Greg Cohen and Adam Wilcock of Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) say their fighter, former world title challenger and WBA #8-ranked Jarrod “Left Jab” Fletcher (18-2, 10 KOs), is poised to spring an upset over former IBF/WBA middleweight champion Daniel “Real Deal” Geale (30-3, 16 KOs).

In a fight that had to happen eventually, the two Australian middleweights will finally square off in a 12-round battle for the WBA’s PABA Middleweight Title, the IBF Pan Pacific Middleweight Championship and the interim WBO Asia Pacific middleweight titles on Wednesday, December 3, at the Horden Pavilion in Moore Park, Sydney and live on Main Event pay-per-view. The Australian super fight is presented by Grange Old School Boxing.

“Jarrod wanted this fight for a long time,” said Cohen. “He’s convinced he has the stuff to beat Geale and a lot of the late money on the fight is saying there are many, like us, who believe him.”

Fletcher, 30, has already held the PABA Middleweight and Australian Middleweight Championships, but has spent much of his career in the shadow of Geale and his world championship belts.

“Jarrod has always felt he was a better fighter than Geale and now he finally has the chance to prove it,” said Wilcock, GCP’s Vice President of Global Operations and President of FightCard Promotions. “He’s trained harder than I’ve ever seen him in preparation. This will be the best version of Jarrod Fletcher ever seen. He’s very pumped up for this.”

Fletcher and Geale will also be competing for elevated positions in the WBA, IBF & WBO rankings and an eventual chance at vying for a world title.

“Our fighter will be in a terrific position for another try at a world championship after this fight,” continued Cohen. “There is tremendous significance, both on the Australian boxing scene and internationally and Jarrod is well aware of it. He’s ready to pull off the upset and finally become known as Australia’s best middleweight.”

###

About Greg Cohen Promotions

One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen made headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman (50-8-2, 41 KOs); and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney (74-7-3, 45 KOs).

Current world-rated contenders in the GCP roster include Arash Usmanee, universally recognized as a top-10 super featherweight; former WBA International Middleweight Champion and world-rated middleweight contender Jarrod Fletcher; top-rated featherweight Joel Brunker; Freddie Roach-trained heavyweight Lateef Kayode; Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis, currently rated #12 in the WBA; Top 15 IBF and WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Rising Undefeated Welterweight sensation Cecil McCalla.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

NEW YORK (Aug. 13, 2014) – One week after Daniel Jacobs became the first cancer survivor to capture a boxing world title when he knocked out Jarrod Fletcher at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. on SHOWTIME®, the new WBA Middleweight World Champion will return to the network this Saturday, Aug. 16, as a guest analyst for the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT) from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Jacobs will join host Brian Kenny, blow-by-blow announcer Mauro Ranallo, Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and reporter Jim Gray to call a three-fight telecast headlined by a potentially explosive, high-stakes welterweight showdown between undefeated IBF Welterweight World Champion Shawn Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs), of Akron, Ohio and fellow unbeaten British star Kell Brook (32-0, 22 KOs), of Sheffield, England.

“How cool is that? Fighting one week on one coast on SHOWTIME and then announcing the fights the very next week on SHOWTIME from the other coast,’’ said Brooklyn’s Jacobs, who will fill in for two-time former world champion Paulie Malignaggi, who will sit out this week with a family obligation. “I love this. I think announcing fits me. To be able to do something like this, to be in this position, is very important to me. Other fighters have done it as well, of course, but for me to be able to follow in their footsteps is an honor. It shows that we can not only announce fights, but we can be good at it.’’

In the two other world championship fights on SHOWTIME, WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (32-5-3, 21 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, will risk his 168-pound belt against unbeaten Anthony “The Dog’’ Dirrell (26-0-1, 22 KOs), of Flint, Mich., in a rematch of their wildly exciting and controversial 12-round split draw last Dec. 7, and undefeated Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. (23-0-1, 17 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, will defend his WBC Lightweight World Championship against mandatory challenger Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (32-2-1, 24 KOs), of Mexico City, Mex.

Jacobs will do his best to be impartial, but you know he’ll be rooting for the 29-year-old Dirrell, a fellow cancer survivor determined to attain a world title in his second attempt.

