GLENDALE, Ariz. —David Benavidez was looking for a challenge. He didn’t get one. David Lemieux never had a chance.

Benavidez continued to show why he ranks as perhaps the most avoided fighter in boxing since Antonio Margarito.

He’s feared, more feared now than he was before he walked through a roaring crowd at Gila River Arena, up the steps and through the ropes. Fear came in combos, all more reasons to avoid the unbeaten super-middleweight.

The deadly delivery in a Showtime blowout Saturday night included early body punches. Then, there was a lethal uppercut, the first of what was an incoming storm.

One after another, he left Lemieux bloodied, dazed and defenseless. At the end of the first, Lemieux slumped along the ropes. In the second, Benavidez knocked the Canadian through the ropes with a blinding succession of punches.

Early in the third, it was over. At 1:31 of the round, it was stopped. Lemieux was led to his corner and placed on his stool, looking like an accident victim. He showed courage. But it was futile, if not foolish.

Above all, it was another reason to be wary of the Phoenix fighter, especially if you’re Caleb Plant or Jermall Charlo. Nobody knows what Canelo Alvarez plans to do next. He plans to choose between a rematch with Dmitry Bivol or a third fight with Gennadiy Golovkin in September.

“I’m waiting for them to sign the contract,’’ Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) said in the immediate aftermath of the carnage. “Them bitches know what’s up.”

A beating is up, if Saturday night is a reliable guide. Lemieux (43-5, 36 KOs), a former middleweight champion, was overmatched in every way. He was just too small. Yet, his evident courage and world-class experience indicated he might have a chance.

But he didn’t, a warning sign to all the super-middleweight champions and contenders.

“I think we can make some of those fights — Plant or Charlo or David Morrell — happen, maybe by the end of the year,’’ Benavidez said during the post-fight news conference.

With the victory, Benavidez won the World Boxing Council’s so-called interim title. It could be significant, but that depends on Canelo. It’s supposed to lead to a mandatory shot at the WBC’s real title, which Canelo still holds.

But a mandatory shot at Canelo is an illusion, according to Benavidez promoter Sampson Lewkowicz.

“Forget Canelo,” Lewkowicz said. “Plant, Morrell and Charlo are the ones we’re talking about. Canelo isn’t going to fight Benavidez.

“He’s never going to fight the world’s real super-middleweight champion.’’

Yoelvis Gomez, Dominates, wins one-sided Decision

Yoelvis Gomez fled Havana and escaped to Guatemala on a raft. It was a perilous journey. Gomez had only his will, wits and fast hands.The wit and will are still there.

By Norm Frauenheim-

GLENDALE, Ariz. – It’s the only place he’s ever lost.

But the scale is no longer David Benavidez’ biggest challenge.

Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs), who lost the World Boxing Council’s super-middleweight title when he failed to make the weight in 2020, came in under the 168-pound mandatory Friday for an interim belt in a Showtime-televised bout Saturday against David Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) at Gila River Arena.

Under a hot desert sun at high noon, Benavidez stepped lightly on a scale located on a stage set on a pavilion outside of the ice-hockey arena’s front doors.

No problem. Jenny Craig would have been proud. Benavidez was more than a pound lighter than the maximum. He was at 166.4 pounds. Lemieux, a former 160-pound champion, was at 166.2.

The 25-year-old Benavidez couldn’t recall when he’s ever been so light. He grew up chubby. He likes to joke that he was the fat kid in the background of photos that featured his older brother, Jose Benavidez Jr., a former national amateur champion and an ex-junior-welterweight belt-holder.

When asked whether his second son has ever been so light, father and trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. shouted:

“Never.’’

The scale had loomed as problematic since David Benavidez was stripped of the title after he was 2.8 pounds heavier than the limit in August 2020. He went on to score a 10^th-round stoppage of Roamer Alexis Angulo at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. But he left the ring without the belt he has been trying to regain ever since.

Making the weight Friday is a key step in that direction. It keeps him in line for a mandatory shot at a title now in Canelo Alvarez’ possession. He has to beat Lemieux to stay there.

“David Benavidez is very solid, a big challenge,’’ said Lemieux, a Montreal fighter and the designated challenger in the main event on the Showtime telecast (7 pm PT/10 pm ET). “But I’m here to fight him. I’m here to take that belt away from him.’’

Benavidez is heavily-favored. He’s bigger. He’s younger. He’ll be fighting in front of a hometown crowd. He grew up in a tough Phoenix neighborhood, about seven miles from Gila River.

“This fight is not going to go the distance,’’ said Benavidez, who was already at the required weight on Monday. “It’s going to end in a knockout.

“And I’m going to win it.’’

Interim WBC World Super Middleweight Championship – 12 Rounds

David Benavidez – 166 ½ lbs.

David Lemieux – 166 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Harvey Dock; Judges: Javier Alvarez (Texas), Tim Cheatham (Calif.), Chris Flores (Ariz.)

Super Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Yoelvis Gómez – 156 ½ lbs.

Jorge Cota – 156 ½ lbs.

Referee: Wes Melton; Judges: Chris Flores (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Gonzalo Valenzuela (Ariz.)

Featherweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Luis Núñez – 126 lbs.

Jonathan Fierro – 125 ½ lbs.

Referee: Tony Zaino; Judges: Chris Flores (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Gonzalo Valenzuela (Ariz.)

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former junior middleweight world champion Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez. Three more Hall of Famers are part of the most decorated telecast team in all of boxing: Emmy-Award winning event announcer Jim Gray as ringside reporter, boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. and world-renowned Jimmy Lennon Jr., as the ring announcer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy® award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The producer is Ray Smaltz III and the director is Chuck McKean. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna and former three-time super bantamweight world champion Israel Vázquez serve as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

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ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. LEMIEUX

Benavídez vs. Lemieux will see unbeaten two-time world champion and Phoenix-native David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez look to thrill the fans in his home state once again when he takes on former world champion David Lemieux in a 12-round showdown for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title headlining live on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 21 from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will see hard-hitting Cuban prospect Yoelvis Gómez taking on Mexico’s Jorge Cota in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event, plus rising Dominican prospect Luis “The Twist” Núñez battles fellow unbeaten Jonathan Fierro in the 10-round featherweight telecast opener.

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

By Norm Frauenheim-

GLENDALE, Ariz. – For a few seconds, there was more to David Benavidez’ future than questions about Canelo Alvarez.

There was his son, Anthony, a toddler in the middle of an audience full of reporters at a boxing news conference.

Anthony giggled. Benavidez smiled, a sure sign that he knew why he was fighting. No question about that one.

The Canelo questions would soon follow. So, too, will another opening bell, this time against David Lemieux Saturday (Showtime 7 pm PT/10 pm ET) at Gila River, a National Hockey League arena about seven miles west of where he grew up in a tough neighborhood on Phoenix’s west side.

There weren’t too many real answers to the Canelo questions. Then again, there never are for Benavidez, who has been frustrated in his pursuit of a big money date with Canelo. The same questions were there the last time Benavidez was in town for a stoppage of Kyrone Davis in downtown Phoenix last November.

Lots has changed since then, of course. Canelo lost his aura of invincibility. Dmitry Bivol beat him. Anthony is walking. The last time Anthony was in Phoenix he was giving his daddy’s fans a fist bump from his stroller. He made his dad smile then, too.  A son’s giggle is a father’s motivation. Dad fights on. Maybe, there’s a date with Canelo in his future. Maybe, not.

The business of keeping that possibility – questions and all – in place, however, is Benavidez’ immediate task. The fight is for a so-called interim title, the World Boxing Council’s super-middleweight version. Interim, of course, can mean just about anything. Interim titles get bought out by step-aside money. Interim gets forgotten, almost by definition.

But this one comes with a mandatory – also so-called — challenge of the WBC’s current champion, which happens to still be Canelo, the 168-pound division’s unified champ. The belts weren’t at stake against Bivol in a light-heavyweight stunner a couple of weeks ago.  

A victory over Lemieux would also embellish Benavidez’ resume. Benavidez remembers watching Lemieux when he was a kid hanging out at Central Boxing near downtown Phoenix.

“He was the Canadian Mike Tyson,’’ Benavidez said Friday after a formal news conference in a room overlooking a floor that will include a ring instead of a rink Saturday.

Lemieux, of Montreal, has power, especially in his left hand. Lemieux, who lost his most notable fight by stoppage to Canelo rival Gennadiy Golovkin in 2015, is confident that Benavidez has never faced anybody with as much one-punch power.

“Of course not,’’ Lemieux said.

But Lemieux, a former middleweight champion, is moving up from his natural weight, 160 pounds, to 168. Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) is bigger in every measurable way. He’s also younger. Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) who has won his last five bouts, is 33. Benavidez is 25. The differences, in years and on the tape, explain the one-sided odds. Benavidez is about a 10-to-1 favorite. Yet, Lemieux’s documented power still looms as a factor.

“David Lemieux is the most dangerous fighter we’ve faced,’’ Benavidez father-and-trainer Jose Sr. said.

Still, David Benavidez is confident he has the skillset to deal with Lemieux’s power.

“It’s not like I’m going to go In there and try to test how strong my chin is,’’ he said. “We’ve worked hard in the gym, put together a plan to deal with his power. I definitely want to follow the game plan. I don’t care (if the KO) comes in the first, second, fifth or 12^th round. When it happens, it’ll happen.’’

Best guess: It’ll happen. It’s an element – documented power from both corners — that promises an explosive fight. That, too, is important for Benavidez’ larger resume. He’s pursuing more than just another victory. He wants to do something memorable against a fighter who can hurt him.

Translation: He wants to create a groundswell of support among a growing fanbase already restless for a showdown with Canelo. He’s more than a good dad. He’s a pugilist. And a populist.

Yet, there’s still a question whether any of it will ever lead to a date with Canelo. There’s even some disagreement about that within the Benavidez camp.

David Benavidez and his father think the loss to Bivol improves their chances at Canelo.

“I think it’s more likely now than it was,’’ said David, who learned enough about Bivol from sparring sessions a couple of years ago to know that the Russian had a real chance at beating Canelo. “Before Bivol, there was all this crazy stuff from Canelo about fighting at cruiserweight or even heavyweight. I think Canelo believed all that hype.

“But you’re not going to hear that any more. He’s going to have to come back down to 168 pounds. That means me.’’

But Benavidez promoter Sampson Lewkowicz thinks the chances at Canelo are less now than they were pre-Bivol. Canelo’s box-office value took a hit, Lewkowicz says. He also doesn’t think Canelo can restore it in a rematch. Bivol will beat him again, he says.

“There’s no $50 million out there for Canelo anymore,’’ Lewkowicz  said. “Will he fight for less? $30 million?  $20 million? $10 million? I don’t know. He might just walk away and decide to play golf.’’

A decision from Canelo is forthcoming. His current promoter, Eddie Hearn, says he expects Canelo to decide next week on whether he’ll fight an immediate rematch or go on to a third fight against Golovkin in September.

Whatever Canelo decides, there are still big opportunities for Benavidez. There’s Jermall Charlo and Caleb Plant. David Morrell has emerged as a possibility, too.

Benavidez will stay busy. A toddler’s giggle will make sure of it.

GLENDALE, AZ. – May 19, 2022 – Unbeaten two-time world champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez and former world champion David Lemieux went face-to-face at the final press conference Thursday as they previewed their 12-round showdown for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title which headlines live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, May 21 from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The press conference also featured hard-hitting Cuban prospect Yoelvis Gómez and Mexico’s Jorge Cota, who meet in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event, and unbeaten prospects Luis “The Twist” Núñez and Jonathan Fierro, who duel in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast opener at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Sampson Boxing and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com at the link HERE.

The 25-year-old Benavídez has twice captured super middleweight gold throughout his career, including becoming the youngest super middleweight champion in boxing history by defeating Ronald Gavril on SHOWTIME in 2017 at just 20 years old. Now he will look to move closer to a third world title against Montreal’s Lemieux, a former middleweight champion who’s won three-straight bouts since moving to 168 pounds full time in late 2019.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from the AZ Blue Club at Gila River Arena:

DAVID BENAVIDEZ

“I’ve had a tremendous training camp and everything has been perfect. The miles have been run, the rounds have been sparred and the weight has been lost already. I came in extremely prepared for this fight. We both have a lot of knockouts, so I’m just looking forward to giving the fans a war.

“I really want to go in there and earn this title. I have a lot of respect for Lemieux and I’ve been watching him since I was young, but he has a lot to worry about with me. I’m faster and stronger, but he’s got the experience, so this is going to be a great fight.

“I’m 100% focused on Lemieux. I’m focused on the task in front of me. I just take it one fight at a time. I like to put everything into the fight and figure out the rest later. I know Lemieux is very motivated for this fight, so my mind is 100% on him.

“I can guarantee a hell of a fight, a war, and that somebody is getting knocked out. Neither of us wants to go to a decision. The people are paying good money to see a knockout, and that’s what they’re going to get. I’m leaving with the title on Saturday night.

