OAKLAND, CA (March 23, 2015) – On Wednesday, March 23, Roc Nation Sports hosted the final press conference for Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) and number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) at Lake Merritt Amphitheater in Oakland, California in advance of their March 26 fight at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Ward and Barrera will meet in 12-round IBF number one position and mandatory position eliminator bout televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. NABF Featherweight Champion Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr. (19-0, 11 KOs) and top-rated featherweight contender Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez (23-1-1, 16 KOs) were also in attendance on the press conference dais overlooking Lake Merritt ahead of their 10-round NABF Featherweight title fight which will open up the HBO telecast.

Ward vs. Barrera is shaping up to be a highly contested battle between two fighters who both have their sights set on a match-up against Unified Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey Kovalev.

Below is what the fighters, promoters, trainers, managers and other dais guests had to say at the press conference:

ANDRE WARD, Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter:

“I want to thank everyone for coming out as usual. The Bay Area is a beautiful place. We don’t often get enough credit for the talent that comes out of here, but for the fan base, it’s tremendous. I’m just thankful for being from a place like this and thankful to have the love and support at every event that we bring here. I’m thankful that myself and guys like Marshawn Lynch, Damian Lillard and the Warriors put this place on the map and people are taking notice on the national stage. That is really important to me.

“As far as the fight itself, it’s very simple to me…anybody who knows me, they know how I work and they know how I tick. I don’t get caught up in what’s next. I don’t get caught up in what people are saying. I’m aware of what is being said. I know what my opponent has been saying and I take him at his word. I’ve done everything that I’m supposed to do, like I always do and like I’ve done the last 10 years of my career. I’ve taken on the best… if it’s not another champion then it’s a top contender… and this is no different. You guys just know that I’m focused and locked in like I always am. I’m prepared and I’m ready for war come March 26.”

SULLIVAN BARRERA, Number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender:

“I wanted to say thank you for coming here. I want to say thank you HBO, thank you everyone. Thank you Andre Ward for accepting my fight. I promise everyone who comes to the arena that I have had great preparation and this is a great dream. On that night, I’ll have a great show for everyone.”

DAVID ITSKOWITCH, COO Boxing – Roc Nation Sports:

“Two of the top light heavyweights on the planet will collide on March 26. They have a combined record of 45-0 with 27 KOs and needless to say, neither has tasted defeat as a professional. While each man has a formidable opponent in front of him, they both have their eyes on Sergey Kovalev and his three world title belts, but first they have business to attend to on Saturday night.

“Whenever I come out to Oakland for an event and I’m with Andre at a function where he’s speaking to the media, it strikes me that obviously, he is a special talent athletically, but he’s also a special person and I hope everyone here in Oakland understands and appreciates that. He’s a principled family man who always tries to do the right thing and that is something that is rare in life these days, but it is especially rare in sports. I hope you guys appreciate him. Boxing careers don’t last forever. He’s not going to be fighting forever, so everyone should appreciate what you have here in Andre Ward.

“Andre captured a gold medal at the Athens Olympics and is the last U.S. boxer to have done so. His list of vanquished foes reads like a who’s who of the super middleweight division. He also dominated and knocked out former light heavyweight world champion, Chad Dawson in their 2012 showdown. In his last fight, he dominated two-time world title challenger Paul Smith on June 20 at Oracle Arena. He embarks on the next chapter of his career on March 26, returning to Oracle Arena once again, as he makes his move up to the light heavyweight division ready to do what he did in the super middleweight division…cleaning it out and dominating everyone that stands in his way.”

NICOLE DUVA, Vice President of Marketing and General Counsel – Main Events:

“I would really like to thank Andre Ward. He didn’t have to take on an undefeated fighter in his first fight at light heavyweight, but he did it and I think that is commendable.

“In his last fight, Sullivan became the mandatory contender for Sergey Kovalev’s IBF belt. He could have sat back and waited for his title fight, but instead he saw this fight against Andre Ward as an opportunity to really reach for greatness and he did that. As you all know, Main Events and Roc Nation Sports have big plans for Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev later this year and Sullivan Barrera can really upset that apple cart.

“Both of these men, Sullivan and Andre, have everything riding on the outcome of Saturday’s fight. In the climate that we have in boxing right now, it’s refreshing to see real warriors who aren’t afraid to take risks. They both deserve our respect and admiration for that. This is what our sport should be about.

“Sullivan Barrera is undefeated with a record of 17-0 with 12 wins coming by way of knockout. He just turned 34, a month ago, which you might think is a little old for this point in his career. What you might not know is that he had a successful amateur career in Cuba and then lost several years of his prime while he was defecting to the United States. He’s come a really long way to be here today for this moment and this opportunity. He is hungry, he is confident and he is ready.”

VIRGIL HUNTER, Andre Ward’s trainer:

“This is a fantastic card with fantastic athletes who are trying to make their way in the world of boxing. If this fight was taking place in any other city, it would be a huge event. What we want to do is make sure that Oakland understands, and that the surrounding Bay Area understands, the magnitude of this event so we can continue to bring world class boxing to Oakland. Oakland is a breeding ground for top fighters and we already have them. The more that you support us, the more that these fights will become visible and you will see the big time at the top.

“They say other networks make fighters, but HBO makes stars, so we are glad to be part of this. We ask you to come out and support this fight. Come on out Saturday night and enjoy yourselves for a good night of top boxing.”

BEN LIRA, Sullivan Barrera’s Trainer:

“I want to thank all of the people who put together this super event on Saturday. We are here to put on a great show and Sullivan has done everything to prepare himself for this event. He knows the challenges in front of him, but he believes in himself and he believes that this is his time to show the public and the viewing audience that this is where he is. He is there to make a statement.

“More than anything, we respect Mr. Ward for his achievements, his credibility and he is a super guy in the sport. It’s great to be part of this. We prepared well and we have done everything that we have to do come Saturday to give the viewing audience a super great show because this is what boxing is about. It is about performance and both fighters get to perform at this level at a great event. We are honored to be a part of this event. We have done everything that is possible to ensure that we will come out and put on a fabulous show.”

JAMES PRINCE, Andre Ward’s manager:

“This is a historical moment for us. We are entering the 175 pound light heavyweight division. This is a moment that the town doesn’t want to miss. This is the moment at the beginning of a movement. Barrera just happens to be the first victim and we’re going to deal with him accordingly. We’ve been hearing a lot of talk and conversation taking place where he is concerned, and we know that he believes everything that he is saying. Once again, we are excited about this opportunity and you don’t want to miss this historic moment on Saturday night.”

JOSEPH DIAZ JR., NABF Featherweight Champion:

“Come March 26, I know I have a really tough fight ahead of me. I know Jayson Velez is an experienced veteran in the ring. He’s a warrior. He has a six-inch reach advantage over me so it’s going to be a really great fight. I know he’s coming off of a loss, so I know he really wants to bounce back and show everybody that he’s still a world title contender.

“I had a really great training camp. I’ve been training for eight weeks. This is my first time fighting on HBO, so I really want to showcase who I truly am. I’m 110% ready. I’m ready to give fight fans a war if Jayson Velez wants to have a war. I’m ready to showcase to everybody all the abilities I have inside the ring. I’m very excited to be fighting on the Andre Ward and Sullivan Barrera card. They’re two elite athletes and I’m very honored to be the co-main event for this fight. Come March 26, I promise I’m going to give you a great show.”

JAYSON VELEZ, Top-rated featherweight contender:

“I want to thank God first, obviously he makes everything possible. I want to thank my promoters, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and my whole team. I don’t have too much to say besides that this is a great fight. Joseph comes to fight. I come to fight. We both want to win. We both take challenges. People keep asking me why I took this dangerous fight and the answer is easy…if I want to be the best, I have to fight the best. Joseph is one of the best.

“I lost my last fight, so I need to win. I want to win. I can’t tell you who’s going to win this fight because we both are great fighters and warriors. He’s Mexican, I’m Puerto Rican, and when you have a Puerto Rican and a Mexican in the same ring, you will see a war. You will see speed, power, everything in this fight. He’s a great fighter and I’m so excited. Thank you to everyone and stay tuned this Saturday and thank you to HBO of course.”

ROBERT DIAZ, Head Matchmaker – Golden Boy Promotions:

“Obviously the main event speaks for itself. You’ve got Andre Ward versus a young undefeated guy like Sullivan Barrera, but the co-main event is going to pit two young, hungry fighters against one another in Jayson Velez and Joseph Diaz. They’re both young. They’re both willing to take on the best fights, the toughest fights and proof of that is how easy it was to make this fight.

“I’m very excited about this fight. You don’t want to miss the 10 rounds for the NABF title.

“Jayson Velez is a young, hungry lion who wants to get back up on the stage and knows how significant a victory over Joseph Diaz is. He understood the opportunity to fight on HBO and on this tremendous card. I want to remind you of the character of Jayson Velez. In a day and age where a fighter that loses wants to take maybe a comeback or tune up, or two or three, before they take a high-risk fight and Jayson Velez is doing it right after. That shows he wants to get back on top and he knows what he has to do to get there…it has to be by stopping a top-level fighter like Joseph Diaz.”

RALPH HEREDIA, Joseph Diaz’s manager:

“It’s an honor to be here, a great opportunity and privilege to be given this opportunity to showcase a talented, 2012 Olympian. To Joseph, this is what we talked about, thank you for being patient, you are ready for the opportunity. We know what a special young man and talented man you are, but now the whole world will get to see on the big stage what a talent, what a real gentleman and what a fighter should be…like Joseph Diaz.

“What can I say about Jayson Velez? He’s a gentleman who knows what’s at stake and has experience. Believe me, you don’t want to miss this. Saturday, you must tune in. It’s going to be an action-packed fight.”

JOSE “CHE CHE” SANCHEZ, Jayson Velez’s trainer:

“I see Diaz as a great fighter, but I have Jayson in very good condition and he’s ready for the fight. I know it’s going to be a good fight because they are ready, and the same thing is true for my fighter Jayson Velez. He worked very hard for this fight and I know he’s ready for the fight.”

