Angelo Leo became a two-division world champion with a explosive 10th round stoppage over Luis Alberto Lopez to win the IBF Featherweight champion at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico

In round nine, Leo started to swell under his right eye. In round 10, Leo landed a perfect left hook to the chin that sent Lopez sprawling flat on his back and he was counted out at 1:16.

Leo, 125.6 lbs of Albuquerque is now 25-1 with 12 knockouts. Lopez, 125.6 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 30-3.

Leo said, “This means the world to me, fighting back in my hometown. I’ve been yearning for this moment. Like I said, what better way to do it than with a world title shot and with a knockout?
 
“That left hook, we’ve been practicing in camp for four, five months. Not in the gym, but in my room in front of the mirror. I just kept throwing that left hook. And it paid off in the 10^th round.
 
“I want to fight all the champions, whether it be Rafael Espinoza for a unification bout. Naoya Inoue, whoever it may be.”

Lindolfo Delgado Defeats Bryan Flores by Split Decision

In a battle of undefeated junior welterweights, Lindolfo Delgado won a 10-round split decision over Bryan Flores.

In round three, Delgado dropped Flores with a clubbing right to the top of the head.

In round seven, Flores was deducted a point for a low blow.

Delgado landed 100 of 354 punches. Flores was 104 of 471.

Delgado won two cards by scores of 96-92 and 95-93. Flores won a card 96-92.

Delgado, 139.9 lbs of Linares, MEX is 21-0. Flores, 139.9 lbs of Juarez, MEX is 26-1-1.

Delgado said, “The victory was not easy, but I enjoyed it a lot. I enjoyed every round of it, as we had to stay focused in each moment to win the fight.”

“He came with a strong will to win, and aside from that, he throws his punches with force. But we managed to get the victory. I would like a world title opportunity next

Matthew Griego won an eight-round unanimous decision over Gilberto Mendoza in a flyweight bout.

Griego, 111.9 lbs of Albuquerque won by scores of 80-2 on all cards and is now 15-0. Mendoza, 110.7 lbs of Modesto, CA is 23-19-4.

Vito Mielnicki Jr. stopped Laszlo Toth in the second round of their 10-round junior middleweight bout.

In round two, Mielnicki landed an uppercut that was followed by a left hook to the temple that put Toth down. Toth got to his feet but was stumbling around. His father/trainer entered the ring therefore the official result was a disqualification.

Mielnicki, 154 lbs of Roseland, NJ is 19-1. Toth, 153.3 lbs of Soprom, HUN is 32-9-2.

“I thought it was a knockout, not a DQ,” Mielnicki said. “Xander Zayas, we could get that going in New York soon, probably in another year. Let’s get that going. I heard him call my name. I’d love that.”

Albert Gonzalez remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Damian Alcala in a six-round featherweight bout.

In round three, Gonzalez scored a knockdown with a hard combination. Gonzalez continued to land hard shots drilled Alcala with a big uppercut that was followed by a right that put Alcala down again and the fight was stopped at 2:51.

Gonzalez, 126.3 lbs of Moreno Valle, CA is now 10-0 with six knockouts. Alcala, 126.9 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 8-5.

Alan Garcia remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Maickol Lopez Villagrana in a eight-round lightweight bout.

In round two, Garcia dropped Villagrana with a right hand. In round three, it was a left hook that put Villagana on the canvas. Later in the round it was a double right hook that put Villagrana down again and the fight was stopped at 2:34.

Garcia, 136.2 lbs of Ulysses, KS is 14-0 with 11 knockouts. Villagrana, 136.2 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 16-6.

Steven Navarro stopped Israel Camacho in the opening round of their six-round bantamweight bout.

In round one, Navarra dropped Camacho with a hard left to the body. Seconds later it was another thudding left to the body that put Camacho on the canvas and the fight was over at 2:14.

Navarro, 116.6 lbs of Inglewood, CA is 3-0 with two knockouts. Camacho, 115.6 lbs of Houston is 2-12.

World-ranked featherweight Arnold Khegai stopped Belmar Preciado after round nine of their 10-round bout.

Khegai dominated the fight until Preciado had enough following the ninth frame.

Khegai, 125.8 lbs of Odessa, UKR is 22-1-1 with 14 knockouts. Preciado, 125.9 lbs of Ibohue, COL is 22-8-1.

HOUSTON (May 12, 2021) – Undefeated WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo will enter the ring for a Juneteenth Day celebration in his hometown when he takes on hard-hitting Juan Macías Montiel on Saturday, June 19 at Toyota Center in Houston headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event live on SHOWTIME.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and feature rising lightweight contender Isaac Cruz battling former world champion Francisco Vargas in the 10-round co-main event. Kicking off the telecast, former world champion Angelo Leo returns to take on Mexican contender Aaron Alameda in a 10-round super bantamweight bout.

Charlo has established himself as a force in two divisions and will seek to thrill his hometown crowd against Mexico’s Montiel, in a first-of-its-kind Juneteenth Day boxing celebration. Charlo will fight in Houston for the fourth time as a pro and look to keep his undefeated record intact against the upset-minded Montiel.

The event is promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions. Tickets for the live event go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, May 13 at 12 p.m. CT and can be purchased at toyotacenter.com. Leo vs. Alameda is promoted in association with Mayweather Promotions.

Charlo (31-0, 22 KOs) will return to fight in his hometown for the first time since a June 2019 unanimous decision victory over Brandon Adams on SHOWTIME. The 30-year-old most recently scored an impressive victory over top middleweight contender Sergey Derevyanchenko in their September 2020 showdown. Charlo has held the WBC middleweight belt since 2019, after a championship reign at 154-pounds that lasted from 2015 through 2017. He has compiled a perfect 6-0 record since moving up to middleweight and owns victories over former champions Julian Williams, Austin Trout and Cornelius Bundrage at super welterweight.

“It’s great to be back in the ring, headlining on SHOWTIME and defending my title in front of my hometown fans in Houston,” said Charlo. “Fighting on Juneteenth means a lot to me because there is a battle going on far greater than this. That said, I have to handle my business on June 19. Montiel is a tough, young, power puncher. I know he wants my crown, but I’m hungrier than ever and ready to put on a show for my fans. Get ready for a special, explosive night.”

Representing his native Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Montiel (22-4-2, 22 KOs) has earned knockouts in all 22 of his pro victories, as the heavy-handed brawler established himself as a hard-hitting force. The 27-year-old has put together an unbeaten streak since moving up to middleweight, first competing at the weight in September 2017, and most recently scoring a first-round knockout victory over longtime contender James Kirkland in December 2020. He owns stoppages of Marco Reyes and Gustavo Castro, and a draw against Hugo Centeno, Jr. at middleweight. Montiel had previously campaigned at welterweight and super welterweight, dropping a February 2017 bout to former champion Jaime Munguia in a 147-pound fight.

“I know that I am fighting the best middleweight in the world, but he has never faced someone who can punch like I can,” said Montiel. “All my losses in the past are from not training properly and trying to win by one-punch knockout. I’ve grown up and become a man since then. I proved that I was different when I beat Marco Reyes in 2019, and I haven’t left the gym since then. I’ve worked hard every day to become world champion and I will display everything I’ve learned on June 19.”

The 22-year-old Cruz (21-1-1, 15 KOs) shot up the lightweight rankings in 2020, announcing his presence with an electrifying first-round knockout over veteran Diego Magdaleno in September. Cruz followed that up this March, when he won a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Matias Romero. Since making his U.S. debut on the undercard of Jermall Charlo vs. Dennis Hogan in December 2019, the Mexico City-native has been unbeaten in his four ring appearances. This will mark his fifth fight in 20 months, the last four of which will have come on SHOWTIME, including headlining ShoBox: The Next Generation in February 2020.

“Me and Vargas are going to show the fans true Mexican-style boxing on June 19,” said Cruz. “He is also from Mexico City, so I know this fight will be toe-to-toe. It’s my time to show the fans that I’m the best Mexican lightweight in the world. In with the new, and out with the old. I want to thank my promoter, Senator Manny Pacquiao, for his support and belief that I will become world champion very soon.”

Also a native of Mexico City, Vargas (27-2-2, 19 KOs) won a 130-pound title in 2015 by defeating Takashi Miura in one of the year’s best fights. The 36-year-old would go on to fight Orlando Salido to an action-packed draw before losing his title to Miguel Berchelt in another memorable affair. Vargas went on to defeat Stephen Smith and Rod Salka before losing in his rematch with Berchelt in 2019. Most recently, Vargas began campaigning at lightweight, scoring back-to-back victories with a technical decision over Ezequiel Aviles in October 2019 and a TKO over Otto Gamez in November 2020.

“I only know how to fight wars and the fans should expect nothing less on June 19,” said Vargas. “I am a warrior, and people are going to remember the reasons why I was in two Fight of the Year battles when they see me in the ring with Isaac Cruz. I want to thank my whole team for putting together this fight that I know the fans will enjoy.”

Leo (20-1, 9 KOs), who fights out of the Mayweather Promotions stable, became the first world champion from his hometown of Albuquerque, N.M., since legendary three-division champion Johnny Tapia, when he defeated Tramaine Williams by unanimous decision in August 2020. The 26-year-old dropped the belt when he lost a decision to unbeaten Stephen Fulton Jr. in January on SHOWTIME. Leo, who trains in Las Vegas, will look to re-establish his position in the stacked 122-pound division on June 19.

“I’m excited to get back in the ring for this fight,” said Leo. “I wasn’t the same fighter in my last fight, as I was when I won the title. That’s given me a big chip on my shoulder. I figured out my mistakes and learned a lot about myself. I’m here to show people that I’m still a top contender and a threat in this division. Alameda is a real contender and he’s not an opponent I’m taking lightly. Whoever comes out on top in this fight will be right there for another title shot and I plan on that being me.”

The 27-year-old Aaron Alameda (25-1, 13 KOs) was able to stop Luis Nery’s knockout streak but came up on the short end of the decision in their super bantamweight title fight last September. Prior to the Nery fight, the Sonora, Mexico native had back-to-back knockouts over Jordan Escobar and Breilor Teran. A pro since 2014, his previous action in the U.S. saw him earn a sixth-round knockout over Andre Wilson in 2016.

“I can’t wait for another big fight on June 19,” said Alameda. “I showed that I belong with the best in my last fight against Luis Nery, and I will be even better against Leo. My goal is to become world champion and I plan on displaying everything I’ve worked on in this fight. I’m excited to battle Leo and give the fans a great show.”

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Stephen Fulton Jr. showed his versatility as he outpointed and outpunched Angelo Leo to capture the WBO Super Bantamweight title at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

In round one, Leo was cut over his left eye as the result of an accidental headbutt. The two fought inside for much of the bout, which would have seemed to favor Leo, but Fulton beat the now-former champion Leo at his own game as he was much quicker and active. Leo would attempt to work the body, but it was Fulton who showed the class in this bout.

Fulton landed 364 of 1183 punches; Leo was 262 of 810.

Fulton had answers for any and everything that Leo threw at him, and he cruised home with the victory and title by scores of 119-109 twice and 118-110.

Fulton of Philadelphia is now 19-0. Leo of Albuquerque, NM is 20-1.

Stephen Fulton Jr., Quotes:

“It feels good. I told you that I would engage more in this fight. I boxed a little but I engaged more to show him that I’m better than him at what he does best. They didn’t know I was going to come and engage in a fight like this. I’m used to dealing with fighting inside the gym, inside the ring. Everyone I’ve fought tried to bully me. This time I did to them what they try to do to me. And I got the job done.

“At some point I felt like I touched him but he didn’t show that he was ready to go although he might have been ready to go. His face showed that he was surprised by my punching power.

“I wore him down by attacking his body and pushing him back. I had to change the whole narrative, push him back and dropping those uppercuts in. That’s how I got the job done.

“From like the fifth round, that’s when I knew I was going to take off. I never got tired from engaging. This fight I was prepared and I knew that’s what I came to do. So by the fifth, I knew I was taking the fight away from him.

“Early on, I noticed he was landing a lot of good right hands as I was pulling back – and that’s one of the things my trainer told me not to do in the dressing room. I made the adjustments and smothered the shots to make sure I wouldn’t get caught again.

“I would like to fight another title-holder. I’d like to show I’m the best in the weight division. I am just a better fighter and I’m better at what he does. I just showed I was better overall and I’m going to continue to show that. I’m just lost for words right now. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer but I had to force the issue. I am a great body puncher. I’m so used to boxing but I had to show y’all the other side to me.

“After a year off, I feel I did a good job but I could be a lot better, a lot sharper. I want Luis Nery, Brandon Figueroa…I want all the champions. I want to be undisputed.

“It hasn’t hit me yet. When it hits me, I’m going to act the fool. Dancing, going crazy. This is a dream come true right now. I’m a world champion. Not everyone can be a world champion.

“This was the first fight I wasn’t really nervous. I knew I was in shape. I barely got tired. The ring rust was there somewhat but I kinda feel like I broke out of that. Just going through everything I went through, COVID and all, getting through that helped me.

“The bully got bullied. It always happens. I’m the new! The game plan was to box at first, but when I got in there and when I saw that I made a couple of mistakes and he was landing the right hand cleanly, I had to get a little dirty and fight his fight. I had to show him that I’m the better man to fight his style. I had to flip the script a little bit and I knew I had to continue to bang with him, and I did.

“Probably around the fifth or sixth round I started to see he was breathing a little heavy.

“There wasn’t any ring rust because of all the things I’ve been through; in 2020 we’ve all been through some crazy things and it’s been a rough year for all of us. But I felt that’s what changed my mind set and made me love the sport even more. Because I felt like I lost my opportunity and it gave me the chance to see that when something is taken away from you, you find that love and that love was boxing.

