomorrow night at the beautiful Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, Conn., The exciting ShoBox: The New Generation doubleheader card is headlined by highly regarded undefeated junior lightweight prospect Joel Diaz Jr. taking on Tyler Asselstine and will air live on SHOWTIME® beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast.

Below is the complete bout sheet for tomorrow night, with the official weights included. Photos and quotes from the two televised fights to follow.

10 ROUNDS – LIGHTWEIGHTS
MAIN EVENT

Joel Diaz vs. Tyler Asselstine
Palmdale, CA Toronto, Canada
15-0, 12 KO’s 14-1, 7KO’s
130 lbs. 130 lbs.

8 ROUNDS – JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
CO-FEATURE

Frank Galarza vs. Sebastien Bouchard
Brooklyn, NY Quebec, Canada
13-0-2, 9 KO’s 8-0, 2 KO’s
153 lbs. 154 lbs.

6 ROUNDS – JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS

Bryant Cruz vs. Osnell Charles
Port Chester, NY Atlantic City, NJ
10-0, 6 KO’s 10-8-1, 1 KO
132 lbs. 131 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – FEATHERWEIGHTS

Gervonta Davis vs. Joshua Arocho
Baltimore, MD Vineland, NJ
6-0, 6 KO’s 3-9-4, 2 KO’s
127 lbs. 127 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

John Magda vs. David Courchaine
Rutherford, NJ Spokane, WA
5-0, 4 KO’s 2-3, 2 KO’s
167 lbs. 163 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT

Kareem Martin vs. Azamat Umarzoda
Washington, D.C. Las Vegas, NV
1-0, 1 KO 0-3
150 lbs. 152 lbs.

Tickets are priced at $125, $85 and $45, and may be purchased online at Foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com.

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

For fight updates go to www.dbe1.com, www.sho.com/sho/sports/home, and www.foxwoods.com. Facebook at facebook.com/DiBellaentertainment, facebook.com/ShoBoxing, facebook.com/foxwoods, and on Twitter at twitter.com/dibellaent, twitter.com/LouDiBella, twitter.com/ShoSports and twitter.com/FoxwoodsCT.

Pretoria, South Africa: Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu (16-1, 11 KOs), the southpaw from South Africa, will fight for the vacant IBF International Cruiserweight Title against Julio “Gaspar” Cesar Dos Santos (26-2, 23 KOs), the veteran from Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 6th at Rembrandt Hall at the University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South Africa. The fight is scheduled for ten rounds.

Mchunu vs. Chambers
Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events
The young Mchunu, 26, of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, made his US debut Aug. 3, 2013 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT with a stunning unanimous decision upset of former heavyweight contender “Fast” Eddie Chambers. He then went on to defeat Olanrewaju “God’s Power” Durodola on Jan. 24, 2014 on NBCSN Fight Night in Atlantic City, NJ. This will be his first fight back in his home country since signing with Main Events last year.

Dos Santos, 36, will make his South African debut against Mchunu. “Gaspar” has won his last four fights in a row, all in his hometown of Sao Paulo. Julio has an impressive 88% (23 of 26) knockout-to-win ratio and has never been stopped.

Durodola and Mchunu
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events

A confident Mchunu said, “I am going to traumatize my Brazilian opponent, Julio Cesar Dos Santos, from beginning to end. He’ll take up soccer when I’m finished with him.” To which his trainer, Sean Smith, replied, “It’s a bold statement but I think Thabiso can give the world another superstar, this time in a 200 pound frame.”

Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said, “Our plan for Thabiso is to keep him active to build a following for him here in the United States and continue to build on the following he has in South Africa with our partner, Showpony Promotions. Dos Santos is a tough opponent who will present a good test for Mchunu and the bout is sure to entertain his fans in South Africa. A win will also move him up in the ratings, which brings us all closer to the goal of capturing a world cruiserweight title.”

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Montreal, Canada (May 15, 2014) The fighter weighed in today for tomorrow nights ESPN’s Friday Night Fights from the famed Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada. Former world title challenger DELVIN “EL Peligro” RODRIGUEZ takes on JOACHIM Alcine and heavyweight contender JOE “The Future” HANKS faces DERRIC “The Shaolin Fist” ROSSY. Pictures and weights below.

10 Round Jr. Middleweight
Delvin Rodriguez 153.8
Joachim Alcine 153.

10 Round Hvy Weight
Derric Rossey 234.7
Joe Hanks 232.8

6 Round LtWeight
Christian Uruzquiea 134.5
Mario Perez 135.

6 Round Super Middleweight
Frank Miville 169.6
Walid Smichet 172.5

6 Round Jr. Lightweight
Kevin Lavalee 130.8
James Owens 131

Tickets are available through the Admission network www.admission.com 1-855-790-1245
Tickets: $54 Stands/ $110 Floor/$195 VIP with beverage service

Undefeated Las Vegas-based lightweight Jesus “Chuy” Gutierrez (11-0, 3 KOs) is getting ready to electrify the ring once again on Saturday, May 31, when he takes on Mexico’s Pablo Beccera (7-6, 4 KOs).

25-year-old Gutierrez will face Beccera on the undercard of DiBella Entertainment’s and Sampson Boxing’s (in association with Right Hook Promotions) event entitled “Real Fights” in the Tropicana Pavilion at the New Tropicana Resort in Las Vegas.

The co-main events that night will be telecast live on HBO Latino and HBO2 (12 midnight [ET/PT]) and feature a 10-round super featherweight battle between Dominican former world champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (24-0-1, 18 KOs) and heavy-handed Mexican contender Juan Antonio Rodriguez (26-4, 23 KOs), as well as an “All Puerto Rico” 10-round super bantamweight war between undefeated Luis Rosa (16-0, 7 KOs) and Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (18-1, 13 KOs).

Tickets for “Real Fights” are priced at $85, $65 and $37 (plus applicable taxes). They are available for purchase online (www.troplv.com), in person at the Tropicana Las Vegas Show Tickets desk or by phone (800-829-9034).

Gutierrez, who was named the “Breakout Athlete of the Year” at the Vegas Music Awards, defeated Moris Rodriguez on April 4, at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino, in his last fight.

Born in the Mexican town of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Gutierrez’s family emigrated to the US when he was still an infant. He discovered his passion for boxing after arriving in Las Vegas at age 14 and venturing into Johnny Tocco’s Boxing Gym, where he met his trainer, Danny Garcia.

Extremely popular in his adopted hometown, Gutierrez is also an outspoken advocate with Bully Busters 702, a local anti-bullying campaign.

“I’ve always been a confident fighter, but it wasn’t till the guys from the Mexican Olympic committee got a hold of me, that really convinced me that this boxing thing was for real,” Gutierrez recalls. “This sport had strangely found me, and there is no way I’m gonna let it go. I’ve always stood out in everything I’ve done, but boxing gives me this high, this feeling which I’ve never felt, nor can I replace.”

Gutierrez says boxing is his destiny, and he is constantly improving. “I was born for this, and every day that passes, I get better. With the support of my family, friends, and my ambition, there is nothing that can stop me. I’m here to make my name remembered in this this sport. I can talk about it all day, but I’d rather show you.”

Jesus Gutierrez is promoted by Right Hook Promotions along with promotions by HustleGurl Entertainment.

Also scheduled to appear on the card in a special-attraction eight-round middleweight bout will be former WBA junior middleweight world champion and “The Contender” champion, WBA #10-rated Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (25-3-2, 8 KOs) taking on once-beaten Samuel Rogers (14-1, 8 KOs).

To view Tropicana Las Vegas hotel rates, visit www.troplv.com.

ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

BOSTON (May 14, 2014) – An ankle injury has forced Ontario’s Logan McGuinness to withdraw from his NABA Featherweight Title fight against Mike “The Machine” Oliver, but fans at the House of Blues in Boston and those watching at home on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes on Thursday, June 5 will be treated to an exciting new Golden Boy Live! main event when unbeaten New Yorker Emmanuel Gonzalez faces Philadelphia’s Tevin “American Idol” Farmer in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.

