WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 22, 2014)- On July 26, Dusty Hernandez-Harrison will return to the “Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden, and put his undefeated record on the line when he faces off against hard hitting Wilfredo Acuna (15-14, 12KOs) of Nicaragua. The welterweight bout will take place on the undercard of the “G4” mega event between Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Geale for the WBA “Super Championship” title and IBO Middleweight World Championship live on HBO World Championship Boxing.??

Hernandez-Harrison (22-0, 12KOs), the WBC Youth Welterweight Champion who is currently rated WBO No. 15 and WBC No. 21, will be making his second appearance at the famed arena, which may seem like a hometown fight for the Washington, D.C., fighter.??

“We sold a lot of tickets to my fans in Washington, D.C. We have a few buses to bring them to New York. And then with Jeff (Promoter, Jeff Fried of All In Entertainment) from Coney Island and all, it adds a lot of excitement to the fight,” Hernandez-Harrison said. “This is a huge card to be a part of and I will do my best to put on a good performance for everyone in attendance.”??

“Acuna is tough, strong and keeps coming; no question about it. We are preparing for the full eight rounds,” said Buddy Harrison, the young fighter’s trainer and father. “These are the kinds of fighters my son needs to face: rough and busy fighters.”??

The southpaw, Acuna, went seven rounds with WBO junior welterweight champion, Chris Algieri, in September of 2013 before being stopped due to an eye injury. ??
??
This will be the fourth fight of 2014 for the 20-year-old Hernandez-Harrison. Remaining active and being exposed to different looks from a variety of fighters has all been part of Fried’s plan since he started working with the amateur standout in 2012. Hernandez-Harrison has fought all over the country and has been everything from the main event to the opening bout — intentionally designed to give him a range of distinct, in-ring experiences.??

“It’s a big stage and the perfect setting for Dusty to showcase his skills and show why he is widely viewed as the best young welterweight prospect in the world,” Fried said. “Facing fighters like Acuna, who is a rugged southpaw and active in the ring is part of developing a future World Champion,” he added.??

“I just want to thank Jeff Fried, Tom Loeffler, Antonio Leonard and Gary Shaw for allowing me to be part of this historical event,” Hernandez-Harrison added.

New York City (July 21, 2014) First stop for World Middleweight Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN on Monday afternoon when he arrived in New York City was to check out the massive billboard in Times Square for his highly anticipated World Middleweight Championship against two-time world champion DANIEL “The Real Deal” GEALE, this Saturday, July 26 at The Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden and LIVE on HBO World Championship Boxing ® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Amidst a huge crowd of fans and supporters, Golovkin took photos and signed autographs before heading to his headquarters for fight week.

Boxing’s fastest rising star, WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN will defend his titles against two-time world champion DANIEL “The Real Deale” GEALE on Saturday, July 26 at Madison Square Garden and LIVE on HBO World Championship Boxing ® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

“Road to Golovkin/Geale” replays on HBO include: July 22 (12:00 p.m. & 2:55 a.m.), 25 (5:30 p.m. & 1:00 a.m.), and 26 (8:45 a.m.). All times are ET/PT.

Golovkin currently has sixteen knockouts in a row and the highest knockout ratio (89%) among all active champions. Additionally, with his extraordinary growth in viewership on HBO, Golovkin has become a must-see attraction in the international sporting world.

In 2013, Golovkin, 29-0-0 (26KO’s) scored four knockouts, three of which were telecast on HBO to outstanding viewership earning him plaudits for both Fighter of the Year and Knockout of the Year among many media members.

Previously holder of the (‘IBF’) International Boxing Federation Middleweight Title and WBA “Super” Middleweight Title, Geale brings a distinguished record of 30-2-0 (16KO’s) into the world title challenge with Golovkin. Geale is currently ranked # 3 by the World Boxing Association.

Co-featured on “G4” is the WBC World Heavyweight Title Eliminator between undefeated and top rated heavyweights BRYANT “By By” JENNINGS, 18-0-0 (10KO’s), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and MIKE “The Rebel” PEREZ, 20-0-1 (12KO’s) of Cork, Ireland.

The winner of JENNINGS VS. PEREZ will become the mandatory challenger to WBC Heavyweight Champion BERMANE STIVERNE.

GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE is presented by K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Grange Old School Boxing.

JENNINGS VS. PEREZ is presented by K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions in association with Antonio Leonard Promotions.

Advance tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 are available 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 on GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/@GGGBoxing, Daniel Geale/@RealDealGeale, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions/@GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #GolovkinGeale to join the conversation on Twitter.

For fight updates on JENNINGS VS. PEREZ via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, Bryant Jennings on Twitter at @BYJennings, Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions at @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions at @GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #JenningsPerez to join the conversation on Twitter.

New York City (July 21, 2014) Just days away from the highly anticipated World Middleweight Championship between GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN and two-time world champion DANIEL “The Real Deal” GEALE, Madison Square Garden is still offering a limited number of Golovkin vs. Geale VIP Package’s for the event.

The Golovkin vs. Geale VIP Package, encompassing the true fan experience for fight week, includes;

One (1) Ringside Ticket (First Five Rows)
One (1) Gennady Golovkin Signed Glove
Access to the following events
—Media Workout, Tuesday July 22
—Media Press Conference, Wednesday, July 23
(Photo Opportunity with Gennady Golovkin included)
—Official Weigh-In, Friday, July 25

Priced at $2,000, the Golovkin vs. Geale VIP Package can be purchased through 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

Boxing’s fastest rising star, WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN will defend his titles against two-time world champion DANIEL “The Real Deale” GEALE on Saturday, July 26 at Madison Square Garden and LIVE on HBO World Championship Boxing ® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

“Road to Golovkin/Geale” replays on HBO include: July 22 (12:00 p.m. & 2:55 a.m.), 25 (5:30 p.m. & 1:00 a.m.), and 26 (8:45 a.m.). All times are ET/PT.

Golovkin currently has sixteen knockouts in a row and the highest knockout ratio (89%) among all active champions. Additionally, with his extraordinary growth in viewership on HBO, Golovkin has become a must-see attraction in the international sporting world.

In 2013, Golovkin, 29-0-0 (26KO’s) scored four knockouts, three of which were telecast on HBO to outstanding viewership earning him plaudits for both Fighter of the Year and Knockout of the Year among many media members.

Previously holder of the (‘IBF’) International Boxing Federation Middleweight Title and WBA “Super” Middleweight Title, Geale brings a distinguished record of 30-2-0 (16KO’s) into the world title challenge with Golovkin. Geale is currently ranked # 3 by the World Boxing Association.

Co-featured on “G4” is the WBC World Heavyweight Title Eliminator between undefeated and top rated heavyweights BRYANT “By By” JENNINGS, 18-0-0 (10KO’s), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and MIKE “The Rebel” PEREZ, 20-0-1 (12KO’s) of Cork, Ireland.

The winner of JENNINGS VS. PEREZ will become the mandatory challenger to WBC Heavyweight Champion BERMANE STIVERNE.

GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE is presented by K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Grange Old School Boxing.

JENNINGS VS. PEREZ is presented by K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions in association with Antonio Leonard Promotions.

Advance tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 are available 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 on GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/@GGGBoxing, Daniel Geale/@RealDealGeale, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions/@GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #GolovkinGeale to join the conversation on Twitter.

For fight updates on JENNINGS VS. PEREZ via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, Bryant Jennings on Twitter at @BYJennings, Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions at @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions at @GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #JenningsPerez to join the conversation on Twitter.

TOM LOEFFLER: We are definitely excited about this event. I would like to thank some of the partners that we have for this event. Gary Shaw was very instrumental as Daniel Geale’s promoter for which we have a great-co-feature for this card at Madison Square Garden, the World’s Most Famous Arena, the Mecca of Boxing. We are very excited to be going into the big room for this fight. Without HBO and their financial support, we wouldn’t be able to put an event like this together. This is clearly the biggest test, the biggest name and the most experienced person that has been willing to get in the ring with Gennady, so far in his career. Geale is a two-time world champion – he won two world championship titles over in Germany, which is not the easiest thing to do. He beat two great fighters in Sturm and Stieglitz and the credentials he brings to the ring are impressive. We want to thank Gary and Team Geale for accepting the challenge. Gennady has been labeled as the fastest rising star in boxing and brings excitement every time he gets into the ring.

GARY SHAW: I would like to thank Tom and K2 who have been wonderful partners. As everyone know we had a cancelled fight in May due to an injury to Mike Perez, but everything has been rescheduled at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden and it doesn’t get any bigger than that. I also want to thank HBO on behalf of Team Geale. Graham Shaw, Geale’s trainer is a man of few words and has been with Daniel for about 5 years and has two world title wins in Germany. He’s a great trainer but a lot of people in the United States don’t know him because most of his work is in Australia but I can tell you he is up there with the best of them. As far as Abel Sanchez, I know him personally and have the world of respect for him. He’s a great trainer, does a great job in Big Bear, and Gennady is lucky to have him. As far as Gennady goes, we respect him and his power – he is a great champion and a great person out of the ring, as is Daniel Geale and that’s what makes this fight so great. We have two great fighters willing to fight one another. Daniel Geale has always told me he has wanted to fight Gennady, we never ducked Gennady, but due to the pay-per-view in Australia we were unable to schedule until now. Now the fight is on and it’s a wonderful double-header with Bryant Jennings and Mike Perez as the opening fight and rarely do you get an opening fight with two heavyweights who are undefeated and a final eliminator for the WBC to fight the winner of Stiverne and Wilder. Daniel Geale has wanted this fight, he is very confident in his own abilities and his ability to win this fight.

DANIEL GEALE: Thanks Gary, that was nice. I would like to say that I am really excited to be fighting on such a big show at Madison Square Garden. It is going to be a perfect step for me, fighting a guy like Gennady, who is one of the hottest names in boxing today. I’ve been saying for years in Australia – I will fight the best fighters and this is the only way to do it. To do it like this, in Madison Square Garden, with my team and Gary Shaw, I couldn’t be happier.

TOM LOEFFLER: I would like to touch on the co-feature we have, the eliminator for the WBC heavyweight title, really could stand on it’s own as a main event. That’s why we are excited about this being a great HBO double-header. Bryant Jennings is from Philadelphia, is very marketable and will bring a lot of fans with him. This will be Perez’ third time on HBO and he is also undefeated. It’s only a main event like this that we can make that fight a co-feature.

