By Norm Frauenheim–

Getting a shot at Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been called a derby and a sweepstakes. There are no rules on how to get in line, if in fact there is one. Still, Shawn Porter and Kell Brook will try to win a chance Saturday at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

They’re fighting for Porter’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) version of the welterweight title. But the acronym-sanctioned belt is window dressing. The real fight is to get into the Mayweather conversation.

Thus far, Porter’s name has been dropped, but a mere mention is a little bit like winning a state lottery. Not much chance there. With an impressive win over the unbeaten and dangerous Brook, however, maybe Porter will be more than just another name in a crowded pool of alternates after Mayweather begins searching for another opponent following an expected victory in a September rematch with Marcos Maidana. Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs), a slight favorite to beat Brook (32-0, 22 KOs) in a Showtime-televised bout, acknowledges the Mayweather stakes, which are impossible to ignore anyway.

“I don’t consider my fights as auditions,’’ he said in a conference call. “I consider them performances. Again, you know this is boxing. We don’t look ahead. But at the same time, yes, Mayweather, we all know he’s on the clock. We’re all right there, hoping we’re next in line.’’

The confident Porter is bold enough to exhibit showmanship. That’s a fine line and he could pay for it if he loses to the quick and versatile Brook. But showmanship is one way to get noticed, which might keep him in the Mayweather conversation and in headlines that could generate pay-per-view sales.

Porter, also mentioned as a possibility for Keith Thurman, hit the pads blindfolded at a Wednesday workout for the media. Maybe, the blindfold was a pre-fight message, warning Brook that footwork and lateral movement would not take him out of harm’s way. Maybe, it was Porter’s way of saying he was looking only at Brook and not ahead to the Mayweather possibility. Whatever it was, it was a theatrical prop. It was designed to get some attention and it did.

Porter’s showmanship was evident on July 12 when he met a handful of writers at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand before Canelo Alvarez’ decision over Erislandy Lara. Porter talked about how he felt invincible, especially after successive victories over Paulie Malignaggi and Devon Alexander.

A lot of good fighters, Porter said, call themselves Superman.

“But I’m Mister Superman,’’ he said.

He’s just another Mister if he loses to Brook, who is fighting in the U.S. for only the second time. Brook might be the UK’s best-kept secret. It’s the UK connection that could make him a viable Mayweather possibility if he upsets Porter. There are rumblings that Mayweather, who promised a surprise for the next Mayday on his Showtime deal, wants a fight outside of his usual Las Vegas neighborhood in a move that could add to his claim on global celebrity.

A fight in the UK fits the bill and might pay a few too. A World Cup-like crowd of a reported 80,000 was at London’s Wembley Stadium for Carl Froch’s rematch stoppage of George Groves on May 31. If in fact Mayweather has further international ambitions, a Wembley bout with Brook could help fulfill them.

Brook is fighting to be a Mister too.

Mister Next.

CARSON, Calif. (Aug. 14, 2014) – Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions hosted the final press conference earlier today for this Saturday’s potentially explosive world championship tripleheader live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

In what should be a thrilling, non-stop action three-fight telecast, IBF Welterweight World Champion “ShowTime” Shawn Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs), of Cleveland, Ohio, will defend against fellow unbeaten Kell Brook 32-0, 22 KOs), of Sheffield, England, WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (32-5-3, 21 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, will risk his 168-pound belt in a grudge rematch against unbeaten Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (26-0-1, 22 KOs), of Flint, Mich., and undefeated Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. (23-0-1, 17 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, will put up his WBC Lightweight World Championship against mandatory challenger Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (32-2-1, 24 KOs), of Mexico City.

The three SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING world title fights will be preceded by two important bouts on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast): undefeated heavyweight knockout sensation and WBC Continental Americas Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (31-0, 31 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., will take on Jason Gavern (25-16-4, 11 KOs), of Orlando, Fla., in a 10-round match and former two-division world champion Jorge “Niño De Oro” Linares (36-3, 23 KOs) will be opposed by Ira Terry (26-11, 16 KOs), of Memphis, Tenn., in an eight-round lightweight match.

Both Wilder and Linares are mandatory challengers and a victory away from fighting for a world title in the near future; Wilder against WBC Heavyweight Champion Bermane Stiverne and Linares against the Figueroa-Estrada winner.

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale
now and are 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. Doors open at 1 p.m. PT. The first fight begins at 1:05 p.m.

Speaking before a large contingent of media from the Southern California area and UK, Porter needed a little crowd participation to make his one and only point when it was his turn to talk at the dais.

“Let’s let him [Brook] know what time it is,” Porter yelled as he stepped up to the mic. Some in the audience responded,”It’s “Showtime!”

After repeating this, Porter then stared down at a still-seated Brook and said. “I think you know what time it is. Saturday night I’m going to make sure you know what time it is.” Porter said thank you and then sat down.

Here’s more from what Porter, the fighters and executives said during Thursday’s press conference at StubHub Center:

SHAWN PORTER, IBF Welterweight World Champion

“There was good energy today and the crowd really got me going. I have a lot to offer to this sport. I’m one of the quickest and strongest guys in my weight class. And I’m probably the most confident too. But I can’t help that. It’s my personality, it’s who I am.

“Saturday night, you’re going to see it all. You’re going to see some boxing, you’ll see some aggression, you’ll see intelligence, some power and quickness. The whole nine yards.

“I’ve done enough homework to know that I can beat him. This has been a long time coming, and I look forward to defending my title on Saturday night. Everybody in the UK better stay up late for this one. I’m hoping to get some new fans over there after this is over.”

KELL BROOK, Undefeated Welterweight Contender

“This has been a long time coming, but I’ve finally arrived on the top stage now. It’s every fighter’s dream to win a world title, and it’s all I’ve been thinking about through all the training and waiting.

“I know Shawn Porter is a very tough customer and a very worthy champion. But this is my time. I’m so ready mentally, and physically, I’ve got my family here. I’m just in the best place of my life. I’m very confident, totally prepared and Saturday could not come quick enough for me.”

SAKIO BIKA, WBC Super Middleweight Champion

“He ran around the first fight and I should have won. It’s nothing new for me to fight in the States and I just have to go there and knock him out so there’s no need for a judges’ decision.

“I don’t need to sit here and talk much. He’s doing enough of that for the both of us. We’ll see who’s doing the talking after I get through with him on Saturday night.”

ANTHONY DIRRELL, Undefeated Super Middleweight Contender

“I’m definitely ready to fight. If I wasn’t I sure couldn’t make it happen in two days. I’m basically going to stick to my game plan from the first fight, but with a few tweaks. I want to leave nothing to chance.

“It’s been nine months since our first fight. You can’t call Bika a real champion. I beat him the first time; this time it’s going to be worse. There’s going to be a new champion on Saturday. It’s going to be a helluva fight, but I’m going to burn him.

“I already won my toughest fight when I beat cancer. A big part of my motivation on Saturday is knowing that Danny Jacobs [a fellow cancer survivor who captured the WBA middleweight title last Saturday on SHOWTIME] will be calling the fights from ringside for SHOWTIME.”

OMAR FIGUEROA JR., WBC Lightweight World Champion

“This is the hardest I’ve ever trained for a fight and now I’m back on one of boxing’s biggest stages. I know Estrada likes to come forward so that should make for an exciting fight for the fans.

“This is another very big fight for me. This fight is for my family and all my friends back in Texas.

“I expect a rough fight, but I know I will win.”

DANIEL ESTRADA, Leading Lightweight Contender
“I’m dedicating this fight to my family and the memory of my younger sister, Janyn, and her five-year-old daughter, Emery, who died after they were in a car crash less than three weeks ago.
“It’s been a very difficult, emotional time for all of us. My sister, who was 27, has always been my biggest supporter in boxing. She always told me that if I continued to work hard I would make it to the top and become a world champion.
“I’m using what she always said to me as motivation for this fight. As bad as we all feel, there was never really a time when I thought I would abandon this opportunity. I know she would want me to take the fight.
“I’ve been waiting a year to fight for the title and on Saturday I’m going to take advantage of my shot. I recognize Figueroa as a great champion for what he brings to the sport, but I’m a Mexican warrior. I’ll show you all that on Saturday.”
DEONTAY WILDER, Undefeated WBC Continental Americas Champion

“I’m right at the door. All I’ve got to do is ring the bell or knock to get inside. Everybody has their opinion on who I should fight, and I know this is a risk fight. Jason [Gavern] comes to fight every time. And you’ve got to respect that. I’ve definitely not looking past Jason, but I’m looking through him.

“I love boxing, and I love what I do. I love being surrounded by other fighters and champions. I love the atmosphere and the fans, just everything that’s involved with boxing. I was very eager and very hungry to get back in the ring.”

JASON GAVERN, Veteran Heavyweight

“This is kind of cool for a former policeman like me to be on a card like this and I thank everyone involved for making it happen.

“Wilder is 31-0 with 31 knockouts for a reason. But I love to fight and look forward to putting on a good show like I always do.”

JORGE LINARES, Former WBC Featherweight & WBA Super Featherweight World Champion

“This is a must-win fight for me which is why I’ve prepared for a very hard fight. I know I have to win to get my title shot. But I’m not here just to win but to look good.

“I have three losses on my record, but in my heart I feel I’ve lost only once [against Antonio DeMarco]. I certainly can’t afford to lose on Saturday. I’m anxious and ready to go.”

JASON QUIGLEY, Unbeaten Super Middleweight Prospect
“My weight is always pretty good because I’ve never gone up and down between fights; I always try to maintain top conditioning.
“I really enjoy being a pro and being part of all the fight-week activities before a fight -the workout, press conference and weigh-in. It’s great to be surrounded by so many great fighters and so much media.
“Saturday is my second pro fight and I’m totally focused and ready to perform.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President and Founder of Golden Boy Promotions

“Every single one of these TV fights could be a main event. This is just a stacked card.

“StubHub Center is known for putting on some amazing fights. I like to call it the ‘Thuderdome’. You know, the old movie with Mel Gibson and Tina Turner where they just go to fight. Every single fight we’ve staged at StubHub has been incredible.

“The main event is definitely one of those fights where you don’t want to blink. I know both these fighters have the hunger and desire to put on just an amazing fight.

“Shawn Porter comes from Cleveland, Ohio, a place that grooms champions, like LeBron James. He’s a real throwback fighter who works hard and will fight anybody. Kell Brook is a true champion who is hungry and determined.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME SPORTS

“SHOWTIME is happy to be back here with Golden Boy at StubHub Center for what I predict will be one of the most exciting cards of the year.

“StubHub is a special place for boxing, one of the top two or three in the world, an outdoor venue that is a perfect setting for fights that draw great fans.

“The three world title fights Saturday couldn’t be more even -they’re all 50-50. All these fighters are coming to win. It should be an all-action show and we are very excited about it.

# # #

Porter vs. Brook is a 12-round fight for Porter’s IBF Welterweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, the WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio Bika defends his belt in a rematch against Anthony Dirrell, and in the televised opener, Omar Figueroa defends his WBC Lightweight World Championship against Daniel Estrada. The event will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (SHOWTIME 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

CARSON, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2014) – Unbeaten IBF Welterweight World Champion Shawn “Showtime” Porter, undefeated contender Kell Brook and seven other boxers who will compete on this Saturday’s stacked Golden Boy Promotions’ fight card at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., participated in an open media workout Wednesday at Fabela Chavez Boxing Center in Carson, Calif..

The exciting, offensive-minded Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs), of Cleveland, Ohio, will defend his 147-pound crown against British banger Brook (32-0, 22 KOs), of Sheffield, England in what figures to be an explosive main event of a world championship tripleheader live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

In other world title fights Saturday on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (32-5-3, 21 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, will risk his 168-pound belt in a rematch against unbeaten Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (26-0-1, 22 KOs), of Flint, Mich., and undefeated Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. (23-0-1, 17 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, will defend his WBC Lightweight World Championship against mandatory challenger Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (32-2-1, 24 KOs), of Mexico City.

Undefeated heavyweight knockout sensation and WBC Continental Americas Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (31-3, 31 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., will be opposed by Jason Gavern (25-16-4, 11 KOs), of Orlando, Fla., in a 10-round scrap on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). In the opening bout, former two-division world champ Jorge “Niño De Oro” Linares (36-3, 23 KOs) faces Ira Terry (26-11, 16 KOs), of Memphis, Tenn., in an eight-round lightweight match.

