By Norm Frauenheim-

Oscar De La Hoya often talks about Canelo Alvarez as though he is looking at himself, or maybe at what he had hoped for himself. In the reflection, there are huge aspirations. Maybe some illusions, too. A mirror can bend reality into some funny shapes. Tricks lurk behind the blind spots for anybody susceptible to a feint. Yet, the truth always appears, which is what De La Hoya is about to discover in a critical test of Canelo’s right to be the heir-apparent in a domain long ruled by Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

Erislandy Lara, who has quick feet and sneaky power, is in the way and dangerous enough to make Canelo’s potential look like false advertising.

For Canelo, the stakes have never been higher than they will be Saturday night at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand in a Showtime pay-per-view bout crisscrossed by plots and subplots. Here’s just one: It’s a fight that could be critical to De La Hoya’s business, Golden Boy Promotions. His company is fighting for relevancy in the wake Richard Schaefer’s resignation as CEO and questions about whether fighters presumed to be with Golden Boy are in fact tied to Al Haymon. Lara is a Haymon fighter. Lara’s tie to Haymon might have been an interesting footnote and nothing more if not for the De La Hoya-Schaefer split. Now, however, it’s a key element that has spawned further plots and garden-variety conspiracy theories. To wit: Was Schaefer setting De La Hoya up for a fall by putting Canelo into the most dangerous fight possible?

Believe what you want about how and why Canelo agreed to face Lara in a junior-middleweight fight perilous to him and De La Hoya. It’s no secret that Canelo is Golden Boy’s most valuable commodity. His drawing power was evident in the record revenues produced in his pay-per-view loss to Mayweather in September. His one-sided loss to Mayweather was predicted and has been written off as a learning experience. Fair enough. But his Pied Piper-like ability to attract fans, especially in his native Mexico, has heightened the fight’s urgency and probably the anxiety for anybody invested in him.

Can he win? Yeah, definitely.

Can he lose? Yeah definitely.

But this isn’t just another pick ’em fight. The potential consequences make this one extraordinary.

De La Hoya’s brilliant career included at least a couple of bouts that confirmed his stardom and propelled him to the big money that he would later collect. Two come to mind.

There was Pernell Whitaker in 1997, five years after De La Hoya’s Olympic gold in Barcelona. At 23-0, De La Hoya had an unblemished record and unmarked face. But he had yet to prove whether he was more than a pretty face. Whitaker represented a critical test. He was 40-1-1 and thought to be the best defensive tactician of his generation. De La Hoya won, claiming a unanimous decision — 116-110 on two cards and 115-111 on the third. But the scoring was ripped, especially by East Coast media which argued that the bout was at least a draw. Many screamed from their ringside seats that Whitaker, of Philadelphia, had been robbed.

Then, there was Ike Quartey in 1999. Quartey, strong and skilled, was 34-0-1 and thought to be the world’s most dangerous welterweight. De La Hoya had won six more times since Whitaker. He was unbeaten, yet still unproven. There were questions about whether he could take much punishment. He could, he did, getting up from a fourth-round knockdown while flooring Quartey twice, once in the sixth and again in the 12th. But the bout was not without controversy. De La Hoya won a split decision, 116-112 and 116-113 on two cards. The third had it for Quartey, 115-114. But disagreement on the cards subsided, allowing De La Hoya to move on, up and into the biggest star of his generation.

Both fights were at Thomas & Mack in Las Vegas, a city where De La Hoya was popular enough to be called the house fighter. It’s a label that Canelo has today.

From this corner, the guess is that Canelo-Lara will resemble De La Hoya-Quartey more than De La Hoya-Whitaker. Canelo’s strength is power. Lara has enough of it to also do some damage. Knockdowns appear inevitable, perhaps decisive in a bout that could be controversial. However, Lara could rely on his quick feet and left-handed style with Whitaker-like defense, although that strategy might backfire just as it did for Whitaker 17 years ago.

From his ringside seat Saturday night, De La Hoya might remember Quartey and Whitaker. He might look at Canelo and recall two difficult victories that were so important to his own career. He might see something else, too. It could look a lot like his future.

LAS VEGAS (July 10, 2014) – Two days before they enter the ring for “Honor & Glory: Canelo vs. Lara,” Canelo Alvarez, Erislandy Lara and undercard fighters on Saturday’s SHOWTIME PPV® four-fight telecast took part in the final press conference at the Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand.

In the 12-round main event Saturday night, Canelo Alvarez takes on Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara. The co-main event will pit Abner Mares against Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo. The co-featured fight will match Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez against Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas. Finally, in the opening SHOWTIME PPV bout, Johan “El Terrible” Perez will be opposed by Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera. This exciting card comes to you live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME PPV.

Tickets are still available at the $750, $500, $250, $150, $75 and $50 price ranges, not including applicable service charges. Tickets are limited to eighteen (18) per person with a limit of eight (8) at the $75 and $50 price ranges. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Here is what the participants had to say at Thursday’s final press conference:

CANELO ALVAREZ, Former WBA & WBC Super Welterweight World Champion

“This fight is important because Lara are and I are the best two fighters in our weight class.

“He might not have the most recognizable name, but in the boxing world, everybody knows he is the most dangerous opponent. This will be a very important victory.

“How will I beat him? With speed, movement and combinations.

“You can’t predict a knockout; a knockout comes on its own. Sometimes, as much as you want it, it doesn’t come. If it comes, I will take advantage of it. But if it doesn’t, I will be ready for 12 rounds.

“I’m just waiting anxiously for the weigh-in. For many fighters this is the tensest part of training. We’re just waiting to weigh-in and fight.

“Without a doubt this is one of the best opponents that I’ll ever have. But I’m always going to look for tough opponents, tough rivals. I want to fight the best.

“A title doesn’t matter to me for this fight. This fight is for honor, for glory. We’ll go for a world title next year.

“He’s a fighter that moves very well. He has very tight defense, but the thing that doesn’t move well is his feet, his legs.

“I haven’t been watching or studying tapes. We know his style; he has a very difficult style. But we’ve prepared to break down that style. We worked for a difficult style, for a southpaw. Without a doubt we had the right sparring partners. It’s not an easy fight but we’ve prepared for everything.”

ERISLANDY LARA, WBA Junior Middleweight World Champion

“We’re ready I don’t think there’s much more to say. I’m ready for this fight and we’ll see you all July 12.

“Every fighter that I’ve fought has been heavier than me and I’ve been able to deal with them, so we’re not worried about Canelo’s size. Everyone goes into the ring how they feel comfortable. I’m not worried about his weight on fight day.

“We’re going to wait for him. We’re going to see what he can show.

“The Cuban style is the best style in boxing. Everybody knows that we win the most medals at the Olympics, at international tournaments. And that’s shown throughout our history.

“I just keep working, working hard. Anybody who comes to this country is dreaming of this opportunity. I need to take advantage of it.”

ABNER MARES, Former Three-Time, Three-Division World Champion

“I’m very excited to be back. It’s been 11 months [away] in a sport I love that’s given me everything.

“I’m very hungry to return, I’m a three-time world champion and I want more.

“I’m only 28 years old and I’m very determined. I want to dedicate this fight to Mexico.

“Oquendo is a young determined fighter, but if he’s been hungry for a week, I’ve been hungry for almost a year.”

JONATHAN OQUENDO, Featherweight Contender

“I won’t say too many things but I’m very well prepared to give everyone a good fight.

“I know the great fighter that Abner Mares can be and I prepared well for him. I know that Puerto Rico vs. Mexico always puts up good fights and this won’t be an exception.

“All I’m doing now is waiting for fight time so you can see the best Jonathan Oquendo possible.

“I’ve trained hard to give my maximum effort and I’m ready.”

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ, Former Two-Division World Champion

“This is the fourth time I’ve come to Las Vegas to fight. The first three I won by knockout and I hope to continue that.

“This is a great opportunity for me to take full advantage of and I’m going to give it my all.

“I’m on a great card with so many great fighters and I’m going to give you a great victory.”

FRANCISCO VARGAS, 2008 Mexican Olympian & Super Featherweight Contender

“I’m very happy to be on this great card with so many great fighters. Being on this card motivates me to put on a great fight and make everyone happy.

“I had a great training camp in Mexico City and I’m prepared to give everyone a great fight.

“I’m going to give it my all and lay it on the line Saturday night.”

JOHAN PEREZ, Interim WBA Junior Welterweight Champion

“I’m well prepared, I’ve trained hard and I’m ready to give the public what they want to see – a great fight.”

MAURICIO HERRERA, Junior Welterweight Contender

“I’m real happy to be fighting on a big card like this under Canelo. I had a big fight with Danny Garcia and that’s what got me here.

“They put me with another tough guy in Johan Perez. I come well prepared and I want to show everyone who Mauricio Herrera is. What better way than on this great card.

“I’m going to give you guys a great show Saturday night.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President and Founder of Golden Boy Promotions

“On Saturday evening, July 12, eight hungry, determined, motivated and extremely talented fighters will enter the ring focused on honor and in search of glory. They seek the ultimate prize in boxing, which is to win by knockout.

“From experience, every time I said ‘I let the knockout come’, in the back of my mind I was thinking, ‘I want to knock this guy out’ and I have a great feeling that’s what we’re going to get Saturday.

“Canelo-Lara, is a matchup for the ages. It’s a matchup that doesn’t come by every day. You will be watching the best 154-pound fighters in the world today, in the same ring, for the same prize, for honor and glory.

“Who’s going to win? The fight fans. That is what its all about. Delivering the best of the best. “The whole card will be one for the ages. We have the much-anticipated return of a great fighter in Abner Mares, going up against a hard-hitting fighter in Jonathan Oquendo.

“When you match up Mexico vs. Puerto Rico you know you will get passion in that ring. There have been many great wars with this matchup and we will see more of that Saturday night.

“Juan Manuel Lopez is a tremendous fighter with explosive power, but more importantly he has the determination to get back on top of the boxing world.

“Lopez is facing an undefeated Olympian from Mexico who is determined to give it all for the honor and glory of his country, in Francisco Vargas.

“The opening bout I can guarantee will be a great one. Their fighting styles guarantee that. We have seen Johan Perez and Mauricio Herrera give us great heart and determination every time they’re in that ring.

“I have to admit, I took out a page of Dana White’s playbook, with stacking the cards from top to bottom, making sure that the fans are getting their early to watch exciting champions of tomorrow and today in these terrific fights.”

JOSE “CHEPO” REYNOSO, Canelo’s Trainer

“I appreciate everyone being here for this great fight Saturday. I just want to repeat a poem from a great Mexican composer, the time for words is over, “it’s time to fight with our fists in the ring”

“Bell man, ring that bell because Canelo and Lara are ready for Saturday night.”

EDDIE REYNOSO, Canelo’s Co-Trainer

“There’s nothing more to say, we had a great preparation. We have a great fighter, with great qualities that can fight any style. He’s ready to fight on Saturday night and to prove he’s the main guy at 154 pounds.”

LUIS DECUBAS JR., Lara’s Co-Manager

“We’re excited, you guys are going to see a great fight Saturday night. ’The American Dream,’ Erislandy Lara is going to win this fight Saturday night, no question and prove he is the best 154 pounder.”

BOB SANTOS, Lara’s Co-Manager

“We had a tremendous camp. Canelo is a great fighter, but on Saturday night Erislandy Lara is going to prove he is the best 154-pounder in the world, bar none.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports

“This is the fourth boxing event at MGM Grand this year, plus two last year and with that lineup there is no doubt that the biggest stars in boxing fight here at MGM Grand. Five out of those six are SHOWTIME events and we are very proud of our relationship with MGM Grand.

