LOS ANGELES, CA (March 9, 2017) – Top undefeated prospect DANIEL “TWITCH” FRANCO, (15-0-3, 10 KO’s) of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, will make his highly anticipated return to Southern California on Thursday, March 23 in the 8-round main event against battle-tested veteran CHRISTOPHER “S.D. KID” MARTIN, (29-8-3, 9 KO’s) at EXCHANGE LA Nightclub in Downtown Los Angeles.

Presented by Bash Entertainment, advance tickets starting at $60 can be purchased by calling 818-8584342. EXCHANGE LA is located at 618 South Spring Street in Downtown Los Angeles. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. PT with the first bell at 6:30 p.m. PT. EXCHANGE LA is ages 21 and over only.

“I’m so very excited to be fighting in Southern California for the first time in over two years,” said the 25-year-old world ranked Franco. “While I’ve loved fighting in Oakland and Washington, D.C., there’s no place like home.”

“Christopher Martin is a very tough test, he’s fought many world champions and numerous contenders and I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge.”

“We’re thrilled to work with Daniel and his team on this main event. Given the styles of both fighters, this fight will provide action from the opening bell and great entertainment for our fans at the DTLA,” said STEVE BASH of Bash Entertainment.

“Daniel has continued to shine, exceeding expectations with each fight and having him fight at home in front of his family and huge number of local fans will make for a very special evening,” said RAY CHAPARRO, Manager of Daniel Franco.

Most recently, Franco won the IBF-USBA Lightweight Title with a sensational fourth round stoppage of previously undefeated Derrick Murray on November 10, 2016 in Washington, D.C. in the main event of the prestigious FIGHT NIGHT annual charity boxing event. The victory was his third in 2016, all by knockout.

Fighting out of San Diego, the 30-year-old Martin has shared the ring with world champions Gary Russell Jr., Jhonny Gonzalez and a wealth of contenders and top prospects including Miguel Marriaga, Daniel Roman, Roberto Castaneda, Teon Kennedy, Luis Orlando Del Valle and Chris Avalos.

Comosa AG are pleased to announce the launch of the World Boxing Super Series, a revolutionary bracket-style elimination tournament featuring the world`s best boxers and a total of $50 million in prize money. The winner will receive the GREATEST prize in boxing – the Muhammad Ali Trophy.

“The World Boxing Super Series will change the world of boxing,” said Roberto Dalmiglio, Comosa’s Head of Management Board. “The tournament will set new standards, ensure coherent storylines and provide top-class boxing throughout the year. It is Comosa’s ambition to turn the World Boxing Super Series into the world’s biggest and best boxing tournament.”
The tournament will be organised by newly-founded Comosa AG, a Swiss-registered company with principal owners from the world of marketing (Highlight Event & Entertainment), broadcasting (Modern Times Group) and boxing (Team Sauerland).
The tournament, the first of its kind, will kick off in September 2017. It will be taking place on an annual basis. The inaugural season of the World Boxing Super Series will feature two weight classes, 16 fighters and a total of 14 main events. In each weight class, eight boxers will battle it out in a bracket-style elimination tournament, with four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and one final. This makes for seven top fights per weight class, and a total of 14 fights in season 1 to be staged in premier venues around the globe. An expert panel will invite the world’s best boxers, namely the top 15-ranked fighters of the four big federations WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO.
Matthew Hooper, Executive Vice President, Modern Times Group, said: “The fighters can earn a lot of money in the World Boxing Super Series and also prove that they are the number one in their division. We will set out a clear and consistent schedule and stick to it.”
The eight Quarter Finals – four in each weight class – will take place in September and October 2017, with the four Semi Finals scheduled for January and February 2018. The two Finals will then go down in May 2018.
“Comosa is proud to announce a close cooperation with the family of the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali, and we are delighted to honour his legacy with this tournament,” said Kalle Sauerland, Comosa’s Chief Boxing Officer. “Whoever emerges as the winner of the World Boxing Super Series will rightfully receive the GREATEST prize in boxing, the Muhammad Ali Trophy.”
Added Richard Schaefer, Comosa’s Chairman of the Americas: “I have been involved in the sport for a long time and boxing has really been missing a big tournament like the World Boxing Super Series. Every major sport has one. This is a fascinating project and I am thrilled to be involved. The quality of the people behind this tournament ensures it will be a success.”
The weight classes for the inaugural season of the World Boxing Super Series – as well as the respective participants – will be announced at the Draft Gala, a live-televised kick-off event in June 2017. To avoid each other in the Quarter Finals, the top four boxers will be seeded. During the Draft Gala, they will pick their Quarter Final opponents.
Comosa will partner up with boxers, promoters and managers from around the world, and in accordance with the four major World Boxing Federations, creating a new platform for the sport to thrive on.
Comosa has signed an agreement with MP & Silva, which is the exclusive sales agent of World Boxing Super Series tournaments for the next 3 seasons (2017/18, 18/19 and 19/20) on a world-wide basis excluding USA and Scandinavia. The rights will be available for international territories on all broadcast platforms, including digital and OTT formats.
Alongside action-packed Fight Nights, there will be extensive TV & online programming produced for fans around the globe. More information will be announced in due course.

New York (3/9/17) – DiBella Entertainment wrapped up an eventful weekend of boxing with the signing of three of the Midwest’s most promising prospects, including a 2016 Olympian. After a record crowd descended on Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, for the unification bout between Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia, promoter Lou DiBella looked to the future, inking promotional deals with 2016 American Olympian Charles Conwell, Conwell’s half-brother Isaiah Steen, and former amateur champion Ardreal Holmes. The trio, who are managed by Split-T Management’s David McWater, will be co-promoted by Oklahoma-based Holden Productions.

Conwell, of Cleveland, OH, who will make his professional debut on April 21 at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK, amassed a record of 132-14 as an amateur before representing the United States in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Despite Conwell losing to eventual two-time Olympic gold medalist Vikas Krishan Yadav, it was clear to many that he would have a promising future in the professional ranks. The 19-year-old welterweight will join Holden’s “Four State Franchise,” a team of boxers that boasts a large and passionate following in Oklahoma.

“Signing with DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions means everything to me,” said Conwell. “I know they really care about their fighters. With them guiding my career, the sky is the limit. They will help make sure that I am not only a champ, but a legend. I love my fans in Cleveland and can’t wait to make new fans and family in New York City and in the Four State Franchise.”

Boxing is a family affair for Conwell, who, like all eight of his siblings, was enrolled in boxing at a young age by his father, Charles Conwell, Sr. Charles Jr. and his older half-brother, super middleweight Isaiah Steen (6-0, 5 KOs), were the only two to stick with it. “It is good to have my brother next to me as I go into the next phase of my career,” said Conwell.

“I’m excited to be with DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions,” said Steen. “I know they are great people and meeting Mr. DiBella was very exciting. I could tell right away he cared about his fighters. I can’t wait to start this next chapter in my career.”

Junior middleweight Ardreal Holmes (5-0, 3 KOs) also signed a promotional pact with DiBella and Holden on Saturday. The 22-year-old southpaw hails from Flint, MI, and is a four-time Michigan Golden Gloves champion, a 2015 USA National Elite champion and 2016 US Olympic Alternate. He has since relocated to Lansing, MI, to train with Joe Bermudez. There he splits his time between boxing, a part-time job and caring for and mentoring his 15-year-old brother, who also has aspirations to become a professional prizefighter.

“Aside from winning world titles, and unifying all of the belts at 154, then moving up to 160, my goal is to return to my home in Flint, and bring whatever success I have back with me. I want to be a positive role model for the kids in Flint,” said Holmes. The young fighter hopes to use the platform that boxing provides to keep attention on the water crisis in his hometown. “Everyone I know has been affected by the water crisis in Flint. I want to help make sure they aren’t forgotten.”

Holmes describes signing with DiBella and Holden as the high point of his boxing career thus far. “I can’t thank God enough for blessing me with this opportunity. Rest in peace to my brother and I love you to my family, Split-T Management, Flint and my whole state of Michigan for standing behind me 100 percent. It’s been a long road for Team Holmes and we have plenty miles left in us. I’m grateful that Mr. DiBella is giving me a chance to showcase to the world what I’ve been working on for almost half my life. I’m definitely going to make the most of it.”

“These three fighters are phenomenal additions to the DiBella Entertainment family,” said DBE President Lou DiBella. “All three guys are well-grounded, family-oriented and have the talent to become champions. It’s great to expand my relationship with Tony Holden, who I have worked with for years.”

ABOUT DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT
In May of 2000, Lou DiBella launched DiBella Entertainment (DBE), a full-service sports and entertainment company, which has become one of the most successful promotional entities in boxing. Serving as matchmaker, television distributor, marketing advisor, and promoter, DiBella has developed an exciting stable of championship caliber, world-class fighters. DBE clearly established itself as an industry leader with the successful launch of its monthly-televised “Broadway Boxing” series in April 2004. Prior to becoming a promoter, DiBella held an 11-year tenure as the Senior Vice President of HBO Sports. He is also a well-known fixture in the film industry, having worked as an Executive Producer for the film “Love Ranch”, as an Associate Producer on “The Fighter”, and making his acting debut in “Rocky Balboa”. The President and Managing General Partner for the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, DiBella proudly wears his 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series rings, as his team is the class AA affiliate to the San Francisco Giants. In 2014, DiBella was inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

ABOUT HOLDEN PRODUCTIONS
Tony Holden, a former television producer, started in boxing in 1990 when he formed Holden Productions. Holden has promoted numerous world champions and stars, some of whom started their careers under his wing. They’ve fought on all of the major television outlets, both domestically and internationally. Currently, Holden Productions’ “Four State Franchise” is a major draw at the Buffalo Run Casino and their cards are always sold out. Current and former fighters include boxing greats Tommy Morrison, Johnny Tapia and Prince Naseem Hamed, Joe Mesi, Olympian Zahir Raheem as well as Trey Lippe-Morrison, and Ivan Baranchyk, among others.

Anthony Crolla says he is flying in his camp for his World Lightweight title unification rematch with Jorge Linares at the Manchester Arena on March 25, live on Sky Sports.

Crolla was told in no uncertain terms by trainer Joe Gallagher that he had to lock himself away as he prepared to meet the Venezuelan for the second time following their tight first encounter in September, where Linares added Crolla’s WBA strap to his WBC Diamond belt and the Ring Magazine crown.

‘Million Dollar’ is looking to reclaim the belt he won in stunning fashion in his Manchester fortress in a rematch with Darleys Perez before KOing Ismael Barroso, and the 30 year old believes that paying heed to Gallagher’s impassioned plea in their press conference to stay focussed on training will pay dividends in a fortnight’s time.

“I understood what Joe meant in the press conference,” said Crolla. “I think in the past I have been a bit stupid and that’s been my fault. I run around with tickets and stress over things, I’ve been told it for years but this time it’s been different and I’m flying in camp. It’s been a load off my shoulders and I am just concentrating on getting my belt back.

“We’re both bringing different game-plans to the ring and there’s no doubt that we’ll both leave it all in the ring again, like we did last time. I did everything I could to win last time but I came up short, the right man won but there wasn’t a lot in it. This time I am going to make sure that doesn’t happen. It’s a second chance to win those belts and a second chance to beat a great fighter like Jorge, and I’ve prepared myself physically and mentally to be better than him this time.

“I was disappointed that I lost, and you should never be satisfied with losing, I was happy that I gave everything on the night but there was things that I did that I was annoyed about and I won’t be making them this time.

“He didn’t outclass me because two of the judges only had one point in it, so we’ve made the adjustments that I need to do to make sure the result is different.”

Crolla’s clash with Linares is part of a huge night of action in Manchester where there’s a crossroads battle of Blackpool as Middleweights Brian Rose and Jack Arnfield lock horns.

