NATIONAL HARBOR, MD (April 17, 2017) – An exciting night of action will feature super middleweight contenders Andre Dirrell and Jose Uzcategui in a matchup for the Interim IBF Super Middleweight World Championship plus two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy in a WBA 140-pound world title eliminator against Kiryl Relikh on Saturday, May 20 from the recently opened MGM National Harbor in Maryland and live on SHOWTIME.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast is headlined by WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. making the second defense of his title when he faces top challenger Oscar Escandon.

Top 168-pound contenders Dirrell (25-2, 16 KOs) and Uzcategui (26-1, 22 KOs) are set to meet in a 12-round matchup with the winner in line to face IBF champion James DeGale, who is currently recovering from injuries sustained in his draw against Badou Jack in January on SHOWTIME.

“This fight is a massive step towards my journey to success in 2017,” said Dirrell. “To me, this is my championship fight leading up to the rematch with the current champion, James DeGale. Jose has all of the tools of a champion, so he’s fierce competition for me. But I will show the world that I’m up for the task. This is my year!”

“I’m very excited to be facing a fighter the quality of Andre Dirrell,” said Uzcategui. “These are the types of fights that I’ve wanted and I look forward to coming out victorious. This fight will be another step on the way to my dream of becoming a world champion.”

A world champion at 130 and 135-pounds, Barthelemy (25-0, 13 KOs) and the former world title challenger Relikh (21-1, 19 KOs) will battle in 12 rounds of action for the right to be the mandatory challenger for current WBA Super Lightweight Championship held by unified champion Julius Indongo.

“I’m very excited to be back in the ring, especially on SHOWTIME against a top-ranked contender in Kiryl Relikh,” said Barthelemy. “This victory will get me one step closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming the first Cuban to win world titles in three different weight classes. I’m very motivated and I will not be denied on May 20.”

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity in a world title eliminator,” said Relikh. “Rances Barthelemy is a good fighter, but my experience at this weight will help me get the victory. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to get this win and eventually wear that world title belt around my waist.”

Tickets for the live event, promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100 and $50, and are now on sale. To purchase tickets go to http://mgmnationalharbor.com/.

Representing his hometown of Flint, Michigan, Dirrell looks to take one step closer to a rematch with DeGale after dropping a narrow decision to the current IBF champion in May 2015. The 33-year-old bounced back from the defeat in his last outing by earning a wide unanimous decision over Blake Caparello last April. After a decorated amateur career that saw him win two U.S. Amateur World Championships in addition to an Olympic bronze medal, Dirrell was unbeaten in his first 18 pro fights before losing a split decision to Carl Frosh in 2009.

Born in Venezuela, Uzcategui now fights out of Baja California, Mexico, where he won two fights last year by knockout. The 26-year-old shot up the rankings in 2015 when he stopped previously unbeaten Julius Jackson in the second round after knocking his opponent down four times. Uzcategui was undefeated in his first 22 pro fights and enters this bout on a four-fight win streak.

A Cuban amateur national champion, 30-year-old Barthelemy has yet to taste defeat since turning pro in 2009. Born in Cuba but now fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. he won a super featherweight world title in July 2014 by defeating Argenis Mendez in impressive fashion, and followed that up with a second round TKO victory over Angino Perez. After dominating former champion Antonio DeMarco in June, he won a world title in a second division when he impressively defeated Denis Shafikov in December. Most recently, Barthelemy made the lone defense of his lightweight belt with a decision over former champion Mickey Bey last June.

Fighting out of Minsk, Belarus, Relikh returns to the ring after challenging the former champion Burns for the WBA title in October 2016. The 27-year-old was undefeated after turning pro in 2011 leading up to his world title shot. Relikh owns wins over veteran contenders Christian Ariel Lope, Joaquim Carneiro and Lazaro Santos de Jesus.

Jose Uzcategui scored a 2nd round stoppage over Julius Jackson in round two of a scheduled 10-round Super Middleweight fight at Cowboys Dance Hall in San Antonio, Texas.

Uzcategui dropped Jackson in round one with a right hand. He send him down again from a left to the head that was followed by a right. he scored a 3rd knockdown in the round from left hook. In round two, Uzcategi rocked Jackson with relentless flush punching and after ten hard shots, Jackson stumbled to the canvas and the fight was stopped by referee Tony Weeks at 45 seconds of round two.

