LAS VEGAS – May 6, 2024 – Two of boxing’s most exciting and popular superstars will share center stage as five-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and unbeaten two-time world champion David “El Monstruo” Benavídez compete in separate attractions Saturday, June 15 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The two fighters will headline a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video in what will be the historic 100^th championship fight night at the popular sports and entertainment venue.

The undefeated three-division champion Davis will defend his WBA Lightweight World Championship against unbeaten top contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin, while Benavídez is set to make his 175-pound debut against former light heavyweight world champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk in a matchup for the Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Title. This one-of-a-kind event will give viewers the unique opportunity to see two bona fide fan-favorites on the same night in high-stakes championship clashes.

The MGM Grand Garden Arena hosted its premiere boxing event in January 1994 and, over its 30-year history, the venue has become synonymous with the sport’s biggest fight nights. Fight fans have watched champions ranging from George Foreman and Julio Cesar Chavez to Roy Jones and Shane Mosley step in the ring and put on a championship display of skill. Epic battles including Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Holyfield vs. Tyson II, Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV, multiple Barrera vs. Morales title fights, and Mayweather vs. Canelo, among others led all boxers to want to fight at the legendary Grand Garden Arena. The June 15 event will mark a celebration of the venue’s storied history as boxing’s next chapter unfolds with these two high-stakes showdowns.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.

Tickets for the live event go on sale Wednesday, May 8 beginning at 10 a.m. PT and will be available through www.axs.com. 

Pre-sale tickets will be available TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 7 from 10 a.m. PT to 10 p.m. PT through www.axs.com with the code: BOXING

The event is promoted by GTD Promotions, Sampson Boxing, TGB Promotions and Man Down Promotions.

“Saturday, June 15 will be a spectacular night of boxing with two true superstars of the sport combining forces to deliver can’t-miss action,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Gervonta Davis has proven his star power again and again, and will return to defend his world title against another tough challenge in the undefeated Frank Martin. David Benavídez established himself as a pound-for-pound force last year, and will now seek out dominance in a new weight class against the powerful former champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Make sure you tune into this PBC Pay-Per-View event or come out to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.”

“Oleksandr Gvozdyk is a very good fighter, but David Benavídez is forging a path to greatness,” said Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “I commend David for not wanting to wait for Canelo, and for making this bold move to a new division. One way or another, David will continue growing his legacy as a true champion.”

“Saturday, June 15 is going to be like a movie. Frank Martin has put a tremendous amount of work in to get to this point and now it’s time for him to reap the benefits,” said pound-for-pound star Errol Spence Jr., Martin’s promoter. “Gervonta Davis is a great champion, but on that night, he’s going to be matched against a young, hungry and explosive talent ready to shine on the biggest stage. I expect all the fight fans to tap into what will be the biggest event of the year.”

**GERVONTA DAVIS VS. FRANK MARTIN**

Headlining the event will be the return of undefeated boxing superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis as he puts his WBA Lightweight World Championship on the line in a 12-round clash against consensus top-five lightweight contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin, who will vie for a world title for the first time in his career.

Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) has held the lightweight title since 2019 and has also won world titles at 130 and 140 pounds during his spectacular career. The Baltimore-native put an emphatic end to a years-long rivalry with Ryan Garcia last year in a crossover fight that gripped the sports world, dropping him in round two before ending the action with a vicious body shot in round seven.

Prior to that fight, he set a new gate record for Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in January when he stopped the previously unbeaten super featherweight world champion Hector Luis Garcia in the ninth round. Before that triumph he added another highlight-reel KO to his resume, as he dispatched longtime rival Rolando Romero with a thudding left hand in February 2022, in another record-setting event at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The 29-year-old also owns the distinction as the only fighter to stop former three-division champion Leo Santa Cruz and former world champion and current interim welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Davis burst onto the scene with an explosive knockout of Jose Pedraza in 2017 to capture his first world title and won the lightweight strap he currently holds with a 12^th-round KO of former unified champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2019.

“I’m excited to be on a card with someone explosive like David Benavidez; this pay-per-view is definitely gonna be worth it,” said Davis. “I’m happy to be back in the ring. That’s where I’m comfortable at. I’m gonna go in there, be flawless, and do what I do best, which is give the fans the best boxing you’ll see. Come June 15, Frank Martin is gonna see there’s a different beast in front of him.”

The 29-year-old Martin (18-0, 12 KOs) most recently showed that his power can last through a 12-round fight as he dropped the previously unbeaten Artem Harutyunyan in the final frame to clinch a unanimous decision victory last July. His previous outing saw him stamp his status as one of the elite 135-pounders in the sport as he dropped and dominated the then-unbeaten Michel Rivera on his way to a unanimous decision in December 2022. 

Fighting under the Man Down Promotions banner ,led by top pound-for-pound fighter Errol Spence Jr., Martin’s initial ascent at 135-pounds saw him begin by stopping then unbeaten Jerry Perez in April 2021 before dispatching of tough contenders Jackson Marinez, Romero Duno and Ryan Kielczweski. Originally from Indianapolis, Ind., Martin now trains in the Dallas-area under the guidance of highly renowned trainer Derrick James.

“I’ve been locked in for a while now and having a really good training camp,” said Martin. “It’ll be an exciting fight on June 15. I expect to get the best version of ‘Tank’, and he’ll get the best version of me. We’ll have a solid game plan to come out with the win on fight night.”

**DAVID BENAVIDEZ VS. OLEKSANDR GVOZDYK**

Co-headlining the event will be the all-action star and two-time world champion David “El Monstruo” Benavídez as he makes his 175-pound debut in a 12-round duel against the power-punching former world champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk as they meet for the vacant Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Title.

The 27-year-old undefeated Benavídez (28-0, 24 KOs) makes his 2024 debut after a pair of impressive wins marked his standout 2023 campaign. He began the year by besting longtime rival Caleb Plant via unanimous decision in a slugfest from March and followed it up by stopping the previously unbeaten two-division champion Demetrius Andrade in six rounds in November. Benavídez became the youngest-ever 168-pound world champion at just 20-years-old when he defeated Ronald Gavril by split decision for the vacant WBC title in 2017. A Phoenix-native who now lives in Seattle and currently trains in Miami, Benavidez has stamped his place in the super middleweight division but will now look to carry his prodigious talents up to light heavyweight for this fight.

When he was 15 years old, Benavídez went from weighing 250 pounds to a boxing prodigy under the watchful eye of his father and trainer, Jose, Sr., and his brother and veteran contender Jose Jr., as he famously held his own in sparring against middleweight champions Gennady Golovkin and Peter Quillin as a teenager. Benavídez rode a string of six straight knockout victories heading into the bout against Plant, including KOs of former world champions Anthony Dirrell and David Lemieux.

“I’m very excited to be going to the light heavyweight division to compete against the best 175-pound fighters,” said Benavídez. “I’ve been eyeing that division for a long time, and now I feel like it’s my time. I’m going to go unify the division. I’ve watched Gvozdyk for a long time – I know exactly how he fights. I actually sparred him when I was 20 years old and I know he’s a really tough opponent, so I need to be 100%. This is a hard fight, but I’m going to make it look easy.”