Martin J. Ward defends his British Super-Featherweight title against Maxi Hughes in their third clash in the paid ranks, Marcus Morrison defends his WBC International Middleweight strap against Jason Welborn, while his Joe Gallagher gym-mate Hosea Burton looks to bounce back into title contention from his epic battle with Frank Buglioni, Irish sensation Katie Taylor fights for the fourth time as a pro, while there’s also action for Tomi Tatham, Ben Sheedy, Nathan Wheatley and Sean McGoldrick.

Tickets are on sale priced at £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 and available from www.manchesterarena.com or by calling 0844 847 8000. VIPs tickets are exclusively available through www.matchroomboxing.com priced at £250.

Face value tickets for March 25 will also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

ENDS

Darlington’s perpetual power puncher Troy Williamson makes his keenly awaited bow under the Frank Warren standard this Friday in a four rounder at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

Last Sunday, Glynn Evans caught up with the 25 year old middleweight – a former ABA champion and European Championships rep – to hear his story.

You’d have been a rare dark face growing up in the northern market town of Darlington. Did that present difficulties?
A bit, yeah. I’m also fourth youngest of 11 -six girls, five boys – so it was quite a rough upbringing.

There were only about five black families in the whole area so I had a few (racial) problems. It didn’t help that my dad had a reputation as a hard man so we kind of got picked out by local lads looking to make a name for themselves.

I was a quiet kid, certainly didn’t look for bother,and it took a lot to rile me. But I could always stick up for myself.

When did you become involved in boxing?
When I was 10, I went the boxing gym for a couple of months but you couldn’t compete until you were 11 and I got bored with just training.

I gave it another go when I was about 17. I started out at the Darlington club but, after about three years, I moved to the Stockton ABC where I won 11 of 12 (bouts) under Imran Naeem who coaches the Leather twins (unbeaten pros Josh and Kalum). Then the Darlington gym moved to walking distance of my house so I thanked Imran for all his help and returned there.

What did you achieve in the amateur ranks?
I only ever boxed as a senior but crammed in 68 bouts with just 15 losses. I got to two English ABA finals losing on points to (2014 Commonwealth Games champion and 2016 Olympian) Anthony Fowler in 2014. Fowler was flying at the time, knocking everybody out and even my friends wrote me off, expected me to get stopped. But I gave him a real fight. Only experience beat me.

A year later, I beat (unbeaten pro) Jack Flatley to finally win the crown. The same year, I won the Three Nations gold and made the quarter-finals of the European Seniors in Bulgaria. I also fought in Miami, Finland, Denmark and Uzbekistan.

I spent two years with the Team GB set-up, up in Sheffield, which really brought me on as a fighter and, being away from home, matured me as a person. And I did well, jumped at all the chances offered to me.
I had four five round fights in the World Series of Boxing against some of the best amateur boxers in the world. I fought the (2016) US Olympian Charles Conwell in Florida and twice boxed Arlen Lopez, the Cuban who won gold at Rio (Olympics). He was also world champion at both junior and senior level and was easily the best I ever faced. He had everything; fast, elusive, could switch, could punch….

The experience of fighting in the WSB should certainly accelerate me through the professional ranks. The kids I fought in the amateurs were definitely more talented than the pros I’ve fought. My team are talking about fast tracking me sensibly.

Why did you choose to forsake Elite level funding with the Team GB set-up to gamble on a pro career?
I felt I’d learnt all I could in the amateurs and the pros were the next natural step. Several friends recommended MTK (Matt Macklin’s Mack The Knife Promotions) to me, saying they’re genuine people with a reputation for looking after their fighters well. So I decided to give it a go.

At the moment, I train in the north-east because my coach Andy Marksby has a job outside of boxing but, in time, I’d like a couple of camps over at the MTK set-up in Marbella. Getting decent sparring is a struggle and I have to travel to Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Derby, Birmingham…but I’ve had decent work with the likes of John Ryder, Anthony Ogogo and Scott Fitzgerald.

Late last year, you kick started your paid career with a third round stoppage of a Bulgarian import in Edinburgh, followed by a four round shut-out of Manchester’s Yailton Neves in Durham. How did you assess those performances?
After what I achieved in the amateurs, there was a lot of weight on my shoulders to blow my opponents away. The Bulgarian was quite a bit heavier than me but eventually I managed to get him out of there. The second one kept moving on the back foot and made it through. I just need to close the distance a bit quicker. I was happy enough but I’ll get better.

What qualities do you possess that fans can look forward to?
Above all, I train hard, never cut any corners. I’m physically strong and I hold a good shot. As I progress, the longer fights will suit me. I’ve a good engine and I’ll wear people down. I need to tighten up my defence but I’m coming on loads every spar.

How do you pass your time away from boxing?
I like to walk my dogs. I’ve seven (!); three Chihuahuas, two Jack Russells, a whippet and a Pomeranian puppy. I used to breed them.

What are your short-term goals over the next 12 months or so?
I just want as many fights as possible and to keep my winning streak going before thinking about titles in 2018. I’d like to go the traditional route; English, British and Commonwealth…

It’d also be good to get a bit of a buzz going in the north-east. Stuey Hall (Darlington’s former IBF bantamweight champion) is a mate – we go running together – but, growing up, I didn’t really have a local boxer to look up to. My hero was Mike Tyson.

In addition to myself, there’s Martin and Tommy Ward from Durham, plus the Leather twins and Joe Maphosa from Middlesbrough way. We’ve the potential to put on cracking shows.

Finally, what can the Belfast fans expect to see from Troy Williamson inside the ring at the Waterfront Hall on Friday night?
Excitement and explosiveness! Training’s gone great. I feel sharp, the best I’ve ever been and now I just can’t wait. I’d love my opponent to come and have a go, rather than just run or cover up, so I can show my best.

09 March 2017 – Bangkok, Thailand: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), held a public face-off today at the Vertigo Rooftop Bar at the Banyan Tree hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM is set to rock the Impact Arena this Saturday, 11 March and will feature the return of ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela “Unstoppable” Lee of Singapore as she makes the first defense of her title against challenger Jenny Huang of Chinese Taipei.

Visit the official ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM FACE-OFF photo gallery by clicking here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BxHVlFU0lKiIWU5DUGdOVDF1UjQ

Angela Lee, ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion, stated: “I would love to test my skills against the best fighters in the world, and to show everyone how much I have improved since my last fight. I’m coming into this bout against Jenny [Huang] hungry and determined. Winning the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship is one of the best achievements of my career so far, but I don’t want to go into this fight feeling like I’m the champion. I want to stay as hungry as the challenger.”

Jenny Huang, ONE world title challenger, stated: “I have worked very hard to earn this opportunity. Angela Lee is a great, young champion, but I’m coming for the belt. I know chances like this are very rare and I will do my best to take the title home for all my fans.”

20-year-old Angela “Unstoppable” Lee became the youngest world champion in the history of mixed martial arts when she captured the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship via a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Japanese veteran Mei Yamaguchi in May of 2016. Lee’s stunning performance reverberated throughout the sport, captivating audiences the world over and catapulting the young fighter to superstardom. Now, the undefeated champion Lee makes her way back to the ONE Championship cage to make the first defense of her title against top rated challenger Jenny Huang.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™

ONE Championship is the largest sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia featuring the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Championship is broadcast to over 1 billion viewers across 118+ countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including FOX Sports, Setanta, MNC, Astro, Thairath TV, ABS-CBN, TV5, MYTV, HTV, OSN and more.

BERNIE BAHRMASEL: Good afternoon and Good Morning to the international media and thanks very much for joining us on this Media Conference Call promoting the highly anticipated World Middleweight Championship between Unified Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN, (36-0, 33 KO’s) and WBA Middleweight World Champion and Mandatory Challenger DANIEL “The Miracle Man” JACOBS, (32-1, 29 KO’s) set for Saturday, March 18 from THE Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Championship Event presented by K2 Promotions will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View starting at 9pm ET, 6pm PT. Tickets for the live event which are moving fast, may be purchased online through Ticketmaster and TheGarden.com

Since bursting onto the boxing scene in America in September 2012 on HBO, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin has become the most talked about and most exciting international boxing superstar in the sport.

In addition to his world titles and distinction as the Unified Middleweight World Champion, Gennady is also known as the sports’ ‘Peoples Champion’. In his last three fights, Gennady has sold over 55,000 tickets, drawing packed houses to three of boxing’s most iconic venues, The O2 Arena in London, England, The Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles, California and The Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden where he will fight for the fifth time on Saturday, March 18th.

With a record of 36-0 with 33 knockouts, Gennady has stopped his last 23 opponents inside the distance over a period of 9.5 years.

Joining Gennady on the call today is his longtime trainer, the 2015 & 2016 Yahoo Sports Boxing Trainer of the Year, Abel Sanchez—both are joining us from Big Bear Lake, California.

Also joining us on the call is the architect of Gennady’s meteoric international rise in becoming one of boxing’s most marketable fighters, Tom Loeffler, the Managing Director of K2 Promotions.

A couple programming notes before we get started;

“24/7 Golovkin/Jacobs” is available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO GO®, HBO NOW® and on HBO Boxing’s YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/HBOBoxing)

“2 Days: Chocolatito Gonzalez premieres Saturday, March 11 at approximately 1:00 a.m. (ET/PT) or immediately following the Live HBO BOXING AFTER DARK card on HBO.

TOM LOEFFLER: We are really excited now as we head into the home stretch. Fight week is next week and all of the fighters are flying in over the weekend. The main event press conference will be Monday with Gennady, Danny and Michael Buffer ringing the bell that morning for the New York Stock Exchange. We are really excited about Golovkin vs. Danny Jacobs at Madison Square Garden – there was a tremendous response from the HBO 24/7 piece that aired last Saturday. Everyone is excited and anticipating the two best middleweights in the world along with the tremendous undercard we have headlined by ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez vs. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras vs. David Carmona along with Ryan Martin vs. ‘Pee Wee’ Cruz. It’s going to be a full action packed show. Andy Lee is coming back to MSG on the undercard – he is a favorite with the Irish and New York City boxing fans.

ABEL SANCHEZ: Camp has been going great and I would like to thank all of the people for coming to the fight. We are looking to start the year off great with Gennady and hopefully fight three or four times in the year. We have had very good sparring – with David Benavidez and John Jackson. We have had no issues and hopefully everything goes good and we have a great fight on the March 18th.

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: I feel great and training camp has been great. I’m ready for March 18th to fight Danny Jacobs, he’s my biggest test.

I’ve watched the video of Gennady hitting the pad you were holding. Can you describe the power of Gennady?

ABEL SANCHEZ: In forty years I have never had a fighter that hits as hard as Gennady but I am fortunate that he doesn’t hit me as hard as he can and as hard as he has hit someone in a fight. I have seen him hit someone 100% with protection on but I have never seen him hit someone 100% in a fight. He hits very hard and I feel it at night when I go to bed. My shoulder hurts but that is part of the job. On that particular video that you saw – it was taken in Santa Monica and I just had him hit the round pad and it was just a couple of rounds. It does hurt and I feel for the guys that catch it in the ring with small gloves and wraps – but that’s part of his business. It is fortunate that I have a guy that fights with dramatic endings and fights dramatic rounds and I am glad to be part of it.

You have a streak of 23 consecutive knockouts…at what point in your career did you realize that you have incredible power compared to the other guys in the ring?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: Of course I feel that I have power and it is very important to me and I can feel the power in my punches. I get that from hard work and practice.

Do you feel you have better punching power than all of your opponents?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: Yes, sometimes but it is not just power. It has a lot to do with timing and distance. It is not all in the punch.

Danny has him own streak going – he has 12 in a row. Do you feel a knockout is inevitable?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: I don’t know, this is boxing. He is a very good fighter and maybe has a little bit more power than me. He has big power and he is a very good boxer.