TONY WALKER, Director, HBO Sports:

“On behalf of our Executive Vice President Peter Nelson, we are very happy to be here in the Bay Area, with a great crowd and great boxing fans, as we look to bring you this doubleheader on Saturday night.

“It’s not easy pulling together a big boxing match and these teams have pulled together a great card from top to bottom, so even though all the fights won’t be on HBO, if you want to watch some great boxing, go to Oracle Arena and if you have to be at home, check it out on HBO.

“Throughout our 43 years of programming on HBO, boxing has always been an integral part of what we do. We’ve always prided ourselves on having the best fighters and the best matches, and we feel very good that this tradition will hold again as Andre Ward makes his 2016 debut in the ring. In the boxing ring, it’s never recommended that you overlook a hungry, undefeated fighter like we have in Sullivan Barrera, so I would like to welcome Sullivan to the network and thank him for taking on this challenge.

“Opening the TV telecast will be Joseph Diaz against Jayson Velez, two up-and-coming young guys, two young guns, who think they’re ready for the big stage. All in all, it’s going to be a great telecast, 9:45 PM ET we promise you an informative and entertaining night with our broadcast team.”

Ward vs. Barrera, a 12-round IBF number one position and mandatory position eliminator which is presented by Roc Nation Sports in association with Main Events, takes place Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The event is sponsored by Corona Extra, Ticketmaster, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (ctms), Glad, Lyft, Zappos, BodyArmor, SAN Nutrition, Shoe Palace, The Waterfront Hotel and Visit Oakland. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. Opening the HBO telecast will be Joseph Diaz Jr. vs. Jayson Velez in a 10-round fight for the NABF Featherweight title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions.

Tickets priced at $300, $150, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com (bit.ly/WardBarreraTix) and charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Follow the conversation on Twitter by using #WardBarrera.

For more information, please visit www.rocnation.com, www.mainevents.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @rocnation, @main_events, @goldenboyboxing, @cottopromotions and @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

OAKLAND, CA (March 23, 2015) – On Tuesday, March 22, Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) and number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) participated in a media workout at King’s Gym in Oakland, California in advance of their March 26 fight at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Ward and Barrera will meet in 12-round IBF number one position and mandatory position eliminator bout televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. NABF Featherweight Champion Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr. (19-0, 11 KOs) and top-rated featherweight contender Jayson “Star” Velez (23-1-1, 16 KOs) were also in attendance during the workout ahead of their 10-round NABF Featherweight title fight which will open up the HBO telecast.

After shadowboxing in the ring and a few rounds on the punching bags, all four fighters participated in interviews with media members in attendance. Super Bowl Champion and Oakland native Marshawn Lynch, an avid Andre Ward supporter, made a special appearance during the workout in support of Ward.

Below is what the fighters had to say during the final media workout:

ANDRE WARD, Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter:

“I feel good and I am ready to go. I’m peaking at the right time. I’m just excited to get it on Saturday night.

“I used to drive by Oracle Arena on 880 as a kid on my way to King’s Gym and wonder if I could make it there one day and [trainer] Virgil [Hunter] used to say with confidence, ‘You’re going to headline there.’ As I got older, I used to go to some of the cards put on in the arena. I was still an amateur and I would just dream. Next thing you know, in 2009, I was in a sink or swim fight against Edison Miranda. If I won, there was probably a good chance that I would get a title shot and the rest is history. Here we are again, it’s my 7th time at Oracle and it’s still a blessing.

“It was the right time to move to light heavyweight. It was a combination of not having the right guys to fight or guys that didn’t want to fight me. I want to be great. These are the types of moves you have to make. I’m a student of the sport and when I study the sport, this is what greats have always done. They move up. The great ones find a way to get it done and I want to be in that conversation.

“Barrera is a big body. He’s confident. Seems to be a good puncher. We did not pick him because he’s a soft touch. We picked him because he was going to get me ready and show me what this weight class is all about. If you look at my career, there’s a place for tune-ups which I haven’t had a lot of. You want to fight the best and if you aren’t fighting the best, you want to fight the number one contender. That’s what we’re doing.

“I think I am evolving into an efficient fighter. I’m moving when I have to move. I think that’s the beauty of any athlete who doesn’t abuse his body and really takes his craft seriously. I’ve seen some articles claiming I missed my prime. It’s crazy to me. I feel that I am as good as I have ever been. I’ve been in a boxing gym without much of a break for the past 20 years. My brain thanked me for the last two years. My body thanked me. It might give me another two years in my career.

“I have to just be me. Who I am is enough. I don’t have to show up for Kovalev in the crowd on Saturday night. We just have to implement the game plan. I think that’s going to send the message it’s supposed to send and if it doesn’t, then he’ll [Kovalev] get the message when we fight.

“If I don’t win this fight, there’s nothing down the road. If I don’t win this fight, I don’t deserve to fight for the title. That’s the reality of my situation.

“Barrera has never fought a guy like me before, so they can talk a good game. They can dominate the headlines leading up to the fight. They can say all the slick stuff they want to say. We just want to dominate the headlines Sunday morning after the fight is over. That’s what I’m focused on.”

SULLIVAN BARRERA, Number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender:

“I’m stronger than Ward. I have the Cuban background and I learned a lot of skills there. More than anything, the determination to overcome anything in front of me will help me defeat Ward on March 26.

“Once I am in the ring, it’s my house.

“Whatever Ward has, I will adjust to it and overcome it.

“I have two hands. He has two hands. I have a job to do on March 26.

“I know Ward and Kovalev are very highly respected and they create a lot of money and a lot of interest, but they don’t know what Sullivan Barrera is capable of doing. I will prove that on Saturday.

“I’m not really a guy that has to look for a knockout. My boxing skills speak for themselves. I am fighting Andre Ward and fighting here in Oakland, so I don’t think a decision will be rendered in my favor.

“To all the fans, especially the Cuban fans that have supported me please know that come Saturday, I am going to do everything I have to do to come out victorious.”

JOSEPH DIAZ JR., NABF Featherweight Champion:

“I can’t expect what Jayson did to Ronny Rios during this fight. I’ve got to go in there, test him out and adjust when I am in the ring.

“If the opportunity presents itself where he’s hurt and I see that my punches are overwhelming him, then of course I’m going to get in there, be aggressive and make sure I take him out as early as possible.

“I know getting on the inside, cutting off the ring and taking it to the body right away will break him down. That’s going to make him not move as much and later on in rounds I can land vicious blows to the head. I’m going to take it to the body right away.

“Mentally I am 100% ready. This is a big stage in my career, so I’m mentally focused. I’m well prepared. I feel like this is the moment I have been waiting for my whole entire life. I feel like I’m ready for this and I can’t wait for March 26. I trained very hard for this fight and I’m well prepared for it.

“I really want to make a statement this fight. I want to show the world that Joseph Diaz could be the next big thing in boxing, so I trained very hard to put on a great fight for the fight fans, be very aggressive and make it a war in there. I hope that Jayson Velez is 110% ready because I want him to be at his best.

“If I win this fight and make a statement, I think I can move to contender status and hopefully get a world title shot by the end of this year. I want to fight tough opponents this year because I want to show the world who I am.

“I feel like a beast when I step into the ring and I can see it in sparring. Whenever I’m landing effective blows, I can tell that I am hurting my opponent.”

JAYSON VELEZ, Top-rated featherweight contender:

“At my level, every guy is a top contender. I have to train harder and improve my defense. I’ve been working on that.

“If you see my last three or four fights, you will see that I have been dominating in the first couple of rounds and then I run out of gas, I have been working on my stamina so that won’t happen on March 26.

“I have seen Diaz’s fights. We’ve sparred a couple of times. He’s got speed. He’s got a hunger. It’s his HBO debut, so he’s definitely motivated, but so am I. It’s going to be a great fight.

“I want to be champion of the word. I know he wants it too. On Saturday, we will know who wants it more. We both want to win and we are both training for a win. A fight between power and speed is a great match-up. Not to mention he’s Mexican and I’m Puerto Rican. You can expect a great fight and it’s not one you want to miss.”

Ward vs. Barrera, a 12-round IBF number one position and mandatory position eliminator which is presented by Roc Nation Sports in association with Main Events, takes place Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The event is sponsored by Corona Extra, Ticketmaster, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (ctms), Glad, Lyft, Zappos, BodyArmor, SAN Nutrition, Shoe Palace, The Waterfront Hotel and Visit Oakland. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. Opening the HBO telecast will be Joseph Diaz Jr. vs. Jayson Velez in a 10-round fight for the NABF Featherweight title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions.

Tickets priced at $300, $150, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com (bit.ly/WardBarreraTix) and charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Follow the conversation on Twitter by using #WardBarrera.

For more information, please visit www.rocnation.com, www.mainevents.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @rocnation, @main_events, @goldenboyboxing, @cottopromotions and @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

HBO Boxing heads to the Bay Area for an action-packed doubleheader featuring a top pound-for-pound fighter and one of the sport’s most-heralded prospects when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: ANDRE WARD VS. SULLIVAN BARRERA AND JOSEPH DIAZ JR. VS. JAYSON VELEZ is seen SATURDAY, MARCH 26 at 9:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Cal., exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will call the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.
Other HBO playdates: March 27 (9:00 a.m.) and 29 (11:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: March 27 (3:00 p.m.) and 28 (12:15 a.m.)
The doubleheader will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO and HBO On Demand.
Making his 2016 debut before a hometown crowd, Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) moves up to 175 pounds to battle Cuban native Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) of Miami, Fla., in a light heavyweight bout scheduled for 12 rounds. Ward, 32, has succeeded at every level, compiling a nearly perfect record as an amateur, winning a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympic Games in Athens and enjoying a seven-year reign as super middleweight champ. This will mark Ward’s sixth fight at Oracle Arena and fifth on HBO.
Barrera, 34, is also unbeaten and holds a three-fight knockout streak. Since his 2009 pro debut following a standout amateur career in Cuba, he has fought nearly all his bouts as a light heavyweight, which should give him an advantage over the shorter Ward. Barrera will be making his HBO debut, having previously appeared on HBO Latino.
In the evening’s co-feature, Joseph Diaz Jr. (19-0, 11 KOs) puts his undefeated record on the line against Jayson Velez (23-1-1, 16 KOs) in a featherweight contest scheduled for ten rounds. Rising prospect Diaz, 23, is coming off a busy 2015 in which he logged five impressive wins, and will be making his HBO debut. Velez, 27, looks to rebound from his first professional loss, to Ronny Rios in November. Appearing on HBO in 2014, Velez battled Evgeny Gradovich to a split draw in his first world title shot.
Immediately following the telecast, HBO will present the debut of the half-hour special “Legacy on the Line: From Bradley to Pacquiao,” previewing the April 9 pay-per-view event.
Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.
The executive producer of WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is Rick Bernstein; producer, Dave Harmon; director, Johnathan Evans.
® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 17, 2016) – A member of the 2012 United States Olympic team and current NABF Featherweight Champion, Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr. (19-0, 11 KOs) has taken on anyone who has stepped up to the plate and on Saturday, March 26, he will make his HBO World Championship Boxing® debut when he faces rising Puerto Rican contender Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez (23-1-1, 16 KOs) at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.