“I didn’t see my son for four months so I’m happy to be here and be around him again. I locked myself away for training camp and now I’m just excited to be here.

“Lemieux has a great resume with a lot of knockouts and I feel like he’s probably one of the most dangerous fighters I’ve faced. The only guys who are more dangerous than him, haven’t stepped up and taken the challenge.

“I’ve given Lemieux the respect he deserves. I’m already on weight and I’ve done everything right in training. Now I’m just ready to go in there and get a big victory.

“I want the big names. I feel like I’ve earned it. I’ve been champion twice and now I’m fighting for another belt. I’ve been wanting to fight the other big fighters, but they haven’t accepted the challenge.

“I don’t want to act like I’m just going to go in there and knock him out like it’s nothing. Sometimes fighters who you don’t think aren’t going to give you problems end up giving you problems. We have to see what happens, but I do feel like I’m going to get him out of there eventually.”

DAVID LEMIEUX

“When you want to become the world champion, you have to beat the best guy out there. Right now, Benavídez stands in front of me. That’s who I have to beat to be the world champion. Everybody knows that Benavídez is a very good fighter, but I think people are going to see that I’m a serious contender in the super middleweight division when I get that belt around me.

“It’s a big challenge, but I’m confident. I had a tremendous training camp for this fight. We’re ready physically and mentally. Benavídez is a good fighter. It’s going to be a hell of a show for the fight fans because he doesn’t like to do rounds and I don’t like to do rounds. We’ll see what happens.

“I don’t run away from anybody. I’ve never avoided any fight or any fighter. When I step in the ring, I’m the man to worry about. In this fight, there’s a solid guy in front of me, but I’m confident in my abilities and my strength and my power. We had a tremendous training camp to prepare specifically for Benavídez. I’m very confident in this approach. I have a lot of experience in the ring and I’m going to bring it on Saturday night.

“Yes, I do still have enough left in the tank. Absolutely. I’ve been an underdog in the past and I came up with the win. I know the difficulty that a fighter like David Benavídez poses and we came well-prepared to make sure we don’t get surprised in the ring.

“I’m very confident in my team and my abilities and what I have to do to walk out of here with that title. I have a lot of respect for David Benavídez. He’s a hell of a fighter. But the ring is the ring and I want to be a champion.

“Everything has changed in this camp. You change the mental just as much as the physical when you are fighting against a guy like David Benavídez. The guy is a bully and a brutal fighter. You change your work ethic in the gym. You punch harder. You’re more vicious. Everything is times ten.

“I bring power. Knockout power. I don’t care that he’s the so-called boogeyman of the division. He’s the fighter in front of me and I’m not scared of anybody. I’ll fight anybody. I’m scared of no man and on fight night, I’m determined to become champion.

“He’s a guy who comes to fight. I’m a guy who comes to fight. So I can promise the fans are going to have a great time. I promise that.”

YOELVIS GOMEZ

“I’m getting this knockout on Saturday night. I’m Not overconfident, just very relaxed. I’ve fought only five times as a pro, but I’ve had big amateur fights in my past. I’m just going to have fun on Saturday night.

“I want Cuban people to know that I feel their love and support across borders. I’m very excited to have their support like that.

“The knockout depends on how my opponent comes out to fight. However, if Cota comes out like I expect him to, don’t be surprised if the fight is over in the first round.

“My fists are going to dictate how long the fight lasts. I wish him and his team nothing but the best, but it’s ‘Viva Cuba’ on Saturday night.

“If he feels that it’s disrespectful that I’m fighting him so early in my career, then he better show it in the ring.”

JORGE COTA

“He will absolutely get a boxing lesson and get a lot of rounds on Saturday night. That’s what we came here for. I came here to show him what true experience and the true caliber of my quality is worth. Viva Mexico!

“I felt that it was an insult for me to be scheduled against somebody that only had five fights under his belt. To be honest with you, it did feel disrespectful. But I’m okay now and I’m here and ready to show what I’m worth.

“I guarantee that you’re going to have a super spectacular show. Anytime that I’ve fought on a PBC card, it has been a war and something to be witnessed. Watch out, we may just steal the show on Saturday night.”

LUIS NÚÑEZ

“This fight is just as important to me as the ones that have come before and the ones that will come after. I will say though, I’m definitely going to win this fight.

“I know that I have what it takes to showcase my talent on Saturday night. My goal is to show everyone watching that I’m here to stay.

“He can say that I don’t have the power to beat him. He can say whatever he wants. I’m going to do my talking in the ring on Saturday night and show everyone that I have enough power and more.

“I’m proud that the Dominican Republic is recognized for baseball, but I’m going to show Fierro that we’re also going to be recognized for boxing, thanks to me on Saturday night.”

JONATHAN FIERRO

“This fight is going to open up doors for me. I believe that Luis holds the key for me. I’m well aware that he’s unbeaten, but I believe in my ability to be able to hold the key, open that door and go through it.

“The Dominican Republic is recognized mostly for baseball. Mexico is recognized for boxing. I’m going to showcase why that’s the case and why Mexico is the hotbed of boxing while the Dominican Republic is the hotbed of baseball. On May 21, Luis is going to see firsthand what it’s like to fight against a Mexican fighter.

“We came here fully prepared and there is no thought at all about being nervous. I was born without fear.

“I’m going to take advantage by attacking his body, and I know that he will be looking to land his hook. I’m going to listen to what my corner tells me to do in order to avoid it.”

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ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. LEMIEUX
Benavídez vs. Lemieux will see unbeaten two-time world champion and Phoenix-native David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez look to thrill the fans in his home state once again when he takes on former world champion David Lemieux in a 12-round showdown for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title headlining live on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 21 from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will see hard-hitting Cuban prospect Yoelvis Gómez taking on Mexico’s Jorge Cota in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event, plus rising Dominican prospect Luis “The Twist” Núñez battles fellow unbeaten Jonathan Fierro in the 10-round featherweight telecast opener.

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

PHOENIX – May 18, 2022 – Unbeaten two-time world champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez and former world champion David Lemieux officially kicked off fight week events with a media workout on Wednesday ahead of their 12-round showdown for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title which headlines live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, May 21 from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features two exciting undercard matchups as hard-hitting Cuban prospect Yoelvis Gómez faces Mexico’s Jorge Cota in the co-main event, while Dominican prospect Luis “The Twist” Núñez squares off against Mexico’s Jonathan Fierro in a battle of unbeatens that kicks off the action.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Sampson Boxing and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com at the link HERE.

The two-power punchers (combined 85% KO rate for Benavídez and Lemieux) showed off their skills at Central Boxing Gym, as they look to grab the interim title and move one step closer to regaining world champion status with an emphatic victory on Saturday night. For Benavídez, he will be returning to fight in his home state for the second-straight outing, after he knocked out Kyrone Davis in front of his hometown fans in November.

The fighters were joined by their respective trainers at the media event, with Benavídez’s father Jose Sr. in attendance in addition to Lemieux’s renowned trainer, Marc Ramsay. Here is what the workout participants had to say Wednesday:

DAVID BENAVIDEZ

“I definitely want to go out there and follow my gameplan. I don’t care [if the KO] comes in the first, second, fifth or 12th round. When it comes, it comes. I visualize everything I’m going to do in the ring.

“I just hit the weight yesterday and now everything is amazing. We took that stress off the table after four months of hard work. Now, I’m excited to go out there, fight for the title and give the fans a great fight.

“It makes me happy to be able to inspire kids and to see the smiles on the faces of the people in my city. It’s inspiring to have them come out and support me the way that they do.

“It means the world to me to be here in my hometown with my family – both my son and my dad. Now I know what my dad meant when he said that once you have a child, your life changes. My son Anthony is 18 months  and he’s given me so much motivation to be the best version of myself.I have a newfound focus and I’m ready to conquer the division.”

DAVID LEMIEUX

“On fight night I’ll be about 180 pounds. I don’t care what he is at. Maybe 190? It doesn’t really matter. I’ll be ready no matter what.

“If he wants a war, he’ll get a war. I’m strong and I’ve very confident in my abilities. I know he’s a very strong fighter, but we have a plan going in against him. We’re not worried and we will do what we have to do to be at our best on fight night. David Benavídez will have his hands full on Saturday night.

“If you know David Lemieux, he’s never refused a fight and he’s always taken whatever fight they put in front of him. When we had big fights in the past, we always took them. If you want to be a world champion you have to fight the best.

“He’s a great fighter and you can’t take anything away from him, but he’s never fought David Lemieux and he will see what that means on Saturday night. I know what I’m going in there against. Does he know what he’s going in against?”

JOSE BENAVIDEZ SR., Benavídez’s Father and Trainer

“I ran this gym for five years, and we never thought that we would get to where we are right now. My heart beats with pride seeing David be embraced like this. This is just the beginning though.

“I never thought I would be a boxing trainer. I just wanted to help my son achieve his goals. Now we are here and very thankful for everything we have been given.

“We are very focused on a hard-hitting opponent in Lemieux. It’s going to be a spectacular fight and we are not about to look any farther than that.”

MARC RAMSAY, Lemieux’s Trainer

“Everybody knows David Lemieux is an aggressive fighter, and David Benavídez is an aggressive fighter. I don’t think either fighter will change that the night of the fight. That’s only going to give the fans an exciting and action-packed fight. Because of the style of both fighters, it only guarantees it will be a great fight.

“Benavídez is a complete fighter. He’s a big guy, he’s fast, and he’s also powerful. So he’s the complete package. But at this level everyone has the package to become the elite. You cannot escape from these big fights if you want to be world champion.”

#          #          #

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. LEMIEUX 

Benavídez vs. Lemieux will see unbeaten two-time world champion and Phoenix-native David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez look to thrill the fans in his home state once again when he takes on former world champion David Lemieux in a 12-round showdown for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title headlining live on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 21 from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will see hard-hitting Cuban prospect Yoelvis Gómez taking on Mexico’s Jorge Cota in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event, plus rising Dominican prospect Luis “The Twist” Núñez battles fellow unbeaten Jonathan Fierro in the 10-round featherweight telecast opener.

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

HOUSTON, TX (May 18, 2022) – Undefeated super middleweight, David Morrell Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), who holds the WBA title, has his eyes on the main event this weekend between David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux, Saturday on Showtime.

“I am watching Benavidez vs. Lemieux carefully this weekend on Showtime” said Morrell. “I want the winner, and I am not being shy about it. I feel I am the best fighter in the division, and it is clear that no one wants to fight me. So, I have to call people out because I am so heavily avoided.”

Morrell, who has been out of the ring since his destruction of veteran Alantez Fox last December, has put a target on David Benavidez’ back.

“I saw that Benavidez mentioned my name with Jermall Charlo and Caleb Plant, well I’m hear to let him know that I’m not afraid of him like these guys are, I’m ready to fight him anytime, anywhere,” continued Morrell, who resides and represents the Twin Cities of Minneapolis, Minnesota. “If Benavidez dares to step in the ring with me, it will be like when his brother Jose got wrecked by Crawford. There’s going to be another Benavidez on the deck and his name is going to be David, not Jose. I’m putting a target on Benavidez’ back, I’m aiming to take him out.”

Morrell has been fast-tracked since turning pro, and despite only having six fights, has already capture a world title.

“I came to America to challenge the best fighters in the world like I did internationally in the amateurs for my countrymen of Cuba,” concluded Morrell. “When Benavidez and I step in the ring, it will be a monumental showdown, a fight everyone will be clamoring to see. I’m going to knock him out cold and establish myself as the next superstar in boxing.”

GLENDALE, Ariz. – May 17, 2022 – Rising Dominican prospect Luis “The Twist” Núñez will battle fellow unbeaten Jonathan Fierro in the 10-round featherweight telecast opener live on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 21 from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast is headlined by unbeaten two-time world champion and Arizona-native David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez returning to fight in his home state for the second-straight bout as he takes on former world champion David Lemieux for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title. The telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and also features hard-hitting Cuban prospect Yoelvis Gómez taking on Mexico’s Jorge Cota in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Sampson Boxing and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com at the link HERE.

The non-televised undercard will see former world champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (32-7-3, 25 KOs) in a 10-round super welterweight attraction against Todd Manuel (20-19-1, 6 KOs) and Mayweather Promotions’ rising unbeaten super lightweight contender Richardson Hitchins (13-0, 5 KOs) in a 10-round bout against Mexico’s Angel Rodriguez (12-10-3, 5 KOs).

A trio of Arizona-based prospects will also compete on the undercard, as super featherweight and Mesa-native Jesus Abel Ibarra (13-0, 6 KOs) steps in for a six-round contest against Mexico’s Moises Flores (25-6-1, 17 KOs), Glendale’s own Elijah Garcia (10-0, 9 KOs) competes in a six-round middleweight affair battling California’s Rowdy Montgomery (7-3-1, 5 KOs), while Mesa’s Micky Scala (5-0, 3 KOs), an intriguing prospect in the Mayweather Promotions stable, enters the ring facing Iowa’s Mike Plazola (2-1, 1 KO) for six rounds of super welterweight action.

