South African super-puncher Zolani Tete says he’d love to take on pound-for-pound megastar Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The former IBF World Super-Flyweight Champion from Mdanste in the Eastern Cape will feature on the same action-packed card as the unbeaten Cuban at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday 12th March, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Bantamweight Tete harbours dreams of becoming one of the greats of African boxing and is already making a name for himself as the most explosive puncher in his division with an incredible 18 knockouts in 22 wins.

The clinical southpaw says he could move up to super-bantamweight to face Rigondeaux after he takes on Mexican Jose Santos Gonzales.

He said: “You never know what the future holds but I won’t rule anything out. It’s one of those big fights you always dream of being involved in. Everyone wants to take on the very best and if the time is right it could happen. Rigondeaux is an amazing boxer and he is rated as one of the best for a reason so I have a lot of respect for him; he’s a true champion,”

“He’s a southpaw and I’m a southpaw, we’re both good boxers so it would be a great fight. It wouldn’t be easy but I believe I could beat him. I think it would be an entertaining fight for the fans that’s for sure.”

Touted as one of the best boxers to come out of Africa in recent years, Tete is determined to become a multi-weight world champion and plans on making the super-flyweight, bantamweight and super-bantamweight divisions his own.

He said: “It’s one of those big fights I’m looking for but Rigondeaux is two divisions higher than me and there are guys in this division and the next that I’m looking to beat first. When I decide to go up I’ll fight Rigondeaux or whoever is champion at the time,”

“When I’m changing weight division my trainers will make sure that I work on my power and strength so I’ll be more powerful than I am at super-featherweight. Moving up a weight won’t be a problem for me and I won’t lose my sting.”

Carl Frampton will defend his IBF super-bantamweight title against Scott Quigg on Saturday and the powerful Tete believes he has what it takes to beat the both of them.

He said: “I’d definitely fight one of them in the near future. With the skills and talent I have I believe I could conquer them. I am not taking anything away from them, yes they are true champions but I think I’ve got what it takes to put my name at the top of the pile.”

Flanagan v Mathews headlines an action packed card that also features one of the worlds greatest boxers, Guillermo Rigondeaux, taking on Merseyside hero Jazza Dickens; another star of world boxing, dynamite punching South African Zolani Tete challenges for the Vacant IBF International Bantamweight Championship against Jose Santos Gonzalez; Birmingham ace Tommy Langford defends his WBO Intercontinental Middleweight title against Lewis Taylor; hard-hitting Ellesmere Port’s star Paul Butler will challenge for a championship belt; Blackpool’s Matty Askin defends his English Cruiserweight title against Swindon’s Lawrence Bennett, plus Indian superstar Vijender Singh makes his Liverpool debut. The undercard features some of the best talent in Merseyside: undefeated leading world title contender Kevin Satchell; red-hot prospect Steven Lewis; European Champion Ryan Farrag; Manchester prospects Macaulay McGowan and Zelfa Barrett and Leicester ace Lyon Woodstock complete the card.

Ticket for ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150* and are available from:

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk

Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com

Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk

A special V.I.P ticket priced at £250* that includes an inner ringside V.I.P seat, lanyard, complimentary beer, wine and soft drink (between a certain time period) and canapés are available to purchase through the Frank Warren Box Office office only on 01992 505 550.

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

One of the world’s greatest pound-for-pound fighters and former Unified Super-Bantamweight World Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and popular British Champion Jazza Dickens took questions from the world’s media last night ahead of their highly anticipated showdown on Saturday 12th March, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Cuban megastar Rigondeaux, renowned for his devastating hand speed and lightening quick reactions, made it clear that he is gunning for IBF Super-Bantamweight Champion Carl Frampton and WBA Champion Scott Quigg and plans on taking their belts once he has beaten Dickens.

He said: “I’m going over to England to win and then I’m going to beat Frampton and Quigg. I want to make a point that I’m here waiting for them, they know where to find me! I am a warrior and I will fight anywhere; even in my own backyard. I commend Jazza for stepping in the ring with me,”

“This is the best fight for me at the moment. This is the fight that my promoters got me. If the kid has the guts to get in the ring with me then I respect him for doing so. I want to take on the winner of Frampton vs. Quigg, they have both been avoiding the best in their division and there’s nowhere for them to hide now.”

The 35 year-old two-time Olympic gold medallist was stripped of his WBO World title last October after failing to make a defence of it in 2015. Rigondeaux is frustrated at his lack of opponents and believes he has the rest of his weight division running scared.

Undefeated Rigondeaux is regarded as one of the greatest amateur boxers in history and has fought in Japan, Mexico, America and Ireland. ‘El Chacal’ or ‘The Jackal’ is now looking forward to showcasing his skills on these shores for the first time and promises English fight fans won’t be disappointed.

He said: “I would love to fight for titles against champions in England. I know the fans love their boxing and I’m looking forward to showing them what a real champion looks like. I’ll go to England or anywhere where the action is at, if they sign the right cheque I’ll be there. If any 122 pounders have the guts to step in the ring with me they will get beaten up.”

Merseyside hero Jazza Dickens has already been written off by many people in the boxing world but the chirpy Scouser remains upbeat about causing one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

He said: “The odds are massively against me but I’ve got a good feeling! I always believed an opportunity like this would come up one day and it’s all the better my people can come and watch it at the Echo Arena. This is a massive opportunity for me and I’m going to grab it with both hands,”

“When I look in another man’s eyes I can see he’s just the same as me. I’m a man and he’s a man; we both feel courage and we both feel fear. On the night we’ll be stepping in the ring as equals and I believe I have what it takes to beat him; I wouldn’t have taken the fight if I didn’t.”

He added: “I have to go in there with my plan and be focused at the job at hand. I hope he is the champion that he has always been because I want to beat the very best Guillermo Rigondeaux there is.”

Flanagan v Mathews headlines an action packed card that also features one of the worlds greatest boxers, Guillermo Rigondeaux, taking on Merseyside hero Jazza Dickens; another star of world boxing, dynamite punching South African Zolani Tete challenges for the Vacant IBF International Bantamweight Championship against Jose Santos Gonzalez; Birmingham ace Tommy Langford defends his WBO Intercontinental Middleweight title against Lewis Taylor; hard-hitting Ellesmere Port’s star Paul Butler will challenge for a championship belt; Blackpool’s Matty Askin defends his English Cruiserweight title against Swindon’s Lawrence Bennett, plus Indian superstar Vijender Singh makes his Liverpool debut. The undercard features some of the best talent in Merseyside: undefeated leading world title contender Kevin Satchell; red-hot prospect Steven Lewis; European Champion Ryan Farrag; Manchester prospects Macaulay McGowan and Zelfa Barrett and Leicester ace Lyon Woodstock complete the card.

Ticket for ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150* and are available from:

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk

Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com

Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk

A special V.I.P ticket priced at £250* that includes an inner ringside V.I.P seat, lanyard, complimentary beer, wine and soft drink (between a certain time period) and canapés are available to purchase through the Frank Warren Box Office office only on 01992 505 550.

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

Merseyside hero James ‘Jazza’ Dickens says he’s happy to be labelled as the underdog heading into his massive David versus Goliath showdown with pound-for-pound star Guillermo Rigondeaux but insists he won’t be there to make up the numbers.

Dickens takes on the Cuban superstar over ten rounds on the title-packed undercard of Terry Flanagan’s world title defence against Derry Mathews on Saturday 12th March, exclusively live on BoxNation.

‘Jazza’, who’ll be fighting Rigondeaux in front of his home crowd at the Liverpool Echo Arena, has already been written off by many people in the boxing world but the chirpy Scouser remains fully-focused on causing one of the biggest upsets in recent boxing history.

“People have already told me that I have no chance of beating him but when I look in another man’s eyes I can see he’s just the same as me. I’m a man and he’s a man; we both feel courage and we both feel fear. On the night we’ll be stepping in the ring as equals and I believe I have what it takes to beat him; I wouldn’t have taken the fight if I didn’t,” said Dickens.

Rigondeaux’s devastating hand speed, lightening quick reactions and thumping shot power are enough to beat any fighter, so it’s hardly surprising that he has been avoided by so many. Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton are the latest to avoid the dangerous 35 year-old but Dickens says there’s no way he’d pass at the chance of testing himself against the world’s best.

He said: “I’ve had a lot of people congratulating me on taking the fight but at the end of the day it’s my job to take fights. Personally I don’t think you should be praised for having courage in boxing because that’s the game we’re in. All I’ve done is taken a fight and that’s what boxers should do. A lot of boxers are ducking fights at the moment and it’s not good for the sport,”

“Fight fans want to be entertained and I’ll be giving it my best shot on the night. We all know how good Rigondeaux is, he’s a great champion and it will be an honour sharing the ring with him in my own city. This fight is all thanks to Frank Warren, I’m very lucky and blessed to have Frank’s backing for this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Winning his first 16 fights and collecting the English Super-Bantamweight title along the way, Dickens suffered his first loss to Kid Galahad in a British and Commonwealth title challenge in September 2014. The 24 year-old bounced back and is currently on a five fight unbeaten run, capturing the British title against Josh Wale last March before successfully defending it against Martin Ward in November. The local Scouse hero says his life could have taken a different path if he didn’t have boxing to channel his energy in to.

He said: “I remember walking into the gym for the very first time and thinking ‘I want to be a world champion’. My Dad used to ask me to go down there with him but I was obsessed with football up until the age of twelve. As soon as I hung up my boots and stepped into the ring something came over me. There was a picture of the legendary John Conteh on the wall wearing his WBC belt and I said to my Dad ‘that’s going to be me’,”

“Boxing was an escape from life. I got a massive rush every time I laced up my gloves and I was receiving praise for hard work for the first time in my life so it really drove me on to succeed. The coaches from my youth played a massive role in getting me to where I am today and I’m very thankful to them for giving their time up for free. I wasn’t born in a bad area but there wasn’t much going on there for kids to get involved in once they reached their teens. I was just lucky and blessed that I had the talent to put a pair of gloves on instead of getting involved in petty crime.”

Ticket for ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150* and are available from:

Eventim

0844 249 1000

www.eventim.co.uk

Liverpool Echo Arena

0844 8000 400

www.echoarena.com

Ticketmaster

0844 844 0444

www.ticketmaster.co.uk

A special V.I.P ticket priced at £250* that includes an inner ringside V.I.P seat, lanyard, complimentary beer, wine and soft drink (between a certain time period) and canapés are available to purchase through the Frank Warren Box Office office only on 01992 505 550.

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

One of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxing stars Guillermo Rigondeaux will fight in Britain for the first time on Saturday 12th March at the Liverpool Echo Arena when he faces Merseyside hero Jazza Dickens.

The Cuban superstar takes on Dickens over ten rounds on the undercard of Terry Flanagan’s WBO World Lightweight title defence against Derry Mathews and is a further fantastic addition to the top quality show, that saw world class fighter Zolani Tete added to the line up this week.

Undefeated Rigondeaux, who fights out of Miami, Florida, is regarded as the world’s best super-bantamweight and the dangerous 35-year-old is the man that Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg both chose to avoid and instead wisely opted to fight each other.

“El Chacal” or “The Jackal” is also considered one of the greatest amateur boxers in history, a two-time Olympic Champion and currently undefeated in 16 fights in with ten knockouts. He won his first world title, the WBA Interim crown, in November 2013 before becoming the full WBA World Champion in January 2012 when he knocked out then unbeaten Rico Ramos in six rounds.

He then unified the WBA title with the WBO belt when he outpointed Nonito Donaire in April 2013 with three further defences of both belts until his was stripped by both organisations last year. He last fought in November when he outpointed Drian Francisco over ten rounds to claim the WBC International Silver title.

Rigondeaux, who’s fought in America, Mexico, Ireland, China and Japan is looking forward to showcasing his skills on the these shores for the first time and promises to give fans a real eye-catching display.

