According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Featherweight prospect Gary Russell Jr. fractured his left hand during his unanimous decision victory over Vyacheslav Gusev this past Saturday night in La Vegas.

“They have told him to rest it for four or five weeks and he should be good to go,” said publicist Julie Goldsticker.

“Ponce De Leon has been holding that belt for me,” Russell said before facing Gusev. “I hope he beats (Abner) Mares (on April 20) and then fights me. I also want to get my hands on Gamboa. He’s undefeated and I want to get my hands on him before anyone gives him a loss. He’s a really reckless fighter. He takes too many chances and gets hit too much.

“I would love to fight those guys. I’m on the edge of my seat every time Gamboa and Lopez fight because I don’t want anyone to beat them because I want to do it. I know Lopez lost a couple of fights already, but I want to put another ‘L’ on him. I know I have the skills and talent to beat them.”

In an ugly foul dest, Richard Abril retained the WBA Lightweight championship with a twelve round unanimous decision over Sharif Bogere at the Joint at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

The raggedness pace was set early was the two clutched and Bogere headbutted and Abril was even wrestled to the canvas in the first two rounds. Two traded rounds until the fight was turned in round six when a butt from Bogere opened up a cut over the right eye of Abril.

Bogere had a decent round seven and Abril was docked a point for holding in round eight but after that it was all Abril as he started to find a home with his right hand in between clinches. Rounds nine through eleven were pretty much the same as Abril continued to land pinpoint shots in between all the rough housing while Bogere tried to work the body but it was in effective. Bogere was docked a point himself for many headbutts in round twelve and by that time he was far behind on the cards. Despite cuts around both eyes, Abril dominated the last four rounds and came home with the victory by scores of 116-110, 116-110 and 115-111.

Abril, 134 1/2 lbs of Miami via Cuba is now 18-3-1. Bogere, 134 lbs of Las Vegas via Uganda is now 23-1.

“I am very happy to get the win, but I’m not happy at all with the way the fight went,” said Abril after retaining his WBA 135-pound title with a unanimous 12-round decision over previously undefeated Sharif “The Lion” Bogere in the main event of Saturday’s SHOWTIME BOXING – Special Edition live on SHOWTIME® from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

“I was hoping for and expected a much cleaner fight,” Abril said. “It’s hard to show your skills in a fight against a dirty fighter. I kept getting warned for holding, but I really didn’t feel like I was holding. He was shorter and kept coming in head-first.”

“I definitely knew I would get the decision. I landed all the cleanest shots,” said Abril, who connected on 35 percent of his punches (152 out of 433) according to SHOSTATS provided by CompuBox. Bogere, who was busier but less effective, hit on only 15 percent (93 out of 614).

The right eye of The Tiger was cut from an unintentional head-butt in the sixth. “He used his head to come in on me the whole fight,” Abril said. “The bleeding made it hard for me to concentrate.”

Bogere said he felt the fight was much closer than the scores indicated and that he had “done enough to win.”

“He was taller and that made it difficult for me to get inside,” said Bogere, who fell short in his quest to join fellow Ugandan fighters such as Cornelius Boza-Edwards, John Mugabi, Ayub Kalule and Kassim Ouma to capture a world title. “But when I did get inside, all he did was hold.

“This is very, very disappointing. My dream was to win the world title. I’m not happy now and I’m pretty down, but I know I’ll come back. You haven’t heard the last of The Lion.”

Super prospect Gary Russell Jr. struggled with his hand and gloves more than he struggled with Vyacheslav Gusev en route to an ten round unanimous decision in a featherweight bout.

Russell got off to a blazing start as he showed his world class hand speed over the first three rounds which culminated with a knockdown in round three from a combination that made Gusev’s glove touch the canvas. After that it seemed that Russell hurt his left hand sometime in the middle rounds and threw nothing but jabs and hooks with the right hand.

Fortunately Gusev proved no threat and didn’t take any chances and Russell’s superior ability showed in what basically turned into a sparring session that Russell dominated to the tune of 100-89 on all cards.

