Follow all the action as Keith Thurman defends the WBA Interim Welterweight title against former Lightweight champion Julio Diaz. The action begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT with a WBC Lightweight title bout featuring Omar Figueroa and Jerry Belmontes. Also former world champion Lucas Matthysse battle John Molina.

12 ROUNDS–WBA INTERIM WELTERWEIGHT TITLE–KEITH THURMAN (22-0, 20 KO’S) VS JULIO DIAZ (40-9-1, 29 KO’S)

Round 1 Left hook from Thurman..hard left..right..good exchange at the bell…10-9 Thurman

Round 2 Big combination…big left hook…left hOOK AND DIAZ TAKES A KNEE 20-17 Thurman

Round 3Right from Thurman…left stuns Thurman..Diaz cut around the left …29-27 Thurman

Round 4THE FIGHT IS OVER DUE TO AN INJURY TO THE RIBS OF DIAZ

12 ROUNDS–JR. WELTERWEIGHTS–LUCAS MATTHYSSE (34-3, 32 KO’S) VS JOHN MOLINA (27-3, 22 KO’S)

Round 1 Matthysse lands a right..Big right from Molina…Matthysse lands a left hook.right to body and left..Right..10-9 Matthysse

Round 2 matthyse lands a right to the body..Molina gets in an over hand right.goodr ight…BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MATTHYSSE…19-18 Molina

Round 3 Double jab from Matthysse…right and left from Molina..Matthysse cut over left eye from a clash of heads…Jab from Matthysse..28-28

Round 4 Left hook from Matthysse…left..jab..Jab from Molina…left hook to body from Matthysse..Hard jab..Blood behind the left ear of Molina..good overhand right…jab..Molina lands a left hook..staright right…Matthysse lands consecutive 1-2’s…38-37 Matthysse

Round 5 Overhand right from Matthysse..Big right..right..right …Right from Molina..ShORT RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MATTHYSSE…47-46 Molina

Round 6 Good left hook from Molina..Overhand right from Matthysse…Uppercut hurts Molina…right from Molina..right uppercut..Good combination from Matthysse…Right from Molina..57-56 Molina

Round 7 Left hook from Molina…combination from Matthysse…overhand right..right and left to body..Left from Molina…jab..66-66

Round 8 Matthysse lands a right…double jab..big left..just gshots from both..good overhand right..RIGHT HAND DOWN GOES MOLINA…76-74 Matthysse

Round 9 2 huge lefts from Matthysse..Right from Molina…Right and double left hook..huge double left hook..double jab..over hand right..big shots…Molina lands a left hook..86-83 Matthysse

Round 10 Matthysse lands a jab..right over the top…left hook..body..Huge left hook…Matthysse landing ferocious shots..HUGE FLURRY ON THE ROPES…DOWN GOES MOLINA..Furious action at the bell…96-91 Matthysse

Round 11 BIG FLURRY DOWN GOES MOLINA AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

12 ROUNDS–WBC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE–OMAR FIGUEROA (22-0-1, 17 KO’S) VS JERRY BELMONTES (19-3, 5 KO’S)

Round 1 Jab from Figueroa..double right from Belmontes…Right from Figueroa..Combination from Belmontes..Jab..Figueroa right over the top..Combination from Belmontes…10-9 Belmontes

Round 2 Lead right from Belmontes..Short left hook..right cross..Belmontes working on the ropes..Blistering combination on the ropes…20-18 Belmontes

Round 3 Good combination from Figueroa…Belmontes lands a right..left hook from Figueroa..29-28 Belmontes

Round 4 Right from Belmontes..Jab…Figueroa lands a body shit...39-37 Belmontes

Round 5 Right from Belmontes..Body shot…Figueroa lands a right…hard right..Right from Belmontes..Figueroa bleeding from nose..48-47 Belmontes

Round 6 Figueroa lands a right..Body work inside..right..trading shots...57-57

Round 7 Belmontes lands a jab..right..67-66 Belmontes

Round 8 Body from Belmontes..77-75 Belmontes

Round 9 Double jab from Figueroa...86-85 Belmontes

Round 10 Figueroa flurrying on the inside…Figueroa forcing the action..Uppercut from Blemonte..95-95

Round 11 Good action with Belmontes landing from the outside…105-104 Belmontes

Round 12 Not Much …115-114 Belmontes

115-113 Belmontes…116-112 Figueroa…118-110 Figueroa

Keith Thurman retained the WBA Interim Welterweight title when Julio Diaz could not continue after 3 rounds at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California.

Thurman controlled the action for most of the bout and hurt Diaz in the 1st round. He boxed well in the 2nd round and scored a knockdown when he landed a left to the head and Diaz took a knee. Ironically Diaz made a nice stand at the end of the 3rd round when he landed a solid combination. In between round’s three and four, Diaz’s corner pulled the pug on the fight.

Thurman, 145 1/2 lbs of Clearwater, FL is now 23-0 with 21 knockouts. Diaz, 146 3/4 lbs of Cochella, CA is now 40-10-1.

Said Thurman, “I felt the body shot (to Diaz). I felt he was going to go down. I wondered if I hadn’t landed it clean enough. He’s a tough guy. He showed up to fight. You saw what he was doing in the ring. His rib… he had eight more rounds to go so he did what he had to do.

“I landed a clean left hook to the temple (in the second). He felt it. So, he thought it would be better to take a knee, rather than take another shot to the head. I train to do that. If you feel that your legs aren’t right and you are in with a dangerous puncher, you take a knee. It was a wise decision.

“Everybody shoots for the Mayweather sweepstakes. I am here to entertain, to dominate the welterweight division. I love the sport of boxing. I love knockouts. I am going to keep giving them to you.

“Shawn Porter is a terrific fighter. He’s a great friend of mine. He’s a devastating boxer-puncher like myself. Whenever they’re ready, I am ready.

Diaz, who took a knee after getting hit, had no excuses. “I got caught with a good body shot, in the rib,’’ he said. “I had trouble breathing. After the punch, I couldn’t breathe. I am human. I got hurt. The guy had some power. But I am a two-time champion. I have never quit in a fight. I didn’t have anything to prove. I took a knee to recuperate from a shot to the back of my head. And the rib shot really got me. I ain’t 18 years old anymore. I wanted to give a war, but I had to know when it was my time.’’

Lucas Matthysse was dropped twice but came back to stop gritty John Molina in a scheduled 12-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

The power punches were early and often in round one as Matthysse landed a couple of left hooks while Molina landed a hard overhand right. In round two, Molina landed a perfect overhand right that sent Matthysse to the canvas for the 2nd consecutive fight. The drama continued in round three when the two clashed heads and a cut was opened up over the left eye of Matthysse. Matthysse fought back in round four as he landed some hard shots that were set up behind a strong jab. Molina began to bleed from behind his right ear. Just as Matthysse was showing his dominance, Molina sent Matthysse to the canvas in round five.

The two continued to trade shots at close range with Matthysse landing the harder blows that were set up from his jab. In round eight, Matthysse landed a big flurry of punches that wobbled Molina and ultimately he was pushed down but referee Pat Russell ruled a knockdown. Matthysse started to take control and began to batter Molina and dropped him in round ten after a flurry of hard punches. Molina was seen by the doctors between rounds. When the 11th round began, Matthysse was all over Molina and dropped him to the canvas and the bout was stopped just 22 seconds into the frame.

Matthysse, 140 lbs of Argentina is now 35-3 with 33 knockouts. Molina, 139 1/4 lbs of Covina, Ca is now 27-4.

“It was a war,’’ said Matthysse, who improved his record to 35-3 with 33 KOs. “And it got complicated for me at the beginning, but we trained for this and we got the knockout. He hit me in the back of the head (in the second) and I crumbled a bit but I was waiting to find my distance and I was able to finish a tough fight.

“Molina is a tough fighter. He took some big blows (14 unanswered at the end of the 10th). I was a bit surprised he came back out for the 11th.”

Regarding his loss last September to unified 140-pound world champion Danny Garcia, Matthysse said, “I want the rematch. I feel that he had very good luck that night. I want the rematch.”

Offered the game but proud Molina (27-4, 22 KOs) afterward: “I am very disappointed. We gave the fans a good fight and I’m happy about that. I wasn’t well-known before this fight but I feel like I am now. I’m disappointed I didn’t finish Lucas. I had him hurt, but this is a learning experience. I only had a few amateur fights, so I’m learning from every experience.

“Trainer) Joe Goossen had a great game plan and we were sticking to it. Lucas Matthysse is the real deal. Even though he lost to Garcia, he still is the No. 1 rated fighter. I’d love to fight him again. I wanted to continue but the referee and judges have their jobs to do.

“It was a helluva fight. This was the fight of the year. I’d like to do it again

Omar Figueroa retained the WBC Lightweight title with a split decision over Jerry Belmontes.

Belmontes got off to a good start as he landed quick combinations and surprisingly matched Figueroa punch for punch on the inside. Figueroa surged back with busier volume punching in the middle rounds. The pace actually slowed down in the championship rounds and the fight seemed close on the score cards.

Figueroa, 134 3/4 lbs of Walesco, TX won by scores of 118-110, 116-112 while Belmontes took a card 115-113.

Figueroa, is now 23-0-1. Belmontes, 134 3/4 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX is now 19-4.

“He gave me more than trouble,’’ Figueroa said. “He wouldn’t make a fight out of it. I’m sorry to the fans. It was more of a sparring match than a fight. I prepared so much and this was the outcome.

“He almost made me cry again but of laughter saying he was going to beat me. I prepared well. I came 100 percent. I knew he was going to run. My hands are a little sore but nothing bad, nothing crazy. Now take my time off. I have been training since January. But it is up to Al Haymon.”

Said Belmontes: “Honestly, I thought I won the fight. I thought I landed the clearer more effective shots. I don’t fight like that (running) but sometimes I pay attention to the fans when they are booing so I went inside and fought like a Mexican warrior. He couldn’t handle my jab. He couldn’t’ handle me on the outside. I thought I won the fight.”

Jermall Charlo remained undefeated by scoring a stoppage at the end of four rounds when Hector Munoz was deemed unable to continue in their scheduled 10-round Middleweight fight.

Charlo beat, battered and bloodied Munoz until the referee stopped the fight in the corner on advice from the ringside doctor.

Charlo landed a hard right uppercut in the 1st round.

“I just tried very hard,’’ said Charlo after the one-sided proceedings were stopped. “Two camps in, I was hungrier than ever. I am hungrier than any fighter. I want to go on to bigger thing so badly. I credit Munoz for taking the fight. He showed a lot of spirit. But I had him. I’m so ready for the next level. I need it.’’

Terrell Gausha scored an 8-round unanimous decision over veteran Charles Whittaker in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Guasha started to get things going in round two. Gausha continued to win rounds and then he dropped Whitaker in round six from a right hand. Gausha jumped on Whitaker and landed a flurry of punches.

Gausha was never threatened and by scores of 80-71 on all cards.

Gausha, 154 3/4 lbs of Carson, CA is now 9-0. Whittaker, 155 3/4 lbs of the Cayman Island is now 40-15-2.

Joseph Diaz scored a 6-round unanimous decision over veteran Luis Maldonado in a Super Bantamweight bout.

