PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY — February 17, 2023 — Abella Boxing Promotions is back, and in full force this boxing season with their third show, Bergen County Fight Night 3, set to go down Saturday evening April 1st, 2023 at The Terrace & Biagio’s Ristorante in Paramus, New Jersey. Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!

Headlining the main event, New Jersey’s very own, Nicky “The Bull” Vitone, of Pinebrook, NJ, faces an opponent to be named later in a super lightweight bout scheduled for six-rounds. 

Vitone, 26, stands 9-1-1, with a 63.6 knockout percentage. He made his Abella Boxing Promotions debut in their first show as the main event on April 2nd, 2022 at The Terrace. Vitone’s most recent bout occurred in September of last year in Atlantic City, NJ, on a ShoBox New Generation fight-card. 

“I’m very excited to be back fighting in my home state of New Jersey,” Vitone said. “I’m glad to be back with Abella Boxing Promotions.” 

“It was a true honor headlining the main event for their first show. Excited to show Jersey who I am, this is just the beginning.” 

Out of Jersey City, NJ, Mike “The Champ” Lee, leveling to a 9-2-0 record, with a 63.6 KO% takes on southpaw Adam Kipenga, (11-3-1), in a super welterweight bout anticipated for six-rounds. 

Last July, Lee made a name for himself among Abella Boxing fans in Bergen County Fight Night 2, displaying prolific versatility in the ring, ending the bout with a second-round TKO. 

Featured in a super bantamweight bout expected to go six-rounds, John “Bodyshot” Leonardo, (9-1-1, 36.3 KO%), of Englishtown, New Jersey, will battle an opponent to be named later. 

Remaining Six-Rounders: 

In a super featherweight bout, Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado, (5-0-0, 20 KO%), out of Ridgewood, Queens, New York, will go up against Usiel Hernandez, (2-1-0). 

Cuadrado, 26, impressed many last summer in Bergen County Fight Night 2, adding a win to his resume by unanimous decision. 

Terell Bostic, (7-1-0, 12.5 KO%), of Wyandanch, New York faces an opponent to be named later in a lightweight bout. 

Highlighting the slate of potential four-rounders: Jade “Poison” Ivery, (1-2-0), residing in Lodi, New Jersey, will go toe-to-toe with Kevin Spraags, (0-1-0) in a middleweight bout. Ivery, 33, is making his third appearance on an Abella Boxing Promotions fight-card. 

Out of New York, NY, 28-year-old Christian Otero, (4-3-0, 28.5 KO%), takes on Vinnie Denierio, (3-7-0), in a lightweight bout scheduled for four-rounds. 

Remaining Four-Rounders:

Kevin Hernandez, (0-0-1), of Bergenfield, New Jersey, goes up against Tyrell Cook, (0-3-0), in a welterweight bout. 

Dane Guerrero, (0-0-0), of Ridgefield Park, NJ, will make his pro-debut in a super middleweight bout against an opponent to be named later. 

Promoter of Abella Boxing, Scott Abella, returns with his third show in the span of 12 months, and is looking forward to the extraordinary slate headlined on Saturday evening, April 1st. 

“We debuted last April at The Terrace and we’re happy to be back where it all started,” Abella said. “Shows like this are the backbone of the sport. I want to give people in this county, and in this town, a great event, and an exciting night to go out and enjoy themselves.” 

He added, “We have tremendous boxing talent across the New Jersey and New York area that deserve an event to showcase their skills in the ring and this is it… Saturday April 1st, Bergen County Fight Night 3.”

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – BERGEN COUNTY FIGHT NIGHT 3

WHEN: Saturday Night April 1st, 2023

WHERE: The Terrace & Biagio’s Ristorante located on 293 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652

BOUTS: 5 Six-Round Bouts, 4 Four-Round Bouts (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

TICKETS AVAILABLE: $100 General Admission, $300 VIP

PPV/STREAMING: To Be Announced 

Follow on Instagram: @abellaboxing

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AbellaBoxingPromotions

PHILADELPHIA–Victor Williams needed just 50 seconds in his pro debut to destroy Leonidias Flowers in a junior middlweight bout that capped off the matinee portion of a day-night double header at the 2300 Arena.

Willaims dropped Fowlkes with a big overhand right that sent Flowers to the canvas. Williams jumped on Flowers and the bout was stopped just 50 seconds into the contest.

Williams, who was a Wide Receiver at Dartmouth is 1-0. Flowers of Maryland is 2-2.

Dewayne Williams stopped Stephon Morris in the 2nd round of their middleweight bout.

In round two, Williams dropped Morris with a left hook. Willams hurt Morris again on the ropes, who took an eight count. Williams ended the fight by dropping Morris with a big hand and the fight was stopped at

Williams, 160.5 lbs of Philadelphia is 3-3 with three knockouts, Morris, 158.1 lbs of Baltimore is 4-2.

Mike Lee stopped Roy McGill in round three of a scheduled six-round super lightweight bout.

Th time was 2:26 for Lee, 142.6 lbs f Orange, NJ who is now 8-1 with six knockouts. McGill, 139.4 lbs of Harrisburg, PA is 6-4.

Jahvel Joseph remained undefeated and won a four-round unanimous decision over Carl Murphy in a super middleweight bout/

Joseph, 165.5 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is nw 4-0. Murphy, 174.5 lbs of Harrisburg, PA is 2-3.

Steve Moore won a four-round unanimous decision over Phillip Davis in a welterweight bout.

In round one, Moore scored a knockdown with a hard right hand.

In round three, Moore sent Davis down with a right hand. Those two knockdowns were the difference as Moore, 143.4 lbs of New Jersey won by scores of 38-36 twice and 38-37 to raise his record to 6-8. Davis, 142.3 lbs of Massachusetts is 0-3.

John Leonardo destroyed Willie Anderson with the 1st punch and scored a knockout just seconds into their featherweight bout.

Leonardo landed a booming right that sent Anderson to the deck and the fight was stopped at 14 seconds.

Leonardo, 126.1 lbs of Englishtown, New Jersey is 1-0-1 with one knockout. Anderson, 123.3 lbs of Paulsboro, NJ is 0-5.

Nick Vitone and Matt Gaver fought to a four-round majority draw in a welterweight contest.

Vitone won a card 39-37. that was over ruled by two cards that were 38-38.

Vitone, 143.8 lbs of New Jersey is 4-0-1. Gaver of California is 1-5-2.

LAS VEGAS (July 21, 2019) – Boxing’s only eight-division world champion, Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao dropped Keith “One Time” Thurman in round one and won a close split decision to earn a welterweight world title in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“It was fun,” said Pacquiao. “My opponent is a good fighter and boxer. He was strong. I’m not that kind of boxer who talks a lot; we were just promoting the fight. I think he did his best, and I did my best. I think we made the fans happy tonight because it was a good fight.”

The sell-out crowd of 14,356 got treated to great action from the start, as an exciting first round was capped off by Pacquiao dropping Thurman for the first time in his career with a straight right hand late in the round.

“I knew it was too close,” said Thurman. “He got the knockdown so he had momentum in round one.”

Thurman made it into the second round but continued to have trouble with Pacquiao’s right hand, as the future Hall of Famer threw it successfully as a jab and a power punch throughout the fight. Thurman adjusted in the middle rounds and began to try to smother Pacquiao and walk him down, having success when he was able to get his combinations off before his opponent.

Despite blood pouring from his nose from round four on, Thurman was able to land powerful combinations on Pacquiao for much of the second half of the fight, but was never able to hurt Pacquiao or score a knockdown of his own.

“I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe,” said Thurman. “I felt like he was getting a little bit tired, but he did have experience in the ring. My conditioning and my output was just behind Manny Pacquiao’s. I would love the rematch.”

In round 10, Pacquiao’s landed a strong left hook to the body that clearly hurt Thurman and forced him to spend much of the remainder of the round backpedaling. The CompuBox scores were indicative of the close nature of the fight, with Thurman out landing Pacquiao 210 to 195, while Pacquiao was busier throwing 686 punches to 571 from Thurman.

“I really love the fans,” said Pacquiao. “Thank you so much for coming here and witnessing the fight. I’m sure they were happy tonight because they saw a good fight. Even though Thurman lost, he did his best. He’s not an easy opponent. He’s a good boxer and he’s strong. I was just blessed tonight.”

Watch the round 10 highlight HERE

Pacquiao had a large advantage in jabs landed, connecting on 82 to Thurman’s 18. The 192 power punches landed by Thurman was the most in 43 Pacquiao fights that CompuBox has tracked. Round-by-round, the two fighters were only separated by more than five landed punches in rounds two, seven and nine.

After 12 rounds, the judges reached a split decision, with one judge scoring the fight 114-113 for Thurman, overruled by two judges scoring it 115-112 for Pacquiao, who captured the WBA Welterweight World Championship at 40-years-old.

“You get blessings and lessons,” said Thurman. “Tonight was a blessing and a lesson. Thank you everybody, and thank you Manny Pacquiao.”

“I think (I will fight) next year,” said Pacquiao. “I will go back to the Philippines and work and then make a decision. I do hope to be at the (Errol) Spence vs. (Shawn) Porter fight on September 28.”

The co-main event of the pay-per-view saw top contender Yordenis Ugas (24-4, 11 KOs) drop previously unbeaten Omar Figueroa (28-1-1, 19 KOs) on his way to a unanimous decision in their WBC welterweight title eliminator.

Ugas got off to a strong start, connecting on a straight right hand that sent Figueroa into the ropes, which he held onto so he didn’t hit the canvas, but enough that referee Russell Mora ruled it a knockdown.

“The fight played out how I thought it would,” said Ugas. “I came out strong and Figueroa was tough as well. This was similar to the fight everyone expected. I came out on top.”

Watch the highlight of the knockdown HERE

Figueroa recovered and was able to make it to round two, where he continued his strategy of coming forward to try to hurt Ugas on the inside. Ugas was able to control that action on the inside, landing numerous uppercuts to stun Figueroa. However, the inside fighting led to Ugas being deducted a point by the referee in round five for holding.

“Ugas fought a smart fight,” said Figueroa. “He was smothering me on the inside and holding. I thought the scores were too wide. I was following him and working the whole time. I felt like he only worked the last 30 seconds of the round, but I guess that was all it took.

“I didn’t have any problems with his size. I thought I was able to do my thing, but when he was holding me I couldn’t get my offense going.”

Despite that, and being warned later in the fight for delivering low blows, Ugas dominated the fight according to CompuBox, out landing Figueroa 229 to 131 and connecting with 28% of his punches, to Figueroa’s 22%.

“I knew Figueroa was a tough guy, so I didn’t want to waste my energy trying to take him out early,” said Ugas. “I was ready to go 12 rounds.”

After 12 rounds, all three judges scored the fight the same, 119-107 in favor of Ugas, who became the mandatory for the winner of the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Shawn Porter welterweight title unification.

“I’m extremely happy to be in this position to fight for the WBC title again,” said Ugas. “I will be ready for the winner of Errol Spence Jr. vs. Shawn Porter.”

Additional action saw former world champion Sergey Lipinets (16-1, 12 KOs) score a highlight-reel knockout against Jayar Inson (18-3, 12 KOs) in the second round of their welterweight matchup.

Lipinets was originally scheduled to fight John Molina Jr., before Molina pulled out of the fight Friday morning due to a back injury. Inson, who was scheduled to fight on the non-televised undercard, stepped up to the challenge.

“When I first heard the news about Molina, I knew that I wanted to still fight on a show of this magnitude,” said Lipinets. “As far as fighting a southpaw, I’ve had so many amateur fights in my kickboxing career that I had no problem adjusting. It was just a matter of time. I also have sparred with great southpaws like Victor Ortiz throughout my career, so I was comfortable with the change in fighter.”

In an exchange early in the second round, Lipinets landed a clean left hook to Inson’s head, which sent the Filipino-fighter to the canvas. Although Inson got to his feet, referee Jay Nady waved off the bout 57 seconds into the round.

“I got hit and I slipped, that made it look worse,” said Inson. “When I stood up I thought I was fine and tried to raise my hands and show the referee.”

“Joe Goossen is an exceptional trainer and he just told me to work from a different direction facing a southpaw,” said Lipinets. “I just made sure to block his punches with my elbows. That was the only adjustment I had to make and it ended up working just fine.”

Watch the Lipinets KO highlight HERE

The opening pay-per-view bout saw undefeated former champion Luis Nery (30-0, 24 KOs) deliver a ninth-round knockout of former bantamweight champion Juan Carlos Payano (21-3, 9 KOs).

“I wasn’t really paying attention to how long the fight was going, I was just getting into a rhythm as it went on,” said Nery. “I had to work hard to get to him because he’s a good boxer. The longer it went, the better I felt. I put my punches together well once I got going.”

In a fast-paced duel of former champions, Payano had success early boxing the aggressive Nery, moving back to avoid his attack and landing his own offense against the knockout artist. Payano out landed or was even in punches landed for each of the first six rounds of the bout.

“I’m a warrior and I wanted to keep going and fight back every time he came forward,” said Payano. “My coach wanted me to stay behind my jab a little more.”

As the fight grew into the middle rounds, Nery began to increase the offense and was able to land power shots that slowed Payano’s ability to box from the outside. Nery hurt Payano early in round seven, eventually dominating the round, out landing his opponent 22 to 7.

“He was a very complicated fighter at the beginning, he’s a veteran, so I had to try to adapt to his style to see how I could get in,” said Nery. “In the fifth or sixth round I started gaining control of the fight and then that left hook came to the body which was devastating.”

“During the exchanges it was Nery’s second shot that was getting in,” said Payano. “We corrected the issue but then that body shot came in from nowhere and hit me in a rib that I had broken years ago against Raushee Warren.”

Round eight saw Nery continue to break Payano down, most notably landing a big left hand midway through the round that caused blood to pour from Payano’s nose. During an exchange in the ninth-round, Payano landed a devastating left hook to the ribs that put Payano down. He was unable to recover and referee Vic Drakulich halted the bout 1:43 into the round.

“I wanted to get him out early,” said Nery. “But this showed that I do have the experience to go into the later rounds and still take out my opponent. I showed that I have good defense and can make adjustments.”

Watch Nery’s knockout HERE

The FOX PBC Fight Night main event on FOX and FOX Deportes saw IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (19-0, 11 KOs) retain his title with a dominant third-round knockout over previously unbeaten Mike Lee (21-1, 11 KOs).

“It went exactly how I planned it would go,” said Plant. “Absolutely. I’ve been telling you all week it wasn’t going to go 12 rounds and I stuck to my word and I tried to do that. I hope you guys had a good time.”

Plant got off to a fast-start, dropping Lee with a left hook late in the first round. The unbeaten challenger was able to recover and survive the round, but was hard-pressed to make up for the hand speed advantage of Plant.

You can watch Plant’s first knockdown HERE

“I think I have a high boxing IQ and I do this at a really high level,” said Plant. “So it was just about making adjustments. He’s a big, strong guy and he just came in here to give it his all.”

Lee looked to charge in hard against Plant and use his size and power to land a big shot and change the momentum of the fight. Plant was sharp and avoided the looping right hands that Lee was attacking with.

“The speed was the difference, he’s fast and very accurate,” said Lee. “I had some success with my right hands but wasn’t able to be consistent with it.”

In round three, Plant landed a vicious right hook early in the round that put Lee down for the second time. After a left hook appeared to connect and send Lee down a second time, referee Robert Byrd ruled it had come from a push and continued the fight once Lee got to his feet.

Plant had his opponent hurt and continued to press forward, eventually landing another left hook that put Lee down, this time forcing the referee to wave off the bout 1:29 into the round.