“For the last two years, SHOWTIME has been the exclusive home of the biggest events in boxing and Saturday will be just that, one of the biggest boxing events of the year, featuring the brightest young star in boxing.

“Canelo Alvarez has already shown his popularity in the Hispanic community, and we are now seeing his ability to crossover and attract all ethnicities across the country.

“A big part of Canelo’s popularity stems from his desire to face the very best opponents, and Erislandy Lara is just that, the very best challenge in the 154-pound division.

“It’s very rare we get to see consensus No. 1 and No. 2 ranked boxers in the same division face each other, but that’s exactly what we have and that what is drawing so much attention to this event.

“Add to that an undercard filled with intriguing storylines and the potential for explosive action, and you get the guaranteed excitement and entertainment on Saturday night.

“One element we’re very proud of is the fact that this card is filled with boxers built on SHOWTIME’s platforms. This will be Canelo’s fifth appearance on SHOWTIME, Lara’s sixth, Abner Mares has appeared eight times on SHOWTIME, this will be his ninth. ’JuanMa’ has appeared on SHOWTIME six times, Francisco Vargas four times and Mauricio Herrera twice.

“So get to the MGM Grand early or tune in to SHOWTIME to see all the action.”

BOB BENNETT, Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission

“I would like to thank all the fighters for their efforts this Saturday night and we wish you the very best and your continued success in the sport.”

RICHARD STURM, President of Entertainment, MGM Resorts International

“We are excited to add to the heat of the summer with a fantastic showdown this Saturday. It’s a pleasure to welcome back the Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, who looks to leave the MGM with another victory.

“Welcome to Erislandy Lara, who returns after fighting at the MGM in 2010. The Cuban champion will no doubt bring a great show to the ring Saturday night.”

# # #

“Honor & Glory: Canelo vs. Lara,” a 12-round junior middleweight fight taking place Saturday, July12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, Abner Mares returns to the ring to face Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the SHOWTIME PPV opening bout, Johan Perez defends his interim WBA Junior Welterweight World Title against Mauricio Herrera in a 12-round matchup. Also, Juan Manuel Lopez meets Francisco Vargas in a 10-round bout for the WBO International Super Featherweight Title. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). For information visit www.SHO.com/Sports. Canelo vs. Lara will be shown on the big screen in movie theaters across the country via Fathom Events. Information will be available at www.fathomevents.com.

Plus, SHOWTIME® will televise undefeated WBO Bantamweight World Champion Tomoki “El Mexicanito” Kameda defending his title in a 12-round bout against No. 1-ranked contender Pungluang Sor Singyu during “Canelo vs. Lara: COUNTDOWN LIVE” (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, immediately preceding the live PPV event).

LAS VEGAS (July 10, 2014) – Their thrilling first fight last May left sports fans clamoring for more. Now, 11-time world champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Marcos “El Chino” Maidana will do it again. “MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana II,” a welterweight world championship fight announced today,will take placeSaturday, Sept. 13 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME PPV.

Ticket information and information about an upcoming five-city, cross-country press tour starting this Monday, July 14 will be announced shortly.

Despite the brutal nature of their first meeting, Mayweather has chosen to give Maidana a chance to redeem himself and earn a victory against the undefeated champion by facing him again in the storied MGM Grand Garden Arena. This exciting rematch will serve to test the skill and will of both men and finish what was started last May.

“Marcos Maidana is a tough customer and he gave me a fight that had me work for the victory,” said Mayweather. “His style is difficult at best, but with experience comes a way and will to win. I’m not one to give second chances in the ring, but I want to give the fans what they want to see. I will be as prepared as I always am when I step in the ring on September 13. I only see the outcome one way and that’s another successful night for me and my team.”

“The rematch with Mayweather is the only fight that really motivates me,” said Maidana. “I feel I earned it in the ring and Floyd owed it to me. I’ve already proved that I don’t care if the man I have in front of me is the best pound-for-pound champion. I was close to ending his reign last time. On September 13 he will not get away undefeated.”

“This will be another great test for Floyd as Marcos Maidana is hungry to prove he can not only give Floyd a good fight, but redeem his loss and hand Floyd his first defeat,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Maidana is clearly one of the best in the division and earned this opportunity to face Floyd once again. But that is a big mountain to climb and Floyd will be prepared as he always is to prove once again why they call him TBE, the best ever. It will be another great fight and action-packed evening for the fans.”

“SHOWTIME has established itself as the destination for the biggest, most exciting events in boxing, and we are proud to announce our next event with Floyd Mayweather,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “On May 3, the fearless Marcos Maidana attacked Floyd Mayweather with reckless abandon, landing more punches than any previous Mayweather opponent and giving Mayweather one of the toughest fights of his career. That peformance earned Maidana this rematch, and we are in for another electrifying night of boxing.”

“The first fight between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana was incredible and it’s an honor to have the opportunity to host the rematch at MGM Grand,” said Richard Sturm, president of Sports & Entertainment for MGM Resorts International. “These two world-class athletes put on a spectacular show in May and will do so once again in September when they step into the ring.”

“MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana II,” a 12-round world championship bout for Mayweather’s 147-pound titles taking place Saturday, Sept. 13 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV and is the fourth fight of a lucrative six-fight deal with Showtime Networks Inc.

Their first meeting, “THE MOMENT: Mayweather vs. Maidana,” was an epic 12-round showdown that ended in a majority decision (114-114, 117-11, 116-112) in favor of the pound-for-pound champion Mayweather. Maidana came out of the gate with his trademark wild style, making Mayweather uncomfortable and keeping him on the ropes in the early rounds of the fight. Using his typical animalistic style, Maidana attacked Mayweather with punches from all angles and by the end of the night, had landed more punches on Mayweather than any other opponent Mayweather faced throughout his undefeated career.

This style contrasted in a beautiful symphony between the two fighters with Mayweather’s legendary defense on full display from the pound-for-pound great. After taking time to adjust to Maidana’s style, Mayweather was able to find his rhythm and use his expert technique to keep Maidana’s aggression from getting the best of him. Mayweather’s ring intelligence guided his game plan as he displayed a series of combinations and counterpunched effectively to win the fight. Both fighters left everything in the ring, but Mayweather’s undeniable ring savvy led to a 12-round majority decision for him over Maidana, but also left the fans clamoring for more.

Undefeated Floyd “Money” Mayweather, (46-0, 26 KOs), an 11-time world champion in five weight divisions, is boxing’s biggest star and its undisputed pound-for-pound champion. His speed, defensive prowess and ability to read his opponents have carried him to 46 victories over his already legendary career. Prior to the aforementioned exhilarating first fight between Mayweather and Maidana, Mayweather had already faced boxing’s most feared opponents and been a part of its biggest events. He solidified his worldwide popularity when he faced then-undefeated boxing phenom Canelo Alvarez last September. The mega-event, which set the record as the highest grossing pay-per-view event in television history with over $150 million in revenue, showed once again that Mayweather’s drawing power is unlike any other. During Mayweather’s extraordinary career, he has amassed wins over numerous world champions, including Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley, Victor Ortiz, Miguel Cotto, Robert Guerrero, Alvarez and most recently Maidana, marking his 46th win. The Grand Rapids, Mich., native, who fights out of Las Vegas, averages more than one million pay-per-view buys per event, which is the highest pay-per-view buy average of any boxer in history, and is the only fighter to participate in two events which generated over 2 million pay-per-view buys each. In 2007, Mayweather co-headlined a pay-per-view event with De La Hoya, which generated the largest number of PPV buys in history. Mayweather has continued to rack up the accolades since defeating Maidana in May, as he has been named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes and Fortune/Sports Illustrated for the last calendar year and nominated for “Best Male Athlete” and “Fighter of the Year” at this year’s ESPN ESPY Awards.

Thirty-year-old Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (35-4, 31 KOs) put on a show this past May when he stood toe-to-toe and challenged the king of boxing, Floyd Mayweather, before losing a majority decision that left the MGM Grand Garden Arena and sports world buzzing. More people than ever were able to gain an appreciation for the soft-spoken Argentine brawler with this great pay-per-view performance that earned him another shot at Mayweather. Maidana put himself on the map when he stunned the boxing world in December 2013 with a dominant victory over up-and-coming superstar Adrien Broner. Hailing from Margarita, Santa Fe, Argentina, Maidana first emerged on the world scene in 2009, when he won the interim WBA Junior Welterweight World Championship with a stunning sixth-round technical knockout over Victor Ortiz. After three defenses of his title, Maidana lost a 2010 Fight of the Year candidate to Amir Khan, but he regained the belt with another classic against future Hall of Famer Erik Morales in 2011. In 2012, Maidana joined forces with renowned trainer Robert Garcia (2012 Trainer of the Year) and has since gone 4-1 with 3 knockouts with his only loss coming at the hands of Mayweather.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, FLIX ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Oscar de la Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather and Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, George Strait, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, U2, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena also is home to annual events including Academy of Country Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and the Frozen Fury NHL pre-season game hosted by the Los Angeles Kings.

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @chinomaidana, @mayweatherpromo, @goldenboyboxing, @ShoSports and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #­­­­­­­­Mayhem and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

Miami, Florida got treated to Mike Tyson’s Judgement Day on Thursday, July 10 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida and was shared around the country LIVE On FOX Sports 1.

Iron Mike celebrated his birthday week with an excellent show which staged a main event rematch between Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez 22-3-1 (11KO) and Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy 20-0(12KO) for for Mendez’s IBF title. All night Barthelemy was content keeping the champ at jabs length offering an occasional 2 punch combination before moving into space. This kept the champ following the Cuban and creating certain pugilistic melanin for the previously fired up crowd. There was very little in-fighting and when an exchange seemed probable it was abandoned mostly by the Cuban letting Mendez off the ropes. The fight showed a little life in round 8 as the two engaged in some welcomed live boxery. Barthelemy was deducted a point in each of rounds 9 and 10 for low blows, however they did not look intentional. Barthelemy showed effort in the last round to put a tiny period at the end of a very conservative but yet successful performance. The final call was all three cards for the new champion Barthelemy. 115-111.

In January live on ESPN Barthlemy knocked out Mendez with punches illegally thrown after the bell ending the second round. Mendez’ promoter, Iron Mike Productions appealed the decision and the fight was ruled a “no contest” with the IBF mandating this rematch.

Mendez fighting out of Brooklyn, was a 2004 Dominican Republic Olympian. He had an incredible 238-13 amateur record, highlighted by a gold-medal performance at the prestigious Pan-American Games, as well as winning a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships. Mendez captured the IBF crown March 9, 2013, stopping defending champion Juan Carlos Salgado in the fourth round.

Warriors Boxing-promoted Barthelemy, also 28, is a former Cuban Junior National Champion who lives in Miami. He originally became Mendez’ original mandatory challenger by way of a second-round knockout of Fahsai Sakkreerin last June.

Light heavyweight Umberto “El Don” Savigne 13-1(10KO) took out a very dormant and stale Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy 26-6(18KO) in just two rounds. Lacy offered very little competition and certainly did not look like a former world champion in this WBC FECARBOX light heavyweight title bout. From round one Savigne controlled every second right until the end where Lacy sat in the corner and ate punches punches until referee Sam Burgos stepped in and saved Left Hook from a sustained beating. The miserable end came at 2:04 of round two. Humberto Savigne is a 2 time Central American Championships Gold medalist and a 2 time Pan American gold medalist as an amateur. Humberto Savigne had over 400 amateur fights coming off of a KO win over undefeated Jackson Junior on ESPN March of 2013. Savigne is the current WBA fedelatin, WBO latin and WBC fecarbox Champion..

