Corpus Chrusti, Texas (January 4, 2017) –Former Lightweight world title contender, Jerry ‘Corpus Christi Kid’ Belmontes, 21-10(6kos) has decided to hang up his gloves and cross over to the business side of boxing.

The fighting pride of Corpus Christi, Belmontes began fighting at age 10. He learned to use his great footwork and slippery style to build himself into a decorated amateur; winning 117 of his bouts. Jerry began his professional career under the Top Rank promotional arm. After a split with the company in 2010, Jerry later inked a deal with Main Events which was also short lived. His final pact with a promotional company came from Golden Boy which presented big opportunities against big names. In his 6 fights working with Golden Boy Promotions, Belmontes defeated former IBO champion Will Tomlinson (21-0-1). During his career, Belmontes had quality wins over undefeated Valentin Golovko (21-0), Daniel Diaz (19-4-1) and Joselito Collado (13-1), and earned a world title shot of his own versus amateur rival, Omar Figueroa. In controversial fashion, Belmontes was handed a split decision loss in which many thought he had beaten Figueroa.

The second half of Belmontes career was a downward spiral, losing 6 of his final 8 fights. He was stopped for the first time in his career by current WBA Lightweight champion Jason Sosa. In his final bout, Belmontes was defeated by Julian Rodriguez in Florida.

Belmontes faced 5 world champions, and had wins over 4 undefeated foes.

“It is weird retiring at 28 {years old} but I had a great career. I fought on TV, represented my city {Corpus Christi} and family name. I got to make a little money and was able to provide a different life for my wife and kids. Most importantly, I walk away in one piece and not in bad health.”

Jerry believes his career was indeed an education for him to guide fighters and help them on the business side of the sport.

“I learned a lot about the business of boxing in my 9 years. Although my time retired will be mostly spent with my wife and kids, I will be announcing the start of a new company with my manager {Adrian Clark} that will help educate and protect fighters.”

Belmontes is holding a press conference at the American Bank Center on January 11, 2017 in Corpus Christi, Texas to officially announce his retirement.

Christopher Diaz remained undefeated by scoring a 8-round unanimous decision over Fernando Vargas at the Osceola Heritage Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

Diaz, 128 1/2 lbs of Barranquitas, PR won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 and is now 19-0. Vargas, 126 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 31-13-3.

Julian Rodriguez won an 8-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes in a super lightweight bout.

In round one, Rodriguez landed a left that that buckled Belmontes into the ropes, which was ruled a knockdown. At the end of round two, Rodriguez dropped Belmontes with a left hook on the ropes.

Rodriguez, 141 1/2 lbs of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ won by scores of 80-70 twice and 78-72 and is now 15-0. Belmontes, 141 1/4 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX is 21-10.

Gadwin Rosa won a 4-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Irizarry in a battle of undefeated junior lightweights.

Scores were 40-36 and 39-37 twice for Rosa, 129 3/4 lbs of Vieques, PR and is now 2-0. Irizarry, 130.5 lbs of Puerto Rico is 3-1.

New York, NY (5/26/16) – As previously announced, on Friday, June 3, Broadway Boxing returns to the beautiful Resorts World Casino New York City in Queens, NY, featuring former world champions Richar Abril (19-3-1, 8KO’s) and Yuri Foreman (33-2, 9KO’s) headlining in separate bouts. The exciting 10-bout card is presented by DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing and sponsored by Nissan of Queens. Abril is set to take on the always-tough, former world title challenger and now resurgent contender Jerry Belmontes (21-8, 6KO’s) in a 10-round super lightweight showdown, while Foreman squares off against Jason Davis in an eight-round junior middleweight matchup.

Anytime undefeated light heavyweight Mike Lee (16-0, 10KO’s) steps in the ring, he does so behind an army of adoring fans. The Notre Dame graduate Lee is set to make his second appearance in 2016 when he takes on Mike Snider in an eight-round light heavyweight matchup.

The Chicago-native Lee graduated from the esteemed University in 2009, but not before claiming three Bengal Bout championships while fighting on the University’s boxing team. Following his graduation, Lee won the 2009 Chicago Golden Gloves before embarking on his professional career in 2010. Since his debut, Notre Dame Alumni from across the U.S. have come out in droves to show support for their favorite son. In September 2011, Lee became a national spokesman for Subway Restaurants and continues to be prominently featured in their nationally broadcast “Famous Fan” advertising campaigns. In 2011, Lee headlined the first-ever pro boxing event at the University of Notre Dame, donating more than $100,000 to Notre Dame Charities through The Mike Lee Foundation.

Returning to action for the first time since his sensational knockout performance on ShoBox is undefeated prospect Steve Rolls (13-0, 7KO’s) as he squares off against Emmanuel Sanchez (7-4, 1KO) in an eight-round super middleweight matchup. Making his ShoBox and national TV debut in December, the Canadian Rolls scored a scintillating, come-from-behind fourth-round knockout over fellow undefeated prospect and UK National champion Steed Woodall.

Also making his 2016 debut on the card will be hard-hitting Queens-native Joseph Williams (8-0 6KO’s) as he takes on Lamar Harris in a six-round cruiserweight matchup. A 2011 US Olympic Team Trials silver medalist, Williams won the 2012 National Golden Gloves heavyweight title and was three-time NY Golden Gloves champion before turning pro. Williams was a perfect 5-0 in 2015 with three of those wins coming by way of devastating knockout and will be looking to improve to 9-0 when he takes on Harris.

Female world-rated contender Alicia Napoleon (5-0, 4KO’s) will look to continue on her path of destruction through the world rankings when she takes on Latasha Burton in an eight-round junior middleweight matchup. A devastating puncher, Napoleon claimed the vacant WBC silver junior middleweight title in her last bout and is determined to secure a shot at a world title sometime this year.

Making his NYC debut will be former amateur standout and two-time National Golden Gloves champion Marquis Moore (1-0, 1KO). Campaigning at middleweight, Moore, a member of the U.S. Army, who was honorably discharged after serving three years for our country, had an outstanding amateur career, compiling a 140-15 record. Moore also claimed the National PAL championship in 2015 and boxed at the U.S. Olympic trials. Moore’s fight on June 3 is scheduled for four rounds.

Popular Brooklyn-native prospect Julian Sosa (4-0-1, 2KO’s) is also set to see action on the card when he competes in a six-round welterweight contest.

Also appearing on the card will be Bronx-native and 2014 NY Golden Gloves heavyweight champion George Arias (5-0, 3KO’s) in a six-round bout.

Rounding out the card will be Staten Island’s James Wilkins as he makes his much-anticipated pro debut when he takes on Erick Lainez in a four-round junior lightweight matchup.

Tickets are priced at $125 ringside, $75 reserved seating and $50 general admission. Tickets may be purchased by calling DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the night of the fight. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7 p.m.

Christopher Diaz scored a 1st round stoppage over Alcides Santiago in a scheduled 8-round Featherweight bout at Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon. Puerto Rico.

Diaz jumped all over Santiago and he floored him with a hard right-left combination. Diaz did not ket up as he was all over Santiago and continued to land hard shots to the head and the bout was stopped at 2:26 of round one.

Diaz, 127 lbs of Baymon, PR is now 12-0 with 7 knockouts. Santiago of Lares, PR is 5-2.