In a real ‘Rocky’ story Dickens heads into the fight as the underdog against Rigondeaux, but has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rip up the script and catapult himself into the world’s elite by defeating the Havana hitman.

Winning his first 16 fights and collecting the English Super-Bantamweight title along the way, he suffered his first loss to Kid Galahad in a British and Commonwealth title challenge in September 2014. He bounced back and is currently on a five fight unbeaten run and captured the British title against Josh Wale last March and defended it against Martin Ward in November.

The chirpy Scouser is a local hero with his down to earth, jack-the-lad, character, but has a steely determination to upset the odds on the biggest night of his life.

“It is like a Rocky story, one day I’m just training waiting for my next fight and then I get call, do I want to fight Guillermo Rigondeaux? Are you mad, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world wants to fight me? Not half, I’ll definitely have some of that!” Said Dickens.

“Opportunities like this don’t come around every day so I’ve grabbed it with both hands. It’s been my childhood dream to be the best in the world and this to me is a golden opportunity to become the best by beating Rigondeaux,”

“He might not have the belts, but he’s still the world champion in my eyes, Frampton and Quigg both didn’t want to know him, but what they see as a threat, I see as an opportunity. We’ve all got weaknesses and Rigondeaux will have his, it’s my job to go out an exploit them and beat him.”

Ticket for ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150* and are available from:

Eventim

0844 249 1000

www.eventim.co.uk

Liverpool Echo Arena

0844 8000 400

www.echoarena.com

Ticketmaster

0844 844 0444

www.ticketmaster.co.uk

A special V.I.P ticket priced at £250* that includes an inner ringside V.I.P seat, lanyard, complimentary beer, wine and soft drink (between a certain time period) and canapés are available to purchase through the Frank Warren Box Office office only on 01992 505 550.

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

By Bart Barry-

Saturday at Mandalay Bay, Mexican junior middleweight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez widely decisioned Puerto Rican junior middleweight Miguel Cotto to become the lineal middleweight champion of the world. If there were any surprises during the pay-HBO telecast, they came on the undercard – Guillermo Rigondeaux finally fought old as he looks, and Francisco Vargas and Takashi Miura made an incredible match – because nothing unexpected happened during the main event.

It’s the ferocity that counts with Canelo, and until an aficionado has been within earshot of a Canelo fight, he doesn’t know that. After four rounds in which Cotto and Canelo appeared to land an equivalent number of blows, on television anyway, analyst Roy Jones was not hesitant in his analysis: Canelo was clearly the more effective man in the match. Jim Lampley turned to big data – his buddies’ ringside Twitter scorecards – and learned they had Canelo winning every early round.

That announcement brought guffaws of disbelief from my viewing party, a group about inversely proportionate to the Mandalay Bay crowd – we had five Puerto Ricans and two Mexicans and a token white guy – with a curious exception among the guffawing Puerto Ricans: The one guy who’d been a few rows back of ringside when Canelo decisioned Austin Trout agreed absolutely Canelo was handling Cotto from the opening bell.

By round 6 it was apparent to all but Coach Freddie th’t Cotto needed a plan b, and when Coach Freddie returned Cotto to the blackmat armed only with a double-jab idea a few minutes later, a bad idea Canelo blasted crosses over, at will, Cotto decided to treat Canelo like the sort of overmatched b-level guy Cotto feasts on (excepting only Trout, a b-level guy Cotto did not feast on, Cotto’s losses come to a-level guys [or a b-level guy with an a-level equipment advantage {allegedly, allegedly!}]), and when that approach endangered Cotto’s consciousness, Cotto returned to Coach Freddie’s plan, which, in its perspicacity and nuance and adaptability, bore a frightening resemblance to Coach Freddie’s masterplan for Manny Pacquiao’s lame effort against Money May, and the only suspense that remained after that concerned the question of Canelo stopping Cotto, which Canelo simply was not good enough to do. Simply.

That’s a terrible thing to write, of course, on this, the second day of the Cinnamon Era, but aside from his impressive physicality and ferocity, Canelo is not that spectacular. And straining one’s throat to make it so will not make it so. Canelo is much, much better than anyone else Cotto fought during his rehabilitation – a vivacious union with Coach Freddie in which Cotto whispered to Coach Freddie sweet nothings about how much better things might have gone for the starcrossed men if only they’d met sooner, and Coach Freddie whispered sweet nothings to reporters and HBO cameras about the houses he’d bet on Cotto (how does one do this at the sportsbook?) – and Canelo revealed the quality of the Cotto rehabilitation almost deftly as Juan Manuel Marquez once revealed Coach Freddie’s actual improvement of Manny Pacquiao’s footwork.

If that’s ungracious, it’s also written without a hankering for a cinéma-vérité sequel to “On Freddie Roach”: The depth of Roach’s craft has not gotten shallower so much as it has splashed its way from training to marketing. Coach Freddie no longer improves his prizefighters so much as their purses; during training camp Roach sold the certainty of a Cotto victory far better than he assured it. Quite a few times Saturday, in fact, Cotto resembled no previous version of himself so much as the man anxiously scrambling away from Antonio Margarito seven years ago: face swelling, mouth agape, leadhand lowered, backhand alternately wiping and bracketing his face, four steps back-sidewaysback for every one step forwards. Aside from the obvious advantage Margarito may have had over his firehaired countryman, when they confronted Cotto, he also had this: Margarito never misspent a second of his career proving he could avoid a smaller man’s punches.

Because he couldn’t? Well, yes, but. Or perhaps, yes, and.

Margarito was an embodiment of the puncher’s compact: You hit me, and I’ll hit you, and we’ll do this until one of us is unconscious, and I don’t much care which. Had Canelo taken his gumshield more fiercely betwixt the molars and entered the same compact Saturday, there’s a very good chance he would have stopped Cotto, who showed nervous energy, ineffective nonaggressiveness, as it were, from the match’s opening minute.

There’s something like a “geometry of boxing” – Roach’s phrase – that did not fail to favor Canelo every round Cotto committed to stepping round him. More precisely put: Cotto’s circles got wider and wider as the fight progressed, which mightn’t have been a damnable thing if it were the plan, which it could not have been. If a man sets out to make as many laps possible with as little energy expended, that man should choose shorter laps and not longer ones. Cotto’s early steps-around became walks-around became skips-around became laps-around. Frankly, it’s a testament to the conditioning enhancements Wild Card fighters discover at Coach Freddie’s rejuvenating gym that Cotto stayed fresh as he did, working at a rate so much more frantic than Canelo’s.

Now we are told to ready for an epic stripping, if, according to HBO and the other handlers of the network’s middleweight champion, in the next two weeks Canelo fails to agree to open conceivable preliminary negotiations in principle for a potential fight possibly to come in the future with the undisputed HBO middleweight champion. It bears repetition: Not in this universe or the next will a sanctioning body in Mexico City strip Mexico’s most popular fighter of his middleweight title. Call it corruption or greed or scrofulous roguery, whatever, but vague as the WBC’s requirements appear, by ordering Max Kellerman to fetch his gloves in Saturday’s essential postfight interview, Canelo undoubtedly just satisfied Mexico City’s negotiation mandate, even if he shamelessly goes on to make consecutive defenses against the likes of Marco Antonio Rubio, Martin Murray and Willie Monroe Jr.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

EDDY REYNOSO: “We are very proud of Canelo today. As we all know, he started from the bottom and now he is the champion. I was never worried about him from the first round through to the 12th round. He has great defense strategy, but I was hoping that he would have finished Cotto sooner. I know that he was looking for the knock out and as a result didn’t throw as much as he should have to put Miguel on the canvas. We have a lot of respect for Miguel, he is a great fighter, and we have tremendous respect for Freddie Roach as a trainer.

CHEPO REYNOSO: “I knew he was winning. He went into this fight with a clear head and a full heart and that is what he needed to be successful tonight. I am proud of him, proud of his simplicity to admit that we were once no one and now he is the middleweight champion. I wish he would have put more pressure on Cotto from the beginning, but I knew he was enjoying himself. He showed how beautiful the sport can be when you fight in an intelligent way.”

“I have a lot of respect for Miguel. He is a great champion and a great fighter. We knew going into this fight that it would be a difficult journey, but I feel that I was the faster and stronger fighter tonight. I wasn’t hurt by his punches. I want to thank my trainers, they are like my family and the best people I know and I couldn’t have done this without them.”

I’m not afraid of any fighter. GGG is a great fighter, and he is my friend. I have respect for him, but if we do fight it’s going to be at my weight class. I’m the champion, I don’t have to do what he wants.”

“I was fully prepared for what Cotto was going to do in the ring, whether that was take a defense stance or be the aggressor.”

“Im very disappointed and upset I got caught in the first round, then I recovered and after that I thought I was winning the fight,” said Takashi Miura. “I think if I could have clenched better…I would definitely like a rematch.”

“I’m the champ, I’m the champ!” said Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas. “This is a dream come true for me, something I have been fighting for my whole life. I knew Takashi was going to be a tough opponent, that’s why he is the champion, so I had to make sure I was prepared to face a fighter like him. I feel that my preparation paid off for this fight. I knew I had to be very aggressive, and I showed that in the first round so he knew that I would not be bullied. When I was knocked down in the fourth round, I felt even more motivated to win this fight. I made sure to fight the way I wanted, how I wanted and my style and now I’m the champion of the world! I hope all the fans enjoyed themselves tonight with my performance.”

“I feel terrific after the fight,” said Guillermo Rigondeaux. “He threw heavy but his style has nothing on mine. My style outmatched his. It’s been 11 months since I’ve been in the ring and I definitely felt some cobwebs but I d like to see some other fighters be out 11 months and come back with a win. I definitely wanted to give the fans a better fight so I need to get back in to the gym, get more active to give a better performance. I promise that with the tools I have now after signing with Roc Nation that next time I’ll be explosive. Thank you to my team for helping me get this win.”

“Rigondeaux is not a fighter, he is a runner,” said Drian Francisco. “He is afraid of getting hurt and doesn’t want to fight. I felt pressured into being the aggressor during this fight because he wasn’t fighting, he was running away. He is not a power puncher and won by points. I trained really hard for this fight and I feel like it was a waste of time because I didn’t encounter a fighter tonight.”

“I was expecting that to be a tough fight, but I did my job,” said Jayson “Star” Velez. “He had some good rounds, I had some good rounds. I think the deduction is what really got me. I did my job tonight but he was better at his job tonight.”

“I felt like I dictated the pace of the fight, and I felt like I was landing more power punches than him,” said Ronny Rios. “He did throw a few body shots at me that hurt but they weren’t significant enough for me to stop pressuring him and doing what I needed to do to secure this victory. He actually surprised me; I thought he was going to use the jab all night but he was definitely getting in the inside. This is a really big victory for me. I have a belt now, and I know that bigger things will come my way because of it.”

“This was a great opportunity for me on the biggest stage,” said Alberto Machado. “We did great; this is what we worked for in the gym. I like to consider myself a diamond on the rope, but this was only a 6.5 out of 10 performance. I have to keep working and learning, and I am working toward a world championship. I am so happy for my team.”

“I’m proud of my team and myself,” said Jose “Chiquiro” Martinez. “I want to thank God and my family. This was a very tough fight, but I am just going to keep working to achieve more wins.”

“I feel very good that I am still undefeated,” said Zhang “Big Bang” Zhilei. “I was careless during that knock down. I am going to keep finghting until I am a world champion.”

By Norm Frauenheim-

LAS VEGAS – Guillermo Rigondeaux is a master craftsman, yet there’s no market for his craft. He’s unbeaten and unpopular, an unlikely combination and a dilemma for promoters fascinated by his talent, yet still not able to sell it.

Yet, that talent still beckons, so much so that Rigondeaux has a second opportunity — perhaps a last chance — in a career that thus far hasn’t generated much income for him or anybody else.