Diaz, 122 3/4 lbs won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 10-0. Maldonado, 121 1/3 lbs is now 36-13-1.

Keith Thurman 145 1/2 – Julio Diaz 146 3/4
Lucas Matthysse 140 – John Molina 139 1/4
Omar Figueroa 134 3/4 – Jerry Belmontes 134 3/4

LONDON (April 25) – Rising star Keith Thurman is ready to do the business against former world champion Julio Diaz this weekend before going after IBF champion Shawn Porter.

The highly touted Thurman, who has been making serious waves in the welterweight division, goes up against the experienced Diaz, who ran Amir Khan extremely close 12 months ago, this Saturday night at the StubHub Center in California, live on BoxNation.

Florida native Thurman’s reputation continues to grow with many in the sport predicating that he will be the man to rule over the 147 pound weight class in the near future, but first one of boxing’s biggest punchers must show the hype is for real as he faces his sternest test yet.

“What excites me most is being in the main event. They could have put me on other cards as a co-feature, but this shows me respect and I want to thank Golden Boy for that,” said Thurman, who has amassed a record of 20 knockouts in his 22 wins.

“Every fighter has to take it one fight at a time, and I’m going in on Saturday to do my job. Winning on Saturday is obviously very important. Others in my division are already name-fighters, but I’m just starting to build mine.

“I’m still coming up in the world of boxing. So this is a chance for me to show that I’m not like all others,” he said.

The unbeaten 25-year-old has proven to have a crowd pleasing style, which he refuses to change, and will continue with that against the respected Diaz.

“I expect Diaz to fight his heart out,” said Thurman. “He says he plans to knock me out. I don’t know if that’s fight hype or his strategy, but I’ll be ready. I want guys who come to fight. I want to make and be in the best fights. On my record I have an ‘O’ but I’m not afraid to let it go.

“I work very hard and count my blessings that I’m where I’m at. I love the support the fans give me. We’re going to give them a real fight on Saturday,” he said.

A potential fight which has been mooted for later this year is a clash with the current IBF welterweight world champion Porter.

The all-action Porter, who recently blasted his way past Paulie Malignaggi in a highly impressive knockout win, has gone from strength-to-strength since he faced Diaz in two closely contested bouts, prior to capturing his world title against Devon Alexander last year.

Thurman is aware of how closely Diaz ran Porter but is eyeing up the possibility of facing the Ohio man should he prevail in his next fight.

“Diaz had some great performances against Shawn Porter and he gave Amir Khan a great fight. Diaz is a former world champion. They say he’s a veteran with a lot of experience. But I’m 25 and have been at this for 18 years, so I’m a veteran, too,” he said.

“I’ve known Shawn Porter and his Dad for years. I know they’re calling me out. When the time is right, we’ll fight. I expect to fight for maybe another 10 years,” Thurman added.

34-year-old Diaz, however, believes he is no one to overlook having been counted out on many occasions before springing a surprise.

The two-time world champion believes he can do much of the same when he faces off against one of boxing’s most touted prospects.

“They said I was an old man three years ago and said it was time for me to retire. Actually, I’ve been hearing the same thing for 15 years. They said it when I lost my title. They said it when I got knocked out. But I’m still here,” said Diaz.

“I’ve always felt like a world champion, which is a reason that I’m able to come back and win fights no one thinks I can. The biggest mistake I made, I think, was staying at lightweight too long. I think I fought at 135 for 12-13 years,” he explained.

“Going against Thurman is a very dangerous opportunity for me, but one I have to take. I have to take a big risk in any fight that comes my way to get the big reward.

“Keith Thurman is for real. He’s getting all the attention. But that’s the way it always is before my fights. Let’s see what they’re saying after our fight on Saturday,” said Diaz.

Saturday night’s card is stacked with some of the biggest hitting stars around, with Argentine ace Lucas Matthysse making his ring return following his thriller against Danny Garcia last September when he steps in against another puncher in John Molina.

World title action on the night sees the heavy handed Omar Figueroa defend his WBC lightweight belt against fellow Texan Jerry Belmontes.

Also, this Sunday from 7pm, BoxNation viewers will be able to see the premiere of episode two ‘All Access: Mayweather v Maidana’ as we delve into their respective camps ahead of the mega showdown next Saturday night.

Thurman vs. Diaz is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Saturday night. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

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

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

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

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

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

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

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

LOS ANGELES (April 24, 2014) – With Oscar De La Hoya presiding over the festivities, Golden Boy Promotions hosted the final press conference for their exciting, stacked fight card this Saturday, April 26 headlining Keith Thurman vs. Julio Diaz at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, following the premiere of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana Episode 2) and SHO EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT)

“It’s great to be back,’’ said De La Hoya, President of GBP, at the outset. “Great to be back.

“Saturday will be a treat for the fans. This is the real deal here. These are real fighters in real fights and you’re going to get some big-time action on Saturday night. There are still some tickets left, but they are going fast. We are expecting a great crowd at StubHub. I’m really looking forward to it. We have terrific fights from top to bottom

“It’s really exciting for me to be here at StubHub Center. Thank you to Golden Boy for believing in me. This is a testament that we can do it. Get yourself off the canvas, get back up and fight harder. That’s the way you should go.”

The 12-round main event Saturday on SHOWTIME will pit unbeaten,power-punching WBA Interim Welterweight Championship Keith “One Time” Thurman (22-0, 20 KOs), of Clearwater, Fla., against former world champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (40-9-1, 29 KOs), of Coachella, Calif.

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-main event, hard-hitting former interim 140-pound world champion Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse (34-3, 32 KOs), of Trelow, Chubut, Arg., will be opposed by offensive-minded John Molina (27-3, 22 KOs), of Covina, Calif., in a scheduled 10-rounder that could wind up as a Fight of the Year candidate. Opening the telecast will be an All-Texas WBC lightweight world title fight between undefeated defending champion Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs), of Weslaco, and a nemesis from his amateur days, Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes (19-3, 5 KOs), of Corpus Christi.

Promising unbeaten junior welterweight Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (15-0, 9 KOs) of San Diego, Calif., takes on Mexico City’s Martin “El Brochas” Honorio (32-8-1, 16 KOs) in the main event on SHO EXTREME. Other SHO Extreme scraps will include talented Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KOs) against Albuquerque’s Hector Munoz (22-12-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight clash and, time-permitting, 2012 Brazilian Olympian Yamaguchi Falcao (0-0-1), of Sao Paulo, against Carlos Badaldua (pro debut), of Tijuana, Mexico, in a 4/6-round middleweight fight.

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale and available online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 877-234-8425.

What the boxers and executives said Thursday:

KEITH THURMAN, WBA Interim Welterweight World Champion

“This fight right here for me is a dream come true. This is what I’ve been doing since I was seven. It’s where I want to be, the headliner in a SHOWTIME event.

“Julio has been giving some stiff competition. They call him ‘The Kidd’ because he keeps performing despite his age. He is coming to win, to find those holes and show us young fighters what he knows. I look forward to an excellent fight.

“My motto is KOs for life. I’m going to do it again. To me the judges have the best seat in the house. This is a terrific card. Heavy hitters across the board. Just come and enjoy the show.

“I’m grateful, I have been looking forward to Saturday for a long time. This camp was the longest camp I’ve had –10 weeks. I was getting prepared for anybody, I was preparing for the world. I’m ready to rumble. ‘One Time’!’’

JULIO DIAZ, Former World Champion

“Everyone always says thank you Golden Boy, but I really mean it. I’ve been through everything. This is the best treatment I’ve ever had as a fighter, despite coming from a couple of losses; I’m still headlining an event. I appreciate the opportunity.

“This is a tough opportunity, a dangerous opportunity. I’m facing a dangerous, tough fighter, but he’s not unbeatable. I take my job seriously. It’s going to be a tough fight but I guarantee you it’ll be an exciting fight.’’

LUCAS MATTYHSSE, Former Interim World Champion

“I’m very happy to be here. I want to thank Golden Boy, my promoter, and everyone involved for this fight. I just want to say I am ready to go and glad to be back.

“I know what Molina brings to the table. This will be a great fight. Get ready for an explosion, an exciting fight on Saturday.’’

JOHN MOLINA, Junior Welterweight Contender

“The judges may not be needed. This is going to be a war. Bombs away.

“Matthysse is a feared fighter. With his power, he’s shown he can explode at any time. People tell me I should fight him like Danny Garcia did, but I’m not Danny Garcia.

“I’m going to bring my A-Game, he’s going to bring his A-Game. There isn’t going to be a whole lot of running, just setting down in front of each other and exchanging. Matthysse gives a lot when he hits, and he takes a lot when he gets hit.

“I’m a slow starter, but he’s a notoriously slow starter, too. I definitely plan to go in and gain some respect right off the bat. But when the eggs start to roll, that’s when the real action kicks in.

“Two days out, I feel a combination of things. I’m excited. I’m thankful for this opportunity on such a great stage. I’m confident I can capitalize on all the advantages I possess. I feel my power is better at 140 pounds. There is going to be a great crowd on Saturday. I’m ready.’’

OMAR “PANTERITA’ FIGUEROA, WBC Lightweight Champion

“We are here now, and we are ready. I don’t care about winning or losing. I’m going to go out there and put on a great show and try to punch my opponent as much as possible, which is the best feeling in the world.

“It’s going to be a good fight. We’ve seen each other a few times in the amateur tournaments and we say hi. In the ring it’s a different story.

“It’s an honor to fight in the same card as Matthysse, I look up to him. He’s a power hitter like I am. I know all these guys are going to put on a good show. We’ll see you there.’’

JERRY BELMONTES, Lightweight Contender

“I’d like to thank everybody involved for making this fight. It’s going to be a terrific fight, a styles fight. He’s the brawler, I’m the boxer. We’re both from Texas, so this is a big fight our state.

“We’re good friends. I watched Omar grow up. I hope he doesn’t take it personal when I take the title belt away from him on Saturday.’’

ANTONIO OROZCO, Unbeaten, Hard-Hitting Junior Welterweight

“I want to thank Golden Boy, my manager, Frank Espinoza, everybody for this opportunity on Saturday. I’m ready for a great fight. I’m ready to put on a show.’’

YAMAGUCHI FALCAO, 2012 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist From Brazil

“Today is a special day. It’s a day when I finally can start thinking about my pro career. I spoke with my father and he told me that one day I would become a world champion. I won a bronze medal for Brazil in the 2012 Olympics. That fulfilled a dream of mine.

“Saturday begins another dream come true for me. I take my first step in becoming a world champion. Standing up here with all these great champions is so great. I hope to fight the very best in my career. I’m going to make it big in boxing, and it all starts this Saturday.’’

JARMALL CHARLO, Undefeated, World-Ranked Junior Middleweight

“I’m excited to be part of such an explosive card. To look at these guys around me – Matthysse, Thurman–is an honor.

“I want to thank my team for helping me bounce back and regaining my focus. My opponent took this fight on short notice, but you have to be in great shape all the time. I know I can fight on short notice because I stay in great shape.’’

HECTOR MUNOZ, Veteran Junior Middleweight

“I’m looking forward to going in and putting a lot of pressure on him. Thanks to everybody for getting me this fight.’’