Jason Sosa scored a 1st round stoppage over former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Lightweight bout.

Sosa landed a perfect left hook-straight right combination that sent Belmontes to the deck. Belmontes tried to get to his feet but appeared to hurt his foot and the fight was stopped after the count reach 10 at 2:39 of round one.

Sosa, 130 lbs of Camden, NJ is 17-1-3 with 13 knockouts. Belmontes, 131 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX is 19-8.

Jean Rivera scored a 1st round stoppage over Jose Roman in a scheduled 4-round Super Bantamweight bout.

Rivera scored two knockdowns and the bout was stopped.

Rivera, 121 lbs of Bayamon, PR is 3-0 with 2 knockouts. Roman, 122 lbs is 0-3.

Jean Torres made a successful pro debut by scoring a 65 second stoppage over Jonathan Guzman in a scheduled 4-round Lightweight bout.

Torres landed a straight right to the body that sent Guzman down for the 10-count.

Torres, 134 lbs of Trujillo Alto, PR is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Guzman, 133 lbs is 0-3.

Jovanni Santiago scored a 1st round stoppage over Leroy Padilla in a scheduled 6-round Welterweight bout..

The bout was stopped at 1:48 after a knockdown for Santiago, 144 lbs and is now 6-0-1 with 4 knockouts. Padilla, 142 lbs is 1-10.

David Lemieux won the IBF Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

In round two, Lemieux landed a huge left that dropped N’Dam. In round five, Lemieux sent N’Da, to the canvas with a thudding left to to body/left to the head combination. Moments later, it was another crunching left hook that dropped N’Dam for a 3rd time.

N’Dam hit the deck again late in round seven from a right hand.

Lemieux, 160 lbs of Montreal won by scores of 115-109 twice and 114-110 and is now 34-2. N’Dam of France is now 31-2.

In a battle of former world title challengers, Dierry Jean won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jerry Belmontes in a Lightweight bout.

In round two, Jean landed an overhand right that made Belmontes glove hit the canvas for a knockdown.

Jean of Montreal won by scores of 99-90, 99-89 and 98-91 and is now 29-1. Belmontes, 134.4 lbs of Corpus Christie, Texas is now 19-7.

Heavyweight Luis Ortiz remained undefeated with a 1st round blowout over Byron Polley in a scheduled 8-round bout.

Ortiz dropped Polley with an left uppercut to the body in round one. Ortiz scored a 2nd knockdown when he pushed Polley down but it was a ruled a knockdown. Ortiz finished the fight with a perfect left hand that dropped Polley and the fight was stopped at 2:38 of round one.

Ortiz, 230 lbs of Miami, FL is 22-0 with 19 knockouts. Polley, 272 lbs of St. Joseph, MO is 27-19-1.

Philadelphia, PA-Osumanu Akaba, of Ghana, who had a nine-fight knockout streak snapped in his most recent fight, steps in against Edner Cherry in a 10-round junior lightweight contest on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.

Akaba replaces Jerry Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX, who injured his right wrist in training last Thursday.

The Cherry-Akaba bout and the Steve Cunningham-Natu Visinia heavyweight 10-rounder will be televised live by NBCSN on its popular Fight Night series beginning at 9 pm (ET).

While more recognizable fighters balked at fighting Cherry on short notice, the 34-year-old Akaba, now living in Tuscaloosa, AL, jumped at the opportunity. He had been ready and waiting for any opportunity when he got the call last Friday to fight Cherry.

Akaba, who turned pro in 2000 as a super bantamweight (122 pounds), is now a full-fledged lightweight (135) at 5-foot-10. His record is 24-6, 19 K0s. He has won three minor championships – WBC International Featherweight Title, WBA Pan African Featherweight Title, WBO Africa Super Featherweight Title.

One of Akaba’s four losses was a 12-round decision defeat in a competitive fight in 2008 in London to Ricky Burns, who later won the WBO world lightweight title. Another 12-round decision setback came in 2005 in South Africa against Jeffrey Mathebula, who went on to take the IBF world super bantamweight title.

In his only fight in the US, Akaba dropped an eight-round decision to Bahodir Mamadjonov, of Uzbekistan, who is 17-1, 11 K0s. Prior to that match last August, Akaba had scored nine consecutive knockouts. He has been stopped only once, early in his career.

There was some good news, however, for Cherry, who moved up to No. 15 in the WBC world ratings at 130pounds. He is No. 11 in the IBF.

About October 18
The Oct. 18 edition of NBCSN Fight Nightwill take place at the 2300 Arena at 2300 Swanson Street in South Philadelphia. It features a 10-round fight between Steve “USS” Cunningham, of Philadelphia, and Natu “The Truth” Visinia, of Lakewood, CA. A 10-round junior lightweight contest between Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry, of Wauchula, FL, and Osumanu Akaba, of Accra, Ghana, is the co-feature. Five additional fights open the show at 6PM. Tickets are $50 and $75 and are available by calling Peltz Boxing at (215) 765-0922 or at www.peltzboxing.com. They also can be purchased at Wanamakers Tickets (215-568-2400). The card is presented by Main Events and Peltz Boxing in association with Final Forum Promotions and BAM Boxing. The NBCSN Fight Night telecast will begin at 9 PM ET. Doors open at 5 PM and the first fight will start at 6. The event is sponsored by Rocco’s Collision.

NBC Sports Live Extra:
NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets — will live stream Fight Night at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Oct. 18. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

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Philadelphia, PA—Edner Cherry is not the only boxer frustrated with his career progress. Jerry Belmontes, who takes on Cherry in a 10-round lightweight fight on Saturday evening, Oct. 18, at the 2300 Arena here, knows the feeling.

The Cherry-Belmontes fight, as well as the 10-round heavyweight main event between Steve “USS” Cunningham of Philadelphia, and Natu “The Truth” Visinia, of Lakewood, CA, tops a seven-bout card at the 1,200-seat building at 2300 South Swanson Street. NBCSN will televise both fights, beginning at 9 pm EST. The seven-bout card begins at 6.30 pm.

“Someone is trying to bring me in as an opponent to get my name on their resume so they can contend for a title,” Belmontes said. “Same script, just a different cast member this time.”

This will be Belmontes’ second trip to Philadelphia. Though he lost a 10-round decision the last time here in 2012 to Eric Hunter, Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX, is looking forward to coming back.

“Great feeling going back to Philly,” said Belmontes, who is 19-5, 5 K0s. “A lot of love there…cannot wait to see my old Main Events (co-promoter) family.”

Belmontes is looking ahead, trying not to think what happened to him April 26 in Carson, CA, when he lost a disputed 12-round decision to Omar Figueroa, of Weslaco, TX, for the WBC world lightweight title. He understands a win over world-rated Cherry (No.11 IBF, No. 17 WBC) will put him back in the mix.

“Respect to [Cherry] and his career but my back is against the wall yet again so I have to do what I have to do,” Belmontes said.

Cherry, 32, of Wauchula, FL, is 32-6-2, 17 K0s. He has not lost since 2008 when he dropped a 12-round decision to Timothy Bradley for the WBC junior welterweight title.