Uzcategi, 166 lbs of Meridan, VEN is now 24-1 with 20 knockouts. Jackson, 169 lbs of St. Thomas, VI is 19-1.

Argenis Mendez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Miguel Vazquez in a Lightweight battle featuring former world champions.

Vazquez was deducted a point in round seven for holding.

Mendez, 136 of San Juan, DR won by scores of 99-90, 97-92 and 95-94 ans is now 23-3-1. Vazquez, 136 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is 25-5.

Ryan Karl remained undefeated by scoring a 6-round unanimous decision over Alfosno Olvera in a Welterweight bout.

Karl’s left eye started to swell badly in round one Karl dropped Olvera in round five from a combination.

Karl, 142 1/2 lbs of Milano, TX won by scores of 59-54 twice and 58-55 is 10-0. Olvera, 141 lbs of Tucson, AZ is 4-2.

SAN ANTONIO (September 10, 2015) – Undefeated power-puncher Julius “The Chef” Jackson (19-0, 15 KOs) squares off against the exciting Jose “Bolivita” Uzcategui (23-1, 19 KOs) in an 12-round super middleweight clash that headlines Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and FOX Deportes Tuesday, October 6 from The Dancehall in San Antonio, Texas with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

“With my father (former middleweight champion Julian Jackson) being who he is, my dream has always been to reach this level and then surpass this level,” said Jackson. “I’m working extremely hard for this opportunity and I’m ready for my shot.”

“I’m so excited for an opportunity to fight in the U.S. again and I plan on making the most of it,” said Uzcategui. “I will leave everything in the ring and give the fans a great show in San Antonio.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions, are priced at $282 table of four Seats, $109, $71, $38, and $22 including all fees (w/out fees $260, $100, $65, $35, $20), and are on sale now. To purchase tickets call Leija Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302.

The son of famous power-puncher Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, the 28-year-old and his brother John were both 2008 Olympians for their native Virgin Islands. As a pro, Jackson fought primarily in the Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic and South America before making his pro debut in December of 2014. He owns victories over Jonathan Nelson, Nicolas Dario Lopez and Crispulo Javier Andino. He enters this fight on a nine-fight knockout streak.

Born in Venezuela, Uzcategui now fights out of Baja California, Mexico. The hard-hitter made a name for himself fighting in Mexico and knocking out seven of his first eight opponents. The 24-year-old will fight in the U.S. for a second time on October 6 and picked up his most recent victory in February by knocking out Daniel Eduardo Yocupicio in the first round.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.comand http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage,
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @JuliusTheChef1, @LeijaBattahPR, @FS1, @FOXDeportes, @CowboysDanceHal and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

Terence Crawford defended the WBO Lightweight title with a 9th round stoppage over former world champion and previously undefeated Yuriorkis Gamboa before nearly 11,000 fans at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

It was a terrific back and forth action fight that saw Gamboa control the early part of the fight with his speed and right hand. Things turned in round five when Crawford sent Gamboa to the canvas. Crawford started to dominate the action in round’s six and seven and sent Gamboa down in round eight. Crawford scored a 3rd knockdown in round nine. Gamboa landed a huge right before getting caught with hard left that sent him to the canvas for a fourth and final time at 2:53 of round nine.

Crawford, 134 3.4 lbs of Omaha, NEB is now 24-0 with 17 knockouts. Gamboa, 134 1/2 lbs of Cuba is now 23-1.

In a battle of undefeated Middleweights, Matt Korobov passed his sternest test when he scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Uzcategui.

Korobov boxed very well over the first three rounds. Uzcategui got in the fight as he landed some long combinations and cut Korobov over the left eye in round five. Korobov came back and had a strong last few rounds and sealed the fight by scoring two knockdowns from right hooks in round seven.

Korobov, 160 lbs of Russia won by scores of 97-91 twice and 96-92 and is now 24-0. Uzcategui, 160 lbs of Venezuela is now 22-1.

HBO’s hit late-night boxing franchise visits Omaha, Neb. for the first time to present an all-action doubleheader featuring a world title bout between undefeated rising stars when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: TERENCE CRAWFORD VS. YURIORKIS GAMBOA AND MATT KOROBOV VS. JOSE UZCATEGUI is seen SATURDAY, JUNE 28 at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from CenturyLink Center, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: June 29 (8:45 a.m.) and July 1 (1:10 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: June 29 (4:15 p.m.) and 30 (11:15 p.m.)

