Badou Jack and James DeGale will meet on January 14 in Brooklyn; pending the show can get an insurance carrier after recent legislation made it pricier to run shows in the Empire State, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The espn.com article said When mixed martial arts was legalized in New York, the law, which was recently implemented, included new insurance regulations for combat sports that would dramatically increase the premiums promoters must pay to run a boxing card.

Minimum coverage went from $10,000 to $50,000 for general medical coverage per fighter on each card, a change that most promoters had no issue with and that conforms to the norm in many other states. But the law also requires an unprecedented $1 million minimum requirement for each fighter in the event the fighter suffers a traumatic brain injury, a very rare occurrence. New York promoters have complained that the added cost would all but eliminate club-level cards, although bigger cards, such as the Jack-DeGale one, could more easily absorb the additional costs.

However, no insurance policy has yet been approved by New York that would allow boxing events to legally take place in the state, and it remains unclear whether one will be approved by Jan. 14. Promoter Lou DiBella said he knows there is a risk announcing the venue for the event without a guarantee the insurance issue will be settled by then.

“We taking this head on,” DiBella told ESPN. “But we’re moving ahead for 2017 on the expectation that the powers that be in New York state will have a policy available for us for Jan. 14. We’re also optimistic that the bigger issues will be resolved in a way that will allow both big-time boxing and grass-roots boxing to resume in the state of New York. It’s unthinkable that this law was passed when

“There is no policy available yet,” DiBella said. “Promoters continue to have meetings with insurers, but any policy has to be sent to New York for approval. The commission has had talks with insurers and policies were sent, or a policy was sent, to the state, but it was not approved.

“How do you enact a law where there is no legal way for an industry to abide by it? Something incomprehensible went on here.”

“Floyd is out in Vegas, but his attitude is, ‘We’re willing to take a risk to help New York fighters and New York boxing with this card,'” DiBella said. “I give Mayweather Promotions credit for stepping into a situation where they could have just done this fight in Las Vegas and called it a day.”

Badou Jack retained the WBC Super Middleweight title via a dubious 12-round majority draw with former IBF champion Lucian Bute

Bute was cut around the right eye in round three from an elbow.  It seemed like Jack controlled the first ten rounds with superior boxing ability and worked the body.  Bute worked hard but he didn’t seem to make the imprint that Jack was making.  It looked like Jack was get to the finish with a comfortable decision but two judges saw it differently as they saw it 114-114.  Jack deservedly won a card 117-111.

Jack, 167.4 lbs of Stickholm, SWE is now 20-1-2.  Bute, 167 lbs of Laval, CAN is 32-3-1.

“Let’s unify the decision and see who the best is,” DeGale said to Jack in a post-fight interview moderated by SHOWTIME Sports reporter Jim Gray.

“I’m ready in September, ready in August,” responded Jack.” “I’m ready whenever. Let’s do it where it makes the most sense financially.”

“Bullshit, but is what it is. Ask Bute as well, he knows what time it is,” said Jack, who landed nearly 100 more punches than Bute, including 61 percent of his power punches, and 40 percent total of his total shots. “His punches weren’t hurting me. I feel I won the fight. Maybe I lost the last round. He’s a great guy and a great champion, but I know I won the fight.

“It’s not Bute’s fault, it’s the judges. People saw I won the fight.”

“It was a close fight,” said Bute, who connected at just a 21 percent rate with his total punches. “Believe me, it was very close fight. My last fight with DeGale was very close, tonight was a very close fight. I showed everyone I’m still at the top.”

James DeGale retained the IBF Super Middleweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over Rogelio Medina.

DeGale won on skills as he landed a the sharper punches but Medina pressed the action and stayed in the chest of DeGale.  DeGale fought well as he showcased some nice upper cuts as Medina worked the body effectively.

DeGale, 167.6 lbs of Harlesdon, UK won by scores of 117-111 twice and 115-113.  Medina, 167.8 lbs of Hermosillo, MX is 36-7.

“The boxing skills are too good,” DeGale said. “If I’m being honest, he’s a very strong fighter, but skills pay the bills. I watched this guy years ago and he didn’t have the engine like that. He’s gotten better and stronger in the last year and a half.

“I’m a bit disappointed – I should be taking out people like Porky Medina, no disrespect to him.

“I’m always learning in the gym. My inside work, my defense, my concentration. I’m going to go back to the gym, I’m going to work and I’ll be ready in September.

“I want Badou Jack. I want a fresh name on my record.”

“The boxing skills are too good,” DeGale said. “If I’m being honest, he’s a very strong fighter, but skills pay the bills. I watched this guy years ago and he didn’t have the engine like that. He’s gotten better and stronger in the last year and a half.

“I’m a bit disappointed – I should be taking out people like Porky Medina, no disrespect to him.

“I’m always learning in the gym. My inside work, my defense, my concentration. I’m going to go back to the gym, I’m going to work and I’ll be ready in September.

“I want Badou Jack. I want a fresh name on my record.”

Follow all the action as Badou Jack defends the WBC Super Middleweight title against former world champion Lucian Bute.  The action begins at 10 PM ET / 7 PM PT with an IBF Super Middleweight title bout between James DeGale and Rogelio Medina….NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED

Round 1 Jack lands a left to the body

Round 2 Bute lands a right to the body..Jack lands a left to the body..Combination from Bute..Jack lands a right to the body and a left hook to the body..Left from Bute..right to the body from Jack..

Round 3 Bute lands a straight left…Cut around the right eye of Bute..Jack lands a body shot..

Round 4 Jack lands a right…Left and uppercut from Bute…Short left to the chin from Jack…Body work..counter shot..

Round 5 Counter right from Jack…Overhand left…left hook to the face..

Round 6 Jack lands a right to the body…Hard right…Right uppercut from Bute..3 punch combination..stiff right from Jack…Left hook to the head..

Round 7 Combination from Bute…Left and right from Jack…1-2…

Round 8

Round 9 jack working the body…Counter left hook…Right uppercut to the body

Round 10 Left and right for Bute..2 lefts and right hand for Jack

Round 11 Right uppercut from Bute…Bute getting better of exchanges

Round 12 Bute coming forward

117-111 Jack; 114-114 twice…..A DRAW

Round 1 DeGale landing the jab…landing head punches..right hook..body shots

Round 2 DeGale landing blistering shots…focusing on the body

Round 3 Medina working the body on the ropes..DeGale landing to body and the head…right uppercut from Medina..

Round 4 Medina lands a right..sweeping right from DeGale..Medina digging at the body..Combination from DeGale..Medina landing to the body…left uppercut from DeGale..Counter jab from Medina…body…

Round 5 Left from Meduppercut..ina..Right from Medina..Combination from Medina..Good exchange on the ropes..Right uppercut from DeGale..right…

Round 6 DeGale lands a jab…Medina lands a left hook to the body..right…Huge combination backs up Medina,..

Round 7 Left from Medina…right hook from DeGale…Both get in jabs…Left from Medina…Uppercut from DeGale

Round 8 Left hook from Medina..right from DeGale…Long right…Left hook to the body from Medina..Nice right uppercut and body shots from deGale..

Round 9 Hard uppercut from DeGale…Medina working the body…combination..Combination from DeGale…Right uppercut

Round 10 Medina coming forward trying to work the body

Round 11 Medina making the fight

Round 12 Medina lands a right…Counter from DeGale..right uppercut..Jab from Medina..Nice combination..Left from DeGale..uppercut..

115-113, 117-111 twice for James DeGale

Callum Smith is in Washington to keep a close eye on his future World title opponents as Badou Jack defends his WBC title against Lucian Bute and James DeGale MBE defends his IBF strap against Rogelio Medina at the DC Armoury tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports.

Smith destroyed Hadillah Mohoumadi inside a round on April 2 in Liverpool to become the number one in the WBC rankings and mandatory challenger for Jack, who landed the title against Anthony Dirrell last April and defended it against George Groves in September.

DeGale makes the second defence of his crown against his mandatory challenger, and speaking to the media in DC this week, believed that a fight with Smith would be a stadium-filler in the summer of 2017 – as the Olympic gold medal man looks to unify the division against Jack later this year.

“I am delighted to be here,” said Smith. “The two World title fights should be great. I think Jack vs. Bute it’s a really good fight. If the Bute that boxed DeGale turns up it will be really competitive but Jack will win on points.

“DeGale is too good in every department for Medina, he’s had six losses and every time he steps up he falls short. If James is not complacent he’ll win and win well.

“I’m mandatory for the Jack vs. Bute winner. If there’s a unification fight in the meantime I have no problem waiting for my shot – and when it comes, I’ll win that title.”

WBC Super Middleweight World Championship
Badou Jack – 167 ½ Pounds
Lucian Bute – 167 Pounds

IBF Super Middleweight World Championship
James DeGale – 167 ½ Pounds
Rogelio Medina – 167 ¾ Pounds

The winners will meet in a world title unification later this year.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Interbox in
association with Matchroom Boxing, are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster locations, or call (800) 745-3000.

# # #

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com and www.SHO.com/Sports and follow on Twitter at: @BadouJack, @ButeLucian, @JamesDeGale1, @PorkyMedina @MayweatherPromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 28, 2016) – Four of the top super middleweights in the world shared a stage Thursday afternoon as Badou Jack, Lucian Bute, James DeGale and Rogelio Medina participated in the final press conference for their fights this Saturday, April 30 on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from the DC Armory in Wash28ington, D.C.

Televised coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT live on SHOWTIMEâ and features the WBC champion Jack battling the former champion Bute, while the IBF titleholder DeGale takes on the top rated contender Medina. The winners of these fights have agreed to meet in a world title unification later this year.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Interbox in
association with Matchroom Boxing, are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster locations, or call (800) 745-3000.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

BADOU JACK

“Both of us can punch, both of us can box. Anything can happen inside of that ring. I’m always ready to go 12 rounds. Everyone knows that I’m always in shape.

“Anything can happen, but I want to fight James DeGale. First I have to take care of business with Lucian Bute. Both of us are in our primes. We’re young and confident and it would be a great fight.