“It feels good because I’m the only world champion of any sport in Philadelphia. A lot more of us will have our hand raised, like Jaron Ennis and other talented fighters from Philadelphia.

“There’s a lot more that I can work on and I see that in the ring, but as long as I came and took the title from the world champion I just got to get back, and relax at this point.

“Maybe a unification belt is next. I want to pursue my goal of that and that’s why I was screaming ‘Undisputed!’ That’s what I want to do. That’s what I’m here for and what I want to do.

“I showed I was the better man. I met his promoter Floyd [Mayweather] at the Wilder fight, and he said he didn’t know me. But I bet he knows me now. I wish he would give me that bonus he said he was going to give Leo.”

“Philly, we back. That’s all I’ve got to say. I made my name in the books, I made history.”

Aleem Stops Pasillas in 11

Ra’eese Aleem won the WBA Interim Super Bantamweight Title with an emphatic 11h round stoppage over Victor Pasillas in a battle of undefeated fighters.

In round two, Aleem dropped Pasillas with a hard left hook. In round six, Aleem dropped Pasillas again with a left hook.

In round nine, Pasillas showed some life, but then Aleem landed a left that made the glove of Pasillas touch the canvas for a knockdown. In round 11, Aleem landed a perfect left hand that sent Pasillas to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 1:00

Aleem, 121 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas is 18-0 with 12 knockouts. Pasillas, 122 lbs of Redwood City, CA is 15-1-1.

Ra’eese Aleem Quotes:

“I feel great. We had a good camp. I was dominant. I wanted to put an exclamation point with this performance. It feels absolutely amazing. It just confirms what I knew in my head, that I have elite power. He’s one of the top fighters in the division so to knock him out, it means I’m a true threat.

“I think a lot of people were sleeping on me and my power. I wasn’t surprised that I stopped him. I didn’t think he’d be able to go the distance with me. I think a lot of the fighters in this division should really be on notice.

“I wanted to knock him out. But I wasn’t necessarily trying to go for the knockout early. I was just seeing the openings and everything came together.

“It doesn’t matter who I fight next. I’m ready to fight any world champion. Whether it’s the winner of Leo-Fulton or if Murodjon Akhmadaliev wants to come out of hiding.

“Any current world champion that’s willing to fight, I’m ready. I’ve got the pen, send the contract. Whether that’s Brandon Figueroa, Akhmadaliev – he has two of the belts and is a tremendous fighter. He hasn’t defended his belts yet. Any one of those fights would be a great fight.

“I couldn’t feel his power. There wasn’t like one punch he hit me with and I was like, ‘Damn, I got to watch out.’ I knew he was a hard hitter but I didn’t feel his power tonight.

“I’m a diverse fighter. Coming into this fight, I didn’t know what kind of fighter I was facing. But I pride myself in being able to adapt. I’m not one-dimensional: I can brawl, I can box. I just took what he gave me.

“I was able to give him different looks. And being able to explode in those small spaces, I feel I was able to capitalize.

“Early on, I was touching him and he could feel my power. He was grunting when I hit him in the body. So I knew he didn’t want to be aggressive because he could feel it.”

Romero stops Sparrow in 7

Rolando Romero stopped late-replacement Avery Sparrow in round seven of their 12 round non-title bout.

Seconds into the fight, Romero dropped Sparrow with a hard left hook to the side of the head. In round six, Sparrow was deducted two points for low blows.

With the fight getting out of hand, the corner of Sparrow stopped the bout at 43 seconds of round seven.

Romero, 134 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas is 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Sparrow, 136 lbs of Philadelphia is 10-4.

Rolando Romero:

“I was very disappointed, I really wanted to fight Justin Pauldo. But things happen – at least I had another opponent.

“I fought a dirty fighter. He hit me with a dozen, if not more, low blows, back of the head, trying to wrestle but it is what it is. I got the victory. I dropped him with that hook in the opening round. I thought it would be over but he’s slick – he knows how to survive.

“I didn’t really get to showcase the angles. I believe it was the last round, I started letting off. My defense was sharp, I was just sharp in general. I wouldn’t say it was improvement from my last fight; just showing more of what I have.

“The person that fought Jackson Marinez wasn’t me. I had a bad camp, I didn’t do the things I was supposed to do. The big part, he fought scared and made it very difficult. Marinez was supposed to rematch me. He decided not to even though we offered more money.

“With Sparrow, he fought like a coward. He just wanted a street-fight because he knows he wasn’t going to do anything to me. It came to low blows, hitting behind the head. His corner did the right thing by stopping it. In that last moment before they stopped the fight, he was hurt again and there was a lot of time left in the round. He’s lucky they stopped it.

“You guys said you want to see me box and you saw me box. At the end, his corner quit and he fought like a coward. I boxed good.

“I thought I had him out in the first but he’s really good at surviving.

“I’m a growing fighter. I came into this game eight years ago, I started boxing late and didn’t have much of an amateur career. I’m learning on the job. The old me would have went in there to destroy him.

“Boxing fans are the most bi-polar people I’ve ever seen in my life. There are so many fighters that have gone through the things I’ve gone through. Boxing is a very toxic sport. I just want the best and I just want the best for the future. I hope I keep entertaining you guys because at the end, that’s all that matters—and entertaining myself.

“I want that WBC belt. That’s what I want. I want a fight with Devin Haney.”

Follow all the action as Angelo Leo defends the WBO Super Bantamweight title against Stephen Fulton Jr.  The co-feature will be the WBA Interim Super Bantamweight title match as Ra’eese Aleem takes on Victor Pasillas.  The show begins at 9 pm ET with a light fight featuring Rolando Romero and Avery Sparrow.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY.

Round 1: Jab from Fulton..Left hook to body from Leo..Jab from Fulton..Leo cut over left eye (Accidental headbutt)

Round 2 Sharp jab from Fulton..Double left hook from Leo…

Round 3 Double-Jab from Fulton; Body shot from Leo…Lead left hook and right to body from Fulton..Body shot from Leo…Right uppercut from Fulton

Round 4 Right from Leo…Left hook to the body..Jab from Fulton..Right uppercut..Right and left from Leo..Good right from Fulton..Right from Leo stuns Fulton

Round 5 Nice right from Leo…Body shot from Fulton..Chopping right from Fulton..Right uppercut..

Round 6 Short left and uppercut from Fulton..Big right uppercut

Round 7  Right to head from Fulton…Right uppercut..Nice left hook from Leo..Right uppercut from Fulton..Right hand..Body Punch from Leo..Right..combination from Fulton…

Round 8  Uppercut from Fulton..Choppimg right…Body shot from Fulton

Round 9 Good jab from Fulton…

Round 10  Fulton jabbing.Bidy work from Leo..Fulton working on the inside

Round 11  Good right from from Fulton

Round 12 Fulton jabbing from distance

118-110; 119-109 TWICE FOR THE NEW CHAMPION STEPHEN FULTON

Round 1 Combination from Aleem..Body shot..Right hand

Round 2 Pasillas lands a left.. Jab and body combo from Aleem…SWEEPING LEFT AND DOWN GOES PASILLAS…Right buckles Pasillas….Hard left to the body

Round 3 Body work from Aleem..Counter left from Pasillas

Round 4 Double left hook from Aleem..Left followed by left to body..2 short left hooks..Pasillas lands a counter

Round 5 Straight right from Aleem..Double left and right..Counter right from Pasillas..Counter left from Aleem

Round 6 Double left hook from Aleem..Lead Right…LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES PASILLAS…Lead left from Pasillas…

Round 7 Big left rocks Pasillas…Hard body shot..Big Right..

Round 8 Ringside Doctor looks at Pasillas in between rounds….Left from Pasillas..Left..Good right hook..Left knocks Aleem off balance..

Round 9 Left from Pasillas…ALEEM LANDS A LEFT THAT MADE PASILLAS GLOVE TOUCH CANVAS..Aleem lands a left uppercut and left to head

Round 10 Straight left from Pasillas…Double Jab from Aleem…Good right..Body shot

Round 11 BIG COUNTER LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES PASILLAS…FIGHT OVER

Round 1: Right AND BIG LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES SPARROW..1-2 from Romero
Round 2 Short left hook from Romero….Combination on the ropes
Round 3 Counter jab from Sparrow… Good left hook from Romero
Round 4 Combination from Romero
Round 5 Jab from Romero…1-2 from Sparrow…Good right from Romero..Right
Round 6 Good combination from Romero…Sparrow hurts leg and goes down..no knockdown..SPARROW DEDUCTED  2 POINTS FOR A LOW BLOW
ROUND 7   FIGHT STOPPED BY SPARROW’S CORNER

WBO Junior Featherweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Angelo Leo – 121 ½ lbs.

Stephen Fulton, Jr. – 122 lbs.

Referee: David Fields (N.J.); Judges: Frank Lombardi (Conn.), Waleska Roldan (N.Y.), Steve Weisfeld (New Jersey),

Interim WBA Super Bantamweight Title – 12 Rounds

Ra’eese Aleem – 121 ½ lbs. 

Victor Pasillas – 122 lbs.

Referee: Danny Schiavone (Conn.); Judges: Glenn Feldman (Conn.), John McKaie (N.Y.), Don Trella (Conn.)

Lightweight Bout – 12 Rounds

Rolando Romero – 134 ¼ lbs.

Avery Sparrow – 136 lbs.

Referee: Johnny Callas (Conn.); Judges: Tom Carusone (Conn.), Waleska Roldan (N.Y.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

Note: Romero was originally scheduled to defend his interim lightweight title against Justin Pauldo, who exceeded the 135-pound limit. Avery Sparrow will take Pauldo’s place in the bout. Romero’s title will not be on the line.

The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions.

Here is what the fighters had to say during Fight Week:

Angelo Leo

“Training at Mayweather’s Gym has really helped me just for the fact that you get so many different fighters coming in from all over the world, and you see so many different styles and different looks. So it’s great for me. It really pushes me. It’s a great experience for any fighter to train there.

“The one thing Floyd told me is that he was going to make me a champion in two years. He kept his word, two and a half years or less I became a world champion. He wasn’t as present for this camp, but at my last camp he deeply impacted me with tips on how to approach the fight with Fulton and his style. Tips that carried over into this camp.

“Fulton’s a good fighter. He’s got his style down pat. He likes to use his jab and control the distance. You can’t take anything away from him. He was out for a year, so I’m taking advantage of that.

“My advantages are my pressure, my work rate and my boxing IQ. I think a lot of people underestimate that about me.

“It means a lot to be the first champion from Albuquerque since Johnny Tapia. I looked up to Tapia and Johnny Romero, so to be the next is an honor. Albuquerque is a fight town, but it’s not the biggest city so there’s a lot of unseen talent there.

“The 122-pound division is stacked with a lot of talent. There’re a lot of fighters who are still undefeated, and I just want to fight the best. This fight against Fulton has taught me a lot already; it’s a huge fight for me. I know that winning this already solidifies my spot. Then, I can focus on who is the next big fight.”

Stephen Fulton Jr.

“Some of the fighters I like are Bernard Hopkins, [Joe] Frazier, and Meldrick Taylor. They mean a lot to me, and to the sport of boxing and the history of Philadelphia. I watched the guys who were leading and now I’m leading. It’s just a big accomplishment to say you’re trying to lead the new era for your city.

“I don’t think much of Angelo Leo. I wasn’t impressed with his last fight. Just pressure. That’s about the only thing he brings. There are things he’s probably never seen before. I come with angles and my ability to punch off angles.

“Not fighting back in August kind of pushed me. It didn’t have a bad effect. It made me push myself to the limit in training just knowing that it was all taken away that first time.

“I would like to get past this and unify. Fights like against Leo and [Luis] Nery are easy fights for me. Their styles and my styles are tailor-made for each other. What they both do fits my style perfectly.”

Ra’eese Aleem

“Myprevious manager wasn’t doing much as far as getting me fights, so I had to take matters into my own hands, and that’s when I decided to leave Michigan for a new life in Las Vegas. I had $3,000 in my pocket with no family or friends. I just had faith in myself and started to make my own way. It was rough in the beginning, but I made it work, and now I’m a better man, and a better fighter because of that decision. It forced me to be responsible, hence me being more mature. There was not time for games in my plan. 

“Fighting an undefeated fighter like Pasillas is what great fighters do. I want to fight the best now, and Pasillas is one of the best fighters in the division. I’m not ducking or dodging anyone. I’m going to be a world champion by all means necessary. Once I beat Pasillas, I’m coming for [Murodjon] Akhmadaliev, then all the other champions.

“Fighting in the bubble was something new, but this is COVID time, so we have to get used to it. To me it’s not a problem. I’m a fighter and I don’t care if fans are there or not. I’m just ready to dominate.

“As far as the main event fighters, neither of them will be able to hang with me. I’m the best fighter in the division period!”

Victor Pasillas

“Representing East Los Angeles means everything to me because I have so many people back home in East L.A. who believe in me. When I was coming up in the amateurs, I always had a big crowd attending my fights. East L.A. has always been a city known for its great boxers, and I want to continue that tradition.

“I’ve always been a monster in the weight room. I’m just a gym rat who loves to work out. My whole life outside of home is in the gym, either boxing or in the weight room. My power has improved as I’ve grown into my man strength, and right now I think I’m at my peak as a man. Everyone will definitely see some serious power coming from me on fight night.

“I don’t know much about [Aleem] personally, but I know he’s a good fighter who is ranked higher than me. We both have the same Prince Ranch Boxing manager in Greg Hannley, but I’ve never met him.