The shy Cuban, a two time Olympic gold medalist, is a late addition to the Miguel Cotto-Canelo Alvarez card Saturday night at Mandalay Bay. Rigondeaux left Caribe promotions and signed with RocNation, which was looking for somebody to fill a vacancy left by Andre Ward’s withdrawal because of a knee injury.

The announcement that Rigondeaux had been added to the HBO-televised card against Filipino junior-featherweight Drian Francisco (28-3-1, 22 KOs) elicited a familiar reaction. To wit: Yawns from the crowd that had already experienced that nap.

Fair or not – and who ever said boxing was fair? – Rigondeaux is another word for dull. Early on, his name got re-written, Rigondull instead of Rigondeaux. No matter what,he did, he couldn’t escape the damning tag. Go 15-0, and fans still yaw. Score 10 stoppages, still yawns. Get mentioned in the pound-for-pound debate, more yawns.

But at 35 he’s still around, still an intriguing bundle of possibilities.

At the undercard news conference Thursday, HBO’s Peter Nelson mentioned Rigondeaux by saying his “virtuosity is unrivaled in the sport.’’

Virtuosity is nice to have. But it doesn’t buy much. Ask a starving artist, which is what Rigondeaux’s fate might be if this attempt at collecting more than applause fails.

The question has never been whether he can fight. It’s whether he can excite.

“I love Rigondeux,’’ said Bernard Hopkins, the ageless warrior and Oscar De La Hoya’s associate in Golden Boy’s joint promotion with RocNation of Canelo-Cotto. “I’just love him as fighter.’’

But can he become a reliable draw? Rigondraw instead of Rigondull?

“I think so, I really do,’’ Hopkins said. “Listen, his job is to do only one thing. His job is to kick ass.

It’s the promoter. It’s the manager. it’s the networks. We have to promote the kind of fighter who needs to be pushed out there and glorified.

“It’s up to us to say: ‘Look, this is the guy.’ If somebody says no, that’s OK. But we keep pushing. It is up to us to find the right guys for him to fight. It’s up to us to be his mouthpiece.’’

Hall of Fame promoter Don Chargin, who has helped Golden Boy promote Canelo, agrees with Hopkins. A key in trying to market a shy fighter without any evident charisma, he says, is often in how he’s matched. Find the right business partner, Chargin says and you might be able to turn him into an attraction.

“It’s tough, but you’d be surprised,’’ Chargin said.

In part, the challenge with Rigondeaux is his Cuban pedigree. He grew up within the tightly-controlled Cuban system. It creates great amateurs. With the notable exception of former lightweight champion Joel Casamayor, however, it doesn’t allow for the kind of personality that sells in the American boxing market, which always been part skill and part theater.

“Yeah, he is shy,’’ Hopkins said. “But that’s the crazy thing about it. Rigondeaux is your worst nightmare in the ring. A lot of times, it just depends on who the dance partner is. If he he’s got a dance partner who doesn’t step on his feet, then he can prove he’s as good as we all know he is.

“We’re only as good as who we fought.’’

And maybe only as good as the promoter who markets and match-makes.

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 14, 2015) – The night of Saturday, Nov. 21 is one for which many are predicting a showdown of epic proportions when Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) and Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) do battle at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. In addition to the already announced televised pay-per-view undercard bouts, warming fans up for the scintillating main event will be former WBA and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs) of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba against Filipino Drian Francisco (28-1-3, 22 KOs) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout.

The addition of Rigondeaux vs. Francisco, which is presented in association with Caribe Promotions, adds even more star power to the mega-event which will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

“We are thrilled to add Guillermo Rigondeaux, one of boxing’s best pound for pound fighters, to what we believe is the biggest night in boxing this year,” said David Itskowitch, COO Boxing of Roc Nation Sports. “On Nov. 21, fans at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and those watching at home on HBO Pay-Per-View are in store for an event that will bring them even more bang for their buck with the addition of Rigondeaux vs. Drian Francisco. It’s a rare treat when three of boxing’s top ten pound for pound best fighters appear on the same telecast.”

“I’d like to thank Roc Nation Sports, as well as Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, Canelo Promotions, HBO, and Caribe Promotions for giving me the opportunity to be on one of the most anticipated Pay-Per-View cards of the year,” said Rigondeaux. “This is a great platform to take my career to the next level, and to showcase my talents on the big stage. While I’ve been sidelined for the past year, I am grateful for the opportunity to deliver a show to all the boxing fans that have supported me throughout this journey, and I look forward to delivering my best come fight night.”

“I’m elated to be able to fight in Las Vegas once more and against a great champion like Rigo,” said Francisco. “I want to make a statement and steal the show. I was prepared to fight this month and when the call came, I didn’t think twice about it. This is a great night to be part of on Nov. 21.”

Cuba’s Guillermo Rigondeaux is widely considered to have been one the best amateur fighters of all time. His troph y case includes two Olympic Gold Medals (2000 and 2004 Olympics) and a seven Cuban National Championships. After amassing an astounding amateur record of nearly 475 fights with only 12 loses, Rigondeaux made his professional debut on May 22, 2009 against Juan Noriega in Miami scoring a third round technical knockout win. On Nov. 13, 2010, in just his seventh pro fight, Rigondeaux challenged Ricardo Cordoba for the vacant WBA Interim Super Bantamweight World Championship and left the ring with the belt after scoring a split decision victory. Four successful title defenses followed which included three knockouts. On April 3, 2013, Rigondeaux took on WBO and Ring Magazine World Champion Nonito Donaire at Radio City Music Hall in New York in a unification fight. Rigondeaux came away with the victory by unanimous decision after out landing and out punching Donaire throughout the fight to unify titles. In his last bout on Dec. 31, 2014, Rigondeaux traveled to Japan to face Tokyo’s Hisashi Amagasa. After getting knocked down in the seventh round, Rigondeaux scored a knockdown of his own in the ninth before scoring a technical knockout victory in the eleventh round.

Born in the province of Mindoro in The Philippines, Drian Francisco is known for his powerful punches and aggressive style. After growing up in the shadow of his father Joe, a former professional boxer, the 33-year-old made his professional debut on April 29, 2005 against Jessie Caballes and came away with a second round technical knockout victory. On Dec. 30, 2006, Francisco won the WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight Title over Pichitchai Twins Gym via a seventh round technical knockout and went on to defend that title against Wanmeechok Singwancha on Aug. 4, 2007. Francisco won the vacant WBA International Super Flyweight title on Oct. 3, 2009 against Roberto Vasquez with a tenth round technical knockout. On Nov. 30, 2010 he faced Duangpetch Kokietgym in Thailand for the WBA Interim Super Flyweight World Championship and came away with an impressive tenth round knockout victory. Since that fight, Francisco has won eight of 11 bouts, including his last outing on September 6 in which he scored a first round knockout win over Jilo Merlin in General Santos City in The Philippines.

Cotto vs. Canelo, a 12-round fight for Cotto’s WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championships, takes place Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The fight is presented by Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra; Mexico, Live it to Believe it!; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Tequila Cazadores and Corporate Travel Made Simple (ctms). Also on the pay-per-view telecast will be Takashi Miura vs. Francisco Vargas in a 12-round co-featured fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship presented in association with Teiken Promotions and Jayson Velez vs. Ronny Rios is a 10-round featherweight bout which will open the pay-per-view telecast. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Randy Caballero vs. Lee Haskins, a 12-round fight for the IBF Bantamweight World Championship, is presented in association with Bristol Boxing Ltd. and will be featured as part of the preliminary undercards available on digital platforms starting at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.

In addition to the great action inside the ring, the event will feature a special live performance by 2015 Latin Grammy nominee Yandel. The performance will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View after the second fight of the pay-per-view telecast.

A limited number of tickets priced at $2,000, $1,750, $1,250 and $650, not including applicable service charges, can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office, ticketmaster.com, mandalaybay.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000. Ticket orders are limited to four per person.

Tickets for closed circuit viewings of Cotto vs. Canelo at select MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas are priced at $75, not including applicable service charges, and can be purchased at all MGM Resorts International Ticket Offices, http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.

Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez will be presented live with Fathom Events in select theaters nationwide. Tickets for theater screenings of Cotto vs. Canelo can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations visit www.fathomevents.com/event/cotto-vs-canelo-live.

Sports bars, restaurants, casinos (outside of Clark County, NV) and other commercial establishments can order Cotto vs. Canelo by contacting Joe Hand Promotions at 1-800-557-4263 or visit www.JoeHandPromotions.com. Joe Hand Promotions is the exclusive commercial distributor for Cotto vs. Canelo throughout the United States and Canada.

For more information, visit www.rocnation.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.canelopromotions.com.mxwww.hbo.com/boxing and www.mandalaybay.com; follow on Twitter at @RocNation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @RealMiguelCotto, @Canelo, @HBOBoxing, and @MandalayBay; become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/RealMiguelACotto, www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MandalayBay; and follow on Instagram @rocnation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @realmiguelacotto, @Canelo, @HBOboxing and @MandalayBay. Follow the conversation using #CottoCanelo.

CORK, Ireland (July 13, 2015) – Irishman Gary Hyde, the manager of unified super bantamweight (122 lbs.) world champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs), has accepted in principal the offer made by Egis Klimas, manager of World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight (126 lbs.) champion Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (4-1, 2 KOs), for a Super Fight.

Rigondeaux is the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) Super, WBO and The Ring magazine’s super bantamweight champion.

Cuban-native Rigondeaux, who now lives in Miami, and Ukrainian-born Lomachenko are both two-time Olympic gold medalists.

“‘Rigo’ will fight Lomachenko at a catchweight of 124 pounds, which should be no problem for Lomachenko because he weighed 125 pounds for one of his professional fights, Hyde said. “‘Rigo’ is a small 122-pounder who could make 118 without much trouble, but he would be giving away size and weight advantages to face Lomachenko.

“We would insist on a rehydration clause of 135 pounds for fight night. If Klimas agrees to this, then, we have a fight. Lomachenko is a masterful fighter like ‘Rigo’ and this match- up will be a classic. We have a pair of two-time Olympic gold medalists and current world champions going at it. I believe ‘Rigo’ is the more ferocious of the two fighters and I firmly believe ‘Rigo’ will dominate Lomachenko. Klimas, you know what you must do to make the fight, just pick up the phone and call me. ‘Rigo’ is ready!”

Follow Hyde on Twitter at @NoWhere2Hyde and friend him at www.facebook.com/gary.hyde.50?fref=ts.

CORK, Ireland (April 12, 2015) – Unified super bantamweight world champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs), arguably the most avoided reigning world title holder in modern boxing history, will travel to London next month in order to publicly confront his mandatory challenger, Scott Quigg (30-0-2, 22 KOs), the World Boxing Association (WBA) “regular” 122-pound division titlist.

A month ago in an unusual move, Rigondeaux’ manager Gary Hyde formally petitioned the WBA to enforce a mandatory title fight between his WBA Super champion and Quigg. Hyde is awaiting the WBA’s decision. Rigondeaux is also the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and The Ring magazine’s super bantamweight champion.

A reigning world champion hasn’t been avoided by other world champions and top contenders like Rigondeux has for the past two years since, perhaps, junior middleweight Sergio Martinez, or possibly all the way back to middleweight Mike McCallum.

The top three super bantamweights in the world outside of Rigondeaux – International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC) champions, Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz, respectively, plus Quigg – have avoided the Cuban great like the plaque. Once Santa Cruz’ promoter at the time, Oscar de la Hoya, announced that a Rigondeaux-Santa Cruz had to happen, Santa Cruz’ powerful adviser, Al Haymon, exercised a contract option and bought him out to avoid a fight with ‘Rigo.’ Frampton’s promoter, Barry McGuigan, has proclaimed his fighter, not Rigondeaux, as the No. 1 super featherweight in the world. McGuigan, though, is interested in Frampton fighting Quigg in a U.K. showdown, rather than a world mega-fight for three of the four major sanctioning world titles. As the “regular” WBA champion, Quigg is Rigondeaux’ mandatory challenger, yet, he apparently wants no part of the two-time Olympic gold medalist because his promoter, Barry Hearn, not only hasn’t pushed the issue, he’s in negotiations with McGuigan for Frampton to fight Quigg.