After six years of ring brilliance, lightweight titleholder Terence Crawford (23-0, 16 KOs) makes his long-awaited hometown debut in the national spotlight with a 12-round title defense against Cuban star Yuriorkis Gamboa (23-0, 16 KOs). The fight will serve as the 300th bout televised live on the HBO BOXING AFTER DARK series. Launched 18 years ago at the venerable Forum in Inglewood, CA, the late-night franchise has been the television home for many of the sport’s emerging stars for nearly two decades.

Crawford, 26, has fast-tracked through the 135-pound division, scoring three victories on HBO in 2013. In March, he subdued Ricky Burns, the UK’s lightweight titlist, for 12 rounds, showcasing his footwork, pinpoint accuracy and swiftness. Now, with HBO’s revival of Omaha’s championship stage after nearly half a century, Crawford will display his talent before those who first noted his ring generalship.

Ending a year’s layoff with his return to HBO, 2004 Olympic gold medalist Gamboa, 32, has limited experience at 135 pounds. His sole previous lightweight bout was a unanimous decision over undefeated Darleys Perez in June 2013. Gamboa was a highly-touted Cuban sensation when he relocated to Miami in 2007 and looks to reinforce his standing as an elite fighter with superstar skills.

The night opens with two more undefeated fighters who hope to become breakout stars when Matt Korobov (23-0, 13 KOs) of Saint Petersburg, Fla., and Jose Uzcategui (22-0, 18 KOs) clash in a ten-round middleweight fight.

It was only a matter of time before Korobov, 31, showcased his skills on a national stage. The heavily-touted southpaw and 2008 Russian Olympian will be putting his undefeated record on the line against his toughest challenger yet.

Making his HBO debut, the 23-year-old Uzcategui meets 160-pounders with a menacing combination of youth, experience and explosive power. The Venezuelan native, who now lives and trains in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, has let his hands fly in his last five bouts, knocking out each opponent before the seventh round.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.

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

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

OMAHA, NEB. (May 23, 2014) — Top Rank® announced today that undefeated Top-Five contenders MATT KOROBOV and JOSE UZCATEGUI would battle in a 10-round rumble in the co-main event to World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight champion TERENCE CRAWFORD’S world title defense homecoming against Cuban sensation and three-division world champion YURIORKIS GAMBOA. Korobov and Uzcategui will be battling for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title. Both fights will be televised live from the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Saturday, June 28, on HBO Boxing After Dark®, in its first-ever visit to Omaha, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

This exciting all-action doubleheader features four undefeated gladiators with a combined record of 91-0, 63 KOs.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with SMS Promotions, PS4 and Tecate, remaining tickets to the Crawford vs. Gamboa world championship event, priced at $102, $52 and $27, can be purchased at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge-by-phone call 800-745-3000. To order online, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Korobov (23-0, 13 KOs), a 2008 Russian Olympian and stellar amateur will be making his long-awaited HBO debut. Now based in St, Petersburg, Fla., Korobov, a six-year veteran of the pro ranks, enters this fight having won three of his last four fights by knockout, including a sixth-round stoppage of Emil Gonzalez on April 16. Korobov is currently world-rated No. 3 by the WBO.

Uzcategui (22-0, 18 KOs), a native of Venezuela who trains in Mexico, will be making his U.S. debut. A knockout artist who has stopped 10 of the last 11 opponents he has faced, he captured the WBO Latino middleweight title in March, knocking out David Lopez in the sixth round. He is currently world-rated No. 5 by the WBO.

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

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, undefeated Middleweight Matt Korobov will make his HBO debut when he takes on Jose Uzctegui in a Middleweight bout on June 28 on the Terence Crawford – Yuriorkis Gamboa undercard in Omaha, Nebraska.

“It’s what [HBO’s] ‘Boxing After Dark’ is really about — two undefeated fighters risking a lot in the hopes of getting to the next level,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com after finalizing Korobov-Uzcategui. “I applaud [HBO executive] Peter Nelson for coming up with this matchup and, obviously, the fighters for taking the risk.

“Both fighters are undefeated, but undefeated records are sorta like bikinis. They show more than they reveal.”