About October 18
The Oct. 18 edition of NBCSN Fight Night will take place at the 2300 Arena at 2300 Swanson Street in South Philadelphia. It features a 10-round fight between Steve “USS” Cunningham, of Philadelphia, and Natu “The Truth” Visinia, of Lakewood, CA. A 10-round junior lightweight contest between Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry, of Wauchula, FL, and Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX is the co-feature. Five additional fights open the show at 6.30 PM. Tickets are $50 and $75 and are available by calling Peltz Boxing at (215) 765-0922 or at www.peltzboxing.com. They also can be purchased at Wanamakers Tickets (215-568-2400). The card is presented by Main Events and Peltz Boxing in association with Final Forum Promotions and BAM Boxing. The NBCSN Fight Night telecast will begin at 9 PM ET. Doors open at 5 PM and the first fight will start at 6.30. The event is sponsored by Rocco’s Collision.

NBC Sports Live Extra:
NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will live stream Fight Night at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT on Oct. 18. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Philadelphia, PA–He has not lost a fight since 2008, but junior lightweight contender Edner Cherry remains a fighter in limbo.

Few fighters understand frustration like Cherry, who gets a long-overdue nationally televised 10-round fight against Jerry Belmontes on Oct. 18 at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia. It will mark Cherry’s second fight in 2014 and only his third in the last 20 months.

The Cherry-Belmontes bout and the Steve Cunningham-Natu Visinia heavyweight 10-rounder will be televised live by NBCSN over its popular Fight Night series beginning at 9pm (ET).

“Some of the previous people I signed with…I was not sure why they could not move me,” said Cherry, who is ranked No.11 by the IBF, No. 17 by the WBC. “They were saying that no one wants to fight me or saying it was too hard to get me a fight, but this is boxing and getting the right fight and getting your name out there is important.”

After his knockout win over Mexican contender Vicente Escobedo early in 2013 in Atlantic City, NJ, Cherry couldn’t get another fight even though he had not lost since dropping a 12-round decision to Timothy Bradley for the WBC junior welterweight (140 pounds) belt in 2008. Overall, he is 32-6-2, 17 K0s.

“There are so many guys who don’t want to fight, who are scared, and yet they are the ones who are getting all the matches,” Cherry said. “For me, it’s like…what is stopping me? I just won, c’mon, what’s going on, why am I on the shelf?”

When the Florida-based Cherry signed with promoter J Russell Peltz last November, he thought his luck would change. When the first fight possibilities turned out to be against solid, world-rated lightweights (135 pounds), new trainer Dan Birmingham insisted on something easier and someone lighter, as in junior lightweight (130 pounds).

“I don’t think there is a junior lightweight in the world who can hang with Edner,” Birmingham said. “I simply wanted him to stay at 130 and get in a tune-up since he had not fought since February of 2013.

When Cherry finally landed an April 4 fight at Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, more frustration followed. He earned an eight-round decision over rugged Robert Osiobe, of Las Vegas, but suffered a nasty cut over his left eye from a head butt late in the fight and that kept him out of action for the summer.

“Frustrating? Of course,” Cherry said. “I had just taken the rust off and I was back on the shelf.”

Cherry has been boxing since he was 14, but now, at 32, and after some career hindrances, he might be getting his chance to make an impact.

“People look at age and are concerned,” Cherry said. “Maybe speed might be sacrificed, but if you use the talent and experience that you have then it will take you a long ways. I’ve still got some time.”

Cherry thinks his time will come Oct 18 against Belmontes, a match he accepted at 134 pounds only because Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX, is not known as a big puncher, having scored only five knockouts on his 19-5 record.

“It is going to be the right fight for me because Belmontes has fought some great people,” Cherry said. “I do not have a pushover that night; I have to come prepared and I am.

“Belmontes is out of the box–he likes to fight in the pocket and sometimes the crowd really likes to watch a fight like that. The crowd does not want a boring fight, they want something exciting.”

If he can channel his frustration at the 2300 Arena, then the crowd may see the “Cherry Bomb” explode and finally make the impact he desires.

About October 18
The Oct. 18 edition of NBCSN Fight Nightwill take place at the 2300 Arena at 2300 Swanson Street in South Philadelphia. It features a 10-round fight between Steve “USS” Cunningham, of Philadelphia, and Natu “The Truth” Visinia, of Lakewood, CA. A 10-round junior lightweight contest between Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry, of Wauchula, FL, and Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX is the co-feature. Five additional fights open the show at 6PM. Tickets are $50 and $75 and are available by calling Peltz Boxing at (215) 765-0922 or at www.peltzboxing.com. They also can be purchased at Wanamakers Tickets (215-568-2400). The card is presented by Main Events and Peltz Boxing in association with Final Forum Promotions and BAM Boxing. The NBCSN Fight Night telecast will begin at 9 PM ET. Doors open at 5 PM and the first fight will start at 6. The event is sponsored by Rocco’s Collision.

NBC Sports Live Extra:
NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets — will live stream Fight Night at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Oct. 18. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

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After a slow start, Abner Cotto came on strong to take a split decision over former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes in a 10-round Jr. Lightweight bout at the American Bank Center in Belmontes’ hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Belmontes controlled the early round but Cotto started to force the action over the 2nd half of the fight and won most of the inside battles and was able to get the decision by scores of 96-93 and 95-94 while Belmontes took a card at 95-94.

Cotto, 130 lbs of Aguas Buenas, PR is the cousin of current Middleweight champion Miguel Cotto and is now 18-2. Belmontes, 130 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX is now 19-5.

KeAndre Gibson scored a hard fought split decision over rugged Jose Hernandez in an 8-round Welterweight bout bout.

Gibson boxed well but had some rough moments as he was banged around in the 5th round.

Gibson, 145 1/4 lbs of Austin, TX won by scores of 79-73 and 78-74 while Hernandez took a card at 77-75.

Gibson is now 11-0-1. Hernandez, 145 1/4 lbs of Ft. Worth, TX is 14-8-1.

Oscar Cantu remained undefeated with a 6-round unanimous decision over Joseph Rios in a Bantamweight bout.

Cantu boxed efficiently and buckled Rios in the 6th round.

Canty, 116 1/4 lbs of Kingsville, TX won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55. Joseph Rios, 116.75 lbs of San Antonio, TX is now 13-10-2.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents another stacked edition of Golden Boy Live! tonight, Thursday, August 7, at 10 p.m. ET, as “The Corpus Christi Kid” Jerry Belmontes will return to his Texas hometown to face Puerto Rico’s Abner “Pin” Cotto in the 10-round junior lightweight main event from American Bank Center.

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

In the co-main event, rising junior welterweight star KeAndre Gibson, fighting out of Austin, Texas, will take a trip to Corpus Christi to square off with Fort Worth’s Jose Hernandez.

Unbeaten in four fights in his hometown of Corpus Christi, Jerry Belmontes (19-4, 5 KOs) will fight in front of his home fans for the first time since April of 2013 when he steps into the ring on August 7. The bout against Cotto will also be the 25-year-old’s first since his April 26 showdown with amateur rival and WBC lightweight world champion Omar Figueroa Jr. where Belmontes gave a supreme effort, only to lose a disputed 12-round split decision. Vowing to get back into the title hunt and earn a shot at a rematch w Figueroa Jr., “The Corpus Christi Kid” wants to make a statement against Cotto.

Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico’s Abner Cotto (17-2, 8 KOs) has the style to trouble any fighter at 130 pounds, including Belmontes. Cotto is looking to get back in the win column after a hard-fought loss to highly touted Francisco Vargas in March but he knows he is coming into enemy territory to prove he has what it takes. The cousin of recently crowned WBC middleweight world champion Miguel Cotto, 26-year-old Abner is determined to one day bring another title to the family and his first step is defeating Belmontes on August 7.

Coming fresh off of a spectacular fourth round knockout over John Nater in May, 24-year-old KeAndre Gibson (10-0-1, 3 KOs) will be fighting in front of his Texas fans once again when he battles Jose Hernandez. A versatile prospect that many believe will be ruling the junior welterweight division one day, Gibson has won three of his last five fights by knockout and he’ll be bringing the thunder again in Corpus Christi.

A former WBC Youth Champion, 27-year-old Jose “Loco” Hernandez (14-7-1, 6 KOs) is on a mission to deliver a memorable fight on August 7 and get back in the win column after a 2013 loss to highly-regarded Rustam Nugaev. Winner of four of his last six bouts, the popular Hernandez has never shied away from a challenge, and he’s not about to start now.

Belmontes vs. Cotto, a 10-round junior lightweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija Battah Promotions and is sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Fight Network’s broadcast airs live at 10 p.m. ET.

CORPUS CHRISTI (August 6) – The homecoming of the sensational contender Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes against Puerto Rico’s Abner Cotto headlines this week’s edition of FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes’ Golden Boy Live! on Thursday, August 7 and the rest of the card at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi is just as stacked, with several national and local stars ready to prove that things are bigger and better in Texas.

In the co-main event, unbeaten KeAndre Gibson (10-0-1, 3 KOs) of Austin faces off against Fort Worth’s Jose “Loco” Hernandez (14-7-1, 6 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout and opening the televised portion of the card will be a six-round bantamweight matchup between Kingsville’s Oscar Cantu (7-0, 1 KO) and San Antonio’s Joseph Rios (13-9-2, 4 KOs).

In a swing bout scheduled for six rounds in the junior lightweight division, Robstown’s Robert “Boom Boom” Vela (9-0-1, 5 KOs) meets San Antonio’s Jesse Anguiano (2-3-2, 1 KO). Vela has scored four knockouts in two rounds or less thus far in his professional career, but two-time Texas Games Champion Anguiano is coming off of a big win over Martin Solis and he is prepared to keep the momentum going this Thursday.

Also representing the great city of Corpus Christi will be a pair of junior lightweights in separate four round fights, Julian Gilden (6-0, 5 KOs) battles Nuevo Laredo’s Manuel Rubalcava (1-9) and Jeremy Longoria (5-4, 1 KO) who collides with Kingsville’s Alberto Navarro (3-7-1, 1 KO). Plus, the brother of headliner Jerry Belmontes, junior welterweight Steve Belmontes, will make his professional debut in a four-round fight against Fort Worth’s James Burns (1-3-1, 1 KO).

But that’s not all, San Antonio welterweight Jairo Castaneda (5-0, 2 KOs) meets El Paso’s Josue Garcia (1-1) and Round Rock lightweight Cesar Martinez (0-1) faces Alice’s Roy Garcia (2-11, 1 KO) in four-round contests.

Highly-touted middleweight Justin DeLoach (8-0, 4 KOs) of Houston returns to the ring for his third consecutive fight in his home state, as he takes on the Bronx, New York’s Thomas Allen (2-5, 2 KOs) in a four-round matchup. It will be the third bout of 2014 for the 20-year-old DeLoach.

Already 2-0 with two knockouts in a professional career that began in May, former amateur standout Ryan “Cowboy” Karl of Houston looks for three straight wins when he takes on Monroe, La. veteran David Green (2-20-1, 1 KO) in a four-round welterweight bout.

Individual tickets priced at $25, $17 and $12 as well as group table packages priced at $1,000, $800 and $600, plus applicable fees and service charges are available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased by calling Leija*Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302, the American Bank Center at (361) 826-4100, Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Belmontes vs. Cotto, a 10-round junior lightweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions and is sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly AutoParts. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. CT and the first bell rings at 6:00 p.m. CT. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. PT.

Corpus Christi, TX (June 18) – “The Corpus Christi Kid” Jerry Belmontes will return to his Texas hometown to face Puerto Rico’s Abner “Pin” Cotto in the 10-round junior lightweight main event of FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes’ Golden Boy Live! on Thursday, August 7 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Also featured on the card will be a stacked lineup of Texas’ finest that will be looking to put on a show for their local fans including Austin’s KeAndre Gibson who will face an opponent to be named in the eight-round junior welterweight co-main event. Also taking to the ring will be Kingsville’s unbeaten Oscar Cantu who meets San Antonio’s Joseph Rios in an eight-round bantamweight bout that will open the televised portion of the card.

Also featured at the American Bank Center will be San Antonio’s Jairo Castaneda (5-0, 2 KOs) and Robstown’s Greg Gutierrez (9-2, 2 KOs) and Robert Vela (8-0-1, 5 KOs). The evening will also showcase some of Corpus Christi’s finest with Ernest Reyna (4-1), Julian Gilden (4-0, 4 KOs) and Jeremy Longoria (4-3, 1 KO) looking to shine in front of their hometown fans.

Unbeaten in four fights in his hometown of Corpus Christi, Jerry Belmontes (19-4, 5 KOs) will fight in front of his home fans for the first time since April of 2013 when he steps into the ring on August 7. The bout against Cotto will also be the 25-year-old’s first since his April 26 showdown with amateur rival and WBC Lightweight World Champion Omar Figueroa Jr. where Belmontes gave a supreme effort, only to lose a disputed 12-round split decision. Vowing to get back into the title hunt and earn a shot at a rematch w Figueroa Jr., “The Corpus Christi Kid” wants to make a statement against Cotto.

Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico’s Abner Cotto (17-2, 8 KOs) has the style to trouble any fighter at 130 pounds, including Belmontes. Cotto is looking to get back in the win column after a hard-fought loss to highly touted Francisco Vargas in March but he knows he is coming into enemy territory to prove he has what it takes. The cousin of recently crowned WBC Middleweight World Champion Miguel Cotto, 26-year-old Abner is determined to one day bring another title to the family and his first step is defeating Belmontes on August 7.

Fresh from a spectacular fourth round knockout over John Nater in May, 24-year-old KeAndre Gibson (10-0-1, 5 KOs) will be fighting in front of his Texas fans once again when he battles an opponent to be named. A versatile prospect that many believe will be ruling the junior welterweight division one day, Gibson has won three of his last five fights by knockout and he’ll be bringing the thunder again in Corpus Christi.

A multi-talented boxer who is making a name for himself on the Texas scene, 23-year-old Oscar Cantu (7-0, 1 KO) will seek his eighth straight win when he meets 32-year-old Joseph Rios (13-9-2, 4 KOs) on August 7. The current WBC USNBC Super Flyweight Champion, Cantu is coming off of an eight-round win over Felipe Castaneda in March. Rios is no stranger to fighting unbeaten opposition, as five of his last six foes were undefeated and he put losses on three of those five opponents’ records, making him a dangerous test for Cantu.