“My kid will be the next Pay-Per-View Superstar” – this is what Mike Tyson said earlier this week of 18 year old welterweight Erickson Lubin 6-0(5KO) who stepped up in completion when he faced tough Noe Bolanos 25-10-1 (16KO). The former national amateur champion Lubin, nicknamed “The Hammer” used his long reach to keep a nice distance while often connecting with his left hand; both straight and underneath onto his veteran Mexican counterparts chin. Lubin gained great experience and rounds while efficiently out boxing the 27-year old Bolanos and often landing the Left-handed hammer. “He is the best I have seen in forty years in boxing,” commented Pedro Rogue current USA boxing coach, and former coach of the Cuban National team. All three judges scored the bout 80-72. Over the course of his ten-year professional career, Bolanos has faced numerous contenders and highly regarded prospects including Vivian Harris, Victor Cayo, Ed Paredes, Luis Ramos Jr. and Rene Gonzalez. This was a great test for the young Lubin and will show his team the areas he can improve while stepping up.

Cuban slugger Yunier Dorticos 18-0(17KO) punched his way to a unanimous decision win over a blown up Edison Miranda 35-10(30KO) who weighed in at a career high 198 pounds moving all the way up from middleweight to the Cruiserweight division. Dorticos pushed the pace from the opening bell landing solid straight rights and uppercuts. Miranda’s experience aided his survival, however he looked like a middleweight fighting a Cruiserweight in terms of size, he was able to take the big punches from the hard hitting Cuban. By the end of the tenth and final round Miranda’s face showed the beating he took from the over sized Cuban. The cards read 99-91 and 100-90 twice.

Featherweight Dennis Galarza 5-0(3KO) looked sharp with a quick dismantling of Cody “Red Rooster” Walker 1-1 with a KO at just :58 of round one by way of excellently placed ripping body shots set up beautifully by boxing’s most important punch… a stiff jab.

Light heavyweight Leo Hall 3-0(3KO) picked up another KO win at 2:33 of round one. The Detroit native Hall had Juan Ortega 1-2-1(1KO) down from two excellent straight right hands, and then finished him off after he rose from an eight count with a nice assault.

Cruiserweight Ramon Luis Nicholas was Disqualified in the first round giving the win to Dakota Dawson 3-0(2KO). Dawson rocked Nicholas in round one and in return was knocked down by two big shots and another while Dawson had his knee down disqualifying him in Round one.

Las Vegas, Nev. – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® makes its long-awaited return to Tulsa, Okla. on Saturday, Aug. 23 at BOK Center with an action-packed card headlined by a five-round lightweight main event between former UFC champion Benson Henderson and surging contender Rafael dos Anjos. The UFC’s previous trip to Tulsa took place on Dec. 16, 1994, as Royce Gracie defeated Dan Severn.

Henderson (21-3, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) returns to the Octagon® following an impressive fourth-round submission victory over Rustam Khabilov. Boasting victories over Evan Dunham, Donald Cerrone, and Jason High, dos Anjos (21-7, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) knows that a decisive win over a former champion in Henderson is his ticket to a shot at the title.

Other bouts include:
Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace (#8) Demian Maia (19-6, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) vs. hard-hitting (#12) Mike Pyle (26-9-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.)
Dangerous welterweight finisher Jordan Mein (28-9, fighting out of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada) vs. dynamic striker Brandon Thatch (11-1, fighting out of Denver, Col.)
Parisian middleweight Francis Carmont (22-9, fighting out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada) vs. former title challenger Thales Leites (23-4, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
All-American wrestler Chas Skelly (11-1, fighting out of Arlington, Tex.) vs. Finnish featherweight Tom Niinimaki (21-6-1, fighting out of Turku, Finald)
Powerful puncher Aaron Phillips (8-1, fighting out of Lafayette, La.) vs. durable bantamweight Matt Hobar (8-2, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.)
Gifted striker Max Holloway (9-3, fighting out of Waianae, Hawaii) vs. Bosnian boxer Mirsad Bektic (8-0, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.)
Aggressive flyweight Tim Elliott (10-5-1, fighting out of Lee’s Summit, Mo.) vs. Brazilian veteran Wilson Reis (17-5, fighting out of Philadelphia, Pa.)

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT: HENDERSON vs. DOS ANJOS, go on sale Friday, July 11 at 10 a.m. CT and are priced at $150, $100, $75 and $50. Tickets are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges. Tickets are also available at the BOK Center box office.

A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers TODAY, Thursday, July 10, starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: HENDERSON vs. DOS ANJOS will air live on FOX Sports 1 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Saturday, Aug. 23 with the prelims kicking off the evening on FOX Sports 2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

For more information or current fight news, visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC®) is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Beijing, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries to 800+ million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, Octagon™ branded apparel, best-selling DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit www.UFC.com and follow UFC at www.Facebook.com/UFC and on Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Las Vegas, Nevada – UFC FIGHT PASS™, the UFC’s digital streaming service, is proud to announce UFCFIGHTPASS.com will be the place to see the eighth stacked card from the world’s leading all-female MMA promotion, Invicta Fighting Championships.

Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs Tamada will stream live on UFCFIGHTPASS.com on Saturday, September 6, from the Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, MO, and will be headlined by Invicta 105-lbs champion Michelle Waterson taking on Japanese contender Yusuko Tamada. The co-main event will see the vacant Invicta 115lbs division title contested by Florida’s Stephanie Eggink and Finland’s Katja Kankaanpaa.

UFC chief content officer Marshall Zelaznik said: “When we launched UFC FIGHT PASS last December, we said that we would never rest in bringing the best value to our subscribers. The addition of live and archived Invicta programming is going to be of enormous interest to our existing subscribers and will bring in new subscribers, too.

“We’re very excited to have these two fights headline our first Invicta live event on FIGHT PASS. This is a little bit of history, as it is the first time the UFC has been involved with the broadcast of a promotion not owned and operated by the UFC’s parent company, Zuffa LLC.”

Invicta Fighting Championships president Shannon Knapp said: “This is a great day for my company. Since the start of Invicta, I’ve been committed to providing the biggest and best possible platform for women athletes and, with this distribution deal with UFC FIGHT PASS, Invicta will reach the most passionate MMA fans in the world.”

Knapp added: “This new beginning for Invicta starts with a stacked card on September 6. Michelle Waterson is an amazing champion, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and she has a tough first title defense against a very experienced challenger in Yasuko Tamada. And both Stephanie Eggink and Katja Kankaanpaa are going to go all out to win the vacant 115lbs belt.

“Also on the stacked card we have Ediane Gomes dropping down to 135lbs to take on Tonya Evinger and we have our first 155lbs fight with Veronica Rothenhausler vs Charmain Tweet.”

Invicta FC 105-lbs champion Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson added: “I feel like I just got a huge promotion at my job, fighting on UFCFIGHTPASS.com. I’m the type of fighter who can rise to the occasion and I can’t wait to show off all the improvements I’ve made to my game since my last fight in April 2013.

“I know my opponent has fought almost everybody in the division in Japan, has a lot of experience and has this real scrappy, southpaw jiu-jitsu style. It’s going to be a real challenge but I will be ready on September 6.”

The full card – all of which will stream live on UFCFIGHTPASS.com – looks like this.

Michelle Waterson –vs- Yasuko Tamada (105lbs title)
Stephanie Eggink –vs- Katja Kankaanpää (115lbs title)
Ediane Gomes –vs- Tonya Evinger (135lbs)
Michelle Ould –vs- Deanna Bennett (125lbs)
Roxanne Modafferi–vs- Tara Larosa (125lbs)
Peggy Morgan –vs- Irene Aldana (135lbs)
Alexa Grasso –vs- Ashley Cummins (115lbs)
Veronica Rothenhausler –vs- Charmain Tweet (155lbs)
Jody Esquibel –vs- Jinh Yu Frey (105lbs)
JJ Aldrich –vs- Delaney Owen (115lbs)

Tickets will be available soon.

In addition, all seven previous Invicta events are now available on-demand on UFC FIGHT PASS here, allowing subscribers to check out fights featuring talents like Waterson, Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, former Strikeforce champ Marloes Coenen, early-career fights of UFC stars like Alexis Davis, Cat Zingano and Liz Carmouche and most of the cast of the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter®.

The Invicta FC library joins the libraries of PRIDE FC, Strikeforce, WEC, WFA, EliteXC, Affliction Entertainment and the UFC on UFC FIGHT PASS

All bouts live and subject to change. Visit UFC.com.

About the UFC
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Beijing, Singapore and Sao Paulo, the UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries to 800+ million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S. which includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. UFC also owns over 100 UFC GYM® locations,UFC.TV (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT™ (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC 360 (the internationally distributed magazine), a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, best-selling DVDs and Blu-rays, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, Octagon™ branded apparel and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit www.UFC.com and follow UFC at www.Facebook.com/UFC and Twitter: @UFC.

Boxing and baseball are about as American as apple pie.

Throughout this country’s long storied history in professional sports, the two iconic pastimes have given millions of fans some of their most memorable and dramatic moments, serving as virtual timelines in chronicling life’s most unforgettable and celebrated events.

On Saturday, August 30th, the two historic forces will merge to bring the Alamo City a singular event that is sure to capture the imagination of its most traditional sports aficionados, and bring the Summer of 2014 to a sensational close with a figurative and literal “bang”.

Triple A Promotions and TMB Entertainment will stage the highly anticipated “Battle at the Ballpark” at the beautiful Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, which customarily serves as the proud home of the San Antonio Missions Baseball Club every year.

The stacked 11-bout fight card will serve as a platform for many promising young fighters within S.A.’s boxing community.

President of TMB Entertainment and prolific fight trainer, Rick Morones Jr., expounds on the importance of the August 30th spectacle.

“This event is exclusively for the local talent here in San Antonio,” states the head coach of Team Morones Boxing Club. “In order for all of the promising young athletes within the local fight community to recognize their true potential in reaching the world class stage of boxing, it‘s imperative that they not only remain active, but also receive the opportunity to compete in front of their hometown supporters on a regular basis.”

“Talented undefeated prospects like Javier Rodriguez (10-0-1, 1 KO) and Benjamin Whitaker (7-0, 2 KOs), deserve to be in the spotlight of a San Antonio based promotion. That’s what this event at Wolff Stadium is all about; showcasing the best local fighters and cultivating an avid fan base for them here in San Antonio.”

President of the San Antonio Missions Baseball Club, Burl Yarbrough, has played an integral and invaluable part in bringing the fight game back to the ballpark.

“We’re very excited to bring boxing back to Wolff Stadium,” states the three-time Texas League Executive of the Year. “We’re looking forward to working with Rick Morones and building a relationship with the talented fighters here in San Antonio.”

The newly formed, San Antonio based entertainment group has slated some of the local boxing community’s most highly touted and promising young prospects.

Featured in the main event of the evening, undefeated Featherweight hopeful Javier “The Pitbull” Rodriguez will be taking on the always durable Guadalupe Perez in a highly anticipated rematch. Their first meeting was an action filled scrap that took place last year in Floresville, Texas, with Rodriguez scoring the competitive and hard fought majority decision victory.

The co-main event will feature one of San Antonio’s most talented commodities of the sport, unbeaten Welterweight Benjamin Whitaker. The gifted prizefighter will be taking on the upset minded Joshua Burns in a six round special attraction. Although the slick boxer/puncher will be competing against highly touted former Olympian Egidijus Kavaliauskas on August 9th in Glendale, California, look for this Alamo City star to shine at the “Battle at the Ballpark” with his perfect resume intact.

Also featured on the card will be undefeated Welterweight puncher Armando Cardenas (4-0, 3 KOs), unbeaten Junior Welterweight fighter Rick Nunez (2-0, 1 KO), and former WBC USNBC Super Flyweight title holder Felipe Castaneda (9-5-1, 4 KOs).