After earning a bronze medal representing his native Ukraine at the 2012 Olympics, Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) turned pro in 2014 and quickly set his sights on the top of the division. He dominated a slew of veteran contenders including Yunieski Gonzalez, Isaac Chilemba, Tommy Karpency and Nadjib Mohammedi on his way to becoming the WBC’s top rated mandatory challenger at 175-pounds. He went on to become WBC champion with an 11^th-round knockout of Adonis Stevenson and defended the title in 2019 by stopping Doudou Ngumbu in round five.

After losing the belt in a unification match against Artur Beterbiev, Gvozdyk returned in 2023 to score three straight victories. He bested Josue Obando in February before knocking out Ricards Bolotniks in May and Isaac Rodrigues in September. Now training and residing in California, Gvozdyk’s amateur career saw him compete in over 250 bouts, including three Ukrainian National Championships that led to his Olympic success.

“I’ve never avoided any challenges, and this is no exception,” said Gvozdyk. “Benavidez is a top caliber fighter and that’s exactly what motivates me to train hard each and every day. If you want to be the best, you have to fight the best. I’m ready to become a champion once again.”

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For more information visit Amazon.com/PBC, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #DavisMartin & #BenavidezGvozdyk, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

By Norm Frauenheim –

It’s getting hard to identify the so-called face of boxing. One week, it looks a lot like Gervonta Davis. Next week, maybe it’ll look like Canelo Alvarez all over again.

Let’s just say it’s fractured.

Alvarez, at least, promises to erase the doubt Saturday on pay-per-view in a Mexican homecoming against John Ryder in a comeback that might help identify how much is left in Canelo’s long, legendary career.

It also figures to identify who’s next.

A couple of days before opening bell against Ryder in a DAZN super-middleweight bout (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT) near Guadalajara, next continues to look a lot like Dmitry Bivol, the light-heavyweight champion whose upset of Canelo in May left persistent questions about the Mexican’s future.

The bout against Ryder, a 16-to-1 underdog, looks to be the first step toward a chance for Canelo (58-2-2, 39 KOs) to set the record straight with an avenging victory. 

Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) could change all of that, or at least just add more questions. But don’t bet on it, especially in front of an expected crowd of more than 50,000 proud Mexican partisans at a soccer stadium near Canelo’s hometown.

Canelo, who is coming off wrist surgery, reiterated his plans to fight Bivol during a session with reporters Thursday. He repeated that he wants the rematch at light-heavyweight again. There had been some talk, mostly from promoter Eddie Hearn, about super-middleweight.

But, no, Canelo said, he wants everything to be the same on every scale. Only the result changes, he vowed. At light-heavy, his 168-pound titles also would not be in jeopardy.

Last week, World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman said he would not allow Bivol, a Russian, to fight for a belt sanctioned by the WBC. The Mexico City-based acronym has banned Russians from its rankings because of Putin’s war against the Ukrainians.

It’s a move that probably assures mandatory challenger David Benavidez will have to wait until at least next year. But there’s a silver lining. Finally, Benavidez now appears to be on Canelo’s agenda. After a year of dismissing Benavidez, Canelo mentioned him as a real possibility Thursday.

After Bivol, the plan is to fight Benavidez, he said.

“You know, I fight everybody,” Canelo said. “When Gennadiy Golovkin first appeared in the boxing community, I was the guy to face him. Same thing with Benavidez.’’

Plans are like faces, of course. They change. For the first time, however, it looks as if Benavidez’ long, often impatient pursuit of a bout with Canelo will be realized.

Yet, it also represents a potential risk for the Phoenix-born super-middleweight, whose credibility and celebrity were further enhanced by his unanimous decision over Caleb Plant on March 25.

It could mean a dangerous date against David Morrell, who is coming off an eye-opening first-round blowout of Yamaguchi Falcao on the undercard of Tank Davis’ stoppage of Ryan Garcia on April 22.

Morrell, who called out Benavidez after the victory, looks like a threat, perhaps the riskiest date in Benavidez’ own fight to become a face of the game.

By Norm Frauenheim –

It wasn’t a classic. Roberto Duran’s place as history’s greatest lightweight remains undisputed.

But it was a fight for the ages.

Ages 18-to-30.

Tank Davis’ victory over Ryan Garcia in a two-knockdown, seventh-round stoppage won’t be remembered for its competitive drama, yet it stands as a significant milestone.

The reported pay-per-view numbers add up to a victory in what was another example of boxing’s inexhaustible resilience. It’s always getting up, forever coming back.

With Davis-Garcia, it did that all over again.

According to reports Wednesday from Boxing Scene, Fight Freaks Unite, CBS and Sports Business Journal, Saturday night’s heavily-hyped bout at Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena did about 1.2 million buys over two platforms, Showtime and DAZN.

There’s always skepticism about PPV reports based on anonymous sources, especially during an era when hackers stealing the signal often out-number the paying customers.

Even if the reported 1.2 million is an exaggeration and closer to 800,000, the bout figures to rank as a major success at a critical time.

Put it this way: The patient, which has been on life support or in the obituary column for years, still has a pulse.

In the months since talks for Terence Crawford-Errol Spence Jr. fell apart, there were questions about whether the predicted doom was finally at boxing’s doorstep.

Tank-Garcia, which also included a $22.8-million live gate, says it’s not.

Now, there are even reports that the Crawford-Spence talks have resumed, perhaps for a fight later this year.

I’ll believe it only if I see them gloved up and stepping through the ropes. I also suspect many in the audience for Tank-Garcia feel the same way.

They’ve moved on, exasperated by tired speculation about Crawford-versus-Spence or Oleksandr Usyk-versus-Tyson Fury.

But moving on, it turns out, doesn’t have to be forever. The exasperated can be brought back into the building by the right fight.

Tank-Garcia was that fight.

That’s not to say it went off without problems. There’s widespread anger at DAZN. Subscribers complained they couldn’t get the live stream. Others said they were charged multiple times. DAZN got into the business saying pay-per-view is dead. The streaming service then tried to make sure that it is.

Still, there are options – Showtime and ESPN — for a younger demographic with an interest resurrected by one fight that unlocked an appetite for a few more.

There’s Tank Davis against the winner of Devin Haney-Vasiliy Lomachenko on ESPN May 20. There’s Tank-versus-Shakur Stevenson.

Tank is 28; Garcia is 24. A generation of fans, weary of an older generation’s failure to make fights happen, identify with them.

They also bought into their willingness to do what Spence and Crawford, Usyk and Fury haven’t. They fought.

Tank-Garcia looks to be a welcome goodbye to a generation ruled by Floyd Mayweather’s risk-to-reward ratio. Increasingly, it became No Risk, All Reward. All Prize, No Fight. That’s not a ratio. It’s a rip-off. Young fans weren’t buying.

But the Tank-Garcia bout awakened an emerging market, or at least awakened the networks and promoters to a younger audience, impatient for a genuine reason to buy.

In news releases before opening bell, Showtime called the Tank-Garcia card “generational.’’ It was as if the network was searching for a new one.

It found one.

On both sides of the ropes. 

LOS ANGELES (April 27, 2023) Hot off the news that the Gervonta “Tank” Davis vs. ”King” Ryan Garcia fight drew the fifth highest boxing gate in history of Las Vegas and sold more PPVs than any real boxing match in years, Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya released the following statement:

“I’ve said it for as long as I have been a promoter: If you put together the fights that fans want to see, people will tune in – and in huge numbers. Along with Ryan, we were extremely proud to have forced the fight into happening, and the results speak for themselves. From identifying the best prospects all the way through selling massive events at the top of the sport, there is one company that can make it all happen; that’s Golden Boy.”

