MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (June 30, 2014) – Uber has partnered with 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions to offer a special deal for first-time Uber users attending this Wednesday night’s second annual “50 Cent Birthday Bash,” airing live on a special edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights from Grand Theater in Fox Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Uber will provide new Uber users a free ride (up to $20) to fight attendees on behalf of SMS Promotions. See full details below.

In the main event, undefeated No. 11 rated junior lightweight Mark “Too Sharp” Davis (18-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, takes on No. 4 ranked Filipino knockout artist Michael “Hammer Fist” Farenas (38-4-4, 30 KOs) in a 12-round International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator.

Former IBF featherweight champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (36-3, 21 KOs), who is rated No. 13 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), moves up to junior lightweight to face former World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title challenger Alberto “Kichis” Garza (26-7-1, 21 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

Unbeaten lightweight prospect Ryan “Blue Chip” Martin (6-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, takes on Albuquerque’s Matthew “Champ” Baca (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in the four-round ESPN opener.

Davis, Dib and Martin are promoted by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN

The official “50 Cent Birthday Bash” weigh in will be held tomorrow (Tuesday, July 1) at Foxwoods, starting at 5 p.m. ET, in the mezzanine area of the Grand Theater in Fox Tower.

Former S. Connecticut State University football player and current Connecticut State junior middleweight champion, New Haven’s unbeaten Jimmy Williams (6-0, 3 KOs), meets Bronx veteran Stephen Owusu (8-6, 4 KOs) in a six-round fight of local interest.

Undefeated WIBA International super bantamweight champion Shelly “Shelito’s Way” Vincent (11-0, 1 KO), of Providence, and former IWBF bantamweight titlist Nadia “Da Phenomenal” Feliciano (7-5-3, 0 KOs), fighting out of the Bronx, square off a six-round, non-title bout.

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is undefeated Nick DeLomba (3-0), of Cranston, RI vs. New Haven (CT) welterweight Edwin Soto (9-1-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round match, in addition to undefeated Bronx welterweight Luis Cruz (7-0, 4 KOs) vs. Ryan Picou (1-2) and Brooklyn super welterweight sensation Junior “Sugar Boy” Younan (4-0, 4 KOs) vs. Azamat Umarzoda (0-3-1) in six and four round fights, respectively.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $100.00, $75.00 and $45.00 and are on sale online at www.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods’ box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods’ box office. Tickets will also be available to purchase through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Doors at Grand Theater in Fox Tower will open at 6 p.m. ET. The first bout will start at 7 p.m. ET with ESPN FNF airing live between 9-11 p.m. ET.

Doors to the after party will open at 10:00 p.m. ET. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods’ box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods’ box office.

Enjoy Your First Free Ride With Uber

How does it work? Using Uber’s free iPhone/Android/Blackberry 7 app, you can request a pickup and a car driven by a professional driver will show up in minutes. Your credit card is billed directly for your trip and there’s no need to tip, so you won’t need to carry cash. You can even see the car coming towards you on a map!

Follow these simple steps to get $20 off your ride:

1. Download the free Uber iPhone/Android/Blackberry 7 app (or sign up at get.uber.com/go/SMSboxing)

2. Enter your information in the Uber app and promo code SMSboxing when you sign up.

3. Request a ride 5 – 15 minutes before you need one. $20 will be applied towards your first ride on uberX, UberBLACK, or UberSUV (excluding uberT, expires 07/04/15, US only)

Uber is now available in over 130 cities worldwide including Providence, Boston, Connecticut and New York City

Miami, FL (June 30, 2014) At the age of 18, heralded welterweight prospect ERICKSON ‘The Hammer” LUBIN has been the talk of the boxing world in 2014 and will return to battle at “JUDGMENT DAY” on Thursday, July 10 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida and LIVE On FOX Sports 1 in a scheduled eight round bout against Mexican veteran NOE “Platanito” BOLANOS.

Former heavyweight champion and boxing legend MIKE TYSON, now head of Iron Mike Productions, spoke about his young, undefeated charge and the process of him being moved rapidly.

“There are exceptions to the rule, I was one, and I believe that Erickson Lubin will be one,” said Tyson of the 5-0 southpaw, Lubin who has stopped all of his opponents.

“We have some very young talent that we will develop slowly, but this kid is different. He clearly has great talent, but he is also mentally tough and he’s ahead of everyone at this age, and he can handle it. He left the amateurs because he got bored, he wanted a challenge.”

“The first day in our gym he said that he wanted to spar with the best pros in the world. After a few months in the gym, we had to send him out on the road to other cities and other gyms where he could spar with the best.”

Speaking specifically about his first five fights, Hall of Famer Tyson said, “When we have matched him in fights with contemporaries, everyone has said that we fought him too soft. There is no competition in four round fights or six round fights for him. The only way to really see him develop and to challenge him is to step him up. That is what he wants. Actually that is what he demands. And when he has gone and sparred with some of the best guys in the world he has been dominant. This kid is one of the most exciting young fighters on the planet. He is fast, he boxes and he’s like me – mean and he likes to hurt people.”

“It is my duty as a promoter to showcase this kid and let the fans see him and enjoy this fighter. You will see, he is exciting, he is aggressive, he takes risks and that is entertaining.”

Accolades for Lubin have also come from two of the most respected trainers in the boxing world.

Said legendary boxer Mickey Ward whose career was portrayed in the award winning movie, ‘The Fighter’, “First time I saw this kid sparring he was 17. He went against a pro that was ranked and thrashed him. I knew then he was the real deal”.

“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.

Fighting out of Orlando, Florida, Lubin will be making the fifth start of his 2014 campaign, most recently dropping Jovan Ramirez four times on his way to a second stoppage on April 18 in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

The 27-year old Bolanos, 25-9-1 (16KO’s), is coming off an eight round unanimous decision win over Felipe Gonzalez on September 21, 2013 in Sonora, Mexico.

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.

Concluded Tyson, celebrating his 48th birthday on Monday; “People have not really seen Lubin in his first five fights. That’s why we have him fighting a tough, experienced veteran. I’m excited and I want our fans to see this kid.”

“If you guys are hungry for the next baddest man on the planet at welterweight you need to tune in July 10th and check him out.”

“JUDGMENT DAY” is headlined by a 12-round IBF Junior Lightweight Championship rematch between champion ARGENIS “La Tormenta” MENDEZ and challenger RANCES “Kid Blast” BARTHELEMY.

Co-featured on the FOX Sports 1 telecast will be a 10-round light heavyweight clash between world ranked contender HUMBERTO “EL Don” SAVIGNE and former world champion JEFF “Left Hook” LACY.

A sensational off-TV undercard for “JUDGMENT DAY” will be announced shortly.

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.

PUERTO RICO (June 30, 2014) – This past Saturday, Gary Shaw Productions hot prospects, Jean Carlos “Chapito” Rivera and Luis Paredes both scored sensational knockout victories to improve their records to (2-0, 1KO).

Rivera, who fights at bantamweight, connected with a powerful body shot, sending his opponent Jean Carlos Molina to the canvass in the first round. Molina could not recover and the bout was stopped.

“I went to work right away,” Rivera said. “When I landed that powerful body shot to my opponent, I knew he wasn’t getting up. I want to thank Gary Shaw for bringing me back to Puerto Rico where I get to fight in front of my people. This was my first knockout and it felt fantastic. I’m hoping I can get back in the ring very soon.”

Paredes landed a stunning left hook to the jaw of his opponent Jesus Feliciano to defeat him. The devastating blow came in the first round and the contest was ended. Paredes campaigns at junior featherweight .

“I came out here and accomplished my goal of getting a knockout,” said Paredes. “I wanted to show Gary Shaw that I have knockout power. It felt good to get a win like this in front of my hometown fans. Fighting in Puerto Rico is incredible. I can’t wait to return to the ring.”

“Both of these young men stepped up their game and came away with a couple of knockouts,” said Gary Shaw. “Bustillo and I know these kids can fight so we’ll continue to see them grow as they march up the latter.

By Bart Barry-

After nine years of sitting ringside at Top Rank shows – my first media credential came from Lee Samuels, in April 2005 – one flatters himself to think he can discern the difference between a well-built fight and a well-built fighter, noting hallmarks of the promoter’s extraordinary eye for talent and talent for matchmaking in the differences between a well-built fight like Donaire-Montiel and a well-built fighter like Miguel Cotto. In Dallas one year ago to see Mikey Garcia continue his ascent, while actually witnessing its antithesis, I believed the best-built fighter I saw at American Airlines Center was not Garcia but an undefeated kid from Nebraska named Terence Crawford.