“I have to take care of this former champion. He’s a really good fighter. Some people say it’s a 50-50 fight so I have to take this very seriously.

“I’m still training and preparing for this fight like I’m the challenger. That’s how I prepare for every fight and this is no different.

“A lot of people wrote me off and I came back stronger. I love when people doubt me. I come back stronger and show people I’m a world class fighter.

“I’ve always believed in myself. I’m mentally strong and I work hard. I had a setback but it just made me hungrier and it made me a better fighter.”

LUCIAN BUTE

“I’m thankful for this big opportunity to fight for the WBC title. My training camp was very good. I feel stronger. It’s two days until the big stage.

“I worked very hard for this opportunity. To be a two-time champion is a dream. On Saturday night you will see a new champion.

“I feel great. The pressure is not on my shoulders now. I’m not the champion, I’m the outsider. Badou is the champion and I think the pressure is on him. I came to Washington D.C. to perform, give the fans a good show Saturday night and the chance to become a champion for the second time

“I put on a good show against DeGale and that’s what led to this shot. I’m very blessed to be in this fight for a world title.

“Badou is a good fighter. He has a good background in amateur boxing, he’s a world champion, but he has nothing special. He does everything good but not exceptionally. I have more experience, more speed and I’m a southpaw. I think the advantage is on my side.

“I never considered retiring but there were three years where I had some physical and psychological obstacles. Now I’m back to being in big fights and I’m looking forward to taking Badou Jack’s belt.

“This is going to be a spectacular fight. I want to look good in there and leave no doubt. I’m more aggressive than I ever have been and that will make it a great fight. I’m here to stop Badou Jack.”

JAMES DEGALE

“Fight time is here. I’m feeling good and feeling fresh.

“Porky Medina is a good fighter. But there are levels to pro boxing and I am levels above him.

“Saturday night I’m going to show you a real performance. My last two fights have gone the distance, but this time it won’t.

“I’m the best 168-pounder out there. I’m here to prove that. There is no one out there that can test me. There are big fights out there and good guys, but I believe I’m the best.

“I like this tournament style. It’s the best boxing the best. It should always be like this.

“I’m starting to build a massive fan base back home and I haven’t even boxed at home as a world champion. Me and Badou Jack would be a massive fight in the UK with two titles on the line.

“I’ve got everything covered with my game plan, trust me. I’ve gone extremely hard in the gym. We’ve watched tapes of him and I’m feeling good.

“This fight I need to make a statement. On my last two fights, I’ve gone the distance and they’ve been against top quality elite fighters. This time – no disrespect to Porky Medina – a good fighter in his own right but he shouldn’t last the distance with me so I look forward to a good performance.

“Good luck to both men, but I’m coming for the winner of Jack vs. Bute. I want to unify the division.”

ROGELIO MEDINA

“I’m the youngest fighter on this stage. I’m also the hungriest fighter. This is the biggest opportunity of my career.

“I’m here to give it my all and take the most of this opportunity on Saturday night. My dream is to be a world champion and it is right in front of me.

“I feel very excited. I’m ready to go because of the long layoff. It has been a while but I have been in the gym. I’ve been training for many months and even though I haven’t had a fight, I have been training.

“I think that DeGale has a lot of good qualities as a fighter and I think that the fight is going to be very intense because I’ve been training hard for it. I’ve been training to put pressure on him and to make it an intense fight and try and knock him out.

“I’ve noticed that he’s a quick fighter, he’s fast. He’s got good technique but I also see that he sometimes likes to stand and trade and I hope that he decides to stand and trade with me so we can give the fans a good fight.

“A win would be the biggest moment of my career. It would have a lot of significance. Historically in Mexico I would become only the second super middleweight champion, which would be very important to boxing and myself.”

# # #

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com and www.SHO.com/Sports and follow on Twitter at: @BadouJack, @ButeLucian, @JamesDeGale1, @PorkyMedina @MayweatherPromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

Leonard Ellerbe
Good morning everyone. It’s a bright, sunny, beautiful day here in Las Vegas. Thank you all for joining the call today. I just want to go over a few fight facts real quickly.

Tickets are on sale now, and they start as low as $25. They can be purchased online at Ticketmaster and all Ticketmaster locations. Our event will be live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

We’ll be bringing you a double header of super middleweight title fights. Our event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, in association with Interbox and Matchroom Boxing.

The main event will feature Badou Jack versus Lucian Bute for the WBC Super Middleweight World Championship. Also on the card will be another very exciting televised bout. It will be featuring the IBF Super Middleweight Champion, James DeGale. DeGale will be fighting his mandatory challenger, Rogelio Medina. And the winners, all four fighters, have agreed to meet in a Super Middleweight Unification fight later this year.

Well first up I’d like to introduce Lucian Bute. He comes to us with a 32 and 3 record with 25 big knockouts. He’s fighting out of Montreal, Canada by way of Romania. He’s a former IBF with nine title defenses between 2007 and 2012.

His most recent performance against James DeGale was a very exciting bout and the fans were very impressed and earned him the right for this title shot. So without further ado, I’d like to introduce Lucian Bute.

Lucian Bute

Hi everybody. I think camp is going very well. Still very, very good. I’m very comfortable and very confident for this fight. All my hard work is done – just have a few days here in Montreal. Next week we coming in to Washington, DC. Everything is going well.

L. Ellerbe
Okay. Next up I’d like to introduce the WBC Super Middleweight Champion of the World, none other than Badou Jack who is coming with us with a 20 and 1 record, with 12 big knockouts. He’s fighting out of Las Vegas by way of Stockholm, Sweden.

He’s Mayweather Promotion’s top fighter. He won the WBC Super Middleweight Title with a 12 round majority decision over Anthony Dirrell last April. He retained it when he caged George Groves last September on the Mayweather-Berto undercard, which was a very exciting fight. So Badou, would you like to say a few opening words?

Badou Jack
Yes. How’s everybody doing? I’m very excited for this fight. We’ve been training for more than 12 weeks. We’re definitely ready. All the hard work IS done and I can’t wait to fight. I’m very, very excited. Lucian Bute is a very tough opponent, so I have to bring my A game. I feel we’re going to put up a very good fight, a fan friendly fight for the fans. Thank you.

Q
Badou, can you talk about your approach to this fight? How do you think you’re going to be able to win and retain the title?

B. Jack
I always believe in myself. That’s the main thing. I’m not trying to be fighting like no other fighter. I’m trying to do what I can do just to win. So I’m excited. I know I have probably the toughest test of my career.

I’m excited. I just want to fight. That’s what I want and to do my thing. I’m very, very comfortable that I’m going to beat him.

Q
What do you think are your advantages in this fight?

B. Jack
I think I’m a little bit younger, three years younger I think. I’m a little fresher I think. But he’s got a lot of experience. He got way more experience than both Dirrell and Groves. So you never know in boxing. It’s a hard business and he’s the guy up. We’ve been training real hard, so we are ready.

Q
Lucian, tell us why you think you’re going to be able to win this fight and capture this title.

L. Bute:
Like I said, my confidence before the fight with DeGale was not 100%. Now it’s back 100%. I feel good. I feel strong. The training time is going very well. I feel very comfortable. I think it’s a big opportunity for me to become world champion for the second time. I will do that in Washington, D.C.. I’m very confident about that.

Q
What happened before the DeGale fight? Was it the fact that you had one fight before that?

L. Bute
I was not comfortable maintaining my fitness. I had a long period to break. I’m healthy in this moment. Everything is going well.

I had one fight before DeGale, a tune up fight. Against DeGale I think I looked good and everybody saw I’m very competitive in the high-level fights.

Q
What did you learn from the Carl Froch fight that maybe you’re taking into this fight about how to manage the pressures of fighting away from home?

L. Bute
My last fight for the title fight was in 2012, and the pressure wasn’t on me. If I don’t have the title, the pressure wasn’t on my shoulders.

But now it’s different thing. The champion is Badou Jack in the United States and the fight is in Washington, D.C.. I’m very comfortable with that. I have no pressure. I’m coming in to Washington, D.C. , looking forward to become world champion on April 30.

Q
Now this will be your third fight working with new trainers. In what way have they changed you as a fighter? How has your style changed in your opinion now that you’ve been working with them?

L. Bute
We work very hard. Last year we started. We started to have chemistry where we understand by just looking at each other. We work very hard. I’m more aggressive in moving my head. Letting my hand go. I feel very comfortable with this, like Lucian Bute at the beginning.

What did Floyd Mayweather say or do for you to help you bounce back the way that you have from your one loss?

B. Jack
He just said that anybody can get caught with a good punch. I know you’re better than that guy you lost to. Just keep your head up good and bounce back. It was nothing that he really did to help me to bounce back.

In boxing anything can happen and fast. I proved that that was just a lucky punch or an accident or whatever. I proved that in my last couple of fights. So everything is good. It was actually a blessing because people were overlooking me because of that loss.

Q
What does it feel like for you then having been in the background or having people overlook you to now be in a headlining role on SHOWTIME in a fight coming up?

B. Jack
Like I said, it’s a blessing. I’m very, very comfortable, very happy and I’m glad that my opponent is very confident too. That’s what we want him to be. Just like the last two opponents, they were very confident. So I’m looking forward for to a great fight.

Q
The same question for both fighters is how do you like this tournament situation you’re in?

B. Jack
It’s something to look forward to, but you have to respect your opponent and you have to respect what’s in front of you. That Lucian Bute is a very tough time. So I’m thinking about him right now, that’s all. I’m focused on him. But, you know, after that we can talk about the next fight. Yes. I’m excited.

L. Bute
I feel great. It’s a big opportunity. But like Badou said, I’m very focused, very content in this fight. If I take this belt, after that we’re looking forward to have an opportunity to unify the titles. I would love to have a chance to unify the fight. But I’m very, very focused on April 30.

Q
How did you prepare for a strong punch or a strong left-handed punch like Lucian Bute?

B. Jack
Well I’ve fought southpaws my whole life in sparring and . I got a good right hand. I like fighting southpaws.

Q
Usually fighters don’t like to look far ahead like that. Are you taking maybe a bit too lightly this next fight against Bute?