This is my second fight in the bubble. I actually love fighting in the bubble. I get so much rest, it’s very refreshing. Usually, I have my wife and kids with me, but to be honest, I need that peace and quiet and being in the bubble forces you to be by yourself, and in return I get great rest. As far as no fans in attendance, I like that as well, because I can hear my coach’s instructions. I feel I can concentrate more and relax better when there are no fans. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing like fighting in front of a big crowd as well. I was built for this, fans or no fans. 

“By far this is the biggest fight of my career because I’m right around the corner of becoming a world champion. Once I get that strap, I’m going to unify all the belts and do the same at featherweight, super featherweight and maybe even bantamweight. All I know is I’m coming for everyone. 

“I don’t want to give up my game plan but best believe I’m going to do whatever it takes to win this fight. If he wants to bang, then we’ll bang, if he wants to box, we’ll box. I’ve seen so many different styles in the amateurs, there is nothing that he brings that I haven’t seen. My power is what he’s going to have to deal with.”

Rolando Romero

“To those that think the scorecards were off in my last fight, I’d say watch the fight again without any commentary and then see what they’d say.

“It’s simple, I like knocking people out. Fans wanna see a knockout. I don’t think it hurts my chances at landing the big fights in the future, but I know there are fighters in the division who don’t want to step up. 

“I’ve remained focused. I know what I want in life. I’m not a weak-minded sheep that needs an outside force to make me want something. I’m ranked No. 1 by the WBA and I know I’m looking up at champions Gervonta Davis and Teofimo Lopez. But I’m still No. 1, pound-for-pound.”

Avery Sparrow

“I knew this opportunity would come to me, so I have been staying well prepared. I was already on weight. I didn’t need to struggle to make weight this week. I came in here well prepared in case they needed me. Nothing was out of the ordinary for me as I prepared for this.

“I had a full camp. I was already in the gym and they called me about three weeks ago. My manager was talking to me about a fight in February so I was preparing for that. I have been getting ready to fight. I only had to cut about seven to 10 pounds over the last three weeks. I am strong, I am solid, and I am mentally prepared. Justin Pauldo was an easier fight for Romero but now I am here and it’s my turn.

“Rolly is a solid fighter but he makes a lot of amateur mistakes. He relies on his power. He lost his last fight, I believe, but the politics of boxing let him proceed with the victory. It’s in the back of our minds that we need to take over the fight to win on the scorecards. I am so blessed and grateful for this opportunity. The universe is working in my favor and I believe that if I win the fight in the ring then I will be awarded the right decision.

“I am going to take full advantage of this opportunity. I lost a tough decision against Abraham Nova in June that I thought really went my way, but I won’t cry over spilled milk. The fight was on TV so everyone saw what happened. I put seven rounds in the bank that night. But I am going to put on a great show for SHOWTIME.

“I am going to step to Rolly Romero and definitely try to knock him out. I am going out there looking for the knockout. Philly is going to have a big night between me and Stephen Fulton.”

# # #

ABOUT LEO VS. FULTON

Leo vs. Fulton will see WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Angelo Leo take on unbeaten rising star Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. in the main event live on SHOWTIME Saturday, January 23 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast of 2021 begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a co-main event between unbeaten 122-pounders Ra’eese Aleem and Victor Pasillas for the interim WBA title. In the telecast opener, rising prospect Rolando Romero squares off against Avery Sparrow in a 12-round lightweight bout.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo and @TGBPromotions on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromotions and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

NEW YORK – January 13, 2021 – WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Angelo Leo and unbeaten rising star Stephen “Cool Boy” Fulton Jr. previewed their long-awaited championship showdown during a virtual press conference Wednesday as they prepare to battle live on SHOWTIME Saturday, January 23 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast of 2021begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a co-main event pitting two more undefeated 122-pound boxers against each other as Ra’eese Aleem and Victor Pasillas face off in a 12-round bout for the interim WBA title. In the telecast opener, rising prospect Rolando Romero squares off against Justin Pauldo in a 12-round lightweight bout for Romero’s interim WBA title. The combined ring record of the six fighters on the card is a remarkable 96 wins with just one loss.

The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions.

Leo and Fulton were originally scheduled to meet on SHOWTIME for the vacant title in August, before Fulton received a positive COVID-19 test. Leo went on to defeat Tramaine Williams by unanimous decision to capture the title and will now make his first defense against the unbeaten Fulton.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Wednesday:

ANGELO LEO

“This is going to be a great fight. I know Fulton is coming to fight and I’m coming to fight too. We have two contrasting styles. I see it sort of as an East Coast vs. West Coast thing, so it’s going to be fireworks. This is going to be one of the best fights of the year and I can’t wait for you all to see it.

“I’m not surprised at all that Vegas has Fulton as the slight favorite. I know that he has a lot of supporters. I’ve been an underdog before. I’ve been in these shoes before, so it’s no surprise to me. It just gives me more fuel for the fire. I’m not at all offended that he’s the favorite. This is boxing and Fulton is a good fighter, but I’m looking to prove on January 23 that I’m where I belong and that I’m world champion for a reason.

“I’m known for throwing a lot of body punches and for my pressure. That’s no secret. I feel like people haven’t seen all of me yet. I have a lot to prove. I still have a lot of looks to show and come January 23, I think Stephen Fulton will bring that all out of me. I think it’s important, in every fight, to go to the body. Like they say, go to the body and the head will fall, but if he wants to move around and put pressure, I have a remedy for all that.

“Floyd [Mayweather] has been in my ear, solidifying the game plan with me. He’s been telling me exactly what I need to do to win this fight. I saw him quickly on Monday. It was brief but he just stopped in to say hello and see how I was doing.

“Being champion is something that I always wanted to be so now that I have the belt, I have the confidence I need. But I don’t take my foot off the gas just because I’m champion. They say that once you’re champion, it’s actually harder. As bad as you want it, now everybody else wants it just as bad as you do. My mentality is the same now that I’m world champion and I’m gunning for more world championships. I’m not the hunted. I’m still hunting.

“I’m going to show Stephen that it’s different when you get in the ring. There’s a lot more factors that play out. Not just pressure. Not just body work. There are a lot of things I have up my sleeve that a lot of people haven’t seen yet and I’m going to showcase all my skills on January 23.

“Johnny Tapia is the pride and joy of Albuquerque. He’s one of the greatest fighters from that city and to be mentioned with his name is an honor. Johnny Tapia was a good person, very charismatic and he showed everybody love.

“This fight is great for boxing. You have two undefeated fighters, both in their prime – what more do you want from two fighters in this boxing era? This is the marquee fight right here. This is the fight fans want to see.

“With this performance I want to let everybody know that I’m here to stay. I think a lot of people are doubting me just because I fought Tramaine Williams and they say he just had three days’ notice. But he was getting ready for a fight as well. I have a lot of doubters that I want to prove wrong and in this fight, I think I’ll have the opportunity to.”

STEPHEN FULTON

“January 23 is going to be fireworks. Leo is the champion and has that spark and fire. We’re both coming hungry and prepared to make this a great fight. This fight is actually a bit underrated because we’re smaller guys, but we’re both in the top five of this division. Leo and I both have something to prove and I’m ready to get it on.

“I don’t think the layoff will affect me at all. I think it makes me even more ready. I can’t wait to get in the ring and get back to doing what I love.

“My game plan remains the same as if I was fighting him in August. We’re always ready to make adjustments, but I believe I’m much better than if I had fought in August. From losing that opportunity and now coming back, it’s made me better physically, mentally and emotionally.

“Going through the experience of having the fight against Leo cancelled just changed my mindset. I felt like I lost everything. It made me train even harder. I took that rage and anxiety and used it every day in training. I’m just ready to fight.

“To me, it means everything to be a world champion from Philadelphia. This is what I’ve been working for my whole career. To my city, it would show people from my neighborhood that there’s a way out. But I don’t feel any pressure because of it. This sport teaches us the discipline to perform in moments like this. The pressure is just a part of my job.

“My streak of taking fighters’ ‘0’ is going to continue on January 23. Fighters have their thing that they’re known for: Gervonta Davis knocks people out, Chris Colbert shows off his flashy skills, and I take fighters’ ‘0’s. Come fight night, we’ll both be prepared and ready. I’m ready to put on a show and I believe Leo will be ready to do the same.

“I’m one of the guys leading the new era of Philadelphia boxing, but I can’t get ahead of myself. I just have to stay smart, calm and do my job. It’s all about doing what I came there to do.

“I am that next wave and I’m just ready to stamp it by getting this belt. I’m going to solidify what everyone already knew about me. I have the superstar quality in me and I’ll show it in this fight.

“Leo’s performance against Williams was what I expected. I knew he was going to come forward and be a dog, but I don’t think Williams expected it. He’s a good fighter, he earned his way here, and now we just have to fight.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“In this main event we have a highly anticipated fight that the fans have been waiting for since it was first announced. This is a meaningful fight for the 122-pound division. This is one of the hottest divisions in boxing, with a number of fighters that you can mix and match to make numerous great matchups.

“Angelo Leo is coming off a tremendous victory to win this title against Tramaine Williams. That was his coming out party. He was really impressive and made a big statement. When it comes to Fulton, you know he doesn’t lack confidence. He’s young, undefeated, talented and he feels like this will be his easiest payday to date. He believes he’s going to walk through Leo.

“This main event has two young undefeated fighters facing each other in their primes. That’s what makes a great fight. It’s also interesting that Fulton is actually a slight betting favorite, despite Leo being the champion.

“We open the telecast with Mayweather Promotions’ own Rolando Romero. ‘Rolly’ is coming off a less than impressive performance when he won the interim title, so he’ll be looking to make a big statement for fans. This is going to be a great card from top to bottom and we can’t wait.”

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

“You won’t find many young fighters that have been against as much impressive competition as Stephen Fulton has. Seven of his victories out of his 18 wins are over undefeated fighters. It’s very impressive. He’s coming to grab what he believes is his and what should have been his back in August.

“The co-feature is the fight I’m really excited about with Ra’eese Aleem and Victor Pasillas. This is a very important matchup with very legitimate contenders. A 50-50 fight between two undefeated prospects in the hot 122-pound division. Both fighters have made it clear that they want the elite of the division and they are willing to put it all on the line January 23 to make that happen. The winner of this fight will be in the driver’s seat for any of the 122-pound champions.

“In the opener, they say styles make fights and Justin Pauldo has a style that could really give Rolando Romero some fits. He’s got a great jab and he’s in great shape and down in Houston training with Ronnie Shields. He’s coming to win. Out of the six featured fights we have only one loss between them, so we are going to see some ‘0’s go on January 23. We’re looking forward to it.”

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo and @TGBPromotions on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromotions and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

NEW YORK – January 12, 2021 – In the long-awaited battle between undefeated rising junior featherweight stars, WBO 122-pound World Champion Angelo Leo meets Stephen “Cool Boy” Fulton Jr., in the main event of the first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast of 2021 Saturday, January 23 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT live on SHOWTIME from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The co-main event pits two more undefeated 122-pound boxers against each other as Ra’eese Aleem and Victor Pasillas face off in a 12-round bout for the interim WBA title. The telecast opener features rising prospect Rolando Romero against Justin Pauldo in a 12-round lightweight bout for Romero’s interim WBA title. The combined rng record of the six fighters on the card is a remarkable 96 wins with just one loss.

The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions.

“We’re rolling straight into 2021 ready to keep creating as many opportunities as we can for our fighters,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Angelo Leo and Rolando Romero will both be defending their titles for the first time and will be put to yet another test in their respective bouts. Everyone has been working hard and fine-tuning in preparation for January 23, and it’s going to be another great night of boxing filled with very exciting talent to kick off the new year.”

“Leo vs. Fulton is a true 50-50 matchup between two rising stars entering the primes of their careers,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Fulton’s chance at capturing the title was delayed but his opportunity finally comes January 23 on SHOWTIME. Leo worked incredibly hard to capture the world championship in August and will come prepared and determined to defend it successfully.

“The super bantamweight division will have a clear world title contender emerge from the co-main event, a battle of unbeatens between Aleem and Pasillas. Add in the opening bout of ‘Rolly’ Romero vs. Justin Pauldo, a fight that can launch a prospect into a contender, and we have an excellent fight card to kick off the year.”

Leo (20-0, 9 KOs), who fights out of the Mayweather Promotions stable, became the first world champion from his hometown of Albuquerque, N.M., since legendary three-division champion Johnny Tapia when he defeated Tramaine Williams by unanimous decision in August. The 26-year-old was originally scheduled to face Fulton for the vacant WBO junior featherweight world title that evening in the first SHOWTIME boxing event following the pandemic shutdown of the sport, but Fulton was forced to withdraw following a positive COVID-19 test.

“It’s been a crazy year for everyone but to say I walked out of 2020 a world champion is truly incredible and humbling,” said Leo. “I spent 16 years training for that moment to become a champion, and here I am, preparing for my next camp for my first defense top of 2021. That’s a blessing, and I thank Mayweather Promotions and my team for that. My experiences with Floyd last camp going to really put me in a great position going into this fight.

“My father Miguel has been instrumental in keeping me grounded and reminding me that all of these fighters are eyeing my spot. My goal in 2021 is to remain champion and get more belts and Fulton is that next test.”

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa. Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) has faced impressive competition in his young career while rising up the 122-pound ranks, where he is currently rated No. 1 by the WBO. In his last 12 professional fights, the 26-year-old has beaten seven unbeaten fighters, including Josh Greer, Adam Lopez and Luis Saul Rosario. Fulton’s two most recent wins are a knockout over Isaac Avelar in August 2019 before most recently scoring a dominant 12-round unanimous decision victory over Arnold Khegai in January.

“Training is going great,” said Fulton. “I feel like everything happens for a reason because I’m 10 times more ready now than I was the first time around. I’m excited to fight for the title and I expect nothing but Angelo Leo to be himself and fight his fight on January 23.”