In other action, returning to the ring after a great last outing at the House of Blues in Boston will be exciting lightweight Jamie Kavanagh of Dublin, Ireland against an opponent to be announced as well as previously announced unbeaten heavyweight Alexis Santos of Lawrence, Mass. who will now face Daniel Martz (10-1-1, 7 KOs) of Clarksburg, WV for the NABF Junior Heavyweight Title.

Also, in non-televised bouts, fans will see super middleweights Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (16-1, 10 KOs) of Ireland face off against Quincy, Massachusetts’ Jose Medina (18-14-1, 7 KOs) and Mark Deluca (9-0, 6 KOs), who is also a Quincy native, will face Richard “Bobo” Starnino (9-13-2, 2 KOs) of Providence, RI in six and four round bouts respectively. Quincy cruiserweight Chris Traietti (16-3, 12 KOs) will face an opponent to be determined, Pembroke, Mass. cruiserweight Vinnie Carita (9-1-1, 9 KOs) will face Danny Phippen (21-1, 16 KOs) of Wareham, Mass and welterweight Rashidi Ellis (5-0, 3 KOs) of Lynn, Mass will meet Shakha Moore (11-20-3, 2 KOs) of Norwalk, Conn. all in a six-round welterweight bouts. The evening will kick-off with a four-round heavyweight fight between Danny Kelly (5-0-1, 4 KOs) of Washington, D.C. and Eric Newell (7-2-2, 5 KOs) of Bethlehem, Penn.

A Bronze medalist in the U.S. Amateur National Championships, The Bronx’ Emmanuel Gonzalez (14-0, 7 KOs) is currently one of the brightest stars on the New York professional boxing scene. Born of Puerto Rican descent, the 26-year-old Gonzalez is a man of many talents in the ring, which were showcased during his recent wins over Noel Echevarria and Victor Sanchez.

Hailing from the fighting city of Philadelphia, 23-year-old Tevin “American Idol” Farmer (15-4-1, 3 KOs) has a wide array of skills that he can use in the ring and with eight consecutive wins to his name, he’s on the fast track to big things at 130 pounds. With seven straight wins during a busy 2013 campaign, Farmer kicked off 2014 with a win over Noel Echevarria, an opponent he and Gonzalez have in common.

Twenty-three-year-old Dublin native Jamie “The Nuisance” Kavanagh (16-1-1, 7 KOs) returns to the ring after an impressive eight round victory over Andres Navarro on March 17 and looks to be back in line to continue his rise up the lightweight ladder. Now, he looks to capture the attention of Boston’s loyal fans again and make this his second home against an opponent to be determined in an eight round battle.
Tickets, priced at $150 (reserved seating), $100 (reserved seating) and $45 (general admission) are on sale now at the House of Blues Box Office, the Orpheum Theater box office or online at http://m.concerts.livenation.com/event/01004C389CC1B5BE, www.murphysboxingusa.com or www.backeastpromotions.com.

Gonzalez vs. Farmer, a 10-round junior lightweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Murphy’s Boxing U.S.A. and Back East Promotions and is sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Mohegan Sun and EchoStor. The House of Blues doors open at 5:00 p.m. ET and the first fight starts at 5:30 p.m. ET. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.murphysboxingusa.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/murphysboxing, www.twitter.com/HOBBoston, www.twitter.com/dropkickmurphys, www.twitter.com/kendkm, follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page. Also, visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit FOXSports.com and become a follower on @FOXSports1 and @FOXDeportes.

INDIO, Calif. . (May 15, 2014) – SHOWTIME Sports’ ShoBox: The New Generation returns on Friday, June 6, with what promises to be a thrilling tripleheader featuring the top young talent for which the series is known. Televised live on SHOWTIME from the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., the 10-round main event will feature undefeated California middleweight Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. against fellow unbeaten Domonique “3D” Dolton of Detroit.

In the ShoBox co-main event, also scheduled for 10 rounds in the junior middleweight division, dynamic New York City phenom Eddie “E Boy” Gomez puts his perfect record on the line when he faces Francisco Santana of Santa Barbara, Calif. Opening the event will be super bantamweight rising star Diego “The Golden Kid” De La Hoya against an opponent to be announced.

Fighting out of Oxnard, Calif. 23-year-old Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. (20-0, 11 KOs) is just starting to scratch the surface of his enormous potential. Winner of 90 amateur bouts, Centeno Jr. has added 20 professional wins as well, with victories over respected competition such as Ayi Bruce, Allen Conyers, KeAndrae Leatherwood and Angel Osuna, putting him on the short list of fighters expected to win a world title in the coming years.

A former amateur star who nearly secured a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, Domonique Dolton (14-0, 8 KOs) has been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time, and he’s not about to let it pass him by. A protégé of the late, great Emanuel Steward, the 23-year-old turned professional in 2008, and he has taken care of every challenge he has faced since then in impressive style. A winner of the WBC Fecarbox and NABA middleweight titles, Dolton is in stellar form heading into the June 6 bout.

Hailing from the Bronx, N.Y., Eddie Gomez (16-0, 10 KOs) has done a lot in a short time thus far as a professional, following up a stellar amateur career with dominant victories over a high level of competition. In his last three bouts, the skilled boxer-puncher has defeated Luis Hernandez, Steve Upsher Chambers and Daquan Arnett, and he hopes to continue this stellar run with another big win on ShoBox.

Currently riding an impressive seven-fight winning streak, Santa Barbara’s Francisco Santana (19-3-1, 9 KOs) is expected to not just be Gomez’ toughest test to date, but a fighter with the potential to upset the unbeaten New Yorker. Owner of 2013 wins against Freddy Hernandez and Joachim Alcine, the 27-year-old will be looking to make it eight-in a row on June 6.

Just four fights into his professional career, Mexicali’s Diego “The Golden Kid” De La Hoya (4-0, 3 KOs) is drawing positive comparisons to the stars of the sport, including his cousin, Oscar De La Hoya. And while the 19-year-old super bantamweight is still young in his career, his victories thus far show a mature young man with all the tools to one day earn a world championship belt.

Centeno, Jr. vs. Dolton, a 10-round middleweight fight, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, and sponsored by Corona. The ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader will take place on Friday, June 6 at Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio, Calif., and will be televised live on SHOWTIME beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Doors open at 3:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 3:10 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $45, $35, $25 are available at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/HugoBoss805, www.twitter.com/BoxingAintDead, www.twitter.com/EddieGomez718, www.twitter.com/ChiaSantana, www.twitter.com/diegodelahoya, www.twitter.com/fantasysprings and visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/fantasysprings. For information on SHOWTIME, visit http://Sports.SHO.com, www.twitter.com/SHOsports and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

LONDON (May 15) – Boxing legend Juan Manuel Marquez is determined to become Mexico’s first five-division world champion by setting up an historic showdown with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

The 40-year-old great goes head-to-head with the all-action Mike Alvarado this weekend, live and exclusive on BoxNation, knowing that victory on Saturday night will propel him into a fifth meeting with his famed nemesis Pacquiao and a shot at his WBO welterweight crown.

The chance to seize yet another world title, this time at 147 pounds, offers Marquez the unique opportunity to become Mexico’s only five-division world champion, with the veteran currently alongside Mexican icons Erik Morales and Jorge Arce as a four-weight champion.

It is this goal which is keeping the experienced Marquez active as he looks to make the twilight period of his career his most glorious.

“I want to make history by winning another world title. It’s something that’s never been done [by another Mexican]. That is what I am looking forward to towards the end of my career, to win that next world title,” said Marquez.

“I think even Nacho [Beristain] will tell you that we all want to win the fifth world title. Five world titles in five weight divisions. That’s what makes us keep going,” he said.

Getting past Alvarado will be no easy feat with the Denver dynamo looking to bounce back following his defeat to WBO light-welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov last October.

Marquez is refusing to overlook the 33-year-old, but is aware that a Pacquiao fight is around the corner should he prevail, a bout which will be a real test following the pound-for-pound ace’s dismantling of Tim Bradley last month.