The estimated 1.2 million buys and $22 million gate represents the most successful professional boxing match since Canelo-Golovkin II more than 4 ½ years ago (another Golden Boy-promoted event). With promotion for the Tank-King Ryan fight largely taking place across different social media platforms, Golden Boy has further proven it can move and change with the media landscape to still deliver the biggest events in the sport.

NEW YORK – April 25, 2023 – Gervonta Davis’s thrilling seventh-round knockout of Ryan Garcia on Saturday night on SHOWTIME PPV^®, in which Davis took out Garcia with a devastating body shot, will premiere on SHOWTIME this Saturday, April 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, giving fans another chance to take in Davis’s picture-perfect, two-knockdown performance against the previously undefeated Garcia.

In addition, ALL ACCESS: DAVIS VS. GARCIA EPILOGUE will premiere immediately following the delayed telecast, capping a memorable buildup chronicled by the Emmy^® Award-winning series, which was recently nominated for two more Sports EMMY Awards. ALL ACCESS: Davis vs. Romero Epilogue was nominated for Outstanding Edited Event Coverage, while ALL ACCESS: Spence vs. Ugas was nominated for Outstanding Writing – Long Form. ALL ACCESS has now been nominated for 13 Sports EMMY Awards since it premiered in 2012, winning five times. This year’s Sports EMMY Award winners will be revealed at a ceremony at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall on May 22.

As an indication of the popularity of Saturday’s event, Episode One of ALL ACCESS: DAVIS VS. GARCIA has garnered 3.7 million views, while Episode Two has 2.6 million views on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel alone.

Below are some notable headlines that came out of Saturday’s event:

High-Profile Headlines

• Sports Illustrated — Win Over Ryan Fortifies Davis’s Claim As the Face of Boxing

“Davis has staked a strong claim to be the face of American boxing.”

• Associated Press — Gervonta Davis Knocks Out Ryan Garcia with Body Shot

“Davis put himself in position to succeed Canelo Alvarez as the face of the sport.”

• ESPN — Gervonta Davis KO’s Ryan Garcia With Brutal Body Shot

“With that single left hand, Davis cemented himself as one of boxing’s pound-for-pound best fighters.”

• The New York Times — Gervonta Davis Stopped Ryan Garcia in Seven Rounds

“The knockout burnished Davis’s reputation as an accurate, efficient, destructive puncher.”

• The Washington Post — Gervonta Davis Stays Perfect With Seventh-Round Knockout Of Ryan Garcia

“The three-division world champion further cemented his status as the world’s most dazzling boxer in front of a sold-out crowd at T-Mobile Arena.”

• Yahoo! Sports — Davis Knocks Out Ryan Garcia with Ferocious Body Shot

“It wasn’t power that led Davis to this victory. It was his boxing skill, his ring IQ and his ability to capitalize on Garcia’s mistakes.”

• Sports Illustrated — Pound for Pound Rankings: Tank Moves Into Top 10

“He is no longer just one of boxing’s biggest draws – his knockout of Ryan Garcia proved he’s one of the best fighters in the world.”

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Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount, owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME^®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ and FLIX^®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV^®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 24, 2023) – WBA Super Middleweight regular champion, David Morrell Jr. (9-0, 8 KOs) has expressed his desire to fight WBC Interim World champion David Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) in his next fight. Morrell Jr. made waves with his impressive victory over Yamaguchi Falcao (24-2-1, 10 KOs), a first-round knockout on the undercard of the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia mega-fight.

Morrell Jr., who is promoted by Warriors Boxing, has been making waves in the boxing world with his impressive performances and is quickly becoming a fan favorite. The undefeated champion is looking for bigger challenges, and a fight against Benavidez is something he has set his sights on.

“I’ll say it and I’ll say it again, I want to fight the best, and David Benavidez is one of the best in the division,” said Morrell Jr. “Millions of fans got to see what I’m all about and I believe I have the skills to beat him. I know he is a warrior that never backs down from a fight, so I’m expecting him to take the challenge. This is a fight I know that fans want to see. The winner can be next in line to fight Canelo. I’m the real monster and I’m ready to prove it in the ring.”

Morrell Jr. has also announced that he dedicated this fight to Autism Awareness. The champion has a personal connection to the cause, as he has many close friends who are dealing with the condition.

“I want to use my platform to raise awareness for autism,” said Morrell Jr. “Some of my closest friends have kids with autism and they are an inspiration, and I want to do everything I can to support them.”

Morrell Jr.’s dedication to the cause has garnered support from the boxing community, and fans are eager to see him in the ring once again. A potential fight against Benavidez would be a highly anticipated matchup and could potentially unify the WBA and WBC titles down the road.

The boxing world eagerly awaits the announcement of this potential matchup and looks forward to seeing Morrell Jr. continue to shine both in and out of the ring.

Gervonta Davis stopped Ryan Garcia in round seven of their 12-round catchweight bout before a capacity crowd of 20, 842 fans at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Garcia hurt Davis with an overhand right. Garcia continued touching Davis until a perfect counter left from Davis landed squarly on the jaw of Garcia that sent him to the deck.

In round seven, Davis landed a left hand to the ribs which made Garcia take two steps back and sink to a knee for the 10-count at 1:34.

Davis, 135.3 lbs of Baltimore is 29-0 with 27 knockouts, Garcia, 135.5 lbs of Los Angeles is 23-1.

Gervonta Davis

“Everything about this was exciting. I was excited to be a part of this event. I remember coming up in the Golden Gloves and seeing Floyd fight at the MGM. It was crazy. I actually just saw Rihanna perform at the Super Bowl, and I thought that’s going to be me one day. And we’re here.

“The reality definitely matches the dream. But the job is never done until I retire so I’m going to keep my head down, stay humble and continue to work.

“Me predicting the 7^th round KO was me just trying to get in his head. I really don’t know until I actually get in there with my opponent, but once I got in there with him I felt like skill-wise, it all matched.

“The first knockdown was just him not knowing his placement and I knew that I was the smaller guy, and my coach was telling me in camp that he’s going to come up with his head up, so just shoot over the top.

“I didn’t think that body shot would end it, but I saw his facial expression and that’s what made me take it to him. It was a good shot, for sure. I thought he was going to get up but I like to play mind games, so when he was looking at me, I was looking at him trying to tell him, ‘Get up!’. And he just shook his head, no.

“I’m definitely the face of boxing. Absolutely!”

Ryan Garcia

“I’m good. ‘Tank’ is a great fighter. I take my hat off to him. I know we talked a lot of trash leading into the fight, but he knows what it is. It’s all love at the end of the day. I was honored to be in the ring with a great fighter and I respect him a lot. You know how the business goes. But I want to say to Tank, you’re a good man.

“He just caught me with a good shot. I don’t want to make any excuses in here. He caught me with a good shot and I just couldn’t recover and that’s it. He caught me with a good body shot, snuck under me and caught me good.

“I couldn’t breathe. I was going to get back up, but I just couldn’t get up.

“I think I should have pressured him a little harder near the ropes. I was giving him a little bit too much respect and I think that was my downfall. I think I gave him a little too much respect in the ring.”

Morrell Destroys Falcao in 1; Retains WBA Super Middleweight Title

David Morrell Jr. retained the WBA Super Middleweight title with a first round destruction of Yamaguchi Falcao.