How happy are you to have an opponent that has a chance of beating you?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: I am happy because I work hard every day for the last two months to three months. Right now is my last week and next week is the fight. Of course – this is my first fight of the year and he is a tough guy and a great fighter and I am very excited for this fight and this year.

ABEL SANCHEZ: I think that all of these fighters like Kovalev and Andre and Gennady – they need a challenge. Not just a physical challenge but also a mental challenge and he presents that for us. He is the first guy in a while since maybe Lemieux and Stevens that got Gennady fired up. Not that he trains any harder because he trains hard for all of his fights, but mentally motivated to have a guy across from you that is going to be a great challenge that could outbox him and we’ll see what happens. He has good power, so does Gennady, and we’ll see who can impose their will on the other guy. That’s what makes these fighters fight at their best and the kinds of fights that people will remember for years.

What is your opinion of the strength of Daniel Jacobs’ chin?

ABEL SANCHEZ: When he fought Pirog and he went down he was probably thinking to himself ‘dammit I got caught’ and he was being held down. I didn’t think he was not able to continue. Every fighter in history, except for Gennady so far, every great fighter has gone down and gotten back up, gone down and gotten back up to fight. Now when he fought Quillin, he did to Quillin what people thought Quillin would do to us, it was very impressive. That’s not our plan – his chin or weakness is not what we are concerned with. We are concerned with his punching power and his ability to move and his ability to box. I don’t think that should be an issue for him.

Where do you expect Jacobs to rank among the fighters you have fought to this point?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: He is one of the most dangerous for me. He is very good in the ring. He is a good boxer with good technique. I respect him too, he is a very good man.

What lessons did you learn in the Kell Brook fight?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: The Kell Brook fight was a different fight. I remember the first round and I remember the last round. It was five rounds and it was a good five rounds and that’s it.

When you are asked about Canelo you seem to be more critical him him…

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: Right now I am focused on Daniel. I don’t know – my promoter, he talks with Golden Boy. It might be this year it might be next year, but right now my focus is on Daniel Jacobs, he is my next fight. Of course I would like to fight Canelo but we will talk about that later.

There are reports you have a deal in place to fight June 10 in Kazakhstan against Billy Joe Saunders if he wins…

TOM LOEFFLER: There is no deal in place and everyone is focused on the Danny Jacobs fight on the 18th. However, it is my job, because it has been so difficult to get fights for Gennady to look forward and it has always been his goal to unify all the titles. If there is a possibility for Saunders in the future and he’s ready, we would want the fight, but right now were focused on March 18th. If everything goes right on the 18th for Gennady then we will see what the next highest profile fight will be and that is the one title (WBO) that has eluded him so far.

Is the plan to fight Saunders?

TOM LOEFFLER: As I said the plan is, if Gennady is successful on March 18, to fight the highest profile fight. We will see who is willing to get in the ring with him. A lot of people talk about fighting Gennady but very few people actually sign the contract. We know everything that happened last year with Canelo and Billy Joe Saunders with Chris Eubank and finally, Kell Brook was the one to step up and take the fight. We have a lot of respect for Kell Brook and we have a lot of respect for Danny Jacobs – he actually signed the contract to get in the ring and he was a mandatory challenger; Gennady also fulfills all of his mandatory obligations. This is the highest profile fight and the most dangerous fight Gennady has had. There is no way anyone could look past this fight but I am certainly in discussions with many different promoters to see who would actually be available and willing to fight him if he is victorious in March.

Is there anything new with Golden Boy regarding Canelo?

TOM LOEFFLER: Same situation – we are having discussions but there are two big ifs’ there. Gennady has got to win March 18 and Canelo has got to win May 6 and if those two things don’t happen there is no fight. If Golden Boy is ready and if Canelo is ready to make the deal then we would be open to it but it is my job to look forward. If Gennady is not successful next week then it doesn’t matter what plans I make or Abel or the Hermann brothers make – that all goes out the window. We have a lot of respect for Jacobs and he is the biggest challenge for Gennady. He has great hand speed and he is physically bigger than Gennady and will present a tremendous match-up.

Have you game-planned for Jacobs’ size?

ABEL SANCHEZ: Other than Kell moving up to middleweight, I think everyone that Gennady has fought has been bigger than him. He has learned to adapt to the bigger guys because that’s what he’s had to do his whole career. Danny’s size has not been my concern but his punching power has been my concern because he can crack so what we have in front of us at the beginning we have to be able to deal with it. We have some big guys in camp. David Benavidez is probably about 6’3” and John Jackson is about 6’ tall like Danny. We are trying to emulate what we will see on March 18. Until we get in the ring when Danny feels his power and Gennady feels Danny’s power we won’t know if size is going to make a difference.

It seems that Gennady at some point in the early parts of the fight– Gennady will take a punch to feel the other’s power. Is this something you would caution him about against Jacobs?

ABEL SANCHEZ: No, I don’t caution him to do anything. We have a game plan and we are going to follow the game plan. If it gets to a point where Gennady has no respect, that is something he feels in the ring himself and it has never been planned. But when he feels the punch that is not at the level where it may hurt him, he will do what he feels he needs to do not only to please his fans but also to make a fight of it. He wants to make a dramatic fight. He wants to make a fight where the other guy needs to come forward to make it a fight where he is not leery of his punching power but that is up to him.

How does being challenged mentally and physically translate into his training?

ABEL SANCHEZ: He trains the same, he is one of those guys I am fortunate to have in the gym because the other guys see him train hard for every fight whether it is Kell Brook or Lemieux or Curtis Stevens – we are going to prepare him for the best that he can be. The best that Golovkin can be and whoever is in there is going to have to deal with that. Nothing changes according to the opponent. We train to be the best that we can be and if that doesn’t work then we have more work to do.

What do you think about Danny and what he has overcome with cancer and what he has done for boxing?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: Daniel was sick but right now he is a great boxer. I have watched a couple of his fights and he looks good. He looks strong and he looks very focused. I think he is the best that I have been up against in my career.

How is it that you can go into a fight and not have any personal feeling of anger or hate against an opponent? Why don’t you need that to get up for a fight?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: This is my job and that’s the way I look at it and that’s it.

What are your thoughts on coming back to the Garden to fight again?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: I am very happy and very excited about it. Madison Square Garden is my second home. It is a great atmosphere. It is the best place in the world for me. I am very excited for next week.

There was about 16,000 at Barclay’s the other night – is boxing on an upswing?

TOM LOEFFLER: I think when you have the right match-ups in boxing the fans respond. We are expecting – we sold out the last time with Lemieux but we are expecting a larger crowd this time because we added floor seats so there will be more people there than any other ‘GGG’ fight we have had at the Garden. It was a great night of boxing at Barclays – you’ve got the Wembley Stadium fight coming up at the end of April with Klitschko vs. Joshua with 90,000 tickets sold. When you have big fight match-ups the fans will respond and they are definitely responding right now to Gennady fighting Daniel Jacobs. The best two middleweights in the world fighting each other, both in their primes, both having over a 90% knockout ratio. You add Chocolatito and all of the other great boxers on the show, it is going to be a tremendous night and we expect a sold out Madison Square Garden next week.

Is defense more of a priority in this fight?

ABEL SANCHEZ: Defense is a priority from the first day I met Gennady. Defense is always a priority in our gym, but it is boxing and guys are going to get hit. If you look at the punch stats you would see that Gennady is one of the top 5 guys in the world of not getting hit compared to him hitting his opponent. For a boxer to land the types of shots he wants to land the way Golovkin fights, he is going to have to expose himself to put himself in a position where he could throw a punch. It’s always a concern and it’s always something we work on and it’s part of his game. If he was so defensive that he bored people to death, we wouldn’t be talking right now and we wouldn’t have him on this stage. He is the kind of fighter that by his choice and by the work that we do in the gym the type of fighter that the fans want to see.

It seems Gennady has been very quiet for this promotion…

ABEL SANCHEZ: We have a guy in front of us that Gennady respects 100%. A guy in front of us that poses a threat. He poses a chance of us losing a fight. We are trying to do as much as we can with Tom and Bernie to give as much accessibility as we can but there are times where I won’t allow it because we have a very difficult fight in front of us on the 18th. We are sorry if we haven’t been as accessible but we promise to put on a great night of boxing that night.

Gennady has always had the Garden crowd behind him but Jacobs is from Brooklyn – how much of the crowd do you think will be behind him?

TOM LOEFFLER: That’s a good question and a lot of people have asked me that. Gennady has sold out the Garden before and this will be his fifth time fighting there, but Danny being a native New Yorker from Brooklyn and having huge fan support as well, it will be an interesting dynamic on fight night. I still think because it is at The Garden you will see it leaning towards Gennady but you never know until the fans show up and certainly not the same as we had for the Lemieux where Gennady was clearly the hometown favorite. We are expecting a great atmosphere from both sides.

Did you ever discuss the moment that Gennady would get hit and go down and how you would handle that?

ABEL SANCHEZ: No, we have never discussed that because I don’t believe in discussing negative things in training camp and I believe that as a human you are going to do what your natural instincts tell you to do. If you are really hurt, you are going to stay down then get up. If you are halfway hurt then hopefully…he as always been told that if he knocks his opponent down he goes to the neutral corner and wait for instructions on what to do. Hopefully he would look at us and in the spur of the moment we will decide what we want to say to him and motion to him. But like I said every great fighter gets knocked down. I had a fighter Terry Norris back in the 80’s and he got knocked out in two rounds but this man is in the Hall of Fame. He had a great career even thought he had three or four losses. It’s part of the game and part of this business but I don’t discuss anything negative with my fighters at all, ever. Until it happens we don’t discuss it.

And for you Gennady has it ever crossed your mind?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: No, I have no idea. Really.

What kind of plan do you expect from Jacobs in the beginning of the fight?

ABEL SANCHEZ: I think that Danny will be aggressive and that’s what we are planning on. If not, then that’s okay but I think Danny will come out and try to draw a line and say you are not going to cross this. If he doesn’t I think he’s got very smart people around him, with the addition of Virgil I think they know they are going to have to get Gennady’s respect. But I think that’s going to make for a great fight. I think he will test the waters then use his skills. He’s got great legs and very good distance and the fact that he knocked Peter Quillin out shows that he’s got great power. Maybe the first round is a crazy round and I think 2, 3, 4, 5 are more tactical then the fight starts in the middle of the twelve rounds. I expect him to come out and see what Gennady’s got.

What do you think about the Lemieux-Stevens fight that is on Saturday night?

ABEL SANCHEZ: Other than Gennady, with everyone in the gym that has been a topic of conversation. I think it’s a 50/50 fight – I think that David’s got a little more power and Curtis is a very good boxer with one-punch knockout power. It’s either going to be one of those great fights that we are going to remember or it’s going to be boring fight because they have so much respect for each other. If one of the two guys lands a good shot I think it’s a war. They are going to bomb and someone is going to go out.

Do you see yourself moving up to 168?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: I don’t know; I feel very comfortable at 160. Right now I am at 165 and next week I will be at 164 or 163. I don’t know about going up.

Is Jermall Charlo in Gennady’s future?

TOM LOEFFLER: Any of the top middleweights are in his future. It was nice to see Charlo move up to 160 and it adds another great fighter into the mix. If successful March 18th we will look at the best fights possible.

Mayweather over the weekend spoke of GGG’s deficiencies. Do you get frustrated that you can’t get a fight with him?

ABEL SANCHEZ: No we don’t get frustrated. It just shows me that he thinks more about Golovkin by talking about him and his deficiencies than talking about the mutt he wants to fight. I think Floyd having GGG’s name in his head is a thorn in his side that keeps him from being loved and will keep him from being loved as along as Golovkin is at the top of his game. If he is so flatfooted and if he is so beatable then he needs to call Tom Loeffler and sign a contract and make a date. We have three more dates that Tom wants to schedule this year.

