NEW YORK (April 17, 2024) – Junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas is poised to kick off Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend by facing his stiffest challenge yet.
 
Zayas will take on Brazilian former world champion Patrick Teixeira in a 10-round clash on Saturday, June 8 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Zayas will look to secure his 19th pro win 19 years after Top Rank initiated its parade weekend tradition when Miguel Cotto defended his junior welterweight crown against Muhammad Abdullaev.
 
In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, the latest fistic prodigy from Brownsville, Brooklyn, aims to extend his knockout streak against Mexico’s Jose Enrique Vivas.
 
Zayas-Teixeira and Carrington-Vivas will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK & Ireland.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 24 at 12 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.
 
“This is a great New York City card featuring two young men, Xander Zayas and Bruce Carrington, who are poised to become two of the sport’s biggest stars,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Our Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend cards are always special, and I can’t wait for another raucous atmosphere.”
 
Zayas (18-0, 12 KOs) has been on the path to stardom after signing with Top Rank at 16 and debuting as a pro in October 2019. He captured his first regional title with a TKO win against Elias Espadas in August 2022 and followed up with an eight-round decision against Alexis Salazar that December. In 2023, he decisioned Ronald Cruz during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend and stopped Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in September. The 21-year-old concluded the year in December with a scintillating fifth-round TKO against Spanish contender Jorge Fortea as the co-feature to the Robeisy Ramirez-Rafael Espinoza main event.

Zayas said, “Representing Puerto Rico on a date in which Boricua culture is celebrated and honored represents a sacred commitment that I have with my people. On June 8, I won’t just be fighting for myself. I’ll be fighting for each and every Puerto Rican who always perseveres when the going gets tough. This is my first main event and my first fight against a former world champion. And I plan on carrying my flag and making it shine on one of the world’s biggest stages, ‘The Mecca of Boxing.’”
 
Teixeira (34-4, 25 KOs) stunned the boxing world by upsetting Carlos Adames to capture the interim WBO junior middleweight world title in November 2019. After being elevated to full champion, the 33-year-old southpaw faced multiple setbacks, losing the title to Argentine powerhouse Brian Castaño in February 2021. In his subsequent bouts, he was controversially disqualified against Paul Valenzuela in April 2022 and suffered a decision loss against then-unbeaten Russian Magomed Kurbanov that July. Undeterred, Teixeira bounced back with a first-round knockout win against Adrian Perez in November 2022, a second-round stoppage over Carlos Rivero last August and a fourth-round TKO against Edisson Saltarin in March.

Teixeira said, “It took longer than expected, but this fight is finally here. I can’t wait to get in the ring and put the division on notice. I did it once before when I won my world title against Adames on a Top Rank show, and I’m going to do it again with one of their rising stars. Zayas is a great talent, and everyone there will be supporting him during that important weekend. But my experience will make the difference, and I’ll show that on June 8.”
 
Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs), a 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, has rapidly ascended the ranks since turning pro in October 2021. The 27-year-old secured five victories in 2023, including a second-round TKO against former world title challenger Jason Sanchez. In his last outing, he blasted out Bernard Torres with a right hook at The Theater in February. The stoppage went viral and was a SportsCenter Top 10 highlight.
 
Carrington said, “Vivas should be my toughest opponent to date, but as I do every time I fight in Shu York City, I’m going to put on a crowd-pleasing performance. It’s special to fight in front of the great Puerto Rican fans. I can’t wait for June 8.”
 
Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs), a tenacious 29-year-old Mexican, enjoyed an undefeated 17-0 run before encountering his first pro defeat at the hands of Ruben Villa in September 2019. He bounced back with a four-fight winning spree, including a 10-round decision over then-unbeaten Carlos Jackson in July 2020 and an eight-round triumph against Louie Coria the following May. Despite a majority points loss to eventual title challenger Eduardo Baez in March 2022, Vivas rebounded with a win over Edy Valencia before losing to Joet Gonzalez last April. In February, he scored a first-round TKO against Jonathan Aguilar.
 
The ESPN+-streamed undercard will showcase a selection of some of the best rising talents from the East Coast.
 
Junior middleweight Jahi Tucker (10-1-1, 5 KOs), from Deer Park, New York, looks to respond following a string of setbacks in an eight-rounder versus Quincy LaVallais (17-4-1, 12 KOs). Tucker overcame a tough out in Nikoloz Sekhniashvili last April, dropped a decision to Nicklaus Flaz in July, and fought to a majority draw against Francisco Daniel Veron in December.
 
U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (12-0, 6 KOs) will see action in an eight-rounder against once-beaten Tarik Zaina (13-1-1, 8 KOs). After going 4-0 in 2023, the Cleveland native made his 2024 debut with a first-round stoppage victory against Paulo Galdino in February. 
 
Unbeaten welterweight Elijah Flores (8-0, 3 KOs) will lock horns against Derrick Whitley Jr. (7-4-1) in a six-rounder. Flores, a Bronx native, returns following a fourth-round TKO against Alejandro Munera in March.
 
Junior lightweight prospect Ofacio Falcon (10-0, 6 KOs) heads to The Theater for a third time to take on Antonio Dunton El Jr. (5-2-2, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder. Falcon, also a Bronx native, decisioned Edward Ceballos in February.
 
Team USA heavyweight hopeful Ali Feliz (1-0, 1 KO), from Danbury, Connecticut, makes his second appearance in the paid ranks in a four-round tilt versus Lemir Isom-Riley (4-2, 2 KOs). Feliz dispatched Anthony Woodson III in only two rounds last Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas. Isom-Riley last fought on the Teofimo Lopez-Jamaine Ortiz bill in February, stopping Antonio Zepeda in three rounds.
 
Nisa Rodriguez (1-0), a Golden Gloves champion and NYPD officer, will square off against Jordanne Garcia ( 4-3-3) in a four-round middleweight fight.

Rising flyweight Andy Dominguez (10-1, 6 KOs), who was born in Mexico and raised in The Bronx, will face Cristopher Rios (10-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
 

Ryan Garcia came back from a 160month layoff to drop and take a 12-round unanimous decision over Emmanuel Tagoe at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

In round two, Garcia dropped Tagoe in with an uppercut. Garcia was able to control the ring as he used his size to hurt Tagoe several more times that had the Ghanaian holding on several more times.

Garcia landed 165 of 599 punches; Tagoe was 90 of 391.

Garcia, 138.8 lbs of Victorville, CA won by scores of 119-108 twice and 118-109 and is now 22-0. Tagoe, 138.2 lbs of Accra, GHA is 32-2.

“He was making it difficult for me to end it,” said Ryan Garcia. “He was crafty with the holding, and I was trying to get him off me, and he was moving a lot; it was a new experience. I think I have to cut the ring off better with a guy who will keep moving all 12 rounds. I made sure to get him in the body a lot and used my left hook to hurt him. I have a lot of love for San Antonio. It was great that after a year and a half layoff, I was received by such a great crowd. It’s a blessing. I wanted to knock him out, but he was very crafty. At the moment, I could feel like I hurt him, but he really can take a punch.”

“First of all I want to thank my team,” said Emmanuel Tagoe. “I know the reason why I lost. I didn’t throw my right arm. He came forward but I couldn’t get any points from pushing. I think I’m going to go home and sit down with my team. Ryan Garcia is a good boxer.”

Shane Mosley Jr. Decisions Gabriel Rosado

Shane Mosley Jr. scored the biggest win of his career by winning a 10-round majority decision over former world title challenger Gabriel Rosado in a super middleweight fight.

Mosey landed 172 of 600 punches; Rosado was 124 of 517.

Mosley dominated the action, and rocked Rosado several times as he took the cards by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 95-95.

Mosley, 167 lbs of Pomona, CA is 18-4. Rosado, 167.8 lbs of Philadelphia 26-15-1.

“They know who I am now,” said Shane Mosley, Jr. “Gabriel is a great champ. We have to see what’s available. Right now 168 is tied up. Canelo has all the belts. Unless he vacates or fights someone else. I mean who’s going to turn down Canelo. I moved to 168 for the opportunity.”

Marlen Esparza Unifies Flyweight Titles

Marlen Esparza retained her WBC and captured the WBA Flyweight title with a tough 10-round unanimous decision over Nakoka Fujioka.

Esparza landed 120 of 436 punches; Fujioka was 107 of 418.

Esparza, 111.4 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 100-90 twice and 97-93 to go to 12-1. The 100-90 scores were much wider then the fight was as Fujioka won several rounds clearly. Fujioka, 111.6 lbs of Tokyo, JAP is 19-3-1.

“I thought it was a really good performance considering how hard she brings it,” said Marlen Esparza. “She’s a very seasoned fighter, she’s a world champion. I’m proud we did everything we practiced, me and my couch James Cooper. We really executed well and we expected it to go that way. You don’t know what a world champion can bring. We had to be patient and see what she had to bring to the table. It wasn’t tough because of the punches but more because she was smothering. I’m really just grateful I could have this experience not only for womens’ boxing but for my fans and really solidify the division. I really want the next two belts. ‘La Bonita’ from Argentina is the one I want, but I have to let my team decide what’s next. I’m happy for the future.”

Hovhannisyan stops Aguero in 2

Azat Havhannisyan stopped Dagoberto Aguero in round two of a scheduled 10-round featherweight fight,

In round two, Aguero came shot out of a cannon, but Hovhannisyan was able to drop Aguero with a hard right. Aguero was hurt and was sent to the canvas again with a huge flurry. With Aguero on rubbery legs, Hovhannisyan rocked Aguero several more times until the fight was stopped at 1:11.

Hovhannisyan, 124.2 lbs of Los Angeles is 21-3 with 17 knockouts. Aguero, 122.8 lbs of San Cristobal, DR is 15-2.

“I was planning on escalating the fight as it went on,” said Azat Hovhannisyan. “That was just the second round pace. I was warming up. When I landed the first body shot I knew I was going to hurt him.”

The scheduled 10-round super middleweight bout between Patrick Teixeira and Paul Valenzuela ended bizarrely as the fight was waved off in round two after Teixeira hit Valenzuela in the back of the head twice and Teixeira was disqualified.

The two punches looked to barely hit the head, yet Valenzuela reacted like the punches landed very hard and he could not continue.

Valenzuela, 168.4 lbs of Santa Rosalia, MEX is 27-11. Teixeira, 162.4 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 31-3.

In a battle of undefeated featherweights, Katsuma Akitsugi won a a eight-round unanimous decision over Gregory Morales.

Akitsugi, 125.4 lbs of Hollywood, CA won by scores of 80-2 twice and 78-74 and is 9-0. Morales, 125.8 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 13-1.

“I want to thank my trainer and my sponsor,” said Katsuma Akitsugi. “ I’ve been through a lot and they helped me be more focused. I’m always training hard, no days off. So when they call me I don’t lose my opportunity.” 

Tristan Kalkreuth scored a spectacular second-round stoppage over former world title challenger Santander Silgado in a six-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Kalkreuth landed a booming right that sent Silgado down on his back for the 10-count at

Kalkreuth, 219.4 lbs of Duncanville, TX is 9-1 with seven knockouts. Silgado, 242 lbs of Panama City, PAN is 30-12.

“I’m very blessed to be here and be back where I am,” said Tristan Kalkreuth. “It’s a lot of emotions right now. I felt good. I was anxious and a little nervous. I’ve been out of the ring for 8 months. I was curious to see how my arm would feel. I went in and threw a right hand, it felt 100.

George Rincon remained undefeated with a10-round unanimous decision over Alejandro Frias in a welterweight bout.

In round two, Rincon scored a knockdown.

In round eight Rincon was cut on his forehead from a head butt. Frias was deducted a point for that.

Rincon, 138.4 lbs of Dallas, TX won by scores of 96-91 twice and 98-89, and is now 13-0. Frias, 141 lbs of Tepic, MX is 13-6-2.

“That was obviously my toughest fight to date,” said George Rincon. He was a very rugged fighter, I knew that coming into the fight. But this experience is only going to make me better. I was able to identify things that I still have to work on.” 

