ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (December 20, 2021) — Today, the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame (ACBHOF) announced the honorees for the 2022 6th Annual Induction Ceremony; to be held Friday, October 7, through Sunday, October 9, 2022, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

The 2022 ACBHOF inductees include:

Lennox Lewis, Julio César Chávez, James Toney, Frank Fletcher Dave Tiberi, Chuck Mussachio, Kathy Collins-Globuschutz, Kathy Duva, Pat Lynch, Kevin Rooney Sr., Lynne Carter, Randy Neumann, Dr. Domenic Coletta, Tom Casino, and posthumously: James Broad, Eddie Aliano, and Harold Lederman.

The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Celebration will offer boxing enthusiasts a weekend full of great programming, including a kick-off cocktail reception, meet & greets, and fight fan experience that features spectacular artwork, exhibits, and boxing memorabilia.

The Highlight of the weekend is our red-carpet formal Induction Ceremony which takes place in an award show atmosphere. We will honor and enshrine all who helped make Atlantic City a worldwide boxing Mecca. Guests will enjoy the opportunity to mix and mingle with special guests, including entertainers, sports icons, government officials, and more. In addition, many of our previous honorees will be in attendance.

For more information, visit the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame website at www.acbhof.com.

A special thanks to our sponsors and supporters: Mayor Marty Small Sr., City of Atlantic City, SparBar Inc., Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, FantaSea Resorts, Expressions Graphic Designs, Legends Block, Icons of Boxing, Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, Adams Boxing, Sampson Boxing, WBC, IBF, Fight Night Apparel and The Claridge Hotel.

Guadalajara, Mexico (March 16, 2021) – Today, boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez and Hector Camacho Jr. came face to face to announce their much anticipated exhibition fight that will take place on Saturday, June 19th as A special night that will honor the first-family of Mexican boxing, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Omar Chavez will take place on Saturday night, June 19th, at The Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico

Chavez and Camacho as well as Omar Chavez and Ramon Alvarez were present at Tuesday’s festivities.

Julio Cesar Chavez, referring to the first time he was offered to fight with the son of his great rival, Chavez, a member of the Hall of Fame, said “First I said no, because he is too young for me. But when they told me it was a tribute to my great friend (Camacho Sr.), who is in heaven, I accepted immediately. “

“Between Mexico and Puerto Rico there has always been a great rivalry, but “Macho” Camacho never bothered with my family, he never offended me or used rude words. And we became great friends, I love him to heaven, he knows it, and although now he must be angry about the beating I’m going to give his son.”

Hector “Macho” Camacho Jr thanked the authorities and the organizers of the event, and then added: “I have been waiting for the opportunity for this fight for years. I will be well prepared, very skinny as you like. This fight is going to be days before the anniversary of my father’s death, so it will be a very emotional fight for me.”

Tribute to The Kings will be live on Pay-Per-View and will feature a special Exhibition bout that will see Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. make his final ring appearance against Hector Camacho Jr. Camacho will be honoring the legacy of his late Hall of Fame father.

In this very special battle between Mexico and Puerto Rico, Camacho will look to get even from the historic bout that Chavez had with Camacho’s legendary dad on September 12, 1992.

In a 10-ound light heavyweight, former middleweight world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will take on an opponent to be announced.

In a 10-round middleweight bout, Omar Chavez will Ramon Alvarez in the rubber match of their trilogy

Tribute to The Kings is promoted by Borizteca Boxing and Toscano Promotions and will be produced by Global Sports Streaming.

Guadalajara, Mexico (March 12, 2021) – A special night that will honor the first-family of Mexican boxing, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Omar Chavez will take place on Saturday night, June 19th, at The Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico

Tribute to The Kings will be live on Pay-Per-View and will feature a special Exhibition bout that will see Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. make his final ring appearance against Hector Camacho Jr. Camacho will be honoring the legacy of his late Hall of Fame father.

In this very special battle between Mexico and Puerto Rico, Camacho will look to get even from the historic bout that Chavez had with Camacho’s legendary dad on September 12, 1992.

In a 10-ound light heavyweight, former middleweight world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will take on an opponent to be announced.

In a 10-round middleweight bout, Omar Chavez will Ramon Alvarez in the rubber match of their trilogy

Tribute to The Kings is promoted by Borizteca Boxing and Toscano Promotions and will be produced by Global Sports Streaming.

The historic night of action will be formally announced at two press conferences, with the inaugural kick-off press conference taking place on March 16th at The Teatro Degollado (Calle Degollado s/n, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico) at 2 PM CT

Then on March 18th, at Old Jai Alai Palace Forum – Entertainment Center (Av. Revolución, Zona Centro, 22000 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico) at 12 PM PT

The International media will be able to participate virtually at these press conferences (Zoom Info to be sent on Monday)

Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. is considered the greatest fighter from boxing-crazed Mexico, and one of the greatest pound for pound fighters of all-time.

During his amazing 25 year-run, he compiled an incredible record of 107-6-2 with with a staggering 85 knockouts. He was a six-time world champion in three weight-divisions, and was inducted into the International Hall of Fame in 2011.

“It is an honor to render a tribute to Hector Camacho , but I know his son wants to get at me and get revenge from the fight I had with his father,” said Chavez Sr.

Camacho Jr. will look even the score as his Hall of Fame father and Chavez Sr. engaged in a showdown in 1992, that saw Chavez win a unanimous decision. Camacho Jr. has a professional record of 59-7-1 with 33 knockouts.

“Instead of six rounds with papa bear, I’ll fight two rounds with Omar, two more with junior, and then finish with the good ass whooping of the old man,” said Camacho Jr.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is the former WBC Middleweight world champion, who made three defenses of the crown, has a record of 52-5-1 with 34 knockouts.

“It has been a tough couple of years for me, but I want to show the fans that I am not done, and I have more to give the sport as I move to light heavyweight and make a run at another title,” said Chavez Jr.

Omar Chavez is 38-6-1 with 25 knockouts will take on Alvarez, who is 28-8-3 with 16 knockouts.

“I beat him easily in the second fight, and I’ll beat him the same way in this fight. We both wanted this fight, and I just want to knock him out again,” said Omar Chavez.

On September 27, 2014, Alvarez won a hotly contested unanimous decision; Chavez evened up the rivalry with a 2nd round stoppage on April 29, 2017.

“Since losing the second fight, I know I was not fully prepared, and took the fight on short notice but I have no excuses. Now I want to retaliate for that defeat by giving it everything I have to win. This will be an emotional fight in my home town,” Said Alvarez.

On June 19, the Chavez – Alvarez trilogy will settle the score.

Pay-Per-View Information and More great bouts will be announced shortly

Julio Cesar Chavez says fighting on Cinco de Mayo was so special for him to connect with his fans as he joins Jessie Vargas in a special episode of ‘Peleamundo’. CHAVEZ IS A GUEST ON THE CINCO DE MAYO EPISODE OF ‘PELEAMUNDO’ ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FROM 5PM (ET) TODAY!
The Mexican legend boxed countless times in Cinco de Mayo weekend and the month of May over his incredible career and speaking to host Jessie Vargas, the former three-weight World king discussed how it felt to fight for his people on that date, especially his rematch with Frankie Randall in 1994.

