By Jimmy Tobin-

Saturday night, at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas, moonlighting junior welterweight Mikey Garcia ran his undefeated record to 38-0, turning back a spirited challenge from Sergey Lipinets over twelve tactical rounds. It was typical Garcia: in a fight of some risk, precision and poise ensured victory and little else. There is something resembling mastery in what Garcia does; even when pressed (and Garcia’s face today reveals just how mischievous Lipinets was) the rounds that do not go his way feel like rounds he lost, not rounds his opponent won. So tangible is his control of the action.

Some 1400 miles away, under an appropriately bruised sky at StubHub Center in Carson, California, featherweights Oscar Valdez and Scott Quigg engaged in twelve rounds of ritualized violence whose residuals could figure well after the marks of battle have faded. Valdez rightly had his hand raised in the end, and among his spoils the victor should find a longer than usual hiatus from the ring, one that will diminish not at all the memory of his performance nor the anticipation that will meet his return. Attrition need not be Valdez’ game, but he obliges any such invitation.

While it seems natural to contrast Garcia and Valdez there are problems with such an approach, not least of all the fact that this mode feels reductionist, if only because to establish clearly the demarcation is to pigeonhole both fighters, to misrepresent the breadth of their talents. Still, risks aside, there is a mirroring with Garcia and Valdez of some interest.

Garcia is a fighter who covets control; when it is his, he moves confidently. When that sense of control waivers though, so too does Garcia, and rather strikingly, unbecomingly, of a fighter with his reputation. It is in these moments that one wonders whether this once aspiring police officer who retired long enough to extricate himself from the control of Terence Crawford’s promoter is simply doing the job he is best suited for. And that he knows it. Because Garcia is as calculating beyond the ropes as he is between them—which is why his toughest fight to date was the one that kept him out of the ring.

There was another tremor of Garcia’s resolve on Saturday when Lipinets speared his nose; the product not only of a punch but of a rhythm and pressure that put Garcia on edge. Garcia responded as he always does, not with fire, but with the strategies of control: jabs and a return to space (along with a handful of hard combinations designed to preserve it). And the left hook that dumped Lipinets in the seventh round? An act meant to steady the action more than end it, with Garcia flashing an evil so that he might risk no more in asserting it.

Faced with challenges of his own, Valdez did not react this way, and it is fair to wonder if he would even want to.

No one would have faulted Valdez for pulling out of Saturday’s fight. Yet against an opponent who even given multiple opportunities passed on making weight, and whose disregard for the scale was a sign of how intent he was on winning, Valdez never waivered. Instead, he took the opportunity to punish Quigg for daring attempt to skirt the rules. And punish him he did.

Quigg hardly shied from his fate, fracturing Valdez’ jaw along the way, but every time he hurt the Mexican fighter Valdez responded like one. There is a chance—albeit slim, given the version of Quigg that showed up—that Valdez could have employed a more controlled and controlling strategy, could have mitigated the damage he incurred. But a fighter who tattoos his name on his chest is unlikely to suffer insults well or hush the bloody expectations of his devotees. No, it was always going to be the disassembly line for Quigg.

Whether Garcia recognizes similar expectations isn’t clear. As he has been through nearly forty fights, against Lipinets Garcia was simply too good to be denied control, and that trend should continue provided his talk of moving to welterweight remains only that. Garcia has teased the idea of fighting Errol Spence, but no one who cares about him is likely to encourage such delusion (and no one else is going to credit it). No, better to return to lightweight for a series of hypothetical wins over Vasyl Lomachenko, some fantastic historical comparisons, a few more laps around the track.

The pride of the Garcia clan is going to be remembered primarily for his dominance, greatness having fallen victim to finances, a stubborn hiatus, an eye for preservation—in short, to control. And should that offend Garcia’s supporters, expect them to hurl blame anywhere but at their idol (oh how Mayweather’s shadow still looms). Valdez, by contrast, is not going to achieve the longevity or dominance of Garcia because his style and temperament will not allow it, because the outlay of his success is simply too great, and because his need to succeed is too personal. Garcia is better than him, and shrewder too: where an eye to the future is concerned, he makes better choices. But he is the type of fighter, Valdez, who is remembered for what he does in the ring; there is already no need to consider Valdez outside the context of his fights, as someone isolated from his opponents.

Garcia delivers a verdict; a body is brought before him, he interrogates it and determines its fate. Valdez delivers a product; a body is brought before him, he subjects it to his volition and creates something of value. The appeal of the latter is so much easier to understand.

Last night’s Top Rank on ESPN saw Oscar Valdez (24-0, 19 KOs) retain his WBO featherweight title against Scott Quigg while fighting under a canopy at the rainy StubHub Center, the famed outdoor boxing venue in Carson, Calif. south of downtown Los Angeles. The telecast includes two of 2018’s top five highest-rated fights on cable television in 2018, according to preliminary audience results from Nielsen. The Valdez vs. Quigg world championship fight aired live and exclusively on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and streamed live on the ESPN App.

Top Things to Know

Last night’s telecast was the highest-rated of the three Top Rank on ESPN telecasts in 2018
Last night’s Top Rank on ESPN featured two of the five highest-rated fights on cable television in 2018
The main event featuring Valdez vs. Quigg averaged a 0.7 metered market rating, while the co-main event featuring undefeated junior lightweights Andy Vences vs. Erick De Leon averaged a 0.8 metered market rating
Top Boxing Overnight Ratings on Cable Television 2018 (By Fight)

Rank

Date

Network

Fight

Metered Market Rating

1

03/10/2018

ESPN

VENCES vs. DE LEON

0.8

1

03/03/2018

SHOWTIME

WILDER vs. ORTIZ

0.8

3

03/10/2018

ESPN

VALDEZ vs. QUIGG

0.7

3

01/27/2018

HBO

MATTHYSSE vs. KIRAM

0.7

3

03/03/2018

HBO

KOVALEV vs. MIKHALKIN

0.7

The next Top Rank on ESPN is this Saturday, March 17 and features top-rated contenders José Ramírez and Amir “Young Man” Imam fighting for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight world title. Ramirez vs. Imam will headline a St. Patrick’s Day at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The event also features Irish Olympian Michael Conlan (5-0, 4 KO’s), from Belfast, who begins his sophomore professional year exactly where he started his freshman year — at The Garden. The Ramirez vs. Imam world championship event will live and exclusively at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and stream live on the ESPN App at 6 p.m. ET.

By Norm Frauenheim-

CARSON, Calif. – It was a brutal fight. Not even hours of rain could wash away the evidence on damp canvas. Long after the carnage had ended, it was there, a pool of blood, Oscar Valdez Jr.’s blood.

Valdez won.

He paid, too.

The price for Valdez’ unanimous decision over Scott Quigg Saturday night in front of more puddles than fans at StubHub Center and an ESPN audience was a broken jaw, damaged teeth and a long, nasty cut above one eye.

He was asked to got to the emergency room by paramedics who jumped into the ring almost at the same time as the 117-111, 118-110, 117-111 scorecards were announced. But Valdez, ever stubborn and resilient, said no.

Instead, he celebrated, his trainer Manny Robles said.

“He was laughing,’’ said Robles, who was there at the post-fight to talk for Valdez simply because the WBO’s reigning featherweight fighter just couldn’t.

Laughing at risk and fear.

Laughing at doubts and off the-scale disadvantages. They are there, seemingly always there for Valdez 24-0, 19 KOs). But he faced them and took them down again in a wild ride that for his fans in southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, have seen and sometimes endured again.

“He’s a warrior, a Mexican warrior,’’ Robles said.

He is and he’ll have the scars to prove it. Quigg (34-2-2, 25 KOs) put them there like nobody else has with power leveraged by about a seven-pound advantage the UK fighter had at opening bell. Quigg surrendered any chance at taking Valdez’ 126-pound title when he failed to make weight Friday. Quigg was 2.8 pounds above the limit. Then, his management said no to a second weigh-in Saturday morning. There was some talk that maybe the fight was off. In the end, however, the only talk that mattered came from Valdez.

“He made the decision,’’ Robles said.

In effect, Valdez was fighting somebody in one weight class heavier than he was. At opening bell, Quigg was a reported to be 142.2 pounds. Valdez was reported to be at 135.6.

The evident difference in size began to tell in the fourth or fifth round. Valdez’ superior quickness was clear early. But a stalking Quigg began to land big rights after the third.

In the fourth or fifth, one those rights broke Valdez’ jaw. For the next seven to eight rounds, blood poured from his mouth, down his chin and onto that spot on the canvas near his corner.

For the rest of the fight, cut man Miguel Diaz would not take out Valdez’ mouthpiece. The corner was afraid it would not be able to put that piece back into his misshapen, twisted jaw.

It was like his teeth had been moved to one side, ‘’ Robles said.

But nothing about his heart was ever out of place. He fought on. And on. He wasn’t the only one who paid in flesh. So, too, did Quigg, who suffered a suspected broken nose, a bad cut over his left eye and was left with a Frankenstein-look to him after it was all over.

Quigg, too, didn’t come to the post-fight news conference. Instead, his promoter Eddie Hearn was there to speak for him.

“The right man won,’’ Hearn said.

No argument there from anybody.

The only debate is about what’s next — who and when — for Valdez. In an interview for ESPN at the center of the ring in the wake of the fight, Valdez talked about fighting Leo Santa Cruz, or Carl Frampton, or Abner Mares.

Top Rank’s Todd DuBoef kept it short when asked what he wanted Valdez to do next.

“Heal,” said. duBoef who said it best.

Best of the Undercard

Anybody up for a rematch? One between super-featherweights Andy Vences (20-0-1, 12 KOs) and Erick De Leon (17-0-1, 10 KOs) looks inevitable after they fought to a hard-fought majority draw.

The Rest

Liver shots paralyze. Junior-welterweight Alex Saucedo (27-0, 17 KOs) threw one that was accurate and lethal, dropping Abner Lopez (26-1,16 KOs) into a paralyzed heap on a damp canvas at 1:18 of the 7th

Los Angeles junior-welterweight Arnold Barboza Jr. (18-0, 6 KOs) relied on his superior reach, carefully kept his distance and scored a unanimous decision over Michael Reed (23-2, 12 KOs of Maryland.

When it rains, first-round KOs pour: Heavyweight Andy Ruiz scored the fourth first-round stoppage in the first four fights, a landing a right for stoppage of Devin Vargas at 1:38 of the first.

By Norm Farauenheim-

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – If you think it never rains in Southern California and Scott Quigg never misses weight, think again.

Quigg failed to make weight for the first time Friday and showers are expected Saturday night for a featherweight fight against Oscar Valdez Jr. in an outdoor ring at StubHub Center down the freeway in Carson..

Bring an umbrella and leave your assumptions at home. Let’s just say that there is plenty of unpredictability in the forecast. The only sure thing is that Quigg (34-1-1, 25 KOs) won’t be fighting for Valdez’ WBO title. He forfeited that opportunity and $20,000 for being 2.8 pounds heavier than the 126-pound maximum at the weigh-in. Valdez 23-0, 19 KOs), who came in at 125.8, will vacate the WBO title if he loses.

Quigg was not allowed a chance at trying to make weight because of a California rule that prohibits fighters more than two pounds heavier than the limit from returning to the scale.

Quigg apologized to Valdez, his trainer Manny Robles, manager Frank Espinoza and fans jammed into a ballroom for the weigh-in. But it didn’t end with an apology. Robles called the Quigg camp “unprofessional.’’ Then, the Valdez camp asked Quigg to step on the scale for another weigh-in Saturday morning.

Negotiations for the Saturday weigh-in were underway not long after both fighters stepped off the scale for a fight scheduled to be telecast by ESPN (7:35 p.m. PT/10:35 pm ET).

The Valdez corner wanted to be sure that Quigg didn’t add too many pounds through re-hydration during the hours between the formal weigh-in and opening bell. The exact weight under discussion wasn’t clear. However, indications late Friday was that it would be at about 136 pounds.

Further money from Quigg to Valdez was also discussed. But the amount of money under discussion also wasn’t clear.

Immediately after the weigh-in, there were mixed signals whether the Quigg camp would even agree to the morning weigh-in. Quigg promoter Eddie Hearn said it was decided early Friday that the UK featherweight could not cut any more pounds. Hearn said they would go on with the fight, even with out a chance at the belt.

“All the things he usually does, his body wasn’t responding,’’ said Hearn, who said Quigg couldn’t shed the last few pounds during a workout Thursday night. “He would usually lose three or four pounds. He lost one. You have to think about his health. I feel for Scott. He’s devastated. He was in tears. He wanted to challenge for the title. It’s very frustrating.”

Quigg’s failure to make weight would cost him $20,000 penalty. The fine represents 20 percent of the $100,000 contract that was filed with the California Commission. Quigg’ final purse is believed to be much more, perhaps five times as much. It didn’t include UK money, most of which came from a deal with Sky Sports.

The fine, calculated off the number filed with California, will be split two ways — $10,000 for the state and $10,000 for Valdez. It would boost Valdez purse to $430,000 from the $420,000 field with the Commission before Friday’s weigh-in.

“Nothing about this changes anything for what I have to do,’’ said Valdez, a two-time Mexican who went to grade school in Tucson. “I made weight. I did my job in the gym. Now, it’s time fro me to do my job in the ring. I’ll come out with the win. I’m taking that belt back to Mexico with me. ‘’

By Norm Frauenheim-

LOS ANGELES – Oscar Valdez Jr. has watched the video repeatedly. But not to celebrate, even though he got off the deck for the first time in his pro career and won a dramatic decision over Filipino Genesis Servania last September.

Instead, it’s film that provides a lesson plan, a primer on what not to do the next time.

“I watch it and I get mad at myself,’’ Valdez said Thursday, just a couple of days before the next time arrives Saturday night on an ESPN-televised card (7:35 p.m. PT/10:35 p.m. ET) against Scott Quigg at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Valdez, a two-time Mexican Olympian who went to grade school in Tucson, studies the film and sees mistakes that could cost him an unbeaten record and his WBO title. It doesn’t take long for a sloppy student to become a former champion.

“We went back to work, back into the gym and went back and forth on the mistakes,’’ said Valdez (23-0, 19 KOs), whose instinctive aggressiveness often left him with hands down and vulnerable to big shots from Servania. “We worked hard to correct them. I‘m excited.’’

Excited, perhaps, to prove that he’s still evolving. Excited, too, to test that process against a Freddie Roach-trained featherweight who many believe is Valdez’ greatest threat. Quigg (34-1-2, 25 KO) is tough and tested. His lone loss was by split decision to Carl Frampton. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, is surprised that Valdez and his promoter, Top Rank’s Bob Arum, agreed to fight Quigg.

“I was shocked,’’ Hearn said at a news conference in downtown Los Angeles. “They could have picked somebody easier,’’

Quigg delivered a quick follow-up, saying he would make sure that they would regret picking him.

It all sets up an intriguing clash at 126 pounds in an outdoor ring and on a night when there’s rain in the forecast. It never rains in Southern California, or at last that was a popular song in the early 1970s. Quigg grew up in the UK, where it always rains. He had his own lyric.

“I’ll be dancing in the rain,’’ Quigg said.

But Valdez trainer Manny Robles doesn’t need a weather map. He has already seen a lot of Quigg.

Valdez and Quigg sparred about a year ago. Valdez was training for his unanimous decision over Miguel Marriaga in another back-and-forth battle on April 22, also at StubHub. Robles recalls twelve rounds over two sessions.

“It was good,’’ Robles said. “Oscar did well.’’

So, who won the sparring? Robles wouldn’t say. At least, he didn’t name the winner. But his answer hinted at a forecast all his own for Saturday .

“I don’t think you you need me to tell you who won the sparring,’’ said Robles, who trained Valdez for Quigg at a camp in Mexican mountains near Guadalajara. “I don’t you need me to tell you why we didn’t think twice about taking this fight.’’

LOS ANGELES (March 1, 2018) – World Boxing Organization (WBO) Featherweight champion Oscar Valdez (23-0, 19 KOs) met the media Thursday afternoon at Legendz Boxing Gym, where he worked out in preparation for his fourth title defense against veteran Scott Quigg, Saturday, March 10, at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

He recently returned to California following training camp in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he trained at more 5,000 feet above sea level and lived in a room above the gym. Along with manager Frank Espinoza and his stablemates, Valdez enjoyed the training camp calm before the storm.