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale
now and are 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. Doors open at 1 p.m. PT. The first fight begins at 1:00 p.m.

Here’s what the fighters said during Wednesday’s workout:

SHAWN PORTER, IBF Welterweight World Champion

“Training camp was great; we had some of the camp in Las Vegas and some in the Bay Area. We are ready to rock and roll. I just continue to work hard and sharpen the skills that I already possess.

“I am going into the fight looking for that knockout. I told myself that going four rounds or less would be a beautiful night for me. But at the same time I am prepared for a 12-round fight and being a boxer I know that you must be prepared for anything.

“I welcome the target on my back; I enjoy people talking about me. The good thing about having the target on my back is that I am a very hard target to hit. I am very excited about this fight and looking forward to defending my title. Saturday couldn’t come fast enough and after the fight I will be walking out with that title again.

“I am very humble, but everyone knows that when I get into that ring it’s my time to shine. I will be showing off for the fans, my team, and for my future opponents.

“StubHub Center is a great outdoor venue. I’ve been to the venue about six times, but have never fought there. Every time I go there I wish I was the one fighting in the ring, but my opportunity has finally come and I can’t wait to get out there and feel the energy of the crowd.

“Being that this is only the second time Kell Brook has fought in America, I hope he feels that added pressure of the big fight. The energy of the StubHub Center crowd will make him feel it, that’s for sure. But, at the end of the day I have to get in that ring and handle my business and not worry about all the factors that I can’t control. I can’t worry about what he feels and thinks. I know that I am full of confidence and positive energy and that I’ve been counting down for this fight.

“I love the fact that we are both undefeated, it makes for a great story. I know that he is a great fighter and I can’t look past him — that would be a huge mistake.”

KELL BROOK, Undefeated Welterweight Contender

“Training camp has gone very well. I am ready.

“When you get to this elite level and become a world champion, top fighters want to fight the best and I believe that I am at that level.

“It doesn’t matter that this is only my second time fighting in America. It’s just another ring and I will be ready to go. Boxing is all I do.

“Porter comes forward with swinging punches. Anyone at this level, you must take it off to them, they are in the ring for a reason. I know that it will be a tough fight, but every top performer can adjust and you will see me adjust. I know that it will be a dogfight but I always find a way to win.

“I am a slick fighter who will be very exciting. You are going to see crisp shots and I think that this fight will be a fight of the year candidate. I refuse to lose, but there will definitely be some fireworks during this fight.

“I have been waiting a very long time for my opportunity to fight in a world title fight, so the added pressure and anticipation will work in my favor. I have never been more prepared for a fight before and knowing that this is the biggest fight of my career only adds to my confidence.

“This is definitely my opportunity to show American fans what all the fuss is about with this British guy. My message to them is that I will go into that ring and give it my all and come out with that world title. Get your popcorn ready.”

SAKIO BIKA, WBC Super Middleweight Champion

“Training has been going great; we did everything that we were supposed to do. The weather was very good, the sparing was good, no complaints.

“Nothing has really changed going into this training camp from the last camp, except that I pushed myself very hard. I didn’t put on and take off any weight, I just work very hard in the gym.

“The first fight with Dirrell, I started off a little too slow. For this fight I will try to show that I am the boss in the right from the beginning, and make him scared. I want to attack him relentlessly and prove to him that he doesn’t belong in the ring with me.

“I definitely feel that I won the first fight and everyone saw that. The body shot that he got on me was a low blow, it was a lucky punch. I kept on hitting him so hard and he couldn’t handle the pressure I was putting on him. I know that I won that fight.

“If I am the victor in this fight, I won’t call any names on who I want to fight next. Every time that I call on a fighter, everyone gets too scared and doesn’t want to fight. I need to sit down with my management and see if I need to move up a weight class and fight a big challenger maybe in the light heavyweight division because I feel that I am capable.

“My biggest strength against Dirrell is that I am much stronger than him and I can handle all the pressure that is thrown my way. I am very strong and will pressure him constantly.”

ANTHONY DIRRELL, Undefeated Super Middleweight Contender

“I’m here to officially take what’s rightfully mine. Bika knows I won our last fight. It’s good we got to go straight to a rematch with no fights in between.

“I expect to see nothing new or different from Bika – Bika is Bika. In the ring, he is who he is. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

“I thought I fought a good fight the first time, but I can do even better. I can box better and I can stick to the game plan better. He can’t touch me when I box. In fact, he can’t touch me no matter how I fight him.

“That’s good that Daniel Jacobs (recently crowned WBA middleweight champion) is calling the fights for SHOWTIME. He’s a cancer survivor like me. Between us, we want to continue to inspire others all over the world.”

OMAR “PANTERITA” FIGUEROA JR., WBC Lightweight World Champion

“It’s an honor to represent the people in my hometown. I fight for my brothers and the little kids in my city who feel like they have no hope to leave the city. I started fighting when I was six-years-old; success doesn’t come over night. It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears. I want to show the people where I am from that it is possible to be successful and make a good life for yourself. I know that boxing has kept me out of trouble and in some ways saved my life.

“The reason why I moved back home and started training with my dad was mainly because I wanted to be close to my daughter. I missed her terribly when I wasn’t home.

“I wasn’t able to take advantage of the things that were presented to me by training with Joel Diaz because of my (sore) hands, so I decided to just stay home. If I wasn’t able to get the world-class sparring and training, then what was I doing being away from my family? Leaving Joel Diaz had nothing to do with him, I love him. It was solely a personal decision.

“My dad (trainer Omar Figueroa Sr.) grinds my gears, it can be a bit rocky. But with the knowledge I brought over from training with Joel Diaz it can make me grow as a boxer and my dad will grow as a trainer.

“Training is six days a week for three hours and then a jog. I can’t put on too much muscle because then I won’t be able to make weight. Training and dieting is very hard, but I am proud of myself because I actually kept up with it.

“People take care of me from where I am from. The love and support I feel in Texas makes me feel great.

“My hands will always be an issue. We will find out how long they last me on Saturday. I hope they last me long enough to get rid of my opponent. If not, then I will have to suck it up.

“I haven’t looked at any footage of Estrada but my father tells me that he is a straight forward kind of guy. He will get punched a lot and I have to be prepared for that. I am trained in a certain way that will give me the opportunity to exploit his weaknesses. I will focus a lot on the body like I always do.

“Fans can expect a great fight. They will get entertained and get their money’s worth and I will put on an excellent show for them.”

DANIEL ESTRADA, Leading Lightweight Contender
“It doesn’t bother me that I’m sort of the forgotten fighter on this card, but I came here to win my U.S. debut and in my mind I know I will win Saturday and then maybe more fans and media in America will recognize me more.
“I’ve watched a couple of Panterita’s fights and he’s a good, tough champion. That’s why I prepared so hard in Mexico for this. So I definitely respect him as a champion, but he’s not going to win.
“I’ve waited a year-and-a-half for this opportunity, and that gives me extra motivation. This is my chance and I know it. I train all the time and I’ve learned from one of the best fighters, Juan Manuel Marquez, who is my advisor and who will be in my corner Saturday.
“I don’t like to talk, but I am very confident. My camp went well. My conditioning is perfect. I’m hungry for that world title and can’t wait to face Panterita on Saturday night.”
DEONTAY WILDER, Undefeated WBC Continental Americas Champion

“I come prepared to show up and show out for any fight. It doesn’t matter what venue we are in; we can be in the smallest venue in the world and I will come prepared to put on a great show for my fans. I will still perform to the best of my ability.

“I don’t think fighting outside will have any impact on this fight. Coming from Alabama, the weather gets real hot and humid so this is nothing to me. During camp the heat was rising from inside of my boots so it kept me dancing.

“I always want to fight the biggest and best fight. But it has to be the right time and the right money. If people understand that boxing is a business before anything else, then they will understand all the other aspects of boxing. Most people don’t know anything about the business side and make judgments.

“Once I have that belt a lot of questions will be answered. I have had to humble myself and convince myself that my time is coming for that championship. I am ready and excited to prove to everybody, my fans and haters that I will eventually be the champion.

“In facing my opponent, all I would like to say is that we are in the heavyweight division so one punch could end the fight. I am not looking past him, I am only looking through him. My prize is to fight for the world title and in order to be able to do that I must get through my opponent on Saturday.

“My management didn’t want me to take this fight, I was the one who wanted to take it. This fight is giving me the opportunity to fight for a world title for my next fight. I know that I must stay active and I know that my opponent is a tough guy who will come and try to win. You can’t go off of his record, you just never know how he will come out on this night. I don’t want him to feel comfortable. I want to get in and get out.

“I know that I have a big bull’s eye on my back and that if I beat my opponent then I will be in the running for the world title come November.”

JORGE LINARES, Former WBC Featherweight & WBA Super Featherweight World Champion

“I’m the No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger to fight the winner of Figueroa and Estrada. It would be an honor to fight either of them but I am taking nothing for granted and am not taking my opponent lightly.

“I made the mistake once before. They all said I was going to have an easy fight against Sergio Thompson and I lost. That was a crazy fight in Mexico. I got head-butted in the second round, took a knee, and the doctor came in and stopped the fight and I got a loss even though I felt I could continue and the fight didn’t go four rounds. So I learned the hard way that on any given night even the worst fighter can beat you.

“I’ve prepared very hard for this and I’m looking forward to taking care of business on Saturday.”

JASON QUIGLEY, Unbeaten Super Middleweight Prospect
“I’m really looking forward to my second fight since my first went so fast (82-second knockout). I just fought in mid-July so it’s great to be brought back so soon.
“Getting the pro debut out of the way is somewhat of a relief, but I know I have a lot of work to do. Getting the experience is so important, which is why I train all over Los Angeles. I go to different gyms all the time, looking to spar, work and learn.
“I just know my opponent is also 1-0, not much else. I am grateful for the opportunity to fight on Saturday and looking forward to putting on a good show.”
# # #

Porter vs. Brook is a 12-round fight for Porter’s IBF Welterweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, the WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio Bika defends his belt in a rematch against Anthony Dirrell, and in the televised opener, Omar Figueroa defends his WBC Lightweight World Championship against Daniel Estrada. The event will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (SHOWTIME 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

CARSON, Calif. (Aug. 11, 20141) – With less than a week away to fight night, Shawn Porter, Kell Brook and undercard fighters talk about their training camp experiences and expectations surrounding their big fights this Saturday, Aug. 16 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. live on SHOWTIME®.

In the main event, undefeated IBF Welterweight World Champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter will defend his title against fellow unbeaten British sensation Kell Brook in a 12-round bout. In the co-feature, Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika seeks to retain his WBC Super Middleweight Championship when he faces Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell in a highly anticipated 12-round rematch of their Dec. 2013 split draw. In the opening fight of the telecast, Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. will put his WBC Lightweight World Title on the line when he faces mandatory challenger WBC Silver Lightweight Champion Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada in a 12-round bout.

Fight week has arrived, and as the Aug. 16 fighters wrap up camp, they answer a series of training camp related questions that offer some insight into their final preparations for this Saturday’s bouts.

Q: You’re essentially done with training camp at this point, how did everything go?

A: Shawn Porter (training in Las Vegas) – “Yep, it’s all over as of last week. We just finished, and my dad was very happy with how everything went. We did 15 rounds of sparring to close things out.”

Kell Brook (finalizing his training in Las Vegas)- “We got some great work done. We’re winding everything down, and I’m feeling fresh for fight night.”

Sakio Bika (training in St. Louis) – “Everything has gone smoothly. My team and I have been working very hard and they have been very supportive. The weather has been great, and I haven’t had any injuries. So everything has gone well.”

Anthony Dirrell (training in Detroit) – “It’s going well. It’s just hard work. We’ve been working to make it harder than last camp so that I can keep getting better.”

Omar Figueroa Jr. (training in Weslaco, Texas) – “Everything is going well. This is one of the best camps we’ve had. We’re excited for a great fight.”