Watch the highlight of Plant’s TKO HERE

“I had no issue with the stoppage, that’s the referee’s job and I respect it,” said Lee.

After the fight, Benavidez was asked about a possible unification fight against the winner of the just announced Anthony Dirrell vs. David Benavidez WBC Super Middleweight Championship fight.

“Oh yeah, we can definitely unify,” said Plant. “I ain’t hard to get a hold of. I ain’t hard to make a fight with. Come see me. You know my advisor.”

The opening bout on FOX and FOX Deportes saw Efe Ajagba (11-0, 9 KOs) score a unanimous decision over Ali Eren Demirezen (11-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round battle of undefeated heavyweights. It was the first time that two unbeaten fighters from the 2016 Olympics faced off as pros.

You can find full fight highlights HERE

Ajagba used his jab and height effectively throughout the fight, landing 10 of 45 jabs per round, doubling the heavyweight average. However, an elbow injury and the accurate punching of Demirezen forced Ajagba to go the distance for the first time as a pro.

“This was the first fighter to take me the distance,” said Ajagba. “He was strong and could take my punches. My trainer just told me to keep using my jab and stay in the middle of the ring.

“I hurt my elbow early on, so I couldn’t shoot my right hand like I wanted. But I won’t use that as an excuse. As a tall man I had to use the jab and if it went the distance, that was my best way to win.”

Demirezen thought the scorecards should have been closer and believed that his performance should have garnered him more than the decision loss. Demirezen was actually the more accurate puncher, landing 26% of his punches to 22% from Ajagba.

“I don’t agree with the scores, especially 99-91” said Demirezen. “It was much closer. I feel that at minimum, it was a draw. I knew I had to knock him out and that a knockout might be easier than winning by points. I thought it was a good performance but I can do better. I’d like to fight in the U.S. again.”

Ajagba’s activity from start to finish was impressive, as he threw 877 total punches, landing 191. While Demirezen was not far behind with 149 punches landed, he only out landed Ajagba in three rounds.

After 10 rounds of action all three judges scored the fight in favor of Ajagba, by scores of 99-91 twice and 97-93.

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ABOUT PACQUIAO VS. THURMAN
Order the PPV and visit PremierBoxingChampions.com for Fight Night Info and more on Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman.

Pacquiao vs. Thurman pit boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao against undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The pay-per-view began at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and featured undefeated former world champion Omar “El Panterita” Figueroa Jr. taking on Yordenis Ugás in a WBC welterweight title eliminator, plus hard-hitting former world champion Sergey Lipinets goes toe-to-toe against Jayar Inson and undefeated power-puncher Luis “Pantera” Nery facing slick-boxing Juan Carlos Payano in a bantamweight bout. The event was promoted by MP Promotions, TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions.

ABOUT PLANT VS. LEE
FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes was headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Televised coverage began at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen. The event was promoted by Sweethands Promotions and TGB Promotions.

LAS VEGAS (July 18, 2019) – Undefeated Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant and unbeaten Mike Lee had a tense face-off and exchanged words Thursday at the final press conference before their showdown that headlines FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX & FOX Deportes this Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Also squaring-off at Thursday’s press conference and kicking off the broadcast at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT were unbeaten rising heavyweights Efe Ajagba and Ali Eren Demirezen, who compete in a 10-round attraction.

Following the action on FOX, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao battles undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event, which is presented by Sweethands Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charged by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Thursday.

CALEB PLANT

“I’ve been saying it the whole week during my interviews. It was a goal to become a world champion, but it was not the only goal. I will be defending my world title successfully and in fashion come this Saturday. I’m encouraging everyone to tune-in, because it will not go 12 rounds. He’ll either wave the white flag or I’ll wave it for him.

“If you’ve been paying attention I’ve been telling everyone I’m in better shape than I was for the Jose Uzcategui fight. I’m hitting harder and my sparring has been better. You will see a new Caleb come this Saturday.

“He’s never fought on a stage like this and to be honest neither have I. This is my first time being on FOX. I feel like I am more prepared than he is. I have been in tough fights and I have been through the fire so I know I am prepared.

“I keep grinding because if you don’t you will fail. With every decision you can take two roads. You can take the wrong one or the right one. Sometimes there are gray areas but when it comes to your question, there’s no gray areas, it’s either you work or you don’t eat. There isn’t a back-up plan for me.

“I’m not really a new school guy. I don’t really do all the visual stuff & the new aged technology. I do old school boxing stuff. I hit the bag, I hit the speed bag, I hit the heavy bag. I spar, I run, I have a great strength & condition coach and we do a lot of sprints. We do a lot of difficult stuff which is high caliber, but I’m old school.

“There’s so much more to obtain, there’s so much more that I’m after. I am not at the peak of the mountain I feel like by winning the world title I just got to the base of the mountain. The goal is to be the first undisputed middleweight champion of the world.

“There are zoo lions and there are jungle lions and the zoo lion will look at the jungle lion and think they are the same thing. But it’s all the peace that he’s had throughout his life that’s cost him his strength. And all of the victories he’s had throughout his life that’s made him weak. But from a distance they look the same. Until it’s time to eat or be eaten.

“Taking the title away from me is a tall order. I know what I am willing and prepared to do to keep that title, I don’t know if there’s too many other guys in this sport who are willing to do the same thing.

“A lot of guys in the business are starving themselves to make weight but we don’t believe in that. You stay in shape all year and you do your job all year. This is not a seasonal sport. This is a lifestyle. If you aren’t going to make it a lifestyle, then don’t even get into it. This is something I work hard all year around so I get to eat good all year around. My spirits are up, I feel good, I feel strong and I’m just excited to be here in front of all of you guys.”

MIKE LEE

“I’m excited for this fight. It’s a great opportunity and I’m going to give all the fans a show.

“I live in the present moment. That’s all I care about is this moment. You can see when I hop in the ring, I’m smiling and having fun. That’s me. When I’m having fun and I am doing my thing, that’s when I perform the best.

“The trash talking goes back and forth, that’s been as old as time. Nothing he’s saying is new. It’s all recycled stuff he’s heard on TV or heard in movies. It’s nothing new to me. It doesn’t even bother me. I laugh at it.

“It’s been beautiful losing those seven pounds. You saw us standing next to each other. You saw how skinny and little he looked and how big I looked. We are going to get down to 168 the exact time we have to and then we are going to hydrate and come back up.

“You have seen me in media workouts. You see me working out. Here we are a few days away from weigh-in and I don’t look depleted at all. I am going to step on that scale with no worries and come fight night he is going to feel why I am a 175-pound fighter.

“Maybe I should have fought at 168 sooner because 175 wasn’t difficult and 168 isn’t too difficult right now. I think once I win this belt I will be happy to defend it at 168.

“I hope he exchanges. I have the power, speed and boxing ability. Whether I end it early or late, I am going to be there and on him. I hope he comes forward and exchanges. I would love that.

“Anything Plant says doesn’t concern me. You can see my speed, my power, my strength and my mindset. That’s what wins fights. So I’m here to win and take that belt and hear ‘and the new!’

“I was born for these moments. I love the crowd and the intensity. It’s going to be an incredible night live on FOX.

“Coming down to 168-pounds has been easy. I have an awesome team behind me and a phenomenal nutritionist. I should have cut down earlier. I’m excited and am going to make the most of this moment.

“This is when I shine. The fact that this fight is on FOX and millions of people can watch is incredible. Everybody here in Las Vegas should come to MGM Grand and watch me knock this guy out.”

EFE AJAGBA

“Every fight I’m in is a big one. Saturday night is going to be show time. I get to show what I do, because I train very hard. I train two hours a day, sometimes three times a day to get better.

“There’s no way this guy is going to beat me. I’m going to stop him in round one or two.

“I train for everything. Everything I do in the ring, I do in training first. If I don’t do it in training it, then it won’t work in the fight, so that’s why I always make sure I do it in training before I try anything in a fight.

“My opponent loves to fight. But, I do too. I love to fight and I love to box. When I fight him, I will knock him out.

“Saturday night I’m going to focus on my head movements and make sure that I throw a lot of punches. Right now, I’m going to show the world what boxing is all about. When I use my head movements, he’s not going to be able to see or hit my face. The moment I move, I throw punches.

“This is my chance. This is my dream. The fans motivate me. It’s on my mind and in my dreams to become a champion. My time is coming. It’s not now, but it’s coming, so I need to keep climbing.”

ALI EREN DEMIREZEN

“I am ready for Saturday night. It is a huge fight for me and I will be the winner. Efe Ajagba is just another fighter in my way. If I cannot beat Efe Ajagba, then I don’t need to fight anymore.

“I am working hard in training for this fight to be at my very best. My knockouts come from my hard work and I want another one on Saturday.

“I know Efe Ajagba from the 2016 Olympics. The last two or three months I have watched his fights because Ajagba fought someone else from our team, Mike Wallisch.

“Ajagba is nothing special when you watch him. I fully believe that I will knock him out.

“Ajagba has too much pressure on him because everybody expects a lot from him. His opponents have not been very good. Ajagba wants to use me like stairs but I will use him. My final destination is the heavyweight world title.

“I took this fight so that I can get even bigger fights. I am able to show the United States that I am a warrior and a good fighter. It was my dream to be a fighter and I’m going to show my skills this Saturday.”

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ABOUT PLANT VS. LEE
FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepageand www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

LAS VEGAS (July 16, 2019) – Two of boxing biggest stars kicked off fight week in style on Tuesday as eight-division world champion Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao and unbeaten WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman made their grand arrivals at MGM Grand before their highly-anticipated Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View showdown this Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Also making their grand arrivals Tuesday were undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant and undefeated contender Mike Lee, who battle in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event Saturday night preceding the pay-per-view.

Tuesday event also featured fighters competing on the PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View undercard that begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Unbeaten former champion Omar “El Panterita” Figueroa Jr will face top contender Yordenis Ugas in WBC Welterweight Title Eliminator, hard-hitting former champion Sergey Lipinets clashes against John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr. in a welterweight duel and former bantamweight champion Luis Nery, who takes on former champion Juan Carlos Payano.

Plus, rising heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba and unbeaten Ali Eren Demirezen made their arrivals ahead of their FOX PBC Fight Night co-main event that kicks off the broadcast on FOX and FOX Deportes at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Here’s what Thurman, Pacquiao, Plant and Lee had to say on Tuesday to the fans that greeted them at MGM Grand:

MANNY PACQUIAO

“I consider this fight one of the most important of my career because I am 40 I want to prove something. My opponent is very good at talking but we’ll see what happens in the ring.

“Boxing is a science. You have to study. Not only when you have a scheduled fight, but you have to always be studying boxing. That’s allowed me to have the career that I have.

“It would mean a lot to be 40-years-old and beat someone undefeated. It shows that I can still fight against the best.”

KEITH THURMAN

“This does feel like making all my dreams come true. Whether it’s an Olympian striving for that gold medal, or if it’s a kid just trying to get an A on their report card, as human beings we challenge ourselves and we set goals. This goal has been in motion for 23 years.

“I’ve always wanted to be remembered in the sport of boxing. I want people to understand that when Keith Thurman is in the ring, he’s bringing some of the most exciting fights that can be made in the welterweight division.

“When it’s all over, I just want people to say, ‘you know what, I really did enjoy watching Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman.'”

CALEB PLANT

“He can train as hard as he wants, he’s going to need more than that. He can do all the talking he needs but chins don’t have muscles. He’s either going to wave the flag or I’m going to wave it for him”.

MIKE LEE

“It feels amazing to be fighting on Pacquiao’s card. I’ve fought on quite a few of his, and he came to wish me luck so it feels great to be here on this stage with these opportunities here in front of me. This is as big as it gets here at MGM Grand. I can’t wait to show the world how hard I’ve trained for this fight.”

# # #

ABOUT PACQUIAO VS. THURMAN
Order the PPV and visit PremierBoxingChampions.com for Fight Night Info and more on Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman.

Pacquiao vs. Thurman will pit boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao against undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will also feature undefeated former world champion Omar “El Panterita” Figueroa Jr. taking on Yordenis Ugás in a WBC welterweight title eliminator, plus hard-hitting former world champion Sergey Lipinets goes toe-to-toe against rugged veteran John “The Gladiator” Molina, Jr. and undefeated power-puncher Luis “Pantera” Nery faces slick-boxing Juan Carlos Payano in a bantamweight bout.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.

ABOUT PLANT VS. LEE
FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

SANTA MONICA, CA. (July 11, 2019) – Unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee held a media workout Thursday at Churchill Boxing Club in Santa Monica, California before his upcoming title showdown against super middleweight champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant Saturday, July 20 in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the event, which is presented by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.

Lee is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he earned a finance degree from the Mendoza School of Business before embarking on his pro boxing career. Here is what Lee had to say about his training camp, his journey to fighting for the title and more:

MIKE LEE

“I’m very excited. On July 20 I will be fighting for the world title live on FOX in Las Vegas and it’s a dream come true. I’m 21-0, about to be 22-0 and bringing everything I’ve got to this fight. I’m normally fighting at 175-pounds but I’m bringing all the power and speed down to 168 and I’m ready to win this belt. It has been a long camp and I feel ready.

“Anytime you’re training for a fight of this magnitude you’ve got to step up. You have to work hard but smart as well. I have a phenomenal team. We’ve been stepping everything up between diet and nutrition. It’s been a long camp but I’ve been pushing it. I feel phenomenal.

“I think anybody could have certain perceptions of me in and out of the ring. But it doesn’t matter. All that matters is when the bell rings and I’m the best Mike Lee. What Plant says doesn’t matter to me. I see it as insecurity. I feel confident. People have doubted me my entire career. They didn’t think I would get to 10-0 or 20-0, but here I am fighting for a world title. I love proving the doubters wrong. It really motivates me.

“I’ve done a lot outside the ring whether it’s starting companies or philanthropy with the children charities I’ve worked with. I’m very proud of that. At the end of the day I want my legacy to be known that I went for it and that although I won belts, I helped people along the way. For every single fight I have had a children’s charity involved and I will keep doing that. If anyone wants to say that I’m involved in too many things outside of boxing, I think that’s crazy and my undefeated record proves otherwise.

“I don’t know Plant personally at all so I can’t speak about him personally. All I know is that we fight July 20th and that’s all I care about.

“I’ve fought on a lot of Manny Pacquiao undercards in Las Vegas. I love it. Manny has incredible fans and they always come to support me as well. Just to be a part of that card is an honor. Manny is one of the biggest names in boxing and in the world right now. I am grateful, excited and very honored.

“I turn to Jamal Abdullah and Julian Chua for anything boxing-related. I’ve had Jamal and Julian with me for about seven fights and they’ve been a phenomenal part of my success. I trust them both.

“A few years back I got diagnosed with this auto-immune disease that put me in the hospital for two years. I was in and out of hospitals and dealt with so much pain. Doctors told me that I would never fight again. For me to be sitting here is a blessing. I’ve won eight fights since I was diagnosed and it hasn’t been an easy road at all, but it’s going to make this victory so much sweeter. The fact that I’ve sacrificed so much and put my body through so much and have had people tell me that I can’t do it, that I’m not strong or fast enough, will be all worth it. I’m here now. I’m on this world stage now where the cameras are flashing and I’m just so grateful to be in this position right now to chase my dream.

“Anything that comes out of Plant’s mouth does not matter to me. My entire career I’ve had guys that are either been quiet in press conferences or guys that talk trash in press conferences. I have beat them all. All that matters is this fight. What he says is irrelevant.