“It is not too difficult for me [knowing I could fight Pacquiao next] because I do not look past Mike Alvarado,” said Marquez. “I concentrate only on this fight. Maybe in the future I will think about that fight but right now the most important fight of my career is against Alvarado because he is a strong fighter and a tough fighter,” he said.

“I saw the best Manny Pacquiao [against Tim Bradley]. He wants to beat everybody. I saw the best Pacquiao. Everyone knows that Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter and he is a world champion. Right now Pacquiao is back,” Marquez said.

“Pacquiao is using his feet very well. He moves in the ring. I saw the best Manny Pacquiao because he landed a lot of punches and was moving on his feet. I liked the way Manny Pacquiao fought very much.

“My thinking is first-things-first. My thoughts right now are on Mike Alvarado. If I win the fight then I will think about Manny Pacquiao. I will fight the fight on Saturday then go from there,” he said.

Marquez is at a crossroads in his career as he looks to get back to winning ways following a split decision loss to Bradley last year.

Another defeat could signal the end for hardened Mexican, though he is unsure whether he would hang up the gloves if he was to lose.

“You can’t tell [if a loss means retirement]. You go in the ring. You do the best you can – you win or you lose. Whatever happens on Saturday, you go back, take a look and analyze everything. But in my mind all I think about is winning and continuing my career,” he said.

Nevertheless, Marquez is certain that fight fans will not be disappointed when he shares the ring with the well-schooled Alvarado, as he looks to claim his 56th win in what will be a remarkable 64th fight of his career.

“Mike Alvarado uses a technique when he fights. Right now I think over the rounds and when I get by so many of his punches that he will change his technique but I trained for the best Alvarado in the ring,” he said.

“I need to use all of my experience in the ring. This fight will be a war because Alvarado likes to fight. I like to fight and he likes to fight and the fans win because they like to see these kinds of fights,” said Marquez.

Marquez vs. Alvarado is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Sunday at 2am. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

London (15 May) ‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers is on a mission back to world level and is ready to show that at Leeds Town Hall on Saturday night (May 17).

The former world heavyweight title contender takes on Carl Baker and is determined to prove his class on the undercard to the MaxiNutrition Knockout semi-finals, live on Channel 5 from 10pm.

“I’m feeling as good as I’ve ever felt – strong, focused and determined to get back to where I need to be in this sport,” Eddie said.

“I’m going to give you a reason to come and support me because I’m planning on taking this straight to the title, there’s no question about it and we’ll make some history on the way.”

Eddie takes on Carl Baker, who boasts 10 wins with seven knockouts and will be looking for another scalp with world level pedigree.

In 2009 the Sheffield heavyweight defeated Danny Williams, a man who boasts a knockout win over the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Mike Tyson and challenged Vitalli Klitschko for the WBC world heavyweight title.

But Eddie, who fought Wladimir Klitschko for the IBF, IBO and WBO world heavyweight titles isn’t concerned with who his opponent is and is confident that under the tutelage of trainer Peter Fury he will get back to the top of the sport.

“There is no question about it, for someone like myself , who got there without the best of everything – now getting the best of everything there is no excuse for me,” Eddie said.

“That’s the only place I belong, at world level and if I can’t make it there then what’s the point – I don’t want to give anyone the satisfaction to be able to say he gave up, he can’t do this, he can’t do that and he’s not going to be this and he’s not going to be that.

“They’ve said it before and I’ll continue to show them otherwise – it’s something that motivates me and it motivates all of us because we use the negativity as fuel to push us further and to strive to prove them wrong.”

Chambers fights over 8 x 3minute rounds on the undercard to the MaxiNutrition Knockout semi finals where newly crowned British light heavyweight champion and Leeds fighter Bob Ajisafe takes on Swanley’s Southern Area champion Leon Senior and English champion and Newcastle fighter Travis Dickinson makes the first defence of his title against Preston’s Central Area champion Matty Clarkson.

This fantastic night also features a whole host of talent on the undercard including former world heavyweight title contender (against Wladimir Klitschko) ‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers, Leeds fighters Tommy Broadbent and Damon Jones, Bradford’s Darren Tetley and former WBC world light welterweight champion Junior Witter, Rotherham’s Atif Shafiq and Morecambe’s Isaac Lowe.

Ticket Information

Tickets for start from £35 and are available to purchase now from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 9991 or online at www.ticketline.co.uk

MEDIA & PUBLIC INVITATION:

OFFICIAL CONFERENCE & WEIGH IN

MAXINUTRITION KNOCKOUT SEMI-FINALS

FRIDAY 16 MAY
12.00PM FOR 12.30PM START

GROSVENOR CASINO,
PODIUM BUILDING, MERRION WAY, LEEDS, LS2 8PD

Promoter
Mick Hennessy

WEIGHING IN:

BOB AJISAFE – Leeds
LEON SENIOR – Swanley

TRAVIS DICKINSON – Newcastle
MATTY CLARKSON – Preston

PLUS A SELECTION OF UNDERCARD FIGHTERS

Conference & Weigh in Venue: Grosvenor Casino, Podium Building, Merrion Way, Leeds LS2 8PD

Time: 12.00pm for 12.30pm start

All participants will be available for one on one interviews and photo opportunities.

London (15 May) Hennessy Sports would like to take this opportunity to advise the media and public of the official MaxiNutrition semi-finals conference and weigh in, which will take place on Friday 16th May.

This will take place in the lead up to the semi-final contests as Leeds fighter and newly crowned British light heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe takes on Swanley based Southern Area champion Leon Senior along with Travis Dickinson making the first defence of his English title against Preston fighter and Central Area champion Matty Clarkson at Leeds Town Hall on Saturday May 17, live on Channel 5.

The conference and weigh in is open to the public and a selection of the undercard will also be tipping the scales.

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS
For more information on Channel 5, MaxNutrition and Hennessy Sports:

www.channel5.com
www.maxinutrition.com
www.hennessysports.com

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

LAS VEGAS (May 15, 2014)–This past Saturday night at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, Cruiserweight contender BJ Flores scored a spectacular 1st round KO in a bout that was scheduled for six rounds. Collins hit the ground after a picture perfect right hand of Flores connected in the very first round.

Flores of Las Vegas upped his record to 29-1-1 with 19 knockouts and looked sharp despite coming off a 17-month layoff.

“I have the power, speed and talent and its finally time to put it all together. I have had some business opportunities over the last two years that have kept me away from the ring but now I have the team in place and boxing has my full attention. I am ready to fulfill my potential. I have the perfect team in place to make sure I get those oppurtunities in the immediate future”.

“I want to thank my team. The next year is the most important of my boxing career. All I want to do is get right back in the gym and prepare for my next fight. I have never had the luxury, since very early in my career of fighting and immediately having another fight scheduled in the upcoming weeks. My new team is taking care of all the outside the ring details and that allows me to focus only on training. I have nothing more to say. I will do all my talking in the ring”, said Flores.

Flores, who has been drawing rave reviews as a ringside commentator on the NBC Sports Fight Night series, is ready to start making big noise in the Cruiserweight division.

Advisor Louie Decubas jr. says “BJ is an explosive fighter and he proved that again on Saturday night. BJ has shown very good power and speed and people are going to be very surprised when he continues to score KO’S as he moves up in opposition. With his amateur background and Great chin we feel he matches up with ANYONE in the division. We have some very big plans for him in the next few months. ”

ondon (15 May) Tommy Broadbent is “inspired” to be training with the Ingles and fighting on the same card as his friend and British light heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe on the MaxiNutrition Knockout semi-finals undercard this Saturday (May 17) at Leeds Town Hall, live on Channel 5.

The 26-year-old Leeds fighter feels he is in “the best place” of his career as he looks to make a “special” return to the ring.

“It will be amazing to fight in Leeds – this is my first fight back, my first fight under the Ingles and it’s in front of my home town – it’s a dream come true,” Tommy said.