The 10-round featherweight fight will open the HBO telecast, which is headlined by Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) taking on number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round light heavyweight clash. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT

“I am excited and very grateful about making my debut on HBO” said Joseph Diaz Jr. “HBO is known for putting on the best fights and I feel honored to defend my title for the fight time on the network. Every fighter dreams to fight on a big stage like HBO and I am grateful to my team, Golden Boy Promotions, my manager Ralph Heredia and my father and trainer for helping me get to this point in my career. I know Jayson Velez is a very tough contender, but I promise not to let my team and my fans down.”

“I am ready and focused for this fight,” said Jayson Velez. “After my loss against Ronny Rios, I had to change a lot of things in my training including my corner. I understood that I had to work harder to prove that I still have what it takes to be on the top of the featherweight division. I am very excited to have that opportunity on HBO and against a fighter like Joseph Diaz Jr. I want to challenge myself and fight the best. I know that defeating Diaz Jr. will prove that I am back.”

“These are two exciting, up-and-coming fighters, with the winner likely soon looking at a world championship battle,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “With so much at stake, fans can bank on an action-packed fight with both guys going all out for the knockout.”

“Jayson has great power and experience and has been under those lights before,” said Hector Soto, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “This is a great fight for Jayson to be back on HBO and it will be a tough test for Diaz Jr.”

Ward vs. Barrera, a 12-round fight which is presented by Roc Nation Sports in association with Main Events, takes place Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. Opening the HBO telecast will be Joseph Diaz Jr. vs. Jayson Velez in a 10-round fight for the NABF Featherweight title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions. Follow the conversation using #WardBarrera.

Tickets priced at $300, $150, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now and available for purchase at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com and charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

A 23-year-old southpaw, Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr. has followed up his stellar amateur career with an equally impressive professional run thus far, with several notable wins showing him to be capable of doing it all in the ring. In 2015, Diaz had his biggest year yet, winning five bouts, including victories over former WBC Silver Featherweight Champion Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado, Ruben “Canelito” Tamayo and Giovanni “Lloviznas” Delgado. In his most recent bout, the South El Monte native stopped Hugo “Olimpico” Partida in two rounds on December 18, 2015, winning the NABF featherweight title. Now he’s ready to kick off the biggest year of his career against Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez.

Hailing from Juncos, Puerto Rico, 27-year-old Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez has been a fine representative of the Caribbean’s fighting capital since turning professional in 2007, winning all but two of his 25 pro bouts. Owner of the WBC Interim Silver, WBC FECARBOX and USNBC titles over the years, Velez has made his mark with victories over the likes of Salvador “Sal II” Sanchez, Dat “Dat Be Dat” Nguyen and Daniel “Huracan” Ramirez, as well as a draw in an IBF title bout against Evgeny “El Russo Mexicano” Gradovich. On Nov. 21, 2015 Velez opened up the pay-per-view telecast of Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez against Ronny Rios and suffered his first professional defeat via decision. A victory over Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr. will get Velez back into the world title race.

For more information, please visit www.rocnation.com, www.mainevents.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, ww.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @rocnation, @main_events, @goldenboyboxing, @cottopromotions and @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Follow all the action as Middleweight champion Miguel Cotto battles Canelo Alvarez in a Mouth watering Middleweight title bout.  The card begins with at 9 pm ET / 6 PM ET with a 3 fight undercard featuring a world title bout between Takashi Miura and Francisco Vargas

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Round 1 Body shot from Canelo..right from Cotto..Jab from Canelo..Jab from Cotto..Hook from Cotto..Hook from Canelo..Hard right to body..Body shots from Cotto..quick left hook…Right and left hook from canelo..Left to the body..

Round 2 Right from Cotto..Jab…Jab..Good counter and jab and left hook by Canelo…Sneaky right from Cotto

Round 3 Canelo lands a body shot..straight right..Good right…Straight right..Right from Cotto…Counter left and jab from ALvarez..Good jab from Cotto and another…Hard right from canelo…

Round 4 Right from Canelo…1-2..Cook lands 1 left hook to body and 2 to the head..Left hook from Canelo…trading body shots..

Round 5 Good right from Canelo..Hard left..Flurry from Cotto..Over hand right from Canelo..Hard left uppercut by Canelo..Hard right..

Round 6 Sharp right from Canelo..Good combination..Good body shot from Cotto..Good body shot..

Round 7 Hard body shot from Canelo…Good hook from Cotto..Great counter uppercut from Canelo..Cotto lands a left inside..

Round 8 Left uppercut from Canelo..Good body from Cotto..they are trading..Hard shots..Uppercut from Canelo..Hard right..Good hook from Cotto..Big right to the body from Alvarez..right to body from Cotto..Left…

Round 9 Straight right from Cotto..Trading rights..Trading left to body…3 jabs from Cotto..Hard left from Canelo..Cotto lands a uppercut..Cotto lands jabs..Quick left hooks from Canelo…and another..

Round 10 Body shot from Cotto…Good body shots from Canelo..Hard right from Cotto..3 punch combination from Canelo

Round 11 Combination from Cotto..Right from Canelo…Good left..Cotto lands a jab..

Round 12 2 big shots from Canelo and a body shot..Right hand..good body shots..Cotto lands a jab..Cotto cut around his left eye..2 more rights from canelo..left hook from Cotto..Hard shots hurt Cotto..Combination from Cotto…

 

117-111. 119-109, 118-110 for CANELO ALVAREZ

Punch stats:  Cotto 129-629       Canelo 155-484

 

Round 1 Hard right from Vargas…Miura in big trouble..Miura lands a left..Good body shot from Vargas..Another body shot..

Round 2  Vargas cut under right eye…Vargas lands 5 power punches..Good body shot from Vargas..Good body shot from Miura..Good right from Vargas..Good body shot..

Round 3 Miura lands to the body and head..Hard right hook..

Round 4 Straight left…Hard right from Vargas…Body shots from Miura…sTRAIGHT LEFT AND DOWN GOES VARGAS..

Round 5 Miura outworking Vargas…body shot…Right from Vargas…Body shot from Miura…Good combination from Vargas…Thudding right hook from Miura..

Round 6 Vargas coming out firing…Body shot..Good body shot from Miura…Straight from Vargas..2 lefts from Miura..Right from Vargas..

Round 7 Good left from Miura

Round 8 Left from Miura…Good body shot..and another..Right from Vargas…Hard left buckles Vargas..Punishing combo at the bell

Round 9 HUGE RIHJY AMD DOWN GOES MIURA..Vargas rocking him all over the ring..Big Body shot..BIG RIGHT ROCKS MIURA’S HEAD BACK AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

 

Round 1 Hard left from Rigondeaux..Hard body shot

Round 2 Body shot from Francisco..Quick left from Rigondeaux

Round 3

Round 4 Fans beginning to boo..Straight left from Rigondeaux

Round 5 Francisco lands a left hook

Round 6

Round 7 Rigondeaux lands a left

Round 8 Rigondeaux controlling the action

Round 9

Round 10 Hard right from Francisco

97-93, 100-90 twice for Rigondeaux

Punch stats:   Rigo 72-347    Francisco 42-228

 

Round 1 Rios working the body..straight right..body shot..Velez lands a left to the head..

Round 2 Hard right from Rios followed by 2 body shots..Velez lands a body shot

Round 3 Good right from Rios..Counter from Velez..Good left hook..Right from Rios..Good jab

Round 4 Rios warned for Low blows..Another warning..

Round 5 Another low blow and Rios docked a point…Good left and right from Rios..

Round 6 4 left hooks to head from Rios…Hard left hook..Good hook from Velez..Hard right..

Round 7 Hard left from Rios

Round 8 Rios lands a right to the body…Big left…

Round 9 Big right from Rios...

Round 10 Good uppercut from Rios and another..Good left hook

97-92, 95-94 and 96-93 for Ronny Rios

 

 

EDDY REYNOSO: “We are very proud of Canelo today. As we all know, he started from the bottom and now he is the champion. I was never worried about him from the first round through to the 12th round. He has great defense strategy, but I was hoping that he would have finished Cotto sooner. I know that he was looking for the knock out and as a result didn’t throw as much as he should have to put Miguel on the canvas. We have a lot of respect for Miguel, he is a great fighter, and we have tremendous respect for Freddie Roach as a trainer.

CHEPO REYNOSO: “I knew he was winning. He went into this fight with a clear head and a full heart and that is what he needed to be successful tonight. I am proud of him, proud of his simplicity to admit that we were once no one and now he is the middleweight champion. I wish he would have put more pressure on Cotto from the beginning, but I knew he was enjoying himself. He showed how beautiful the sport can be when you fight in an intelligent way.”

“I have a lot of respect for Miguel. He is a great champion and a great fighter. We knew going into this fight that it would be a difficult journey, but I feel that I was the faster and stronger fighter tonight. I wasn’t hurt by his punches. I want to thank my trainers, they are like my family and the best people I know and I couldn’t have done this without them.”

I’m not afraid of any fighter. GGG is a great fighter, and he is my friend. I have respect for him, but if we do fight it’s going to be at my weight class. I’m the champion, I don’t have to do what he wants.”