Russell, 127 lbs of Capitol Heights, MD is now 22-0. Gusev of Russia is now 20-1.

The talented Russell fought the last several rounds with a bruised left hand. “I think I hurt it in the third round,” he said. “The last few rounds I was tentative with it and only showed it to him. My corner knew I’d hurt it and did a great job between rounds coming up with different strategies, like starting off with a stiff jab and maintaining it, and slowing down the pace.

“My right hand is bruised too, but I don’t think it is anything serious. I fully expect to fight again in three months.”

According to SHOSTATS, Russell landed 229 of 797 punches (29 percent). Gusev, making his second start in the United States, connected on just 15 percent. Of the 214 punches he delivered, he landed only 33 times, the lowest total in the history of CompuBox for a 10-round fight.

Knockout artist Jorge Melendez lived up to just that, a scintillating fourth round stoppage over Ryan Davis in a scheduled eight round Middleweight bout.

Davis had a nice first round as he tried to push the big punching Melendez on the ropes. Melendez got things going in round two by starting to land power punches. At the end of round of three, Melendez landed a hard right to the body that sent Davis to the canvas. It wasn’t long, actually just thirteen seconds into round four, Melendez landed a devastating right uppercut that sent Davis down with a thud and the fight was waved off immediately.

Melendez, 156 lbs of Vega Baja, PR is now 26-2-1 with 25 knockouts. Davis, 158 lbs of Granite City, IL is now 24-10-3.

Lightweight Jeffrey Fontanez scored a six round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Daniel Attah.

Fontonez won with activity over the first five rounds to built up an insurmountable lead and coasted home and won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 59-55.

Fontanez, 134 1/2 lbs of Caguas, PR is now 11-0. Attah, 135 lbs of Washington, DC is now 28-14-1.

Thomas Williams Jr. scored a third round stoppage over Kevin Engel in a scheduled eight round Light Heavyweight bout.

Williams was dominant throughout as Williams mixed up the shots with both hands and used a good variation of punches from jabs to uppercuts. Engel tried but was overmatched and in round three, Williams landed a hard combination that dropped Engel along the ropes. Referee Tony Weeks stopped the bout at the count of six at 1:31 of round three.

Williams, 175 lbs of Washington, DC is now 13-0 with 10 knockouts. Engel, 174 1/2 lbs of St. Louis, MO is now 20-8.

Follow all the action LIVE from the Hard Rock in Las Vegas as Rchard Abril defends the WBA Lightweight title against Sharif Bogere. The action begins at 8 pm EST / 5 pm Pac with bouts involving Jorge Melendez, Thomas Williams Jr. and super prospect Gary Russell Jr.

REFRESH FOR UP TO DATE RESULTS

12 ROUNDS–WBA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP–RICHARD ABRIL (17-3-1, 8 KO’S) VS SHARIF BOGERE (23-0, 15 KO’S)

Round 1 Abril lands a 3 punch combo…Bogere wrestles Abril to canvas..10-9 Abril

Round 2 Abril falls again from rough housing from Bogere..Bogere lands a left..19-19

Round 3 Lead left hook from Bogere…29-28 Bogere

Round 4 Right from Abril…Counter right..Bogere lands a left..Bogere Jabs..Abril lands a right..jab..overhand right..38-38

Round 5 Abril lands a right…uppercut…48-47 Abril

Round 6 Abril lands a combination..Jab..right..head keep clashing…Abril cut above the right eye..Bogere trying to bull rush…left from Bogere…body..Abril lands a right.andother right…right to body from Bogere..hard right..58-56 Abril

Round 7 Bogere lands a lead left hook..Trading shots…Bogere lands a 1-2..Abril 1-2..Bogere lands a body shot..Abril chastised for holding..67-66 Abril

Round 8 ABRIL DOCKED A POINT FOR HOLDING…trading rights..Abril lands a 1-2..2 rights..Right on the ropes..body shots in the clinch..2 rights from Bogere..Right from Abril..76-75 Abril