“I’ve been with the Ingles for roughly three months – I was active before just training in and out of different gyms, keeping sharp with decent pros and everyone tells me that I have what it takes to go far.

“The Ingle Gym is the best place to be – you advance so quickly with them, it’s unbelievable, I’m grabbing the chance with both hands and giving it my all.”

Broadbent, who fights at light-middleweight, has six wins to his name and returns to the ring for the first time since 2011, having had to have time out due to financial reasons.

But now, with backing from his sister and Emmerdale star Kelli Hollis, who plays Ali Spencer, Tommy is back and believes with the help of his sister and the famous Ingle Gym in Sheffield, he is ready to “fly high” and progress with his career.

“This camp is the best place to be and it’s bringing the best out of me – it’s special, I can’t wait,” Tommy said.

“I’ve been training and sparring with the likes of Kid Galahad, who won the Commonwealth title last weekend, Junior Witter and Bob Ajisafe.

“I’m looking forward to repaying the faith the Ingles have shown in me and it means so much to fight on the same bill as Bob.

“Looking at Bob (Ajisafe) since he started with the Ingles, it’s been incredible to watch – we have been there for each other for a long time and I hope I can achieve what he’s achieving now.

“It means absolutely everything to me what Kelli is doing for me and I hope I can repay her with a good performance on Saturday as well.

“I’m in the right place, the right frame of mind, happy, comfortable and ready to fly high – I don’t know what I could achieve but I know I have a lot to give.”

Broadbent fights on the undercard to the MaxiNutrition Knockout semi finals where newly crowned British light heavyweight champion and Leeds fighter Bob Ajisafe takes on Swanley’s Southern Area champion Leon Senior and English champion and Newcastle fighter Travis Dickinson makes the first defence of his title against Preston’s Central Area champion Matty Clarkson.

This fantastic night also features a whole host of talent on the undercard including former world heavyweight title contender and Wladimir Klitschko opponent ‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers, Leeds fighter Damon Jones, Bradford’s Darren Tetley and former WBC world light welterweight champion Junior Witter, Rotherham’s Atif Shafiq and Morecambe’s Isaac Lowe.

Ticket Information

Tickets for start from £35 and are available to purchase now from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 9991 or online at www.ticketline.co.uk

MEDIA & PUBLIC INVITATION:

OFFICIAL CONFERENCE & WEIGH IN

MAXINUTRITION KNOCKOUT SEMI-FINALS

FRIDAY 16 MAY
12.00PM FOR 12.30PM START

GROSVENOR CASINO,
PODIUM BUILDING, MERRION WAY, LEEDS, LS2 8PD

Promoter
Mick Hennessy

WEIGHING IN:

BOB AJISAFE – Leeds
LEON SENIOR – Swanley

TRAVIS DICKINSON – Newcastle
MATTY CLARKSON – Preston

PLUS A SELECTION OF UNDERCARD FIGHTERS

Conference & Weigh in Venue: Grosvenor Casino, Podium Building, Merrion Way, Leeds LS2 8PD

Time: 12.00pm for 12.30pm start

All participants will be available for one on one interviews and photo opportunities.

London (15 May) Hennessy Sports would like to take this opportunity to advise the media and public of the official MaxiNutrition semi-finals conference and weigh in, which will take place on Friday 16th May.

This will take place in the lead up to the semi-final contests as Leeds fighter and newly crowned British light heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe takes on Swanley based Southern Area champion Leon Senior along with Travis Dickinson making the first defence of his English title against Preston fighter and Central Area champion Matty Clarkson at Leeds Town Hall on Saturday May 17, live on Channel 5.

The conference and weigh in is open to the public and a selection of the undercard will also be tipping the scales.

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS
For more information on Channel 5, MaxNutrition and Hennessy Sports:

www.channel5.com
www.maxinutrition.com
www.hennessysports.com

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

London (15 May) ‘Tasty’ Travis Dickinson is “firing on all cylinders” and promising an exciting night when he defends his English light heavyweight title in the MaxiNutrition Knockout semi-finals on May 17.

The 26-year-old Newcastle fighter, who has an impressive 16 wins with six knockouts to his name, has his eyes completely focused on Preston’s ‘Magic’ Matty Clarkson at Leeds Town Hall, live on Channel 5 this Saturday, but would one day love to face world super middleweight title challenger George Groves, a man Dickinson beat twice, including one knockout, as an amateur.

“This is a massive competition on terrestrial television, so to win it would be excellent and will put me in a position for even better things,” Travis said.

“George Groves would be a good fight to have again in the future, I’m the only person to beat him in England as an amateur I think it was, so obviously he won’t like that will he!?

“I’ve beaten him on points the first time and I stopped him in the first round the second time.

“I have the power to hurt him, every time I hit him I hurt him and I’d beat him again – I would love to fight him again now as a professional and maybe one day that can happen, maybe at a catch weight, hopefully one day we will get it on.

“I’m sure he’d want to try and avenge the only person that’s knocked him out, so if I want to get to that level the MaxiNutrition Knockout is the perfect platform.”

The Newcastle fighter goes head to head with Central Area champion Matty Clarkson this Saturday and is hoping to make history by progressing and becoming the first winner of the MaxiNutrition Knockout competition.

“I’m an exciting fighter, exciting to watch and I promise that’s how all my fights will be and I guarantee I’ll win,” Travis said.

“My training is going perfect, going sweet and on fight night I will be firing on all cylinders again.

“The MaxiNutrition trophy would be excellent to win and it would be great to bring that title back to Newcastle – it would be making history being the first ever winner, it would be great.”

This fantastic night of championship boxing will also see Leeds fighter and newly crowned British light heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe take on Swanley’s Southern Area champion Leon Senior in the second semi-final to decide who will compete for the first ever MaxiNutrition Knockout title.

The night will also feature a whole host of exciting talent on the undercard including former world heavyweight title contender (against Wladimir Klitschko) ‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers, Bradford’s Darren Tetley and former WBC world light welterweight champion Junior Witter, as well as Leeds fighters Tommy Broadbent and Damon Jones, Rotherham’s Atif Shafiq and Morecambe’s Isaac Lowe.

Ticket Information

Tickets for start from £35 and are available to purchase now from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 9991 or online at www.ticketline.co.uk

MEDIA & PUBLIC INVITATION:

OFFICIAL CONFERENCE & WEIGH IN

MAXINUTRITION KNOCKOUT SEMI-FINALS

FRIDAY 16 MAY
12.00PM FOR 12.30PM START

GROSVENOR CASINO,
PODIUM BUILDING, MERRION WAY, LEEDS, LS2 8PD

Promoter
Mick Hennessy

WEIGHING IN:

BOB AJISAFE – Leeds
LEON SENIOR – Swanley

TRAVIS DICKINSON – Newcastle
MATTY CLARKSON – Preston

PLUS A SELECTION OF UNDERCARD FIGHTERS

Conference & Weigh in Venue: Grosvenor Casino, Podium Building, Merrion Way, Leeds LS2 8PD

Time: 12.00pm for 12.30pm start

All participants will be available for one on one interviews and photo opportunities.

London (15 May) Hennessy Sports would like to take this opportunity to advise the media and public of the official MaxiNutrition semi-finals conference and weigh in, which will take place on Friday 16th May.

This will take place in the lead up to the semi-final contests as Leeds fighter and newly crowned British light heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe takes on Swanley based Southern Area champion Leon Senior along with Travis Dickinson making the first defence of his English title against Preston fighter and Central Area champion Matty Clarkson at Leeds Town Hall on Saturday May 17, live on Channel 5.

The conference and weigh in is open to the public and a selection of the undercard will also be tipping the scales.