“It was a perfect training camp. I’m already close to weight, so I’m ready to go,” Valdez said. “At training camp in Guadalajara, we were pretty much living in the gym. I didn’t have to stay here in California, where I had an hour or more drive to the gym. We put in the extra hours in the gym.”

Also appearing at the media day was Quigg’s trainer, Freddie Roach, and the pride of Central California, Jose Ramirez, who will be fighting Amir Imam for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Lightweight title on Saturday, March 17, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, remaining tickets for the Valdez vs. Quigg world championship event are priced at $206, $104, $53 and 27.50, including facility fees, and can be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

The Valdez vs. Quigg world championship event will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and streaming live on the ESPN App.

The Ramirez vs. Imam world championship event will be televised live and exclusively at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

This is what the fighters and their trainers had to say.

Oscar Valdez

“I’m ready. I’m more anxious than anything. I’ve been ready for a long time.”

“When I was a kid, I used to watch fighters like Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera. I looked up to them. When I hear people say I’m an action fighter or a fighter they like to see, it makes me feel great. I want to carry the Mexican flag and be considered a warrior inside the ring that gives the fans great fights.”

“I’m going to keep working hard and give the people what they want, which are great fights.”

Freddie Roach (Trainer, Scott Quigg)

“Oscar Valdez is a good young fighter, but I think Quigg is better.”

“This is a perfect stepping stone for Scott to get a rematch with Carl Frampton and become world champion once again. Carl got lucky and broke Scott’s jaw in the first round. That won’t happen again. But right now, we’re not concerned with Frampton. We’re focusing on beating Oscar.”

“Scott is one of the best-conditioned fighters I have worked with, and it’s great working with fighters like him and Pacquiao.”

“Oscar says he’ll knock Scott out. I hope he believes that because if he comes forward and tries to knock Scott out, then Scott is going to put him on his ass.”

Manny Robles (Trainer, Oscar Valdez)

“Oscar is trying to be the best fighter out there, be remembered like Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, and have his name go down in history.”

“Oscar is a crowd-pleaser. He likes to give the people what they want. He’s trying so hard to be one of the premier Mexican champions.”

“Oscar is happier than ever. He’s more relaxed and focused than he has ever been.”

“We found ourselves in a great situation with training camp in Guadalajara, Mexico. I couldn’t have asked for a better camp We had altitude training at more than 5,000 feet above sea level, and private facilities. We lived there, we trained there, and we had great sparring.”

“We have Scott Quigg in front of us, and that’s the only thing we’re thinking about right now.”

Jose Ramirez

“I had a tremendous training camp, sparring with very good fighters, some undefeated Russian guys who helped get me in great condition.”

“Imam has a good right hand. He’s a skillful fighter with a good jab, but I’m focused on what I’m able to do. “

“For me as a fighter, I’m always focused on the fight at hand and not worrying about the future. I think, after this fight, the sky is the limit. It will be possible to get 30,000 or 40,000 people in the stands at the football stadium in Fresno, California.”

“The fans in Central California see a little bit of me in them, the way I stand up with them and fight for the {California Latino Water Coalition} and immigration. I travel to the capital and talk to assembly members to try and get a reservoir built so we can have a better future for farming and water. I can be a voice for the people.”

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CARSON, CALIF. (January 17, 2018) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight world champion ÓSCAR VALDEZ, the man who swims with a fully-grown pet alligator, will begin the third year of his championship reign by defending his title against former World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight world champion and current No. 2 world-rated featherweight contender SCOTT QUIGG. For Valdez (23-0, 19 KOs), of Nogales, Mexico, this will be his fourth title defense since winning it in 2016. Quigg (34-1-2, 25 KOs), of Lancashire, England, will be making his U.S. debut. The Valdez vs. Quigg world championship fight will take place Saturday, March 10, under the stars at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. It will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN App. Additional fights on the live telecast will be announced shortly.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets go on sale Today! Wednesday, January 17, at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Priced at $206, $104, $53 and 27.50, including facility fees, they can be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

The all-action undercard will feature undefeated WBC Continental Americas super featherweight champion Andy Vences (20-0, 12 KOs), of San Jose, Calif; top-three world-rated junior welterweight contender Alex Saucedo (26-0, 16 KOs), of Oklahoma City; 2016 U.S. Olympian and three-time U.S. Amateur Champion Mikaela Mayer (3-0, 2 KOs), of Los Angeles; and 2012 Olympic silver medalist and middleweight contender Esquiva Falcäo (19-0, 13 KOs), of Vitoria, Brasil.

“I know that my March 10 world title defense against Scott Quigg will be a fun one for all the boxing fans because our styles combine perfectly to make a real war,” said Valdez. “As usual, on March 10, I will leave it all in the ring at StubHub Center, to show everyone that I’m one of the best featherweights in the world”

“This is a fight that I’m really looking forward to. It’s a great fight,” said Quigg. “I have a lot of respect for Oscar and his team. We’ve been in the gym together in the past, helping each other prepare for a fight. They are good people. I’ve been in training for four weeks already and now I’ve just linked up with Freddie Roach to begin the last eight weeks of camp. This is a great opportunity for me — making my U.S. debut on a great platform on ESPN — and I’m confident on March 10 I’ll become World champion again.”

“Oscar Valdez has passed every in-ring test with flying colors, but the biggest test of his professional career will take place on March 10 against Scott Quigg, who like Oscar, rarely leaves a fight in the hands of the judges. The fans watching at StubHub and live across ESPN’s platforms are in for an exciting night and a sensational card, which will be announced shortly,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum,.

“I’m delighted to get this fight made – I feel it’s one of the best fights in the division right now,” said Quigg’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “Both guys like to come forward and throw aggressive combinations and I do not believe we will hear the final bell. What I do believe is that on March 10 Scott Quigg will become a two-weight World Champion in a fight of the year contender, live on ESPN”

“We’re very excited for the fight against Quigg. This fight will further showcase Oscar’s skills and will demonstrate that he is a star,” said Frank Espinoza, manager of Valdez. “Oscar is one of the best in the world and against Quigg he’ll prove it once again.”

Valdez, who represented México in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, was the first Mexican fighter to qualify for two Olympic games. He is considered one of the bright lights of the featherweight division and a new face for boxing’s next generation. He will be making the fourth defense of the world title he won on July 23, 2016 via a second-round knockout of undefeated No. 2 rated Matías Rueda. Rueda entered that fight having won his previous 10 bouts by stoppage. In his first defense, which took place, on November 5, 2016, Valdez blasted out No. 1 contender Hiroshige Osawa via a seventh-round TKO. On April 22, in his 2017 debut, his first pay-per-view event that featured him in the main event, Valdez went toe-to toe for 12 rounds with No. 1 contender Miguel Marriaga, winning a unanimous decision. Marriaga, a three-time world title challenger, went into that fight having won 15 of his previous 19 bouts by way of knockout. In his most recent fight, on September 22, he again went mano a mano in a 12-rounder that had the fans on their feet throughout the fight. This time Valdez won a unanimous decision over Genesis Servania, the No. 4 world-rated contender.

Quigg, who has fought all but once in his native England, is trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach. After capturing the WBA interim super bantamweight world title in 2012 and making one successful title defense that same year, he was elevated to WBA super bantamweight world champion in 2013. Quigg successfully defended that world title six times, four of them by way of knockout during his three-year reign. He lost the title via a split decision to International Boxing Federation (IBF) championCarl Frampton in a 2016 title unification bout. Since that fight, Quigg has moved up to the featherweight division and won his past three fights, including a 12-round featherweight title elimination bout against Simion Viorel. Quigg is currently world-rated No. 2 by the IBF and No. 4 by the WBA.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing,facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo

@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtag #ValdezQuigg to join the conversation on Twitter.

Former WBA Super-Bantamweight king Quigg served notice of his intent to top the world once again when he dispatched Oleg Yefimovich in clinical fashion in six rounds in Monaco in November in his second fight at his new weight.

The 29 year old faces a tough task to get back to the summit in the form of undefeated Valdez, the Mexican making the fourth defence of the title he landed in in 2016, but Quigg is working hard in Los Angeles with trainer Freddie Roach to find the formula to beat a fighter he knows well and respects.

“This is a fight that I’m really looking forward to. It’s a great fight,” said Quigg. “I have a lot of respect for Oscar and his team. We’ve been in the gym together in the past, helping each other prepare for a fight. They are good people.

“I’ve been in training for four weeks already and now I’ve just linked up with Freddie Roach to begin the last eight weeks of camp. This is a great opportunity for me — making my U.S. debut on a great platform on ESPN – and I’m confident on March 10 I’ll become World champion again.”

“I know that my World title defence against Scott Quigg will be a fun one for all the boxing fans because our styles combine perfectly to make a real war,” said Valdez. “As usual, on March 10, I will leave it all in the ring at StubHub Center, to show everyone that I’m one of the best featherweights in the world”

“Oscar Valdez has passed every in-ring test with flying colours, but the biggest test of his professional career will take place on March 10 against Scott Quigg, who like Oscar, rarely leaves a fight in the hands of the judges. The fans watching at StubHub and live across ESPN’s platforms are in for an exciting night and a sensational card, which will be announced shortly,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

“I’m delighted to get this fight made – I feel it’s one of the best fights in the division right now,” said Quigg’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “Both guys like to come forward and throw aggressive combinations and I do not believe we will hear the final bell. What I do believe is that on March 10 Scott Quigg will become a two-weight World Champion in a fight of the year contender, live on ESPN”

“We’re very excited for the fight against Quigg. This fight will further showcase Oscar’s skills and will demonstrate that he is a star,” said Frank Espinoza, manager of Valdez. “Oscar is one of the best in the world and against Quigg he’ll prove it once again.”

Valdez, who represented México in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, was the first Mexican fighter to qualify for two Olympic games. He is considered one of the bright lights of the Featherweight division and a new face for boxing’s next generation. He will be making the fourth defence of the world title he won on July 23, 2016 via a second-round knockout of undefeated No. 2 rated Matías Rueda. Rueda entered that fight having won his previous 10 bouts by stoppage. In his first defence, which took place, on November 5, 2016, Valdez blasted out No. 1 contender Hiroshige Osawa via a seventh-round TKO. On April 22, in his 2017 debut, his first pay-per-view event that featured him in the main event, Valdez went toe-to toe for 12 rounds with No. 1 contender Miguel Marriaga, winning a unanimous decision. Marriaga, a three-time world title challenger, went into that fight having won 15 of his previous 19 bouts by way of knockout. In his most recent fight, on September 22, he again went mano a mano in a 12-rounder that had the fans on their feet throughout the fight. This time Valdez won a unanimous decision over Genesis Servania, the No. 4 world-rated contender.

Quigg, who has fought all but once in his native England, is trained by Hall of Roach. After capturing the WBA interim super bantamweight world title in 2012 and making one successful title defence that same year, he was elevated to WBA super bantamweight world champion in 2013. Quigg successfully defended that world title six times, four of them by way of knockout during his three-year reign. He lost the title via a split decision to IBF champion Carl Frampton in a 2016 title unification bout. Since that fight, Quigg has moved up to the Featherweight division and won his past three fights, including a 12-round Featherweight title elimination bout against Simion Viorel. Quigg is currently world-rated No. 2 by the IBF and No. 4 by the WBA.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets go on sale Tomorrow! Wednesday, January 17, at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Priced at $206, $104, $53 and 27.50, including facility fees, they can be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

The all-action undercard will feature undefeated WBC Continental Americas super featherweight champion Andy Vences (20-0, 12 KOs), of San Jose, Calif; top-three world-rated junior welterweight contender Alex Saucedo (26-0, 16 KOs), of Oklahoma City; 2016 U.S. Olympian and three-time U.S. Amateur Champion Mikaela Mayer (3-0, 2 KOs), of Los Angeles; and 2012 Olympic silver medallist and middleweight contender Esquiva Falcäo (19-0, 13 KOs), of Vitoria, Brazil.

A deal for a fight that would pit WBO Featherweight champion Oscar Valdez and former beltholder Scott Quigg for March 10 in Carson, California is close to being finalized according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Shortly after ESPN’s story was initially published, Quigg Promoter Eddie Hearn acknowledged that the deal was close, writing on his Twitter account, “I see the news (is) breaking. Correct — we are close to finalizing a deal for Scott Quigg to face Oscar Valdez for the world title. Hopefully (we will) get it over the line. Will be an unbelievable fight!”

TUCSON, Ariz. – Oscar Valdez Jr. wanted to please a crowd that had traveled from his birthplace in Mexico and to the U.S. city where he went to school.

Mission accomplished and then some.

Valdez took his fans on a dramatic ride, thrilling at some turns and dangerous at others. In the end, he and them got to where they expected.

Valdez retained his World Boxing Organization featherweight title with a unanimous decision over Genesis Servania, who proved to be as tough as he was unknown.

“I wanted to show the crowd,’’ Valdez (23-0, 19 KOs) said after the ESPN televised but at Tucson Arena on a Top Rank card that also included super-middleweight Gilberto Ramirez’ dramatic victory over Jesse Hart in another title defense.

It was close, a lot closer than the 116-110, 115-111, 117-109 scorecards might suggest. In the later rounds, however, Valdez, who collected $400,000, managed to keep his distance, stay busy and throw just enough punches to stay in control of the bout and his futures.

“The scores were a little wide,’’ said Servania (29-1, 12 KOs), who collected $55,000. “Let’s do it again.’’

Promoter Bob Arum said he hopes to put together a deal for Valdez to fight Belfast featherweight Carl Frampton, sometime next year.

Meanwhile, Robles wants to get Valdez to become a better listener between rounds. There were a lot of potential distractions for Valdez before opening bell. He voiced his support for the Dreamers, young undocumented immigrants who are fighting to stay in the United States. Arum said he gave about 300 to 400 free tickets to the Dreamers who could document their immigration status.

Valdez also fought in front of a grandfather, Luis Fierro, who was arrested last month on, reportedly for an old traffic ticket. Valdez said he is facing charges that could lead to his deportation. He said got his grandfather out of jail in time to see the fight.

“There were a lot of emotions before this one and Oscar is an emotional fighter,’’ Robles said.

Now, they can talk about what’s next.

Ramirez retains WBO belt

It was exhausting and exhilarating. It was a lot of things. Sometimes, bruising. Sometimes, beautiful. Sometimes, ugly. Always, dramatic.

In the end, it belonged to Ramirez.

Ramirez retained the WBO’s super-middleweight title with a 115-112, 114-113, 115-112 decision over Hart, a Philadelphia fighter whose last name sounds like heart because he has plenty of it.

So, too, does Ramirez (36-0, 24 KOs). The Mexican dedicated his victory to America’s young , undocumented immigrants, so-called Dreamers, some of whom were in the crowd of 4, 103. He dedicated it to the earthquake victims in Mexico City. He also thanked Hart (22-1, 18 KOs), who he knocked down in the second round with a right hand.

“A great show for everybody here and all my people in Mexico,’’ Ramirez said.

Michael Conlan scores powerful stoppage

Michael Conlan’s right is best remembered for an obscene gesture. But there’s more than just a middle finger in that hand. There’s power and it speaks for itself. It landed loudly and decisively, taking out a tough Kenny Guzman of Montana in the second round of the card featuring Servania-Valdez.

“I was a bit reckless early,’’ said Conlan (4-0, 4 KOs), a Belfast featherweight who famously – or infamously — flipped off the judges at the 2016 Olympics.

He was altogether devastating a little later. Poor Guzman (3-1, 1 KO) never had a chance to be offended. He never saw it coming. Conlan, whose next fight is scheduled for Dec. 9 at New York’s Madison Square Garden..

Conlan, a Valdez stablemate in trainer Manny Robles’ gym, had the right high and cocked life the trigger on a gun. Guzman was out the second it landed. He got up and referee Wes Melton ended it at 2:59 of the round.