JOSEPH JO-JO DIAZ, Promising, Unbeaten Super Bantamweight

“Thanks to Golden Boy and their staff for putting me on this great card. I’m fighting a guy with a ton of experience. I’m sure he’s ready but I had a strong, hard camp and I’m ready to put on a show.

“I hope all the fans tune in. Saturday is going to be great night of boxing.’’

CHRIS DEBLASIO, Vice-President of Sports Communications, SHOWTIME Sports
“In the last two years SHOWTIME has become the leader in televised boxing. I think there’s no mistake about that. We are televising the biggest events in sports, the most competitive fights and quite literally on the most aggressive schedule you can imagine.

“Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast features three incredible fights with all heavy hitters, knockout fighters that are looking to make a statement in really deep divisions at 147 and 140 pounds. There’s lot to be gained and some to be lost from reach fighter, but we know they’ll come out strong.’’

ANDY FOSTER, Head of California State Athletic Commission

“Welcome back Golden Boy. Golden Boy is the No. 1 stakeholder in California and California does the most boxing in the world. We are pleased to be regulating the fight on Saturday and wish the fighters a safe and successful night.”

In non-televised fights on Saturday: Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (16-0, 12 KOs), East Los Angeles, vs. Orlando Vasquez (12-3-1, 6 KOs), Bayamon, P.R., 10 rounds, welterweights; Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz Jr. (9-0, 7 KOs), South El Monte, Calif., vs. Luis Maldonado (38-11-1, 29 KOs), Calexico, Calif., 8 rounds, super bantamweights; Terrell Gausha (8-0, 5 KOs), Cleveland, vs. Charles Whitaker (40-14-2, 24 KOs), Miami, Fla., 8 rounds, super welterweights; and Sharif Bogere (23-1), Las Vegas, vs. Artura Urena (26-16-1, 22 KOs), Mazatlan, Mexico; 8 rounds, lightweights. The first live fight is at 1 p.m. PT.

# # #

ABOUT THURMAN vs. DIAZ, a 12-round fight for Thurman’s Interim WBA Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, April 26, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. It will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air as the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). In the co-feature, Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse faces hard-hitting John Molina in a 10-round junior welterweight bout that is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions. In the opening bout of the telecast, Omar Figueroa Jr. defends his WBC Lightweight title against fellow Texan Jerry Belmontes. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.homedepotcenter.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/shosports, www.twitter.com/StubHubCenter, https://twitter.com/keithfthurmanjr www.twitter.com/JohnMolinajr135, www.twitter.com/OmarFigueroaJr and www.twitter.com/Jerry_Belmontes, follow the conversation using #ThurmanDiaz or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/StubHubCenter.

LOS ANGELES (March 26, 2014) – StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., has rapidly become known amongst boxing aficionados as the place to be to see world-class fights and fighters. On Saturday, April 26, that reputation continues to grow as Golden Boy Promotions and SHOWTIME Sports® team up for an all-action tripleheader featuring some of the top fighters in the sport today. In the 12-round main event, Florida power-puncher Keith “One Time” Thurman defends his interim WBA World Welterweight Championship against former World Lightweight titleholder Julio “The Kidd” Diaz.

In other televised bouts on SHOWTIME, Argentine knockout king Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse returns in a 10-round matchup against hard-hitting Californian John Molina and Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. defends his WBC Lightweight World Championship against fellow Texan Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes.

“To headline a show like this against a former world champion is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and that day is here,” said Thurman. “I respect Julio Diaz and I will not underestimate him. He knows that this may be his last shot, and I expect the best from him, but I’ll be the one leaving with the victory.”

“This is a big opportunity for me to face a fighter that is feared by many, but not by me,” said Diaz. “I have been in the ring with far more dangerous and experienced fighters in the past, and everyone knows that I come to fight. My previous opponents Amir Khan and Shawn Porter will tell you that. ”

“Molina is the kind of fighter I respect and always want to compete against,” said Matthysse. “He shows up to fight and we’re going to give the fans the kind of show they want to see. I don’t think it will last long, but it will be something to see while it does.”

“I’m excited to showcase myself against someone that I consider to be one of the best fighters in the world at 140 pounds,” said Molina. “I am very well prepared to come in on fight night and do what I do best, and that is to be victorious.”

“I am especially excited about this fight because I have wanted to get payback against Belmontes for longer than a decade,” said Figueroa. “I fought him in the amateurs and he always beat me because I was always shorter than him. Now I am taller, stronger and bigger than him and I am looking to beat him the way he beat me in the amateurs.”

“I beat Omar 5 times in the amateurs but it was just that, the amateurs, we were young,” said Belmontes. “We have taken different paths as professionals and finally they cross and we meet again… on April 26, he’ll be beaten… for the 6th time”.

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, go on sale tomorrow/Thursday, March 27 at 10 a.m. PT and will be available online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 877-234-8425.

A supreme knockout artist whose power continues to captivate more and more fans with each bout, Clearwater, Florida’s Keith “One Time” Thurman (22-0, 20 KOs) skyrocketed from prospect to contender to champion with three wins over Jan Zaveck, Diego Chaves and Jesus Soto Karass in 2013, earning the interim WBA Welterweight World title with the victory over Chaves. On April 26, the 25-year-old makes the second defense of his crown.

A respected veteran who has earned his stripes in the boxing world, Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (40-9-1, 29 KOs) found new life in his career with a move to the welterweight division in 2012. Since making the move, Diaz is 2-2-1, including a 10-round split draw to Shawn Porter and a hard-fought loss to world renowned Amir Khan. The 34-year-old former world lightweight champion from Coachella, Calif., would like nothing more than to win another title on April 26.

Popular Trelew, Chubut, Argentina native Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse (34-3, 32 KOs) has been knocking opponents out for nearly 10 years, becoming one of boxing’s most feared competitors in the process. The former interim WBC Junior Welterweight World Champion, Matthysse’s last 11 wins have ended before the final bell, and after a 12-round decision loss to Danny Garcia in a terrific championship bout last September, the 31-year-old is more determined than ever to take matters out of the judges’ hands.

Covina, California’s John Molina (27-3, 22 KOs) has plenty of dynamite in his fists as well, earning him a reputation as an exciting fighter ever since he turned pro in 2006. In July 2013, the 31-year-old added to his legend with a dramatic come-from-behind last-round knockout of previously unbeaten Mickey Bey, Jr. In his most recent bout last November, the hard-hitting Molina halted Jorge Pimentel in two rounds.

Seen for years as the future of boxing, the time for Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. (22-0-1, 17 KOs) is now. In his last fight, an epic win over Nihito Arakawa last July, Figueroa won the WBC Lightweight World title in a Fight of the Year candidate. The 24-year-old of Weslaco, Texas, was scheduled to face Ricardo Alvarez on the March 8 Canelo vs. Angulo PPV event but sustained an injury in training that forced him to withdraw. On April 26, the fiery competitor returns to defend his crown for the first time against Jerry Belmontes.

Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes (19-3, 5 KOs) proudly represents his hometown in and out of the ring, but it was his effort in the ring in March 2014 that earned him a shot at Figueroa. In that fight he won a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Australian contender Will Tomlinson. Now, more confident than ever, the 25-year-old plans on delivering another upset win on April 26.

A full undercard will be announced shortly.

Thurman vs. Diaz, a 12-round fight for Thurman’s Interim WBA Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, April 26, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. It will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air as the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). In the co-feature, Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse faces hard-hitting John Molina in a 10-round junior welterweight bout that is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions. In the opening bout of the telecast, Omar Figueroa Jr. defends his WBC Lightweight title against fellow Texan Jerry Belmontes. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

A triple header featuring three of the more exciting fighters will consummate a triple header on April 26 at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California as Keith Thurman will defend his welterweight belt against Julio Diaz, Omar Figueroa will take on Jerry Belmontes in a Lightweight title fight while Lucas Matthysse will take on John Molina Jr. in a Jr. Welterweight bout according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The card will be broadcast on Showtime.

“When you can see Thurman, Matthysse and Figueroa all on one night, it’s pretty exciting I think,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer.

“Julio Diaz will get up for this kind of fight,” Schaefer said. “You saw how he looked in England against Amir Khan. Julio Diaz always comes to fight, and he we’ll see what happens. All of the other top 147-pounders are fighting, so Keith is going to do this fight. We’ll give Julio Diaz one last chance and see what he can make of it. But for Keith, this is about him getting back in the ring without having to wait for some of those other guys while they are getting their fights done.

“Being on air and fighting is the formula. You look at [middleweight titlist] Gennady Golovkin. He’s not fighting King Kong but he has stayed busy, and that is a key in this sport. If you stay busy, you stay relevant. If you wait for that big fight and sit out like some of these fighters have done, you become irrelevant. Keith is going to stay relevant. And one thing we all know about Julio Diaz is that this guy does not just come to pick up a paycheck. He comes to fight and he knows it’s a must-win fight.”

“Matthysse wants to see how he still feels at 140 pounds. He might move up to 147 and try to inject himself into the Mayweather sweepstakes, but he’ll fight this fight and then make that decision,” Schaefer said. “In the meantime, we were looking for an opponent who comes to fight and with Molina we found that.”

However, Figueroa reinjured his left hand a week before the fight and had to withdraw. According to Schaefer, the injury was not serious, only requiring a few weeks of rest.

“Everything is OK with his hand,” Schaefer said. “He had it checked out. He is ready to go and excited to come back.”

Belmontes, who had lost three out of four fights, is getting the title opportunity because he pulled an upset in his last fight, easily outpointing previously unbeaten contender Will Tomlinson of Australia in a 10-rounder on the Alvarez-Angulo card.

“That was a great win for Belmontes,” Schaefer said. “Tomlinson was undefeated and ranked in the organizations and Belmontes beat him. That was a big win for him, and this is his reward.”

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (Sept. 10, 2013) – The Shawn Porter vs. Julio Diaz II fight card on Thursday, Sept. 12 at MGM Grand Las Vegas’ Premier Ballroom just keeps getting bigger and better as Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions have added hot super welterweight prospect Jermall Charlo, 2012 United States Olympian Errol Spence and Oscar De La Hoya’s cousin Diego de la Hoya to the card. The action-packed event will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 2/FOX Deportes.

Also in action will be promising lightweight Robert Easter Jr. and two other members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team Terrell Gausha and Dominic Breazeale.

“This is going to be a spectacular card and a great lead in to Saturday night’s fight,” said CEO of Mayweather Promotions Leonard Ellerbe. “This is the biggest week in recent boxing history and this fight makes it even more impressive.”

“This is going to be a tremendous night of boxing,” said CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer. “For as little as 25 dollars, boxing fans can watch four U.S. Olympians fighting live here at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.”