Saturday confirmed that opinion and ratified Crawford as one of the world’s two best lightweights (and if a fight’s probable aesthetics should require ambiguity, may it ever do so in the case of Crawford and Miguel Vazquez), when Crawford overcame undefeated Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa’s initial superiority of reflex and craft to make a first defense of his world title the proper way: TKO-9. At Omaha’s CenturyLink Center, Crawford switched from orthodox to southpaw, socked Gamboa from most every direction, dropped him four times, and commanded referee Genaro Rodriguez’s mercy, in a performance that made aficionados everywhere suddenly invest in the Nebraskan’s fortunes.

Crawford-Gamboa was an excellent fight conducted near the height of boxing’s current powers, though not quite as much as HBO’s hyperbolic commentating crew proclaimed – so thrilled were they to be somewhere new in front of a spectacle competitive. Terence Crawford is a rarity among contemporary prizefighters: A talented fighter able to sell tickets at home though nevertheless willing to travel anywhere and make fight real fights against real fighters. He is a monument to how Top Rank alone can build a fighter when it wishes to, when it takes a nothing-much-to-lose approach and moves him properly, making sterner tests steadily, and giving him a chance to surprise himself and others when his moment comes.

If a prizefighter improves considerably by becoming a champion, Crawford just became better again by defending his belt before a hometown crowd. Whatever collectedness Crawford showed throughout the match and afterwards, however much the ferocity of Gamboa’s attack elevated Crawford’s demeanor in aficionados’ eyes from insipid to poised, there can be no doubt he was surprised and overjoyed by his performance and its result. Watch him immediately after being hoisted on his handler’s shoulders in the traditionally celebratory way; he begins with the menacing glare one sees predominately in staredowns and hip-hop clubs then surrenders his face to a wide and nearly disbelieving grin.

It was, in its way, a metaphor for the transition in demeanor our sport’s fans underwent these last 30 days: After a scowl-inducing opening five months, 2014 righted its course, if it didn’t fully redeem itself, with definitively heroic showings by Carl Froch, Chris Algieri, Vasyl Lomachenko and Terence Crawford, interrupted early by a coronation of sorts for Miguel Cotto, aficionados’ consensus pick for the veteran prizefighter most deserving of one. While a single stretch in a mediocre run would not save a programming regime in a meritocracy, in the current state of premium-cable programming it likely buys those running HBO Sports another year or so.

As if in late-arriving rebuttal to Showtime’s groundbreaking work with Chuck Giampa in 2012, HBO unveiled Saturday its own fan-battle and groggy-cam innovations, the former a feature in which, rather than feign objectivity at the outset, Max and Roy each pick an opposing fighter and comb a match’s every indecisive moment for evidence his fighter took it, while Jim scores their efforts and Steve agrees. Max selects the object of his greater overstatements in bygone fights, and Roy picks whichever guy resembles Roy. Perhaps the fan-battle innovation, then, marks not an innovation but a feedback mechanism: Any time Max tore his eyes from Gamboa’s spellbinding athleticism, Saturday, it meant Crawford did something exceptional, and each time Roy got Gamboa’s name right it was because the Cuban showed much heart, son.

The groggy-cam innovation, though, was exactly that: Effectively as Chuck Giampa once took Showtime viewers inside the mind of a judge so did HBO’s camerawork take subscribers inside the massively concussed brain of a nearly unconscious man in a championship prizefight. Viewers who delighted in HBO’s rope-obstructed shots in the opening rounds had no choice but to concede the close of Saturday’s main event was nigh intoxicating, if not intoxicated. After Gamboa rose from the blue mat and readied himself for his final act of self-immolation in round 9, HBO gave its viewers a jerky Omaha-crowd-as-Pacific-Ocean angle nonsensical as broadcasting a Tiger Woods sudden-death putt from the Goodyear Blimp.

Self-immolation was indeed the phrase that often came to mind while watching Gamboa in Saturday’s final rounds. Gamboa, who has been rendered HBO-camera-like just about every time a fight of his makes television, brought to mind the Mike Tyson whom Evander Holyfield stopped in their first match, though without a chin fractionally reliable as Tyson’s. Just as Holyfield weathered the initial onslaught of Tyson’s reflexive rage and raging reflexes, weathered it to remind Tyson who the physically stronger man was, so did Crawford get too close and then too far in his opening 12 minutes with Gamboa, determining what he might be missing in the Cuban’s all-offense-always style and what the consequences of his carelessness later might bring, before marching forward and imposing himself the way a man should in a confrontation.

Unlike Crawford, Gamboa had no means of countering a force that moved him backwards, asserting once more his claim on contemporary prizefighting’s largest delta between physical ability and ring IQ – that somewhat fuzzy quality one needn’t define precisely before knowing Crawford has much larger stores of it than Gamboa. More enticing, still, is this: Crawford utilized his IQ to make a wager worthy of prizefighting’s master gambler, Juan Manuel Marquez, choosing to absorb Gamboa’s overhand rights, from a southpaw stance, in the hopes of deploying his own arsenal with more devastating effect.

When such hopes find full satisfaction in an arena filled with one’s hometown fans, it’s OK to break character afterwards and smile widely, Terence. You’ve got lots of folks smiling.

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

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (June 28, 2014) – Tonight in Dominican Republic, Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions’, Darleys Perez (30-1, 19 KOs), captured the WBA Interim Title with a hard fought victory against Argenis Lopez (19-1, 7 KOs), who was fighting in his home country.

From the opening bell, Perez was the busier fighter as he threw more punches and landed the cleaner shots. Lopez never really got into a rhythm and Perez took advantage of the situation by outworking him throughout the fight. Neither fighter was seriously hurt. Scorecards read 116-112 and 117-111 twice, all in favor for Perez.

With the win, Perez cements himself as a serious player in the lightweight division. Many fights can be made with Perez challenging any of the world champions at 135lbs. Promoter Gary Shaw feels Perez is on his way to a big time fight.

“This is a very big win for us,” said Gary Shaw. “Thompson Boxing and GSP are very thrilled to have another world champion to promote. There are some big fights that can be made so we’ll get working on some great opportunities for Perez. For Perez to win a decision in Lopez’s hometown is amazing. He really earned this victory with tremendous heart and grandeur.”

“I knew I had to give it my all to come out here and earn a decision,” said Perez. “I felt I was in control of the fight from the very beginning. I never let up and kept coming strong with controlled pressure. I know my promoters, Gary Shaw and Thompson Boxing have some big plans for my future, so I’m going to just enjoy this win and get back to work when I get home. I’m happy to bring this title home to Colombia.

Terence Crawford defended the WBO Lightweight title with a 9th round stoppage over former world champion and previously undefeated Yuriorkis Gamboa before nearly 11,000 fans at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

It was a terrific back and forth action fight that saw Gamboa control the early part of the fight with his speed and right hand. Things turned in round five when Crawford sent Gamboa to the canvas. Crawford started to dominate the action in round’s six and seven and sent Gamboa down in round eight. Crawford scored a 3rd knockdown in round nine. Gamboa landed a huge right before getting caught with hard left that sent him to the canvas for a fourth and final time at 2:53 of round nine.

Crawford, 134 3.4 lbs of Omaha, NEB is now 24-0 with 17 knockouts. Gamboa, 134 1/2 lbs of Cuba is now 23-1.

In a battle of undefeated Middleweights, Matt Korobov passed his sternest test when he scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Uzcategui.

Korobov boxed very well over the first three rounds. Uzcategui got in the fight as he landed some long combinations and cut Korobov over the left eye in round five. Korobov came back and had a strong last few rounds and sealed the fight by scoring two knockdowns from right hooks in round seven.

Korobov, 160 lbs of Russia won by scores of 97-91 twice and 96-92 and is now 24-0. Uzcategui, 160 lbs of Venezuela is now 22-1.

Frank De Alba 129 – Pablo Batres 132
(UBF All American Super Featherweight title)
Pat Kehoe 152 – Danny Lugo 153
Robert Ramos 135 – Rolando Chinea 136
Miguel Martinez 157 – Alex Sanchez 155
Benjamin Burgos 125 – Antonio Dubose. 126
Christian Molina. 140 Jordan Morales. 140

Promoters: King’s Boxing and XFE
Venue: Santander Arena
1st Bell: 6 PM

Most eyes will, of course, be on Ruslan Chagaev and Fres Oquendo on July 6th in Grozny when the two ring veterans meet for the vacant WBA world heayvweight championship. But there is another big name in the co-feature who wants to get back to old stardom: “The Black Panther” Juan Carlos Gomez faces unbeaten Goran Delic for the WBA International cruiserweight title.

“I am looking forward to this big fight and especially to fighting in Grozny”, says Gomez. “I heard only good things about the city and the people down there. I know that I have lots of friends and fans in Russia. So this will be a special night for me.”

“The Black Panther” has a lot in common with the two main event fighters Chagaev and Oquendo: They were all excellent amateurs before making their pro debuts back in the 90s. Chagaev and Gomez have even been stablemates for most of their careers at Universum Box-Promotion in Hamburg, Germany, and became world champions in their respective divisions. The Cuban defector won the WBC cruiserweight championship in 1998, while Chagaev crowned himself WBA world heavyweight champion by beating “Russian Giant” Nikolay Valuev in 2007.