Hector Valdez Jr. remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Daniel Moncada in a super bantamweight fight.

In round three, Valdez was cut on his hairline.

In round five, Valdez was credited with a knockdown after landing a left hook that put Moncada on the canvas. In round six, Moncada was bleeding over his left eye.

Valdez, 121 lbs of Dallas, TX won by scores of 80-71, 79-72 and 78-73 and is now 15-0. Moncada, 121.8 lbs of Mexico City is 15-6-2.

“I feel really rusty,” said Hector Valdez Jr. “ I think I could’ve taken him out if I trained more. It’s the first fight in over a year. I hurt him but he was really crafty to get in and hit him. There were punches there but as soon as I threw them he would move a little and they would go off course.”

Santos Ortega remained undefeated with a second-round stoppage over Jesus Martinez in a scheduled six-round featherweight bout

In Round two, Martinez was cut over his right eye. Seconds later, Ortega landed a hard combination in the corner the sent Martinez down. Martinez tried to get up but was counted out.

Ortega, 125.8 lbs of Sacramento, CA is 7-0 with three knockouts. Martinez, 124.4 lbs of Hollywood, FL is 30-16-1.

“This is probably the best and strongest I’ve ever felt,” said Santos Ortega. “I was praying everything went good. He was waiting for that overhand and I was too. I knew I had him hurt with a right hand and I just went in. I knew he was done, I felt it.  

Magomed Kurbanov
154lbs.

Patrick Teixeira
153.8lbs

Ekaterinburg, Russia (December 10, 2021) Golden Boy’s Patrick Teixeria (31-2, 22 KOs) is set to take on Magomed “Black Lion” Kurbanov (22-0, 13 KOs) on Saturday, December 11 at Ekaterinburg, Russia for the WBO International Super Welterweight Title. The fighters are set to participate in a 12-round co-main event for the DAZN broadcast of Dimitry Bivol vs. Umar Salamov. The event will be available to stream via DAZN starting at 8:40am PT / 11:40am ET.

For more information on the event, please visit DAZN.com or click HERE

Joseph Diaz Jr. and Shavkat Rakhimov fought to a 12-round majority draw in an IBF Junior Lightweight world title clash at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, California.

Diaz was the reigning champion, but he lost his title on Friday when he was more then three pounds over the 130-pound weight limit.

It was a close fights with each guy having good stretches of success with the left hand. The fight was a mirror image as they both landed some solid body blows. The was some solid in-fighting with Rakhimov pulling ahead towards the championship rounds. Diaz had a good 12th and the fight was judged 115-113 for Diaz and 114-114 twice.

Diaz landed 233 of 740 punches; Rakhimov was 213 of 951.

Diaz, 133.6 lbs of South El Monte, CA is 31-1-1. Rakhimov, 129.8 lbs of Ekaterinburg, RUS is 15-1.

“I’m a little upset. I felt I had done enough to win the fight,” said Joseph Diaz Jr. “It was a close fight. It wasn’t my best performance. I didn’t make weight. I lost the belt on the scales. I want to apologize to everyone. I want to apologize to all my fans. It was a mistake on my behalf. No excuses, but I’ll be back. Rakhimov threw a lot of combinations. But a lot of them landed on the gloves. I felt I threw more shots and landed more body punches. I thought I should have won the fight.”

 “I did everything I was supposed to do,” said Shavkat Rakhimov. “Victory was on my side. I feel I won the fight. There were a few mistakes, and we need to work on it. I did everything that was possible. There were a few mistakes, but I will work on that. There is no perfect boxer, and I hope to gain more American fans.”

Castano Decisions Teixeira; Wins WBO Jr. Middleweight title

Brian Castano won the WBO Junior Middleweight title with an emphatic 12-round unanimous decision over Patrick Teixeira.

Castano was relentless in his output by landing hard shots to the head and body for which Teixeira had little answer for. Castano hurt Teixeira badly in round 12 as he landed a hard right that had Teixeira trying to run from Castano. Castano battered him until the final bell.

Castano landed 373 of 1136 punches; Teixeira was 197 of 972.

Castano, 153.8 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG won by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 117-111 and is now 16-1-1. Teixeira, 153.4 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 31-.2

“I am very happy. We did a great job with my team,” said Brian Castaño. “It was a good fight. We all mistakes, and I have to fix things here and there, but a fight is a fight. Each fight is different, and I understand that. I knew Teixeia very well going into this fight. He is very strong, and he has a lot of heart. He is a great person. This was one of the greatest wins of my career. Not anyone can be a world champion, and I was able to do it twice. So I am very happy.”

Rios Decisions Negrete

Ronny Rios won a 10-round unanimous decision over Oscar Negrete in a super bantamweight fight.

Rios landed 290 of 880 punches; Negrete was 150 of 830.

Rios, 121.4 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and is now 33-3. Negrete, 121.6 lbs of Tierralta, COL is 19-3-2.

“I should have sat down more on my punches,” said Ronny Rios. “I went in a little bit too much with my head, and I kind of waited too long. But I’m happy with the win. I really want a world title shot for my next fight, and I think this fight was a necessary step in that direction.”

Mosley stops Olivas after 5!

Shane Mosley Jr. stopped Cristian Olivas after round five of their scheduled 10-round super middleweight bout.

In round three, Olivas started to swell around his right eye. The eye kept getting worse as Mosley pounded him repeatedly with left hand, and the fight was stopped by the corner following the 5th frame.

Mosley, 161.6 lbs of Pomona, CA is 17-3 with 10 knockouts. Olivas, 161.6 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 19-8.

“I had a really tough opponent in there. But I went in there, looked sharp and got the job done. These are the kinds of fights that I need in order to show people that I am ready for a world title.”

Melikuziev stops Fitch in 3

Bektemir Melikuziev stopped Morgan Fitch in round three of their scheduled eight-round light heavyweight bout.

In round two, the nose of Fitch started to bleed. In round three, Melikuziev dropped Fitch with a straight left. He ended things with a vicious left to the body that sent Fitch down and the fight was stopped at 2:08.

Melikuziev, 170.6 lbs of Indio, CA is 7-0 with six knockouts. Fitch, 170.5 lbs of New Orleans is 19-5-1.

“Despite everything that happened, I think it was a good performance,” said Bektemir Melikuziev. “I wish I could have lasted longer and gotten a few more rounds in, but I think it was a good performance. I’m ready for any of the big names in my division.”

Azat Hovhannisyan stopped Enrique Bernache in round eight of their scheduled 10-round featherweight bout.

In round two, Hovhannisyan dropped Bernache.

Bernache, who was complaining of headbutts throughout the fight, bowed out in round eight.

Hovhannisyan, 122.8 lbs of Los Angeles is 19-3 with 16 knockouts. Bernache, 123 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 24-13.

“I’m very happy,” said Azat Hovhannisyan. “It’s my first time with Robert Garcia. We had a lot of good sparring. I’m No. 1 in the WBA. I want to fight a world champion.”

Victor Morales won an eight-round unanimous decision over Rodrigo Guerrero featherweight bout.

Morales, 125.8 lbs of Vancouver, WA won by scores of 80-72 an is now 14-0. Guerrero, 125.8 lbs of Mexico City is 26-10-2.

“After 16 months away from the ring, it feels great to be back,” said Victor Morales Jr. “I knew he was going to be very tough. He is a former world champion, so I knew it was going to be a difficult bout. Either way, I was able to fight either on the outside or on the inside.”

Dalis Kaleiopu made a successful pro debut with a 3rd round stoppage over Eduardo Sanchez in a four round super lightweight bout.

Kaleiopu dropped Sanchez with a hard right uppercut and the fight was stopped 48 seconds into the round.

Kaleiopu, 136 lbs of Waianae, HI is 1-0 with one knockout. Sanchez, 135.6 lbs of Corocoron, CA is 2-4.

“It’s been a long time because of COVID,” said Dalis Kaleiopu. “So, it felt great to finally make my pro debut. I hurt him many times, but I let him go. But then I landed a shot he couldn’t come back from, so it feels good to stop somebody that has never been stopped.

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 18, 2020): A new era has begun in the career of Joseph “JoJo” Diaz (31-1, 15 KOs) as he makes the first defense of his IBF Junior Lightweight World Title against mandatory challenger Shavkatdzhon “Shere Khan” Rakhimov (15-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round battle between two southpaws with highly decorated amateur backgrounds. The co-main event will also feature a classic battle between Brasil’s Patrick Teixeira, who will defend his WBO Junior Middleweight World Title, and Argentine mandatory challenger Brian “El Boxi” Castaño.

The event will take place Saturday, Feb. 13 and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories, including the U.S., Mexico, Russia, Tajikistan, Brazil and Argentina.

Information regarding the venue and undercard will be announced shortly.

“After his participation in the Olympics and turning professional, Joseph had one goal: become a world champion,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Everyone at Golden Boy Promotions was so proud when Joseph had his hand raised and realized his dream. Now that he’s got that belt, he’s not giving it back any time soon.”

Diaz Jr. is a 28-year-old southpaw who represented the U.S. at the 2012 Olympic games in London. Immediately after, Diaz Jr. signed with Golden Boy and began a stellar career that has included fights against Gary Russell Jr., Andrew “El Chango” Cancio, Jesus Rojas, and Rafael “Big Bang” Rivera. In his last fight, the native of South El Monte, Calif. defeated Tevin “American Idol” Farmer to become the IBF Junior Lightweight Champion, which began a new phase of his career as he begins to take over the division.

“Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov is a very good fighter who is highly ranked throughout the world,” said Joseph Diaz Jr. “I know he’s been aching for a world title shot, but I’m ready to go out there and showcase that I’m willing to fight the best and defend my title with whoever wants to step in that ring with me. I’m the hungriest I’ve ever been, and there is nothing that he brings to the table that can affect me.”

“In my first main event on DAZN, I’m going to show to the world that I am the biggest threat at 130 pounds and a household name,” Diaz Jr. continued. “Not only am I doing this for myself, but I’m also doing this for my family. I fight to motivate people to keep on pushing and continue pursuing the dreams they have through the ups and downs in life. That’s my purpose. Come Feb. 13, I’m going to shine. It’s my time!”

Rakhimov is a 26-year-old puncher who earned gold medals in some of the world’s most prestigious international amateur tournaments. In 2015, the native of Qurghonteppa, Tajikistan made his professional debut, and in only his 11th fight as a professional, he captured the IBO Super Featherweight Title by scoring a sixth-round technical knockout over Emanuel Lopez. He defended the title three times, and one of those victories was against experienced contender Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos. Though no longer holding the IBO belt, he remains undefeated as he looks to capture a belt from one of the four recognized sanctioning bodies.

“I’ve been waiting for this chance for a long time,” Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov. “Thank you for this opportunity to my team. My training camp is long one but very good. I will do my best to win this fight. I came here for the victory!”

In the co-main event, Patrick Teixeira (31-1, 22 KOs) of Sau Paulo, Brazil will make the first defense of his WBO Super Junior Middleweight World Title against undefeated challenger Brian “El Boxi” Castaño (16-0-1, 12 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina in a 12-round battle.

“I am very confident about this fight against Brian Castaño,” said Patrick Teixeira. “I am ready to defeat him and keep my title. The fight will be a war. It will be a bit show for all the boxing fans.”

Diaz Jr. vs. Rakhimov is a 12-round fight for the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title presented by Golden Boy in association with RCC Boxing Promotions. The fight will take place Saturday, Feb. 13 and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories, including the U.S., Mexico, Russia, Tajikistan, Brazil and Argentina.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #DiazRakhimov

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/DiazRakhimov into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy or Main Events where applicable for any photo and/or video usage.

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 21, 2020): Golden Boy is proud to announce that WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Patrick Teixeira (31-1, 22 KOs) has extended his promotional agreement with the company. Teixeira will return on a Golden Boy stacked card against his mandatory challenger on a soon-to-be announced date.