In the main event, it’s the rematch fight fans demanded as unbeaten Shawn “Showtime” Porter (21-0-1, 14 KO’s) faces former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (40-8-1, 29 KO’s) in a 10-round bout for the NABO & USBA welterweight titles. The co-featured bout showcases Las Vegas up-and-comer Badou Jack (15-0, 10 KO’s) as he takes on Mexico’s Marco Antonio Periban (20-1, 13 KO’s) in a 10-round NABF Super Middlweight fight. Additionally, two of boxing’s top prospects return to the ring as Julian “J-Rock” Williams (13-0-1, 10 KO’s) faces Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. (19-0, 10 KO’s) in a 10-round clash for the WBC International Super Welterweight title.
Porter vs. Diaz II will take place on Thursday, Sept.12 at MGM Grand Las Vegas’ Premier Ballroom located in the MGM Grand Conference Center on the third level. The event is presented by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Invisible Text. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT and the first bell rings at 5:15 p.m. PT. The FOX Sports 2/FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase a www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Additionally, with the purchase of a ticket, fans will be given a reserved seat for the “THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO” Official Weigh-In taking place Friday, Sept.13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Fans will also receive a 10 percent discount on tickets for closed circuit viewing of the Mayweather vs. Canelo mega-event on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Fighting under the radar for a few years, Houston’s Jermall Charlo (15-0, 11 KO’s) burst onto the scene in 2013, already winning five bouts, with each victory coming by way of knockout. Fresh from a trio of stoppages over world-class foes Orlando Lora, Luis Hernandez and Antwone Smith, the 23-year-old Charlo will face fellow Houstonite Rogelio De La Torre (10-3, 6 KO’s) in an eight-round super welterweight bout.

Unbeaten in seven professional bouts following his appearance in the 2012 London Olympic Games, Dallas’ Errol Spence (7-0, 6 KO’s) has not let his last three opponents escape the first round, showing off the power and punching accuracy that is becoming his trademark. On Sept. 12, the 23-year-old southpaw makes his third Las Vegas appearance in an eight-round welterweight fight against Mexico City’s Jesus Tavera (5-3, 1 KO).

Opening the televised portion of the card will be Mexicali super bantamweight Diego de la Hoya. Making his professional debut in a four-round bout against a fighter to-be-named, the 19-year-old “Golden Kid” is a former member of the Mexican National Team with over 250 amateur bouts to his name, not to mention champion bloodlines as the cousin of Oscar De La Hoya.

Fans on site in Las Vegas will get a three-punch combination of quality bouts to open up the night, as Akron’s Robert Easter Jr. (6-0, 6 KO’s) puts his perfect record on the line against Muscatine, Iowa’s Lance Williams (6-1, KO’s) in an eight-round lightweight match. 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (5-0, 3 KO’s) of Cleveland meets Wheeling, West Virginia’s Bruce Runkle (4-2-1)in a six-round middleweight matchup and Gausha’s Olympic teammate, heavyweight banger Dominic Breazeale (6-0, 6 KO’s) of Los Angeles, takes on West Virginia’s John Hill (6-2, 5 KO’s) in an eight-round contest.

To kick off the week, a press conference was held today in Las Vegas at MGM Grand with the aforementioned fighters featured on the FOX Sports 2/FOX Deportes telecast.

“It’s show time!” said Shawn Porter. “This is a big week for me. I’m very excited. This is my first time fighting here in Vegas, the main event on the card. It doesn’t get any better than that. I had a great camp. Can’t wait to bust his joker up again, take care of business, and set the record straight.”

“This is a great weekend for boxing. I feel blessed and I’m excited,” said Julio Diaz. “A couple of years ago, the boxing world retired me, supposedly I was done, but here I am still headlining shows. I never gave up and I kept on working hard and I’m still here. The first time around, we had a good fight. I was coming back, gaining my confidence. Right now I think I’m where I need to be. I’m very excited and I’m coming with everything. This fight, we will not need judges. Anyway it goes, it’s not going to a decision. I guarantee you that.”

“[Periban] is a good fighter, but Thursday night I will be victorious,” said Badou Jack. “I had a great camp and I’m in great shape. Bring it.”

“I have trained very well,” said Marco Antonio Periban. “I am very well prepared and come Thursday we are going to come out with a victory for all of Mexico. We are ready for this fight. We are closer to the title. That title escaped my hands. Obviously it was a little slip but the judges really affected me in the fight with Sakio Bika. But we gained experience and we’re very motivated. I want to remind you, this is not the first time I fought a Mayweather fighter. When I fought Shujaa EL AMIN [Formerly Dion Savage] he lasted 15 seconds.”

“I’m a very exciting fighter,” said Julian Williams. “I trained extremely hard for this fight and I’m fighting a decent fighter in Hugo Centeno, but I come to win. I’m the best prospect at 154 pounds. Thursday night will be no different. I plan on putting on a spectacular performance and getting a win.”

“I’ve been training extremely hard for this fight and I come to win,” said Hugo Centeno. “When I get in the ring, I’m here to take this victory.”

# # #

“THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO,” a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather’s WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Valvoline, Mexico Tourism, Fred Loya Insurance and Nature Nutrition. In the 12-round co-featured attraction, WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and thunderous puncher WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse square off in a fight presented in association with Swift Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. Also, Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina square off in a 12-round battle for Smith’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Title which is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing. The opening bout on SHOWTIME PPV features a 10-round welterweight showdown between Pablo Cesar Cano and Ashley Theophane. The mega-event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP).

Less than 24 hours after going on sale on June 25, the event was sold out, but six MGM Resorts properties will host live closed circuit telecasts of “THE ONE.” Properties showcasing the event include ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York. General admission tickets for the closed circuit telecasts are priced at $100, not including handling fees, and are available for purchase at each individual property’s box office outlets and also are available for purchase by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711. Closed circuit ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Tickets also will be available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for closed circuit viewing at MGM Grand, ARIA, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York are now on sale.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (August 22, 2013) – It’s boxing’s biggest week, an opportunity for the stars of entertainment and sports to descend on Las Vegas for “THE” fight of 2013, the championship showdown between unbeaten icons Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez. However, before the world turns its eyes to the MGM Grand Garden Arena to watch these two warriors collide Saturday, Sept. 14, Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions kick off festivities two days earlier, on Thursday, Sept. 12, with a special three-and-a-half hour, action-packed broadcast on FOX Sports 2 and FOX Deportes from MGM Grand Las Vegas’ Premier Ballroom.

It’s the rematch fight fans have demanded, as unbeaten Shawn “Showtime” Porter faces former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz in the 10-round welterweight bout as the main event of the tripleheader. The co-featured bout showcases Las Vegas up and comer Badou Jack as he takes on Mexico’s Marco Antonio Periban and in the opener boxing’s top prospects Julian “J-Rock” Williams faces Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. in a 10-round junior middleweight clash.

Porter vs. Diaz II will take place on Thursday, September 12 at MGM Grand Las Vegas’ Premier Ballroom located in the MGM Grand Conference Center on the third level. The event is presented by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 6:00 p.m. PT. The FOX Sports 2/FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase a www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Additionally, with the purchase of a ticket, fans will be given a reserved seat for the “THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo” Official Weigh-In taking place Friday, September 13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Fans will also receive a 10 percent discount on tickets for closed circuit viewing of the Mayweather vs. Canelo mega-event on Saturday, September 14.

“Two days before boxing’s biggest night, this is the kind of event that will get things started off in the right way,” said Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe. “There are three exciting and evenly matched fights on this card that will give fans another opportunity to enjoy an exciting night of boxing while they anticipate the outcome of who “The One” will be in Mayweather vs. Canelo.”

“This is the perfect way to kick off the festivities for Mayweather vs. Canelo and I know all boxing fans will love this card,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Shawn Porter vs. Julio Diaz is a rematch the fighters and the fans demanded and as good as their first fight was, I think this one will be even better. In addition, we’ve got Marco Antonio Periban facing Badou Jack in an important super middleweight bout with title implications and there will definitely be fireworks between two of the sport’s top prospects, Hugo Centeno Jr. and Julian Williams.”

“Getting a full card of quality fights on FOX Sports 2 and FOX Deportes, tapping into the energy being created by the Mayweather vs. Canelo bout later in the week, is a strong offering,” said FOX Sports SVP Programming & Research Patrick Crakes. “We will continue to work with our partners at Golden Boy Promotions to put together packages for fight fans across the country.”

“When I was approached with this rematch, there was no question in my mind about taking it,” Porter said. “We had a great fight the first time, but this time around I want a knockout. I’m looking to make a statement on September 12 and I will.”

“I think I won the first fight and I’m not the only one who feels that way,” Diaz said. “But I give Porter credit for agreeing to this rematch so we can settle things. He’s a good fighter, but on September 12, I’m going to prove that I’m better.”

“Marco Antonio Periban is one of the top super middleweights in the world, and I respect him for his accomplishments,” said Jack. “This is the big fight I’ve wanted though, and I won’t let this opportunity pass me by because when I win, I’ll be one step closer to becoming a world champion.”

“I believe I should be the super middleweight champion right now, but this is boxing,” Periban said. “So to get back to a title fight, I have to make sure I leave no doubts in my fights.” “Badou Jack is a good fighter with a bright future, but he’s in my way and I have to remove him on September 12.”

“This is the kind of fight that boxing needs, two undefeated fighters putting it all on the line and having the confidence to back up their talent,” said Williams. “Centeno’s a tough guy and I know he’s going to bring it on September 12, but I have more tools than he does and more ways to win and he’s going to find that out once we’re in the ring.”

“I’m really excited about this fight and this event, because the world is going to be watching,” Centeno Jr. said. “We’re both unbeaten and rising up the ladder, and this fight will prove who’s going to keep going forward. I expect it to be me.”

On December 15, 2012, Akron, Ohio’s Shawn “Showtime” Porter (21-0-1, 14 KO’s) looked to add the name of former World Champion Julio Diaz (40-8-1, 29 KO’s) to his list of accomplishments, but the veteran from Coachella had other plans and the two went to battle for 10 exciting rounds before a draw verdict was rendered. Since then, the 25-year-old Porter scored a dominant win over previously unbeaten Phil LoGreco and the 33-year-old Diaz gave Amir Khan all he could handle before losing a close decision, setting up the rematch the fighters and the fans wanted.

Coachella’s Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (40-8-1, 29 KO’s) may have initially made his mark in the lightweight division, where he won the IBF World Championship twice and defeated fighters like Javier Jauregui, Jesus Chavez and Ricky Quiles, but it appears that at welterweight, Diaz is even more dangerous. After a yearlong layoff, Diaz is winner of two fights by knockout with the only blemishes coming in controversial bouts against Amir Khan and Shawn Porter. Now, he looks to avenge his draw with Porter by defeating his unbeaten foe on September 12.

A 2008 Olympian for Gambia, Swedish-born Las Vegas resident Badou “The Ripper” Jack (15-0, 10 KO’s) has become an international boxing sensation in recent years and the 29-year-old is just approaching his fighting prime. A pro since 2009, Jack scored a third round knockout over Michael Gbenga on the undercard of his promoter Floyd Mayweather’s fight against Robert Guerrero. After his July 19 victory against Farah Ennis, “The Ripper” is looking for another quick finish on September 12.

Mexico City’s Marco Antonio Periban (20-1, 13 KO’s) looks to bounce back from his controversial majority decision loss to Sakio Bika in their June battle for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight Title by taking on undefeated young warrior Jack in a 10-round clash at 168 pounds. The 28-year-old Periban is a crowd-pleasing battler who can do it all in the ring.