“I’ve known Anthony since the amateurs,’’ Jacobs, 27, said. “We’ve been friends since we were 16 or 17 years old. He had the battle first [with cancer], mine was after.’’

Anthony was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Dec. 2006 and didn’t return to the ring until Oct. 2008. Jacobs was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that caused partial paralysis in his legs in May 2011. Miraculously, he was back fighting in Oct. 2012.

“When I had my very first charity fundraiser party Anthony attended,’’ Jacobs said. “Afterward, we both discussed it and decided that we should do this together, to inspire each other, to inspire others, especially after coming back the way we did to be in the positions that we are.

“This, for me, what Anthony and I have, is absolutely like a brotherhood, a fraternity between two guys who happen to be in the same tough sport as boxing. What we have set out to accomplish is bigger than boxing, bigger than me or him. This is for the world; to be an inspiration for people to give them hope. That’s what it’s about, just helping to lead the way to give people hope.’’

Not surprisingly Dirrell was one of the first of many to congratulate Jacobs shortly after his titanic triumph last Saturday. “We didn’t talk verbally but he contacted me, I think on Instagram or Facebook,’’ Jacobs said. “He said that I was an inspiration to him and that he was going to continue to keep the movement going once he gets the opportunity on Saturday.’’

During the post-fight conversation, Daniel also wished the best for Dirrell against Bika. “I definitely reached out and told him I would support him,’’ Jacobs (27-1, 20 KOs) said. “I wanted to let him know I was by his side and that I was planning on attending the fights on Aug. 16.

“I just didn’t know at the time when we were talking that I’d be calling them, too.’’

# # #

Porter vs. Brook is a 12-round fight for Porter’s IBF Welterweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, the WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Sakio Bika defends his belt in a rematch against Anthony Dirrell, and in the televised opener, Omar Figueroa defends his WBC Lightweight World Championship against Daniel Estrada. The event will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (SHOWTIME 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are on sale
now and are available online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at StubHub
Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by
calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 877-234-
8425.

Follow all the action as unified Jr. Welterweight champion Danny Garcia takes on Rod Salka in a Welterweight bout live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The action gets underwy at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT with 2 world title bouts as Daniel Jacobs and Jarrod Fletcher vie for the vacant WBA Middleweight title while Lamont Peterson defends the IBF Jr. Welterweight championship against tough New Yorker Edgar Santana

12 ROUNDS–SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS–DANNY GARCIA (28-0, 16 KO’S) VS ROD SALKA (19-3, 3 KO’S)

Round 1 Garcia lands body shot.Right to the body..double body..hard left hook…10-9 Garcia

Round 2 HARD RIGHT ROCKS SALKA…HE BUCKLES AND GOES DOWN….2 body shots…2 hard left hooks..3 more RIGHTS AND DOWN GOES SALKA..DEVISTATING LEFT AND SALKA IS KNOCKED OUT

12 ROUNDS-WBA MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE–DANIEL JACOBS (27-1, 24 KO’S) VS JARROD FLETCHER (18-1, 10 KO’S)

Round 1 Jacobs Battering Fletcher all over the ring. Fletcher hurt but doesnt go down 10-9 Jacobs

Round 2 Jacobs lands a right…jab...20-18 Jacobs

Round 3 Fletcher lands a body shot..right on ropes..Left from Jacobs…29-28 Jacobs

Round 4 Hard left from Jacobs…Right rocks Fletcher…3 punch combo…left..39-37 Jacobs

Round 5 3 good rights from Fletcher..Big right and combo from Jacobs..Hard right rocks Fletcher…JACOBS ALL OVER FLETCHER LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES FLETCHER AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

12 ROUNDS–IBF JR. WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP–LAMONT PETERSON (32-2-1, 16 KO’S) VS EDGAR SANTANA (29-4, 20 KO’S)

1-3…Lots of Holding not much action

Round 4 Santana trying to land to the body. Peterson lands later in the round.