ABEL SANCHEZ: We are extremely happy that we are in the last week of training. Gennady can’t wait to get in the ring. I’m sure Danny will be well prepared working with Graham – I think he’s a great coach. This will be the first time that Gennady has had so much time off between fights but he is chomping to get in the ring. We are looking forward to going to Madison Square Garden and putting on a great show.

TOM LOEFFLER: Now I would like to introduce the WBA & IBO Middleweight Champion. He has the highest knockout ratio of any world champion today. This will be his third time at Madison Square Garden and his 5th time appearing on HBO, and we are excited to bring Gennady back to the USA for his fans.

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: Thanks Tom, It is very important for me. I respect Daniel Geale very much. I have been watching his fights and I know it is not going to be an easy fight. This is going to be a great show. The heavyweights – that is a great fight. I am looking forward to coming back to Madison Square Garden on July 26.

What is it that you see in Gennady Golovkin, who is 29-0 with 26 KOs, that makes you want to fight him so bad?

DANIEL GEALE: To be honest, Gennady has got titles and I want titles. That’s my main goal here. I want to fight the best fighters and I want to win some titles and there is only one way to do that, whether he has a great record or not. You have to get in there and test yourself against the best fighters in the world.

What fights have you watched and what makes you think this is not going to be an easy fight?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: Daniel is a great fighter. I have watched his tapes, and the last fight in particular, makes me realize this is not going to be an easy fight.

You fought Gennady in the amateurs?

DANIEL GEALE: Yes, the fight was in 2001. I don’t remember a lot about the fight but I kind of believe I got put down in that fight, but that was a long time ago and now we both believe we are better fighters these days and that’s why it’s going to be a good fight now.

The other two middleweight champions have boxed with Daniel and have predicted he will beat Gennady if he sticks to the right fight plan. What is the right fight plan?

GRAHAM SHAW: Well, without giving too much away, if Daniel fights his absolute best, and that is how he’s looked in the gym – the best he has ever looked. If he fights his best, he beats Gennady’s best. But we’ll see on the night.

You have said you rank Gennady behind Sugar Ray Robinson and Bernard Hopkins as far as middleweights go. What kind of a statement do you think Gennady needs to make in this fight?

ABEL SANCHEZ: Ranking him behind the two people that you just mentioned, we hope to get the kind of fights that would showcase him to prove that statement that I made. He definitely needs to fight Daniel in the same manner as some of the past opponents. But Danny possesses the ability to go 12 rounds and I think that is going to be the big issue – to see if he can control a man and dominate a man that is used to going 12 rounds. For Daniel to go to Germany to win those two world titles says a lot about Daniel and we’ve got a fight on our hands to propel him to that level that I told you about.

What glimpses of greatness did you see in the Curtis Stevens fight?

ABEL SANCHEZ: What I saw in the Curtis Stevens fight was somewhat of a Hagler composure. Curtis upset him because of some of the antics he was doing on social media and Gennady was able to keep his composure and be patient and punish Curtis because of some of the things he had been saying. All of those pluses that he has in comparing him to Hagler and Leonard and Sugar Ray Robinson, they will all be seen in time as he fights great fighters like he is fighting on the 26th.

What fights do you see for Gennady assuming he gets past this fight?

TOM LOEFFLER: It’s my job as Gennady’s promoter to look forward and to plan ahead. No one on our team is underestimating what Daniel Geale brings to the table. He is clearly Gennady’s biggest challenge to date. That being said, if everything goes the right way on July 26 for Gennady, it is still my job to strategize ahead of time. Certainly with Cotto and his big win against Sergio Martinez to win the WBC title, certainly moves him to the top of our list. There were talks about a Chavez fight before and that didn’t come to fruition. Gennady is up for fighting anybody – any of the big names. If it is a compelling fight or if it is a PPV, Gennady would move up or down. If he beats Daniel on the 26th, then the priority would be to unify the middleweight titles, but no one is underestimating Daniel by any stretch of the imagination.

GARY SHAW: I wouldn’t look past July 26 if I were you.

What qualities will Gennady bring out of you?

DANIEL GEALE: To be honest, Gennady is the type of guy, he’s got a powerful punch and everyone knows about his skills to back that up. You can’t be one-dimensional in any way because he will find a hole. To me, that is good because I have to improve and I have to step up and fight at my best. Normally when I do fight great fighters, I step up and fight better as well. In this case I am going to make that happen.

Where does Gennady feel that he gets his power from?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: It comes from hard work every day on my speed and my timing coming all-together for the power. The timing is very important. I am not a body builder – it is natural power, it’s original.

Do you feel the big fights you have been in will help you?

DANIEL GEALE: Yes it definitely, I have been in big fights before. On big occasions and have had a big crowd against me in those situations as well. Those experiences will serve me well in this fight. Being the underdog as well is something that I am used to.

Do you believe Daniel Geale poses your most difficult fight to date?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: Yes absolutely because he has a specific style. He has proved that in his fights and it will be difficult to solve.

You lost two close fights in the US – do you feel a need to win more convincingly to get the decision to go in your favor?

DANIEL GEALE: It’s always tricky in close fights. You want to be as convincing as possible for decisions to go your way and sometimes they don’t. That makes you who you are. Those close losses, although they were disappointing, they did push me on to train harder and want to achieve more. I didn’t feel as if I was beaten in either of those two fights, so it just motivated me to train harder. There is always going to be bad decisions in boxing – you can’t let that affect you in any way. You just have to go out and do your job to the best of your ability.

What about your style will give Gennady trouble?

DANIEL GEALE: I would like to say that my defense is usually pretty good so I am going to be making the most of that – not giving him an easy target to aim at.

Has Gennady’s training evolved over the years?

ABEL SANCHEZ: His style and his progression has evolved, as I outlined to him when we started working together. I asked him for some time and dedication and discipline and I promised him I would make him into what he is today.

Does he still have the hunger since he has trouble getting big fights?

ABEL SANCHEZ: As far as his dedication and wanting to fight…I think the fact that when he goes home, and when he does, he forgets about boxing when he’s with his family. Then when there is a fight scheduled eight or nine weeks out he comes up to Big Bear and completely submerges himself in the training in preparation for a fight that is going to keep him hungry. As long as he separates those two I think he is going to be tough to deal with because he is going to be so committed to what he is doing that the skills and the power and a tough fight like Daniel will be fresh for him.

Daniel, last time you were on American TV, you dropped Barker but lost the decision. How do you recover from that?

DANIEL GEALE: Firstly, the Barker fight was frustrating – knocking him down in the 6th and not getting the decision, but you have to take it on the chin and come back from that. I didn’t dwell on it too long. I got back in the gym and now I am on a huge show again fighting for a world title. I am coming over to the US trying to turn it around to get on the winning side of things. This next fight with Gennady is at a huge venue, Madison Square Garden and it is for titles, couldn’t be any more than I want.

How are ticket sales and what do you consider a success for this fight?

TOM LOEFFLER: Tickets are tracking very well. The Garden is happy with the sales. It has gotten a great response ever since we announced it. Having a fight like this with Gennady defending the titles and Daniel, who has been on HBO before and brings credibility and the co-feature gives this event a life of it’s own. Right now it is scaled to the lower bowl, so including the suites it is about 11,000 total, which is a big jump up from Gennady’s last time at the Theater against Curtis Stevens and we are expecting a great turnout.

Do you feel any added pressure fighting in the big room?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: I’m so happy to be back at Madison Square Garden and to be in the big arena this time. I am excited about the fight as well as fighting Daniel and the whole thing is just amazing.

TOM LOEFFLER: I might add that this may be the first time that a headliner for a Garden boxing event will also appear in a Broadway play in the same week – Gennady will be appearing at Rocky.

Do you feel if the fight goes long you will have an advantage?

DANIEL GEALE: Gennady’s fitness…I’m sure he is training very hard for this fight. If it does go the distance or even to the later rounds, we are not thinking it is going to be much easier in that respect. I am going out there expecting the best fighter that he can be and I am just going to go out there and do my thing. I have been the distance with plenty of great fighters in world title fights so I have that experience. If it’s an advantage I am definitely going to make the most of it but we are expecting Golovkin to be strong later in the fight.

ABEL SANCHEZ: Every fight that we have fought for titles could have gone the distance. We prepare for 12 in every fight. Our game plan has to be a little modified so as to not let Daniel get comfortable in the early rounds because Daniel is a volume puncher. Of course we are aware of the fact that Daniel is used to going 12-rounds and is used to throwing a lot of punches in every round. We know his conditioning is going to be great.

How do you feel about opponents avoiding you?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: I don’t think much about this, but I heard my team was planning this upcoming fight and I knew it was difficult to get fighters, but that is basically all I heard and I don’t think much about it.

How has sparring with George Groves gone with Gennady?

ABEL SANCHEZ: Sparring went very well with George. George is a high-caliber fighter. He gave us some great work but he was just one of five sparring partners we had in this camp. George fought three or four days with Gennady and four rounds each day so he helped us and we appreciated it very much.

How do you mentally prepare for a boxer such as Gennady who has so much power?

DANIEL GEALE: That’s a good question. Mentally I have been preparing for the toughest fight of my life. It’s going to be a tough fight against a very tough fighter. I put in a very difficult training camp. I feel since the Macklin fight fell through – things were looking great then, and now they have stepped up again. I have been confident throughout and I have been wanting to fight Gennady for a while. I believe that things happen for a reason and we are very excited about that.

In closing…

TOM LOEFFLER: Not only will this fight be broadcast on HBO but it will be televised live in over 100 countries. I know it is on PPV in Australia for Danny so it brings a lot of interest worldwide. The four fighters are all in the prime of their careers – that’s what makes these match-ups so compelling.

GARY SHAW: I think it’s great for boxing that two great fighters are willing to fight each other and in the co-feature, two great heavyweights willing to fight each other. It’s going to be a fans’ fight and it’s great to be a part of it. July 26 is going to be a great night and Daniel Geale will be victorious

Boxing’s fastest rising star, WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion
GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN will defend his titles against two-time world champion DANIEL “The Real Deale” GEALE on Saturday, July 26 at Madison Square Garden and LIVE on HBO World Championship Boxing ® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE is presented by K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Grange Old School Boxing.