“It’s great to fight on the same card as Ruslan again”, states Gomez. “We go back a long, long time and I have always liked and respected him a lot. I also know Fres who is a Latino just like me. Both guys are excellent boxers and I am sure that this will be a great fight. But I have to focus on my own job – and that’s Goran Delic.”

To get back on track in the cruiserweight division after an unsuccessful run at heavyweight between 2002 and 2012 which led him to a world title shot against Vitali Klitschko which he clearly lost, Gomez has to get passed a guy like Delic. But the unbeaten Bosnian (24-0) is looking for the biggest win of his career so far in order to get into position for a world title shot.

Adds Gomez, “Like every unbeaten fighter Delic will do whatever it takes to defend his ‘0’. But I got bad news for him: The ‘Black Panther’ is hungry and will eat up that ‘0’. After this fight he finally knows what losing feels like.”

Gomez has always been very self-confident – and he never changed his mantra over the years: “On July 6th in Grozny, I will continue my successful comeback at cruiserweight and show the world that whenever and wherever the ‘Black Panther’ enters the ring… IT’S SHOWTIME!”

Errol Spence Jr. remained perfect with a 10-round drubbing of Ronald Cruz in a Welterweight bout at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Spence was dominant as he carved up Cruz with his combination punching where he worked the body and head. Cruz was cut over the left eye from an accidental headbutt in round two.

Spence, 146 1/2 lbs of Dallas, TX won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 13-0. Cruz, 148 lbs of Bethlehem, PA is now 20-4.

Dominic Wade remained undefeated by scoring a 10-round unanimous decision over Nick Brinson in a Middleweight fight.

Wade Dominated throughout the fight with the cleaner harder punches. Brinson had a solid round three. That was the high point of his fight as Wade took control going down the stretch and won by scores of 96-94 and 97-93 twice

Wade, 161 1/2 lbs of Washington, DC is now 16-0. Brinson, 160 1/2 lbs of Albany, NY is now 16-2-2.

Ivan Redkach remained undefeated by pounding out a 10-round unanimous decision over Sergey Gulyakevich at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, Missouri.

Redkach came forward throughout the bout while Gulyakevich did little more then survive throughout the contest.

Redkach, 138.9 lbs of Los Angles via Ukraine won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 and is now 17-0. Gulyakevich, 138 lbs of Belarus is now 41-3.

Ryan Kielczewski remained undefeated by scoring an 8-round unanimous decision over Ramsey Luna in a spirited Jr. Lightweight bout.

Kielczewski, 126.8 lbs of Boston won by scores of 79-73 and 78-74 twice and is now 20-0. Luna, 126.9 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX is now 12-2.

Stephon Young remained undefeated by pounding out a 6-round unanimous decision over Vicente Alfaro in a Super Bantaweight bout.

The scores were 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 for Young, 120.6 lbs and is now 10-0-1. Alfaro, 119 lbs of Mexico is now 6-4.

Saturday’s HBO’s Boxing After Dark telecast begins at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) with a live doubleheader from Omaha, Neb.

Local product Terence Crawford will defend his lightweight belt versus Yuriorkis Gamboa of Miami. The two fighters have identical (23-0, 16 KOs) ring records.

The opening bout features two more undefeated fighters as Matt Korobov (23-0, 13 KOs) meets Jose Uzcategui (22-0, 18 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight fight.

Official Weights from Omaha:

Terence Crawford: 134.8 lbs.
Yuriorkis Gamboa: 134.4 lbs.

Matt Korobov: 160.0 lbs.
Jose Uzcategui: 160.0 lbs.

Join the conversation on Twitter using #CrawfordGamboa

LINCOLN, R.I. (June 27th, 2014) – Fighting a new opponent on just 48 hours’ notice, Julian Lane looked as dominant as ever Friday in the main event of “CES MMA XXIV.”

Lane won a 30-27 unanimous decision on all three scorecards at Twin River Casino against Philadelphia’s Gemiyale Adkins, a last-minute replacement for Providence’s Luis Felix, who was forced to withdraw from the fight Wednesday due to injury.

The three-round welterweight bout featured plenty of exchanged with Lane (7-3-1) as the aggressor, landing two- and three-punch combinations while the shorter, thicker Adkins (8-8) seemed content with letting off just one punch at a time.

The judges rewarded Lane for his aggressiveness, and the former Ultimate Fighter reality television star won for the third time in his last fight bouts while the game Adkins dropped his fifth in a row and sixth in his last seven.

The knockout of the night belonged to East Providence, R.I., featherweight Dinis Paiva (5-5, 2 KOs), who dropped Joe Cushman (11-6) of Bridgewater, Mass., with a right hand just 49 seconds into the opening round of their scheduled three-round bout. It was Paiva’s 10th professional bout, all under the guidance of CES MMA.

In the undisputed Fight of the Night, female flyweight sensation Kaline Medeiros (3-3) of Fall River, Mass., won a hard-fought, 29-28, unanimous decision on all three scorecards against 43-year-old newcomer Brigitte Narcise (0-1) of Fairfield, N.J.

The two exchanged shots throughout the fight and even exchanged the upper hand on the canvas with both fighters gaining control at various points. Medeiros’ dominance in the final round turned out to be the determining factor as she took Narcise to the canvas within the opening minute and softened her up with effective ground-and-pound for the remainder of the fight.

Kennesaw, Ga., veteran Aaron Johnson (13-8) earned his 12th career submission, forcing Providence’s Greg Rebello (16-7) to tap out courtesy of the guillotine at the 1-minute, 7-second mark of the second round in a scheduled three-round bout fought at a catch weight of 225 pounds. Rebello let his guard down momentarily in the second round as both fighters scrambled to their feet and Johnson took advantage, charging at Rebello and trapping him in the guillotine on his way back down to the canvas.

Previously-unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Willie Brown (2-1) of Meriden, Conn., suffered his first career defeat against Keasbey, N.J., veteran J.A. Dudley (7-12), who submitted Brown with a heel hook at the 1:28 mark of the opening round, and Medford, Mass., vet Lewis Corapi (6-1, 3 KOs) made quick work of fellow lightweight Michael Sanchez (6-12) of Kenosha, Wisc., stopping Sanchez with a series of unanswered strikes at 4:15 of the opening round.

Providence bantamweight Joe Reverdes (2-3, 1 KO) earned his second career win and first knockout victory one minute into the opening round of a scheduled three-round bout, pummeling Randy Campbell (0-3) of Elizabeth City, N.J., with unanswered hammer fists until referee Kevin MacDonald stopped the fight. Providence featherweight Keenan Raymond (2-0) beat James Murrin (1-1) of Dorchester, Mass., by split decision, 28-29, 29-28, 29-28, and Framingham, Mass., lightweight Saul Almeida (16-5) defeated Dorchester’s Andres Jeudi (5-3) by unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.

LOS ANGELES (Jun. 27) – Looking to follow up the biggest win of her career over Alesia Graf in March, WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Zulina “La Loba” Munoz will continue to make her case as one of the top female fighters in the sport today on Saturday, June 28, when she defends her belt against Budapest’s Renata Domsodi in a 10-round main event to be broadcast live on Televisa and FOX Deportes from the Centro de Espectaculos in Epazoyucan, Hidalgo, Mexico.

In the co-main event, it’s another world championship showdown when Guadalajara’s Oswaldo “El Gallito” Novoa puts his WBC Minimumweight Title on the line against Managua’s Alcides “Casco” Martinez.

“Casta De Campeones” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5 p.m. CT and the first fight begins at 6 p.m. CT. The Televisa broadcast begins at 11:00 p.m. CT. The FOX Deportes broadcast begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

One of the best fighters the women’s side of the sport has to offer, Chicoloapan’s Zulina “La Loba” Munoz (41-1-1, 26 KOs) is a true fighting champion, having successfully defended her title five times since defeating Maribel Ramirez for the belt in November of 2012. The 26-year-old’s most important victory came in March of this year though, when she defeated the only fighter to beat her, Alesia Graf. Now with that chapter closed, she moves on to even more challenges, starting with Domsodi.

A world champion herself at 118 pounds, Budapest, Hungary’s Renata Domsodi (12-4, 5 KOs) is a fierce competitor willing to do whatever it takes to win another world title belt, even if it means going into Munoz’ backyard this weekend. Fresh from an eight-round win over previously unbeaten Alexandra Vlajk in March, the 35-year-old Domsodi is well-prepared to challenge “La Loba.”