Round 5 Hard left hook buckles Santana. Peterson landing continously on he ropes. Peterson ripping shots in middle of ring

Round 6 Left to body from Peterson…Body…body/head combo

Round 7 Santana lands a left…right…body..trading rights..Peterson left inside…body/head…
left to head..
Round 8 Peterson lands a left to the body…Body/head combo..Left to head…left to body…

Round 9 Tradong jabs…Good right from Peterson..Hard 8 punch combination.good left hook

Round 10 PeTERSON BATTERING SANTANA AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

BROOKLYN–Unified Super Lightweight champion Danny Garcia did what he was supposed to do. That was destroy Rod Salka in 2 rounds at Barclay Center in a non-title bout.

After a 1st round that saw Garcia work the body, He came out in round two with full vengeance. He landed a boomimg right hand that buckled and ultimately dropped Salka. Salka get to his feet only to be dropped a 2nd time from a 3 more hard rights. Garcia continued to batter Salka until he landed a flush left hook that sent Salka down and out just as his corner threw in the towel at 2:38 round two.

Garcia, 141.75 lbs of Philadelphia is now 29-0 with 17 knockouts. Salka, 141 lbs of Bunola, PA is now 19-4.

“I came here to purge. I told everybody tonight was going to be the ‘Danny Garcia Show.’ No matter who I fought tonight, they were going to get beat. I was going to purge. I was out to kill.

“I didn’t think this was going to be an easy fight. I thought he’d try to box me. But it is not about the opponent. When I am at my best I can beat anybody and I already proved that.”

On a potential matchup with Lamont Peterson…“I leave it up to Al Haymon, but if he [Peterson] wants it. I’ll give it to him. I show up fight night and sometimes I have good nights or bad nights, but I always find a way to win.

After the fight Salka said, “I’m good. It wasn’t a tougher fight than I expected. I got caught with a shot. What am I going to do?”

Lamont Peterson defended the IBF Jr. Welterweight title with a 10th round stoppage over Edgar Santana.

Not much happened in round’s one through three. The action picked up in round four as Santana landed a couple of hooks. Peterson came back in the 5th by landed a hard left that buckled Santana. He landed many more flush punches on the ropes but Santana took them. Peterson continued to land ripping shots in the middle of the ring but Santana stood sturdy.

The continued to battle on the inside. Santana had a few moments landing his body shots but Peterson landed more and harder and would mix body/head combinations as well as uppercuts.

In round ten, Peterson started to ramp up the attack and finally after a series of shots, Santana’s corner waved off the bout at 48 seconds of round 10.

Peterson, 140 lbs of Washington, DC is now 33-2-1 with 17 knockouts. Santana. 139.5 lbs of New York is now 29-5.

“I was able to show a lot of dimensions of my game,” said 30-year-old Peterson. “I was boxing well. I fought on the inside well. I actually think I should have gotten him out of there sooner but I give myself an okay grade.

“I think it was [round] four or five. I hurt him. I didn’t finish him. I don’t know why I didn’t but I knew I hurt him –and it was over– it was just a matter of time. I just had to get the right spot, push on the gas and go forward.”

On a potential fight with Danny Garcia…“This is the fight all the fans and the media want. I’m willing to do it. Again, I’m going to say this: ‘I’m willing to do it.’ Hopefully it gets done…It makes more sense to do it at 140 but if it has to happen at 147 I have no problem.”

On his feelings during his brother’s fight…”He [Anthony] did me a favor tonight…I had to fight but that’s my brother. I was a little nervous when he was in there. Good thing is he got him out of there in the first round so I didn’t have to worry about him for too long.”

“He came in with a good game plan. He’s tougher than I expected. His style frustrated me,” said Santana.

Daniel Jacobs won the WBA Middleweight title with a 5th round stoppage of Australian Jarrod Fletcher.

It was almost over in round as Jacobs landed a left and rocked Fletcher for most of the first frame. Fletcher came back to have a nice round three.

Fletcher was having a good round five with his right hand until he ate a hard combination that sent him reeling. Jacobs jumped on Fletcher and landed a big left hook that sent Fletcher sprawling into the ropes and on to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 2:58 of round five.

Jacobs, 159 1/2 lbs of Brooklyn is now 28-1 with 25 knockouts. Fletcher, 159.25 lbs of Queensland, Australia is now 18-2.

Jim Gray asked Jacobs if he even thought about boxing when he was on his deathbed. “My son, my baby boy, was my first priority. But getting back into the ring was my second motivation. Boxing taught me to have the mental strength to overcome anything. And that’s what I did.”

“My advice [to others fighting cancer] is to be strong. But even if you can’t beat it, be happy. Be grateful that we even have this life.

“I wanted to pace myself. I didn’t want to punch myself out. I respected him. But I didn’t see any way that he could defeat me. I was sitting down on my punches and throwing in bunches. He was a tough customer. I hope he’s okay.

“I want to fight Peter Quillin in Brooklyn right here at the Barclays Center. The Brooklyn fans deserve it and it’s going to happen soon hopefully.

After the bout, Fletcher told Gray, “I’m good. I got caught with the shot. That’s boxing. I’m going to go back to the drawing board. He’s a good fighter. I’m disappointed in my performance. It is what it is.”

Sadam Ali survived an anxious moment but remained undefeated by pounding out a 10-round split decision over Jeremy Bryan in a Welterweight battle

Bryan rocked Ali in round four to the point where he buckled and almost went down. It was at the end of the round so he could not capitalize on it. Ali came back in round five by hurting Bryan with an over hand right that had Bryan holding on. In round nine, Ali dropped Bryan with a hard over hand right.

Ali, 146.6 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 96-93 twice while Bryan won a card 96-93 and is now 20-0. Bryan, 145.4 lbs of Paterson, NJ is now 17-4,

Ali said, “I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I never underestimated him. I just wanted to feel strong in the ring. My legs were kind of not there, but I was good mentally. I just have to work around it.

“I just didn’t feel myself. This all falls back on my performance. I just happened to get the decision and I’m ready to go back to the gym and work on a few things. Whatever Golden Boy has planned for me is what I’m going to do.

“[The fans are] my motivation. That’s what gives me the power. I just want to perform better next time. You’ll see a better Sadam Ali.”

Zachary Ochroa fought a tough fight but won a 6-round unanimous decision over Luis Cervantes in a Super Lightweight fights.

Both guys gace as good as they got in spots as Cervantes tried to rough up Ochoa in the corner but Ochoa was able to use his boxing ability to win by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55.

Ochoa, 140 lbs of Brooklyn is now 8-0. Cervantes, 139.6 lbs of Palm Springs, CA is now 7-8-3.

“I knew he was going to come out tough, he’s a veteran so as soon as I got in there I took my time,” said Ochoa. “My legs cramped up a little bit but hey, I’m at Barclays Center let me give everybody a show. I dug down and I fought my heart out.

“I just have to go to the gym and keep working at my craft. I’m only 21 and I’m still learning.”

Former Lightweight title challenger Anthony Peterson destroyed Edgar Riovalle in round one of their scheduled 10-round bout.

Peterson floored Riovalle with a hard right to the chin and the fight was stopped at 2:41 of round one.

Peterson, 137 lbs of Washington, DC is now 34-1 with 22 knockouts. Riovalle, 144.4 lbs of Mexico City, MX is now 37-19-2.

“Tonight was a demonstration of the rust being taken off,” said A. Peterson. “I just caught him with a good shot. It’s boxing. It could have been me. Sometimes it’s the calculation of punches. You can misjudge a punch. He just got caught.”

2012 U.S Olympian Marcus Browne needed just 28 seconds to dispose of Paul Vazquez in their scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Browne landed a flurry of punches and the bout was stopped just as a body shot put Vazquez on the canvas.

Browne, 176.4 lbs of Staten Island, NY is now 12-0 with knockouts. Vazquez, 174.2 lbs of Oakland, CA is now 10-6-1.

“We knew he wasn’t supposed to be in the ring with me so we took care of him and handled our business. I caught him with a straight left and then he crumbled. I’m happy with my performance. You see me smiling don’t you?”

Prichard Colon scored a 6-round shutout in his Jr. Middleweight bout with Lenwood Dozier.

Scores were 60-54 on all cards for Colon, 150 lbs of Orocovis, PR and is now 11-0. Dozier, 154.2 lbs of Washington, DC is now 9-7-1.

““I wasn’t looking to just continue getting knockouts. Most importantly we just wanted to win. I learned to be patient. I’m not afraid to go the distance. I’m young with a lot of learn.

D’Mitrius Ballard scored a 1st round stoppage over Barry Trotter in a scheduled 6-round Super Middleweight bout.

Ballard landed a huge flurry in the corner and the bout was stopped at 2:35.

Ballard, 169 lbs of Temple Hills, MD is now 6-0 with 5 knockouts. Tritter, 168.4 lbs of Columbia, MD is now 2-2.

“I got him out of there,” said D’mitrius Ballard, “There are a couple of things that I need to work on but I am prepared for anything and I will be back on Monday.”

Danny Garcia 141 3/4 – Rod Salka 141
Lamont Peterson 140 – Edgar Santana 139.5
(IBF Jr. Welterweight title)
Daniel Jacobs 159 1/2 – Jarrod Fletcher 159 1/4
(WBA Middleweight championship)

BROOKLYN (Aug. 6, 2014) – Fight week is heating up as Danny “Swift” Garcia, “Lightning” Rod Salka, Lamont Peterson, Edgar “El Camacho” Santana, Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs, Jarrod “Left Jab” Fletcher and undercard fighters hosted a media workout at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, N.Y., today as they prepare for their bouts this Saturday, Aug. 9 at Barclays Center live on SHOWTIME®.

The fighters put on their gear and showed off their skills in the ring after speaking to the assembled media members at Gleason’s Gym. Here is what the participants had to say:

DANNY GARCIA, Unified Super Lightweight World Champion

“It feels great to be here. I love the atmosphere in Brooklyn and I can’t wait for Saturday night. I’m calling it the ‘Danny Garcia Show.’ Team Garcia is going to ‘purge’ Barclays Center.

“I’m 100 percent focused this time. My weight is good and I’m going to do what I’m supposed to do.

“I don’t know why Salka is being underestimated by fans. At the end of the day the fans can think what they want to think, but I know what I bring to the table. I bring excitement. I bring fun and I’m going to get the job done.

“Salka is going to give it his all, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for him to fight one of the young stars in boxing. He has nothing to lose. I’m going to have to hunt him down and rip the body, but I’m prepared for anything.

“I’ve been facing top competitors for a long time, but sometimes you get a little over your head. I didn’t prepare myself as well as I should have mentally in Puerto Rico. All the people in Puerto Rico were great, but it was a little hard to stay focused. Every fight can’t be easy.

“Puerto Rico was a great experience, but I’m happy to be fighting near my home. I love fighting here. There’s something about this atmosphere here that motivates me. They support not only the Puerto Ricans but I have all kinds of crowds behind me at Barclays Center.”

ROD SALKA, Super Lightweight Contender

“I’d have laughed with you if you told me six months ago I’d have this fight. But a lot of things happen over time in boxing and that’s one of the beautiful things about it. You win some fights and catch a couple breaks and the opportunities open up.

“My style is going to be the same against Danny as it always is. I am what I am. He’s going to be the bigger guy but that doesn’t make any difference to me. I’m going to do what I do and he’s going to have to adjust to that.

“I never listen to the outside noise. If confidence is a problem for you at this level, you’re not going to make it very far. I block all of that out and live in the moment and further my career.

“I’m going to beat the best 140-pounder in the world Saturday night, no doubt about it.

“You can’t be any more motivated than I am for this fight. I know I’m deserving of this shot and we’ll see what happens when we’re in the ring.

“I don’t think Garcia is underestimating me. I don’t think he would anyway, but especially after the (Mauricio) Herrera fight he even more feels like he has something to prove. I think I’m going to get the best Danny Garcia we’ve seen in a long time.

“I’ll watch all of my fights one hundred times because I can control what I’m doing right all the time, but he can change it up from last time. So I can’t put too much stock into his last fight.

“I’m going to shock the world by winning, winning decisively and proving that I belong. Not just for one night but that I belong for a very long time.”

LAMONT PETERSON, IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion

“I feel good right now, I just want to build on my last victory and keep going forward trying to improve every time out.

“I’m really excited to be fighting in New York and Barclays Center is a beautiful venue. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to make my mark there.

“Santana is an experienced fighter, he’s been doing it even longer than me and if he’s still in the game it means he’s doing something right. He’s a typical fighter and he can bang. I expect a good fight.

“There are ups and downs in the sport. The last loss was tough but I don’t get too down. Everything changed the last fight and hopefully we can build on that. I want to give the fans the fight they want to see.

“I just like doing things the right way. I’m an all-in type of person. If I do something I want to do it the right way all the way through.

“I treat every opponent the same way because I don’t listen to the media. Whether they say I’m going to win or going to lose, either way I have to go out there and prove what I can do. I listen to the coach and stick to the game plan and go from there.”

EDGAR SANTANA, Junior Welterweight Contender

“Right now I’m feeling great. All of the hard work is done. Right now it’s time to let the body recover and wait until it pays off on Saturday night.

“I know Peterson is good. He’s a champion. He likes to fight and he lets his pride take over.

“All I have to do is let my hands go. I’m in shape and I just have to make it a fight.”

DANIEL JACOBS, Middleweight Contender

“Being at home doesn’t give me motivation to go for a knockout, just to get the victory. We’ve had a long hard training camp (in the Poconos) and I’m just looking forward to displaying my skills. If I do get him hurt. I will get him out of there.

“Given that his name is ‘Left Jab’ Fletcher that’s probably his marquee attribute. I’m going to try to stabilize that as best I can to get the victory.

“Young fighters should have the opportunity like I have doing commentary for SHOWTIME, so that they could do something like this in the future. They’ve had me on several times and I look forward to doing it in the near future.

“You can expect bigger and better things after this fight. God-willing I’ll be the first cancer survivor to be a world champion and I’m looking forward to being the best that I can be.”

JARROD FLETCHER, Middleweight Contender

“It’s going to be a tough fight, he’s heavily favored so I know I have to win the fight clearly. Danny is a good boxer and he has the full package. We’ve prepared well and we think we’re ready for him.

“Every boxer has weaknesses. I’ve done everything in my preparation to work on those things. I expect him to come out hard, but who knows? No one knows what is going to happen but I know I’m ready.

“I’m hoping this will be the start of big things. This has been a dream of mine since I started fighting at the age of 10. This is what it all comes down to.”

SADAM ALI, Undefeated Welterweight & 2008 U.S. Olympian

“I’m ready to perform at Barclays Center. I’m not overlooking anybody and I’m prepared for the challenge. I do feel safe at Barclays Center. It’s my home, I get a lot of support there and it’s very important to me.

“I’m going to make the statement that I’m ready for the next level. I want to take that next step, I’m excited for it.

“There are a few things that (Jeremy) Bryan does that I’m working on. I’m working on adding more speed and power plus using my body a little more. It’s a big fight and I’m here to win.”

ANTHONY PETERSON, Lightweight Contender

“As a fighter, I’ve gotten more patient and I have a better grip of my emotions now. You can have all of the tools but if you don’t have the emotions to hold everything together, what good are you?

“Being around boxing for 20 years, there’s a comfort level you reach. There’s nothing the boxing ring can show me.

“It doesn’t matter that I don’t know much about my opponent, it just matters that I know the game. He’s not going to be 10 feet tall and 1,300 pounds. He’s going to be my size, he’s got a heartbeat so we got a fight.

“It’s easy to make adjustments because I have better speed and I’m younger and fresher. I’ve got a great coach, so if I’m falling off I know he’s going to be there to tell me what I’m missing. Now it’s just getting ready for Saturday night.”

ZACHARY OCHOA, Undefeated Super Lightweight Prospect

“You can expect to see me doing what I have to do to get the win and putting on a show for everyone who comes out to support me at Barclays Center. It’s going to be a beautiful evening.

“I know (Luis) Cervantes has 17 fights, he’s a tough guy with more fights than me. I’m going to take my time and do my thing.

“If I see the opportunity to take him out with a knockout I will, but if it doesn’t come I’ll box and get the win.”

MARCUS BROWNE, Undefeated Light Heavyweight & 2012 U.S. Olympian

“I’m sharp as a razor blade, it’s been a great camp and we’ve gotten lots of great rounds in with Edwin Rodriguez.