Opening the night of fights will be a rare meeting of undefeated top junior middleweight talents is another proud graduate of Philadelphia boxing’s School of Hard Knocks, 23-year-old Julian “J-Rock” Williams (13-0-1, 7 KO’s). Having already faced a stellar level of competition thus far in his career, Williams stepped up even more in June when he faced former World Champion Joachim Alcine, dropping him three times en route to a unanimous decision victory. On September 12, he meets fellow unbeaten Hugo Centeno Jr.

Oxnard, California’s Hugo Centeno Jr. (19-0, 10 KO’s) has spent time making his name known among 154-rising stars, with the 22-year-old scoring a near shutout of fellow prospect KeAndrae Leatherwood in March. Now Centeno Jr. has the opportunity to make his record 20-0 when he faces Julian Williams on September 12.

# # #

“THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO,” a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather’s WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Valvoline, Mexico Tourism, Fred Loya Insurance and Nature Nutrition. In the 12-round co-featured attraction, WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and thunderous puncher WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse square off in a fight presented in association with Swift Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. Also, Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina square off in a 12-round battle for Smith’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Title which is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing. The opening bout on SHOWTIME PPV features a 10-round welterweight showdown between Pablo Cesar Cano and Ashley Theophane. The mega-event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP).

Less than 24 hours after going on sale on June 25, the event was sold out, but six MGM Resorts properties will host live closed circuit telecasts of “THE ONE.” Properties showcasing the event include ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York. General admission tickets for the closed circuit telecasts are priced at $100, not including handling fees, and are available for purchase at each individual property’s box office outlets and also are available for purchase by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711. Closed circuit ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Tickets also will be available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for closed circuit viewing at MGM Grand, ARIA, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York are now on sale.

Former two-division world champion Amir Khan struggled to win a twelve round unanimous decision over former Lightweight champion Julio Diaz in a Jr. Welterweight bout in Sheffield, England.

Khan boxed effectively over the first three rounds and built up an early lead. Diaz turned things around in a big way in round four when he landed a hard left hook to the head that but the chin-challenged Khan on the seat of his pants. Khan steadied himself and came back to win round five and boxed very well in round six.

Khan continued to box well until he got clipped with hard combination that staggered him in round eleven. He struggled under Diaz relentless pressure of the last four and a half minutes of the fight.

Khan had built up enough of a lead of and held on for the 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112 and is now 28-3. Diaz of Cochella, CA is now 40-8-1.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, April 12 – Yet another impressive bout has been added to “The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz” card on April 27 at Motorpoint Arena Sheffield with undefeated Bolton prospect Rick Godding (18-1-0, 3 KO’s) taking on Welshman Bradley Pryce (33-12, 18 KO’s).

The bout will be a six round clash at light-middleweight with the emerging prospect, Godding, facing a real test when he steps in against an experienced campaigner and former Commonwealth light-middleweight champion in Pryce.

“I want to keep progressing as a fighter and for each fight to be tougher than the last,” said Godding. “Pryce is a well rounded fighter who has fought for British and Commonwealth titles. It’s a good next step for me and one I am ready for. I have big ambitions in the sport and Pryce is a fighter I will need to get through if I want to realise those dreams.”

“This is a good fight for me and a chance to prove that I still have so much to give,” said Pryce. “I’m determined to win more titles and to do that I have to face the best around. Godding is a good prospect but I’ll be out to show that it’s completely different at this level. I know what it’s like to be in big title fights and I’m just looking forward to showcasing my skills on such a big card.”

Godding vs. Pryce joins an already stacked card which features Amir Khan vs. Julio Diaz in the main event, Deontay Wilder vs. Audley Harrison in the co-featured fight, plus Anthony Ogogo vs. Kieron Gray, Haroon Khan vs. Stefan Slavchev, Gary Sykes vs. Jon Kays, Nate Campbell vs. Terry Flannigan, Adrian Gonzales vs. Marc Callaghan, Jack Catterral vs. Marc McKray, Tomasz Mazurkiewicz vs. Adam Jones, with Doncaster’s Carl Spencer also featuring on the bill.

“The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz” is a 12 round 143 pound catch-weight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions and sponsored by JD Sport and Maxi Muscle.

Tickets priced at £300, £200, £125, £75 and £50 plus applicable taxes and service charges are on sale at the Motorpoint Arena box office, by calling (+44) 0114 256 5656, online at www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk or through Sports Corporation by calling 0845 163 0845 or at www.sportscorporation.com.

Fans in the United Kingdom can watch “The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz” live on BoxNation (Sky Channel 437 or Virgin Channel 546) on Saturday April 27. To subscribe visit www.boxnation.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.amirkhanworld.com, www.boxnation.com and www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AmirKingKhan, www.twitter.com/boxnationtv, www.twitter.com/AnthonyOgogo, www.twitter.com/BronzeBomber, www.twitter.com/audley_Harrison www.twitter.com/tgalaxxywarrior and www.twitter.com/HarryKingKhan, follow the conversation using #KhanDiaz or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/AmirKhanTheOfficialPage and www.facebook.com/AnthonyOgogo.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, April 10 – Talented prospect Haroon Khan will take his first bow in the professional ranks against 20-year-old Bulgarian Stefan Slavchev (3-7, 1 KO) at Motorpoint Arena Sheffield on April 27.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist has decided to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious older brother, Amir, and turn professional with his first fight taking place on the undercard of the ‘Khan vs. Diaz: The Return of the King’ bill.

The super-flyweight contest will be a four-round bout, with the 21-year-old Bolton youngster up against a tricky opponent who is looking to forge his own path in the sport.

“I’m pleased that my opponent has now been named, it means that I can start putting together a game plan to ensure my first outing is a successful one,” said Haroon. “He’s got good experience boxing on these shores so I know I’ll need to be at my very best. I’m extremely confident of getting off to a winning start and making sure I do my part so that April 27 is a great day for the Khan brothers. I just can’t wait for the big night.”

“The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz” is a 12 round 143 pound catch-weight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions and sponsored by JD Sport and Maxi Muscle.

Tickets priced at £300, £200, £125, £75 and £50 plus applicable taxes and service charges are on sale at the Motorpoint Arena box office, by calling (+44) 0114 256 5656, online at www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk or through Sports Corporation by calling 0845 163 0845 or at www.sportscorporation.com.

Fans in the United Kingdom can watch “The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz” live on BoxNation (Sky Channel 437 or Virgin Channel 546) on Saturday April 27. To subscribe visit www.boxnation.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.amirkhanworld.com, www.boxnation.com and www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AmirKingKhan, www.twitter.com/boxnationtv, www.twitter.com/AnthonyOgogo, www.twitter.com/BronzeBomber, www.twitter.com/audley_Harrison www.twitter.com/tgalaxxywarrior and www.twitter.com/HarryKingKhan, follow the conversation using #KhanDiaz or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/AmirKhanTheOfficialPage and www.facebook.com/AnthonyOgogo

NEW YORK (April 4, 2013) – British superstar and former Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Amir “King” Khan’s first fight in England in nearly two years against former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz will be televised on SHOWTIME® on Saturday, April 27, immediately following the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event featuring Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia against former Four-Time and Two-Division World Champion Zab “Super” Judah.

Khan vs. Diaz, a 12-round 143-pound catch-weight bout, will emanate from Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England, and air on tape delay on SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition. Highlights of 2012 British Olympic Bronze Medalist Anthony Ogogo’s professional debut will also be shown during the telecast.

Capping an exciting night of boxing will be a replay of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Guerrero, Episode 3 on SHOWTIME that will immediately follow the SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition.

Preceding the scrap between Bolton, England’s Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) and Diaz (40-7-1, 29 KO’s), of Coachella, Calif., SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will feature a pair of world title fights that will be televised live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Undefeated WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (28-0, 20 KO’s), of New York, will defend against hard-hitting Fernando Guerrero (25-1, 19 KO’s), of Salisbury, Md., and in the main event, unbeaten Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia (25-0, 16 KO’s) will risk his world title belts against former Four-Time and Two-Division World Champion Zab “Super” Judah (42-7, 29 KO’s), of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Khan will be making his second consecutive appearance on SHOWTIME. Last Dec. 15, he captured the vacant WBC Silver Super Lightweight Championship with a dominant 10th-round TKO over previously undefeated Carlos Molina in Los Angeles.

Anthony Ogogo is a former Junior Olympic Champion, Junior World Champion and Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist. In London this past summer, Ogogo beat representatives from the Dominican Republic, Ukraine and Germany to win a Bronze Medal, thrilling his fans from throughout the United Kingdom. On April 27, the charismatic middleweight will begin his journey as a professional.

“The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions and sponsored by JD Sport and Maxi Muscle.

Tickets priced at £300, £200, £125, £75 and £50 plus applicable taxes and service charges are on sale at the Motorpoint Arena box office, by calling (+44) 0114 256 5656, online at www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk or through Sports Corporation by calling 0845 163 0845 or at www.sportscorporation.com.

For more information on Khan vs. Diaz, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.amirkhanworld.com and www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.twitter.com/AmirKingKhanand www.twitter.com/AnthonyOgogo, follow the conversation using #KhanDiaz and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/AmirKhanTheOfficialPage and www.facebook.com/AnthonyOgogo.

Garcia vs. Judah, a 12-round bout for Garcia’s Unified Super Lightweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attraction, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin puts his title on the line against hard-hitting Fernando Guerrero in a 12-round fight. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).

Remaining tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

For more information on Garcia vs. Judah, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, http://Sports.SHO.com, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BarclaysCenter, @DannySwift, @SuperJudah,@SHOsports, follow the conversation using #BrooklynBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, April 3 – Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder (27-0, 27 KO’s) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama will be crossing the Atlantic to take on Harlesden’s 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Audley ‘A-Force’ Harrison (31-6, 23 KO’s) in the co-featured fight that will headline a thrilling undercard on “The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz” bill at Motorpoint Arena Sheffield on Saturday 27 April.

Wilder, a rising star on the American heavyweight scene, has shown his phenomenal punching prowess by blasting his way past all of his opponents. The knockout king now steps into the ring against a respected veteran in Harrison who harbours his own dreams of reaching the top and fulfilling his potential.

The pair will clash in a 12-round heavyweight showdown with the victor propelling themselves into world title contention.

“There’s nothing like the day before, the morning of and night after you’ve claimed VICTORY,” said Wilder. “The emotion, the excitement and adrenaline rush that I have is ready to explode out of me. I’m a starving lion that’s ready to eat. On April 27 in Sheffield, England my next meal will be served; on the menu: Audley Harrison…Bon appetite. For the many fans in England, Deontay ‘Bronze Bomber’ Wilder is coming. You’ve been waiting for this moment and now it’s here. I can’t wait to show you guys why I am the light and the way for this dark division.”

“Deontay is a fast, dangerous puncher, but he has not been tested as a pro,” said Harrison. “I have lot of respect for him, so it’s not personal, but this is the door I must walk through. Lose and it’s over, win and I’m in the top ten for sure, eligible to challenge for the world title. Biggest risk, for the biggest reward. It can’t get any better than that.”

Also featured on the undercard will be former Unified Lightweight World Champion Nate “The Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell (36-10-1, 26 KO’s) of Jacksonville, Florida who takes on the exciting undefeated Manchester prospect Terry “Turbo” Flannigan (19-0, 5 KO’s) in a 10-round lightweight bout.