Morrell came out blistering as he could not miss with his right hooks and uppercuts. Morrell sent Falcao down with a hard uppercut. Morrell finished off Falcao with a devastating right hook that plummeted him face-first and he was out for several minutes before he could get to his feet. The time was 2:22.

Morrell, 167.8 lbs of Santa Clara, Cuba is 9-0 with eight knockouts. Falcao, 166.4 lbs of Espirito Santo, BRA is 24-2-1.

David Morrell, Jr.

“I’m so excited. This was a big moment and a big night for me, so a knockout in the first round is incredible. But this is boxing. First round, second round, I’m not worried when the knockout comes but I got it in the first round.

“I think this is the best moment of my career tonight. It was a big event and a big name. I want to fight the best in the division.

“Much respect to Yamaguchi. I’m glad he’s okay. He’s a good guy and a good boxer.

“David Benavidez is next. Where is he? I want to fight Benavidez, man. He’s next, 100 percent. I don’t want any other guys at 168 pounds. Just Benavidez. I respect Benavidez and his team, but inside the ring, I don’t respect nothing.”

Melikuziev Gets Even With Rosado; Wins Unanimous Decision

Bektemir Melikuziev evened the score with Gabriel Rosado and took a 10-round unanimous decision in a super middleweight contest.

Melikuziev laded 153 of 354 punches. Rosado was just 55 of 332.

Melikuziev, 167.3 lbs of Uzbekistan won by scores of 99-91 on all cards and is 12-1. Rosado, 167.3 lbs of Los Angeles via Philadelphia is 26-17-1

Bektemir Melikuziev

“This was the fight that I wanted. This is the fight that I felt like I made a mistake in the first one, and I had this opportunity for revenge on such a big card. It’s a pleasure for me.

“In the first fight against Rosado, I underestimated my opponent. This time, we put the work in during camp. We went through everything. This time, the goal was to showcase my skills, box and punish him as much as possible too.”

Gabriel Rosado

“I tried, but I was a step behind. Father Time, eighteen years as a pro, but I was game. I walked to him, I boxed him, I tried everything but I was a step too slow.

“I was a split-second behind. He’s fresh, he’s young and I’m happy for him. I knocked him out bad in the first fight and he made adjustments.

“I don’t make any excuses. I was ready. Now it’s time to wrap it up and give my knowledge to younger fighters with management and training. I want to share my experience with them, and maybe do some more commentating.”

”

Elijah Garcia Decisions Kevin Salgado

19 year-old Elijah Garcia remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Kevin Salgado in a welterweight bout.

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

Garcia landed 194 of 621 punches. Salgado was 178 of 551.

Garcia, 159.2 lbs of Phoenix, AZ won by scores of 97-92 twice and 95-94 and is now 15-0. Salgado, 159.2 lbs of Mexico City is 15-2-1.

Elijah Garcia

“I was standing a little too still trying to fight on the inside. Salgado is a tough opponent. He was real tough, real strong and I just had to move and box a little bit. Other than that, it was a good, hard 10 rounds. I give my opponent 100 percent props.

“I stayed in shape one hundred percent after my last fight. Back-to-back camps, and not only that, but I made boxing a lifestyle. I’m always in the gym, eating good and doing the best I can to stay healthy.

“I just have to continue getting better in the gym every single day. That’s what it’s about. I learned a lot today. It was my first time going past six rounds and I got the full 10. The fights like this will get me closer to a world title.

“It feels great to get this win on a big stage. I feel like I’m getting better with each fight. I know I have a long way to go, but I like where I’m at. I’m hoping to get right back in the ring soon.”

Kevin Salgado

“I felt like I won. By a small margin, but I should have won.

“I feel really sad because I felt like this was a really good fight. The referee kept getting in my way. I got a point deducted from me but he didn’t say anything when Garcia hit me in the back of the head. It’s all just very sad.

“It felt like swimming against the current. Mexicans always come to fight against everyone and everything: The judges, the opponent, the refs, the home fans. None of that got in my way to keep moving toward.

“I wish I had had more time to prepare. The three weeks’ notice I got didn’t allow me to be as sharp as I wanted or needed to be.

“I’m still here and I will be a world champion someday. I can promise you that.”

Czerkaszyn Stops Espadas in 9

Fiodor Czerkaszyan stopped Elias Espadas in round nine of a 10-round middleweight bout.

Czerkasyn beat up Esoadas throughout and even turned it up in rounds eight and nine, and the bout was stopped at 2:07.

Czerkasyn, 159.1 lbs of Warsaw, POL is 22-0 with 14 knockouts. Espadas, 158.9 lbs of Merida, MEX is 22-6.

Mielnicki Jr. Destroys Charles in 4

Vito Mielnicki Jr. took out Jose Sanchez Charles in round four of their 10-round super welterweight bout.

At the end of round three, Mielnicki dropped Charles with a long right to the head. Seconds later, it was a short, quick right that put Charles down for a second time. In round three, Mielnicki cracked Charles with a counter right to the jaw that sent him sprawlimg down to the canvas and the bout was stopped at 33 seconds.

Mielnicki, 153.1 lbs of Roseland, NJ is 15-1 with 10 knockouts. Charles, 153.6 lbs of Reynosa, MEX is 20-4-1.

Lorenzo Simpson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Pachino Hill in a middleweight bout.

In round six, Hill began to bleed from the nose.

Simpson, 161.6 lbs of Baltimore won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is 13-0. Hill, 163.3 lbs of Davenport, IA is 8-2-1.

Good looking Floyd Schofield remained undefeated with a second round destruction of Valentin Leon Jr. in a scheduled 10-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Schofield put Leon on the canvas with a straight left. In round two, Schofield dropped Leon face-first wit a perfect left at 1:51.

Schofield. 134.7 lbs of Austin, TX is 14-0 with 11 knockouts. Leon, 134 lbs of Culican, MEX is 23-2-2.

Jalil Hackett remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Jason Phillips in a scheduled four-round super welterweight bout.

In round three, Hackett dropped Phillips with a perfect left hook to the body. Seconds later, it was another left hook that ended Phillips afternoon at 2:20.

Hackett, 153.9 lbs of Washington, DC is now 6-0 with five knockouts. Phillips, 153.5 lbs of Davenport, IA is 3-4-2.

Cuttino Oliver stopped Roberto Cantu Pena in round two of a scheduled four-round bantamweight fight.

In round one, Oliver dropped Pena Twice and the fight was stopped 1:07 into round two.

Oliver, 115.6 lbs of Baltimore is now 3-0 with two knockouts. Pena of Mexico is 3-3.

Lightweight Bout (136-Pounds) – 12 Rounds

Gervonta Davis – 135.1 lbs.

Ryan Garcia – 135.5 lbs.

Referee: Thomas Taylor; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Dave Moretti (Nev.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

WBA Super Middleweight Title – 12 Rounds

David Morrell Jr. – 167.8 lbs.

Yamaguchi Falcao – 166.4 lbs.

Referee: Celestino Ruiz; Judges: Max DeLuca (N.Y.), Patricia Morse Jarman (Nev.), David Sutherland (Okla.)

Super Middleweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Gabriel Rosado – 167.3 lbs.

Bektemir Melikuziev – 167.3 lbs.