Rounding out the lineup is welterweight Estevan Villalobos (15-1-1, 11 KOs) going up against Houston’s Christon Edwards (13-3, 6 KOs) in an eight-round bout, lightweight prospect Julio Hernandez (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round duel, and the pro debut of Chavon Stillwell taking on Brent Oren (4-8, 1 KO) for a six-round super middleweight showdown.

After piling up an 85-5 amateur record, Núñez (16-0, 12 KOs) turned pro in 2018 and racked up knockouts in eight of his first nine outings. Fighting out of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Núñez made his U.S. debut in September 2021 by winning a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Jayvon Garnett on SHOBOX: The New Generation®. The 22-year-old followed up that performance by taking down another undefeated fighter, as he stopped Carlos Arrieta in the 10th round of their January showdown, also on SHOBOX®.

“Not many fighters get the opportunities that have been given to me,” said Núñez. “I feel blessed and grateful to be in this position. It was a great honor to fight on SHOWTIME in my last fight and I’m thankful to my whole team for being put on this platform. I’m going to make the most of this chance that I have. The best is yet to come!”

The 18-year-old Fierro (13-0, 12 KOs) made his U.S. debut in Arizona last November, as he stopped Victor Ruiz in the first round. A native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Fierro most recently knocked out the previously unbeaten Daniel Bailey in March. A pro since late 2019, Fierro scored knockouts in his first seven fights before winning an eight-round unanimous decision in April 2021.

“First of all I want to thank everyone that has made this great opportunity possible for me,” said Fierro. “This is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get in the ring. I am training extremely hard to be at my best and show everyone what I’m capable of. Luis Núñez is a great fighter, but come May 21, he will know what it is to fight a true Mexican style warrior.”

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ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. LEMIEUX
Benavídez vs. Lemieux will see unbeaten two-time world champion and Phoenix-native David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez look to thrill the fans in his home state once again when he takes on former world champion David Lemieux in a 12-round showdown for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title headlining live on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 21 from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will see hard-hitting Cuban prospect Yoelvis Gómez taking on Mexico’s Jorge Cota in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event, plus rising Dominican prospect Luis “The Twist” Núñez battles fellow unbeaten Jonathan Fierro in the 10-round featherweight telecast opener.

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

GLENDALE, AZ. – April 26, 2022 – Unbeaten two-time world champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez and former world champion David Lemieux previewed their 12-round showdown for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title with both knockout artists forecasting fireworks during a virtual press conference Tuesday before headlining live on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 21 from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT headlined by Benavídez returning to fight in his home state of Arizona for the second straight outing after delivering a knockout victory over Kyrone Davis in November 2021 on SHOWTIME. He will be taking on a hard-hitting former champion in Lemieux, making May 21 a clash of power punchers , as the two fighters have combined for 58 knockouts in their 68 wins (85% KO rate).

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Sampson Boxing and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com at the link HERE.

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:

DAVID BENAVIDEZ

“I’m very excited to go into this fight against Lemieux, because he’s a guy I’ve watched for a long time and I like his style. We both have similar styles because we go for the knockout. That gets me very excited and motivates me a lot.

“We’re also fighting for the interim title and that makes the stage that much bigger. I’ve been training hard in camp for about three months getting ready for this fight. I’m just ready to go back home and win that title.

“If you win the interim title that means the next fight has to be for the title. I don’t think it should be any difference in this case. If Canelo Alvarez wants to fight at light heavyweight, then he’s going to have to vacate. It’s only fair.

“I train extremely hard to make sure I get the knockout. I just feel like I’m at my peak right now. I have a lot of skills, power and great experience. I know it won’t be easy, but I’ve done everything right in the gym.

“I see flaws in David’s game and I’m sure he sees flaws in me. I know he wants to stop me, and I want to stop him. This is going to be a great fight for the fans. This could be the Fight of the Year because of what’s at stake and because of the type of fighters we are. We’re two bulls going in there to see who has the most heart.

“I just want everyone to see that I’m the best in this weight class. I’m only looking at the fight in front of me. I have to win this fight before I can win anything else. But I do feel like everyone knows where I stand in this division. I’ve been calling out the best and I respect Lemieux for stepping up to take this fight.

“I wanted to fight back in Arizona again because we had a great event in November. This is my first title fight back at home and it’s a dream come true for me. Everything has fallen into place for me. I’ve had an amazing camp and I’m preparing for a great opponent. This has all the makings for a great fight. The energy is right. This is one of the biggest fights of my life and that’s how seriously I’m taking it.

“We’ve been in camp for a long time and we’ve been feeding off of each other’s energy. I’ve been putting in the work and getting my miles in. Seeing Jose Valenzuela and Diego Pacheco have great victories gives me even more energy. We’re all like brothers and we all push each other.

“The main goal for myself is to become unified champion at 168-pounds. It’s not just about me. I have a lot of fans that support me, and I’m doing it for them. They’ve supported me so much, so I want them to know that I’ve put 110% into training camp every time they come to a fight.

“I feel like I deserve the biggest fights. I’ve paid my dues and I’ve been here for a long time. But I have plenty of fuel in the gym solely because of how big this fight is. I think the other top guys are making a mistake not giving me the fight now, because the more I’m in the ring, the more I’m learning. It’s going to turn around and bite them when it’s time to get in the ring with me. Everything is going to be through the roof.”

DAVID LEMIEUX

“I’m expecting a great fight. David Benavídez is a very tough fighter. We’ve been watching him for a while. He’s always very exciting. His style of fighting – he comes to fight – there’s no messing around with him. That’s my style too. Two bulls going in there and may the best man win this title. We want that WBC belt around my waste and I’m planning on having it on fight night.

“I know it’s a difficult fight. I’m training very hard and doing everything I need to do inside the gym. I don’t want to lose this opportunity. I know Benavídez is a great fighter. I’m going to work very hard and bring the best that David Lemieux can bring. I’m leaving with the WBC title on fight night.

“I do believe that my power will translate at 168 pounds. I’ve been working a lot to integrate into the 168-pound division and I believe my power will be at its peak on fight night. Benavídez is a big guy. We know that. But we’re preparing and we have the right sparring partners. I’m going to go in there and be very strong. It’s been a long time since I’ve had an opponent like Benavídez, but I’m excited. I’m very hyped up about this fight. I know what a victory will do for my career and I won’t miss my shot.

“I’m not looking past this fight. I’m just concentrated on Benavidez. This is a big fight ahead of me. Canelo chooses a lot of his fights but there are rules in boxing that you have to respect. The winner of the interim belt has to fight the champion so if he follows the rules, the rules are the rules. That’s it.

“It’s definitely a big task in front of me. When I sat down with my team and Benavídez’s name came up, we knew it was a tough fight. He’s a tough fighter and a big guy, but we’re preparing and getting ready for him. It’s all in the preparation. Styles make fights. I have the style to hurt Benavídez and I’m training hard to beat this guy.

“Anything can be done, you just have to go out and do it. David Benavídez is a very good fighter but everybody is beatable. Nobody is invincible. That’s what we have to prove. There’s no cheating boxing. You train hard for a fight. You don’t underestimate your opponent and surprises can happen. I’m planning on bringing that title back home to Montreal.

“Regardless of your age, it’s really now or never in every fight in the boxing ring. You don’t get many chances to leave a good mark in the game, so every fight needs to be taken very seriously, especially a fight of this magnitude. There’s a lot at stake for me. I know I’m the underdog, but I don’t care. I’m just going in there to fight, underdog or not. I’ve been the underdog in the past and I’ve won the fights. It doesn’t really bother me.

“The eight pounds makes a world of a difference. 160 pounds was very difficult to make, especially towards the end. I feel great training at 168. I’m very comfortable making that weight. I’m training very hard, building strength and muscle and not worrying about cutting weight. I’m feeling great.

“I feel like I’ve been underestimated during my career. But the only way to come back is with a strong victory against an opponent of an elite level. That’s what I’m planning on doing on May 21.”

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. LEMIEUX
Benavídez vs. Lemieux will see unbeaten two-time world champion and Phoenix-native David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez look to thrill the fans in his home state once again when he takes on former world champion David Lemieux in a 12-round showdown for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title headlining live on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 21 from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will see hard-hitting Cuban prospect Yoelvis Gómez taking on Mexico’s Jorge Cota in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event.

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

On Saturday, May 21, Benavídez will face former world champion David Lemieux in a 12-round showdown for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title headlining live on SHOWTIME from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will see hard-hitting Cuban prospect Yoelvis Gómez taking on Mexico’s Jorge Cota in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Sampson Boxing and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com at the link HERE.

Here is what the roundtable participants had to say Saturday:

DAVID BENAVIDEZ

On his aggressive style:

“Every fight I go into, I either want to get a knockout or a stoppage. I think I have five straight stoppages since I came back from my suspension. That’s the plan. I want to go in there and I don’t want to leave any doubt. The stoppage is always the main thing I go for.”

On facing David Lemieux:

“With the style that David Lemieux has, it’s basically tailormade for my style to go in there and stop him. But it’s not going to be easy. David Lemieux is really motivated too. He’s fighting for another title just like I am. He’s a big puncher. I’m going in there and I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a fun fight.

“As one of the best super middleweights in the world, you have to work around your opponents not trying to exchange with you. You have to learn how to deal with adversity. I don’t want to be like Edgar Berlanga who says I didn’t knock this guy out because he was running from me the whole fight. You’re going to get people that run from you the whole fight. It’s up to you to figure that out and try to knock them out.”

On moving up to light heavyweight:

“I feel like besides Caleb Plant or Jermall Charlo, Demetrius Andrade is the only other fight that makes sense. These other fighters I want are Caleb Plant, Jermall Charlo and even Edgar Berlanga. And if not, I think it might be time to go up to 175 pounds. I’ve been trying to make all these fights happen for a long time. I feel like right now, when I win the WBC interim title, I’ll have a little bit more leverage. But if I can’t make them happen, it’s because the fighters don’t want to make the fight with me happen.

On facing Canelo Alvarez:

“To be honest, right now I’m kind of forgetting about a Canelo fight because he’s over there doing his thing. He’s going to fight Bivol and then Golovkin. So, I feel like I have to take this route and fight everybody over here. At the end of the day, that’s going to give me the experience I need. Canelo is where he’s at because he has experience. He’s fought a lot of great fighters, so if I go the same route and fight all these great fighters and beat them, then I’ll have enough experience to go in there and have the confidence to beat Canelo.”

On facing Caleb Plant:

“I hope Caleb Plant is serious about fighting in the second half of the year. I’m serious. We’ve let this fight marinate as long as possible. Now it’s going to be an even better position because once I get the WBC interim title against David Lemieux, there will be no excuse not to fight me. He said he wants the rematch with Canelo. Well, this is the best step to do it.”

On fighting in his home state of Arizona:

“I think fighting in Arizona again is going to be even better than last time. This time, it’s for the WBC interim title. A title fight against another great ex-champion. People out there love me. I have a lot of fans and supporters in Arizona. I’m excited. A lot of people are going to be there and I’m definitely going to put on a show.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA

On a Benavidez vs. Plant matchup:

“It makes sense. I think one thing that the pandemic reminded everybody is that it can be taken away at any minute. This could all disappear. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that coming out of the pandemic, we have had no issue making tough fights. If you look at our schedule, it’s all tough fights. Nobody is getting easy fights. I do think that this has had an effect on people. These are fights that need to be made. Life is short, so let’s do it.”

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

GLENDALE, Ariz. – March 30, 2022 – Unbeaten two-time world champion and Phoenix-native David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez will look to thrill the crowd in his home state for the second consecutive time when he battles former world champion David Lemieux in a 12-round showdown for the vacant Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title headlining live on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 21 from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will see hard-hitting Cuban prospect Yoelvis Gómez taking on Mexico’s Jorge Cota in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Sampson Boxing and TGB Promotions, go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, March 31 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com at the link HERE.

“I’m looking forward to this fantastic fight between David Benavídez and David Lemieux on May 21,” said Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “It will be bombs away between two great punchers when they get in the ring and whoever wins will be at the top of the division and looking at some very big fights on the horizon.”

“David Benavídez is one of the most feared punchers in the sport, and the fans in his home state of Arizona will be able to see their local hero once again on May 21 when he challenges a fellow knockout artist in former champion David Lemieux,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “There will be an exciting undercard live on SHOWTIME leading up to Benavídez’s showdown with Lemieux that will see the winner capture the interim WBC Super Middleweight title and move one step closer to regaining their world champion status.”