“It’s a great honor to be fighting in England,” said Campbell. “I’m in great shape and looking forward to returning to the lightweight division and this fight will serve notice as to how serious I am.”

“I’m looking forward to showcasing my talents against a former world champion in Nate Campbell,” said Flannigan. “This is the type of fight I have been waiting for and I’m ready to move up to the next level and prove that I belong there. It’s going to be tough, but come the end of the fight, I have no doubt it will be my hand that is raised.”

British fight fans will also be able to enjoy a simmering local rivalry with a Lancashire-Yorkshire battle set as former British Champion Gary “Five Star” Sykes (23-3, 5 KO’s) puts his English super-featherweight crown on the line against Jon “2 Smokes” Kays (16-2-1, 4 KO’s) in a 10-round clash.

No love has been lost between the duo and the April 27 card is all set for fireworks when they go head-to-head.

“John Kays is a good fighter so I will need to be at my best,” said Sykes. “I know what to expect, but I’m confident and believe that my experience is going to help me. I’m coming off of a good winning streak and hope to put myself back into the mix for a British title shot by winning. I’m focused and am ready for this fight. I’m not giving up my English title to anyone.”

“I’m going into this fight ready to give it everything,” said Kays. “This is my time and I won’t let anyone take it away from me. I’m super fit, have a good boxing brain and know I have the ability to cause him trouble. It won’t be easy, but to get that title I’m willing to do whatever it takes. It’s going to be a really exciting fight.”

Also appearing on the show will be 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Anthony Ogogo of Lowestoft making his professional debut against Kieron Gray (5-13-1, 1 KO) of Telford in a six round middleweight fight and the younger brother of Amir Khan, Haroon Khan making his professional debut against an opponent to be determined in a four-round bantamweight fight. Plus, Manchester’s Adrian Gonzales (6-1) facing Marc Callaghan (19-32-1, 4 KO’s) of Barking in a six-round welterweight battle, Jack Catterral (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Chorley taking on Marc McKray (4-18-1, 3 KO’s) of Manchester in a four-round welterweight fight, Tomasz Mazurkiewicz (5-8-2, 1 KO) of Warsaw, Poland up against Doncaster’s Adam Jones (2-3) in a four-round junior middleweight fight and Carl Spencer (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Doncaster featured in a four round heavyweight bout.

“The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz” is a 12 round 143 pound catch-weight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions and sponsored by JD Sport and Maxi Muscle.

Tickets priced at £300, £200, £125, £75 and £50 plus applicable taxes and service charges are on sale at the Motorpoint Arena box office, by calling (+44) 0114 256 5656, online at www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk or through Sports Corporation by calling 0845 163 0845 or at www.sportscorporation.com.

Fans in the United Kingdom can watch “The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz” live on BoxNation (Sky Channel 437 or Virgin Channel 546) on Saturday April 27. To subscribe visit www.boxnation.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.amirkhanworld.com, www.boxnation.com and www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AmirKingKhan, www.twitter.com/boxnationtv, www.twitter.com/AnthonyOgogo, www.twitter.com/BronzeBomber, www.twitter.com/audley_Harrison www.twitter.com/tgalaxxywarrior and www.twitter.com/HarryKingKhan, follow the conversation using #KhanDiaz or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/AmirKhanTheOfficialPage and www.facebook.com/AnthonyOgogo.

British boxing superstar Amir ‘King’ Khan’s first fight in the UK in two years will be screened LIVE and exclusive on The Channel of Champions BoxNation!

Khan, the former unified IBF & WBA Super World Light-Welterweight Champion, takes on former World Champion Julio ‘The Kidd’ Diaz on Saturday 27th April at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield.

The Bolton fighter, who’s heroic efforts as a 17-year-old at the 2004 Athens Olympics to win a Silver medal captured the world’s attention, has gone on to become one of the biggest names in world boxing with his exciting all-action performances, lighting speed, dazzling combinations and knockout power.

At just 26, Khan has faced and beaten some of the best in the business, including World Champions Marco Antonio Barrera, Paul Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana and Zab Judah.

He’s on the road back to regaining his world titles after his loss to Danny Garcia last July and has racked up a win against Carlos Molina last December, completely outclassing the unbeaten American and forcing him to quit on his stool at the end of the tenth round.

Diaz, 33, from Jiquilpan, Mexico, who now fights out California, USA, comes into the fight with the upper-hand in experience over a 14-year career and 48 fights. A former IBF World Champion at lightweight, Diaz aims to win a second divisional world title and impressive knockout wins against Henry Aurad and Hector Sanchez, plus a draw against unbeaten prospect Shawn Porter – which many thought he won – have put him back on track again.

Khan is excited to return to the UK with his last fight here in April 2011 – a sixth round technical decision over Belfast’s Paul McCloskey to retain his WBA World title – and is looking forward to making his debut on BoxNation.

“I’m very excited to be on BoxNation, a channel which has shown some of the biggest fights around. It’s proved to be a great platform for boxing and on April 27th I can’t wait to display my skills against Julio Diaz. I know Julio will be bringing it and is coming to fight but I’m determined to put on a show in what will be my first bout back in Britain in two years. I’m delighted we have managed to secure this deal and all I’m concentrating on is making sure that everyone who tunes in gets to see an exciting matchup. It will be a night not to be missed.” Said Khan.

Khan v Diaz will form one half of a gigantic double-header on BoxNation from two continents with Britain’s Martin Murray challenging WBC World Middleweight Champion, top three pound-for-pound best and Argentine hero Sergio Martinez LIVE and exclusive later that night from Buenos Aires.

Jim McMunn, General Manager of BoxNation said: “The Khan fight is a real coup for us. Khan is Britain’s most exciting fighter and one of the few who engages the general sports fan as well as the boxing enthusiast. His style and personality make him real box office and we are thrilled to have him. April 27 is a huge night on BoxNation with Amir topping the bill but also Martin Murray from Ricky Hatton’s stable fighting Sergio Martinez for the world title in Argentina. With Cleverly and Chisora the week before and Floyd Mayweather the following week it is an unbelievable schedule and BoxNation continues to deliver the best of boxing.”

“We are very excited to have Amir Khan fighting on BoxNation,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer. “As one of the U.K.’s top stars, it’s important for Amir to be showcased on the best television networks for his fans. We are excited to be working with BoxNation on not only the Khan vs. Diaz fight in April, but also again in May on the year’s biggest night of boxing featuring Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero.”

Khan’s debut on BoxNation cements the channels position as the undisputed best with the announcement last week that it has secured the LIVE and exclusive UK rights for the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter Floyd Mayweather Jnr’s WBC World Welterweight title defence against Robert Guerrero from the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on Saturday 4th May.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, February 28 – After nearly two years fighting away from England, the “King” is back. On Saturday, April 27 at Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, British superstar Amir “King” Khan returns to England to face former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz.

Plus, 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Anthony Ogogo makes his long-awaited professional debut in a four round middleweight bout against an opponent to be determined.

“April 27th is going to be a special night,” said Khan. “It’s been two years since I last fought in the United Kingdom and I can’t wait to get in the ring in front of my fans. Julio Diaz is a former World Champion and a very dangerous opponent who is coming off of an impressive performance in his last fight. I know he will be coming with guns blazing and I’m ready for whatever he has to throw at me. With my speed and boxing skills, and his power and experience, it makes for a really exciting matchup. He may have other ideas but I’m adamant that my return to the British shores is going to be a very successful one.”

“I’m not going to England for the fight to go to the scorecards. I’m fighting for the knockout,” said Diaz. “I know the knockout is the only thing that will get me the win, so I’m training extra hard already in order to get a victory on Khan’s home turf. I’m a heavy hitter and he can’t take a punch, so to me, that is the perfect combination.”

“I’m proud to be British and so the opportunity to turn pro on such a big fight card in England is a dream come true,” said Ogogo. “I want to become a world champion and this is the first very important step. I know what I have to do and that is to win and I want to win in style. I can’t wait to show the British public what I can do and will be training as hard as I possibly can between now and April 27th to get myself in the best shape I’ve ever been in”.

“Return of the King”: Khan vs. Diaz is a 12 round 143 pound catch-weight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions and sponsored by JD Sport and Maxi Muscle.

Tickets, priced at £300, £200, £125, £75 and £50 plus applicable taxes and service charges are on sale now and may be purchased at the Motorpoint Arena box office, by calling (+44) 0114 256 5656, online at www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk or through Sports Corporation by calling 0845 163 0845 or at www.sportscorporation.com.

“We’re excited to return to England and bring the loyal British fans the return of Amir Khan on April 27,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “Amir is closing in on a shot at regaining his world champion status and I know he’s going to use the energy from the crowd in Sheffield to motivate him. Standing in his way will be a dangerous opponent in Julio Diaz who is on a hot streak of his own that he expects to keep intact in England.”

“April 27 is going to be a great night for boxing in the U.K. and a great night for Golden Boy Promotions,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Between Amir Khan returning home where he is immensely popular and the pro debut of our newest prospect Anthony Ogogo, this is a great way to jump start an amazing run of fights that Golden Boy Promotions will be a part of in England for many years to come.”

“It was well known that Amir wanted to have his next fight back home in Britain for his loyal fan base,” said Asif Vali of Khan Promotions. “It has taken a bit of time to get to this point, but we’re delighted to announce Julio Diaz as his next opponent. He upset the odds to score a draw in his last fight against a highly touted prospect in Shawn Porter and we know he will be looking to upset the odds and score a win come April 27. Both fighters have been world champions and Amir is determined to reach that summit once again. It will be a night not to miss in Sheffield as we witness ‘the return of the King’.”

“Motorpoint Arena Sheffield is delighted to be playing host to Amir Khan’s return to Britain,” said Joe Waldron, Deputy General Manager of the Motorpoint Arena Sheffield. “We host some of the biggest stars in the world in this region and it’s a privilege to have secured another in Amir with his first fight back on British soil in two years. This event will be a special occasion for all boxing fans and the Sheffield public with yet another unforgettable night expected at the Motorpoint Arena.”

A true international superstar that captured the world’s imagination when he won a Silver medal for Great Britain in the 2004 Olympics at age 17, Amir “King” Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) is one of boxing’s best, a dynamic boxer-puncher with fight ending power and lightning quick speed. Just 26 years old, Bolton’s Khan is a former Unified Super Lightweight World Champion with five successful title defenses to his name. Among the foes he has dispatched are Marco Antonio “The Baby Face Assassin” Barrera, Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, Marcos “El Chino” Maidana and Zab “Super” Judah. In his most recent fight on December 15, 2012, he stopped previously unbeaten Carlos Molina in the 10th round. Now he looks forward to returning home and entertaining his fans in person.

A respected veteran and former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (40-7-1, 29 KO’s) is a member of a fighting family and he has been boxing for much of his life. Diaz is still in his physical prime at 33 and he has shown that he has plenty left in the tank as he looks to win a second divisional title. A native of Jiquilpan, Michoacan Mexico who now fights out of Coachella, California, Diaz has impressed fans in his return from a year-long layoff, knocking out Henry Aurad and Hector Sanchez and battling unbeaten, highly touted prospect Shawn Porter to a draw in a fight many believe Diaz won in his last fight in December. On April 27, Diaz is hoping to take matters out of the judges’ hands.