Referee: Tony Weeks; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Chris Migliore (Nev.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

Middleweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Elijah Garcia – 159.2 lbs.

Kevin Salgado – 159.3 lbs.

Referee: Robert Hoyle; Judges: Max DeLuca (N.Y.), Patricia Morse Jarman (Nev.), David Sutherland (Okla.)

SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN

Stream Live at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT

on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube Channel and the

SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page

Middleweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Fiodor Czerkaszyn – 159.1 lbs.

Elías Espadas – 158.9 lbs.

Super Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Vito Mielnicki Jr. – 153.1 lbs.

José Charles – 153.6 lbs.

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME PPV telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers round out the telecast team – Emmy^® award winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr., and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) with former world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation^® commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as the expert analyst. 

The SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN show is hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show co-host Brian Campbell, who also serves as an analyst alongside Marquez on SHOBOX, renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani and accomplished sports broadcaster Kate Abdo.

#         #         #

ABOUT DAVIS VS. GARCIA

Davis vs. Garcia will see undefeated five-time, three-division world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a long-awaited clash against hard-hitting sensation “King” Ryan Garcia taking place Saturday, April 22 headlining live on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features Cuban star and WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. battling Olympic Bronze Medalist Yamaguchi Falcao in the co-main event. The action will also see an eagerly anticipated rematch between super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev in a 10-round showdown. Kicking off the telecast will be hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia facing rugged Kevin Salgado of Mexico in a 10-round showdown.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com and goldenboypromotions.com, follow #DavisGarcia, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @GoldenBoyBoxing, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotionss and @GoldenBoy or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing, www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/ and www.Facebook.com/goldenboy/

LAS VEGAS – April 20, 2023 – Undefeated rivals and boxing superstars Gervonta “Tank” Davis and “King” Ryan Garcia went face-to-face for the first time during fight week at Thursday’s final press conference before they meet this Saturday, April 22 in a SHOWTIME PPV production from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The press conference also featured fighters competing on the pay-per-view undercard including WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. and Olympic^® Bronze Medalist Yamaguchi Falcao, who meet in the co-main event, super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev, who battle in a 10-round rematch, and hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia and Mexico’s Kevin Salgado, who duel in the pay-per-view telecast opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The event is promoted by GTD Promotions, TGB Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from KÀ Theatre at MGM Grand:

GERVONTA DAVIS

“All he talks about is that one punch. I only need one too. I touch that jaw and I’m telling you, you’re going to sleep. I’ll probably break your jaw.

“We’re here. Enough with the talking. I’m ready to get down and dirty. I’m from Baltimore city and you’ll see how we turn it come Saturday. See y’all then.

“He’s gonna feel me for sure. I am what I say I am. I’m that guy. I didn’t get all the way here for no reason. I put the work in and I got those guys out of there. He’s gonna see it come Saturday night for sure.

“Don’t forget I’m the most accurate puncher out there. Make sure you’ve been practicing on putting your hands up.

“He’s getting his ass whooped. It’s gonna be an exciting fight. I’m excited to be here. I don’t know about him, but I’m coming with some stuff for sure. 

“He doesn’t have the fundamentals at all. If Joe Goossen is that great of a trainer, he’s gotta fix his fundamentals. All he’s got is that weak hook. That’s all he’s relying on.

“He’s delusional if he thinks he’s knocking me out. That’s it.”

RYAN GARCIA

“Everything is catching up to you. Everything is coming to a halt for you on Saturday night. You’re gonna learn the hard way.

“What an honor to be here. This is a dream come true. I’m seeing my face on the big screens at MGM and this is what I’ve dreamed of since I was a little boy. I’m very happy and excited.

“I don’t have much to say really, I’m just staying focused and preparing. I know there’s a big task at hand, but I’m gonna come out victorious.

“He’s gonna find out exactly why I’m here. You don’t get to this position without having something special. Anybody can see that. We’ll just have to wait and see when I’m in there. He’ll see it when I’m in there.

“This man has never punished anyone in his life. He’s always losing in these fights. Get that out of your mind. You’re gonna get punished. You got the lowest punch output in boxing.

“This is the biggest moment in sports right now. It means a lot. The magnitude of this fight is huge. Everything is already on the line. I’m just ready to go as deep as I have to. This moment is everything to me. I’ve envisioned this for years and it’s finally here.

“I just need one shot. That left hook. I feel like I’m gonna break his jaw with that hook. I just see him lying on the floor.

“I’m ready to do what I do. I’m gonna end him, I promise that. It’s over.”

DAVID MORRELL JR.

“This is so exciting. I’m thrilled about the opportunity and I want to thank my whole team. This means a lot to me.

“I want a big name in my next fight, so this is the perfect fight and the perfect stage for me to prepare to face the best in the division.

“100% I’m trying to send a message to David Benavidez. I want him to know that I’m ready. I’ve told everyone that I’m ready for all the best fighters at 168-pounds.

“He’s got his opinion, but it’s not as easy as he says. The amateurs are different than the pros. Look at my last fight, everyone was talking about me losing, but I go in there and get knockouts.

“I’m really thankful for my support from all the Cuban fans out there. I’m ready to knock Falcao out for all of you. He’s going down in five or six rounds.

“I’m ready for what’s in front of me. I have everything I need. I’m focused and I feel great.”

YAMAGUCHI FALCAO

“I’m all about taking on the best and biggest challenges. I love this sport and I believe in myself. I know exactly what I want to do on Saturday night.

“People should know that I’m an Olympic medalist, that I’m very talented and that I’m here to make history and shock the world.

“I want to leave my imprint on the world right here in Las Vegas and let everyone know that I’ve arrived.

“I stand by my words that I’m gonna knock him out. I love Cuban boxing, but Saturday is gonna be my night. I’m a problem.”

GABRIEL ROSADO

“The rematch made sense being that I was already in camp getting ready for a big fight. This opportunity presented itself and I thought it made sense on this huge card.

“I took it personally that he thinks the knockout in our first fight was a fluke. I just want to prove him wrong.

“It’s going to be the same outcome this time. We’re going in there locked in. I had a great training camp and I feel amazing.

“The fans know that they’re gonna get my best. I’m a Philadelphia warrior. It’s not just about winning, it’s about how I win. It’s hard to top that first knockout, but I’m coming to give a great performance and I can’t wait.

“It’s been a long road for me, but I’m enjoying it and I’m having fun. You gotta have fun doing this. I just want to keep proving that I’m improving as a fighter and that I’m worthy of this stage. Come Saturday night, we’re gonna shine again.”

BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV

“I’m very thankful to be on this stage with this big opportunity on a card like this. This is the fight I’ve wanted and the fight I’ve been asking for.

“This is boxing. A mistake was made and a lesson was learned in our first fight. There won’t be any mistake made by me this time.

“I’m happy to have this opportunity. I have a great fighter in front of me. I can promise you that no matter how long this fight goes, it’s gonna be exciting and action packed.

“He can think whatever he wants. I have no problem with it. I can just promise that it’s gonna be a great fight and be action packed.

“Whatever happened in the first fight already happened, I’m going to do my talking inside of the ring.”

ELIJAH GARCIA

“The fans are going to see an explosive fight. Salgado is a great opponent, but I’m gonna push the pace and someone is gonna get knocked out. It’s gonna be fought on the inside and we’ll see what happens.