Andre Rozier said Jacobs has one-punch power whereas Golovkin wears opponents down before stopping them…

ABEL SANCHEZ: I agree with him 100%. The difference is the quality of opposition. He has never faced a Golovkin so when he has somebody throwing back at him maybe it will be different. I agree with Andre. Jacobs has one punch power and has knocked out more guys in the second round but I don’t think the fighters that he has fought are on the level that Golovkin fought but we’ll see on March 18. But I am glad that Andre is talking that way and hopefully Danny is doing the same thing. Hopefully Danny comes to fight so we don’t have a bore fest like we had last week.

How has moving the fight from December to March helped the promotion?

TOM LOEFFLER: I would have liked to have had it in December but moving it to March fits better with the pay-per-view platform and also having Chocolatito on because he had just fought in September. It adds to the event as well as it being St. Patrick’s Day weekend – there is going to be a lot of people in New York City, plus you have the boxing writers’ dinner and Top Rank has Michael Conlan fighting on Friday and then the two best middleweights fighting on Saturday night.

Do you feel Jacobs is a bigger threat than Canelo?

ABEL SANCHEZ: I think that, as Andre has alluded to in the past, he has got one punch power. There is the chance he will knock you out – he is a big dude. Canelo is more of a combination puncher but they are both very good fighters. Both Canelo and Jacobs have fights coming up and Canelo has the bigger guy on May 6 and we will be able to tell then who is the bigger ands stronger guy.

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: Every fighter is different. Of course Jacobs is a big guy and right now all of my focus is on him.

In Closing…

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: Thank you very much for your support and attention. I am really looking forward to putting on a great show and I am very excited.

ABEL SANCHEZ: Thanks everyone for joining us. We are at the point where we have done all the talking and its time to get in the ring and show why March 18 will be the beginning of a great year for us.

TOM LOEFFLER: Everything has been said and we are looking forward to the two best middleweights fighting. The doors open at 7:00 pm ET and it will be a full night of boxing with the pay per view beginning at 9:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm PT.

______________________________

Unified Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN, (36-0, 33
KO’s) defends his titles (WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO) against WBA Middleweight Champion and Mandatory Challenger DANIEL “THE MIRACLE MAN” JACOBS, (32-1, 29 KO’s) in a divisional showdown on Saturday, March 18 at The Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden.

Golovkin and Jacobs have an extraordinary, combined 35 consecutive knockouts heading into this highly anticipated battle.

The Championship Event presented by K2 Promotions will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

The acclaimed HBO Sports feature series “2 Days” returns with an all-new edition on Saturday, March 11 at approximately 1:00 a.m. (ET/PT). “2 Days: ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez” will profile the consensus No. 1 fighter in the world as he prepared last September to challenge for a championship title in the super flyweight division.

The feature will also be available on HBO ON DEMAND®, HBO GO®, HBO NOW and affiliate portals.

GOLOVKIN vs. JACOBS is presented by K2 Promotions. Tickets priced at $1000, $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, are now on sale and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com

SOCIAL MEDIA — #GGGJACOBS

Gennady “GGG” Golovkin
@GGGBoxing – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Daniel Jacobs
@DanielJacobsTKO – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

HBO
@HBO, @HBOBoxing – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Madison Square Garden
@TheGarden – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Tom Loeffler (K2 Promotions)
@TomLoeffler1 — Twitter

Miami, OK (March 8, 2017) – 2016 US Olympian Charles Conwell is the newest member of Holden Productions’ wildly popular Four State Franchise.

A recent signee of Holden Productions and DiBella Entertainment, the Cleveland, OH native joins Trey Lippe-Morrison, Ivan Baranchyk, Dillon Cook, Jesse Cook and Jarrett Rouse as a member of the team. A middleweight in the amateurs who has his sights set on working his way down to the welterweight division, Conwell’s known as an heavy-handed action fighter. The Four State Franchise, which regularly fights at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK in front of standing room only crowds, helped bring hope to a city currently facing economic struggles.

Conwell was introduced earlier today during an emotional press conference at the Buffalo Run which saw his father, Charles Sr., cry tears of joy. An honor student in high school who won 11 national champions as an amateur boxer, Conwell was named Ohio’s 2016 Amateur Athlete of the Year. He plans to become an adopted son among the locals like his aforementioned stablemate Baranchyk, who he’s seen fight at the Buffalo Run on ShoBox.

“Becoming a member of the Four State Franchise and getting the fans in my corner means everything to me,” said Conwell. “It motivates me to train harder and give the fans great fights. (Holden and DiBella being able to make me a member of) The Four State Franchise is something that helped me make my decision (on who’d promote me as a professional) and I look forward to becoming a fan favorite in Miami, OK.

Holden, a promoter for more than 20 years, considers Conwell one of his most exciting signees and envisions a bright future for his newest prospect.

“It’s not every day you get to sign a fighter who was not only a US Olympian but has the kind of style the crowd here loves. I’m looking forward to Charles’ progression and Lou DiBella and I will move him the right way. There’s no doubt in our minds that he’ll fit in perfectly with the Four State Franchise and become a local favorite in no time.”

Conwell’s pro debut is scheduled for April 21 at the Buffalo Run, where he’ll face an opponent in a four round middleweight contest.

Tickets are on sale now at the Buffalo Run Box Office or by logging onto stubwire.com.

Ludwigshafen, Germany (March 8, 2017)–Below are quotes from Wednesday’s press conference that featured WBA junior middleweight champion Jack Culcay and mandatory challenger Demetrius Andrade.

Jack Culcay (22-1, 11 KOs) plans to “derail” Demetrius Andrade’s (23-0, 16 KOs) World title assault when the pair meet for the WBA World Super Welterweight Championship on Saturday, March 11 at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Culcay, the defending champion from Germany, and Andrade, the undefeated American challenger, exchanged words today as they came face-to-face for the first time at the press conference in Ludwigshafen.

”I would like to thank my team for getting me in great shape for this fight,” said former WBO World Champion Andrade.

”On Saturday, you’re going to see the A-train at full speed steam rolling Jack Culcay. I beat him as an amateur, and now, I’m going to beat him as a pro. This ain’t going to be a three-rounder with training gloves on. I’m going to give Jack a reality check right on his chin!”

In return, Culcay claimed he was more than ready for any “check” Andrade has planned, and says he expects a victory on Saturday to open the doors to highest level of the sport.

“I am ready for any kind of check Demetrius is going to give me! I have been waiting for an opportunity like this for almost 10 years now,” said Culcay.

“After I beat Andrade, the doors are open for me to make a big splash in the US.”

When asked for his opinions on the current betting odds, Culcay insists it only fuels his motivation. “The odds for this fight just motivates me even more,” he says. ”Maybe I’ll go to the bookies and place a bet. That way, I won’t only derail the “Andrade Express”, but also make some money!”

Also on the bill is talented youngster Leon Bauer (10-0, 8 KOS), who will be defending his IBF Youth Super Middleweight Championship against Soso Abuladze (10-1-1, 7 KOs). The 18 year-old, who is fighting at home for the first time, has the added pressure of not only retaining his title but also taking his high school exams just days before the fight.

Tickets for the WBA World Super Welterweight Championship clash between Jack Culcay and Demetrius Andrade are available online via www.eventim.de or by calling the ticket hotline on 01806-570044.

HBO BOXING AFTER DARK presents a nonstop doubleheader of hot ring action when DAVID LEMIEUX VS. CURTIS STEVENS AND YURIORKIS GAMBOA VS. RENE ALVARADO is seen SATURDAY, MARCH 11 at 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT) from the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: March 12 (9:00 a.m.) and 14 (11:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: March 12 (3:30 p.m.) and 13 (12:25 a.m.)

The fights will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.

In an intriguing middleweight showdown that could help sort out the talent-rich 160-pound division, Montreal’s David Lemieux (36-3, 32 KOs) takes on Brooklynite Curtis Stevens (29-5, 21 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round contest. Both are known for power and aggression and are highly motivated to reestablish their presence in this highly competitive division. The fight marks the third HBO appearance for both men.

In the opening bout, Cuban Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa (25-1, 17 KOs), now fighting out of Miami, returns to the ring following a year layoff, taking on Nicaragua’s Rene Alvarado (24-7, 16 KOs) in scheduled ten-round junior lightweight contest. A highly skilled former world champion, Gamboa needs a strong showing to prove he is still a force at 130 pounds. His only pro loss came at the hands of rising superstar Terence Crawford in a 2014 slugfest.

Immediately following the doubleheader of live action is the premiere of the HBO Sports presentation: 2 Days: “Chocolatito” Gonzalez as the sport’s consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound prizefighter prepares for his March 18 bout in New York City.

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 HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Thomas Odelfelt; director, Johnathan Evans.

® HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

Patrick Byrne
Director, HBO Media Relations
(212) 512-1361
patrick.byrne@hbo.com
Twitter: @PatrickSportsTV

This e-mail is intended only for the use of the addressees. Any copying, forwarding, printing or other use of this e-mail by persons other than the addressees is not authorized. This e-mail may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by return e-mail (including the original message in your reply) and then delete and discard all copies of the e-mail. Thank you.

Philadelphia, PA. (March 8, 2017) – Super Lightweight prospect David Gonzales is looking to rebound from his 1st professional setback when he takes on Juan Rodriguez in the 6-round co-feature bout this Saturday night at the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia.

The show is promoted by King’s Promotions.

In the 8-round main event, Tyrone Brunson (23-6-2, 22 KO’s) takes on Brandon Quarles (18-3-1, 9 Ko’s) in a middleweight bout.

Gonzales, 27 years old originally from Philadelphia, but now calls San Antonio home, and is coming off a stunning 1st round stoppage defeat to Samuel Teah on November 11th.

“Training is going well in Texas. I come down here as I have a job selling solar panels. The sparring is great. There are a lot of tough Mexican fighters down here. They come hard and are always in shape,” Said Gonzales.

Gonzales now 8-1-2 with two knockouts, has gone back to the drawing board, and is working hard on his craft.

“I have been working on getting better on defense, boxing, just my balance and skills.”

In Rodriguez, he is facing a competitor that has a record of 6-6-1 with five knockouts, and has a knockout victory over previously undefeated Philly area fighter Nathaniel Rivas.

“I don’t know much other then he is tough, and comes to fight. He isn’t the most skilled fighter, but I hear he hits hard. But you can never underestimate any fighter.”

Gonzales views the Teah fight as just a slight setback and a learning experience, and he doesn’t feel that he was knocked too far off track of realizing his goals.

“I just want to get back in the win column. Then maybe two more wins and fight an undefeated fighter, so I can move up the rankings. I am a confident fighter. I just got caught with a punch behind the head against Teah, and that’s boxing.”

“I just want people to know that I am back, and ready for a big win this Saturday. I just want to keep getting better and become a world champion.”

In 6-round bouts:

Victor Vasquez (6-2, 2 KO’s) of Yonkers, NY fights Mike Fowler (5-6, 2 KO’s) of Milwaukee, WI in a super lightweight bout.

Carlos Rosario (6-1, 2 KO’s) of Pennsauken, NJ will take on Lance Williams (7-7, 7 KO’s) of Muscatine, IA in a lightweight bout.

In 4-round bouts:

Vincent Floyd (1-2-1) of Philadelphia will battle pro debuting Blaine Donkor of Washington, DC in a welterweight bout

Brandon Robinson (1-1) of Philadelphia takes on pro debuting Lamont McLaughlin of Philadelphia in light heavyweight bout.

Sam Oropeza will take on Joe Parkinson in a battle of Philadelphia based, pro debuting cruiserweights.