Daniel Estrada (training in Mexico City, Mexico) – “I have been working very hard for the past five weeks. I’ve been running around 4:00 a.m. in the high altitude of Mexico along with my team that includes Juan Manuel Marquez, Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Beristain and Raul de Anda, and to know I am receiving the advice of one of the greats in the sport [Marquez] gives me the peace of mind that I am doing the right thing for this upcoming fight.”

Deontay Wilder (training in Tuscaloosa, Ala.) – “Everything has been going as planned. This has probably been one of the shortest training camps I’ve had. That thrills me though. A lot of fighters claim to be athletes, but on the night of the fight I’ll show exactly how athletic and ready I am. I’ve been missing the ring and I’m ready to get back.”

Jorge Linares (training in Las Vegas) – “I’m very happy not only because I have a fight coming up, but also because I’m at home once again. I’ve been training with Ismael Salas for two years now and I feel like I’m at home here, so everything is going great.”

Q: We’re less than a week from fight night. How are you feeling physically?

A: Shawn Porter – “I’m in the best shape of my life, but I always try to stay prepared.”

Kell Brook – “Mentally strong, and physically ready.”

Sakio Bika – “I’m feeling very good, I’m ready to defend my belt. Everything has been great in St. Louis.”

Anthony Dirrell – “Great, if I’m not ready by now then I’m not ready. I feel ready to go.”

Omar Figueroa Jr. – “I honestly feel like I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I only took a week and a half off after my last fight. So I’ve been super active ever since I started training for my last fight.”

Deontay Wilder – “I’m good to go. I’m always in shape. I’m always in the gym. I treat boxing like my nine to five. Others may not take it seriously, but this is a sport where you can get hurt if you don’t protect yourself and take it seriously. So I’m always tuned up and ready to go for my fans.”

Jorge Linares – “[Fight night] It’s basically here, so I’m excited and feeling well. I’ll be on weight and ready to fight.”

Q: Has your game plan stayed consistent, or has it evolved since you started camp?

A: Shawn Porter – “It stayed consistent. We always train hard.”

Kell Brook – “It’s always been the same. We’ve been training 100 percent the whole way through.”

Sakio Bika – “Kevin (Cunningham) and I always do the same thing. He keeps me positive, focused and working very hard to get ready for Aug.16.”

Anthony Dirrell – “We’re working on some of the same strategies and some different ones, but they’re old things that I know will work on Aug. 16.”

Omar Figueroa Jr. – “We’ve changed a few things just because we want to try to encompass everything. We work on boxing, brawling, speed and movement. Hopefully it all comes together for me at the same time.”

Deontay Wilder – “This is boxing, and this is the heavyweight division. So you can’t take anyone lightly. I’m not treating this like a warm-up. My main focus is fighting for a title, but I’m not looking past my opponent on Aug. 16.”

Q: What have you been doing to pass the time when you are not in the gym?

A: Shawn Porter – “I’m normally at home relaxing, and I love going to the movies too. You can usually find me at one of the two.”

Kell Brook – “I rest and sometimes I like to have a walk down the strip. It’s nothing too strenuous though.”

Sakio Bika – “We go to the movies, or I’ll go to the mall and try to walk around and keep busy. This is not the craziest city, so there aren’t a lot of distractions. That makes this a great place to train.”

Anthony Dirrell – “I like to play games. We’ve got a gaming system, and we go to the movies. We don’t do anything too big though because the focus has to stay on the fight.”

Omar Figueroa Jr. – “I have my daughter with me almost every day. So I spend a lot of time with her. I also play video games.”

Deontay Wilder – “I love the water. So I swim a lot. I get massages. We go to the movies and I spend time with my kids. I’m traveling a little bit too. It’s tough to fit everything in, but I’m love being a father and I love being around my kids. However, even when I’m away from the gym my mind is focused on boxing. I’m always working on things and trying to figure out how to get the world title. I’m so ready to go for the title fight that I shouldn’t even need a training camp. I’ll have one, but I feel like I’m prepared right now.”

Q: In terms of diet, are you doing anything specific during this camp?

A: Shawn Porter – “Nope, we know what works and we know what got us here. We stick to that.”

Kell Brook – “Not really, I’ve just been sticking to it and staying in great health.”

Sakio Bika – “No, I’m not doing anything special really. I eat what I want to eat, but I eat clean. I never have to cut much weight.”

Anthony Dirrell – “No, I’m eating the same things as always. I don’t have a problem with weight. I’m careful with what I eat, but I can eat what I want.”

Omar Figueroa Jr. – “Yes, this camp has been totally different. It has to do with me maturing as an athlete. I’m closely following my diet plan. I’m eating every three hours, and I’m avoiding sodium and carbs. I’m surprising myself this time around. I got myself in line because this is for the good of my career.”

Deontay Wilder – “No, not really. As a heavyweight I can basically eat anything. But I have a high metabolism as well so that helped. I just try to make sure to eat the right things.”

Jorge Linares – “I’m right on weight. I feel good and even though this fight is not at my regular weight of 135 pounds, I feel very good. Whoever can’t make weight with the extreme heat here in Las Vegas, has serious issues. Thankfully, I feel very good.”

Q: What is the one thing you can’t eat during training that you miss most?

A: Shawn Porter – “I stay away from most things actually. My diet is typically just clean, organic food with lots of vegetables.”

Kell Brook – “There’s no one thing really, I just try to eat healthy all around.”

Sakio Bika – “It’s not about food for me. The one thing I don’t have in training camp is my family and my friends. Here in training camp I don’t have anyone, and I miss the people that are closest to me. I miss having breakfast and dinner with my family. But I know this is business. I’m here to train. I know in a couple of weeks and I can see those important people again, and they understand what I’m doing here.”

Anthony Dirrell – “No sweets!”

Omar Figueroa Jr. – “I feel like I’m a pregnant lady with some of the cravings I’ve been having. Lately I’ve been wanting gummy bears, and pork rinds – stuff that I don’t even eat normally.”

Deontay Wilder – “I’m staying away from the fried foods.”

Q: What is your biggest motivation while training?

A: Shawn Porter – “It’s all about the prize. I know what’s to come and where I’m headed. The outcome is what motivates me to put on a great performance for the fans on fight night.”

Kell Brook – “I like to prove people wrong and challenging myself. My family helps a lot too.”

Sakio Bika – “It’s about family first because I have to come here and work hard to provide for them. I love what I’m doing, and I love boxing. At the end of the day it’s about coming here so that I can put food on the table. That’s why I wake up early in the morning.”

Anthony Dirrell – “My two-year-old son motivates me to make a better life for him and my family.”

Omar Figueroa Jr. – “My family is most important, and the kind of lifestyle that I’m able to offer my whole family means a lot to me. I want to look out for my parents and my brothers too. I want to be able to give them the lifestyle that they’ve always wanted. I’m prioritizing things like my daughter’s college fund too.”

Daniel Estrada – “I have been waiting for this opportunity for almost a year. I’ve been the mandatory challenger for a while, but for some reason I couldn’t get the fight for the title. Now the opportunity is here and I am very positive I will become a World Champion on August 16.”

Deontay Wilder – “My motivations is fighting for a world title. I need to go into the ring and take care of my opponent on Aug. 16. I have to fight to win and succeed in order to provide for my family.”

Q: What is your typical training day like during this camp?

A: Shawn Porter – “My day starts with a 7 a.m. training session on the track that takes about an hour. Then I rest before heading to the gym to box from around 1- 4 p.m. Then I relax for a bit before heading for a massage and maybe an ice bath. I also like to work in some basketball on certain days.”

Kell Brook – “It all depends really. I start with a run in the morning. Then we do strength and condition. I spar in the afternoon, and then we do some technique work.”

Sakio Bika – “It’s six days a week. I wake up at 6 a.m. and run. Then I eat breakfast. After that I go to gym, and at noon I work with Kevin and spar. We finish up around 4p.m. and then I rest. Later I eat dinner and go to bed early.”

Anthony Dirrell – “I wake up at 6:30 a.m. We train hard in the morning, and then I rest for a bit. Then we go to gym to box and spar. Later in the evening we do strength and conditioning training before bed.”

Omar Figueroa Jr. – “Right now I’m back to two times a day, but at the beginning of camp, I trained three times a day. I wake up and go to the gym around 11 a.m. I have insomnia so I go to the gym a little later. I start with strength and conditioning. Then we do boxing around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. We finish up with a night run around 11 p.m.”

Deontay Wilder – “We hit the bags for a couple of rounds and listen to some old school funk why we get warmed up. Then, I hit the heavy bags for a couple of rounds and we do uppercut work. Every day is different though. Sometimes we switch things up and will keep things as exciting as possible. The same thing every day gets boring, so we like to change it up and keep it fun.”

While each fighter has similar tendencies training, each pugilist has their own story. Please see additional questions below.

SHAWN PORTER

Q:Has Vegas become your favorite place to train?

A: “I love to mix it up and go to different cities sometimes to train, but top to bottom I’d say Vegas is the best.”

Q: What makes Vegas so appealing as a backdrop for training?

A: “This being home now makes everything that much easier. Nothing’s complicated and I’m able to keep it easy.”

Q: You’re obviously coming off of a smashing KO win against Paulie Malignaggi this past April. Can you describe how the aftermath of that fight impacted your approach to this camp?

A: “More than anything, it made me realize that I need to put on another spectacular performance this time around so that I can get what’s coming.”

Q: Kell Brook is going to be the first Brit you’ve faced professionally. Do you expect anything different from him stylistically, and are you preparing differently for him?

A: “No, nothing specific. There’s nothing too complicated or unorthodox about his style. So I didn’t need to bring in any kind of specialist to spar, or plan for anything too different.”

KELL BROOK

Q: You’ve talked about your familiarity with fighting in the U.S. once previously in Atlantic City, and you mentioned how fighting outside of England might actually lessen your stress level heading into the biggest fight of your career. Would you elaborate a bit on that and why you’ll be so comfortable fighting for a title in Carson, Calif.?

A: “I’m confident because I’ve been here before and I’m very well prepared. I have my family with me too. When I box at home in front of eight or nine thousand people who know me there’s a little more pressure. When I come over here it can be easier to focus on the fight.”

Q: You made the trip to the U.S. for this fight on July 30. How was the travel, and do you think that finishing up the last two weeks of your training in the U.S. prepared you as well as your training regimen back home?

A: “Yep, I travel well, and I’m in good company. They keep me smiling.
“I’m ready now though. We’ve just been putting in work and now it’s all about enjoying this and being ready.”

Q: This will be your third professional bout against an American fighter, but both of your previous two were against Carson Jones. From your experience in those two fights, and from watching video of other U.S. fighters, do you notice anything different stylistically about U.S. fighters, and does that change your preparation in training camp at all?

A: “I believe I can adapt to any style. I’ve been sparring with some American fighters. They do have some unique things about their style. But the best fighters know how to adapt, and that’s what I’ll do.”

SAKIO BIKA

Q: Are you preparing differently for Dirrell this time around?

A: “I’m not going to change too much. I’m coming out to fight. I don’t want to run around and chase him. I’m going to show Anthony that I’m ready to do exactly what I’ve always done: to make people happy to see me fight. If he wants to take my belt off of me he better come prepared.”

Q: Is there one specific element of Dirrell’s repertoire that you’re working especially hard in camp to combat better when you meet this Saturday?

A: “The main thing I have to do is keep working hard every day and getting my rest when I can. I’ll be ready for Anthony. I always come to fight. I’m sure that I’m doing everything the way that I’m supposed to. And I’m training hard with my team so that I can defend and retain my belt.”

Q: How, if at all, do you think fighting him at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. will differ from the fight you had at Barclays Center?

A: “Not at all because I’ve fought before in an open arena, and I’ve fought in California before too. Anywhere they put a ring, in a shopping mall, a movie theater, I can fight anywhere.”

ANTHONY DIRRELL

Q: Are you preparing differently for Bika this time around?

A: “It’s basically the same, just tweaking a few things here and there really.”

Q: Is there one specific element of Bika’s repertoire that you’re working especially hard in camp to combat better when you meet on Aug. 16?

A: “Not really, he’s going to be the same fighter. I’ll stick to my game plan and fight my fight, and he’ll do the same.”

Q: How, if at all, do you think fighting him at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. will differ from the fight you had at Barclays Center?