Former world super bantamweight champions Nonito Doniare, after he lost a unification fight to Rigondeaux two years ago, and Abner Mares chose to move up one division to fight as featherweights. And now Donaire reports that his manager was contacted by a Quigg representative to discuss a Donaire-Quigg fight in England.

Another two-time Olympic gold medalist, WBO 126-pound champion Vasyl Lomachenko, continually insists that “Rigo” has to move up in weight for a fight to happen despite him having no problems making 126.

“Quigg, Santa Cruz and Frampton have showed no desire to challenge Rigondeaux,” Hyde said. “These three fighters are trying to fool the public into believing that fight the No. 1 guy in the world is not important. While they are lining their pockets with ridiculous amounts of cash for fighting below par opponents, Rigondeaux is forced to wait around until some Asian opponent steps up. This is a sport in which we are accustomed to seeing the best fighting the best but, in the super bantamweight division, it’s the best versus the rest.

“Rigondeaux will travel to Manchester to fight Quigg, Belfast to fight Frampton, or Las Vegas to fight Santa Cruz. None of these so-called world champions, though, will consider fighting the acknowledged world super bantamweight champion. They’re all much more content to hold onto their belts than beating The Man in their weight class.”

Next month, Hyde reports, Rigondeaux will travel to the United Kingdom in a bold attempt to embarrass Quigg into fighting him. “I don’t like traveling overseas unless I have a fight lined up,” Rigondeaux explained, “but I will travel to England in May to publicly call out Scott Quigg. If he turns down the chance to fight our WBA mandatory, he will be remembered for that instead of being known as a great fighter. While I’m in the UK, I will also go to Belfast to checkout Carl Frampton to ask if he wants to prove himself against the best in his division.”

Understanding that the top super bantamweight action is currently in Europe, noting a record purse ($2.2 million USD) offered for a Frampton vs. Quigg fight, Rigondeaux is considering a major change in the not too distant future, moving his base from Miami to the UK, if that’s what it takes for him to get in on the action.

Hyde also manages former WBO middleweight champion and current International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 1 mandatory contender Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (31-1, 18 KOs), former WBA Interim cruiserweight champion Youri “El Toro” Kalenga (21-2, 14 KOs) and Georgian super lightweight Levan “The Wolf” Ghvamichava (14-1-1, 11 KOs) , as well as top prospects such as Cuban super bantamweight Marcos Forestal (2-0, 2 KOs), Irish heavyweight Con Sheehan and Bulgarian light heavyweight Blagoy Naydenov.

Follow Hyde on Twitter at @NoWhere2Hyde and friend him at www.facebook.com/gary.hyde.50?fref=ts.

MIAMI (Jan. 28, 2015) – World Boxing Association (WBA) Super, World Boxing Organization (WBO) and The Ring Magazine super bantamweight champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs) is encouraged by reports that World Boxing Council (WBC) title-holder Leo Santa Cruz’ promoter, Oscar de la Hoya, believes a Rigondeaux-Santa Cruz unification fight has to happen.

The 34-year-old Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been restricted to Asia for his last two fights, subsequently in low-profile matches, due to the lack of desire by any world-class super bantamweight to challenge the Cuban star.

Rigondeaux stopped WBO No. 6 rated challenger Hisashi Amagasa (28-4-2, 19 KOs) after 11 rounds in Osaka, Japan this past New Year’s Eve. Last July, “Rigo” knocked out Sod Kokietgym (62-2-1) in the opening round of their fight in Macao, China.

“It’s good to know that Santa Cruz’ promoter has stated that our unification fight has to happen,” an ecstatic Rigondeaux said. “I want to add his (WBC) green belt to my WBA and WBO championship collection. I’ve wanted this fight for some time. Let’s hope this is not just idle talk. Let’s do it!”

Rigondeaux vs. Santa Cruz (29-0-1, 17 KOs) would be a classic showdown between ethnic boxing arch-rivals, respectively, Cuban and Mexican fighters who now live in Miami and southern California.

“I have contacted Golden Boy Promotions many times to ask about making a fight between ‘Rigo’ and Santa Cruz,” Rigondeaux’ manager Gary Hyde added. “They always answered by saying they were interested in making this fight but not at that time. Yesterday, after learning Oscar said this fight has to happen, I reached out to Golden Boy and can confirm that negotiations have commenced. Myself and Caribe Promotions, ‘Rigo’s’ promoter, will endeavor to make this fight happen as soon as possible.

“Once ‘Rigo’ beats Santa Cruz for his third world title belt – fourth if you count The Ring Magazine – a fight against International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Carl Frampton (19-0, 13 KOs) would have to happen in order to determine the undisputed super bantamweight champion of the world.”

Follow Rigondeaux and Hyde on Twitter at @RigoElChacal305 and @NoWhere2Hyde, friend them at www.facebook.com/GuillermoRigondeaux and www.facebook.com/gary.hyde.50?fref=ts.

OSAKA, Japan (Dec. 29, 2014) — After enduring a frustrating year in which he has fought only once, unified world super bantamweight champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (14-0, 9 KOs) is prepared to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title belt this Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, against WBO No. 6 rated challenger Hisashi Amagasa (28-4-2, 19 KOs) at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka, Japan.

Rigondeaux, who resides in Miami, is also the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super and The Ring Magazine super bantamweight champion.

The 34-year-old Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, arrived Dec. 21 in Japan and the pound-for-pound star is extremely grateful for the overwhelmingly warm reception he has received from countless Japanese boxing fans who’ve watched him train or approached him in Osaka.

Last July in Macao, Rigondeaux successfully defended his WBO/WBA Super titles, destroying challenger Sod Kokietgym (63-2-1) in the opening round of the ultra-skilled Cuban’s lone fight to date in 2014.

The 5′ 10 ½” Amagasa towers over the diminutive Rigondeaux, who is 6 ½ inches shorter than his Japanese opponent. Rigondeaux, however, isn’t concerned in the least about their differences in height because of his past success against many taller foes.

“This is my second time fighting in Asia this year,” Rigondeaux said. “I am very frustrated that the other world belt holders are running scared and won’t fight me. It’s disgraceful that we couldn’t find a world-class, 122-pound fighter to fight me, so, I would like to thank Amagasa for dropping down from featherweight (126 lbs. division) to challenge me. I will put on an explosive fireworks display on New Year’s Eve in Japan.”

Unfortunately, Rigondeaux vs. Amagasa will not be televised in the US or Europe, however, there will be an estimated 30-million Japanese fans tuning in to
watch ‘Rigo’ perform.

Japanese press have reported that Rigondeaux is the biggest star to fight in Japan in nearly a quarter-century, since “Iron” Mike Tyson fought against James “Buster” Douglas there in February 1990, describing Rigondeaux as a “Monster Superstar.”

‘We have already been offered a fight against another Japanese challenger in Japan this coming May,” Rigondeaux’ manager Gary Hyde added. “Rigondeaux is in tremendous condition, as always, and we are very confident going into this fight on New Year’s Eve that ‘Rigo’ will put on a another stellar performance.

“In January, we will sit down and discuss the terms of a promotional contract that was initially offered to us this past summer and is now back on the table. Hopefully, we will come to an agreement with this promotional company and ‘Rigo’ will be back fighting on mainstream television networks in 2015.”

Hyde also reported that if, as reports have circulated, WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (20-0-1, 16 KOs) is seriously interested in fighting Rigondeaux, “Rigo” will return from Japan to fight Santa Cruz in a major unification bout January 17 in Las Vegas. Santa Cruz is scheduled to fight an opponent to be determined in the 12-round co-feature on a card headlined by the WBC heavyweight title fight, airing live from MGM Grand on Showtime, between defending champion Bermane Stiverne and mandatory challenger Deontay Wilder.

LONDON (July 18) – Super-bantamweight kingpin Guillermo Rigondeaux has blasted the other recognised champions in the division for refusing to fight him.

The reigning WBA Super and WBO world champion is set to battle the cultured Sod Kokietgym in Macao this Saturday, live on BoxNation, but has taken the opportunity on the eve of the fight to take a pop at the other leading names in the 122-pound weight class.

The 33-year-old is not happy with current WBC champion Leo Santa Cruz and IBF hotshot Kiko Martinez for turning down the opportunity of a unification clash to determine the undisputed number one in the division.

“I am frustrated that the two other champions in my division – Leo Santa Cruz and Kiko Martinez – will not step up to fight me in title unifications to determine the true world champion. I do not understand that mindset,” said Rigondeaux.

“How do you not want to prove you are the best? I do. Nonito Donaire did when we fought in our title unification battle in New York last year. The fans deserve better from Santa Cruz and Martinez. The media should be holding them accountable.

“A real champion fights and accepts the challenges from the best in his division. Back in the day, world champions accepted the top challenges.

“I get criticised by the media for my style of fighting. Maybe the media should be criticising the champions who deny the fights boxing fans crave?,” bemoaned Rigondeaux.

Martinez is set to face Irish sensation Carl Frampton next up, another fight live and exclusive on BoxNation, with Santa Cruz pencilled in to fight on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather’s rematch with Marcos Maidana.

Rigondeaux, however, has to come through a tough test of his own before he can look to unify the belts when he takes on Kokietgym, a two-time world title challenger who is on a nine-year, 37-fight unbeaten streak.

The Cuban, regarded as one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters, has refused to overlook the dangerous Thai and has been hard at work in the gym preparing for this weekend.

“I had a 10-week training camp with George Rubio where we focused on honing my combinations and power punching. I am taking nothing for granted with Kokietgym. He has an impressive record and he is a smart fighter,” said Rigondeaux.

“Hard training and discipline are my greatest assets as a fighter. I am dedicated to being the best boxer in the world and perfecting my technique. I am always the last man out of the gym in training camp. I never weigh more than 129 pounds between fights,” he said.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist, with an unmatched amateur background, has promised to push the action more in this fight after claims that his style wasn’t the most fan-friendly.

“I plan to be more aggressive to be more impressive,” said Rigondeaux. “But let me make this clear, I have been a world champion and an Olympic gold medalist for one reason – I do not make mistakes in the ring. I fight my fight, not my opponents’ fights. In baseball, great hitters do not swing at bad pitches,” he said.

With his defence amongst the very best, Rigondeaux believes he can dominate for many years to come.

“I feel great and I think I can keep fighting at this elite level for many more years because I have never taken any punishment in the ring,”

Rigondeaux said. Rigondeaux vs. Kokietgym is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Saturday at 2pm. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

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

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

MACAU, CHINA (July 18, 2014) – Undefeated unified junior featherweight world champion and Cuban sensation GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX (13-0, 8 KOs), of Miami, Florida, has promised to provide “a lot of fireworks” when he defends his titles against Top-Five contender and two-time world title challenger SOD LOOKNONGYANTOY (63-2-1, 27 KOs), of Srithep, Thailand, This Saturday! July 19, at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena. Rigondeaux will need them if he is to derail the “Looknongyantoy Express,” who enters this fight riding a nine-year, 37-bout unbeaten streak.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with Tecate, All Star Boxing, Caribe Promotions and Foreman Boys Promotions, the Rigondeaux vs. Looknongyangtov world junior featherweight championship fight will be televised via same-day delay as the main event of Solo Boxeo Tecate on UniMás, beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX
“I had a 10-week training camp with George Rubio where we focused on honing my combinations and power punching. I am taking nothing for granted with Looknongyantoy. He has an impressive record and he is a smart fighter.