Belmontes vs. Cotto, a 10-round junior lightweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija Battah Promotions and is sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly AutoParts. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. CT and the first bell rings at 5:30 p.m. CT. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. PT.

Individual tickets priced at $12, $17 and $25 as well as group table packages priced at $600, $800 and $1000, plus applicable fees and service charges will go on sale Friday, June 20 at 12:00 p.m. CT. Tickets will be available for purchase by calling Leija Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302, the American Bank Center at (361) 826-3000 by Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, @Swanson_Comm, @Jerry_Belmontes, @pincotto, and @FOXSports1 and @FOXDeportes and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing.

Follow all the action as Keith Thurman defends the WBA Interim Welterweight title against former Lightweight champion Julio Diaz. The action begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT with a WBC Lightweight title bout featuring Omar Figueroa and Jerry Belmontes. Also former world champion Lucas Matthysse battle John Molina.

12 ROUNDS–WBA INTERIM WELTERWEIGHT TITLE–KEITH THURMAN (22-0, 20 KO’S) VS JULIO DIAZ (40-9-1, 29 KO’S)

Round 1 Left hook from Thurman..hard left..right..good exchange at the bell…10-9 Thurman

Round 2 Big combination…big left hook…left hOOK AND DIAZ TAKES A KNEE 20-17 Thurman

Round 3Right from Thurman…left stuns Thurman..Diaz cut around the left …29-27 Thurman

Round 4THE FIGHT IS OVER DUE TO AN INJURY TO THE RIBS OF DIAZ

12 ROUNDS–JR. WELTERWEIGHTS–LUCAS MATTHYSSE (34-3, 32 KO’S) VS JOHN MOLINA (27-3, 22 KO’S)

Round 1 Matthysse lands a right..Big right from Molina…Matthysse lands a left hook.right to body and left..Right..10-9 Matthysse

Round 2 matthyse lands a right to the body..Molina gets in an over hand right.goodr ight…BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MATTHYSSE…19-18 Molina

Round 3 Double jab from Matthysse…right and left from Molina..Matthysse cut over left eye from a clash of heads…Jab from Matthysse..28-28

Round 4 Left hook from Matthysse…left..jab..Jab from Molina…left hook to body from Matthysse..Hard jab..Blood behind the left ear of Molina..good overhand right…jab..Molina lands a left hook..staright right…Matthysse lands consecutive 1-2’s…38-37 Matthysse

Round 5 Overhand right from Matthysse..Big right..right..right …Right from Molina..ShORT RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MATTHYSSE…47-46 Molina

Round 6 Good left hook from Molina..Overhand right from Matthysse…Uppercut hurts Molina…right from Molina..right uppercut..Good combination from Matthysse…Right from Molina..57-56 Molina

Round 7 Left hook from Molina…combination from Matthysse…overhand right..right and left to body..Left from Molina…jab..66-66

Round 8 Matthysse lands a right…double jab..big left..just gshots from both..good overhand right..RIGHT HAND DOWN GOES MOLINA…76-74 Matthysse

Round 9 2 huge lefts from Matthysse..Right from Molina…Right and double left hook..huge double left hook..double jab..over hand right..big shots…Molina lands a left hook..86-83 Matthysse

Round 10 Matthysse lands a jab..right over the top…left hook..body..Huge left hook…Matthysse landing ferocious shots..HUGE FLURRY ON THE ROPES…DOWN GOES MOLINA..Furious action at the bell…96-91 Matthysse

Round 11 BIG FLURRY DOWN GOES MOLINA AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

12 ROUNDS–WBC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE–OMAR FIGUEROA (22-0-1, 17 KO’S) VS JERRY BELMONTES (19-3, 5 KO’S)

Round 1 Jab from Figueroa..double right from Belmontes…Right from Figueroa..Combination from Belmontes..Jab..Figueroa right over the top..Combination from Belmontes…10-9 Belmontes

Round 2 Lead right from Belmontes..Short left hook..right cross..Belmontes working on the ropes..Blistering combination on the ropes…20-18 Belmontes

Round 3 Good combination from Figueroa…Belmontes lands a right..left hook from Figueroa..29-28 Belmontes

Round 4 Right from Belmontes..Jab…Figueroa lands a body shit...39-37 Belmontes

Round 5 Right from Belmontes..Body shot…Figueroa lands a right…hard right..Right from Belmontes..Figueroa bleeding from nose..48-47 Belmontes

Round 6 Figueroa lands a right..Body work inside..right..trading shots...57-57

Round 7 Belmontes lands a jab..right..67-66 Belmontes

Round 8 Body from Belmontes..77-75 Belmontes

Round 9 Double jab from Figueroa...86-85 Belmontes

Round 10 Figueroa flurrying on the inside…Figueroa forcing the action..Uppercut from Blemonte..95-95

Round 11 Good action with Belmontes landing from the outside…105-104 Belmontes

Round 12 Not Much …115-114 Belmontes

115-113 Belmontes…116-112 Figueroa…118-110 Figueroa

Keith Thurman retained the WBA Interim Welterweight title when Julio Diaz could not continue after 3 rounds at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California.

Thurman controlled the action for most of the bout and hurt Diaz in the 1st round. He boxed well in the 2nd round and scored a knockdown when he landed a left to the head and Diaz took a knee. Ironically Diaz made a nice stand at the end of the 3rd round when he landed a solid combination. In between round’s three and four, Diaz’s corner pulled the pug on the fight.

Thurman, 145 1/2 lbs of Clearwater, FL is now 23-0 with 21 knockouts. Diaz, 146 3/4 lbs of Cochella, CA is now 40-10-1.

Said Thurman, “I felt the body shot (to Diaz). I felt he was going to go down. I wondered if I hadn’t landed it clean enough. He’s a tough guy. He showed up to fight. You saw what he was doing in the ring. His rib… he had eight more rounds to go so he did what he had to do.

“I landed a clean left hook to the temple (in the second). He felt it. So, he thought it would be better to take a knee, rather than take another shot to the head. I train to do that. If you feel that your legs aren’t right and you are in with a dangerous puncher, you take a knee. It was a wise decision.

“Everybody shoots for the Mayweather sweepstakes. I am here to entertain, to dominate the welterweight division. I love the sport of boxing. I love knockouts. I am going to keep giving them to you.

“Shawn Porter is a terrific fighter. He’s a great friend of mine. He’s a devastating boxer-puncher like myself. Whenever they’re ready, I am ready.

Diaz, who took a knee after getting hit, had no excuses. “I got caught with a good body shot, in the rib,’’ he said. “I had trouble breathing. After the punch, I couldn’t breathe. I am human. I got hurt. The guy had some power. But I am a two-time champion. I have never quit in a fight. I didn’t have anything to prove. I took a knee to recuperate from a shot to the back of my head. And the rib shot really got me. I ain’t 18 years old anymore. I wanted to give a war, but I had to know when it was my time.’’

Lucas Matthysse was dropped twice but came back to stop gritty John Molina in a scheduled 12-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

The power punches were early and often in round one as Matthysse landed a couple of left hooks while Molina landed a hard overhand right. In round two, Molina landed a perfect overhand right that sent Matthysse to the canvas for the 2nd consecutive fight. The drama continued in round three when the two clashed heads and a cut was opened up over the left eye of Matthysse. Matthysse fought back in round four as he landed some hard shots that were set up behind a strong jab. Molina began to bleed from behind his right ear. Just as Matthysse was showing his dominance, Molina sent Matthysse to the canvas in round five.