Tickets are on sale for $100, $75, $50, and can be purchased at SugarHouseBoxing.eventbrite.com

DETROIT (March 8, 2017) – All eight fighters participating in “Detroit City Gold”, the ShoBox: The New Generation headlined by two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields, participated in a final press conference on Wednesday in advance of Friday’s four-fight telecast from MGM Grand Detroit.

Shields (1-0) will face former world title challenger Szilvia Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs) in just her second fight since winning gold at the 2016 Olympics and in the first women’s boxing event in premium television history, live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

“Detroit City Gold,” which takes place less than an hour from Shields’ hometown of Flint, Mich., is promoted by Salita Promotions. Shields vs. Szabados is a six-round middleweight bout.

In the ShoBox co-feature, top-10 ranked bantamweight contenders Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 KOs), of Cleveland, and Russia’s Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 KOs) will put their undefeated records on the line in a 10-round matchup for the NABO bantamweight belt.

In an eight-round televised bout, welterweight Wesley Tucker (13-0, 8 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio, faces Detroit’s Ed Williams (12-1-1, 4 KOs) in a matchup between two former amateur standouts. In the televised opener, Detroit-based bantamweight prospect James Gordon Smith (11-0, 6 KOs) will take on Chicago’s Joshua Greer, Jr. (11-1-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:

Claressa Shields:
“I started boxing at age 11 and all I really wanted was an opportunity. This is one of those big opportunities.

“Her having 124 professional rounds doesn’t mean anything to me. Her being 15-8 with 6 KOs doesn’t scare me either. But I am glad she took the fight and didn’t pull out.

“She’s a challenge and, on paper, she’s not supposed to be someone that I can just walk through. But I’ve been in training camp for three months and I had a great training camp.
I’m not going to let her beat me in front of my family. I’m not going to let her beat me in front of my nephews and cousins and my mom and dad. I just don’t roll like that.

“If she doesn’t have the talent and skill to go six rounds with me, she will not go six rounds. So, I hope she had a very good training camp. I know I did.

“This is the first time that a woman has been the main event on SHOWTIME and I’m not coming to make women look bad when I get in there on March 10.”

Szilvia Szabados:
“I’m ready to fight. I’ve been waiting a long time for this fight. I feel good and I’m in great shape.

“I think everyone has a destiny in life and I’m glad I chose to be a boxer. This is a huge opportunity for me and I plan to take advantage of it.

“I know she has the amateur experience, but I have more experience as a pro. We’ll see what’s more important on Friday.”

Antonio Nieves:
“I trained and did everything I have to do. I’m ready for war.

“Coming out of Cleveland, nobody gives us a chance. We have to fight for everything we get.

“I respect Potapov. He’s a good fighter. He said he’s going to take my belt? He’s going to have to take it from me. I’m here to fight. I’m not going to just give it up. Come try and take it.

“When I get in there Friday, it’s all business. I respect him – I don’t have any problems with him as a person.

“I’ve fought a lot of Russians and Europeans. They’re straight-up, come forward, and try to put on a lot of pressure. They bring the fight and I’m ready for that. I’m ready for anything he brings to the table.

“Anything can happen in a fight, but I’m focused and ready and I know what I have to do. I’ll be able to adjust to whatever he brings.”

Nikolay Potapov:
“I will be a much more aggressive version of myself for this fight. I trained to be very aggressive. I have a lot of surprises in store for Antonio Nieves.

“I learned a lot training at Kronk and I’m very ready. I had a great training camp and I really enjoyed living here in Detroit.

“In Russia, there is a traditional Russian style. Over here, it’s totally different. The American style is much more aggressive. I loved training with Javan SugarHill Steward at Kronk and learned a lot.”

Wesley Tucker:
“I come to fight every time and everybody knows when I fight, it’s fireworks.

“He may be from here, but Detroit is my home, too. And I’m planning on winning here at home.”

Ed Williams:
“I’m glad to be home. I had a great camp and it’s going to be a hell of a fight.

“Wesley Tucker is coming to fight, but I’m home. You don’t let nobody take you at home. That’s it.

“He may be in for a short night. Or a long one. We’ll see.”

James Gordon Smith:
“I’m knocking you out. I’m not here to play games. I’m coming straight for you. I bet you I knock you out.

“You can’t punch. What are you going to do?

“I’m coming to throw bombs, so I hope you trained for this because I’m going to knock that smile off your face. Your coach can’t fight for you.”

Joshua Greer, Jr.:
“I’m ready. You’re getting knocked out. We didn’t come here to lose.

“This is a fight I’ve been waiting for. We’re ready. Come Friday, I hope he’s ready, too.”

# # #

ABOUT SHIELDS vs. SZABADOS
Claressa Shields vs. Szilvia Szabados is the professional television debut of two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields against former world title challenger Szilvia Szabados. The six-round women’s bout headlines a ShoBox: The New Generation telecast from MGM Grand Detroit in Detroit, Mich., and airs live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

ABOUT MGM GRAND DETROIT
The only Forbes Four-Star hotel in Detroit with the only Forbes Four-Star spa in Michigan, the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning MGM Grand Detroit is the city’s first and only downtown hotel, gaming and entertainment destination built from the ground up. The hotel features 400 chic and stylish guest rooms, including nine rooftop VIP suites and 56 opulent corner suites. Guests enjoy signature restaurants; two by world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck as well as the hotel’s own sports pub, TAP at MGM Grand Detroit; casual dining options; lounges; high-energy nightlife; and the only resort-style spa in Southeast Michigan. More than 30,000 square feet of meeting space hosts everything from large corporate events to intimate black-tie affairs. MGM Grand Detroit is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit mgmgranddetroit.com or call toll free at (877) 888-2121

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Nashville, TN (March 8, 2017) – Professional Boxing returns to the Music City when Tri-Star Boxing presents “St Paddy’s Day Fights at the Fairgrounds” Friday, March 17 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds Sports Arena in Nashville, TN.

The eight bout card features four unbeaten fighters and tickets from $25 are on sale now by going to Tristarboxing.com/tickets. Doors open at 6 pm and the first fight is at 7.

Headlining this exciting evening of action is a six round super featherweight bout between Hendersonville, TN’s Austin “The Dream” Dulay and iron-chinned Micah Branch of Cincinnati, OH. A multi-time champion as an amateur, the 21-year-old Dulay is a perfect 8-0 with 6 wins by knockout and is building a reputation as a solid prospect.

A 21 fight veteran, Branch has never been stopped and fought a number of unbeaten foes including Mel Crossty, Nate Green, Titus Williams, Brandon Williams, Dimash Niyazov and Derrick Murray.

The co-feature pits Nashville-based Guatemalan Edwin Reyes against Lockhart, TX’s Richard Hernandez in an eight round junior flyweight contest. The heavy-handed Reyes is 5-2-2 and all of his wins are by way of knockout. Hernandez, 4-8-1, looks for his third straight victory and is fighting for the first time in Tennessee.

Super middleweight knockout artist Sena Agbeko, 15-1 (15 KO’s), returns from a 3 year layoff to challenge tough veteran Timothy Hall. Originally from Ghana but now living in Nashville, Agbeko was featured as part of ESPN’s Boxcino Tournament in 2014. During his time away from the ring, Agbeko’s sparred with a number of notable fighters while also making himself a name locally by working as a trainer.

The Atlanta, GA based Hall’s gone the distance with a number of quality fighters including former world champion Jeff Lacy, Juan Ubaldo Cabrera, Morgan Fitch, Immanuwel Aleem and 2008 Olympian Lenin Castillo among others.

The talent-laden undercard also features unbeatens Jovann Barnes, Winfred Harris and Mohamed Adam, cruiserweight spoiler Mike Bissett and heavyweight Rodricka Ray all in separate bouts.

“We’re happy to be in Nashville and showcase a number of very good prospects,” said Tri-Star Founder Matt Young. “Nashville’s one of America’s fastest growing cities and a fun place where people can enjoy themselves without spending a fortune. We had a great crowd last time out and tickets have been moving quickly for the 17th.”

For more information, visit Tristarboxing.com or Facebook.com/Tristarboxing.

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (March 8, 2017) — Ireland’s Olympic hero MICHAEL “MICK” CONLAN and undefeated welterweight contender ALEX “El Cholo” SAUCEDO held a Media Workout today at Wild Card West Boxing Club. Before their respective workouts, both fighters spoke with the media about their upcoming fights at Madison Square Garden. Joining the fighters were Conlan’s trainer, Manny Robles, and filmmaker Peter Berg, a principal in Churchill Management, which co-manages Saucedo.

Conlan, 25, a two-time Olympian, a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and a former World Amateur Champion from Belfast, Ireland, will be making his pro debut in the main event of a special St. Patrick’s Day card at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Friday, March 17. Saucedo (23-0, 14 KOs), from Oklahoma City, will be making his Garden debut on the same card. Saucedo, 22, world-rated No. 14 by the WBO, is trained by 2015 BWAA Trainer of the Year Abel Sanchez.

MICHAEL CONLAN

“At first I texted Conor McGregor about walking me into the ring. He texted ‘yes.’ Then we met in person and we shook hands on it and he said he would be honored to walk with me into the ring at Madison Square Garden.

“Ireland is coming to New York City on Friday night and I am eternally grateful for all of the Irish fans who support me.

“I want my first fight to be very exciting, to make the trip worthwhile for all of our Irish fans. I love them all.

“The nation’s pride rests on my shoulders.

“This experience at Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s Day will be something I’ve never felt before when I get into that ring. I would like to spend the rest of my St Patrick’s Days fighting at Madison Square Garden each and every year.

“My trainer Manny Robles told me the best gym to train at would be at The Rock in Carson, California, with fighters…world champions like ÓSCAR VALDEZ and JESSIE MAGDALENO. Manny was right. I am getting all the training I need there.

“I know SHAKUR STEVENSON has been talking about me a lot. He and I have unfinished business. He knows the reason why. It may take two or three years but he and I — on a Top Rank fight — will be in the ring to get this done for once and for all.”

MATTHEW MACKLIN, CONLAN’S MANAGER

“We are about to see an atmosphere at Madison Square Garden we’ve never seen before — when Michael walks to the ring on Friday night. And Michael has the fighting ability to live up to everyone’s expectations.”

ALEX SAUCEDO

“I am about to fight on the biggest stage in boxing at Madison Square Garden.

“We spent nine weeks training with Abel Sanchez in Big Bear. Abel is a pressure coach. he likes power and a lot of it. He wants all of his fighters to go for a stoppage and that’s the game plan for Friday night.”

PETER BERG, SAUCEDO CO-MANAGER

“Alex now knows the importance of what a knockout win is all about.”

**************************

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Hennessy, Madison Square Garden, remaining tickets to Conlan’s pro debut are priced at $200, $150, $100, $75 and $50. They can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com.

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

TUNICA, MS (March 8, 2017) – Unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Ahmed Elbiali (14-0, 11 KOs) will take on Brazil’s Jackson Junior (20-7, 18 KOs) while unbeaten welterweight Jamontay Clark (10-0, 6 KOs)meets Japan’s Gaku Takahashi (15-6-1, 7 KOs) in a pair of eight round bouts featured on Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 & BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes Tuesday, March 14.

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from the Fitz Tunica Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi and is headlined by rising middleweight contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko battling unbeaten Kemahl Russell in a 10-round bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, start at $20, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the Fitz Gift Shop, at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

Additional undercard action will feature Orlando’s Justin Pauldo (9-1, 4 KOs) in lightweight action while prospect Desmond Jarmon (1-0, 1 KO) enters the ring in a four-round lightweight bout.

A native of Cairo, Egypt now residing in Miami, the 26-year-old Elbiali had success in three TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAY appearances over the last two years. Those three contests saw him score a first round knockout of Fabiano Pena and eight-round unanimous decisions over Mariano Hilario and Andrew Hernandez. He takes on the 31-year-old Junior out of Sao Paulo, Brazil who was unbeaten in his first 15 pro fights.