On The Undercard

The Best: Lithuanian welterweight Egis Kavaliauskas (18-0, 15 KOs) took a lot of punches and landed even more, leaving Mexican Mahonri Montes (32-7-1, 21 KOs) with a bloodied face, a swollen right eye and a bruising seventh round loss by TKO.

For Kavaliauskas, a two-time Olympian, the victory was an opportunity After dominating the bout, he turned the ring inot a bully pulpit.

“Bring on Jeff Horn,’’ he said of the Australian who beat Many Pacquiao in a controversial decision Down Under in July.

The Rest: Lightweight Mikaela Mayer (2-0, 2 KOs), 2016 Olympian from Los Angeles, landed an uninterrupted succession of punches, leaving Texan Allison Martinez (1-3, 1 KOs) dazed, done and defeated at 39 seconds of the third round.

Brazilian junior lightweight Robson Conceicao (5-0, 4 KOs) flashed his Olympic gold-medal credentials, toying for three round with Nicaraguan Carlos Osorio (13-8-1, 5 KOs), who complained of a shoulder injury and quit on his stool before the fourth.

Uzbek junior-welterweight Fazliddin Gaibnazarov 3-0, 1 KO), a 2016 gold medalist and one of three Olympic medalists on the card, scored a unanimous decision over a game, yet overmatched Victor Rosas (9-7, 3 KOs) of Mexico.

Australian welterweight Lenny Zappavigna (36-3, 26 KOs) came back from a 2016 loss with a little but of thunder, scoring a third-round TYKO of Mexican Fidel Monterroza (38-14-1, 30 KOs)

By Norm Frauenheim-

TUCSON, Ariz. – Oscar Valdez Jr. is at home, his second home, with a promise as a priority.

In his last trip to Tucson in 2015, he promised he’d be back with a world title. He delivered on that one, returning with a World Boxing Organization belt that he won in 2016.

But one promise begets another.

“I’m not planning on losing this here,’’ Valdez said, with the belt in one hand, after he stepped off the scale Thursday at 125.8 pounds for his title defense against unknown Filipino Genesis Servania at Tucson Arena on an ESPN-televised card (7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET).

In a third defense of the belt, Valdez (22-0 19 KOs) is expected to win a bout that could set up a showdown with Belfast featherweight Carl Frampton. Frampton just signed with the company that manages Mick Conlan, a Valdez stablemate who faces Kenny Guzman on the Friday undercard.

Despite an unbeaten record (29-0, 12 KOs), not much is known about Servania, who is fighting in the United States for the first time after fighting mostly in the Philippines and Japan. Servania, who weighed in at 125.4 pounds, had one bout in Dubai

“There was a time when Manny Pacquiao wasn’t known, either,’’ said Valdez, who has generated headlines for Friday’s card by his vocal support for The Dreamer and their fight to stay in the United States.

Valdez promoter Bob Arum is offering 500 free tickets to Dreamers – undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. when they were kids — who show up at the box office with documentation of their immigration status.

“This is insane, the policy that we now have,’’ Arum said a day after he announced the free tickets. “These Dreamer kids are as American as my grandkids. They were raised in this country. They speak English. They go to American schools. The idea that we would send them back to other countries is ludicrous.

“Americans are supposedly held to higher ethical standards than this. I will fight to the last breath in my body for these kids. They belong in the United States, they can contribute to this country and we have to open our hearts to them because they deserve it.

“They came here – does it matter if their parents came legally or illegally? They were kids when they came here and I think every American has the moral obligation to stand up for these dreams.’’

Up and down the card, there is support for what Valdez is saying and Arum is doing en behalf of the Dreamers.

“My people are good people, people who are just fighting to make living,’’ said Gilbert Ramirez, a Mexican who defends his WBO super-middleweight title against Jesse Hart in perhaps the most intriguing bout on the card.

Ramirez (35-0, 24 KOs) was 167.8 pounds Thursday. Hart (22-0. 18 KOs) tipped the scales at 167.6. Conlan (3-0, 3 KOs), an Irish Olympian, was at 126.6 pounds. His opponent, Kenny Guzman (3-0, 1 KO) was at 125.

The untelevised portion of the card begins at 4:30 p.m. (PT). It can be watched on an ESPN app.

ORANGE, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2017) – Top junior lightweight prospect Michael Dutchover (5-0, 4 KOs) marks his return to the ring this Friday night against Carlos Flores (4-5-1, 3 KOs) in a featured 6-round bout on the “New Blood” undercard.

The five-fight show, promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions, takes place at the
Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

Tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $40, $60, & $100 and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900, or visiting ThompsonBoxing.com.

Dutchover, an accomplished amateur who earned a bronze medal at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2015 and a runner-up finish at the National Golden Gloves competition a year later, turned professional last year and already possesses a fan friendly style.

Thompson Boxing caught up the with Midland, Tex. native and got his take on relocating to the Los Angeles area, what it was like to spar with two world champions, and his outlook on Friday’s fight.

Your training camp was unlike any other in that you sparred against world champions Oscar Valdez and Jessie Magdaleno, as well as blue-chip prospect Michael Conlan. What was it like going against such high-level talent?

“Sparring against world champions elevates your game and boosts your confidence tremendously. I held my own the first few sessions with Oscar and Jessie and they called me back for other sessions. These guys expect solid work so I was glad that they brought me back. I’m gaining experience from some of the best so it’s awesome. It was also great sparring with Michael. With those three I was able to see different styles that will help me in my development.”

Your opponent Carlos Flores has had an uneven career. How do you get up for a fight where you are the clear favorite?

“You can’t think that every fight is going to be easy. If you’re not ready for a fight then anyone can make you look bad. This sport is unforgiving in that way. I’m going to be on my “A” game and it will show Friday.”

Earlier this year you made the decision to relocate to the Los Angeles area and leave your hometown of Midland, Tex. What has been the toughest part of this move?

“I’m doing what I love to do and that always involves sacrifices. The most difficult part is being away from friends and family and being far from home. I knew moving to Los Angeles was the right choice because if you want to get better, especially in the lower weight classes, this area is the place to be. On any given day you can spar with contenders and world champions so it’s been great for me.”

How do you see Friday’s fight going down?

“I can predict a solid win for me and my team. I’m going to let my punches go and just be active. I’ll work off the jab to open things up and I’m going to show an improved defense. I’m going to look the best I’ve looked so far. That much I know.”

Dutchover is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

All five fights will be livestreamed on TB Presents: New Blood via our Facebook page and ThompsonBoxing.com.

The livestream starts at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Steve Kim providing expert color commentary.

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For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.

TUCSON, AZ (September 21, 2017) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ and GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ will headline and exciting world championship event This Friday! September 22, at Tucson Arena (260 South Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701.) Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), a two-time Mexican Olympian with strong roots in Tucson, will be defending his WBO featherweight title against the WBO’s No. 4 world-rated contender GENESIS SERVANIA (29-0, 12 KOs), of Bacolod City, Philippines. WBO super middleweight champion Ramirez (35-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlan Mexico, will take on No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger JESSE “Hard Work” HART (22-0, 18 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA, in the grudge match of the year. The four warriors boast a perfect combined record of 108-0 (73 KOs) with nearly 70% of their victories coming by way of knockout. Here is what they had to say at today’s media workout:

BOB ARUM: I am looking forward to a great show Friday night. Two undefeated world champions – Oscar Valdez, the featherweight champion; and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, the super middleweight champion, are in two tough title defenses; Mick Conlan is on the card. It should be a great night for boxing in Tucson and the whole world will be seeing this event thanks to our partners at ESPN.

OSCAR VALDEZ: I am feeling good and I’m very excited about this fight. We had a tremendous camp – my trainers and me and now I’m ready to get in that ring and show my people a good fight. I’m pretty excited that all my friends and all my family get to come it is only thirty minutes away from Nogales, all the people will be here in Tucson, so I’m pretty excited for this.

FRANK ESPINOZA: Like Oscar said – he’s put in a lot of hard work coming to Tucson and we are excited to be back at the Tucson Convention Center Arena and looking forward to a great fight. Servania is a volume puncher and I think it’s going to be a fan-friendly fight but I think Oscar will showcase his talent. I’ve been telling everybody all along that he has the Mexican style – he has that super style that I think he’s going to show his skills that evening.

BOB ARUM: The Mexican style maybe now will be called the Kazakhstan Style because last Saturday, one guy fought as a Mexican and the Mexican didn’t fight like a Mexican.

It’s been kind of a quick turn-around since your last fight . . .

OSCAR VALDEZ: Yes it was a pretty tough fight against Marriaga and I was a little sore but I only took a week off then I went back to run and hit the gym. It only took a week then I was good to go. I always stay active. Not train too hard in between but just enough – give it a thirty-minute run, hit the gym, shadow box, hit the bag – casual to maintain myself not to get inactive.

What do you know about Servania – he has a great record but it a bit of an unknown being from the Philippines?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I’ve seen him fight before and he is a tough fighter and he has a tough style. Not a lot of people know him. There was a point when no one knew who Manny Pacquiao and they come to America as an unknown and show their skills. I had the same questions about Marriaga because a lot of people didn’t know who he was and they found out Marriaga is a tough fighter. It was a tough fight and everyone saw he was a good fighter. Servania is a tough fighter and I definitely am not taking him lightly.

When did you live in Tucson?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I lived in Tucson and went to elementary school there they my father and I moved back to Nogales – from when I was 4 to about 9. My mother still lives there. I have some long-time friends that I played with when I was a kid and I have a lot of uncles here, cousins and uncles. My family is actually very big – I have family in Ohio, I have family in Arizona, I have family in Mexico and I have a lot of family here in Tucson as well.

Is it fair to say that Tucson is your second home?

OSCAR VALDEZ: Yes I consider Tucson my second home – I lived here for a while. Having the privilege of coming back and forth – coming back to Tucson when I live in Nogales.

OSCAR VALDEZ: I fought here two years ago but I wasn’t a champion in front of my fans and my people then but I was always going to bring back a title and now I get a chance to do it and I am very excited. I am always excited but for this a lot of my family is going to be there and support me in this fight.

Do you have plans for Oscar to fight regularly in Tucson?

BOB ARUM: Tucson is a great city and I really love it there and they have very enthusiastic boxing fans. We are going to do well at the gate – tickets are really flying out of the box office, so yes, why not use Tucson as a base, but we have big plans for Oscar. He is on the road, we believe, to superstardom. There will be a lot of places – Los Angeles and Las Vegas – clamoring for Oscar and his fights. We expect to have some really major fights for Oscar in the near term against guys who are big names in the featherweight division.

After last weekend are you concerned about the judging of the fight?

OSCAR VALDEZ: Not at all that is never on my mind. I don’t worry about my opponent. I don’t worry about judges. I don’t worry about the referee. All I care about is me and how I am doing. I am confident about the work we did in the gym, we had a tremendous camp and I am confident about how everything will go on Friday night.

What did you think about the Canelo – Triple G fight and do you think Canelo made a mistake going backward in the fight?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I think Canelo actually did a good job. A lot of people thought he lost. My personal opinion I thought he won the fight. He went back but a lot of the punches Golovkin was throwing were not landing. I think Canelo landed the stronger punches and that’s really what I think.

Do you feel you are fighting for that – to keep on proving that we belong in the United States?

OSCAR VALDEZ: If I get any chance to keep on proving that we belong in the United States – we come to this country not to rape or to be criminals – we only come to this country to do good things – to get a better life than we didn’t have back in our country.

How important is having a series such as this for a young fighter?

BOB ARUM: I think it’s very important for ESPN who is now going to be able to showcase Oscar on the worldwide leading sports network at least three times a year. We are going to have him matched against top-top featherweights and junior lightweights and the audience that we’ll be attracting starting September 22nd will be absolutely huge and so Oscar will go in the same realm as the other superstars in boxing. This development we have with ESPN is really a breakthrough and the guys that benefit most are talented young men like Oscar Valdez.

You had a streak of knockouts that ended with Marriaga – is a KO something you want to do?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I would love to get the knockout. It’s not something I look to do in the first or second round but if I hurt I would do my best to stop him but my mindset is always 12 rounds. If I don’t knock him out I am 100% ready to go 12 rounds, whether that’s going toe-to-toe or boxing, whatever. If I have the opportunity to give the crowd what they want – a knockout – I will try my best to do it if I hurt him but that’s not always the case. I will fight hard every singe round.

How do you feel about a lot more people being able to follow your career now?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I think it’s great and I am ready for this. I think it’s a great opportunity and a lot more people are going to be able to watch me now. That’s what I want. I want to be recognized and being on ESPN is going to be a great opportunity and I’m excited for that.

OSCAR VALDEZ: I think this division is a very tight division and there are a lot of great challenges out there – there are a lot of good fights to be made. Servania is no walk in the park that’s for sure. He is ranked #4 in the WBO and he has that typical Filipino style – he comes from different angles and it’s always going to be a hard fight. It’s not going to be easy for me. I know I have to be at my best to come out victorious that night and that’s what I’m planning to do.

Would the winner of Mares/Santa Cruz be on your radar?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I’m sure it would be on my radar. If everything goes well I will fight anybody and if were to be them I would gladly take the fight. Whoever it is I will gladly fight them. Whoever they put in front of me.

BOB ARUM: This is insane, the policy that we now have. These Dreamer kids are as American as my grandkids. They were raised in this country. They speak English. They go to American schools. The idea that we would send them back to other countries is ludicrous. Americans are supposedly held to higher ethical standards than this. I will fight to the last breath in my body for these kids. They belong in the United States, they can contribute to this country and we have to open our hearts to them because they deserve it. They came here – does it matter if their parents came legally or illegally? They were kids when they came here and I think every American has the moral obligation to stand up for these dreams

Would you like to unify the titles?

OSCAR VALDEZ: Yes of course

BOB ARUM: And also I read today that Carl Frampton, who is a tremendous featherweight, has signed on with Matthew Macklin’s group and Matthew manages Michael Conlan who will be on the card Friday night so there is a possible fight against Frampton that now becomes relatively easy to arrange.

Would you fight Frampton?

OSCAR VALDEZ: Of course, I am not looking ahead of this fight but I would definitely love to fight Frampton. After this fight I can think about that. I always have to think about this fight. I have confidence in my team that we did a great job in the gym and that we are 100% for Friday’s fight.

BOB ARUM: And also don’t forget the Puerto Rican kid who will be on the Lomachenko-Rigondeaux card at the Garden on December 9th – Christopher Diaz – a terrific young featherweight from Puerto Rico and as you know the great rivalries in boxing very often center around the Mexican kid against a Puerto Rican

ZURDO RAMIREZ

Jesse Hart has been talking a lot – how do you feel about that?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: I only hope that he comes in really prepared because he’s been talking a lot and it’s good because I am really prepared for this fight and very confident in my preparation.

BOB ARUM: Jesse has a very good punch – his father, Cyclone Hart, could knock down walls. He was the hardest punching middleweight of his time and he was a tremendous draw in Philadelphia during the heydays of the middleweights.

What does this fight mean to you?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: It’s a big fight and really exciting for me because he’s the number one contender and I want to put on a great show for all of the Mexican people.

Bob, assuming Zurdo is successful, what do you see moving forward?

BOB ARUM: The future for all of these guys is bright because of the alliance we have with ESPN so now he no longer waits six months before he gets in the ring again to defend his title, assuming he is successful he will fight regularly on ESPN. Maybe we will do a fight in Mexico – I think that would be a great idea. I know he has wanted to fight in Mexico. There are a lot of super middleweights around that we can match him with. There are guys like DeGale and Dirrell who are terrific fighters and David Benavidez who is the brother of Jose who fights for Top Rank – he just won the WBC super middleweight title. Zurdo is not going to lack for really good opponents.

Prior to the fight being made, there was a lot of talk from Hart’s side – do you have any bad blood with this guy?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: No, no, like I said he has been talking and talking a lot but I don’t like to talk too much. I let my fists do the talking in the ring. I talk in the ring and I come to keep my belt, keep my undefeated record and to prove to everybody that Zurdo Ramirez is a top pound-for-pound fighter.

You seem to have fought better competition that Hart – do you feel you are more ready than him for this fight?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: Yes I am ready, always ready and my team is making me feel very confident because we have been working very hard for this fight. We have been working in Mazatlan to do the hard training and the hardest part is done. Now we enjoy this fight week and everybody is going to see a great Zurdo Ramirez on Friday night.