A: “It makes no real difference. A ring is a ring. It’s going to be one on one no matter what.”

OMAR FIGUEROA JR.

Q: You decided to make some changes to your training regimen coming into this camp. You’re now training with your father instead of Joel Diaz, and you’ve moved your training back home to Weslaco, Texas. Can you talk about why you decided to change things up?

A: “It’s just because of my daughter. I see her every day now. It was very hard for me to leave and not be able to see her. That’s a big part of why I had to get my act in line.”

Q: After you had your April fight at StubHub Center, did you learn anything from that experience that may have altered your training now that you’ll be returning there?

A: “Definitely, the April fight wasn’t a hard fight. It wasn’t as physical as I’m used to fighting. The biggest thing was keeping my weight where it needs to be heading into this fight.”

DANIEL ESTRADA

Q: Are you excited for your first opportunity to fight professionally in the U.S.?

A: “I am planning to take advantage of all the things I did in the gym. All the sacrifices will be paid back with a positive outcome on Saturday. I know I did the right things in training, and we have the right strategy at the gym, so there will be no excuses whatsoever.”

DEONTAY WILDER

Q: Your dominance in the ring has been well documented. With none of your professional opponents making it past the fourth round, do you ever feel like it’s a struggle for you to stay disciplined and train?

A: “Discipline is a mental thing, and I’m mentally strong. All of the hard work is in the gym and with the sparring. When it’s time to actually fight that’s the easy part, and it’s more fun actually. But it’s not hard for me to stay disciplined at all. I’ve changed lots of things regarding my style. I’m more patient now. I’m definitely a thinker now and that maturity helps me. People will find out that I’m a different kind of guy. They’ll see when I become the heavyweight champ just how disciplined I am.”

Q: How do you handle training for an opponent yet to be named, and how does that uncertainty impact your training?

A: “Camp has been the same as always. We’re not looking past August 16, but we know to prepare for Stiverne. That’s how confident I am in my ability and skills. I’m not worried about people picking the ‘right guy’ for me. I would be the laughing stock of the world if I had the title fight lined up and lost this fight on August 16. So I just have to get the job done next week and we’ll go from there.”

JORGE LINARES

Q: Do you believe that you have a distinct advantage going into your fight thist week?

A: “I always think positively, you have to jump in the ring thinking like a winner. I trust my training, my trainer and my corner. We don’t have any negativity at all. We feel good and prepared.”

Q: Are you feeling the pressure of needing to secure a win h in order to get a shot at a world title?

A: “It’s obligatory; I have to win on Saturday, without a doubt. There’s no thinking about losing, I have to get a good win this week and then we’ll look for that world title. Winning that world title is the only thing present on my mind.”

# # #

Porter vs. Brook is a 12-round fight for the IBF Welterweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the 12-round co-main event, the WBC Super Middleweight Champion Sakio Bika defends his belt in a rematch against Anthony Dirrell, and in the televised opener, Omar Figueroa defends his WBC Lightweight Title against Daniel Estrada. The event will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges and will be available online atAXS.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.

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 6, 2014) – Unbeaten IBF Welterweight World Champion “ShowTime” Shawn Porter and undefeated contender Kell Brook held an open media workout at Barry’s Gym in Las Vegas on Wednesday as they reach the apex of preparation for next Saturday’s world championship showdown.

Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs), of Akron, Ohio, will defend his 147-pound crown against Britain’s Brook (32-0, 22 KOs) in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader Saturday, Aug. 16, live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from the storied StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., home to some of the most memorable, non-stop action, exciting fights in recent boxing memory.

Joining Porter and Brook on Wednesday were former two-division world champion Jorge “Niño De Oro” Linares, Porter’s father and trainer, Kenneth Porter and Dominic Ingle, who trains Brook.

Linares (36-3, 23 KOs), of Barinas, Venezuela, will face Ira Terry (26-11, 16 KOs), of Memphis, Tenn., in the opening bout of the Aug. 16 SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast, live at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Here’s what the participants and their trainers had to say during Wednesday’s workout:

SHAWN PORTER, IBF Welterweight World Champion

“I stay hungry because I know the feeling. I know what it takes to get to this position; I know the struggle along the way. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment.

“I’m not concerned about Kell Brook. Earlier today, people were asking me about his power, and I don’t have much to say about that other than that I haven’t seen anything on film that makes him different from anybody else.

“I believe that Brook will feel the added pressure in this being his first title fight. I handled it great. I welcomed it and loved it going into my first title fight. I’m not sure if he has the same personality to handle the extra pressure. I do know there will be a big crowd out there and I can’t wait. The West Coast is hot and the crowd gets loud. I’m ready.

“This fight will be pure entertainment for the crowd, and I love to entertain the crowd and my fans. I have played this fight in my head thousands of different times from going the distance to me knocking him out with one punch.

“I don’t know if he is the toughest opponent I’ve faced yet. His record (32-0) would say that he is, but if you take a look at the caliber of fighters that I’ve fought before him, I think the other guys are more challenging fighters, especially Devon Alexander, who has an awkward and complicated style. Not to call Kell Brook plain, but he has a more up-and-down style that will be easier to deal with.

“I’ve watched about six different fights on Brook, all the way back to as early as I could.

“There is no added pressure for me to win. The easy part is to make the adjustments and doing what I do. There is no added pressure. The fights in the past are in the past. For me it’s on to bigger and better things so this fight has to be bigger and better. We had an excellent training camp and I am in the best shape of my life. With that being said, I believe this fight will be more spectacular.”

KELL BROOK, Undefeated Welterweight Contender

“It’s been a long time coming for me, fighting for this world title, with all the postponements before. But this is the start for me, fighting at the elite level in America. People always have an opinion; I just want to compete with the best fighters in the world. I’m a fighter. I was born to compete.

“I think about fighting in somebody else’s backyard. It goes through my mind, of course. Many things go through my mind. But it’s boxing and there’s nothing I can do. It’s the way the situation is. I’ve traveled a long way to challenge for the world title, but I’m prepared for everything and anything.

“Me beating Porter and winning a world title opens up all of the doors and opportunities. I think a fight with Amir Khan would be a huge. Everybody would grab on to that fight.

“I’m excited. The future’s bright. But it’s all about performing next Saturday. I always rise to the occasion. The bigger the fight, the better the opponent, and the better I am. I think you’ll see the best of me –ever.

“I don’t think anybody at this level has massive weaknesses. Porter is a good fighter. He’s aggressive, he’s done what he’s done in the last couple fights and proven that he belongs where he’s at being world champion.

“The fact is, it’s going to be a very, very tough fight. I’m always trying to improve myself. You never stop learning. I’m still proving myself. I’m not studying him, as much as I’m studying me, that the best Kell Brook can beat Shawn Porter.

“Fans can expect fireworks from me next Saturday night. It’s a candidate for Fight of the Year. I believe you have two young, unbeaten fighters with punching ability power going at it. It’s been a long time coming. I’ve always wanted to be a champion and it’s now my time. My dream will come true. So believe you me, I’m going to leave it all in the ring that night.”

JORGE LINARES, Former WBC Featherweight & WBA Super Featherweight World Champion

“We’re only two weeks away, it’s basically here. So I’m excited and feeling great. I’m ready to fight. I’m right on weight. Even though this fight is not at my regular weight of 135 pounds, I feel very good.

“Whoever can’t make weight with the extreme heat here in Las Vegas, has a serious issue [laughs]. Thankfully, I feel very good.

“I don’t feel like I’m coming into the fight with any disadvantages. I always think positively, you have to jump in the ring with the thinking of a winner.

“I trust my training and my trainer and corner. We don’t have any negativity at all, we feel good and prepared.

“It’s obligatory; I have to win next week, without a doubt. There’s no thinking about losing, I have to get a good win next week and then look for that world title.

“Winning that world title is the only thing present on my mind. “

KENNETH PORTER, Shawn Porter’s Father and Trainer

“When you get to this level it’s necessary to have everything that he needs in one facility so that he doesn’t have to travel or worry about weather or be concerned that he has to go into a different city to train. We want to control all aspects of the environment where we train. There are certain types of bags that he likes that other people don’t. We want to make sure that he is completely comfortable.

“There are not many welterweights that stay within 12 pounds of their weight like Shawn does, and he has stayed at that weight year-round for two years now. He is very disciplined because this is his lifestyle. He doesn’t go on a diet, this is the way he lives. He doesn’t go to camp, this is the weight he is at year-round until he is done with boxing.

“[Julio] Diaz was a two-time world champion, Devon [Alexander] was a two-time world champion, Paulie [Malignaggi] was a two-time world champion in different weight classes. Brook doesn’t have the resume of those guys. Not that Shawn made it look easy against those guys, but he pretty much dominated those fights. This is another level stepping up for Brook and he has to climb up to us. Once he tries to get up to us, Shawn will kick him right back down, that’s just what he does.”

DOMINIC INGLE, Kell Brooks’ Trainer

“Coming to the U.S. doesn’t faze us. We’ve been in this situation before. Once you’re in that ring you could be anywhere in the world. It doesn’t matter where you are; when you’re in that ring you could be on the moon. Anything can happen.

“When Ricky Hatton boxed, he had some tough fights in America and won the title. And he put England back on the map in the welterweight division. And now Kell is here to do the same thing.

“No stone has been left unturned for this fight. Shawn Porter is a tough guy –he surprised a few people when he beat Devon Alexander –and we’re not taking him lightly. He’s a champion, we’re in the U.S. and we’re here to take the belt.

“I’ve known Kell since he was nine-years-old and the superstars like Naseem Hamed were rolling into the gym. That’s the motivation for Kell, that’s what Kell wants to do. He wants to be the next fighter from Sheffield and be a world champion like Naseem Hamed was. That’s a great motivation for Kell Brook and that’s what has gotten him through all the injuries. That’s what has kept him focused and that is what will make him win the fight on Aug. 16.

“It’s been a long camp for Kell, probably about twice as long as his usual camps. His usual camps are about eight to nine weeks and by the time he steps into the ring to fight Shawn Porter he will have been in training camp for 16 weeks.

“Kell trains hard, probably sometimes too hard for his own good and you’re going to pick up injuries. Sometimes these things happen in your career. Lots of fighters have injuries, but they usually happen well away from the fights and don’t interfere with the fights. Unfortunately for Kell, they happened coming into the fights and that has set him back a long, long time. He should have had this fight a year and a half ago. His time has finally come. He has his chance and that’s all he wants.

“Porter’s fight with Devon Alexander wasn’t a fantastic fight. There was a lot of hitting and holding and it wasn’t very clean. The referee let both fighters get away with a lot of dirty tactics that wouldn’t have been allowed in the UK. At the end of that fight neither fighter seemed convinced they won the fight – there was no celebration and Shawn Porter got the decision.

“It was a different fight altogether against [Paulie] Malignaggi. Shawn Porter closed him down very quickly and put his game plan on straight away. It was a good finish and he’s done very well his last two fights.”

# # #

Porter vs. Brook is a 12-round fight for Porter’s IBF Welterweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, the WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio Bika defends his belt in a rematch against Anthony Dirrell, and in the televised opener, Omar Figueroa defends his WBC Lightweight World Championship against Daniel Estrada. The event will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (SHOWTIME 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale now and are 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.

Kelly Swanson
Thanks, everybody, for calling in on this Monday. Today, we’re having our conference call with Shawn Porter and Kell Brook, who will be fighting against each other for Porter’s IBF Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, Aug.16.

At this time, we’re going to start with Kell, who’s calling in from the UK, and then Shawn Porter will be joining us afterwards. To make the introduction I’m going to turn it over to Oscar De La Hoya, president and founder of Golden Boy Promotions.

Oscar De La Hoya
Thank you very much, Kelly. Yes, we are excited, once again, to team up with SHOWTIME on presenting to you a terrific boxing card, which will be taking place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., on Aug. 16t promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. Thank you to the sponsors, Corona and AT&T. This televised event will be on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, and we are always thrilled and excited to showcase some terrific fights starting with the co-feature, Omar Figueroa versus Daniel Estrada, which will be a 12-rounder for the WBC Lightweight World Championship. For the co-main event we have Sakio Bika versus Anthony Dirrell, which will be a 12-round WBC Super Middleweight Championship fight.