“I started boxing at a young age and at Notre Dame where I started boxing in the amateurs I really just learned a lot about who I was as a man and really started giving back. The Notre Dame community has been incredible. Their alumni network has followed me all over the country. Whether I’m in Vegas, L.A, New York or Chicago, the alumni network follows me around and has instilled this ideology of giving back throughout my career. For that I am grateful and I’m excited to make them proud on July 20.

“Whether it’s health or anything in life, I’ve always been huge on visualization and just going after what I love. I’m constantly throughout training camp closing my eyes and visualizing myself with that belt and visualizing round by round how I am going to win. I’ve done that every single fight of my career and it’s interesting because when you keep going through those motions mentally, when you step into the ring, it’s like you’ve already been there hundreds of times. For me it’s all about staying calm and staying focused, whether it’s press conferences or anything with the media, I say ‘have fun Mike.’ Those are the words I say to myself. If I come out all intense I don’t have a good fight. For me it’s just about staying loose and having fun. That is how I fight the best.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a Chicago fighter win the world title. We’ve won NHL, MLB, NBA. We have a history of great sports so to be able to bring this title back to Chicago is a dream come true and I really look forward to it.

“I tell people to follow their passion no matter what and don’t let those one or two comments of negative energy into your head. At the end of the day I want to go to bed when I am 100 years old knowing that I went for it. That I put all the chips on the table and went for it because I don’t want to live with that pain or regret. Go after what you love, go after your passion and really do what you love because the pain or regret hurts a lot more than the broken hands and broken noses and all the pain that I have gone through.”

JULIAN CHUA, Lee’s Co-Trainer

“This is my seventh fight working with Jamal Abdullah and with Mike. He’s grown so much with each camp. We’ve worked on so many things for this fight and he’s in great shape as you can see. There will be no issue with him making weight and retaining his power for July 20.

“The excitement and enthusiasm inside the camp has grown each day. As a team we realize how high the stakes are and we’re all looking forward to victory next Saturday night.”

# # #

ABOUT PLANT VS. LEE
FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen.

Following the action on FOX, boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao battles undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

LAS VEGAS (July 11, 2019) – Undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant hosted a media workout on Wednesday at his Las Vegas training camp as he discussed his first title defense against unbeaten Mike Lee that headlines FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

FOX PBC Fight Night coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and will precede the PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event that also takes place at MGM Grand and is headlined by eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao facing WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman.

Tickets for the live event, which is presented by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 886-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.

Plant (18-0, 10 KOs) captured his world title in January on FS1 when he dropped Jose Uzcategui twice on his way to a unanimous decision victory. Here is what he said about his first world title defense and more from training camp with trainer Justin Gamber at City Boxing Gym in Las Vegas:

CALEB PLANT

“Camps been great. It’s been a long camp and we are working hard. It’s been the best sparing that we’ve ever had. I’ve worked the hardest I have ever worked and I am fully prepared to defend my world title successfully on July 20.

“My training has been great. This is the best training camp I’ve ever had. I worked harder in this camp than I have in any other camp, and I expect for you guys to see the best Caleb Plant you have ever seen come July 20.

“We haven’t changed up a whole lot of things. Just working harder, throwing in a few extra rounds here and there. The work load has increased slightly, but we haven’t really changed anything other than that, it’s all been the same.

“A lot of people are going to be tuned in watching on July 20. There are a lot of eyes on us. I’m expecting to go out there and defend my world title successfully and in fashion and put a show on for everyone that’s tuned in.

“I may reside in Vegas, but Nashville and Ashland City will always be my home. I appreciate all the continued support from back home. I’m really hoping they will be tuned in because I’m going to put a show on and it’s going to be fun.

“I promised Aliyah that I would win a world title and bring it to her, and I’m promising my mother that I’ll defend it. I did what I said I was going to do last time, so you can expect me to do what I said I would do this time as well.

“This is a huge platform. PBC and FOX have put together an amazing platform for world champions like myself to display their talents. But at the end of the day it’s just another day in the office. I hope the viewership is high and I think it will be leading into the Pay-Per-View and I am just looking forward to putting on a great show.”

JUSTIN GAMBER, Plant’s Trainer

“We’re winding down. We’re toning everything down. We’ve already climbed the mountain and now were getting ready to climb the next mountain. We’ve already climbed the mountain of our training camp and now were going to get a little break, and recover some so we’re 100% on fight night.

“He’s looking great right now I couldn’t ask for a better version of Caleb Plant, this is the best version I’ve ever seen. I would describe him as a boxing god looking at the last time he sparred.

“As far as skill, technique, and just zeroing in. It’s not playing around and showboating during the sparring. It’s straight to business, it’s all business right now and I see it in his eyes. You see it in his focus. He’s zeroing in the fight, we’re ready.”

# # #

ABOUT PLANT VS. LEE
FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen.

Following the action on FOX, boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao battles undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.facebook.com/foxdeprtes.

LAS VEGAS (July 5, 2019) – Ahead of undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant’s first title defense against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee on Saturday, July 20, FOX Sports presents the half-hour special “Portrait of a Fighter: Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant” on Sunday, July 7 on FS1 at 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT.

“Portrait of a Fighter” is a first-hand account of the trials and triumphs of professional boxer Plant. In the show, follow the undefeated super middleweight Plant as he prepared for his first world title fight against José Uzcátegui.

Raised in poverty in the tiny town of Ashland City, Tennessee and surrounded by addiction and hardship from a young age, Caleb’s road to the top was anything but easy. Watch Caleb as he returns to his hometown to accept a key to the city, inspire the underprivileged youth and fulfill a promise to his deceased daughter. This boxer’s story is a portrait of what it means to be a fighter both in and out of the ring.

# # #
ABOUT PLANT VS. LEE
FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen.

Following the action on FOX, boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao battles undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.facebook.com/foxdeprtes.

Ray Flores
We greatly appreciate the media joining us from wherever they are around the world and we are very excited for Saturday July 20. We have the Super Middleweight Champion of the World Caleb “Sweethands” Plant putting his title on the line against unbeaten Mike Lee. It is the IBF Super Middleweight Championship of the World on the line from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It is FOX PBC Fight Night live on FOX and FOX Deportes and it all starts at 7 ET/4 PT. Brought to you by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions.

Tickets are available they are going quickly at AXS.com. You can also purchase them over the phone 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resort International box office as FOX PBC Fight Night will proceed the Fox Sports pay-per-view, the PBC paper-view which starts at 9 ET/ 6 PT and that happens also at MGM Grand featuring the Eight Division World Champion Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao taking on the WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman in our main event.

Now Saturday July 20 is going to be a historic night of boxing and we are off to a tremendous start for the summer when it comes to PBC and a catalyst for that has been the promotor and the President of TGB Promotions a man who in my opinion needs to be in the Hall of Fame sooner than later, please welcome my dear friend, the President of TGB Promotions, Mr. Tom Brown.

Tom Brown
Well thank you Ray and thank you for being with us for the Caleb Plant versus Mike Lee IBF Super Middleweight Champion Conference Call. It’s going to be a huge night of boxing in Las Vegas and a spectacular night for the sport of boxing and for FOX on pay-per-view as well.

Caleb Plant will be making the first defense of his title on FOX in primetime as the build-up to the Pacquiao vs. Thurman pay-per-view event. The fans are in for a great night of action.

Caleb Plant put the world on notice with his exciting title winning performance back in January. And now Mike Lee, in his first world title fight has a huge opportunity to prove he belongs with the best as both guys put their undefeated records on the line. So now I’ll throw it back over to Ray to introduce the fighters and get things going. Thank you very much.

R. Flores
Now let’s get an opportunity to meet the challenger who is undefeated, but first I want to acknowledge his terrific team, his trainer Jamal Abdullah also another trainer that he has Julian Chua, Tareq Azim, his strength and conditioning coach.

This man is undefeated. Twenty-one bouts, 21 victories, 11 of those coming by way of knockouts. Thirty-two years of age. He’s been undefeated since turning pro back in 2010. He typically campaigns at 175-pounds but now is going down seven pounds to the super middleweight division. He could not pass up this opportunity having most recently come off of a victory over Jose Hernandez by unanimous decision last year.

Not only is he a terrific fighter but he has accomplished a lot in academics, he’s a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he earned a degree in Finance from the Mendoza School of Business. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know this young man for the past several years. He comes from a tremendous background and without a doubt, looking to make a statement and achieve his lifelong dream and become a world champion. Ladies and gentleman, please welcome the undefeated Mike Lee.

Mike Lee
I’m excited. I’m in California now feeling phenomenal. Training hard and sparring hard. It’s been the best camp I’ve ever had honestly. Weight is going down beautifully and I just feel fast and strong and ready to do this.

Q
Can you talk about what your goals were when you turned pro and how this fight fits into that?

M. Lee
Well the ultimate goal of any fighter or athlete is to compete at the highest level for a world title, a Super Bowl or whatever that may be. So for me this is a dream come true and I’m excited because you work so hard and go through all the days of training camps and injuries and surgeries and all that to get to this moment here. So it’s the pinnacle of the sport and that’s where I belong and I’m excited to show everybody that on July 20.

Q
What lead to the decision to take a fight at Super Middleweight?

M. Lee
My team and I have been talking about super middleweight if there was an opportunity for a big fight for a while so for me it didn’t necessarily come out of left field but when I got the phone call about this specific opportunity, I was all about it. I knew 168 wouldn’t be a problem and I knew I could bring my power and my speed down to this weight class and rehydrate the right way. So when a world title comes, you say “yes” and especially when I know that I can win. I knew 168 was a comfortable weight for me and here we are.

Q
Are you working with your nutritionist or doing anything different in your training?

M. Lee
Yes, I hired a new nutritionist. Normally I didn’t even really need one to make 175 but I think the key was starting to monitor and really, you know, get this stuff down early on and we had a lot of time to prepare so that’s been the key and he’s made me feel better than I’ve ever felt.

Q
2019 has really been the year of the upsets and I would say it’s fair to say you’re probably the underdog in this fight. Do you take some heart at seeing some of the upsets that have occurred this year in boxing and picture yourself being another one on the list?

M. Lee
Yes, I don’t really pay too much attention to it. Yes, people have been saying that a lot but at the end of the day I’ve just got to be the best me. Those fights and what people say and what anybody else says doesn’t dictate the outcome of this fight when the bell rings and so yes, obviously that’s something to know. That’s the beauty of the sport, it only takes one punch, especially when you have power like mine. It only takes one punch to win something so I like the position I’m in.

Q
How is the training, the preparation been for not just taking on Caleb and also losing the weight and still keeping the power that you had at 175 pounds?

M. Lee
Yes, I mean you just got to get scientific with it and that’s where I get smarter people than me around me and just trusting the team. It’s really about trust. Trusting that the weights I’m pulling are where it needs to be and you’re getting the right carbs, the right amount of fats, the right protein, all that stuff. So I have guys around me that have been doing this their entire lives and understand that. So in terms of preparation, everything gets ramped up for the world title fight. The hunger is increased, the training increases, you’re working harder and smarter so I’m just excited. I’m bringing this excited energy to all these training sessions and that’s what I’ve wanted for a long time. I’ve been top 10 in the world for my past three, four fights so this is what I’ve been waiting for.

Q
Has it been easy shaking off the ring rust during camp with the sparring and the training for this fight?

M. Lee
Yes, it really has been. We knew about this fight a long time ago. This wasn’t one of these things where I got a call four weeks before, six weeks before, so I’ve been training, I’ve been busy and we were just waiting for that phone call. That was really it, the right opportunity. And I’m really grateful my team gave me this opportunity here so yes we’ve had a long time to prepare for this.

Q
In your eyes, what do you think you possess that some of Caleb past opponents don’t have that would allow you to win this fight and become world champion?

M. Lee
Well I’m an entirely different fighter, that’s the beauty of the sport. Every single fight is different. And so it doesn’t matter. I don’t really care what his other opponents have done in or out of the ring. It doesn’t matter. On fight night, the bell rings, it’s just me and him. The best man will win so I never really look into that. I’m just telling you what my opponents say. I’ve been in so many press conferences where opponents either talk shit or they’re dismissive or they’re respectful, all across the board. I’ve beat them all. I plan on doing the exact same thing, so what comes out of his mouth doesn’t concern me whatsoever.

Q
In terms of separation training like you were just talking about, is there anything specifically that you’re changing or doing differently in preparation for Caleb Plant?

M. Lee
Not necessarily. I think, if anything, the weather has gotten better so we’ve done some more beach workouts and whether it’s shadow boxing or strength and conditioning — whatever it is on the beach, always helps. We’ve increased sparring. Listen this is my 22nd fight so we’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here so in a sense, it’s not like we’ve really added too much.

Q
From your surrounding team and the people in your corner, how important have they been in the weeks that you’ve been training and preparing for this fight?

M. Lee
It’s huge. It’s everything. That team is going to war with you and you’ve got to surround yourself with people that believe in the same mission, believe in the same value in anything in life, that’s all of us. We’re a brotherhood. I’ve had the team for a long time and Jamal and Julian are phenomenal and they see things I can’t see and they help me and push me and motivate me and this is a dream come true for the entire team.

Jamal and Julian have been in corners for world title fights already so it’s nothing new to them. Teamwork is everything and most importantly everyone having the same vision which is exactly what we have.

Q
You’ve worked with Ronnie Shields and now Jamal Abdullah. What are some of the benefits or the greatest takeaways that you can take from all three of them?

M. Lee
I’ve learned so much from them. Ronnie I’m still good friends with. I turned pro with Ronnie in Houston, Texas and I was down there with a bunch of world champions so at a very early part of my pro career I got to get in there with some of the world’s best and just learned. Ronnie is phenomenal. Big on the fundamentals and just a calm, cool, collective guy. He’s been in the ring himself and I love Ronnie to death. He’ll be a friend for life.

Q
Why the 13-month layoff between the Hernandez fight and the Plant fight?

M. Lee
If anything we were looking for the right fight. I wasn’t with a promoter and we were looking to sign and we were talking to a lot of different promoters and certain opportunities came up and then like always in boxing, they say it’s going to happen and it falls through. And you can’t believe anything until you sign the contract so obviously after that fight, I took some time off, got back in the gym and then it was a frustrating few months just kind of waiting for that phone call. But we got it, so we’re here.

Q
I would think that you would look at maybe some things there that previous opponents may have done with Plant that you may have seen to take advantage of?

M. Lee
Yes, of course, you watch film. You definitely watch film and you see what guys did well and didn’t do well all of that kind of stuff. I was just saying you don’t really take it to heart because those guys aren’t me. You take it to heart in terms of what you’re looking at or you’re staring at in terms of film study and what not but it’s the mentality of knowing that, yes, it’s good to have those specifics down and a game plan down and certain combinations and a strategy down but at the end of the day those guys aren’t me so that’s what I meant about that.

Q
Is there anyone you’ve faced whether it be sparring or were actually in the ring with that’s most like Caleb and why?

M. Lee
I don’t know, I haven’t fought him yet. No one specific comes to mind in terms of but I’ve been fighting since I was 8-years old. I’ve been pro for 21 fights. I’ve been in and out of pro camps sparring and I’ve sparred and been in the ring with so many different guys so yes, you see a little bit of everything.

Q
Have you had like a standard eight-week training camp or is it extended beyond that?

M. Lee
Yes, extended beyond that but, we didn’t want to burn out so it wasn’t like we were boxing every single day. We were just getting strength and conditioning. Just getting the timing and the rhythm down. I think that really helps as you ease into it because I think too often fighters come into a training camp and they’re 25 pounds overweight or they’re not in shape yet and we had the luxury of coming into camp in shape. So camp wasn’t about getting in shape necessarily and losing weight as much as it was just fine-tuning things and keeping the rhythm.