Do you feel that he is ready for this fight? You are obviously the best opponent he has had today.

ZURDO RAMIREZ: He said he is ready. So let’s see if he’s ready.

Do you think the fact that Zurdo speaks English will make him a bigger star keeping in mind that Canelo does not?

BOB ARUM: Essentially his fan base will be the Mexicans so it is our obligation to make him fan friendly with the Mexican public which is big supporters of the sport of boxing – they certainly have rallied behind Canelo over the last few years and we hope that they will rally behind Zurdo if he continues to be victorious.

You said you want to be pound-for pound #1 – what do you think you need to do to get there?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: Keep winning every fight and beat every rival and opponents and keep doing my job.

Who did you have winning the Canelo-Golovkin fight?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: I had it a draw. The people were really surprised about Canelo because they expected Golovkin to destroy him but that was good.

BOB ARUM: Golovkin won the fight easy, EASY. I had the fight 8-4. I didn’t think there would be any controversy, and let me tell you as bad a Adelaide Byrd was that fight, what the hell was Trella watching in that 7th round when Golovkin beat the hell out of Canelo and he gave the round to Canelo – what the hell was that?

JESSE HART
JESSE HART: I am just ready to fight at this point. I really don’t have anything bad to say about the guy. I think he is a fine champion. He’s been doing a great job holding the belt. Now it is time to give it up. I am prepared to not only do 12 rounds; I am prepared to do 15 rounds. Training camp has been. Training camp has been the most, hardest of my whole life. Not just in the ring. There have been near death experiences in that gym. It was war. It was war. This training itself, you ask me about being ready for Ramirez, he will be nothing compared to the training that I have been through in this fight.

Your dad had all of these tremendous fights in the Philadelphia area for a number of years and never got a title shot – but here you are – what does it mean to get that opportunity with your dad at your side?

JESSE HART: It means a lot because of what you just said — we never had a belt in our household. My dad said, “Everything I didn’t do in boxing, I want my son to do” so he is pushing me to greatness. This is personal for my family. This is business but it is personal to bring the belt home – a world championship

Your father was tremendous for years but never got a title shot – can you tell me what that is like for you to get one with him at your side?

JESSE HART: Absolutely – When I go in there my dad’s heart is going in there with me. My dad started me at the age of 6 years old. We had to recognize the goal and how do we get there. The goal was to be a world champion. When I first saw all the great fighters of the past that my dad showed me – Henry Armstrong, Willie Pep, Sugar Ray Robinson, who was his favorite fighter – all of these great fighters that I just named, Joe Louis, all the great fighters of the past, when I was a kid my dad used to sit me by the TV and watch these guys day in and day out – that’s who I studied when I was a kid, that’s where it all came from. That’s what I wished for – for one day to become a world champion and that’s what my dad’s dream always was but he never got a title shot, so it definitely means a lot to him. He said everything I didn’t do in boxing I want my son to do. That’s why he is pushing me

How familiar are you with the great match-ups that your dad had? Do you know about your father when he fought? There had to be ten top contenders – Have you watched tapes?

JESSE HART: I think my dad was a tremendous boxer, puncher. He was a converted southpaw but he really fought on the right hand side so people didn’t really expect him to be as devastating as he was. People never expected that and they always say that the most dangerous punch in boxing is the one that you don’t see – the one you don’t expect. They didn’t expect that because like I said, he fought right-handed – he fought orthodox but he was really a southpaw. He was really left-handed – a converted southpaw. The great fighters that he fought – my dad fought a tremendous amount of great talent on his record – It was much tougher back then than it is now because back then you go 15 rounds – you go in the gym and you go 15 round wars and I like to say that the greatest fighters are from Philadelphia.

You have been waiting for years for a title shot and now it is upon you – how do you remain patient?

JESSE HART: I’d like to acknowledge Bob Arum regarding that. Bob always said ‘you’ve got to be patient.’ He said to me when I first turned pro, he said ‘there are boxing stars and there are superstars. Superstars sell themselves inside the ring and outside the ring. Boxing stars just sell themselves in the ring – they don’t know how to speak and they don’t know what to say. Box said I have all of the qualities to be a superstar because I talk well, I speak well, I have a smile and all of these things come into play to become a superstar. Things that Oscar De La Hoya had – and Bob built that. Things like the Floyd Mayweather smile. Bob builds superstars – don’t limit yourself. I have been waiting patiently to become a superstar not just to be a boxing star. I have more quality. I can fight as well but I can sell outside the ring as well.

You have been fighting the smaller titles for a while – you had a tough fight with Johnson – you hit the canvas – what do you learn from a fight like that?

JESSE HART: I took away little tricks of the trade – when to put weight on my punches and when not to put weight on my punches, when to step around a guy instead of throwing a combination. When to get a guy out of there – don’t always think about getting a guy out of there. When you look at a guy’s record like that the first thing that went thru my mind was I’m going to get this guy out of here. When I put something in my mind – that’s what I believe. Certain people’s mind are not set because they don’t have that belief – I believed that I was going to get that guy out of there. There was not a Plan B or a Plan C. I believed that I was going to get that kid out of their and that was immature – I was just looking at his record. Now I am more mature to see everything – when to box, when to move, when to tie a guy up, when to go to the body, when to throw a combination, when to step around – different things very second of every minute of every round. I had a strong belief in myself to get this kid out. Like Muhammad Ali said to Joe Frazier “you will fall, God said you will fall,’ and Joe said, “Well God ain’t here today.” That’s the belief I had in myself in that fight.

There is a lot of Philly history around you – does that mean anything to do this for the town as well?

JESSE HART: Absolutely – that means you have an upbringing – you have something behind you – you have to uphold and live up to. That means a lot of preparation. That means a lot of pride. People from Philadelphia take pride in this sport. We fight kids that are defending the neighborhood – there is a pride that we have about boxing that you have to live up to. There is a legacy and my dad always told me the best fights you fight are in the gym – there are a lot of gym fights in Philadelphia – we grew in the gym.

You were talking about being near death in the gym, Jesse?

JESSE HART: Yea, damn – Coach Jenkins pushed me a little bit to near death. Sometimes I thought, ‘Yo, am I still alive?’

How do you fill the void of no champions from Philly?

JESSE HART: Friday I become champion of the world and my team – everyone around me is keeping me focused. I just have to go out there and execute the game plan and I’ll be out there giving it my all. To become champion of the world I was told that you have to do things you have never done. You have to get to heights you have never been to, go up mountains you never thought you could climb, and I climbed that and I am here now. I have to put it all together Friday.

You were talking about becoming a superstar – how do you think you will separate?

JESSE HART: Bob Arum – he is the man with the plan. He is the guy that got me here. He is the guy that put me in position to fight, to be here. I listen to Bob so much, it’s not just about boxing, We can talk about my family he give me different advice – you want to do that you want to do this. Muhammad Ali was a superstar. Oscar De La Hoya was a superstar – Bob builds superstars. To be a champion, that’s OK but to be a superstar? How many superstars are over there with the PBC? We can’t say that but we can say that Manny Pacquiao is an international superstar. We can say that, that’s safe to say. Terence Crawford is becoming a superstar – we can say that. Felix Verdejo is becoming a superstar in this sport. Myself, I am becoming a superstar in this sport. Bob Arum builds superstars. And a lot of credit goes to him. Even for this title shot I want to thank Bob Arum for that – without him I would have never got this shot or in position to get this shot.

Your father never won a title – if you win the title Friday night what will that mean?

JESSE HART: My dad always said when I started, “I want you to be a world champion.” I was born to be a world champion. That was always my calling and I really believe that. I have dedicated my life since I was a kid I never gave up on it. Ya’ll have different things that drive you, but I was born to be a champion.

BOB ARUM: Jesse was very flattering. I have always had a real fondness for Jesse and his family – he knows that and if he comes through on Friday night, the sky is the limit because Jesse is very, very right. I am not going to be satisfied with him just being a world champion; I want to make him a world superstar in the sport of boxing. I have in my mind plans on how to do that. Jesse, one thing you can say about him is that he listens, so the sky is the limit. This is going to be a hell of a fight – two great, great young men – Ramirez representing Mexico and Jesse Hart the United States and Philadelphia. I can’t wait for this fight, I really can’t – talk about a competitive real interesting fight. That fight – the super middleweight championship Friday night is going to be something special.

BOB ARUM: By the way – the show will be televised starting at 10:30 p.m. EDT / 7:30 p.m. on the west coast and in Arizona – I am so excited for this car. I think that this card will demonstrate, as did first with the Lomachenko fight and the Crawford fight, what boxing has to offer with the help of ESPN we are going to make this sport back to where it was fwhen I first started, it was one of the leading sports in the world.

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The event will be further enhanced with the addition of Irish Olympic hero MICHAEL “MICK” CONLAN, 2016 U.S. Olympian MIKAELA MAYER and the battle for the vacant NABF welterweight title between EGIS KAVALIAUSKAS and MAHONRI MONTES. Conlan (3-0, 3 KOs) will rumble in six-round featherweight bout against Kenny Guzman (3-0, 1 KO), Kalispell, Montana, and Mayer (1-0, 1 KO) will take on Allison Martinez (1-2, 1 KO) from Spring, Texas, in a four-round lightweight bout.

Both world championship fights and Conlan’s six-round featherweight battle against Kenny Guzman (3-0, 1 KO), of Kalispell, Montana, will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app. The entire card will be available via the ESPN app beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Peltz Boxing, remaining tickets to this world championship doubleheader are priced at $102, $77, $52 and $27. They may be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or by visiting the Tucson Convention Center ticket office.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo
@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #ValdezServania and #RamirezHart to join the conversation on Twitter.

By Norm Frauenheim-

TUCSON, Ariz. – Oscar Valdez Jr. doesn’t have to look far to see a Dreamer. He sees one in his own reflection in the mirror. He sees one in old friends. New ones, too. He sees one in his trainer Manny Robles. And even in a grandfather.

Valdez, a featherweight with roots on both sides of the border between the United States and Mexico, doesn’t fit today’s legal definition of a Dreamer.

Polarized politics have somehow twisted the term into some thing hard to recognize. Everything is controversial these days, even dreaming. But Valdez doesn’t needs to read the legal fine print to know that he is a Dreamer in every other way that matters.

He’s lived the life. He was born in Nogales, on the Mexican side of the border with Arizona. He moved to Tucson as a kid with his parents.

Years later, he returned to Nogales with his dad. His mom stayed in Tucson. He’s Mexican and American. American and Mexican. He speaks two languages, Spanish and English. He has dual citizenship, U.S. and Mexican. He has family in Tucson and Nogales, Hermosillo and Ohio.

A few weeks ago, the two-time Mexican Olympian heard President Donald Trump rescind the federal program — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) — that protects young undocumented immigrants from deportation. Then, he watched people his own age and with the same life experience protest in a battle to keep the program intact. He hears himself in their protests. Sees himself in their fight to stay in the only country they have ever known.

“I’m a Dreamer,’’ said Valdez Jr. (22-0, 19 KOs), whose own dream will continue to play out Friday when the WBO champion faces Filipino Genesis Servania (29-0, 12 KOs) at Tucson Convention Center on ESPN (7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 a.m. ET). “I think we’re all Dreamers.’’

In his grandfather Luis Fierro, the grandson sees a dreamer and a dream worth fighting for. Fierro was arrested last month in southern Arizona, reportedly for an old traffic ticket. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents filed charges that could result in his deportation, according to Valdez, who said Fierro was jailed for about three weeks.

“But we got him out from behind bars,’’ said Valdez, whose trainer, Robles, was born in Mexico and grew up in Los Angeles after arriving in the U.S. from Guadalajara to join his parents as a 6-year-old kid in 1978. “My grandfather will be at the fight Friday night.’’

Valdez promoter Bob Arum, a vocal Trump opponent, hopes 500 Dreamers will be there alongside Fierro. The Top Rank promoter will give tickets to the first 500 Dreamers who show up at the box office with a Federal Employment Authorization card.

“Top Rank wants to make it clear that we stand in solidarity with the Dreamers,’’ Arum said in a statement Monday and repeated in a conference call Tuesday. “We are ashamed of the way they are being treated by the Administration in Washington. Americans are way better than this.’’

A year ago, Valdez found himself in the middle of Arum’s opposition to Trump. He was part of Arum’s “No-Trump Undercard” last November before a main event featuring a Manny Pacquiao victory over Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas.

Then, Valdez was a lot more interested in talking about punches than politics. He still is. But politics are hard to avoid these days, especially when a grandfather gets arrested. Valdez said other members of his family have been affected. They are frightened, said Valdez, who said they didn’t want to be identified. He said he told them OK, that he’d speak for them.

“To me it is a great honor to be able to be a voice that can bring light to this issue and defend those that are in need and don’t have someone that will stand up for them,’ Valdez said. “I have family members that are in danger of being deported over the decisions taken by our government against DACA. I will not stand around and watch silently.

“I completely support this initiative taken by Top Rank and I want everyone to know that we will stand together and we will fight for what is right.’’

TUCSON, AZ (September 19, 2017) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ and GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ will headline and exciting world championship event This Friday! September 22, at Tucson Arena (260 South Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701.) Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), a two-time Mexican Olympian with strong roots in Tucson, will be defending his WBO featherweight title against the WBO’s No. 4 world-rated contender GENESIS SERVANIA (29-0, 12 KOs), of Bacolod City, Philippines. WBO super middleweight champion Ramirez (35-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlan Mexico, will take on No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger JESSE “Hard Work” HART (22-0, 18 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA, in the grudge match of the year. The four warriors boast a perfect combined record of 108-0 (73 KOs) with nearly 70% of their victories coming by way of knockout. Here is what they had to say at today’s media workout:

ÓSCAR VALDEZ
“I worked so hard in this training camp with Manny [Robles]. I am prepared for Servania. He is rugged and strong. He has my upmost respect

“Bob Arum is a great human being helping the Dreamers. The Dreamers just want to work, raise families and be peaceful. Bob is doing all he can to help them. I want to thank him personally.

“ESPN is seen all over the world. It’s an honor to fight on this great network. Our fights will be seen everyplace imaginable.”

MANNY ROBLES
“Oscar had a great camp like he always does. He never looks past an opponent. He has a high level of respect of all who get into the ring against him. He is happy to be fighting in Tucson. His fans and family will be in the arena on Friday night. Oscar is ready. Trust me.”

GENESIS SERVANIA
This is my first time getting into the ring and fighting for a world title. It’s exciting. It’s my fight to win because I have trained so hard for this opportunity. It will be my hardest fight but you will soon see I came to Tucson to win and become the new world champion.”

GILBERTO RAMIREZ
“Jesse Hart is a good fighter. A tough fighter. He earned the right to be my mandatory challenger. But that does not give him the right to say bad things about me. I do my talking in the ring. On Friday night he will hear my response loud and clear.”

JESSE HART
“When I beat Zurdo for the world title I am going to wrap the championship belt right around my Dad’s waist. This fight on Friday is for my father Cyclone Hart and what he never got in all of those years in the big ring – a shot at the title.”

********************************

The event will be further enhanced with the addition of Irish Olympic hero MICHAEL “MICK” CONLAN, 2016 U.S. Olympian MIKAELA MAYER and the battle for the vacant NABF welterweight title between EGIS KAVALIAUSKAS and MAHONRI MONTES. Conlan (3-0, 3 KOs) will rumble in six-round featherweight bout against Kenny Guzman (3-0, 1 KO), Kalispell, Montana, and Mayer (1-0, 1 KO) will take on Allison Martinez (1-2, 1 KO) from Spring, Texas, in a four-round lightweight bout.

Both world championship fights and Conlan’s six-round featherweight battle against Kenny Guzman (3-0, 1 KO), of Kalispell, Montana, will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app. The entire card will be available via the ESPN app beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Peltz Boxing, remaining tickets to this world championship doubleheader are priced at $102, $77, $52 and $27. They may be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or by visiting the Tucson Convention Center ticket office.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo
@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #ValdezServania and #RamirezHart to join the conversation on Twitter.