The reason why we’re here today is the main event, which will be a terrific fight, showcasing two of the top welterweights in the world today: Shawn Porter versus Kell Brook. On the call we have Kell Brook with a record of 32-0 and 22 KOs out of Sheffield, England. He is currently ranked number five by The Ring magazine at welterweight. He also possesses tremendous punching power, and is a great knockout artist and boxer. He’s coming off a great win against tough, rugged, Mexican welterweight champion, Alvaro Robles that took place last March. Brook plans on making a tremendous fight against the hard-punching Shawn Porter on Aug. 16 at StubHub Center.

As you all know, StubHub Center is known for its terrific matchups, its competitive fights, action-packed fights and this is no exception. Let me introduce to you, and everyone give a warm welcome; it’s his first time fighting in the U.S., and going up against a terrific champion in Shawn Porter. I commend Kell Brook for coming all the way across the pond to fight Shawn Porter. Like I said, with a record of 32-0 and 22 KOs, let me introduce to you, Kell Brook.

Kell Brook
Yeah, it’s great to be part of a bigger, stronger team with you, Oscar. It’s going to be brilliant fighting for the welterweight world champion at my young age, and we’re not too far away now, after finishing some hard training with still more to come. I’m more than ready for this opportunity.

Q
Can you talk about just the general frustration, if that’s the right word, that you’ve had given what happened with injuries?

K. Brook
Yes, it’s been very, very frustrating for me. I’ve been in line for this title before, and injuries caused the delay. I’ve been on the back burner and trying to keep fighting in between. I’m onto a new chapter now, and here we are. I think Devon Alexander gave Shawn Porter a tough fight and then Shawn looked good in his defense against (Paulie) Malignaggi. He took care of him, which no one has done before. He’s proven that he’s a worthy champion. Here we are again. I think I’m more than ready. I’ve been training very hard for this fight, and as the records show, I’m 32-0. That’s what I like to do, is win, and I’m coming over there and giving it my all.

Q
Do you think the fact that you’ve traveled for a fight will put you a little bit more at ease being outside of England for this biggest fight of your career?

K. Brook
Most definitely. I’ve boxed out there before so it won’t be the first time me doing that. I’ll keep that in my mind now, I’ve done that and it won’t be bothering me at all. I know that this is the biggest opportunity in my life, but I’m prepared for it, and it’s just me and Shawn Porter and I’m ready.

Q
How far in advance of the fight will you arrive in America?

K. Brook
Well, I’m coming over Wednesday (today), so I think it’s like two and a half weeks before the fight.

Q
Oscar, why are youe going to StubHub Center for this event?

O. De La Hoya
StubHub Center was a perfect fit for this type of card. As you know, StubHub Center now has the reputation of staging some of the best fights in recent years. We saw (Robert) Guerrero and (Yoshihiro) Kamegai, which was a tremendous fight. When putting this event together, StubHub Center was the first choice. The fact that you have no local fighters does not matter.

I feel the fans in Los Angeles that will be attending are just accustomed to watching some great fights no matter where they’re from, and the fact that the fighters will be performing at the StubHub Center, there’s a bit of added pressure for every single fighter because you must perform. It reminds me kind of like the Thunderdome movie with Mel Gibson; I mean, you have to fight there. The atmosphere is great, the fans are expecting great fights and I believe this is what Kell Brook and Shawn Porter and every fighter on the card will give us — a tremendous fight.

Q
Can you talk about that performance you had against Senchenko, and what it did for your confidence level?

K. Brook
I think it was a right fit, and I think it was a right fight. I think overall getting (Vyasceslav) Senchenko out of there in four rounds, I think it was appealing to the fans and for my career, and I think it was a good performance overall.

Q
When you were sitting on the outside looking at Alexander and he had that fight with Shawn Porter, how surprised were you that he lost the title to Porter?

K. Brook
I wasn’t shocked because anything can happen in boxing. I think there’s a blueprint over that with Devon against as many fighters who just smother him, because he likes to keep that distance and be on the back foot. So, you know, when watching it, I wasn’t really too shocked.

Q
Some people were quite surprised by Porter’s next fight when he fought Paulie Malignaggi and he took him out so easily. What were your thoughts on that particular fight?

K. Brook
Yes, I remember watching that fight. I didn’t expect that and I was definitely shocked after knowing that Malignaggi had been in with Cotto and some other big names, and other big fighters. I was slightly surprised knowing that Shawn Porter knocked Malignaggi out so quickly. It was a little bit of a shock to me.

Q
I’m sure you are aware how big it would be if you were able to get this title belt, and then an allUK fight between yourself and Amir Kahn. Do you have that just a little bit in the back of your mind?

K. Brook
Of course, it’s a business and it is in my mind. I know that this is the key to Fort Knox. It’s a business; it’s a match of money fights out there, not Mr. Amir Kahn, but international fights. I think people in America and around the world now will take note after beating Shawn Porter.

Q
When American fight fans get to see you in this fight against Shawn Porter, what do you think they’ll be surprised about most?

K. Brook
I don’t think they’ll be surprised, I think that it is what it is. They’re going to see what Kell Brook can really do, and, in fact, everyone around the world is going to see why they do call me “The Special One” and you’re going to see me at my best.

Q
What do you think Shawn meant when he talked about you being a very technical fighter, and how much is he on point?

K. Brook
I think he knows that he’s up against someone who’s 32-0, who’s passionate about actually becoming world champion and he’s probably seen the cat-like reaction. I’m a big welterweight and strong and determined. I think that he can maybe see it in my eyes that I’m not coming to lay down, I’m coming to lay it on the line. I’m a lion and I’m coming to take that title. I think he knows that it’s going to be like that.

Q
Do you have any doubts that you could win a decision in America? Do you have any reason for concern as far as the judges?

K. Brook
Yes, of course, it goes through your mind, but I think the entire world is going to be watching. It’s a hard division, and to win I have to be winning clearly, so all the world’s going to see it. Obviously, they’re going to remind me, I think, in my own country but I think, in this fight, it’s going to be so clear who the winner is there’s not going to be no doubt.

Q
You were implying that he feels more pressure because you’re not from this country, or for a number of reasons. Why did you say that? What is your rationale for saying that?

K. Brook
I just believe that maybe not in this fight, it’s high risk, world to world, it’s sad that if they could pick they definitely wouldn’t pick Kell Brook. I’m 32-0 and a star from England who has come to fight, so I think chucking and changing the dates, all the little things, it would just leave that time there. But it is what it is; I’m the man ready for that title, so there’s nowhere to go now.

Q
How would you handle Porter’s pressure and speed?

K. Brook
Amateurs and professional are completely different. Shawn had many fights and, myself, I’ve had far less amateur fights. I think the amateurs and professional are completely different, as you know. We’ve been having the sparring, watching Porter. We know it’s going to be a tough fight, we know that he’s seasoned and a professional. We know it’s going to be tough, but that’s what we prepare for, so that’s what it is.

Q
Have you ever fought anyone like Porter?

K. Brook
I think I’ve fought every kind of talent. I think that I’ve been boxing 20 years now, and I’ve been in there with every style there is. His style is not going to surprise me. I’ve dealt with that style, and boxing, to me, just comes natural, so there you go with that.

Q
Do you think the quality of your opponents is better than Porter’s opponents?

K. Brook
This one is arguable and the fact is, I’m at 32-0 out of 32 fights, and I’m ranked at that for a reason. I think that I can’t really compare opponents with his opponents, but the fact is I’m here and that’s where we are.

Q
After this fight, if you should win, who would be the next one that you would like in the 147- pound list?

K. Brook
I don’t know, and I think that if it came down to it, the team would decide what my next move will be. I just know that winning this fight puts me in line with all the elite fighters in the world of welterweights. I know I’ll be fighting a big name.

O. De La Hoya
Thank you very much, Kell Brook, and we’re looking forward to your arrival. Now on the call, from Akron, Ohio; he’s one of the United States’ best amateur boxers of this era; he’s now considered as an orthodox offensive machine coming off an impressive victory over Julio Diaz. He’s fought against the likes of Phil Lo Greco, Alfonso Gomez. Fighting at 147 pounds, he’s someone to be reckoned with; last December scoring 12-round unanimous decision over Devon Alexander to win the IBF title, and coming off a spectacular fight against Paulie Malignaggi, who he stopped in the fourth round.

Let me introduce to you, with a record of 24-0 and 15 knockouts out of Akron, Ohio facing Kell Brook, another undefeated fighter, Shawn Porter.

Shawn Porter
Thanks for that wonderful introduction. Things have been going great in camp. We just finished our first session here on the track, and just jumped in the car to do this interview. I’m excited about the fight Aug. 16. StubHub, I’m finally performing there so I’m excited about that. I’ve been to the venue a half a dozen times or so, and I love it, and so I can’t wait to get out there in person and give you guys a great show.

O. De La Hoya
Thank you very much, Shawn, and welcome to the Thunderdome. Now, for the media, we open it up for questions.

Q
You talked about his technical skills; obviously he’s a big guy and a strong guy, similar to you. Characterize what challenge Brook poses in as many ways possible.

S. Porter
Well, when I first turned pro they told me we were going to take it slow and build ourselves up and learn the fight game before we jumped into a big fight; the IBF championship fight that I had. I understood that the whole way; it was a growth process, was a building process, I was stepping up each fight. Anyone out there that’s saying this is the new Shawn Porter; no, this is not the new Shawn Porter, this is someone who has worked hard, someone who has developed and built himself up.

Now I’m here, I’m the IBF Welterweight Champion of the World and we now have another opponent in front of us, someone who’s very skilled, very basically and fundamentally sound. Just looking at film of the guy, he keeps his hands up, he throws a good, straight jab and good a one-two. That’s the basics of boxing, that’s the fundamentals of boxing. Things that I work on everyday and he’s very good at them. Not everybody else I’ve faced up to this point has been as good at them as he has.

With that being said, we’re going to go out there, we’re going to do everything the way we always do it. We’re going to box, use our speed, our power, our quickness, everything that we have, and keep in mind that he is a good fighter and we won’t be rushing in, we won’t be getting out of control.

Q
Is there any more pressure now given that you’ve been projected as the next star for the next few years over the next one, maybe two weight classes?

S. Porter
No, there’s no added pressure at all. This is what I love to do, and I’m having fun with it right now. We work extremely hard, and you know my dad, you know my trainer, my manager, Kenny Porter; nobody sets the bar higher than him. I’m working extremely hard every day, and the pressure is put on me all in the gym and on the track and in the swimming pool and in camp. Once I get to the fight all the pressures, I’ve already felt them all. There’s no pressure to deal with in the fight, just going out there and doing everything the Porter way and getting the job done, as we have.

Q
Oscar, can you assess Shawn’s growth, what you saw in him, say against Paulie Malignaggi maybe that surprised you, and then what maybe you see as a challenge in Kell Brook similar to what, I guess, Shawn sees.

O. De La Hoya
Well, I’ll tell you what didn’t surprise me is, the way he knows how to adapt. Shawn Porter is a fighter who, if he has to stay on the outside and throw calculated combinations, he can. One thing about Shawn, he’s always very exciting; that’s a given, so StubHub Center fits him perfectly. But, depending on who he has in front of him, he either walks right through you and demolishes you the way he did against Paulie Malignaggi, or he takes calculated risks; that’s who Shawn is. He’s a smart offensive fighter, and that head combination is very dangerous. This is not the new Shawn Porter; this is the Shawn Porter who’s just getting started.

Q
Do you feel like you’re just basically entering the prime of your career physically?

S. Porter
Honestly, I would say yes. I don’t really know what age you’re considered in your prime or anything like that, I don’t follow statistics. Nothing about me is statistical. I’ve defeated every one that’s ever been put against me, so I don’t know in terms of me if being 26 has anything to do with it.

Yes, I feel that all the experience that I had in the amateurs has been great for me, and has made me where I am as a pro and all the experience that I’ve had now as a pro has got me to the point that I’m at right now where I just feel very comfortable. I feel very excited about my matches, I’m excited to do camp and I’m excited about life. I think, right now, yes, I am in my prime.

Q
What is your motivation for fighting? Some guys it’s strictly glory, money is secondary; other guys they want to make a ton of money; other guys want to be in the Hall of Fame. What’s your specific motivation?