Q
How instrumental has Notre Dame been in this fight? What have they done to kind of champion you on and do you expect any Notre Dame Legends to appear at your fight?

M. Lee
Yes, absolutely. I’ve had a lot of Notre Dame guys call in when they had their Notre Dame Day and Media Day and support me whether it’s buddies that I have known through the Notre Dame community, guys that played football like Justin Tuck, Golden Tate or just so many amazing people that I’ve met through that community. Notre Dame has been phenomenal. They got a camera crew coming out next week to spread the message to the alumni network so I’m just super appreciative of that community. It’s taught me a lot. It’s really matured me and it’s taught me a lot about giving back too.

They’ve been involved in pretty much all my fights throughout my career involve in different children’s charities and Notre Dame charities and so it’s been exciting to be a part of that community and alumni network.

Q
Have you had any updates on Tavion or if he was planning on being at this fight?

M. Lee
Unfortunately, I don’t think he’ll be able to fly out to Las Vegas but he just had a birthday party that I sponsored and took care of and made sure people were there and I’m still in contact with him and I plan on seeing him after this fight, so he’ll be watching on TV but yes I got to bring him in the ring and he held my belt. And I mean, it’s a beautiful moment when I’ve been able to really connect with a lot of different kids whether it through Family Reach or different children’s charities and if I get a chance to do what I love which is boxing and also give back, it’s such a win-win. And there’s been many different cases of kids like Tavion that I’ve helped along this way.

And it makes me really grateful for where I am and that I have this platform and position to do it. So I’m still involved in (Tavion’s) life. Unfortunately, he got sick again and will be going through another round of chemotherapy so he won’t be able to make the trip up to Vegas which I was bummed on about but when I fly back to Chicago with the belt, I’m excited to let him hold it.

Q
What do you do differently for recovery and to kind of manage the pain throughout camp and actually fight night because of the auto-immune disease?

M. Lee
Yes, it’s known as ankylosing spondylitis. And yes when I got diagnosed it was after almost two years in and out of hospitals and even the fights that I had some layoffs where things were really tough there was a dark hole in my life and I never dealt with those moments and understand and my immune system just shut down and it really took a long time to really diagnose what was going on. And at the end of the day a lot of it came down to my diet, a lot of it came down to my mindset. I started changing the way I was thinking about things and what I was eating and how I was eating it and even getting off of all the medication that doctors had me on was huge.

There’s still days of pain. I still have to manage it but I’m so far from where I was a few years ago and it’s a beautiful thing. I think ultimately I want to show people that whether it’s doctors, whether it’s anybody, obviously you have to trust what doctors say but at the end of the day I think the human will is the strongest thing and so I think it’s beautiful and I’m grateful that I’m in this position to fight the world title. And doctors told me to my face, I’d never box again and here we are July 20. I get to fight in front of millions of people and win a world title. I’m so grateful and happy. I can’t even imagine how happy I’m going to be the next day with that belt, but regardless it seems like yesterday I was sitting in those hospital beds and so here we are. I’m very excited and grateful.

R. Flores
Mike, final comment, as you prepare for your showdown coming up in a few weeks’ time in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, as you collide against Caleb Plant.

M. Lee
Thank you for everybody’s time. Once again, I’m excited. This is an incredible opportunity and I will make the most of it and I think I’m going to shock a lot of people. I know that this is my moment and as moments get bigger and bigger, I perform better and better. So I’ll see everybody July 20 and thank you again.

R. Flores
Now let’s turn our attention over to the man that Mike Lee is going to be standing across the ring from. First of al,l we’re going to acknowledge when I mention it’s a family affair, it is certainly a family affair with Caleb Plant as well. His father Richie Plant, he’s his co-trainer. His lead trainer is Justin Gamber, who is constantly immersing himself in studying the sport of boxing and learning about the history and working on different methods that will benefit Caleb. Also Larry Wade who is a sensational and a world class strength and conditioning coach.

Eighteen bouts, 18 victories, 10 of those coming by way of knockout. Just 26 years of age, originally from Nashville, Tennessee and now residing and training in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has been undefeated since turning professional back in 2014 and after the world title in January where he knocked down Jose Uzcategui twice in round two on his way to a unanimous decision. I have had the very good fortune of getting to know Caleb Plant for the past several years and what I could tell you about Caleb Plant is that in my opinion he is so focused, so determined and the thing about Caleb Plant is when he says something, he follows through and it becomes a reality.

He knew years ago he was going to be a world champion. The determination on Caleb Plant is second to none. So ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, please welcome the reigning and defending IBF Super Middleweight Champion of the World, Caleb “Sweethands” Plant. Caleb, if you have opening comments then give us an idea of how training camp has been going. You look terrific in videos that we see but your initial thoughts.

C. Plant
I just want to thank all you guys for hopping on this call with us. Really appreciate all the media. This is how people know how we’re doing and what we’re doing and it gets us to the rest of the world so I really appreciate you guys.

I want to thank my whole team and FOX, a beautiful platform that we’ll be performing on July 20. Camp is sensational. It’s literally the best camp I ever had. I’m sure you guys get on the phone with a lot of fighters and they say that. But this camp, I literally became a new monster and that’s exactly what you guys want to see July 20.

Q
Is being on this type of stage going to add any extra motivation to go out and have the best performance of your career?

C. Plant
I know it’s a bigger stage. There’s going to be a lot of eyeballs on me. But I think they chose me for this event because they know I’m the guy who’s not going to let them down. I think they know I’m the man for the job and that I’m going to put on the show July 20. At the end of the day, get in the ring, the bell rings and we fight so I don’t really feel any added pressure just it’s a little more excited to continue to show the world what I’m capable of.

Q
From your perspective have there been any change of mentality approaching a fight being the champion compared to being the challenger?

C. Plant
Absolutely not. If he thinks that I’m not gunning for him and I was gunning for Jose then he’s sadly mistaken. So the mentality has not changed. I don’t feel like I’m the hunted, I still feel like I’m hunting. I’m not satisfied. The goal was not just to become a world champion, that was just one goal. So in my eyes I’m 18 – 0. I’m only 26, I’m just getting started. I’m gunning for him more than I was gunning for Jose.

Q
With winning the IBF title being a goal, is it safe to assume that the goal is to unify the division and win the other World Titles at 168 pounds?

C. Plant
Absolutely. If I’m not mistaken there’s never been an undisputed super middleweight champion so that’s my goal, to become the first undisputed super middleweight champion of the world. But first things first, handle business July 20. I don’t care about any other fight. I don’t care about any other champions or what they’re doing or what they’ve got going on. The only thing I care about is July 20 and I’m focused on is handling business.

Q
Do you feel validated in a way as a fighter? Has your confidence increased, do you feel stronger as a fighter now knowing that you can beat a fighter at that top level?

C. Plant
I think it’d be hard to not be more confident after winning a world title and not just one that was an easy one to knock out of the park. Jose was considered the bogey man of the division, someone nobody wanted to fight. I came in after a year layoff, broke hand, hand surgery, no tune-up fight and I knew I could get the job done. But I don’t feel validated in a sense of what I’ve accomplished. I’m happy but I’m not content, so as I said, I’m gunning for him July 20. I’m focused, I’m zoned in but at the same time I’m definitely even more confident than I was before.

Q
Can you describe how you rate him in terms of other opponents you’ve faced? How would you compare him to some of the fighters that you have fought as you were coming up as a competitor?

C. Plant
I respect everybody as a man but if somebody wants me to respect their fighting skills then they got to make me do that. Just like my past opponents, they’ve respected me as a man but they didn’t think that I’d be able to get the job done and if I wanted them to respect my fighting skills then I had to do it when the bell rang. I’m not looking for validation from him and I’m sure hoping he is not looking for it from me because he is not going to get it unless he can maybe do it in the ring.

So as far as where I ranked with other fighters, I’m pretty sure we all agree that he’s not, he hasn’t accomplished or done some of the things that some of the other guys I fought have, but at the same time, he’s a different fighter himself, he’s a different guy. So as I’ve said before I’m taking him just as serious as I’ve taken any of these other guys. I’ve worked harder this training camp than I have in any other training camp in my entire life and I’m telling you, July 20 when the bell rings, you guys are going to see a difference. You guys are going to see a new Caleb Plant.

Q
Do you feel any added pressure not inside the ring but outside the ring character-wise upholding the responsibility of that title?

C. Plant
I’ve always tried to carry myself as a champion, talk as a champion and train as a champion. I’m not a grown man, I’m a growing man. So I’m going to continue to become better in the ring. I’m going to continue to become a better man outside the ring, but thus far I think I’ve done a good job of handling that responsibility. I think if I just continue to follow what I’ve done, I think I’ll be on the right path.

Q
Do you feel any animosity towards Lee personally or what are some of your perspectives on him as a person?

C. Plant
I think that Mike Lee is not someone who tells the whole truth. I have the inside scoop on a couple of different things and so I don’t know. But I have the same amount of respect for him as anybody else who I step in the ring with, which is none. If you want me to respect your fighting skills, then you’ve got to make me do that. I’m not just going to give you the respect that you want. July 20, when the bell rings, if he wants me to respect anything in his arsenal, then he’s got to make me do that because he’s not getting it.

To me, boxing is life or death. That’s it. So I don’t care about anybody in his village, I don’t care who lives there, I’m coming to burn it down. So unless he’s looking to do the same thing with me, it’s either going to be a long night or a short night.

On July 20 just tune in and something my father has taught me is the truth belongs to everybody and lies belongs to individuals. I’m going to give you the truth July 20.

Q
What were some of the things discussed from the mics between you two when they weren’t able to pick those comments up?

C. Plant
I don’t know. I honestly couldn’t even remember to tell you. I told him to sit down and he sat down so I turned the cameras and stood there with my belt. So but none of that is really important. What’s important is when we let our hands fly so. That’s all I care about.

Q
Listen, does this guy really know what he’s getting into? The reason why I ask this is one, he’s face off – it’s the first guys face in 13 months. Two, he’s dropping down in weight. Three, he’s fighting a World Champion. Does he really know what he’s getting into?

C. Plant
No, he doesn’t but that’s okay. It’s not my job. It’s none of our jobs to tell him otherwise. I’m going to let these hands do the talking on July 20, but no, he’s delusional. He’s never faced anybody like me. He’s never even come close. He just told you guys that he’s not even getting the sparring of anybody who even looks like me. How many people do you think I can spar that fights like Mike Lee? How many people do you think he can spare that look like me? And he answered it for you. I don’t even have to tell you. So no, he has no idea but that’s okay.

He’s going to learn a lesson July 20 one that he can’t be taught. One that can only be taught by me, so. I don’t like him that much. I don’t like anybody who’s in the ring with me. I don’t want to be friends. I don’t care about what they’ve got going on. To me, boxing is life or death so if I don’t win, I don’t get to go home because I won’t have a home.

Q
I don’t think you’ve ever had a pro fight in Nashville, have you? Would you like to do that at some point and bring professional boxing into Nashville, a big-ticket fight?

C. Plant
That’s something that I have not gotten to do yet but that’s something that we’re really looking forward to and we’re close to getting it done. When they approached me with this opportunity to fight here at MGM Grand, we were talking about a couple different spots one of them being Nashville, but I really loved this opportunity and they knew that I was the man for the job to handle it in fashion. But definitely I want to bring a big fight to Nashville at the big city. I think Jeff Lacy and Jermain Taylor, they fought in Nashville. There have been a couple of other big fights in Nashville but I think that I could be the one to make it a regular thing. So first thing is first, we’ll handle business July 20 and we’ll go from there, but that’s something definitely that we’re looking forward to in the future.

Q
Do you still feel that you represent Nashville as a fighter? Is that still an important part of your identity?

C. Plant
Nashville, that’s who I am. I may reside in Las Vegas, but Tennessee, that’s what made me. Ashland City, Nashville — those are the places that made me. I live in Vegas like I said, but Nashville is always home that’s the only important part of me and it always will be.

Q
How therapeutic has it been to go back in the ring and train and prepare yourself for such a big event here coming down here in a couple of weeks?

C. Plant
Boxing has always been like a sanctuary for me. It’s been a place that I could go and be somebody. I’ve said this in other interviews that as a kid I was somebody that nobody would want to be living in a place coming from a place where nobody would want to be in. So when I got to go to the gym, then I got to be somebody that everybody wanted to be. Even at a young age, grown men looking up to me. “Oohing” and “Ahhing” and I kind of got to be a superstar. And once I got back out of those doors I had to go back to being that kid that nobody wanted to be. And so that just kind of became like addicting. it became like an addiction for me to want to be there, want to be in the gym, not go home and just be a gym rat.

Through everything that came and left in my life, through all the things that I’ve lost, through all the things I’ve been deprived of or haven’t had, boxing has always stood by my side and boxing has always been there for me through thick and thin. Boxing is like a woman. If you treat her right and you do good by her, then she’ll stand by you and she’ll do right by you. But she’s a jealous woman as well and the difference between me and my opponent is I haven’t glanced off of her. I haven’t endeavored into other things. I haven’t. Fear not the man who’s thrown 10,000 kicks once but fear the man who’s thrown one kick 10,000 times. So that’s what I’ve done.

Q
What should they be anticipating when they see you in action here against Mike Lee for your championship? What do you want to showcase that new audience of fans who may not be too familiar with what you do or what you bring to the table?

C. Plant
They can expect fireworks. They can expect an entertaining person, an entertaining fighter and Mike Lee won’t make it out the final bell so either he’ll bail out before the final bell or I’ll bail him out myself but, either the way the white flag is coming out. I’ll wave it for him so it’s going to be one or the other.

R. Flores
Do you have any final words as you prepare to get back into training?

C. Plant
Again, I’m encouraging everyone to tune in. It’s going to be a great night of fighting. It’s going to be a spectacular. I’ll be defending my world title in a spectacular fashion, so this is something you guys aren’t going to want to miss, I can promise you.

# # #

ABOUT PLANT VS. LEE
FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen.

Following the action on FOX, boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao battles undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

LAS VEGAS (June 27, 2019) – Undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant discussed his current training camp as he prepares for his first title defense against unbeaten Mike Lee in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

FOX PBC Fight Night coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and will precede the PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event that also takes place at MGM Grand and is headlined by eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao facing WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman.

Tickets for the live event, which is presented by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 886-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.

Plant (18-0, 10 KOs) captured his world title on January on FS1 when he dropped Jose Uzcategui twice on his way to a unanimous decision victory. Here is what he said about his first world title defense and more from training camp with trainer Justin Gamber at City Boxing Gym in Las Vegas.

On his recent training camp:

“This has been the best training camp of my career. I’m getting great sparring with guys who are pushing me to be my best. I’m a world champion and I know what needs to be done in camp to stay that way. There is still a lot that the world hasn’t seen when it comes to my boxing skill and ability. On July 20, the world will see more of it. My entire team is doing a great job and my motivation is at an all-time high.”

On his matchup with undefeated foe Mike Lee:

“Mike Lee is coming down in weight and is the bigger man. I know he’s looking to rough me up and use his size against me. On top of that he’s undefeated and looking to stay that way. I’m expecting him to leave everything in the ring, but I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again, Mike Lee is not making it to the final bell. I’m going to knock him out.”

On fighting in the biggest boxing event of the year live on FOX:

“When they presented me with the opportunity to fight on FOX, I immediately said yes. No other network in boxing compares to FOX. This is the biggest stage in the sport and I’m going to put on a masterful performance for all the fans watching. It’s also a great honor to be the lead-in main event to the legend Manny Pacquiao. To all my Latino fans who’ll be watching on FOX Deportes, I want to say Muchas Gracias.”