B. Jack
Absolutely not. I never said that. So I said, like I just answered the other question. I’m fully focused on Lucian Bute. I still got to beat this guy too. So right now our only focus is Bute. After that we’ll see what’s next. In the future I will definitely move up the latter.

Q
Badou I’m just wondering if you are able to beat Lucian and wind up fighting DeGale, how much does it help to fight southpaws back to back and kind of get into a rhythm of training for southpaws and back to back fights?

B. Jack
I don’t know. It’s good to prepare for southpaws Like I said, it’s a very tough fight. So not looking past it I have to fight it. I got to be first. Then we’ll see.

Q
How did you think that Lucian Bute looked against DeGale? And if you could just kind of assess DeGale as a fighter as well.

B. Jack
He looked good. People wrote him off like they did with me. They thought DeGale was going to blow him out in a couple rounds. But he looked good. That’s why he got this opportunity to fight again for the title because he looked that good.

I think his style and my style will match perfectly. He likes to fight. I like to fight. We both got boxing skills as well. So I’m excited.

James DeGale is a very good fighter too. He’s got a lot of skills, speed, Olympic Gold Medalist. He deserves a lot of credit. He went to Boston and to Canada. He’s a good fighter. Another very good fighter.

Q
Were you more impressed with his win over Lucian Bute or Dirrell?

B. Jack
They both were similar opponents. I don’t think he’s been that active before that fight. I don’t know. But Lucian Bute is the former champion. He’s defending a lot of times. Dirrell was never a world champion, even though he’s on that level. But no, both were pretty good fights.

Q
DeGale is obviously fighting the same night as you are on the same card. What do you think of his fight? Obviously he’s a heavy favorite. What do you think of that fight?

B. Jack
As far as talent and skills, he’s way better. But I’m fond of Medina. I know what kind of tough guy he is, mentally very strong. And he can punch. He’s dangerous. So I would say again I would not overlook him because this guy is dangerous. But I think he’ll win but he’s just got to be careful.

Q
Lucian keeps saying the same thing about you. That you’re a good boxer, but you’re not exceptional. And that you make mistakes. What is your reaction to those comments?

B. Jack
I think that’s exactly what I want to hear. Lucian, he’s from the outside looking in. I am always in great shape. I know how to break an opponent down. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion and that’s his opinion. That’s good. That’s good for me.

L. Ellerbe
I would like to just comment that both fighters have been having excellent camps thus far. Both fighters are really looking forward to the fight on April 30. Both guys have a tremendous amount of experience.

We know that Lucian Bute, he comes prepared. He’s a former world champion. He’ll be coming to take away Badou’s belt. Badou on the other hand he feels very, very good being world champion. He’s made a vow that nobody’s going to take his title away from him. So we’re going to have an excellent fight come April 30. I’m very excited.

Now going to shift over to the co-main event, which is a very exiting match. We have James DeGale and Rogelio Medina. The winner of this fight will take on the winner of Jack versus Bute in the Super Middleweight Unification later this year.

I would like to introduce our promotional partner, a very dear friend, in my opinion one of the top promoters in the world. Definitely the top promoter internationally. He’s done a phenomenal job with all of his fighters.

I’m very, very impressed with all the work that he’s done with his stable of fighters over there. So without further ado, I’d like to introduce Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing.

Eddie Hearn
Thank you very much. Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be on the media call and to be involved with the show. I was very interested to hear the comments of Lucian Bute who I know very well and Badou Jack. I think you probably know that but he’s a great fighter.

I think he’s a really, really tough fight for Badou Jack. I think James DeGale has a tough fight with Rogelio Medina. But for sure that fight between Badou Jack and Lucian Bute is a wonderful fight. I think the stars will mix perfectly for a very, very interesting fight.

Of course we saw Badou Jack had a great victory over George Groves who is still attempting to win a world title. But the interesting thing about this unification is how it feels to have an old Super Six style where the best fought the best.

I think it’s wonderful for boxing that the whole world can watch almost like we said there a semifinal between four of the top Super Middleweights in the world. And the winners will go on to fight the winner.

Of course I’m biased. But in every tournament you have a seed. Number 1 seed in this tournament is James DeGale. I think rightly so he’s been insatiably the number one Super Middleweight in the division.

Andre Dirrell was massively underrated. I think the win against Lucian Bute was underrated and was also in Quebec City. The Dirrell fight was in Boston. This is not a guy who gets home comfort. This is not a guy who’s reliant on home canvas even. This is road warrior that’s traveling around the world to fight the very best, which is very, very unique in boxing today.

So I’m really excited about DeGale. I think his confidence is growing and growing and growing. He’s a chronical character, even out of the ring. I think he’s going to put on a wonderful performance on April 30 in Washington.

I think Jack, you’re going to see him in a very close fight. Then hopefully everybody can get what they want. DeGale against Jack in the unification title fight. These guys are ready to fight, ready to meet.

And I hope they both come through because I can’t wait to see that fight. I can’t wait to see James DeGale get a run as the top 168-pounder. So it’s a pleasure to be working with Mayweather Promotions, of course SHOWTIME as well.

I’m really excited to be down in Washington. I’ve not been there for a fight before. I’ve heard wonderful things. Be ready for a great night of 168 pound matches and two great fights and then hopefully the unification fight that everybody wants. Thank you.

He’s number one at 168-pounds and he’s traveling all over the world to be the best. Probably sitting on a beach in Miami, tapering down after another great time with his trainer

The current IBF Super Middleweight Champion of the world, James “Chunky” DeGale.

James DeGale
The Champ. Hi. Yes, I’m feeling great man. I’m feeling real good. I was training extremely, extremely hard, as always. Feeling good. I can’t wait for the 30th. I’m not looking past Medina. He’s a very good fighter. A tough fighter in his own right.

Every time he steps up to the highest level. He’s lost. On the 30th of April he’s going to lose again and I’m going to look unbelievable. Hello. Can you hear me?

I know I’m the best 168 out there. I’m the best 168 out there and I need to prove it. I’m willing to do that.

Q
How much easier is it getting for you to get into the ring not in front of your home crowd?

J. DeGale
I’m used to it if I’m being honest. Listen, I won my Olympic Gold Medal away from home. I won my world title away from home. I’m actually getting used to it. That’s what I’m saying. So this is why I keep on telling you people, I’m a road warrior because I’m willing to go anywhere to fight anywhere and to prove I’m the best.

But listen, my homecoming is coming as well. Yes that’s coming very soon. Once I beat Medina on the 30th of April, I want the Unification belt in London in front of my home people.

Q
Would that be as early as September?

J. DeGale
Yes well I’m ready, listen, I’m ready to go as soon as I come through this with no bumps, not swollen. So I’m ready to go, September is perfect for me.

Q
How much of a motivation factor is this tournament event on April 30 for you?

J. DeGale
It’s good. It’s good. This is what boxing needs. The best boxing the best. As I say, all I want to do is win titles and add the WBC title to my IBF would be fantastic because these days there’s not many unification fights because people don’t want to fight the best. But there’s four or five that come together in like a little tournament, like a mini tournament. And we’re going to see who the best is.

Q
How do you look at the possible prospective of having to fight Lucian once again in the fall?

J. DeGale
If I’m being honest, I don’t really want to fight Lucian Bute again. I think I beat him last time and I beat him pretty well. It was pretty convincing. I had everything against me as well. I still beat him well.

I want to box fresh a new world champion, someone like Badou Jack. I think the clash of stars would be fantastic. We’re both hungry. We’re both here. And we’re peak. I think it would be a fantastic fight. But if Lucian Bute wins, we can do it again as I say. But this time around we’re doing it in London.

Q
What you think of Badou Jack and how he’s kind of come along as a world champion, particularly in his last fight against George Groves? How do you think a fight against him would go?

J. DeGale
Listen, I think Badou Jack is a very good fighter. I think he’s come on as he’s become world champion, he’s growing in confidence. He’s become a better all-around fighter.

A couple fights ago, even I underrated him. I thought he wasn’t all that. But he’s proven in these last couple fights against Groves and against Dirrell that that guy is a worthy world champion and he can fight.

But as I said, I’m the best Super Middleweight in the world. I’m willing to prove that.

Q
What do you expect, James, to happen in the fight between Bute and Badou Jack?

J. DeGale
I expect the fight to be a competitive fight. Bute is still great, as you see against me. He just came up just short. He just didn’t have it. But Lucian Bute is a very good fighter. It should be a battle. It’s Badou Jack, and I think he’s going to win. But it wouldn’t surprise me if Bute pulls it off.

Q
Everybody’s pretty much writing Medina off based on his rep. What do you know about him, because he’s going to be going with absolutely nothing to lose?

J. DeGale
Okay. I know that he’s a typical Mexican and a tough Mexican. I know he loves to have a fight. He’s tough. He’s strong. He’s game. But every time he steps to the highest level, right, he’s lost. He’s been stopped or he’s lost.

I’m not overlooking him. I’m training extremely hard. I’m going to win and look good. I’m looking to the point of a proper show, a good standout performance.

Q
Are you going to, in your mind, try to compare your performance against him to Badou Jack’s because he scored a TKO against him in 2013. So he obviously can’t do that. But do you got it set in your mind that you want to go for a knock out to make that point?

J. DeGale
Yes. Listen, if a knockout comes, it comes. But the way I’m feeling and my momentum, my confidence is sky high. It’s sky high. And someone like – as I said before, no disrespect to Medina. He’s a good fighter in his own right. But I’m a couple levels above him. I’m elite. I’m an elite fighter. I’m the best in the division. So I should have no problems in the fight.

Q
How do you just focus on this fight and then take care of what happens afterwards?

J. DeGale
Listen, I’m a true professional. I’m fully focused. I take one fight as it comes. The first step is “Porky” Medina. But I’ll be ready for that. Then we can move on to the next fight.

J. DeGale
I don’t really. Well actually I do like making predictions, but my last couple have been wrong. But let’s have a bit of fun to make one. Again, I say within six rounds I’m going to stop Medina.

Q
James, you said you would rather Badou Jack to win against Lucian because you already fought Lucian. But would you think about not going for the unification fight if Lucian wins it? And just maybe challenge one of the other champions in the other organizations?