Making their professional debuts on respective bouts will be celebrated and nationally recognized Lightweight Cresencio Ramos and talented Junior Middleweight standout Daniel Baiz.

So get your tickets, peanuts, and cracker jacks and see the “Boys of Summer” battle it out under the stars at the ballpark!!

Tickets are priced at $25 in General Admission, $50 at ringside, and $500 for special VIP tables for the exclusive August 30th presentation at “The Wolff”, and can be purchased at the ticket offices of Nelson Wolff Stadium (210-675-7275), or by calling 210-560-8181 & 210-387-6859.

MACAO (July 10, 2014) – Two-time Chinese Olympic gold medallist and national icon ZOU SHIMING and undefeated Top-Five world-rated super middleweight contender GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ will headline Champions of Gold – championship boxing’s return to The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with Tecate, All Star Boxing, Caribe Promotions and Foreman Boys Promotions, the Zou Shiming / Gilberto Ramirez boxing doubleheader will take place Saturday, July 19, and will be televised via same-day delay on HBO2, beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Remaining tickets for Champions of Gold can be purchased via Cotai Ticketing™. Prices start at HKD/MOP 80, with ferry and hotel packages also available.

Zou, just 15 months removed from his professional debut, will be stepping into his deepest ring waters yet, fighting in his first 10-round bout, against hard-punching veteran and three-time world title challenger LUIS “Chino” DE LA ROSA. For Zou, who has had only four professional bouts, De La Rosa could prove the ultimate litmus test on whether he can challenge for a world championship belt later this year. The telecast will open with Ramirez, world-rated in the Top-Five by all four major sanctioning organizations, defending his NABF and NABO super middleweight titles against “The One” JUNIOR TALIPEAU, who returns to the ring following a career-best victory.

Zou (4-0, 1 KO), from Guizhou, China, is one of China’s most revered athletes and has single handily revived professional boxing’s popularity in his native country. Trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, Zou won his professional debut, on April 6, 2013, via a dominant four-round unanimous decision over gritty Eleazar Valenzuela. He followed that up with six-round unanimous decision victories last year over Jesus Ortega and Juan Toscano on July 27 and November 24, respectively, and celebrated his 2014 debut with his first professional knockout February 22, stopping Yokthong Kokietgym in the seventh round. All of his professional bouts have taken place at the Cotai Arena. An Olympic legend, Zou was the world’s greatest amateur light flyweight, capturing gold medals in the World Amateur Championships in 2005, 2007 and 2011, along with gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. He also owns an Olympic bronze medal from the 2004 games, making him his nation’s first Olympic medallist in boxing as well as its first boxing gold medallist in the World Amateur Championships and the Olympics. A victory for Zou, currently world-rated No. 6 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), could place him one giant step closer to a world title challenge this year.

De La Rosa (23-3-1, 13 KOs), of Barranquilla, Colombia, brings two-fisted punching power and an aggressive fighting style into the ring. A three-time interim world championship challenger and a former Colombian champion, four of De La Rosa’s last six victories have come by way of knockout, including his last fight, a second-round knockout of Deivis Marvaez. De La Rosa is currently world-rated No. 11 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

Ramirez (28-0, 22 KOs), of Mazatlan, Mexico, is world-rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), No. 3 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the WBA and, No. 4 by the IBF. A sensational young contender, Ramirez, 23, has won both his 2014 bouts by knockout. In his last outing, on April 11, he captured the NABF and NABO super middleweight titles via a fifth-round knockout of two-time world title challenger Giovanni Lorenzo.

Talipeau (20-2-1, 7 KOs), a New Zealand native who fights out of Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia, was a former Australian middleweight champion who successfully defended the title five times during his two-year reign before moving up to the super middleweight division. Boasting a victory over two-time world title challenger Shannan Taylor, Talipeau enters this fight having won two of his last three fights by way of knockout. His most recent victory was a 12-round unanimous decision over Walter Crucce for the WBA Latin American super middleweight title. He is currently world-rated No. 14 by the WBA.

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About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital & Spa; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao’s Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….Macao Starts Here. For more information, please visit
http://en.cotaistrip.com.

LONDON (July 10) – Erislandy Lara has said he doesn’t owe Canelo Alvarez anything other than left hands as he prepares do battle with the Mexican superstar this weekend.

The Cuban light-middleweight takes on the dangerous Alvarez this Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on BoxNation, and despite being one of the divisions most avoided fighters says he isn’t indebted to the former unified champion for taking the fight.

“I don’t owe him anything other than left hands. I forced this fight. It wasn’t because he wanted to take this fight [that he agreed to fight],” said Lara.

“We’ve been after this fight for two years and I’ve been putting pressure on social media and interviews and jumping on stage, that’s what pressured him to take this fight.

“I know he didn’t want this fight, and on July 12th you’re going to see the reason why he didn’t want this fight,” he said.

The 31-year-old has earned a reputation as a slick and polished competitor having honed his skills in the fabled Cuban amateur system.

Having fled the Communist state and his home of Guantanamo to establish his career as a professional fighter, victory for Lara will see him fulfil a lifelong ambition of becoming one of boxing’s very best.

“I wanted to come to this country and fight the best. That’s what I wanted to do since my seventh professional fight,” Lara said.

“I was asking to fight for a world title. And championships come and go, but these are the types of fights that will leave history, so that’s what I plan on doing on July 12th.

“I always want to stand up and show why Cuban boxing’s the best – that’s what I’m going to do on Saturday,” he said.

Lara, who has only lost one fight in his 22 as a professional, that being a controversial points loss to Paul Williams in 2011, has vowed to do a number on the cinnamon haired Alvarez, a fighter who he believes is the perfect style for him.

“It’s a good style match up because I know Canelo’s going to try to press forward and press for action, and that’s a style I like. I like guys that come and fight, and I pick them apart, like I’ve done to several guys coming up,” Lara said.

“These are the fights I like. I like guys who come to fight and I like to put them in the dirt, and that’s what I plan on doing,” he said.

The much respected trainer Ronnie Shields, who has trained the likes of Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson, will be in Lara’s corner for the fight and agrees with his charge, though he says his power in this fight will compliment his skilled southpaw counter-punching.

“I think those guys with the come forward styles really complement Lara’s style. But at the same time Lara punches harder than people give him credit for, and on Saturday July 12th you’re going to see that,” said Shields.

“I think if you look at him everything has improved. I think there’s just an improvement in him on him being just a pure boxer. He’s probably one of the best counter punchers out there. You’re not going to find anybody else better.

“Lara, he fights anybody and everybody. Lara asked for this, he asked for every fight that he’s been in basically because nobody wants to fight him. He only wants to fight the best fighters, and this is why you’ll see him fight on July 12th with Canelo Alvarez,” he said.

Canelo Alvarez vs Erislandy Lara is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Saturday night. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

West Deptford, New Jersey (July 10, 2014)–On October 30, 1979, Tim Witherspoon scored a 1st round knockout over Joe Adams in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. Witherspoon went on to fight a memorable battle with Larry Holmes and then go on to become a two-ime Heavyweight champion of the world.

Witherspoon’s legacy still is going strong today as his cousin Chazz Witherspoon and some Tim Jr. both have carved out solid professional careers of their own.

Both Chazz and Tim Jr. will be in the ring this Saturday night at Riverwinds in West Deptford, NJ when Silver Spoon Promotions makes its promotional debut.

Chazz (30-3, 22 KO’s) takes on Tyabb Beale (9-4-1, 3 KO’s) in the eight round Heavyweight main event while Tim Jr. (10-4-1, 2 KO’s) takes on Jeff Lentz (3-0, 1 KO) in a 6-round Welterweight co-feature.

When asked about this special event and being able to fight on the same card as his cousin, Chazz Witherspoon said, “It is a great opportunity for the Legacy of the Witherspoon’s to continue. Big Tim is helping Tim Jr. out and fans will be able to see all of us on Saturday. I am looking forward to being able to share the card with Tim Jr. and have Tim Sr. in attendance.”

“I am looking forward to fighting on the same card as Chazz,” Said Tim Witherspoon Jr.

“I couldn’t do this without my father and it is a good opportunity for our family. One thing I always wanted to do is fight on the same card as my dad. He was just finishing up as I was starting so this is the next best thing.”

“I have been focusing on my own fight and I am looking forward to getting back in the ring as I have been off since January. I know Jeff Lentz is coming to win. He may be undefeated but he knows he is the underdog. I know he has a true warrior spirit and It will be a competitive fight. I am looking to put on a good show for the fans and I hope everyone has a good time.” Finished Tim Jr., who is trained by his uncle Steve Witherspoon.

In Four round bouts:

Kevin Womack Jr. (4-5-1, 2 KO’s) takes on Anthony Prescott (3-3-1, 1 KO) of Cherry Hill, New Jersey in a Welterweight bout.

Welterweight Nick Valiere of Forked River, New Jersey will make his pro debut when he takes on Jamil Gadsden (0-5) of Brighten, NJ.

Middleweight Matthew Gonzalez of Vineland, NJ will make his pro debut against Rafael Machado (0-1) of Philadelphia

Louis Cream (3-0) of Camden, NJ will fight Malik Jackson (0-3-3) of Newark, NJ in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

By Bart Barry-

Saturday at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand, home of Floyd Mayweather’s entranceway shrine, Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will make a pay-per-view match with Cuban Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara to determine who will be considered the world’s best junior middleweight until Mayweather returns to the division. Those who consider themselves insiders are, in many cases, expecting an overrated Alvarez to lose to what they believe is an underrated Cuban boxer-puncher.

Were official sportsbook Boxing Betting Odds right about Alvarez?”

Erislandy Lara has gotten extended mileage out of his and trainer Ronnie Shields’ claims of others’ avoidance. He is aesthetically displeasing, often in the very worst way of sloppy retreat, hopping sideways in shows of inefficiency to make Amir Khan’s head shake, while he is possessed of wiles enough to make his unconsciousness in a prizefighting ring unlikely. He approached the dais after Alvarez’s last fight, a sanctioned assault of Alfredo Angulo in March, with the trepidatious look of a man pushed from the wings by a stagehand longer on enthusiasm than prudence. Alvarez fielded him nearly with pity, sensing almost immediately Lara was driven by others, not restrained, confidently patted his shoulder, and told Lara to wait his turn.

Their encounter bore the markings of a nervous little guy in a struggling beard sent on a dare by his gamer buddies to game a supermodel on the arm of the bar’s largest and most masculine presence; the podium was the lass and Lara the nervous suitor. After a quiet and somewhat rambling bit of Cuban Spanish from Lara, Alvarez relieved his command and asked who wanted to see them fight, laughed at most of the room’s silence, then asked two of those who spoke up if they, too, were Cubans. Then Alvarez dismissed Lara, as if empathetically.

Some weeks later, with Alvarez wanting back on pay-per-view soon, and his U.S. promoter privately unraveling towards a soon-to-be-public firing of its CEO, Alvarez-Lara got announced, a match Lara’s true believers believe will justify years of their man’s contending he is the game’s most-avoided prizefighter, a match that may prove an aesthetic disaster, but may not, and will be Alvarez’s to lose – either via brutal stoppage or sympathetic judging by some who know a healthy Las Vegas economy is a burden no Cuban’s popularity should be asked to support.