On fighting for his hometown of Nashville, TN:

“I love putting Nashville on the map in the boxing world. I’m riding with Nashville on my back till the wheels fall off. Like I said after my fight when I won my world title, Nashville stand up!”

# # #

ABOUT PLANT VS. LEE
FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender Mike Lee Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen.

Following the action on FOX, boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao battles undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

For more information:
visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage
and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports,
@FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports &
www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

SANTA MONICA, CA. (June 20, 2019) – Unbeaten super middleweight contender Mike Lee shared his thoughts on his upcoming title showdown against super middleweight champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant from his training camp at Gloveworx in Santa Monica, California before he steps into the ring Saturday, July 20 in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

FOX PBC Fight Night action begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and features rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation and 2016 Nigerian Olympian Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen.

Tickets for the event, which is presented by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.

Lee is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he earned a finance degree from the Mendoza School of Business before embarking on his pro boxing career. Here is what Lee had to say about his training camp, his journey to fighting for the title and more:

MIKE LEE

“I have strong belief in my power. I think to put yourself out there and drive through adversity, it’s going to be more mental than physical and god knows I’ve had my ups and downs especially with my illness and being in and out of hospitals. But I’m here now and I’ve won seven fights since I was diagnosed with my auto-immune disease and I’m here doing what people thought I could not do. Whether it’s the boxing media or doctors, I’m defying the odds, so why should July 20 be any different.

“What’s kept me going through the ups and downs is the love for this sport and the love for moments like this. I always knew this world title shot would come if I kept grinding and grinding and putting in that work when people weren’t watching. Ultimately, I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it on the days that I doubted myself.

“I’ve fought on big stages before. I’ve headlined a card at Notre Dame that had 6,000 people. I’ve headlined Chicago fights too, so this is nothing different. It’s not like I’m some unknown challenger coming in to the spotlight. I thrive in the spotlight and have had some big moments since the beginning of my career. This is just another day in the office.

“I think Caleb Plant is going to see a Mike Lee he’s never seen. He’s going to feel that power. He’s talking about knockouts, but he hasn’t knocked anyone out in his past seven fights. Wait until he feels my power. It’ll only take one and you’ll see the doubt that will plant in his head.

“Notre Dame means so much to me. I worked so hard to get into that school and that school gave back so much to me as well. To be a part of that Notre Dame community and have friends like Golden Tate and Justin Tuck, who won Super Bowl rings, I want to be a part of that. I want to be a part of that championship legacy and continue to keep giving back.

“For me I moved from Houston to Los Angeles because for a couple of years when I got sick, I was back home in Chicago trying to figure out how to become healthier. Ultimately moving to California has been a phenomenal move for me. I loved my team in Houston but I love being by the beach and by the water. California has been an awesome training spot. You’ve got some of the best fighters and athletes in the world that come here. Being immersed in that type of culture has been phenomenal.”

# # #

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

LAS VEGAS (June 17, 2019) – Undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant hosted a Las Vegas media breakfast roundtable Saturday morning as he discussed his upcoming title defense Saturday, July 20 against unbeaten Mike Lee in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and also features unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen

Tickets for the event, which is presented by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office. The Ajagba vs. Demirezen match is being promoted in association with Ringstar Sports.

After FOX PBC Fight Night, boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao takes on undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in a powerhouse 147-pound showdown that headlines a PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Here is what Plant (18-0, 10 KOs), along with his trainer Justin Gamber, had to say Saturday from Hecho En Vegas at MGM Grand about their matchup against Lee (21-0, 11 KOs) and more:

CALEB PLANT

“I’ve been working hard. Sparring is great. My weight is on point and I’ve been eating good. We’re rolling. Last camp I found my groove in probably my third or fourth week. This time it was in my second week. I’m going to be an improved Caleb Plant.

“As I’ve worked more on strength and conditioning with my coach Larry Wade, everyone can see how my power has developed. I’m sitting down on my punches more as well. But there’s no substitute for sharpening your tools in the shed. I’m still working on my craft as much as ever.

“We’ve seen so many big upsets so far this year in boxing, so I have more than enough motivation to focus on the task July 20. I’ve always said that the only fight I worry about, is the one that is signed.

“I already feel like I’m the best out there. Good luck to Mike Lee. I hope he shows up. He’s going to be getting a mattress sponsorship, because July 20 he’s going to sleep. This isn’t going 12 rounds.

“Justin Gamber is underrated and I believe he’s one of the best teachers in boxing. That’s what he is, a teacher. There’s a lot of guys with stopwatches and whistles, but not everyone can teach the art of boxing. Different fighters need different things and Justin knows I don’t need to be screamed at to get going. It’s all positivity and he makes it easy to understand.

“I think I’ve shown that I’m special and I’m different. I can bring things to the table that no one else can. I don’t have to raise my voice for you to know that I mean what I say. You already believe me. I’m going to continue to walk how I walk and talk how I talk.

“Media recognition and stature has changed since winning the title, but who I am and how hard I work, I’m still the same Caleb that I’ve always been. I’ve looked at myself as a world champion from a young age. How else do you become a world champion?

“Jose Uzcategui was everything they were building him up to be. He’s a relentless pressure fighter with power in both hands and I knew it was going to be a tough fight. I don’t think he knew what he was getting himself into, and I tried to warn him.

“We’d love to unify and be undisputed, that’s the goal. For now, we’re just focused on the task at hand. I have my hands full on the big stage July 20. If you look too far down the road, it can mess up the immediate future. I am really focused on getting past this challenge.”

JUSTIN GAMBER, Plant’s Trainer

“Caleb has been the ultimate student. I couldn’t ask for someone better. When I think of Caleb as an amateur, I think of just an athletic guy. Since he turned pro he’s really developed his skill set and fine-tuned his technique. He’s a guy who now has that athletic ability combined with skill and high boxing IQ.

“Caleb amazes me every day with how he tries different things and how he can break it down, fine tune it and perfect it. We’re just making sure that he can use his skills at the right time in the fight.

“The super middleweight division is in one of its hottest eras and I think Caleb Plant is head and shoulders above the rest. When I think of a possible future fight with Caleb against David Benavidez, I think of Floyd Mayweather vs. Diego Corrales. The offensive-minded big man against the smaller, better boxer. I see Caleb doing a similar job one day.”

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Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

LAS VEGAS (June 3, 2019) – Rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation and 2016 Nigerian Olympian Efe Ajagba will square off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen in FOX PBC Fight Night action and on FOX Deportes Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The 10-round heavyweight attraction will feature two 2016 Olympians putting their unbeaten records on the line as they look to make a statement in the red-hot division. FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender Mike Lee.

FOX PBC Fight Night will precede the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT that also takes place at MGM Grand featuring eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao facing WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman in the main event.

Tickets for the event, which is presented by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office. The Ajagba vs. Demirezen match is being promoted in association with Ringstar Sports.

“Saturday, July 20th is the biggest night of boxing I can remember,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman and CEO of Ringstar Sports. “The entire card top to bottom is toe-to-toe action with evenly matched fights featuring the most entertaining fighters in the world displaying their talent. I am sure several of the fights that night will be immediate Fight of the Year candidates. It is only fitting that the most talked about young heavyweight, Efe Ajagba, will be part of this Boxing-Extravaganza. Efe is simply put the definition of must-see TV. His opponent, Ali Demirezen, is undefeated in 11 fights with 10 of them by knockout. It will be two undefeated big punchers putting it all on the line, that is PBC boxing at its best!”

Ughelli, Nigeria’s Ajagba (10-0, 9 KOs) gained notoriety last August 24 when his opponent, Curtis Harper, walked out of the ring after touching gloves to start the first round. The 24-year-old won the fight without throwing a punch as Harper was disqualified live on FS1. Ajagba, who lives in Stafford, Texas and trains with Ronnie Shields, has steadily increased his competition in his two fights this year, stopping Amir Mansour on FOX in March in two rounds, before disposing of Michael Wallisch in April in two rounds as well.

“My goal is clear: I want to be heavyweight champion of the world,” said Ajagba. “To get there I must continue to take on anyone and for the third time in my career it is another undefeated heavyweight. As they say ‘somebody’s o must go,’ and it won’t be mine. There’s no better platform for this performance than on the biggest boxing night of the year. The stage is set…don’t blink!”

Unbeaten since turning pro after the 2016 Olympics, Demirezen (11-0, 10 KOs) has fought out of Hamburg, Germany in the professional ranks and will make his U.S. debut on July 20. The 29-year-old most recently defended his European heavyweight title against Adnan Redzovic in April, winning by disqualification and matching Ajagba with a perfect knockout rate minus one DQ.

“I’m very happy to make my U.S. debut versus a really good fighter like Efe Ajagba,” said Demirezen. “I’m very focused on that fight and being in the best shape ever to make a statement. I plan to have a great performance in Las Vegas because I know the U.S. boxing fans like real fighters. I’m sure they will love me after the fight.”

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For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

Chicago, IL (May 28, 2019) – Mike Lee was an aspiring boxer headed to one of the most distinguished Universities in the country.

Lee, The most prolific boxer in Notre Dame history also graduated with a degree in Finance with a 3.8 GPA.

Lee will challenge  for the IBF Super Middleweight title, live on FOX from Las Vegas at The MGM Grand.

Lee, who battles Autoimmune Disease not only became a championship caliber boxer but is a National Pitchman and accomplished Public Speaker to Fortune-500 Companies. Mike Lee is a A true Renaissance man.
“Doctors told me at one point that I wouldn’t fight again, but I’m still standing right here. I pushed through my pain to get here,” said Lee.

Lee, whose philanthropic efforts, and humility makes makes him a unique commodity in the sport.  Something that has not been seen before.  A true role model in every sense of the definition.

Mike has personally has given over $100,000 for to the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation, the Robinson Community Learning Center in South Bend and the Kelly Cares Foundation, headed by Coach Brian Kelly of the Fighting Irish Football Team.

“I’ve had people that never thought I’d get here and I love it. It takes a different kind of person to step into that ring in front of so many people. You have to be ready to go out there and risk it all. I fight who they put in front of me and keep winning. That’s what I plan to do on July 20.  On July 20, I’m going to keep proving people wrong.”

“This has been a culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Most importantly, I’ve gotten somewhere no one thought I would get. I’m fine being the underdog. I have nothing to lose,” said Lee. “I’m coming out with everything I have. This is everything I’ve ever wanted. I respect Caleb Plant, but on July 20, I plan on making it my moment.  On July 20, I’m going to keep proving people wrong” 

“This is a dream come true for me. I’ve been through so much and there were days where I thought my dream was over. I’ve chased this since I was eight-years-old and I’m thankful for this chance to go after a dream that others thought I couldn’t reach.  

In Las Vegas, where people bet against the odds everyday, On July 20th, Mike Lee will do what he does every time he faces a big challenge and give hope to the millions who suffer from their Autoimmune Disease.
HE WILL WIN!!!

To Read more of Mike Lee’s Story on the battle with Autoimmune Disease, Click:
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/mike-lee-boxing-autoimmune-disease

LOS ANGELES (May 22, 2019) – Eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten welterweight world champion Keith Thurman, plus unbeaten super middleweight champion Caleb Plant and unbeaten Mike Lee,squared-off for the second day in a row Wednesday, this time at a Los Angeles press conference as they previewed their respective showdowns taking place Saturday July 20 presented by Premier Boxing Champions and FOX Sports from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao and Thurman will battle in a welterweight world title attraction that headlines a PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Plant will make the first defense of his title against the unbeaten Lee in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes preceding the Pay-Per-View and beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office. Plant vs. Lee is presented by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles:

MANNY PACQUIAO

“It’s easy for my opponents to talk before the fight, and I’m used to everything they say. But when we get to the ring, it changes, and it will change on July 20.

“I chose Keith Thurman because he’s a great fighter, he’s undefeated and because we can give a good fight to the fans. I want to make the fans happy on that night and show that I can still go toe-to-toe with any opponent.

“He said he’s young, but we’ll see who looks young in the ring on July 20. I’m going to let my fists say everything for me.

“We will work hard in training camp like always for this fight. We’re not going to take Keith Thurman lightly or underestimate him. He’s a world champion. I’m thankful for what he’s been saying, because it’s giving me motivation to prove that at 40-years-old, I feel 29.

“Keith Thurman is aggressive and throws a lot of punches. I’m hoping on July 20 he will follow through with what he says and fight toe-to-toe with me.

“The fans need to watch this fight because it’s a once in a lifetime fight. It’s going to be a Fight of the Year and full of action from start to finish. I’m ready to get it on July 20.

“Most of my opponents are bigger than me and I beat them all. When we get into the ring, it doesn’t matter. This has happened before and it will happen again against Thurman.

“My experience will be very important for this fight. It’s going to be useful against an undefeated fighter. I’m going to give him the experience of losing for the first time.

“I’m still having fun and enjoying the sport. I’m excited to go straight to the gym after this and start focusing on training for the fight.”

KEITH THURMAN

“It’s a blessing to be on this stage and have a fight of this magnitude. I’m an all-American fighter, an all-American champion and come July 20, I’m going to stay champion.

“Manny is a world class fighter. He’s a gentleman inside and outside of the ring. I look forward to trading punches with a living legend. But one thing’s for sure, he’s not walking away with my title.

“All Manny does is hop around in the ring. I’m not going to lose to a bunny rabbit. He’s not Tupac, but he does a little hip hop and he’s not going to stop until he gets dropped.

“Manny is a world class fighter, not a world class boxer. I’m going to trip him up in the ring and he won’t know what direction to turn to. I know who I am as a fighter, and it will be proven come July 20.

“I’m destroying the legend of Manny Pacquiao. His legacy ends on July 20 and mine begins. He’s an inspiration to many people throughout the world and everyone respects him, but I’m respectfully going to finish him.

“This is a big fight as far as the stage goes, but it’s a big fight against a little guy. He’s a veteran and I’ve dismantled veterans in the past. I believe I would have destroyed Manny Pacquiao five years ago. I’ve always been ready for this fight. He’s never fought someone like me with this kind of lateral movement, speed and power. I’m coming for him.

“I was in the gym four weeks ago starting some preparations. I wanted to get the ball rolling and use the momentum from my last training camp for this opportunity. Who better to showcase my skills and talent against than Manny Pacquiao? He chose me because it will be a guaranteed action fight.

“I think this is one of the best Manny Pacquiao fights in a long time. I’m going to bring it. Pacquiao did not get reminded in his last fight what it feels like to be up against a real champion. I’m the youngest, fastest, hungriest fighter that he’s ever been in the ring with. July 20, it’s the ‘Keith Thurman show’.”

CALEB PLANT

“I never consider myself the A-side because my history says that I shouldn’t even be here. As beautiful as the belt is, it’s about more to me than that. It’s about legacy for me. I’ve been carrying myself as a world champion since the day I started this journey, so this is nothing new to me.

“I’m the whole package. I have speed, I have footwork, I have power, I have the heart and the will to win. Until you find someone else who’s all that, I’m going to keep having my hand raised.

“Where I’m from, there’s confrontation every day. This is nothing new to me. There are times I was told that I wouldn’t make it. Nobody paved the way for me like I’m from New York or Los Angeles. I paved my own way.

“Mike Lee is in uncharted territory. I’m curious on how he plans on beating me. Does he plan on roughing me up and trying to knock me out like my last opponent? Can he do that better than Jose Uzcategui? Is he going to try to outbox me with his hand and foot speed? Because there’s no person from 160 to 175 who could do that.