“It’s a very special day for all Mexicans,” said Chavez. “I fought many times in May representing all Mexicans. It’s something very, very special, something very beautiful feeling the love, the support from all the Mexican Americans that lived in the United States.

“Above all, the Mexicans, that truly are the ones who support other Mexicans who go and triumph in the United States. For them it’s something great that one can represent them. I always tried to represent them in the best way. Fortunately, I gained their respect, but above all, I won the love of the people, nobody can take it away from me.

“They were great, they were huge for me because I always had the support of all the Mexicans that moved there. I don’t even remember any more if I won or lost, I think I won more than I lost!

“The one thing I’m left with is with the joy that I gave to the Mexicans there, the euphoria with which they received me, they presented me, and they followed me. I always have that.

“There are opponents that are complicated for us. The truth is that for me, Frankie Randall’s style was always complicated for me. Even in the third fight, because in the second fight, even though I beat him the truth is that if it weren’t for the headbutt no one knows how it would have gone for me because I was already really tired. 

“Honestly in that fight, I had prepared like never before. My addiction was already very far along. But I stopped for a bit there because I had lost, I wanted to avenge my loss. I stopped a bit, despite the fact that my addiction was already very advanced. I stopped a bit, I tried to stop a bit in order to take back my title and that’s how it went. I think I went a bit too far, I prepared so well, that I went into the fight over-trained. In the second round, I felt that my arms were already falling. 

“Fortunately, thank God, based on pure experience I took the fight. I had another fight against him in Mexico City where I already knew his style and there, I beat him more easily.”

Chavez joins Vargas in a special Cinco de Mayo episode of ‘Peleamundo’ which also features WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.

(April 16, 2020) — This Saturday, April 18, will be a day of classic boxing on ESPN when the network airs 11 consecutive hours of the sweet science starting at 12 noon ET. This special presentation will showcase some of the greatest bouts of all time, including the epic trilogy between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Ali-Frazier I has never been aired before on ESPN platforms and has not aired on U.S. television in nearly 30 years (August 1991). 

In addition to the linear telecast, Ali-Frazier I will become available on ESPN+ beginning Saturday, joining the other two fights in the Ali-Frazier trilogy. Exclusively available to ESPN+ subscribers, it marks the first time ever that all three of the historic fights are available together on demand.

ESPN’s 11-hour Saturday programming initiative will begin at noon ET with Ali-Foreman and culminate with the Ali-Frazier trilogy, running from 7 p.m. to 11p.m. ET.   

The full lineup is as follows:

Ali-George Foreman (12:00 PM ET): Ali was a 4-to-1 underdog against Foreman, who entered the fight at 40-0 with 37 KOs and two title defenses under his belt. Dubbed “The Rumble in the Jungle,” the fight became iconic after Ali employed the “rope-a-dope” tactic to tire out and ultimately stop Foreman in eight rounds.

Evander Holyfield-Foreman (1:00 PM ET): Holyfield knocked out Douglas to win the heavyweight title and chose Foreman, 42 years old and four years into his comeback, for his first world title defense. Holyfield won a unanimous decision, but Foreman pushed the younger man for 12 rounds. “The Battle of the Ages” was a heavyweight title showdown for the ages.

Oscar De la Hoya-Julio Cesar Chavez I (2:00 PM ET): De La Hoya, the then-unbeaten Mexican-American superstar, was seeking a world title in a third weight class against the beloved Chavez, who entered the bout with a 97-1-1 record. Chavez lost his super lightweight world title in four lopsided rounds, as a severe cut and a busted nose caused by De La Hoya punches forced the ringside doctor to stop the fight.

De La Hoya-Felix Trinidad (3:00 PM ET): Trinidad and De La Hoya were a combined 66-0 entering the welterweight title unification bout, which at the time was the most lucrative non-heavyweight contest in boxing history. Trinidad came on strong in the later rounds to eke out a controversial majority decision, a verdict that still sparks heated debate among fans. 

Marvin Hagler-Thomas Hearns (4:00 PM ET): Quite simply, one of the greatest fights in boxing history. Round 1 is perhaps the greatest round in boxing history, and in less than three rounds of brutality, Hagler and Hearns cemented their status as legends of the sport. Hagler made 12 defenses of the middleweight world title, while Hearns won world titles in five weight divisions over a nearly 30-year career.

Mike Tyson-Trevor Berbick (4:30 PM ET): The beginning of a legend. Tyson knocked out Berbick in two rounds to become the youngest man (20 years old) to win a heavyweight world title.

Tyson-Larry Holmes (5:00 PM ET): In a matchup of youth versus experience, Tyson needed only four rounds to knock out Holmes, who entered the fight having not fought in nearly two years. Holmes held the world heavyweight title from 1978-1985, made 20 successful title defenses and is considered to be among the greatest heavyweights who ever lived.

Tyson-Michael Spinks (5:30 PM ET): Tyson earned lineal heavyweight champion status with his 91-second destruction over Spinks, who first defeated Larry Holmes in 1985 to win the recognized heavyweight title. Spinks edged Holmes in their 1986 rematch and defended the lineal title twice more over the next two-plus years before running into Tyson.

Sonny Liston-Cassius Clay 1 (6:00 PM ET): On Feb. 25, 1964, the unthinkable happened when Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, entered the ring as a clear underdog to face heavyweight world champion Sonny Liston. Clay claimed the victory after Liston, one of the most intimidating fighters ever, quit on his stool, after the 6^th round.

Ali-Frazier Trilogy (7:00 – 11:00 PM ET): In their first battle, since then known as “Fight of the Century” on March 8, 1971, Ali and Frazier were both undefeated gold medalists with legitimate claims to the heavyweight title in a nation torn apart from Vietnam when they stepped into the ring at Madison Square Garden. A vintage Frazier leaping left hook planted Ali on the canvas in the 15^th round, as he closed the show in style to win a unanimous decision. Ali and Frazier met again three years later in 1974, with Ali avenging his loss in a hotly contested rematch that cemented the fierce rivalry.

“Thrilla in Manila,” their third and final fight, turned out to be the most brutal fight of Ali’s and Frazier’s careers. Ali and Frazier split their first two matchups, and the two went to war. After 14 rounds, Frazier’s trainer, Eddie Futch, stopped the fight. Neither man was ever the same, and the greatest rivalry in boxing history had reached its conclusion.  

ESPN+ also features a library of hundreds of the most important fights in boxing history, as well as recent Top Rank on ESPN fight cards for replay, all streaming on demand. The historic fights on ESPN+ include legendary heavyweight showdowns like Ali vs. Frazier III, Ali vs. George Foreman, Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn, Tyson vs. Holmes, Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney, Max Baer vs. James J. Braddock, Ali vs. Sonny Liston I & II, Wilder vs. Fury II and many more.  