Still just 25-years-old, Benavídez (25-0, 22 KOs) enters this fight having knocked out his last five opponents, including a September 2019 knockout of two-time super middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell. Most recently, Benavidez returned to fight in Arizona for the first time since 2015 and delivered a dominating seventh-round knockout of Kyrone Davis. Benavídez is trained by his father José Sr., alongside his brother and former title challenger, José Jr. In 2017, he became the youngest super middleweight champion in boxing history by defeating Ronald Gavril on SHOWTIME at just 20 years old. Benavídez went from a 15-year-old prodigy sparring with Gennady Golovkin and Peter Quillin, to world title contender with a 10-fight knockout streak from 2015 through 2017, including a highlight-reel knockout of Rogelio Medina with a seven-punch combination that earned him his first title opportunity.

“I’m excited to be fighting for another belt, and I’m training extremely hard because it is another big opportunity for my career and future,” said Benavídez. “David Lemieux still has a lot of power, so I have to make sure I sharpen all my skills 100 percent. I’m confident I can stop Lemieux and I’m planning on giving my fans another great fight on May 21.”

Fighting out of his native Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) has won five consecutive bouts heading into May 21, including three-straight wins since moving up to super middleweight in December 2019. The 33-year-old became a middleweight world champion in June 2015, defeating Hassan N’Dam to capture the belt before dropping a unification bout against Gennadiy Golovkin later that year. Lemieux would earn a second shot at the 160-pound title, eventually dropping a decision to Billy Joe Saunders in December 2017. Lemieux is a proven power-puncher who owns knockouts over a slew of contenders including Curtis Stevens, Gabriel Rosado, Gary O’Sullivan and Glen Tapia.

“Ever since I turned professional, I’ve had my eyes on the WBC belt,” said Lemieux. “This is my chance to grasp it. This is a very important fight for me and I plan on making a strong statement on May 21. I’m coming to win.”

The 24-year-old Gómez (5-0, 5 KOs) made a big statement in his U.S. debut on Christmas, blasting out the typically durable Clay Collard in the first round of their showdown. Born in Havana, Cuba and now fighting out of Las Vegas, the southpaw showed power in both hands and relentless finishing skills, immediately making him a rising contender in the talent-laden super welterweight division.

“I’m very excited to be making my SHOWTIME debut against a tough veteran fighter like Jorge Cota, who has been in the ring with some very big names,” said Gómez. “I want to deliver a memorable outing with a spectacular performance. I’m going for the knockout and I’m not going to be shy about it. I can’t wait to show everyone watching that I’m the new monster in the super welterweight division. This is a dream come true for me and I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by. I want to be recognized as the next great fighter from Cuba and with the new breed of Cuban fighters who are big punchers with great ring IQ’s.”

Cota (30-5, 27 KOs) is a rugged slugger who will present a step-up for the rising Gómez on May 21. Cota most recently dropped a May 2021 bout against unbeaten Sebastian Fundora and has also shared the ring with unified 154-pound world champion Jermell Charlo, former unified world champion Jeison Rosario and top contender Erickson Lubin. The 34-year-old from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico scored back-to-back stoppage victories prior to the Fundora fight, defeating Thomas LaManna and Cesar Chavez.

“I honestly don’t see much in Gómez as a fighter,” said Cota. “I don’t understand why his team picked me as an opponent because he lacks experience and has never fought anyone at my level. He’s not ready for the kind of pressure that I’m going to bring. I strongly believe he made a mistake in agreeing to this fight.”

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

NEW YORK (July 28, 2020) – Surging middleweight contender Christopher Pearson is ready for a breakthrough performance against any of the top names at 160 or 168 divisions.

Pearson of Trotwood, Ohio, is managed by Split-T Management, and he recently moved to San Antonio, Texas, has a record of 17-2, and is riding a three-fight winning streak which includes a win over former Olympic Bronze Medal winner and undefeated Yamaguchi Falcao.

Pearson, who trains in Los Angeles under world-championship trainer Manny Robles, has already begun preparations for his next assignment.

“I started training down here in San Antonio at Jesse James Leija’s gym. I just moved down here, and it took a minute to find a gym, but once the gym opened, this is a great place to be. I will go to Los Angeles on July 30th and start with Manny,” said Pearson.

Pearson, who began his career with 13 consecutive victories, feels that he is a stern challenge for anybody at middleweight or super middleweight.

“I am looking to fight the best in those two divisions,and solidify myself as the best in the sport. I feel that that the 2nd half of my career is proving that I am the best.”

The Falcao fight proved that Pearson can fight anyone in those divisions, and despite getting a late call for the fight, he performed at a high-level to come home with the emphatic unanimous decision victory.

“I took that fight on four weeks notice. I am not short on confidence, and I know what I am capable of doing.

Recently Pearson had his named mentioned for a showdown with Canelo Alvarez, and he believes that Canelo’s handlers were not too keen in a fight with the 29 year-old Pearson.

“I know that I am one of four or five guys from Golden Boy Promotions that was offered that fight. Out of all of those guys, they must of looked at me as a high-risk, low-reward fight. Fighting me is dangerous. They know me, because I have sparred with him, and he knows what I am capable of.”

“Canelo is a counter-puncher, but he is not better then me in the department. He has more power, but he is not as capable as me. Once we get in the ring, anything can happen..especially at 168 pounds.”

“Another fight that I would like to get is with Jaime Munguia. He is at 160 pounds now. I can outclass him. I don’t see anything special about him. If it takes beating other fighters like David Lemieux or Taureano Johnson to get those fights, then bring them on. Right now I am ready to take on anyone.”

Pearson is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (March 9, 2020): Golden Boy and Eye of the Tiger Management are proud to introduce another exciting talent to American audiences as NABF Heavyweight Champion Arslanbek “Lion” Makhmudov (10-0, 10 KOs) has joined their co-promotional stable. Makhamudov joins the likes of David Lemieux, Yves Ulysses, Erik Bazinyan and Steven Butler in taking part in this historic co-promotional partnership.

Standing at six feet five and a half inches tall, Makhmudov is a Russian monster who weighs as much as 260 pounds when stepping into the ring. Before turning professional in 2017, he was an international amateur standout, where he competed in various tournaments, including the World Series of Boxing. As a professional, the 30-year-old contender has ended all of his fights by knockout, including a first-round win against world champion Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter to win the NABF Heavyweight Title. Makhmudov, who now calls Montreal, Quebec, Canada his home, aspires to conquer the talent-laden heavyweight division as soon as possible.

“I’m confident that with my team, Eye of the Tiger Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, I will reach my goal of becoming heavyweight champion of the world,” said Arslanbek Makhmudov.

“I’m thrilled to bring the top heavyweight prospect in the world to the U.S. with Golden Boy Promotions,” said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of the Tiger Management. “We plan to send a message to the heavyweight division with his performances. I’m partnering up with Oscar, Eric, Robert, Bernard and their team, and I believe we will have a heavyweight champion of the world together.”

“In recent years, we have had somewhat of a renaissance in the heavyweight division,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “The big fights, heated rivalries and constant media exposure that the heavyweights are getting these days is very good for the health of the sport. By signing fighters such as Arslan Makhmudov, we are doing our part in continuing this momentum into the future. Makhmudov is a knockout artist who is joining our ranks after compiling an impressive record of 10 wins with 10 knockouts with our friends at Eye of the Tiger Management. We look forward to working with Camille Estephan and the entire team as we develop Makhmudov into a world champion.”

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

After David Lemieux pulled out of his fight with John Ryder, Ryder will remain on the May 4 Canelo Alvarez – Daniel Jacobs card as he will face Bilal Akkawy for an interim super middleweight title, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

MONTREAL (April 17, 2019): An unfortunate hand injury has forced David Lemieux (40-4, 34 KOs) to withdraw from his 168-pound debut against London’s
John “The Gorilla” Ryder (27-4, 15 KOs) in what was going to be the scheduled 12-round co-main event of Canelo vs. Jacobs. Lemieux injured his right hand during a sparring session, and his doctor has recommended that he rest for eight weeks before returning to the gym.

Details for the new co-main event will be announced shortly. The Canelo vs. Jacobs will continue as planned on Saturday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Lemieux, a 30-year-old native of Montreal, Canada, is disappointed at his injury, but promises to return stronger than ever.

”Training camp was going really great,” said David Lemieux.”I felt in tremendous shape, the strongest I’d ever felt in my entire career. But, I will be back soon. Hopefully, the fans will understand. I promise I will make it up to them once I’m healed.”

“I’m very disappointed since he was in the best shape of his life both in the gym and in the ring,” said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of the Tiger Management. “We will take the time to heal his hand and get right back in the chase for a world title.”

“It’s very unfortunate that David Lemieux’s return has been postponed,” said Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy. “But this is boxing, and these things happen. We wish David a speedy recovery and look forward to his return, so he can make big waves at 168 pounds.”

Canelo vs. Jacobs is a 12-round fight for the WBC, WBA, Lineal, Ring Magazine and IBF Middleweight World Titles presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.”The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Jacobs are on sale now and are priced at $2,505, $1,505,
$1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305, and not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of 10 per person at the $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, and $305 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information,visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloJacobs.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/May4DAZN into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

LAS VEGAS (April 10, 2019): David Lemieux (40-4, 34 KOs) will make his 168-pound debut when he takes on John “The Gorilla” Ryder (27-4, 15 KOs) in the scheduled 12-round co-main event of Canelo vs. Jacobs. The card will also feature the returns of Vergil Ortiz Jr., Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano, Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr., Sadam “World Kid” Ali and Lamont Roach Jr., in separate bouts. The event will take place Saturday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

“There comes a time when every fighter must move up in weight, and now is that time for David Lemieux,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Lemieux was the hardest-hitting puncher in the 160-pound division, and I’m absolutely certain he will be the biggest puncher at 168 pounds. John Ryder will be in for a tough fight on May 4. Also, this undercard will feature some of our brightest stars, including Vergil Ortiz Jr., who with only 12 fights will face a tough veteran in Mauricio Herrera. Golden Boy and DAZN have crafted an excellent night of action, so don’t miss out on this one!”

Lemieux, 30, was last seen on the televised pay-per-view undercard of Canelo vs. GGG 2 when he scored a first-round knockout victory against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan. The native of Montreal, Canada promises to be stronger than ever in his super middleweight debut.

“I’ve seen [John] Ryder fight,” said David Lemieux. “He’s a credible rival, but I’m going to make a statement out of what I’m going to do with him. At 168, I’m going to be the strongest that I’ve ever been.”

Ryder is a 30-year-old native of London who is the No. 1 contender for the WBA Super Middleweight Title. Ryder has faced tough opposition, including a close fight against Rocky Fielding and a tough battle against Billy Joe Saunders. The “Gorilla” is coming off a seventh-round technical knockout win against previously undefeated Andrey Sirotkin, and he’ll look to retain his shot at the title with a win against Lemieux.

“I’m fully focused on the fight with David Lemieux, but obviously there’s a massive pot of gold for the winner,” said John Ryder. “There’s the potential for a fight with Canelo or a fight with Callum Smith, which are both huge. Lemieux is a big puncher if you stand in front of him. I’m a boxer-fighter. I’ll box him at times and fight him at other times when it suits me. Our fighting styles are sure to gel for a great fight. I’m expecting to win and to win well. I’m there to keep my mandatory position.”

“We can’t wait for David to show that he can be a powerhouse in the super middleweight division. What better way to demonstrate this than by fighting the No. 1 contender in John Ryder!,” said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of the Tiger Management.

“This is a great fight on a great night of boxing,” said Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport. “John Ryder has been on a tremendous run, and now takes to the big stage in Las Vegas with the dangerous David Lemieux. It’s a huge fight for both with the winner being mandatory challenger for Callum Smith, and I fully expect that to be John Ryder.”

The undercard for this explosive co-main event will be filled with Golden Boy’s current and future stars.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. (12-0, 12 KOs) will face the biggest test of his career when he takes on Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (24-8, 7 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight battle. Ortiz Jr. is moving to welterweight for this fight only, and if he’s successful in this tough challenge, he’ll be on the fast track to a world title at 140 pounds.

Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (32-7-1, 22 KOs) will defend his WBC International Silver Super Lightweight Title against Michael “The Artist” Perez (25-3-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round fight. Cano will return after his dominant knockout victory against former three-division world champion Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares.

Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (28-1, 14 KOs) of South El Monte, Calif. will fight against a soon-to-be-announced opponent in a 12-round battle for the vacant WBA Gold Super Featherweight Title. Diaz Jr. will return after a dominant victory against rugged warrior Charles Huerta.

Sadam “World Kid” Ali (27-2, 14 KOs) will return in a 10-round clash for the vacant USNBC Silver Welterweight Title against Anthony Young (20-2, 7 KOs) of Atlantic City, N.J.

Lamont Roach Jr. (18-0-1, 7 KOs) of Washington, D.C., will unify his WBO International Super Featherweight Title in a 10-round battle against NABO Super Featherweight Champion Jonathan Oquendo (30-5, 19 KOs) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The winner of this bout will earn the No. 1 spot for the WBO Super Featherweight World Title.

Alexis Espino (1-0, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nevada will participate in a four-round super middleweight fight against a soon-to-be announced opponent.