“I intend to give UniMás and its boxing audience a great show. I plan to be more aggressive to be more impressive. But let me make this clear, I have been a world champion and an Olympic gold medalist for one reason – I do not make mistakes in the ring. I fight my fight, not my opponents’ fights. In baseball, great hitters do not swing at bad pitches.

“Hard training and discipline are my greatest assets as a fighter. I am dedicated to being the best boxer in the world and perfecting my technique. I am always the last man out of the gym in training camp. I never weigh more than 129 pounds between fights.

“I feel great and I think I can keep fighting at this elite level for many more years because I have never taken any punishment in the ring.

“I am frustrated that the two other champions in my division – Leo Santa Cruz and Kiko Martinez – will not step up to fight me in title unifications to determine the true world champion. I do not understand that mindset. How do you not want to prove you are the best? I do. Nonito Donaire did when we fought in our title unification battle in New York last year. The fans deserve better from Santa Cruz and Martinez. The media should be holding them accountable. A real champion fights and accepts the challenges from the best in his division. Back in the day, world champions accepted the top challenges. I get criticized by the media for my style of fighting. Maybe the media should be criticizing the champions who deny the fights boxing fans crave?”

SOD LOOKNONGYANTOY
“I have eight years of Muay Thai fighting experience, including over 400 victories. That has helped me to become a good boxer. I bring vast experience and intelligence.

“I trained hard for this fight. I trained to fight the perfect fight because that is what it will take to beat Rigondeaux. I do not fear him.

“I am up to the challenge. I am prepared to defeat Rigondeaux. I am ready to become world champion.”

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Remaining tickets for the Rigondeaux vs. Looknongyangtov world junior featherweight championship event can be purchased via Cotai Ticketing™. Prices start at HKD/MOP 80, with ferry and hotel packages also available.

Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KOs), of Miami, Florida, one of boxing’s top pound for pound fighters, returns to the ring making his 2014 debut. Last year he unified the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) 122-pound titles by defeating 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire on April 13, 2013, at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall in New York. Rigondeaux thoroughly dominated Donaire via a unanimous decision victory, ending the Filipino Flash’s 12-year, 30-bout winning streak, as well as claiming his WBO junior featherweight title. Rigondeaux had a stellar amateur career, winning Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2000, World Amateur Championship titles in 2005 and 2001, and Pan American Games gold medals in 2005 and 2003, all at 119 pounds, before leaving Cuba to embark on a professional career which began in Miami in 2009. In only his seventh professional fight where both fighters scored knockdowns, Rigondeaux captured the WBA interim super bantamweight title, winning a tough split decision over the vastly more experienced former world champion Ricardo Cordoba in 2010. After successfully defending the interim title in 2011 with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated former European super bantamweight champion Willie Casey, Rigondeaux won the WBA world super bantamweight championship with a sixth-round knockout of previously undefeated defending champion Rico Ramos, January 20, 2012. Rigondeaux has successfully defended that title four times since then, blasting out once-beaten Teon Kennedy in the fifth round, which included Kennedy suffering five knockdowns en route to the loss, and winning a dominant unanimous decision over once-beaten contender Roberto Marroquin, both in 2012, besting Donaire in their April 2013 title unification fight and most recently, defeating former two-time world champion Joseph Agbeko, December 7 via a dominant unanimous decision.

Looknongyantoy (63-2-1, 27 KOs), of Srithep, Thailand, has twice challenged for the WBO junior featherweight title, losing to Daniel De Leon both times, in 2005 and 2006. Since then he has fashioned a nine -year, 37-bout unbeaten streak, which has included Asian, WBO Asia-Pacific and WBA Pan Asian 122-pound title victories. Possessing a style that features good skills and movement, he is currently world-rated No. 5 by the WBO and No. 10 by the WBA.

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Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination.

The 15,000-seat Cotai Arena is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.

The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.

The 650-seat Sands Theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.

With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.

For information about upcoming shows and events, visit www.venetianmacao.com/entertainment.html.

About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital & Spa; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao’s Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….Macao Starts Here. For more information, please visit
http://en.cotaistrip.com.

MACAU, CHINA (July 9, 2014) – Undefeated unified junior featherweight world champion and Cuban sensation GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX will defend his titles against Top-Five contender and two-time world title challenger SOD LOOKNONGYANTOY, Saturday, July 19.at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with Tecate, All Star Boxing, Caribe Promotions and Foreman Boys Promotions, the Rigondeaux vs. Looknongyangtov world junior featherweight championship fight will be televised via same-day delay as the main event of Solo Boxeo Tecate on UniMás, beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Remaining tickets for the Rigondeaux vs. Looknongyangtov world junior featherweight championship event can be purchased via Cotai Ticketing™. Prices start at HKD/MOP 80, with ferry and hotel packages also available.

Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KOs), of Miami, Florida, one of boxing’s top pound for pound fighters, returns to the ring making his 2014 debut. Last year he unified the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) 122-pound titles by defeating 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire on April 13, 2013, at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall in New York. Rigondeaux thoroughly dominated Donaire via a unanimous decision victory, ending the Filipino Flash’s 12-year, 30-bout winning streak, as well as claiming his WBO junior featherweight title. Rigondeaux had a stellar amateur career, winning Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2000, World Amateur Championship titles in 2005 and 2001, and Pan American Games gold medals in 2005 and 2003, all at 119 pounds, before leaving Cuba to embark on a professional career which began in Miami in 2009. In only his seventh professional fight where both fighters scored knockdowns, Rigondeaux captured the WBA interim super bantamweight title, winning a tough split decision over the vastly more experienced former world champion Ricardo Cordoba in 2010. After successfully defending the interim title in 2011 with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated former European super bantamweight champion Willie Casey, Rigondeaux won the WBA world super bantamweight championship with a sixth-round knockout of previously undefeated defending champion Rico Ramos, January 20, 2012. Rigondeaux has successfully defended that title four times since then, blasting out once-beaten Teon Kennedy in the fifth round, which included Kennedy suffering five knockdowns en route to the loss, and winning a dominant unanimous decision over once-beaten contender Roberto Marroquin, both in 2012, besting Donaire in their April 2013 title unification fight and most recently, defeating former two-time world champion Joseph Agbeko, December 7 via a dominant unanimous decision.

Looknongyantoy (63-2-1, 27 KOs), of Srithep, Thailand, has twice challenged for the WBO junior featherweight title, losing to Daniel De Leon both times, in 2005 and 2006. Since then he has fashioned a nine -year, 37-bout unbeaten streak, which has included Asian, WBO Asia-Pacific and WBA Pan Asian 122-pound title victories. Possessing a style that features good skills and movement, he is currently world-rated No. 5 by the WBO and No. 10 by the WBA.

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

Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination.

The 15,000-seat Cotai Arena is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.

The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.

The 650-seat Sands Theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.

With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.

For information about upcoming shows and events, visit www.venetianmacao.com/entertainment.html.

About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital & Spa; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao’s Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….Macao Starts Here. For more information, please visit
http://en.cotaistrip.com.

LONDON (3 July) – BoxNation’s stacked summer schedule is set to get even hotter this July with heavyweight hitters Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora’s world title eliminator headlining a sizzling set of fights, live and exclusive on ‘The Channel of Champions’.

The mammoth showdown between two of the world’s best heavyweights, taking place at the Phones4U Arena in Manchester on July 26th, will see the victor go on to challenge the reigning WBA Super, IBF and WBO world champion Wladimir Klitschko next up.

First, however, they must cross paths once again, with Chisora looking to avenge his 2011 points loss to Fury, as both men put their careers on the line in their bid for world title glory.

BoxNation will be bringing viewers unprecedented access ahead of their mouth-watering meeting, with the channel set to air – ‘Before the Bell: Chisora v Fury’ – a fly on the wall documentary series, starting this coming Monday at 7.30pm, delving into the lives of both fighters as they gear up for the biggest bout of their careers.

Episode two airs on Monday 14th July at 7.30pm, with the final show on Monday 21st July at 7.30pm.

The world’s best boxing channel will get their enthralling July schedule off to a bang this weekend, though, with further heavyweight action when Uzbekistan’s Ruslan Chageav challenges hard-hitter Fres Oquendo for the vacant WBA title.

The following week on July 12th, one of boxing’s very best, Canelo Alvarez, is back in action when he takes on the slick and slippery Cuban Erislandy Lara in a matchup that continues to divide opinion amongst fight aficionados.

Mexican superstar, Alvarez, will be looking to continue his route back to the very top, following his loss to Floyd Mayweather last September.

He has already shown that he is ready to challenge the best around again after his convincing victory over Alfredo Angulo earlier this year, but, Lara is a different prospect altogether, having racked up 19 wins in 22 fights and with world title ambitions of his own.

The card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will also witness the revitalised Juan Manuel Lopez up against Francisco Vargas following his stunning win over Daniel Ponce De Leon in March, with the man who ran Danny Garcia extremely close – Mauricio Herrera – returning against Johan Perez.

There is domestic action on July 16th when talented super-middleweight prospect Frank Buglioni looks to bounce back in style following his shock defeat to Sergey Khomitsky.

The power puncher, known as ‘The Wise Guy’, goes up against Sam Couzens at the York Hall, with 21-year-old super-featherweight ace Mitchell Smith battling Peter Cope, and highly-touted welterweight Bradley Skeete taking on Steven Pearce.

BoxNation then returns back to Macao, China when the supremely gifted Guillermo Rigondeaux puts his WBA Super and WBO super-bantamweight world titles on the line against the experienced Sod Kokietgym on July 19th.

The end of BoxNation’s packed July schedule, with back-to-back fights each weekend, featuring the very best boxing action from around the world, culminates in the mega-clash between Fury and Chisora as they ‘fight for the right’.

To subscribe to BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) an unmissable July for only £12 a month, please visit www.boxnation.com.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

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

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

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

MACAO (May 31, 2014) – Two-time Chinese Olympic gold medallist and national icon ZOU SHIMING and undefeated unified junior featherweight world champion and Cuban sensation GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX will headline Champions of Gold – world championship boxing’s return to The The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with Tecate, PS4, Caribe Promotions and Foreman Boys Promotions, Champions of Gold will take place Saturday, July 19.

Tickets for Champions of Gold are on sale now and can be purchased via Cotai Ticketing™; prices start at HKD/MOP 80, with ferry and hotel packages also available. Featherweight Fury ticketholders will want to act fast to take advantage of a 30 per cent early bird discount*, available for three days only, until June 2 (HKD/MOP 80 tickets excluded).

Rigondeaux will be defending his titles against top-five contender and two-time world title challenger SOD LOOKNONGYANTOY of Thailand. The undercard will feature former three-time world champion BRIAN VILORIA, undefeated NABF/NABO super middleweight champion GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ, 2012 Russian Olympic gold medallist EGOR MEKHONTSEV, plus local favourites REX “The Wonder Kid” TSO, IK YANG and “The Macao Kid” NG KUOK KUN, each in separate bouts.

Zou (4-0, 1 KO), from Guizhou, China, and trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, won his professional debut April 6, 2013 at Fists of Gold, via a dominant four-round unanimous decision over gritty Eleazar Valenzuela. He followed that up with six-round unanimous decision victories last year over Jesus Ortega and Juan Toscano July 27 at Fists of Gold II and November 24 at The Clash in Cotai, respectively, and celebrated his 2014 debut with his first professional knockout February 22 at Ring of Gold, stopping Yokthong Kokietgym in the seventh round. All of his professional bouts have taken place at the Cotai Arena. One of the most popular Olympic athletes in China, Zou was the world’s greatest amateur light flyweight, capturing gold medals in the World Amateur Championships in 2005, 2007 and 2011, along with gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. He also owns an Olympic bronze medal from the 2004 games, making him his nation’s first Olympic medallist in boxing as well as its first boxing gold medallist in the World Amateur Championships and the Olympics. He will be graduating to a 10-round bout against an opponent who will be named shortly, taking Zou one step closer to a world title challenge.

Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KOs), of Miami, Florida, returns to the ring making his 2014 debut. Last year he unified the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) 122-pound titles by defeating 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire April 13, 2013, at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall in New York. Rigondeaux thoroughly dominated Donaire via a unanimous decision victory, ending his 12-year, 30-bout winning streak, as well as claiming his WBO junior featherweight title. Rigondeaux had a stellar amateur career, winning Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2000, World Amateur Championship titles in 2005 and 2001, and Pan American Games gold medals in 2005 and 2003, all at 119 pounds, before leaving Cuba to embark on a professional career which began in Miami in 2009. In only his seventh professional fight where both fighters scored knockdowns, Rigondeaux captured the WBA interim super bantamweight title, winning a tough split decision over the vastly more experienced former world champion Ricardo Cordoba in 2010. After successfully defending the interim title in 2011 with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated former European super bantamweight champion Willie Casey, Rigondeaux won the WBA world super bantamweight championship with a sixth-round knockout of previously undefeated defending champion Rico Ramos January 20, 2012. Rigondeaux has successfully defended that title four times since then, blasting once-beaten Teon Kennedy in the fifth round, which included Kennedy suffering five knockdowns en route to the loss, and winning a dominant unanimous decision over once-beaten contender Roberto Marroquin, both in 2012, besting Donaire in their April 2013 title unification fight and most recently, defeating former two-time world champion Joseph Agbeko December 7 via a dominant unanimous decision.

Looknongyantoy (61-2-1, 25 KOs), of Srithep, Thailand, has twice challenged for the WBO junior featherweight, losing to Daniel De Leon both times, in 2005 and 2006. Since then he has fashioned an eight-year, 35-bout unbeaten streak, which has included Asian, WBO Asia-Pacific and WBA Pan Asian 122-pound title victories. He is currently world-rated No. 5 by the WBO and No. 8 by the WBA.

Viloria (32-4, 19 KOs), from Waipahu, Hawaii, was a 2000 U.S. Olympian. He captured his first world title in 2005, knocking out Eric Ortiz in the first round to become the World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight champion. He held the title for nearly one year before losing it. In 2008, he captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior flyweight title, knocking out Ulises Solis in the 11th round. After losing the title in his second defence the following year, Viloria moved up one weight division and captured the WBO flyweight title via unanimous decision over Julio Miranda in 2011. The following year, he unified the title with a 10th-round knockout of WBA champion Hernan Marquez. He lost the titles on the Fists of Gold II card, losing a split decision to Juan Estrada.

Ramirez (28-0, 22 KOs), of Mazatlan, Mexico, is world-rated No. 2 by the WBC, No. 3 by the WBO, No. 6 by the WBA and No. 7 by the IBF. A sensational young contender, Ramirez, 22, has won both his 2014 bouts by knockout. In his last outing, April 11, he captured the NABF and NABO super middleweight titles via a fifth-round knockout of two-time world title challenger Yovanny Lorenzo.

Mekhontsev (3-0, 3 KOs), of Asbest, Russia, won his pro debut last December 4, knocking out Peter Cajigas in the third round. On February 22, Mekhontsev made his Cotai Arena debut at Ring of Gold, knocking out undefeated Jaritram Atthaporn in the second round. His most recent fight was a third-round stoppage of Dwayne Williams April 11. Trained by his father Leonid, Mekhontsev captured the Olympic light heavyweight gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games and as a heavyweight he won gold at the 2009 World Amateur Championships and the 2010 and 1008 European Amateur Championships.

Hong Kong’s Tso (12-0, 8 KOs), the undefeated WBC Asian super flyweight and WBO Asia Pacific junior bantamweight champion recently named 2013 WBC Asia Prospect of the Year, Yang (13-0, 8 KOs) of Dalian, China and local favourite Ng (4-0, 2 KOs) will be featured in separate bouts on the undercard against opponents who will be announced soon.

Tickets to the July 19 Champions of Gold can be purchased at all Cotai Ticketing box offices*, and are available in seven categories, ranging from HKD/MOP 80 to HKD/MOP 4,680. HKD/MOP 88 adds a round trip Cotai Water Jet ferry ticket between Hong Kong and Macao (HKD/MOP 80 tickets excluded). Tickets can be booked online at www.cotaiticketing.com, or by phone at +853 2882 8818 (Macao) / +852 6333 6660 (HK) / 4001 206 618 (China) / +63 2 395 3370 (Philippines). Tickets are also available through Hong Kong Ticketing (customer service fee applies), online at www.HKTicketing.com or by phone at +852 3128 8288, and via Macao Kong Seng Ticketing Network, online at www.macauticket.com, by phone at +853 2855 5555, or in person at selected retail outlets (for locations, visit www.macauticket.com/TicketWeb/ServiceStations.aspx). Hotel packages including two tickets and one night’s accommodation at a choice of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel; Conrad Macao, Cotai Central; Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central; or Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central are also available for purchase starting at HKD/MOP 3,800† through Cotai Ticketing.

NOTE: Bouts and times subject to change

# # #

Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination.

The 15,000-seat Cotai Arena is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.

The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.

The 650-seat Sands Theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.

With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.

For information about upcoming shows and events, visit www.venetianmacao.com/entertainment.html.

About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital & Spa; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao’s Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….Macao Starts Here. For more information, please visit
http://en.cotaistrip.com.

122 pound world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux will defend his title on July 19 in Macau, China against Sod Kokietgym according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“This fight is the end of the contract. We owe him this fight and we will live up to the contract and then it’s over,” Arum said. “We’re happy to make a new deal with him if he wants to renegotiate (his minimum purses). But HBO won’t put him on, so the only market I have for him is in Asia.

“If he makes a big hit when he fights (in Macau) then we have to work out the money, and if we can’t, we can’t. If he feels there’s a market for him across the street (at Showtime), let him go across the street.”

LONDON (May 20) – BoxNation has added three more thrilling shows to its stacked summer calendar including two world title main events headlined by champions Terence Crawford and Guillermo Rigondeaux, plus the exciting York Hall bill led by rising star Frank Buglioni.

It will be Ricky Burns’ conqueror Crawford who will be out first on June 28th when he makes the first defence of his WBO lightweight title against the feared Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

The unbeaten Gamboa has long been regarded as one of boxing’s next stars having enjoyed a glittering amateur career that culminated in him claiming Olympic gold at the 2004 Athens Games.

Having been out of action for over a year by the time he enters the ring on June 28th, he will have his work cut out against the skilled Crawford who has the talent to reach the very pinnacle of the sport and is unbeaten in his 23 fights.

‘The Channel of Champions’ will also bring viewers a domestic fight feast when rising star Frank Buglioni looks to prove his shock loss in his last bout was only a minor setback as he takes on the wily Sam Couzens at the York Hall on July 16th.

Two unbeaten contenders in Mitchell Smith and Peter Cope are also set to go at it as they compete for the vacant English super-featherweight title in what is set to be an all-action affair, with welterweight prospect Bradley Skeete also featuring on the night.

Then, on July 19th one of the world’s very best will be looking to showcase his box of tricks with Cuban ace Rigondeaux putting his WBA Super and WBO super-bantamweight titles on the line against knockout artist Jonathan Guzman.

Taking place at the Cotai Arena in Macao, China, the Dominican Republic’s Guzman will look to capture his first world titles by continuing his fearsome undefeated record which has seen him knockout 16 opponents in his 16 wins.

British and Irish interest will be high in the fight as Belfast’s Carl Frampton and Bury’s Scott Quigg eye a future clash with the 122 pound division’s top dog in Rigondeaux.

The exhilarating additions to the BoxNation calendar follows hot on the heels of the news that the channel will be broadcasting the megafight between WBC middleweight world champion Sergio Martinez and superstar Miguel Cotto live and exclusive on June 7th.

Further good news for BoxNation viewers is that the channel will be the only place to see the award-winning 24/7 series previewing the build up to Martinez-Cotto at Madison Square Garden in New York, with episode one set to premiere on Tuesday the 3rd of June at 7pm.

BoxNation will also be the only place to see this summer’s eagerly anticipated heavyweight world title eliminator between kingpins Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora on July 26th.

To subscribe to BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) for only £12 a month (plus a one-off registration fee) please visit www.boxnation.com.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

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

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

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

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

Saturday Cuban world champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux reduced Ghanaian super bantamweight and former bantamweight titlist Joseph King Kong Agbeko, no quotes, to an inactive and pacifistic mess, decisioning the African by extraordinarily unanimous scores of 120-108 (12 rounds to 0), 120-108 (12 rounds to 0) and 120-108 (12 rounds to 0). Agbeko, once the very picture of a volume-punching craftsman adept at stealing others’ wills, got uppercutted by Rigondeaux often enough early enough to throw a metaphoric white towel on the match at its halfway point and leave it there.

It takes a special sort of audacity to deploy an uppercut from range in a championship prizefight. Howsoever one chooses to throw it, the punch must begin with a hand perilously lowered, placing an unusual defensive onus on footwork. It is a punch one is taught never to throw moving forward, an instruction a young fighter needn’t hear more than once – hard enough as it is to switch his feet and body weight correctly to throw the punch even when it is a logical counter and available, like when a volume punching opponent repeatedly sets his chin over his front knee, as every volume puncher is wont to do whether by audacity, carelessness or necessity, and charges the uppercut, head lowered.

The uppercut is a punch rarely thrown accurately by the slower fighter in a match, and even more rarely thrown by slow fighters. When thrown as a back-hand counter, the punch needn’t travel far, relying as it does on the opponent’s weight and leverage – rushing into it and impaling his chin on the point of its middle knuckle – and the effectiveness of its shortened leverage can be taught a young fighter by nearly placing his back elbow on the face of its corresponding hipbone, and moving them as one, ensuring both a proper weight transfer and a necessarily restricted range of motion.

To throw the uppercut with one’s lead hand generally makes an up-jab of it, a narrowed glove whose thumb faces its thrower from trigger to contact, and ought be followed with a cross or something from the back else its thrower will expose himself unjustifiably. But to throw the back-hand uppercut as lead? That requires the audacity of a madman in the moment it is thrown, regardless of its employer’s precision. Juan Manuel Marquez used a right-uppercut lead to snatch the fighting spirit right out Rocky Juarez in their 2007 super featherweight match, sending Juarez dejectedly shuffling to his corner between rounds wondering how slow and classless he had to look to Marquez, during “Dinamita’s” mastery period and well before his reinvention-of-physique, to prompt the Mexican to consider such a lunatic ploy, much less snap his head upwards with it.

It was the very sort of audaciousness Guillermo Rigondeaux used against Joseph King Kong Agbeko, Saturday, in as one-sided a championship match as has seen a 12th round in years. It didn’t begin that way, either, and Agbeko, despite what Rigondeaux reduced him to, and despite his debut at 122 pounds coming in only his second prizefight since losing a rematch to Abner Mares 24 months ago, did not begin timidly as one recalls, either.

Agbeko, as high-class a volume puncher as the sport had in 2009, when he decisioned Vic Darchinyan and got decisioned by Yonnhy Perez – back when Agbeko’s aesthetically daring ringwalks included a gorilla mask, shackles and a blonde keeper, in a nod to the middle name, King Kong, Agbeko claims is written on a Ghanaian birth certificate probably having a different birth year than what “1980” Agbeko also claims – began the open of Saturday’s match in proper form, throwing a righthand lead or two at his southpaw opponent. Almost instantly, or at least instantly enough to overwrite in our memories what time passed before its appearance, Rigondeaux snapped a left uppercut from his southpaw stance, a back-hand uppercut counter, that snatched the fighting spirit from Agbeko with a frightful economy.