ESPN Boxing Schedule (All Times Eastern)

MATAMOROS, MEXICO (May 30, 2019) – Prince Ranch Boxing’s 18-year-old featherweight sensation, Ricky Medina (3-0 2KOs) of San Antonio, Texas, will return to the ring this Friday for his fourth professional bout at The Casa Ahida Cafeteria Gourmet in Heroica Matamoros, Mexico. For Medina, who is promoted by TMB & PRB Entertainment, this will be his first time fighting outside of his home state of Texas, let alone the United States. “I am very excited to fight for the first time in Mexico. Mexico has a lot of great world champions over the years including Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and many more that I looked up to. For my promoter and manager to be able to put me in a situation to fight in such a boxing rich country and build fans out here, it is quite an honor.” said Medina about his upcoming fight on Friday night.

Medina, who faced an undefeated fighter in his last bout is looking to challenge himself in the professional game of boxing, early and often.

“What I love about Ricky Medina is how he looks for a challenge,” said Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing, Medina’s manager. “In his last fight, he fought Jose Casiano, an undefeated guy who was 1-0-1. A lot of young fighters wouldn’t fight a guy with that kind of record in their third fight, they’d talk about the business or want an easier fight. Ricky took the fight and won every round. Now three months later he is back in the ring ready to get a win in Mexico. He’s a star in the making.”

 “Ricky Medina is a great, young fighter who we want to keep extremely active so he can develop into a world champion,” said Medina’s promoter, Rick Morones of TMB & PRB Entertainment. “I believe it is important to keep him busy as he has been fighting every three months or so since he turned pro last September. We expect great things from Medina and see him as a future world champion.”

Las Vegas (April 9, 2019) – Boxing’s Mexican living legend Julio Cesar Chavez has confirmed that he will appear at the fifth annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday May 4, 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Chavez will hold a meet and greet with his fans at the Box Fan Expo at the World of Sports Memorabilia booth. The Expo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., during Cinco De Mayo weekend. The Boxing Expo will also coincide with the highly anticipated fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Danny Jacobs, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –
http://boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com/

Chavez will make his first appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and also have merchandise for sale for fans to enjoy. Boxing Fans will have an opportunity to also take pictures with this Boxing Legend.

Chavez joins Riddick Bowe, Mikey Garcia, Errol Spence Jr., Marco Antonio Barrera, Mia St,John, Juan Manuel Marquez, Vinny Paz, Devin Haney, Earnie Shavers, Al Bernstein, Michael Spinks, WBC, Erik Morales, James Toney and Jessie Vargas as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with many more Top Boxing stars to be announced.

About Julio Cesar Chavez
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2005. A multiple-time world champion in three weight divisions, Chavez was listed by The Ring magazine as the world’s best boxer, pound for pound, from 1990 to 1993. During his career he held the WBC super featherweight title from 1984 to 1987, the WBA and WBC lightweight titles between 1987 and 1989, the WBC light welterweight title twice between 1989 and 1996, and the IBF light welterweight title from 1990 to 1991. He also held the Ring magazine and lineal lightweight titles from 1988 to 1989, and the lineal light welterweight title twice between 1990 and 1996. Chavez was named Fighter of the Year for 1987 and 1990 by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring respectively.

Chavez holds records for the most total successful defenses of world titles (27, shared with Omar Narvaez), most title fight victories and fighters beaten for the title (both at 31), and most title fights (37); he has the second most title defenses won by knockout (21, after Joe Louis with 23). His fight record was 89 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw before his first professional loss to Frankie Randall in 1994, before which he had an 87-fight win streak until his draw with Pernell Whitaker in 1993. Chavez’s 1993 win over Greg Haugen at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City set the record for a boxing match of 132,274 in attendance.

He is ranked as the 17th best boxer of all time, pound for pound, by BoxRec, #24 on ESPN’s list of “50 Greatest Boxers of All Time”, and 18th on The Ring’s “80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years”. Chavez is also ranked #1 greatest super lightweight boxer of all time and #13 greatest boxer of all time by Boxing Action Magazine. In 2010 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame for the Class of 2011. He is the father of current boxers Omar Chavez and former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

About World of Sports Memorabilia
World Sports Memorabilia is a family owned and operated business specializing in sports, memorabilia, along with custom framing. As collectors of fine autographed pieces as well as being dealers, they are sensitive to the potential of forgeries in the marketplace; therefore, they have obtained most of their autographs either in person or from a promotional agent who has conducted a personal or private signing with a specific athlete or celebrity. They always provide a certificate of authenticity with every autograph and would be more than willing to provide additional information on how they obtained any particular piece. For more info go to: https://worldofsportsmem.com/

About Box Fan Expo
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet-and-greet boxing superstars of today, current and former world champions, legends of the sport and other boxing celebrities. Fans can expect to experience various interactions such as autograph and photos sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, pictures with the Ring Card Girls, Live DJ Music, chance to win prizes, purchase merchandise and memorabilia from different booths Exhibitors, “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”. You won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!

Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last four Expos such as Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roy Jones Jr., Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Errol Spence Jr., Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Pazienza, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris , Riddick Bowe , Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Abner Mares, Jorge Linares, Brandon Rios and many more…

Exhibitors include: boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who wish to participate will once again have a chance to showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at:
https://boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com

Throughout the next several weeks leading up to the event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo. And for anyone in the Boxing industry or other Exhibitors (non-industry), who would like to be involved and reserve a Booth, contact Box Fan Expo:

Telephone number: (514) 572-7222 or Las Vegas Number (702) 997-1927

For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

For More information on Box Fan Expo visit: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

Follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter and Instagram: @BoxFanExpo

Follow Box Fan Expo on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo

LOS ANGELES (March 7, 2018): Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr., one of the best Mexican boxers of all time and a former six-time, three-division world champion, will be the special VIP guest for the March 22 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. The main event will feature 2017 consensus prospect of the year., Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (13-0, 12 KOs) of Victorville, Calif., who will put his Junior NABF Super Featherweight Title on the line and fight for the vacant NABA USA Super Featherweight Title against Mexican veteran Fernando Vargas (32-15-3, 24 KOs) in a ten-round affair. Garcia, who is also dubbed “The Flash,” has ended 92% of his fights in jaw-dropping knockouts.

Doors to the Special Events Center will open at 4:15 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 4:30 pm PT. ESPN and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT, and stream live on ESPN3 starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

During his legendary career, Chavez Sr. held world titles in three weight classes, and
holds the records for the most total successful defenses of world titles (27), most title fight victories (31), and most title fights (37). The Hall of Famer also has the second most title defenses won by knockout, and holds the longest undefeated streak in boxing history at 13 years. Chavez, Sr. will be in attendance for this event to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center before the ESPN transmission begins. The meet-and-greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

In the televised co-main event, St. Louis, Mo.’s KeAndre “The Truth” Gibson (18-1-1, 7 KOs) will face Eddie “EBoy” Gomez (20-3, 11 KOs) of the Bronx, N.Y. in a 10-round fight between two high-level welterweights.