Round 9 Abril lands a 3 punch combination…right hand and another..left hook…1-2 combination..another 1-2..Bogere lands a body shot..Rught from Abril…86-84 Abril

Round 10 Straight right backs up Bogere…Counter right..Bogere slips to canvas..Bogere finally warned for Headbutts..1-2 from Abril..96-93 Abril

Round 11 Abril another 1-2..Bogere lands a body punch..106-102 Abril

Round 12 BOGERE DEDUCTED A POINT FOR A HEADBUTT…Abril lands a right uppercut..right..short right uppercut…116-110 Abril

115-111; 116-110; 116-110 and STILL CHAMPION—RICHARD ABRIL

10 ROUNDS–SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT–GARY RUSSELL JR (21-0, 13 KO’S) VS VYACHESLAV GUSEV (20-2, 5 KO’S)

Round 1 Russell jabbing…lead uppercut..Overhand left…Gusev lands a body shot…Ruseell explodes with a combination…Gusev wobbled at the end of the round 10-9 Rusell

Round 2 Russell gets in good body work…Sharp counter..3 punch combo finished with an uppercut…20-18 Russell

Round 3 HARD LEFT HOOK…GUSEV GLOVE TOUCHES…KNOCKDOWN…hard combo at the bell…30-26 Russell

Round 4 Gusev going to body…Nice left and right to the body from Russell…Hard body combination..Body shots..40-35 Russell

Round 5 Straight from Gusev..Russell lands a 3 punch combination..left uppercut..50-44 Russell

Round 6 Russell lands a double jab..Gusev lands a right..Russell lands 2 lefts and a right..60-53 Russell

Round 7 Russell straight left…double jab..70-63 Russell

Round 8 Russell lands a lead uppercut…Fight becoming a sparring session..3 right hooks from Russell..80-71 Russell—RUSSELL HAS A CUT ON HIS –THEY ARE CHANGING THE GLOVES

Round 9 Russell throwing nothing but rights and landing combinations..90-80 Russell

Round 10 Russell continues to be only one doing anything …100-89 Russell

100-89 ON ALL CARDS FOR GARY RUSSELL JR

8 ROUNDS MIDDLEWEIGHTS–JORGE MELENDEZ (25-2-1, 24 KO’S) VS RYAN DAVIS (24-9-3, 9 KO’S)

ROUND 1 Melendez lands a right…Good flurry from Davis..10-9 Davis

Round 2 Melendez landed a good left..Good right..Davis jabs to the body..Wicked uppercut from Melendez..Good right…19-19

Round 3 Uppercut hurts Davis…Body shot…BODY SHOT AND DOWN GOES DAVIS …29-27 MELENDEZ

ROUND 4 HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES DAVIS AND THE FIGHT IS OVER UPPERCUT

6 ROUNDS–LIGHTWEIGHTS–JEFFREY FONTANEZ (10-0, 9 KO’S) VS DANIEL ATTAH (28-13-1, 11 KO’S)

Round 1 Attah lands a left..2 body shots from Fontanez…Good left to the head…10-9 Fontanez

Round 2 2 body shots by Fontanez..Attah tries to throw a long left…Good body shot from Fontanez..20-18 Fontanez

Round 3 Fontanez lands a left to the body followed by an uppercut…3 punch combination..Attah lands a right..30-27 Fontanez

Round 4 Fontanez lands a body shot..body shot followed by 2 head shots..40-36 Fontanez

Round 5 Clubbing left from Fontanez..slower action…50-45 Fontanez

Round 6 Attah being more active but not effective..59-55 Fontanez

8 ROUNDS–LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS–THOMAS WILLIAMS JR (12-0, 9 KO’S) VS KEVIN ENGEL (20-7, 16 KO’S)

Round 1 Williams lands a quick right..RIGHT hook and Engel slips to the ground…Engel lands a body shot..Willams lands a right..Right hook..Engel lands a right..Williams lands a right…10-9 Williams

Round 2 Willams lands a quick combination..double jab and left…3 body shots…4 punch combo..Engel starting to swell around left eye..Good body shot…Engel lands a couple body shot..Williams lands an uppercut..Right hand..2 Good body shots..3 hard rights…2 more body shots..2 more rights…20-18 Williams

Round 3 COMBINATION AND DOWN GOES ENGEL…FIGHT IS STOPPED

LAS VEGAS (March 1, 2013) – All 14 boxers who will compete on Golden Boy Promotions’ fight card tomorrow, Saturday, March 2 from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, including those who will duke it out live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) and SHOWTIME EXTREME® (8 p.m. ET/PT), made weight on their first attempts Friday at Hard Rock.