J. DeGale
Maybe. It depends. I want that WBC. It’s been around for years. It’s one of the oldest belts. It’s probably the most prestigious belt. So I want to add that to my collection. So if Lucian Bute wins, we can do it. But next time we do it in London. It’s simple.

Q
Would you rather try to get four belts at 168 before moving up?

J. DeGale
Yes. I would love to. As I say, I just want to prove to everyone I’m the best Super Middleweight. First I want to clear up the Super Middleweight division.

Would you like to see more of these types of tournaments?

J. DeGale
I would. I would. As I say before that unification fights rarely happen these days. It’s pretty sad. But yes, I would like to seethe best box the best. The champions boxing champions. That’s how boxing should be.

Q
Just if you had one advice to Badou Jack for winning against Bute, what could you say to him?

J. DeGale
What shall I say to him? Just be fully, just fully focused. And don’t overlook Lucian Bute because he’s still a force in the Super Middleweight Division. He’s still got a bit left. So as I say, he’s got to be switched on and fully focused.

L. Ellerbe
Thank you James for those wonderful comments. I’d just like to touch on one thing. I’m very, very excited too for your fight with Rogelio. I know it’s going to be a very, very exciting fight. Honestly, Badou is looking very forward to fighting Lucian.

just wanted to add, he’s been begging me, and when I say begging me, begging me. If he gets past Bute, he’s very, very excited, looking forward to fighting you.

J. DeGale
Fantastic. I hope you are a man to your word. I hope you and Badou Jack are a man to your word. That would be a fantastic fight. If you come through it fast to United Kingdom that would be an honor. Trust me, but as said before, I’m the best in the division and I want to prove it. So can’t wait.

L. Ellerbe
Yes. I would like to thank everyone for joining us on this wonderful call today. We have a very, very exciting card, as you’ve heard from the fighters, on April 30 in Washington, D.C.

This fight will be immediately following the PBC on FOX show which will feature headline Andre Berto versus Victor Ortiz. So that should be a tremendous fight. And I’d like to thank everyone again for joining the call.

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com and www.SHO.com/Sports and follow on Twitter at: @BadouJack, @ButeLucian, @JamesDeGale1, @PorkyMedina @MayweatherPromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

LONDON (March 29, 2016) – IBF Super Middleweight World Champion James DeGale held an open media workout on Tuesday in London as he prepares to make the second defense of his title against mandatory challenger Rogelio Medina on Saturday, April 30, live on SHOWTIME from the DC Armory in Washington, D.C.

In the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), WBC 168-pound champion Badou Jack defends his title against former longtime titlist Lucian Bute. The winners will meet in a super middleweight world-title unification fight later this year.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Interbox in association with Matchroom Boxing, are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster locations or call (800) 745-3000.

See below for quotes from DeGale as he prepares to face Medina:

“I’ve never disrespected an opponent yet in the ring and I’m not going to start now. Medina has a very good record and that means he is as dangerous and the next man. This is boxing and unless you prepare properly you get found out. I’m not going down that avenue. I’m a winner and what I do is get in the ring and win. That’s what Medina is up against – a world champion and a winner.

“I’m too good for him, too fast, too strong, too quick. I’ll beat him and it is just a question of how. I don’t care how it comes as long as I look good and I give the fans what they want, another winning performance and a reminder that I am the best super middleweight out there operating today.

“I respect Medina, but I belong in a different level and I will show that on April 30.

“I’m looking forward to it because this is another chance to show what I can do in America and it is also a mini-tournament. The winner of my fight faces the winner of Badou Jack and Lucian Bute and that means a world unification clash. I want to clean up the division and I have the opportunity to do that.

“I think Jack will win, but I’ve been in the ring with Bute and I know how strong he is. He is a proper fighter and I would always give him a chance against anyone. I think Jack will be too good for him, but who knows? I hope it is Jack as I’ve already taken care of business against Bute, but I want to unify the titles and that means I will fight whoever is put in front of me.

“I’ve no trouble fighting in the U.S. and never will. I would love to win again and take on the winner of Jack and Bute in London, but that is down the line. What I am concentrating on right now is the next person who is standing in my way and that is Medina.

“I can’t wait to get back in action because I live for fighting. It is in my blood and I know that a win over Medina means a very lucrative fight with Jack or Bute. I’m in this to make me financially comfortable for the rest of my life but above all, I’m in it for the glory.

“The day I became world champion was the best of my life, along with winning Olympic Gold, and I don’t want to be a world champion for a few months. I want to be recognized as one of the greats in the super middleweight division. That means win a title and defend it against all-comers, anywhere and everywhere.”

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com and www.SHO.com/Sports and follow on Twitter at: @BadouJack, @ButeLucian, @JamesDeGale1, @PorkyMedina @MayweatherPromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

NEW YORK (March 28, 2016) – A three-fight series to crown a unified divisional champion will begin on Saturday, April 30, when WBC 168-pound champion Badou Jack defends his title against former longtime titlist Lucian Bute, and IBF Champion James DeGale risks his belt against mandated challenger Rogelio Medina in a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from the DC Armory in Washington D.C.

The winners will meet in a super middleweight world-title unification fight later this year.

Jack (20-1-1, 12 KOs) will make his second title defense after a breakthrough 2015 campaign in which he won the WBC belt from Anthony Dirrell and successfully defended against George Groves. The southpaw Bute (32-3, 25 KOs), a former IBF champion with nine defenses between 2007 and 2012, revived his career last November with a gutsy and inspired performance against DeGale.

“I’ve been training really hard for this fight and I’m excited to get in the ring,” said Jack. “I can’t wait to defend my title once again on April 30. The fans can expect to see an explosive and skillful performance from me come fight night. I believe I’m the best super middleweight in the world and that I have the skills to beat anyone I get in the ring with. I’m fully focused on Lucian Bute, but I know that a win can set up a massive fight against James DeGale and I’m going to deliver.”

“I’m thrilled to have this tremendous opportunity,” said Bute. “I was ringside for Badou Jack’s last two fights — well deserved world title wins. He is a great champion. I plan to train hard and be in the best shape of my career on April 30. It’s my chance to win the WBC belt and become two-time world champion. I will win and give boxing fans a spectacular fight.”

DeGale (22-1, 14 KOs) will make his second title defense after an impressive 2015 in which he defeated Andre Dirrell to win the vacant IBF belt and topped Bute in a Fight of the Year candidate. The hard-hitting Medina (35-6, 29 KOs), the IBF’s mandatory challenger, has knocked out three consecutive opponents.

“I am delighted to be defending my world title on another great show in the United States,” said DeGale. “I won my belt in style in Boston and I’m looking forward to moving down the East Coast to the great city of Washington, D.C. It’s going to be a defining night in the super middleweight division as Badou Jack and myself look to set up a huge fight later in the year. I’m fully focused on Rogelio Medina. He’s a tough Mexican who earned his title shot. But trust me, no one is getting my world title.”

“This is such a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get in the ring,” said Medina. “I’ve worked so hard for this and I am going to make the most of it. Everyone who has seen me fight knows I leave it all in the ring and you can expect to see an all-out battle on April 30. I will be the new world champion.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Interbox in association with Matchroom Boxing, are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster locations, or call (800) 745-3000.

“Mayweather Promotions is proud to bring another exciting night of boxing to the great boxing fans in my hometown of Washington, D.C.,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “I’m really excited about the Badou Jack vs. Lucian Bute fight. It’s going to be a great fight. We know Bute is tough as nails and he’s coming to take the title away from Badou. Badou is going to have to be at his best to be able to beat Bute that night. The winner of that fight will set up a spectacular unification fight with the winner of the fight between British champion James DeGale and Mexican brawler ‘Porky’ Medina. DeGale can’t take Medina lightly if he wants the unification bout. It’s going to be a thrilling night of action at the DC Armory and on SHOWTIME.”

Badou Jack “The Ripper”, of Las Vegas by way of Stockholm, Sweden, captured the WBC 168-pound crown with a 12-round majority decision over previously unbeaten defending champion Anthony Dirrell last April 24. A former amateur standout who represented Gambia in the 2008 Olympics, Jack retained his belt against former world title challenger George Groves last Sept. 12 on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather’s final fight. Jack, who fights under the Mayweather Promotions banner, was an underdog against both Dirrell and Groves. The 6-foot-1, 32-year-old has won four in a row since a shocking first-round knockout loss to Derek Edwards in February 2014.

Bute, of Montreal, Canada by way of Romania, has been a super middleweight mainstay for the last decade. He has competed in 12 title fights since 2007, scoring seven knockouts in nine consecutive defenses of the IBF belt he won in 2007 in his adopted hometown of Montreal. During his title reign, the 36-year-old defeated the likes of Glen Johnson, Librado Andrade and Jean-Paul Mendy, but he lost the belt to Carl Froch in 2012 and a string of injuries kept him largely inactive over the next three years. Bute returned from a 19-month absence in August 2015 under new trainer Howard Grant, knocking out Andrea Di Luisa to set up the title shot against DeGale for the crown he once held. Bute stalked the switch-hitting DeGale with a relentless attack, turning in his most impressive performance in years in a close decision loss.

James “Chunky” DeGale, of London, England, won the vacant IBF belt in his U.S. debut last May by dropping Andre Dirrell twice on his way to a unanimous decision. The 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist then successfully defended it last November in a thrilling shootout with hometown favorite and former titlist Lucian Bute. The 30-year-old, who’s only blemish came in a majority decision in his 11th bout against then-unbeaten George Groves, will make his third consecutive start outside his native England as he looks to become a global power at 168 pounds.

Rogelio “Porky” Medina is a hard-hitting veteran with 30 knockouts in his 36 career wins. He’s knocked out three consecutive opponents, including a shocking third-round knockout of then-undefeated J’Leon Love in August, 2014. Medina, 27, has suffered six losses in 42 fights, although those defeats came against opponents with a combined record of 187-16-3, including four previously undefeated fighters.