Teixeira, who originally calls Santa Catarina, Brazil his home, made his professional debut in August 2011 and developed an impressive undefeated record with 24 wins and 20 knockouts. In January 2015, he signed a promotional agreement with Golden Boy and faced Patrick Allotey and Don Mouton within the next few months. Though suffering his first defeat against Curtis “The Cerebral Assassin” Stevens in May 2016, the 29-year-old champion has remained undefeated since then, capturing a world title against dangerous contender Carlos Adames in November 2019.

“I am very happy to re-sign with Golden Boy,” said Patrick Teixeira. “Thanks to this great promotional company, I was able to achieve my dream of becoming a world champion, and I am grateful for all they have done for me. I look forward to return to the bring to defend my world title and continue delivering great fights.”

“Ever since we signed Patrick Teixeira, we never lost faith in him because we knew his potential,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “And because Golden Boy is a factory where talent is forged, we knew that sooner or later we’d guide him towards his dream of becoming a world champion. That’s exactly what he did, demonstrating the special chemistry that exists between us and our fighters. We call that loyalty.”

About Golden Boy
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment brand committed to making fighting entertainment more accessible and affordable. The company’s in-house production team develops creative original programming for RingTV.com and international channels across the globe. The company holds the exclusive rights to top boxers and has promoted some of the biggest and highest grossing events in the history of the sport. Now, Golden Boy is one of the most successful boxing entertainment companies in the world and shapes the future of boxing for fighters and fans alike through its 2019 partnership with streaming platform, DAZN.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, a deal has been made for Patrick Teixeira to defend his WBO Jr. Middleweight title against Brian Castanao.

“We made a deal late, in the 11th hour. It will be a tough, competitive fight,” Golden Boy Promotions Eric Gomez told ESPN on Wednesday morning, after having previously termed the odds of a deal between the camps as “no chance.”

Gomez said the fight would take place on a Golden Boy card in April or May.

“We have a few options,” Gomez said.

Gomez, who declined to disclose terms for the bout, said of the breakthrough that led to an agreement: “They got off the million dollar boat.”

Oscar Valdez survived a hard knockdown to comeback and stop late-replacement Adam Lopez in round seven of their scheduled 10-round junior lightweight bout at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

In round two, Lopez landed a perfect left hook that dropped Valdez.

In round seven, Valdez turned the tide when he landed a left hook that sent Lopez to the canvas. Lopez began to bleed from his nose. Valdez landed a hard right that sent Lopez back, and that gave Valdez the confidence to land a left and right that forced referee Russell Mora to stop the fight at 2:53.

Lopez took the fight on about 30 hours notice after original opponent Andres Gutierrez checked in at 11 pounds over the mandated 130-pound weight limit

Valdez, 129.8 lbs of Nogales, MX is 27-0 with 21 knockouts. Lopez, 126 lbs of Glendale, CA is 13-2.

The win sets Berchelt up for a spring battle with WBC champion Miguel Berchelt.

Former two-division world champion Carl Frampton introduced himself to a new weight class by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Tyler McCreary in a junior lightweight contest.

Frampton used his experience and made the fight an inside battle and started beating the body of McCreary.

In round six, Frampton sent McCreary to a knee from a left to the body. In round nine, it was a double left hook to the body that sent McCreary down.

While McCreary had some moments in the fight, Frampton was mostly dominant and won by scores of 100-88 on all cards.

Frampton, 128 lbs of Belfast, Northern Ireland is 27-2. McCreary, 127.5 lbs of Toledo, OH is 16-1-1.

Frampton will now look towards a showdown with WBO champion Jamel Herring.

Frampton landed 141-461 punches. McCreary was 77-412

Patrick Teixeira dug own deep and although bloodied, came back to win the Interim WBO Jr. Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Carlos Adames

Texieira started to bleed over his right eye in round five. Adames controlled the action through the first half of the fight.

In round seven, Adames came on and had Teixeira hurt on the ropes and bloodied both of his eyes. Somehow Teixeira was able to stage a huge comeback at the end of the round with some straight lefts and then a right hook put Adames down on the canvas. Teixeira continued on the momentum and won by scores of 116-111 and 114-113 twice.

Teixeira, 153 1/4 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 31-1. Adames, 153 1/2 lbs of Santiago, DR is 18-1.

“I am very happy to bring a world title back to Brazil,” said Patrick Teixeira. “I want to make boxing bigger in Brazil. Soccer is our biggest sport, and this is a great moment for boxing in my country. It was tough with the cuts, but I was able to get through it because of my experience. It was a little harder, but my corner did an excellent job on the cuts. I felt like I needed to win the last round. It was a close fight. Every point was crucial, and I won the final round to win the fight.” 

“We are so proud of Patrick Teixeira for capturing the interim WBO World Title at 154 pounds,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “It was a brutal and bloody war, but Teixeira really dug deep to earn himself the most important win of his career against a very dangerous fighter. We look forward to starting the new year with yet another champion in our stable.”

Arnold Barboza Jr. stopped William Silva in round five of a scheduled 10-round junior welterweight bout.

In round three, Barboza dropped Silva with a left hand. In round five, Barboza landed a hard right hand to the body that made Silva crumple to the canvas for the 10-count at 2:59.

Barboza, 140 lbs of South El Monte, CA is 23-0 with 10 knockouts. Silva, 139 1/2 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 27-3.

Larry Gomez won an eight-round split decision over Brian Mendoza in a welterweight contest

Mendoza started to swell around his left eye in round three.

Gomez, 146 lbs of West Jordan, UT won by scores of 77-75 on two cards. Mendoza took a card 77-75.

Gomez is 10-1. Mendoza, 146 1/2 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 18-1.

Guido Vianello remained undefeated with a one=punch stoppage over Colby Madison in a scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.

Vianello landed a hard right that sent Madison down for the 10-count at 45 seconds.

Vianello, 237 lbs of Rome, ITA is 6-0 with six knockouts. Madison, 239 lbs of Owings Mills, MD is 8-2-2.

Andy Hiraoka stopped Rogilio Casarez in round two of a scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout.

Hiraoka dropped Casarez with a right hook, and then finished him off with a big flurry of punches at

Hiraoka, 140 lbs of Yokahama, JAP is now 15-0 with 10 knockouts. Casarez, 139 1/2 lbs of Batesville, AK is 13-9.

Xander Zayas stopped Virgil Windfield in round one of a scheduled four-round welterweight bout.

In round one, Zayas landed an overhand right that put Windfield on the canvas. It was another overhand right that sent Windfield down again, and the fight was stopped at 1:48,

Zayas, 146 1/2 lbs of Plantation, FL is 2-0 with two knockouts. Windfield, 148 lbs of Concord, NC is 2-3-1.

Top Rank on ESPN returns to Las Vegas, the Boxing Capital of the World, this Saturday, November 30 for a Thanksgiving Weekend super featherweight doubleheader at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.  Former featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez makes his long-awaited super featherweight debut in a 10-rounder against former world title challenger Andres “Jaguarcito” Gutierrez in the main event.  

The co-feature of the evening will see the fighting pride of Belfast, former two-division world champion Carl “The Jackal” Frampton, take on the unbeaten Tyler “The Golden Child” McCreary in a 10-round super featherweight contest.  

Valdez-Gutierrez and Frampton-McCreary will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, starting at 10 p.m. ET (undercards beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET). The undercards will feature junior middleweight contenders Carlos Adames and Patrick Teixeira for the WBO interim title.  

Calling the action will be Bernardo Osuna (play-by-play), former two-division world titleholder Timothy Bradley Jr. (analyst) and former pound-for-pound #1, two-division world titleholder and 2004?Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward (analyst).   

Top Rank on ESPN: Oscar Valdez vs. Andres Gutierrez on ESPN+ (All times Eastern) 

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ grew quickly to 3.5 million subscribers in 18 months, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ ­— all for just $12.99/month.

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 20, 2019) — The rising iron-fisted star of the 154-pound division, Carlos “Caballo Bronco” Adames, will lock horns with Patrick Teixeira in a 12-round WBO junior middleweight title eliminator Saturday, Nov. 30 at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Adames-Teixeira will headline the undercard stream (ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m.) before the super featherweight doubleheader featuring former featherweight world Oscar Valdez’s division debut against Andres Gutierrez and Carl Frampton’s showdown against the unbeaten Tyler McCreary (ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

“A victory on November 30 will mean one of the last steps en route to fulfilling my dream of becoming world champion,” Adames said. “Without a doubt, this fight is the most important of my career. There is no room for mistakes. A victory guarantees me the opportunity to challenge for the world title. That’s why I worked hard and conscientiously with my trainer, Robert García. I assure you that the Dominican Republic will have a world champion very soon.”

“I’m very excited to fight Carlos Adames in Las Vegas in this elimination fight for the world title,” Teixiera said. “I’m very happy for this opportunity. It’s an important fight for me because I will be able to pursue my dream of becoming a world champion.”

Adames (18-0, 14 KOs), the WBO No. 1 contender, is 5-0 with three knockouts since making his Top Rank debut on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jorge Linares undercard in May 2018. A native of Elías Piña, Dominican Republic, he is 3-0 in 2019, including a fourth-round KO over Frank Galarza to win the NABO junior middleweight title. He defended that belt June 28 with a unanimous decision over the late Patrick Day. Teixeira (30-1, 22 KOs), the WBO No. 2 contender, is seeking to become the next world champion from Brazil. He is 4-0 since suffering the lone defeat of his career, a second-round stoppage to Curtis Stevens at middleweight. A southpaw boxer-puncher, he last fought April 13 in Monterrey, Mexico, defending his WBO Latino junior middleweight belt with a majority decision over Mario Alberto Lozano.

In other undercard action:

In an all-SoCal battle, Glendale native Adam “Blunose” Lopez (13-1, 6 KOs) will make the first defense of his Junior NABF featherweight belt in a 10-rounder versus Moreno Valley’s Luis Coria (12-2, 7 KOs). Lopez is coming off a come-from-behind KO win May 25 against Puerto Rican prospect Jean Carlos Rivera.
Arnold Barboza Jr. (22-0, 9 KOs), the pride of South El Monte, Calif., will defend his Junior NABF super lightweight belt versus longtime contender William Silva (27-2, 15 KOs). Silva has two in a row since a July 2018 knockout loss to top lightweight contender Teofimo Lopez, while Barboza is looking to score his third knockout win of the year. Barboza stopped former world champion Mike Alvarado April 12 on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Anthony Crolla undercard.
Japanese super lightweight contender Andy Hiraoka (14-0, 9 KOs), stablemate of pound-for-pound sensation Naoya Inoue, will make his American debut in an eight-rounder against Rogelio Casarez (13-8, 5 KOs).
Welterweight prospect Brian “La Bala” Mendoza (18-0, 13 KOs) hopes to extend his knockout streak to five against the hard-hitting Larry Gomez (9-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
Italian heavyweight KO artist Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (5-0, 5 KOs) will fight Colby Madison (8-1-2, 5 KOs) in a six-rounder.
Jared Anderson (1-0, 1 KO), fresh off a first-round knockout in his pro debut Oct. 26 in Reno, Nev., will return in short order in a four-rounder against Stephen Kirnon (2-2-1, 1 KO). Anderson was Team USA’s top-ranked amateur when he signed with Top Rank in September.
Xander Zayas (1-0, 1 KO), the 17-year-old welterweight prodigy who scored a first-round KO in his pro debut Oct. 26, will face Virgel Windfield (2-2-1, 2 KOs) in a four-rounder.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Queensberry Promotions and MTK Global, tickets priced at $100, $85, $65, $45 and $20 (general admission) are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000.

Use the hashtags #ValdezGutierrez and #FramptonMcCreary to join the conversation on social media.

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ grew quickly to 3.5 million subscribers in 18 months, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com. It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ ­— all for just $12.99/month.