Ranked in the top-10 by the WBA and IBF at 122 pounds, Aleem (17-0, 11 KOs) can take a big step closer to a world title shot when he faces fellow unbeaten Pasillas for the interim WBA strap on January 23. Raised in Michigan and training out of Las Vegas, Nev., Aleem, 30, has stopped his past six opponents inside the distance as he continues to step up his competition.

“This is a high-stakes fight and the winner will get a guaranteed world title fight,” said Aleem. “It’s going to be a good fight, but I am at the top of the heap. I knew I belonged at the top a long time ago and after my last fight that was proven. Winning this fight makes me the number-one contender, and the only thing left after this is to win the world title.”

Pasillas (15-0, 8 KOs), who hails from East Los Angeles, is fresh off a dominating sixth-round knockout over then-unbeaten Ranfis Javier Encarnacion in September 2020 which launched him into the WBA’s top-10 rankings. Like Aleem, the 28-year-old Pasillas also carries significant power. He has stopped his four most recent foes including a first-round knockout of Ernesto Guerrero.

“I’ve envisioned being in this position since I first stepped into a boxing gym at age eight and now it’s time to seize the moment,” said Pasillas. “I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity and show the world, and everyone watching on SHOWTIME, that I belong on the big stage with the elite fighters at super bantamweight. Aleem is a good fighter, but he won’t be able to hang with me. I’m going to punish him until I knock him out. East L.A. in the house, let’s go!”

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nev., Romero (12-0, 10 KOs) returns to SHOWTIME following his controversial unanimous decision victory over Jackson Marinez in August. The 25-year-old captured the interim WBA lightweight title with that win and went the distance for just the second time in his professional career. Fighting under the Mayweather Promotions banner, Romero has been matched tough early in his career with just two losses among his four most recent opponents including the once-defeated Pauldo.

“I’m going to approach this fight like I do any other fight, I don’t feel the need to sell myself,” said Romero. “I’m thankful for my fans who have been with me since day one. I fight for them, because a fan of Rolly is to be an underdog, to be doubted, and that’s all I have ever been. Whether you’re with me on January 23 or against me, I know you will be watching.”

Following an impressive unanimous decision victory over a tough Josec Ruiz in August 2020, Pauldo (14-1, 7 KOs) returns against the stiffest test of his career when he faces blue-chip prospect Romero. Hailing from Orlando, Fla. and training in Houston, Texas, Pauldo, 26, owns a four-inch reach advantage over Romero, who is the third unbeaten foe of his career.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity and I’m excited for all of my years of hard work to pay off on January 23,” said Pauldo. “I was already training and in shape when I got the call for this fight, so I’m going to be 100% on fight night. Romero is a one-gear type of fighter who comes straight forward. I believe that I have the better skills and am the better all-around fighter. This is definitely going to be an interesting fight with contrasting styles, and I can’t wait to show off my skills and bring this title home.”

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer hosts the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo handles blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former junior middleweight world champion Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez. Two Hall of Famers round out the telecast team: boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. The executive producer is four-time Emmy® award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The director is Bob Dunphy, son of legendary Hall of Famer Don Dunphy. Alejandro Luna and Felix DeJesus will serve as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo and @TGBPromotions on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromotions and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

During tonight’s SHOWTIME: SPECIAL EDITION, headlined by Emmanuel Rodriguez vs. Reymart Gaballo and featuring the return of Jaron “Boots” Ennis, SHOWTIMEannounced its first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event of 2021. The event, which features six fighters with a combined record of 97-1, will be held Saturday, Jan. 23 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., days after the previously announced ShoBox event on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

In the main event on Jan. 23, SHOWTIMEwill deliver the long-awaited battle between undefeated junior featherweight stars Angelo Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) and Stephen Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) for the WBO World Title that Leo captured in August when the two unbeaten 26-year-olds were originally set to meet.

The co-main event pits two undefeated super bantamweights, Raeese Aleem (17-0, 11 KOs) and Vic Pasillas (16-0, 9 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round fight. The telecast opener will feature rising prospect Rolando Romero (12-0, 10 KOs) against Justin Pauldo (14-1, 7 KOs) in a 12-round lightweight bout.

Angelo Leo won the vacant WBO Super Bantamweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Tramaine Williams at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Williams got off to a good start as he was crisp with his counter left hook. He controlled the action for the first three rounds. Leo started to come forward in the middle rounds as he effectively worked the body.

That tactic slowed down the quick Williams as Leo continued to work on the inside and pound away at the body of Williams with left hooks. Leo occasionally came upstairs, but by the championship rounds, Williams output had slowed to pedestrian status.

Leo outlanded Williams 248-196 including 102 to seven to the body.

Leo of Albuquerque, NM won by scores of 118-110 and 117-111 twice and is now 20-0. Williams of New Haven, Connecticut is 19-1.

Angelo Leo

“It feels good. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, it just feels surreal. The first few rounds I was just feeling him out, getting his timing, getting the feel of him. I felt him kind of loosening up and breaking down, and that’s when I started putting the pressure on him a little more.

“That was the key factor in this fight, the body work and the pressure. I’m pretty sure Albuquerque is celebrating tonight. I think they have four world champions, because you can’t exclude Holly Holm. You have Johnny [Tapia], Danny [Romero], Holly and now me. There’s four champions in that city and I think I’ve made history there.

“At first, the first couple hours after the opponent change I was a little disappointed. But then I was like, ‘Hey this is what I came here to do.’ I came here to win a world title and that’s exactly what I did. When I set my mind to it, I do it.”

Raeese Aleem stopped Marcus Bates in round 10 of their scheduled 12-round super bantamweight rematch.

Aleem dominated the fight as he punished Bates to the body and began working his way upstairs. In round 10, Bates was complaining of an injured right hand. Later in the round, Aleem landed two crushing lefts as Bates turned away and referee Gary Rosato stopped the bout at 2:18.

Aleem, 121 1/4 lbs of Las Vegas is 17-0 with 11 knockouts. Bates, 121 1/4 lbs of Washington, DC is 11-2-1.

“It did help me facing Bates again only because I knew some of his tendencies, but that was still a while ago. He’s a top fighter so he could have come at me a number of different ways. I was just prepared.

“I didn’t know his hand was hurt. I thought he was juts shaking it just to try to get me to look at it and distract me. I didn’t worry about it.

“I would love to fight either the winner of the main event or any current world champion – Akhmadaliev has two of the belts. Brandon Figueroa, Rey Vargas, or the winner of this one. It doesn’t really matter who but I want the strap.”

Joe George scored a vicious 9th round stoppage over Marcos Escudero in a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Escudero seemed to be winning the fight as he was out throwing and out-landing George, much like their first fight that took place in November.

In the final seconds of round nine, George landed a vicious uppercut that sent Escudero crashing to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 3:00.

George, 174 1/4 lbs of Houston is now 11-0 with seven knockouts. Escudero, 173 1/2 lbs of West Palm Beach, FL is 10-2.

Joe George

“I was setting him up with the jab to the body, I had him leaning over a little. I was shooting the right uppercut, some landed and some didn’t. I wanted him to get comfortable and relaxed, and that’s exactly what he did. He was relaxed and I slipped over and just shot it. He gave it to me and I had to take it. It put him down.

“The result is self-explanatory. I don’t have to say nothing. I’m willing to fight whoever next. One fight at a time and I’ll be prepared for whatever’s on the way.”

Vacant WBO Junior Featherweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Angelo Leo – 121 lbs.

Tramaine Williams – 121½ lbs.

Referee: Harvey Dock (Union, N.J.); Judges: Don Ackerman (West Oneida, N.Y.), Glenn Feldman (Avon, Conn.), Don Trella (Noank, Conn.)

WBA Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator – 12 Rounds

Ra’eese Aleem – 121¼ lbs.

Marcus Bates – 121¼ lbs.

Referee: Gary Rosato (Hazel Township, Pa.); Judges: Steve Weisfeld (River Vale, N.J.), Tom Schreck (Albany, N.Y.), Glenn Feldman (Avon, Conn.)

Light Heavyweights – 10 Rounds

Joe George – 174¼ lbs.

Marcos Escudero – 173½ lbs.

Referee: Dan Schavoine (Wethersfield, Conn.); Judges: Tom Carusone (Hebron, Conn.), Don Trella (Noank, Conn.), Steve Weisfeld (River Vale, N.J.)

*  *  *

ABNER MARES TO JOIN SATURDAY’S ANNOUNCE TEAM

Four-time world champion and Olympian Abner Mares will join this Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® announce team. Mares will work alongside the most experience and decorated boxing team in television including host Brian Custer, play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo and four International Boxing Hall of Famers Al Bernstein (analyst), Jimmy Lennon, Jr. (in ring), Steve Farhood (scoring), and Jim Gray (ringside reporter).

The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The director is Bob Dunphy, son of legendary Hall of Famer Don Dunphy. The pair has been guiding this flagship sports series since its inception in 1986. In addition, Raúl Marquez and Alejandro Luna serve as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

Bilingual and personable, the 34-year-old Mares will provide expert analysis gathered from a future Hall of Famer career that continues after 16 years and has included 11 world title fights (7-3-1). In 2010, Mares established himself as an elite-level fighter with six consecutive wins against world champions over the next two and a half years. He won the IBF bantamweight world title in 2011 and made one successful defense before moving up in weight and winning the WBC super bantamweight (122 pounds) world title in 2012.

“As a fighter, I’ve had memorable fights on SHOWTIME, including earning my fourth world title belt against Jesus Cuellar,” said Mares. “It’s an honor to call the action for fans from the other side of the ring. As an active fighter, I’m looking forward to being part of the return of world championship boxing as a member of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING team, especially calling the two important 122-pound fights, a division I know a lot about.”

*  *  *

Saturday’s fights are presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by TGB and Mayweather Promotions in association with Kings Promotions. The main event is promoted in association with New World Sports and Warriors Boxing. 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

NEW YORK – July 29, 2020 – Undefeated contender Tramaine Williams will step in to face fellow unbeaten Angelo Leo for the vacant WBO Jr. Featherweight World Championship in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING this Saturday, August 1, (live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Williams replaces Stephen Fulton Jr., who tested positive for COVID-19 on the test provided by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation and was removed from the 122-pound title bout versus Leo.

Undefeated Ra’eese Aleem will now face 122-poundcontender Marcus Bates in the co-main event in a 12-round WBA Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator. Aleem had previously been scheduled to fight Williams, before Williams moved into the main event to fight Leo.

The 26-year-old Leo (19-0, 9 KOs) fights out of the Mayweather Promotions stable and will look to become the first world champion from his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico since Johnny Tapia. He will now seek the title against another unbeaten opponent in the 27-year-old Williams (19-0, 6 KOs). Williams represents his native New Haven, Connecticut and shot up the WBO rankings by defeating Yenifel Vicente in July 2019.

The 30-year-old Aleem (16-0, 10 KOs), who hails from Muskegon, Michigan, has continued his winning ways since beating Bates in 2018, adding five victories to his ledger. The 26-year-old Bates (11-1, 8 KOs) is currently ranked No. 7 by the WBA and hails from Washington, D.C. He will look to avenge his lone loss in this rematch against Aleem.

“Extensive protocols have been put in place to catch this very possibility and they’ve proven so far to be effective,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “We are supporting Stephen and his team as they self-quarantine off property and we will help with any medical assistance if needed.

“Fortunately, Williams was ready to move into the spot in the main event, which remains a battle of unbeaten young super bantamweights. In addition, Marcus Bates was in excellent shape and answered the call to face Aleem in a title eliminator. He is an aggressive super bantamweight who will make the most of this opportunity. I expect him to be on everyone’s radar after Saturday night.”

Fulton and his team never entered the closed system set up at Mohegan Sun for this week’s event. Upon arrival to the property, they and all fighters were tested and quarantined until their individual test results came back. There are no other positive tests to report at this time.

Before arrival to Mohegan Sun, Team Fulton and all of this Saturday’s fight teams had been tested multiple times over a period of weeks leading up to the event. Team Fulton was tested six times prior to arrival, from June 25 through the most recent test he took on July 23 before traveling to Connecticut. All of those tests came back negative. Today’s result was the first positive test for Team Fulton.

Saturday night’s triple-header on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING also features rising light heavyweight prospects Joe George (10-0, 6 KOs) and Marcos Escudero (10-1, 9 KOs) opening the telecast with a 10-round rematch of their November ShoBox showdown that saw George win a narrow-split decision.

Uncasville, Conn. – July 29, 2020 – Boxing is back on SHOWTIME and five fighters taking part in Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® tripleheader participated in a media availability on Wednesday to discuss the bouts Presented by Premier Boxing Champions and taking place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Philadelphia’s 122-pound rising star Stephen Fulton Jr. will headline Saturday’s tripleheader (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) against talented, fellow undefeated contender Angelo Leo of the Mayweather stable in a marquee 12-round matchup for the vacant WBO junior featherweight world title.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast features Tramaine Williams, of New Haven, Conn., clashing with Las Vegas-based Ra’eese Aleem in an intriguing, 50-50 matchup between talented, undefeated prospects in the co-featured bout and a light heavyweight rematch between Houston’s Joe George and Argentina’s Marcos Escudero that opens the telecast.

Here is what the fighters had to say on today’s call. Due to a scheduling conflict, Fulton was unable to participate.

ANGELO LEO

“This is something I’ve worked my whole life for, so my preparation has been the best I’ve ever had, both physically and mentally. This is the day I’ve been waiting for and I have to seize the opportunity.

“Floyd was in the gym with me a couple of times giving me pointers and helping work through my game plan. His wisdom combined with my trainer’s knowledge really meshed together for me. Floyd just told me to just stay calm, treat it like any other fight and do what I do best. I know the mental strength that Floyd has, and I’ve learned from it. I’ve learned from the best.