Canelo vs. Jacobs is a 12-round fight for the WBC, WBA, Lineal, Ring Magazine and IBF Middleweight World Titles presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. Lemieux vs. Ryder is a 12-round super middleweight battle presented by Golden Boy in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Matchroom Boxing. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Jacobs are on sale now and are priced at $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305, and not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of 10 per person at the $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, and $305 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information,visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy,
@Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloJacobs.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/May4DAZN into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:
“The safety of our fighters is always of the highest concern to us,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “Though we understand that David Lemieux is in stable condition, we must always execute precaution when dealing with the health of our fighters, especially since we know the consequence of improperly cutting weight. That said, we have spoken with our partners at Eye of The Tiger Management and have cancelled this fight. We wish Lemieux the very best and know that he will come back stronger than ever.”

Camille Estephan, Eye of the Tiger Management:
”Due to health concerns, David Lemieux was taken to the hospital for evaluation,” said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of The Tiger Management. “He was considerably weakened by the process of making weight. There were concerns regarding his vital signs and was immediately taken to the hospital to be in the hands of medical staff. Tests are being administered to ensure his safety and health as well as IV treatment for re-hydration. He is currently kept in the hospital hence we have taken the decision to cancel his bout.”

Statement from Golden Boy Promotions on cancellation of Vergil Ortiz, Jr. fight:
“The New York State Athletic Commission did not allow Vergil Ortiz Jr. to fight due to a rule preventing fighters who have had Lasik eye surgery from fighting. Ortiz Jr. had Lasik eye surgery in early October and thus will not be able to fight.”

NEW YORK CITY (Nov. 15, 2018): Middleweight knockout sensation David Lemieux (40-4, 34 KOs) will look to make a second potential Knockout of the Year performance before 2018 ends as he takes on Tureano Johnson (20-2, 14 KOs) in the scheduled 12-round co-main event of Canelo vs. Rocky. The card will also feature the return of Sadam “World Kid” Ali and will showcase some of Golden Boy Promotions’ best rising stars. The event will take place Saturday, December 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will be streamed live on DAZN–which, at just $9.99 per month after a one-month free trial, means new subscribers to DAZN will enjoy the entire Canelo vs. Rocky fight night for free.

“Golden Boy Promotions will give fans early Christmas gifts this year as we offer yet another great card to close 2018 on a very high note,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “David Lemieux still has his eyes set on Canelo, and that night they will be in the same arena. Lemieux knows that if he loses against Tureano Johnson, he can forget about any shot with Canelo. Also, each of these undercard fights, even the ones featuring Sadam Ali, Ryan Garcia, Vergil Ortiz and Lamont Roach, Jr., could easily be the main attraction of any other event, so fans should not miss out on this great night of action – especially when it’s free for new DAZN subscribers.”

Lemieux is a 29-year-old puncher coming off a spectacular first-round knockout victory against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan on the televised pay-per-view undercard of Canelo vs. GGG2. The native of Montreal, Canada will look to earn another shot at the middleweight crown in this bout against Johnson.

“I’m extremely ready and looking forward to my next fight against [Tureano] Johnson,” said David Lemieux. “I didn’t take a break since my last fight because I thought that I would be facing Canelo. Training camp has been great. Johnson is a solid opponent. I’m ready for an explosive performance and a great victory to end the year in a great way.”

Johnson is a 34-year-old contender who hopes to fight for a world title despite some setbacks. Johnson’s only losses were against Curtis “The Cerebral Assassin” Stevens and Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko. If the native of Nassau, Bahamas can get past Lemieux, he will join a short list of fighters who are worthy of a middleweight title shot.

“David Lemieux is a former world champion, so he’s the kind of guy I’ll have to defeat if I want a shot at the title,” said Tureano Johnson. “I’ve had some setbacks in my career, but I’m feeling better than I ever have before. I’m excited to be part of this platform and will take advantage of this opportunity with a victory against Lemieux this December.”

“We are happy to have David Lemieux fight on December 15 in the Mecca of boxing,” said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of the Tiger Management. “He is having a great training camp and is getting ready to bring two sledgehammers to the ring, one in his left hand and one in his right. He’s healthy and ready to go.”

Former WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion Sadam “World Kid” Ali (26-2, 14 KOs) of Brooklyn, N.Y. will make his welterweight return against the rugged and experienced Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (24-7, 7 KOs) of Riverside, Calif. in a 10-round battle.

Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (16-0, 13 KOs) of Victorville, Calif. will fight for the first time under the tutelage of Eddy Reynoso, head trainer of Canelo Alvarez, in a 10-round lightweight battle.

Yves Ulysse Jr. (16-1, 9 KOs) of Montreal, Canada will return in a 10-round super lightweight fight.

Super lightweight knockout artist Vergil Ortiz (11-0, 11 KOs) of Dallas, Texas will return in a clash scheduled for 10 rounds. Opponents for Garcia, Ulysses and Ortiz will be announced shortly.

Lamont Roach Jr. (17-0-1, 7 KOs) of Washington, D.C. will defend his WBO International Super Featherweight Title against Alberto Mercardo (15-1-1, 3 KOs) of Humacao, Puerto Rico in a 10-round fight.

Bilal Akkawy (18-0-1, 14 KOs) of Sidney, Australia will take on Victor Fonseca (17-8-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight battle

Additional information on this card will be announced shortly.

Canelo vs. Rocky is a 12-round fight for the WBA Super Middleweight World
Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Matchroom Boxing. Lemieux vs. Johnson is a 12-round middleweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Eye of The Tiger Management.The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, December 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Rocky are on sale and are priced at $1,000, $500, $300, $200, $150, $100, $75 and $50 plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.goldenboytickets.com
or www.MSG.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @Rocky87Fielding, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @Rocky_Fielding, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloRocky.

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

About DAZN:
Globally, DAZN is a live and on-demand sports streaming service created by fans, for fans, that is leading the charge to provide access to sports anytime, anywhere. DAZN guarantees no long-term contract, no bundles, just one affordable price for access to all the service’s sports on connected devices including Smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, games consoles and PCs. DAZN is currently available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, Italy and now the U.S. at just $9.99 per month after a one-month free trial – where it is set to become a must-have service for fight fans, with 100+ fight nights already lined up from Matchroom Boxing, Bellator MMA, the World Boxing Super Series, Combate Americas and the newly announced Golden Boy Promotions.

LAS VEGAS –Forget all the insults, promises and allegations. The wait wasn’t a whole lot of fun. In the end, however, the fight made all of that waiting oh-so-forgettable.

Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin delivered the drama Saturday night before a rocking crowd of 21,965 at T-Mobile Arena throughout 12 pulsating rounds, each of which was hard to score, yet might eventually add up to a trilogy. For now, there’s bound to be controversy.

Canelo won a majority decision in the middleweight rematch of their controversial draw last September.

“That was a great fight’’ Canelo (50-1-2, 34 KOs) said after taking GGG’s championship belts and ending his claim on a record for title defenses in the HBO pay-per-view bout. “But in the end, it was a victory for Mexico. And again, it was an opportunity, and I want to shout out to my opponent, the best in the sport of boxing. I am a great fighter, and I showed it tonight.

“If the people want another round, I’ll do it again. But for right now, I will enjoy time with my family.’’

In boxing, of course, majority only means that not everybody agrees with the 115-113 scorecards turned in by judges Dave Moretti of Nevada and Steve Weisfeld of New Jersey. The third judge, Glenn Feldman of Connecticut, had a different opinion. He scored it, 114-114, a draw that might have been the very hard to accept after last September’s messy result.

On this card, it was 115-113 for Golovkin (38-1-1, 34 KOs). Go ahead and argue. The fight was that close. The good news was that there was no wacky, bird-brain card like the 118-110 number for Canelo turned in by Adelaide Byrd a year ago.

Canelo’s aggressiveness over the first seven to eight rounds might have been enough to get the nod from Moretti and Weisfeld. He moved forward, ever forward. However, he often moved straight into a GGG jab that was as consistent as it was precise. It left him with a huge gash over his left eye.

That GGG jab and a Canelo pursuit that included some terrific body punches appeared to leave the bout even after eight rounds. The next three rounds were just about as even. The guess was that the twelfth would be decisive. At least, GGG trainer Abel Sanchez thought so.

“We had a great fight, the one we expected the first time around,’’ Sanchez said. “I had it close going into the 12^th round. We had good judges who saw it from different angles. I can’t complain about the decision, but it’s close enough to warrant a third fight. Canelo fought a great fight. Congratulations.’’

GGG got cut over his right eye in the 12^th. The blood fell like tears across the multiple bruises on his face as he left the ring. He didn’t stop to speak to the media in the immediate aftermath of the fight.

After arriving in his dressing room, he spoke to a media-relations representative, who relayed his quotes to press row.

“I’m not going to say who won,’’ GGG said. “The victory belongs to Canelo, according to the judges. I thought it was a very good fight for the fans. It was exciting. I thought I fought better than he did.’’

Then, he was asked about a third fight.

“Under the right circumstances,’’ GGG said.

The second fight has already put some those circumstances in place.

Mungia scores quick stoppage, leaving HBO with 90 minutes to fill before the GGG-Canelo rematch 

Jamie Mungia kept himself in the mix for a middleweight title Saturday night with some of the raw power that has marked his emergence from unknown to dangerous.

Mungia (31-0, 26 KOs, of Tijuana,  battered Canadian Brandon Cook (20-2, 13 KOs) around the ring like a young Antonio Margarito for two rounds and then finished him with a couple of rough-and-tumble knockdown in the third. Referee Tony Weeks finally ended at 1:03 of the third in another quick stoppage that left the HBO pay-per-view telecast with about 90 minutes of air time to fill before the Canelo Alavrez-Gennady Golovkin rematch at T-Mobile Arena.

“This was part of my development,” Mungia said.  “I was not as focused in my last fight. But this time I came more relaxed. I was looking for the knockout too much. But now you’ve seen the results of my work. With each fight you will see me getting better. I just want to show that I can get better and that I want to face the best, so I can show that I am the best.”

Lemieux has one-punch answer for Spike O’Sullivan’s trash talk

The Face-offs were contentious. The fight was a blowout.

He entered the T-Mobile Arena’s ring as former pound-for-pound champion. He left it after delivering powerful reminder as to why he was one.

Dallas junior-welterweight Vergil Ortiz (11-0, 11 KOs), one of boxing’s best young prospects, was everything he was supposed to be, delivering speed and power for a second-round demolition of Roberto Ortiz (35-3-2, 26 KOs) of Mexico. In the final bout before the HBO pay-per-view telecast of the Gennady Golovkin-Canelo Alvarez card, Vergil Ortiz dropped Roberto with a right early in the second. Moments later, he landed a blinding succession of punches. Referee Vic Drakulich had seen enough. At 1:03 of the second, he ended it.

Alexis Rocha stays unbeaten with one-sided decision

Alexis Rocha, a super-welterweight from Santa Ana, Calif., did some damage early, then scored some easy points and finished still unbeaten in the third bout on the non- televised portion of the Canelo-GGG card.

First Bell: Canelo-Golovkin card off to an early start and fast finish

It was an early start and a quick finish.

New York welterweight Brian Ceballo (5-0, 3 KOs) wasted little time, finishing an afternoon matinee within two rounds after the first bell Saturday on a card featuring the Gennady Golovkin-Canelo Alvarez rematch at T-Mobile Arena.

Ceballo knocked down David Thomas (6-4-1, 2 KOs) of Orange, Tex., in the first. In the opening seconds of the second, Thomas was defenseless, hands down and a wide-open target for a succession of straight hands from Ceballo. At 34 seconds of the round, referee Jay Nady ended it.

Follow all the action as Gennady Golovkin defends the WBC/WBA Middleweight titles against Canelo Alvarez in a highly-anticipated rematch.  The action begins at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT with an action-packed undercard featuring Jaime Munguia defending the WBO Jr. Middleweight title against Brandon Cook.  David Lemieux takes on Gary O’Sullivan in a middleweight grudge match.  The action kicks off with Roman Gonzalez taking on Moises Fuentes.

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Round 1: Golovkin jabs...Body shot from Canelo..Jab from Golovkin..Canelo lands a jab..Jab..another jab..Jab from Golovkin

Round 2 Redness around Golovkins’ right eye…Hook from Golovkin..Good left from Caenlo..Jab..Body shot..Double jab..Jab from Golovkin..Good body shot from Canelo..2 lefts from Golovkin

Round 3 Body shot from Canelo..Right from Golovkin..Left..Right

Round 4 Left hook from Golovkin..Left Hook..Hard uppercut..good body shot from Canelo..Good body shot..Body shot from Golovkin..Good body from Canelo..

Round 5  Golovkin lands a jab…Canelo cut over left eye..Right from Canelo..Hook from Golovkin..Trading jabs..Golovkins lands a right..Jab from Canelo..Good body..

Round 6 Jab from Golovkin..Good left to body from Canelo..Left from Golovkin..Uppercut from Canelo..Straight from Golovkin..