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS
For more information on Channel 5, MaxNutrition and Hennessy Sports:

www.channel5.com
www.maxinutrition.com
www.hennessysports.com

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

Steve Bujaj 198.4 – Junior Wright 198.6
(WBC INTERNATIONAL CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE)

Jarrell Miller 263 – Joshua Harris 213
Steven Martinez 153.8 – Antonio Chaves Fernandez 154
Dimash Niyazov 134 – Jose Del Valle 133
Mikkel Lespierre 148.6 – Rapahel Luna 150
Akil Auguste 161.8 – Juan Zapata 163
Marcos Suarez 136 – Ian James 136
Alexey Zubov 200 – Glenn Thomas 204

Promoter: Star of David Promotions
Venue: Millennium Theater
1st Bell: 7:00 pm

PHOTO CREDIT: Segundo Rivera

Log on to http://www.dsalita.com to buy your tickets today.

Two of boxing’s top warriors make their 2014 debuts when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ VS. MIKE ALVARADO AND VIKTOR POSTOL VS. SELCUK AYDIN is seen SATURDAY, MAY 17 at 10:15 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from The Forum in Inglewood, Cal., exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: May 18 (9:00 a.m.) and 20 (1:00 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 18 (3:30 p.m.) and 19 (11:00 p.m.)
After a nearly two-decade absence, HBO cameras return to The Forum – the site of the first “HBO Boxing After Dark®” telecast in 1996 – when Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs) of Mexico City and Mike Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs) of Denver clash in a 12-round welterweight world title eliminator.
A devastating right hand in the sixth round of his Dec. 2012 bout against Manny Pacquiao made Marquez the year’s unanimous knockout king. That heralded victory earned him a shot at Timothy Bradley Jr. and the welterweight title, but he subsequently lost to Bradley in 12 rounds by split decision. Now Marquez, 40, returns to The Forum, where he first showed promise as one of the sport’s future superstars, with a chance to build upon his already extraordinary hall of fame-worthy legacy.
Alvarado, 33, was responsible for some of the most captivating moments of the 2013 boxing season. Last October, he lost his 140-pound belt when he submitted to the referee’s stoppage against Ruslan Provodnikov. As he moves up in weight to test his abilities in the welterweight division, the veteran’s passion is the key to replicating the form that inspired “fight of the year” performances against Brandon Rios in 2012 and in their 2013 rematch.
Opening the night of action from Southern California, undefeated Viktor Postol (25-0, 10 KOs) of Kiev, Ukraine, takes on Turkey’s Selcuk Aydin (26-2, 19 KOs) in a junior welterweight tilt scheduled for 12 rounds. Postol, 30, made his American debut in December 2012 when he earned a first-round knockout against Henry Aurad in Inglewood, California, and since then has won four consecutive fights to emerge as a top contender in the 140-pound division. Aydin, also 30, is no stranger to the big stage, as his three convincing wins in 2013 has propelled him back into junior welterweight title contention. The stakes are high as the winner of this fight will be poised to challenge for the 140-pound title.
An all-new and compelling edition of “Face Off With Max Kellerman: Cotto/Martinez” debuts immediately following the boxing action (12:30-12:45 a.m. ET/PT). The special sets the stage for the blockbuster June 7th HBO Pay-Per-View® encounter between Miguel Cotto and Sergio Martinez at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden.,
Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.
The executive producer of WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is Rick Bernstein; producer, Jon Crystal; director, Johnathan Evans.
® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

LONDON (May 14) – Boxing star Mike Alvarado has vowed to bounce back in style by retiring Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez.

The pair meet this Saturday night, live and exclusive on BoxNation, with Denver’s Alvarado looking to impress following his punishing ten-round stoppage to WBO light-welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov in his previous outing.

The brutal defeat last October came following an impressive string of wins for the exciting Alvarado who had battled his way past a host of top names including Brandon Rios, Mauricio Herrera and Breidis Prescott.

Now, however, the 33-year-old is out to end the glittering career of four-division world champion Marquez as he aims to get back to winning ways.

“Retiring a legend is going to be huge,” said Alvarado. “I respect Marquez and his great career but now is my time. This is one of those opportunities that you cannot miss and I will give everything in the ring to get the win. It’ll be a great fight and I have to fight without any mistakes to beat Marquez.

“This is a huge step in my life to redeem myself and I know that this is only going to make me a better person, a better fighter and a better man in my life. I respect Marquez fully, he’s a legend in this game, he’s already made his mark. This is the perfect opportunity for me to redeem myself and even retire as a legend,” he said.

Alvarado believes he has grown and matured since the Provodnikov bout, with the pressure of a high-profile comeback against Marquez something he will thrive on.

“When Top Rank called and offered a fight with Marquez I started jumping around – I was so excited because I have the opportunity to get into the ring and retire a Mexican legend.

“I’m great under pressure and I’m going to fight like the ‘Old Mike’ and use my power and my will to beat Marquez. I made a mistake of looking past Ruslan Provodnikov. He jumped on me and got me in a bad situation. He had such an awkward style,” said Alvarado.

“The difference against Marquez will be my power. I am going to train super hard for my biggest fight. I am very excited,” he said.

Pound-for-pound ace Manny Pacquiao impressed in his victory against Tim Bradley last month, with Alvarado aware a win over Marquez will set up some even bigger showdowns in the near future.

“I am anxious to fight the winner of Pacquiao and Bradley. This fight against Marquez is my redemption to all of my fans. I know how important this fight is. What a fight with such a reward – to fight the winner of Pacquiao vs. Bradley. This is an incredible opportunity but I am fully prepared for Marquez first and foremost,” said Alvarado.

The 40-year-old Marquez has seen it all during his star-studded career, having shared the ring with boxing’s best Floyd Mayweather, plus an enthralling four bouts with Pacquiao.

Fighting at The Forum in Inglewood, California, where Marquez established his career, the renowned Mexican counter-puncher is sure that fireworks will be produced when the two all-action fighters go head-to-head this Saturday.

“Alvarado is a very strong fighter who always gets in the ring in great condition and never gives you a break in the ring,” said Marquez. “I need to prepare very well, Alvarado is a great challenge. I am very happy to fight in the place where I started my career.

“Alvarado likes to fight and I like to fight, and the people want to see a great fight and this will be great fight. I like these kinds of challenges. Alvarado is a tremendous fighter but I’ve trained very hard for this fight and feel like I’m just 23 years old, like when I started my career at The Forum,” he said.

Marquez vs. Alvarado is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Sunday at 2am. Visit www.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.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. 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 theUK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 one off registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

CHICAGO, IL (May 14, 2014) Chicago’s Hitz Boxing in association with Round 3 Productions have announced details for the next installment of the acclaimed “FIGHT NIGHT” series set for FRIDAY, JUNE 20 at Chicago’s premier professional boxing venue, the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana.

Advance tickets starting at $25.00 for “FIGHT NIGHT” are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, The Venue/Horseshoe Box Office and HitzBoxing.com. Doors open on the night of the event at 7:00 p.m. CT with the first bell at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Horseshoe Casino is located at 777 Casino Dr. in Hammond, IN 46320.

Said Hitz, “The lineup we’ve put together for the event is truly Chicago’s toughest prospects and newcomers. Our commitment to Chicago’s boxing fans has never wavered, make great fights featuring the best local talent.”

Following a hard fought battle on April 18 at the Horseshoe Casino, undefeated cruiserweight DIMAR “Strongman” ORTUZ will stay active with a return to action in a scheduled eight round clash.

Ortuz improved to 9-0-1 (6KO’s) with a valiant performance in his highly anticipated return, a six round draw against hard punching Detroit veteran Mitch Williams.

Bridgeport’s favorite son, hard hitting lightweight FRANKIE “Time Bomb” SCALISE, 7-1-0 (7KO’s) will return to the action looking to improve on his four-fight knockout streak.

Drawing huge crowds to his four previous appearances at the Horseshoe Casino, Scalise is looking to stay active in 2014.

Also coming off a fantastic performance on April 18, undefeated junior lightweight fan favorite FIDEL “Feroz” NAVARETTE will see action in a four round tilt.

The 23-year-old Navarette, 5-0-0 (3KO’s), won an action packed four round unanimous decision over Tim Carrizales thrilling his huge fan base in his sixth appearance at the Horseshoe Casino.