“I was fully prepared for what Cotto was going to do in the ring, whether that was take a defense stance or be the aggressor.”

“Im very disappointed and upset I got caught in the first round, then I recovered and after that I thought I was winning the fight,” said Takashi Miura. “I think if I could have clenched better…I would definitely like a rematch.”

“I’m the champ, I’m the champ!” said Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas. “This is a dream come true for me, something I have been fighting for my whole life. I knew Takashi was going to be a tough opponent, that’s why he is the champion, so I had to make sure I was prepared to face a fighter like him. I feel that my preparation paid off for this fight. I knew I had to be very aggressive, and I showed that in the first round so he knew that I would not be bullied. When I was knocked down in the fourth round, I felt even more motivated to win this fight. I made sure to fight the way I wanted, how I wanted and my style and now I’m the champion of the world! I hope all the fans enjoyed themselves tonight with my performance.”

“I feel terrific after the fight,” said Guillermo Rigondeaux. “He threw heavy but his style has nothing on mine. My style outmatched his. It’s been 11 months since I’ve been in the ring and I definitely felt some cobwebs but I d like to see some other fighters be out 11 months and come back with a win. I definitely wanted to give the fans a better fight so I need to get back in to the gym, get more active to give a better performance. I promise that with the tools I have now after signing with Roc Nation that next time I’ll be explosive. Thank you to my team for helping me get this win.”

“Rigondeaux is not a fighter, he is a runner,” said Drian Francisco. “He is afraid of getting hurt and doesn’t want to fight. I felt pressured into being the aggressor during this fight because he wasn’t fighting, he was running away. He is not a power puncher and won by points. I trained really hard for this fight and I feel like it was a waste of time because I didn’t encounter a fighter tonight.”

“I was expecting that to be a tough fight, but I did my job,” said Jayson “Star” Velez. “He had some good rounds, I had some good rounds. I think the deduction is what really got me. I did my job tonight but he was better at his job tonight.”

“I felt like I dictated the pace of the fight, and I felt like I was landing more power punches than him,” said Ronny Rios. “He did throw a few body shots at me that hurt but they weren’t significant enough for me to stop pressuring him and doing what I needed to do to secure this victory. He actually surprised me; I thought he was going to use the jab all night but he was definitely getting in the inside. This is a really big victory for me. I have a belt now, and I know that bigger things will come my way because of it.”

“This was a great opportunity for me on the biggest stage,” said Alberto Machado. “We did great; this is what we worked for in the gym. I like to consider myself a diamond on the rope, but this was only a 6.5 out of 10 performance. I have to keep working and learning, and I am working toward a world championship. I am so happy for my team.”

“I’m proud of my team and myself,” said Jose “Chiquiro” Martinez. “I want to thank God and my family. This was a very tough fight, but I am just going to keep working to achieve more wins.”

“I feel very good that I am still undefeated,” said Zhang “Big Bang” Zhilei. “I was careless during that knock down. I am going to keep finghting until I am a world champion.”

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 20, 2015) – Already destined to be one of the best fight nights of 2015, a stellar televised undercard for the Saturday, Nov. 21 showdown between Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez will provide even more punch to an already highly anticipated event from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas which will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Highly touted Takashi Miura (29-2-2, 22 KOs) of Tokyo, Japan will defend his WBC Super Featherweight title for the fifth time against Mexico City, Mexico’s unbeaten Francisco Vargas (22-0-1, 16 KOs) in a 12-round battle which is presented in association with Teiken Promotions. Hailing from the same city as headliner Miguel Cotto, and co-promoted by the Puerto Rican legend’s Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, undefeated, multiple-regional title champion Jayson Velez (23-0-1, 16 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico, will face Santa Ana, California’s Ronny Rios (24-1, 10 KOs) in a highly anticipated 10-round featherweight bout. An additional televised bout will be announced shortly.

“Bringing sports fans an event featuring what is likely to be the 2015 Fight of the Year in Cotto vs. Canelo is great, but adding a highly entertaining undercard makes it greater,” said David Itskowitch, COO Boxing of Roc Nation Sports. “The announcement of these two televised undercard fights brings additional excitement and value for fans watching the event live in Las Vegas or at home on HBO Pay-Per-View.”

“On November 21, the best fighters in boxing will gather for one epic night in Las Vegas,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Audiences will not only see the two biggest stars battle, Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez, but every fighter featured on the card brings the highest caliber of talent propelling the sport further into a new golden age of boxing.”

“I believe Velez vs. Rios is a great match for both fighters,” said Hector Soto, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “The winner will be a step away from a title shot and it adds more drama to the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry. In Ronny Rios we have a tough fighter and Jayson Velez is a warrior that brings action into the ring.”

“Francisco Vargas has proved himself to be a tough competitor,” said Miura. “But, I have repeatedly fought to keep my WBC title and on November 21, I will show American fans once again why I am a champion.”

“To add the WBC title to my NABF and WBO Intercontinental titles would be the ultimate victory and a great ending to 2015,” said Vargas. “I am training hard and ready to bring a fight to the ring at Mandalay Bay. Takashi Miura better be ready because I am coming for him on November 21.”

“I have been working to make a name for myself and show fans that I am a true undefeated champion,” said Velez. “This fight against Ronny Rios represents an important next step in my career and I am hungry for the win. To fight on the same card as Miguel Cotto and to represent Puerto Rico in Las Vegas in what is sure to be one of this year’s biggest nights in boxing is surreal.”

“I was dealt the first loss of my career not long ago, but that has only made me more focused and driven,” said Rios. “I have already sought redemption and am now ready to continue on my path to a world title. Jayson Velez may prove to be a tough opponent, but I will be ready for him. Come November 21, Velez will know what a first career loss will feel like.”

Southpaw power-puncher Takashi Miura is a force at super featherweight who is excited to make his United States debut on the Cotto vs. Canelo undercard. Unbeaten since 2011, the 31-year-old from Tokyo has scored several notable wins in that timeframe, stopping Gamaliel Diaz to take the WBC title, turning back Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson and defeating former world champion Billy “The Kid” Dib in defense of his belt. On November 21, he will expect a similar result when he faces Vargas.

A member of the 2008 Mexican Olympic team, Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas turned professional in 2010 and is now one win away from a coveted world championship. The NABF and WBO Intercontinental champion at 130 pounds, the 30-year-old Mexico City native has blasted through his last three opponents, halting former World Champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, Genaro “Duro” Camargo and “Wild” Will Tomlinson to earn his shot at Miura in a fight boxing fans can’t wait to see.

Hailing from the same city in Puerto Rico as headliner Miguel Cotto, 27-year-old Caguas native Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez has compiled a collection of titles in his professional career, including the WBC USNBC, WBO Latino and WBC Silver belts. He nearly took his first world title in November 2014 before a controversial draw verdict was rendered in his IBF Featherweight World Championship fight with Evgeny Gradovich. Determined to get another world title shot, Velez needs a win against Rios to get there.

Santa Ana, California’s Ronny Rios was sailing to the top of the division before an upset loss to the number one contender for the WBC Featherweight title Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos in October of 2014, but with a comeback win over Sergio “El Frio” Frias and the determination and heart of a champion, the talented 25-year-old has his sights set on glory once more. With a victory over Velez, he will be back on the road to a world title fight once more.

Tickets for closed circuit viewings of Cotto vs. Canelo are priced at $75, not including applicable service charges, and can be purchased at all MGM Resorts International Ticket Offices, http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.

Cotto vs. Canelo, a 12-round fight for Cotto’s WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championships, takes place Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The fight is presented by Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra; Mexico, Live it to Believe it!; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Tequila Cazadores and Corporate Travel Made Simple (ctms). The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Also featured on the pay-per-view telecast will be Takashi Muira vs. Francisco Vargas in a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship presented in association with Teiken Promotions and Jayson Velez vs. Ronny Rios is a 10-round featherweight in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions. Follow the conversation using #CottoCanelo.

For more information, visit www.rocnation.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, ww.canelopromotions.com.mx, www.hbo.com/boxing and www.mandalaybay.com; follow on Twitter at @RocNation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @RealMiguelCotto, @Canelo, @HBOBoxing, and @MandalayBay; become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/RealMiguelACotto, www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MandalayBay; and follow on Instagram @rocnation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @realmiguelacotto, @Canelo, @HBOboxing and @MandalayBay. Follow the conversation using #CottoCanelo.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents the latest edition of Golden Boy Promotions’ popular new LA FIGHT CLUB series this Thursday, June 4 at 10 p.m. ET from Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, Calif.

Fight Network’s live broadcast will air exclusively in Canada.

In the main event, undefeated top prospect Jayson Velez (22-0-1, 16 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico will battle it out against Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico’s Daniel “Huracan” Ramirez (11-1, 5 KOs), in hopes of continuing his winning streak in a 10-round featherweight bout.

“In response to high demand, LA FIGHT CLUB is back June 4 at The Belasco Theater for the fourth time and will feature another card of thrilling fights from start to finish,” said Oscar De La Hoya, founder and president of Golden Boy Promotions. “These sellouts crowds demonstrate that boxing is not dead. The fans want to be entertained; they want to see fighters give it their all and battle it out in the ring for the win, and that is what LA FIGHT CLUB continues to deliver every month.”

The co-main televised event features Carlos “The Solution” Morales (7-1-3, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles taking on Emmanuel Gonzalez (14-1, 7 KOs) of the Bronx, New York in an eight-round super bantamweight bout. Opening the telecast, Los Angeles favorite Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (9-0, 9 KOs) will face Darryl Hayes (3-4, 1 KO) of Houston in a six-round super featherweight fight.

Hailing from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Jayson Velez made his professional debut in 2007 and his U.S. debut in his ninth fight in June 2009 triumphing over Jesus Bayron at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In 2012, Velez returned to Madison Square Garden to face Salvador Sánchez II, winning the WBC Silver featherweight championship. Velez has continued his winning streak through 2014, most recently taking down Miguel Soto in a second round technical knockout victory in April 2014 in Puerto Rico. Velez’s debut at LA FIGHT CLUB marks his first fight of 2015.