S. Porter
My specific motivation, I would say, is, there’s a level of excitement that I get from boxing, that I get from being in the ring and entertaining those crowds. I have those matches that just fill me up, man; it really does, it fills me up. I guess, along with that would be, yes, just a great career and the glory and all of that that comes with it. I think maybe my biggest motivation is probably my dad and my family. He pushes me, and we train year-round. We’re calling it camp right now because six weeks out from a fight it’s what you do; you call it a camp, but we live this, I train hard all day every day. I hardly take any time off, a few days after a fight and I’m right back at it because, again, this is what I love to do and you have to be prepared at all times.

Q
Do you think that at the level of fights that you’re in now that at some point, just for your own long-term career, that you do need to take a little bit of time off and give your body a decent rest?

S. Porter
We train hard year-round so we can afford to take those breaks during camp. Your body needs to rejuvenate, recover; we take those breaks. The other day I didn’t even hit the gym, I went and got a pedicure, I went and did some swimming and I relaxed my body. That’s what you have to do. When you train hard and you stay prepared you can afford to take those days off where it doesn’t get monotonous training and working hard doesn’t become boring or something you don’t want to do.

We’ve formed this thing, and I love calling it the Porter way because we do it in such a way that no one else can do it. We allow ourselves to take breaks during camp and just enjoy life and rest and recover and stay focused on the program without having to burn our body out or anything like that. Again, I’m enjoying life right now, I’m loving every bit of it, and I will be prepared Aug.16.

Q
Do you view, in any way, even in the back of your mind, that if you put on an explosive, impressive performance against Kell Brook; keep your title andstay unbeaten that, in fact, you become a serious candidate to get a fight with Mayweather?

S. Porter
Of course you do, you look forward to those opportunities. I don’t consider my fights as auditions, I consider them performances. I go out there and I give it my all, I don’t go out there and give it my all with expectations of getting something bigger and better, but with the expectations of making that fight the biggest and best fight that I’ve had, and then going from there. Again, you know this is boxing, we don’t look ahead of ourselves, but at the same time, yes, Mayweather, we all know he’s on the clock and we’re all right there standing there hoping that we’re next in line.

Q
You guys are both undefeated. Someone’s 0 must go. Does that put more pressure on the fight?

S. Porter
No pressure at all. You look at my record, I’m undefeated against undefeated fighters, so I’m going to keep that going. I do look forward to staying undefeated, and carrying my belt out of that ring Aug.16.

Q
You’re only blemish in your career is a draw to Julio Diaz. Just curious what you felt after that draw, and did you change anything at all to come back and have this explosion that you’ve had since then?

S. Porter
Yes. I think after the draw, obviously, I didn’t perform the way I liked to, the way I wanted to and that just motivated me to work even harder, and right all my wrongs that I did in that fight. Not that I put that fight behind me, but it’s not something that I look at all day every day or anything like that. Yes, I understood that I didn’t perform the way I should have, and I didn’t make the fight the Shawn Porter fight that it should’ve been. Since then I’ve focused on working harder in the gym, and just coming out being exciting in the fight.

Q
Do you feel when you get in there that you’re bigger and stronger than these guys and that you can physically bully them the way that you did Paulie Malignaggi?

S. Porter
Well, I’ve always believed that. Every fight we come in with our game plan, we work on it in the gym. We have a strategy that’s fight specific and we have to go to that. Every fight isn’t going to be Shawn Porter coming in and knocking you out. Some fights I’m going to have to box, I’m going to have to use my feet and my hand speed. Other fights I can walk in, be a little more dangerous, and throw some really hard shots and walk guys down; it all depends. With this fight, I’m not going to say too much over the air, but we do understand that we have to come in there locked and loaded and ready to fight.

Q
When you look at your opponent, Kell Brook, what do you see in him? What do you see as his strengths in the ring?

S. Porter
He’s good. He keeps his hands up, he’s very technically sound, he’s got a good one-two, he’s fast and he’s strong so this is going to be a good fight for me.

Q
How do you see that fight plan out? Do you see it going the distance?

S. Porter
I don’t make predictions, but I will say that Shawn Porter will be undefeated after Aug.16.

Q
How is Kell Brook any different than any other fighter that you’ve fought?

S. Porter
Well, I’ve pretty much fought the who’s who of young fighters out there. With that being said, it’s just another step up. He’s the guy that is mandatory for the IBF title, and the guy that we were told we had to fight. We go in there with a great game plan and we’ll execute it and fight him and move on from there.

Q
Also, you have pressure versus speed; what do you have to say about that, and pressure versus technical?

S. Porter
Yes. I can do it all so I’ll pressure a little bit, I’ll fight him on the outside, whatever I have to do.

Q
With all the opponents that you fought versus Kell’s, who do you think fought the better opponents; the most quality opponents?

S. Porter
Well, my dad, he keeps me going, he keeps me on my toes, keeps me moving and he’s always got me stepping up. With that being said, from boxing the who’s who in amateurs, the boxing tough competitors here in the pros to sparring Manny Pacquiao, I think everything that I’ve done speaks for itself. I’ve been in the ring with great champions and the better opposition so I do think that they give me the upper hand in the fight Aug.16.

Q
Talk to boxing fans, what they say is; they want Porter vs. Keith Thurman so I guess I’m going ask, will you fight “One Time” if you beat Kell Brook? Do you want to fight him?

S. Porter
I’ll fight “One Time” two times. I don’t look past what’s in front of me. Again, we’ve seen it all over the internet, all over the media wavelengths; everybody wants that fight. I think it’d be an exciting fight and it’s a fight that I wouldn’t turn down.

S. Porter
Final closing statement: I’m working hard. You guys know me, you know I’m going to go in the ring Aug.16 and give it my all. I look forward to seeing everyone out there, it’s going to be a great fight ata great venue. I’m excited to get out there to StubHub, and then perform Aug. 16. See you guys soon. I thank Golden Boy, Al Haymon, Team Porter, everyone out there, thank you very much.

O. De La Hoya
Thank you very much, Shawn Porter. We’re looking forward to an exciting fight, exciting card.. Thank you very much to all the media. I appreciate your time and being on the call, and we will see you very soon, and witnessing what is not only young guns, but young guns that are ready, willing to fight anybody. Thank you very much.

Shawn Porter vs. Kell Brook is a 12-round fight for the IBF Welterweight World title promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the 12-round co-main event, Omar Figueroa defends his WBC Lightweight title against Daniel Estrada, and in the televised opener, the WBC Super Middleweight title is on the line when Sakio Bika defends his belt against Anthony Dirrell. The event will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale now and are available online atAXS.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.

LAS VEGAS (July 12, 2014)—Golden Boy Promotions and SHOWTIME® will deliver another explosive night of boxing from the renowned StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., when undefeated IBF Welterweight World Champion Shawn “Showtime” Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs), of Akron, Ohio defends his belt against fellow unbeaten British star Kell Brook (32-0, 22 KOs), of Sheffield, England, on Saturday, Aug. 16, headlining a three world championship fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast.

In co-featured fights on the telecast, undefeated Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (23-0-1, 17 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, risks his WBC Lightweight World Championship for a second time against mandatory challenger Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (32-2-1, 24 KOs), of Mexico City, and WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (32-5-3, 21 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, will defend against unbeaten Anthony “The Dog’’ Dirrell (26-0-1, 22 KOs), of Flint, Mich., in a rematch of a wildly exciting and controversial 12-round split draw last Dec. 7.

“From the championship fight between Shawn Porter and Kell Brook, to Omar Figueroa’s defense of his lightweight title against Daniel Estrada, to the rematch that fans demanded between Sakio Anthony Dirrell, Golden Boy Promotions continues to deliver on the promise of a simple premise – bringing the best fights to fans of boxing,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President and Founder of Golden Boy Promotions. “The StubHub Center’s reputation as the home to some of the best fights in boxing is only growing, and we’re proud to put on three more great fights that will only help cement that reputation.”

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges and will be available online atAXS.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.

Unorthodox offensive machine, Porter, 26, will be making the second defense of the 147-pound belt he won in a close but clear upset 12-round unanimous decision over big favorite Devon Alexander “The Great” last Dec. 7. In his lone defense, Porter overwhelmed former two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi, via ruthless fourth-round TKO last April 19 from Washington, D.C. Strong, fast, confident and physically gifted, Porter scored two knockdowns against Malignaggi while appearing to seriously hurt him throughout. He ended the one-sided bout with a clean right hand. The bout was stopped at 1:13 of the fourth round.

Regarding his upcoming defense, Porter, an amateur standout before turning professional in October 2008, said: “I think I have the edge on Brook with everything. I’m faster than he is, stronger than he is, quicker than he is, more athletic, and if you put all that in one fight, I’m going to be the winner.”

The world title fight has been a long time coming for Brook, 28, a power-punching, upright fighter who has been a mandatory contender for some time and was supposed to challenge Alexander three times during his reign only for the fights to be called off due to injuries. Then, Porter outpointed Alexander.

“I’m confident I’m going to win. I’m planning on bringing Porter’s belt to the United Kingdom with me,’’ said Brook, who is coming off a tougher than expected eighth-round knockout over Mexican welterweight champion Alvaro Robles last March 15. “I am fitter than ever and ready to go. I have been in training for a long time, so August 16 it’s the perfect date for me.”

Figueroa, 24, captured the then-vacant WBC 135-pound crown on a unanimous 12-round decision over Nihito Arakawa in a brutal slugfest that stole the show July 7, 2013, on SHOWTIME. Figueroa, despite fighting with a cut on his nose from an accidental headbutt, registered two knockdowns in a memorable slugfest in which 2,112 total punches were delivered in 36 minutes of non-stop action.

In his lone defense, the offensive-minded, crowd-pleasing Figueroa retained his crown with a 12-round split decision over amateur nemesis and fellow Texan, Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes, last April 26 at StubHub Center on SHOWTIME. Figueroa was victorious in a puncher versus boxer matchup by the scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 113-115.

Estrada, 29, who’ll be making his SHOWTIME and United States debut, has campaigned exclusively in Mexico. He’s won nine consecutive fights, five by way of knockout. At 5-feet-10 ½, he is three inches taller than Figueroa.

Estrada won the WBC Silver Lightweight Championship with a sixth-round TKO over Isaias Sampaio on April 19, 2013. Before that, Estrada scored a 10th-round technical decision over Arakawa in a match stopped after the 10th after Estrada could not continue due to a swollen right eye that was caused by an unintentional headbutt.

Unbeaten since losing a split 12-round decision to Reyes Sanchez in a scrap for the vacant WBC Silver Light Welterweight Title on Sept. 11, 2010, Estrada is coming off a third-round knockout over Hugo Armenta last Dec. 14.

Bika, 35, is no stranger to winning hard-fought, tough, tight, world title fights. He won the then-vacant WBC 168-pound belt with a 12-round majority decision over Marco Antonio Periban (116-112, 115-113 and 114-114) on June 22, 2013, on SHOWTIME and then boxed to a split decision draw (114-112, 110-116 and 113-113) against Dirrell despite getting floored in the fifth and losing a point for a low blow in the 11th round.

A 2000 Olympian for his native Cameroon, Bika felt he deserved the decision against Dirrell and took exception with the penalty for a punch the referee ruled south of the border.

“I feel I was fighting the referee as well,’’ Bika said. “The body shot was a legitimate shot. Not below the belt line. I got him on the belt line, Dirrell just wanted to milk it. I was the busier fighter and now I just want to fight the best ahead of me.”

While Bika was going 12 rounds for the ninth time, it was the first time Dirrell had gone past eight. Still, the younger brother of 2004 U.S. Olympic Bronze medalist and former world title challenger Anthony Dirrell was positive that he’d done enough to triumph. Upon hearing the verdict, a visibly upset Dirrell bolted from the ring.

“I want to apologize to the fans for leaving the ring like that, but I was just disappointed,” a frustrated Dirrell told SHOWTIME’s Jim Gray a few minutes later. “He hit low and head butted. I definitely want a rematch.”