Guadalajara’s Oswaldo “El Gallito” Novoa (13-4-1, 8 KOs) is one of Mexico’s most inspiring boxers, as he bounced back from a 1-4 stretch in 2011-12 that had many questioning what his future was in the sport. But since then he has won six straight, four by knockout, capping off his comeback with a fifth round stoppage of Xiong Zhao Zhong that earned him the WBC Minimumweight Title that he will defend tonight.

Aiming to stop this fistic Cinderella story is Managua, Nicaragua’s Alcides “Casco” Martinez (12-2, 6 KOs) a 22-year-old with championship dreams in his head and the firepower in his fists to make them come true. Unbeaten in five straight, with wins over Guillermo Ortiz, Angel Garcia, and Giovany Rayo, Martinez is confident that he has what it takes to leave Mexico with the title belt around his waist.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXDeportes.com and www.televisadeportes.com and www.canelopromotions.com.mx , follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloPromotion, @TD_Deportes and @FOXDeportes and visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

Chicago, IL (June 26, 2014) A high stakes game of Russian Roulette is scheduled for next Tuesday, July 1, before Judge Kathleen Kennedy at the Richard J. Daley Center in Chicago as to the fate of the World Boxing Association (‘WBA’) WBA Heavyweight Championship fight between Fres Oquendo and Ruslan Chagaev. Hitz Boxing and Square Ring Promotions are seeking an injunction against Oquendo to enjoin his participation in the bout.

“Our legal team filed a series of papers today and there will be a hearing next Tuesday here in Chicago,” said Bobby Hitz, President of Hitz Boxing. “We know that Fres and his team are leaving on Saturday for Russia, but if Judge Kennedy grants our motion for a TRO, which we are advised that there is a very strong chance, Fres will be in contempt of court if he goes forward with the fight. ”

“The WBA is now also named in the lawsuit. So if we do get the TRO and the WBA lets this fight happen, there will be some serious consequences for it,” stated Hitz.

“I read with interest today the articles about President Kadyrov sparring with Chagaev. Now that’s my kind of President,” continued Hitz. “He obviously respects fighters and must have guts to get in the ring even to spar with a guy as talented as Ruslan. As a former fighter myself, I only wish President Kadyrov would respect our contractual rights and honor the deal that his people made with us, so we can end this game of Russian Roulette and let this fight happen.”

By Norm Frauneheim-

It’s a season of declining expectations. Miguel Cotto’s dramatic victory over Sergio Martinez represents the third straight time that pay-per-view numbers for a major fight were disappointing. Once might be an aberration. Twice is cause for concern. But three straight? That’s a trend.

The reported number for HBO”s PPV-telecast of Cotto-Martinez on June 7 was 350,000. The projection was 460,000 to 500,000. That follows reports that Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s decision on May 3 over Marcos Maidana fell short of the one-million mark, an expectation built into the Money May nickname. Mayweather has generated more than one million in six fights — Oscar De La Hoya (2.4), Canelo Alvarez (2.2), Cotto (1.5), Shane Mosley (1.4) Victor Ortiz (1.25) and Juan Manuel Marquez (1.06). Against Maidana, the buy-rate was reported to be about 900,000, although Showtime has not announced a number.

The first domino to fall was Manny Pacquiao’s rematch victory over Timothy Bradley on April 12. The HBO telecast did between 750,000 and and 800,000 according to various media sources. Like Mayweather, Pacquiao failed to meet the million milestone that the Filipino has often surpassed. His PPV average was 1.079 million for seven fights between his victory over Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6, 2008 and his majority-decision over Marquez on Nov. 12, 2011 in their second rematch.

The 2014 decline has been blamed on a lot of things, all reasonable. There have been too many pay-per-view shows for ho-hum fights, Top Rank’s Bob Arum told ESPN. There was too much competition for eyeballs on the Cotto-Martinez weekend, when the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers played for the Stanley Cup and the Triple Crown was at stake in the Belmont, Martinez promoter Lou DiBella said.

Yes and yes.

But the conversation ignores a very big fly in the troublesome ointment.

Sliding numbers are further confirmation that the promotional feud has taken a toll. It appears that the bitter divide between Golden Boy and Top Rank has begun to heal because of De La Hoya’s initiative. He reached out to Arum and promised to renew a working relationship with ex-Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer’s sworn enemy. The move was gutsy, yet risky. It led to immediate turbulence at Golden Boy, the company he founded in 2002. Schaefer resigned. Chief Operating Officer Bruce Binkow soon followed. But it’s hard to know what will happen, long-term.

What the PPV numbers say, however, is that the so-called cross-over crowd, the casual boxing fan, has moved on. It’s safe to say that the cross-over fan isn’t interested in the blow-by-blow coverage of insults exchanged by feuding personalities. Nasty divorces, done over and over again, are tired events. Good fights aren’t. The best of the good just hasn’t happened because of a feud that might be healing, but isn’t resolved.

The guess here is that a key clue to Golden Boy’s future will be revealed this fall. On October 13, a lawsuit filed by All-Star Boxing against Golden Boy involving Canelo is scheduled to go to trial in Florida’s Dade County. The allegation is that Golden Boy signed Canelo when he was still under contract to All-Star.

If it was business as usual, the lawsuit might come and go like so many others have. But these are unusual times, even for a sport that has seen it all. The October trial looms as critical. Canelo is the biggest draw in Mexico, boxing’s biggest market. Retaining his promotional rights would appear to be a cornerstone to Golden Boy’s viability. Whatever happens in that Miami courtroom, it’ll have lasting impact throughout.

Until October, however, the business is in limbo. There are some very good fights, the biggest of which is Canelo-versus-Erislandy Lara on July 12 in a Showtime pay-pew-view fight at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. But will the cross-over fan watch? The first half of 2014 says no.

That cross-over demographic is critical. It’s what turns a good fight into a blockbuster and what makes Mayweather worth the potential $250 million that Showtime invested in him. Thus far, however, that crowd isn’t there anymore.

For now, the NHL, or horse racing, or the World Cup, or a movie looks as if it’s a better investment than pay-per-view boxing. Winning back that fan is the biggest fight, but doing it is a challenge complicated by a sport that has yet to repair itself.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-June 26, 2014-California Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez and State Senator Kevin de León today honored Olympic gold medalist and 10-time world champion boxer Oscar De La Hoya for his many accomplishments in boxing and business, and contributions to the California community. Assembly Speaker Emeritus Pérez and Senator de León recognized De La Hoya from the senate and assembly floors during a presentation at the California State Capitol.

“I am pleased to join my colleagues in honoring Oscar De La Hoya for his many contributions to the sport of boxing, and for being a strong example of what can happen when one works hard to succeed, regardless of their background,” said Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles). “We are proud to celebrate his accomplishments, especially his recent induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, as well as an athlete, businessman, community leader, Latino and Californian.”

“Oscar De La Hoya is an incredible athlete who has never forgotten where he came from,” said Sen. Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles). “He has given back so much to the community in East Los Angeles, and his continued success following his athletic career serves as an inspiration for all Californians.”

De La Hoya thanked his family, friends, fans, and community in brief remarks from the California State Senate and Assembly floors following the recognition presentation.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition in my home state of California,” De La Hoya said during the presentation. “I’m proud to represent my hometown of East Los Angeles today. I wouldn’t be standing here without the continued support of my family, friends, mentors, and amazing fans.”

De La Hoya, known as “The Golden Boy,” was born to Mexican immigrants in Montebello, California. Raised in a family that included amateur and professional boxers, he began boxing at the age of six. De La Hoya is one of the most popular and talented athletes in the history of boxing, having won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics at 17 years old and 10 world titles in six different weight classes. He was inducted in to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 8, 2014 in Canastota, NY as part of an All Star class that included rival Felix “Tito” Trinidad and undefeated Super Middleweight World Champion, Joe Calzaghe.

De La Hoya invested back in his community of East Los Angeles following his success in the ring. In 1995 the Oscar De La Hoya Foundation was created to bring a better quality of life to thousands of people in East Los Angeles. The Foundation supports the Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School, and the Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center and Oscar De La Hoya Children’s Medical Center at White Memorial Medical Center. The Foundation also supports numerous after-school programs that guide young people toward leading positive lives and away from gang violence, juvenile delinquency, and substance abuse.

In addition to boxing, De La Hoya is an accomplished businessman and singer. He established Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions in 2002 and became the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. In 2000, he released his first album, in English and Spanish, which topped Latin dance charts and had a single, ‘Ven a Mi,’ that was nominated for a GRAMMY award.

For more information on Oscar De La Hoya, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.

According to Dan Rafael, Golden Boy Promotions has filed a $50 million against former CEO Richard Schaefer.

Other than the dollar figure it is asking for, it is unclear what Golden Boy is accusing Schaefer of, although much of the public discussion surrounding his leaving the company has centered on the fact that he regularly put fighters advised by Al Haymon on major cards even though Golden Boy did not have them under promotional contract, which angered De La Hoya.