The WBA Lightweight World Championship will be on the line when defending champion Richar “El Tigre” Abril (17-3-1, 8 KO’s), of Miami, Fla., by way of Cuba, makes his first defense against unbeaten Ugandan Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (23-0, 15 KO’s), of Las Vegas, in the 12-round main event of a SHOWTIME BOXING – Special Edition on SHOWTIME.

In the co-featured bout, highly regarded, world-rated southpaw Gary Russell Jr. (23-0, 15 KO’s), of Capitol Heights, Md., meets Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev (20-2, 5 KO’s) in a 10-round featherweight bout.

Live preliminary fights from the Hard Rock will be featured on SHOWTIME EXTREME. In eight-round bouts, Jorge Melendez (25-2, 24 KO’s), of Manati, P.R. will face Ryan Davis (24-9-3, 9 KO’s), of Granite City, Ill., in a middleweight match and Thomas Williams (12-0, 9 KO’s), of Fort Washington, Md., takes on Kevin Engel (20-7, 16 KO’s), of St. Louis, in a light heavyweight scrap. Time permitting, Jeffrey Fontanez (10-0, 9 KO’s), of Caguas, P.R., will take on with Daniel Attah (27-13-1, 10 KO’s), of Washington, D.C., in a six-round lightweight bout.

Tickets priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $125, are on sale at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. PT. The first non-televised fight is at 3:45 p.m.

Non-televised matchups: Luis Arias (3-0, 2 KO’s), Las Vegas, vs. Arsenio Terrazas (9-3, 8 KO’s), Mexicali, Mex., 6 rounds, super middleweights; and Sammy Vasquez (6-0, 4 KO’s), Monessen, Pa., vs. Leandro Albornoz (15-2-1, 5 KO’s), Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 6 rounds, welterweights.

WEIGHTS: Abril tipped scale at 134½ pounds, Bogere 134; Russell Jr. weighed 127 pounds, Gusev 126½; Melendez weighed 156½ pounds, Davis 158; Williams weighed 175 pounds, Engel 174½; Fontanez weighed 134½ pounds, Attah 135; Arias weighed 166½ pounds, Terrazas 168 and Vasquez weighed 147½ pounds, Albornoz 146.

ABOUT ABRIL VS. BOGERE:

Abril vs. Bogere, a 12-round fight for Abril’s WBA Lightweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, March 2 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round featherweight bout between undefeated phenom Gary Russell Jr. and Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/richard_abril, www.twitter.com/sharifbogere, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/TheJointLV, www.twitter.com/hardrockhotellv and www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #AbrilBogere or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

LAS VEGAS, March 1 – Puerto Rican power puncher Jorge Melendez squares off against Granite City, Illinois’ Ryan Davis and unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Thomas Williams of Fort Washington, Maryland puts his unbeaten record on the line in an eight round battle against St. Louis’ Kevin Engel on Saturday, March 2 on SHOWTIME EXTREME just before the SHOWTIME® Boxing-Special Edition telecast from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas featuring the lightweight world title fight between Richar Abril and Sharif Bogere and the featherweight battle between Gary Russell Jr. and Vyacheslav Gusev.

Abril vs. Bogere, a 12-round fight for Abril’s WBA Lightweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, March 2 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME telecast beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round featherweight bout between undefeated phenom Gary Russell Jr. and Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev.