About The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is a unique luxury resort and casino that offers a decidedly different perspective. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Cosmopolitan’s distinct vertical multi-tower design features more than 3,000 guestrooms with residential living spaces, private terraces and breathtaking views of the city skyline. Luxury amenities include a premier lineup of world-class culinary experiences; an intriguing mix of bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues; 100,000-square-foot-casino; award-winning spa, salon and fitness center; unrivaled pool district and an eclectic line-up of hand-selected boutiques. For more information visit: www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.comand follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Jaime Munguia barely kept his WBO Junior Middleweight Title with a 12-round majority decision over mandatory challenger Dennis Hogan at The Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.

Hogan pressed the action and landed the harder shots. As the fight went on Munguia tried to get back into the fight, and landed some nice body shots. Hogan was deprived of all that hard work as the judges ruled 16-112, 115-113 and 114-114 for Munguia.

Munguiaa, 154 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 33-0. Hogan, 154 lbs of Kildare, IRE is 28-2-1.

Patrick Teixeira won a 10-round majority decision over Mario Lozano in a super welterweight bout

In round six, Teixeira was cut around the left eye from an elbow.

Teixeria won by scores of 96-94 twice and 95-95. Teixeira, 154 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is now 30-1. Lozano, 154 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 33-9.

Diego De La Hoya and Enrique Bernache fought to a no-contest when a cut opened up on Bernache in round two of their scheduled 10-round featherweight bout.

A headbutt opened up a deep gash in the middle of Bernache’s forehead at 2:25 of round two.

De La Joya, 126 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 21-0-1. Bernache, 126 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 24-12-1.

Hot-prospect Ryan Garcia had to work out to pound out a 10-round majority decision over Carlos Morales in a lightweight bout at The Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California,

In round three, Morales was bleeding from his nose.

Garcia took most of the early rounds, but Morales showed his experience and landed several flush power punches down the stretch. It was too-little, too-late for Morales as Garcia took two cards by 98-92 tallies, while a 3rd card read even at 95-95.

Garcia, 134.4 lbs is now 16-0. Morales, 134.2 lbs of Los Angles is 17-3-3.

“Morales a great fighter, and this fight showed me what I need to work on,” said Ryan Garcia. “I felt it was closer than what the scorecards had. It was a great fight. I felt I could have done more. I got a little winded by the end, but Morales came to fight. I’m young, and time is on my side. I will work on my craft and will be ready for anybody. Much respect goes to Morales. He was a game fighter.”

“He [Garcia] was holding too much,” said Carlos Morales. “Overall I feel I gave a good performance. He was a tough opponent. He’s young and fast. He has some pop, but he doesn’t hit that hard. I felt I won the fight.”

Neeco Macias put on a punching display like none seen before as he overwhelmed Marvin Cabrera, and gained a stoppage after round six of their scheduled eight-round battle of previously undefeated super welterweight.

Macias had several rounds where threw an unheard-of 180-plus punches a round, and just dug his feet in the stand and continued throwing and landing relentlessly until Cabrera had enough after six rounds.

Despite all of the punches, Macias began to swell from his left eye in round five.

Macias, 153.8 lbs of Lancaster, CA is 17-0 with 10 knockouts. Cabrera, 154 lbs of Los Angeles is now 8-1.

Macias landed 315 of a staggering 1119 punches. Cabrera landed 97 of 355.

“I have a great team. I’m was the quintessential underdog, but miracles do happen,” said Neeco Macias. “A big thanks goes to Marvin Cabrera. I had to bring my best because I knew I was fighting him. I was just warming up in there. I took this style from the amateurs but now it’s eight rounds instead of three!”

Patrick Teixeira outworked Nathaniel Gallimore en route to an eight-round unanimous decision in an middleweight bout.

In round four, Teixeira was cut on his forehead from an accidental headbutt. Teixeira suffered and 2nd cut around his left eye.

Teixeira, 155.6 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA won by scores of 78-74 on all cards, and is now 29-1. Gallimore, 155.8 lbs of Evanston, IL is 20-3-2.

“It was a good fight, but I have to get better,” said Patrick Teixeira. “He was a tough opponent. I want a title next. I have to work hard for that. I will stay in Oxnard, California and keep training.”

Teixeira landed 160 of 593 punches. Gallimore was 76-357.

Kevin Ventura won a six-round unanimous decision over Eduardo Reyes in a lightweight bout.

Ventura dominated the bout was his length and boy work. Reyes was deducted a point in round six for low blows.

Ventura, 134.2 lbs of Omaaha, NEB won by scores of 59-54 twice and 58-55, and is now 10-0. Reyes, 135 lbs of Tamauipas, EX is 9-15.

Ventura landed 139 of 436 punches. Reyes was 64 of 331.

“I hurt my right hand in the second round,” said Kevin Ventura. “It hurt too much to throw. I would have easily knocked him out if it weren’t for the injury. He was eating the right hands all night.”

Alex Rincon stopped Osbaldo Gonzalez in round three of their scheduled six-round middleweight contest.

Rincon pounded the body of Gonzalez, and finished him off in round three with a hard left that drove Gonzalez back that was followed by another left and combination. The bout was stopped at 2:23.

Rincon, 1554. lbs of Dallas, TX is 5-0 with all wins coming by stoppage. Gonzalez, 157.8 lbs of Tulsa, OK is 6-3.

“I felt good. I let people see what I’m made of,” said Alex Rincon. “I enjoy picking my shots, and I landed some really clean blows. All the glory goes to God for this victory.”

TUCSON, AZ (July 20, 2017): Golden Boy Promotions is bringing the desert heat to Casino Del Sol with an undercard to open up the 10-round main event of Sadam “The World Kid” Ali (24-1, 14 KOs) versus Johan “El Terrible” Perez (22-3-4, 15 KOs) for the vacant WBA International Welterweight title. The July 29th action of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN will be aired on ESPN Deportes and ESPN2 beginning at midnight/ 9:00 p.m. PT.

Fighting in the co-main event, Eddie “E-Boy” Gomez (20-2, 11 KOs) of the Bronx, NY will take on Alejandro “El Elegido” Barrera (26-3, 17 KOs) of Nuevo Leon, Mex. for an eight-round welterweight fight. Gomez was last seen defeating Dennis “The Menace” Dauti in a unanimous decision in April.

Hoping to make the ESPN air-time, Los Angeles native Pablo “The Shark” Rubio, Jr. (9-0, 3 KOs) will put his unblemished record on the line against David Perez (8-1, 4 KOs) of Houston, TX in a super bantamweight bout to go four or six rounds. Previously defeating Angel Enrique Aguilar Jimenez by unanimous decision in April, Rubio, Jr. will be making his Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN debut in this fight.

After a year-long absence from the ring, Patrick Teixeira (26-1, 22 KOs) of Sao Paulo, Brazil will face Andrew “Hurricane” Hernandez (19-5-1, 9 KOs) of Phoenix, AZ in an eight-round super welterweight fight. Teixeira will be making a much-anticipated return to the ring following a shocking upset from Curtis “Cerebral Assassin” Stevens on the undercard of Canelo vs. Khan May of 2016.

Super lightweight prospect Alfredo Escarcega (2-0) will go up against Tuscon, AZ’s Rodolfo Gamez (1-3) in a local turf war rivalry showdown scheduled for four rounds. Escarcega most recently earned a victory over Rolando Padilla at the 8th annual Sugar Ray Leonard Charity Boxing Night this May.

Super welterweight Daquan Arnett (15-1, 9 KOs) from Winter Park Florida is scheduled for an eight-round fight against Tijuana, Mex.’s Jorge “Pantera” Silva (21-13-2, 17 KOs). After taking a near two-year hiatus, Arnett last stunned the crowd with an impressive first round knockout over Yudel Johnson.

Ali vs. Perez, a 10-round championship fight for the vacant WBA International Welterweight title set for July 29, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Showdown Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, Born BOLD and Hennessy “Never Stop, Never Settle.” ESPN Deportes and ESPN2 will transmit the fights at 11:59 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. PT. ESPN3 live coverage of the undercard fights will begin at approximately 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.

Videos and images are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/Ali-Perez. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for any photos/video.

Tickets for the show are on sale now and range from $45.00-$125.00 (includes convenience fee). Tickets are available for purchase at the Casino Del Sol gift shop and online at casinodelsol.com.

Media interested in attending Ali vs. Perez on July 29 must be pre-approved for credentials. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval for a credential. You cannot transfer your credentials to someone else. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions. You can find the credential application here.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPN and @ESPNBoxeo; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/espn.fnf, and www.facebook.com/ESPNBoxeo; and follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPNBoxeo. Follow the conversation using #GBPonESPN.

About Casino Del Sol:
Located in southwest metropolitan Tucson, Ariz., the Pascua Yaqui Tribe is a federally recognized tribe with nearly 20,000 enrolled members. The Tribe owns and operates several enterprises including Casino Del Sol, Arizona’s only Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond casino resort, one of the Best Hotels in Arizona named by U.S. News & World Report; Casino of the Sun; AVA Amphitheater, a 5,000-seat open-air concert venue named Casino Arena/Amphitheater of the Year by Casino Entertainment Awards; Sewailo Golf Club, a par-72 championship course designed by Notah Begay III; and the Del Sol Marketplace. For more information, call 1-855-SOL-STAY (765-7829) or visit www.CasinoDelSol.com. Follow Casino Del Sol on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow all the action as Canelo Alvarez defends the Middleweight title against Amir Khan.  The action begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT with a 3 fight undercard with David Lemieux battling Glen Tapia; Mauricio Herrera taking on Frankie Gomez and Patrick Teixeria fighting Curtis Stevens

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Round 1 Hard right from Khan…Combination…right to body from Canelo…Hard left hook..left

Round 2 Alvarez reaches for a right to the body..1-2 from Khan..Left hook from Alvarez..

Round 3 Canelo lands a left hooks..Khan lands a 1-2

Round 4 Good right from Khan…Right to body from Canelo…Left to the body..Counter left from Khan…

Round 5 Canelo lands a right..Good right to the body

Round 6 Hard body shot and left to head from Canelo…Good right from Khan…Jab from Canelo…HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES KHAN AND KHAN IS NOT MOVING FLAT ON HIS BACK

Round 2 Body shot and right from Tapia…2 rights…Left hook fro, Lemieux…right..Huge body shot hurts Tapia..2 good body shots from Tapia…

Round 3 Uppercut from Lemieux…Good jab from Tapia…

Round 4 HARD LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES TAPIA…TAPIA’S CORNER STOPS THE FIGHT

Round 1 Gomez gets in a left

Round 2 Combination from Gomez…Herrera is cut under the left eye…Good  uppercut

Round 3 Right from Gomez…Herrera lands a good body shot…Gomez lands a good right…

Round 4 Hard right from Gomez..

Round 5 Good combination from Gomez..2 good body shot…

Round 6 Gomez flurries on the ropes..Body shot…

Round 7 Gomez moving…boxing well

Round 8 Herrera flurries

Round 9 Gomez lands a right…jab…Hard right to the body

Round 10 Uppercut and combination..Counter right from Gomez

100-90 on all cards for Frankie Gomez

Round 1 Stevens coming out aggresive..Hard left hurts Texeira

Round  2:  Texeira lands 2 lefts…COUNTER LEFT AND DOWN GOES TEXEIRA…TEXEIRA WOBBLES ON THE WAY UP AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

LAS VEGAS – Canelo Alvarez had none of the speed. None of the footwork. But he had one punch. It was enough and now he has it all.

Canelo’s power was summed up Saturday night in one mighty strike that sent Amir Khan bouncing off the canvas like a flat board off a concrete floor midway through a bout that re-asserted the Mexican’s ability to dictate what’s next. Who’s next.

As a statement, it was as definitive as it was dramatic. It showed just how quickly Canelo (47-1-1, 33 KOs) can turn things, everything and anything, in his favor. For weeks, there was a debate about a 155-pound catch weight for a bout that was his first defense of the WBC’s 160-pound title.

Five pounds here, five pounds there. The power is heavy on any scale. It landed, lightning bolt-like, just when it looked as if a major upset was brewing. Khan’s hand speed and agile feet were giving Canelo fits throughout the first five rounds. In the second round, a knot appeared on Canelo’s right cheek bone. But it was there long enough to become a critical target for Khan’s long and accurate jab.