A professional since 2012, Daniel “Huracan” Ramirez of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico is looking to add another win to his record when he faces Velez on June 4. Fighting in the U.S. in all of his 2014 bouts facing top prospects Guy Robb, Aaron Garcia, and Eric Hunter, the Mexican fighter is looking to impress in his first fight of 2015.

LA FIGHT CLUB: Velez vs. Ramirez is a 10-round featherweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Fight Network’s broadcast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

LOS ANGELES (June 2) – Fighters on Thursday’s LA FIGHT CLUB fight cardtook some time to tell us what to expect on fight night and also shared with us their favorite things about the upcoming summer season. The action-packed Los Angeles based series on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes returns to The Belasco Theater this Thursday for another explosive night in a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico main event where Puerto Rico’s Jayson “Star” Velez (22-0-1, 16 KOs) of Juncos, takes on Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico’s Daniel “Huracan” Ramirez (11-1, 5 KOs), in a 10-round featherweight bout that is sure to excite fans.

Also, Oscar De La Hoya President and Founder of Golden Boy Promotions is scheduled to attend LA FIGHT CLUB and will host a special meet and greet at the Belasco Theater’s ballroom prior to the televised bouts from 6:00 pm to 7:00 p.m.

The co-main televised event features Carlos “The Solution” Morales (7-1-3, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles taking on Emmanuel Gonzalez (14-1, 7 KOs) of the Bronx, New York in an eight-round super bantamweight bout. Opening the telecast, Los Angeles favorite Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (9-0, 9 KOs) will face Darryl Hayes (3-4, 1 KOs) of Houston in a six-round super featherweight fight. Westside Boxing Club’s Rafael “El Alikin” Gramajo (3-1-1, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles is hoping to make airtime in a four-round super bantamweight fight against Pablo Cupul (4-16, 3 KOs) of Merida, Mexico.

Here is what the fighters had to say:

JAYSON “STAR” VELEZ, Featherweight Contender:

What should fans expect on June 4?
I’ve been training since January so I am more than prepared to give fans an exciting night of boxing. My focus is always the same, become a World Champion and be the best in every weight class.

Anything that you think will surprise your fans when they see you on fight night?
My routine is basically always the same but I always adjust my strategy for every opponent. I know my opponent is an aggressive fighter; he throws a lot of punches to the body. My strategy will be to have a strong defense as well as be on the offensive. This will be an exciting fight, with explosive fighters, with action from the first round to the last. My power will surprise the fans and my opponent.

What is your favorite summer activity?
I’m planning to go to Vieques for a few days. It’s part of Puerto Rico, but I’ve never been there and am excited to visit. I think like every Puerto Rican, go to the beach and swim.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would love to go to Hawaii and see all the beautiful beaches. It would be a dream vacation.

Any summer treats that you love?
Ice cream. I love ice cream, I can eat it all year, even in winter.

What would be your perfect summer weekend?
Relaxing at the beach with my wife, watching our children play, a bottle of red wine and a lot of ice cream.

DANIEL “HURACAN” RAMIREZ, Featherweight Contender:

What should fans expect on June 4?
A war!

What are your plans for this summer, any special trips?
I plan to spend time with my family and go to the beach as often as possible.

What would be your perfect summer weekend?
Staying at any beach in Baja California.

Any summer treats that you love, ice cream, shaved ice?
Micheladas! They are very refreshing.

If you could spend the summer anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would like to go to a faraway beach, away from everyone.

CARLOS “THE SOLUTION” MORALES, Super Bantamweight Prospect:

What should fans expect on June 4?
Another victory for “The Solution.”

What are your plans for this summer, any special trips?
I plan to hang out with my family.

What is your favorite summer activity?
Training is my favorite summer activity, I never stop working and improving.

If you could spend the summer anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would love to travel to Europe and spend a whole summer there.

Any summer treats that you love?
Ice cream- rainbow sherbet is my all-time favorite flavor.

What is your favorite thing about the summer?
You get to go to the beach and enjoy the sun.

CHRISTIAN “CHIMPA” GONZALEZ, Super Featherweight Prospect:

What should fans expect on June 4?
They should expect a very exciting fight.

What are your plans for this summer, any special trips?
I really enjoy water parks; I look forward to them every year. I also plan on going to the beach as often as I can this year.

If you could spend the summer anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would really like to go to Hawaii and spend the summer there.

What is your favorite thing about the summer?
The hot weather. I really enjoy it.

RAFAEL “EL ALIKIN”GRAMAJO, Super Bantamweight Prospect:
What should fans expect on June 4?
They should expect a good fight, full of action.

What are your plans for this summer, any special trips?
My plan is to jump back in the gym and continue working on improving every day.

What is your favorite summer activity?
I love to go fishing and camping during the summer. It is the perfect time of the year to go out to the sea, lake or river and relax.

If you could spend the summer anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would spend it in Kansas because that’s where my family is.

Any summer treats that you love?
I really love raspados, or “shaved ice.” I look forward to them every summer.

What is your favorite thing about the summer?
My favorite thing is about the summer is that I get more time to spend time with my wife and sons. We go on short trips.

LA FIGHT CLUB: Velez vs. Ramirez is a 10-round featherweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Cotto Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the June 4 LA FIGHT CLUB are on sale now. Prices start at $20 and can be purchased online by going to www.goldenboypromotions.com or by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page. For ticket information, email LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com.

The “Knockout Experience VIP Package” is also available for an additional $25 upgrade and includes VIP entrance, access to an exclusive lounge offering food and beverages for purchase; a meet and greet opportunity with fighters and celebrities attending the event; an automatic entry into the LA FIGHT CLUB grand prize drawing, which can include but is not limited to: autograph gloves, picture in the ring, backstage access, tour of locker rooms, fighter ring walk, tickets to upcoming boxing events and additional merchandise and prizes.

The LA FIGHT CLUB is a monthly boxing series that takes place on the first Thursday of each month. It will showcase the brightest stars in the sport and present these exciting matchups in a nightclub atmosphere with an original setup. The boxing ring will be set on the main floor of The Belasco Theater with on-camera standing room for fans in front of the ring similar to a concert pit, as well as reserved balcony and floor seats. Los Angeles’ own DJ Ray of Big Boy’s Neighborhood will spin music during the fights and fans will be able to dance and mingle with the fighters when the venue converts into a night club, in a VIP experience not matched by any promoter in the industry.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @FoxSports, @FoxSports1, @FoxDeportes, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @belascola and follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB.

LOS ANGELES (May 29) – Oscar De La Hoya President and Founder of Golden Boy Promotions is scheduled to attend the June 4 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB at the historic Belasco Theater in Downtown Los Angeles and will host a special meet and greet with fans prior to the televised bouts from 6:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. Fans with tickets to the event will have an opportunity to come by the upstairs ballroom, take a picture with The Golden Boy and have him sign boxing memorabilia.

In the main event, Puerto Rico’s Jayson “Star” Velez (22-0-1, 16 KOs) of Juncos, will battle it out against Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico’s Daniel “Huracan” Ramirez (11-1, 5 KOs), in a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico 10-round featherweight bout sure to excite fans. The co-main televised event features Los Angeles native Carlos “The Solution” Morales (7-1-3, 2 KOs) taking on Emmanuel Gonzalez (14-1, 7 KOs) of the Bronx, New York in an eight-round super bantamweight bout. Opening the telecast, Los Angeles favorite Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (9-0, 9 KOs) is scheduled to fight Darryl Hayes (3-4, 1 KOs) of Houston, Texas, in a six-round super-feather weight fight, and Rafael Gramajo (3-1-1, 2 KOs) also of Los Angeles is hoping to make airtime in a four-round super bantamweight fight against Pablo Cupul (4-16, 3 KOs) of Merida, Mexico.

In the non-televised undercard, Pablo Rubio of Whittier, Calif. will take on Martin Regalado of Los Angeles in a four-round bout, both fighters will be making their professional debut.

Hailing from Juncos, Puerto Rico, Jayson “Star” Velez made his professional debut in 2007 and his U.S. debut in his ninth fight in June 2009 triumphing over Jesus Bayron at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In 2012, Velez returned to Madison Square Garden to face Salvador Sánchez II, winning the WBC Silver Featherweight Championship. Velez has continued his winning streak through 2014, most recently taking down Miguel Soto in a second round technical knockout victory in April 2014 in Puerto Rico. Velez was last seen fighting Evegny Gradovich for the IBF World Featherweight title in November 2014, with the fight ending in a draw.

A professional since 2012, Daniel “Huracan” Ramirez of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico is looking to add another win to his record when he faces Velez on June 4. Fighting in the U.S. in all of his 2014 bouts facing top prospects Guy Robb, Aaron Garcia, and Eric Hunter, the Mexican fighter is looking to impress in his first fight of 2015.

Carlos “The Solution” Morales made his LA FIGHT CLUB debut with a triumph victory over Santiago Guevara on March 6. A local fighter hailing from Highland Park, Calif., Morales has been undefeated in his last eight bout, three of which have been by knockout. He has a rough start in his professional debut in Montebello, Calif. against Allan Benitez, since then Morales has quickly bounced back, winning bout after bout. He hopes to continue his winning streak as he returns to The Belasco Theater on June 4

Hailing from the Bronx, New York, veteran fighter Emmanuel Gonzalez made his professional debut against Jean Ramos in December 2008 at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. Since then, Gonzalez has proven himself a tough opponent remaining undefeated for seven years until his latest fight against Tevin Farmer in June of 2014. June 4 will mark Gonzalez’ first bout of 2015 and he is eager to prove that he is still a fighter to be feared when he takes on Carlos Morales at LA FIGHT CLUB.

One of the most exciting prospects in the sport, 19-year-old super featherweight Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez has thrilled fans by winning each of his professional bouts by knockout, seven in the first round. Fresh from a sixth-round stoppage of Julio Sarinana at the inaugural LA FIGHT CLUB at The Belasco Theater on March 6, forced him to rise from the canvas for the first time to win. Now, Gonzalez is ready to please his fans in his second appearance in the Los Angeles series.