TUCSON (September 18, 2017) – In support of the thousands of young immigrants that could be affected by the termination the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, boxing promotional company, Top Rank®, led by Hall-of-Fame promoter Bob Arum, will donate 500 tickets to “Dreamers” in Arizona to attend the September 22 world championship event headlined by unbeaten Mexican world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ and GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ. Valdez and Ramirez are considered by many experts as the future of the boxing rich country of Mexico, and they will defend their respective featherweight and super middleweight world titles in action-packed bouts.

“Top Rank wants to make it clear that we stand in solidarity with the Dreamers. We are ashamed of the way they are being treated by the Administration in Washington. Americans are way better than this,” said Arum.

“To me it is a great honor to be able to be a voice that can bring light to this issue and defend those that are in need and don’t have someone that will stand up for them. I have family members that are in danger of being deported over the decisions taken by our government against DACA. I will not stand around and watch silently. I completely support this initiative taken by Top Rank and I want everyone to know that we will stand together and we will fight for what is right,” said Valdez.

To claim their tickets to the Valdez vs. Servania / Ramirez vs. Hart card, the “Dreamers” should bring their Employment Authorization Card to the Tucson Convention Center Box Office starting Tuesday September 19 during regular box office hours and for as long as supplies last.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo; Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo. Use the hashtags #ValdezServania and #RamirezHart to join the conversation on Twitter.

ESPN and Top Rank today announced a vast and exclusive, multimedia agreement to make ESPN the home of Top Rank in the U.S. and Canada. Under the agreement, ESPN will televise live fights on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream them on the ESPN App, will stream fights and other Top Rank content on the recently announced ESPN-branded direct-to-consumer streaming service via BAMTech and deliver select pay-per-view (PPV) fight events. It will also air all Top Rank content in English and in French on Canadian sister networks TSN and RDS. The next Top Rank Boxing on ESPN fight card, scheduled for September 22 in Tucson, Arizona, features two WBO World Title Fights with Oscar Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs, Featherweight) and Gilberto Ramirez (35-0, 24 KOs, Super Middleweight) title defenses.

“ESPN is excited to announce this new relationship with Top Rank, the most comprehensive and innovative media agreement in the history of the sport,” Burke Magnus, executive vice president of programming & scheduling, ESPN said. “We believe in a new vision for boxing that will super-serve existing boxing fans and create legions of new fans through the highest quality boxing content across multiple ESPN platforms – 365 days a year. Together, ESPN and Top Rank will build the superstars of tomorrow through unrivaled exposure, original content and cutting edge technology.”

In the first year of the deal, ESPN will showcase 18 main events in the U.S. on multiple platforms, including television networks, the ESPN App, the direct-to-consumer service and PPV events, in both English and Spanish, and on Canada’s TSN in English and RDS in French. Top Rank on ESPN content will be widely accessible across multiple platforms, including the ESPN-branded multi-sport direct-to-consumer streaming service, and will feature all undercards, select main events, re-airs of all ESPN and PPV events, Top Rank archival fights and more.

“Top Rank is thrilled to enter into this relationship with ESPN, the top sports media brand in the world,” said Todd duBoef, President of Top Rank. “This unprecedented partnership offers a 360 approach to the entire boxing vertical, including live world class events, unparalleled coverage as well as access to historical moments in the sport.”

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) served as the media advisor to Top Rank on the landmark agreement with ESPN. Furthering its relationship with the leading sports and entertainment agency, Top Rank has retained CAA Sports to manage its official sponsorship sales efforts, working closely with ESPN.

“The deal puts Top Rank and its best-in-class stable of global fighters at the core of ESPN’s combat sports offering across television, PPV and OTT,” said Alan Gold, Head of CAA’s Sports Media Advisory practice. “Top Rank has consistently and successfully built many of their fighters into global brands, and now will benefit significantly from ESPN’s broad distribution, sales and marketing support and outstanding storytelling.”

The ESPN-branded multi-sport direct-to-consumer streaming service (being developed with BAMTech and debuting in early 2018) will be a key part of the Top Rank on ESPN multi-platform distribution. The service was announced earlier this month as part of The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of majority ownership of BAMTech. It will join a wide array of sports programming on service, including approximately 10,000 live regional, national, and international games and events, including Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, Grand Slam tennis, college sports and more.

The new ESPN service will be accessed through an enhanced version of the current ESPN app and from authorized MVPDs. In addition to the multi-sport service, the ESPN app will continue to include the news, highlights and scores that fans enjoy today, and consumers who are pay TV subscribers will also be able to access the ESPN television networks in the same app on an authenticated basis.

“Top Rank will be a great partner with high-quality live content, perfectly fit for the new ESPN-branded streaming service we’re building,” said Michael Paull, Chief Executive Officer of BAMTech. “It’s another exciting opportunity for our direct-to-consumer platform to bring sports fans widespread access to their favorite sporting events.

–30–

About ESPN
ESPN, Inc. is the leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia sports assets with over 50 business entities. Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN Plaza includes 950,000 square feet in 16 buildings on 123 acres (116 contiguous), with additional office space (400,000 sq. ft.) rented nearby. The company is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN. For more information, visit http://www.espn.com/boxing, @ESPN and @ESPNBoxeo.

About Top Rank
Innovation has been the mantra at Top Rank since it was established in 1966 by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. The boxing industry’s leading promotional company for half a century, Top Rank has shaped, developed and promoted the careers of top international pay-per-view superstars and Hall of Famers, including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto, Erik Morales, Terence Crawford, and Vasyl Lomachenko. Known for creating strategic collaborations between athletes, sponsors and television networks, Top Rank launched in 1980, Top Rank on ESPN which ran for a historic 16 years. Top Rank then launched another very popular televised boxing series in 1996 titled Solo Boxeo.

Some of the most legendary and spectacular events in boxing history were promoted by Top Rank, which include: 26 Muhammad Ali Events; Leonard vs. Hearns: Arguello vs Pryor; Duran vs. Leonard; Hagler vs. Hearns: Leonard vs. Hagler; Foreman vs. Holyfield; Morales vs. Barrera and De La Hoya vs. Trinidad as well as one of the largest sporting events ever, Mayweather v. Pacquiao. In addition to the previously mentioned super fights, Top Rank possesses one of the largest sports libraries, which includes nearly 10,000 fights and dates back over 50 years.

Top Rank has been an architect of the global growth of the sport by staging high profile events in landmark settings around the world, including every major arena in Las Vegas, The Venetian Macao, Yankee Stadium, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The “Fabulous” Forum and Cowboys Stadium to name a few. Top Rank has also been the leader within the boxing industry in creating unforgettable in-arena experiences for fans while also producing live telecasts which generate high ratings for our television partners.

About CAA Sports
A division of leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), CAA Sports represents more than 1,000 of the world’s best athletes, coaches, on-air broadcasters, and sports personalities, and leads all agencies in contract value under management exceeding $7.9 billion, according to Forbes. CAA Sports has completed more than $3.7 billion in new sponsorship business on behalf of its clients and orchestrated precedent-setting agreements for the new Yankee Stadium; the Marquee partnership deal at Madison Square Garden; the naming rights for the San Francisco 49ers Levi’s Stadium and Chase Center, the future home of the Golden State Warriors. CAA Sports Consulting advises, manages, and activates on more than $2.7 billion in sponsorship rights deals on behalf of leading global brands and includes an award-winning experiential marketing practice. Additionally, the agency’s media practice has structured and negotiated more than $37 billion in media rights deals. For more information about CAA Sports, visit sports.caa.com.

LONDON (25 August) – Legendary Miguel Cotto will be looking to overcome Yoshihiro Kamegai this Saturday night before he brings down the curtain on his illustrious boxing career.

The future Hall-of-Fame fighter has earmarked one last bout before the end of the year should he get past the big-punching Kamegai, exclusively live on BoxNation this weekend from the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

Four-division world champion Cotto is putting his family first and is adamant that he will not be fighting beyond 2017.

“The decision is already made. I’m leaving on December 31st, no matter what happens with my career,” said Cotto.

“I think that 16 years is enough, and I have other things to do in my life. You know, I’m taking care of my family better, and that is the biggest and only reason that I have to stop boxing and quit and retire after December 31st this year,” he said.

“First of all, I have to just think about Kamegai, and then we are going to do what we always do. Then we’re going to pick and choose the best challenger out there, and we are going to face him,” Cotto said.

36-year-old Cotto will be looking to add another world title to his collection as he battles Kamegai for the vacant WBO light-middleweight belt.

Japan’s Kamegai is much respected after being involved in a number of wars throughout his career and having stopped 24 opponents in his 27 wins.

Cotto, trained by Freddie Roach, says he is ready for whatever Kamegai might bring to the ring.

“I’m going to do my fight. I’m going to do my fight that Freddie and I planned here to do on Saturday, and let’s see what Kamegai’s going to bring,” Cotto said.

“I’m always here to bring my best, to do my best, to do whatever it takes to get the victory and make my family and the people around me and myself better. I’m coming with the same kind of mindset, and I’m going to do my best on August 26th.

“All I want to do is finish my career in the best way possible. That’s the reason that I’ve been working hard at this stage of my career. And all I want for me is to finish this in the best way possible,” said Cotto.

The live action starts on BoxNation on Saturday night from 1.30am, with undefeated Mexican super-bantamweight Rey Vargas defending his WBC world title against Ronny Rios in the co-main event.

BoxNation’s upcoming schedule also includes the blockbuster ‘Fight of the Year’ contest between middleweight kingpins Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin on September 16th.

BoxNation will be bringing that not-to-be-missed superfight exclusively live to UK and Irish fans, with further details set to be released soon.

Furthermore, as part of BoxNation’s exclusive output deal with promoters Top Rank, they will be bringing fight fans the exciting WBO featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez exclusively live on September 22nd when he takes on undefeated Filipino Genesis Servania.

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –
About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated boxing channel. From £12* per month with no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.
Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Khan vs Canelo.
The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.
Available on selected internet-connected Freeview products only, subject to coverage. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability.
BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.
For more information visit www.boxnation.com
*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers

TUCSON, AZ (August 24, 2017) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ and GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ will headline and exciting world championship event on Friday, September 22, at Tucson Arena (260 South Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701.) Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), a two-time Mexican Olympian with strong roots in Tucson, will be defending his WBO featherweight title against the WBO’s No. 4 world-rated contender GENESIS SERVANIA (29-0, 12 KOs), of Bacolod City, Philippines. WBO super middleweight champion Ramirez (35-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlan Mexico, will take on No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger JESSE “Hard Work” HART (22-0, 18 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA. The four warriors boast a perfect combined record of 108-0 (73 KOs) with nearly 70% of their victories coming by way of knockout.

The undercard will feature undefeated Puerto Rico sensation and No. 1 lightweight contender FELIX “El Diamante” VERDEJO, Irish Olympic hero MICHAEL “MICK” CONLAN and undefeated junior welterweight contender ALEX SAUCEDO in separate bouts.

Both world championship fights will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Peltz Boxing, tickets to this world championship doubleheader are on sale Now! Priced at $102, $77, $52 and $27, tickets may be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or by visiting the Tucson Convention Center ticket office.

“Fighting in Tucson is special to me because I know a lot of people there and I’m very happy to defend my world title in that great city. It’s a special treat for me and hopefully it will be a special treat for the fans.” said Valdez. “This will be my third title defense and God willing there will be many more. I want to represent my people of Mexico like all the legendary warriors from the past. My opponent is extremely tough and undefeated, which is a dangerous combination. I’m not underestimating him at all. I’ll be ready for his best. I prepare like I’m fighting the best of the best every time out. Fighting on ESPN is a big honor for me. Being able to reach a huge audience and to showcase my boxing skills is extremely important for my career. I’m grateful for the opportunity. I love Tucson. I grew up here, have family here and some of my best friends are here. I am proud to be a world champion. But I am facing a fighter who wants to take it all away from me in my hometown. That is why I am running longer, training harder to win and keep my world title. The greatest thing of being on ESPN is that they will show the world what all of us on this card are all about.”

“I am very excited about this bout because I have waited so long — several
years as a highly-ranked contender — for this chance at the world title. Thank you so much. to Top Rank for giving me this chance, and to the champion for accepting my challenge,” said Servania. “I respect Oscar Valdez. He has a great Olympic background, and has proven his ability as a professional. However, I am ready for this fight and I will do my best on September 22. I am training hard now in Japan to bring the belt back to Kashimi Boxing Gym in Kanazawa. Many thanks to all my family and friends in the Philippines and around the world for your love and support. I want to give a special thanks too to all the people in Japan supporting me and inspiring me to realize my dream of becoming world champion.”

“I was waiting for this fight way before I became a champion, but they said he wasn’t ready for me. It is ok that he has been talking a lot. I just hope that he is prepared to fight the same way he has been talking. I hope he is ready to fight and not to run, and to just try to survive,” said Ramirez. “I want to give the fans a great fight and I hope Hart comes with the same mentality, so we can make it happen. I ’m happy to be back in action and make my second world title defense. This is the first time that I will fight in Tucson and I’m really excited to fight in this great city. There will be a lot of Mexican fans in attendance and I want to give them a great show. I’m very excited to fight on ESPN. All the boxing fans will have the chance to watch the fight. This is a great opportunity on a very big platform where I can show the whole world why I’m the best champion in the super middleweight division. Jesse Hart made it personal, saying very bad things about me. He is going to pay for talking like this. I am going to hit him hard and drive him straight down to the canvas. You don’t talk about a champion the way he is talking about me. I worked hard starting in street fights in Mexico years ago. Then came professional boxing and now I am a world champion. This is my biggest fight and it’s on ESPN for all to really see what being a champion is all about.”

“I am going to be pitching some heat onto Ramirez. I am going to throw so much he will have to think for himself and not look to his corner for help like he does a lot during a fight. Either he’s going to quit in the ring or I am going to knock him out,” said Hart. “This is the big fight I’ve always wanted. My father ‘Cyclone’ is with me. Don’t tell me how tough Ramirez is. He hasn’t had a knockout in years. All of the pressure is on him, not me. This is my fight.”

“From top to bottom this is a card that will feature the stars of boxing’s new era,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “Oscar Valdez and Gilberto Ramirez, young world champions, risk their world titles in battles of the undefeated, plus rising stars Michael Conlan, Felix Verdejo and Alex Saucedo will give the fans in Tucson, and those tuning into ESPN, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN app, a night of exciting fights.”

“I’m happy have my hand in an outstanding promotion in Tucson, given its rich boxing history. It will be my first time promoting in the Old Pueblo,” said Russell Peltz. “It is an entire card of good fights and the fans are going to enjoy the show. I’m looking forward to seeing another Philadelphian (Jesse Hart) having the chance to win a world title.”

Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, México, and who represented México in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, was the first Méxican fighter to qualify for two Olympic games. He is considered one of the bright lights of the featherweight division and a new face for boxing’s next generation. He will be making the third defense of the world title he won on July 23, 2016 via a second-round knockout of undefeated No. 2 rated Matías Rueda. Rueda entered that fight having won his previous 10 bouts by stoppage. In his first defense, which took place, on November 5, he blasted out No. 1 contender Hiroshige Osawa via a seventh-round TKO. In his 2017 debut, his first pay-per-view event that featured him in the main event, Valdez, 26, went toe-to toe for 12 rounds with No. 1 contender Miguel Marriaga, winning a unanimous decision. Marriaga, a three-time world title challenger, went into that fight having won 15 of his previous 19 bouts by way of knockout.

Servania (29-0, 12 KOs), who hails from Bacolod City, Philippines and fights out of Kanazawa, Japan, will be making his U.S. debut. Known for his aggressive style and good skills and movement, Servania is always in top condition. He returns to the ring in his first bid for a world title fresh from a second-round TKO victory of Ralph Lulu on April 29, for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific featherweight title. He is currently world-rated No. 4 by the WBO and No. 7 by the IBF.