“I’ve been committed to the same thing for the last 18 years straight. Rain, sleet or snow, I stayed committed. I’m bred for this. I was created for this. It’s the only thing I’ve done my whole life. On July 20, I’ll be keeping the thing that I’ve worked my whole entire life for.

“At every decision that has to be made, you can go left or you can go right. From the genesis of my being, every time it was the moment to make a tough decision, I went the same way. Because I do not bend or fold for anything. No matter what’s tossed my way, this journey must go on for me. He said he has nothing to lose, but I have everything to lose.

“All the motivational videos that he watches and books that he reads, I’m the very essence and meaning of that. I’m the pinnacle of all those things he’s studied. You can’t learn mental fortitude in a book. Those things are earned, they’re not learned.”

MIKE LEE

“This is a dream come true for me. I’ve been through so much and there were days where I thought my dream was over. I’ve chased this since I was eight-years-old and I’m thankful for this chance to go after a dream that others thought I couldn’t reach.

“The beauty of this sport is that it’s only me and Caleb in there. Everyone else can only talk. I’ve been in the ring through adversity and stuck it out, because that’s the kind of person I am. I know that if I come on July 20 as the best Mike Lee possible, that I can win.

“I’ve been in the gym working every day. Doctors told me at one point that I wouldn’t fight again, but I’m still standing right here. I pushed through my pain to get here.

“I’m excited to be here in Los Angles, where we hold training camp. I’m bringing the belt back to Chicago, but Los Angeles is a second home to me.

“Today is the culmination of years of sacrifice, hard work and discipline. I’m undefeated for a reason but I feel people underestimate me and I like that. I’ve been underestimated my whole career. I’ve thrived off people say I couldn’t do it.

“I respect Caleb Plant. He’s the champion for a reason and I respect any fighter who can step into that ring. You have to be a different kind of animal to do that in front of all those people, and I am that animal.

“I’m coming with power, strength, speed and I’m going to give it everything I have. I’m going to become the new IBF Super Middleweight World Champion.”

RICHARD STURM, President of Las Vegas Live Entertainment & Sports

“I’d like to welcome back Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman, two of the world’s best fighters, back to Las Vegas and MGM Grand. Manny returns to the ring at MGM Grand following his convincing win in January while Keith will fight in Las Vegas for the first time in four years, looking to remain undefeated.

“We’re truly excited to be hosting this sensational event at MGM Grand and we look forward to seeing everybody in July.”

BILL WANGER, Executive Vice President of Programming, Research & Content Strategy for FOX Sports

“Manny Pacquiao vs. Keith Thurman is a living legend, versus a legend in the making. We’re excited to deliver an unprecedented night of boxing on July 20 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Manny is one of boxing’s biggest stars. Keith Thurman is an undefeated world champion and a huge ratings draw. We’re excited to bring viewers inside the ropes and up close to the action on fight night, and produce extensive behind the scenes preview programming that will air across the FOX networks.

“FOX Sports is thrilled to have a battle on July 20 with such a compelling storyline to kick off a great night of championship boxing with the IBF champion Caleb Plant against the undefeated Mike Lee.

“In January, Caleb Plant headlined the most-watched boxing event ever on FS1. Now he’s fighting on the FOX network for the first time as the main event. At FOX Sports, big events that capture America’s attention are in our DNA. This fight certainly fits that bill.

“Our goal with the PBC deal is to build these fighters into household names, and we’re well on our way. We expect a great show on July 20 in Las Vegas.”

# # #

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.

NEW YORK (May 21, 2019) – Eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten welterweight world champion Keith Thurman, plus unbeaten super middleweight champion Caleb Plant and unbeaten Mike Lee went face-to-face Tuesday in New York at a press conference to preview their respective showdowns on Saturday July 20 and presented by Premier Boxing Champions and FOX Sports from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao and Thurman will square-off in a welterweight world title attraction that headlines a PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Plant will make the first defense of his title against the unbeaten Lee in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes preceding the Pay-Per-View and beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office. Plant vs. Lee is presented by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions.

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday from Gotham Hall in New York City:

MANNY PACQUIAO

“I’ve never been scared of a challenge. I’m so excited for this fight against an undefeated champion. He’s the kind of fighter that you can’t underestimate. His record and successe gives me more motivation to work hard.

“I will make sure that I’m 100 percent and ready for this fight. We’ll find out what happens on July 20, but it’s going to be exciting. I like being the underdog for this fight because that gives me more focus in training.

“I’ve been careless and over confident in some fights, but this time around it’s different. Keith Thurman is a good fighter and we’re going to make sure the fans are happy on July 20.

“It’s a great honor for me to be fighting back in Las Vegas and on the FOX Sports pay-per-view. I’m going to take advantage of the opportunity.

“I chose Keith Thurman because he’s undefeated and I want to prove that at age 40 I can still beat a great fighter like Keith.

“My time is not yet over. My journey is continuing. I’m going to prove that and more on July 20 against Keith Thurman.

“I’m the kind of fighter that I don’t talk too much. I do my talking in the ring. I can do a lot of things in that ring. He can prove his words in the ring. I’m going to be a warrior on July 20 and show Keith Thurman what it’s like to be in the ring with me.

“I will work hard for this fight. I haven’t felt this motivated and excited since the Oscar De La Hoya fight. I feel like I’m back against the best fighters in the world.

“Our focus in every fight is on the speed and footwork, because those are advantages for me. We’re going to work on avoiding Keith’s offense.

“Fans should watch this fight because it’s a once in a lifetime showdown. We’re going to bring action and I’m confident I will be victorious.”

KEITH THURMAN

“We’re ready. This is a blessing to be here and a dream come true. I started boxing at the age of seven. I worked hard to be a champion and I’ve always wanted to fight the greatest names in the sport.

“Pacquiao wants a challenge and I’m very grateful to be sharing a ring with a legend. If you understand boxing history, you know that times change. I believe boxing is in a new era. Come July 20, Pacquiao will disappear. He’ll always be remembered in the sport, but I’m doing to Manny Pacquiao, what he did to Oscar De La Hoya.

“This is a big fight. I’ve waited 22 months to get back in the game. We had our ups and downs, but Keith Thurman is back on the rise. I’m going to make a big statement.

“This training camp is going to start this Saturday. Once I get home, it’s grind time and on July 20, it’s going to be my time.

“July 20 is 23 years in the making. I’ve dedicated myself to this beautiful sport of boxing for so long and my first trainer Ben Getty told me that I had what it takes to be a great champion. I’m truly looking forward to having another chance to show it.

“We definitely had a stretch with a lack of activity. Not everyone knows who Keith Thurman is today. You could see that I wasn’t at my best in January. But on July 20, ‘One Time’ is back. I’m getting ready to have one of my best training camps for this fight.

“I had the knockdown in my last fight that was a reminder of what ‘One Time’ is all about. We brushed the dust off and we’re taking that momentum into this fight.

“I’m excited to be the guy who shows Manny Pacquiao where the exit is. He’s a legend who’s done great things. But I’ve never lost to a fighter who’s lost seven times. I have no intention of losing this fight and I don’t see him winning in any shape or form.

“Speed, power and overall ring IQ will be the difference. I’m one of the smartest fighters in the sport. I always find a way to win. I know Pacquiao comes in shape, but he’s going to fall short of that finish line.”

CALEB PLANT

“I’ve been boxing my whole life. They say it takes 10,000 hours of work to become a true success at something. Come July 20, I’ll have been doing this for 18-years straight. No breaks and no Plan B. I’ve just been boxing, day in and day out.

“Mike Lee may have a financial degree, but in boxing, I have a Ph.D. That’s something he doesn’t know anything about. I came from very rock bottom, where nobody makes it out. If he thinks I’m going to let him mess this up for me, he’s not half as educated as I thought he was.

“I have everything to lose. Every night from now until July 20, I hope Lee and his team are envisioning the worlds ‘and still’. Because that’s all anyone is going to hear on fight night.

“It’s exciting to be on this primetime card. Everyone who wants to take it to the top of the sport wants to be a main event at MGM Grand. At the same time, where we fight is not most important to me. We can fight in the parking lot, because it’s about legacy to me.

“Anytime that someone steps into the ring and wins their first world title in fashion, it’s going to be a confidence booster. But I did tell everyone what was going to happen. There’s a season for everything and right now is mine.

“He may come into the ring bigger and heavier than me, but boxing skills are what wins fights. Years of repetition with boxing teachers, are what wins fights. You’ll see all of that on July 20.

“I don’t look at myself as the favorite in any fight. I’m the one who’s not supposed to be here. Put everyone through what I’ve been through, and see if they would make it here.”

MIKE LEE

“This has been a culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Most importantly, I’ve gotten somewhere no one thought I would get. I’m fine being the underdog. I have nothing to lose.

“I’m coming out with everything I have. This is everything I’ve ever wanted. I respect Caleb Plant, but on July 20, I plan on making it my moment.

“I’ve headlined cards in Chicago and at Notre Dame before so the bright lights are nothing new to me. I’m very excited and working hard. On July 20, I’m going to keep proving people wrong.

“The whole reason I got into this sport is to do it on big stages. Everyone wants to prove it on the biggest stage possible and there’s no bigger stage than at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It’s a dream come true and it’s the reason I’ve worked so hard.

“Moving down in weight is an advantage. I’ve got a great team working with me to make the weight easily and rehydrate the right way. I’m going to be the bigger and stronger guy in the ring.

“I’ve had people that never thought I’d get here and I love it. It takes a different kind of person to step into that ring in front of so many people. You have to be ready to go out there and risk it all. I fight who they put in front of me and keep winning. That’s what I plan to do on July 20.”

# # #

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.

LAS VEGAS (May 21, 2019) – Boxing’s only eight-division world champion, Philippine Senator and regular WBA welterweight champion Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao returns to face undefeated Super WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in a powerhouse 147-pound showdown live on Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event on Saturday, July 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Preceding the pay-per-view is a FOX PBC Fight Night also taking place at MGM Grand that is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant making his first title defense against unbeaten contender Mike Lee.

Possessing speed, power and tremendous boxing skills, Thurman represents the most dangerous challenger that the future Hall of Famer Pacquiao has faced in his recent ring appearances. This high-stakes match will firmly give the winner a claim for the top spot in one of boxing’s deepest and most talented divisions.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.

“Senator Pacquiao is thrilled to be back in ‘Viva Las Vegas,’ fighting at the best venue for boxing — the MGM Grand Garden Arena. This is where the Pacquiao vs. Thurman world welterweight championship belongs,” said Sean Gibbons, President of MP Promotions. “We’re excited to be working with our partners at PBC, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions. Manny is fighting in the biggest fights on a global scale and it doesn’t get any more global than FOX Sports Pay-Per-View. Fans have always enjoyed watching Pacquiao and Thurman compete in the ring and we are confident they will, once again, give boxing fans worldwide everything they’re expecting, and more. God bless Manny and Keith for stepping up to give us this fight!”

“We’re looking forward to working with our partners in bringing yet another blockbuster back home to MGM Grand here in Las Vegas,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “This fight is a tremendous opportunity for both guys in terms of where they are in their respective careers. Pacquiao is currently the biggest name in the sport and Thurman is a young skilled undefeated fighter in the prime of his career, making for a compelling matchup. I know both fighters will be ready for the challenge that lies ahead of them come July 20, and I can’t wait to see this one go off.”

“This will be a sensational matchup between two great fighters and we’re looking forward to hosting this championship event at MGM Grand in July,” said Richard Sturm, President of Las Vegas Live Entertainment and Sports. “Fans have always enjoyed watching Pacquiao and Thurman compete in the ring and we are confident they will, once again, give boxing fans worldwide everything they’re expecting, and more.”

“FOX Sports is thrilled to present our second Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View featuring one of boxing’s biggest stars, Pacquiao, facing the champion Thurman, who wowed nearly three-million viewers live on FOX in January with his latest title defense,” said Bill Wanger, FOX Sports EVP, Programming, Live Operations and Research. “This promises to be a can’t miss night of boxing with an unprecedented FOX Sports PBC doubleheader, as we open the evening with the FOX PBC Fight Night, headlined by newly crowned champion Plant defending his title against the undefeated Lee. Plant set the FS1 viewership record for a boxing show in January when he won his title, and we’re sure this match up will deliver even bigger audiences leading into the Pacquiao vs. Thurman Pay-Per-View.”

A three-time Fighter of the Year and the Boxing Writers Association of America’s reigning Fighter of the Decade, Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 KOs), who hails from Sarangani Province in the Philippines, is the only sitting Congressman and Senator to win a world title. After serving two terms as Congressman, Pacquiao was elected to a Philippine Senate seat in May 2016, capturing over 16 million votes nationally. Pacquiao’s boxing resume features victories over at least seven current and future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez.

In his last match on January 19, Pacquiao put on a vintage performance against four-division champion Adrien Broner, scoring a 12-round unanimous decision in the 70th match of his illustrious career. It was his first time fighting in the U.S. in two years. Before that, he scored an impressive knockout over Lucas Matthysse to win his version of the WBA welterweight championship in Malaysia last July 15.

“All my life I have confronted challenges — in life, in politics, and inside the ring,” said Pacquiao. “Keith Thurman is the type of challenge I crave as a fighter. He is the biggest and best test. That is why I want to fight him. We are going to give boxing fans an exciting fight and a great night.”

The 30-year-old Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) is the longest reigning welterweight champion in boxing, having collected his WBA title with a stoppage victory over Diego Chaves in 2013. He has successfully defended that title eight times and became a unified welterweight champion when he defeated Danny Garcia by split decision to win the WBC title. Plagued by a litany of injuries, including bone chips in his right elbow that had to be surgically removed, Thurman was out of action for nearly two years before getting back into the ring with a hard fought victory against Josesito Lopez in January on FOX.

Having taken up the sport when he was in grade school, the Clearwater, Florida native blossomed under the tutelage of his first trainer, Ben Getty, to become an outstanding amateur. Though Getty has passed away, Thurman still carries those boxing and life lessons with him whenever he steps into the ring with his current longtime trainer Dan Birmingham. His power punching earned him the nickname “One Time.”

“I’m extremely excited for this opportunity to get a fight that I’ve wanted for a long time,” said Thurman. “The right circumstances have aligned for it to happen now and I’m grateful for that. Me and my team are looking forward to it. It’s going to be an honor to be in the ring with Manny Pacquiao. It’s going to be fun to go back to MGM Grand in my first pay-per-view with FOX Sports. I believe that Ben Getty would be very proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish. He said I’d be able to dominate the welterweight division and be a multi-million-dollar fighter and a star in the sport.

“Manny Pacquiao is beatable. He’s been beaten before in his career. He’s a fan favorite and a legend. For me his boxing tactics are predictable. He fights in spurts and you have to take advantage of that. You have to be respectful of his power. But I believe my movement, athleticism and ring knowledge will be able to present him something he’s not seen in all his years of boxing.”

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LAS VEGAS (May 21, 2019) – Undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant will make the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender Mike Lee in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and will precede the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View event that also takes place at MGM Grand and is headlined by eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao facing WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman.

“Caleb Plant put the boxing world on notice with his exciting title-winning performance in January and will look to build on that showing against an unbeaten contender in Mike Lee on July 20,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “His first defense of the title will put Plant in primetime on FOX and FOX Deportes in Las Vegas and building up to the Pacquiao vs. Thurman pay-per-view event. With two undefeated fighters going toe-to-toe in this first main event of the evening, fans are in for a memorable night of action.”