Tickets priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $125, are on sale at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Twenty-four-year-old Jorge Melendez (25-2-1, 24 KO’s) is bringing a 12-fight winning streak into his Las Vegas debut this Saturday and you can expect that he will be looking to add another victory and knockout to his record. The winner of 17 bouts by stoppage in three rounds or less, the Manati, Puerto Rico knockout artist is on the fast track to big things in the coming years. Hoping to slow Melendez’ progress is 34-year-old “Dangerous” Ryan Davis (24-9-3, 9 KO’s), a veteran of over 13 years in the sport. Unbeaten in five of his last six bouts, the Illinois native once took Zab Judah the 12-round distance and is looking forward to scoring the upset this weekend.

Maryland’s Thomas Williams Jr. (12-0, 9 KO’s) earned rave reviews for a 2012 campaign in which he went 5-0 with four knockouts (three in the first round) and he got 2013 off to an equally impressive start in January with a third round technical knockout over fellow prospect Jason Smith. On Saturday, the 25-year-old meets Missouri’s Kevin “Hitman” Engel (20-7, 16 KO’s), a hard-hitting 32-year-old who has won two of his last three heading into this pivotal matchup.

In other undercard action…

Unbeaten Jeffrey Fontanez (10-0, 9 KO’s) of Caguas, Puerto Rico faces longtime standout Daniel Attah (27-13-1, 10 KO’s) of Washington, DC by way of Calabar, Nigeria, in a six round lightweight bout.

Las Vegas super middleweight Luis Arias (3-0, 2 KO’s) who fights under the Mayweather Promotions banner meets Mexicali, Mexico’s Arsenio Terraza (9-3, 8 KO’s) in a six round matchup and in the four round welterweight opener, Monongahela, Pennsylvania’s Sammy Vasquez (6-0, 4 KO’s) takes on Fort Lauderdale’s Leandro Albornoz (15-2-1, 5 KO’s).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/richard_abril, www.twitter.com/sharifbogere, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/DestroyerPR, www.twitter.com/@Topdoggjr, www.twitter.com/@FontanezJeffrey, www.twitter.com/TheJointLV, www.twitter.com/hardrockhotellv and www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #AbrilBogere or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 28, 2013) – Golden Boy Promotions hosted the final press conference Thursday for the big fight card this Saturday, March 2 live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) and SHOWTIME EXTREME® (8 p.m. ET/PT) from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in LasVegas.

In the main event of a SHOWTIME BOXING – Special Edition, Cuba’s Richar “El Tigre” Abril (17-3-1, 8 KO’s), of Miami, Fla., will make the first defense of his WBA Lightweight World Championship when he meets unbeaten Ugandan Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (23-0, 15 KO’s), of Las Vegas.

The co-feature on SHOWTIME will feature undefeated, world-rated southpaw Gary Russell Jr. (23-0, 15 KO’s), of Capitol Heights, Md., against Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev (20-2, 5 KO’s) in a 10-round featherweight bout.

Preceding the SHOWTIME telecast will be live preliminary fights on SHOWTIME EXTREME. Hard-hitting Jorge Melendez (25-2, 24 KO’s), of Manati, Puerto Rico, takes on Ryan Davis (24-9-3, 9 KO’s), of Granite City, Ill., in an eight-round middleweight match and Thomas Williams (12-0, 9 KO’s), of Fort Washington, Md., risks his unblemished record against Kevin Engel (20-7, 16 KO’s), of St. Louis, in an eight-round light heavyweight scrap. Time permitting, Jeffrey Fontanez (10-0, 9 KO’s) of Caguas, P.R., collides with Daniel Attah (27-13-1, 10 KO’s), of Washington, D.C., in a lightweight bout slated for six rounds.

Tickets priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $125, are on sale at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Thursday’s press conference was coming to a quiet and peaceful conclusion when Ken Adams, the veteran Las Vegas trainer of Bogere, stood up from his seat near the dais and asked permission to speak.