There will be very few Lara supporters at Saturday’s match because most Lara fans are committed to misanthropy more than boxing. In Lara they see a soulmate spoiler of sorts, a man who makes their contrary impulses dance like disco lights in a kaleidoscope. Alvarez is the sort of person a Lara fan never expected to fight their guy. For having been ushered to stardom via haircolor and Mexican daytime television – and Mexicans’ rapacious desire to claim prizefighting’s best as their own – “Canelo” is the anti-Lara, a man whose image surgepumps lighter fluid on the dull if ever-breathing embers of resentment from which many casual boxing fans, and even some serious ones, draw their animating force.

Not enough is yet known about the fiscal health of Alvarez’s U.S. handler, Golden Boy Promotions, or even if it has been acting legally as Alvarez’s promoter – a Florida courthouse will begin sorting this out in October, when All Star Boxing, headed by one of the more charismatic promoters our sport boasts, Tuto Zabala, sees the fruition of a lawsuit it initiated in 2011 – to comment intelligently on the outfit’s future. There is doubt, though.

While Golden Boy Promotions’ deposed executive Richard Schaefer is arguably the least-charismatic promoter our sport boasts, or boasted anyway, he built a robust company while answering to about as zany a boss as any serious professional ever did. In and out of rehab and surely suffering worse and deeper troubles than ever had their day in the tabloids, Oscar De La Hoya disappeared frequently, appeared sporadically, and rarely said an insightful or particularly coherent thing while in public during much of the last half of Schaefer’s tenure.

Indications are that Schaefer did not represent De La Hoya’s best interests at all times, though a day may come when it is apparent De La Hoya’s best interests were not necessarily the same as his company’s, and while Schaefer auctioned off assets of the corporation, many possibly to manager Al Haymon, they were assets Schaefer nevertheless acquired in the first place, assets that were going to float away regardless of the promoter’s attaining some fees from them in the meantime. Floyd Mayweather may well have been a free agent, in other words, but the buffet of substandard Golden Boy Promotions fighters upon which he feasted, instead of Manny Pacquiao, was no accident and brought Golden Boy Promotions much greater revenues than it would have raised on its own, whatever conditional promises were made to attain them.

How well boxing’s second-best promoter will function in Schaefer’s absence is anyone’s guess. No knowledgeable person expects De La Hoya to have the acumen or attention span to replace Schaefer by himself. One hopes, for our sport’s longterm health, then, De La Hoya is busy interviewing potential replacements, sifting through an impressive stack of impressive resumes, at this very moment.

One hopes, yes, but one does not expect.

Where Top Rank comprises a roster of esteemed professionals and Don King Productions once comprised one of the world’s most relentlessly enormous personalities, Golden Boy Promotions comprised a rightfully famous figurehead and a savvy CEO. It no longer has a savvy CEO.

Despite himself in many cases, De La Hoya was en route to becoming something our sport lacks and truly needs: a happy ending. The tenuous partnership of De La Hoya and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, tenuously linked, may not be any handicapper’s best place to put his money, but for now, it’s what’s on the quick sheet and deserves at least well-wishes, if not additional investment from fans.

Either way, I’ll take Alvarez, UD-12, in a match that proves Erislandy Lara is not underrated.

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com

Argenis Mendez, 129.8 vs. Rances Bathelemy 130
IBF Junior Lightweight Title (Champion Mendez)
Humberto Savigne, 175 vs. Jeff Lacy, 173.2
Erickson Lubin, 146.6 vs. Noe Bolanos, 148.2
Yunier Dortikos, 199.4 vs. Edison Miranda, 198.8
Leo Hall, 173.6 vs. Juan Ortega, 173.8
Albert Bell, 129.6 vs. Josh Ross, 130.2
Ramon Luis Nicholas, 177.4 vs. Dakota Dawson, 180.2

Judgment Day
Iron Mike Productions
American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL
TV: Fox Sports 1, 10pm ET, 7pm PT

Miami, FL (July 9, 2014) Former heavyweight world champion, boxing legend MIKE TYSON held court at the Final Press Conference for “JUDGMENT DAY” on Wednesday afternoon in Miami, FL.

“JUDGMENT DAY”, set for Thursday, July 10 at the American Airlines Arena, Home of the Miami Heat, is headlined by a highly anticipated rematch for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Super Featherweight crown between Tyson’s fighter, champion ARGENIS “La Tormenta” MENDEZ, 20-2-1 (11KO’s) and top rated challenger RANCES “Kid Blast” BARTHELEMY, 19-0-0 (12KO’s).

Tempers grew heated in front of the huge media crowd when the challenger, Barthlemey took the podium and was shadowed by a “fake” IBF Title belt, apparently as a way of insulting the champion, Mendez.

The initial bout between Mendez and Barthelemy which took place on January 3, 2014 in Minneapolis, Minnesota was initially and wrongly ruled a second round stoppage for Barthelemy. However, the decision was reversed and ruled a “No Decision” by the Minnesota State Boxing Commission as a video replay clearly showed Mendez being hit after the bell sounded to end the second round.

Since the January 3rd controversy, Iron Mike Productions has beaten the Barthelemy squad on four separate legal occasions and was therefore alarmed at the actions today at the press conference implying that the challenger was in fact the champion.

Co-featured on the FOX Sports 1 telecast (10pm ET/7pm PT) will be a 10-round light heavyweight clash between world ranked contender HUMBERTO SAVIGNE and former world champion JEFF “Left Hook” LACY.

Opening the FOX Sports 1 telecast will be the nationally televised debut of heralded and undefeated 18-year-old welterweight prospect ERICKSON “The Hammer” LUBIN clashing with Mexican veteran NOE “Platanito” BOLANOS in a scheduled eight round bout.

In addition to a huge, action packed undercard, award winning rapper FRENCH MONTANA and popular Cuban reggaeton group GENTE DE ZONE will perform following the action inside the ring.

For more information on “JUDGMENT DAY” please visit the website, www.IMPMIAMI.com. Advance tickets, starting at $49 may be purchased through www.Ticketmaster.com with V.I.P Ringside Table Packages also available.

The American Airlines Arena is located at 601 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida, 33132. For more information, please visit their website at www.aaarena.com. Doors will open on the evening of the event at 6:30 p.m. with the first bell at 8:00 p.m.

For additional information on Iron Mike Productions visit www.IronMikeProductions, follow on Twitter at @IronMikeProd and on Facebook at IronMikeProductionsOfficial.

Las Vegas (July 9, 2014) – Fighters on this Saturday’s “Honor & Glory: Canelo vs. Lara” card took part in open to the public workouts earlier today, just three days before their scheduled bouts on Saturday, July 12 at MGM Grand Garden Arena live on SHOWTIME PPV®.

Fighters on the PPV card, Canelo Alvarez, Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara, Abner Mares, Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo, Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez, Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas, Johan “El Terrible” Perez, and Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera joined undercard fighters Tomoki Kameda, Pungluang Singyu, Yamaguchi Falcao and Jason Quigley in the ring to give the fans a show before their Saturday bouts.

Click HERE for pictures from today’s workouts
Photo Credit: Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

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“Honor & Glory: Canelo vs. Lara,” a 12-round junior middleweight fight taking place Saturday, July12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, Abner Mares returns to the ring to face Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the SHOWTIME PPV opening bout, Johan Perez defends his interim WBA Junior Welterweight World Title against Mauricio Herrera in a 12-round matchup. Also, Juan Manuel Lopez meets Francisco Vargas in a 10-round bout for the WBO International Super Featherweight Title. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). For information visit www.SHO.com/Sports. Canelo vs. Lara will be shown on the big screen in movie theaters across the country via Fathom Events. Information will be available at www.fathomevents.com.

Plus, SHOWTIME® will televise undefeated WBO Bantamweight World Champion Tomoki “El Mexicanito” Kameda defending his title in a 12-round bout against No. 1-ranked contender Pungluang Sor Singyu during “Canelo vs. Lara: COUNTDOWN LIVE” (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, immediately preceding the live PPV event).

Tickets are still available at the $750, $500, $250, $150, $75 and $50 price ranges, not including applicable service charges. Tickets are limited to eighteen (18) per person with a limit of eight (8) at the $75 and $50 price ranges. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com

Well-respected former USBA Junior Middleweight Champion Derek “Pooh” Ennis (24-4-1, 13 KOs) will step in to face WBA #15, IBF #13, and WBO #11-rated Caleb “Golden” Truax (23-1-2, 14 KOs) of Osseo, Minnesota, in the co-main event of “Conquerors”, a night of ESPN Friday Night Fights boxing on Friday, July 25, 2014, at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.

Truax’s original opponent, Mexico’s Rogelio “Porky” Medina was forced out by injury.

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

Scheduled to open the night’s worldwide, live broadcast is a light heavyweight six-rounder between Popular Chicago native and Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee (12-0, 7 KOs) and Paul Gonsalves (7-3, 3 KOs) of Hyannis, Massachusetts.

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

33-year-old Derek Ennis is not an easy night for any fighter in the world. Ennis has faced a number of strong opponents and usually comes out victorious. In 2013, he lost a majority decision squeaker to top-rated Puerto Rican slugger Jonathan Gonzalez, but has since rebounded with a stoppage win over Puerto Rico’s Emil Gonzalez in March of this year.

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About Warriors Boxing

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

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

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

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

About 8 Count Productions

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

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

About Seconds Out Promotions

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

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

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

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

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

Alfonso Gomez suffered two dubious knockdowns but was able to dominate Ed Paredes in a Jr. Middleweight bout at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Gomez was controlling the action by boxing over the first three-plus rounds. At the end of round four, Paredes landed a little bunch while Gomez was off balance and Gomez fell to the canvas and it was scored a knockdown. Paredes got his left hook on track in round five as he landed a pair of them to the side of the head.

In round six, it was deja vu for Gomez as he threw a right hand that took him off balance but Paredes landed a small shot that sent Gomez for the second fringe knockdown. Gomez came back to have a solid round eight and even stun Paredes. Gomez was never threatened during the fight and cruised home to the victory by scores of 99-92, 98-92 and 96-93.

Gomez, 150.2 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is now 24-6-2. Paredes, 150 lbs of Lawrence, MA is now 35-4-1.

Joseph Diaz Jr. pounded out a 10-round unanimous decision over Ramiro Robles in a Featherweight bout.

Diaz landed a hard combination in round one. Diaz was the faster puncher and landed the harder blows that saw a lot of two-way action and Robles was able to get in a fair amount of effective offense.

Diaz, 123.6 lbs of South El Monte, CA won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92. Robles, 124 lbs of Guanajuato, MX is now 11-2-1.

Featherweight Diego De La Hoya remained undefeated as scored a 5th round stoppage over Miguel Tamayo in a scheduled 6-round bout.

De La Hoya dominated with hand speed and in round five he put together a hard combination against the ropes that forced referee Russell Mora to stop the bout at 2:42.

De La Hoya, 124 lbs of Mexicali, MX is now 6-0 with 5 knockouts. Tamayo, 122 lbs of Ciudad. MX is now 14-9-2.

MACAU, CHINA (July 9, 2014) – Undefeated unified junior featherweight world champion and Cuban sensation GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX will defend his titles against Top-Five contender and two-time world title challenger SOD LOOKNONGYANTOY, Saturday, July 19.at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with Tecate, All Star Boxing, Caribe Promotions and Foreman Boys Promotions, the Rigondeaux vs. Looknongyangtov world junior featherweight championship fight will be televised via same-day delay as the main event of Solo Boxeo Tecate on UniMás, beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Remaining tickets for the Rigondeaux vs. Looknongyangtov world junior featherweight championship event can be purchased via Cotai Ticketing™. Prices start at HKD/MOP 80, with ferry and hotel packages also available.

Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KOs), of Miami, Florida, one of boxing’s top pound for pound fighters, returns to the ring making his 2014 debut. Last year he unified the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) 122-pound titles by defeating 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire on April 13, 2013, at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall in New York. Rigondeaux thoroughly dominated Donaire via a unanimous decision victory, ending the Filipino Flash’s 12-year, 30-bout winning streak, as well as claiming his WBO junior featherweight title. Rigondeaux had a stellar amateur career, winning Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2000, World Amateur Championship titles in 2005 and 2001, and Pan American Games gold medals in 2005 and 2003, all at 119 pounds, before leaving Cuba to embark on a professional career which began in Miami in 2009. In only his seventh professional fight where both fighters scored knockdowns, Rigondeaux captured the WBA interim super bantamweight title, winning a tough split decision over the vastly more experienced former world champion Ricardo Cordoba in 2010. After successfully defending the interim title in 2011 with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated former European super bantamweight champion Willie Casey, Rigondeaux won the WBA world super bantamweight championship with a sixth-round knockout of previously undefeated defending champion Rico Ramos, January 20, 2012. Rigondeaux has successfully defended that title four times since then, blasting out once-beaten Teon Kennedy in the fifth round, which included Kennedy suffering five knockdowns en route to the loss, and winning a dominant unanimous decision over once-beaten contender Roberto Marroquin, both in 2012, besting Donaire in their April 2013 title unification fight and most recently, defeating former two-time world champion Joseph Agbeko, December 7 via a dominant unanimous decision.

Looknongyantoy (63-2-1, 27 KOs), of Srithep, Thailand, has twice challenged for the WBO junior featherweight title, losing to Daniel De Leon both times, in 2005 and 2006. Since then he has fashioned a nine -year, 37-bout unbeaten streak, which has included Asian, WBO Asia-Pacific and WBA Pan Asian 122-pound title victories. Possessing a style that features good skills and movement, he is currently world-rated No. 5 by the WBO and No. 10 by the WBA.

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Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination.

The 15,000-seat Cotai Arena is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.

The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.

The 650-seat Sands Theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.

With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.

For information about upcoming shows and events, visit www.venetianmacao.com/entertainment.html.

About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital & Spa; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao’s Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….Macao Starts Here. For more information, please visit
http://en.cotaistrip.com.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a special Wednesday edition of Golden Boy Live! as the Independence Day fireworks will continue from Las Vegas with former world title contender Alfonso Gomez battling Ed Paredes in the 10-round junior middleweight main event.

Fight Network’s broadcast will air exclusively in Canada.

Plus, 2012 U.S. Olympian Joseph “JoJo” Diaz competes in his first 10-round featherweight bout against Guanajuato up-and-comer Ramiro “Zurdo” Robles and 19-year-old phenom Diego “The Golden Kid” De La Hoya risks his unbeaten record against veteran Miguel Tamayo in a six-round junior featherweight bout.

Gomez vs. Paredes is a 10-round junior middleweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Fight Network’s live broadcast airs at 10 p.m. ET.

A popular action fighter who always leaves the fans happy, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico veteran Alfonso Gomez (23-6-2, 12 KOs) first made his name in the boxing world with his run on season one of the popular boxing reality series The Contender. Since then, the 33-year-old has fought the best of the best, including a big win over Hall of Famer Arturo Gatti in 2007. Winner of five of his last seven, with the only losses coming to current World Champions Canelo Alvarez and Shawn Porter, Gomez looks to get back in the title hunt in his first fight since July of 2012.

Ranked number seven in the world by the WBC, ninth by the IBF and 10th by the WBA, Hollywood, Florida’s Ed “The Lion” Paredes (35-3-1, 23 KOs) is rapidly closing in on a world title shot, but he has to get past Alfonso Gomez to keep his momentum going. Unbeaten in 15 consecutive fights dating back to 2009, the 29-year-old power hitter finally makes his Las Vegas debut in what promises to be an action-packed 10-round battle.

U.S. Olympian Joseph Diaz Jr. (11-0, 7 KOs) has used his immense talents to impress the boxing world since the London Games. The 21-year-old from South El Monte, Calif. has shown maturity beyond his years along the way. Diaz is coming off of a shutout win over the 50-fight veteran Luis Maldonado in April. Diaz will stay busy in a 10-round featherweight bout against fellow prospect Ramiro “Zurdo” Robles (11-1-1, 6 KOs) who has compiled a seven-fight win streak heading into this bout. Like his opponent, the Guanajuato southpaw is 21 years old and hungry to make an impression in his United States debut.

Nineteen-year-old Mexicali phenom Diego De La Hoya (5-0, 3 KOs) is starting to garner the buzz once heard by his cousin, newly inducted Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya. Looking to stay active in 2014, “The Golden Kid” will be making his fourth appearance in the ring since February. Tonight, De La Hoya will look to keep his win streak alive when he faces Ciudad Obregon’s Miguel Tamayo (14-8-2, 12 KOs) in a six-round junior featherweight matchup. Coming off of a tough loss to top contender Gary Russell Jr., Tamayo hopes to get off to a fast start against De La Hoya and with 11 of his knockouts coming in four rounds or less, he has the tools to pull off the upset.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com and follow on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

Bethlehem, PA: The August 9th edition of NBCSN Fight Night will feature three bouts with three undefeated fighters and a high chance of a knockout in each bout. Undefeated heavyweight contender Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov (17-0-1, 11 KOs) returns to the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA on Saturday, August 9th where he will face-off against veteran Derric “El León” Rossy (29-8-0, 14 KOs) for ten rounds. The Glazkov-Rossy fight will be the main event of the special NBCSN Fight Night triple-header. In the middle bout, Robert “The Butcher” Berridge (24-1-1, 20 KOs) takes on Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin (15-0, 8 KOs). Undefeated heavyweight Joseph Parker will open the live telecast versus an opponent TBA. Tickets for the event are available now on Ticketmaster.com
and ticket prices are $50 and $75. Doors open at 5:00 PM and the Fight Night telecast begins live at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT.

Czar Glazkov
Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events
Czar Glazkov stunned audiences in his last fight at Sands on March 15th when he upset former two division world champion and heavyweight contender Tomasz “Goral” Adamek to secure the #2 position in the IBF and the IBF North American Heavyweight Title. Czar has an impressive 65% (11 of 17) knockout-to-win ratio.

The undefeated Glazkov, 29, immigrated to Ft. Lauderdale, FL earlier this year from Lugansk, Ukraine. This will be Glazkov’s first fight training with renowned boxing trainer John David Jackson. Jackson also trains fellow Main Events’ stable mate and WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. According to his manager, Egis Klimas, “Czar moved to Florida a month ago with his wife and daughter, so now he is 100% concentrated on boxing. Many changes came into his life since he moved here. He started working with his new trainer John David Jackson so it will be interesting to see the new Czar on August 9th.” Glazkov added, “I look forward to stepping back in the ring on August 9th. I am in United States preparing for this fight with my new trainer, John David Jackson. Preparation in Florida is going well and John and I have a good understanding. He is adding some new stuff and I like it. I can’t wait to try new things in the ring.”

Glazkov & Adamek
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events
Rossy, 34, is a seasoned veteran with 37 professional fights on his resume. He hails from Medford, NY and is coming off a ten-round majority decision victory over heavyweight prospect Joe Hanks in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on May 16, 2014. Prior to their fight, Hanks had only one career loss. Both Rossy and Glazkov are 6’3″ tall. Rossy said, “Tune in boxing fans because you will see some great heavyweight action on August 9th. I would like to thank Kathy Duva of Main Events and Sal Musumeci of Final Forum for this great opportunity.” His promoter Sal Musumeci added, “As Derric has proved in the past he a true warrior and is stepping up to face one of the best fighters in the heavyweight division.”

Derric Rossy
Photo Courtesy of:
VPeiPics
The second bout of the Fight Night triple-header features New Zealand native and southpaw Robert “The Butcher” Berridge (24-1-1, 20 KOs) in a twelve-round light heavyweight match-up against Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin (15-0, 8 KOs). Berridge, 29, is currently on a nine-fight winning streak (all KOs) dating all the way back to Oct. 5, 2012 (second round KO of Joel Casey in Victoria, Australia).

The undefeated Vasily Lepikhin, 29, hails from Gelendzhik, Russia and will make his U.S. debut on Aug. 9th. Since making his professional debut in 2005, Vasily has fought exclusively in his home country, Russia. The undefeated Lepikhin is also on a knockout streak. He has knocked out his last three opponents all in the first round (Apr. 18, 2013 – TKO Romans Sevcenko; Jun. 13, 2013 – KO Mikhail Demin and Nov. 30, 2013 – KO Alexey Varakin).

Starting off the Fight Night telecast will be another heavyweight battle featuring New Zealand native Joseph Parker (9-0, 8 KOs) in an eight round fight. Parker, 22, who will make his east coast debut on Aug. 9th, has a stunning 89% (8 of 9) knockout-to-win ratio. He has nine professional fights since his professional debut just two short years ago. This is only his second fight on U.S. soil in his professional career. The first was on May 16, 2013 in Irvine, CA when he defeated Brice Ritani-Coe via unanimous decision in six rounds. Most recently, he defeated Rogerio Damasco via a first round TKO in Manukau City, New Zealand on July 5, 2014 for the PABA Light Heavyweight and WBO Oriental Light Heavyweight titles. Parker’s opponent is still to be determined.

Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said, “This card features a bunch of powerful big men, so I expect to see some fireworks at the Sands on August 9th! I’m happy to bring Czar Glazkov back after his impressive performance against Tomasz Adamek in March and to introduce some new faces to the Fight Night fans.”

About August 9:

The Aug. 9th special triple-header edition of NBCSN Fight Night will take place at Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and will feature a ten-round heavyweight match-up between Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov and Derric “El León” Rossy, a twelve round light heavyweight match-up between Robert “The Butcher” Berridge and Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin and an eight-round heavyweight fight featuring Joseph Parker and an opponent to be determined. The undercard bouts will be announced shortly. Ticket prices are $50 and $75 and available at Ticketmaster.com. The card is presented by Main Events, Peltz Boxing and Pushka Promotions in association with Final Forum Promotions and Duco Events. The NBCSN Fight Night telecast will begin live at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT.

NBC Sports Live Extra:

NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will live stream Fight Night at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on August 9.

Coverage will be streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

All NBC Sports Network live events live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra, and to the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” which is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs.

The July 11 edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra will feature undefeated Middleweight Mike “Imagine Me” Gavronksi (14-0-1, 10 KOs) and Tureano “Reno” Johnson (14-1, 10 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Friday’s show, from Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Wash., will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN. The card is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.
New Picture (4)
Commentators:
Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn), filling in for Joe Tessitore, will be ringside with analyst Teddy Atlas describing the action for ESPN2, while Doug Kezirian will fill in for Todd Grisham in the studio. Commentators Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodríguez will call the fights for Noche de Combates on ESPN Deportes, while Claudia Trejos and Leopoldo González will anchor the studio.

In-Studio Guest: WBO Lightweight Titlist Terence Crawford:
On the heels of his ninth-round knockout victory over Yuriorkis Gamboa to retain his world title, undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) Lightweight titlist Terence Crawford will appear as an in-studio guest this week on Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates.

Main Event:
Washington’s Gavronski is coming off a six-round majority decision win over Kevin Hand, while Johnson, a 2008 Olympian for The Bahamas, is looking to rebound from a 10th-round TKO loss to Curtis Stevens.

“Reno (Johnson) has an attitude, and I think he means it,” Johnson’s co-manager Victor Wainstein said. “He thinks every fight is a world title fight and takes every opponent seriously. From the little tape I’ve seen of Gavronski, he looks like a real tough guy. He comes forward, which we love. I think everyone who tunes in is going to see an amazing fight.”