“I was getting in the ring with a big guy,’’ said Khan, who was taken to a nearby emergency room for observation after the bout. “Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the end.’’

In one momentary lapse, Khan (31-4, 19 KOs) ducked and Canelo threw a right hand counter that landed like a bomb on a chin that has long been a target. At 2:37 of the sixth round, it was over in knockout in an HBO pay-per-view bout, the first at the new T-Mobile Arena.

The crowd went wild. For a few scary moments, Khan never heard the roar. He was out. The back of his head had bounced off the canvas at least once. A crowd of Nevada officials and corner men surrounded him like paramedics. They waved a white towel in what looked to be desperate attempt at getting him to regain consciousness. It looked like an accident scene.

All the while, Canelo paraded from one side of the ring to the other, celebrating his victory. He waved at Gennady Golovkin, who was in a ringside seat.

“i invited him into the ring,’’ Canelo said. “Like we say in Mexico: ‘We don’t f— around.’

“I don’t fear anyone. We don’t come to play in this sport. I fear no one in this sport.’’

When asked if he would fight GGG this year in a title defense mandated by the WBC, Canelo said he was ready.

“Right now,’’ he said. “Right now, I’ll put on the gloves.’’

That didn’t happen, of course. And there’s still doubt about whether it will happen later this year. Canelo has all the leverage, which means he could continue to demand a 155-pound catch-weight, even at the risk of having the WBC title stripped from his thick waist.

“Gennady, Gennady where are you?’’ Canelo promoter Oscar De La Hoya said from the ring after the bout. “We want to talk to you, talk to and your representatives tomorrow.’’

According to the WBC, Canelo has 15 days to negotiate a deal with GGG.

“I am old school,’’ Golovkin said before opening bell. “Middleweight is 160. I respect the sport of boxing.”

But Canelo holds the upper hand at the negotiating table, especially if the pay-per-view audience is anywhere near the one million mark.

For now, all of boxing’s respect and its perks are on Canelo’s side of the table. That’s power, too.
Attachments area

David Lemieux says it’s a beginning.

Frankie Gomez finally passed a test that will allow him to graduate from prospect to contender.

Curtis Stevens changed his nickname.

Diego De La Hoya has more than a legend’s last name. He has some speed and sting in his hands too.

Jason Quigley waved an Irish flag. Danced to Irish music.

Rashidi Ellis walked out of T-Mobile Arena the way he walked in.

It was a double debut.

LAS VEGAS (May 5, 2016) Fighters on the undercard of Canelo vs. Khan hosted a final press conference today at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino ahead of Saturday’s bouts. Co-main event fighters David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs) and Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-2, 15 KOs) were joined by Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs), Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (20-0, 13 KOs), Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs), and Curtis Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs), all of whom will fight on the HBO Pay-Per-View broadcast. They were also joined by preliminary undercard fighters Diego De La Hoya (14-0, 8 KOs), Rocco Santomauro (13-0, 1 KO), Jason “El Animal” Quigley (10-0, 9 KOs), “King” James De La Rosa (23-3, 13 KOs), Lamont Roach, Jr. (10-0, 3 KOs), Rashidi Ellis (14-0, 11 KOs), and David Mijares, who will make his professional debut on Saturday at the new T-Mobile Arena.

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s undercard final press conference:

ERIC GOMEZ, Senior Vice President for Golden Boy Promotions:

“We have put together a fantastic undercard bursting with talent. From the opening bout to the main event, each of these undercard fights are sure to bring the action and excitement to T-Mobile Arena leading up to the main event.

“Thank you to our broadcast partner, HBO – the best network for boxing. HBO will broadcast three of the undercard fights on Saturday evening including the co-main event between David Lemieux and Glen ‘Jersey Boy’ Tapia; the welterweight showdown between Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera and Frankie ‘Pitbull’ Gomez; and a 10-round matchup for the vacant WBC De Las Americas Middleweight Title between Brazil’s Patrick Teixeira and Brooklyn bomber Curtis ‘Cerebral Assassin’ Stevens.

“To get fight fans ready for the final four bouts of the evening, the Canelo vs. Khan preliminary undercard will present two action-packed battles starring two of the game’s top rising stars, streaming live on HBO Boxing YouTube Page. In a 10-round super bantamweight bout, Mexicali’s Diego De La Hoya will put his perfect record on the line against Shane Mosley’s Rocco Santomauro of Duarte, California, putting back life into the De La Hoya vs. Mosley rivalry.

“Plus, Donegal, Ireland’s Jason ‘El Animal’ Quigley will try to keep his impressive professional run going when he takes on Benito, Texas’ seasoned fighter ‘King’ James De La Rosa in a 10-round middleweight bout.”

BERNARD HOPKINS, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions Business Partner:

“I am excited to be a part of this. Undercard boxers have an opportunity to get into it. Two of the biggest months in boxing are May and September. The middleweight class is my baby and in the conversation and that makes me happy. I’m looking for better fights to come. Enjoy, sit back and write what you write, but pay attention.”

DAVID LEMIEUX, Former IBF Middleweight World Champion:

“It’s great to be here back on the big stage and preform in from of the world again and make a good mark in Vegas. I am extremely excited to perform well. I am ready and very excited to give the fans a great show and they will not be disappointed at the end of the night. Thank you to Golden Boy. I try not to leave anything behind in the gym. We’ll see how Tapia comes with on his end, and I’m excited to see the Canelo – Khan fight.”

GLEN “JERSEY BOY” TAPIA, Middleweight Contender:

“To tell you the truth, I know most of you guys have me losing this fight but I know what I can bring to the table. I learned from all my losses and I can’t wait to show you guys what I can do. And when we look back, we can show you how wrong you were.”

MARVIN SOMODIO, Trainer for Glen Tapia:

“This fight is going to be very tough, Lemieux is ready. Tapia is ready too though. We had a very great camp under Freddie Roach.”

MAURICIO “EL MAESTRO” HERRERA, Former WBA Interim Super Light Weight World Champion:

“I never dreamed of getting this far and I am hoping to stay at this level. I’ve fought six to seven undefeated guys and I gave them hell. Fighting an undefeated fighter is nothing new. I’m a dream killer. Bring me any prospects and lets see if they are the real deal.”

FRANKIE “PITBULL” GOMEZ, Undefeated Welterweight Contender:

“I’m really excited to be apart of this event. I know my opponent is strong, but I am ready to do my best. This is my second opportunity, and I will take advantage of it.”

PATRICK TEIXEIRA, Undefeated Middleweight Prospect:

“I’m really excited to be a part of this event. I know my opponent is strong, but I am ready to do my best. I want to take the future world title back to Brazil.”

CURITS STEVENS, Former World Title Challenger:

“I am physically ready, in great shape, and mentally prepared. Momma said to knock you out.”

JOHN DAVID JACKSON, Trainer for Curtis Stevens:

“People in the sports world have been talking, ‘Is Curtis ready? What makes this opponent great? This is the first fight. He has more experience in the ring.”

DIEGO DE LA HOYA, WBC Youth World Super Bantamweight Champion:

“If he wants to fight I will leave my life in the ring like a war. Like every great Mexican.”

ROCCO SANTOMAURO, Undefeated Super Bantamweight Prospect:

“I want to thank Golden Boy and give a huge thank you Diego De La Hoya. I am here to win. Not a lot of prospects want to take on other undefeated prospects, and we are here to put on a show.”

SHANE MOSLEY, Trainer for Rocco Santomauro:

“I’m excited and it’s like I’m fighting. This will be a great fight on the undercard on Saturday night.”

JASON “EL ANIMAL” QUIGLEY, Middleweight Prospect:

“I’d just to like to take a chance to thank everyone. A lot of Irish fans came out, and I know what I am capable of. I have sparred over 160 rounds. Not only this for this fight, but for every fight, I come at 110 percent. This is why I came from Ireland. Come Saturday night, I’m ready to take care of business.”

JAMES DE LA ROSA, Middleweight Contender:

“I’d like to thank everyone. I want to thank the man upstairs. I hope Quigley’s ready ’cause I’m ready and I’ve trained hard to leave my mark.”

LAMONT ROACH, JR, Undefeated Super Featherweight Prospect:

“Happy Cinco de Mayo! Thank you to everyone for putting me in this position. This is my second Pay-Per-View card. Bernard Hopkins told me to take full advantage of it and obviously I did. I appreciate everything and I am excited.”

RASHIDI ELLIS, Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect:

“My birthday is fight night. Thank you Golden Boy Promotions. I had the best sparring training, and I am ready to go and ready to give on a show.”

DAVID MIJARES, Super Lightweight Prospect:

“Man, this is something else and I am very fortunate to be treated like this. I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for the fight and for being on the undercard of these amazing fighters. I can’t wait to get in there and get my job done.”

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila, DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13, and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August. David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.Facebook.com/HBOboxing, join us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, and follow the conversation using #CaneloKhan.

LAS VEGAS (May 4, 2016) – Fighters featured on the pay-per-view undercard of Canelo vs. Khan, held an open workout for fans at the MGM Grand Hotel & Restort today. Co-main event David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs), and Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-2, 15 KOs) who will meet in a 10-round middleweight fight; Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs) who takes on East Los Angeles’ undefeated star Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (20-0, 13 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight fight; and Brazilian star Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs) and Curtis Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) who will open up the Pay-Per-View telecast in a 10-round career-defining middleweight bout. They were also joined by Jason “El Animal” Quigley and Diego De La Hoya, who will fight in respective middleweight and super bantamweight bouts on the non-televised undercard.

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s undercard media workouts:

BERNARD HOPKINS, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions business partner:

“The knock against me years ago was that I didn’t go up in weight – then I showed them I was successful by jumping up two weight classes. And now Amir [Khan] is attempting to do what I did on Saturday and prove them wrong.

“I like Canelo [Alvarez] in the fight. He’ll have a bit of difficulty early, but he’ll calm Amir’s speed down and make it a fight from inside and not a fight from distance. I like a Canelo knockout in the 10th or 11th round – TKO.”

DAVID LEMIEUX, Former IBF Middleweight World Champion:

“My fight with [Glen] Tapia is absolutely at 160 and it’s not going to be an issue making weight. It won’t be a problem dropping the week before, and our program is right on track. I feel great, and I’m very close to making my weight now.

“I’m expecting a hungry Tapia. He’s jumping up weight and wants to prove himself. But he’s going to prove it to the wrong guy. He’s going to lose.

“I’m not here to lose and I am definitely not going to give [Tapia] the chance. I’m going to be merciless on the mat.”

GLEN “JERSEY BOY” TAPIA, Middleweight Contender:

“I’m not killing myself to make this fight. I feel good, I’m full and feel energized because I don’t have to cut so much weight, and I’m happy.

“I need to be smart, use my mind and think in there more than just going in there to brawl. Like Freddie [Roach] says, it’s more about my mind than my heart.

“It’s going to be a fun fight. At the end of the day, I like to entertain but I’ve got to be smart.”

MAURICIO “EL MAESTRO” HERRERA, Former WBA Interim Super Light Weight World Champion:

“Nothing phases me at this point in my career. I’ve been through struggles in my career like all fighters. I’m hungry, I still have fire and nothing is going to get me down. I’ll fight the best and undefeated, whatever it takes.

“It pumped me up when the fight was booked by seeing [Gomez]’s undefeated record. It’s something that motivated me in the gym to work out.

“I hope this weight is a comfortable weight. I feel strong in this weight class, and we’ll see what happens Saturday.

“I want to make an exciting fight for the people, but I do want to win this fight. I have to be very conscientious because Frankie Gomez is a strong puncher – I’ve dealt with him before. I have to play to my strengths and be whom I am.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to fight at the new T-Mobile Arena.”

FRANKIE “PITBULL” GOMEZ, Welterweight Contender:

“I’m always calm before a fight. It’s been like that since I was 5 years old. You know, going in the ring, [Herrera] is a guy just like anyone.

“People think he’s going to come out and take record away from me. I don’t really care what people think, it doesn’t really get to me. But I’m going to use it to motivate me. In the ring, I just let it go.