Lightweight prospect RUSSELL “Rocky” FIORE will also return to the Horseshoe Casino ring in a scheduled four rounder. Riding a six bout-winning streak, this will be Fiore’s ninth appearance at the Hammond, Indiana venue.

Fighters rounding out the extensive undercard in separate bouts include; light heavyweight SIMON “The Punisher” BUETTNER, 5-1-0 (3KO’s), undefeated junior welterweight JOEY “The Celtic” PREDATOR, 2-0-0 (2KO’s), junior welterweight EDDIE RAMIREZ,
4-0-0 (3KO’s), welterweight WILL COIX, 1-0-0 (1KO), cruiserweight “Gentleman” JAMES SHORTER, 5-2-0 (3KO’s) and the pro debut of popular amateur star, SAM HOROWITZ.

ABOUT HITZ BOXING
Since its debut in 1991, Hitz Boxing has been the Midwest’s leading boxing promoter. Led by Bobby Hitz, who boasted a 21-4 record with 18 KO’s as a boxer, Hitz Boxing is the longest running boxing promoter in the Chicago area dating back to the bi-monthly boxing series the “Ramada Rumble,” held at the former Rosemont Ramada Inn. The organization currently promotes the wildly popular “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN and is the subject of the actuality show “Hitz Boxing,” a web series that has amassed over 5 million internet views. Over the year’s the organization has produced matches that have included some of the top names in boxing such as James Toney, Antonio Tarver, Montell Griffin, Iran Barkley, Andrew Golota and “Fast” Fres Oquendo.

For more information, please visit: www.hitzboxing.com.

ABOUT ROUND 3 PRODUCTIONS
Round 3 Productions was formed in 2011 by lifelong Chicago resident Frank Mugnolo and has quickly become one of the premier boxing promotional firms in the United States.

Making their mark quickly, Round 3 Productions guided current #1 ranked light heavyweight contender Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fonfara to his first world title (International Boxing Organization) in November 2012.

While continuing to retain a substantial financial interest in Fonfara, Round 3 Productions has teamed with Chicago’s Hitz Boxing to sign perennial super middleweight contender Donovan “Da Bomb” George to an exclusive promotional contract with more signings of Chicago’s finest to come.

From the packed houses at the UIC Pavilion to the unprecedented pro boxing event at U.S. Cellular Field, Home of the Chicago White Sox, on August 16, 2013, Round 3 Productions has become a proven leader in the sport of boxing

ABOUT THE HORSESHOE CASINO
The $500 million Horseshoe Casino, a Caesars Entertainment Corporation property, just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago is the premier entertainment and gambling destination in Chicagoland. Where legendary gaming lives on, Horseshoe boasts more than 350,000 square feet with over 3,000 slot machines, over 100 table games, one of the largest poker rooms in the Midwest, and more. The Venue at Horseshoe Casino is proud to offer the ultimate concert and entertainment destination and premier experience in a flexible space that can hold up to 3,300 guests. Dining elegance is not overlooked and guests can choose from a variety of dining options including; Jack Binion’s Steak House which overlooks Lake Michigan and winner of the 2009, 2010, 2011 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and the May 2012 OpenTable Diners’ Choice award, around-the-globe variety at the Village Square Buffet, and a taste of Chicago at Benny’s Pub and Eatery.

For more information, please visit: www.chicagohorseshoe.com.

Must be 21 years or older to gamble or attend events at The Venue. Know When To Stop Before You Start® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9WITH-IT © 2012 Caesars License Company, LLC.

Montreal, Canada (May 13, 2014) Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing heads north-of-the-border this week with ESPN’s Friday Night Fights in tow as former world title challenger DELVIN “EL Peligro” RODRIGUEZ and heavyweight contender JOE “The Future” HANKS will appear in featured bouts on Friday, May 16th from the famed Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada.

“It’s an outstanding opportunity for both Delvin and Joe to fight in such a legendary building and on ESPN Friday Night Fights” said DeGuardia. “Both guys are in tough, solid fights and each are ready to meet the challenge ahead of them with bigger opportunities on the horizon.”

Olympic Stadium is best known among boxing fans as site of the first bout between Roberto Duran and “Sugar” Ray Leonard on June 20, 1980. Leonard also won Olympic Gold there for the United States in the 1976 Summer Games.

Telecast LIVE across North America (9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT), main eventer Rodriguez, 28-7-3 (16KO’s), will be making his 17th appearance on the acclaimed ESPN Friday Night Fights series as he battles former world champion JOACHIM ALCINE, 35-7-1 (21KO’s), in the 10-round headliner.

The 34-year-old Rodriguez is looking to head back to the win column after challenging boxing legend Miguel Cotto in October of 2013. Prior to the Cotto loss, Rodriguez had stopped junior middleweight contenders Freddy Hernandez and George “Comache Boy” Tahdooahnippah in previous bouts last year.

Fresh out of a San Diego training camp with world ranked heavyweight Chris Arreola, the 31-year-old Hanks, 21-1-0 (14KO’s), will clash with veteran DERRIC “The Shaolin Fist” ROSSY 28-8-0 (14KO’s), in the 10-round co-featured bout.
Joey Hanks, Joe DeGuardia Alexander Choko & Derric Rossy

Inspired by fighting in the hometown of newly minted World Boxing Council Heavyweight Champion, Bermane Stiverne, Hanks looks to restart his title path after suffering the first loss of his career to Andy Ruiz last October in Macau, China.

Tickets are available through the Admission network www.admission.com 1-855-790-1245
Tickets: $54 Stands/ $110 Floor/$195 VIP with beverage service

We are just a few days away from boxing’s return to the “Fabulous” Forum. The Inaugural Brawl will be headlined by an exciting fight between two top contenders – Four division world champion and Méxican icon Juan Manuel Márquez, who is undefeated in this storied building, and former junior welterweight champion Mike Alvarado. The winner will be declared mandatory challenger to WBO Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao, who recently regained the belt with his rematch victory over Timothy Bradley.

BOB ARUM: Well, all of you who are participating in this conference call know the obvious, this is one hell of a fight. Juan Manuel Márquez, future boxing hall-of-fame entrant faces off against the Denver Mile High man Mike Alvarado. The card is fabulous from top to bottom, with fighters from all over the world. Turkish fighters, Russian fighters, and African-American fighters, Méxican, Méxican-Americans – everybody is going to be represented on this card. And it’s so wonderful, for me personally, to have Top Rank open up one of the landmarks — the “Fabulous” Forum. Today we will hear from Juan Manuel Márquez and Mike Alvarado.

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Yes, I plan to fight a great fight with Mike Alvarado, who is a strong fighter and a good fighter and I am very prepared for this fight.

You fought many fights at the Forum, the last being 1999. How do you feel about going back?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Right now I feel very happy because I get to fight in a great place. It is a beautiful, historical place.

Is there a fight you remember more than the others?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Yes, I remember when I fought with Cedric Mingo [1997]; when I fought with the Puerto Rican guy and the Panamanian guy. I remember all of my fights at the Forum.

Was there one bigger than all the others?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: All of the fights were most important to me. The fights that were in my past were the most important to me right now.

“Nacho” Berestáin, what memories do you have at the Forum?

NACHO BERESTÁIN: I do remember some of the early fights and I remember Julian Wheeler [1995], which was a very difficult fight – there was a lot of movement from him and a tough fight to win. And also Catalino Becerra [1997], because he was left-handed and I remember going face-to-face with him and step-by-step.

Both you and Alvarado are coming off losses – how important is it to get a win in this fight?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Yes, this fight is important for the two fighters because Mike Alvarado lost his last fight and I lost my last fight and he wants to win and I want to win and this fight is a great fight for the two fighters.

What do you think it is going to take to win this fight?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Mike Alvarado is a strong fighter. He is a great fighter. He wants to win and I want to win so that will make it a great fight. The people want to see these kinds of fights. He likes to fight and I like to fight so that’s what makes a great fight.