“All I know about (Paul) Vazquez is he’s a man, he’s a righty and he’s coming to take my ‘O’.

“I’m going to go in there to have some fun. If the knockout comes, it comes.”

# # #

“GARCIA VS. SALKA,” a 10-round welterweight bout on Saturday, August 9,

is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Dibella Entertainment, IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Lamont Peterson puts his title on the line against Edgar Santana in a 12-round championship bout. Opening the telecast, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, Brooklyn’s own Daniel Jacobs takes on Jarrod Fletcher for the vacant WBA Middleweight World Title. The event will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., will air live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Live preliminary fights on SHOWTIME EXTREME begin at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and feature Sadam Ali defending his WBO NABO Intercontinental Welterweight Championship against Jeremy Bryan. Also featured will be a 10-round lightweight bout between Anthony Peterson and an opponent to be named plus undefeated super lightweight Zachary Ochoa taking on Luis Cervantes in a swing bout.

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges

are on sale now at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster

locations, by calling 800-745-3000 and at the American Express Box Office. For group

tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

BROOKLYN (July 31, 2014) – Rod Salka, Edgar Santana and Jarrod Fletcher are all, understandably, being referred to as underdogs heading into their respective fights Saturday, Aug. 9 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. But the overlooked fighters are all relishing in their opportunity to pull off the upset and shock the world, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®.

In the main event on SHOWTIME, Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia will face the hungry “Lightning” Rod Salka in a 10-round welterweight bout. In the co-feature, IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Lamont Peterson will risk his title against veteran contender Edgar Santana in a 12-round match. In the opening fight of the telecast, Brooklyn’s own Daniel Jacobs will take on once-beaten Australian Jarrod Fletcher for the vacant WBA Middleweight World Title.

Will these dogs have any bite? Check out SHOWTIME boxing expert Steve Farhood’s list of top 10 underdogs who pulled off extraordinary upsets and read what each aforementioned fighter has to say as they head into the biggest fights of their careers:

Buster Douglas KO 10 Mike Tyson, February 11, 1990, Tokyo (Wins WBA, WBC, IBF Heavyweight Titles) – Tyson is 37-0, Douglas is a 42-1 underdog in at least one Las Vegas sports book; not even Nostradamus saw this coming.
Evander Holyfield KO 11 Mike Tyson, November 9, 1996, Las Vegas (Wins WBA Heavyweight Title) – Tyson opens as 24-1 favorite; not first or last time “Real Deal” is overlooked.
Randy Turpin W 15 Sugar Ray Robinson, July 10, 1951, London (Wins world middleweight title) – Robinson went in with a ridiculous record of 128-1-2, and hasn’t lost since 1943.
Frankie Randall W 12 Julio Cesar Chavez, January 29, 1994, Las Vegas (Wins WBC Super Lightweight Title) – “J.C. Superstar,” 89-0-1, suffers first knockdown and first loss in same bout.
Hasim Rahman KO 5 Lennox Lewis, April 22, 2001, Gauteng, South Africa (Wins WBC & IBF Heavyweight Titles) – Rahman does it with one legendary punch vs. ill-prepared Lewis.
Billy Backus KO 4 Jose Napoles, December 3, 1970, Syracuse, NY (Wins world welterweight title) – New York Times lists local challenger, who has 10 losses, as 9-1 underdog; aging Napoles stopped on cuts.
Leon Spinks W 15 Muhammad Ali, February 15, 1978, Las Vegas (Wins world heavyweight title) – Almost beyond belief: In only ninth pro bout, Olympic gold medalist Spinks shocks “The Greatest.”
Corrie Sanders KO 2 Wladimir Klitschko, March 8, 2003, Niedersachsen, Germany (Wins WBO Heavyweight Title) – Southpaw from South Africa crushes Wlad with huge left hands.
(tie) Cassius Clay KO 7 Sonny Liston, February 25, 1964, Miami (Wins world heavyweight title)
Muhammad Ali KO 8 George Foreman, October 30, 1974, Kinshasa, Zaire (Regains world heavyweight title) – Ali is at least 7-1 underdog in both bouts; his handlers, in fear of his fate vs. Big George, had reportedly mapped out route from stadium to hospital.
Kirkland Laing W 10 Roberto Duran, September 4, 1982, Detroit (junior middleweight bout) – A 7-1 underdog, the UK’s Laing surprises Duran, 74-3 at the time.