JENNINGS VS. PEREZ is presented by K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions in association with Antonio Leonard Promotions.

“Road to Golovkin/Geale” replays on HBO include: July 20 (11:45 a.m.), 22 (12:00 p.m. & 2:55 a.m.), 25 (5:30 p.m. & 1:00 a.m.), and 26 (8:45 a.m.). All times are ET/PT.

With the highest knockout ratio (89%) among all active champions, in addition to his extraordinary growth in viewership on HBO, Golovkin has become a must-see attraction in the international sporting world.

In 2013, Golovkin, 29-0-0 (26KO’s) scored four knockouts, three of which were telecast on HBO to outstanding viewership earning him plaudits for both Fighter of the Year and Knockout of the Year among many media members.

Previously holder of the (‘IBF’) International Boxing Federation Middleweight Title and WBA “Super” Middleweight Title, Geale brings a distinguished record of
30-2-0 (16KO’s) into the world title challenge with Golovkin. Geale is currently ranked # 3 by the World Boxing Association.

Co-featured on “G4” is the WBC World Heavyweight Title Eliminator between undefeated and top rated heavyweights BRYANT “By By” JENNINGS, 18-0-0 (10KO’s), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and MIKE “The Rebel” PEREZ, 20-0-1 (12KO’s) of Cork, Ireland.

The winner of JENNINGS VS. PEREZ will become the mandatory challenger to WBC Heavyweight Champion BERMANE STIVERNE.

Advance tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 are available 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 on GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/@GGGBoxing, Daniel Geale/@RealDealGeale, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions/@GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #GolovkinGeale to join the conversation on Twitter.

For fight updates on JENNINGS VS. PEREZ via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, Bryant Jennings on Twitter at @BYJennings, Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions at @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions at @GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #JenningsPerez to join the conversation on Twitter.

By Norm Frauenheim-

Gennady Golovkin has one title he’d like to keep for as long as possible and another one he’d prefer to shed as soon as he can. Time makes the second of the two problematic. Golovkin is the latest in a long line of fighters who have been called the Most Avoided.

It’s unofficial, yet older than any acronym. It comes with grudging respect and even some popularity among fans looking for a people’s champ. But in terms of a career, it’s best only as a temporary step. For Golovkin, Most Avoided has been an inevitable stage in his move from Kazakhstan to Europe to the United States, from anonymity to Home Box Office.

But now Golovkin is 32.

The clock is ticking on when the middleweight champion gets a big-money shot in a fight that will allow him to relinquish a burdensome mantel inherited from Winky Wright and Antonio Margarito.

His chances at moving on and into a higher income bracket are hard to figure. For now, at least, his career resumes on July 26 at New York’s Madison Square Garden in an interesting bout against Australian Daniel Geale, a former middleweight champ who is among the division’s top five contenders. Geale is competent and clever enough for some to think he could take the fight into the later rounds against the unbeaten Golovkin, whose 26 stoppages in 29 victories give him the best KO ratio among current champions.

Through boxing’s twisted prism, a 12-round decision over the Aussie could turn into a good business decision for Golovkin, despite inevitable criticism that would be there in the immediate aftermath of the unexpected. No stoppage might lessen the fear and finally open the door to an opportunity against Miguel Cotto, or Canelo Alvarez, or Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. or Andre Ward. Another stoppage might be just another reason to continue avoiding him.

Golovkin says he doesn’t worry about whether that big opportunity will ever be there. What else can he say?

“I don’t think much about this,’’ he said during a conference call Thursday from his training camp in the mountains of Big Bear, Calif. “But I know, I just heard, that when my team is finding fights, it is sometimes hard to get the fight with some fighters. That’s just what I hear. But I don’t think much about this.’’

Still, Golovkin is at an age when other fighters step into their prime for their biggest money in career-defining bouts. A couple of examples: Floyd Mayweather Jr., now 37, was 30 when he scored a split decision over Oscar De La Hoya in front of history’s biggest pay-per-view audience on May 5, 2007. Manny Pacquiao, now 35, was 11 days from turning 30 when he stepped into big money and international celebrity with his stoppage of De La Hoya on Dec. 6, 2008.

Then, there was Wright and Margarito. Wright was 32 when he shed the Most Avoided tag in March 2004 with the first of two straight victories over Shane Mosley and then a stunner over Felix Trinidad. Margarito was 30 when he got out from under the label with an upset of Cotto in July, 2008.

From Mayweather and Pacquiao to Wright and Margarito, the timing is similar. For Golovkin, it’s becoming urgent.

Santa Monica, CA (July 16, 2014) In front of a packed house of Southern California media on Wednesday afternoon, boxing’s fastest rising star, GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN held his first Los Angeles workout for the press corps, just ten days ahead of his WBA/IBO World Middleweight Championship defense against Two-time world champion DANIEL “The Real Deal” GEALE.

Working under the watchful eye of heralded trainer ABEL SANCHEZ and K2 Promotions’ TOM LOEFFLER, Golovkin answered questions from the media before training.

“I feel terrific, this is a big fight for me. Daniel Geale is a former world champion and a dangerous opponent.”

“This is a big test for me. I’m very happy with the way my career has progressed.”

“This morning I weighed 164, no problem with my weight.”

“It’s very important to me to fight at Madison Square Garden, I’m very happy to be fighting in the big Arena this time.”

“Right now my focus is on Daniel Geale, in the future of course I’d like to fight Miguel Cotto or Canelo Alvarez. Cotto at Madison Square Garden would be perfect.”

“Hopefully my next fight would be in October or November.”

“I’m ready to put on a great show on July 26 for the fans in New York.”

Boxing’s fastest rising star, WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN will defend his titles against two-time world champion DANIEL “The Real Deale” GEALE on Saturday, July 26 at Madison Square Garden and LIVE on HBO World Championship Boxing ® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE is presented by K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Grange Old School Boxing.

“Road to Golovkin/Geale” replays on HBO include: July16 (2:15 p.m. & 10:45 p.m.), 20 (11:45 a.m.), 22 (12:00 p.m. & 2:55 a.m.), 25 (5:30 p.m. & 1:00 a.m.), and 26 (8:45 a.m.). All times are ET/PT.

With the highest knockout ratio (89%) among all active champions, in addition to his extraordinary growth in viewership on HBO, Golovkin has become a must-see attraction in the international sporting world.

In 2013, Golovkin scored four knockouts, three of which were telecast on HBO to outstanding viewership earning him plaudits for both Fighter of the Year and Knockout of the Year among many media members.

Previously holder of the (‘IBF’) International Boxing Federation Middleweight Title and WBA “Super” Middleweight Title, Geale brings a distinguished record of 30-2-0 (16KO’s) into the world title challenge with Golovkin. Geale is currently ranked #3 by the World Boxing Association.

Advance tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 are available 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 on GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/@GGGBoxing, Daniel Geale/@RealDealGeale, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions/@GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #GolovkinGeale to join the conversation on Twitter.

Los Angeles, CA (July 11, 2014) Heading into the 2014 All-Star Break and seeking depth in their starting pitching, the first place Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired middleweight world boxing champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN to take the mound on Saturday night for their game against their Southern California rivals San Diego Padres at the famed Chavez Ravine stadium in Los Angeles.

“This is a terrific opportunity for Gennady, he’s been training up in Big Bear for his title defense against Daniel Geale in two weeks and his fastball has never looked sharper” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions. “Although planned as an honorary first pitch by the Dodgers we’re confident that he can get through the first few innings unscathed.”

Said Golovkin, “I’m honored to throw out the first pitch on Saturday night. I’ve been training in Big Bear for my fight against Geale but look forward to having a great time on Saturday night at the ballpark.”

Sporting boxing’s highest knockout percentage with a record of 29-0-0 including 26 stoppages, Golovkin will head to mound at 6:55 p.m. PT for the honorary pitch prior to the 7:10 p.m. PT start of the third game of the Dodgers/Padres weekend series.

Golovkin will wrap up training within the next week and head to New York City for his WBA/IBO Middleweight World Title defense against two-time former world champion Geale on Saturday, July 26 from ‘The Mecca of Boxing”, Madison Square Garden on LIVE on HBO World Championship Boxing ® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE is presented by K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Grange Old School Boxing.

Advance tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 are available 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 on GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/@GGGBoxing, Daniel Geale/@RealDealGeale, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions/@GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #GolovkinGeale to join the conversation on Twitter.

June 25, 2014 – HBO Boxing presents “Road to Golovkin/Geale,” an exhilarating special examining the upcoming middleweight title fight between undefeated champ Gennady Golovkin and former two-time champ Daniel Geale. In a highly anticipated 160-pound showdown set for the big stage at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday, July 26, Golovkin and Geale will finally meet in the ring. The encounter will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing ®.

The “Road to Golovkin/Geale” special will premiere Saturday, July 12 at 12:05 a.m. ET/PT on HBO. It will preview the long awaited meeting between two accomplished warriors who have been on a journey to confront each other in the ring. The special will provide all-new content including portraits of both fighters’ path to this significant summertime showdown on boxing’s leading television platform.

Golovkin, who had spectacular breakout year in 2013, brings a perfect 29-0 record with 26 KOs into the showdown. Geale, enormously popular in his native Australia, sports a professional ring record of 30-2 with 16 KOs. This marks his second fight in the United States.

The 15-minute special will also be available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO GO® and at www.hbo.com/boxing as well as various other new media platforms that distribute the series.

Other HBO playdates: July 12 (12:05 a.m.), 14 (9:45 a.m.), 16 (2:15 p.m. & 10:45 p.m.), 20 (11:45 a.m.), 22 (12:00 p.m. & 2:55 a.m.), 25 (5:30 p.m. & 1:00 a.m.), and 26 (8:45 a.m.).

HBO2 playdates: July 13 (6:15 p.m.), 15 (9:15 p.m.), 17 (5:45 p.m.) 19 (7:15 p.m.), 21 (2:50 p.m.), 23 (11:30 p.m.) and 25 (11:10 p.m.).

All times are ET/PT.

New York City (June 24, 2014) Top junior middleweight contenders will square off on the undercard of the “G4” boxing extravaganza set for SATURDAY, JULY 26 at The Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden. “GLEN “Jersey Boy” TAPIA, favorite son of Passaic, New Jersey, will clash with BOYD “The Rainmaker” MELSON of Brooklyn, New York in an eight round battle.