An unbeaten prospect from Cincinnati, the “Quiet Assassin” Clark picked up two victories in 2016 over increasingly quality competition as he stopped Elvin Perez in six rounds and earned a unanimous decision over Edgar Ortega. The 22-year-old last fought in his hometown in 2015 when he recorded a second round TKO of Joe Wilson Jr. He will be opposed by the 29-year-old Takahashi who has fought in the U.S. for his last five bouts. He most recently defeated Kim Poulsen by second round stoppage in September 2016.

# # #

Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

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

London (8th March 2017) WBO World Heavyweight mandatory title challenger Hughie Fury will face the champion Joe Parker in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Vector Arena on Saturday 6th May, it was confirmed last night.

Undefeated Fury, from Manchester, will travel to the other side of the world as he looks to cause a massive upset against the similarly unbeaten and big-hitting Parker who is a superstar in his native homeland.

Fury aims to emulate cousin Tyson’s amazing feat of ending the reign of then division king Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 when he travelled to Germany and tore all the belts from the seemingly invincible Ukrainian.

The hard-hitting and highly-skilled 22-year-old, trained by father Peter, has a perfect record of 20 wins with 10 knockouts in a four-year career and captured the WBO Intercontinental title in his last fight against Fred Kassi. Fury had a glittering amateur career that culminated in winning Gold at the 2012 World Youth Championships – England’s first ever at super-heavyweight.

Parker became New Zealand’s inaugural World Heavyweight Champion when he won the WBO crown in December, defeating the previously unbeaten Andy Ruiz Jr for the vacant title at the Vector Arena with a very tight points decision. The 25-year-old is certainly heavy-handed after winning 18 of his 22 fights by knockout in a near five-year career.

It will be the first time in history that a recognised world heavyweight title has been defended in New Zealand and Parker versus Fury is expected to become the biggest boxing event ever staged in the country, with an expected global audience of over 100m.

Fury is not bothered with the hype and is fully focused on shaking the world up – just like Tyson – by defeating Parker, “I’m really looking forward to it and I just can’t wait! I feel great and I’ll be in the best shape my of life come fight night and you’ll see something special. It doesn’t matter what country the fight’s in, a boxing ring is a boxing ring to me, no matter where in the world. The result will be the same, a Hughie Fury victory and on May 6th you’ll be looking at the new WBO World champion.”

Despite the enormity of the event, Peter is confident that his son will rise against the odds and cause an upset. He said, “I see it as a very competitive fight between two of the best young heavyweights in the world today and the fans and media are certainly going to relish this one. Parker’s the World Champion and we’re going into his territory, but we’re fighting people through and through and this does not bother us. I see my son coming back home with the World Title.”

Mick Hennessy, CEO of Hennessy Sports, is backing his man to return home crowned the new WBO World Champion. He said, “Hughie is an exceptional talent who has been underestimated in his career. I know that the bigger the fight and the bigger the occasion, Hughie will rise to that challenge and Parker will bring out the very best in him. We’re under no illusions, this is a very hard test for Hughie, but I believe he will shine through.”

Paterson, NJ, March 8-Legendary Hall of Fame boxing manager and trainer Lou Duva, the patriarch of one of the most influential families in the sport, passed away today at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey. He was 94. He died of natural causes, according to his son Dino Duva. A fiery and charismatic character, Lou Duva’s career spanned seven decades in the corners of boxing champions.

Duva handled the careers of 19 world champions, and most notably trained heavyweight titlist Evander Holyfield, and welterweight kingpins Pernell Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor – all U.S.A. Olympic medalists – just to name a few. Duva’s first world champion was middleweight Joey Giardiello, who won the title in 1963.

Lou Duva was born on May 28, 1922 in New York City to Italian immigrants, and the family later moved Paterson, New Jersey.

A true icon in the sport of the “Sweet Science,” Lou Duva is enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame (1998), as well as the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

Duva and his family built the promotional company Main Events (founded in 1978) into one of boxing’s powerhouses. Duva was voted “Manager of the Year” in 1985 by the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 1987, the World Boxing Association chose Duva as “Trainer of the Year.”
Lou Duva is survived by his son Dino and his wife Margi, daughters Donna ?Duva Brooks and ? her husband Tommy ? Brooks? , Deanne ? Boorman? and her husband Mike ? Boorman? , and Denise; d aughter in law Kathy Duva, widow of Dan Duva; grandchildren Cassandra and her husband Shaun, Max ? and ?partner ? Tabitha ? Hugdahl? , Nicole, Alex, Lisa and her husband Will Jamieson? , Louis, Amanda, Bryan, Deena, Michael and Scott ?; ? and great grandchildren Shaun Jr., Carter, Luc and Ryan. Lou Duva was pre-deceased by his wife Enes, and eldest son Dan.
“The overwhelming number of calls and sympathy wishes from so many friends and associates shows how much our father was loved and respected. We sincerely appreciate the support from everyone.” said Dino Duva
These are the wake and funeral arrangements:

Viewing:
Festa Funeral Home
111 Union Blvd.
Totowa, NJ 07512
Sunday, March 12 – 3pm -7pm

Funeral :
St Mary’s R.C. Church
Union Ave.
Paterson, NJ
Monday , March 13, 10 am.

Atlantic City, NJ (March 8, 2017)–Undefeated heavyweight Brendan Barrett returns to the boxing this Saturday night at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

Barrett will take on Philly tough guy Brian Donahue in a bout scheduled for 4-rounds.

The Show is promoted by Rising Promotions.

Barrett of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey has a pro boxing record of 4-0-2 with 4 knockouts, and will be making his return to the ring after being out of the squared circle for 11 months. In his last boxing match, he stopped Alando Pugh in 2 rounds in Atlantic City.

Barrett, who is an MMA veteran of 19 fights last fought in the cage on September 23rd.

“Everything is going well,”said Barrett. “My focus has been on boxing, and since my last boxing match, I have been focusing more on strength and conditioning plus my diet. Fans will see a bigger version of me. You can really see the transformation as I been concentrating a lot on what I eat and meal prepping on my Facebook and Instagram accounts.”

In Donahue, he is facing a guy whose record reads just 3-13-3, but Donahue is known for his hard nosed style and is always a tough-out.

“Donahue is a tough guy. A brawler, and is a hard guy to stop”

The 11 month layoff was not something that Barrett wanted. He was scheduled to fight during the summer, but opponents have been hard to come by.

“I am always looking at opportunities to fight. I had 7 or 8 opponents fall through on me, so I took the MMA fight in September.”

Going back and forth between boxing isn’t a problem for Barrett as he has a gameplan on how he bides his time between the 2 sports.

“It all depends on the opportunity. I make more money in MMA, but I am very interested in boxing. After this fight there could be some boxing opportunities in China, so I am still gathering all the information on that.”

This will be Barrett’s 3rd consecutive fight on the boardwalk, and that is conducive for his fans in Little Egg Harbor, which is just up the coast on the Jersey Shore.

“My job is to fight, but it is always great to have the fans and support. When the bell rings, It’s only me and him in there, but to have my fans there gives me more motivation. I am looking for an exciting and explosive fight on Saturday.”

“I want to thank my sponsors which are Sweet Jenny’s in Barnegat, The Law Offices of Paulie Haberman, Adventure Vapors in Manahawkin and Eric Sauer of Natural Pharmacy.

In the main event, Anthony “Juice” Young (15-2, 6 KO’s) of Atlantic City takes on Samuel Amoako (21-13, 15 KO’s) of Silver Spring, MD in a 8-round welterweight bout.

In a 6-round bouts:

Yurik Mamedov (4-0, 2 KO’s) of New York will fight Rafael Montalvo (3-5, 3 KO’s) of St. Clair, PA in a welterweight affair.

Dan Pasciolla (8-2) of Brick, NJ will fight LeMarcus Tucker (4-1,2 KO’s) of Forrest City, Arkansas in a heavyweight bout.

Gabriel Pham (7-1, 3 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ takes on Chaucey Fields (4-1, 2 KO’s) of Lynchburg, VA un a super middleweight bout.

In 4-round bouts:

Brendan Barrett (4-0-2, 4 KO’s) of Little Egg Harbor, NJ takes on Brian Donahue (3-13) of Philadelphia in a heavyweight bout.

Adrian Wilson (0-3) of Atlantic City battles Henry Tyrone Paige (0-3) of Little Rock, Arkansas in a welterweight bout.

Kevin Asmat (1-1) of North Bergen, NJ will take on Edgar Cortes (3-4) of Vineland, NJ on a super featherweight bout.

Thomas Romain (1-1) of New York will square off with Sidell Blocker (1-6-1) of Plesantville, NJ in a lightweight fight.

In a battle of pro debuting welterweights, Cesar Francis of New York boxes Chris Moore of Orange, New Jersey

There will be several amateur bouts that will precede the professional bouts beginning at 6 PM ET.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are $150, $80 and $55 and can be purchased at www.RSPboxing.com

LOS ANGELES (March 8, 2017) The first card for the Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN series just got even bigger with undefeated former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Randy “El Matador” Caballero (23-0, 14 KOs) now set to compete against Jesus “Estrella” Ruiz (35-7-5, 24 KOs) of Nogales, Mexico in a 10-round bout for the vacant NABF Super Bantamweight title. Caballero will find a strong challenge in the battle-tested contender Ruiz who has squared off with the likes of world champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz and Diego De La Hoya.

Caballero vs. Ruiz will serve as the chief support to the highly anticipated main event between Irish amateur standout and middleweight contender Jason “El Animal” Quigley (12-0, 10 KOs) and the hard-punching Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-3, 15 KOs), airing live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California starting at 10:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. PST.

Opening up the televised portion of the night, 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist and highly decorated amateur Marlen Esparza of Houston, TX will make pro debut against Rachel Sazoff (0-2) of Hamilton Township, New Jersey.

Two additional undercard fights will be live streamed on ESPN3 and will be available in English and in Spanish. Golden Boy Promotions has added A-list prospect Hector “El Finito” Tanajara, Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas to face off against Daniel Perales (7-6-1, 5 KOs) of Monterey, Mexico for over six rounds in the lightweight division.

The undercard will also feature IBF #1 middleweight contender Tureano Johnson (19-1, 13 KOs) against a soon to be announced fighter, in addition to previously announced fights featuring Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-7, 7 KOs) of Riverside, Calif. for an eight-round welterweight bout against Tijuana, Mexico’s Hector “Charro Negro” Velasquez (57-28-3, 39 KOs); and Azat “Attack” Hovhannisyan (10-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round super bantamweight bout.

Additionally, renowned ring announcer and television personality Michael Buffer will serve as the VIP guest for the action-packed card on March 23 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. As the VIP guest of the night, Buffer will be in attendance for the fights and will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center before the ESPN broadcast begins. The meet-and-greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

Tickets for the event are on sale now, start at $25 and are available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.FantasySprings.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing; and follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @OscarDeLaHoya. Follow the conversation using #GBPonESPN.

The event is sponsored by Tecate “Born BOLD.” Doors open at 4:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 4:00 p.m. PT. The ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes transmission begins live from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

LOS ANGELES (March 8, 2017)-Before David Lemieux (36-3, 32 KOs) and Curtis “The Cerebral Assassin” Stevens (29-5, 21 KOs) meet for their main event slugfest, Golden Boy Promotions has lined up a full slate of top-talent fan favorites to round out a stacked undercard featuring newly signed Yuriorkis “El Ciclon de Guantánamo” Gamboa (25-1, 17 KOs) against Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (24-7, 16 KOs) as the televised co-main event.

“Not only did we want to bring the fans an action-packed main event likely to be a Fight of the Year candidate, we also want to give an entertaining undercard to match,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “We are certain every fighter on this card will be put to the test come fight night, and the victors will be propelled to a greater shot at a world title prize.”