Dirrell’s career has twice been seriously jeopardized; the first time in December 2006 when he was diagnosed with cancer and was sidelined for 20 months and again in May 2012 when he was involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered a broken lower left leg and left wrist. At the time he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Dirrell was 12-0 and had been boxing professionally for only two years.

A victory over Bika would cap a remarkable journey, and Dirrell is confident it will happen in the rematch.

“This fight has been on my mind since I heard the decision from our first fight,’’ he said. “I’m just real excited to get it. I know I can beat Bika, I know I have what it takes and that’s what it is. It just takes hard work and dedication to stay focused on the game plan.

“I could have done better the first fight. I don’t feel like he was hitting me with more shots than I was hitting him with, but I still think I won it. This time it will be convincing.‘’

# # #

Shawn Porter vs. Kell Brook is a 12-round fight for the IBF Welterweight World title promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the 12-round co-main event, Omar Figueroa defends his WBC Lightweight title against Daniel Estrada, and in the televised opener, the WBC Super Middleweight title is on the line when Sakio Bika defends his belt against Anthony Dirrell. The event will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

ATLANTIC CITY, April 8 – World championship boxing returns to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday, May 18 with a SHOWTIME® CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader featuring IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Lamont Peterson facing hard-hitting WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse in a 12-round welterweight bout and the rescheduled IBF Welterweight Title showdown between Two-Division World Champion Devon Alexander “The Great” and undefeated British star and number one rated IBF welterweight contender Kell “The Special One” Brook.

Peterson vs. Matthysse and Alexander vs. Brook are presented by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will air live on SHOWTIME at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, go on sale on Wednesday, April 10 at noon ET and will be available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

After more than a year out of the ring, Lamont Peterson (31-1-1, 16 KO’s) picked up where he left off in February, dazzling fans in his hometown of Washington, D.C. with an eighth-round technical knockout win over Kendall Holt. Coupled with his Fight of the Year win over the Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Amir Khan in December of 2011, it’s clear that Peterson has staked his claim as one of the premier 140-pound fighters in the world. All of this is even more impressive when one considers that Peterson spent part of his youth homeless on the mean streets of Washington, D.C. On May 18, the talented boxer-puncher will put that recognition on the line against one of the most feared fighters in the sport at a catch-weight of 141 pounds.

The junior welterweight who has struck the most fear into the hearts of his peers, Trelew, Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse (33-2, 31 KO’s) bounced back from two controversial split decision losses to Zab Judah and Devon Alexander, each in his opponent’s hometowns, to score five straight victories, with all of those wins coming by way of knockout. His losses to Alexander and Judah were so controversial, that many boxing insiders still consider Matthysse, who has recently been nicknamed “The Machine,” to be undefeated. In his last three bouts, the 30-year-old has torn through stiff competition, defeating former Three-Division World Champion Humberto Soto, then number one rated WBC super lightweight contender Olusegun Ajose and tough contender Mike Dallas Jr., setting the stage for the thunderous punching WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion with a 94% knockout ratio to stake his claim as a one of the top ten best pound for pound fighters in the world.

A technical wizard with speed and finesse in the ring, St. Louis’ Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KO’s) is a master boxer who has already won world titles in two divisions despite being only 25 years old. Alexander is the former IBF and WBC world title holder at 140 pounds, with wins over Lucas Matthysse, Juan Urango and Junior Witter to his name. In 2012, “The Great” made his move to welterweight and by the time he was finished defeating former World Champions Marcos Maidana and Randall Bailey, he was crowned the IBF Welterweight World Champion. On May 18, he makes the first defense of his new crown after two postponements of his originally scheduled showdown with Brook.

England’s latest unbeaten sensation, the popular Kell Brook (29-0, 19 KO’s) has mowed past all opposition placed in front of him over the last eight years. After winning the British WBO intercontinental and IBF international welterweight titles, he’s ready for his close-up on the world stage. With 2012 wins over Matthew Hatton, Carson Jones and Hector Saldivia, the talented 26-year-old from Sheffield has proven he has the talent, style and determination to justify his number one rating.

For information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/kingpete26, www.twitter.com/DAlexandereal, www.twitter.com/SpecialKBrook, www.BoardwalkHall and www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #PetersonMatthysse and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

IBF Welterweight champion Devin Alexander will defend his crown against mandatory contender Kell Brook on May 18th in Atlantic City according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The bout has been postponed twice due to injuries.

I like Atlantic City. There are great boxing fans there,” Said ALexander’s manager/trainer Kevin Cunningham. “I’ve been out there working with Adrien Broner [as an assistant trainer last month] and there’s a great boxing atmosphere. I always had pretty good luck there.”

“He started back in the gym on Monday, so he’s basically at 90 percent, and so we’ll step it up a little more next week,” Cunningham said. “Within the next couple of weeks, he should be back to 100 percent and we’re expecting to do some sparring in the next couple of weeks. We’ll be ready, and Kell Brook will finally get his wish to be in the ring with Devon Alexander — but that’s about as far as that wish will go.”

The bout will be televised by Showtime and could be the co-feature to IBF Jr. Welterweight champion Lamont Peterson defending against Lucas Matthysse

DETROIT (February 4) – Due to a bicep injury suffered by Devon Alexander “The Great” during training, his championship defense against Kell Brook, scheduled as the main event of the February 23 SHOWTIME telecast, has been postponed. A new date for the bout is currently being scheduled and will be announced shortly.

The February 23 event at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit will still take place as scheduled with the card now being headlined by the world title showdown between Detroit native and IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage and Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith.

This exciting evening of world championship boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and MGM Grand Detroit. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $200, $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale now and are available for purchase at the Masonic Temple box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion

“When it was time to decide who I was going to fight, I went to Golden Boy [Promotions] and they presented me with several fighter names. They mentioned James Kirkland, Alfredo Angulo and Ishe Smith. It was special with Ishe because not only did they say I could fight him, but they said I could fight him in Detroit. That was an easy decision for me to make and now we are here.

“Not only am I getting paid, but I am getting paid to fight right here in Detroit. How great is that?

“I had to look up Ishe Smith and guess what, he has some flaws. I won’t really say much about that because I’m not that type of guy. The closer it gets to a fight, the less I talk and by fight week, I barely say a word.

“I see him as a good opponent for me. I never look to fight bums. I always want to fight the best. I am a dog in that ring and trust me when I say I’m coming to bring it.

“I feel like a little Mike Tyson. I am coming to get it. When I was in the hood, I used to take from people. On February 23, he won’t be taking anything from me.”

Ishe Smith, Junior Middleweight Contender

“I know I’m not the fan favorite in Detroit. One thing I’ve learned throughout my boxing career is that haters come with the territory. It’s something you deal with and keep on moving.

“I want to thank Leonard Ellerbe for getting me to this point. I’ve had a roller coaster career and now I’m here. I hadn’t fought in 18 months and Leonard called me and said he was working on something big. Then he called and told me what he and Floyd [Mayweather] worked out. I couldn’t believe it.

“Floyd called me too and said, ‘we got it.’ I’m overwhelmed and am going to leave it all in the ring that night. I owe it all to them to make this happen.

“I owe a lot to Floyd. When he was incarcerated, he sent me a letter telling me to hold it down, he was going to take care of me and not let me down. Now here I am fighting for a world title.

“When you box for a living, you have to get in there, fight and may the best man win. I’m a Christian that believes in free will. It’s my choice to make the most of the situation and do whatever I have to do. I believe and have faith that on February 23, I’ll leave the ring victorious.

“I’m also doing something special for the [families affected by the] Newtown, Conn. tragedy. I have two kids, a son and a daughter, that I was taking to school the morning of that awful incident.

“When I first heard about the shooting, I thought it was another high school situation. Then I heard about those poor little kids. It broke my heart and I started crying just thinking about if those were my kids. So we are making t-shirts for this fight and are going to sell them to honor those kids. All of the money is going to be given to a charity supporting the families and the town.”

J’Leon Love, Undefeated Detroit Prospect

“It will be great to fight in the city of Detroit, my hometown and the place I love so much.

“I believe in God and that’s who I am. Whatever happens is going to happen and that goes for February 23 too.

“I wanted to fight Bronco when I heard we could make the fight. I’m a young fighter on my way up and he is a great veteran of the sport.

“I appreciate all that Leonard Ellerbe is doing to help make my dreams come true. He works really hard on my behalf and it’s a blessing. Just training and being around Floyd Mayweather, my trainer Roger Mayweather and the whole team has been a great experience for me.

“I’m going back to Vegas this afternoon and will be back in the gym tomorrow. I’ll be ready to fight and come February 23, me and my team will all be 15-0.”

Bronco McKart, Former WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion

“This is my twenty-first year as a fighter and I still love the sport. It’s my life and I’m honored to be on the card that brings world championship boxing to the great state of Michigan.

“This city, Detroit, deserves this fight night and this fight too.

“I like J’Leon. I think he is a great young fighter, but come February 23, we are going to get in the ring, do business and see what happens.

“The only thing I turn down is my bed sheets. This is a great opportunity for me. I stay in the gym and lead a very clean lifestyle so young fighters aren’t a problem [for me].

“I know in a couple of years from now I’ll get to say, ‘There is J’Leon [Love], the great middleweight champion of the world…and I beat him!'”

David Itskowitch, COO of Golden Boy Promotions

“On behalf of Golden Boy Promotions we are excited to be here in Detroit where boxing has such a great history. It’s going to be a great show, tickets went on sale today and everyone should come out and enjoy this fantastic night of boxing featuring a great champion in Detroit’s own ‘K9’ Bundrage and the all-Michigan fight between J’Leon Love and Bronco McKart.

“The fight at the Masonic Temple will be historic too. This building is amazing and we look forward to working with everyone here to make this a great night for boxing and Detroit.

“Tickets are priced starting at just $25. To get to see two world championship fights for $25 is an unbelievable deal.”

Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“On behalf of Floyd Mayweather and Mayweather Promotions, I want to thank everyone for coming out today and supporting this fight. Who doesn’t know about the history of Detroit boxing and the champions who have come from here and the state including Floyd?

“We’re so excited to bring you this big event. Floyd will be here as he took a special interest in making this happen. Not just for our fighters, Ishe Smith and J’Leon Love, but for every fight fan and sports fan in and around the area.

“We want to thank the MGM too for supporting these efforts. We are looking forward to a great night and feel confident in the ability of our two guys.”

# # #

This exciting evening of world championship boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in association with Matchroom Boxing and is sponsored by Corona, AT&T and MGM Grand Detroit. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME Extreme at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $200, $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale now and are available for purchase at the Masonic Temple box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

DETROIT, MI, January 30 – On Saturday, February 23, world championship boxing returns to the Motor City when Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions present an evening of world championship action at The Masonic Temple Theatre which will feature Three-Time and Two-Division World Champion Devon Alexander “The Great” defending his IBF Welterweight World Championship against British star and number one rated IBF welterweight contender Kell Brook in a fight that will be televised live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

The co-main event of the February 23 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® doubleheader will see Detroit’s own Cornelius “K9” Bundrage defending his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against Las Vegas’ Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith.

Also featured will be an all-Michigan battle as unbeaten Detroit prospect J’Leon Love takes on former World Champion Bronco McKart of Monroe in a 10-round middleweight bout which will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME®(7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

“2013 is going to be a big year for my career and I’m going to get it started right in an exciting fashion against Kell Brook,” said Alexander. “I worked extremely hard to win my title and I’m not giving it away to anyone. This will be a statement-making fight for me.”

“This is the biggest night of my life,” said Brook. “When I turned up at the Wincobank Gym in Sheffield as a nine year old, this was what I dreamed about – boxing for a world title and on February 23, I’ll turn that dream into a reality. I’m in the best physical shape of my life and the best ever Kell Brook will be in the ring in Detroit and there’s no way that I am coming home without that world title. This is my destiny, it’s just meant to be and there’s nothing Devon Alexander can do to stop me.”

“I thank my Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me to be able to defend my title right here in Detroit, in front of all of my family and friends,” said Bundrage. “It’s an honor to be able to bring world championship boxing back to the city of Detroit. I always train hard and am prepared for what my opponent might show me in the ring. No man can close doors that GOD has opened. Nothing will be different this time and it will be a special night of boxing for everyone. I will be victorious February 23 in Jesus’ name.”