ROD SALKA:
“I’ve been an underdog the entire time I’ve been a professional. I’d have to be living under a rock to not think I’m an underdog. But this is just another fight that I have to win. I know I’m the underdog, but I’ve never looked at it that way. I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder. And I stuck around because people told me I couldn’t succeed.

“I don’t want to look back when I’m 60 or 70-years-old and have any regrets or know I didn’t give it my all. This could be my only opportunity like this and I can’t let it slip away.

“If I needed anything to motivate me it would have been six years ago when I was promoting my own four-round fights, when I was fighting in local shows trying to draw my own fans. Each fight now is its own motivator; each one is the biggest fight of my life.

“Critics would say, ‘He’ll never be more than a four-round fighter, he’ll never be a contender, he’ll never beat anyone good.’ Then I fought on SHOWTIME and I beat Alexei Collado. Now they say, ‘He doesn’t stand a chance against Danny Garcia.’ They were wrong before and they are wrong again.”

EDGAR SANTANA:
“People see me as the underdog, the guy without a chance, which I don’t mind. We are all underdogs in one way or another. It’s up to me to change that, and the only way to do that is beat Lamont Peterson.

“People have been underestimating me my whole life. It has definitely motivated me.

“When people say you can’t win, you can’t beat him, you don’t deserve a shot, and it’s alright. My focus is on working hard. I have to perform that night and to show everyone what I’m capable of doing. I don’t care what people say. People will still talk trash about me after I knock him out. But that’s not my problem. All I know is they made a big mistake in choosing me as an opponent.

“This would instantly change everything for me. You’re talking about a fighter who many people have forgotten about. But I’m back, I think I’ve paid my dues, I’ve worked hard, I’ve sacrificed a lot. This is meant to be. I truly believe that this is meant to be.

“For some reason, I just have that feeling inside, I can almost taste it. This is my time. I’m here for a reason and I’m going to take advantage of this. It’s happening for a reason and I’m going to leave it all on the line.

“This shot makes everything I’ve been through in my career and personal life worth it. I’ve been around, ups and downs, but I still kept pushing. I was very optimistic throughout my career. I always told myself that if I kept pushing myself that my time would come. And that time is finally here.”

JARROD FLETCHER:
“I like having the underdog role. I’ve been the massive dog before -no one thought I would win against Max Bursak earlier this year in Monaco – and it’s the same here in his (Jacobs’) own back yard. I look forward to the opportunity. It doesn’t get any bigger than this.

“The fans in the U.S. might not know who I am, but I’m just focused on my preparation. People can think what they want. I’ve come here to win. I didn’t travel all the way here and spend months in the gym just to get a paycheck. I’m not just an opponent. I came here to take that title back to my fans in Australia.

“It would be life changer. Winning the title would make life a lot easier with the young kids, my wife and family. It would financially set me up and put me up top. Everything would come easier. Winning a world title has been a dream of mine since I was a kid and it will come true next week.

“Once that bell goes it doesn’t matter who the favored fighter is, or what city or arena we are fighting in. It could be in a phone box in Australia and it wouldn’t matter to me. We’ve already put in all the hard work. All those guys cheering against me just make me hungrier.

“I’m just going to let my fists do the talking in the ring. I’ve had a great preparation. This has been a dream of mine and it’s about to come true. This is going to be the start of something big for me.”

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ABOUT “GARCIA VS. SALKA”:
Garcia vs. Salka, a 10-round welterweight bout on Saturday, August 9, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Dibella Entertainment, IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Lamont Peterson puts his title on the line against Edgar Santana in a 12-round championship bout. Opening the telecast, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, Brooklyn’s own Daniel Jacobs takes on Jarrod Fletcher for the vacant WBA Middleweight World Title. The event will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, will air live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).
Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800-745-3000 and at the American Express Box Office. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.