Another previously announced bout includes undefeated lightweight contenders Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa (16-0, 7 KOs) and Yves Ulysse (12-0, 8 KOs) to fight for the vacant Junior NABF Super Lightweight title scheduled to go 8/10 rounds.

Making his highly anticipated return to the ring, Mexicali’s hometown hero Diego De La Hoya (16-0, 9 KOs) will look continue his undefeated status as he takes on Mexico City’s Roberto “Escorpión” Pucheta (10-9-1, 6 KOs) for an eight round Mexico vs. Mexico super bantamweight rivalry battle. De La Hoya was last seen defeating Luis Orlando Del Valle via unanimous decision on the undercard of Canelo vs. Smith at AT&T Stadium last September.

Riding on a quadruple knockout streak, Temple Hills, MD’s D’Mitrius Ballard (15-0, 11 KOs) will risk his undefeated status as he faces Zoltan Sera (26-11, 17 KOs) from Budapest, Hungary for an eight round light heavyweight bout.

Participating in the swing bout of the night, Alex Rincon of Carrollton, TX will be making his professional debut as he takes on Ardmore, Okla.’s Shaun “Buddy Hollie” Lee Henson (2-3, 2 KOs) for a four round super welterweight war.

Highly touted Philly prospect Damon “No Smilin'” Allen, Jr. (10-0-1, 4 KOs) is eager to make a name for himself in the lightweight division as he puts back on the gloves to square off against Budapest, Hungary’s Adam “Bad Boy” Mate (24-10, 17 KOs) in a scheduled eight round bout.

Fighting in the first fight of the night and also representing Philadelphia, Todd “2Gunz” Unthank-May (10-0, 4 KOs) will take on southpaw fighter Quinton Rankin (12-3-1, 9 KOs) of Charlotte, NC for an eight round light heavyweight fight sure to excite fans.

Tickets for this highly anticipated matchup are still available and priced at $30, $45, $55 and $75 for ringside seats plus applicable fees and are available at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office by calling 315-361-7469 or online at Ticketmaster(www.ticketmaster.com).

Lemieux vs. Stevens is a 12-round middleweight bout for the WBO Intercontinental, WBC Continental Americas and IBF North American Middleweight titles, presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Main Events, and sponsored by “Tecate, BORN BOLD.” The HBO Boxing After Dark® telecast begins at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Videos and images are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/LemieuxVsStevens. Credit must be given to Eye of the Tiger Management for any video/image use of David Lemieux. Credit must be given to Main Events for any video/image use of Curtis Stevens.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mainevents.com and www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @main_events, @HBOboxing; and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/maineventsboxing, www.facebook.com/hboboxing; and visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @main_events. Follow the conversation using #LemieuxStevens.

Las Vegas (March 7, 2017) – 8-Time world champion Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns has confirmed that he will appear and have a booth to Meet & Greet his fans at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 3rd edition of Box Fan Expo that will take place Saturday May 6, 2017 during Cinco De Mayo weekend. The Boxing Expo will also coincide with the mega fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Julio Cesar Chavez jr, that will take place later that evening.

Hearns returns once again at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos and selling merchandise. Fans will also be treated to interactive games and taking pictures with The “Hitman” at his Rock Jaw booth. He joins the list of over 50 current and past World Champions boxers who have appeared at the Expo, meeting their fans in person.

Hearns more famously known as “The Hitman”, became the first boxer in history to win world titles in four divisions. He would also become the first fighter in history to win five world titles in five different divisions. Hearns was named Ring Magazine fighter of the year in 1980 and 1984 and is best known for his fights with Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran. He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.

Thomas Hearns joins Kronk, WBC, Christy Martin, Mia St.John, Fernando Vargas and Joel Casamayor among early commitments to this year’s Box Fan Expo.

Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last two Expo’s such as Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr., Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, James Toney, Vinny Pazienza, Mikey Garcia , Mia St.Johns, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris , Riddick Bowe , Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks and many more…

Exhibitors such as boxing gear, apparel, new equipments, energy drinks, alcohol, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies and other companies who wish to participate will once again have a chance to showcase their brand to fans, media and the boxing industry.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at:
http://www.boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to Meet and Greet Boxing Superstars of today, current and former world champions, Legends of the sport and other boxing Celebrities at their booth. On Site, fans will experience different activities from Autograph Sessions, Photo Sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, as well as a chance to purchase merchandise and memorabilia from their booth, plus so much more… you won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!

Box Fan Expo will also feature top boxing organizations, promoters, ring card girls, famous trainers and commentators as well as boxing gear companies “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”.

Throughout the next two months leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo. And for anyone in the Boxing industry or other Exhibitors (non-industry), who would like more information on sponsorships opportunities or reserve a Booth, contact Box Fan Expo:

Telephone number: (514) 572-7222 or Las Vegas Number (702) 997-1927

For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

More information on the Box Fan Expo is available at: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

You can follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/BoxFanExpo

and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo

MONTREAL (March 7, 2017) – Former IBF Middleweight World Champion David Lemieux (36-3, 32 KOs) hosted a media workout at Sherbatov MMA in Laval, Quebec, the same week he departs for Verona, NY for his upcoming showdown with Curtis “The Cerebral Assassin” Stevens (29-5, 21 KOs). The middleweight bout takes place Saturday, March 11 at Turning Stone Resort Casino televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Lemieux was joined his trainer Marc Ramsay at today’s media workout and spoke onsite about his matchup with Stevens and his training leading up to the mega event for the middleweight titles. Below is what Lemieux and his team had to say at today’s workout:

DAVID LEMIEUX, Former IBF Middleweight World Champion:

”The last time that my opponent spoke so much and I so disliked him, I believe it was Delray Raines. I broke three of his ribs and his nose. It didn’t end up very well for him.

”I couldn’t be more prepared for a fight. I have one objective in mind: I want to take his head off. I am so motivated to put on a great performance on Saturday night. Stevens put a lot of oil in the fire with his disrespectful comments and he will pay for it.

”I had an exceptional camp and we have prepared for this fight very seriously. We are ready for the best Stevens there is, going 12 rounds if needed. I guarantee you that it will be a rough night for him. ”

MARC RAMSAY, Trainer to David Lemieux:

”It is important to go there and deliver a spectacular performance. This is a good challenge. In this fight, we have to execute well what we have prepared to do for the last eight weeks. ”

Tickets for this highly anticipated matchup are still available and priced at $30, $45, $55 and $75 for ringside seats plus applicable fees and are available at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office by calling 315-361-7469 or online at Ticketmaster(www.ticketmaster.com).

Lemieux vs. Stevens is a 12-round middleweight bout for the WBO Intercontinental, WBC Continental Americas and IBF North American Middleweight titles, presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Main Events, and sponsored by “Tecate, BORN BOLD.” The HBO Boxing After Dark® telecast begins at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Videos and images are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/LemieuxVsStevens. Credit must be given to Eye of the Tiger Management for any video/image use of David Lemieux. Credit must be given to Main Events for any video/image use of Curtis Stevens.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mainevents.com and www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @main_events, @HBOboxing; and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/maineventsboxing, www.facebook.com/hboboxing; and visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @main_events. Follow the conversation using #LemieuxStevens.

Atlantic City, NJ (March 7, 2017)–Super Middleweight Gabriel Pham will look for his 2nd consecutive impressive performance when he takes on Chauncey Fields in the co-feature bout of a 9 bout card this Saturday night at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The Show is promoted by Rising Promotions.

Pham of Pleasantville, New Jersey has a record of 7-1 with 3 knockouts, and is coming off an explosive 2nd round stoppage over Jose Valderrama on January 28th at The Claridge.

“Everything has been great,”said Pham.”I am getting sharp, and working on my quickness and reflexes. “I have been training the whole time. I went right back in the gym on the Monday after my last fight.”

Fields is a late-replacement, so that took some last minute studying for Pham.

“I know he is 4-1, so he knows how to win, but I am ready to fight anyone. After the loss that I suffered, I can’t be picky on who I am fighting.”

After dropping a unanimous decision to Christopher Brooker on July 9, 2016, Pham has been working very hard to continue on the winning track.

“I have been doing a lot more roadwork and sparring. Since 2010, I have had only 4 fights, so the sparring has been helping getting the rust off. Things are coming along and I am on my way.”

“This fight should not be the toughest fight, but am expecting it to be. I am just looking to sticking to the gameplan, which is hit and not be hit, and everything should be good on Saturday. I just want to thank my manager Rich Masini, Rising Promotions and The Claridge.”

In the main event, Anthony “Juice” Young (15-2, 6 KO’s) of Atlantic City takes on Samuel Amoako (21-13, 15 KO’s) of Silver Spring, MD in a 8-round welterweight bout.

In a 6-round bouts:

Yurik Mamedov (4-0, 2 KO’s) of New York will fight Rafael Montalvo (3-5, 3 KO’s) of St. Clair, PA in a welterweight affair.

Dan Pasciolla (8-2) of Brick, NJ will fight LeMarcus Tucker (4-1,2 KO’s) of Forrest City, Arkansas in a heavyweight bout.

In 4-round bouts:

Brendan Barrett (4-0-2, 4 KO’s) of Little Egg Harbor, NJ takes on Brian Donahue (3-13) of Philadelphia in a heavyweight bout.

Adrian Wilson (0-3) of Atlantic City battles Henry Tyrone Paige (0-3) of Little Rock, Arkansas in a welterweight bout.

Kevin Asmat (1-1) of North Bergen, NJ will take on Edgar Cortes (3-4) of Vineland, NJ on a super featherweight bout.

Thomas Romain (1-1) of New York will square off with Sidell Blocker (1-6-1) of Plesantville, NJ in a lightweight fight.

In a battle of pro debuting welterweights, Cesar Francis of New York boxes Chris Moore of Orange, New Jersey

There will be several amateur bouts that will precede the professional bouts beginning at 6 PM ET.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are $150, $80 and $55 and can be purchased at www.RSPboxing.com

SAN DIEGO–This past Saturday, Tony Bellew scored a stunning 11th round stoppage over David Haye in a bout that was seen exclusively in the United States on AWE-A Wealth of Entreatment & www.klowdtv.com

The fight was a back and forth war that saw the WBC Cruiserweight champion floor Haye in round six and finish off the injured former two-division champion in the 11th.

The card also the showcased final bout of the championship career of two-division champion Paulie Malignaggi. Malignaggi was stopped in the 8th round by Sam Eggington. Also Irish Olympic hero Katie Taylor stopped Monica Gentili in 3 rounds to raise her record to 3-0.

Those fights topped a five hour broadcast that had thousands of boxing fans viewing the card on AWE and on the internet via www.klowdtv.com.

“This was an amazing show, and that fans turned out. This was our largest audience for any fight card we have had, and between the viewership on AWE and Klowdtv.com was beyond anything we could have imagined. We look forward to April 15th when Ricky Burns and Julius Indongo meet in a super lightweight unification bout. We will continue to put on the highest quality events and we look to appeasing the great boxing fans in the United States, ” Said Charles Herring, President of AWE-A Wealth of Entertainment.

About AWE LIVE BOXING

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

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

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

Coming soon:
April 15: Ricky Burns vs Julius Indongo

On Saturday, April 1, at the Arena Jalisco in Guadalajara, México, promoters Eddie Reynoso of Clase y Talento, and Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing will team up to present a night of world-class boxing, televised live on TyC Sports of Argentina.

As part of TyC’s ongoing 25th anniversary celebration of boxing shows, this exciting event will feature a 10-round battle for the WBC Silver Latino Super Bantamweight Championship between Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Roman Ruben Reynoso (19-1-2, 8 KOs) and Sonora, Mexico’s Christian “Molacho” Valenzuela (13-0-1, 8 KOs).