“I definitely expect to be able to hurt Fulton. He talks a lot about how he’s fought a lot of undefeated fighters, but if you look closely, he’s been hurt before. I just want to make that point clear that he’s not untouchable.

“This would be a great win for my hometown of Albuquerque. We haven’t had a champion since Johnny Tapia and to become a champion after him would mean a great deal to me and to the city.

“It’s possible he’s overconfident. He’s been talking a lot, and I know he has to have confidence, but I think he’s a bit overconfident. I don’t really get effected by his talk or people thinking I’m the underdog. I’m just focused on the job.

“As far as not having fans in the arena, I don’t think it will have an effect on this fight. It’s like sparring but more intense. I’m the type of fighter that if I smell blood, I’m going to go for the kill.

“Being in Las Vegas was probably the best move I made in my career. I’ve seen Fulton’s style in the gym and it’s nothing I’m not prepared for. I’ll adapt in the ring and make my adjustments. Ultimately, I’m going to come out with the victory.

“I just need to vary up my attack. I have good footwork to get on the inside. My head movement is strong, and all of that is going to be key in this fight. I think he has some trouble with fighters who move backwards against him, so I’m going to use my boxing too. We’re prepared for anything we need to do in there.”

TRAMAINE WILLIAMS

“It’s a bit of an unusual situation but I take every fight as if were just another day in the gym or another sparring session, so this will be nothing different. As boxers, as fighters, as humans, we just have to adapt. No excuses, whatever comes our way we’ve got to figure it out and that’s what I’m going to do on Saturday. I’ll adapt to no crowd and you guys may hear me talk a little bit in the ring.

“My preparations changed a bit because of the social distancing and you want to be careful with who you interact with. If you’re sparring with a select few guys, you want to make sure those guys are practicing social distancing as well. It was kind of hard to get a lot of people to spar with because you want to be careful.

“I prepared for Aleem the same way I prepare for every fighter. I stay focus and try to prepare for 10 or 12 rounds, whatever the fight may be, and focus three minutes at a time. He’s a little awkward. You never want to underestimate anyone so I’m treating him like he is a world champion.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll take him to deep waters, and deep waters doesn’t mean the seventh, eighth, or ninth round -deep waters means the third round and he’s still got seven to go.

“Aleem is much different from my last opponent (Yenifel Vicente) because he’s a cleaner fighter. You can tell he’s a respectful opponent and he comes from a good boxing lineage in Detroit. He’s a lot different from Vicente, who came in there just swinging for the fences and looking to land a lucky shot. I had him frustrated so maybe he was looking for an out or try to distract me but Aleem will be much different from that.

“If I win this fight, I definitely think a title shot could be next against the winner of Saturday’s main event. Or I would fight Figueroa or [Murodjon Akhmadaliev]. I’ve been ready for all of these guys. I should have already been in the position that Fulton and Leo are at right now, fighting for a world title.”

RA’EESE ALEEM

“I feel like my win over Adam Lopez was definitely a big upset. I feel like I made a big statement and I want to make another big statement on Saturday night. As far as that being my TV debut, there was no extra emotion behind it. I was completely confident in myself and just ready to go in there and do what I do.

“The super bantamweight division is a very stacked division. It’s tough because a lot of the champions have been champs for years. The big money fights are there, they just need to be made and right now is the perfect time to make those fights because we have to give the fans what they want. I’m ready for the big fights right now.

“This is a huge opportunity for me to catapult myself into the top spots. It’s going to raise me in the rankings and even if my next fight isn’t for a world title fight, I’m going to be next. It’s a huge opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it.

“Leo and Fulton are both great fighters so to be able to see them up close is great because I want to fight both of them. Either one, it doesn’t matter. Whoever wins, that’s who I want. I have to show up and show out because just winning isn’t good enough for me. I have to dominate and that will really solidify what I’m about.

“Tramaine Williams is a really smart fighter. He has really fast hands, fast feet. I think my biggest advantage going into this is he’s never fought a fighter like me. I just have to be cautious. I don’t believe he’s a big puncher but I have to be cautious of his skill and his boxing IQ. I don’t feel like he’s faced a real dog. Somebody who is showing up to win, somebody who has faster hands and feet than him.

“I’m telling myself I have 10 rounds to knock him out. You can expect a lot of action from me on Saturday night. I don’t think my opponent really wants a lot of action, but I definitely want to get him out of there. But I’m going to let it come to me, I’m not going to just go in there and force it. It will come, though. It won’t go the distance. I’m prepared to go the distance but my ultimate goal is to get him out of there.”

JOE GEORGE

“I’m in better shape for this fight compared to our first fight. We’re working on fighting off of the ropes better and fighting in the center of the ring more effectively.

“A knockout is always good, but I like to take it one round at a time. If the knockout comes, it comes, and we’re going to take advantage. I’ve been dropping fighters in camp, so the chance of a knockout is pretty high.

“He was an okay opponent. He had a chin and was in shape. His punches weren’t effective though. I made sure my punches landed and I hurt him a few times, I just couldn’t really finish him.

“This fight will be different because I’m going to work off the ropes more instead of letting him gain momentum with his punches. Last fight was just him being really active and having a good chin -that’s all that stopped him from getting knocked out. If I was in  better shape, I could have finished him. If I get the opportunity this fight, I’ll finish it.

“I expect to see a slight difference in Escudero. If you change trainers, then you should have made some changes. I had a good hard camp and whatever he brings, I’ll be ready for it.

“Some people think that Escudero won, and that’s their opinion. But I knew what I was doing. He wasn’t effective. I think just by me being on the ropes it made some people think that I was losing. But for me, I’m very comfortable fighting on the ropes.

“I didn’t really spar with people my weight in camp, it was either with heavyweights or guys who are lighter. The lighter guys helped with my speed and the heavyweights helped with my power. It worked out perfectly and I got the best of both worlds.

“My manager Trent Williams is a young athlete so he knows how this goes. He knows the things to do and what to say. You never see him angry or frustrated, the only time he’s aggressive is when he’s training or on the field. His work ethic is incredible and that’s motivation in itself. He’s a great role model and I learn a lot from watching him.”

MARCOS ESCUDERO

“Everyone saw what happened in the first fight. I believe I did enough to get the win, but it is what it is. I’ve changed my team and am working with Kevin Cunningham now and that is going to make the biggest difference heading into this rematch. Everyone is going to see a different fighter than the first fight on Saturday night.

“With Coach Kevin we’ve watched the tape of the first fight over and over again. We knew we needed to take care of little details, be more effective and that we couldn’t leave it up to the judges. I have to be more intelligent in my game plan and change my angles. I think those were the most important things we worked on.

“Obviously we plan to bring the fight to George and make it entertaining. I know that I have enough power to make sure it doesn’t go to the cards. That’s what we’re looking for.

“I’ve known Kevin for a while. He’s worked with a lot of world champions and I’ve seen how different it is to have a strong team on my side. To be a great fighter you need to have a great team supporting you.

“I’m much more confident heading into this fight than the last one. He knows that he lost the fight. I know that I did enough work to get the victory. Now in the rematch, I’m going to show my confidence in the ring. My only goal is to beat Joe George. I am working toward becoming a world champion, so I had to get this rematch settled before anything else. After Saturday night, we’ll keep moving forward.”

NEW YORK – July 22, 2020 – SHOWTIME Sports^® and Premier Boxing Champions unveiled a nine-event television lineup for the remainder of 2020 in a virtual press conference today. The schedule is the largest collection of world championship boxing announced since the COVID-19 pandemic forced a stoppage of the sport.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® host Brian Custer introduced the schedule comprising of 22 critical matchups, beginning on August 1, featuring 18 undefeated fighters, nine world champions and eight world championship fights including one world title unification bout. The robust rollout of fights over the next five months includes two unique pay-per-view events involving some of boxing’s biggest names – Gervonta Davis, Leo Santa Cruz, Jermall Charlo, Jermell Charlo and David Benavidez.

Each live telecast will be presented without fans in attendance from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Included in the schedule are four world title eliminators, three interim title fights and 13 bouts in all pitting top-10 ranked fighters.

Custer was joined by Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc., to preview the robust schedule spanning five months as well as world champions the Charlos, Benavidez and undefeated prospects Stephen Fulton Jr. and Angelo Leo to discuss their respective bouts.

Below are highlights of what Espinoza and the fighters had to say:

STEPHEN ESPINOZA

“We’re thrilled to announce what we believe is the strongest and most comprehensive schedule in all of boxing. Meaningful fights, competitive matchups. This is what boxing fans have been waiting for ever since the sport shut down in March. Between that March date, our last event on ShoBox, and August 1 will be 141 days that we’ve been down. Like everyone else, we’ve spent a tremendous amount of time coming up with protocols – but also a tremendous amount of time coming up with this schedule. From highly regarded prospects to emerging stars and big-time champions, we put them all in tough matchups. This lineup really delivers on our promise to boxing fans with the biggest fights, the most exciting fights, and the highest quality presentation in the sport. We’re doing nine telecasts with what are unquestionably the most significant fights in the sport since boxing has restarted.

“This is a really high-quality schedule with five months of meaningful fights, competitive fights and fights that are really going to determine champions and challengers for the foreseeable future.

“We weren’t going to come back just for the sake of coming back. We wanted to come back at a high level with meaningful fights – with fights which would remind the public why they’re excited about the sport of boxing. So, we put together a schedule week after week of competitive fights, with big names, with meaningful fights. Before we know it, this sport is going to be back where it should be in terms of momentum and positive energy.”

JERMALL CHARLO

“We will show everyone on September 26 that we’re the future of boxing. We’re going to let everyone in the world see the great things that me and my twin brother have done for the sport.

“Of course, the pandemic made us separate a lot of things in our routine and do things slightly differently. But I also can work out here at home so it hasn’t been too tough for me to stay sharp.

“Every fight is tough and I’m coming in prepared like always. Derevyanchenko is a highly rated fighter and we’re both going to go in there to get the job done.

“We haven’t decided who’s going to fight first, but we’re just so excited to be headlining these separate PPV cards. Me and my twin brother have something big in store for everyone on September 26.

“We just stay in shape. We’re always training and we’re always ready. This is a time in life where everyone had to go through the same thing. It was just a matter of time to get back to boxing.

“It is what it is not having fans in the stands. There’s not much we can do about it. We’re back and we’re going to enjoy it.

“I didn’t think Derevyanchenko won the fight against Golovkin, but he definitely made it a lot closer than people expected. I didn’t think people knew about his style and what he brings to the ring. It was close, but I didn’t think he won the fight.

“This win lets people know that I’m ready for the biggest fights against the other middleweight champions. Derevyanchenko has been in with tough competition, but he’s come up short. I know that people will have questions no matter what happens, but that’s just part of boxing. I’m ready to fight.

“It would definitely deliver a statement to the boxing world if I knock him out. The power is for real and I can get in there and hurt just about anybody.

“I feel like we’re going to meet in the middle of the ring and let our hands go. May the best man win. My game plan is going to be to shut his game plan down. We’ll see on fight night.”

ESPINOZA

“Jermall and Jermell have always said they want to do big events, historical events, unprecedented events that are unlike any other and that’s what this is. You would have to go back to those marathon Don King pay-per-views of the 80’s where you would have this many title fights on one card and even on those fights 30 or 40 years ago, you didn’t see the array of talent that we’re getting on September 26. Four world title fights, a unification fight, Jermell, Jermall taking arguably the toughest fights of their careers on the biggest stage. It is sort of the crown jewel in the schedule right now.”

JERMELL CHARLO

“This opportunity is finally here and I’m happy that me and my brother have this day to show how much we put into the sport. Now is our time to be PPV stars.

“I’ve been boxing for so long and it’s been my dream to win multiple belts, you can expect me to get that win. I’m going to dominate. I don’t want to leave this up to the judges. I’m going to dominate or win by knockout. That’s how I do it.

“People will be saying that ‘the Charlos are boxing’ after September 26. They’ll have to put us on the pound-for-pound lists after our performances.

“What matters the most is having this platform and putting on a great performance September 26. We know what we have to do.

“Being well-rested is important. Our bodies are in a great position and now it’s about getting better and working on things we need to work on. Boxing is a year-round sport, so we always stay in shape. 

“Rosario is just another fighter with two arms, two legs and a mind. I’m going to do what I do and be destructive. My job is to take his titles and that’s what I’m planning to do.

“We always fought on the same cards growing up. It gives us energy and helps us be at our best. At the end of the day, we’re going to be ready to fight no matter what.

“When you’re really focused on the fight you’re zoned in and not even hearing the crowd. It’s not going to be a factor for us.

“If Rosario can’t take the power, we can fight all twelve. I can take a punch, but we don’t know if he can take a Jermell Charlo punch. We’re going for knockouts. I like to set it up and deliver it within the 12 rounds.”

ESPINOZA

“We’re thrilled to have David (Benavidez) back on SHOWTIME. He’s one of the most exciting young fighters in boxing. Young, exciting, charismatic, someone that if you haven’t seen fight, you’re in for a treat. Again, on this particular card, we can’t just focus on the main event because there’s two really compelling co-features. Speaking of somebody who’s exciting to watch, “Rollie” Romero clearly fits that bill. If you haven’t seen him, make sure to tune in. He is one of the most exciting young fighters as well. In the opening bout, two high quality heavyweights will match up. In this case, two heavyweights who both suffered from and eventually recovered from COVID. Thankfully, they’ve recovered, but those are three intriguing fights headed by David Benavidez’s return to SHOWTIME.”

DAVID BENAVIDEZ

“I’m very excited to come back. We’ve been out of the ring for almost a year.