“On Saturday night, I’m going to show people a different Frankie Gomez.”

PATRICK TEIXEIRA, Undefeated Middleweight Prospect:

“I really prepared for this fight, I trained really hard. I actually went to Argentina for my camp, and I feel 100 percent.

“I expect a tough fight. He’s a tough fighter that throws really hard, but I’m going to throw a lot of punches and I expect to come out with the victory on Saturday.”

CURTIS STEVENS, Former World Title Challenger:

“[Teixeira] has high output numbers. But his punches are very wide, he telegraphs and it’ll really show.

“Working out in Canelo’s camp was a great experience. It really motivated me to stop doing the garbage I was doing and put another good two-to-three years to my career.

“This fight is important, to get past [Teixeira] and get back into title contention. I just gotta take this all the way.”

DIEGO DE LA HOYA, WBC Youth World Super Bantamweight Champion:

“It’ll be a great fight between two undefeated fighters. But we’re both well-prepared and I’m coming out here to win.

“I knew that the Diaz Brothers were going to give me a hard training camp, and hard camp in general with the trainers we had.

“I don’t want to think to far ahead. I want to take care of this fight and let management worry about what comes next.”

JASON “EL ANIMAL” QUIGLEY, Middleweight Prospect:

“This fight is a huge opportunity to showcase my talent, and I’ve trained my ass off for this fight. Diego De La Hoya is an obstacle in the path of my journey and I aim to remove him from that path.

“Boxing’s a game of surprises, but as much as it’s about surprises it’s also about patience and planning. And I’m ready to put on a master-class this Saturday.”

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila, DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13, and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August. David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.Facebook.com/HBOboxing, join us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, and follow the conversation using #CaneloKhan.

Photos and videos are available for download in the official Canelo vs. Khan press kit here: bit.ly/canelokhan.

Las Vegas, Nevada: This Saturday, Curtis “The Cerebral Assassin” Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) returns to the ring with his one-punch knockout power to face the aggressive up-and-coming prospect Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs) in ten rounds of action for the vacant WBC De Las Americas Middleweight Title on the HBO Pay-Per-View portion of the Canelo vs. Khan undercard in Las Vegas on May 7. Curtis has experience and power but Patrick is a younger, more aggressive southpaw. The scouting report for this exciting match-up is below:

Category
Curtis “The Cerebral Assassin” Stevens
Patrick Teixeira
Age
31
25
Record
27-5 (20 KOs)
26-0 (22 KOs)
Strength
Curtis is a power-puncher that can end the fight with any punch he throws. He is very experienced and has fought much better opposition than Teixeira thus far.
Teixeira has power in both hands and possesses pinpoint accuracy. He puts together good combinations and has an effective jab as well.
Weakness
Stevens has been inactive for over a year, so some ring rust is expected. He also has a tendency to not let his hands go, which could be costly when fighting a high-volume puncher like Teixeira.
Patrick has yet to face any top-level opposition. He also tends to throw wide, looping punches, which can lead to trouble if Stevens is able to sneak in one of his lethal left hooks.
Experience
He has fought the better opposition, including a win over top-ranked middleweight contender Tureano Johnson, and a hard-fought defeat against current middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.
He will be at a disadvantage coming into this bout; he has 26 pro bouts under his belt but has yet to face any legitimate contenders. Stevens will be the biggest test of his young career.
Power
Curtis has knockout power in both hands; if he connects clean with any punch it can be a game-changer at any point in the fight.
Patrick has good power in his combinations, he throws vicious body shots and possesses a nasty right hook that has ended many fights for the undefeated southpaw.
Speed
Curtis turns it up a notch when he smells blood, he shows off his quick hands and savage combinations.
Teixeira is quick; he puts his punches together well and maintains a steady pace throughout the fight, which has proven to overwhelm his previous opposition.
Endurance
Stevens is a young veteran of the sport who has proven his endurance; he has gone 10 rounds on four separate occasions and 12 rounds twice.
The Brazilian has gone 10 rounds only twice in his career, but has shown no signs of any stamina issues, even with such a high punch output.
Accuracy
If Curtis can work his way to the inside, he may be able to utilize some accurate bodywork against his much taller opponent.
Patrick has the accuracy advantage; he has demonstrated pinpoint accuracy in his jab and uses his reach effectively in picking apart his opponents from a distance.
Defense
Curtis’s best defense has been his offense, his opponents are usually running from him rather than running towards him.
Teixeira is a rangy fighter who utilizes his reach effectively. It will be a difficult task for any fighter to get on inside on him and do some damage.
Chin
Although Curtis has been stopped in his career, he has a solid chin. He has been knocked down from some big shots by some big punchers, including GGG, and has gotten back to his feet.
Patrick’s chin is still in question. He has not been in any real danger after impressively dominating his opposition thus far.
Style
Curtis is a no-nonsense, in-your-face power puncher who is always looking to end the night early.
Teixeira is a slick and aggressive southpaw who knows how to finish fights. He has a lengthy reach, stiff jab, and throws nasty combinations.
Intangibles
In the prime of his career, Stevens does not believe in tune-up fights. His past four opponents were all former or currently ranked contenders and titleholders. With over a year out of the ring, he has decided against tune-up bouts and will attempt to get his name back in the middleweight mix by taking on a young, undefeated, and dangerous knockout artist in Patrick Teixeira. A win on May 7 instantly makes Curtis a legitimate threat in the middleweight division.
The young Brazilian has chosen to take on a tough task in hopes of moving up the middleweight rankings. Rather than take on a much lesser opponent, he will instead put his undefeated record on the line on the biggest stage of them all, against a fighter in Curtis Stevens who can close the show with any punch he throws. A win over Stevens can catapult him into the top of the middleweight rankings.
Crowd Support
Curtis has been in the bigger fights throughout his career and has a style that is appealing to the fans, so he should have the majority of the crowd in his corner.
Teixeira’s aggressive, come-forward style may earn him some fans before the night ends.
The Match-up
Will ring rust be a problem for Stevens?
Will Teixeira be able to handle Stevens’ power?
Will Curtis be able to handle Patrick’s non-stop come-forward style?
Will Teixeira be ready mentally for his toughest challenge to date?

According to 2015 NABF Matchmaker of the Year, Jolene Mizzone, “This is the type of fight I would love to see more often: the veteran who is willing to fight anyone, any time and the up-and-coming prospect that is ready to take that step up. I love that neither of these guys know what the words ‘tune-up’ mean. Both fighters have a lot to prove and that could only be a recipe for a great fight in the ring!”

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila, DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13, and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August.

David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

Boca Raton, FL:
As Curtis “Cerebral Assassin” Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) prepares to step into the ring against Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs) on the HBO Pay-Per-View undercard for the May 7 Canelo-Khan telecast live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, he has a new trainer, a new nickname and new plan of attack.

Stevens, 31, originally from Brownsville, Brooklyn recently moved to South Florida and hooked up with elite boxing trainer John David Jackson. Jackson, a former world champion, also trains Main Events’ stablemate and WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. Curtis’ decision to move forward with a new trainer also inspired him to drop his “Showtime” nickname. He said, “Me and my uncle [Curtis’ former trainer/uncle Andre Rozier] isn’t working together anymore and ‘Showtime’ was a thing of the past ever since I was playing football in high school. It is time for a new era, new person, new identity. I am a wrestling fanatic so I get ‘Cerebral Assassin’ from Triple H. A cerebral assassin is very distinctive with his skill and I like that.”

Curtis Stevens
Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events

Stevens and Jackson starting working together in February after Stevens spent time sparring with Canelo Alvarez while he prepared for his November fight against Miguel Cotto. Curtis said he learned a lot during his time at Canelo’s camp and that was part of his motivation to change his game plan. Stevens said, “Canelo told me to be more relaxed. We’ve got ten rounds to fight, so I don’t need to go in there and try to knock him out in the first like I usually do. Not every shot has to be the finishing shot.”

Jackson echoed that same sentiment when the two first got together. According to Stevens, “Mostly we are just working on me being relaxed. We are working on my slips and working on going to the body, me just using my speed and not just relying on the power.My uncle was more ‘go get ’em.’ John is like that too but do it in a calm and casual way instead of always going for the knockout. He is just more relaxed and wants me more relaxed.”

John David believes Curtis has all the tools he needs to be successful, but in the past he relied too much on his powerful left hook. Jackson explained, “Curtis can box. He just never used his full boxing capability. I am making him throw more punches, go inside and go to the body. He has a tremendous right hand. The power is still there but the delivery is better now. He has a great jab too. He has all the tools to be a world champion. He was relying solely on the left hook and when he didn’t knock the guy out he had no other game plan. Now he can break these guys down systematically and then knock them out. He’s listening but it takes time. I think he and I will need three or four fights before it really comes together the way it should but glimpses of it are coming now as we work together more and more.”

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila, DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13, and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August.
David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and
Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:
Thanks so much to Frankie for joining us today on this international conference call with Mauricio Herrera versus Frankie Gomez (Indiscernible). Televised on May 7th at the new T?Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and live on HBO Pay Per View.

This is the second of our series of media conference calls with our fighters. So on Cinco de Mayo weekend as part of the televised undercard, top rated contender Mauricio Herrera will be squaring off against East L.A.’s very own Frankie Gomez. Additionally, we have opening up the pay?per?view telecast Patrick Teixeira with a record of 26?0 and 22 knockouts taking on Curtis “Showtime” Stevens. He has a record of 27?5 with 20 knockouts, and that will be a ten?round career defining middleweight bout.

These bouts in addition to the co?main events between David Lemieux and Glen Tapia will surely be thrilling and action?packed, thus giving the fight fans what they want to see and that’s action. Tickets are still available, but they are going extremely, extremely fast.

Lastly, I just want to thank our sponsors; all the national activations for Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold will start in the next few days, and you will be seeing a huge campaign like never before in English and Spanish featuring Canelo Alvarez and the fight on May 7 with Amir Khan.
Also, O’Reilly Auto Parts the activations that they’ll be doing on a national scale will be like no other. Also I want to thank Casa Mexico Tequila as the official sponsor of Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Alvarez versus Amir Khan. And “Doom”,- Fight Like Hell on May 13th out in theaters nationally.

Let me take this opportunity to say a few words. It always is a pleasure to work with such a professional and great promoter that we’ve had for many years in this sport to introduce the first participant, and that is my friend, Kathy Duva.

NICOLE DUVA, Vice President of Marketing and General Counsel for Main Events:
We have a slight change of plans. Kathy had to step out, this is Nicole Duva, I’m the vice president of marketing and general counsel for Main Events, and I’m here with Jolene Mizzone who is our matchmaker. So if anybody has questions for Main Events, we should be able to handle it.

We’d like to thank Oscar and Eric for including Curtis on this card. We’re really looking forward to this fight. We think it’s going to be great. We think Curtis is going to perform really well. That sums it up. Okay, and with that, I’ll introduce Curtis.

CURTIS STEVENS, Former World Title Challenger: Good afternoon, everyone.

NICOLE DUVA: Curtis, can you say a few words before we get into the question portion of the call?

CURTIS STEVENS: Excellent card to be on Canelo versus Khan. My camp and I are getting ready, and it should be an explosive night come May 7th.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Thank you. I’m happy to introduce to you for the first time on this card, this fighter who hails from Brazil, he’s very impressive. He’s ready to make his mark as a fighter who is ready to make a huge statement on May 7th. This fight is surely going to be an exciting one for the fans.

Let me introduce to you with a record of it 26?0 and 22 knockouts, Patrick Teixeira.

PATRICK TEIXEIRA, Undefeated Middleweight Contender: First thing, I’d like to say is I’m very happy this fight is in Las Vegas. This is my first time there. I’m working very hard for this fight. I’m looking to have a great fight that day.

CECILIA ZUNIGA, Golden Boy Promotions: Thank you, Patrick. I think we’re ready to start the Q & A portion with Curtis Stevens and Patrick.