Also added to the undercard is undefeated and all-action junior welterweight newcomer JULIAN “Hammer Hands” RODRIGUEZ of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey in a scheduled four rounder against an opponent to be announced.

“We’re excited to add this fight between these two local fan favorites to an already stellar HBO double header,” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions. “Tapia and Melson are both very popular in the New York City area and have a lot to gain with a win. Fighting on the sport’s biggest stage will no doubt bring out the best in each of them and give them the most publicity for their career.”

Continued Loeffler about the “G4” undercard additions, “Although only 19-years-old Rodriguez is one of the most talked about young fighters in the sport and fans are in for a real treat with his all-action style.”

Pat Lynch, manager of Tapia and Rodriguez added, “I’d like to thank Tom Loeffler and K2 Promotions for putting Glen and Julian on the show. It’s always exciting when they’re fighting at the Madison Square Garden as both my guys have a huge following.”

The 24-year-old Tapia, sporting a record of 21-1-0 with 13 knockouts, returns to the ring following a first round knockout of Keenan Collins on June 14 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Tapia has resumed training at the legendary Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, California this week under the watchful eye of Hall of Famer FREDDIE ROACH.

Southpaw Melson, a West Point graduate who is very active in numerous charitable endeavors including Stem Cell Research, boasts a current undefeated streak of seven fights amongst his record of 14-1-1 (4KO’s).

On February 12th, Melson kicked off his 2014 campaign with an eight round decision over Donald Ward at the famed Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

Rodriguez, sporting a record of 4-0-0 with three knockouts, was a 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate in the 141-pound division and is coming off a second round stoppage of Angel Figueroa on June 14th also in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Tapia and Rodriguez both appear at the “G4” event in association with Top Rank Incorporated and Pat Lynch Boxing.

“G4” is headlined by boxing’s fastest rising star, WBA/IBO Middleweight Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN and Two-Time World Champion DANIEL “The Real Deal” GEALE.

Co-featured on “G4” is the WBC World Heavyweight Title Eliminator between undefeated and top rated heavyweights BRYANT “By By” JENNINGS of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and MIKE “The Rebel” PEREZ of Cork, Ireland.

GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE is presented by K2 Promotions and GGG Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Grange Old School Boxing.

JENNINGS VS. PEREZ is presented by K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions in association with Antonio Leonard Promotions. Both featured bouts will be telecast Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT

Advance tickets for “G4” priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 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 Social Media updates on Glen Tapia, Boyd Melson and Julian Rodriguez follow them on Twitter at @RealGlenTapia, @BoydMelson and @TeamHammerHands.

For fight updates on JENNINGS VS. PEREZ via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, Bryant Jennings on Twitter at @BYJennings, Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions at @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions at @GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #JenningsPerez to join the conversation on Twitter.

For fight updates on GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/@GGGBoxing, Daniel Geale/@RealDealGeale, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions/@GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #GolovkinGeale to join the conversation on Twitter.

Big Bear, CA (June 23, 2014) WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN is currently entrenched at his training camp in Big Bear, California with noted trainer ABEL SANCHEZ preparing for his 11th world title defense against DANIEL GEALE for the “G4” event on Saturday, July 26 at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden and Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Having started training in late May, Golovkin will be fully prepared when be heads to the East Coast for fight week.

“This is a longer camp than normal but I haven’t fought since February 1 (KO7 – Osumanu Adama), it feels great to be back with Abel and the team,” said Golovkin. “Daniel Geale is a former world champion and this is the toughest fight of my career.”

“It took me a couple days when I got to camp to get comfortable but now camp is going well and I look forward to returning to Madison Square Garden.”

On Saturday night, Golovkin headed to the StubHub Center in Carson, California with his team to take in the World Championship Boxing card.

Owner of The Summit High Altitude Training Center in Big Bear, CA, Sanchez, who has trained Golovkin since June 2010, spoke about this training camp and their preparation for the Daniel Geale fight.

‘This Saturday night was a nice break, Gennady is a boxing fan and wanted to take in the fights from ringside instead of watching from camp. The fans love him and he enjoys signing autographs and taking pictures with them.”

Speaking specifically about Geale, Sanchez stated, “Geale boxes a little more, we’ve been very confident of the past opponents running away but we don’t anticipate that from him. Hopefully he will bring out the very best of Gennady. The better he is, the better it will be for Gennady to perform.”

“Geale is more accomplished, he’s a two-time world champion and he’s the most experienced boxer at the top level that we’ve fought. He’s got the most to gain and is on the cusp of being a world champion again. “

Regarding the specifics of Golovkin’s training, Sanchez continued, “On Monday, Wednesday and Friday we meet at the gym at 7:00 a.m. and run five miles per day. That’s followed by a gym session starting at 1:00 p.m. On Tuesday and Thursday’s we’ll do sprints instead of our morning run.”

About Golovkin’s diet, Sanchez said, “Not really a particular diet, no sugars, fats or sodas. Just a balanced diet, Gennady eats pretty much what he wants but he’s very smart about what he eats in camp.”

“The great Emanuel Steward said it best. Keep it as simple as possible for the fighter. It should not be a dramatic change as they get to another level.”

Advance tickets for “G4”, priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 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

GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE is presented by K2 Promotions and GGG Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Grange Old School Boxing.

For fight updates on GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/@GGGBoxing, Daniel Geale/@RealDealGeale, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions/@GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #GolovkinGeale to join the conversation on Twitter.

New York City (June 9, 2014) Saturday afternoon in New York City, a Press Conference was held for “G4”, the boxing extravaganza set for SATURDAY, JULY 26 at ‘The Mecca of Boxing”, Madison Square Garden and Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

In attendance were WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN, Two-Time World Champion DANIEL ‘The Real Deal” GEALE along with undefeated heavyweight contenders BRYANT “By By” JENNINGS and MIKE “The Rebel” PEREZ in addition to undefeated welterweight prospect DUSTY HERNANDEZ-HARRISON. Hosting the press conference were Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Productions.

The Press Conference was hosted by the internationally recognized voice of boxing, Hall of Famer, MICHAEL BUFFER. (All photos/courtesy Will Hart.)

GENNADY GOLOVKIN—“Thank you to HBO and Madison Square Garden for welcoming me back. I’m very happy to be fighting Daniel Geale, I’ve known him for many years and this will be a terrific fight for the fans. Saturday, July 26 will be a great night at Madison Square Garden.”

“I would also like to give express special thanks to our partner – EXPO-2017, an International Exposition dedicated to green energy scheduled to take place in 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan.”

DANIEL GEALE—“This is a tremendous opportunity for me. I want thank HBO, Gary Shaw, Grange Old School Boxing and Madison Square Garden. This is a perfect fight for me and I look forward to the challenge of facing Gennady.”

BRYANT JENNINGS—“I want to thank Gary Shaw in addition to Antonio Leonard and James Prince. I also want to thank HBO. I’m very happy to be back on their network and back at Madison Square Garden.”

“Mike doesn’t like to talk much but I’m here to tell you that I will be the next heavyweight champion from the United States and I can’t wait for July 26.”

MIKE PEREZ—“I don’t have much to say but I look forward to facing Bryant Jennings on July 26 and fighting on HBO.”

Golovkin will be defending his WBA “Super Champion” Middleweight Title and IBO Middleweight World Title against Geale in the 12-round main event.

With the highest knockout ratio (89%) among all active champions, in addition to his extraordinary growth in viewership on HBO, Golovkin, 29-0-0 (26KO’s), has become a must-see attraction in the international sporting world.

In 2013, Golovkin scored four knockouts, three of which were telecast on HBO to outstanding viewership earning him plaudits for both Fighter of the Year and Knockout of the Year among many media members.

Previously holder of the (‘IBF’) International Boxing Federation Middleweight and WBA “Super” Middleweight Title, Geale brings a distinguished record of 30-2-0 (16KO’s) into the world title challenge with Golovkin. Geale is currently ranked #3 by the World Boxing Association.

GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE is presented by K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Grange Old School Boxing.

The Jennings/Perez bout will serve as the co-feature at “G4” with the winner of the 12-round bout becoming the mandatory challenger for the WBC Heavyweight Title, which was vacated by longtime champion Vitali Klitschko earlier this year.

The 29-year-old Jennings, 18-0-0 (10KO’s) is coming off his career best victory, a sensational, HBO televised tenth round knockout of Poland’s Artur Szpilka on JANUARY 25 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Dominating the action from the outset, Jennings dropped the crafty southpaw in the sixth before finishing him off in the final round.

A highly successful amateur in his native Cuba, the 28-year-old Perez has compiled a record of 20-0-1 (12KO’s), since moving to Ireland and turning professional in 2008.

Perez has recently made two previous appearances on HBO and is looking forward to showcasing his skills against another undefeated fighter on July 26th.

JENNINGS VS. PEREZ is presented by K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions in association with Antonio Leonard Promotions.

With a record of 22-0-0 (12KO’s), Hernandez-Harrison will be fighting for the third time on the undercard of a Gennady Golovkin world title defense.

Advance tickets for “G4” priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 can be purchased starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 10, 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 on GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/@GGGBoxing, Daniel Geale/@RealDealGeale, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions/@GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #GolovkinGeale to join the conversation on Twitter.

For fight updates on JENNINGS VS. PEREZ via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, Bryant Jennings on Twitter at @BYJennings, Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions at @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions at @GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #JenningsPerez to join the conversation on Twitter.

New York City (June 7, 2014) On Friday evening in front of a huge crowd of fans, all four fighters from the upcoming “G4” boxing extravaganza hit New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

With the sensational artwork of their Saturday, July 26th event looking down from the “Mecca of Boxing’s” world famous marquee, GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN, DANIEL “The Real Deale” GEALE, BRYANT “By By” JENNINGS and MIKE “The Rebel” PEREZ posed for photos. The were joined by their promoters Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Productions.

“G4” is headlined by the World Middleweight Championship between World Boxing Association “Super Champion” and International Boxing Organization Champion Golovkin and Two-Time World Champion Geale.

Co-featured at “G4” is the highly anticipated 12-round World Boxing Council Heavyweight Title Eliminator between Jennings and Bryant.