“It was a little difficult getting this camp started because – Seattle was the epicenter of the pandemic. So, the number one key was to stay home, stay safe, and train at the right times. Now that we have the fight in August, we’ve brought a couple guys from different cities and everyone has been tested and everything has been good. I’m in my dad’s gym, so we can train whenever we want. We’ve been having a great training camp so far and now it’s just getting to the date smoothly.

“That’s very unfortunate right now (not to have fans in attendance), but I think what matters most is the safety and protection of the people. It’s going to be the same thing, like the Charlo’s said, you kind of get tunnel vision when you’re in the ring. My main goal right now is to give the fans at home the best possible fight I can possibly give them. (Roamer Alexis) Angulo has a nice record, and he has a lot of knockouts. I have a lot of knockouts, so it’s going to be fireworks all night.

“I’m expecting him to come forward, this is his second world title fight. I think he’s here to make a statement and I know he’s taking this fight very seriously. I want these tough fights. I want these brawls. I want these barn burners. You don’t want to blink because this fight is going to end in a knockout.

“My main goal is to get to Caleb Plant. That’s the fight I want the most, that’s the fight I feel the fans want the most. Since we’re in the same promotion company that’s fairly easy. I was hoping to get that fight by the end of this year but the pandemic kind of messed up a lot of things. I’m not looking past Angulo — he looks like a great fighter and he looks like a strong fighter. I want to get past this fight and then hopefully by the beginning of next year we can get to Caleb Plant.

(On a potential move to Light Heavyweight)

“I think so, but as of right now there are a lot of great fights at 168. There’s Caleb Plant, there’s Callum Smith, there’s Canelo, there’s Billy Joe Saunders. There are so many great fighters at 168 and there are a lot of great fights to be made. I’m going to be here until I make all of those fights. I have a long time left in this boxing game. I still have about 10 or 13 years in this boxing game left, so I don’t have to move up too quick. As soon as I get all of these fights and all of the belts I want to get at 168, then it’s time to move up to 175 – but I’m staying at Super Middleweight right now for a while.”

ESPINOZA

“What strikes me about the August 1 card isn’t just the quality at the top of the card with two young, emerging guys fighting for a world title. On this one card, we have five undefeated fighters and one fighter with just one loss. And the one fighter with the loss is trying to avenge that in a rematch on this particular card. This is a remarkably competitive, high-quality card top to bottom. It’s not just Fulton-Leo – although that one is a fight fan’s fight – each of these three fights is meaningful an among top-tier guys and rising stars. They are the kind of fights that sort out future champions from the guys who came close. This card may quietly be the most consistent card from top to bottom on the whole schedule.”

STEPHEN FULTON JR.

“It would mean everything to me (to be the only current world champion from Philadelphia). I feel like I always hold Philly on my back, no matter what, and that mindset would not change even if there were five champions from Philly. I am coming to fight.”

“You should expect a good fight. I have been rocked before, but look where I’m at, still standing. I’m just excited overall for every aspect in how he fights. I am excited to be in the ring with him and have the opportunity to display my skills.”

“I am going to beat him because he hasn’t been tested. No one he fought has brought any competition to him. I am going to beat him because I have been tested, I have taken those punches and showed I can get up. Also, my overall skills are just better than his.

“I am always looking to mental adjustments leading up to the fight, and during the fight. I plan to look at this like sparring. When you are sparring, no one is there. I plan to have that same energy, but just a little more intense.

“Personally, I just want to beat him. After that, we can talk about what happens in the future. Honestly, I am just worried about this guy. I am not even thinking about anyone else. That being said, I feel like I am the best in this division. I prove myself over and over again, and that is what I am going to continue to do. I want to be the first undisputed 122-pound champion in the world.”

ANGELO LEO

“It would mean the world to me (to be the first champion from Albuquerque since the late great Johnny Tapia). He was a fighter I look up to, and to become a champion out of Albuquerque says a lot about the city, and a lot about myself. The goal is to become champion, and to represent Albuquerque in the process.

“At the end of the day it is a fight. He can boast about his resume all he wants. We are both top five in the world, we are both undefeated, so it does not really matter once we get in there. He has beaten undefeated fighters, but if you look at those fights, he has been rocked and dropped in all of them. He is not untouchable.

“I am going to get the victory, of course. Whether it goes 12 rounds or not, I am going in there to get that title.

“I am hungrier than him. I have seen what he has, and I know I can break him down. He doesn’t have the will and the heart like I do. On top of that, I have a lot of skill and experience. He is going to see why I am undefeated.

“I definitely feel I’m ready for championship fights. I thought I was ready for a world title three years ago. After I stopped Cesar Juarez in spectacular fashion, I knew I was ready for a world title.

“The 122-pound division is loaded, filled with great talent. This just makes for exciting fights. This is what boxing fans want, and this is what we are going to give them. To be the best you need to beat the best, and if you do not think that way you should not be in the sport. I am in this sport to be the best.”

Gervonta Davis moved up to lightweight and captured the WBA title with a 12th round stoppage over Yuriorkis Gamboa in front of over 14,000 fans at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

In round two, Davis dropped Gamboa with a straight left hand. Gamboa got to his feet, and looked like he had a problem with his leg, but in between rounds it was determined had an issue with his right shoe.

In round eight, Davis seemed to be slowing down until he landed a left hand that sent Gamboa down for a 2nd time. Over the next five rounds, Davis landed many hard power shots that somehow Gamboa was able to absorb. That all changed in the final round, when Gamboa landed a crushing uppercut that sent Gamboa down for a 3rd and final time and the fight was stopped at 1:17.

“Coming into this fight I knew Gamboa was a tough opponent,” said Davis, who went past the ninth round for the first time in his career. “I knew he was a vet. As you see in the ring, I was catching and hurting him but he was still there. I knew he was better than anyone I had fought before. I was mainly focused on catching him with clean shots.  I was catching him with clean shots and wasn’t hurting him, so I knew I was in for rounds tonight.”

When asked by SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray to grade his own performance, Davis replied with “C-plus.” 

“It was a great experience. I’m only 25 years old. I’m learning each and every day. 2020 will be a big year. I feel comfortable at both weights.  I feel I could fight at 130 or 135. I’m the top dog.  Bring ‘em on.”

“I feel OK, but I think I ruptured my Achilles tendon before I fell in the second round,” said Gamboa. “I’m a warrior and I kept going, but as soon as I felt it I knew it was ruptured.  I couldn’t put pressure on it.  I wanted to keep going.  I told my corner it was a problem but I wanted to keep going because I’m a warrior. I’m going to keep going. 135 is my weight. I want to stay there.”

Davis, who originally was about 1.5 pounds over the lightweight limit and later came back to the scale at 134 3/4 lbs is 23-0 with 22 knockouts. Gamboa, 134 3/4 lbs of Guantanamo, CUB is 30-3.

Jean Pascal retained the WBA Light Heavyweight title with a split decision over Badou Jack.

It was a very entertaining fight with both guys getting in solid punches throughout.

In round four, Pascal landed a perfect counter right that rocked and ultimately put Jack on the canvas.

In round twelve, Jack created drama as he landed a big right that set up a punishing flurry that put Pascal down to the canvas.

It was too-little, too-late as Pascal won two cards 114-112 and Jack taking a card 114-112.

Pascal, 174 3/4 of Port ou Prince, HAI is 35-6-1. Jack, 174 1/2 lbs of Stockholm, SWE is 22-4-3.

“I won this fight, it was a close fight but I won it,” said the 37-year-old Pascal. “Badou is a great fighter but no one can say he was robbed. I won that fight. I’m the champ. I think I was in control the whole fight. I kept the middle of the ring most of the time.  Badou is a great fighter, but I won the fight.

“I can finish every round very strong.  I’m a strong, pressure fighter. Badou – thanks for the fight.  I know the crowd enjoyed the show. I’ll do the rematch any time”

“Of course I feel I won the fight, but it is what it is,” said Jack, who has now had six of his last eight fights end in draws, split decisions or majority decisions. “He’s got a hell of a chin, he’s a tough warrior and I want to thank him for the opportunity. I thought I was winning but maybe I’m wrong.  I would love a rematch.”

“I think he caught me up here (on top of head),” he said when asked by Gray about the fourth-round knockdown. “I didn’t really see the punch.  I wasn’t that hurt but it was a good punch.”

Lionell Thompson won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Jose Uzcategui in a super middleweight bout.

At the end of round one, Thompson landed a perfect right hand that sent Uzcategui down for the canvas. In round three, Thompson was cut over his right eye. In round four, Thompson was deducted a point for holding.

Thompson, 168 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 96-92 twice and 95-94 and is now 24-5. Uzcategui, 167 3/4 lbs of Tijuana, MX is 29-4.

Malik Hawkins stopped Darwin Price in round five of a scheduled 10-round fight of undefeated super lightweights.

It was a good fight that saw Price winning early rounds. In round five, Price seemed to have stumbled and hurt his leg. Hawkins saw that and landed hard in the corner. Price was limping badly and the fight was stopped at 1:18.

Hawkins, 139 1/2 lbs of Baltimore is 18-0 with 11 knockouts. Price, 140 lbs of Saint Louis is 16-1.

“Moving down to 168 (pounds), I was a little worried for my first fight but I felt great,” said the 34-year-old Thompson. “I still had the power at this weight and I hurt him a few times. This is my weight class now and I think I have a real chance at becoming super middleweight champion and putting my city on the map as the first world champion from Buffalo.”

“I thought the decision was fair,” said the 29-year-old Uzcátegui, who has now dropped two of his last three fights. “I don’t want to make any excuses. He came to fight. The distance from my last fight definitely showed. I was very rusty. I need to get back in the gym train harder and hopefully get another fight in the next few months.”

Angelo Leo stopped former world title challenger in round 11 of a scheduled 12-round super bantamweight elimination bout.

Juarez began to bleed from his right nostril in round four.

In round six, Leo landed a big left hook that rocked Juarez. Juarez ate several hard blows before going down. Seconds later, a bug uppercut rocked Juarez. Leo followed up and what looked like push sent Juarez down for a 2nd knockdown. In round 11, Leo landed a big right that sent Juarez to the canvas. Juarez got to his feet, but the fight was stopped at 1:12.

Leo, 121 1/2 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 19-0 with nine knockouts. Juarez, 121 3/4 lbs of Mexico City is 24-8.

Follow all the action as Gervonta Davis and Yuriorkis Gamboa vie for the vacant WBA Lightweight title.  The action kicks off at 6:45 ET with a four fight undercard that will be highlighted by Jean Pascal defending the WBA Light Heavyweight title against Badou Jack

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Round 1 Left from Davis..Straight left..Hard left..Counter from Gamboa…

Round 2 Left from Davis…Jab..Right hook to the body..DOUBLE-JAB AND LEFT AND DOWN GOES GAMBOA..Gamboa seems to have hurt his leg..Gamboa complaining about his shoe

Round 3 Counter right and left from Gamboa..Left and right from Davis..Left to body

Round 4 Counter left from Davis…Jab..Good body shot..left

Round 5 Left from Davis..Another left..Hard uppercut and another..Big left..More big lefts.Another left and a right hook..

Round 6 Jab from Davis..Jab from Gamboa..Left from Davis..Right..Good body shots

Round 7 Good exchange..Combination from Gamboa..Right

Round 8 Right from Gamboa..Hard right..uppercut…LEFT AND DOWN GOES GAMBOA

Round 9 Jab from Davis..Counter right from Gamboa..Body shot..Sharp jab from Davis..Right Hook..Straight left..Counter left..Left uppercut..

Round 10 3 punch combination from Gamboa…2 lefts from Davis..Big left

Round 11 Good left from Davis

Round 12 Hard combination from Davis..Short right hook..HUGE UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES GAMBOA..AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

Round 1 Pascal working the jab..Good 1-2 from Jack..Body punches from Pascal..Good right from Jack

Round 2 Pascal lands a left hook and right

Round 3 Left hook from Pascal..Jab from Jack..Good right..Body shot from Pascal

Round 4 Right from Jack hurts Pascal..Right to the body..Good 1-2..Nice left hook and uppercut from Pascal..Right uppercut from Jack…HUGE COUNTER FROM PASCAL AND DOWN GOES JACK

Round 5  Good right from Jack..Counter right from Pascal..

Round 6 Good jab from Jack..Hard right from Pascal..Jack jabbing again..Double jab..Body shot..Double jab/Right..

Round 7 Pascal lands a right to the body..right uppercut..Right from Jack..Lefts from Pascal…Counter from Jack

Round 8 Jab and right to body ..left to body..left from Jack

Round 9  Combinations from Jack..Left hook from Pascal..Jab from Jack..Right uppercut from Pascal..Good combination from Jack..Pascal lands a double jab..Nice jab from Jack..Body shot from Pascal

Round 10 Right from Pascal..Right..Body…Jab from Jack…

Round 11 Double left from Pascal

Round 12 2 rights hurt Pascal..hUge upperCUT AND DOWN GOES PASCAL.Big right from Jack…Jack continues to unload..Big right..Body shot from Pascal,,Right from Jack

114-112 Jack…114-112 Pascal…114-112 for PASCAL

Round 1: Right from Uzcategui…Jab to body from Thompson..RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES UZCATEGUI..

Round 2 Jab from Uzcategui….Right..Sweeping ;eft hook..Jab from Thompson..

Round 3 1-2 from Thompson..Good hook from Uzcategui..left hand..left hook to body..sharp jab from Thompson..Jab..Right to the body..Thompson cut over the right eye..Right..Counter right from Uzcategui..

Round 4 THOMPSON DEDUCTED A POINT FOR HOLDING..Right from Thompson

Round 5 Nice left hook to the body from Thompson..Jab..Right from Uzcategui..

Round 6 Hard left from Thompson..Good right..Lead right..right..