“When I watched tapes of your [Abril’s] fights, I couldn’t tell if you were on the track team (because you run so much), or if you were on the wrestling team (because of the way you fight inside),” said Adams, who has worked with numerous world champions including Eddie Cook, Kennedy McKinney, Freddie Norwood, Al Cole, Charles Murray and Stevie Johnson. “The Lion’s last meal is going to be Abril!”

Countered Ricardo Rizzo, Abril’s advisor who was standing off to the side of the dais. “With all due respect to the trainer, Abril isn’t running from anyone and he is ready to fight March 2!”

What the fighters said Thursday:

RICHAR ABRIL:

“I’ve waited for this fight a long time because of the postponements, so I’m happy we’re just two days away.

“I don’t really understand why Bogere talks so much (on Twitter), but I can tell you one thing: on Saturday, I am not going to run.

“I respect Bogere, I respect all fighters, but I’m just saying let’s put on a good show for the fans.

“He’s a lion, but I’m a tiger, and the real king of the jungle is the tiger.”

SHARIF BOGERE:

“I want to thank everyone for being here today. I knew if I stayed positive my time would come and now it’s almost here. I want to thank Golden Boy and my team for making this fight happen.

“On Saturday night, I’m going to take care of business. I’m 100 percent prepared and ready to go. On Saturday, I’ll become champion of the world.”

GARY RUSSELL JR.:

“I think I trained for six and a half or seven weeks, so I am definitely ready to go. I’m looking forward to Saturday, fighting again and fighting on SHOWTIME again.

“I had a good, exciting knockout in my last fight, but I don’t put pressure on myself to duplicate that kind of fight. My job is to perform and win fights.”

VYACHESLAV GUSEV:

“I came all the way from Russia for this fight and I’m here to put on a really great fight. I’ve trained very hard for this. I know Russell is a good fighter. I’m excited about the opportunity that I’m getting.”

JORGE MELENDEZ:

“I’d like to thank Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions for the opportunity. I want to thank Ryan Davis for accepting the fight. This victory is dedicated to all of Puerto Rico.”

THOMAS WILLIAMS:

“I want to thank Golden Boy for giving me another opportunity to showcase my skills. Fighting on the undercard of a world title fight brings me a lot more exposure. I’m excited and looking forward to putting on a good show.”

KEVIN ENGEL:

“I’d like to thank Golden Boy for bringing me in for this fight. I think this is a good matchup and that our fight will be the most exciting of the night.”

JEFFREY FONTANEZ:

“It’s a great pleasure for me to be fighting in Las Vegas again. I want to thank my promoters, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy for this opportunity. My team has me ready. Like always, I’m very well prepared. I have a tough opponent, but I’ll be the one coming out victorious. I look forward to a good fight.”

ABOUT ABRIL VS. BOGERE:

Abril vs. Bogere, a 12-round fight for Abril’s WBA Lightweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, March 2 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round featherweight bout between undefeated phenom Gary Russell Jr. and Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/richard_abril, www.twitter.com/sharifbogere, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/TheJointLV, www.twitter.com/hardrockhotellv and www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #AbrilBogere or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 27, 2013) – When Cuba’s Richar Abril (17-3-1, 8 KO’s), of Miami, Fla., steps into the ring to face undefeated Ugandan Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (23-0, 15 KO’s), of Las Vegas, this Saturday, March 2 in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING – Special Edition live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, he will be making the first defense of his WBA Lightweight World Championship.

The WBA recently announced that it had elevated Abril from interim champion to regular champion, a decision fully supported by both Abril and Bogere.

“I had no idea it was happening and it was definitely a surprise,” said Abril during Tuesday’s media workout at Long Life Fit Boxing Gym in Las Vegas. “But it was a great surprise. Every fighter has aspirations of becoming a world champion. Anybody who watched absolutely knows I beat Brandon Rios (in a bout on April 14, 2012) and that I deserved the decision. Ever since then, in my heart, I always considered myself the WBA champion. The WBA only made it official.

“This motivates me even more to put on a good fight for the fans and show them that I’m the real deal.”