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com and www.SHO.com/Sports and follow on Twitter at: @BadouJack, @ButeLucian, @JamesDeGale1, @PorkyMedina @MayweatherPromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

James DeGale MBE says he wants to take the WBC World Super-Middleweight title from Badou Jack after successfully defending his IBF crown against Lucian Bute in Quebec on Saturday night.

DeGale travelled to Bute’s backyard for the first defence of the title he won on the road against Andre Dirrell in Boston in May, with the Romanian-Canadian looking to regain the title he surrendered to Carl Froch in 2013 in his tenth defence.

The Brit raced out of the blocks with great intent and poured the pressure on the challenger from the start, but Bute provided stiff opposition as he was roared on by a partisan crowd. DeGale was troubled by a cut above his left eye from the fifth round – triggering a period of the fight in the middle rounds that the champion admitted to coasting in – but Bute was unable to penetrate the smart defence of DeGale who finished strongly down the stretch to take the fight 117-111, 117-111 and 116-112 on the cards.

“I am peaking now,” said DeGale. “I don’t want to waste any time, so in the next three and four years I want the big fights. I go to Jamaica on a family holiday on December 28, but when I get back, I am right back on it and I would like to be back out in April.

“I think I put on a good performance. I made it a competitive fight, a good exciting fight. It’s all down to me. I could have been boring and moved and boxed him, I am at my best when I am in the pocket, ducking and throwing shots through the middle. I didn’t take any risks, I was just flowing. I cruised through some of the middle rounds and I have to stop that, but it was a good fight to watch and I think people enjoyed it, that’s the main thing.

“I think the US networks like me and want me back in the US. I remember growing up and watching the likes of Prince Naseem Hamed go over to Madison Square Garden and Las Vegas, defending his belts, I looked at that and said one day I am going to do that, and that’s what is happening now.

“It’s a good 12 rounds against a top level opponent and I am only going to get better. I’ve beaten two elite fighters in my last two fights, and I’ve gone overseas to do it, and I want to do it all again by going to Las Vegas and unifying titles against Badou Jack.

“I never overlooked Lucian. I knew he was going to be good but I am just confident in my ability and I knew I was going to beat him. He’s brave, he showed heart and he dug in. He’s a great fighter, he had nine World title defences, you have to recognise that he’s an elite level guy, and you have to give me credit for dealing with him comfortably. He showed he still has it and can mix it at the top level, he still has big fights in him, he made it competitive and he sells over here.

“Jim McDonnell keeps telling me to stop taking my foot off the gas in the middle rounds and I have to stop doing that. It’s because I go into cruise control when it’s too comfortable, but I am going to work on that and next time, it won’t happen – I said that after Dirrell, but I really mean it this time.

I looked outside the ring when the final bell went and looked at Eddie Hearn and said: ‘I won that right?’ He said ‘yeah, definitely’. People were a bit worried because we’re in Canada and some of the punches he was throwing weren’t close to landing because my defence was really good, but because of the home crowd getting right behind him, some of the rounds looked closer than they were. The judges had it right, four or five rounds. The cut bothered me more than the Dirrell fight. The Vaseline was going into my eye and I couldn’t see properly.”

DeGale’s win crowned a great night for British boxing coming just a few hours after Tyson Fury stunned Wladimir Klitschko in Germany to land three of the World Heavyweight titles, becoming Britain’s 11th current World champion in the process.

“The Brits are flying right now,” said DeGale. “Tyson pulled off the upset in Germany, I watched it in the hotel, it really did inspire me to go out and keep hold of my title, it gave me that extra push. I boxed in the amateurs with him and been around squads with him, and he’s gone on to prove a lot of doubters wrong.”

James DeGale defended his IBF Super Middleweight World Championship in a thriller over hometown favorite and former champion Lucian Bute on Saturday in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

It was the first title defense for DeGale, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist from Britain who went on the road to Boston to win the title earlier this year and chose to defend in hostile territory.

Bute, who was attempting to win back the IBF belt he defended nine times between 2007 and 2012, put on an inspired and gutsy performance in an electric atmosphere to open the new Videotron Centre in Quebec City.  But the unbelievable pace, as well as an arsenal of overhand rights, body shots and combos from the younger DeGale (22-1, 14 KOs) proved to be the difference as DeGale prevailed 116-112, 117-111 (twice).

“I’m young and I’m fresh. I’m peaking right now,” DeGale said.  “I’m ready for the best in the world. Credit to Bute – he’s a great champion and believe me, he will be back.”

“Like I’ve said in the past, he is a world-class fighter. I’ve still got things to work on in the next three or four years and I’m going to be my best.”

Bute (32-3, 25 KOs) didn’t look anything like the fighter that lost to Carl Froch in 2012.  But while the 35-year-old stalked the switch-hitting DeGale with a relentless attack, he couldn’t do enough to overpower the supremely active Brit, who threw 524 power punches compared to 278 for Bute.

“I think it was a great fight.  I did my best tonight,” Bute said.  “I think it was a close fight.  He’s an Olympic champion, he’s a world champion.  If the judges give him the decision I respect that. I’ll be back in the gym to work hard and continue to fight.  I think it was a very close fight.  I’m happy with my performance and I’ll be back in the gym to get back in the ring one more time.

“The last three years were difficult for me.  After I lost to Carl Froch that was a very difficult period for me.  I took a break, and now I’m back.  I feel great, I feel healthy and now I have one more chance to be back on the top.

“Maybe a few rounds I waited too much and didn’t put the punches together and I let James fight me.  When I pushed pressure and pushed back I won the round.”

Eleider Alvarez earned a title shot at Adonis Stevenson by winning a 12-round majority decision over Isaac Chilemba in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Alvarez of Montreal won by scores of 118-110, 115-113 and 114-14 and is now 19-0.  Chilemba is 24-3-2.

“I knew I had to finish the later rounds strong, but I believe I did enough to win the fight,” Alvarez said.  “I’m ready to accept the challenge and face Stevenson. To be the world champion, you have to beat the champion. So that’s what I aim to do.”

“I thought I did enough to win it,” Chilemba said.  “But it is what it is. I guess you can call it a hometown decision.”

After the fight, SHOWTIME Sports host Brian Custer sat down with Stevenson to get his thoughts on Alvarez-Chilemba and his future.

“It was a close physical fight,” Stevenson said.  “He (Alvarez) won this fight but it was very close.”

“We talk about Kovalev because the WBC still ranks him the No. 1 contender.  I want this fight to happen.  The fans want it to happen.  I said June is perfect for me.  He said ‘OK, June,’ Kathy Duva said ‘No problem, June.’  Then she said on HBO.  I said, ‘Forget about the TVs, let them talk.’  We want the fight to happen.  Let the TVs work together and make it happen.

“I want to fight Kovalev.  That’s the best opportunity for me because I want his titles.  For sure, this fight will happen in June.  I don’t have a problem; my team doesn’t have a problem.  I want this fight in June.

Kovalev is scared.  I talked to him, saw it in his eyes that he’s scared of me.  It will happen, but I know Kovalev is scared.  I want Kovalev.  I’m very hungry to get his titles.”

Adrian Granados foiled the title hopes of previously undefeated Amir Imam by shaking off a 1st round knockdown to come back to win an 8th rounds stoppage in a scheduled 10-round Super Lightweight bout.

Imam dropped Granados with a powerful left hook in round one.  Granados didn’t seemed to fazed after that as he started to land sharp hard combinations and started to push Imam back.  In round seven, Imam was bleeding from his nose and seemed to be wearing down.  That seemed to be true as in round eight, Granados landed a hard combination that rocked his head back and the fight was stopped at 2:34 of round eight.

Granados of Cicero, IL is now 17-4-1 with 12 knockouts.  Imam, who had a mandatory title shot with Viktor Postol is now 18-1.

“It feels great. Once I had him wobbled I was like, ‘you’ve got to get him now. This time you’re not taking it from me.’  It was a flash knockdown. He caught with the right hand, but I was alright. I just popped right up and I knew he was going to try and finish me. We got out of it and went right back to work.”

“I know people might say I shouldn’t have taken this fight, but I needed this fight in between as a tune-up for my next fight because I didn’t want to wait for the six to eight months for the world title shot.

“The key to the fight was my jab, I just didn’t use it enough,” Imam said.  “But that’s the way it goes and I’m going to definitely come back stronger. I wasn’t thinking anything after that first-round knockdown.  I’ve done that many times and didn’t think the fight was over.  I wasn’t surprised at all by the way he came out. I know how he fights. He’s a good fighter and that’s all there is to it.”

Former Colombian Olympian Oscar Rivas scored a 2nd round stoppage over Joey Abell in a 10-round Heavyweight bout.

In round two, Rivas landed a combination on the ropes that set up two flush lefts that slumped Abell on the ropes and a follow up right drilled a prone Abell at 46 seconds of round two.

Rivas of Montreal is 18-0 with 13 knockouts.  Abell of Coon Rapids, MN is 31-9.

IBF Super Middleweight World Championship
James DeGale – 167 ¼ Pounds
Lucian Bute – 167 ½ Pounds
WBC Light Heavyweight World Title Eliminator
Eleider Alvarez – 174 ¾ Pounds
Isaac Chilemba – 173 ½ Pounds
SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME® (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Super Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Amir Imam – 139 ½ Pounds
Adrian Granados – 139 ½ Pounds
Heavyweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Oscar Rivas – 240 ½ Pounds
Joey Abell – 236 ½ Pounds
# # #

The event, billed as “THE RECLAMATION”, is a presentation of Vidéotron in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu. Tickets are on sale at the Vidéotron Centre box office, on www.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

@butelucian, @jamesdegale1, @yvonmichelGYM, @interboxca, @stormalvarez, @SHOsports

QUEBEC CITY, Canada (Nov. 25, 2015) – Boldly predicting at least a sixth-round finish against hometown favorite Lucian Bute, a confident James DeGale held his IBF Super Middleweight World Championship belt high over his head during the main event press conference in advance of Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event.

“Gonna be six rounds, but it may be three,” DeGale repeated over and over as the fighters concluded their final shots for a packed room of media members on Wednesday at the Le Bonne Entente Hotel. DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs), from London, England, defends against the popular former 168-pound world champion Bute (32-2, 25 KOs), of Montreal, this Saturday from the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City, live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT.