Reynoso has left his native Argentina just twice in his career, but on one of those occasions, fought to a split draw with well-regarded prospect Adam Lopez on ShoBox: The New Generation in July 2016. Like Reynoso, the undefeated Valenzuela has never left his home country, but has stayed busy with 14 fights in his three-year career.

In the chief supporting bout, Argentinean 2016 Summer Olympian Alberto Palmetta will go for his third consecutive victory as a professional against Mexico City’s Luis Montelongo (4-1).

26-year-old Palmetta, a junior middleweight, was one of the most heavily decorated amateurs in his country’s history, in addition to fighting in the 2016 Summer Olympics, he won numerous national and international distinctions including the bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. He turned professional in November 2016.

In the televised opener, Novato, California via Uruguay’s Rudy Macedo (3-0, 3 KOs) will face also undefeated Leonel Rodriguez of Mexico in a four-round welterweight showdown. The power-punching Macedo was an amateur world champion, PAL champion and five-time Silver Gloves Champion. He is trained by Nonito Donaire Sr.

The event is sponsored by Tecate beer, “cervezas con carácter.”

“I am proud to be part of this event and to be helping TyC celebrate their anniversary,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “They have done a tremendous service to boxing throughout their history. Thank you to my esteemed partner, Eddie Reynoso, as well. I’m looking forward to a great night of fights for the fans in Mexico, Argentina and around the world to enjoy.”

Five more exciting bouts are scheduled for the untelevised undercard.
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.

LOS ANGELES (March 7, 2017) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ, GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMÍREZ and JESSIE MAGDALENO will headline an exciting world championship event in separate title defenses, Saturday, April 22, under the stars at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Produced and distributed live by Top Rank Pay-Per-View, the telecast will also feature the pro debut of U.S. Olympic silver medalist SHAKUR STEVENSON, in a six-round featherweight bout. The live pay-per-view telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. and will be available on all conventional platforms, including all major cable and satellite systems, as well as Top Rank’s digital distribution via www.TopRank.tv and mobile devices.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with All Star Boxing, Zapari Boxing Promotions and Antonio Leonard Productions, tickets to this world championship tripleheader go on sale Today! Tuesday, March 7, at 1 P.M. ET / 10 A.M. PT. Priced at $128.50, $77.50, $52.00 and $36.70, tickets may be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, México, will be making the second defense of his WBO featherweight title against No. 1 contender and NABO champion Miguel “Escorpión” Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia; Ramírez (34-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlán, México, will be making his first defense of the WBO super middleweight title against Top-10 contender Max “Tiger” Bursak (33-4-1, 15 KOs), of Kiev, Ukraine; Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nev., will be making the first defense of his WBO junior featherweight title against WBO Latino champion Adeilson “Dell” Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs), of São Paulo, Brasil, and Stevenson, the crown jewel of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team and the pride of Newark, NJ, will be making his eagerly-awaited professional debut in a four-round featherweight bout.

The six world championship warriors have a combined record of 156-7-1 for a winning percentage of 95% with a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

“Óscar Valdez, Gilberto Ramírez and Jessie Magdaleno are becoming the new faces of boxing. They are in the hurt business and they love their work. That’s why their fan base is growing like the S&P, they give the fans great value — a big bang for the buck,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “And with Shakur Stevenson, the sky is the limit. He is such a talent.”

“Every fight is important to me. I respect Marriaga just like every fighter I face. And I will do whatever I have to do to win,” said Valdez. “This will be the second defense of my belt and I know the challengers are going to come after me, but I will be more than ready to give the fans a great fight and retain my championship.”

“The only way I don’t win my Oscar on April 22 is if Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway read the decision,” said Marriaga. “Second chances are rare in boxing and I’m going to make the most of my second shot at a world title. My trainer. “Professor” [Samuel] Gómez, and I will be prepared to give the performance of a lifetime on April 22.”

“Óscar Valdez Is boxing’s next big star. He’ll be defending his title at the StubHub Center in front of the Southern California fans who love him so much,” said Frank Espinoza, Valdez’s manager. “He is an incredible talent and a future superstar. You have to see Óscar fight live. It’s always nice to catch a star on the rise so that someday you can say, ‘Hey I watched him back in the day,’ like they say about Julio César Chávez. Óscar Valdez is extremely driven and looking to be a legend. He’s ready mentally and physically for the next step.”

“I feel very happy and I’m thankful for the opportunity of defending my title for the first time,” said Ramírez. “I’m motivated and I feel a great desire to return to the ring. I have been active in my hometown of Mazatlán and training like if I was going to fight. Now I’m ready to fight! I feel 100% recovered from the injury in my hand. I feel better than ever and with more confidence in my punching power. On April 22 I will give the fans an explosive fight with lots of action. Max Bursak is a solid strong fighter. He is a brawler and he is coming with hunger of triumph for all the Ukrainians. It will be very good for three Mexicans to be defending our titles on the same card and even more here, in California, where there is a big boxing fan base.”

“Ramírez is young, tough and already an experienced fighter. But I’m also not an ‘easy walk’. We have almost similar records and achievements, so it’s going to be a very interesting clash,” said Bursak. “I’m already working hard in the gym, because I’m coming to California to win!”

“Gilberto is returning from an excellent recovery period after the surgery he had in one of the knuckles of his right hand. He has been very active, running and doing therapy in Mazatlan since the doctor cleared him last year,” said Jesus Zapari, Ramírez’s manager. “After he was done with therapy, he started doing some conditioning training, until he was cleared to start punching. He is now a world champion who will not have any easy opponents. Zurdo has being training hard to keep improving with each fight. He now has more confidence in his punching power. We are very happy that the fight will be at StubHub Center in Los Angeles. We have always wanted to fight in that venue because of the great fans that are in Southern California. It will be a great night of boxing and Zurdo will put on a great show for the fans”

“To be a champion today you have to work hard every day, go after the big challenges and see the big picture,” said Magdaleno. “That is what I am doing to express myself and my legacy in the sport, going into a title fight like this one.”

“For me this is a unique opportunity, to be fighting for the world title of a very big entity that is the WBO,” said Dos Santos. “I know that Jessie is a very good fighter. He is a real champion. Fighting for the title has always been a dream for me and today it has come true. Thanks to my Agent Patrick Nascimento and my promoter Edu Mello. I’m training very hard for this fight. I’m very focused. I know it will not be an easy job. For those who know me, on April 22, you will see a different Adeilson. I’m working to put on a big show and win the title.”

“Jessie Magdaleno fights April 22nd at the StubHub and I think the knowledgeable Southern California fans are going to get a glimpse of a very talented young champion,” said Espinoza, who also manages Magdaleno. “He’s building a big fan base and I think the StubHub is the perfect place for him to develop. The fans are going to fall in love with this kid and his fighting style. He’s a real warrior an old school fighter who gives you everything. He’s a must-see fighter!”

“I’m excited to start a new chapter in my boxing career and make my pro debut on April 22 at the Stub Hub Center,” said Stevenson. “There have been so many exciting fights in that building and I plan to add to that history in my first pro fight. I’m already training hard and everyone is going to see what I’m all about on April 22, live on Top Rank Pay-Per-View.”

Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, México, and who represented México in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, was the first Méxican fighter to qualify for two Olympic games. He is considered one of the bright lights of the featherweight division and a new face for boxing’s next generation. He will be making the second defense of the vacant world title he won on July 23, 2016 via a second-round knockout of undefeated No. 2 rated Matías Rueda. Rueda entered that fight having won his previous 10 bouts by stoppage. Valdez, 26, started 2016 with a fourth-round knockout victory over former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich on the April 9 Pacquiao – Tim Bradley III pay-per-view undercard in Las Vegas. It was the first time Gradovich had ever been stopped in his 24-bout professional career. In his last fight, on November 5, he successfully defended the title with a seventh-round TKO of No. 1 contender Hiroshige Osawa.

Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia, enters this fight having won 15 of his previous 19 fights by way of knockout . The only blemish on his record, a 12-round unanimous decision loss to former World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters in 2015, who had lost the title on the scale when he weighed in over the division weight limit. Since that loss, Marriaga, 30, has fashioned a five-bout winning streak, including NABO featherweight title knockout victories in his last two fights against Guy Robb and Eduardo Montoya last year to become the WBO’s No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger.

Ramírez (34-0, 24 KOs), a two-fisted super middleweight wrecking machine who hails from Mazatlán, México, made history in the co-main event to the Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley welterweight pay-per-view on April 9, 2016, when he became México’s first fighter to win a super middleweight world title. Entering the fight as the top world-rated contender, Ramirez gave a virtuoso performance over the defending WBO champion Arthur Abraham. All three judges scored it as a 120-108 blitzkrieg. “I took him to Méxican boxing school,” a jubilant Ramírez boasted as he put on the world championship belt . A sensational young champion, Ramírez, 25, had been scheduled to make his first title defense last July, but a training camp injury to his right hand followed by surgery and rest sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He returns to the ring having won four of his last eight bouts by knockout. Career-highlight performances include an NABF and NABO title victory over Giovanni Lorenzo via fifth-round stoppage, a WBO International title knockout victory over Junior Talipeau and a successful defense of his NABF and WBO International titles, stopping Fulgencio Zuniga in the eighth round, all in 2014. In 2015, he successfully defended his titles via unanimous decisions over once-beaten Maxim Vlasov, division gate keeper Derek Edwards, who boasts a KO victory over world champion Badou Jack, and once-beaten Gevorg Khatchikian, who had scored knockouts in five of his last six victories.

Bursak (33-4-1, 15 KOs), from Kiev, Ukraine, will be making his U.S. debut. A former European middleweight champion and one-time WBO interim middleweight world title challenger, Bursak, 32, enters this fight having scored three of his last four victories by way of knockout and is world-rated No. 10 by the WBO.

Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs), from Las Vegas, NV, enters his first title defense having won eight of his last 11 bouts by knockout. The former U.S. Amateur Champion has crafted a sterling professional ring record since making his professional debut on November 6, 2010. The younger brother of lightweight contender Diego Magdaleno, Jessie, 25, parlayed his No. 1 ranking into a mandatory challenge of defending WBO junior featherweight champion and five-division world titlist Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire on November 15, 2016, winning a very close and action-packed 12-round unanimous decision.

Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs), from São Paolo, Brasil, has won five of his last six fights by stoppage. He captured the WBO Latino featherweight title on September 17, 2016, knocking out Deivis Perez in the seventh round. Dos Santos, 25 who has also held the WBO Latino junior featherweight title, will be making his U.S. debut on this card.

Stevenson, 19, from Newark, NJ,, sailed though every stage of his Olympic competition in Rio De Janeiro last summer before losing a close split decision in the bantamweight championship fight to 2012 flyweight Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba. Ramirez swept the judges’ scorecards in round one with Stevenson returning the favor in round two. In the third and final round, the closest of the three rounds, two of the three judges gave the round to Ramirez and the gold medal, by the slimmest of margins. It was the best finish for an American male boxer since Andre Ward captured the gold medal in the Athens Games of 2004. Ward is now part of Stevenson’s management team along with James Prince and attorney Josh Dubin. The only boxer to make Forbes “30 Under 30” in its Sports category, Stevenson was selected by a panel of judges comprised of James Harden, shooting guard for the Houston Rockets, Phil Knight, Chairman Emeritus of Nike and Casey Wasserman, Chairman and CEO of the Wasserman Group. The oldest of nine children, Stevenson, who is named for the late rap star Tupac Shakur, was introduced to boxing by his grandfather, Willie “Wali” Moses, at age 5. Now based in northern Virginia, Stevenson is trained by Kay Koroma.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, or facebook.com/trboxeo,and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, or twitter.com/trboxeo, To join the conversation on Twitter, please use the hash tags #ValdezMarriaga, #ZurdoBursak and #MagdalenoDosSantos.