GILORY, CA (June 26, 2014) – In one of the most exciting fights in boxing history, 6-time and 4-division world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (32-2-1, 18 KOs), reflects on his tantalizing war with Yosihiro Kamegai (24-2-1, 21 KOs), which is on its way to being 2014 “Fight of The Year”.

“I hope the fans enjoyed the fight as much as I did,” said Guerrero. “I know I could have made the fight easier by boxing, but then the fans would have not gotten their money’s worth. I love to fight, it’s in my blood, and it’s what I do…I’m a fighter. One thing you can take to the bank is when you tune into watch me, or pay for a ticket to any of my fights, you’re going to get excitement. There’s nothing better than a toe to toe battle!”

“My name stands for Warrior in Spanish so that’s what I like to do…go to War,” Guerrero continued. “To my future opponents I can’t wait to get in there and bang it out!”

Guerrero, who won his first title at featherweight, has crossed over several weight classes, winning numerous world championships along the way. Guerrero has established himself as one of the elite fighters in boxing.

In closing Guerrero says, “I love to fight, it’s all about pleasing the fans!”

LONDON (June 26) – World champion Terence Crawford is hoping victory this Saturday night against “cocky” Yuriorkis Gamboa will kick start his path to greatness.

The WBO lightweight champion got his first taste of world title success when he overcame Scotland’s Ricky Burns earlier this year, with his first title defence taking place this weekend against the unbeaten Gamboa, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

The Omaha, Nebraska native, however, is not merely content with having achieved a lifelong dream by becoming a world champion but has his eyes on bigger prizes as he looks to establish himself as one of boxing’s biggest names.

“Of course being a world champion is going to fill you with confidence but that’s a short term goal – being a world champion. Now it’s about becoming a marquee fighter that everyone wants to see and that everyone acknowledges is a great fighter,” Crawford told BoxNation.

“Gamboa is a great fighter in his own right and for me to be in the ring with him shows where I’m at in my career. I didn’t get into this game to just fight for wins. Of course I’m in it to win it but to be the best you’ve got to beat the best.

“I feel like I’m the best lightweight out there in the world, everybody thinks he’s one of the best lightweights in the world and that’s why we’re fighting. I’m getting the victory. I feel like it’s going to be a tough fight but I will be victorious,” said a confident Crawford.

The 26-year-old has admitted that his fight with the Cuban Gamboa will likely be his last at the 135 pound weight class, as he looks to move up following nearly ten years as a lightweight.

“This is probably going to be my last fight at 135 pounds before moving up. My long term goal is to eventually move up to 147 and remain one of the best up there after fighting at 140 pounds,” said Crawford.

“I’ve been a lightweight for a long time, ever since I was 16, so my body has grown a lot and my last few fights it’s got a little hard on me [to make weight]. So this will probably be my last fight at lightweight,” he said.

The 32-year-old Gamboa goes into the fight with the slick Crawford as an Olympic gold medalist and former WBA and IBF featherweight world champion.

This weekend’s bout, though, will be taking place on the reigning champion’s home soil where he will fight in Omaha for the first time as a professional.

“I can’t describe the feeling [of fighting as a world champion in Omaha] because this is the moment I’ve been asking for and been waiting for. Now that it’s here, come fight night I’m going to put it all on the line,” said Crawford.

“He needs to be ready for whatever I bring. I’m going to bring a few things to the table that I’m going to show on Saturday. I see the fight going in my favour and feel this is my time and I’m not going to take no for an answer.

“Everybody knows he has fast hands and can box well but his downfall is that he’s too cocky. I can make adjustments for any fighter and fight my fight so that I’m the one in there that’s in charge,” he stated.

The American could have opted for an easier route in his first defence rather than such a stringent challenge against someone as skilled as Gamboa, but the fact it was such an intriguing matchup for fight fans made it an easy decision for Crawford.

“I never call out anybody. I never choose anybody. I just fight whoever they would like me to fight. And everybody from the outside looking in said this was a great fight so I just want to put on great fights for the fans, and this is a fight that the fans want to see,” said Crawford.

Crawford vs. Gamboa 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

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

Heavyweight Zhang Zhilei will make his pro debut on August 8 in Fallon, Nevada according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Zhang Zhilei has the whole package — size, athleticism, good looks, and great personality,” said promoter Dino Duva . “And one other thing: He knows how to fight. He has more of a pro style than Olympic style.

“Mark my words, once boxing fans get a chance to see him, he will be the talk of the heavyweight division and all of boxing. I believe he is going to be the most important heavyweight to come along since (brother Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko) turned pro in 1996.”

Evander Holyfield will serve in an advisory role on Zhang’s team, as well as a good-will ambassador for the company.

“We are delighted to bring Evander to the Dynasty team,” Duva said during the news conference in New York. “His wealth of knowledge and experience will be a huge asset to our young fighters as they embark on their professional careers. Evander is one of boxing’s legends, and we a proud that he will be representing Dynasty as an important member of the team.

“The Duva family is special to me, and I am looking forward to working with Dino Duva and the entire team at Dynasty Boxing,” Holyfield said.

St. Charles, MO (6/26/14) – All of the fighters for tomorrow nights ESPN’s Friday Night Fights/ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates card weighed in earlier today at the Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa in St. Charles, MO.

The card, promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Rumble Time Promotions, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, is headlined by red-hot lightweight contender Ivan “El Terribel” Redkach (right in photo) (16-0, 13KO’s) putting his undefeated record on the line against former title challenger Sergey “The Surgeon” Gulyakevich (41-2, 17KO’s) in the 10-round main event of the evening.

In the eight-round co-feature bout, WBA #11-rated junior lightweight Ryan Kielczweski (left in photo) (19-0, 4KO’s) puts his undefeated record on the line against once-beaten Ramsey Luna (12-1, 5KO’s).

Opening up the card will be promising hometown favorite Stephon Young (9-0, 4KO’s), from nearby St. Louis, MO, looking to improve to a perfect 10-0 when he squares off against Vicente Alfaro (6-3, 1KO) in a six-round junior featherweight showdown.

ESPN will begin live coverage at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN.

Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at $80 for ringside and $40 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1(800) 293-5949 or by visiting www.metrotix.com. Doors open at 5 p.m. CT with the first bout scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

Below is the complete bout sheet for tomorrow night’s card with the official weights included.

BLUE CORNER RED CORNER

MAIN EVENT

10 ROUNDS – SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS

Ivan Redkach vs. Sergey Gulyakevich
Los Angeles, CA Minsk, Belarus
16-0, 13 KO’s 41-2, 17 KO’s
138.9 lbs. 138 lbs.

CO-FEATURE

8 ROUNDS – JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS

Ryan Kielczweski vs. Ramsey Luna
Quincy, MA Corpus Christi, TX
19-0, 4 KO’s 12-1, 5 KO’s
126.8 lbs. 126.9 lbs.

OPENING BOUT

6 ROUNDS – JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS

Stephon Young vs. Vicente Alfaro
St. Louis, MO Northfield, MN
9-0, 4 KO’s 6-3, 1 KO
120.6 lbs. 119 lbs.

6 ROUNDS – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Eduardo Alicea vs. Demetrius Walker
Cleveland, OH Kansas City, MO
6-0, 3 KO’s 7-4-1, 4 KO’s
162 lbs. 165.7 lbs.

6 ROUNDS – MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Paul Littleton vs. Jeff Combs
Lombard, IL St. Louis, MO
8-0-1, 4 KO’s Veteran of 10 fights
165.6 lbs. 167 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Ivan Golub vs. Javon Wright
Brooklyn, NY St. Louis, MO
Pro Debut 1-2
161.5 lbs. 155.8

4 ROUNDS – FEATHERWEIGHTS

Derrick Murray vs. Joseph Mueller
St. Louis, MO St. Louis, MO
6-0-1, 3 KO’s Pro Debut
126 lbs. 127.6 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – WELTERWEIGHTS

Kent Cruz vs. Guy Smith Jr
St. Louis, MO Omaha, NE
5-0, 3 KO’s 2-0
141.6 lbs. 140.9 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – LIGHTWEIGHTS

Samir Simpson Bey vs. Devon Hostler
St. Louis, MO St. Joseph, MO
2-0-1, 2 KO’s 1-4
135.7 lbs. 127.7 lbs.

LAS VEGAS (June 26, 2014) – Undefeated welterweight prospect Errol “The Truth” Spence, Jr. weighed in at 146.6 pounds and young veteran Ronald Cruz tipped the scales at the contracted limit of 148 pounds during Thursday’s official weigh-in for their 10-round main event showdown tomorrow/Friday, June 27 on ShoBox: The New Generation, live on SHOWTIME® at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Unbeaten middleweight prospect Dominic “Lights Out” Wade measured 161.6 pounds and once-beaten Nick “The Machine Gun” Brinson weighed in at 160.6 pounds for their 10-round co-feature bout from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Friday’s ShoBox telecast will immediately follow the premiere of ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Lara, the SHOWTIME Sports EMMY® Award-winning original documentary series that gives viewers exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the biggest boxing event of the summer.