Said Bogere after his workout, “I don’t think anybody is satisfied fighting for an interim title. We want a full title, a world title. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this chance. Uganda is one of the poorest countries on the planet. Most people don’t know how hard it’s been to get from where I started to where I’m at now. Fighting for the WBA title is an opportunity of a lifetime.

“People talk about my ring entrance, and that’s really good. It’s gotten me a lot of attention. They may not know my name, but they’ve maybe heard of the kid and his lion. I’m confident that after Saturday, people will know my name and know who I am.”

In Saturday’s co-feature, talented, undefeated southpaw Gary Russell Jr. (23-0, 15 KO’s), of Capitol Heights, Md., meets Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev (20-2, 5 KO’s) in a 10-round featherweight bout.

Russell is coming off of one of 2012’s most devastating knockout victories, a brutal one-punch, third-round stoppage over Roberto Castaneda last Nov. 9 on ShoBox: The New Generation.

“I’m satisfied with the way my career is going and at the pace it’s going,” said the classy, world-rated Russell, who may possess the fastest hands in boxing. “I refuse to listen to anybody who says anything negative about it. I think in a couple more fights I’ll be ready to challenge for a world title.

“I’m not overlooking anybody. I’ve seen tapes of Gusev and he seems to have that classic European style, although he does try and box. He certainly has the potential to be a spoiler. He’s the type that if you allow him to set the pace, he’ll run up the points on you. I expect a good fight on Saturday.”

Said Gusev, who’ll be making his second start in the United States: “I’m very relaxed, calm and confident. I’ve seen some of Russell’s fights and know he is a very good fighter.

“I’m excited about this fight and looking forward to it. It’s not going to be easy, but I am here to win. I didn’t come all this way to lose.”

ABOUT “ABRIL VS BOGERE”:

Abril vs. Bogere, a 12-round fight for Abril’s WBA Lightweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, March 2 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round featherweight bout between undefeated phenom Gary Russell Jr. and Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev.

Tickets priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $125, are on sale at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/richard_abril, www.twitter.com/sharifbogere, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/TheJointLV, www.twitter.com/hardrockhotellv, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #AbrilBogere or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

LAS VEGAS (February 16) – Tickets for the WBA Lightweight World Championship between Richar Abril and Sharif “The Lion” Bogere taking place on Saturday, March 2 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas live on SHOWTIME
go on sale tomorrow, Sunday, February 17 at noon PT.

Unbeaten featherweight phenom Gary Russell Jr. will face Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev in the 10-round co-featured featherweight bout which will also be televised live on SHOWTIME.

Tickets priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $125, go on sale Sunday, February 17 at noon PT and will be available for purchase at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Abril vs.Bogere, a 12-round fight for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, March 2 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME telecast beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round featherweight bout between undefeated phenom Gary Russell Jr. and Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev.

Big Apple on Saturday, March 2 when Mexico’s Daniel Ponce De Leon defends his WBC Featherweight World Championship against Puerto Rico’s latest knockout artist, Jayson Velez, in the main event from the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The night of fights marks the first time in over 15 years that the Apollo has played host to professional boxing with the last fight taking place in November 1997.

The SHOWTIME action doesn’t stop there as the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship will be on the line when Richar Abril and Sharif “The Lion” Bogere square off in the co-main event which was originally scheduled for November, but was postponed when Bogere suffered an ankle injury. Opening the broadcast will be unbeaten featherweight phenom Gary Russell Jr. against Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev in a 10-round featherweight bout.

“There’s nothing like boxing’s Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry and this fight between Ponce De Leon and Velez is going to be explosive from start to finish,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “New York City is the perfect location for this event and we can’t wait to have our first show at the historic Apollo Theater.”

“This will be a great fight once again the classic battle between Puerto Rico and Mexico,” said Miguel Cotto. “Jayson is ready to take the challenge and fight for the world title. Puerto Rico will have a new world champion on March 2.”

“This is a fight we’ve been waiting a long time for and my first defense is just around the corner,” said Ponce De Leon. “I feel better prepared than when I won the title against Jhonny Gonzalez. I’m sure I’ll win and will be world champion for a long time. I’m focused on the fight. I’m not bothered or uncomfortable fighting outside of my own backyard. To the contrary, it motivates me to fight better.”