Alvarado took a lot of punishment on the Provodnikov fight. Do you think that will affect him?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Provodnikov is a great fighter. Everyone knows Prodnikov, he pushes forward the whole fight and is a strong fighter. I saw the fight and it was a tough fight for Mike Alvarado because he is such a strong fighter.

Do you expect Alvarado to box or come to you and fight?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Mike Alvarado uses a technique when he fights. Right now I think in so many rounds and get by so many of his punches that he will change his technique but I trained for the best Alvarado in the ring. I need to use all of my experience in the ring. This fight will be a war because Alvarado likes to fight. I like to fight and he likes to fight and the fans win because they like to see these kinds of fights.

Is it hard not to look past Alvarado and look to Manny Pacquiao?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: It is not too difficult for me because I do not look past Mike Alvarado. I concentrate only on this fight. Maybe in the future I think about that fight but right now the most important fight of my career is against Alvarado because he is a strong fighter and a tough fighter. Right now all I am thinking is Alvarado.

What did you think about the Pacquiao-Bradley fight?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: I saw the best Manny Pacquiao. He wants to beat everybody. I saw the best Pacquiao. Everyone knows that Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter and he is a world champion. Right now Pacquiao is back.

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Right now Pacquiao is using his feet very well. He moves in the ring. I saw the best Manny Pacquiao because he landed a lot of punches and was moving on his feet. I liked the way Manny Pacquiao fought very much.

If you win the fight, you are the mandatory for Pacquiao. Is that what you really want to do?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: My thinking is first-things-first. My thoughts right now are on Mike Alvarado. If I win the fight then I will think about Manny Pacquiao. I will fight the fight on Saturday then go from there.

Is the goal a world title?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: That’s what I want to do. I want to make history by winning another world title. [No Méxican fighter has won world titles in five different weight divisions] It’s something that’s never been done. That is what I am looking forward to towards the end of my career, to win that next world title.

There has been a lot of talk about the fact that your career should be over by now and you have done all you need to do.

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: I think even Nacho will tell you that we all want to win the fifth world title. Five world titles in five weight divisions. That’s what makes us keep going.

There is talk about the fact you took this fight over Alvarado because it is an easier fight than Provodnikov…

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: The most important thing for me right now is that Mike Alvarado is a great fighter. Provodnikov fights at 140 pounds and Mike Alvarado is a welterweight fight. Provodnikov is a great fighter but I want the champion. If I fight with Provodnikov I would not get the mandatory to fight the welterweight champion.

When you fought Barrera and Morales way back, did you ever think you’d be the last man standing of your era’s great trio of Méxican fighters at age 40?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Never would I think that in this moment. Every fight I think about that in the ring. I like to keep training all the time. Maybe this is a secret, because I like to train all the time. I don’t like parties. I have some friends, special friends, but maybe this is a secret.

After the Bradley fight, how much of a rest did you take?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: I rested for one month then I went back to the gym to train for this fight. For this fight I have trained for three months and now I am ready for a fight.

Do you think you are setting an example on how to fight into your forties?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Maybe in the future there will be other fighters, because I may be an example for another fighter. Maybe they could fight until they were forty-five years old, or maybe forty-three. Maybe in the future.

Does a loss on Saturday mean retirement?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: You can’t tell. You go in the ring. You do the best you can – you win or you lose. Whatever happens on Saturday, you go back, take a look and analyze everything. But in my mind all I think about is winning and continuing my career.

I understand the training for this fight has been a little different?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: For this fight I haven’t done too many different things. I have done the typical things that a boxer does to prepare for a fight. My body has responded to everything very well. Everything has been good and my body is well. That is good for me. As long as I feel well in training I will feel good in the fight.

What do you think of Óscar Valdez who is also on the card?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: I think he is a good fighter and uses a lot of technique and he is in a learning process right now as a professional and he is progressing very well. We will see as he goes up against better competition and that will happen with time. I know he is very educated and he trains very hard. I know if he continues with that drive to become champion he will become a champion.

In Closing…

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: I want to invite all of the people to come because they will see a great fight. Mike Alvarado is a great fighter. He wants to win and I want to win and it will be a great fight.

BOB ARUM: I have promoted a number of fights at the Forum. During the John Jackson era and it was a great place to put on an event. I really missed it when they closed the Forum as an entertainment and sports venue, they used it as a church for awhile, and nothing pleases me more that it is back as a sports venue and hosting a boxing event. They did a great job – Jim Dolan and Irving Azoff, did – in refurbishing. They put about $35M in doing it. Its really great and the thing I love about it is that every seat is a great seat. It has no balconies or unobstructed views. There are no suites in the middle that would put the cheaper seats far away. There is just one bowl and that type of format is the same as it always was under the old Forum, but now very spruced up and I can’t wait for the event on Saturday night.

BOB ARUM: Dr. Jerry Buss was a great fight fan and he would come to fights in Las Vegas and he instituted a great boxing program at the Forum and even before him, Jack Kent Cooke was a big fight fan. I did the second Ali-Norton fight at the Forum with Jack and that was a great experience. It’s sort of funny, I see that a lot of the fighters are staying at the Marriott at the airport and when we did the Ali-Norton II fight that was the fight headquarters as well. Ali and myself and Marty Spade stayed at that hotel as well. That was what, 41 years ago, oh my, I was a thin, young handsome guy. Now I’m an old fat guy. It was a great night, a good fight – Norton gave Ali trouble. The fight at the Forum was very close and Ali pulled it out. And the third Ali-Norton fight at Yankee Stadium, which I also did, was very close and Ali won by a whisker. Norton could really give Ali trouble. Norton couldn’t face a guy like Joe Frazier who just bombed him out but against Ali he always gave him trouble.

Like Marquez against Pacquiao?

BOB ARUM: Styles make fights as they say. Frazier couldn’t stay in there against George Foreman – he got bombed out twice, but Frazier against Ali was always close and a tremendous fight and Ali beat George in the one fight that they had.

MIKE ALVARADO: I am doing good. Ready to get in there and put on a good performance for the people and put on a good show.

How long does it take to get over a loss, your last against Provodnikov, where you endured a little more punishment than normal?

MIKE ALVARADO: I took a couple months to put that fight behind me. Knowing that it was in my hometown, in front of all my people and my family. It was tougher mentally but physically I am fine – I got past it. I just focused on my health and I was good. Then I began to focus on which was going to be next.

I could see your parents on TV and they looked upset. What did they have to say after the fight?

MIKE ALVARADO: They just wanted to make sure that I was fine and that I was safe and that my physical condition was OK. They are my number one supporters. As long as they know I am OK they are there for me. They have my back.

Both you and Márquez are coming off losses. That makes this fight much more significant as well as the winner being in line to fight Pacquiao. Can you talk about that?

MIKE ALVARADO: Yes, this fight is very important for both of us and a win here will lead to bigger fights. There is a lot involved in this fight, both mentally and for our careers. I am focusing on getting this win. It makes me train that much more, to know that I am in the category with the best in the world and I am happy for this opportunity that I am blessed with. I take it day-by-day and train as hard as I can. I am happy about it and I am excited and I can’t wait for the show to start this weekend.

Most guys coming off a loss don’t get to fight a guy of this caliber…

MIKE ALVARADO: I was surprised a little bit but I know that I deserve it. Top Rank has had my back the whole time and my will is that much stronger, more so than I showed that night against Provodnikov. They blessed me with another opportunity and I am going to step up to the plate to put on a better show and back it up once again. I am here to put on a better show and perform at a higher level. This is where I belong and I am going to show that this weekend.

You come forward and Márquez is the consummate counter-puncher of his era, those two styles should make for a really exciting fight. Is that the way you see it?

MIKE ALVARADO: They do. He fights a lot as well as counter-punching. He doesn’t move a lot and I move a lot. We are going to come together and it is going to be a great fight and great for boxing. I can’t wait and I am excited about it.

Bob, this fight is for the WBO mandatory and you promote all three. How interested are you in making the fight with the winner against Manny?