Also participating in the press conference were the two top ranked light heavyweights facing off in the co-feature. WBC’s No. 1-ranked 175-pound fighter Isaac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs), of Montreal, meets unbeaten, No. 2-ranked Eleider Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs), of Johannesburg, South Africa, in a light heavyweight world title eliminator. The winner earns the right to become the mandatory challenger for WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson, who is expected to be in attendance on Saturday night.

NOTE: A new opponent was announced on Wednesday for heavyweight Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs), of Montreal. Joey Abell (31-8, 29 KOs), of Champlin, Minn., will square off with the undefeated heavyweight in the 10-round opening bout of SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME.

Here is what the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING participants had to say on Wednesday:

JAMES DeGALE

“It’s on – fight time is finally here. I feel like a beast.

“They think it’s going to be a boxing match, but it will be a destruction. It will be explosive. Three rounds – place your bets. Trust me.

“I fought the best super middleweight southpaw out there in Andre Dirrell and look what I did to him. Once he feels my power that will be it. I’m going to start fast and throw loads of punches.

“I watched him against Carl Froch, watched him against (Librado) Andrade. He’s great in the center of the ring, but I’m not going to stand there. It won’t be a chess match. I’ll start fast and we’ll see how he takes it.

“Carl exposed him and I’ll finish him. But I don’t care about Carl Froch – he’s old. I’m the new champion. If he wants this belt, he’ll have to come get it.

“I’m an old school fighter – I don’t mind travelling to fight in my opponents’ hometown.

“He was a great champion who has fought some great fighters so I should get kudos when I beat him.”

LUCIAN BUTE

“It’s a great opportunity to fight for my old belt in front of my hometown fans. I think they’ll push me toward the victory. I’m looking forward to becoming world champion again.

“I think he’s the best super middleweight in the world right now, but I’m very confident in myself.

“I had a great camp. I’m just ready to become world champion again.

“I’m healthy, I feel great physically. I have the power to knock him out and the skills to box him.

“Now I have a chance to take back my belt against another English fighter.”

JIM McDONNELL, DeGale’s Trainer

“I’ve tried to come back and do what Lucian has done and it’s not easy. Tune in on Saturday night because what I’ve got is special, and you’ll enjoy what you see.

“It’s tough to win your world title back. I respect Lucian for trying, but James is a world class fighter. He’s ready for everything.”

HOWARD GRANT, Bute’s Trainer

“We did everything we had to do. Lucian is 100 percent prepared to surprise everyone on Saturday. Lucian knows what wearing that belt is all about – he wore it for about five years and he’s coming on Saturday to take it back to where it belongs.”

ELEIDER ALVAREZ

“This is my chance right now. I’m hungry and I’ve done everything I had to do to have the best camp possible for this fight. I’m facing a very intelligent boxer who is technically excellent. But I’ve always said that if I don’t face the best, then I will stay an ordinary boxer. So I must face the best, to be the best.

“When I wake up on Sunday morning, I’m going to be the mandatory challenger for the title.”

ISAAC CHILEMBA

“I had a great camp in Burbank, Calif., training there for six or seven weeks. I believe I should have a shot at Stevenson, and if this is what it takes to get there I will do whatever possible to make it happen. I’m up for the challenge.

“I’m fighting a good fighter and he’s undefeated for a reason. But I’m here to prove that I’m the best light heavyweight in the world. I will put on a good show on Saturday night and everyone will see.

“I have a lot of trials in my life, but I think that’s what makes me stronger and has made me what I am today. I don’t look back on what has happened and I appreciate what life has given me.

“He is a great fighter and I know it won’t be an easy fight. But I’ve put in the work and I’m ready.”

MARC RAMSAY, Alvarez’s Trainer

“This is the major leagues right now. These two are the best light heavyweights in the world. I’ve had the chance to work with Isaac because he has sparred in Montreal with Artur Beterbiev for two weeks. So I know him well. He’s a very complete and complex boxer. But I full trust my fighter to win this fight. It’s his chance.”

BUDDY McGIRT, Chilemba’s Trainer

“I just want to say it’s great to be a part of this event. Mr. DeGale is the champion and he’s coming to Mr. Bute’s country to fight him. That’s what boxing needs. It needs more fights like this to keep it on the rise.

“As far as our fight goes with Mr. Alvarez, I believe that besides (Sergey) Kovalev, these two are the best light heavyweights in the world. And I think they should be fighting for the title and not an eliminator to see who fights the champion.”

# # #

The event, billed as “THE RECLAMATION”, is a presentation of Vidéotron in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu. Tickets are on sale at the Vidéotron Centre box office, on www.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

@butelucian, @jamesdegale1, @yvonmichelGYM, @interboxca, @stormalvarez, @SHOsports,

LONDON (Nov. 16, 2015) – Two days before he departs for Canada, IBF Super Middleweight World Champion James “Chunky” DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs) held an open media workout at the Stonebridge Boxing Club in London as he nears completion of a 10-plus week training camp for his title defense against former world champion and Canadian fan favorite, Lucian Bute (32-2, 25 KOs), of Montreal, on Saturday, Nov. 28, live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT) from the Vidéotron Centre of Quebec City.

The event billed as “THE RECLAMATION” is a presentation of Vidéotron in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu.

Here’s what DeGale had to say on Monday:

JAMES DEGALE:
“I think I am the best super middleweight out there right now. There are hard fights in the division. Badou Jack is a good fighter, but I think I beat him and beat him well if I stay switched on for the full 12 rounds.

“Arthur Abraham is still a tough customer and hopefully Martin Murray can do the business. I think he will beat him, although it’s hard to win in Germany.

“I want to prove I am the best, I will go anywhere to do it and that’s why I am defending my title in Canada. All the world champions in Britain have great rivals on the doorstep, so it’s a really exciting time domestically as well for boxing in Britain right now – but I firmly believe I beat everyone in this division.

“I like boxing away from home – maybe it’s time I started being called ‘the road warrior’. I won my world title in Boston and now I am defending it in Canada against a classy opponent in Lucian Bute. I know it’s going to be a hard fight but I am ready for that. My sparring has been great, I am hitting great times on the track, I feel strong in the gym and I am just looking forward to it.

“Nothing changes under Jim McDonnell – it’s all about hard work, long runs up Hampstead Heath, 15 round sparring sessions, five minute rounds in the gym – I’m always in great shape. We haven’t changed anything really. If anything, we’ve had to just adjust the mindset and train like a challenger even though I am the champion. That’s the way you have to think.

“I feel fresh, sharp and ready. I travel on Wednesday and I am raring to go. I just can’t wait to get in there now. I wanted to get out there a good 10 days early to acclimate to the weather and the time. Once I am there, I feel even more switched on.”

# # #

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Nov. 28 co-feature, undefeated Eleider Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs) meets Isaac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs) in a 12-round WBC Light Heavyweight Title Eliminatorn. The winner becomes the mandatory challenger to WBC 175-pound champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson.

Preceding the SHOWTIME telecast will be fights on SHOWTIME EXTREME (9 p.m. ET/PT): Undefeated, world-ranked Amir Imam (18-0, 15 KOs) faces Adrian Granados (14-3-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight match, unbeaten Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) collides with Curtis Harper (12-4, 8 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight scrap and, time permitting, Custio Clayton (4-0, 3 KOs) will be opposed by Ivan Pereyra (19-5, 13 KOs) in a four-/six-round welterweight bout.

Tickets are on sale at the Vidéotron Centre box office, on www.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

@butelucian, @jamesdegale1, @yvonmichelGYM, @interboxca, @stormalvarez, @SHOsports,

NEW YORK (Nov. 10, 2015) –WBC No. 1 ranked super lightweight Amir Imam (18-0, 15 KOs) returns to face Adrian Granados (14-4-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout on Saturday, Nov. 28 on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME.

The undefeated Imam is the mandatory challenger to WBC 140-pound champion Viktor Postol, who won the vacant title with a 10th round TKO of Lucas Matthysse in October.

The SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME telecast begins live at 9 p.m. ET/PT from the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City prior to that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast. In the SHO EXTREME opener, undefeated heavyweight and former international star Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) will face Curtis Harper (12-4, 8 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

IBF Super Middleweight World Champion James DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs) will defend his belt against former 168-pound champ Lucian Bute (32-2, 25 KOs) in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT).

In the co-feature, the WBC’s No. 1-ranked 175-pound fighter Isaac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs) will square off with No. 2-ranked Eleider Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs) in a light heavyweight world title eliminator. The winner earns the right to become the mandatory challenger for WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson.

The event, billed as “THE RECLAMATION”, is a presentation of Vidéotron in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu.

One of boxing’s fastest-rising contenders, the 25-year-old Imam has knocked out 15 of his 18 professional opponents since turning pro in 2011. The Albany, N.Y., native is coming off a fourth-round knockout of former world title challenger Fernando Angulo on July 18 on SHOWTIME.

The 26-year-old Granados, of Chicago, has won three fights in a row since a close, split decision loss to undefeated welterweight prospect Brad Solomon on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao PPV last May 2 in Las Vegas. Granados’ only other defeat since 2011 was a majority decision loss to then-undefeated Felix Diaz in 2014. Granados, who holds a draw against former welterweight world champion Kermit Cintron, will move back down to 140 pounds for his bout with Imam.

The Montreal-based Rivas represented Colombia in the 2008 Olympic Games. The 28-year-old is coming off a three-knockdown, first-round TKO of Jason Pettaway on July 26 in his U.S. debut on ShoBox: The New Generation. Rivas returns to the province of Quebec, site of 16 of his 17 bouts, against the 27-year-old Harper, who is 5-1 in his last six fights.

Harper, of Jacksonville, Fla., is coming off a close decision loss to long-time heavyweight contender Chris Arreola on March 13. Harper was knocked down in the first round against Arreola but rallied in an entertaining slugfest.