Round 7 Body from Canelo..Hard jab..Left hook from Golovkin..Left hook and uppercut

Round 8 Good right from Alvarez..Hard right..Good right from Golovkin..Jab..Straight from Canelo..Left hook..

Round 9 Jab and right from Golovkin..Counter and right from Canelo..Jab..Right lead..Good body..Hard rightBig left from Golovkin..Right

Round 10 2 hard rights from Golovkin..Hard body from Canelo..Hard right from Golovkin..right…Jab from Canelo..Right to body..Good hook..Body from Canelo..Hard right from Golovkin

Round 11 Hard right from Golovkin hurts Alvarez….Hard right from Canelo..Hard left from Golovkin..Hard left from Canelo..Right from Canelo

Round 12 Hard left from Golovkin..Jab..uppercut..Alvarez lands a counter..Golovkin cut around the right eye..Trading power shots…trading uppercuts..Uppercut from Golovkin..right

Alvarez lands 202-622    Golovkin 234-879

114-114; 115-113 CANELO ALVAREZ

Round 1 Hard combination rocks Cook..Wicked combination at end of round

Round 2 Cook trying to work the body..Hard uppercut from Munguia..Hard body shot..Hard combination,,,Right to body from Cook

Round 3 Muguia lands a riGHT TO HEAD AND DOWN GOES COOK..Wicked body shot…Cook in trouble AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

Round 1: Right to body from Lemieux..Hard jab drives Lemieux back…BIG LEFT AND DOWN GOES O’SULLIVAN…AND THE FIGHT IS OVER…2:44

Round 1 Left to body from Gonzalez..

Round 2 Fuentes coming out aggressive…Fuentes bleeding from right eye..Straight right and left hook from Gonzalez..Good boy work..Right to body..Hard 3 punch combination..

Round 3 Right from Gonzalez..left uppercut…Body shot..two 3-punch combination

Round 4 Left hook from Fuentes…Right from Gonzalez..Right hand..Combination..

Round 5 Uppercut from Gonzalez...PERFECT RIGHT AND DOWN GOES FUENTES…FIGHT OVER

LOS ANGELES (AUG. 29, 2018): ERIC GOMEZ: This fight will be part of the televised Pay-Per-View, as you know, for Canelo-Golovkin II and we are very excited about this fight. The former IBF middleweight championship Lemieux out of Montreal, he’s going to be fighting against the Irish Warrior, Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan, tremendous record, 28-2, 20 knockouts, from Cork, Ireland. This special fight will be live at the T-Mobile Arena on September 15, part of the undercard on the HBO Pay-Per-View where the main event will be Canelo-Golovkin.

This epic event will be produced by HBO beginning at 8:00 PM ET, 5:00 PT. We are excited to bring you both of these fighters, so you guys can ask them questions and you can talk about their fight.

As many of you know, they have gone back and forth a little bit on social media. Also, on the card, not on the call today, is the Mexican rising star Jamie Munguia defending his title against Brandon Cook, and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez will also be fighting against Moises “Moi” Fuentes on the card.

You can still purchase tickets at the T-Mobile Arena. You can go online at WWW.T-Mobile Arena.com or WWW.AXS.COM or 1-888-9AXSTIX. Closed-circuit tickets are available, and you can buy them at the MGM or at the Mandalay Bay, the Mirage or the Luxor. Those are moving pretty well, as well.

Before we introduce you to the fighters and have them say a few words, I do want to thank our amazing supporting sponsors: The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” Hennessy, “Never Stop, Never Settle,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Fred Loya Insurance, Interjet, Venom, and Fathom Events.

Now, I want to first introduce you to Gary “Spike” Sullivan and I’ll have him say a few words.

Can you tell us about your training, how it’s going, and looking forward to this fight?

GARY SULLIVAN: I can’t wait. I’m really excited for this fight. My first time fighting in Vegas. Excited about the whole event and my training is going really good. Got some really good sparring partners. Saunders recommended some sparring partners that he used in preparation for Lemieux, so I’ve been using those guys and feeling really good.

That’s great. Thank you very much, Gary.

Now, the former champion, David Lemieux, if you can make some opening comments, as well, please.

DAVID LEMIEUX: It’s been a long time I’ve been waiting for a big fight like this. I’m extremely ready and I’m extremely excited. I expect — that I haven’t seen in a while. I’m very prepared for this fight. It’s been a long time I’ve had a preparation like this. It’s going to be devastating.

ERIC GOMEZ: That’s great. That’s great. Thank you.

Q. A question for both Mr. Lemieux and Mr. O’Sullivan. Some see this as a make-or-break fight for both of you. Do either of you see it that way or do you simply see this as a fight that you just need to focus on exclusively and not worry about the bigger picture?
DAVID LEMIEUX: This fight is about getting back on top, so I’m preparing myself for that.

GARY SULLIVAN: Firstly, nothing personal against Mr. Lemieux. I think it’s going to be a good night for me and I’m not really concerned about Lemieux. I’m looking at the bigger picture. I’m looking at Golovkin-Canelo, ringside to watch after I beat Lemieux, and I can’t wait for those guys.

Q. I spoke to Billy Joe Saunders, a common opponent of both of you guys, and he says that he has no doubt that Spike O’Sullivan is going to win. What do you say to that?
DAVID LEMIEUX: That’s because he didn’t fight Lemieux in top shape. I’m going to be in top shape against spike. So, Saunders, I wasn’t at my top, but I will be against Sullivan.

Q. Does that mean anything to you, that a common opponent is picking you in the fight?
GARY SULLIVAN: I think he’s correct. He went no Lemieux’s backyard and beat Lemieux convincingly in Quebec, whereas I went to London and walked into his own backyard and gave him a much better fight than Lemieux did, and I’m now a much better fighter than I was then. I’m going to be the one that’s going to win the fight.

Q. I know this match right now — maybe the winner for fighting Canelo or Golovkin, what is it going to take for these guys?
ERIC GOMEZ: Obviously both fighters are top middleweights. They are definitely in the Top-10, probably five, in the middleweight division.

So the winner is going to be in a very good position to fight any of the champions, whether it’s the winner of Canelo-Golovkin or any of the other champions. You know, both guys, this is to get to the next level and to get to that championship stage. This can very well be an eliminator to become one of the top contenders for any of the champions.

Q. I know O’Sullivan is having a great moment right now, was in the mix for Golovkin and for Canelo in December, so he needs to prove that he deserves this spot, and David Lemieux — he has the experience, the best opposition right now because this fight — to win this fight.
ERIC GOMEZ: I guess, David, you can answer first. How do you feel about being in this big position on this under card, and do you feel you’ll be ready if you win the fight to fight the winner of Canelo-Golovkin?

DAVID LEMIEUX: Definitely, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this for a while now to get back on top and I’m very confident that I’m going to not just beat O’Sullivan but look amazing against him. I’m extremely confident and I can’t wait for fight night. Give the fans what they want to see.

ERIC GOMEZ: Same question for you, Gary.

GARY SULLIVAN: What is the question?

ERIC GOMEZ: The question was how do you feel being in this big spotlight, and if you win the fight, do you think that you would be in position to fight the winner? Do you think that qualifies you to fight the winner of Canelo-Golovkin?

GARY SULLIVAN: Who is going to get the start on September 15 — I’m ready for Golovkin or Canelo, would be fantastic display given what I just.

Q. My first question is for David. Obviously this fight is the most totally different style in terms of the matchup that you had with Saunders, but I wonder, I know that there’s been a lot of conversation that the winner of this fight could go on and challenge the winner of the main event. With a loss to Saunders that was totally one-sided, you did score a victory in your last fight in May against a journeyman opponent and you also had a fight that was cancelled — why do you think a fine over Gary O’Sullivan should put you into a title fight?
DAVID LEMIEUX: Well, you know, going back to the last few years, I’ve been working against a lot of injuries that has not been fixed and it’s been put in the past. I’m in tremendous shape and feeling great. I can use both my hands. I can use everything. I can use all my tools.

So I think Lemieux is back and about to demonstrate what I can do against O’Sullivan on the 15th. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised what I bring to the table, and it’s going to be an exciting fight. I’m not the guy I was against Saunders.

Q. When you look at a David Lemieux resumé, you see several solid fights on there, several fights you won and several you lost. When you look at Spike’s record, he has a great record, also, but not necessarily the level of opposition that you have. When you look at his record, what do you see?
THE MODERATOR: I see whatever the opposition — that he lost and also quit when the opposition was really intense against Eubank. So there’s some flaws in his abilities that I’m going to take into consideration and on fight night, I’m going to execute and I’m going to use that against him.

Q. When you look at Lemieux’s resumé, he’s been a world champion and he’s fought some of the best fighters including GGG, some other guys. What makes you think that you’re in position to take him out in this fight and move on to your goals of fighting for a world title?
GARY SULLIVAN: Well, you refer to my defeat against Eubank, I got an injury — I think — since I came up that I was going to fight him, I didn’t know a great deal about him. I watched him with Billy Joe Saunders, Toribio. He got up there, got knocked down easily.

He talks about knocking me down and putting me out cold and all that. I’ve never even been on the canvas my entire career and he’s been down numerous times. He’s been beaten by several different opponents of several different stylistics fights, like Toribio — all different styles of fighter have beaten him. I think it’s going to be a really good night for me. I’m going to shine. It’s going to be nice beating a former world champion, as well. Looks good on paper.

Q. Do you look at this match up with David as an opportunity to have sort of your coming-out party? You’ve had televised fights in America, you fought Douglas on television. This is the first real big-name opponent that you’ll be in with. Is this the Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan Coming Out Party?
GARY SULLIVAN: Yeah, I would agree with that. I think the night in Quebec was a great fight there, and Douglas — beating Lemieux — I think Lemieux is going to be an easier fight for me than Douglas, no doubt about that.

Q. If you were to win the fight, do you have a preference of the champion that you would want to fight, either GGG or Canelo, one of those two guys?
GARY SULLIVAN: I have no preference. Both great fighters and I’d like to fight either one of them.

Q. David, that same question. If you win this fight against Gary on the 15th, do you have a preference of who you would like to fight for the title? Would you like a rematch with GGG or could you like to fight Canelo? Which is the guy you fight?
DAVID LEMIEUX: I’m going to fight Canelo first and then I’m going to get my revenge versus GGG — after Gary O’Sullivan.

Q. David mentioned earlier in the call that he’s not the same fighter that he was when he fought Saunders. He said he was injured in training camp in that fight. What do you make of what he has said was the reason why he lost to Billy Joe Saunders?

GARY SULLIVAN: I think it’s just an excuse. You look at David, distant look like a guy that trains like I do, doesn’t train like he’s an athlete — gets tired in a lot of his fights. Doesn’t look like a guy that trains as hard as I do. I don’t think he’s going to win this fight.

Q. What did you think that night? Did you think it was going to be as convincing of a win for Billy? Did you think he would beat David in that way?
GARY SULLIVAN: No, I didn’t. I had a good feeling he would beat him but I didn’t think he would beat him as convincingly, Lemieux being a former wormed champion and that. I thought he was a better fighter.

Prior to that I thought he was better than that. I didn’t know a great deal about him and the more I look into him, all the fights, I’ve watched a lot of his fight, and I’m not surprised Billy Joe could beat him like that. I didn’t think it was going to be as easy as that, as it was for Saunders.

Q. Without giving away any of your game plan, what have you noticed when you’ve studied David Lemieux?

GARY SULLIVAN: I think he’s a one-trick pony. He does the same thing over and over again in all his fights, all the fights I’ve watched. He’s just does the same thing over and over and over again. So, you know what’s going to be coming.

Q. You mentioned a few minutes ago that you think the fight will be even easier for you than the Douglas fight was. Why do you feel that way?
GARY SULLIVAN: He’s more similar in size to me. He’s there to be hit and I hit hard and I’m accurate. So I think I’m going to be able to land on him with more frequency than I was on Douglas, with footwork and speed and longer irons — a tougher task against Douglas than it will be against Lemieux.

Q. Spike, I wanted to ask you about the fact that you mentioned that you’re using sparring partners like Billy Joe Saunders used when he prepared for Lemieux. Billy Joe obviously really dislikes David Lemieux a ton. Curious if he went out of his way to offer you some advice on this fight or if you reached out to him?
GARY SULLIVAN: I think Lemieux — making up excuses and coming out with that crap. I think that kind of pissed off Billy Joe — I think Lemieux pissed him off and so he wanted to diss me and getting the sparring partners to replicate Lemieux — (indiscernible. )

Q. After the Billy Joe fight, you said that you weren’t 100 percent and dealing with some injury stuff but you say for this fight you’re on your game and you’re in shape. If this fight doesn’t work out for you, what do you think that says about — I’m wondering if this fight doesn’t go your way, do you reconsider if this is something that is boxing — at this level, really what David Lemieux is capable of?
DAVID LEMIEUX: This fight is definitely going to go my way. You guys watch and see, and I’m going to make spike eat all his words. To say any excuses against Billy Joe or whatever — I’m not giving uses. I’m giving facts. But now let’s see what happens on September 15. The fight is done and let’s just walk the walks and see what’s up.