The two continued to trade shots at close range with Matthysse landing the harder blows that were set up from his jab. In round eight, Matthysse landed a big flurry of punches that wobbled Molina and ultimately he was pushed down but referee Pat Russell ruled a knockdown. Matthysse started to take control and began to batter Molina and dropped him in round ten after a flurry of hard punches. Molina was seen by the doctors between rounds. When the 11th round began, Matthysse was all over Molina and dropped him to the canvas and the bout was stopped just 22 seconds into the frame.

Matthysse, 140 lbs of Argentina is now 35-3 with 33 knockouts. Molina, 139 1/4 lbs of Covina, Ca is now 27-4.

“It was a war,’’ said Matthysse, who improved his record to 35-3 with 33 KOs. “And it got complicated for me at the beginning, but we trained for this and we got the knockout. He hit me in the back of the head (in the second) and I crumbled a bit but I was waiting to find my distance and I was able to finish a tough fight.

“Molina is a tough fighter. He took some big blows (14 unanswered at the end of the 10th). I was a bit surprised he came back out for the 11th.”

Regarding his loss last September to unified 140-pound world champion Danny Garcia, Matthysse said, “I want the rematch. I feel that he had very good luck that night. I want the rematch.”

Offered the game but proud Molina (27-4, 22 KOs) afterward: “I am very disappointed. We gave the fans a good fight and I’m happy about that. I wasn’t well-known before this fight but I feel like I am now. I’m disappointed I didn’t finish Lucas. I had him hurt, but this is a learning experience. I only had a few amateur fights, so I’m learning from every experience.

“Trainer) Joe Goossen had a great game plan and we were sticking to it. Lucas Matthysse is the real deal. Even though he lost to Garcia, he still is the No. 1 rated fighter. I’d love to fight him again. I wanted to continue but the referee and judges have their jobs to do.

“It was a helluva fight. This was the fight of the year. I’d like to do it again

Omar Figueroa retained the WBC Lightweight title with a split decision over Jerry Belmontes.

Belmontes got off to a good start as he landed quick combinations and surprisingly matched Figueroa punch for punch on the inside. Figueroa surged back with busier volume punching in the middle rounds. The pace actually slowed down in the championship rounds and the fight seemed close on the score cards.

Figueroa, 134 3/4 lbs of Walesco, TX won by scores of 118-110, 116-112 while Belmontes took a card 115-113.

Figueroa, is now 23-0-1. Belmontes, 134 3/4 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX is now 19-4.

“He gave me more than trouble,’’ Figueroa said. “He wouldn’t make a fight out of it. I’m sorry to the fans. It was more of a sparring match than a fight. I prepared so much and this was the outcome.

“He almost made me cry again but of laughter saying he was going to beat me. I prepared well. I came 100 percent. I knew he was going to run. My hands are a little sore but nothing bad, nothing crazy. Now take my time off. I have been training since January. But it is up to Al Haymon.”

Said Belmontes: “Honestly, I thought I won the fight. I thought I landed the clearer more effective shots. I don’t fight like that (running) but sometimes I pay attention to the fans when they are booing so I went inside and fought like a Mexican warrior. He couldn’t handle my jab. He couldn’t’ handle me on the outside. I thought I won the fight.”

Jermall Charlo remained undefeated by scoring a stoppage at the end of four rounds when Hector Munoz was deemed unable to continue in their scheduled 10-round Middleweight fight.

Charlo beat, battered and bloodied Munoz until the referee stopped the fight in the corner on advice from the ringside doctor.

Charlo landed a hard right uppercut in the 1st round.

“I just tried very hard,’’ said Charlo after the one-sided proceedings were stopped. “Two camps in, I was hungrier than ever. I am hungrier than any fighter. I want to go on to bigger thing so badly. I credit Munoz for taking the fight. He showed a lot of spirit. But I had him. I’m so ready for the next level. I need it.’’

Terrell Gausha scored an 8-round unanimous decision over veteran Charles Whittaker in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Guasha started to get things going in round two. Gausha continued to win rounds and then he dropped Whitaker in round six from a right hand. Gausha jumped on Whitaker and landed a flurry of punches.

Gausha was never threatened and by scores of 80-71 on all cards.

Gausha, 154 3/4 lbs of Carson, CA is now 9-0. Whittaker, 155 3/4 lbs of the Cayman Island is now 40-15-2.

Joseph Diaz scored a 6-round unanimous decision over veteran Luis Maldonado in a Super Bantamweight bout.

Diaz, 122 3/4 lbs won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 10-0. Maldonado, 121 1/3 lbs is now 36-13-1.

Keith Thurman 145 1/2 – Julio Diaz 146 3/4
Lucas Matthysse 140 – John Molina 139 1/4
Omar Figueroa 134 3/4 – Jerry Belmontes 134 3/4

LOS ANGELES (April 24, 2014) – With Oscar De La Hoya presiding over the festivities, Golden Boy Promotions hosted the final press conference for their exciting, stacked fight card this Saturday, April 26 headlining Keith Thurman vs. Julio Diaz at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, following the premiere of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana Episode 2) and SHO EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT)

“It’s great to be back,’’ said De La Hoya, President of GBP, at the outset. “Great to be back.

“Saturday will be a treat for the fans. This is the real deal here. These are real fighters in real fights and you’re going to get some big-time action on Saturday night. There are still some tickets left, but they are going fast. We are expecting a great crowd at StubHub. I’m really looking forward to it. We have terrific fights from top to bottom

“It’s really exciting for me to be here at StubHub Center. Thank you to Golden Boy for believing in me. This is a testament that we can do it. Get yourself off the canvas, get back up and fight harder. That’s the way you should go.”

The 12-round main event Saturday on SHOWTIME will pit unbeaten,power-punching WBA Interim Welterweight Championship Keith “One Time” Thurman (22-0, 20 KOs), of Clearwater, Fla., against former world champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (40-9-1, 29 KOs), of Coachella, Calif.

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-main event, hard-hitting former interim 140-pound world champion Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse (34-3, 32 KOs), of Trelow, Chubut, Arg., will be opposed by offensive-minded John Molina (27-3, 22 KOs), of Covina, Calif., in a scheduled 10-rounder that could wind up as a Fight of the Year candidate. Opening the telecast will be an All-Texas WBC lightweight world title fight between undefeated defending champion Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs), of Weslaco, and a nemesis from his amateur days, Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes (19-3, 5 KOs), of Corpus Christi.

Promising unbeaten junior welterweight Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (15-0, 9 KOs) of San Diego, Calif., takes on Mexico City’s Martin “El Brochas” Honorio (32-8-1, 16 KOs) in the main event on SHO EXTREME. Other SHO Extreme scraps will include talented Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KOs) against Albuquerque’s Hector Munoz (22-12-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight clash and, time-permitting, 2012 Brazilian Olympian Yamaguchi Falcao (0-0-1), of Sao Paulo, against Carlos Badaldua (pro debut), of Tijuana, Mexico, in a 4/6-round middleweight fight.