“I want to thank Floyd Mayweather and Mayweather Promotions for believing in me and my boxing talents and helping make this dream to fight K9 [Bundrage] for his title a reality,” said Smith. “I know he’ll have the hometown advantage, but I’m not worried about that. I’m preparing for the fight of my life and I feel confident that I’ll beat him and become the new champion.”

“It feels great to be able to fight in Detroit, my hometown and the place where I learned how to fight,” said Love. “I’m excited to show everyone that I’m on the road to a championship and nothing will stop me from achieving my lifelong dream. Training and working with Floyd Mayweather and Mayweather Promotions in Las Vegas has given me another level of appreciation for hard work and determination.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to fight in Detroit one more time,” said McKart. “I’ve had a long and great career and still feel comfortable fighting for pride and glory. J’Leon Love is a young and exciting fighter from this area too, but I feel that my experience will be too much for him to handle and that I’ll be victorious on February 23. I hope everyone in and around Detroit will come out and support this great night of boxing.”

“Devon Alexander and Kell Brook have been waiting to take care of business in the ring and we’re going to the fighting city of Detroit for them to settle the score in one of the biggest fights of early 2013,” said President of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya. “Plus, Detroit’s own ‘K9’ Bundrage is back in his hometown to take on longtime contender Ishe Smith in an important showdown for both men. We also have ‘The Battle for Michigan’ when J’Leon Love takes on his toughest test to date in Bronco McKart. It’s a can’t miss night for Detroit sports fans”

“This is an exciting opportunity for Mayweather Promotions and everyone knows Floyd Mayweather is from the great state of Michigan too,” said CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe. “Detroit is tremendously important to boxing and we are excited to add to its history on February 23. In addition we feel extremely confident that our fighters, Ishe Smith and J’Leon Love, another Michigan man, will come away with victories, setting them both up for much bigger things in the near future.”

“Boxing fans are in for a real treat when Devon and Kell meet as they are two of the best 147 pounders in the business,” said Eddie Hearn Managing Director of Matchroom Boxing. “Kell Brook is a special talent and has dreamt about this moment since he first laced up those gloves. He has trained like a man possessed and he is coming to America to make a huge statement and bring that title back to Britain.”

“We are looking forward to another great night of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING featuring two world title fights in the boxing-rich city of Detroit,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “The event will showcase one of the most talented 147-pound fighters in the world, Devon Alexander, and the U.S. television debut of U.K. star Kell Brook as well as exciting undercard action.”

This exciting evening of world championship boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in association with Matchroom Boxing and is sponsored by Corona, AT&T and MGM Grand Detroit. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME Extreme at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $200, $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale now and are available for purchase at the Masonic Temple box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

A technical wizard with speed and finesse in the ring, St. Louis’ Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KO’s) is a master boxer who has already won world titles in two divisions despite being only 25 years old. Alexander is the former IBF and WBC world title holder at 140 pounds, with wins over Lucas Matthysse, Juan Urango and Junior Witter to his name. In 2012, “The Great” made his move to welterweight and by the time he was finished defeating former World Champions Marcos Maidana and Randall Bailey, he was crowned the IBF Welterweight World Champion. On February 23, he makes the first defense of his new crown.

England’s latest unbeaten sensation, the popular Kell Brook (29-0, 19 KO’s) has mowed past all opposition placed in front of him over the last eight years. After winning the British WBO intercontinental and IBF international welterweight titles, he’s ready for his close-up on the world stage. With 2012 wins over Matthew Hatton, Carson Jones and Hector Saldivia, the talented 26-year-old from Sheffield has proven he has the talent, style and determination to justify his number one rating.

Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (32-4, 19 KO’s) turned professional in 1995, but it wasn’t until 2006 that he got the opportunity to introduce himself to the world as a member of the cast of NBC’s hit boxing reality show “The Contender.” On the show, Bundrage won two fights before a controversial loss to Steve Forbes in the semifinals. However, he was undeterred and went back to the gym and began building his post-Contender career. On August 7, 2010, he scored a fifth round technical knockout win over Cory Spinks to win the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship. He has since defended his title with rematch wins over Sechew Powell and Spinks and now looks to take out Ishe Smith on February 23.

Las Vegas’ Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (24-5, 11 KO’s) has battled the best for years, scoring wins over the likes of Randall Bailey, Alfonso Gomez, David Estrada and Pawel Wolak. Another cast member on the first season of “The Contender”, the 34-year-old Smith captivated the nation in and out of the ring. After decision losses at middleweight to top contenders Danny Jacobs and Fernando Guerrero, Smith has run off three straight wins, proving that at 154 pounds, he is a dangerous force to be reckoned with.

Detroit’s J’Leon Love (14-0, 8 KO’s) took his game to the next level in 2012, going five for five with two knockouts, two dominant decisions and a disqualification win. How will the 25-year-old former amateur star top that in 2013? Odds are that he will find a way with his ever-expanding skill set and exciting style, both of which will be on display on February 23 against former World Champion Bronco McKart.

Now in his 21st year as a professional, Monroe, Michigan’s Bronco McKart (54-10-1, 32 KO’s) has forgotten more than most fighters know about world-class boxing. The 41-year-old former WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion has battled the likes of Winky Wright (three times), Raul Marquez, Roman Karmazin, Kelly Pavlik and Travis Simms over the course of his career. With wins in three of his last four fights, McKart is ready for his battle for Michigan pride against Love.

The historic Masonic Temple in downtown Detroit was dedicated on November 25, 1926. With 1,037 rooms and 550,000 square feet, and built to house numerous fraternal organizations, it is the largest structure of its kind in the world. This amazing Gothic building was constructed between 1920 and 1926 at a cost of $7 million. George Washington’s own working tools were used to spread the first mortar for the cornerstone. Washington, who was a Freemason used these same tools to lay the cornerstone

of the Capitol building in Washington DC.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.matchroomboxing.com and www.themasonic.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/MayweatherPromo, www.twitter.com/MatchroomBoxing, www.twitter.com/DAlexandereal, www.twitter.com/SpecialKBrook, www.twitter.com/K9Boxing, www.twitter.com/IsheSugarShay, www.twitter.com/JLeonLove, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #AlexanderBrook or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

IBF Welterweight champion Devon Alexander’s mandatory title defense against Kell Brook has been rescheduled for February 23rd after an ankle injury to Brook according to espn.com’s Dan Rafael.

The fight will take place in Detroit according to Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer

“We’ll have two world title fights, and it could turn out to be three, so if we bring three world title fights, including one with hometown champion ‘K9’ Bundrage, I think we will do darn well there. Detroit is a great fight town,” Schaefer said.

Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (32-4, 19 KOs), who is from Detroit, making his third defense against Ishe Smith (24-5, 11 KOs) of Las Vegas. Schaefer said there would be one other televised fight to be determined.

“Kell sustained an ankle injury that has hampered his training and running work,” said Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn said. “I’m concerned mainly for the traveling U.K. fans, and it’s in no one’s interest for the fight to fall through closer to the time, so I requested a three- to four-week delay to the original date of Jan. 19. This will eradicate the risk and ensure Kell will be 100 percent for the biggest fight of his life.”

Lucas Matthysse will take on Hank Lundy as a televised co-feature to the Devon Alexander – Kell Brook IBF Welterweight title fight on January 19th in Los Angeles according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“If there would be a pound-for-pound (list) of the most exciting fighters in the world, Lucas Matthysse would be at or near the top, and he is always must-see TV,” said Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer. “I am very happy to have him back in January and if all goes well, we plan to bring him back in May for a big fight.”

“My dream is still to eventually do Maidana versus Matthysse, but first things first,” Schaefer said. “With Lundy, he is facing a determined fighter who realizes this is a big opportunity.”

Golden Boy matchmaker Robert Diaz said that the opening bout of the telecast would pit Turkish welterweight Selcuk Aydin (23-1, 17 KOs) against Mexico’s Jesus Soto Karass (26-8-3, 17 KOs), both of whom are regularly in action-packed fights.

IBF Welterweight champion Devon Alexander will defend against mandatory contender Kell Brook on January 19th most likely in Las Vegas according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“We made a number of significant offers to Golden Boy and (Alexander adviser) Al Haymon, well in excess of seven figures, to try and bring the fight to the U.K., but Devon had no interest in traveling,” said Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “We were at a 75-25 disadvantage in any potential purse bid and when we received the final offer from Golden Boy, we were all happy.

“If we won a purse bid and Devon vacated, we had all the potential to become a paper champion and that’s not what Kell Brook is all about. To become great and make a statement, there is no better way than travel to a champion’s country and rip the belt from him. Kell has the opportunity to make a huge statement in the 147-pound division.”

“There’s no reason to have to leave the country to fight a guy who no one in America has ever heard of,” said ALexander’s manager / trainer Kevin Cunningham. “That was not going to happen. I’m just happy that I have a team and a promoter that was willing to step up and make this thing happen in the States and now we’re just going to work to make sure this title stays in the States.

“Devon should be fighting someone with a bigger name than Kell Brook, but since he’s the mandatory, we’ll defend the title against the mandatory. But I don’t see anything special about Kell Brook.”

“I definitely want to be a crowd pleaser,” said Alexander, who began training for the fight in St. Louis last week. “Those fans are who’s buying a ticket or a subscription to HBO or Showtime. I want to be a person they want to see, so I definitely dread those types of performances. I want to be exciting and the crowd to be into it and cheering. This is entertainment. The Bailey fight was not what I would have liked to be it. I’m planning to be more engaged and throwing more punches. We will definitely be more exciting this fight.”

“I guarantee you that,” he said. “I’m telling you this so they can read this and know that Devon is going to press the action. He’s coming to bring it to Kell Brook. Devon will fight this fight as if he is the challenger and is coming to take Kell Brook’s title. That’s the mission we’re on for this fight.

“Bailey is the biggest puncher in the sport basically and he wouldn’t engage with Devon. He wouldn’t open up. I can’t have my fighter trying to make something happen when I know we’re dealing with a guy who can clip you win one shot. We did what we had to do to get the victory. Some will say you have to make fights exciting. I say sometimes you gotta be smart. Bailey is the kind of person that if you make a mistake, you won’t have a title to defend against Kell Brook. He will fight Brook with smart aggression. We’re not working on winning the fight, we’re working on winning the fight in impressive fashion. They’re getting themselves into something they’ve never seen before.”

“When I first heard about the fight, I didn’t know who he was,” Alexander said. “A lot of people were on my Twitter saying, ‘Kell Brook is coming for you.’ I was like what? Who is he? As a boxing fan and a fighter, I went on YouTube and watched him. To me he’s a basic fighter, nothing special about him.

“He’s a strong, solid fighter but hasn’t fought a guy as talented as me or anyone that has my kind of skills. He is in trouble. He is definitely in a for a rude awakening. He better know what he’s doing in there. This is my time and I feel it. I’m looking for a big splash in 2013 and to start it off with Kell Brook.”

“We have worked hard of the last 15 months, since we signed Brook, to get in the mandatory position,” Hearn said. “We have had six fights, starting in a 1,400-seat leisure center to the last three being in Sheffield Arena with crowds of up to 10,000. We even fit in his U.S. debut on the (Andre Ward-Carl Froch) undercard (in December). He has had the big nights, the bright lights and now he is ready. Alexander is a great fighter and is certainly Kell’s toughest test yet, but he has done his apprenticeship and now it’s time.”

“He’s nothing special,” Cunningham said. “I don’t see an extremely fast guy or a guy with one-punch power. He’s a decent, basic boxer. Just look at Devon’s resume and tell me where Kell Brook stacks up. He has never faced anybody in the league of a Marcos Maidana, Lucas Matthysse, Tim Bradley.

“(Hearn has) done a good job building him up, putting him in with soft touches. They bring in a journeyman opponent in Carson Jones and it was life and death for Brook. Then, on Oct. 20, we both fight the same day. The difference is that Devon was fighting a former world champion known to be the biggest puncher in boxing and Brook fought a guy he knocked out with a backhand flick jab, and now he thinks he’s ready for Devon Alexander? These guys are pipe dreaming.”

“I know he’ll bring some fans over here, so I’m excited about that,” Alexander said. “That gets me pumped up. I’m glad they’re coming to support him so it will be even sweeter when I beat him.”