Certified contender of Glendora, CA, Joet Gonzalez (18-0, 10 KOs) will combat Rolando Magbanua (26-6, 18 KOs) of Cotabato, Phillipines in a scheduled 10-round featherweight fight.

Mexican Olympian Raul “El Cugar” Curiel (2-0, 1 KO), hoping to catch the ESPN coverage as the TV swing bout, will return in a six-round welterweight fight against Quantavious Green (1-1, 1 KO) of Shreveport, La.

East Los Angeles, Calif.’s Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro (12-0, 6 KOs) will take on a soon-to-be-announced opponent in a scheduled eight-round super lightweight fight after the ESPN transmission. Opening up fight night will be top-notch prospect Emilio Sanchez (16-0, 11 KOs) of Pacoima, Calif. will return in an eight-round super bantamweight fight against Filipino fighter Eugene Lagos (12-5-2, 7 KOs).

Garcia vs. Vargas is a 10-round fight for the Junior NABF and vacant NABA USA Super Featherweight Titles presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy, “Never Stop, Never Settle.” The fights will take place on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Doors to the Special Events Center will open at 4:15 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 4:30 pm PT. ESPN and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT, and stream live on ESPN3 starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event start at $25 and are available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Media interested in attending Golden Boy Boxing: Garcia vs. Vargas must request credentials by emailing clavoie@fantasysprings.net by 5:00 p.m. PT on Friday, March 16.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and http://www.espn.com/boxing/; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPN, and @ESPNBoxeo; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing; and follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @OscarDeLaHoya. Follow the conversation using #GBPonESPN.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or copying and pasting link: http://bit.ly/GarciaVargas into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for photos and videos used.

Miami, FL – November 1, 2017 – “Boxeo Telemundo Ford,” the #1 Spanish-language boxing program in the U.S., returns to Telemundo this Friday, November 3 at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 CT from the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, FL. The season finale and last event of the year will feature a battle of Mexico vs. Puerto Rico as undefeated Alejandro “Bad Boy” Barbosa 11-0 (7 KO) faces Sammy “Hurricane” Valentín 12-1 (9 KO) for the WBO Youth Welterweight World title. Telemundo Deportes’ commentators René Giraldo and Edgar López will call the action.

The broadcast will feature a special appearance by Mexican World Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. to speak about boxing and “El Cesar,” a new biopic series about his life to debut on Telemundo next Tuesday, November 7 at 8 p.m. ET.

Sammy Valentin of Tampa, FL is a former NABO Welterweight Champion and winner of the 2014 National Golden Gloves. He was defeated in his last bout during “Boxeo Telemundo” this past summer against Giovanny Santillan, and looks to step back into the contention this Friday.

Meanwhile Barbosa has never been defeated, spotting an unblemished record of 11-0 7KO’s with 6 of his last 7 wins coming by way of knockout. A native of Jacona, Michoacan, Mexico, Barbosa arrives to Florida looking to make a name for himself in the U.S.

The “Boxeo Telemundo Ford” series is broadcast live on Telemundo and live streamed on Telemundo Deportes En Vivo app, and complemented with extensive news and content on TelemundoDeportes.com, including access to the weigh-in and exclusive behind the scenes content.

“Boxeo Telemundo Ford,” the longest-running boxing program on U.S. Spanish-language television, debuted in 1989. Since then it has showcased more than 50 world champions, including Erik Morales, Felix Tito Trinidad, Wilfredo Vazquez, Hall of Famer Daniel Zaragoza, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, Oscar “Chololo” Larios and Israel “El Magnifico” Vazquez, earning a reputation as the show “where champions are born.”

LONDON (5 May) – Canelo Alvarez has opened up about his bad blood with ‘little kid’ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr ahead of their grudge match this weekend.

The pair will finally trade leather this Saturday night from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, live on BoxNation, with two-weight world champion Canelo revealing where the feud between the Mexican rivals originated.

“This rivalry goes back about ten years, you know, to our time in Guadalajara. They had the opportunity to make this fight years ago. They had the power to make this fight back then. They didn’t want to,” said Canelo.

“As a person, I don’t know him well, but just from what I hear from his actions and all, it’s like a guy that just doesn’t sustain what he says. You know, he just says a lot of things. It’s almost like he’s a little kid,” he said.

31-year-old Chavez Jr was equally vocal about the duos long-standing ill will, believing that this fight is the most important of his 14-year career and one he can win by knockout.

“Yes, there’s a real, true rivalry, and on Saturday night, people are going to see firsthand this rivalry, how real it is. Obviously we’re going to show it inside the ring,” said Chavez Jr.

“I do feel that this fight is the biggest fight of my career, just because it’s a big event, because of who I’m fighting and because of the opportunity. I’m going to take advantage of it and make the best of it.

“I feel I can knock him out. I feel that I’m a bigger guy. I fought at light heavyweight. He’s never fought fighters this size, and because of that, if things pan out and I get the right shot, I think of course the knockout can happen,” he said.

There is high expectation in the Chavez Jr camp, with his legendary father, Julio Cesar Chavez, recently commenting that this was a fight where “Julio has to show that he has my genes – that he has my balls”.

The former middleweight world champion is aware of what is on the line having changed his team around in the build up, bringing in the much respected Nacho Beristain to train him, but will still use his father as inspiration for the fight.

“I like my father to be around. It’s okay when he’s around. It’s just important for him to understand that he’s not my trainer,” Chavez Jr said.

“Sometimes we don’t always transmit instructions the way we would like for them to come out, but I have my own trainer. I picked Nacho Beristain, who is a great trainer; one of the best in the history of boxing.

“But I will say that a lot of what I learned in boxing, I learned it watching my father as a little kid. I grew up watching him my whole life, and I learned a lot of what I know from watching my father,” he said.

Flame-haired Canelo, however, believes that he is someone who has had the easy route and is riding on the coattails of his father’s success.

“My fans know that I started from nothing, from the bottom up, from zero, and have worked my way up with a lot of sweat and sacrifices.

“He has his fans, as well. But I think a lot of his fans are more his father’s fans than his, and his fans follow his father, what his father says, because he’s shown a lot of ups and downs in his career, and he himself has not had a real disciplined career,” said Canelo.

“He is not a role model for the young children and the young fighters. And you know what, I’ve always said, whether I have 1,000, 5,000, 20,000 or millions, I’m very fortunate. I’m very happy and I’m very appreciative of my fans and I’ll give them 100 percent all the time,” he said.

Canelo v Chavez Jr is live on BoxNation this Saturday night. Sky customers can get free registration by using the offer code MAYBOXING. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated boxing channel. From £12* per month with no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.
Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Khan vs Canelo.
The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.
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NEW YORK (July 7, 2016) – Widely acknowledged as the preeminent Mexican-born fighter in history and one of the greatest prizefighters of all time, Julio Cesar Chavez will be honored as SHOWTIME Sports® airs classic Chavez fights in continuation of its year-long celebration of 30 years of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

The month will be highlighted by four of the incomparable Chavez’ most memorable fights – against Hector “Macho” Camacho, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, the second of three fights with Frankie Randall and the rematch with Meldrick Taylor. All four fights will air Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME (full schedule below).

For years, the revered ring legend was considered the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter. In an amazing 25-year-career (1980-2005), Chavez fought 115 times (107-6-2 with 88 knockouts). At the highest level, he competed in four weight classes – 130 pounds to 147 pounds – and was a six-time world champion in three divisions.

He holds records for the most world title successful defenses (27), most title fight victories (31), most title fights (37) and the second-most title defenses won by knockout (21, after Joe Louis with 23). Chavez was 31-4-2 with 21 KOs in world title fights. A multiple Fighter of the Year winner, Chavez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011.

The fights will air on “Throwback Thursday” during the month of July at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME® and are available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and via the network’s online streaming service.

Below is the schedule of SHOWTIME EXTREME premieres for the month of July:
TONIGHT/Thursday, July 7: Chavez vs. Camacho
Thursday, July 14: Chavez vs. Whitaker
Thursday, July 21: Chavez Randal II
Thursday, July 28: Chavez vs. Taylor II

“Throwback Thursday” Tidbits
WBC super featherweight champion Chavez (81-0) and his WBO counterpart, Camacho, fought on Sept. 12, 1992, in Las Vegas. JCC turned back a determined bid by “Macho” to take a unanimous 12-round decision.

Chavez had an 87-fight winning streak end when he and WBC welterweight champion Whitaker fought to a highly controversial 12-round majority draw in Sept. 10, 1993, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. One judge scored it for “Sweet Pea” by 115-113; the others had it 115-115.

Chavez was dealt his initial defeat on a 12-round split decision to nemesis Randall on Jan. 29, 1994. In the rematch the following May 7, Chavez won a razor-thin, split eight-round technical decision after the fight was stopped because of a large cut over Chavez’ eyebrow. Chavez and Randall would fight a third time, with Chavez taking the rubber match on a clear, unanimous 10-round decision on May 22, 2004.

Chavez went 2-0 against Taylor, winning by eighth-round knockout in a rematch on Sept. 17, 1994. In their initial fight four-and-a-half years earlier, Chavez rallied to win by 12th-round stoppage.
# # #

About Showtime Networks:
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon and Google. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Prime Video. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez is backing Gilberto Ramirez (33-0, 24 KOs) to dethrone WBO World Super Middleweight Champion Arthur Abraham (44-4, 29 KOs) on April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

While hosting his ESPN show ‘A Los Golpes’, the former six-time World Champion told Ramirez: ‘’I have a lot of faith in you. I believe you will win the fight but you have to take advantage of your height and youth because Arthur Abraham is a great champion!’’

Despite his prediction, Abraham, who is aiming for a sixth successive defence of his WBO title, was flattered by Chavez’s remarks.

‘’I love this man. He was a real warrior who would give everything in the ring,’’ said ‘King Arthur’. ‘’He is one of my boxing idols so it means a lot for him to call me a great champion. However, I must disappoint him on April 9, by beating his countryman Ramirez.’’

One man confident Abraham’s Las Vegas debut will prove successful is his coach Ulli Wegner, who believes Ramirez’s lack of experience will be the deciding factor.

‘’A fight like this is won in the mind, and for Ramirez, there are still a lot of questions he must answer,’’ said Wegner. ‘’This is his first World title fight. Can he handle the pressure? Can he master his tactics over twelve rounds? All this remains to be seen.’’

For the defending champion there is no question of his bravery as he travels into enemy territory to face the undefeated Mexican, using as his motto: ‘’ Mejor morir de pie que vivir arrodillado!’’ (Translated: It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!)

Arthur Abraham defends his WBO World Super Middleweight title against Gilberto Ramirez on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s farewell fight with Timothy Bradley on April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

By Norm Frauenheim-

Arizona’s dramatic, often controversial and thoroughly unpredictable boxing market is back and open for business Wednesday with a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card at Glendale’s Gila River Arena that is the biggest in the state since Julio Cesar Chavez’ career ended in a 2005 loss to an Omaha car salesman.

Chavez’ experience in Arizona doesn’t sum up the state’s boxing history. Nothing really could. But Chavez, the greatest champion in a long line of Mexican legends, is a good sign that – from A to Z – most anything can happen and often does. Chavez won everywhere but AZ.

He was 0-2 in the state, losing a sixth-round TKO to Kostya Tszyu in 2000 and retiring for good on the stool after five rounds against Grover Wiley in 2005.

Then, there’s Tzsyu, who beat Sharmba Mitchell in a third-round stoppage in 2004 at the same Glendale arena in what was then seen as a potential steppingstone to a big-money bout with Oscar De La Hoya. In his next fight, Tszyu lost a 2005 stunner to Ricky Hatton in Manchester, England. Tszyu never fought again. Who knew?

Strange things happen in AZ.

Good things, too.

Home grown junior-flyweight Michael Carbajal, a forerunner to current flyweight and pound-for- king Roman Gonzalez, came off some of Phoenix’s toughest streets and fought his way into the Hall of Fame during the 1990s. Late legend Salvador Sanchez, boxing’s version of James Dean, won his first major title at old Veterans Memorial Coliseum in downtown Phoenix, scoring a 13th-round stoppage of Danny Lopez in February 1980 for the WBC version of the featherweight crown.

It’s the good that Devon Alexander (26-3, 14 KOs), a welterweight from St. Louis, seeks Wednesday in the ESPN-televised main event (6 pm. PT/9 p.m. ET) at the NHL arena next door to the Arizona Cardinals stadium.

It’s a chance for Alexander, a former champ at 147 and 140 pounds, to get his career back on track since a loss last December to Amir Khan. But it doesn’t look as if that will be as easy as it might appear. His opponent, Aaron Martinez (19-4-1, 4 KOs) of Los Angeles has lost his last two, but there’s a good argument he got robbed in split decision loss to the accomplished Robert Guerrero in June.

In another televised bout, IBF featherweight champ Lee Selby (21-1, 8 KOs) of Wales makes his U.S. debut against Mexican technician Fernando Montiel (54-4-2, 39 KOs). Montiel’s resume makes him an intriguing opponent for Selby, who joins Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares and Carl Frampton on Al Haymon’s featherweight roster. Nonito Donaire launched his career, putting himself into the pound-for-pound conversation with a sensational stoppage of Montiel in 2011.

The PBC undercard, a joint promotion with Phoenix-based Ring Pros, includes Ukranian lightweight prospect Ivan Redkach (18-1, 14 KOs) against Mexican Erick Martinez (11-2-1, 5 KOs). The non-televised part of the card is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

The PBC show is the first of three televised cards in AZ during the next two-and-a-half weeks.

On Oct. 17, Top Rank and Phoenix-based Iron Boy will co-promote a UniMas show at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix featuring Las Vegas featherweight Jessie Magdaleno (21-0, 15 KOs) against Filipino Vergel Nebran (14-9-1, 9 KOs).

The following Friday (Oct. 23) also at Celebrity, Iron Boy and Roy Jones Jr. will co-promote a Sho-Box-televised card featuring unbeaten Minnesota middleweight Rob Brant (17-0, 11 KOs) against Louis Rose (13-2-1, 5 KOs), of Lynwood, Calif.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (July 9, 2015) – Former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., super bantamweight contender Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez Jr. and heavyweight contender Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola participated in a media workout on Wednesday at Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Riverside, Calif., prior to their upcoming fights on Premier Boxing Champions on CBS and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®. The fights will take place as part of an afternoon-night doubleheader on Saturday, July 18, at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas, live on CBS Sports (4 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. PT) and SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

PBC on CBS will kick-off the action with a doubleheader featuring the U.S. debut of undefeated Irish champion Carl Frampton (20-0, 14 KOs), who will defend his IBF Junior Featherweight World Championship against Mexican contender Gonzalez Jr. (25-1-2, 15 KOs) in the 12-round main event. In the 8/10-round co-feature, heavyweight star Arreola (36-4, 31 KOs), of Los Angeles takes on Cameroonian heavyweight Frederic Kassi (18-3, 10 KOs).

In the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader later that evening, Mexican superstar Chavez, Jr. (48-2-1, 32 KOs) meets fellow Mexican brawler Marcos Reyes (33-2, 24 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight bout.

The 12-round co-main event will feature a pair of top bantamweights, as Puerto Rican Olympian McJoe Arroyo (16-0, 8 KOs) and Arthur Villanueva (27-0, 14 KOs), of the Philippines put their undefeated records on the line for the IBF Bantamweight World Championship.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is the first fighter to train at Robert Garcia’s new boxing academy in Riverside, which opened June 8. Garcia formerly trained all of his boxers at his well-known gym in Oxnard, Calif.

Julio Cesar Chavez, arguably the greatest Mexican fighter of all time, made an appearance during his son’s workout to show his support and offer words of encouragement.

Here’s what Chavez Jr., Gonzalez Jr., Arreola, Julio Cesar Chavez and Robert Garcia (Chavez Jr.’s trainer) had to say Wednesday at the Riverside gym:

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., Former World Champion
“I think Robert Garcia was the best option for me after my last fight. He speaks Spanish and knows the Mexican style. He has trained a lot of champions and I have a good connection with him.

“I missed the basics of boxing training for the last fight. Since I had such a long layoff, I needed to get back to the basics and I never did.

“I feel like I am in a good place right now. I am confident in my boxing ability because I know I am in the right condition. I sparred 10 rounds yesterday, this never happened in my last fight.

“I must win this fight and then everyone will see that I am capable of fighting the big names like [Gennady] Golovkin and [Carl] Froch.

“I must stay prepared and focus on my current opponent. He’s only 27 and has the ability.

“I learned a lot in my fight against [Andrzej] Fonfara. I really felt his punches, I became very tired. He taught me that I needed to spend more time in the gym and on my strategy. But I don’t think it was the wrong decision to fight him.

“I am currently training not just for my fight with [Marcos] Reyes, but also for a potential rematch with Fonfara.

“I feel like I need to have a dominant performance to show my fans what I am capable of. I must work my jab and use my defense.

“For this fight I will be at 168, but I am not sure what I will weigh for my fights in the future. I’m ready for less than 168 to face opponents like Canelo [Alvarez].”

ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ JR., Super Bantamweight Contender
“I have a big chance, a great opportunity. I am going to take advantage of it.

“For this fight we worked differently in training camp than all my other camps. I worked more on my defense, my attack and counter punches. Everything about this camp is different and focused solely on Frampton.

“It’s Frampton’s first time coming to the United States and he wants to be a superstar. But, in order to become a superstar he must first get by me.

“I know that he’s a great fighter with a lot of experience and a hard-hitting punch, but nothing that I can’t handle.

“I’m not going to be afraid of anyone. Even though this will be the biggest fight of my career. I won’t be nervous.

“Ever since my lone loss to [Juan Alberto] Rosas last year, I gained a lot of experience. I think I am ready for this test.

“He’s looking at me as the fighter who lost to Rosas, but I’m a different fighter now.”

CHRIS ARREOLA, Heavyweight Contender
“I expect to step in the ring in the high 240s. That’s about where I need to be. Just staying in shape and making sure I don’t balloon up like I have. My last fight when I weighed 263 I could easily cut weight to 255, but what for? I’m a big heavyweight. I messed up by overeating and it’s my fault. No one else to blame but me. I’m not going to cut any vanity weight. Why would I? I’m a heavyweight.

“I will never quit in a fight. Broken nose, broken ribs, broken whatever. You would have to kill me in the ring before I ever quit.

“I watched Kassi’s last fight. He’s a good mover and switches a lot. The main thing I’m going to have to do is catch him when he’s flinching, because he’s flinching out of nowhere.

“I’ve got to make a statement and I have to give myself a shot for a world title fight. Title shots don’t come around every day so when they do you got to take them.”

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ
“Julio is more relaxed and confident in his training. It’s never too late to start over. I hope on Saturday that we will see a new Julio.

“The loss to Fonfara didn’t take him down, it woke him up. Now he must take a new path and win in a dominant fashion.

“I didn’t want him to take the fight with Fonfara because he wasn’t at the same weight and he was coming off a year of inactivity.

“I think that this is the right weight for Julio. He is taking on a challenger who trains well and is young. Julio has the essential qualities to step ahead and forge a new path.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Chavez Jr.s’ Trainer
“I think everything has come together so much easier than I expected. Julio is training every day, he’s sparring. He’s doing everything he has to do. It’s been easier than I ever expected.

“We start at 7:30 p.m. and we train till 11 p.m. sometimes. He’s training so much. He loves to train. Sometimes he goes in my swimming pool and swims for 15 or 20 minutes.

“Junior has his own style, and I’m not going to change that. I’m just correcting little things; making sure he doesn’t have his head in front of his opponent and letting them hit him like they did his last couple of fights. I want him to use the jab a little more and move side to side.

“I love it out here in Riverside. I own the whole property so my fighters all stay here. We have horses and it’s quiet. It’s just so different than Oxnard where 40 or 50 fighters could walk in at any time.”

# # #

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Chavez Promotions, in association with TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25 dollars and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the University Ticket Center at (915) 747-5234. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @WarriorsBoxingProm, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezReyes become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog http://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/.

By Norm Frauenheim–

Boxing was never meant to be the family business. Fathers fight so their sons don’t have to. That sounds like a sensible plan, or at least a good way to avoid scars, concussions and everything else that comes from a livelihood in the ring.

But it’s never been one that could be applied to Julio Cesar Chavez and the son known simply as Junior.

It seems as if Junior just can’t escape his given name or the legend it means to Mexico. There have been times when it looked as if he might just walk away from his role as the heir-apparent.

But he hasn’t, not even amid boos for his two performances against Bryan Vera, or his country-club training camp for Sergio Martinez, or his late-night meals, or fondness for the substance that leads to the munchies.

Through it all, he always seems to follow that path up the steps, through the ropes and onto the unforgiving canvas that defined his dad. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will be back there again on April 18 at the StubHub Center in Carson Calif., at a 172-pound catch-weight against a top 10 light-heavyweight, Andzrej Fonfara.

“It feels great to get back,’’ Junior said during a conference call Wednesday.

Great, yet never more problematic than now.

There’s the dangerous Fonfara, who has enough skill and power to make him regret his return. It’s his first fight in 13 months. Since losing a piece of the middleweight title to Martrinez in a bout one-sided for 11 rounds and wild in the 12th, Junior has fought only twice, both against Vera, in 2013 and 2014. He has changed management, signing with advisor Al Haymon. Promoter Bob Arum is suing, alleging that he still owes him fight.

He’s also got a new trainer in Joe Goossen and will make his debut on Showtime after years on HBO. Changes abound. Question is: Has he?

His comeback against Fonfara is intriguing because it’s a chance to see if boxing’s Peter Pan has finally grown up. Throughout his career, enablers have surrounded him. Then, there were the fans, always there with an excuse for every misstep.

If he couldn’t make weight, a new one was negotiated. If he decided he wanted to train at his Las Vegas condo at 2 a.m. and do his road work around the couch instead of on the street, his former trainer, Freddie Roach, would be there.

But Arum and Roach are gone. So, too, are many of the Mexican fans. They have either given up on him in exasperation or moved on and into the Canelo Alvarez’ camp.

Against Fonfara, there will be none of the usual excuses or loopholes that have always been there like a silver spoon. Junior will have to behave and perhaps fight like Senior more then he ever has.

As always, dad will be there. He was even on the conference call.

“I did not want this fight for my son,’’ Julio Cesar Chavez said. “Fonfara is very strong. But Julio wants to show how good he is.”

How mature he is too.

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 28, 2014) – Aggressive, determined and fearless. Proud Argentine and former welterweight champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana has won the respect of some of the greatest Mexican world champions of our time for the fiery intensity he brings each time he steps through the ropes.

The fact that Maidana is the only boxer to defeat Adrien Broner and one of the very few in history to give 11-Time World Champion and perennial No. 1 pound-for-pound superstar, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, a legitimate test only adds to the anticipation heading into their upcoming rematch.

Here’s what the Mexican champions have to say about Maidana as we inch closer to “MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2” on Saturday, Sept. 13 live on SHOWTIME PPV® from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ, three-division World Champion and Boxing Hall of Famer
“We all know Marcos Maidana is not a technical fighter, but nobody can deny he is a very dangerous one, perhaps one of the most dangerous fighters Mayweather has ever faced.

“I must confess I was amazed to see how courageous Maidana was; he squared up in front of Mayweather and just went at it with everything he had.

“Maidana possesses a singular characteristic that we usually see only in Mexican fighters – he is simply fearless. He is brave and powerful and from the moment he steps into the ring he fights like there’s no tomorrow.”

ERIK “EL TERRIBLE” MORALES, first Mexican-born boxer to capture World titles in four different weight classes

“When you think of what makes a great Mexican Champion, you think of determination, aggressiveness, heart and the guts to get the job done. That’s what it means to be a great Mexican warrior; you leave everything in the ring, your heart and soul are out there.

“I remember watching the first Mayweather vs. Maidana fight back in May and I can say, Maidana left his heart in the ring. He fights with passion and aggressiveness. He leaves it all out there.

“There’s no boxing in Las Vegas or anywhere without great Mexican fighters. We all know that. And Maidana has the heart of a Mexican warrior.”

ISRAEL “MAGNIFICO” VAZQUEZ, former super bantamweight World Champion
“Marcos Maidana’s boxing style resembles that of the great Mexican fighters. He is fearless, doesn’t stand down, he likes to pressure his opponent and has a very powerful punch.

“You have to give Maidana some credit for his boxing skills; he has won the lead role in a rematch fight against one of the best fighters in the world, Floyd Mayweather.

“Besides being a very good fighter, Marcos has a very nice characteristic, he’s truly humble. That’s a feature you don’t find that often in boxers of his caliber.

“This is a very tough fight for the both of them; that’s why I’ll refrain from any predictions. Both fighters have a big test in front of them.

RAUL “DIAMANTE” MARQUEZ, Former IBF 154-Pound World Champion
“Maidana is a fighter that takes the lead and doesn’t back up. He comes prepared and he comes to fight.

“Nobody thought that he was going to stand up to Mayweather like he did. He left his heart in the ring.

“He made all Latinos proud. He stood in front of Mayweather like true Mexican champions do.

“He can go the distance if he wants, he’s aggressive. He fights with the determination of a Mexican.”

# # #

In other PPV fights, undefeated Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KOs), of Los Angeles, will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship against Mexico’s Manuel “Suavecito” Roman (17-2, 6 KOs), Miguel “Títere” Vazquez (34-3, 13 KOs), of Tijuana, will defend his IBF Lightweight World Championship against Mickey “The Spirit” Bey (20-1-1, 10 KOs), a Mayweather Promotions’ rising star from Las Vegas, and Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-4, 18 KOs) will move up to middleweight to face James De La Rosa (22-2, 13 KOs) in a 10-round bout. .

Preceding the PPV telecast, SHOWTIME will present a live 10-round junior welterweight bout between John Molina (27-4, 22 KOs) of Covina, Calif., and Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto (64-8-2, 35 KOs) on “COUNTDOWN LIVE” (SHO, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT).

# # #

“MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2,” a 12-round world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBA Welterweight Belt and WBC Welterweight and Super Welterweight World Titles takes place Saturday, Sept. 13 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts and “The Equalizer” in theaters Sept. 26. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) and is the fourth fight of a six-fight deal between Mayweather and Showtime Networks Inc. In the co-main event, Leo Santa Cruz defends his WBC Super Bantamweight Title against Manuel Roman in a 12-round bout and Miguel Vazquez faces Mickey Bey in a 12-round bout for the IBF Lightweight World Championship. In the PPV opener, Alfredo Angulo squares against James De La Rosa in a 10-round middleweight bout (162 lbs.). The event will be available in Spanish through secondary audio programming (SAP).

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are priced at $1,600, $1,200, $850, $600 and $350, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $350 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Mayweather vs. Maidana will be shown on the big screen in over 500 movie theaters across the country via Fathom Events. For more information visit www.FathomEvents.com

NEW YORK (March 27, 2014) – During his career, former undisputed heavyweight champion and international star Mike Tyson fought on SHOWTIME 17 times, second only to Julio Cesar Chavez (21) for most appearances by a boxer in the history of the network.

On Friday, April 18, Tyson returns in a different capacity when his Iron Mike Productions makes its promotional debut on the premium network with a three-fight card live on ShoBox: The New Generation (SHOWTIME, 10:45 ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pa., located outside Pittsburgh.

The telecast will feature three of Iron Mike Productions’ most highly regarded unbeaten fighters.

In the 10-round main event, heavy-hitting Cuban lightweight Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado (18-0, 16 KOs), of Miami, Fla., by way Cork, Ireland, and Havana, Cuba, will be opposed by his toughest opponent to-date, Pittsburgh-area crowd favorite “Lightning” Rod Salka (18-3, 3 KOs), of Bunola, Pa.

In the co-feature, undefeated southpaw and Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz (14-0, 8 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., by way of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic will box Emmanuel Lartey (15-1-1, 7 KOs), of Brooklyn by way of Ghana, in an eight-round welterweight bout.

In the opening bout of the telecast, local favorite and war veteran Sammy Vasquez, Jr. (13-0, 9 KOs), of Monesson, Pa., will meet fellow unbeaten Juan “The Beast” Rodriguez, Jr. (11-0, 5 KOs), of Union City, N.J., in an eight-round welterweight bout.

“Iron Mike Productions is fairly young but is a quickly growing company that has expeditiously risen to the achievement of world-class competition,” said Mike Tyson, President, Iron Mike Productions. “I’m looking forward to continuing our rise to prominence in the field of championship boxing. I was the first fighter to bring SHOWTIME to the apex of its prominence and it is great to have my company start off where I finished. April 18, on ShoBox, coming live from the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pa., is going to be a spectacular night.”

Tickets are currently on sale and priced at $250.00 for VIP ringside (includes meet-and-greet with Mike Tyson), $100.00 for ringside, $75.00 for reserved seating and $35.00 general admission (plus fees). Tickets are available at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/shobox-the-new-generation-tickets-11033903703?aff=es2&rank=11&sid=8d2f3f59b37a11e38be122000a9f3045.

The 5-foot-9 Collado was an accomplished amateur with nearly 200 bouts. He won the Junior World Championship title in 2006, and a few years later, defected from Cuba to Ireland. He turned pro in September 2008. Through 2011, all of his pro fights took place in Ireland and England.

Collado won his initial 14 fights by knockout before going the distance against Franklin Varela in a 10-round decision in his final outing of 2011. Collado did not fight again for 17 months while he relocated his training camp from Ireland to Miami and signed a new promotional contract with Iron Mike Productions. Since returning he’s registered three victories in a row, two by knockout. In his lone start this year, the undefeated 26-year-old Collado won a clear eight-round unanimous decision over Edgar Riovalle on Feb. 22 in Bethlehem, Pa.

The slick-boxing, battle-tested Salka, 31, won his first three fights in 2013 but lost his last on a close 10-round majority decision to Ricardo Alvarez last Dec. 14 in San Antonio, Texas, on SHOWTIME EXTREME. Both lead announcer Barry Tompkins and expert analyst Steve Farhood had Pittsburgh fan favorite Salka winning by 96-94.

Diaz, 30, a 2008 Olympic gold medalist, trains in Oxnard with 2013 Ring Magazine Trainer of The Year, Robert Garcia. He is making his 2014 debut and first start since stopping Edgar Llanes at 1:37 in the first round on Aug. 17, 2013. This will be the fifth fight in the United States for Diaz, a pro since 2009. The promising Diaz hopes to keep busier this year after fighting just twice in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The 32-year-old Lartey is a former African Boxing Union and Ghanaian champion. The lone loss in the southpaw’s nearly nine-year professional career came via unanimous decision in his last fight against 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence.

Vasquez, who turns 28 on April 15, will be making his third start of the year. He is a two-time Armed Forces Champion who served two tours of duty in Iraq. An extremely popular, crowd favorite in Pennsylvania—all 13 of his fights have been in or around Pittsburgh—Vasquez often has group busses filled with fans come to his fights. Lately, he’s been sending them home early. Vasquez has won his last four by stoppage, including a fourth-round TKO over Berlin Abreu on Feb. 22 in Bethlehem.

The undefeated Rodriguez, a 27-year-old southpaw, is coming off of a one-year layoff, having last fought April 13, 2013 where he beat Emmanuel Medina. Rodriguez speaks openly about his troubled childhood but credits boxing for turning his life around. He dedicated himself to the sport and as an amateur compiled an impressive record of 56-6 before turning pro.

Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information visit www.IronMikeProductions.com, www.sho.com/sports, follow on twitter at @IronMikeProd, @shosports, follow the conversation using #ShoBox or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/IronMikeProductions.Official and www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.

LAS VEGAS (July 19, 2013) — LARRY HOLMES and JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ SR., two of boxing’s greatest champions, confirmed they will be present in Las Vegas for their induction on Saturday, August 10, at the Monte Carlo Las Vegas Resort & Casino into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

Holmes, of Easton, Pa., won the title on June 9, 1978 by defeating Ken Norton at Caesars Palace in one of the great heavyweight matches in history. The fight was dead even after 14 rounds and Holmes won the match, and the title, in a magnificent 15th round.

Holmes held the championship for seven years, three months and two days, making 20 consecutive defenses. Holmes, who like Chávez was chosen in the non-Nevada resident boxer category, began his career 48-0 before losing a highly controversial decision to Michael Spinks.

Holmes fought until 2002, racking up a 69-6 record with 44 knockouts. He scored many notable wins in Nevada in addition to beating Norton. He also bested Muhammad Ali, Earnie Shavers and Gerry Cooney.

“I’m honored to be inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, and I want to express my appreciation to all those who voted for me,” Holmes said. “Vegas has always been my home away from home. There’s nothing like Las Vegas.”

Chávez, who retired in 2005 with an incredible 107-6-2 mark with 85 knockouts, fought in Nevada so often he could have applied for resident status. He fought in the state 25 times, including 19 times in world championship matches.

He met most of the top opponents of his era in Nevada, including two major bouts with fellow NVBHOF inductee Oscar De La Hoya. Among the major wins he had in Nevada were knockouts of Roger Mayweather, Edwin Rosario and Meldrick Taylor.

“I’m privileged to be inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame,” Chávez said. “I would like to thank the Nevada Athletic Commission, the city of Las Vegas, and all the sportswriters for this honor. I am humbled by it. I would also like to say thank you to the guys that I faced over my career. I appreciate all of you, I enjoyed the competition and it was an honor to face you. Also, I would like to thank my family, which has played a big role in my life, and all those people that have played a role in my career and those who have made a positive impact in my life.

“Last but not least are the fans. I feel truly blessed by the fans and all the support they have given me throughout my boxing career as well as all that support my family over the years, I will never forget all those memories.”

Both men have previously been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Remaining tickets for the historic first Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame banquet are for sale online at www.nvbhof.com

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is a non-profit, 501-c-3 charitable organization. Ticket sales to its events, purchases from, and donations to the NVBHOF are tax-deductible. Donations can be made by visiting the NVBHOF website.

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