Ramírez (35-0, 24 KOs), a two-fisted super middleweight wrecking machine who hails from Mazatlán, México, made history in the co-main event to the Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley welterweight pay-per-view on April 9, 2016, when he became México’s first fighter to win a super middleweight world title. Entering the fight as the top world-rated contender, Ramirez gave a virtuoso performance over the defending WBO champion Arthur Abraham. All three judges scored it as a 120-108 blitzkrieg. “I took him to Méxican boxing school,” a jubilant Ramírez boasted as he put on the world championship belt . A sensational young champion, Ramírez, 26, had been scheduled to make his first title defense in July 2016, but a training camp injury to his right hand followed by surgery and rest sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He returned to on April 22, winning a unanimous decision over Top-10 contender and one-time world title challenger Max “Tiger” Bursak.

Hart (22-0, 18 KOs), the son of Philadelphia boxing legend Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, has transformed from a sensational prospect into a hot contender. Trained by his father, the highly-rated middleweight contender of the late ’60s and early ’70s, the younger Hart, at age 28, enters this fight having won nine of his last 10 bouts by way of knockout. He captured the NABO and USBA super middleweight titles in 2015, knocking out Mike Jimenez in the sixth-round. He successfully defended those titles four times during his two-year reign, including a fifth-round stoppage of Alan Campa on April 8, en route to his No. 1 world ranking by the WBO.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo
@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #ValdezServania and #RamirezHart to join the conversation on Twitter.

CARSON, Calif. – It was tactical. It was punishing. It was exhilarating. And exhausting.

In the end, Oscar Valdez Jr., did it all and endured it all, relying on wits, stubborn poise and educated footwork in the beginning and inexhaustible guts in the end for a signature victory over tough and powerful Miguel Marriaga Saturday night at StubHub Center.

Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs) tested himself repeatedly and perhaps in ways he didn’t have to in retaining his WBO featherweight title with a 119-108, 116-111, 118-109 decision.

“Oscar made it a little harder on himself than he needed to, but he’s fighter at heart,’’ his trainer, Manny Robles, said.

It’s that heart that delivered a statement Valdez wanted to make. Before opening bell, Valdez said he was as good as Leo Santa Cruz, Carl Frampton, Gary Russell Jr., Abner Mares and the other elites at the top of the featherweight division. After his stirring triumph over Marriaga (25-2, 21 KOs), they’ll have to make room him at the head table.

For most of nine rounds, Valdez’ sustained a tactical brilliance that kept Marriaga chasing, yet mostly missing with a powerful right hand. It was in the 10th that Valdez began to walk straight into harm’s way. Marriaga landed that right. Off-balance, Valdez countered with quick left that knocked down Marriaga.

The round ended with one wild exchange after another. Both fighters walked back their corners, looking dazed and exhausted. But it continued in the 11th. When the bell sounded for the 12th, Valdez walked out to meet Marriaga. He said something before the first punch was thrown.

“I told him this is a great fight and let’s finish it with great round,’’ said Valdez, the –two-time Mexican Olympian who was born in Nogales and went to school in Tucson.

That’s what they did with punching exchanges that brought a StubHub crowd of more 5,000 to its feet. After it was all over Marriaga walked over to Valdez as he wearily stood in the middle of the ring doing interviews.

“You are a great champion,’’ Marriaga said as he also said thanks. “You’re a great fighter.’’

An elite one, too.

Gilberto Ramirez wins dull decision in comeback

Gilberto Ramirez needed test drive. It wasn;t exciting. Then again, a test drive isn’t supposed to be. In his first fight in a year, he just wanted to test his healed right hand and put himself back in the mix.

Mission accomplished.

Ramirez (350-, 24 KOs) scored a unanimous decision over Max Bursak (33-5-1, 15 KOs) , retaining his WBO super-middleweight title in his first defense.

“Who’s next? Ramirez said after a dull 12 rounds.

Jessie Hart said he should be. Hart approached press row and yelling:

“It’s got to happen now! We can’t wait. We’re both in our prime. Jesse Hart wants Gilberto Ramirez now.”

Ramirez says he’d like a fight Gennady Golovkin.

“I want to prove myself as a pound-for-pound fighter,’’ he said.

Technically, Stevenson does what he has to in debut decision

There were boos. There was blood. There might have been an injury. Welcome to the pros, Shakur Stevenson.

Within just five rounds, Stevenson got an introduction to what every professional sees throughout a career. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist from Newark emerged with the victory everybody expected. But it wasn’t exactly pretty. It goes into the book as a technical unanimous decision over Edgar Brito (3-3-1, 2 KO)

There wasn’t anything technical about Stevenson’s superior hand speed or Brito’s edgy toughness. Both were there, obvious from the beginning and jarring midway through the fight. In the third round, Stevenson had his back on the ropes. Brito , a Phoenix featherweight, lunged, leading with his head. It was intentional and – karma-like — it only bloodied Brito, who was left with a long gash above one eye.

Before the scheduled sixth and final round, it was suddenly over. Ring physician Dr. Eddie Hernandez looked at the blood poring into Brito’s right eye and ended it amid grumbling from a surprised StubHub crowd. There was no doubt on the scorecards. Stevenson won every round.

“It was great work,’’ said Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who signed Stevenson a few months ago in what was hailed as promotional coup. “He did what he had to. He’ll get better.’’

On Stevenson manager Andre Ward’s report card, the debut rated an A.

What was unclear, however, was whether Stevenson hurt his left hand. He shook it over the last rounds as if the hand was hurting. He danced around questions about whether he had in fact sustained an injury during a night that will probably be remembered as a learning experience.

Magdaleno impressive in first defense

First, there was the evidence. Then, there was the promise.

Jessie Magdaleno delivered both, including a right and left, in scoring a second-round stoppage of Adeilson Dos Santos on the pay-per-view opener of a Top Rank produced card.

“I’m going to be a champion for a very long time,’’ Magdaleno (25-0, 18 KOs) said after retaining the WBO’s 122-pount belt in his first defense.

There were no arguments, especially from Dos Santos (18-3, 14 KOs), a Brazilian who went down midway through the second from long right hook and for the last time from a left uppercut to the chin at 51 seconds of the round.

Who’s next? Anybody with a belt, Magdaleno said.

Magdaleno’s most-wanted list appears to be topped by Guillermo Rigondeaux, the Cuban who has bored everybody who has watched him and beaten everybody who has faced him.

Best of the Undercard

Junior-welterweight Fazliddin Gaibnazarov, a 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Uzbekistan, had never fought as a pro. Never won as a pro. Gaibnazarov, who signed with Manager of the Year Egis Klimas, also says he had never been knocked down. Let’s just say he made a quadruple debut Saturday.

Gaibnazarov answered his first pro bell, hit the canvas for the first time seconds later, got up for the first time and went on to claim his debut victory with a crushing knockout of Puerto Rican Victor Vazquez (7-3, 3 KOs) at 1:28 of the second round.

The Rest

Russian welterweight Alexander Besputin (7-0, 5 KOs) won every round, for a one-sided scorecard victory over Colombian Breidis Prescott (30-10, 20 KOs), known as the “Khanqueror” in better days. Since he exposed Amir Khan’s chin with stunning stoppage in 2008, Prescott is 10-10.

Russian junior welterweight Maxim Dadashev (7-0, 6 KOs), another prospect on Klimas’ deep roster, threw a left-handed shot that echoed through a still-empty StubHub Center, knocking Bilal Mahasin (9-4-1, 1 KO) onto his back and out of consciousness at 2:09 of the third round.

Mexican Mahonri Montes (31-6-1, 20 KOs) scored fifth-round knockdown that proved to be the pirvotal difference in a wild, split decision over Francisco Santana (24-6-1, 12 KOs) of Santa Barbara, Calif., in the final bout on the non-televised part of the card.

By Norm Frauenehim-

CARSON, Calif. – Oscar Valdez Jr. has a belt, but that’s just a fraction of what he is seeking. He wants to be acknowledged as the best, both by rivals and fans.

A second defense of the WBO’s featherweight title Saturday night on a Top Rank pay-per-view card (6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET) against Miguel Marriaga at StubHub Center represents a timely chance for Valdez to prove a point.

Despite his title, Valdez has yet to win the kind of respect given Leo Santa Cruz, Carl Frampton, Gary Russell Jr. and Abner Mares.

“I want to make it clear that I’m the best featherweight in the world,’’ said Valdez (21-0, 19 KOs), who made weight at 125.6 pounds Friday. “I want that belt to mean something. Other featherweights call themselves world champions. That bugs me.”

Valdez, a Mexican Olympian who went to school in Tucson, faces perhaps his toughest test against Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs), a Colombian who was at 125.4 pounds Friday. Marriaga’s lone loss was to Nicholas Walters. Among featherweights without belts, Marriaga is the best contender, says Valdez trainer Manny Robles.

“He’s the consensus No. 1,’’ said Robles, who worked Marriaga’s corner in a TKO victory over Chris Martin in Santa Monica three years ago. “But Oscar is too quick for him. Oscar wants to unify the titles. He’s ready for the big fights.’’

The Top Rank card also includes 122-pound champion Jessie Maldonado (24-0, 17 KOs) against Adeilson Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs) of Brazil and super-middleweight champ Gilberto Ramirez (34-0, 24 KOs) against Maxim Bursak (33-4-1, 15 KOs) of the Ukraine in title fights. Maldonado tipped the scales at 121.8 pounds; Dos Santos was at 121.2. Ramirez weighed in at 167.8 pounds; Bursak was at 167.4.

Shakur Stevenson, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, will also make his pro debut at featherweight. He weighed in at 124.8 pounds. Opponent, Edgar Brito (3-2-1, 2 KOs) of Phoenix, was at 125.0.

LOS ANGELES (April 13, 2017) — Let the intrigue begin! Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ, the ESPN Deportes Mexican Fighter of the Year, GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ, the Premios Univision Deportes Fighter of the Year, and JESSIE MAGDALENO, hosted a packed Los Angeles area Media Workout today at Manifico Gym. The three gladiators are in deep training for their respective title defenses which will take place Next Saturday! April 22, live on pay-per-view, from StubHub Center. Magdaleno, who is making the first defense of the title he won off the legendary Nonito “Fili[pino Flash” Donaire revealed that his team has spied Donaire in the gym working with Adeilson Dos Santos, Magdaleno’s opponent. Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but it’s one Magdaleno intends to serve up to the Dos Santos/Donaire team using two red-hot leather utensils!

ÓSCAR VALDEZ

“This is the biggest, most difficult fight of my life. I want to be aggressive and take control but I need to be intelligent while doing it. I am a world champion but I am still hungry. I know how special this fight is and I know a win over Marriaga will make me a better champion. I’ve never worked harder for a fight. Marriaga is the real deal and we know it.”

GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMÍREZ

“I’m ready to get back in the ring and defend my title for the first time. I know there are a lot of fighters looking to fight me and challenge for my title, but right now I’m focused on my fight against Max Bursak. Let’s see what happens after that. I’ll fight anyone. I want the best. It’s an honor to fight at StubHub Center where there have been so many great fights. I know there will be a lot of fans supporting me.”

JESSIE MAGDALENO

“When you are a world champion you have a target on your back. Every challenger in my division wants a piece of me, including Dos Santos. I know he has been training in Las Vegas and I heard Nonito Donaire has been in the gym with him. That will not make any difference for Dos Santos. It’s hard to mimic my style. I am keeping the belt.”

************************************

Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, Mexico, will be making the second defense of his WBO featherweight title against NABO champion and No. 1 contender Miguel Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia; Ramirez (34-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlan, Mexico, will be making his first defense of the WBO super middleweight title against Top-10 contender Max Bursak (33-4-1, 15 KOs), of Kiev, Ukraine; Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nev., will be making the first defense of his WBO junior featherweight title against WBO Latino champion Adeilson Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs), of São Paulo, Brasil.

The six world championship warriors have a combined record of 156-7-1 for a winning percentage of 95% with a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

The pay-per-view telecast will also feature the pro debut of U.S. Olympic silver medalist SHAKUR STEVENSON

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Tecate, All Star Boxing, Zapari Boxing Promotions and Antonio Leonard Productions, remaining tickets to this world championship tripleheader are priced at $128.50, $77.50, $52.00 and $36.70. They may be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office. The world championship event will be produced and distributed live by Top Rank Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, or facebook.com/trboxeo,and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, or twitter.com/trboxeo, Use the hashtags #ValdezMarriaga, #ZurdoBursak, #MagdalenoDosSantos to join the conversation on Twitter.

LOS ANGELES (April 1, 2017) — With the 30th anniversary of The SuperFight: Hagler vs. Leonard just days away (April 6), Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum looked back at one of boxing’s most spectacular events. He shared his experiences of that promotion with undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ, GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ and JESSIE MAGDALENO, as well as 2016 Olympic silver medalist SHAKUR STEVENSON, who are headlining an exciting world championship tripleheader, and Stevenson’s pro debut, which will take place on Saturday, April 22, under the stars at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. It will be produced and distributed live on pay-per-view.

In turn, each fighter and his respective trainer took a break from training to watch a clean tape of the fight, minus audio and graphics, and score it. The fighters shared their views on the fight as well.

BOB ARUM: You are going to be hearing from these great young fighters that after reviewing the tape of the Hagler-Leonard fight will give you their opinions on who won the fight based on what they saw from the telecast which was given to them without any sound or graphics on it. Top Rank promoted that fight, which took place on April 6 — thirty years ago before any of these men were born and it was a momentous event in the world of boxing. I want to set the scene for that event particularly for the younger people who may not be aware. The scene was very important. Marvelous Marvin Hagler had come up the hard way in boxing. He had never been to the Olympics and he fought any fighter that would step in the ring with him. He’d have to go from Boston to Philadelphia and other places to find opponents who would fight him. Through intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O’Neil and Senator Ted Kennedy who sent letters to various people, including myself at Top Rank, they forced everyone to give Marvelous Marvin Hagler a shot at the middleweight title. His first shot, I thought he clearly won the fight against Vito Antifermo, but the judges scored it a draw. A year later he fought Alan Minter over in London and stopped Minter in the early rounds — bloodying him so much that the fight had to be stopped. Marvin was greeted by the great sportsmen in England by a barrage of bottles and cans so that everybody had to hide under the ring until the police were ready to restore order. But came back to the United States a real hero then he embarked on a streak of defending his middleweight title. His first big fight was in 1983 against Roberto Duran and then in ’85 in a major, major event he and Thomas Hearns fought a great middleweight championship battle and Marvin knocked Tommy out in the third round. Marvin wanted to retire from boxing at that point but his managers and myself as the promoter convinced him to carry on and in 1986 he fought John “The Beast” Mugabi and Mugabi was a tough hard-punching guy — they went toe-to-toe and in the eleventh round, Marvin knocked Mugabi out.

Ray Leonard had been retired for a number of years and he had been watching that fight and he saw what very few people saw – that Marvin was aging, he was slowing up and Ray, even though he was retired, felt he could come back and take on Hagler. When he announced that he was coming out of retirement, people were incredulous. Hagler went off as a 6:1 or 7:1 favorite in the fight because Leonard was retired and Hagler was this dominant champion – nobody gave Leonard a chance. To put it in perspective, remember the media frenzy when Manny Pacquiao fought Oscar De La Hoya? All of the media people were saying what a mismatch it was and De La Hoya was an overwhelming favorite. We remember, because it was fairly recent, what happened in that fight, Pacquiao dominated and won that fight, but the feeling was the same going into the Hagler-Leonard fight. Ray Leonard was a great fighter, retired, and then coming out of retirement against this dominant middleweight, Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

The country was mesmerized. Ray Leonard was extremely popular – he was the poster boy for boxing. I hope that young Shakur Stevenson will follow in the footsteps of Ray Leonard because he has that kind of personality, but Ray was the darling of America and the darling of boxing. Marvin was respected – everybody realized what a workman-like fighter he was. To sell that fight I called it ‘The Yuppie’ being Leonard who came out of the Olympics with a Gold Medal and had big television exposure from the beginning against the blue collar guy Marvin Hagler who had worked himself up and become the dominant middleweight of his time.

The closed circuit locations were filled. This was the first fight that really touched/started into pay-per-view in various parts of the country. It was a massive, massive event. The fight was sold out in one day and everyone was gathered for this terrific event. I’ll tell you I haven’t seen that fight in 30 years but I remember it as if it happened yesterday. We will talk to the fighters on the call that recently watched the fight and get their views.