Tickets are on sale at the Vidéotron Centre box office, on www.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

@butelucian, @jamesdegale1, @yvonmichelGYM, @interboxca, @stormalvarez, @SHOsports,

LONDON (3 NOVEMBER) British middleweight champion Nick Blackwell says regular sparring sessions with IBF world super-middleweight champion James DeGale have more than prepared him for his November 14 title defence against Elliott Matthews and that there’s nothing the unbeaten challenger can show him in Bristol that he won’t have seen before.

Blackwell meets Matthews, his third southpaw opponent on the trot, at the City Academy, but spars with DeGale, a world-class southpaw, have left him feeling buoyant about the task ahead.

“DeGale is one of the best lads I’ve ever been in the ring with,” said Blackwell. “He’s fast, he’s got a good boxing brain and he’s always fit. He also hits incredibly hard as well – a lot harder than people give him credit for.

“When I first sparred him, I went in there and thought, I’ll just walk through him and bully him about a bit. But it wasn’t that easy. I couldn’t get over how hard he hit. He was really snappy with his shots.

“I’m sparring both DeGale and Jake Ball, a light-heavyweight southpaw. Jake’s also a very good fighter with a top amateur background. You’ve got to be on your game and 100% focused when you spar guys like this. They’re top calibre.”

In contrast to DeGale, Blackwell’s next challenger, Elliott Matthews, is unbeaten in sixteen professional fights and has yet to really test himself at top domestic level. By Blackwell’s way of thinking, if he can deal with a world champion like DeGale in sparring, he should have few problems with Matthews come November 14.

“Elliott Matthews is a good fighter, but he hasn’t got anything on James DeGale,” said Blackwell. “If I can hang with DeGale and have success against DeGale, I should be ok with Matthews.

“It’s great sparring for a fight like this. You can’t really get better southpaw sparring in this country than James DeGale. Not only is he a southpaw, he’s also a super-middleweight, so naturally bigger than I am.

“If I was fighting the best in the world, you’d still consider DeGale and Ball to be top-level sparring. You couldn’t ask for better. But to have this kind of world-class sparring before a British title fight is priceless.”

*** For tickets to BANG BANG: The Knockout Kings, please contact the Ticketline Box Office on 0844 888 4402, the Sanigar Events Box Office on 0117 949 6699 or visit www.hennessysports.com ***

*** Blackwell vs. Matthews will be televised live and exclusively on Channel 5 from 10pm, Saturday, November 14. Meanwhile, Hughie Lewis Fury, Craig Kennedy and a pick of the Bristol undercard will be televised earlier in the evening on Spike ***

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS
For more information on Channel 5, MaxiNutrition, Viking Slots, Sanigar Events and Hennessy Sports:

www.channel5.com
www.maxinutrition.com
www.vikingslots.com
www.westcountryboxing.com
www.hennessysports.com

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

NEW YORK (Oct. 8, 2015) – Super middleweight world champion James DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs), of England, and former world champion Lucian Bute (32-2, 25 KOs), of Montreal, completed a two-city, two-country kickoff press conference Thursday in London to formally announce their Nov. 28 showdown in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME from the Vidéotron Centre of Quebec City. There also was a press conference Tuesday in Quebec City.

The event, billed as “THE RECLAMATION”, is a presentation of Vidéotron in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu.

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature, No. 2 IBF light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs), a former two-time Russian Olympian living in Montreal, will face an opponent to be announced.

SHOWTIME Sports® will also televise the light heavyweight world title eliminator between the WBC’s No. 1-ranked 175 pound fighter Isaac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs), of Malawi, and No. 2-ranked Eleider Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs), a former Colombian Olympian who now lives in Montreal. The winner earns the right to become the mandatory challenger for WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson.

Chilemba, who is based in South Africa, has won four consecutive fights, including a 10-round decision over Vasily Lepikhin in his last outing last March 14 in Montreal.

The Montreal-based Alvarez has fought all but one of his 18 pro fights in Canada. He’s coming off a 12-round decision over Isidro Ranoni in a WBC Silver 175-pound title fight last Aug. 15 in Montreal.

Below is what DeGale and Bute and the executives had to say on Tuesday at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City and Thursday at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London:

JAMES DEGALE
“I am excited to face an elite fighter like Lucian, who was champion for five years.

“He is still a good boxer and he told me he wants the belt back. But trust me; I am too young, too fresh and just too good.

“The way I’m feeling, mentally and physically, I’m in fantastic shape. It’s going to be very hard to beat me.

“My journey is only just starting, his is about to end in November.

“The way I am training, nobody will beat me. You can see my character just by the fact I accepted to come here and take that fight. Be ready for a furious and spectacular fight.

“There is no one in this division who can beat me. I’m willing to box anyone. I want to fight all the big fighters in the biggest fights.”

LUCIAN BUTE
“I am really happy to be back in Quebec City. Some of my best memories are here. I won four fights here. Six years ago, Nov. 28, 2009, the same day I will fight James DeGale, I knocked out Librado Andrade. And I also defeated Glen Johnson in Quebec City.

“DeGale is a great champion, but to come here to face me in my hometown, in front of 15,000 people, it won’t be easy for him. I am the challenger, I am the underdog, and he is the champion, but the pressure is on him.

“The past is in the past. I feel fresh. I have a new team and different people behind me. This opportunity is huge for me.

“I had the belt for five years and on Nov. 28, I will be the new world champion. I am very confident about this.

“I dealt with this when I faced Carl Froch in England.

“My dream is to regain my world title. I always believe in myself and in my tools. The belt will remain in Quebec.”

HOWARD GRANT (Bute’s head trainer)
“My job is simple: I have to prepare Lucian to win the title. British fighters were always dominant in the 160-pound and 168-pound divisions.

“DeGale is explosive, he won at the Olympic Games in 2008, and a World Championship in the United States, but that won’t work Nov. 28.”

JIM MCDONNELL (DeGale’s head trainer)
“James is different. He did everything on the rough path: being an Olympic champion, winning the British title in his ninth fight and becoming world champion in the United States. The more pressure he has, the better he is.

“I never knew anybody like him before. He can’t be intimidated. James respects Bute, but they say when you win a title, you get better. It will be frightening.”

JEAN BÉDARD
“It’s going to be a fun night. I have two great defining moments in my 10 years in the boxing world. The first one was Oct. 19, 2007, when Lucian became world champion live on TVA (Quebec TV channel) and Nov. 28, 2009, in front of a jam-packed crowd of 16,000 fans at the Québec Coliseum when Lucian beat Librado Andrade. Now, six years later, we are ready for a historic date.”

YVON MICHEL
“No champion in Quebec’s boxing history ever regained a world title after losing it. The task will be hard because DeGale is very skilled and brave. He won his title in the United States, far from his home. Still, we root for Lucian Bute 100 percent. We have a 12,000-seat stadium configuration in the brand new Vidéotron Centre and we had already brought more people before for some of Lucian’s fights. We are convinced that Quebec’s boxing fans will also root for Lucian.”

Tickets will go on sale this Saturday, October 10 at the Vidéotron Centre box office, on www.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

@butelucian, @jamesdegale1, @yvonmichelGYM, @interboxca, @stormalvarez, @abeterbiev, @SHOsports,

QUEBEC CITY, Canada (October 6, 2015) — Popular local favorite and former world champion Lucian Bute (32-2, 25 KOs), of Montreal, will try to recapture his world title belt against 2008 Olympic champion and reigning super middleweight world champion James DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs), of England, in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME, Saturday, November 28, at the Vidéotron Centre of Quebec City.

This super boxing event, “The Reclamation,” is co-promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM and Interbox, sponsored by Vidéotron and Mise-O-Jeu.

“I am extremely happy to have this opportunity at this point of my career,” Bute said. “I lost my title in England against an English fighter and now, I will box in Quebec against another English boxer, for the same title I defended for five years. I am really motivated for this opportunity to regain the title I lost in 2012. The fact that the fight will take place in front of my fans in Quebec City, where I’ve never lost, will be the factor that will make the difference. I give all my respect to the champion, James DeGale, for accepting to travel for his first defense, but the IBF belt will stay in Quebec November 28!”

“Bute is a world class, elite-level fighter, who kept his world title for five years,” DeGale commented. “Anyone who can do that deserves some serious respect. I’m the champion and he will be very fired up trying to win back his old title, but I’m too young, too fast, and too skilful to let that happen. I’m lucky enough to have boxed in Canada only a few years ago, when I took on Sebastien Demers in Quebec in 2013. I met some great people out there. It is a lovely country and I can’t wait to go back. I beat Demers in a couple of rounds and I’d take the same result again. Whatever happens, however I win, I’m coming back with my belt.”

“For Lucian, this is THE defining fight of his career,” explained the President of InterBox and La Cage – Brasserie sportive, Jean Bédard. “This is a unique chance to regain his IBF super middleweight title. We are really happy to have concluded a deal for this fight against James DeGale. Once again, the Quebec boxing fans will be pleased with this first boxing card in the brand new Vidéotron Centre.”

“This event is possible thanks to the collaboration and help of major partners,” GYM president Yvon Michel added. “I would like to thank the Executive Vice President & General Manager, Sports and Event Programming of Showtime Network, M. Stephen Espinoza, Pierre Dion, President and CEO of Québecor, Benoît Robert, President and CEO of Groupe Sports et divertissement of Québecor, and the President of La Cage – Brasserie sportive, Jean Bédard, as well our partners, Vidéotron and Mise-O-Jeu.”

“November 28, Quebecers will have the privilege to assist, support and contribute for this important challenge for Bute – who defended his title for a record nine times – to regain his old title, which was never done before here,” Michel added. “The task will be hard because the champion is extremely skilled and is not afraid to defend his brand new belt in the former champion’s backyard. I would like to thank James DeGale for having accepted the invitation, but the whole GYM team is proud to promote this event and is rooting for Lucian Bute in his historic quest.”

“We are very proud to present a world championship fight between Lucian Bute and James DeGale for the first boxing card ever at Vidéotron Centre,” Dion remarked. “There is beautiful love story between Quebec City’s people and Lucian Bute, who won the four fights he has had in the old capital during his pro career.”