Tickets for the event, which is presented by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, charge by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.

Plant vs. Lee will see two hungry unbeaten fighters square off, as Plant looks to defend his title and cement himself as the class of the 168-pound ranks, while Lee will look to join the super middleweight elite as a world champion for the first time.

To win the title, Plant (18-0, 10 KOs) turned the tables on the hard-hitting Venezuelan slugger Jose Uzcategui in their IBF championship fight in January on FS1. Going into the match the consensus was that Uzcategui was the harder puncher and that Plant would have to withstand his power to walk away with the belt. It was the 26-year-old Plant, however, who stunned Uzcategui by dropping him to the canvas twice on the way to a convincing unanimous decision. It was an emotional night for Plant, who is from Ashland City, Tenn. and now lives in Las Vegas. He had dedicated his career-best victory to the memory of his late daughter Alia, who suffered from a rare disorder that caused seizures.

“I’m more than ready to return to the ring on July 20 as the main event on FOX at MGM Grand in Las Vegas,” said Plant. “I’ll be defending my IBF world title in tremendous fashion and this is one fight you guys will not want to miss. I’m taking this fight just as seriously as my last opponent.

“This guy is undefeated and looking to stay that way, but unfortunately for him, he took on the wrong challenge against the wrong guy. Come July 20, he’ll realize he’s in deeper water than he’s ever been in. My last fight was for Alia, but this fight I’m dedicating to my beautiful mother Beth Ann. May you Rest in Peace, Love you Momma.”

The 31-year-old Lee (21-0, 11 KOs) graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in business, but decided to pursue his boxing dreams rather than take a job on Wall Street. A native of Wheaton, Illinois who now lives in Chicago, Lee has made a steady climb up the ladder and has been campaigning at light heavyweight. He will be moving down to super middleweight to challenge for his first world championship. Lee is coming off an impressive unanimous decision victory over Jose Hernandez on last June 8.

“I’ve have dreamt of the opportunity to fight for a world title for years,” said Lee. “All the years of hard work, pain and sacrifice have led me to this moment. On July 20 I will be victorious and prove everyone wrong that didn’t believe I was good enough to even get here.

“When I spent almost two years in and out of hospitals battling an autoimmune disease there were moments I never thought I could get back to this level and there were doctors who told me my fighting days were done. But I have won every fight since and I plan to prove that anything is possible if you want it bad enough. I could not have done this without my Dad, my advisor Mike Borao and my trainers Jamal Abdullah and Julian Chua.”

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Chicago, Illinois (June 4, 2018) -When WBO number-3 ranked light heavyweight contender Mike Lee (20-0, 11 KOs) takes on Jose Hernandez (19-3-1, 9 KOs) this Friday night at The Allstate Arena in Chicago. The card will be broadcast live on CBS Spots Network (9 PM ET) with an all-star announce team of International Boxing Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins and renowned Teddy Atlas.

Tompkins, who has been calling the biggest fights in the world for nearly 40 years, has seen his share of fighters, but not many with the versatility of a fighter who could be speaking to corporate America one day, and competing at a championship level in the ring…. the very next day.

“This fight will be a nice little test for Lee. This is something that he has been striving for a long time, and I will be happy to see him get that chance that he has been wanting. It is a real opportunity for him to show himself as one of the great fighters around,” said Tompkins.

Lee, who is one of a real select few that is able to give motivational speeches to Fortunate-500 companies, is a national spokesperson for major cooperation’s, and be a world class fighter all wrapped up in one.

Lee, who is holds a finance degree from Notre Dame, spends time and money for kids diagnosed with terminal cancer, so he is always fighting for a higher cause

“He is a very sellable guy whether he fights or not, and that’s the thing. He has the opportunity to be a real spokesman, not only for himself but for the sport of boxing in general. He is that in general He can really fill a room and he is excellent at dealing with all walks of life and all generations of people. I haven’t been around too many that can do that. “Sugar” Ray Leonard comes to mind who can do that. Leonard has a very galvanizing personality, and Mike has a lot of that in him. He is very good spokesperson for the sport.”

With a win on Friday night, Lee could be just a fight or two away for fighting for a coveted world championship.

“I know that is something he has looked forward to. I am in favor of him getting an opportunity. His record says that he is worthy of an opportunity.”

Mike Lee remained undefeated by emphatically stopping Aaron Quatrocchi in round one of a their ten round light heavyweight bout at The Dome at The Ballpark in Rosemont, Illinois.

In round one, Lee landed a perfect right that sent Quattrocchi to the canvas. Moments later, Lee landed another booming right that sent Quattrocchi down for a 2nd time. Lee finished off the show with a hard flurry, and the bout was stopped at 2:32.

Lee of Chicago is now 20-0 with 11 knockouts. Quattrocchi of West Virginia is now 10-2-1.

Tommy Hughes stopped Joshua Kuhn in round four of a scheduled four-round super middleweight bout.

Hughes dominated the action until a hard 1-2 combination landed and the fight was stopped at 30 seconds.

Hughes, 167 1/2 lbs of Chicago is now 4-0 with 3 knockouts. Kuhn, 167 lbs of Welch, WV is 1-2-1.

Taylor Duerr stopped Matt Cameron in round two of their scheduled four round cruiserweight bout.

Duerr landed a hard combination that hurt Cameron and the fight was stopped at

Duerr, 195 lbs of Detroit is 5-0-1 with 5 knockouts. Cameron, 199 1/2 lbs of Niles, IL is 1-1-1.

Queens, NY (6/4/16) – On Friday night, DiBella Entertainment returned to Resorts World Casino New York City with another action-packed nine-bout card for the latest installment of its popular “Broadway Boxing” series, proudly sponsored by Nissan of Queens.

The evening concluded with a slugfest featuring female fighters Alicia Napoleon, 153½, of Lindenhurst, NY, and Latasha Burton, 162, of New Orleans, LA, facing off in a rematch scheduled for eight rounds. There were plenty of shifts in momentum with each taking control at times while dishing out heavy artillery. Napoleon began applying pressure from the outset but Burton soon found a home for her straight right counter. The Long Islander fought her way inside to land power shots in the second, but then Burton came back with her own in the third. A straight right stunned Burton in the next round, though she proved resilient to control the action in the fifth. Napoleon continued to stalk her foe and by the sixth, Burton was tiring. With Burton looking to clinch and slow down the pace, Napoleon sought openings on the inside. Intent on scoring a knockout, Napoleon stormed out of her corner in the eighth with an unrelenting attack of power shots resulting in a TKO stoppage at the 1:43 mark when several left hooks to the head were unanswered. Napoleon improved to 6-0 (5 KOs) and Burton is now 4-7. Having claimed the vacant WBC silver junior middleweight title in January, Napoleon is determined to secure a shot at a world title in the near future.

(Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

Returning for the first time since September 2014, former WBA lightweight champion Richar Abril, 139, of St. Petersburg, FL, engaged former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes, 138¾, of Corpus Christi, TX, in a 10-round tactical battle. Searching for countering opportunities, Abril felled Belmontes in the first with an overhand right. Abril was content to fight on the outside, while Belmontes, prone to loading up on his right hand, was simply not active enough overall. During the later rounds, Abril would take a half step back and land short countershots whenever the increasingly desperate Belmontes lunged in. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder over the final six minutes of action, Abril pelted Belmontes with hooks to the body. With scores of 96-93 twice, and 95-94, Abril upped his record to 20-3-1 (8 KOs) with a unanimous decision, while Belmontes suffered his ninth defeat, falling to 21-9 (6 KOs). Following his world title defense against previously unbeaten Edis Tatli (23-0) in September 2014, Abril was stricken with dengue fever that he contracted from a mosquito bite while training in Cuba to defend his title against Derry Matthews in early 2015. Abril was forced to vacate his title as he battled through the illness. Now back and 100 percent healthy, Abril will look to quickly regain his world championship under the DiBella Entertainment banner.

(Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

Notre Dame graduate and light heavyweight contender Mike Lee, 178¾, peppered Mike Snider, 178, of Flemington, WV, with combinations to the head and body for eight one-sided rounds. Outboxing his adversary, Lee expertly evaded Snider’s advances and often countered with devastating hooks and straight rights. In round four, a left hook dropped Snider. By the sixth, Lee’s uppercut became a prominent weapon. After eight rounds, the judges tallied 80-71 twice, 79-72, all for Lee via unanimous decision to up his record to 17-0 (10 KOs). Snider fell to 10-4-3 (5 KOs). Before graduating in 2009, the Chicago-native Lee claimed three Bengal Bout championships while fighting on Notre Dame’s boxing team. Lee then won the 2009 Chicago Golden Gloves and soon turned pro in 2010. In September 2011, Lee became a national spokesman for Subway Restaurants and continues to be featured in their nationally broadcast “Famous Fan” advertising campaigns. In 2011, Lee headlined the first-ever pro boxing event at the University of Notre Dame, donating more than $100,000 to Notre Dame Charities through The Mike Lee Foundation.

In his first fight scheduled for six rounds, 20-year-old fan-favorite Julian Sosa, 142½, of Brooklyn, earned a hard-fought split decision over a very game Isaac Johnson, 142¼, of Colorado Springs, CO. Early on, Sosa’s jab was key, bloodying Johnson’s nose in the first and keeping him at bay. However, Johnson was able to close the gap by round three and the bout turned into a brawl, featuring several exciting exchanges for the remainder of the contest. Landing pinpoint, accurate countershots, Sosa was still able to maintain control. Scorecards read 58-56 Johnson and 59-55 twice for Sosa, who upped his record to 5-0-1 (2 KOs). Johnson is now 2-2.

Far Rockaway cruiserweight prospect Joe Williams, 184, easily dispatched of
Lamar Harris, 183½, St. Louis, MO, quickly taking advantage of his defensive deficiencies. Left hooks hurt Harris, whose exposed chin provided a wide-open target, then a right hook dropped him in the first. Williams continued to land his left hook in round two and, after having seen Harris absorb enough punishment, the referee halted the action at the 2:38 mark. Williams improved to 9-0 (7 KOs), while Harris fell to 9-12-4 (5 KOs). A 2011 US Olympic Team Trials silver medalist, Williams won the 2012 National Golden Gloves heavyweight title and was a three-time NY Golden Gloves champion before turning pro.

Coming off his sensational TKO victory on the ShoBox series in December, Canadian middleweight contender Steve Rolls, 162½, of Toronto, impressively broke down southpaw Emmanuel Sanchez, 163¾, of Laredo, TX, over five rounds.
Rolls staggered Sanchez with a left hook to the temple early in the first then used that same punch effectively throughout, doubling and tripling up on it. An exhausted Sanchez, who had a point deducted in round five for excessive holding, was unable to come out of his corner for the sixth stanza and the bout was stopped, dipping his record to 7-5 (1 KO). Rolls, now 14-0 (8 KOs) as a pro, had a very successful amateur career, competing on the 2009 and 2010 Canadian National boxing teams, compiling an impressive 83-14 record in the process.

Making his NYC debut, former amateur standout and two-time National Golden Gloves champion Marquis Moore, 167½, of Temple Hills, MD, bobbed and weaved his way inside against the much taller, rangier Turner Williams, 165½, of Beckley, WV, unloading quick-fisted combinations until a left hook to the body doubled his foe over in the red corner. Moore landed a few more hooks to the midsection to force a stoppage at 1:20 of the opening frame, to even up his record at 2-2 (2 KOs). Williams dropped to 1-3. Moore, a member of the U.S. Army, who was honorably discharged after serving three years for our country, had an outstanding amateur career, compiling a 140-15 record. Moore also claimed the National PAL championship in 2015 and boxed at the U.S. Olympic trials.

(Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

Brooklyn’s former junior middleweight world champion and now ordained Orthodox rabbi Yuri Foreman continued his comeback with an impressive stoppage victory over Jason Davis, of Vancouver, WA. Foreman outboxed Davis with a stiff jab, directing it both upstairs and down, in the opener. Backing Davis to the ropes in the following frame, Foreman landed a left uppercut to drop his adversary. A flurry of hard shots resulted in a second knockdown and a left hook to the body produced the third. Foreman, now 34-2 (10 KOs), finally finished Davis off with another barrage that prompted a referee stoppage at the 1:55 mark of round two. Davis dropped to 13-12-2 (4 KOs).

Staten Island’s James Wilkins, 136¼, made a successful pro debut stopping Buffalo, New York’s Jack Grady, 140, inside two rounds. The stoppage came at the 2:49 mark. Wilkins’ speed and power proved too much for the upstate native Grady, now 0-4.

Roberto Garcia scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Breidis Prescott in a Welterweight bout at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois.

Garcia won despite getting dropped in round nine but hung on to win win 96-92, 96-93 and 95-94.

Garcia, 146 lbs of Mexico is now 36-3. Prescott, 146 1/2 lbs of Colombia is now 2706.

Caleb Truax scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Derek Ennis in a Middleweight fight.

Truaz, 163 lbs of Minnesota won won by scores of 99-90 and 97-93 twice and is now 24-1-2. Ennis, 160 lbs of Philadelphia is 24-5-1.

Former Notre Dame boxer, Mike Lee remained undefeated with a 6-round majority decision over Paul Gonsalves in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Lee, 178 lbs of Chicago won by scores of 58-56 twice and 59-57 and is now 13-0. Gonsalves, 176 lbs is now 7-4.

The standard playbook for boxing up-and-comers with just 12 professional fights under their belt is to hone their craft anonymously on various regional undercards, waiting for a chance at a high-profile showcase.

But with his athletic skills and undefeated record, matinee idol looks, tireless charitable work and Finance degree from The University of Notre Dame, as well as the almost unheard of accompanying level of national attention he brings to a sport that desperately needs it, Mike Lee is in no way your average, every day boxing prospect.

A humble and clean-living Subway national spokesperson who donates most of his fight purses to worthy charitable causes such as the Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation, Lee (12-0, 7 KOs) will take on Paul Gonsalves (7-3, 3 KOs) of Hyannis, Massachusetts, to open the worldwide ESPN Friday Night Fights telecast this Friday, July 25, in front of a huge crowd of his fans in his hometown of Chicago at the UIC Pavilion.

“I’m beyond excited,” said Lee of his upcoming fight. “My last fight in Philly, I was excited to be back in the ring, but to come back home to fight. It’s so special to me. I fight better when there’s more pressure and fans and more attention and that’s what this will be. A national TV fight in my hometown. I’m very grateful.”

Presented by Warriors Boxing, 8 Count Productions, Seconds Out Promotions and Marines Promotions, the night of world-class professional boxing entitled “Conquerors”, will also feature rejuvenated welterweight contender Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia (35-3, 23 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas, taking on hard-hitting and dangerous Breidis “Khanqueror” Prescott (27-5, 20 KOs) of Miami, via Barranquilla, Colombia in the night’s 10-round main event.

WBA #15, IBF #13, and WBO #11-rated Caleb “Golden” Truax (23-1-2, 14 KOs) of Osseo, Minnesota, will take on former USBA Junior Middleweight Champion Derek “Pooh” Ennis (24-4-1, 13 KOs) in the televised co-main event.

Tickets for “Conquerors” are priced at VIP $151, VIP Ringside $101, Mezzanine $51 and General Admission $31 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740.More information will be available shortly at 8CountProductions.com.

It’s already been a wild ride in boxing for 27-year-old Lee. The immensely popular breakthrough fighter has fought on the undercards of some of boxing’s most prestigious events. The showdown against Gonsalves will be just his second in his hometown. He turned professional at the UIC Pavilion in 2010.