Q. Patrick, your two fights this last year in the United States have been fairly spectacular knockout TKO victories. Was that important for you to put on a good show to get this kind of opportunity you have now against Stevens?

PATRICK TEIXEIRA: Those two fights were very important. They were two fights in the United States. They were two by knockouts and as a result of that I’m fighting here in Las Vegas.

Q. Will you be pressing for the same kind of result in Las Vegas, not just a win, but a show?

PATRICK TEIXEIRA: I’m preparing for a good, long fight. If a knockout comes, it comes, but that’s the consequences of all my training. I’m not looking for it specifically.

Q. Curtis, the inevitable question is I’m sure the question of ring rust since you’ve been out of the ring for a little bit. How are you working on that and do you have any concerns about that layoff time?

CURTIS STEVENS: Well, we know I haven’t fought within about a year has already passed. But I’ve been training in general just in case something did come up spontaneously, so I’ve always been working. But I’m a fighter. You’ve got to be ready at all times, so I just plan to go in there and do what I do.

Q. Curtis, you have been out the ring for a while, but you’re coming in against a guy who is a big puncher, young guy, hasn’t fought at the level that you’ve competed at. Have you seen Teixeira fight? And if you have seen him fight, is there anything that concerns you about him?

CURTIS STEVENS: Well I’ve seen the footage that they have shown. He punches in numbers is what I can see. He has a very high work rate. But what I’ve seen actually, the opponents that he faced were on last?minute notice, two weeks, one week. But he did what he had to do. But taking nothing away from him, he has great output.

But I’ve just got to be ready. Sometimes I wasn’t mentally in the game. I was always physically ready for it, but I wasn’t mentally there for the past two years, but now I’m mentally back focused again. So this should be a heck of a Saturday night come May 7th.

Q. You’ve been a contender for a while and you’ve been in with some good names in the sport. If you lose to Teixeira, are you willing to take that step back and become an opponent, gatekeeper type opponent, or do you view this as a do or die fight?

CURTIS STEVENS: To tell you the truth, I don’t have that on my mind of me losing, so I can’t even answer that question, to tell you the truth. I’m going in there to win. So whatever happens after May 7th, we’ll get to that point. I’m coming in there to win. I’m not thinking about losing or coming with the opponent or anything like that. I’m coming to win. I’m not coming to lose.

Q. Curtis, in your career, it’s never been a question about talent. It’s always been activity in the ring and letting your hands go. What are you working on in camp just to make sure you’re going to be active enough and letting your hands go in this fight?

CURTIS STEVENS: Not looking for the power so much. You know, we all know I have the equalizer going. Back in the day I just used to rely on one shot just to take you out, but just being more relaxed and not looking for the one shot. When it comes, it comes. Just getting back to being more relaxed and just having fun.

Q. Has that been tough for you to do, just because again, your identity has been to just knock people out with one punch and now to look at that, has that been a transition to make?

CURTIS STEVENS: No, no, not really. For the past couple years I’ve been going through a little something family?wise, so my mind wasn’t really in the game. I always was physically ready coming to fight, but mentally I wasn’t all the way there. So I thank God that everything’s been hashed out, and so I’m back in the game mentally and physically. I’m going to be well?prepared come May 7th.

Q. Do you want to explain whatever you were going through or is it just personal stuff?

CURTIS STEVENS: Oh, no, no. My son’s mother she ran off with my son and I couldn’t find her for about a year and a half, but that’s all out the window now. I have him back now, so I’m ready to go in there and put in the work.

Q. Lastly, Curtis, do you still have the same team behind you? Are you still being trained by Andre?

CURTIS STEVENS: No, no, me and my uncle took a little break. We went our separate ways. He still makes my hours though. That’s my uncle, but we went our separate ways.

Q. Who’s training you now?

CURTIS STEVENS: John David Jackson.

Q. And how is that going working with John?

CURTIS STEVENS: Everything’s good. Camp is going great. I’m in the gym right now as we speak. Chemistry’s there. Just putting our puzzle pieces all together so the puzzle can be complete for May 7th.

Q. How did you and John hook up?

CURTIS STEVENS: Well, we always knew of each other. I live in Florida now, so I came down to see him one day. We worked together. We’ve been working the whole of March getting everything together, and we make a good match?up. We just took it from there.

Q. Do you feel John complements your style just the way that he trains you?

CURTIS STEVENS: I’m not going to say he complements my style, but you know, he’s been a fighter. So a fighter that fought back in the day, he’s turned coach now, he see things that other people can’t see. So he’s making me more relaxed instead of making me more so much just going in there and kill, you know.

Q. Curtis, we’re sort of overlooking the fact that even though we haven’t seen you in the boxing ring that you were in the BKB pits not that long ago. Was that a weird transition for you and has it been strange for you after kind of becoming acclimated with fighting that kind of style and then coming back full circle?

CURTIS STEVENS: Yeah, like I said before, you’re a fighter. Whether it’s in a square, circle, triangle, you’re in there to fight. But the pit was a little different because you had no ropes to lay?up on. But that was a good thing for me, because sometimes I like to take a little rest on the ropes, but being that there was no rope you had to fight and figure your way around the ring or around the little pit so call it.

Q. This is obviously not the first time you’ve come off a layoff. Actually the last time you had a two?year layoff you went on probably the best run of your career. Did you learn anything about how to deal with the ring rust that we’ve been talking about that you’ve kind of implemented this time around?

CURTIS STEVENS: Staying active. Staying active because I remember before I used to just train when I had a fight coming up. But as you get older, you feel like you have to stay active. You have to stay active. So I’ve been in the gym all the time. I’ve been running. I’ve been sparring. I was with Canelo not too long ago getting ready for Cotto so I was down there with him for two months.

So I’ve been active still. I’ve been sparring a lot. Like me physically not being inside the ring without the head gear and 10?ounce gloves, yeah that’s true, but I’ve been in the ring sparring specifically since I haven’t been fighting.

Q. Do you think that the new environment with John David Jackson being down in Florida, do you think that’s helped you at all coming from where you were before to now being in the gym with John where he has other top level fighters, guys like Chris Algieri who is getting ready for a fight right now?

CURTIS STEVENS: When you’re in the gym with top fighters, the only thing that can happen is it betters you. You’re looking at what they’re doing. You’re taking a little bit from them and putting it and moving it into your own person. So when we’re in here all together, we’re working, we all watch what each other does and just take a little bit and we help each other out. When you’re a team, everybody’s got to help each other so everybody can be better.

Q. Patrick, Curtis is an experienced fighter who brings a lot to the ring, and this is a different level, something that you’ve never encountered yet in your boxing career. What can people expect in the ring on May 7th?

PATRICK TEIXEIRA: I clearly understand that it’s going to be a difficult fight, so I’m going to put all my resources together. I’m going to use the ring. I’m going to box. I’m going to throw hard punches and do whatever it takes to win this fight.

Q. Curtis, do you have any final words you want to address to the press?

CURTIS STEVENS: On May 7th, it’s on. It’s going down. This year I wasn’t going to talk too much about what I was going to do. I’m just going to get in the ring and show it. Just getting ready. I’m coming back. I’m not going by Showtime no more. Showtime is a thing of the past. So they don’t have to introduce me by Curtis “Showtime” Stevens no more, either. Okay, thank you, Curtis.

PATRICK TEIXEIRA: I want to thank everyone for the opportunity of this interview. Thank you very much.

CECILIA ZUNIGA: Thank you, we are ready to turn it over to Mauricio Herrera and Frankie Gomez.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Thank you. Now we’ll turn it over to Mauricio Herrera and Frankie Gomez. Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez is a fighter who is fighting undefeated (Indiscernible) 13 knockouts in the first three rounds or less. He has wins over Vernon Paris. He’s fought the likes of (Indiscernible) he’s fought the likes of Jorge (Indiscernible) in 2015. He is a decorated amateur (Indiscernible) in the U.S. In 2009 he won the silver medal in the World Championships.

He’s going in against a fighter who is experienced. Who is the true champion at 140 pounds with controversial decisions with the likes of Danny Garcia, Benavidez. Going up against the fighter they call the “People’s Champion.”

So let me have the pleasure to introduce to you first off Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera to say a few words.

MAURICIO “EL MAESTRO” HERRERA, Former WBA Interim and
current NABF Super Lightweight Champion : Hey, what’s up, guys. How’s everybody doing.

Q. Mauricio, can you let the press know any special opening remarks if you’d like to?

MAURICIO HERRERA: Just want to say thank you to Golden Boy and everybody that put this together because, man, I’m so excited and happy to be opening at the T?Mobile Arena and training harder than ever, because I can’t lose this fight. I’ve got to stay in this fight and keep proving myself. I can’t wait to put on an amazing performance.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Next, Frankie Gomez to say a few words.

FRANKIE “PITBULL” GOMEZ, Undefeated Welterweight Contender: Hey, I’m Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez, 24 years old. I’m ready for May 7th.

Q. Frankie, I know in the past you’ve had some issues with weight and just staying in the best shape that you can for a fight. What do you think is different about this camp and what have you done to make sure that weight is not going to be an issue going forward?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: Well, I didn’t blow up as much as my other fights. I stayed in shape. I didn’t go up in weight, and I’m training hard and just focused 100% on the fight.

Q. Have you had to make any big changes to your diet and just your habits in general just to keep your weight under control?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: Yeah, the diet and stuff, but the most important thing was just that I didn’t blow up too high. I didn’t go over like 10 or 15 pounds. Because before I would go up more than 25 pounds, 20 pounds, so that was one of the main things.

Q. One of the things that Golden Boy was having you do was actually going to their offices and weighing in. Are you still doing that or is that something you did in the past?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: Yeah, I did that for the last fight and it kind of helped me out. I don’t know that they wanted me to go in this fight. But even if they do, I’m ready. I’m like 9 pounds, 8 pounds away now, so just training hard for this fight and focused.

Q. Lastly, how excited are you for this opportunity again to be fighting on a major pay?per?view card against a good veteran in Herrera?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: I feel blessed and I feel excited. I’m anxious to go in the ring. I would like to thank Golden Boy for giving me the opportunity once again.

Q. Mauricio, you’re kind of the every?man in boxing. You’re the hard?luck guy. Many of the boxing media believe you won against Garcia and Benavidez. If you lose a hard?luck decision against Frankie Gomez, is that going to be it for you or do you continue fighting?

MAURICIO HERRERA: By hard luck you mean if I get robbed again?

Q. If you were to lose a close contested decision to Frankie Gomez, would that be it for you or would you still fight?

MAURICIO HERRERA: Oh, no, definitely not. First I’m not thinking that at all. I always think positive. No, I mean, I can go back in my career where I know many fighters would have hung up the gloves or given up or been discouraged. Getting robbed would discourage a fighter and even twice in one year.

So nothing negative has entered my mind. Since I started, I took lumps, I kept going, kept training hard. I love boxing and always kept doing it and thought I would get there once again. Nothing’s going to stop me, close fights, robbery fights, I’m headed to keep on fighting until I can’t anymore.

Q. Frankie’s a young guy. He’s never seen a guy with the type of craft that you have. You’re not just a good fighter, but you’re a crafty fighter. Do you think that he’ll be able to deal with what you’re going to bring and what are you preparing for against him?

MAURICIO HERRERA: I trained to throw guys like Frankie Gomez off, and a lot of the guys with big, amateur backgrounds kind of all have that basic style. I think that was one of the reasons I gave Danny a hard time is I don’t have a big amateur background, and I said at the time that’s what gives me an edge on these fighters that have the basic, one?two left hook. And the thing with me is not that I’m an awkward fighter, I think I’m at that age where I’m not the fastest guy, so I work everything on timing.

I think timing throws a lot of these guys off, and you can’t train for that. In sparring you can’t find guys like the way I fight. So I’ve always trained on timing. That’s been working for me to this day. That’s going to be a big part of this fight.

Q. Frankie, I’m going to flip that question around and Pose it to you. Mauricio’s a crafty guy. How do you prepare for a guy like that that doesn’t have a conventional style that most fighters walk into the gym with?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: Well, I just train hard and I do what I do best. I don’t think I’m a basic fighter who just wants to hook. I come from different angles, and May 7th he’s going to find out.