Both fights will be televised Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE is presented by K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Grange Old School Boxing. JENNINGS VS. PEREZ is presented by K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions along with Antonio Leonard Promotions.

Advance tickets for “G4” priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 can be purchased starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 10, 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 on GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/@GGGBoxing, Daniel Geale/@RealDealGeale, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions/@GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #GolovkinGeale to join the conversation on Twitter.

For fight updates on JENNINGS VS. PEREZ via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, Bryant Jennings on Twitter at @BYJennings, Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions at @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions at @GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #JenningsPerez to join the conversation on Twitter.

NEW YORK CITY (June 3, 2014) Boxing’s fastest rising star, Middleweight World Champion, GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN will battle two-time world champion DANIEL “The Real Deal” GEALE in his triumphant return to ‘The Mecca of Boxing”, Madison Square Garden SATURDAY, JULY 26 and televised Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT., it was announced today by K2 Promotions and GGG Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Grange Old School Boxing.

Headlining the sensational “G4” boxing extravaganza, Golovkin will defend his World Boxing Association (‘WBA’) and International Boxing Organization (‘IBO’) titles against Geale in the scheduled 12-round main event. Golovkin was recently elevated to “Super Champion” status by the World Boxing Association.

“Since his HBO debut less than two years ago, Gennady has become the hottest international star in boxing and we’re thrilled to promote his return to Madison Square Garden, the premier venue for boxing,” said Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions. “This will be Gennady’s first fight in the main arena at Madison Square Garden, where only a select few could headline today.”

“Daniel Geale is a throwback fighter who has never backed down from a tough challenge and his mindset is no different going into the Golovkin fight,” said Gary Shaw. “GGG” is considered the top dog in the middleweight division by those in the business, but I believe Geale is the best. We will see how Golovkin fares against someone on his level. I have confidence Geale will come out on top.”
“I’m happy to be fighting at Madison Square Garden once again. Fighting in front of the great fans in New York City for the third time is an honor for me and I will train hard to defend my titles in style by giving the fans an exciting show,” said Golovkin. “Daniel Geale has a lot of world championship experience, is a big international name and I look forward to this challenge.”

“I’m pleased to be making my way back to HBO against Gennady Golovkin, a fighter who everyone thinks is invincible,” said Geale. “A victory will get me back to where I want to be. The people of Australia believe in me and that’s what drives me, my countrymen. I want to show them they have a great champion. On July 26th the world will see me back on top.”

“Gennady Golovkin became a breakout phenomenon in 2013, a year both he and Daniel Geale gave fans exhilarating performances on HBO,” said Peter Nelson, Vice President of Programming, HBO Sports. “Golovkin-Geale looks to exceed the high expectation these fighters have set for their fans. This match almost happened before, including what became the night Golovkin made his HBO debut in 2012, while a half a world away Geale won the middleweight title that Golovkin now possesses. There is an intriguing storyline to the fight, to which both fighters seek to write a emphatic ending in the ring at Madison Square Garden on July 26.”

Said Bill Treacy of Grange Old School Boxing, Geale’s co-promoter, “Of all the potential fights this is the one he wants the most. I firmly believe Daniel is the most talented middleweight in the world. The opportunity to return stateside in the main event on a HBO show at Madison Square Garden for two world titles is the ultimate motivation for him to put it beyond doubt.”

With the highest knockout ratio (89%) among all active champions, in addition to his extraordinary growth in viewership on HBO, Golovkin, 29-0-0 (26KO’s), has become a must-see attraction in the international sporting world.

In 2013, Golovkin scored four knockouts, three of which were telecast on HBO to outstanding viewership earning him plaudits for both Fighter of the Year and Knockout of the Year among many media members.

Previously holder of the (‘IBF’) International Boxing Federation Middleweight and WBA “Super” Middleweight Title, Geale brings a distinguished record of 30-2-0 (16KO’s) into the world title challenge with Golovkin. Geale is currently ranked #3 by the World Boxing Association.

Advance tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 can be purchased starting at 10:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 5 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 on GOLOVKIN VS. GEALE via Social Media, follow HBO Boxing on Twitter at @HBOBoxing and Facebook at /HBOBoxing, in addition to on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin/@GGGBoxing, Daniel Geale/@RealDealGeale, Tom Loeffler – K2 Promotions/ @TomLoeffler1 and Gary Shaw Productions/@GaryShawBoxing. Use the hashtag #GolovkinGeale to join the conversation on Twitter.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBA Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin will return to action Most likely on July 26 at Madison Square possibly against former IBF champion Daniel Geale.

“We feel Geale would be the biggest name available, and that’s why we’ve asked for an exception,” said Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler said. “We’re not ruling Chavez out, but it’s definitely not going to happen in July, and Gennady can’t wait. Hopefully, the fight can happen later in the year.”

Added Golovkin: “It doesn’t matter who I fight, but I’m always looking forward to the future.”

By Norm Frauenheim–

There are losers aplenty in the wake of the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.-Gennady Golovkin possibility headed to never-never land, right there alongside the Manny Paquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fantasy. There are the fans, of course. But there’s nothing new about that. Their hopes are always first to take a beating.

They’ll be back.

But you have to wonder whether Chavez Jr. ever will.

An intriguing Chavez-Golovkin fight, which had been scheduled for July 19 at the old Forum in Inglewood, Calif., is off the board because of failed negotiations between Chavez and Top Rank.

Depending on the source, Chavez Jr. said no to a contract extension that Top Rank said it wanted as insurance if the fight failed to make money. According to Yahoo, Chavez manager Billy Keane said Top Rank’s offer for just the Golovkin fight was for 70 percent less than what it offered for a two-fight extension. According to Ringtv.com, Top Rank’s Bob Arum said Chavez Jr. could have made $12 million for two fights in the event of a loss to Golovkin and $17 million if he beat him.

Follow the money, and Chavez Jr doesn’t look good from either side of the table. Fair or not, public perception figures to interpret the failed negotiations as a way for Chavez Jr. to sidestep a fight he couldn’t win against the most feared fighter in the game. Chavez Jr. needed an escape clause and Top Rank gave him one with that two-fight option.

It’s a move that is bound to make Chavez Jr. look bad in the eyes of Mexican fans. Canelo Alvarez readily stepped up and asked for a fight against Erislandy Lara on July 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. More hype is attached to Golovkin than Lara, but Lara is every bit as dangerous as the middleweight from Kazakhstan. Canelo never looked for a way out against the slickly-skilled Cuban, who presents some of the same challenges that Mayweather did in his one-sided victory over the red-headed Mexican last September.

But the perception will be that Chavez looked for an escape and found one. After all, he always has. At almost every turn, there has been an excuse – a way out. Chavez was allowed to train whenever and wherever he wanted before his loss to Sergio Martinez, which was followed by a positive test for marijuana. He said he couldn’t make weight for Bryan Vera. Then, he was allowed to weigh whatever he wanted before winning a controversial decision over Vera in Carson, Calif. At the end of the buffet table, there was no end to the enablers, including Top Rank.

But even Top Rank appears to have lost its patience with the 28-year-old Chavez. The two-fight option includes an unspoken option to walk away. The guess is that Top Rank won’t shed any tears if he does. Arum went public with his exasperation before Chavez Jr. won a rematch over Vera in San Antonio. By then, it was becoming loud and clear that there was a growing disconnect between Julio Jr. and Mexican fans. Only the name connects the son to his legendary dad. There were boos in Carson, Calif., for the first Vera fight. There was a smaller crowd than expected, about 7,300, at San Antonio’s Alamodome for the rematch.

Even the best trainers of the day opted not to work with him. Freddie Roach left him after the loss to Martinez. Robert Garcia chose not to work with him before the Vera rematch. A year from now, Chavez Jr. might regret turning down Top Rank’s option. It’s beginning to look as if he doesn’t have many left.

Martin Murray is targeting a November showdown with hard-hitting middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin after signing a lucrative seven-figure, three-fight deal with Africa’s largest promoter, Golden Gloves.

The 31-year-old from St Helens in the UK split with Ricky Hatton last month after a frustrating year that saw him fight just once after his narrow defeat to Sergio Martinez in Argentina last April.

Murray (26-1-1) will fight in June, November and next February in Monte Carlo and also hopes to have a warm-up bout in Germany on April 5 on the undercard of Juergen Braehmer’s WBA light-heavyweight title defence against Enzo Maccarinelli.

“I’m made up,” said Murray, who is ranked No 1 by the WBA and No 6 by the IBF. “It’s great knowing I’m getting with someone who is going to give me some direction in my career.

“The purses are really good and they’re willing to invest in me. The money is amazing, I can’t believe it’s true. We’re hoping to fight Golovkin in November so it’s a good deal all round.”

Murray is confident he can still earn a third shot at top honours.

He drew with Felix Sturm in 2011 but has struggled for momentum since.

Murray laboured to a points win in a rematch with Sergey Khomitsky last December and was due to face Australian Jarrod Fletcher in February for the regular WBA belt with Golovkin being promoted to “Super” champion.

But the WBA ruled against the move and Murray withdrew from his fight due to a hand injury.

“I’ve never been with someone who’s given me solid dates,” he added. “I was fed up with getting myself ready only for fights to get cancelled. When the fights did come round, like the one in December, I was so fed up it’s no wonder I performed like I did.

“I was making myself believe something would happen but I had three press conferences for fights that didn’t happen. We’re hoping for a decent opponent in June but it’s about me getting back firing on all cylinders.

“The promoter is working towards lots of different routes and getting me sanctioned by the different organisations so it should end in a title shot.

“The deal secures my future and the future of my wife and kids which has always been the most important thing for me.

“I’ve been that frustrated that if I wasn’t in the mix for big fights, I would have jacked it in. I’ve not been in tough fights and I only turned pro when I was 25. I’m looking forward to continuing the hard work I’ve been putting in.”

Murray was offered a rematch with Sturm but the money on offer was substantially lower than the purse he received for the first fight.

With no suitable offer on the table, Murray exercised his right to leave Hatton.

“The only fight I’ve knocked back was immediately after the Martinez fight when they offered me Chavez in Mexico but I needed an operation on my elbow,” he said. “I accepted the fight two months later but Top Rank refused it.”

Golden Gloves’ Rodney Berman, meanwhile, welcomed Murray to the team, having secured his signature despite the interest of a number of rival promoters.

“We at Golden Gloves are delighted to welcome Martin into our Golden Gloves family,” he said. “Being a huge Murray fan we are committed to taking him to another world title opportunity. He will debut for us in June at a venue to be finalised in Monte Carlo and will then be kept active pending a mammoth show in Monte Carlo in November.

“We will move heaven and& earth to ensure that Martin gets the world title opportunity in November he so richly deserves. We are delighted with the signing and are now looking to sign one or two more leading European fighters and are in talks with their management.”

WBA Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin was forced to postpone his April 26 fight with Andy Lee after the death of his father according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“He can’t fight on April 26,” said Golovkin;s promoter Tom Loeffler. “There’s a 40-day mourning period. He will be staying with his family. His two older brothers died (in military action) and he’s now the patriarch of the family. He’s got to take responsibility. It’s very sensitive.”

“Everything is on hold right now,” he said. “We don’t know if it will take two months or how long it will take. It’s hard to say.”

Loeffler and Golovkin trainer Abel Sanchez had come to the Alamodome hoping to announce Golovkin-Lee. They also were on hand to watch Saturday night’s super middleweight rematch between former middleweight titlist Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Bryan Vera.

If Chavez wins, he could face Golovkin (29-0, 26 KOs) later in the year. Loeffler and Chavez promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank have discussed the possible HBO PPV fight.

Loeffler said Golovkin would go up to super middleweight to face Chavez if the fight is made, but that everything is on hold because of his father’s death.

“Bob approached me with the idea of the Chavez fight and we’ve always said Gennady would go up to 168 for the right fight,” Loeffler said.

AUSTRALIA (February 19, 2014) – Last night at the Horden Pavilion, in Moore Park, New South Wales, Austrailia, former two-time middleweight world champion, Daniel “Real Deal” Geale (30-2, 15 KOs) dominated WBA #12 Garth Wood (12-3-2, 8 KOs), stopping his fellow countryman as his corner halted the bout after the sixth round. He is now eyeing a bout with Gennandy “GGG” Golovkin.

“My ambition is to recapture a world title and bring it back to Australia,” said Geale. “I will do whatever it takes to regain my status as the middleweight champion of the world. With Wood out of the way, the doors have opened for other big fights. I believe Gennady Golovkin and I would make for a great fight. If HBO can bring that fight to fruition then I’m all for it. Golovkin needs to fight someone of my caliber to be considered elite. The fans deserve a great competitive fight and that’s what Golovkin and I bring to the table.”

“I would have fought Golovkin already had there been a PPV date, but there was none available. My promoters Gary Shaw and Garrie Francisco believe this fight can happen and that’s the direction I want to go. The same style I fought against Wood is what I anticipate would be successful against Golovkin. It would be a great fight for the fans.”

Venice, CA (February 11, 2014) Boxing’s fastest rising superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin was named the World Boxing Association’s Boxer of the Month for January 2014, the fourth time he’s received the honor.

Golovkin improved to 29-0 with 26 knockouts as he defended his WBA Middleweight World Title for the tenth time on February 1 with a dominant seventh round stoppage of durable Osumanu Adama in his return to Monte Carlo.

“I’m very grateful to the WBA for this honor and I look forward to continuing to defend my middleweight title in future bouts” said Golovkin.

Stated Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions’ “Gennady’s performances are truly the talk of the international boxing world over the last 18 months since he first fought in the United States and on HBO.”

“Not only has Gennady stopped the last sixteen challengers but he’s dominated the fights from the opening bell while providing excitement in the ring that makes every fight must-see TV,” continued Loeffler.

Golovkin was last named WBA’s Boxer of the Month when he stopped Curtis Stevens on November 2 at Madison Square Garden, a performance that garnered the year’s third highest rating for a televised boxing event.

Monte Carlo (February 1, 2014) In front of a packed house of cheering boxing fans in Monte Carlo and millions watching around the world on Saturday night, WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin stormed to a seventh round stoppage of Ghana’s Osumanu Adama at the Salles des Etoiles.

The knockout, Golovkin’s sixteenth in a row and tenth world title defense improved Golovkin’s record to 29-0 (26KO’s) and boosted his knockout ratio to 89.66, the highest among the active world champions and the highest in the history of boxing’s glamour division. With the loss Adama fell to 22-4 (16KO’s).

Utilizing his full arsenal of power shots from each hand and a bazooka like left jab, Golovkin controlled the action from the outset, drilling the Chicago resident to the canvas at the end of the first round.

Dropping the valiant Adama again in the sixth and seventh, referee Luis Pabon called a halt to the action at the 1:20 mark of the seventh stanza.

“I feel terrific, I’m very happy with my performance. From the opening round I was confortable with the fight and felt good about my power and the pace of the fight” said Golovkin. “He was a tough opponent but I was never hurt during the fight.”

Asked in the ring by TV commentator Brian Mitchell about future bouts, Golovkin stated, “I want to fight Sergio Martinez to prove who’s the best middleweight.”

Stated Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, “We’re very thankful to the Royal Family and Golden Gloves along with SBM Monte Carlo for their help in putting on this sensational event.”

“Gennady performed in the manner that we believe he’s the best middleweight in the world. Adama was a very tough opponent but Gennady was truly on his game tonight.”

In regards to what’s ahead for Golovkin, Loeffler stated “Right now we have offers out to three HBO approved fighters for April 26th at Madison Square Garden and we look forward to returning to New York City with Gennady.”

“We’d also like to thank the countries who purchased this fight giving Gennady’s millions of fans around the world the opportunity to see his performance.”

Gennady Golovkin, 159.2 vs. Osumanu Adama, 159.2
Ilunga “Junior” Makabu, 193.5 vs. Ruben Angel Mino, 199.3
Max Bursak, 159.72 vs. Jarrod Fletcher, 159
Nkonsinathi Joyi, 106.9 vs, Rey Loreto, 107.6
Roman Belaev, 146.2 vs. Dean Byrne, 146

Monte Carlo Boxing Bonanza
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Salles des Etoiles (Venue)
Monte Carlo
Presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa,
K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions and SBM-Monte Carlo

LONDON (Jan. 31) – Gennady Golovkin is hoping his outstanding 2013 can push him to even greater heights in the new year by beating the biggest names in the middleweight division.

The unbeaten Kazakhstani assassin has become one of boxing’s most feared punchers after brutally blasting his way past all four challengers last year to amass a record of 28 wins with 25 knockouts.

The 31-year-old will be looking for much of the same when he steps back into the ring this Saturday night in Monte Carlo when he defends his WBA middleweight world title against Ghanaian contender Osumanu Adama.

Though Golovkin has his eyes on bigger prizes, he refuses to overlook the tricky Adama.

“It’s going to be a great fight. It’s a new year but I think it’s going to be the same like last year – a great year – with lots of great fights starting with Saturday night. I’m ready,” said Golovkin.

“I’ve seen Adama and he’s a strong guy and it’s not an easy fight for me. This is boxing, it’s a serious business, it’s not a game, so I take every fight very seriously.

“He’s hungry, he has good motivation for this fight, he’s a good athlete and is a strong guy. It’s a great opportunity for him but also for me,” he said.

Adama, who brings a record of 22 wins, 16 by way of knockout, and only three defeats, is confident that he can stun the boxing world by beating Golovkin.

The 33-year-old is sure his speed and power will pose new problems to the unrelenting Kazakh.

“I’m prepared for this fight. I was born for fights like this and I’m ready to fight anyone in the world. Now is the time to fight Golovkin,” Adama said.

“The fighters he’s fought in the past haven’t had the speed and power that I’ve got. I’m a very powerful fighter and I’ve been in with some very good boxers. All African’s are willing me on and I’ll have a lot of fans coming to Monte Carlo to support me,” he said.

“If you want to be the best you have to fight the best. He’s the best up and coming middleweight but I also feel like I’m the best – every boxer feels like they’re the best. I will be the first person to beat Gennady Golovkin,” Adama said confidently.

Should Golovkin come through the fight victorious he has plans to set up some of the biggest fights possible in 2014.

Tom Loeffler, Golovkin’s promoter, has his eyes on a potential superfight with Argentine kingpin and reigning WBC middleweight world champion Sergio Martinez, with WBO champion Peter Quillin also a name being mooted.

“We can offer significant purses for somebody to fight Gennady. He’s crossed that barrier where everybody knows who he is now. The finances on his fights are there, where there are big fights,” said Loeffler.

“We would love to make a unification fight at some point down the road, if the politics can get worked out. It would be a great fight with Peter Quillin, who’s also an undefeated champion but Sergio Martinez would certainly be at the top of the list,” he said.

“In order to prove you’re the best you have to fight the best and that’s where we think Gennady’s the best and obviously Sergio and his promoters and handlers think he’s the best and that’s the only way to find out,” Loeffler stated.

Golovkin vs. Adama is live on BoxNation (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546) this Saturday from 5pm. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-
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Toronto – Just two days removed from a live broadcast of Victor Ortiz vs. Luis Collazo from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents another blockbuster live boxing card this Saturday, Feb. 1, at 12 p.m. ET from Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco, headlined by undefeated WBA and IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin making the first defense of 2014 against former title challenger Osumanu Adama.

Presented by Fight Network, Octapixx Live, K2 Promotions, Golden Gloves and GGG Promotions, Golovkin vs. Adama headlines the event titled, “Monte Carlo Night of Champions.”

Golovkin (28-0, 25 KOs) is USA Today and Ring Magazine’s fan favorite 2013 fighter of the year. Boasting the highest KO percentage among active major titleholders, Golovkin fought four times last year, destroying Gabriel Rosado, Nobuhiro Ishida, Matthew Macklin and Curtis Stevens.

Adama (22-3, 16 KOs) has never been stopped in professional competition. The Ghana native last challenged for the title in March 2012, dropping a hard-fought decision against former IBF champion Daniel Geale.

In other action, Australia’s Jarrod Fletcher (17-1, 10 KOs) battles Max Bursak (29-1-1, 12 KOs) for the WBA Continental middleweight title, Roman Belaev (12-0, 10 KOs) clashes with Dean Byrne (17-2-1, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBA Continental welterweight title, South Africa’s Nkosinathi Joyi (24-2, 17 KOs) throws down with Rey Loreto (17-13, 9 KOs) for the vacant IBO light flyweight championship, plus Joyi’s compatriot Ilunga Makabu (15-1, 14 KOs) faces his toughest test against unbeaten Argentinian knockout artist Ruben Angel Mino (20-0, 20 KOs).

Fight Network’s live afternoon broadcast from Monaco kicks off at 12 p.m. ET and is expected to run approximately four hours.

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

LONDON (Jan. 30) – BoxNation subscribers get a chance to assess whether Kazakh crusher Gennady Golovkin is the most explosive puncher presently active in boxing – as many experts are suggesting – when he makes a ninth defence of his WBA World Middleweight crown live on the Channel of Champions this Saturday evening.

‘Golden Gennady’, 31, has knocked-out 25 of his 28 pro opponents – including each of his last 15 – inside the scheduled distance and, eager to secure the superfights that will vault him among the sport’s biggest earners, he’ll be hoping to extend the streak against tough Ghanaian Osumanu Adama at the Salle des etoiles Monte Carlo.

The 33 year old African challenger, known as ‘Machine Gun’, lasted the full 12 round trip in an abortive IBF challenge to Australia’s Daniel Geale in March 2012 and boasts a stoppage victory over Russia’s Roman Karmazin, a former IBF light-middle titlist. Therefore, expect him to take some shifting.

Watch the action live and exclusive on BoxNation, the Channel of Champions (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546) from 5pm. Join at www.boxnation.com

One man brutally aware of the carnage Golovkin is capable of wreaking is Birmingham’s Matt Macklin who was punctured by a crippling body shot from the Kazakh in round three of his world title crack last June.

On Tuesday evening, boxing writer Glynn Evans called the triple world title challenger at his Marbella training base to get the inside skinny on ‘GGG’ and analyse how Saturday’s championship action might pan out.

“Living in Marbella now, I’m contemplating driving across to see the fight live.

I think Gennady has to be placed behind only Floyd Mayweather and Andre Ward on the pound-for-pound list right now. He’s on around the same level as Guillermo Rigondeaux – a completely different fighter – but that’s the level he’s at.

People bang on about Golovkin’s strength and power but, having shared a ring with him, I was most impressed by his boxing ability. His footwork is outstanding and he’s got such good judgement of distance. His timing and accuracy are both exceptional. He wastes absolutely nothing.

And he is a seriously devastating puncher with both hands, without really looking for it (the finish). The left hook that finished me broke my ribs and there was no way I could do anything about it. It’s the leverage that he generates rather than brute force that makes him so formidable.

His shots, including the hooks, tend to be long and looping. He’s definitely at his best from long range. He uses a very good jab to soften you up and his power tends to be at the end of his punches. It’s his timing that makes him so dangerous. He’s happy to stay outside and cleverly coax you on to his punches.

He’s also really aggressive. From the moment the bell rings, he’s on ya, looking to take you out. But he’s so patient, relaxed and economical when he stalks ya. It’s all so effortless. He’s able to apply intense pressure without throwing many punches or exerting much pressure himself. He’s a master at getting opponents to burn nervous energy. Against me, he was bowling forward in second gear, I was darting backwards in fifth! He’s a very, very impressive operator.

Mind, all the talk of him dropping down to light-middle for a superfight with Floyd Mayweather is bull. Golovkin’s not a big middleweight but he’s definitely a middleweight. He might physically be able to cut to 154 but he’d not be able to perform down there.

Moving up to super-middle to get his megafight would be far more logical. I think he’d be far too much for Carl Froch who likes to fight at mid and long range himself. However, Andre Ward, who’s an expert at smothering and fighting up close, has the style to give Golovkin big problems. That would be a very intriguing fight.

I’m actually quite familiar with Adama because I considered using him as a sparhand when I was preparing for my fight with Golovkin. An agent showed me quite a few clips and he seemed pretty tough, the type you could get decent rounds out of. For whatever reason, it never materialised.

I know Adama took Daniel Geale to points in a world title challenge over in Oz so he must be pretty durable. From what I saw, he was pretty orthodox. He wasn’t especially awkward like a lot of the African lads are. He seemed pretty rugged and capable, appeared to have a decent left hook but didn’t really do anything unique.

To give himself any kind of chance against Golovkin, Adama needs to hold the centre of the ring, attempt to push Gennady back and take away some of his leverages. In my opinion, Golovkin isn’t great up close, fighting inside. Adama needs to close the gap and attempt to work Golovkin over with uppercuts. He needs to meet fire with fire, just like Ricky Hatton did with Kostya Tszyu.

That was my initial intention after studying Golovkin before we fought. However, Buddy McGirt, my coach at the time, persuaded me to try to box him. It’s conceivable that a middleweight version of Buddy (ex IBF light-welter champion) could’ve succeeded with those tactics but my strengths and attributes are different. By the time I realised that I needed to adapt our gameplan, I was already really under the kosh. Gennady’s jab busted me up and I had to work so hard, so early.

Unless you’re a middleweight Guillermo Rigondeaux – and from what I’ve seen Adama isn’t – the worst possible thing you could do against Golovkin would be to try to outbox him. He’s got a very good jab and his footwork is far too good.

Osumanu needs to try to make it a gruelling, draining affair. He’s been 12 rounds three times whereas Golovkin is yet to complete ten. All fighters’ timing and reactions deteriorate as they become more fatigued. It’s a case of getting Gennady into the second half of the fight. Easier said than done!

Unless Golovkin turns up sick, injured or seriously overlooks Adama, it’s hard to give the African any hope at all. But no fighter is invincible.

Remember Vince Phillips upsetting a prime Kostya Tszyu when nobody gave him any kind of chance. He just dug in, kept firing back and ultimately broke Kostya’s heart.

Still, I think a repeat of that is unlikely here. If Adama gambles on engaging early and gets sloppy, he could get taken out immediately. He’s wiped out 15 of his 28 victims within three rounds. More likely, Golovkin will systematically break him down and bust him up by mid way.

I see Adama constantly under pressure, not winning any rounds. Curtis Stevens started boldly against Golovkin but once he tasted his power and got knocked down in round two he withdrew into his shell.

Golovkin is an expert at knocking the ambition out of you. I can’t see Adama making it past round seven or eight. ”

Watch the action live and exclusive on BoxNation, the Channel of Champions (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546) from 5pm. Join at www.boxnation.com

Sherman Oaks (Jan. 15) – Southern California’s undefeated super featherweight prospect Juan Funez (3-0, 1 KO) who takes on Auburn, Washington’s local favorite Marcelo Gallardo (3-0) on January 24th at the Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Washington is working with the big boys in anticipation of his bout. Trained by his uncle Ricky Funez and assisted in the corner by Joe Goossen at the world famous Ten Goose Gym, Juan took this training camp to a very familiar location in preparation for his upcoming bout, Big Bear Lake.

It all started in 1989 when Larry Goossen, brother of Joe and Dan Goossen, was looking for a place where world-class fighters could have a secluded and high-altitude (6,744-feet) camp in preparation for their upcoming bouts — Big Bear Lake turned out to be the answer. It instantly became a second home to Joe Goossen trained fighters, and a young Ricky Funez.
Oscar De La Hoya enjoyed Big Bear as an up-and-coming pro, along with other world champions Rafael and Gabriel Ruelas, Michael Nunn, Greg Haugen, Shane Mosley, Reggie Johnson and Michael Moorer were all some of the first fighters to choose to train in the seclusion of Big Bear.
Twenty-four years later, Abel Sanchez’s Big Bear Summit Gym in the San Bernardino Mountains continues the tradition having a major training site for a who’s who of professional boxers, including his red-hot World Middleweight Champion, Gennady Golovkin.

Juan Funez and Gennady Golovkin

For the young Funez, he had heard all the great stories and successes training in Big Bear, but living it has been another thing. “It has given me a whole different perspective of what training is really like when you’re a world champion,” said Juan. “My uncle and Joe talk to me all of the time of what it takes to be a world champion and how you have to live boxing every minute of every day, but to see it with Gennady and Mike (Perez, heavyweight contender) up here in the mountains just pumped me up that much more.”

Funez has been sparring with world-contenders Jayson Valez (21-0, 15 KOs), Alexander Miskirtchian (24-2, 9 KOs) and Miguel Cotto’s cousin, Abner Cotto (17-1, 8 KOs), while running the mountains with Golovkin and Perez in preparation for his upcoming fight. Giving as good as he gets, Funez was happy to see Miskirtchian go to Belgian this past week and claim the IBF Featherweight Elimination Title bout over France’s Sofiane Takoucht.

Funez and Golovkin Funez and Perez

“I believe Juan has the tools to become an exciting world-class fighter and Joe and I are prepared to do everything to make sure he reaches his goals,” said Ricky Funez, who had a limited fight career, but spent many years in the gym learning the ropes as a trainer under the guidance of Joe.

The “Little Creek Brawl IV” main event, broadcast on ESPN Friday Night Fights and presented by Corona Extra™ will feature an NABO Light Heavyweight Title clash between top undefeated prospect Thomas Williams Jr. (15-0, 10 KOs) of Fort Washington, Maryland and Houston based contender Cornelius White (21-2, 16 KOs), with former World Champion Rico Ramos (22-3, 12 KOs) taking on upset-minded Jonathan Arellano (14-2-2, 3 KOs) in a 10-round semi-main Featherweight Bout.

Advance tickets priced at $40 can be purchased by calling (800) 667-7711 or online at www.Little-Creek.com. Doors will open on the night of the event at 4:30 p.m. with the first bell at 5:00 p.m. For more information and directions to the Little Creek Casino Resort, please visit their website at www.Little-Creek.com

Beverly Hills, California (January 14, 2014) Boxing’s fastest rising superstar Gennady “GGG” Golovkin hit the 2014 Golden Globe Awards Sunday night at the Beverly Hills Hilton where he met many Hollywood stars from across the entertainment world.

Among the stars Gennady met were award winning actors, Michael Douglas, Tom Hanks and Matt Damon in addition to Michael K. Williams of Boardwalk Empire (“Chalky White”) and Rex Lee of Entourage (“Lloyd”)

The undefeated WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion was also present among boxing royalty, “Iron” Mike Tyson and unified Heavyweight World Champion Wladimir Klitschko as well as Hall of Fame Ring Announcer Michael Buffer and HBO Boxing Commentator Jim Lampley.

“It was a tremendous night for Gennady to meet some of his Hollywood idols. We are actively marketing Gennady in the entertainment industry in order to create boxing’s next mainstream star, “said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions who accompanied Gennady to the gala.

Boasting an extraordinary record of 28-0-0 with 25 knockouts, Golovkin’s impact on the boxing world has been illustrated by the unprecedented rise in broadcast ratings for his title defenses telecast on HBO over the last eighteen months.

Golovkin will be making his 10th world title defense on FEBRUARY 1 against world rated contender Osumanu Adama, 22-3-0 (16KO’s) of Ghana. “GGG” is returning to Monte Carlo where he fought in front of an array of European celebrities last March including Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco and boxing legend “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler.

Golovkin’s previous bout in Monaco on MARCH 30, 2013 resulted in Yahoo Sports’ Knockout of the Year against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida who had never been previously stopped.

Golovkin has won fifteen fights in a row by knockout, most recently stopping Curtis Stevens on NOVEMBER 2 at Madison Square Garden and his KO ratio of 89.29% is the highest among all active world champions and the highest in the history of the middleweight division.

The Stevens’ knockout completed a sensational year, which saw Golovkin also being named USA Today’s Fighter of the Year.

Golovkin vs. Adama is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions and Monte Carlo SBM.

VENICE, CA (January 6, 2014) Boxing’s fastest rising superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin has been honored with numerous year-end awards capping an extraordinary year of achievement for the WBA and IBO Middleweight World Champion, which saw four knockout performances in the ring and tremendous growth in his TV ratings.

Among the many awards honoring his 2013 calendar were USA Today’s “Fighter of the Year” and Yahoo Sports’ “Knockout of the Year” from his dominant stoppage over former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida on MARCH 30 in Monte Carlo.

ESPN.com honored Golovkin by naming two of his four knockouts among their top five “Knockouts of the Year” for the Ishida stoppage and a spectacular body shot stoppage over Matthew Macklin on JUNE 29.

Additionally, Jim Lampley speaking on HBO’s The Fight Game named Golovkin the “Fighter of the Year” alluding to his burgeoning rise in the sporting world along with his rapidly rising fan base as outlined by his soaring TV ratings on the network.

Golokvin was also named “Fighter of the Year” in two fan polls for RingTv.com and World Boxing News further proving his popularity with boxing fans.

“What were seeing with Gennady is truly unique,” said Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions. “From his first HBO bout in the United States in September of 2012, his TV ratings have continued to rise dramatically with media and fan interest increasing with every appearance.”

“With a substantial increase in TV ratings with each fight, Gennady truly was the breakout star of 2013 not only in the United States but internationally as well.”

The televised audience of 1,411,000 for Golovkin’s knockout of Stevens brought it to third place for 2013 in the year’s ratings for a cable boxing telecast.

Continued Loeffler, “We look forward to Gennady’s return to action on FEBRUARY 1 and another outstanding year as he continues to pursue the biggest challenges.”

Golovkin will kick off his 2014 schedule with his tenth title defense against top rated challenger Osumanu Adama, who has never been stopped, in his return to Monte Carlo on FEBRUARY 1. “GGG” has stopped fifteen opponents in a row and his knockout ratio (89.29%) ranks as the highest among all active world champions and the highest in the history of the middleweight division.

Over the last decade, K2 Promotions has promoted the most heavyweight championship title bouts of any promoter worldwide. K2 Promotions is one of Boxing’s most respected promoters showcasing boxing’s biggest events in the US and Europe at many of the world’s premier venues.

The Managing Director of K2 Promotions is Tom Loeffler.

It’s a holiday treat for HBO Boxing fans. Over five consecutive nights in late December, the HBO2 service will present 10 of the year’s standout fights, spotlighting some of the biggest names in the sport in riveting performances. Featured are signature wins by Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Timothy Bradley Jr. and Carl Froch plus breakout victories by rising stars Gennady Golovkin, Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev.

Starting Monday, Dec. 23, HBO2 will replay 10 major league showdowns from this year over five consecutive nights. Each night the doubleheader of action starts at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. Fight fans will get to revisit the most memorable, most significant and most compelling bouts that were televised on HBO, including a couple of slugfests that are clear favorites for “Fight of the Year” honors.
The “Boxing’s Best” lineup includes:
Monday, December 23 at 11:00 p.m.
Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler II
Sergey Kovalev vs. Nathan Cleverly
Tuesday, December 24 at 11:00 p.m.
Timothy Bradley Jr. vs. Ruslan Provodnikov

Miguel Cotto vs. Delvin Rodriguez
Wednesday, December 25 at 11:00 p.m.
Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado II

Gennady Golovkin vs. Matthew Macklin
Thursday, December 26 at 11:00 p.m.
Timothy Bradley Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez

Adonis Stevenson vs. Chad Dawson
Friday, December 27 at 11:00 p.m.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios

James Kirkland vs. Glen Tapia

*Winners names are in italics.
All times are ET/PT.
“Boxing’s Best” will be available on HBO ON DEMAND® and HBO GO®

2013 Highlights:
HBO Boxing traveled to four continents this year (North America, Europe, South America and Asia) illustrating the sport’s global appeal and reach. Fight fans were presented live fights from exciting destinations in Macau, Moscow, Montreal and Buenos Aires.
The roster of elite fighters appearing on HBO in 2013 included: Sergio Martinez, Manny Pacquiao, Andre Ward, Gennady Golovkin, Timothy Bradley Jr., Wladimir Klitschko, Mike Alvarado, Juan Manuel Marquez, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Miguel Cotto, Carl Froch, Mikkel Kessler, Brandon Rios, Nonito Donaire and Mikey Garcia.
Emerging stars who made their HBO debut this year, launching an impressive wave of new attractions on the network included: Ruslan Provodnikov, Adonis Stevenson, Sergey Kovalev and Terence Crawford.
The two top-rated boxing series on cable television are on HBO, the leading television platform for the sport in the U.S. HBO Boxing has delivered 21 of the top 25 bouts on cable television in 2013.

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Monte Carlo (December 3, 2013) Boxing’s fastest rising superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin will return to Monte Carlo, on Saturday, FEBRUARY 1 to defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) Middleweight Championship belts against former world title challenger Osumanu Adama in the main event of “Monte Carlo Night of Champions.”

“Monte Carlo Night of Champions” is presented by Africa’s promotional giant, Golden Gloves of South Africa. The Golvokin/Adama world title clash is presented in association with K2 Promotions and GGG Promotions. Detailed ticket information for the event at the beautiful Salle des Etoiles venue on the peninsula of Monte Carlo will be announced shortly. Monte Carlo is known as one of the premier cities in the world and one of the most beautiful tourist destinations.

A leading candidate for 2013’s “Fighter of the Year”, Golovkin, 28-0-0 (25KO’s) has become a must-see international attraction with an unprecedented rise in his ratings in the United States and millions tuning in around the globe for his extraordinary performances. He had four sensational knockouts this year and his knockout ratio is the highest among all active titleholders.

Adama is a native of the boxing rich country of Ghana and now lives and trains in Chicago, Illinois. The hard-hitting middleweight, 22-3-0 (16KO’s), has faced world-class opponents and has never been stopped. In March 2012, he travelled to Australia to challenge Daniel Geale for the IBF title, losing a very hard fought decision. Adama is rated #3 by the IBO and #14 by the WBA in the world ratings.

“I’m very happy to return to Monte Carlo and excited to face Adama. I know he’s a very tough opponent and I’m looking forward to putting on another great performance for the fans in Monte Carlo and those watching around the world,” said Golovkin.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to challenge boxing’s best,” said Adama. “I’ve already begun training and I will bring the titles with me back to Chicago on FEBRUARY 1.” Adama is promoted by CFC Promotions of Chicago.

“Gennady is committed to staying active and fighting the toughest opponents willing to get in the ring with him,” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions. “He’s anxious to make a quick return to the ring and looking forward to the challenge of defending his titles against Adama in Monte Carlo on FEBRUARY 1.”

“Gennady has distinguished himself as among the most popular and most watched boxers in the world, far surpassing many other world champions in TV ratings this year.”

In his last fight on NOVEMBER 2, Golovkin fought at “The Mecca of Boxing”, Madison Square Garden, where he dominated hard punching challenger Curtis Stevens over eight rounds earning his 15th knockout in a row and 9th straight title defense.

The fight was the third highest rated cable boxing telecast of 2013 and marked a 29% ratings jump from Golovkin’s overpowering third round stoppage of Matthew Macklin on JUNE 29.

“Gennady is one of the hottest sporting athletes in the world and we’re honored to promote his return to Monte Carlo,” said Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves of South Africa. “His debut here in March was attended by celebrities from all over Europe including Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco as well as boxing legend Marvin Hagler, who all watched from ringside.”

“With his spectacular power and amazing knockout ratio, Golovkin represents the very best of boxing,” enthused Berman. “I couldn’t think of a more exciting fighter to top the bill in Monte Carlo, particularly as he did so well last time. And credit to the challenger, who is one of the few fighters willing to step in against Golovkin.”

Golovkin has been on the fast track since signing with Tom Loeffler and K2. After making his debut on HBO in September of 2012, he has appeared four times on the largest television platform for the sport in the U.S. and has seen extraordinary audience growth worldwide.

From his first appearance on HBO versus Grzegorz Proska in upstate New York to his most recent outing against Stevens, HBO viewership has increased by 106 percent. The triumph against Stevens was seen live by 1,410,000 HBO viewers, peaking at 1,566,000 viewers.

In his last fight in Monte Carlo, Golovkin stopped former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida in the third round on MARCH 30 with a battering right hand, a knockout which is at the top of the “Knockout of the Year” polls by fans and media.

This world class event is exclusively distributed internationally by leading boxing rights distributor and sports marketing firm, Octapixx LIVE, and the company is presently in conversation with top broadcasters worldwide to ensure that the “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” can be seen by sports fans everywhere.

Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco is one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and attracts millions of visitors each year. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, owned and operated by the Monte-Carlo SBM Group, is the premiere casino destination in Europe. It continues to attract gamblers among the wealthiest and most well known celebrities. For further information please visit their website at www.MonteCarloSBM.com

A country rich in sports history, Monaco is also home of the world famous Formula 1 Grand Prix motor race and many major international events such as the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.