Round 7 Jab from Uzcategui..Left to thr body…2 jabs from Thompson..Nice right uppercut..left..Sharp right from Uzcategui..another right..Left to the body..Jab from Thompson

Round 8 Lead left hook from Thompson..Hard left..Uzcategui looks hurt..Good lead right from Uzcategui..Right uppercut from Thompson..Straight right from Uzcategui..Left to the body..right..Jab to body from Thompson..Jab from Uzcategui

Round 9 Sharp jab to body from Thompson..Combination from Uzcategui..

Round 10 Thompson boxing

Thompson outlands Uzcategui 124-75

95-94, 96-92 TWICE FOR THOMPSON

Round 1 Jab from Leo..Good left hook to body from Juarez..Right to body from Leo..Good right…Good right and left hook
Round 2 Combination from Leo
Round 3 Good right and left hook from Leo..Left and right
Round 4 Overhand right from Leo..Good body work..Good left hook..Blood from right nostril of Juarez
Round 5 Good left hook from Leo..Good jab..double left hook to the body
Round 6 Right from Leo..HUGE LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES JUAREZ..Uppercut rocks Juarez…COMBINATION AND JUAREZ DOWN AGAIN..Big left hook and a right..Big rights shakes up Juarez..Left hook from Juarez..Big left hook from Leo
Round 7 Overhand right by Leo..Right to the body..
Round 8 
Round 9 Right from Leo..Right to the body
Round 10 Left hook to head from Leo..Body shot..Right and left
Round 11 BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES JUAREZ…THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

Round 1 Jab from Price..Right..right from Hawkins
Round 2 Good right from Price..another right..Hawkins lands a big left hook to the body..Jab and right from Price..jab and right
Round 3 Double jab and right from Price..Jab and right..
Round 4 Good right from Hawkins..Big right from Price and another…chopping right..Big right hurts Price..Big right and left..
Round 5  Good right and Price is hurt…Hawkins all over Price..Price is complaining of a leg injury…FIGHT IS STOPPED

NEW YORK (December 19, 2019) – SHOWTIME Sports will live stream three bouts as part of an exciting night of undercard action on Saturday, December 28 from the award-winning State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The special holiday presentation is headlined by two-time Super Featherweight Champion Gervonta Davis, who is moving up in weight to take on former unified world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

A pair of ShoBox: The New Generation alums will fight in separate bouts on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN as undefeated rising prospect Malik Hawkins faces off against unbeaten Darwin Price in a 10-round super lightweight fight, while undefeated Angelo Leo squares off against Cesar Juarez in an IBF and WBO Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator. The streaming portion of the night also features cruiserweight prospect Viddal Riley from London in a four-round fight against Cincinnati’s Muhammad Abdullah. Riley is widely recognized as the trainer for YouTube star KSI.

The digital offering begins live at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page leading into the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The event is headlined by boxing’s hottest attraction in the undefeated Baltimore native Davis taking on the veteran Gamboa and will feature a co-main event pitting WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal against two-division champion Badou Jack. In the telecast opener, former world champion Jose “Bolivita” Uzcategui will return to battle Lionell Thompson in a 10-round super middleweight fight.

Ray Flores will call the live undercard play-by-play action on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN from ringside alongside Hall of Fame analyst Steve Farhood.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, GTD Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale and available through Ticketmaster.com.

In SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP COUNTDOWN streaming coverage, Davis’ stablemate and up-and-coming prospect Hawkins (17-0, 10 KOs) will face the toughest test of his career as he looks to make a statement in one of boxing’s hottest division at 140 pounds. The 23-year-old Hawkins fought on the Davis vs. Ricardo Nunez undercard July 27 at Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore as he scored an eight-round unanimous decision against Jonathan Steele. In his last fight, Hawkins knocked out All Rivera in Las Vegas in September. Currently trained by Calvin Ford and Kenny Ellis, Hawkins was 93-8 in the amateurs, which included tournament titles at the State Golden Gloves and Regional Golden Gloves. In April of 2017, Hawkins made his nationally televised debut on ShoBox at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., as he scored a dominating second-round TKO of previously undefeated Carlos Soto.

The 30-year-old Price (16-0, 9 KOs) lives and trains in Houston and has scored three knockouts in 2019, including most recently stopping Breidis Prescott in October in a headlining appearance in his hometown. A pro since 2013, Price did not fight in 2018 as he was forced to the sidelines for 15 months after suffering a patellar tendon injury in training. Prior to that, he had won eight fights between 2015 and 2017, including impressive victories over then unbeaten Semajay Thomas and Javontae Starks. A standout track and field runner at Grambling State University prior to his pro boxing career, Price can put himself closer to world title contention by turning away the rising prospect Hawkins.

Leo (18-0, 8 KOs) is another ShoBox alum who will be featured on the live stream as he takes on former world title challenger Cesar Juarez (25-7, 19 KOs) in a 12-round IBF and WBO Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator. The Mayweather Promotions prospect Leo went wire-to-wire in an impressive and dominating 10-round unanimous decision victory over Neil John Tabanao in April in the ShoBox main event at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas. The veteran Juarez is from Mexico City and turned pro in 2010. He lost WBO world titles fights on two occasions, first against Nonito Donaire in 2015 in Puerto Rico and then against Issac Dogboe in 2018 in South Africa. Both Leo and Juarez are ranked in the top 10 by the IBF at 122 pounds.

Recognized widely as the trainer for YouTube star KSI, cruiserweight prospect Riley (3-0, 2 KOs) will put his undefeated record on the line against Abdullah(4-1-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round cruiserweight bout. The 22-year-old Riley represented England at the European Junior Boxing Championships in Russia in 2013. As an amateur, Riley won eight national championships and had a record of 41-8 (19 KOs). He recorded knockouts in his first two pro fights and notched a four-round unanimous decision in his third pro bout.

The stacked lineup of non-televised attractions includes light heavyweight contender Ahmed Elbiali (18-1, 16 KOs) in a 10-round bout against veteran Bryan Vera (26-15, 16 KOs), once-beaten contender Ladarius Miller (20-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight duel against Mexico’s Miguel Zamudio (44-15-1, 27 KOs) and Washington D.C.’s Kareem Martin (13-2-1, 4 KOs) taking on Russia’s Petros Ananyan (14-1-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight affair.

Also entering the ring is undefeated Baltimore-native Malik Warren (2-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round super featherweight duel against Macon, Georgia’s Trayvion Butts (3-0, 2 KOs) and unbeaten lightweight Jackson Martinez (18-0, 6 KOs) from the Dominican Republic squaring off against Mexico’s Yardley Cruz (26-14, 16 KOs) for an eight-round affair

Rounding out the lineup are Atlanta native and super featherweight prospect DeMichael Harris taking on Amonie Sanders in a four-round fight and the pro debut of Baltimore’s Mia Ellis in a four-round super lightweight battle against North Carolina’s Khadijah Sanders.

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ABOUT DAVIS VS. GAMBOA
Davis vs. Gamboa will see two-time super featherweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis, Mayweather Promotions’ top rising star and boxing’s hottest attraction, as he takes on former unified world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa for the WBA Lightweight Title live on SHOWTIME Saturday, December 28 at the award-winning State Farm Arena in Atlanta in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The special holiday SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal battling two-division champion Badou Jack in the co-main event.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

Angelo Leo won a 10-round unanimous decision over Neil Tabanao in a super bantamweight bout at Sams Town in Las Vegas.

Leo, 123 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 100-89 and 100-90 twice and is now 17-0. Tabanao, 122 1/4 lbs of Philippines is 17-5.

“It felt good to make my SHOWTIME debut tonight, to show my fans and the rest of the world my skills and now it’s just up from here,” Leo said. “He was a tough fighter. I’d give my performance an eight. He had a punch. I had to stay cautious in the beginning and take my time and get on the inside.”

“Leo is a good fighter,” Tabanao said. “I know I lost the fight. I did what I could but he was really good. I started strong but on the second half he took over. He fought very well on the inside. He’s really good at short range. He deserved the win.”

Leo said he needs to work on his defense. “I need to keep it a little tighter and not leave any room for opportunities for my opponent,” he said. “I’m ready for whatever my team brings to me for my next fight. I know [Mayweather Promotions CEO] Leonard Ellerbe has my back and my best interests.”

Xavier Martinez stopped John Moralde in a round three of a scheduled eight-round junior lightweight fight

After battering Moralde for two rounds, Martinez dropped Moralde with a hard left hook. Referee Tony Weeks let the fight continue, only to stop seconds after the knockdown at 1:11.

Martinez, 131 3/4 lbs of Sacramento, CA is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Moralde, 131 1/2 lbs of General Santos City, PHL is 21-3.

“I came into this fight wanting to make a statement,” Martinez said. “It’s SHOWTIME and that means it’s go time. I wanted to show everybody who I am and I feel like I did that tonight. I wanted take him out early, I had that in my head and I did it.”

“He kept smirking at me when we first started so I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face real quick,” Martinez said. “So it went from him smirking to him getting serious really fast. I was looking to get the knockout, but in my head I was thinking if it doesn’t happen, just keep working him. But I didn’t have to. I took him out on the third.”
Andres Cortes won an eight-round unanimous decision over Jahmal Dyer in a junior lightweight bout.

In round three, Cortes wobbled Dyer at the end of the round with a right. Dyer came back to drop Cortes with a little right on the inside. Cortes was able to right himself and stun Dyer a couple of times.

Cortes, 132 1/4 lbs of Las Vegas, NV won by scores of 79-73, 78-73 and 78-74 and is now 11-0. Dyer, 130 1/2 lbs of Baltimore is 9-2.

“The knockdown didn’t affect my performance at all,” said Cortes, who was fighting for the sixth time at Sam’s Town Live. “I was off balance but as you saw, I was able to come back and almost knocked him out. I got too greedy and felt like I was coming off too strong. He was a good opponent, so it was my mistake. I give my performance tonight a 6, I didn’t like it at all. I feel like I could’ve done a lot better but it’s okay.”

Dyer, who had a seven and a half-inch reach advantage, said he didn’t feel like he won the fight. “He just outperformed me,” he said. “I could have thrown more punches. IN the fourth, we were both exchanging and I just happened to catch him with a good shot.”

Cortes said he was looking for the knockout the entire fight and his defense could have been better. “I should have kept my distance a little more and that would have made the fight a little easier. I’ll be back soon and do a lot better,” he added.

LAS VEGAS – April 4, 2019 – Three undefeated prospects making their ShoBox: The New Generation debut all made weight, as did their opponents, at the official weigh-in for Friday night’s Mayweather Promotions’ Sin City Showdown live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.

Top 122-pound prospect Angelo Leo (16-0, 8 KOs) will square off against Filipino Neil John Tabanao (17-4, 11 KOs) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout in the ShoBox main event, while super featherweight Xavier Martinez (13-0, 9 KOs) will take on John Moralde (21-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round co-featured attraction. In the telecast opener, Las Vegas prospect Andres Cortes (10-0, 6 KOs) will face Baltimore’s Jahmal Dyer (9-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight bout.

Here is what the fighters had to say on Thursday from Sam’s Town in Las Vegas.

FINAL WEIGHTS, REFEREES AND JUDGES

Super Bantamweight 10-Round Bout

Angelo Leo – 123 lbs.

Neil John Tabanao – 122 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Jay Nady (Las Vegas); Judges: Glenn Trowbridge (Las Vegas), Patricia Morse Jarman (Las Vegas), Lisa Giampa (Las Vegas)

Super Featherweight 10-Round Bout

Xavier Martinez – 131 ¾ * lbs.

John Moralde – 131 ½ * lbs.

Referee: Tony Weeks (Las Vegas); Judges: Adalaide Byrd (Las Vegas), Tim Cheatham (Las Vegas), Ricardo Ocasio (Las Vegas)

Contracted weight is 131 pounds.

Super Featherweight 8-Round Bout

Andre Cortes – 132 ¼ * lbs.

Jahmal Dyer – 130 ½ * lbs.

Referee: Jay Nady (Las Vegas); Judges: Kermit Bayless (Las Vegas), Patricia Morse Jarman (Las Vegas), Glenn Trowbridge (Las Vegas)

Contracted weight is 132 pounds.

FINAL QUOTES:

ANGELO LEO:

“I’ve been in Vegas for about two years and training at Mayweather’s gym. I’m from Albuquerque and it’s a good fight town. We have some champions there, including Austin Trout and others.

“My style is a unique style – it’s a boxer-puncher style. I would say my style is really versatile. I can also punch if I need to – it depends on how my opponent fights.

“In my 122-pound division I have a good height advantage and I’m one of the taller guys. I’m best at 122. It’s tough to make weight, but this is the best weight for me.

“This is my national TV debut but there’s no pressure. I’ve been visualizing this moment since I was a kid.

“My opponent is no pushover. He’s got some power in his punch, so I have to be careful with that. I do watch a little video of my opponents. I think Tabanao is a good fighter, he’s a smart fighter. He’s a counterpuncher, he comes to fight, he comes to win. I’m ready for whatever he brings.”

NEIL JOHN TABANAO:

“My style is come-forward and aggressive. My style always depends on my opponent and what he shows me.

“I’m excited to be in America to continue my career but this is a Mayweather Promotions fight and a lot of people will be watching. So overall it’s great for my career.

“I know [Leo] is good because he knocked out my teammate, Glenn Porras.

“My mother passed away in December at age 48 from stage 5 kidney disease. I am dedicating this fight to her.

“The first time I was ever knocked down it was a double knockdown, but I got up and the other guy [Charlie Pucdol] didn’t. At least I won the fight.”

XAVIER MARTINEZ

“I’m an action-packed fighter. I’m a very slick, skilled boxer and improving with each step. It’s a great fight for me and I can’t wait to get in there.

“It’s more than a fight, you have to sell yourself out there. I’m from a good fight town in Sacramento, but I knew I would have to move to Vegas to step up against the best.

“I’ve watched a lot of Floyd and Diego Corrales. I was born in 1997 so I was 3 or 4 years old when I started watching those guys.

“With this game, it’s patience. And one thing I’ve learned from Floyd is to be patient. He says get it done the right way, and don’t rush. Because that’s when you mess it up.

“I’m an exciting fighter and I like to throw and mix it up in there.

“I want to make this a statement fight. If I don’t get him out early, because he’s tough, then I’m going to beat him down.

“I’ve fought on TV before so this is my third TV fight. So the lights won’t distract me. This is my job and it’s all part of the territory. So I can’t worry about all the lights and hoopla.”

JOHN MORALDE

“I’m a southpaw with a lot of experience and had more than 300 amateur fights with 270 wins.

“It’s a great step-up fight for me. I respect my opponent and know he’s going to bring it.

“Boxing has always been a big part of my family’s life and I’ve been boxing since I was six years old. Four of my siblings are boxers and one is a professional.

“The guys who I have sparred with are bigger than me so I’m fully prepared to go in there and take care of business.

“I was impressed with Xavier Martinez. He’s a good fighter, as all fighters at this level are skilled. He puts nice combinations together. We have formulated our game plan and I am very confident of my outcome on fight night and that I will be leaving Las Vegas victorious!”

ANDRE CORTES

“I’m mean and I’m aggressive. I’m an animal. I’m here to mess things up and destroy people.

“I’ve taken care of myself through this training camp and I’m motivated to continue climbing and making a name for myself.

“I’m a quiet guy outside the ring. I’m smart and intelligent outside the ring, but also inside the ring. Growing up all we knew was how to bang. But I’ve matured a lot.

“I’ve sparred some tough guys, including Gervonta Davis. That’s when Floyd [Mayweather] saw me and wanted to sign me so we did it.

“I’m an aggressive counter-puncher and I can take a shot. I’ve been especially working on my defense. My brother Luis is in my corner and he was a decorated amateur and won the Gold and Silver Gloves. Now he’s focused on helping me. He never turned pro, but I’ve seen the things he’s done and learned from them.

“I think people will remember me after I knock this guy out in my backyard. It’s gonna be something you don’t want to miss!

“Fighting in Vegas has been a dream come true for me. When I fought for the first time at the Mandalay Bay I almost cried.”

JAHMAL DYER

“He’s just another guy I’m stepping into the ring with. He’s nothing special.

“I’m a boxer with a strong right; look it up and you’ll see the video.

“I took some time off of my full-time job to get ready for this.

“With my last loss, I lost focus. My opponent did what he was supposed to do. But I rebounded and learned from my mistakes. It will only make me better in the future.”

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports, www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @MayweatherPromo, @MayweatherPromotions, @mayweathersports and #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 79 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

LAS VEGAS – April 1, 2019 – Unbeaten 122-pound prospect Angelo Leo and Filipino Neil Tabanao talk training camp just days away from their ShoBox: The New Generation main event showdown Friday, April 5 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.

The ShoBox tripleheader co-feature will see unbeaten super featherweight prospect Xavier Martinez (13-0, 9 KOs) squaring off against experienced Filipino John Moralde (21-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout and undefeated Mayweather Promotions’ 130-pound prospect Andres Cortes (10-0, 6 KOs) facing Jahmal Dyer (9-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round bout in the telecast opener.

Tickets for the Mayweather Promotions’ Sin City Showdown are priced at $25, $50 and $75 and can be purchased by visiting: https://mayweatherpromotions.com/events/.

Leo, (16-0, 8 KOs), who started boxing at the age of eight, has dreams of emulating his biggest boxing inspiration, Roberto Duran, by one day becoming a world champion. He draws inspiration not only from Duran’s aggressiveness in the ring, but also from his tactical fighting style. The 24-year-old from Albuquerque, N.M. has sparred with elite boxers such as Leo Santa Cruz, Jessie Magdaleno, Nonito Donaire, and Tomoki Kameda and assures he is more than prepared to withstand Tabanao on April 5.

Tabanao, 25, made his pro debut in 2012 in his home country of the Philippines. He will make his television debut this week as he looks to move up the super bantamweight ranks. Tabanao won the WBO Oriental Featherweight Title in 2016 with a third-round technical knockout of Ibrahim Balla to then lose it to former 122-pound world champion Issac Dogboe. He suffered two consecutive defeats after losing to Dogboe but has admirably rebounded by winning his last four bouts.

Here is what the fighters had to share ahead of their matchup:

On what they know about their opponent:

Leo: “Tabanao is definitely not a pushover. He has 17 wins and 11 of those by knockout, so we definitely know that he can punch. I’ve seen a video of him, he likes to counter off the high guard. He’s fought a former world champion, Isaac Dogboe, and went the distance with him. So, he is a tough competitor for sure, but I think with my boxing and ring IQ, I can get the victory.”

Tabanao: “Angelo Leo is a good fighter. We need to use a good strategy to win this fight—and we have it. We trained very hard targeting his weaknesses. He’s in for a surprise this Friday.”

On what a win from this fight will do for their career:

Leo: “A win over Neil Tabanao will probably set me up for another 10-round fight and after that I will hopefully be competing on a world title eliminator. I think in the next two or three fights I’ll get a world title shot.”

Tabanao: “I want to be recognized in the world of boxing. Leo is a step towards that goal. He doesn’t know what he’s in for.”

On training camp:

Leo: “I had a very good training camp. I have a very good team. My dad, is my head trainer, he is the one in charge. Luis Chavez is my other trainer. He lives in New Mexico trainer and comes down when I fight. Steve Cartledge and John Sinclair are helping me with my strength and conditioning. We started increasing the rounds in my sparring and we are trying to get the conditioning up as well. I have been training super hard for this fight. I feel that I’m in tip-top shape.”

Tabanao: “I had a good training camp. I trained with my coach Sonny Dollente at Mabuhay Boxing Camp at Dujali Davao del Norte in The Philippines. We worked hard on perfecting our strategy; we are ready to counter whatever Leo may do on Friday night.”

How does it feel to fight on national television?

Leo: “It feels like a dream come true to fight on national television. I’ve been working so hard for this moment. Finally, I get to show everybody who I am and what better way to do it than as the main event on TV. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity. Everyone will see what I’m all about.”

Tabanao: “It means a lot to me to be able to fight on national television. I hope this is the first of many televised fights. I want to become a renowned and successful boxer to be able help my family. I’m determined to do it.”

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For more information: visit www.sho.com/sports, www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @MayweatherPromo, @MayweatherPromotions, @mayweathersports and #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

LAS VEGAS – March 12, 2019 – Three undefeated prospects will make their ShoBox: The New Generation debut as super bantamweight Angelo Leo and super featherweights Xavier Martinez and Andres Cortes compete in separate bouts on a Mayweather Promotions card live on SHOWTIME Friday, April 5 (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.

Top 122-pound prospect Leo (16-0, 8 KOs) will square off against Filipino Neil Tabanao (17-4, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout in the ShoBox main event, while super featherweight Martinez (13-0, 9 KOs) will take on John Moralde (21-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round co-featured attraction. In the telecast opener, Las Vegas prospect Cortes (10-0, 6 KOs) will face Baltimore’s Jahmal Dyer (9-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight bout.

Tickets for the Mayweather Promotions’ Sin City Showdown are priced at $25, $50 and $75 and can be purchased by visiting: https://mayweatherpromotions.com/events/.

“Mayweather Promotions is excited to bring the Sin City Showdown back this year, as it is home to a roster of talented prospects,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “The card features three of our young talented undefeated prospects Angelo Leo, Xavier Martinez, and Andres Cortes making their television debuts. It’s exciting to see these guys climb the ranks, as they look to take their careers to the next level. Each one of them will be facing tough competition on fight night. I expect nothing but fireworks.”

“We have three unbeaten and untested prospects ready for the next step of their careers in Angelo Leo, Xavier Martinez and Andres Cortes,” said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer, Senior Vice President, Production, Showtime Networks Inc. “ShoBox is all about introducing and developing new talent. It’s about pushing young prospects outside of their comfort zone, matching them tough and discovering the next generation of champions in the process. I look forward to see whether or not Leo, Martinez and Cortes will rise to the occasion.”

Originally from New Mexico and currently residing in Las Vegas, Leo, 24, recorded a unanimous decision over Alberto Torres in his 2019 debut on the non-televised undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Hugo Ruiz. Leo, who started boxing when he was eight, amassed a notable amateur resume, winning the state Golden Gloves and Jr. Golden Gloves Championships before turning pro at 18. Leo debuted under the Mayweather Promotions banner in November of 2017 with a fourth-round knockout of Dominican Republic’s Yasmaly Basilio Peguero-Nieves.

“This fight came to me at the perfect time,” said Leo, who has fought four of his last six bouts at Sam’s Town Live. “I’m in great condition coming off my recent fight last month. I think Tabanao is good fighter and a good counter-puncher. He fought good competition and he went the distance with a former world champion, so I know I have a tough fight ahead. He is a dangerous fighter but I have a solid plan. I have a unique style and I think I bring a lot to the table with my speed, angles and body shots. Fans should expect an exciting fight on April 5.”

Tabanao, 24, made his pro debut in 2012 in his home country of the Philippines. He will make his United States debut next month as he looks to move up the super bantamweight ranks. Tabanao won the WBO Oriental Featherweight Title in 2016 with a third-round technical knockout of Ibrahim Balla. In his next fight, Tabanao lost the belt when he dropped a unanimous decision to Isaac Dogboe, who would go on to become the WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion. Tabanao suffered two consecutive defeats after losing to Dogboe but has admirably rebounded by winning his last four bouts.

“My trainer Sonny Dollente is working hard to prepare me for this fight,” said Tabanao. “We know this is our first fight in the States and TV debut, so we are working especially hard to put on a great performance and we thank Mayweather Promotions for this opportunity. Angelo Leo is a good fighter but we have a good strategy. It has always been my dream to represent The Philippines and to be known as a great boxer. This fight will bring me one step closer to my dream.”

Martinez, of Sacramento, Calif., is best known for his crafty and powerful fighting style and is regarded by many as a prospect to watch. After losing his first two amateur fights, he amassed a record of 88-10. He won the Jr. Golden Gloves in 2010, competed in the 2012 and 2013 Nationals Championships and was ranked No. 3 amateur in the country in 2013. He turned pro in Mexico at 17 and joined the Mayweather Promotions team in late 2016 with a unanimous decision win over Wilfredo Garriga at Sam’s Town Live. He’s coming off five straight knockout victories, with his most recent being an impressive fifth-round knockout against Deivi Julio Bassa on February 9. Martinez is looking for a statement victory over Moralde to assert his pedigree in the 130-pound division.

“It feels great to get back in the ring,” said Martinez. “I’m happy Mayweather Promotions found another great matchup for me, and on national television. Now it’s time for me to do my part as a fighter by training hard and getting the win. I came in to training camp with a fresh mindset and ready to go to war. I’m ready for whatever Moralde brings to the table. I don’t know much about him other than he has the guts to fight me. I heard two opponents said, ’No,’ to this fight because they didn’t want to face me.”

Moralde, who made his pro debut in 2011 as a 17-year-old, will see his toughest test to date when he meets rising star Martinez. Hailing from Davao del Sur in the Philippines, Moralde, who is 2-2 in his last four fights, is looking to redeem himself in this pivotal matchup. His U.S. debut in 2017 didn’t go as planned as he was handed the first loss of his career at the hands of Toka Khan Clary. He rebounded quickly against Ismail Muwendo but lost by decision against Jamel Herring in his next fight. He scored a second-round knockout victory over Elmer Colve in his last outing.

“It feels great to have another opportunity to put my skills on display for the world to see on national TV,” said Moralde. “I’m up against a tough fighter; we both have a tough fight ahead. I have to make a statement. This is the fight that will get me where I want to go. I want to fight the toughest and I’m ready to face anyone they put in front of me.”

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Cortes, 22, fell in love with the sweet science at an early age as he watched his brother Luis at the gym. He started training at Elite Boxing Gym when he was six, alongside Juan Heraldez and Andrew Tabiti, who would later become his Mayweather Promotions stablemates. He had a reported record of 130-20 as an amateur and turned pro in 2016. He caught the attention of Floyd Mayweather while sparring with lightweight champion Gervonta Davis. Cortes joined Mayweather Promotions soon after. He has won four of his last six fights by knockout including his last outing against Eder Amaro Fajardo on January 17. With a win, Cortes will be one step closer to becoming a legitimate contender.

“I’ve only taken off one week from the gym since my last fight in January,” said Cortes. “I feel great. I’m 100 percent prepared for whatever my opponent brings my way. I’ve been working on my power and my strength with my conditioning coach and overall development as a fighter. I’m ready for my next challenge.”

Baltimore’s Dyer, 27, picked up boxing at 19 and after a brief amateur career turned pro in March of 2017. He scored an impressive 22-second first-round knockout of Dwayne Martin in just his third professional bout. He was named 2017 Rookie of the Year by Boxing Along the Beltway, a Washington, D.C. boxing publication, and has won five fights in a row, most recently against promising undefeated prospect Carlos Dixon.

“I’m coming fresh off a fight so I’m still in great shape,” said Dyer. “Andres Cortes is a good fighter, but I’m a better fighter. I’m training to go a full eight rounds, but if I find an opportunity before then, I’m going to take it. I’ve been waiting for a chance to show the world how good of a fighter I am, and this is it. This is my time to show the world who I am.”

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports, www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @MayweatherPromo, @MayweatherPromotions, @mayweathersports and #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 79 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.