Darryl Hayes of Houston, Texas is looking to get on the winning track in his first fight of 2015. Having had a tough 2014 after returning to the ring from a four-year break, the fighter is known to go the distance in his bouts. Now, the fighter is looking to add a win to his record when he makes his 2015 debut.

Born in Garden City, Kansas, and raised in Los Angeles, Rafael Gramajo started boxing at the age of 11 in the same gym that saw the likes of Brandon Rios and Victor Ortiz. After an ambitious amateur career where he participated in around 100 fights, Gramajo decided to take his career to the next level, making his professional debut against Jimmy Small in April 2012. In 2014, Gramajo moved to Los Angeles to train out of the famed Westside boxing Club under the Saucedo Brothers. Boasting two impressive wins at Fantasy Springs in 2015, Gramajo will make his LA FIGHT CLUB debut on June 4.

Pablo Cupul is a tough fighter known for his endurance in the ring. A professional since 2009, the fighter has consistently stayed busy. Having last fought in June of 2014, against Oscar Negrete, Cupul is looking to add a win to his record when he faces Gramajo in his first fight of 2015.

Pablo Rubio, from Whittier, Calif., is set to make his professional debut at the June 4 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB. Rubio fought in the 2014 USA Boxing Junior and Youth Open in the youth lightweight class at 123 lbs. He has sparred with the likes of undefeated professional boxer Leo Santa Cruz. On June 4, Rubio is determined to make a strong start to his professional career and a name for himself with the win over his opponent.

Martin Regalado of Los Angeles is set to make his professional debut at The Belasco Theater on June 4 as he faces Pablo Rubio in his first pro 4-round super bantamweight bout.

LA FIGHT CLUB: Velez vs. Ramirez is a 10-round featherweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Cotto Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the June 4 LA FIGHT CLUB are on sale now. Prices start at $20 and can be purchased online by going to www.goldenboypromotions.com or by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page. For ticket information, email LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com.

The “Knockout Experience VIP Package” is also available for an additional $25 upgrade and includes VIP entrance, access to an exclusive lounge offering food and beverages for purchase; a meet and greet opportunity with fighters and celebrities attending the event; an automatic entry into the LA FIGHT CLUB grand prize drawing, which can include but is not limited to: autograph gloves, picture in the ring, backstage access, tour of locker rooms, fighter ring walk, tickets to upcoming boxing events and additional merchandise and prizes.

The LA FIGHT CLUB is a monthly boxing series that takes place on the first Thursday of each month. It will showcase the brightest stars in the sport and present these exciting matchups in a nightclub atmosphere with an original setup. The boxing ring will be set on the main floor of The Belasco Theater with on-camera standing room for fans in front of the ring similar to a concert pit, as well as reserved balcony and floor seats. Los Angeles’ own DJ Ray of Big Boy’s Neighborhood will spin music during the fights and fans will be able to dance and mingle with the fighters when the venue converts into a night club, in a VIP experience not matched by any promoter in the industry.

Media interested in attending the June 4 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are available by clicking HERE. Completed credential applications should be sent to credentials@goldenboypromotions.com by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @FoxSports, @FoxSports1, @FoxDeportes, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @belascola and follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB.

LOS ANGELES (May 14) – After another sellout crowd at the May 7 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB, boxing’s popular new series on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes is back and heating up as summer approaches. On Thursday, June 4, The Belasco Theater will once again host another sizzling edition as undefeated top prospect Jayson Velez (22-0-1, 16 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico will battle it out against Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico’s Daniel “Huracan” Ramirez (11-1, 5 KOs), in hopes of continuing his winning streak in a 10-round featherweight bout. Velez and Ramirez replace the previously announced Ronny Rios who had to withdraw due to injury.

“In response to high demand, LA FIGHT CLUB is back June 4 at The Belasco Theater for the fourth time and will feature another card of thrilling fights from start to finish,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions. “These sellouts crowds demonstrate that boxing is not dead. The fans want to be entertained; they want to see fighters give it their all and battle it out in the ring for the win, and that is what LA FIGHT CLUB continues to deliver every month.”

Opening the telecast, undefeated Angeleno and local favorite Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (9-0, 9 KOs) returns to The Belasco Theater for his second appearance at LA FIGHT CLUB in a six-round super featherweight bout and Pablo Rubio of Whittier, Calif. will make his professional debut in a four-round super bantamweight non-televised bout. Opponents will be announced soon.

Hailing from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Jayson Velez made his professional debut in 2007 and his U.S. debut in his ninth fight in June 2009 triumphing over Jesus Bayron at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In 2012, Velez returned to Madison Square Garden to face Salvador Sánchez II, winning the WBC Silver Featherweight Championship. Velez has continued his winning streak through 2014, most recently taking down Miguel Soto in a second round technical knockout victory in April 2014 in Puerto Rico. Velez’s debut at LA FIGHT CLUB marks his first fight of 2015.

A professional since 2012, Daniel “Huracan” Ramirez of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico is looking to add another win to his record when he faces Velez on June 4. Fighting in the U.S. in all of his 2014 bouts facing top prospects Guy Robb, Aaron Garcia, and Eric Hunter, the Mexican fighter is looking to impress in his first fight of 2015.

One of the most exciting prospects in the sport, 19-year-old super featherweight Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez has thrilled fans by winning each of his professional bouts by knockout, seven in the first round. Fresh from a sixth-round stoppage of Julio Sarinana at The Belasco Theater on March 6 that forced him to rise from the canvas for the first time to win, LA’s Gonzalez always brings the thrills on fight night.

Pablo Rubio, from Whittier, Calif., is set to make his professional debut at the June 4 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB. Rubio fought in the 2014 USA Boxing Junior and Youth Open in the youth lightweight class at 123 lbs. He has sparred with the likes of undefeated professional boxer Leo Santa Cruz. On June 4, Rubio is determined to make a strong start to his professional career and a name for himself with the win over his opponent.

LA FIGHT CLUB: Velez vs. Ramirez is a 10-round featherweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the June 4 LA FIGHT CLUB are on sale today. Prices start at $20 and can be purchased online by going to www.goldenboypromotions.com or by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page. For ticket information, email LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com.

The “Knockout Experience VIP Package” is also available for an additional $25 upgrade and includes VIP entrance, access to an exclusive lounge offering food and beverages for purchase; a meet and greet opportunity with fighters and celebrities attending the event; an automatic entry into the LA FIGHT CLUB grand prize drawing, which can include but is not limited to: autograph gloves, picture in the ring, backstage access, tour of locker rooms, fighter ring walk, tickets to upcoming boxing events and additional merchandise and prizes.

The LA FIGHT CLUB is a monthly boxing series that takes place on the first Thursday of each month. It will showcase the brightest stars in the sport and present these exciting matchups in a nightclub atmosphere with an original setup. The boxing ring will be set on the main floor of The Belasco Theater with on-camera standing room for fans in front of the ring similar to a concert pit, as well as reserved balcony and floor seats. Los Angeles’ own DJ Ray of Big Boy’s Neighborhood will spin music during the fights and fans will be able to dance and mingle with the fighters when the venue converts into a night club, in a VIP experience not matched by any promoter in the industry.

Media interested in attending the June 4 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are available by clicking HERE. Completed credential applications should be sent to credentials@goldenboypromotions.com by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 28. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @FoxSports, @FoxSports1, @FoxDeportes, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @belascola and follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB.

Former WBO Super Flyweight Champion “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona (19-1-1, 15 KOs) arrived yesterday in Las Vegas to continue working with trainer Jun Agrabio, Sampson Boxing stablemate and fellow former world champion John Riel Casimero, as well as strength and conditioning coach Angel Heredia, for his upcoming fight against Puerto Rico’s Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez (22-0-1, 16 KOs).

Team Sonsona will be training at Roy Jones Jr.’s Gym.

Ranked #2 WBC, #5 WBA, #4 IBF and #12 WBO, Sonsona, will face Velez (ranked #3 WBC) in a final elimination bout to face champion Jhonny Gonzalez and in defense of his NABF Featherweight Championship.

While working with Agrabio, the 24-year-old Sonsona, of General Santos City, Philippines, has rededicated himself to his boxing career and the results have shown. He knocked out former world champion Akifumi Shimoda in three brutal rounds last February and then avenged his only loss, to Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. by way of a split decision victory in June.

“I’m very happy that Sonsona and Casimero are working together in Las Vegas, my hometown,” said the pair’s co-promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing (along with Sammy Gello-ani), and I’m looking forward to having two more champions for my promotional company in the very near future.”

Casimero, from Cebu City, Philippines, is currently waiting to face the winner of the upcoming IBF flyweight title fight between current champion Amnat Ruenroeng and China’s Zou Shiming in March.

ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

HBO’s hit late-night boxing franchise visits Omaha, Neb. for the second time in less than six months to present an all-action doubleheader of world title bouts when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: TERENCE CRAWFORD VS. RAY BELTRAN AND EVGENY GRADOVICH VS. JAYSON VELEZ is seen SATURDAY, NOV. 29 at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from CenturyLink Center, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 30 (8:15 a.m.) and Dec. 1 (12:15 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Nov. 30 (5:45 p.m.) and Dec. 2 (12:15 a.m.)

Last June in Omaha, lightweight titleholder Terence Crawford (24-0, 17 KOs) made his long-awaited hometown debut on HBO, scoring a spectacular comeback KO victory over the previously undefeated Cuban star Yuriorkis Gamboa. The 27-year-old has fast-tracked through the 135-pound division, scoring three victories on HBO last year and adding a world title belt in March 2013.

Ray Beltran (29-6-1, 17 KOs) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico is a formidable opponent on a five-fight winning streak. No stranger to the spotlight, the 33-year-old fought on the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley Jr. undercard last April, winning a 12-round unanimous decision over Arash Usmanee.

The night from Omaha opens with two undefeated fighters hoping to become breakout stars when Evgeny Gradovich (19-0, 9 KOs) of Russia and Jayson Velez (22-0, 16 KOs) of Puerto Rico clash in a 12-round featherweight title fight. Making his fourth title defense, the 28-year-old Gradovich has shown a willingness to meet anyone, anywhere, having fought three times in Macau, China. Like Gradovich, the 26-year-old Velez has a fan-friendly style that should make for a compelling encounter.