“Training went well,” continued Lee. “I’ve got my rhythm back from my last big win in April (a sixth-round stoppage of then-undefeated Peter Lewison). I’m healthy and feeling sharp. I’m in San Diego training with (former heavyweight champion) Chris Byrd. This will be our second fight together and we’ve been working together since February.”

Lee says working with a world-class technician like Byrd, one of the smartest in-ring boxers to ever lace up the gloves, has given him a sweeter approach to the science.

“Chris is a phenomenal trainer and his resume speaks for itself. He’s teaching me how to hit and not get hit. I’m becoming more of a boxer and I sit on my back foot a bit more now. I don’t need to take a punch to land three. He’s taught me a lot about counterpunching and moving. Chris is all about movement and changing up the rhythm. He’s really teaching me how to get to that next level.”

Lee is expecting a challenge from Gonsalves, but having access to a boxing mind as sharp as Byrd’s has its advantages.

“I think Gonsalves is a tough guy. He’s a good boxer and he’s beat a bunch of guys. You can’t take anybody lightly, but Chris is a master of styles and we’ve studied him and we’re working on both his strengths and weaknesses and my perceived strength and weaknesses. We’ll be ready when the bell rings. I want to keep beating better and better fighters and keep winning and working my way up the ranks. I want to win a world title. That’s been my goal since I turned pro.”

Lee says there is no timetable for his ascent up the light heavyweight ranks and he will take each fight one at a time.

“We’re taking our time. I didn’t have a big amateur career, but I’ve been getting better and better every fight and sparring with some of the top fighters in the world. I’m certainly a lot better now than I was when I turned pro. As long as I keep getting better and wining my fights, that’s all I ask of myself. There’s been a lot of spotlight on my career with the commercials and the Notre Dame background, but like any other fighter, I will do it when I’m ready. You get offers to fight people, but you want to take each step one at a time. I’ll just keep building and keep fighting tougher guys.”

You have to admire Mike Lee. He could be sitting in an office right now raking in money. But a fighter fights and that’s what’s in his blood. Lee spends countless hours training and a great deal of the rest doing charitable work for various causes. When the lights dim this Friday night, a huge crowd of supporters will go crazy while Lee enters the ring.

Deservedly so. Mike Lee is an above average guy.

“I love it. That’s the main reason why I look forward to coming home. I have incredible support, coast to coast, but especially in Chicago. Not a day goes by that I don’t get mail or a text from friends or family wishing me good luck and telling me they’ll be there. They’re helping me sell tickets. It means the most to me. People support me and seem to like the person I am. I have been very involved in Chicago children’s charities since I turned pro and they respect that and want to support me. Portions of this fight’s purse are going to charity as well. That’s something I’ve always felt strongly about and I’m proud to be part of it.”

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About Warriors Boxing

Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

About 8 Count Productions

Founded in 1997 by Dominic Pesoli, 8 Count Productions is the Home Of The Best In Chicago Boxing. 8 Count Productions has consistently presented the highest-quality professional boxing events in greater Chicago and is the home of top-10, world-rated light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara.

For more information on 8 Count Productions, please visit 8CountProductions.com, Facebook.com/8CountWarriors,
Twitter.com/8CountBoxing and Instagram.com/8CountBoxing.

About Seconds Out Promotions

When retired professional boxer Tony Grygelko found himself unable to stay out of the gym, he realized that his passion for the sport was something he couldn’t deny. At age 29, Grygelko formed Seconds Out Promotions.

By utilizing the vast boxing knowledge of world-class trainer Ron Lyke, Grygelko and Seconds Out Promotions found instant success.

Through determination, integrity and hard work, Seconds Out Promotions strives to become a leading fight promotional company in the world, by giving young fighters the ability to showcase their talents to a worldwide audience, along with offering our fans the highest quality programming available.

Seconds Out Promotions was created to bring the very best fights to all fans and participants worldwide. Seconds Out Promotions is committed to the recruitment and development of the best and brightest young fighters to help achieve our mission. Seconds Out Promotions continues to expand its web and television presence, and is establishing itself as one of the fastest-rising fight promotions in the world.

For more information on Seconds Out Promotions, visit their website at: www.SoBoxing.comor their Twitter: @soboxing.

On Friday, July 25, 2014, Leon Margules (Warriors Boxing), Dominic Pesoli (8 Count Productions), Tony Grygelko (Seconds Out Promotions) and Julio Marines (Marines Promotions) proudly present “Conquerors”, an ESPN Friday Night Fights tripleheader, to be broadcast worldwide, live, from Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.

In the night’s 10-round welterweight main event, red-hot rejuvenated contender Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia (35-3, 23 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas, will look to continue his hot streak by taking on hard-hitting and dangerous Breidis “Khanqueror” Prescott (27-5, 20 KOs) of Miami, via Barranquilla, Colombia.

In the 10-round middleweight co-feature USBA Middleweight Champion and WBA #15, IBF #13, and WBO #11-rated Caleb “Golden” Truax (23-1-2, 14 KOs) of Osseo, Minnesota, will face Sonora, Mexico’s Rogelio “Porky” Medina (32-6, 26 KOs) in a non-title fight.

Opening the telecast will be the return of wildly popular Chicago native Mike Lee (12-0, 7 KOs). Having graduated at the top of his class with a Finance degree from The University of Notre Dame, Lee, a Subway spokesperson and philanthropist, faces an opponent to be announced in a six-round light heavyweight bout.

As always, a huge contingent of “Domers” are expected to be on hand to support their “Fighting Irish.”

Tickets for “Conquerors” are priced at VIP $151, VIP Ringside $101, Mezzanine $51 and General Admission $31 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740. More information will be available shortly at 8CountProductions.com.

34-year-old Roberto Garcia was last seen winning his second consecutive Friday Night Fights main event on May 1 in Miami by way of impressive TKO 6 against former top contender Victor Cayo. Since rededicating himself to boxing last year, Garcia has been on an eye-opening tear. Despite taking the fight on very short notice, he took a 10-round decision over always tough Norberto Gonzalez in February.

31-year-old Breidis Prescott has spent the last seven years as a top professional, earning a reputation for fight-ending power. Best known for his KO 1 over international superstar and British Olympian Amir Khan, Prescott also holds a victory over current WBA champion Richard Abril and waged an unforgettable war with PPV fighter Mike Alvarado.

30-year-old Truax was on a roll in 2013, but stuttered in January by fighting to a draw with fringe contender Ossie Duran in a Friday Night Fights co-main event. Before that, Truax had put away two local rivals (UD 10 over Matt Vanda and TKO 4 over Ceresso Fort) and scored a nationally televised TKO 6 over former contender Donovan George. The victory over Fort garnered him the USBA and Minnesota State Championships. Truax’s only career loss was to world champion Jermain Taylor and Truax had Taylor down in round nine.

25-year-old Rogelio Medina has been a solid contender since turning pro in 2007 in his native Mexico. Medina earned a return engagement to Friday Night Fights on the strength of his performance against top-level contender Jonathan Gonzalez on May 1. Showing heart, power, determination and toughness, Medina went life and death in a scintillating war with Gonzalez. He lost the decision but won a legion of new fans with his grit.

26-year-old Lee, a Wheaton, Illinois, native, graduated at the top of his class, earning a degree in Finance in 2009 from the University of Notre Dame. It was at Notre Dame where Lee first stepped into a boxing ring. A three-time Notre Dame boxing champion, Lee won the Chicago Golden Gloves in 2009. As a professional, the immensely popular Lee has fought on the undercards of some of boxing’s biggest events. This will be Lee’s second fight in his hometown. He turned professional at the very same UIC Pavilion in 2010.

“I’m happy to be heading back to Chicago with another fantastic show,” said Leon Margules. “This tripleheader will be the show of the summer in a city becoming known for its resurgence of professional boxing. Both main events are sensational action fights and with Mike Lee coming home, it’ll be an unforgettable event for the fans in Chicago who have been so good to us.”

“I’m very excited to once again be working with our good friends from 8 Count, Seconds Out and Marines Promotions,” said Luis DeCubas. “I’ve said this before: the UIC Pavilion is the best venue for boxing in the Midwest and one of the best in this country.”

“I’m especially proud to host another world-class event here at home in Chicago,” said Dominic Pesoli. “Three top-notch, televised fights showcase our great city to fans across the world. Add in an undercard full of promising local prospects and we have another great evening of excitement for our fans.”

On fight night, doors will open at 6:00 pm CT with the first bout scheduled for 7:00 pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, at the corner of Harrison and Racine on the campus of the University of Illinois-Chicago.

The night’s undercard, packed with local favorites, will be announced shortly.

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About Warriors Boxing

Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

About 8 Count Productions

Founded in 1997 by Dominic Pesoli, 8 Count Productions is the Home Of The Best In Chicago Boxing. 8 Count Productions has consistently presented the highest-quality professional boxing events in greater Chicago and is the home of top-10, world-rated light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara.

For more information on 8 Count Productions, please visit 8CountProductions.com, Facebook.com/8CountWarriors,
Twitter.com/8CountBoxing and Instagram.com/8CountBoxing.

About Seconds Out Promotions

When retired professional boxer Tony Grygelko found himself unable to stay out of the gym, he realized that his passion for the sport was something he couldn’t deny. At age 29, Grygelko formed Seconds Out Promotions.

By utilizing the vast boxing knowledge of world-class trainer Ron Lyke, Grygelko and Seconds Out Promotions found instant success.

Through determination, integrity and hard work, Seconds Out Promotions strives to become a leading fight promotional company in the world, by giving young fighters the ability to showcase their talents to a worldwide audience, along with offering our fans the highest quality programming available.

Seconds Out Promotions was created to bring the very best fights to all fans and participants worldwide. Seconds Out Promotions is committed to the recruitment and development of the best and brightest young fighters to help achieve our mission. Seconds Out Promotions continues to expand its web and television presence, and is establishing itself as one of the fastest-rising fight promotions in the world.

For more information on Seconds Out Promotions, visit their website at: www.SoBoxing.comor their Twitter: @soboxing.

Follow all the action from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas as the long awaited Middleweight championship showdown with take place featuring recognized world xhampion Sergio Martinez and WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The action kicks off with a five fight undercard at 8pm eastern/ 5 pm Pacific featuring two world title bouts as WBA Super Bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux defends against Robert Marroquin. The WBO Super Featherweight title will be contested by Rocky Martinez and Miguel Beltran Jr. Also Joachim Alcine battles Matthew Macklin an and appearance by Notre Dame favorite Mike Lee.

12 ROUNDS–WBC MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE–SERGIO MARTINEZ (49-2-2, 28 KO’S) VS JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. (46-0-1, 32 KO’S)

Round 1 Martinez lands a left..Chavez lands a right to the body…Sergio more active…10-9 Martinez

Round 2 Hard left from Martinez…Body shot from Chavez…Combination and body shot from Martinez..Body shot and a jab..right hook from Martinez..Good body work on the ropes...20-18 Martinez

Round 3 Hard left from Martinez..Hard left from Chavez..Good body shot..Martinez landing to the body..Left hook from Martinez..straight left…Blood from the mouth of Chavez…30-27 Martinez

Round 4 Martinez lands a left..short right hook..Hard right from Chavez…hard right…Left/body from Martinez..Chavez landing left to the body..Big left from Martinez at the bell…40-36 Martinez

Round 5 Martinez lands 2 lefts to the body…50-45 Martinez

Round 6 Chavez lands a couple little shots in the corner..2 good rights…Good body shot..big rally from Martinez…Martinez picking Chavez apart…60-54 Martinez

Round 7 Straight left..Counter left…4 hard lefts on the ropes…Chavez landing and eating shots in return..70-63 Martinez

Round 8 Wide right from Chavez..Martinez going to the body..2 good left hooks from Chavez..Blood from Martinez left eye…79-73 Martinez

Round 9 Martinez lands a combination…89-82 Martinez

Round 10 2 good rights and 2 more from Martinez…body..Jab…99-91 Martinez

Round 11Great action with Chavez landing hard shots…Martinez landing in return…Martinez favce bloody…108-101 Martinez

Round 12 Big right hurts Martinez..WOW…CHAVEZ ALL OVER MARTINEZ AND DROPS HIM….MARTINEZ IS BLEEDING AND HURT…ITS A WAR…MARTINEZ LOOKS LIKE HE WILL GET OUT OF THE ROUND….116-111 Martinez

12 Rounds–WBO Super Featherweight Title–Ramon Martinez (25-1-1, 16 KO”s) vs Miguel Beltran Jr. (27-1, 17 KO’s)

Round 1 Hard right from Beltran…2 more rights…10-9 Beltran

Round 2 Good left hook from Martinez…19-19

Round 3 Trading shots …29-29

Round 4 Beltran pounding Martinez in the corner…Hard right from Martinez..Good left hook..Martinez lands a good right…39-38 Beltran

Round 5 Beltran lands a hard right…Big left and right from Martinez…Beltran lands a right…Blood from the left eye of Beltran…48-48

Round 6 Beltran lands a counter uppercut..Good right from Beltran..58-57 Beltran

Round 7 Good body shot from Beltran…Hard body shot…Good combo from Martinez…Good body shot from Beltran…68-66 Beltran

Round 8 Good uppercut and body shot from Beltran…left hook to the body..78-75 Beltran

Round 9 Hard right from Beltran...88-84 Beltran

Round 10 Beltran lands a left and right..Body shot..98-93 Beltran

Round 11 Good right from Beltran..Martinez 4 punch combination…Hard right from Beltran…POINT DEDUCTED FROM BELTRAN FOR HITTING BEHIND THE HEAD…Good right from Beltran…106-103 Beltran

Round 12 Martinez lands a right…115-113 Beltran

116-111 Beltran; 114-113 Martinez; 114-113 Martinez

10 Rounds–Middleweight–Matthew Macklin (28-4, 19 KO’s) vs. Joachim Alcine (33-2-1, 19 KO’s)

Round 1 HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES ALCINE….Macklin ALL OVER ALCINE AND DOWN GOES ALCINE FROM A LEFT HOOK…2 HUGE BODY SHOTS AND A FLURRY AND REFEREE JAY NADY STOPS THE FIGHT

MACKLIN TOK 1 AT 2:36

12 Rounds–WBA Super Bantamweight Title–Guillermo Rigondeaux (10-0, 8 KO’s) vs Robert Marroquin (22-1, 15 KO’s)

Round 1 not mucj…10-10

Round 2 Rigondeuax lands a counter left…20-19 Rigondeuax

Round 3 Marroquin lands a hard left hook…Straight right…29-29

Round 4 Right from Rigondeuax..Marroquin landsa left hook..39-39

Round 5 PERFECT LEFT DOWNS GOES MARROQUIN..49-47 Rigondeaux

Round 6 Rigondeuax lands a left to the body..59-56

Round 7 69-66

Round 8 Rigondeaux lands a big left..Good body…Marroquin lands a left hook to the body…79-75 Rigondeaux

Round 9: Left from Marroquin drives Rigo into the corner…Right hand..88-85 Rigondeaux

Round 10 Rigondeuax lands a uppercut to the body..leaping uppercut and another..98-94 Rigondeaux

Round 11 Good straight left from Rigondeaux..Good right from Marroquin…Body shots from Rigondeuax..108-103 Rigondeaux

Round 12 HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MARROQUIN…118-111 Rigondeaux

118-108, 118-108, 118-109…RIGONDEAUX

10 Rounds–Jr. Middleweights–Willie Nelson (18-1-1, 11 KO’s) vs John Jackson (13-0, 12 KO’s)

Round 3 Jackson going to the body…

Round 4Nelson lands a hard right and left hook..Right down the middle

Round 5 Nelson Active

Round 6

Round 7