Gavronski said of the fight, “Johnson is one of those straightforward fighters. He’s going to come at you. If he can knock your block off, he will. I have respect for him, for sure – I respect anybody that gets in the ring. I think it’s going to be a fun fight for everybody to watch, and I’m excited to be part of it.”

Co-Feature:
Friday’s 10-round Lightweight co-feature will pit Jonathan “Inca Peruano” Maicelo (17-1, 1 NC, 11 KOs) of New Jersey against California’s Art “Lionheart” Hovhannisyan (17-1-2, 9 KOs). Maicelo is looking to score a victory following a no-contest in his last fight against Jorge Rodriguez. Prior to that fight, Maicelo scored a 10th-round knockout win over Alejandro Rodriguez. In his last outing, Hovhannisyan won an eight-round unanimous decision over Hector Zuniga. Hovhannisyan scored his career-best win in 2012 when he won a 10-round split-decision over former WBA Lightweight titlist Miguel Acosta.

Upcoming Schedule:

Date

Time (ET)

Main Event

Location

Networks

Fri, Jul 11

9 p.m.

Tureano Johnson (14-1, 10 KOs) vs. Mike Gavronski (14-0-1, 10 KOs)—10 rounds, Middleweights

Little Creek Casino, Shelton, Wash.

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, Jul 18

8 p.m.

Karim Mayfield (18-1-1, 11 KOs) vs. Emmanuel Taylor (17-2, 12 KOs)—10 rounds, Jr. Welterweight

Paramount Theater,
Huntington, N.Y.

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, Jul 25

9 p.m.

Roberto Garcia (35-3, 23 KOs) vs. Breidis Prescott (27-5, 20 KOs)—10 rounds Welterweight

UIC Convention Center, Chicago

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, Aug 1

9 p.m.

Thomas Williams Jr. (17-0, 12 KOs) vs. Gabriel Campillo (23-6-1, 10 KOs)—12 rounds, Light Heavyweights

Little Creek Casino, Shelton, Wash.

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

*Schedule subject to change

Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates Social Media:

· Follow ESPN Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook.

· Score the fights round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round.

· Follow ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo.

· For the latest ESPN.com boxing news and analysis follow @ESPNBoxing.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (July 9, 2014) – A pair of M-1 Challenge title fights highlight a special M-1 Global anniversary show, M-1 Challenge 50: Battle on the Neva,” outdoors Friday, August 15 in the St. Petersburg city center open area, Mitninskaya emb 6, near the famous panoramic ship-restaurant, “Flying Dutchman.” (see photo above)

M-1 Global is coming off a record-setting M-1 Challenge 49: Battle in the Mountains in Ingushetia last month, at which a Russian record was set for highest attendance of any event held above sea level (1500+-meters) with 23,255 fans.

M-1 Challenge 50 will be headlined by a much-anticipated rematch between M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan Puetz (10-1-0, 4 KO/TKO, 3 SUB), of Germany, and former champion Viktor Nemkov (19-5-0, 3 KO/TKO, 9 SUB).
The co-feature showcase a pair of Polish heavyweights, M-1 Challenge champion Damian “Polish Pitbull” Grabowski (19-1-0, 6 KO/TKO, 6 SUB) and undefeated No. 1 contender Marcin “Tybur” Tybura (10-0-0, 4 KO/TKO, 4 SUB).

The M-1 Challenge series has traditionally introduced a new wave of potential MMA stars, showcasing elite athletes from Russia and across Europe. M-1 Global is the No. 1 European MMA organization, as well as one of the oldest in the world, dating back to 1998. Superstar Fedor Emelianenko, considered by many to be the greatest fighter in MMA history, has been the face of M-1 Global around the combat sports world for the past decade.

“It’s an anniversary tournament (M-1 Challenge 50) that means a lot to all of us,” M-1 Global CEO and Founder Vadim Finkelstein said. “We are really proud and happy to have made MMA so popular among fans. This tournament, as usual, will be organized at the very highest level. We have support from the St. Petersburg state and this event is on the list of the most important sporting events in St. Petersburg. It features two title fights, heavyweight and light heavyweight, and both are expected to be spectacular. We also have other fights of tremendous interest for all MMA fans. During the fights every attending fan will enjoy a fantastic view of St. Petersburg’s well known sites: Neva River embankment, Rostral Columns, and Winter Palace.”

Last March at M-1 Challenge 46, Puetz won a hard fought five-round unanimous decision over Nemkov to capture the coveted M-1 challenge light heavyweight title in an exciting fight from start to finish, setting the stage for this rematch.

Puetz was recognized as one of the best German light heavyweights in a very competitive European division with a perfect record in Germany’s No. 1 promotion, Respect FC. He proved himself as a legitimate world-class fighter by coming to Russia and defeating the defending champion, Nemkov, in his own backyard.

Nemkov is a ‘Master of Sport’ in Sambo, as well as a brown belt in Judo. Nemkov, who was the 2011 World Combat Sambo Championship gold-medal winner, lives in Stary Oskol, Russia, where he trains with the aforementioned Emeliandenko’s legendary coaches, Mikhail Voronov and Alexander Mitchkov.
The 6′ 1″, 240-pound Grabowski has won six consecutive fights, highlighted by his M-1 Challenge heavyweight title-winning performance November 14, 2013 against Kenny Garner, who Grabowski went to the ground with in the third round, putting the tough American to sleep with a choke hold.

Tybura burst onto the M-1 Challenge scene in 2013, punching his way to a first-round win by submission against Chaban Ka in the semifinals of the 2013 M-1 Grand Prix, followed by an impressive win in the tournament final versus dangerous Konstantin Gluhov, who was chocked into a first-round submission. His Grand Prix championship earned the 6′ 3″, 240-pound Tybura a title shot against Grabowski, originally scheduled March 14 but postponed until August 14 due to a neck injury suffered by Grabowski. Rather than stay inactive waiting to fight Grabowski, Tybura fought the best available heavyweight, Marco Perak, and stopped the Croatian in the third round by technical knockout (punches).

Scheduled to fight on the undercard in Super Fights is exciting Brazilian light heavyweight Luis Fernando “Hulk” Miranda (12-0-1, 4 KO/TKO, 7 SUB) vs. Russian favorite Arthur Astakhov (7-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 3 SUB), Slovenian featherweight Ivan “Buki” Buchinger (26-4-0, 6 KO/TKO, 16 SUB) vs. Russian veteran Mikhail Malyutin (26-12-0, 5 KO/TKO, 8 SUB), Spanish welterweight Daniel “The Gladiator” Tabera (17-5-3, 4 KO/TKO, 6 SUB) vs. unbeaten Russian prospect Ilya Doderkin (5-0-0, 5 SUB).

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Go to www.M-1Global.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244for more information about M-1 Global and M-1 Challenge 50.
ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1998, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Gobal and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and matchups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2014 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.

QUEENS, NY (JULY 9, 2014)–On Friday night, August 1, a special night of boxing will take place at the Amazura Concert Hall in Queens, New York as Elton Dharry Promotions will presents its inaugural boxing event.

In the main event, the show’s promoter, Elton Dharry will look for his 13th consecutive victory when he takes on Antwan Robertson in a scheduled 8-round Bantamweight bout.

Dharry, who resides in Brooklyn, New York via Guyana has been on quite a hot streak while winning title belts all over the world.

He has a record of 15-5-1 with 9 knockouts.

Dharry captured the WBC Caribbean Bantamweight title with a 7th round stoppage over Dexter Marques (8-1). He made one defense of the crown with a 1st round stoppage over Selwyn Lett.

Dharry won the WBU Americas Bantamweight title with a 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Rudolf Hudge (7-0-3). In his very next bout, he won the Guyanese Bantamweight title with a 3rd round stoppage over Orlando Rogers.

Dharry is coming off a 1st round stoppage of Desi Williams on May 18, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dharry was scheduled to face Lee Haskins for the WBC International Bantamweight Title on March 1st, 2014 however; bout was cancel due to a delay in acquiring visa.

Robertson of Minnesota has a record of 9-9-1 with 6 knockouts.

The 28-year old Robertson turned pro in 2007 and won his four bouts which included a win over Brandon Quintana. The capable Robertson has two wins over Brad Patraw (6-0) & (7-3). He has faced good competition and should provide Dharry with a solid test.

Robertson is coming off a defeat to Jamal Parram on November 15, 2013 in Altoona, Iowa.

In a six round Super Bantamweight bout, Ryan Ramayya (1-0-2, 1 KO) of Queens, NY will battle Josh Crespo (1-1-2, 1 KO) of New Haven, CT.

Mikkel Lespierre (5-0-1, 3 KO’s) of New York, NY will take on Pedro Andres (1-3, 1 KO) of Bridgeton, NJ in a six round Jr. Welterweight bout.

In four round bouts:

Neuky Santelises (5-2, 4 KO’s) of Manhattan, NY will take on Phil Nazario (0-3) of Bronx, NY in a Super Featherweight bout.

Jordan Rodriguez will make his pro debut against Killer Jackson in a Super Bantamweight bout.

Elisa Collaro of Brooklyn, NY via Italy will make her pro debut against Rachel Vidal (1-2-1) of Oklahoma City, OK in a female Super Bantamweight fight.

Armin Mrkanovic (6-2, 3 KO’s) of Queens, NY will take on an opponent to be announced in a Cruiserweight bout.

Livingstone Joseph will make his pro debut against Julio Rivera in a Welterweight bout.

Tickets for this outstanding evening of boxing are $100 for ringside and $50 for General admission and can be purchased by calling Paul at 347-924-0845 or Rodney at 347-399-4808 and will be available on www.eltondharry.com beginning Friday, July 11.

MONTREAL (July 9, 2014) – North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight champion Dierry “Dougy Style” Jean (26-1, 18 KOs) has zeroed in on undefeated World Boxing Association lightweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (24-0, 17 KOs) as a potential opponent for a career-defining fight.

Last month, Jean stopped Mario Perez (15-5-4) in the eighth round for the vacant NABF title, five months after Jean lost a unanimous 12-round decision (118-111, 116-112, 116-113) to International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior welterweight champion Lamont Peterson.

Nearly two weeks ago, Jean watched with great interest as Crawford eventually destroyed previously undefeated Yuriorkis Gamboa (23-1, 16 KOs) on HBO. Crawford fought in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, packing the venue with more than 11,000 enthusiastic fans, who loudly cheered as Crawford dropped Gamboa four times en route to a ninth-round stoppage. Immediately after the fight there was talk that Crawford may be moving up one division to fight as a junior welterweight.

“I thought it was a very good fight,” Jean said. “Both fighters got caught. Gamboa was just too small to fight Crawford. Crawford would be a good fight for me, one that I can win. I think it would be a very technical fight. It wouldn’t matter if we fought at 135 (lightweight) or 140 (junior welterweight). Of course, I’d prefer to fight him at home in Montreal, but for the right deal I’d go there to fight him in Omaha. I fought Pederson in his hometown, Washington D.C.”

Jean’s promoter, Camille Estephan (Eye of the Tiger Management), believes the time is right for another major fight for Jean and Crawford is the perfect opponent. “Crawford is a very good champion and he proved that beating Gamboa like he did,” Estephan commented. “He’s also the HBO darling right now but, remember, he fought a guy much smaller than him, and that was the big difference. Crawford is a perfect fight for Dierry, who can fight him at 135 or 140, whatever weight he picks. We’re open to fighting him here (Montreal), or we’re willing to go into his backyard in Omaha, if that’s what it takes.”

“‘Dougy’ is ready and able to fight the best at 135 or 140,” Jean’s head trainer Mike Moffa added. “His experience against Peterson will help us. Crawford is the ideal guy right now.”