BOB ARUM: Well, I am not the one fighting. The first thing I did was talk to Manny and he is up to fight the winner. I haven’t, and there is nothing contractual with the two fighters that are fighting Saturday, but they know I will offer the winner a fight with Manny and it’s up to the winner to accept or reject it. So that’s where we stand and if I hear that the winner will be interested in fighting Manny in the fall, and Manny has agreed to fight the winner, so I would say that once we got the terms straightened out it would be a done deal.

Would you say your best ‘boxing’ was against Rios in the second fight, and do you think that’s what you have to do against Márquez?

MIKE ALVARADO: It just goes the way of my career and how my fights went. I lost to Rios the first time and had to be myself the second time in the redemption fight. So I feel that’s how my career has gone. But style-wise he is going to be tailor-made as well. I have been watching a lot of films and everyone knows, they have been watching Márquez for a long time – he is a legend in the sport and has made his mark but he’s not a hard man to figure out. Coming off a loss for him it is going to be very interesting to see how much Márquez has left in his career, so I am going to exploit every weakness he has to see how much he has left in him.

Most have had trouble with Márquez. What do you think the key is to beating him?

MIKE ALVARADO: Fight the way I know how to fight and make the right adjustments. Fight smart and be stronger, quicker and bigger and fight my game plan. Focus on not giving in and letting my pride get the best of me. Don’t let him get the best of me. I need to stay focused in the ring and dominate this fight.

What do you mean by not letting your pride get the best of you?

MIKE ALVARADO: Not giving in when he is going to war and wanting to trade punches – not giving in to that. I need to fight my fight – my pace and my style of fighting.

What do you think of Márquez’ endorsement of Manny Pacquiao – that it was the best Manny in his last fight?

BOB ARUM: It was the best Manny Pacquiao. People look at the Cotto and Hatton fights and see Manny as this devastating knockout puncher, which he never was. Look at the fight against De La Hoya, where he threw punches, in and out and more punches – that was the Manny Pacquiao that fought Bradleyin their rematch – the Pacquiao that fought De La Hoya – that’s Manny’s big style. He punches hard, he moves and he is very hard to hit when he wants to be hard to hit. That was a magnificent performance by Manny Pacquiao.

How much of the Provodnikov fight did you watch and what have you learned from it?

MIKE ALVARADO: I watched it a lot and I learned from myself how I transitioned from punching and punching and getting more into boxing. Switching my game plan up from the different styles to make the fight go the way I want it to go. That’s what I need to focus on. It was definitely a good learning experience.

On the wall in your gym you have a big poster of you and Provodnikov. Does that give you inspiration?

MIKE ALVARADO: It reminds me of what I wasn’t doing right and helps me focus and reminds me of what I need to do to make me a better boxer and helps my preparation in my future fights. It is just a reminder to let me know what I need to do in my next fights.

How do you feel about being the underdog in this fight, while both of you are coming off losses?

MIKE ALVARADO: It is very motivating. It helps me in my training and gives me more focus in training knowing that a win here will only lead to bigger opportunities. It helps me train harder and helps me push through what I need to push through to be ready for the fight.

You watched Márquez as a youngster. How do you feel fighting against a legend?

MIKE ALVARADO: It’s a great feeling and I am inspired by this opportunity to be in there with a legend and to retire a legend. Knowing that gives me more motivation to dig deeper and you’ll see it in the fight. I will be that much more focused to win the fight.

MIKE ALVARADO: He’s had a long career and it’s coming to a point in his career where he starts second-guessing whether he still wants to do this. He’s made a mark in boxing and we’ll see what happens on Saturday night. That’s on me to exploit it out of him. I want to win this fight and I still have a long career ahead of me. We’ll see how bad Márquez wants to stay in this game.

What are the chances that Top Rank fighters will meet Golden Boy fighters in the future?

BOB ARUM: As I have said to everyone that will listen, I have absolutely no problems whatsoever dealing with Oscar De La Hoya. I was his promoter for many, many years and we have renewed our friendship and we hope to work every closely with him in the future.

Another fight at the “Fabulous” Forum, do you think it will live up to the great fights of the past held there?

BOB ARUM: It is wonderful and when I realize that the first fight I did at the Forum was forty-one years ago promoting the great Muhammad Ali against Ken Norton – forty-one years, no matter how old you are, is a lot of years ago. I subsequently had Rafael Ruelas fight in the Forum and Michael Carbajal and indeed when I wasn’t promoting fights in the Forum, when John Jackson was promoting fights I attended fights in the Forum. It was a great place to watch a boxing match.

How do you see the boxing future in Southern California?

BOB ARUM: We always have done fights there. We have had them at Staples Center, StubHub in Carson and now we are doing one at the “Fabulous” Forum. If you are a promoter you know that the interest in boxing in Southern California is huge so you want to do many fights in that area because the interest is so high.

Many have asked regarding what happened in the ring and your trainer was disappointed as well. What conversations have taken place between you and he since then?

HENRY DELGADO (manager): The whole thing, including the preparation for the fight was not where it needed to be. That’s what they were talking about. Shann [Vilhauer] said ‘see what happens when you don’t take things as seriously as you should.’ That was the consensus and we are not making any excuses but that wasn’t the Mike Alvarado that everyone came to see fight. This time it is completely different. We said this is how you got there and you are letting it go. You’ve got to do what got you there and now you know how to stay there when you get there, by doing all the things that got you there. Now he realizes that. It was kind of embarrassing because of the opportunity Top Rank gave us and he didn’t take advantage of it.

Is that why training camp is in California for this fight?

HENRY DELGADO: Right, but it was last time also, then Mike moved it back. But this time I put my foot down. There are too many distractions in Denver and Denver is a hotbed of sports with the Broncos and they treat him like a God and they were pulling him in too many different places. In Los Angles he is just another guy and we are getting our training done and taking care of business.

BOB ARUM: That’s something that the press should pickup on. What Henry is saying, and it’s absolutely right, that the Mike Alvarado you will see on Saturday is the best trained Mike Alvarado that you will have seen in years. He has dedicated himself to training for this fight without some of the nonsense that took place in the past with some of his training.

HENRY DELGADO: Exactly and our whole camp apologizes for the performance he put on in Denver and we are going to redeem it this time around.

In closing…

BOB ARUM: This is going to be a great night and a fight that is really important for boxing. Coming back to a venue that helped make boxing as popular as it is today, in Southern California at the “Fabulous Forum” and so we are thrilled to bring such a great fight to the “Fabulous” Forum, opening it up once again to the sport of boxing.

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Márquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), of México City, México, and Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs), of Denver, CO., will collide at the Forum in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title elimination bout. The winner will become the mandatory challenger to WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. Márquez vs. Alvarado takes place on Saturday, May 17, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast will open with the 12-round Viktor Postol vs. Selcuk Aydin World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight title elimination bout. Postol (25-0, 19 KOs), of Brovarsky, Ukraine and Aydin (26-2, 19 KOs), of Trabzon, Turkey, are world-rated No. 1 and No. 2 by the WBC, respectively.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Márquez Boxing, PS4 and Tecate, remaining tickets to Márquez vs. Alvarado, priced at $400, $250, $150, $75 and $35, can be purchased at the Forum box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (800-745-3000), and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.fabulousforum.com

Doors on Fight Day open at 3:00 p.m. PT with the first bout on the mega undercard beginning at 3:15 p.m. PT.

Road To Márquez/Alvarado HBO Replay Schedule (All times are ET/PT):
May 14 (6:00 p.m. & 5:40 a.m.), 16 (9:00 a.m. & 3:45 p.m.)
and 17 (8:15 a.m.).

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FRIDAY’S OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN AT THE FORUM WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

FREE PARKING in the Manchester Lot, North West side will be available for fans at Noon. Doors will open at 2:00 p.m. with the fighters stepping on the scale, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Fans will be directed up Ramp No. 4 for access into the North Entrance. (Media parking will be in the North East side of the Manchester Lot. Media should check in at the Floor Seat entrance).

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

For more information on the Forum visit www.fabulousforum.com.