ÓSCAR VALDEZ, Undefeated WBO Featherweight World Champion who defends his title against the No. 1 contender, Miguel Marriaga on Saturday, April 22, at StubHub Center, Live on Pay Per View: “First of all I want to say it was a great, great fight. I saw the fight when I was a kid because my dad always showed me tapes of the fights. Watching without the audio I thought that Hagler was the more aggressive fighter. Leonard was moving a lot in the early rounds but was trying to win the later rounds with that speed. I think Hagler did enough to win the fight and I had him winning 115-113.”

GILBERTO RAMÍREZ: Undefeated WBO Super Middleweight Champion, defends his title against top ten contender Max Bursack, also on April 22, live on pay per view: “That was really interesting and a great fight to watch – for me, for my trainer Hector [Zapari] and for the whole team – we watched the fight together. For me, I had Sugar Ray Leonard by three rounds because at the beginning of the fight Hagler pressured more but he looked a little bit tired later – he fought the whole fight going forward. I thought Leonard won the fight because he moved around the ring and he threw more punches.”

JESSIE MAGDALENO: Undefeated WBO Junior Featherweight Champion defends his title against Adeilson De Los Santos on the April 22 pay per view show at StubHub Center: “I scored the fight real close. It was a great fight. They both did a tremendous job and they went in there to pretty much kill each other, but I scored the fight 115-113 for Leonard. I thought Leonard controlled most of the fight. He never let Hagler get in the rhythm or get inside like Hagler usually does to use his power. Leonard really out-boxed him for the full 12-rounds and used his smarts, speed and footwork to keep Hagler away and that’s what got the victory for him.”

SHAKUR STEVENSON: 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist, makes his pro debut in a six-round featherweight bout on April 22, live on pay per view: “I would love to say that I thought Marvin Hagler won because he was from my hometown [Newark], but to be honest, watching the fight and watching Sugar Ray Leonard – Leonard was a beast. I had it 115-113, but Leonard was real good especially coming out of retirement.”

BOB ARUM: I thought it was a great fight. I thought Ray did a tremendous job, better than anybody expected him to do. I had it 115-113 for Marvelous Marvin Hagler. The same score that Lou Felippo – one of the judges had it for Hagler. The other judge from Las Vegas, David Moretti, had it 115-113 for Leonard. Jose Sulaiman’s appointed judge, Jo Jo Guerrero, who never judged another fight, had it eleven rounds to one for Leonard.

Many people thought Ray was stealing rounds with flurries at the end – did you see that?

BOB ARUM: Absolutely, but that was not a unique tactic for Sugar Ray and it was modeled after Muhammad Ali. Very often, in close rounds, particularly in the Norton fight, he would flurry at the end so that the impression he left in the judges’ minds was that he won the round. Obviously rounds should be scored for the full three minutes but there is no questions that human beings being human will give more credit for the last part of a round – not that that’s correct, but that’s how it works.

That pretty much tells the story of Sugar Ray’s smarts in the ring…

BOB ARUM: He was a brilliant fighter, because physically he couldn’t compare. at that point, to Hagler.

Did they not really like each other?

BOB ARUM: No. No No. Marvin could not do a fight unless he got himself into a position where he disliked the opponent. He would put a picture of his opponent up on his bedroom wall so that he would glare back at it. To motivate himself he was the kind of fighter that had to create a dislike for his opponent. Now the guy he really hated, when he fought him, was Hearns. Because when we had them on a tour, Tommy got under Marvin’s skin. But Marvin was disdainful toward Ray because he believed Ray had it so easy in boxing and that he, Marvin, had struggled so hard, but it wasn’t the same kind of hatred that he had for Tommy. I must say that now, many years later, these guys are great friends.

Why did Hagler quit after the fight?

BOB ARUM: Well, he wanted to quit after the Hearns fight – and I want these fighters to hear this. Then we got him to fight Mugabi, then he didn’t want to go any more – he didn’t want to fight Ray Leonard and what happened was, I remember driving through the night with Pat Petronelli, Hagler’s manager, from Boston to New Hampshire where Hagler had a house. We went through fog and everything. I waited and Pat started talking to him and Marvin was banging his hands on the table and afterwards I asked Pat ‘what was that about?’ He said well, I said to Marvin, my brother Goody, who is Hagler’s trainer, we were getting a third of his purse, and we would cut it down if he would take this fight, and he banged the table, Marvin did and said ‘I don’t know if I’m going to fight this punk, but if I do you better take one third.’ He was a hell of a guy, Marvin – he is a hell of a guy. Ray was great too. Ray, Tommy, Roberto – those four guys are examples for all fighters. They were terrific fighters and terrific people.

Shakur, how are you looking to make your pro debut?

SHAKUR STEVENSON: I am very excited and I can’t wait. I feel like I perform under the lights and I am actually excited to perform on April 22 and do what I’ve got to do.

Ray Leonard was not only a great boxer but also a pretty good showman. Do you pattern yourself after him?

SHAKUR STEVENSON: Actually, to be honest with you, I just started watching Ray Leonard. As I am watching, and watching more and more, I try and pick up certain things that he does and trying to add that into my style.

Any regrets about not making your debut in Newark?

SHAKUR STEVENSON: No regrets. I don’t care where I am at. I am a fighter and I am going to fight either way.

Bob, what do you think about Shakur’s prospects?

BOB ARUM: I think that Shakur is going to be a major star in boxing. He has the talent and he has the personality and he is managed by good people – James Prince and Andre Ward. I think the sky is the limit for him. I am really proud of this April 22nd card – introducing Shakur to professional boxing and to have my three great young world champions defending their titles. These three young kids, relatively young, Oscar, Gilberto and Jessie are tremendous young men and great fighters. They works their asses off – they really work hard. They are great role models now that they have been fighting for four or more years now. They are great role models for Shakur. We are looking for big things for all of them and as far as Shakur is concerned, I think he should emulate a guy like Sugar Ray Leonard, who was a great personality, as well as a great fighter.

Ray had an outgoing personality and a million dollar smile to match. How was Hagler?

BOB ARUM: Hagler was the polar opposite. He was relatively introverted. He didn’t show his emotions particularly but I got to know him over the years extraordinarily well and he was a real man and he was the kind of guy that if you were in a war and in a foxhole you would want to be with a Marvelous Marvin Hagler. But he didn’t affect the personality – that really wasn’t him. He was true to himself. In other words, he would never have the personality of a Sugar Ray Leonard or even try to have that personality. He always was Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Ray – that personality was natural. If you speak today to Ray, it is the same bubbly smile and the same personality many years later. So these two guys were true to themselves.

Where are they now?

BOB ARUM: Hagler is still in Italy and has an Italian wife. Listen you guys – this is for the young guys, for the fighters – Marvelous Marvin Hagler never spent 5 cents in a casino. All the time I knew him he never bought me a meal. Every dollar that he made he put away in the bank so that when he retired he had all the money that he would need for the rest of his life. He kept that money and he lived off the interest and also money that he got for speaking engagements and so forth. He is a wealthy man today because he was so frugal with his money. As Shakur said, he was born in Newark, went to Brockton, Massachusetts, in New England. New Englanders have a reputation for being frugal and he had an accountant that looked after his money. He was very conservative in his investments. Today he is a very wealthy guy and he enjoys himself in Italy and comes out from time to time to make speeches at conventions or boxing dinners and he never missed a Hall of Fame induction – he is just that kind of guy. Sugar Ray invested extraordinarily wisely. He is a very well to do guy. He is very active in charities. He lives a very good life. He has a wonderful family and I must say that both of these guys are extraordinarily happy people as their lives have turned out.

BOB ARUM: Ray does broadcasting from time to time, as a lark, because he is into other things. He plays a lot of golf but he is very active in charitable endeavors.

Does Marvin still act?

BOB ARUM: Well, he is getting to an age where he can’t play the gangster as well. I don’t know when they made their last ‘spaghetti western’ as they call it in Italy, but to listen to him speak Italian is hilarious. He speaks it with this American accent and it’s really funny.

How hard did you try to get a rematch?

BOB ARUM: I remember a year later at Caesars they were doing a big dinner to honor the fighters that had fought at Caesars and it was really a salute to boxing. At that dinner, Muhammad Ali was there and I was there, Ray, Marvin and Roberto Duran. Ray called me over and said “Bob, go speak to him (meaning Hagler) and say let’s do the rematch it will do a fortune of business.’ So I went over and talked to Marvin and said “Ray wants me to talk to you about a rematch.’ And Marvin looked at me with that scowl and said ‘tell that guy to get a life.’ That was it – we tried. Marvin was having no more of that.

Were these two the greatest to work with, along with Muhammad Ali?

BOB ARUM: They were great fighters and great people. They had a presence about them in the ring and they never ducked anybody. They were happy to take on any challenge that was there. Boxing had extraordinary popularity during the 80’s and a lot of that was attributable to Ray and Marvin and Tommy and Roberto Duran. They were the focus of boxing. Ali retired in 1978. He came back to fight Larry Holmes unfortunately. But the 80’s belonged to the Four Kings and boxing was extraordinarily prosperous then and boxing was on the tongues of sports people and non-sports people not only in the United States but all over the world.

How easy was it to sign the fight?

BOB ARUM: Nothing is easy in boxing and nothing was easy then. The two guys, once we got Marvin on board, now we knew the fight was going to happen and Ray had a lawyer named Mike Trainer, who has passed away, and Trainer wanted Ray to control the promotion. So he said the fight would only happen if Top Rank – Marvin’s promoter – was not involved. Marvin and the Petronelli brothers, who were loyal guys, said they were not interested in fighting unless Top Rank promoted the fight. So as a result of that, Trainer said ‘OK, Arum buy us out for $11M which was a big sum at the time, and still is a big sum, but at that time it was enormous, and I agreed to do that and I paid Marvin on a percentage and Marvin earned $19 million for the fight and Ray Leonard will never let me forget that.

Do you think Ray changed the perception that now you only had to win rounds to win a fight?

BOB ARUM: Well, the rules say that each round is scored separately and at the end of the fight the fighter that has the most rounds wins that judge’s scorecard. The idea that a challenger has to do more than a champion to win a round or the fight is something that isn’t part of the rules – it’s a myth. You score the fight individually by rounds, period, anyone that says the challenger has to take away the title from the champion by doing appreciably more than the champion – that’s nonsense and contrary to the rules.

But the perception?

BOB ARUM: That’s the perception because people, journalists talk about this and it is fake opinion. It’s not in accordance with the rules. They love to write about it ‘well, the challenger didn’t do enough to win the title’ well he doesn’t have to do more to win, other than to win the majority of the rounds – that’s what the rules say.

Can you think of another fight that has generated as much controversy?

BOB ARUM: Close fights always generate controversy. The Kovalev-Ward fight – people swear that Kovalev won the fight and other people say Andre won the fight. That’s part of what makes boxing really interesting are the very close fights. The second De La Hoya-Mosley fight – I thought Oscar won that fight easily and Mosley got the decision and that was a lot of controversy. The first fight between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield – Lewis won that fight easily – they called it a draw. You know, that’s the nature of the thing – when you have three judges that view a fight subjectively.

Sticking points to negotiations…

BOB ARUM: Well, at that point we were transitioning from 15 rounds to 12 rounds and Marvin obviously wanted 15 rounds but agreed to 12 rounds. That really was the only concession that was made that was of any significance.

The judge that scored the fight 118-110 for Leonard actually still judges fight believe it or not…

BOB ARUM: Yes, but not in the United States – we built a wall to keep him out.

Was that the worst scorecard you have ever seen?

BOB ARUM: Just about the worst – that was ridiculous. The other two scorecards, those of Moretti and Fillippo, they were in the realm, the reasonable realm, but Marvin got cheated because they had that Mexican judge who was rumored to be connected to the organizations which favored Leonard.

The fallout from that judge?

BOB ARUM: Well, that’s right – everybody realized somehow there was something that smelled wrong and nobody in the United States would allow him to judge a fight again. I didn’t know that he was still around even. You’re the one that said he was judging fights – I didn’t know that. I never heard of him after that fight.

He judges primarily in Mexico but he is 83 still judging…

BOB ARUM: Probably now doing a great job since his eyes are failing him – probably getting close to what the real score is.

Was there a fallout?

BOB ARUM: There was an investigation by the Nevada commission about the scoring on that fight.

Does Zurdo think he could hang with those guys [Kovalev and Ward]?

BOB ARUM: He doesn’t have to worry about hanging with those guys. The fight Gilberto wants if he is successful on April 22 is GGG and I would agree to take that fight winner take all. I think Zurdo destroys Golovkin the same way that he destroyed Arthur Abraham.

Many thought GGG was showing his age against Jacobs – do you agree?

BOB ARUM: Yes we all do, even me, I am 85 and I am showing my age. But yes, sure he is there is no question. The great A.E. Houseman poem, “To An Athlete Dying Young” — an athlete’s life is relatively short.

ÓSCAR VALDEZ: Hagler-Leonard was a great fight. It’s a new era where Jessie Magdaleno and Zurdo Ramírez and myself and of course Shakur Stevenson, a great fighter, I love his style. It’s a new era and these are examples that motivates us. Jessie and I work in the same gym every day and we push each other to the limit every single day. And we have a tough, tough fight ahead of us in Miguel Marriaga, the number one contender in the WBO and I can see in his eyes that he wants to accomplish his dream, to become a world champion. But I worked so hard to get this world title and be here and I’m not planning on leaving this anytime soon. I’m working very, very hard because I see these fighters want to take something away from me. I want to give a great fight to the fans at StubHub and those fans tuning into the pay-per-view.

JESSIE MAGDALENO: Hagler and Leonard made great history and now you have these young and up-and-coming new world champions who are ready to show the world what we’re able and capable of doing. April 22 is going to be a night of fireworks.

SHAKUR STEVENSON: Hagler-Leonard, that was a great era but now it’s our turn to begin our own legacy and create our own era where we have fights like that [Hagler-Leonard} down the line and I can’t wait for that to happen. But as of now, I’m focused on doing what I have to do on April 22, going in there and catching a knockout. That’s my plan.

BOB ARUM: Thirty years from now, we’ll be talking — I hope I’ll be talking (laughing) — about major, major fights that these young men will have had. And we’ll be looking back to those fights as being key points and key aspects of boxing in our era.

***************************

Valdez (21-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, México, will be making the second defense of his WBO featherweight title against No. 1 contender and NABO champion Miguel “Escorpión” Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia; Ramírez (34-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlán, México, will be making his first defense of the WBO super middleweight title against Top-10 contender Max “Tiger” Bursak (33-4-1, 15 KOs), of Kiev, Ukraine; Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nev., will be making the first defense of his WBO junior featherweight title against WBO Latino champion Adeilson “Dell” Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs), of São Paulo, Brasil, and Stevenson, the crown jewel of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team and the pride of Newark, NJ, will be making his eagerly-awaited professional debut in a six-round featherweight bout.

The six world championship warriors have a combined record of 155-7-1 (110 KOs) for a winning percentage of 95% with a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with All Star Boxing, Zapari Boxing Promotions and Antonio Leonard Productions, remaining tickets to this world championship tripleheader are priced at $128.50, $77.50, $52.00 and $36.70. They may be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

Produced and distributed live by Top Rank Pay-Per-View, the telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. and will be available on all conventional platforms, including all major cable and satellite systems, as well as Top Rank’s digital distribution via www.TopRank.tv and mobile devices.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, or facebook.com/trboxeo,and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, or twitter.com/trboxeo, To join the conversation on Twitter, please use the hash tags #ValdezMarriaga, #ZurdoBursak and #MagdalenoDosSantos.

LOS ANGELES (March 31, 2017) — It took place on Monday, April 6, 1987 at Caesars Palace and it was promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank®. The SuperFight: Hagler vs. Leonard, with Marvin Hagler defending his middleweight title against Sugar Ray Leonard, making a return after a three-year absence from the ring and a big question mark about his surgically-repaired eye. It was one the biggest and most successful sporting events of that era. Caesars Palace was sold out with 15,000 spectators and an estimated 400 million more watching worldwide via closed-circuit or on pay-tv. The media credentialed for fight week was close to 1,1000. It was the quintessential promotion of that time and the foundation on which mega fights are now promoted. And the result? It is as hotly debated today as it was 30 years ago when the judges’ scores were read that night. Dave Moretti scored it 115-113 for Leonard. Lou Fillippo scored it 115-113 for Hagler. Jo Jo Guerra scored it 118-110 for Leonard, making him the new middleweight champion, and completing one of the greatest career comebacks in boxing .