This was not a larger or stronger man unbuttoning a lesser man, a spent cutiepie American suddenly confronted by someone who hit harder and was quicker too, but rather an evenly matched champion unraveling a former titlist from Africa, a continent from which no prizefighter ever ran his way to America. Agbeko, the man who unmanned Darchinyan when the “Raging Bull” was finished stretching Mexico’s slickest boxer, Cristian Mijares, and Mexico’s toughest showman, Jorge Arce, three months apart, got stung three times by Rigondeaux in the fight’s second and third minute and spent what 33 minutes followed doing anything he could not to be stung again – and getting stung again and again.

Legend has it Joe Frazier said to a young Marvelous Marvin Hagler, “You have three strikes against you: You’re black, you’re a southpaw, and you’re good.” Aficionados looking for an explanation of fans’ and opponents’ continuing avoidance of Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux – a man whose ancestors arrived in the Western Hemisphere the same way African Americans’ did – might take Frazier’s three strikes against Hagler and add a fourth: You don’t speak English. Something like this, though not exactly this, is what Rigondeaux alluded to in footage from an HBO prefight interview, Saturday, when he said all was always harder for Cuban fighters, men whose leader made a habit of making international laughingstocks of American leaders for about 50 years, because they did not need to get hit frequently as Mexicans.

Statements like that, actually, should benefit Rigondeaux, fighting as he does in a division populated with other Latinos, and subsequently lots of Mexicans – men whose aggressiveness and stylistic deficiencies mesh perfectly with the Cuban’s extraordinary offensive arsenal. Too, Rigondeaux should benefit from HBO’s patronage and promoter Top Rank’s matchmaking mastery. Provided he follows the course plotted him and stays what greedy impulses plague men, Guillermo Rigondeaux may well be starting the sort of five-year run, 2013-2018, that makes a prizefighter into a legend.

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

ATLANTIC CITY–Guillermo Rigondeaux retained the WBA/WBO Super Bantamweight titles at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside of Boardwalk HalL.

Rigondeaux used his superior boxing ability as he places precision shots to the body and flicking jabs to the head of Agbeko.

Scores were 120-108 on all cards for Rigondeaux and is now 13-0. Agbeko is now 29-5.

James Kirkland scored a 6th round stoppage over previously undefeated Glen Tapia in a thrilling Jr. Middleweight fight.

Tapia dominated the first frame as he jumped on Kirkland which thrilled the pro-Tapia crowd. Most of the next five rounds were spent with Kirkland unloading hundreds of flush punches to the head and the body of Tapia. Tapia was getting beat up but he showed an unbelievable heart and only god knows what was keeping him standing. Tapia showed short bursts of offense in the beginning of the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds but they were short lived as Kirkland pounded away at Tapia that had blood flying from the nose of Tapia until referee Steve Smoger stopped the bout at 38 seconds of round six.

Kirkland is now 32-1 with 28 knockouts. Tapia is now 20-1.

Matthew Macklin pounded out a ten round unanimous decisioble n over previously undefeated Lamar Russ in a Middleweight bout.

Macklin controlled the action with solid ring generalship and he stuck the jab in the taller Russ’face. Macklin landed several hard blows in round nine that had Russ bleeding from the mouth and the defensive as the round ended. Russ came out and threw hard shots in round ten but none of consequence

Matt Korobov remained undefeated by scoring a 9th round stoppage over Derek Edwards in a Middleweight bout.

In round one, a body-head combination made Edwards buckle Korobov continued to pound Edwards to the body and the head for which he had Edwards stumbling into the ropes. Korobov landed a fuselage of shots until he was rocked badly by a hard right from Edwards. Korobov was clarly hurt and even turned his back in an effort to run away but two three more hard shots before the end of the first round. In round two, Korobov landed a hard straight left that sent Edwards sprawling into the ropes for a knockdown. Korobov rocked Edwards once again in round four when he landed a terrific three punch head combination.

Korobov scored a knockdown at the end of round seven from a hard left hand. The two went to war in round eight with Korobov getting the better of the two way action. Korobov ended the night by dropping Edwards in round nine from yet another straight left and referee Steve Smoger stopped the fight immediately at 28 seconds of round nine.

Korobov, 162.8 lbs of Orotukian, RUS is now 22-0 with 13 knockouts. Edwards, 161.8 lbs of Winston Salem, NC is now 26-3-1.

Toka Khan Clary survived two knockdowns and boxed his way to a six round unanimous decision over Ramsey Luna in a Super Featherweight bout featuring undefeated fighters.

Clary was quicker to the punch throughout as he hit and played good defense. In round four, Luna sent Clary down from a right hand and then dropped him again from a body shot. Clary was able to get out of the round and was never threatened the rest of the way.

Clary, 130.2 lbs of Providence, RI won by scores of 57-55 on all cards and is now 9-0-0-1. Luna, 131.2 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX is now 11-1.

Jesse Hart scored an explosive 1st round stoppage over Tyrell Hendrix in a scheduled six round Super Middleweight bout.

Hart rocked Hendrix with an uppercut an opened up with a huge flurry where he drilled Hendrix several more times before referee Steve Smoger stopped the bout at 1:20 of round one.

Hart, 168.2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Hendrix, 168.4 lbs of Los Angeles is now 10-3-2-1.

Julian Rodriguez scored a 4 round unanimous decision over Ryan Picou in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Rodriguez pounded away on Picou in the 1st with blistering combinations. Picou, who was a late replacement tried and landed some shots here and there. Late in round two, Rodriguez continue to rock Picou for the duration of the fight.

Rodriguez, 140.6 lbs of Hasbrouck, NJ won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 2-0. Picou, 140 lbs of Las Vegas is now 0-2.

Egor Mekhontsev made a successful pro debut with a 3 round beat down of Peter Cajigas in a scheduled four round Light Heavyweight bout.

Mekhonstev showed quick hands and hard combinations over the first two rounds. Mekhonstev dropped Cajigas three times in round three all from all hard body shots and referee Steve Smoger stopped the bout at 35 seconds of round three.

Mekhonstev, 177.2 lbs of Asobest, RUS is now 1-0 with 1 knockout. Cajigas, 179.8 lbs of Franklin Park, IL is now 0-3-1.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Guillermo Rigondeaux 121 – Joseph Agbeko 121.6
Lamar Russ 159 – Matthew Macklin 159
Glen Tapia 156 – James Kirkland 155.1
Egor Mekhonsev 177.2 – PJ Catages 179.8
Julian Rodriguez 140.6 – Ryan Piquot 140
Jesse Hart 168.2 – Tyrell Hendrix 168.4
Ramsey Luna 131.2 – Toka Khan Klary 132
Matt Korobov 162.2 – Derek Edwards 161.8
Tramaine Williams 122.6 – Jovanny Fuentes 121.8

15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra was on hand to take the photos of the final press conference for the Guillermo Rigondeaux – Joseph Agbeko press conference in New York City

HBO’s hit late-night boxing franchise wraps its 2013 slate with the world-class tripleheader HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX VS. JOSEPH AGBEKO, JAMES KIRKLAND VS. GLEN TAPIA AND MATTHEW MACKLIN VS. LAMAR RUSS, presented SATURDAY, DEC. 7 at 9:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team of Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman and Andre Ward will be ringside for the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Dec. 8 (8:30 a.m.) and 9 (11:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Dec. 8 (5:00 p.m.) and 10 (11:30 p.m.)
In the main event, Cuban sensation Guillermo Rigondeaux (12-0, 8 KOs) puts his super bantamweight titles on the line against Joseph Agbeko (29-4, 22 KOs) of Accra, Ghana. After winning two Olympic Gold medals as an amateur, the Miami-based Rigondeaux, 33, has picked apart 122-pounders like no other in his brief pro career. Most recently, he tactically disposed of Nonito Donaire, one of the sport’s elite, scoring a 12-round unanimous decision in a high-profile unification fight. After a year’s layoff, Agbeko, 33, defeated Luis Melendez last March to win a bantamweight title. With notable victories over Luis Perez and Vic Darchinyan also on his resume, he will work to build on his bantamweight success, making his HBO debut in one of the most competitive weight classes.
The co-main event, a junior middleweight bout scheduled for ten rounds, features Glen Tapia (20-0, 12 KOs) of Passaic, NJ, risking his undefeated record against heavy-handed James Kirkland (31-1, 27 KOs) of Austin, Tex. Since July, Tapia, 23, has scored two knockout victories for his third and fourth wins of 2013. Returning to the ring after nearly two years, Kirkland, 29, expects to improve on the 87% victory by knockout rate that once exhilarated sweet science fanatics. His record includes wins over Alfredo Angulo, Carlos Molina, Joel Julio and Brian Vera.
The evening begins with middleweight contenders Matthew Macklin (29-5, 20 KOs) of Birmingham, England, and Lamar Russ (14-0, 7 KOs) of Wilmington, NC in a scheduled ten-round fight. After suffering a third-round knockout defeat to powerhouse Gennady Golovkin in June, Macklin, 31, hopes to return to the form that merited him a shot at a 154-pound title. Building his own convincing case for a title run, Russ, 26, has dominated opponents in 2013, winning by unanimous decision in each of his three fights.
Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.
The executive producer of HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Dave Harmon; director, Doug Getts.

ATLANTIC CITY (November 13, 2013) — Undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) / World Boxing Organization (WBO) 122-pound world champion and Cuban sensation GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX returns to the ring fresh from his career-best victory. Rigondeaux will be bidding for Fighter of the Year honors when he defends his unified titles against former two-time world champion JOSEPH “King Kong” AGBEKO, Saturday, December 7, at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Atlantic City. The card will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. The live telecast will also feature local favorite GLEN “Jersey Boy” TAPIA risking his Top-10 rating and undefeated record in a 10-round junior middleweight battle against knockout artist JAMES KIRKLAND and three-time world title challenger MATTHEW MACKLIN in a 10-round middleweight rumble against undefeated contender LAMAR RUSS.

These six gladiators boast a combined record of 135-10, 96 KOs — a winning percentage of 93% and a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Caribe Promotions, SMS Promotions, DiBella Entertainment and Tecate, tickets to the Rigondeaux vs. Agbeko world championship event go on sale Tomorrow! Thursday, November 14, at Noon ET. Priced at $200, $100. $50 and $25, plus applicable service charges, tickets can be purchased at Boardwalk Hall box office, all Ticketmaster locations and online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call 800-736-1420.

“After a brilliant performance against Nonito Donaire, Rigondeaux puts his extraordinary skills to test on December 7 against Joseph Agbeko,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank. “This bout epitomizes the contrast of style of slick boxer versus brawler. Which style will prevail?”

“On December 7, fans will see some of the fight game’s purest boxing and punching at its most distilled,” says Peter Nelson, director of programming, HBO Sports. “The Boardwalk in Atlantic City is the perfect home for three such intriguing match-ups.”

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring,” said Rigondeaux. “Joseph Agbeko is a great champion, and I believe all fans will be pleased with the type of performance we will both exhibit to end a great year of boxing. I believe Agbeko will come prepared, ready to engage and be very aggressive. We will both showcase our skills, and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to end 2013 the way I opened it up, with surprise and pure boxing class for the world to see. I would like to thank HBO, my promoters Top Rank and Caribe promotions, my manager Gary Hyde, advisor Alex Bornote, trainers Ramon Garbey, Joel Casamayor, Pedro Luis, and all those that have a part in making this fight happen.”

“This is going to be a great fight. I’m extremely motivated. I plan to make my country proud by becoming world champion again after I defeat Rigondeaux,” declared Agbeko.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity my whole life. Now that it’s here it’s time for me to show the world that I’m here to stay. This is just the beginning,” said Tapia.

“Tapia hasn’t fought anyone near my level. I’m going for the knockout,” said Kirkland.

