The June day Manny Pacquiao lost to Timothy Bradley began with a media breakfast in the airy, open interior of Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill at MGM Grand, where the company generally outpaces the fare and certainly did that morning. Most of the writers you know were there, along with Harold Lederman and other HBO employees. All were gathered to meet a touted middleweight from Kazakhstan scheduled to fight a Russian, Dmitry Pirog, returning from a banishment he gained in 2010 by unmanning Danny “Golden Child” Jacobs.

Gennady Golovkin’s English that morning was limited mainly to “nice” and “happy” and a disarming smile he directed at his trainer, Abel Sanchez, who said several times his charge brought historic gifts of power and class. And experienced, serious writers, elders of the craft, did not joke about Golovkin’s bemusing interview either, serious as they were about what sources said about him.

Saturday Golovkin will make his second appearance on HBO, and his fifth defense of the WBA’s middleweight belt, against Philadelphia junior middleweight Gabriel Rosado, on a card they share with Mikey Garcia and Orlando Salido who will make a battle for the WBO featherweight title that makes even xerostomic curmudgeons salivate. Of the four fighters, Golovkin must win in a surprisingly spectacular way, which will be tricky because expectations of him are quite high. There’ll be no fooling aficionados this time, in other words, no trotting-out a short-notice Pole with an unpronounceable first name like Grzegorz Proksa then feigning shock or delight when Golovkin brings ruin to a very difficult opponent you’d never heard of.

Aficionados have heard of Gabriel Rosado, have seen him fight, and know he was knocked sideways by Alfredo Angulo 3 1/2 years ago at 154 pounds. Rosado benefits from geography, excellent promotion and doing the right thing, challenging for a middleweight title at 160 pounds, but none of those convinces anyone worth convincing he is more than a showcase opponent for Golovkin.

Golovkin is apparently boxing’s new most-avoided fighter, which is another way of saying his talent in the ring is disproportionate to his talent in the box office. Other fighters who wore this moniker – Antonio Margarito and Paul Williams – proved much less fearsome once they found a way to sell tickets, or in Williams’ case, HBO purses. Golovkin is rather friendly if not yet eloquent, but unlike Latino fighters about which the same can be said, Golovkin suffers a want of Kazakhstani journalists and ticket-buying enclaves; he may soon win fans with merit, but he is unlikely to do so with ethnic interest, or else his HBO debut in September would have been in New York, NY – like Saturday’s card – not Verona, NY.

Golovkin has HBO’s interest, though, and that is often more lucrative than interesting boxing fans. Golovkin’s debut on the network featured at times embarrassingly effusive praise from the usual suspects, abetted by fans’ general ignorance of who Proksa was. There will be no like abetment with Rosado, who has fought on NBC Sports Network, and whose limitations are well catalogued. That is why Golovkin must do better than look good, win an eventual stoppage or hope HBO’s promotional machinery can overwhelm viewers; Golovkin must do something that startles a universal consensus into declaring whoever wins Martinez-Chavez II must face him next.

Mikey Garcia will be under less performance pressure Saturday, if by performance pressure one means a need to be entertaining, not merely victorious. Garcia can afford to follow an adage-cum-cliché that goes “Win tonight, look good next time” because there is no known way to beat Orlando Salido without getting hit by him. Garcia, invincible looking till his last performance, has defense that is not impregnable and speed that is not invisible and can be both hit and defended. But that’s about the most that can be done with him, and one is made wretched by its doing. Salido can be hit, he is especially vulnerable to left hooks as he throws them, but he also tosses a blindman’s overhand right developed, in his career’s 53 prizefights, to punish the whimsy of fellow Latinos ether lazy to bring their jabs home or premature to cock their hooks.

The promotional idea Saturday is to test Garcia and get him a first world title. Garcia is ready; he may even have been ready more than two years ago when he undid Cornelius Lock at Laredo Energy Arena in an IBF featherweight eliminator. He will be tested in a new and thorough way by Salido, unless Salido’s two fights with Juan Manuel Lopez, and rigorous schedule, have aged him more than expected, which is possible. Promoter Top Rank would not have made this match with Salido – one of its signature trial horses – if it did not think Garcia was ready, but how much of that readiness is attributable to Garcia’s prowess and how much to Salido’s reduction remains to be seen.

Salido knows his role, or at least fights like a man who suspects his role and resents it. Every gainfully employed trial horse believes he can win; Salido is an uncommon case of one who does win, or at least scares the hell out of what thoroughbreds he races. Salido does a lot of things wrong, like touch his gloves before attacks, but Garcia will find striking Salido is the easiest part of fighting him. What happens when Salido soldiers through those strikes to blast Garcia with shots of his own will read for us Garcia’s fortune.

Saturday Golovkin will probably make the more spectacular fight, he has the opponent for it, but if Garcia is able to stop Salido, he will have redoubled aficionados’ belief in his potential in a way Golovkin’s opponent will almost certainly forbid the Kazakhstani from doing.

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com

An encore of a year loaded with explosive signs of renewal might be a tall order, but chances of one in 2013 are there on the calendar’s opening page with the New Year’s first marquee card featuring Gennady Golovkin in a Home Box Office bout against tough Gabriel Rosado on Jan. 19 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Last year will be remembered for the Juan Manuel Marquez punch that knocked out Manny Pacquiao in early December. There’s a lot of talk about Marquez-Pacquiao V. No surprise there. Who wouldn’t want to see another one? But it’s a fight that figures to stand alone. It’s already a classic, probably because no encore is possible. That right hand from Marquez might represent goodbye to a rich era memorable more for what happened than what didn’t in all the futile speculation about Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. Time to move on, or at least take a closer look at those who might carry the business into the next era.

Golovkin has the look of somebody who can.

Golovkin’s 2012 was a season of introducing himself to the U.S. market after years of learning and refining his craft in Europe. In Germany, the Kazakhstani middleweight was a name. In 2012, he became a marketable face. In 2013, the guess is that he will take another step in a process. If last year was an introduction, the New Year promises to be one in which he becomes the fighter everybody avoids. By everybody, we mean Sergio Martinez, Andre Ward and anybody else who would have much to lose against Golovkin. On the risk-and-reward scale, Golovkin is still too much of a gamble. But that scale can change with fights and media.

Golovkin isn’t wasting any time. His potential signature on 2013 begins in the New Year’s first month and on the network that looks for stars and creates them. If Golovkin remains unbeaten and HBO’s interest stays in place, it won’t be long before the reward outweighs the risk enough to attract Ward or Martinez into one of the biggest fights since, say, Marquez-Pacquiao IV.

For Golovkin, the immediate task is Rosado, who also has much to gain on Jan. 19. The guess here is that Rosado will challenge Golovkin for a few rounds. But Golovkin’s overall skill set will prove to be too much for Rosado, who has campaigned mostly at 154 pounds. Golovkin was prepared to fight at a catch weight, 158. Rosado said no. The contract was subsequently amended. They’ll fight at the traditional 160. I’m not sure two pounds make much difference, but they were worth their weight in terms of publicity and what they said about both fighters.