Q. This obviously is meant to be a really action-packed fight and you guys both come forward. Are you looking to steal the show from — obviously it’s the biggest fight of the year in the main event but are you looking to turn some heads just with this being an action-packed fight?
GARY SULLIVAN: There’s no doubt about that, I’m going to steal the show in spectacular fashion and I’m going to absolutely obliterate Lemieux.

David, you know, it’s nothing personal. I wish you good health with your family after the fight, man. It’s nothing personal. You’re just on my road and I got to get you out of my road to get to the bigger fight. As I say, I wish you health in the future man and I wish you a happy time with your family. I’m sorry but you’re in my way and I’m just going to have to beat you.

DAVID LEMIEUX: Won’t worry, I’m going to beat your ass. It’s not going to be no walk in the park. Don’t think it’s going to be an easy fight. I’m not coming here to lose. I’m going to come here to destroy you. You’ll see. You’ll see September 15th. Keep training hard at the gym. You’re going to need it. You’re going to need every round, you’re going to need it, trust me.

GARY SULLIVAN: Maybe I’ll bring my dogs leash to bring you for a walk then on the night.

DAVID LEMIEUX: Keep talking, you’re going to see.

Q. How do you see the main event playing out?
DAVID LEMIEUX: I think Golovkin has the edge. It’s going to be an interesting fight. Golovkin is a great fighter. Canelo is a great fighter. I thought it was very — I thought it was Golovkin’s fight in the first one, so we’ll see how they train. I think if Canelo really wants to fight, he’s got the talent to do it but I think Golovkin is not an easy fighter to beat.

GARY SULLIVAN: It’s going to be hard to call. The first fight was a very good fight and I expect this one to be a very good fight. I’m not sure who is going to win it but it’s going to be interesting to watch, though.

Q. Spike, you said that you improved a lot — you were impressive against Douglas. How specifically do you think you’ve improved?
GARY SULLIVAN: Specifically, I’m more dedicated. I’m a proper athlete these days. I’m very dedicated to my training, which I wasn’t always throughout my career. The past, I suppose two years, I’ve been very dedicated to being a proper athlete.

I think the old Spike, there’s no comparison. I see that in my weight. I make weight really easy now. I look different. My body shape is different to before and you know, it’s easier when I come to training camp now. I’m just working on my technique and boxing skills, rather than what David does, losing weight in camp. I used to do that one time, as well, myself, and it’s not so good. It’s more like Weight Watchers than training camp for a fight. That’s the difference in me right now.

Q. How much do you believe in momentum and confidence, coming off the big win over Douglas, the same day you lost to Saunders, how much will that play into the fight? How much do you beat in momentum?
GARY SULLIVAN: I believe obviously the momentum is with me. I’m a pressure fighter. I believe David’s time has come and gone. He’s had his time in the past and he’s had a few heavy losses. He’s got a number of beatings and so I think the ball is certainly in my court.

Q. David, you talked a lot about the injury against Saunders. Just how bad was your shoulder, and did you have to have surgery?
DAVID LEMIEUX: It was pretty bad. Surgery was something I looked into, but I didn’t want to be off for a full year so I tried to avoid it as much as I could and leading up to the Saunders fight, I said it’s going to be okay, it’s going to be okay, but you know, obviously it wasn’t.

So we tried different things, and finally, we tried different things and something worked and it’s been good ever since. We’re sticking with that plan and it’s been going great, so we don’t need the surgery right now. I keep training, and everything is solid. I have my left hand back, so I’m back to 100 percent and not 50 percent.

Q. What exactly was the injury?
DAVID LEMIEUX: It was a tear in the labrum.

Q. You’ve been in this position before where you’re coming off the GGG loss and you were fighting a fellow puncher in Curtis Stevens, you and got the big knock out. Do you think you can replicate that against spike?
DAVID LEMIEUX: I think Spike resembles a Curtis Stevens style, but I think he’s less of a boxer than Steven was. Maybe a little more of a puncher, Steven — I didn’t see much of his punches. Maybe he’s a bit harder of a puncher.

But I’m not really worried. I’m the hardest puncher in the ring on September 15, so I’m very confident in my abilities and everything I’m going to bring. I’m going to be in great shape. I’m concerned about absolutely nothing. All the skeptics, you know, that say, oh, is Lemieux going to come back. Well, I’m going to show you all on September 15: Lemieux is going to come back and Lemieux is going to do a lot of damage in the middleweight division.

And the weight issue is no longer an issue.

Q. The weight issue, how have you cleaned that up?
DAVID LEMIEUX: The weight issue, it’s been cleaned up. I changed a lot of things. As I fighter, I think all fighters know that it’s easy to mess up with the weight, but changed a lot. Changes have been made. I’m stronger than ever and my body is going to be much different, so you guys will see on September 15.

Q. Where do you see yourselves in the fight? Do you see yourselves as the favorite or as the underdog?
GARY SULLIVAN: I see myself as the favorite. Easily the favorite. I have to be the favorite.

DAVID LEMIEUX: I’m the favorite. There’s been — I’m the favorite in the fight. Everybody knows that, and there’s been some surveys done on the Internet and all of them point out to me. I think I know what to expect.

Lemieux is back.

GARY SULLIVAN: You’ll be on your back.

DAVID LEMIEUX: You’re going to see who is going to be on whose back.

Q. Like to say hello to David and Spike. My first question goes to Spike. There’s a lot of young fighters in this Irish boxing scene right now. Is there a young fighter that in particular is keeping an eye on and do you expect a large Irish crowd come September 15?

GARY SULLIVAN: Yeah, there’s a great core. Sean O’Kern (ph) he’s a really good fighter. I think he’s about 15-0. He’s trained at my gym in Ireland. A good fighter moved through the ranks. I think he’s the one to watch out for mostly in my opinion.

I think the Irish love Vegas. There will certainly be a good few Irish at the fight.

Q. It seems like coming off a loss, you only get stronger mentally. You have a great knockout over Curtis Stevens, a few big wins. Seems like you almost have something to prove mentally going into this fight. Is that how you feel just coming off a loss that you have something to prove to show the people that you are an elite level fighter and you’ve just caught a bad break in the Golovkin and Saunders fights?

DAVID LEMIEUX: Yeah, well, actually I have a lot to prove. The last two years haven’t been in my favor but things have changed. I’m ready to be back on top, so I’m ready to give the best of what I got, and I’m ready and I’m more ready than ever to do it against a guy like Spike O’Sullivan. Let’s give the fans a great show.

ERIC GOMEZ: Thank you very much.

Canelo vs. GGG 2 is a 12-round fight for the middleweight championship of the world presented by Golden Boy Promotions and GGG Promotions. Munguia vs. Cook is a 12-round battle for the WBO Junior Middleweight World Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Zanfer Promotions. Lemieux vs. O’Sullivan is a 12-round middleweight clash presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Eye of The Tiger Management in association with Murphy’s Boxing. Gonzalez vs. Fuentes is a 10-round super flyweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and GGG Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions and Zanfer Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” Hennessy, “Never Stop, Never Settle,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Fred Loya Insurance, Interjet, Venom, and Fathom Events. The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at a special time of 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

“24/7 Canelo/GGG 2” is streaming on HBO GO and HBO NOW. Canelo’s fifth “24/7” appearance and Golovkin’s third, “24/7 CANELO/GGG 2” is the latest installment of the acclaimed franchise that began in 2007.

Limited tickets for Canelo vs. GGG 2 are still available, and are priced at
$5,000, $2,500, $2,000, $1,500, $800, $700, and $500 not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of eight (8) per person at the $5,000, $2,500, $2,000, $1,500, $800, $700 and $500 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets are also available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

Tickets are on sale for the closed circuit telecast of Canelo vs. GGG 2 at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage and Luxor are priced at $100, not including applicable fees. Seating is general admission at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage while Luxor will have assigned seats. Tickets may be purchased at any MGM Resorts International Box Office, by phone with a major credit card at (800) 745-3000 or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/canelovsggg2.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
www.caneloggg.com and www.hbo.com/boxing. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @gggboxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @hboboxing and @TomLoeffler1. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/gggboxing, and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @gggboxing, @HBOboxing and @OscarDeLaHoya; and follow the conversation using #CaneloGGG2.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/CaneloGGG2 into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy Promotions for any photo and/or video usage.

LOS ANGELES (August 20, 2018): Fans at T-Mobile Arena and millions watching at home will be treated to a stacked undercard featuring current world champions and returning contenders in support of the Sepember 15 fight between Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) and WBC/WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (38-0, 34 KOs). The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 15 and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at a special time of 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

“This historic rematch between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin can only be supported by an equally great undercard,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “That’s why some of the best champions and contenders from all over the world will be featured on this event of international proportions, while some of our brightest prospects will have the opportunity of a lifetime on this undercard so they can one day headline events of this magnitude.”

In the co-main event, breakout Mexican star Jaime Munguia (30-0, 25 KOs) will make the second defense of his WBO Junior Middleweight World Title against rugged Canadian contender Brandon “Bad Boy” Cook (20-1, 13 KOs) in a 12-round battle.

“I’m very motivated to be in such an important card,” said Munguia. “It will be the most important boxing event of the year. For me it is an honor to be on this card supporting Canelo Alvarez, who is also Mexican, on a date that is so special for Mexico, for me and for all of the people. We will do our best to please the public. I promise to not disappoint, so don’t miss my fight and don’t miss Canelo vs. GGG 2.”

Cook said, “It’s always been a dream for me to fight for a world title. To be on the biggest fight card of the year with two of my favorite fighters is a dream come true. Jaime Munguia is an exciting, young, up-and-coming fighter. He has great punching power in both hands. I’m going to do everything possible to bring that world title back home to Canada. I can’t thank Golden Boy Promotions enough for giving me this opportunity. I have a great team behind me and we will be ready September 15. I’m coming to fight.”

Fernando Beltran, CEO of Zanfer Promotions, said, “It can’t get any bigger for boxing than a Pay-Per-View fight in Las Vegas on Mexican Independence Day. That’s where Jaime Munguia is fighting and that’s where he deserves to fight. He always shows his best on the biggest stages and during biggest moments, so be ready for a spectacular performance from Munguia”

Former IBF Middleweight World Champion David Lemieux (39-4, 33 KOs) of Montreal, Canada and Irish warrior Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (28-2, 20 KOs) of Cork, Ireland will go head-to-head in a 12-round middleweight battle that has Fight of the Year candidate written all over it.

Lemieux said, “I’m looking forward to fighting ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan next. I have some unfinished business at 160. We’re going to take one fight at a time. Spike is an action fighter, like me. He’s a tough cookie and comes to fight. This is a fight for the fans. Come September 15, I want to steal the show.”

O’Sullivan said, “This fight is just another step towards fulfilling my ambition of becoming a world champion and providing a good life for my family! David Lemieux is just an object in my way that I fully intend smashing through! Then, I want Canelo or GGG-either one, it doesn’t matter! I’m going to war!”

Former pound-for-pound king and former four-division world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (46-2, 38 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua will make his highly anticipated return against experienced Mexican warrior Moises “Moi” Fuentes (25-5-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round super flyweight battle that will open the HBO Pay-Per-View telecast.

Gonzalez said, “I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be back in the ring. This will be my second fight in Las Vegas, and I look forward to fighting on this great show. I have been training hard in California and will give a good show for the fans. I respect Moises Fuentes, and he will be a strong challenge for me. I want to thank Mr. Honda of Teiken Promotions, along with GGG Promotions for making this possible for me to be on the biggest show in boxing. I look forward to seeing all of my fans again and promise a good performance in the ring.”

Fuentes said, “This will be a difficult fight because of Gonzalez’s style of fighting. But it won’t be impossible. In boxing, nothing is written. I still have what it takes to do it-a good record and a lot of potential. I’m confident I will win this fight and Gonzalez will be a big trampoline for me to join the highest levels of boxing.”

On the non-televised portion of the card, super lightweight knockout artist Vergil Ortiz Jr.(10-0, 10 KOs) of Dallas, Texas looks to add another stoppage victory to his record as he takes on experienced warrior Roberto “Massa” Ortiz (35-2-2, 26 KOs) of Torreon, Mexico in a scheduled 10-round 140-pound fight.

Rising welterweight prospect Alexis “Lex” Rocha (11-0, 8 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. will risk his undefeated record against Carlos Ortiz (10-2, 10 KOs) of Torreon, Mexico in an eight-round welterweight clash.

Undisputed WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO Champion Cecilia Braekhus (34-0, 9 KOs) of Cartagena, Colombiawill defend her titles in a 10-round welterweight fight.

Francisco Esparza (8-0-1, 3 KOs) of Las Vegas will take on a soon-to-be announced opponent in either a four or six-round featherweight fight.