“I am looking forward to getting back in the ring and back to my winning ways,” said Macklin. “I’ve seen a few of Russ’ fights and he’s very sharp, very skilled and he’s always in exciting fights as am I. This should be a great fight for the fans both in Atlantic City and those watching on HBO. A big win against Lamar will set me up nicely for a big 2014.”

“This is great opportunity for me and my team,” said Russ. “I want it to be known to the fans and to Macklin that on December 7th I am coming to fight and I am coming to win.”

“We are delighted that Joseph Agbeko has stepped up to the plate by challenging Rigo for his WBA and WBO world titles and we are looking forward to putting on a “master class performance” against little Joe December 7th,” said Gary Hyde, Rigondeaux’s manager.

“Joseph Agbeko is a great warrior in the tradition of African fighters like Azumah Nelson. He’s coming for the title and plans to lay it all on the line. He’s a legitimate danger to Rigondeaux,” said Frank Espinoza, Agbeko’s manager.

“I’d like to thank Top Rank and HBO for giving Glen this opportunity,” said Tapia’s manager Pat Lynch. “I know it’s something he’s worked really hard for. It’s going to be a great fight and Glen will not disappoint his fans on December 7.”

“Kirkland brings all-out aggression into the ring. He’s strong, powerful and exciting,” said Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, of SMS Promotions.

“Macklin-Russ should be a barnburner between two fighters who can bang,” said Lou DiBella, Macklin’s promoter. “The fight means so much to both boxers that it can’t help but be a good one and we are happy that it is on such a high quality card in Atlantic City.”

“We know that Russ will come to fight but we are very confident in Matt’s skills and experience and know those two assets will put us back into the win column,” said Macklin’s advisor Anthony Catanzaro.

“Caesars Atlantic City’s commitment to sponsoring some of the top sporting events on the East Coast is no more evident than with this December 7th HBO triple header set for historic Boardwalk Hall,” said Kevin Ortzman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Caesars, Bally’s, and Showboat Atlantic City. “As a boxing fan, I’m particularly looking forward to the Tapia v. Kirkland bout. Given Tapia’s New Jersey roots and his quick growing reputation as an up and comer, this match already possesses a great storyline and will certainly be a high energy affair.”

Rigondeaux (12-0, 8 KOs), of Miami, Fla., returns to the ring after unifying the titles by defeating 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire on April 13 at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall in New York. Rigondeaux thoroughly dominated Donaire via a unanimous decision victory, ending his 12-year, 30-bout winning streak, as well as claiming his WBO junior featherweight title. Rigondeaux had a stellar amateur career, winning Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2000, World Amateur Championship titles in 2005 and 2001, and Pan American Games gold medals in 2005 and 2003, all at 119 pounds, before defecting from Cuba and embarking on a professional career which began in Miami in 2009. In only his seventh professional fight where both fighters scored knockdowns, Rigondeaux captured the WBA interim super bantamweight title, winning a tough split decision over the vastly more experienced former world champion Ricardo Cordoba in 2010. After successfully defending the interim title in 2011 with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated former European super bantamweight champion Willie Casey, Rigondeaux won the WBA world super bantamweight championship with a sixth-round knockout of previously undefeated defending champion Rico Ramos on January 20, 2012. Rigondeaux has successfully defended that title thrice since then, blasting once-beaten Teon Kennedy in the fifth round, which included Kennedy suffering five knockdowns en route to the loss, and winning a dominant unanimous decision over once-beaten contender Roberto Marroquin last year, on June 9 and September 15, respectively, and Donaire in their April title unification fight.

Before moving up to the junior featherweight division, Agbeko (29-4, 22 KOs), of Accra, Ghana, was one of the dominant forces of the bantamweight division. He captured his first International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title just one month removed from his U.S. debut, on September 29, 2007, knocking out defending champion Luis Perez in the seventh round, ending Perez’s seven-year winning streak. Agbeko successfully defended the title twice, winning decisions over William Gonzalez and Vic Darchinyan, before losing it to Yonnhy Perez in October 2009. Agbeko avenged that loss and reclaimed the title in their rematch 15 months later. His second reign ended in his first defense, August 2011, a majority decision loss to Abner Mares, who also won the rematch in December of that same year. After taking over a year off, Agbeko returned to the ring last March 22, and defeated Luis Melendez to capture the IBO bantamweight title. Agbeko will be training with Roger Mayweather for his upcoming world title challenge.

Tapia (20-0, 12 KOs), of Passaic, NJ, will be fighting for the fifth time this year, only the second time he has fought this much in a calendar year. And why not? Tapia has starched three of the four opponents he has faced so far this year, with the highlight being his nationally-televised eighth-round knockout of undefeated Abie Han, in July, to capture the vacant NABO junior middleweight title. He returns to the ring fresh from knocking out Elco Garcia in the fifth round on September 28, in Atlantic City. Tapia is currently world-rated No. 9 and No. 10, by the WBO and IBF, respectively.

Promoted by rap star 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions, Kirkland (31-1, 27 KOs), of Austin, TX, returns to the ring after a 21-month hiatus spent dealing with legal issues. The two-fisted wrecking machine has acquired 11 of his last 12 victories by knockout dating back to 2007 and his victory by knockout ratio is an incredible 87%. Prominent victories on his resume include Alfredo Angulo, Carlos Molina, Joel Julio and Bryan Vera.

Macklin (29-5, 20 KOs), of Birmingham, England, has collected Irish, British and European middleweight and junior middleweight titles since making his pro debut in 2001. His steady rise up the ratings matched by his impressive victories earned him his first title shot, against WBA middleweight titlist Felix Sturm in 2011, in the defending champion’s backyard, Cologne, Germany. Macklin took it to Sturm from the opening bell but came up short on the judges’ scorecards, losing a split decision that many observers thought reeked of “home cooking” in favor of the out-gunned Sturm His performance earned him two more title fights, against middleweight champions Sergio Martinez and Gennady Golovkin, losing to both by stoppage.

Russ (14-0, 7 KOs), of Wilmington, NC, has twice served as WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin’s lead sparring partner in previous training camps. Career highlights include spectacular back-to-back knockout victories over Jose Alonzo and Jonathan Cepeda, who boasted a combined record of 25-0 when Russ fought them in 2012. A graduate of Fayetteville State University with a degree in Business Administration, Russ has taken care of business in 2013 winning all three bouts by unanimous decision.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing.

LONDON (8 Nov) – Rising star Mikey Garcia’s battle with WBO super-featherweight world champion Roman Martinez this weekend will act as the appetiser before BoxNation’s incredible festive fight feast.

The world’s best boxing channel kicks-off what will be a mouth-watering next couple of months with the fight games biggest cards set to be featured live and exclusive all the way until Christmas, starting with Saturday night’s Texas showdown.

‘The Filipino Flash’ Nonito Donaire is also set to make his return on the bill against old foe Vic Darchinyan, following his defeat against Cuban kingpin Guillermo Rigondeaux last April.

The main event, though, sees Garcia, the undefeated former WBO featherweight world champion, move up to the 130 pound weight class with the aim of capturing his second title against the skilled ‘Rocky’ Martinez.

Having been stripped of his featherweight crown on the scales, after failing to make the weight against Juan Manuel Lopez in his last bout, Garcia is determined to bounce back and regain his place amongst boxing’s elite.

“I was very sad. I worked very hard to get that title – I waited over two years in line to get that title shot and to not be able to defend and to lose it on the scale – it was hard,” said Garcia.

“As we were walking down the elevator and through the hallways going to the weigh-in knowing that I was no longer champion – I just tried to move forward and do the best that I could,” he said.

The 25-year-old fighting out of Oxnard, California is well aware it’s not going to be an easy ride against Martinez, who has only lost one bout out of 30, that coming in a narrow points decision against Scotland’s Ricky Burns.

“He’s very tough, very durable,” said Garcia. “He’s one of the most resilient guys out there. He is a world champion and he’s not going to let that title slip out of his hands easily. He’s going to fight very hard to keep that title. That’s why I think it’s going to be a very good fight for me,” he added.

“I am not only moving up in weight but I am fighting a world champion in Rocky Martinez and we are doing all the things necessary to be in the best shape possible to be prepared for Rocky Martinez,” Garcia said.

Martinez goes into the bout having beaten undefeated prospect Diego Magdaleno and is confident he will similarly hand Garcia his first loss.

“I know that he is an intelligent guy, very smart and he knows how to throw his punches together and that’s why we trained so hard – to be ready for anything. I think I can take his punches. I think I have proven myself that I am able to take punches. So it is a question of just being ready and being at my best,” Martinez said.

“I should be the favourite. I am the champion and I am naturally the bigger guy. I am strong and I prepared myself well and I believe I am going to win this fight because of that,” he said.

Following BoxNation’s airing of Martinez vs. Garcia, the ‘Channel of Champions’ will be showing the following events live and exclusive: Maldonado Jr. vs. Ramos Jr – Golden Boy Live! (Nov 11), Sergey Rabchenko vs. Cedric Vitu (Nov 16), Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez (Nov 16), Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios (Nov 23), Antonio Tarver vs. Mike Sheppard (Nov 26), Copper Box Arena show featuring Dereck Chisora and Nathan Cleverly (Nov 30), Paul Smith vs. Luke Blackledge (Dec 7), Paulie Malignaggi vs. Zab Judah (Dec 7), Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko (Dec 7), Juergen Braehmer vs. Marcus Oliveira (Dec 14), Adrien Broner vs. Marcos Maidana (Dec 14) and Stuart Hall vs. Vusi Malinga (Dec 21).

In addition to this mammoth lineup BoxNation will also be showing the award winning 24/7 series as it delves into the camps of Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios. The UK premiere of Episode 1 will be on Wednesday Nov 13th at 9pm, followed by Episode 2 on Wednesday Nov 20th at 9pm and Episode 3 on Friday 22nd Nov at 9pm.

Fight fans can get all this for just £10 a month (plus a one-off £10 registration fee). Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

Martinez vs. Garcia is live from 1.30am this Sunday morning on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546). Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-
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According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Top Rank has signed 2012 Olympic Gold Medal winner Egor Mekhonstev. The Light Heavyweight will turn pro on the December 7th Guillermo Rigondeaux – Joseph Agbeko card in Atlantic City.

“We saw a DVD of [some of his amateur fights] and I loved him,” Top Rank chairman Bob Arum told ESPN.com. “I used to do so many of the great light heavyweight fights [in the late 1970s and 80s] with guys like Matthew Saad Muhammad, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Victor Galindez, Yaqui Lopez, Mike Rossman, so I am schooled in light heavyweights and this guy is the kind of fighter who could hold his own with any of those guys. He really reminds me of a guy who could hold his own with them.”

“It is very interesting for me to begin boxing professionally after accomplishing all I did as an amateur. I am very excited,” Mekhontsev said through manager Vadim Kornilov, who also manages newly crowned junior welterweight titleholder Ruslan Provodnikov.

“I am excited as well to begin working with such an amateur standout,” Kornilov said. “I am very confident in Egor’s future as a pro boxer.”

“These [gold medalists] essentially recruited us,” Arum said. “Usually, you run after these guys and wave money at them to get them to sign. We didn’t give one bonus to these guys. They felt we were the best promotions company for them, that we would develop them and put them in the right position and we made deals with them.”

“We stocked up,” said Arum, who turns 82 on Dec. 8. “Besides Mekhontsev, I got more Russians coming. Pretty soon, I can put my own army together. We signed all of these Olympians because we believe they will be top professionals and we believe that this is the future of boxing. It’s a worldwide sport. We didn’t make any differentiation in signing guys because of where they were from.

“We wanted the best fighters and we also know that there are markets all over the world, whether it’s the Russian market, Ukrainian, Chinese, Japanese. We’re now in position to bring the product to these markets because now we have the horses to do it. Whatever more years I have left, it will be on a high note with all of those talented kids.”