“Phoenix has always had good boxers and great talent and we’re just starting to take the big fights and become champions. I just want to become the next big name from there.

“My goal is to be champion when I’m 21 years old. If it comes sooner, then I’m ready. Right now I’m just taking it one fight at a time and building myself. I want to be a mandatory by the end of the year.

“Now I feel like I wanna knock him out. I expect to put him out before six and put on a great show for the fans.”

KEVIN SALGADO

“He can say whatever he wants up here right now. The only one that’s getting knocked out on Saturday is Elijah Garcia.

“I don’t care how young he is or how ambitious he is, I’m going to go in that ring, get the victory and be on my way.

“One thing is to talk outside the ring, he seems to like to do that. I’m going to talk inside the ring and everyone will see what I’m capable of.

CALVIN FORD, Davis’ Trainer

“Here we go again with another one. I don’t do too much talking. We do it in the ring. Be prepared Saturday night, because it’s on. In the words of my coaching partner Kenny Ellis, we’re going to put some knuckles on somebody.

“Ryan says he’s the king, but this is vicious right here. I ain’t never seen a king hold his kingdom down when you have a vicious crew come through. We are coming through. We are vicious. We aren’t just boxing. We’re doing this. Come Saturday night, be prepared. Stop playin’ with my youngin’.

“I don’t train for knockouts. I train for punishment. I want you to feel it. I’m sending the message to everyone, through you. You will see.”  

JOE GOOSSEN, Garcia’s Trainer

“I’m not going to have a war of words with anybody because the real war is going to be Saturday night between two great fighters. This is one of the most exceptional matches put together in a long time. The interest in this fight has been unbelievable.

“Ryan Garcia is one of the most uniquely talented fighters I’ve ever been involved with in a half of a century. People know me and I don’t mess around.

“I’ve never seen anybody train as hard, or focus as much as Ryan has. He has a deep faith. He has a deep faith in himself as well. I just can’t say enough great things about him. He’s going to bring something very special to the ring Saturday, I can guarantee that.”

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

“It’s happening folks. Make no mistake about it, this is a super fight. It’s one of the biggest that can be made in boxing and the best fight of 2023.

“It’s not often in today’s game that we see two young fighters, both undefeated, both in their prime, step into the ring together.

“We always hear about styles make fights and in this case, it’s never been more true. This fight will be an instant classic and an all-out war. This is going to be like Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns, and in ‘Tank’ Davis, we have Hagler.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, Boxing Promoter

“The talk is done, it’s go time this Saturday. The biggest fight in boxing.

“We believe in Tank 1000%. So when it comes to what Oscar says, he has no room to talk about anything. We carry ourself like the A-side because that’s what we are.

“It’s going to be Tank Davis by KO, like I’ve been saying, and it might be early.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions

“I truly believe that the winner of this fight will be the new king of the sport. As someone who spent most of his early life in the ring, I know firsthand what it takes to compete at the highest level. This is the highest level. I look at Ryan and I know he’s ready. I look at Ryan’s team and they know he’s ready.

“When I look at ‘Tank’s’ team’s action throughout the whole promotion, I am left to wonder, ‘Do they really think this guy is ready?’ Catchweights and rehydration clauses. Late afternoon weigh ins. All these small petty requirements point to a team looking to protect their fighter, and why would they protect their fighter, unless they don’t think he’s ready for this moment? I really believe that ‘Tank’s’ team is worried he’s going to lose. When you’re a young fighter, nothing feels worse than your team not believing in you.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President, SHOWTIME Sports

“We’re thrilled to bring you this fight in collaboration with DAZN PPV and we’re proud to once again be delivering the strongest schedule in the sport.

“SHOWTIME has delivered 14 marquee events in just the first six months of the year, and this is our ninth live boxing event in the last 11 weeks. It’s one of the hottest runs in the history of SHOWTIME BOXING^®.

“This Saturday we have one of the hottest fights of the year. Two fighters with different personalities, different fan bases, and very different styles in the ring. This is a battle of the two most popular fighters in the U.S. Both are huge draws. Both are coming off very impressive performances; ‘Tank’ Davis winning by TKO over Hector Luis Garcia, and Ryan Garcia last fought in July against former title holder Javier Fortuna.

“’Tank’ is a five-time champion in three different weight classes. He has sold out venues in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Baltimore, Brooklyn, and Washington, D.C. Three of his last six wins have been one-punch KOs and 18 of his last 19 opponents have been stopped. The combined record of his last 13 opponents is 138 wins and 12 losses.

“Ryan Garcia probably has the fastest hands in boxing. Everyone talks about Ryan’s social media following, but that’s not really the important thing. Just because he has a big social media following doesn’t mean he’s not one of the most talented boxers in the sport because he clearly is, and everyone talks about his speed. But that’s not the only thing. Ryan Garcia has knockouts in six of his last seven fights, including over Fortuna this past July.”

#         #         #

ABOUT DAVIS VS. GARCIA

Davis vs. Garcia will see undefeated five-time, three-division world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a long-awaited clash against hard-hitting sensation “King” Ryan Garcia taking place Saturday, April 22 headlining live on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features Cuban star and WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. battling Olympic Bronze Medalist Yamaguchi Falcao in the co-main event. The action will also see an eagerly anticipated rematch between super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev in a 10-round showdown. Kicking off the telecast will be hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia facing rugged Kevin Salgado of Mexico in a 10-round showdown.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com and goldenboypromotions.com, follow #DavisGarcia, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @GoldenBoyBoxing, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotionss and @GoldenBoy or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing, www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/ and www.Facebook.com/goldenboy/

LAS VEGAS – April 19, 2023 – Fighters competing on the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia undercard participated in a media workout Wednesday before their respective showdowns taking place this Saturday, April 22 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The workout included Olympic^® Bronze Medalist Yamaguchi Falcao, who meets WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell, Jr., in the co-main event, super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev, who battle in a 10-round rematch, and hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia and Mexico’s Kevin Salgado, who duel in the opener of the SHOWTIME PPV production at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Stepping into the ring Wednesday was also sensational prospect Vito Mielnicki, Jr., who faces Mexico’s Jose Charles on the SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN SHOW that will stream live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing^® Facebook page beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

The event is promoted by GTD Promotions, TGB Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from MGM Grand:

YAMAGUCHI FALCAO

“I don’t have enough words to express how happy I am. This is a title opportunity. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. I want the fans to see what type of a fighter I am.

“Training, believing in myself and my faith have been the keys to my success. I want this fight to blow the door wide open for me.

“The more I work, the more I crave it. I want to beat David Morrell, Jr., this Saturday, and then I want Canelo Alvarez whenever, wherever.

“Being an underdog motivates me so much. The fact that people like to talk motivates me even more. I love to be the underdog.” 

GABRIEL ROSADO

“We are going to bully the bully. I promise you that.

“This is the biggest fight of the year and I’m blessed to be a part of this card.

“I was moving up to 175, so I was enjoying eating steaks. I just had to cut down on the steaks now that I’m back at 168. It worked out with the weight, so now we’re just getting ready for a southpaw.

“After I got knocked down in our first fight, I had to show resilience and mental toughness, knowing that it was a 12-round fight. He caught me with a good shot in the first round and I took a knee. I said that I would bounce back in the next round and set him up. That’s what we did. We set him up in the third round with a picture-perfect shot. It was a shot that we worked on in training camp. We worked on his flaw.