Spence (12-0, 10 KOs), of Dallas, Texas, was a 2012 U.S. Olympian, but he’ll be facing his toughest opponent to date in Cruz, (20-3, 15 KOs), of Bethlehem, Pa., an experienced veteran who is coming off a hard fought loss to former world champion Kermit Cintron.

Wade (15-0, 11 KOs), of Washington, D.C., is fighting in his first 10-rounder and looking to continue his ascension from prospect to contender status against New York’s Brinson (16-1-2, 6 KOs), a more experienced fighter just one fight removed from a career-best win over Jorge Melendez last June on ShoBox.

Here’s what the fighters had to say during Thursday’s weigh-in at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino:

ERROL SPENCE JR.:
“I think he’s probably the toughest guy I’ve faced. He’s a real tough, durable fighter and he’s going to come to fight. I know he’s a pressure fighter and I think he’ll be my toughest test to date.

“I think everything in this sport is about timing and preparation, and I think I’m taking this fight at the right time in my career. I’m going to show up tomorrow and it’s going to be a great fight.

“I’m going to take whatever comes in the ring. If the knockout comes, then I take the knockout. But, if I have to go 10, I’m ready to go 10. I’ve been sparring 12 rounds in the gym with 30 seconds rest so it’s not a problem.

“From the opponents I’ve watched, I don’t think he’s faced anyone like me before, anybody with my pedigree. He’s fighting someone new, too, and he’s going to see a lot of new things from me. Kermit Cintron is a slower fighter than me. Of course he can punch, but he’s slower and at the end of his road. I wouldn’t have any problems with a guy like that.

“I think by early next year I’ll be ready for a shot at a title. After this fight I’d like to have probably two more fights this year. And then, by early next year, I’ll be a contender and fighting some top quality names like Shawn Porter or somebody like that.

“I’m excited. I want to give SHOWTIME a reason to bring me back so I’m definitely looking to make a statement and put on a great show.”

RONALD CRUZ:
“They’re obviously taking this fight because they feel like they can beat me. But the experience I have as a professional will cause problems for him and ultimately win the fight for me.

“I’ve definitely fought much tougher competition. He has an impressive amateur record, but fighting as a professional is a whole different ballgame.

“I’m not worried that I haven’t faced a southpaw before. I’ve been sparring with a lot of different southpaw styles and I feel comfortable against them. He won’t bring anything I haven’t seen before.

“I definitely think I need a knockout to win. This can’t be a close fight. I’m not saying I’m going to go out there and look for a knockout – if it comes, it comes – but I’m going to go out there and try to cause a lot of damage.

“I’m definitely here to make a statement. I thought my fight against Kermit Cintron was a bad decision, but I respect the judges’ decision. That fight made me a much better fighter.

“I feel like I’ve never shown the best of me and I feel confident that my best will come out tomorrow. This is my shot and I need to take advantage of it.”

DOMINIC WADE:
“Training camp been great, I’ve been working hard. My brothers have been here with me, pushing me. Everything has gone according to plan.

“I’ve never gone 10 rounds before, but I don’t plan to go 10 rounds. You always have a different mindset going into each fight, but, when I train, I train to go 12 rounds, so I’m not really worried about it because I spar 10-12 rounds.

“Brinson slings his punches around; besides that, I don’t know too much about him. He has a wild-style, he comes forward basically just like a street fighter, with no skill. I’m going to box him, time him and pop my jabs to exploit him. There will be plenty of openings with a fighter like him, so when I see them I’ll just take him.

“I’ve been training with Adrian Davis since I was a young boy and he has taught me everything that I know. We had a little break, but that was a personal issue, but other than that everything is great and we get along very well.”

NICK BRINSON:
“Training camp has been good. They gave me about a month for this fight to prepare so I am in excellent shape. I am a gym rat and everything has been great, everybody is clicking.

“A month is enough time to prepare for a fight like this. In the past when I fought on the big scene I would have about a weeks’ notice, so a month is plenty of time.
“I don’t necessarily need a knockout. Hopefully, the judges will score the fight fairly and see who wins. If it comes down to a knockout, then so be it.

“His team obviously doesn’t believe he took this fight too early and I’m not the matchmaker. He has confidence in himself so we’ll see what happens tomorrow.

“My biggest strength against him is that I am the more experienced fighter and I have gone the distance. I’m sure he has questions in his head about this because I don’t think he has ever gone past six rounds.

“The experience alone is going to carry me through the fight. My stamina and mentality is stronger because I’ve seen those rounds. I don’t know what type of condition he is in, but I know I am more prepared mentally.

“Hopefully big things are ahead for me. We are all here to change our lives; that’s why I am in this business.

“I do this all for my daughter, this is everything. I wear her name on my trunks and she’s the reason why I have turned around my career. I’ve taking boxing much more seriously since she was born. I am trying to give her everything; she is my biggest inspiration and motivation to do bigger and better things.”

# # #

Spence vs. Cruz is a 10-round middleweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 2 p.m. PT on fight night with the first bell sounding at 2:30 p.m. PT and the first televised bout starting at 6:30 p.m. PT. The ShoBox: The New Generation telecast will air live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), immediately following the premiere of ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Lara.

Tickets priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are on sale now at The Joint Box Office, online at AXS.com or by calling 888-9-AXS-TIX

LINCOLN, R.I. (June 26th, 2014) – Listed below are the final weights for all of the participants for “CES MMA XXIV,” live mixed martial arts scheduled for Friday, June 27th, 2014 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I. The first bout is scheduled for 7 p.m.

GEMIYALE ADKINS
Philadelphia, Pa.
8-7, 3 KOs
169 ½

JULIAN LANE
Mansfield, Ohio
6-3-1, 1 KO
169

GREG REBELLO
Providence, R.I.
16-5, 9 KOs
224

AARON JOHNSON
Kennesaw, Ga.
12-11, 1 KO
222

DINIS PAIVA
East Providence, R.I.
4-5, 1 KO
135

JOE CUSHMAN
Bridgewater, Mass.
11-5, 3 KOs
135

KALINE MEDEIROS
Fall River, Mass.
2-3, 1 KO
120

BRIGITTE NARCISE
Fairfield, N.J.
Pro debut
124

ANDRES JEUDI
Dorchester, Mass.
6-2, 2 KOs
155

SAUL ALMEIDA
Framingham, mass.
14-5
156

WILLIE BROWN
Meriden, Conn.
2-0
201

J.A. DUDLEY
Keasbey, N.J.
6-12
207

LEWIS CORAPI
Medford, Mass.
5-1, 2 KOs
154

MICHAEL SANCHEZ
Kenosha, Wisc.
3-5
155

ALFRED “KEENAN” RAYMOND
Providence, R.I.
1-0
146

JAMES MURRIN
Dorchester, Mass.
1-0, 1 KO
145

JOE REVERDES
Providence, R.I.
1-3
135

RANDY CAMPBELL
Elizabeth City, N.C.
Pro debut
143

OMAHA, NEB. (June 26, 2014) — The Official Weigh-In for World Championship Boxing’s return to Omaha for the first time in 42 years, between undefeated world champions TERENCE CRAWFORD, the Pride of Omaha, and Cuban sensation YURIORKIS GAMBOA, will take place Tomorrow! Friday, June 27 in Grand Ballroom A at the the CenturyLink Center in Omaha (455 North 10th St.,Omaha, Neb. 68102).

The Weigh-In will be open to the public. Doors will open at 2:00 p.m. with the fighters stepping on the scale, beginning at 3:00 p.m. CT.

This will be the last times both champions, who boast identical 23-0 (16 KOs) professional ring records, see each other outside the ring before they battle for Crawford’s newly-won World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight title, Saturday, June 28, at the CenturyLink Center Omaha.. Crawford vs. Gamboa will be the first world championship fight Omaha has hosted since Joe Frazier successfully defended his heavyweight title against Nebraska’s-own Ron Stander on May 25, 1972. It will also be a professional homecoming for Crawford, who has not fought in his home state since 2011. The fight will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, in its first-ever visit to Omaha, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast will open with undefeated Top-Five contenders MATT KOROBOV and JOSE UZCATEGUI battling in a 10-round rumble for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title.

This exciting all-action doubleheader features four undefeated gladiators with a combined record of 91-0, 63 KOs.

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

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with SMS Promotions, PS4 and Tecate, remaining tickets to Crawford vs. Gamboa, priced at $27, $52 and $102, can be purchased at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge-by-phone call 800-745-3000. To order online, visit Ticketmaster.com.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #CrawfordGamboa to join the conversation on Twitter.

HBO’s hit late-night boxing franchise visits Omaha, Neb. for the first time to present an all-action doubleheader featuring a world title bout between undefeated rising stars when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: TERENCE CRAWFORD VS. YURIORKIS GAMBOA AND MATT KOROBOV VS. JOSE UZCATEGUI is seen SATURDAY, JUNE 28 at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from CenturyLink Center, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: June 29 (8:45 a.m.) and July 1 (1:10 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: June 29 (4:15 p.m.) and 30 (11:15 p.m.)

After six years of ring brilliance, lightweight titleholder Terence Crawford (23-0, 16 KOs) makes his long-awaited hometown debut in the national spotlight with a 12-round title defense against Cuban star Yuriorkis Gamboa (23-0, 16 KOs). The fight will serve as the 300th bout televised live on the HBO BOXING AFTER DARK series. Launched 18 years ago at the venerable Forum in Inglewood, CA, the late-night franchise has been the television home for many of the sport’s emerging stars for nearly two decades.

Crawford, 26, has fast-tracked through the 135-pound division, scoring three victories on HBO in 2013. In March, he subdued Ricky Burns, the UK’s lightweight titlist, for 12 rounds, showcasing his footwork, pinpoint accuracy and swiftness. Now, with HBO’s revival of Omaha’s championship stage after nearly half a century, Crawford will display his talent before those who first noted his ring generalship.

Ending a year’s layoff with his return to HBO, 2004 Olympic gold medalist Gamboa, 32, has limited experience at 135 pounds. His sole previous lightweight bout was a unanimous decision over undefeated Darleys Perez in June 2013. Gamboa was a highly-touted Cuban sensation when he relocated to Miami in 2007 and looks to reinforce his standing as an elite fighter with superstar skills.

The night opens with two more undefeated fighters who hope to become breakout stars when Matt Korobov (23-0, 13 KOs) of Saint Petersburg, Fla., and Jose Uzcategui (22-0, 18 KOs) clash in a ten-round middleweight fight.

It was only a matter of time before Korobov, 31, showcased his skills on a national stage. The heavily-touted southpaw and 2008 Russian Olympian will be putting his undefeated record on the line against his toughest challenger yet.

Making his HBO debut, the 23-year-old Uzcategui meets 160-pounders with a menacing combination of youth, experience and explosive power. The Venezuelan native, who now lives and trains in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, has let his hands fly in his last five bouts, knocking out each opponent before the seventh round.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.

All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

The executive producer of HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Thomas Odelfelt; director, Johnathan Evans.

® HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

OMAHA, NEB (June 26, 2014) — World Championship Boxing returns to Omaha for the first time in 42 years! Undefeated world champions TERENCE CRAWFORD, the Pride of Omaha, and Cuban sensation YURIORKIS GAMBOA, who boast identical 23-0 (16 KOs) professional ring records, will be battling for Crawford’s newly-won World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight title This Saturday! June 28, at the the CenturyLink Center in Omaha (455 North 10th St., Omaha, Neb. 68102). This will be the first world championship fight Omaha has hosted since Joe Frazier successfully defended his heavyweight title against Nebraska’s-own Ron Stander on May 25, 1972. It will also be a professional homecoming for Crawford, who has not fought in his home state since 2011. The fight will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, in its first-ever visit to Omaha, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast will open with undefeated Top-Five contenders MATT KOROBOV and JOSE UZCATEGUI battling in a 10-round rumble for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title.

This exciting all-action doubleheader features four undefeated gladiators with a combined record of 91-0, 63 KOs.

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CARL MORETTI: First I would like to say there is no truth to the rumor that we banned Bob Arum from the conference call. Bob is home resting comfortably from his knee replacement surgery and I know he’ll be watching the show on Saturday night. We pass along our well wishes. We have four undefeated fighters fighting Saturday night live on HBO [10 p.m. ET/PT] Their combined records are a perfect 91-0 with nearly 70% of those victories coming by way of knockout. Matt Korobov and Jose Uzcategui, world-rated No. 1 and No. 4 by the WBO, respectively, open the HBO telecast up and to the victor should go on to become the mandatory challenger to Peter Quillin. And in the main event, Terence Crawford, the local hometown kid, makes the first defense of his title he won over is Scotland against Ricky Burns, battling one of the greatest amateurs ever and undefeated as a pro and a worthy contender for this title.

YURIORKIS GAMBOA: I am very anxious to get to the fight. I met all the objectives that I needed to in training camp to get our game plan together for this fight on Saturday night.

CAMERON DUNKIN: I am just very excited for Terrence and Brian both. They were out in Omaha and we had a plan and it worked out – we knew we would get here and a lot of people thought we were crazy. We’re here and I’m really excited for them. We look for a great fight – Gamboa is a great fighter and it’s going to be a terrific fight.

BRIAN McINTYRE: I first would like to say thank you to Yuriorkis Gamboa for accepting the fight. I am excited for Terence that he will be able to showcase his skills at this level and he being in his hometown. I am expecting a great fight.

TERENCE CRAWFORD: I’m feeling good and I’m ready. This is what I have been asking for all along and I am just ready for the moment.

When you won the title in Glasgow, was it a plan to defend it in your hometown?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: Yes, that was my goal, to make my first defense in Omaha and I was real pleased with Bob [Arum] keeping his word. Now that we are here I am just happy for everything. I am in my hometown where my fans have never really got to see me perform as a professional and I am ready for the moment

There are always stories of distractions, tickets etc., when a fighter fights in his hometown. Have you experienced that?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: I don’t handle any of that – no tickets or t-shirts, so they can’t call me for nothing. So I am not worried about the distractions.

BRIAN McINTYRE: Well, we already have a game plan planned out – what everybody’s job is going to be as far as the tickets go and the t-shirts. We are keeping Terence secluded so he has no distractions. We talked about that months in advance and now we are just executing the plan.

Do you have knowledge of the last world championship fight that took place in Omaha? [Joe Frazier vs. Ron Stander World Heavyweight Championship, May 25, 1972]

TERENCE CRAWFORD: It was news to me. I never knew about it until a few years back. I know about it now and that’s all that matters.

You looked much bigger than Gamboa at the initial press conference. Do you feel you have a big size advantage? Do you think you will use it?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: Like I tell everybody – you never know. Gamboa is a real skillful fighter and he can make adjustments in the ring as the fight goes on. We just have to wait to see what happens.

Gamboa, you are shorter than most of your opponents, but this seems more so…

YURIORKIS GAMBOA: I answer that question by going back to all of the fights in my professional career. I have been pretty much the smaller fighter in all of my fights, so I don’t think it will have much of an affect. I know how to adjust and I know how to come in with a game plan. It’s just something I have dealt with since I was an amateur – I have always been the smaller guy.

Will the layoff affect you – you fought once in 2012 and once in 2013?

YURIORKIS GAMBOA: Basically no, not as long as I am focused. I have stayed active – maybe not in the ring but I have done what I need to do outside of the ring to be prepared for Saturday night. I have remained active in the gym.

Gamboa has been tweeting some odd things towards you – how do you feel about that?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: I just look at it as being part of boxing. That’s something he feels he wants to do and I don’t take it personally. I am going to go in there, come Saturday, and look at him eye-to-eye and see what he has to say then.

Does Gamboa pose a big challenge to you?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: He is going to be a big challenge. He is a great fighter, like myself. I never got hit by him so I don’t know about his power.

How is he different than Burns?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: Gamboa has a lot more amateur experience, but at the same time they are two different fights. One is tall and one is short and they fight two different styles.

How do you feel about fighting in your hometown?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: My managers, Cameron Dunkin and Brian McIntyre – they came in and got the job done. I am just blessed to be able to fight in Omaha.

Do you feel this is a career-defining fight for you?

YURIORKIS GAMBOA: Like in any career, obviously it is a defining moment and I plan to take full advantage.

Where does Yuri feel that Terence falls talent-wise?

YURIORKIS GAMBOA: Until I fight him on Saturday I really can’t answer that question.

How have you dealt with the demands on your time while fighting in your hometown?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: We’ve been keeping a low profile. When we got back into town from training camp [in Colorado Springs] there wasn’t a big entourage. I actually didn’t let anyone know when I was coming back into town. It’s been kind of cool – just chillin’ and waiting on the fight.

Cameron?

CAMERON DUNKIN: I leave that up to Brian. These guys have lived there their whole lives. Brian and I were concerned about it and we had a long talk about it. He told me he would set everything up and keep all the distractions away. Brian has done a great job, giving everyone jobs so Terence is just focused on the fight and ready to go. He hasn’t had any distractions and Brian has assured me he is ready to go.

Do you get a feeling, by walking around town, the magnitude of the event?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: Yes, I can tell it is big. Big not just for me but for the city of Omaha, Nebraska. It’s not just the boxing community; it is all the people in Omaha. I can also tell that I give the people hope – that they can be what they want to be, if you believe and work hard at it.

How do you characterize yourself? Some say you are a southpaw and some say you are a switch-hitter?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: I don’t look at myself as one-dimensional. I can fight a lot of different ways – I’m very flexible.

What type of challenge does Terence pose to you?

YURIORKIS GAMBOA: It’s part of the sport. Obviously you are going to fight guys that can switch up on you. Some can master either the southpaw or orthodox stance, but it’s something you have to deal with. You have to prepare to face that challenge.

When was the last time you went to fight in someone’s back yard – or as the B-side of the promotion?

YURIORKIS GAMBOA: In Kazakhstan is the last time I can remember, in 2006.

Do you plan to attack Gamboa, since he has been off for a while and he may have a suspect chin?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: I never go into the ring thinking that’s the way he is going to be – I just go in to fight my fight. I don’t go in there looking for the knockout. If it comes it comes and if it doesn’t it doesn’t.

Who made the decision to take this fight against Crawford?

YURIORKIS GAMBOA: I think it is well known that the dialogue and conversation between my team and Top Rank was a fight with Mikey Garcia, but that was not going to happen – there are some legalities between them that wouldn’t let the fight take place, and that’s when Top Rank suggested we make this fight happen and we decided that was a good option as well.

Terence, what do you think you will bring to the table that will give Gamboa problems? He mentioned that he has been fighting guys like you since his young amateur days in Cuba…

TERENCE CRAWFORD: We are going to have to wait until Saturday. The guys he has fought, I am pretty sure don’t have the same style as me. He may have fought guys with similar styles but no one has the same exact style as me. So we will have to see on Saturday.

What one thing that you will bring to the table will get you the victory?

TERENCE CRAWFORD: Just me being myself. Me going in there and fighting my fight.

YURIORKIS GAMBOA: I would say that my boxing IQ I think is very high – that is one thing that a lot of people underestimate in me. My boxing abilities give me an advantage in a lot of fights that I go into. My speed and my reflexes – a combination of a lot of those things I think will lead me to a victory on Saturday.

TERENCE CRAWFORD: I say good luck to Gamboa. I know we are going to be ready and he’ll be ready and to all of the fans out there support Gamboa and me and buy tickets to the fight, support the fight and thanks for having me.

CARL MORETTI: Obviously this is a hot event here in Omaha and we have opened up the remaining seats in the upper level to accommodate the demand. Fans are welcome to watch the live-stream of Thursday’s final press conference at www.toprank.tv [3 p.m. ET / Noon PT] and attend Friday’s Official Weigh-In, which will take place at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time. We are looking forward to it.

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Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with SMS Promotions, PS4 and Tecate, remaining tickets to Crawford vs. Gamboa, priced at $27, $52 and $102, can be purchased at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge-by-phone call 800-745-3000. To order online, visit Ticketmaster.com.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #CrawfordGamboa to join the conversation on Twitter.

Former world heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev is wrapping up training camp for his July 6th WBA world championship bout against Puerto Rican veteran Fres Oquendo on Grozny, Russia. The “White Tyson” has done most of his preparation in the Chechen capital training not only with head coach Artur Grigorian and his manager Timur Dugazaev but also with a “political heavyweight”: Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov who is a huge boxing fan and used to be a decent amateur fighter himself.

Kadyrov is one of the main factors of the world title fight landing in Chechnya. The President and his government support the promotion and are turning Grozny into a huge boxing ring for the event. “We have 50 feet high posters and banners all over the city plus huge sandbags, ring ropes between streetlights and many other spectacular advertisements”, says promoter Timur Dugazaev. “This will be the biggest boxing show in the world. We have Michael Buffer coming in as ring announcer and I am pretty sure that even he will say that he has never seen anything like that – despite his 30 years experience and all the huge Klitschko shows he worked on.”

While the city is being decorated for the big event, President Kadyrov himself enters the ring with Chagaev to do a couple of sparring rounds and give “his” champion important advise. “I may not be the best boxer in the world but I know where you have to hit somebody”, says Kadyrov with a smile. Chagaev was born in Uzbekistan but has been “adopted” by the Chechen government until their own fighters will be ready to fight for world championships.

Ruslan Chagaev held the WBA heavyweight title after dethroning “Russian giant” Nikolay Valuev back in 2007 and actually never lost the belt in the ring. “They just took the championship from me and now I am taking it back”, says Chagaev. Following his title reign the 35-year-old southpaw lost to Wladimir Klitschko (in June 2009) and Alexander Povetkin (in August 2011) but is now on a five fights winning streak which brought him back to the no. 3 spot in the WBA world rankings with the chance to fight no. 4 rated Fres Oquendo for the vacant title.

His opponent “Fast” Fres Oquendo is one of the most experienced heavyweight contenders in the world. More than ten years ago “The Big O” challenger John Ruiz for the WBA championship. Even before that he suffered a controversial decision loss to IBF titlist Chris Byrd. “I should have been world champion back then. Now I finally get another chance and I will not let it pass”, states Oquendo.

On the undercard former WBC cruiserweight champion Juan Carlos Gomez will take on unbeaten Bosnian Goran Delic and German heavyweight prospect Edmund Gerber faces Mexico’s Vicente Sandez for the WBC Silver International championship. Chagaev vs. Oquendo will be broadcasted live in about 100 countries worldwide. Former world champions Evander Holyfield, Lamon Brewster and David Haye are expected to attend the event at 30,000 seat Ahmat Arena as VIP guests along with actor Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal.

London (26 June) Sheffield’s unbeaten Commonwealth and European Super Bantamweight Champion Kid Galahad will be back headlining at Ponds Forge on Saturday 20th September.

The night of championship boxing will be shown live on Channel 5.

Galahad, who back in May added the Commonwealth strap to his growing collection after a blistering performance stopping Australian Fred Mundraby in 4 rounds was hoping to be facing the WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion Scott Quigg in his next contest.

Kid Galahad said “Straight after my last fight my promoter Mick Hennessy offered Quigg by far a career best purse to face me in my home town in September live on Channel 5, but we are still yet to hear back officially from his promoter with an answer, so I’m guessing by the silence they are not prepared to take the fight as they know he will lose his world title to me in a brutal way.”

“If Quigg really believed he could beat me he would of grabbed this kind of exposure on terrestrial TV with both arms.”

“As a world champion you can run but you can’t hide.”

“I’m really looking forward to September 20th and my team are looking at world ranked opponents and we will have this sorted in the next few weeks.” Kid added.

Details on the exciting undercard will be announced soon.

Tickets for the Hennessy Sports promoted event at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, priced at £35 general admission and £100 ringside are available to purchase by calling the SIV ticket box office on 0114 223 3777.

Tickets are also available from www.sivtickets.com or in person at the Sheffield City Hall, Crucible Theatre and Motorpoint Arena Sheffield.

LAS VEGAS (June 26, 2014) – Before he steps into the ring to face Mexican-superstar Canelo Alvarez, WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara worked out for the media and talked about his upcoming PPV main event on “Honor & Glory”.

Lara on if he was surprised that Canelo took the fight…
“Originally I thought he would never take the fight because I confronted him in person and he said, ‘No this is not how you make fights.’ Then after the fans saw that he was ducking me on Twitter, he had no choice but to be a man and take the challenge.”

Lara on what he has to do differently in this fight…
“Nothing has to change. I just need to do the same things I always do and train. If I focus on training to win, there’s no one in the world that can beat me.”

Lara on what a win against Canelo means to him…
“It means everything to me. For me to demonstrate to the world that I’m not just better than him, but that I’m 150 percent better than him, means everything to me. Like I said before, I’m going to take him to Cuban school.”

Lara on Canelo saying he was scared and trembling when he approached him after the Mayweather fight…
“He’s talking nonsense. He knows I’m not scared of anyone so he’s trying to pump himself up to make him believe that I’m scared of him. The fact is he’s a very insecure fighter who knows he’s going to lose. For him to say these things is a bad sign for him. He’s lost and confused.”

Lara on why Canelo refused to fight for the belt and if he felt disrespected…
“Canelo can’t make the weight so he refused to fight for the title. It’s very disrespectful and my motivation to beat him has increased because of it.”

Lara on fighting Floyd Mayweather in one of his last three fights…
“Right now my focus is on Canelo and once I beat him then I’ll be looking at other options. For sure 100 percent I want Floyd Mayweather after this fight. He’s considered the best fighter in the world and I want to be the first one to dethrone him.”

# # #

“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 face Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the SHOWTIME PPV opening bout, Johan Perez defends his interim WBA World Junior Welterweight Title against Mauricio Herrera in a 12-round match up. Also featured, Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez meets Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas of Mexico in a 10-round bout for the WBO International Super Featherweight Title.

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

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.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @LaraBoxing, @abnermares00, @jonathanoquen, @juanma_lopez, @elbandido130, @elmaestro1, @mgmgrand,@SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #CaneloLara and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing andwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.