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

What the boxers and executives said Thursday:

KEITH THURMAN, WBA Interim Welterweight World Champion

“This fight right here for me is a dream come true. This is what I’ve been doing since I was seven. It’s where I want to be, the headliner in a SHOWTIME event.

“Julio has been giving some stiff competition. They call him ‘The Kidd’ because he keeps performing despite his age. He is coming to win, to find those holes and show us young fighters what he knows. I look forward to an excellent fight.

“My motto is KOs for life. I’m going to do it again. To me the judges have the best seat in the house. This is a terrific card. Heavy hitters across the board. Just come and enjoy the show.

“I’m grateful, I have been looking forward to Saturday for a long time. This camp was the longest camp I’ve had –10 weeks. I was getting prepared for anybody, I was preparing for the world. I’m ready to rumble. ‘One Time’!’’

JULIO DIAZ, Former World Champion

“Everyone always says thank you Golden Boy, but I really mean it. I’ve been through everything. This is the best treatment I’ve ever had as a fighter, despite coming from a couple of losses; I’m still headlining an event. I appreciate the opportunity.

“This is a tough opportunity, a dangerous opportunity. I’m facing a dangerous, tough fighter, but he’s not unbeatable. I take my job seriously. It’s going to be a tough fight but I guarantee you it’ll be an exciting fight.’’

LUCAS MATTYHSSE, Former Interim World Champion

“I’m very happy to be here. I want to thank Golden Boy, my promoter, and everyone involved for this fight. I just want to say I am ready to go and glad to be back.

“I know what Molina brings to the table. This will be a great fight. Get ready for an explosion, an exciting fight on Saturday.’’

JOHN MOLINA, Junior Welterweight Contender

“The judges may not be needed. This is going to be a war. Bombs away.

“Matthysse is a feared fighter. With his power, he’s shown he can explode at any time. People tell me I should fight him like Danny Garcia did, but I’m not Danny Garcia.

“I’m going to bring my A-Game, he’s going to bring his A-Game. There isn’t going to be a whole lot of running, just setting down in front of each other and exchanging. Matthysse gives a lot when he hits, and he takes a lot when he gets hit.

“I’m a slow starter, but he’s a notoriously slow starter, too. I definitely plan to go in and gain some respect right off the bat. But when the eggs start to roll, that’s when the real action kicks in.

“Two days out, I feel a combination of things. I’m excited. I’m thankful for this opportunity on such a great stage. I’m confident I can capitalize on all the advantages I possess. I feel my power is better at 140 pounds. There is going to be a great crowd on Saturday. I’m ready.’’

OMAR “PANTERITA’ FIGUEROA, WBC Lightweight Champion

“We are here now, and we are ready. I don’t care about winning or losing. I’m going to go out there and put on a great show and try to punch my opponent as much as possible, which is the best feeling in the world.

“It’s going to be a good fight. We’ve seen each other a few times in the amateur tournaments and we say hi. In the ring it’s a different story.

“It’s an honor to fight in the same card as Matthysse, I look up to him. He’s a power hitter like I am. I know all these guys are going to put on a good show. We’ll see you there.’’

JERRY BELMONTES, Lightweight Contender

“I’d like to thank everybody involved for making this fight. It’s going to be a terrific fight, a styles fight. He’s the brawler, I’m the boxer. We’re both from Texas, so this is a big fight our state.

“We’re good friends. I watched Omar grow up. I hope he doesn’t take it personal when I take the title belt away from him on Saturday.’’

ANTONIO OROZCO, Unbeaten, Hard-Hitting Junior Welterweight

“I want to thank Golden Boy, my manager, Frank Espinoza, everybody for this opportunity on Saturday. I’m ready for a great fight. I’m ready to put on a show.’’

YAMAGUCHI FALCAO, 2012 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist From Brazil

“Today is a special day. It’s a day when I finally can start thinking about my pro career. I spoke with my father and he told me that one day I would become a world champion. I won a bronze medal for Brazil in the 2012 Olympics. That fulfilled a dream of mine.

“Saturday begins another dream come true for me. I take my first step in becoming a world champion. Standing up here with all these great champions is so great. I hope to fight the very best in my career. I’m going to make it big in boxing, and it all starts this Saturday.’’

JARMALL CHARLO, Undefeated, World-Ranked Junior Middleweight

“I’m excited to be part of such an explosive card. To look at these guys around me – Matthysse, Thurman–is an honor.

“I want to thank my team for helping me bounce back and regaining my focus. My opponent took this fight on short notice, but you have to be in great shape all the time. I know I can fight on short notice because I stay in great shape.’’

HECTOR MUNOZ, Veteran Junior Middleweight

“I’m looking forward to going in and putting a lot of pressure on him. Thanks to everybody for getting me this fight.’’

JOSEPH JO-JO DIAZ, Promising, Unbeaten Super Bantamweight

“Thanks to Golden Boy and their staff for putting me on this great card. I’m fighting a guy with a ton of experience. I’m sure he’s ready but I had a strong, hard camp and I’m ready to put on a show.

“I hope all the fans tune in. Saturday is going to be great night of boxing.’’

CHRIS DEBLASIO, Vice-President of Sports Communications, SHOWTIME Sports
“In the last two years SHOWTIME has become the leader in televised boxing. I think there’s no mistake about that. We are televising the biggest events in sports, the most competitive fights and quite literally on the most aggressive schedule you can imagine.

“Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast features three incredible fights with all heavy hitters, knockout fighters that are looking to make a statement in really deep divisions at 147 and 140 pounds. There’s lot to be gained and some to be lost from reach fighter, but we know they’ll come out strong.’’

ANDY FOSTER, Head of California State Athletic Commission

“Welcome back Golden Boy. Golden Boy is the No. 1 stakeholder in California and California does the most boxing in the world. We are pleased to be regulating the fight on Saturday and wish the fighters a safe and successful night.”

In non-televised fights on Saturday: Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (16-0, 12 KOs), East Los Angeles, vs. Orlando Vasquez (12-3-1, 6 KOs), Bayamon, P.R., 10 rounds, welterweights; Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz Jr. (9-0, 7 KOs), South El Monte, Calif., vs. Luis Maldonado (38-11-1, 29 KOs), Calexico, Calif., 8 rounds, super bantamweights; Terrell Gausha (8-0, 5 KOs), Cleveland, vs. Charles Whitaker (40-14-2, 24 KOs), Miami, Fla., 8 rounds, super welterweights; and Sharif Bogere (23-1), Las Vegas, vs. Artura Urena (26-16-1, 22 KOs), Mazatlan, Mexico; 8 rounds, lightweights. The first live fight is at 1 p.m. PT.

# # #

ABOUT THURMAN vs. DIAZ, a 12-round fight for Thurman’s Interim WBA Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, April 26, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. It will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air as the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). In the co-feature, Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse faces hard-hitting John Molina in a 10-round junior welterweight bout that is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions. In the opening bout of the telecast, Omar Figueroa Jr. defends his WBC Lightweight title against fellow Texan Jerry Belmontes. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.homedepotcenter.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/shosports, www.twitter.com/StubHubCenter, https://twitter.com/keithfthurmanjr www.twitter.com/JohnMolinajr135, www.twitter.com/OmarFigueroaJr and www.twitter.com/Jerry_Belmontes, follow the conversation using #ThurmanDiaz or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/StubHubCenter.