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ, GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ and JESSIE MAGDALENO, as well as 2016 Olympic silver medalist SHAKUR STEVENSON, are headlining an exciting world championship tripleheader, and Stevenson’s pro debut, which will take place on Saturday, April 22, under the stars at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. It will be produced and distributed live on pay-per-view. Each fighter and his respective trainer took a break from training to watch a clean tape of the fight, minus audio and graphics, and score it. Here is who they thought won.

Óscar Valdez
“Hagler was the aggressor and he wanted to fight. Leonard was moving a lot early but he would try to steal rounds with flurries at the end of every round. It was a good, tactical fight and both guys had their moments, but I felt that Hagler did enough to win the fight by a slight margin.”
Hagler 115-113

Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramírez
“It was a very close fight, but I saw Leonard winning it. He boxed for twelve rounds, but he also stood his ground and exchanged with Hagler. His speed beat Hagler to the punch. Hagler was very strong and had better punching power, but Leonard had more resources. It Is one of the best fights I have seen.”
Leonard 115-113

Jessie Magdaleno
“I felt that Leonard controlled the pace of the fight and stayed with his boxing plan for the full 12 rounds. He never let Hagler get into the fight the way he wanted to and even though Hagler was aggressive, he was never able to display his trademark power and ferocity. It was a boxing match and it favored Leonard. A good close fight but I saw it for Leonard.” Leonard 116-112

Shakur Stevenson
The rounds Leonard won were clear cut and without question. The rounds I scored for Hagler were more of a pick ’em type — very close. Leonard was boxing beautifully and it was a classic case of the boxer vs. the brawler. Leonard’s boxing ability was the difference in the fight.”
Leonard 115-113

Manny Robles, trainer for Valdez and Magdaleno
“The first four rounds were all Leonard. He dictated everything in those rounds while Hagler fought out of orthodox stance which I still don’t understand. I gave Hagler the fifth round and Leonard the sixth. Then Hagler started coming on sweeping the seventh and eighth rounds. The ninth round was even. Leonard won the tenth round. And Hagler won the last two rounds. Hagler just dug himself too deep a hole in the first four rounds.”
Leonard 115-114

Héctor Zapari, trainer for Ramírez
“It was a great fight of great physical strain where both fighters showed great physical condition. It was a very even fight, but I saw Leonard winning by a small margin. He took Hagler’s power well and had better combinations when they were exchanging. His speed and boxing skills gave him the win in one of the best fights in boxing history.”
Leonard 115-113

Kay Koroma, trainer for Stevenson
“It was a very close fight. I think if it was this era, Hagler would have won because he was the aggressor. There were times in the fight that Ray was boxing beautifully and then times that Hagler was teeing off on him. It was a great fight. I’ve watched it many, many times. Hagler was switching from southpaw to orthodox and the southpaw stance was working for him. It made it a little difficult for Ray because once Ray stopped using his legs, the southpaw stance started working better for Hagler. When Hagler started going to the body first, he was finding Ray a lot easier. I believe if Hagler had gone to the body earlier, he would have won because it would have taken Ray’s legs away.”
Leonard 115-113

Bob Arum
“I had the same score as Lou Fillippo. I thought Marvin won the fight.”
Hagler 115-113

***************************

Valdez (21-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, México, will be making the second defense of his WBO featherweight title against No. 1 contender and NABO champion Miguel “Escorpión” Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia; Ramírez (34-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlán, México, will be making his first defense of the WBO super middleweight title against Top-10 contender Max “Tiger” Bursak (33-4-1, 15 KOs), of Kiev, Ukraine; Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nev., will be making the first defense of his WBO junior featherweight title against WBO Latino champion Adeilson “Dell” Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs), of São Paulo, Brasil, and Stevenson, the crown jewel of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team and the pride of Newark, NJ, will be making his eagerly-awaited professional debut in a six-round featherweight bout.

The six world championship warriors have a combined record of 155-7-1 (110 KOs) for a winning percentage of 95% with a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with All Star Boxing, Zapari Boxing Promotions and Antonio Leonard Productions, remaining tickets to this world championship tripleheader are priced at $128.50, $77.50, $52.00 and $36.70. They may be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

Produced and distributed live by Top Rank Pay-Per-View, the telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. and will be available on all conventional platforms, including all major cable and satellite systems, as well as Top Rank’s digital distribution via www.TopRank.tv and mobile devices.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, or facebook.com/trboxeo,and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, or twitter.com/trboxeo, To join the conversation on Twitter, please use the hash tags #ValdezMarriaga, #ZurdoBursak and #MagdalenoDosSantos.

LOS ANGELES (March 7, 2017) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ, GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMÍREZ and JESSIE MAGDALENO will headline an exciting world championship event in separate title defenses, Saturday, April 22, under the stars at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Produced and distributed live by Top Rank Pay-Per-View, the telecast will also feature the pro debut of U.S. Olympic silver medalist SHAKUR STEVENSON, in a six-round featherweight bout. The live pay-per-view telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. and will be available on all conventional platforms, including all major cable and satellite systems, as well as Top Rank’s digital distribution via www.TopRank.tv and mobile devices.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with All Star Boxing, Zapari Boxing Promotions and Antonio Leonard Productions, tickets to this world championship tripleheader go on sale Today! Tuesday, March 7, at 1 P.M. ET / 10 A.M. PT. Priced at $128.50, $77.50, $52.00 and $36.70, tickets may be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, México, will be making the second defense of his WBO featherweight title against No. 1 contender and NABO champion Miguel “Escorpión” Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia; Ramírez (34-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlán, México, will be making his first defense of the WBO super middleweight title against Top-10 contender Max “Tiger” Bursak (33-4-1, 15 KOs), of Kiev, Ukraine; Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nev., will be making the first defense of his WBO junior featherweight title against WBO Latino champion Adeilson “Dell” Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs), of São Paulo, Brasil, and Stevenson, the crown jewel of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team and the pride of Newark, NJ, will be making his eagerly-awaited professional debut in a four-round featherweight bout.

The six world championship warriors have a combined record of 156-7-1 for a winning percentage of 95% with a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

“Óscar Valdez, Gilberto Ramírez and Jessie Magdaleno are becoming the new faces of boxing. They are in the hurt business and they love their work. That’s why their fan base is growing like the S&P, they give the fans great value — a big bang for the buck,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “And with Shakur Stevenson, the sky is the limit. He is such a talent.”

“Every fight is important to me. I respect Marriaga just like every fighter I face. And I will do whatever I have to do to win,” said Valdez. “This will be the second defense of my belt and I know the challengers are going to come after me, but I will be more than ready to give the fans a great fight and retain my championship.”

“The only way I don’t win my Oscar on April 22 is if Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway read the decision,” said Marriaga. “Second chances are rare in boxing and I’m going to make the most of my second shot at a world title. My trainer. “Professor” [Samuel] Gómez, and I will be prepared to give the performance of a lifetime on April 22.”

“Óscar Valdez Is boxing’s next big star. He’ll be defending his title at the StubHub Center in front of the Southern California fans who love him so much,” said Frank Espinoza, Valdez’s manager. “He is an incredible talent and a future superstar. You have to see Óscar fight live. It’s always nice to catch a star on the rise so that someday you can say, ‘Hey I watched him back in the day,’ like they say about Julio César Chávez. Óscar Valdez is extremely driven and looking to be a legend. He’s ready mentally and physically for the next step.”

“I feel very happy and I’m thankful for the opportunity of defending my title for the first time,” said Ramírez. “I’m motivated and I feel a great desire to return to the ring. I have been active in my hometown of Mazatlán and training like if I was going to fight. Now I’m ready to fight! I feel 100% recovered from the injury in my hand. I feel better than ever and with more confidence in my punching power. On April 22 I will give the fans an explosive fight with lots of action. Max Bursak is a solid strong fighter. He is a brawler and he is coming with hunger of triumph for all the Ukrainians. It will be very good for three Mexicans to be defending our titles on the same card and even more here, in California, where there is a big boxing fan base.”

“Ramírez is young, tough and already an experienced fighter. But I’m also not an ‘easy walk’. We have almost similar records and achievements, so it’s going to be a very interesting clash,” said Bursak. “I’m already working hard in the gym, because I’m coming to California to win!”

“Gilberto is returning from an excellent recovery period after the surgery he had in one of the knuckles of his right hand. He has been very active, running and doing therapy in Mazatlan since the doctor cleared him last year,” said Jesus Zapari, Ramírez’s manager. “After he was done with therapy, he started doing some conditioning training, until he was cleared to start punching. He is now a world champion who will not have any easy opponents. Zurdo has being training hard to keep improving with each fight. He now has more confidence in his punching power. We are very happy that the fight will be at StubHub Center in Los Angeles. We have always wanted to fight in that venue because of the great fans that are in Southern California. It will be a great night of boxing and Zurdo will put on a great show for the fans”

“To be a champion today you have to work hard every day, go after the big challenges and see the big picture,” said Magdaleno. “That is what I am doing to express myself and my legacy in the sport, going into a title fight like this one.”

“For me this is a unique opportunity, to be fighting for the world title of a very big entity that is the WBO,” said Dos Santos. “I know that Jessie is a very good fighter. He is a real champion. Fighting for the title has always been a dream for me and today it has come true. Thanks to my Agent Patrick Nascimento and my promoter Edu Mello. I’m training very hard for this fight. I’m very focused. I know it will not be an easy job. For those who know me, on April 22, you will see a different Adeilson. I’m working to put on a big show and win the title.”

“Jessie Magdaleno fights April 22nd at the StubHub and I think the knowledgeable Southern California fans are going to get a glimpse of a very talented young champion,” said Espinoza, who also manages Magdaleno. “He’s building a big fan base and I think the StubHub is the perfect place for him to develop. The fans are going to fall in love with this kid and his fighting style. He’s a real warrior an old school fighter who gives you everything. He’s a must-see fighter!”

“I’m excited to start a new chapter in my boxing career and make my pro debut on April 22 at the Stub Hub Center,” said Stevenson. “There have been so many exciting fights in that building and I plan to add to that history in my first pro fight. I’m already training hard and everyone is going to see what I’m all about on April 22, live on Top Rank Pay-Per-View.”

Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, México, and who represented México in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, was the first Méxican fighter to qualify for two Olympic games. He is considered one of the bright lights of the featherweight division and a new face for boxing’s next generation. He will be making the second defense of the vacant world title he won on July 23, 2016 via a second-round knockout of undefeated No. 2 rated Matías Rueda. Rueda entered that fight having won his previous 10 bouts by stoppage. Valdez, 26, started 2016 with a fourth-round knockout victory over former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich on the April 9 Pacquiao – Tim Bradley III pay-per-view undercard in Las Vegas. It was the first time Gradovich had ever been stopped in his 24-bout professional career. In his last fight, on November 5, he successfully defended the title with a seventh-round TKO of No. 1 contender Hiroshige Osawa.

Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia, enters this fight having won 15 of his previous 19 fights by way of knockout . The only blemish on his record, a 12-round unanimous decision loss to former World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters in 2015, who had lost the title on the scale when he weighed in over the division weight limit. Since that loss, Marriaga, 30, has fashioned a five-bout winning streak, including NABO featherweight title knockout victories in his last two fights against Guy Robb and Eduardo Montoya last year to become the WBO’s No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger.

Ramírez (34-0, 24 KOs), a two-fisted super middleweight wrecking machine who hails from Mazatlán, México, made history in the co-main event to the Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley welterweight pay-per-view on April 9, 2016, when he became México’s first fighter to win a super middleweight world title. Entering the fight as the top world-rated contender, Ramirez gave a virtuoso performance over the defending WBO champion Arthur Abraham. All three judges scored it as a 120-108 blitzkrieg. “I took him to Méxican boxing school,” a jubilant Ramírez boasted as he put on the world championship belt . A sensational young champion, Ramírez, 25, had been scheduled to make his first title defense last July, but a training camp injury to his right hand followed by surgery and rest sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He returns to the ring having won four of his last eight bouts by knockout. Career-highlight performances include an NABF and NABO title victory over Giovanni Lorenzo via fifth-round stoppage, a WBO International title knockout victory over Junior Talipeau and a successful defense of his NABF and WBO International titles, stopping Fulgencio Zuniga in the eighth round, all in 2014. In 2015, he successfully defended his titles via unanimous decisions over once-beaten Maxim Vlasov, division gate keeper Derek Edwards, who boasts a KO victory over world champion Badou Jack, and once-beaten Gevorg Khatchikian, who had scored knockouts in five of his last six victories.

Bursak (33-4-1, 15 KOs), from Kiev, Ukraine, will be making his U.S. debut. A former European middleweight champion and one-time WBO interim middleweight world title challenger, Bursak, 32, enters this fight having scored three of his last four victories by way of knockout and is world-rated No. 10 by the WBO.

Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs), from Las Vegas, NV, enters his first title defense having won eight of his last 11 bouts by knockout. The former U.S. Amateur Champion has crafted a sterling professional ring record since making his professional debut on November 6, 2010. The younger brother of lightweight contender Diego Magdaleno, Jessie, 25, parlayed his No. 1 ranking into a mandatory challenge of defending WBO junior featherweight champion and five-division world titlist Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire on November 15, 2016, winning a very close and action-packed 12-round unanimous decision.

Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs), from São Paolo, Brasil, has won five of his last six fights by stoppage. He captured the WBO Latino featherweight title on September 17, 2016, knocking out Deivis Perez in the seventh round. Dos Santos, 25 who has also held the WBO Latino junior featherweight title, will be making his U.S. debut on this card.

Stevenson, 19, from Newark, NJ,, sailed though every stage of his Olympic competition in Rio De Janeiro last summer before losing a close split decision in the bantamweight championship fight to 2012 flyweight Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba. Ramirez swept the judges’ scorecards in round one with Stevenson returning the favor in round two. In the third and final round, the closest of the three rounds, two of the three judges gave the round to Ramirez and the gold medal, by the slimmest of margins. It was the best finish for an American male boxer since Andre Ward captured the gold medal in the Athens Games of 2004. Ward is now part of Stevenson’s management team along with James Prince and attorney Josh Dubin. The only boxer to make Forbes “30 Under 30” in its Sports category, Stevenson was selected by a panel of judges comprised of James Harden, shooting guard for the Houston Rockets, Phil Knight, Chairman Emeritus of Nike and Casey Wasserman, Chairman and CEO of the Wasserman Group. The oldest of nine children, Stevenson, who is named for the late rap star Tupac Shakur, was introduced to boxing by his grandfather, Willie “Wali” Moses, at age 5. Now based in northern Virginia, Stevenson is trained by Kay Koroma.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, or facebook.com/trboxeo,and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, or twitter.com/trboxeo, To join the conversation on Twitter, please use the hash tags #ValdezMarriaga, #ZurdoBursak and #MagdalenoDosSantos.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Featherweight champion Oscar Valdez will defend his title against Miguel Marriaga, Super Middleweight Gilberto Ramirez will defend against Max Bursak and Super Featherweight champion Jessie Magdaleno will defend against Adeilson Dos Santos on April 22nd in Carson, California.

The 3 fights, along with the pro debut of Shakur Stevenson could be part of a Manny Pacquiao – Amir Khan split site Pay per view card on could be a stand alone Pay Per View event on it’s own.

“I think a card like this is for us to push ahead with the future of these fighters,” Top Rank’s Bob Arum said. “They’re all good, young fighters who need to fight. It would be, obviously, our goal to have these guys featured in main events whether they’re on pay-per-view or not on pay-per-view. If we have to go on pay-per-view, that’s what we’ll do. But we’re going to do some good fights and put on a good card.”

Arum said he hoped that the addition of Stevenson, who is African-American and from the East Coast, to a card aimed largely at Hispanic fans, would help “draw a more diverse audience” to the pay-per-view. Arum said Stevenson’s pro debut will come in a six-round fight against an opponent to be determined.

First Blows: Fuentes opens Pacquiao-Vargas card with a decision over Chinese featherweight