Golovkin has always said he’s willing to fight at almost any weight. Two pounds were a concession to Rosado and a confirmation of Golovkin’s willingness to move up and down scale. Rosado’s demand for 160 indicates an old-school determination to do things without gamesmanship as tired as it is annoying.

“I don’t want any excuses,’’ Rosado said Wednesday in a news release.

That’s as good a resolution as any for a new generation that in a New Year has a chance to pick up where last year ended.

ANECDOTES FROM OUTSIDE THE ROPES
· In a sure sign that Jose Canseco has fallen off the financial cliff and can’t get up, the former baseball slugger and steroid accuser/user says he wants to fight Shaquille O’Neal in an MMA bout sometime in 2013.

· By most accounts, the Latin vote was a key to President Barack Obama’s re-election in November. Can’t help but think that the emerging American demographic was also a reason for last year’s rebound in the boxing business, which included a return to NBC and CBS.

· Ray Lewis is retiring after 17 years as a Baltimore Ravens linebacker. Lewis was often mentioned as an example of what’s happened to the heavyweight division. To wit: America’s best heavyweights are all playing in the NFL these days. Lewis might have been a great American heavyweight. But we’re hoping that means he doesn’t announce a comeback in a few months.

AZ NOTES
Michelle Rosado of Phoenix returns to the promotional ring on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Arizona Event Center in Mesa with a card scheduled to include popular super-bantamweight Emilio Colon-Garcia. First bell is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (January 2, 2013) World ranked challenger “King” Gabriel Rosado was incredulous when he discovered that his world championship bout against WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin set for JANUARY 19 at Madison Square Garden in New York City would be fought at a catch weight of 158.

“The first I heard about the catch weight was at the media lunch on December 1, I never asked for it, that was my advisor Russell Peltz’s idea” said Rosado. “I’m happy Russell is looking out for my best interests but we’re fighting at 160.”

“Golovkin is the champion and out of respect to him and towards the sport of boxing we will fight at the middleweight limit of 160 pounds. When I beat him, I don’t want any excuses about the extra two pounds he had to lose. I will beat him at his best, fair and square.” Even though Rosado looks physically much bigger than Golovkin, he has fought the majority of his professional bouts at the junior middleweight limit of 154 pounds.

“The old-timers didn’t need any catch weights, they were real men. Middleweight champions fight at 160 and that’s what I want.”

In accordance with Rosado’s wishes the contract for the world championship bout will be amended to the middleweight limit of 160.

Said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions; “I was surprised when I got the call to increase the weight to 160. I have to give Rosado a lot of credit, he is very confident and that is what makes this such a great fight. It should be the fight of the night on a great show and tickets have been selling very well.”

“GOLOVKIN VS. ROSADO” which will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT, is a 12-round battle between WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady Golovkin and world ranked challenger “King” Gabriel Rosado set for Saturday, January 19 at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden, ‘The Mecca of Boxing” in New York City.

Promoted by Top Rank Incorporated and K2 Promotions, the World Championship Tripleheader also features Orlando “SIRI” Salido defending his WBO Featherweight Title against undefeated No. 1 contender Mikey Garcia and two-time WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez clashing with No. 1 contender Juan Carlos “Mini” Burgos.

Remaining tickets, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, are currently available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.

Sources have confirmed that Gennady Golovkin will defend the WBA Middleweight title against Philadelphia’s Gabriel Rosado on January 19th at the Theater at Madison Square Garden as part of an HBO televised Tripleheader.

Golovkin, 24-0 with twenty-one knockouts will be making his second appearance on HBO after his scintillating fifth round destruction of Grzgorz Proksa on September 1st in Verona, NY.

Rosado has a record of 21-5 with thirteen knockouts will be moving up in weight from Jr. Middleweight is riding a seven fight win streak.

Also rumored for the bill will be a Featherweight title bout between Orlando Salido and Mikey Garcia as well as the WBO Super Featherweight championship bout between Roman Martinez and Juan Carlos Burgos

The world’s “Uncrowned” #1 154-lb contender “King” Carlos Molina (20-5-2, 6 KOs) is offering help to WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin with his quest to find an opponent.

Golovkin’s trainer, Abel Sanchez, was recently quoted as claiming that no one wants to face his fighter, and so far no opponent for Golovkin has been announced.

“I will!” said the eager Molina. “We can do it at 154 or at any weight between 154 AND 160 lbs. It doesn’t matter to me. If you want a top opponent to face, here I am. Let’s do this.”

Russia’s Golovkin (24-0, 21 KOs) is scheduled for a January 19 HBO appearance in New York, and Sanchez went so far as claiming Edwin Rodriguez turned down a half million dollars for the fight.

Despite the five losses on his ledger, Molina truly is the uncrowned number one contender. His 20-5-2 record includes draws with Erislandy Lara and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., both fights most people thought he clearly won. His disqualification against Kirkland was one of boxing’s truly low moments, and he also ended up on the wrong end of several other bad split-decision losses early in his career.

In fact, it is Molina who is the fighter truly willing to fight anyone between 147 and 160 lbs.

“I got you Gennady. Bring your half a million and your boxing gloves and let’s fight. I’m not busy January 19 and I’d love to be world middleweight champion. Call my people and let’s make a deal.”

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (November 1, 2012) The World Boxing Association announced that Daniel Geale will be stripped of his “Super Champion” status and Gennady Golovkin is named as their “sole WBA middleweight champion”. President Gilberto Mendoza made the declaration at the WBA’s 91st Annual Convention in Jakarta.

Geale won the WBA “Super Champion” title when he unified the WBA and IBF titles by winning a decision over existing WBA “Super Champion” Felix Sturm on SEPTEMBER 1 in Oberhausen, Germany.

However, because of Sturm’s long overdue mandatory obligation to Golovkin, the WBA declared the winner of Sturm/Geale bout must face the winner of Golovkin/Grzegorz Proksa by DECEMBER 31.

Golovkin defeated Proksa by stopping him in the fifth round in a very impressive performance. Geale has since declined to face Golovkin announcing he will fight Anthony Mundine in JANUARY 2013 in Australia.

“We commend the WBA for clearing up this long overdue situation and recognizing Gennady as their only champion in the middleweight division. Gennady is proud to be the WBA and IBO champion and looks forward to returning to the ring soon” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions.

Geale had a great win over Sturm in Germany, however he soon joined many others in avoiding Gennady. Geale turned down a potential lucrative fight against Golovkin on HBO to sign for the Mundine fight. “We don’t blame Geale and his team for taking a safer fight, however they knew the obligations they would have prior to the Sturm fight. Geale is still IBF champion and if he continues to win, this might be a great unification fight in the future.”