The telecast begins with a replay of the Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri welterweight title fight from Macau that featured a dominant performance from Pacquiao in his 17th HBO Pay-Per-View event.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

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

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich will defend his title against Jayson Velez on November 29 as part of the Terence Crawford – Ray Beltran undercard in in Omaha, Nebraska.

“It’s a real good fight, I think,” said Gradovich’s promoter Bob Arum. “Gradovich and this kid Velez both come to fight. It’s hard for me to pick a winner. If you had to pick a winner I guess you’d have to go with Gradovich based on his experience.”

“It’s two guys who aren’t big sluggers who fight like they are big sluggers, which always makes for a great action fight,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti said.

“Velez has given a good account of himself and he’s Miguel Cotto’s fighter, so we moved him into the title fight with Gradovich,” Arum said. “Velez, Miguel and [Cotto adviser] Gaby [Peñagaricano] are ecstatic to get the fight and we’re happy to put it on.”

Big Apple on Saturday, March 2 when Mexico’s Daniel Ponce De Leon defends his WBC Featherweight World Championship against Puerto Rico’s latest knockout artist, Jayson Velez, in the main event from the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The night of fights marks the first time in over 15 years that the Apollo has played host to professional boxing with the last fight taking place in November 1997.

The SHOWTIME action doesn’t stop there as the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship will be on the line when Richar Abril and Sharif “The Lion” Bogere square off in the co-main event which was originally scheduled for November, but was postponed when Bogere suffered an ankle injury. Opening the broadcast will be unbeaten featherweight phenom Gary Russell Jr. against Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev in a 10-round featherweight bout.

“There’s nothing like boxing’s Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry and this fight between Ponce De Leon and Velez is going to be explosive from start to finish,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “New York City is the perfect location for this event and we can’t wait to have our first show at the historic Apollo Theater.”

“This will be a great fight once again the classic battle between Puerto Rico and Mexico,” said Miguel Cotto. “Jayson is ready to take the challenge and fight for the world title. Puerto Rico will have a new world champion on March 2.”

“This is a fight we’ve been waiting a long time for and my first defense is just around the corner,” said Ponce De Leon. “I feel better prepared than when I won the title against Jhonny Gonzalez. I’m sure I’ll win and will be world champion for a long time. I’m focused on the fight. I’m not bothered or uncomfortable fighting outside of my own backyard. To the contrary, it motivates me to fight better.”

“I’ve been training really hard and am focused for this fight,” said Velez. “Winning a belt has been the goal my whole life. Everything in camp is going as we planned and I can’t wait to be in the ring on March 2.”

“On March 2, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will give boxing fans another action-packed card featuring a line-up of pressure fighters who almost never take a step back,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “With two world title fights at the legendary Apollo Theater, this event promises entertaining action from start to finish.”

Ponce De Leon vs. Velez, a 12-round fight for Ponce De Leon’s WBC Featherweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions and sponsored by Corona. In the co-featured attractions on SHOWTIME, WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Richar Abril squares off against WBA number three rated lightweight contender Sharif Bogere for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship and featherweight contender Gary Russell Jr. faces Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev in a ten-round featherweight bout. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME Extreme at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets, priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable taxes and service charges, go on sale on Tomorrow, Saturday, February 9 at noon ET and will be available for purchase at the Apollo Theater box office, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

Considered by many to be comeback fighter of the year in 2012, former Junior Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (44-4, 35 KO’s) took the long road back to the top, but last year he reaped the fruits of his labor in spectacular fashion. Ponce De Leon had an excellent 2012 during which he knocked out Omar Estrella in January, decisioned Eduardo Lazcano in May and became a two-division world champion on September 15 when he outpointed Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBC Featherweight World Championship. On March 2, his second reign begins as he makes his first defense.

Hailing from Juncos, Puerto Rico, 24-year-old Jayson Velez (20-0, 15 KO’s) has a mighty legacy to live up to when it comes to the warriors from the boxing-rich island, but over the course of his five-year career, he’s shown the talent and drive to join them. The owner of the WBC USNBC, WBO Latino and WBC Silver Featherweight titles, Velez put on a precision power-punching clinic last December when he stopped Salvador Sanchez in the third round at Madison Square Garden. On March 2, he’ll be back in New York in an attempt to earn his first world title.

30-year old Richar Abril (17-3-1, 8 KO’s) was fairly unknown outside of hardcore fight circles heading into 2012, but when the Cuba-born resident of Miami, Florida took on highly-touted Brandon Rios for the WBA Lightweight World Championship in April of last year, that status changed over the span of 12 rounds. Though WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Abril lost a split decision to Rios that night, the boxing media and fans around the world voiced their displeasure, calling it one of the worst decisions ever. On March 2, Abril rightfully gets another shot at the title, this time against Bogere.

Uganda native Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (23-0, 15 KO’s) was a five-time African champion in his amateur days and now he’s eager to add some professional gold to his trophy case on March 2. An aggressive contender with impressive power, the 24-year old (who now makes his home in Las Vegas) has impressed in his wins over top rising stars Ray Beltran, Francisco Contreras, Sergio Rivera and Manuel Leyva, putting him in prime position for a shot at the world title.

Perhaps the most talented young fighter in the sport today, 24-year-old southpaw Gary Russell Jr. (21-0, 13 KO’s) has been showing his stellar boxing skills since his days as an amateur standout. In the fourth year of his professional career in 2012, he began adding power punching into his repertoire with impressive knockouts of Christopher Perez and Roberto Castaneda. On March 2, the Capitol Heights, Maryland resident will look to continue to wow fans in his New York debut in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING opening fight against Gusev.

Prokopyevsk, Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev (20-2, 5 KO’s) is a nine year professional who has started to fulfill his world championship potential in the ring. A decorated competitor with several regional titles to his name, the 26-year-old began making his mark in 2010 as he began a four-fight winning streak that he will bring into the ring with him on March 2. In his most recent fight on April 30, he rose from the canvas to decision Padjai Yongyuthgym and he plans on handing Russell his first defeat at the Apollo.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com and www.apollotheater.org, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto, www.twitter.com/DanielPoncedeL1, www.twitter.com/Jayson_Velez, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #PonceDeLeonVelez or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

Follow all the action live from Ringside at Madison Square Garden as Austin Trout defends the WBA Super Welterweight championship against Miguel Cotto. The action begins at 9pm eastern with a two fight undercard featuring Danny Jacobs and Chris Fitzpatrick as well as Jayson Velez and Salvador Sanchez II

REFRESH FOR UP TO THE SECOND UPDATES

12 ROUNDS WBA SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP–AUSTIN TROUT (25-0, 14 KO’S) VS MIGUEL COTTO (37-3, 30 KO’S)

ROUND 1 Cotto lands a jab..Trout lands a left to the body..good straight left..Left rocks Cotto..10-9 Trout

Round 2 Cotto pushes a right..Cotto traps trout in the corner...19-19

Round 3 Trout gets in a left..Good right hook..lead left..straight left..29-28 Trout

Round 4 Trout lands a left to the body…straight flush left..Good right from Cotto..right to the body from Trout..starting to fight at Cotto’s pace..39-37 Trout

Round 5 Trout moving in and out..Right from Cotto..Clubbing right from Trout…2 good lefts from Trout..49-46 Trout

Round 6 Cotto gets in a left…Trout jabs to the body…Good hard right from Cotto..2 body shots..Straight left from Cotto..the trade lefts…Cotto’s was better.58-56 Trout

Round 7 Left hook from Cotto..Step around right…bODY SHOT FROM tROUT..Hard left from Cotto..Straight right..Both guys loading up on power shots…67-66 Trout

Round 8 Body shot from Trout…upper cut and straight left…Good left from Cotto..Good action at the end of the round…77-75 Trout

Round 9 Uppercut from Trout..Left…right hook..Counter left from Cotto..hard shots…87-84 Trout

Round 10 Straight left from Trout..Hard left..Cotto sneaks in a right..right hook from Trout..3 right hooks..3 hard right hooks…97-93 Trout

Round 11 Left from trout…..Right from Cotto..uppercut from Trout..Hard uppercut..Good straight left..107-102 Trout

Round 12 Straight left from Trout…God right from Cotto..right..116-112 Trout

117-111; 117-111; 119-109 AUSTIN TROUT

10 ROUNDS FEATHERWEIGHTS–JAYSON VELEZ (19-0, 14 KO’S) VS SALVADOR SANCHEZ (30-4-3, 18 KO’S)

Round 1 Velez gets in a right..combo to the head..2 rights…10-9 Velez

ROUND 2 Velez lands about seven booming shots…Sanchez takes them…Hard left..BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES SANCHEZ JUST BEFORE THE BELL…20-17 Velez

Round 3 BIG RIGHT-LEFT COMBO AND DOWN GOES SANCHEZ...2 BIG RIGHTS AND SANCHEZ IS BUCKLED AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

10 ROUNDS–MIDDLEWEIGHTS—DANNY JACOBS (23-1, 20 KO’S) VS CHRIS FITZPATRICK (15-2, 6 KO’S)

Round 1 Fitzpatrck goes to the body..Trading body shots…Jacobs lands a body/head combo..Triple jab…10-9 Jacobs

Round 2 Left hook from Jacobs…Left hook..20-18 Jacobs

Round 3 Jacobs lands a big right…hard drives Fitzpatrick to the ropes..Jacobs opens up…Fotpatrick cut on the forehead…Huge comnination rocks Fitzpatrick…30-27 Jacobs

Round 4 Fitzpatrick working the body..Left hook from Jacobs…Hard right the ropes…40-36 Jacobs

Round 5 Right drives Fitzpatrick to the ropes…Hard left hook…huge barrage..Jacobs battering Fitzpatrick all over the ring…50-45 Jacobs

THE FIGHT IS STOPPED IN BETWEEN ROUNDS

Austin Trout 154 – Miguel Cotto 153.6
Jayson Velez 125.8 – Salvador Sanchez II 125.2
Daniel Jacobs 161.2 – Chris Fitzpatrick 163.3 (needs to lose .3

NEW YORK, N.Y. (Nov. 27, 2012) – Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and unbeaten Puerto Rican prospects Jayson Velez and Jeffrey Fontanez participated in media workouts on Monday at Gleason’s Gym in New York in preparation for their upcoming fights this Saturday, Dec. 1 at Madison Square Garden with Cotto’s and Velez’s fights airing live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

In the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Cotto (37-3, 30 KO’s), of Caguas, P.R., will face undefeated defending champion Austin Trout (25-0, 14 KO’s), of Las Cruces, N.M., for the WBA Super Welterweight World Championship.