“I am taking this as a challenge. I am taking it personally that he thought the first fight was a fluke. It upset me. That’s my motivation. I did it once and will do it again.

“Boxing is in my blood, it’s in my DNA. I am a fighter in life. Inside of the ring and outside of it. This is what I do.

“This is big. This is like ‘Tito’ Trinidad-Oscar De La Hoya. Ryan and ‘Tank’ are superstars. They’re the top guys in the division. For them to fight in their prime, my hat is off to both of them. I wish more guys did that. I’m a fan of both of them. I know them personally and like them both. It’s 50/50. I just want to see a great fight.”

BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV

“This is the fight I’ve been asking for. It’s on the same card as the biggest fight of the year and it’s a dream come true. I am ready.

“The loss to Rosado is what happens when you get reckless in boxing. I got reckless and paid for it. I went for the finish. This is why we are having the rematch. I am confident that I will right the wrong.

“I am exactly the same as I have always been. I’m always serious and mean inside the ring. I’m a happy and a nice person outside of the ring, but inside the ring I have one goal and that’s to get a victory.

“It’s going to be an exciting fight, a banger, a war.” 

ELIJAH GARCIA

“This is a blessing. I can’t explain the feeling. I can’t wait to get in the ring, hear that bell ring and get to work.

“I stay ready. I have the best team in the game and just go with the experience. My last fight was an opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up, just like this fight.

“I’m still learning. This is a huge card right here. I am so happy to be a part of it. I’ve never experienced anything like this before, but it is not as hard as I thought it would be so far.

“This is going to be a war. Someone is going to get knocked out. It is going to be a great fight so make sure you don’t miss it.

“Being a main event fighter is everybody’s dream. My goal is doing it even sooner than [Gervonta] Davis and [Ryan] Garcia did.”

KEVIN SALGADO

“I know that I am going up against a really strong opponent, but I also know that we can shock the world and surprise people.

“Sometimes Mexican fighters may not be the favorite, but we will show our worth. I’m leaving it all in the ring Saturday.

“I’m so excited. The whole world is going to see a Mexican warrior. I am going to put on a show and make sure the fans know who I am.

“It’s going to be a great fight. I know that Elijah [Garcia] is hungry too. We are going to give it our best. We are going to surprise everybody. I promise you that.”  

VITO MIELNICKI JR.

“This is truly just a dream come true. We came out to Las Vegas four weeks ago to finish up camp. We’re ready to put on a dominant performance on Saturday and show the fans what we’re capable of.

“Shout out to everyone who came out today. I truly appreciate it. Without you guys, none of this would be possible.

“Expect fireworks on Saturday. We’ve been improving our skills, mentally getting better, and maturing all around in the ring. We are ready to put on a great performance and dominate on Saturday night.

“This main event is definitely what boxing needs, a lot of big fights with young guys willing to put their all on the line. A lot of fighters don’t want to lose that 0.

“We knew there would be bumps in the road after I turned pro at 17. I made my mistakes on live television in front of millions of people. I’m thankful for what happened on the day that I lost. It showed me that proper preparation prevents poor performance. That’s why you’ll always see me at my best from here on out.

“I will put on a dominant performance. Expect fireworks. This guy has never been stopped before, but we’re definitely going to get him out of there.” 

#         #         #

ABOUT DAVIS VS. GARCIA

Davis vs. Garcia will see undefeated five-time, three-division world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a long-awaited clash against hard-hitting sensation “King” Ryan Garcia taking place Saturday, April 22 headlining live on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features Cuban star and WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. battling Olympic Bronze Medalist Yamaguchi Falcao in the co-main event. The action will also see an eagerly anticipated rematch between super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev in a 10-round showdown. Kicking off the telecast will be hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia facing rugged Kevin Salgado of Mexico in a 10-round showdown.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com and goldenboypromotions.com, follow #DavisGarcia, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @GoldenBoyBoxing, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotionss and @GoldenBoy or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing, www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/ and www.Facebook.com/goldenboy/

LAS VEGAS – April 18, 2023 – Undefeated superstar rivals Gervonta “Tank” Davis and “King” Ryan Garcia officially kicked off fight week events Tuesday afternoon by making their grand arrivals at MGM Grand before they go toe-to-toe this Saturday, April 22 headlining a SHOWTIME PPV production from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The event is promoted by GTD Promotions, TGB Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.

The pay-per-view telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will also feature WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. taking on Olympic^® Bronze Medalist Yamaguchi Falcao in the co-main event, a rematch between super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev, and hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia facing Mexico’s Kevin Salgado in the pay-per-view opener.

A five-time, three-division world champion who has sold out arenas from coast-to-coast, Davis expressed his excitement for Saturday’s long-awaited showdown and stated that if Garcia doesn’t come prepared, the Baltimore-native may leave the ring with an early KO.

“This means everything,” said Davis. “We are putting everything on the line. Coming from where I come from, this is big. I witnessed Floyd Mayweather, and all the top guys fight in Las Vegas. This is the top-level. I’m ready.

“My first goal was to win a belt. I never thought I would be in Las Vegas having a big fight. This is a dream come true. I won’t let my people down.

“You have to tune in. It’s something that you don’t want to miss. Hopefully he comes ready. If not, it will be an early night.”

The popular and hard-hitting Southern California-native Garcia has continuously stated his confidence throughout the lead up to the fight and re-stated his promise of an early night on Tuesday, while also showing his appreciation for reaching this point in his career.

“This is beautiful,” said Garcia. “I look around and I see all the hard work I put in. I see all the hours I put in the gym. I’m just so grateful for this moment. It isn’t even about private jets or limousines. It’s really about the fight coming together.

“I had a mission, and I had a vision to fight Gervonta Davis, and to bring the fans what they really wanted to see. I made it happen. That’s what I’m happy about more than anything in life right now.

“In the blink of an eye, it will be finished. That’s what’s going to happen. Everybody will be shocked. Nobody will have anything to say. No words will be spoken.”

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ABOUT DAVIS VS. GARCIA

Davis vs. Garcia will see undefeated five-time, three-division world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a long-awaited clash against hard-hitting sensation “King” Ryan Garcia taking place Saturday, April 22 headlining live on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features Cuban star and WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. battling Olympic Bronze Medalist Yamaguchi Falcao in the co-main event. The action will also see an eagerly anticipated rematch between super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev in a 10-round showdown. Kicking off the telecast will be hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia facing rugged Kevin Salgado of Mexico in a 10-round showdown.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com and goldenboypromotions.com, follow #DavisGarcia, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @GoldenBoyBoxing, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotionss and @GoldenBoy or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing, www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/ and www.Facebook.com/goldenboy/

LAS VEGAS – April 18, 2023 – A special Fight Week of activities is underway as undefeated superstars Gervonta “Tank” Davis and “King” Ryan Garcia officially make their Grand Arrivals to Las Vegas later today before they meet in a generational clash and instant classic on Saturday, April 22 headlining a SHOWTIME PPV production in a Premier Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

As the two crossover stars fulfill their fight week business and prepare to put their undefeated records and reputations on the line, here are some news and notes from SHOWTIME SPORTS as the network gears up for a busy weekend of combat sports that includes a BELLATOR MMA doubleheader.