“I’ve been training really hard and am focused for this fight,” said Velez. “Winning a belt has been the goal my whole life. Everything in camp is going as we planned and I can’t wait to be in the ring on March 2.”

“On March 2, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will give boxing fans another action-packed card featuring a line-up of pressure fighters who almost never take a step back,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “With two world title fights at the legendary Apollo Theater, this event promises entertaining action from start to finish.”

Ponce De Leon vs. Velez, a 12-round fight for Ponce De Leon’s WBC Featherweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions and sponsored by Corona. In the co-featured attractions on SHOWTIME, WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Richar Abril squares off against WBA number three rated lightweight contender Sharif Bogere for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship and featherweight contender Gary Russell Jr. faces Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev in a ten-round featherweight bout. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME Extreme at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets, priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable taxes and service charges, go on sale on Tomorrow, Saturday, February 9 at noon ET and will be available for purchase at the Apollo Theater box office, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

Considered by many to be comeback fighter of the year in 2012, former Junior Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (44-4, 35 KO’s) took the long road back to the top, but last year he reaped the fruits of his labor in spectacular fashion. Ponce De Leon had an excellent 2012 during which he knocked out Omar Estrella in January, decisioned Eduardo Lazcano in May and became a two-division world champion on September 15 when he outpointed Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBC Featherweight World Championship. On March 2, his second reign begins as he makes his first defense.

Hailing from Juncos, Puerto Rico, 24-year-old Jayson Velez (20-0, 15 KO’s) has a mighty legacy to live up to when it comes to the warriors from the boxing-rich island, but over the course of his five-year career, he’s shown the talent and drive to join them. The owner of the WBC USNBC, WBO Latino and WBC Silver Featherweight titles, Velez put on a precision power-punching clinic last December when he stopped Salvador Sanchez in the third round at Madison Square Garden. On March 2, he’ll be back in New York in an attempt to earn his first world title.

30-year old Richar Abril (17-3-1, 8 KO’s) was fairly unknown outside of hardcore fight circles heading into 2012, but when the Cuba-born resident of Miami, Florida took on highly-touted Brandon Rios for the WBA Lightweight World Championship in April of last year, that status changed over the span of 12 rounds. Though WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Abril lost a split decision to Rios that night, the boxing media and fans around the world voiced their displeasure, calling it one of the worst decisions ever. On March 2, Abril rightfully gets another shot at the title, this time against Bogere.

Uganda native Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (23-0, 15 KO’s) was a five-time African champion in his amateur days and now he’s eager to add some professional gold to his trophy case on March 2. An aggressive contender with impressive power, the 24-year old (who now makes his home in Las Vegas) has impressed in his wins over top rising stars Ray Beltran, Francisco Contreras, Sergio Rivera and Manuel Leyva, putting him in prime position for a shot at the world title.

Perhaps the most talented young fighter in the sport today, 24-year-old southpaw Gary Russell Jr. (21-0, 13 KO’s) has been showing his stellar boxing skills since his days as an amateur standout. In the fourth year of his professional career in 2012, he began adding power punching into his repertoire with impressive knockouts of Christopher Perez and Roberto Castaneda. On March 2, the Capitol Heights, Maryland resident will look to continue to wow fans in his New York debut in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING opening fight against Gusev.

Prokopyevsk, Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev (20-2, 5 KO’s) is a nine year professional who has started to fulfill his world championship potential in the ring. A decorated competitor with several regional titles to his name, the 26-year-old began making his mark in 2010 as he began a four-fight winning streak that he will bring into the ring with him on March 2. In his most recent fight on April 30, he rose from the canvas to decision Padjai Yongyuthgym and he plans on handing Russell his first defeat at the Apollo.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com and www.apollotheater.org, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto, www.twitter.com/DanielPoncedeL1, www.twitter.com/Jayson_Velez, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #PonceDeLeonVelez or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.