The 10-round co-feature for the vacant WBC Silver Featherweight Championship will pit Velez (19-0, 14 KO’s), of Juncos, P.R., against Salvador Sanchez II (30-4-3, 18 KO’s), of Tianguistenco, Mexico. In the opening bout of the telecast, hometown favorite Danny “Miracle Man” Jacobs (23-1, 20 KO’s) will be face Cleveland’s Chris “The Irish Ghost” Fitzpatrick (15-2, 6 KO’s) in an eight-round middleweight bout.

The hard-hitting Fontanez (8-0, 7 KO’s) will face Pedro Arcos (12-2-1, 9 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico, in a six-round junior lightweight fight which will be featured on the Puerto Rican pay-per-view telecast.

Tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are available at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.

The event, presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, is sponsored by The Puerto Rican Tourism Board and Corona.

Doors will open at 5:10 p.m. ET. The first fight begins at 5:15 p.m.

What the fighters said Monday:

Miguel Cotto, Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion

“I feel great. We had a great camp and I’m ready for 12 rounds.

“Trout is not the first young, hungry fighter I have faced in my career. We don’t see anything special in this opponent [Trout]. He is just another opponent.

“I don’t know what Trout will bring on Saturday night, but I know that I will be ready for him.

“I trained at a high altitude during this camp and it was great. Everyone will see Miguel Cotto at his best.

“Fans here in New York have always given me a great reception and I really appreciate it. I will give them what they want to see.”

Jayson Velez, Top Featherweight Prospect

“Fighting at Madison Square Garden is a great honor. I know the Puerto Rican fans will be there in full force.

“This is such a great card and I am thrilled to be a part of it.

“I am honored to be able to train with Miguel Cotto. He is a great legend in Puerto Rico and he is one of my role models.”

Jeffrey Fontanez, Top Middleweight Prospect

“It is an honor to be on a Miguel Cotto undercard.

“I feel ready to show the world what I am all about. I am very anxious and happy to be on this great card.”

Pedro Diaz, Cotto’s Trainer

“Miguel wants to win in front of all of the Puerto Rican fans on a great stage at Madison Square Garden.

“Our goal this week is to make sure Miguel makes weight and that he is physically and mentally prepared for Saturday night.”

Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions

“Miguel Cotto is deservedly one of the three biggest names in the sport next to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

“You could see at today’s workout how big of a draw he is based on the media turnout.

“We are excited to be here in New York City. It is the Mecca of Boxing and the Mecca of Miguel Cotto.

“Miguel certainly could’ve fought an easier opponent. When given the choice between an easy opponent and a difficult one, Miguel always chooses the more challenging test. That is why he is Miguel Cotto and that is why the fans love him the way that they do.”

Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports

“There is a noticeable build of energy and excitement as we get closer to the fight. Miguel Cotto is without question one of the biggest names in the sport.

“Every time he fights, it is a major event. But when he fights at The Garden, it is extra special.

“Austin Trout isn’t as well known [as Cotto], but knowledgeable boxing enthusiasts know that he is going to be a difficult opponent for Miguel.

“This fight represents Austin’s lifelong dream and it is clear that he is going to do whatever he can to capitalize on that.

“This is a true crossroads fight between an up and coming star and one of its established legends.”

For more information, visit www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, and www.thegarden.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/NoDoubtTrout, www.twitter.com/Jayson_Velez, www.twitter.com/DanielJacobsTKO, www.twitter.com/MSGSportsNYC, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #CottoTrout or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

Miguel Cotto
“Trout has been a World Champion and he deserves his recognition. I know why I accepted this challenge..

“Training in Big Bear was great and we accomplished all the goals that [trainer] Pedro [Diaz] had for us. Everything so far is going just as he planned. I’m feeling great.

“Pedro has been a great addition to my career and for our team. Everyone saw the results with my fights against (Antonio) Margarito and (Floyd) Mayweather. Now, we’ll see how I perform against Trout.

“All fights are different and every fighter is different, but I’m training hard like always and I’m ready to show that everyone on December 1st.

“Trout is not the only undefeated fighter that I have faced. He is not the first champion either. With that in mind, I will climb into the ring to win.”

Pedro Diaz

“Since I started working with Miguel Cotto, we talked about the future, different training techniques and new preparations like training at high altitude. We trained for three weeks in Puerto Rico to prepare Miguel for Big Bear. Once we got there, training was excellent.

“The final result was exactly what we wanted and we met our physical and mental goals for Miguel. Miguel has been in some very tough and difficult fights and we wanted to give his body some extra oxygen by training in Big Bear. Everyone knows the benefits of training at a high altitude and it paid off.

“We came back to Orlando to finish our preparations and everything has gone smoothly. He’s 100% ready and Miguel can feel the difference from this training camp to the others before. I know were going to win on December 1st.”

Jayson Velez

“I’m very emotional and happy about my upcoming fight. I’m fighting at a legendary venue and to fight on the co-main event underneath Miguel is an honor. This is also my first time on SHOWTIME and an opportunity that very few people get.

“I’m fighting a tough Mexican fighter and I’m expecting a war…Puerto Rico vs. Mexico! I promise everyone, it will be a great show.”

# # #

“Showdown: Cotto vs. Trout” is a 12-round battle between Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin Trout taking place on Saturday, December 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-featured fights will see Jayson Velez take on Salvador Sanchez II in a 10-round fight for the vacant WBC Silver Featherweight title and Danny “Miracle Man” Jacobs battle Chris “The Irish Ghost” Fitzpatrick in a 10-round middleweight fight. The event is promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, sponsored by The Puerto Rican Tourism Board and Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.

For more information, visit www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, and www.thegarden.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/NoDoubtTrout, www.twitter.com/Jayson_Velez, www.twitter.com/DanielJacobsTKO, www.twitter.com/MSGSportsNYC, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #CottoTrout or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

LOS ANGELES, November 16 – The December 1 event at Madison Square Garden just became an explosive tripleheader with the addition of unbeaten Puerto Rican phenom Jayson Velez taking on Mexico’s Salvador Sanchez II in a 10-round fight for the vacant WBC Silver Featherweight title in a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico battle. In the second co-featured attraction, one of boxing’s top young talents, middleweight Danny “Miracle Man” Jacobs, will face Cleveland’s Chris “The Irish Ghost” Fitzpatrick in a 10-round middleweight fight as Jacobs returns for his second fight after winning a harrowing battle against a cancerous tumor that attacked his spine. The tripleheader will be televised on SHOWTIME from Madison Square Garden.

A native of Juncos, Puerto Rico, 24-year-old Jayson Velez (19-0, 14 KO’s) has shown the potential to follow in the championship footsteps of Puerto Rico’s most famous resident, Miguel Cotto. A sharp puncher who can take out opponents with either hand, Velez is coming off of a sixth round knockout over Leivi Brea in August. On December 1, he returns to Madison Square Garden for the first time since stopping Jesus Bayron in June of 2009.

Hailing from Tianguistenco, Mexico, Salvador “Sal II” Sanchez II (30-4-3, 18 KO’s) is carrying on his pugilistic family name following the tragic death of his uncle, the legendary featherweight champion Salvador Sanchez, in 1982. The winner of 11 straight, the 27-year-old Sanchez will pay homage to his uncle on December 1 by wearing the trunks, shoes and robe the Hall of Famer wore in his final fight against Azumah Nelson at Madison Square Garden in July of 1982, making this more than just a fight for this promising Mexican warrior.

A highly-decorated amateur boxer with several titles and accolades to his name, Brooklyn’s Danny Jacobs (23-1, 20 KO’s) was achieving the same success in the professional game, soaring to the top of the middleweight division at breakneck speed, with the only hiccup being an upset loss to Dmitry Pirog for the vacant WBO Middleweight title in 2010. Jacobs quickly rebounded from the defeat, winning two subsequent fights by knockout, but shortly after defeating Robert Kliewer in March of 2011, he was faced with the biggest fight of his life against cancer. Thankfully, the 25-year-old fought just as hard out of the ring as he does inside of it and is now cancer-free after a battle that lasted over a year. Even more amazing is that after being told he would never fight again, he fought his way back into the ring and looked as sharp as ever when he knocked out Josh Luteran in just 73 seconds on October 20 of this year. Now he will step things up once again when he faces Fitzpatrick on December 1 at The Garden.

Chris “The Irish Ghost” Fitzpatrick (15-2, 6 KO’s) has been boxing since the age of eight and this lifelong passion has finally led him to the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden for the biggest fight of his career on December 1. A boxer-puncher who always shows up to scrap, the 25-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio has been fighting professionally since 2008 and he’s looking forward to testing Jacobs while showing that he’s ready for the next level of competition in the talent-rich middleweight division.

“Showdown: Cotto vs. Trout” is a 12-round battle between Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin Trout taking place on Saturday, December 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-featured fights will see Jayson Velez take on Salvador Sanchez in a 10-round fight for the vacant WBC Silver Featherweight title and Danny “Miracle Man” Jacobs battle Chris “The Irish Ghost” Fitzpatrick in a 10-round middleweight fight. The event is promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, sponsored by The Puerto Rican Tourism Board and Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME.

Tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.

For more information, visit www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, and www.thegarden.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto, www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/NoDoubtTrout, www.twitter.com/Jayson_Velez, www.twitter.com/DanielJacobsTKO, www.twitter.com/MSGSportsNYC, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #CottoTrout or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports