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 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.

Molina

Sherman Oaks, CA (May 7, 2013) – Goossen Tutor Promotions presents what is sure to be an explosive night of world-class lightweight contenders, where the “Lightweight International” main event features USA’s fast-talking, hard-hitting slugger, John Molina, Jr. from Covina, CA against Russia’s undefeated and dangerous Andrey Klimov engaging in a battle scheduled for ten rounds on June 7th at the Little Creek Casino and Resort in Kamilche, Washington and televised live on ESPN “Friday Night Fights” series.

This night will mark the second ESPN-Goossen Tutor Promotions world-class boxing event taking place at the Skookum Creek Event Center at Little Creek. Their first event drew a sold-out and enthusiastic crowd. Doors open at 6 PM with the first bout starting at 6:30 PM and the live ESPN2 broadcast beginning 7 PM Pacific Time (10 PM Eastern).

Molina (25-2, 20 KOs) is looking to fight his way back to the top of the lightweight division taking on what many consider a fifty-fifty fight against the relatively unknown Klimov (15-0, 8 KOs). In the other high-profile bout on tap, super middleweight Farrah Ennis (20-1, 12 KOs) of Philadelphia, PA takes on former amateur sensation, Anthony Hanshaw (23-2-2, 14 KOs) of High Point, NC.

Just three months ago on ESPN, Molina stopped Dannie Williams (22-3) in Santa Fe, New Mexico and demonstrated in four rounds that he’s still among the strongest 135-pounders in the world in a performance that kept him among the elite lightweights. Last September, Molina was stopped in one round during his title challenge against then-world champion Antonio DeMarco in what he believed was a questionable stoppage. He insisted it was too quick and used his fight against the favored Williams to prove his point. It was an emphatic win and statement by Molina.

Now Molina, 30, seeks to prove that the very talented Klimov will not be able to beat him either.

Klimov, 30, was born and raised in the town of Klimovsk in Russia, but is no stranger to Southern California fight fans. His most impressive victory was two years ago when he knocked out the talented Ty Barnett at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA in three rounds. He’s also defeated a trio of hungry Mexican boxers in Southern California fight cards. But the question will be can the IBF Inter-Continental champion trade blows with Molina?

The winner will surely be in a position to demand a world title shot.

“Molina-Klimov is one of those fights that I believe won’t have a loser,” stated Promoter Dan Goossen. “Look at the Brandon Rios-Mike Alvarado bouts as an example. The fans want exciting, competitive fights, and no matter who wins in that type of fight, both fighters come out on top and get other opportunities. This will be a fight for the fans.”

In the semi-main event 10-round Super Middleweight bout, Ennis will try again making his debut at Little Creek Casino after being denied last April when his opponent failed to make weight cancelling the bout. “I was ready for a great fight here in April,” the elated Ennis stated. “Now I can’t wait to show the fans and ESPN why I’m so excited about this opportunity.” Ennis, a former sparring partner of current world champions Sakio Bika and Gennady Golovkin, is dubbed ‘The Quiet Storm’ for his reserved demeanor, except when he steps into the ring where he looks to make some noise in the talent rich Super Middleweight division and becoming the next Philadelphia World Champion.

Anthony Hanshaw is primarily known for his stellar amateur career. Ring Magazine featured him early in his career as a rising star in boxing after going 11-0 in less than a year after turning professional. Hanshaw, who lost back-to-back fights to Roy Jones Jr. in 2007 and Andre Dirrell in 2008, endured personal problems and injuries costing him almost four years of his career. Anxious to get back to the rising star moniker given him a few years back, Hanshaw is focused now on the job at hand and believes he’s ready to take on the dangerous Ennis to do it. “The talent and solid amateur background has always been there, now it’s just a matter of putting it all together,” said Hanshaw.

Doug Loughrey, ESPN Director of Programming said, “We are pleased to return to Little Creek Casino for another ESPN FNF telecast. Michael Starr & his staff have a tremendous, intimate setting for boxing productions. The Little Creek Casino brings an enthusiastic and engaged boxing fan base and whether watching on ESPN2 or in attendance, fans will see a solid match between Molina & Klimov.

Tickets for the event are priced at $30 for bleachers, $40 for floor seats and $50 for the first two rows of the Skookum Creek Event Center and can be purchased by calling 800.667.7711 or online at www.little-creek.com.

Little Creek Casino Resort is home to the highly acclaimed Salish Cliffs Golf Club and also recently celebrated the opening of Seven Inlets Spa, Skookum Spirit Cigar and Wine Lodge and a state-of-the-art RV Park.

“We are delighted to have ESPN Friday Night Fights return to Little Creek Casino Resort so soon after our debut show,” said Little Creek CEO Michael Starr. “We know that with ESPN and promoter Goossen Tutor, the fans are guaranteed to see action-packed, competitive bouts on June 7th. The tremendous worldwide exposure we receive from ESPN is a benefit to Little Creek and the Squaxin Island Tribe and we look forward to another great evening of world-class boxing.”

Little Creek Casino is located in the great Pacific Northwest at the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula in Kamilche, Washington just minutes north of Olympia on Highway 101. For more information, visit www.little-creek.com

Lightweight John Molina rebounded from being stopped in the first round of his world title opportunity with a fourth round stoppage over Dannie Williams in a scheduled ten round bout in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Molina controlled the fight using his distance and then he landed a right at the end of round three that buckled Williams. Molina then landed a jab that was followed by a huge right that sent Williams down along the ropes. When he arose he was on the apron and the fight was stopped.

It is a good win for Molina who was stopped in his WBC Lightweight title bid against Antonio DeMarco. Molina, 135 lbs of Covina, CA is now 25-2 with twenty knockouts. Williams, 235 lbs of St. Louis, MO is now 22-3.

Brandon Gonzales remained undefeated by scoring an eight round unanimous decision over Dpn Mouton.

Gonzales simply had more skills then the tough Mouton as Gonzales landed multiple punch combinations with both hands and at times focused on the body. Mouton was a tad more effective don the stretch but it was a too little too late as Gonzales won by scores of 78-75, 77-75 and 77-75.

Gonzalez, 167 1/2 lb of Sacramento, CA is now 17-0-1. Mouton, 164 lbs of Houston, TX is now 11-5-1.

In a battle of pro debuting Welterweights, Brandon Holmes scored a fourth round stoppage over Abelrado Javier Esparza.

Holmes landed a left hook that sent Esparza to the canvas for the ten count at thirty-six seconds of the fourth and final scheduled round.

Eduardo Dominguez scored a four round unanimous decision over Joshua Montoya in a Welterweight bout.

Scores were 40-36, 39-37 and 39=37 for Dominguez who is 1-0. Montoya is 0-2.

Sherman Oaks, Calif. (January 9) – After earning the NABO Lightweight Championship belt in July 2010 with an eleventh-round knockout against Henry “Hank” Lundy, John Molina, Jr. (24-2, 19 KOs) looks to restore his reputation with a victory by again claiming the vacant title against the power punching Dannie “Dangerous” Williams (22-2, 18 KOs) at the Pueblo Pavilion in Santa Fe, N.M on January 11.

Molina has been chomping at the bit to get back into the ring since the “aberration,” as he calls it, a first-round TKO against Antonio DeMarco in a WBC Lightweight Championship bout last September. The Covina, Calif. native protested the referee’s decision to stop the fight to the California State Athletic Commission, based upon having half of his body hanging outside the bottom rope, to no avail.

“It’s my job now to prove everybody wrong,” Molina said in regard to his fight against DeMarco. “I’m sure people are saying John who? but come Jan. 11, I’ll have my chance to turn it all around.”

Molina certainly didn’t take the easy path to accomplish this.

His eagerness for redemption increases the tension for what is already set to be a thrilling bout between the two knockout fighters with each of them having a 75% KO average. The hard-swinging Williams also enters the fight with a chip on his shoulder after missing out on a chance at premium lightweight bout with a decision loss to Lundy on March 30, 2012.

In the semi-main event bout to be televised live on ESPN (9 PM ET/6 PM PT), is hot prospect and undefeated super middleweight, Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales
(16-0-1, 10 KOs), who will face Don Mouton (11-4-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

The event is being promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with
M & H Productions and DiBella Entertainment.

New York, NY / Sante Fe, New Mexico (1/8/13) – This Friday night, lightweight contender Dannie Williams (22-2, 18KO’s) will return to action under the bright lights of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights when he takes on recent world title challenger John Molina (24-2, 19KO’s) in the 10-round main event at the Indian School in Sante Fe, New Mexico. The bout is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment and Rumble Time Promotions.

The bout between Williams and Molina features two contenders meeting at an ultimate crossroads in their respective careers. On March 30, 2013, Williams squared off against fellow top-rated contender and NABF champion Hank Lundy on Friday Night Fights. The heavy-handed Williams got off to a good start, dropping Lundy early in the first. Lundy would go on to win a 10-round unanimous decision though, retaining his title in the process.

Williams bounced back with a seventh-round TKO over veteran Rynell Griffin in October and now has his sights set on Molina, who was stopped by then WBC lightweight titlist Antonio DeMarco in September. A win over Molina will set Williams up for much bigger and better opportunities in 2013 as he looks to position himself for his first world title shot.

“I need to show the world in this fight that my last televised fight was not me. That was a fluke,” said Williams. “The boxing world needs to see the real Dannie Williams. 2013 is a huge year for me. After I take care of business on Friday night, I want to get right back in the ring against ranked opponents and move my way to the top of the lightweight division.”

ESPN will begin live coverage at 9 p.m. ET. The Williams-Molina bout is promoted by Goosen Tutor Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment and Rumble Time Promotions.

Sherman Oaks, Calif. (January 3) – Undefeated Super Middleweight Brandon Gonzales, 28, is coming off a dominant victory by unanimous decision over Elie Augustama in which he battled through a substantial gash over his left eye that severely hindered his vision for the last few rounds of the fight.

“I learned about patience and sticking to the game plan and knowing that I can fight through adversity if necessary,” Gonzales said of his bloody cut. “It showed I could carry out a fight regardless of the circumstances.”

The Sacramento native, who is training with Virgil Hunter (also trainer of Andre Ward), is prepared to exhibit the same heart and determination against his upcoming challenger.

Mouton, 34, has momentum on his side as well, as the Houston native has won all of his fights since returning to the ring after a three-year hiatus, with all the wins coming in 2012. After stunning Jesse Luna with a TKO in his first fight since 2009, Mouton has won two bouts, including a knockout of Samuel Clarkson in his most recent fight.

As Mouton has garnered plenty of hype in his recent return to boxing – his opponents had a very respectable combined 40-7-1 record – Gonzales is prepared to face him at his best.

“[Don’s] a tough fighter and he comes to fight. He’s given a lot of guys trouble,” Gonzales said. “I definitely know he’s coming with the mindset this is his opportunity and he’ll be fully prepared. This is my first fight in seven months and I’m eager to get back into it and showcase my skills on a platform like ESPN.”

Promoter Dan Goossen says “This is the type of fight that can establish Brandon as a bonafide world rated super middleweight.”

The bout is being promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with
M & H Promotions. The event will be televised on ESPN2 (9:00PM EST/6:00PM PST) and ESPN Deportes and held at the Pueblo Pavilion in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

ST. LOUIS (December 18, 2012) – Christmas came early for lightweight power-broker “Dangerous” Dannie Williams in the form of an ESPN Friday Nights Fight main event showdown on January 11 against John “The Hammer” Molina Jr. (24-2, 19 KOs) in a explosive crossroads fight for both boxers, at Indian School in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“I’ve been waiting to get back into a meaningful fight,” Williams said from training camp in Youngstown, Ohio, “so I can get back in the lightweight picture. That’s what this fight is all about. I look at this fight like all of my fights as the biggest of my life.”

Williams (22-2, 18 KOs) is only two fights removed from a disappointing loss by 10-round decision to Hank Lundy (21-1-1) for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title, while Molina suffered a devastating first-round knockout in his last fight to World Boxing Council (WBC) 135-pound champion Antonio DeMarco. Both of these fights aired on national television, setting back the fighters’ respective careers.

Williams, who was WBC No. 9 rated going into the Lundy fight, has regrouped, winning his most recent fight this past October by way of a seventh-round knockout of Rynell Griffin.

Molina’s most significant win, ironically, was an 11th round stoppage of Lundy in 2010 for the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) lightweight title. The previously unbeaten Lundy (18-0-1), who was dropped in the eighth, had a substantial lead on all three judges’ scorecards (98-91, 98-91, 97-92) when Molina finished him off in the 11th as the referee halted the fight with Lundy trapped on the ropes and hurt.

“I’m really up for this fight because he’s the guy who beat the guy who beat me,” Williams noted. “I’m going to show the boxing world that my Lundy fight was a fluke. Molina’s last fight was disappointing. I don’t think he can take a big punch. It’s not like Lundy can hit. DeMarco hit him with some good punches, but I can’t wait to see how he reacts when I hit him.”

The fight between Williams and Molina, who have combined to knock out 37 opponents in 46 total wins, has the potential to start 2013 off with fireworks. “A loss derails either fighter’s career and the winner gets right back in the picture,” Williams’ head trainer Jack Loew remarked. “With these two guys, no matter what game plan is set, once they get touched, their manhood takes over. They’re both warriors, real fighters, and this can be a very exciting fight. Dannie just has to fight for 10 rounds, although this isn’t the type fight that figures to go the distance. Against Lundy, we had a great game plan and it worked for two or three rounds. Then, Dannie hit a wall and for whatever reason, he stopped fighting.

“This is a crossroads fight for both fighters. This isn’t like being a cat with nine lives. This is the third opportunity Steve’s (co-promoter Steve Smith) gotten Dannie on national television, the first against (Eloy) Perez (LDEC10 in 2009), and then Lundy. This fight could mean the difference between ever getting a world title shot or not. I’ve let Dannie know what this fight means and the pressure is on him to win. Dannie has to be professional and go into this fight in a better mind set than he did against Lundy. He can’t dance around and box. He has to come forward and be aggressive. Dannie Williams is always going to be a power puncher.”

“Dangerous” Dannie Williams (L)

(photo by Bob Barton)

Co-Promoted by Rumble Time Promotions (President Steve Smith) and DiBella Entertainment, the 28-year-old Williams has overcome numerous obstacles growing up in the Peabody Projects in Saint Louis, Missouri. He showcased his potential as an amateur, capturing a gold medal in the 2004 National Golden Gloves Tournament, and defeating undefeated, former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios.

“What I know for sure is that Dannie will fight the fight of his life and come out with a big win in dramatic fashion,” Smith added. “I do want to thank Doug Loughrey (boxing programming director), of ESPN, for keeping this fight together. ESPN fans are going to love the non-stop action, as long as it lasts. Dannie just had an off night against Lundy. Dannie Williams is a beast with power in both hands and good boxing skills, too.”

Go online to www.RumbleTimePromotions.com for more information about Williams or any of his Rumble Time Promotions stable-mates.