WHERE TO CATCH ALL THE ACTION

The four-fight pay-per-view event kicks off at a special start time of 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is widely available for purchase and live streaming in the United States at SHOWTIME.com/ppv and via the SHOWTIME app on supported devices including Apple iOS and tvOS devices, Android Mobile, AndroidTV, Roku, Amazon FireTV, Samsung Smart TV and LG Smart TV (2019 models and newer), Xbox One, Xfinity Flex, the Cox Wireless 4K Contour Stream Player and online at SHOWTIME.com and DAZN.com. The event is also available for purchase in the U.S. via satellite and telco systems through DIRECTV^®, DISH, Sling TV and Vubiquity.  The suggested retail price is $84.95 (SRP). In Canada, viewers can purchase and access the event via traditional cable and satellite distributors (Bell, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel/TELUS, FITE.TV and DAZN.com). Liberty and Claro TV will offer the event in Puerto Rico. G&G Closed Circuit Events is the commercial distributor within the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. 

FROM THE RING TO THE CAGE

BELLATOR MMA’s annual doubleheader on the Hawaiian island of Oahu returns this weekend. On Friday, April 21, current Women’s Flyweight World Champion and U.S. Marine Liz Carmouche faces No. 4 ranked flyweight challenger DeAnna Bennett in a rematch for the title. In the evening’s co-main event, No. 6-ranked heavyweight and Minnesota National Guardsman Tim Johnson competes against Said Sowma. The following night, April 22, the BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix will conclude with current Interim Champion Raufeon Stots facing No. 2-ranked Patchy Mix in the Final. In the co-main event, the pride of Honolulu, No. 3-ranked Ilima-Lei Macfarlane looks to defend home turf against Japan’s No. 2-ranked Kana Watanabe.

Continuing the annual tradition for BELLATOR, Friday night’s event is being held in honor of America’s Military, Veterans and First-Responders, all of whom are eligible to attend the event with a guest for free entry.

NUMBERS NEVER LIE

Two episodes of the SHOWTIME original documentary series ALL ACCESS: DAVIS VS. GARCIA are available now on SHOWTIME and on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel for non-network subscribers. As an indication of the popularity and the magnitude of this event between the superstars, the episodes have racked up some of the highest viewership numbers in the history of the series. Episode One currently has 3.1 million views, while Episode Two has 2.2 million views.

ALL ACCESS ACCOLADES

ALL ACCESS was recently nominated for two Sports EMMY^® Awards. ALL ACCESS: Davis vs. Romero Epilogue was nominated for Outstanding Edited Event Coverage, while ALL ACCESS: Spence vs. Ugas was nominated for Outstanding Writing – Long Form. ALL ACCESS has now been nominated for 13 Sports EMMY Awards since it first premiered in 2012. The series has won five statuettes thus far.

The ALL ACCESS cameras will be in Las Vegas all week, filming ALL ACCESS: Davis vs. Garcia Epilogue, which will premiere Saturday, April 29. The Epilogue will spotlight the drama of fight week and provide an exclusive, first-hand account from fight night like no other show on television, revealing private moments between the fighters, their teams and loved ones.

I WANT ALL THE SMOKE!

Both fighters sat down for in-depth, candid conversations on the hit SHOWTIME Basketball podcast, ALL THE SMOKE, hosted by NBA Champions Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson.

“I really don’t think about [the success], because it’s always like, ‘Damn, I have to do something else,’” says Davis in the interview. “Before the Luis Hector Garcia fight, it’s like, I beat him and then it’s like, ‘Forget that. I have to beat Ryan Garcia next.’ It’s not really too much of a celebration. I’ll probably have a little get-together after the fight, but it’s always in the back of my mind. What’s next?”

“I’ve been envisioning this fight for so long,” Garcia tells Barnes and Jackson. “It’s always felt like a fight that was going to determine what type of greatness I was going to reach. Every fight, I knew it was just leading up to this moment.”

Click HERE to watch the episode featuring Davis. The Garcia episode will be available to watch later today on the SHOWTIME Basketball YouTube Channel.

FIGHT WEEK FESTIVITIES

The SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel will also be home to live streaming coverage of all fight week events, including today’s Grand Arrivals, open media workouts on Wednesday, the final press conference Thursday, the official weigh-in Friday, and the post-fight press conference. Brian Campbell, SHOBOX: The New Generation^® analyst and co-host of the award-winning live digital talk show MORNING KOMBAT, and renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani will serve as the hosts of the streams on Thursday and Friday. Sports broadcaster Kate Abdo, who covers UEFA Champions League for CBS Sports and is a former PBC studio host, will join Campbell and Helwani on Friday’s live stream and the trio will serve as the announce team for the SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN show on Saturday, which will include live coverage of preliminary bouts and analysis of the upcoming pay-per-view card. Rising contender Fiodor Czerkaszyn and sensational prospect Vito Mielnicki Jr. will compete in separate bouts on the COUNTDOWN show.

A STAR-STUDDED AFFAIR

SHOWTIME Basketball’s star-studded lineup of content creators including Kevin Garnett, Matt Barnes, Rachel Nichols, Paul Pierce and Stephen Jackson will be in Las Vegas contributing to fight week festivities in various capacities. Top Premier Boxing Champions fighters including Jermell and Jermall Charlo, Errol Spence Jr., Deontay Wilder, David Benavidez, Yordenis Ugas, Danny Garcia, Caleb Plant, Stephen Fulton Jr. and moreare also expected to be in attendance on fight night.

While both Davis and Garcia have remained mum on who may accompany them to the ring during their walkout on fight night, fans don’t have to wait to watch the Davis vs. Garcia official music video, available HERE, featuring a pair of big names in the music industry. The video features some of the most highlight-worthy knockouts from Davis and Garcia over the track Tokyo Drifting from popular British rock band Glass Animals and critically acclaimed rapper Denzel Curry.

CLOSED-CIRCUIT WATCH PARTY

MGM Grand Garden Arena will be the exclusive CCTV location for fans to watch Davis vs. Garcia on the Las Vegas Strip. Tickets for the closed circuit telecast are available for purchase now through AXS.com at https://www.axs.com/events/480286/davis-vs-garcia-closed-circuit-telecast-tickets?skin=grandgarden

THE A TEAM

Veteran sportscaster and “The Last Stand” podcaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME PPV telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will once again handle the blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three more Hall of Famers round out the most decorated team in boxing – ringside reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) with former world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as the expert analyst. Four-time Emmy^® Award winner David Dinkins, Jr. will executive-produce the telecast with Bob Dunphy, son of Hall of Fame boxing announcer Don Dunphy,directing.

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ABOUT DAVIS VS. GARCIA

Davis vs. Garcia will see undefeated five-time, three-division world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a long awaited clash against hard-hitting sensation “King” Ryan Garcia taking place Saturday, April 22 headlining live on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features Cuban star and WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. battling Olympic Bronze Medalist Yamaguchi Falcao in the co-main event. The action will also see an eagerly anticipated rematch between super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev in a 10-round showdown. Kicking off the telecast will be hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia facing rugged Kevin Salgado of Mexico in a 10-round showdown.

The event is promoted by GTD Promotions, TGB Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and the telecast is produced by SHOWTIME PPV.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com and goldenboypromotions.com, follow #DavisGarcia, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @GoldenBoyBoxing, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotionss and @GoldenBoy or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing, www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/ and www.Facebook.com/goldenboy/