A talented soccer player who played for Norwich City FC when he was younger, Lowestoft, England’s Anthony Ogogo found his true love in the ring where he has been competing since the age of 12. After winning a Junior Olympic Gold medal and Silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, Ogogo earned a place on Great Britain’s 2012 Olympic team. In London this past summer, Ogogo beat representatives from the Dominican Republic, Ukraine and Germany to win a Bronze Medal, thrilling his fans from throughout the United Kingdom. Outside the ring, the 24-year-old Ogogo is a former model and was also a cast member of the 2008 hit reality show, “Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.” On April 27, the charismatic middleweight will begin his journey as a professional.

The event’s broadcasters and a full undercard will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.amirkhanworld.com and www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AmirKingKhan and www.twitter.com/AnthonyOgogo, follow the conversation using #KhanDiaz or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/AmirKhanTheOfficialPage and www.facebook.com/AnthonyOgogo.

LOS ANGELES, December 6 – Before British superstar Amir “King” Khan makes his ring return against Carlos Molina at the legendary Los Angeles Sports Arena on Saturday, December 15 live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, LA’s own IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz will face unbeaten Alberto “Metro” Guevara in a 12-round bout that will air as a special boxing feature live on SHOWTIME BOXING on CBS beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT.

U.S. Olympian Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz’s bout against an opponent to be named will also be broadcast live on CBS, the first live fight on CBS Television in 15 years. Rounding out the early portion of the fight card will be Olympians Errol Spence and Marcus Browne, who made their pro debuts one month ago on November 9, in separate bouts also against opponents to be named.

Also featured on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, SHO) will be a 10-round junior middleweight clash between Alfredo “Perro” Angulo and Jorge “Pantera” Silva as well as a 10-round heavyweight bout featuring charismatic unbeaten knockout artist and 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder in a tough test against undefeated Kelvin Price.

But that’s not all, as SHOWTIME EXTREME will kick-off the evening action at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with unbeaten welterweight Shawn “Showtime” Porter stepping up to the plate against surging former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz. Also slated for undercard action will unbeaten East Los Angeles prospect Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez taking on Pavel Miranda.

Khan vs. Molina is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The Sky Sports 1HD telecast begins live at 2:00 a.m. GMT on Sunday, December 16.

Santa Cruz vs. Guevara is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The CBS telecast air live from 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT until 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the SHOWTIME televised fight card are priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Los Angeles Sports Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. Tickets for fans traveling from the United Kingdom are available for purchase online at www.sportscorporation.com or by calling +44 (0)845 163 0845.

Tickets for the CBS televised fight card will be free of charge as part of a Golden Boy Promotions Holiday Fanfest and can be acquired at Los Angeles Sports Arena box office.

Perhaps boxing’s most exciting fighter, IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (22-0-1, 13 KO’s) is a thrill machine with a warrior’s heart, making him a fan favorite wherever he goes. In the midst of a breakout year, the 24-year-old from Los Angeles won his first world title in June, beating Vusi Malinga, and he has since defended it with knockout victories of Eric Morel and Victor Zaleta, making him the perfect candidate to be aired on network television.

Unbeaten in 16 professional fights, Mazatlan, Mexico’s Alberto Guevara (16-0, 6 KO’s) is expected to give Santa Cruz a tough battle in their 12-round clash and with the high stakes involved, expect “Metro” to come out with guns blazing on December 15. A three-year pro, Guevara is taking a big step up against the world champion, but is ready for the fight of his life.

A proud native of South El Monte, California, 20-year-old southpaw Joseph Diaz Jr. was a 2011 U.S. National Champion at featherweight and winner of his opening bout at the London Olympics earlier this year, garnering him a devoted fan following. Now ready to take the next step in what is expected to be a spectacular professional career, Diaz makes his pro debut on December 15 in a4-round fight against an opponent to be determined.

A native of Mexicali, Mexico now making his home in Los Angeles, Alfredo Angulo (21-2, 18 KOs) made his long awaited return in November after an emotional year out of the ring, but “Perro” delivered on the promise he has shown over the years as he took just 56 seconds to knock out Raul Casarez. Now determined to make up for lost time, the 30-year-old power puncher is back again and looking for another knockout win, this one over 20-year-old Tijuana product Jorge Silva. Silva (19-2-2, 15 KO’s) has some dynamite in his gloves as well, and after two straight wins and a draw with Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai, he’s got all the momentum he needs to score the biggest victory of his career.

The hottest prospect in the heavyweight division, Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s Deontay Wilder (25-0, 25 KO’s) has left no one in his path standing after winning a Bronze Medal at the 2008 Olympics. Standing at 6-foot-7, the “Bronze Bomber” has not only shown power in his victories over Damon McCreary, Owen Beck, and Kertson Manswell, but his charisma and personality have captured a huge fanbase for the 27-year-old that he hopes to grow even bigger on December 15.

One of the few heavyweights that match Wilder with not only an unbeaten record, but also in size, Pensacola, Florida’s 6-foot-7 Kelvin “Price is Right” Price (13-0, 6 KO’s) will present some difficulties for the former Olympian that he has yet to see in his pro career. A six year veteran who got a late start in the sport, the 37-year old is best known for spoiling the perfect record of hot prospect Tor Hamer in 2010. He’s ready to play that spoiler role again when he faces Wilder.

Akron, Ohio’s Shawn Porter (20-0, 14 KO’s) is an exciting welterweight who is beginning to make his move on the elite in his division and is doing it with a two-fisted, aggressive attack that none of his opponents have been able to handle. A decorated amateur and 2008 U.S. Olympic team alternate, the 25-year-old Porter won the NABF welterweight title by beating Hector Munoz in 2010 and he added the NABO crown in July with his hard fought win over the respected Alfonso Gomez.

The fighting pride of Coachella, California, Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (40-7, 29 KO’s) is a former world lightweight champion who has fought it out with Jose Luis Castillo, Angel Manfredy, Jesus Chavez, Juan Diaz and Herman Ngoudjo. After a year-long break and a move up to welterweight, the 32-year-old Diaz has looked better than ever in knocking out Henry Aurad and Hector Sanchez in 2012. With a win over Porter, he can move back into title contention.

Unbeaten as a professional, former amateur star Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (13-0, 10 KO’s) made a triumphant return to the squared circle after nearly a year off when he stopped veteran Manuel Leyva in three rounds on November 3. Now looking to stay busy and pile up some more wins on the way to a welterweight title shot, the East LA battler will meet up with Tijuana veteran Pavel Miranda (17-8-1, 8 KOs) on December 15.

Winner of two bouts in the 2012 Olympics as a member of Team USA, 22-year-old Dallas native Errol Spence Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) may have been the most impressive of his fellow teammates in his pro debut on November 9, as he showed off a wide variety of skills and poise before dispatching Jonathan Garcia in the third round. Now he’ll look to repeat that feat in another four round affair against an opponent to be named later this month.

22-year-old Marcus Browne (1-0, 1 KO) fought with a heavy heart during his pro debut on November 9 after his native Staten Island, New York was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. Despite the devastation back home, with the heart and resolve that took him to a National Amateur Championship, three Golden Gloves titles and a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, Browne took out unbeaten Codale Ford in three rounds to earn his first professional win. On December 15, he looks for win number two against an opponent to be determined in a four round bout.

The evening session of boxing will begin with Houston, Texas’ Jerren Cochran (6-0, 3 KO’s) against an opponent to be named in a four round feather fight followed by an eight-round junior middleweight battle between Oxnard, California’s Hugo “The Boss” Centeno (16-0, 8 KO’s) and Allen Conyers (12-7, 9 KO’s) of the Bronx, New York.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AmirKingKhan, www.twitter.com/CarlosMolina562, www.twitter.com/ElPerro82, www.twitter.com/BronzeBomber, www.twitter.com/teampriceboxing, www.ShowtimeSHAWNP, www.JosephDiazJr, www.twitter.com/ErrolSpenceJr, www.twitter.com/Marcus_Browne, www.twitter.com/HugoBoss805, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #KhanMolina or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

Former world champion Julio Diaz scored a fifth round stoppage over Hector Sanchez in a Welterweight bout at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, CA

Diaz dropped Sanchez in round two and the fight was stopped at 2:03 of round five when Diaz landed a big flurry of punches.

Diaz, 146 1/4 lbs of Cochella, CA is now 40-7 with twenty nine knockouts. Sanchez, 146 1/2 lbs of San Juan, PR is now 19-3.

Roger Gonzalez scored a ten round majority decision over Andrew Cancio in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

It was a close tough fight that could have gone either way but the veteran Gonzalez seemed to land the better punches.

Gonzalez, 127 3/4 lbs of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 96-94 on two cards while a third card read 95-95. Gonzalez is now 28-6. Cancio, 127 1/2 lbs of Blyth, CA is 14-2-2.

Daniel Franco scored an explosive third round stoppage over Jesus Sandoval in a scheduled four round Jr. Lightweight bout.

Franco dropped Sandoval with a vicious two punch combination in round three and finished the fight by landing a handful hard flush shots and the fight was stopped at 2:51 of round three.

Franco, 129 1/2 lbs of Riverside, CA is now 4-0-1 with two knockouts. Sandoval of Sinaloa, MX is now 2-1-1.

September 19, 2012 – INDIO, CA -“Irish” Micky Ward, the beloved retired junior welterweight boxer from Lowell, Massachusetts will greet fans along with his half-brother and former trainer Dicky Eklund at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. prior to the September 29 edition of TeleFutura’s “Solo Boxeo Tecate.” The event co-features former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz of Coachella facing Puerto Rico’s Hector Sanchez and Andrew “Chango” Cancio squaring off against veteran contender Roger “Speedy” Gonzalez.

Ward, a blue collar athlete who overcame many obstacles in life and prevailed through determination and hard work, is regarded as a working class hero. He was a fan favorite known for his devastating left hook to the body and his ability to withstand punishment while waiting to land his trademark shot.

Ward and Eklund will bewill be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center. The meet and greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the September 29 event.

The brothers were the subject of the 2010 movie “The Fighter” which recounted Ward’s climb to fame. Ward was played by actor Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale, who captured an Oscar for his portrayal, played Eklund.

Eklund is a former three-time golden gloves champion with over 190 victories as an amateur. He faced Sugar Ray Leonard in a professional bout televised by HBO in 1978.

Diaz vs. Sanchez and Cancio vs. Gonzalez are presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. PT. The TeleFutura broadcast begins at midnight ET/11:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.fantasyspringsresort.com, follow us on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing , www.twitter.com/fantasysprings or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/fantasyspringsresort.

The term “must-win” is one of the many overused phrases in all of sports. That being said, tonight’s pairing of former world champions Kendall Holt and Julio Diaz, which takes place at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California, is one that warrants that abused label. The winner will be set up for one last crack at a major player, while the loser will likely be relegated to name opponent status.

It seems like forever ago that Holt (26-4, 14 KOs) of Patterson, New Jersey was in a pick ‘em unification bout against Timothy Bradley Jr. A quick check of the record books shows that bout, a notch or two below a superfight at the time, took place just over two years ago. Holt scored two official knockdowns, but came up short in losing a twelve-round unanimous decision, thus handing over his WBO 140-pound title to Bradley. Holt has experienced his share of troubles since, including legal woes and a surprising stoppage suffered at the hands of Kaizer Mabuza. Diaz represents the type of opponent that could bolster the view of Holt enough that a bigger money fight could be possible.