Canelo vs. GGG 2 is a 12-round fight for the middleweight championship of the world presented by Golden Boy Promotions and GGG Promotions. Munguia vs. Cook is a 12-round battle for the WBO Junior Middleweight World Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Zanfer Promotions. Lemieux vs. O’Sullivan is a 12-round middleweight clash presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Eye of The Tiger Management in association with Murphy’s Boxing. Gonzalez vs. Fuentes is a 10-round super flyweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and GGG Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions and Zanfer Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate,
“THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” Hennessy, “Never Stop, Never Settle,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Fred Loya Insurance, Interjet, Venom, and Fathom Events. The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at a special time of 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

“24/7 Canelo/GGG 2” premieres Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 11:30 pm (ET/PT) on HBO. Canelo’s fifth “24/7” appearance and Golovkin’s third, “24/7 CANELO/GGG 2” is the latest installment of the acclaimed franchise that began in 2007.

Limited tickets for Canelo vs. GGG 2 are still available, and are priced at $5,000, $2,500, $2,000, $1,500, $800, $700, and $500 not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of eight (8) per person at the $5,000, $2,500, $2,000, $1,500, $800, $700 and $500 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets are also available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

Tickets for the closed circuit telecast of Canelo vs. GGG 2 at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage and Luxor are priced at $100, not including applicable fees. Seating is general admission at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage while Luxor will have assigned seats. Tickets may be purchased at any MGM Resorts International Box Office, by phone with a major credit card at (800) 745-3000 or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/canelovsggg2.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
www.caneloggg.com and www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @gggboxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @hboboxing and @TomLoeffler1; become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/gggboxing, and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing; follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @gggboxing, @HBOboxing and @OscarDeLaHoya; and follow the conversation using #CaneloGGG2.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying
and pasting the link http://bit.ly/CaneloGGG2 into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy Promotions for any photo and/or video usage.

Former middleweight champion David Lemieux will fight Karim Achour in Montreal on May 26th in Quebec City.

“I was at the Videotron Center for the [boxing card] last Saturday, and the crowd was great. I told Camille Estephan that this is where I wanted to fight,” Lemieux said at a news conference at the arena to announce the fight on Thursday. “I aim very high, so for me every fight is extremely important. On May 26, expect fireworks. I want to pass along a message: The best of me is yet to come.”

“[Trainer] Marc [Ramsay] wanted to see David against a guy who will advance on him for 12 rounds,” Estephan said at the news conference. “David does not think it’s going to last that long, but Achour has never been on the floor in his career.”

By Bart Barry-

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – This city is 4,500 kilometers southwest of Laval, Quebec. That’s sensible a place as any to start a column like this.

There be nary a Canelo statue to report in the center of this old and noble capital of Jalisco nor a great interest in searching one out. If I wasn’t here to visit San Agustín de Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, birthplace of Cinnamon Alvarez, the redhaired horseman of Jalisco (that’s a halfassed alliteration that works like a pronunciation key: hair and horse and Jalisco all begin with the same general sound), I cared at least enough to google the lineal middleweight champion’s hometown. Then I forgot all about it till an uber took me past a lowend bar called Canelo’s in a spotty neighborhood. A better columnist’d’ve alighted the car and done some investigative stuff but it didn’t fully register till just now when I sat down to write a column tenuously linking Guadalajara and Billy Joe Saunders, and forcing such symmetry, I’ve found, is only fun to do if you admit it first.

Saturday evening Saunders craftily denuded David “. . . ah . . . The Canadian” Lemieux then advised Montreal authorities to file charges of indecent exposure against a man who, it’s naughty to admit, rounds out Gennady Golovkin’s career Top 3 Greatest Challengers list.

The indecent-exposure line is not mine but sprung to mind as I watched Saunders and asked myself where I’d seen such a thing before. Firing sporadically on the fuel of tortas ahogadas (drowned sandwiches) and carne en su jugo (meat in its juice) – the wet food beloved by Tapatíos in this city – my query returned: Cristian Mijares vs. Jorge Arce. On the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s 2007 Alamodome demolition of Jorge Solis, Mijares took a formidable favorite and stripped him bare at center ring. So bare, in fact, someone from then-promoter Gary Shaw’s outfit, then representing Vic Darchinyan and goading Arce and his promoter Top Rank at every chance, sent a press release pleading for Arce to be arrested in Texas and charged with indecent exposure, which still brings a chuckle.

Maybe boxing was more fun then or maybe I was, but I can’t think of a press release in years combining so tidily the caustic and the clever.

Saunders carried the same panache Saturday as Mijares carried a decade ago; Saunders knew exactly what Lemieux would do next long before Lemieux decided to do exactly what Saunders already knew he’d do. It’s an incredibly dispiriting sensation, that – to realize you’re best chance of striking an opponent is by accident and then to see in his eyes, within an instant, he just heard you think that, too, damn it.

A fighter and trainer with whom I once did some illadvised sparring one time came off a perfect slip of my righthand (“perfect” defined as: moving the least distance possible to make me miss, ensuring with such economy I would expend all the energy required to stop my fist and perversely feel encouraged by how close I’d come to walloping him, the better to break my spirit and body) and pinned his right glove to right temple at least a halfsecond before I knew I was going to waste more resources on a useless hook.

I dropped both hands then and there, spitting the gumshield in my left palm, and said, “How the hell did you know I was going to throw the hook next?”

He shook his head contemptuously and said, “It’s the only thing you could throw.”

He’d taken the few and simple algorithms that composed my offensive arsenal, downloaded their defenses and counters, and not wasted one more cycle on thinking. He would ponder some new ways of punching me hard in the face, I gathered, but he had defense on autopilot.

Imagine his surprise when I later leapt out my crouch and . . . yeah, right. I avenged absolutely nothing that day or any other with him.

Where were we? Oh yes, Saunders and Mijares, Arce and Lemieux.

Saturday’s match was supposed to be a good one. If it was intended as anyone’s showcase by HBO it was Lemieux’s – the better to burnish retroactively GGG’s superlinear power and class. At one point, even, there was an allusion to an assault on Saunders proving Lemieux was ready to rematch his KO-8 with Golovkin, of all risible suggestions. Instead the network lucked its way into a formidable challenger for the winner of Alvarez-Golovkin 2 (Saunders makes a very good fight with Golovkin and a good fight with Canelo) or a spoiler for the network’s legless Danny Jacobs rehabilitation tour (Saunders makes a miraculously dreadful spectacle with The Miracle Man).

What does any of this have to do with Guadalajara or Jalisco or even Mexico? Very little, admittedly.

There’s a cosmopolitan quality to this city that now informs my recollection of interviews with Canelo, though. He was unfailingly courteous and professional, if not insightful or imaginative; to interview Canelo was to interview an equal in every way, not a cultural or intellectual inferior, not a superior in some sort of compensatory machismo, either – just a man who did his job very well and anticipated the same from others. There’s a cultural pride in Guadalajara that might be arrogance were the peso exchanging better than $0.05 (US). From the arresting Orozco frescoes in Hospicio Cabañas and Museo de las Artes de la Universidad de Guadalajara (Musa) to the majestic cathedrals and fountains in Zona Centro this city and its inhabitants consider themselves equal to or better than any American or European. I find myself agreeing with their assessment, too, even without a pilgrimage to San Agustín de Tlajomulco de Zúñiga.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Billy Joe Saunders defended his WBO Middleweight title with an easy 12-round unanimous decision over David Lemeiex in Lemieux’s hometown of Laval, Quebec, Canada

Saunders was masterful with his boxing and defense throughout the fight.  In round seven, Lemieux began to bleed from his nose.  Saunders was never threatened at all down the stretch and cruised home to the victory 120-108, 118-110, and 117-111.

Saunders of England is now 26-0.  Lemieux is 38-4.

Saunders outlanded Lemieux 165-67.

“I knew what sort of fighter David Lemieux is, and I knew what sort of coach he’s got,” said Saunders. “I knew what he was coming for. I look easy to hurt, but you can’t hit me. I like going to somebody’s backyard because I perform better. I’m a whole different animal now. When I hurt David, I wanted to put it on him. I really did, but that’s what I pay my trainer Dominic Ingle to do. I went to put it on him, but he told me to take my time, and that was the best advice.”

“I wasn’t at my best. Hats off to Billy Joe [Saunders],” said Lemieux. “From the second round on, I could not use my left hand the way I wanted, and he was on the run, so I had a hard time throwing my shots. It wasn’t my best night. A lot of this was because of me, because I couldn’t use my left hand the way I wanted to. He was running from the first round to the end, and I guess that’s his strategy to win. If this is the way you want to win, then congratulations.”

Douglas boxed well over the first three rounds but O’Sullivan came back to take the next three rounds with hard right hands.

In round seven, O’Sullivan landed a huge left hook that stopped Douglas on the ropes.  O’Sullivan followed up with five unanswered blows that dropped Douglas.  Douglas got up but the fight was stopped at 1:03.

O’Sullivan is 27-2 with 19 knockouts.  Douglas is 22-2-1.

O’Sullivan Outlanded Douglas 130-108.

“I was sick for 2 weeks with a chest infection, so I was not at 100 percent,” said O’Sullivan. “I thought it was a good opportunity, so I decided to fight anyway. I’m happy with my performance, but I could have done better. Douglas is a tough guy with a good chin, and he had never been knocked out like that.”

Yves Ulysse, Jr dropped Cletus Seldin three times en-route to a 10-round unanimous decision in a junior welterweight fight.

In round one, Ulysse dropped Seldin with a right hand.  In round two, It was deja-vu as another right hand sent Seldin to the canvas.  In round three, It was a left hook that sent Seldin down.  Seldin was cut on his forehead.

Ulysse jabbed and moved and had his way with Seldin, and cruised to the victory by scores of 99-88 on all cards.

Ulysse is now 15-1.  Seldin is 21-1.

Ulysse outlanded Seldin 157-42.

“I was the underdog,” said Ulysse. “Everyone thought that I was in for a beating, and look at what happened. I told you that my moment was coming. Speed kills! The sky is the limit!”

“Yves Ulysse is a good fighter but he is not exciting,” said Seldin. “I was not expecting him to run that much. I thought he would come to fight coming from a decision lost. I showed my thoroughness and tried to finish strong but it was impossible because of all the running.”
 

Follow all the action Live from Quebec, Canada as Billy Joe Saunders defends the WBO Middleweight title against David Lemieux.  The action begins at 9:40 PM / 2:40 AM in London with a 2 fight undercard featuring middleweight’s Antoine Douglas taking on Gary O’Sullivan as well as Cletus Selding battling Yves Ulysse, Jr. in a junior welterweight fight

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Round 1: Good uppercut from Saunders

Round 2 Saunders jabbing..Hard left

Round 3 Right and left from Lemieux

Round 4 Straight left from Saunders

Round 5 3 jabs from Saunders..Right from Lemieux..Body shot from Saunders..Jab..another jab..

Round 6 Lemieux lands a right to the body..Straight left and 2 jabs from Saunders..quick jab..quick left..Jab and left..

Round 7  Saunders starting to land power shots..Lemieux bleeding from the nose..

Round 8 Good jab and left hand from Saunders…Hard 1-2 and straight left..

Round 9 Straight left from Saunders..3 punch combination..Good Jab..

Round 10  Lemieux lands a left and right..Straight left from Saunders..Hard straight left

Round 11 Jab  from Saunders…Lemieux lands a right

Round 12 Right to body from Lemieux…

120-108, 117-111 and 118-110 for BILLY JOE SAUNDERS

Saunders outlanded Lemieux 165-67.

Round 1 Right from O’Sullivan..3 punch combo from Douglas..another 3 punch combination..Good left hook to the body

Round 2 Good right from Douglas..Good body shot..4 rights from O’Sullivan..Good uppercut from Douglas..

Round 3 Good left from Douglas..Good bosy shot from O’Sullivan..Good hook from Douglas..Good body shot..Good left hook..

Round 4 Good hook from Douglas…Good hook from Douglas..

Round 5 Jab from Douglas..Good left  hook..Hard right and body shot from O’Sullivan..Hard right..

Round 6 Right from O’Sullivan..

Round 7 HUGE LEFT AND COMBINATION AND DOWN GOES DOUGLAS..FIGHT STOPPED

O’Sullivan outlanded Douglas 130-108

Round 1 Roght hand hurts Seldin…RIGHT AND DOWN GOES SELDIN…Good right counter from Ulysse

Round 2 SHORT RIGHT AND DOWN GOES SELDIN

Round 3 Good left hook from Ulysse…HARD COMBINATION AND DOWN GOES SELDIN…SELDIN IS CUT ON HIS FOREHEAD..Good body shot

Round 4

Round 5 Good right from Seldin..

Round 6 Ulysse counters with a right..Right..Seldin lands a right to the body…1-2 from Ulysse

Round 7 Good right from Ulysse..

Round 8 Body shot from Ulysse..3 rights..Right..Left hook and a right

Round 9 Left hook from Ulysse…

Round 10 Ulysse peppering Seldin..Huge right

99-88 on all cards for Ulysse

Ulysse outlanded Seldin 157-42