Q. Now you’re coming in obviously your biggest fight that you’ve had so far in your career. You’ve had problems making weight. You’ve had problems in the past. Do you feel like if you come in and you don’t perform at a high level or get a win or at least look good in a loss, do you feel it’s going to be time for Golden Boy to cut its losses with you?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: I don’t think so. My mindset is not that. My mindset is going in there and win and give everybody a great show.

Q. Mauricio, how do you prepare for a guy like Frankie Gomez? What kind of sparring do you get?

MAURICIO HERRERA: We just like to mix it up with different fighters. We don’t know how Frankie’s going to come that night. We know he’s a strong guy. We don’t take anything away from him. I watch his fights and all the fights with fighters that I’ve had were tough fights. Even when he was going through round for Provodnikov (Indiscernible) we trained hard for that fight. We got some sparring for that fight. Even the sparring wasn’t as tough as the fight. The sparring ?? we thought we sparred two amateurs that hadn’t even had any fights yet.

So we don’t have to look for the toughest sparring for Frankie, but we do got to mix it up and find different styles in there. We always have to try to be ready for anything. We know that Frankie’s hungry. He’s a tough guy. I’m not saying he’s just a jab, right?hook guy. We know what he brings. He’s a tough, hungry guy, undefeated, so it’s hard. Those guys are the toughest ones to fight, so we come well prepared and we train for everything.

Q. I heard that you were sparring with Tim Bradley? Is that true?

MAURICIO HERRERA: No, no, I’m not sparring with Tim Bradley. I haven’t sparred with him in a while.

Q. Oh, okay. I was mistaken, sorry about that?

MAURICIO HERRERA: That’s all right.

Q. Mauricio, when you were offered this fight to fight Frankie, what was your initial reaction? Obviously he’s kind of a young, up?and?coming guy. Golden Boy has high hopes for him. Did you take any offense to the match?up and maybe the idea that you’re being matched against him to kind of help him take that next step?

MAURICIO HERRERA: No, because before the Matthysse fight got offered I was hearing around that they were wanting me to fight Orozco or Frankie Gomez. At the time I was kind of disappointed and angry thinking, hey, do I not deserve a more established name on a big stage? And kind of was angered about that. But when the whole Amir Khan vs. Canelo on T?Mobile in Vegas pay?per?view card came up and then they offered me Matthysse and it didn’t happen, I was disappointed because I was like that’s my luck. That’s the way my career has been going, it’s up?and?down.

So I didn’t know what they were going to do at that time or who they were going to find. When he mentioned ?? I gave them some time and they called me back and mentioned Frankie Gomez, I knew exactly who that was. And I said I didn’t even think about that. Frankie Gomez, he’s a tough guy, and that lifted me right up. I got real excited because I knew he’s a real boxer. I know he who he is. It’s not a cherry picking fight. It’s a tough fight. So I was like back in the thing on a big stage, so I was really excited and happy.

Q. Is it motivation also for you that you can kind of spoil what’s being looked at as a big opportunity for him?

MAURICIO HERRERA: Oh, yeah. I know undefeated guys the same as Mazion and Daniel, I’ve fought a couple undefeated guys. They come to fight. They don’t want to leave that. So I know Frankie’s going to be training hard and he’s going to be on a big stage with all the lights on so I know he’s going to want to perform his best.

I love when they come in 100% in shape; that brings the best out of me. That gives me a thrill that I’m going to fight an undefeated guy, and I’m going to fight my very best.

Q. Is there a fighter out there that you want to fight again? You want the match?up with Garcia, is there a fight you’re really looking forward to having?

MAURICIO HERRERA: Yeah, definitely. I’m moving up a little in weight, so I know a lot of guys who are 140 are moving up in weight to 147. So the match with Danny would be a possibility. That would be nice to fight him again. He is a world champion, so you always want one of those.

There is Jessie Vargas, another world champion. So I think those are fights that could be made. The fight with Jessie Vargas, that would be nice too.

Q. Mauricio, all the fans have seen frankly you get robbed several fights. I think many of the boxing media on this call would agree about those fights. I’m sure you feel that way. What’s been the fan reaction to you and what do they say to you after having seen Garcia and Benavidez? You just seem like the hardest luck guy in the world. Have they embraced you? Are they supportive of you? What do they say to you?

MAURICIO HERRERA: Yeah, definitely. Going through those kind of fights can bring a fighter down. Of course you get online and read what the fans are saying. They keep your spirits up, and I think that’s what’s been going on in my career. That’s what’s keeping me level and not think about those fights in a negative way. Not what could have happened or what could have been a different dream I would have had if they would have given me those decisions.

The fans embraced me and feel that I am a true champion and that I should be the 140?pound champion. So I roll with that and almost put it in my head like I am. I think that’s what motivates me and makes me feel like I am that guy. I don’t think negative, so I’m in the gym training, thinking about all that and thinking positive. Of course all the feather reacted positive with me. So I’m in good spirits and I feel like that’s what takes me through my whole training camp. But I think that that’s even with the Frankie Gomez, they know that I’m there to fight the best, and I think I get all the credit with true boxing fans.

Q. I wanted to ask if you could talk to us a little about your decision and moving up in weight and why you chose to do it?

MAURICIO HERRERA: Really I wasn’t really thinking about it too much. I’ve always lost a lot of weight to make 140. I could have easily gone to 147 a while back in my career. But I felt work hard and keep making the weight, there were a lot of good names at 140, so I stuck around for that reason. A lot of fighters are moving up and a lot of names are moving up to 147, and it so happens the Matthysse fight was going to be at 147. So it got me thinking at that weight class. When that fight fell through my mind was still on the 147. So I said let me just go on that weight.

I was already thinking about it and training for it so when Frankie Gomez came to me, I said let’s keep it at 147. So now that’s the weight we’re going in, and we’ll see how I feel.

Q. Frankie, were you in the Philippines with Roach and Pacquiao during his training camp there?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: No, I couldn’t make it. I couldn’t get a passport.

Q. Well, I was going to ask you how was it training with Pacquiao. But were you able to get any chance to train with him at all when he was in L.A.?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: Yeah, well I sparred with the guys he sparred with yesterday. It was good. It was a good experience.

Q. Has it helped you to stay disciplined in making your weight?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: Well, the guys I’m sparring with are pretty fast, so you have to be in shape and you have to be ready.

Q. Frankie, you have a great amateur career and you won World Championships as an amateur. But the transition, has it been difficult to make a change from the amateurs to the pros or was it the same as usual?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: No, I think it’s the same, just smaller gloves. More head gear, weight, the weight, I’ve been at 140 since 16, 17, so it’s getting a little harder for me. But I can still make the 140s. I know this fight is going to be at 146 and I’m ready. I’m ready. The weight is good and I’m focused and anxious to go in the ring.

Q. What are some of the recommendations that Freddie has made for you? I know you trained with Abel Sanchez and different trainers. What’s the difference training with Freddie Roach and has he recommend for you?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: Just to work hard, stay disciplined. Stay in the gym, stay active, yeah.

Q. I know that you have a lot of friends that are all watching you from East L.A. You seem to have those fans go to all your fights. Has that always been the way it was for you even as an amateur?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: Well, actually as a pro they get a little bit more involved than in the amateurs. We have a lot more stuff at the pro events. Yeah, I think at the same time my fans, they always show up and they motivate me.

Q. Do they give you tips because I know some of them are fighters too?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: Yeah, they give me tips, but they mostly just tell me stay in the gym, stay off the streets, stay out of trouble and stuff like that.

Q. Mauricio, this is kind of a follow?up question to what Mitch had been talking about. I heard that you would like to fight Garcia again. You didn’t mention Benavidez. If that rematch came up, that possibility, would you be interested? And has there been any discussion about it before now?

MAURICIO HERRERA: No, what I heard at the site is HBO didn’t want it, so I don’t know if maybe they were disgusted of the way the outcome was (Indiscernible).

Q. Yeah, because he’s moving up in weight too. So maybe at some point that one comes back up on the horizon. And I guess if HBO or some other network is interested in it, you’d be interested in it?

MAURICIO HERRERA: Oh, yeah, definitely. I’d be interested. At the time I didn’t care about it. I was disgusted with the decision. But I’m at the point in my career now that I’m just a little more loose. I should be really an angry person with all the stuff going on. But my life is together and I’m just like whatever. I’m going to do what I do, and people are going to see. They’re the true judges, so I’m happy with that. As long as they keep giving me opportunities, I’m going to keep training.

Q. I remember after the fight you were really angry and I asked you if you would be interested in a rematch? And you made it sound like let’s do it right now. So I thought it might happen in a few months, but it seemed to fall off the table.
MAURICIO HERRERA: Yeah. After the fight too it was kind of irritating me, and I didn’t even want to hear anything, you know. (Indiscernible) so the plan went off. But if he gets some more known names on his record and people start to know him a little more, I think it would make sense more. So that’s all I’m trying to work now.

Q. Mauricio, I know you’ve gotten angry after a couple of your fights. You’ve said robbed or lost close decisions. I’m wondering, do you get just as angry that people seem to only refer to you as a hard?luck fighter or the guy on the short end of six or the guy that got robbed? I’m asking you that because you were also the guy that beat Ruslan Provodnikov. How about we remember you as a fighter that’s beaten a guy who is still a huge attraction? I mean, does that upset you that people don’t remember that?

MAURICIO HERRERA: Yeah, yeah, it kind of does because it seems like my career and my timing was off. I didn’t have the best management at the time, and at the time when I began my career I had no trainer. I was training myself. So I’ve had to fight a lot of these fights on my own. I finally got a trainer for the name of Lee Torres for when I fought Ruslan, and it helped me a lot. And I got to that fight, and I knew what Ruslan had. And the thing was at the timing of the fight, I didn’t get no credit.

When I saw Ruslan and beat him, I knew that guy was pretty special, you know, and it wasn’t until he fought Bradley when I knew that people were going to know about him, and he did what he did, as you seen. But to this day a lot of people don’t know that I fought Ruslan and beat Ruslan, an undefeated and tough and intense Ruslan. I feel at that time he was more hungry. His style has changed a little bit, but they seem to forget, and it does get frustrating that I’ve only been known for the robberies, you know.

But there are other tough fights like Michael Alvarado who I fought and thought that was a close fight as well. There are plenty of fights that I had that people just don’t even remember me from the Danny fight. I started making new fans, and the true boxing fans did the research and they’ve seen my background. But the newer fans tend to forget some things.

But, yeah, I tend not to let it bother me.

Q. At the end of the day you know you beat that guy and these other guys. So I hope that gives you some comfort.

CECILIA ZUNIGA: Frankie, do you have any final comments for the press still on the call?

FRANKIE GOMEZ: No, just make sure you tune in May 7th for an exciting fight night, and thank you everybody.

CECILIA ZUNIGA: Thank you, Frankie. Mauricio, any final thoughts?

MAURICIO HERRERA: Yeah, I just want to say one thing. There are a lot of fighters out there that are fooled by my resume and my losses and my age. I think that’s the thing that’s going to be a problem when I go in that ring, because that’s really ?? they find out quick that I’m a guy who can handle myself.

I just want to thank Frankie for taking the fight. You’re a tough fighter, and I know you’re going to be in great shape and let’s give the people a show. Thank Golden Boy for putting it together. We shut down the L.A. Sports Arena and now we’re opening a new one, T?Mobile Arena, so let’s make this special.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA: We are looking forward to May 7th. Thank you for being on the call, all the press. We’ll talk to you next week leading up to May 7th, and finishing off our weekly calls with Canelo and Amir Khan. So, like I said, tickets are going extremely fast. Marketing starts kicking in in the next few days. It will not be one single soul who will not hear about the fight or know about the fight. So we expect a big turnout live in Las Vegas. So thank you very much.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila and DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13. David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.Facebook.com/HBOboxing, join us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, and follow the conversation using #CaneloKhan.