Diaz (38-6, 27 KOs) of Coachella, California is in a very similar position. Turn the pages of the record books back a little further and you will find Diaz entering a lightweight unification bout with Juan Diaz a slight underdog. The young “Baby Bull” handled Julio “The Kidd” quite handily that October night in 2007. Diaz would go on to losing two of his next four bouts before restoring some of his credibility with a recent two-fight winning run over solid to decent opposition.

Their ten-round fight, which takes place just over the light welterweight limit, headlines tonight’s ESPN2 Friday Night Fights telecast. Diaz, the two-time former IBF Lightweight titleholder, scaled 141 ½-pounds Thursday. Holt, who ended an eleven-month layoff with a first-round knockout in January, weighed in at 142-pounds.

In the televised co-feature, undefeated puncher Jonathan Gonzalez (12-0, 12 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico will take on his toughest test to date in Rudy Cisneros (12-2, 11 KOs) of Chicago, Illinois in an eight-round light middleweight bout. Gonzalez, a 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, weighed in at 154-pounds. Cisneros, who had a solid win on his resume before his 2008 decision over Latif Mundy was changed to a no contest for a failed drug test, weighed in at 152 ½-pounds. Cisneros has been out of action since December of 2009.

In an intriguing undercard bout, Julian Williams (6-0, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania meets Francisco Santana (12-2, 6 KOs) of Santa Barbara, California in a six-round pairing of light middleweights. Williams has an unblemished record, but he has never been in with a fighter of Santana’s caliber before. Santana has faced the tougher opposition and both of his losses were suffered at the hands of still unbeaten prospect Karim Mayfield. Williams scaled 153-pounds, while Santana weighed-in at 153 ½.

Locally popular super featherweight Rufino Serrano (8-3) of Santa Maria, California will take on Ramon Flores (3-11-2, 3 KOs) of Wilmington, California by way of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in a six-rounder. Serrano, a winner of this last four, weighed in at 126 ¾-pounds, while Flores came in at 129.

Jhon Ortega (4-0, 4 KOs) of Londonderry, New Hampshire will take on Marcus Thompkins (5-3-1, 2 KOs) of Michigan City, Indiana in a six-round welterweight fight. The unbeaten Ortega, fighting in California for the fifth straight time, weighed in at 144 ½-pounds. Thompkins, who has failed to win four straight times, scaled 145 ¼-pounds.

Joel Diaz (2-0, 1 KO) of Palmdale, California looks to get his year rolling against Dionicio Alvarez (1-2) of Fresno, California in a four-round super featherweight fight. Diaz turned pro last July and picked up two wins in three months, but has been on the shelf since late last year. Diaz’ layoff is nothing compared to the one Alvarez will end tonight. Alvarez was last seen in May of 2006 and is coming off of a knockout defeat at bantamweight. Diaz scaled 128-pounds, while came in at 126 ¼.

In a rematch, undefeated Kurtiss Colvin (4-0, 3 KOs) of Austin, Texas will take on Cameron Allen (3-6, 1 KO) of Battle Creek, Michigan in a four-round middleweight fight. In what was described in various ringside reports as a war, Colvin survived a knockdown and a standing eight-count to drop the tougher-than-advertised Allen in the third en route a four-round majority decision in February. Allen took a fight against another unbeaten foe just a month later and lost a decision, while Colvin has been idle since his first pro scare. Colvin came in at 159-pounds, while Allen scaled 158 ½.

Former amateur champion Seniesa Estrada of Los Angeles, California will make her professional debut against Maria Ruiz (0-2-2) of Houston, Texas in a four-round light flyweight bout. Estrada, the 2009 USA Boxing National Champion at 112-pounds, came in at 111 ½-pounds, while Ruiz scaled 112 ½.

In a four-round bantamweight bout, Daniel Roman (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Garden Grove, California will take on Alfredo Madrigal (1-0) of Bakersfield, California. Roman, coming in off of a February draw, weighed in at 118-pounds, as did Madrigal, who is making his 2011 debut.

A familiar name was a late addition to the card, as Anthony Dirrell (20-0, 17 KOs) of Flint, Michigan will take on Alberto Mercedes (14-17-1, 10 KOs) of West Allis, Wisconsin in a six-round light heavyweight fight. Dirrell, the WBC #8 ranked super middleweight, came in at 170-pounds. Mercedes, originally of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, scaled 171-pounds.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, are available online at StarTickets.com.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Welterweights, 10 Rounds
Holt 142
Diaz 141 ½

Light Middleweights, 8 Rounds
Gonzalez 154
Cisneros 152 ½

Light Middleweights, 6 Rounds
Williams 153
Santana 153 ½

Super Featherweights, 6 Rounds
Serrano 126 ¾
Flores 129

Welterweights, 6 Rounds
Ortega 144 ½
Thompkins 145 ¼

Super Featherweights, 4 Rounds
Diaz 128
Alvarez 126 ¼

Middleweights, 4 Rounds
Colvin 159
Allen 158 ½

Light Flyweights, 4 Rounds
Estrada 111 ½
Ruiz 112 ½

Bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Roman 118
Madrigal 118

Super Middleweights, 6 Rounds
Dirrell 170
Mercedes 171

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com,

FIFE, WASHINGTON — Two years ago, David Torres was an unbeaten, but unproven prospect before taking a major step up in class against former world champion Julio Diaz. The step proved to be too big, as Diaz stopped him in five. Torres has gone 1-1 in his two fights since, and will look to get back on track against fellow local Santos Pakau in the main event tonight at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington. Undercard fighters weighed in late Friday at the neighboring Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino in Fife.

Torres (21-2, 13 KOs) of Othello, Washington has been a fan favorite at the Emerald Queen Casino since shortly after turning professional in 2003, having fought all but three of his fights at the venue. Torres has only been beaten once on his home court and that defeat came last time out when Raymundo Beltran halted him in the seventh round this past January.

Pakau (27-6-1, 10 KOs) of Spokane, Washington by way of Auckland, New Zealand has taken on a very tough schedule in recent years. Since moving from New Zealand to the United States Pakau has been thrown in with a bevy of prospects and top contenders, including top welterweights Paul Williams and Randall Bailey. For the fight against Torres, Pakau is moving back down to a weight at which he could likely be more competitive. The contracted weight for tonight’s ten-round bout is 139-pounds.

Although he has routinely weighed around 139, if Torres were to ever vie for a title, it would likely be at 135-pounds. Pakau has fought the majority of his fights of late at or near the welterweight limit of 147. Thus it is to the benefit of the naturally smaller Torres that the official weigh-in takes place Saturday morning, so that Pakau has less time to plump up in weight after hydrating and eating. Thus, Torres and Pakau will weigh-in at 9:00 A.M. this morning before Washington State officials in Spokane.

In the co-main event, Lafarrell Bunting (16-3-1, 16 KOs) of Memphis, Tennessee will return from a three-year absence against Junior Moar (8-2, 2 KOs) of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada in an eight-round light heavyweight bout. Bunting, a well regarded prospect at 168-pounds a few years back, weighed in at 175 ½-pounds on his second try. Moar, the reigning Canadian Light Heavyweight Champion, will be making his U.S. debut. Moar scaled 176-pounds. Promoters have designs on putting the winner of this bout in a regional title fight on a future show.

In a battle of unbeaten big men, Charles Ellis (6-0-1, 5 KOs) of Vancouver, Washington will take on Vincent Thompson (5-0, 1 KO) of nearby Federal Way, Washington in a six-rounder. Ellis, the 2003 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion, weighed in at a solid 227-pounds. Thompson, coming off of his career best win over former amateur rival Villi Bloomfield in August, scaled 226 ½-pounds.

Rob Diezel (3-1, 1 KO) of Seattle, Washington will meet Marco Cardenas (1-2) of Salem, Oregon in a four-round super featherweight rematch. Diezel scored a close four-round unanimous decision over Cardenas less than one month ago in Ferndale, Washington. Diezel was ahead by one point, 38-37, on two of the official cards. Cardenas scaled 129 ½ Friday, while Diezel came in at 130 ½.

Professional mixed martial artist Omar Avelar of Moses Lake, Washington will make his debut as a boxer against Ralph Prescott (0-5) of Seattle in a four-round welterweight fight. Avelar, who has a 4-0 record in MMA, scaled 145 ½-pounds after taking the fight on short notice. Prescott, who tipped the scales at 139-pounds, is winless in five tries, but has only been stopped by former Olympian Sadam Ali.

Debuting Virgil Green of Arlington, Washington will take on Miguel Garcia (2-1) also of Arlington in a four-round light welterweight fight. Green, a former regional Golden Gloves and PAL champion, weighed in at 139 ½-pounds, while Garcia scaled 141-pounds.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Brian Halquist Productions, are available online at Ticketmaster.com. Saturday’s event is the 79th edition of the “Battle at the Boat” boxing series.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Light Welterweights, 10 Rounds
Torres*
Pakau*

Light Heavyweights, 8 Rounds
Bunting 175 ½
Moar 176

Heavyweights, 6 Rounds
Ellis 227
Thompson 226 ½

Super Featherweights, 4 Rounds
Diezel 130 ½
Cardenas 129 ½

Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Prescott 139
Avelar 145 ½

Light Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Green 139 ½
Garcia 141

*will weigh-in at 9:00 A.M. this morning

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.

Former two-time Lightweight champion, Julio “Kidd” Diaz scored a unanimous decision over former world title challenger Herman Ngoudjo in a ten round Jr. Welterweight bout at Buffalo Bill’s Star Arena in Primm, Nevada.

Diaz landed quick combinations throughout the fight. Despite swelling under his left eye, Diaz was very effective and had the quicker hands.

Diaz seemed to get stronger as the fight went on as in round six he took a couple of short shots to start the round but came back to land a nice four punch combination that was followed by a couple of hooks. Round nine saw a good exchange that was followed up by a good right hand from Diaz. The two fought hard down the stretch as they duked it out in the final moments with Diaz getting the better of the action.

Diaz, 140 lbs of Cochella, CA won by scores of 99-91, 97-93 and 97-93 to raise his record to 37-6. Ngoudo, 140 lbs of Montreal is now 18-4.

“Ngoudio could take a punch, his style was very difficult for me to adjust to because of his elbows, he comes forward with his head. But I was able to change things up and fight on the inside, it’s what my corner knew would work and we did just that.”

Dominic Salcido scored an eight round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Guillermo Sanchez in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Salcido was the more steady fight as he was consistent with little combination’s and where Sanchez seemed to be more concerned with showboating rather than throw punches. That was ironic because it was Salcido who was known throughout his career as being a flashy fighter. The only sort of offense that Sanchez could muster was landing a hard left hand that briefly shook Salcido in round four.

Besides that, it was all Salcido as he pressed the action and won by scores of of 78-74, 77-75 and 77-75. Salcido, 129 lbs of Ralito, CA is now 18-2. Sanchez, 128 lbs of Buffalo, NY is now 11-1-1.

“I came and proved what I need to, I am back in the game and back to business” said Salcido.