LOS ANGELES (March 26, 2014) – StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., has rapidly become known amongst boxing aficionados as the place to be to see world-class fights and fighters. On Saturday, April 26, that reputation continues to grow as Golden Boy Promotions and SHOWTIME Sports® team up for an all-action tripleheader featuring some of the top fighters in the sport today. In the 12-round main event, Florida power-puncher Keith “One Time” Thurman defends his interim WBA World Welterweight Championship against former World Lightweight titleholder Julio “The Kidd” Diaz.

In other televised bouts on SHOWTIME, Argentine knockout king Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse returns in a 10-round matchup against hard-hitting Californian John Molina and Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. defends his WBC Lightweight World Championship against fellow Texan Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes.

“To headline a show like this against a former world champion is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and that day is here,” said Thurman. “I respect Julio Diaz and I will not underestimate him. He knows that this may be his last shot, and I expect the best from him, but I’ll be the one leaving with the victory.”

“This is a big opportunity for me to face a fighter that is feared by many, but not by me,” said Diaz. “I have been in the ring with far more dangerous and experienced fighters in the past, and everyone knows that I come to fight. My previous opponents Amir Khan and Shawn Porter will tell you that. ”

“Molina is the kind of fighter I respect and always want to compete against,” said Matthysse. “He shows up to fight and we’re going to give the fans the kind of show they want to see. I don’t think it will last long, but it will be something to see while it does.”

“I’m excited to showcase myself against someone that I consider to be one of the best fighters in the world at 140 pounds,” said Molina. “I am very well prepared to come in on fight night and do what I do best, and that is to be victorious.”

“I am especially excited about this fight because I have wanted to get payback against Belmontes for longer than a decade,” said Figueroa. “I fought him in the amateurs and he always beat me because I was always shorter than him. Now I am taller, stronger and bigger than him and I am looking to beat him the way he beat me in the amateurs.”

“I beat Omar 5 times in the amateurs but it was just that, the amateurs, we were young,” said Belmontes. “We have taken different paths as professionals and finally they cross and we meet again… on April 26, he’ll be beaten… for the 6th time”.

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, go on sale tomorrow/Thursday, March 27 at 10 a.m. PT and will be available online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 877-234-8425.

A supreme knockout artist whose power continues to captivate more and more fans with each bout, Clearwater, Florida’s Keith “One Time” Thurman (22-0, 20 KOs) skyrocketed from prospect to contender to champion with three wins over Jan Zaveck, Diego Chaves and Jesus Soto Karass in 2013, earning the interim WBA Welterweight World title with the victory over Chaves. On April 26, the 25-year-old makes the second defense of his crown.

A respected veteran who has earned his stripes in the boxing world, Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (40-9-1, 29 KOs) found new life in his career with a move to the welterweight division in 2012. Since making the move, Diaz is 2-2-1, including a 10-round split draw to Shawn Porter and a hard-fought loss to world renowned Amir Khan. The 34-year-old former world lightweight champion from Coachella, Calif., would like nothing more than to win another title on April 26.

Popular Trelew, Chubut, Argentina native Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse (34-3, 32 KOs) has been knocking opponents out for nearly 10 years, becoming one of boxing’s most feared competitors in the process. The former interim WBC Junior Welterweight World Champion, Matthysse’s last 11 wins have ended before the final bell, and after a 12-round decision loss to Danny Garcia in a terrific championship bout last September, the 31-year-old is more determined than ever to take matters out of the judges’ hands.

Covina, California’s John Molina (27-3, 22 KOs) has plenty of dynamite in his fists as well, earning him a reputation as an exciting fighter ever since he turned pro in 2006. In July 2013, the 31-year-old added to his legend with a dramatic come-from-behind last-round knockout of previously unbeaten Mickey Bey, Jr. In his most recent bout last November, the hard-hitting Molina halted Jorge Pimentel in two rounds.

Seen for years as the future of boxing, the time for Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr. (22-0-1, 17 KOs) is now. In his last fight, an epic win over Nihito Arakawa last July, Figueroa won the WBC Lightweight World title in a Fight of the Year candidate. The 24-year-old of Weslaco, Texas, was scheduled to face Ricardo Alvarez on the March 8 Canelo vs. Angulo PPV event but sustained an injury in training that forced him to withdraw. On April 26, the fiery competitor returns to defend his crown for the first time against Jerry Belmontes.

Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes (19-3, 5 KOs) proudly represents his hometown in and out of the ring, but it was his effort in the ring in March 2014 that earned him a shot at Figueroa. In that fight he won a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Australian contender Will Tomlinson. Now, more confident than ever, the 25-year-old plans on delivering another upset win on April 26.

A full undercard will be announced shortly.

Thurman vs. Diaz, a 12-round fight for Thurman’s Interim WBA Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, April 26, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. It will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air as the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). In the co-feature, Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse faces hard-hitting John Molina in a 10-round junior welterweight bout that is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions. In the opening bout of the telecast, Omar Figueroa Jr. defends his WBC Lightweight title against fellow Texan Jerry Belmontes. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

A triple header featuring three of the more exciting fighters will consummate a triple header on April 26 at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California as Keith Thurman will defend his welterweight belt against Julio Diaz, Omar Figueroa will take on Jerry Belmontes in a Lightweight title fight while Lucas Matthysse will take on John Molina Jr. in a Jr. Welterweight bout according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The card will be broadcast on Showtime.

“When you can see Thurman, Matthysse and Figueroa all on one night, it’s pretty exciting I think,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer.

“Julio Diaz will get up for this kind of fight,” Schaefer said. “You saw how he looked in England against Amir Khan. Julio Diaz always comes to fight, and he we’ll see what happens. All of the other top 147-pounders are fighting, so Keith is going to do this fight. We’ll give Julio Diaz one last chance and see what he can make of it. But for Keith, this is about him getting back in the ring without having to wait for some of those other guys while they are getting their fights done.

“Being on air and fighting is the formula. You look at [middleweight titlist] Gennady Golovkin. He’s not fighting King Kong but he has stayed busy, and that is a key in this sport. If you stay busy, you stay relevant. If you wait for that big fight and sit out like some of these fighters have done, you become irrelevant. Keith is going to stay relevant. And one thing we all know about Julio Diaz is that this guy does not just come to pick up a paycheck. He comes to fight and he knows it’s a must-win fight.”

“Matthysse wants to see how he still feels at 140 pounds. He might move up to 147 and try to inject himself into the Mayweather sweepstakes, but he’ll fight this fight and then make that decision,” Schaefer said. “In the meantime, we were looking for an opponent who comes to fight and with Molina we found that.”

However, Figueroa reinjured his left hand a week before the fight and had to withdraw. According to Schaefer, the injury was not serious, only requiring a few weeks of rest.

“Everything is OK with his hand,” Schaefer said. “He had it checked out. He is ready to go and excited to come back.”

Belmontes, who had lost three out of four fights, is getting the title opportunity because he pulled an upset in his last fight, easily outpointing previously unbeaten contender Will Tomlinson of Australia in a 10-rounder on the Alvarez-Angulo card.

“That was a great win for Belmontes,” Schaefer said. “Tomlinson was undefeated and ranked in the organizations and Belmontes beat him. That was a big win for him, and this is his reward.”