Golovkin, now 24-0-0 with 21 knockouts, made his highly anticipated HBO and United States debut on SEPTEMBER 1, impressively stopping #3 WBA ranked and European Champion Grzegorz Proksa in the fifth round at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY.

Plans for Golovkin’s next fight will be announced shortly.

ABOUT K2 PROMOTIONS

K2 Promotions currently promotes the unified heavyweight champions, Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. 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 some of the world’s premier venues.

For more information, please visit their website at

www.K-2Promotions.com

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 11, 2012) WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady Golovkin is headed to Southern California this weekend to begin training at The Summit in Big Bear, California with heralded trainer Abel Sanchez.

Prior to the start of training, Golovkin, Sanchez and Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions will attend the HBO televised epic double-header at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California featuring world title bouts between Nonito Donaire and Toshiako Nishioka and Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado.

Although specific details on his upcoming fight have not been finalized, Golovkin is anxious to get back into training.

“Gennady has been at home now for about a month with his family in Germany,” said Sanchez. “His next fight will take place before the end of the year and I felt it was better to start camp now.”

“Daniel Geale and Gennady have until December 31, 2012 to fight each other according to the WBA middleweight resolution”, said Loeffler. “Even though Geale is a warrior, he has spoken about fighting everyone else except Gennady. We should have an official announcement shortly about GGG’s next fight”

Golovkin made his US and HBO televised debut on September 1, stopping European champion and #3 WBA ranked Grzegorz Proksa in the fifth round at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY.

“The response from Gennady’s last fight has been sensational and we know the boxing world is very interested in when he is fighting again. Gennady is just as excited to get back in the ring” said Loeffler.

ABOUT K2 PROMOTIONS

K2 Promotions currently promotes the unified heavyweight champions, Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. 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 some of the world’s premier venues.

For more information, please visit their website at

K2 Promotions

VERONA, NY (September 1, 2012) The referee for tonight’s WBA Middleweight World Championship bout between defending champion Gennady Golovkin and challenger Grzegorz Proksa will be Charlie Fitch. Judging the scheduled twelve round bout will be Edwin “Wynn” Kintz, Thomas Schreck and Don Ackerman.

The WBA Supervisor is George Martinez and the IBO supervisor is Ed Levine. Golovkin is the IBO Middleweight Champion however his title will not be contested for in this bout.

The Golovkin/Proksa clash takes place LIVE on HBO”s Boxing After Dark from the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY, 9:45ET/PT.

ABOUT K2 PROMOTIONS

K2 Promotions currently promotes the unified heavyweight champions, Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. 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 some of the world’s premier venues.

For more information, please visit their website at

www.K-2Promotions.com

VERONA, NY (September 1, 2012)—Gennady Golovkin made a statement to the American boxing fans that he is a forced to be reckoned with as he scored a scintillating fifth round stoppage over Grzegorz Proksa to retain the WBA Middleweight championship at the Turning Stone Casino Resort.

The Bout Headlined HBO Boxing After Dark.

Golovkin dominated the bout from the outset as he dropped Proksa in the opening frame.

Golovkin continued to pummel Proksa by bullying him around the ring. The challenger showed tremendous courage by fighting toe to toe with the heavy handed Golovkin.

Golovkin battered Proksa along the ropes in round four before scoring his second knockdown in the fight. Golovkin ended things with a vicious flurry of punches that sent Proksa down and out and the fight was stopped at 1:11 of round five

Golovkin of Kazakhstan is now 24-0 with twenty-one knockouts. Proksa of Poland is now 28-2.

“It was a good first fight in America”, said Golovkin.

Ï am ready for anyone and that includes the winner of Martinez and Chavez Jr. I hope to be back in December”

Sergiy Dzinziruk and Jonathan Gonzalez battle to a twelve round draw in the Jr. Middleweight co-feature. There was drama even before the fight started as Gonzalez missed the 154 pound weight limit by a staggering nine pounds and had a ten pound weight advantage as they entered the ring as he tipped the scales at 172 pounds while Dzinziruk was 162.

It was a close fight with Dzinziruk trying to establish his “Razor“ jab while Gonzalez was successful with counter right hands. Both fighters had good moments of sustained action.

When the scores were announced, nothing was settled as they read 117-111 for Gonzalez; 115-113 for Dzinziruk and 114-114.

Gonzalez is now 15-0-1. Dzinziuk is 37-1-1.

Ï was uncomfortable but I thought I won the fight”, said a disappointed Gonzalez.”

When asked about his weight difficulties, Gonzalez said “It took a lot of strength out of me”

Dzinziruk was also disappointed as he said “He was heavy when he pushed against me. It was tough to say who won but it was close”

Ï was off for fifteen months and it was tough to get going as I felt rusty”

Tony Luis remained perfect with a one punch body shot knockout in round one of a scheduled six round Jr. Welterweight bout.

The end came at of the opening frame and Luis of nearby Cornwall, Ontario and is now 15-0 with seven knockouts. Ledesma is now 18-21

Tureano Johnson remained perfect by stopping Cleven Ishe due to a cut around the left eye at 2:23 of round four.

Johnson of Nassau, Bahamas is now 11-0 with eight knockouts. Ishe is 3-9-1.

Bryan Clookey and Rayshawn Myers battled to a four round draw in a Cruiserweight bout.

Scores were 39-37 for each fighter and 38-38.

Clookey is 4-0-2. Myers is 4-14-1.

Jorge Maysonet Jr. dropped Bryan Abraham twice in eighty-four seconds en route to the first round stoppage in their scheduled eight round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Maysonet of Puerto Rico is now 9-0 with eight knockouts. Abraham is now 6-14-2.

Shawn Miller pitched a shutout and scored a four round unanimous decision over Richard Starnino.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards and Miler is now 9-4-1. Starnino is 9-10-2.

In the opener, Ryan McKenzie knocked at Borngod Washington with a crush left hook at 2:30 of the sixth and final round of their Light Heavyweight bout.

McKenzie of nearby Syracuse, NY is now 10-0 with 10 KO’s. Washington is now 3-12.

VERONA, NEW YORK (August 30, 2012)-This Afternoon the final press conference was held at the Showroom at The Turning Stone Casino Resort for Saturday Night’s HBO Boxing After Dark card that will take place in the Events Center.

In the main event, WBA Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin will defend his title against European champion Grzegorz Proksa. In the co-feature, former WBO Jr. Middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk will battle undefeated Puerto Rican Jonathan Gonzalez.

The action starts on HBO at 9:45 pm EST / PAC.

Below are quotes from the fighters and Promoters involved in the card.

Artie Pelullo (Promoter Banner Promotions)—this is a show with two compelling fights. The co-feature is a turning point for both fighters. One has been there and the other is trying to get there”

Gennady Golovkin (WBA Middleweight Champion)—“Proksa is a good boxer and very strong” “This is my dream to fight in America.

Abel Sanchez (Trainer of Golovkin)—“We anticipate a very difficult fight”

Tom Loeffler (K2 Promotions-Promoter of Golovkin)—“This coming Saturday is a realization of a dream for Gennady to defend his title in America. We Give Grzegorz credit for wanting this fight. Both guys are big punchers”

Grzgorz Proksa (European Middleweight champion)—“15 years ago when I started to box, this was my dream to fight for the championship. I know he is a top level boxer and I am excited for this fight”

Charles Giles (British Boxing Board of Control)—“Grzegorz has a great opportunity and I am sure he will make the best of it

Sergiy Dizinziruk (Former WBO Jr. Middleweight champion)—“I will show what I can do on Saturday and this will be a wonderful show”

Jonathan Gonzalez (Undefeated Puerto Rican Jr. Middleweight)—“Saturday will be another hurdle that I will get over

Leon Margules (Warriors Boxing—Promoter of Gonzalez)—“We believe that Jonathan is the next Puerto Rican Superstar”

Greg Cohen (Greg Cohen Promotions)—“It doesn’t get much bigger then a world titlefight on HBO. The main event has Fight of the Year written all over it. The co-feature should be non-stop action deserving of a world title shot. In the next eighteen month, Tony Luis should be fighting for a world title”

What’s known about Kazakhstan by a U.S. audience that gets most of its news from late-night comedians probably comes from the film, Borat, a so-called mock-u-mentary. If Gennady Golovkin has his way however, his homeland will be remembered for its boxing more than jokes about potassium and clean prostitutes. It won’t be easy. Perceptions are as durable as a memorable punch line. But maybe — just maybe — Golovkin has a chance. The journey from a Central Asian nation as faraway as a remote planet for geographically-challenged Americans has already been attempted. Vassiliy Jirov did it a decade before Borat landed in American theaters..

Jirov arrived in the U.S., upset Antonio Tarver at the 1996 Olympics, won a gold medal for Kazakhstan, was awarded the Val Barker trophy for being the best boxer at the Atlanta Games, learned English, got an Arizona driver’s license and lost in 2003 to James Toney in one of the best fights during the last decade. Jirov never got a rematch with Toney. He never got a shot at the money that might have been there in a bout with Roy Jones Jr. Big dollars eluded him. So, too, did many of the dollars owed him for fights he won and contracts he signed.

No, the American dream wasn’t there for Jirov, who is the first of what has become a Kazakhstan tradition for great Olympic boxers. But he served as a pathfinder, a guide perhaps for Golovkin (23-0, 20 KOs), who introduces himself to the U.S. Saturday night against Poland’s Grzegorz Proksa (28-1, 21 KOs) in Verona, N.Y., at Turning Stone Casino in a middleweight title fight televised by HBO’s Boxing After Dark.

“They’ve talked,” said trainer Abel Sanchez, who once worked Terry Norris’ corner, yet says Golovkin is the best he has ever trained. “Gennady says Vassiliy just told him to be himself. Every fighter is different. He told Gennady to use his own strengths.”

Jirov, who lives in Phoenix and works as a trainer in the city’s many gyms, said he didn’t try to advise Golovkin on what and what not to do during their first meeting about two years ago.

“My experience is not anybody else’s,” said Jirov, whose Barker Award in 1996 was followed by two more for Kazakhstan with welterweight Bakhtiyar Arkyev in 2004 and Serik Sapiyev, also a welterweight, at the London Games a couple of weeks ago. “My experience was a good one. I’m happy with what happened. I’m happy that Gennady is trying. I like anybody who tries something new. That’s what creates opportunities.

“From talking to him, I really think he has very good chance of being very good as a pro in this country. With his power and skill, his potential in this country is great. He’s smart, very smart.”

He also has at least a couple of advantages that Jirov did not.

One is the weight class.

“A key difference, I think, is that Gennady is a middleweight and Vassiliy fought mostly as a cruiserweight,” Sanchez said.

Jirov was at his best in a lost division. There’s a reason fighters like David Haye are quick to to move up and out. No matter what the passport says, nobody pays much attention to the snoozerweights. For Jirov, that meant an even more difficult task at becoming known in the American market. He was always most comfortable at 190 pounds. A move to heavyweight, a business decision, led to mixed results with a TKO loss to Michael Moorer and a strange fight in 2004 with Joe Mesi, who won a decision, yet suffered a dangerous head injury — reported bleeding on the brain. The Mesi bout cemented Jirov’s fate. He wasn’t known by many fans, yet was feared by every potential rival. On the reward scale, Jirov wasn’t worth the risk.

Golovkin, the World Boxing Association’s 160-pound champion, is employed at a much more marketable weight. He also is working in a world-wired era. Although he lacks the name recognition of the known Americans, Mexicans and at least one Filipino, he fights for the first time in the U.S. with the internet and social media as an introduction. Digital hype has preceded him. Jirov didn’t have that advantage. Of course, Golovkin has to fulfill the promise.

“Gennady understands that the American public wants knockouts,” Sanchez says. “Whichever round it is, they want to see a knockout.”

Intriguing knockout power is evident both in anecdotes from Golovkin’s training camp and his record. Twenty knockouts in 23 victories add up to a hint of power that is hard to resist for even a casual fan. Golovkin is worth a look. But Jirov had plenty of marketable power himself. A missing element in Jirov’s marketing plan was an interim step. Golovkin has taken it. Instead of jumping straight into the American market in the transition from amateur to pro, the 30-year-old silver medalist from the 2004 Olympics first created a European market for himself. He moved to Germany and pounded out an unbeaten record impossible to ignore in any language and on any continent.

Can Golovkin take that next step with an entertaining style that will make him known, feared and worth the risk for familiar names always seeking the biggest reward?

“I really hope so,” said Jirov, who deserves a thank-you if Golovkin completes what he began 16 years ago.

August 29, 2012 – Undefeated power puncher and Team Puerto Rico member, Jorge “Machito” Maysonet, Jr. (8-0, 7 KOs) will be seeing action off TV this Saturday, September 1, against journeyman, Bryan Abraham (6-13-2, 6 KOs). The fight will be taking place at the Turning Point Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. The feature bout of the evening will be between WBA Middleweight Champion, Gennady Golovkin (23-0, 20 KOs) facing off against Grzegorz Proksa (28-1, 21 KOs).

“I know my opponent is ambidextrous, and he’s also a heavy puncher but the crowd can expect a lot of action on my part because I don’t like running,” said Maysonet, who is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, Warriors Boxing and Universal Promotions. “I like fighting head on but I’m ready to obtain the victory by any means necessary.”

Maysonet will be fighting at the lightweight division in a bout scheduled for 8 rounds.

“The training has augmented in the sparring sessions, and in the intensity of the workouts, I believe that I will be stronger and more intelligent in the ring” said the young 22 year old fighter, who is trained by his father Jorge Maysonet Sr., a former world title contender.

“Machito” had a stellar amateur career, racking up 140 victories with only 10 defeats, with 40 wins coming by way of knockout. In his amateur boxing timeline, Maysonet won various local tournaments, most notably the “Isaac Barientos” and “José “Cheo” Aponte” competitions.

In the co-featured bout, heavy handed Puerto Rican knockout artist, Jonathan “Mantequilla” González (15-0, 13 KOs) will clash against former WBA light-middleweight World Champion, Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk (37-1, 23 KOs) from the Ukraine.

Both main event and co-main event bouts will be televised live on HBO BOXING AFTER DARK® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

This event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, Arthur Pelullo/Banner Promotions, K2 Promotions, Greg Cohen Promotions, Matchroom Sport, Warriors Boxing and Universal Promotions.

Team Puerto Rico……….the new wave, once again making a splash…..

Coordinator Welcome to the September 1st HBO Boxing After Dark Conference call. At this time all participants are in a listen-only mode. Later there will be an opportunity for live questions and comments. Instructions will be given at that time. As a reminder, this call is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference call over to our host, Marc Abrams. Marc, please go ahead.

Marc Thank you. I want to welcome everyone to the September 1st HBO Boxing After Dark Conference Call. It’s a great double-header of boxing by Banner Promotions, Gary Shaw Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions, K2, Matchroom Sport, Warriors Boxing, and Universal Promotions of Puerto Rico in the Main Event – the WBA Middle-Weight Championship featuring undefeated champion Gennady Golovkin, 23-0 with 20 knockouts at Kazakhstan taking on the European Middle-Weight Champion, Grzegorg Proksa at 28-1 with 21 knockouts at Poland. We’re opening up the show at 9:45 p.m. Eastern and Pacific will undefeated Puerto Rican Jonathan Gonzalez, 15-0, 13 knock-outs taking on former world champion Sergiy Dzinziruk. Sergiy’s undefeated at junior middle-weight where he’s coming back down. That will be for the WBC Continental America’s Championship. Tickets can be purchased at Turning Stone for $75, $70, $45, $35, and $25, and that number there is 315-361-7469 or www.ticketmaster.com.

To introduce everyone on the call, the CEO of Gary Shaw Productions, Mr. Gary Shaw.

Gary Shaw: Thank you, Marc. I just want to thank everybody for getting on the call, our promotional partners, especially my partner Artie Pelullo from Banner Promotions, Warriors, K2, Matchroom and Universal. This, once again, shows that, if promoters cooperate with one another, they can put on a great show with fighters that don’t necessarily just belong to themselves. We have a great opening bout in Gonzalez and Dzinziruk. It should be a real war. I’m not sure that this fight lasts all 12 rounds, but it is a great, great opening fight for HBO. Obviously, in the Main Event, everybody’s been waiting to see Golovkin fight here in the U.S. Unfortunately, Pirog got hurt, but we were lucky enough to get Proksa from Matchroom and Barry Hearn giving us a great fight against Golovkin. Both of those guys can really swing and that’s another fight that, personally, I don’t see going 12 rounds. But, at any rate, HBO is going to have a great night of boxing on September 1st, and behalf of Artie and myself, I thank you all and we look forward to your questions.

Go ahead, Marc.

Marc Any of the other promoters want to give any opening statements?

Barry Hearn: Hello. Can I say something, Artie and Gary from Barry Hearn and the Matchroom Boxing. It’s just … here. We’ve got a rare sunny day in England and we’re looking forward to some better weather coming out to you guys. We’ve made no doubt about the selection of this fight for us, obviously, Proksa is coming off a big knock-out win on the European title scene and to get a phone call and the opportunity when Pirog hurt his back was a real blessing for us and one that we thank God for and look forward to delivering in style. More importantly, for a fighter like Grzegorz Proksa, the opportunity to appear on HBO, the world’s leading boxing station as far as the perception of fight fans around the world goes is a massive honor and, you know, at the same time it comes with a huge obligation and a demanding fight.

There is no question that the current world champion is an excellent fighter. We have the upmost respect for him. His knock-out record speaks for itself. He’s in for a really tough fight against; I think two of the them represent the two biggest punches in the middle-weight division. Both have a huge knock-out percentage. Both have the ability to take men out with single shots, and I think HBO is in for an exciting fight. If it goes the distance, I’ll be astonished. I think one of these guys is going to … the other guy because that’s the way they fight. These European fighters – these guys are tough. These guys are really tough. We look at our fighters – some in America and some in England – we question ourselves whether they are really tough enough to be in the professional fight game now and the answer is often no. But you will not be disappointed on September 1st. We’re absolutely delighted to be working with Gary and Arty on this. For me, I’m now – I’m getting very old. I’m extremely selective about what fights I watch because I don’t like to waste my time. I would not miss this fight for a million and one dollars and I look forward to seeing you when we fly out there and (unclear).

Gary Shaw: Thank you.

Marc Tom, did you want to say something?

Tom Loeffler Yeah, I wanted to add also as Gary had mentioned, we have a lot of respect from the Golovkin fight for Proksa when Pirog got injured. It seems like there was no hesitation from their side to take the fight, which is a little bit unusual when it comes to picking opponents for Gennady in the past. As he mentioned, both fighters are big punchers. I think this will be a very exciting middle-weight championship fight and I just wanted to also acknowledge and thank Gary Shaw and Artie Pelullo for working together on this particular fight. I think a lot of people know that the original Main Event was planned as Pirog versus … and there was a lot of interchangeable parts there were … and just the fight with … and then Golovkin was going to fight Pirog and Pirog got injured and now it’s Golovkin and Proksa, but it’s a great headline fight and championship fight and will be actually a great month of boxing for the middle-weight division in September so we’re really looking forward to this fight and the debut of Gennady Golovkin on HBO and in the United States.

Marc I guess we’ll start with the co-feature about Jonathan Gonzales and Sergiy Dzinziruk. I know we got Jonathan on the line and his promoters Leon Margules and Javier Bustillo. Leon, do you want to introduce your team?

Leon Margules: Sure. I first of all want to thank Gary and I want to thank Artie for the opportunity on HBO and Turning Stone and everybody who was able to put this great card together. You know, Jonathan, Javier, and I and Gary signed Jonathan out of the Olympics after the 2008 games and I’ve been his promoter his entire career. He has never turned down an opportunity and when this opportunity arose, which I think he’s been waiting for since his first day, Gaby said, no – they want to fight badly. Please, please make that fight. So it just shows you the kind of fighter he is and those of you who have seen him know he fights with bad intentions and tries to stop everybody that gets … So we’re really excited his career move forward. I know Javier and I, who worked together from day one with Jonathan, are excited and I know Gaby, his advisor and long-time friend is also excited about this opportunity.

Marc Gaby, do you want to let Jonathan make an opening statement?

Gaby Penagaricano: Sure, sure. Hi everybody. Jonathan, (Speaking Spanish).

Jonathan (Speaking Spanish)

Gaby Jonathan is very thankful to the promoters and to HBO for the opportunity to trust in him and his capabilities to get this very important fight for this career. So thank you.

Gary Is Dzinziruk on yet?

Marc Not yet.

Gary Okay, then, why don’t you open up questions to whatever press is on and has questions.

Coordinator I’m just showing both of them to the call now.

Gary Okay, then why don’t you have the operator open up the lines for any questions.

Coordinator Alright, let’s go with our first question in the queue.

Victoria Hello. How are you today?

Coordinator Good, thank you. Please go on with your question.

Victoria My name is Victoria …, Chicago … My question is to the promoters. Why promote this in the United States and New York was chosen to be the place for this double-header? And why from all the time, in the past couple of years – 2012, 2012 was chosen to be the fight of Golovkin and Proksa in the United States?

Gary Let me just make sure I understand the question. Was the question why are we promoting this in the United States?

Victoria Why, from all the times, September 2012 was chosen to get the fight and why New York from all the cities?

Gary Well, if the question was why are we promoting it in the United States, it’s because it’s on HBO and HBO does the majority of all their telecasts here in the United States. That’s why it has to be on primetime here in the United States. And I know that all four fighters on this card want to be on HBO.

Victoria Why, from all the cities in the United States, New York was chosen to be the state to do the fight on. Why it’s not in Vegas, Chicago, etc., etc.,

Gary Because it’s in New York, that’s why. Next question, operator, please.

Coordinator Alright, and our next question please. Caller, go ahead with your question, please.

Mike Yes, this is Mike Waters with Syracuse Post-Standard here in Syracuse, New York. This question is for Arthur. Turning Stone has had a number of major boxing events, but it’s been awhile since we’ve had some of the big events like Laila Ali versus Jacqui Frazier. What about the Turning Stone facilities in the Main Event Center attracted you? What made you want to bring this kind of card to Turning Stone?

Joshua Roy: I’ll actually pick up and talk on behalf of Artie. If not, Gary, go ahead and jump in.

Gary No, go ahead. Go ahead.

M What brought us to Turning Stone, actually in Syracuse, is when we have an event of this kind of level, we present it to a number of venues around the company. Frankly, Turning Stone wanted it more. They liked the quality of the event. They want to bring a big boxing event their venue and, just for what you had said, there hadn’t been one there for a long time. When this opportunity came around and they saw the quality of the fight between the co-feature and the main event, it was kind of a no-brainer and they jumped at it.

In working with Turning Stone, which has been top notch and Greg … Promotions who helped facilitate the building with us and Gary, everything just sort of fell into place and it’s been very smooth and hopefully the event goes as smoothly as everything has been leading up to it.

Mike Thank you. Any of the other gentlemen on the call want to add to those remarks?

Let’s go ahead and go on to the next question.

Josh Hi. This is Josh McDaniel with Leave It In the Ring Radio. This is for Jonathan Gonzalez. You know, you’ve got 15 wins – 13 by knock-out and just like your promoter earlier said – … were bad intentions. Because you’re fighting a veteran like Sergiy, do you feel like you kind of have to be more careful and not look for the knock-out but yet, if it comes it comes but if it doesn’t it doesn’t?

Gary Is Gaby on?

Gaby Yes.

Gary Did you hear the question?

Gaby Hello. I am translating.

Gaby Jonathan says not one bit. He has one plan and that is go – go and make pain on his opponent and that he will fight his same style as always, an aggressive knock-out artist.

Josh Thank you.

Gary Alright. In the meantime, let’s go to the next question.

Eric Rayz We can’t because Sergai just came out of the gym to be ready with us.

Barry Kristof, are you well?

Krzysztof Zbarski I’m fine, thank you.

Barry That’s good. Looking forward to seeing you, pal.

Gary I guess we’ll segue to the Main Event. We got Tom Loeffler with Gennady Golovkin and Barry Hearn who is in England and Kirstof … is with Grzegorz Proksa. Does Genaddy want to do any opening statements?

Gennady Yes. Hello. It’s me. It’s Gennady.

Gary Okay. Anything in opening?

Gennady Yes. I’m happy to go to my first fight in America in the United States and … I’m happy now.

Marc Kirstof, is Grzegorz with you?

Kirstof He’s with us. He’s with us on the phone.

Marc Does Grzegorgzhave any opening comments?

Grzegorz No, not really. I’m really happy to … fight. … waiting for all of my life. Right now, …, I’m really happy that my opponent with be Gennady Golovkin, the … champion, and I can’t wait for the fight date.

Marc I guess open it up for questions for Grzegorz and Gennady.

Mike Hi. This is Mike Woods from ESPN New York. The question is for Mr. Proksa. We haven’t seen you fight. Can you describe your style for us and what you bring to the table against Golovkin that’s Turning Stone?

Grzegorz You want me to tell you might strategy straight-ahead or what?

Mike Your fight style – how you fight – what sort of fight do you believe it’s going to look like?

Grzegorz It will be tough fight. It will be tough fight for sure. I’m ready for hard work. I know Gennady – like I said in the beginning, I respect my opponent but I believe in my work, what I’ve done, up to today and to get ready for a fight. What can I say more? Everything will appear crystal clear September.

Mike And Grzegorz, do you believe that Gennady is the toughest foe that you’ve fought to this point?

Grzegorg I think one of the three tough guys what I fought with … discipline … Yes, I believe yes.

Mike He is the toughest or did you say one of the three toughest?

Grzegorg Yes. Like you understood – three of the toughest.

Mike Okay – who were the other two? Who were the other two toughest?

Grzegorg One guy I don’t remember his surname. He is from Russia.

Grzegorg I hear more questions so I don’t know which one I need to answer.

Mike For Tom Loeffler – Tom, Mike Woods with ESPN New York – I’m wondering – I’m trying to get a sense of the stakes here for Golovkin and Proksa so not assuming that Proksa is going to be too high a hurdle to climb for Golovkin, but if Golovkin wins, what would be next for him? Tom, are you there?

Tom If Gennady is successful on September 1st, which we’re all confident that he would be, then we’re pretty much open. I mean we’ve made it clear that he would fight in the middle-weight division. There is a great fight the same night with … and … fighting. Naturally, it would be interesting to make the original fight with Pirog, which Gary was proposing who is undefeated and a WBO champion. Also, two weeks later there is the fight with Martinez and Chavez. Really, any of those fighters would be great for Gennady and he’s made it clear that he wants to fight the best in the middle-weight division and we think fighting Proksa in the debut on HBO is a great step in that direction.

Gary This is Gary.

Tom Hi Gary.

Gary I would not sell Proksa short. It is going to be a very, very tough fight. They are two huge punchers and this is a – to answer where Tom was going – this is a very, very … division. Both … and … and Chavez (unclear), so it’s just a fight that I wouldn’t sell either fighters off.

Gary The HBO audience is in for …

Tom I agree with what Gary said and I certainly wasn’t trying to sell Proksa short. Proksa’s a great fighter himself and I really think that, as a European champion and a big puncher and the way he has unconventional style being a south paw and moving around a lot, it’s going to be a terrific fight. Really, to get back to the question, is Gennady would fight anyone, but he certainly has to get by Proksa first and if he’s successful then he’s open to fighting, really, anyone.

Mike Great. Thanks so much guys. Have a great fight. Thanks for your time.

M Is there going to be …, please?

Norm This is Norm Frauenheim. I’m from 15Rounds and this question is for Gennady. Gennady, I’m curious – how difficult do you think it will be to create a marketable name and create a successful career in the United States? The question I’m asking, I guess, is Vassili Jirov was the first Kazakhstani fighter to try to do that. Most people would say his career was kind of mixed results. First, if you could answer the first question about the challenge of coming to the U.S. and then do you hope to surpass what Vassili Jirov did?

Gennady I think the win is great. I mean winning is great. I looking great. America public is great, too.

M Abel Sanchez I think the translator is with Gennady, so it might be clearer if Abel might answer the question with him so we can understand what Gennady is saying and then he can answer.

M That would be great. Thanks, Abel

Abel Really what he is trying to say is that it’s up to him to put on a good show and look great and the American public will take to him. If it’s a bad fight, then obviously, he’s not going to be marketable, but we think that he’s the best middle-weight in the world and if he does what he’s supposed to do, then the American public will buy the next HBO or the future pay-per-views that he will be on.

Norm Has he – Abel, could you ask him has he talked to Vassili Jirov about his own experience in trying to be a pro in the United States?

M Hold on. He said he did speak with him to try to gauge how to do it, but Vassili’s answer to him was every fighter is different. You go out and you do what you do. You’re in a division that is different from my division. …, obviously, are not household names so he’s in a division where there are a lot of great fighters and he will make his own mark.

Norm Okay, yeah, that sounds a lot like Vassili. Anyway, thanks a lot.

M Thank you.

Gary Yes, we have Sergiy on.

M Yes, I’m going to put him on now. He has an interpreter ready?

Sergiy Dzinziruk Hello.

M We’re ready for your questions.

.

Coordinator We do have some questions I’m picking up now.

Marc Does Sergiy want to make a statement?

Coordinator Well, we do have some questions. Do you want to do the statement first?

.

Victoria This is Victoria … … in Chicago. My question is to Gennady and to Sergiy. My question is about how do you think your body is adapting to switching the climates, time zones flying from Europe to the United States. How much time to you need to adapt to the United States and how far away from the fight are you coming to New York?

Abel I can answer for Gennady. My name is Abel Sanchez. I’m his trainer and he’s been here for approximately three months so the adjustment period was maybe a week and a half to two weeks and he’s quite adjusted to not only the climate but the time change and the training schedule.

Eric Okay. Let me translate the question for Sergiy. (translated question and answer)

As far as the first question is concerned, he usually comes one and a half to two months before the fight so by the time of the flight, he’s already adapted to the climate. He spars regularly before the fight so right now he’s been in the United States about three to four weeks. He doesn’t feel any discomfort. He’s been sparring regularly so he’s fine.

… will be flying from Los Angeles which is where he is right now.

Victoria Then my next question is where is Gennady staying right now once he came three months to the United States. If Sergiy’s in L.A., where is Gennady staying?

Abel Gennady trains in Big Bear, California.

Victoria Thank you.

Coordinator We’ll go on to our next question.

Matt Hi. This is Matt Harris of MaxBoxing.com. This question is for Golovkin. You’ve had lot of fights like evaporate or just fall apart. How happy are you to finally get one opportunity on HBO? What can you tell me about the like the fascination you experienced … against … or against … in the WBA and those fights …

Gennady Okay, answer. I’m happy with my fight on HBO. I think …

Matt Sorry. I must have not heard that. Yeah, I guess … on the line?

Gary Operator, can you go to the next question?

Mike Hi. This is Mike Woods with ESPN New York again. This question is for Abel Sanchez. Abel, we’ve talked before about Gennady, but would you mind repeating sort of what the upside is on this bid and how it compares to other people – other notables you have trained in your decades in the force?

Abel You know I’ve had the pleasure of working with a lot of great fighters, but this one is by far the best one that I’ve ever worked with at any period of time in their careers. He just – I think the 350 amateur fights and all the international experience has made him such a serene fighter – such a composed fighter and the one thing that he does have – he possesses lethal power on each end, so to me, he’s probably the best I’ve ever worked with.

Mike And remind us, please, who you have worked with.

Abel Terry Norris, … Norris, Miguel Gonzalez, … Compass, Paul Vaden, to name a few.

Mike You know, when you talk like that, that does put a little extra pressure on the guy. Does that worry you at all speaking in that manner saying he’s the best you’ve ever worked with and that’s with Terry Norris in the mix? Are you worried that puts too much pressure on the guy?

Abel No, not at all because of the vast international experience in some of the big tournaments he was in. He was in the Olympics. He was a silver medalist in the Athens Olympics. I think that he’s very secure in who he is. It’s just a matter of the transition from the European fighter, from the amateur fighter, to the American style that’s conducive to a good HBO fight – good pay-per-view fight. He understands what his role is here and he’s allowing us to develop and to change his style to suit American TV.

Mike Can you give a little quick low-down on what some of those changes are and how you activate them?

Abel I needed to make sure that he understood what his plusses were. His plusses – he’s a big puncher, so we needed to initiate and he understands he needs to initiate where in the past in some of the earlier fights that he had, he was sitting back waiting to counter punch. We need to be the aggressor. We need to make sure they understand who they’re in there with. Not to make it a long, drag-out boring fight – to make it a fight – to make the public want to see him again. He understands that completely. He understands the American public wants to see a knock-out. Whichever round it is, they want to see a knock-out. That’s one of the things that was very important to make him understand the quicker the better. He’s going to get paid the same whether it’s one round or 12 rounds.

Mike Excellent. Great stuff. Thank you, Abel. I appreciate it.

Marc I’d like to say thanks everyone for being on here again. Tickets range from $25 to $75 at 315-361-7469. I’d like to thank everyone who has been on the call. I’d also like to thank everyone at HBO – Ken Hershman, Kerry Davis, and Peter Nelson. Again, it’s Saturday, September 1st at 9:45 Eastern and Pacific time. It will be a great night, great double-header, world championship boxing. Thank you everyone for being on the call.

M Thank you. Good-bye.

(July 26, 2012)—After the recent back injury suffered to former WBO Middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog (20-0, 15 KOs), WBA Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (23-0, 20 KOs) will now defend his title against highly regarded Grzegorz Proksa (28-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday night September 1, 2012 as the main event headlining HBO Boxing After Dark.

The 12-round co-feature will showcase former WBO Jr. Middleweight champion, Sergiy “Razor” Dzinziruk (37-1, 23 KOs) of Kiev, Ukraine versus, undefeated heavy handed Puerto Rican contender, Jonathan Gonzalez (15-0, 13 KOs), the current NABO and WBA FEDELATIN Jr. Middleweight champion. The combined record of all four fighters is an astonishing (103-2, 77 KOs).

The doubleheader promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, Arthur Pelullo/Banner Promotions, K2 Promotions, Greg Cohen Promotions, Matchroom Sport, Warrior’s Boxing and Universal Promotions, will take place at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York and will be televised live on HBO BOXING AFTER DARK® beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.

Golovkin of Kazakhstan and now residing in Stuttgart, Germany, won the silver medal in the 2004 Olympics and had amateur wins over Lucian Bute, Andre Dirrell, Matt Korobov, and Andy Lee. He’s perfect as a professional compiling an astonishing record of 23-0 with twenty coming by way of knockout. He won the WBA Interim Middleweight title with a first round destruction over Milton Nunez (24-4-1, 22 KOs) and captured the full WBA title in this following bout with a third round stoppage over Nilson Tapia (15-3-1, 11 KOs). Golovkin has made three defenses which include wins over former world champion Kassim Ouma (27-8-1, 17 KOs), highly regarded contender LaJuan Simon (23-4-2, 12 KOs), and in his last defense on May 12, 2012, he pounded Makoto Fuchigami (19-7, 10 KOs), stopping him in the third round. Golovkin will be making his highly anticipated debut in the United States.

Said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, “Gennady trains in America and is committed to fighting here where there have been so many middleweight legends; we’re grateful to HBO for this opportunity to showcase his skills. We strongly feel that he is the BEST middleweight in the world right now and we’re anxious for the world to see that.”

“I’m very excited to face Grzegorz Proksa on September 1st,” said Golovkin. Proksa has never been in the ring with a puncher like me and I’m here to show the world what I’m made of. I’ve wanted to fight in the United States for a long time and look forward to fighting the best middleweights in the world in the near future.”

Proksa of Poland and now residing in Redhill, United Kingdom, has an impressive record of 28-1 with twenty-one knockouts. Proksa exploded onto the world scene when he stopped former IBF Middleweight boss Sebastian Sylvester (34-5-1, 16 KOs) in three rounds. Unfortunately in his next bout, Proksa lost a controversial majority decision to Kerry Hope (17-4, 1 KO). Like a true warrior, Proksa emphatically avenged that defeat to Hope in his last bout, stopping him in round eight of their July 7th bout.

Said Matchroom Sport’s Barry Hearn, “Proksa has waited all his professional life for this opportunity and respects Golovkin for his achievements in the ring. He knows this will be a tough fight for both fighters and is convinced he can emerge victorious in an entertaining contest. Proksa has one loss on his record when he lost his European title in a controversial points decision in a fight where he suffered a terrible cut via an accidental clash of heads. That loss has been avenged via a knockout victory to regain his European crown and he does not intend to suffer a loss in this fight. The fight features the two biggest punchers in the middleweight division and I am convinced that fight will not go the distance. It’s an honor for Proksa to be part of an HBO show and he is excited about winning in the USA on the biggest network for boxing in the world.”

“I have no doubt in my mind that I have the ability to knockout Golovkin,” said Proksa. “My opportunity to showcase my talents to the world has arrived and I’m not going to let it slip away. This will be a difficult fight but I believe in myself to come out victorious and I’m going to bring an aggressive game plan for the fans. I’m coming to the US to impress and take home the title.”

“This is a terrific bout and I believe a new star of the Middleweight division will be born on September 1st”, said Banner Promotions CEO Artie Pelullo. “There are three big Middleweight bouts in a span of a couple of weeks and this fight involves two of the best Middleweights in the world so the stakes could be very big for the winner”

“Pirog will be anxiously awaiting the results of this fight, as he wants his opportunity to fight the winner on HBO. There are many worthy opponents at 160, including Daniel Geale, Sergio Martinez, and Chavez Jr, and he is willing to fight anyone of them, as we believe that he might be the best, and is the biggest puncher at 160.”

Sergiy Dzinziruk has never lost a bout at 154 pounds. At Jr. Middleweight, Dzinziruk defended his WBO world title seven times. Sergiy, a boxer-puncher, will look to end the hype on Gonzalez, and regain his claim as one of the best 154 pound fighters in boxing.

“It’s a fact, that I am unbeatable at Jr. Middleweight, Dzinziruk said. “Gonzalez is a big puncher, but he’s never been in the ring with a superior boxer like me. I will end his unbeaten record and move toward another world title. I will be champion once again real soon.”

Art Pellulo, Dzinziruk’s co-promoter stated, “This will be a classic boxer versus puncher matchup and as we all know, a boxer always beats a puncher. Dzinziruk will be too slick for Gonzalez. Once he wins this fight, we will work to get him another world title shot.” Dziniruk is also co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.

Hard-punching knockout artist, Puerto Rican sensation, Jonathan Gonzalez, brings a crowd-pleasing style into the ring. He was a Puerto Rican Olympian, amassing 147 wins as an amateur with only 18 defeats.

Gonzalez is jointly promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, Warriors Boxing and Universal Promotions. He is undefeated as a professional, knocking out his first 13 opponents, and had amassed and amazing amateur record of (132W-18L). Highly ranked Gonzalez will attempt to do what no other fighter has done, beat Sergiy Dzinziruk at Jr. Middleweight.

“Fighting on HBO is a big opportunity for me and my team,” stated Gonzalez. “Gary Shaw has come through on his promise to get me on a worldwide stage to showcase my talent. I always bring excitement to the ring and it won’t be any different when I face Dzinziruk. My goal is to become champion.”

Said Gary Shaw, “Jonathan is highly ranked in all sanctioning organizations, and I’m sure after this fight, he will be considered by all, for a shot at a world title.”

“Gonzalez is another great talent from Puerto Rico that we can all be excited about,” mentioned Warriors Boxing Promotion’s Leon Margules. “Dzinziruk better be ready for a war.”

“Jonathan Gonzalez has something to prove in this fight,” said Javier Bustillo of Universal Promotions. “This is his big opportunity to show the world what he is all about. I expect him to leave everything in the ring on fight night.”

“I want to give a very special thank you to HBO and Ken Hershman for giving us the opportunity to present this great night of boxing in two very important weight divisions,” continued promoter Gary Shaw. “ I believe the real winner of this show will be the fans in attendance and the millions watching on HBO.”

“GCP is thrilled to be a part of this world class event. Bringing a World Championship Boxing event televised by HBO to a World Class venue like Turning Stone is going to be a terrific experience for everyone involved.”

Ticket information to be announced shortly.