Lucian Bute, Quebec’s fan favorite
Bute is a boxer who has always been very popular in Quebecers’ hearts. After a solid amateur career, punctuated by a gold medal performance at the 2001 Francophone Games in Ottawa, plus participation in three World championships, Bute chose Quebec as his second home.

Starting as a sparring partner for then World Boxing Council (WBC) world super middleweight champion Eric Lucas, the southpaw showed the extent of his talent and charisma, in addition to learning a new language, French.

Extremely dedicated and disciplined, the native of Pechea, Romania quickly rose through the ranks of professional boxing, stopping many tough and experienced fighters.

A clear crowd favorite, Bute realized his dream of becoming world champion on October 19, 2007 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, knocking out Colombian Alejandro Berrio to win the IBF super middleweight belt.

With nine successive defenses of his world title, the 35-year-old gladiator still holds that record for a Canadian boxer. Bute also obtained his Canadian citizenship March 26, 2012.

After a win over Russian Denis Grachev at the end of 2012, the athlete who now lives in Laval moved up to the light heavyweight division for a super fight against local rival Jean Pascal. In front of a sellout crowd in Bell Centre on January 18, 2014, Bute lost a unanimous against the former lineal light heavyweight champion.

After an 18-month layoff, crowd favorite Bute returned in spectacular fashion, destroying European Union super middleweight champion Andrea Di Luisa by way of a fourth-round stoppage.

November 28, Bute will try to avenge his loss to Carl Froch against another Englishman and recapture his lost title.

DeGale from Olympic champion to pro champion
A native of London, DeGale became a British hero by winning a gold medal as a middleweight (165 pounds) at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

To do so, he bested Egyptian Mohamed Hikal (the last man to defeat Gennady Golovkin), American Shawn Estrada, Kazakh Bakhtiyar Artayev (2004 Olympic gold medalist 2004), Irishman Darren Sutherland and Cuban Emilio Correa Jr.
DeGale moved on to the pro ranks in 2009, winning his 10 first fights before losing a controversial decision to domestic rival George Groves in May 2011.

Obviously not shaken by his first loss, the switch-hitting DeGale returned to the win column five months later, beating the European and WBO Inter-Continental super middleweight champion, Piotr Wilczewskiof Poland.

Since that victory, DeGale won 10 bouts including one in Quebec, May 2013, at Lac-Leamy Casino in Gatineau, where he defeated Sébastien Demers by KO in the second round.

DeGale became IBF super middleweight champion in his last outing, May 23 in Boston, with a unanimous decision win over slick American Andre Dirrell.

DeGale is the only British fighter to have won an Olympic gold medal and a professional boxing title.

Alvarez and Beterbiev also in action
Also fighting on the card are light heavyweight world title challengers Eleider Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev. Both will fight in their respective 175-pound division elimination bouts. A press conference will take place in the next few weeks to provide additional details.

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

LUCIAN BUTE

“I am really happy to be back in Quebec City. Some of my best memories are here. I won four fights here. Six years ago, November 28, 2009, the same day I will fight James DeGale, I knocked out Librado Andrade. And I also defeated Glen Johnson in Quebec City. DeGale is a great champion, but to come here to face me in my hometown, in front of 15,000 people, it won’t be easy for him. I am the challenger, I am the underdog, and he is the champion, but the pressure is on him. I have lived this when I faced Carl Froch in England. My dream is to regain my world title. I always believe in me and in my tools to do so. The belt will remain in Quebec.”

JAMES DEGALE

“You should call me the road warrior! I am excited to face an elite fighter like Lucian, who was champion for five years. But the way I am training, nobody will beat me. You can see my character just by the fact I accepted to come here and take that fight. Be ready for a furious and spectacular fight.”

HOWARD GRANT (Bute’s head trainer)

“My job is simple: I have to prepare Lucian to win the title. British fighters were always dominant in the 160 pounds and 168 pounds divisions. DeGale is explosive, he won at the Olympic Games in 2008, and a World Championship in the United States…but that won’t work November 28th.”

JIM MCDONNELL (DeGale’s head trainer)

“James is different. He did everything on the rough path: being an Olympic champion, winning the British title at his ninth fight, and becoming World champion in the United States. The more pressure he has, the better he is. I never knew anybody like him before. He can’t be intimidated. James respects Bute, but they say when you win a title, you get better. It will be frightening.”

JEAN BÉDARD

“It’s going to be a fun night. I have two great defining moments in my 10 years in the boxing world. The first one was October 19, 2007, when Lucian became World champion live on TVA (Quebec TV channel) and November 28, 2009, in front of a jam pack crowd of 16,000 fans at the Québec Coliseum when Lucian beat Librado Andrade. Howard Grant (who was in Andrade’s corner) still remembers that I am sure! Now, six years later, we are ready for an historic date.”

YVON MICHEL

“No champion in Quebec’s boxing history ever regained a World title after losing it. The task will be hard, because DeGale is very skilled and brave. He won his title in the United State, far from his home. Still, we root for Lucian Bute at 100%. We have a 12 000 spectators configuration in the brand new Vidéotron Centre and we had already brought more people before for some of Lucian’s fight. We are convinced that Quebec’s boxing fans will also root for Lucian.”

Tickets are on sale at Vidéotron Centre box office, on www.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

@butelucian, @jamesdegale1, @yvonmichelGYM, @interboxca, @stormalvarez, @abeterbiev, @SHOsports, @premierboxing
Groupe Yvon Michel:
Vincent Morin, (514) 458-8950, v-morin-ournaliste@outlook.com
Bob Trieger, (978) 590-0470, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

About Groupe Yvon Michel Inc.:

Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004. The organization’s mission is the development of high level boxers by coaching support and especially competitive management. To achieve its objectives, GYM is active recruiting talent and organizing events. Since its founding, in less than 11 years, GYM has promoted 120 boxing events, including some that made history in terms of ticket sales and PPV like Pascal vs. Hopkins I and II. GYM has produced more than 300 hours of television on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, TVA Sports, VOX, TVA, CBC, RDS and V in Canada, as well as CBS, HBO, Showtime and ESPN in the USA. A total of seven different GYM boxers have participated in 23 world title fights. Under the tutelage of GYM, Joachim Alcine captured the WBA super welterweight title in 2007 and Jean Pascal won the WBC light heavyweight belt in 2009. Since June 2013, Adonis “Superman” Stevenson has held the WBC, The Ring and lineal light heavyweight titles. Finally, Adonis Stevenson was named Boxer of the Year in the world in 2013 by The Ring, Sports Illustrated and many other publications.

About InterBox:

InterBox, founded in 1997 in Quebec, property of Groupe Sportscene since 2004, is a recognized and respected boxing organization in Quebec and around the world. Its objective is to promote, on the local and international scene, professional boxing with talented boxers, supervised by a team of high caliber coaches while having advanced technical support. InterBox produces and presents top quality events on a regular basis and can count on the support of important partners such as Videotron, the La Cage aux Sports restaurants, Coors Light and Mise-O-Jeu.

NEW YORK (Oct. 3, 2015) – SHOWTIME Sports® will present seven live boxing telecasts in a span of just eight weeks to close out 2015, including three presentations of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, a SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL telecast and three installments of ShoBox: The New Generation.

The seven telecasts will air live on SHOWTIME® and will feature at least 16 fights, several world championship bouts and more than 10 matchups on the prospect developmental series ShoBox.

The action will kick off with a ShoBox quadrupleheader on Friday, Oct. 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME from the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz. In the 10-round middleweight main event, undefeated Rob Brant (17-0, 11 KOs, 0-3 in World Series of Boxing) will square off with Louis Rose (13-2-1, 5 KOs). In eight-rounders, unbeaten Filipino prospect Harmonito Dela Torre (16-0, 11 KOs) meets Wanzell Ellison (10-1-1, 5 KOs) in a junior lightweight scrap, Jarrell Miller (14-0-1) takes on Akhror Muralimov (16-1, 13 KOs) in a heavyweight bout and Lavarn Harvell (15-1, 8 KOs) will meet southpaw Samuel Clarkson (16-3, 10 KOs) in a light heavyweight scrap.

The following day, Saturday, Oct. 24, undefeated Kell Brook (35-0, 24 KOs) will make the third defense of his IBF Welterweight World title against Diego Chaves (23-2-1, 19 KOs) at Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England. The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL telecast will be presented via Sky Sports in the UK and will air live on SHOWTIME in the afternoon with an encore presentation later that evening (SHO, 9 p.m. ET/PT).

ShoBox: The New Generation returns Friday, Nov. 6 from D Hotel in Las Vegas with a four-fight telecast: Up-and-coming unbeaten middleweight Antoine Douglas (18-0-1, 12 KOs) will battle Les Sherrington (35-7, 20 KOs) in the main event. In the co-feature, Taras Shelestyuk (12-0, 8 KOs) will be opposed by an opponent to be determined. Rounding out the card are eight-round scraps between Keenan Smith (7-0, 2 KOs) and Benjamin Whitaker (10-1, 2 KOs) and O’Shanique Foster (8-0, 5 KOs) and Samuel Teah (7-1, 5 KOs) in super lightweight and lightweight fights, respectively.

On Saturday, Nov. 14 quick-fisted Gary Russell Jr. (26-1, 15 KOs) will risk his WBC Featherweight World Championship against Oscar Escandon (24-2, 16 KOs) in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

Just two weeks later, on Saturday, Nov. 28, in a can’t miss match-up newly crowned IBF Super Middleweight World Championship James DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs) will face former world champion Lucian Bute (32-2, 25 KOs) in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, live on SHOWTIME. In the co-feature, undefeated knockout artist and former Russian amateur champion Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs) will face an opponent to be announced in a light heavyweight world championship title eliminator.

Brooklyn Bragging Rights and the WBA Middleweight World Championship will be on the line on Saturday, Dec. 5 when defending champion Daniel Jacobs (30-1, 27 KOs) takes on former champion Peter Quillin (32-0-1, 23 KOs) in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The marquee main event will be preceded by a co-feature fight with additional bouts on the card airing live on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

Closing out the boxing year for SHOWTIME Sports will be a ShoBox two or three-fight card airing live on Friday, Dec. 11.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.