For further information about Jean or any of his EOTTM stable-mates visit www.eottm.com, or follow him on Twitter @DierryJean.

Having already achieved world champion status as an amateur – now, Jack Culcay (17-1, 10 KOs) has sets his sights on his first major championship in the pro ranks. Following a number of successful defences of the WBA Intercontinental Belt, ‘’Golden Jack’’ will challenge for the European Light Middleweight Title on August 16. Culcay will attempt to dethrone the unbeaten Issac Real (10-0, 5 KOs) at the Erfurt Exhibition Hall in Thuringia, Germany.

“This is the chance I have been working towards for some time,” said Culcay, as he makes clear that this is only part of a long-intended plan of his. “I said last year that I will become European Champion in 2014 and then go on to fight for a world title in 2015. My career is like a puzzle and all pieces are going to come together.”
However, Real wants to smash Culcay’s puzzle. The reigning European Titlist claimed his championship with a technical knockout win against Italian Emanuele De La Rosa in May. “I came to his backyard on short notice. The cards were stacked against me but I provided a REAL shocker,” The 32-year-old remembers. “It will be no different for my first title defence. I am going to bring Culcay down to earth with a bang, knocking him out!”
Culcay, despite his plans, does not underestimate the European Champion. “Currently, I am fully focused on meeting Real inside the ring, I have already started studying his strengths and weaknesses by watching videos of his fights.” “Golden Jack” also believes an early ending may come on August 16. “This will be a thrilling encounter, which I will close in fashion.”
The main event at the Erfurt Exhibition Hall in Thuringia, Germany will see Yoan Pablo “Iron Man” Hernandez defending the IBF Cruiserweight World Championship against former titlist Firat Arslan. Tickets are available via www.eventim.de.

LAS VEGAS (July 8, 2014) – With “Honor & Glory: Canelo vs. Lara” just days away, Canelo Alvarez, Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara, Abner Mares, Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo, Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez and Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera made their grand arrivals Tuesday to the MGM Grand Hotel Lobby to officially kick off fight week activities leading up to this Saturday night’s SHOWTIME PPV® event.
Boxing fans were on hand to support the fighters before they lay it all on the line this Saturday, July 12.

Tickets are still available at the $750, $500, $250, $150, $75 and $50 price ranges, not including applicable service charges. Tickets are limited to eighteen (18) per person with a limit of eight (8) at the $75 and $50 price ranges. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say:

CANELO ALVAREZ, Former WBA & WBC Super Welterweight World Champion

“Erislandy Lara insulted me and my country. He insulted my ability to box, and I take that seriously. This is more than just a fight for me. On Saturday, I’m not only fighting for my honor, I’m fighting for the pride of my country.

“We’re ready to fight and I’m so happy to see all these people anxious for the day to finally arrive.

“The fans are my motivation to keep winning and competing at a high level.

“There’s a lot more of my story to be written so I am completely focused on Saturday night.

“Lara can get motivated however he wants, talking or not. The best man will win on Saturday.

“This fight will give me personal satisfaction. It’s about fighting the best and beating the best. The media and the fans know that this is a dangerous fight and them knowing that will make my win that much better. It’s a personal satisfaction to be fighting the best and beating the best.”

ERISLANDY LARA, WBA Junior Middleweight World Champion

“When I arrived to the United States from Cuba, times were tough. I’ve built what I have from nothing. I take pride in the opportunities that this country has given me. And I’m not about to let this one go by.

“On Saturday I will trudge through the doors that my boxing skills have opened up for me and the world will know who I am.
“I feel very special to be here right now. I don’t feel any pressure because I am ready to fight.

“They can say what they want Canelo is Canelo. I’m ready to fight because I believe the best should fight the best.

“Right now Canelo is my enemy and this is war now.

“I trust my trainer Ronnie Shields. He knows exactly what he is doing. Ronnie is the best trainer that I have ever had. I had great trainers as an amateur, but Ronnie is the best professionally.

“I’m fighting for my family, to put food on the table for them. No one can take that away from me.”

ABNER MARES, Former Three-Time, Three-Division World Champion

“This fight is no walk in the park. Jonathan is a warrior and that’s why I trained very hard. I’m here to make a statement.

“The Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry lets you know this is going to be a great fight.

“I’m glad he has the mentality of the knockout, but on Saturday it is going to be my night in the ring.”

JONATHAN OQUENDO, Featherweight Contender

“I’m not going to lie; I have a lot of respect for Abner Mares, but don’t let that fool you. I don’t feel any pressure, he’s a great champ but there will be blood in the ring on Saturday, and it won’t be mine.

“We have great fighters from Puerto Rico and this is for those fans who will see something great Saturday.

“The knockouts come naturally to me; if it presents itself I will definitely knock him out.”

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ, Former Two-Division World Champion

“I feel good and very confident. I’m simply a better fighter. Come Saturday night, Puerto Rico will school Mexico. Vargas better watch out.

“Everything I did in the gym takes the pressure away and makes my confidence rise.

“We’ve got two great countries, Puerto Rico and Mexico battling it out and I just want to prove Puerto Ricans can fight.”

FRANCISCO VARGAS, 2008 Mexican Olympian & Super Featherweight Contender

“I’m ready for war, Juanma better be ready to fight a true Mexican warrior.

“I don’t feel any pressure, that stuff just motivates me.

“I’m glad to have all my countrymen here and we will give them all a war.”

JOHAN PEREZ, Interim WBA World Junior Welterweight Champion

“I know what I have in front of me. Mauricio is a tough, aggressive fighter and we’re going to give a great fight.

“Make sure you don’t miss my fight Saturday. I’m going to be his problem, not Danny Garcia.”

MAURICIO HERRERA, Junior Welterweight Contender

“I’m coming off of a controversial loss, and I’m not about to let that happen again. I’m going to come out victorious on Saturday night and no judge will think otherwise.

“We’re going to go through Johan first before worrying about another chance at Danny Garcia.

“Johan is the guy in front me and I’ll show all of you a great match on Saturday.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President and Founder of Golden Boy Promotions

“Fights like these are all for the fans, that’s why we’re in this business. The match-up between Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara is going to be explosive and everyone in attendance and watching on television will witness the heart and will of two true champions.

“When the final bell sounds on Saturday night, there will not only be a winner in the ring but the fight fans will walk away the winners as well because they will have seen boxing at it’s best.

“Make sure you get there early for fireworks in the ring.

“Top to bottom, this card is going to be explosive.’’

# # #

“Honor & Glory: Canelo vs. Lara,” a 12-round junior middleweight fight taking place Saturday, July 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, Abner Mares returns to the ring to face Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the SHOWTIME PPV opening bout, Johan Perez defends his interim WBA Junior Welterweight World Title against Mauricio Herrera in a 12-round matchup. Also, Juan Manuel Lopez meets Francisco Vargas in a 10-round bout for the WBO International Super Featherweight Title. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). For information visit www.SHO.com/Sports. Canelo vs. Lara will be shown on the big screen in movie theaters across the country via Fathom Events. Information will be available at www.fathomevents.com.

Plus, SHOWTIME will televise undefeated WBO Bantamweight World Champion Tomoki “El Mexicanito” Kameda defending his title against No. 1-ranked contender Pungluang Sor Singyu during “Canelo vs. Lara: COUNTDOWN LIVE” (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, immediately preceding the live PPV event).

(Indio, CA) – California boxing hall of famer Bobby DePhilippis and his company Bobby D. Presents takes his show on the road this coming Friday when they present “Guys and Dolls” at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. The talent-packed fight card will mark the fourth event this year for newly awarded NABF female promoter of the year with at least four more scheduled before the end of 2014. On Friday DePhilippis will once again present yet another North American Boxing Federation female title fight when in the semi-main event Chantel “Gorgeous Babe” Cordova (12-5-1, 3KO) of Pueblo, Colorado, faces off against Patricia “Patty Boom Boom” Alcivar (7-2, 3KO) in a ten round super flyweight championship bout.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL: As Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (24-0-1, 22 KOs) prepares to defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title against Blake “Il Capo” Caparello on August 2nd on HBO Boxing After Dark from Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ, the media is buzzing about the possibility of a unification fight between Krusher and IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 KOs).

“Krusher”
Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events

In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com, Hopkins called out Kovalev saying, “I got two titles and a legacy. What’s Kovalev got? A punch and a WBO title – let’s do it.” He added, “The perception is, is that Kovalev is a killer and [Adonis] Stevenson doesn’t want to fight him, he wants to fight an old man. If that’s the case, I’ll knock off Kovalev first, because I believe that I can beat him. I believe that he’s a tough fight, but I believe that I can beat him. It’s a fight where if I make a mistake I can get knocked out. And yeah Bernard Hopkins can get knocked out too, and so can Kovalev and so can Stevenson, who’s been knocked out once in his career.”

Hopkins, of course, is referring to the planned title unification fight on HBO between WBO Champion Kovalev and WBC Champion Adonis Stevenson, which was scuttled when Stevenson and his Promoter chose to take a path avoiding Kovalev. That decision is now the subject of ongoing litigation.

Kovalev
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events
Kovalev was predictably peeved when Stevenson called off their planned fight. He would especially relish the opportunity to face the legendary Hopkins before Stevenson gets the chance, though he remains circumspect. Kovalev said, “All I want to do is fight the best. I wanted to fight Stevenson but he ran away. I would get in the ring with Bernard Hopkins right now! Any time, any place! But who knows? Maybe he’s just trying to get more money from Showtime? So, I am focused on preparing for my fight on HBO on August 2nd and after we’ll see if Hopkins will really get in the ring with me.”

Kovalev vs. Agnew
Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events

Main Events CEO Kathy Duva added, “After reading Bernard’s comments to BoxingScene.com, I immediately reached out to all of the parties potentially involved on the Hopkins side to try to make the fight happen. But what I heard from all of them is ‘I don’t know,’ including when I asked who would represent Bernard in negotiations. If Bernard Hopkins truly wants to fight Sergey Kovalev, I know we can make a deal. Like Sergey, we will focus on our preparations for his title fight against Blake Caparello on August 2nd, while Hopkins sorts out his promotional situation.”

About Kovalev vs. Caparello:

The WBO Light Heavyweight World Championship between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, (24-0-1, 22 KOs) and Blake “Il Capo” Caparello (19-0-1, 6 KOs) is on Saturday, August 2nd at Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic, City, NJ. The fight will be telecast as part of a split-site triple-header on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:45 PM ET/PT. The event is presented by Main Events in association with DiBella Entertainment. Tickets prices are $55, $80, $160 and $250. They are available at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the HBO Boxing After Dark special triple header split site telecast begins at 9:45 PM.

About Revel

Revel Casino Hotel is Atlantic City’s newest and most spacious casino resort and convention destination. Located on Atlantic City’s world-famous boardwalk, the ocean front hotel is designed to offer endless views of the Atlantic at every turn. The casino resort offers 130,000 square feet of world class gaming, with 2,400 slots, 130 table games, electronic tables and players’ lounges, along with the high-limit table game Ultra Lounge. A member of the American Express Gold Hotel Collection, Revel features 1,399 ocean view rooms. Guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, cabanas, gardens, lounges, a 32,000-square-foot spa, 13 restaurants that offer a range of fine dining to deliciously affordable menu options, a collection of boutiques, nightclubs, a dayclub, and live entertainment at The Social and showroom headliners at Ovation Hall. While taking in all the casino has to offer, guests can earn points as they play, dine, shop and relax with the Revel Card loyalty program. For additional information and updates, and for complete details and rules of all promotions, customers can visit the Revel Card desk or visit www.revelcasino.com and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/revel and follow @revelresorts on Twitter and @revelcasino on Instagram.